DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1990 DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN PUBLISHED ................................................................ 1
GOVERNOR TO VISIT LONDON AND EUROPE ..................................... 4
CLUBS' WORK IN DEVELOPING ROLE OF WOMEN PRAISED ......................... 4
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC ................................. 5
LEVEL OF APPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH NATIONALITY SATISFACTORY .............. 5
APPOINTMENTS TO NEW TERM URBAN COUNCIL WELCOMED ......................... 6
SUPPLY VOLTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY ......... 8
DB'S TO ASSUME MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN 90'S .............................. 9
BUS TOUR TO PROMOTE DB ELECTIONS ........................................ 11
DRAFT PLANS FOR MONG KOK AND SHEUNG WAN REDEVELOPMENTS .................. 12
PROPOSED DREDGING AT KAP SHUI MUN ....................................... 13
MAINLAYING WORKS ON LANTAU .............................................. 13
LAND RESUMPTION IN SHA TAU KOK .......................................... 14
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TYPHOON SHELTER ..................... 14
TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME ENDS TODAY .............................. 15
ENHANCEMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS FACILITATES CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKING ... 16
STUDENTS URGED TO STRIVE AND PERSEVERE .................................. 16
CONFERENCES ON WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH RELATING TO STUDENT GUIDANCE ....... 17
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
- 1 -
1990 DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN PUBLISHED
*****
ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1990 WERE: ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS; TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING; WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR; PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT; BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS; AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS.
THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 80.8% OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1990.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1990 OVER 1989 WERE : PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (+$1,825 MILLION); CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+$1,281 MILLION); TOBACCO (+$1,004 MILLION); PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (+$642 MILLION); TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING (+$249 MILLION); AND FOOD (+$246 MILLION).
IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1990 OVER 1989 WERE : TOBACCO (+49.9%); CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+27.4%); FOOD (+14.9%); AND PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (+11.8%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, A NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES RECORDED DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989. AMONG THEM WERE : PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$1,629 MILLION OR -15.7%); BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (-$1,069 MILLION OR -10.5%); ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (-$435 MILLION OR -0.8%); AND MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (-$233 MILLION OR -3.0%).
OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM THE FISHING INDUSTRY DECREASED BY $51 MILLION OR 8.5% IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICITY INCREASED BY $112 MILLION OR 16.9%.
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS STRUCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (I.S.I.C.), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S.I.T.C.) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
/CAUTION SHOULD
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
2
THESE RE-
CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN REFERRING TO CLASSIFIED STATISTICS. CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS MAY SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES !N THEIR PRODUCTION.
REQUIRE
IN SUCH CASES, THE INDUSTRY IN
WHICH AN ITEM IS THE EXPORT VALUE
FINALLY
OF THAT
PRODUCED IS NOT THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO
ITEM HOWEVER, THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE ITEM HAS WHOLLY BEEN ALLOCATED THIS RE-CLASSIFICATION.
TO THAT INDUSTRY IN
RFS1DFS THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO PARTTCuSS INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE EXPORT VALUE OF
THE ITEM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, ®JNCE pJrT O? WE VALUE MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED
BESIDES,
UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS.
FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE FOUND OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 839 3223).
EXPORTS STATISTICS IN A TABLE WHICH IS
OF THE CENSUS AND
A TABLE SHOWING MORE FOR SELECTED MANUFACTURING "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE,
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT DECEMBER 1990".
/VALUE OF .......
A
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
Value of merchandise domestic exports reclassified by industrial origin for the whole year of 1990
(Value in HK$ million)
Industrial origin of the commodities exported Merchandise domestic exports
1990 whole year 1989 whole year Value change % change
Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing
Agricultural, livestock and poultry production 10 6 +4 +77.1
Fishing 553 604 -51 -8.5
Milling and Quarrying Manufacturing 9 5 +4 +74.2
Food 1,899 1,652 +246 + 14.9
Beverages 348 334 + 14 +4.2
Tobacco 3,017 2,013 + 1,004 +49.9
Textiles (including knitting) 45,195 44,946 +249 +0.6
Wearing apparel, except footwear and knitwear 44,578 44,499 +79 +0.2
Leather and leather products 995 964 +31 +3.2
Footwear 861 1,030 -169 -16.4
Wood and cork products, furniture and fixtures 647 729 -82 -11.3
Paper and paper products, printing and publishing 6,080 5,438 +642 + 11.8
Chemicals and chemical products 5,952 4,672 + 1,281 +27.4
Products of petroleum and coal 6 7 -1 -8.1
Rubber products 124 132 -8 -5.8
Plastic products 8,753 10,382 -1,629 -15.7
Non-metallic mineral products 524 691 -166 -24.1
Basic metals and fabricated metal products 9,097 10,166 -1,069 -10.5
Machinery, except electrical 7,461 7,694 -233 -3.0
Electrical and electronic products 52,356 52,792 -435 -0.8
Transport equipment 172 229 -57 -24.8
Professional and optical equipment 22,530 20,705 +1,825 +8.8
Other manufacturing industries 13,817 13,612 +204 + 1.5
Electricity 774 662 + 112 + 16.9
Miscellaneous items (e.g. developed photographic plates and film, antiques, and works of art) 117 140 -23 -16.3
Total 225,875 224,104 + 1,771 +0.8
Individual entries of a column may not add up exactly to (he corresponding total due to rounding. All percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded figures.
Industrial Research Section, Census & Statistics Department, Hong Kong.
Tei. : 839 3223
March 1991
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FRIDAY, MARCH 1,
1991
GOVERNOR TO VISIT LONDON AND EUROPE
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT LONDON AND EUROPE FROM MARCH 7 TO 16. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON AND HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE.
WHILE IN LONDON, SIR DAVID WILL BRIEF FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTERS ON THE CURRENT SITUATION IN HONG KONG, AND HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
ON TUESDAY, MARCH 12, SIR DAVID WILL FLY TO THE GERMAN CITY OF HANOVER WHERE HE WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE HANOVER FAIR CEBIT ’91. THIS IS REGARDED AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT FAIR FOR OFFICE EQUIPMENT, DATA PROCESSING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY.
HONG KONG HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE "BUSINESS PARTNER" FOR THE FAIR. THIS WILL PROVIDE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE THE TERRITORY’S BUSINESS, MANUFACTURING, TRADE AND FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE ESTIMATED 500,000 VISITORS.
ON MARCH 13, THE GOVERNOR WILL FLY TO THE NETHERLANDS, WHERE HE WILL MEET SENIOR DUTCH MINISTERS, BUSINESSMEN AND BANKERS.
THE GOVERNOR RETURNS TO GERMANY ON MARCH 15 TO ADDRESS A LUNCHEON GATHERING IN HAMBURG. HE WILL ALSO BE THE GUEST AT THE EAST ASIA ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL DINNER THE SAME NIGHT.
SIR DAVID WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SUNDAY, MARCH 17.
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CLUBS’ WORK IN DEVELOPING ROLE OF WOMEN PRAISED
*****
LADY WILSON TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED THREE PROMINENT WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUBS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN HELPING WOMEN TO DEVELOP THEIR ROLE IN THE SOCIETY.
SPEAKING AT THE WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB KOWLOON, EASTERN AND WESTERN DISTRICTS LUNCH, LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THE THREE CLUBS, SINCE THEIR FOUNDATION THREE DECADES AGO, HAD ENCOURAGED WOMEN TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND HAD RAISED AWARENESS IN THE SOCIETY OF WHAT WOMEN COULD ACHIEVE.
"BY ESTABLISHING SCHOOLS AND NURSERIES YOU HAVE ENABLED MOTHERS TO GO OUT TO WORK. AND BY LOOKING AFTER THE ELDERLY YOU HAVB GIVEN THEM DIGNITY.
/"THESE ARE
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
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’’THESE ARE VALUABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. THERE WILL BE MANY MORE, I'M SURE,” SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID THROUGH THE EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN PUBLIC ACTIVITIES, THE CLUBS WERE DEMONSTRATING A COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG'S FUTURE.
"IT IS THROUGH LEARNING TO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER THAT WE WILL HELP TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF THIS COMMUNITY CONTINUES IN THE YEARS TO COME," LADY WILSON SAID.
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GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC * « * t *
THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAY, MARCH 10, FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN BLOOM.
THE OPEN DAY HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1968.
PEOPLE WISHING TO VISIT THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE AND LEAVE BY THE SIDE GATES SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY THE FLOWERS WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.
THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT ONLY THE GARDENS WILL BE OPEN AND THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER THE HOUSE ITSELF.
SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.
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LEVEL OF APPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH NATIONALITY SATISFACTORY ♦ » » * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) 57,862 APPLICATIONS UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 28, 1991.
THAT A TOTAL OF SELECTION SCHEME
-THIS NUMBER WILL GO UP WHEN APPLICATIONS DESPATCHED BY POST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS ARE RECEIVED BY THE IMMIGRATION
DEPARTMENT," HE ADDED.
COMMENTING ON THE LEVEL OF APPLICATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE OUTCOME WAS ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY. THERE WAS NO OVERWHELMING OVER-SUBSCRIPTION OR UNDER-SUBSCRIPTION.
/"THE OBJECTIVE
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
6
’’THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME WAS TO PROVIDE LOCAL PEOPLE WITH AN OPTION OF AN INSURANCE POLICY AT A TIME WHEN HONG KONG WAS SUFFERING FROM A SERIOUS CONFIDENCE CRISIS. THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SCHEME ACHIEVED THIS,” HE SAID.
’’THE SCHEME HAS SINCE EXERTED A STABILISING EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY.
’’MOREOVER, IT HAS ACTED AS A CATALYST IN ENCOURAGING OTHER COUNTRIES TO PROVIDE SIMILAR ASSURANCE SCHEMES SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND THE RESULT HAS BEEN A MUCH WIDER RANGE OF OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO CHOOSE FROM.
’’ALL IN ALL, THE SCHEME HAS PLAYED ITS PART IN RESTORING LOCAL CONFIDENCE BY ANCHORING KEY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
ON SUGGESTIONS THAT THE SCHEME MIGHT CATCH APPLICANTS OF LOWER QUALITY AS A RESULT OF LESS COMPETITION INVOLVED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE PROFILE OF APPLICANTS SHOWED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.
“THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS IS THAT THE SCHEME IS TOTALLY TRANSPARENT, SO THAT ALL POTENTIAL APPLICANTS ARE ABLE TO ASSESS THEIR OWN SCORES FAIRLY ACCURATELY.
"ONLY THOSE WHO FEEL THAT THEY ARE WELL QUALIFIED AND WOULD STAND A GOOD CHANCE OF SUCCESS HAVE APPLIED," HE SAID.
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APPOINTMENTS TO NEW TERM URBAN COUNCIL WELCOMED
******
THE URBAN COUNCIL TODAY (FRIDAY) WELCOMED THE GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENT OF FIVE NEW MEMBERS AND RE-APPOINTMENT OF 10 MEMBERS TO THE NEW-TERM COUNCIL WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT IN JUNE.
A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE RE-APPOINTMENT WILL ENABLE THE EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE EXISTING COUNCIL TO CONTINUE WHILE THE NEW APPOINTMENT WILL INJECT NEW IMPETUS TO THE COUNCIL.”
HE SAID THAT THE NEW MEMBERS WERE PROFESSIONALS DRAWN FROM A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE COUNCIL WAS LOOKING FORWARD WITH EAGERNESS TO THEIR VALUABLE ADVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WIDE SPECTRUM OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL.
"AT PRESENT, THE COUNCIL HAS NO MEMBER FROM THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE SOMEONE OF MR THOMAS KWOK PING-KWONG’S STANDING, BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE IN THE COUNCIL TO LOOK AFTER ITS LARGE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WHICH COSTS OVER $600 MILLION A YEAR IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
7 -
HE NOTED THAT MR VINCENT CHOW WING-SHING, AN ENGINEER IN COMPUTER SCIENCE BY TRAINING AND AN ENERGETIC YOUNG BUSINESSMAN IN THE JEWELLERY TRADE, IS INTERESTED IN CULTURE AND THE ARTS WHILE MR RONALD POON CHO-Y1U, AN ARCHITECT, IS AN EXPERT IN CHINESE PAINTINGS, CALLIGRAPHY AND CERAMICS.
"IT IS DESIRABLE FOR THE COUNCIL TO HAVE MORE MEMBERS WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN THESE FIELDS TO MAKE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNCIL’S EXPANDING CULTURAL AND MUSEUM ACTIVITIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MISS CARLYE TSUI WAI-LING, AN ECONOMIST BY TRAINING AND A COMPANY DIRECTOR, HAS WIDE EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND PUBLIC RELATIONS WHICH WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO THE COUNCIL.
DR LEUNG PING-CHUNG, A PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, IS WELL RESPECTED IN HIS PROFESSION FOR HIS INTEREST AND CONTRIBUTIONS ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
"PUBLIC HEALTH AND HYGIENE IS ONE OF THE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL. DR LEUNG WILL BE THE SECOND MEMBER FROM THE MEDICAL PROFESSION TO ADVISE AND GUIDE THE COUNCIL IN THIS AREA OF WORK," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE URBAN COUNCIL PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FIVE COUNCILLORS WHO WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE APPOINTMENT LIST. THEY ARE THE COUNCIL’S CHAIRMAN, MR GERRY FORSGATE, DR PHILLIP KWOK, MR TONG KAM-BIU, MR JOHN FAN AND MISS VICTORIA CHAN YING.
THE SPOKESMAN EXTENDED THE COUNCIL’S DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO THEM FOR THEIR VALUABLE SERVICES AND CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGHOUT THEIR TERMS OF OFFICE.
"ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL, WE WOULD LIKE IN PARTICULAR TO THANK MR FORSGATE FOR HIS 26 YEARS’ DEVOTED SERVICE WITH THE COUNCIL AND HI3 LEADERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, FIRST AS VICE-CHAIRMAN AND THEN AS CHAIRMAN SINCE 1986.
"UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP AND WITH THE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OTHER SITTING COUNCILLORS, THE COUNCIL ACHIEVED A LONG LIST OF BREAKTHROUGHS IN ITS SERVICES TO THE URBAN COMMUNITY. AMONG THESE ARE THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, THE KOWLOON PARK AND THE SOON-TO-BE OPENED SCIENCE MUSUEM AND HONG KONG PARK," HE SAID.
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/8 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
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SUPPLY VOLTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY *****
THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ESTABLISHED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UPGRADING OF ELECTRICITY VOLTAGE FROM 200/346V TO 220/380V, HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE COMMITTEE IS APPOINTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND COMPRISES 17 MEMBERS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES OF CONSUMERS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, THE SUPPLY COMPANIES, TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
"THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXERCISE IS PLANNED TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THREE PHASES," THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, SAID.
"THE FIRST PHASE DEALS WITH THE EXISTING INSTALLATIONS INSIDE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. WORK ON THIS PHASE SHOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN ABOUT ONE TO ONE-AND-A-HALF YEARS,” HE SAID.
"THE SECOND PHASE, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE, WILL COVER EXISTING INSTALLATIONS IN HOUSING AUTHORITY’S BUILDINGS.
"THE THIRD PHASE WILL COVER REMAINING INSTALLATIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDINGS AND THIS PHASE WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE YEARS," HE SAID.
AT THE FIRST MEETING, THE COMMITTEE HAS RECEIVED INITIAL REPORTS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND HAS GENERALLY DISCUSSED ITS WORK SCHEDULE.
THE COMMITTEE WILL MEET REGULARLY TO MONITOR PROGRESS OF THE EXERCISE AND TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT WHAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE EXERCISE WILL BE CARRIED OUT SMOOTHLY.
"IT WILL ALSO REVIEW, IN LIGHT OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, THE PACE OF THE EXERCISE," PROF POON SAID.
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/9 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
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DB'S TO ASSUME MO.ZE IMPORTANT ROLE IN 90’S
******
AS HONG KONG PROGRESSES INTO THE 90S AND BECOMES EVEN MORE COMPLICATED, THE ADVISORY ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER BEFORE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY),
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MR TSAO SAID IN SUCH A HIGHLY COMPACT COMMUNITY, THE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICTS MUST BE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT IN THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
"THE VITAL ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE THREE-TIER REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE IS BEST REFLECTED HERE.
"TOGETHER WITH THE AREA COMMITTEES AND THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME," HE STRESSED.
THE PRIME OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME, HE ADDED, WAS TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.
"THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN LOCAL AFFAIRS TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE AND RESPONSIVE ADMINISTRATION AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.”
HE POINTED OUT THAT DISTRICT BOARDS, AS STATUTORY ADVISORY BODIES IN THE DISTRICTS, ARE CONSULTED ON A BROAD RANGE OF MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN THE DISTRICTS, IN PARTICULAR, THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR LOCAL MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
IT IS ALSO A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO BE CONSULTED ON MAJOR TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES.
"RECENT EXAMPLES INCLUDED THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE, THE PROPOSAL TO SELL PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS, AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION NO. 4 REPORT.
"ASIDE FROM A CENTRAL BRIEFING SESSION WHERE ALL THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND, THE RESPONSIBLE POLICY BRANCH HAD ALSO SENT HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS TO ATTEND THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHEN THE ISSUE WAS ON THE AGENDA ITEM."
REFUTING ALLEGATIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ATTACHING LESS WEIGHT TO THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR TSAO CITED TWO EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE DISCUSSION OF TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES.
/THE FIRST .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
- 10 -
THE FIRST IS THE ’’MARK SIX LOTTERY TICKET” ISSUE.
”IF WE DID NOT LISTEN I’O THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, PERHAPS YOU WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO BUY MARK SIX TICKETS IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD CONVENIENCE STORES,” HE SAID.
THE SECOND ONE CONCERNS THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
LAST NOVEMBER MR TSAO PERSONALLY CHAIRED A SEMINAR ON PADS WHICH WERE ALSO ATTENDED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND FOUR OTHER POLICY SECRETARIES.
"ALL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WERE INVITED TO THE SEMINAR, AND WERE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO RAISE QUESTIONS AND EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE PROJECT.
"INDEED, A COMMITMENT HAS BEEN MADE THAT DISTRICT BOARDS DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE PADS WILL BE BRIEFED AND CONSULTED AND RELEVANT INFORMATION RELATED TO THE PROJECTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE DBS CONCERNED. SUBJECT OFFICERS FROM CONCERNED BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS WILL ALSO ATTEND BRIEFINGS TO EXPLAIN THE PROPOSALS TO DB MEMBERS," HE SAID.
HE SAID CRITICS COULD ALWAYS CITE ONE OR TWO ISOLATED CASES WITH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
HOWEVER, ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO WEIGH THE DIFFERENT VIEWS EXPRESSED TO CHOOSE THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION AND HENCE IT WAS PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE THAT SOMETIMES THE ADVICE OF DISTRICT BOARDS COULD NOT BE ADHERED TO.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WHEN WE LOOK FROM A WIDER PERSPECTIVE AND LOOK AT OTHER MORE LOCALISED ISSUES SUCH AS THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, THE ADVICE OF DISTRICT BOARDS ARE OFTEN ADHERED TO BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
ON THE REDUCTION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, MR TSAO STRESSED ONCE AGAIN THAT THIS MEASURE HAD BEEN PROMPTED SOLELY BY THE NEED TO CONTROL GOVERNMENT’S RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND THAT THE AUSTERITY PROGRAMME APPLIED NOT JUST TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION BUT ALSO TO A NUMBER OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
HE REVEALED THAT DISCUSSIONS WERE TAKING PLACE WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS WITH A VIEW TO DEVISING A NEW PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD LESSEN ANY ADVERSE IMPACT OF DIMINISHED ALLOCATION IN FUNDS.
"OUR AIM IS TO RESTORE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND AT LEAST IN PART, THE ALLOCATIONS FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. DETAILS WILL BE DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC LATER," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAW THE OPERATION OF DISTRICT BOARDS, AFTER THREE TERMS OF HARD WORK, AS BEING MORE MATURE AND THEIR ROLE MORE WIDELY RECOGNISED BY THE PUBLIC THAN EVER BEFORE.
/HE DISCLOSED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
HE DISCLOSED THAT IN A RECENT TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY BY THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIC EDUCATION, 85 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS RECOGNISED THE FACT THAT ONCE REGISTERED, THEY COULD VOTE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THIS SHOWED THAT THE PUBLIC KNEW THE DISTRICT BOARDS BEST AMONG THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
FINALLY, MR TSAO REITERATED THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRMEST COMMITMENT TO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME AND TO MAKE THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS A SUCCESS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A MASSIVE PUBLICITY PROGRAMME HAD BEEN GOING ON IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE ON MARCH 3.
’’HOWEVER, MERE GOVERNMENT EFFORTS ARE SURELY NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE THIS ELECTION A SUCCESS. WHAT MATTERS MORE IS THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC,” HE STRESSED.
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BUS TOUR TO PROMOTE DB ELECTIONS * ♦ » » ♦
A COLOURFULLY DECORATED BUS TO PROMOTE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL TOUR AROUND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE BUS TOUR IS ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE TO REMIND VOTERS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION DAY ON SUNDAY.
INFORMATION LEAFLETS AND SOUVENIRS BEARING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION MESSAGE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE RESIDENTS.
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DUNCAN PESCOD, WILL OFFICIATE AT A LAUNCHING CEREMONY BEFORE THE BUS TOUR.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE BUS TOUR TOMORROW (SATURDAY). THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
12
DRAFT PLANS FOR MONG KOK AND SHEUNG WAN REDEVELOPMENTS »»»»»*
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED TWO LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) SCHEME PLANS FOR THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES IN MONG KOK AND SHEUNG WAN DISTRICTS.
A TOWN PLANNING BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THE TWO SCHEME PLANS PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORKS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHEME AREAS BY RESTRUCTURING THE EXISTING LAND USE PATTERN AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.”
THE MONG KOK SCHEME PLAN, LOCATED AT ARGYLE STREET/SHANGHAI STREET AREA, WILL PROVIDE A MIXTURE OF OFFICE, RETAIL AND HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS WITH PART OF NELSON STREET CLOSED FOR PEDE8TRIANISATION.
THE EXISTING PET-BIRD AND ASSOCIATED GOODS STALLS WILL BE RELOCATED TO ANOTHER LOCATION IN MONGKOK.
THE SHEUNG WAN SCHEME PLAN IS LOCATED AT QUEEN STREET AREA. THE SCHEME WILL INCORPORATE A MIXTURE OF RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY USES.
A SOCIAL WELFARE COMPLEX WITH VARIOUS FACILITIES INCLUDING A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME AND A MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE PROVIDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "PUBLIC OPEN SPACE OF APPROPRIATE SIZE WILL BE DESIGNATED WITHIN EACH SCHEME IN ORDER TO SERVE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ENHANCE THE EXISTING AMENITIES OF THE SCHEME AREAS.
"LDC WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN FOR THE RESPECTIVE SCHEME AREAS TO TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION," HE ADDED.
THE DRAFT SCHEME PLANS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR TWO MONTHS AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
A. CENTRAL AND WESTERN ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET HONG KONG;
B. TOWN PLANNING BOARD SECTION, PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
C. DISTRICT OFFICE (MONG KOK), 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON. (FOR THE MONG KOK SCHEME PLAN ONLY).
D. DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL. (FOR THE SHEUNG WAN SCHEME PLAN ONLY).
COPIES OF THE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 405 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $60 EACH COLOURED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE TWO LDC SCHEME PLANS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD BY MAY 1.
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/13 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
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PROPOSED DREDGING AT KAP SHUI MUN
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 156 HECTARES OF SEABED AT KAP SHUI MUN TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
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 APRIL 30 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHTS 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, CENTRAL (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE, KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG; AND THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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MAINLAYING WORKS ON LANTAU » ♦ » » ♦
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE MAINLAYING WORKS ALONG TUNG CHUNG ROAD, FROM CHEUNG SHA TO PAK KUNG AU, ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE LAYING OF 1,600 METRES OF PIPES WITH DIAMETERS RANGING FROM 300 TO 400 MILLIMETRES. A TENDER NOTICE IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT 11 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS IS THE SECOND OF SIX CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED UNDER THE TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY TO NORTH LANTAU PROJECT.
/'•THE WHOLE...........
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
14
’’THE WHOLE PROJECT COMPRISES A PUMPING STATION AT CHEUNG SHA, A TREATMENT WORKS NEAR PAK KUNG AU, A SERVICE RESERVOIR AT THE FOTH1LL OF TAI TUNG SHAN, AND 7.3 KILOMETRES OF WATER MAINS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER TO TUNG CHUNG AREAS UP TO TAI PO," HE SAID.
TENDER FOR THE FIRST MAINLAYING CONTRACT WAS GAZETTED IN JANUARY AND THE LAST CONTRACT IS SCHEDULED FOR TENDER IN AUGUST.
THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD WILL LAST FROM NEXT MONTH TO JUNE 1993.
WHILE THE TRAFFIC VOLUME IN TUNG CHUNG ROAD IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WATERWORKS INSTALLATIONS, THE EXISTING ONE-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT WILL BE MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
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LAND RESUMPTION IN SHA TAU KOK ♦ » » ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND IN SHA TAU KOK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
A LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACE WILL BE BUILT IN TSOI YUEN KOK WITH THE RESUMPTION OF 32 WHOLE AND PORTIONS OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS MEASURING SOME 12,880 SQUARE METRES.
THE LOTS WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING OF NOTICES ON THEM.
DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TYPHOON SHELTER * ♦ » »
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TYPHOON SHELTER IN TO KWA WAN. A TENDER NOTICE IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 900 METRES OF BREAKWATER, MOORING DOLPHINS AND OTHER MARINE FACILITIES TO FORM A TYPHOON SHELTER WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 18 HECTARES.
THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN MAY AND WILL TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
/THE TYPHOON .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
- 15 -
THE TYPHOON SHELTER WILL REPROVISION PART OF THE EXISTING KWUN TONG TYPHOON SHELTER AFFECTED BY THE KAI TAK AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 22.
-----0-----
TAI PO LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME ENDS TODAY
******
THE TAI PO DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME ENDED THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING WITH A VARIETY SHOW AT THE TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE.
THE SHOW, WHICH ATTRACTED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS, MISS MAN PUI-LING, MISS WONG MAN-YEE AND MISS FONG YEE-KEI.
DECORATIVE LANTERNS, TOGETHER WITH A LANTERN PUZZLE, WERE ALSO PUT UP AT THE SQUARE TO CELEBRATE THE CHINESE VALENTINE’S DAY (THE 15TH DAY OF THE THE FIRST MONTH IN THE CHINESE CALENDAR).
AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA, ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR SCROLL WRITING AND CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITIONS.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR THOMAS YIU, AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG.
ABOUT 18 RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WERE HELD SINCE THE STARTING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME ON JANUARY 11.
THE PROGRAMME WAS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND SEVEN LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE TAI PO DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAMME IS AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1981 TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING AND CUMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
- 16 -
ENHANCEMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS FACILITATES CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKING
******
THE ENHANCEMENT OF POLICE NOMINAL INDEX COMPUTER SYSTEM (PONICS) AND THE COMMAND AND CONTROL COMPUTER SYSTEM (ECACCS) IS MAKING THE INVESTIGATION OF CASES AND THE CHECKING OF CRIMINAL RECORDS QUICKER AND MORE EFFICIENT.
THE MAN ON THE BEAT WITH HIS RADIO AND THE OFFICER MAKING ENQUIRIES BY TELEPHONE WILL RECEIVE MORE SPEEDY AND MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF WANTED SUSPECTS AND KNOWN CRIMINALS.
MR DAVE MADOC-JONES, STAFF OFFICER, CRIME, IN THE CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU, DESCRIBES HIS JOB AS "LIKE WORKING IN A FLOWER SHOP AND NOT KEEPING A GARDEN".
IT IS AN APT COMPARISON AS HE SURVEYS THE INFINITE VARIETIES OF "FLOWERS" IN HIS BUREAU GARDEN - BEING TENDED WITH LOVING CARE AND ALWAYS READY TO BE PLUCKED AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE BY CUSTOMERS FORCE-WIDE.
THE GROWTH OF ECACCS, ALREADY OPERATIONAL IN KOWLOON AND DUE TO GO LIVE SOON ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WILL ALLOW MORE ACCESS TO CRIMINAL RECORDS AND ALSO MORE DETAILED SEARCHES.
"THE ENHANCED PONICS IS STATE OF THE ART COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY," SAID MR MADOC-JONES. "IT CAN HOLD FULL CRIMINAL RECORDS, NOT JUST ACT AS A SIGNPOST TO MORE DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS.
"IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A SEXUAL OFFENDER OPERATING IN WONG TAI SIN IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, THE NEW SYSTEM WILL FIND IT, DOWN TO A SUSPECT’S SCARS, TATTOOS, AGE AND VOCAL ACCENT.
"THERE WILL BE A FULL INTERFACE BETWEEN ECACCS AND THE ENHANCED PONICS SYSTEMS AND MORE AVAILABILITY OF PONICS TO OFFICERS. THERE WILL BE 400 TERMINALS THROUGHOUT THE FORCE.
"WE CAN DUPLICATE PONICS INTO THE ENHANCED SYSTEM AND CONVERT THE PAPER RECORDS TO DISC AND TAPE.
"WE INTEND TO PUT ALL OUR DATA INTO THE SYSTEM."
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STUDENTS URGED TO STRIVE AND PERSEVERE
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, TODAY ON STUDENTS TO STRIVE AND TO PERSEVERE SO AS 10 TARGET OF ACHIEVEMENT.
(FRIDAY) CALLED
REACH THEIR OWN
SPEAKING AT THE MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS THE AWARD INDICATED TO THEMSELVES HAVE LEARNT
PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1990-91 SING TAO AWARD AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, MR LI SAID TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS HOW THE STUDENTS AND PROGRESSED.
/THE AWARD,.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
17
THE AWARD, HE ADDED, WAS A SIMPLE ILLUSTRATION OF THE PROPOSED ATTAINMENT TARGETS AND TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENTS WHICH THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED IN ITS FOURTH REPORT.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR EDWARD HUNG, GROUP GENERAL MANAGER OF THE SING TAO CHINESE NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING GROUP, SAID NURTURING THE YOUTH OF HONG KONG AND HELPING THEM DEVELOP INTO UPSTANDING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, WAS A MATTER OF CONCERN FOR PARENTS, EDUCATIONALISTS, EMPLOYERS AND THE GOVERNMENT.
HE SAID EDUCATION IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT, AND A ’’BLUE CHIP" ONE AT THAT.
A TOTAL OF 573 STUDENTS FROM 297 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, INCLUDING SPECIAL SCHOOLS, RECEIVED THE AWARD TODAY.
AWARD OF $300 ARE OFFERED TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE BEST ALL-ROUND IMPROVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE ON COMPLETION OF SECONDARY 2 OR SECONDARY 3 OVER THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR.
--------------------------------0------- CONFERENCES ON WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH RELATING TO STUDENT GUIDANCE ♦ * ♦ » *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A SERIES OF CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS LATER THIS MONTH TO INTRODUCE AND PROMOTE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH IN RELATION WITH STUDENT GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE MASTERS OR MISTRESSES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM MARCH 21 TO 23 AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD, IN KOWLOON.
THE CONFERENCE THEME IS "A WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO SCHOOL DISCIPLINE - DEVELOPING PRACTICE AT SCHOOL, CLASSROOM, AND INDIVIDUAL LEVELS" WHILE THAT FOR THE WORKSHOPS IS "SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND THE GUIDANCE TEAM".
TWO EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS FROM BRITAIN, MR CHRIS WATKINS AND MISS PATSY WAGNER, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO TALK ON THE TOPICS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VMS' ACTIONS AT WHITEHEAD REGRETTED ....................................... 1
REHAB POLICY FDR MENTALLY ILL.............................................. 1
RS URGES ALL TO VOTE TOMORROW ............................................. 2
VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS A SUCCESS ............................... 3
LABOUR TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE EXTENDED ................................. 3
PLEA ON VOLUNTARY SERVICE ................................................. 4
CIVIC EDUCATION SURVEY IN SHAM SHUI PO .................................... 5
IMMIGRATION RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE ON MOVE ................................
EXHIBITION ON 'OUT OF THE CLASSROOM' SCHOOL ACTIVITIES .................... 6
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1991
1
VMS’ ACTIONS AT WHITEHEAD REGRETTED
*****
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES (VIETNAMESE UNIT), MR RAYMOND LAI, THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING SAID HE REGRETTED THAT THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS SHOULD HAVE AGAIN RESORTED TO VIOLENCE TO SETTLE THEIR DISPUTES.
MR LAI WAS COMMENTING ON THE INCIDENT IN SECTION 4 OF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE LAST NIGHT IN WHICH 22 VIETNAMESE WERE INJURED.
HE SAID INITIAL ENQUIRIES SHOWED THAT THE VIOLENCE WHICH BROKE OUT BETWEEN TWO GROUPS OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN THE SECTION WAS A CONTINUATION OF THE FIGHT ON WEDNESDAY.
MR LAI SAID ONE OF THE MAJOR OBSTACLES IN LAST NIGHT’S OPERATION WAS THAT AT ONE STAGE, THE ENTRANCE TO THIS SECTION WAS BLOCKED BY ABOUT 400 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO REFUSED TO DISPERSE DESPITE REPEATED WARNINGS.
"WE FINALLY MANAGED TO BREAK IN AND THE SITUATION WAS QUICKLY BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.”
IN ALL, 75 CANISTERS OF TEAR GAS WERE USED TO CURB THE FIGHT AND RESTORE ORDER.
MR LAI EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO OFFICERS WHO TOOK PART IN LAST NIGHT’S OPERATION, MANY OF WHOM WERE OFF DUTY OFFICERS WHO WERE CALLED BACK TO ASSIST.
DURING THE OPERATION, TWO OFFICERS, INCLUDING THE COMMANDER AT THE SCENE, SUSTAINED INJURIES.
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REHAB POLICY FOR MENTALLY ILL
*****
THE EMPHASIS OF THE SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL IN HONG KONG IS ON A COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION PROGRAMME, THE DEPUTY* SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS HELEN YU, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
”OUR POLICY IS TO GRADUALLY MOVE AWAY FROM INSTITUTIONALISATION OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS, WHICH NOT ONLY CREATES ISOLATION BUT ALSO UNDUE SOCIAL STIGMATISATION OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS,” MRS YU SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 1991.
’’INSTEAD, OUR EMPHASIS IS ON A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN AN INTEGRATED AND COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION PROGRAMME.
/•'THIS MEANS ..........
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1991
- 2 -
" THIS MEANS THAT INCREASINGLY PSYCHIATRIC UNITS WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO GENERAL HOSPITALS, AND ALL FUTURE HOSPITALS WILL HAVE SMALL PSYCHIATRIC UNITS," SHE SAID.
MRS YU SAID THE OBJECTIVES WERE TO FACILITATE EARLIER DETECTION AND TREATMENT, TO RECOGNISE THESE PATIENTS AS PART OF THE CASE-MIX FOR GENERAL HOSPITALS AND TO PROMOTE THE SHARING OF EXPERTISE AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
"THROUGH THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE FAMILY, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND SOCIAL WORKERS, WE AIM AT FACILITATING THE EARLY RE-INTEGRATION OF THE PATIENTS INTO THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE JUST OVER 4,500 BEDS IN LOCAL HOSPITALS FOR THE MENTALLY ILL AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. A FURTHER 2,800 WOULD BE PROVIDED BEFORE THE END OF THIS DECADE.
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RS URGES ALL TO VOTE TOMORROW t ♦ » t ♦
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED REGISTERED ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TOMORROW.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT LUNAR NEW YEAR CARNIVAL AT KOWLOON PARK, MR LAN SAID DISTRICT BOARDS PROVIDED AN IMPORTANT LINK FOR RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND TO AIR THEIR VIEWS.
"THE SMOOTH DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT DEPENDS LARGELY ON THE ACTIVE SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION OF ITS PEOPLE," HE SAID.
MR LAN REMINDED RESIDENTS THAT WHILE CELEBRATING THE NEW YEAR, THEY SHOULD AT THE SAME TIME COME OUT IN FORCE TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN TOMORROW’S ELECTIONS SO AS TO BUILD FOR A BETTER DISTRICT.
EARLIER, MR LAN PRAISED THE ORGANISER OF THE CARNIVAL - THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION - FOR HOLDING ART ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS.
*
"THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE ENHANCED RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT AND HAVE ENCOURAGED THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS," HE SAID.
TODAY’S CARNIVAL, WHICH INCLUDED A VARIETY SHOW, STALL GAMES, LANTERN RIDDLES, SINGING AND DANCING, WAS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; AND AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR WU MAN-KEUNG.
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/3........
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1991
VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS A SUCCESS
*****
THE EXPANSION OF THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS IS AN INDICATION OF SUCCESS, THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE, MR R.N. HAWKES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SCHEME’S CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR HAWKES NOTED THAT THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS HAD BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE 1976 AND THAT THE FACT THAT IT WAS STILL GOING STRONG AND WAS EVEN EXPANDING WAS AN INDICATION OF THE SUCCESS IT HAD BEEN.
VOLUNTEERS HAD TO BE VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE AND ONLY THOSE WHO WERE ABLE TO SATISFY STRINGENT CRITERIA WERE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN SCHEME, HE SAID.
"ONE OF THE CRITERIA IS THAT THEY MUST BE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP THEIR OWN TIME TO HELP OTHERS, WITHOUT PAYMENT," HE ADDED.
MR HAWKES POINTED OUT THAT VOLUNTEERS WERE ABLE TO ASSIST PROBATIONERS IN ALL SORTS OF WAYS, SUCH AS HELPING WITH HOME WORK, ENCOURAGING THE BETTER USE OF LEISURE TIME AND PROVIDING FRIENDSHIP.
HE ALSO EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY PROBATION OFFICERS, WHO HAD PRODUCED THOROUGH AND CAREFUL REPORTS FOR ALL COURTS DESPITE THEIR HEAVY WORKLOAD.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, APPEALED TO PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS TO TAKE PART IN THE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS.
MR HAWKES AND MR FUNG PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 46 VOLUNTEERS IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE.
- - 0 - -
LABOUR TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE EXTENDED *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY EXPANDED ITS GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE (GETS) TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FROM PEOPLE SEEKING INFORMATION ON LABOUR LEGISLATION.
"UNDER THE SECOND PHASE OF GETS WHICH STARTED THIS MONTH, LABOUR INSPECTORS WILL PROVIDE DIRECT ANSWERS OR . USE PRE-RECORDED TAPES ON RELEVANT LABOUR SUBJECTS TO ANSWER THE CALLERS QUESTIONS," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION), MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN, EXPLAINED.
/"THE TAPES
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1991
4
’’THE TAPES, AVAILABLE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, COVER 29 TOPICS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND MATTERS RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS,” MR CHAN SAID.
"THEY WILL BE PLAYED BACK TO THE CALLER ON A DATAPHONE MACHINE IF SO DESIRED.
’’HOWEVER, COMPLICATED ENQUIRIES AND THOSE RELATING TO SPECIFIC CASES WILL BE REFERRED TO THE APPROPRIATE DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE DETAILED ANSWERS.”
THE GETS WAS INTRODUCED IN JULY 1989 TO SUPPLEMENT EXISTING ENQUIRY SERVICES OPERATED BY VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"IT HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC, WITH 64,595 ENQUIRIES RECEIVED LAST YEAR, ABOUT 235 CALLS EVERY DAY,” MR CHAN NOTED.
"OF THESE ENQUIRIES, ABOUT HALF REQUIRED VERY SIMPLE AND BRIEF ANSWERS, 23 PER CENT WERE HANDLED BY THE DATAPHONE SYSTEM AND 27 PER CENT WERE REFERRED TO OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS FOR ACTION,” HE ADDED.
THE ENQUIRY HOTLINE -- 815 5066 -- WILL BE MANNED BY FOUR LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.
- 0 - -
PLEA ON VOLUNTARY SERVICE * * ♦ * * »
ENROLLING CADETS OF THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN, TO SUPPORT AND TO HELP THE SPREAD OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
THE PLEA WAS MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, WHEN ADDRESSING THE CADETS’ ENROLMENT CEREMONY AND PASSING-OUT PARADE.
"IN A SOCIETY THAT IS OFTEN CRITICISED FOR BEING DRIVEN BY GREED AND MATERIALISM, IT IS REFRESHING TO FIND THAT THE SPIRIT OF SELFLESSLY HELPING OTHERS IS ALIVE AND WELL AND DRAWING SUCH A STRONG RESPONSE FROM OUR YOUNG PEOPLE," MR CARTLAND TOLD THE 300 CADETS.
HE NOTED THAT ST JOHN WAS A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION IN A VERY REAL SENSE - AN ORGANISATION OF VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING SERVICE TO OTHERS.
"MANY OF THE OTHER SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG ARE NO LONGER VOLUNTARY IN ANY WAY, A TREND WHICH APPEARS TO COINCIDE WITH INCREASING DEPENDENCY ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING," HE SAID.
/HE POINTED
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1991
5
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE A GREAT PITY AND THAT HONG KONG WOULD LOSE A LOT IF THIS TREND WERE ALLOWED TO GO TOO FAR.
"ST JOHN IS SETTING A SHINING EXAMPLE NOT ONLY BY MAINTAINING ITS VOLUNTARY CHARACTER BUT ALSO BY AIMING TO MAKE ITSELF ENTIRELY SELF-SUPPORTING," MR CARTLAND SAID.
"WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT OF ITS HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, ST. JOHN LOOKS FORWARD TO REVENUE-EARNING POSSIBILITIES THAT COULD COMPLETELY ELIMINATE DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT SUBVENTIONS AND COMMUNITY CHEST GRANTS.
"I WELCOME THIS PUBLIC-SPIRITED AND ENTERPRISING APPROACH AND HOPE THAT OTHERS WILL TAKE NOTE," HE CONCLUDED.
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CIVIC EDUCATION SURVEY IN SHAM SHUI PO
*****
A SURVEY TO FIND OUT RESIDENTS’ VIEWS AND. ATTITUDES ON ELECTIONS WAS CONDUCTED IN SHAM SHUI PO THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
IT WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE DISTRICT’S COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
MORE THAN 40 SECONDARY STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT HELPED IN THE POLL BY INTERVIEWING ABOUT 1,000 PEOPLE AT THE MTR’S LAI CHI KOK, CHEUNG SHA WAN, SHAM SHUI PO, MEI FOO AND SHEK KIP MEI STATIONS.
A COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SURVEY WAS AIMED AT DIRECTING PEOPLE’S ATTENTION TO THIS YEAR’S THREE-TIER ELECTIONS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE AVAILABLE AS REFERENCE MATERIAL AT THE COMMITTEE’S RESOURCE CENTRE.
TO PROMOTE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, THE COMMITTEE HAS ARRANGED TWO BROADCASTING VANS TO TOUR THE DISTRICT TOMORROW TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO CAST THEIR VOTE.
--------------------0------- IMMIGRATION RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE ON MOVE *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S CAUSEWAY BAY RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE CURRENTLY SITUATED AT GROUND FLOOR, PARK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 10 SHELTER STREET WILL BE REPROVISIONED TO NEW PREMISES FROM MONDAY (MARCH 4), THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE NEW ADDRESS IS SECOND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
/"THE OFFICE ......
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1991
- 6 -
"THE OFFICE WILL BE RENAMED HONG KONG ISLAND RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE UPON REMOVAL," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OFFICE HOURS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 AM TO 12.45 PM
2 PM TO 4.30 PM
SATURDAY 9 AM TO 12.30 PM
IT WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111 FOR ENQUIRIES.
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EXHIBITION ON ’OUT OF THE CLASSROOM’ SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
******
"OUT OF.THE CLASSROOM" IS THE TITLE OF A TWO-WEEK EXHIBITION WHICH IS NOW ON PUBLIC DISPLAY AT THE NEW ACTIVITY APPROACH CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN HOK YUEN STREET, HUNG HOM.
TWENTY-FOUR SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THE EXHIBITION.
ON DISPLAY ARE VARIOUS EXHIBITS INCLUDING STUDY KITS, TEACHING AND LEARNING AIDS, MODELS AND WORKCARDS.
"IT IS HOPED THAT TEACHERS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO EMBARK ON PROJECTS THAT INVOLVE THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF PUPILS THROUGH MEANINGFUL ’OUT-OF-THE-CLASSROOM’ ACTIVITIES," THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR WONG SIK-WAH, SAID.
THE EXHIBITION, MR WONG SAID, WOULD PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH MORE TEACHING RESOURCES AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO DESIGN ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.
THE OPENING HOURS OF THE EXHIBITION, WHICH IS OPEN FROM TODAY TO MARCH 16, EXCEPT SUNDAYS, ARE FROM 10 AM TO 4.30 PM AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAY.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE EXHIBITION AND GROUP VISIT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE AT THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ON TEL. 839 2471 OR 839 2472.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VOTER TURNOUT RATE "RESPECTABLE": SHA .................................... 1
GOVERNOR URGES PEOPLE TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE .................... 1
CHIEF SECRETARY URGES ELECTORS TO VOTE ................................... 2
NEW DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR SALE OF FLATS ............................
HUGH OVERSPENDING BEYOND CREDIT CARD LIMITS IS LIABLE FOR PROSECUTION ... ANOTHER CHANCE TO CHOOSE PRIMARY 1 PLACE .................................
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1991
1
VOTER TURNOUT RATE ’’RESPECTABLE”: SHA ******
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, DESCRIBED AS ’’RESPECTABLE" THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE OF 32.47 PER CENT IN THIS YEAR'S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE OF 30.3 PER CENT IN 1988.
MR TSAO NOTED THAT THE FIGURE WAS ALSO HIGHER THAN THE INTERNATIONAL AVERAGE OF 20 TO 30 PER CENT FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE TURNOUT RATE MIGHT BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PARTICIPATION OF POLITICAL GROUPS IN THE ELECTIONS.
MR TSAO ALSO THANKED MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA FOR THE PART THEY PLAYED IN PUBLICISING THE ELECTIONS.
AS TO THE EFFECT OF SUNDAY POLLING ON THE TURNOUT RATE, HE SAID THIS HAS TO BE FURTHER ANALYSED.
’’BUT ONE THING IS CERTAIN. THE TURNOUT OF VOTERS HAS AVERAGED OUT THROUGHOUT THE DAY WHICH MUST INDICATE THAT IT IS A CONVENIENT METHOD OF VOTING AS VOTERS ARE ABLE TO PICK THEIR OWN TIME TO CAST THEIR VOTES,” HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID JUDGING FROM WHAT HE SAW DURING HIS VISITS TO THE POLLING STATIONS, THE PUBLIC WERE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE ELECTIONS.
THIS WOULD HAVE A GOOD IMPACT ON THE TWO FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS, PARTICULARLY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER, HE ADDED.
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GOVERNOR URGES PEOPLE TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE »*♦*»♦♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON THAT WITH SEVERAL HOURS TO GO IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, HE HOPED THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WOULD GO OUT AND EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE MUSIC OFFICE ANNUAL CONCERT, SIR DAVID SAID: "THE MORE PEOPLE WE HAVE VOTING IN THESE ELECTIONS THE BETTER IT IS, SO I HOPE PEOPLE WILL GO OUT AND VOTE.”
ASKED ABOUT HIS COMING MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO A MEETING WITH MR LU PING.
/I’M VERY .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1991
2
"I’M VERY GLAD THAT HE IS TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO HONG KONG. I HAD A USEFUL MEETING WITH HIM WHEN I WAS IN PEKING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING HIM AGAIN TOMORROW,” HE SAID.
"I WILL BE COVERING A LOT OF THINGS WITH MR LU PING. I AM SURE WE SHALL BE DISCUSSING THE AIRPORT; THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS ON THE AGENDA, BUT WE’VE GOT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TO DISCUSS TOO, A WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE IMPORTANT THING WAS TO TRY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE QUESTION OF THE AIRPORT, ADDING: "I DON’T KNOW AT THIS STAGE OBVIOUSLY, HOW FAR WE WILL GET, BUT I AM VERY GLAD TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON DISCUSSING IT WITH MR LU PING."
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT NO STATEMENTS SHOULD BE EXPECTED AFTER THE MEETING.
ASKED ABOUT HIS VISIT TO LONDON AND EUROPE, SIR DAVID SAID THE MAIN REASON FOR THE TRIP WAS TO GO TO GERMANY TO OPEN A VERY MAJOR FAIR IN WHICH HONG KONG WAS PLAYING A VERY LARGE ROLE.
"IT’S PART OF THE PROMOTION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS. THAT’S THE PRIME REASON; AND THEN ON THE WAY THERE I AM TAKING TO OPPORTUNITY TO GO THROUGH LONDON.
"I MAKE THESE REGULAR JOURNEYS TO LONDON TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH PEOPLE IN LONDON, WITH MINISTERS AND WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE," HE SAID.
"WHAT I WILL TALK ABOUT IS WHAT I ALWAYS DO, THAT IS TO COVER THE WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH AT THE MOMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
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CHIEF SECRETARY URGES ELECTORS TO VOTE *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (SUNDAY) ENCOURAGED EVERYBODY TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER CASTING HIS BALLOT TOGETHER WITH LADY FORD, SIR DAVID SAID: "THESE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT."
"THE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE A CONTINUING ROLE IN THEIR DISTRICTS AND IT’S ALSO THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY THAT PEOPLE HAVE IN THIS SERIES OF ELECTIONS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING A GREATER SAY IN THE WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG IS GOVERNED," HE ADDED.
"I DO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TODAY, THE FIRST OF THE THREE ELECTIONS, AND AN IMPORTANT ONE," SIR DAVID SAID.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1991
- 3 -
NEW DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR SALE OF FLATS » ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF NEW DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS WHERE HIS CONSENT IS SOUGHT BY PROPERTY DEVELOPERS FOR THE SALE OF FLATS IN UNCOMPLETED BUILDINGS.
THE NEW REQUIREMENTS, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO FURTHER PROTECT FLAT PURCHASERS, ARE THE RESULT OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AFTER A STUDY OF THE SUBJECT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION, THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS, THE INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, THE LAW SOCIETY AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE INFORMATION WHICH PROPERTY DEVELOPERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ARE A SALES BROCHURE AND A PRICE LIST WHICH MUST INCLUDE:
* A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLUS THE IDENTITY OF THE MANAGER OF THE DEVELOPMENT;
♦ A LOCATION PLAN INCLUDING INFORMATION REGARDING PROMINENT ENVIRONMENT FEATURES IN THE FACILITY;
♦ A LAYOUT PLAN SHOWING COMMUNAL FACILITIES, THEIR COMPLETION DATES, OPEN SPACES WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR INTENDED USE;
♦ INFORMATION ON THE GOVERNMENT LEASE, INCLUDING LOT NUMBER, LEASE TERM, USER RESTRICTIONS, ONEROUS CONDITIONS (IF ANY) WHICH WOULD AFFECT PURCHASERS’ LEGAL RIGHTS;
* A DETAILED PLAN OF A TYPICAL FLOOR SHOWING ALL THE PRINCIPAL EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS OF THE FLAT, EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS OF THE ROOMS IN EACH FLAT TOGETHER WITH A NOTE CAUTIONING PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS THAT THE INTERNAL AREAS OR FLATS ON UPPER FLOORS WOULD GENERALLY BE SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN LOWER FLOORS DUE TO REDUCING THICKNESS OF STRUCTURAL WALLS AT UPPER LEVELS, AND, IF THERE ARE SPECIAL FITTINGS OR FIXTURES AFFECTING THE ENJOYMENT OF A PARTICULAR FLAT OR FLATS (FOR EXAMPLE EXPOSED PIPES), SPECIFYING THEIR LOCATION;
* A SEPARATE FLOOR PLAN OF ANY NON-TYPICAL FLOOR;
» A SCHEDULE OF FLAT SIZE, SPECIFYING THE SIZE OF EACH FLAT BY REFERENCE TO A STANDARD DEFINED ’’SALEABLE AREA”, AND THE AREA OF BAY WINDOWS, ROOFS, AND OPEN YARDS;
♦ A DETAILED LIST OF FITTINGS AND FINISHES RELATING TO THE EXTERNAL WALLS, WINDOWS, BAY WINDOWS, PLANTERS, CORRIDORS, BALCONIES, DRYING FACILITIES FOR CLOTHING, LOBBIES, INTERNAL WALLS AND CEILING, FLOORS, BATHROOMS, TELEPHONE AND AERIALS, WATER SUPPLY AND PIPES, THE LIFTS, LETTERBOX, REFUSE COLLECTION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES;
/* THE COMPLETION .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1991
4
* THE COMPLETION DATE OF THE BUILDING;
* IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF THE DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT INCLUDING A DEFINITION OF THE COMMON AREAS, TERMS OF APPOINTMENT OF THE PROPERTY MANAGER, THE BASIS OF FIXING MANAGEMENT FEES AND THE AMOUNT OF MANAGEMENT FEES DEPOSIT;
* SPECIFICATION OF THE LOCATION, NUMBER AND MINIMUM DIMENSIONS OF THE CARPARKING SPACES;
* DETAILS OF ANY MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS DUE ON DELIVERY OF FLATS;
♦ DATE OF PRINTING OF THE SALES BROCHURE;
* NAMES OF CONTRACTORS AND OTHER AUTHORISED PERSONS; AND
* THE PRICES OF INDIVIDUAL UNITS, PURCHASE PROCEDURE, TERMS OF PAYMENT, RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEGAL FEES AND OTHER CHARGES, INSTALMENT PAYMENT METHODS AND INTEREST RATES AND THE NUMBER OF UNITS AVAILABLE FOR SALE.
INFORMATION TO BE DISCLOSED ON REQUEST INCLUDES CONVEYANCING CHARGES AND STAMP DUTIES, A COMPLETE SET OF MASTER LAYOUT PLANS (IF ANY) AND THE BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY, AS WELL AS THE FULL TEXT OF THE APPROVED DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT GOVERNING THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE SALES BROCHURE ARE TO BE PUBLISHED NOT LESS THAN ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE SALE OF THE FLATS. ANY DISCLAIMERS OF THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION WILL OPERATE AS A BREACH OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE CONSENT FOR THE SALE.
COPIES OF THE SALES BROCHURE COMPLYING WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS MUST BE LODGED WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, AND A STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT THIS HAS BEEN DONE MUST BE CONTAINED IN THE SOLICITORS' STATUTORY DECLARATION ACCOMPANYING THE CONSENT APPLICATION.
MR GLEESON SAID HE HAD ISSUED A COMPREHENSIVE LAND OFFICE CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM ON THE SUBJECT WHICH WOULD BE CIRCULATED TO PROPERTY DEVELOPERS AND ALSO TO THE LAW SOCIETY FOR CIRCULATION TO ITS MEMBERS.
HE SAID THE NEW DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS WERE DESIGNED BASICALLY FOR THE SALE OF UNITS IN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS BUT WOULD BE APPLIED ALSO, WITH APPROPRIATE CHANGES, TO COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
/5 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1991
5
HUGH OVERSPENDING BEYOND CREDIT CARD LIMITS IS LIABLE FOR PROSECUTION
SPENDING ENORMOUSLY BEYOND CREDIT CARD LIMITS CAN BE SEEN AS A CRIMINAL ACT AND THE HONG KONG JUDICIARY HAS POWER OVER GENUINE LOCAL CREDIT CARD HOLDERS EVEN THOUGH THEIR OVERSPENDING IS INCURRED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
THE IMPLICATION IS CLEARLY CONTAINED IN THE 11 SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED CASES AGAINST GENUINE CREDIT CARD HOLDERS WHO INTENTIONALLY OVERSPENT HUGE AMOUNTS OVER THEIR CREDIT CEILING.
ALL DEFENDANTS WERE CONVICTED BY DISTRICT COURTS AND WERE SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT RANGING FROM SIX MONTHS TO TWO YEARS.
SENIOR INSPECTOR OF THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU MR LEE WING-KONG BELIEVES THE POLICE HAVE BROUGHT THE CRIMINAL TREND OF ENORMOUSLY SPENDING OVER CREDIT CARD LIMITS UNDER CONTROL.
MR LEE SAID THE CRIME SURFACED IN MID-1987 WHEN SOME BANKS FOUND THAT THEY HAD TO COVER LOCAL CARD HOLDERS’ HUGE OVERSPENDING INCURRED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
’’UNLIKE OTHER FRAUD CREDIT CARD CASES, ALL CONVICTED WERE GENUINE CREDIT CARD HOLDERS AND OBTAINED THEIR CARDS THROUGH PROPER CHANNELS," MR LEE SAID.
’’ALL OFFENDERS HAD SOME IDEA HOW A CREDIT CARD WORKED AND KNEW HOW TO SYSTEMATICALLY AVOID THE SECURITY OF THE BANK.
’’THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE TIME LAPSE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PLACE WHERE THEY OVERSPENT THE ALLOWED CREDIT AND THE BANKS IN HONG KONG."
THOUGH ALL OFFENDERS ACTED ON THEIR OWN, MR LEE BELIEVES THAT THERE MAY BE SYNDICATES INVOLVED. "SOME SYNDICATES MAY AID AND ABET THESE WEAK WILLED GENUINE CREDIT CARD HOLDERS TO DO SO.
"THESE CASES SIT BETWEEN THE BORDER LINE OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW," HE SAID.
LAWYERS OF ALL DEFENDANTS ARGUED STRONGLY AGAINST I’HE CRIMINAL IMPLICATION OF ENORMOUSLY OVERSPENDING THEIR CREDIT LIMIT.
DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FIRST CASE, CCB HAD TO OBTAIN ADVICE FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ON THE COLLECTION OF SUFFICIENT AND ADEQUATE EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT THE OFFENDER HAD CRIMINAL INTENTION TO OVERSPEND.
ONE DIFFICULTY IN PROSECUTION, ESPECIALLY IN THE PRECEDENT-SETTING CASE, SAID MR LEK, WAS THAT THE CASE WAS BASED ON CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE AND BRITISH LEGAL CASES WERE CITED AS EXAMPLES IN COURT.
/I’HE CASE............
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1991
6
THE CASE IN OCTOBER 1989, INITIATED BY CCB, WAS ESTABLISHED AS THE TEST CASE IN HONG KONG AS THE JUDGE ACCEPTED I HE EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO THE COURT.
THE TEST CASE INVOLVED A 30-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO, HAVING A $3,000 CREDIT LIMIT SPENT OVER $540,000 BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY IN 1987. HE WAS CHARGED UNDER SECTION 18 (D) OF THE THEFT ORDINANCE AND WAS SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.
PREVIOUSLY, THE CASE MIGHT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT AT A CIVIL COURT.
• "THE CIVIL COURT COULD NOT HELP A BANK EVEN THOUGH ITS LAWYER COULD SUCCESSFULLY SUE THE OVERSPENDING CREDIT CARD HOLDERS ON GROUNDS OF CIVIL LIABILITY," MR LEE SAID.
"THESE PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE SIGNIFICANT ASSETS AND THE BANK COULD NOT GET MUCH BENEFIT FROM A COURT ORDER FOR THE LIQUIDATION OF THE DEFENDANTS’ ASSETS."
THE LATEST CASE INVOLVED A SALESMAN POSSESSING FOUR CREDIT CARDS WITH ONLY $6,000 CREDIT CEILING ON EACH.
HE WAS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT LAST DECEMBER AS HE HAD INCURRED OVER $600,000 DEBTS IN CHINA, TAIWAN AND JAPAN WITHIN TEN DAYS.
MR LEE BELIEVES IMPRISONMENT IS HARSH ENOUGH TO WARN OTHER CREDIT CARD HOLDERS NOT TO OVERSPEND.
"OTHER CREDIT CARD HOLDERS WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE THEY COMMIT THE CRIME. THE BANKING COMMUNITY HAS RECENTLY FOUND FEWER OVERSPENDING CASES.”
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ANOTHER CHANCE TO CHOOSE PRIMARY 1 PLACE * * » * »
PARENTS WILL HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE OF CHOOSING A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOCATED A PRIMARY 1 DISCRETIONARY PLACE, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THESE CHILDREN WILL BE ALLOCATED A PLACE IN THE PUBLIC-SECTOR SCHOOLS, THROUGH THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION SYSTEM, WHICH WILL BE AS NEAR TO THEIR HOMES AS POSSIBLE, HE SAID.
LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THESE PARENTS BY THE PRIMARY 1 ADMISSION UNIT REQUESTED THEM TO GO TO SPECIFIED DISTRIBUTION-COLLECTION CENTRES TO COLLECT A "CHOICE OF SCHOOLS" FORM AND A LIST OF ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THEIR OWN HOME DISTRICT FROM MARCH 9 TO 11 (SATURDAY TO MONDAY), FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 1.30 PM TO 4.30 PM.
/ALL THE ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 1991
ALL THE CENTRES WILL REMAIN OPEN ON SUNDAY, MARCH 10.
"COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SAME CENTRE WITHIN THE SAME TIME PERIOD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE REMINDED PARENTS THAT THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE PRIMARY 1 ADMISSION UNIT AT TEL NO. 572 4383 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LETTER BY MARCH 9.
THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION IS SOLELY BASED ON PARENTS’ CHOICES WITH NO REFERENCE TO THE POINTS SYSTEM.
WHEN A SCHOOL IS OVERSUBSCRIBED - FOR EXAMPLE IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PLACES - A RANDOMISATION METHOD WILL BE USED TO ENSURE FAIRNESS TO ALL.
PARENTS WHO HAVE MOVED RECENTLY OR ARE PLANNING TO MOVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE ARE ADVISED TO INFORM THE PRIMARY 1 ADMISSION UNIT SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO ALLOCATE A PLACE FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR NEW HOME DISTRICT.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE RESULTS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY 1 PLACES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN JUNE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT SATISFIES WITH VOTER TURNOUT ......................................... 1
HK SIGNS NEW AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MALAYSIA ......................... 2
SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS VISITED UC FACILITIES ............................ 2
1991-92 BUDGET TO LEGCO ON WEDNESDAY ...................................... 3
REGISTRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LAB TECHNOLOGISTS REMINDED .................................................................. 4
TENDERS INVITED FOR TEMPORARY MARKET CONSTRUCTION WORKS ................... 5
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1991
GOVT SATISFIES WITH VOTER TURNOUT
THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS OF YESTERDAY’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (MONDAY),
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON ON THE DB ELECTION RESULTS, MR TSAO REITERATED THAT THE 32.5 PER CENT VOTER TURNOUT, OR OVER 424,000 PEOPLE, WAS A RESPECTABLE FIGURE FOR DISTRICT LEVEL ELECTIONS AND THAT IT WOULD "PROVIDE US WITH A GOOD BASIS TO TAKE OTHER ELECTIONS FORWARD, IN PARTICULAR THE LEGCO ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15."
AS TO THE CHOICE OF A SUNDAY FOR POLLING, MR TSAO SAID IT HAD SHOWN TO BE CONVENIENT TO VOTERS AS IT ALLOWED THEM TO PICK THEIR OWN TIME TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.
AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF SUNDAY POLLING ALSO SHOWED THAT THE VOTING PATTERN THROUGHOUT THE DAY WAS EVENLY SPREAD WITH INCREASES OF TWO TO THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS EVERY HOUR.
"IT ALSO HAS THE ADDED ADVANTAGE OF ENABLING THE EXCELLENT MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ELECTIONS TO REACH A MUCH WIDER AUDIENCE. PUBLICITY DURING ELECTION DAY PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE TURNOUT.
"WE INTEND TO CONTINUE SUNDAY POLLING FOR THE NEXT TWO ROUNDS OF ELECTIONS,” MR TSAO SAID.
AS TO THE OUTCOME OF YESTERDAY’S ELECTIONS, MR TSAO SAID THAT OF THE 272 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, INCLUDING 81 WHO WERE ELECTED UNOPPOSED, 180 WERE INCUMBENT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE MAJORITY, 248 OR 91 PER CENT, WERE MEN.
THE AGE DISTRIBUTION SHOWED THAT THE LARGEST GROUP, 124 OR 45 PER CENT, WERE AGED BETWEEN 31 AND 40.
MR TSAO ADDED THAT THE BUSINESS SECTOR HAD DONE WELL WITH 105, OR 38 PER CENT, OF THE SEATS.
COMING IN SECOND WERE EDUCATIONALISTS WITH 51 SEATS OR 18.8 PER CENT.
ALTHOUGH SOCIAL WORKERS WERE THE THIRD LARGEST GROUP, IN PERCENTAGE TERMS THEY HAVE DROPPED FROM 14.8 PER CENT TO 7.4 PER CENT IN THE POLLS.
FINALLY, MR TSAO CONGRATULATED ALL THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ON THEIR ELECTION TO THEIR DISTRICT BOARDS.
HE ALSO THANKED THE MEDIA FOR GIVING SUCH GOOD PUBLICITY TO THE ELECTIONS.
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/2 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1991
HK SIGNS NEW AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH MALAYSIA
*****
AN AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT (ASA) BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA WAS SIGNED IN KUALA LUMPUR TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG UNDER THE AUTHORISATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL (OPERATIONS) OF THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT, DATO’ SYED SIDI IDID BIN SYED ABDULLAH IDID, SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA.
THE HONG KONG/MALAYSIA ASA, WHICH ENTERS INTO FORCE UPON SIGNATURE, IS THE SEVENTH SUCH AGREEMENT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE SINO-BR1TISH JOINT DECLARATION IN MIND.
OTHERS HAVE BEEN SIGNED WITH THE NETHERLANDS, SWITZERLAND, CANADA, BRUNEI, FRANCE AND NEW ZEALAND.
CURRENTLY, CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS OPERATE SEVEN SERVICES A WEEK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND PENINSULA MALAYSIA WHEREAS MALAYSIAN AIRLINES OPERATE EIGHT SERVICES A WEEK ON THE SAME ROUTE.
IN ADDITION, THE TWO DESIGNATED AIRLINES OPERATE THREE TIMES WEEKLY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND KOTA KINABALU UNDER A JOINT SERVICE AGREEMENT.
THE ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE HONG KONG/MALAYSIA ASA PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE TWO CARRIERS TO FURTHER EXPAND THEIR SERVICES.
- - 0 - -
SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS VISITED UC FACILITIES
MR JI PENGFEI AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING, BEGAN THEIR FIRST OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENT IN HONG KONG THIS (MONDAY) MORNING BY VISITING SOME OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S MAJOR CULTURAL FACILITIES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG, THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO, MR JI AND MR LU FIRST VISITED THE $340-MILL10N SCIENCE MUSEUM IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
THEY SPENT ABOUT AN HOUR VIEWING A VARIETY OF INTERESTING EXHIBITS ON LIFE SCIENCE, GEOGRAPHY, COMPUTER AND ROBOTICS, TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION, AS WELL AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST ENERGY MACHINE OF ITS KIND.
/THEY WERE
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1991
3 -
THEY WERE TOLD THAT THROUGH THE SCIENCE MUSEUM, THE URBAN COUNCIL HOPES TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN SOCIETY, AND ENCOURAGE THE FURTHER PURSUIT OF THE KNOWLEDGE.
AFTER VISITING THE SCIENCE MUSEUM, THE PARTY TOURED THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE.
VIEWING A MODEL OF THE CULTURAL CENTRE AT THE FOYER OF THE AUDITOR!A BUILDING, MR JI AND MR LU LEARNED THAT THE OPENING OF IHE CULTURAL CENTRE HAS MARKED THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN HONG KONG.
THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE CONCERT HALL TO LISTEN TO A DEMONSTRATION OF A 8,000-PIPE ORGAN, AND TO THE GRAND THEATRE TO WATCH A DEMONSTRATION OF SPECIAL STAGE EFFECTS.
THE VISITORS’ NEXT STOP WAS THE ARTS LIBRARY LOCATED AI THE CENTRE, WHERE THEY WATCHED DEMONSTRATIONS OF DATA BASE ON COMPACT DISC-READ ONLY MEMORY AND THE USE OF MICROFORM MATERIALS.
MR JI AND MR LU THEN MET WITH OVER 30 URBAN COUNCILLORS AT A LUNCH RECEPTION AND EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH THEM ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATING TO MUNICIPLE SERVICES.
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1991-92 BUDGET TO LEGCO ON WEDNESDAY ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1991-92 WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 6).
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL START AT 2.30 PM, WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, MOVES THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1991, AND OUTLINES THE ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1991-92.
THE HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WERE SET OUT IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1991 WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY (MARCH 1).
DEBATE ON THE BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED UNTIL MARCH 27 AND 28, WHEN MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.
OFFICIALS WILL REPLY ON APRIL 17 TO POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
/THE FINANCIAL
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1991
4
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG’S RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
GIS WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 6) TO ENABLE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO START WORK ON THEIR BUDGET STORIES EARLY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE GIVEN ADVANCE COPIES OF THE BUDGET SPEECH AND ECONOMIC PROSPECTS AT 12 NOON, BUT THEY MUST STAY AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM (FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL) TO WORK ON THEIR COPIES AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE UNTIL THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS CONCLUDED HIS SPEECH.
CONTACTS OF ANY KIND WITH THE OUTSIDE, SUCH AS TELEPHONE OR COMPUTER LINKS, WILL NOT BE PERMITTED DURING THE "LOCK-IN . ALSO, MOBILE TELEPHONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH AND THE FINANCE BRANCH WILL BE ON HAND TO OFFER ASSISTANCE IO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM FROM 12 NOON. THEY ARE NOT THERE TO GIVE INTERVIEWS, AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE QUOTED.
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AND SANDWICHES WILL BE SERVED AND GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO OFFER HELP.
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REGISTRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LAB TECHNOLOGISTS REMINDED «»»»*»
PEOPLE PRACTISING AS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BUT HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION ARE REMINDED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION WITHOUT DELAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARIAT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT SOME OF THE APPLICANTS FOR FULL REGISTRATION MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO SIT FOR A BOARD EXAMINATION SCHEDULED FOR EARLY MAY THIS YEAR.
"EARLY SUBMISSION WILL NOT ONLY ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME FOR THE RELEVANT STATUTORY BOARDS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY WELL IN ADVANCE THOSE APPLICANTS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO SIT FOR THE EXAMINATION IN MAY.
"IT WILL ALSO ALLOW THE BOARDS TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES BEFORE AUGUST 1,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1991
5
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS WILL BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE REGISTERED BY AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR.
AS REGARDS PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION WHICH IS A ONE-OFF EXERCISE, APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED UNTIL JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
"LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AND THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION ARE DEEMED TO BE REGISTERED UNTIL THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE KNOWN,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS AND A BOOKLET ON "GUIDE TO APPLICANTS” WHICH CONTAINS DETAILS ON THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE SECRETARIAT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD AND THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD AT SUNNING PLAZA, SIXTH FLOOR, 10 HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 890 0843 OR 890 0514.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR TEMPORARY MARKET CONSTRUCTION WORKS * * » * ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY MARKET AT TUNG CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF EIGHT SINGLE-STOREY STEEL FRAME SHEDS TO HOUSE THE MARKET STALLS, AND REINFORCED CONCRETE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS FOR USE AS SWITCH ROOMS, OFFICE AND REFUGE ROOMS.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR THE WORKS IS NOON ON MARCH 22.
FORMS OF TENDER AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUEEN AND GOVERNOR CONGRATULATE SERVICEMEN IN THE GULF ...................... 1
PERSISTENT NEGLECT A THREAT TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT............................ 1
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR DECEMBER RELEASED ............ 2
PUBLIC SUPPORT CALLED FOR MENTAL-ILLNESS REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES .... 6
FUND-RAISING EFFORTS OF HELPING HAND PRAISED ................................ 6
CLEAN SQUATTER AREA/VILLAGE PHASE LAUNCHED .................................. 7
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ..............................................
STUDENTS WIN TOUR TO SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA ................................. 8
NEW AMS HEADQUARTERS TO SERVE MUI WO RESIDENTS .............................. 9
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
QUEEN AND GOVERNOR CONGRATULATE SERVICEMEN IN THE GULF ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG, MAJOR GENERAL PETER DUFFELL, HAS RECEIVED MESSAGES FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, CONGRATULATING BRITISH SERVICEMEN IN THE GULF.
ABOUT 200 GURKHA SOLDIERS FROM THE GURKHA TRANSPORT REGIMENT IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO THE GULF SINCE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR AS PART OF THE ALLIED FORCES. THEY ARE AT PRESENT STILL OPERATING IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
THE MESSAGE FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN READS: "I AM DELIGHTED BY THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN THE GULF. THE ARMED FORCES HAVE DONE US PROUD. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD PASS MY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE HERE AT HOME WHO, LIKE YOU, HAVE WORKED UNREMITTINGLY TO ENSURE THIS SUCCESS. AT THE SAME TIME, MY DEEP SYMPATHY GOES TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED OR ARE MISSING, AND TO THEIR WOUNDED COMRADES.”
THE MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, READS: "HONG KONG HAS FOLLOWED CLOSELY EVENTS IN THE GULF OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IN PARTICULAR THE DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE GARRISON HAS BERN VERY MUCH IN ALL OUR MINDS.
"YOU WILL BY NOW HAVE SEEN THE MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND TO THIS I SHOULD LIKE TO ADD MY OWN CONGRATULATIONS TOGETHER WITH THE BEST WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR ALL THAT THOSE MEMBERS OF THE GARRISON HAVE ACHIEVED. THEY CAN BE VERY PROUD OF THE PART THAT THEY HAVE PLAYED IN BRINGING THIS CAMPAIGN TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION."
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PERSISTENT NEGLECT A THREAT TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT
PERSISTENT NEGLECT AND CREEPING INCREMENTAL DETERIORATION ARE A GREATER THREAT TO THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT THAN HEADLINE-GRABBING POLLUTION INCI DENTS SUCH AS THOSE CAUSED BY THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SERIOUS AS THEY CERTAINLY ARE, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG, DR REED SAID: "THE OIL AND SMOKE PROBLEMS IN THE GULF ARE EXTREMELY SERIOUS AND MAY WELL PERSIST FOR SOME TIME, BUT THEY ARE A LONG WAY FROM BEING A GLOBAL DISASTER.
'"THE NATURE OF GLOBAL DISASTERS IS RATHER DIFFERENT," HE SAID. "THEY CREEP UP INCREMENTALLY, OFTEN ARISING FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES AND GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS THAT EXPAND AND PROLIFERATE IN THE SHADOWS, OUTSIDE OF THE GLARE OF PUBLICITY."
/A GOOD .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
2
A GOOD EXAMPLE WAS THAT IT TOOK ONLY A COUPLE OF DECADES FOR CHLOROFLUROCARBONS (CFC’S) TO TEAR A GIANT HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER, BUT EVEN IF THERE WERE A COMPLETE HALT TODAY IN THE USE OF CFC’S, IT WOULD BE THE MIDDLE OF NEXT CENTURY BEFORE WE SAW THE HOLE BEGINNING TO SHRINK.
"LOOKING CLOSER TO HOME, IN HONG KONG, THE SAME SLOW INSIDIOUS DETERIORATION HAS TAKEN PLACE IN OUR SEWERAGE SYSTEMS AND WASTE DISPOSAL ARRANGEMENTS AS A RESULT OF THE PAST NEGLECT," DR REED SAID.
"THE CONDITION WILL NOT CHANGE UNLESS THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE DEEP-ROOTED ATTITUDE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND POLLUTION CONTROL ARE SOMETHING THAT HONG KONG CANNOT AFFORD.
"IF WE WANT A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG WE CANNOT HAVE DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT AT THE SAME TIME TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS," DR REED SAID.
ON THE ATTITUDE OF HONG KONG COMMUNITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, DR REED SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT THERE HAD BEEN QUITE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE PAST TWO OR THREE YEARS.
"A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FACTOR HAS BEEN THE CREATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN 1982, WHICH HAVE PROVIDED A NATURAL FOCUS, NOT TO MENTION A NATURAL POLITICAL PLATFORM, FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.
"THE DB ELECTIONS HELD THIS WEEK SHOWED THAT QUITE A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR CONCERN ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
"A SURVEY OF CANDIDATES THAT WAS MADE AHEAD OF THE ELECTIONS BY A LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP REPORTED THAT 36 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY WERE CLASSIFIED AS 'GREEN CANDIDATES’.
"THIRTY-SIX PER CENT IS A GREAT STEP FORWARD AND IMPROVEMENT ON, SAY, 10 YEARS AGO WHEN I SUSPECT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN LITTLE OR NO INTEREST IN ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL IN MOST DISTRICTS," DR REED SAID.
DR REED URGED THESE NEW OR RE-ELECTED DB MEMBERS WHO CLASSIFIED THEMSELVES AS "GREEN" TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGHOUT THEIR TERM OF OFFICE.
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR DECEMBER RELEASED
*******
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1990, ESTIMATED AT $10,987 MILLION, INCREASED BY 9% WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989 WHILE THEIR VOLUME INCREASED BY 2%, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STAT 1 ST ICS DEPARTMENT.
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES REFER TO CHANGES IN THE VALUES OF RETAIL SALES AFTER DISCOUNTING ESTIMATED CHANGES IN PRICES.
/THE INDICATORS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
3
THK INDICATORS OF PRICE CHANGES USED FOR THE PURPOSE ARE THE RESPECTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE BROAD CATEGORY OF GOODS TN QUESTION.
COMPARING WITH DECEMBER 1989, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS INCREASED BY 28% IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 5% IN VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 9% IN VALUE AND 1% IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES WENT UP BY 11% IN VALUE AND 5% IN VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS, HOWEVER, DROPPED BY 3% IN SALES VALUE AND 10% IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 11% IN VALUE AND 6% TN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF "CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS” AND SUPERMARKETS BOTH INCREASED BY 14% TN VALUE, AND ROSE BY 8% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME.
SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 11% IN VALUE AND 4% IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 5% IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 4% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1990 WITH THE YEAR 1989, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 7% IN VALUE AND 1% IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT UP BY 23% IN SALES VALUE AND 1% IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 12% IN VALUE AND 5% IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CONSUMER DURABLES WENT UP BY 10% IN SALES VALUE AND 5% IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 4% IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 3% IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 3% IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 3% IN VOLUME. THE DECREASE IN VOLUME WAS LARGELY DUE TO THE DECREASE IN RETAIL SALES OF JEWELLERY AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS WENT UP BY 16% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 13% IN SALES VALUE AND 9% IN SALES VOLUME.
DEPARTMENT STORES SALES ROSE BY 13% IN VALUE AND 5% IN VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 6% IN SALES VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 1% IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH NOVEMBER 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR DECEMBER 1990 INCREASED BY 12% IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
FUELS ROSE BY 10% IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT UP BY 7% IN VALUE AND 5% IN VOLUME.
/ON THE .....
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
4
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 18% IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF CONSUMER DURABLES REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT ROSE BY 1% IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS WENT UP BY 19% IN VALUE AND 20% IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SUPERMARKET SALES INCREASED BY 25% IN VALUE AND 23% IN VOLUME. SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 24% IN VALUE AND 25% IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 12% IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND SALES VOLUME.
HOWEVER, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 19% IN VALUE AND 20% IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER 1990 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1990.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER 1990 AND DECEMBER 1990 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF DECEMBER 1990 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1990 AND WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1989, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE YEAR 1990 WITH THE YEAR 1989, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF DECEMBER 1990 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1258).
/TABLE 1 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
5
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for December 1990 (Provisional Figure) = HK$10,987 Billion for Moveaber 1990 (Revised Figure) = HKS9.784 Billion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OP RETAIL SALES POR NOVEMBER 1990 AND DECEMBER 1990
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 = 100)
Itei Index of 1 Retail 1 Sales 1 Noveiber 1990 1 Deceiber 1 1990 1 Deceiber 1990 1 1 coipared with 1 1 Noveiber 1990 1 Deceiber 1990 1 coipared vith 1 Deceiber 1989 1 Jan.-Dec. 1990 1 coipared vith 1 Jan.-Dec. 1989 1
1 (A) POR ALL RETAIL TRADES 1 1 । (Revised figures) 1 IProvisional 1 figures) 1 Points * 1 1 1 | Points * 1 1 1 | Points A I
। । 1 IB) • BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS Value 1 Voluie 1 1 ■ । 175 123 1 196 I 138 । । 1 »21 1 H5 *12 1 ♦ 12 1 1 1 | ♦I? ♦3 ♦9 1 ♦2 1 1 1 I ♦12 ♦ 1 ♦7 1 *1 1
Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco Value 1 Voluie 1 169 124 1 181 1 131 1 *12 I *7 ♦7 1 ♦5 1 । ♦15 ♦1 ♦9 1 ♦1 1 • ♦18 ♦6 *12 1 ♦5 1
Puels Value 1 Voluie 1 151 107 1 166 1 118 1 H5 1 Hl ♦ 10 1 ♦ 10 1 । ♦36 -6 ♦28 1 -5 1 ♦26 ♦1 ♦23 1 ♦ 1 1
Clothing, footwear and allied products । Value I Voluie 1 194 123 1 230 1 145 । 1 *36 1 *23 ♦ 18 1 ♦ 18 1 1 -7 -17 -3 1 -10 1 | ♦8 -4 ♦4 1 -3 1
Consuier durables । Value 1 Voluie 1 172 122 I 172 1 123 1 -1 1 *1 1 1 ♦1 1 I ♦ 17 ♦6 *11 1 ♦5 1 I ♦ 15 *6 ♦ 10 1 *5 1
Other consuier goods 1 Value 1 Voluie 1 I 178 126 1 213 1 150 1 *35 1 *25 ♦ 19 1 *20 1 । ♦21 ♦8 *11 1 ♦6 1 ! ♦5 -4 ♦ 3 1 ' -3 1
1 (0 BY SELECTED TRADES 1 । । 1 | 1 1
Isee note 1 below) Superiarkets i Value I Voluie 1 189 130 1 m 1 160 1 *30 1 ♦25 1 ♦23 1 । ♦29 ♦5 1 ♦14 1 ♦3 1 I ♦29 ♦8 *16 1 *6 1
Motor vehicles and parts 1 Value I Voluie 1 298 179 : 241 1 143 1 -57 1 “36 -19 1 -20 1 । ♦ 11 -5 ♦5 1 -4 1 ; ♦17 -2 ♦6 1 -1 1
। । Consuier durables other than iotor vehicles and parts 1 Value 1 Voluie 1 I 134 104 1 150 1 117 1 *17 1 *13 *12 1 *12 1 1 । ♦ 18 ♦9 ♦ 14 1 *8 1 । i | ♦ 14 *8 ♦ 13 1 ♦9 1
Departient stores 1 Value 1 Voluie 1 258 166 1 320 1 208 1 *62 1 *42 *24 1 ♦25 1 ♦ 33 ♦9 ♦ 11 1 *4 1 ♦27 ♦8 ♦13 1 ♦5 1
NOTES : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN iajor trade groups, the value and voluie indexes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(a) 'Superiarkets' - a trade in the "Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco* group.
lb) ’Motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consuier durables' group.
(c) 'Consuier durables other than iotor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consuier durables' group.
Id) 'Departient stores' - a trade in the 'Other consuier goods' group.
2. Pigures denoting changes are derived froi the unrounded index figures.
3. 'I' denotes a figure within i0.5.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
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PUBLIC SUPPORT CALLED FOR MENTAL-ILLNESS REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, TODAY (TUESDAY) APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR MENTAL PATIENTS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF LEI CHENG UK HOSTEL OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MR CARTLAND SAID IT WAS THE MARK OF A STRONG COMMUNITY AND A MATURE COMMUNITY TO SHOW COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING, SYMPATHY AND TOLERANCE, TOWARDS THE LESS FORTUNATE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
’’SUCH PERSONS BELONG TO THIS COMMUNITY AND WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THEIR WELL-BEING,” HE SAID.
BOTH GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PROVIDING REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS HAD IN RECENT YEARS TRIED VERY HARD TO PROMOTE A BETTER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH, HE NOTED.
”IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO HAVE ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPTS INVOLVED IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AS A BASIS FOR SECURING THEIR SYMPATHY, SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES DESIGNED FOR THE REHABILITATION OF DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS,” HE ADDED.
IN THE PROCESS OF REHABILITATION, MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT THE PATIENTS NEEDED SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT AND CONCERN OF THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
IN CONCLUSION, HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, WHICH HAD PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO MENTAL AND MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED PATIENTS.
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FUND-RAISING EFFORTS OF HELPING HAND PRAISED » ♦ » ♦ ♦
LADY WILSON TODAY (TUESDAY) ATTENDED THE HELPING HAND PRESENTATION CEREMONY DURING WHICH SOUVENIRS WERE PRESENTED TO THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAD WORKED HARD FOR THE ORGANISATION’S ANNUAL COOKIE CAMPAIGN.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, LADY WILSON NOTED THAT SOME TREMENDOUSLY CREATIVE THINKING HAD GONE INTO HELPING HAND’S FUND-RAISING EFFORTS OVER THE YEARS, HOWEVER, IT WAS THE ANNUAL COOKIE CAMPAIGN FOR WHICH HELPING HAND HAD PERHAPS BECOME BEST KNOWN,
"IT IS A TIME EACH YEAR WHEN A GREAT DEAL OF WELL-DIRECTED VOLUNTARY EFFORT IS PUT INTO RAISING FUNDS.
/"TODAY WE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
7
’’TODAY WE GIVE THANKS FOR THOSE EFFORTS AND GIVE RECOGNITION TO MANY WHO WORKED PARTICULARLY HARD,” LADY WILSON SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID HELPING HAND WAS AN ORGANISATION SHE WAS VERY PROUD TO BE PATRON OF.
"IT STANDS FOR SO MUCH THAT IS GOOD ABOUT HONG KONG: IN PARTICULAR THE SENSE OF PURPOSE, THE GENEROSITY AND THE RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID SHE HAD WATCHED WITH ADMIRATION AT THE WAY THE ORGANISATION HAD GROWN SINCE IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1978.
"SO MANY DEDICATED, GENEROUS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED THAT I HESITATE TO MENTION ANY OF THEM BY NAME.
"SOME OF THEIR NAMES ARE WELL-KNOWN TO US ALL, SOME HAVE WORKED QUIETLY BEHIND THE SCENES. SOME WERE HONG KONG PEOPLE; OTHERS MADE THEIR HOMES HERE.
"THEY HAVE SHARED A DETERMINATION TO REACH OUT AND HELP. THEIR EFFORTS CONTINUE TO INSPIRE OTHERS AND ’HELPING HANDS’ ARE STEADILY GROWING IN NUMBER,” LADY WILSON SAID.
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CLEAN SQUATTER AREA/VILLAGE PHASE LAUNCHED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CLEAN SQUATTER AREA/VILLAGE PHASE OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN IS BEING LAUNCHED THIS MONTH TO IMPROVE THE HYGIENIC CONDITION IN THESE AREAS.
THE TERRITORY-WIDE PHASE IS ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE.
"DURING THIS PHASE, CLEANSING STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONDUCT CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS ON BLACK SPOTS SUCH AS STREAMS AND DITCHES, AS WELL AS IN OTHER PUBLIC PLACES,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDITIONAL REFUSE AND JUNK COLLECTION POINTS WERE BEING SET UP TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED OUTPUT OF LITTER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 293 TONNES OF REFUSE AND JUNK WAS COLLECTED, AND 86 PROSECUTIONS WERE ISSUED AGAINST LITTERING DURING THE OPERATIONS,” HE ADDED.
.ENQUIRIES ABOUT DETAILS OF THE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 868 0000 OR THE REGIONAL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 414 5555, AND RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF BOTH DEPARTMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR LITTERING IS A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1991
8
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF FNCB FINANCIAL LIMITED AND OF PRATT FINANCE (ASIA) LIMITED AS DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THEIR OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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STUDENTS WIN TOUR TO SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA
FOUR STUDENTS FROM THE CNEC CHRISTIAN COLLEGE WHO WON AN INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE IN KWAI TSING WILL GO ON A FREE TRIP TO SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA THIS SUMMER.
THEY WERE ALSO AWARDED A $3,000 BOOK COUPON, ADMISSION TICKETS TO THE OCEAN PARK AND BUFFET COUPONS AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (TUESDAY). :
THE DEBATE WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF CRIME RELATED ISSUES AND CURRENT AFFAIRS.
A TOTAL OF EIGHT TEAMS FROM SIX LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION WHICH WAS HELD IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD RUNNERS-UP OF THE DEBATE ALSO RECEIVED BOOK COUPONS AND OTHER PRIZES.
AT THE SAME CEREMONY, THREE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WERE AWARDED GIFT COUPONS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE MODEL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH UNIT ELECTION.
THE ELECTION WAS ORGANISED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR TO PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ CO-OPERATION AMONG THEMSELVES AND WITH THE POLICE IN COMBATTING CRIME.
- - 0-----------
/9.........
TUESDAY, MARCH * 1991
9
NEW AMS HEADQUARTERS TO SERVE MUI WO RESIDENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
SERVICES MEDICAL PUBLIC
A NEW HEADQUARTERS IS TO BE BUILT IN MUI WO, SERVICES AND TO SERVE AS
BUILDING FOR THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL IANTAU ISLAND, TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY A FIRST-AID POST ON SUNDAYS AND
HOLIDAYS.
THE SINGLE-STOREY BUILDING WILL BE J3UILT SITE TO HOUSE A DUTY ROOM, A PANTRY, A STORE OFFICES AND TOILETS.
ON A ROOM,
AN OPEN YARD FOR TRAINING PURPOSES WILL ALSO THE PROJECT.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN MAY AND TO OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS NOW
400-SQUARE-METRE A METER ROOM,
BE INCLUDED IN
BE COMPLETED IN
INVITING TENDERS
FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 22.
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
FS STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING FINANCIAL STRENGTH ........... 1
FS OUTLINES CONTROL GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE .............. 2
STRONG FINANCIAL BASE MAKES POSSIBLE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PLAN .... 7
HK'S RESERVES TO STAND AT HISTORICALLY HIGH FIGURE ................. 8
SHORT TERM GOVT BONDS TIMELY FOR HK ............................... 10
FS SUMS UP PERFORMANCE OF HK'S ECONOMY ............................ 12
HK'S ECONOMY IS SOUND DESPITE HIGH INFLATION RATE ................. 14
FASTER ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE ENVISAGED ............................. 16
STATE OF PUBLIC FINANCES IS HEALTHY: FS ........................... 19
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC SERVICES PROMISED .............. 22
MODEST SURPLUS FORECAST: FS ....................................... 25
GOVT'S EFFORTS TO BETTER CONTROL EXPENDITURE GROWTH ARE BEARING FRUIT 26
HK'S DEPENDENCE ON DIRECT TAXATION UNDER CONTINUED REVIEW: FS ..... 27
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSES REVENUE MEASURES ................. 29
CONCESSIONS ON PERSONAL TAXATION AND STAMP DUTY ................... 35
FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSES REDUCTION IN TOTAL CHARGE TO RATES ... 37
PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SIGNED ........................... 39
GOVT IS ACHIEVING IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN ITS MEANS: FS ............... 40
MTRC AND KCRC (AMENDMENT) BILLS INTRODUCED......................... 41
THREE BILLS INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO ................................. 44
FS'S SPEECH ON TV AND RADIO........................................ 44
USEFUL TALKS WITH LU PING: GOVERNOR .................................. 47
JLG 18TH MEETING IN PEKING NEXT WEEK ................................. 48
GOVT RESPECTS TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS .................................... 48
MADAM XU VISITS SOCIAL SERVICE UNITS ................................. 49
WORK IN FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE IMPORTANT ................ 50
FEAST FOR ELDERLY IN NORTH DISTRICT .................................. 51
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
FS STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING FINANCIAL STRENGTH
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THAT IN FRAMING HIS BUDGETARY PROPOSALS, HE HAS BEEN ACUTELY AWARE OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL STRENGTH SO AS TO ENABLE THE TERRITORY TO MEET ITS COMMITMENTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD WITHOUT UNDUE STRAIN.
"NO BUDGET SHOULD BE JUDGED EXCLUSIVELY BY REFERENCE TO ITS SHORT-TERM IMPACT. THE LONGER TERM IS GENERALLY OF MUCH GREATER IMPORTANCE," SAID SIR PIERS IN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SIR PIERS RECALLED THAT WHEN HE PRESENTED HIS BUDGET LAST YEAR HE DREW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE WAS CHANGING SWIFTLY AND DRAMATICALLY.
"SINCE THAT TIME, EVENTS ACROSS THE WORLD HAVE INTRODUCED AN EVEN HIGHER DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY.
"WHILST THERE IS OFTEN LITTLE WE CAN DO TO ALTER THE COURSE OF EXTERNAL EVENTS, I WOULD NOT FOR ONE MOMENT WISH TO SUGGEST THAT WB ARE TOTALLY UNABLE TO GUIDE OUR OWN DESTINY," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG REMAINED ITS STRONG AND RESILIENT SELF, BUT IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD IT WAS VITAL THAT THE TERRITORY MAINTAINED THE STRENGTH OF ITS FINANCIAL POSITION SO THAT IT COULD FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE.
"I HAVE REPEATEDLY STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE PLACE UPON CONTROLLING THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
"WE MUST CONTINUE TO MANAGE OUR RESOURCES WITH PRUDENCE AND REALISM. NOT ONLY MUST WE KEEP OUR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE UNDER CONTROL; WE MUST ALSO OBTAIN VALUE FOR MONEY.
"THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IS, FURTHERMORE, ONE WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT CAN PLAY ITS PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION," SIR PIERS SAID.
IN THE LIGHT OF THIS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD THEREFORE ALTERED THE STRUCTURE OF HIS SPEECH THIS YEAR AND WOULD DEVOTE THE FIRST PART TO THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, EXPLAINING HOW FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE WAS IMPOSED ON THE PUBLIC SECTOR THROUGH BUDGETARY GUIDELINES AND DESCRIBING THE MECHANISMS THAT HAD BEEN ADOPTED, WITH SOME CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS.
"GIVEN THE LEVEL OF OUR RECURRENT COMMITMENTS AND THE AMBITIOUS CAPITAL PROGRAMME WE HAVE SET OURSELVES, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE PLAN CAREFULLY SO THAT THE REQUISITE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE AS WE NEED THEM," HE SAID.
/SIR PIERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 2 -
SIR PIERS SAID HE WOULD, AS USUAL, COMMENT ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE FOR THE PAST YEAR AND THE PROSPECTS FOR THIS YEAR.
"FORECASTING THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S DYNAMIC ECONOMY IS NEVER EASY, AND IN THE CURRENT WORLD SITUATION IT IS NOW PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT," HE SAID.
--------0----------
FS OUTLINES CONTROL GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ♦ » * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, IN HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92 PRESENTED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), SET OUT IN SOME DETAIL THE WAYS IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT REACHED DECISIONS ABOUT THE LEVELS OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
SIR PIERS ALSO DESCRIBED THE VARIOUS PROCEDURES DEVELOPED TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT RESOURCES WERE PRUDENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY ALLOCATED AND THAT IT WAS GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY.
HE SAID FUNDAMENTAL TO THE BUDGETARY STRATEGY WAS THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE PUBLIC SECTOR MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO ABSORB TOO GREAT A SHARE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RESOURCES, OTHERWISE THE PRIVATE SECTOR WOULD BE LESS ABLE TO GENERATE THE WEALTH ON WHICH THE TERRITORY’S WELLBEING DEPENDED.
IN APPLYING THIS PRINCIPLE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS USED THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AS A MEASURE OF THE SIZE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, HE SAID.
"IF WE ARE TO KEEP THE PUBLIC SECTOR WITHIN BOUNDS, THEN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO GROW BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN GDP.
"I SHOULD ADD THAT, IN THIS CONTEXT, PUBLIC EXPENDITURE COMPRISES THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE - CAPITAL AS WELL AS RECURRENT - OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS NOT PRACTICABLE TO KEEP THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PRECISELY IN LINE WITH THAT OF GDP, NOR WAS IT NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO DO SO.
"IT IS INEVITABLE THAT HEAVY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WILL FOR A TIME TAKE US SOMEWHAT BEYOND OUR GUIDELINES.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE AIM TO CONTROL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, PARTICULARLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, SO THAT, OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, THE GROWTH RATE IN GDP AND THE GROWTH RATE IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE REMAIN CLOSE TOGETHER.
/"THIS DISCIPLINE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 3 -
"THIS DISCIPLINE APPLIES EVEN WHEN WE ARE RUNNING SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUSES. IN THIS WAY, OUR EXPENDITURE PROGRAMMES CAN BE SENSIBLY MANAGED WITHOUT SUFFERING UNDULY FROM THE EFFECTS OF A STOP-GO CYCLE,” HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPENDITURE PLANNING WAS THEREFORE BASED ON TRENDS, AND NOT ON YEAR TO YEAR FLUCTUATIONS IN ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, AND THE KEY INDICATOR WAS THE TREND GROWTH RATE IN GDP.
"ALTHOUGH OUR ASSUMED RATE IS REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME, IT IS NOT ADJUSTED WHEN FACTORS APPEAR THAT ARE LIKELY TO HAVE ONLY A SHORT TERM EFFECT," HE SAID.
"ONCE WE HAVE DECIDED ON A TREND GROWTH RATE FOR GDP WE CAN BEGIN TO PLAN OUR PROGRAMME OF EXPENDITURE.
"IN BRIEF, EXPENDITURE IS DETERMINED BY WHAT THE ECONOMY CAN AFFORD AND NOT SOLELY BY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE.
"THUS, SOMETIMES IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE TO ADD TO OUR RESERVES, AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN RECENT YEARS; AT OTHER TIMES IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE TO DRAW ON THEM TO SOME EXTENT."
SIR PIERS SAID USING THE GDP TREND GROWTH RATE ASSUMPTION, THE GOVERNMENT PROJECTED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF YEARS THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IT COULD ALLOW CONSISTENT WITH THE PRINCIPLE THAT EXPENDITURE SHOULD GROW IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY.
THIS FIRST PART OF THE EXERCISE PROVIDED USEFUL PLANNING PARAMETERS, BUT IT DID NOT OF ITSELF SET EXPENDITURE LIMITS, HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WENT ON TO EXPLAIN REVENUE AND ITS PLACE IN THE BUDGETARY PLANNING PROCESS, SAYING THAT GENERALLY, THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO ADJUST RATES OF DUTY, FEES AND CHARGES TO MAINTAIN THEIR REAL YIELD, AND PERIODICALLY REVIEWED TAX THRESHOLDS IN THE LIGHT OF INFLATION.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO SOUGHT TO MAINTAIN RECURRENT REVENUE AT LEVELS WHICH WOULD COVER THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, PRODUCE A SURPLUS SUFFICIENT TO FINANCE AT LEAST HALF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AND ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN ITS RESERVES AT AN ADEQUATE LEVEL, HE SAID.
"MOST OF OUR SOURCES OF REVENUE ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY," HE SAID. ,
"IN YEARS OF STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH OUR REVENUE YIELD IMPROVES. BUT IN LINE WITH THE PRINCIPLE I HAVE STATED,, OUR EXPENDITURE WILL STILL BE LIMITED TO THE TREND GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY.
"HENCE THE HIGHER REVENUE YIELDS NORMALLY RESULT IN BUDGET
SURPLUSES.
"CONVERSELY, THE TREND WE DO NOT
WHEN ECONOMIC GROWTH IN A PARTICULAR YEAR IS BELOW AUTOMATICALLY REDUCE OUR EXPENDITURE.
/"THE LOWER
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
4 -
"THE LOWER REVENUE YIELDS ARE THEREFORE REFLECTED IN SMALLER SURPLUSES OR EVEN IN BUDGET DEFICITS."
THE NEXT STAGE IN THE BUDGETARY PLANNING PROCESS WAS THE PREPARATION OF THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, SIR PIERS SAID.
THIS FORECAST COVERED A FIVE YEAR PERIOD, A SHORTER AND MORE MANAGEABLE PERIOD THAN THAT USED IN THE INITIAL PROJECTION, AND WAS THUS MORE PRECISE, AND SET SPENDING LIMITS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO OBSERVE, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WERE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY ALTHOUGH, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE THAT MATTERED. THE INITIAL SEPARATE CONSIDERATION RECOGNISED THE DIFFERENT NATURE AND PATTERN OF THE TWO KINDS OF EXPENDITURE.
IN BUILDING UP THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST FOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, SIR PIERS SAID: "WE BEGIN BY CALCULATING THE COST, OVER THE PERIOD OF THE FORECAST, OF MAINTAINING THE EXISTING LEVEL OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND OF MEETING INCREASED DEMAND FOR THEM.
"WE THEN MAKE ALLOWANCE FOR THE ADDITIONAL COST OF OPERATING NEW FACILITIES WHICH WILL COME INTO USE IN THAT PERIOD, AND THE COST OF NEW OR IMPROVED SERVICES AND POLICIES WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN AGREED.
"THIS PART OF THE FORECAST SHOWS THE LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS WHICH, IN THE ABSENCE OF MAJOR SAVINGS IN EXISTING PROGRAMMES, IS PROBABLY UNAVOIDABLE IF WE ARE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES TO WHICH WE ARE COMMITTED.
"THE RESULTS ARE THEN TESTED AGAINST OUR LONG TERM PLANS IN ORDER TO ENABLE US TO JUDGE THE EXTENT TO WHICH FURTHER EXPENDITURE ON NEW OR IMPROVED SERVICES CAN BE ALLOWED."
HE SAID A SIMILAR PROCESS WAS FOLLOWED IN RELATION TO EXPENDITURE, IN PARTICULAR FOR PUBLIC WORKS.
CAPITAL
"AS A FIRST STEP, WE ASSESS THE COST OF COMPLETING THE CAPITAL PROJECTS WHICH ARE ALREADY UNDER WAY OR COMMITTED.
"THE LEVELS OF EXPENDITURE DERIVED FROM THIS ASSESSMENT ARE COMPARED WITH OUR LONG TERM PROJECTIONS.
"THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SETS OF FIGURES INDICATES THE SCOPE FOR ALLOWING NEW PROJECTS TO BE FINANCED."
SIR PIERS SAID FOR BOTH RECURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, THE BALANCE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE WAS THEN ALLOCATED TO NEW PROJECTS AND SERVICES BY MEANS OF AN ANNUAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE, A SYSTEM WHICH WAS INTRODUCED ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.
TO IMPLEMENT THIS SYSTEM, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ESTABLISHED WHAT HAD BECOME KNOWN AS THE STAR CHAMBER.
/"THE EXERCISE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
5
’’THE EXERCISE INVOLVES THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND MYSELF, ALL THE POLICY SECRETARIES AND THROUGH THEM THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS,” SIR PIERS SAID.
"POLICY SECRETARIES ARE ABLE TO ARGUE THEIR CASE FOR NEW SERVICES AND PROJECTS, BUT THEIR ARGUMENTS MUST INCLUDE AN ASSESSMENT OF THE LONG TERM FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF EACH PROPOSAL.
"RESOURCE ALLOCATION IS THUS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE WHOLE PROCESS, CONDUCTED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION."
HE SAID NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE COST OF ALL THE PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD INVARIABLY EXCEEDED THE BALANCE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE, USUALLY BY AN EMBARRASSING ORDER OF MAGNITUDE, AND SO IT WAS NECESSARY TO DETERMINE PRIORITIES.
"THIS IS THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE," SIR PIERS SAID.
HOWEVER THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT IN 1990 THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO EXTEND ITS SCOPE BY LINKING IT TO THE ONGOING ATTACK ON RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND TO VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES.
HE SAID IN HIS SPEECH LAST YEAR, HE EMPHASISED THE NEED TO LOOK PRIMARILY TO BASELINE EXPENDITURE, THAT WAS, THE COST OF EXISTING SERVICES, IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW SERVICES.
"THIS IS NOW BEING DONE.
"IT HAS REQUIRED AN IMAGINATIVE, CRITICAL AND RADICAL LOOK AT ALL EXISTING SERVICES, WITH THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF EVERY DEPARTMENT AND POLICY BRANCH.
"THE STARTING POINT IS A GENERAL REVIEW OF EXISTING BASELINES, IN WHICH WE IDENTIFY THOSE AREAS WHERE WE WANT SOME EXPANSION, THOSE WHERE WE LOOK FOR ZERO GROWTH, AND FINALLY THOSE WHERE NEGATIVE GROWTH SHOULD BE IMPOSED."
THUS, THE STAR CHAMBER’S ROLE IN THE ALLOCATION OF NEW RESOURCES HAD BEEN EXPANDED TO INCORPORATE A SYSTEMATIC EXAMINATION OF AREAS WHERE SAVINGS COULD BE ACHIEVED AND PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED. HE SAID.
"IDEAS MAY FLOW FROM THE STAR CHAMBER ITSELF, OR FROM POLICY SECRETARIES OR FROM HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.
"WHERE APPROPRIATE, THOSE IDEAS ARE PURSUED THROUGH VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES.
"SOME 200 ITEMS ARE PRESENTLY ON THE ACTIVE LIST,” THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES WERE CONDUCTED BY FINANCE BRANCH AND CONTINUED TO TARGET SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES OR SOMETIMES THE FUNCTIONS OF A WHOLE DEPARTMENT. AS A RESULT OF THESE STUDIES, MORE THAN 2,500 POSTS HAD BEEN DELETED SINCE 1988.
/ON LEGCO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 6 -
ON LEGCO MEMBERS’ COMMENTS ON THE NEED TO ADOPT MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE INTERESTS OF INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, SIR PIERS AGREED THAT TECHNOLOGY COULD PROVIDE YET ANOTHER MEANS OF CONTROLLING EXPENDITURE GROWTH AND OF ACHIEVING GREATER VALUE FOR MONEY.
"AMONGST THE BENEFITS THAT MAY BE REALISED ARE BETTER STAFF PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVED SHARING OF INFORMATION, A MORE RAPID RESPONSE IN RELATION TO EXISTING SERVICES, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET DEMANDS FOR AN INCREASING RANGE OF SERVICES OF ENHANCED QUALITY.
"THE PRODUCTS USED IN THIS ENDEAVOUR RANGE FROM PERSONAL COMPUTERS TO AN AIRCRAFT RECOVERY TRANSPORT SYSTEM, WHICH WAS DESIGNED IN HONG KONG AND IS THE FIRST OF ITS TYPE IN THE WORLD," HE SAID.
HE SAID OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, PROCEDURES GOVERNING THE ACQUISITION OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN SIMPLIFIED TO ENCOURAGE CONTROLLING OFFICERS TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES OFFERED BY MODERN AND DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY. AS A CONSEQUENCE, INCREASES IN DEMAND AND IMPROVED SERVICES DID NOT NECESSARILY RESULT IN STAFF INCREASES.
A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS WAS BEING PROMOTED THROUGHOUT THE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLY STRENGTHENED TO TAKE ON THIS TASK.
"BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATION, WE NOW HAVE SOME 160 MAJOR SYSTEMS RUNNING ON 21 MAINFRAME COMPUTERS AND 80 MINICOMPUTERS," SIR PIERS SAID.
"OVER 4,200 MICROCOMPUTERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN DEPARTMENTS SINCE 1987 TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. FAX MACHINES ARE NOW THE NORM."
HE SAID OVERALL, THE RESULTS HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING AND THE SAVINGS WERE SIGNIFICANT, WITH CONTROL OVER EXPENDITURE BEING COMPREHENSIVELY ASSERTED.
"OVER HALF OF ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE THEIR ESTABLISHMENTS FOR 1991-92 HELD AT OR BELOW THE CURRENT YEAR’S REVISED LEVELS. THE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED ACCOUNT FOR 84,000 POSTS OUT OF A SERVICE TOTALLING 161,000.
"IN THE COMING YEAR, THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL GROW BY ONLY 0.8 PER CENT, FROM 161,000 TO 162,000," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THESE FIGURES RELATED TO ESTABLISHMENT, THAT WAS, THE NUMBER OF APPROVED POSTS, AND NOT TO STRENGTH, OR THE NUMBER OF ACTUAL BODIES IN POST.
SIR PIERS SAID ANY REDUCTION IN THE EXISTING FIVE PER CENT VACANCY LEVEL WOULD, OF COURSE, INCREASE THE ACTUAL NUMBERS EMPLOYED. NEVERTHELESS, THE FIGURES SHOWED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD A FIRM GRIP ON THE SIZE OF THE SERVICE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FURTHER OUTLINED THE VARIETY OF APPROACHES THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED IN THE WHOLE PROCESS.
/IMPROVEMENTS IN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY HAD BEEN MADE IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT; A MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE POST OFFICE; VARIOUS URBAN SERVICES -ABATTOIRS, MARKET CLEANSING AND STREET SWEEPING - WERE TO BE CONTRACTED OUT, AS WAS THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL; AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WERE BEING STREAMLINED.
"THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES," SIR PIERS SAID.
"BUT THEY INVOLVE ESTIMATED ANNUAL SAVINGS OF SOME $400 MILLION, NEARLY ALL TO BE SECURED WITHOUT ANY DIMINUTION OR DETERIORATION IN SERVICES."
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACHIEVED MUCH BUT THERE WAS STILL A LOT TO BE DONE AND THE GOVERNMENT MUST THEREFORE CONTINUE WITH THE TASK.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL SECRETARIES, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR STAFF, AND TO THE CIVIL SERVICE GENERALLY, FOR THEIR WHOLEHEARTED CO-OPERATION AND PARTICIPATION THROUGHOUT.
"WE COULD NOT HAVE ENJOYED THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR WITHOUT THEIR HELP, AND WE WILL NEED THEIR SUSTAINED SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE," HE SAID.
"I ALSO GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FORBEARANCE OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL IN NOT BEING TOO DEMANDING FOR ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
STRONG FINANCIAL BASE MAKES POSSIBLE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PLAN *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO FINANCE ITS CAPITAL PROGRAMME FROM OPERATING SURPLUS AND CAPITAL REVENUE TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO SO, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL FOR A TIME NEED TO LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN PRESENTING HIS 1991-92 BUDGET, SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED AND CONTROLLED PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WITHIN ITS BUDGETARY GUIDELINES AND AIMED, OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, TO ENSURE THAT THE TREND GROWTH RATE IN EXPENDITURE DID NOT EXCEED THE TREND GROWTH RATE IN GDP.
"BECAUSE OF THIS STRUCTURED AND CONTROLLED APPROACH TO EXPENDITURE, AND BECAUSE OF SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT GENERALLY, WE HAVE BUILT UP A FINANCIAL POSITION WHICH MANY OTHER ECONOMIES MIGHT ENVY," SIR PIERS SAID.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
"IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH A STRONG FINANCIAL BASE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CONTEMPLATE THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL BUILDING PROGRAMME THAT LIES AHEAD OF US."
EXPLAINING HIS STRATEGY FOR FINANCING THE OVERALL PROGRAMME OF CAPITAL WORKS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT WE WERE STILL AT THE PRELIMINARY STAGES OF A LONG TERM PROGRAMME, BEGINNING WITH THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
"WHILST PRIORITY IS BEING GIVEN TO THE AIRPORT, I SHOULD STRESS THAT WE HAVE ALSO MADE PROVISION FOR A HIGH LEVEL OF INVESTMENT IN OTHER MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL AREAS - THE PORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, WATER SUPPLY, AND TRANSPORT.
"AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO INVEST SUBSTANTIALLY IN OTHER PROGRAMME AREAS SUCH AS EDUCATION, SOCIAL SERVICES AND NEW TOWNS DEVELOPMENT," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"THAT SAID, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE RELATED TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE DOES INVOLVE A LARGE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT.
"I DO NOT THINK I NEED ELABORATE YET AGAIN UPON THE ARGUMENTS FOR PROCEEDING; THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEW AIRPORT TO THE CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH OF HONG KONG IS, I KNOW, FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY THIS COUNCIL.
"WHEN COMPLETED, THE AIRPORT WILL BRING LONG-TERM BENEFITS FAR GREATER THAN THE COST OF THE INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEW AIRPORT WAS SUCH AS TO JUSTIFY ACCEPTING THE LEVEL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ENVISAGED AND, FOR A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME; DEVIATING FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGETARY GUIDELINES TO DO SO.
"WE WILL ENSURE THAT OBSERVANCE OF THE GUIDELINES IS REINSTATED ONCE EXPENDITURE HAS PEAKED," HE STRESSED.
- - 0 - -
HK’S RESERVES TO STAND AT HISTORICALLY HIGH FIGURE
*****
HONG KONG’S RESERVES ARE EXPECTED TO STAND AT AN HISTORICALLY HIGH FIGURE OF $72.7 BILLION AT THE END OF 1990-91, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"BASED ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES, AND AFTER REVENUE MEASURES, THE RESERVES AT THE END OF 1991-92 WILL REPRESENT OVER 60 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE.
"THIS POSITION IS EXTREMELY HEALTHY BY COMPARISON WITH THAT OF MOST OTHER ECONOMIES," SAID SIR PIERS WHEN PRESENTING HIS 1991-92 BUDGET.
/HE EXPLAINED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
9
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE LEVEL OF THE RESERVES DID NOT TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VALUE OF OUR SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS IN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE MADE CASH INVESTMENTS IN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TOTALLING SOME $33 BILLION.
’’THESE INVESTMENTS HAVE MADE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S WELL-BEING AND PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUTURE REVENUE. THEY ARE PART OF OUR WEALTH,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE ROLE OF THE FISCAL RESERVES WAS IMPORTANT IN THREE ASPECTS.
’’FIRST, WE HAVE TO ALLOW FOR CERTAIN CONTINGENT LIABILITIES. THESE LIABILITIES INCLUDE GUARANTEES TO QUASI-GOVERNMENT BODIES SUCH AS THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
’’SECONDLY, WE NEED A CUSHION AGAINST UNEXPECTED ECONOMIC SETBACKS WHICH MIGHT AFFECT OUR REVENUE YIELD FROM TIME TO TIME. OUR RESERVES ENABLE US TO COPE WITH ANY SHORTFALL IN REVENUE WITHOUT ABRUPT ADJUSTMENTS TO OUR PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
"THIRDLY, AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT, OUR RESERVES ARE AVAILABLE TO COVER TEMPORARY DEFICITS WHICH MAY ARISE AS A RESULT OF PEAKS IN THE PATTERN OF EXPENDITURE.”
HE ADDED THAT IN DISCUSSING HONG KONG’S OVERALL FINANCIAL POSITION, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, WE SHOULD NOT OVERLOOK THE FUND ESTABLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WHICH RECEIVED THE SHARE OF LAND PREMIUM INCOME ACCRUING TO THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT.
"THIS SHARE AMOUNTS TO 50 PER CENT OF NET LAND PREMIUM INCOME AFTER DEDUCTING LAND PRODUCTION COSTS.
"BY THE END OF MARCH 1990 A TOTAL OF $17.4 BILLION HAD BEEN PAID INTO THE FUND AND A FURTHER $3 BILLION IS EXPECTED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE FUND IN 1990-91.
"ACCOUNT MUST ALSO BE TAKEN OF THE INTEREST BEING EARNED.”
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THERE WOULD BE FURTHER PAYMENTS INTO THIS FUND UP TO 1997, WHEN IT WOULD FORM PART OF HONG KONG’S RESERVES.
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/10.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
10
SHORT TERM GOVT BONDS TIMELY FOR HK *******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THAT A WELL STRUCTURED AND MANAGED BORROWING PROGRAMME THROUGH THE ISSUE OF SHORT TERM GOVERNMENT BONDS WOULD NOW BE APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN PRESENTING HIS 1991-92 BUDGET, STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S GUIDELINES WOULD ENSURE THAT IT WOULD NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE BORROWING TO FUND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, ALTHOUGH MANY COUNTRIES DID.
’’THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPRUDENT BORROWING ARE ALL TOO APPARENT FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS, WHO ARE OFTEN BURDENED BY DEBT SERVICING OBLIGATIONS WHICH PRE-EMPT TOO LARGE A PART OF RECURRENT REVENUES.
"IT IS MY INTENTION THAT THE PROCEEDS OF THIS NEW BORROWING PROGRAMME WILL BE FOR THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND OR FOR THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, AND WILL ACCORDINGLY BE USED CLEARLY AND ONLY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME WERE BEING WORKED OUT BY THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AT THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, ADDING THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO COMMENCE FAIRLY SOON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAMME, WHICH WOULD BE HANDLED BY THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND, AND THAT PROPOSALS WOULD BE PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.
ON THE OPTION OF GOVERNMENT BORROWING AS A STRATEGY FOR FINANCING HONG KONG’S MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, SIR PIERS SAID IN THIS CONNECTION, HEALTHY RESERVES REASSURED POTENTIAL LENDERS AND INVESTORS.
"BORROWING FOR CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IS ELSEWHERE CONSIDERED A PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE AND CONVENTIONAL APPROACH.
"INDEED, THERE CAN BE FEW GOVERNMENTS OR LARGE ORGANISATIONS IN THE WORLD WHO DO NOT BORROW FOR THIS PURPOSE. HONG KONG IS NO STRANGER TO THE CONCEPT.
"THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IS ALREADY A SUBSTANTIAL BORROWER OF HIGH INTERNATIONAL REPUTE," HE SAID .
THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAD ALSO ON OCCASIONS INCURRED A MODEST AMOUNT OF DEBT, FOR EXAMPLE, BORROWING FROM THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TO ASSIST IN FINANCING CERTAIN SPECIFIC PROJECTS, AND IN 1976 AND 1984 THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED BONDS TO ASSIST IN FUNDING PART OF THE CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME.
"THESE BORROWINGS HAVE BEEN FULLY REPAID AND THERE IS NOW NO OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT DEBT OTHER THAN THAT IN THE FORM OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS, WHICH ARE ISSUED TO FACILITATE EFFECTIVE MONETARY MANAGEMENT," SIR PIERS SAID.
/"THIS LATTER
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 11
"THIS LATTER DEBT IS FOR THE ACCOUNT OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AND FUNDS BORROWED ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF THE GOVERNMENT."
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THERE WAS A GOOD AND WIDELY ACCEPTED JUSTIFICATION FOR BORROWING TO FINANCE LARGE SCALE CAPITAL PROJECTS.
"THE BENEFITS OF SUCH PROJECTS WILL ACCRUE TO FUTURE GENERATIONS, AND IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE THAT THOSE GENERATIONS SHOULD MAKE SOME FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION," HE SAID.
"OFTEN THE PROJECTS THEMSELVES WILL GENERATE INCOME ADEQUATE TO SERVICE AND REPAY THE FUNDS BORROWED SO THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO EXTRA OR UNDUE BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS.
"IN HONG KONG IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS NOT BEEN FOUND NECESSARY TO INCUR DEBT FOR THE PURPOSES OF FINANCING CAPITAL PROJECTS.
"WE HAVE ENJOYED SUBSTANTIAL OPERATING SURPLUSES WHICH, TOGETHER WITH CAPITAL REVENUE, HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT TO COVER ALL OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND STILL PROVIDE AN OVERALL SURPLUS TO BE ADDED TO OUR RESERVES.
"BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE LEVEL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BOTH ON DIRECT CAPITAL WORKS AND ON EQUITY INVESTMENT IN STATUTORY BODIES WILL RISE SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
"WHILE THE OPERATING SURPLUS TOGETHER WITH CAPITAL REVENUE WILL STILL FINANCE THE MAJORITY OF OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, WE SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO COVER ALL OUR REQUIREMENTS IN THIS WAY," SIR PIERS SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID BORROWING BY MEANS OF BONDS COULD NOT BE MATCHED PRECISELY TO OUR
A PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT CASH FLOW REQUIREMENTS.
"THE AMOUNTS TO BE RAISED WILL HAVE REGARD TO THOSE REQUIREMENTS BUT WILL ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED TO HAVE A CONTINUING RANGE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GOVERNMENT BOND MARKET.
"FUNDS NOT IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED WILL BE PRUDENTLY MANAGED, ALONG WITH OUR RESERVES," HE SAID.
HE SAID SINCE THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAD GAINED VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN THE RUNNING OF THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS PROGRAMME, WHICH CONSISTS OF ISSUES WITH MATURITIES OF UP TO ONE YEAR.
"IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A REASONABLY CONTINUOUS SPECTRUM OF MATURITIES FOR TRADING AND HEDGING PURPOSES, I INTEND, FOR THE PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT BONDS, TO START WITH ISSUES OF TWO OR POSSIBLY THREE-YEAR MATURITIES.
"THE PROGRAMME WILL PROVIDE FOR PERIODIC ISSUES OF RELATIVELY SMALL AMOUNTS.
/"THIS APPROACH .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 12 -
"THIS APPROACH WILL ENHANCE THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT DEBT MARKET. IT WILL ALSO HELP TO ESTABLISH OUR REPUTATION, AND ENABLE US TO ATTRACT FUNDS AT THE FINEST RATES."
SIR PIERS SAID FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF DEVELOPING THE MARKET, WHAT HE WAS PROPOSING WOULD BE A NATURAL EXTENSION OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN DOING SO FAR.
IT SHOULD BE RECOGNISED, HOWEVER, THAT EXCHANGE FUND BILLS WERE FOR THE ACCOUNT OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AND THE MONEYS RECEIVED WOULD NOT BE CREDITED TO GENERAL REVENUE. THE NEW GOVERNMENT BONDS WOULD BE FOR THE ACCOUNT OF THE GENERAL REVENUE, HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL 'SECRETARY SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WERE LONG TERM BENEFITS FLOWING FROM A WELL DEVELOPED, LIQUID GOVERNMENT DEBT MARKET.
"I AM ENCOURAGED BY THE SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE BEEN GETTING FROM MARKET PARTICIPANTS, PARTICULARLY THE MARKET MAKERS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS.
"WHILE I LOOK FORWARD TO SECURING AN ADDITIONAL MEANS OF FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT’S CAPITAL PROGRAMME, THE ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARKET MAKERS AND AN ATTRACTIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT FOR INVESTORS.
"AS I HAVE ALREADY INDICATED, THE MAJOR PART OF OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WILL CONTINUE TO BE FINANCED BY OUR OPERATING SURPLUS AND CAPITAL REVENUE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT GOVERNMENT BORROWING WAS, OF COURSE, QUITE SEPARATE FROM ANY FINANCE RAISED BY STATUTORY CORPORATIONS SUCH AS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND, IN THE FUTURE, THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
------0--------
FS SUMS UP PERFORMANCE OF UK’S ECONOMY » » » ♦ »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG CONTINUED TO BE AFFECTED BY DEVELOPMENTS IN ITS MAJOR MARKETS.
SUMMING UP THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMY IN 1990 IN HIS 1991-92 BUDGET, SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG ALSO SUFFERED FROM CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS FOLLOWING UPON THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 1980’S.
"DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN IN THE UNITED STATES CREATED MUCH UNCERTAINTY.
"WHILE THE RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR 1990 WAS MODEST, PERFORMANCE PICKED UP IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR. THERE WERE IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTH THE EXTERNAL AND THE DOMESTIC SECTORS,” HE SAID.
/GIVEN THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 13 -
GIVEN THE SLOW GROWTH OF THE LABOUR FORCE AND THE STRUCTURAL SHIFT IN EMPLOYMENT FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES IN RECENT YEARS, SIR PIERS SAID THERE WAS CONTINUED UPWARD PRESSURE ON WAGES AND SALARIES, AND THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINED GENERALLY TIGHT NOTWITHSTANDING THE MODERATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
"APART FROM HIGHER LABOUR COSTS, HIGHER PRICES OF IMPORTS, PARTICULARLY OIL PRODUCTS, HAVE ALSO ADDED TO THE COST OF LIVING.
"AFTER A SLIGHT EASING EARLIER IN THE YEAR, THE RATE OF INCREASE. IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) [CPI(A)] EDGED UP AGAIN INTO DOUBLE-DIGITS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
"FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE, THE CPI(A) ROSE BY AN AVERAGE OF 9.8 PER CENT, REGRETTABLY, TOO CLOSE TO THE INCREASE OF 10.1 PER CENT RECORDED IN 1989."
AS FAR AS HONG KONG’S TRADE WAS CONCERNED, SIR PIERS SAID THE GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS PICKED UP STRONGLY DURING THE YEAR, MAINLY BECAUSE OF A REVIVAL IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA. THERE WAS ALSO A RAPID INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN.
FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE, TOTAL RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 16 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. MUCH OF THIS INCREASE WAS RELATED TO THE CONTINUED EXPANSION IN OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER.
THE STRONG GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS LARGELY OFFSET THE WEAK PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND PROVIDED THE MAIN IMPETUS TO OVERALL EXPORT GROWTH.
INDEED, IN 1990 NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE TERRITORY’S TOTAL EXPORTS WERE RE-EXPORTS; THIS CONTRASTED MARKEDLY WITH THE POSITION ONLY THREE YEARS AGO, WHEN THE PROPORTION WAS LESS THAN HALF, BE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED VIRTUALLY ZERO GROWTH IN 1990, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO EXPORTS TO CHINA AND GERMANY.
"THE GROWTH IN IMPORTS OF 11 PER CENT WAS MAINLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF RE-EXPORTS OVER THE YEAR. BUT THERE WAS SOME REVIVAL IN RETAINED IMPORTS, IN LINE WITH AN IMPROVEMENT IN DOMESTIC DEMAND.
"FOLLOWING A DECLINE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR, THE GROWTH RATE OF RETAINED IMPORTS INCREASED IN THE SECOND HALF.
"FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE, RETAINED IMPORTS ROSE BY SIX PER CENT, WHEREAS IN 1989 THERE HAD BEEN ALMOST NO GROWTH.
"OVERALL, THE VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT WAS JUST ABOUT IN BALANCE, HE SAID.
AS REGARDS INVISIBLE TRADE, SIR PIERS SAID EXPORTS OF SERVICES GREW BY SIX PER CENT AND IMPORTS OF SERVICES BY 10 PER CENT.
"APART FROM THE FURTHER INCREASE IN TRADE-RELATED SERVICES, THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL RECOVERY IN TOURISM.
/"THE NUMBERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 14 -
’’THE NUMBERS OF INCOMING VISITORS AND OF LOCAL RESIDENTS TRAVELLING ABROAD WERE BOTH SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER.
"AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THERE WAS A SURPLUS ON THE INVISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT," HE SAID.
IN THE DOMESTIC SECTOR, PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE PICKED UP AFTER THE FIRST QUARTER, MAINLY DUE TO INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON SERVICES AND CONSUMER DURABLES. A GROWTH RATE OF FOUR PER CENT WAS ATTAINED IN 1990.
GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WAS EIGHT PER CENT HIGHER.
INVESTMENT IN 1990 IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY. BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURE BY THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS INCREASED BY SEVEN AND EIGHT PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, GIVING AN OVERALL INCREASE OF ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT.
IN PARTICULAR, TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR THERE WAS STRONG GROWTH IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. EXPENDITURE ON PLANT AND MACHINERY PICKED UP MARKEDLY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE, THIS EXPENDITURE ROSE BY FOUR PER CENT. THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ MARGIN IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE RISEN BY 10 PER CENT.
AS A RESULT OF THESE INCREASES, THE GROWTH RATE OF INVESTMENT IMPROVED ENCOURAGINGLY TO AROUND SIX PER CENT IN 1990, FROM ONLY ABOUT ONE PER CENT IN 1989.
SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG’S GDP ATTAINED A MODEST GROWTH OF 2.4 PER CENT IN 1990, ROUGHLY THE SAME AS IN 1989. BUT THE UNDERLYING TREND WAS DIFFERENT. ECONOMIC CROWTH SLOWED DOWN IN THE COURSE OF 1989 WHEREAS IN 1990 THE GROWTH RATE ACCELERATED AS THE YEAR ADVANCED.
THIS WAS A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATED ONCE AGAIN THE RESILIENCE OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
---------0-----------
HK’S ECONOMY IS SOUND DESPITE HIGH INFLATION RATE *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THAT ALTHOUGH INFLATION REMAINS HIGH, HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IS STILL FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND.
PRESENTING HIS 1991-92 BUDGET, SIR PIERS SAID INFLATION WHICH AFFECTED EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY REMAINED A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN, BUT THERE WERE NO EASY ANSWERS.
"WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IS IN PART A REFLECTION OF AN ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT," HE SAID.
/HE EXPLAINED .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 15 -
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE UNDERLYING REASONS WERE: "FIRST, THE ECONOMY HAS BEEN BUOYANT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THE LABOUR MARKET HAS TIGHTENED AND THE PRESSURE ON WAGES HAS INCREASED AS THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR RESOURCES HAS EXCEEDED SUPPLY. UNFORTUNATELY, INFLATIONARY PRESSURES HAVE PERSISTED EVEN THOUGH THE RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH HAS NOW SLOWED DOWN CONSIDERABLY.
"SECONDLY, AND MORE RECENTLY, THE INFLATION RATE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY INCREASES IN OIL PRICES," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID: "ALTHOUGH INFLATION REMAINS HIGH, OUR ECONOMY IS STILL FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND.
"WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RETURNING TO AN HISTORICALLY LOW LEVEL IN RECENT MONTHS, JOB OPPORTUNITIES ARE ABUNDANT.
"FURTHERMORE, IN RECENT YEARS THE TIGHT LABOUR MARKET HAS HELPED TO BRING ABOUT A STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY. WITH A RELOCATION OF THE MORE LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES TO GUANGDONG AND ELSEWHERE, OUR OWN WORKERS HAVE OFTEN BEEN ABLE TO MOVE TO MORE REWARDING JOBS IN BOTH THE MANUFACTURING AND NON-MANUFACTURING SECTORS," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD ALSO BEEN SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN NEW MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, WHICH IN TURN HAD RAISED PRODUCTIVITY.
"AS FAR AS THE IMPACT ON THE LABOUR FORCE IS CONCERNED, EARNINGS HAVE BEEN MOVING AHEAD OF INFLATION AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL HAVE ENJOYED A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE CAUTIONED THAT EXCESSIVE PAY INCREASES CARRIED WITH THEM AN INFLATIONARY PENALTY AND THIS APPLIED TO BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
"OVER TIME HIGH INFLATION CAN EAT INTO SAVINGS AND ERODE THE WEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. AND SO WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES WHAT REMEDIES THERE ARE,” HE SAID.
ON THE ARGUMENT BY SOME FOR DIRECT INTERVENTION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL INFLATION, SIR PIERS SAID THAT WAS NOT THE SOLUTION.
"HONG KONG MUST BE ABLE TO ADJUST EFFECTIVELY TO CHANGING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.
"ANY MEASURES WHICH TEND TO REDUCE THE FLEXIBILITY OF THAT ADJUSTMENT WILL NOT BE CONDUCIVE TO OUR WELL-BEING IN THE LONGER TERM.
"THE ARTIFICIAL SUPPRESSION OF PRICE INCREASES WOULD NOT WORK IN HONG KONG. IT WOULD HAMPER THE FLEXIBILITY OF OUR PRICE STRUCTURE, DISTORT THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND EXACERBATE SHORTAGES.
"IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN OUR FREE AND OPEN ECONOMY, WE MUST NOT TAMPER WITH THE PRICE MECHANISM," HE SAID.
/WHILE CONCEDING ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991 '
16
WHILE CONCEDING THAT THE RECENT WEAKNESS OF THE U.S. DOLLAR CARRIED WITH IT, UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN INCREASE IN IMPORTED INFLATION, SIR PIERS MAINTAINED THAT THE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THE SYSTEM FAR OUTWEIGHED ANY DISBENEFITS.
"THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO PROVIDE US WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF MONETARY STABILITY AGAINST THE UNCERTAINTIES AND EXTERNAL SHOCKS WHICH HONG KONG HAS SO OFTEN HAD TO FACE.
"I DO NOT INTEND TO TAMPER WITH IT," HE SAID.
IN IDENTIFYING THE LABOUR SHORTAGE AS A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, SIR PIERS SAID HE ACCEPTED THE VALIDITY OF THE ARGUMENT BY THOSE WHO HAD SUGGESTED THAT BRINGING IN MORE FOREIGN WORKERS COULD PROVIDE RELIEF.
HOWEVER, SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE ALSO LOOKED AFTER THE INTERESTS OF THE LOCAL LABOUR FORCE.
"LET ME SAY THEREFORE THAT WE ARE NOT SEEKING A MASSIVE, INDISCRIMINATE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR.
"WE DO WISH, HOWEVER, TO REMOVE THE CONSTRAINTS THAT A SEVERE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IN CRUCIAL AREAS IS IMPOSING ON THE PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF THE ECONOMY. THUS OUR SCHEMES CONCENTRATE ON IMPORTING LABOUR IN THOSE JOB CATEGORIES WHERE LABOUR SHORTAGES ARE CAUSING BOTTLENECKS TO GROWTH.
"THE HIGHER ECONOMIC GROWTH THEREBY OBTAINED WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO ALL," HE SAID.
OVER THE LONGER TERM, THE KEY DETERMINANT OF OUR GROWTH POTENTIAL WOULD STILL BE HIGHER LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, FOR WHICH IMPORTATION OF LABOUR WAS NOT AN ADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE.
"OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE LOCAL WORKFORCE THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE VERY MUCH DIRECTED TOWARDS THAT OBJECTIVE," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
FASTER ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE ENVISAGED *****
THE HONG KONG ECONOMY THIS YEAR WILL GROW AT A FASTER RATE THAN IN 1990 FOLLOWING THE PICK-UP IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92, SIR PIERS SAID THE FORECAST OF THE GDP GROWTH RATE FOR THIS YEAR WAS 3.5 PER CENT.
/WITH SUCH .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 17 -
WITH SUCH A GROWTH RATE FOR THE GDP, HE SAID THE ECONOMY WAS EXPECTED TO GROW AT A RATE BROADLY COMPARABLE WITH THAT IN THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR.
"CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS AND IMPORTED INFLATION, PARTLY THE RESULT OF WEAKNESS IN THE US DOLLAR, WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT LOCAL PRICE LEVELS. IN VIEW OF THESE FACTORS, I FORECAST THAT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) WILL INCREASE BY AN AVERAGE OF 9.5 PER CENT IN 1991," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GDP DEFLATOR WAS EXPECTED TO RISE BY 8.5 PER CENT IN 1991, SIMILAR TO THE INCREASE IN 1990.
"THIS IMPLIES A GDP GROWTH RATE OF 12.3 PER CENT IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. ON THIS BASIS, HONG KONG’S PER CAPITA GDP IS EXPECTED TO RISE TO AROUND HKS105.000, OR US$13,100, WHICH SHOULD CONTINUE TO RANK AMONGST THE HIGHEST IN ASIA," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE WORLD WAS BESET BY UNCERTAINTIES.
HE SAID THE GULF WAR AND ITS AFTERMATH, THE POSSIBILITY OF A LONGER RECESSION IN SOME OF OUR MAJOR MARKETS, THE PROBLEMS SURROUNDING THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE GATT, ALL RESULTED IN A WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION IN WHICH THE PERFORMANCE OF EVERY ECONOMY, PARTICULARLY TRADING ECONOMIES SUCH AS OUR OWN, WAS BOUND TO BE AFFECTED.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS, SIR PIERS SAID THE CURRENT WEAKNESS OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY CONTINUED TO DAMPEN THE TERRITORY’S EXPORT PROSPECTS THERE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FURTHER EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES WILL FLOW FROM THE ROBUST PERFORMANCE OF THE GERMAN ECONOMY, THE IMPROVED ECONOMIC SITUATION IN CHINA, AND THE DYNAMIC GROWTH OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION GENERALLY.
"I EXPECT, THEREFORE, THAT OUR EXPORT MARKETS WILL CONTINUE TO DIVERSIFY, EVEN THOUGH THE UNITED STATES WILL STILL BE OUR SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MARKET," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE HAD BEEN OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE.
"CONTINUING THE TREND IN RECENT YEARS, GROWTH IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN STRONG IN 1991.
"THIS REFLECTS BOTH THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A REGIONAL ENTREPOT AND THE SUSTAINED DEVELOPMENT OF OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER," HE SAID.
OVERALL, RE-EXPORTS WERE FORECAST TO INCREASE BY 15 PER CENT IN 1991.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID AS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE LIKELY TO GROW AT A MUCH SLOWER RATE THAN ITS RE-EXPORTS.
/"OUR PERFORMANCE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 18 -
"OUR PERFORMANCE IN MAJOR MARKETS THIS YEAR WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO BE MIXED. WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES ARE EXPECTED TO FALL FURTHER, THIS IS LIKELY TO BE OFFSET BY MARKED INCREASES TO GERMANY, CHINA AND SEVERAL OTHER ECONOMIES IN EAST ASIA.
"DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN WILL PROBABLY SHOW A MODERATE INCREASE, IN CONTRAST TO THE DECLINE EXPERIENCED LAST YEAR.
"TAKEN TOGETHER, THE GROWTH RATE OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR 1991 IS FORECAST TO BE 2.5 PER CENT," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID EXPORTS OF SERVICES WERE FORECAST TO GROW BY SIX PER CENT.
HE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH RECEIPTS FROM TOURISM MIGHT NOT GROW AS RAPIDLY AS THIS, GIVEN THE GULF SITUATION, EXPORTS OF TRADE-RELATED AND OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES SHOULD CONTINUE TO SHOW A HEALTHY INCREASE.
ON THE IMPORT SIDE, SIR PIERS SAID IMPORTS OF GOODS WERE FORECAST TO RISE BY 10.7 PER CENT, MAINLY REFLECTING THE EXPECTED RAPID INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS, WHILE IMPORTS OF SERVICES WERE FORECAST TO GROW BY SEVEN PER CENT.
IN THE DOMESTIC SECTOR, HE SAID PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WAS FORECAST TO INCREASE BY 3.5 PER CENT.
"CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN REAL INCOMES SHOULD GIVE SUPPORT TO CONSUMPTION DEMAND, ALTHOUGH THE UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC OUTLOOK MAY WELL AFFECT SPENDING TO SOME EXTENT. THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS SIX PER CENT," HE SAID.
ON THE OVERALL CAPITAL INVESTMENT FOR THE ECONOMY, SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS FORECAST TO INCREASE BY 4.6 PER CENT.
"THIS IS NOT UNSATISFACTORY.
"IN LINE WITH THE IMPROVEMENT IN OVERALL ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY IS EXPECTED TO GROW BY FOUR PER CENT THIS YEAR.
"WITH A MAJOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME NOW UNDER WAY, PUBLIC SECTOR ACTIVITY ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW QUITE RAPIDLY AT EIGHT PER CENT," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED.
HE SAID PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WAS FORECAST TO INCREASE BY FOUR PER CENT. TOTAL CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT WAS THUS EXPECTED TO GROW BY 5.5 PER CENT.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
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STATE OF PUBLIC FINANCES IS HEALTHY: FS ♦ ♦ * * t
THE STATE OF THE PUBLIC FINANCES IN 1990-91 IS HEALTHY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAJI) TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD KEPI’ THE GROWTH IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WITHIN ACCEPTABLE BOUNDS.
’’ALTHOUGH CAPITAL EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN GROWING FASTER THAN EXPECTED, WE SHALL ACHIEVE A COMFORTABLE SURPLUS ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT, WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO FUND A MAJOR PART OF THIS EXPENDITURE.
"WE ARE EXPECTING AN OVERALL SURPLUS EVEN AFTER EQUITY INVESTMENTS AND SO WILL BE ADDING TO OUR RESERVES," HE SAID.
ON THE REVENUE SIDE, SIR PIERS SAID REVENUE FROM DIRECT TAXES WOULD REPRESENT 60 PER CENT OF ALL TAXES COMPARED WITH AN ESTIMATED 62 PER CENT.
"WE SHALL BEGIN THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR IN GOOD SHAPE," HE SAID.
OVERALL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, AFTER TAKING ACCOUNT OF EXPENDITURE BY HIE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WAS EXPECTED TO GROW BY 7.6 PER CENT IN 1990-91, WHICH WAS LESS THAN HIS ESTIMATE OF 9.4 PER CENT.
THIS EXPENDITURE REPRESENTED ABOUT 18.3 PER CENT OF GDP.
"IN TERMS OF OUR GUIDELINES, WE AIM TO IMPOSE A DEGREE OF FISCAL DISCIPLINE SO AS TO ACHIEVE, AMONGST OTHER OBJECTIVES, A SURPLUS ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT ADEQUATE TO FUND AT LEAST HALF OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE," HE SAID.
THE REVISED ESTIMATES SHOWED THAT 63 PER CENT OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WOULD BE FINANCED FROM THE SURPLUS ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT.
"THUS WE ARE WELL WITHIN THIS PARTICULAR GUIDELINE," HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID THE 1990-91 REVISED ESTIMATES SHOW THAT EXPENDITURE ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT BEFORE TRANSFERS TO FUNDS WAS EXPECTED TO RE $63.1 BILLION, WHICH WAS ABOUT THREE PER CENT BELOW THE APPROVED ESTIMATE OF $65.3 BILLION.
HE SAID PART OF THIS ANTICIPATED UNDERSPENDING ARISE!) FROM THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
PROVISION WAS MADE IN THE ESTIMATES 1'0 COVER PART OF THE COSTS INVOLVED IN PROVIDING A SECRETARIAT FOR THE AUTHORITY AND FOR PAYMENTS TO GOVERNMENT STAFF CONVERTING TO THE AUTHORITY’S TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.
"SOME OF THIS EXPENDITURE WILL NOW BE INCURRED IN 1991-92, AND APPROPRIATE PROVISION IS MADE IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THAT YEAR, HF SAID.
/FURTHERMORE, SIR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
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FURTHERMORE, SIR PIERS POINTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE A HIGH LEVEL OF VACANCIES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT AND THIS HAD HAD AN IMPACT ON STAFF-RELATED EXPENDITURE.
AT PRESENT, HE SAID, ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF THE POSTS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT REMAINED VACANT.
THE COST OF THE 1990 GENERAL PAY AWARD AND OF OTHER PAY ADJUSTMENTS IMPLEMENTED IN 1990-91 HAD THEREFORE BEEN MET IN PART FROM SAVINGS IN PAYROLL EXPENSES ARISING FROM VACANT POSTS AS WELL AS FROM THE PROVISION IN THE ESTIMATES FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS.
"THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO MEET THESE LIABILITIES HAS THUS BEEN OBVIATED," SIR PIERS SAID.
EXPENDITURE FROM THE FUNDS AT $26.6 BILLION WOULD EXCEED THE ESTIMATES OF $25.7 BILLION BY FOUR PER CENT. THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASED LEVEL OF HOME PURCHASE LOANS TO CIVIL SERVANTS FROM THE LOAN FUND.
"AS AGAINST THIS, SOME UNDERSPENDING FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND IS EXPECTED AS A RESULT OF SLIPPAGE IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
"MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOWEVER, THE PAYMENT FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND IN RESPECT OF CAPITAL FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL EXCEED THE ESTIMATE BY $1.7 BILLION," STR PIERS SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THIS WAS NOT AN EXTRA PAYMENT BUT THE EARLIER PAYMENT OF PART OF THE $10 BILLION THE GOVERNMENT HAD UNDERTAKEN TO PROVIDE TO THE AUTHORITY THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $2 BILLION WAS PROVIDED FOR IN THE 1991-92 ESTIMATES.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE FROM GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND THE FUNDS TOGETHER WOULD BE $89.7 BILLION, ABOUT ONE PER CENT BELOW THE ESTIMATES OF $90.9 BILLION, HE SAID.
SIR PIERS ALSO SAID REVENUE TO THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WAS EXPECTED TO BE $83.1 BILLION IN 1990-91, MARGINALLY BELOW THE ESTIMATE OF $84.5 BILLION.
RECEIPTS FROM PROFITS TAX WERE EXPECTED TO BE BELOW ESTIMATE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS DUE IN PART TO SLOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ITS EFFECT ON CORPORATE PROFITS.
HOWEVER, RECEIPTS FROM SALARIES TAX, STAMP DUTY AND BETS AND SWEEPS TAX WERE EXPECTED TO EXCEED THE ESTIMATE. RECEIPTS FROM OTHER SOURCES WITHIN THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WERE EXPECTED TO BE CLOSE TO THE ESTIMATE, HE NOTED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TOTAL REVENUE TO THE FUNDS WAS EXPECTED TO BE $6.8 BILLION, WHICH WAS FIVE PER CENT BELOW THE ESTIMATE OF $7.2 BILLION.
/"THE BIGGEST .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 21 -
"THE BIGGEST SINGLE COMPONENT OF REVENUE TO THE FUNDS - REVENUE FROM LAND SALES - IS EXPECTED TO BE 26 PER CENT BELOW THE ESTIMATE.
"IN THE MAIN, THIS DOES NOT REFLECT A FALL IN LAND PRICES, WHICH HAVE BEEN UP TO EXPECTATIONS," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE RATE OF COLLECTION OF REVENUE WAS DETERMINED BY THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME, WHICH WAS OFTEN ADJUSTED DURING THE YEAR.
PUBLIC AUCTIONS OF LARGE SITES WERE SOMETIMES RESCHEDULED, AND THERE WAS, FURTHERMORE, A TIME LAG BETWEEN THE DATE OF SALE AND THE CREDITING OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS WITH THE PROCEEDS OF SALE.
"THIS YEAR A DELAY IN THE SALE OF THREE MAJOR SITES IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF THE SHORTFALL," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THERE WOULD BE A SURPLUS ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT OF $20 BILLION, AND A DEFICIT ON THE FUNDS OF $19.8 BILLION.
SIR PIERS SAID A TOTAL OF $20.5 BILLION WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE FUNDS COMPARED WITH THE ESTIMATE OF $22.9 BILLION.
"ON THE BASIS OF THE REVISED ESTIMATES, I AM NOW EXPECTING A CONSOLIDATED SURPLUS OF $150 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE ESTIMATE OF A SURPLUS OF $720 MILLION," HE NOTED.
"IN MY 1990-91 BUDGET, I ESTIMATED THAT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WOULD INCREASE BY 9.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER 1989-90 AND THAT RECURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WOULD GROW BY 10.4 PER CENT AND 7.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
"RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IS NOW EXPECTED TO GROW BY 7.1 PER CENT, THAT IS, BELOW THE FORECAST," HE SAID.
WHILST THIS LOWER RATE WAS PARTLY THE RESULT OF DEFERRING EXPENDITURE TO 1991-92, SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS ALSO A RESULT OF THE FIRM CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAINTAINING OVER RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
"WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS.
"I WOULD EMPHASIZE THAT IT IS THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPENDITURE WHICH WE AIM TO LOWER AND NOT THE LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE ITSELF," HE SAID.
ON CAPITAL ACCOUNT, SIR PIERS SAID EXPENDITURE WAS EXPECTED TO GROW BY A HIGHER FIGURE OF 9.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WOULD NOW GROW BY 7.7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE ESTIMATE OF 9.5 PER CENT.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
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SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC SERVICES PROMISED
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL STILL ENJOY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ARE BEING PLANNED TO ACHIEVE THESE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR PIERS EMPHASISED THAT SPENDING ON PUBLIC SERVICES AS A WHOLE WAS NOT BEING CUT BACK IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND OTHER ESSENTIAL CAPITAL PROJECTS.
"I HAVE ALREADY EMPHASISED OUR DETERMINATION TO KEEP EXPENDITURE AT LEVELS THE ECONOMY CAN SUPPORT.
"SO WE CONTINUE TO PLAN THE GROWTH IN EXPENDITURE BY REFERENCE TO THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY.
"OUR FORECASTS OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS SHOW THAT WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ALLOW EXPENDITURE TO GROW AS QUICKLY AS HAS BEEN THE CASE IN RECENT YEARS," SIR PIERS NOTED.
PRESENTING THE DRAFT ESTIMATES EXPENDITURE IN HIS 1991-92 BUDGET, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTIMATES PROVIDED FOR EXPENDITURE FROM GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT OF $73.6 BILLION, WHICH IN MONEY TERMS WAS 17 PER CENT ABOVE THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1990-91.
"IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE TRANSFERS TOTALLING $26.7 BILLION TO FUNDS, THUS BRINGING THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE APPROPRIATED TO $100.3 BILLION.
"EXPENDITURE FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND AND THE LOAN FUND IS ESTIMATED AT $27.7 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 37 PER CENT OVER 1990-91," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID EQUITY INVESTMENT IN STATUTORY BODIES TOTALLING $3.5 BILLION WOULD BE MADE FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND, SOME 45 PER CENT LESS THAN IN 1990-91, MAINLY AS A RESULT OF A RESCHEDULING OF INJECTIONS OF CAPITAL INTO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
IN SUM, HE SAID, THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WAS ESTIMATED AT $104.8 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT OVER THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
SIR PIERS SAID THE ESTIMATE OF $73.6 BILLION FOR THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT INCLUDED $6.5 BILLION FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS TO COVER ITEMS FOR WHICH THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE FIRM FIGURES FOR INCORPORATION IN THE DETAILED ESTIMATES.
"AS WAS THE CASE LAST YEAR, SOME PROVISION IS MADE WITHIN THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS FOR THOSE COSTS OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH HAVE YET TO BE DETERMINED," HE SAID.
HE. SAID EXPENDITURE FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, AT $25.7 BILLION, WOULD ALLOW FOR A 36 PER CENT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
/"PART OF .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 23 -
"PART OF THIS IS DUE TO HIGHER COSTS BUT IT MAINLY REFLECTS THE CONTINUING EXPANSION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ON TRANSPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, NEW TOWNS, HOSPITALS, IMPROVEMENTS TO KAI TAK AND VARIOUS OTHER PROJECTS," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EXPENDITURE FROM THE LOAN FUND AT $2.0 BILLION WOULD BE 47 PER CENT MORE THAN THE FIGURE FOR 1990-91.
HE SAID THIS INCREASE WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PROVISION OF INTEREST-BEARING REPAYABLE LOANS TO CIVIL SERVANTS TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY OF THEM AS POSSIBLE TO ACQUIRE THEIR OWN HOMES.
THE SAVINGS IN THE LONG TERM FROM THE REDUCED REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS WERE EXPECTED TO BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL INDEED.
ON GOVERNMENT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN 1991-92, HE SAID IT IS ESTIMATED TO INCREASE BY 6.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER 1990-91, AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY 22 PER CENT.
TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WOULD THUS INCREASE BY 10.6 PER CENT.
AFTER ALLOWING FOR EXPENDITURE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WAS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 8.2 PER CENT HIGHER IN REAL TERMS COMPARED WITH 1990-91, WITH RECURRENT EXPENDITURE GROWING BY 6.5 PER CENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY 12 PER CENT.
"ON THE FACE OF IT THE RATE OF GROWTH IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE FOR 1991-92 WOULD SEEM TO BE DECIDEDLY ON THE HIGH SIDE.
"BUT THIS IS LARGELY BECAUSE OF EXPECTED UNDERSPENDING IN 1990-91 AND THE DEFERMENT OF EXPENDITURE TO 1991-92.
"IF A COMPARISON WERE MADE OF THE 1991-92 ESTIMATE WITH THE ORIGINAL PRINTED ESTIMATE FOR 1990-91, IT WOULD SHOW THAT THE GROWTH OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WAS BELOW THE TREND GDP GROWTH RATE OF 5.5 PER CENT," SIR PIERS SAID.
THUS, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT COULD CLAIM A MEASURE OF SUCCESS IN CONTROLLING THE GROWTH IN STAFF NUMBERS AND IN REDUCING EXPENDITURE IN THOSE AREAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ATTACK ON THE BASELINE.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, IN PARTICULAR OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS MUST GIVE US SOME CAUSE FOR CONCERN, SINCE IT HAS EXCEEDED THE TREND GROWTH IN GDP," HE SAID.
IN 1988-89, RECURRENT EXPENDITURE GREW IN REAL TERMS BY 6.3 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. IN 1989-90 THE GROWTH WAS 7.0 PER CENT.
"IN THE CURRENT YEAR WE ARE EXPECTING GROWTH TO BE ABOUT 6.8 PER CENT OVER ACTUAL EXPENDITURE FOR 1989-90, AND 6.5 PER CENT IN THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR," SIR PIERS NOTED.
WHILST THIS LATEST TREND IS AN IMPROVEMENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RELAX ITS EFFORTS.
/"BUT LET........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 24 -
"BUT LET ME ADD THAT CONTROLLING GROWTH IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE TO SUFFER.
"WE ARE IN FACT SPENDING MORE TO IMPROVE BOTH THE RANGE AND QUALITY OF OUR SERVICES AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE TASK OF BRINGING DOWN THE RATE OF GROWTH IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE HAD NOT BEEN EASY.
"OUR EXISTING COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING SERVICES, TO STAFFING AND MANAGING NEW FACILITIES, AND TO MEETING UNAVOIDABLE INCREASES IN DEMAND FOR OUR SERVICES PRE-EMPT MOST OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
"IN ADDITION WE HAVE ALREADY UNDERTAKEN TO EXPAND TERTIARY EDUCATION AND TO ESTABLISH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY. AFTER MAKING ALLOWANCE FOR THESE IMPROVEMENTS, THERE IS NOT MUCH LEFT.
"IF WE ARE TO FIND MORE RESOURCES FOR OTHER NEW OR IMPROVED SERVICES, WHILE STAYING WITHIN OUR EXISTING GUIDELINES IN RELATION TO PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO SEEK MAXIMUM VALUE FOR MONEY BY CRITICALLY REVIEWING WHAT WE ARE ALREADY DOING," HE SAID.
THE GROWTH IN EXPENDITURE WOULD VARY FROM ONE PROGRAMME AREA TO ANOTHER.
ON EDUCATION THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INCUR SIX PER CENT MORE IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN REAL TERMS AND 36 PER CENT MORE IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AN INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT OVERALL.
ON SOCIAL SERVICES, RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WOULD INCREASE IN REAL TERMS BY 15 PER CENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY 19 PER CENT - A TOTAL INCREASE OF 16 PER CENT.
ON SECURITY, RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WOULD REMAIN CONSTANT BUT VARIATIONS IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WOULD RESULT IN A THREE PER CENT FALL IN EXPENDITURE OVERALL.
ON COMMUNITY AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS THERE WOULD BE ALSO A DROP IN TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF SIX PER CENT, LARGELY AS A RESULT OF REDUCTIONS TN RELATION TO DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
BY CONTRAST, SIR PIERS SAID EXPENDITURE ON THE ENVIRONMENT WOULD GROW BY 80 PER CENT, AND THIS ON TOP OF A 37 PER CENT INCREASE IN ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IN 1990-91.
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/25 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
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MODEST SURPLUS FORECAST: FS *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, FORECAST A MODEST CONSOLIDATED SURPLUS OF $1.3 BILLION FOR 91-92.
SPEAKING ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF REVENUE IN HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92, SIR PIERS SAID HIS REVENUE PROPOSALS WOULD REDUCE DIRECT TAXATION BY $340 MILLION AND INCREASE INDIRECT TAXATION BY $3 BILLION.
OTHER REVENUE, INCLUDING INTEREST, WOULD INCREASE BY $600 MILLION.
THE FINAL FORECAST, THEREFORE, IS A MODEST CONSOLIDATED SURPLUS OF $1.3 BILLION," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID REVENUE TO THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WAS ESTIMATED AT $93.5 BILLION BEFORE TAKING ACCOUNT OF ANY REVENUE MEASURES.
"THIS IS 13 PER CENT MORE THAN THE REVENUE EXPECTED IN 1990-91," HE SAID.
REVENUE FROM DIRECT TAXES WOULD INCREASE BY 20 PER CENT ALTHOUGH REVENUE FROM PROFITS TAX WOULD INCREASE BY ONLY 13 PER CENT.
DIRECT TAXES WOULD REPRESENT 63 PER CENT OF TOTAL TAXES COMPARED WITH 60 PER CENT IN 1990-91.
SIR PIERS SAID REVENUE TO THE FUNDS WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $9.3 BILLION, WHICH WOULD 37 PER CENT MORE THAN IN 1990-91.
TOTAL REVENUE TO GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND THE FUNDS WOULD, AT $102.8 BILLION, BE 14 PER CENT ABOVE THE FORECAST OUTTURN FOR 1990-91.
HE NOTED THAT THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE FOR 1991-92 SHOW A SURPLUS OF $1.5 BILLION BEFORE TAKING ACCOUNT OF EQUITY INVESTMENTS TO BE MADE FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND.
"THESE INVESTMENTS ARE ESTIMATED AT $3.5 BILLION AND SO I AM FORECASTING A CONSOLIDATED DEFICIT BEFORE REVENUE MEASURES OF $2 BILLION," SIR PIERS SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
26
GOVT’S EFFORTS TO BETTER CONTROL EXPENDITURE GROWTH ARE BEARING FRUIT
THE GROWTH OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IS UNDER BETTER CONTROL AND THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS ARE NOW BEARING FRUIT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SUMMARISING THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE ESTIMATES FOR THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC FINANCES IN HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92, SIR PIERS SAID:
’’ALTHOUGH CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW RATHER MORE RAPIDLY, OUR STRONG RECURRENT POSITION WILL PRODUCE A SURPLUS SUFFICIENT TO COVER MORE THAN HALF OF THAT EXPENDITURE.”
HE SAID THERE WOULD BE AN OVERALL SURPLUS TO BE ADDED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S RESERVES.
AND ON THE REVENUE SIDE, SIR PIERS SAID THE MEASURES HE SHOULD BE PROPOSING WOULD MAINTAIN THE PROPORTION OF TAX REVENUE ACCRUING FROM DIRECT TAX AT 60 PER CENT, AS IN 1990-91.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1991-92 HAD IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC FINANCES WHICH EXTENDED WELL BEYOND THE YEAR OF ACCOUNT.
”1 WISH TO COMMENT ON THESE IMPLICATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UPDATED MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD UP TO AND INCLUDING 1994-95,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSUMPTIONS IN UPDATING THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST CONCERNED THE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY AND PARTICULARLY THE GROWTH IN GDP.
”WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ASSUME A TREND GROWTH RATE FOR GDP OF 5.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. THIS IS A TREND RATE AND INDIVIDUAL YEARS MAY WELL VARY FROM THAT TREND.
"IT IS ALSO INEVITABLE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME UNEVENNESS IN OUR EXPENDITURE," HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE FACTORS DID NOT INVALIDATE USING THE TREND RATE AS A PLANNING TOOL.
DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1991-92 TO 1994-95, SIR PIERS SAID OVERALL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WOULD GROW BY AN AVERAGE OF 6.2 PER CENT-PER ANNUM.
THIS FIGURE, MARGINALLY HIGHER THAN THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP, COMBINED BOTH RECURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
THE GROWTH RATE FOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WAS, AT 5.2 PER CENT, WITHIN THE TREND GROWTH RATE, WHEREAS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WAS FORECAST TO GROW AT A SOMEWHAT HIGHER RATE OF 8.3 PER CENT, HE SAID.
/"NOTWITHSTANDING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 27 -
"NOTWITHSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF THE REVENUE MEASURES WHICH I SHALL BE PROPOSING IN THIS BUDGET, THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST INDICATES THAT THERE WILL BE CASH DEFICITS FROM 1992-93 ONWARDS,” SIR PIERS CONTINUED.
HOWEVER, THE FIGURES IN THE FORECAST TOOK NO ACCOUNT OF POSSIBLE FUTURE REVENUE MEASURES, NOR WAS PROVISION MADE FOR ANY BORROWING.
"EVEN SO, OVER THE FORECAST PERIOD WE WILL ENJOY SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUSES ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO COVER SOME TWO THIRDS OF OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE," HE ADDED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD STRESSED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WAS NOT ALLOWED TO INCREASE TO THE POINT WHERE THE WEALTH-PRODUCING CAPACITY OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS IMPAIRED.
"THERE IS NO HARD AND FAST RULE FOR DETERMINING THE OPTIMUM SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR. PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR THE FORECAST PERIOD WILL REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 19.7 PER CENT OF GDP.
"THIS IS LARGELY THE RESULT OF THE ENHANCED LEVEL OF CAPITAL SPENDING, BUT IT IS STILL SOMEWHAT HIGHER THAN I WOULD WISH TO SEE FOR THE LONGER TERM," SIR PIERS NOTED.
AS MAJOR PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED, HE SAID HE EXPECTED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TO RETURN TO LEVELS CLOSER TO THOSE THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXPERIENCED IN RECENT YEARS, WITH THE RELATIVE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR FALLING ACCORDINGLY.
"IN SHORT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL NOT BE CROWDED OUT BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR. THIS, I BELIEVE, IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THAT HIGHER ECONOMIC GROWTH FROM WHICH ALL WILL BENEFIT," HE SAID.
- - 0---------
HK’S DEPENDENCE ON DIRECT TAXATION UNDER CONTINUED REVIEW: FS » » » » *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE HAS CONTINUED TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE EXTENT OF THE TERRITORY’S DEPENDENCE ON DIRECT TAXATION.
"I BELIEVE THAT MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE NOW AWARE THAT THE YIELD FROM OUR TAX SYSTEM, AS PRESENTLY STRUCTURED, IS VULNERABLE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE ECONOMY," SIR PIERS SAID, WHEN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92.
SPEAKING ON REVENUE POLICY AND TAXATION MATTERS, SIR PIERS SAID RECENT EVENTS IN THE WORLD UNDERLINED THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE WAS AT RISK FROM CIRCUMSTANCES ENTIRELY OUTSIDE ITS CONTROL.
/"IN CASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
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"IN CASE THERE IS ANY DOUBT, LET ME STRESS THAT THE NEED TO SECURE A MORE STABLE TAX BASE IS NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
"WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE A MORE STABLE SOURCE OF FUNDING OVER THE LONGER TERM FOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE," HE SAID.
HE SAID IN HIS EARLIER BUDGET SPEECHES, HE HAD ARGUED THAT A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM COULD LIE IN THE INTRODUCTION OF A BROADLY BASED SALES TAX.
"I RECOGNISE THAT SUCH A RESTRUCTURING OF OUR TAX SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD PLACE GREAT EMPHASIS ON INDIRECT TAXATION, WOULD NECESSARILY AFFECT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE TO DATE PAID LITTLE OR NO DIRECT TAX.
"I BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THAT AS LONG AS ANY SUCH NEW TAX IS KEPT AT A MODEST LEVEL, AND THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS ARE MANAGEABLE, THERE SHOULD BE NO REAL CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
"WE ARE THEREFORE CONTINUING WORK ON THE PROPOSAL FOR A SALES TAX, PROBABLY AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT AS HE SAID LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT WORKING TO A SPECIFIC TIME-TABLE, AND HE WOULD FEEL HESITANT ABOUT INTRODUCING A SALES TAX WHILE INFLATION REMAINED AT ITS PRESENT LEVEL.
TURNING TO TAX EVASION AND TAX AVOIDANCE, SIR PIERS SAID IF THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT ADDRESSED, AND REVENUE WAS THEREBY LOST, THE AVERAGE TAXPAYER WOULD HAVE TO BEAR A HEAVIER BURDEN THAN NECESSARY.
"WITH REGARD TO EVASION, I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY WIDESPREAD IN HONG KONG.
"WE ARE SATISFIED THAT MOST OF OUR TAXPAYERS COMPLY WITH THE LAW.
"I ATTRIBUTE THIS AT LEAST IN PART TO HAVING A SIMPLE TAX SYSTEM WITH LOW RATES," HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT; EVASION CERTAINLY EXISTED. FOR THIS REASON THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE CONTINUED TO DEPLOY STAFF IN TACKLING THIS PROBLEM, PRODUCTIVELY.
"FROM TIME TO TIME NEW MEASURES ARE ADOPTED TO ENCOURAGE COMPLIANCE, SOME MORE PAINFUL THAN OTHERS. IN THIS REGARD, THE COMMISSIONER IS PLANNING THE EARLY INTRODUCTION OF A "FIELD AUDIT" SYSTEM WHICH WILL INVOLVE OFFICERS INTERVIEWING TAXPAYERS AND CHECKING THE RECORDS AT THEIR BUSINESS PREMISES," SIR PIERS SAID.
THIS SYSTEM HAD BEEN ADOPTED IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES AND HAD PROVED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT, HE SAID.
/WITH REGARD .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 29 -
WITH REGARD TO THE LEGAL AVOIDANCE OF TAX IN HONG KONG, SIR PIERS SAID POWERS OF A GENERAL NATURE WERE GRANTED TO THE COMMISSIONER IN 1986 TO ASSIST HIM IN COUNTERING THE PROBLEM.
RECENTLY, HOWEVER, SCHEMES HAD EMERGED WHICH CLEARLY PLACE SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF REVENUE AT RISK.
"SOME OF THESE SCHEMES ARGUABLY FALL OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF OUR GENERAL ANTI-AVOIDANCE PROVISIONS. SO, FOR THE SAKE OF CERTAINTY, IT IS NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE SPECIFIC LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD THE REVENUE," HE STRESSED.
SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE INTENDED TO INTRODUCE INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A BILL SEEKING AMENDING LEGISLATION FOR LIMITING THE USE OF LEVERAGED LEASING SCHEMES AS TAX SHELTERS LATER IN THE PRESENT SESSION.
"MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAVE FROM TIME TO TIME CALLED FOR A REVIEW OF OUR WHOLE TAX SYSTEM.
"FOLLOWING THE UNDERTAKING I GAVE AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE BUDGET DEBATE LAST YEAR, I INVITED THE JOINT LIAISON COMMITTEE ON TAXATION TO EXAMINE A WIDE RANGE OF REVENUE MEASURES.
"THIS EXAMINATION WAS NOT RESTRICTED TO MATTERS COVERED BY THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE," STR PIERS SAID.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, HE SAID THE COMMITTEE GAVE HIM SOME INITIAL VIEWS ON GROUP LOSS RELIEF, TAXATION OF PROFITS FROM SHIPPING, STAMP DUTY, TAX TREATIES, SOURCE OF PROFITS AND INDIRECT TAXATION.
"I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR THE SUGGESTIONS THE COMMITTEE HAS MADE SO FAR. EVEN WHERE I HAVE NOT FELT IT APPROPRIATE TO TAKE ACTION AT THIS STAGE, ALL SUGGESTIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
"1 LOOK FORWARD TO A CONTINUING DIALOGUE WITH THIS HELPFUL GROUP FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR," HE SAID.
--------0----------
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSES REVENUE MEASURES *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED MEASURES WHICH WILL YIELD ABOUT $4 BILLION IN NEW REVENUE IN 1991-92, INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL YIELD FROM GENERAL RATES, AND APPROXIMATELY THE SAME IN A FULL YEAR.
HE ALSO PROPOSED TAX AND DUTY CONCESSIONS WHICH WOULD COST ABOUT $840 MILLION IN 1991-92, AND $980 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
/PRESENTING HIS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991 '
- 30 -
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT STRATEGY FOR REVENUE WAS AIMED AT MAINTAINING RECURRENT REVENUE AT A LEVEL WHICH WOULD COVER BOTH RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND AT LEAST HALF OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
"IN ADDITION, WE SEEK TO KEEP OUR RESERVES AT AN ADEQUATE LEVEL. • I
"WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT BECOME OVER-RELIANT ON DIRECT TAXES, WHILE RECOGNISING THE INFLATIONARY IMPACT OF SOME INDIRECT TAXES.
"THE REVENUE MEASURES IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET ARE CONSISTENT WITH THIS STRATEGY," SIR PIERS SAID.
AS REGARDS INDIRECT TAXES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE ASSESSED WITH CARE THE LIKELY EFFECT ON INFLATION OF ANY PROPOSED INCREASES.
"THIS YEAR, MY INDIRECT TAX MEASURES WILL HAVE SOME IMPACT ON THE COST OF LIVING, BUT LARGELY INVOLVING LUXURY OR NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER CAN CHOOSE WHETHER TO PURCHASE OR NOT.
"GIVEN THIS ELEMENT OF PERSONAL CHOICE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE IN 1991-92, I BELIEVE THE TAX INCREASES I HAVE SELECTED ARE JUSTIFIABLE," HE SAID.
HYDROCARBON OILS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE DUTY RATE OF HYDROCARBON OILS BY FIVE PER CENT.
HE POINTED OUT THE GOVERNMENT USUAL POLICY ON HYDROCARBON OILS HAD BEEN TO AT LEAST MAINTAIN THE DUTY YIELD IN REAL TERMS.
"SINCE THE START OF THE GULF CRISIS LAST AUGUST, CRUDE OIL PRICES HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY VOLATILE. ACCORDINGLY, AND EXCEPTIONALLY, I PROPOSE ON THIS OCCASION TO INCREASE THE DUTY RATE BY ONLY FIVE PER CENT INSTEAD OF THE 10 PER CENT I WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE IMPOSED," HE SAID.
"THIS HAS THE ADDED ADVANTAGE OF CARRYING WITH IT LESS OF AN INFLATIONARY IMPACT THAN WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN THE CASE.
"THE RATE ON MOTOR SPIRIT WILL THUS BE INCREASED FROM $3.58 TO $3.76 A LITRE AND ON DIESEL OIL FOR ROAD VEHICLES FROM $1.78 TO $1.87 A LITRE. I ESTIMATE THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD TO BE $135 MILLION," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
THE REFUND ON DIESEL OIL TO THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES WOULD REMAIN AT 65 CENTS A LITRE. THE COST OF THE DUTY INCREASE TO ALL THESE COMPANIES TAKEN TOGETHER WOULD BE ABOUT $12 MILLION.
/"THE EFFECT.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 31 -
"THE EFFECT, IF ANY, ON BUS FARES SHOULD BE MINIMAL," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE DUTY RATE ON MOTOR SPIRIT WOULD BE USED TO ACHIEVE A PRICE DIFFERENTIAL IN FAVOUR OF UNLEADED PETROL OF ABOUT $1 A LITRE.
"A RESOLUTION TO INTRODUCE THE MEASURE WILL BE PUT TO THIS COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH, BUT IT IS NOT EXPECTED TO RESULT IN ANY ADDITIONAL REVENUE.
"THE PRICE OF DIESEL WILL NOT BE AFFECTED," HE SAID. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AJID ALCOHOL
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE SPECIFIC DUTY RATES ON ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ALCOHOL BY 15 PER CENT.
THE AD VALOREM RATES WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED.
SIR PIERS SAID OVERALL, THE RESULT WAS AN INCREASE IN REAL TERMS AND WAS, HE BELIEVED, APPROPRIATE GIVEN THAT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION REMAINED A MATTER OF CHOICE.
TAKING ACCOUNT OF CONSUMER RESISTANCE, THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $120 MILLION.
TOBACCO
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE DUTY ON TOBACCO BY 200 PER CENT WITH A PARTICULAR VIEW TO REDUCING THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF SMOKING TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WHEN HE INCREASED THE DUTY ON TOBACCO BY 25 PER CENT LAST YEAR, HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE INCREASE WAS FOR FISCAL PURPOSES, HOWEVER, IT HAD BEEN PUT TO HIM PERSUASIVELY, THAT FOR HEALTH REASONS A HEFTY INCREASE WAS NOW JUSTIFIED.
IF THE FULL COST WAS PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER, THIS WOULD RAISE THE PRICE OF A PACKET OF 20 CIGARETTES FROM THE PRESENT $12 TO $13 TO ABOUT $20.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO REMOVED THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE RATE FOR CHINESE PREPARED TOBACCO AND SMOKING TOBACCO, WHICH HE SAID WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE AND HAD GIVEN RISE TO ALLEGATIONS THAT HONG KONG HAD GIVEN PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO A PARTICULAR FORM OF IMPORTED TOBACCO.
THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD AFTER ALLOWING FOR CONSUMER RESISTANCE WOULD BE ABOUT $1.9 BILLION.
/COSMETICS........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 32 -
COSMETICS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO RAISE THE DUTY ON COSMETICS FROM 25 PER CENT TO 30 PER CENT FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD FROM THIS SOURCE.
DUTY ON COSMETICS WAS RE-INTRODUCED IN THE 1985 BUDGET AND THE AD VALOREM DUTY RATE HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED.
ASSUMING LIMITED CONSUMER RESISTANCE, THE ADDITIONAL YIELD WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $40 MILLION.
AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX FOR AN ADULT FROM $100 TO $150. ,
HOWEVER, CHILDREN WHO CURRENTLY PAID $50, WOULD IN FUTURE NOT PAY THE TAX AT ALL.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE INCREASE FOR ADULTS WOULD JUST RESTORE THE REAL VALUE OF THE TAX TO THE 1985 LEVEL, WHEN IT WAS $120 AND ZERO-RATING THE TAX FOR CHILDREN WOULD AFFORD SOME RELIEF TO PARENTS.
THESE PROPOSALS WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1 AND ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THIS SOURCE WAS ABOUT $390 MILLION.
VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON MOTOR VEHICLES AND THE MEASURES CAME INTO EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON.
THE PROPOSED RATE ON A BASIC PRIVATE CAR WOULD BE INCREASED FROM 80 TO 90 PER CENT; ON A SEMI-LUXURY CAR FROM 90 TO 105 PER CENT; AND ON A LUXURY CAR FROM 100 TO 120 PER CENT.
FOR MOTOR CYCLES, THE RATE WOULD INCREASE FROM 80 TO 90 PER ('ENT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE TAX ON VAN TYPE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES IN WEIGHT TO THE SAME RATE AS THAT FOR BASIC PRIVATE CARS, THAT WAS, 90 PER CENT.
VANS WEIGHING MORE THAN 1.9 TONNES, WHICH WERE LESS FREQUENTLY USED FOR PASSENGER CARRYING, WOULD BE SUBJECT TO TAX AT 50 PER CENT.
OTHER GOODS VEHICLES WOULD BE TAXED AT THE RATE OF 35 PER CENT. THUS THE PRESENT SINGLE 25 PER CENT TAX RATE FOR GOODS VEHICLES WOULD BE RESTRUCTURED INTO THREE BANDS OF 90 PER CENT, 50 PER CENT AND 35 PER CENT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT FOR SOME YEARS, LIGHT
VANS HAD BEEN PURCHASED FOR BOTH PRIVATE PASSENGER AND GOODS USE.
/"OWNERS OF .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 33 -
"OWNERS OF THOSE VANS WHICH HAVE BEEN USED FOR PRIVATE PASSENGER PURPOSES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOWER RATE OF FIRST REGISTRATION TAX- INTENDED FOR GOODS VEHICLES AND THUS AVOID TAX AT A LEVEL APPROPRIATE TO PRIVATE VEHICLES. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TAX AS A VEHICLE CONTROL MEASURE HAS ALSO BEEN REDUCED," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE WAS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, THE
FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED.
THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THESE INCREASES WAS
ESTIMATED TO BE $460 MILLION.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE DETAILS OF THE EXISTING AND PROPOSED RATES OF MOTOR VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX:
MOTOR VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX
CLASS
EXISTING RATE (% AD VALOREM)
(%
PROPOSED RATE
AD VALOREM)
PRIVATE CARS
BASIC CARS (CIF VALUE BELOW $30,000) SEMI-LUXURY CARS (CIF VALUE BETWEEN $30,000 - $60,000) LUXURY CARS (CIF VALUE EXCEEDING $60,000) 80 90 100 90 105 120
MOTOR CYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES 80 90
GOODS VEHICLES
VAN-TYPE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES
NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES 25 90
EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES 25 50
OTHERS 25 35
OTHER TYPES OF VEHICLES (TAXIS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUSES, AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES) 15 15
FEES AND CHARGES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE TOLLS ABERDEEN AND SHING MUN TUNNELS; RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK AND TAKING COMPANY LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES; VEHICLE AND LICENCE FEES; PASSENGER EMBARKATION AND BERTHING FEES; FOR THE DEPOSITDRIVING AND THE
TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP FEE.
/TOLLS FOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 34 -
TOLLS FOR ABERDEEN AND SHING MUN TUNNELS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE CURRENT TOLL OF $3 FOR THE ABERDEEN AND SHING MUN TUNNELS TO $5 WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 , 1991.
HE SAID THE TOLL OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL HAD NOT BE REVISED SINCE 1985 AND HE ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO BE $50 MILLION.
RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES FOR RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BY 40 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1991.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PREVIOUSLY UNDERRECOVERED COSTS BY 30 PER CENT; THE INCREASE WOULD RECTIFY THIS.
THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $13 MILLION.
VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES GENERALLY BY 10 PER CENT TO MAINTAIN THE YIELD IN REAL TERMS, EFFECTIVE THIS AFTERNOON.
ADDITIONALLY, AND CONSISTENT WITH THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON GOODS VEHICLES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED FURTHER INCREASES IN THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEES FOR GOODS VEHICLES UP TO 5.5 TONNES.
THE FEE FOR VAN TYPE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES IN WEIGHT WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $1,065 TO $2,115; FOR VANS WEIGHING MORE THAN 1.9 TONNES THE INCREASE WOULD BE FROM $2,080 TO $4,140.
HE ESTIMATED THAT ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $290 MILLION WOULD BE GENERATED BY ALL THESE INCREASES.
PASSENGER EMBARKATION AND BERTHING FEES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE PASSENGER EMBARKATION FEE PAYABLE BY THOSE DEPARTING FROM THE MACAU AND CHINA FERRY TERMINALS FROM $19 TO $21, APPROXIMATELY IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
AS THE FEE WAS LAST RAISED IN OCTOBER 1990, THE NEXT INCREASE WOULD TAKE EFFECT AS FROM OCTOBER 1991, SIR PIERS SAID.
THE CHARGE OF $2 EARMARKED FOR THE VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD BE INCREASED TO $2.20 ACCORDINGLY.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 35 -
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FURTHER PROPOSED TO INCREASE BERTHING FEES BY 13 PER CENT FROM APRIL 1, 1991.
HE ESTIMATED TOTAL ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THESE INCREASES TO BE $12 MILLION IN 1991-92 OR $20 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP FEE
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO TAX-LOAD THE FEE FOR THE TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.
THE PRESENT FEE PAYABLE ON THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF A VEHICLE IS $50. THIS PROPOSAL WOULD RESULT IN THE FEE BEING RAISED TO $250 FOR MOTOR CYCLES AND TRICYCLES AND TO $1,000 FOR OTHER TYPES OF VEHICLE.
THE INCREASE CAME INTO EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON AND THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $140 MILLION.
------0--------
CONCESSIONS ON PERSONAL TAXATION AND STAMP DUTY * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO REVISE THE MARGINAL RATES OF TAX FOR SALARIES TAX AND PERSONAL ASSESSMENT, AND TO INCREASE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES.
IN HIS 1991-92 BUDGET SPEECH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO PROPOSED, IN RELATION TO STAMP DUTY, TO REDUCE THE DUTY ON SHARE TRANSFERS AND EXEMPT DEBT INSTRUMENTS, AND PROVIDED A FURTHER SPECIFIC RELIEF IN RELATION TO CERTAIN CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING ARRANGEMENTS.
PERSONAL TAXATION
FOR PERSONAL TAXATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED THAT SCHEDULE 2 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE A SIMPLIFIED FOUR-BAND SCALE. THE NEW MARGINAL RATES WILL BE TWO PER CENT UPON THE FIRST $20,000, NINE PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY UPON THE NEXT TWO BANDS OF $20,000 AND 25 PER CENT UPON THE REMAINDER.
SIR PIERS SAID TAXPAYERS WITH LOWER INCOMES STOOD TO BENEFIT MOST.
HE ALSO PROPOSED TO INCREASE BASIC AND MARRIED PERSON’S ALLOWANCES FROM $32,000 AND $66,000 TO $34,000 AND $68,000 RESPECTIVELY.
THUS, TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE, THE NEW PERSONAL ALLOWANCE WOULD BE $41,000 FOR A SINGLE PERSON, AND $82,000 FOR A MARRIED COUPLE. BELOW THESE INCOME LEVELS, THERE WOULD BE NO LIABILITY TO PERSONAL TAX, SIR PIERS SAID.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 36 -
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DID NOT PROPOSE, ON THIS OCCASION, TO INCREASE THE ALLOWANCES FOR CHILDREN OR FOR DEPENDENT PARENTS. THESE ALLOWANCES WERE ADJUSTED IN THE 1990 BUDGET.
THE CONCESSIONS WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1991.
"THEREFORE, THE FIRST OCCASION ON WHICH THEY WILL APPLY IS TO PROVISIONAL AND FINAL SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1991-92 AND ALSO TO 1991-92 PERSONAL ASSESSMENTS.
"I ESTIMATE THAT THE COST TO THE REVENUE IN 1991-92 WILL BE $340 MILLION, AND $480 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR," SIR PIERS SAID.
STAMP DUTY
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD THREE CONCESSIONS RELATING TO STAMP DUTY.
FIRST, IN RECOGNITION OF THE WORLD-WIDE TREND TOWARDS ELIMINATING THE DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS, SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO REDUCE' THE OVERALL CONTRACT NOTE DUTY FROM 0.6 PER CENT TO 0.5 PER CENT.
"THANKS TO MODERN TECHNOLOGY, STOCK MARKETS NEED NO LONGER BE CONFINED TO ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION.
"THUS, IN PLANNING FUTURE BUDGETARY STRATEGY, WE MUST HAVE REGARD TO HOW TOTAL DEALING COSTS IN HONG KONG COMPARE WITH THOSE IN OTHER CENTRES.
"I AM OBLIGED, HOWEVER, TO MOVE CAUTIOUSLY, MINDFUL OF THE SUBSTANTIAL REVENUE WHICH IS AT STAKE. THIS CONCESSION WILL COST $420 MILLION," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
SECONDLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO EXEMPT REGISTERED DEBT INSTRUMENTS FROM STAMP DUTY SO THAT THEY WERE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS BEARER DEBT INSTRUMENTS.
THE COST OF THIS CONCESSION WOULD BE ONLY $1 MILLION.
THIRDLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO RELIEVE CORPORATE GROUPS FROM THE DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS UPON RESTRUCTURING OF THEIR INTRA-GROUP SHAREHOLDINGS.
"THIS IS TO FOLLOW THE EXISTING RELIEF FROM ASSIGNMENT DUTY UPON THE RE-ORGANIZATION OF INTRA-GROUP PROPERTY HOLDINGS AND WILL COST THE REVENUE $80 MILLION," HE SAID.
/37........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 37 -
FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSES REDUCTION IN TOTAL CHARGE TO RATES
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED THAT THE TOTAL CHARGE TO RATES, TERRITORY WIDE, BE REDUCED FROM 7.5 TO 5.5 PER CENT.
"IN RESPECT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA, THE GENERAL RATE WILL BE REDUCED FROM 4 TO 2.5 PER CENT WHILE THE URBAN COUNCIL RATE WILL BE REDUCED FROM 3.5 TO 3.0 PER CENT. IN RESPECT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA, THE GENERAL RATE WILL BE INCREASED FROM 1.5 TO 1.75 PER CENT WHILE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL RATE WILL BE REDUCED FROM 6 TO 3.75 PER CENT," SAID SIR PIERS IN HIS BUDGET FOR 1991-92.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR HE RAISED THE GENERAL RATES, THAT WAS THE RATES WHICH WERE PAYABLE TO GENERAL REVENUE, BY 1.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
"DESPITE THIS INCREASE, RATES CURRENTLY PAYABLE, EXPRESSED AS A PROPORTION OF ACTUAL RENTS, REMAIN LOW COMPARED TO SEVERAL YEARS AGO," HE SAID.
HE RECALLED THAT AS MENTIONED IN HIS 1990 BUDGET SPEECH THAT ALL RATEABLE VALUES WOULD BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM 1991-92; AND IN NOVEMBER 1990, THE GOVERNOR DIRECTED THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION TO PREPARE A NEW LIST OF RATEABLE VALUES IN THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AREAS, TO TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1991.
SIR PIERS STRESSED THAT THE GENERAL REVALUATION EXERCISE WAS NOT OF ITSELF DESIGNED TO INCREASE REVENUE FROM RATES.
"ITS PRIME PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE BURDEN OF THE CHARGE IS SPREAD FAIRLY BETWEEN DIFFERENT CLASSES OF RATEPAYER ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT MARKET RENTAL VALUES OF THE PREMISES THEY OCCUPY," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT RATEABLE VALUES WERE BASED ON RENTS PASSING IN OCTOBER 1986.
GIVEN THE CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN PROPERTY VALUES SINCE THEN, IT WAS NOT SURPRISING THAT THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES, WHICH WOULD BE BASED ON RENTAL VALUES IN JULY 1990, WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER.
ALSO, IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSPORTATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURAL AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS, HAD CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCES IN THE INCREASES FOR INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE SAME CLASS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN RATEABLE VALUES WOULD BE ABOUT 65 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC PROPERTIES AND 105 PER CENT FOR NON-DOMESTIC PROPERTIES, AND THE OVERALL AVERAGE INCREASE WOULD BE ABOUT 85 PER CENT, WITH WIDE FLUCTUATIONS BETWEEN DIFFERENT CLASSES OF PROPERTY.
HOWEVER, SIR PIERS SAID THAT A CHANGE IN RATEABLE VALUE BY ITSELF DID NOT DIRECTLY DETERMINE THE INCREASE A RATEPAYER WOULD PAY.
/"WHAT RATEPAYERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 38 -
"WHAT RATEPAYERS WILL. EVENTUALLY PAY WILL DEPEND ON THE PERCENTAGE RATES CHARGE TO BE APPLIED TO THE RATEABLE VALUE AND ANY OTHER MEASURES TO BE INTRODUCED, SUCH AS RATE RELIEF," HE SAID.
ON RATE RELIEF, SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO SOFTEN THE INITIAL IMPACT OF THE INCREASED RATEABLE VALUES NOT ONLY BY REDUCING THE PERCENTAGE RATES CHARGE BUT ALSO BY INTRODUCING, FOR THE YEAR 1991-92, THE RELIEF MEASURES PROVIDED FOR IN THE RATING (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991, WHICH WAS ENACTED LAST MONTH.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE RATE RELIEF SCHEME, AS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPLAINED TO MEMBERS, IS TO LIMIT THE INCREASE IN RATES PAYABLE TO A PERCENTAGE OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
"THIS PERCENTAGE IS DETERMINED BY A RESOLUTION OF THIS COUNCIL. I PROPOSE THAT IT BE SET AT 25 PER CENT FOR 1991-92,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THAT THIS MEANT THAT THE MAXIMUM ANNUAL RATE PAYMENT BY AN INDIVIDUAL RATEPAYER IN 1991-92 WOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 25 PER CENT ABOVE THAT PAYABLE IN 1990-91.
"RATEPAYERS IN ABOUT 31 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC PROPERTIES AND 64 PER CENT OF NON-DOMEST1C PROPERTIES WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS MEASURE," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE EFFECT OF THESE VARIOUS MEASURES WAS THAT THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN RATES IN 1991-92 FOR A SMALL PRIVATE FLAT WILL BE ABOUT $38 PER MONTH, AND FOR A LARGE FLAT ABOUT $137.
"AS REGARDS PUBLIC HOUSING, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS IN THE PAST INITIALLY ABSORBED INCREASES IN RATES FOR ITS TENANTS.
"THE AUTHORITY’S RENTS, WHICH INCLUDE AN ELEMENT FOR RATES, ARE NORMALLY REVISED EVERY TWO YEARS ON A ROLLING CYCLE. IT WILL BE FOR THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ABSORB ANY RATES INCREASES IN A SIMILAR MANNER THIS TIME.
"THE AVERAGE COST OF THE INCREASE FOR A HOUSING AUTHORITY FLAT WILL BE AROUND $19 PER MONTH," HE SAID.
MOST RATEPAYERS, SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD HAVE AN INCREASE IN RATES, BUT 57 PER CENT WOULD HAVE INCREASES OF LESS THAN THE 25 PER CENT MAXIMUM AND A SMALL NUMBER (AROUND 8 PER CENT) WOULD PAY LESS THAN BEFORE.
AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE EFFECT OF THE RATE RELIEF MEASURES, THE ESTIMATED RATES YIELD TO GENERAL REVENUE IN 1991-92 RESULTING FROM THESE PROPOSALS WAS IN THE REGION OF $3.5 BILLION.
"THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $435 MILLION OVER THE EXPECTED YIELD FOR 1990-91. THE ESTIMATED YIELD FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL IN 1991-92 IS $3.3 BILLION AND FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IS $1.65 BILLION.
"THIS REPRESENTS INCREASES OF $920 MILLION AND $195 MILLION RESPECTIVELY COMPARED TO 1990-91," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
/SIR PIERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 39 -
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE TWO COUNCILS WERE AUTONOMOUS, THEIR MAIN SOURCE OF FINANCING CAME FROM RATES REVENUE.
"IN PROPOSING THE NEW PERCENTAGE RATES, THEREFORE, I HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE TWO COUNCILS’ CURRENT FINANCIAL POSITION - IN PARTICULAR, THE URBAN COUNCIL’S ESTIMATED DEFICIT IN 1990-91 - AND THE RESOURCES THAT BOTH COUNCILS REQUIRE TO CONTINUE THEIR PLANNED PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, THE COUNCILS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO DEFINE THEIR REQUIREMENTS IN THE LIGHT OF THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND TO HAVE REGARD TO THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY FOR EXPENDITURE," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL TO BOTH COUNCILS FOR THEIR RESPONSE AND FOR THE POSITIVE STEPS THEY HAD TAKEN TO EXERCISE DUE ECONOMY.
"THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS AGREED, FOR EXAMPLE, TO RESTRICT THE STAFF STRENGTH OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO THE OCTOBER 1990 LEVEL OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND TO CONSIDER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES.
"THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, NOTWITHSTANDING ITS DEVELOPING ROLE AND THE NEED TO EXPAND SERVICES IN THE NEW TOWNS, HAS REVISED DOWNWARD ITS FORECAST OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
"I AM PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO REPORT THAT THE REVISED PERCENTAGE RATES I HAVE PROPOSED HAVE BEEN DETERMINED IN FULL CONSULTATION WITH THE CHAIRMEN OF THE TWO COUNCILS," SIR PIERS SAID.
-------------------0-------- PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SIGNED *****
THE PROPOSALS ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES, VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES AND TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP FEE CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY UNDER THE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PRESENTING THE BUDGET FOR 1991-92, SIR PIERS SAID UNDER SIMILAR AUTHORITY, THE OTHER PROPOSALS ON AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX, TUNNEL TOLLS, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES, BERTHING FEES, AND RATES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1991.
------0
» /40
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
GOVT IS ACHIEVING IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN ITS MEANS: FS *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THAT WHILST THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE FOR CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN RECURRENT SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, AND ALSO FOR AN IMPRESSIVE PROGRAMME OF CAPITAL WORKS, THE GOVERNMENT IS NEVERTHELESS ACHIEVING ALL THIS WITHIN ITS MEANS.
SUMMING UP THE BUDGET FOR 1991-92, SIR PIERS SAID: "WE HAVE HEALTHY RESERVES, THE MORE SO IF WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SUBSTANTIAL EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN STATUTORY BODIES WHICH I MENTIONED EARLIER."
IN DESCRIBING HIS BUDGETARY STRATEGY THIS YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SPOKEN OF THE GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR BORROWING.
"I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT BORROWING, PROPERLY MANAGED, WILL BE A VALUABLE TOOL IN THE CONTEXT OF GOOD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. THAT TAKES US BACK TO THE STRENGTH OF OUR POSITION.
"POTENTIAL LENDERS LOOK TO THE CREDITWORTHINESS OF BORROWERS; ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT THEN FOR US TO ENSURE THAT OUR FINANCIAL POSITION REMAINS SOUND," SIR PIERS SAID.
ON THE REVENUE SIDE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID: "I HAVE AGAIN THIS YEAR SOUGHT TO STRUCTURE MY PROPOSALS IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE WILL ACHIEVE GREATER REVENUE STABILITY, AND THIS WILL DO MUCH TO ASSIST US IN MEETING THE PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE THAT LIES AHEAD.
"IN REFORMING OUR TAXATION SYSTEM THERE IS CLEARLY MORE TO BE
DONE.
"BUT I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE STEADY AND PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOUND BUDGETARY POSITION. I DO NOT CONSIDER THAT WE NEED SHOCKS," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE 1991-92 BUDGET, THE LAST THAT HE WOULD PRESENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WAS DESIGNED QUITE SIMPLY TO CONTINUE THAT PROCESS OF SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT UPON WHICH HE PLACED SUCH GREAT STORE.
"BESIDES MY REVENUE PROPOSALS, I HAVE INCLUDED MEASURES TO FURTHER ADVANCE HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"MY PROPOSALS OVERALL SHOULD MAINTAIN OUR STRONG FISCAL POSITION THROUGHOUT THE COMING YEAR, AND ENABLE US TO FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID HE BEGAN BY REFERRING TO THE GENERAL STATE OF UNCERTAINTY WHICH PREVAILED WORLDWIDE AND TO HONG KONG’S VULNERABILITY TO EXTERNAL FACTORS.
"1 BELIEVE NEVERTHELESS THAT MY PROPOSALS ARE SUFFICIENTLY ROBUST TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE.
/"HONG KONG
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 41 -
"HONG KONG IS A COMMUNITY THAT HAS EVERY REASON TO HAVE FAITH IN ITSELF.
"TODAY I HAVE PRESENTED A POSITIVE AND REALISTIC BUDGET FOR THE YEAR AHEAD AND BEYOND, AND AS SUCH I COMMEND IT TO THIS COUNCIL," SIR PIERS CONCLUDED.
--------0-----------
MTRC AND KCRC (AMENDMENT) BILLS INTRODUCED t ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE PURPOSE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 IS TO PROTECT ALL PAST AND FUTURE TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO BY THE CORPORATION WHICH MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY A RECENT DECISION OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID: "THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC), AS PART OF THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF ITS FINANCING REQUIREMENTS, HAS ENTERED INTO A NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS, INCLUDING SWAP TRANSACTIONS, DESIGNED TO REDUCE ITS EXPOSURE TO INTEREST RATE AND CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS.
"A RECENT DECISION OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS HAS CAST DOUBT ON THE ABILITY OF THE CORPORATION TO ENTER INTO SUCH TRANSACTIONS UNDER • ITS EXISTING STATUTORY CONSTITUTION," HE SAID.
IN THE CASE OF HAZELL V. LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM, HANDED DOWN BY THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON JANUARY 24 THIS YEAR, DOUBTS WERE CAST ON THE AUTHORITY OF STATUTORY CORPORATIONS TO ENTER INTO SWAP TRANSACTIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED.
HE SAID THE CASE INVOLVED A UK LOCAL AUTHORITY, ESTABLISHED BY STATUTE, WHICH HAD EMPLOYED SWAP FACILITIES BOTH AS HEDGING MECHANISMS AND AS SPECULATIVE TRANSACTIONS.
"THE HOUSE OF LORDS FOUND THAT, UPON THE INTERPRETATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, THIS LOCAL AUTHORITY, AND INDEED ALL SIMILAR LOCAL AUTHORITIES, HAD NO POWER WHATSOEVER TO ENTER INTO ANY FORM OF SWAP," SIR PIERS SAID.
FOLLOWING THIS HOUSE OF LORDS DECISION, THE MTRC OBTAINED AN OPINION FROM LEADING COUNSEL IN THE UK COUNSEL ADVISED THAT IN VIEW OF THE TREATMENT OF SWAPS IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS DECISION AS A SEPARATE AND DIVERSE ACTIVITY, DOUBT HAS BEEN CAST ON THE ABILITY OF THE CORPORATION TO ENTER INTO SWAP TRANSACTIONS UNDER ITS EXISTING STATUTORY CONSTITUTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, COUNSEL EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT, IF THE LOGIC APPLIED BY THE HOUSE OF LORDS TO SWAPS WERE ALSO APPLIED TO OTHER TYPES OF TRANSACTIONS, MANY OF THE HEDGING AND COLLATERAL TRANSACTIONS ROUTINELY ENTERED INTO BY THE CORPORATION TO SUPPORT ITS BORROWINGS COULD BE JEOPARDISED," SIR PIERS SAID.
/"AT PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 42 -
"AT PRESENT THE MTRC IS PARTY TO HK$11.5 BILLION EQUIVALENT OF SWAP AND SIMILAR HEDGING CONTRACTS. WERE THE CORPORATION NOT TO HONOUR THESE AGREEMENTS, THE IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCE WOULD BE AN INCREASE OF EXPOSURE TO FLUCTUATING EXCHANGE RATES AND INTEREST RATES.
"THE GREATER CONSEQUENCE WOULD BE THE DAMAGE TO RELATIONSHIPS WITH INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE OR MIGHT BECOME SWAP COUNTER-PARTIES. ALSO OF CONCERN IS THE POSSIBILITY OF INSTITUTIONS REFUSING TO HONOUR SWAP TRANSACTIONS WHICH ARE FAVOURABLE TO THE CORPORATION.
'FURTHERMORE, THE CORPORATION WOULD BE FACED WITH SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES OVER ITS FUTURE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS BECAUSE BANKS AND THE CORPORATION ITSELF HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE PREPARED TO ENTER INTO ANY FURTHER HEDGING TRANSACTIONS UNTIL THE POSITION IS CLARIFIED," HE ADDED.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY OF THESE DAMAGING CONSEQUENCES AND TO DISPEL ANA DOUBTS ABOUT THE STATUS OF TRANSACTIONS ALREADY ENTERED INTO BY THE CORPORATION WHICH MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THE HOUSE OF LORDS DECISION, THE BILL SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE CORPORATION TO ENTER INTO ANY AGREEMENT THAT COULD BE ENTERED INTO BY A NATURAL PERSON," SIR PIERS SAID.
"THE NEW POWER HAS TO BE GRANTED WITH RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT AND BE CAST IN WIDE TERMS To ENSURE THAT, IF NECESSARY, IT WOULD VALIDATE ALL OF THE MANY TYPES OF HEDGING TRANSACTIONS WHICH ALREADY HAVE BEEN ENTERED INTO BY THE CORPORATION AND THOSE To WHICH IT MAY HAVE RECOURSE IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IN RELATION TO FUTURE TRANSACTIONS BY THE CORPORATION, THE POWER WAS SUBJECT TO 1'HE EXISTING LIMITATION PROVIDED BY Till' ORDINANCE THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MIGHT GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE CORPORATION.
"WERE THE NEED TO ARISE, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WOULD, IHEREFORE, BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE CORPORATION DID NOT ENTER INTO TRANSACTIONS WHICH WERE CONSIDERED TO BE TOO RISKY OR OTHERWISE INAPPROPRI ATE.
"BUT, AS THE MTRC, UNDER ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THF GOVERNOR AND WITH ITS PROFESSIONAI MANAGEMENT, HAS ALWAYS ADHERED TO A POLICY OF RISK AVOIDANCE, THIS SITUATION IS MOST UNLIKELY TO OCCUR," HF SAID.
SIR PIERS NOTED THAT THE CORPORATION WAS REQUIRED BY ITS ORDINANCE TO PREPARE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS WHICH, TOGETHER WITH AN AUDITOR’S REPORT AND A REPORT ON THE CORPORATION’S OPERATIONS, WERE TABLED ANNUALLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THE MATTER HAS TO BE RESOLVED QUICKLY BECAUSE THE MTRC’S ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR 1990 ARE DUE TO BE FINALISED SHORTLY, AND ITS AUDITORS HAVE INDICATED THAT THESE ACCOUNTS WILL HAVE TO BE QUALIFIED IF RIMEDIAL LEGISLATION HAS NOT BA THEN BEEN ENACTED.
/"FURTHERMORE, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 43 -
V
"FURTHERMORE, THE MTRC HAS A HK$5 BILLION FUNDING PROGRAMME TO COMPLETE OVER THE REST OF THE YEAR. THIS PROGRAMME WILL LARGELY INVOLVE RECOURSE TO SWAPS AND, AS I HAVE ALREADY INDICATED, BANKS AND THE CORPORATION ITSELF ARE NOT PREPARED TO ENTER INTO FURTHER SWAP TRANSACTIONS OR SIMILAR DEVICES UNTIL THE CORPORATION’S LEGAL POWERS ARE CLARIFIED,” THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THE NEW POWERS TO BE PROVIDED BY SUBSECTION 11A(1) FOR THE CORPORATION TO ENTER INTO FINANCIAL CONTRACTS OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE CORPORATION ALSO WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO FORM SUBSIDIARIES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE AN EXERCISE OF THAT POWER.
"IT IS COMMON PRACTICE FOR TRADING COMPANIES TO FORM FINANCING SUBSIDIARIES IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BECAUSE MULTINATIONAL LENDERS ARE INVOLVED IN COMPLEX FINANCING TRANSACTIONS. THE PRACTICE IS LONG ESTABLISHED IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS AND IS RECOGNISED IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
"CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISED AS TO THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED SUBSECTION 11A(2). I SHOULD, THEREFORE, ADD THAT THE CORPORATION HAD ALWAYS BELIEVED ON THE BASIS OF LEGAL ADVICE THAT BY VIRTUE OF SECTION 6(1) IT ALREADY HAD THE POWER TO FORM SUBSIDIARIES TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES EXPRESSED IN THE ORDINANCE, IF TO DO SO WOULD BE EXPEDIENT FOR OR CONDUCIVE TO THE CONDUCT OF ITS BUSINESS.
"IN THE PAST IT HAS DONE SO BUT HAS ONLY FORMED SUBSIDIARIES IN HONG KONG, AND NOT OVERSEAS. IT WAS CONSIDERED, HOWEVER, BY THE LEADING LONDON COUNSEL ADVISING THE CORPORATION IN RESPECT OF THIS BILL THAT IF A NEW POWER WERE TO BE GRANTED TO THE CORPORATION BY SECTION 11A(1) IT WAS ARGUABLE AS TO WHETHER SECTION 6(1) WOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY WIDE TO EMPOWER CHE CORPORATION TO FORM SUBSIDIARIES TO CARRY OUT THAT NEW POWER.
"COUNSEL, THEREFORE, ADVISED THAT IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO INCLUDE THE PROPOSED SECTION 11A(2) IN THE BILL IN ORDER TO PRECLUDE ANY FUTURE LEGAL CHALLENGE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"IT MAY ALSO ALLAY CONCERNS IF I EXPLAIN THAT THE CORPORATION IS NOT EMPOWERED BY SECTION 6(1), NOR WILL IT BE EMPOWERED BY PROPOSED SECTION 11A(2), TO FORM SUBSIDIARIES EXCEPT TO CARRY OUT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CORPORATION SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE.
"FURTHERMORE, THE POWER POSSESSED BY ANY SUBSIDIARY COULD BE NO GREATER THAN THOSE POSSESSED BY THE CORPORATION ITSELF. THIS NEW SUBSECTION IS NOT A DEVICE FOR MOVING THE CORPORATION’S OPERATIONS OFFSHORE NOR FOR CIRCUMVENTING THE CONTROLS IMPOSED ON THE CORPORATION BY THE ORDINANCE," SIR PIERS SAID.
MOVING LATER THE SECOND READING OF KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SIR PIERS SAID THE REASONS FOR INTRODUCING THIS BILL WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE HE GAVE WHEN MOVING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL.
/THE PROPOSALS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
44
THE (AMENDMENT)
PROPOSALS IN THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION
BILL 1991 HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED WITH AND ARE SUPPORTED BY
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
HE SAID THE TWO BILLS WERE IN VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TERMS.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
THREE BILLS INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO ******
THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND APPROPRIATION BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
FS’S SPEECH ON TV AND RADIO *****
• FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE BUDGET SUMMARY DELIVERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING:
"THIS AFTERNOON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I PRESENTED MY BUDGET FOR 1991-92 AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF MUCH UNCERTAINTY IN THE WORLD TODAY. THE GULF CONFLICT AND ITS AFTERMATH, AND RECESSION IN SOME OF OUR MAJOR MARKETS CLEARLY HAVE AN EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S OWN ECONOMY. BUT ALTHOUGH WE ARE VULNERABLE TO EXTERNAL EVENTS, THERE IS STILL MUCH THAT WE CAN DO TO GUIDE OUR OWN DESTINY. I STRESSED THAT HONG KONG REMAINS ITS STRONG AND RESILIENT SELF AND INDEED I EXPECT THE ECONOMY IN 1991 TO PERFORM BETTER THAN IT DID LAST YEAR.
"MY SPEECH CENTRED ON THREE MAJOR THEMES. FIRST, THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTROLLING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. SECONDLY, THE STRENGTH OF OUR FINANCIAL POSITION. AND THIRDLY, HOW WE WOULD FINANCE OUR PROGRAMME OF MAJOR WORKS, INCLUDING THE NEW AIRPORT.
"IN MANAGING OUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS, WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE ARE BOTH EFFECTIVE IN PROVIDING SERVICES, AND EFFICIENT IN OUR USE OF RESOURCES. I EXPLAINED THIS AFTERNOON HOW WE LOOK CAREFULLY AT WHAT WE SPEND, AND HOW WE CONTINUOUSLY SEEK SAVINGS, OFTEN THROUGH INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY. WE LOOK FOR IDEAS FROM POLICY BRANCH SECRETARIES, FROM DEPARTMENTS, AND INDEED FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
/"WE HAVE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 45 -
"WE HAVE ACHIEVED SOME SUCCESS. THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL GROW IN 1991-92 BY LESS THAN ONE PER CENT, WITH OVER HALF THE DEPARTMENTS BEING HELD AT THEIR PRESENT STAFF LEVELS. PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IS UNDER FIRMER CONTROL. THESE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN AT THE EXPENSE OF THE COMMUNITY. WE SHALL IN FACT BE SPENDING MORE ON IMPROVING THE RANGE AND QUALITY OF SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED. FOR EXAMPLE, SPENDING ON THE ENVIRONMENT WILL RISE BY 80 PER CENT, AND TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION AND ON SOCIAL SERVICES WILL ALSO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY.
"I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN WHY THE STRENGTH POSITION, THE SECOND MAJOR THEME OF MY SPEECH, PARTICULARLY SO AT THIS TIME.
OF OUR FINANCIAL
IS IMPORTANT, AND
"AT PRESENT OUR FISCAL RESERVES STAND AT OVER $70 BILLION. THIS IS A HEALTHY LEVEL AND PROVIDES A CUSHION AGAINST UNEXPECTED ECONOMIC SETBACKS WHICH MIGHT LEAD US INTO TEMPORARY DEFICITS. IN TODAY'S UNSTABLE WORLD ESPECIALLY, SUBSTANTIAL RESERVES ARE OF CONSIDERABLE COMFORT. THE STRENGTH OF OUR RESERVES BECOMES OF EVEN
MORE
IMPORTANCE WHEN WE ARE EMBARKING ON
A FAR REACHING PROGRAMME
OF
PUBLIC WORKS.
"THIS BRINGS ME TO THE THIRD THEME OF MY BUDGET SPEECH: HOW WE WILL FINANCE THE GOVERNMENT SHARE OF THIS PROGRAMME. WE WILL SEEK TO MEET AS MUCH OF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN FROM OUR SURPLUS ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT, AND FROM CAPITAL REVENUE. BUT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS CAPITAL SPENDING WILL INCREASE AND IT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY BE APPROPRIATE TO COVER ALL OUR REQUIREMENTS IN THE SAME WAY AS BEFORE.
"SO IT MAY BE DESIRABLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BORROW. BORROWING IN ORDER TO MEET CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS IS A PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE PRACTICE, AND INDEED WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE. IT IS A PRACTICE FOLLOWED BY GOVERNMENTS THE WORLD OVER. FURTHERMORE, THE BENEFITS OF LARGE PROJECTS WILL BE SHARED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS AND IT IS RIGHT THAT THESE GENERATIONS SHOULD BE ASKED TO MAKE SOME FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION. POTENTIAL LENDERS NEED FIRST TO BE REASSURED, HOWEVER, THAT OUR POSITION IS SOUND AND THAT WE CAN REPAY ON TIME; OUR RESERVES AND OUR TRACK RECORD OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT WILL PROVIDE THAT REASSURANCE.
"TURNING NOW TO MY SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1991-92, I ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF MEASURES WHICH WOULD RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO MEET OUR PLANNED INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE. THESE MEASURES INCLUDE INCREASED DUTIES ON PETROL, LIQUOR AND TOBACCO, HIGHER VEHICLE LICENCE FEES AND THE USUAL ADJUSTMENTS TO OTHER FEES AND CHARGES. I ALSO ANNOUNCED SOME TAX CONCESSIONS.
"NEARLY HALF THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF AROUND $1 BILLION THAT I AM RAISING WILL COME FROM A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN DUTY ON TOBACCO, BUT THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD PRIMARILY AS A HEALTH MEASURE. SMOKING IN ANY EVENT IS A MATTER OF PERSONAL CHOICE.
"THIS YEAR, I HAVE NOT PROPOSED ANY INCREASES IN DIRECT TAXATION. 1 HAVE INDEED INCREASED PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND HAVE ADJUSTED THE SALARIES TAX BANDS. TAXPAYERS WITH LOWER INCOMES WILL STAND TO BENEFIT MOST.
/••I ALSO...............
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
46
"I ALSO PROPOSED CONCESSIONS IN RELATION TO STAMP DUTY ON STOCK EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS AND ON CERTAIN COMPANY REORGANISATIONS.
"IN TOTAL THE VALUE OF CONCESSIONS IN MY 1991 BUDGET WILL AMOUNT TO NEARLY ONE BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
"RATEABLE VALUES ON PROPERTY WILL INCREASE AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT REVALUATION. AS I PROMISED WHEN I SPOKE TO YOU THIS TIME LAST YEAR, I HAVE LOOKED AGAIN AT THE PERCENTAGE RATE TO BE APPLIED BECAUSE IT IS THAT RATE WHICH DETERMINES HOW MUCH IS ACTUALLY PAID. I AM PROPOSING THAT THE TOTAL CHARGE TO RATES, TERRITORY WIDE, SHOULD BE REDUCED BY TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS.
"THE IMPACT OF HIGHER RATEABLE VALUES WILL BE FURTHER SOFTENED BY RATE RELIEF MEASURES. THE INCREASE IN RATES PAYABLE WILL BE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 25 PER CENT IN 1991-92, BUT FOR OVER HALF OF OUR RATEPAYERS THE INCREASE WILL BE LESS THAN THIS. THE EFFECT OF THESE VARIOUS MEASURES WILL BE THAT THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN RATES FOR A SMALL PRIVATE FLAT WILL BE UNDER. $40 A MONTH.
"MY REVENUE MEASURES TAKEN AS A WHOLE WILL INEVITABLY HAVE SOME EFFECT ON THE ('OST OF LIVING, BUT MAINLY RELATING TO LUXURY OR NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS, WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL CAN CHOOSE WHETHER TO BUY OR NOT. I AM VERY CONSCIOUS OF WORRIES OVER INFLATION AND HOPE TO SEE IT REDUCED OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. I HAVE FORMED MY BUDGET PROPOSALS WITH THIS IN MIND.
"OVERALL, MY REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1991-92 WILL RESULT IN A MODEST SURPLUS, SO THAT THE STRENGTH OF OUR RESERVES WILL BE MAINTAINED.
"THIS HAS BEEN MY LAST BUDGET AND, IN MANY WAYS, IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. GIVEN ALL THE UNCERTAINTIES PREVAILING TODAY, IT IS VITAL THAT OUR FINANCIAL POSITION SHOULD BE SAFEGUARDED. MY PROPOSALS ACHIEVE THIS. THE BUDGET I HAVE PRESENTED IS,. I BELIEVE, BOTH POSITIVE AND REALISTIC AND WILL KEEP US ON THE RIGHT PATH IN THE YEAR AHEAD AND INDEED BEYOND.
"GOOD NIGHT."
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6,
1991
47 -
USEFUL TALKS WITH LU PING: GOVERNOR *******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE FOUND THE TWO SESSIONS OF TALKS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING, TO BE USEFUL.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE LEAVING FOR LONDON, SIR DAVID SAID: "I BELIEVE WE MADE SOME PROGRESS BUT THERE ARE THINGS WtttCH WE STILL WANT TO GO ON TALKING ABOUT."
"THERE ARE A WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES CONNECTED WITH THE AIRPORT AND I SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR, WE HAVEN’T SIMPLY BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE AIRPORT.
"THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT GO ON BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WHICH ARE NOT SIMPLY LIMITED TO THE AIRPORT, EVEN THOUGH THE AIRPORT IS OF COURSE A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT WHICH, I FOR ONE, WOULD LIKE TO GET ON WITH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I BELIEVE IT IS VERY MUCH TO THE LONG-TERM ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF APPOINTING SOME CHINESE TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, SIR DAVID SAID THAT A WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES CONNECTED WITH THE AIRPORT HAD BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE AND THERE WERE STILL A NUMBER OF POINTS OF DISCUSSION TO GO.
"I WOULDN’T LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE DETAIL OF THAT PARTICULAR POINT. WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT I WANT AN AIRPORT AUTHORITY WHICH CAN EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT IT’S TASK, THAT IS THE IMPORTANT THING," HE SAID.
"WE’VE ALSO HAD SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT A CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OR AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THERE I THINK THE IMPORTANT POINT IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE WELL INFORMED ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
"THAT IS THE KEY THING; TO TRY TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE WELL INFORMED. THE EXACT WAY IN WHICH THAT IS GOING TO BE DONE, WE ARE STILL TRYING TO WORK OUT," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE GOING TO HANOVER, IN GERMANY TO OPEN A MAJOR EXHIBITION AND FAIR WHERE HONG KONG IS PLAYING A LARGE ROLE; AND HE WILL ALSO VISIT THE NETHERLANDS.
SIR DAVID WILL TRAVEL TO LONDON, BEFORE HIS TRIP TO GERMANY, WHERE HE WILL BE SEEING THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD; THE MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS; AND SENIOR OFFICIALS AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON WERE SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, LADY DUNN; AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE.
--------0 - -
/48 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991
- 48 -
JLG 18TH MEETING IN PEKING NEXT WEEK
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ANNOUNCED THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING THAT THE 1 8TH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON HONG KONG WILL TAKE PLACE IN PEKING FROM MARCH 12 TO 14.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY.
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE MR MICHAEL SUEN, SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, HONG KONG; MR DOUG MARTIN, COUNSELLOR, OFFICE OF THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, HONG KONG; MR ALAN PAUL, HEAD, HONG KONG DEPARTMENT, ECO; AND MR WILLIAM EHRMAN, POLITICAL ADVISER, HONG KONG.
---------0-----------
GOVT RESPECTS TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ADOPTED A CONSISTENT POLICY OF RESPECT TOWARDS THE CUSTOMS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH DIFFERENT CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TSAO WAS SPEAKING AT A WELCOMING PARTY HOSTED IN HIS HONOUR RY THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERIES.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SPARED NO EFFORT IN SUPPORTING ALL OTHER DEMANDS IN RESPECT OF BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS APART FROM BUILDING PUBLIC CEMETERIES. AN APPARENT EXAMPLE WAS THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERIES, HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID EVER SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOARD IN 1913, CEMETERY FACILITIES HAD BEEN DEVELOPED PROGRESSIVELY UNDER THE STRENOUS EFFORTS OF THE PAST AND INCUMBENT MEMBERS.
’’APART FROM THE ABERDEEN CEMETERY, THERE ARE THE TSUEN WAN AND CAPE COLLINSON CEMETERIES. THE JUNK BAY CEMETERY, WHICH WAS OPENED IN 1989, IS STILL BEING EXPANDED.
’’SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE 1960’8, NICHES HAVE BEEN BUILT CONTINUALLY FOR ASHES FROM CREMATION, WHICH IS GETTING INCREASINGLY COMMON IN HONG KONG.
"THE CHAI WAN COLUMBRIUM, WHICH IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION, HAS A CAPACITY FOR 34,000 NICHES AND IS RELIEVED TO BE THE LARGEST FACILITY OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD TODAY.
’’THE JUNK BAY COLUMBRIUM, WHICH IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WILL PROBABLY ALSO ACCOMODATE 80,000 NICHES,” HE SAID.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6r 1991
ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JUNK BAY CEMETERY, MR TSAO NOTED THAT IT WAS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PHASES, EACH PROVIDING 7,000-PLUS GRAVE SPACES, AND WOULD HAVE A TOTAL OF 30,000-PLUS GRAVE SPACES UPON COMPLETION.
”AS FOR THE ABERDEEN CEMETERY, A STUDY IS BEING UNDERTAKEN WITH THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT. IT IS HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ADDITIONALLY MAKE AVAILABLE A SMALL PIECE OF LAND FOR BUILDING MORE NICHES,” HE SAID.
"IT’S QUITE AN ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE BOARD TO HAVE CHALKED UP SO MANY PUBLIC FACILITIES DESPITE THE TERRITORY’S ACUTE LAND SHORTAGE," HE ADDED.
MR TSAO ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAISE THE BOARD’S TWO COMMITTEES FOR BEING ABLE TO REMAIN FINANCIALLY SOUND EVEN AT THE TIME WHEN THESE MAJOR CONSTRUCTIONS WERE BEING UNDERTAKEN.
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MADAM XU VISITS SOCIAL SERVICE UNITS
MADAM XU HANBING, WIFE OF MR JI PENGFBI, WHO IS IN TOWN, VISITED SOME OF THE SERVICE UNITS OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON AND AN SWD REGIONAL OFFICER, MRS PATRICIA CHU, MADAM XU THIS MORNING VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S CHOI WAN SHELTERED WORKSHOP.
DURING THE VISIT, MADAM XU AND LADY WILSON WERE BRIEFED ON HOW THE WORKSHOP PROVIDED DISABLED PEOPLE WITH GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT IN A SHELTERED ENVIRONMENT.
EARLIER, MADAM XU ALSO TOURED THE DEPARTMENT’S CHUK YUEN CHILDREN’S RECEPTION CENTRE WHICH PROVIDED TEMPORARY CARE TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT AND HANDICAPPED CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE.
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50
WORK IN FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE IMPORTANT
******
THE WORK OF FIREMEN AND FIREWOMEN IN THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THAT OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE OPERATIONAL COMMANDS.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HEADQUARTERS), MR TSANG KWOK-YU, TOLD THE GRADUATING SENIOR FIREMEN AND SENIOR FIREWOMEN THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE HELD AT THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS.
MR TSANG SAID THEIR CONTRIBUTION WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FIRE SERVICES EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS WOULD HAVE A DIRECT BEARING ON THE SUCCESS OF THE OPERATIONS.
"THE RESPONSIBILITIES YOU ARE ABOUT TO UNDERTAKE WILL BE ENORMOUS," HE SAID.
"TO DO THE JOB COMPETENTLY, YOU WILL NEED THE SKILL IN THE MANIPULATION OF THE SOPHISTICATED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND THOROUGH COMPREHENSION OF MOBILISING TECHNIQUES.
"YOU ALSO NEED TO HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND A MIND CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING WORK PRESSURE," MR TSANG ADDED.
DURING THE INITIAL TRAINING, THE SENIOR FIREMEN AND SENIOR FIREWOMEN HAD BEEN TAUGHT THE BASIC SKILLS IN COMMUNICATION AND MOBILISATION TECHNOLOGY AND PROCEDURES.
MR TSANG SAID: "IF YOU CAN MAINTAIN YOUR LEARNING ATTITUDE AND ENTHUSIASM TO INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE, AND TAKE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE FROM YOUR SUPERVISOR AND FELLOW COLLEAGUES, YOU WILL NOT ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEM IN PERFORMING SUCH DUTIES.
"I, THEREFORE, APPEAL TO YOU ALL THAT YOUR LEARNING HAS ONLY JUST STARTED.”
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THE $100 MILLION SECOND GENERATION MOBILISING SYSTEM, SPECIFICALLY TAILOR-MADE FOR THE FIRE SERVICES, WAS PUT INTO OPERATION SOME TIME THIS YEAR, THERE WILL BE AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT IN THE MOBILISATION EFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICES.
"YOU, AS THE OPERATORS OF THIS NEW SYSTEM, SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOUR WORK IN LEADING THE DEPARTMENT IN TO A NEW ERA OF MOBILISATION AND COMMUNICATION," MR TSANG SAID.
AFTER REVIEWING THE PARADE, MR TSANG PRESENTED THE BEST RECRUIT AWARD TO SENIOR FIREWOMAN CHENG CHUNG-KIU FOR HER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE DURING TRAINING.
A SQUAD COMPRISING SIX SENIOR FIREMEN AND SEVEN SENIOR FIREWOMEN TOOK PART IN TODAY’S PASSING-OUT PARADE. THEY HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR 12-WEEK BASIC TRAINIING AND WILL BE POSTED TO THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE SOON.
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FEAST FOR ELDERLY IN NORTH DISTRICT ******
ABOUT 1,300 ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, ALL AGED ABOVE 65, WILL BE TREATED TO A FEAST TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE FEAST HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR ELDERLY ACTIVITIES AS A TOKEN OF RESPECT TO SENIOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THERE WILL BE CANTONESE OPERATIC SONGS AND A LUCKY DRAW. PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO RECEIVE PRESENTS.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE ASSISTANT NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER (COMMUNITY AFFAIRS), MR PATRICK HO; THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; FRONTIER POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL WATSON; AND THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR KO HAU-MING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT FEAST FOR THE ELDERLY, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN CHOI WAH PALACE RESTAURANT, CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ASIA SOCIETY BRINGS NEW PERSPECTIVE TO HONG KONG.......................... 1
1990 - A STABLE YEAR FOR GARMENT INDUSTRY: STI ........................... 3
FOUR TELEPOINT LICENCES ISSUED ........................................... 4
HIGHER TOBACCO TAX HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE .................................... 5
RUNNERS AND UNREGISTERED DEALERS IN SECURITIES TO BE BROUGHT UNDER REGULATORY CONTROL..................................................... 6
REMINDER ON NEW TAVA FEES FOR VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES................ 7
FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO ELECTION LAW TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW................ 7
DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REGISTRATION REVOKED ................................... 8
ISLANDERS URGED TO SPEAK UP ON NORTH LANTAU DEVELOPMENTS ................. 9
OPENING OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS ................. 9
DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL CANOPY STARTED .................................... 10
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW ...................................... 10
LADY FORD TO OPEN FLOWER SHOW ........................................... 11
I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1929-34 ............................ 11
YAU TSIM TO HOLD FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL.................................... 12
CSD PARTICIPATES IN FLOWER SHOW.......................................... 13
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY .................................. 14
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
- 1 -ASIA SOCIETY BRINGS NEW PERSPECTIVE TO HONG KONG *****
THE PRESENCE OF THE ASIA SOCIETY IN HONG KONG WILL BRING US A NEW PERSPECTIVE OF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL DINNER OF THE ASIA SOCIETY HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG LOOKED FORWARD TO THE GREATER VARIETY THE SOCIETY WOULD BRING TO THE LIVES HERE THROUGH THE SPONSORSHIP OF PROGRAMMES NOT ONLY IN THE FIELD OF POLITICS AND ECONOMICS, BUT THE ARTS AND CULTURE AS WELL.
"WE PARTICULARLY WELCOME IT AT THIS TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHEN OUR NEED FOR A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS AT ITS GREATEST," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS PROUD AND JUST A LITTLE BIT FLATTERED THAT THE SOCIETY HAD CHOSEN HONG KONG FOR ITS FIRST OVERSEAS CENTRE.
"WE ARE PROUD BECAUSE THE SOCIETY HAS LOOKED BENEATH THE BRASH COMMERCIAL SURFACE OF MODERN HONG KONG, AND RECOGNISED THOSE ALMOST INDEFINABLE STRANDS OF KINSHIP, OF CULTURE, OF COMMERCE AND OF CREED WHICH BIND HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE INTO THE HISTORICAL FABRIC OF ASIA.
"AND WE ARE FLATTERED BECAUSE WE SEE OURSELVES VERY MUCH AS ASIA’S GATEWAY, THE PLACE WHERE, DESPITE KIPLING’S WARNING TO THE CONTRARY, EAST DOES INDEED MEET WEST," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT MANY HAD FORECAST THAT THE 21ST CENTURY WOULD BE THE AGE OF THE PACIFIC, SIR DAVID SAID: "FOR HONG KONG, AT THE CROSS ROADS OF THE ASIA PACIFIC DIVIDE, THE AGE HAS ALREADY COME.
"AS THE MOMENTUM OF ECONOMIC CHANGE INCREASES, WE SHOULD FOSTER LINKS BETWEEN BOTH SIDES OF THE PACIFIC. SO I CONGRATULATE THE ASIA SOCIETY ON ITS INITIATIVE IN TAKING THE STEP ACROSS THAT OCEAN,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ASIA SOCIETY WOULD BE A MAGNET WHICH WOULD DRAW PEOPLE OF LEARNING AND OF INFLUENCE TO OUR CITY, LEADERS FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD, FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND FROM ACADEMIA.
HONG KONG WOULD BE ENRICHED BY THEIR COMING.
THEY, IN TURN, WOULD FIND THAT INFORMATION FLEW FREELY HERE, THAT CONTACTS WERE EASILY MADE, AND THAT MEETINGS OF MEN AND OF MINtlS WERE MADE THAT MUCH SIMPLER, HE SAID.
"THIS OPEN-NESS AND ACCESSIBILITY IS CENTRAL TO HONG KONG’S SUCCESS. WE HAVE ALWAYS PRIDED OURSELVES AS A FREE AND OPEN SOCIETY.
/"RULE OF .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
- 2 -
"RULE OF LAW, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY ARE INTANGIBLES, BUT THEY ARE THE FOUNDATION STONES ON WHICH THIS SOCIETY HAS BEEN BUILT," SIR DAVID SAID.
RECOGNISING THAT HONG KONG HAD ITS CRITICS WHO INTENDED TO TALK OF CRASS COMMERCIALISM, OF AN ALL-CONSUMING PASSION FOR MAKING MONEY, OF UNMITIGATED MATERIALISM, SIR DAVID SAID: "AND YES, WE ARE MATERIALISTIC. HARDLY SURPRISING FOR A LARGELY REFUGEE SOCIETY.
"BUT WE ARE ALSO A GENEROUS, OPENHEARTED COMMUNITY WHOSE DONATIONS ON FLAG-DAYS AND WALKS-FOR-A-MILLION HAVE MADE IT INTO THE RECORD BOOKS.
"AND MATERIAL SUCCESS HAS PROVIDED THE WHEREWITHAL FOR THE PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE, THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TRADITIONS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS NO LONGER THE CULTURAL DESERT OF THE ’50S AND ’60S.
"THE WORLD’S GREAT ORCHESTRAS AND SOLOISTS PERFORM HERE. EXHIBITIONS COME AND GO. IN TWO WONDERFUL ANNUAL FESTIVALS WE SPOIL OURSELVES ALTERNATELY WITH THE BEST THAT ASIA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER.
"OUR OWN YOUNG TALENT ARE AT LAST RECEIVING PROPER TRAINING. A NEW MUSEUM WILL SHORTLY DISPLAY OUR OWN COLLECTIONS OF ART FROM CHINA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE REGION," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IN EVERY FIELD OF THE ARTS - FILM, PAINTING, SONG, DANCE, WRITING, MUSIC AND SCULPTURE - HONG KONG WAS DEVELOPING A DISTINCTIVE CULTURE ALL OF ITS OWN AND THE TERRITORY WAS ADDING ITS OWN INGREDIENTS TO THE EVER-CHANGING CULTURAL MELANGE THAT WAS ASIA.
AND HONG KONG CONTRIBUTED IN OTHER WAYS TO THE SPREAD OF IDEAS THROUGHOUT THE REGION BY DEMONSTRATING TO ALL THE BENEFITS OF OPENNESS, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
THERE WERE NO MORE POWERFUL INDUCEMENTS TO SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND THE FLOWERING OF CULTURE, SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE INAUGURATION OF THE ASIA SOCIETY HONG KONG CENTRE HAD SET A SEAL ON THE WARM RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE SOCIETY.
♦
"WE ARE TRULY DELIGHTED TO WELCOME THE ASIA SOCIETY TO HONG KONG. WE WILL GIVE IT EVERY SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND WE WISH IT ALL POSSIBLE SUCCESS IN THE YEARS AHEAD," SIR DAVID SAID.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
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1990 - A STABLE YEAR FOR GARMENT INDUSTRY: STI
******
HONG KONG IS KEEN TO SEE THE GATT (GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE) ANTI-DUMPING CODE TIGHTENED AND IMPROVED TO AVOID ANTI-DUMP ING CHARGES BECOMING A PROTECTIONIST TOOL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS, MR CHAN SAID IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN MOST NEGOTIATING GROUPS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND UNDER THE GATT AND WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART SO THAT FURTHER LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING WOULD MATERIALISE.
THE 12TH COUNCIL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU AND THE EIGHTH ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL CONSULTATIVE GROUP MEETING TO CO-ORDINATE THE POSITIONS OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES ON THE URUGUAY ROUND HAD BEEN HOSTED HERE, HE SAID.
"IT WAS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE ROUND COULD NOT BE CONCLUDED LAST DECEMBER, BUT, WITH ITS RESUMPTION ON FEBRUARY 26, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING TO WORK TOWARDS INCORPORATION OF CLAUSES CONCERNING THE TEXTILE TRADE INTO THE TERMS OF THE GATT, WITH A VIEW TO GRADUALLY REPLACING THE EXISTING MULTI-FIBRE AGREEMENT,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN DESCRIBED 1990 AS A "RATHER STABLE YEAR" FOR THE GARMENT INDUSTRY. BUSINESS HAD A SLUGGISH START, BUT RECOVERED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, HE SAID.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS INDUSTRY TO OUR ECONOMY HAD REMAINED SIGNIFICANT: THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $72.2 BILLION, ACCOUNTING FOR 32 PER CENT OF TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE YEAR.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT HAD A WORKFORCE OF SOME 250,000, OR ABOUT 35 PER CENT OF TOTAL MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT.
BUT MR CHAN ADDED THAT THE GARMENT INDUSTRY WAS NOT WITHOUT PROBLEMS.
"LIKE OTHER INDUSTRIES, IT HAS EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING AND RETAINING WORKERS BECAUSE OF THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE EXPANDING SERVICES SECTOR.
"THE GLOBAL INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF COMMODITIES AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES, AND RISING LABOUR AND PRODUCTION COSTS, HAVE MADE IT MORE EXPENSIVE TO PRODUCE LOCALLY NOW THAN BEFORE," HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGES, MR CHAN SAID SOME LOCAL MANUFACTURERS HAD SHIFTED LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROCESSES IN LOWER MARKET-END PRODUCTS TO CHINA, PARTICULARLY TO NEARBY GUANGDONG, BUT MUCH OF THE INDUSTRY'S PRODUCTION WOULD CONTINUE TO BE UNDERTAKEN HERE DUE TO HONG KONG’S STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF ORIGIN RULES NECESSITATED BY OUR EXPORT QUOTA SYSTEM.
/AUTOMATION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
AUTOMATION WAS ANOTHER AREA LOCAL GARMENT MANUFACTURERS HAD WORKED ON.
THE USE OF COMPUTERISED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER-AIDED SYSTEMS IN PATTERN AND MARKER GRADING WAS COMMON, AND COMPUTER-AIDED SYSTEMS FOR DESIGN, COMPUTERISED CUTTING, AND MATERIAL HANDLING WERE ALSO INCREASINGLY COMMON.
"WHILE MANUFACTURERS’ PAST RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGES HAS BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING, THE LONG-TERM GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S CLOTHING INDUSTRY LIES IN ITS CAPACITY TO PRODUCE EVEN HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS, TO FURTHER APPLY NEW TECHNOLOGY, TO DIVERSIFY AND TO PENETRATE NEW MARKETS.
"QUICK RESPONSE, AND THE FLEXIBLE MANAGEMENT SKILL OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS TO ADAPT TO ORDERS OF SMALL QUANTITY AND SHORT DELIVERY SCHEDULES, WILL CONTINUE TO PLACE HONG KONG IN A COMPETITIVE POSITION.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE WIDER APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY," MR CHAN SAID.
-----0-----
FOUR TELEPOINT LICENCES ISSUED
******
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT LICENCES HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE FOLLOWING FOUR COMPANIES TO OPERATE TELEPOINT SERVICES IN HONG KONG BASED ON THE SECOND GENERATION CORDLESS TELEPHONE (CT 2) TECHNOLOGY:
* CHEVALIER (TELEPOINT) LIMITED - A CONSORTIUM OF CHEVALIER (OA) HOLDINGS LIMITED AND OTC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (AUSTRALIA)
* HONG KONG CALLPOINT LIMITED - A CONSORTIUM OF HONG KONG TELECOM CSL LIMITED, SUN HUNG KAI HONG KONG INDUSTRIES LIMITED AND STAR PAGING (HOLDING) LIMITED
* HUTCHISON PAGING LIMITED - A CONSORTIUM OF HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED AND MOTOROLA, INC. (U.S.A.)
* PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED - A CONSORTIUM OF BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLC (U.K.), FIRST PACIFIC COMPANY LIMITED, ABC COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED AND SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES LIMITED
"TELEPOINT SERVICES WILL BE ANOTHER LOW-COST, EFFECTIVE AND CONVENIENT MOBILE RADIO COMMUNICATION FACILITY WHICH THE PUBLIC CAN CHOOSE," MR WONG SAID.
/"SERVICES ARE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
5
’’SERVICES ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND WILL GRADUALLY EXPAND TO COVER THE URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
’’WITHIN THE AREAS COVERED, SUBSCRIBERS WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE TELEPHONE CALLS USING LIGHT-WEIGHT AND INEXPENSIVE HANDSETS,” HE SAID.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT ALTHOUGH CT 2 HANDSETS CANNOT NORMALLY RECEIVE CALLS WHEN USED OUTSIDE THE HOME OR PLACE OF WORK, THEY CAN LINK UP WITH RADIO PAGING SYSTEMS TO ALLOW USERS TO RECEIVE MESSAGES IF REQUIRED.
------------------0------- HIGHER TOBACCO TAX HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THE INCREASE IN THE DUTY ON TOBACCO WILL GO SOME WAY TOWARDS DISCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SMOKING AND MAKE FOR A BETTER, HEALTHIER HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MISS EMMA LAU, IN WELCOMING THE MEASURE ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY YESTERDAY.
’’OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN TAKING MEASURES PROGRESSIVELY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG, ON THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF SMOKING AND MOTIVATING THEM NOT TO SMOKE.
”OUR EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN A GRADUAL REDUCTION IN THE PROPORTION OF DAILY SMOKERS IN THE POPULATION FROM 23.3 PER CENT IN THE EARLY 1980S TO 16.8 PER CENT IN THE LATE 1980S,” MISS LAU SAID.
’’HOWEVER, THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT SMOKING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IS ON THE INCREASE, MAKING FURTHER DISINCENTIVES ALL THE MORE NECESSARY,” SHE ADDED.
ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL FIGURES FROM THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR JULY 1990, ABOUT 20,600 PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 19 YEARS, OR 4.6 PER CENT OF THOSE IN THIS AGE BRACKET, WERE SMOKERS. THIS COMPARED WITH 15,700 PEOPLE OR 3.4 PER CENT IN 1988.
MISS LAU POINTED OUT THAT LUNG CANCER AND HEART DISEASE WERE TOP KILLERS IN HONG KONG AND THAT THERE WAS STRONG EVIDENCE THE WORLD OVER THAT SMOKING WAS A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR FOR SUCH AILMENTS.
"EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT A TAX INCREASE CAN BE POWERFUL IN DETERRING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SMOKING,” SHE SAID.
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED A 300 PER CENT INCREASE IN CIGARETTE TAXES IN 1983, THE 1984 GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY SHOWED THAT 19.7 PER CENT OF SMOKERS GAVE UP SMOKING BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER COST, SHE NOTED.
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THURHDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
7
KEMI ON NEW TAVA FEES »
FOR VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES * » t t
‘HIE tKA’dl-ORT DEPARTMENT TODAY ITHDR.HDAY ) REMINDED VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES APPLICANTS THAT NEW FEES FOR THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE FUND (TAVA) WILL BE LEVIED ON LICENCES WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
UNDER THE NEW RATES, THE ANNUAL LEVY ON VEHICLE LICENCES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $30 TO $48, WHEREAS THE ANNUAL LEVY ON DRIVING LICENCES WILL BE RAISED FROM $10 TO $16.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW LEVIES WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR SO THAT SUFFICIENT INCOME WILL ACCRUE TO THE FUND FOR DISBURSEMENT TO CLAIMANTS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED APPLICANTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE USING CHEQUES OR POSTAL APPLICATIONS, TO INCLUDE THE NEW FEES WHEN MAKING PAYMENTS WHILE APPLYING FOR NEW LICENCES OR RENEWING LICENCES WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
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FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO ELECTION LAW TO BE GAZETTED TOMMORROW *******
FURTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO HONG KONG’S ELECTORAL LEGISLATION, CONCERNING ELECTION PETITION ARRANGEMENTS, WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE WERE MAINLY CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS PROPOSED AS A RESULT OF RECENT REVISIONS TO ELECTORAL LEGISLATION.
THE AFFECTED SECTIONS OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE DEAL WITH THE PRESENTATION OF ELECTION PETITIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF QUESTIONING THE RESULT OF ELECTIONS AND WERE AMENDED AT COMMITTEE STAGE PRIOR TO THE PASSING OF THE RESPECTIVE AMENDMENT BILLS BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 28, 1990.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE AMENDMENTS WERE AIMED AT RATIONALISING THE ELECTION PETITION PROVISIONS BY PROVIDING FOR AN UNEQUIVOCAL DETERMINATION BY THE HIGH COURT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE TRIAL OF SUCH AN ELECTION PETITION.
THEY ALSO PRESCRIBE CLEARER CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A VACANCY MAY ARISE.
/"THESE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
- 8 -
*
’’THESE AMENDMENTS MEAN THAT THE PURPOSE OF LODGING ELECTION PETITIONS WILL FOCUS ON SIMPLY DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THE PERSON DECLARED TO HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER WAS ’DULY ELECTED’ AT THAT ELECTION RATHER THAN ON DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT A PARTICULAR ELECTION IS ’VOID’,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT AT PRESENT, OTHER PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE, THE DISTRICT BOARDS ORDINANCE, THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE RELATING TO ELECTION PETITIONS AND THE DISQUALIFICATION OF ELECTED MEMBERS WERE DEPENDENT UPON THE REPEALED PROVISIONS.
FOR INSTANCE, THEY MAKE REFERENCE TO AN ELECTION DECLARED BY THE HIGH COURT TO BE VOID RATHER THAN A REFERENCE TO WHETHER OR NOT THE CANDIDATE HAS BEEN DULY ELECTED.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIMPLIFY THE GROUNDS UPON WHICH AN ELECTION PETITION MAY BE BROUGHT.
’’THE EXISTING GROUNDS ARE UNNECESSARILY COMPLICATED AND CONFUSING. THEY ARE ALSO REPETITIVE,” HE SAID.
THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR PROSPECTIVE PETITIONERS AND THEIR ADVISERS TO FRAME CORRECTLY-WORDED ELECTION PETITIONS.
------0--------
DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REGISTRATION REVOKED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF RNB FINANCE (HONG KONG) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MARCH 7, 1991 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
9
ISLANDERS URGED TO SPEAK UP ON NORTH LANTAU DEVELOPMENTS
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED LANTAU RESIDENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND TO THE GOVERNMENT SO AS TO ENSURE FRANK CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.
"I WISH THAT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS COULD BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED BECAUSE SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IS CRUCIAL TO THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECTS," HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO OVER 1,000 ISLANDERS ATTENDING THE LANTAU CHINESE NEW YEAR CARNIVAL HELD AT THE PO LIN MONASTERY, MR HSU SAID THE ISLAND WOULD BE GIVEN A NEW FACELIFT FOLLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND A NEW TOWN IN TUNG CHUNG.
"THE AIRPORT PROJECT WILL SURELY BOOST THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE AND GENERATE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ISLANDERS AS WELL," HE SAID.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY ALSO PRAISED THE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROMOTING CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND INITIATIVES IN COMMUNITY BUILDING.
HE CITED THE NEW YEAR CARNIVAL AS AN EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION AMONG LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ON LANTAU AS THE ANNUAL EVENT WAS GAINING RESPONSE FROM ISLANDERS EVERY YEAR.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG; AND ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD.
--------0--------
OPENING OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE
*****
DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE PLAQUE TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS AT YEE KING HOUSE, HONG LAM (THURSDAY).
LEUNG, UNVEILED A
IMMIGRATION SERVICE
COURT, SHA TIN TODAY
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR ALLOCATED AND THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME PROVIDED WITH RANK AND FILE QUARTERS IN
LEUNG SAID 350 UNITS WERE THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE WAS BULK.
"WITH SUCH PROVISION, THE HOUSING SITUATION OF THE (JUNIOR OFFICERS HAS BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED. BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, WE ARB SI ILL FACING AN ACUTE SHORTFALL OF 518 QUARTERS FOR STAFF OF OFFICER GRADES," MR LEUNG SAID.
/THE ADMINISTRATION
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
10 -
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RECENTLY APPROVED A PROVISION OF $70 MILLION TO THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE IN A SPAN OF FOUR YEARS TO PURCHASE FLATS AS DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS.
"ALTHOUGH SUCH PROVISION STILL LAGS FAR BEHIND OUR DEMAND, THE ACUTE SHORTFALL MAY BE SLIGHTLY EASED OFF,” MR LEUNG ADDED.
------0--------
DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL CANOPY STARTED
♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE DEMOLITION OF AN ILLEGAL CANOPY ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF CHUNG KING MANSIONS IN NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI STARTED TODAY (THURSDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, WHICH COORDINATED THE OPERATION, SAID THE DEMOLITION DEMONSTRATED THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN REMOVING POTENTIAL HAZARDS.
’’SOME SLIGHT STRUCTURAL DEFECTS IN THE CANOPY WERE FIRST OBSERVED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF DURING A ROUTINE VISIT TO THE BUILDING FOUR MONTHS AGO.
"FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT CERTIFIED IT IS AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE COST OF THE DEMOLITION IS BEING MET BY THE OWNER.
THE DEMOLITION IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT FIVE WEEKS.
------0--------
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, BEGINNING 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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/Il ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
- 11 -
LADY FORD TO OPEN FLOWER SHOW ******
LADY FORD, WIFE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1991 HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW TO BE HELD ON THE PODIUM OF SHA TIN TOWN HALL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 10.30 AM.
THIS YEAR’S SPECTACULAR SHOW, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE REGIONAL AND URBAN COUNCILS FOR THE FIFTH YEAR RUNNING, IS THE BIGGEST EVER BEING STAGED IN THE TERRITORY.
MORE THAN A THOUSAND SPECIES OF FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS, PUT ON BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND OVERSEAS PARTICIPANTS, WILL BE ON DISPLAY DURING THE 10-DAY EXTRAVAGANZA.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
-----0------
I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1929-34
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933 AND 1934 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE MARCH 28.
"TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000,” HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO REPLACE THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, 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 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 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 SHUI: TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
THEY MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DIALLING 824 0303 TO ENQUIRE ABOUT DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS TO BRING ALONG.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
----0------
YAU TSIM TO HOLD FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL
******
A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE PLAZA OF KOWLOON PARK, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON SATURDAY (MARCH 9), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, IT WILL MARK THE CLOSE OF A SERIES OF LARGE-SCALE OUTDOOR FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES FOR THE PERIOD 1990-91.
THE CARNIVAL WILL FEATURE A VARIETY SHOW, STALL GAMES, A CRIME REPORTING QUIZ TO INTRODUCE TO THE PUBLIC A NEW IDENTIFICATION PARADE FACILITY AND DISPLAYS OF ANTI-CAR THEFT INSTALLATIONS.
/THERE WILL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
- 13 -
THERE WILL ALSO BE A DISPLAY OF THE RECENT FIGHT CRIME POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION.
WINNING ENTRIES OF A
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR AT THE OPENING CEREMONY. OTHER GUESTS WILL DIS I RICI OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMA PETER FERRY AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH.
ASPREY, INCLUDE
WILL
THE
OFFICIATE
YAU
COMMANDER,
TSIM MR
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER DISTRICT FIGHT (’RIME CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 (MARCH 9) AT THE PLAZA OF KOWLOON PARK, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE YAU TSIM PM ON SATURDAY
-----0------
CSD PARTICIPATES IN FLOWER SHOW
*****
BEAUTIFUL AND COLOURFUL FLOWERS AND PLANTS GROWN BY INMATES OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS AND VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS LN DETENTION CENTRES WILL BE ON DISPLAY FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO MARCH 17 AT THE HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW 1991 AT THE SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
THEY WILL BE DISPLAYED TOGETHER WITH PLANTS AND FLOWERS GROWN BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) STAFF.
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE DEPARTMENT TOOK PART IN THE HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW.
LAST YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATED IN THE FLOWER SHOW AT THE VICTORIA PARK.
"CSD’S PARTICIPATION IN THE FLOWER SHOW IS A GREAT BOOST TO THE GARDENING PROGRAMME NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED IN SOME PENAL INSTITUTIONS. THIS SERVES BOTH THERAPEUTIC AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES FOR PRISONERS UNDER OUR CARE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
GARDENING HAD ALSO BEEN INTRODUCED TO DETENTION CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS SO AS TO ENCOURAGE THE VIETNAMESE TO CULTIVATE A HEALTHY HOBBY, HE NOTED.
’’ALSO, HE ADDED.
IT HELPS KEEP THEM OCCUPIED FOR A CONSTRUCTIVE PURPOSE,”
’’AMONG THE INSTITUTIONS, GARDENING IS PARTICULARLY WELL PROMOTED AT MA HANG PRISON, TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, HEI LING CHAU ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE, WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE AND HEI LING ('HAU DETENTION CENTRE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT PRESENT, OVER 1,000 POTTED PLANTS AND FLOWERS OF DEFFERENT SPECIES ARE CULTIVATED, SOME AT GREENHOUSES, AT VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS.
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/14 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1991
- 14 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY
******
THE SHORT-TERM KOWLOON.
THE FEE-PAYING VEHICLES.
THE
BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE TENANCY OF A GOVERNMENT LOT AT PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD,
SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 6,200 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR PARKING AREA FOR GOODS VEHICLES EXCLUDING CONTAINER
TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND IS RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON MARCH 22.
TENDER FORMS, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR. MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS LONDON CHINATOWN ..................................... 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED ............................ 1
NOMINATION FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS STARTS MONDAY ......................... 5
1991 POPULATION CENSUS TO COMMENCE ................................... 6
PROPOSED RECLAMATION IN NORTH TSING YI ............................... 8
MORE TO BENEFIT FROM LEGAL AID ....................................... 9
1990 BATHING BEACHES WATER QUALITY REPORT ANNOUNCED ................. 10
BILL TO EXPAND HK'S TRADE MARK LAWS ................................. 12
PAYMENTS TO THREE ACCIDENT COMPENSATION SCHEMES ADJUSTED ............ 13
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES REVISED .............. 16
REGULATIONS TO REMOVE GREY AREAS IN DANGEROUS GOODS STORAGE ......... 18
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ............................................ 18
RS HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF ELECTIONS ............................... 19
WORK OF FIRE SERVICES DEPT PRAISED .................................. 19
PUBLIC INQUIRY OF AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY TO START NEXT WEEK 21
HEAVENLY BIRD ADDS COLOUR TO 1991 FLOWER SHOW ....................... 22
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S KOWLOON AND NT REGIONAL OFFICES ON MOVE ...... 23
AUXILIARY POWER UNIT CONTROLLED AREA EXTENDED ....................... 23
BREAKTHROUGH IN VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE DISABLED .............. 24
BRIDGE SEGMENT ERECTION FOR KWUN TONG BYPASS COMPLETED .............. 25
TONNOCHY ROAD FOOTBRIDGE EXTENSION PROPOSED ......................... 26
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC ............................. 26
CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE SECTION MOVES TO MONG KOK ............ 27
FUND DONATION FOR BEST ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDENT-TEACHERS ............ 27
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ............................ 28
GSD FAMILY DAY FOR 1,800 CHILDREN ................................... 29
'GLORY OF LIFE' SINGING CONTEST ON SUNDAY ........................... 29
FUN DAY FOR TSING YI RESIDENTS ...................................... 30
FOUR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME IN UK ............. 31
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
GOVERNOR VISITS LONDON CHINATOWN * ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON TODAY (FRIDAY) PAID A VISIT TO LONDON’S CHINATOWN AND TOOK A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT HOW A LOCAL CHINESE NEWSPAPER OPERATES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR JOHN YAXLEY, THEY CALLED ON THE SING TAO (EUROPEAN EDITION) NEWSPAPER’S OFFICE IN SOHO AND WERE MET BY THE SENIOR STAFF OF THE PAPER.
AS A FORMER EDITOR OF THE ’’CHINA QUARTERLY”, THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED KEEN INTEREST IN SING TAO’S OPERATION IN BRITAIN AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SUCH AS FRANCE AND HOLLAND.
AFTER TOURING THE SING TAO OFFICE, LADY WILSON WENT ON A SHORT VISIT TO THE LONDON CHINATOWN WHILE SIR DAVID ATTENED TO HIS OTHER OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS.
ESCORTED BY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, MISS MAUREEN WONG, LADY WILSON CALLED ON THE LONDON CHINATOWN CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN GERRARD STREET WHERE SHE HAD TEA WITH MEMBERS OF THE MANGEMENT COMMITTEE.
SHE ALSO JOINED A GROUP OF ELDERLY LADIES, WHO ARE STUDENTS OF AN ENGLISH CLASS HELD AT THE CENTRE, IN THEIR CELEBRATION OF THE ”INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY”.
IN THE EVENING, THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON WERE GUESTS OF HONOUR AT A RECEPTION HELD AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
OVER 50 GUESTS ATTENDED THE FUNCTION.
- - 0 - -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ *
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED DURING JANUARY, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, ALL DEFINITIONS OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ROSE DURING THE MONTH. TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO REGISTERED AN INCREASE IN JANUARY.
/DEPOSITS
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
- 2 -
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 2.1% IN JANUARY, FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 0.3% IN NOVEMBER AND AN INCREASE OF 1.4% IN DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 9.0% AND 7.6% RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY WHILE TIME DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 2.0%. COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 17.5%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 1.9% IN JANUARY, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.7% AND 1.5% IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 3.1% AND 1.1% RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 25.2%.
DURING JANUARY, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS ROSE BY 2.2% WHILE THOSE WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 1.6% AND 2.9% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY 22.7% AND 22.2% RESPECTIVELY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 3.7%.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 5.7%, 2.3% AND 1.9% RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN DECEMBER WERE -0.6%, 1.7% AND 1.6%. OVER THE YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES ROSE BY 5.5%, 16.1% AND 15.1% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 3.2%, 2.2% AND 2.0% RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN DECEMBER WERE 1.3%, 1.6% AND 1.5%. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 7.1%, 21.1% AND 20.4% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 3.0% IN JANUARY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.0% AND 1.2% IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 1.6% DURING JANUARY, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES ROSE BY 3.7%. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 14.5% AND 69.5% RESPECTIVELY.
/LOANS TO .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 3.1% IN JANUARY, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.1% IN NOVEMBER AND A DECLINE OF 0.3% IN DECEMBER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 16.3%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 1.3% IN JANUARY FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.0% AND 0.5% IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 16.5%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG ROSE BY 4.6% IN JANUARY, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.4% AND 2.1% IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 90.1%. A CONSIDERABLE PROPORTION OF THIS INCREASE WAS CONTRIBUTED BY EURO-YEN LOANS.
LOANS TO FINANCE MERCHANDISING TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG FELL BY 3.9% IN JANUARY, AFTER DECLINES OF 2.5% AND 2.2% IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, HOWEVER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 13.9%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 166 WHILE THAT OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS ROSE BY ONE TO 45 AND THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY FOUR TO 187.
NOTES :
(1) BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 1990, "RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS" AND "DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES" WERE KNOWN AS "LICENSED DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES" AND "REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES" RESPECTIVELY.
(2) IN THE TEXT ABOVE, TOTAL HK$ DEPOSITS, HK$ TIME DEPOSITS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS. TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS AND U.S.$ 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.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
4
MONETARY STATISTICS - JANUARY 1991 --------—--------.......—...---- (HKSmn)
Jan 1991 Earlier months (X change to January 1991)
Money Supply Ml - HKi 97,062 Dec 1990 91,826 ( 5.7 X) Oct 1990 89.728 ( 8.2 X) Jan 1990 92.014 ( 5.5 X)
:• : reign currency 13.880 15.683 (- 11.5 X) 14.177 ( -2.1 X) 11.554 ( 20.1 X)
Tor. a. 110.942 107.509 i 3.2 X) 103,905 ( 6.8 X) 103.568 ( 7. 1 X)
M2 - HK$* 552.058 539.667 i 2.3 X) 530.131 ( 4. 1 X) 475.354 ( 16.1 X)
Foreign currency* 684.895 670.383 ( 2.2 X) 651.404 ( 5. 1 X) 545.818 ( 25.5 X)
Tctal Cl UO IO r> Cl 1.210.050 ( 2 2 %} 1,181.535 ( 4.7 X) 1.021.172 ( 21.1 X)
M3 - HKS* 582.345 571.215 ( 1.9 X) 562.607 C 3.5 X) 505.900 ( 15. 1 X)
Foreign currency* 730.851 716.813 ( 2.0 X) 694.874 ( 5.2 X) 584.484 ( 25.0 X)
Total 1.313,195 1.238.028 ( 2.0 X) 1.257.480 ( 4.4 X) 1.090.384 ( 20.4 X)
Notes and coins in circulation 45.802 43.261 ( 5.9 X) 40.457 ( 13.2 X) 48.563 ( -5.7 X)
of which held by public 38,070 37,693 ( 1.0 X) 35.211 ( 8. 1 X) 41,811 ( -8.9 X)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 72.871 69,815 ( 4.4 X) 68.694 ( 6.1 X) 61.757 ( 18.0 X)
Total Savings deposits 242.123 231.672 ( 4.5 X) 225.163 ( 7.5 X) 194.619 ( 24 4 X)
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 866.072 853.632 ( 1.5 X) 834,990 ( 3.7 X) 706.270 ( 22.6 X)
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 4 3.06.9 43.784 ( -1.6 X} 40.976 ( 5.1 X) 35.242 ( 22.2 X)
Tntal Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 31.417 32.368 ( -2.9 X) 33.421 ( -6.0 X) 32.626 ( -3.7 X)
HK$ d-p<.s;ts* 530.884 520.115 1 2. 1 X) 514.606 ( 3.2 X) 451.930 ( 17.5 X)
OSS deposits* 304.014 294.913 i 3. 1 X) 296.219 ( 2.6 X) 262.812 ( 15.7 X)
uth-r ::reign currency deposits 42U.655 416.243 ( 1. 1 %} 392.419 ( 7 2 X) 315.771 ( 33.2 X)
All lepcsits 1.255.553 1.231.271 ( 2.0 X) 1.203.244 ( 4.3 X) 1.030,512 ( 21.8 X)
Foreign currency swap deposits 65.278 67.733 ( -3.6 X} 68.416 ( -4.6 X) 63,033 ( 3.6 X)
Total L.ans and advances
To f man re H.K ‘s visible trade 73.287 71.087 ( 3.1 X) 69.872 ( 4.9 X) 63.024 ( 16.3 X)
To rm. ar. :e merchandising trade 9.265 9.637 ( -3.9 X} 10.112 ( -8.4 X) 8.134 ( 13.9 X)
n : c t ’..ching H.K.
Other .:.ans f.-r use in H.K. 698.148 689.368 ( 1.3 X} 672.947 ( 3.7 X) 599,267 ( 16.5 X)
Other Leans fcr use outside H.K. 923,020 882.673 ( 4.6 %} 852.910 ( 8.2 X) 485.628 ( 90.1 X)
Other .“ana wn-re the place of 138,028 135.839 ( 1.6 X} 125.693 ( 9.6 X) 105,411 ( 30.9 X)
use is not knewn
Loans in HK3 616.665 607.018 ( 1.6 X} 590.715 ( 4 . 4 X) 538,757 ( 14.5 X)
Loans m roreign currencies 1,225,082 1.181.591 ( 3.7 X) 1. 141.020 ( 7.4 X) 722.708 ( 69.5 X)
Total loans and advances 1,841.747 1.788.609 ( 3.0 X} 1.731.734 ( 6.4 X) 1.261.465 ( 46.0 X)
• Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits
Note
'Restricted licence banks’ and 'deposit-taking companies’ were known as ’licensed deposit-taking companies’ and 'registered deposit-taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
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/5........
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
5
NOMINATION FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS STARTS MONDAY
******
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (MARCH 11) AND WILL LAST FOR TWO WEEKS UNTIL MARCH 25, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE MR SUEN SAID CANDIDATES WOULD BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES - 15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
"WITH THE SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS LAST SUNDAY, HONG KONG STARTS PREPARING FOR THE SECOND MAJOR ELECTION OF THF YEAR, WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MAY 5 (SUNDAY)," HE SAID.
"ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING NOMINATION IS QUALIFIED TO STAND FOR ELECTION. HE OR SHE CAN BE NOMINATED FOR ANY CONSTITUENCY," MR SUEN SAID.
"EACH NOMINATION HAS TO BE SUBSCRIBED BY A PROPOSER, A SECONDER AND ANOTHER EIGHT NOMINATORS. ALL THESE 10 SUBSCRIBERS HAVE TO BE REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE CONST ITUENCY IN WHICH THE CANDIDATE SEEKING ELECTION. EACH SUBSCRIBER MAY ONLY NOMINATE ONE (’AND I DATE AS ALL CONSTITUENCIES ARE SINGLE-SEATED," HE ADDED.
BEFORF
DEPOSIT OF
HE POLLED NOT
LODGING HIS NOMINATION PAPER, A CANDIDATE HAD TO PLACE A $5,000 WITH THE TREASURY AND THIS WOULD BE REFUNDED IF I FSS THAN FIVE PER CENT OF THF VAUD VOTES CAST.
NOMINATION FORMS AND GUIDANCE NOTES FOR CANDIDATES COULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REG1STRAIION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE.
"COMPLETED NOMINATION PAPERS MUST BE LODGED IN PERSON BY THE (’ANDII)ATE OR HIS PROPOSER OR SECONDER WITH THE RESPECTIVE RETURNING OFF I ('ER OR ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER. THE DISTRICT OFFICERS ARE THE RETURNING OFFICERS FOR THE ELECTION IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS," HE SAID.
MR SUEN SAID THE MAXIMUM LIMIT FOR ELECTION EXPENSES FOR THESE ELECTIONS HAD BEEN INCREASED FROM $13,000 TO $70,000 TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.
"BOTH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ARE STATUTORY AND FINANCIALLY AUTONOMOUS BODIES. BETWEEN THEM THEY PROVIDE A VARIETY OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CULTURAL AND LEISURE SERVICES '1’0 THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HONG KONG.
"THESE SERVICES NOT ONLY ENSURE A ('LEANER, HEALTHIER AND MORE ATTRACTIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A RICHER AND BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE," MR SUEN SAID.
/MR SUEN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
6 -
MR SUEN APPEALED FOR MORE CIVIC-MINDED PERSONS WHO WERE KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR EFFORTS TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO COME FORWARD TO SEEK NOMINATION AS CANDIDATES.
’’POTENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED TO COMPLETE THEIR NOMINATIONS IN GOOD TIME AS ANY ERROR IN THE NOMINATION PAPERS MUST BE RECTIFIED BEFORE THE CLOSE OF NOMINATION. AN INCOMPLETE OR INACCURATE PAPER MAY RENDER THE NOMINATION INVALID," MR SUEN SAID.
HE URGED THOSE WHO VOTED AT THE LAST DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO TURN UP AGAIN ON MAY 5. "AND TO THOSE WHO FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER DID NOT VOTE THE LAST TIME I APPEAL TO THEM TO TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE MESSAGE WHICH WE WANT TO BRING TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN PREPARATION FOR THESE COMING ELECTIONS.
"VOTING IS A CIVIC RIGHT. IT MEANS POWER IN YOUR HANDS. PLEASE EXERCISE IT IN A MEANINGFUL MANNER AND COME TO VOTE," HE ADDED.
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1991 POPULATION CENSUS TO COMMENCE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
A FULL-SCALE POPULATION CENSUS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND 24 DURING WHICH ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG WILL BE VISITED BY ENUMERATORS TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE POPULATION STATISTICS.
ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF THE PROJECT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR BENJAMIN MOK APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT.
"CENSUS DATA ARE VITAL TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR PLANNING PUBLIC SERVICES; THEY ARE ALSO USEFUL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR FORMULATING BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND APPRAISAL OF MARKET CONDITIONS," HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE CENSUS WOULD COMPRISE A SIMPLE ENUMERATION OF ALL PERSONS BY BASIC CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS AGE, SEX AND RELATIONSHIP TO HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD.
IN ADDITION, A ONE-IN-SEVEN RANDOM SAMPLE OF THE HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE SELECTED FOR A DETAILED ENUMERATION OF A BROAD RANGE OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS.
"UNLIKE PREVIOUS CENSUSES, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO USE A NEW APPROACH, CALLED THE ’SELF-ENUMERATION’ METHOD, IN THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS FOR COLLECTING INFORMATION FROM HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED TO PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION ONLY," MR MOK SAID.
BY THIS METHOD, HOUSEHOLDERS HAVE TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FORM (THAT IS SELF-ENUMERATION). COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE COLLECTED BY ENUMERATORS PERSONALLY DURING THE CENSUS PERIOD.
/THOSE HOUSEHOLDS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
THOSE HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED FOR DETAILED ENUMERATION WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY QUESTIONNAIRE IN ADVANCE. DETAILED POPULATION DATA WILL BE COLLECTED THROUGH PERSONAL INTERVIEWS BY VISITING ENUMERATORS FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
MR MOK ADDED THAT THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS, AS IN PREVIOUS CENSUSES, WOULD COVER ALL PERSONS PRESENT IN HONG KONG AT THE TIME OF THE CENSUS, INCLUDING INMATES OF INSTITUTIONS, PERSONS LIVING ON BOARD OF VESSELS, ALIEN RESIDENTS AND THE ARMED FORCES.
NON-RESIDENTIAL PREMISES WOULD SO THAT PERSONS LIVING THERE, IF ANY,
ALSO BE COVERED IN THE WOULD NOT BE OMITTED.
CENSUS
QUESTIONNAIRES FOR SIMPLE ENUMERATION WAS BEING SENT OUT AND HOUSEHOLDERS SELECTED FOR DETAILED ENUMERATION WERE ALSO EXPECTED TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION LETTERS OF THE PERSONAL INTERVIEW SHORTLY.
TO FACILITATE HOUSEHOLDERS IN VERIFYING THE IDENTITY OF ENUMERATORS, ALL HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE INFORMED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT OF THE OFFICERS’ NAMES IN ADVANCE.
EACH ENUMERATOR WILL IDENTIFY HIMSELF DURING THE VISIT WITH A CENSUS OFFICER CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT. IF IN DOUBT, HOUSEHOLDERS CAN (’HECK THEIR IDENTITY AT THE ENQUIRY HOTLINE 827 123'1.
THE FIELD VISITS WILL USUALLY BE CARRIED OUT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM DAILY DURING THE 10-DAY CENSUS PERIOD.
THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS IS TAKEN UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER, MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE WHICH STIPULATES THAT ALL PERSONS SHOULD PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION.
THIS LARGE-SCALE PROJECT, WHICH HAS BEEN TAKING A LONG PREPARATION TIME, IS ESTIMATED TO COST $180 MILLION.
MR MOK ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT ALL INDIVIDUAL DATA COLLECTED WOULD BE TREATED STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
"AS INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM THE CENSUS WILL BE USED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES ONLY, NO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUALS," HE SAID.
HE CALLED UPON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS MEANINGFUL PROJECT BY RENDERING FULL SUPPORT AND PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
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PROPOSED RECLAMATION IN NORTH TSING YI »»»»»*
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO UNDERTAKE RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 2.7 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IN NORTH TSING YI AND NGAU KOK WAN.
THE RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR A WORKS AREA FOR CONTRACTORS AND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BARGING POINT WHICH WILL BE USED FOR REMOVING EXCAVATED MATERIAL TO BE USED AS FILL MATERIAL FOR THE NEW AIRPORT.
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 MAY 7.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CARRY OUT THREE PROJECTS IN THEN MUN AND AT HEI. LING CHAU.
IN TUEN MUN, AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF JETTIES WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,450 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF LOK ON PAI.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL BERTHING FACILITIES AT SUFFICIENT WATER DEPTH FOR THE LOADING, UNLOADING AND TRANSPORTATION OF MATERIALS, PLANT AND EQUIPMENTS FOR FUTURE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
ALSO IN TUEN MUN, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT AN INVERTED SIPHON WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,750 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED UNDER THE NULLAH BETWEEN AREAS 16 AND 18.
THE SIPHON WILL FORM PART OF THE PROPOSED TRUNK SEWER WHICH WILL SERVE THE FUTURE POPULATION IN THE EASTERN EXTENSION AREA.
AT HEI LING CHAU, A CARGO HANDLING PIER WILL BE BUILT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,250 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TO FACILITATE THE HANDLING OF THE LARGE VOLUME OF CARGO INCLUDING RATIONS, CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL MATER IALS/FINISHED PRODUCTS, FUEL, FOR THE TWO DETENTION CENTRES AND THE TWO PENAL INSTITUTIONS ON THE ISLAND.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IN THESE PROJECTS WAS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES .OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKINGS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 7 NEXT YEAR.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
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MORE TO BENEFIT FROM LEGAL AID *****
MORE PEOPLE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE OBJECT OF THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), IS TO AMEND THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE TO GIVE EFFECT TO A NEW SYSTEM OF MEANS TESTING IN ASSESSING ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID.
THE NEW ’FINANCIAL CAPACITY’ APPROACH WAS INTENDED TO ACHIEVE A FAIRER SYSTEM OF ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, AN APPLICANT WILL BE ASSESSED ACCORDING TO HIS FINANCIAL RESOURCES, WHICH ARE DEFINED AS BEING THE SUM OF HIS DISPOSABLE ANNUAL INCOME AND CAPITAL.
IF THE AGGREGATE FIGURE DOES NOT EXCEED $120,000, THE APPLICANT WILL BE ELIGIBLE ON MEANS GROUNDS FOR LEGAL AID IN BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES.
AT PRESENT, AN APPLICANT IS MEANS TESTED SEPARATELY ON HIS CAPITAL AND INCOME, AND HE HAS TO SATISFY THE CRITERIA OF BOTH TESTS BEFORE HE IS ELIGIBLE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS SYSTEM WORKED TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF PERSONS WHOSE FINANCIAL RESOURCES CONSISTED MAINLY OF EITHER INCOME OR CAPITAL, AND IN FAVOUR OF THOSE WHO MAY HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES BUT SPREAD BETWEEN BOTH INCOME AND CAPITAL.
"THE NEW APPROACH WILL AVOID THE ANOMALIES OF SEPARATE CAPITAL AND INCOME MEANS TESTS," HE EXPLAINED.
FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW SYSTEM OF USING COMBINED INCOME AND CAPITAL TO ASSESS LEGAL AID ELIGIBILITY, A NEW GRADUATED SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS PAYABLE BY AIDED PERSONS TOWARDS THEIR OWN COSTS WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT SCALE. NO CONTRIBUTION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THOSE WHOSE FINANCIAL CAPACITY IS $50,000 OR LESS.
/THE SPOKESMAN
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
- 10 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS BEING TAKEN TO AMEND THE LAW TO IMPROVE CERTAIN EXISTING LEGAL AID PRACTICES SUGGESTED BY OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES INCLUDE PROVIDING THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WITH THE AUTHORITY TO REFUSE AN APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID FROM APPLICANTS WHO REMAIN OUT OF HONG KONG FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS AFTER SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ASSESS THEIR LEGAL AID ELIGIBILITY.
SIMILARLY AFFECTED WILL BE THOSE WHO MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT WHILST AWAITING THE OUTCOME OF THEIR APPLICATIONS. THE AMENDMENT AIMS TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ABUSE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME TO COVER EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
AT PRESENT, AN APPLICANT UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME WHO IS SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES CANNOT BE ASSISTED IN HIS CLAIM FOR EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION, ALTHOUGH HE IS ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID FOR THE SUBSEQUENT COMMON LAW CLAIM.
"SINCE THE TWO CLAIMS ARE CLOSELY LINKED AND MUCH OF THE EVIDENCE IS COMMON TO BOTH, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME SHOULD EXTEND TO COVER BOTH CLAIMS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COST OF ADOPTING A MAXIMUM FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF $120,000 FOR DETERMINATION OF LEGAL AID ELIGIBILITY, COMBINED WITH A GRADUATED SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS, WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $25 MILLION EACH YEAR.
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1990 BATHING BEACHES WATER QUALITY REPORT ANNOUNCED *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF A REPORT ENTITLED "BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG, 1990".
THE EPD’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL HOLMES, SAID THE REPORT REVIEWED THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THE BATHING BEACHES TN HONG KONG IN THE BATHING SEASON OF 1990.
HE SAID THE REPORT ANALYSED THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY TRENDS OF BATHING BEACHES. IT ALSO DISCUSSED THE SOURCES OF POLLUTION OF BEACHES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS AND THE REMEDIAL ACTIONS REQUIRED.
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION TO BEACH-GOERS ON THE LATEST WATER QUALITY AT BEACHES AND THE ASSOCIATED RISK TO HEALTH OF SWIMMING AT THEM WAS ALSO PROVIDED.
/THE REPORT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
11
THE REPORT STATED THAT THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY AT ANGLERS’, KADOORIE, ROCKEY BAY AND TING KAU BEACHES WAS BARELY ACCEPTABLE FOR SWIMMING, WHEREAS OLD CAFETERIA AND CASTLE PEAK BEACHES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
MR HOLMES SAID THE GENERAL MOMENTUM TOWARDS IMPROVEMENT IN BACTERIOLOGICAL BEACH WATER QUALITY, BUILT UP DURING 1988 AND 1989, HAD CONTINUED INTO 1990, WITH A TOTAL NUMBER OF 16 GAZETTED BEACHES RANKED GOOD; 19 ACCEPTABLE; AND FIVE BARELY ACCEPTABLE.
A SUMMARY OF THE RANKING OF ALL GAZETTED AND NON-GAZBTTED BEACHES IN THE SWIMMING SEASON OF 1990 WAS PRESENTED IN THE REPORT.
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY AT SEVERAL BEACHES SUCH AS DEEP WATER BAY, MIDDLE BAY, REPULSE BAY AND SILVERSTRAND HAD BEEN ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VARIOUS MEASURES.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE "FIRST-AID" WORKS TO DIVERT POLLUTING FLOWS AWAY FROM BEACHES, ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE IN WATER CONTROL ZONES; AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
IN ADDITION, THE REPORT ALSO REVIEWED THE INCIDENCES OF ALGAL BLOOMS AT BEACHES IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
THE REPORT, AT $30 A COPY, IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
MR HOLMES SAID AS IN THE PAST YEAR, THE GRADINGS ON WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES WILL BE ANNOUNCED ONCE EVERY FORTNIGHT DURING THE SWIMMING SEASON, THIS YEAR, THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE ON APRIL 12.
HOWEVER, GRADINGS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE BEACHES WHICH ARE CLOSED TO SWIMMERS BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE EPD’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 835 1234.
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/12 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
“ 12
BILL TO EXPAND UK’S TRADE MARK LAWS
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HONG KONG INTENDS TO EXPAND ITS TRADE MARK LAW TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF TRADE MARKS USED IN CONNECTION WITH SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, MISS ALICE TAI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE CONTAINED IN THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
MISS TAI SAID HONG KONG HAD LONG HAD A SYSTEM FOR THE REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS USED ON GOODS.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID, THERE HAD BEEN A WORLD-WIDE TREND TOWARDS PROVIDING SIMILAR PROTECTION FOR TRADE MARKS USED IN CONNECTION WITH SERVICES.
THIS TREND HAD BEEN GIVEN ADDED IMPETUS BY DISCUSSIONS HELD IN GENEVA IN CONNECTION WITH THE URUGUAY ROUND TALKS UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) WHICH WOULD OBLIGE THE GATT MEMBERS TO INTRODUCE PROTECTION FOR SERVICE MARKS.
MISS TAI SAID THE SYSTEM FOR THE REGISTRATION AND PROTECTION OF TRADE MARKS FOR GOODS WAS WELL ESTABLISHED AND HELPED TO PREVENT THE SALE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS.
"TRADERS IN GOODS INVEST HEAVILY IN PROMOTING TRADE MARKS SUCH AS BRAND NAMES AND LOGOS, BECAUSE MODERN MARKETING TECHNIQUES RELY ON THE ABILITY OF CONSUMERS TO IDENTIFY TRADE MARKS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE GOODS," SHE SAID.
"TRADERS IN GOODS FEEL CONFIDENT INVESTING IN THE PROMOTION OF THEIR MARKS IN HONG KONG, BECAUSE THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM HERE," SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE ADVANTAGES OF REGISTRATION ENJOYED BY OWNERS OF TRADE MARKS IN GOODS HAD NOT BEEN SHARED BY THOSE IN THE SERVICES SECTOR.
THOSE IN THIS SECTOR OFTEN HAD TO RESORT TO THE COMMON LAW PASSING OFF ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR REPUTATION IN A MARK.
THIS PROCEDURE WAS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE THAN TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT A REGISTERED MARK, SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION THE LATEST STATISTICS AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT INDICATED THAT THE SERVICES SECTOR CONTRIBUTED ALMOST 67 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AND PROVIDED ABOUT 54 PER CENT OF ALL EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG.
MAJOR SERVICES, SUCH AS SHIPPING, BANKING, INSURANCE, TOURISM, TRANSPORT AND TEI,ECOMMUNICATIONS, HAD RECENTLY GROWN STRONGLY.
/THESE INDUSTRIES.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
- 13 -
THESE INDUSTRIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHICH OPERATED GLOBALLY, WOULD WELCOME THE CHANGES, AND SMALLER LOCAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS LAUNDRIES, HAIRDRESSERS AND CAR REPAIRERS, WOULD ALSO BENEFIT, MISS TAI SAID.
SHE SAID RETAILING WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN HONG KONG AND, ALTHOUGH SOME SERVICE MARK SYSTEMS OVERSEAS DID NOT ALLOW REGISTRATION OF MARKS BY THE RETAIL INDUSTRY, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT TRADE MARKS FOR "RETAIL" SERVICES SHOULD BE REGISTRABLE IN HONG KONG.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS THEREFORE DECIDED TO INTRODUCE A SYSTEM OF PROTECTION FOR TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES," MISS TAI SAID. THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT THERE WOULD BE A GREAT DEMAND FOR THE REGISTRATION OF SERVICE MARKS, SHE SAID.
MISS TAI SAID IF THE LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED IT WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON A DATE TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
NO FIRM DATE FOR INTRODUCTION COULD YET BE GIVEN, BUT PLANNING WAS IN HAND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
"THE GRACE PERIOD WILL ALLOW THE TRADE MARKS REGISTRY TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIRED PROCEDURES AND FOR TRADERS AND THE PROFESSION TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE NEW LAWS," SHE SAID.
TO AVOID A SUDDEN INFLUX OF APPLICATIONS THE REGISTRY PROPOSED TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION UP TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT DATE. ALL SUCH APPLICATIONS WOULD STILL ONLY BE EFFECTIVE FROM THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT.
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PAYMENTS TO THREE ACCIDENT COMPENSATION SCHEMES ADJUSTED
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED THE ALLOCATION OF ABOUT $7.9 MILLION AS ADJUSTMENTS TO PAYMENTS UNDER THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND, THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME AND THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE FUND.
THE ADJUSTMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE HAD RECENTLY CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF THE SCHEMES AND RECOMMENDED THE FOLLOWING:
* THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE VARIOUS GRANTS BE RESTATED;
♦ THAT THE MAXIMUM ELIGIBILITY PERIOD FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE INJURY GRANT BE EXTENDED FROM THREE MONTHS OF SICK LEAVE TO SIX MONTHS, BUT THAT IT SHOULD CEASE TO BE PAYABLE FROM THE DATE WHEN THE VICTIM BECOMES ELIGIBLE FOR THE DISABILITY GRANT OR UPON THE DEATH OF THE VICTIM;
/* THAT THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
14
» THAT THE SAME EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY PERIOD BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE INTERIM ADJUSTMENT GRANT (TO BE KNOWN AS THE INTERIM MAINTENANCE GRANT), BUT THAT IT SHOULD CEASE TO BE PAID UPON THE DEATH OF THE VICTIM;
♦ THAT THE BURIAL GRANT BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH THAT PAYABLE UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE (ECO); AND
♦ THAT THE DISCRETIONARY ENHANCEMENT OF GRANTS UNDER THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME BE EXTENDED TO COVER VICTIMS OF RAPE AND CASES OF
FIGHTING CRIME IN WHICH THE VICTIM, SUBSEQUENT TO THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION, HAS MADE
EXEMPLARY EFFORTS, IN THE FACE OF PERSONAL EMBARRASSMENT, INCONVENIENCE OR DANGER, TO ASSIST THE POLICE IN THE ARREST OR THE PROSECUTION OF AN OFFENDER OR SUSPECTED OFFENDER.
’’THE BASES FOR THE CALCULATION OF THE DEATH AND PERSONAL INJURY GRANTS WERE LAST REVISED IN DECEMBER 1981,” THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
DETAILS OF THE REVISED DEATH AND PERSONAL INJURY GRANT PAYMENT SCHEME SCHEDULE UNDER THE THREE SCHEMES ARE SHOWN AS BELOW:
TYPE
LEVEL OF PAYMENT
(A) INJURY GRANT
- TO MEET ADDITIONAL OUTGOINGS (MEDICAL CHARGES, SPECIAL OR TONIC FOOD, TRAVELLING EXPENSES AND SO ON) ON A SHORTER-TERM THAN DISABILITY GRANT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE INJURED PERSON IS A WAGE-EARNER.
(B) INTERIM MAINTENANCE GRANT
- TO RELIEVE THE IMMEDIATE HARDSHIP CAUSED BY LOSS OF WAGE, IN THE CASE OF A WAGE-EARNER, OR TO MEET ADDITIONAL OUTGOINGS (FOR EXAMPLE HOME-HELPING OR CHILD-MINDING EXPENSES) IN THE CASE OF A NON-WAGE-EARNING PARENT WHERE THERE ARE CHILDREN UNDER 15.
$297 FOR EACH OF THE FIRST 10 DAYS SICK LEAVE AND $127 PER DAY THEREAFTER UP TO 170 DAYS (MAKING A TOTAL OF 180 DAYS OF SICK LEAVE), SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF $24,560. INJURY GRANT SHOULD CEASE FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THE VICTIM BECOMES ELIGIBLE FOR THE DISABILITY GRANT, OR UPON THE DEATH OF THE VICTIM.
AT THE RATE OF $4,240 PER MONTH FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS (ONE MONTH IS REGARDED AS 30 DAYS) (BASED ON THE AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGE, PLUS FRINGE BENEFITS, FOR A MANUFACTURING WORKER). PAYMENT OF THIS GRANT CEASES UPON THE DEATH OF THE VICTIM.
/(C) DISABILITY GRANT ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
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(C) DISABILITY GRANT
- TO MEET ADDITIONAL OUTGOINGS INCURRED BY THE VICTIM (MEDICAL AND OTHER EXPENSES, FOR EXAMPLE COST OF HIRING A PERSON TO TALE CARE OF THE DISABLED).
(D) DEATH'GRANT
(I) LOSS OF THE SOLE WAGE-EARNER WHERE THERE ARE DEPENDANTS:
- TO RELIEVE THE IMMEDIATE HARDSHIP CAUSED BY LOSS OF WAGE.
(II) LOSS OF A WAGEEARNER WHERE THERE ARE DEPENDANTS AND ANOTHER WAGE-EARNER REMAINING IN THE FAMILY:
- TO RELIEVE THE IMMEDIATE HARDSHIP CAUSED BY LOSS OF WAGE.
(Ill) LOSS OF A PARENT WHO WAS NOT A WAGE-EARNER WHERE THERE ARE CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS OF AGE:
- TO MEET ADDITIONAL OUTGOINGS (FOR EXAMPLE HIRING A CHILD-MINDER OR HOME-HELPER).
(E) BURIAL GRANT
- TO MEET BURIAL EXPENSES AT A REASONABLE LEVEL REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE DECEASED WAS A WAGEEARNER.
UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $61,030, ABATED TO TWO-THIRDS FOR VICTIMS AGED 60 AND OVER, DISCOUNTED ON ACCOUNT OF DEGREE OF DISABILITY AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
(MAXIMUM IS SET AT 120 PER CENT OF THE DEATH GRANT PAYABLE TO THE FIRST DEPENDANT FAMILY MEMBER UNDER (D) (I) BELOW.)
$50,860 FOR ONE DEPENDANT FAMILY MEMBER PLUS $4,240 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL DEPENDANT FAMILY MEMBER UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $72,060 (BASED ON THE AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGE, PLUS FRINGE BENEFITS, FOR A MANUFACTURING WORKER; THE GRANT FOR THE FIRST FAMILY MEMBER IS 12 TIMES THE MONTHLY WAGE WHILE THAT FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MEMBER IS ONE MONTH'S WAGE.)
$25,430 FOR ONE DEPENDANT FAMILY MEMBER PLUS $4,240 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL DEPENDANT FAMILY MEMBER UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $46,630 (ON THE SAME BASIS AS FOR (I) ABOVE; THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE GRANT FOR THE FIRST FAMILY MEMBER IS 50 PER CENT OF THAT PAYABLE AT (I) ABOVE).
$25,430 FOR ONE CHILD UNDER 15 PLUS $4,240 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL CHILD UNDER 15, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $46,630 (ON THE SAME BASIS AS FOR (II) ABOVE).
$6,000 PER PERSON (BASED ON THE BURIAL EXPENSES PORTION OF THE CEILING UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE).
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/16 .........
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
16
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES REVISED
******
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA) AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES (SNA) WILL BE INCREASED BY NINE PER CENT FROM NEXT MONTH (APRIL), A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REVISION OF THE BASIC RATES OF PA AND SNA, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN AN ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL AMOUNT IN PAYMENTS OF $282 MILLION, WAS APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON.
’’THE ADJUSTMENT OF PA AND SNA PAYMENTS IS IN LINE WITH THE INFLATION RATE SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE CASH PAYMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC RATE OF $745, AN ELDERLY PERSON ON PA IS ALSO ENTITLED TO A $425 OLD AGE ALLOWANCE IF HE IS AGED 70 OR OVER, OR $373 IF HIS AGE FALLS BELOW 70.
"SHOULD HE NEED TO PAY THE COST OF ACCOMMODATION, A MAXIMUM OF $488 IN RENT ALLOWANCE WILL BE PAID TO ASSIST HIM," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE FURTHER NOTED THAT THE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ESTIMATED IN 1991-92 ARISEN FROM THE REVISION WOULD BE $89.1 MILLION FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, $137.8 MILLION FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND $54.9 MILLION FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILS OF THE NEW RATE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
REVISED AMOUNT (PER MONTH)
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE $
SINGLE PERSON FAMILY : 1ST MEMBER 2ND MEMBER 3RD MEMBER 4TH MEMBER 5TH AND EACH ADDITIONAL MEMBER OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT * FOR A PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENT WHO IS AGED 60-69 AND IS NOT IN RECEIPT OF A SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE ♦ FOR A PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENT WHO IS AGED 70 OR OVER AND IS NOT IN RECEIPT OF A SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE 745 560 560 550 550 540 373 425 /DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
17 -
DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT 373
(FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENT WHO IS PARTIALLY DISABLED AND IS NOT IN RECEIPT OF AN OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT OR A SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE)
LONG TERM SUPPLEMENT
(FOR THOSE HOUSEHOLDS IN RECEIPT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR 12 MONTHS OR MORE)
♦ FOR A SINGLE PERSON 950
♦ FOR A FAMILY COMPRISING TWO TO FOUR MEMBERS 1,900
♦ FOR A FAMILY COMPRISING FIVE OR MORE MEMBERS 2,850
MEAL ALLOWANCE 128
(FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FULL-DAY SCHOOLS AND ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE LUNCH AWAY FROM HOME)
SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES
* OLD AGE ALLOWANCE -
(I) NORMAL RATE 373
(FOR THOSE AGED 65-69)
(II) HIGHER RATE 425
(FOR THOSE AGED 70 AND OVER)
♦ DISABILITY ALLOWANCE -
(I) NORMAL RATE 745
(II) HIGHER RATE 1,490
(FOR THOSE IN NEED OF CONSTANT ATTENDANCE)
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/18 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8,
1991
REGULATIONS TO REMOVE GREY AREAS IN DANGEROUS GOODS STORAGE
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS UPDATED THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) REGULATIONS TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS.
THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1991, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), WILL COME INTO IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, THE MANUFACTURE AND STORAGE OF PERMANENT GASES IN BULK WILL REQUIRE A LICENCE.
’’THIS IS TO BRING PERMANENT GASES UNDER THE SAME LICENCE CONTROL AS THAT CURRENTLY APPLIED TO LIQUEFIED GASES,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE SAID THE LICENCE FEE WOULD BE $590 PER TANK PER ANNUM FOR PERMANENT GASES IN LINE WITH THE LEVEL OF FEES FOR THE STORAGE OF LIQUEFIED GASES.
"THIS LICENSING REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO TOWN GAS MANUFACTURED BY THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY LIMITED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW REGULATIONS ALSO PROVIDED THAT THE STORAGE TIME, AT AN APPROVED CONTAINER TERMINAL, OF CERTAIN TRANSHIPMENT FREIGHT CONTAINER OF DANGEROUS GOODS MIGHT BE EXTENDED FROM 72 HOURS TO SEVEN DAYS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
"THE EXTENSION TAKES INTO ACCOUNT A REQUEST BY THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY THAT SUCH CONTAINERS MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT FOR A LONGER PERIOD FOR THE CONNECTING VESSEL AFTER LANDING AT A TERMINAL," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ♦ *♦*♦♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF INDOSUEZ FINANCE HONG KONG LIMITED, AEB FINANCE LIMITED AND DAO HENG CREDIT LIMITED AS DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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/19
1 •
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
RS HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF ELECTIONS ******
FOR THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS BY THE PUBLIC IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE ORGANISING OF VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ SOCIAL AWARENESS.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THIS TONIGHT (FRIDAY) AT A SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIQN ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
CITING THE GOOD RESPONSE IN THE RECENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, MR LAN SAID THIS INDICATED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE VERY CONCERNED WITH POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY.
MR LAN ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THE FORTHCOMING MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MAY 5 AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 15.
EARLIER, MR LAN PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR TAKING TIME OFF FROM THEIR HEAVY BUSINESS COMMITMENTS TO PLAN AND ORGANISE THE MANY COMPETITIONS FOR HONG KONG YOUNGSTERS.
"THESE COMPETITIONS PROVIDE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUNGSTERS TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND ENABLE THEM TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES," HE SAID.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST, THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITION MAINLY SOUGHT TO PROMOTE ARTS AND CULTURE AMONG YOUNGSTERS.
"RECENTLY, THE COMPETITION ALSO STRESSES CIVIC AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS," HE NOTED.
- - 0 - -
WORK OF FIRE SERVICES DEPT PRAISED *****
THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WON PRAISE FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, SIR WILLIAM STONES, TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PASSING OUT PARADE OF 14 STATION OFFICERS, 18 FIREMEN AND 23 AMBULANCEMEN AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG, SIR WILLIAM SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE PROUD OF THE DEPARTMENT WHICH WAS INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED FOR ITS EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS.
"IN 1990 THE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 38,000 FIRE AND SPECIAL SERVICES CALLS, SAVING LIVES AND PROPERTY OF PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY.
/"IN THE
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
"IN THE COURSE OF DUTY 52 FIREMEN RECEIVED INJURIES -- SOME OF WHOM ARE STILL IN HOSPITAL. THIS IS AN INDICATION OF THE BRAVERY AND DEVOTION TO DUTY THAT EXISTS WITHIN YOUR DEPARTMENT, AND AS SUCH EARNS MY BEST REGARDS AND RESPECT.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THESE ADMIRABLE ATTITUDES ARE RESPECTED AND ADMIRED BY ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," SIR WILLIAM SAID.
SIR WILLIAM ALSO PRAISED THE AMBULANCE SERVICE WHICH HE SAID WAS COMPARABLE TO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD IN THE RECOVERY OF CASUALTIES AND THE CONVEYANCE OF PATIENTS TO HOSPITALS UNDER PROFESSIONAL CARE.
HE NOTED THAT THE AMBULANCE SERVICE DID NOT HAVE AN EASY TIME IN 1990 DURING WHICH THEY RESPONDED TO 433,000 CALLS, ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF WHICH WERE IN RESPECT OF EMERGENCIES.
"THIS YEAR THE AMBULANCE SERVICE HAS COMMENCED THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN PARAMEDICAL SERVICES. AMBULANCEMEN ARE THEREFORE PROGRESSSING ALONG A COURSE WHICH LEADS TOWARDS A MORE SOPHISTICATED AND HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FOR THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG.
"IN ADDITION TO THE OPERATION OF THESE VALUABLE SERVICES THE DEPARTMENT IS ADMIRED FOR ITS PERSISTENCE AND COMPETENCE IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY," SIR WILLIAM SAID.
"IN THE FORTHCOMING YEARS WHEN CHANGES MAY BECOME NECESSARY, YOUR DETERMINATION AND GREAT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ESSENTIAL IN MAINTAINING TRUST AND STABILITY," HE TOLD THE GRADUATING RECRUITS.
SIR WILLIAM LATER PRESENTED BEST RECRUIT AWARDS TO STATION OFFICER FUNG CHI-FAI, FIREMAN FONG KWOK-NING AND AMBULANCEMAN LAI TAK-SANG, FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES DURING TRAINING.
THE BEST RECRUIT STATION OFFICER FUNG CHI-FAI HAD ALSO BEEN AWARDED THE BEST RECRUIT FIREMAN WHEN HE COMPLETED TRAINING AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN JULY 1985.
THROUGH HIS HARD WORK, HE WAS POSTED TO THE TSEUNG KWAN O FIRE STATION WHERE A NEW SPECIAL TRAINING SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED TO TRAIN ACADEMICALLY QUALIFIED FIREMEN TO ATTAIN THE STATION OFFICER GRADE.
SO FAR, 14 PARTICIPANTS HAD SUCCEEDED IN JOINING THE STATION OFFICER GRADE.
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/21 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
21
PUBLIC INQUIRY OF AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY TO START NEXT WEEK *****
THE AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY (ATLA) WILL HOLD A PUBLIC INQUIRY NEXT WEEK TO CONSIDER THREE APPLICATIONS BY AIR HONG KONG LIMITED (AHK) TO OPERATE SCHEDULED ALL-CARGO AIR SERVICES TO 80 CITIES WORLDWIDE (63 NEW POINTS AND 17 POINTS WHICH AHK HAS ALREADY BEEN LICENSED TO SERVE).
THE NEED FOR THE INQUIRY IS PROMPTED BY OBJECTIONS FROM CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED AND HONG KONG DRAGON AIRLINES LIMITED.
SEVENTEEN SUPPORTERS, LARGELY FREIGHT FORWARDERS, HAVE EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE AHK’S APPLICATIONS.
JOINING THE CHAIRMAN OF ATLA, MR JUSTICE R.J. PENLINGTON, FOR THIS INQUIRY WILL BE PANEL MEMBERS MESSRS N.A. RIGG; STEPHEN LAU MANLUNG; DENNIS LAM HAW-SHUN AND RONALD J. ARCULL1.
THE INQUIRY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL TAKE PLACE IN COURT 12, SIXTH FLOOR, SUPREME COURT, QUEENSWAY.
THE HOURS OF THE SITTING WILL BE FROM 9.30 AM TO 1 PM AND 2.15 PM TO 5 PM EACH DAY.
THE COMING INQUIRY WILL CONSIDER AHK’S GENERAL PLANS FOR LAUNCHING A GLOBAL NETWORK OF SCHEDULED AIR SERVICES TO 80 CITIES.
THE ATLA WILL MEET AGAIN AROUND LATE APRIL/EARLY MAY TO CONSIDER THE AHK’S APPLICATIONS ON A POINT-BY-POINT BASIS.
SUCH A TWO-PHASED APPROACH IS REQUIRED BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS AND PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE AHK’S CURRENT APPLICATIONS AND IS ACCEPTED BY THE.AHK AND THE TWO OBJECTORS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE PHOTO SESSION FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT 9.30 AM ON MARCH 11 (MONDAY), RIGHT BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE INQUIRY.
- - 0----------
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
- 22
HEAVENLY BIRD ADDS COLOUR TO 1991 FLOWER SHOW * t * ♦ ♦
SPREADING ITS BRILLIANT ORANGE, TURQUOISE AND PURPLE PLUMES, THE BIRD OF PARADISE DESCENDED ON SIM TIN CENTRAL PARK THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING TO ADD COLOUR TO THE THOUSANDS OF FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS ON DISPLAY IN THE 1991 HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW.
JOINTLY PRESENTED FOR THE FIFTH YEAR RUNNING BY THE REGIONAL AND URBAN COUNCILS, THE 10-DAY EXTRAVAGANZA IS EXPECTED TO DRAW RECORD CROWDS TO THE SHOWGROUND WHICH COMPRISES SHA TIN TOWN HALL AND THE ADJACENT E1GHT-HECTARE CENTRAL PARK.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, LADY FORD SAID LAST YEAR’S RECORD ATTENDANCE OF 320,000 DEMONSTRATED HOW VERY POPULAR THE FLOWER SHOW HAD BECOME, ADDING THAT SHF EXPECTED THIS YEAR’S SHOW TO BE EVEN BIGGER AND MORE EXCITING.
'THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF EXHIBITS PRESENTED BY OVER 65 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS LANDSCAPE AND HORTICULTURAL ORGANISATIONS AND I AM SURE THAT ALL VISITORS, YOUNG AND OLD, WILL ENJOY THE MANY BEAUTIFUL AND EXOTIC DISPLAYS."
NOTING THAT THE THEME FLOWER FOR THIS YEAR WAS THE BIRD OF PARADISE, SHE SAID SHE HAD NO DOUBT FLOWER LOVERS WOULD FEEL THEY HAD WANDERED INTO A BOTANICAL PARADISE THEMSELVES.
CONGRATULATING THE TWO COUNCILS FOR STAGING THIS VERY POPULAR SHOW, LADY FORD SAID OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNC1LS TO BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT HAD RESULTED IN A GREENER AND MORE PLEASANT HONG KONG.
"THE COMPLETION OF MAJOR PARKS AT SHA TIN, TUEN MUN AND NORTH DISTRICT IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON PARK AND THE NEW HONG KONG PARK IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA WILL OFFER MUCH ENJOYMENT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE," SHE SAID.
ADMITTING THAT SHE ENJOYED GARDENING HERSELF, LADY FORD SAID SHF KNEW SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN A GREAT DEAL FROM THE EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT EXHIBITORS PRESENT FOR THIS YEAR’S SHOW.
IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, THE (’HAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, SAID THE. NATURAL SETTING OF SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK HAD BEEN SUITABLY EXTENDED TO ACCOMMODATE MORE EXHIBITS AND IT WOULD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE REGIONAL COUNC IL AREA, COVER A PERIOD OF 10 DAYS.
"THE SPECIAL DISPLAYS PUT UP BY BOTH COUNCILS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, LOCAL AND OVERSEAS FLORAL ASSOCIATIONS HAVE COLOURED AND ENRICHED THE SETTING OF THE SHOWGROUND AND I BELIEVE ALL VISITORS WILL ENJOY THEMSELVES," HF SAID.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY, LADY FORD, ACCOMPANIED BY MR (’HEUNG, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN LAU, AND THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOURED THE SHOWGROUND AND EXPRESSED SPECIAL INTEREST IN THIS YEAR’S MAIN ATTRACTION, I’HE "FLOWER VALLEY" WHIC H FEATURED A WIDE RANGE OF SPRING FLOWERING PLANTS. ----------------------------------0--------
/23 .....
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
- 23
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON AND NT REGIONAL OFFICES ON MOVE
******
THE URBAN (KOWLOON) REGIONAL OFFICE AND THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL OPERATE FROM THEIR NEW PREMISES ON THE SEVENTH TO NINTH FLOORS OF MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 30 LUEN WAN STREET IN KOWLOON FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 12).
THE NEW ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE KOWLOON OFFICE IS 339 2469 AND THAT FOR THE NT OFFICE IS 339 2532.
THE TWO REGIONAL OFFICES HAVE BEEN HANDLING PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MATTERS RELATING TO KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ON THE 25TH FLOOR OF PARK-IN COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON BEFORE THE REMOVAL.
----------------------0------- AUXILIARY POWER UNIT CONTROLLED AREA EXTENDED *****
THE AUXILIARY POWER UNIT (APU) CONTROLLED AREA IN KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THE RECENTLY COMPLETED AIRCRAFT PARKING APRON EXTENSION NEAR RICHLAND GARDENS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) (LIMITATION ON OPERATION OF ENGINES AND AUXILIARY POWER UNITS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991 ARE GAZETTED TODAY TO INCLUDE THE APRON INTO AN APU CONTROLLED AREA.
"THE EXTENSION OF THE APU CONTROLLED AREA IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF AIRPORT GROUND NOISE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OTHER NOISE REDUCTION MEASURES BEING IMPLEMENTED INCLUDE PHASED INSTALLATIONS OF FIXED GROUND POWER, A QUIET SUBSTITUTE FOR APU, HE ADDED.
"OFFENDERS OF THE REGULATIONS ARE LIABLE TO A FINE OF UP TO $50,000," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AN APU IS A SOURCE OF POWER ON AN AIRCRAFT INDEPENDENT OF THE AIRCRAFT MAIN ENGINES, WHICH IS OPERATED TO PROVIDE POWER TO THE AIRCRAFT, USUALLY WHEN THE MAIN ENGINES ARE NOT IN USE.
THE OPERATION OF APUS IS NECESSARY DURING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND CARGO HANDLING. HOWEVER, THE HIGH-PITCHED NOISE RESULTING FROM THEIR USE HAS BEEN A MAJOR CAUSE OF COMPLAINT FROM RESIDENTS NEAR THE AIRPORT.
/"UNDER THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
- 24 "
"UNDER THE PRESENT REGULATIONS, THE OPERATION OF APUS IS PROHIBITED WITHIN A SPECIFIED "APU CONTROLLED AREA" BETWEEN 12 MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SUBJECT TQ CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE OPERATION OF APUS MAY BE PERMITTED BETWEEN 11 PM AND 6 AM IN THE ADJACENT AREA WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE AIRPORT.
THESE RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING AIRPORT GROUND NOISE AT NIGHT.
---------0-----------
BREAKTHROUGH IN VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE DISABLED
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL SOON PUT INTO USE A STATE-OF-THE-ART VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT SYSTEM TO HELP ASSESS THE WORKING ABILITIES OF DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION PURCHASED THREE ASSESSMENT KITS, KNOWN AS VALPAR COMPONENT WORK SAMPLE SERIES (VCWSS), LAST YEAR WITH FUNDS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (RHKJC).
’’ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE DISABLED, THE SYSTEM ENABLES PLACEMENT OFFICERS TO REALISTICALLY AND ACCURATELY ASSESS INDIVIDUAL DISABLED PERSON’S RESIDUAL WORKING ABILITIES FOR PLACEMENT IN THE RIGHT JOB," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (SELECTIVE PLACEMENT), MR HOUDINI HO, EXPLAINED.
’’WITH A FURTHER GRANT OF $175,000 BY THE RHKJC, THE DIVISION HAS RECENTLY ENGAGED AN EXPERT JNSTRUCTOR FROM THE USA TO RUN A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR 20 PLACEMENT OFFICERS ON THE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE ASSESSMENT KIT,’’ MR HO SAID.
"THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES A FIVE-DAY SESSION CONDUCTED BY A CERTIFIED VOCATIONAL EVALUATION SPECIALIST FROM THE PRODUCER OF THE SYSTEM THIS WEEK, AS WELL AS ANOTHER FIVE-DAY FOLLOW-UP SESSION TO BE HELD SIX TO NINE MONTHS LATER.
"UPON COMPLETION OF THE INITIAL TRAINING SESSION, PLACEMENT OFFICERS WILL START USING THE KIT IN JOB-MATCHING AT ALL THE THREE REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE DIVISION,’’ HE ADDED.
THE ADDRESSES OF THE THREE OFFICES ARE:
♦ HONG KONG OFFICE
HARBOUR BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR,
38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
TEL. NO. 852 4801
/* KOWLOON OFFICE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
- 25
* KOWLOON OFFICE NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR AND FIRST FLOOR, 21 ON WAR STREET, NGAU TAU KOK.
TEL. NO. 755 4835
♦ NEW TERRITORIES OFFICE EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 50 TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
TEL. NO. 498 8444
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BRIDGE SEGMENT ERECTION *
FOR KWUN TONG BYPASS COMPLETED ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, TODAY (FRIDAY) OFFICIATED AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE BRIDGE SEGMENT ERECTION FOR THE KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASES II & III PROJECT.
MR KWEI SAID: ’’BOTH PHASES OF THE BYPASS, UPON COMPLETION IN JUNE 1991, WILL FORM PART OF ROUTE 6 IN LINKING THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, AND, WILL RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ALONG KWUN TONG ROAD AND WAI YIP STREET.
”IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAY AT THE SAME TIME AS THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, THIS PROJECT HAS EMPLOYED A SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE USING A GIANT LAUNCHING GIRDER TO PLACE THE PRECAST BRIDGE SEGMENTS.
"AS RECENTLY INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG, THIS TECHNIQUE HAS PROVED SUCCESSFUL IN CONSTRUCTING 3.7 KILOMETRES OF BRIDGE DECK WITHIN 15 MONTHS, WITH SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN LABOUR AND MATERIALS." HE SAID.
THE TWO CONTRACTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASES II A III WERE AWARDED TO A FRENCH JOINT VENTURE COMPRISING DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS AND BACHY SOLETANCHE AT A TOTAL COST OF $1,062 MILLION.
THE KWUN TONG BYPASS IS A 4.8-KILOMETRE ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAY LINKING THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TO THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AT PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE.
THE BYPASS HAS THREE PHASES. PHASE 1 WHICH EXTENDS FROM THE EXIT OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AT LEI YUE MUN ROAD TO WAI YIP STREET HAS BEEN OPENED TO TRAFFIC SINCE SEPTEMBER 1989.
/PHASE II .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
26 -
PHASE II WILL CONNECT PHASE I VIA A DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY ALONGSIDE THE KWUN TONG TYPHOON SHELTER SEAWALL TO KAI FUK ROAD AT KOWLOON BAY.
PHASE III WILL CONTINUE THE ROUTE WITH A DUAL TWO-LANE ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAY ALONG KAI FUK ROAD AND WANG CHIN STREET AND THEN ALONGSIDE THE AIRPORT PERIMETER TO CONNECT WITH TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACHES AT PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE.
- - 0---------
TONNOCHY ROAD FOOTBRIDGE EXTENSION PROPOSED
******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RECONSTRUCT THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE AT THE JUNCTION OF GLOUCESTER ROAD AND TONNOCHY ROAD.
THE PROPOSED NEW FOOTBRIDGE WILL INCLUDE A COVER AND ADDITIONAL SPANS ACROSS THE GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND SERVICE ROAD AND TONNOCHY ROAD TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT AT THE ROAD JUNCTION.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* HONG KONG WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
» WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 2 O’BRIEN ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 7, 1991.
-----0-----------
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC
*****
THE GARDENS OF THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAY, MARCH 10, FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN BLOOM.
THE OPEN DAY HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1968.
/PEOPLE WISHING .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
27 -
PEOPLE WISHING TO VISIT THE GARDENS OF THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE AND LEAVE BY THE SIDE GATES SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY THE FLOWERS WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.
THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT ONLY THE GARDENS WILL BE OPEN AND THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER THE HOUSE ITSELF.
SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.
--------0-----------
CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE SECTION MOVES TO MONG KOK »♦*♦♦♦
THE CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS MOVED TO THE MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN LUEN WAN STREET.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND STUDENTS WISHING TO OBTAIN COUNSELLING, ADVICE ON OVERSEAS EDUCATION AND CAREERS SHOULD NOW CALL AT THE NEW MONG KOK OFFICE AND NOT AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE NEW ADDRESS IS MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK.
THE ENQUIRIES TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE 398 8131 AND 399 2184.
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FUND DONATION FOR BEST ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDENT-TEACHERS ♦ *♦♦♦♦
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, TODAY (FRIDAY) ACCEPTED A DONATION OF $800,000 FROM SINO GROUP TO FUND FOUR ANNUAL PRIZES FOR THE BEST ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDENT-TEACHERS.
PRESENTING THE CHEQUE WAS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SINO GROUP, MR ROBERT NG.
THE PRIZES, EACH VALUED AT $10,000, ARE AIMED AT MOTIVATING STUDENT-TEACHERS MAJORING IN ENGLISH AND HELPING TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS HIGHER STANDARDS OF ENGLISH IN THE TERRITORY.
WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED FROM THE FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS IN EACH OF THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION -- NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
/THE DONATION .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
THE DONATION HAD BEEN MADE TO THE HONG KONG LANGUAGE CAMPAIGN, WHICH INCLUDES SOME OF HONG KONG’S LARGEST COMPANIES AND AIMS TO HEIGHTEN PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH.
"IF HONG KONG IS TO RETAIN ITS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS, WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT STANDARDS OF ENGLISH NEED TO BE IMPROVED," MR NG SAID, WHEN PRESENTING THE CHEQUE.
HE ADDED THAT HE HOPED OTHER COMPANIES WILL CONSIDER SPONSORING SIMILAR SCHEMES.
THE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING THE BEST ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDENT-TEACHERS FROM THE FOUR COLLEGES WILL BE SET BY A COMMITTEE WHICH WILL WORK TOWARDS GIVING THE FIRST PRIZES AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE.
THE PRIZES WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY WHICH ALREADY HANDLES A NUMBER OF EXISTING SCHOLARSHIPS AND MERIT AWARDS, r
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG LANGUAGE CAMPAIGN COMPRISE HONGKONGBANK, HONG KONG TELECOM, HUTCHISON WHAMPOA, THE SWIRE GROUP, SHELL HONG KONG, THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRUST AND INVESTMENT CORP HONG KONG (HOLDINGS) AND YAOHAN INTERNATIONAL.
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UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
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THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT MAIN ROOF OF NOS. 164, 164A AND 166 TUNG LO WAN ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, SO THAT THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 8 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 8,
1991
29
GSD FAMILY DAY FOR 1,800 CHILDREN *****
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A FAMILY DAY FOR MORE THAN 1,800 CHILDREN OF ITS STAFF ON SUNDAY (MARCH 10) AFTERNOON, IN THE COMPOUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT 12 OIL STREET, NORTH POINT.
THE EVENT WILL START OFF WITH THE DOTTING OF A LION’S EYES BY THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR C.L. LAM, AROUND 1 PM, FOLLOWED BY A LION DANCE PERFORMED BY MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES.
OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE SIDE-SHOWS, GAME STALLS, A FIRE ENGINE DISPLAY, SINGING, A KARAOKE SESSION AND A CHINESE WORD PUZZLE COMPETITION. THERE WILL ALSO BE A POLICE DOG DEMONSTRATION, MAGIC AND ACROBATIC SHOWS AND A BEER DRINKING CONTEST.
MUSIC WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES BAND AND THE TAI TAM GIRLS’ PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND A LUCKY DRAW WILL BE HELD AT THE END OF THE DAY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT FAMILY DAY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MARCH 10) AFTERNOON IN THE COMPOUND OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT 12 OIL STREET, NORTH POINT. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 1 PM.
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’GLORY OF LIFE’ SINGING CONTEST ON SUNDAY * * *
TEN YOUNG SINGERS WILL BE COMPETING IN THE SINGING CONTEST ON SUNDAY (MARCH 10) IN THE GRAND HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
"GLORY OF LIFE"
THEATRE OF THE
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE JUNIOR POLICE CRIME MESSAGE AND TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT CALL TO SPREAD THE FIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTHY
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER FERRY, AND DISTRICT BOARD YIP WAH, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CONTEST WHICH WILL BEGIN
TANG, POLICE
CHAIRMAN, MR AT 7.45 PM.
/THE TOP .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
THE TOP THREE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES AND AN AUDITION WITH A RECORD COMPANY.
THE SINGING CONTEST IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL. PERFORMING AFTER THE CONTEST WILL BE POPULAR SINGERS MR ANTHONY LUN AND MISS CARMEN WONG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE "GLORY OF LIFE" SINGING CONTEST WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MARCH 10), BEGINNING AT 7.45 PM IN THE GRAND THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TS1M SHA TSUI.
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FUN DAY FOR TSING YI RESIDENTS
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A TSING YI FUN DAY TO PROMOTE LOCAL RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MARCH 10) AT THE TSING YI SPORTS ASSOCIATION PLAYGROUND.
ORGANISED BY THE TSING YI RURAL COMMITTEE, REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, THE EVENT IS ALSO AIMED AT ENHANCING THE RESIDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE HELD FROM 1.30 PM TO 5 PM, AND WILL FEATURE A VARIETY OF CHILDREN’S GAMES TELEMATCHES AND SINGING.
ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AT KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AND ITS SUB-OFFICES ON THE TSING YI ISLAND.
TICKETS WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE VENUE ON THAT DAY.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUN DAY WILL BE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK, MR CHAN TIN-SUNG; AND DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER (KWAI TSING), MR CHAN HON-LEUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FUN DAY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 10) AT THE TSING YI SPORTS ASSOCIATION PLAYGROUND NEAR TSING YI GARDEN.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
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FOUR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME IN UK
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FOUR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM NEXT WEEK FOR A SIX-WEEK ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
THEY ARE ACTING SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS MESSRS MA HING-YEUNG, LIU KIN-CHI, LEE CH I-KEUNG AND ACTING IMMIGRATION OFFICER MISS KU WAI-FUNG.
THEY WILL VISIT BRANCHES OF THE HOME OFFICE HANDLING IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY MATTERS AS WELL AS IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND PORTS.
AT A BRIEFING TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG, SAID IMMIGRATION WORK HAD BECOME MORE COMPLEX AND MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE WERE REQUIRED TO BE VIGILANT AND ALERT TOWARDS CHANGES THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PLACED GREAT IMPORTANCE ON GIVING ITS STAFF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
"I HOPE THE ATTACHMENT WOULD ENABLE THE OFFICERS TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON AND TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM,” MR LEUNG SAID.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
¥
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT COMMITTED TO FIGHT AGAINST ECONOMIC CRIME ......................... 1
DFCC PRAISED FOR PROMOTING FIGHT AGAINST CRIME ......................... 3
LADY YOUDE PRESENTS AWARDS TO 693 SCHOLARS ............................. 4
YOUTH SERVICES BE RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING REQUIREMENTS .................. 8
SOCIAL WORKERS TAKE LEAD TO HELP RE-INTEGRATE DISABLED PERSONS ......... 8
ELDERLY CAN HELP IN ROAD SAFETY ........................................ 9
1,108 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN FEBRUARY ........................... 9
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REVOKED .............................. 10
TENDERS INVITED FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS ......................... 10
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
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GOVT COMMITTED TO FIGHT AGAINST ECONOMIC CRIME
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO AN UNRELENTING FIGHT AGAINST ECONOMIC CRIME INCLUDING MONEY LAUNDERING AND WAS VERY WILLING TO PLAY A FULL PART IN ASSISTING OTHERS TO DO SO, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, MR JOHN WOOD, SAID IN SAN FRANCISCO ON FRIDAY.
MR WOOD SAID INVARIABLY LARGE FRAUDS WERE BOTH COMPLEX AND INTERNATIONAL IN NATURE AND THAT TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS OF TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION WERE STRAINED TO THE LIMIT WHERE TRANSACTIONS FREELY CROSSED NATIONAL BOUNDARIES.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, A RECENT ENGLISH COURT OF APPEAL DECISION HELD THAT THERE WAS NO JURISDICTION IN ENGLAND WHERE PROPERTY WAS STOLEN FROM A NEW YORK BANK ACCOUNT EVEN THOUGH THE TELEX INSTRUCTION CAME FROM ENGLAND.
"SO CONCERNED HAVE THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES BECOME THAT THE LAW COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT JURISDICTION SHOULD BE MATERIALLY WIDENED IN RELATION TO CASES OF FRAUD.
"THE LEGAL POLICY DIVISION IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE IN HONG KONG IS CONSIDERING WHETHER WE SHOULD GO DOWN THE SAME ROAD," MR WOOD SAID.
MR WOOD WAS SPEAKING AT A GATHERING OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ON THE SUBJECT OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME IN HONG KONG. HE WAS INVITED BY THE ASSOCIATION TO ADDRESS THE FUNCTION AS A GUEST SPEAKER.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD ADOPTED A TASK FORCE SYSTEM TO INVESTIGATE FRAUDS.
"LAWYERS ARE NOW INVOLVED AT A FAR EARLY STAGE OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO ECONOMIC CRIME THAN IN RELATION TO VARIOUS OTHER TYPES OF CRIME AND TASK FORCES CONSISTING OF LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS AND POLICE MEET SOON AFTER A LARGE FRAUD IS SUSPECTED AND DECIDE THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD TAKE AND MONITOR THE RESULTS ON AN ON-GOING BASIS.
"SUCH INFORMAL MEETINGS ARE EASILY ACHIEVED IN A SMALL CENTRALISED PLACE LIKE HONG KONG," MR WOOD SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEMS AND IMPACT OF ECONOMIC CRIME HAD RESULTED IN MORE MATTERS BEING REPORTED AND THAT THE STANDARD OF AUDITING HAD IMPROVED WITH FAR MORE QUALIFIED REPORTS BEING GIVEN TO COMPANY ACCOUNTS THAN IN THE PAST.
"LEGISLATIVE CHANGES OF SIGNIFICANCE IN HONG KONG INCLUDE THE CREATION OF PROCEDURAL RULES TO ENABLE EVIDENCE TO BE OBTAINED FROM OVERSEAS FOR USE IN HONG KONG COURTS.
"THESE NEW PROCEDURES HAVE ALREADY PROVED TO BE OF IMMENSE PRACTICAL VALUE AS HAS BEEN THE SIMPLIFICATION OF PROOF OF BANKERS’ REPORTS."
/MR WOOD
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
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MR WOOD NOTED THAT THE COURTS OF HONG KONG HAD SUPPORTED THE DRIVE AGAINST ECONOMIC CRIME IN HANDING DOWN SEVERE SENTENCES TO PERSONS INVOLVED IN LARGE-SCALE FRAUD OR CORRUPTION.
"HOWEVER, THE PROBLEMS OF THESE COMPLEX PROSECUTIONS ARE VAST AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES ARE CONSTANTLY STRIVING TO IMPROVE THEIR ARMOURY.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP ONE STEP AHEAD OF THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO SEEK TO ACHIEVE THEIR FORTUNES ILLEGALLY AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS. THEY ARE NOT INERT. AS THE LEVEL OF PREVENTIVE AND DETECTIVE MEASURES BECOME MORE SOPHISTICATED SO WILL THE CRIMINALS," MR WOOD SAID.
HE SAID THE SERIES OF HIGH-LEVEL PROSECUTIONS INVOLVING TARGETS FROM THE POLICE, THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION IN 1974 HAD EXPRESSED THE DETERMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO CLAMP DOWN ON WHITE COLLAR CRIME.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS INVOLVED IN A CONTINUING PROCESS OF SETTING HIGHER STANDARDS.
"THE ROLE IS LARGELY EDUCATIONAL SO THAT THE PUBLIC APPRECIATES NEW STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR AS REGARDS GIFT-GIVING COMMISSIONS AND BRIBES.
"IT IS INTERESTING THAT THE RULES AS TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS BY CIVIL SERVANTS ARE AS STRICT AS ANYWHERE IN THE REST OF THE WORLD.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE VALUES ARE INSTILLED IN THE YOUNG AS THEY ARE PERHAPS MORE APPROACHABLE AND LESS SET IN THEIR WAYS THAN SOME OF THEIR ELDERS," MR WOOD SAID.
HE SAID CRIMINALS MUST NOT BE ABLE TO USE NATIONAL BOUNDARIES AND TRADITIONAL VIEWS OF JURISDICTION AS SHIELDS AGAINST INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF CRIME.
"WITHOUT EFFECTIVE LAWS AND MEANS OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES, BOTH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL, CRIMINALS ARE ABLE TO PLAN AND EXECUTE THEIR CRIMES MORE QUICKLY THAN ANY ONE COUNTRY’S LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES.”
HE SAID MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATIES BETWEEN COUNTRIES WERE REGARDED AS NECESSARY TOOLS FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL WHITE COLLAR CRIME.
"THE BENEFIT OF SUCH TREATIES IS THAT THEY CREATE CENTRAL AUTHORITIES FOR SUCH PARTY WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING AND OVERSEEING THE EXECUTION OF REQUESTS. THIS REMOVES THE TIME-CONSUMING AND UNNECESSARY USE OF DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS AND REQUESTS FOR EVIDENCE CAN BE MADE AT THE INVESTIGATORY STAGE RATHER THAN ONLY AFTER FORMAL CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED."
HE SAID THE UNITED STATES HAD A NUMBER OF MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATIES.
/"PRESENTLY WE
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
"PRESENTLY WE ARE LOOK TNG AT THE PROSPECT OF HONG KONG ENTERING INTO MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATIES AND ENACTING THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION TO BRING THEM INTO EFFECT.
"WE ARE LOOKING AT OPTIONS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT HONG KONG WILL NOT BE A HAVEN FOR CRIMINALS BECAUSE OF ITS INABILITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OTHER COUNTRIES.
"IN COMMON WITH OUR OTHER INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT ANY TREATIES WE ENTER INTO ARE IN SUCH A FORM THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE THROUGH THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997," MR WOOD SAID.
HE SAID: "WE ARE COMFORTED BY THE EXCELLENCE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BUILT UP OVER THE YEARS WITH COLLEAGUES IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND ESPECIALLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE READINESS OF THE HELP GIVEN TO US WHICH WE ARE ALWAYS ANXIOUS TO RECIPROCATE.
"IT IS ONLY BY RECOGNISING THAT IN THESE DAYS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IS VITAL AND THAT IF THOSE WHOSE GREED LEADS THEM TO FRAUD ARE SPEEDILY AND EFFICIENTLY INVESTIGATED, PROSECUTED AND CONVICTED THEN WE SHALL ALL PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS."
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DFCC PRAISED FOR PROMOTING FIGHT AGAINST CRIME
*****
THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AT KOWLOON PARK, MR ASPREY SAID THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), WHICH ORGANISED THE CARNIVAL, HAD BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN ORGANISING ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO PREVENT AND REPORT CRIME.
AS TO THE OVERALL CRIME PICTURE, HE SAID THE OVERALL CRIME PER 100,000 POPULATION HAD INCREASED BY OVER SEVEN PER CENT LAST YEAR.
"THIS IS OF COURSE A MATTER OF GREAT PUBLIC CONCERN. THE POLICE ARE RESPONDING VIGOROUSLY WITH STEPPED-UP ANTI-CRIME OPERATIONS, AND WF. HAVE ALSO LAUNCHED A SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE TO INCREASF PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE MEANS OF COMBATTING CRIME," HE SAID.
THOSE EFFORTS WERE YIELDING RESULTS, HE STRESSED, AND THERE WERE ENCOURAGING SIGNS THAT THE CRIME RATE AS WELL AS THE TREND OF VIOLENT CRIME HAD BEGUN TO DROP SINCE THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.
BUT IT IS NO CAUSE FOR COMPLACENCY, HE STRESSED.
/"WE SHALL
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
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"WE SHALL ALL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK HARD IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED IN SUSTAINING THIS INITIAL SUCCESS,
"WITH THE ADVICE AND HELP RENDERED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF NEW LEGISLATIVE MEASURES LAST YEAR TO ASSIST IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT FURTHER MEASURES WERE IN THE PIPELINE WITH A MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO GIVE THE AUTHORITIES ADDITIONAL POWERS TO ATTACK ORGANISED CRIME TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION THIS SUMMER.
"WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT THE DETAILS OF A PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE FOR A STATUTORY POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION SCHEME FOR ADULT OFFENDERS.”
MR ASPREY CALLED FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT IN CURBING CRIME AS CRIME FIGHTING IS NOT JUST A GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY.
"THE COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT," HE SAID.
OTHER GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY WERE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER FERRY AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH.
THE CARNIVAL, SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND URBAN COUNCIL, FEATURED POLICE RAND PERFORMANCES, A VARIETY SHOW AND EXHIBITIONS OF SECURITY DEVICES AGAINST CAR THEFT AND HOME BURGLARY.
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LADY YOUDE PRESENTS AWARDS TO 69.3 SCHOLARS t * * * »
LADY PAMELA YOUDE TODAY (SATURDAY) PRESENTED AWARDS TO 693 STUDENTS WHO WERE GRANTED SCHOLARSHIPS BY THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND.
LADY YOUDE, WHO HAD ARRIVED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO OFFICIATE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, SAID: "HONG KONG’S PROGRESS INTO THE NINETTES AND BEYOND WILL BE DEPENDENT ON ITS YOUNG PEOPLE.
"IN ENCOURAGING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND OFFERS THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY A KEY PART IN GUIDING HONG KONG TOWARDS A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE."
THE TOTAL WORTH OF THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL AWARDS FOR THE 1990-91 ACADEMIC YEAR WAS $.3.7 MILLION.
THIS INCLUDED THE AWARDS OF 567 PRIZES FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, 69 SCHOLARSHIPS AND .34 FELLOWSHIPS FOR TERTIARY AND POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS, 13 AWARDS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES, SEVEN AWARDS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS AND FOUR MEDALS FOR STUDENTS WHO OBTAINED OUTSTANDING RESULTS IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
/ACCORDING TO........
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
5
ACCORDING TO THE FUND’S COUNCIL CHAIRMAN MR STEPHEN CHEONG, THE COMPETITION FOR THE THIRTEEN OVERSEAS AWARDS HAS BEEN VERY KEEN.
MR CHEONG SAID THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WERE CHOSEN FROM OVER 300 APPLICANTS AFTER TWO VIGOROUS SELECTION INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL INCLUDING LADY YOUDE, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, PROFESSOR LEUNG WAI-SUN, PROFESSOR BENJAMIN T’SOU, DR LUI MING-WAH AND MR ANTHONY KAN.
EACH FELLOW WILL RECEIVE $160,000 PER YEAR AND EACH SCHOLAR $145,000 PER YEAR. THEY ARE ALL REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
THE AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR THE FIVE OVERSEAS FELLOWSHIP ARE
MISS MABEL WONG CHIU-YU, 25. SHE GRADUATED FROM THE IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INTENDS TO READ A TWO-YEAR MASTER DEGREE COURSE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, CANADA.
MISS SHANDY LIU, 22. SHE IS CURRENTLY A POSTGRADUATE LAW STUDENT AT HKU AND INTENDS TO PURSUE A MASTER DEGREE IN LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.
MR LEUNG YING-KEUNG, 21. HE IS AN ENGINEERING STUDENT AT THE HKU AND PLANS TO STUDY A MASTER DEGREE COURSE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY, USA.
MR VIN CHU YIU-KONG, 28. HE OBTAINED A MASTER DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS AND IS CURRENTLY STUDYING FOR A MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE INTENDS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN CRIMINOLOGY AT CAMBRIDGE.
MISS CARRIE LIN KA-YUK, 25. SHE OBTAINED A FIRST CLASS HONOURS IN MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND A MASTER DEGREE IN OPERATIONS RESEARCH FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT). SHE PLANS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN MATHEMATICAL MODELLING IN THE UK.
THE EIGHT OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE : -
MR LI HO-SUN, 18, SHANGHAI-BORN, IS A QUEEN’S COLLEGE STUDENT.
HE OBTAINED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE). HE PLANS TO PURSUE A BACHELOR DEGREE IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY, USA, AND ASPIRES TO BECOME A PSYCHOLOGIST.
MISS TANG YAN-YAN, 18, OF ST. PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE WHO GOT NINE DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE. SHE PLANS TO STUDY EITHER LAW AT BRISTOL, UK OR ENGINEERING AT MIT.
MISS REBECCA CHEONG, 18, OF ST. MARY’S CANOSSIAN COLLEGE WHO SCORED NINE I) ISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE. SHE INTENDS TO STUDY COMPUTER ENGINEERING AT MIT.
/MR SAMUEL .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
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MR SAMUEL LIU, 18, ALSO EROM ST. PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE. HE OBTAINED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE. HE PLANS TO BECOME AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AFTER HIS STUDY IN MIT.
MR THOMAS TOMMY CHUNG, 18, OF THE PERSE SCHOOL IN ENGLAND. HE GOT NINE DISTINCTIONS AND TWO CREDITS IN THE GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION. HE WILL STUDY ARCHITECTURE AT CAMBRIDGE.
MR LAU WAI, 17, IS ANOTHER QUEEN’S COLLEGE STUDENT WHO SCORED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE. HE HOPES TO BECOME AN ELECTRONIC ENGINEER AFTER HIS STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY, USA.
MR CHAN WOON-CHUNG, 18, IS A QUEEN’S COLLEGE STUDENT WITH NINE DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE. HE INTENDS TO STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE AT MIT.
MISS CHAN JO-FEI, 19, THE FORMER HEAD PREFECT OF ST. MARY CANOSSIAN’S COLLEGE. SHE OBTAINED FIVE DISTINCTIONS AND TWO CREDITS IN HKCEE. SHE HOPES TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TOURIST/HOTEL INDUSTRY AFTER HER STUDY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY, USA.
"THEY ARE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A STRONG COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG," MR CHEONG SAID.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT, WHEN THEY RETURN FROM THEIR OVERSEAS STUDIES, THEY WILL BECOME LEADERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS AND OF OUR COMMUNITY."
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND ALSO AWARDED MEDALS AND SCHOLARSHIPS OF $2,000 EACH TO FOUR STUDENTS WHO EXCELLED IN 1990 PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS. THEY ARE -
MR CHAN TUNG OF WAH YAN COLLEGE. HE SCORED lOA’S IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION.
MR LAM CHEUK-HUNG OF HEUNG TO MIDDLE SCHOOL. HE SCORED 5A’S IN THE HONG KONG HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION.
MISS CHUNG SZE-MAN OF KING’S COLLEGE. SHE SCORED 5A’S IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION (SCIENCE STREAM).
MISS YEUNG PUI-SZE OF BEL1LIOS PUBLIC SCHOOL. SHE SCORED 4A’S IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION (ARTS STREAM).
SEVEN DISABLED STUDENTS FROM THE FIVE LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WERE ALSO AWARDED GRANTS AMOUNTING TO $158,100 FOR THE PURCHASE OF TECHNICAL AIDS FOR THEIR PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
THEY ARE MR LAW KWAN-HO OF HKU, MISS CHOU WAI-YI AND MR POON KWOK-LEUNG OF CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (CUHK), MR LEUNG TZE-MAN OF HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC (HKP), MR 1.0 WAI-KEUNG AND MR WONG SUNG-KEUNG OF CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG (CPHK) AND MR LI KWONG-TAT OF HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (HKBC).
UNDER. THE LOCAL FELLOWSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME, 34 POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS WERE AWARDED FELLOWSHIP WORTH $25,000 EACH.
/AMONGEST THEM.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
AMONGST THEM, 16 ARE FROM HKU; 10 FROM CUHK; FOUR FROM HKP; THREE FROM CPHK AND ONE FROM HKBC.
69 UNDERGRADUATE AND DIPLOMA STUDENTS WERE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP WORTH $10,000 EACH.
OF THESE, 3.3 STUDENTS ARE FROM HKU, CUHK AND HKP (EACH WITH 11 STUDENTS); NINE FROM CPHK; SIX FROM HKBC; FIVE FROM SHUE YAN COLLEGE, THREE EACH FROM LI NGNAN COLLEGE, GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION; FIVE FROM NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND TWO FROM HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
BESIDES, 567 SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVED SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL PRIZES AMOUNTING TO $226,800.
THEY WERE ALL NOMINATED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PRINCIPALS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN BOTH STUDIES AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL.
"IT IS PLEASING TO SEE THAT MORE AND MORE STUDENTS FROM OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE BENEFITTED FROM OUR SCHEMES," MR CHEONG SAID.
"THE NUMBER AND THE VALUE OF AWARDS WILL BE FURTHER INCREASED IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR WHEN WE EXPECT THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON THE AWARDS WILL RISE TO SOME $6 MILLION," HE ADDED
"WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IN ENCOURAGING ACADEMIC PURSUITS AMONG OUR YOUNGER GENERATION, WE SHALL BE BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR OUR SOCIETY, FOR IT IS THEM WHO WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN A PROSPEROUS AND STABLE FUTURE HONG KONG."
ACCORDING TO SIR QUO-WE I LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE FUND’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE FUND’S PORTFOLIO HAS INCREASED TO $107.8 MILLION, WHICH IS 28.9 PER CENT MORE THAN THE $83.65 MILLION RECEIVED FROM DONATIONS.
WHILST THE FUND'S INCOME HAS GROWN, ITS EXPENDITURE ON AWARDS HAS ALSO INCREASED.
"THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT THE FUND’S RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WILL CONTINUE TO RISE AS THE VARIOUS SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES ARE EXTENDED IN STEP WITH THE EXPANSION OF HONG KONG’S TERTIARY EDUCATION.
"TO ENABLE THE FUND TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND RESEARCH GRANTS, THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY IS VITAL."
THE FUND WELCOMES FURTHER DONATIONS TO ALL BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG BANK AND THE HANG SENG HANK, OR TO THE TRUST FUNDS SECTION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
- - 0 - -
/8 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
YOUTH SERVICES BE RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING REQUIREMENTS ♦ ♦ * * *
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SERVICES FOR YOUTH SHOULD BE RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A YOUTH COUNSELLING CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS OF TAI HANG TUNG ESTATE, SHAM SHUI PO, MR ('ARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS PARTICULARLY THE CASE IN AN ERA OF RAPID SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CHANGE.
FOR THOSE WHO WERE CONFRONTED WITH PROBLEMS, YOUTH COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE WOULD BE NECESSARY, HE STRESSED.
’’YOUTH IS OFTEN REGARDED AS A TRAUMATIC PHASE OF LIFE DURING WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE NOT ONLY HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH RAPID SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES, BUT THEY ALSO UNDERGO UNFAMILIAR PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES,” HE ADDED.
IT WAS TO THEM THAT A CENTRE, SUCH AS THE ONE OPENED TODAY, COULD OFFER HOPE AND ASSISTANCE TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE IN FUTURE, HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1960, HAD BEEN ONE OF THE MAIN PROVIDERS OF YOUTH SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY.
”1 AM SURE THE ORGANISATION WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO PROVIDE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-FULFILMENT AND FOR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY,” MR (’ARTLAND SAID.
- - 0 - -
SOCIAL WORKERS TAKE LEAD TO HELP RE-INTEGRATE DISABLED PERSONS
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, TODAY (SATURDAY) APPEALED TO WORKERS OF SOCIAL WELFARE ESTABLISHMENTS TO TAKE THE LEAD TO HELP THE RE-INTEGRATI ON OF DISABLED PEOPLE INTO THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE!) BODY ASSOCIATION AT CITY ONE SHA TIN, MRS GOODSTADT POINTED OUT THAT THE RE-INTEGRATION OF THE DISABLED PEOPLE INTO THE COMMUNITY WAS THE PRIME OBJECTIVE OF THE SOCIETY.
"TO ACHIEVE THE AIM, WELFARE ESTABLISHMENTS SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD TO HELP THE DISABLED,” SHE SAID.
/IN DOING
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
- 9 -
IN DOING SO, SHE POINTED OUT THAT WORKERS FROM THE ESTABLISHMENTS SHOULD ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE THEIR MEMBERS TO ACCEPT THE DISABLED AS THEIR PARTNERS.
"TO TRUST THE ABILITY OF THE DISABLED IS A GREAT STEP TOWARDS HELPING THEM TO RE-INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY EXTENSIVELY," SHE NOTED.
MRS GOODSTADT ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR SETTING UP THE CENTRE TO COPE WITH THE NEEDS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DISABLED.
---------------0-------- ELDERLY CAN HELP IN ROAD SAFETY * * * * *
THE NEW TERRITORIES ELDERLY ROAD SAFETY PATROLS FOSTER A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AMONG THE ELDERLY WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELP TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
TAKING THE SALUTE AT THE ELDERLY ROAD SAFETY PATROLS IN YUEN LONG TOWN HALL THIS MORNING, MR HSU SAID WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION AND RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, IT WAS HOPED THAT ELDERLY PEOPLE, AFTER SOME TRAINING, COULD CONTRIBUTE TO ROAD SAFETY IN THE RURAL AREA.
MEMBERS OF THE ELDERLY ROAD SAFETY PATROLS, AGED FROM 60 TO OVER 80, COME FROM VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SUCH AS SHA TIN, NORTH DISTRICT, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
-----0------------
1,108 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN FEBRUARY
******
A TOTAL OF 1,583 CASUALTIES WAS REPORTED IN 1,108 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST MONTH.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT 271 OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 603 IN KOWLOON AND 234 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY SHOWED THAT 23 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, 279 PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 1,281 SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 1.7 PER CENT WHILE THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES INCREASED BY 3.1 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
/10........
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1991
- 10 -
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REVOKED *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF HANG LUNG (FINANCE) COMPANY LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MARCH 9, 1991 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
------0--------
TENDERS INVITED FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DOWNSTREAM CULVERT AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE KAI TAK NULLAH.
THE WORKS, PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME, WILL COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 200-METRE LONG TWIN CELL BOX CULVERT ALONG THE DRAINAGE RESERVE EAST OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD; THE LAYING OF A RELIEF SEWER OF 1.8 METRE IN DIAMETER ACROSS THE JUNCTION OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND CHOI HUNG ROAD; AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS WITHIN THE KAI TAK NULLAH IN THE DIAMOND HILL AND WONG TAI SIN AREA OF EAST KOWLOON.
THE CULVERT WILL CARRY TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT AND STORM DRAINAGE FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AREA, VIA AN EXISTING BOX CULVERT, AND DISCHARGE INTO THE KAI TAK NULLAH.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO START LN MAY AND TAKES ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE .......................................... 1
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 ............................................................ 2
HONG KONG MOVES TOWARDS BEING THE GREATEST SERVICE CENTRE IN ASIA....... 6
DB VOTER TURNOUT LAYS FOUNDATION FOR FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS ................ 8
CONSULTANCY STUDY ON RECYCLING OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS ............................................................... 9
GOVT TO RESUME SEVEN PRIVATE STREETS ..................................... 10
FIVE GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ....................................... 11
HEAVIER FINES FOR LABOUR OFFENCES ........................................ 12
FUND APPLICATIONS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PROJECTS INVITED .............. 13
BEWARE OF IMPOSTORS ...................................................... 13
STUDENT WINNERS TO GIVE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES .............................. 14
HUNDREDS TOOK PART IN CROSS COUNTRY RACE ................................. 15
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE ******
' FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE,
WHICH IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 HOURS TOMORROW (MONDAY, MARCH 11):
"EACH YEAR, THE COMMONWEALTH DAY CELEBRATIONS DRAW ATTENTION TO THE MULTI-NATION, MULTI-RACE AND MULTI-FAITH NATURE OF THIS UNIQUE ORGANISATION. BUT WE SHOULD ALSO BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO MAKE PRACTICAL USE OF THESE ADVANTAGES. I THEREFORE WELCOME THE IDEA THAT THIS YEAR THE THEME OF THE CELEBRATIONS SHOULD BE ’SCIENCE IN THE COMMONWEALTH’.
"THE LAWS OF NATURE, WHICH HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED BY SCIENTISTS OF ALL NATIONS, ARE VALID EVERYWHERE ON EARTH. THEY ARE NOT AFFECTED BY POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR RACIAL DIFFERENCES. SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES AFFECT ALL OUR LIVES AND THEY ALREADY HAVE AN IMPORTANT INFLUENCE ON THE NATURAL WORLD.
"BUT WITH SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS, AS WE CLIMB ONE HILL ANOTHER HAS A WAY OF COMING INTO VIEW. FOR EXAMPLE, MEDICAL SCIENCE HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE CHILDREN TO SURVIVE AND FOR MORE ADULTS TO LIVE Healthier and longer lives, this is the positive achievement but it HAS ALSO RESULTED IN AN ALARMING GROWTH IN THE WORLD’S HUMAN POPULATION. AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO PRODUCE MORE FOOD, AND INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE HAS BROUGHT A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING TO MANY PEOPLE. BUT THE PROCESSES OF AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ARE USING UP MORE AND MORE OF THE WORLD’S LIMITED NATURAL RESOURCES. WE ARE NOW LOOKING FOR WAYS OF USING SCIENCE TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND NOT DESTROY IT. IF WE SUCCEED, WE CAN BE SURE THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER HILL TO CLIMB.
"SCIENCE THEREFORE POSES A SERIOUS DILEMMA. IN ITSELF, IT IS NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD; THE PROBLEMS ARE ONLY CREATED BY THE WAY IT IS USED. THE CHALLENGE TO SCIENTISTS TODAY IS TO BRING BENEFITS OF SCIENCE TO THE LESS PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES WHILST AT THE SAME TIME SAFEGUARDING THE NATURAL WORLD. TO DO THIS SUCCESSFULLY OUR SCIENTISTS WILL NEED UNDERSTANDING AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE.
"THE COMMONWEALTH, WITH ITS MANY WELL TRIED CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION, IS UNIQUELY PLACED NOT ONLY TO ENABLE MEMBER COUNTRIES TO KEEP ABREAST OF SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES, BUT ALSO TO HELP THEM BENEFIT FROM THEIR PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS. I BELIEVE THAT THE COMMONWEALTH TRADITION OF QUIET CO-OPERATION AND ITS ADVANTAGE OF COMMON LANGUAGE CAN MAKE A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SCIENCE WHEREVER IT IS MOST NEEDED FOR THE SAKE OF HUMAN WELFARE AS WELL AS FOR THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF OUR PLANET."
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/2
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
- 2 -
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 ******
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 1% IN THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 16%, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 9% IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 11% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 2%.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 1990 WITH DECEMBER 1989, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED A LITTLE INCREASE OF LESS THAN 0.5%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 21%.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 12%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 21%. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 3%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-30%); FOOTWEAR (-24%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-22%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-17%); METAL MANUFACTURES (-16%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-12%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-9%); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-4%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+18%); AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+12%).
/THE PRICES .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
3 -
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989. THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+6%); FOOTWEAR (+3%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+3%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+3%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+2%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+2%); CLOTHING (+2%); AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+1%). HOWEVER, DECREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WAS RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-4%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 6% IN VOLUME TERMS IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR; AND RICE.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 18%. INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR FOOTWEAR; TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; AND RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 9% IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989. INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; FABRICS OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; AND PAPER AND PAPERBOARD.
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; RAW COTTON; AND YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 3% IN VOLUME TERMS IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 8% IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989.
INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN OFFICE MACHINES; TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEXTILE MACHINERY; AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY (OTHER THAN TEXTILE MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY).
COMPARING 1990 WITH 1989, THE IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: FUELS (+21%); CONSUMER GOODS (+4%); CAPITAL GOODS (+3%); AND FOODSTUFFS (+3%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 1%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
/THE RE-EXPORT ......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
4
THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME Ob' CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 27% IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989. THOSE OF CAPITAL GOODS; AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 13% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FUELS AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 17% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989: FUELS (+10%); CONSUMER GOODS (+4%); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+3%); CAPITAL GOODS (+2%); AND FOODSTUFFS (+1%).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE DECEMBER 1990 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND MARCH 12 AT HK$3 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION OF THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 823 4918) .
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING WITH DEC DEC 1990 1989 COMPARING JAN-DEC WITH JAN-DEC 1990 1989
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
CLOTHING * 1 -1 ♦ 2 -1
TEXTILE FABRICS -8 3 -11 2 3 »
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 4 2 2 -6 3 -9
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -22 -2 -21 -12 * -12
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -26 6 -30 -29 2 -30
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 4 -4 8 18 * 18
FOOTWEAR -32 3 -34 -22 3 -24
METAL MANUFACTURES -11 5 -16 -12 6 -16
/METAL ORES .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
J'NO AY’. f*
5
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 9 -2 10 -8 -4 -4
WATCHES and clocks 24 3 20 12 ♦ 12
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -17 t -17 -15 2 -17
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 3 ♦ 3 -21 1 -22
ALL COMMODITIES 1 1 » 1 1 -1
♦ LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END -USE CATEGORY
COMPARING W 1 TH DEC DEC 1990 1989 COMPARING JAN- WITH JAN- DEC 1990 DEC 1989
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 13 4 9 9 3 6
CONSUMER GOODS 29 4 24 23 4 18
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 19 ♦ 19 R -1 9
FUELS 48 3 7 8 16 21 -3
CAPITAL GOODS 35 5 28 1 2 3 8
ALL COMMODITIES 25 3 21 1 4 2 1 1
—————————
t LESS THAN 0.5%
/TABLE 3: .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
- 6 -
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
• COMPARING WITH DEC 1990 DEC 19R9 COMPARING JAN-DEC WITH JAN-DEC 1990 1989
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 2 3 -1 * 1 -1
CONSUMER GOODS 36 3 32 32 4 27
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES I2 1 10 6 3 4
FUELS -62 49 -75 -9 10 -17
CAPITAL GOODS 25 1 24 15 2 13
ALL COMMODITIES 24 2 21 20 3 16
* LESS THAN 0.5% ----------------------------0--------
HONG KONG MOVES TOWARDS BEING THE GREATEST SERVICE CENTRE IN ASIA
******
HONG KONG HAS TO PLAN AHEAD INTO THE NEXT CENTURY TO BE THE MOST EFFICIENT POSSIBLE INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE REGION WHICH NO ONE COULD SUBSTITUTE FOR IT, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARBITRATORS (HONG KONG BRANCH) AT ITS ANNUAL DINNER, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT IF ONE SAW IT IN THIS LIGHT CLEARLY, THE PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECTS ALL BECAME CRITICAL.
CHINA ITSELF, HE SAID, IS MODERNISING STEP BY STEP AND THE PEOPLE WHO GO THERE AND TRADE WITH IT NEED GREATLY IMPROVED TRANSPORT AND SHIPPING FACILITIES.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE IN A POSITION IN WHICH ALMOST ANY OF OUR FUNCTIONS CAN OVER TIME BE SUBSTITUTED BY OTHERS EITHER IN CHINA OR ELSEWHERE.
/"THERE IS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
"THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT FOR INSTANCE THAT THE SHENZHEN ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITIES WOULD LIKE TO ATTRACT BOTH PORT AND AIRPORT BUSINESS FROM HONG KONG, AND SINGAPORE HAS ALWAYS COMPETED FOR SERVICE BUSINESS AND FOR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND ALWAYS WILL DO SO.
"SO WE HAVE TO ACT WITH VIGOR."
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE CHANGES OF THE NEXT 10 YEARS WOULD NOT BE JUST LIKE THOSE IN THE PREVIOUS 10 AS HE DOUBTED WHETHER HONG KONG COULD COUNT ON A STEADY UPWARD CLIMB IN THE ECONOMY AND A CONTINUED PROFITABLE SWING FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICE INDUSTRIES.
HE PREDICTED THAT ONE OF THE MOST INEVITABLE CHANGES IS LIKELY TO BE A MUCH MORE CONSCIOUS AND MUCH MORE DELIBERATE INTEGRATION OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WITH THE GUANGDONG ECONOMY AND A GREATER MEASURE OF CO-OPERATION IN PLANNING THAN EXISTS NOW.
"IT IS IN OUR INTERESTS THAT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TO AND FROM GUANGDONG AND GUANGDONG’S COMMUNICATIONS WITH HONG KONG SHOULD BE AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
IN THIS RESPECT, MR BARNES DESCRIBED THE PROPOSALS BY MR GORDON WU TO BUILD A SPINE ROAD FROM GUANGZHOU TO SHENZHEN AS "ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL" ADDING THAT HIS OTHER IDEAS FOR A BRIDGE, CAUSEWAY AND TUNNEL ACROSS THE PEARL RIVER MOUTH FROM ZHUHAI AND MACAU AND THE SOUTH OF GUANGDONG TO TUEN MUN COULD ALSO INCREASE THE VIABILITY OF HONG KONG IN THE LONG TERM.
FURTHERMORE, THE ECONOMICS OF CLOSER CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA ARE AND WILL CONTINUE TO ACT IN FAVOUR OF THE WEST AND NORTH-WEST OF THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING TUEN MUN AND TIN SHUT WAI.
THIS TREND IS REFLECTED IN THE INCREASED REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY AND IN AREAS, BOTH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL, TO CATER FOR AMONGST OTHER THINGS CONTAINER STORES MID WAY BETWEEN THE FACTORIES IN CHINA AND THE PORT IN KWAI CHUNG.
ON CHANGES NEEDED FOR THE URBAN AREAS, MR BARNES SAID THE RESIDUE OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY NOW HOUSED IN OLD FASHIONED BUILDINGS, WOULD MIGRATE FROM HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON NORTHWARDS EITHER TO CHINA OR TO THE NORTHERN PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ACCESSIBLE FROM CHINA DURING THE NEXT DECADE.
"AND THIS MIGRATION OF INDUSTRY IS ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE URBAN AREAS -ANOTHER GREAT NEED AS WE MOVE TOWARDS BEING THE GREATEST SERVICE CENTRE IN ASIA.
"EVEN NOW BOTH FANLING AND YUEN LONG ARE QUITE POPULAR FOR INDUSTRY AS THE INDUSTRIAL LAND IS GENERALLY LOW DENSITY AND A FACTORY OWNER MAY BE ABLE TO AFFORD A SITE TO DEVELOP HIS OWN FACTORY THERE WITH ALL THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS NEEDED."
MR BARNES ALSO SPOKE ON THE METROPLAN WHICH IS A FRAMEWORK OR GUIDELINES FOR THE GRADUAL REDEVELOPMENT OF THE COMBINED URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON, NORTH KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN/KWAI CHUNG.
/"THE PROJECTS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
8
"THE PROJECTS IN WHICH WILL NOT BE DICTATED SO MUCH BY METROPLAN ITSELF, BUT BY OTHER OBJECTIVES SUCH AS REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD PUBLIC HOUSING, NEW RECLAMATION FOR EXPANSION OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, URBAN RENEWAL SCHEMES BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND OTHERS,” HE SAID.
"IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE PLANS (BUT NOT PROJECTS) FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF RELEASED AIRPORT LANDS AT KAI TAK, WHICH IF OUR GUESS IS RIGHT; WILL BECOME THE HUB OF KOWLOON IN THE EARLY PART OF THE NEXT CENTURY.”
MR BARNES SAID DETAILS OF THE FINAL METROPLAN WOULD BE RELEASED IN APRIL.
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DB VOTER TURNOUT LAYS FOUNDATION FOR FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, HAS SAID THAT THE TURNOUT RATE IN THE RECENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS BEARS TESTIMONY TO THE PEOPLE’S CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE DISTRICT ADM INI STRAT ION SCHEME.
HE ADDED THAT THE 32 PER CENT TURNOUT RATE ACHIEVED COMPARED FAVOURABLY WITH THOSE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES.
MR LAN MADE THESE REMARKS WHEN HE WELCOMED THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL, MR DAVID OJI, WHO PAID A COURTESY (’ALL TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTARTION YESTERDAY (SATURDAY).
ON THE RECENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY, MR LAN SAID THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 3 HAD LAID A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNILS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS LATER IN THE YEAR.
HE STRESSED THAT ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT SINCE IT WOULD BE THE FIRST-EVER DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF HONG KONG.
HE ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE MORE AND MORE YOUNG PEOPLE PART I (’ I PAT I NG AND BEING ELECTED IN THE POLLS.
"OF THE 272 NEW OR RE-ELECTED DB MEMBERS, 124 OF THEM, OR 45 PER (’ENT, ARE WITHIN THE 31-40 AGE BRACKET - THE YOUNGEST OF THEM WAS ONLY 21 YEARS OF AGE," HE SAID.
MR LAN PRAISED THE JAYCEES FOR BEING AN ASSOCIATION OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN RESPECTED NOT ONLY FOR THEIR CAREER AND BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS BUT ALSO FOR THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT.
/IN THIS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE CALLED ON ITS MEMBERS TO HELP ENCOURAGE THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN HONG KONG TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
"THEY NEED TO GET INVOLVED BECAUSE IN THE COURSE OF TIME, WE WILL HAVE TO COUNT ON THEM FOR PROVIDING THE FUTURE LEADERSHIP FOR OUR SOCIETY," MR LAN EMPHASISED.
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CONSULTANCY STUDY ON RECYCLING OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO DEVELOP A RECYCLING SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR PROCESSING LOCAL CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID CONSTRUCTION WASTE IS A WASTE ARISING FROM BUILDING ACTIVITY. IT INCLUDES VARIOUS TYPES OF BUILDING DEBRIS, TIMBER, SITE CLEARANCE MATERIALS AND MIXED SOFT MATERIALS.
HE SAID THE AMOUNT OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
ABOUT 8,000 TONNES ARE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS PER DAY WHICH AMOUNTS TO HALF OF THE TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ARISING IN HONG KONG.
IN VIEW OF THE MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT TO BE CARRIED OUT.IN 1990S, CONSTRUCTION WASTE ARISING ARE ANTICIPATED TO REMAIN SUBSTANTIAL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE STUDY WILL EVALUATE OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE ON CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING WITH RESPECT TO HONG KONG CONDITIONS, AND WILL UNDERTAKE SURVEYS TO IDENTIFY THE COMPOSITION AND QUANTITIES OF THE CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS.
IT WILL ALSO IDENTIFY THE NATURE OF POTENTIALLY RECYCLED PRODUCTS FROM CONSTRUCTION WASTE AND TO ASSESS THE AVAILABILITY OF MARKETS FOR THESE PRODUCTS.
EMPHASIS WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDY THE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AT LANDFILLS FOR THE APPLICATION OF POTENTIAL RECYCLED PRODUCTS.
IT WILL ALSO RECOMMEND A SYSTEM AT A LANDFILL TO CONVERT CONSTRUCTION WASTE INTO USEFUL MATERIALS.
THE STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS AT A COST OF HK$1.2 MILLION.
AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY), MR MIKE STOKOE, AND DIRECTOR OF DONOHUE/JRP ASIA PACIFIC LTD, MR T.E. SIEBERS.
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GOVT TO RESUME SEVEN PRIVATE STREETS *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR SEVEN PRIVATE STREETS ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THESE STREETS ARE THOMSON ROAD, ST FRANCIS YARD, A PORTION OF KWONG MING STREET AND ST FRANCIS STREET IN WAN CHAI; YUK SAU LANE, LI PO LUNG PATH AND THE REAR LANE OF 18A-26 BELCHER’S STREET IN WESTERN.
THESE PRIVATE STREETS ARE UNDER MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP AND ARE NOT PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED.
SOME OF THEM ARE PARTLY OCCUPIED BY STALLS CAUSING OBSTRUCTION TO PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT. THE SITUATION GIVES RISE TO CONSIDERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO REPAIR THE PRIVATE STREETS TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
WORKS ON THE PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE TN MAY 1992.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF OR INCIDENTAL TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OBJECTS OR STRUCTURES ATTACHED TO OR PROJECTING FROM A NUMBER OF BUILDINGS IN THE FOLLOWING STREETS WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED:
♦ LI PO LUNG PATH
* BELCHER’S STREET
* TAI PAK TERRACE
* HEE WONG TERRACE
» SANDS STREET
♦ WATER STREET
* JOHNSTON ROAD
* THOMSON ROAD
♦ O’BRIEN ROAD
♦ FLEMING ROAD
♦ QUEEN’S ROAD EAST
* ST FRANCIS STREET
* ST FRANCIS YARD
♦ KWONG MING STREET
/NOTICES CONCERNING ......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
NOTICES CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AND HONG KONG WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
FOR THE WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE WAN CHAI STREETS, RELEVANT PLANS AND SCHEMES CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 2 O’BRIEN ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
FOR THOSE TO BE CARRIED OUT IN WESTERN, THEIR PLANS AND SCHEMES CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
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 APRIL 30, 1991 .
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FIVE GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION
FIVE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON TUESDAY
(MARCH 12).
AT 2.30 PM.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE,
BEGINNING
THE FIRST LOT, AT AP LEI CHAU WEST AND WITH AN AREA 4,500 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
OF ABOUT PURPOSES,
THE SECOND LOT IS LOCATED AT THE REAR OF NOS. 181-205 SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, SHAU KEI WAN, HONG KONG ISLAND.
MEASURING ABOUT 726.3 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL, EXCLUDING HOTEL AND GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE OTHER THREE LOI’S ARF IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
LOCATED AT AREA 4B, SHEUNG SHU I AND WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,759 SQUARE METRES, THE FIRST LOT IN THE NT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
/THE SECOND .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
- 12 -
THE SECOND NT LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 6, MA WO, TAI RO. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,675 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE REMAINING LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 14B, YUEN SHUN CIRCUIT, SHA TIN.
MEASURING ABOUT 4,100 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, EXCLUDING GODOWN, RESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL.
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HEAVIER FINES FOR LABOUR OFFENCES ******
LABOUR LAW OFFENDERS ARE PAYING MORE DEARLY AS FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS CONTINUE TO GO UP.
ACCORDING TO LABOUR DEPARTMENT STATISTICS, THE AVERAGE FINE ON AN OFFENDER HAD RISEN FROM $3,776 IN 1989 TO $4,180 LAST YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 10.69 PER CENT.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT 3,156 CASES TO THE COURTS, RESULTING IN A TOTAL FINE OF $13.19 MILLION, COMPARED WITH 4,036 CONVICTIONS AND $15.23 MILLION FINES IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
"THE UPWARD TREND OF FINES FOR BREACHES OF LABOUR LEGISLATION SERVES TO MAKE EMPLOYERS TAKE WORKERS’ SAFETY AND WELFARE MORE SERIOUSLY," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MR TSANG KIN-WOO, SAID.
"GIVEN OUR CONTINUOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION, EMPLOYERS WILL HAVE TO DIG DEEPER INTO THEIR POCKETS FOR THEIR OFFENCES," MR TSANG SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF THE CONVICTED CASES LAST YEAR RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFENCES.
"THEY INCLUDED 1,067 CASES OF BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, AND 828 CASES RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, WITH FINES TOTALLING $1.12 MILLION AND $6.86 MILLION RESPECTIVELY," HE SAID.
THERE WERE ALSO 1,094 CONVICTIONS OF VIOLATION OF WELFARE PROVISIONS UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY), EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS THE EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR RELATIONS AND EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCES. THE FINES IMPOSED TOTALLED $1.87 MILLION.
OF THE REMAINING CASES, 137 INVOLVED BREACHES OF THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS ORDINANCE, 29 CONCERNED FAILURE TO KEEP OR PRODUCE FOR INSPECTION EMPLOYEES RECORDS UNDER PART 1VB OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE AND ONE RELATED TO OBSTRUCTION UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, RESULTING IN FINES TOTALLING $337,650.
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/13 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
- 13 -
FUND APPLICATIONS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PROJECTS INVITED ******
THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IS INVITING APPLICATION FROM VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS FOR A NUMBER OF GRANTS FOR FINANCING PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF WELFARE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN HONG KONG.
THE GRANTS CAN ALSO BE USED FOR FINANCING THE PROMOTION OF EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE GUIDE TO APPLICATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY, COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, REHABILITATION DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANTS SHOULD REACH THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT OF THE FOUNDATION NOT LATER THAN APRIL 17, 1991.
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BEWARE OF IMPOSTORS * * *
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, DISABILITY ALLOWANCE OR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO BE WARY OF TRICKSTERS.
"WE HAVE PRODUCED A POSTER TO DRIVE THE MESSAGE HOME, AND THEY ARE NOW ON DISPLAY AT OUR SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD OFFICES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS FOUND THAT THE VICTIMS, PARTICULARLY THE ELDERLY, HAD BEEN CHEATED BY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 18 COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE LAST YEAR.
"WE STRONGLY ADVISE THE PUBLIC TO BE ON GUARD WHEN BEING APPROACHED BY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE A SWD OFFICER," HE ADDED.
HE SAID ALL THE STAFF CARRIED DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARDS.
IN CASE OF DOUBT, THE PUBLIC COULD SIMPLY TELEPHONE THE SWD HOTLINE 343 2255 OR APPROACH THE NEAREST SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE.
"OUR SERVICES IN MAKING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ARE ENTIRELY FREE OF CHARGE AND YOU SHOULD NOT HAND OVER ANY MONEY TO OUR STAFF, NOR ANY CASH COUPONS OR BANK PASSBOOKS TO ANY STRANGERS," HE STRESSED.
/14 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
14
STUDENT WINNERS TO GIVE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES * * * ♦ *
THE BEST DANCERS FROM AMONG THE 3,905 STUDENTS WHO TOOK PART IN THE 27TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WILL PERFORM FOR THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK AND IN APRIL.
THEY WILL PERFORM AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 14) TO MONDAY (MARCH 18) AND AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL FROM APRIL 5 TO APRIL 7.
ALL PERFORMANCES - CHINESE, ORIENTAL, MODERN, WESTERN FOLK AND NATIONAL DANCES - WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ATTEND CAN BUY TICKETS, RANGING IN PRICE FROM $10 TO $25, FROM URBTIX OUTLETS.
THERE WILL BE A 10 PER CENT DISCOUNT FOR EACH PURCHASE OF MORE THAN 10 TICKETS.
THE 27TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES ARE PRESENTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, AND THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID 16 SPECIAL SCHOOLS, 142 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 82 SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE DANCE FESTIVAL.
TWENTY-EIGHT TEAMS RECEIVED HONOURS WHILE 131 WERE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND 168 COMMENDED. SEVENTEEN TEAMS WERE ALSO AWARDED FOR THEIR CHOREOGRAPHY.
RESULTS OF THE DANCE FESTIVAL WERE:
PRIMARY SCHOOLS SECTION
OVERALL CHAMPION : ST PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL, PRIMARY SECTION
OVERALL CO-SECOND : SAM SHU I NATIVES ASSN AM SCHOOL
NTW & JW ASSN LEUNG SING TAK PRIMARY PM SCHOOL
MOST PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL : NTW & JW ASSN LEUNG SING TAK PRIMARY PM SCHOOL
SECONDARY SCHOOLS SECTION
OVERALL CHAMPION
OVERALL SECOND
OVERALL THIRD
MOST PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL
SKH BISHOP MOK SAU TSENG SECONDARY SCHOOL
SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE
KING GEORGE V SCHOOL
KING GEORGE V SCHOOL
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/15 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 1991
- 15 -
HUNDREDS TOOK PART IN CROSS COUNTRY RACE
*****
HUNDREDS OF RUNNERS, AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 60, TOOK PART IN AN ANNUAL CROSS COUNTRY RACE IN NORTH DISTRICT THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE RACE WAS ORGANISED BY THE SHEUNG SHUI DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE LOCAL RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN SPORTS.
THE RACE HAS BEEN HELD SINCE 1964 AS PART OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES, WITH THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS INCREASING FROM AN INITIAL 30 TO ABOUT 350 THIS YEAR.
GBESTS AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WERE THE NORTH DISTRICT^OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI; THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LEUNG; SHEUNG SHUI RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR BRIAN KAN; CHAIRMAN OF THE SHEK WU HUI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR CHEUNG KUEN; AND THE FRONTIER POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL WATSON.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
' MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSERVING ENERGY - POSITIVE ROLE FOR EVERYONE ................................. 1
WASTED ENERGY IN HK COSTS $5 BILLION ........................................... 3
COMMITTEE SET UP TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY .................................. 4
HONG KONG SEEKS NEW AMBASSADORS IN UK .......................................... 5
LEGCO DEBATE ON FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ........................... 6
NUMBER OF REPORTED CRIME DECREASED IN FOURTH QUARTER ........................... 7
YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA RECRUITS MEMBERS ....................................... 9
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN MONG KOK ...................................... 10
BLITZ AGAINST ILLEGAL BILL AND POSTER DISPLAY ................................. 10
ELEVEN NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ............................... 11
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
1
CONSERVING ENERGY - POSITIVE ROLE FOR EVERYONE »♦♦♦♦*
A CO-OPERATIVE APPROACH BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THOSE CONCERNED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE SOLID PROGRESS IN THE PROMOTION OF GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-DAY SYMPOSIUM ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, MRS CHAN SAID THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE IN CONSERVING ENERGY.
’’UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE MOST PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTS WILL BE TO DEMONSTRATE THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS ON UTILITY BILLS OR IN OPERATING COSTS WHICH MIGHT FOLLOW RELATIVELY MODEST UPFRONT EXPENDITURE ON MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRODUCTS, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT,” SHE SAID.
OUTLING THE GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT EFFORT IN THE PROMOTION OF GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT IN RECENT YEARS, A NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT INTO SEVERAL MAJOR BUILDINGS AND INSTALLATIONS THAT ARE LARGE CONSUMERS OF ELECTRICITY.
’’THEY INCLUDE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, THE AIRPORT AND INCINERATOR PLANTS,” SHE SAID.
"AS A RESULT, ENERGY SAVING MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED. WE HAVE ALSO EMBARKED UPON A NUMBER OF MEASURES AIMED AT MORE EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE UTILIZATION OF ENERGY-SAVING FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FITTINGS AND HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM LIGHTING FITTINGS AS WELL AS THE UTILIZATION OF SOLAR HEATING FOR HOT WATER SUPPLIES.
"CLEARLY MORE CAN BE DONE IN THESE AREAS,” SHE STRESSED.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD IDENTIFIED TWO PRINCIPAL AREAS ON WHICH IT WISHED TO FOCUS ATTENTION IN THE SHORT TERM.
"THE FIRST IS BUILDING DESIGN: PARTICULARLY CRUCIAL IN HONG KONG WHERE INCREASING AMOUNTS OF ENERGY ARE BEING CONSUMED IN LIGHTING AND AIRCONDITIONING MULTI-STOREY COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
"WE HAVE RECENTLY COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS TO ADVISE ON HOW WE CAN ENSURE THAT NEW BUILDINGS ARE DESIGNED WITH ENERGY CONSERVATION MORE EXPLICITLY IN MIND.
"WE RECOGNISE THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN A VERY HIGH PRIORITY FOR PROPERTY DEVELOPERS UP UNTIL NOW AND, AS A RESULT, CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS OF ENERGY ARE WASTED THROUGH THE POOR INSULATION AND LOW THERMAL EFFICIENCY OF MANY OF OUR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS.
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO SEE PROGRESS MADE IN THIS AREA,” SHE SAID, ADDING THAT AT THE SAME TIME THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO BE EXAMINING WAYS OF MODIFYING EXISTING BUILDINGS TO CONSERVE ENERGY.
/THE OTHER .......
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
2
THE OTHER AREA WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FOCUSSING ON IS PUBLIC EDUCATION.
’’HONG KONG NOW ENJOYS THE BENEFITS OF A MODERN AND THERMALLY EFFICIENT POWER INDUSTRY AND YET ELECTRICITY TRAFFICS HAVE ONLY RISEN AT RATES WELL BELOW THE PREVAILING LEVELS OF GENERAL PRICE INCREASES,” SHE NOTED.
’’IRONICALLY, THIS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM WE NOW FACE IN PERSUADING THE PUBLIC TO ECONOMISE ON ENERGY.
"ON THE ONE HAND WB CAN LOOK WITH PRIDE ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE POWER COMPANIES IN MAINTAINING RELATIVELY CHEAP AND PLENTIFUL SUPPLIES OF ELECTRICITY.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WHEN POWER IS PLENTIFUL AND AFFORDABLE IT IS DIFFICULT TO PERSUADE THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET OR INDEED INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE TO CUT BACK ON CONSUMPTION," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT ALL OF US UNDERSTAND VERY CLEARLY WHY THERE IS A NEED TO BE MORE FRUGAL IN OUR USE OF DIMINISHING ENERGY RESOURCES.
"WE ARE ALL TOO AWARE OF THE IMPACT OF THE BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS BOTH ON OUR LOCAL AND ON THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT.
"PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT IS NOT JUST THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A FEW. IT IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT UNFORTUNATELY THERE WERE MANY IN THE COMMUNITY WHO TOOK THE VIEW THAT SUCH CONCERNS WERE A LUXURY THAT THEY COULD NOT AFFORD.
"SO THE TASK OF PROMOTING GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRESENTS US WITH FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES, NOT LEAST IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION," SHE SAID.
"CLEARLY, BOTH AS A GOVERNMENT AND A COMMUNITY WE MUST BEGIN TO FACE THESE CHALLENGERS MORE SQUARELY THAN WE HAVE DONE HITHERTO,” MRS CHAN SAID.
THESE EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT WOULD OF COURSE CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED, ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, BY INITIATIVES AND EFFORTS DIRECTED AT GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MRS CHAN SAID.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL PROVIDES A RANGE OF ADVISORY SERVICES AIMED AT PERSUADING INDUSTRIALISTS AND FACTORY OWNERS TO CHECK THE EFFICIENCY OF THEIR PLANT AND MACHINERY, AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS IN DESIGN AND OPERATION AIMED AT ACHIEVING SAVINGS IN ENERGY CONSUMPTION.
"FOR THEIR PART, THE POWER COMPANIES PROVIDE TARIFF INCENTIVES TO BULK CONSUMERS, TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO SHIFT THEIR PEAK DEMAND FOR POWER TO OFF-PEAK HOURS.
"THEY ALSO PROVIDE ADVISORY SERVICES TO INDUSTRIAL CONSUMERS AND UNDERTAKE ON-GOING PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES ENCOURAGING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO USE ELECTRICITY AND GAS MORE EFFICIENTLY.
/"I HAVE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
3 -
’’I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY WILL BE LOOKING AT WAYS TN WHICH THESE EFFORTS CAN BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED,” SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH IN WORLD TERMS, HONG KONG IS A SMALL CONSUMER OF ENERGY, HONG KONG RECOGNISED ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO USE ENERGY EFFICIENTLY AND THEREBY, TO HELP MINIMISE THE ADVERSE IMPACT OF ITS CONSUMPTION ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
”AT THE SAME TIME, AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW POWER GENERATING PLANTS OR FUEL STORAGE FACILITIES PRESENTS US WITH A FURTHER POWERFUL IMPETUS TO ECONOMISE,” SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANNING AND POLICYMAKING MUST STRIKE AN APPROPRIATE BALANCE BETWEEN ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES.
”1 BELIEVE WE CAN SHAPE POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES WHICH GO A LONG WAY TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS WITHOUT PREJUDICING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,” SHE SAID.
-----------------0------- WASTED ENERGY IN HK COSTS $5 BILLION ******
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO EXERCISE EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS TO PREVENT THE WASTE OF ENERGY, IN THE INTERESTS OF A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.
DR REED WAS SPEAKING AT THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY SYMPOSIUM JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.
HE SAID: ’’THE MISUSE OF ENERGY IN EXISTING SYSTEMS, APPLIANCES AND INSTALLATIONS AND THE USE OF OTHER THAN THE MOST UP-TO-DATE ENERGY EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES INEVITABLY DAMAGES THE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE IT LEADS TO THE BURNING OF MORE FOSSIL FUEL THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE NECESSARY.”
DR REED ESTIMATED THAT HONG KONG WASTED ALMOST $5 BILLION WORTH OF ENERGY IN 1989.
’’THE MORE ENERGY THAT IS USED THE MORE FOSSIL FUEL MUST BE BURNED PRODUCING MORE POLLUTING EMISSIONS, ESPECIALLY OF THE GREENHOUSE GAS CARBON DIOXIDE,” DR REED SAID.
’’TOTAL EMISSIONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE ALONE FROM FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION IN HONG KONG IN 1989 WERE NEARLY 34 MILLION TONNES, WHILST EMISSIONS OF CARBON MONOXIDE, SULPHUR DIOXIDE, NITROGEN OXIDES AND PARTICULATES TOTALLED 400,000 TONNES.
/"THESE EMISSIONS
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
4
’’THESE EMISSIONS CAN CAUSE ALL MANNER OF HEALTH PROBLEMS AND THEY ADD TO THE AS YET UNQUANTIFIED THREAT FROM THE BUILD-UP OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE.”
DR REED STRESSED THAT GREATER EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN THE USE OF ENERGY WOULD REDUCE ALL THESE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS.
CITING WAYS TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE WASTAGE HE MENTIONED REPLACING CONVENTIONAL COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS BY COMBINED CYCLE POWER GENERATION USING NATURAL GAS, WHICH COULD BE ONE OF THE OPTIONS FOR FUTURE GENERATING CAPACITY IN HONG KONG, AND A VARIETY OF SIMPLE MEASURES, SUCH AS TURNING OFF LIGHTS AND AIR CONDITIONING WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENERGY POLICY IN HONG KONG, DR REED SAID HE AGREED WITH HIS FELLOW SPEAKER DR PETER HILLS THAT THIS COULD PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS, AS WELL AS ENABLE HONG KONG TO COPE WITH POTENTIALLY DRAMATIC FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PRICK AND AVAILABILITY OF FUELS.
’’SUCH A POLICY WOULD NOT SIMPLY COVER ENERGY CONSERVATION IN BUILDINGS, IT WOULD NEED TO INCLUDE ALSO CONSIDERATION OF SUCH THINGS AS ENERGY ASPECTS OF TRANSPORTATION POLICY, LABELLING OF ENERGY-CONSUMING PRODUCTS, SETTING OF PERFORMANCE OR EMISSION STANDARDS FOR ENERGY CONVERSION, SUPPLY OR UTILISATION, ORGANISATION OF INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS AND ESTABLISHING AN AGENCY TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
”AN ENERGY POLICY WOULD MAKE GOOD SENSE IN TERMS OF BOTH THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY IN HONG KONG,” DR REED CONCLUDED.
--------0-----------
COMMITTEE SET UP TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, HAVING REGARD TO THEIR LIKELY EFFECTIVENESS AND ECONOMIC IMPACT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IT IS THE COMMON DUTY OF ALL GOVERNMENTS TO CONSERVE ENERGY.
’’THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE LOOKING AT VARIOUS WAYS TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND BOTH NEW AND OLD BUILDINGS WOULD BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA,” HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT IN A CITY LIKE HONG KONG, DEPENDENT FOR ITS VERY EXISTENCE ON A BUOYANT INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTOR, EASY ACCESS TO CHEAP AND PLENTIFUL ELECTRICITY HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF ITS SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
/"A BALANCE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
- 5 -
"A BALANCE MUST BE STRUCK BETWEEN DISCOURAGING WASTE AND PROFLIGACY IN THE USE OF ELECTRICITY, AND ENCOURAGING THE MOST EFFICIENT USES, THEREBY REDUCING UNNECESSARY CONSUMPTION WITHOUT ENDANGERING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,” HE SAID.
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE:
- MR MICHAEL PRICE OF CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD;
- DR C.M. KO OF HONG KONG ELECTRIC CO. LTD;
- MR MICHAEL CORBYN OF HONG KONG LAND PROPERTY CO. LTD;
- MR SHALOM LEVY OF S.L. ENERGY MANAGEMENT CO.;
- MR M.J. MATTHEWS REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS;
- MR DANIEL LAM REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF
SURVEYORS;
- MR DENNIS LAU REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF
ARCHITECTS;
- MR W.K. LAM REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION;
- DR PETER HILLS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG;
- DR JOSEPH C. LAM OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG; AND
- REPRESENTATIVES OF KEY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES.
---------0 - -
HONG KONG SEEKS NEW AMBASSADORS IN UK * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN THE UK HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY AS HONG KONG'S AMBASSADOR, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CHINESE NEW YEAR RECEPTION IN CARDIFF, ONE IN A SERIES HOSTED IN MAJOR UK CITIES BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE (HKGO), HE CALLED ON COMMUNITY LEADERS TO HELP EXPLAIN THE TERRITORY'S ACHIEVEMENTS TO THE BRITISH PUBLIC.
"WE HAVE MUCH TO BE CONFIDENT ABOUT. BUT WE NEED TO KEEP ON EXPLAINING TO THOSE WHOSE KNOWLEDGE OF HONG KONG IS LIMITED WHY WE BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG HAS THE STRENGTH TO MEET FUTURE CHALLENGES - AS WE SO OFTEN HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND WITH GREAT SUCCESS.
/"BUT WE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
6
’’BUT WE ARE NOT COMPLACENT. PAST SUCCESS DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE SUCCESS.
"WE MUST BUILD UPON WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE,” MR YAXLEY SAID.
EARLIER IN EDINBURGH, MR YAXLEY URGED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SCOTTISH FINANCIAL COMMUNITY TO STRENGTHEN THEIR BUSINESS LINKS WITH HONG KONG BY SETTING UP THEIR OWN TRADE OFFICE IN THE TERRITORY.
CITING JAPANESE COMPANIES AS EXAMPLES, HE SAID MANY INTERNATIONAL FIRMS HAD DECIDED TO SET UP REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN HONG KONG AND IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THE SCOTS HAD THEIR OWN PERMANENT PRESENCE THERE.
MR YAXLEY ALSO ADDRESSED THE CHINESE STUDY GROUP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICS ASSOCIATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS DURING HIS VISIT TO SCOTLAND.
OTHER THAN EDINBURGH AND CARDIFF, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE HAS HELD RECEPTIONS IN LONDON, BIRMINGHAM AND MANCHESTER, TO BE FOLLOWED BY LIVERPOOL LATER THIS MONTH, TO CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE RAM.
RECENTLY IN MANCHESTER, OVER 60 GUESTS REPRESENTING THE LOCAL MEDIA, ACADEME, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS SECTORS ATTENDED AN EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY HKGO TO DEMONSTRATE HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS, LIFE STYLE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.
OPENING THE EXHIBITION, THE DEPUTY HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR K.C. KWONG, TOLD THE GUESTS THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBITION WAS TO INTRODUCE THE MULTI-FACETED WAY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG TO THE BRITISH PUBLIC SO THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERRITORY.
IN ADDITION, VISITORS WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE LATEST INFORMATION ON HONG KONG BY SPEAKING TO HKGO STAFF AND PICKING UP BACKGROUND MATERIAL AND FACT SHEETS GIVEN OUT AT THE VENUE.
A SIMILAR EXHIBITION IS BEING PLANNED FOR LIVERPOOL LATER THIS MONTH AND IN OTHER UK CITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
------0--------
LEGCO DEBATE ON FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 12 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER NINE BILLS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 13).
OF THE NINE BILLS, THREE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
/THEY ARE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
7
THEY ARE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 AND LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
THE OTHER SIX BILLS WHICH ARE DUR FOR SECOND READING BEFORE GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING ARE RATING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS UNDER THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY.
WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL MOVE THREE MOTIONS UNDER CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) ORDINANCE AND FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND MARCH 1991 WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
ALSO, THE HON MIRIAM LAU WILL RAISE UNDER STANDING ORDER 9(5) AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON "FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN HONG KONG".
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
- - 0 - -
NUMBER OF REPORTED CRIME DECREASED IN FOURTH QUARTER »»»**«»
THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CRIME INCLUDING VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR SHOWED A DECREASE AS COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER.
POLICE STATISTICS ALSO INDICATED THAT THE WIDELY PUBLICISED THEFT OF VEHICLE CASES DROPPED BY NEARLY 18 PER CENT.
ABOUT 22,200 CRIME CASES WERE REPORTED TO THE POLICE IN THE LAST QUARTER REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF ALMOST THREE PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
VIOLENT CRIME ALSO DROPPED BY 5.4 PER CENT TO 4,567 (ABOUT 49 CASES A DAY) COMPARED WITH 4,830 (52 CASES A DAY) IN THE PRECEDING
QUARTER.
/ACCORDING TO
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
8
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY), THE CRIME RATES, DEFINED AS THE NUMBER OF CASES PER 100,000 POPULATION, DECREASED BY 2.7 PER CENT TO 382 COMPARED WITH 393 RECORDED IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
ON ROBBERY CASES, THE FOURTH QUARTER SAW AN INCREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER WITH A TOTAL OF 1,986 INCIDENTS REPORTED.
OF THE ROBBERIES WHICH OCCURRED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, GOLDSMITH AND WATCH SHOP ROBBERIES DECREASED TO 18 CASES FROM 25 RECORDED IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THE NUMBER OF ROBBERY CASES INVOLVING THE USE OF FIREARMS DECREASED TO 17 COMPARED WITH 23 IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990.
ON PREVENTIVE CRIME, THERE WERE 1,024 CASES IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 5.4 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BURGLARY CASES INCREASED BY 78 CASES TO 3,443 FROM 3,365 IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990.
DURING THE LAST QUARTER, A TOTAL OF 11,043 PERSONS WERE ARRESTED FOR CRIME, 32 PERSONS FEWER THAN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OF THE PERSONS ARRESTED IN THE QUARTER, 21 PER CENT WERE INVOLVED IN VIOLENT CRIME.
THE OVERALL DETECTION RATES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER WAS 44.6 PER CENT REPRESENTING A SLIGHT INCREASE WHEN COMPARED WITH 43.4 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990.
AS FOR VIOLENT CRIME AGAINST PERSON, THE DETECTION RATE FOR RAPE WAS 59.4 PER CENT, FOR INDECENT ASSAULTS 68.9 PER CENT, FOR WOUNDING 52.5 PER CENT, FOR SERIOUS ASSAULTS 58.1 PER CENT, AND FOR CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION 63.9 PER CENT.
THE DETECTION RATE FOR ROBBERY WITH FIREARMS WAS 35.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 26.1 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990.
STATISTICS INDICATED THAT DETECTION RATES FOR BURGLARY CASES REMAINED RELATIVELY THE SAME. FOR BURGLARY WITHOUT BREAKING, THE DETECTION RATE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WAS 16 PER CENT WHILE THAT FOR BURGLARY WITH BREAKING WAS 5.6 PER CENT.
IN ORDER TO ADVISE RESIDENTS TO STEP UP THEIR SECURITY MEASURES AND TO AVOID BECOMING VICTIMS OF BURGLARY, A PILOT SCHEME HAS RECENTLY BEEN IMPLEMENTED BY THE POLICE.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE SCHEME, RESIDENTS OF BUILDINGS WHERE BURGLARY HAS BEEN REPORTED WILL BE ALERTED.
A WARNING NOTICE IN THE FORM OF A POSTCARD WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDING ADVISING THEM ON THE NEED TO LOCK UP PROPERLY AND CALL THE POLICE IF RESIDENTS FIND ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS.
/THE SCHEME .......
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
- 9
THE SCHEME IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN WAN CHAI, KOWLOON CITY AND SHA TIN DISTRICTS.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT PUBLIC CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ’’JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME” BY PREVENTING CRIME, REPORTING CRIME AND PROVING CRIME.
----0------ ■
YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA RECRUITS MEMBERS
******
THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IS RECRUITING MEMBERS FOR 1991/92.
SET UP IN 1978 TO PROVIDE ORCHESTRAL TRAINING TO YOUNG PEOPLE, THE ORCHESTRA HAS TAKEN PART IN CONCERTS, DISTRICT ART FESTIVALS AND OVERSEAS MUSIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES.
ITS FORTHCOMING MAJOR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE 31ST INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC WORLD CONFERENCE IN JULY, AND THE CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL IN OCTOBER.
MEMBERS OF THE ORCHESTRA WILL RECEIVE INTENSIVE TRAINING WHICH INCLUDES MASTERCLASSES AND REHEARSALS CONDUCTED BY LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MUSICIANS. ALL REHEARSALS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY EVENINGS AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE.
A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE ORCHESTRA RECRUITS ALL ITS MEMBERS EACH YEAR BY OPEN AUDITION.
MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL REHEARSALS AND TRAINING SESSIONS, HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE UNDER 25 YEARS OLD, AND HAVE ATTAINED AT LEAST GRADE V IN THE MUSIC OFFICE’S INTERNAL ASSESSMENT OR EQUIVALENT IN ONE CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION IN MID-APRIL.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 714 9255.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE AT FIRST FLOOR, CAMBRIDGE COURT, 84 WATERLOO ROAD BY MARCH 23.
------0 - -
/10 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
10
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN MONG KOK
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN MONG KOK SO THAT THEY CAN BB DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED IN AN OPEN AREA ADJACENT TO THE STAIRCASE ON THE FIFTH, SIXTH AND SEVENTH FLOOR LEVELS, PROSPERITY BUILDING, AT THE JUNCTION OF 6A-6E NELSON STREET AND 59A-01C TUNG CHOI STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 7 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS
GRANTED.
----0------
BLITZ AGAINST ILLEGAL BILL AND POSTER DISPLAY
******
A TOTAL OF 37 SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED DURING A TERRITORY-WIDE BLITZ OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL DISPLAY OF BILLS AND POSTERS HELD LAST SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
"BILLS AND POSTERS ARE OFTEN DISPLAYED ILLEGALLY AT PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PLACES OVER WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS AND AFTER OFFICE HOURS, AFFECTING THE OVERALL TIDINESS AND CLEANLINESS OF THE CITY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
TO COMBAT THE SITUATION, BLITZ OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
"WE HOPE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY ADVERTISING COMPANIES, WOULD EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE IN HANDLING THEIR OUTDOOR PUBLICITY POSTERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"PERSONS WHO DISPLAY BILLS AND POSTERS IN PRIVATE PLACES WITHOUT THE OWNERS’ CONSENT OR AT PUBLIC PLACES WITHOUT AUTHORISATION ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000," HE SAID.
------0-----------
/Il ........
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
- 11 -
ELEVEN NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS *******
A TOTAL OF 11 NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY WERE RECEIVED ON THE FIRST DAY OF NOMINATION FOR CANDIDATES TODAY (MONDAY).
SEVEN WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND FOUR FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
SO FAR, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED WAS IN THE KOWLOON CITY WEST CONSTITUENCY WITH TWO CANDIDATES.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL LAST FOR TWO WEEKS UNTIL MARCH 25.
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES -15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY :
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
WAN CHAI WONG HON-CHING M 39 ENGINEER 5546519 8383823
NORTH POINT MAN SAI-CHEONG M 46 SOLICITOR 5265775 5667888
KOWLOON CITY WEST CHIANG SAI-CHEONG M 35 TEACHER 7156144
KOWLOON CITY WEST CHAN CHI-KWAN (PETER) M 55 BARRISTER 3360839 5252105
WONG TAI SIN SOUTH MOK YING-FAN M 40 HERBALIST 3830866 3236255
KWUN TONG WEST ELSIE TU F 76 SCHOOL SUPERVISOR 3412932 3422414
KWUN TONG EAST LI WAH-MING M 35 LECTURER 7973259
/REGIONAL COUNCIL .......
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
12
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION
ISLANDS KWONG KWOK-KAM M 44 MERCHANT 9810219
NORTH CHEUNG HON-CHUNG M 32 EXECUTIVE 6796232 6755277
SHA TIN WEST LAU KONG-WAH M 34 LECTURER 6948333
KWAI CHUNG EAST CHOW YICK-HAY M 33 UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE 1163300 CALL:2267
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS
RECEIVED SO FAR :
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. CENTRAL AND WESTERN NIL
2. WAN CHAI 1
3. NORTH POINT 1
4. SHAU KEI WAN NIL
5. SOUTHERN NIL
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST 2
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST NIL
8. KWUN TONG WEST 1
9. KWUN TONG EAST 1
10. MONG KOK NIL
11. SHAM SHUI PO EAST NIL
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST NIL
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 1
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH NIL
15. YAU TSIM NIL
SUB-TOTAL: 7
/REGIONAL. COUNCIL...........
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1991
- 13 -
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS 1
2. NORTH 1
3. SAI KUNG NIL
4. SHA TIN EAST NIL
5. SHA TIN WEST 1
6. TAI PO NIL
7. TSUEN WAN NIL
8. TUEN MUN EAST NIL
9. TUEN MUN WEST NIL
10. YUEN LONG NIL
11. KWAI CHUNG EAST 1
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI NIL
SUB-TOTAL: 4
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EFFICIENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS BACKS HONG KONG'S SUCCESS: GOVERNOR .............. 1
GOVERNOR SEEKS SUPPORT FROM OVERSEAS RESIDENTS ................................ 3
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY RELEASED ................................ 4
NO RESTRICTION ON TRADE WITH KUWAIT .......................................... 10
GOVT DISAPPOINTED BY AUSTRALIA'S PHASING-OUT PREFERENTIAL TARIFF TREATMENT .................................................................... 11
FIVE GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $484 MILLION ......................................... 12
GOVT STATEMENT ON DISRUPTION OF MTR SERVICES ................................. 13
NOMINATIONS FOR KWUN TONG BY-ELECTION ........................................ 14
WARMER AND SUNNIER THAN NORMAL IN FEBRUARY ................................... 14
NEW MEASURES TO TACKLE VEHICLE THEFTS ........................................ 17
LOCAL CHARITY ORGANISATIONS PRAISED .......................................... 19
SYMPOSIUM FOR WORK SAFETY TRAINERS TO START ON THURSDAY ...................... 19
TEXTBOOKS DISPLAY TO BOOST CHINESE TEACHING MEDIUM .....................
EXHIBITION OF HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECTS AND PAINTINGS ........................ 21
LATEST ISSUE OF 'CAMPAIGN ENVIRONMENT' NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE .............. 21
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ...............................................
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DB FUNDS APPLICATION TO CLOSE ON FRIDAY .................. 22
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT .................................. 23
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
1
EFFICIENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS BACKS HONG KONG’S SUCCESS: GOVERNOR *******
A MEASURE OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS THE GROWING VOLUME OF REGIONAL INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS TRAFFIC WHICH IS ROUTED THROUGH THE TERRITORY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON SAID IN HANNOVER, GERMANY ON TUESDAY (MARCH 12).
THE GOVERNOR WAS ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CEBIT 1991 WHICH IS REGARDED AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT FAIR FOR OFFICE EQUIPMENT, DATA PROCESSING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY.
SIR DAVID TOLD THE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING GERMANY’S OFFICIALS AND TOP BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FROM EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA AND ASIA THAT HONG KONG’S COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT WAS SUCH THAT THERE WAS A PREMIUM ON INFORMATION AND ON THE ABILITY TO EITHER PASS IT ON, OR ACT ON IT, FASTER THAN THE COMPETITION.
HONG KONG HAD BECOME THE COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE FOR THE REGION, HE SAID, A DEVELOPMENT THAT HAD BEEN LED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"IN COMMON WITH OTHER UTILITIES, TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN HONG KONG ARE COMPLETELY IN THE HANDS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"AS A RESULT THEY ARE HIGHLY EFFICIENT, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED AND CHEAPER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
"THE LAUNCHING LAST YEAR OF ASIASAT, FINANCED BY A HONG KONG CONSORTIUM, IS ONLY THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF WHAT UNFETTERED PRIVATE INITIATIVE CAN ACHIEVE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG WAS LINKED TO THE WORLD BY RADIO, CABLE AND SATELLITE AND BUSINESSMEN COULD COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR HEAD OFFICES DIRECT BY TELEPHONE, TELEX, FAX OR EVEN PRIVATELY-RENTED DEDICATED NETWORKS.
"THUS THE FOREIGN BUSINESSMAN SETTING UP IN HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME NEED DO LITTLE MORE THAN PLUG A CABLE INTO A WALL SOCKET," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT TELEX TRAFFIC PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG INCREASED BY ALMOST ONE THIRD LAST YEAR AND MUCH OF THIS INVOLVED TELECOMMUNICATIONS WITH SOUTHERN CHINA.
"FOR SOUTHERN CHINA, HONG KONG IS THE MAIN OUTLET TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POINT. THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN CHINA, AND HONG KONG’S CLOSE CONNECTION WITH THE PROCESS, IS ONE OF THE KEY FACTORS IN HONG KONG’S RECENT SUCCESS AND ITS PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
- 2 -
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG WAS VERY PROUD TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS A FOCUS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CEBIT FORUM THIS YEAR AND WE VALUED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW WHAT WE WERE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING AND WHAT WE COULD OFFER COMPANIES INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE MARKETS OF EAST ASIA.
"TEN YEARS AGO I DOUBT THAT HONG KONG WOULD EVEN HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED AS A PARTNER FOR THIS EXHIBITION. THAT WE HAVE BEEN TODAY SHOWS THAT WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN A SHORT TIME.
"THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF OUR ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY DEMONSTRATES THIS PARTICULARLY WELL," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION WAS VERY MUCH A POST-WAR PHENOMENON AND HONG KONG WAS NEW TO THE SCENE.
"THE REFUGEE WORKFORCE OF THE ’50S PRODUCED SIMPLE BATTERIES, BULBS AND TORCHLIGHTS.
"IN THE ’60S WE GRADUATED TO TRANSISTOR RADIOS.
"NOW, AS YOU WILL SEE FROM THE EXHIBITION, HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY CAN TURN ITS HAND TO A WHOLE RANGE OF SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS FROM HOME AUDIO AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT, THROUGH HEART-RATE MONITORS, INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER PERIPHERALS, TO SATELLITE RECEIVERS AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT INCREASED SOPHISTICATION MEANT HIGHER VALUE ADDED, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG EMPLOYED ONLY ONE TENTH OF THE TERRITORY’S WORKFORCE BUT IT ACCOUNTED FOR A QUARTER OF ITS EXPORTS.
"MORE IMPORTANT, HONG KONG IS NO LONGER SIMPLY A PRODUCER. IT HAS NOW BECOME A PLACE FROM WHICH TRANS-NATIONAL PRODUCTION OPERATIONS ARE MANAGED," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
ON HONG KONG/GERMANY ECONOMIC RELATIONS, THE GOVERNOR SAID GERMANY HAD ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE TERRITORY’S MOST VALUED TRADING PARTNERS.
GERMANY WAS THE THIRD LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S EXPORTS. AND HONG KONG BOUGHT ALMOST AS MUCH FROM GERMANY IN MONEY TERMS, PARTICULARLY MACHINERY, TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT, CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRIC APPLIANCES.
"YOU ARE ALSO A SIGNIFICANT INVESTOR IN HONG KONG, WITH AROUND DM110 MILLION INVESTED BY GERMAN COMPANIES IN THE TERRITORY AT PRESENT," HE SAID.
GERMAN FINANCIERS HAD ALSO BEEN QUICK TO RECOGNISE THE VITAL ROLE HONG KONG PLAYED AS A REGIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"ALMOST ALL MAJOR GERMAN BANKS HAVE A PRESENCE IN HONG KONG. THEY ARE THERE WITH SOME 400 OTHERS FROM 45 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, INCLUDING 75 FROM AMONGST THE WORLD’S TOP 100 IN TERMS OF ASSET SIZE. SO WE HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF BANKING POWER AND PLENTY OF COMPETITION," HE SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE ABSENCE OF EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND RED TAPE; FIRST RATE COMMUNICATIONS; PLUS LOCATION; COMBINED TO GIVE HONG KONG A SIGNIFICANT EDGE OVER COMPETITORS IM THE REGION.
"INCREASINGLY, I BELIEVE, HONG KONG IS SEEN AS THE PLACE TO BE IN ASIA.
"SOME 600 FOREIGN FIRMS HAVE SET UP THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN HONG KONG. THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER FIVE YEARS AGO. MORE THAN A THIRD OF THEM COME FROM EUROPE," HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS WAS REALLY THE SYMBOL OF THE ARRIVAL OF POST-INDUSTRIAL HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING THAT SERVICES NOW ACCOUNTED FOR AROUND 70 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
"HONG KONG IS NO LONGER JUST ANOTHER PLACE TO INVEST IN OFFSHORE ASSEMBLY.
"IT IS NOW BOTH AN ENTREPOT, PARTICULARLY FOR TRADE WITH CHINA (BUT NOT ONLY CHINA); AND ALSO A HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURER; AN EFFICIENT FINANCIAL CENTRE; AND A SOPHISTICATED COMMUNICATIONS HUB.
"IT HAS BECOME A PLACE NOT SIMPLY TO DO BUSINESS, BUT FROM WHICH TO MANAGE BUSINESS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
- - 0 - -
GOVERNOR SEEKS SUPPORT FROM OVERSEAS RESIDENTS
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, LAST (MONDAY) NIGHT CALLED ON PROFESSIONALS AND EXECUTIVES FROM HONG KONG, WHO NOW LIVE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TO THE TERRITORY’S CONTINUED SUCCESS.
SPEAKING TO SOME 120 MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG EXECUTIVES CLUB IN LONDON, SIR DAVID SAID THE TERRITORY NEEDS PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG WHO TAKE KEEN INTERESTS IN ITS AFFAIRS TO ACT AS ITS AMBASSADORS.
HE SAID: "THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING TO RETURN TO WORK IN HONG KONG SHOULD NOT DELAY AS GOOD OPPORTUNITIES ABOUNDED THERE.
"BUT THOSE WHO ARE STAYING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM SHOULD CONTINUE TO SHOW SUPPORT AND TAKE AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG EVENTS."
WHILE NOT DISCOUNTING THE PROBLEMS FACING THE TERRITORY, THE GOVERNOR EMPHASISED SUCH POSITIVE ASPECTS AS THE ECONOMY, WHICH AT TWO PER CENT GROWTH RATE, ALTHOUGH LOW BY ITS OWN STANDARD, WAS REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL COMPARED TO THE RECESSION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES.
/"THERE IS
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
4
’’THERE IS TREMENDOUS ACTIVITY GOING ON THE WHOLE TIME. THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE AROUND, A GOOD DEAL OF INVESTMENT AROUND.”
NOTING THE CLOSE AND GROWING ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH SOUTHERN CHINA, HE TOLD THE AUDIENCE THAT ALMOST TWO THIRDS OF ALL EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN THE MAINLAND CAME FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG, AND MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG WERE CONTRIBUTING THEIR EXPERTISE TO THE WORKFORCE.
"IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE ALONE, SOMETHING LIKE TWO MILLION PEOPLE ARE WORKING FOR HONG KONG ENTERPRISES,” HE SAID.
GUANGDONG HAD A DYNAMISM AND MOMENTUM OF ITS OWN AND IN THAT HONG KONG WAS PLAYING A VERY IMPORTANT PART.
"THE PEARL RIVER AREA WILL BECOME A GREAT CENTRE OF GROWTH IN EAST ASIA IN THE NEXT 20 OR 30 YEARS AND HONG KONG IS IN A UNIQUE POSITION GEOGRAPHICALLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE KEY CHANGES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IN THE ECONOMIC WORLD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
-----0-----
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY RELEASED
******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY 1991, AT $118,857 MILLION, GREW BY 39% IN VALUE TERMS AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN JANUARY 1991 RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 15% TO $19,176 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 40% TO $39,021 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 30% TO $58,197 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 48% TO $60,661 MILLION.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH.
IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY THIS YEAR ARE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, BUT IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1991 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1990, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 2% TO $228,414 MILLION WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS WAS UP BY 22% TO $425,059 MILLION.
/TAKING DOMESTIC .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
- 5 -
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY 14%. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 18% TO $662,100 MILLION. THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, AS A WHOLE, INCREASED BY 16%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1990, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE, CHINA AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY RECORDED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OF 82%, 55% AND 46% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO THE NETHERLANDS, TAIWAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 31%, 26%, 26% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA AND THE USA DECREASED BY 16% AND 11% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1990, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $667 MILLION OR 65%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $496 MILLION OR 43%); CLOTHING (BY $173 MILLION OR 3%); AND TEXTILES (BY $151 MILLION OR 12%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $48 MILLION OR 2%), AND FOOTWEAR (BY $11 MILLION OR 11%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARIZED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JANUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1990, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, TAIWAN AND JAPAN, BY 100%, 74%, 61% AND 54% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM THE USA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, CHINA, SWITZERLAND, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND FRANCE INCREASED BY 49%, 48%, 43%, 39%, 35% AND 24% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,537 MILLION OR 66%); TEXTILES (BY $1,837 MILLION OR 39%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,624 MILLION OR 56%); AND CLOTHING (BY $1,618 MILLION OR 43%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CORK AND WOOD AND MANUFACTURES THEREOF (BY $125 MILLION OR 25%).
/THE CHANGES .......
TUESDAY, MARCH IZ, 1991
6
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JANUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1990, THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS TO ALL THE MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA, TAIWAN, SWITZERLAND, THE NETHERLANDS AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY 96%, 61%, 54%, 54%, 53% AND 45% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO JAPAN, THE USA, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND SINGAPORE INCREASED BY 31%, 22%, 10% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1991 WliH JANUARY 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,354 MILLION OR 35%); TEXTILES (BY $1,152 MILLION OR 39%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1,116 MILLION OR 32%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $937 MILLION OR 42%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN INORGANIC CHEMICALS (BY $37 MILLION OR 21%), AND OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (BY $30 MILLION OR 47%).
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 JANUARY 1991 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY APRIL 1991.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE JANUARY 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE” WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND MARCH 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 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE PERCENTAGE
MAJOR MARKET 1991 1990 INCREASE
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) ( % )
USA CHINA 4,712 4,263 5,277 2,752 + 1, 565 511 + 11 55
FR OF GERMANY 1,930 1,319 + 611 + 46
UK 1,201 957 + 244 + 26
JAPAN 938 897 + 41 + 5
SINGAPORE 861 472 + 389 + 82
TAIWAN 559 443 + 116 + 26
NETHERLANDS 502 384 + 118 + 31
CANADA 440 524 - 84 - 16
FRANCE 334 334 # ♦
'# DENOTES LESS THAN HKD 0.5 MN.
♦ DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE PERCENTAGE
COMMODITY 1991 1990 INCREASE
DIVISION (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN. ) ( % )
ARTICLES OE APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 6,140 5,968 + 173 + 3
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND
SILVERSM1THS ' WARES) 1,897 1,945 - 48 - 2
OFFICE MACHINES
AND AUTOMATIC
DATA PROCESSING
EQUIPMENT 1,692 1,025 + 667 + 65
/PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
- 8 -
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,653 1,501 + 152 + 10
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,636 1,140 + 496 ♦ 43
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,376 1,225 + 151 + 12
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER JANUARY 1991 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1990 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
CHINA 22,881 16,043 6,838 + 43
JAPAN 8,816 5,711 + 3, 105 + 54
TAIWAN 5,635 3,503 + 2,132 • + 61
USA 5,280 3,551 + 1,729 + 49
SINGAPORE 3,099 1 ,546 + 1,553 + 100
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,815 1,614 + 1,201 + 74
UK 1,310 887 + 423 + 48
FR OF GERMANY 1,276 948 + 328 35
SWITZERLAND 849 611 + 237 + 39
FRANCE 805 647 + 157 24
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JANUARY 1991 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1990 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6,587 4,751 +■ 1,837 39
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 6,359 3,822 + 2,537 + 66
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,374 3,756 + 1,618 4- 43
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,536 2,912 + 1,624 + 56
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,983 2,769 + 1,214 4- 44
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,868 2,245 + 623 4 28
TABLE 5: RE -EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET ( JANUARY 1991 HKD MN.) JANUARY 1990 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
CHINA 11,090 6,889 + 4,201 4- 61
USA 7,625 6,245 4- 1,380 + 22
FR OF GERMANY 2,948 1,501 + 1,447 4- 96
JAPAN 2,261 1,730 4- 531 4- 31
TAIWAN 2,016 1,311 + 705 4- 54
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1 ,096 995 + 101 4- 10
UK 1,061 733 + 328 4- 45
SINGAPORE 955 925 4- 29 4- 3
NETHERLANDS 651 425 4- 226 4- 53
SWITZERLAND 348 226 + 122 4- 54
/TABLE 6 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
10
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION
JANUARY JANUARY
1991 1990
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.)
INCREASE PERCENTAGE INCREASE (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,223 3,869 4 1,354 4 35
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 4,593 3,477 + 1,116 4 32
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4 , 100 2,948 4 1 , 152 4 39
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,489 2,570 4 919 4 36
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3, 185 2,248 4 937 4 42
FOOTWEAR
1,844 961 4 883 + 92
-----0-----
NO RESTRICTION ON TRADE WITH KUWAIT
******
THE GOVERNOR HAS ISSUED AN OPEN GENERAL LICENCE PERMITTING ALL TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND KUWAIT TODAY (TUESDAY), BY EXERCISING HIS AUTHORITY UNDER ARTICLES 2 AND 4 OF THE IRAQ AND KUWAIT (UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS) (DEPENDENT TERRITORIES) ORDER 1990 WHICH WAS APPLIED TO HONG KONG WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 9 LAST YEAR.
’’FOLLOWING THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN THE GULF AND THE RESTORATION OF LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT IN KUWAIT, IT IS NOW CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG TO RESUME TRADE RELATIONS WITH KUWAIT,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID.
’’SHOULD TRADERS HAVE ANY ENQUIRIES, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT FOR ADVICE," HE ADDED.
- - 0----------
/Il ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
11
GOVT DISAPPOINTED BY PREFERENTIAL * ♦
AUSTRALIA’S PHASING-OUT TARIFF TREATMENT * ♦ ♦ ♦
CERTAIN HONG KONG EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA WILL GRADUALLY LOSE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF TREATMENT AS FROM JULY 1992 UNDER A PACKAGE OF ECONOMIC MEASURES ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT HE UNDERSTOOD THE MOVE CAME AS A RESULT OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO MAKE MAJOR REDUCTIONS IN AUSTRALIA’S TARIFFS BETWEEN JULY 1, 1992 AND THE YEAR 2000.
ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES MADE BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, THE AVERAGE GENERAL (MOST FAVOURED NATION) TARIFF RATE ON ALL IMPORTS WILL HAVE FALLEN IN PHASES FROM SOME 18 PER CENT IN 1987-88 TO 4.7 PER CENT BY 2000.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO PHASE OUT THE ' PREFERENTIAL TARIFF TREATMENT FOR HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND TAIWAN ON THOSE ITEMS ON WHICH TARIFFS ARE TO BE CUT FROM JULY 1, 1992.
UNDER THE AUSTRALIAN SYSTEM OF TARIFF PREFERENCES, A FIVE PERCENTAGE PREFERENCE MARGIN APPLIES TO ALL IMPORTS FROM ANY DEVELOPING COUNTRY.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW MEASURE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "OUR INITIAL REACTION IS THAT WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT CERTAIN HONG KONG EXPORTS WILL LOSE THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF TREATMENT OVER TIME."
"THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA IN THE PAST TWO YEARS WAS FAIRLY SLUGGISH. WE ARE NATURALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT. "
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WOULD STILL ENJOY PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT FOR PRODUCTS ON WHICH DUTIES AT JULY 1, 1992 WOULD BE AT FIVE PER CENT OR LESS.
"OVER HALF OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS ENTERED AUSTRALIA DUTY FREE IN 1989-90. THESE EXPORTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY DUTY FREE TREATMENT," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN THE LONG TERM, EXPORTS FROM HONG KONG WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE SUBSTANTIAL TARIFF CUTS UNDER AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMIC REFORM.
THE DEPARTMENT IS AWAITING DETAILS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. IT WILL THEN EXAMINE THE PROPOSALS CLOSELY AND ADVISE TRADERS CONCERNED OF THE LIKELY FUTURE EFFECTS OF THE AUSTRALIAN PLANS.
HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA LAST YEAR WERE VALUED AT $3.52 BILLION, 16 PER CENT DOWN ON 1989.
------0-----------
/12 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
12
FIVE GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $484 MILLION ******
FIVE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD -FOR A TOTAL OF $484 MILLION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A PUBLIC AUCTION THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
TOPPING THE LIST IS A 8,675-SQUARE-METRE LOT FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AT AREA 6, MA WO, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT IS BOUGHT BY HIGH ELITE LTD FOR $200 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $125 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 12,500 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE SECOND LOT, LOCATED AT THE REAR OF NOS.. 181-205 SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, SHAU KEI WAN, HONG KONG ISLAND, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 726.3 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL, EXCLUDING HOTEL AND GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE SITE WAS BOUGHT BY TRIPLE REACH LTD FOR $105 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $40 MILLION.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 4,445 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1994.
THE THIRD LOT WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,100 SQUARE METRES IS LOCATED AT AREA 14B, YUEN SHUN CIRCUIT, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, EXCLUDING GODOWN, RESIDENTIAL AND HOTEL.
BIDDING OPENED AT $75 MILLION AND THE SITE WAS BOUGHT BY TATRINE DEVELOPMENT CO LTD FOR $94 MILLION.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 16,878 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE FOURTH LOT, AT AP LEI CHAU WEST AND WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,500 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY DAILY EAGLE INVESTMENT LTD AND DOUBLE JOY INVESTMENT CO LTD AT THE OFFSET PRICE OF $60 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 25,650 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
/THE FIFTH .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
13 -
THE FIFTH LOT, LOCATED AT AREA 4B, SHEUNG SHUI, NEW TERRITORIES, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,759 SQUARE METRES. THE SITE IS ALSO INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY DIGITEK ELECTRONICS LTD FOR $25 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $ 15 MILLION.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 5,277 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1994.
THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR JAMES HUGHES.
HE SAID THE RESULT OF THE AUCTION WAS ENCOURAGING.
------0-----------
GOVT STATEMENT ON DISRUPTION OF MTR SERVICES »»*»*»
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION HELD A MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING CONCERNING THE MAJOR DISRUPTION OF MTR SERVICES DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOURS YESTERDAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MTRC ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISRUPTION AND THE INCONVENIENCE IT HAS CAUSED TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CORPORATION HAS ALREADY STARTED FULL INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF THE INCIDENT, ITS RECOVERY PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION SYSTEM. IT WILL PROVIDE A PRELIMINARY REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT WITHIN TWO WEEKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO STARTED REVIEWING THE ARRANGEMENTS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AS WELL AS INFORMATION DISSEMINATION PROCEDURES IN THE LIGHT OF THIS INCIDENT AND EXAMINING HOW THEY COULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED.
HAVING STUDIED THESE REPORTS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL THEN CONSIDER WHETHER THERE IS A NEED FOR A FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
- - 0----------
/14 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
- 14 -
NOMINATIONS FOR KWUN TONG BY-ELECTION * » * t t t
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION TO FILL TWO SEATS IN THE SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 21, A SUNDAY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID NOMINATIONS WILL BE CALLED ON FRIDAY (MARCH 15) AND WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 2.
HE SAID INTENDING CANDIDATES MUST BE REGISTERED ELECTORS ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL AND HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR 10 YEARS PRECEDING NOMINATION.
A CANDIDATE CAN BE A RESIDENT ANYWHERE IN HONG KONG BUT HIS NOMINATION MAY ONLY BE MADE BY REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY.
EACH NOMINATION REQUIRES 10 SUBSCRIBERS AND EACH SUBSCRIBER MAY GIVE SUPPORT TO NO MORE THAN TWO CANDIDATES.
NOMINATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE'AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET, KOWLOON AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY COVERS MAINLY THE SHUN LEE AND SHUN ON ESTATES AND SHUN CHI COURT, AND HAS A REGISTERED ELECTORATE OF 15,030.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD UNLESS THE SEATS ARE UNCONTESTED.
THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION FOR THIS CONSTITUENCY WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 3, BUT WAS COUNTERMANDED FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF ONE OF THE CANDIDATES, MR POON YU-KWONG.
---------------------0------- WARMER AND SUNNIER THAN NORMAL IN FEBRUARY *****
TEMPERATURE AND SUNSHINE FIGURES FOR LAST MONTH SHOWED THAT THE MONTH WAS ON THE WHOLE WARMER AND SUNNIER THAN NORMAL, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT RELEASED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY MEANWHILE WAS STRETCHED BETWEEN TWO EXTREMES - FROM NEAR SATURATION IN DAMP AND FOGGY CONDITIONS TO BELOW 30 PER CENT ON DAYS WITH DRY AND CLEAR WEATHER.
/THE RAIN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
15
THE RAIN THAT FELL DURING THE MONTH WAS MOSTLY LIGHT AND PATCHY. THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 8.2 MILLIMETRES WAS 83 PER CENT BELOW THE FEBRUARY NORMAL OF 48 MILLIMETRES.
TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 AMOUNTED TO 36.9 MILLIMETRES, 48 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 71.4 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE MONTH BEGAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A COOL WINTER MONSOON WHICH REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS ON THE LAST DAY OF JANUARY.
THE CLOUDS THINNED OUT ON FEBRUARY 2, BUT THE WARMING EFFECT OF THE SUN WAS NOT FELT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE WINTER MONSOON SUBSIDED.
THE WEATHER STAYED FINE DURING THE FOLLOWING WEEK APART FROM ONE CLOUDY DAY ON FEBRUARY 5 AS A RESULT OF FRESHENING EASTERLIES.
OFFSHORE AREAS, PARTICULARLY AREAS TO THE EAST, WERE AT TIMES SHROUDED IN MIST DURING THE PERIOD, BUT THE HARBOUR AREAS WERE ONLY AFFECTED ON FEBRUARY 7.
THE FRESHENING OF EASTERLIES ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 11 BROUGHT COOLER WEATHER AND MORE WIDESPREAD MIST.
VISIBILITY DETERIORATED FURTHER OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS AS THE EASTERLIES WERE GRADUALLY REPLACED BY A HUMID MARITIME AIRSTREAM.
THE TERRITORY WAS COVERED IN LOW CLOUDS AND FOG WITH LIGHT RAIN FALLING FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE WEATHER MEANWHILE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WARMER, WITH THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 22.5 DEGREES ON FEBRUARY 14 BEING THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH.
CLEARANCE OCCURRED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF FEBRUARY 15 IN RESPONSE TO THE ARRIVAL OF A DRY NORTHERLY AIRSTREAM. EVEN THOUGH THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BY TWO TO THREE DEGREES, THE BRILLIANTLY FINE WEATHER ARRIVED IN TIME FOR THE FESTIVE CROWD ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
HOWEVER, THE CLOUDS SOON RETURNED AS THE NORTHERLIES WERE REPLACED BY MOIST EASTERLIES THAT NIGHT.
CLOUDY WEATHER WITH NIGHT DRIZZLE PREVAILED OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
DRIZZLE BECAME MORE FREQUENT ON FEBRUARY 19 AS A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON APPROACHED THE COASTAL AREAS OF GUANGDONG.
FRESHENING NORTHERLIES BROUGHT COLD AIR ACROSS THE SOUTH CHINA COAST DURING THE NIGHT.
THE TEMPERATURE ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 20 FELL TO 11.5 DEGREES, THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH.
/OVER THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
- 16 -
OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS, THE TEMPERATURE GRADUALLY RECOVERED AS THE WEATHER TURNED BRIGHTER.
HOWEVER, THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY CONTINUED TO FALL AS THE EFFECT OF THE DRY NORTHERLIES WAS FELT.
HILL FIRES WERE REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY UNDER THE EXTREMELY DRY CONDITIONS.
THE EASTERLIES FRESHENED ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 24 AND LED TO CLOUDIER WEATHER FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
AFTER SOME MORNING DRIZZLE ON FEBRUARY 27, CONDITIONS BECAME EVEN MOISTER AS A HUMID MARITIME AIRSTREAM MOVED IN.
MIST HOVERING OVER OFFSHORE AREAS THICKENED INTO FOG DURING THE NIGHT.
VISIBILITY INSIDE THE HARBOUR ALSO DETERIORATED THE NEXT MORNING. THE WEATHER STAYED GENERALLY CLOUDY AND MISTY THROUGHOUT THE DAY WITH PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN AT TIMES.
THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA WERE DEVOID OF TROPICAL CYCLONES IN THE MONTH. ONE AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED DUE TO FOGGY WEATHER ON FEBRUARY 14. THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 2, 3, 10, 15 TO 17, 20, 21, 25 AND THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 21 TO 25.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE & TIME OF HOISTING DATE & TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER STRONG FEBRUARY 12 FEBRUARY 12
MONSOON MONSOON 10 AM 2.30 PM
WINTER STRONG FEBRUARY 16 FEBRUARY 17
MONSOON MONSOON 7.50 AM 7 AM
WINTER STRONG FEBRUARY 17 FEBRUARY 18
MONSOON MONSOON 11.30 PM 7.45 AM
WINTER STRONG FEBRUARY 25 FEBRUARY 25
MONSOON MONSOON 4.30 AM 2.30 PM
THE MONTH'S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 116.4 HOURS ; 18.7 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL 10.87 MJ/SQ. METRES ; 0.18 MJ/SQ. METRE
SOLAR RADIATION ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 8.2 MM ; 39.8 MM BELOW NORMAL
/MEAN AMOUNT .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
- 17 -
64 PER CENT
75 PER CENT
19.3 DEGREES CELSIUS
1 7.1 DEGREES CELSIUS
1 5.3 DEGREES CELSIUS
1 2.5 DEGREES CELSIUS
64.2 MM
; 9 PER CENT LESS THAN NORMAL
; 3 PER CENT LOWER THAN NORMAL
; 0.7 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
; 1.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
; 1.4 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
; 0.7 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
; 14.8 MM BELOW NORMAL
------0--------
NEW MEASURES TO TACKLE VEHICLE THEFTS ♦ ♦ * » ♦
A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN STEMMING THE TIDE OF VEHICLE THEFTS AND THE TRADE IN STOLEN VEHICLES HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU IN NEW AGREEMENTS WITH INSURANCE BODIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
CAR RINGING RACKETS AND THE SLACK IDENTIFICATION OF CARS BEING EXPORTED WILL BE CONTROLLED BY NEW MEASURES WHICH HAVE BEEN UNDER DISCUSSION FOR FIVE YEARS.
ESTIMATED VALUE OF STOLEN AND LOST VEHICLES LAST YEAR WAS ABOUT $400 MILLION.
THE STAFF OFFICER, CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU MR JOHN BORMAN, SAID: ’’TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING VEHICLE INSURERS IN HONG KONG, THE MOTOR TRADE AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER AN AGREEMENT WHICH I CONFIDENTLY PREDICT WILL VASTLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF NON-RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLES.
’’MORE MONEY IS NOW BEING MADE IN CAR THEFTS THAN IN JEWELLERY SHOP ROBBERIES. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT VEHICLE CRIME FIGURES HAVE GONE THROUGH THE ROOF."
HIGH VALUE CARS BEING STOLEN FOR ILLEGAL EXPORT TO CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES WERE BEING TRANSPORTED RY LORRIES OR IN CONTAINERS. CARS WERE BEING FOUND OVERSEAS WHICH HAD BEEN STOLEN IN HONG KONG AND ALREADY SOLD TO NEW OWNERS.
/MR NORMAN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
18
MR NORMAN SAID THE THREE MAIN AREAS OF VEHICLE CRIME WERE CAR RINGING IN WHICH LOST CARS WERE RESOLD WITH COMPLETELY NEW IDENTITIES OR WRECKED CARS WRITTEN OFF AND SUBSTITUTED BY STOLEN CARS; THE EXPORTATION OF VEHICLES FROM HONG KONG; AND THE SMUGGLING TO CHINA OF WHOLE OR DISMANTLED HIGH VALUE CARS.
THE DOCUMENTS OF CARS WRITTEN OFF WERE BEING PASSED TO COVER IDENTICAL CARS WHICH WERE BEING STOLEN AND COVERED BY THE OTHER CARS’ DOCUMENTS AND LICENCE PLATES.
’’ALMOST ALL THESE CARS ARE LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD,” MR NORMAN SAID. ”IT MAY BE FIVE YEARS BEFORE ANYONE CHECKS THE CAR’S TRUE IDENTITY AGAINST ITS CHASSIS NUMBER. BY THEN IT COULD HAVE CHANGED HANDS SEVERAL TIMES.
"THIS HAPPENS FOUR OR FIVE TIMES A DAY.
”IT IS THE BULK OF ORDINARY CLASS VEHICLES STOLEN. EXPENSIVE, HIGH VALUE CARS ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL.”
ON THE EXPORTATION OF CARS FROM HONG KONG, MR NORMAN, SAID MERE POSSESSION OF A VEHICLE WAS ENOUGH TO SHIP IT. A BILL OF LADING WAS SUFFICIENT PROOF OF OWNERSHIP.
’’YOU DON’T HAVE TO PROVE IT’S YOUR CAR AND THESE ARE HIGH VALUE CARS.”
THE NEW AGREEMENT WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF INSURERS WILL REQUIRE THAT WHEN A WRECKED VEHICLE IS WRITTEN OFF THE LOG BOOK AND REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS WILL NOT BE GIVEN TO PURCHASERS BUT INSTEAD SENT TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
A REFRAINING ORDER WILL BE ISSUED WHICH WILL PREVENT ANY TRADING ON A WRECKED CAR’S IDENTIFICATION.
’’THIS WILL MEAN THAT YOU CAN’T USE THAT VEHICLE’S NUMBER OR LOG BOOK UNTIL IT HAS BEEN SEEN TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND THAT IT SUFFERED THE SAME DAMAGE AS SHOWN ON A REPORT AND ON A PHOTOGRAPH,” MR NORMAN SAID.
MEASURES ARE ALSO AFOOT TO MAKE THE EXPORT OF VEHICLES DECLARABLE THROUGH CUSTOMS AND EXCISE. LOOPHOLES IN BILLS OF LADING ARE ALSO UNDER DISCUSSION.
"THESE MOVES WILL HAVE A DRAMATIC EFFECT ON VEHICLE THEFTS AND THE ILLEGAL USE OF THEIR DOCUMENTS,” MR NORMAN SAID. "DOZENS OF CARS ARE BEING WRITTEN OFF EVERY DAY IN HONG KONG."
- - 0----------
/19 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
19 LOCAL CHARITY ORGANISATIONS PRAISED
THE ENHANCEMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES DEPENDS MUCH ON THE EFFORTS AND SUPPORTS BY LOCAL CHARITY ORGANISATIONS.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN HOSTING A SPRING RECEPTION FOR BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF TRADITIONAL CHARITY ORGANISATIONS.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE GUESTS FOR THEIR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY SERVICES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
MORE THAN 50 GUESTS ATTENDED THE PARTY. THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS WERE FROM THE TUNG WAH GROUPS OF HOSPITALS, PO LEUNG KOK, YAN CHAI HOSPITAL, POK 01 HOSPITAL AND YAN 01 TONG.
---------0-----------
SYMPOSIUM FOR WORK SAFETY TRAINERS TO START ON THURSDAY
MORE THAN 160 OFFICERS FROM 73 ORGANISATIONS WILL TAKE PART IN A TWO-DAY SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT STARTING FROM THURSDAY.
THE RESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION AND THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
COMPRISING A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS, THE SYMPOSIUM WILL INTRODUCE THE ESSENTIAL METHODS AND INSTRUCTIONAL TRAINING TECHNIQUES TO THOSE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISING OR IMPLEMENTING IN-HOUSE SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
IT WILL ALSO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF PARTICIPATING SAFETY OFFICERS AND IN-PLANT SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS AND WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH A FORUM FOR EXCHANGING IDEAS.
GUEST SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE OFFICERS FROM THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE AS WELL AS EXPERTS FROM ACADEMIC INSTITUTES AND PRIVATE COMPANIES.
/THE SYMPOSIUM .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
20
THE SYMPOSIUM WILL BE OPEN ON THURSDAY BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, CONSULTANT TO THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, MR A.T. ASUNCION, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR K.Y. TONGSON, A COUNCIL MEMBER, MR CHEUNG LUN, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY OF REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICERS, MR LEE HUNG-KWONG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SYMPOSIUM WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM ON THURSDAY AT BLOCK 5, LEI YUE MUN PARK AND HOLIDAY VILLAGE.
A COACH (EE 3 414) TAKING MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE VENUE WILL DEPART FROM HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AT 9.15 AM SHARP.
--------0-----------
TEXTBOOKS DISPLAY TO BOOST CHINESE TEACHING MEDIUM
******
AN EXHIBITION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE THE USE OF CHINESE AS THE TEACHING MEDIUM WILL BE HELD FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY (MARCH 14 TO 16) AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GASCOIGNE ROAD.
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION IS ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE.
EIGHTY-TWO SETS OF TEXTBOOKS COMPRISING 14 GENERAL SUBJECTS AND EIGHT PRACTICAL/TECHNICAL SUBJECTS PRODUCED UNDER A GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE AWARD SCHEME WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
THE SCHEME, IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED MORE THAN $10 MILLION, OFFERS FINANCIAL AND EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATING PUBLISHERS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PRODUCE GOOD QUALITY CHINESE TEXTBOOKS.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR YEUNG KAI-YIN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE HALL OF THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD, YAU MA TEI AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 14).
------0--------
/21 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
21
EXHIBITION OF HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECTS AND PAINTINGS * * ♦ * ♦
A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL, BEGINNING FRIDAY (MARCH 15).
IT WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 5.30 PM DAILY. ADMISSION IS FREE.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE THE WINNING AND OUTSTANDING ENTRIES IN THE 1991 INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION AND THE INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PAINTING COMPETITION.
SPONSORED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, THE CONTESTS WERE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ENHANCE HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG STUDENTS.
ABOUT 2,200 ENTRIES FROM 147 SCHOOLS WERE RECEIVED.
--------0------------
LATEST ISSUE OF
’CAMPAIGN ENVIRONMENT'
******
NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
THE LATEST ISSUE OF A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (ECC), "CAMPAIGN ENVIRONMENT”, IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THIS ISSUE HIGHLIGHTED VEHICLE EMISSION, THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL TO HONG KONG STARTING FROM APRIL 1, AND VEHICLE POLLUTION.
THE FULL-COLOUR TABLOID IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER.
FREE COPIES OF THE PUBLICATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE RECEPTION COUNTER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON 28TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, WANCHAI; AND AT THE PUBLICITY DIVISION OF INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE GREEN GROUPS INCLUDING THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION AT ROOM 709, STAG BUILDING, 148-150 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL; FRIENDS OF THE EARTH ON SECOND FLOOR, 53-55 LOCKHART ROAD, WANCHAI; WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE HONG KONG AT 1 TRAMWAY PATH, CENTRAL; AND GREEN POWER AT ROOM 705, NATHAN CENTRE, 508 NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK.
THE PUBLICATION IS PUBLISHED BY THE ECC IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST AND WAH KIU YAT PO.
/22 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ******
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF NBD ASIA LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DB FUNDS APPLICATION TO CLOSE ON FRIDAY
******
ORGANISATIONS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN WISHING TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD DO SO ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY (MARCH 15).
A DB SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS WHICH COULD GENERATE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY LOCAL RESIDENTS.
OTHER NEW AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES, WHICH COULD ENHANCE A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT, WOULD ALSO BE SUPPORTED, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED ORGANISATIONS THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE A BALANCED PLANNING FOR ANNUAL ACTIVITIES SO THAT MANPOWER AND RESOURCES CONSTRAINTS AT THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR COULD BE AVOIDED.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD AND ITS SUB-OFFICE AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING).
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS, TOGETHER WITH BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE PLANNED ACTIVITIES, SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DB SECRETARIAT ON 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO MISS ROSANNA HO ON TEL. 852 3480.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1991
- 23 -
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN NORTH POINT DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS
TO CLOSE
SO THAT THEY
OR THE PUBLIC.
CERTAIN
CAN BE
THE STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED ON THE FROM THE EXTERNAL WALLS OF THE NINTH AND BUILDING, 77-87 MARBLE ROAD.
MAIN ROOF AND PROJECTING 10TH FLOORS OF HONG LOK
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 12 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE THE
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
SHW'S ADDRESS ON SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER .......................... 1
COMPETITION IS THE KEY TO BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT .................... 3
BILL TO EXTEND TRADE MARKS REGISTRATION TO SERVICES .................. 7
AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON ELECTION PETITIONS .............................. 8
AMENDMENT TO IMPROVE LEGAL AID PRACTICES ............................. 9
ICAC WILL EXERCISE POWER WITH GREAT CAUTION .......................... 11
MOTION ON MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF HKECIC PASSED .............. 11
FUND SEEKING MOTION PASSED ........................................... 12
DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF DUTY FOR LEADED AND UNLEADED PETROL ............ 13
SECOND STAGE RISE IN LEGAL AID FEES .................................. 14
FIXED PENALTY COURT COSTS TO BE INCREASED ............................ 15
CURFEW HOURS NOT AFFECTED BY ALTERNATIVE FLIGHT ROUTEING ............. 15
ESTABLISHMENT AND STRENGTH OF GOVT DOCTORS EXPLAINED ................. 16
RISE IN PROJECT COSTS NOTHING TO DO WITH DUTY DERELICTION ............ 17
CHINA VISITS PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING ............................ 18
CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT BEING KEPT TIDY ...................... 19
CLOSURE OF AIRPORT INFORMATION COUNTER HAS NOT INCONVENIENCED PUBLIC . 19
NO CHANGE TO FIRST PHASE OF UK NATIONALITY SCHEME .................... 20
CLEAR AND CONSISTENT STANDARDS FOR RECOGNITION OF POST SECONDARY COURSES . 21
TIMING FOR BUILDING ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTOR ...................... 22
CNTA'S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE TO BE REORGANISED ...................... 23
GOVT ADOPTS PRAGMATIC AND REASONABLE APPROACH TO OVERSTAYERS ......... 24
BLASTING CONTROLS UNDER REVIEW ....................................... 25
SIX BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO ............................................ 26
GOVERNOR OPENS HK PAVILION AT CEBIT FAIR ............................... 27
SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED ................................... 28
GUIDELINES FOR EXCO DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ................................... 30
FIVE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ............................ 31
STATEMENT ON RESUMPTION OF HOI PA VILLAGE ...................................... 33
ANTI-LITTERING API'S WIN MEDAL ................................................. 34
SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE VISITS HOUSING DEPARTMENT .......................... 35
SALARIES TAX PAYMENT REMINDER .................................................. 35
IRD KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE ON MOVE ................................................. 36
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ....................................................... 36
WINNERS PICKED FOR CLEAN AND GREEN COMPETITIONS ................................ 37
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 1
SHW’S ADDRESS ON SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER
FOLLOWING IS THE STATEMENT ON THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THI- HON ELIZABETH WONG, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
SIR, LAID ON THE TABLE TODAY IS THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990'8 AND BEYOND.
THIS WHITE PAPER SETS OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES. IT REPRESENTS THE CULMINATION OF A YEAR’S COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BY A WORKING PARTY COMPRISING MAINLY NON-OFFICIALS DRAWN FROM ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTtfUftONS INVOLVED IN SOCIAL WELFARE AND OTHER AREAS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR. GREAT CREDIT AND GRATITUDE IS DUE TO THESE PERSONS FOR THE CREATIVITY AND HARD WORK THEY HAVE OFFERED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG.
THE WORKING PARTY SOUGHT PUBLIC VIEWS AT THE BEGINNING OF ITS WORK IN EARLY 1990 AND AGAIN ON ITS DRAFT REPORT IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. DURING THE SECOND ROUND OF CONSULTATION, THE WORKING PARTY RECEIVED MANY HELPFUL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS THROUGH THE DISTRICT BOARDS, SEMINARS, WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS AND THE DEBATE IN THIS CHAMBER. THE USE OF THIS TRANSPARENT DRAFTING PROCESS HAS MEANT THAT THE FINAL WHITE PAPER HAS BEEN ABLE TO RESPOND, BOTH IN DIRECTION AND SUBSTANCE, TO MANY OF THE PUBLIC DESIRES AND CONCERNS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
THE WHITE PAPER TABLED TODAY DIFFERS, THEREFORE, IN SEVERAL RESPECTS FROM THE WORKING PARTY’S DRAFT REPORT ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. COMMENTS ABOUT THE VAGUENESS OF PROPOSED FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AND THE APPARENT LACK OF COMMITMENT TO FUNDING HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE INCLUSION OF AN IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE GIVING PLANNED TARGETS AND PLANNING TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED. THE NEED TO CLARIFY CONFUSION OVER THE POSSIBILITIES OF FEE-CHARGING HAS ALSO BEEN RECOGNIZED THROUGH THE UNDERTAKING TO FORM A WORKING PARTY OF GOVERNMENT AND SERVICE AGENCIES TO STUDY FURTHER HOW THIS CONCEPT MIGHT BE DEVELOPED.
THERE WAS A STRONG CALL FOR THE WHITE PAPER TO
ADDRESS THE
CONSEQUENCES OF AN AGING POPULATION ON FOR THE ELDERLY. THIS IS FREQUENTLY
THE PROVISION
LINKED TO THE
OF SERVICES
SUBJECT OF
PROVIDING SCHEMES.
THE TERMS
FOR FINANCIAL SECURITY IN OLD AGE RETIREMENT PROVISION FOR THE ELDERLY OF REFERENCE OF THE WORKING PARTY
THROUGH CONTRIBUTORY
DTD NOT FALL WITHIN
OR THE SCOPE OF THE
WHITE PAPER. HOWEVER, THE ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIEW THAT THE ELDERLY SHOULD CONTINUE TO
WILL BE DONE. NOT ONLY WILL
FOREWORD TO THE WHITE PAPER DOES ISSUE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE BE EXAMINED BY GOVERNMENT. THIS THE EXISTING SCHEMES BE KEPT UNDER
CONSTANT REVIEW BUT OTHER RELATED AREAS WILL BE EXAMINED SUCH AS THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG.
/COMMENTS WERE .......
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COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED ON OTHER ISSUES FALLING OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE WHITE PAPER. ONE REQUEST CONCERNED COVERAGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN THE WHITE PAPER. THIS WILL BE MET THROUGH THE COMPREHENSIVE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION ANNOUNCED BY YOU SIR IN YOUR OCTOBER ADDRESS. WORK ON THE GREEN PAPER HAS ALREADY BEGUN, AND WE SHOULD BE READY FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION LATER THIS YEAR.
THE WHITE PAPER ITSELF DOES NOT ADOPT A NARROW FOCUS, AND A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES HAS BEEN CONSIDERED IN ITS FORMULATION AND BEFORE ESTABLISHING THAT THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT RISK AND THE ELDERLY MUST ALL CARRY HIGH PRIORITY.
THE WHITE PAPER AIMS TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY THROUGH SERVICES WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN ACTIVE AND VALUED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE FORM OF HOME HELP, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES, DAY CARE AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE EXPANDED. A HIGH PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO MEETING THE GROWING DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE IN THE FORM OF SUBVENTED CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND HOMES FOR THE AGED. IN ADDITION, PROPERLY REGULATED PRIVATE AND NON-PROFIT MAKING HOMES WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY THEIR PART.
THE WHITE PAPER LOOKS UPON THE FAMILY AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF OUR SOCIETY. TRADITIONALLY, IT IS THROUGH THE FAMILY THAT YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE HAVE BEEN CARED FOR AND SUPPORTED. WITH THE INCREASE IN SMALLER FAMILIES, THIS NETWORK OF FAMILY SUPPORT HAS BECOME WEAKER AT A TIME WHEN THE STRESSES AND STRAINS OF OUR RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SOCIETY HAVE INCREASED THE PRESSURES ON ALL FAMILY MEMBERS. FAMILY CASEWORK AND COUNSELLING SERVICES WILL BE STEPPED UP TO HELP AND REACH OUT TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING PERSONAL AND FAMILY PROBLEMS. SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS HOME HELP AND DAY CARE FOR CHILDREN WILL BE STRENGTHENED. SPECIAL ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING NUMBER OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES AND TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO CANNOT PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF DAILY LIFE. IN PARTICULAR, THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSES THAT THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN FAMILIES RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BE RECOGNIZED B\ AN ADDITIONAL CHILD SUPPLEMENT. AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE OF THE WHITE PAPER, THIS SUPPLEMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR.
THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG IS NOT SOLELY A MATTER OF MORE MONEY, SERVICES AND FACILITIES. MUCH WILL ALSO DEPEND UPON HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO PROVIDE MORE SOCIAL WORKERS OF THE SAME CALIBRE AND COMMITMENT AS THOSE WHO ALREADY SERVE, SO ADMIRABLY, THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE WHITE PAPER RECOGNISES DIFFICULTIES IN EXPANDING THE SUPPLS OF CERTAIN SOCIAL WORK PERSONNEL, AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING AND MANPOWER PLANNING AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE WAYS AND MEANS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
/SIR, HONG ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
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SIR, HONG KONG IS A PROSPEROUS AND CARING SOCIETY. THIS IS EVIDENT BY THE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE AREA OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN THE PAST DECADES. THERE IS ALREADY A SOLID FOUNDATION UPON WHICH TO BUILD AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THIS FIRM FOUNDATION.
THE WHITE PAPER TABLED TODAY IS A STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG. IT SETS OUT CLEAR OBJECTIVES AND PROPOSALS TO COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES, CONSTRAINTS AND DEMANDS OF MEETING THE CHANGING NEEDS AND EVOLVING ASPIRATIONS OF OUR SOCIETY. I AM CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THROUGH THE DEDICATION AND EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP, THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED.
------------------------0------- COMPETITION IS THE KEY TO BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THE KEY TO FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES’ SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENT IN EFFICIENCY LAY IN HEALTHY COMPETITION RATHER THAN TIGHTER CONTROL OVER THEIR DAILY MANAGEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ROUNDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON ’FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN HONG KONG’, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENT DECISION TO GRANT OPERATING RIGHTS OVER CERTAIN BUS ROUTES THROUGH PUBLIC TENDER WAS AIMED AT STIMULATING HEALTHY COMPETITION WITHOUT UNDERMINING THE EXISTING FRANCHISING ARRANGEMENTS.
HE SAID THE FIRST TENDER FOR SUCH ROUTES WAS EXPECTED TO GO OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
MR LEUNG ASSURED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD AN ’OPEN MIND’ ON CURRENT FRANCHISING ARRANGEMENTS AND WOULD INTRODUCE FURTHER REFINEMENTS WHERE NECESSARY WHEN CONSIDERING THE EXTENSION OF KOWLOON MOTOR BUS AND CHINA MOTOR BUS’ FRANCHISES.
HOWEVER, MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT UNDER THE PRESENT POLICY FRAMEWORK, HONG KONG HAD BENEFITTED FROM A PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM THAT WAS WELL INTEGRATED AND OFFERED COMMUTERS A GOOD RANGE OF CHOICE AT REASONABLE FARES.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT MOTIVATED EXISTING FRANCHISEES TO BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING PASSENGER DEMAND, SUCH AS ADOPTING BETTER WORK PRACTICE AND INTRODUCING HIGHER QUALITY SERVICES.
MR LEUNG SAID THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES WOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED, HAVING REGARD TO DEMAND AND PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY OF THE FARES CHARGED.
/"A REASONABLE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
4
”A REASONABLE CHOICE WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR COMMUTERS WHO PREFER TO USE NON-AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES,” HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THE SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENT APPLIED ONLY TO CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) AND KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (KMB).
THERE WAS NO SUCH AGREEMENT FOR THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY OR THE TWO FERRY COMPANIES, BECAUSE THEIR SCALE OF OPERATIONS WAS SUBSTANTIALLY SMALLER THAN THAT OF CMB AND KMB.
THE SCHEME LINKED THE LEVEL OF PROFITS PERMITTED IN ANY ONE YEAR TO A GIVEN PERCENTAGE OF THEIR FIXED ASSETS.
IT WAS DESIGNED TO GIVE THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY NEEDED TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED INVESTMENTS. IT ALSO ENSURED THAT THEY DID NOT MAKE EXCESSIVE PROFITS.
UNDER THE SCHEME, THE PERMITTED RETURN SET A LIMIT ON THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF PROFITS WHICH KMB AND CMB MIGHT OBTAIN. ANY EXCESS WENT TO A DEVELOPMENT FUND. IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO SET A GUARANTEED RATE OF RETURN.
MR LEUNG SAID UNDER EXISTING POLICY, FARES FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE NORMALLY SET AT LEVELS SUFFICIENT TO GIVE THE COMPANIES CONCERNED A REASONABLE RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENTS, SUBJECT TO A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE BEING MAINTAINED.
A DEGREE OF STABILITY IN THE RATE OF RETURN SERVED TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED INVESTMENTS.
HE SAID: ’THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT A SHORTFALL IN PERMITTED RETURN IN ANY ONE YEAR WOULD BE A SUFFICIENT REASON FOR RAISING FARES. THERE WERE INDEED CASES IN THE PAST WHERE, EXCEPTIONALLY, A FARE INCREASE WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND AGREED BY THE COMPANY CONCERNED IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE NEW FARES MIGHT NOT ENABLE THE COMPANY TO EARN ITS FULL PERMITTED RETURN.
"HOWEVER, TO REDUCE ARBITRARILY THE PERMITTED RETURN FOR ANY ONE PUBLIC UTILITY MAY AFFECT OVERALL INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC UTILITIES.
"THIS COURSE OF ACTION SHOULD NOT BE PURSUED WITHOUT THE MOST CAREFU.L CONSIDERATION AND CONSULTATION,” MR LEUNG SAID.
ON THE CURRENT RATES OF PERMITTED RETURN FOR KMB AND CMB, MR LEUNG SAID THE TWO COMPANIES’ RATE OF RETURN WAS NOT UNREASONABLE WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER PRIVATE ENTERPRISES.
PARTICULARLY SO AS IN CALCULATING THEIR RATE OF RETURN, SOME ASPECTS WERE BASED ON THE HISTORICAL VALUE OF THEIR FIXED ASSETS.
HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THAT THE LAND FOR KMB’S LAI CHI KOK DEPOT APPEARED IN THE ACCOUNT BOOKS AT ITS 1959 VALUE OF $3.28 MILLION, OR $23.4 PER SQUARE FOOT, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN CURRENT DAY LAND VALUES.
/HE STRESSED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
5
HE STRESSED THAT THE PERMITTED RETURN WAS THE GROSS RETURN TO THE TWO BUS COMPANIES, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN COMPULSORY DEDUCTIONS INCLUDING INTEREST PAYMENTS.
"IN PRACTICE, THE NET RATE OF RETURN ACHIEVED IS LESS. FOR KMB IT HAS BEEN AROUND 13.4% FROM 1979 TO 1989. FOR CMB IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 14% OVER THE SAME PERIOD," HE SAID.
ON FARE INCREASES OF THE TWO BUS COMPANIES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT POINTED OUT THAT IN RECENT YEARS, THE COSTS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATIONS HAD INCREASED RAPIDLY IN REAL TERMS DUE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS.
THE KEY FACTORS, NAMELY THE TIGHT SUPPLY OF LABOUR AND AVERAGE WAGE LEVELS, WERE BEYOND THE OPERATORS’ CONTROL.
MR LEUNG SAID THE FARE FOR AN AVERAGE KMB TRIP WAS $1.6 IN 1987. IT ROSE TO $2.24 IN 1990. NEARLY 60% OF THE DIFFERENCE IS ACCOUNTED FOR BY INCREASES IN STAFF (’OSTS.
IN SPITE OF INCREASING COSTS, THE FARES OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES STILL COMPARED QUITE FAVOURABLY WITH MANY OTHER ASIAN CITIES, INCLUDING KUALA LUMPUR, SEOUL AND SINGAPORE.
MR LEUNG SAID TO KEEP FARES LOW, CONTINUOUS EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIES IN FRANCHISED BUS AND FERRY OPERATIONS.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO UNDERTOOK STUDIES INTO THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF DIFFERENT MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, TO SEE HOW THEY SHOULD COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER, AND AVOID WASTEFUL DUPLICATION.
RECENT EXAMPLES INCLUDE A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK IN NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES, COMPLETED IN 1990.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS STUDYING THE CROSS-HARBOUR FERRY LINKS UP TO 2001, HAVING REGARD TO PLANNED RECLAMATIONS IN THE HARBOUR AND THE PROPOSED WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND YAUMATEI FERRY COMPANY’S INNER HARBOUR SERVICES AND HOW THEY COULD BE PUT TO FULLER USE WOULD BE COVERED IN THE STUDY, HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT STRESSED THAT THE FIVE FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES WERE SUPERVISED BY THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH A WELL-ESTABLISHED MONITORING SYSTEM WHICH WAS SENSITIVE TO THE INTERESTS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.
THE SAFE OPERATION OF BUS AND FERRY SERVICES WAS GOVERNED BY STRINGENT PROVISIONS IN LAW.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO EMPOWERED TO CONDUCT RANDOM SAFETY CHECKS AND REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF MAINTENANCE FACILITIES.
ON SERVICE DELIVERY, MR LEUNG SAID THE LAW REQUIRED THE FRANCHISED OPERATORS TO DRAW UP A FIVE-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT APPROVAL EACH YEAR.
/THE PREPARATION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
6 -
THE PREPARATION OF THIS FIVE-YEAR PLAN ENABLED THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TO INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES; AVOID UNNECESSARILY ABRUPT FARE INCREASES; AND MAKE SURE THAT SERVICES WERE ADJUSTED AND DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO ACTUAL AND FORECAST DEMAND WITHOUT UNDUE ASSET EXPANSION.
HE SAID THE CURRENT SYSTEM ALSO ALLOWED ACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THE ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES OF INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS WERE NOT FINALISED UNTIL THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND THEIR VIEWS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
ONCE A PROGRAMME WAS APPROVED, THE PUBLIC COULD MONITOR THE DAILY PERFORMANCE OF AN OPERATOR AGAINST CERTAIN YARDSTICKS, SUCH AS SERVICE FREQUENCY AND OPERATING HOURS.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ALSO MONITORED TRANSPORT SERVICES THROUGH FIELD SURVEYS; THE ANALYSIS OF ACCIDENT RECORDS, PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND STATISTICAL RETURNS FROM THE OPERATORS.
FURTHERMORE, TWO SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAT ON THE BOARDS OF FRANCHISED TRANSPORT COMPANIES. THEY PROVIDED AN EFFECTIVE LINK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMPANIES FOR HANDLING MATTERS OF CONCERN TO THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ALSO MET THE OMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL REGULARLY TO DISCUSS VARIOUS TRANSPORT ISSUES.
ON FARE ADJUSTMENTS, MR LEUNG SAID THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE FARE ADJUSTMENTS RESTED WITH THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS WERE SUBJECT TO CLOSE SCRUTINY BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND INDEPENDENT ADVICE BY THE TAC.
"ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT IS PRECLUDED BY THE COMPANIES AND SECURITIES ORDINANCES FROM MAKING PUBLIC COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION IN THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS, THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN FULL BY THE COMPANIES TO ENABLE A DECISION TO BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE SAID.
NO FARE INCREASES WOULD BE APPROVED UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY SATISFIED THAT THE ADJUSTMENTS SOUGHT WERE NECESSARY FOR CONTINUING EXISTING SERVICES AND FOR MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO MEET PASSENGER DEMAND.
THE SECRETARY SAID: "FACTORS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT INCLUDE THE IMPACT OF INFLATION ON OPERATING COSTS, SUCH AS HIGHER WAGES AND FUEL PRICES; PATRONAGE PROJECTIONS HAVING REGARD TO COMPETITION FROM OTHER MODES AND CHANGES IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION; INCREASES IN NONRECURRENT EXPENSES SUCH AS PENSION BENEFITS; SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS; THE NEED FOR AN EQUITABLE FARE STRUCTURE; AND PUBLIC AFFORDABILITY."
- - 0-----------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
7
BILL TO EXTEND TRADE MARKS REGISTRATION TO SERVICES *****
THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO EXTEND THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS TO.COVER TRADE MARKS RELATING TO SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES WERE NOW OF JUST AS MUCH IMPORTANCE AS THOSE FOR GOODS.
"HONG KONG SO FAR HAS NOT HAD A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF PROTECTION, AND THIS IS A GAP THAT NOW NEEDS TO BE FILLED.
"AT PRESENT, PROTECTION IN RELATION TO SERVICE MARKS IS BY WAY OF COMMON LAW ACTION OF PASSING OFF, WHICH IS A MUCH HARDER, SLOWER AND MORE EXPENSIVE PROCESS," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WITH THE RECENT GROWTH IN MAJOR SERVICE SECTORS, WHICH NOW ACCOUNTED FOR OVER 60 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND MORE THAN HALF OF THE EMPLOYMENT, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR SERVICE INDUSTRIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OPERATING ON A GLOBAL BASIS, TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER AND PROTECT THEIR MARKS WORLDWIDE.
"FOR OUR OWN BENEFIT AND TO KEEP PACE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TREND, IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE SUCH A SYSTEM," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM TO THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SET OUT IN DETAIL THE INTENT OF THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS.
IF THIS BILL WAS PASSED, THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO BRING THE ORDINANCE INTO EFFECT UNTIL THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, HE SAID.
"THIS WILL AFFORD TRADERS AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE NEW PROVISION, AND TO ALLOW SOME LEAD TIME FOR GOVERNMENT TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN STAFF AND TO EXPAND THE EXISTING COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE TRADE MARKS REGISTRY.
"TO AVOID AN INFLUX OF APPLICATIONS ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THIS LEGISLATION, WE PROPOSE TO INVITE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION ABOUT FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT DATE," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE TRADE MARKS ORDINANCE, SIR PIERS SAID A SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION WAS PROVIDED FOR TRADE MARKS IN RELATION TO GOODS.
REGISTRATION GAVE THE OWNER THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE A TRADE MARK IN RESPECT OF THE GOODS FOR WHICH IT WAS REGISTERED AND TO PROTECT HIS MARK AGAINST INFRINGEMENT.
IT ALSO GAVE THE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE THAT GOODS SOLD IN HONG KONG UNDER A PARTICULAR MARK DID INDEED EMANATE FROM THE PROPRIETOR OF THE MARK, HE SAID.
/"IN FACT ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
8
"IN FACT, THE AVAILABILITY OF A SYSTEM OF TRADE MARK REGISTRATION HAS ASSISTED HONG KONG TO DEVELOP ITS ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING AND TRADING CENTRE," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT IN MANY DEVELOPED ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD THERE WAS NOW A SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION TO PROTECT TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES.
"BASICALLY, THE SYSTEMS ARE MODELLED ON THOSE SYSTEMS DESIGNED TO PROTECT TRADE MARKS FOR GOODS," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
AMENDMENTS TO LAW ON ELECTION PETITIONS * « » * *
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991 BE READ A SECOND TIME, WHICH WAS LARGELY A TECHNICAL "FOLLOW-UP" TO THE NOVEMBER 1990 AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE DEALING WITH THE BRINGING OF ELECTION PETITIONS.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE MAIN EFFECT OF THE NOVEMBER AMENDMENTS, WHICH WERE INTRODUCED AT COMMITTEE STAGE ON THE INITIATIVE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP ON ELECTORAL LEGISLATION, WAS TO PROVIDE THAT IN ELECTION PETITION PROCEEDINGS THE COURT SHOULD MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER A PERSON WAS "DULY ELECTED".
THE LEGISLATION WHICH WAS AMENDED CALLED FOR THE COURT TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE ELECTION WAS "VOID", AND THE NOVEMBER 1990 AMENDMENTS REMOVED THE UNCERTAINTY WHICH COULD FOLLOW FROM THIS SOMEWHAT EQUIVOCAL DETERMINATION.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTED THE AD HOC GROUP’S AMENDMENTS IN NOVEMBER 1990, AND CONTINUED ITS SUPPORT NOW BY PROPOSING CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ITEMS OF ELECTION PETITION LEGISLATION WHICH STILL CONTAINED REFERENCES TO A "VOID" ELECTION RATHER THAN THE "DULY ELECTED" FORMULA.
CLAUSES 4, 7 AND 9 OF THE BILL WERE TO AMEND, RESPECTIVELY, SECTION 18(A)(II) OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE, SECTION 14(1)(A)(II) OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS ORDINANCE AND SECTION 20(A)(II) OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE, SO THAT WHERE THE COURT DETERMINED ON AN ELECTION PETITION THAT NO PERSON HAD BEEN "DULY ELECTED", RATHER THAN THAT THE ELECTION WAS "VOID", THESE AMENDED PROVISIONS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY TO TRIGGER THE RELEVANT BY-ELECTION PROVISIONS.
CLAUSE 5 WAS TO AMEND SECTION 9(1) AND (3) OF THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE, WHICH CONTAINED REFERENCES TO "VOID” ELECTIONS; AND CLAUSE 6 WAS TO AMEND SECTION 25 OF THE SAME ORDINANCE BY REPLACING THE REFERENCE TO THE CANDIDATE'S ELECTION NOT BEING "VOID" BY A REFERENCE TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE COURT THAT THE CANDIDATE HAD BEEN "DULY ELECTED".
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
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TURNING TO (LAUSES 2, 3 AND 8, MR MATHEWS SAID AS WELL AS BEING LARGELY CONSEQUENTIAL, THEY ALSO SOUGHT TO SIMPLIFY THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXISTING PROVISIONS.
CLAUSE 2 WAS TO REPEAL AND REPLACE SECTION 30 OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE.
SECTION 30 AT PRESENT PROVI DEI) SIX GROUNDS FOR PRESENTING AN ELECTION PETITION, SEVERAL OF WHICH REFERRED TO THE ELECTION HAVING BEEN "AVOIDED” OR "WHOLLY AVOIDED". THESE GROUNDS DID NOT SIT WELL WITH THE NOVEMBER 1990 AMENDMENTS AND THEREFORE CLAUSE 2 PROPOSED A PRINCIPAL NEW GROUND THAT A PERSON HAD NOT BEEN "DULY ELECTED".
AT THE SAME TIME CLAUSE 2 TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMOVE DUPLICATION AND REPETITION IN THE STRUCTURE OF SECTION 30, SO THAT ANY QUESTIONING OF AN ELECTION WOULD BE DEPENDENT EITHER ON DISQUALIFICATIONS UNDER SECTION 19 OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE OR THE COMMISSION OF CORRUPT OR ILLEGAL PRACTICES.
"THIS SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR PROSPECTIVE PETITIONERS AND THEIR ADVISERS TO FRAME CORRECTLY WORDED ELECTION PETITIONS," MR MATHEWS SAID.
CLAUSE 3 WAS TO REPEAL AND REPLACE SECTION 35 OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE DEALING WITH TIME LIMITS FOR PRESENTATION OF ELECTION PETITIONS.
THE PROPOSED SECTION 35 WOULD MERELY BRING THE PROVISION INTO LINE WITH THE EQUIVALENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE BY PROVIDING THAI' AN ELECTION PETITION SHOULD BE PRESENTED WITHIN TWO MONTHS AFTER THE PUBLICATION BY THE RETURNING OFFICER OF THE RESULT OF THE ELECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS MADE UNDER SECTION 28.
CLAUSE 8 WAS TO AMEND SECTION 29 OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE IN THE SAME WAY AS THE EQUIVALENT SECTION 30 OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE WAS TO BE AMENDED BY CLAUSE 2.
DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
AMENDMENT TO IMPROVE LEGAL AID PRACTICES ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO GIVE EFFECT IO A NEW SYSTEM OF MEANS TESTING IN ASSESSING ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID AND TO IMPROVE AND GIVE STATUTORY EFFECT TO CERTAIN EXISTING LEGAL All) PRACTICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL AT THE LEG 1 SLAT I VF COUNCIL I’ODAY (WEDNESDAY!.
/AT PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
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AT PRESENT, AN APPLICANT IS MEANS TESTED SEPARATELY ON HIS CAPITAL AND INCOME, AND HAS TO SATISFY THE CRITERIA OF BOTH TESTS BEFORE HE IS ELIGIBLE.
THIS SYSTEM WORKS TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF A PERSON WHOSE FINANCIAL RESOURCES CONSIST MAINLY OF EITHER INCOME OR CAPITAL, AND IN FAVOUR OF THOSE WHO MAY HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES BUT SPREAD BETWEEN BOTH INCOME AND CAPITAL.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT HIS ANOMALY WAS REMOVED BY THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL.
HE SAID: ’’UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, AN APPLICANT WILL BE ASSESSED ACCORDING TO HIS FINANCIAL RESOURCES, WHICH ARE DEFINED AS BEING THE SUM OF HIS DISPOSABLE INCOME AND CAPITAL.
"IF THE AGGREGATE FIGURE DOES NOT EXCEED $120,000 THE APPLICANT WILL BE ELIGIBLE ON MEANS GROUNDS FOR LEGAL AID IN BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES."
MR TSAO SAID A NEW GRADUATED SCALE OF CONTRIBUTION WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SCALE. UNDER THE NEW SCALE, NO CONTRIBUTION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THOSE WHOSE FINANCIAL CAPACITY IS $50,000 OR LESS.
HOWEVER, AN APPLICANT WILL STILL HAVE TO SATISFY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID THAT HE HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR INSTITUTING PROCEEDINGS IN CIVIL CASES.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW WHEREBY SOME APPLICANTS DELIBERATELY FAIL TO MAXIMISE THEIR EARNING POTENTIAL SO AS TO BRING THEMSELVES WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ELIGIBILITY, MR TSAO SA I D.
’THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS TO PROVIDE THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WITH AUTHORITY TO REFUSE AN APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID FROM AN APPLICANT WHO MAKES NO ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT WHILST AWAITING THE OUTCOME OF HIS LEGAL AID APPLICATION, OR WHO REMAINS OUT OF HONG KONG FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS AFTER SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID, SO AS TO MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ASSESS HIS ELIGIBILITY.
"THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WILL DRAW UP GUIDELINES TO ENSURE THAT THE DISCRETION WILL BE EXERCISED FAIRLY AND EQUITABLY, AND THAT NO GENUINE CASES WILL BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. THE STATUTORY RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT AGAINST THE DIRECTOR’S REFUSAL WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE."
THERE IS ALSO A CLAUSE PROPOSING SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME TO COVER CLAIMS.
AN EXTENSION TO THE
EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION
\T PRESENT \N APPLICANT UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME WHO IS SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES CANNOT BE ASSISTED IN HIS CLAIM FOR EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION, ALTHOUGH HE IS ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID FOR THE SUBSEQUENT COMMON LAW (’LAIN.
/"SINCE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
’’SINCE THE TWO CLAIMS ARE CLOSELY LINKED AND MUCH OF THE EVIDENCE IS COMMON TO BOTH IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME SHOULD EXTEND TO (’OVER BOTH CLAIMS,’’ MR TSAO SAID.
THE REST OF THE (’RANGES ARE PROPOSED TO IMPROVE EXISTING LEGAL AID PRACTICES.
- - 0 - -
ICAC WILL EXERCISE POWER WITH GREAT CAUTION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID SOME MEMBERS OF THE AI) HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 HAD UNDERSTANDABLY EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN AT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE ICAC’S POWER TO ARREST IN RESPECT OF RELATED OFFENCES UNCOVERED DURING AN INVESTIGATION UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE MIGHT IN PRACTICE BE ABUSED.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMPTION OF SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR MATHEWS SAID: "THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION HAS ASKED ME TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE COMMISSION WILL EXERCISE THIS POWER WITH GREAT CAUTION.
’’THE NEED FOR THIS POWER IS TO ENSURE THAT, IN RELATION TO ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG, MAJOR OFFENCES AND MISCHIEFS OUTSIDE THE CORRUPT AND. ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE CAN BE DEALT WITH MORE EFFECTIVELY.
"AS A MATTER OF POLICY THE COMMISSION HAS NOT ARRESTED AND WILL NOT ARREST FOR MERELY MINOR OR TECHNICAL OFFENCES WHICH ARE MOSTLY THE RESULT OF FORGETFULNESS < 'R OVER-ENTHUSIASM."
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MOTION ON MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF HKECIC PASSED » ♦ ♦ t t
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT IT APPROVES THAT THE CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (HKECIC) UNDER CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE SHALL NOT AT ANY TIME EXCEED THE SUM OF $7,500 MILLION.
MOVING A MOTION UNDER THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN MA\ 1989 THE MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF THE HKECIC WAS INCREASED FROM $5,000 MILLION TO $6,000 MILLION UNDER SECTION 23 OF THE ORDINANCE.
/"SINCE THEN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 12 -
’’SINCE THEN, THE CORPORATION’S CONTINGENT LIABILITY UNDER CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE HAS RISEN AT A RATE OF ABOUT $150 MILLION PER QUARTER.
“AS AT FEBRUARY 1, 1991, THE FIGURE STOOD AT ABOUT $5.7 BILLION.
"IN ADDITION, THERE IS POTENTIAL COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF NEW POLICIES, AND POLICIES PENDING RENEWAL, AMOUNTING TO $98 MILLION, LEAVING ONLY $108 MILLION FOR NEW BUSINESS,” SIR PIERS SAID.
“GIVEN THIS RATE OF INCREASE, THE CORPORATION ESTIMATES THAT THE EXISTING STATUTORY LIMIT WILL BE REACHED VERY SOON, HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE CORPORATION, ON THE ADVICE OF ITS ADVISORY BOARD, HAD THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT THE MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LTABTLIIY BE INCREASED BY $1,500 MILLION TO $7,500 MILLION.
"FAILURE TO RAISE THIS LIMIT WOULD RENDER THE CORPORATION UNABLE TO ACCOMMODATE FURTHER BUSINESS AND HENCE DISCOURAGING OUR EXPORTS,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS ADDED THAT THE MAXIMUM LIABILITY WAS A THEORETICAL CONTINGENT AMOUNT WHICH WAS NEVER LIKELY TO BE AT RISK IN TOTALITY AT ANY ONE TIME.
--------0-----------
FUND SEEKING MOTION PASSED *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY PROVIDING FUNDS ON ACCOUNT TO ENABLE EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF AND THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION
(WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY ON THE FINANCIAL YEAR ON APRIL 1 B I LL.
THE FUNDS INVOLVED AMOUNTED TO $44.5 BILLION.
MOVING THE MOTION UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE FUNDS ON ACCOUNT SOUGHT UNDER EACH SUBHEAD HAD BEEN. DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO PERCENTAGES OF THE PROVISION SHOWN IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES.
AS THE DRAFT EST I MATES WERE CHANGED FROM TIME TO TIME, BY 1 HE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED POWERS, THE PROVISION TO WHICH THE PERCENTAGES WERE APPLIED WOULD ALSO CHANGE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"THUS THE PROVISION ON ACCOUNT UNDER EACH HEAD IS NOT CONSTANT BUT MAY VARY, Wf
"THE I NIT
A FOOTNOTE TO TH
EVERY I
. PROVISION ON ACCOUNT UNDER EACH HEAD IS SHOWN IN SPEECH.
/•'THE AGGREGATE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 13 -
’’THE AGGREGATE TOTAL UNDER ALL HEADS IS FIXED, HOWEVER, AT $44,502,060,000 AND CANNOT BE EXCEEDED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THIS COUNCIL,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE MOTION ALSO ENABLED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO VARY THE FUNDS ON ACCOUNT IN RESPECT OF ANY SUBHEAD, PROVIDED THAT THESE VARIATIONS DID NOT CAUSE AN EXCESS OVER THE AMOUNT OF PROVISION ENTERED FOR THAT SUBHEAD IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OR AN EXCESS OVER THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS ON ACCOUNT FOR THE HEAD.
”A VOTE ON ACCOUNT WARRANT WILL BE ISSUED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES AUTHORISING HIM TO MAKE PAYMENTS UP TO THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN THIS MOTION AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CONDITIONS.
’’THE VOTE ON ACCOUNT WILL BE SUBSUMED UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, AND THE GENERAL WARRANT ISSUED AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL WILL REPLACE THE VOTE ON ACCOUNT WARRANT AND WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1991,” HE SAID.
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DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF DUTY FOR LEADED AND UNLEADED PETROL
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A MOTION UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEEKING THE INTRODUCTION OF DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF DUTY ON LEADED AND UNLEADED PETROL IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A PRICE DIFFERENTIAL OF ABOUT $1 PER LITRE
IN FAVOUR OF UNLEADED PETROL.
MR BARNES SAID: "THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL INTO HONG KONG IS AN ESSENTIAL STEP IN THE CONTROL OF POLLUTION FROM MOTOR VEHICLES.
”INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL IS ESSENTIAL IF THE MOST MODERN PETROL-ENG I NED VEH I ('LES, DESIGNED TO MINIMISE POLLUTION, ARE TO BE USED IN HONG KONG, SINCE THOSE VEHICLES ('AN ONLY OPERATE ON UNLEADED PETROL.
"MOST EXISTING PETROL-ENG I NED VEHICLES CAN USE UNLEADED PETROL, AND, SHOULD THEY DO SO, WOULD EMIT LESS POLLUTION.
"HENCE IT IS OUR WISH TO INTRODUCE UNLEADED PETROL, AND TO ENCOURAGE ITS USE IN HONG KONG, " MR BARNES' SAID.
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE USE OF UNLEADED PETROL IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE FOR UNLEADED PETROL TO BE AVAILABLE AT A CHEAPER PRICE THAN LEADED PETROL.
MR BARNES SAID THE OIL COMPANIES HAD INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD SUPPLY UNLEADED PETROL AT ABOUT 60 CENTS A LITRE CHEAPER THAN LEADED PETROL.
/"TO INCREASE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
14
"TO INCREASE THIS DIFFERENTIAL TO AT LEAST $1, IT HAS BEEN FELT DESIRABLE TO INTRODUCE A DIFFERENTIAL RATE OF DUTY FOR THE TWO TYPES OF PETROL.
"IT IS ACCORDINGLY PROPOSED THAT THE RATE PETROL BE $4.17 PER LITRE AND THE RATE OF DUTY SHOULD BE $3.72 PER LITRE FROM APRIL 1, WHICH IS UNLEADED PETROL Wild, BE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS,”
OF DUTY OF LEADED
OF UNLEADED PETROL THE DAY FROM WHICH MR BARNES SAID.
THIS RATE OF DUTY WILL MAKE UNLEADED PETROL AT LEAST $1 CHEAPER THAN LEADED PETROL TO THE CONSUMER.
MR BARNES STATED: "IT IS INTRODUCED TODAY SOLELY BECAUSE APRIL 1 IS THE MOST CONVENIENT TIME TO INTRODUCE UNLEADED PETROL.
THE TWO RATES WILL NOT INCREASE OR DECREASE REVENUE SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THIS FI NANI’1 AL YEAR.
"I BELIEVE THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS DIFFERENTIAL RATE OF DUTY WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE BULK OF CONSUMERS AND BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE OIL COMPANIES," HE SAID.
THE MOTION WAS PASSED IN THE COUNCIL.
------0--------
SECOND STAGE RISE IN LEGAL AID FEES ♦ ♦ t * ♦
THE SECOND STAGE OF THE INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM FEES PAYABLE TO COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS ASSIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO CONDUCT CRIMINAL CASES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON APRIL 1, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES (AMENDMENT) RESOLUTION 1991, MR TSAO SAID THE FEES WERE FIRST REVIEWED IN EARLY 1990.
"IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE MAXIMUM FEES PAYABLE SHOULD BE INCREASED ON AVERAGE BY 50 PER (’ENT, BUT WITH GREATER INCREASES IN RESPECT OF APPEAL CASES WHICH REQUIRE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE PREPARATION.
"THE PROPOSED INCREASE WAS TO REFLECT INFLATION AND THE HIGHER OPERATING (OSTS SINCE THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1987, AND HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT EXPERIENCED AND ABLE LAWYERS ARE AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT CRIMINAL CASES," MR TSAO SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE INCREASE SHOULD TAKE EFFECT IN TWO STAGES SPREADING OVER TWO YEARS.
THE FIRST STAGE, HE NOTED, TOOK EFFECT ON APRIL 1 LAST YEAR AND THE PROPOSED AMENDED RULES WERE TO ENABLE THE SECOND STAGE OF THE INCREASE TO TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
------0--------
/15 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 15 -
FIXED PENALTY COURT COSTS TO BE INCREASED *****
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE COURT COSTS PAYABLE UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTION) ORDINANCE FROM $70 TO $125.
MOVING THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) RESOLUTION 1991, MR TSAO TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT INFLATION HAD GIVEN RISE TO THE NEED FOR THE INCREASE IN THE COURT COSTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR VALUE IN REAL TERMS.
"AT PRESENT, UNDER SECTION 20B OF THE ORDINANCE, A PERSON IS ALLOWED TO DISCHARGE LIABILITY FOR A TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTION, DESPITE THE INSTITUTION OF PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIM, BY PAYING DOUBLE FIXED PENALTY TOGETHER WITH A SUM OF $70 BY WAY OF COURT COSTS AT LEAST 72 HOURS BEFORE A COURT APPEARANCE."
COURT COSTS, HE ADDED, WERE REGULATORY FEES AND WERE BASED ON THE NEED TO ENFORCE PAYMENT OF THE FIXED PENALTIES CONCERNED.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THESE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1984.
FOR IDENTICAL REASONS, HE ALSO MOVED THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) (AMENDMENT) RESOLUTION 1991 SEEKING AN INCREASE IN THE COURT COSTS PAYABLE UNDER SECTION 9 OF THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE FROM $70 TO $125.
BOTH RESOLUTIONS WERE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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CURFEW HOURS NOT AFFECTED BY ALTERNATIVE FLIGHT ROUTEING
*****
TO ENABLE CIVIL AVIATION TO AVOID OVERFLYING THE GULF AREA DURING THE RECENT HOSTILITIES A NUMBER OF AIRLINES HAVE BEEN USING A NEW ALTERNATIVE ROUTEING FROM HONG KONG TO EUROPE OVER CHINA, MONGOLIA AND THE USSR, ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ELIZABETH BOSHER, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON DANIEL TSE.
ALTHOUGH THE FLIGHT TIME ON THIS ROUTEING WAS SLIGHTLY SHORTER THAN THAT OF THE EXISTING ROUTEINGS, MRS BOSHER SAID IT HAD NOT GIVEN RISE TO A SITUATION WHERE FLIGHTS HAD TAKEN OFF OR LANDED DURING CURFEW HOURS AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BECAUSE THE AIRLINES CONCERNED HAD RE-SCHEDULED THE ARRIVAL TIMES OF THEIR FLIGHTS TO EUROPE.
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/16 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13,
1991
- 16 -
ESTABLISHMENT AND STRENGTH OF GOVT DOCTORS EXPLAINED
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
. THE ESTABLISHMENT AND STRENGTH OF MEDICAL DOCTORS IN THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAND AT 1,444 AND 1,423 RESPECTIVELY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MRS WONG SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT FIGURE, TOGETHER WITH THE ADDITIONAL 253 DOCTORS FROM THE MEDICAL FACULTIES OF THE UNIVERSITIES WHO WERE REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE 65 PER CENT OF THEIR TIME TO PATIENT SERVICE, MADE FOR A TOTAL PROVISION EQUIVALENT TO 1,608 DOCTORS IN OUR HOSPITALS.
’’THIS COMPARES WITH AN ESTIMATED FIGURE OF SOME 1,700 POSTS, CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO THE GUIDELINES OF THE MANNING RATIO RECOMMENDED BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PLANNING PURPOSES,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID IN EARLY 1989 THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO SEEK CREATION OF ADDITIONAL POSTS IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER GRADE.
’’THAT IS TO SAY:
(A) 18 CONSULTANT AND ABOUT 70 SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH
OFFICER POSTS TO ALLEVIATE THE WORKLOAD OF DOCTORS AND TO IMPROVE PROMOTION PROSPECTS FOR THE GRADE AS A WHOLE; AND
(B) 23 CONSULTANT AND ABOUT 50 SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH
OFFICER POSTS WHICH WERE EXPECTED TO BE REQUIRED FOR NEW AND IMPROVED SERVICES.
’’THESE ADD UP TO 41 CONSULTANT AND ABOUT 120 SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER POSTS.
’’ALL THESE POSTS HAVE NOT ONLY BEEN CREATED BUT FILLED AS WELL,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADDITIONALLY IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR A FURTHER 73 CONSULTANT AND 53 SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER POSTS, BOTH TO MEET SERVICE NEEDS AND TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE PROMOTION PROSPECTS FOR DOCTORS.
’’FOR THESE, ALL SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER AND THREE CONSULTANT POSTS HAVE BEEN CREATED AND FILLED.
’’THE REMAINING CONSULTANT POSTS ARE BEING PROCESSED AND WILL BE CREATED IN STEP WITH SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND SUBJECT TO THE NORMAL PROCESSES FOR THE CREATION OF SUCH POSTS,” SHE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
17 -
RISE IN PROJECT COSTS NOTHING TO DO WITH DUTY DERELICTION
THERE IS NO INDICATION IN ANY OF THE CASES THAT AN INCREASE IN THE COSTS OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS COMPLETED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS SUGGESTS ANY DERELICTION OF DUTY BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI, SIR PIERS SAID AS FOR CONSULTANCY STUDIES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE CASE WHICH WAS AT PRESENT UNDER ACTIVE INVESTIGATION, TO HIS KNOWLEDGE THERE HAD BEEN NO CASES IN RECENT YEARS OF INCOMPETENCE BY CONSULTANTS LEADING TO MAJOR ERRORS IN PROJECT ESTIMATES.
HE NOTED THAT FROM 1988 TO 1990, ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE PROJECTS APPROVED REQUIRED AN UPWARD REVISION OF THE ORIGINAL APPROVED PROJECT ESTIMATES BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
DURING PAST THREE YEARS, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 847 CASES, 282 CASES HAD THEIR TOTAL PROJECT COSTS REVISED WITH AN INCREASE IN PROJECT ESTIMATES AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $10 BILLION.
"IN MOST CASES, THE INCREASE IN PROJECT ESTIMATES WAS TO CATER FOR PRICE FLUCTUATIONS SINCE THE ORIGINAL APPROVED PROJECT ESTIMATES WERE BASED ON RATES PREVAILING WHEN THE ORIGINAL ESTMATES WERE DRAWN UP, WITHOUT ANY ALLOWANCE FOR PRICE INCREASES," SIR PIERS EXPLAINED, NOTING THAT THIS HAD BEEN THE NORMAL PRACTICE FOR MANY YEARS.
"FOR SOME PROJECTS, THE INCREASE IN APPROVED ESTIMATES WAS NECESSITATED BY CHANGES IN THE ORIGINAL SCOPE OF PROJECTS OR BY UNFORESEEN TECHNICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS DIFFICULT GROUND CONDITIONS," HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID A WORKING GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP IN THE WORKS BRANCH TO REVIEW DEPARTMENTAL PRACTICES WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF PROJECT ESTIMATES AND THE GROUP’S REPORT WAS EXPECTED TO BE READY NEXT MONTH.
"IN THE MEANTIME, WORKS DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN SEEKING TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF THEIR PROJECT ESTIMATES," HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENTS WERE SETTING UP PLANNING, ESTIMATING AND COST CONTROL GROUPS AND INSTITUTING COMPUTER BASED MEASURING AND COST DATA BASED SYSTEMS, HE ADDED.
0
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
18
CHINA VISITS PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING *»**»*
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, BOTH FOR SPECIAL EXCHANGES ON KEY ISSUES AND FOR PROMOTION OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MARTIN BARROW, MR TSAO SAID THERE HAD BEEN WELL OVER 100 WORKING VISITS TO CHINA BY HONG KONG OFFICIAL DELEGATIONS LAST YEAR, COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS.
"THERE WERE ALSO OVER 75 INWARD VISITS BY CHINESE OFFICIALS OR DELEGATIONS FOR MEETINGS WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN HONG KONG."
SINCE 1988, THE GOVERNMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, HAS BEEN RUNNING A SERIES OF SPONSORED VISITS AND LEGAL STUDY VISITS, MR TSAO ADDED.
"UNDER THESE SCHEMES EACH SIDE ORGANISES AND FINANCES A VISIT LED BY A SENIOR OFFICIAL FROM THE OTHER SIDE. •
"THESE VISITS ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICERS TO OBTAIN A FIRST HAND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHINESE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT; AND FOR VISITING CHINESE OFFICIALS TO BE BRIEFED ON THE SYSTEM IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THERE HAD SO FAR BEEN FOUR LEGAL STUDY VISITS AND SIX GENERAL SPONSORED VISITS.
MR TSAO ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE NEXT GENERAL SPONSORED VISIT UNDER THIS PROGRAMME WHICH HE HOPED TO LEAD IN APRIL, WAS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF PREPARATION.
"WE ARE NOW PLANNING A NEW SERIES OF FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO CHINA FOR OFFICERS AT A LESS SENIOR LEVEL AS PART OF OUR CHINA TRAINING PROGRAMME.
"THE FIRST OF THESE, TO BEIJING WILL TAKE PLACE LATER THIS MONTH. ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANOTHER VISIT TO GUANGDONG IN APRIL/MAY ARE ALSO UNDERWAY," HE ADDED.
MR TSAO STRESSED THAT THE OBJECT OF THESE VISITS WAS TO PROMOTE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, AND TO ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND WITH DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES, TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE CHINESE SYSTEM.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, TWO VISITS TO BEIJING BY THE SENIOR STAFF COURSE HAD' BEEN ARRANGED SINCE 1988 AS PART OF THE REGULAR OVERSEAS COMPONENT OF THE COURSE.
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/19 ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
19
CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT BEING KEPT TIDY
THE URBAN COUNCIL BELIEVES THAT ITS ACTIONS TO KEEP THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT AND THE NEARBY AREAS TIDY ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS HAVE BEEN REASONABLY SUCCESSFUL, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS CONSIDERED THAT BETWEEN 10,000 AND 20,000 PEOPLE MAY BE IN THE AREA ON SUCH DAYS, HE NOTED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR BARNES SAID THERE WAS A LITTER PROBLEM AND SOME ILLEGAL HAWKING AS IN ALL PLACES WHERE CROWDS CONGREGATED.
"THE URBAN COUNCIL TAKES OUT REGULAR PROSECUTION OF THESE OFFENCES, PUTS OUT LARGE NUMBERS OF EXTRA LITTER RECEPTACLES AND BROADCASTS ANTI-LITTER MESSAGES IN ENGLISH, CHINESE AND TAGALOG.
"IT CERTAINLY COMPARES VERY WELL WITH OTHER AREAS IN HONG KONG WITH BIG CROWDS OF PEOPLE USING THEM," HE SAID.
"BUT IN VIEW OF THE PROMINENCE OF THESE AREAS THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO DO BETTER, AND INTENDS TO INCREASE ITS PROSECUTIONS AND PROPAGANDA," HE ADDED.
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CLOSURE OF AIRPORT INFORMATION COUNTER HAS NOT INCONVENIENCED PUBLIC
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION CONSIDERS THAT THE CLOSURE OF THE INFORMATION COUNTER AT THE KAI TAK AIRPORT HAS NOT CAUSED UNDUE INCONVENIENCE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OR VISITORS TO HONG KONG.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ELIZABETH BOSHER, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
MRS BOSHER SAID THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION ADVISED HER THAT THE INFORMATION COUNTER AT THE ARRIVALS GREETING HALL WAS CLOSED IN MARCH LAST YEAR BECAUSE HE CONSIDERED THAT SATISFACTORY AND MORE COST-EFFECTIVE MEANS NOW EXISTED OF PROVIDING SUCH SERVICE.
SHE NOTED THAT A SURVEY CONDUCTED EARLY LAST YEAR SHOWED THAT THE MAJORITY OF ENQUIRIES MADE AT THE INFORMATION COUNTER RELATED TO INFORMATION WHICH WAS READILY AVAILABLE THROUGH OTHER CHANNELS WITHIN THE PASSENGER TERMINAL.
/"FOR EXAMPLE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
20
"FOR EXAMPLE, UP-TO-DATE FLIGHT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE, AT ALL TIMES, VIA THE ELECTRONIC DISPLAY BOARDS AND TELEVISION MONITORS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE AIRPORT.
"MANY AIRLINES NOW MAN THEIR OWN TELEPHONE HOTLINES AND INFORMATION COUNTERS WHILE ARRIVING PASSENGERS MAY OBTAIN ASSISTANCE FROM THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY SERVICES COUNTERS PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG HOTELS ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATIONS OF TRAVEL AGENTS LOCATED IN THE RESTRICTED BUFFER HALL," MRS BOSHER SAID.
"OTHER ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS MAY BE DEALT WITH BY THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT DUTY OFFICE WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE DEPARTURE HALL," SHE ADDED.
MRS BOSHER POINTED OUT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION WOULD NEVERTHELESS KEEP THE SITUATION UNDER REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT THE NEEDS OF AIRPORT USERS WERE MET FULLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
- - 0 - -
NO CHANGE TO FIRST PHASE OF UK NATIONALITY SCHEME *****
IT IS NOT INTENDED TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR A CHANGE IN THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME FOR THE FIRST PHASE, SINCE A CHANGE COULD AFFECT THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS OF PERSONS WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED.
"NOR ARE ANY SUCH MODIFICATIONS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE FULL QUOTA WILL BE TAKEN UP BEFORE THE SCHEME EXPIRES IN 1997,” THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J.D. MCGREGOR, THE SECRETARY SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF PLACES WOULD NOT BE USED UP IN THE FIRST PHASE; SUCH PLACES WOULD BE CARRIED FORWARD TO THE SECOND PHASE FOR ALLOCATION AFTER 1993.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE SITUATION WILL NOT ARISE WHERE QUOTAS REMAIN UNALLOCATED AFTER THE SECOND PHASE," HE ADDED.
THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD, HOWEVER, BE REVIEWING THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME, INCLUDING ITS COVERAGE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SECOND PHASE, IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION GAINED FROM THE CURRENT PHASE, MR ASPREY SAID.
THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990 EMPOWERED THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO REGISTER UP TO 50,000 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS AS BRITISH CITIZENS BEFORE JUNE 30, 1997 UNDER A SCHEME OR SCHEMES APPROVED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
APPROXIMATELY 87 PER CENT OF THESE 50,000 PLACES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME.
/"WE HAVE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
"WE HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT 66,000 APPLICATIONS FOR SOME 43,000 PLACES AVAILABLE UNDER THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME.
"THESE APPLICATIONS WILL NOW BE PROCESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS ENACTED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG FOR THE PURPOSE," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS IDENTIFIED IN THE SCHEME HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CHOSEN.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE COVERAGE HAS BEEN BROAD ENOUGH TO ATTRACT APPLICANTS FROM KEY PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS, WHICH IS THE AIM OF THE SCHEME," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
CLEAR AND CONSISTENT STANDARDS FOR RECOGNITION OF POST SECONDARY COURSES » * * * ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY CLEAR AND CONSISTENT STANDARDS WHEN CONSIDERING POST SECONDARY COURSES FOR RECOGNITION BY THE GOVERNOR.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM WAS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
HE EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 17 OF THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE STATED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WOULD NOT, WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR, REGISTER ANY SCHOOL WHICH PROVIDED A POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.
"EXERCISE OF THIS POWER, IN PRACTICE, REQUIRES THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO TAKE A VIEW AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A COURSE OFFERED IS POST SECONDARY IN NATURE," HE SAID.
FOR THE 20 OR SO PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS WHICH HAD BEEN REGISTERED AS SCHOOLS UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE AND WHICH CLAIMED TO OFFER POST SECONDARY COURSES, MR YEUNG SAID THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WHEN REGISTERING THEM, TOOK THE VIEW THAT THE COURSES OFFERED COULD NOT PROPERLY BE REGARDED AS BEING POST SECONDARY.
"TO DATE ONLY THREE SCHOOLS HAVE RECEIVED THE GOVERNOR’S CONSENT UNDER SECTION 17 TO OFFER POST SECONDARY COURSES, AND THESE ARE NOT NUMBERED AMONGST THE SCHOOLS IN QUESTION," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WAS NOW UNDERTAKING A SURVEY OF THESE 20 OR SO SCHOOLS AND WOULD SHORTLY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO HIM AS TO WHETHER ANY OF THE COURSES OFFERED BY THEM WERE NOW OF A POST SECONDARY NATURE AND WHETHER, AS A RESULT, THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE SOUGHT.
/"IN RESPECT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, W1
- 22 -
"IN RESPECT OF THOSE COURSES CONSIDERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AS BEING POST SECONDARY IN NATURE, THE SCHOOLS INVOLVED WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE A NEW APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE FOLLOWING CONSENT BEING GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR.
"IN RESPECT OF THOSE COURSES CONSIDERED AS NOT BEING OF A POST SECONDARY NATURE, THE REGISTRATION OF THE SCHOOLS INVOLVED WILL STAND, BUT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL WARN THEM TO CEASE ADVERTISING THEIR COURSES AS BEING POST SECONDARY,” MR YEUNG SAID.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN ACTION BEING TAKEN AGAINST THE SCHOOL MANAGERS AND ULTIMATELY IN DE-REGISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL, HE ADDED.
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TIMING FOR BUILDING ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTOR ♦ ♦♦»*»
THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES IS A PRIME FACTOR IN THE TIMING OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR OF ROUTE 3 BETWEEN TING KAU AND YUEN LONG, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, MR LEUNG SAID THE TIMING OF AND PRIORITY FOR THE VARIOUS SECTIONS OF ROUTE 3 WERE CONSIDERED IN THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY (CTS-2).
THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR SHOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR THE LATE 1990’S TO AVOID OVERLOADING THE ROUTES THROUGH WEST KOWLOON BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY.
HE SAID THE CONSEQUENCE OF OPENING THE SECTIONS NORTH OF KWAI CHUNG WITHOUT THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY IN PLACE WOULD BE TO INCREASE THE TRAFFIC VOLUME IN WEST KOWLOON BY ABOUT 70 PER CENT, RESULTING IN UNACCEPTABLE CONGESTION.
THE STUDY ALSO ANTICIPATED FUNDING PROBLEMS IF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR WERE TO BE BUILT AT THE SAME TIME AS THE SOUTHERN SECTORS.
MR LEUNG SAID WHILE IT WAS DESIRABLE FOR THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR OF ROUTE 3 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE MID-1990'S, THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES MUST REMAIN A PRIME FACTOR IN THE TIMING OF THIS PROJECT.
HE ADDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONTINUE TO KEEP THE TIMING AND PRIORITY OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR OF ROUTE 3 UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW.
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/23 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13,
1991
- 23 -
CNTA’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE TO BE REORGANISED
*****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE WILL BE REORGANISED ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR TO REDUCE SPENDING AND TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT, 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 ELSIE TU, MR TSAO SAID THE REORGANISATION WAS BASED ON A REVIEW CONDUCTED BY THE FINANCE BRANCH IN MAY LAST YEAR.
"AS MANY OF THE 69 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN THE 19 DISTRICTS ARE UNDER-UTILISED, THEIR NUMBER WILL BE REDUCED TO 20 ON APRIL 1, 1991. THAT IS, ONE CENTRE FOR EACH DISTRICT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ISLANDS DISTRICT WHICH WILL HAVE A CENTRE ON LANTAU AND ON CHEUNG CHAU," HE SAID.
"SO FAR, 16 CENTRES IN 10 DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN CLOSED WITHOUT UNFAVOURABLE PUBLIC COMMENT."
NOTING THAT OVER 40 PER CENT OF ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRIES WERE MADE BY TELEPHONE AND TO PROVIDE BACKUP TO THE REMAINING 20 CENTRES, MR TSAO SAID A CENTRAL ENQUIRY SYSTEM WOULD BE INSTALLED IN THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON APRIL 1 TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO PROVIDING A COMPUTERISED DATA BANK AND COMPUTER NETWORK BETWEEN THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY SYSTEM AND THE 20 CENTRES.
ON THE LOCATION OF THESE CENTRES, MR TSAO SAID APART FROM THOSE ON CHEUNG CHAU AND LANTAU IN ISLANDS DISTRICT WHICH HAD TO BE RETAINED TO SERVE THE TWO ISLAND COMMUNITIES, THE 18 REMAINING CENTRES HAD BEEN SELECTED BECAUSE THEY WERE THE BUSIEST CENTRES IN THEIR DISTRICTS.
"HENCE, IT IS NOT TRUE THAT THEY ARE SITUATED IN UNPOPULAR LOCATIONS," HE SAID.
OF THIS NUMBER, 17 ARE ATTACHED TO THE DISTRICT MAIN OFFICES, INCLUDING THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, WHICH WAS REPROVISIONED FROM LEASED ACCOMMODATION IN QUARRY BAY TO THE EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING IN SAI WAN HO IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
"IN MY VIEW, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT HESITATE TO VISIT THE SINGLE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE IN THEIR DISTRICTS IF THEY REQUIRE ITS SERVICES," MR TSAO SAID.
"ALTERNATIVELY, THEY CAN FROM APRIL 1, 1991 RING THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE SYSTEM TO MAKE ENQUIRIES."
THE REORGANISATION OF THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE WAS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL COST-CUTTING MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY THE CNTA IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR FOR IMPLEMENTATION ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, MR TSAO SAID.
/HE STRESSED .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
HE STRESSED THAT ALL THE MEASURES TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATION OF CNTA HAD BEEN DRAWN UP AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO CONTROL THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING STANDARDS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
"IN THE CASE OF PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES, WE HOPE TO END UP WITH A MORE EFFICIENT AND SPEEDIER SERVICE BACKED UP BY AUTOMATED RECORDS.
"THIS PROCESS WAS EXPLAINED TO MEMBERS BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH LAST WEDNESDAY.
"IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN STANDARDS IF CUTS WERE MADE IN OTHER AREAS IN ORDER TO RETAIN MORE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES," HE SAID.
"LET ME STATE ONCE AGAIN THAT THE CENTRES TO BE CLOSED ARE ONES THAT RECORD A LOW UTILISATION RATE.
"HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MRS TU THAT, LIKE THE OTHER COST-CUTTING MEASURES, THE NEW PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND MODIFICATIONS MADE AS NECESSARY," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
GOVT ADOPTS PRAGMATIC AND REASONABLE APPROACH TO OVERSTAYERS *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ADOPTS A PRAGMATIC AND REASONABLE APPROACH TO ALL CASES OF PERSONS OVERSTAYING A PERMITTED PERIOD OF STAY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A WRITTEN QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR ASPREY SAID EACH CASE WAS CONSIDERED ON ITS MERITS.
”1 BELIEVED THAT THE QUESTION REFERS TO THE CASE OF MR PETER LITWAK, WHO WAS CONVICTED ON FEBRUARY 20 THIS YEAR OF CONTRAVENING A CONDITION OF HIS STAY IN HONG KONG AND FINED $500," THE SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID WHERE A VISITOR HAD OVERSTAYED FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD, FOR REASONS BEYOND HIS CONTROL OR THROUGH NO FAULT OF HIS OWN, HE WAS NORMALLY GRANTED THE NECESSARY EXTENSION OF STAY.
"HOWEVER, THOSE WHO OVERSTAY DELIBERATELY FOR LENGTHY PERIODS WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE ARE NORMALLY PROSECUTED," THE SECRETARY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT MR LITWAK FELL VERY CLEARLY INTO THIS CATEGORY.
MR ASPREY SAID IT WAS NEITHER THE POLICY NOR THE PRACTICE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO DETAIN PERSONS IN THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE AT THE AIRPORT.
/"MR LITWAK
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 25 -
"MR LITWAK WAS NOT SO DETAINED, INDEED HE WAS NEVER DETAINED UNTIL HE WAS BROUGHT TO COURT ON FEBRUARY 20," HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID THERE WAS NO INTENTION OR NEED TO CHANGE THE PRESENT PRACTICE.
"THE MAJORITY OF OVERSTAYERS DETECTED AT THE AIRPORT IN 1990 WERE GRANTED AN EXTENSION OF STAY AND ALLOWED TO DEPART.
"ONLY A SMALL NUMBER WERE PROSECUTED," HE ADDED.
_ _ 0 - -
BLASTING CONTROLS UNDER REVIEW » » * * *
A REVIEW OF ALL ASPECTS OF BLASTING CONTROLS IS BEING UNDERTAKEN AND RELEVANT MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED SHOULD IT BE FOUND NECESSARY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS PEGGY I,AM, ON A ROCK SLIDE ON FEBRUARY 28.
AS PART OF THAT REVIEW, AND AS A MATTER OF HIGH PRIORITY, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS INCIDENT WOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED, MR BARNES STRESSED.
THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT A SHAU KEI WAN EAST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SITE WHERE BLASTING WAS BEING CARRIED OUT NEAR THE TOP OF A 50 METRE HIGH OLD QUARRY FACE AS PART OF THE SITE FORMATION WORKS.
MR BARNES SAID THE BLASTING WORK WAS BEING CARRIED OUT UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT ISSUED BY THE MINES DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
HE ADDED THAT PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF DAMAGE OR INJURY WHICH INCLUDED:
* CONSTRUCTION OF A SAFETY FENCE BELOW THE BOTTOM OF THE ROCK FACE INTENDED TO CATCH ANY SMALL ROCKS OR BOULDERS DISLODGED DURING THE WORK;
* CLEARING ALL PERSONNEL INTHE AREA AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ROCK FACE DURING BLASTING WHICH INCLUDED PEOPLE IN THE NEARBY CONSTRUCTION SHEDS; AND
t USE OF SCREENS AND CAGES TO PREVENT SMALL PIECES OF ROCK BEING PROJECTED INTO THE AIR BY THE BLAST AND LANDING OUTSIDE THE SITE.
MR BARNES SAID THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT TOGETHER WITH THE CONTRACTOR.
/"INITIAL FINDINGS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 26 -
"INITIAL FINDINGS ARE THAT THE INCIDENT WAS TRIGGERED BY THE UNEXPECTED LOOSENING OF A ROCK JOINT AS A RESULT OF THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF THE BLASTING NEARBY WHICH HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
MR BARNES SAID BLASTING IN THE OLI) QUARRY AREA WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INCIDENT AND NO FURTHER BLASTING WOULD BE PERMITTED AND FUTURE EXCAVATION WOULD BE CARRIED BY ALTERNATIVE MEANS.
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SIX BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
SIX BILLS WERE PASSED INTO LAW IN THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
(WEDNESDAY).
(NO.2)
1991 ,
BILL 1991, MASS KOWLOON-CANTON
THEY WERE RATING (AMENDMENT) RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL AND JUBILEE SPORTS ('EN'I’RE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
TRANSIT RAILWAY AGAINST
1991
MEANWHILE, SIX MOTIONS WERE \LSO PASSED.
HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE FINANCE ORDINANCE, DUTIABLE COMMODITIES
ORDINANCE, FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC FIXFD PENALTY ((’RIM INAL PROCEEDINGS)
THEY WERE MOVED UNDER CORPORATION ORDINANCE; Pl BLIC ORDINANCE, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CONTRAVENTIONS) ORDINANCE AND
ORDINANCE RESPFCTIVELY.
THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S WAS ALSO TABLED IN THE LEGCO.
AND BEYOND
\ TOTAL OF 13 MEMBERS SPOKE IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON IHE "FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN HONG KONG" MOVED BY IHE HON MIRIAM LU . SECRETYRY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF 'THE GOVERNMENT.
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 27 -
GOVERNOR OPENS HK PAVILION AT CEBIT FAIR * ♦ t » »
THE ’91 HANNOVER CEBIT FAIR PROVIDES A CHANCE FOR HONG KONG TO SHOW AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE THE PROGRESS THE TERRITORY HAS MADE IN OFFICE, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG PAVILION, THE GOVERNOR THANKED DEUTSCHE MESSE FOR INVITING HONG KONG TO BE "BUSINESS PARTNER" AT THE FAIR.
"AND I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT SO MANY HONG KONG BUSINESSES HAVE TAKEN THIS EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THEIR PRODUCTS AT THIS WORLD-FAMOUS FAIR," HE SAID.
PARTNERSHIP WAS ABOUT MUTUAL BENEFIT, SIR DAVID SAID. "FOR CEBIT IT IS A CHANCE TO FOCUS ON AN INTERESTING MARKET AND A VERY COMPETITIVE SOURCE OF SUPPLY IN ONE OF THE WORLD'S FASTEST GROWING REGIONS.
"SO THIS WEEK WILL BE A REWARDING ONE FOR BOTH OF US," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY THAT CEBIT PROMOTED FED ON CREATIVITY, RESOURCEFULNESS AND ADAPTABILITY AND THESE WERE QUALITIES WHICH HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN HAD IN ABUNDANCE, PARTLY BY INHERITANCE, PARTLY ACQUIRED FROM THE LESSONS OF RECENT HISTORY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE PAST 40 YEAR HONG KONG HAD MOVED UP-MARKET RAPIDLY AND HAD DIVERSIFIED FROM THE MANUFACTURE OF TEXTILES AND SIMPLE GARMENTS; THROUGH PLASTIC TOYS AND SIMPLE ELECTRONIC GADGETRY; TO A VERY WIDE RANGE OF MEDIUM TO HIGH QUALITY GOODS.
"TODAY HONG KONG IS A BUSINESS AND SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
"SERVICES NOW ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 70 PER CENT OF OUR GDP. IT IS A REMARKABLE STORY OF GROWTH ACHIEVED THROUGH BEING READY TO MEET THE CHANGING REQUIREMENTS OF OUR MARKETS QUICKLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY, WITH A DUE REGARD FOR QUALITY," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR INVITED PROSPECTIVE BUYERS TO SEE AND TEST HONG KONG PRODUCTS TO DETERMINE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER HONG KONG’S PERFORMANCE MATCHED ITS WORDS.
"THIS FAIR PROVIDES THAT OPPORTUNITY," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED THOSE WHO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN MAKING THE DISPLAY OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING THE GERMAN HOSTS, IN PARTICULAR DEUTSCHE MESSE; THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN WHO HAD WORKED HARD TO REFINE THEIR PRODUCT DISPLAYS FOR THIS OCCASION.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON, TOURED THE FAIR GROUND. HE WILL FLY TO THE HAGUE LATER IN 1 HE AFTERNOON.
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/28 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 28 -
SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED t ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PUBLISHED A WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE SETTING OUT ITS POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THE WHITE PAPER DEMONSTRATED THE GOVERNMENT’S STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE BUILDING UP OF A MORE CARING COMMUNITY.
MRS WONG CHAIRED A WORKING PARTY WHICH PUBLISHED A DRAFT WHITE PAPER IN SEPTEMBER 1990 FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION. A TOTAL OF 237 SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED AND THE WORKING PARTY MET ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO RE-EXAMINE ITS PROPOSALS IN THE LIGHT OF THE WRITTEN COMMENTS AND VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DISTRICT BOARDS AND A WIDE RANGE OF SEMINARS.
"IT WAS GENERALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF SOCIAL SERVICES WAS BUILT ON SOUND AND ACCEPTABLE FOUNDATIONS BUT THAT IMPROVEMENTS AND INNOVATION WOULD BE NEEDED TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF OUR SOCIETY IN THE 1990’S AND BEYOND,” SHE SAID, SUMMARISING THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.
"IT WAS GENERALLY AGREED THAT THE STATED PHILOSOPHY AND DIRECTIONS PROPOSED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES WERE ACCEPTABLE BUT CONCERN WAS RAISED ABOUT THE VAGUENESS OF PROPOSED FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AND THE APPARENT LACK OF COMMITMENT TO FUNDING,” SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG SAID THE WHITE PAPER NOW INCLUDED AN IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE AND AN ESTIMATE OF THE COSTS INVOLVED.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE FOR THE SERVICE PROGRAMMES REVIEWED IN THE WHITE PAPER WILL AMOUNT TO SOME $5 BILLION IN 1991/92, RISING TO MORE THAN $7 BILLION IN 1999/2000,” SHE ANNOUNCED.
THE WHITE PAPER DIFFERS FROM THE WORKING PARTY’S DRAFT REPORT IN SEVERAL OTHER RESPECTS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COMMENTS MADE DURING THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
MRS WONG SAID THAT IN RESPONSE TO CONCERN ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF FEE-CHARGING, IT HAD BEEN DECIDED THAT A WORKING PARTY OF GOVERNMENT AND SERVICE AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES WOULD BE FORMED TO STUDY FURTHER HOW THIS CONCEPT MIGHT BE DEVELOPED.
THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG CALL FOR THE WHITE PAPER TO ADDRESS THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN AGING POPULATION ON THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
"RETIREMENT PROVISION FOR THE ELDERLY DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE WORKING PARTY OR THE SCOPE OF THE WHITE PAPER," MRS WONG POINTED OUT.
/"HOWEVER, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
29
"HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY BY KEEPING THE EXISTING SCHEMES UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW AS WELL AS INVESTIGATING OTHER RELATED AREAS SUCH AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG."
COMMENTS ON OTHER ISSUES OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE WHITE PAPER INCLUDED THE COVERAGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES.
MRS WONG SAID THIS WOULD BE MET THROUGH THE COMPREHENSIVE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION, WHICH WOULD BE READY FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION LATER THIS YEAR.
THE WHITE PAPER COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATING TO THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT RISK AND THE ELDERLY.
"IN THE CASE OF THE ELDERLY, THE AIM IS TO PROMOTE THEIR WELLBEING THROUGH SERVICES WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN ACTIVE AND VALUED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY," MRS WONG EXPLAINED.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE FORM OF HOME HELP, MULTISERVICE CENTRES AND DAY CARE AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE EXPANDED.
A HIGH PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO MEETING THE GROWING DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE IN THE FORM OF SUBVERTED CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND HOMES FOR THE AGED. IN ADDITION, PROPERLY REGULATED PRIVATE AND NON-PROFIT-MAKING HOMES WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY THEIR PART.
MRS WONG SAID THE WHITE
THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF
PAPER LOOKED UPON THE OUR SOCIETY.
FAMILY AS ONE
OF
"TRADITIONALLY, IT IS THROUGH THE FAMILY THAT YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE HAVE BEEN CARED FOR AND SUPPORTED.
"WITH THE INCREASE IN SMALLER FAMILIES, THIS NETWORK OF FAMILY SUPPORT HAS BECOME WEAKER AT A TIME WHEN THE STRESSES AND STRAINS OF OUR RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SOCIETY HAVE INCREASED THE PRESSURES ON ALL FAMILY MEMBERS," SHE SAID.
FAMILY CASEWORK AND COUNSELLING SERVICES WILL BE STEPPED UP TO HELP AND REACH OUT TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING PERSONAL AND FAMILY PROBLEMS.
SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS HOME HELP AND DAY CARE FOR CHILDREN WILL BE STRENGTHENED. SPECIAL ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING NUMBER OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES AND TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO CANNOT PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF DAILY LIFE.
"IN PARTICULAR, THE WHITE PAPER PROPOSES THAT THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN FAMILIES RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BE RECOGNISED BY AN ADDITIONAL CHILD SUPPLEMENT," MRS WONG SAID, "AND THIS SUPPLEMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR.”
/MRS WONG ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
30
MRS WONG SAID THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG WAS NOT SOLELY A MATTER OF MORE MONEY, SERVICES AND FACILITIES.
’’MUCH WILL ALSO DEPEND ON HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO PROVIDE MORE SOCIAL WORKERS OF THE SAME CALIBRE AND COMMITMENT AS THOSE WHO ALREADY SERVE THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY SO ADMIRABLY.
’’THE WHITE PAPER RECOGNISES THE DIFFICULTIES IN EXPANDING THE SUPPLY OF CERTAIN SOCIAL WORK PERSONNEL AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING AND MANPOWER PLANNING AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE WAYS AND MEANS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.”
MRS WONG CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT THE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED IN SOCIAL WELFARE IN THE PAST DECADE REPRESENTED A SOLID FOUNDATION UPON WHICH TO BUILD.
’’THE WHITE PAPER SETS OUT CLEAR OBJECTIVES AND PROPOSALS TO COPE WITH THE CHANGING NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR SOCIETY.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE DEDICATION OF GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP, THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACHIEVED,” SHE ADDED.
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GUIDELINES FOR EXCO DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUBLISHED THE GUIDELINES FOR DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GUIDELINES WERE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE OF COUNCILS’ OFFICE AND AT OMELCO FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY S OFFICE AND ADVICE GIVEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
'•GIVEN THE RANGE AND VARIETY OF MATTERS WHICH HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, IT IS INEVITABLE THAT MEMBERS CONSIDERED or SJGNIE[CANT , NTRREST IN
FROM OF
SOME
THE SUBJECTS
DISCUSSED," HE SAID.
"THIS NEED NOT BE SEEN AS NECESSARILY HARMFUL TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST ON OCCASION, IT CAN BE USEFUL TO HAVE MEMBERS WITH SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE PRESENT TO GIVEN ADVICE.
"WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT THE INTEREST BE RECOGNISED, AND DUE ACCOUNT TAKEN OF IT WHEN CONSIDERING THE VIEWS TENDERED."
HF WFNT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT WHILST THERE WERE NO LEGAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE NEED TO DECLARE INTERESTS IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THERE WERE LONGSTANDING CONVENTIONS.
/THE GUIDELINES .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
31
THE GUIDELINES NOW BEING PUBLISHED OUTLINE THE WAY THESE CONVENTIONS APPLY; THE GOVERNING PRINCIPLE BEING THAT THE ADVICE GIVEN TO THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE DISINTERESTED AND IMPARTIAL.
ULTIMATELY IT REMAINS THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY HAVE AN INTEREST IN A PARTICULAR MATTER UNDER DISCUSSION AND TO DECLARE IT.
THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES OR DEGREES OF INTEREST, "EXCLUSIONARY" AND "DECLARATORY".
THE TERM "EXCLUSIONARY INTERESTS" APPLIES WHERE A MEMBER DECLARES A SIGNIFICANT PECUNIARY INTEREST, WHETHER PERSONAL OR THROUGH A CLOSE RELATIVE OR FRIEND, WHICH MAY BE MATERIALLY AFFECTED BY THE DECISION ABOUT TO BE TAKEN. HE OR SHE MAY THEN BE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNOR TO WITHDRAW FROM THE MEETING.
PECUNIARY INTERESTS INCLUDE OWNERSHIP OF, PARTNERSHIP WITH, SHAREHOLDING IN, AND OTHER SIMILAR CONNECTIONS SUCH AS BEING A TRUSTEE OR BENEFICIARY OF, THE ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED.
MEMBERS WHO PERSONALLY, OR THROUGH AN ASSOCIATE, HAVE GIVEN PROFESSIONAL ADVICE OR REPRESENTED ANY PERSON OR BODY LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE ITEM UNDER DISCUSSION WOULD ALSO BE TREATED AS HAVING AN EXCLUSIONARY INTEREST.
"DECLARATORY INTERESTS” ARE MORE DISTANT : INDIRECT REMOTE OR NON-PECUNIARY INTERESTS SUCH AS MEMBERSHIP OF AN ADVISORY BOARD OR A UNIVERSITY COUNCIL ARE DECLARED BUT IT WOULD NOT USUALLY BE NECESSARY FOR THE MEMBER TO WITHDRAW FROM THE MEETING.
-----0------
FIVE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS
******
A TOTAL OF FIVE NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY WERE RECEIVED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THREE WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND TWO FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THIS BRINGS TO 16 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.
SO FAR, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED WAS IN THE KOWLOON CITY WEST CONSTITUENCY WITH TWO CANDIDATES.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL LAST UNTIL MARCH 25.
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES -15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 32 -
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
SHAU KEI WAN BERNACCH1, BROOK ANTONY M 69 BARRISTER-AT-LAW (QUEEN’S COUNSEL) 522 0066 890 8650
SOUTHERN YEUNG CHUI-CHUN HARLANNA F 42 KINDERGARTEN HEADMISTRESS 553 88864 555 9731
SHAM SHUI PO WEST MA LEE-WO M 30 SOCIAL WORKER 360 0161
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
SAI KUNG WONG SHUI-SANG M 53 BUSINESSMAN 792 7354
SHA TIN EAST LEE YORK-FA I M 24 CLINICAL MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATE 116 8999 CALL 5599
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS
RECEIVED SO FAR:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. CENTRAL AND WESTERN
2. WAN CHAI
3. NORTH POINT
4. SHAU KEI WAN
5. SOUTHERN
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST
8. KWUN TONG WEST
9. KWUN TONG EAST
10. MONG KOK
11. SHAM SHU I PO EAST
12. SHAM SHU I PO WEST
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH
15. YAU TSIM
NIL 1 1
1 1
2
NIL 1 1
NIL NIL 1
1 NIL NIL
SUB-TOTAL: 10
/REGIONAL COUNCIL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 33 -
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS 1
2. NORTH 1
3. SAI KUNG 1
4. SHA TIN EAST 1
5. SHA TIN WEST 1
6. TAI PO NIL
7. TSUEN WAN NIL .
8. TUEN MUN EAST NIL \
9. TUEN MUN WEST NIL
10. YUEN LONG NIL
11 . KWAI CHUNG EAST 1
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TS1 NG YI NIL
SUB-TOTAL; 6
-----0-----
STATEMENT ON RESUMPTION OF HOI PA VILLAGE
******
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON LAND RESUMPTION IN HOI PA VILLAGE, TSUEN WAN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) GAVE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
’’THE APPEAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS OF THE SITE AND THE CLEARANCE OF THE SITE ARE CONSIDERED TO BE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES.
"EVEN THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT WILL CARRY OUT THE CLEARANCE, IT HAS AGREED THAT THE SITE WILL NOT BE DISPOSED OF UNTIL A FINAL COURT RULING IS MADE.
"A MEETING HAS BEEN HELD WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE RURAL COMMITTEE TO ASSIST THE VILLAGERS TO MOVE OUT. THE SCHEDULED CLEARANCE FOR MARCH 14 HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MARCH 21 TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR THE VILLAGERS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS.
"IT IS NECESSARY FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS TO ENSURE EARLY CLEARANCE OF THE SITE, THE CONDITION OF WHICH IS DETERIORATING RAPIDLY.
"AS THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS DECLARED THAT THE RESUMPTION OF THE PRIVATE LAND IN HOI PA IS FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, THE LAND HAS BEEN RESUMED AND IS NOW PROPERTY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
/'•LEGALLY, ALL..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
34
"LEGALLY, ALL PRIVATE RIGHTS CEASED TO EXIST AS FROM OCTOBER 30 LAST YEAR. IT IS A NORMAL PRACTICE TO CUT OFF THE WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY DURING A CLEARANCE SO AS TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE WORKERS.
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT POLICY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY OFFERED TERMS OF COMPENSATION TO THE INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS INCLUDING THE OFFER OF RESITE HOUSES, BUT THESE TERMS HAVE ALL BEEN REJECTED BY THE VILLAGERS. HOWEVER, THESE TERMS ARE STILL OPEN FOR ACCEPTANCE SHOULD THE VILLAGERS CHANGE THEIR MINDS."
------0-------
ANTI-LITTERING API’S WIN MEDAL * * * * *
TWO TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST (API’S) ON PENALTY FOR LITTERING WON A SILVER MEDAL AT THE 33RD INTERNATIONAL FILM AND TV FESTIVAL OF NEW YORK HELD LAST YEAR.
THEY WERE PRODUCED BY AN ADVERTISING AGENCY, LINTAS: HONG KONG LTD, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE.
THE TWO API’S, NAMELY "CAR" AND "MELON", REMIND THE PUBLIC NOT TO LITTER FROM VEHICLES OR ON ROADS, AND EXPECT TO GET AWAY WITH IT.
THEY SCOOPED HONOURS IN THE CIVIC/SOCIAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CATEGORY IN THE TELEVISION AND CINEMA ADVERTISING COMPETITION.
MORE THAN 400 PUBLIC SERVICE SPOTS AND CAMPAIGNS FROM AROUND THE WORLD COMPETED FOR THE AWARDS IN THIS CATEGORY.
A CEREMONY WAS HELD THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO CELEBRATE THE WINNING OF THE SILVER MEDAL AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE EFFORTS MADE BY ALL PARTIES CONCERNED.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU, SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME, ANTI-LITTERING TELEVISION API’S HAD WON INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION.
MR TONG SAID LINTAS: HONG KONG LTD HAD BEEN APPOINTED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE SINCE 1989/90 TO FORMULATE ADVERTISING STRATEGY FOR THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
HE COMMENDED THE ADVERTISING AGENCY FOR ITS CREATIVITY IN PUTTING ACROSS THE SIMPLE AND WELL-KNOWN KEEP CLEAN MESSAGES THROUGH A LIGHT-HEARTED APPROACH.
HE ALSO THANKED THE THREE ARTISTES, MS MO SHUN-KWAN, MR ERIC TSANG AND MR LEE CHI-HUNG, WHOSE VOLUNTARY SERVICE AND SKILFUL ACTING HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE TWO API’S.
/AT TODAY'S .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 35 -
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF LINTAS: HONG KONG LTD, MR THOMAS KUPC1UNAS, PASSED ON THE SILVER MEDAL AWARD CERTIFICATE TO MR TONG AND THE STEERING COMMITTEE’S VICE-CHAIRMAN, DR PANG IIOK-TUEN.
TWO ARTISTES PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY, MS MO SHUN-KWAN AND MR LEE CHI-HUNG, WERE GIVEN CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
------0-------
SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE VISITS HOUSING DEPARTMENT ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE NEW HOUSING DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN HO MAN TIN To SEE FOR HIMSELF THE LATEST IN PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND To MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF HOI’S ING STAFF.
ACCOMPANIED B\ THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG, MR WIGGHAM WAS TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE BUILDING WHICH INCLUDED THE APPLICATIONS SECTION AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CHAMBER WHERE THE XUTHORITV’S \NNUAL OPEN MEETING WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH.
MR WIGGHAM THEN MET THE DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTORATE STAFF TO DISCUSS MANAGEMENT VND STAFFING MATTERS.
BEFORE CONCLUDING THE VISIT, MR WJGGHAM MET REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS STAFF ASSOCIATIONS OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND DISCUSSED GENERAL ISSUES OF CONCERN.
------0--------
SALARIES TAX PAYMENT REMINDER t ♦ ♦ » ♦
THAT
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED TAXPAYERS TO CHECK THEIR SALARIES TAX DEMAND NOTES AND ENSURE THE AMOUNT OF TAX DUE IS PAID ON OR BEFORE THE SPECIFIED DUE DATE.
DATE, SECOND
BECOME
"IF THE FIRST TAX INSTALMENT IS NOT PAID BY THE SPECIFIED THE TOTAL TAX PAYABLE (INCLUDING THE TAX DUE AND PAYABLE ON INSTALMENT DATE) WILL BE DEEMED TO BE IN DEFAULT AND IMMEDIATELY RECOVERABLE,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
DUE
THE
WILL
"IN ADDITION, THE COMM ISSLONER OF INLAND REVENUE MAY ORDER THAT A SUM NOT EXCEEDING FIVE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TAX IN DEFAULT BE ADDED.
/"THIS SURCHARGE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
- 36 -
"THIS SURCHARGE WILL ALSO BE DUE FOR IMMEDIATE PAYMENT.”
THE SPOKESMAN SAID RECOVERY NOTICES WOULD THEN BE ISSUED TO THE TAXPAYERS’ EMPLOYERS TO EFFECT THE COLLECTION OF THE TAX AND SURCHARGE IN DEFAULT.
PROCEEDINGS FOR THE RECOVERY OF TAX IN THE DISTRICT COURT MIGHT ALSO BE COMMENCED WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE, HE ADDED.
------0--------
I RD KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE ON MOVE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE WILL OPERATE FROM ITS NEW OFFICE AT FIRST FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK, FROM MONDAY (MARCH 18).
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES IS 399 2222.
DUE TO THE REMOVAL, THE EXISTING OFFICE AT 12TH FLOOR, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 56 DUNDAS STREET WILL SUSPEND SERVICE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 16).
THE SUB-OFFICE COLLECTS ALL TAXES ASSESSED REVENUE ORDINANCE, INCLUDING SALARIES TAX, PROFITS TAX. IT ALSO COLLECTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX AND AND ISSUES TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES.
UNDER THE INLAND TAX AND PROPERTY ENTERTAINMENT TAX
THE SUB-OFFICE ALSO SERVES AS A BUSINESS REGISTRATION AND STAMP DUTY SUB-OFF ICE, AND AS A BASE FOR TAX INSPECTORS.
IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM AND FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM ON SATURDAY.
MONDAY TO FRIDAY,
------0--------
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT
THE REGISTRATION OF
AMRO FINANCE AND SECURITIES (ASIA) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
---------0
/37........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991
37 -
WINNERS PICKED FOR CLEAN AND GREEN COMPETITIONS
*****
THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME ’90 PHOTO COMPETITION AND THE PAINTING AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED WITH 132 AND 134 ENTRIES RESPECTIVELY.
AN ADJUDICATION SESSION WAS HELD THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) TO SELECT 10 WINNING ENTRIES FOR EACH COMPETITION.
JUDGES FOR THE PHOTO COMPETITION COMPRISED COUNTRY PARKS BOARD MEMBER MR GEORGE TAN, RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER MR DAVID HSIUNG, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPETITION’S SPONSOR, MR CHARLES LEUNG AND MR TERRY WONG OF KODAK (FAR EAST) LTD.
THOSE FOR THE PAINTING AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION COMPRISED MR GEORGE TAN, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SCHEME’S CO-ORGANISER, MRS CECILIA LI OF TIMBERLAND, AND MR KWAN KAI-TAI OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG OF THE AFD.
THE WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING. AND TOGETHER WITH ALL PARTICIPANTS OF THE TWO COMPETITIONS, THEY WILL BE INVITED TO THE CLEAN AND GREEN FUN DAY TO BE HELD ON MARCH 29 AT THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SUCCESSFUL MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS VITAL TO HK: GOVERNOR ........... 1
GOVERNOR BEGINS HECTIC SCHEDULE IN THE HAGUE ......................... 3
BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN HK ................... 3
EIGHTEENTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ........... 5
INT'L DRUG SYNDICATES BROKEN UP ...................................... 6
HONG KONG (CONTROL OF GOLD, SECURITIES, PAYMENTS AND CREDITS KUWAIT AND REPUBLIC OF IRAQ) ORDER 1990 ........................................ 7
REPORTED RED TIDES NOT CAUSED BY TOXIC SPECIES ....................... 7
TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH ON METALS INDUSTRY ............... 8
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ESSENTIAL FOR INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES .......... 10
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ............................................. 11
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME TO EASE CONGESTION AT CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL . 11
IMPROVING WORK SAFETY THROUGH TRAINING AND EDUCATION ................. 13
DISADVANTAGES TO CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN BE REMOVED ....... 14
ALL READY FOR THE CENSUS ............................................. 15
TWO NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ................... 16
VTC TO TAKE OVER TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED AND APPRENTICES ........... 18
REPRINTS OF DEFINITIVE STAMPS AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 2 ................. 19
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED IN KWUN TONG .............................. 20
CENTRALISATION OF LABOUR AND SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS .................. 20
TALENT SHOW BY ISLANDS STUDENTS ...................................... 21
GOOD STUDENT AWARD PRESENTATION ON SATURDAY .......................... 21
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
1
SUCCESSFUL MULTI LATERAL NEGOTIATIONS VITAL TO UK: GOVERNOR t ♦ * ♦ ♦
HONG KONG STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE APPEALS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE ACTION NOW TO ENSURE THAT THE MULTILATERAI NEGOTIATIONS, THE URUGUAY ROUND IS NOT HELD Up FURTHER, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS ON THURSDAY (MARCH 14).
\DDRFSS1NG THE NFTIIERLANDS-HONG KONG SOCIETY, THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG WANTED TRADE BARRIERS TO BF REDUCED, AND WHERE POSSIBLE REMOVED, NOT RAISED OR REPLACED BY OTHER PROTECTIONIST DEVICES.
"IT IS THEREFORE VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR US THAT THE CURRENT MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS, THE URUGUAY ROUND, COME TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
"THE WORLD IS GOING THROUGH SIGNIFICANT CHANGES AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE ARE ALLOWED TO WORK THROUGH WITHOUT THE ADDED RISKS OF INCREASED TRADE RESTRICTIONS.
"IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE ROUND HAS NOT BEEN CONCLUDED AS PLANNED," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG DEPENDED ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND IT BELIEVED AS AN ARTICLE OF FAITH THAT FREE TRADE PRODUCED THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER.
"WE ARE PROOF THAT IT WORKS," HF SAID, ADDING THAT FREE TRADE WORKED FOR ALL, NOT JUST FOR HONG KONG.
"SOME OF THE CHANGES TAKING PLACE (N THE WORLD HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY BENEI K’IYL TO THE EUROPE/ASI A RELATIONSHIP, AS THEY SEEM TO HAVE INDIRECTLY ALLAYED THE FEARS OF A FORTRESS FURORE THAT WERE SO PREVALENT ONLY A YEAR YGO.
"THIS IS ENCOURAGING. WE MUST ALL HOPE THAT NEITHER WILL THESE FEARS RECUR, NOR W I LI THERE BF ANY BASIS FOR THEM.
"NOBODY SHOULD WANT A TENDENCY IN EUROPE TO LOOK ONIA INWARDS, INSTEAD OF OUTWARDS AT THF GROWING CONSUMER POWER AND MARKET OPPOR TUN IT I ES Op THE ASIA PACIFIC' REGION," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NETHERLANDS AND IIONG KONG HAD NEVER BEEN SO STRONG.
HE BELIEVED THERE WERE TWO MAIN REASONS FOR THIS CLOSE RELATIONSHIP: A SHARED BELIEF IN THE V IRTUES OF FREE TRADE; AND THE IMAGINATION TO EXPLOIT Till' OPPORTUNITIES THIS PROVIDED.
/HE POINTED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
2
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS NETHERLANDS’ THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER IN ASIA.
THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DUTCH COMMUNITY OF ONE AND A HALF THOUSAND IN HONG KONG AND A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE NETHERLANDS WHO HAD THEIR ROOTS IN HONG KONG.
DUTCH INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WAS HIGH AND THE FIGURE OF SOME 330 MILLION GUILDERS MADE THE NETHERLANDS THE FIFTH BIGGEST OVERSEAS INVESTOR IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THE DUTCH PRESENCE IN THE SERVICE SECTOR IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT. YOUR SHIPPING LINES DO A GREAT DEAL OF BUSINESS WITH HONG KONG. SO DOES KLM.
"DUTCH BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE INCREASINGLY WELL REPRESENTED IN THE TERRITORY," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR OUTLINED TO THE AUDIENCE WHAT HAD BEEN DONE SO FAR AND WHAT REMAINED TO BE DONE FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS ACTIVELY PREPARING FOR A FUTURE BEYOND THE END OF THIS CENTURY.
"WHILE WE MAKE THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES REQUIRED BY THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY, WE ALSO BELIEVE IT IS RIGHT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR HONG KONG TO ENTER THE 21ST CENTURY AS ONE OF THE KEY CENTRES OF ECONOMIC DYNAMISM IN EAST ASIA," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT NO ONE SHOULD BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT FACING AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE.
"WE KNOW WE ARE. THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS THAT CANNOT BE ANSWERED AT THIS STAGE. I AM SURE, HOWEVER, THAT THIS CHALLENGE IS ONE THAT CAN AND WILL BE MET AND OVERCOME.
"IT IS IN ALL PARTIES’ INTERESTS THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO PROSPER. AND ALL THE ECONOMIC INDICATORS POINT TOWARDS GROWTH.
"THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HONG KONG AND THE VITAL ROLE IT HAS CARVED OUT FOR ITSELF AS THE PRE-EMINENT REGIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE.
"AS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSMEN REALISE, THOSE WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN ASIA CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO BE REPRESENTED IN HONG KONG," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH WILL BE SENT BY FACS IM ILE.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
GOVERNOR BEGINS HECTIC SCHEDULE IN THE HAGUE
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) BEGAN A HECTIC ROUND OF MEETINGS AND OTHER ENGAGEMENTS IN THE HAGUE ON THE SECOND LEG OF HIS EUROPEAN VISIT.
SIR DAVID STARTED THE DAY WITH A COURTESY CALL ON THE DUTCH PRIME MINISTER, MR RUDOLPHUS LUBBERS. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY CALLS ON THE MINISTER OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, DR JACOBUS ANDRIESSEN, AND THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE, MRS YVONNE VAN ROOY.
LATER IN THE MORNING, THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE A MEETING WITH (MR J.P. HOFSTEE, ACTING SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS).
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AN INFORMAL LUNCH WITH SENIOR DUTCH BUSINESSMEN AND BANKERS.
IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID WILL GIVE A SPEECH TO THE NETHERLANDS-HONG KONG SOCIETY.
STR DAVID’S VISIT TO THE HAGUE FOLLOWED A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO HANNOVER IN GERMANY WHERE HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CEBIT 1991, THE WORLD’S LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT FAIR FOR OFFICE EQUIPMENT, DATA PROCESSING, TELECOMMUN1CATIONS, AND SOFTWARE INDUSTRY.
TOMORROW (FRIDAY) THE GOVERNOR WILL FLY TO HAMBURG WHERE HE WILL DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESSES TO A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE EAST ASIA SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE TO THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE EAST ASIA SOCIETY.
THE GOVERNOR WILL LEAVE HAMBURG ON SATURDAY (MARCH 16) AND WILL ARRIVE BACK IN HONG KONG ON THE FOLLOWING DAY (SUNDAY).
- - 0 - -
BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN HK
******
THERE ARE PLENTY OF BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG FOR FOREIGN AND LOCAL COMPANIES ALIKE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CEBIT 91 BUSINESS FORUM: "HONG KONG/EUROPE OVERVIEW" IN HANNOVER, GERMANY, MR ('HAN SAID THESE HAD NOT ESCAPED THE ATTENTION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
MORE THAN 500 COMPANIES WITH EC INTERESTS WERE OPERATING IN HONG KONG.
/INVESTMENT IN
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
4
INVESTMENT IN THE MANUFACTURI NG SECTOR ALONE WAS VALUED AT $4.6 BILLION (OR ROUGHLY 830 MILLION DEUTSCHE MARKS) MAKING THE EC THE THIRD LARGEST SOURCE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN THIS VITAL AREA, HE SAID.
HONG KONG AND EUROPE WERE BOTH IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGE THAT WOULD OPEN UP NEW DOORS TO PROSPERITY.
’’THE CREATION OF A SINGLE, UNIFIED EUROPEAN MARKET AT THE END OF 1992 WILL HERALD SIGNIFICANT PROSPECTS FOR FURTHER ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"THE CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND THE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GREATER EUROPEAN INTEGRATION ARE POTENTIALLY EVEN MORE EXCITING IN THE LONGER TERM," HE SAID.
"THERE WILL BE FEW PLACES WITHIN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WHERE MY MESSAGE WILL BE CLEARER THAN IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY," HE SAID.
IT WAS THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG GOODS IN EUROPE, WITH EXPORTS IN 1990 TOTALLING 3.6 BILLION DM.
IN ADDITION, HONG KONG HANDLED 4.3 BILLTON DM WORTH OF RE-EXPORTS OF CHINESE GOODS TO GERMANY LAST YEAR.
BIT IT WAS NOT ONE-WAY TRADE.
GERMAN EXPORTS 'I’O HONG KONG IN 1990 WERE VALUED AT SOME 3 BILLION DM, PLUS A FURTHER 550 MILLION DM EXPORTED TO CHINA THROUGH HONG KONG.
’THERE IS MUCH POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER GROWTH IN GERMAN EXPORTS TO HONG KONG AND CHINA, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND OTHER HIGH TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS," MR (’HAN SAID.
"I ALSO RELIEVE THAT, WITH THE FORMAL UNIFICATION OF EAST AND WEST GERMANY IN OCTOBER 1990, THE DEMAND FOR CONSUMER GOODS CAN BE EXPECTED TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY, OPENING UP NEW AREAS OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE CHOICE OF HONG KONG AS THE BUSINESS PARTNER FOR THIS YEAR’S CEBIT WAS A FITTING RECOGNITION OF THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WHICH EXISTED BETWEEN EUROPE AND ASIA-PACIFIC GENERALLY, AND BETWEEN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND HONG KONG IN PARTICULAR.
"THE CHALLENGE FACING OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITIES IS HOW TO MAXIMISE THESE OPPORTUNITIES. I AM SURE THEY WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE," MR (’HAN SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, HE SAID ITS RAPID DEVELOPMENT HAD OFFERED HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN NEW TRADING AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES WHICH THEY QUICKLY SEIZED.
"TODAY, HONG KONG IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA, ACCOUNTING FOR 60 TO 70 PER (ENT OF THE TOTAL IN TERMS OF BOTH THE NUMBER OF VENTURES AND THE AMOUNT INVESTED," HE SAID.
/"COUPLED WITH .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
5
OUPI.ED KI I'H THE EXPANSION IN RECENT YEARS OF CHINA’S OWN EXTERNAL TRADE, THESE INVESTMENTS ACROSS THE BORDER HAVE BEEN THE MAIN DRIVING FOR(|- BEHIND HONG RONG’S RAPID RE-EMERGENCE AS AN ENTREPOT."
IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, MR CHAN SAID CHINESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG HAD ALSO GROWN TREMENDOUSLY, AND HAD DIVERSIFIED FROM THE TRADITIONAL TRADE-RELATED SECTORS INTO VARIOUS NEW AREAS SUCH AS PROPERTY INVESTMENT, I‘INANCI AL SERY ICES, MANUFAUTURI NG AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL PRO.I ECTS.
\S A'l THE END OF I 9B9 , TOTAL CHINESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUEAf TIRING INDUSTRY STOOD AT SOME 600 MILLION DM AT ORIGINAL COST.
’ IIIIS VERY ( LOSE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP HAS PLACED HONG KONG IN A UNIQI I- POSITION TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT,” MR CHAN SA I I).
"WITH ITS LONG EXPERIENCE AND PROVEN EXPERTISE IN TRADING WITH THE WORLD, AND ITS KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA, HONG KONG WILL HAVE MUCH TO OFFER TO THE WESTERN TRADER WHO IS KEEN ON EXPLOITING THE V VST CHINESE MARKET."
IN TANDEM WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OE INCREASINGLY (LOSE RELATIONS WITH CHINA HONG KONG’S ECONOMO RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS ASIA-PACIFIC PARTNERS HAD VLSO BEEN GROWING RAPIDLY: TRADE WITH THE REGION INCREASED BY OYER 22 PEI? (ENT YEAR IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, AND
ACCOUNTED FOR 62 PEI? CENT OF HONG KONG'S GLOBAL TRADE IN 1990.
”'THFS|- \RE VERY SOLID FOUNDATIONS UPON WHICH WE (’AN BUILD FOR THE FUTURE," MR (HAN SAID.
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EIGHTEENTH MEETING OF THE SINO-RRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS EIGHTEENTH MEETING IN BEIJING FROM MARCH 12 TO 14, 1991.
THE IWO SIDES CONTINUED THEIR DISCUSSIONS ON PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG AND THE MAINTENANCE OF ITS PUBLIC ORDER.
ON THE HASIS OF THE’ WORK OF EXPERTS, THE GROUP HAD A FUR I HER DISCUSSION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IN HONG KONG.
THE IWO SIDES HAD V FURTHER EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON PROTECTING AND PROMOTING INVESTMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES.
ON THE BASIS oF IHE WORK OF EXPERTS, THE IWO SIDES CONTINUED THEIR DISCUSSION OF MATTERS RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL RI GUIS AND OBLIGATIONS.
IHE GROUP AGREED THAT ITS NEXT MEETING SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG IN THF WEEK BEGINNING JUNE ID, 1991.
/6 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
- 6
INT’L DRUG SYNDICATES BROKEN UP *****
NARCOTICS DETECTIVES IN HONG KONG AND THE USA HAVE BROKEN UP WHAT THEY BELIEVED TO BE TWO INTERNATIONAL DRUG SYNDICATES FOLLOWING THE ARRESTS OF SUSPECTED KEY SYNDICATE MEMBERS BOTH IN HONG KONG AND NEW YORK.
FIVE PERSONS, INCLUDING FOUR MEN AND ONE WOMAN, WERE ARRESTED IN HONG KONG AND TWO AMERICAN MEN, AGED 24 AND 30 WERE ARRESTED IN NEW YORK IN A JOINT UNITED STATES-HONG KONG UNDERCOVER OPERATION THAT LASTED THREE MONTHS.
IN THE OPERATION, 3.5 KILOGRAMMES OF SUSPECTED NO. 4 HEROIN WERE SEIZED IN NEW YORK WHICH CARRIED A RETAIL VALUE OF UP TO US $3.5 MILLION (HK$27 MILLION) IN THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS.
THE OPERATION WAS MOUNTED IN JANUARY WITH UNDERCOVER AGENTS FROM THE US DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (DEA) POSING AS BUYERS AND MANAGED TO SECURE THE DELIVERY OF THE SUSPECTED NO.4 HEROIN TO NEW YORK IN MID-FEBRUARY.
THE SUSPECTED DRUGS WERE CONCEALED IN MAHJONG TILES SENT FROM HONG KONG.
MEANWHILE, RAIDS WERE CARRIED OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY BY OFFICERS OF THE NARCOTICS BUREAU IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
NARCOTICS BUREAU OFFICERS SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED FOUR MEN, AGED BETWEEN 30 AND 35, IN TWO TRIM SHA TSUI EAST HOTELS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING.
FOLLOW-UP RAIDS WERE ALSO MOUNTED IN NGAU TAU KOK, KOWLOON WALLED CITY,HUNG HOM AND WONG TAI SIN RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF A 20-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN A HUNG HOM PREMISES.
NO DRUGS WERE FOUND IN THE OPERATION BUT CASH AND VALUABLES AMOUNTING TO $100,000 WERE SEIZED.
THE TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN NEW YORK WERE BELIEVED TO BE DISTRIBUTORS OF THE SEIZED HEROIN.
POLICE BELEIVED THE ARRESTED PERSONS WERE KEY MEMBERS OF TWO INTERNATIONAL SYNDICATES WHICH MIGHT HAVE EXPORTED A LARGE QUANTITY OF NO 4 HEROIN FROM ASIAN COUNTRIES TO THE US MARKETS BY CONCEALING THEM IN MAHJONG TILES AND BUDDHA STATUES.
EXCEPT FOR THE WOMAN WHO WAS RELEASED ON POLICE BAIL OF $500, THE REMAINING PERSONS ARE STILL BEING DETAINED FOR ENQUIRIES.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
7
HONG KONG (CONTROL OF GOLD, SECURITIES, PAYMENTS AND ('RED ITS KUWAIT AND REPUBLIC OF IRAQ) ORDER 1990
THE BANK OF ENGLAND ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 13, 1991 THAT THE CONTROL OF GOLD, SECURITIES, PAYMENTS AND CREDITS (KUWAIT) DIRECTIONS 1990 (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 1990 NO. 1591 OF AUGUST 2, 1990) WERE REVOKED FROM MIDNIGHT ON MARCH 12, 1991 AND THAT CONSEQUENTLY THE TERMS OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND’S KUWAIT NOTICE DATED AUGUST 7, 1990, SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 DATED AUGUST 25, SUPPLEMENT NO. 2 DATED SEPTEMBER 3, SUPPLEMENT NO. 3 DATED SEPTEMBER 13 AND SUPPLEMENT NO. 4 DATED NOVEMBER 6 CEASED TO APPLY WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME TIME.
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE HAS INFORMED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THAT THE HONG KONG (CONTROL OF GOLD, SECURITIES, PAYMENTS AND CREDITS KUWAIT AND REPUBLIC OF IRAQ) ORDER 1990 (THE "HONG KONG ORDER") REMAINS IN FORCE BUT THAT IT IS EXPECTED THAT AN ORDER PARTIALLY REVOKING THAI' ORDER IS EXPECTED TO BE PASSED AT THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL ON APRIL 16, 1991. AT THAT TIME IT IS EXPECTED THAT RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQI ASSETS WILL REMAIN IN FORCE.
AT PRESENT THOSE PROHIBITED BY THE HONG KONG ORDER FROM TRANSACTING BUSINESS RELATING TO KUWAITI ASSETS MAY APPLY TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR PERMISSION TO DO SO. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WISHES SUCH PERSONS TO KNOW THAT IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES ALL SUCH APPLICATIONS SHALL BE DEALT WITH SYMPATHETICALLY AND FURTHER PERMISSIONS OF A MORE GENERAL EFFECT ARE URGENTLY BEING CONSIDERED.
- - 0 - -
REPORTED RED TIDES NOT CAUSED BY TOXIC SPECIES ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON A REPORT IN SING TAO JIH
PAO TODAY (MARCH 14) ON TOXIC RED TIDES, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
"\FD HAS SO FAR RECEIVED SEVEN REPORTS OF RED TIDES THIS YEAR. HOWEVER, NONE OF THEM WERE CAUSED BY TOXIC SPECIIS AND THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR PUBLIC ALARM.
A RED TIDE OF THE TOXIC SPECIES ALEXANDR I UM CATENELLIA WAS RECORDED IN I9R9. SINCE THEN III IS SPECIES WAS OCCASIONALLY DETECTED IN HONG KONG WATERS, BUT ONLY AT VERY LOW CONCENTRATION, NOT ENOUGH TO CONSTITUTE A RED TIDE.
MOREOVER, THE PRESENCE OF THIS TOXIC ALGAE IN THE WATER DOES NOT NECESSARILY MAKE SHELLFISH UNSAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
/AFD NOTED
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
- 8 -
AFD NOTED THAT THIS SPECIES WAS PRESENT AT LOW CONCENTRATION IN WATERS AT TIN HA WAN IN LATE JANUARY.
HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT DETECTED NO TOXICITY IN GREEN MUSSEL SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM THE TIN HA WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE.
MEANWHILE, SAMPLING TESTS ON GREEN MUSSELS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD ALSO CONFIRMED THAT TOXICITY IN THE SHELLFISH WERE WELL BELOW THE ACCEPTABLE TOXIC LEVELS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION."
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TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH ON METALS INDUSTRY
* t t » *
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDY OF THE METALS INDUSTRY IN THE LATTER HALF OF THIS YEAR, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER MEETING OF THE GROUP 2 (INDUSTRY) OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MR WONG SAID THIS WAS PART OF A SERIES OF REGULAR STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ON THE MAJOR GROUPS OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, NAMELY TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, ELECTRONICS, PLASTICS AND METALS.
"THESE STUDIES AIM TO PROVIDE MANUFACTURERS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING LOCALLY, IN CHINA AND IN OTHER PARTS OF WORLD, SO AS TO ASSIST THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THESE STUDIES WAS WIDELY DISSEMINATED TO MANUFACTURERS, AND VERY OFTEN RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE STUDIES HAD LED TO THE INTRODUCTION OF A RANGE OF SUPPORT MEASURES TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE AND THE HONG KONG PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE ARE AMONG THE MORE NOTABLE EXAMPLES," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THAT, WHILE THE LOCAL INDUSTRY WAS STILL COMPETITIVE IN MANY SECTORS, THIS POSITION WAS BEING THREATENED BY THE PACE AT WHICH TECHNOLOGIES CHANGED ON THE ONE HANI) AND THE IMPROVED CAPABILITIES OF OUR COMPETITORS ON THE OTHER.
"THIS REINFORCES THE NEED FOR OUR MANUFACTURERS TO MOVE TOWARDS GREATER EFFICIENCY, BETTER QUALITY AND HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS IF THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVENESS," HE SAID.
"SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS PLANS TO ALSO COMMISSION STUDIES ON THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A SCIENCE PARK IN HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT REQUIRED TO ASSIST INDUSTRIALISTS TO COMPLY WITH THE INCREASINGLY STRINGENT ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS," MR WONG SAID.
/BESIDES TECHNO-ECONOMIC .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
- 9
BESIDES TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDIES ON THE MAJOR GROUPS OF MANUFACTUR1NG INDUSTRY, MR WONG SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ALSO COMMISSIONED OTHER STUDIES TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC TERRITORY-WIDE INDUSTRIAL ISSUES OR EXPLORE THE POTENTIAL OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN NEW AREAS.
IN DECEMBER 1990, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WAS COMMISSIONED TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION TO ASSESS THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION IN HONG KONG AND ADVISE ON WAYS OF HELPING MANUFACTURERS TO MAKE OPTIMUM USE OF AUTOMATION.
ANOTHER STUDY TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL OF THE CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IN JANUARY 1991.
IN ADDITION TO COMMISSIONING THE SERVICES OF OVERSEAS AND
LOCAL CONSULTANTS, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ITSELF CONDUCTS REGULAR AND AD HOC SURVEYS TO ASSESS THE CURRENT STATUS OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES OR To UPDATE SOME OF THE FINDINGS OF PREVIOUS CONSULTANCY
STUDIES.
ANNUALLY, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT CARRIES OUT A SURVEY OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO FIND OUT FROM MANUFACTURERS HOW THE'i SEE THEIR BUSINESS PROSPECTS, WHAT THEY THINK OF HONG KONG’S INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT, AND WHETHER THEY SEE ANY CONSTRAINTS ON THE GROWTH OF THEIR INDUSTRIES.
ANOTHER SURVEY CONDUCTED ANNUALLY IS THAT OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
MR KONG SAID THAT WHILE THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONED SO MANA STUDIES EVERA YEAR, THEY OUGHT TO BE SEEN AS TOOLS TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN COMING UP WI TH NEW INITIATIVES FOR STRENGTHENING INDUSTRIES SUPPORT SERVICES AND FACILITIES.
HE SAID THERE WAS NO QUESTION THAT INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT MEASURES WERE DICTATED BA' THE CONSULTANTS.
"AS A MATTER OF FACT, ALL THE MAJOR STUDIES ARE STEERED BY COMMITTEES COMPRISING INDUSTRIALISTS, ACADEMICS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
"RECENTLY, WE ARE MOVING IN THE DIRECTION OF GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL EXPERTISE PLAYING A GREATER ROLE IN CONSULTANCY STUDIES.
"THIS HAS RECEIVED VERY ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM INDUSTRIALISTS AND ACADEMICS SITTING ON THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD \ND ITS COMMITTEES," HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR WONG’S SPEECH WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
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/10.......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
- 10 -
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ESSENTIAL FOR INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES
THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS NOW WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE CONTROL OF INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MA SUITABLE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE CONTROL OF INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES WHICH ARE AGENTS AND BROKERS IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CONTINUED HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSURANCE MARKET IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, ESTABLISHED IN JUNE 1990 TO TAKE OVER THE RESPONS1 Bl LIT IES OF THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THE DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING SELF-REGULATORY MEASURES BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY TO ENHANCE THE PROTECTION OF INSURANCE CLAIMANTS AND POLICY HOLDERS.
THE OFFICE WAS ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE INSURANCE CLAIMS COMPLAINTS BUREAU, AN INDEPENDENT BODY TO DEAL WITH CLAIMS UP TO $250,000 BY INDIVIDUAL POLICY HOLDERS, WAS ESTABLISHED IN FEBRUARY 1990, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE OFFICE, FIVE NEW INSURERS, ONE LOCAL AND FOUR OVERSEAS COMPANIES, WERE AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS IN OR FROM HONG KONG TN 1990.
"DURING THE SAME YEAR, 16 INSURERS CEASED TO BE AUTHORISED AS A RESULT OF THEIR CESSATION OF INSURANCE BUSINESS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AS AT DECEMBER 31, 1990 THERE WERE 262 AUTHORISED INSURERS OPERATING IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING A NET DECREASE OF 11 SINCE DECEMBER 31, 1989," HE SAID.
OF THE 262 AUTHORISED INSURERS, 123 WERE HONG KONG INCORPORATED. OF THE INSURERS INCORPORATED OVERSEAS, 36 WERE INCORPORATED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 27 IN USA, 10 IN BERMUDA, EIGHT IN JAPAN, SEVEN IN SWITZERLAND, AND FIVE TN EACH OF CANADA, FRANCE AND SINGAPORE.
YEAR ,
EIGHT APPLICATIONS COMPARED WITH THREE
FOR AUTHORISATION WERE RECEIVED FOR THE PREVIOUS (1989) YEAR.
DURING THE
"AS AT DECEMBER 31, 1990 THERE WERE FOUR PENDING APPLICATIONS FROM NEW INSURERS, ONE RELATING TO LONG TERM BUSINESS AND THREE TO GENERAL BUSINESS," HE SAID.
"THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY HAD EXERCISED HIS POWER OF INTERVENTION ON 82 OCCASIONS DURING THE YEAR IN CONNECTION WITH 37 INSURERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"TWO AMENDMENTS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
11
OPBRATloI“a“™b"™-SHJ'OS™0.'"SURANCE C°"PflN"!S ORDINANCE CAME INTO
ENACTED
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE NO. 44
ON JUNE 28 LAST YEAR, INTRODUCED ’’PRIOR
OF 1990,
REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING PROPOSED CHANGES OF CONTROLLERS J0TIF1CATI0N INSURERS, AND PROVISIONS TO GIVE LEGAL EFFECT ISSUED BY UNAUTHORISED INSURERS.
TO INSURANCE
AUTHORISED
CONTRACTS
INSURANCB COMPANIES ORDINANCE SCHEDULE) REGULATIONS 1990 WERE INTRODUCED ON REGULATIONS BRING INTO EFFECT NEW REPORTING KONG INSURANCE BUSINESS COMMENCING FROM THF DECEMBER 31, 1990.
(AMENDMENT DECEMBER 7, REQUIREMENTS FINANCIAL
OF THIRD
1990. THE
FOR HONG YEAR ENDED
--------0-----------
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED * * * » *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF CREDIT SUISSE FINANCE LIMITED AND THAT OF CHEMICAL ASIA LIMITED AS DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAVE BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THEIR OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME TO EASE * * *
CONGESTION AT CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL * » »
WORKS HAVE STARTED UNDER A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME TO EASE THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC NEAR THE HONG KONG ENTRANCE OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, THE ACTING CHIEF ENGINEER (HONG KONG) OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR WILLIAM LIEW KWOK-SHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE.
THE SCHEME WILL COMPRISE BOTH CONSTRUCTION WORK AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES MAINLY AT THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR (IEC), VICTORIA PARK ROAD AND GLOUCESTER ROAD.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE THREE MONTH CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BE COMPLETED IN JUNE.
"THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS CONCERNED THAT TUNNEL CONGESTION HAS AFFECTED OTHER NON-TUNNEL USERS AND THE DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED THE SERIES OF MEASURES TO EASE THE SITUATION," MR LIEW SAID.
"IT WILL BE HELPFUL FOR ROAD USERS IN THE AREA TO BE INFORMED OF THE MEASURES," HE ADDED.
/THE DEPARTMENT........
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
- 12 -
THE DEPARTMENT WILL MONITOR CLOSELY THE SITUATION WHILE THE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES ARE UNDERWAY.
ON THE IEC, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WEST OF OIL STREET WILL BE MODIFIED TO PROVIDE TWO LANES FOR THE CENTRAL-BOUND TRAFFIC WHICH WILL CONTINUE ONTO VICTORIA PARK ROAD.
SIMILARLY, VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE VICTORIA PARK ROAD WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE WIDENED TO ALLOW THE CONTINUATION OF THE TWO-LANE CENTRAL-BOUND TRAFFIC AND A SMOOTH FLOW OF TRAFFIC TOWARDS THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
THE TRAFFIC ON VICTORIA PARK ROAD, WEST OF THE SLIP ROAD TO GLOUCESTER ROAD, AT PRESENT BOUND FOR HAPPY VALLEY AND WAN CHAI, WILL BE DIVERTED INTO THE SLIP ROAD AND ONTO GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL AND THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE.
TO CATER FOR THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC, THE SLIP ROAD WILL BE WIDENED FROM ONE LANE TO TWO LANES AND GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD WILL BE WIDENED FROM TWO LANES TO THREE LANES.
ADDITIONALLY, THE BUS LAYBY ON VICTORIA PARK ROAD WEST OF THE PETROL FILLING STATIONS WILL BE CANCELLED AND RELOCATED ON GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD WEST OF CANNON STREET. THIS RELOCATION WILL AFFECT 18 BUS ROUTES, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF ABOUT 120 BUSES IN THE PEAK HOUR.
WHEN THE NEW BUS STOP IS COMPLETED, THE TWO EXISTING BUS STOPS ON GLOUCESTER ROAD: ONE NEXT TO THE PETROL FILLING STATIONS, AND THE OTHER ON THE SERVICE ROAD WEST OF PATERSON STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
THE AFFECTED BUS ROUTES WILL BE DIVERTED INTO GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD VIA THE SLIP ROAD EAST OF THE PETROL FILLING STATIONS.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT FEATURE IS THE PROVISION OF A BUS GATE NEAR PERCIVAL STREET TO FACILITATE EASY EXIT OF BUSES TO GLOUCESTER ROAD.
MOREOVER, THE JUNCTIONS OF HING FAT STREET/GORDON ROAD/WING HING STREET AND HING FAT STREET/TSING FUNG STREET/VICTORIA PARK ROAD WILL ALSO BE IMPROVED TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE BETWEEN IEC AND CAUSEWAY ROAD/HAPPY VALLEY.
TO FACILITATE THE NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME, SOME EXISTING ROAD MARKINGS AND TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ALTERED AND NEW ONES ADDED WHILE CLOSURE OF LANES WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED.
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/13 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
13
IMPROVING WORK SAFETY THROUGH TRAINING AND EDUCATION
PROPER TRAINING AND EDUCATION HAVE A REAL IMPACT ON IMPROVING SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE CONDITIONS TN INDUSTRY, REGIONAL CONSULTANT ON CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TRAINING TO THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), MR W.T. ASUNCION, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT - TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR TRAINERS, MR ASUNCION SAID: "IT IS THROUGH GOOD TRAINING AND EDUCATION THAT WE CAN EXPECT POSITIVE ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO REDUCE THE ENORMOUS NUMBER OF DEATHS AND INJURIES IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN THE ASIAN REGION.
"THE ASIAN REGION IN GENERAL, AND HONG KONG IN PARTICULAR, HAS TAKEN SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN THE FIELD OF SAFETY AND HEALTH DURING THE PAST TWO DECADES."
HE ADDED THAT THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENTS WITH THE SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS’ AND WORKERS’ ORGANISATIONS.
MR ASUNCION NOTED THAT WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE MECHANISATION AND NEWER TECHNOLOGIES TN INDUSTRY, MANY BASIC AND TRADITIONAL SAFE WORK METHODS MUST BE REVIEWED BY MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE ASSOCIATED HAZARDS.
THE TWO-DAY SYMPOSIUM, WHICH BEGAN TODAY, IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC OF THE ILO AND THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
MORE THAN 160 OFFICERS FROM 73 ORGANISATIONS TOOK PART IN A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS WHICH INTRODUCED THE ESSENTIAL METHODS AND INSTRUCTIONAL TRAINING TECHNIQUES FOR ORGANISING OR IMPLEMENTING IN-HOUSE SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE MR W.T. ASUNCION; THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN; THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR K.Y. TONGSON; AND A COUNCIL MEMBER, MR CHEUNG LUN; AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY OF REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICERS, MR LEE HUNG-KWONG.
- - 0---------
/14 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
14
DISADVANTAGES TO CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS (’AN BE REMOVED ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE AIM OF CONVINCING PARENTS THAT TO CHOOSE A CHINESE MEDIUM SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN WOULD NOT HANDICAP THEM IN TERMS OF THEIR CHILDREN’S ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS EXHIBITION, MR YEUNG SAID THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL AT STAKE IN ACHIEVING THIS AIM, AND EVERYONE IN THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY - INCLUDING SCHOOLS AND THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS - HAD A SHARE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY IN ACHIEVING IT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PARENTAL RESISTANCE TO A CHINESE MEDIUM EDUCATION WOULD REMAIN STRONG UNLESS PARENTS COULD BE CONVINCED THAT SUCH A CHOICE WOULD NOT PLACE THE SECONDARY 6 AND 7 STUDENTS OF CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AT A DISADVANTAGE IN TERMS OF THEIR ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND THEREFORE TO BETTER PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT.
THERE ARE SEVERAL STEPS THE GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE TO CONVINCE PARENTS THAT THESE DISADVANTAGES CAN BE OR ARE BEING REMOVED, MR YEUNG SAID.
"IN THE FIRST PLACE, THE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS AND RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE BEEN INVESTING IN THE CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS SINCE 1988 SHOULD, BY 1992-93, ENABLE THEM AND THEIR STUDENTS TO SWITCH TO THE MORE DIFFICULT SYLLABUS B AT SECONDARY 5.
"THUS, B\ SEPTEMBER 1993, THE STUDENTS OF CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOL ENTERING THEIR SIXTH FORM COURSES SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THE FULL USE OF ENGLISH PAPER ON THE SAME FOOTING AS THOSE OF ENGLISH MEDIUM SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"SECONDLY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND I HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH HEADS OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS THEIR FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTR\ TO VARIOUS FIRST DEGREE COURSES.
"THESE VARY FROM INSTITUTION TO INSTITUTION, FROM FACULTY TO FACULTY AND INDEED FROM COURSE TO COURSE.
"I AM SEEKING TO HAVE THE POSITION CLARIFIED, BECAUSE PARENTS CANNOT CHOOSE IF THEY REMAIN CONFUSED OR UNCERTAIN, AND I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A CLEAR AND CONSISTENT STATEMENT OF LANGUAGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ARE ALSO CONSIDERING WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH THE SECONDARY 6 AND 7 STUDENTS OF CHINESE MIDDLE SCHOOLS CAN BE HELPED TO OVERCOME THEIR DISADVANTAGES.
"THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS OF PROVIDING HELP TO THESE STUDENTS, MR YEUNG SAID.
/•'FOR EXAMPLE.......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
15
"FOR EXAMPLE, ONE POSSIBILITY IS TO ARRANGE FOR MORE THAN ONE SITTING OF THE USE OF ENGLISH EXAMINATION EACH YEAR. THIS WILL REQUIRE CONSULTATION WITH THE EXAMINATION AUTHORITY.
"ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TUITION IN ENGLISH, IN THE FORM OF BRIDGING COURSE. THIS WILL REQUIRE CAREFUL PLANNING AND CONSULTATION WITH ALL PARTIES CONCERNED," MR YEUNG SAID.
"WHATEVER MIGHT EMERGE OUT THESE DISCUSSIONS - AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEVISE A SUITABLE PACKAGE OF MEASURES," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION BELIEVED QUITE STRONGLY THAT CHINESE IS BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT LANGUAGE.
"MASTERING IT IS NOW ESSENTIAL IF ONE WANTS TO GET INTO POLITICS, INTO TRADE WITH OR INVESTMENT TN CHINA, AND INTO THE GENERAL GRADES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"THE COMMISSION BELIEVES THAT, AS THESE SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY BECOME LOCALISED AND AS THE AWARENESS OF A CHINESE IDENTITY BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY ENHANCED, THERE WILL INEVITABLY BE AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR CHINESE MEDIUM EDUCATION.
"IN THE LONG TERM, THEREFORE, PARENTAL RESISTANCE TO CHOOSING A CHINESE MEDIUM EDUCATION SHOULD BE WANE," HE NOTED.
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ALL READY FOR THE CENSUS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE TERRITORY-WIDE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS TO COMMENCE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
TODAY, MORE THAN 14,000 TEMPORARY ENUMERATION STAFF WHO ATTENDED THE FINAL BRIEFING SESSION ORGANISED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DECLARED TO KEEP DATA ON INDIVIDUAL PERSONS AND HOUSEHOLDS COLLECTED IN THE CENSUS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE, STAFF ENGAGED IN THE CENSUS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DIVULGE SUCH INFORMATION TO UNAUTHORISED PERSONS AND THEY ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION IF THEY ACT AGAINST THIS PROVISION.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE INDIVIDUAL DATA WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED TO PERSONS NOT PERFORMING ANY FUNCTION RELATING TO THE CENSUS," THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR BENJAMIN MOK, SAID WHEN VISITING A FEW FIELD CENTRES THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
/AS INFORMATION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
- 16 -
AS INFORMATION WOULD ONLY BE USED FOR OVERALL STATISTICAL PURPOSES, MR MOK STRESSED THAT NO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO SUCH INFORMATION.
TO SUPPORT THE LARGE-SCALE FIELD OPERATION, A TOTAL OF 52 CENTRES HAVE BEEN SET UP THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. A SPECIAL CENSUS HOLIDAY HAS ALSO BEEN DECLARED FOR SCHOOLS TO FACILITATE CENSUS WORK.
ENUMERATORS WILL VISIT ALL HOUSEHOLDS DURING THE 10-DAY CENSUS PERIOD BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND 24. EACH OF THEM WILL IDENTIFY HIMSELF DURING THE VISIT WITH A CENSUS OFFICER CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY ISSUED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HOUSEHOLDS ARE ADVISED TO CHECK THE IDENTITY OF VISITING ENUMERATORS BEFORE ADMITTING THEM INTO THEIR PREMISES. IF IN DOUBT, THEY SHOULD VERIFY THE ENUMERATOR’S IDENTITY BY CALLING THE ENQUIRY HOTLINE 827 1234.
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TWO NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS
******
A TOTAL OF TWO NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY WERE RECEIVED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE TWO WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND NONE FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THIS BRINGS TO 18 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.
SO FAR, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED WAS IN THE KOWLOON CITY WEST CONSTITUENCY WITH TWO CANDIDATES.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL LAST UNTIL MARCH 25.
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES -15 TN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL
CONSTITUENCY
AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION
YAU TSIM WONG KWOK-TUNG M 41 SOLICITOR
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
523 6934
/KOWLOON CITY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
- 17 -
Kowloon city social service
EAST PAO PING-WING M 43 CONSULTANT
765 6362
REGIONAL
COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY
AREA NAME
SEX AGE OCCUPATION
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE RECEIVED SO FAR:
NOMINATIONS
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
... NIL ...
1. CENTRAL AND WESTERN NIL
2. WAN CHAI 1
3. NORTH POINT 1
4. SHAU KEI WAN 1
5. SOUTHERN 1
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST 2
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST 1
8. KWUN TONG WEST 1
9. KWUN TONG EAST 1
10. MONG KOK NIL
11 . SHAM SHUI PO EAST NIL
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST 1
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 1
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH NIL
15. YAU TSIM 1
SUB-TOTAL: 12
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS 1
2. NORTH 1
3. SAI KUNG 1
4. SHA TIN EAST 1
5. SHA TIN WEST 1
6. TAI PO NIL
7 . TSUEN WAN NIL
8. TUEN MUN EAST NIL
9. TUEN MUN WEST NIL
10. YUEN LONG NIL
11 . KWAI CHUNG EAST 1
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI NIL
SUB-TOTAL: 6
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/18 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
18
VTC TO TAKE OVER TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED AND APPRENTICES
*****
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) WILL SOON TAKE OVER FROM THE GOVERNMENT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CO-ORDINATING VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR DISABLED PERSONS AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE.
AT PRESENT, THESE FUNCTIONS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT.
THE NECESSARY AMENDMENT BILLS ARE TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (MARCH 15). THESE BILLS SEEK THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO AMEND THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ORDINANCE TO EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF THE FUNCTIONS.
"THE TRANSFER OF THESE FUNCTIONS WILL NOT AFFECT THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS AND THEIR APPRENTICES UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE," A VTC SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE APPRENTICESHIP AMENDMENT BILL RECOMMENDS TO TRANSFER THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING TO A NEW DIRECTOR OF APPRENTICESHIP TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT IS NOW OPERATING THREE GOVERNMENT SKILLS CENTRES AND ADMINISTERING THREE SUBVENTED VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES FOR DISABLED PERSONS WITH A TOTAL PROVISION OF ABOUT 1,000 FULL-TIME TRAINING PLACES.
THE VTC WILL TAKE OVER THE GOVERNMENT CENTRES AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SUBVENTED CENTRES AND WILL CONTINUE TO ESTABLISH NEW CENTRES AS REQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR DISABLED PERSONS AGED 15 AND ABOVE FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
"ALL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH OPERATE SKILLS CENTRES FOR THE DISABLED AND EMPLOYERS WHO EMPLOY REGISTERED APPRENTICES WILL BE INFORMED OF THESE CHANGES BY THE DEPARTMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/19 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1991
- 19 -
REPRINTS OF DEFINITIVE STAMPS AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 2
******
THE REPRINTS OF 14 CURRENT DEFINITIVE STAMPS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FROM APRIL 2 AT SEVEN PHILATELIC OFFICES, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SEVEN PHILATELIC OFFICES ARE:
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
GENERAL POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE
TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
THE REPRINTED STAMPS COMPRISE THE FOLLOWING DENOMINATIONS: 10-CENT, 50-CENT, 60-CENT, 70-CENT, 80-CENT, 90-CENT, $1, $1.70,
$1.80, $2, $5, $10, $20 AND $50.
DEFINITIVE STAMPS OF THE NEW DENOMINATIONS OF $1.20 AND $2.30 WILL ALSO BE ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL NOT BE ISSUED. A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT PHILATELIC OFFICES FOR PRIVATE COVERS BEARING A "FIRST DAY" INDICATION.
STAMP COLLECTORS WISHING TO BUY PREFERRED BLOCKS OF STAMPS MAY NOW ORDER THEM AT ANY POST OFFICE.
ORDERS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 23 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT PHILATELIC COUNTERS ON APRIL 12. LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED, BUT STAMPS CAN ONLY BE COLLECTED AFTER APRIL 30.
TWO PRESENTATION PACKS OF DEFINITIVE STAMPS WILL BE INTRODUCED -- A LARGE PACK CONTAINING A COMPLETE SET OF DEFINITIVE STAMPS WILL BE SOLD AT $130 EACH, AND A SMALL PACK CONTAINING THE LOW-VALUE DEFINITIVE STAMPS WILL BE SOLD AT $26 EACH.
BOTH PACKS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT PHILATELIC OFFICES FROM APRIL 2.
---------0-----------
/20 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 19^1
20
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED IN KWUN TONG ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
SEVENTY ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT A REAR LANE IN KWUN TONG WERE CLEARED THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
THE CLEARANCE WAS PART OE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME INITIATED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
IT WAS JOINTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
LOCATED AT THE REAR LANE OF 33-55 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, 45 OF THE STRUCTURES WERE DOMESTIC UNITS AND THE OTHER 25 STRUCTURES WERE USED FOR STORAGE PURPOSES.
OF THE 134 PEOPLE AFFECTED, 56 WERE REHOUSED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, AND THE OTHER 78 PERSONS WERE ALLOCATED TEMPORARY HOUSING UNITS.
---------0-----------.
CENTRALISATION OF LABOUR AND SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
FIVE COURTS OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL - TWO CURRENTLY LOCATED IN TSIM SHA TSUI CENTRE, TWO IN WESTERN MAGISTRACY AND ONE IN TUEN MUN MAGISTRACY - WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING AT 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO ON SATURDAY (MARCH 16).
ON THE SAME DAY, TWO OTHER LABOUR TRIBUNAL COURTS NOW OPERATING IN KWUN TONG MAGISTRACY WILL MOVE TO SHA TIN MAGISTRACY.
OPERATION OF ALL THESE COURTS WILL RESUME ON MONDAY (MARCH 18).
IN FUTURE, THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL COURTS IN THE EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING WILL DEAL WITH HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CASES WHILE THOSE AT SHA TIN MAGISTRACY WILL HANDLE NEW TERRITORIES CASES.
ALSO ON SATURDAY, FOUR SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL COURTS PRESENTLY LOCATED AT SHA TIN LAW COURTS AND TSIM SHA TSUI CENTRE WILL MOVE TO WAN CHAI LAW COURTS BUILDING, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD.
OPERATION OF THESE COURTS WILL RESUME ON MONDAY (MARCH 18).
MEANWHILE, A SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL COURT WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JUDICIARY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE RELOCATION IS INTENDED TO FACILITATE THE CENTRALISATION OF COURT SERVICES AND TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF STAFF RESOURCES.
"THE OPERATION OF COURTS IN RENTED COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS CAN ALSO BE DISCONTINUED," HE SAID.
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/21 ........
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK WELCOMES FOREIGN PARTICIPATION IN INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS ............ 1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS VITAL FOR SERVICE-BASED ECONOMY ....................... 2
PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR SITE PREPARATION OF NEW AIRPORT ...... 5
THE HONG KONG (CONTROL OF GOLD, SECURITIES, PAYMENTS AND CREDITS: KUWAIT AND REPUBLIC OF IRAQ) ORDER 1990 ......................................... 5
HK CAN BE REGIONAL BASE FOR PRINTING INDUSTRY ............................ 6
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR NOV-JAN RELEASED ......... 7
GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO GIVE NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES STATUTORY BACKING ....... 9
FOUR NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ...................... 9
TWO-WEEK EXTENSION FOR MARINE INQUIRY ................................... 11
CENSUS REVEALS VITAL DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS ................................. 12
TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT EXTENSION WORKS ............................. 13
APPOINTMENTS TO CFPA ANNOUNCED .......................................... 14
TENDERS INVITED FOR RECLAMATION AND SEAWALL WORKS ....................... 15
EXEMPTIONS FROM AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ............................. 15
PROPOSED RECLAMATION IN GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD ............................. 16
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REVOKED ............................... 16
ONE NOMINATION RECEIVED FOR DB BY-ELECTION .............................. 17
CALL FOR CONCERN OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES ...........................
ENQUIRY HOTLINES FOR DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENCE FEES .................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR SITTING OUT AREA .................................... 18
TWO LABOUR DEPT BRANCH OFFICES ON MOVE .................................. 19
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
1
HK WELCOMES FOREIGN PARTICIPATION IN INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS *****
HONG KONG WELCOMES FOREIGN PARTICIPATION IN ITS INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON SAID IN HAMBURG TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING HOSTED BY THE EAST ASIA SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE TO THE EEC, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WOULD BE PLENTY OF COMPETITION FOR A SHARE IN HONG KONG’S PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECTS.
HE SAID THAT MUCH OF THE WORK WOULD BE DONE BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE GOVERNMENT LOOKED FORWARD TO SEEING GERMAN FIRMS DEMONSTRATING THEIR EXPERTISE IN THE ENORMOUS PROGRAMMES OF BUILDING FOR TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID HE SAW GERMANY’S PRESENCE IN HONG KONG AS A MARK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT GERMANY WAS HONG KONG’S BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER IN EUROPE (INCLUDING UK), WITH TOTAL BILATERAL TRADE OF DM11 BILLION.
GERMANY WAS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, WITH ACCUMULATED INVESTMENT OF DM 110 MILLION IN MANUFACTURING, AND THE COUNTRY WAS INCREASINGLY DEEPLY INVOLVED IN HONG KONG’S SERVICE SECTOR, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"ALTOGETHER 460 GERMAN COMPANIES ARE PRESENT IN HONG KONG, MOST OF THEM WITH A REGIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
"ALL OF THIS SUGGESTS STRONGLY THAT GERMAN FIRMS ARE ALIVE TO THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY HONG KONG AND TO ITS ADVANTAGES: LOW AND STABLE TAXES, SKILLED AND ADAPTABLE WORKFORCE, EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS, AND AN ABSENCE OF BUREAUCRATIC RED-TAPE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG IN COMMON WITH OTHER REGIONAL COMPETITORS WAS LESS RELIANT ON MARKETS IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA THAN IT USED TO BE.
"ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS BROUGHT WITH IT CONSUMER MARKETS IN ASIA WHERE WE COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY FOR A SHARE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR Al,SO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD BECOME A BASE FROM WHICH MANUFACTURI NG OPERATIONS ELSEWHERE WERE MANAGED.
"REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH HAS ALSO PRODUCED NEW INVESTMENT FLOWS. HONG KONG IS PLAYING A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THIS.
"IT OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF FINANCIAL EXPERTISE, INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS AND FIRST CLASS COMMUNICATIONS, IN ADDITION TO AN ABSENCE OF RESTRICTIONS AND RED-TAPE," SIR DAVID SAID.
/AS A ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
- 2 -
AS A RESULT, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT MORE AND MORE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES WERE SETTING UP THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN HONG KONG.
"WE WELCOME THEM ALL, WITH NO SPECIAL INCENTIVES AND NO TAX HOLIDAYS - JUST TAXES WHICH ARE LOW FOR ALL, FREEDOM OF ACCESS AND EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY," HE SAID.
DESPITE MEDIA REPORTS OF AN EXODUS, SIR DAVID SAID THE BEST ESTIMATES ACTUALLY SHOWED A NET INFLUX OF INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS INTO HONG KONG OF AROUND 100 A YEAR.
ON THE QUESTION OF BRAIN DRAIN, THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED HOW THIS PRACTICAL PROBLEM WAS BEING DEALT WITH IN A PRAGMATIC WAY, INCLUDING INCREASING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, RELAXING IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES, NATIONALITY MEASURES INTRODUCED BY THE BRITISH AND OTHERS GOVERNMENTS.
"SO WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL HAVE THE BRAINS WE NEED TO REMAIN ASIA’S MOST ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS CENTRE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT PREDICTING THE POLITICAL FUTURE WAS A NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT BUSINESS, THE GOVERNOR SAID FORECASTS MADE JUST TWO YEARS AGO OF THE SHAPE OF EUROPE OR THE WORLD TODAY WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY HAD BEEN VERY WRONG.
"BUT IT IS REASONABLE TO SAY THAT THE ECONOMIC DYNAMISM OF ASIA HAS ACHIEVED AN ENORMOUS MOMENTUM WHICH LOOKS SET TO CONTINUE. HONG KONG PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN SERVICING IT.
"HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY POINT TO THE CONTINUATION OF THAT ROLE.
"THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE IN THE REGION WHICH CAN TAKE IT ON SO EFFECTIVELY. MOST OF ALL THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT HONG KONG PEOPLE WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO ADAPT AND TO PREVAIL OVER CHANGES IN FORTUNE AND TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE OTHERS NOTICE THEM," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
------0-------
TELECOMMUNICATIONS VITAL FOR SERVICE-BASED ECONOMY
THE SHIFT IN HONG KONG TOWARDS A ^ERVICE-BASED ECONOMY HAS
HFTCHTFNED THE NEED FOR EFFICIENT, RELIABLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, PARTICULARLY INTERNATIONAL TK^COMMUNICATLONS^ TH SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE HANOVER FAIR CEBIT ’91, MRS CHAN FOCUSSED ON THIS KEY AREA OF INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH SHE SAID "IS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A FLOURISHING TRADE AND BUSINESS CENTRE LIKE HONG KON .
/"WE ARE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
3
"WE ARE WATCHING WITH INTEREST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY AND THE REGULATORY REGIMES OF OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS AND NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
"WE ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT SOME OF OUR REGIONAL NEIGHBOURS HAVE, IN RECENT YEARS, GREATLY IMPROVED THEIR COMPETITIVE POSITION IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS, BOTH IN TERMS OF RATES AND SERVICE PROVISION," SHE POINTED OUT.
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT IN SOME CASES, THIS IS A RESULT OF POSITIVE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION WITH A VIEW TO ENCOURAGING OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO LOCATE THEIR BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED.
"OUR TYPICALLY HONG KONG RESPONSE TO THIS CHALLENGE IS TO STIMULATE FURTHER OUR OWN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM BY CONSIDERING THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE COMPETITION IN THIS FIELD," SHE SAID.
ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT, HONG KONG ALREADY HAS A FULLY COMPETITIVE MARKET IN RADIO-BASED AND VALUE-ADDED SERVICES AND THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY REVIEWING THE FUTURE OF THE EXCLUSIVE LOCAL TELEPHONE FRANCHISE WHICH IS DUE TO EXPIRE IN 1995, SHE SAID.
"WE HAVE ENGAGED CONSULTANTS TO CONSIDER ALL REGULATORY OPTIONS AND TO RECOMMEND A STRATEGY WHICH WOULD BEST MEET OUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS NEEDS AS A CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCE," SHE SAID.
"ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT, OUR ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE IS MORE LIMITED BECAUSE THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS GRANTED TO OUR CARRIER DO NOT EXPIRE UNTIL 2006.
"NEVERTHELESS, WHERE THERE IS SCOPE FOR INTRODUCING COMPETITION OUTSIDE THE TERMS OF THOSE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS, WE ARE DOING SO," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HONG KONG HAS RECENTLY ENTERED INTO WITH THE UNITED STATES TO FACILITATE THE COMPETITIVE PROVISION OF INTERNATIONAL VALUE-ADDED DATA AND FACSIMILE SERVICES OVER PRIVATE LEASED LINES.
"WE ARE EXPECTING TO CONCLUDE SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS WITH SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES SOON.
"INDEED, WE WOULD BE PLEASED TO DISCUSS WITH ANY COUNTRY WHICH IS INTERESTED IN SETTING UP SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT WITH HONG KONG," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THE SCOPE OF SERVICES ALLOWED UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE MEASURES WE ARE TAKING TO OPEN UP OUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS FURTHER TO COMPETITION WILL GO A LONG WAY TO MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG AS A PLACE FROM WHICH TO DO BUSINESS, BOTH IN THE REGION AND WORLDWIDE," SHE SAID.
/OUTLINING HONG ........
/
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
4
OUTLINING HONG KONG’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS LINKS, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TERRITORY IS ONE OF THE MOST DEVELOPED WIRELESS MARKETS IN THE WORLD.
"IN ADDITION TO THE USUAL INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE AND CABLE LINKS, HONG KONG IS NOW CONNECTED TO THE WORLD BY FIBRE OPTIC SUBMARINE CABLES," SHE SAID.
"THERE IS ALSO AN OVERLAND FIBRE OPTIC LINK TO GUANGZHOU IN CHINA, WITH A SECOND DUE TO BE COMMISSIONED LATER THIS YEAR.
"ON THE DOMESTIC SIDE, OUR TELEPHONE NETWORK WILL BE FULLY DIGITALISED BY THE END OF 1993."
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAS TELEPHONE PENETRATION COMPARABLE TO THAT IN OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, AT OVER SIX TELEPHONES FOR EVERY 10 PEOPLE.
PAGING AND CELLULAR RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICES ARE PARTICULARLY POPULAR AND HONG KONG HAS THE WORLD’S HIGHEST PER CAPITA LEVEL OF SUBSCRIPTION FOR PAGING SERVICES, WITH ONE SUBSCRIBER FOR EVERY EIGHT PERSONS, SHE ADDED.
EARLIER, MRS CHAN TALKED ABOUT HONG KONG’S PLANS FOR PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT.
SHE SAID THE PLANS ARE FOR ENSURING THAT THE SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE IS PROVIDED IN A TIMELY AND COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER TO ENABLE OUR ECONOMY TO CONTINUE TO GROW.
"WE ARE NOT ALONE IN FORESEEING THE NEED TO EXPAND SIGNIFICANTLY THE CAPACITY OF OUR AIRPORT.
"OTHERS IN EAST ASIA ARE ALSO, NO DOUBT, AWARE OF FORECASTS FROM SOURCES SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION WHICH PREDICT THAT AIR TRAFFIC GROWTH IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION WILL EXCEED THAT OF ALL OTHER REGIONS IN THE COMING DECADE," SHE SAID.
IT IS NOT SURPRISING THEN TO SEE THAILAND, SINGAPORE AND INDONESIA EXPANDING EXISTING AIRPORTS OR TO SEE JAPAN BUILDING A MAJOR NEW AIRPORT AT OSAKA AND SOUTH KOREA PLANNING A MASSIVE NEW AIRPORT FOR SEOUL ON A SCALE SIMILAR TO THAT OF CHEK LAP KOK, SHE ADDED.
"OVER 80 PER CENT OF OUR AIR TRAFFIC IS GENERATED WITHIN THAT SAME REGION; TO RETAIN HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVE EDGE IN WHAT IS A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET WE MUST DEVELOP OUR KEY INFRASTRUCTURE APACE WITH AND PREFERABLY SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF OUR MAIN RIVALS," MRS CHAN SAID.
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/5 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
- 5 -
PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR SITE PREPARATION OF NEW AIRPORT » * ♦ ♦ *
THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) IS INVITING APPLICATION FROM CONTRACTORS TO PREQUALTFY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TENDER FOR THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE NOTICE OF INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND ADVERTISEMENTS WERE PLACED IN MAJOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS JOURNALS AND NEWSPAPERS.
A PAA SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE WAS TO SEEK SUITABLY QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS CAPABLE OF UNDERTAKING THE WORK TO FORM A SITE OF ABOUT 1,200 HECTARES FOR THE NEW AIRPORT.
THE WORK WILL COMPRISE DREDGING AND DISPOSAL OFF SITE OF UP TO ABOUT 70 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF MARINE MUD, EXCAVATION OF ABOUT 85 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF ROCK AND SOIL FROM CHEK LAP KOK AND LAM CHAU ISLAND, OBTAINING ABOUT 60 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF SAND FROM MARINE BORROW AREAS, AND PLACING OF THE FILLING MATERIAL FROM BOTH THE LAND AND MARINE SOURCES TO THE RECLAMATION AREAS.
CONTRACTORS WITH SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE IN DREDGING AND EXCAVATION ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFI CAT ION DOCUMENTS TO:
GREINER-MAUNSELL NEW AIRPORT PROJECT OFFICE UNIT 608, SHU I ON CENTRE, 6/F, 6-8 HARBOUR ROAD HONG KONG
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF COMPLETED PREQUAL I F I ('AT 1 ON DOCUMENTS IS AT NOON ON MAY 3, IOQ|.
FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFI CAT I ON EXERCISE, THE PAA PROPOSES TO INVITE TENDERS IN JUNE, 1991 FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT.
------0--------
THE HONG KONG (CONTROL OF GOLD, SECURITIES, PAYMENTS AND CREDITS: KUWAIT AND REPUBLIC OF IRAQ) ORDER 1990 *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS FOR THE TIME BEING LIFTED ALL RESTRICTIONS ON KUWAITI ASSETS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
SECTION 2(1) OF THE HONG KONG (CONTROL OF GOLD, SECURITIES, PAYMENTS AND CREDITS: KUWAIT AND REPUBLIC OF IRAQ) ORDER 1990 ( ’’THE ORDER") IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON THE CARRYING OUT OF CERTAIN DIRECTIONS BY OR ON BEHALF OF SPECIFIC KUWAITI OR IRAQI ENTITIES.
/"WITH EFFECT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
6
’’WITH EFFECT FROM 15:00 TODAY (MARCH 15) AND UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS GRANTED, UNDER SECTION 2(1) OF THE ORDER, ALL PERMISSIONS NECESSARY TO ENABLE PERSONS SUBJECT TO THE ORDER TO CARRY OUT DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY KUWAITI ENTITIES,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT PERMISSIONS RELATE ONLY TO KUWAITI ASSETS AND THE RESTRICTIONS ON IRAQI ASSETS ARE STILL IN PLACE. ’’WHERE APPLICABLE, APPLICATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE TO BE MADE TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR PERMISSIONS IN RELATION TO IRAQI ASSETS. ",
THE ORDER ITSELF REMAINS IN FORCE BUT IT IS EXPECTED THAT AN ORDER PARTIALLY REVOKING THAT ORDER WILL BE PASSED AT THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL ON APRIL 16. AT THAT TIME IT IS EXPECTED THAT RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON IRAQI ASSETS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
HK CAN BE REGIONAL BASE FOR PRINTING INDUSTRY ******
HONG KONG CAN ACT AS A REGIONAL BASE FROM WHICH OVERSEAS PRINTERS AND SUPPLIERS CAN EXPLORE HUGE POTENTIAL MARKETS IN THE REGION, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON ’’PRINTING IN ASIA”, MR WONG SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S FAVOURABLE LOCATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, AND ITS LONG-ESTABLISHED POLICIES OF FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE.
MR WONG SAID THE PRINTING INDUSTRY HAD GROWN RAPIDLY IN THE LAST THREE DECADES.
THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PRINTED MATTER IN I960 WAS ABOUT $32 MILLION. IN 1990, THE EQUIVALENT FIGURE WAS $3,554 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN ANNUAL AVERAGE GROWTH RATE OF 17 PER CENT.
IN THE 10 YEARS UP TO 1988, THE LATEST YEAR FOR WHICH PRODUCTION STATISTICS WERE AVAILABLE, THE INDUSTRY’S GROSS OUTPUT INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF 21 PER CENT.
MR WONG SAID THE PRINTING INDUSTRY NOW EMPLOYED NEARLY 37,500 WORKERS AND HAD BECOME HONG KONG'S SIXTH LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
"IT IS ONE OF THE FEW INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WHERE EMPLOYMENT IS RISING.
’’MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE PERCENTAGE OF VALUE ADDED PER UNIT OF OUTPUT, AT JUST OVER 40 PER CENT, IS HIGHER IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY THAN IN THE OTHER MAJOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG, AND IS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN THE MANUFACTURI NG AVERAGE OF ABOUT 26 PER CENT.
/"PRINTING IS
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
7
"PRINTING IS ONE OF OUR MOST PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID HIGH QUALITY PRINTING WAS NOW THE ORDER OF THE DAY IN HONG KONG, WHOSE PRINTING INDUSTRY WAS RENOWNED FOR ITS GOOD PRINTING QUALITY, QUICK AND RELIABLE DELIVERY, AND COMPETITIVE PRICES.
HONG KONG WAS THE SECOND LARGEST EXPORTER OF QUALITY PRINTING WORK IN ASIA AFTER JAPAN.
MR WONG SAID HONG KONG’S PRINTING INDUSTRY HAD ACHIEVED A HIGH TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL AND MANY PUBLISHERS CONSIDERED THAT IT COULD MATCH JAPAN, GERMANY AND THE UNITED STATES, THE PIONEERS OF MODERN PRINTING TECHNOLOGY, IN THE QUALITY OF ITS PRINTING WORK.
"OTHER ATTRACTIONS ARE OUR PROXIMITY TO OTHER ASIAN MARKETS AND OUR ATTITUDES TOWARDS PROTECTION OF COPYRIGHT AND FREEDOM OF THE PRESS," HE SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG ALSO BENEFITTED FROM ITS EXCELLENT INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.
"SATELLITE COMMUNICATION ENABLES HIGH QUALITY IMAGES TO BE TRANSMITTED TO HONG KONG BY OVERSEAS PUBLISHERS.
"HONG KONG IS THEREFORE IDEALLY PLACED AS A REGIONAL CENTRE FOR PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTING INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL MAGAZINES," HE SAID.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR NOV-JAN RELEASED »»#«»»
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED STABLE AT A LOW LEVEL WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASED DURING THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1990 -JANUARY 1991, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1990 -JANUARY 1991 WAS 1.4%, COMPARED WITH 1.5% FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1990 AND 1.3% FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER. THE DECREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PRECEDING THREEMONTH PERIOD AND THE INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN NOVEMBER 1990 - JANUARY 1991 WAS ESTIMATED AT 38,400, COMPARED WITH 42,300 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1990 AND 36,800 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1990 - JANUARY 1991 WAS 0.7%, COMPARED WITH 1.0% FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER 1990 AND 0.9% FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
/THE DECREASES .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
8
THE DECREASES OF 0.3 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN NOVEMBER 1990 - JANUARY 1991 WAS 18,500, COMPARED WITH 26,900 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1990 AND 24,800 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR AGO.
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 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-SEBKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY. THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 WAS 1.4% AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.1%.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR NOVEMBER 1990 - JANUARY 1991 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,200 HOUSEHOLDS OR 40,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 1990 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND MARCH 20 AT $11.50 PER COPY.
------0-------
/9 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
9
GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO GIVE NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES STATUTORY BACKING *****
THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH SEEKS TO GIVE STATUTORY BACKING TO THE RULES MADE BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (HKAB) CONCERNING THE IMPOSITION OF DEPOSIT CHARGES, GENERALLY KNOWN AS NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES, IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE RULES ON NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES MADE BY HKAB HAVE PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN DETERRING SPECULATION ON A REVALUATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN EARLY 1988", A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID AT THE TIME WHEN THE RULES WERE MADE, DOUBTS WERE EXPRESSED AS TO WHETHER HKAB HAD THE NECESSARY STATUTORY AUTHORITY.
"TO PUT MATTERS BEYOND DOUBT, IT IS CONSIDERED DESIRABLE TO CLARIFY THE POSITION THROUGH APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS TO LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
"IT IS NOT EXPECTED THAT THERE WILL BE A NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE RULES. BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE STATUTORY BACKING OF THE RULES IS PUT BEYOND DOUBT IF THEY ARE TO SERVE AS AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT AGAINST DESTABILIZING SPECULATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RULES IN QUESTION ARE THE "SPECIFIED RATE RULE" AND THE "RULES ON INTEREST RATES AND DEPOSIT CHARGES" MADE BY HKAB RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY 1988.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE HKAB ORDINANCE DOES NOT ENTAIL ANY CHANGE IN EXISTING POLICY.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 24.
------0--------
FOUR NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ******
A TOTAL OF FOUR NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY WERE RECEIVED TODAY (FRIDAY).
TWO WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND TWO FOR THE REGIONALCOUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THIS BRINGS TO 22 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.
/SO FAR .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
- 10 -
SO FAR, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED WERE IN THE SHAU KEI WAN CONSTITUENCY AND KOWLOON CITY WEST CONSTITUENCY WITH EACH HAS TWO CANDIDATES.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL LAST UNTIL MARCH 25.
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES -15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
SHAU KEI WAN LAI CHI-KEUNG JOSEPH M 43 TEACHER 346 9621 896 0899 112 8051 CALL 9031
MONG KOK CHAN KWOK-MING M 43 SCHOOL HEADMASTER 395 2521
KWAI CHUNG WEST & TSING YI TING YIN-WAH M 36 DRIVER 495 5180 433 8144
TUEN MUN WEST NG MING-YUM M 34 TEACHER 463 0399
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL RECEIVED SO FAR:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. CENTRAL AND 1 WESTERN NIL
2. WAN CHAI 1
3. NORTH POINT 1
4. SHAU KEI WAN 2
5. SOUTHERN 1
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST 2
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST 1
8. KWUN TONG WEST 1
9. KWUN TONG EAST 1
10. MONG KOK 1
11 . SHAM SHU I PO EAST NIL
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST 1
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 1
14 . WONG TAI SIN NORTH NIL
15. YAU TSIM 1
SUB-TOTAL: 14
/REGIONAL COUNCIL .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
- 11 -
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS 1
2. NORTH 1
3. SAI KUNG 1
4 . SHA TIN EAST 1
5. SHA TIN WEST 1
6. TA ] PO NIL
7 . TSUEN WAN NIL
8. TUEN MUN EAST NIL
9. TUEN MUN WEST 1
10. YUEN LONG NIL
1 1 . KWAI CHUNG EAST 1
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSI NG YI 1
SUB-TOTAL: 8
------0--------
TWO-WEEK EXTENSION FOR MARINE INQUIRY
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, HAS AGREED TO AN EXTENSION OF TWO WEEKS FOR THE LOCAL MARINE INQUIRY INTO A COLLISION INVOLVING THE MOTOR FERRY "MAN LOY" AND PLEASURE VESSEL "LONG BOAT" IN VICTORIA HARBOUR AFTER CONSIDERING THE CONTENT OF AN INTERIM
REPORT SUBMITTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
45
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID: "THE PUBLIC APPEAL FOR WITNESSES HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND TO DATE SOME 45 WITNESSES HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED WITH STATEMENTS BEING TAKEN.
"ADDITIONALLY PRACTICAL TESTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT USING "MAN LOY" TO TRY AND RECONSTRUCT THE ACTUAL VOYAGE."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLETE TESTS ON "MAN LOY" RUT THESE RIGHT TIDAL CONDITIONS.
THE ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS WOULD ALLOW THE INTERVIEWS AND CARRY OUT FURTHER TESTS CAN ONLY BE CARRIED OUT USING THE
THE FINAL REPORT WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE DIRECTOR AND GIVEN TO THE MARINE POLICE FOR POSSIBLE SUBMISSION TO THE CORONER. THE FINDINGS OF THE INQUIRY WOULD NOT BE MADE PUBLIC WHILST THE ACCIDENT COULD BE THE SUBJECT OF PROSECUTION ACTION OR A CORONER’S INQUEST.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE PUBLIC RESPONSE TO OUR CALL WITNESSES HAS BEEN MOST GRATIFYING AND WE WISH TO RECORD APPRECIATION TO THEM.
FOR
OUR
"WE WOULD APPEAL FURTHER FOR THOSE COME FORWARD AND THEY SHOULD TELEPHONE THE JOHN MCPARTLAND ON 852 4363."
WHO SAW THE ACCIDENT TO INQUIRING OFFICER CAPTAIN
/12 .........
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
- 12 -
CENSUS REVEALS VITAL DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
*****
THE 1991 CENSUS WILL PROVIDE A WEALTH OF DATA POINTING THE WAY AHEAD, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR BENJAMIN MOK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH EAST, MR MOK SAID THE 1991 CENSUS, WHICH WAS THE BIGGEST EVER CONDUCTED, WAS UNDERTAKEN TO PROVIDE BENCHMARK DATA FOR STUDYING THE DIRECTION AND TREND OF POPULATION CHANGES.
"INDEED, THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S POPULATION OVER THE PAST DECADE - LESS IN ITS SIZE THAN IN ITS PROFILE," HE SAID.
MR MOK POINTED OUT THAT IN BETWEEN TWO CENSUSES, THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A BY-CENSUS AND A SERIES OF GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY’S TO KEEP TRACK OF POPULATION CHANGES.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND POPULATION MOVEMENTS, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE WERE 5.86 MILLION PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AT THE END OF 1990, COMPARED TO A FIGURE OF 5.15 MILLION PEOPLE 10 YEARS AGO.
THE AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OVER THE DECADE WAS 1.3 PER CENT.
"THE 1991 CENSUS WILL ENABLE US TO CHECK THE ACCURACY OF THIS ESTIMATE AND TO ESTABLISH A NEW BENCHMARK FOR FUTURE POPULATION ESTIMATES," MR MOK SAID.
REGARDING THE AGE-SEX PROFILE, THE AGING PHENOMENON OF THE POPULATION, AS REVEALED IN PAST CENSUSES, IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE.
THE PROPORTION OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION, THAT IS THOSE AGE 65 AND OVER, INCREASED FROM 4.5 PER CENT IN 1971 TO 6.6 PER CENT IN 1981 AND THE FIGURE IS EXPECTED TO RISE TO ABOUT 9 PER CENT IN 1991.
THE AGING OF THE POPULATION IS ALSO REFLECTED BY THE AGED DEPENDENCY RATIO WHICH INCREASED STEADILY FROM 76 PER 1,000 PERSONS IN 1971 TO 95 IN 1981, AND WOULD LIKELY TO FURTHER RISE TOWARDS 130 IN 1991.
THE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE FOR MALES IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE BUT THAT FOR FEMALES AGED BETWEEN 20 AND 54 WOULD LIKELY CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
THE AGE PROFILE OF THE LABOUR FORCE, HOWEVER, WILL SHIFT TOWARDS OLDER AGES AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE IN THE AGE-SEX STRUCTURE AND A DECLINE IN THE LEVEL OF LABOUR PARTICIPATION ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVEMENT IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND LONGER YEARS OF SCHOOL. I NG.
/THE 1991 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
THE 1991 CENSUS IS ALSO EXPECTED TO REFLECT A GEOGRAPHICAL RE-DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION FROM URBAN DISTRICTS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE NEW TOWNS ARE RAPIDLY EXPANDING.
BEING ESSENTIAL INPUTS FOR REVISING THE BOUNDARIES OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS AND PLANNING COMMUNITY FACILITIES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, THE INTERNAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN DISTRICTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MOVERS WILL ALSO BE REVEALED BY THE 1991 CENSUS.
THE PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS RECEIVING TERTIARY EDUCATION IS INCREASING AND THE HOUSING CONDITION IS ALSO EXPECTED TO IMPROVE.
"THE 1991 CENSUS WILL TELL THE STORY," MR MOK REMARKED.
FIELD WORK FOR THE 1991 CENSUS IS NOW IN FULL SWING. ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG WILL BE VISITED BY ENUMERATORS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DURING THE 10-DAY OPERATION PERIOD.
SIX OUT OF SEVEN HOUSEHOLDS HAVE TO COMPLETE A SIMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE WHILE THE OTHER ONE-SEVENTH RANDOM SAMPLE OF HOUSEHOLDS HAVE TO ANSWER DETAILED QUESTIONS TO BE POSED BY THE ENUMERATORS DURING THE INTERVIEWS.
THOSE ENGAGED IN SIMPLE ENUMERATION ARE REMINDED NOT TO MAIL BACK THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE DEPARTMENT AND SHOULD WAIT FOR ENUMERATORS TO HAVE THEM COLLECTED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE CALLED UPON TO RENDER THEIR CO-OPERATION BY PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION. IN DOING SO, THEY HELP "PLAN A BETTER FUTURE FOR HONG KONG”.
-----0------
TENDERS INVITED FOR AIRPORT EXTENSION WORKS
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EASTERN APRON EXTENSION WORKS.
-oITkX.BEK CA,1R,A0,iU.„ FOR -K3BAUOH™E»NcoROAOd|!A»oaA HEU
ROUNDABOUT TO CONNECT THE CONCORDE REALIGNED EASTERN ROAD.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START COMPLETE.
IN.JUNE AND WILL TAKE 15 MONTHS TO
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 19.
------0
/14 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
- 14 -
APPOINTMENTS TO CFPA ANNOUNCED
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED DR WANG GUNWU AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) FOR TWO YEARS UP TO MARCH 31, 1993, IT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
DR WANG, A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS BEEN THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CFPA SINCE 1989. HE IS THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO RE-APPOINTED SIX MEMBERS FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1991. THEY ARE -
MR PETER WOO, BUSINESSMAN (VICE-CHAIRMAN),
PROFESSOR DAVID GWILT,
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC,
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
MR LO KING-MAN, MBE, JP, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MEMBER OF URBAN COUNCIL
MR MARVIN CHEUNG, ACCOUNTANT,
MEMBER OF URBAN COUNCIL
MR RAYMOND LIU, BUSINESSMAN
DR LAM TAI-HING, READER OF UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
MRS MIRIAM K.Y. LAU, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HAS BEEN RE-APPOINTED AS A MEMBER FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1991 TO DECEMBER 31, 1991.
FIVE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS HAVE ALSO BEEN RE-APPOINTED FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1991.
THEY ARE THE SECRETARY AND COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND A REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED FOUR NEW MEMBERS FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1991. THEY ARE -
PROFESSOR ARLIS HIEBERT, HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
OF MUSIC AND FINE ARTS, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE
MR KEVIN C.P. LO, BUSINESSMAN
MR JOHN K.C. LEE, BUSINESSMAN
MR VINCENT W.S. CHOW, BUSINESSMAN
- 0----------
/15........
FRIDAY, MARCH 15,
1991
- 15 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR RECLAMATION AND SEAWALL WORKS * ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEAWALL AND THE RECLAMATION AT RAMBLER CHANNEL NORTH OF THE KWAI CHUNG INCINERATION PLANT.
THE LAND TO BE RECLAIMED WILL BE USED FOR THE REPROVISION OF CHEUNG SHA WAN LIVESTOCK LANDING PIER AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT AND A POSSIBLE SITE FOR A SLAUGHTER HOUSE.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON MARCH 29.
------0--------
EXEMPTIONS FROM AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
AN ORDER WHICH EXEMPTS FOUR POWER LINE TOWERS FROM THE AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1991 WAS MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS MONTH.
THE ORDER EXEMPTS FROM EXISTING AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOUR TOWERS WHICH WILL SUPPORT POWER LINES ON CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED’S 400 KILOVOLT LINE FROM YUEN LONG TO LAI CHI KOK.
THE POWER LINE WILL BE PART OF THE NETWORK BRINGING ELECTRICITY FROM THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO HONG KONG.
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION ADVISED THAT, AS THE FOUR TOWERS AND THEIR POWER LINES WOULD BE SHIELDED FROM AIRCRAFT TRACK GUIDANCE SIGNALS BY EAGLE’S NEST AND PIPER’S HILL, HE HAD NO OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSAL FROM AN AVIATION SAFETY POINT OF VIEW.
THE POWER LINES COULD NOT BE LOWERED BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE NEAR OR TOUCHING THE GROUND AND COULD NOT BE RELOCATED WITHOUT THREATENING THE SAFETY OF HILL SLOPES AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE KAM SHAN COUNTRY PARK.
------0-----------
/16 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
16
PROPOSED RECLAMATION IN GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO UNDERTAKE RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.3 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IN YAU MA TEI.
A SEAWALL OF ABOUT 130 METRES AS WELL AS TWO FINGER PIERS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE AREA.
THE RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 0.7 HECTARE OF LAND FOR PHASE THREE OF THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD MODERNISATION.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 1993.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS 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 MAY 14.
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, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED 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, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REVOKED
******
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF LBI FINANCE (HONG KONG) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MARCH 15, 1991 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
/17
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
- 17 -
ONE NOMINATION RECEIVED FOR DB BY-ELECTION *****
ONE NOMINATION FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION ON APRIL 21 WAS RECEIVED TODAY (FRIDAY) --THE FIRST DAY OF NOMINATION FOR CANDIDATES.
THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL END ON APRIL 2.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATE:
NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NO.
LAW LAI-KUEN F 39 SCHOOL SOCIAL 754 6644.
WORKER
-----0-------
CALL FOR CONCERN OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES
»«»**«
YOUNGSTERS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED TO LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE STYLE, TO SHOW CONCERN FOR THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND TO CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE TERRITORY.
THE APPEAL WAS JOINTLY MADE BY AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, DR ELSIE TU AND A REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, MR POON CHIN-HUNG, WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE 1991 INTER-SECONDARY HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION AND THE INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PAINTING COMPETITION PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY HELD AT THE CITY HALL TODAY.
"FOR MANY YEARS, THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS HAVE SPARED NO EFFORT TO ENHANCE OUR PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES, TO IMPROVE OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT, AND TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC HEALTH," SAID DR TU.
"HOWEVER, WE CAN ONLY ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES, IF WE HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC."
MR POON CALLED UPON YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP A HEALTHY IMAGE BY ATTACHING IMPORTANCE TO PERSONAL, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AS WELL AS A HEALTHY LIFE STYLE.
BOTH COUNCILLORS WERE IMPRESSED BY THE TALENTS, PERFORMANCE AND TEAM SPIRIT OF THE CONTESTANTS.
THE PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS AND PAINTINGS ARE NOW PUT ON PUBLIC DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE CITY HALL IN CENTRAL BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5.30 PM DAILY TILL NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 18).
ADMISSION TO THE EXHIBITION IS FREE.
/THE COMPETITIONS ......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
18
THE COMPETITIONS, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WERE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES.
A TOTAL OF 147 SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE CONTESTS AND MORE THAN 2,200 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED.
IN ADDITION, A BEST ARTWORK DESIGN PRIZE WAS PRESENTED TO THE WINNING PROJECT.
-----0------
ENQUIRY HOTLINES FOR DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENCE FEES
*****
THREE TELEPHONE LINES CONNECTED TO AN AUTOMATIC ANSWERING MACHINE HAD BEEN INSTALLED TO PROVIDE 24-HOUR INFORMATION ON DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENCE FEES, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE INFORMATION IS RECORDED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE HOTLINES ARE: 801 5951 (ENGLISH) 801 5953 (CHINESE) 801 5954 (CHINESE)
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENCE FEES TOPPED THE LIST OF ENQUIRY ITEMS TELEPHONE CALLERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OFTEN ASK.
HE CALLED ON ENQUIRERS TO MAKE USE OF THE AUTOMATIC ANSWERING SYSTEM WHILE ENQUIRIES CONCERNING OTHER LICENSING ASPECTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE FOUR LICENSING OFFICES.
-----0-----
TENDERS INVITED FOR SITTING OUT AREA
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SITTING OUT AREA AT KWUN TONG HIGH LEVEL SERVICE RESERVOIR.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A JOGGING TRACK, FITNESS STATIONS, ARBOURS WITH SITTING BENCH AND TREE PITS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.
FORMS OF TENDER AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
------0-------
/19 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1991
19
TWO LABOUR DEPT BRANCH OFFICES ON MOVE
******
TWO LABOUR DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICES WILL MOVE INTO THE MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE MONG KOK SOUTH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION WILL MOVE FROM PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE TO ROOM 1004, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 399 2256.
THE DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULATING THE HOURS OF WORK AND REST PERIODS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15.
IT ALSO ENFORCES PROVISIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYEES’ STATUTORY BENEFITS AND KEEPING OF EMPLOYMENT RECORDS, WHILE ENSURING EMPLOYERS TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR LIABILITY TO COMPENSATE EMPLOYEE INJURED AT WORK.
MEANWHILE, THE SHAM SHUI PO OFFICE OF THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE GROUND FLOOR OF MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE NEW LES (MONG KOK) OFFICE PROVIDES FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI, HO MAN TIN, MONG KOK, TAI KOK TSUI, SHAM SHUI PO, CHEUNG SHA WAN AL LAI CHI KOK.
JOB-SEEKERS ARE REQUIRED ONLY TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE WHILE EMPLOYERS MAY PLACE THEIR VACANCY ORDERS BY PHONE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 399 2232-6.
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG PLAYS A VITAL PART IN GLOBAL ECONOMY ........................... 1
EDUCATION ESSENTIAL FOR HONG KONG'S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY ............. 1
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS DROP SEVEN PER CENT.................................. 2
LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS RECOGNISED ............................................. 3
TENDERS FOR SHEK WU HUI PROJECT........................................... 4
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1991
HONG KONG PLAYS A VITAL PART IN GLOBAL ECONOMY *****
HONG KONG AND ASIA DO NOT STAND STILL WHILE EUROPE IS BUSY WITH ITSELF, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN HAMBURG, GERMANY, ON FRIDAY (MARCH 15).
SPEAKING AT THE EAST ASIA ASSOCIATION DINNER, THE GOVERNOR SAID NEW OPPORTUNITIES BECKONED IN THE REGION, AT LEAST AS MUCH AS IN EUROPE, FOR ANYONE WHO WANTED TO BE A PLAYER IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.
"NO BUSINESS OR BANK WISHING TO PLAY A ROLE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY CAN NOW AFFORD TO IGNORE THE ASIAN REGION," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WHICH WAS AT THE HEART OF ASIA/PACIFIC REGION WOULD EXPERIENCE MAJOR GROWTH IN THE NEXT DECADE AND THIS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SO DESPITE THE POLITICAL CHANGES IN 1997.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT HONG KONG HAD SOME ANXIOUS MOMENTS BEFORE IT GOT TO 1998, HOWEVER, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE TRADITION OF ADAPTABILITY AND RESILIENCE WOULD CARRY HONG KONG THROUGH.
------0--------
EDUCATION ESSENTIAL FOR HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY * » ♦ ♦ ♦
CONTINUING COMMITMENTS TO EDUCATION IS A CRUCIAL FACTOR IN MAINTAINING THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS ROSANNA TAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN "GOOD STUDENT AWARD SCHEME", MRS TAM NOTED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO CULTIVATE A SET OF VALUES AMONG YOUNGSTERS, SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO FACE UP TO THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
SHE PRAISED THE AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING SOCIAL SERVICE AND CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, IN ADDITION TO T
IN
THEIR
OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC WORK.
"YOU HAVE SET VERY GOOD EXAMPLES FOR COMMUNITY WOULD BE MORE HARMONIOUS IF MORE YOUNG IN MEANINGFUL PROJECTS," SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, SHE REMINDED THEM NOT TO BE CONTINUE THEIR GOOD EFFORTS IN THEIR STUDIES COMMUNITY.
OTHER STUDENTS. THE PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED
COMPLACENT, BUT TO
AND IN SERV.ING THE
"THROUGH SERVING THE COMMUNITY, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE AND ACQUIRE THE SKILLS TO CO-OPERATE AND OTHER PEOPLE," MRS TAM ADDED.
BE ABLE TO
COMMUNICATE
GAIN
WITH
/SHE ALSO .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1991
- 2 -
SHE ALSO THANKED THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) FOR ORGANISING THE AWARD SCHEME, WHICH WAS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO CONTINUE CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE SCHEME, WHICH WAS HELD FOR ITS FOURTH YEAR RUNNING, HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN THE DISTRICT. THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 136 STUDENTS HAD BEEN NOMINATED BY THE DISTRICT’S 17 SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME.
OF THE 50 SECONDARY STUDENTS COMMENDED THIS AFTERNOON, 10 WERE EACH PRESENTED WITH A TROPHY AND A $1,200 SCHOLARSHIP.
THE TOP FOUR STUDENTS WHO WON A FREE STUDY TOUR TO SHANGHAI AND HANGZHOU LATER THIS MONTH WERE: CHAN CHI (YING WAH GIRLS SCHOOL); NG KIN-CHUNG (RAIMONDI COLLEGE); CHOI WAI-YEE (HONG KONG TRUE LIGHT COLLEGE) AND HAU HON-LAP (HON WAH SCHOOL).
------0-------
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS DROP SEVEN PER CENT
*****
DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 2,002 COMPLAINTS, A DROP OF SEVEN PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
A TCU SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THE COMPLAINTS WERE MAINLY RELATED TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, ROAD MAINTENANCE AND ENFORCEMENT.
AS REGARDS THE ADEQUACY OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE, HE SAID THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 184 COMPLAINTS COVERING HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. THERE WAS A DROP OF 11 CASES OR SIX PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
ON THE STANDARD OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE, THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 302 COMPLAINTS, A DECREASE OF EIGHT PER CENT COMPARED WITH 329 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THESE COMPLAINTS WERE INDIVIDUALLY TAKEN UP WITH THE BUS COMPANIES CONCERNED.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI SERVICE DROPPED BY ONE PER CENT FROM 435 CASES TO 431 CASES.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO RAIL TRANSPORT SERVICES DROPPED FROM 46 CASES IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO 39 CASES. THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE FERRY SERVICES, ON THE OTHER HAND, ROSE FROM 22 TO 27.
THE MAIN AREAS OF COMPLAINT INCLUDED REGULARITY OF SERVICE, CONDITIONS OF VEH I Ct.ES/VESSELS, AND PASSENGERS SERVICES AND FACILITIES.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1991
3
THE SPOKESMAN SAID COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION INCREASED BY FIVE PER CENT TO 172 CASES, 45 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 81 IN KOWLOON, 42 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND FOUR IN TUNNELS OR OTHER AREAS.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ROAD CONGESTION INCLUDED TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MATTERS, VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION AND ROAD WORKS.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES DROPPED FROM 195 CASES TO 140 OR BY 28 PER CENT.
THE MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN INCLUDED PHASING OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC LANE ARRANGEMENT, AND ADDITION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND AIDS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OF ROADS DECREASED BY 32 PER CENT FROM 150 CASES TO 102 CASES.
THE MAJOR AREAS OF COMPLAINTS WERE DEFECTIVE ROAD SURFACES, FAULTY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND DAMAGED TRAFFIC SIGNS OR AIDS.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CASES STOOD AT 346, ONE CASE MORE THAN THE NUMBER RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THESE WERE RELATED MAINLY TO REQUESTS FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL PARKING AND MOTORISTS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------u-------
LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS RECOGNISED
*****
LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS WITH A FLAIR FOR ORIGINAL SCRIPT WRITING HAD THEIR TALENTS AND SKILL RECOGNISED AT A COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPTS PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELI) AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, DR WANG GUNGWU, SAID THE SCRIPT WRITING COMPETITION WAS LAUNCHED IN LAST SEPTEMBER WITH AN AIM TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG AND UPCOMING PLAYWRIGHTS AND TO PROMOTE ORIGINAL SCRIPT WRITING IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID A TOTAL OF 19 SCRIPTS WHICH HAD BEEN AWARDED PRIZES IN OTHER COMPETITIONS OR PERFORMANCES WERE RECEIVED.
"AS A RESULT OF THE ENCOURAGING RESPONSE, THE COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING ORGANISING A SIMILAR EVENT THIS YEAR," DR WANG SAID.
FOUR SCRIPTS WERE AWARDED PRIZES IN THE OPEN SECTION AND THREE OTHERS WON THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD PRIZES IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION.
/IN THE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1991
4
IN THE OPEN SECTION, THE FIRST PRIZE WAS AWARDED TO HENRY FONG’S "VIOLINISTS"; THE SECOND PRIZE WENT TO CHAN MING-HONG AND MAK CHUNG-WO’S "WISHED TO FLY"; AND’THE THIRD PRIZE WAS SHARED BY LAW WAI-MING'S "RE-UNION" AND MABEL LEUNG’S "TURNING ROUND THE END". •
THE CHAMPION IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION WENT TO "BULLFROG IN JULY" WRITTEN BY STUDENTS OF HOI PING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE SECOND PRIZE WAS WON BY CHOW CHUN OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE’S "AN AVERAGE PERSON THAT STANDS OUT FROM THE REST" AND NG WAH COLLEGE'S WONG CHI-LUNG’S "WHAT?" GOT THE THIRD PRIZE.
ALSO ADDRESSING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PANEL OF JUDGES OF THE.SCRIPT WRITING COMPETITION, DR LAM TAI-HING SAID THE SCRIPTS WERE OF A VERY GOOD STANDARD AND EACH HAD WON PRIZES IN VARIOUS LOCAL COMPETITIONS.
"THE WINNING SCRIPTS WILL BE PLACED IN THE HONG KONG ARTS RESOURCES AND INFORMATION CENTRE, WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY THE CFPA " HE ADDED.
DR WANG ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE ASSESSORS OF THE COUNCIL’S REPORT WRITING SCHEME FOR THEIR PART IN THE PROMOTION OF THE PERFORMING ARTS IN HONG KONG.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME ARE TO PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH UP-TO-DATE APPRAISALS OF THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCES OF LOCAL PERFORMING GROUPS AND TO HELP THE COUNCIL ASSESS APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
"THERE ARE NOW OVER ONE HUNDRED ASSESSORS WHO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING THE COUNCIL TO BUILD UP A REASONABLY CLEAR VIEW OF PERFORMING GROUPS IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED
- - 0 - -
TENDERS FOR SHEK WU HUI PROJECT * * * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN SHEK WU HUI.
THE WORKS WILL COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS A DISTRIBUTOR ROAD, ROAD DI (JOCKEY CLUB ROAD), WHICH CONNECTS TO MAN KAM TO ROAD; TRAINING OF THE TRIBUTARY OF RIVER INDUS FLOWING THROUGH THE SHEK WU HUI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS; CONSTRUCTION OF A ROADBRIDGE AND RELATED ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS; AND REHABILITATION OF THE SHEUNG SHUI TSUEN MOAT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HANOVER FAIR WAS SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF WORKING TOGETHER: GOVERNOR ........... 1
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CONTINUED TO DROP ....................................... 2
UNSCHEDULED WORK FOR WOMEN PROHIBITED ..................................... 3
CONSUMERS URGED TO COMPLAIN ON WEIGHING AND MEASURING MALPRACTICES ........ 4
TREE PLANTING HELPS CONSERVE COUNTRYSIDE .................................. 4
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSEUNG KWAN O WATER WORKS ............................. 6
APPLY NOW FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS ........................................
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ................................................... 8
COURSE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO TEACH IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ............... 8
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
HANOVER FAIR WAS SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF WORKING TOGETHER: GOVERNOR *******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT HIS VISIT TO THE HANOVER FAIR WAS A VERY STRIKING EXAMPLE OF WHAT HONG KONG CAN DO IN THE WAY OF ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN FROM VISITS TO TWO GERMAN CITIES AND THE NETHERLANDS, SIR DAVID SAID: "THIS WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST FAIRS IN THE WORLD AND IT WAS A SPLENDID EXAMPLE OF HONG KONG WORKING TOGETHER, BOTH THE GOVERNMENT, TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR."
"A VERY IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE IN THE DISPLAY OF WHAT HONG KONG IS CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE NOTABLE IMPRESSION HE HAD BOTH IN GERMANY AND IN THE NETHERLANDS, WAS THE GREAT INTEREST THERE IS IN HONG KONG.
"A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HONG KONG; A GREAT DEAL OF SYMPATHY FOR ANY PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE; AND A GREAT NEED, AS I SEE IT, FOR US TO EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG SO THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN THAT INTEREST IN HONG KONG, NOT JUST AN ORDINARY INTEREST, BUT CAN MAINTAIN INVESTMENT AND TRADING WITH HONG KONG, BOTH OF WHICH ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR US," SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED IF THERE WAS MUCH INTEREST FROM EUROPEAN COMPANIES FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE AIRPORT PROJECT, SIR DAVID SAID: "IT WAS A MUCH MORE GENERAL INTEREST THAN THAT REALLY, BECAUSE I WASN’T TALKING SIMPLY ABOUT THE AIRPORT; THAT WAS ONE OF MANY THINGS THAT I MENTIONED, BUT I WAS REALLY DEALING WITH THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF AN ECONOMY WHICH IS VERY LIVELY; WHICH IS DOING WELL COMPARED WITH WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE REST OF THE WORLD, AND IN WHICH I WANTED PEOPLE TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES."
ASKED ABOUT THE PROPOSED VISIT TO HONG KONG BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE, MR DOUGLAS HURD, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "MR HURD’S PLANS, THE MOST UP-TO-DATE THAT I HAD ON THAT, WAS THAT HE DOES INDEED WANT TO COME HERE AND HOPES TO COME HERE NEXT MONTH BUT THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF A VISIT TO CHINA HASN’T YET BEEN FIXED."
"ON WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF AND WHEN HE DOES GO TO CHINA; THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT HE WOULD WANT TO DISCUSS, I THINK THE AIRPORT WOULD BE AMONGST THEM," HE SAID.
"I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA; A POSITIVE CONCLUSION TO THE DISCUSSIONS WE’VE BEEN HAVING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE WHOLE AIRPORT PROJECT," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON WERE MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, LADY DUNN; AND THE ACTING SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN CHEONG.
- - 0----------
/2 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
2
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CONTINUED TO DROP ******
THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES IN 1990 CONTINUED TO DECREASE.
A TOTAL OF 319 PERSONS WERE KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 5.6 PER CENT AND SERIOUS CASUALTIES DECREASED BY 544 OR 12.4 PER CENT TO 3,926 LAST YEAR.
THIS IS THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR THAT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CASUALTIES ARE ON THE DECREASE.
A TOTAL OF 14,989 ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN 1990 REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 5.8 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH 1989. CASUALTIES FELL BY 5.7 PER CENT TO 20,048.
HOWEVER, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR TRAFFIC, MR PEDRO CHING SAID THAT THERE IS NO PLACE FOR COMPLACENCY AS PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALMOST EVERY DAY.
MR CHING STRESSED THAT CONTINUED EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HOLD THE FIGURES AT THE PRESENT LEVEL.
ACCORDING TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS, PEDESTRIANS REMAIN MOST AT RISK IN FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 71.5 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL FATALITIES.
THE MAIN CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS CONSIDERED TO HAVE CAUSED TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ARE IN SEQUENCE ’PEDESTRIAN NEGLIGENCEDRIVING TOO FAST HAVING REGARD TO CONDITIONS ’ AND 'FOLLOW TOO CLOSELY’.
"ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS WILL CONTINUE TO BE TARGETED AT HIGH RISK GROUPS SUCH AS PEDESTRAINS, PARTICULARLY THE ELDERLY," HE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WILL BE STEPPED UP AGAINST OFFENCES KNOWN TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO INJURY ACCIDENTS."
"EXTRA ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO POOR DRIVING BEHAVIOUR, PARTICULARLY DRIVERS OF PRIVATE CARS AND GOODS VEHICLES BECAUSE ANY REDUCTION IN THEIR ACCIDENT INVOLVEMENT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON INJURY FIGURE," HE SAID.
MR CHING SAID THAT ALTHOUGH A LOT HAS YET TO BE DONE IN PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY, THE OVERALL DECREASE IN BOTH ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES IN 1990 WAS HEARTENING IN THE LIGHT OF AN INCREASE OF SEVEN PER CENT OF OVERALL LICENSED VEHICLES WHEN COMPARED WITH 1989.
HE SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF GOODS VEHICLES INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDETNS DROPPED BY 11.8 PER CENT TO 6,255 WHILE PRIVATE CARS SLIGHTLY INCREASED RY 0.7 PER CENT TO 6,262.
/PROSECUTION AGAINST
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
- 3 -
PROSECUTION AGAINST SPEEDING OFFENCES INCREASED BY 6.1 PER CENT TO 142,564 WHILE PROSECUTION AGAINST GOODS VEHICLES FOR OVERLOADING INCREASED BY 52.5 PER CENT TO 33,340 DURING 1990.
MR CHING POINTED OUT THAT THE POLICE HAVE STRENGTHENED ITS SPEEDING DETECTION AND WEIGH-CHECKING CAPACITY BY ACQUIRING MORE ADVANCED EQUIPMENT TO MEET INCREASING OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND UPGRADE ENFORCEMENT LEVELS.
---------0-----------
UNSCHEDULED WORK FOR WOMEN PROHIBITED
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS AGAINST ENGAGING WOMEN WORKING OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT.
"THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN WORKERS IN INDUSTRY FIXED BY THE EMPLOYER AND SET OUT IN A PRESCRIBED NOTICE MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MR TSANG KIN-WOO, SAID.
HE SAID IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS FOR AN EMPLOYER TO CHANGE THE PRESCRIBED WORKING HOURS WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BEFORE HAND.
"ALSO THE EMPLOYER SHOULD PUT UP IN HIS WORKPLACE A NOTICE OF PERMISSIBLE HOURS OF WORK CONTAINING DETAILS OF CHANGES 48 HOURS BEFORE THEY TAKE EFFECT," HE SAID.
MR TSANG NOTED THAT TWO MANUFACTURERS HAD RECENTLY BEEN GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT.
AN ELECTRONIC WATCH FACTORY, ASIA COMMERCIAL COMPANY LTD, AND THE TOPPAN PRINTING COMPANY (HK) LTD WERE FOUND DURING INSPECTIONS TO HAVE EMPLOYED 46 AND 48 WOMEN RESPECTIVELY OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL WORKING HOURS.
THEY WERE EACH GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 BY THE WESTERN AND EASTERN MAGISTRACIES LAST MONTH.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
4
CONSUMERS URGED TO COMPLAIN ON WEIGHING AND MEASURING MALPRACTICES *****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS REMINDED CONSUMERS TO MAKE USE OF THE COMPLAINTS HOTLINE FOR REPORTING MALPRACTICES CONCERNING INACCURATE WEIGHING AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO MAKE COMPLAINTS IN RESPECT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MAY CONTACT THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 714 6146.
COMPLAINTS MAY ALSO BE REPORTED TO THE DUTY OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 852 3185 AFTER OFFICE HOURS, OR TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
THE PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE BUREAU, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID CONSUMERS HAD BECOME AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND WERE MORE WILLING TO LODGE THEIR COMPLAINTS ABOUT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MALPRACTICES.
"A TOTAL OF 375 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC SINCE THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1989.
’’THE DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED 58 TRADERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND THE TOTAL FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURT AMOUNTED TO $140,050," HE SAID.
APART FROM ACTING ON COMPLAINTS, BUREAU OFFICERS ALSO CONDUCTED SPOT CHECKS AT VARIOUS RETAIL OUTLETS AND STALLS.
"WE CONDUCTED 62 SPOT CHECKS IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO 279 LAST YEAR AND 70 IN 1989," MR WONG SAID.
A SEAFOOD RETAILER, A FRUIT RETAILER, A KIOSK OWNER AND A RESTAURANT OPERATOR WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $10,000 IN FOUR RECENT CASES AFTER TESTS BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY HAD SHOWN THAT THE READINGS OF THEIR WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS WERE FROM 10.31 TO 18.75 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHTS.
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TREE PLANTING HELPS CONSERVE COUNTRYSIDE ♦ *♦♦♦*
INVOLVING THE PUBLIC PHYSICALLY IN TREE PLANTING IS SURELY AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO HELP SPREAD THE CONSERVATION MESSAGE AND THE PUBLIC WOULD NO DOUBT FIND THEIR EXPERIENCE REWARDING.
THIS WAS STATED BY EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR WANG GUNGWU, THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1991 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME AT TSIU HANG SPECIAL AREA, SAI KUNG.
/THIS YEAR’S
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
- 5 -
THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL, DISTRICT 303, HONG KONG AND MACAU, AND TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD.
MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING LIONS MEMBERS, COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS, JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS, STUDENTS FROM SEVEN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND TVB ARTISTES TURNED UP FOR THE CEREMONY.
DR WANG NOTED THAT THE SCHEME HAD NOW BECOME AN IMPORTANT ANNUAL EVENT AND ATTRACTED ABOUT 20,000 PARTICIPANTS EACH YEAR.
"THIS GREATLY HELPS FOSTER PUBLIC CONCERN ON THE CARE OF TREES AND COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION," HE SAID.
"TREES ARE AMONG THE FEW VALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCES IN HONG KONG. THEY PROVIDE THE MUCH NEEDED FRESH AIR AND HELP BEAUTIFY OUR ENVIRONMENT. THEY STOP SOIL EROSION AND SILTATION OF STREAMS AND RESERVOIRS, AND REHABILITATE AREAS DAMAGED BY FIRE OR DISTURBED BY DEVELOPMENT.
"TREES ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT IN PROVIDING THE REQUIRED HABITAT FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF WILDLIFE IN THE TERRITORY," HE CONTINUED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID IT WAS A GREAT PITY THAT THERE WERE STILL QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF TREES DAMAGED BY HILL FIRE EVERY YEAR.
"ALL HILL FIRES ARE CAUSED BY HUMAN NEGLIGENCE AND THEY CAN BE PREVENTED IF THE PUBLIC REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES AND TAKE CONCERTED EFFORTS IN THEIR CONSERVATION," HE STRESSED.
DR WANG COMMENDED THE LIONS CLUBS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE AND THE SPONSORSHIP OF THIS YEAR’S TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES.
EARLIER IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID 400,000 TREES WERE PLANTED BY THE AFD IN COUNTRY PARKS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S AFFORESTATION PROGRAMME.
COMMON TREE SPECIES USED IN AFFORESTATION INCLUDE ACACIA AND BRISBANE BOX.
"IN RECENT YEARS, OUR TREE NURSERIES HAVE INCREASED THE PRODUCTION OF SEEDLINGS OF NATIVE PLANT SPECIES SUCH AS FISSA CHESTNUT, SWEET GUM AND MACH1LUS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE DIVERSITY OF LOCAL FLORA AND ENRICH OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO COME FORWARD TO THE DESIGNATED PLANTING SITES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BEFORE THE END OF APRIL TO PLANT TREES IN COUNTRY PARKS WITH THEIR OWN HANDS.
/OTHER OFFICIATING ......
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
- 6 -
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S LAUNCHING CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, HONG KONG AND MACAU, MR TAM WING-KUN; THE THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE LIONS CLUBS, MR JAMES COFFEY; COUNTRY PARKS BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CARLOS CHEUNG; TVB’S ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, MR S.Y. HO; MISS HONG KONG TITLE WINNERS AND THE PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, MR YANG YAU-WAI.
DURING THE CEREMONY, THE OFFICIATING PARTY UNVEILED A COMMEMORATIVE PLAGUE AND PLANTED THE FIRST TREES OF THE YEAR.
ON ALL SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM TOMORROW UNTIL THE END OF APRIL, SEVEN DESIGNATED PLANTING SITES IN COUNTRY PARKS AT TAI MO SHAN, TAI TONG, POK FU LAM, MUI WO, PAK TAM AU, TAI MEI TUK AND CLEAR WATER BAY WILL BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC PI,ANTING.
COUNTRY PARKS STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY AT THE ABOVE SITES TO PROVIDE TREE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ADVICE TO THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PLANT THEIR TREES.
ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS HAD ALSO BEEN MADE FOR STUDENTS AND YOUTH GROUPS TO TAKE PART IN THE PLANTING SCHEME ON WEEKDAYS AND SATURDAYS. INTERESTED SCHOOLS OR ORGANISATIONS ARE WELCOME TO CALL AFD’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION SECTION ON TEL. 733 2121 TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.
----------------------0------- TENDERS INVITED FOR TSEUNG KWAN O WATER WORKS ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION AND THE LAYING OF PUMPING MAINS IN TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION WITH A CAPACITY OF 20,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY AND THE LAYING OF 3,400 METRES OF WATER MAINS WITH DIAMETER OF 450 MILLIMETRES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND TAKES ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CONTRACT IS THE FIRST OF FOUR CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED FOR THE PROJECT ’’IMPROVEMENT OF TSEUNG KWAN O HINTERLAND (SOUTH) WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM".
SUPPLY WILL BE PROVIDED IN 1992 TO MEET THE WATER DEMAND OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND TSEUNG KWAN OHINTERLAND SOUTH AREA.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
7
APPLY NOW FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS
*****
LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS ARE NOW INVITED TO APPLY FOR GRANTS UNDER THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME" (OYS) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT THEIR PLANNED PROJECTS.
THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE INNOVATIVE AND CARRY ENRICHED CONTENTS. THEY MAY BE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, RURAL AREAS AND DEPRIVED AREA SERVICE, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY SERVICE OR COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
EACH OF THE APPROVED PROJECTS WILL BE GRANTED A SUBSIDY UP TO 16,000.
THE CHAIRPARSON OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE OYS, MISS CHUNG WOON-CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974 WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE; ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY; AND HELPING TO DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP.
"YOUTH GROUPS WHICH WISH TO APPLY MAY SUBMIT THEIR PROJECT PROPOSALS THROUGH THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH) OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BY APRIL 30 THIS YEAR," SHE SAID.
"EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 25, AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, YOUTH AGENCY, OR AN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION.
"GROUPS WITHOUT SPONSORS MAY ALSO APPLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SWO (YOUTH) OF THEIR DISTRICT," SHE ADDED.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT ITS MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT, WHICH WILL OBTAIN A DISTRICT BEST OYS AWARD, TO COMPETE FOR THE H.K. BEST OYS AWARD.
SHE NOTED THAT THE PROJECTS WILL BE ASSESSED BASED ON THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, THE EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATION.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHEME AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM VARIOUS YOUTH OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
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/8........
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
8
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO SOME AREAS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 19) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE WHOLE OF SO KON PO AND SOME PREMISES IN TAI HANG, JARDINE’S LOOKOUT AND HAPPY VALLEY WHICH ARE MAINLY BOUNDED BY BROADWOOD ROAD, BLUE POOL ROAD, HAWTHORN ROAD, TAI HANG ROAD, PERKINS ROAD, LAI TAK TSUEN ROAD. IT ALSO AFFECTS PREMISES IN TAI HANG DRIVE, CHUN FAI ROAD, FUK KWAN AVENUE, LI KWAN AVENUE AND LAI TAK TSUEN.
MEANWHILE, SUPPLY OF FLUSHING WATER TO SOME AREAS IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9.30 AM TO 10 PM ON THE SAME DAY FOR MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, NGAU TAU KOK, JORDAN VALLEY, KOWLOON BAY, KWUN TONG, LAM TIN AND SAU MAU PING INCLUDING CHOI HUNG ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, PING SHEK ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT AND SHUN LEE TSUEN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
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COURSE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO TEACH IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ♦ * » ♦ ♦
GRADUATES OF POLYTECHNICS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WITH AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF WORKING EXPERIENCE ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE TO BECOME QUALIFIED TO TEACH LN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.
THE COURSE BEGINS THIS SEPTEMBER.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE A HIGHER DIPLOMA, HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BY THE POLYTECHNICS OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR AN EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION.
’’THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS OF RELEVANT POSTQUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE AND A GOOD STANDARD OF BOTH WRITTEN AND SPOKEN ENGLISH AND CHINESE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID STUDENTS WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $3,300 FEE PAYABLE IN 10 INSTALMENTS.
/"BUT INDUCEMENT........
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 1991
9
’’BUT INDUCEMENT GRANTS FOR STUDENTS WITH APPROPRIATE RELEVANT POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE WILL BE PAID AT A MINIMUM OF $4 730 A MONTH FOR THOSE WITH TWO YEARS OF WORKING EXPERIENCE AND FOR THOSE WITH FIVE OR MORE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, $7,390 A MONTH, HE SAID.
THESE GRANTS, HE SAID, WOULD BE REPAYABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT IF A RECIPIENT DID NOT TAKE UP A FULL-TIME TEACHING POST FOR A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.
FOR CERTIFICATED
MASTER
GRADUATES MAY APPLY
PREVOCAT1ONAL SCHOOLS WITH A STARTING SALARY OF $9,490 AND ---------------------------------------- ---- BE oxvEN FOR
POSTS IN
OF $15,325, BUT INCREMENTAL CREDITS MAY POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE IN
EXCESS OF
THE
MAXIMUM RELEVANT MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED.
A
APPLICATION FORMS, TO BE SUBMITTED BEFORE APRIL 10, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IN QUEEN S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK IS A BIG INCENTIVE TO INVESTORS ........................................ 1
STUDY ON EEC SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME COMMISSIONED ......................... 2
LAND COMMISSION MEETING ON WEDNESDAY ...................................... 3
ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR JANUARY
RELEASED ................................................................ 4
STRONGER SANCTIONS AGAINST UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS .................... 9
PASSENGER SHIPS MUST FULFIL SAFETY RULES ................................. 11
TRUNKED RADIO SYSTEM PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED CAPACITY ....................... 12
SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THURSDAY & FRIDAY .................. 13
SWAC CONSIDERS LEGISLATION ON RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES ..................... 15
GOVT HOUSE TO OPEN FOR COMMUNITY CHEST.................................... 16
NEWLY-ACQUIRED DEFIBRILLATOR PROVES ITS VALUE ............................ 16
THREE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ..................... 17
ONE MORE NOMINATION FOR KWUN TONG BY-ELECTION ............................ 19
WORLD-RENOWNED ACADEMICS INVITED TO WELFARE SEMINAR ...................... 19
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION ................................................... 20
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ................................. 20
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
1
HK IS A BIG INCENTIVE TO INVESTORS
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, HAS URGED OVERSEAS INVESTORS TO GRASP THE "GREAT OPPORTUNITIES" OFFERED BY THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, PARTICULARLY HONG KONG.
IN A SPEECH DELIVERED AT THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CEBIT FORUM -"BUSINESS WITH HONG KONG” AT HANNOVER, GERMANY, MR BARMA SAID HONG KONG ITSELF WAS A BIG INCENTIVE TO POTENTIAL INVESTORS.
"WHILE THE OPENING UP OF EASTERN EUROPE, AND THE PROSPECTS OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET, HAVE OBVIOUSLY DISTRACTED EUROPEAN INVESTORS, IT WOULD BE A PITY IF THEY MISSED OUT ON THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, WHICH IS NOT STANDING STILL.
"A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENTS HAVE REINFORCED THE FACT THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS IN THE WORLD.
"HONG KONG, WITH ITS SOUND ECONOMIC FOUNDATION AND EXCELLENT BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE, FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE POLICY, HARD-WORKING AND EFFICIENT LABOUR FORCE, LOW TAXATION RATE AND EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK HAS BEEN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, THE HUB FOR DOING BUSINESS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC.
"SO, HONG KONG IS THE OBVIOUS PARTNER FOR THE FUTURE,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID HONG KONG HAD, OVER THE PAST DECADES, ATTRACTED MANY INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS.
ACCORDING TO THE LATEST SURVEY ON OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, TOTAL INVESTMENT FROM ALL SOURCES AT THE END OF 1989 WAS US$3,812 MILLION, 13.6 PER CENT UP FROM 1988 AND MORE THAN DOUBLE (260 PER CENT) THE FIGURE RECORDED IN 1984.
"INVESTMENT FROM EEC COUNTRIES HAS ALSO BEEN INCREASING STEADILY, AND THE VALUE OF GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS IN 1989 BY EEC COUNTRIES (WHICH INCLUDES PURCHASES OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, LAND AND BUILDINGS, AND OTHER ASSETS) AMOUNTED TO US$68 MILLION AND WAS 12.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE VALUE RECORDED IN 1988," HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S ATTRACTIONS FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS, MR BARMA SAID HONG KONG OCCUPIED A PIVOTAL POSITION AS A MAJOR FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, AND WAS ALSO THE GATEWAY TO CHINA.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WAS SMALL AND HAD FEW NATURAL RESOURCES IT HAD BEEN THE SUCCESS STORY OF A FREE MARKET ECONOMY.
"HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON EXPORT TRADE, HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE EXCELLED IN THE PURSUIT OF SUCCESS, THROUGH A REMARKABLE DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY IN A FAST CHANGING WORLD.
/"BOTH EMPLOYERS ........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
- 2 -
"BOTH EMPLOYERS AND LABOUR HAVE LEARNED TO RESPOND AND ADJUST SWIFTLY TO CHANGES IN EXTERNAL DEMAND AND TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY NEW SKILLS AND KNOW-HOW PROMPTLY, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THEIR PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT BUSINESSMEN, NOT BUREAUCRATS, WERE THE BEST PEOPLE TO TAKE BUSINESS DECISIONS.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S PRINCIPAL ROLE IN THE ECONOMY IS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND A STABLE FRAMEWORK IN WHICH COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY CAN FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY WITH A MINIMUM OF RED TAPE.
"IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHETHER AN INVESTOR IS LOCAL OR FROM OVERSEAS; THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE, AND THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL PARTICIPATION OR EXPORT ORIENTATION IN PROJECTS," HE SAID.
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STUDY ON EEC SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME COMMISSIONED
******
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (HKTDC) TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED A $1 MILLION CONTRACT TO PRICE WATERHOUSE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS TO UNDERTAKE A STUDY ON THE SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC).
THE SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME IS AN INTERNAL PROGRAMME WITHIN THE EEC WHICH AIMS TO ACHIEVE THE FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS, CAPITAL, PEOPLE AND SERVICES AMONG ITS MEMBER STATES BY THE END OF 1992.
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR THE CONSULTANCY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ALAN N. LAI, SAID INFORMATION ABOUT THE SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME WAS SO MASSIVE AND DIVERSE THAT IT HAD BECOME VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN BRUSSELS, WITH THEIR LIMITED RESOURCES, TO FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY.
"IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO EMPLOY THE SERVICES OF A PRIVATE CONSULTANCY FIRM WITH RELEVANT EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND ADVICE TO HONG KONG- SO THAT WE WILL NOT LOSE TRACK OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
THE HKTDC HAS ALSO FOUND THAT IT NEEDS TO KEEP PACE WITH DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PROGRAMME IN ORDER TO ADVISE LOCAL TRADERS TO PREPARE FOR A SINGLE MARKET IN EUROPE TN 1992.
THE CHIEF ECONOMIST OF HKTDC, MRS ANNA LAI, SAID: "THE TDC HAS REGULARLY RECEIVED ENQUIRIES FROM LOCAL TRADERS FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME.
/"WE BELIEVE ........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
"WE BELIEVE THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WILL PROVIDE IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO ASSIST HONG KONG TRADERS IN MAXIMISING THEIR EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES AND IN UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGING MARKET ENVIRONMENT UNDER A SINGLE MARKET," SHE SAID.
IN ORDER TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF EFFORT AND OPTIMISE THE USE OF RESOURCES, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND HKTDC DECIDED IT WOULD BE MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO ENGAGE THE CONSULTANCY PROJECT JOINTLY.
UNDER ITS TERMS, PRICE WATERHOUSE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS ARE TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS UNDER THE SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME WHICH MAY HAVE A BEARING ON HONG KONG’S TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATION WITH THE EEC AND TO ASSESS THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH DEVELOPMENTS SO THAT HONG KONG CAN REACT RAPIDLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
THE INITIAL PERIOD OF THE CONSULTANCY IS ONE YEAR, DURING WHICH PRICE WATERHOUSE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ADVICE RELATING 'I’O THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF THE EEC AND ITS MEMBER STATES; CHANGES IN THE MARKET ENVIRONMENT FOR HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS; AND THE ACTIVITIES OF HONG KONG’S COMPETITORS IN THE EEC WHICH MIGHT AFFECT HONG KONG’S PENETRATION OF THOSE MARKETS.
THE CONSULTANTS WILL PRESENT THE FINDINGS OF THEIR STUDY IN REGULAR AND TOPICAL REPORTS COVERING SPECIFIC PRODUCTS OR SECTORS OF INDUSTRY.
THE GOVERNMENT AND HKTDC WILL OWN THE COPYRIGHT OF ALL REPORTS PRODUCED UNDER THE CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORTS WILL BE USEFUL TO TRADERS IN HONG KONG AND HKTDC INTENDS TO PUBLISH THEM FOR REFERENCE BY HONG KONG TRADERS.
------U--------
LAND COMMISSION MEETING ON WEDNESDAY
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SIN0-BR1TISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S TWENTY-SECOND MEETING WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 20).
THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS THE 1991-92 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN ANNOUNCED THAT DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR PETER LAI, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE LAND COMMISSION WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 1, 1991. HE HAS REPLACED MR DARWIN CHEN.
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/4 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR JANUARY RELEASED *****
IN JANUARY 1991, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 1% WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, BUT IT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN JANUARY 1991 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY. THESE INCREASES WERE MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SEASONAL EFFECTS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ORDERS INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990, THE ORDERS POSITION IN JANUARY 1991 DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES, AND SLIGHTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
ON THE OTHER HANI), ORDERS IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES INCREASED SLIGHTLY 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 JANUARY 1991 DECREASED BY 1% WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, AND BY 10% WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1991 DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, EXCEPT FOR THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY WHICH REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT.
COMPARED WITH' JANUARY 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1991 DECREASED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
IN JANUARY 1991, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 40%, IN MONEY TERMS, WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990.
HOWEVER, CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY, AS THE LARGE INCREASE BETWEEN DECEMBER 1990 AND JANUARY 1991 WAS DUE MAINLY TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL. BONUSES BY MANY MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED.
/OVER THIS .......
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
- 5
OVER THIS PERIOD, INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN MOST MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A SLIGHT DECREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY, FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN DECEMBER 1990 BY A NUMBER OF MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED IN THIS INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990, PER CAPITA* EARNINGS IN JANUARY 1991 INCREASED BY 11%, IN MONEY TERMS, IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED. PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IT SHOULD, HOWEVER, BE CAUTIONED THAT THE DIFFERENT RATES OF INCREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS AMONG THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED WERE PARTLY AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMING OF ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BETWEEN 1990 AND 1991 BY SOME MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1991 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990 AND MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JANUARY 1991 INCREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, DUE 1’0 THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JANUARY 1991 DECREASED MODERATELY, DUE TO THE DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMING OF ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BETWEEN 1990 AND 1991 BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUBCONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1991 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990.
IN JANUARY 1991, PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER DECEMBER 1990 AND MODERATELY OVER JANUARY 1990.
AGAIN, IT SHOULD BE CAUTIONED THAT THE COMPARISON OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES BETWEEN JANUARY 1991 AND DECEMBER 1990 WAS AFFECTED BY THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND \NNUAL BONUSES, WHILE THE COMPARISON BETWEEN THE JANUARY 1991 AND JANUARY 1990 FIGURES WAS AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENCES IN THE TIMI NG OF ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BETWEEN 1990 AND 1991 BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLES.
/THE SURVEY .......
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
- 6 -
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 JANUARY 1991 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $4.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3222.
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF JANUARY 1991 CHANGE WHEN DEC. 90 COMPARED WITH JAN. 90
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.25 + 1 ♦
WEARING APPAREL 4.63 + 1 + 1
TEXTILES 2. 18 + 5 -11
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.58 + 12 -17
FABRICATED METAL 4.20 + 2 -2
PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND 5.22 ♦ + 2
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS 4.08 * -1
» CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
/TABLE 2 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED
AT THE END OF JANUARY 1991
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
FOOD AND DRINKS WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS FABRICATED METAL
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS
CONSTRUCTION #
SERVICES
BANKS
HOTELS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
OTHERS
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
DEC. 90 JAN. 90
(%) (%)
-1 -10
— — —
-1 *
-1 -9
-2 -18
-2 -22
* -5
-1 -11
t -4
-2 -8
— — —
-1 + 3
-1 + 4
-1 -4
♦ *
-3 + 6
#
PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
/PER CAPITA .......
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
8
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE CHANGE WHEN
AS IN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES JANUARY 1991 DEC. 90 JAN. 90
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 9,634 + 40 + 11
FOOD AND DRINKS 9,907 -1 + 13
WEARING APPAREL 6,455 + 19 + 7
TEXTILES 9,057 + 38 + 9
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 10,770 + 78 + 12
FABRICATED METAL 10,643 + 69 + 10
PRODUCTS •
ELECTRICAL AND 9,166 + 37 + 17
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 13,868 + 61 + 7
CONSTRUCTION # 9,913 + 9 -6
SERVICES 14,717 + 1 + 8
BANKS 14,338 -11 + 12
HOTELS 13,948 + 76 -29
PUBLIC UTILITIES 14,312 + 6 + 17
OTHERS 15,794 -1 + 3
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
NOTE • DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.G. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
NOTE TO TABLES 1-3 :
UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND” AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS", WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL • SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
- - 0----------
/9 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
9
STRONGER SANCTIONS AGAINST UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS
*****
STRONGER SANCTIONS WILL BE APPLIED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS (UBW) IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING I SURVEYOR OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR CHENG WEI-DART, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY).
MR CHENG SAID A REVIEW OF THE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF UBW HAD BEEN CONDUCTED IN FACE OF THE SPATE OF MAJOR AND MINOR BUILDING COLLAPSES THAT OCCURRED IN THE LATTER PART OF 1990.
IT HAD BECOME ABUNDANTLY CLEAR AS A RESULT OF THE REVIEW THAT THE USE OF STRONGER SANCTIONS AGAINST UBW WAS JUSTIFIED, HE SAID.
"BUILDING SAFETY IS OUR MAIN CONCERN," MR CHENG SAID. "ILLEGAL BUILDING ACTIVITY IS A MAJOR FACTOR TO BE CONSIDERED,” HE ADDED.
APART FROM OTHER MEASURES DESIGNED TO ENFORCE BUILDING SAFETY, TWO IMPORTANT CHANGES IN THE ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE SHOULD BE MADE AND ANNOUNCED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION, MR CHENG SAID.
THESE TWO CHANGES ARE:
- PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS FOR CARRYING OUT UBW SHOULD BE STEPPED UP, AND
- STRUCTURES WHICH PROJECT OVER BUSY THOROUGHFARES AND POSE A GREATER DANGER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD BE FIRST DEMOLISHED.
MR CHENG EMPHASISED THAT THE NEED HAD BECOME MORE URGENT TO PROMOTE RESPECT FOR THE BUILDING LAW AND TO ENCOURAGE COMPLIANCE WITH BUILDING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
THE DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN, HE SAID, THAT WHEN CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT TO INSTITUTE PROSECUTION PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WOULD ACCORD THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF PERSONS WHO COMMITTED AN OFFENCE UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE:
(A) REPEATED OFFENDERS;
(B) OFFENDERS WHOSE UBW ARE EXCESSIVE IN NATURE OR SCALE AND IN BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THE BUILDING LAW OR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC;
(C) OFFENDERS WHOSE UBW ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION;
(D) OFFENDERS WHO DISREGARD A "CEASE WORKS ORDER" ISSUED UNDER SECTION 23 OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE;
/(E) OFFENDERS WHO ........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
10
(E) OFFENDERS WHO DISREGARD AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER SECTION 25 OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE REGARDING MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE; AND
(F) OFFENDERS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH AN ORDER REQUIRING DEMOLITION OR RECTIFICATION OF URW ISSUED UNDER SECTION 24(1) OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
MR CHENG POINTED OUT THAT OFFENDERS FALLING WITHIN CATEGORIES (C) AND (F) COULD NUMBER IN EXCESS OF 1,000 PER YEAR IF THEY DID NOT CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE BUILDING LAW.
HE REMINDED BUILDING OWNERS TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THIS CHANGE IN THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S PRIORITY SYSTEM FOR PROSECUTION.
"AND AS REGARDS CATEGORY (F) IN PARTICULAR, THE IMPOSITION OF A CONTINUING FINE WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE COURTS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ENFORCING DEMOLITION," MR CHENG SAID.
A CONTINUING FINE MEANS A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 PER DAY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH AN ORDER ISSUED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY FOR DEMOLITION OF UBW, HE EXPLAINED.
MR CHENG SAID FOR REASONS OF EQUITY, THE CHANGE IN THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S PRIORITY SYSTEM FOR PROSECUTION WOULD NOT BE APPLIED RETROSPECTIVELY. IT WOULD BE USED AS FROM APRIL 1, 1991.
HE CAUTIONED, HOWEVER, THAT SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF STAFF HAD BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO ASSUME PROSECUTION DUTIES AND ALL OFFENDERS IN THE CATEGORIES LISTED WOULD BE PROSECUTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN 10 TIMES MORE CONVICTIONS PER YEAR THAN HAD HITHERTO BEEN THE CASE.
DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS, 153 SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS WERE MADE AND A TOTAL FINE OF $571,200 WAS IMPOSED.
ON STRUCTURES SUCH AS CANOPIES AND "METAL CAGES" WHICH OVERHANG BUSY PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES, MR CHENG SAID THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SHOULD INDEED BE CONCERNED ABOUT DANGER OF COLLAPSE AND RISKS TO INNOCENT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
IN ADDITION TO THE ROUTINE CHECKS WHICH ALL STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE, AN OPERATION, CODE NAMED "OPERATION APPENDAGES", HAD BEEN LAUNCHED, MR CHENG SAID.
IN THIS OPERATION, 30 BLOCKS OF BUILDINGS HAD BEEN SELECTED AS TARGETS FOR CLEARANCE OF PROJECTING UBW.
SOME 3,500 ORDERS TO REQUIRE DEMOLITION OF ABOUT 1,500 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WOULD BE ISSUED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
MR CHENG SAID SIMILAR AND DIFFERENT MEASURES WOULD BE ADOPTED ON A LONG-TERM BASIS TO REDUCE CHANCES OF INJURY TO PERSONS WALKING ON PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES.
/FOR THE ........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
11
FOR THE SAME PURPOSE, HE ADDED, A DEDICATED TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL OFFICERS HAD RECENTLY BEEN FORMED TO SEEK OUT, ON A SYSTEMATIC BASIS, DANGER AND POTENTIAL DANGER FROM CANOPIES.
"IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THESE CANOPIES ARE LEGAL OR ILLEGAL. OUR JOB IS TO PREVENT CANOPY COLLAPSES AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE LOSS OF A CANOPY IF IT IS FOUND BY US TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION,” MR CHENG SAID.
HE ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ANY CANOPY WHICH THEY FELT WAS UNSAFE.
------0-------
PASSENGER SHIPS MUST FULFIL SAFETY RULES A A A A A
PASSENGER SHIPS OPERATING EXCURSION VOYAGES FROM HONG KONG WITHOUT CALLING ON ANY OTHER PORT DURING SUCH VOYAGES MUST COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE HONG KONG MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) ORDINANCE AS IF THEY WERE HONG KONG REGISTERED PASSENGER SHIPS, A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
RESPONDING TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS MEANT THAT OPERATORS OF SUCH SHIPS MUST SUBMIT THEIR VESSELS TO A FULL SAFETY SURVEY BY MARINE DEPARTMENT SURVEYORS.
"SUCH SHIPS WILL ALSO NEED TO BE STAFFED BY CREWS HOLDING CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY ISSUED BY, OR ACCEPTABLE TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE," HE ADDED.
OPERATORS HAVE BEEN INFORMED AND BEEN GIVEN SIX WEEKS FROM MARCH 4 Trffs (1991) YEAR TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
THE MARINE ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH THESE SHIPS ARE REGISTERED HAVE ALSO BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE REQUIREMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CONCERNED FOR SOME TIME WITH THE VALIDITY OF THE PASSENGER SAFETY CERTIFICATES OF PASSENGER SHIPS WHICH OPERATE OUT OF HONG KONG AND DO NOT CALL AT ANY PORT OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"THE DEPARTMENT'S MAIN CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS WHO GO ON SUCH EXCURSIONS, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE HONG KONG RESIDENTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.'
HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE DEPARTMENT'S SURVEYORS HAD MADE UNSCHEDULED INSPECTIONS ON SUCH SHIPS TN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS, THEY HAD BEEN UNABLE TO CONDUCT INDEPTH EXAMINATIONS OF THESE SHIPS TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG PASSENGER SHIPS WERE BEING MET.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT HAD RECENTLY BEEN CONFIRMED THAT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS WHICH OBLIGATED THE DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT THE PASSENGER SAFETY CERTIFICATES OF SUCH PASSENGER SHIPS ON INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES WERE NOT APPLICABLE TO THE TYPE OF EXCURSION VOYAGES CONDUCTED BY THESE SHIPS.
------0-------
/12 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
- 12 -
TRUNKED RADIO SYSTEM PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED CAPACITY
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE HAS RELOCATED SEVERAL BLOCKS OF FREQUENCY SPECTRUM FOR THE TRUNKED RADIO SERVICE] WHICH HE BELIEVED WILL PROVIDE THE MUCH NEEDED CAPACITY IN THE COMMUNICATIONS MARKET.
"WE HAVE • ALSO REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE GUANGDONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITIES FOR THE 800 MHZ TRUNKED RADIO SERVICE TO BE EXTENDED INTO GUANGDONG GRADUALLY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF FIRST PACIFIC MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED’S TRUNKED RADIO SYSTEM, MR WONG SAID DEMAND FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION FACILITIES WAS VERY HIGH.
"AS A COROLLARY, THERE IS HIGH DEMAND ALSO FOR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS WITHIN COMPANIES, THAT IS TO SAY, BETWEEN A COMPANY’S OFFICE AND ITS FLEET OF VEHICLES.
"THIS DEMAND HAS BEEN ACCELERATING AS THE NUMBER OF BUSINESS VEHICLES INCREASES IN HONG KONG AND AS MORE AND MORE GOODS VEHICLES COMMUTE DAILY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE SITUATION HAD RESULTED IN HIGH CONGESTION IN THE PRIVATE MOBILE RADIO FREQUENCY BANDS AND TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL BLOCKS OF FREQUENCY SPECTRUM HAD BEEN RELOCATED FOR THE TRUNKED RADIO SERVICE.
HE NOTED THAT USING THE TRUNKED RADIO SERVICE, COMPANIES COULD HAVE GOOD QUALITY TERRITORY-WIDE. COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR OWN VEHICULAR FLEET, OR ALLOW THEIR OWN VEHICLE OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH ONE ANOTHER.
MR WONG SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT PRIVATE FIRMS WERE SUPPORTIVE OF THE OBJECTIVES BY INVESTING IN THE TRUNKED RADIO SERVICE.
"FIRST PACIFIC MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED HAS JOINED IN AND MADE HEAVY INVESTMENTS TO BRING THE LATEST STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY INTO HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
ON THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN HONG KONG, MR WONG SAID THERE WAS EXPLOSIVE GROWTH OF THE SERVICES AND THEIR UTILISATION IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
"HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE RENOWNED WORLDWIDE FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY AND READINESS TO ADOPT NEW IDEAS AND TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY.
"ADVANCES IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ALWAYS GET A GOOD RECEPTION HERE," HE NOTED.
/LAST YEAR ........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
13
LAST YEAR PEOPLE IN HONG KONG MADE A TOTAL OF 1,350 MILLION MINUTES OF INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALLS, REPRESENTING AN AVERAGE OF 5.5 HOURS BY EACH ADULT OR AN INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
TODAY, OVER 710,000 PEOPLE OR 12 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION SUBSCRIBED TO THE RADIO PAGING SERVICE AND THIS RATE OF PENETRATION WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD, MR WONG SAID.
WITH 135,000 MOBILE TELEPHONE USERS, HE SAID HONG KONG ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF HAND HELD PORTABLE TELEPHONES IN ANY SIZEABLE CELLULAR RADIOTELEPHONE MARKET IN THE WORLD.
’’RECENTLY, I HAVE ISSUED FOUR LICENCES FOR THE OPERATION OF TELEPOINT SERVICES BASED ON THE SECOND GENERATION CORDLESS TELEPHONE TECHNOLOGY (CT2), AND SERVICE WILL BECOME AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH SATELLITE TELEVISION PROGRAMMES FROM A PAN-ASIAN SERVICE BASED HERE, ’’ HE SAID.
---------------------------0------- SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THURSDAY & FRIDAY * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL PUBLICLY EXAMINE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1991-92 AT TWO SPECIAL MEETINGS TO BE HELD THIS THURSDAY (MARCH 21) AND FRIDAY (MARCH 22).
THIS YEAR’S MEETINGS WILL TAKE ON A NEW FORMAT.
EACH BRANCH SECRETARY WILL ATTEND WITH HIS CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND MAKE A PRESENTATION OF ABOUT 15 MINUTES ON POLICIES IN THEIR PROGRAMME AREAS, THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD, THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO THEM AND OTHERS.
MEMBERS CAN THEN RAISE QUESTIONS ON POINTS MADE DURING THE PRESENTATION AND THE DRAFT EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES.
EACH MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. THE FOLLOWING IS THE PROGRAMME FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGS: SESSION NO. DATE/TIME POLICY SECRETARY INVOLVED
MARCH 21, 1991 (THURSDAY)
1 9 AM - 10 AM SECRETARY FOR WORKS
2 10 AM - 1 1 AM SECRETARY FOR PLANNING,
ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS
(11 AM - 11.15 AM TEA BREAK)
/3. 11.15 AM - 12.15 PM .........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
14
3 11.15 AM - 12.15 PM SECRETARY FOR SERVICES ECONOMIC
4 12.15 PM ( 1 PM - 1 PM - 2 PM SECRETARY FOR LUNCH BREAK) TRANSPORT
5 2 PM - 2.45 PM SECRETARY FOR AFFAIRS MONETARY
6 2.45 PM (3.45 PM - 3.45 PM - 4 PM SECRETARY FOR INDUSTRY TEA BREAK) TRADE AND
7 4 PM - 5 PM MARCH 22, 1991 (FRIDAY) SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER
8 9 AM - 10 AM SECRETARY FOR AND WELFARE HEALTH
9 10 AM - 11 AM SECRETARY FOR AND CULTURE RECREATION
( 1 1 AM - 11.15 AM TEA BREAK) •
10 11.15 AM - 12.15 PM SECRETARY FOR SERVICE THE CIVIL
11 12.15 PM (1.15 PM - 1.15 PM - 2.15 PM SECRETARY FOR LUNCH BREAK) THE TREASURY
12 2.15 PM - 2.45 PM SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS
13 2.45 PM - 3.15 PM SECRETARY FOR AFFAIRS CONSTITUTIONAL
14 3.15 PM (4.15 PM - 4.15 PM - 4.30 PM SECRETARY FOR TEA BREAK) SECURITY
15 4.30 PM - 5.30 PM DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDING MAY
MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENGLISH AND CHINESE COPIES OF THE QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1991-92 AND THE ANSWERS PROVIDED BY CONTROLLING OFFICERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN GIS PRESS BOXES.
------0--------
/15....................................
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
15
SWAC CONSIDERS LEGISLATION ON RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) SUPPORTED THE LICENSING SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES AT ITS MEETING TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE MEETING, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AIMED TO REGULATE ALL RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND SUBVENTED SECTORS.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION APPLIES TO PREMISES AT WHICH MORE THAN FIVE PERSONS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF 60 YEARS ARE HABITUALLY RECEIVED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARE WHILE RESIDENT THEREIN. ALL RESIDENTIAL HOMES WILL BE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION.
’’WHILE IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO SUPPORT THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY IN THE FAMILY AND IN THE COMMUNITY, THERE IS NEVERTHELESS A CLEAR NEED TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES FOR THOSE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO, FOR HEALTH OR OTHER REASONS, ARE UNABLE TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES AND WHO HAVE NO RELATIVES OR FRIENDS TO ASSIST WHEN REQUIRED,” MR CHUI SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 106 NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND SUBVENTED HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, PROVIDING ABOUT 12,700 PLACES. EVEN SO, THE DEMAND FOR PLACES IN RESIDENTIAL HOMES IS ONLY PARTIALLY MET AND THE SHORTFALL HAS LED TO THE RAPID GROWTH OF PRIVATE HOMES, THE SERVICE QUALITY OF SOME OF WHICH HAS BEEN A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
MR CHUI SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION REQUIRED BOTH THE OPERATOR OF A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME AND THE HOME ITSELF TO APPLY TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (DSW) FOR A LICENCE.
"IN THIS REGARD, THE DIRECTOR WILL BE GIVEN POWERS TO ISSUE, SUSPEND, AND RENEW A LICENCE,” HE SAID.
ON THE SUBJECT OF EXEMPTION, MR CHUI NOTED THAT A PROVISION WOULD BE MADE TO ENABLE DSW TO ISSUE, AND RENEW, A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION IN RESPECT OF A RESIDENTIAL HOME.
’’THE EXEMPTION PROVISION WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FLEXIBILITY TO DSW TO EXEMPT RESIDENTIAL HOMES FROM COMPLYING WITH THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME DURING WHICH THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES.
’’THIS PROVISION IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THESE HOMES WILL NOT BE DRIVEN OUT OF BUSINESS WHEN THE BILL IS ENACTED TO AVOID THE DISPLACEMENT OF A LARGE NUMBER OF ELDERLY RESIDENTS,” HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY REGULATIONS IN RELATION TO THE LICENSING OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CARE HOMES, STRUCTURE AND DESIGN, HYGIENE AND SANITATION, MINIMUM SPACE AND STAFFING STANDARDS.
HOWEVER, SWAC MEMBERS WILL FURTHER DISCUSS THESE REQUIREMENTS AT THE COMMITTEE’S NEXT MEETING IN APRIL.
- - 0 - -
/16
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
16
GOVT HOUSE TO OPEN FOR COMMUNITY CHEST
A SECOND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE PROVIDED ON MARCH 24 (SUNDAY) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM, IN ORDER TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON MARCH 10, AN ANNUAL TRADITION DATING BACK TO 1968. THIS ADDITIONAL ’’OPEN DAY” WILL GIVE VISITORS A CHANCE TO DONATE TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST BY PAYING A $10 ADMISSION CHARGE PER PERSON.
- - 0 - -
NEWLY-ACQUIRED DEFIBRILLATOR PROVES ITS VALUE
******
THE AMBULANCE COMMAND’S NEWLY ACQUIRED "DEFIBRILLATOR" FOR HEART DISEASE PATIENTS HAS PROVEN ITS WORTH IN A RECENT INCIDENT IN WHICH AN 81-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS SAVED FROM A HEART ATTACK.
THE REWARDS PAID OFF TODAY (MONDAY) WHEN TWO SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN WERE AWARDED THE CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER COMMENDATIONS AND FOUR OTHER AMBULANCEMEN COMMENDED AT A CEREMONY AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN AMBULANCE DEPOT.
CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR PANG TAK-SUM, PRESENTED HIS COMMENDATIONS TO SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN WONG MUN-CHI AND YUEN KAI-CHEUNG FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM, LEADERSHIP AND DEVOTION TO DUTY IN APPLYING THE DEFIBRILLATOR AND CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION (CPR) WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION OF A PATIENT’S HEART BEATS AND RESPIRATION.
THE OTHER FOUR AMBULANCEMEN WHO WERE COMMENDED FOR FAVOURABLE ENTRY IN THIS CASE WERE YU CHAU-YIU, LI PING-YAU, CHAU SIU-YUNG AND AU WING-SUN.
MR PANG SAID THIS WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE TO PROVE THE USEFULNESS OF THE DEFIBRILLATOR IN ATTENDING UNCONSCIOUS AND CARDIAC PATIENTS.
MR PANG SAID THE PATIENT WOULD BE IN REAL DANGER WITHOUT THE TREATMENT BY THE DEFIBRILLATOR.
THE DEFIBRILLATOR IS USED TO ATTEND UNCONSCIOUS OR CARDIAC PATIENTS WHO MAY NEED TREATMENT FOR VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION. VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION IS AN ABNORMAL, RAPID AND CHAOTIC RHYTHM OF THE HEART WITH NO ACTIVE MECHANICAL BLOOD PUMPING ACTION, AND EVENTUALLY COULD LEAD TO DEATH UNLESS TREATED PROMPTLY.
/DEFIBRILLATION IS
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
- 17 -
DEFIBRILLATION IS THE PROCESS OF ABOLISHING SUCH FIBRILLATION RHYTHM TO RE-ESTABLISH NORMAL RHYTHM AND CONTRACTION TO THE HEART, ACHIEVED BY PASSING A CONTROLLED ELECTRIC CURRENT THROUGH THE HEART.
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 1.30 PM LAST THURSDAY (MARCH 14) WHEN THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATION CENTRE RESPONDED TO AN EMERGENCY CALL IN SHA TIN, A NEARBY AMBULANCE FROM TIN SUM AMBULANCE DEPOT AND ANOTHER ONE WITH THE DEFIBRILLATOR FROM SHA TIN AMBULANCE DEPOT WERE SENT TO THE SCENE.
WHEN THE FIRST AMBULANCE FROM TIN SUM DEPOT ARRIVED, SENIOR AMBULANCEMAN YUEN KA I-CHEUNG FOUND THE PATIENT BREATHLESS AND PULSELESS. THE OFFICERS IMMEDIATELY APPLIED CPR TO RESUSCITATE THE PATIENT.
SENIOR AMBULANCEMAN WONG MUN-CHI AND HIS CREW, WHO ARRIVED LATER IN A SECOND AMBULANCE WITH THE DEFIBRILLATOR, IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE MACHINE TO THE PATIENT AND PROVIDED HIM WITH CPR UNTIL THE PATIENT REGAINED PULSE, RESPIRATION AND HEART BEATS BEFORE ARRIVAL AT THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL.
THE AMBULANCE COMMAND OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT INTRODUCED A $1.5 MILLION PILOT SCHEME ON THE USE OF DEFIBRILLATOR TWO MONTHS AGO.
AT PRESENT SIX AMBULANCE AID1 MOTORCYCLES AND SIX AMBULANCES WERE EQUIPPED WITH DEFIBRILLATORS. THE NUMBER OF DEFIBRILLATOR-MOUNTED AMBULANCE AID MOTORCYCLES WILL BE INCREASED TO 13 WHEN A LOAD OF NEW MOTORCYCLES ARRIVE TO REPLACE THE AMBULANCES IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
------0-------
THREE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS
******
THREE NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY WERE RECEIVED TODAY (MONDAY).
NONE WAS RECEIVED FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THIS BRINGS TO 25 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR I HE UC/RC ELECTIONS.
SO FAR, FOUR CONSTITUENCIES RECEIVED TWO NOMINATIONS. THEY ARE THE SHAU KEI WAN, KOWLOON CITY WEST, KWUN TONG EAST AND YAU ISIM CONSTITUENCIES.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL LAST UNTIL MARCH 25.
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES -15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
18
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
KWUN TONG EAST WONG PING-KUEN M 47 SENIOR MONITOR 345 3966
WONG TAI SIN NORTH YEUNG LAI-YIN, CECILIA F 60 COLLEGE AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS, KINDERGARTEN’S SUPERVISOR 322 1163
YAU TSIM TONG CHOR-YIN M 35 SOLICITOR 521 1175 112 8741 CALL 87
FOLLOWING
RECEIVED SO FAR:
IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE
NOMINATIONS
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1 . CENTRAL AND WESTERN NIL
2. WAN CHAI 1
3. NORTH POINT 1
4 . SHAU KEI WAN 2
5. SOUTHERN 1
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST 2
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST 1
8. KWUN TONG WEST 1
9. KWUN TONG EAST 2
10. MONG KOK 1
1 1. SHAM SHUI PO EAST NIL
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST 1
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 1
14 . WONG TAI SIN NORTH 1
15. YAU TSIM 2
SUB-TOTAL: 17
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
1. ISLANDS
2. NORTH
3. SAI KUNG
4. SHA TIN EAST
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1
1
1
1
/5. SHA TIN ...........
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
19
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11 .
12.
SHA TIN WEST
TAI PO TSUEN WAN
TUEN TUEN YUEN KWAI KWAI
MUN EAST
MUN WEST
LONG
CHUNG
CHUNG
EAST
WEST AND TSING YI
1
NIL NIL NIL
1
NIL
1
1
ONE
SUB-TOTAL:
MORE NOMINATION FOR KWUN TONG BY-ELECTION ******
ONE NOMINATION FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION ON APRIL 21 WAS RECEIVED TODAY BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS TO TWO.
SHUN LEE (MONDAY),
THE FOLLOWING IS THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS
OF THE
CANDIDATE
WHOSE NOMINATION FORM WAS
RECEIVED
TODAY:
NAME
SEX
AGE
OCCUPATION
CONTACT TEL. NO.
CHEUNG KWOK- M KUEN (ALIAS CHEUNG KUEN)
43
MERCHANT
342 6891 OR
1128663 A/C 3426
- - 0 - -
- 0 - -
8
WORLD-RENOWNED
ACADEMICS INVITED TO WELFARE SEMINAR * » ♦ ♦ ♦
THIS
TO
MORE THAN 250 SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS (MONDAY) MORNING ATTENDED A SEMINAR ON FAMILY AND CHILD POLICY ENHANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON SOCIAL SERVICE POLICY.
ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ' ------ — WAS ATTENDED BY SWD
THE TWO-DAY SEMINAR, TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE. IT
(SWD), WAS HELD AT LADY STAFF, SOCIAL WORKERS STUDENTS.
FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
AND SOCIAL
WORK
______ KAMERMAN
UNITED STATES WERE INVITED AS SPEAKERS. THEY HAD PRESENTED ENLIGHTENING PUBLICATIONS IN SOCIAL POLICY AND PLANNING, CHILD WELFARE AS WELL AS PERSONAL SOCIAL SERVICES.
PROFESSOR ALFRED
KAHN AND PROFESSOR SHEILA
FROM
RICH
FAMILY
THE AND AND
WELFARE
MODES SOCIAL POLICY
THE CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (TRAINING) OF THE SOCIAL DEPARTMENT, MR STEPHEN LAM, SAID THE SEMINAR FOCUSED ON NEW AND APPROACHES IN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, EFFECTS OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND FAMILY STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTIONS ON CONCERNING FAMILY AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.
/"IN ADDITION
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1991
- 20 -
"IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON NEW PERSPECTIVES AND DIRECTIONS IN THE PLANNING OF FAMILY AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICES AS WELL AS THE BALANCE AND INTEGRATION BETWEEN PREVENTIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES," MR LAM ADDED.
THE TWO PROFESSORS WILL ALSO MEET DIRECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT'S FAMILY WELFARE BRANCH ON WEDNESDAY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN FAMILY AND CHILD WELFARE POLICY BOTH IN THE STATES AND IN HONG KONG.
-----0------
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION
*****
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 20) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY WAN HON STREET, HIP WO STREET, KWUN TONG ROAD AND HONG NING ROAD.
--------0-----------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED MING STREET IN TO KWA WAN TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO BUILDING WORKS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF 5 KAI SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER
PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 2 WAS POSTED ON THE (MONDAY).
FROM THE HONG PREMISES TODAY
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL BEGIN ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HAMISH MACLEOD NAMED NEW FS ............................................ 1
NEW VALUATION LISTS FOR 1991-92 ........................................ 1
REPLY TO TOBACCO INDUSTRY ON TAX ....................................... 4
PROGRESS OF PRIVATISING ABERDEEN TUNNEL'S MANAGEMENT ................... 4
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ............................. 5
GOVT AND PRIVATE SECTOR JOIN HANDS TO PRESERVE HK'S HERITAGE ........... 9
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ............................................... 9
FIXED PENALTY COURT COSTS TO BE INCREASED .............................. 10
HOURS OF LEARNER DRIVING TO BE EXTENDED ................................ 10
ENVIRONMENTAL BLACK SPOTS IN EASTERN CLEARED ........................... 11
HK TO HAVE FILM ARCHIVE SOON ........................................... 11
MUI WO CLINIC STARTS OPERATION NEXT MONTH .............................. 13
IMMIGRATION MOBILE TEAM PROVIDES NEW SERVICE IN MUI WO ................. 13
SIX NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ..................... 15
NEW APPROACHES TO DEVELOP CHILD CARE SERVICES .......................... 17
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY ON ATMOSPHERE OF LIVING PLANET EARTH .......... 17
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ......................................... 18
PO LEUNG KUK'S EFFORTS IN BUILDING NEW HOLIDAY CAMP PRAISED ............ 19
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
1 HAMISH MACLEOD NAMED NEW FS
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MR HAMISH MACLEOD WILL SUCCEED SIR PIERS JACOBS AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY LATER THIS YEAR.
SIR PIERS IS RETIRING AFTER 29 YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. *
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON SIR PIERS AND MR MACLEOD ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
SIR PIERS JACOBS, KBE, JP
AGED 57, SIR PIERS JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1962. HE SPENT THE EARLY PART OF HIS CAREER IN THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT, RISING TO THE POSITION OF REGISTRAR GENERAL IN 1976. HE WAS APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES IN 1982 AND TO HIS PRESENT POST OF FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN JUNE 1986.
MR N.W.H. MACLEOD, JP
AGED 51, MR MACLEOD JOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN 1966 AND ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENI SECRETARIAT IN 1988.
DURING THE EARLY PART OF HIS CAREER, HE HELD A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE FORMER RESETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT, FINANCE BRANCH, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
IN MORE RECENT YEARS, MR MACLEOD WORKED MAINLY IN THE FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC’ AND TRADE RELATED FIELDS. HE WAS DIRECTOR OF TRADE FROM 1983 TO 1987 AND SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY FROM 1987 TO 1989, WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY.
------0-------
NEW VALUATION LISTS FOR 1991-92
THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR BARRY WOODROFFE, DECLARED THE NEW VALUATION LISTS FOR THE YEAR 1991-92 AND FORMALLY "DELIVERED'’ THEM TO THE COLLECTOR OF RATES, MR CONAL O’KELLY, THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, AT A BRIEF CEREMONY THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THE COLLECTOR OF RATES WILL SOON BE ISSUING THE SECOND QUARTER RATE DEMANDS BASED ON THESE NEW VALUATION LISTS.
/THE VALUATION .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
- 2 -
THE VALUATION LISTS CONTAIN ABOUR 1,135,000 ASSESSMENTS, SOME OF WHICH ARE BLOCK ASSESSMENTS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF UNITS ASSESSED IS ABOUT 1.8 MILLION, WITH A TOTAL RATEABLE VALUE OF ABOUT $169 BILLION.
THE LAST REVALUATION WAS IN 1988 WHEN THE LISTS CONTAINED ABOUT 966,000 ASSESSMENTS WITH A TOTAL RATEABLE VALUE OF ABOUT $78 BILLION.
REGULAR REVIEWS OF RATEABLE VALUES ARE IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE RATES BURDEN IS DISTRIBUTED FAIRLY BETWEEN RATEPAYERS IN RELATION TO THE CURRENT RENTAL VALUES OF THEIR PROPERTIES.
THE EXISTING RATEABLE VALUES ARE BASED ON RENTAL VALUES AT OCTOBER 1, 1986 WHEREAS THE NEW ONES ARE VALUED AT JULY 1, 1990.
RATEABLE VALUES IN THE NEW LISTS HAVE, ON AVERAGE, INCREASED BY 85 PER CENT BUT INCREASES WILL VARY DUE TO CHANGES IN DEMAND, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE.
IN ORDER TO SOFTEN THE INITIAL IMPACT OF THESE INCREASES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN HIS RECENT BUDGET SPEECH, HAS PROPOSED BOTH TO REDUCE THE PERCENTAGE RATES CHARGED ON THE RATEABLE VALUES FROM 7.5 PER CENT TO 5.5 PER CENT AND TO IMPOSE A LIMIT ON INCREASES SO THAT RATES FOR ANY PROPERTY IN 1991-92 WILL NOT BE MORE THAN 25 PER CENT ABOVE THE AMOUNT PAYABLE IN 1990-91.
THE INCREASE IN RATES REVENUE HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO RAISE SUFFICIENT REVENUE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL
COUNCILS. ESTIMATED RATES REVENUES FOR 1990-91 AND 1991-92 ARE AS
FOLLOWS: 1990-91 $M 1991-92 $M INCREASE $M
URBAN COUNCIL RATES REGIONAL COUNCIL RATES GENERAL RATES 2,380 1 ,455 3,085 3,300 1,650 3,520 920 195 435
6,920 THE NET EFFECT OF THESE CHANGES - ABOUR EIGHT PER CENT (150,000 UNITS) R,47O WILL BE THAT: WILL HAVEA RE 1,550 DUCTION OR NO
CHANGE IN RATES;
- ABOUR 57 PER CENT (1,010,000 UNITS)WILL EXPERIENCEAN INCREASE LESS THAN 25 PER CENT; AND
- ONLY 35 PER CENT (620,000 UNITS) WILL EXPERIENCE A 25 PER CENT
INCREASE.
/INCREASES FOR .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
3
INCREASES FOR DOMESTIC PROPERTIES WILL GENERALLY AMOUNT TO LESS THAN HALF OF ONE PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE -- IN THE CASE OF PUBLIC HOUSING, THE AVERAGE INCREASE IS ONLY $19 PER MONTH BUT THIS WILL NOT RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE INCREASE IN PUBLIC HOUSING RENTS BECAUSE THE INCREASE WILL INITIALLY BE ABSORBED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
MR WOODROFFE STRESSED THAT RATEPAYERS SHOULD WAIT UNTIL THEY RECEIVE THEIR NEXT QUARTER’S RATE DEMANDS. THESE WILL BE SENT OUT OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS OR SO AND WILL SHOW THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES AND THE REVISED QUARTERLY RATES PAYABLE.
WHERE THE AMOUNT PAYABLE WOULD OTHERWISE BE MORE THAN 25 PER CENT ABOVE THE PREVIOUS QUARTERLY RATES THE AMOUNT OF RATES RELIEF WILL ALSO BE SHOWN. THIS WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE QUARTERLY RATES TO SHOW THE NET AMOUNT DUE.
THE VALUATION LISTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE TREASURY, 30TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, FROM APRIL 2 TO MAY 31 THIS YEAR. DISTRICT OFFICES WILL ALSO HAVE RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE VALUATION LISTS DURING THAT PERIOD.
ENQUIRIES AND OBJECTIONS
THE EXPLANATORY LEAFLET ENCLOSED WITH THE RATE DEMAND WILL GIVE A GENERAL EXPLANATION OF THE REVALUATION AND HOW TO OBJECT TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUE.
ANY ONE WHO STILL HAS ANY QUERIES MAY CALL AT THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AT 500 HENNESSY ROAD, 17TH FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, OR TELEPHONE 805 7666.
IF ANYONE WISHES TO LODGE AN OBJECTION TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUE, HE MAY, DURING THE MONTHS OF APRIL AND MAY ONLY, MAKE A PROPOSAL TO HAVE IT ALTERED.
PROPOSALS MUST BE MADE ON FORMS R20A WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR ANY DISTRICT OFFICE. PROPOSALS RECEIVED BEFORE APRIL 1 OR AFTER MAY 31, 1991 CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
IF PROPOSALS ARE MADE, THEY WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AND, IN DUE COURSE, THE COMMISSIONER WILL ISSUE NOTICES OF DECISION.
MEANWHILE RATEPAYERS SHOULD PAY* THE AMOUNT SHOWN ON THEIR RATES DEMAND. IF THERE IS AN ALTERATION IN THE RATEABLE VALUE WHICH RESULTS IN A REDUCTION IN THE RATES PAYABLE A REFUND WILL BE MADE OF THE AMOUNT OVERPAID.
--------0-----------
/4 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
4
REPLY TO TOBACCO INDUSTRY ON TAX ******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND HER DEPUTY, TODAY (TUESDAY) MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY LED BY MR JOHN SCARRITT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, REITERATED HIS STAND ON THE TAX INCREASE ON TOBACCO.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, EXPLAINED THAT IT HAD BEEN GOVERNMENT POLICY SINCE 1975 TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING, TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC (PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG) ON THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF SMOKING, TO REDUCE THE INFLUENCE OF TOBACCO PROMOTION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND TO LEGISLATE WHERE APPROPRIATE.
"I AM HEARTENED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING IS REFLECTED IN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET SPEECH.
’’THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH A MEASURE HAS BEEN BORNE OUT BY STATISTICS IN HONG KONG AND STUDIES ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG THEREFORE WHOLE-HEARTEDLY SUPPORTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THIS MOVE.
’’HOWEVER," SHE ADDED, "I WELCOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPLORING WITH THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY OTHER MEASURES TO FURTHER GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES IN THIS AREA."
------0-------
PROGRESS OF PRIVATISING ABERDEEN TUNNEL’S MANAGEMENT
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE PROGRESS OF PRIVATISING THE MANAGEMENT OF ABERDEEN TUNNEL, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL BE ISSUED SHORTLY TO THE SIX PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS SELECTED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE TENDER IS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL AND OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TUNNEL’S ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT AND PLANT.
A SINGLE CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FOR THREE YEARS WITH AN OPTION FOR THE EXTENSION FOR FURTHER PERIODS SUBJECT TO AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CONTRACT HOLDER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS APRIL 26 THIS YEAR, HE ADDED.
------0-------
/5 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 19,
1991
5
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED
♦ ♦ * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS, DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE MONTHLY.
AS THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME CONSUMING, THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED B\ THE COURTS LAST MONTH:
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE COURT
1 .KIN SUN CONE DYEING FACTORY LTD TEXACO RD, TSUEN WAN 7.4.90- 23.5.90 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 10,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
2.THE PRUDENTIAL HOTEL LTD DES VOEUX RD CENTRAL, CENTRAL 1.5.90- 18.7.90 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 2,500 * 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
3.ROSYEAR LTD JAFFE RD, WAN CHAI 10.5.90- 3.6.90 ft 1 ,000 1ST WESTERN
4.ASIA STONE CO LTD QUEEN’S RD CENTRAL CENTRAL 15.6.90 APCO: FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE UPON CESSATION FOR THE EXEMPTED PREMISES. 15,000 1ST TUEN MUN
5.MEGA BLEACHING * DYEING FACTORY LTD TA CHUEN PING ST, KWAI CHUNG 11.7.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK-SMOKE EMISSION 1,000 6TH TSUEN WAN
/6.J1NG MEI .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
6
6.JING MEI INDUSTRIAL LTD TSUEN KING CIRCUIT, TSUEN WAN 18.7.90 APCO: 10,000 FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 1ST TSUEN WAN
7.SHUN HING RESTAURANT KWEILIN STREET, SHAM SHU I PO 24.7.90 APCO: 2,500 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
8.BO FAT LAUNDRY CO LTD FUI YIU KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 26.7.90 ” 1,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
9.HO HOMAN WOOSUNG ST, TSIM SHA TSUI 1.8.90 NCO: 1,700 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
10.TOWEREED LTD FOR CASA DEL SOL CHING SAU LANE, CHUNG HOM KOK 10.8.90 WPCO: 8,000 DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED SEWAGE INTO PUBLIC STORM WATER DRAINS IN SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST EASTERN
ll.KAU KEE (BEVERLEY) RESTAURANT LTD CHATHAM RD SOUTH, TSIM SHA TSUI 23.8.90 NCO: 2,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
12.BO FAT LAUNDRY CO LTD FUI YIU KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 29.8.90 APCO: 2,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND TSUEN WAN
13.LEIGHTON-BRUCKNER FOUNDATION ENG LTD •PERCIVAL ST, CAUSEWAY BAY 7.10.90 NCO: 7,000 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 1ST EASTERN
/14.R0YCESKY INDUSTRIES .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
14.ROYCESKY INDUSTRIES LTD AU PUI WAN ST, FO TAN 23.11.90 wpco: DISCHARGE EFFLUENT IN BREACH OF THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 18,000 2ND SHA TIN
15.ICONA CO LTD । WONG CHUK YEUNG ST, FO TAN 23.11.90 If 20,000 4TH SHA TIN
16.LEE TAI (TUG MASTER) HON YICK CONSTRUCTION LTD, PRAT AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI 28.11.90 DASO: 3,500 SHORT DUMPING OE 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA 300 METRES OFF SHORE NORTH POINT 1ST EASTERN
AND EUNG YIU- KONG (BARGE OPERATOR) •1 tf If 3,500 2ND it
17.ICONA CO LTD WONG CHUK YEUNG ST, FO TAN 3.12.90 wpco: DISCHARGE EFFLUENT IN BREACH OF THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 20,000 5 TH SHA TIN
18.FANTA CONSTRUCTION CO LTD WAI CHING ST, YAU MA TEI 6.12.90 DASO: DUMPING OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NEAR NI NEP IN WITHOUT A IJCENCE 5,000 3RD EASTERN
AND CHAN AH-SHUl (TUG MASTER) FANTA CONSTRUC- TION CO LTD If II 3,500 1ST It
AND LO SAU ft 11 If 3,500 1ST II
LX) SAU (BARGE OPERATOR)
/19.HON YICK
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
8
19.HON YICK
CONSTRUCTION LTD
PRAT AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI
10.12.90 DASO: DUMPING OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NEAR HENG FA CHUEN WITHOUT A LICENCE
5,000
3RD
AND LEE TAI (TUG MASTER)
HON YICK CONSTRUCTION LTD
3,500 2ND
AND
KWOK KAM-
MOON (BARGE OPERATOR)
3,500 1ST
NOTE:
APCO: AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
NCO : NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO: DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
WPCO: WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
ON THE PROVISION OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE, 11 PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE FOR CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PLACES AT NIGHT WITH FINES RANGING FROM $50 TO $1,000.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID AN ACTION PLAN IN TOLO HARBOUR TO CONTROL DISCHARGES OF HEAVY METALS FROM FACTORIES CONTINUED. AS A RESULT, THE FACTORY IN CASE NUMBERS 15 AND 17 WAS FINED $40,000 IN TOTAL, BEING ITS FOURTH AND FIFTH OFFENCE. ANOTHER FACTORY IN CASE NUMBER 14 WAS FINED $18,000.
UNDER THIS ACTION PLAN, FACTORIES WHICH DISCHARGE HEAVY METAL WERE PUT UNDER CLOSE SURVEILLANCE. ROUND-THE-CLOCK MONITORING OF THE EFFLUENTS FROM THE MAJOR PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND ELECTROPLATING FACTORIES WAS CARRIED OUT.
---------0 - -
/9 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
- 9 -
GOVT AND PRIVATE SECTOR JOIN HANDS TO PRESERVE HK’S HERITAGE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE WORKING TOGETHER IN THE PRESERVATION OF HONG KONG’S HERITAGE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS SHELLEY LAU, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE HAU KUI SHEK ANCESTRAL HALL, MRS LAU SAID THE CEREMONY MARKED THE BEGINNING OF AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME TO RESTORE SELECTED HISTORIC BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
THE HAU KUI SHEK ANCESTRAL HALL, SITUATED AT HO SHEUNG HEUNG, SHEUNG SHUI, IS A TRADITIONAL THREE-HALL BUILDING CONSTRUCTED IN 1762 IN HONOUR OF HAU KUI SHEK, THE 17TH GENERATION OF THE HAU CLAN.
"WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PACIFIC AREA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA) FOUNDATION, WORK WILL BEGIN SOON ON RESTORING THE ELABORATE ALTAR IN THE ANCESTRAL HALL," MRS LAU SAID.
"RESTORATION OF THE HALL ITSELF WILL START SHORTLY AND BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1991. THE COST WILL BE MET BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"ALSO WITH THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE HAU CLAN, THE ANCESTRAL HALL WAS ACCORDED ’DEEMED-MONUMENT’ STATUS BY THE GOVERNOR IN 1987 ON THE GROUNDS OF ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE," SHE ADDED.
MRS LAU SAID OTHER BUILDINGS TO BE RESTORED DURING THE YEAR INCLUDED THE TANG CHUNG LING ANCESTRAL HALL, YEUNG HAU KUNG TEMPLE, HA TSUEN, AND KANG YUNG STUDY HALL.
"ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE COSTS WILL BE MET BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WOULD PAY FOR THE RESTORATION OF TANG CHUNG LING ANCESTRAL HALL," SHE ADDED.
------0-----------
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF Ihk! LIMITED AS a DEPOSIT-TAKINO COMPANT^HAS ^BEEN
PUBLIC FINANCE IHK) LIMITED
REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
ITS
- - 0-----------
/10 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
- 1U -
FIXED PENALTY COURT COSTS TO BE INCREASED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COURT COSTS PAYABLE UNDER SECTION 20B OF THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTION) ORDINANCE AND SECTION 9 OF THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE WILL RE INCREASED FROM $70 TO $125 WITH EFFECT FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 22).
AT PRESENT, UNDER THE ABOVE SECTIONS, A PERSON WHO INITIALLY DISPUTES LIABILITY FOR A SCHEDULED OFFENCE AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY ELECTS NOT TO PURSUE THE MATTER IN COURT HAS TO PAY THE DOUBLE FIXED PENALTY TOGETHER WITH A SUM OF $70 COURT COSTS AT LEAST 72 HOURS BEFORE A COURT APPEARANC’E.
THE NEW COURT COSTS WILL APPLY TO ALL ELECTIONS TO DISCONTINUE PROCEEDINGS ON AND AFTER MARCH 22 THIS YEAR REGARDLESS OF WHEN THE SUMMONS WAS ISSUED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JUDICIARY SAID INFLATION HAD GIVEN RISE TO THE NEED FOR THE INCREASE IN COURT (’OSTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR VALUE IN REAL TERMS. THESE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 19R4.
COURT COSTS ARE REGULATORY FEES AND ARE BASED ON THE NEED TO ENFORCE PAYMENT OF THE FIXED PENALTIES CONCERNED.
-------------------0------- HOURS OF LEARNER DRIVING TO BE EXTENDED * * » » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE PERMITTED HOURS OF DRIVING FOR LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE EXTENDED ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY AS FROM APRIL 1.
AT PRESENT, THE DAILY PERMITTED HOURS ARE:
SESSION I - 6 AM TO 7.30 AM
SESSION 2 - 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM
SESSION 3 - 7.30 PM TO 11.30 PM
FROM APRIL 1, THE PERMITTED HOURS FOR WEEKDAYS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED WHILE FOR SATURDAY, APART FROM RETAINING SESSION 1, SESSION 2 WILL BE EXTENDED, STARTING 9.30 AM AND LAST UNTIL 11.30 PM.
ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY, LEARNER DRIVING WILL BE PERMITTED BETWEEN 6 AM AND 11.30 PM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE REVISED MEASURE WAS INTENDED TO SPREAD OUT THE LEARNER DRIVING ACTIVITIES FOR A LONGER PERIOD TO HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAUSED BY LEARNER VEHICLES AND '1’0 ALLOW LEARNER DRIVERS MORE PRACTISING TIME.
--------0----------
/Il ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
11 ENVIRONMENTAL BLACK SPOTS IN EASTERN CLEARED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
EIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL BLACK SPOTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT WERE CLEARED AFTER THE REMOVAL OF 60 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN FOUR SEPARATE CLEARANCE OPERATIONS WHICH ENDED TODAY (TUESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THE CLEAN-UP WAS PART OF ONGOING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE LOCAL RESIDENTS’ LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WERE PUT UP IN PUBLIC BACK LANES OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST, WING HING STREET, KING’S ROAD, FACTORY STREET, SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, KAM WAH STREET, HING MAN STREET AND WANG ON ROAD.
THE CLEARED LANES WOULD BE REPAVED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND ALL DEFECTIVE UNDERGROUND FACILITIES WOULD BE REPAIRED BY RELEVANT PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CO-ORDINATED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE OPERATIONS WERE CARRIED OUT BY A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING HOUSING, BUILDINGS AND LANDS, URBAN SERVICES, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, FIRE SERVICES AND THE POLICE.
SOME 800 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN 50 BACK LANES IN THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN DEMOLISHED SINCE 1982.
----0------
HK TO HAVE FILM ARCHIVE SOON
******
THE IDEA OF SETTING UP A FILM ARCHIVE WOULD BE TRANSLATED INTO REALITY VERY SOON, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS SHELLEY l.AU, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG, MRS LAU SAID THE SETTING UP OF A FILM ARCHIVE WAS ESSENTIAL TO RETAIN A RECORD OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS.
”TO THIS END, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH HAS APPROACHED VARIOUS INTERESTED PARTIES, INCLUDING THE URBAN COUNCIL, WITH A VIEW '1'0 IDENTIFYING THE MOST APPROPRIATE ORGANISATION TO SPEARHEAD THE SETTING UP OF THE FILM ARCHIVE, AND TO RALLY THE SUPPORT OF ALL CONCERNED,” SHE SAID.
"OUR LOCALLY PRODUCED FILMS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING AWARENESS OF SOCIAL HERITAGE. AND YET, DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE FACILITIES, AND OUR FRIGHTFULLY HUMID CLIMATE, A LOT OF THESE FILMS ARE IN DANGER OF BEING DESTROYED GRADUALLY.
/“I FEEL .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
12
"I FEEL THAT THE GOVERNMENT, THE FILM INDUSTRY AND ALL ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN RETAINING HONG KONG’S SOCIAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE SHOULD SUPPORT THE IDEA OF SETTING UP A FILM ARCHIVE,” SHE SAID.
TURNING FROM FILM TO RECREATION, MRS LAU SAID THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH WAS CONCERNED WITH PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY WITH MEANINGFUL AND HEALTHY LEISURE PURSUITS.
’’THERE ARE 64 HOLIDAY CAMPS AND WATER SPORT CENTRES RUN BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
’’ALL THESE CAMPS AND CENTRES ARE LOCATED AT SCENIC SPOTS AROUND HONG KONG ISLAND AND I HE NEW TERRITORIES PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATION AND SPORT FACILITIES INCLUDING SWIMMING, CYCLING, ARCHERY, ROLLER SKATING, (’ANOEING, SAILING AND WIND-SURFING.”
MRS LAU SAID THE CHARGES OF THESE CAMPS AND CENTRES RANGED ONLY FROM $50 TO $100 PER. PERSON PER DAY, WITH THE GOVERNMENT SUBVENTING A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS.
SHE SAID THE UTILISATION RATE OF THE MORE POPULAR CAMPS CAME TO ALMOST 90 PER CENT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF (’AMPING ACTIVITIES IN PHYSICAL RECREATION FOR THE COMMUNITY, THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAS RECENTLY APPROVED $1 MILLION TO ASSIST THESE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
’’THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS HAVE ALSO APPROVED A SUM OF $150,000 TO ORGANISE A TOTAL OF 52 SPORTS TRAINING CAMPS IN THESE VOLUNTARY AGENCY CAMPS AND WATER SPORTS CENTRES,” SHE SAID.
ON HERITAGE, MRS LAU SAID AS A RESULT OF THE PLAN TO BUILD THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, A LOT MORE ABOUT HONG KONG’S PAST HAI) BEEN DISCOVERED THROUGH THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS THERE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
"EXCAVATIONS HAVE UNEARTHED A 1,000 YEAR OLD TANG DYNASTY INDUSTRIAL SITE.
"AT.LEAST A DOZEN KILNS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED, AND IT APPEARS THAT THEY WERE USED TO MAKE LARGE QUANTITIES OF LIME FROM CORAL FOR USE IN AGRICULTURE, THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY AND AS BUILDING MATERIAL.
"THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH INTENDS, UPON COMPLETION OF THESE EXCAVATIONS, TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS NEW KNOWLEDGE IS REFLECTED IN THE TEACHING OF LOCAL HISTORY IN OUR SCHOOLS," MRS LAU SAID.
SHE THANKED THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR FINANCING THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS AT CHEK LAP KOK, AND HOPED THAT WITH THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE RHKJC, AND THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, HONG KONG’S PLACE IN HISTORY ON THE SOUTH CHINA COAST WOULD BE STRENGTHENED.
MRS LAU ADDED THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS WOULD BE CONDUCTED LATER THIS YEAR TO ASCERTAIN THE PRECISE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RECENT DIGS OF A SITE AT PENNY’S BAY.
/13........
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 19t|
- 13 -
MUI WO CLINIC STARTS OPERATION NEXT MONTH
*♦♦♦♦*
THE NEW MUI WO CLINIC, WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING MUI WO DISPENSARY, WILL BEGIN OPERATION ON APRIL 1.
* It
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW CLINIC, LOCATED AT 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, MUI WO, WILL PROVIDE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES AND MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES.
IT WILL ALSO OPERATE A TRAVELLING DISPENSARY AND A ROUND-THE-CLOCK ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE.
AS APRIL 1 IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ONLY ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE CLINIC ON THAT DAY.
GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE CLINIC FROM APRIL 2, TRAVELLING DISPENSARY AND ANTE-NATAL SERVICES FROM APRIL 3, FAMILY PLANNING AND POST-NATAL SERVICE FROM APRIL 4 AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FROM APRIL 6.
TO FACILITATE THE REPROVISIONING EXERCISE, THE EXISTING MUI WO DISPENSARY AND ITS MATERNITY HOME WILL BE CLOSED FROM MARCH 29.
ALL ANTE-NATAL CLIENTS PREVIOUSLY REFERRED TO THE MATERNITY HOME WILL BE DIRECTED TO TSAN YUK HOSPITAL OR TAI O MATERNITY HOME FOR DELIVERY FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 22).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE NOW PROVIDED BY THE SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE THERE UNTIL 10 AM ON APRIL 1 WHEN THE HOSPITAL WILL FORMALLY CLOSE AND THE SERVICE BE TAKEN OVER BY THE NEW MUI WO CLINIC.
UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE HOSPITAL, THE DENTAL SERVICE CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY THE DENTAL CLINIC IN THE HOSPITAL, WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TAI O DENTAL CLINIC ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 10.30 AM TO 1 PM.
------0--------
IMMIGRATION MOBILE TEAM PROVIDES NEW SERVICE IN MUI WO
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT TO FURTHER EXTEND ITS SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE TEAM WILL PROVIDE DOCUMENTS SERVICE IN MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND FROM MARCH 26.
’’THE MOBILE TEAM WILL VIS 1'1’ MUI WO ON THE FOURTH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AND ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORT, CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY, RE-ENTRY PERMIT AND OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE REVISED
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
- 14 -
THE REVISED VISIT SCHEDULE OF THE MOBILE TEAM IS AS BELOW:
• DOCUMENTS SERVICE
PLACE OF CALL DAY TIME
SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE (TEL. NO. 792 7030) EVERY MONDAY, AND THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH 10 AM TO 12. 30 PM
MUI WO (TEL. • GOVERNMENT OFFICES NO. 984 7216) FOURTH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH 9.45 AM TO 1 1.45 AM
CHEUNG (TEL. ; CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE NO. 981 0838) EVERY FRIDAY 10.15 1.30 AM PM TO TO 3 12.15 PM PM
HANG HAU RURAL COMMITTEE (TEL. NO. 719 8377) SECOND AND FOURTH SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH 9.45 AM TO 1 1.15 AM
BIRTH AND MARRIAGE SERVICES
PLACE OF CALL DAY TIME
SAI KUNG RURAL COMMITTEE (TEL. NO. 792 7030) EVERY MONDAY, AND THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH 2 PM TO 3.45 PM
TAI O (TEL. RURAL COMMITTEE NO. 985 7229) FOURTH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH 1.30 PM TO 3 PM
CHEUNG (TEL. 1 CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE NO. 981 0838) EVERY THURSDAY 10.15 1.30 AM PM 1 TO TO 3 12.15 PM PM
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111 FOR ENQUIRIES.
------0--------
/15 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
15
SIX NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS
A TOTAL OF SIX NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNC1I AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MA> WERE RECEIVED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THREE WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND THREE FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THIS BRINGS TO 31 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.
SO FAR, EIGHT CONSTITUENCIES RECEIVED TWO NOMINATIONS. THEY ARE THE WAN CHAI, SHAU KEI WAN, KOWLOON CITY WEST, KWUN TONG WEST, KWUN TONG EAST, WONG TAI SIN SOUTH, YAU TSIM AND ISLANDS CONSTITUENCIES.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL LAST UNTIL MARCH 25.
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES -15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
WAN CHAI YEUNG WAN-KING F 32 HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR 576 8231 702 8484
KWUN TONG WEST LEE CHUN-MING M 33 RESTAURANT CAPTAIN, POET 322 9313 382 2081
WONG TAI SIN SOUTH YEUNG CHIU-MING M 4 3 MERCHANT 795 5252
REGIONAL COUNCI I CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
ISLANDS FUNG PAK-TAI M 74 - - - - - 981 8759
YUEN LONG NGAN KAM-CHUEN M 4 3 BANKING MANAGER 474 9982
TUEN MUN EAST TSO SHIU-WAI M 39 COMPANY DIRECTOR 459 7667
/FOLLOWING IS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
- 16 - .
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL RECEIVED SO FAR:
BREAKDOWN OF THE
NOMINATIONS
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. CENTRAL AND WESTERN NIL
2. WAN CHAI 2
3. NORTH POINT 1
4 . SHAU KEI WAN 2
5. SOUTHERN 1
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST 2
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST 1
8. KWUNTONG WEST 2
9. KWUN TONG EAST 2
10. MONG KOK 1
1 1 . SHAM SHU I PO EAST NIL
12. SHAM SHU I PO WEST 1
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 2
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH 1
15. YAU TSIM 2
SUB-TOTAL: 20
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONST ITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1 . ISLANDS 2
2. NORTH 1
3. SAI KUNG 1
4 . SHA TIN EAST 1
5. SHA TIN WEST 1
6. TAI PO NIL
7. TSUEN WAN NIL
8. TUEN MUN EAST 1
9. TURN MUN WEST 1
10. YUEN LONG 1
1 1 . KWAI CHUNG EAST 1
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TS1 NG YI 1
SUB-TOTAL: I 1
---------0-----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
- 17 -
NEW APPROACHES TO DEVELOP CHILD CARE SERVICES ♦ * * * *
taa > — mV
A CHILD SUPPLEMENT OF $170 PER MONTH WILL BE INTRODUCED TO HELP FAMILIES ON PUBLIC’ ASSISTANCE TO MgET eSPECIAL NEEDS FOR THE FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY). f
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ZONTA CLUB OF KOWLOON CHILD CARE CENTRE OF YAN CHAI HOSPITAL AT CHEUNG HANG ESTATE, TSING YI, MR CARTLAND NOTED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO EXPAND EXISTING SERVICES, TO ADOPT NEW APPROACHES AND TO DEVELOP NEW SERVICES TO CATER FOR THE CHANGING NEEDS OF CHILDREN.
APART FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF A CHILD SUPPLEMENT, HE SAID OTHER MEASURES INCLUDED THE EXPANSION OF DAY CARE FACILITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE WORK-BASED CHILD CARE CENTRES.
"THE ADOPTION OF A MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO THE PROVISION OF DAY CARE SERVICE THROUGH FLEXIBLE OPERATING HOURS AND THROUGH THE OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE WILL ALSO SERVE THE PURPOSE,' MR CARTLAND ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED WHITE PAPER DID RECOGNISE THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN GROWING UP IN THE RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
"IN THESE ENDEAVOURS TO PROVIDE A BETTER WORLD FOR OUR CHILDREN, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT ARE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL HAD PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN, MR CARTLAND COMMENDED THE ORGANISATION FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILD CARE SERVICE DEVELOPMENT.
------0--------
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY ON ATMOSPHERE OF LIVING PLANET EARTH ******
EVER SINCE 1961, WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY HAS BEEN CELEBRATED ON MARCH 23 TO COMMEMORATE THE COMING INTO FORCE ON THAT DAY IN 1950 OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGI (’AL ORGANISATION (WMO) CONVENTION.
THE CONVENTION PROVIDES A VERY IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK THAT ENABLES WMO TO MAINTAIN CO-OPERATION AMONG COUN I RIES IN METEOROLOGY AND OPERATIONAL HYDROLOGY.
/FOR THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
- 18 -
FOR THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION, A SPECIFIC THEME IS SELECTED TO PROVIDE A FOCUS. THE THEME THIS YEAR IS ’’THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE LIVING PLANET EARTH” WHICH IS MOST APPROPRIATE AT A TIME WHEN ALL COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON ISSUES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE KEY ROLE OF ALL METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES IN ACTIVITIES RELATED TO MONITORING AND PROTECTING THE GLOBAL ATMOSPHERE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
IN HONG KONG, TO MARK THE OCCASION, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL PRESENT A VIDEO SHOW AND A SMALL-SCALE EXHIBITION TO A SPECIAL AUDIENCE AT THE CONFERENCE HALL, CENTENARY BUILDING, 134A NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON FROM 10 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1991.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
THE VIDEO, ENTITLED "CLIMATE IN DANGER - WHAT CAN WE DO?", AND THE EXHIBITION ON HOW VARIOUS HUMAN ACTIVITIES IN ENERGY GENERATION, FOOD PRODUCTION, TRANSPORT, INDUSTRY AND SO ON HAVE AFFECTED THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE WHICH IN TURN MAY BE CAUSING A CHANGE IN THE CLIMATE OF THE PLANET EARTH.
UNDERSTANDING OF THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE CLIMATE SYSTEM REQUIRES CONTINUED OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH ON AN INTERNATIONAL SCALE. THE CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUE CALLS FOR CONCERTED ACTION INVOLVING MANY DISCIPLINES AND PROFESSIONS.
FOR THIS REASON, GUESTS INVITED TO THE FUNCTION WILL ALSO INCLUDE A NUMBER OF SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THE INDUSTRY SECTOR, AND TERTIARY AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES TN HONG KONG.
------0--------
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 23) AT THE RECITAL HALL. THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
OF SPECIAL
CITY HALL
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
EP3888 EP113 XX2688 CX5 5 7 EN272 EPl 116 ENI 88 EN2328 EP230 2221 EN219 EP6328 EN1 38 CR1 EP2098 EL328
AH7O7 ENI 123 EP3680 FP2 3520 BB8119 EP908 HK206 EM3332 AW3223 A.) 1112 EP560 EP1963 EN595 HK1932 EPI28
U I t- AA 1 1 3 AK219 EP6686 CA55 7
MH I 1 EN3 38 CW83 BB1010 EN8773
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1991
19
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 162ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
------0--------
PO LEUNG KUK’S EFFORTS IN BUILDING NEW HOLIDAY CAMP PRAISED
LADY WILSON TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED THE PO LEUNG HARD WORK AND GENEROSITY IN MAKING THE NEW TAI TONG POSSIBLE.
KUK FOR ITS HOLIDAY CAMP
SPEAKING AT THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY WHICH WAS THE KUK’S BIGGEST PROJECT YET, LADY CAMP WOULD OFFER YOUNG PEOPLE, FAMILIES AND THE GET AWAY FOR A WHILE FROM FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS EVERYDAY LIFE; A ('HANCE TO ENJOY THEMSELVES ENVIRONMENT.
OF THE HOLIDAY CAMP WILSON SAID THE NEW ELDERLY A CHANCE TO AND THE ROUTINE OF IN A PLEASANT, NEW
SHE NOTED THAT THE NEW HOLIDAY CAMP WOULD OFFER A MOST IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, FROM ARCHERY TO ROLLER-SKATING, FROM SWIMMING TO MINI-GOLF, AND III LL-WALK I NG .
"IN YEARS TO COME I THINK THERE WILL BE MORE CAMPS LIKE THIS AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE COME TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF RECREATION AND THE BEAUTY OF THE HONG KONG COUNTRYSIDE.
"THE PO LEUNG KUK WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PRIDE IN HAVING BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF SUCH A POSITIVE, HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT," LADY WILSON ADDED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS AND POSTINGS ANNOUNCED ......................... 1
22ND SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING TODAY ................................ 5
HONG KONG REPORT TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE .................................. 5
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 TO BE GAZETTED.......................... 6
FUTURE OF INDUSTRY TIES TO EMBRACING QUALITY ................................... 9
REMINDER ON TEXTILE EXPORTS LICENSING REQUIREMENT ............................. 10
HK GOES ON SHOW IN NORTH ENGLAND .............................................. 11
C & E DEPT GEARS FOR CHALLENGES AHEAD.......................................... 12
PUBLIC REMINDED TO CHECK IDENTITY OF CENSUS ENUMERATORS ....................... 13
JOINT WORKING GROUP REVIEWS YOUTH NEEDS ....................................... 14
REGISTRATION OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK REVOKED ............................... 14
POSTAL SERVICES DURING EASTER AND CHING MING .................................. 14
ONE NOMINATION RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ............................. 15
TWO MORE NOMINATIONS FOR SHUN LEE BY-ELECTION ................................. 17
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICES ON THE MOVE ......................................... 17
PUBLICATION OF OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1990 REPORT ON GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY . 18
DAIRY FARM FINED FOR SELLING SHORT-WEIGHED ICE-CREAM .......................... 19
FRESH WATER CUT IN JARDINE'S LOOKOUT........................................... 19
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
1
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS AND POSTINGS ANNOUNCED » » ♦ * »
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, PRESENTLY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, WILL SUCCEED MR ERIC HO AS CHAIRMAN OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN SUMMER. MR HO WILL RETIRE FROM THE CHAIRMANSHIP.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS AND POSTINGS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT IN THE COMING MONTHS.
* MR YEUNG KAI-YIN, PRESENTLY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, WILL SUCCEED MR HAMISH MACLEOD AS SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY;
♦ MR JOHN CHAN CHO-CHAK, PRESENTLY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, TO BE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER;
♦ MR JAMES SO YIU-CHO, PRESENTLY DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICE, TO BE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE;
» MR CHAU TAK-HAY, PRESENTLY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, TO BE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY;
♦ MR DONALD TSANG YAM-KUEN, PRESENTLY DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION IN THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S OFFICE, TO BE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE;
* MR HAIDER H.T. BARMA, PRESENTLY DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, TO BE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES;
» MR ADOLF HSU HSUNG, PRESENTLY REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES, TO THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES;
* MR NICHOLAS NG WING-FUI, PRESENTLY SECRETARY GENERAL, STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, TO BE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION IN THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S OFFICE.
THE OFFICIALS’ BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MR ERIC HO, CBE, JP
AGED 63, MR HO WAS APPOINTED CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN MAY 1987, AFTER HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE IN APRIL 1987. DURING MR HO’S CAREER WITH THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE, WHICH STARTED IN 1954, HE HELD A NUMBER OF SENIOR POSITIONS, THE LAST ONE BEING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. HE HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, AND A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH TEAM ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. HE WAS AWARDED THE CBE IN 1981 FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
/MR AUGUSTINE CHUI .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
2
MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, CBE, JP
AGED 57, MR CHUI JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1952 AND WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1964, RISING TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN 1986. DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF HIS CAREER, HE SERVED IN CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, THE FORMER COUNCILS BRANCH, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FROM 1980 TO 1981, DIRECTOR, CITY SERVICES AND THEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FROM 1981 TO 1985. HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES IN 1985, SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN 1986, AND TO HIS PRESENT POST OF SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE IN 1989. HE WAS AWARDED THE CBE IN 1991 FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
MR YEUNG KAI-YIN, JP
AGED 50, MR YEUNG JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1962, RISING TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN 1989. DURING THE EARLIER YEARS OF HIS CAREER, HE SERVED IN THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTS AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, FINANCE BRANCH, ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE FORMER TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT FROM 1980 TO 1981 AND DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES FROM 1982 TO 1984. HE WAS SECONDED TO THE EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AS COMMISSIONER FROM 1984 TO 1986. HE WAS DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY FROM 1986 TO 1989, WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER.
MR JOHN CHAN CHO-CHAK, LVO, OBE, JP
AGED 47, MR CHAN JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1964. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE TRADE OFFICER GRADE FROM 1964 TO 1970, WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN 1989. EARLY IN HIS CAREER IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, MR CHAN HELD VARIOUS POSTS IN THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH. FOLLOWING A SHORT BREAK IN HIS SERVICE, HE REJOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE TO SERVE IN THE SECURITY AND CIVIL SERVICE BRANCHES. MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE FROM 1983 TO 1984, DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE FORMER GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH FROM 1984 TO 1986, DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES FROM 1986 TO 1987 AND DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY FROM 1987 TO 1989, WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED TO HIS PRESENT POST OF SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. MR CHAN WAS AWARDED THE OBE IN 1985 AND THE LVO IN 1986.
/MR JAMES SO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
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MR JAMES SO YIU-CHO, OBE, JP
AGED 51, MR SO JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1962 AND WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1966. HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN 1989. DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF HIS CAREER, HE SERVED IN A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE FINANCE BRANCH, THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM 1979 TO 1981, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FROM 1982 TO 1986, AND ACTING SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION FROM 1986 TO 1987. HE WAS COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT FROM 1987 TO 1989, WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES. HE WAS AWARDED THE OBE IN 1991 FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
MR CHAU TAK-HAY, JP
AGED 48, MR CHAU JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER IN 1967. IN THE EARLY STAGES OF HIS CAREER, HE SERVED IN THE FORMER COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AND THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENTS, RISING TO THE RANK OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER IN 1979. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN 1982 AND WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN 1988. HE SERVED IN GENEVA AS COUNSELLOR (HONG KONG AFFAIRS) FROM 1979 TO 1984. FOLLOWING HIS RETURN FROM GENEVA, HE SERVED AS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE FROM 1984 TO 1985 AND DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) FROM 1985 TO 1986, WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON). HE WAS APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE IN 1988 AND TO HIS PRESENT POST OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE IN 1990.
MR DONALD TSANG YAM-KUEN, JP
AGED 46, MR TSANG JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1967 AND WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1971. HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN JANUARY 1991. DURING THE EARLY PART OF HIS CAREER, MR TSANG HELD A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENT BRANCH, FINANCE BRANCH AND CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH. MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DISTRICT OFFICER (SHATIN) FROM 1982 TO 1984, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE FROM 1984 TO 1985 AND DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE FORMER GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH FROM 1986 TO 1989, WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION IN THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S OFFICE.
/MR HAIDER .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
MR HAIDER H T BARMA, ISO, JP
AGED 47, MR BARMA JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1966 AND WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN AUGUST IN THE SAME YEAR. HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN 1989. IN THE EARLY PART OF HIS CAREER, HE HELD A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES) FROM 1982 TO 1983, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING FROM 1983 TO 1986 AND DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM 1986 TO 1987. HE WAS APPOINTED TO HIS PRESENT POST OF DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES IN 1988. MR BARMA WAS AWARDED THE ISO IN 1991 FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
MR ADOLF HSU HSUNG, JP
AGED 52, MR HSU JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1958 AS AN INTERPRETER/TRANSLATOR. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER GRADE FROM 1959 TO 1968, WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN 1988. DURING HIS EARLIER CAREER IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, MR HSU SERVED IN THE FINANCE BRANCH, THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION BRANCH. MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES FROM 1979 TO 1983, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (TSUEN WAN) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FROM 1983 TO 1984, DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE FORMER ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH FROM 1985 TO EARLY 1987 AND COMMISSIONER, SURVEY OFFICE IN 1987. HE WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE FROM DECEMBER 1987 TO 1989, WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES) IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MR NICHOLAS NG WING-FUI, JP
AGED 44, MR NG JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1970 AND WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1971. HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN 1989. IN THE EARLY STAGES OF HIS CAREER, MR NG SERVED IN THE FORMER COLONIAL SECRETARIAT, HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, THE NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND THE FORMER COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATION BRANCH. MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM 1985 TO EARLY 1987, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY IN 1987, AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES FROM 1987 TO 1989. HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY-GENERAL, STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN 1989.
/5 ........
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22ND SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING TODAY ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE 22ND MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD ON MARCH 20, 1991 .
THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR THE 1991/92 FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD AMOUNT TO 81 HECTARES.
THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES 22 HECTARES FOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT; 19 HECTARES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AND VILLAGE HOUSING; 17 HECTARES FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES, EDUCATIONAL, WELFARE, RELIGIOUS, RECREATIONAL AND OTHER USES; AND 23 HECTARES AS SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS.
THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED TO SET ASIDE FIVE HECTARES OF LAND IN A SUPPLEMENTARY LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME.
THE LAND COMMISSION WILL DECIDE DURING THE YEAR ON THE AMOUNT OF LAND TO BE RELEASED FROM THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMME IN THE LIGHT OF DEMAND.
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HONG KONG REPORT TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE
AN UPDATE TO HONG KONG’S THIRD REPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE WILL BE TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (MARCH 27).
THE UPDATE COVERS THE MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED IN HONG KONG TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE RIGHTS RECOGNISED IN THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AND ON THE PROGRESS MADE SINCE THE SUBMISSION OF THE THIRD REPORT ON THE UNITED KINGDOM AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES IN OCTOBER 1989.
’’THE UNITED KINGDOM SUBMITTED THE UPDATED REPORT ON HONG KONG TO THE SECRETARIAT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE LAST FRIDAY (MARCH 15)," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ENGLISH AND CHINESE COPIES OF THE UPDATED REPORT HAVE BEEN PLACED AT ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE MARKETING OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AT THE FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
/"THE UPDATE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
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"THE UPDATE TOGETHER WITH THE THIRD REPORT WILL BE STUDIED BY THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE WHICH WILL MEET A DELEGATION FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES IN NEW YORK BETWEEN APRIL 1 - 3 TO DISCUSS THE REPORTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HONG KONG OFFICIALS WHO WILL JOIN THE UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION INCLUDE THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR FRANK STOCK; ASSISTANT SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR PHILIP DYKES; PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR FRANCIS HO; AND PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALEX FONG.
ANOTHER PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MRS MARION LAI, WILL BE ASSISTING THE UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION ALTHOUGH SHE WILL NOT BE LISTED AS A MEMBER.
REPORTS ON THE UNITED KINGDOM AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES WERE LAST DISCUSSED BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE IN NOVEMBER 1988.
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COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 TO BE GAZETTED *****
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, WHICH WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (MARCH 22), 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, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
COMPANY SHARE REPURCHASES ARE PERMITTED IN SEVERAL MAJOR JURISDICTIONS INCLUDING THE UK, CANADA, USA AND AUSTRALIA.
"IN ITS REPORT ON THE EVENTS OF OCTOBER 1987, THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED, INTER ALIA, THAT THE MERITS OF ALLOWING COMPANIES IN HONG KONG TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN SHARES SHOULD BE FAVOURABLY CONSIDERED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SHARE REPURCHASES ARE GENERALLY ACCEPTED TO HAVE SEVERAL USEFUL PURPOSES. THEY PROVIDE A MEANS BY WHICH A COMPANY CAN RETURN SURPLUS CASH TO SHAREHOLDERS.
"THEY CAN ALSO SERVE TO SUPPORT THE PRICE OF A COMPANY'S SHARES DURING PERIODS OF TEMPORARY WEAKNESS.
"IN THE WORLDWIDE MARKET CRASH IN OCTOBER 1987, MANY PEOPLE NOTED WITH APPROVAL THAT THE PROMISE OF LARGE SCALE REPURCHASES BY A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF U.S. LISTED COMPANIES CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO STEADYING THE U.S. MARKET.
"FURTHERMORE, IN THE CASE OF A SMALL PRIVATE COMPANY THEY INCREASE MARKETABILITY OF SHARES BY ENABLING THE COMPANY TO BUY OUT A SHAREHOLDER WHO WISHES TO SELL BUT CANNOT FIND A PURCHASER.”
/IN JANUARY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
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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.
’’THE PROPOSALS RECEIVED BROAD SUPPORT IN THE MARKET. SUBSEQUENTLY A FEW LARGELY TECHNICAL CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE PROPOSALS TN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS RECEIVED,” HE SAID.
THE MODIFIED PROPOSALS WERE ENDORSED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM IN JUNE 1990.
"IN PROPOSING TO GIVE COMPANIES, LISTED AND UNLISTED, THE ABILITY TO REPURCHASE THEIR SHARES, WE HAVE MADE CERTAIN THAT SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF CREDITORS AND NON-SELLING SHAREHOLDERS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, THE MAIN SAFEGUARDS ARE THAT:
» THE PURCHASE MUST BE PERMITTED BY THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION;
♦ THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO ANY PURCHASE MUST BE OBTAINED;
♦ THE SHARES TO BE PURCHASED MUST BE FULLY PAID;
♦ THE SHARES MUST BE PURCHASED OUT OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS;
» THE SHARES PURCHASED MUST BE CANCELLED; AND
* THERE MUST BE PROMPT PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF ALL PURCHASES.
"THE ABOVE SAFEGUARDS AND OTHERS ARE CONTAINED IN THE BILL, A SHARE REPURCHASE CODE DRAWN UP BY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE REVISED LISTING RULES OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE,” HE SAID.
THE BILL PROVIDES THAT AN UNLISTED COMPANY MAY ONLY REPURCHASE UNDER A CONTRACT AUTHORISED IN ADVANCE BY A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE COMPANY.
A COPY OF THE CONTRACT OR A WRITTEN MEMORANDUM OF ITS TERMS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY MEMBERS OF THE COMPANY PRIOR TO AND AT THE MEETING AT WHICH THEY AUTHORISE THE REPURCHASE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT A LISTED COMPANY MAY ONLY PURCHASE ITS OWN SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SHARE REPURCHASE CODE.
"ESSENTIALLY, THE APPROACH IS TO REQUIRE COMPANY SHARE REPURCHASES TO BE ACHIEVED BY WAY OF A GENERAL OFFER TO ALL SHAREHOLDERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES SIMILAR TO THOSE APPLICABLE TO TAKEOVER BIDS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GENERAL OFFER RULE WOULD NOT APPLY TO CERTAIN EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS INCLUDING ON-MARKET PURCHASES MADE THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LISTING RULES.
/"THE REQUIREMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
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’’THE REQUIREMENT FOR LISTED COMPANIES TO OBTAIN PRIOR SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL APPEARS IN THE REPURCHASE CODE AND THE LISTING RULES," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"THIS IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FLEXIBILITY IN TIMES OF MARKET CRISIS, SINCE THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE HAVE THE RIGHT TO WAIVE ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE CODE AND THE RULES AS MAY BE WARRANTED BY EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
"WHILE THE SHARE REPURCHASE CODE AND THE LISTING RULES ARE NON-STATUTORY, WE PROPOSE THAT THESE INSTRUMENTS BE 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.
"THESE PROVISIONS RENDER A COMPANY AND ITS OFFICERS ACTING IN CONTRAVENTION LIABLE TO HEAVY FINES AND IMPRISONMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO DEALS WITH THE RELATED SUBJECT OF THE PROVISION BY A COMPANY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO A THIRD PARTY FOR THE PURCHASE OF THAT COMPANY’S SHARES.
IT CLARIFIES THE MEANING OF "FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE" AND IMPOSES A GENERAL PROHIBITION ON THE PROVISION OF IT.
HOWEVER, THE PROHIBITION IS SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF EXCEPTIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF UNLISTED COMPANIES.
LASTLY, THE BILL ALSO ADDRESSES THE SUBJECT OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS, WHICH IS CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH SHARE REPURCHASES.
THERE IS AT PRESENT NO STATUTORY PROVISION GOVERNING THE DISTRIBUTION BY A COMPANY TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS ALTHOUGH THERE ARE ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNED BY COMMON LAW.
THE BILL INTRODUCES PROVISIONS WHICH SERVE TO CODIFY EXISTING GOOD ACCOUNTING PRACTICE. A STATUTORY DEFINITION OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS IS DESIRABLE IN ITSELF AND WILL STRENGTHEN THE POSITION OF CREDITORS IN THE CONTEXT OF REPURCHASES SINCE, AS AN ESSENTIAL SAFEGUARD, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT REPURCHASES CAN ONLY BE MADE OUT OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS.
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FUTURE OF INDUSTRY TIES TO EMBRACING QUALITY
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY IS INEXTRICABLY TIED TO EMBRACING QUALITY, WHETHER IT LIKES IT OR NOT, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A REGULAR MEETING OF WONG TAI SIN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE ASSOCIATION, MR WONG SAID IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO CONVINCE ALL CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THIS POINT, BUT FOR THOSE WHO WERE CONVINCED THEIR COMPANY’S SURVIVAL IN THE INCREASINGLY FIERCE COMPETITIVE WORLD MARKET WAS MORE LIKELY TO BE ASSURED.
MR WONG SAID THE PURSUIT OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN MANUFACTURING MIGHT WELL PROVE TO BE ONE OF THE MORE IMPORTANT — CERTAINLY MORE DEMANDING - CHALLENGES FOR HONG KONG’S ENTREPRENEURS IN THE 1990S.
"AS IMPORTANT AS THIS CHALLENGE MIGHT BE, IT CANNOT BE SUCCESSFULLY MET UNLESS ALL COMPANY STAFF, FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO THE NEWEST RECRUIT IN THE WORKFORCE, HAVE A KEEN AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY TO THEIR COMPANY’S FUTURE AND A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL’S DEDICATION AND INVOLVEMENT IN COMPANY QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID NUMEROUS ORGANISATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WERE NOW EMBRACING THE QUALITY MESSAGE.
"THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC HAS LAUNCHED ITS QUALITY AND RELIABILITY CENTRE. IT WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE COURSES AND FACILITIES TO ENABLE A DIVERSE RANGE OF QUALITY RELATED TRAINING NEEDS TO BE MET.
"THE HOUSING AUTHORITY RECENTLY EMBARKED ON AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP, NOT ONLY OF ITS MATERIALS SUPPLIERS BUT ALSO ITS CONTRACTORS.
"THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS ALSO SUBJECTING ITSELF TO THIRD-PARTY QUALITY ASSESSMENT. THE DEPARTMENT IS DETERMINED THAT ITS NEW RANGE OF HARMONY BLOCKS WILL BE OF FIRST CLASS QUALITY AND NOT SUFFER THE HIGH RATE OF DEFECTS FOUND IN OLDER HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID SOME GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS WERE BEING WORDED TO INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS THAT CONTRACTORS WERE TO BE CERTIFIED TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF QUALITY BEFORE THEY COULD TENDER.
"OVERSEAS BUYERS FROM THE LARGE CHAINSTORES ARE ALSO DEMANDING THAT MANUFACTURERS SUPPLYING THEM BE ACCREDITED TO ISO 9000, THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE MESSAGE WAS TAKING HOLD GRADUALLY, BUT SLOWLY.
"THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY HAS BEEN OVERWHELMED BY THE BUILD-UP IN APPLICATIONS FROM COMPANIES FOR ASSESSMENT.
"THESE ARE ENCOURAGING AND POSITIVE STEPS WHICH AUGURS WELL FOR A FUTURE QUALITY COMMITMENT OF OUR INDUSTRIES," HR SAID.
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/10 .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
- 10 -
REMINDER ON TEXTILE EXPORTS LICENSING REQUIREMENT
*****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED TRADERS THAT THE LICENSING REQUIREMENT ON TEXTILE EXPORTS APPLIES TO THE EXPORT AND RE-EXPORT OF TEXTILE ARTICLES VIA ALL MODES OF EXPORT, INCLUDING COURIER SERVICE AND PARCEL POST.
’’ANY PERSON WHO TAKES, OR CAUSES TO BE TAKEN, OUT OF HONG KONG TEXTILE PRODUCTS NOT UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE MAY BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION UNDER REGULATION 4(1) OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THIS MEANS THAT, APART FROM THE CONSIGNOR, OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE EXPORT, SUCH AS THE CARRIER, THE FREIGHT FORWARDER AND CONSOLIDATOR, IN RESPECT OF GOODS EXPORTED VIA FREIGHT FORWARDERS AND CONSOLIDATORS, AND THE COURIER COMPANY IN RESPECT OF GOODS EXPORTED VIA COURIER SERVICE ARE EACH LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
"ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES REGULATION 4(1) SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $500,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT TOOK A SERIOUS VIEW OF ANY BREACH OF THE LAW AND ANY CIRCUMVENTION OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM.
"IN ADDITION TO LEGAL ACTION, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE MAY TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION AGAINST THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN MALPRACTICES RELATING TO TEXTILE EXPORTS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN RESPECT OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS EXPORTED BY COURIER COMPANIES, EITHER VIA ON-BOARD COURIERS OR THROUGH AIR-FREIGHT SERVICES, SUCH TEXTILE CONSIGNMENTS MUST BE COVERED BY VALID LICENCES AT THE TIME OF EXPORTATION OUT OF HONG KONG.
"THE COURIER COMPANIES (IN ADDITION TO THE CONSIGNOR AND THE AIRLINE COMPANY) MAY ALSO BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE IN RESPECT OF TEXTILE PRODUCTS EXPORTED BY THEM.
"THEY SHOULD THEREFORE, IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS, ENSURE THAT TEXTILE PRODUCTS EXPORTED BY THEM ARE COVERED BY VALID EXPORT LICENCES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, ALL TEXTILE EXPORTS FROM HONG KONG MUST BE COVERED BY VALID EXPORT LICENCES ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, EXCEPT THOSE TEXTILE ARTICLES EXEMPTED FROM EXPORT LICENSING UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS.
FOK THE PURPOSE OF THIS LEGISLATION, TEXTILES ARE DEFINED AS ANY NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL FIBRE PRODUCTS, AND ANY COMBINATION OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FIBRE PRODUCTS, IN THE FORM OF YARNS, FABRICS, GARMENTS OR OTHER MANUFACTURED ARTICLES.
TRADERS WHO REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION MAY CONTACT MISS PEGGY LAW, ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER, ON TEL. 398 5503.
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/Il .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20,
1991
11
HK GOES ON SHOW IN NORTH ENGLAND * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON TODAY (WEDNESDAY) LAUNCHED AN EXHIBITION IN LIVERPOOL TO SHOW TO LOCAL RESIDENTS THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE.
AS AN ON-GOING PROJECT TO ILLUSTRATE THE TERRITORY'S CULTURE, LIFE-STYLE, ITS FUTURE AS WELL AS JOB OPPORTUNITIES, LIVERPOOL IS THE SECOND UK CITY TREATED TO THE VIVID AND COLOURFUL DISPLAY FIRST HELD IN MANCHESTER ON MARCH 4.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAID THE EXHIBITION HAD MANY PURPOSES.
"IT IS HERE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE TO SHOW YOU WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE ARE AND TO DEVELOP CLOSER TIES OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN US AND THIS CITY.
"WE ARE ALWAYS READY TO WELCOME THOSE HONG KONG EXPATRIATES IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE INTERESTED IN RETURNING TO LIVE AND WORK IN HONG KONG ON EITHER A TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT BASIS.
"THE REWARDS FOR THEM WILL BE CONSIDERABLE," MR YAXLEY SAID.
EARLIER, THE COMMISSIONER OUTLINED THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LIVERPOOL WHICH WAS THE FIRST UK CITY TO WHICH CHINESE MIGRANTS, THE MAJORITY OF THEM ORIGINATED FROM HONG KONG, CAME AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.
"THEY AND THEIR DESCENDANTS HAVE KEPT UP THEIR CONTACTS WITH HONG KONG, THOUGH, AT THE SAME TIME, CONTRIBUTING TO THE SOCIETY WITHIN WHICH THEY NOW LIVE.
"IT IS THEREFORE ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE THAT WE SHOULD BE WITH YOU TODAY IN THIS GREAT CITY -- AND MOREOVER THAT WE SHOULD BE PRESENTING TO YOU AN EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BRING SOME ASPECTS OF CURRENT HONG KONG LIFE TO YOU AND THROUGH THIS FOSTER BETTER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING," THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
YESTERDAY, OVER 700 STUDENTS IN THE SHEFFIELD AREA ATTENDED A CAREER EXHIBITION TO SEE WHAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THE TERRITORY AND OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES HAD TO OFFER.
THE HONG KONG EXHIBITION, ALSO SET UP BY THE LONDON OFFICE AT THE INVITATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD, ILLUSTRATED THE TREMENDOUS JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TERRITORY, BOTH IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
AS PART OF THE "SOUTHEAST ASIAN RECRUITMENT FAIR", A DISCUSSION SEMINAR WAS HELD TO ENABLE STUDENTS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF BEGINNING A CAREER IN VARIOUS’ FIELDS IN THE TERRITORY.
MR AND MRS YAXLEY ATTENDED THE FAIR AS GUESTS OF HONOUR.
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/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
12
C & E DEPT GEARS FOR CHALLENGES AHEAD » * * «
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IS GEARED TO MEET NEW CHALLENGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE YEARS AHEAD, ITS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, MR S.F. LI, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LI TOLD THE ROTARY CLUB OF CITY NORTHWEST HONG KONG THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO DEPLOY STAFF TO MAN THE SECOND AIR CARGO TERMINAL WHEN IT BECOMES OPERATIONAL NEXT MONTH.
"WE WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO ADMINISTER A DIFFERENTIAL DUTY RATE ON LEADED AND UNLEADED PETROL TO BE EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 1.
"WE WILL BE ASKED TO ENFORCE TOY SAFETY STANDARDS WHICH WILL BE PRESCRIBED IN LAW PROBABLY IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE SAID.
MR LI SAID THE CUSTOMS WOULD ALSO BE INVOLVED IN THE LEVY ON CHEMICALS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE WHEN IT IS INTRODUCED.
"WE WILL MOST PROBABLY BE'INVOLVED IN THE SALES TAX SHOULD GOVERNMENT DECIDE TO INTRODUCE IT IN THE FUTURE.
"WE ARE, OF COURSE, ALREADY ENGAGED IN RE-WRITING THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, AND IN PLANNING CUSTOMS FACILITIES AT THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND THE RIVER TRADE TERMINAL AT TUEN. MUN," HE SAID.
MR LI SAID THE NEXT FEW YEARS WOULD NO DOUBT BE A VERY DEMANDING BUT INTERESTING PERIOD FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
IN MEETING ALL THESE CHALLENGES UNDER TIGHT STAFF RESOURCES, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PUT EMPHASIS IN TRAINING ITS STAFF, DEVELOPING INTELLIGENCE, ACQUIRING MODERN EQUIPMENT AND SIMPLIFYING PROCEDURES.
ON NEW RESPONSIBILITIES BROUGHT ABOUT BY CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, MR LI SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PAID GREATER ATTENTION TO POSSIBLE EVASION OF TOBACCO REVENUE FOLLOWING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF A 200 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE TOBACCO DUTY RATE.
HE SAID ACTION AGAINST SMUGGLING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WAS ANOTHER PRIORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT.
"THE FORMATION OF THE JOINT POLICE AND CUSTOMS ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE IS AN INTENSIFIED EFFORT TO CURTAIL SUCH SMUGGLING AT SEA," HE SAID.
MR LI SAID ANTI-NARCOTICS CONTINUED TO BE AN IMPORTANT TASK.
"IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ITS EFFECTIVENESS THE DEPARTMENT HAS DEVOTED RESOURCES TO DEVELOPING INTELLIGENCE AND STRENGTHENING THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION WITH OVERSEAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES," HE SAID.
/MR LI ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
- 13 -
MR LI SAID SPECIAL EMPHASIS WAS ALSO PLACED ON DETECTING ORIGIN FRAUDS ON TEXTILE PRODUCTS WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES BUT PASSED OFF AS HONG KONG PRODUCTS.
’’THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEMONSTRATING HONG KONG’S TRADING INTEGRITY AND UPHOLDING HONG KONG’S TRADING IMAGE,” HE SAID.
HE SAID ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST COPYRIGHT PIRACY, COUNTERFEITING, GOODS OF FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS OR INACCURATE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES WERE OTHER IMPORTANT JOBS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
"AT PRESENT, OUR PRINCIPAL TARGETS ARE THE HIGH LEVEL OFFENDERS, SUCH AS IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS, ALTHOUGH OPERATIONS ARE CONDUCTED OCCASIONALLY AGAINST TOUTS AND HAWKERS,” HE SAID.
0----------
PUBLIC REMINDED TO CHECK IDENTITY OF CENSUS ENUMERATORS ******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON AN ALLEGED IMPERSONATION OF CENSUS ENUMERATOR CASE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SUCH A REPORT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE POLICE.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, A PERSON VISITED A HOUSEHOLD IN KOWLOON IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 13 PURPORTING TO COLLECT SOME POPULATION INFORMATION. ON THE BASIS OF THE HOUSEHOLDER’S REPORT, IT IS SUSPECTED THAT IT WAS A CASE OF IMPERSONATING OF CENSUS ENUMERATOR.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BELIEVED THAT THIS IS AN ISOLATED CASE. THE POLICE IS CARRYING OUT AN INVESTIGATION AND THE ACTUAL SITUATION CAN ONLY BE ESTABLISHED AFTER INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, MOST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN VERY CAUTIOUS IN ESTABLISHING THE IDENTITY OF CENSUS ENUMERATORS. THEY UNDERSTAND THEY SHOULD CHECK CAREFULLY THE CENSUS OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY AND THEIR NAMES AND PHOTOGRAPHS.
THE DEPARTMENT ONCE AGAIN APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO VERIFY CENSUS ENUMERATORS’ IDENTITY WHEN BEING APPROACHED BY SOMEONE CLAIMING TO CONDUCT THE CENSUS. IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT, THEY SHOULD CALL THE CENSUS HOTLINE 827 1234.
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/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
14
JOINT WORKING GROUP REVIEWS YOUTH NEEDS ******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS HAVE JOINTLY SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW THE ACTIVITIES OF YOUTH CENTRES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE 90S, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FONG SHU FOOK TONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE IN SHA TIN, MR FUNG NOTED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WORKING GROUP WAS PROPOSED BY THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED WHITE PAPER. IT AIMED AT CHARTING THE COURSE FOR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES.
"WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY, ECONOMY AND POLITICS IN THE 90S, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAINTAINING COMMUNITY PROGRESS AND TAKING UP PRESSURE RESULTING FROM COMMUNITY CHANGES," MR FUNG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE WHITE PAPER HAD ALSO CONFIRMED THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.
MR FUNG APPEALED TO SOCIAL WORKERS OF THE CENTRE TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO SERVE LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE.
REGISTRATION OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK REVOKED
******
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF CTB AUSTRALIA LIMITED AS A RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MARCH 15 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 32(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
-----0------
POSTAL SERVICES DURING EASTER AND CHING MING
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE SPECIAL POSTAL SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS AND THE CHING MING FESTIVAL.
THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY EACH ON MARCH 30 (DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY) AND APRIL 1 (EASTER MONDAY). LETTERS WILL NOT BE DELIVERED ON MARCH 29 AND 31.
/ALL POST .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
- 15 -
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FROM MARCH 29 TO 31 AND ON APRIL 1, EXCEPT FOR THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WHICH WILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON MARCH 30 FROM 9 AM TO NOON.
MR WONG ADDED THAT ON APRIL 5 (CHING MING FESTIVAL) THERE WILL BE NO LETTER DELIVERY AND ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED.
------0--------
ONE NOMINATION RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS
ONE NOMINATION FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY WAS RECEIVED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NONE WAS RECEIVED FOR
TODAY’S NOMINATION BRINGS NOMINATIONS FOR THE UC/RC ELECTIONS.
SO FAR, THERE ARE EIGHT NOMINATIONS. THEY ARE THE WAN CHAI, KWUN TONG WEST, KWUN TONG EAST, AND ISLANDS CONSTITUENCIES.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILI
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
TO 32 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
CONSTITUENCIES EACH WITH TWO SHAU KEI WAN, KOWLOON CITY WEST, WONG TAI SIN SOUTH, YAU TSIM
LAST UNTIL MONDAY (MARCH 25).
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES 15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
SHAM SHUI PO EAST FUNG K1N-KEE, FREDERICK M 38 POST-GRADUATE STUDENT 778 1577
/FOLLOWING IS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
- 16 -
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED SO FAR:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. CENTRAL AND WESTERN NIL
2. WAN CHAI 2
3. NORTH POINT 1
4. SHAU KEI WAN 2
5. SOUTHERN 1
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST 2
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST 1
8. KWUN TONG WEST 2
9. KWUN TONG EAST 2
10. MONG KOK 1
11. SHAM SHUI PO EAST 1
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST 1
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 2
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH 1
15. YAU TSIM 2
SUB-TOTAL: 21
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS 2
2. NORTH 1
3. SAI KUNG 1
4. SHA TIN EAST 1
5. SHA TIN WEST 1
6. TAI PO NIL
7. TSUEN WAN NIL
8. TUEN MUN EAST 1
9. TUEN MUN WEST 1
10. YUEN LONG 1
11 . KWAI CHUNG EAST 1
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI 1
SUB-TOTAL: 11
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
17
TWO MORE NOMINATIONS FOR SHUN LEE BY-ELECTION
TWO NOMINATIONS FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION ON APRIL 21 WERE RECEIVED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS TO FOUR.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES
WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL. NO.
TAM YIU-WANG M 28 SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER 1168922 A/C 3301
HO SHUK-YI F 26 COUNSELLOR 342 4474 AND 527 9121 EXT 46
------------------0------- LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICES ON THE MOVE *****
FOUR OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES AT THE MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 30 LUEN WAN STREET, KOWLOON TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE OFFICES ARE THE DIVISION’S KOWLOON WEST REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, MONG KOK DIVISIONAL OFFICE, CATERING SAFETY OFFICE AND GENERAL DUTIES OFFICE.
THE CATERING SAFETY OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF PROVISIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE RELATING TO WORK SAFETY AND HEALTH IN CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS, WHILE THE GENERAL DUTIES OFFICE ENSURES EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES MEET THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
IN ADDITION, THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE, NOW SITUATED AT MA TAU WAI ROAD, WILL MOVF TO MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES ON MARCH 26( TUESDAY).
THE CENTRE IS EQUIPPED WITH UPDATED WRITTEN AND AUDIO-VISUAL CAREERS INFORMATION AND RENDERS CAREERS GUIDANCE TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
/THE NEW .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
18
THE NEW ADDRESSES AND ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE OFFICES
ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION
KOWLOON WEST REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS
SIXTH FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 399 2247
MONG KOK DIVISIONAL OFFICE
SIXTH FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 399 2245
GENERAL DUTIES OFFICE
SECOND FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 399 2253
CATERING SAFETY OFFICE
SIXTH FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 399 2243
CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE
CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE (KOWLOON)
SECOND FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 399 2241
399 2242
------0-------
PUBLICATION OF OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1990 REPORT ON GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY *****
THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1990 IS NOW AVAILABLE.
IT CONTAINS STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE QUARTER.
IT ALSO CONTAINS DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, INCLUDING THEIR AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT AT $11.5 EACH ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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/19 .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991
- 19 -
DAIRY FARM FINED FOR SELLING SHORT-WEIGHED ICE-CREAM
THE DAIRY FARM COMPANY WAS FINED $5,000 TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT KWUN TONG MAGISTRACY FOR SELLING ICE-CREAM BY WEIGHT SHORT OF THE QUANTITY PURPORTED TO BE SUPPLIED.
BY TEST
THE COURT HEARD THAT FOLLOWING THE REFERRAL OF A COMPLAINT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED PURCHASES AT DAIRY FARM ICE CREAM EXPRESS AT AMOY PLAZA, NGAU TAU KOK, ------------------------------------------- ~---- WAN CHAI, QN TWQ
AND DAIRY FARM CREAMERY AT 20-26 SEPARATE OCCASIONS LAST YEAR.
JOHNSTON
ROAD,
ON EACH OCCASION, AN AUTHORISED OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT PURCHASED FOUR CUPS OF 170-GRAM ICE-CREAM WHICH, ON WEIGHING AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT’S TESTING EQUIPMENT ON THE SPOT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SHOP MANAGER, WERE ALL FOUND TO BE SHORT-WEIGHED.
FOLLOW-UP TESTS BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY SHOWED THAT THE DEFICIENCY RANGED FROM 5.29 PER CENT TO 16.47 PER CENT.
ON EACH OF THE VISITS, THE SCALES IN THE TWO SHOPS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE ACCURATE.
--------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN JARDINE’S LOOKOUT »**»*♦
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN JARDINE’S LOOKOUT ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 22) TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF TAI HANG ROAD BETWEEN PERKINS ROAD AND PRICE ROAD, INCLUDING PREMISES ON MOUNT BUTLER ROAD BETWEEN THE SECTION FROM TAI HANG ROAD AND 111 MOUNT BUTLER ROAD, AND ALL PREMISES ON PERKINS ROAD, MOORSOM ROAD, MOORSOM DRIVE, BOYCE ROAD, MOUNT BUTLER DRIVE, PRICE ROAD, WILSON ROAD, COOPER ROAD, PURVES ROAD, HENDERSON ROAD, GOLDSMITH ROAD, CREASY ROAD AND CLEMENTI ROAD.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THE GOVERNOR VISITS NEW URBAN COUNCIL FACILITIES ........................... 1
ONE MILLION PAY LESS TAX UNDER NEW BUDGET................................... 1
INVESTOR PROTECTION OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE — FS ........................... 3
HONG KONG HAS LEADING GLOBAL AND REGIONAL ROLE ............................. 5
AWARD OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR CT8 ........................................ 6
INFORMAL INT'L MEETING ON VM'S NEXT WEEK ................................... 6
FRONTLINE TEACHERS SHOULD HELP STUDENTS RESOLVE DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS ..... 7
THREE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ....................... 8
CHILDREN DRAWING COMPETITION ON SUNDAY ..................................... 10
FUNDS FOR KWAI TSING SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES ............................... 11
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ................................... 11
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
1
THE GOVERNOR VISITS NEW URBAN COUNCIL FACILITIES
* ♦ * ♦ *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, VISITED THE URBAN COUNCIL’S HONG KONG PARK AND SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX TODAY (THURSDAY). HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE, THE VICE CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN LAU, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO.
THE GOVERNOR BEGAN HIS VISIT BY CALLING AT HONG KONG PARK WHICH IS NOW IN THE FINAL STAGES OF PREPARATION AT THE FORMER VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE IN CENTRAL AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $390 MILLION.
DURING HIS TOUR OF THE PARK, SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED ON THE MANY FACILITIES WHICH THE NEW PARK WILL OFFER TO THE PUBLIC WHEN IT IS OPENED IN MAY. HE SAW THE PROGRESS BEING MADE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WALK-THROUGH AVIARY, WITH A STAINLESS STEEL MESH ENVELOPE TO HOUSE A COLLECTION OF MORE THAN 600 BIRDS FROM THE MALESIAN FOREST.
SIR DAVID THEN VISITED THE URBAN COUNCIL'S SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX WHICH PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF MODERN MUNICIPAL FACILITIES UNDER ONE ROOF INCLUDING A MARKET, A COOKED-FOOD CENTRE, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AND A CIVIC CENTRE.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S 14 MULTIPLE-FACILITY COMPLEXES AND ON PROGRESS TOWARDS OPENING A FURTHER 13 WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
SIR DAVID CONCLUDED HIS VISIT BY MEETING SOME OF THE URBAN COUNCILLORS AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT A TEA RECEPTION IN THE COMPLEX.
------0--------
ONE MILLION PAY LESS TAX UNDER NEW BUDGET
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING THAT ALTHOUGH HE HAS INCREASED A NUMBER OF INDIRECT TAXES IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, HE HAS DONE QUITE A BIT TO SOFTEN THE BLOW INSOFAR AS THE LESS WELL TO DO ARE CONCERNED.
’’HENCE THE RAISING OF TAX ALLOWANCES AND ADJUSTING THE TAX BANDS SO THAT ONE MILLION PEOPLE PAY LESS THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE THE CASE; HENCE ALSO THE NEW RATE RELIEF MEASURES,” HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL SPRING DINNER OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, SIR PIERS SAID HE HAS A DISTINCT FEELING THIS YEAR THAT THE BUDGET DEBATE IS FOCUS I NG ON INDIVIDUAL MEASURES TN ISOLATION RATHER THAN ISSUES OF OVERALL SUBSTANCE.
"IT IS THE FATE OF ALL BUDGETS TO BE GREETED BY SQUEALS OF PAIN FROM THOSE WHO CAN IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFY THINGS THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR, AND WITH SILENCE FROM THOSE WHO KNOW OR SENSE THAT THEY MAY ACTUALLY PAY LESS,” HE SAID.
• N RESH >NSh
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
2
IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON INDIRECT TAX INCREASES, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF HIS KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES HAS BEEN TO REDRESS THE BALANCE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION.
"INDIRECT TAXES HAVE THE VIRTUE OF BEING MORE STABLE; AND, IN MOST CASES THEY ALSO ALLOW CONSUMER CHOICE TO SOME EXTENT.
"IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY SIMPLE TO PUT AN EXTRA PERCENTAGE POINT OR TWO ON DIRECT TAXATION, AND IT MIGHT HAVE ATTRACTED LESS CRITICISM. BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE WRONG MOVE THIS YEAR -- AN ARGUMENT THAT I MAY WISH TO DEVELOP IN THE BUDGET DEBATE ITSELF!"
ON THE QUESTION OF INFLATION, SIR PIERS STRESSED THAT HE HAS ATTACHED IMPORTANCE TO TACKLING INFLATION, AND MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN TO TACKLE IT.
"IN PARTICULAR WE ARE DOING IT BY STRICTLY CONTAINING THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC SECTOR SPENDING.
"IN THIS YEAR’S RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE, BELIEVE ME, THERE HAS BEEN BLOOD ON THE FLOOR. OVERALL, THERE IS LITTLE GROWTH. INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS HAVE HAD TO FIND SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS. THE RESULT WILL BE A LEANER AND MORE EFFICIENT PUBLIC SECTOR," HE ADDED.
BACK TO THE MAIN TOPIC OF HIS SPEECH — "HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: THROUGH THE 90’S AND BEYOND", SIR PIERS HIGHLIGHTED THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MAINTAINING THE LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN THE FACE OF EVER-INCREASING COMPETITION IN THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AND THE LABOUR SHORTAGE LOCALLY.
"WHILE THE NEED FOR UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY HAS MY FULL SUPPORT, ANY GOVERNMENT EFFORT IN THIS RESPECT SHOULD BE IN KEEPING WITH OUR INDUSTRIAL POLICY TO FACILITATE RATHER THAN TO DIRECT DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
"NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS A CLEAR ROLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND WE NEED TO DO MORE TO IDENTIFY AND PUBLICISE WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING.
"TO ACHIEVE THE UPGRADING OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THERE HAVE FOR* SOME TIME BEEN ONGOING PROGRAMMES INITIATED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. I BELEIVE THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING REPRESENTS A GOOD INDICATION OF THE PREFERRED WAY FORWARD."
AMONG THE MORE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ARE TECHNOLOGY CENTRES AND SCIENCE PARKS WHICH SERVE THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS WHICH FACILITATE THE COMMERCIAL APPLICATION OF NEW IDEAS.
TECHNOLOGY CENTRES ARE PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT TO ENCOURAGE THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE SO-CALLED "PRE-NEW TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS". AND SCIENCE PARKS WILL ENCOURAGE THE PROCESS BY PROVIDING THE FACILITIES TO ASSIST THE ESTABLISHMENT AND GROWTH OF THE SO-CALLED "NEW TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS".
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ALREADY ENDORSED THE PROPOSAL TO SET UP A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN YAU YAT TSUEN," SIR PIERS SAID.
/"FOR THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
- 3 -
"FOR THE TIME BEING ITS DEVELOPMENT IS BEING PLANNED AND DRIVEN BY A LIMITED COMPANY WITH THE NECESSARY FUNDING ALREADY APPROVED, BUT IN DUE COURSE, WE WILL ESTABLISH A STATUTORY CORPORATION WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY TO MANAGE THE CENTRE."
AS TO THE SCIENCE PARK, THE GOVERNMENT NOW CONSIDERS IT DESIRABLE TO EARMARK A SUITABLE SITE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"THIS COURSE OF ACTION HAS BEEN ENDORSED RECENTLY BY THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND GOVERNMENT IS NOW LOOKING ACTIVELY AT THE PROPOSAL," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS ALSO MENTIONED THE CONTRIBUTION BY THE TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OUTLINED THE PROGRESS IN THE STUDY ON THE TECHNOLOGY ROAD MAP FOR HONG KONG WHICH DRAWS ON THE TALENTS AVAILABLE AT THE SIX LOCAL TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
"THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ROAD MAPS WILL BE OF USE BOTH TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN CONSIDERING HONG KONG FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES, AND TO THE GOVERNMENT IN DEVELOPING ITS POLICIES IN RELATION TO THE PROVISION OF FURTHER TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE," HE SAID.
-----0-----
INVESTOR PROTECTION OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE -- FS
******
MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR MARKETPLACE AND THE PROTECTION OF OUR INVESTORS MUST BE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON JARDINE MATHESON’S ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY.
"THE COMPANY IS HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH OURSELVES AND WITH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION. WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE HOW THINGS GO," HE SAID WHEN SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AT THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES’ SPRING DINNER.
WHILE IT IS REALLY THE COMPANY’S DECISION WHERE IT CHOOSES TO BE LISTED, WHAT ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE INSOFAR AS HONG KONG IS CONCERNED IS A MATTER FOR DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE COMPANY, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SFC, SIR PIERS ADDED.
"THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED. IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME," HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE CONTENT OF THE DISCUSSIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE COULD NOT REVEAL THEM, BUT SAID THEY HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT EXEMPT LISTING AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE TAKEOVER CODE.
ASKED WHETHER THE REMOVAL OF JARDINE’S PRIMARY LISTING STATUS HERE WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A FINANCIAL Centre, sir piers said he did not think so.
/"THE IMPORTANT .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
4
"THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO GET THE RULES RIGHT SO HONG KONG DOES NOT SUFFER," HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT COMPLAINTS OVER THE 200 PER CENT RISE IN TOBACCO TAX, SIR PIERS SAID AS HE HAD POINTED OUT IN THE BUDGET SPEECH, THE INCREASE WAS FOR HEALTH REASONS.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF EVIDENCE TO SAY THAT IT IS DAMAGING TO HEALTH," HE SAID. "IF THEY REDUCE SMOKING OR EVENTUALLY GIVE IT UP, THEY WILL FEEL BETTER."
"AND FRANKLY, EVEN AFTER THE TAX INCREASES, A PACKET OF CIGARETTES IN HONG KONG IS STILL MUCH CHEAPER THAN IT IS IN CANADA, CHEAPER THAN IT IS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. I ACCEPT THAT IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IN SOME OTHER PLACES IN THE REGION, BUT FRANKLY OTHER PLACES IN THE REGION ARE NOW BEGINNING TO LOOK AT WHAT HONG KONG IS DOING AND THEY WOULD PROBABLY BE PUTTING UP THEIR DUTY.
"I'VE HAD MORE LETTERS OF CONGRATULATION OVER THAT MEASURE THAN OVER ANYTHING ELSE I’VE EVER DONE SINCE I’VE BEEN FINANCIAL SECRETARY. AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE ALSO PRAISING US, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE HEALTHY."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ABOUT SALES TAX, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS OPEN FOR (DEAS.
"WE ARE DOING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PLANNING, AND THE MAIN POINT I’VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE THROUGHOUT MY FIVE YEARS IS THAT WE DO NEED SOME FORM OF BROAD-BASED CONSUMPTION TAX.
"WELL, I’VE EXPRESSED THE PREFERENCE ON THE BASIS OF OUR STUDIES SO FAR FOR TAX AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL BECAUSE I THINK IT’S EASIER TO ADMINISTER, AND I THINK IT’S PROBABLY FAIRER, AND THERE ARE LESS POINTS OF COLLECTION OF THE TAX.
"BUT FRANKLY AS OUR DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE, WE MAY THINK OF OTHER ARRANGEMENTS. I’LL HAVE TO LEAVE THAT TO MY SUCCESSOR. THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO MAKE OUR TAX BASE MORE STABLE SO THAT AS WE GET DIPS IN THE ECONOMY FROM TIME TO TIME, WE DON’T HAVE TO CURTAIL OUR EXPENDITURE. THAT’S ALL IT’S ABOUT. IT’S NOT ABOUT FINDING OTHER WAYS OF TAKING MORE MONEY FROM YOU," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
5
HONG KONG HAS LEADING GLOBAL * * * t ♦
AND REGIONAL ROLE
HONG KONG HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BOTH REGIONAL AND GLOBAL BUSINESS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, MR PETER JOHNSON SAID IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ASIA SOCIETY, MR JOHNSON SAID WHILE STRONG TIES AND DEPENDENCIES BETWEEN ASIA AND THE U.S. REMAIN, INTRA-ASIA COMMERCE IS INCREASING.
"AT THE LAST COUNT, BETWEEN 30 AND 40 PER CENT OF ASIAN EXPORTS WERE DESTINED FOR OTHER COUNTRIES WITHIN THE REGION," HE TOLD AN AUDIENCE OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES.
"IN HONG KONG’S CASE THE PROPORTION IS MUCH HIGHER, DUE LARGELY TO SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN OUR TRADE WITH CHINA AND TO THE GROWTH OF OUTWARD PROCESSING ON THE TERRITORY’S BEHALF IN SOUTHERN CHINA."
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT JAPAN IS FAR OUTSPENDING THE U.S. IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT IN ASIA, MR JOHNSON EXPRESSED THAT A CONTINUING INCREASING U.S. PRESENCE IN ASIA IS DESIRABLE FROM HONG KONG’S POINT OF VIEW.
"I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS AN ENORMOUS RESERVOIR OF GOODWILL IN HONG KONG TOWARDS THE U.S., AN INCREASING U.S. PRESENCE SERVES AS EVIDENCE THAT U.S. BUSINESS IS STILL COMMITTED ON A GLOBAL BASIS AND IS NOT WITHDRAWING TO A ’FORTRESS AMERICA’: SOMETHING THAT MAY BE A TEMPTATION GIVEN THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE FTA TO INCLUDE MEXICO, THE AS-YET UNRESOLVED PROBLEMS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AND A LESSENING OF EXPECTATIONS IN THE SOVIET UNION AND EASTERN EUROPE," MR JOHNSON SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CURRENTLY THE INVESTOR IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING LARGEST INVESTOR OVERALL.
U.S. IS THE LARGEST OVERSEAS INDUSTRY, AND POSSIBLY THE
"U.S. FIRMS PROVIDE STRENGTH AND SUPPORT IN MANY WAYS," MR JOHNSON ADDED.
TURNING TO THE ECONOMY, MR JOHNSON SAID INTERNALLY HONG KONG CONTINUES TO PROSPER.
IN
LN 1990 REAL GDP GROWTH WAS 2.4 PER CENT, LESS THAN ------------------------------------------ --- FORECAST
RECENT YEARS, BUT A BETTER PERFORMANCE THAN MOST.
-------- IS f0REcAst
THIS YEAR IS 3.5 PER CENT. GDP PER HEAD
THE TO
OTHER FOR
BE US$13,400
IN 1991.
"IF HONG KONG WERE A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY THIS WOULD PUT US IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE UK, AND POISED TO OVERTAKE THEM WITHIN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE," MR JOHNSON CONCLUDED.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
6
AWARD OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR CT8 *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR HONG KONG’S NEXT CONTAINER TERMINAL, CONTAINER TERMINAL 8, WERE TO BE AWARDED TO A CONSORTIUM COMPRISING MODERN TERMINALS GROUP AND HONGKONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS GROUP.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE OPERATORS ARE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINA OCEAN SHIPPING CORPORATION AND CHINA MERCHANTS HOLDINGS CO. LTD WITH REGARD TO THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE CONTAINER PORT OPERATION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GRANT WOULD BE MADE BY MEANS OF PRIVATE TREATY. CONTAINER TERMINALS 4, 5 AND 6 HAD BEEN DISPOSED OF IN THIS WAY, HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT A MIXTURE OF GRANTS BY PRIVATE TREATY AND PUBLIC TENDER HAD PROVED AN EFFECTIVE WAY FOR HONG KONG’S PORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE DEVELOPED WITHOUT THE MASSIVE INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED.
CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 WILL OCCUPY AN AREA OF 58.47 HECTARES TO BE RECLAIMED ON NORTH WEST STONECUTTERS ISLAND. IT WOULD COMPRISE FOUR BERTHS AND HAVE A CAPACITY OF 1,600,000 TEU’S (20-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS). IT WOULD INCREASE HONG KONG’S CONTAINER TERMINAL CAPACITY TO 6.6 MILLION BY LATE 1995.
THE TERMINALS HANDLED 3.8 MILLION TEU’S TN 1990, IN ADDITION TO WHICH 1.2 MILLION WERE HANDLED IN THE STREAM.
THE NEW CONTAINER TERMINAL WILL HELP ENSURE THAT THE PORT WILL CONTINUE TO BE CAPABLE OF MEETING THE DEMANDS OF HONG KONG’S TRADE AND THAT OF ITS NATURAL HINTERLAND IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
-----0------
INFORMAL INT’L MEETING ON VM’S NEXT WEEK
*****
AN INFORMAL INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WILL BE HELD TN GENEVA ON MARCH 25 AND 26, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING, WHICH WILL BE AT WORKING LEVEL, WILL BE TO REVIEW PROGRESS WITH IMPLEMENTING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION.
HONG KONG WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0-------
/7........
THURSDAY, MARCH 21,
1991
FRONTLINE TEACHERS SHOULD HELP STUDENTS RESOLVE DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS ******
ALL TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN ASSISTING STUDENTS TO RESOLVE THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS AND NOT RELYING SOLELY ON GUIDANCE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS WORKING IN ISOLATION TO TACKLE PROBLEMS CASE BY CASE.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) IN OPENING A CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP ON THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO SCHOOL DISCIPLINE WHICH WILL END ON SATURDAY (MARCH 23).
MORE THAN 400 PRINCIPALS, DISCIPLINE AND GUIDANCE TEACHERS ARE ATTENDING THE EVENTS BEING HELD AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN KOWLOON.
MRS YUNG TOLD THE GATHERING THAT IT WAS TIMELY FOR A STAFF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY TO BE HELD NOW, WITH THE MEMORY OF THE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS THAT HAD OCCURRED RECENTLY TO TWO STUDENTS STILL FRESH IN MIND.
SHE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION THAT EXISTED IN SCHOOLS:
* TEACHERS COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS FOR THEM TO KEEP STUDENT DISCIPLINED AND HOW FRUSTRATING AN EXPERIENCE IT WAS TO TEACH STUDENTS TOTALLY UNMOTIVATED TO LEARN, AND
* GUIDANCE TEACHER HARD PRESSED FOR TIME TO HELP STUDENTS WHO BROUGHT WITH THEM EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS.
"SO FAR, IT APPEARED TO ME THAT OUR APPROACH HAS BEEN RATHER REACTIVE. TEACHERS TRIED HARD TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS WITH PROBLEMS AND ATTEMPTED TO HANDLE THEM CASE BY CASE," SHE SAID.
WHILE EFFORTS WERE FOCUSSED ON TAKING REMEDIAL MEASURES FOR A FEW STUDENTS, MRS YUNG SAID THE NEED OF THE MAJORITY OF ALL OTHER STUDENTS - WHO IN THE LACK OF APPROPRIATE CARE AND ATTENTION IS CUMULATING THEIR FRUSTRATION AND EMOTIONAL ENERGY TO CREATE YET ANOTHER PROBLEM CASE - MIGHT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED.
"THE CONCEPT (OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO SCHOOL DISCIPLINE) IS THAT INSTEAD OF GUIDANCE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS WORKING IN ISOLATION TO TACKLE PROBLEMS CASE BY CASE, ALL TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN ASSISTING STUDENTS TO RESOLVE THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS," SHE SAID.
"WE BELIEVE THAT TEACHERS, BEING IN THE FRONTLINE, ARE IN A BETTER POSITION TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS’ NEEDS, SETTING PRIORITY FOR TARGETS TO BE ACHIEVED AND IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMMES WHICH WOULD GREATLY REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF LEARNING, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS."
/MRS YUNG .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
- 8 -
MRS YUNG POINTED OUT THAT AS SCHOOL LEADERS, PRINCIPALS WOULD HAVE A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN MOBILISING ALL TEACHERS TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN CREATING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT IN THE SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS, SHE SAID, SHOULD ALWAYS BE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND TO STUDENTS’ PROBLEMS IN A POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER.
SHE SAID THE MAIN IDEA WAS THAT THE SCHOOLS SHOULD BE MADE TO BECOME:
♦ AN INVITING PLACE FOR THE STUDENTS;
♦ A PLACE WHICH THE STUDENTS IDENTIFY WITH, FEEL PROUD OF;
* A PLACE FOR SCHOOL LIFE WHICH THEY SHARE AND ENJOY; AND
♦ A PLACE WHICH IS REALLY CONDUCIVE TO THEIR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL ADAPTATION AND ADJUSTMENT.
SHE SAID THAT THIS, IN FACT, WAS THE APPROACH RECOMMENDED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 LAST NOVEMBER.
"TO INTRODUCE THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH AND TO SET THE CLIMATE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT," MRS YUNG SAID.
CONDUCTING THE CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP ARE TWO ADVOCATES OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH, MR CHRIS WATKINS, A LECTURER IN PSYCHOLOGY OF EDUCATION AND COURSE TUTOR IN PASTORAL CARE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON; AND MISS PATSY WAGNER, THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST AT THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA.
---------0-----------
THREE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS * * * * ♦ ♦
THREE NOMINATIONS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY WERE RECEIVED TODAY (THURSDAY).
ONE WAS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND TWO FOR THE REGIONALCOUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THIS BRINGS TO 35 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.
SO FAR, THERE ARE 10 CONSTITUENCIES EACH WITH TWO NOMINATIONS. THEY ARE THE WAN CHAI, SHAU KEI WAN, KOWLOON CITY WEST, KWUN TONG WEST, KWUN TONG EAST, MONG KOK, WONG TAI SIN SOUTH, YAU TSIM, ISLANDS AND YUEN LONG CONSTITUENCIES.
/NOMINATION OF .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
- 9 -
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES WILL LAST UNTIL MONDAY (MARCH 25).
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES -15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA MONG KOK NAME LAW WING-CHEUNG SEX M AGE 31 OCCUPATION CHEMIST CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
112 8073 CALL 1608
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
TSUEN WAN CHAN WAI-YIP, ALBERT M 36 SOCIAL WORKER 411 3107
YUEN LONG CHAN YAT-TUNG M 52 EDUCATION (HEADMASTER) 475 0010 478 2740
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED SO FAR:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1 . CENTRAL AND WESTERN NIL
2. WAN CHAI 2
3. NORTH POINT 1
4. SHAU KEI WAN 2
5. SOUTHERN 1
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST 2
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST 1
8. KWUN TONG WEST 2
9. KWUN TONG EAST 2
10. MONG KOK 2
11 . SHAM SHUI PO EAST 1
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST 1
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 2
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH 1
15. YAU TSIM 2
SUB-TOTAL: 22
/REGIONAL COUNCIL .......
WJRSDAY, MARCH 21, 1991
- 10 -
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
1. ISLANDS
2. NORTH
3. SAI KUNG
4. SHA TIN EAST
5. SHA TIN WEST
6. TAI PO
7. TSUEN WAN
8. TUEN MUN EAST
9. TUEN MUN WEST
10. YUEN LONG
11. KWAI CHUNG EAST
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
2
1
1
1
1 NIL
1
1
1
2
1
1
SUB-TOTAL: 13
- - 0 - -
CHILDREN DRAWING COMPETITION ON SUNDAY * * * * * t
A CHILDREN DRAWING AND PAINTING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THE PIAZZA OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON SUNDAY (MARCH 24).
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT CULTURAL AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL TO ENHANCE YOUNGSTERS’ INTEREST IN ART.
THE DRAWING THEME IS "YAU TSIM SCENES".
CHILDREN WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS - JUNIOR FOR THOSE AGED BELOW SIX; MIDDLE FOR SEVEN TO NINE AND SENIOR FOR THOSE AGED 10 TO 13.
ENROLMENT IS OPEN TO ALL CHILDREN ON THE SPOT. CRAYONS AND PAPERS WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR WONG KWOK-TUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMPETITION. THE CONTEST WILL BEGIN AT 12.30 PM WHILE THE PRIZE PRESENTATION WILL START AT 5 PM.
---------0-----------
/Il ........
THURSDAY, MARCH Zl, IR9I
FUNDS FOR KWAI TSING SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES * * * *
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IS INVITING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FOR ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD BETWEEN JULY 1 AND AUGUST 30 THIS YEAR.
A TOTAL OF $550,000 WILL BE DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT PROJECTING THE THEME OF "SHARING THE FUN AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY".
THESE MAY BE RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND CAN ALSO BE EDUCATIONAL IN NATURE.
THE MAXIMUM SUBSIDY FOR EACH EVENT WILL BE $3,000. APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AT 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE BY APRIL 20.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE ROOF OVER 7 ARTHUR 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 FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 7 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NOMINATION FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS CLOSES ON MONDAY ..................... 1
JAPANESE BUILT TANKER TO JOIN HONG KONG REGISTER .................... 4
DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS ................................ 5
1991/92 PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME ........................... 7
AUTHORISATION SOUGHT FOR AIRPORT RECLAMATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS ... 8
TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED .......................... 9
DRAFT OZP FOR MA ON SHAN PUBLISHED ................................. 10
FORMATION OF WORKS AREAS ON LANTAU ................................. 13
SHEK 0 ROAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED ....................................... 14
ROAD WORKS TO IMPROVE AP LEI CHAU DEVELOPMENT ...................... 15
LAND RESUMPTION IN NORTH DISTRICT .................................. 16
TENDERS INVITED FOR WORKS IN FO TAN ................................ 16
GAS SAFETY ORDINANCE AND SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS GAZETTED ........... 16
LICENCE GRANTED TO THE HACHIJUNI BANK .............................. I7
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO MOVE ITS OFFICES .......... 18
GOVT HOUSE TO OPEN FOR COMMUNITY CHEST ............................. 18
CAS PASSING OUT PARADE TOMORROW .................................... 18
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1923 - 28 .................... 19
UPDATED CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLES AVAILABLE ............................ 20
CASH ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ........................ 21
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL ........................................... 22
SUSPENSION OF FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY ................................ 22
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
NOMINATION FOR UC/RC FLECTIONS CLOSES ON MONDAY
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY (MARCH 25).
COMPLETED NOMINATION PAPERS MUST BE LODGED WITH THE RETURNING OFFICER OR ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS DURING OFFICE HOURS ON MONDAY.
’’THOSE PREPARING TO CONTEST IN THE ELECTIONS ARE REMINDED TO PAY THEIR ELECTION DEPOSIT EARLY.
’’ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY RECEIPTS OF ELECTION DEPOSIT,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE SAID.
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING 27 SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES -15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING NOMINATION IS QUALIFIED TO STAND FOR ELECTION. HE OR SHE CAN BE NOMINATED FOR ANY CONSTITUENCY.
NOMINATION FORMS AND GUIDANCE NOTES FOR CANDIDATES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE.
SO FAR A TOTAL OF 16 NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED FOR THE ELECTIONS, INCLUDING 30 FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND 16 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
ELEVEN OF THE NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED TODAY (FRIDAY). EIGHT WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND THREE FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED SO FAR WAS IN THE YAU TSIM CONSTITUENCY WITH FOUR CANDIDATES.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY:
URBAN COUNCIL CONST1TUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
CENTRAL & WESTERN DISTRICT WONG SHUI-LAI M 44 AIRLINE CARGO SUPERINTENDENT 747 8042 (DAY) 819 4448 (EVENING)
/SHAU KEI WAN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
2
SHAU KEI WAN CHIU KIN-MAN M 36 CONSTRUCTION CO. ENGINEERING MANAGER 558 5068 (RES) 116 9339 A/C 261
SOUTHERN CHAN YUEK-SUT, JOSEPH M 56 PRINCIPAL 555 6620
KOWLOON CITY EAST WONG HOU-KEI M 29 TECHNICAL INSTRUCTOR 309 1977 (OFFICE) 362 9825 (RES)
KWUN TONG WEST CHAN KAM-LAM M 42 MANAGING DIRECTOR OF A SHIPPING COMPANY 520 2218
WONG TAI SIN SOUTH WONG KAM-CHl M 4 3 COMPANY DIRECTOR 350 1082 116 1166 CALL 1000
YAU TS1M YU HON-BIU M 49 DOCTOR 385 5464 (OFFICE) 713 9248 (RES) 384 4853 (BEFORE 1030)
• WOO YAN-YUE F 49 PRINCIPAL 802 2131 893 1213 396 3432
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
TAI PO CHENG (’HUN-PING M 44 ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER 656 5599
KWAI CHUNG EAST LEE WING-KIN M 37 BARRISTER 799 5525 (RES) 116 3339 CALL 162
KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI YEUNG FOK-KI F 29 SOLICITOR 411 2228 (RES) 948 3599 (ELECTION AGENT)
/FOLLOWING IS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
3
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL RECEIVED SO FAR:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. CENTRAL AND WESTERN
2. WAN CHAI
3. NORTH POINT
4. SHAU KEI WAN
5. SOUTHERN
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST
8. KWUN TONG WEST
9. KWUN TONG EAST
10. MONG KOK
11. SHAM SHUI PO EAST
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH
15. YAU TSIM
1
2
1
3
2
2
2
3
2
2
1
1
3
1
4
SUB-TOTAL: 30
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS
2. NORTH
3. SAI KUNG
4. SHA TIN EAST
5. SHA TIN WEST
6. TAI PO
7. TSUEN WAN
8. TUEN MUN EAST
9. TUEN MUN WEST
10. YUEN LONG
11. KWAI CHUNG EAST
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSI NG YI
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2 2
2
SUB-TOTAL: 16
--------0----------
/4 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
4
JAPANESE BUILT TANKER TO JOIN HONG KONG REGISTER * ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, OFFICIATED AT THE NAMING CEREMONY OF M.T. "SEAFALCON" T- THE LARGEST SHIP SO FAR TO JOIN THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER -- IN JAPAN THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
THE 97,000 DEADWEIGHT TONNE "SEAFALCON", BUILT BY THE IMABARI SHIPBUILDING CO. LTD OF JAPAN AT A COST OF US$40 MILLION (ABOUT HK$312 MILLION), IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE FLEET OF THE VALLES GROUP OF COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
CHAIRMAN OF THE VALLES GROUP, MR K.M. KOO, AND THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE,RAISED THE VALLES AND HONG KONG FLAGS RESPECTIVELY DURING THE CEREMONY.
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VALLES GROUP, MR DAVID C.C. KOO, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION, WAS PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY HELD AT THE KOYO DOCKYARD IN MIHARA NEAR HIROSHIMA.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON AFTER THE RIBBON-CUTTING AND NAMING CEREMONY, MRS CHAN SAID THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER IS ONE WHICH CUSTOMERS SHOULD FIND VERY MUCH MORE MODERN, FLEXIBLE AND USER-FRIENDLY.
IT IS NOT SIMPLY A RE-RUN OF THE OLD, SHE SAID, POINTING OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO THOROUGHLY REVIEW THE WHOLE OF THE LEGISLATION, PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS, AND AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING THE HIGH STANDARDS TO WHICH SHIPOWNERS HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED.
"JAPANESE SHIPOWNERS, LIKE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS, WILL FIND THAT THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER OFFERS THEM FAR GREATER CONVENIENCE THAN BEFORE," SHE EMPHASISED.
FORMERLY SHIPOWNING COMPANIES WISHING TO REGISTER THEIR SHIPS IN HONG KONG WERE REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH THEIR PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHIN THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK) OR A UK TERRITORY.
"THIS WAS CLEARLY A MAJOR DISINCENTIVE TO, SAY, A JAPANESE COMPANY.
"THAT HAS CHANGED. NOW, OVERSEAS. COMPANIES NEED ONLY BE REGISTERED UNDER OUR COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE PERSON IN HONG KONG TO BECOME ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER THEIR SHIPS IN HONG KONG. PROCEDURALLY, THIS IS MUCH SIMPLER," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT ONLY SEVEN CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES OF WORLD RENOWN HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED TO CARRY OUT SHIP SURVEYS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S BEHALF, BECAUSE HONG KONG ATMS TO MAINTAIN A REGISTER OF HIGH QUALITY.
/"I AM ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
5
"I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI IS ONE OF THESE AUTHORISED SOCIETIES. THIS PROVIDES FURTHER FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE FOR JAPANESE SHIPOWNERS WHO WISH TO REGISTER THEIR SHIPS IN HONG KONG AND FOR HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS WITH THE SAME INTENTION, HAVING THEIR SHIPS BUILT IN JAPAN.
"TO ENHANCE FURTHER THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE NEW REGISTER, WE ARE PREPARING LEGISLATION WHICH WILL EXEMPT FROM HONG KONG PROFITS TAX INCOME DERIVED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, MAIL, LIVESTOCK AND GOODS UPLIFTED IN HONG KONG BY A HONG KONG-REGISTERED SHIP.
"THIS EXEMPTION WILL APPLY RETROSPECTIVELY FROM DECEMBER 3 1990 , " SHE ADDED.
AFFIRMING THAT THE NEW REGISTER REINFORCES HONG KONG’S POSITION AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING MARITIME CENTRES, MRS CHAN SAID OVER 500 SHIPPING COMPANIES NOW OPERATE FROM HONG KONG.
"THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT OF NUMEROUS WELL-ESTABLISHED LEGAL, FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE INSTITUTIONS AND CAN RELY ON FIRST CLASS TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES," SHE SAID.
ESSENTIAL AND EFFICIENT PORT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MRS CHAN SAID.
"AS IN JAPAN, PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE NEVER SATISFIED WITH YESTERDAY’S ACHIEVEMENTS. WE HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND OUR PORT INFRASTRUCTURE INCREMENTALLY TO COPE WITH DEMAND, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF THE GROWING VOLUME OF TRADE WITH SOUTHERN CHINA.
"TRADITIONALLY, MOST OF OUR PORT FACILITIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THIS SYSTEM HAS WORKED EXTREMELY WELL AND WE INTEND IT TO CONTINUE.
"AS IN OTHER AREAS OF OUR ECONOMY, WE HOPE TO SEE INCREASING JAPANESE INVESTMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN- OUR PORT INFRASTRUCTURE," SHE SAID.
-----0------
DECRIM1NALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS
*****
A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH PROVIDING FOR THE REMOVAL OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES RELATING TO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE BY CONSENTING ADULT MALES.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WAS DRAFTED FOLLOWING A FULL AND LENGTHY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST JULY, RESULTING IN A MAJORITY VOTE IN FAVOUR OF DECRIMINALISING CERTAIN HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), ALSO EXTENDS TO MEN AND BOYS THE PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION PRESENTLY AFFORDED TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.
/"AS INDICATED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
6
"AS INDICATED DURING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE, THE INTENTION IS NOT TO ENCOURAGE HOMOSEXUALITY BUT TO REMOVE UNJUST AND UNENFORCEABLE PUNISHMENTS AGAINST ADULTS WHICH ARE OUT OF KEEPING WITH MODERN LIFE AND THINKING ON THIS MATTER," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ALSO TAKES INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC CONCERN IN HONG KONG ABOUT ACTS OF GROSS INDECENCY AND THE NEED TO PROTECT THE YOUNG AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE," HE ADDED.
AT PRESENT, HOMOSEXUAL ACTS ARE ILLEGAL IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, CARRYING A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR ACTS OF GROSS INDECENCY BETWEEN MEN AND LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR ACTS OF BUGGERY.
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE ABOLITION OF OFFENCES INVOLVING HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR EXCEPT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. THOSE INCLUDE ACTS WHICH ARE NON-CONSENSUAL, OR IF MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE ARE PRESENT, OR IF EITHER PARTNER IS UNDER 21 EVEN WHERE THE ACT IS CONSENSUAL AND IN PRIVATE, OR IF THE ACT TAKES PLACE OTHER THAN IN PRIVATE.
AT PRESENT IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR A MAN TO HAVE CONSENSUAL INTERCOURSE WITH A GIRL BELOW THE AGE OF 16. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS AGE OF CONSENT WAS LONG ESTABLISHED AND THAT THERE WERE NO PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE.
"HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT AGREES TO THE PROPOSAL BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION THAT THE AGE OF CONSENT FOR MALE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS SHOULD BE 21," HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT MALES AGED BELOW 21 OFTEN HAD ONLY A LIMITED AND PERHAPS DISTORTED KNOWLEDGE OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITY AND ITS RAMIFICATIONS, MAY BE CURIOUS ABOUT AND INCLINED TO EXPERIMENT WITH NEW ACTIVITIES AND THUS BE LED INTO HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICES, AND WERE OFTEN EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY DEPENDENT ON OTHERS AND THUS MIGHT BE TEMPTED BY MATERIAL OR OTHER INCENTIVES TO CONSENT TO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
THE BILL PROVIDES MAXIMUM PENALTIES OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR NON-CONSENSUAL BUGGERY AND 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ASSAULTING A PERSON WITH INTENT TO COMMIT BUGGERY, FOR BOTH HOMOSEXUAL AND HETEROSEXUAL ACTS.
A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT IS PROVIDED FOR A MAN WHO COMMITS BUGGERY WITH A MAN UNDER THE AGE 21. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PENALTY WOULD APPLY TO BOTH PARTIES IN AN ACT OF CONSENSUAL HOMOSEXUAL BUGGERY WHERE EITHER PARTNER WAS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 BECAUSE OF THE UNDESIRABLE POTENTIAL FOR BLACKMAIL IF ONE PARTNER WAS COMMITTING AN OFFENCE AND THE OTHER WAS NOT.
"HOWEVER, IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT PROCEEDINGS WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THE PARTNER UNDER 21 WHERE THERE ARE NO OTHER AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES, AS THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW PROVISION IS THE PROTECTION OF MALES UNDER THIS AGE," HE POINTED OUT.
A SIMILAR MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT IS PROVIDED FOR A MAN WHO COMMITS BUGGERY WITH A GIRL UNDER THE AGE OF 21. THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NOT PROPOSED THAT THE GIRL SHOULD BE CRIMINALLY LIABLE, IN KEEPING WITH EXISTING LAWS DESIGNED TO PROTECT WOMEN AND GIRLS.
/THE BILL .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
THE BILL REMOVES CRIMINAL PENALTIES RELATING TO CONSENSUAL HETEROSEXUAL BUGGERY WITH A WOMAN OVER THE AGE OF 21.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ALSO OFFERS PROTECTION TO DEFECTIVES BY PROVIDING A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ACTS OF BUGGERY WITH A MALE OR FEMALE DEFECTIVE.
THE CRIMES ORDINANCE CONTAINS A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS WHICH PROTECT FEMALES FROM CERTAIN ASPECTS OF HETEROSEXUAL CONDUCT AND THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE MAJORITY OF THESE PROVISIONS TO BE EXTENDED TO PROTECT MALES FROM CORRESPONDING HETEROSEXUAL OR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL WAS ALSO AIMED AT SAFEGUARDING STANDARDS OF PUBLIC DECENCY. IT PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR A MAN WHO COMMITS HOMOSEXUAL BUGGERY AND TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS OF GROSS INDECENCY COMMITTED OTHERWISE THAN IN PRIVATE. THIS APPLIES TO ACTS WHEN MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE TAKE PART OR ARE PRESENT, OR THOSE WHICH OCCUR IN PUBLIC PLACES SUCH AS A LAVATORY OR BATHHOUSE.
"THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF COMMON LAW UNDER WHICH IT IS ALREADY AN OFFENCE TO COMMIT AN ACT , WHETHER THIS INVOLVES HOMOSEXUAL OR HETEROSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR, OUTRAGING PUBLIC DECENCY IN SUCH A WAY THAT MORE THAN ONE PERSON SEES, OR IS AT LEAST ABLE TO SEE, THE ACT," HE EXPLAINED.
- - 0 - -
1991/92 PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME
*****
FOLLOWING ON FROM THE LAND COMMISSION’S AGREEMENT TO THE DISPOSAL OF 81.285 HECTARES (HA) OF LAND DURING 1991/92, THE
GOVERNMENT’S PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME WOULD COMPRISE AN AREA OF 24.07 HA INVOLVING 35 SITES, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR BOB POPE, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY). MR POPE EXPLAINED THAT 22 SITES WILL BE AUCTIONED WHICH INCLUDED FOUR HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SITES IN KOWLOON, ALL O! ' IIICH ARE, OR PREVIOUSLY WERE, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTAL AND NON-DEPAR I'Mi.NTAl. QUARTERS.
TWO COMMERCIAL SITES, ONE IN ABERDEEN AND ONE IN KOWLOON WEST, WILL REQUIRE RESPECTIVELY THE INCORPORATION OF A MULTI-STOREY LORRY PARK AND A MULTI-STOREY CARPARK.
IN ADDITION TO THE GOVERNMENT QUARTERS SITES, A FURTHER SIX SITES WILL BE AUCTIONED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AND NINE SITES WILL BE SOLD FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN PURPOSES.
AS FAR AS SITES TO BE TENDERED ARE CONCERNED, THIS COMPRISED IN THE MAIN THREE LARGE SITES FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME WHICH WILL PRODUCE A TOTAL OF 6,830 FLATS.
/MR POPE
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
- 8 -
MR POPE STATED THAT IN ORDER TO MEET THE ONGOING LETTER A/B COMMITMENT, A TOTAL OF SEVEN SITES COMPRISING 5.08 HA WILL BE TENDERED.
THE SITES ARE SITUATED THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES -- TWO IN TSUEN WAN, AND THE REMAINING IN TSEUNG KWAN 0, TAI PO, YUEN LONG, FANLING AND SHA TIN.
THE PURCHASERS OF THESE SITES WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING EITHER A VINTAGE OR A "MONETISED LETTER B" TENDER, WITH PRIORITY BEING GIVEN TO THE FORMER.
HE ADDED THAT THE SITES WILL EQUATE TO A LETTER B REDEMPTION OF ABOUT 1.3 MILLION SQUARE FEET AGAINST A CURRENT COMMITMENT OF ABOUT SIX MILLION SQUARE FEET.
IN 1983, WHEN LETTER B CEASED TO BE ISSUED, THE TOTAL COMMITMENT WAS 35 MILLION SQUARE FEET AND HE IS CONFIDENT THAT THE TOTAL WOULD BE FULLY REDEEMED WITHIN THREE YEARS.
MR POPE SAID THE ANTICIPATED REVENUE FROM THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME AMOUNTED TO $4.07 BILLION WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE REVENUE RECEIVED IN 1990/91 OF $4.04 BILLION.
HE SAID THE REASON FOR THE REDUCTION IN REVENUE IN 1990/91 AGAINST THE ESTIMATES ($5.8 BILLION) IS SOLELY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE REVENUE FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 WILL BE RECEIVABLE IN 1991/92.
MR POPE SAID HE CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A BALANCED PROGRAMME THAT WILL PROVIDE FOR HOUSING, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL NEEDS, BUT REITERATED THE POINT THAT THE SALES PROGRAMME IS ONLY PROVISIONAL AND CAN BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
FURTHER DETAILS AND DATES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE AND MAJOR NEWSPAPERS TN THE USUAL WAY.
COPIES OF THE TENTATIVE LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR FROM ANY OF THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
--------------------------------0------- AUTHORISATION SOUGHT FOR AIRPORT RECLAMATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS ******
A NOTICE APPEARING IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) WILL REVISE THE BOUNDARY OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED WITHIN WHICH IT IS PROPOSED THAT RECLAMATION AND OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK WILL BE CARRIED OUT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKS BRANCH EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW AREAS INVOLVED COVERED 112 HECTARES ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND 385 HECTARES TO THE EAST OF IT.
/IT WAS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
9
LT WAS PROPOSED THAT DREDGING AND RECLAMATION SHOULD TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE 112 HECTARES AND THAT THE SEABED BE LOWERED WITHIN THE 385 HECTARE AREA TO ALLOW FOR MARINE ACCESS.
HE NOTED THAT AN AREA OF 2,450 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED HAD ALREADY BEEN GAZETTED FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED DEVELOPMENTS IN FEBRUARY 1990.
IN NOVEMBER 1990, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD AUTHORISED ADVANCE WORKS FOR THE AIRPORT TO COMMENCE WITHIN A 72 HECTARE PART OF THAT GAZETTED AREA.
TODAY’S GAZETTE NOTICE REPRESENTS A READJUSTMENT OF THE TOTAL AREA WITHIN WHICH AIRPORT WORKS ARE TO TAKE PLACE. OF THE 2,450 HECTARES COVERED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE TN FEBRUARY 1990, AN AREA OF 475 HECTARES WEST OF SHA LO WAN ON LANTAU ISLAND HAS NOW BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NOT BEING NEEDED FOR AIRPORT WORKS.
THE READJUSTMENT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS BEING NEEDED IN THE LIGHT OF PROGRESS BEING MADE IN DESIGNING THE AIRPORT SITE PREPARATION WORKS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA UNDER THE NEW APPLICATION WAS DESCRIBED IN A GAZETTE NOTICE TODAY.
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 MAY 21.
IT SHOULD DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE GAZETTE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS AT TUNG CHUNG RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE; MA WAN CHUNG, TUNG CHUNG; SHAM WAN TSUEN, CHEK LAP KOK; CHEK LAP KOK VILLAGE OFFICE; TAI O RURAL COMMITTEE; SAN SHEK WAN VILLAGE; SHAM SHEK VILLAGE; SHA LO WAN VILLAGE; SHA LO WAN VILLAGE OFFICE; SHA LO WAN JETTY; SAN TAU VILLAGE; AND SAN TAU VILLAGE OFFICE.
IT CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER), AND AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
------0--------
TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
SIX NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND TWO OFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE APPOINTMENTS WERE PUBLISHED TN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THEY ARE: ...I...
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
- 10 -
THEY ARE:
PROFESSOR ANTHONY WALKER
(PROFESSOR OF SURVEYING, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG)
PROFESSOR YEUNG YUE-MAN
MR DAVID LUNG PING-YEE
MR EDWARD PONG CHONG
MR ALFRED CHAN WING-KIN
MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG
(PROFESSOR OF GEOGRAPHY, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG)
(ARCHITECT)
(ENGINEER)
(ENGINEER)
(ADMINISTRATOR)
DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE)
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING
THE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR ONE YEAR, BEGINNING FROM APRIL 1.
WITH THE NEW APPOINTMENTS, THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WILL NOW COMPRISE 24 NON-OFFIC1AL MEMBERS AND SIX OFFICIAL MEMBERS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID.
HE SAID THE APPOINTMENTS WERE MADE IN RECOGNITION OF THE INCREASING WORKLOAD AND EXTENSION OF RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD TO PREPARE DRAFT PLANS FOR RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
-----0--------
DRAFT OZP FOR MA ON SHAN PUBLISHED
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (OZP) FOR MA ON SHAN.
THE PLAN COVERS ABOUT R18 HECTARES AND EXTENDS FROM TAI SHUI HANG VALLEY IN THE WEST TO NAI CHUNG AND KWUN HANG TO THE EAST, WHICH WILL FORM AN EXTENSION TO THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
IT IS AIMED AT INDICATING THE BROAD LAND USE ZONINGS AND MAJOR ROAD NETWORKS SO THAT DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE AREA CAN BE PUT UNDER STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID: "THE MAIN PLANNING INTENTION IS TO PROVIDE SUITABLE AREA FOR URBAN-TYPE DEVELOPMENT WHILE CONSERVING THE EXISTING SCENIC LANDSCAPE, NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND SUBURBAN CHARACTER IN OTHER AREAS."
/THE AREA.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
11
THE AREA, WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 200,000 UPON FULL DEVELOPMENT, WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A BALANCED COMMUNITY.
A TOWN CENTRE OF ABOUT 6.5 HECTARES WILL BE DEVELOPED AT THE CENTRAL AREA FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES, WHILE SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
IT IS ENVISAGED TO BECOME THE HUB OF SHOPPING ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE OF MA ON SHAN.
A TOTAL OF ABOUT 83 HECTARES AT THE PERIPHERY OF THE TOWN CENTRE IS ZONED AS "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)", WHICH ARE USED EITHER FOR PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OR FOR HIGH DENSITY PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
WITHIN THIS ZONE, A RANGE OF COMMERCIAL USES WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE LOWER THREE FLOORS OF BUILDINGS.
ABOUT 18 HECTARES ARE ZONED AS "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)". THEY ARE INTERMIXED WITH THE "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" LAND AT THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE TOWN CENTRE.
THIS ZONE IS BASICALLY INTENDED FOR MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH PERMITTED PLOT RATIOS OF THREE TO FIVE.
COMMERCIAL AND OTHER COMMUNITY USES TN THIS ZONE WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE PERMISSION FROM THE BOARD.
TWO SITES OF ABOUT II HECTARES ON THE EASTERN PART OF THE AREA AT CHEUNG MUK TAU ARE ZONED "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP (')" WHICH ARE INTENDED FOR LOWER DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT PERMITTED PLOT RATIOS OF ONE TO 1.5.
COMMERCIAL USES WITHIN THESE AREAS ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
A NUMBER OF TRADITIONAL VILLAGES, SUCH AS TAI SIIUI HANG, WU KAI SHA, CHEUNG MUK TAU, SAI O, NAI CHUNG AND KWUN HANG ARE ZONED AS "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT" WITH THE AIM TO PRESERVE THE EXISTING VILLAGE CHARACTER AND TO ALLOW ROOM FOR EXPANSION.
A SITE AT THE SOUTHWEST OF HENG ON ESTATE, NEAR THE WESTERN END OF THE AREA, IS ZONED AS "INDUSTRIAL" IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS TO OTHER DEVELOPMENT AREAS.
THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MA ON SHAN WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED BY THE EXISTING AND PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SHA TIN.
ABOUT 41 HECTARES ARE ZONED FOR OPEN SPACE AND ABOUT 62 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT/INST1 TUTION/COMMUNITY USES.
THEY INCLUDE THE MA ON SHAN TOWN PARK, SPORTS COMPLEX, THE WU KAI SHA YOUTH VILLAGE, UNITED WORLD COLLEGE - HONG KONG, HOLIDAY CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, POLICE STATION, FIRE STATION, AMBULANCE DEPOT, SCHOOLS AND SERVICE RESERVOIRS.
/IN ORDER .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
- 12 -
IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE AND VEGETATION FROM URBAN ENCROACHMENT, ABOUT 410 HECTARES ARE ZONED AS "GREEN BELT".
ABOUT 12 HECTARES ARE ZONED AS "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" WHICH INCLUDE SITES RESERVED FOR THE POSSIBLE RAIL TRANSIT DEPOT, WATER TREATMENT WORKS AND PETROL FILLING STATIONS.
TWO SITES WHICH REQUIRE FURTHER DETAILED PLANNING STUDY ARE ZONED AS "UNDETERMINED". ONE OF THEM IS LOCATED AT THE MOUTH OF SHING MUN RIVER WHILE THE OTHER IS AT THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
A COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM COMPRISING ROADS, PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS AND CYCLE TRACKS HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR MA ON SHAN.
IN ADDITION, A RESERVE FOR THE POSSIBLE RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM HAS ALSO BEEN PROPOSED ON THE PLAN.
THE EXTERNAL ROAD LINKS ARE PLANNED IN THREE DIRECTIONS: ROAD T6 WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED THIS SUMMER WILL OFFER LINKAGE WITH THE TOLO HIGHWAY; TO THE SOUTH, MA ON SHAN ROAD PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE FUTURE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL TO EAST KOWLOON; AND SAI SHA ROAD IN THE EAST GIVES DIRECT ACCESS TO SAI KUNG.
INTERNALLY, LAND HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR ROAD T7 WHICH SERVES AS A BY-PASS OF THE AREA AND SKIRTS THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AREA IN THE EAST-WEST DIRECTION.
A HIERARCHY OF ROADS HAS BEEN PLANNED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND CONVENIENT ACCESS TO VARIOUS AREAS.
THE DRAFT OZP IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS AT:
♦ PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG;
♦ PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
» SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN; AND
♦ TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO.
COPIES OF THE PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT $ 10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $120 EACH COLOURED.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE PLAN SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD BEFORE MAY 22 THIS YEAR.
/13........
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
-INFORMATION OF WORKS AREAS ON LANTAU ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION AT CHOK KO WAN, LANTAU ISLAND, TO FORM A WORKS AREA FOR FUTURE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS.
THE PROPOSED WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 33.2 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT CHOK KO WAN.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DREDGE WITHIN TWO AREAS OF ABOUT 348 HECTARES OF SEABED NORTH OF LANTAU TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES 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 SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MAY 21.
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.
NOTICES (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
FOR THE CHOK KO WAN SITE, THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14 I H FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL; MUI WO SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MUI WO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND; AND CHEUNG CHAU SUB-OFFICE, 22 SAN HING STREET, GROUND FLOOR, CHEUNG CHAU.
FOR THE NORTH LANTAU SITE, THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT HE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE IN MURR'Y BUILDING AND AT THE THEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TURN Ml? GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, THEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
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/14 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
14
SHEK 0 ROAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RE-ALIGN A SECTION OF EXISTING SHEK O ROAD AT TAI FUNG AU (WINDY GAP), HONG KONG ISLAND TO FACILITATE THE REHABILITATION OF SHEK O QUARRY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID QUARRY OPERATIONS AT SHEK O HAD RESULTED IN A MAJOR VISUAL INTRUSION IN THE SCENIC AREA OF STANLEY AND TAI TAM BAY.
TO REDRESS LASTING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, THE GOVERNMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE QUARRY OPERATOR, HAD DEVISED A SCHEME TO TRANSFORM THE SHEK O QUARRY INTO A FULLY LANDSCAPED AND REVEGETATION LANDFORM SURROUNDING IN AN INLET OFF TAI TAM BAY.
’’LANDSCAPE REINSTATEMENT OF THE QUARRY TO FORM A NATURAL-LOOKING VEGETATED SLOPE INVOLVES THE FLATTENING OF THE EXISTING SLOPES.
"THE DIVERSION OF A SECTION OF THE SHEK O ROAD ADJACENT TO TAI FUNG AU (WINDY GAP) IS REQUIRED AND WILL FORM THE FIRST PHASE OF THE QUARRY REHABILITATION WORKS," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CARRIAGEWAY AND FOOTWAYS; PERMANENT CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF THE EXISTING SHEK O ROAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED CUT SLOPE, TRAFFIC ISLAND, VERGE AND FOOTPATH.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFF I CES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* HONG KONG SOUTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG; AND
* STANLEY SUB-OFFICE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 88 STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD, STANLEY, HONG KONG.
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 MAY 21.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
15
ROAD WORKS TO IMPROVE AP LEI CHAU DEVELOPMENT
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO IMPROVE THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AP LEI CHAU INLAND LOT NO. 121.
THE PROPOSED WORKS WILL INCLUDE:
* RECONSTRUCTION AND WIDENING OF A SECTION OF AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD, BETWEEN LEI TUNG ESTATE ROAD IN THE EAST AND THE BUS STATION AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE IN THE WEST, TO DUAL CARRIAGEWAY STANDARD;
♦ RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD JUNCTIONS OF AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD WITH LEI TUNG ESTATE ROAD AND LEE CHI ROAD;
♦ CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXTENSION TO AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD FROM THE BUS STATION AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE FOR ACCESS TO AP LEI CHAU INLAND LOT NO. 121 DEVELOPMENT;
* RECONSTRUCTION AND WIDENING OF A SECTION OF LEE NAM ROAD TO DUAL CARRIAGEWAY STANDARD;
» RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD LEADING TO THE BUS STATION AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE;
* CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS AND STAIRCASES; AND
* CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS, CAISSON WALL, SLOPES AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE TN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLANS AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
♦ CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* HONG KONG SOUTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG;
* AP LEI CHAU SUB-OFFICE, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL, LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 21.
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/16 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
16
LAND RESUMPTION IN NORTH DISTRICT * « »
THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESUME 19 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS IN NORTH DISTRICT TO PROVIDE LAND FOR HAUL ROUTES AND A BORROW AREA FOR THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL AT TA KWU LING.
THE LOTS, SITUATED AT NGONG TONG AND SHUI NGAU TSO, WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 25,848 SQUARE METRES, WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING NOTICES ON THEM.
DETAILS OF RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
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TENDERS INVITED FOR WORKS IN FO TAN
» » » * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SERVICING AND MINOR FORMATION IN FO TAN VILLAGE AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE FORMATION OF PLATFORMS FOR VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT HOUSES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS ROAD.
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE AN ELECTRIC SUBSTATION, A WATER STORAGE POND AND A PUMP HOUSE, RETAINING WALLS, SLOPE TREATMENT WORKS AND A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.
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GAS SAFETY ORDINANCE AND SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS GAZETTED
THE GAS SAFETY ORDINANCE 1990, TOGETHER WITH SOME SECTIONS OF SIX SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE PROVISIONS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LEGISLATION IS AIMED AT CONTROLLING, IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY, THE IMPORTATION, MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, TRANSPORT, SUPPLY AND USE OF GAS, LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS, NATURAL GAS OR ANY MIXTURE OF SUCH GASES.
/THE SUBSIDIARY .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
17 -
THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS ARE:
♦ GAS SAFETY (GAS QUALITY) REGULATION 1990
♦ GAS SAFETY (GAS SUPPLY) REGULATIONS 1990
♦ GAS SAFETY (INSTALLATION AND USE) REGULATIONS 1990
* GAS SAFETY (MISCELLANEOUS) REGULATIONS 1990
♦ GAS SAFETY (REGISTRATION OF GAS INSTALLERS AND GAS CONTRACTORS) REGULATIONS 1990 AND
* GAS SAFETY (REGISTRATION OF GAS SUPPLY COMPANIES) REGULATIONS 1990
SECTIONS OF THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS WHICH ARE IN GENERAL RELATED TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF REGISTERED GAS INSTALLERS, REGISTERED GAS CONTRACTORS AND REGISTERED GAS SUPPLY COMPANIES WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON APRIL 1, 1992 WHEN THE REGISTRATION OF VARIOUS INTERESTED PARTIES IS COMPLETE.
FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES, THE GAS AUTHORITY MAY BE CONTACTED ON TEL. 895 8683.
------------------0------- LICENCE GRANTED TO THE HACHIJUNI BANK ******
THE HACHIJUNI BANK, LTD HAS BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HACHIJUNI BANK IS THE 31ST LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN, AND RANKS 138TH IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF CAPITAL.
’’PRIOR TO THE GRANTING OF THE BANKING LICENCE, THE BANK OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE AND A DEPOSIT-TAKING SUBSIDIARY IN HONG KONG,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG’S CONTINUED IMPORTANCE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE,” HE SAID.
THE LICENCE FOR HACHIJUNI BANK IS THE SECOND BANKING LICENCE GRANTED IN 1991.
THERE ARE NOW 167 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 137 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
/18 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
- 18 -
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO MOVE ITS OFFICES
*****
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WILL MOVE FROM ITS EXISTING OFFICE ON THE NINTH, 21ST AND 23RD FLOORS, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, CENTRAL TO THE 28TH - 30TH FLOORS OF THE SAME BUILDING TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE OFFICE WILL OPERATE IN THE NEW ADDRESS COMMENCING FROM NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 25).
OFFICES OF DIRECTORATE OFFICERS AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY DIVISION WILL BE LOCATED ON THE 28TH FLOOR.
EXAMINATION TEAMS WILL BE LOCATED ON THE 29TH FLOOR, AND THE COMPUTER SECTION AND PUBLIC REGISTER ON THE 30TH FLOOR.
TELEPHONE, TELEX AND FAXLINE NUMBERS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
---------0-----------
GOVT HOUSE TO OPEN FOR COMMUNITY CHEST
*****
A SECOND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE PROVIDED ON SUNDAY (MARCH 24) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM IN ORDER TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON MARCH 10, AN ANNUAL TRADITION DATING BACK TO 1968. THIS ADDITIONAL ’’OPEN DAY” WILL GIVE VISITORS A CHANCE TO DONATE TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST BY PAYING A $10 ADMISSION CHARGE PER PERSON.
- - 0----------
CAS PASSING OUT PARADE TOMORROW ♦ * * *
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES 42ND RECRUIT PASSING OUT PARADE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING AT THE CAS KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, 204 ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (ADMINISTRATION) OF CAS, MR NORMAN LEUNG NAI-PANG, WILL INSPECT AND ADDRESS THE 100 CAS RECRUITS ON PARADE.
/HE WILL .......
• ,r- <•
I - 19 -
HE WILL ALSO PRESENT THE CAS COMMISSIONER’S COMMENDATION CERTIFICATES AND OUTSTANDING RECRUIT CERTIFICATES DURING THE CEREMONY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CAS PARADE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 7.50 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) KOWLOON TRAINING CENTRE, 204 ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON.
PASSING OUT AT THE CAS
---------0-----------
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1923 - 28 ♦ ♦ ♦ t * t
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WOMEN BORN IN 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 AND 1928 WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM APRIL 2 TO MAY 18.
’’WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
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 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
/YUEN LONG: .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
- 20 -
YUEN LONG: HOP Y1CK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YJCK ROAD
TEL. NO. 177 1543
TURN MUN: CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR,
CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0846
SHEUNG SHUl: 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 60 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 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933 AND
1934 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW 1.1). CARDS TO COME FORWARD
WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON MARCH 28.
FAILURE TO APPLY FOR. A NEW l.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
------0-------
UPDATED CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLES AVAILABLE ******
AN UPDATED SET OF TABLES TN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH ON INFORMATION ON CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE TABLES GIVE EXTREME VALUES ON RECORD AND MEAN VALUES OVER THE 30-YEAR PERIOD OF 1961-90 FOR VARIOUS METEOROLOGICAL ELEMENTS INCLUDING PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, WIND, RELATIVE HUMIDITY, CLOUD AMOUNT, RAINFALL AND SUNSHINE.
/INFORMATION ON .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
21
INFORMATION ON THUNDERSTORMS, FOG, SOIL TEMPERATURE, SOLAR RADIATION, EVAPORATION, POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION, SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND TROPICAL CYCLONE AND STRONG MONSOON SIGNALS IS ALSO GIVEN.
THE TABLES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LIBRARY OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS, 134A NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, EITHER IN PERSON OR BY WRITTEN REQUEST WITH SELF-ADDRESSED AND STAMPED ENVELOPE.
- - 0----------
CASH ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED $60,776 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO EIGHT VICTIMS INJURED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON FEBRUARY 17 THIS YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 13 PERSONS WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND POK MAN STREET, MONG KOK. THE TAVA SECTION IS PROCESSING ANOTHER THREE APPLICATIONS, WHILE ONE WAS REJECTED.
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.
ENQURIES 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 B'Y TELEPHONING 570 24 10.
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IT2. ...........
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1991
- 22 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL ♦ * * ♦ *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 21 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE:
batt? TIME
APRIL 2 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 3 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 8 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 9 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 10 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 11 APRIL 12 (THURSDAY) (FRIDAY) 8.30 8.30 AM AM 5 5 PM PM
APRIL 13 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 15 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 8 PM
APRIL 16 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 8 PM
APRIL 17 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 18 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 19 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 22 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 23 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 24 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 25 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 1 u rn
APRIL 26 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — b rn
APRIL 27 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 29 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 30 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
-----o-------------
SUSPENSION OF FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY
*****
SUPPLY OF FLUSHING WATER TO CERTAIN AREAS IN KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 24) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE AFFECTED AREAS INCLUDED LAI CHI KOK, CHEUNG SHA WAN, SO UK, TAI WO PING, SHEK KIP MEI, YAU YAT TSUEN, SHAM SHUI PO, TAI KOK TSUI AND MONG KOK.
MEANWHILE, BROADCAST DRIVE, MARCONI ROAD, FESSENDEN ROAD, THE SECTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD (BETWEEN NAM CHEONG STREET AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD) AND BEACON HEIGHTS WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK SUPPORTS INT'L EFFORTS TO TACKLE ATMOSPHERIC PROBLEMS ....................... 1
ENHANCED SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES MAY BE IMPLEMENTED NEXT SCHOOL YEAR .... 2
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES REMINDED OF FEES REGULATIONS ............................... 3
ANNUAL GOVT INTER-DEPARTMENTAL RACE ............................................ 4
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ............................................ 5
S4.54M BURSARIES AWARDED TO CHILDREN OF POLICE OFFICERS ........................ 5
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1991
1
HK SUPPORTS INT’L EFFORTS TO TACKLE ATMOSPHERIC PROBLEMS
HONG KONG IS IN STRONG SUPPORT OF EFFORTS BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE A CONSENSUS ON GLOBAL WARMING AND TO AGREE TO A TIMETABLE FOR REMEDIAL ACTION, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY 1991, MR BARNES SAID HONG KONG HAD LONG ENJOYED SEPARATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION AND HAD ALWAYS ACTED TO MEET ITS COMMITMENTS TO GLOBAL INITIATIVES ON CLIMATIC CHANGE.
ACTIONS WERE IN HAND TO TACKLE THE THREE ATMOSPHERIC PROBLEMS, NAMELY ACID RAIN, DEPLETION OF THE OZONE LAYER AND GLOBAL WARMING, HE SAID.
"WE SHALL, FOR INSTANCE, MEET OUR COMMITMENTS TO REDUCE USE OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TIMETABLE AGREED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL AND ITS RECENT REVISION.
"NEW LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS ON AEROSOLS USING CFC’S AS PROPELLANTS, FOR INSTANCE, ARE EXPECTED TO BE AGREED SHORTLY,” HE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, HONG KONG IS PARTICIPATING VERY FULLY IN THE WORLD-WIDE PROGRAMME OF MONITORING THE CLIMATE AND RESEARCHING INTO POSSIBLE AREAS OF CLIMATIC CHANGE AND THEIR LIKELY RESULTS.
AS REGARDS THE PROBLEM OF ACID RAIN, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF THE AMOUNT OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE EMISSION.
THIS INCLUDES REQUIRING FUELS TO BE USED WITH EVER-LOWER SULPHUR LEVELS.
"THE EFFECTS OF THIS ON THE AIR WITHIN OUR INDUSTRIAL AREAS, IN TERMS OF VISIBILITY AND BREATHABILITY, ARE IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS, BUT THE LONG-TERM REGIONAL EFFECTS ON ACID RAIN ARE EQUALLY PROFOUND," MR BARNES SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, POWER STATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BURN ONLY VERY LOW SULPHUR CONTENT COAL AND BY HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND LOW EMISSION PLANT.
FURTHERMORE, ALL ADDITIONAL POWER GENERATION UNITS SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH FLUE GAS DESULPHUR I SERS FROM 1990 WHICH ARE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN REMOVING MOST OF WHAT SULPHUR EMISSIONS ARE STILL PRODUCED.
"OUR CONTROLS ON SULPHUR AND ITS EMISSION HAVE BEEN HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SO FAR AS THEY GO.
/"SULPHUR EMITTED .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1991
- 2 -
"SULPHUR EMITTED PER UNIT OF POWER PRODUCED HAS ALSO DROPPED STEADILY IN RECENT YEARS," MR BARNES NOTED.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY HAD INCREASED SO HUGELY THAT THE TOTAL EMISSIONS OF
SULPHUR HAD CONTINUED TO RISE STEADILY.
"WE HAVE ONLY SUCCEEDED IN REDUCING THE RATE OF INCREASE IN
TOTAL EMISSION. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
"WE MUST, CLEARLY, MOVE TOWARDS USING OUR ENERGY AS EFFICIENTLY
AS POSSIBLE AS WELL AS PRODUCING IT AS CLEANLY AS POSSIBLE," HE
STRESSED.
TO THIS END, AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY HAD JUST BEEN SET UP TO LOOK INTO WAYS OF CURBING WASTE OF ENERGY, MR BARNES SAID.
"PROPER USE OF ELECTRICITY AND OTHER FORMS OF ENERGY IS ESSENTIAL TO US ALL: BUT WASTE IS UNPARDONABLE.
"WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO REDUCE THAT WASTE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID UPON REQUEST FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, A COMMITTEE WAS IN PROGRESS OF BEING SET UP IN HONG KONG TO MONITOR CLIMATIC CHANGE AND TO RECEIVE AND DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION ON THE ISSUE.
"OUR AIMS ARE TO FULFIL OUR DUTIES TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY INCLUDING OURSELVES BY ACTING IN STEP WITH OTHER DEVELOPED TERRITORIES TO RESTRICT EMISSION OF SULPHUR AND USE OF CFC’S, TO MONITOR CLIMATIC CHANGE, AND TO TAKE WHATEVER OTHER CONTROL ACTION IS AGREED FOR GENERAL IMPLEMENTATION," HE ADDED.
ENHANCED SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES MAY BE IMPLEMENTED NEXT SCHOOL YEAR
******
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, EXPECTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL OBTAIN POLICY ENDORSEMENT FOR MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS IN CHAPTER 3 OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 (ECR 4) BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR’ ARD HOPEFULLY BEGIN TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE 1991-92 SCHOOL YEAR.
CHAPTER 3 OF ECR 4 DEALS WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING PROVISION OF SCHOOL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SERVICES.
’’THE GOVERNMENT IS CAREFULLY STUDYING THE NUMEROUS SUBMISSIONS, NOW TOTALLING OVER 300 ON ALL SUBJECTS IN THE REPORT, AND FORMULATING FINAL PROPOSALS TO PUT TO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL,” HE SAID.
/SPEAKING AT ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1991
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS TSUEN KING CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON, MR YEUNG SAID THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS VERY ANXIOUS THAT ATTENTION BE GIVEN TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR VERY SOUND REASON.
"IT CONCLUDED THAT ANY STUDENT, WHATEVER THEIR ACADEMIC ABILITY, MAY ENCOUNTER LEARNING, EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS AT SOME STAGE OF THEIR SCHOOLING.
"WITHOUT THIS SUPPORT, STUDENTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LEARN AS EFFECTIVELY AS THEY SHOULD, AND, IN SOME CASES, MAY DEVELOP BAD BEHAVIOUR.
"THIS, APART FROM DISRUPTING THE STUDIES OF OTHERS, IS AN IMPEDIMENT TO LEARNING.
"IT IS THEREFORE IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL CONCERNED, INCLUDING THE TAXPAYER WHO HELPS PAY FOR OUR SYSTEM OF FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION, THAT PROPER GUIDANCE BE GIVEN TO SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SCHOOL AND, IF NECESSARY, TO THEIR FAMILIES AT HOME," MR YEUNG SAID.
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN CHAPTER 3 OF ECR 4 NOTED THAT THE PROFESSIONAL BACK-UP PROVIDED BY SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS IS ESSENTIAL FOR SCHOOL GUIDANCE TEACHERS, AND THAT THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS BY WHICH THE LATTER MAY MAKE REFERRAL SHOULD CONTINUE.
"ENDORSEMENT OF THIS VIEW HAS ALSO COME FROM THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE," MR YEUNG SAID.
"THERE IS BROAD AGREEMENT ON BOTH FRONTS, THEREFORE, THAT THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS ARE WORKING WELL AND SHOULD BE IMPROVED INSTEAD OF RADICALLY RESTRUCTURED," HE ADDED.
-----0------
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES REMINDED OF FEES REGULATIONS
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OPERATORS TO OBSERVE REGULATIONS GOVERNING FEES CHARGEABLE TO JOB-SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS.
"UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, AN AGENCY MAY CHARGE A JOB-SEEKER $5 AS REGISTRATION FEE AND ANOTHER $5 FOR RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS,” THE LABOUR OFFICER (EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES), MISS TERESA. FONG, SAID.
"THE REGULATIONS ALSO RESTRICT AN AGENCY TO CHARGE AN EMPLOYER NOT MORE THAN $35 FOR EACH TYPE OF VACANCY REGISTERED AND $20 FOR RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS," MISS FONG ADDED.
/"ON SUCCESSFUL .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1991
"ON SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT," SHE SAID, "THE COMMISSION CHARGEABLE TO A JOB-SEEKER BY AN AGENCY IS NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF HIS FIRST MONTH’S WAGES, WHILE COMMISSION FROM AN EMPLOYER IS A MATTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE AGENCY."
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OPERATOR WAS FINED $1,400 FOR OVERCHARGING A JOB-SEEKER AND WAS ORDERED TO REFUND THE PLACEMENT FEE OF $15,560 TO THE JOB-SEEKERS.
THE OPERATOR’S LICENCE WAS LATER REVOKED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
MISS FONG ALSO REMINDED PROSPECTIVE OPERATORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO OBTAIN A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM THE DEPARTMENT, NOTING THAT AN OPERATOR WHO FAILED TO DO SO WAS RECENTLY FINED $2,500.
"OPERATING AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE OR OVERCHARGING JOB-SEEKERS OR EMPLOYERS IS AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000," SHE SAID.
ENQUIRIES RELATING TO OPERATIONS OF OR FEES CHARGEABLE BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES CAN BE MADE TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ADMINISTRATION ON TEL. 852 3540 OR 852 3541.
--------0-----------
ANNUAL GOVT INTER-DEPARTMENTAL RACE *****
MORE THAN 800 CIVIL SERVANTS FROM 49 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE 1OTH GOVERNMENT INTER-DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL RACE 1991 THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING IN SHA TIN.
PARTICIPANTS STARTED OFF AT THE SHA TIN FIRE STATION, AND CIRCLED ROUND THE SHING MUN RIVER CHANNEL. THE RACE WAS SEVEN KILOMETRE FOR MEN AND FIVE KILOMETRE FOR WOMEN.
THE ANNUAL RACE WAS TO BOOST INTER-DEPARTMENTAL TIES AND FOSTER BETTER TEAM SPIRIT AND STAFF MORALE.
THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION WAS HOSTED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS IRENE YAU, AND THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH.
TROPHIES WERE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS AND THE FIRST 500 PARTICIPANTS WHO FINISHED THE RACE WERE EACH GIVEN A T-SHIRT AS SOUVENIR.
------0-------
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1991
- 5 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION * * * * *
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $935,000 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 EP2 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $110,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER CR1 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $100,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 FOR EN8773
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY ’S AUCTION 1:
$ $ $ $
EP3888 15,000 EN272 12,000 EP230 11,000 EN138 30,000
EP113 13,000 EPl 116 6,000 2221 50,000 CR1 100,000
XX2688 22,000 EN188 27,000 EN219 5,000 EP2098 4,000
CX557 3,000 EN2328 20,000 EP6328 15,000 EL328 40,000
AH707 10,000 3520 28,000 EM3332 12,000 EP1963 7,000
ENI 123 11,000 BB8119 10,000 AW3223 24,000 EN595 5,000
EP3680 3,000 EP908 10,000 A J 11 1 2 23,000 HK1932 24,000
EP2 110,000 HK206 25,000 EP560 8,000 EP128 23,000
AA113 44,000 AK219 9,000 EP6686 5,000 CA557 4,000
EN338 60,000 CW83 50,000 BB1010 56,000 EN8773 1,000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 162ND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $115,807,605.
-----q-----
$4 54M BURSARIES AWARDED TO CHILDREN OF POLICE OFFICERS
******
BURSARIES TOTALLING CHILDREN OF POLICE OFFICERS 4.37 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED
$4 54 MILLION HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO 1,806 THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF WITH THE AMOUNT OFFERED LAST YEAR.
ANNUAL BURSARY
SPEAKING AT THE 24TH
CEREMONY AT THE POLICE SPORTS AND ^CREATION THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA,
CERTIFICATE
CLUB TODAY NOTED THAT
PRESENTATION (SATURDAY),
MANY
POLICE TRUST
/CONGRATULATING THE
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1991
CONGRATULATING THE RECIPIENTS, MR LI ENCOURAGED THEM TO USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL.
"BY DILIGENT STUDY, I AM SURE YOU WILL ACHIEVE GOOD RESULTS AND WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER UPON A SATISFYING AND PROSPEROUS CAREER WHEN YOU COMPLETE YOUR EDUCATION," HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE TWO TRUSTS WOULD GENERATE SUFFICIENT INCOME TO MEET BURSARY DISTRIBUTION IN THE YEARS TO COME, MR LI PAID TRIBUTE TO THOSE POLICE OFFICERS AND PAST BENEFICIARIES OF THE TRUSTS WHO WERE CONTRIBUTING DONATIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
HE ALSO THANKED THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR MAKING GENEROUS DONATIONS TO THE TRUSTS.
THE COMBINED ASSET VALUE OF THE TWO TRUSTS, WHICH WERE ESTABLISHED IN 1967, HAS REACHED $57 MILLION.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLICATION ON FOUNDATION PROPERTIES OF ROCKS PUBLISHED ........................ 1
CNTA PROVIDES NEW TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE ................................... 2
MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE ON MOVE .............................................. 4
1,446 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN 2,764 POLICE RAIDS IN FEBRUARY ........................ 5
BLITZ ON UNSAFE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES ...................................... 5
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY GRANTS ............................ 6
FRESH WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI .................................................. 7
r
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1991
PUBLICATION ON FOUNDATION PROPERTIES OF ROCKS PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A TECHNICAL PUBLICATION ENTITLED ’’FOUNDATION PROPERTIES OF MARBLE AND OTHER ROCKS IN THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN AREA” HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE DOCUMENT PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF A LABORATORY AND FIELD STUDY ON THE ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF MARBLE AND OTHER ROCKS UNDERLYING THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN AREA, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO DEEP FOUNDATIONS.
THE HEAD OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE, DR ANDREW MALONE, SAID FOUNDATION CONDITIONS IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WERE GENERALLY MORE VARIED AND COMPLEX THAN IN OTHER URBAN AREAS OF HONG KONG WHERE ONLY GRANITIC AND VOLCANIC ROCKS WERE ENCOUNTERED.
HE SAID THE COMPLEX GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS GAVE RISE TO VARIOUS CONCERNS REGARDING THE DESIGN OF DEEP FOUNDATIONS, NOT THE LEAST BEING THE OCCURRENCE OF BURIED MARBLE CONTAINING CAVITIES.
’’THE DISCOVERY OF MARBLE WITH KARST IC FEATURES INCLUDING CAVITIES LED TO SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS BEING ISSUED FOR FOUNDATION WORKS WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG AFFECTED BY MARBLE BEDROCK,” DR MALONE ADDED.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS WERE AMENDED LAST YEAR TO INTRODUCE NEW CONTROL PROVISIONS FOR THE AREA WITHIN WHICH MARBLE MAY BE FOUND, REFERRED TO AS AREA NUMBER 2 OF THE SCHEDULED AREAS.
THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED A NUMBER OF DETAILED 1:5,000 SCALE GEOLOGICAL MAPS OF THE ARFA.
THE ACCOMPANYING GEOLOGICAL MEMOIR FOR THESE MAPS IS IN PREPARATION AND WILL BE PUBLISHED THIS YEAR.
MARBLE WAS ALSO DISCOVERED UNDER THE RECLAIMED LAND AT MA ON SHAN LAST YEAR.
DR MALONE SAID THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAI) BEGUN CONSTRUCT ION OF THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR, A SEVEN KILOMETRE-LONG DUAL TWO-LANE TRUNK ROAD IN THIS AREA OF COMPLEX GEOLOGY.
THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE HAS BEEN ASSISTING THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WITH THE GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE FOUNDATION AND SLOPE DESIGN IN THIS PROJECT.
IN VIEW OF THE LACK OF PUBLISHED LOCAL DATA ON THE ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF THE ROCK TYPES, INCLUDING MARBLE, IN THIS AREA, THE OFFICE DECIDED TO PUBLISH THE DATA OBTAINED IN THIS PROJECT ALONG WITH AN OUTLINE OF THE APPROACH TO THE DESIGN OF BORED PILES.
/THE DOCUMENT .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1991
- 2 -
THE DOCUMENT SHOULD SERVE AS A USEFUL SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR OTHER PROJECTS INVOLVING DEEP FOUNDATIONS IN THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN AREA.
"THE FOUNDATION PROPERTIES OF MARBLE AND OTHER ROCKS IN THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN AREA" IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $58 PER COPY.
-----0-----
CNTA PROVIDES NEW TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE
******
A CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS ON APRIL 2, A CNTA SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FROM THAT DAY, RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES COULD CALL 835 1501 DURING OFFICE HOURS OR GO TO A PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE (PESC) TN THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
HE SAID THE CENTRAL ENQUIRY SYSTEM ;WAS INTRODUCED AS A BACKUP TO THE PESC’S, THE NUMBER OF WHICH WOULD BE REDUCED FROM 69 TO 20 TO STREAMLINE CNTA’S OPERATIONS.
"IN TRYING TO MEET THE OBJECTIVE OF CONTROLLING EXPENDITURE, CAREFUL CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO MAINTAINING THE STANDARD OF SERVICES AS FAR AS POSSIBLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY PESC’S INCLUDE ANSWERING ENQUIRIES ON GOVERNMENT SERVICES, CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES; ADMINISTERING STATUTORY DECLARATIONS; DISTRIBUTING GOVERNMENT FORMS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS; AND RENDERING ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SEEKING FREE LEGAL ADVICE.
"WE WILL MONITOR THE NEW SYSTEM CLOSELY AND MAKE MODIFICATIONS IF NECESSARY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALSO, AS PART OF THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE PESC’S, CNTA WILL FROM APRIL 2 ADMINISTER ONLY THOSE STATUTORY DECLARATIONS WHICH ARE FOR NON-GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE USE, WHILE THOSE FOR GOVERNMENT USE WILL BE HANDLED BY THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
"CNTA IS NOW WORKING ON THE DETAILS WITH THESE DEPARTMENTS AND A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT AND NOTICES WILL BE ISSUED IN DUE COURSE,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/THE 20 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1991
- 3 -
THE 20 PESO’S TO BE RETAINED WILL BE THOSE LOCATED IN 17 DISTRICT MAIN OFFICES, ONE IN THE TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND TWO IN THE MUI WO AND CHEUNG CHAU SUB-OFFICES OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE ADDRESSES OF THE 20 PESO’S ARE LISTED BELOW:
HONG KONG ISLAND
- CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO.
- SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE
MEI FUNG COURT, GROUND FLOOR, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
- WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE 2 O’BRIEN ROAD, GROUND FLOOR.
KOWLOON
- KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE MORNING JOY BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.
- KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, TUNG YAN STREET.
- SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE 37-39 TONKIN STREET, GROUND FLOOR.
- WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, NORTH WING, KING FUK STREET.
- MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET.
- YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
NEW TERRITORIES
- KWAI TSI NG DISTRICT OFFICE KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 165 HING FONG ROAD.
/- NORTH DISTRICT.........
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1991
4
- NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE
FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR,
3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING.
- SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE
(TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE)
UNITS 121 AND 122, GROUND FLOOR, PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE.
- SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE
FIRST FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
- TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE
TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, TING KOK ROAD.
- TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE
TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
- TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE
TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 1 TUEN HI ROAD.
- YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE
YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
- ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE
(MUI WO SUB-OFFICE) MUI WO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD.
(CHEUNG CHAU SUB-OFFICE)
22 SAN HING STREET, GROUND FLOOR.
- - 0 - -
MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE ON MOVE
*****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE WILL MOVE TO ITS NEW OFFICE ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER WILL BE PUT UP ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE BUILDING WITH A NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER -- 399 2146.
/THE COUNTER .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1991
5
THE COUNTER WILL HANDLE GENERAL ENQUIRIES AND PROVIDE STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAY.
MEANWHILE, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER AT THE TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM APRIL 2.
LOCAL RESIDENTS SEEKING SERVICES MAY APPROACH THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER AT THE MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
---------0-----------
1,446 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN 2,764 POLICE RAIDS IN FEBRUARY
POLICE CONTINUED THEIR THREE-PRONGED ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST VICE, DRUGS AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING LAST MONTH, ARRESTING A TOTAL OF 1,446 PEOPLE IN 2,764 OPERATIONS.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, NARCOTICS BUREAU AS WELL AS REGIONAL AND DISTRICT POLICE OFFICERS CONDUCTED 576 RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 474 PEOPLE.
THE DRUGS SEIZED INCLUDED 2.2 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS, 2.4 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN, 380 GRAMS OF OPIUM AND A QUANTITY OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES.
I
ON THE ANTI-GAMBLING FRONT, POLICE CONDUCTED 112 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 837 PERSONS, SEIZING TABLE MONEY TOTALLING $590,000 AND BETTING SLIPS WORTH ABOUT $305,000.
POLICE ALSO CARRIED OUT 2,076 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 135 PEOPLE IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST VICE ACTIVITIES. A TOTAL OF 634 PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO TAPES WERE SEIZED.
---------0-----------
BLITZ ON UNSAFE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE- LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS LAUNCHING A SPECIAL INSPECTION PROGRAMME ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND INDUSTRIAI, UNDERTAKINGS TO CURB UNSAFE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES.
DURING THE TWO-MONTH PROGRAMME, THREE TEAMS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE WILL TAKE VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY REGULATIONS.
’’UNSAFE OPERATION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS CONTRACTORS,” THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
/MR CHAN .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1991
6
MR CHAN EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE INCREASING NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY THOSE INVOLVING LIFTING APPLIANCES.
IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF LAST YEAR, THE INSPECTORATE RECORDED 318 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIFTING APPLIANCES, COMPARED WITH 163 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1989.
"WE SPARE NO EFFORT TO MAKE BOTH THE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS MORE AWARE OF THE CAUSES OF SUCH ACCIDENTS, THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AND THE LEGISLATIVE CONTROL,” MR (’HAN SAID.
"THE SAFE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION IN COURSES OFFERED BY OUR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE.”
"THE CEN'I'RE ORGANISED TWO SPECIAL SEMINARS LAST MONTH ON THE SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES, FOLLOWING A SPATE OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SUCH EQUIPMENT.”
"THE SEMINARS ATTRACTED 50 RIGGERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM LEASING COMPANIES OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND THEY SHARED EXPERIENCES IN THE TRADE.”
MR CHAN URGED THE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS TO TAKE SAFETY SERIOUSLY WHEN USING LIFTING APPLIANCES AS AN ACCIDENT COULD LEAD TO DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES.
------0--------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY GRANTS * * ♦ ♦ ♦
YOUTH GROUPS INTENDING TO ORGANISE ANTI-DRUG EDUCATIONAL OR PUBLICITY PROJECTS ARE NOW INVITED TO APPLY FOR SPONSORSHIP UP TO $4,000 UNDER THE YOUTH AGAINST DRUG SCHEME.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID: "YOUTH GROUPS FROM SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTRES AND FACTORIES COMPRISING NOT LESS THAN 10 MEMBERS AGED ABOVE 12 CAN PUT FORTH THEIR ANT I-DRUG PROJECT PROPOSALS TO US FOR CONSIDERATION AND FUNDING.”
THE SCHEME, INTRODUCED IN 1981, IS SPONSORED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).
SOME 100 PROJECTS SELECTED FROM HUNDREDS OF APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN FUNDED IN THE PAST 10 YEARS FOR LAUNCHING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS EXHIBITION, COMPETITION, SEMINAR AND VARIETY SHOWS.
’’THE SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO INVOLVE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ACTUAL PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-DRUG PROJECTS.
/"IT IS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1991
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE SCHEME CAN ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE AND AT THE SAME TIME PASS ON THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE TO THEIR PEERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS IS OBTAINABLE AT THE NARCOTICS DIVISION ON THE 23RD FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 867 2766.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO WELCOME LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO JOINTLY ORGANISE WITH ACAN ANTI-DRUG PROJECTS WHICH REQUIRED SUBSIDIES EXCEEDING THE GRANT CEILING OF THE YOUTH AGAINST DRUG SCHEME.
"EACH PROPOSAL WILL BE THOROUGHLY STUDIED AND THE LEVEL OF SUBSIDY WILL DEPEND ON INDIVIDUAL MERITS," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI
*****
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO SOME PREMISES IN YAU MA TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 26) TO 6 AM THE TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
TEI WILL BE FOLLOWING DAY
STREET,
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED CANTON ROAD, PAK HOI STREET,
BY SHANGHAI STREET, NING FERRY STREET AND KANSU STREET.
PO
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR WELCOMES HURD’S VISIT TO HK AND CHINA ................................ 1
GOVERNOR PRAISED PO LEUNG KUK'S COMMITMENT TO HK .............................. 1
65 NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ................................... 2
GOVT AIMS TO TACKLE SELF-REGULATION BY INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES ............... 9
EIGHT SURVEYS PART OF PLANNING FOR STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME .......... 10
TRIPARTITE DIALOGUE ON LABOUR MATTERS STRESSED ................................ H
CFPA CHAMPIONS ARTS DEVELOPMENT............................................... j2
APPROPRIATION BILL TO BE DEBATED ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ................... 13
MARCH 1991 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STARTED................ 13
EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT FOR EASTER HOLIDAYS .................................. 14
FACELIFT IN RENNIE'S MILL AFTER CLEAN-UP OPERATION ........................... 15
YAU TSIM RESIDENTS TO BE COMMENDED FOR FIGHTING CRIME ........................ 15
NEW MUI WO CLINIC STARTS OPERATION ON APRIL 1 ................................ 16
SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE ON HK EDUCATION .......................................... 17
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
1
GOVERNOR WELCOMES HURD’S VISIT TO HK AND CHINA
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT HE WAS GLAD THAT THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, WAS COMING TO HONG KONG AND THAT HE WAS TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TOGO TO CHINA.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE PO LEUNG KUK PERSHING TSANG PRIMARY SCHOOL, SIR DAVID SAID: "THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS TO DISCUSS; IT WON’T JUST BE HONG KONG. I HOPE HE WILL DEAL WITH SOME HONG KONG ISSUES, BUT OF COURSE HE’LL BE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS AS WELL BECAUSE CHINA, LIKE BRITAIN, IS A PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL (OF THE UNITED NATIONS)."
"SO THEY’LL HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO TALK ABOUT, QUITE APART FROM HONG KONG ISSUES," HE ADDED.
"TO HAVE THIS SORT OF CONTACT WITH THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP IS A GOOD THING. IT IS GOOD FOR HONG KONG, AND TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSIONS AT THAT SORT OF HIGH LEVEL IS REALLY WHAT MATTERS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED HOW CONFIDENT HE WAS ABOUT THE FOREIGN SECRETARY GETTING A FINAL AGREEMENT ON THE PADS PROJECT FROM PEKING, SIR DAVID SAID: "NOBODY COULD TELL AT THIS STAGE WHEN WE WILL MANAGE TO DEAL WITH ALL THE ISSUES THAT WE’VE BEEN DISCUSSING ABOUT THE AIRPORT."
"I DON’T WANT TO PREDICT EXACT DATES OF DOING THAT, BUT OF COURSE IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE’VE BEEN HAVING," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
GOVERNOR PRAISED PO LEUNG KUK’S COMMITMENT TO
*****
HK
THOSE TRADITIONAL CHINESE VALUES EDUCATION, WHICH GIVE HONG KONG GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID
THE PO LEUNG KUK STANDS FOR OF GENEROSITY, AND EMPHASIS ON SOCIETY A SPECIAL STRENGTH, THE
TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PERSHING TSANG DEDICATION CEREMONY, SIR DAVID SAID THE SCHOOL WAS AND THE NEW.
PRIMARY SCHOOL A BLEND OF THE
NEW OLD
HE NOTED THAT IT HAI) THIRTY-FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE BUT BRANDED NEW FACILITIES AND A NEW THAT SHOULD BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO BO IH IF.ACHERS
OF TRADITION
AND
NAME; A COMBINATION AND PUPILS.
/SIR DAVID
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
2
SIR DAVID SAID PERSHING TSANG WAS A TEACHER WHOM HE GREATLY ADMIRED THAT HIS NAME SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO A PO LEUNG KUK PRIMARY SCHOOL WAS SOMETHING THAT PERSHING TSANG WOULD HAVE APPROVED OF AND GREATLY APPRECIATED.
SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED ALL THOSE WHO HAD WORKED SO HARD TO BRING THE PROJECT TO FRUITION AND WHOSE GENEROSITY MADE 11 POSSIBLE.
HE SAID IT WOULD BENEFIT MANY HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN IN THE YEARS TO COME.
------U--------
65 NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ♦ * » * t ♦
A TOTAL OF 65 NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY.
THIRTY-NINE WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND 26 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED WAS IN THE YAU TSIM CONSTITUENCY WITH FOUR CANDIDATES.
NINETEEN NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED ON THE LAST DAY OF THE NOMINATION PERIOD TODAY (MONDAY). NINE WERE FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND 10 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING IN 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES - 15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA ON THE ELECTION DAY ON MAY 5.
PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CHAN TAK-CHOR M 45 COMPANY DIRECTOR 819 8623
NORTH POINT WONG TAK-LUN M 45 PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER 567 0308 116 3883 A/C 7980
AU YUK-LUN M 40 SOLICITOR 561 0541 (RES)
SOUTHERN HO CHUN-YAN M 39 SOLICITOR 522 7721
/KOWLOON CITY .......
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
3
KOWLOON CITY TSANG KIN-SHING M 35 INTERIOR DESIGN 555 3256 111 8172
EAST CALL 8063
MONG KOK KUNG PO-CHUK, ELAINE F 40 MANAGER 397 3778
SHAM SHUI PO EAST LI YAU-WAI M 34 METER READER 727 0544
SHAM SHU I PO WEST WONG KUEN-WAI M 43 LECTURER 729 3228
WONG TAI SIN NORTH PAK SUM, STEVEN M 25 BUSINESS EXECUTIVE 897 4105
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
— — — — — — — — — —
SAI KUNG LEUNG KAM-HO, GILBERT M 37 ESTATE SURVEYOR 719 8708
SHA TIN EAST WONG HONG-CHUNG M 36 LECTURER 649 6196 637 4180
KAN CHUNG-NIN, TONY M 41 LAWYER 606 1880 692 2200
SHA TIN WEST WAI HING-CHEUNG M 31 OFFICER EXCT. 601 6177
TAI PO FUNG CH I-WOOD M 34 CHURCH WORKER 650 4808
TSUEN WAN IP YEUNG FUK-LAN F 35 SOLICITOR 416 1611 493 8068
TUEN MUN EAST YEUNG SHUCK-CHUEN M 38 LINESMAN 450 2234 112 8251- 8310
NG WAI-CHO M 39 BUSINESS 459 9024
TUEN MUN WEST • LI KOI-HOP, PH ILIP M 42 CO. EXECUTIVE 451 0661
WONG KIN-HONG M 42 COMMUNITY WORKER 466 1761
FOLLOW ING IS THE LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCII
ELECTIONS:
/URBAN COUNCIL ......
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
4
CONTACT
URBAN COUNCIL TELEPHONE
CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION NUMBER
CENTRAL AND WESTERN WONG SHUT-LAI M 44 AIRLINE CARGO SUPERINTENDENT 747 8042 (DAY) 819 4448
DISTRICT (EVENING)
CHAN TAK-CHOR M 45 COMPANY DIRECTOR 819 8623
WAN CHAI WONG HON-CHING, SAN STEPHEN M 39 COST ENGINEER 554 6519 838 3823
YEUNG WAN-KING, SUSANNA F 32 HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR 576 8231 702 8484
north point MAN SAI-CHEONG M 46 SOLICITOR 526 5775 (OFFICE)
• 566 7888
(RES)
WONG TAK-LUN M 45 PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER 567 0308 116 3883 A/C 7980
AU YUK-LUN M 40 SOLICITOR 561 0541 (RES)
SHAU KEI WAN BERNACCHI, BROOK ANTONY M 69 BARRISTER-AT-LAW (QUEEN’S COUNSEL) 522 0066 890 8650
LAI CH I-KEONG, M 43 TEACHER 346 9621 896 0899
JOSEPH 112 8051
CALL 9031
CHIU KIN-MAN M 36 CONSTRUCTION CO. ENGINEERING MANAGER 558 5068 ( RES ) 116 9339 A/C 261
SOUTHERN YEUNG CHUI-CHUN, F HARLANNA 42 KINDERGARTEN HEADMISTRESS 553 8864 555 9731
CHAN YUEK-SUT, M 56 PR INC 1 PAL 555 6620
JOSEPH
HO CHUN-YAN M 39 SOLICITOR 522 7721
KOWLOON CITY WEST CHIANG SAI-CHEONG M 35 teacher 715 6144
CHAN CHI-KWAN, , M 55 BARR1 STER-AT-I.AW 336 0839 525 2105
PETER
/KOWLOON CITY .......
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
5 -
KOWLOON CITY PAO PING-WING M 43 SOCIAL SERVICE 765 6362
EAST CONSULTANT
WONG HOU-KEI M 29 TECHNICAL INSTRUCTOR 309 1977 (OFFICE) 362 9825 (RES)
TSANG KIN-SHING M 35 INTERIOR DESIGN 555 3256 111 8172
CALL 8063
KWUN TONG WEST TU ELSIE F f 76 SCHOOL SUPERVISOR 341 2932 342 2414 112 8255 CALL 2900
LEE CHUN-MING M 33 RESTAURANT CAPTAIN, POET 322 9313 382 2081
CHAN KAM-LAM M 42 MANAGING DIRECTOR OF A SHIPPING COMPANY 520 2218
KWUN TONG LI WAH-MING M 35 LECTURER 797 3259
EAST WONG PING-KUEN M 47 SENIOR MONITOR 345 3966
MONG KOK CHAN KWOK-MING « H-l LAW WING-CHEUNG ■ -’Hi: M 43 SCHOOL HEADMASTER 395 2521
M fi 31 CHEMIST 112 8073 CALL 1608
KUNG PO-CHUK, ELAINE F 40 MANAGER 397 3772
SHAM SHU1 PO EAST FUNG K1N-KEE, FREDERICK M 38 POST-GRADUATE STUDENT 778 1577
LI YAU-WAI M 34 METER READER 727 0544
SHAM SHU1 PO MA LEE-WO M 30 SOCIAL WORKER 360 0161
WEST WONG KUEN-WA1 M 43 LECTURER 729 3228
WONG TAT SIN SOUTH MOK YING-FAN M 40 CHINESE HERBALIST 383 0866 323 6255
YEUNG CHIU-MING M 43 MERCHANT 795 5252
WONG KAM-CHl M 43 COMPANY DIRECTOR 350 1082 116 1166
CALL 1000
/WONG TAI
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
- 6 —
WONG TAI SIN NORTH YEUNG LAI-YIN, CECILIA F 60 COLLEGE AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS, KINDERGARTEN’S SUPERVISOR 322 1163
PAK SUM, STEVEN M 25 BUSINESS EXECUTIVE 897 4105
YAU TS1M WONG KWOK-TUNG M 41 SOLICITOR 523 6934
TONG CHOR-YIN M 35 SOLICITOR 521 1175 112 8741 CALL 87
YU HON-BIU M 49 DOCTOR 385 5464 (OFFICE) 713 9248 (RES) 384 4853 (BEFORE 1030)
WOO YAN-YUE F 49 PRINCIPAL 802 2131 893 1213 396 3432
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
ISLANDS KWONG KWOK-KAM M 44 MERCHANT 981 0219
FUNG PAK-TA I M 74 981 8759
NORTH CHEUNG HON-CHUNG M 32 COMPANY EXECUTIVE 679 6232 675 5277 673 4802
SAI KUNG WONG SHU I-SANG M 53 BUSINESSMAN 792 7354
LEUNG KAM-HO, GILBERT M 37 ESTATE SURVEYOR 719 8708
SHA TIN EAST LEE YORK-FAI M 24 CLINICAL MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATE 116 8999 CALL 5599
WONG HONG-CHUNG M 36 LECTURER 649 6196 637 4180
KAN CHUNG-NIN, TONY M 41 LAWYER 606 1880 692 2200
/SHA TIN ........
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
SHA TIN WEST LAU KONG-WAH M 34 LECTURER 694 8333 112 8666 CALL 1995
WAI HING-CHEUNG M 31 OFFICER EXCT. 601 6177
TAI PO CHENG CHUN-PING M 44 ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER 656 5599
FUNG CH I-WOOD M 34 CHURCH WORKER 650 4808
TSUEN WAN CHAN WAI-YIP, AUBERT M 36 SOCIAL WORKER 411 3107
IP YEUNG FUK-LAN F 35 SOLICITOR 416 1611 493 8068
TUEN MUN EAST TSO SHIU-WAI M 39 COMPANY DIRECTOR 459 7667
YEUNG SHUCK-CHUEN M 38 LINESMAN 450 2234 112 8251 CALL 8310
NG WAI-CHO M 39 BUSINESS 459 9024
THEN MUN WEST NG Ml NG-YUM M 34 TEACHER 463 0399
I,I KOI-HOP M 42 CO. EXECUTIVE 451 0661
WONG KIN-HONG M 42 COMMUNITY WORKER 466 1761
YUEN LONG NGAN KAM-CHUEN M 4 3 BANKING MANAGER 474 9982
CHAN YAT-TUNG M 52 EDUCATION (HEADMASTER) 475 0010 478 2740
KWAI CHUNG EAST ('HOW YICK-HAY M 33 UNIVERSITY STAFF 116 3300 CALL 2267
LEE WING-KIN M 37 BARRISTER 799 5525 (RES) 116 3339 CALL 162
KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TS1NG Yl TING YIN-WAH M 36 DRIVER 495 5180 433 8144
YEUNG FOK-KI F 29 SOLICITOR 411 2228 (RES)
94835997
(ELECTION
AGENT)
/FOLLOWING IS .......
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS:
URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1 . CENTRAL AND WESTERN
2. WAN CHAI
3. NORTH POINT
4. SHAU KEI WAN
5. SOUTHERN
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST
8. KWUN TONG WEST
9. KWUN TONG EAST
10. MONG KOK
11. SHAM SHU1 PO EAST
12. SHAM SHUI PO WEST
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH
15. YAU TSIM
SUB-TOTAL:
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS
2. NORTH
3. SAI KUNG
4. SHA TIN EAST
5. SHA TIN WEST
6. TAI PO
7. TSUEN WAN
8. TUEN MUN EAST
9. TUEN MUN WEST
10. YUEN LONG
11. KWAI CHUNG EAST
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSI NG YI
SUB-TOTAL: 26
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
9
GOVT AIMS TO TACKLE SELF-REGULATION BY INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
TACKLING SELF-REGULATION BY INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES IS AN IMPORTANT ITEM ON THE GOVERNMENT’S AGENDA SINCE THE BULK OF INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG IS CONDUCTED THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SIR PIERS NOTED THAT THE INDUSTRY IS MAINTAINING CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE AND HE HOPED SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS WOULD BE ACHIEVED IN THE COMING YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE LIFE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, SIR PIERS SAID HE WAS PLEASED AT THE WAY THE INDUSTRY HAD BEEN DEVELOPING IN THE DIRECTION OF SELF-REGULATION.
’’STEADY PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. IN 1989, THE LIFE INSURANCE INDUSTRY ADOPTED THE STATEMENT OF PRACTICES FOR LONG TERM INSURANCE," SIR PIERS SAID.
”AT THE SAME TIME THE GENERAL INSURANCE INDUSTRY ADOPTED THEIR OWN STATEMENT OF INSURANCE PRACTICES,” HE SAID.
"AS A RESULT, WE NOW HAVE A NUMBER OF AGREED STANDARDS. THIS MUST BE THE RIGHT APPROACH," HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, THE INSURANCE CLAIMS COMPLAINTS BUREAU WAS ESTABLISHED FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF COMPLAINTS RELATING TO PERSONAL INSURANCE.
"NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE BUREAU IS FUNDED BY THE INDUSTRY, IT WILL OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY THROUGH ITS INSURANCE CLAIMS COMPLAINTS BOARD," HE SAID.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT WILL BE WELL RECEIVED BY THE INSURING PUBLIC," HE STRESSED.
SIR PIERS WENT ON TO COMMEND THE LIFE INSURANCE COUNCIL FOR WORKING JOINTLY WITH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION IN DEVELOPING THE CODE ON 1NVESTMENT-LI NEED LIFE ASSURANCE CONTRACTS AND POOLED PROVIDENT FUNDS.
"THE CODE, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT THIS FEBRUARY, WILL INCREASE INVESTOR PROTECTION BY SETTING THE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MARKETING OF INVESTMENT-LINKED PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS STRESSED THAT IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THE GROWTH IN INSURANCE INDUSTRY, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF THE INDUSTRY ARE MAINTAINED AND WHEREVER POSSIBLE, UPGRADED.
"THIS MUST BE THE LONGER TERM OBJECTIVE OF THE INSURANCE SECTOR," HE STRESSED.
/NOTING THAT .......
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
10
NOTING THAT THE PREMIA FOR LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACTS HAVE GROWN FROM LESS THAN $1 BILLION IN THE EARLY 1980S TO OVER $5 BILLION IN 1990, SIR PIERS SAID THIS SUCCESS HAD BEEN DUE TO THE FAR-SIGHTEDNESS, DYNAMISM AND DRIVE OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE MIGHT ALSO HAVE HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE GROWTH OF THE MARKET, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
EIGHT SURVEYS PART OF PLANNING FOR STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME ♦ * » ♦ ♦
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON AN ARTICLE IN AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER TODAY (MONDAY) CONCERNING APPROVAL FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR SURVEYS IN CHINESE WATERS AS PART OF THE PLANNING FOR THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID THERE ARE CURRENTLY ALTOGETHER EIGHT SURVEYS UNDER THE PROPOSAL, FIVE OCEANOGRAPHIC AND THREE GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS.
THE OCEANOGRAPHIC SURVEYS ARE TO COLLECT DATA TO EXTEND WHAMO (A COMPLEX COMPUTER MODEL OF WATER MOVEMENT AND WATER QUALITY IN AND AROUND HONG KONG HARBOUR), THE GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS ARE TO DETECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEABED FOR DRILLING THE TUNNEL FOR THE LONG SEA OUTFALL.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SURVEYS ARE MADE WITH THE ACTIVE ASSISTANCE OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT STAFF AND THE AUTHORITIES ENSURE CO-OPERATION FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE SURVEYS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID NOT ALL SURVEYS HAD YET STARTED. THOSE SURVEYS IN OPERATION WERE PROCEEDING NORMALLY UNTIL DECEMBER LAST YEAR WHEN THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES REQUESTED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE FULL EXTENT AND SCOPE OF THE SURVEYS.
FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN HELD RECENTLY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FORMAL CONFIRMATION THAT THE SURVEYS MAY CONTINUE IS EXPECTED SHORTLY.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO CLARIFIED SOME OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLE. FOR EXAMPLE,
* THE DISPOSAL PROJECT EMPHASISED IN THE ARTICLE WILL NOT COST $15 BILLION, BUT APPROXIMATELY $7.5 BILLION. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE OCEANIC OUTFALL WILL COST ABOUT $3.5 BILLION;
* THE ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS REPORTED TO BE $350 MILLION, OR EVEN "AT LEAST $700 MILLION", ARE IN FACT ESTIMATED TO BE NO MORE THAN $90 MILLION;
/* THE STATEMENTS
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
11
* THE STATEMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO GOVERNMENT SOURCES, THAT INITIAL SURVEYS OF THE SEABED HAD PROVED FAR FROM
SATISFACTORY, ARE INCORRECT AS NO SUCH SURVEYS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AVAILABLE TO THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH TO SUGGEST THAT THE SEABED IS UNSTABLE, PARTICULARLY IN THE MANNER SET OUT IN THE ARTICLE. THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT IS FAR TOO EARLY TO REACH SUCH SPECULATIVE CONCLUSIONS UNTIL MORE DETAILED SURVEYS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE SURVEYS WILL BE CONDUCTED OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES; AND
* IT IS WRONG TO INDICATE A LOCATION OF OCEANIC OUTFALL AS SHOWN ON THE SKETCH FEATURED IN THE ARTICLE; THIS CANNOT BE POSITIONED UNTIL ALL SURVEYS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, AND THE SURVEY DATA ANALYSED.
-----0-----
TRIPARTITE DIALOGUE ON LABOUR MATTERS STRESSED
******
HONG KONG PLACES A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON TRIPARTITE DIALOGUE ON LABOUR MATTERS AND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FORUM FOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO DISCUSS SUCH MATTERS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE "INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGAN1SAT1 ON/JAPAN EAST ASIAN TRIPARTITE SEMINAR ON SOUND LABOUR RELATIONS", MR CHEN NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD .ENACTED 134 ITEMS OF LABOUT LEGISLATION AFTER CONSULTING THE LAB IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
"LAST YEAR, THE LAB LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT A LARGE-SCALE LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 700 EMPLOYERS, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGERS, MEMBERS OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES, TRADE UNION REPRESENTATIVES AND ACADEMICS," HE SAID.
"JUDGING FROM THE RESPONSE FROM BOTH THE PARTICIPANTS AND THE GUEST SPEAKERS, IT IS EVIDENT THAT BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHARE A COMMON CONCERN TO BRING ABOUT LASTING INDUSTRIAL HARMONY FIRMLY BASED ON MUTUAL TRUST AND RESPECT.
"I AM PLEASED TO ADD HERE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED EFFORT TO IMPROVE LABOUR RELATIONS THROUGH TRIPARTITE CO-OPERATION IS NOW COMPLEMENTED BY THE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE INDUSTRIES THEMSELVES," HE ADDED.
MR CHEN POINTED OUT THAT INDUSTRY-BASED TRIPARTITE DIALOGUE WAS HELD TO DISCUSS WAYS OF IMPROVING LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS, WITH TRIPARTITE LABOUR RELATIONS COMMITTEES SET UP IN THE CATERING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
/NOTING THAT .......
MONDAY, MRCH 25, 1991
12 -
NOTING THAT THE TRIPARTITE EFFORTS WENT A LONG WAY TO PROMOTE SOUND LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS, MR CHEN SAID THE LABOUR RELATIONS SCENE IN HONG KONG REMAINED HARMONIOUS LAST YEAR.
"WITH A TOTAL WORKING POPULATION OF MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION, WE ONLY HAD 15 WORK STOPPAGES RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF 3,496 WORKING DAYS," MR CHEN SAID, ADDING THAT THIS WAS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE WORLD.
- - - - 0------
CFPA CHAMPIONS ARTS DEVELOPMENT ♦ »»*»*
THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) HAD PROGRESSED FROM BEING AN ADVISORY BODY MAINLY RESPONDING TO GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES, TO AN ORGANISATION CHAMPIONING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CFPA, DR WANG GUNGWU, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
DR WANG WAS SPEAKING AT A' PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE COUNCIL’S FIRST REPORT WHICH SUMMARISED ITS WORK FROM 1989 TO 1991.
DR WANG SAID THE COUNCIL’S MAIN OBJECTIVES WERE TO HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE PERFORMING ARTS AND TO BROADEN THE APPEAL OF THE ARTS, ESPECIALLY TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
HE SAID A RECENT INITIATIVE BY THE COUNCIL WAS THE OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPT WRITING SCHEME, UNDER WHICH AWARDS WERE MADE TO OUTSTANDING YOUNG WRITERS SELECTED FROM PRIZE WINNERS OF RECENT COMPETITIONS.
THE RESPONSE WAS MOST ENCOURAGING, HE SAID, THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF OTHER COMPETITION ORGANISERS. HE ADDED THAT THE COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING MAKING THIS SCHEME A REGULAR EVENT.
A SECOND MEASURE TO PROMOTE ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT IS THE SETTING UP OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CHINESE OPERA UNDER THE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH.
"THIS TRADITIONAL ART FORM HAS A CONSIDERABLE FOLLOWING HERE AND HAS GREAT POTENTIAL IF GIVEN THE RIGHT SUPPORT. THE COUNCIL WILL BE PLAYING ITS PART TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE AND STANDARDS OF CHINESE OPERA IN HONG KONG," DR WANG ADDED.
HE SAID THE THIRD INITIATIVE TAKEN WITH AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT IN MIND WAS THE LAUNCHING OF A MAJOR SURVEY OF THE POPULATION TO DETERMINE HOW PEOPLE’S PREFERENCES FOR THE ARTS WERE FORMED.
"THE RESULTS WILL BE USED TO HELP THE COUNCIL AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS TO PLAN AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MEASURES ON A RATIONAL BASIS," HE SAID.
/"THE ARTS .......
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
13
"THE ARTS RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTRE HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO MANAGE THE SURVEY WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY PROFESSIONAL POLLSTERS.
"THE SURVEY WILL BE COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, AND THE RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO INTERESTED PARTIES IN EARLY 1992," HE ADDED.
DR WANG SAID THE COUNCIL WAS SUPPORTING EFFORTS BY PERFORMING GROUPS TO WIN MORE BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP WITH ITS MATCHING GRANT SCHEME, UNDER WHICH FUNDS PLEDGED BY SPONSORS ARE MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR WITH A COUNCIL GRANT.
DR WANG REPORTED THAT GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR THE COUNCIL DURING THE PRESENT TERM WAS INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT FROM $29.3 MILLION IN 1989-90 TO $35.14 MILLION IN 1990-91.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FUNDING IN 1991-92 WOULD REMAIN AT THE SAME LEVEL.
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APPROPRIATION BILL TO BE DEBATED ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY *****
SOME 44 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1991 AT THE COUNCIL MEETINGS ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (MARCH 27 AND 28) WHEN IT IS INTRODUCED FOR THE SECOND READING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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MARCH 1991 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STARTED »♦*♦♦♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED TO CONDUCT THE MARCH 1991 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
THIS SURVEY IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG.
/THIS ROUND ........
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 40,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON MARCH 28, 1991 WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SELECTED ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS ARE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF JANUARY-MARCH 1991.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982, ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 823 5076.
AS FOR THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THIS DEPARTMENT DURING JANUARY-MARCH 1991, THEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE.
FIELD OFFICERS OF THIS DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS COMMENCED.
IN CASE OF ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE FIELD VISITS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 823 4770.
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EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT FOR EASTER HOLIDAYS
*****
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOK MAY HAVE THEIR WELFARE PAYMENT ADVANCED IF THEIR PAY DAY FALLS ON THE COMING EASTER HOLIDAYS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT PAYMENTS WHICH FALL ON MARCH 29, 30, 31 AND APRIL 1 WILL BE ADVANCED TO MARCH 25, 26, 27 AND 28 RESPECTIVELY.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR RECIPIENTS TO COLLECT THEIR PAYMENTS IN RESPECTIVE POST OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
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/15
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
15 FACELIFT IN RENNIE’S MILL AFTER CLEAN-UP OPERATION t * » * »
RENNIE’S MILL WAS GIVEN A FACELIFT AFTER A CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN THE AREA THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, THE OPERATION WAS AN ANNUAL EXERCISE TO KEEP LOCAL ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPERATION’S LAUNCHING CEREMONY AT TIU KENG LENG SECONDARY SCHOOL, CONVENER OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR EDWARD PONG, SAID RENNIE’S MILL WAS A WELL-ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY WITH RESIDENTS CLOSELY TIED WITH EACH OTHER.
HE URGED THE RESIDENTS TO HELP SPREAD THE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE TO THEIR NEIGHBOURS TO MAKE THE AREA A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE.
"RESIDENTS’ SUPPORT IS THE KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN, I THEREFORE URGE ALL OF YOU NOT ONLY TO KEEP YOUR OWN ENVIRONMENT CLEAN, BUT ALSO TO TRY TO DRAW THE SUPPORT FROM YOUR NEIGHBOURS," MR PONG SAID.
THE OPERATION WAS CONDUCTED BY 40 INMATES OF THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME AND ABOUT 20 RESIDENTS IN SAI KUNG.
WITH THE HELP FROM STAFF OF REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THEY SPENT ALMOST TWO HOURS COLLECTING RUBBISH FROM NARROW PATHS.
YAU TSIM RESIDENTS TO BE COMMENDED FOR FIGHTING CRIME » * » « »
FIFTY-SEVEN PUBLIC-SPIRITED PEOPLE WILL BE PRESENTED WITH GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE AWARDEES, COMPRISING 51 MEN AND SIX WOMEN, HAVE HELPED THE POLICE IN COMBATING CRIMES IN THE DISTRICT LAST YEAR.
ASSISTANT YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CLARA TANG, AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER FERRY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 5.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, GROUND FLOOR, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
/16 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
- 16 -
NEW MUI WO CLINIC STARTS OPERATION ON APRIL 1 ******
THE NEW MUI
APRIL 1.
WO CLINIC ON LANTAU WILL BEGIN OPERATION ON MONDAY,
THIS CLINIC AT 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD WILL REPLACE THE
EXISTING
MUI WO DISPENSARY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE CLINIC WILL PROVIDE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES AND MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES, AND WILL OPERATE A TRAVELLING DISPENSARY AND A ROUND-THE-CLOCK ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE.
AS APRIL 1 IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, ONLY ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE CLINIC ON THAT DAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE CLINIC FROM APRIL 2, TRAVELLING DISPENSARY AND ANTE-NATAL SERVICES FROM APRIL 3, FAMILY PLANNING AND POST-NATAL SERVICES FROM APRIL 4 AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES FROM APRIL 6.
TO FACILITATE THE REPROVISIONING EXERCISE, THE EXISTING MUI WO DISPENSARY AND ITS MATERNITY HOME WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 29).
ALL ANTE-NATAL CLIENTS PREVIOUSLY REFERRED TO THE MATERNITY HOME WILL BE DIRECTED TO TSAN YUK HOSPITAL OR TAI O MATERNITY HOME FOR DELIVERY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL WHICH NOW PROVIDES ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL 10 AM ON APRIL 1 WHEN THE HOSPITAL WILL FORMALLY CLOSE AND THE SERVICE BE TAKEN OVER BY THE NEW MUI WO CLINIC.
UPON THE CLOSURE OF THE HOSPITAL, THE DENTAL SERVICE CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY THE DENTAL CLINIC IN THE HOSPITAL, WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TAT O DENTAL CLINIC ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 10.30 AM TO 1 PM.
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/17........
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1991
- 17 -
SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE ON HK EDUCATION
A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS ON HONG KONG EDUCATION WILL BE ISSUED ON APRIL 18, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THIS SET OF STAMPS DEPICTS THE VARIOUS STAGES OF EDUCATION FROM KINDERGARTEN TO TERTIARY LEVEL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING.
THERE WILL BE FOUR DENOMINATIONS: 80-CENT, $1.80, $2.30 AND $5.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM APRIL 3 AT 70-CENT EACH. ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICED OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS MAY ALSO BE PLACED UP TO APRIL 11.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR ARDE LAM AND WERE PRINTED BY ENSCHEDE OF HOLLAND.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HK SIGNIFIES CONFIDENCE .................................. 1
HONG KONG PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN INT'L FIGHT AGAINST DRUG MONEY .................. 2
TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO INSIDER DEALING LAW PROPOSED ............................ 5
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED ................................... 6
TAC BRIEFED ON CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENTS DURING MTR BREAKDOWN .................... 8
NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR STATUTORY DECLARATIONS ..................................... 9
FURTHER EXPANSION OF RESIDENTIAL CARE PLACES NECESSARY ......................... 10
FOUR WITHDRAWALS FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS ........................................... 11
NEW MEDICAL CLINIC OPENS IN YUEN LONG .......................................... 12
SHEUNG SHUI FIRE STATION OPENS ................................................. 13
BUS FRANCHISE PARTICULARS TO BE ISSUED SHORTLY ................................. 14
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES .................................... 15
62 VMS RETURN TODAY ............................................................ 15
ONE MORE NOMINATION RECEIVED FOR SHUN LEE BY-ELECTION .......................... 16
1
JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HK SIGNIFIES CONFIDENCE
THE INCREASING PRESENCE OF JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG SIGNIFIES THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ENTITLED ’’JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG IN THE 1990’S” CO-ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG FOUNDATION AND THE CENTRE FOR ASIAN PACIFIC STUDIES OF LINGNAN COLLEGE, MR WONG SAID JAPAN HAD ALL ALONG BEEN A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT TO HONG KONG, AS BORNE OUT BY THE FINDINGS OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
ACCORDING TO THE LATEST SURVEY, THE CUMULATIVE VALUE OF JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AT THE END OF 1989 STOOD AT $8,642 MILLION, REPRESENTING 29.1 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, JAPAN IS A CLOSE SECOND TO THE USA, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 31 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID JAPAN’S CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT IN 1989, AT $4,002 MILLION, WAS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE AMOUNT RECORDED IN 1986.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD ITS PERCENTAGE SHARE OF OVERALL TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT GAINED 8.6 POINTS, AND THE GROSS ADDITION TO FIXED ASSETS MADE BY JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS WAS $624 MILLION, THE SECOND LARGEST ADDITION IN A YEAR AFTER THE RECORD HIGH OF $1,026 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 WONG SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD IDENTIFIED 180 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG WHICH INVOLVED JAPANESE INVESTMENT.
OF THESE 180 COMPANIES, 100 (56 PER CENT) ARE WHOLLY-OWNED BY JAPANESE INTERESTS, NINE (FIVE PER CENT) ARE JOINT-VENTURES WITHOUT A LOCAL INTEREST AND 71 (39 PER CENT) ARE JOINT-VENTURES INVOLVING LOCAL INTERESTS.
THEY TOGETHER EMPLOY MORE THAN 26,000 STAFF, REPRESENTING SOME 3.6 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE.
THE INDUSTRIES WHICH ATTRACTED THE MOST JAPANESE INVESTMENT INCLUDE ELECTRONICS, ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS.
/JAPAN AIjSO........
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
2
JAPAN ALSO LEADS OTHER OVERSEAS INVESTORS IN ALL THESE FIELDS, EXCEPT THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, IN WHICH JAPAN IS RANKED SECOND AFTER THE UNITED STATES.
MR WONG SAID DURING 1989 THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ASSISTED 10 JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS TO SET UP NEW PLANTS IN HONG KONG, AND HELPED THREE MANUFACTURERS EXPAND THEIR PRODUCTION FACILITIES.
IN 1990 THE DEPARTMENT ASSISTED IN FOUR NEW JAPANESE PROJECTS, AS WELL AS IN THE EXPANSION OF FIVE JAPANESE FACTORIES IN HONG KONG.
IN ADDITION, OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS, THE DEPARTMENT HAD ASSISTED SOME 20 MANUFACTURERS IN SETTING UP OFFICES IN HONG KONG FOR SALES OR PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES.
SOME EXAMPLES OF THESE NOTABLE PROJECTS INCLUDED PACIFIC TUBE CORP LTD (GALVANISED STEEL TUBE), NEC TECHNOLOGIES HONG KONG LTD (MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT HEADQUARTERS FOR COMPUTER PERIPHERALS) AND RICOH CO. LTD (PROCUREMENT OFFICE FOR PHOTOCOPIER PARTS AND COMPONENTS).
MEANWHILE, THERE WERE SOME 60 ACTIVE PROJECTS ON THE DEPARTMENT’S RECORDS, MR WONG SAID.
"WE SHALL SOON SEE FRUITION OF TWO JAPANESE MANUFACTURING PROJECTS - THE DYEING AND FINISHING PROJECT OF ASANO DYEING CO. (HK) LTD AND THE COPPER FOIL PLANT OF NIKKO GOULD.
"THERE ARE A NUMBER OF EXPANSION PROJECTS NEAR THE STAGE OF COMPLETION, ALL OF WHICH ARE FIRM EVIDENCE OF SUSTAINED JAPANESE INVESTMENT INTEREST," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DEDICATED TO MAINTAINING AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH BUSINESS WOULD BE ABLE TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY AND PROSPER.
"THE INCREASING PRESENCE OF JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG IS ALREADY PROOF THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND NICHE AREAS AND DO PROFITABLE BUSINESS THERE," HE SAID.
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HONG KONG PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN INT’L FIGHT AGAINST DRUG MONEY ♦ »****
HONG KONG IS PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO ATTACK THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF THE ILLICIT DRUG TRADE WORLD-WIDE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR DAVID WEEKS, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF PENINSULA, MR WEEKS SAID THIS WAS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE AS1A/PACIFIC REGION AFTER HONG KONG BECAME AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT SINCE LAST DECEMBER IN THE WORK OF THE FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED BY THE G7 GROUP OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IN 1989.
/HIS SPEECH .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
3 -
HIS SPEECH COINCIDED WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE DECADE AGAINST DRUG ABUSE (1991 - 2000) PROCLAIMED BY THE UNITED NATIONS AT ITS 17TH SPECIAL SESSION IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
HE SAID: "AT THE HEART OF THE EVIL OF DRUG TRAFFICKING IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CRIMINALS TO MAKE HUGE PROFITS.
"MEASURES TO STOP DRUG TRAFFICKERS FROM BEING ABLE TO RETAIN AND USE THE PROCEEDS OF THEIR CRIMES MUST THEREFORE FORM AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY CONCERTED ANTI-DRUGS STRATEGY.
"THE AIMS OF SUCH MEASURES SHOULD BE DETERRENT, BY MAKING DRUG TRAFFICKING LESS PROFITABLE; PREVENTIVE, BY STOPPING THE REINVESTMENT OF THE PROCEEDS IN FURTHER DRUG TRAFFICKING OR IN OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES; AND INVESTIGATIVE, BY ENABLING INVESTIGATORS TO FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL TO THOSE AT THE TOP OF THE BUSINESS, AND MAKING IT EASIER TO IDENTIFY AND THEN DISMANTLE CRIMINAL ORGANISATIONS."
MR WEEKS CONTINUED: "INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IS VITAL IF SUCH MEASURES ARE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AGAINST THE MAJOR TRAFFICKERS, WHO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF MODERN COMMUNICATIONS AND BUSINESS TECHNIQUES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO CONCEAL THEIR ILL-GOTTEN GAINS AND TO PUT THEM BEYOND THE REACH OF THE LAW."
HE SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR GOVERNMENTS TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES COULD SECURE THE RECOVERY OF THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING WHEREVER THEY MIGHT BE FOUND.
"IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR THERE TO BE ADEQUATE MECHANISMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE FOR EACH OTHER INFORMATION TO ESTABLISH THE MOVEMENT OF ILLICIT PROCEEDS, AND EVIDENCE TO HELP BRING THOSE CONCERNED TO JUSTICE.
"THE FULLEST POSSIBLE CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED URGENTLY, AS THE TRADE IN ILLICIT DRUGS CONTINUES TO EXPAND ITS OPERATIONS AND BECOME MORE INTERNATIONAL AND SOPHISTICATED IN NATURE," HE SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO, THE HONG KONG 'FF1CIALS HAD BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY BUSY NEGOTIATING- ARRANGEMENTS WITH •■VERSEAS JURISDICTIONS TO PROVIDE FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FIGHT GAINST INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD SO FAR NEGOTIATED ARRANGEMENTS FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN RESPECT OF NINE OVERSEAS JURISDICTIONS: CANADA, THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM JURISDICTIONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES, SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, JERSEY, GUERNSEY AND THE ISLE OF MAN.
"THESE JURISDICTIONS HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED UNDER THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE, THUS ENABLING US TO GIVE EFFECT IN HONG KONG TO CONF I SCATION ORDERS MADE BY THEIR COURTS, AND OTHER RELATED PROCEEDINGS.
/"WE ARE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
4
"WE ARE ANXIOUS TO EXTEND THIS NETWORK OF AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS WITH COMPATIBLE ASSET FORFEITURE LEGISLATION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES ARE AT VARIOUS STAGES,” HE STRESSED.
MR WEEKS ADDED THAT THE CREATION OF A SPECIALIST UNIT IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, WHICH UNDERTOOK ALL LEGAL WORK RELATING TO THE RECOVERY OF THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING, HAD LED TO THE ASSEMBLY OF A BODY OF LEGAL AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE RECOVERY OF DRUG TRAFFICKING PROCEEDS, BOTH IN HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE.
’’THIS OFFICE, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, ALSO ACTS AS THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY FOR HONG KONG IN THE PROCESSING OF ALL REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE PURSUANT TO OUR VARIOUS ANTI-DRUG TRAFFICKING AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS,” HE SAID.
MOREOVER, MR WEEKS SAID HONG KONG ALSO TOOK VERY ACTIVE PART IN A WIDE RANGE OF MULTI-LATERAL ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES, AND HAD STRONG AND EFFECTIVE LINKS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE NEWLY CONSTITUTED INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME.
"IN THE FIELD OF INTERNATIONAL LAW-ENFORCEMENT - COMBATTING THE INTERNATIONAL DRUG-TRAFFICKER - THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAVE CLOSE LINKS WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN CHINA AND ELSEWHERE IN ASIA, THE USA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA AND MOST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH SUCH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AS INTERPOL AND THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL.
’’THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS, UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, RUNS THE ASIA/PACIF1C OFFICE OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL, PROVIDING A VITAL CROSS-FLOW OF INTELLIGENCE BETWEEN DIFFERENT CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES ON THE LATEST TRENDS IN DRUG SMUGGLING AND MONEY LAUNDERING TECHNIQUES.
* ”A POST OF COUNSELLOR FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS IS MAINTAINED AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN BANGKOK TO LIAISE WITH THE THAI LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, REGIONAL UNITED NATIONS AND INTERPOL OFFICES, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN ANTI-NARCOTICS COMMUNITY IN BANGKOK.
"OUR COUNSELLOR, A CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, ALSO MAINTAINS CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE GOVERNMENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF NEIGHBOURING SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES,” HE SAID.
WHILE TALKING ABOUT DEMAND REDUCTION WHICH COVERS ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PREVENTIVE EDUCATION, GENERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS EQUALLY AND PROBABLY MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.
HE SAID: "IT IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO STOP, OR AT LEAST REDUCE THE NUMBERS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, W-HO, THROUGH IGNORANCE, CURIOSITY OR WHATEVER, FALL VICTIM TO DRUGS EVERY YEAR, THAT WE EDUCATE THEM PROPERLY IN THE INEVITABLE RESULTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE -AND HERE I CONSCIOUSLY INCLUDE THE ABUSE OF LICIT SUBSTANCES LIKE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO, ALONG WITH THE MISUSE OF THE ILLEGAL AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT WE NORMALLY THINK OF IN THIS CONTEXT.”
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/5 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
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TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO INSIDER DEALING LAW PROPOSED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦
A SHORT BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON THURSDAY PROPOSING TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE.
THE BILL SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE DUTY OF OFFICERS OF A CORPORATION IN RELATION TO INSIDER DEALING BY THE CORPORATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"AS THEY NOW STAND, SECTIONS 13, 16 AND 24 OF THE ORDINANCE, TAKEN TOGETHER, IMPOSE A BLANKET REQUIREMENT THAT COMPANIES’ OFFICERS MUST ENSURE THAT THEIR COMPANIES DO NOT ENGAGE IN ANY ’INSIDER DEALING’. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE MAKES A DISTINCTION BETWEEN ’INSIDER DEALER’ AND 'INSIDER DEALING’, A DIFFICULTY ARISES,” HE EXPLAINED.
"TO BE AN 'INSIDER DEALER’ IS, IN EVERY CASE, CULPABLE. BUT A PERSON WHO ENGAGES IN CONDUCT WHICH IS, BY DEFINITION, 'INSIDER DEALING’ MAY, IF EXCUSED BY SECTION 10, NOT BE CULPABLE.
"THUS, AS PRESENTLY WORDED, THE PROVISIONS REQUIRE COMPANIES’ OFFICERS TO PREVENT CONDUCT WHICH MAY, IF COVERED BY THE SECTION 10 EXEMPTIONS, NOT BE CULPABLE. THAT DOES NOT REFLECT THE INTENTION BEHIND THE LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
"WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT AN OFFICER IN TECHNICAL BREACH OF HIS DUTY WOULD IN REALITY RUN A RISK OF HAVING AN ORDER MADE BY THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL AGAINST HIM," THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE DO ACCEPT THAT THE TERMS OF ANY STATUTORY DUTY SHOULD BE STATED UNAMBIGUOUSLY. OTHERWISE, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR COMPANIES’ OFFICERS TO BE CERTAIN ABOUT THEIR DUTIES."
THE BILL PROPOSES THEREFORE TO AMEND SECTIONS 13 AND 24 TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE OFFICER’S DUTY IS TO PREVENT THE CORPORATION FROM PERPETRATING ANY ACT ’WHICH MIGHT CAUSE IT TO BE IDENTIFIED BY THE TRIBUNAL AS AN INSIDER DEALER’.
THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 1.
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
- 6 -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1991. THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84 - SEP. 85 = 100) FOR FEBRUARY 1991, AT 152.7 AND 151.9 RESPECTIVELY, WERE BOTH 11.9% HIGHER THAN IN FEBRUARY 1990.
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE IN DECEMBER 1990 AND JANUARY 1991 WERE 11.3% AND 10.8% RESPECTIVELY FOR CPI(A) AND 11.1% AND 10.8% RESPECTIVELY FOR CPI(B).
THE FASTER RATES OF INCREASE IN THE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1991 WERE PREDOMINANTLY DUE TO SIGNIFICANT PRICE INCREASES FOR SOME ESSENTIAL FOODSTUFFS AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR. IN THIS REGARD, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A RELATIVELY LOW BASE OF COMPARISON IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, AS THE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN 1990 TOOK PLACE IN JANUARY.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1991, AT 144.6 AND 144.1 RESPECTIVELY, WERE BOTH 10.1% HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1990.
TAKING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TOGETHER BOTH THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED BY 11.3% OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1990.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS, WHICH HAS THE LARGEST WEIGHTING TN THE INDEX, INCREASED BY 11.6% IN CPI(A) AND BY 12.0% IN CPI(B). FASTER RATES OF INCREASE IN CPI(A) IN FEBRUARY 1991 WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES (16.2%), SERVICES (15.3%), FUEL AND LIGHT (15.1%), ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO FOR HOME CONSUMPTION (13.8%) AND HOUSING (13.2%).
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE FOR THE SAME COMPONENTS IN THE CPI(B) WERE 16.9%, 14.4%, 14.5%, 14.2% AND 12.2% RESPECTIVELY. THESE SIX COMPONENTS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 91% OF THE OVERALL INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AND 89% OF THE INCREASE IN THE CPI(B).
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1991, THE CPI(A) INCREASED BY 2.0% AND THE CPI(B), BY 1.8%, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH FOOD ITEMS AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, AND HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 1991, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.0% PER MONTH.
THE CPI(A) AND THE CP1(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50% AND 30%, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
/CHANGES IN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
7 -
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1991 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMOD1TY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991 AND FEBRUARY 1990, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
INDEX % CHANGE % CHANGE INDEX % CHANGE % CHANGE
FOR OVER OVER FOR OVER OVER
SECTION FEB. 91 JAN. 91 FEB. 90 FEB. 91 JAN. 91 FEB. 90
FOODSTUFFS 155.7 + 3.5 + 11.6 157.9 + 3.3 + 12.0
HOUSING 143.2 + 0.8 + 13.2 136.7 + 1.0 + 12.2
FUEL AND LIGHT 116.1 -0.6 + 15.1 115.3 -0.5 + 14.5
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS 164.4 + 0.1 + 13.8 165.9 + 0.1 + 14.2
AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) CLOTHING AND 146.7 -1 .4 + 7.1 149.2 -1.6 + 8.0
FOOTWEAR
DURABLE GOODS 129.2 + 0.1 + 5.2 127.7 + 0.1 + 5.1
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 147.8 + 1 . 1 + 7.5 147.3 + 1.6 + 7.4
TRANSPORT AND 163.3 + 0.8 + 16.2 163.5 + 0.7 + 16.9
VEHICLES
SERVICES 176.6 + 1.8 + 15.3 175.0 + 2. 1 + 14.4
ALL ITEMS 152.7 + 2.0 + 11.9 151.9 + 1.8 + 11.9
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1991, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 3.5% IN CPI(A) AND BY 3.3% IN CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT, SALTWATER FISH, PORK, FRESH-WATER FISH, LIVE POULTRY, FRESH VEGETABLES, SHRIMPS AND CRABS AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, AND IN THE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 0.8% IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.0% IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY 0.6% IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.5% IN CPI(B) DUE TO THE EFFECT OF THE RECENT DECREASE IN THE PRICES OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS AND KEROSENE AS WELL AS THE DOWNWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT FOR TOWNGAS.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DECREASED BY 1.4% IN CP1(A) AND BY 1.6% TN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF LOWER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY 1.1% IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.6% IN CP1(B) AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF FRESH FLOWERS AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE DECREASE IN THE PRICES OF GENUINE JEWELLERY.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 0.8% IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.7% IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER FARES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR AND AN INCREASE IN AIR FARES.
/THE INDEX ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
8
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 1.8% IN CPI(A) AND BY 2.1% IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AND PACKAGE TOURS AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR FEBRUARY 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, WANCHA1 TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6403.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 161.9 IN FEBRUARY 1991, UP BY 1.6% OVER JANUARY 1991 AND BY 12.8% OVER FEBRUARY 1990.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT $ 10,000-$24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
---------0-----------
TAC BRIEFED ON CONTINGENCY ♦
ARRANGEMENTS DURING MTR BREAKDOWN ♦ t ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
WAS BRIEFED TODAY ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC
(TUESDAY) TRANSPORT
ON THE CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENTS OF --------------
SERVICES DURING THE BREAKDOWN OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ON MARCH 11.
THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE MTRC IS CONDUCTING INTERNAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT AND IS EXPECTED TO ITS REPORTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION UPON ITS COMPLETION.
A FULL FURNISH
THE COMMITTEE WAS INCIDENT AT 8 AM ON MARCH ALERTED THE MAJOR PUBLIC SERVICES.
INFORMED THAT UPON NOTIFICATION OF THE 1 1 , THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR
ADDITIONAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY THE COMPANIES, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION FERRY COMPANIES.
TWO FRANCHISED
AS WELL AS THE
BUS TWO
ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED OPERATORS, ABOUT 69,000 ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS WERE
BY THESE CARRIED
TRANSPORT
DURING THE
MORNING.
/THE TAC .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, J991
9
THE TAC MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE PROVISION OE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT SERVICES COULD NOT HAVE BEEN TOTALLY EFFECTIVE TO COPE WITH THE SITUATION AS THE MAJOR DISRUPTION STARTED AT 7.40 AM DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOURS WHEN THE CAPACITY OF AVAILABLE BUSES AND FERRIES COULD NOT BY ANY MEANS ADDRESS THE SHEER VOLUME OF PASSENGERS DISPLACED BY THE MTR. MOREOVER, MOST OF THE BUS AND FERRY FLEET HAD ALREADY DEPARTED THE DEPOTS/P1ERS BY 7.40 AM AND SWIFT REDIRECTION OF BUSES TO THE AFFECTED MTR STATIONS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE GIVEN THE HEAVY PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC. THE TAC WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE CONTIGNENCY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN THE LIGHT OF THE INCIDENT.
THE REVIEW RECOMMENDED, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THE PROVISION OF PORTABLE TELEPHONES TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S DUTY OFFICERS TO FACILITATE A MORE EFFECTIVE TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION.
IN ADDITION, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL REQUIRE INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN EMERGENCY TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATION UNITS AND TO NOMINATE STAFF WITH SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EMERGENCIES.
THE REVIEW ALSO SUGGESTED THAT PERIODIC DRILLS BE CARRIED OUT TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EACH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATOR’S COMMUNICATION AND EMERGENCY CO-ORDINATION SYSTEM.
MEANWHILE, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL WORK WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO STREAMLINE EXISTING EMERGENCY TRANSPORT PROCEDURES TO AVOID AMBIGUITIES AND TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS FULLY INFORMED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY.
--------0-----------
NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR STATUTORY DECLARATIONS
*****
NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM APRIL 2 FOR THE STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
STARTING FROM THAT DAY, THE CNTA WILL ONLY ADMINISTER STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS FOR "PRIVATE USE’.
ALSO FROM THE SAME DAY, INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS WILL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTERING THEIR OWN STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS FOR "OFFICIAL USE".
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD GO TO THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED DIRECT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF OFFICIAL STATUTORY DECLARATIONS.
/"STATUTORY DECLARATIONS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
10
’’STATUTORY DECLARATIONS FOR OFFICIAL USE MEANS THOSE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHILE NON-OFF1CIAL OR PRIVATE STATUTORY DECLARATIONS ARE THOSE REQUIRED BY NON-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES SUCH AS FOR EMPLOYMENT, EMIGRATION, EDUCATIONAL EXAMINATIONS AND CLAIMS OF LOSS OF DOCUMENT,” A CNTA SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
AS FOR THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, HE SAID THEY AROSE FROM A REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE OPERATED BY THE CNTA AND THE INCREASING NUMBER AND VARIETY OF OFFICIAL AND NON-OFFICIAL DECLARATIONS BEING ADMINISTERED AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES (PESO’S).
AS A RESULT, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO REVIEW AND REDUCE THEIR STATUTORY DECLARATION REQUIREMENTS AND TO ADMINISTER THE DECLARATIONS THEMSELVES FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE CNTA PESO’S AND CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SYSTEM (TEL. NO. 835 1501) WOULD HELP TO REFER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO THE DESIGNATED OFFICES OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF OFFICIAL STATUTORY DECLARATIONS.
------0--------
FURTHER EXPANSION OF RESIDENTIAL CARE PLACES NECESSARY
FURTHER EXPANSION WILL BE NECESSARY TO BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL CARE PLACES FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS IN SUBVENTED HOMES UP TO SOME 20,000 BY THE END OF THE DECADE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING Al’ THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ CHAN HAN HOME FOR THE ELDERLY, MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPANSION WAS NECESSARILY TO KEEP PACE WITH THE GROWING ELDERLY POPULATION, WHICH WOULD CLOSE TO ONE MILLION BY THE YEAR 2000.
THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND PROPOSES THE PROVISION FOR AN ADDITIONAL 5,000 PLACES IN HOMES FOR THE AGED AND CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES BY 1995-96.
’’WHILST IT IS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF RESIDENTIAL CARE PLACES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT ONLY A COMPARATIVELY SMALL PROPORTION OF THE ELDERLY OVER 60, ABOUT THREE PER CENT, WILL ACTUALLY NEED RESIDENTIAL CARE OF ONE TYPE OR ANOTHER," MR CARTLAND SAID.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF ELDERLY PEOPLE CAN EXPECT TO REMAIN FIT AND ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THE PROVISION OF A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES.
THE SERVICES COMPRISED FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND A FULL RANGE OF DIRECT SERVICES, INCLUDING COUNSELLING, HOME HELP AND RESPITE SERVICE, WHICH AIMED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RELIEF TO THE FAMILIES CONCERNED AND TO GIVE DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO ELDERLY SINGLETONS, HE EXPLAINED.
/’’IN PROVIDING.......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
11
"JN PROVIDING THE WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES NEEDED FOR THE ELDERLY, THE GOVERNMENT WORKS HAND-IN-HAND WITH NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS PUBLIC-SPIRITED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE GROUP FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION IN PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES TO DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
---------0-----------
FOUR WITHDRAWALS FOR UC/RC ELECTIONS
FOUR WITHDRAWALS WERE RECEIVED TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL (UC) AND REGIONAL COUNI’IL (RC) ELECTIONS IN MAY.
THESE WITHDRAWALS RESULTED IN THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES VYING FOR THE ELECTIONS REDUCING FROM 65 TO 61. THIRTY-SEVEN WERE FOR UC ELECTIONS AND 24 FOR THE RC ELECTIONS.
THE WITHDRAWALS WERE RECEIVED FROM:
PAK SUM, STEVEN (WONG TAI SIN NORTH)
YEUNG CHIU-MING (WONG TAI SIN SOUTH)
YEUNG SHUCK-CHUEN (THEN MUN EAST)
WONG KIN-HONG (TUEN MUN WEST)
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTESTING IN 27 SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES - 15 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND 12 IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA ON THE ELECTION DAY ON MAY 5.
FOLLOWING IS A STAT 1ST I ('AL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS:
URBAN COUNCIL CONST ITUENCY AREA NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. CENTRAL AND WESTERN 2
2. WAN CHAI 2
3. NORTH POINT 3
4 . SHAU KEI WAN 3
5. SOUTHERN 3
6. KOWLOON CITY WEST 2
7. KOWLOON CITY EAST 3 3
8. KWUN TONG WEST
9. KWUN TONG EAST 2
10. MONG KOK 3
11 . SHAM SHUI PO EAST 2
12. SHAM SHU I PO WEST 2
13. WONG TAI SIN SOUTH 2 1
14. WONG TAI SIN NORTH
15. YAU TSIM 4
SUB-TOTAL: 37
/REGIONAL COUNCIL .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
12
REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AREA
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1. ISLANDS 2
2. NORTH 1
3. SAI KUNG 2
4. SHA TIN EAST 3
5. SHA TIN WEST 2
6. TAI PO 2
7. TSUEN WAN 2
8. TUEN MUN EAST 2
9. TUEN MUN WEST 2
10. YUEN LONG 2
1 1 . KWAI CHUNG EAST 2
12. KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSI NG YI 2
SUB-TOTAL: 24
----0------
NEW MEDICAL CLINIC OPENS IN YUEN LONG
******
THE QUALITY OF MEDICAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN YUEN LONG WILL BE IMPROVED FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE MADAM YUNG FUNG SHEE HEALTH CENTRE TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE NEW CLINIC, LOCATED AT SAI CHING STREET IN YUEN LONG, IS NAMED AFTER THE LATE MADAM YUNG FUNG SHEE, TN APPRECIATION OF THE $32.5 MILLION DONATION BY THE YUNG FUNG SHEE MEMORIAL CENTRE I RUST FUND FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY THIS AFTERNOON, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND HEUNG YEE KUK CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT, SAID THE MODERN HEALTH CENTRE MARKED THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION IN IMPROVING HEALTH SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
MR LAU PLEDGED HIS SUPPORT TO THE PILOT DISTRICT HEALTH SYSTEM (DHS) WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LATER IN THE YEAR.
HE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN OF THE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT (GOPD) OF THE HEALTH CENTRE, INCLUDING THE MEDICAL RECORDS SYSTEM, THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM AND HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID THE MADAM YUNG FUNG SHEE HEALTH CENTRE WOULD FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FUTURE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN YUEN LONG.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS PLANS TO DEVELOP THE DHS LN A BID IO ENSURE A MORE EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
/"UNDER THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
13
"UNDER THE DHS," DR LEE SAID, "ALL THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES WITHIN A DISTRICT WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO A NETWORK AND PLANNED ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL POPULATION."
HE STRESSED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN MAKING THE DHS A SUCCESS.
"THE MOTTO OF THE DEPARTMENT IS PARTNERSHIP IN HEALTH," DR LEE SAID.
"THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION FROM THE COMMUNITY, THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, THE HOSPITALS AND OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT, WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SERVICES AND STANDARDS OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY."
REFERRING TO THE CENTRE’S GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, THE DIRECTOR SAID IT WAS THE DEPARTMENT’S FIFTH GOPD TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL RECORDS.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF SELF-CARE AND HEALTHY LIFE STYLE IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES WOULD HAVE A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH, AND THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ALL ILLNESSES.
"THESE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, NOW ONLY PROVIDED FOR PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES, WILL BE EXTENDED TO PATIENTS WITH OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES IN THE FUTURE," HE ADDED.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, AND THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI KUEN.
THE MADAM YUNG FUNG SHEK HEALTH CENTRE IS A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING. IT PROVIDES GENERAL OUT-PATIENT, FAMILY HEALTH, COMMUNITY NURSING, DENTAL AND OPTHALMOLOGY SERVICES.
------0--------
SHEUNG SHUI FIRE STATION t * * t ♦
OPENS
RESIDENTS OF SHEUNG SHUI WERE BETTER PROTECTION AND SERVICES DURING FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE SHEUNG SHUT
TODAY (TUESDAY) FIRE AND OTHER FIRE STATION.
ASSURED OF
EMERGENCIES
SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FIRE STATION AT CLUB ROAD (NEAR TSUI LAI GARDEN), THE CHIEF FIR. (HEADQUARTERS), MR PETER CHEUNG, SAID: DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA, A NEW STATION REPLACE THE OLD STATION TO PROVIDE MORE
IN ORDER TO
WAS COMPLETED
EFFICIENT AND
SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
JOCKEY OFFICER
KEEP PACE
LAST JUNE
EFFECTIVE
WITH
TO FIRE
"SHEUNG SHUI, WHICH USED TO BE A RURAL PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, HAS BECOME A WITH NUMEROUS HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS AND A SHARP
AREA IN THE NORTHERN FLOURISHING NEW TOWN INCREASE IN POPULATION.
/"TODAY, IT.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
’’TODAY, IT COMPRISES ONE MARKET TOWN, THREE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THREE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATES, ONE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND 20 INDIGENOUS VILLAGES," MR CHEUNG SAID.
THE POPULATION OF SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE APPROACHING 100,000 WHEN SEVERAL LARGE PRIVATE ESTATES ARE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.
MR CHEUNG SAID AS THERE WAS A VAST EXPANSE OF WOODLANDS IN THE AREA, HILLFIRES WERE COMMON IN WINTER.
’’THE COMMISSIONING OF THIS NEW FIRE STATION HAS NOT ONLY MET THE PLANNING DEVELOPMENTS AND NEEDS IN THE 90’S, BUT HAS ALSO MARKED ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHEUNG SHUI," HE SAID.
THE $10.4 MILLION, FOUR-STOREY NEW FIRE STATION OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 2,016 SQUARE METRES, AND PROVIDES A LARGE SPACE FOR ACCOMMODATING SEVERAL MODERN FIRE APPLIANCES.’
THE DRILL GROUND ALSO PROVIDES AMPLE SPACE FOR THE FIRE BRIDGADES TO TAKE FIRE DRILLS DAILY TO ENHANCE THEIR EFFICIENCY.
LAST YEAR THE FIRE SERVICES RESPONDED TO 414 FIRE CALLS IN SHEUNG SHUI, THREE OF WHICH WERE NO. 3 ALARM FIRES; AND THE NUMBER OF CALLS FOR SPECIAL SERVICES, SUCH AS RESCUING PEOPLE WHO WERE INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS OR TRAPPED IN LIFTS, WAS 181 .
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, ALSO ATTENDED TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY.
-----0------
BUS FRANCHISE PARTICULARS TO BE ISSUED SHORTLY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS AROUND MTD-APRIL FOR THE FRANCHISE TO OPERATE A NEW BUS SERVICE PLYING BETWEEN CENTRAL DISTRICT AND MACDONNELL ROAD, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
AN ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL BE SET UP TO EVALUATE THE BUS ROUTE TENDERS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT TENDERERS WILL BE EXPEC 1 ED TO COMPETE ON THE BASIS OF EXPERIENCE AND THE LEVEL AND STANDARD OF SERVICE PROPOSED.
BASED ON A SET OF ESTABLISHED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA, THE COMMITTEE WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR MAKING A DECISION TO AWARD THE FRANCHISE TO THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER, HE ADDED.
/TENDER NOTICE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
15
TENDER NOTICE AND FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE DEPARTMENT SHORTLY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD DECIDED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR TO CHANGE THE CURRENT BUS FRANCHISE ARRANGEMENTS TO ALLOW FOR COMPETITIVE TENDERING.
-----u------
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES
*****
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES' AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS TO ORGANISE RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD ENABLE THOSE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 TO ACQUIRE SOME EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE WHILE HAVING FUN DURING THE TWO-MONTH VACATION.
A SUM OF $431,200 WAS GRANTED LAST YEAR FOR LOCAL BODIES IN THE DISTRICT TO ORGANISE ABOUT 260 ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSES, CAMPING AND SPORTS TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, SAI WAN HO.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, BEFORE APRIL 15.
---------0------- 62 VMS RETURN TODAY * * * *
A GROUP OF
VIETNAM UNDER THE
62 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED UNHCR'S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
TO
COMPRISING 24 MEN, 13 WOMEN, THE 52TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE
15 BOYS AND PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BOUGHT TO 6,925 THE TOTAL MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNI AR ILY.
10 GIRLS, THEY WERE
NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE
--------0-----------
/16 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 1991
- 16 -
ONE MORE NOMINATION RECEIVED FOR SHUN LEE BY-ELECTION ******
ONE NOMINATION FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION ON APRIL 21 WAS RECEIVED TODAY (TUESDAY), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS TO FIVE.
THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATE WHOSE NOMINATION FORM WAS RECEIVED TODAY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL. NO.
— — — —
HAU CH I-CHIU M 36 ROOM ATTENDENT 344 1140 OR
111 0088 A/C 7888
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED ................................. 1
SETTLEMENT OF JUDICIAL REVIEW ................................................... 3
COMMENT ON HONG KONG TELECOM RATIONALISATION .................................... 4
PILOT SCHEME ON REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS .......................... 4
MEASURES INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE TAIWANESE VISITORS .......................... 5
UK EXPERT TO REVIEW MTR INCIDENT REPORT ......................................... 6
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED..........................................., ... 7
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES .............................. 9
EIGHT CLINICS TO OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS ........................................... 9
NEW STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICE BY IRD ....................................... 10
PROPERTY REVIEW 1991 PUBLISHED ................................................ 10
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ...................................... 11
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ...................................... 11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED t * * ♦ » »
THE VARIOUS TRADE AGGREGATES SHOWED MORE MODERATE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES IN FEBRUARY THAN IN JANUARY, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR BUT TN END-JANUARY LAST YEAR.
TAKING THE FIRST TWO MONTHS TOGETHER, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES OF THE VARIOUS TRADE AGGREGATES WERE STILL QUITE STRONG.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY $1,035 7.8% OVER FEBRUARY 1990 TO $14,346 MILLION IN FEBRUARY VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY $7,015 MILLION OR 28.7% MILLION.
MILLION OR 1991. THE TO $31,461
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1991, AT $45,807 MILLION, WAS $8,050 MILLION OR 21.3% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $4,536 MILLION OR 11.2% OVER LAST YEAR, TO $45,009MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1991.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $798 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1991.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $2,716 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.7% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1990.
TAKING THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TOGETHER, THE VALUES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $3,574 MILLION AND $18,076 MILLION, OR 11.9% AND 34.5% OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $33,522 MILLION AND $70,482 MILLION RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $104,004 MILLION, WAS $21,650 MILLION OR 26.3% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $24,105 MILLION OR 29.6% TO $105,669 MILLION.
IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1991, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $1,665 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.6% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED. THIS COMPARES WITH A SURPLUS OF $790 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.0% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE LATEST TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR REMAINED SUBSTANTIAL, WHILE THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS CONTINUED TO IMPROVE.
/THE YEAR-ON-YEAR
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
2
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE IN VALUE TERMS OF RETAINED IMPORTS, AT 23. <3% IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS COMBINED, SHOULD HAVE FAVOURABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR BOTH DOMESTIC DEMAND AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1991.
MERCHAND I SE : DOMEST IC EXPORTS $14,346 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS $31,461 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS $45,807 MILLION
IMPORTS $45,009 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE $798 MILLION
[IN SURPLUS]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS DEC 90 TO FEB 91 HK$ MN. DEC 89 TO FEB 90 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 53,734 49,864 3,870 7.8
RE-EXPORTS 107,243 81,992 25,251 30.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 160,977 131 ,856 29,121 22. 1
IMPORTS 165,027 129,008 36,019 27.9
TRADE BALANCE -4,050 2,848 -6,898
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY INCREASE
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1991 1990
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14,346 13,311 1,035 7.8
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (31.3%) (35.3%)
RE-EXPORTS 3 1,1 6 1 2 4 , 1 16 7,0 15 28.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 45,807 37,757 8,050 • 21.3
IMPORTS 45,009 40,473 4,536 11.2
TRADE BALANCE 798 -2,716 3,514
FEBRUARY JANUARY INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1991 1991
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14,346 19, 176 -4,830 -25.2
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (31.3%) (33.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 31,461 39,021 -7,560 -19.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 15,807 58,197 -12,390 -21.3
IMPORTS 45,009 60,661 -15,652 -25.8
TRADE BALANCE 798 -2,464 3,262
JAN-FEB JAN-FEB INCREASE
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1991 1990
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
3
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 33,522 29,948 3,574 11.9
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (32.2%) (36.4%)
RE-EXPORTS 70,482 52,406 18,076 34.5
TOT Al, EXPORTS 104,004 82,354 21,650 26.3
IMPORTS 105,669 81,564 24,105 29.6
TRADE BALANCE -1 ,665 790 -2,455
LAST 12 MONTHS MAR 90 TO FEB 9 1 HK$ MN. MAR 89 TO FEB 90 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 229,449 222,749 6,700 3.0
RE-EXPORTS 432,075 350,172 81,903 23.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 661,524 572,921 88,603 15.5
IMPORTS 666,636 562,739 103,897 18.5
TRADE BALANCE -5,112 10,182 -15,294
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SETTLEMENT OF JUDICIAL REVIEW t ♦ * * ♦
SPOKESMAN
TODAY
(WEDNESDAY)
WELCOMED
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN IUDAY ( wrurttioum /
review. •
THE
NINE
• applicants had hoped to achI;ve
’’THE __________
THESE PROCEEDINGS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SOLUTION HAS BEEN REACHED.”
.., ,,s^NAD,?E?uTR?5TEBiNpUrL^osr?sNEc&^SE^ ^Aisrsr^ APPLICANTS’ REQUEST TO RECONSIDER THEIR CASES INFORMALLY.
"WE BELIEVE THE JUDGEMENT IN THE FIRS'! WE HAVE OPERATED A SCREENING PROCESS WHICH IS
OF THE NINE CASES SHOWS BOTH EFFECTIVE AND FAIR.
"THE MESSAGE WE WISH TO GET ACROSS TO , r/Ak! Qp
VIETNAMESE
CHANGING
MIGRANTS IN
THE
HONG KONG IS THAT THERE IS NO INTENTION
SShpnsVplan a^T^ose -HO are screened
Save TO rItoKN TO VIETNAM,- THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
SCREENING
IN
ACCORDANCE
WITH OUT
THE WILL
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/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991 4
COMMENT ON HONG KONG TELECOM RATIONALISATION
*****
COMMENTING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS LTD THAT IT WAS INTEGRATING CERTAIN SUPPORT FUNCTIONS OF ITS TWO SUBSIDIARIES, THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED AND HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL LTD, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THIS WAS BASICALLY A MATTER FOR THE COMPANIES CONCERNED.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT THE REORGANISATION, AS ANNOUNCED, DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO REGULATE THE PROVISION OF FRANCHISED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES BY THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED AND HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL LTD, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL’S LICENCE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ON THE LABOUR RELATIONS SIDE, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LARGE NUMBER OF STAFF TO BE RETRENCHED.
"THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE IS MAINTAINING REGULAR CONTACTS WITH THE MANAGEMENT AND THE STAFF UNIONS, AND IS READY TO OFFER ITS CONCILIATION SERVICE IF REQUIRED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE OFFERED BY THE TWO COMPANIES TO THE STAFF MADE REDUNDANT AS A RESULT OF THE RATIONALISATION FULLY MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
"IN MANY CASES, THIS GOES BEYOND THE MINIMUM STIPULATIONS IN THE LAW," HE SAID.
"IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF STAFF INVOLVED, VARIOUS OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE WILL BE MAKING SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP RETRENCHED STAFF AT ALL LEVELS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE IN FINDING ALTERNATIVE JOBS," HE SAID.
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PILOT SCHEME ON REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STARTED A LARGE-SCALE PILOT SCHEME ON REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS (UBW’S) WITH IHE POSTING OF MORE THAN 500 ORDERS IN A QUARRY BAY BUILDING.
IN AN OPERATION CODE-NAMED "OPERATION APPENDAGES', 30 BLOCKS OF BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS TARGETS FOR CLEARANCE OF PROJECTING UBW’S. SOME 3,500 ORDERS REQUIRING DEMOLITION OF ABOUT 4,500 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WILL BE ISSUED.
/THE OPERATION ......
WEDNESDAY, MRCH 27, 1991
5
THE OPERATION STARTED TODAY WHEN OFFICERS FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT POSTED 504 REMOVAL ORDERS FOR UBW’S PROJECTING FROM THE EXTERNAL WALLS OF TAK LEE BUILDING, 993 KING’S ROAD, QUARRY BAY.
THE ACTING PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR CHENG WE I-DART, SAID: "THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROJECTIONS INCLUDING METAL CAGES, CANOPIES AND METAL FLOWER RACKS, SOME OF WHICH ARE DANGEROUS, OTHERS ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND ALL ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY AND AESTHETICALLY UNDERSIRABLE.
"THEY ALL LACK MAINTENANCE AND SOME HAVE DETERIORATED TO SUCH A STAGE AS TO BE IN NEED OF URGENT ATTENTION.
"THE PROJECTIONS CONSTITUTE A RISK TO PEOPLE USING KING’S ROAD AND THE CENTRAL OPEN YARD WHICH SERVES AS THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THIS LARGE ESTATE. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE BUILDING HAS BEEN SELECTED."
HE STRESSED THAT BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT STRUCTURES WHICH POSED DANGER TO INNOCENT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"THE ENFORCEMENT WORK WILL RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO A LARGE NUMBER OF BUILDING OWNERS, THE RESIDENTS AND THE PUBLIC," MR CHENG SAID.
"THE REMOVAL OF THE UBW’S WILL IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND REINSTATE STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
"THE CLEARANCE OF THE ILLEGAL PROJECTIONS WILL ENABLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, THUS ELIMINATING THE STRUCTURAL HAZARD AND SANITARY NUISANCE CAUSED BY LEAKING PIPES," HE SAID.
"I BELIEVE MOST OWNERS WILL WELCOME THE IDEA AND RESPOND PROMPTLY TO OUR REQUIREMENTS. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT REMOVE THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN 50 DAYS, GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS WILL CARRY OUT THE WORK AND THEY WILL BE BILLED FOR THE COST OF REMOVAL," MR CHENG ADDED.
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MEASURES INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE TAIWANESE VISITORS
WITH THE ADVENT OF THE EASTER HOLIDAYS, LARGE NUMBERS OF TAIWANESE VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID IN VIEW OF THE BUSY TRAFFIC AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO CONFIRM THEIR BOOKINGS IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG WELL IN ADVANCE, AND TO ENSURE THAI' THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ARE VALID.
/TO FACILITATE ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
6
TO FACILITATE TAIWANESE VISITORS, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL MERGE THE EXISTING MULTIPLE VISIT PERMIT FOR SOCIAL AND BUSINESS VISITS INTO ONE AS FROM JUNE 1.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONCURRENTLY INTRODUCE A NEW "JUMBO" MULTIPLE VISIT PERMIT WITH 32 PAGES AND OF TWO-YEAR VALIDITY, AT A FEE OF $460.
IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT HAS, SINCE MARCH 1, STARTED RENEWING MULTIPLE VISIT PERMITS ISSUED BETWEEN JUNE - AUGUST LAST YEAR THREE MONTHS IN ADVANCE.
SUCH APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED THROUGH AUTHORISED AIRLINES OR BY THE APPLICANTS IN PERSON.
"THIS WILL AVOID BUNCHING OF APPLICATIONS AT THE LAST MINUTE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED ABOUT 240,000 MULTIPLE VISIT PERMITS BETWEEN JUNE - AUGUST LAST YEAR.
"VISITORS NEED NOT BE AFI? MD THAT THEY WILL LOSE ANYTHING BY EARLY RENEWAL OF THEIR PERMITS. THE VALIDITY OF REPLACEMENT PERMITS WILL COUNT FROM THE DATE OF EXPIRY OF CURRENT PERMITS AND THE LATTER MAY CONTINUE TO BE USED UNTIL THEY EXPIRE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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UK EXPERT TO REVIEW MTR INCIDENT REPORT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CONFIRMED THAT IT HAS RECEIVED A PRELIMINARY REPORT FROM THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION SURROUNDING THE CAUSES OF AN INCIDENT WHICH DISRUPTED MTR SERVICE FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON MARCH 11 THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INSPECTING OFFICER OF RAILWAYS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, MR ALAN COOKSEY, HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO COME TO HONG KONG TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE CORPORATION’S FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS AND MAKE SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS AS HE FINDS NECESSARY ON THE MTR SYSTEM.
"THE INSPECTING OFFICER OF RAILWAYS IS APPOINTED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO EXAMINE ALL RAILWAY SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS A NORMAL PRACTICE THAT THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVES HIM IN INQUIRIES OF THIS NATURE AND FOR HIM TO ASSESS, REVIEW AND COMMENT ON INCIDENT REPORTS, HI- ADDED.
MR ALAN COOKSEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY THE LOCAL CHIEF INSPECTING OFFICER (RAILS), MR BRYAN MORGAN.
. A FINAL REPORT ON THE INCIDENT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT AFTER Till': CORPORATION HAS DISCUSSED THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS WITH MR COOKSEY.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
7
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED * * ♦ * *
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 46.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THE NEW AIDS PATIENT DIED SOON AFTER HE WAS FOUND INFECTED WITH THE DISEASE LAST MONTH.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 32 AIDS PATIENTS HAVE DIED AND 14 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
RELEASING THE STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR FEBRUARY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THREE MORE MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST, BRINGING TO 168 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED AIDS.
OF THESE, 55 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 93 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, FOUR WERE DRUG ABUSERS, THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION, AND THE INFORMATION FOR THE OTHER 13 WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 186,820 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 854,834 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 15 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
8
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
& I
Virus Unit, Department of Health
Referrals from Govt, hospitals and clinics ^4741. Referrals from private practitioners and subvented hospitals „ . Attendances at social hygiene clinics Haemophiliacs . M i IV drug abusers j > Referrals from Family Planning Association ill ?! Health care personnel Apr 85- No. tested* 15223 2131 160666 493 4998 219 837 Jan 91. Feb 91 No. No. No. +ve tested* +ve 77 545 2 ✓ 43 9 0 29 1616 1 60 3 0 1 64 0 0 0 0 0 . 12 0 Total No. No. tested* *ve 15768 79 2140 43 162286 30 496 60 5062 1 219 0 849 0
■ i'il Tf'TAi * This indicates the number •: 124569 ’ UH -t >f specimen 210 2251 s and not per sot 1S- 186820 213 as teste
ara repealed for certain individuals.
'f
Hong Kong Fed Cross
Blood transfusion
Service
Aug 85-Jan 91 Feb 91 Total
No. No. Ne. No. No. No.
tested +ve tested + v> tested fve
841945 14 12889 1 854834 15
Department of Health March 1991
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/9.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
MEMBERS OF THE .PUBLIC VISITING CHINA AND OVERSEAS COUNTRIES DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS ARE REMINDED NOT TO BRING BACK WITH THEM ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES TO HONG KONG.
SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT BOTH THE CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES AND THE DEPARTMENT HAD STEPPED UP CONTROL MEASURES AT ALL ENTRY POINTS TO CHECK ON TRAVELLERS AND GOODS VEHICLES DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.
"ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ILLEGALLY BRING IN ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES INCLUDING LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS AS WELL AS PARTS AND DERIVATIVES, WILL BE PROSECUTED," HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO MR CHEUNG, THERE HAD BEEN 94 SEIZURES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ILLEGAL IMPORT AND POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES SO FAR THIS YEAR.
THE ENDANGERED ANIMALS INVOLVED WERE MAINLY PARROTS, STUFFED SEA TURTLES, BIRDS OF PREY, OWLS, ASIATIC BONY TONGUE FISH AND WILD ORCHIDS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
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EIGHT CLINICS TO OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS ♦ * ♦ » ♦
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY WHICH ARE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE EIGHT CLINICS ARE: THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB ON HONG KONG ISLAND; THE KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; AND THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
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/10
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
10
NEW STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICE BY IRD
*****
FROM APRIL 1, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE 'CENTRES IN DISTRICT OFFICES WILL NO LONGER ADMINISTER OFFICIAL STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS FOR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
FROM THAT DATE, OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS FOR ESTATE DUTY PURPOSES WILL BE ADMINISTERED AT THE ESTATE DUTY OFFICE OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
AN IRD SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE ESTATE DUTY ORDINANCE, ALL AFFIDAVITS AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE COMMISSIONER OF ESTATE DUTY SUBMITTED FOR ESTATE DUTY PURPOSES ARE REQUIRED TO BE SWORN OR AFFIRMED BY THE EXECUTORS OR ADMINISTRATORS OF ESTATES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CALL 894 3060 OR 894 3062 FOR ENQUIRIES ON ESTATE DUTY OATHS OR AFFIRMATIONS.
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PROPERTY REVIEW 1991 PUBLISHED ♦ ♦♦♦*♦
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAS NOW PUBLISHED THE FINALISED RESULTS OF THEIR 1991 PROPERTY REVIEW EXERCISE WHICH SLIGHTLY ALTER THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 7.
THE PROPERTY REVIEW 1991, WHICH COVERS THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1990, PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF SUPPLY, TAKE-UP, VACANCY AND RENTAL AND PURCHASE PRICE MOVEMENTS FOR THE MAJOR SECTORS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT $100 A COPY, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, 2 CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:
MR K.S. WONG ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
MRS M.A. BIRD TECHNICAL SECRETARY
805 7603
805 7614
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/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1991
- 11 TENDERS INVITED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A GOVERNMENT LAND LOT AT SHING TAI LANE, CHAI WAN, ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
MEASURING ABOUT 3,135 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS, CONTAINERS, CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS) AND/OR A PUBLIC FEE-PAYING VEHICLE PARK FOR LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDERS ARE ALSO INVITED FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A SITE AT AREA 24D, SHA TIN TAU ROAD, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,450 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR A FEE-PAYING CARPARK FOR THE PARKING OF PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT VANS, LORRIES, BUSES, TRACTORS AND TRAILERS, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS AND CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR BOTH LOTS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST FOR THE CHAI WAN SITE, AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN FOR THE SHA TIN SITE; AND ALSO AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
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UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED * *****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF 183B KOWLOON CITY ROAD, KOWLOON CITY, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 30 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE AUTHORITY IS ALSO SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT FLAT E, FOURTH FLOOR, BLOCK A AND AT THE ROOF OF KAI YUEN MANSION, 2-12 UPPER KAI YUEN LANE, NORTH POINT.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 2 WAS ALSO POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
DEMOLITION WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED. ----------------------------------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1991
'(WENTS PAGE NO.
MEASURES TO IMPROVE IH’IUSATION OL COMMUNITY HALI.S .... ........... 1
IMPORTANCE ON COMPUTER EDUCATION STRESSED ..................... 2
EMPLOYEES MUSI’ BE INSURED ..................... 3
TOLL. REVISION FOR SHING MUN H1NNEIS AND ABERDEEN HJNNEI........................ 4
SAI KUNG PESC TO CLOSE IN APR 11 .... ..................... 4
CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME PARTICIPANTS ENJOY FUN DAY .............................. 5
FENWICK STREET FOOTBRIDGE EXTENSION . ............................... 6
TENDERS INVITED FOR SITTING OUT AREA .......................................... 6
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1991
- ’ 1
MEASURES TO IMPROVE UTILISATION OF COMMUNITY HALLS
♦ 1 ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) WILL INTRODUCE NEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE UTILISATION RATE OF COMMUNITY HALLS UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT.
"A PILOT SCHEME IS BEING CARRIED OUT TO ALLOW APPROVED NON-GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE OVER THE OPERATION OF COMMUNITY HALLS BY WAY OF A TENANCY AGREEMENT,” A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TENANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE COMMUNITY HALL AND FQR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTING IT TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM UTILISATION BY LOCAL COMMUNITY AND MAKING IT AVAILABLE FOR NORMAL PUBLIC BOOKINGS AS WELL.
THE CHILDREN’S CLUB HAD RECENTLY TAKEN OVER THE NEWLY COMPLETED TSING YI ESTATE COMMUNITY HALL AND NEGOTIATIONS WERE GOING ON WITH REGARD TO TENANCIES FOR TWO OTHER NEW COMMUNITY HALLS.
ANOTHER MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE UTILISATION RATE IS THE INTRODUCTION OF CONTINUOUS BLOCK BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS.
SIMILAR TO THE TENANCY AGREEMENT SYSTEM, APPLICANTS WOULD ASSIST THE CNTA IN PROMOTING THE UTILISATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THESE HALLS AND THE BLOCK BOOKING ARRANGEMENT SHOULD GO SOME WAY TOWARDS OVERCOMING THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT DAILY BOOKINGS AND LOW UTILISATION RATES.
THE CONCERNED DISTRICT OFFICERS WILL ENSURE THAT FACILITIES WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC BOOKING WHEN NOT BEING USED BY THE MAJOR BOOKER FOR A SPECIFIC ACTIVITY.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT A TOTAL OF 13 COMMUNITY CENTRES, 18 ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRES, 31 COMMUNITY HALLS AND TWO NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY CENTRES UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF CNTA.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT AS ALREADY ANNOUNCED, THE CNTA WOULD WITHDRAW ON-SITE STAFF MANNING COMMUNITY CENTRES AND HALLS STARTING IN STAGES FROM APRIL 1 IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE BETTER UTILISATION OF RESOURCES.
"DESPITE STAFF WITHDRAWAL, WE WILL MAINTAIN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE SERVICE AND FACILITIES TO THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING COMMUNITY BUILDING POLICY," HE STRESSED, "AND AT THE SAME TIME ALSO PROMOTE BETTER UTILISATION OF THE COMMUNITY HALLS."
"THE SPECIFIC MEANS OF ACHIEVING THIS IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MAXIMUM USE OF RESOURCES.
"WE ARE SEEKING FULL CO-OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHO ARE TENANTS OF OUR CENTRES IN A BID TO ACHIEVE OUR OBJECTIVE AND PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
/MEANWHILE, REVISED ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1991
2
MEANWHILE, REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY CENTRE FACILITIES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO DISTRICT OFFICES.
"THE GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP FOR THE REFERENCE OF DISTRICT STAFF IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A UNIFORM STANDARD IN BOTH MANAGEMENT AND PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC IN THESE CENTRES AND HALLS.
"DISTRICT OFFICERS WILL WORK OUT AT DISTRICT LEVEL DETAILED INDIVIDUAL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE REGULARLY REVIEWED, MODIFIED OR REVISED WHEREVER NECESSARY, BASED ON PRACTICAL OPERATING EXPERIENCES," HE ADDED.
------0--------
IMPORTANCE ON COMPUTER EDUCATION STRESSED
THE PRESENCE OF SO MANY DELEGATES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AT THE MICROCOMPUTERS IN EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE REFLECTS THE GROWING CONCERN OF EDUCATORS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER USAGE IN EDUCATING THE YOUNG, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LT YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE CONFERENCE’S OPENING.
MR LI TOLD THE GATHERING THAT HONG KONG HAD A MODEST BEGINNING TN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER EDUCATION.
THIRTY SCHOOLS WERE FIRST INVITED IN 1982 TO OFFER COMPUTER STUDIES TO SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS, WITH EACH SCHOOL GIVEN 11 EIGHTBIT, 32K MICROCOMPUTERS AND TWO PRINTERS.
"NOW TN 1991, 347 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, REPRESENTING 90 PER CENT OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, ARE EQUIPPED WITH COMPUTERS. THE LATEST MODEL PURCHASED IS THE A.T. COMPATIBLES WITH ONE MEGABYTE MEMORY ON BOARD, COMPLEMENTED BY HIGH RESOLUTION VGA MONITORS,” MR LI SAID.
FOR SCHOOLS BUILT TO A NEW STANDARD DESIGN, A FULLY EQUIPPED COMPUTER IS A STANDARD FEATURE AND, AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT, 21 SETS OF MICROCOMPUTERS WILL BE INSTALLED IN THESE ROOMS.
IN THIS WAY, HE SAID, A BETTER MACHINE TO USER RATIO WILL BE ATTAINED FOR THE NEW SCHOOLS.
MR LI SAID CHILDREN WITH'SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS WERE NOT FORGOTTEN - BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, 39 SPECIAL SCHOOLS WILL HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH MICROCOMPUTERS, MANY OF WHICH ARE EQUIPPED WITH ADAPTIVE DEVICES.
"THESE SPECIAL SCHOOLS ARE NOW OFFERING COMPUTER-ASSISTED LEARNING, COMPUTER LITERACY, COMPUTER STUDIES AS WELL AS USING THE COMPUTER AS A COMMUNICATION AND REHABILITATION TOOL,” HE SAID.
/WHEN COMPLETED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1991
3
WHEN COMPLETED, HE ADDED, THE COMPUTER EDUCATION IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS PROJECT WILL HAVE INCLUDED ALL SPECIAL SCHOOLS SO THAT NO CHILD WHO COULD BE HELPED BY THIS POWERFUL TOOL” WOULD BE DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITY.
MR LI SAID TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT ASIDE, THE COMPUTER STUDIES CURRICULUM HAD ALSO UNDERGONE A GREAT DEAL OF CHANGES.
A COMPUTER LITERACY COURSE, HE SAID, WAS NOW BEING OFFERED TO 100 SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO ENABLE JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS TO BECOME COMPUTER LITERATE AND 50 MORE SCHOOLS EACH YEAR WILL JOIN THE SCHEME.
THE DIRECTOR SAID 14 SETS OF EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE WERE SPECIALLY PRODUCED UNDER A CONTRACT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TO SUPPORT THE TEACHING OF THE SUBJECT.
"GREATER INVESTMENT IS BEING PLANNED AND CONTINUED EFFORTS ARK BEING MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATION IS TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED TO MEET THE NEW CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
MR LI SAID THERE WERE PLANS TO INTRODUCE TWO NEW SUBJECTS -ADVANCED LEVEL COMPUTER STUDIES AND ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY LEVEL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS - IN THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
"THE SYLLABUSES OF THESE SUBJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND ENDORSED BY BOTH THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY," HE ADDED.
-----0------•
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED
*****
EMPLOYERS MUST TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR FULL LIABILITIES TO COMPENSATE EMPLOYEES FOR INJURY OR DEATH AT WORK.
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS) MR TSANG KIN-WOO SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT WAS TO ENSURE THAT AN INJURED EMPLOYEE WOULD OBTAIN COMPENSATION TO WHICH HE WAS ENTITLED UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
MR TSANG ADDED THAT EVEN PROPRIETORS OF SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISION.
HE NOTED THAT TWO FISHMONGERS AT THE URBAN COUNCIL KOWLOON CITY MARKET, LAU SICK-WING OF LAU WING KEE AND TAM CH1-NANG OF FOON HO, WERE FINED $5,000 AND $10,000 RESPECTIVELY BY THE SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACY EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR NOT TAKING OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
"EMPLOYERS MUST BEAR THE FULL COST OF THE INSURANCE POLICIES AND ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DEDUCT IT FROM THE EARNINGS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES," HE ADDED.
THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO DISPLAY AT A CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN THE WORKPLACE A NOTICE SHOWING THE PARTICULARS OF SUCH POLICIES AND TO PRODUCE THE POLICIES FOR INSPECTION BY LABOUR INSPECTORS.
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/4 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1991
4
TOLL REVISION FOR SHING MUN iUNNELS AND ABERDEEN TUNNEL ♦ * * t ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT THE TOLL FOR THE SHING MUN TUNNELS AND ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE INCREASED FROM $3 TO $5 FOR ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES FROM MONDAY (APRIL 1).
NEW TOLL SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP ALONG THE TUNNEL APPROACHES TO REMIND MOTORISTS.
FOR MOTORISTS WHO WISH TO PURCHASE TUNNEL TICKETS IN ADVANCE, THE NEW $5 TUNNEL TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL WILSON PARKING (HK) LTD. OUTLETS FROM APRIL 10.
BEFORE THE NEW TICKET IS INTRODUCED, MOTORISTS MAY COMBINE THE OLD $3 TUNNEL TICKET WITH CASH FOR PAYMENT.
THE TOLL REVISION WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS ANNUAL BUDGET ON MARCH 6.
----0----
SAI KUNG PESC TO CLOSE IN APRIL »**»**
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE (PESC) ON GROUND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN WILL CLOSE FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 2).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC REQUIRING SERVICES FROM THAT CENTRE OFFICE’S TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN
APPROACH PESC OF THE DISTRICT GROUND FLOOR, 121-122 PO NING
MAY
ON O
(TEL. NO.: 701 3218).
ALSO FROM APRIL 2, THE OPENING HOURS OF THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL IN SAI KUNG TOWN AND THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL IN TSUI LAM ESTATE WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
- SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 2 PM TO 10 PM
- WEDNESDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS CLOSED
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR THE USE OF THE FACILITIES OF THE TWO HALLS SHOULD CONTACT THE FOLLOWING:
- SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL
SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, SAI KUNG TOWN TEL. NO.: 792 4455
I- TSUI LAM .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1991
5
- TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL
ENQUIRIES ON THE ABOVE CHANGES DISTRICT OFFICE ON TEL. 792 4455 EXT.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE’S TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE GROUND FLOOR, PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE
TEL. NO.: 701 3218
CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE SAI KUNG 28.
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CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME PARTICIPANTS ENJOY FUN DAY
MORE THAN 500 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN PART IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME 1990/91 GATHERED AT THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK TODAY (FRIDAY) TO ENJOY A FUN DAY IN THE SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE.
THE CLEAN AND GREEN FUN DAY AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS HELD TO WIND UP THIS YEAR’S SCHEME WHICH STARTED LAST DECEMBER.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WERE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR PAUL CHENG; DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, MR DANIEL TO, AND BOARD MEMBER MR GEORGE TAN; AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SCHEME’S SPONSORS MR CHARLES PANG OF TIMBERLAND AND MR BENJAMIN KWAN OF KODAK (FAR EAST) LTD.
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, DR LEE SAID IT WAS YET ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR THE SCHEME WITH SOME 12,000 PARTICIPANTS TAKEN PART IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
A TOTAL OF 11,608 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN LITTER COLLECTION AND TREE TENDING WORK IN COUNTRY PARKS ON WEEKDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WHILE THE CLEAN AND GREEN PHOTO COMPETITION AND THE PAINTING AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ATTRACTED 132 AND 134 ENTRIES RESPECTIVELY.
TEN WINNING ENTRIES WERE SELECTED FOR EACH OF THE COMPETITION BY A PANEL OF JUDGES ON MARCH 13. PRIZES WERE PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS AT TODAY’S FUNCTION.
DR LEE THANKED ALL THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN SPREADING THE CONSERVATION MESSAGE FAR AND WIDE. TOGETHER WITH MR PAUL CHENG, HE CONGRATULATED THE WINNERS OF THE TWO COMPETITIONS.
HE ALSO THANKED TIMBERLAND FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP KODAK (FAR EAST) LTD AND CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LTD FOR DONATING PRIZES FOR THE PHOTO COMPETITION, AND HONG KONG TRAMWAYS LTD AND HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO FOR PROVIDING PRIZES FOR TODAY’S ACTIVITIES.
THE CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME IS AN ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE HIE MESSAGE OF KEEPING OUR COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN AND GREEN.
THIS YEAR MARKED THE EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SCHEME.
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Z6 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1991
6
FENWICK STREET FOOTBRIDGE EXTENSION * * » * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RECONSTRUCT THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE AT THE JUNCTION OF GLOUCESTER ROAD AND FENWICK STREET IN WAN CHAI.
THE PROPOSED NEW FOOTBRIDGE WILL INCLUDE A COVER AND ADDITIONAL SPANS ACROSS THE GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND SERVICE ROAD AND FENWICK STREET TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT AT THE ROAD JUNCTION.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS' PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, CENTRAL;
» HONG KONG WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 19TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI;
* WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 2 O’BRIEN ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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 MAY 27 THIS YEAR.
------------------0------- TENDERS INVITED FOR SITTING-OUT AREA « « * » ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SITTING-OUT AREA AT THE BANYAN TREE SITE ON STANLEY MAIN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ARBOUR, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND A METER ROOM.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED NEXT MARCH.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 19.
FORMS OF TENDERS AND TENDER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ATR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS 1991 ENACTED ...........................
CHING MING FESTIVAL AS STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDED ........................
2 REFRESHER COURSES FOR TEACHERS ...........................................
GROUP DISCUSSIONS ARE VALUABLE CONSULTATION CHANNEL ......................
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1991
1
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS 1991 ENACTED
******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (VEHICLE DESIGN STANDARDS) (EMISSION) REGULATIONS 1991 HAVE BEEN ENACTED AND WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
NEW VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH . STRINGENT EMISSION DESIGN STANDARDS.
THE FIRST PHASE OF CONTROL WILL APPLY TO PRIVATE CARS, TAXIS, AND OTHER LIGHT DUTY VEHICLES, INCLUDING LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES AND LIGHT BUSES UP TO 2.5 TONNES IN GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT.
ALL THESE VEHICLES, IF REGISTERED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, SHALL MEET THE APPROPRIATE AMERICAN AND JAPANESE DESIGN STANDARDS.
BOTH PETROL AND DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES WILL BE CONTROLLED.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT HAS THE POWER TO REFUSE TO REGISTER A VEHICLE IF IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH VEHICLE DESIGN STANDARDS. EXEMPTION MAY BE GIVEN TO SPECIFIC VEHICLES ON AN INDIVIDUAL CASE BASIS.
THE NEW REQUIREMENT WILL HAVE NO EFFECT ON VEHICLES REGISTERED BEFORE JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL ON APRIL I, ALL PETROL-ENGINED VEHICLES OTHER THAN MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES REGISTERED ON OR AFTER JANUARY I NEXT YEAR WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE UNLEADED PETROL EXCLUSIVELY.
EXEMPTION MAY ALSO BE GIVEN, ON INDIVIDUAL MERITS, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
THESE PROPOSALS WILL NOT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON POTENTIAL CAR OWNERS OR OPERATORS AS MOST VEHICLES IMPORTED FROM OVERSEAS ARE ALREADY DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEW EMISSION STANDARDS AND ARE ABLE TO USE UNLEADED PETROL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THERE IS NO PROBLEM REGARDING THE SUPPLY OF VEHICLES OF THE SPECIFIED STANDARDS, HE ADDED.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE PROPOSALS AS THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN VEHICLE EMISSIONS.
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1991
2
CHING MING FESTIVAL AS STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDED
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT CHING MING FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON APRIL 5 (FRIDAY), IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
ALL EMPLOYEES, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGE LEVELS, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE SAME EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A FULL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE. EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OR AT THE DEPARTMENT'S GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE ON TEL. 815 5066.
------0--------
REFRESHER COURSES FOR TEACHERS ♦ » » » «
FIVE FULL-TIME REFRESHER COURSES TO FAMILIARISE TEACHERS WITH UPDATED TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN LANGUAGE TEACHING WILL BE OFFERED TO NON-GRADUATE AND GRADUATE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH DURING THE 1991-92 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE COURSES ARE ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INSTITUTE EXPLAINED THAT PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO NEW PERSPECTIVES IN LANGUAGE LEARNING SO THAT THEIR REPERTORY OF TEACHING TECHNIQUES WILL BE INCREASED.
’’THEY WILL BE HELPED TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO CREATE TEACHING MATERIALS AND TO EVALUATE AND IMPROVE THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS IN THE CLASSROOM AND, AT THE SAME TIME, THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY,” HE SAID.
/THE CHINESE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1991
THE CHINESE COURSES WILL EACH LAST 16 WEEKS WHILE ENGLISH COURSES WILL EACH LAST 23 WEEKS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID NO FEES WILL BE CHARGED AND A TEACHER REFRESHER COURSE CERTIFICATE WILL BE ISSUED TO ALL PARTICIPANTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THEIR COURSES.
------0--------
GROUP DISCUSSIONS ARE VALUABLE CONSULTATION CHANNEL ******
TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES OF AIDED SCHOOLS WILL BE TALKING WITH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STAFF ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN THE NEXT SERIES OF GROUP DISCUSSIONS TO BE HELD IN MAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THESE DISCUSSIONS HAD PROVED TO BE A VALUABLE CHANNEL OF CONSULTATION, WITH TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSING FREELY THE VIEWS OF COLLEAGUES ON VARIOUS TOPICS OF CONCERN.
"IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY WERE GIVEN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT EDUCATION POLICIES AND THEIR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN VARIOUS WHITE PAPERS AND IN THE REPORTS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE SAID THE DISCUSSIONS IN MAY WILL INCLUDE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND PARENTS, TEACHERS AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND BETWEEN SCHOOLS.
ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS, HE LEAVE, OUTSIDE WORK AND PROMOTION.
SAID THESE WILL INCLUDE CONTRACTS,
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT
REPRESENTATIVES ON PROFESSIONALISM
ANOTHER SEMINAR WITH TEACHER WILL BE HELD IN JUNE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NORMAL, OLD AGE ALIOWANCE EXTENDS TO 65 AGE GROUP .......................
JUDICIARY INTRODUCES NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR OATHS AND DECLARATIONS .............. 1
SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 1991
1
NORMAL OLD AGE ALLOWANCE EXTENDS TO 65 AGE GROUP
******
THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR NORMAL OLD AGE ALLOWANCE (NOAA) WILL BE FURTHER LOWERED TO 65 WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS IS THE FINAL STAGE OF THE EXTENSION OF NOAA TO PERSONS AGED 65 TO 69.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 38,000 PEOPLE IN THE AGE GROUP WILL BE BENEFITTED FROM THE EXTENSION AND THAT THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE WILL BE ABOUT $158 MILLION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AT PRESENT, NOAA FOR PEOPLE AGED 66 TO 69 IS $343 PER MONTH.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DUE TO THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS, WHICH REQUIRED TIME TO PROCESS, THERE WOULD BE SOME DELAY IN PAYMENT.
"HOWEVER, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT PAYMENT CAN BE MADE IN THREE TO FOUR MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE APPLICATION AND PAYMENT WILL BE BACKDATED TO THE DATE OF ELIGIBILITY," HE SAID.
"TO BE ELIGIBLE, THE APPLICANT MUST HAVE LIVED IN THE TERRITORY CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS STARTING FROM HIS 60TH BIRTHDAY. HE IS ALSO EXPECTED TO MAKE A DECLARATION OF RESOURCES WHEN APPLYING FOR THE ALLOWANCE," HE ADDED.
A SINGLE PERSON WILL BE ENTITLED TO THE ALLOWANCE PROVIDED THAT HIS INCOME DOES NOT EXCEED $2,100 PER MONTH AND THAT HE HAS ASSETS WORTH NOT MORE THAN $100,000. FOR MARRIED COUPLES, THE • LIMITS ARE $3,200 AND $150,000 RESPECTIVELY.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON THE SWD HOTLINE 343 2255.
------0-------
JUDICIARY INTRODUCES NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR OATHS AND DECLARATIONS ******
THE JUDICIARY ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON TUESDAY (APRIL 2) WITH REGARD TO ITS SERVICE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS AND DECLARATIONS.
STARTING TUESDAY, COMMISSIONERS FOR OATHS IN THE JUDICIARY WILL ONLY ADMINISTER OATHS AND DECLARATIONS FOR COURT PURPOSES.
INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTERING STATUTORY DECLARATIONS FOR THEIR OWN OFFICIAL USE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD GO DIRECT TO THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF OFFICIAL STATUTORY DECLARATIONS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT OATHS AND DECLARATIONS FOR USE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS OFFICE, SUPREME COURT (TEL. NO. 825 4359).
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