DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR BRIEFS MR PATTEN ON HONG KONG ISSUES ...................... 1
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO EMPLOYMENT LAW PROPOSED .................... 1
ADB HK$500 MILLION BOND ISSUE SIGNED IN HONG KONG................... 3
SHIPPING STATISTICS FOR FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 RELEASED ............ 4
OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID ........................... 7
NOTICES ON THREE INSHORE WORKS GAZETTED ............................ 7
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR FREE QUOTA ALLOCATIONS FOR CFCS AND HALONS 8
REGULATIONS ON SAFE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE EFFECTIVE TODAY ..... 10
HK FIRE SERVICES - RENOWNED AND REWARDING........................... 10
TENDERS INVITED FOR ALDRICH BAY RECLAMATION ........................ 12
LAND TO BE RESUMED FOR STREAM IMPROVEMENT WORKS .................... 12
AREA COMMITTEES PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS ............ 12
APPLICATION INVITED FOR 1992 HK BAND CLINIC......................... 13
NEW MEMBER APPOINTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION .................. 14
500 CHILDREN TO TAKE PART IN ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ................ 15
GENERAL HOLIDAY FOR 1993 ........................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.......... 17
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GOVERNOR BRIEFS MR PATTEN ON HONG KONG ISSUES *******
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID DURING HIS VISIT TO LONDON HE HAD GONE THROUGH WITH MR PATTEN A LOT OF ISSUES WHICH MR PATTEN WOULD HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WITH.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN AT THE AIRPORT TODAY (FRIDAY), LORD WILSON SAID THE VISIT GAVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, AND THE NEW MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD.
"ALSO, THE TIMING WAS VERY GOOD BECAUSE IT GAVE ME MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET AND TALK WITH MR CHRIS PATTEN AND WITH MRS PATTEN AND TO GIVE THEM SOME ACCOUNT OF WHAT LIFE IS LIKE AS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND ALSO TO GO THROUGH WITH HIM A LOT OF THE ISSUES WHICH HE WILL HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WITH WHEN HE ARRIVES TO TAKE OVER MY PLACE IN JULY," HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ABOUT HIS FAREWELL VISIT TO BEIJING, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "JUNE SEEMS TO BE THE BEST TIME BUT I AM STILL TRYING TO IDENTIFY A DATE.
"I HOPE IT WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO GO AND SAY FAREWELL TO A NUMBER OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH VERY CLOSELY OVER THE YEARS ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS. THAT WILL BE THE MAIN PURPOSE."
ASKED ABOUT WHAT HE WOULD TELL BEIJING ABOUT MR PATTEN DURING THE VISIT, LORD WILSON SAID : "I’LL CERTAINLY SAY HE IS A MAN OF VERY HIGH ABILITY AND WITH A GREAT DEAL OF EXPERIENCE OF POLITICAL LIFE IN BRITAIN AND THAT I AM SURE THAT HE WILL ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AS INDEED I HAVE WHEN I HAVE BEEN GOVERNOR."
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FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO EMPLOYMENT LAW PROPOSED
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THAT WORKERS WILL NOT BE UNFAIRLY DEPRIVED OF THEIR ENTITLEMENTS TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
THESE AMENDMENTS, AIMED AT PROVIDING A FAIR TREATMENT FOR BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS, ARE CONTAINED IN THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1992 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS DISMISSED AS A RESULT OF HIS EMPLOYER’S MOVING THE BUSINESS PREMISES ACROSS THE HARBOUR WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENT, IF THE EMPLOYEE HAS COMPLETED TWO YEARS’ SERVICE WITH THE EMPLOYER.
/"THE DEVELOPMENT ......
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"THE DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT NETWORK IN RECENT YEARS HAS MADE THE REFERENCE TO CROSSING THE HARBOUR UNREALISTIC, THE BILL PROPOSES TO REMOVE IT," SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER MR JAMES YEUNG.
HOWEVER, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT IF A CHANGE OF THE WORKPLACE HAS CAUSED UNDUE HARDSHIP TO AN EMPLOYEE, WHICH IS SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE TO ESTABLISH A CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL UNDER COMMON LAW, THE EMPLOYEE MAY STILL HAVE A CLAIM TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT.
"ALSO, IF AN EMPLOYEE WITH NO FIXED PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT IS DISMISSED AND HIS DISMISSAL IS DUE MAINLY TO A REDUCTION IN DEMAND FOR HIS PARTICULAR KIND OF WORK, THE EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT," HE ADDED.
THE BILL ALSO CLARIFIED A PROVISION IN THE ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF AN EMPLOYEE’S ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS WHERE THE EMPLOYEE SERVES NOTICE TO RESIGN BECAUSE OF HIS EMPLOYER’S MISCONDUCT.
"WE PROPOSE THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHO TERMINATES HIS CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANES SHOULD BE ENTITLED. TO THESE PAYMENTS,. WHETHER OR NOT HE HAS SERVED NOTICE TO RESIGN OR HAS GIVEN PAYMENT IN LIEU OF NOTICE," MR YEUNG SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS DISMISSED AND WHO HAS TAKEN PAID SICK LEAVE OR PAID MATERNITY LEAVE DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS HAVING BEEN PAID HIS FULL WAGES THROUGHOUT THAT PERIOD FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING HIS SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE ENTITLEMENTS.
"THE BILL NOW PROPOSES TO EXTEND THIS PROVISION TO INCLUDE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED WITH ENOUGH WORK OR WHO HAS BEEN ON NO-PAY SICK LEAVE OR NO-PAY MATERNITY LEAVE, PRIOR TO THEIR DISMISSAL," MR YEUNG SAID.
"SIMILARLY, THE PROVISION WILL ALSO COVER ANY EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE RESIGNED ON GROUNDS OF ILL-HEALTH OR OLD AGE, OR WHO HAVE DIED IN’THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT," HE ADDED.
’’THESE WILL HAVE THE EFFECT ’ OF PROTECTING AN EMPLOYEE’S ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS AGAINST POSSIBLE REDUCTION IN THESE SITUATIONS,” HE STRESSED.
THE BILL ALSO CLARIFIED CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THAT AN EMPLOYER WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY DOUBLE BENEFITS TO THE SAME EMPLOYEE UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.
’’THE BILL PROPOSES THAT GRATUITY OR RETIREMENT • SCHEME PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE OR SEVERANCE PAYMENTS SHOULD BE MUTUALLY OFF-SETTING, AND THAT ANY RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT PAID BY AN EMPLOYER SHOULD BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF SEVERANCE OR LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS MADE TO HIS EMPLOYEE AND VICE VERSA,” MR YEUNG EXPLAINED.
/AT PRESENT .......
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AT PRESENT, IF THE BENEFICIARIES FOR RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT OF A DECEASED EMPLOYEE ARE NOT THE SAME PERSON, THE EMPLOYER MAY HAVE TO PAY DOUBLE BENEFITS.
"THE BILL NOW PROVIDES THAT WHERE THERE ARE DIFFERENT BENEFICIARIES FOR THE TWO PAYMENTS, THE NOMINATED BENEFICIARY FOR RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT WILL BE ENTITLED TO ONLY THE AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF ANY LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PAYABLE," HE NOTED.
"HENCE, THE BENEFICIARY MUST RETURN ANY RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT HE HAS RECEIVED, OTHER THAN ANY SUCH EXCESS, TO THE TRUSTEE OF THE SCHEME WHO WILL THEN PAY IT BACK TO THE EMPLOYER," HE ADDED.
TO AVOID DELAY BY EMPLOYERS IN MAKING SEVERANCE PAYMENT TO AN EMPLOYEE AFTER THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL HAS ORDERED SUCH PAYMENT TO BE MADE, THE BILL SEEKS TO REQUIRE THE TRIBUNAL TO ORDER A TIME LIMIT FOR SUCH PAYMENT.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT WHERE NO SUCH TIME LIMIT IS ORDERED, THE PAYMENT MUST BE MADE WITHIN 14 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE RULING ON PAYMENT.
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ADB HKS500 MILLION BOND ISSUE SIGNED IN HONG KONG
*****
AN AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S (ADB) HKS500 MILLION BOND ISSUE WAS SIGNED BY THE ADB AND A SYNDICATE OF REGIONAL BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG TODAY.
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE BANK BY ADB PRESIDENT, K1MIMASA TARUMIZU.
THE BOND ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO MARKET BY A LEAD-MANAGEMENT GROUP CONSISTING OF WARDLEY LIMITED AND CHINA DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CO. (HK) LTD (CDFC) AS JOINT LEAD MANAGERS, TOGETHER WITH FIVE CO-LEAD MANAGERS - ANZ MCCAUGHAN, BOT INT’L. (HK) LTD, IBJ ASIA LTD, MANUFACTURERS HANOVER ASIA AND OAKREED FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED.
FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE ADB’S USS "DRAGON BOND" ISSUE LAST NOVEMBER, THE HKS BOND ISSUE UNDERSCORES ADB’S COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS.
GIVEN ADB’S TRIPLE-A STATUS, THE FIXED-RATE 8.9 PER CENT SEVENYEAR HKS BOND ISSUE AIMS TO ESTABLISH AN IMPORTANT LONG-TERM BENCHMARK IN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR BOND MARKET.
THE PROCEEDS OF THE ISSUE HAVE BEEN SWAPPED INTO JAPANESE YEN UNDER A RELATED CURRENCY LIABILITY SWAP TRANSACTION WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION OF HONG KONG. THIS IS THE ADB’S FIRST HONG KONG DOLLAR PUBLIC BOND ISSUE.
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SHIPPING STATISTICS FOR FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 RELEASED
*****
THERE WERE 5,596 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 31.1 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED AT HONG KONG IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 926 (OR 20%) IN NUMBER AND OF 2.4 MILLION NRT (OR 8%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
THIS INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1991" PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGOES DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS WAS 13.6 MILLION TONNES, AN INCREASE OF 16%.
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+458), OIL TANKERS (+376) AND CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (+58). A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SEMI-CONTAINER VESSELS (-15).
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES. WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+371), PANAMA (+112), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+45) AND LIBERIA (+38).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 0,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 761 WHILE THOSE WITH A LARGER APACITY INCREASED BY 165.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, THERE WERE 5,606 OUTGOING SHIPS W TH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 31.4 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 949 (OR 20%) IN NUMBER AND OF 2.6 MILLION NRT (OR 9%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGOES LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS WAS 6.1 MILLION TONNES, AN INCREASE OF 22%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF OUTGOING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, FLAG, AND CAPACITY ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS THOSE RECORDED FOR INCOMING SHIPS, AS ABOUT 71% OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR FEWER THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGOES DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 85% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 15% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGOES.
OF THE CARGOES LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 64% WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 36% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGOES.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE JAPAN (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 16%), SINGAPORE (14%), THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (11%), TAIWAN (10%), CHINA (10%), AUSTRALIA (7%) AND U.S.A. (7%).
/THE MAJOR .......
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THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE U.S.A. (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 22%), CHINA (17%), TAIWAN (13%), JAPAN (5%), SINGAPORE (4%) AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (4%).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGOES WERE MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (29%) AND U.S.A. (16%), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED ALSO IN CHINA (21%) AND U.S.A. (16%).
COMPARING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THAT OF 1990, MAJOR INCREASES TN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+118%), INDONESIA (+78%), TAIWAN (+35%) AND U.S.A. (+31%).
A MAJOR DECREASE IN TONNAGE WAS NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM CHINA (-30%). AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 15%.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ORGANIC CHEMICALS (t-53%), ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+47%), MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS (+37%), PETROLEUM, ■TROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+32%), AND STONE, SAND AND GRAVEL (+26%).
OVER THE SAME COMPARISON PERIOD, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 23%.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (+196%) AND U.S.A. (+37%); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (-23%) AND INDONESIA (-19%).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+187%), FOOTWEAR (+52%), TOYS (+32%) AND GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS (+31%).
OF THE CARGOES DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 44% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGOES.
OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 81% WAS CONTAINERISED CARGOES.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGOES ACCOUNTED FOR 36% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGOES ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (92%), U.S.A. (80%) AND TAIWAN (80%).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 ROSE BY 24% OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.
/AMONG THE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
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AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGOES ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 99% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 95% OF PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, 92% OF MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS, AND 90% OF TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD, ALL KINDS.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGOES ACCOUNTED FOR 74% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGOES ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO U.S.A., THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS, AND ALMOST ALL TO AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 ROSE BY 17% OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED TOYS, FOOTWEAR, GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS, MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, AND VEGETABLES. AND FRUIT.
SHIPPING STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIP MASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEANGOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A SAMPLE OF CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING CARGO STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1991".
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI AT $34.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 582 4887.
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OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID
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THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ALL OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO MALE AND FEMALE YOUTH BORN IN 1975 OR 1976 WILL BECOME INVALID FROM MAY 14.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS IS THE 12TH BATCH OF OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO BE DECLARED INVALID.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: "ONCE AN OLD CARD IS DECLARED INVALID, IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, JUVENILES OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUPS HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT.
"THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RENEWED THEIR OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS OWING TO ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO A REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE, EXCEPT MA TAU WAI OFFICE, FOR RENEWAL.
"THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR OWN MERITS," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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NOTICES ON THREE INSHORE WORKS GAZETTED
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THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) NOTICES ON THE EXTENT OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AREAS WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED BY INSHORE WORKS IN THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN THE TERRITORY.
IN TOLO HARBOUR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL START WORK THIS OCTOBER ON THE LAYING OF A SUBMARINE PIPELINE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 13.26 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED.
WORKS ON THE PIPELINE, WHICH WILL BE USED TO EXPORT THE FINAL EFFLUENT FROM TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT 'WORKS TO VICTORIA HARBOUR VIA SHA TIN, INCLUDE DREDGING IN THE SEA-BED TO FORM THE TRENCH, LAYING THE PIPE AND SUBSEQUENT BACKFILLING.
IN SHAM TSENG, TSUEN WAN, THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO A PRIVATE COMPANY TO USE AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,040 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AS WORKS AREA IN CONNECTION WITH ANOTHER EFFLUENT DISCHARGE PIPELINE PROJECT.
/THE PROJECT
FRIDAY, MAY 1', 1992
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THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED* TO START THIS MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.
AUTHORISATION FOR THE GO-AHEAD OF THE TWO PIPELINE LAYING PROJECTS HAS BEEN GIVEN.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY SUCH WORKS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, IN SOUTH LANTAU, THE ’GOVERNMENT ALSO INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A VILLAGE PIER THIS AUGUST WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,250 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT TAI LONG WAN TO PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO SHORE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE AREA MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE ON THE WORK (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN HAVE BEEN POSTED ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
THE NOTICES AND RELATED PLANS OF THE THREE INSHORE PROJECTS ARE ALL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION 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 RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR FREE QUOTA ALLOCATIONS FOR CFCS AND HALONS ******
THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED NOTICES INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR FREE QUOTA ON RETAINED IMPORTS OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS) AND HALONS FOR THE CONTROL PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS CFCS) AND HALONS ARE OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES COMMONLY USED IN HONG KONG.
THE FORMER HAS WIDE APPLICATIONS AS REFRIGERANT IN THE AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRY AND AS SOLVENT IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WHEREAS THE LATTER ARE COMMONLY USED IN FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.
BOTH CFCS AND HALONS ARE ALREADY SUBJECT TO AN IMPORT QUOTA CONTROL UNDER THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE ADMINISTERED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD).
/THE SUBSTANCES .......
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THE SUBSTANCES UNDER CONTROL INCLUDE CFC11, CFC12, CFC113, CFC114, CFC115 AND HALONS 1211, 1301 AND 2402.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE QUOTA SYSTEM HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO CONTROL THE LOCAL CONSUMPTION OF THESE SUBSTANCES IN ORDER TO FULFIL HONG KONG’S OBLIGATION UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER.
ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT TIMETABLE, BOTH CFCS AND HALONS HAVE TO BE PHASED OUT BY THE YEAR 2000.
AT PRESENT, HONG KONG’S LEVEL OF RETAINED IMPORTS OF CFCS AND HALONS HAS BEEN FROZEN AT THE 1986 CONSUMPTION LEVEL. STARTING FROM 1995, THE AMOUNT WILL HAVE TO BE REDUCED TO 50 PER CENT OF THE 1986 LEVEL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE QUOTA ALLOCATION SYSTEM IS PART OF A SERIES OF PROGRESSIVE MEASURES IN CONTROLLING THE LOCAL CONSUMPTION OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES.
CONTROLS WILL BE EXTENDED TO OTHER OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENTS MADE IN THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL WHICH BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER SAID FREE QUOTA FOR CFCS AND HALONS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO PERSONS REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE AND WHO HAVE NO RECORD OF OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE EPD’S AIR CONTROL GROUP ON 13TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL.
APPLICATION NOT USING THE OFFICIAL FORM SPECIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE EPD IN PERSON ON OR BEFORE 5 PM ON MAY 29 THIS YEAR. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE AIR CONTROL GROUP OF THE EPD ON TELEPHONE 810 2936 OR 810 2942 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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REGULATIONS ON SAFE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE EFFECTIVE TODAY
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A SET OF REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THAT CHEMICAL WASTE WILL BE DISPOSED OF IN A SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER IN HONG KONG COMES INTO EFFECT TODAY (MAY 1).
THE WASTE DISPOSAL (CHEMICAL WASTE) (GENERAL) REGULATION AND RELATED SECTIONS OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE ARE GAZETTED TODAY TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK OF CONTROL ON DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE.
ALSO GAZETTED TODAY IS THE WASTE DISPOSAL (CHEMICAL WASTE) (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION WHICH STIPULATES THAT WASTE COLLECTORS MUST DELIVER THE CHEMICAL WASTE WITHIN 48 HOURS FOR DISPOSAL.
CONTRAVENTION OF THE NEW REGULATIONS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $100,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE LONG-AWAITED CONTROL WILL BE APPLICABLE TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE DISPOSAL ACTIVITY INCLUDING STORAGE, TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE IN HONG KONG.
"IT WILL ALSO REQUIRE ALL WASTE PRODUCERS TO REGISTER WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THESE CONTROLS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES. A DATE FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE REGISTRATION PROCESS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY AND REGISTRATION IS EXPECTED TO TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE," HE ADDED.
TO HELP THOSE INDUSTRIES WHICH MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW REGULATIONS, GUIDANCE NOTES AND LATER A CODE OF PRACTICE WILL BE ISSUED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
A SEMINAR ON THE EFFECT OF THE REGULATION WILL ALSO BE HELD BY THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY SHORTLY. THE EPD WILL ALSO HOLD A SERIES OF BRIEFINGS FOR THE AFFECTED INDUSTRIES.
---------0-----------
HK FIRE SERVICES - RENOWNED AND REWARDING ******
THE RETIRING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED THE FIRE SERVICES FOR ITS FIRST CLASS WORK AND SAID IT IS A REWARDING DEPARTMENT TO SERVE.
SPEAKING AT A FIRE SERVICES PASSING-OUT PARADE FOR 11 STATION OFFICERS, 19 FIREMEN AND 21 AMBULANCEMEN AT THE PAT HEUNG FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL, MR MARCH SAID:
/"DURING MY .......
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
- 11 -
"DURING MY 30 YEARS’ SERVICE IN HONG KONG I HAVE WITNESSED MANY CHANGES IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TOO MANY TO REFLECT UPON THIS MORNING, BUT MOST HAVE BEEN FOR BETTER I AM GLAD TO SAY.
"THROUGHOUT THIS PERIOD, IN PARTICULAR DURING THE YEARS AS DIRECTOR, I HAVE VERY MUCH ENJOYED THE FULLEST SUPPORT, NOT ONLY FROM MY OWN STAFF, BUT ALSO FROM FRIENDS AND DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS.
"I THEREFORE WISH TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO THEM ALL AND WISH THEM EVERY SUCCESS IN THE YEARS TO COME," MR MARCH SAID.
HE TOLD GRADUATING OFFICERS THAT THEY HAD CHOSEN A VERY REWARDING PROFESSION, FOR THERE WAS NOTHING IN LIFE MORE SATISFYING THAN BEING ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE IN TIME OF NEED AND WHEN THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES.
HE SAID, IT COULD BE A HARD AND DANGEROUS OCCUPATION, THE HOURS WERE LONG AND THE DISCIPLINE WAS STRICT.
"HOWEVER, THERE ARE COMPENSATIONS, THE PRINCIPAL ONE WILL BE FRIENDSHIP AND COMRADESHIP OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, A RELATIONSHIP FORGED ON THE FIREGROUND AND IN THE STATION BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT AND TRUST.
"TEAM WORK IS ESSENTIAL IN THE FIRE SERVICE AND IT IS NOW UP TO YOU TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE PART OF THE TEAM. LISTEN AND LEARN FROM YOUR OLDER COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN EARNED THE HARD WAY, BY EXPERIENCE," MR MARCH SAID.
HE SAID THE REPUTATION OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES WAS HIGH, ITS PROFESSIONALISM RESPECTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND IT WAS BY KEEPING SUCH STANDARDS THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN BE BEST SERVED.
MR MARCH TOLD THE OFFICERS THAT THEY NOW HAD SUCH A DUTY AND HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD ALL PROVED TO BE GOOD FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN AS THEIR PREDECESSORS AND THAT THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC COULD CONFIDENTLY BE PLACED IN THEIR HANDS.
HE CONGRATULATED THE GRADUATING OFFICERS IN CHOOSING THEIR CAREERS AS PROFESSIONAL FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN.
AS A FORMER COMMANDANT HIMSELF OF THE SCHOOL, MR MARCH TOLD THE OFFICERS THAT HE WAS WELL AWARE OF THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO BE THE SURVIVORS OF AN EXTREMELY THOROUGH RECRUITMENT EXERCISE AND A VERY TOUGH AND DEMANDING SIX MONTHS’ INITIAL TRAINING COURSE.
AFTER INSPECTING THE PARADE, MR MARCH PRESENTED THE BEST RECRUIT AWARDS TO STATION OFFICER LEUNG KING-CHEUNG, FIREMAN YEUNG SAI-LAM AND AMBULANCEMAN WONG KIN-MING, FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE DURING THEIR TRAINING PROGRAMME.
- - 0---------
/12........
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
12
TENDERS INVITED FOR ALDRICH BAY RECLAMATION
* * * * *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR RECLAMATION WORKS AT THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 600 METRES OF SEAWALL, ABOUT 1,500 METRES OF STORMWATER DRAINAGE PIPES AND BOX CULVERTS AND RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 18 HECTARES OF LANI).
THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL PROVIDE SPACE FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING, COMMERCIAL, GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY FACILITIES, OPEN SPACE AND OTHER USES.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS AUGUST.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 12.
---------0-----------
LAND TO BE RESUMED FOR STREAM IMPROVEMENT WORKS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND IN TA KWU LING FOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE LOCAL STREAM CHANNEL.
THE RESUMPTION WILL INVOLVE 47 LOTS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 5,797 SQUARE METRES IN TSUNG YUEN HA AND HA HEUNG YUEN.
THE LAND WILL BE REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING OF NOTICES ON THE LOTS.
DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
------0-------
AREA COMMITTEES PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS *****
AREA COMMITTEES ARE IMPORTANT SEGMENTS OE THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PHILIP CHOK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
OFFICIATING AT AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR SHAM SHUI PO AREA COMMITTEES MEMBERS AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, MR CHOK SAID THE COMMITTEES HAD ALL ALONG BEEN PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
/"THEY HAVE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
13
’’THEY HAVE PROMOTED MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE GOVERNMENT AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BY PROVIDING A COMMUNICATION CHANNEL THROUGH DISCUSSIONS OF VARIOUS PROBLEMS AT REGULAR MEETINGS.
”IN ADDITION, AREA COMMITTEES HAVE ASSISTED THE GOVERNMENT IN THE PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATIONAL, TRAFFIC AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS AT DISTRICT LEVEL SO AS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE FACILITIES IN THE AREA.
’’THE COMMITTEES HAVE ALSO HELPED ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ORGANISATION OF VARIOUS CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE AREA COMMITTEES SCHEME HAD BEEN •IMPLEMENTED IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FOR 20 YEARS, MR CHOK SAID THERE HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENT.
"ONE REASON FOR THIS FRUITFUL RESULT IS THE SUPPORT AND CONCERTED EFFORTS OF LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS," HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
APPLICATION INVITED FOR 1992 HK BAND CLINIC
♦ * * * *
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR THE 1992 HONG KONG BAND CLINIC, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN INTENSIVE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR MUSIC TEACHERS AND BAND MASTERS.
THE FOUR-DAY EVENT, SCHEDULED TO BE HELD FROM JULY 22 TO JULY 25 AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE, TELFORD GARDEN, KOWLOON BAY, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND TOM LEE MUSIC FOUNDATION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS CO-ORGANISER.
IT IS PLANNED TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED PROGRAMME IN WHICH STRONG EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON BAND TRAINING METHOD AND PERCUSSION TECHNIQUES.
SESSIONS ON BAND INSTRUMENTS PEDAGOGY AND FORUMS ON SPECIAL TOPICS WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED.
FOUR OVERSEAS GUEST MUSICIANS WILL BE INVITED TO GIVE LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN VARIOUS SESSIONS.
THEY ARE MR RALPH HULTGREN FROM AUSTRALIA, THE CHILDS BROTHERS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND A PERCUSSION SPECIALIST FROM JAPAN.
THREE GUEST BANDS WILL BE DEMONSTRATING IN VARIOUS BAND TRAINING SESSIONS AS WELL AS IN CONDUCTING MASTERCLASS. THEY ARE THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND, THE PHILHARMONIC WINDS OF HONG KONG AND THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE MARCHING BAND.
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
- 14 -
APPLICATION FORMS ARE THE MUSIC OFFICE AND ALL TOM
NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF LEE MUSIC COMPANY LTD.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TOM LEE MUSIC FOUNDATION, 15TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, HARBOUR CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI BY MAY 31.
ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATION WILL BE BASED ON A FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 730 1098 EXT. 307.
--------0-----------
NEW MEMBER APPOINTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
******
A FORMER LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR JAMES P.C. TIEN, HAS BEEN APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR TIEN IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MANHATTAN GARMENTS (INTERNATIONAL) LTD, MANHATTAN PROPERTIES LTD, AND CALI ENTERPRISES LTD.
HE IS NOW CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND A MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES GENERAL COMMITTEE.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AT PRESENT IS COMPOSED OF:
CHAIRMAN -- MR A.K. CHUI
MEMBERS -- DR VICTOR FUNG KWOK-KING
MR PHILIP K.H. WONG
MR P.J. THOMPSON
MRS ELEANOR LING CHING-MAN
MR D.G. JEAFFRESON
--------0-----------
/15........
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
500 CHILDREN TO TAKE PART IN ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION * * * * *
FIVE HUNDRED CHILDREN IN TUEN MUN WILL JOIN HANDS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING TO CLEAN UP AND BEAUTIFY BUTTERFLY BEACH PARK.
PARTICIPATING IN THE 1992 TUEN MUN ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION DAY, THE CHILDREN WILL BE TAUGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT THROUGH A CLEANING COMPETITION AND TREE-PLANTING ACTIVITIES.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1992 TUEN MUN ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION DAY WILL BE HELD IN FRONT OF THE BEACH BUILDING AT 11.30 AM IN THE BUTTERFLY BEACH PARK, TUEN MUN.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE A REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, MR POON CHIN-HUNG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR ANTHONY AU, AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
- - 0 - -
/16
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
- 16 -
GENERAL HOLIDAY FOR 1993
*****
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1993 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY):
EVERY SUNDAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY FRIDAY JANUARY 1
THE DAY PRECEDING LUNAR NEW
YEAR’S DAY FRIDAY JANUARY 22
LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY SATURDAY JANUARY 23
THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR MONDAY JANUARY 25
CHING MING FESTIVAL MONDAY APRIL 5
GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY APRIL 9
THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY SATURDAY APRIL 10
EASTER MONDAY MONDAY APRIL 12
THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY SATURDAY JUNE 12
THE QUEEN
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE MONDAY JUNE 14
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
TUEN NG FESTIVAL THURSDAY JUNE 24
THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE LAST SATURDAY AUGUST 28
MONDAY IN AUGUST
LIBERATION DAY, BEING THE LAST MONDAY AUGUST 30
MONDAY IN AUGUST
THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE FRIDAY OCTOBER 1
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL SATURDAY OCTOBER 23
CHRISTMAS DAY SATURDAY DECEMBER 25
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER MONDAY DECEMBER 27
CHRISTMAS DAY
--------Q-----------
/17........
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1992
17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 30.4.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 1.5.92 + 210
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -210
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON + 500 *
* O/N , ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 2.5.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 *-0.2* 1.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.49 PCT 19 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.49 PCT 22 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.67 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.87 PCT
12 : MONTHS 4.40 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 101.84 5.06
2402 5.50 100.17 5.47
- 9,770 MN
CLOSED 1 MAY 1992
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CUSTOMS COMMISSIONER TO VISIT SOUTHERN CHINA ....................... 1
LADY WILSON URGES PARENTS ON IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN SAFETY ......... 1
MORE MULTI-SERVICE COMPLEXES URGED ................................. 2
WATCH OUT FOR NEW SMUGGLING TRENDS: CUSTOMS OFFICERS WERE TOLD...... 3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.......... 4
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1992
CUSTOMS COMMISSIONER TO VISIT SOUTHERN CHINA
******
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, WILL VISIT SOUTHERN CHINA TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FOR TWO WEEKS.
DURING THE FIRST WEEK, HE WILL VISIT YUNNAN PROVINCE AND HAINAN ISLAND AS THE GUEST OF CUSTOMS GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA.
THE COMMISSIONER, ACCOMPANIED BY SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT, MR WONG SAU-PUI, WILL BE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE CUSTOMS OFFICIALS ON A WIDE RANGE OF SMUGGLING RELATED ISSUES.
THE COMMISSIONER WILL THEN FLY TO GUANGZHOU. IN ZHUHAI, HE WILL LEAD A DELEGATION FROM THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS IN THE GUANGDONG CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION AT THE ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING.
THE MEETING IS THE 10TH SINCE 1983 WHICH IS HELD ALTERNATIVELY IN GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG. IT WILL COVER A RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING, SMUGGLING TO AND FROM CHINA AND TRADE CONTROLS AND RELATED ISSUES.
HONG KONG’S NEW LEGISLATION TO CURB SMUGGLING OF LEFT-HAND DRIVE VEHICLES AND OUTBOARD ENGINES ARE EXPECTED TO BE TOUCHED ON AT THE MEETING.
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION INCLUDE THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE (INVESTIGATION) MR LI SHU-FAI; SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT TSANG HING-KAM; AND SUPERINTENDENTS MR AU YEE-LEUNG, CHEN WING-PING AND CHOW OI-TUNG.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION LED BY THE COMMISSIONER WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG BY TRAIN ON MAY 17 (SUNDAY).
- - 0 - -
LADY WILSON URGES PARENTS ON IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN SAFETY
******
LADY WILSON TODAY (SATURDAY) APPEALED TO PARENTS TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN AND THINK AND PLAN WHEN LEAVING CHILDREN AT HOME.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CHILDREN’S MONTH WHICH CENTRED ON THE THEME OF "CHILDSAFE - IN THE HOME", LADY WILSON SAID CHILDREN’S SAFETY WAS A HUGELY IMPORTANT TOPIC AT THIS TIME WHEN SOME REALLY TRAGIC ACCIDENTS HAPPENED IN HONG KONG.
/SHE SAID
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1992
2
SHE SAID CHILDREN WERE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME AND IT WAS A SOBERING THOUGHT THAT NEARLY ALL SUCH ACCIDENTS COULD BE AVOIDED IF THEY ALL TOOK THE TROUBLE TO THINK AND PLAN WHEN LEAVING CHILDREN AT HOME.
"PARENTS CLEARLY NEED HELP AND SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO FIND WAYS OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY HAVE TO BE AWAY FROM HOME," SHE ADDED.
LADY WILSON PRAISED THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES IN ORGANISING THE ANNUAL CHILDREN’S MONTH - THE FIFTH OF ITS KIND - FOR HELPING TO EDUCATE PARENTS AND FAMILIES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME SAFETY.
SHE ALSO SAID PROMOTION OF MUTUAL HELP AMONG FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WAS MOST IMPORTANT AND FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS WERE GREATLY ENCOURAGED TO GROUP TOGETHER TO HELP ONE ANOTHER.
NEVERTHELESS, SHE SAID PARENTS HAD TO FACE UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTHOOD AND IT WAS VITAL, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOUNG, THAT CHILDREN DEVELOP GOOD SELF ESTEEM.
"MANY PARENTS, NATURALLY FEEL THEY HAVE TO WORK, EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE A FAMILY.
"HAVING A CHILD IS HOWEVER, A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY, WORKING AND MAKING SURE THAT A YOUNG CHILD IS CARED FOR, ARE NOT ALWAYS EASY THINGS TO COMBINE.
"THIS NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF MOTHERS, FATHERS, GRANDPARENTS, WELFARE AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENTS," SHE ADDED.
SHE SAID IT WAS A DILEMMA WHICH THERE WAS YET A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
-----0------
MORE MULTI-SERVICE COMPLEXES URGED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER BUILDING MORE MULTI-SERVICE COMPLEXES FOR SOCIAL WELFARE, PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW, CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC), RECOMMENDED TODAY (SATURDAY).
"PUTTING VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF WOULD ENABLE SERVICES RECIPIENTS TO OBTAIN DIFFERENT SERVICES THEY REQUIRED WITHOUT THE NEED OF TRAVELLING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER," PROF CHOW SAID DURING A VISIT TO A SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING IN TUEN MUN.
ACCOMPANIED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, PROF CHOW AND SWAC MEMBERS VISITED SOME WELFARE FACILITIES IN WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
/APART FROM .......
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1992
3
APART FROM THE TAI TUNG PUI SOCIAL SERVICES BUILDING IN TUEN MUN, THE PARTY VISITED A PRIVATE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN KAM TIN.
THE TAI TUNG PUI MULTI-SERVICE COMPLEX IS RUN BY TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS. THE 11-STOREY BUILDING PROVIDES REHABILITATION SERVICE AS WELL AS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
SWAC MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST MULTI-SERVICE COMPLEX FOR SOCIAL WELFARE BUILT IN HONG KONG. SEVERAL SIMILAR PROJECTS ARE ALSO IN THE PIPELINE.
THE COMPLEX RUNS A DAY-CARE CENTRE AND A CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOME FOR THE ELDERLY.
MRS GOODSTADT TOLD THE MEMBERS THAT THE UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOME WAS A BLIND SECTION TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE AGED BLIND.
OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE BUILDING INCLUDE A CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, A DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE CUM HOSTEL FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS.
-----0------
WATCH OUT FOR NEW SMUGGLING TRENDS: CUSTOMS OFFICERS WERE TOLD
*****
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR J.J. SWAINE, TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID CUSTOMS OFFICERS SHOULD ALWAYS ON THE ALERT FOR CHANGE ON NEW TRENDS IN SMUGGLING BY LAND, BY SEA AND BY AIR.
SPEAKING AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 34 CUSTOMS INSPECTORS AND OFFICERS AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL IN TAI LAM CHUNG, MR SWAINE SAID THE LIFE OF A MODERN CUSTOMS OFFICER WAS NOT, AS IT ONCE WAS, CONCERNED PURELY WITH THE GOOD OF HIS PARENT ADMINISTRATION.
"AN OFFICER NOW HAS TO BE READY NOT ONLY TO ENFORCE THE LAWS OF HIS OR HER OWN TERRITORY BUT, SOMETIMES AT SHORT NOTICE, TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF UN SANCTIONS, TO EXCHANGE KNOWLEDGE WITH OPPOSITE NUMBERS FROM OVERSEAS AND, ON OCCASIONS, TO TAKE PART IN OPERATIONS DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO HELP OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS," HE SAID.
MR SWAINE TOLD THE OFFICERS THAT THEIR GRADUATION WAS NOT THE END OF THE LEARNING PROCESS.
"NOT ONLY WILL YOU HAVE TO LEARN FROM YOUR SENIOR AND MORE EXPERIENCED COLLEAGUES THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN THE FIELD OF THE TECHNIQUES YOU HAVE STUDIED HERE, BUT THE TECHNIQUES THEMSELVES WILL HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF IMPROVED RISK MANAGEMENT, CHANGING TRADE PRACTICES AND NEW INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SITUATIONS," HE SAID.
/MR SWAINE .......
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1992
4
MR SWAINE SAID THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS HAD A HIGH REPUTATION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, BOTH AMONG THE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS OF DEVELOPING NATIONS AND AMONG THOSE OF THE MORE ADVANCED SUCH AS AUSTRALIA, EUROPE AND THE USA.
’’THIS REPUTATION STEMS, IN PARTICULAR, FROM THE SUCCESSFUL SUPPRESSION OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND FROM THE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
’’THE LATTER ESPECIALLY HAS BEEN WIDELY RECOGNISED NOT ONLY BY OVERSEAS CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS BUT ALSO BY INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS OPERATING IN THE FIELD,’’ HE SAID.
’’THERE IS, THEREFORE, A BINDING OBLIGATION ON YOU BOTH TO MAINTAIN THE HIGH STANDARDS WHICH HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE PAST AND TO RETAIN SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY TO REACT TO NEW CHALLENGES IN THE FUTURE,” HE ADDED.
THE GRADUATING OFFICERS COMPRISED NINE CUSTOMS INSPECTORS AND 25 CUSTOMS OFFICERS.
---------0------------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 1.5.92 1,488
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 2.5.92 -500 »
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
♦ O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW LAWS ENACTED TO BETTER PROTECT WORKERS .......................... 1
SES ON AIRPORT FINANCING ............................................ 2
HK DELEGATION ATTENDS TEXTILES CONFERENCE IN SHANGHAI ............... 3
POLICE DOGS VITAL IN CRIME FIGHTING.................................. 3
LAST CHANCE TO JOIN REGIMENT......................................... 5
SUMMER HYGIENE REMINDER ............................................. 6
NEW CIVIL ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION UP FOR SALE ..................... 7
APPLICATIONS FOR FORESTRY WORK CAMP INVITED ......................... 8
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
NEW LAWS ENACTED TO BETTER PROTECT WORKERS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE LABOUR LAW TO FURTHER IMPROVE WORKERS’ WELFARE AND SAFETY AT WORK.
THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN FIVE BILLS WHICH WERE PASSED AT THE LATEST MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 SOUGHT TO EXTEND EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION TO LOCAL NON-MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED TO WORK OVERSEAS WHO EARN UP TO AN AMOUNT PRESCRIBED BY THE GOVERNMENT FROM TIME TO TIME.
"THEY WILL NOW HAVE THEIR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS ATTESTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, AS IN THE CASE OF MANUAL WORKERS EMPLOYED TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THIS WILL GIVE THE NECESSARY PROTECTION TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF WORKERS ENGAGED BY FOREIGN EMPLOYERS TO TAKE UP NON-MANUAL JOBS OVERSEAS, SUCH AS TECHNICIANS AND SUPERVISORS, AS THEY WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE DIFFICULTY IN CLAIMING THEIR DUE ENTITLEMENTS IN CASE OF DISPUTES WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
"ALSO THE NEW LAW HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT LOCAL EMPLOYEES TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG WITH FOREIGN EMPLOYERS ARE PROTECTED BY THE CONTRACT FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE (CEOHKO), WHILE THOSE ENGAGED BY HONG KONG EMPLOYERS TO WORK PARTIALLY OR WHOLLY OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY ARE PROTECTED BY THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
"HOWEVER, WHEN ATTESTING EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYEES UNDER THE CEOHKO, THE DEPARTMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE TERMS OFFERED TO THEM ARE NO LESS FAVOURABLE THAN THOSE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE," HE STRESSED, ADDING THAT ABOUT 60,000 MORE LOCAL WORKERS ARE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT UNDER THE NEW LAW.
TWO OTHER BILLS PASSED WERE AIMED AT BETTER PROTECTING EMPLOYEES AGAINST VICTIMISATION BY EMPLOYERS.
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 HAS EXTENDED ITS PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND DISMISSAL TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO GIVES ASSISTANCE IN PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIS EMPLOYER IN RELATION TO WORK ACCIDENTS OR SAFETY AT WORK.
SIMILARLY, THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 HAS INTRODUCED PENALTY ON EMPLOYERS WHO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST EMPLOYEES ON GROUNDS OF GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT OR WHO PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
"IN BOTH CASES, THE PENALTY FOR AN OFFENDING EMPLOYER IS A FINE OF $20,000,” THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
2
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING ALL CONTAINERHANDLING ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAWS THROUGH THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 PASSED.
"THE NEW LEGISLATION SERVES TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF WORKERS ENGAGED IN ALL STORAGE YARDS FOR FREIGHT CONTAINERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A LAW HAS ALSO BEEN ENACTED TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF JOBSEEKERS AND TO FACILITATE THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
"THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 PROHIBITS EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES FROM ASKING JOB APPLICANTS FOR REGISTRATION FEES, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY STILL CHARGE A COMMISSION OF UP TO ONE-TENTH OF A SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT’S FIRST MONTH’S PAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW LAW ALSO REMOVES ALL RESTRICTIONS ON CHARGES BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS AS THESE FEE ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN PRACTICE MADE WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BOTH PARTIES.
TO FACILITATE THEIR OPERATION, HE SAID ALL EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES WILL BE ISSUED THE SAME KIND OF LICENCE, WHETHER THEY ARE DEALING WITH EMPLOYMENT WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY, AND MAY OPERATE WITH ONE LICENCE FOR THEIR MAIN OFFICE PLUS A DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR EACH BRANCH OFFICE.
"ALSO THEY ARE NOW REQUIRED TO KEEP ONLY RECORDS OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON JOB APPLICANTS," HE SAID, NOTING THAT EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES HAVE BECOME MORE SOPHISTICATED. IN OPERATION OVER THE YEARS.
---------0-----------
SES ON AIRPORT FINANCING ******
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER. A BRIEFING ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE WHERE THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MEETING IS TO BE HELD, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY):
”1 DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY DISPUTE ABOUT THE ONE MONTH ALLOWED FOR CONSULTATION UNDER THE MOU (MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING). OVER THE LAST MONTH OR TWO, WE HAVE HANDED OVER DETAILED PROPOSALS CONCERNING THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TO THE CHINESE AND WE DO REALISE THAT WE NEED TO ALLOW THE CHINESE SUFFICIENT TIME TO DIGEST THESE PROPOSALS AND TO REVERT TO US WITH QUESTIONS.
’’AT THE SAME TIME, I AM SURE THAT THE CHINESE APPRECIATE THAT THE TIMETABLE ALLOWED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ENTIRE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME IS EXTREMELY TIGHTLY DRAWN. WE ARE COMMITTED TO COMPLETING AS MUCH OF THE ACP BY MID 1997 AS WE POSSIBLY CAN SO I AM SURE THE CHINESE WILL BE REVERTING TO US AS SOON AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN.”
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/3......
SUNDAY, NAY 3, 1992
- 3 -
HK DELEGATION ATTENDS TEXTILES CONFERENCE IN SHANGHAI
******
A DELEGATION OF TRADE OFFICIALS LED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, HAS LEFT HONG KONG FOR SHANGHAI TO ATTEND THE 16TH COUNCIL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU (ITCB).
THE COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TILL THE END OF THE WEEK.
THE ITCB, THE GENEVA-BASED ORGANISATION OF TEXTILES-EXPORTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES, PROVIDES THE FORUM FOR ITS 22 MEMBERS, INCLUDING HONG KONG, TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND CO-ORDINATE ACTIONS ON MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS TO EVALUATE THE STATE OF THE URUGUAY ROUND MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS, IN PARTICULAR THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON TEXTILES AND OLOTHING,” A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THE MEETING COMES AT A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER THE POSITION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AND THE EXPIRY OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) AT THE END OF THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
OTHER DELEGATIONS ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE COMING FROM ARGENTINA, BANGLADESH, BRAZIL, CHINA, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, INDIA, INDONESIA, JAMAICA, KOREA, MACAU, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA, TURKEY AND URUGUAY.
- - 0----------
POLICE DOGS VITAL IN CRIME FIGHTING ******
THE ROLE OF POLICE DOGS AND THEIR HANDLERS ARE GETTING MORE IMPORTANT. THE FORCE NOW HAS AN AVERAGE OF 60 ARREST CASES A MONTH IN WHICH POLICE DOGS ARE DEPLOYED, COMPARED WITH SIX CASES FIVE YEARS AGO. MORE IMPORTANT, ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF POLICE DOGS AND HANDLERS ARE MAINTAINING WATCH AND WARD COMMITMENTS ON THE STREETS.
"WE ARE RECEIVING TWO COMPLIMENTS A MONTH FROM REGIONAL COMMANDERS OR OTHER FORMATION COMMANDERS," SAID CLIFF LAMBURN, HEAD OF THE POLICE DOG UNIT.
"POLICE DOGS AND HANDLERS ARE NOW PLAYING A MAJOR PART IN PREVENTING CRIME. THEIR PATROLS AND PRESENCE OUTSIDE GOLDSMITH SHOPS OR BANKS HAVE A FRIGHTENING EFFECT ON THOSE WHO WANT TO COMMIT CRIME."
/ECHOING MR .......
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
4
ECHOING MR LAMBURN’S VIEW, THE SECOND IN-CHARGE OF THE UNIT MR ) WONG HANG-TAI SAID: ’’THE PATROL WORK OF POLICE DOGS AND HANDLERS ARE APPRECIATED BY MORE AND MORE DISTRICT AND DIVISION COMMANDERS WHO REQUEST FOR THEIR ATTACHMENT IN THEIR FORMATIONS.
’’WE HAVE MORE DEMAND THAN SUPPLY. WHAT WE CAN DO IS TO TRAIN MORE DOGS. BUT IN THE MEAN TIME, WE SEND THE DOGS TO DISTRICTS WHICH NEED THEM MOST.’’
APART FROM PATROLLING, POLICE DOGS HAVE TO FULFILL A VARIETY OF ROLES INCLUDING DRUG DETECTION, TRACKER AND MORE RECENTLY EXPLOSIVES DETECTION.
’’THE NATURE OF OUR WORK IS MAINLY SUPPORTIVE, BUT POLICE DOGS AND DOG HANDLERS INVOLVED IN PATROLLING DUTIES ARE NOW STANDING IN THE FRONT LINE.’’ SAID MR SITO PING-YUK, INSPECTOR IN CHARGE OF OPERATIONS OF THE UNIT.
THE INDISPENSABLE ROLE OF POLICE DOGS CAN BE APTLY ILLUSTRATED BY A FEW RECENT EXAMPLES.
EARLY IN THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 28> EMERGENCY UNIT, HONG KONG ISLAND, STOPPED A SUSPECTED MISSING VEHICLE IN STUBBS ROAD. THREE SUSPECTS ON BOARD THE VEHICLE MANAGED TO ESCAPE, AND ONE OF THEM PUT UP A STRUGGLE WITH A POLICE OFFICER. THE TRIO ESCAPED DOWN THE STEEP AND WOODED HILLSIDE ABOVE THE PARSEE AND HONG KONG CEMETERIES.
THE WOODLAND WAS THICK AND DARK AND WAS DANGEROUS FOR OFFICERS TO ENTER. A HELICOPTER WAS USED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO PROVIDE LIGHTING TO THE AREA.
THE TERRAIN AND BAD WEATHER PROMPTED THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM POLICE DOGS.
DOG HANDLERS SENIOR POLICE CONSTABLES LI FUNG-HUNG AND WONG KAM-SHING, WITH THEIR TRACKER DOGS GIN AND DAN ATTENDED THE SCENE AND ASSISTED IN SEARCHING THE STEEP HILLSIDE.
AFTER 45 MINUTES OF SEARCH, POLICE DOG DAN INDICATED TO HIS HANDLER THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF SOMEONE BENEATH THE UNDERGROWTH. IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND THAT A SUSPECT HAD HIDDEN HIMSELF UNDER VEGETATION.
THE SUSPECT TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER ARRESTED PERSON WAS CHARGED WITH SIX VEHICLE CRIME OFFENCES.
IN ANOTHER CASE, POLICE DOGS TOOK PART IN A SEARCH, LASTING FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS, FOR SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS IN CHAI WAN.
BRAVO AND ALPHA, LED BY SERGEANTS CHOW KOK-MAN AND CHAN WAI-KI, ASSISTED SPECIAL DUTIES UNIT OFFICERS IN SEARCHING DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS WOODLAND. AGAIN, POLICE DOGS WERE SENT TO DETECT AND ESTABLISH WHETHER SUSPECTS OR EVIDENCE WERE THERE.
DURING THE OPERATION FIREARMS AND ITEMS OF SUSPECTED STOLEN PROPERTY WERE RECOVERED.
/THERE IS .......
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
5
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT POLICE DOGS WHO CARRY OUT DUTIES IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE AT RISK OF SUSTAINING INJURIES. POLICE DOG ANDY BROKE A FRONT PAW IN AN ANTI-CAR THEFT OPERATION IN TAI PO LAST MONTH.
FIVE YEARS OLD ANDY AND HANDLER SERGEANT CHAN WING-KUEN WERE ON PATROL IN TAI PO WHEN THEY RECEIVED A RADIO CALL, REQUESTING THEM TO TRACE TWO SUSPECTS, WHO HAD ESCAPED FROM A SUSPECTED STOLEN VEHICLE NEAR THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION.
ANDY WAS REQUIRED TO SEARCH A STEEP AND ROUGH WOODED EMBANKMENT IN RAINY AND WINDY WEATHER. THE WET AND SLIPPERY EMBANKMENT MADE ANDY LOSE HIS FOOTING AND FALL INTO A WATER DRAIN.
FORTUNATELY, ANDY WAS GIVEN URGENT SURGERY AND IS NOW RECOVERING.
-----0-----
LAST CHANCE TO JOIN REGIMENT
*****
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) TODAY (SUNDAY) CALLED ON YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO WISH TO FACE THE CHALLENGE AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN THE VOLUNTEERS BEFORE ITS LAST RECRUITMENT EXERCISE CLOSES ON MAY 31.
THIS YEAR, THE REGIMENT IS LOOKING FOR ABOUT 200 MALE AND 50 FEMALE RECRUITS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VOLUNTEERS SAID: "THE REGIMENT WILL BE DISBANDED BY SEPTEMBER 1995, HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE THIS LAST OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE REGIMENT AND EXPERIENCE FOR THEMSELVES THE SATISFACTION OF BELONGING TO A DISCIPLINED ORGANISATION WHICH PROMOTES LEADERSHIP AND COMRADESHIP.
"SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING IN BASIC MILITARY SKILLS, INCLUDING DRILL, HANDLING RIFLES, SUB-MACHINE GUNS, AND USE OF VEHICLES AND ASSAULT BOATS. TRAINING IN OPERATION RADIO EQUIPMENT, AND IN MAP READING. FIRST AID IS ALSO GIVEN."
THIS NO DOUBT HELPS TO BUILD UP ONE’S PHYSIQUE AND CULTIVATE A MORE MATURE AND CAPABLE PERSONALITY.
"VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN SUPERVISORY SKILLS, JUDGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING," HE ADDED.
TRAINING FOR NEW RECRUITS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON FOUR EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND PER MONTH FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO ATTEND TWO NINE-DAY TRAINING CAMPS BEFORE PASSING OUT.
THE MAJORITY OF TRAINING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE SCENIC COUNTRY PARKS OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/ON COMPLETION .......
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
6 -
ON COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING, THE VOLUNTEERS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING ON TWO EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND A MONTH. THERE ARE TWO CAMP PERIODS, ONE OF WHICH IS SPENT ON MANNING THE HONG KONG-CHINA BORDER.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE 18 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE, HAVE COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION AND HAVE A REASONABLE KNOWLEDGE OF SPOKEN ENGLISH. THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT AND SHOULD HAVE OBTAINED THEIR EMPLOYERS’ CONSENT FOR JOINING THE FORCE.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE VOLUNTEERS’ HEADQUARTERS ON TEL 576 1371.
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SUMMER HYGIENE REMINDER *****
WITH THE APPROACH OF SUMMER, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR M.B. ALI, POINTED OUT THAT FOOD-BORNE DISEASES SUCH AS CHOLERA, VIRAL HEPATITIS A, DYSENTERY, TYPHOID AND FOOD POISONING ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE EATING AND DRINKING OF UNCLEAN FOOD AND WATER.
"PROPER PRACTICE IN FOOD AND PERSONAL HYGIENE SHOULD THEREFORE BE OBSERVED TO ENSURE THAT THE FOOD CONSUMED IS HYGIENIC AND FREE FROM CONTAMINATION AND DETERIORATION," HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE TAKEN POSITIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES.
THESE INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF HEALTH EDUCATION MESSAGES AND ADVICE TO THE LICENSEES AND STAFF OF LICENSED FOOD PREMISES AND RESIDENTS IN REMOTE AREAS AS WELL AS PROSECUTIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL FOOD HAWKERS.
STEPPED-UP PUBLICITY HAS ALSO BEEN MOUNTED TO DISSEMINATE HEALTH MESSAGES TO THE PUBLIC ON FOOD, PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
CUT FRUIT FROM ANY ILLEGAL FRUIT VENDORS, HE ADDED, SHOULD NOT BE PURCHASED AS THESE CAN EASILY GET CONTAMINATED.
/DR ALI .......
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
7
DR ALI REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO OBERSVE THE FOLLOWING POINTS WHEN EATING AT HOME:
* MAINTAIN A CLEAN KITCHEN;
* WASH HANDS AFTER TOILET AND BEFORE PREPARING FOOD;
♦ USE WHOLESOME FOOD AND WATER AND CLEAN COOKING UTENSILS;
* STORE ALL PERISHABLE FOOD IN A REFRIGERATOR IF NOT FOR IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION;
* THAW OUT FROZEN FOOD ONLY WHEN NEEDED;
♦ CLEAN CHOPPING BLOCK AND KNIFE BEFORE USE, ESPECIALLY AFTER CUTTING RAW FOOD, SUCH AS MEAT AND POULTRY;
* WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING;
* EAT COOKED FOOD WHEN IT IS STILL HOT, DO NOT LEAVE IT EXPOSED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME;
» FOOD TO BE KEPT OVERNIGHT SHOUD BE PUT IN A REFRIGERATOR AND RE-COOKED THOROUGHLY BEFORE EATING; AND
* STORE ALL GARBAGE AND WASTE IN A COVERED CONTAINER BEFORE DISPOSAL.
DR ALI REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WHEN TRAVELLING TO TROPICAL COUNTRIES, THEY SHOULD EXERCISE EXTRA CARE IN CHOOSING THEIR FOODS AND DRINKS.
’’SAFE FOOD, AND GOOD PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES,” HE ADDED.
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NEW CIVIL ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION UP FOR SALE
THE 1992 EDITION OF THE GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKSA COMPREHENSIVE MANUAL WHICH LAYS DOWN THE QUALITY OF MATERIALS, THE STANDARDS OF WORKMANSHIP, THE TESTING METHODS AND THE ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS UNDERTAKEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
THE SPECIFICATION, PREPARED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, COMPRISES THREE VOLUMES OF MORE THAN 700 PAGES.
IT IS THE CULMINATION OF SIX YEARS’ WORK INVOLVING INPUT FROM ALL MAIN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXECUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS.
/TO ENSURE
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
8
TO ENSURE THAT THE MOST RECENT ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES WERE RESEARCHED AND INCLUDED IN THE DOCUMENT, EXPERT WORKING PARTIES WERE FORMED TO DRAFT THE DOCUMENT AND WIDE CONSULTATION WAS CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL ENGINEERING PROFESSION.
EXPANDING ON THE PREVIOUS EDITIONS, THE SPECIFICATION SUPERSEDES THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE AND HIGHWAYS OFFICE GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS, 1977 EDITION AND THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS, 1987 EDITION.
THE THREE-VOLUME SET, AT A COST OF $86 FOR LOCAL AND US$33 (SURFACE POSTAGE INCLUSIVE) FOR OVERSEAS SUBSCRIPTIONS, IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
APPLICATIONS FOR FORESTRY WORK CAMP INVITED
******
YOUNGSTERS WHO WISH TO CAMP IN A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT THIS SUMMER AND INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT WORK CAN JOIN THE 1992 FORESTRY WORK CAMP, APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FROM SCHOOLS AND YOUTH GROUPS FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 25 FOR THE WORK CAMP TO BE HELD BETWEEN JULY 6 AND AUGUST 22.
THE SCHEME IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
IT AIMS TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE IN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AS WELL AS A CHANCE FOR THEM TO TAKE PART IN COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK HALF-DAY ON COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT DAILY DURING THE CAMP PERIOD. A DAILY ALLOWANCE WILL BE GRANTED TO EACH CAMPER FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB DONATION.
THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO ORGANISE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OR USE THE FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS DURING THE REST OF THE DAY.
THE AFD WILL PROVIDE CAMPING FACILITIES FOR 402 PERSONS IN 18 COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON LANTAU AND HONG KONG ISLANDS.
BARRACK ACCOMMODATION WITH SLEEPING, COOKING, DINING AND TOILET FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED.
/THE CAMPS
SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992
- 9 -
THE CAMPS ARE OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ORGANISED GROUPS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS UNDER THE CHARGE OF AT LEAST ONE ADULT LEADER OR TEACHER.
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN EACH GROUP MAY RANGE FROM 15 TO 23.
APPLICANTS CAN APPLY FOR EITHER A THREE-DAY CAMP OR A FIVE-DAY CAMP. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE MAY 11 THIS YEAR.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS CAN CONTACT THE AFD’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON TEL 733 2121 TO ENQUIRE ABOUT APPLICATION AND
CAMPING ARRANGEMENTS.
APPLICATIONS FROM SCHOOLS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ADB TASKED TO IMPROVE LIFE QUALITY IN ASIA: GOVERNOR ............ 1
GOVT READY TO DISCUSS WITH CHINA ON ACP FINANCING ............... 2
ADB HAS AN IMPORTANT TASK AHEAD: FS ............................. 4
RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH .......... 6
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MARCH PUBLISHED ......................... 8
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED ....... 13
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 4TH QUARTER OF 1991 .......... 16
UK/HK STUDENT FUNDING SCHEME INVITES APPLICATIONS ............... 17
RADIO FREQUENCY AGREEMENT SIGNED IN GUANGZHOU ................... 18
COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION COMPLETES FINAL
REPORT......................................................... 19
THREE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR PAK TIN BY-ELECTION .............. 22
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG TO BE CLOSED ............... 22
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO GO OFF IN KOWLOON EAST ..................... 23
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................ 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...... 23
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
1
ADB TASKED TO IMPROVE LIFE QUALITY IN ASIA: GOVERNOR
THE GOAL FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS IS TO LIFT OUT OF POVERTY SOME 800 MILLION ASIANS WHO STILL LIVE IN A STATE OF ABSOLUTE POVERTY, THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON,SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB), LORD WILSON POINTED OUT THAT IMPATIENCE WITH POVERTY AND A DETERMINATION TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF ONE’S FAMILY, WERE TWO OF THE BASIC MOTIVE FORCES BEHIND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA.
’’THE POOR OF ASIA ARE UNDERSTANDABLY IMPATIENT FOR PROGRESS NOW. THEY LOOK TO THEIR GOVERNMENTS AND TO INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE ADB TO HELP PROVIDE IT," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
LORD WILSON SAID SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1966, THE ADB HAD PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN THE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION OF ASIA.
HE SAID THE TRANSFORMATION HAD BEEN UNEVEN WITH MANY PARTS OF THE CONTINENT HAD REACHED THE POINT OF ECONOMIC TAKE-OFF WHILE OTHERS WERE STILL STRUGGLING AGAINST THE ODDS TO RAISE THE LIVING STANDARDS OF THEIR PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR SAID STATISTICS IN THE PAST QUARTER CENTURY ON ASIA’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A REAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
"THE ADB CAN BE PROUD OF THE PART IT HAS PLAYED IN BRINGING ABOUT THIS IMPROVEMENT.
"IN THE PAST 25 YEARS, THE BANK HAS MADE LOANS OF MORE THAN US$37 BILLION IN 49 COUNTRIES - LOANS WHICH HAVE PRIMED THE PUMP OF DEVELOPMENT AND GIVEN MOMENTUM TO ASIA’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION," HE SAID.
BUT LORD WILSON SAID THERE WERE STILL MAJOR PROBLEMS TO BE OVERCOME.
"THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 800 MILLION ASIANS LIVE IN A STATE OF ABSOLUTE POVERTY - MEANING THEY CANNOT AFFORD ADEQUATE NOURISHMENT.
"THIS IS A DAUNTING STATISTIC. IT REPRESENTS ABOUT A QUARTER OF ASIA’S POPULATION AND IS DOUBLE THE POPULATION OF EUROPE," HE SAID.
"THE GOAL FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS IS TO LIFT THESE PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY - TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL OF THE 4.5 BILLION PEOPLE WHO WILL BE LIVING IN ASIA BY THE YEAR 2017- THE YEAR OF THE ADB’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
LORD WILSON POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD FOR MANY YEARS PUT ITS FAITH IN THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MARKET PLACE AND IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THIS YEAR HONG KONG’S PER CAPITA GDP WOULD BE OVER US$16,000 PER YEAR.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
2
THE GOVERNOR TOLD THE DELEGATES THAT THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE CONFIDENCE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE WAS TO APPRECIATE THE STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY AND WHAT GAVE IT THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTINUING STRENGTH.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LIKE MANY OF THE NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN ASIA, HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE PAST 40 YEARS WAS BASED ON TRADE WITH EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA.
HE SAID WHILE THESE MARKETS REMAINED IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG, IT WAS TRADE WITH THE NEIGHBOURS IN ASIA WHICH WAS NOW GIVING HONG KONG’S ECONOMY ITS DYNAMISM.
ON TRADE WITH ASIA, THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF CHINA.
’’THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT HONG KONG’S FUTURE ECONOMIC SUCCESS IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED WITH THAT OF CHINA - ESPECIALLY SOUTHERN CHINA - AND IN PARTICULAR WITH GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
"GUANGDONG IS RAPIDLY EMERGING AS A MAJOR ECONOMIC FORCE. IT IS ON TARGET TO BECOME ONE OF THE WORLD’S MAJOR MANUFACTURING CENTRES EARLY IN THE NEXT CENTURY,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
CITING FIGURES TO ILLUSTRATE THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING BASE HAD MOVED TO GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WAS NOW TO A LARGE EXTENT SERVICE BASED.
’’ABOUT 65% OF OUR WORKFORCE IS EMPLOYED IN SERVICE INDUSTRIES. OUR FUTURE PROSPERITY DEPENDS UPON OUR ABILITY TO ACT AS AN EFFECTIVE LINK BETWEEN THE BURGEONING ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN CHINA AND BOTH THE ASIA REGION AND THE REST OF THE WORLD,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
LORD WILSON REASSURED THAT 1997 WOULD NOT WEAKEN HONG KONG’S TRADE POSITION.
"IT WILL ENHANCE IT. THE STRONG ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.
"THE INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION OF CHINA’S COASTAL PROVINCES WILE MEAN A CONTINUING AND INCREASING DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S CAPITAL, SERVICES AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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GOVT READY TO DISCUSS WITH CHINA ON ACP FINANCING *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS READY AT ANY TIME TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE PROPOSALS ON THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE OPENING OF THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE ISSUES WERE COMPLEX AND IT WAS NOT UNREASONABLE THAT THE CHINESE WOULD NEED TO ABSORB IT.
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
3 -
"THERE IS QUITE A MASS OF INFORMATION WHICH WE HAVE GIVEN TO THE CHINESE AND WE DO ACCEPT THAT THEY NEED TO STUDY THAT CAREFULLY. AND OF COURSE CERTAINLY WE EXPECT AND HOPE THAT THEY WILL COME BACK TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH ANY QUESTIONS WHICH THEY HAVE," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE BELIEVED BOTH SIDES HAD A MUTUAL INTEREST IN GETTING ON WITH THE PROJECT AND THE TIME-SCALE WAS PRETTY TIGHT.
"WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MAJOR DECISIONS TO TAKE IN TERMS OF TENDERS AND CONTRACTS COMING UP. SO THAT IF THE TIME-SCALE SLIPS TOO MUCH, THEN THAT WILL BEGIN AFFECTING THE REAL COMPLETION DATE FOR THE VARIOUS PROJECTS.
"SO IT IS NOT A BLACK AND WHITE ISSUE, BUT I THINK THE CHINESE ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF THE NEED FOR SPEED. I HAVE NO REASON TO SUPPOSE THAT THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS HERE," HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER THERE WAS ANY NEED FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN MORE TO THE CHINESE OFFICIALS BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PACKAGE, MR MACLEOD SAID:
"WE ARE VERY READY TO HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH THEM. THERE HAVE BEEN OF COURSE MEETINGS WITH THEM ALREADY AND WE ARE READY AT ANY TIME TO DISCUSS WITH THEM ANY CONCERNS THAT THEY’LL HAVE."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON CALLABLE EQUITY, MR MACLEOD SAID IT WAS A WELL-ESTABLISHED WAY OF FUNDING SUCH PROJECTS.
"WE THINK THAT LENDERS WILL READILY UNDERSTAND THIS AND WILL FIND IT REASSURES THEM. THAT IS THE AIM OF HAVING THAT PROVISION. IT IS A REASSURANCE TO LENDERS THAT IF UNFORTUNATELY COSTS GO UP OR OTHER THINGS GO ASTRAY, THEN THERE IS A FALL-BACK THERE FOR THEM."
HE SAID HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THAT VERY CLEARLY TO THE CHINESE AND THAT THEY WOULD TAKE A HELPFUL VIEW OF IT.
ON FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MR MACLEOD SAID EQUITY INJECTION FOR THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY WOULD CERTAINLY GO TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
"AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ALSO BE INVOLVED IN THE NEW ORDINANCE. SO CERTAINLY THEY HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY."
TALKING ABOUT THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MEETING, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WANTED THE VISITORS AND BANKERS TO HAVE A GOOD POSITIVE IMPRESSION ABOUT HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS.
"WE ARE NOT HERE ACTUALLY TRYING TO RAISE THE MONEY. WE ARE TRYING TO GET OVER TO OUR MANY DISTINGUISHED VISITORS AND BANKERS THE GENERAL SITUATION OF HONG KONG THAT WE ARE DYNAMIC, THE ECONOMY IS EXPANDING, AND IN THAT CONTEXT THAT WE HAVE THESE INTERESTING PROJECTS LATER ON," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/4 ........
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 4 -
ADB HAS AN IMPORTANT TASK AHEAD: FS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) HAS AN IMPORTANT TASK AHEAD IN FURTHERING ITS ROLE AS AN ENGINE OF ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND EQUITABLE GROWTH.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ADB’S BOARD OF GOVERNORS, MR MACLEOD, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, SAID THE RAPID POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES ON THE GLOBAL AND REGIONAL FRONTS PRESENT BOTH CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
"TOGETHER, THEY COULD AFFECT THE BANK’S SCOPE OF OPERATIONS AND ALSO ITS RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS REGION," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"ON THE POLITICAL SIDE, THE BIRTH OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES, THE TRANSFORMATION OF CENTRALLY PLANNED ECONOMIES IN EASTERN EUROPE, AND THE REFORMS TAKING PLACE IN THE COUNTRIES OF INDO-CHINA ARE MILESTONES THAT WILL INFLUENCE THE BANK’S OPERATIONS IN THE 1990S," HE SAID.
ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT, MR MACLEOD SAID CHANGES ARE OCCURRING IN THE COMPOSITION AND DIRECTION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE: REGIONAL TRADING BLOCS ARE BEING FORMED, AND TRADE LIBERALISATION NEGOTIATIONS UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND REMAIN UNCERTAIN.
"THE BANK MUST BE PREPARED TO OPERATE STRATEGICALLY TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES," HE SAID. t
"AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, I WELCOME THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING UNIT BY THE BANK LAST JULY TO TACKLE FORWARD PLANNING IN THIS VERY CRITICAL PERIOD," MR MACLEOD ADDED.
TURNING TO THE REGIONAL FRONT, MR MACLEOD SAID THE IMPRESSIVE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION DURING THE PAST TWO DECADES, AND ESPECIALLY THE ASIAN NEWLY INDUSTRIALISING ECONOMIES (NIES), HAS WRITTEN A NEW PAGE IN THE HISTORY OF WORLD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
"THE REGION HAS NOT ONLY SCORED WELL ON INCOME GROWTH, BUT HAS ALSO UNDERGONE RAPID ECONOMIC STRUCTURAL CHANGES. CONTINUOUS EFFORTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE TOWARDS REDUCING POVERTY," HE SAID.
BETWEEN 1981 AND 1990, THE REGION AS A WHOLE MAINTAINED AN AVERAGE ANNUAL REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT GROWTH RATE OF 7 PER CENT, SIGNIFICANTLY OUTPACING THE AVERAGE GROWTH RATE OF 3 PER CENT FOR ALL INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES.
RAPID INDUSTRIALISATION AND ECONOMIC LIBERALISATION, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, HAVE UNDERPINNED THIS STRONG PERFORMANCE.
/"BEHIND ALL .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 5 -
"BEHIND ALL THIS SUCCESS, FACTORS SUCH AS GOOD LOCATIONS, SOUND MACRO-ECONOMIC POLICIES, OUTWARD-LOOKING TRADE POLICIES, INDUSTRIOUS AND DEDICATED WORK FORCES, ADHERENCE TO A GOOD WORK ETHICS, AND EQUALLY EFFICIENT PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS ARE SOME OF THE SEEDS FROM WHICH THE ASIAN ’ECONOMIC MIRACLE' GERMINATED," MR MACLOED SAID.
DYNAMISM AND RESILIENCE ARE TWO SALIENT FEATURES SHARED BY MOST OF THE FAST GROWING ECONOMIES IN THE REGION, HE SAID.
"ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE HAS INEVITABLY VARIED SIGNIFICANTLY AMONG INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES," MR MACLEOD SAID, ADDING THAT THIS REFLECTS DIFFERENCES IN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, RESOURCE ENDOWMENT, INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, POLITICAL STABILITY, AND EXTENT OF NATURAL CALAMITIES.
"BUT IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT MANY ECONOMIES IN THE REGION ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE UP THE DEVELOPMENT LADDER," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE IMPRESSIVE TAKE-OFF OF THE FOUR NIES IN THE PAST TWO DECADES AND NOW ANOTHER LEAGUE OF NIES ARE EMERGING.
"THE FACT THAT COUNTRIES IN THE REGION HAVE DIFFERENT RESOURCE ENDOWMENTS AND DIFFERENT POSITIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT LADDER PROVIDE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTRA-REGIONAL CO-OPERATION IN THE AREAS OF TRADE, INVESTMENT, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, BANKING AND FINANCE," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"THROUGH ITS LENDING OPERATIONS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT IN THE AREA OF POLICY REFORMS, THE ADB HAS HELPED IN THIS PROCESS BY PROMOTING EQUITABLE GROWTH IN THE REGION," HE ADDED.
THE GROWTH IN INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT GAINED IN MOMENTUM IN THE MID-198O’S, SPURRED ON BY AN INTENSIFICATION OF THE OUTWARD SHIFT OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES BY JAPAN IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE CURRENCY REALIGNMENT FOLLOWING THE PLAZA ACCORD.
"TO ACHIEVE COST-SAVINGS, THE NIES HAVE, IN MORE RECENT YEARS, ALSO BEEN FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF JAPAN IN RELOCATING LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS TO NEIGHBOURING ECONOMIES.
"THIS PROCESS IS CONTRIBUTING TO AN EXTENSIVE INDUSTRIAL RESTRUCTURING WITHIN ASIA. AS A RESULT, THE SHARE OF INTRA-ASIAN EXPORTS IN TOTAL EXPORTS OF THE REGION HAS INCREASED MARKEDLY, FROM 35 PER CENT IN 1987 TO 41 PER CENT IN 1990.
"THE WEB OF INTRA-REGIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS NATURALLY GROWS IN SIZE AND COMPLEXITY AS THE ECONOMIES IN THE REGION ATTAIN A HIGHER LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION.
"INTRA-REGIONAL INVESTMENT HAS DIVERSIFIED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR TO OTHER ECONOMIC SECTORS SUCH AS FINANCIAL SERVICES, RETAIL TRADE AND PROPERTY SECTOR.
THE SURGE IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT HAS AUGMENTED THE DEMAND FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES. THIS HAS GIVEN AN IMPORTANT IMPETUS TO THE GROWTH OF THE REGION’S FINANCIAL CENTRES.
/"IN ADDITION........
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
6
"IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF ECONOMIES, WHICH USED TO HAVE HEAVILY CONTROLLED FINANCIAL SECTORS, ARE EMBARKING ON FINANCIAL LIBERALISATION TO COPE WITH THE UPSURGE IN FINANCIAL ACTIVITY WHICH ACCOMPANIES ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A GROWING RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MARKET FORCES IN ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR," HE NOTED.
"WHILST THE EXTENT AND PACE OF LIBERALISATION DIFFERS, THE PROCESS HAS USUALLY TAKEN THE FORM OF RELAXING CROSS-BORDER FLOWS, ALLOWING FOREIGN ACCESS TO DOMESTIC FINANCIAL MARKETS AND STIMULATING COMPETITION AMONG FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
"NOTWITHSTANDING THE REMARKABLE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE REGION, I MUST ADD THE CAVEAT THAT PAST ACHIEVEMENT CANNOT ALWAYS GUARANTEE FUTURE SUCCESS. WE SHOULD THEREFORE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE UPON THE REGION’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CHINA’S COMMITMENT TO AN OPEN-DOOR ECONOMIC POLICY WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BENEFICIAL CO-OPERATION IN THE AREAS OF TRADE, INVESTMENT, FINANCE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
"THE MARKET-ORIENTED REFORMS WHICH ARE BEING PURSUED IN COUNTRIES IN INDO-CHINA AND THE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT ALSO OFFER PROMISING PROSPECTS FOR THE REST OF THE REGION," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, THE AMBITIOUS INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER WAY IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE REGION - FOR EXAMPLE, THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN HONG KONG AND THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN THAILAND AND TAIPEI - WILL ACT AS A MAGNET FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
"IN SHORT, THE GROWTH MOMENTUM OF THE REGION IS STRONG. BUT SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL DEPEND ON OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING A STABLE MACRO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND EFFICIENCY IN RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS," HE STRESSED.
------0--------
RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH * * * * *
HONG KONG’S INTENTION IS TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT IS VITAL TO ITS FUTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE INFRASTRUCTURE HAD TO BE ABLE TO COPE WITH DEMAND IF HONG KONG WAS TO MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE AND ITS POSITION AS A MAJOR REGIONAL CENTRE FOR TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCE AND OTHER SERVICES.
/MRS CHAN .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
MRS CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) INTO WHICH THE STRATEGY HAS EVOLVED, FOR DELEGATES ATTENDING THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S ANNUAL MEETING.
EXPLAINING WHY HONG KONG HAS EMBARKED ON ITS PROGRAMME TO BUILD A NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, SHE POINTED OUT THAT KAI TAK AIRPORT, AMONG THE WORLD’S BUSIEST WITH OVER 19 MILLION PASSENGERS LAST YEAR, WOULD ALREADY HAVE REACHED CAPACITY BUT FOR EXPANSION WORK NOW IN PROGRESS.
"WELL BEFORE WE CAN OPEN THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT, KAI TAK WILL BE UNABLE TO COPE WITH FORECAST TRAFFIC. GROWTH WILL BECOME SEVERELY CONSTRAINED AS IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE FOR AIRLINES TO SECURE COMMERCIALLY ACCEPTABLE LANDING AND DEPARTURE SLOTS," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE NEW AIRPORT AT SHENZHEN AND THE MACAU AIRPORT UNDER CONTRUCTION WERE ON A MUCH SMALLER SCALE AND DESIGNED TO MEET SPECIFIC REGIONAL DEMANDS.
"IN THIS WAY, THEY PERFORM A ROLE COMPLEMENTARY TO THAT OF HONG KONG’S AIRPORT.
"WHILE THEY MIGHT PLAY A MINOR PART IN RELIEVING THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM THE CONGESTION AT KAI TAK, THEY ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO RELIEVE THE HUGE VOLUME OF EVER INCREASING TRAFFIC OPERATING INTO KAI TAK UNDER THE TERMS OF AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS SPECIFIC TO THE TERRITORY OF HONG KONG. SUCH TRAFFIC SIMPLY CANNOT BE DIVERTED TO AIRPORTS LOCATED IN OTHER TERRITORIES," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORT NETWORK WAS CRUCIAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE NEW AIRPORT, AND THIS WOULD BE FORMED BY A SIX-LANE ROAD CORRIDOR AND A HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY.
ON FINANCING, MRS CHAN SAID THE ACP PRESENTED A MAJOR FINANCING CHALLENGE FOR THE GOVERNMENT, FOR PRIVATE INVESTORS AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S TWO WHOLLY-OWNED CORPORATIONS, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) AND THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
"WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT RECORD OF CO-OPERATING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN DEVELOPING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE SEE GREAT SCOPE FOR CONTINUING THIS SUCCESS STORY IN THE ACP," SHE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ENSURE THE TWO CORPORATIONS WERE SUFFICIENTLY CAPITALISED TO UNDERTAKE THEIR WORK OF BUILDING THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
FINANCING FOR THE AIRPORT PLAN HAD BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRUDENT FISCAL POLICIES WHICH HAD BEEN CONSISTENTLY ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT: TO KEEP THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WITHIN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY AS REFLECTED BY THE FORECAST TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP.
"WE CANNOT, OF COURSE, BE ABSOLUTELY RIGID ABOUT THIS. FROM TIME TO TIME, WE MUST ACCOMMODATE LARGE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ITEMS SUCH AS THE ACP.
/"WE HAVE .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
8
"WE HAVE MADE SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR THIS MAJOR PROGRAMME IN OUR PLANNING FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS -- BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS, WHICH WILL STILL TAKE UP THREE QUARTERS OF GOVERNMENT’S CAPITAL SPENDING BETWEEN NOW AND 1997," SHE SAID, NOTING THAT HONG KONG’S RESERVES TOTALLED U.S.$11.8 BILLION IN MARCH.
MRS CHAN SAID THE MTRC ENJOYED A WELL ESTABLISHED OPERATING AND FINANCIAL TRACK RECORD AND HAD CONSIDERABLE EXISTING RESOURCES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY WHICH WOULD REPLACE THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY LATER THIS YEAR WOULD HAVE FEW REVENUES OF ITS OWN, AND THE GOVERNMENT’S FUNDING SUPPORT WAS NEEDED TO COVER A WIDER RANGE OF RISKS PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF THE AIRPORT.
"WE BELIEVE THE PROJECT IS EXTREMELY ROBUST BECAUSE THE AUTHORITY WILL INHERIT ALL OF KAI TAK’S TRAFFIC ONCE THE NEW AIRPORT OPENS," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN ALSO SAID THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA, CONSULTATIONS HAD ALREADY STARTED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE FUNDING PLANS FOR THE RAIL AND THE AIRPORT WHICH CREATED SOME CONTINGENT LIABILITIES FALLING TO THE POST-1997 GOVERNMENT.
"WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THESE PLANS WILL CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, BUT TIME WILL BE NEEDED TO EXPLAIN THEM CAREFULLY -- THE PLANS ARE, AFTER ALL COMPLEX," SHE SAID.
------------------0-------- MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MARCH PUBLISHED ******
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED IN MARCH, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY .THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 15.3%, BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN MONEY TERMS.
CONSISTENT WITH THE INCREASE IN DEPOSITS IN MARCH, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE DURING THE MONTH. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED IN MARCH.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, ROSE BY 1.2% IN MARCH FOLLOWING DECREASES OF 1.2% AND 0.1% IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY.
/AMONG THESE .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 9 -
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS GREW BY 7.9% AND 1.7% RESPECTIVELY DURING MARCH WHILE SAVING DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.6%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 15.3%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED BY 1.1% IN MARCH, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.4% AND 0.2% IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 0.9% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.2%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 5.7%.
DURING MARCH, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS REGISTERED ZERO GROWTH WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 3.8% AND 2.3% RESPECTIVELY. 9
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 11.5% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 14.1% AND 27.0% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 2.8%, 0.8% AND 0.7%
RESPECTIVELY IN MARCH, COMPARED WITH DECLINES OF 10.5%, 1.0% AND 1.0% IN FEBRUARY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 22.8%, 16.6% AND 14.8% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml INCREASED BY 0.9% IN MARCH WHILE M2 AND M3 DECREASED BY 0.2% AND 0.4% RESPECTIVELY. THESE COMPARED WITH DECLINES OF 9.0%, 0.4% AND 0.4% IN FEBRUARY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES GREW BY 20.4%, 11.3%
AND 9.6% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED BY 0.4% IN MARCH FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 1.4% IN JANUARY AND A DECREASE OF 0.4% IN FEBRUARY.
AMONG THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR INCREASED BY 1.6% WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY DECREASED BY 1.4%.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.6% AND 25.5% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.0% IN MARCH, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.2% IN JANUARY AND A DECLINE OF 2.4% IN FEBRUARY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 10.6%.
/OTHER LOANS .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
10 -
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.4% IN MARCH, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.7% AND 0.2% IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 16.1%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG DECREASED BY 1.8% IN MARCH, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.1% IN JANUARY AND A DECREASE OF 0.5% IN FEBRUARY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 38.8%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG ROSE BY 10.8% DURING MARCH, AFTER A DECLINE OF 5.7% IN JANUARY AND AN INCREASE OF 2.1% IN FEBRUARY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 63.0%.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG (EXCLUDING THOSE FOR TRADE FINANCING) INCREASED BY 3.4%.
OF THESE, LOANS FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING INCREASED BY 4.5%, FOLLOWING DECREASES OF 0.6% AND 0.05% IN THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1991 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 9.9%.
LOANS TO BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT SECTOR ROSE BY 1.5% DURING THE FIRST QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.7% AND 3.6% DURING THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 15.8%.
LOANS TO WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE RECORDED A QUARTERLY GROWTH OF 3.8%, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 2.9% AND 1.6% DURING THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 13.8%.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (EXCLUDING AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS) ROSE BY 3.8% THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.8% AND 6.3% DURING THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 5.9%.
THE RATE OF INCREASE IN LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) SLOWED DOWN FURTHER TO 3.2% THIS QUARTER, FROM 9.3% AND 5.4% IN THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 29.9%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 161, 55 AND 156 RESPECTIVELY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR MARCH 1992 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
/TABLE 1 : .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
11
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - MARCH 1992
Money Supply Mar 1992 Earlier months (% change to Mar 1992) (HKSmn)
Feb 1992 Dec 1991 Mar 1991
Ml -HKS 115,642 112,491 ( 2.8 ) 111,769 ( 3.5 ) 94,145 ( 22.8 )
Foreign currency 14,139 16,074 ( -12.0 ) 16,728 ( -15.5 ) 13,689 ( 3.3 )
Total 129,781 128,565 ( 0.9 ) 128,497 ( 1.0 ) 107,834 ( 20.4 )
M2 - HKS* 638,577 633,684 ( 0.8 ) 636,042 ( 0.4 ) 547,442 ( 16.6 )
Foreign currency* 740,630 748,230 ( -1.0 ) 734,948 ( 0.8 ) 692,270 ( 7.0 )
Total 1,379,207 1,381,913 ( -0.2 ) 1,370,990 ( 0.6 ) 1,239,712 ( 113 )
M3 - HKS* 661,380 656,528 ( 0.7 ) 660,117 ( 0.2 ) 576,291 ( 14.8 )
Foreign currency* 778,939 789,571 ( -1.3 ) 777,225 ( 0.2 ) 738,318 ( 5.5 )
Total 1,440,319 1,446,099 ( -0.4 ) 1,437,342 ( 0.2 ) 1,314,609 ( 9.6 )
Notes and coins in circulation 51,024 53,150 ( -4.0 ) 49,177 ( 3.8 ) 46.422 ( 9.9 )
of which held by public 44,341 46,430 ( -4.5 ) 42.608 ( 4.1 ) 39,687 ( H-7 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 85,440 82,135 ( 4.0 ) 85,889 ( -0.5 ) 68,146 ( 25.4 )
Total Savings deposits 309,466 316,471 ( -2 2 ) 314,052 ( -1.5 ) 231,006 ( 34.0 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 924,103 919,744 ( 0.5 ) 911,491 ( 1.4 ) 883,716 ( 4.6 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 37,185 38,664 ( -3.8 ) 39,627 ( -6.2 ) 43,305 ( 14.1 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 21,866 22,372 ( -2.3 ) 23,547 ( -7.1 ) 29,963 ( -27.0 )
HKS deposits* 603,765 596,800 ( 1.2 ) 604.162 ( -0.1 ) 523,581 ( 15.3 )
USS deposits* 314,182 316,976 ( -0.9 ) 311.422 ( 0.9 ) 296,600 ( 5.9 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 460,113 465,610 ( -1.2 ) 459.023 ( 0.2 ) 435,956 ( 5.5 )
.All deposits 1,378,061 1,379,386 ( -0.1 ) 1.374.606 ( 0.3 ) 1,256,136 ( 9.7 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 44,275 40,067 ( 10.5 ) 40.235 ( 10.0 ) 62,010 ( -28.6 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 82,457 81,632 ( 1.0 ) 82,637 ( -0.2 ) 74,524 ( 10.6 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 13,211 11,926 ( 10.8 ) 12,384 ( 6.7 ) 8,103 ( 63.0 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 844,262 832,311 ( 1.4 ) 816,767 ( 3.4 ) 727,234 ( 16.1 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,277,847 1,301,457 ( -1.8 ) 1,293,387 ( -1.2 ) 920,385 ( 38.8 )
Other loans w here the place of use is not known 37,811 38.036 ( -0.6 ) 38,598 ( -2.0 ) 106,781 ( -64 6 )
Loans in HKS 751,240 739,186 ( 1.6 ) 723,832 ( 3.8 ) 638,725 ( 17.6 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,504,348 1,526,177 ( -1.4 ) 1,519,940 ( -1.0 ) 1.198,303 ( 25.5 )
Total Joans and advances 2,255.588 2,265,362 ( -0.4 ) 2,243,773 ( 0.5 ) 1,837,027 ( 22.8 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar 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.
/TABLE 2 : .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 12 -
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - MARCH 1992
Sectors Mar 1992 Dec 1991 Earlier quarters (HK$MN) Mar 1991
(% change to Mar Sep 1991 1992)
Manufacturing 56,989 54,532 ( 4.5 ) 54,559 ( 4.5 ) 51,871 ( 9.9 )
Transport and transport equipment 51,415 51,260 ( 0.3 ) 48,562 ( 5.9 ) 43,543 ( 18.1 )
Building, construction, property 127,556 125,704 ( 1.5 ) 121,366 ( 5.1 ) 110,183 ( 15.8 )
development and investment
Wholesale and retail trade 83,551 80,500 ( 3.8 ) 79,203 ( 5.5 ) 73,399 ( 13.8 )
Financial concerns ♦ Individuals: 118,108 113,758 ( 3.8 ) 107,042 ( 10.3 ) 111,575 ( 5.9 )
to purchase flats in the Home 20,052 19,077 ( 5.1 ) 15,394 ( 30.3 ) 15,071 ( 33.1 )
Ownership Scheme and Private Sector Participation Scheme
to purchase other residential 183,996 178,347 ( 3.2 ) 169,267 ( 8.7 ) 141,648 ( 29.9 )
property
other purposes 78,793 75,073 ( 5.0 ) 70,699 ( 11.4 ) 65,271 ( 20.7 )
Others 123,802 118,516 ( 4.5 ) 116,080 ( 6.7 ) 114,673 ( 8.0 )
Total 844,262 816,767 ( 3.4 ) 782,172 ( 7.9 ) 727,234 ( 16.1 )
This excludes funds advanced to authorized institutions.
---------0-----------
/13 .......
MONDAY, MAY 4,
1992
- 13 -
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED ******
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $11.4 BILLION, INCREASED BY 7% WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE ABOVE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHICH FELL IN EARLY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR INSTEAD OF MID-FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
TO REDUCE SUCH SEASONAL EFFECTS, COMPARISON SHOULD BE MADE ON THE SALES OF THE FIRST TWO MONTHS IN 1992 TAKEN TOGETHER, WITH THOSE OF THE SAME MONTHS A YEAR AGO.
ON THIS BASIS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 21% IN VALUE AND 14% IN VOLUME.
AS A RESULT OF PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS LAUNCHED BY SOME DEALERS, THE SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES CONTINUED TO REGISTER THE LARGEST INCREASE IN FEBRUARY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, BY 145% IN VALUE AND 127% IN VOLUME.
FOR THIS ITEM, SALES SHOULD BE LESS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS SUCH AS THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES, CLOCKS AND VALUABLE GIFTS IN FEBRUARY RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 8% IN VALUE AND 12% IN VOLUME COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO.
COMPARING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE SALES OF THESE ITEMS INCREASED BY 28% IN VALUE AND 36% IN VOLUME.
IN VOLUME TERMS, SALES IN SUPERMARKETS, OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS, CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR OUTLETS AND DEPARTMENT STORES ALL DROPPED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR FROM THE SAME MONTH A YEAR AGO (-3% IN VOLUME, THOUGH +6% IN VALUE FOR SUPERMARKETS; -17% IN VOLUME AND -8% IN VALUE FOR OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS; -14% IN VOLUME AND -6% IN VALUE FOR CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR OUTLETS; AND -4% IN VOLUME, THOUGH +4% IN VALUE FOR DEPARTMENT STORES).
SUCH YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON FOR THESE TYPES OF OUTLETS WAS PARTICULARLY AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENT TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR.
/TAKING JANUARY .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 14 -
TAKING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TOGETHER, INCREASES WERE RECORDED THIS YEAR IN THE SALES IN SUPERMARKETS OVER LAST YEAR (BY 15% IN VALUE AND 5% IN VOLUME); IN CLOTHING/FOOTWEAR OUTLETS (BY 21% IN VALUE AND 12% IN VOLUME); AND IN DEPARTMENT STORES (BY 17% IN VALUE AND 8% IN VOLUME).
SALES IN OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS ALSO ROSE BY 10% IN VALUE; BUT IN VOLUME TERMS, A FALL OF 2% WAS RECORDED.
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES ARE DERIVED FROM FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES AFTER HAVING ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES.
THE INDICATORS OF PRICE CHANGES USED ARE THE RESPECTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE BROAD CATEGORIES OF GOODS IN QUESTION.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JANUARY 1992 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR FEBRUARY 1992.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1992 FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS AND BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF FEBRUARY 1992 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY 1992 AND WITH THOSE FOR FEBRUARY 1991, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO FEBRUARY OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991 ARE ALSO GIVEN. j
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE FEBRUARY 1992 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $1.5 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 802 1258.
/TABLE 1 : .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 15 -
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SAILS
Total Retail Sales for February 199? (Provisional Figure) • HH11,351.1 million for January 199? (Revised Figure) « HU14,?14.9 Billion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AMD VOLUME INDEXES Of RETAIL SALES FOR JANUARY 199? ARD FEBRUARY 199?
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 • 100)
1 Itei Index of Retail . Sales January 1992 February 199? February 199? compared with January 199? February 1992 compared with February 1991 Jan.-Feb. 1992 compared with
Jan.-Feb. 1991
(Revised (Provisional Points X Points X Points X
figures) figures) •
1 (A) FOR Alt RETAIL OUTLETS
Yalue 151.4 120.9 -30.5 -20.1 <).5 <6.6 <23.2 <20.6
Volume 13). 6 10).9 -29.6 -21.5 <0.? <0.2 <15.2 <14.2
J (8) BY TYPE Of RETAIL OUTLET
। foodstuffs, alcoholic Yalue 129.) 99.9 -29.9 -23.0 -8.3 -).) <10.4 <10.0
I drinks and tobacco Volume 109.9 81.0 -28.9 -26.3 -16.5 -16.9 -2.1 -2.1
' (other than
1 supermarkets)
1 Supermarkets Yalue 125.2 128.4 <3.2 <2.6 <).) <6.3 <16.4 <14.8
Volume 10).0 108.1 <1.1 <1.0 -3.3 -3.0 <5.5 <5.4
! Fuels Yalue 131.4 10).1 •24.3 -18.5 <4.5 <4.4 <5.2 <4.6
Volume 103.0 84.1 -18.9 -18.3 -0.4 -0.5 1 1
J Clothing, footwear and Yalue 185.8 124.4 -61.4 -33.1 -).) -5.8 <2).1 <21.2
1 allied products Volume 166.5 1)1.6 -55.0 -33.0 -D.4 -13.5 <15.0 <12.1
! Consumer durable goods* Yalue 158.2 134.0 -24.1 -15.3 <40.8 <43.8 <45.2 <44.8
Volume 144.5 121.1 •23.5 -16.2 <32.0 <36.0 <36.1 <37.4
1 • Motor vehicles Yalue 196.1 180.3 -15.8 -8.0 <106.8 <145.3 <107.1 <132.1
1 and parts Volume 1)0.5 155.2 -15.3 -9.0 <86.7 <1?6.) <86.9 <114.4
1 • Consumer durable Yalue 130.) 100.5 •30.2 -23.1 -G.9 -6.5 <0.4 <0.4
! goods other than Volume 125.) 96.4 -29.3 -23.3 -).5 -).3 -0.6 -0.6
1 • motor vehicles
1 and parts •
1 Department stores Yalue 162.5 119.4 -43.2 -26.6 <4.4 <3.9 <20.4 <l).0
Volume 146.8 10).1 -39.) -2) 0 -4.) -4.2 <9.9 <8.4
I Jewellery, watches Value 136.3 114.2 -22.1 -16.2 <8.9 <8.4 <2).5 <28.1
I and clocks, and Volume 143.3 114.3 -29.0 -20.2 <12.1 <11.8 <33.9 <35.)
! valuable gifts
! Other consumer goods Value 166.1 12).4 -38.) -23.3 -8.8 -6.5 <11.) <8.)
I not elsewhere Volume 149.6 113.9 •35.8 -23.9 -18.4 -13.9 <0.6 <0.5
। classified
MOIL : • This covers both ’Motor vehicles and parts* and ’Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts*. I denotes a figure within i 0.05
- - 0 - -
/16........
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 16 -
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR
*****
4TH QUARTER OF 1991
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING BOTH GENERAL AND SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, AMOUNTED TO $16.9 BILLION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS WAS 7.4% HIGHER IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1990, IT WAS 0.2% HIGHER.
THE RISE IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER WAS LARGELY DUE TO A GREATER AMOUNT OF WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE GROSS VALUE OF SUCH WORK DONE AT PRIVATE SITES INCREASED BY 10.8% OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER TO $8.9 BILLION; AND AT PUBLIC SITES, BY 7.7% TO $4.0 BILLION.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS ALSO INCREASED, BY 7.3% OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER TO $1.3 BILLION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GROSS VALUE OF NON-SITE WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS CONTINUED TO FALL BY 2.3% OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER TO $2.8 BILLION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PROJECTS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO COMBINED RESIDENTIAL/NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, ACCOUNTED FOR THE GREATEST PORTION OF CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK PERFORMED.
THE GROSS VALUE OF WORK PERFORMED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 WAS $5.1 BILLION.
ALTHOUGH THIS FIGURE WAS STILL 3.6% LOWER THAN A YEAR AGO, IT SHOWED A SUBSTANTIAL RISE OF 5.0% OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON COMMERCIAL BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, WITH A TOTAL VALUE AT $2.7 BILLION, COMPARED HIGH WITH BOTH THE PRECEDING QUARTER (+28.2%) AND THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO (+23.9%).
THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING PROJECTS FORMED THE SECOND LARGEST CATEGORY OF CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A CONTINUED DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN TRANSPORT PROJECTS, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR THE THIRD LARGEST CATEGORY OF CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK.
/THE GROSS .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 199?
- 17 -
THE GROSS VALUE OF WORK PERFORMED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 AT $1.3 BILLION, WAS 6.2% LOWER THAN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 14.7% LOWER THAN A YEAR AGO.
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT AT THE SAME TIME.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING BOTH GENERAL AND SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, COVERS ONLY THOSE PROJECTS IN WHICH THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT TAKES THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, BUT NOT PROJECTS IN WHICH IT TAKES ONLY THE ROLE OF A SUB-CONTRACTOR.
HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS’ CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THE MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR WHOM THEY WORKED.
MORE DETAILED STATISTICS ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT ARE GIVEN IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 4TH QUARTER 1991”.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $3 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, WANCHAI TOWER I, 19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3265.
--------0----------
UK/HK STUDENT FUNDING SCHEME INVITES APPLICATIONS ♦ * * * *
THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY ANNOUNCED THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE JOINT FUNDING SCHEME FOR THE 1992-93 ACADEMIC YEAR IS OPEN TO APPLICATIONS FROM TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG AND UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENTS TO HELP HONG KONG STUDENTS WHO ARE IN NEED TO PAY THE HIGHER TUITION FEES CHARGED ON OVERSEAS STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
IT IS OPEN TO HONG KONG STUDENTS PURSUING FULL-TIME FIRST DEGREE OR HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSES AT UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, SUBJECT TO THEIR HAVING RESIDED CONTINUOUSLY OR HAVE HAD THEIR HOME IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE COURSE STARTS.
/THE SCHEME .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 18 -
THE SCHEME IS MEANS-TESTED AND THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TUITION FEES PAYABLE BY AN OVERSEAS STUDENT AND A NOTIONAL BRITISH HOME STUDENT FEE ADOPTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING STUDENTS’ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1992-93, THE NOTIONAL "HOME FEE" WILL BE 702 POUNDS STERLING.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, BUT IF THE TOTAL REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS THE JOINT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, THEN EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT’S SHARE OF GRANT WOULD BE PROPORTIONATELY REDUCED, WITH THE BALANCE MADE UP BY A LOAN SOLELY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
AN INTEREST ON THE LOAN BORROWED BY APPLICANTS IS CHARGEABLE AT A RATE OF 2.5 PER CENT A YEAR CALCULATED FROM THE STARTING DATE OF THE LOAN REPAYMENT PERIOD.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED BY AN INSTITUTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ONE OF THE COURSES COVERED BY THE SCHEME (PROOF OF CONDITIONAL OFFER WILL BE ACCEPTABLE).
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY HAND TO THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY. THE CLOSING DATES FOR APPLICATIONS ARE:
* ON-COURSE STUDENTS : JULY 1, 1992
* NEW STUDENTS : OCTOBER 1, 1992
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE BUT ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 2, 1992 MAY BE ACCEPTED BUT WILL BE PROCESSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOANS ONLY.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 867 3547.
-----0-----
RADIO FREQUENCY AGREEMENT SIGNED IN GUANGZHOU
******
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, TODAY (MONDAY) SIGNED AN AGREEMENT IN GUANGZHOU BETWEEN THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE AND THE GUANGDONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATION.
THE AGREEMENT COVERS RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM USED FOR MOBILE AND FIXED COMMUNICATION AS WELL AS FM SOUND AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING.
/IT AIMS .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 19 -
IT AIMS TO ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK WHEREBY EXISTING RADIO FREQUENCY ASSIGNMENTS ARE PROTECTED AND FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS CAN BE CO-ORDINATED IN ORDER TO AVOID INTERFERENCE TO THE OTHER SIDE.
"I AM HAPPY THAT THE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED," MR WONG SAID.
"IT WILL ALLOW BOTH SIDES TO USE THE SCARCE RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM MORE EFFICIENTLY, AND WILL PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR RESOLVING ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION COMPLETES FINAL REPORT *****
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION, DR C.H. LEONG, TODAY (MONDAY) SUBMITTED THE FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE.
THE FINAL REPORT CONCLUDES THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE IN NOVEMBER 1987 WITH THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF REFERENCE:
IN THE LIGHT OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION (SAHR), TO CONSIDER THE SOCIAL, MORAL, ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES ARISING FROM THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND ASSESS THE PUBLIC’S REACTION TOWARDS THEM, AND TO ADVISE GOVERNMENT ON HOW THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
BETWEEN DECEMBER 1987 AND AUGUST 1991, THE COMMITTEE HELD 19 MEETINGS AND MADE TWO FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO SEE THE IN-VITRO FERTILISATION (IVF) FACILITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION FACILITIES OF THE HONG KONG FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION.
IN JULY 1989, THE COMMITTEE PUBLISHED AN INTERIM REPORT SETTING OUT THE COMMITTEE’S PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
TAKING ACCOUNT OF PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE INTERIM REPORT, THE COMMITTEE MADE FURTHER DELIBERATION INTO THE SUBJECT.
IN THE FINAL REPORT, THE COMMITTEE AFFIRMS ITS VIEWS IN THE INTERIM REPORT AND SETS OUT 22 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT’S CONSIDERATION.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
* A CONTROLLING BODY SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED BY STATUTE. IT SHOULD BE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY IN COMPOSITION. AN ETHICS COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SET UP AS PART OF THE BODY;
* THE CONTROLLING BODY SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO REGISTER MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF SAHR AND TO ISSUE A CODE OF PRACTICE GOVERNING SUCH INSTITUTIONS;
/* THE CONTROLLING.......,
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 20 -
* THE CONTROLLING BODY SHOULD MAINTAIN A CENTRAL REGISTRY KEEPING A RECORD OF SEMEN DONORS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG;
* THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONDUCT AN EARLY ASSESSMENT OF THE FEASIBILITY AND RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS OF SETTING UP SUCH A BODY;
* A REGISTERED MEDICAL INSTITUTION SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE CODE OF PRACTICE AND ANY OTHER CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY THE CONTROLLING BODY. IN PARTICULAR, A REGISTERED MEDICAL INSTITUTION SHOULD KEEP PROPER RECORDS OF ALL SAHR PROCEDURES CARRIED OUT;
* THE LEGITIMACY OF CHILDREN BORN BY DONOR INSEMINATION (DI) SHOULD BE PROTECTED BY LEGISLATION;
* ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY HUSBAND SHOULD BE ALLOWED;
* ONLY BANKED SEMEN SHOULD BE USED FOR DONOR INSEMINATION;
* THE HUSBAND’S CONSENT TO DI PROCEDURE SHOULD BE REQUIRED;
t THE IDENTITY OF SEMEN DONORS SHOULD BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL;
* THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SIRED BY ANY ONE SEMEN DONOR SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN THREE;
* A REGISTERED MEDICAL INSTITUTION MAY PROVIDE A PERSON BORN OF DI WITH INFORMATION RELATING TO HIS BIRTH IF THAT PERSON HAS REACHED THE AGE OF MAJORITY AND HAS MADE SUCH A REQUEST. THE INFORMATION TO BE RELEASED SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO CONFIRMATION THAT THE MOTHER OF THE PERSON CONCERNED, HAD DI PROCEDURES AROUND THE TIME THAT THAT PERSON WAS BORN. EXCEPT FOR THIS, THE INSTITUTION SHOULD MAINTAIN STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY AND SHOULD NOT DISCLOSE INFORMATION TO ANY OTHER PERSON;
» COMMERCIAL SURROGACY SHOULD BE BANNED;
» ONLY GENETIC IVF SURROGACY (THAT IS, WHERE THE COMMISSIONING COUPLE CONTRIBUTE BOTH THE EGG AND SEMEN FERTILISED OUTSIDE THE SURROGATE MOTHER) SHOULD BE ALLOWED;
* FOR GENETIC IVF SURROGACY, THE CONSENT OF THE SURROGATE MOTHER AND HER HUSBAND SHOULD BE REQUIRED;
* GENETIC IVF SURROGACY SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED FOR INFERTILE MARRIED COUPLES WHERE NO ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT IS POSSIBLE;
t A WOMAN WHO HAS NEVER BEEN MARRIED NOR HAS HAD A CHILD OF HER OWN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ACT AS A SURROGATE MOTHER;
* PROPER PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING ON LIKELY PROBLEMS FOR BOTH THE COMMISSIONING COUPLE AND THE SURROGATE SHOULD BE MADE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PROCESS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE SURROGACY;
/* NO EMBRYO .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
21 -
* NO EMBRYO SHOULD BE DELIBERATELY CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESEARCH. NO RESEARCH ON AN EMBRYO SHOULD BE ALLOWED AFTER THE 14TH DAY OF FERTILISATION WHICH IS THE USUAL TIMING OF THE APPEARANCE OF THE PRIMITIVE STREAK (THAT IS, RUDIMENTARY NERVOUS TISSUE) IN THE EMBRYO;
* PARTICULAR STORAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR GAMETES AND EMBRYOS SHOULD BE SPECIFIED;
* THE REGISTERED MEDICAL INSTITUTION SHOULD OBTAIN THE CONSENT OF THE GENETIC PARENTS REGARDING THE DISPOSAL OF STORED EMBRYOS AND THE USE OF THE EMBRYOS FOR IVF, RESEARCH AND DONATION TO OTHER PARTIES;
* THERE SHOULD BE GUIDELINES ON WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE ALLOWED AND NOT ALLOWED IN EMBRYO RESEARCH.
DR LEONG SAID: "IN FORMULATING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT, THE COMMITTEE HAS ALL ALONG ADOPTED AN OPEN AND NEUTRAL POSITION. IT HAS NEITHER PROMOTED NOR DISCOURAGED SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION."
THE COMMITTEE RECOGNISES THAT SAHR IS A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING AREA INVOLVING COMPLEX SOCIAL, MORAL, ETHICAL, LEGAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS.
IT IS AWARE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE ABOUT WHICH SOCIETY AT LARGE CAN EASILY ARRIVE AT A CONSENSUS.
"RATHER, GIVEN THAT IT IS NOT REGARDED APPROPRIATE OR DESIRABLE TO BAN SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION IN HONG KONG, THE COMMITTEE RECOGNISES THE NEED TO INTRODUCE A CONTROLLING AND MONITORING MECHANISM TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED.
"THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE MADE TO GOVERNMENT WITH THIS DIRECTION IN MIND," DR LEONG SAID.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE IS:
DR LEONG CHE-HUNG (CHAIRMAN)
MR CHRISTOPHER CHAN CHEUK
MR JIMSON CHAN WING-TAI
DR FANNY CHEUNG MUI-CHING
DR CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING
MRS PEGGY LAM PEI YL'-JA
DR LAW CHI-LIM
REPRESENTATIVE FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
REPRESENTATIVE FROM HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH
REPRESENTATIVE FROM MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT (FROM NOVEMBER 1987 TO APRIL 1989)
REPRESENTATIVE FROM HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (FROM APRIL 1989)
REPRESENTATIVE FROM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(FROM MARCH 1990)
REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (FROM MARCH 1990)
--------0-----------
/22 .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 22 -
THREE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR PAR TIN BY-ELECTION ******
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF THREE NOMINATIONS FOR THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION TO BE HELD ON MAY 24.
ONE OF THE NOMINATIONS, FOR MR STANLEY SUM YIU-CHO, WAS RECEIVED TODAY (MONDAY) - THE LAST DAY OF THE NOMINATION PERIOD.
PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE THREE CANDIDATES ARE:
NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TELEPHONE
STANLEY SUM YIU-CHO M 41 LECTURER 421 4721 112 8329 OR CALL 1369
YAN KAI-WING M 26 COMMUNITY ORGANISER 393 5258
LEUNG WAI-SHING M 33 CIVIC EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR 727 4331 EXT 375
--------0-----------
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON TWO BUILDINGS IN KWUN TONG SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE AT SHOP NO. 5, GROUND FLOOR OF WAH-ON HOUSE, 51 MUT WAH STREET AND ON THE ROOF OVER FLATS 12 AND 13, SIXTH FLOOR, YUE WAH MANSION, 407-431 KWUN TONG ROAD AND 34-62 YUE MAN SQUARE, KWUN TONG.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 9 AND JULY 14 RESPECTIVELY WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
------0 -
/23 .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
- 23 -
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO GO OFF IN KOWLOON EAST
******
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO KOWLOON EAST WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 6) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, CHOI HUNG ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, PING SHEK ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT, SHUN LEE TSUEN THA, NGAU TAU KOK, LOK WAH ESTATE, JORDAN VALLEY, KOWLOON BAY, KWUN TONG, LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING AND CHA KWO LING.
------0---------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 47.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 279.443 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 143.918 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 24.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 2.5.92
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 4.5.92
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
988
+ 241
-241
NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 *+0.1* 4.5.92
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992
24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.42 PCT 19 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.97 4.96
1 MONTH 3.42 PCT 22 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.36 5.35
3 MONTHS 3.59 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.81 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.30 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,545 MN
CLOSED 4 MAY 1992
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ADB SHOULD AIM TO PROVIDE A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT : SMA................. 1
PUBLIC REASSURED OF SUFFICIENT QUALIFIED MATRICULANTS TO FILL FIRST-YEAR-FIRST-DEGREE PLACES ........................................ 2
PROGRESS OF BCCHK'S LIQUIDATION ...................................... 4
SAFE SEX PREVENTS AIDS ............................................... 6
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER ............................. 7
WAN CHAI EAST AND NORTH POINT SEWERAGE STUDY COMMISSIONED............. 7
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ................................. 8
PROPER TRAINING ESSENTIAL TO HELP YOUTHS ............................. 10
LEGCC TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY ........................................... 11
TWO PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO RUN WHOLE-DAY CLASSES ......................... 12
TENDERS FOR AIRPORT RAMPS CONSTRUCTION INVITED........................ 13
BOOKLET TO PROMOTE FAMILY RELATIONS PUBLISHED......................... 13
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED .............................................. 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 15
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
1
ADB SHOULD AIM TO PROVIDE A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT : SMA *****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IN THE INDUSTRIALISATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF POLLUTION RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING, OTHERWISE DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT CAN BE VERY COSTLY 'OR SOMETIMES EVEN IMPOSSIBLE TO REMEDY.
SPEAKING AT A GOVERNORS SESSION OF THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, MR NENDICK, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE ALTERNATE GOVERNOR FOR HONG KONG, URGED THE BANK TO CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT DUE REGARD IS GIVEN TO MEASURES WHICH PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT.
"WE MUST NOT FORGET FUTURE GENERATIONS AND SHOULD AIM TO PROVIDE A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT AS PART OF OUR LEGACY TO POSTERITY,” MR NENDICK SAID.
TURNING TO THE ROLE OF PRIVATE SECTOR IN ECONOMIC GROWTH, MR NENDICK SAID IT HAD BEEN A COMMON EXPERIENCE THAT THE MOST DYNAMIC COMPONENT IN AN ECONOMY HAD BEEN ITS PRIVATE SECTOR.
"I THEREFORE WELCOME THE BANK *S ENCOURAGEMENT OF, AND SUPPORT FOR, POLICY ENVIRONMENTS WHICH ARE CONDUCIVE TO PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT AND ACTIVITIES,” HE SAID.
"AS A VETERAN ADVOCATE OF ENCOURAGING PRIVATE SECTOR ENTERPRISE, I APPLAUD THIS POLICY INITIATIVE AND HOPE THAT EFFORTS WILL BE STRENGTHENED IN THIS AREA,” HE SAID.
ON THE REDUCTION OF POVERTY, MR NENDICK SAID WHILE SOME OF THE ECONOMIES IN THE REGION WERE ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF ECONOMIC SUCCESS, THEY MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT ASIA WAS STILL HOME TO THE LARGEST NUMBER OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN EXTREME POVERTY.
’’EFFORTS TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH CAN CERTAINLY HAVE AN INDIRECT POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE ALLEVIATION OF POVERTY THROUGH THE PROVISION OF JOBS AND ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH,” HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT ENOUGH,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT APPROPRIATE PROGRAMMES AIMED DIRECTLY AT THE REDUCTION OF POVERTY MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO HELP RAISE STANDARDS OF LIVING.
REGARDING THE FINAL REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE ON STRATEGIC PLANNING ISSUED IN LAST JUNE, MR NENDICK SAID IT HAD PROVIDED SOME USEFUL RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH THE BANK MANAGEMENT WAS PUTTING TOGETHER FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
"ONE KEY AREA IS THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A CONSOLIDATED FRAMEWORK FOR EACH BORROWING COUNTRY’S PROJECTS FOR THREE YEARS AHEAD, TO ENSURE THEIR COHERENCE WITH THE BANK’S OVERALL STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE.
/"IT WOULD .......
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
2
"IT WOULD, HOWEVER, SEEM TO ME IMPERATIVE THAT, IN ADOPTING THIS APPROACH, THE NEEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH PARTICULAR COUNTRY ARE CAREFULLY EXAMINED, AS THEY WILL CERTAINLY VARY CONSIDERABLY.
"COUNTRY PROGRAMMES NEED TO BE TAILOR-MADE AND THERE CAN BE NO ONE SOLUTION FOR ALL. I SEE IT AS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT PROGRAMMES SHOULD BE MONITORED AND REVIEWED ON A REGULAR BASIS SO THAT THEY CAN, WHERE NECESSARY, BE ADAPTED TO CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS.
WHILE HE RECOGNISED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT THIS RECOMMENDATION THIS YEAR, HE URGED THAT IT BE IMPLEMENTED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THE PROPOSED THREE-YEAR ROLLING WORK PLAN FOR EACH BORROWING COUNTRY COULD BE COMPLETED AND SERVE AS A STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOL.
"THIS COUNTRY PROGRAMME APPROACH IS FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE IMPORTANCE THE BANK HAS ALWAYS ATTACHED TO MAINTAINING SOUND AND EFFECTIVE POLICY DIALOGUES WITH BORROWING COUNTRIES.
"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE BANK TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT POLICY REFORMS IN DEVELOPING MEMBER COUNTRIES (DMCS) THAT IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT," MR NENDICK SAID.
"BY STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF POLICY DIALOGUE WITH INDIVIDUAL DMCS, POLICIES CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVELY ANALYSED AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, CHANGES ADVOCATED," HE SAID.
"I AM SURE THAT, IN PROPOSING SUCH POLICY REFORMS, THE BANK WILL BE MINDFUL OF THE NEED FOR CLOSE CO-ORDINATION AT THE OPERATIONAL LEVEL WITH INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE WORLD BANK AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, WHICH UNDERTAKE SIMILAR CONSULTATIONS WITH DMCS ON REGULAR CYCLES," MR NENDICK SAID.
---------0-----------
PUBLIC REASSURED OF SUFFICIENT QUALIFIED MATRICULANTS TO FILL FIRST-YEAR-FIRST-DEGREE PLACES *****
THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT QUALIFIED MATRICULANTS WITH AT LEAST TWO A-LEVEL PASSES AND A PASS IN USE OF ENGLISH TO FILL THE 11,000 FIRST-YEAR-FIRST-DEGREE (FYFD) PLACES IN 1992-93.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, WHEN HE MET MEMBERS OF THE JOINT ACTION OF THE EDUCATION SECTOR THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
DURING THE MEETING, THE ACTION GROUP EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER A LIKELY SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED MATRICULANTS TO MEET THE PLANNED PROVISION OF FYFD PLACES IN THE SEVEN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) IN 1992-93.
/THE GROUP .......
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
3
THE GROUP WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE INSTITUTIONS MIGHT HAVE TO ENROL STUDENTS WHO DID NOT MEET THEIR MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS.
MR CHAN TOLD THE GROUP THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD REDUCED THE TARGET OF 15,000 FYFD PLACES FOR 1994-95 TO 14,500, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT MORE RECENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION WHICH INDICATED A DOWNWARD ADJUSTMENT OF THE PROJECTED NUMBERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP.
THIS REVISED TARGET FOR 1994-95 WILL LEAD TO A SMOOTHER EXPANSION PROGRAMME WHILE STILL ACHIEVING THE AIM OF PROVIDING FYFD PLACES FOR AT LEAST 18 PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP, HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID: ’’THE UPGC AND THE SEVEN INSTITUTIONS IT FUNDS HAVE AGREED TO ADOPT THE REVISED TARGET OF 14,500 FYFD PLACES FOR 1994-95.
"THEY HAVE ALSO CONFIRMED THEIR AGREEMENT TO RETURN TO THE GOVERNMENT A TOTAL OF $300 MILLION FROM THE $18,200 MILLION APPROVED RECURRENT FUNDING FOR THE UPGC-FUNDED SECTOR FOR THE 1992-95 TRIENNIUM.
"NOW THAT THE FYFD TARGET HAS BEEN BROUGHT DOWN TO 14,500 BY 1994-95, THE ORIGINAL TARGET FOR FIRST DEGREE STUDENTS FOR THE 1992-95 TRIENNIUM WILL HAVE TO BE REDUCED CORRESPONDINGLY.
"THE UPGC HAS WORKED OUT A GROWTH SCENARIO TO SERVE AS A BASIS FOR THE INSTITUTIONS IN PREPARATION OF THEIR REVISED ACADEMIC PROPOSALS AND COST ESTIMATES."
ACCORDING TO THE UPGC'S GROWTH SCENARIO, THE SEVEN INSTITUTIONS WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF ABOUT 31,000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS IN THEIR FIRST DEGREE PROGRAMMES IN 1992-93.
ON THIS BASIS, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT, EXCLUDING THE FORM 6 LEAVERS GOING TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THOSE ON CONVERSION COURSES AT THE POLYTECHNICS, FOR 1992-93 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FYFD PLACES WILL BE IN THE REGION OF 11,000.
"THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT QUALIFIED MATRICULANTS WITH AT LEAST TWO A-LEVEL PASSES AND A PASS IN USE OF ENGLISH TO FILL THESE FYFD PLACES," THE SECRETARY STRESSED.
THE ACTION GROUP IS IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EXPANSION, BUT IT HOPES THE EXPANSION WILL NOT BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE QUALITY OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
MR CHAN REASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS AIMING TO EXPAND THE PROVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION WHILE MAINTAINING THE QUALITY, AND TO UPGRADE THE EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS. THE UPGC SHARES THE SAME VIEW.
HE SAID: "MEMBERS OF THE UPGC RECOGNISE THAT BOTH THE COMMITTEE AND THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO QUERIES FROM THE GOVERNMERNT AND THE PUBLIC ON THE QUALITY AS WELL AS VALUE FOR MONEY FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY DURING A PERIOD OF EXPANSION.
/"THE UPGC .......
4
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
"THE UPGC IS, THEREFORE, MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY, TO ENSURE THE MAINTENANCE OF HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND MAXIMUM COSTEFFECTIVENESS."
MR CHAN ALSO REASSURED THE ACTION GROUP THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ANY UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTION TO ADMIT STUDENTS WHO HAD NOT SATISFIED THEIR MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS.
- - 0 - -
PROGRESS OF BCCHK*S LIQUIDATION ******
REPORTING ON THE PROGRESS OF THE LIQUIDATION OF BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG (BCCHK) SINCE THE WINDING UP ORDER WAS MADE BY THE HIGH COURT, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID A COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION COMPRISING DEPOSITORS AND TRADE FINANCE AND OTHER CREDITORS WAS APPOINTED BY THE COURT IN MARCH.
THREE MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE HAD BEEN HELD TO DATE DURING WHICH IMPORTANT DECISIONS WERE TAKEN AND INSTRUCTIONS WERE GIVEN TO THE SPECIAL MANAGERS FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE LIQUIDATION.
THESE MEETINGS AND CONSULTATIONS WERE MOST IMPORTANT AND WOULD CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE LIQUIDATION.
THE MAJOR TASKS IN THE LIQUIDATION, WHICH COMMENCED ON MARCH 2, WERE TO COLLECT OUTSTANDING LOANS AND DEPOSITS, SELL ASSETS, ESTABLISH WHO THE CREDITORS WERE AND HOW MUCH WAS OWED TO EACH OF THEM AND DISTRIBUTE THE ASSETS TO THOSE CREDITORS.
HE SAID THE FOLLOWING STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN SO FAR:
♦ STATEMENTS HAD BEEN SENT TO ALL DEPOSITORS ASKING THEM TO CONFIRM THEIR BALANCES AND ABOUT 35,000 DEPOSITORS HAD RECEIVED A TOTAL OF ABOUT 120,000 STATEMENTS;
♦ RECOVERY ACTION HAD COMMENCED IN RESPECT OF THE APPROXIMATELY 2,000 BORROWERS BY THE ISSUE OF DEMAND LETTERS, FAILURE TO RESPOND TO WHICH MAY RESULT IN LEGAL ACTION;
* PROFESSIONAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS (CHESTERTON PETTY LTD) HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO SELL THE PROPERTY ASSETS;
♦ AUCTIONEERS AND AGENTS HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO SELL OTHER ASSETS, MAINLY BY PUBLIC AUCTION;
♦ TO SAVE COSTS, A LEASE HAD BEEN SIGNED FOR PREMISES IN STANHOPE HOUSE AT QUARRY BAY TO RELOCATE THE HEAD OFFICE AND, OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, ALL BCCHK BRANCH OPERATIONS WHICH WOULD REDUCE THE RENTAL BILL BY ABOUT 90%;
/* THE WORKFORCE
5
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
* THE WORKFORCE HAD BEEN REDUCED FROM ABOUT 850 STAFF TO ABOUT 350 STAFF WHO WERE ASSISTING THE SPECIAL MANAGERS WITH THE TASKS TO BE COMPLETED IN THE LIQUIDATION.
MR GLEESON SAID IT REMAINED HIS INTENTION TO PAY A FIRST DIVIDEND IN THE LIQUIDATION WITHIN ABOUT SIX MONTHS OF THE DATE OF LIQUIDATION.
AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, SUBSTANTIAL CASH WAS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION AND THIS MONEY WAS HELD ON DEPOSIT OR IN THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S COMPANIES LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT EARNING INTEREST AT THE BEST RATES AVAILABLE.
WHEN A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE DEPOSITORS’ BALANCES HAD BEEN AGREED, A FIRST DIVIDEND, HOPEFULLY IN THE REGION OF 40%, WOULD BE DECLARED AND PAID AND, UNLIKE THE INTERIM RELIEF, THIS DIVIDEND WOULD BE PAID IN FULL (LESS THE INTERIM RELIEF ALREADY PAID) TO ALL CREDITORS WHO HAD AGREED THEIR BALANCES WITH THE SPECIAL MANAGERS.
HE SAID IT WAS THEREFORE VERY IMPORTANT THAT DEPOSITORS WHO HAD RECEIVED STATEMENTS SHOULD SEND BACK CONFIRMATIONS OF THE BALANCES SHOWN ON THE STATEMENTS OR WRITE AND ADVISE OF THEIR QUERIES, IF ANY, BY MAY 22, THIS YEAR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS THEY HAD RECEIVED.
OTHER CREDITORS WHO WERE NOT DEPOSITORS OF THE BANK WOULD RECEIVE A WRITTEN REQUEST TO LODGE A PROOF OF DEBT AND WOULD BE SENT THE RELEVANT FORM IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
DEPOSITORS WERE NOT REQUIRED TO LODGE PROOFS OF DEBT UNLESS REQUESTED TO DO SO.
ANYONE WHO HAD ANY QUERY ABOUT THE PROCEDURE THEY SHOULD FOLLOW AND ANY CUSTOMERS WHO HAD NOT RECEIVED A STATEMENT SHOULD CALL TELEPHONE NUMBER 822 6228 AND ASK FOR "CREDITOR ENQUIRIES”.
THE SPECIAL MANAGERS WERE CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE THE "UNRECORDED LIABILITIES" WHICH HAD EMERGED PRIOR TO THE WINDING UP ORDER BUT THESE CLAIMS WOULD NOT AFFECT THE TIMING OF THE FIRST DIVIDEND.
IF DEPOSITORS HAD ANY QUERIES ABOUT THEIR STATEMENTS, THEY SHOULD WRITE TO THE ADDRESS SET OUT IN THE NOTICE SENT WITH THE STATEMENTS, (P.O. BOX 54565 NORTH POINT POST OFFICE, HONG KONG) OR HAVING WRITTEN REGARDING A QUERY, DEPOSITORS COULD CONTACT THEIR BRANCH TO DISCUSS THE QUERY AND MAY MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE STAFF AT THE BRANCH TO VISIT AND DISCUSS THE MATTER.
/6 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
6 -
SAFE SEX PREVENTS AIDS * * * * *
THE PRACTICE OF SAFE SEX, INCLUDING THE USE OF CONDOMS, IS STILL THE BEST PREVENTION AGAINST AIDS.
THIS IS THE MESSAGE THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS WISHES TO PROMOTE THROUGH AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (API) TO BE SHOWN IN CINEMAS AND ON TELEVISION SOON.
SPEAKING TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH THE API, A COMMITTEE MEMBER AND CONVENOR OF ITS PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP, MS CARLYE TSUI, SAID: "CONDOMS CAN PROVIDE THE USERS WITH REASSURANCE AND PROTECTION AGAINST AIDS AND OTHER SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES WITHOUT DETRACTING FROM THE SEXUAL EXPERIENCE.
"THE TREATMENT OF THIS API IS VERY EXPLICIT AS WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF AVOIDING THE ISSUE OF SEX WHILE EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE SEX AND THE NEED OF USING CONDOMS.
"WE DO NOT WANT TO MAKE MORAL JUDGEMENTS AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN OUR INTENTION TO ENCOURAGE SEXUAL PROMISCUITY AS THESE ARE SIMPLY NOT THE PURPOSE OF OUR API MESSAGES," SHE STRESSED.
"THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THE AIDS PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IS TO CHANGE THE ATTITUDE THE PUBLIC HAD ON AIDS, CLARIFY MISCONCEPTIONS AND CORRECT THE DANGEROUS LIFESTYLE SOME PEOPLE HAVE," SHE EXPLAINED.
MS TSUI SAID THE COMMITTEE HOPED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD FORM THEIR OWN HEALTHY CONCEPT ABOUT SEX ON THE BASIS OF A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF AIDS.
THE API ON THE USE OF CONDOMS IS PART OF THE COMMITTEE’S PUBLICITY STRATEGY THIS YEAR.
IT SHOWS A CONDOM REMOVED FROM A PACKAGE AND A WOMAN TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE HER PARTNER TO USE THE CONDOM.
MS TSUI, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE, THANKED THE OPERATORS OF 14 CINEMAS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE CAMPAIGN BY SHOWING THE 30-SECOND API FREE OF CHARGE LATER THIS WEEK.
ANOTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER, DR LEE SHIU-SHAN, SAID PREVENTION REMAINED THE MOST IMPORTANT STRATEGY AS THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO CURE FOR AIDS.
"IN THE PAST YEAR, ALL THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED INFECTION IN HONG KONG WERE CONTRACTED THROUGH SEX. HALF WERE HOMOSEXUALS AND THE OTHERS HETEROSEXUALS. WORLDWIDE, THREE-QUARTERS OF THE INFECTION ARE SEXUALLY ACQUIRED," HE SAID.
DR LEE EMPHASISED THAT PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SEX PARTNERS, OF THE SAME OR OPPOSITE SEX, WERE AT HIGHER RISK.
/"SOME 30 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
7
"SOME 30 PER CENT OF THE CLIENTS WHO ATTENDED THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE FOR ADVICE HAVE HAD MORE THAN ONE REGULAR SEX PARTNERS. CASUAL SEX PARTNER IS NOT UNCOMMON.
"IN ANOTHER RECENT SURVEY OF 100 PERSONS WHO ATTENDED OUR SERVICE AFTER HETEROSEXUAL CONTACT, ONLY 35.8 PER CENT WERE REGULAR CONDOM USERS," HE SAID.
"THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, NEEDS TO BE REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFER SEX,” DR LEE CONCLUDED.
---------0-----------
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER ******
A NINTH ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN EXPERTS OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG ON MAY 6 AND 8.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE, MR ALAN PAUL. THE CHINESE TEAM WILL BE LED BY CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE, MR LUO JIAHUAN.
THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY EXPERTS FROM THE TWO SIDES.
--------0-----------
WAN CHAI EAST AND NORTH POINT SEWERAGE STUDY COMMISSIONED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS INITIATED A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEM RESULTING FROM THE IMPROPER DISCHARGE OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT TO STORMWATER DRAINS AND WATER COURSES IN THE WAN CHAI EAST AND NORTH POINT AREAS.
THE STUDY WILL ASSESS THE ADEQUACY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEMS.
BASED ON THE RESULTS, SCHEMES FOR REMEDIAL WORKS WILL BE FORMULATED TO ENSURE THAT ALL SEWAGE WILL BE PROPERLY COLLECTED AND DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
A SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN WILL BE DEVELOPED AND A PRIORITISED PROGRAMME FOR PROGRESSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NECESSARY ENGINEERING WORKS WILL BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE FOR SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM MEASURES TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN STAGES.
/EMPHASIS WILL .......
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
8
EMPHASIS WILL BE GIVEN TO ACHIEVING EARLY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, IN PARTICULAR AT CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BETWEEN THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY), MR MIKE STOKOE AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ACER CONSULTANTS (FAR EAST) LIMITED, MR A. HALE.
THE STUDY, AT A COST OF HK$7.3 MILLION, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
-----0------
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTED YESTERDAY (MONDAY) A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED A DECREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES.
FROM MAY 6, THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 4.56% (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 5.04% (TAX FREE).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.38 PER MONTH PER $100.
INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 6.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE MAY 6 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
7.80% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 22, 1989 AND BEFORE JULY 12, 1989;
7.32% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 12, 1989 AND BEFORE AUGUST 9, 1989;
6.84% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 9, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 7, 1990;
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 7, 1990 AND BEFORE APRIL 4, 1990;
8.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 4, 1990 AND BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1990;
/7.56% .......
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
9
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
AUGUST 15, 1990 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 24, 1990;
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
OCTOBER 24 , 1990 AND BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1991;
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
JANUARY 30 , 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 29, 1991;
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
MAY 29, 1991 AND BEFORE JULY 3, 1991;
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 3, 1991 AND BEFORE AUGUST 14, 1991;
6.00% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 14, 1991 AND BEFORE SEPTEMBER 18, 1991;
5.52% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 18, 1991 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 6, 1991; AND
5.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 6, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 6, 1992.
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE:
$1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON MAY 6, 1992, JUNE 6, 1992 AND JULY 6, 1992 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON AUGUST 5, 1992 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS
ON $1,000, 3 COMPLETE MAY 6, 1992 TO MONTHS AT $3.80 AUGUST 5, PER MONTH 1992 = $11.40
ON $1,000, 2 COMPLETE JUNE 6, 1992 TO MONTHS AT $3.80 AUGUST 5, PER MONTH 1992 = $7.60
ON $1,000, 1 COMPLETE JULY 6, 1992 TO MONTH AT $3.80 AUGUST 5, PER MONTH 1992 = $3.80
$22.80
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/10........
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
- 10 -
PROPER TRAINING ESSENTIAL TO HELP YOUTHS
*****
IT IS A MATTER OF URGENCY TO OFFER PROPER TRAINING TO ADOLESCENTS SO AS TO PREVENT THEM FROM BECOMING YOUTHS AT RISK, AN EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS RITA FAN HSU LAI-TAI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF WAI YEE HOSTEL OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN TUEN MUN, SHE SAID A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE INCREASE OF DIVORCE CASES AND THE NUMBER OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES, AND THE CHANGE OF WOMEN’S ROLES IN A FAMILY MIGHT MOVE THE ADOLESCENTS AWAY FROM AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY COULD OBTAIN ADEQUATE CARE AND GUIDANCE.
"IN THIS RESPECT, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OFFERING APPROPRIATE HELP TO THEM," SHE ADDED.
SHE SAID FAMILY AND CHILD CARE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WERE AIMED AT MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING FAMILY RELATIONS AS WELL AS HELPING TO ESTABLISH A MUTUAL CARE RELATIONSHIP.
"THEREFORE, THE DEPARTMENT SET UP WAI YEE HOSTEL TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR GIRLS AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 18, WHO ARE SUBJECTS OF COURT ORDERS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE," MRS FAN SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HOSTEL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR LEE SHIU-HUNG, SAID THE HOSTEL’S TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES WERE TAILORED TOWARDS THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE GIRLS.
"IN ADDITION, PARENTS OR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PAY VISITS TO THE GIRLS WEEKLY SO AS TO PROMOTE FAMILY COMMUNICATION AND FACILITATE THE GIRLS’ RE-INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY," DR LEE SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, IN HIS VOTE OF THANKS, SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DEDICATE ITS EFFORT TO THE WORTHWHILE CAUSE OF HELPING THE GIRLS AT THE HOSTEL.
HE ALSO COMMENDED THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HER STAFF FOR THEIR EFFORT AND CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE HOSTEL.
- - 0-----------
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
11
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY ******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 10 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
OF THE 10 BILLS, FIVE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992, LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND AERIAL ROPEWAYS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
DEBATES ON FIVE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992, DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992, ENTERTAINMENTS TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE.
MEANWHILE, DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY ON THE BCCHK INCIDENT.
THE HON K.K. FUNG WILL ALSO MOVE A MOTION ON THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.
ALSO, THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG WILL MOVE AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON "PUBLIC CONCERN OVER THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND ETHICAL STANDARDS OF ESTATE AGENTS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS".
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE WILL TABLE THE REPORT OF BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (SEPTEMBER 1990 TO AUGUST 1991).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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/12 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
- 12 -
TWO PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO RUN WHOLE-DAY CLASSES
******
TWO GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS THAT ARE OPERATING BISESSIONAL CLASSES WILL CHANGE TO WHOLE-DAY OPERATION STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER.
THEY ARE THE KAI TAK SCHOOL IN HONG KEUNG STREET, SAN PO KONG, AND KOWLOON DOCKS MEMORIAL SCHOOL IN TSING CHAU STREET, HUNG HOM.
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING HAD ALWAYS BEEN THE TARGET OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION.
HE SAID THE "FORMAL" EDUCATION SYSTEM GAVE TEACHERS MORE TIME TO CONDUCT MORAL EDUCATION AND TO ARRANGE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS.
"IT ALSO PROVIDES TEACHERS WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS AND TO OFFER ADVICE AND CARE TO STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY," HE ADDED.
THE PROVISIONAL SCHOOL HOURS OF WHOLE-DAY OPERATION ARE:
* SUMMER SESSION (SEPTEMBER, MAY TO JULY):
MONDAY TO FRIDAY -- FROM 8 AM TO 1.15 PM
* WINTER SESSION (OCTOBER TO APRIL):
MONDAY TO FRIDAY -- FROM 8.30 AM TO 3 PM (LUNCH BREAK FROM 12.15 PM TO 1.25 PM)
IN A CIRCULAR ISSUED TO PARENTS YESTERDAY (MONDAY), THE HEADMASTER/HEADMISTRESS OF BOTH SCHOOLS EARNESTLY HOPED THAT THEY WOULD ALLOW THEIR CHILDREN TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN THE SCHOOLS.
BUT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO TRANSFER THOSE NOT WISHING TO ATTEND WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING TO THE WONG TAI SIN GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL AM OR PM SESSIONS/HUNG HOM GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL AM OR PM SESSIONS.
PARENTS WERE ASKED TO COMPLETE A REPLY SLIP, INDICATING THEIR OPTION, AND RETURN IT TO THE SCHOOLS BEFORE NEXT TUESDAY (MAY 12).
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/13 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
13
TENDERS FOR AIRPORT RAMPS CONSTRUCTION INVITED
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICULAR RAMPS TO THE MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE PROJECT, AIMING AT IMPROVING THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT AT THE AIRPORT, IS PART OF A PASSENGER TERMINAL ACCESS IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS JULY AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER IS NOON ON JUNE 12.
- - 0 - -
BOOKLET TO PROMOTE FAMILY RELATIONS PUBLISHED
*****
THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN HAS PRODUCED A BOOKLET TO PROMOTE GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS.
THE BOOKLET CONTAINS ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED BY A FORMER MISS HONG KONG, MS MARY CHEUNG AND AN AUTHOR, AH LOONG, ON HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONS AND GOOD PARENTHOOD.
COPIES OF THE BOOKLET ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
APART FROM LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW TO MAINTAIN HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO WIN ATTRACTIVE PRIZES BY TAKING PART IN A QUIZ COMPETITION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
’’THEY SHOULD ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS IN THE BOOKLET AND SEND THEM TO THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, 24TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI BEFORE THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE BOOKLET, PRODUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, IS ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE CURRENT YEAR’S FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
- - 0 - -
/14
TUESDAY, MAY 5,
1992
- 14 -
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED *****
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON KWOK WAI-KEUNG ON NOVEMBER 9, 1989 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF 12 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT. KWOK WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF WONG CHEONG-NIN.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 5 MAY 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q219
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,040 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.65 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.67 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 2.5 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.69 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 11 MAY 1992 -
TENDER DATE 12 MAY 92 12 MAY 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q220 H264
ISSUE DATE 13 MAY 92 13 MAY 92
MATURITY DATE 12 AUG 92 11 NOV 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKS500 + 100 MN HKS200 + 60 MN
0 /15
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992
- 15 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING 1 BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 4.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 5.5.92 -40
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.7 *+0.1* 5.5 .92 + 40 NEUTRAL
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.50 PCT 19 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.95 4.97
1 3 6 12 MONTH MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS 3.49 3.62 3.83 4.29 PCT PCT PCT PCT 22 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.35 5.36
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4,182 MN
CLOSED 5 MAY 1992
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: FS SPEAKS AT RESUMED DEBATES ON BUDGET-RELATED BILLS .................. 1
STATEMENT BY FS ON BUDGET DEVELOPMENTS ............................ 2
SPEECH BY FS ON BCC MOTION ........................................ 4
WAYS TO REGULATE ESTATE AGENTS ....................................
SHA SAYS MANAGEMENT OF BUILDINGS NORMALLY 'VERY SATISFACTORY' ..... 8
FS MOVES MOTION ON BETTING DUTY ................................... 8
BILL TO CHANGE AG'S POWER TO ISSUE NOLLE PROSEQUI ................. 9
BILL TO MODERNISE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES FOR LAWYERS ............. 10
BILL TO CLARIFY POWER OF FIRE SERVICES ............................ 13
IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED ........................... 13
BILL ON AERIAL ROPEWAYS INTRODUCED ................................ 14
FEARS ALLAYED ON OVERSEAS DOCTORS PRACTISING IN HK ................ 14
BA ANNUAL REPORT TABLED IN LEGCO .................................. 16
NEW GOVERNOR WILL CONSIDER VIEWS ON CEREMONIAL DRESS .............. 17
CS ON ADMINISTRATION OF JUDICIARY ................................. 18
CROSS-BORDER CC-OPERATION SEEKS TO CURB CRIME ..................... 19
LINKS WITH INT'L BODIES WILL CONTINUE AFTER 97 .................... 20
OVERALL GROWTH OF CIVIL SERVICE MAINTAINED ........................ 20
MEASURES TO CURB AIRCRAFT NOISE IN PIPELINE ....................... 21
CONSTRUCTION WASTES RECYCLING UNDER STUDY ......................... 23
CIVIL SERVICE WASTAGE STABILISING ................................. 23
LAWS UPHELD TO PROTECT PROPERTY BUYERS ............................ 24
FIRE RETARDANT AGENTS NO RISK TO HEALTH ........................... 25
ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION ... 25
• /INTENSIVE CARE ...........
A
F -
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INTENSIVE CARE BEDS IN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL ADEQUATE.................. 26
INCINERATOR TO GO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ............................... 27
DREDGING CLOSELY MONITORED TO MINIMISE POLLUTION .................... 27
NO EXPEDITION OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS REDEMPTION .............. 29
GOVT CONSIDERING LABELS FOR GREEN PRODUCTS .......................... 30
LO WU PROJECT TO SPEED UP TRAVELLING................................. 30
PERIODIC REVIEW ON DISABILITY ALLOWANCE RATE ........................ 31
BUDGET-RELATED BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO ................................ 32
GOVERNOR CONDEMNS GANG ATTACK ......................................... 33
GOVT WILL DO EVERYTHING TO BUST CRIME ................................. 33
STATEMENT BY FS ON BUDGET DEVELOPMENTS ................................ 34
RATES INCREASE WITHDRAWN .............................................. 35
LORD WILSON TO LEAVE HK IN JULY ....................................... 36
YAXLEY HOSTS RECEPTION TO SAY "THANK YOU" ............................. 36
HK ENJOYS ICT STATUS .................................................. 37
HIGH COURT JUDGE APPOINTED............................................. 37
TV SERIES TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ............................ 38
HK TO TAKE PART IN STAMP EXPO.......................................... 39
TWO LOTS OF LAND IN KOWLOON EAST TO LET ............................... 39
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON FRIDAY ................................... 40
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 41
*
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
- 1 -
FS SPEAKS AT RESUMED DEBATES ON BUDGET-RELATED BILLS *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE MODEST INCREASE OF 1% IN PROFITS TAX WOULD BLUNT HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS AS A BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992, HE SAID THE NEW LEVEL WAS STILL LOW BY ANY INTERNATIONAL STANDARD AND, INDEED LOWER THAN IT HAD BEEN IN HONG KONG IN SOME PREVIOUS YEARS.
"I AM PLEASED THAT THERE HAS BEEN SUPPORT FOR MY PROPOSAL FOR A 1% INCREASE IN PROFITS TAX PAYABLE BY CORPORATIONS. THIS INCREASE WILL YIELD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT IN REVENUE TERMS : $1.6 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR," HE SAID.
TURNING TO CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL, WHICH PROPOSES SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN PERSONAL TAXATION ALLOWANCES, MR MACLEOD SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THE POSITION OF THOSE MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE INCREASES ON AN EVEN MORE GENEROUS SCALE.
"BUT I CAN ONLY EMPHASISE ONCE AGAIN THAT PERSONAL ALLOWANCES SINCE 1980 HAVE KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION, AND THAT IT IS OUR INTENTION TO ENSURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO DO SO OVER TIME.
"IT IS ALSO WORTH REPEATING YET AGAIN THAT OVER HALF OF OUR WORKING POPULATION NOW PAYS NO SALARIES TAX AT ALL; THAT ONLY A VERY SMALL NUMBER INDEED PAY AT THE STANDARD RATE; AND THAT STANDARD RATE IS ITSELF ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE WORLD.
"AS SAID, I HAVE GIVEN ASSURANCE ABOUT MY POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS INCREASING TAX ALLOWANCES AND TAX BANDS IN MY NEXT BUDGET," MR MACLEOD SAID.
ON THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, HE SAID THE BILL, ALTHOUGH SIMPLE IN CONCEPT, INVOLVED A NUMBER OF COMPLEX TECHNICAL POINTS ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT’S EXCHANGES WITH AN AD HOC GROUP ON ALL THE BUDGET-RELATED BILLS CHAIRED BY DR HUANG CHEN-YA, WERE PARTICULARLY USEFUL.
SPEAKING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE FOR THE BILL, MR MACLEOD SAID THE BILL, IF ENACTED, WOULD EXEMPT FROM DUTY ON DIESEL FUEL FRANCHISED BUSES RUNNING ON ROUTES SPECIFIED UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE.
"THIS WILL REPLACE THE PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENT UNDER WHICH FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES RECEIVED A PARTIAL REFUND IN RESPECT OF DUTY PAID.
"THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERED THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING THE REFUND TO 100%. BUT IT WILL BE EASIER TO ADMINISTER AND TO MONITOR A SYSTEM OF SIMPLE EXEMPTION," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT A PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY, AROSE IN THE CASE OF THE NEW LANTAU BUS COMPANY.
/"THIS COMPANY'S ......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992 2 -
"THIS COMPANY’S BUSES ARE USED FOR PART OF THE DAY ON SPECIFIED ROUTES, AND FOR PART OF THE DAY ON NON-SPECIFIED ROUTES. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THESE BUSES TO CHANGE FROM DUTY-FREE TO DUTIABLE FUEL DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY, OR FOR SUCH A SYSTEM BE MONITORED.
"THE EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT, THEREFORE, WILL BE TO ALLOW THE REFUND SYSTEM TO BE MAINTAINED IN RESPECT OF THIS PARTICULAR COMPANY, WITH THE LEVEL OF REFUND BEING INCREASED TO 100%," HE EXPLAINED.
ON THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992, MR MACLEOD REITERATED THAT ITS MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO REDUCE FROM 0.5% TO 0.4% THE RATE OF STAMP DUTY ON CONTRACT NOTES.
"THIS REPRESENTS THE CONTINUATION OF A GRADUAL REDUCTION IN THE DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS, ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S SECURITIES MARKET," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE ENTERTAINMENTS TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL THAT THE AD HOC GROUP HAD DECIDED TO SUPPORT THIS SIGNIFICANT TAX CONCESSION WHICH WOULD DIRECTLY BENEFIT ORDINARY HOUSEHOLDS.
THAT
"I FULLY SHARE THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY DR HUANG AND THE GROUP THE BENEFIT OF THIS CONCESSION BE PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS TO THE DR HUANG HAS OUTLINED WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED
MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE. ___________ -
IN THIS RESPECT AND I CONFIRM OUR INTENTION TO MONITOR THE SITUATION.
ALL
THE
"I HAVE BEEN ASSURED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION THAT OR NEARLY ALL CINEMAS WILL FOLLOW THE LEAD SET IN THIS REGARD BY MAJOR CINEMA OPERATORS, WHICH HAVE AGREED TO REFRAIN FROM TICKETS FOR A FULL YEAR,” HE ADDED.
ANY
PRICE INCREASE IN CINEMA
--------0-----------
STATEMENT BY FS ON BUDGET DEVELOPMENTS
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE STATEMENT BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR
HAMISH MACLEOD, ON DEVELOPMENTS IN RELATION TO THE 1992 BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
IN MY SPEECH ON 1 APRIL CONCLUDING THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, I UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING HEALTHY FISCAL RESERVES, WHICH WE CAN DRAW UPON IF WE ENCOUNTER ADVERSE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS. AT THE SAME TIME, I EXPLAINED THAT THE FORECAST FIGURE OF $71 BILLION IN 1996-97 WAS ADEQUATE FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND THAT I HAD NO HIDDEN AGENDA TO BUILD UP THE RESERVES EVEN HIGHER.
UPDATED FIGURES FOR THE 1991-92 SURPLUS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AS A RESULT OF THE "FIRST CLOSING" OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS. THESE INDICATE AN ADDITIONAL SURPLUS OF MORE THAN $6 BILLION ON TOP OF THE REVISED ESTIMATE.
/FIGURES FOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
3
FIGURES FOR THE FINAL CLOSING OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE SECOND PART OF MAY. THESE MAY VARY SLIGHTLY FROM THE FIRST CLOSING FIGURES. BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NOW HAVE AN UNEXPECTED WINDFALL. I THOUGHT IT PROPER BOTH TO INFORM MEMBERS OF THIS, ALTHOUGH THE FIGURES ARE NOT FINAL; AND SINCE THE CHANGE IS SO SIGNIFICANT, TO REVIEW MY REVENUE PROPOSALS ACCORDINGLY.
LOOKING AT THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD COVERED BY THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, AND ALLOWING FOR INTEREST ON THIS ADDITIONAL SURPLUS, OUR ACCUMULATED RESERVES BY 1996-97 WILL BE MORE THAN $7 BILLION HIGHER THAN WE HAD PREVIOUSLY FORECAST - AND OF PARTICULAR RELEVANCE, $7 BILLION HIGHER THAN THE FORECAST AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF MY BUDGET.
THIS DEVELOPMENT WAS NOT - AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN - FORESEEN, BUT IT IS VERY WELCOME NEVERTHELESS. IT WILL ENABLE US TO CONTINUE WITH OUR PLANNED INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE; TO FUND THE PROPOSED TAX CONCESSIONS; AND TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ’’CUSHION” OF RESERVES. AT THE SAME TIME IT NO LONGER SEEMS NECESSARY TO RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ON THE SCALE I HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED.
THE AMOUNT OF THE RESULTING INCREASE IN OUR PROJECTED RESERVES IS, AS IT HAPPENS, ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO THE AMOUNT WHICH I HAD INTENDED TO RAISE BY INCREASING RATES BY HALF OF ONE PERCENTAGE POINT. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT, UNDER THESE CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES, THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT NEED TO PROCEED WITH AN INCREASE TO THE GENERAL RATES POUNDAGE THIS YEAR, ASSUMING OF COURSE THAT THE OTHER REVENUE MEASURES ARE AGREED. FOR THIS REASON, I WILL NOT BE INTRODUCING INTO THIS COUNCIL A RESOLUTION TO INCREASE RATES IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS BUDGET. ACCORDINGLY, APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE MADE TO SUBSEQUENT RATES DEMANDS. RATES, AS A STABLE AND PROGRESSIVE FORM OF TAXATION, WILL NEVERTHELESS CONTINUE TO MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO GENERAL REVENUE.
THE FACT THAT WE CAN NOW DO WITHOUT A RATES INCREASE IS CLEARLY GOOD NEWS TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS TO THE ADMINISTRATION. NEVERTHELESS, IT RAISES THE QUESTION OF HOW THE UNDER-ESTIMATION CAME ABOUT. THERE ARE TWO MAIN REASONS.
FIRST, REVENUE FROM STAMP DUTY, SALARIES AND PROFITS TAX AND FIRST REGISTRATION TAX HAVE BEEN HIGHER THAN EXPECTED, WITH THE RESULT THAT TOTAL REVENUE IS $2.3 BILLION ABOVE THE REVISED ESTIMATE.
SECONDLY, SPENDING ON PUBLIC WORKS IS EXPECTED TO BE $3 BILLION BELOW THE REVISED ESTIMATE, AS A RESULT OF FURTHER SLIPPAGE IN THE CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FIRST CLOSING FIGURE AND THE REVISED ESTIMATE FIGURE FOR REVENUE IS ONLY 2%. REVENUE YIELDS ARE AFFECTED BY ECONOMIC FACTORS AND CANNOT BE PRECISELY FORECAST. RECENT ACTIVITY IN THE STOCK MARKET AND RELATIVELY HIGH PROPERTY PRICES HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASED REVENUE FROM STAMP DUTY.
/BY CONTRAST ......
4
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
BY CONTRAST, THE SLOWNESS IN IDENTIFYING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE UNDERSPENDING IN PUBLIC WORKS IS LESS READILY UNDERSTANDABLE, AND IS A MATTER FOR CONCERN. ALTHOUGH, IN THE LONGER TERM, SOME OF THE UNDERSPENDING THIS YEAR WILL BE MADE UP FOR IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS AS DELAYED PROJECTS ARE IMPLEMENTED, IT IS CLEARLY UNSATISFACTORY THAT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PREDICT THE PROGRESS OF OUR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME WITH MORE ACCURACY. I HAVE THEREFORE ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY AND THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS TO LOOK URGENTLY AT HOW TO IMPROVE OUR ESTIMATING TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, TO ENSURE THAT IN FUTURE YEARS A MORE ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE SITUATION EMERGES.
ALTHOUGH THIS WINDFALL SURPLUS WILL ENABLE US TO DEFER AN INCREASE IN GENERAL RATES, I AM ALSO ABLE TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THIS DOES NOT AFFECT OUR DETERMINATION TO LOOK AT POSSIBLE WAYS OF RESOLVING THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE "SANDWICH CLASS". I STAND BY THE ASSURANCES WHICH I GAVE IN MY CONCLUDING SPEECH ON 1 APRIL. THAT IS, IF OUR FINANCES ARE IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS, I PLAN ANOTHER SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN SALARIES ALLOWANCES TOGETHER WITH A REVIEW OF TAX BANDS. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS IS ALSO PRESSING FORWARD WITH OUR EXAMINATION OF POSSIBLE WAYS TO ALLEVIATE THE HIGH COST OF HOUSING FOR THE "SANDWICH CLASS", AND WILL PRODUCE RECOMMENDATIONS BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
FINALLY, THE FACT THAT WE ARE FORTUNATELY NOW ABLE TO AVOID AN INCREASE IN GENERAL RATES DOES NOT DETRACT FROM THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE REMAINING BUDGET MEASURES. WE CAN AND MUST MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED PACKAGE OF CONCESSIONS, AS WELL AS WITH THE MODEST INCREASE IN PROFITS TAX, IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR PLANNED LEVEL OF REVENUE AND FUND THE EXPENDITURE APPROVED BY MEMBERS IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL ON 1 APRIL.
------0--------
SPEECH BY FS ON BCC MOTION » * » » »
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHEN WINDING UP A MOTION DEBATE ON BCC INQUIRY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
AS I STATED IN THIS COUNCIL ON 15 MARCH 1992, IT IS THE CONSIDERED VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION THAT A FURTHER INQUIRY INTO THE BCCHK AFFAIR WOULD SERVE NO USEFUL PURPOSE UNLESS THERE WERE INDICATIONS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG OR ARISING IN THE COURSE OF THE LIQUIDATION OF BCCHK THAT THERE WERE OTHER IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS TO THE ISSUE WHICH REQUIRED SPECIAL EXAMINATION. THE POSITION REMAINS THAT, TO THE PRESENT, NO SUCH INDICATIONS HAVE ARISEN.
THE MOTION SETS OUT TWO PURPOSES FOR THE PROPOSED INQUIRY. THE FIRST IS TO INVESTIGATE THE BCCHK FAILURE AND TO SEE WHETHER ANY FURTHER ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN. THE SECOND IS TO REVIEW THE EXISTING SUPERVISION MECHANISM OF THE BANKING SYSTEM. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CONSIDER THAT SUCH AN INQUIRY IS NECESSARY OR WOULD SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE IN THESE RESPECTS.
/AS FAR .......
5
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
AS FAR AS THE FAILURE OF BCCHK IS CONCERNED, THE RELEVANT INFORMATION IS ALREADY IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, INCLUDING THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR DATED 30 JULY 1991 AND THE COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS’ REPORTS, BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS WAS GIVEN UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION IN THE TWO COMPLAINTS HE INVESTIGATED.
AS REGARDS THE BANKING SYSTEM IN GENERAL, THE CLOSURE OF BCCHK LAST JULY HAS UNDERSTANDABLY CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF DISTRESS. THIS IS A MATTER WHICH HAS BEEN OF GREAT CONCERN TO US ALL EVEN THOUGH THE ORIGINS OF THE CRISIS LAY OUTSIDE HONG KONG. THE INCIDENT, HOWEVER, DID NOT REFLECT ON THE FUNDAMENTAL SOUNDNESS OF OUR BANKING SYSTEM, WHICH HAS WITHSTOOD MANY SERIOUS TESTS. AND I MAY ADD THAT I DO NOT FIND ATTRACTIVE OR FAIR, RESPECTABLE OF SOME OF THE COMMENTS IN THIS DEBATE. COMMENTS ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT AND EXPERTISE OF THOSE INVOLVED AND EVEN THE STATEMENT THAT SOME CIVIL SERVANTS MAY HAVE DELAYED THE CLOSURE SO AS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INSIDE KNOWLEDGE TO REMOVE THEIR DEPOSITS. THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS STATEMENTS. THE ACCUSATION WAS MADE THAT THOSE INVOLVED WAS SIMPLISTIC FOR PLAYING A NUMBER’S GAME. I LEAVE IT TO THE PUBLIC TO JUDGE WHO IS TAKING A SIMPLISTIC VIEW OF THIS COMPLEX ISSUE, THAT SAID, 1 AM GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY OTHER BALANCED AND SUPPORTIVE COMMENTS IN THE DEBATE.
A CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF THE INDUSTRY’S SOUNDNESS WAS THE BANKS’ ABILITY TO SWITCH TO THE BASLE CAPITAL ADEQUACY FRAMEWORK AT THE END OF 1989. THIS CHANGEOVER WAS A FULL THREE YEARS BEFORE THE TARGET DATE FOR IMPLEMENTATION. SINCE THE MAJOR REGULATORY REFORMS WERE IMPLEMENTED IN THE MID-1980S, OUR BANKING SYSTEM HAS SUCCESSFULLY RIDDEN OUT SEVERAL PERIODS OF DIFFICULTIES, INCLUDING THE WORLDWIDE STOCK MARKET CRASH OF 1987 AND EVENTS IN CHINA IN 1989 AND INDEED THE AFTERMATH OF THE CLOSURE OF BCCHK. EMERGING FROM THESE DIFFICULTIES UNSCATHED THE BANKING SYSTEM HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE AND CONTINUES TO GROW FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.
IT MAY BE NOTED THAT ALL THE BANKS WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT OF UNFOUNDED RUMOURS LAST SUMMER HAD PARTICULARLY GOOD YEARS IN 1991 BOTH IN TERMS OF THE GROWTH OF BUSINESS AND PROFITABILITY. IN FACT, 1991 WAS AN EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD YEAR FOR THE BANKING SYSTEM IN GENERAL.
I HARDLY NEED TO SAY ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THE STRENGTH AND STABILITY OF OUR BANKING SYSTEM. THAT STRENGTH COULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE SUPERVISORY REGIME, AND WE CAN BE PROUD OF OUR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK WHICH COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THOSE IN OTHER FINANCIAL CENTRES. LET ME REITERATE THAT THE BCC GROUP’S PROBLEMS DID NOT ARISE IN HONG KONG. IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN THAT THERE WERE IN ALL SOME 70 JURISDICTIONS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE BCC CRISIS. IT IS ALSO NOTEWORTHY THAT PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE POSITION OF BCCHK WAS MUCH MORE FAVOURABLE THAN THAT OF THE REST OF THE GROUP. IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT, LEAVING ASIDE ANY CASH INJECTION BY THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT, THE CREDITORS OF BCC1 S.A. AND BCC OVERSEAS WILL ONLY BE LIKELY TO RECEIVE DIVIDENDS OF AROUND 10% OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. BCCHK DEPOSITORS, HOWEVER, HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED AN ADVANCE PAYMENT EQUAL TO 25% OF THEIR DEPOSITS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $500,000. FURTHERMORE, THE LIQUIDATOR OF BCCHK HAS INDICATED THAT HE HOPES TO PAY A FIRST ACROSS-THE-BOARD DIVIDEND HERE IN THE REGION OF 40% IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS’ TIME WITH THE DISTINCT POSSIBILITY OF A FURTHER DIVIDEND OR FURTHER DIVIDENDS BEING PAID DURING THE COURSE OF THE LIQUIDATION.
/WE MUST .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
6
WE MUST NOT, OF COURSE, BE COMPLACENT AND THERE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY SOME LESSONS TO BE LEARNT BY BANKING SUPERVISORS ACROSS THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF THEIR STANCE TOWARDS BANKING GROUPS WITH DIFFUSED CORPORATE STRUCTURES. THE INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF BANK SUPERVISORS BASED IN BASLE IS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT THESE ISSUES AND WE WILL CERTAINLY WISH TO CONSIDER SERIOUSLY ANY RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH ARISE FROM THEIR DELIBERATIONS.
THE LOCAL SUPERVISORY SYSTEM IS UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW. WE ARE WELL ADVISED BY THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN THIS AREA. IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT WHEN THE BCCI GROUP CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1979, BY ACQUIRING THE METROPOLITAN BANK WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RENAMED BCCHK, THE POWERS AVAILABLE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING IN RESPECT OF THE ENTRY OF FOREIGN-OWNED BANKS WERE UNDOUBTEDLY INADEQUATE. SINCE THEN, THE SUPERVISORY FRAMEWORK HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY STRENGTHENED, AND IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THE BCCI GROUP WOULD HAVE GAINED ENTRY INTO HONG KONG UNDER THE CURRENT REGIME. THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING NOW HAS THE POWER TO APPROVE CHANGES OF CONTROL OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS IN ADVANCE AND TO TAKE MEASURES AGAINST EXISTING SHAREHOLDER CONTROLLERS WHO ARE NO LONGER CONSIDERED FIT AND PROPER. THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WAS INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL LAST WEEK WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE SUPERVISORY SYSTEM EVEN FURTHER. THE PROPOSALS ARE MAINLY TO ENABLE AUDITORS TO PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN THE EXAMINATION OF THE INTERNAL CONTROLS OF BANKS. THIS IS PART OF OUR ON-GOING EXERCISE TO IMPROVE THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.
APART FROM FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SUPERVISORY SYSTEM, THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING VARIOUS MEASURES TO OFFER BETTER PROTECTION TO DEPOSITORS IN THE EVENT OF A BANK FAILURE. THESE INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME FORM OF A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME, ON WHICH A CONSULTATION PAPER HAS BEEN ISSUED, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCORDING HIGHER PRIORITY TO SMALL DEPOSITORS IN THE EVENT OF BANK LIQUIDATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE NEW LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY, TO BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY, IS DESIGNED TO HELP BANKS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR LIQUIDITY.
GIVEN THE BCC INCIDENT WAS AN ISOLATED CASE WITH LITTLE RELEVANCE TO THE SOUNDNESS OF OUR BANKING SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, THAT PROPOSALS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SUPERVISORY SYSTEM ARE IN HAND, AND THAT MEASURES TO BETTER PROTECT SMALL DEPOSITORS ARE BEING CONSIDERED, IT ’ IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHAT USEFUL PURPOSE AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY COULD SERVE.
THE SCOPE OF THE PROPOSED INQUIRY IS VERY WIDE. THE USEFULNESS OF SUCH AN INQUIRY IS EXTREMELY DOUBTFUL SINCE ALMOST ALL THE RELEVANT FACTS HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND ARE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. AN INQUIRY WILL TAKE UP SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES, AND WILL DISTRACT ATTENTION FROM THE ONGOING TASK OF SUPERVISION. BCCHK IS NOW IN LIQUIDATION, AND THE TOP PRIORITY MUST BE FOR THAT PROCESS TO PROCEED WITH ALL REASONABLE SPEED SO THAT THE CREDITORS, INCLUDING DEPOSITORS CAN RECEIVE AS LARGE AND AS EARLY A PAYMENT AS POSSIBLE.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, I OPPOSE THE MOTION.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
WAYS TO REGULATE ESTATE AGENTS *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE LOOKING BEYOND SELF-REGULATION AND EXAMINING THE FORM OF POSSIBLE REGULATORY CONTROLS OF ESTATE AGENTS’ OPERATIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, WHEN WINDING UP AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON "PUBLIC CONCERN OVER THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND ETHICAL STANDARDS OF ESTATE AGENTS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS" IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID UNDERSTANDING HAD BEEN REACHED WITH TWO ESTATE AGENT ASSOCIATIONS THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF SOME FORM OF REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS THROUGH LICENSING SHOULD BE PURSUED.
THIS REQUIRES A BETTER DEFINITION OF THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND PROVISION OF AN ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY AND SUFFICIENT TIME FOR PRACTISING ESTATE AGENTS TO RECEIVE THE NECESSARY TRAINING AND TO ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED STANDARD.
ANY REGULATORY SYSTEM WILL NEED TO BE CAREFULLY WORKED OUT,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT SIMPLY GRAFTING A FOREIGN SYSTEM ONTO HONG KONG WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE THE SOLUTION.
TAKING ACCOUNT OF HONG KONG’S PARTICULAR SITUATION, MR EASON SAID SOME QUESTIONS HAD TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE A FULLY-FLEDGED REGULATORY SYSTEM COULD BE DEVISED.
THESE INCLUDED SETTING THE REQUIRED STANDARDS TO BE ATTAINED BEFORE A PERSON CAN PRACTISE AS AN ESTATE AGENT OR OPERATE AN ESTATE AGENCY; WHETHER AN ESTATE AGENT SHOULD OPERATE AS AN INTERMEDIARY BETWEEN SELLER AND BUYER OR REPRESENT ONLY ONE PARTY’S INTERESTS, LIKELY EFFECTS ON THE COMMISSION CHARGING SYSTEM; AND POSSIBLE ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS.
"IF LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED, RESOURCES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT. AS WE ARE ALL AWARE, ANY BID FOR SUCH RESOURCES WILL HAVE TO COMPETE WITH OTHERS FOR PRIORITY," HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID SOME HEADWAYS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE IN BRINGING ABOUT THE SELF-REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS.
"THE TWO NEWLY-FORMED ASSOCIATIONS ARE PLANNING ACTIVITIES AIMED AT PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM AMONG THEIR MEMBERS AND INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THEIR SERVICES.
"EFFORTS ARE ALSO BEING DIRECTED AT, FOR EXAMPLE, DRAWING UP A CODE OF PRACTICE, ORGANISING '/RAINING COURSES IN CO-OPERATION WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND SETTING UP A PUBLIC COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE. THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE ALL IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," HE SAID.
"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL THEREFORE PURSUE ITS DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE, MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THEIR EFFORTS AND LISTEN TO THEIR VIEWS AND THOSE OF OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES IN SEEKING THE WAY FORWARD," HE ADDED..
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/8......
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SHA SAYS MANAGEMENT OF BUILDINGS NORMALLY ’VERY SATISFACTORY’
*******
THE STANDARD OF MANAGEMENT IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IS NORMALLY VERY SATISFACTORY BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES FLAT OWNERS TO TAKE A DIRECT INTEREST IN THEIR OWN BUILDINGS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE QUALIFICATIONS AND ETHICAL STANDARDS OF ESTATE AGENTS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS, MR SUEN SAID IN MANY INSTANCES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS WERE FORMED IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS TO PROMOTE THAT INTEREST.
MR SUEN ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS THAT AN AMENDMENT BILL TO THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT SESSION.
THIS BILL, HE SAID, WILL COVER MOST OF THE POINTS RAISED BY THE COUNCILLORS AT YESTERDAY’S DEBATE.
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FS MOVES MOTION ON BETTING DUTY *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A MOTION UNDER THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE DUTY RATE ON STANDARD BETS (WIN, PLACE, DOUBLE AND QUINELLA) FROM 10.5% TO 11.5%, AND THAT ON EXOTIC BETS FROM 17% TO 17.5%.
THE NEW RATES WILL NOT COME INTO FORCE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR WHEN THE NEXT RACING SEASON STARTS.
HE SAID THE JOCKEY CLUB HAD AGREED TO ABSORB THE ENTIRE ADDITIONAL DUTY ON EXOTIC BETS AND HALF OF THE ADDITIONAL DUTY ON STANDARD BETS.
"I DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY EFFECT ON THE CLUB’S BUOYANT TURNOVER. THE ADDITIONAL YIELD TO REVENUE IN 1992-93 WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $390 MILLION," MR MACLEOD SAID.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
- 9 -
I
BILL TO CHANGE AG’S POWER TO ISSUE NOLLE PROSEQUI
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WILL REMOVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S POWER TO ISSUE A NOLLE PROSEQUI IN RESPECT OF OFFENCES THAT CAN BE TRIED ONLY SUMMARILY.
THE BILL WOULD FURTHER PROVIDE A PROCEDURE WHEREBY VENUE OF TRIAL MAY BE CHANGED BETWEEN THE MAGISTRATES COURT, DISTRICT COURT AND HIGH COURT, SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD A COMMON LAW RIGHT TO DISCONTINUE A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION IN THE HIGH COURT BY ENTERING A NOLLE PROSEQUI AND HAD SIMILAR STATUTORY POWERS IN THE DISTRICT AND MAGISTRATES COURTS.
A NOLLE PROSEQUI WOULD TERMINATE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, BUT WOULD NOT OPERATE AS AN ACQUITTAL, AND PROCEEDINGS MIGHT BE RECOMMENCED AFRESH FOR THE SAME OFFENCE.
’’THE BILL ARISES FROM THE REVIEW OF THE NOLLE PROSEQUI PROCEDURE TO WHICH I REFERRED WHEN ANSWERING A QUESTION ON NOLLE PROSEQUI IN THIS COUNCIL ON JANUARY 18, 1989,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THAT REVIEW," HE SAID, "THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S POWER TO TERMINATE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS BY WAY OF NOLLE PROSEQUI IS NOW EXERCISED BY ME PERSONALLY."
CLAUSE 13 OF THE BILL PROPOSED TO ABOLISH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S POWER TO ENTER A NOLLE PROSEQUI IN PURELY SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS.
THERE WERE TWO REASONS FOR THIS. FIRST, IT WAS ALREADY POSSIBLE FOR THE PROSECUTION TO WITHDRAW A SUMMONS WITH THE COURT’S LEAVE PRIOR TO PLEA, AND THEREAFTER ISSUE A REPLACEMENT SUMMONS IF NECESSARY.
SECONDLY, THE PUBLIC INTEREST WOULD BE BETTER SERVED BY FINALITY OF PROCEEDINGS RATHER THAN BY PERMITTING THE PROSECUTION TO PRESERVE ITS POSITION UPON MINOR OFFENCES AFTER PLEA.
THE PROPOSED ABOLITION WOULD NOT APPLY TO INDICTABLE OFFENCES BEING TRIED SUMMARILY.
THERE WERE THREE BROAD CATEGORIES REGARDING THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD CONSIDER USING A NOLLE PROSEQUI.
FIRSTLY, WHERE FOR HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS, IT WOULD BE OPPRESSIVE TO CONTINUE WITH A PROSECUTION. THIS MIGHT ARISE WHERE A DEFENDANT WAS TERMINALLY ILL.
SECONDLY, WHERE ANTICIPATED PROSECUTION EVIDENCE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR THE COURT, BUT AN ACQUITTAL WAS NOT WARRANTED. THIS MIGHT ARISE WHERE A PROSECUTION WITNESS HAD BEEN INTIMIDATED TO ABSENT HIMSELF.
/LASTLY, WHERE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
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LASTLY, WHERE OTHER PROCEEDINGS RENDERED THE CURRENT PROCEEDINGS UNNECESSARY, BUT AGAIN AN ACQUITTAL WAS NOT WARRANTED. THIS MIGHT ARISE WHERE A DEFENDANT WAS DUE TO BE EXTRADITED ON MORE SERIOUS CHARGES.
THE REVIEW ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE CURRENT LACK OF STATUTORY PROVISIONS TO ENABLE A CASE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO A LOWER OR HIGHER COURT AFTER THE EMERGENCE OF NEW EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT THE OFFENCE WAS MORE OR LESS SERIOUS THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.
WHERE THIS RESULTED IN THE SCHEDULED COURT BECOMING INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE PROCEEDINGS, THE USE OF A NOLLE PROSEQUI WAS THE ONLY METHOD BY WHICH THE PROCEEDINGS MIGHT BE TERMINATED IN ONE COURT AND RECOMMENCED IN ANOTHER MORE APPROPRIATE COURT.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE NOLLE PROSEQUI WAS NOT AN IDEAL TOOL FOR RESOLVING AN ESSENTIALLY SIMPLE PROCEDURAL DIFFICULTY. THE BILL WOULD ACCORDINGLY PUT IN PLACE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS TO ENABLE CHANGE OF TRIAL VENUE.
THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND LAW SOCIETY HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND SUPPORTED THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE BILL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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BILL TO MODERNISE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES FOR LAWYERS ******
THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 WOULD MODERNISE AND STREAMLINE THE PROCEDURES LAID DOWN IN THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE FOR THE DISCIPLINE OF SOLICITORS AND BARRISTERS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE PRESENT PROCEDURES WERE COMPLEX, CUMBERSOME AND TIME-CONSUMING.
ON THE NEW PROCEDURES FOR SOLICITORS, CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL WOULD PERMIT THE LAW SOCIETY COUNCIL TO REQUIRE A SOLICITOR OR HIS OR HER FIRM TO PRODUCE FILES AND DOCUMENTS FOR INSPECTION.
IF THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THE SOLICITOR TO BE UNFIT TO PRACTISE, IT COULD REFER THE MATTER TO THE SOLICITORS DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL PANEL, AND SUSPEND THE SOLICITOR FROM PRACTICE UNTIL THE PANEL HAD DEALT WITH THE MATTER.
"THIS IS A USEFUL, PREVENTATIVE POWER FOR THE COUNCIL TO ACT SWIFTLY IN APPROPRIATE CASES IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC," SAID MR MATHEWS.
AT PRESENT, FOR SOLICITORS, TRAINEE SOLICITORS AND EMPLOYEES OF SOLICITORS, A DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE PANEL OF SENIOR SOLICITORS WAS APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
/THE PANEL .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
11
THE PANEL COMPRISED OVER 200 SOLICITORS. IF A COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO THE LAW SOCIETY COUNCIL, AND THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THAT THE PERSON’S CONDUCT REQUIRED INVESTIGATION, THEN THE COUNCIL MIGHT APPOINT A DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO THE CASE.
THE COMMITTEE, CONSISTING OF NOT LESS THAN THREE MEMBERS OF THE PANEL, INVESTIGATED THE COMPLAINT AND MADE SUCH ORDER AS IT THOUGHT FIT.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE SIZE OF THE PANEL MADE IT TOO LARGE TO PERMIT CONSISTENCY OF APPROACH AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXPERTISE IN DISCIPLINARY MATTERS.
CLAUSE 5 OF THE BILL WOULD IMPROVE THIS PROCEDURE. IT PROVIDED FOR THE APPOINTMENT BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF A SOLICITORS DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL PANEL MADE UP OF UP TO 30 SOLICITORS OF OVER 10 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE AND 10 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE SIZE OF THE PANEL WOULD PROMOTE CONSISTENCY AND EXPERIENCE IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS.
IF THE LAW SOCIETY COUNCIL CONSIDERED A COMPLAINT AGAINST A SOLICITOR, TRAINEE SOLICITOR, OR A SOLICITOR’S EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, A SOLICITORS DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL WOULD BE SELECTED FROM THE PANEL.
THE TRIBUNAL, CONSISTING OF TWO SOLICITORS AND ONE LAY MEMBER, WOULD INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINT, AND WOULD HAVE EXPANDED DISCIPLINARY POWERS, INCLUDING THE POWER TO IMPOSE A PENALTY OF UP TO $500,000 AGAINST A SOLICITOR.
IN AN AMENDMENT UNRELATED TO DISCIPLINE, CLAUSE 27 OF THE BILL WOULD PERMIT THE LAW SOCIETY COUNCIL TO ORGANISE AND ADMINISTER ITS AFFAIRS MORE EFFICIENTLY.
THE COUNCIL WOULD BE ABLE TO DELEGATE ITS FUNCTIONS OTHER THAN ITS RULE-MAKING POWER TO ANY PERSON OR TO A COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL, THEREBY ENABLING IT TO CONCENTRATE UPON STRATEGIC AND OTHER MAJOR ISSUES, LEAVING OTHER PERSONS OR COMMITTEES TO CARRY OUT MANY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS PRESENTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE COUNCIL.
TURNING TO DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES FOR BARRISTERS, MR MATHEWS SAID PRESENTLY, IF A COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO THE BAR COUNCIL ABOUT A BARRISTER’S CONDUCT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR THE BAR COUNCIL MIGHT APPLY TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.
IF THE CHIEF JUSTICE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE APPOINTMENT WAS JUSTIFIED, A COMMITTEE WOULD BE APPOINTED. IN DUE COURSE, THE COMMITTEE WOULD SUBMIT ITS REPORT, INCLUDING ITS FINDINGS OF FACT AND LAW, TO THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT.
IF THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT A PRIMA FACIE CASE OF MISCONDUCT HAD BEEN MADE OUT, IT HAD TO SEND A FURTHER COPY OF THE REPORT, A TRANSCRIPT OF EVIDENCE AND ANY EVIDENTIARY DOCUMENTS TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
/WHERE A .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
12
WHERE A REPORT WAS SENT TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE, THE COURT OF APPEAL WOULD CONDUCT A FURTHER HEARING AND IMPOSE SUCH PENALTY AS IT THOUGHT FIT.
"UNDER THIS PROCEDURE THERE ARE FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN TO SOME DEGREE OR ANOTHER, SOMEONE CONSIDERS THE COMPLAINT: THE BAR COMMITTEE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY AND THE COURT OF APPEAL. THE PROCEEDINGS TAKE A LONG TIME AND INVOLVE A CONSIDERABLE DUPLICATION OF EFFORT," MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES IN THE BILL FOR BARRISTERS PARALLELED THOSE FOR SOLICITORS.
CLAUSE 19 PROVIDED FOR THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO APPOINT A BARRISTERS DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL PANEL CONSISTING OF UP TO SIX QUEEN’S COUNSEL, SIX PRACTISING BARRISTERS AND FIVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
IF THE BAR COUNCIL CONSIDERED THAT A BARRISTER’S CONDUCT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, A BARRISTERS DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL WOULD BE CHOSEN FROM THE PANEL.
THE TRIBUNAL, CONSISTING OF ONE QUEEN’S COUNSEL, ONE BARRISTER AND ONE LAY MEMBER, WOULD INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINT, AND WOULD HAVE EXPANDED DISCIPLINARY POWERS, INCLUDING THE POWER TO IMPOSE A PENALTY OF UP TO $500,000.
MR MATHEWS EMPHASISED THAT THE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES FOR SOLICITORS AND BARRISTERS WOULD BE OF SUBSTANTIAL BENEFIT TO THE PUBLIC.
FIRST, THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO DISCIPLINARY PANELS MARKED AN IMPORTANT, PROGRESSIVE STEP FOR THE PROFESSION, AND WAS IN ACCORD WITH SIMILAR DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
"IT OPENS DISCIPLINARY MATTERS TO THE PUBLIC; THE PROFESSION PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, SO IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCIPLINE DECISIONS," HE SAID.
SECONDLY, UNDER CLAUSES 5 AND 19, IF THE LAW SOCIETY OR BAR COUNCILS DID NOT CONSIDER THAT A PERSON’S COMPLAINT AGAINST A SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER MERITED INVESTIGATION BY ITS DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL, THAT PERSON MIGHT APPLY TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO REFER THE COMPLAINT TO THE RELEVANT TRIBUNAL.
THIRDLY, UNDER CLAUSES 7 AND 21, IF A DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATED A COMPLAINT AND FOUND THAT THE SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER SHOULD BE DISCIPLINED, IT COULD ORDER THE RETURN TO THE PERSON OF ANY FEES OR EXPENSES PAID IN RELATION TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT.
THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL ORIGINATED FROM THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE BAR ASSOCIATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/13 .......
WEDNESDAY K v 6, 1992
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BILL TO CLARIFY POWER OF FIRE SERVICES
******
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BOARD A VESSEL ON THE OCCASION OF A FIRE OR OTHER CALAMITY WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IT ALSO PROPOSED TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF VESSELS TO EXCLUDE WARSHIPS.
THIS IS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED
*****
THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WHICH AIMS TO BRING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE INTO LINE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE PROVISIONS RELATED MAINLY TO POWERS OF DETENTION AND TO CERTAIN PRESUMPTIONS IN THE ORDINANCE.
THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE IS ONE OF SIX PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT, DURING A ONE-YEAR ’FREEZE’ PERIOD, HAVE NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS. THE PERIOD WILL END ON JUNE 8.
THE BILL AMENDS OR DELETES CERTAIN PROVISIONS ON THE DETENTION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
MR ASPREY EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER NECESSARY AS THEY HAD BEEN MADE OBSOLETE BY THE CHANGE IN POLICY IN JUNE 1988, UNDER WHICH ALL REFUGEES NOW LIVE IN OPEN CAMPS.
ONLY THOSE WHO ARE AWAITING SCREENING OR HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE HELD IN DETENTION.
THE BILL ALSO AMENDS PRESUMPTIONS RELATING TO THE OFFENCES OF EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND OF BRINGING THEM TO HONG KONG BY SEA.
"I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE CHANGES PROPOSED WILL IN PRACTICE MAKE IT HARDER TO BRING SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS.
/"I CAN ........
WEDNESD
, 1.92
14
"I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THESE CHANGES CERTAINLY DO NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE IN ANY WAY RELAXING OUR VIGILANCE OR OUR EFFORTS TO DETER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION," MR ASPREY SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0-----
BILL ON AERIAL ROPEWAYS INTRODUCED
******
THE AIM OF THE AERIAL ROPEWAYS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL IS TO GIVE TO THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS THE POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS ON TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND RELATED MATTERS IN RESPECT OF AERIAL ROPEWAY SAFETY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR A.G. EASON, SAID THIS POWER RESTS AT PRESENT WITH THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND THE INTENTION WAS THAT HE SHOULD NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO CONSIDER SUCH ROUTINE, TECHNICAL MATTERS.
"THE POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS FOR FEES WILL, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO LIE WITH THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0 - -
FEARS ALLAYED ON OVERSEAS DOCTORS PRACTISING IN HK
******
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, SAID NEITHER THE MEDICAL COUNCIL NOR THE MEDICAL PROFESSION NEED HAVE ANY FEAR THAT THE PASSAGE OF THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WOULD RESULT IN DROVES OF DOCTORS TRAINED OUTSIDE HONG KONG COMING HERE TO PRACTISE.
"IT IS UP TO THE MEDICAL COUNCIL TO SET STANDARDS, TO DETERMINE NUMBERS AND TO SPECIFY CONDITIONS AS APPROPRIATE TO SPECIFIC CASES IN QUESTION," HE SAID.
DR LEE WAS SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL SEEKS TO ALLOW DOCTORS WITH ACCEPTABLE OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS TO REGISTER AND PRACTISE IN HONG KONG TO MEET SPECIFIC COMMUNITY NEEDS ON SPECIFIED CONDITIONS.
/DR LEE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
15
DR LEE SAID THE BILL, WHICH MARKS THE END OF ALMOST FIVE YEARS’ EFFORTS BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO SEEK A SOLUTION TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS, IS IMPORTANT FOR TWO REASONS.
’’FIRST, BY INTRODUCING A SCHEME OF LIMITED REGISTRATION, IT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR ADEQUATE MEDICAL SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS AS YET UNMET WITHOUT AFFECTING THE REGISTRATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTICE IN HONG KONG.
’’SECOND, AND PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT GIVES THE MEDICAL COUNCIL A NEW DISCRETIONARY POWER WHICH CAN BE SEEN TO BE EXERCISED OPENLY AND FAIRLY IN THE INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED LIMITED REGISTRATION SCHEME GIVES THE MEDICAL COUNCIL ALL THE POWER, DISCRETION AND FLEXIBILITY IT NEEDS TO DETERMINE AND PROMULGATE WHERE NEEDS EXIST, DECIDE HOW MANY AND WHICH DOCTORS TO ADMIT, DESIGN WHAT PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW, LIMIT THOSE DOCTORS’ PLACE AND PERIOD OF PRACTICE, AND DISCIPLINE THOSE DOCTORS NO DIFFERENTLY FROM FULLY REGISTRABLE PRACTITIONERS.
THUS, THE BILL EMPOWERS THE MEDICAL COUNCIL TO MEET ALL EXISTING NEEDS AND ANY FUTURE NEEDS THAT CANNOT BE ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.
IT ALSO ENABLES THE COUNCIL TO REGULATE THE SCHEME AND TO ENSURE THAT STANDARDS OF MEDICAL CARE ARE NOT COMPROMISED.
’’THESE ARE FULL AND UNFETTERED POWERS OF DISCRETION,” DR LEE SAID. ’’THESE ARE NEW POWERS THAT THE MEDICAL COUNCIL AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSION HAVE SOUGHT AND THESE ARE NEW POWERS THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN.”
”IT IS THEN FOR THE MEDICAL COUNCIL TO SHOW THAT THEY CAN EXERCISE THESE NEW POWERS RESPONSIBLY AND RESPONSIVELY.”
DR LEE SAID THE BILL AND THE COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY AN OMELCO AD HOC GROUP HAVE ADDRESSED ALL THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSION WHICH HAVE EARLIER REJECTED ALL THE GOVERNMENT’S PREVIOUS PROPOSALS.
HE CALLED ON COUNCILLORS NOT TO DELAY THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL ANY MORE AS ’’THERE IS NO ROOM FOR PROTECTIONISM, NO ROOM FOR SELF INTEREST".
"LET US PUT ASIDE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY AND HONG KONG AS A WHOLE,” DR LEE SAID.
"OUR INABILITY TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY DOES HONG KONG NO CREDIT,” HE SAID.
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/16 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
- 16 -
BA ANNUAL REPORT TABLED IN LEGCO
» » t * *
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAD PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN BRINGING ABOUT AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF BROADCASTING SERVICES FOR THE HONG KONG AUDIENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PRESENTING THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT (1990-91) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SO SAID THE YEAR UNDER REPORT HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT ONE IN BROADCASTING DEVELOPMENT AND A PRODUCTIVE YEAR FOR THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
UNDER THE REPORT PERIOD, THE PUBLIC HAD WITNESSED THE LAUNCHING OF A HONG KONG-BASED PAN-ASIAN SATELLITE TELEVISION SERVICE, THE BIRTH OF A SECOND LOCAL COMMERCIAL RADIO STATION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MULTI-CHANNEL SOUND TELEVISION BROADCAST SYSTEM, COMMONLY KNOWN AS NICAM, MR SO SAID.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN BOTH REGULATING THE FAST DEVELOPING BROADCASTING INDUSTRY AND IN ADVISING THE ADMINISTRATION IN FRAMING ITS BROADCASTING POLICY TO COPE WITH RAPID CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY.
MR SO SAID TO MONITOR THE QUALITY OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY LOCAL BROADCASTERS, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAD SET UP A COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER COMPLAINTS ON TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMMES, ADVERTISEMENTS AND TECHNICAL ISSUES.
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REPORT, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND ITS COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE PROCESSED A TOTAL OF 570 COMPLAINTS, 561 OF WHICH WERE RELATED TO TELEVISION BROADCAST AND 9 WERE ABOUT RADIO BROADCAST.
THIS COMPARES WITH 433 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN 1987/88, 611 IN 1988/89 AND 276 IN 1989/90.
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, HAVING CONSIDERED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE, ISSUED A TOTAL OF FIVE SERIOUS WARNINGS, 13 WARNINGS AND 31 ADVISORY LETTERS TO THE TWO WIRELESS TELEVISION STATIONS.
THE MAJORITY OF THE WARNING CASES WERE RELATED TO THE CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME STANDARDS GOVERNING THE PORTRAYAL OF VIOLENCE AND THE USE OF LANGUAGE ON TELEVISION.
AS REGARDS RADIO BROADCAST, ONE SERIOUS WARNING AND TWO WARNINGS WERE ISSUED IN RESPECT OF CONTRAVENTION OF THE CODES OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME AND ADVERTISING STANDARDS RELATING TO THE USE OF LANGUAGE AND MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENT.
’’GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE STATIONS’ RESPONSE TO THE BA’S WARNINGS AND ADVICE DISPLAYED A RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE,” MR SO SAID.
/DURING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
17 -
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REPORT, ON THE ADVICE OF ITS WORKING GROUP ON REVIEW OF CODES OF PRACTICE AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LICENCEES, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY MADE A NUMBER OF CHANGES TO THE TELEVISION AND RADIO CODES OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME, ADVERTISING AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS.
MAJOR REVISIONS INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING, THE REQUIREMENT FOR IMPRACTICALITY IN CURRENT AFFAIRS AND DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMMES AND THE DRAWING UP OF PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR MULTI-CHANNEL SOUND TELEVISION BROADCAST.
THE WORKING GROUP ALSO DREW UP A SEPARATE SET OF CODES OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME AND ADVERTISING STANDARDS FOR THE REGULATION OF SATELLITE TELEVISION BROADCAST.
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ALSO COMMISSIONED AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE TELEVISION BROADCASTING SURVEY, BASED ON A SAMPLE OF 2,000 HOUSEHOLDS.
THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY PROVIDED USEFUL REFERENCE INFORMATION TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY IN DISCHARGING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES ESPECIALLY IN THE PROCESSING OF COMPLAINT CASES AND THE REVIEW OF THE CODES OF PRACTICE.
"THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY IS ALSO ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE CURRENT COMPREHENSIVE TELEVISION BROADCASTING REVIEW BEING CONDUCTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION,” MR SO SAID.
’’THE AUTHORITY HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE ADVERTISING CODES OF PRACTICE FOR TELEVISION AND HAS FORWARDED IT TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW.
”IT IS THE ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY’S WISH THAT THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICES WILL BE FORMULATED SOON TO PROVIDE MORE CHOICES FOR VIEWERS,” HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
NEW GOVERNOR WILL CONSIDER VIEWS ON CEREMONIAL DRESS ♦ * * ♦ *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE NEW GOVERNOR WOULD NO DOUBT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT VIEWS EXPRESSED ABOUT THE APPROPRIATE STYLE OF DRESS WHICH HE SHOULD WEAR ON PUBLIC CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
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/18 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
18
CS ON ADMINISTRATION OF JUDICIARY *****
THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGIC STUDY ON THE JUDICIARY NOW BEING CARRIED OUT SHOULD ENABLE THE JUDICIARY TO MAKE CONSIDERABLY MORE EXTENSIVE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO HELP JUDGES IN THEIR RESEARCH, CAPTURE KEY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND GENERALLY ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES MORE EFFICIENTLY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MOSES CHENG.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE STUDY STARTED IN JULY LAST YEAR AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY WAS PRIMARILY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
"THAT SAID, THE JUDICIARY IS TREATED NO DIFFERENTLY FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON MATTERS RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID ANY MAJOR CHANGES WERE EXAMINED BY THE TWO RESOURCE BRANCHES OF FINANCE AND CIVIL SERVICE IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE ADMINISTRATION WING OF HIS OFFICE WHICH PROVIDED A POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE JUDICIARY WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION.
"TOGETHER, THEY WORK TO ENSURE THAT THE COURTS AND JUDGES RECEIVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT THEY NEED IN CARRYING OUT THEIR JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT IS SIMILAR TO THE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE UK WHERE THE LORD CHANCELLOR’S DEPARTMENT SUPPORTS THE CENTRAL ROLE OF COURTS AND JUDGES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE JUDICIARY WAS ALSO SUBJECT TO THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S VALUE FOR MONEY AUDIT, WHICH EXAMINED, ON A REGULAR BASIS, THE ECONOMY, EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS WITH WHICH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS USED PUBLIC MONEY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY ADDED.
- - 0
/19
WED HL’
HAY 6
- 19 -
CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION SEEKS TO CURB CRJ • • ♦ * ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND A DELEGATION OF HIS SENIOR OFFICERS ARE NOW IN CHINA FOR HIGH-LEVEL DISCUSSIONS ON CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION ON CRIME.
SMUGGLING OF WEAPONS IS ONE OF THE MAIN AREAS HE WILL BE DISCUSSING.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THERE WAS NO SINGLE AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON JOINT EFFORTS TO CURB THE SMUGGLING OF WEAPONS INTO HONG KONG.
’’BUT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CHANNELS FOR CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION ON CURBING THIS AND OTHER ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
’’THESE PROVIDE FOR DAY-TO-DAY CO-OPERATION IN ALL THE KEY AREAS OF CROSS-BORDER CRIME," HE SAID.
THE FIRST MEANS OF LIAISON WAS THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANISATION, COMMONLY KNOWN AS INTERPOL, OF WHICH BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA WERE MEMBERS, THE SECRETARY SAID.
THIS PROVIDES HONG KONG AND CHINA, AS IT DOES POLICE FORCES ALL OVER THE WORLD, WITH A REGULAR CHANNEL THROUGH WHICH ONE POLICE FORCE MAY REQUEST THE ASSISTANCE OF THE OTHER IN COMBATTING CRIME.
MR ASPREY SAID THIS WAS REINFORCED BY CROSS-BORDER LIAISON THROUGH REGULAR VISITS BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POLICE TO THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN CHINA AND VICE VERSA.
AT THE WORKING LEVEL, MR ASPREY SAID BORDER LIAISON CONTACTS TOOK PLACE REGULARLY TO DISCUSS AND RESOLVE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS OF CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION AGAINST CRIME.
THE CO-OPERATION EXTENDS TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN CROSS-BORDER CRIMES AND INFORMATION ON THE SMUGGLING OF ARMS OR OTHER CONTRABAND.
HE SAID IT ALSO EXTENDED TO AREA SUCH AS CO-ORDINATED OPERATIONS TO TACKLE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, SMUGGLING, AND NARCOTICS.
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/20........
WEDNESDAY, MAY G, 1992
20 -
LINKS WITH INT’L BODIES WILL CONTINUE AFTER 97 ******
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG SHALL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR LINKS WITH THEIR RELATED INTERNATIONAL BODIES AFTER 1997.
THESE LINKS ARE PERMITTED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG.
MANY PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG HAVE ESTABLISHED A VARIETY OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH INTERNATIONAL BODIES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS, INCLUDING MEMBERSHIP IN THESE BODIES.
HOW THEY WISHED TO MAINTAIN THEIR LINKS WITH THEIR RELATED INTERNATIONAL BODIES WAS PRIMARILY A MATTER FOR THOSE ORGANISATIONS, MR SZE SAID.
"WE WOULD, OF COURSE, BE HAPPY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WHERE WE CAN," HE ADDED.
- 0---------
OVERALL GROWTH OF CIVIL SERVICE MAINTAINED
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS MAINTAINED A POLICY OF CONTROLLING THE OVERALL GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS POLICY ALSO ALLOWS VARIATIONS BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS AND GRADES, SO AS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO ANTICIPATE AND REACT TO CHANGES IN THE NATURE, PRIORITIES AND ORGANISATION OF ITS WORK, HE ADDED.
"THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, AND RISING COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS REQUIRE GREATER POLICY INPUT AT THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL," MR WIGGHAM SAID, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT.
MR WIGGHAM SAID ALTHOUGH THE DIRECTORATE GREW FASTER IN PERCENTAGE TERMS THAN THE SERVICE AS A WHOLE DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE NUMBER OF NEW DIRECTORATE POSTS YEAR ON YEAR HAD BEEN MODEST.
CITING STATISTICS, HE SAID THE STRENGTH OF THE DIRECTORATE AS AT JANUARY 1, 1989 WAS 1,129.
/THIS WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
21
THIS WAS INCREASED BY 47 IN 1989, BY 96 IN 1990 AND BY 103 (INCLUDING STAFF WHO HAD LEFT THE SERVICE TO JOIN THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY) TO 1,375 AT JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
’’GENERALLY, INCREASES IN STAFF ARISE FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW TASKS, AND THE UPGRADING OF EXISTING SERVICES,” MR WIGGHAM SAID.
AT MORE JUNIOR LEVELS, INCREASED COMPUTERISATION AND PRACTICES SUCH AS CONTRACTING OUT BASIC SERVICES TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HAS ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTAIN GROWTH MORE EASILY.
ON THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE STRENGTH AS AT JANUARY 1, 1989 WAS 185,486. THE NUMBER WAS INCREASED BY 2,397 DURING 1989 AND BY 1,975 IN 1990.
’’STRENGTH AS AT JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR WAS 187,006, WHICH EXCLUDES STAFF WHO HAD LEFT THE CIVIL SERVICE TO JOIN THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY UP TO THAT DATE.
"IF WE INCLUDED SUCH STAFF THE TOTAL STRENGTH WOULD BE 191,936, OR AN INCREASE OF 2,078 OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR," MR WIGGHAM ADDED.
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MEASURES TO CURB AIRCRAFT NOISE IN PIPELINE ♦ » * » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION, AMONG OTHER THINGS, IN THE COMING YEAR TO PROHIBIT THE ADDITION TO HONG KONG’S AIRCRAFT REGISTER OF SECOND GENERATION SUBSONIC AIRCRAFT WHICH DO NOT MEET NEW INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF NOISE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS FULLY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MINIMISE NOISE NUISANCE TO RESIDENTS LIVING UNDER OR IN THE VICINITY OF THE FLIGHT PATH.
SHE ALSO SAID THE NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT LANDINGS OR TAKE-OFFS DURING CURFEW HOURS WOULD NOT BE INCREASED IN PROPORTION TO THE GENERAL INCREASE IN AIR TRAFFIC.
THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) (LIMITATION ON LANDING AND TAKE OFF OF AIRCRAFT) NOTICE GAZETTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1989 UNDER THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) ORDINANCE (CAP 312) PROVIDES FOR VARIOUS DEGREES OF LIMITATION ON THE LANDING AND TAKING OFF OF AIRCRAFT ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF NIGHT.
UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS NOTICE, MRS CHAN SAID THE AIRPORT WAS, FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, ’’CLOSED" BETWEEN THE HOURS OF MIDNIGHT AND 6.30 AM DURING WHICH AIRCRAFT MIGHT NOT LAND OR TAKE OFF EXCEPT WITH THE SPECIFIC PERMISSION OF THE AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES WATCH SUPERVISOR.
/BUT IN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
22
BUT IN PRACTICE SUCH PERMISSION WAS GIVEN ONLY IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH COULD NOT HAVE BEEN REASONABLY FORESEEN BY THE AIRCRAFT OPERATOR, SHE ADDED.
THE EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDE :
» MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT OR UNSERVICEABILITY OF NAVIGATION AIDS;
* DISRUPTION OF NORMAL OPERATIONS AT THE AERODROME OF ORIGIN OR DESTINATION;
» CLOSURES OF AIRSPACE OR AIR TRAFFIC CONGESTION;
* DISRUPTION TO NORMAL AIRPORT AND AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS DUE TO WAR, BOMB THREATS, INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE, SEARCH AND RESCUE FLIGHTS, AND MEDICAL EVACUATION; AND
* DISRUPTION OF NORMAL OPERATIONS DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
"FOR THESE REASONS IT IS NOT EXPECTED THAT THE NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT LANDINGS OR TAKE-OFFS DURING CURFEW HOURS WILL INCREASE IN PROPORTION TO THE GENERAL INCREASE IN AIR TRAFFIC," SHE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID STATISTICS INDICATED THAT WHILE TOTAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS HAD INCREASED THREE PER CENT FROM 105,000 IN 1990 TO 109,000 LAST YEAR, MOVEMENTS BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6.30 AM HAD ACTUALLY DECREASED EIGHT PER CENT FROM 392 IN 1990 TO 360 LAST YEAR.
"I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A TIGHT CONTROL OVER THE APPROVAL OF OPERATIONS DURING THE CURFEW HOURS.
"HAVING SAID THIS, IT IS INEVITABLE THAT, AS KAI TAK BECOMES MORE-AND MORE HEAVILY USED, THE DEMAND FOR DEPARTURE SLOTS IN THE LATE EVENING WILL INCREASE," SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN SAID ULTIMATE RELIEF TO RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT WOULD COME ONLY WHEN KAI TAK CLOSED DOWN.
SHE ADDED THAT EVERY EFFORT WAS THEREFORE BEING MADE TO COMPLETE THE NEW AIRPORT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
/23 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
CONSTRUCTION WASTES RECYCLING UNDER STUDY *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING HOW TO REDUCE THE AMOUNTS OF CONSTRUCTION WASTES PRESENTED FOR DISPOSAL AT LANDFILLS AND HOW SUCH WASTES MIGHT BE RECYCLED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR A.G. EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IT HAS ALREADY BEEN AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO FUNDING, CERTAIN FUTURE RECLAMATION PROJECTS SHOULD BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO ABSORB CONSTRUCTION WASTE BY PUBLIC DUMPING," HE SAID.
A PILOT SCHEME IS ALSO IN HAND TO TEST THE VIABILITY OF A RECYCLING PLANT FOR CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
IF THIS IS SUCCESSFUL, IT MAY BE PUT TO MORE PERMANENT AND EXTENSIVE USE, MR EASON SAID.
ALTHOUGH THERE HAD NOT BEEN A DRASTIC INCREASE IN THE QUANTITY OF COMMERCIAL WASTE BEING DISPOSED OF AT LANDFILLS IN RECENT YEARS, MR EASON NOTED THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENCOURAGE THE RECOVERY AND RECYCLING OF WASTES GENERALLY.
HE SAID HONG KONG ALREADY HAD A SUBSTANTIAL WASTE RECOVERY INDUSTRY, FOR EXAMPLE, MOST OF THE OFFICE PAPER WASTES PRODUCED IN THE MAIN OFFICE AREAS WERE RECOVERED AND EXPORTED FOR RECYCLING.
ON THE LEVYING OF CHARGES FOR DISPOSAL OF WASTES, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING THE GENERAL FEASIBILITY OF IMPOSING SUCH CHARGES, ALTHOUGH DELIBERATIONS WERE AT AN EARLY STAGE.
HE SAID GIVEN THE HIGH COST OF PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE DISPOSAL FACILITIES, CLEARLY A CASE COULD BE MADE FOR LEVYING CHARGES, ON THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE, FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTES AT LANDFILLS.
- - 0 - -
CIVIL SERVICE WASTAGE STABILISING *****
THE OVERALL WASTAGE RATE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS STABILISING AT AROUND FIVE PER CENT EACH YEAR IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS ON BOTH THE DIRECTORATE PAY SCALE AND THE MASTER PAY SCALE LEFT THE SERVICE IN 1989/90 WAS 10,790, INCLUDING 21 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS (AO).
/THE WASTAGE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
24
THE WASTAGE RATE WAS DROPPED TO 9,823 (INCLUDING 16 AOS) IN 1990/91 AND TO 7,601 (INCLUDING 13 AOS) BETWEEN APRIL 1991 AND JANUARY 1992.
THESE FIGURES DO NOT INCLUDE THOSE WHO LEFT THE CIVIL SERVICE TO JOIN THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"AS CAN BE SEEN, THE WASTAGE SITUATION HAS BEEN IMPROVING,” MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"FOR ALL GROUPS THE WASTAGE RATE HAS BEEN DECLINING, AND THE OVERALL WASTAGE RATE IS STABILISING AT AROUND FIVE PER CENT.
"THAT BEING THE CASE, THE WASTAGE SITUATION SHOULD NOT HAVE ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE," HE ADDED.
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LAWS UPHELD TO PROTECT PROPERTY BUYERS *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL UPHOLD EXISTING LAWS CONCERNING FRAUD CRIMES COMMITTED IN HONG KONG. IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE PUBLIC FROM BEING DEFRAUDED WHEN PURCHASING PROPERTY OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN.
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO DISCUSSING WITH REAL ESTATE AGENTS MEANS OF ENHANCING STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION.
HOWEVER, HE ADVISED THOSE WHO WISH TO BUY PROPERTY, OR MAKE OTHER MAJOR INVESTMENTS OVERSEAS, TO ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE SOUND PROFESSIONAL ADVICE BEFORE MAKING ANY FINAL COMMITMENT.
• THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU (CCB) OF THE POLICE RECEIVED 56 COMPLAINTS IN 1989 AGAINST A PROPERTY AGENT CONCERNING THE SALE OF PROPERTY IN THE USA.
IN 1990, SIX COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED AGAINST AN AGENT CONCERNING THE SALE OF PROPERTY IN SHENZHEN AND NONE WAS RECEIVED LAST YEAR.
MR ASPREY SAID ALL THESE COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN INVESTIGATED AND THE CCB HAD CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A CRIMINAL OFFENCE BY THE AGENT IN HONG KONG IN ANY CASE.
THE MAJOR COMPLAINTS MADE WERE THAT TITLE DEEDS FOR PURCHASED PROPERTY WERE RECEIVED LATE, OR NEVER RECEIVED AT ALL AND THAT AGENTS REQUESTED ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BEFORE THE TRANSFER OF THE TITLE.
"AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE CASES INVESTIGATED IN 1989 AND 1990, THE COMPLAINANTS WERE ADVISED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE CIVIL ACTION," HE SAID.
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/25......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
FIRE RETARDANT AGENTS NO RISK TO HEALTH *****
CHEMICALS COMMONLY CONTAINED IN FIRE RETARDANT AGENTS ARE NOT HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH OR TO THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN PROPERLY USED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A CODE OF PRACTICE PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES REQUIRES THE USE OF FIRE RETARDANT PRODUCTS AS LININGS FOR ACOUSTIC, DECORATIVE AND THERMAL INSULATION IN DUCTINGS, CONCEALED LOCATIONS AND PROTECTED MEANS OF ESCAPE IN BUILDINGS.
MR ASPREY SAID COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE WAS A REQUIREMENT BEFORE THE ISSUANCE OF AN OCCUPATION PERMIT BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, THE CODE IS APPLIED EQUALLY TO GOVERNMENT AND NON- . GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AS A MATTER OF POLICY.
ALSO, WHERE COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS ARE USED AS FALSE CEILINGS, DRAPERIES OR CURTAINS IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ASSEMBLY LICENSED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE OR PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT ORDINANCE, THESE ITEMS ARE REQUIRED BY THE CODE TO BE TREATED WITH FIRE RETARDANT AGENTS.
MR ASPREY SAID THE REQUIRED TREATMENT MUST BE CERTIFIED BY A FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR REGISTERED UNDER THE FIRE SERVICES (INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS) REGULATIONS, WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT FIRE RETARDANT PRODUCTS WERE APPROVED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND WERE USED AND APPLIED PROPERLY.
FIRE RETARDANT AGENTS ARE NORMALLY APPLIED IN THE COURSE OF MANUFACTURING.
THE MANUFACTURING OF FIRE RETARDANT PRODUCTS IS GOVERNED BY INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ENFORCED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 - -
ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION
*****
ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED AS PART OF THE MEASURES TO HELP RELIEVE CONGESTION ALONG THE MTR NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/OVER THE
26
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE NUMBER OF FRANCHISED BUS ROUTES LINKING THE NEW TERRITORIES AND NORTH KOWLOON WITH DESTINATIONS SOUTH OF THE MTR PRINCE EDWARD STATION HAS INCREASED FROM 114 TO 140.
EIGHT MORE EXPRESS BUS ROUTES PROVIDING AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES DIRECT TO TSIM SHA TSUI, CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI WOULD BE ADDED THIS SUMMER TO GIVE PASSENGERS MORE OPTIONS, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, FOUR NEW CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES USING THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ARE BEING PLANNED IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS. CONSIDERATION IS ALSO GIVEN TO PROVIDE MORE RESIDENTIAL COACHES PARTICULARLY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SUPPLEMENT PEAK-HOUR SERVICES.
MR LEUNG SAID MEASURES HAD BEEN PLANNED TO ENCOURAGE GREATER USE OF THE KCR LINE SOUTH OF KOWLOON TONG BY THOSE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE SWITCH TO THE MTR SYSTEM.
THESE INCLUDED BETTER FEEDER BUS SERVICES BETWEEN THE KCR HUM HOM STATION AND TSIM SHA TSUI, ADDITIONAL BUS PRIORITY MEASURES AND STOPPING SPACE AT THE TOLL PLAZA OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO SPEED UP BUS SERVICES TO HONG KONG ISLAND.
FERRY SERVICES FROM TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN AND TSING YI TO CENTRAL WILL ALSO BE ENHANCED. PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS THIS YEAR INCLUDE DEPLOYING A SECOND DOUBLE-DECKER AIR-CONDITIONED VESSEL IN JUNE, MORE SAILINGS DURING THE MORNING PEAK, AND EXTENDING SELECTED TRIPS TO WAN CHAI.
’’THE LONG TERM SOLUTION LIES IN BUILDING THE AIRPORT RAILWAY BY MID-1997, WHICH WILL INCLUDE BOTH AN EXPRESS SERVICE TO THE NEW AIRPORT AND A LANTAU LINE PROVIDING EFFECTIVE RELIEF TO THE TSUEN WAN LINE,” HE ADDED.
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INTENSIVE CARE BEDS IN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL ADEQUATE
*****
THE PRESENT MIX OF HOSPITAL BEDS PROVIDED BY THE PAEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AT QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL IS ADEQUATE TO COPE WITH PREVAILING DEMAND, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), DR LEE SAID THE UNIT PROVIDES 46 BEDS UPON FULL OPERATIONS.
AT PRESENT, 42 BEDS ARE IN USE - 11 BEDS FOR INTENSIVE CARE AND 31 FOR SPECIAL CARE.
’’OPENING OF FURTHER INTENSIVE CARE BEDS WILL DEPEND ON CLINICAL DEMAND, OVERALL SERVICE CO-ORDINATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES,” HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
27
INCINERATOR TO GO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE » * ♦ * *
IT IS STILL THE INTENTION TO CLOSE THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE NEW HONG KONG ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION (RTS) IS COMMISSIONED, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR A.G. EASON INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON YEUNG SUM, THE SECRETARY SAID ONE PROVISION WAS THAT ANY WASTES IN EXCESS OF CAPACITY OF THE RTS COULD BE DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
’’THE AMOUNT OF SUCH EXCESS WASTES, IF ANY, AND HOW THEY MIGHT BE PROPERLY DISPOSED OF, IS NOW BEING EXAMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION,” HE SAID.
IN THE MAY 1991 FIRST REVIEW OF PROGRESS ON THE 1989 WHITE PAPER: POLLUTION IN HONG KONG - A TIME TO ACT, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR WOULD BE CLOSED AFTER THE COMMISSIONING OF THE RTS, SCHEDULED FOR EARLY 1993.
MR EASON ADDED THAT THE INCINERATOR HAD BEEN FITTED WITH ELECTRO-STATIC PRECIPITATORS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PARTICLES ENTERING THE ATMOSPHERE.
IN THE 1989 WHITE PAPER, THE GOVERNMENT STATED ITS INTENTION TO PHASE OUT THE EXISTING MUNICIPAL INCINERATORS AS LAND-BASED DISPOSAL FACILITIES WERE INTRODUCED TO REPLACE THEM.
THE LAI CHI KOK INCINERATOR WAS THEREFORE CLOSED IN LATE 1990, AFTER THE COMMISSIONING OF THE KOWLOON BAY REFUSE TRANSFER STATION IN APRIL 1990.
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DREDGING CLOSELY MONITORED TO MINIMISE POLLUTION ♦ * * * ♦
THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF DREDGING AND DISPOSAL OF MARINE MUD FOR THE AIRPORT PROGRAMMES, THE CONDITIONS OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ARE CLOSELY MONITORED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE WITHIN ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING, MR BLAKE SAID TO CONTROL DREDGING, CONDITIONS WERE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT TO REQUIRE THE CONTRACTOR TO USE THE MOST APPROPRIATE DREDGING PLANT AND METHOD OF OPERATION TO ENSURE THAT THE POLLUTION CAUSED WOULD BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM.
/THESE CONDITIONS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
28
THESE CONDITIONS ALSO APPLIED TO NON-CONTAMINATED MUD TO MINIMISE THE RELEASE OF FINE SILT INTO THE SURROUNDING WATER, THE SECRETARY ADDED.
OF THE 10 AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS, EIGHT INVOLVE THE DREDGING AND DISPOSAL OF MARINE MUD.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PROJECTS AND THE ESTIMATED QUANTITIES REMAINING TO BE DREDGED:
PROJECT QUANTITY
(MILLION CUBIC METRES)
WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION 5
CENTRAL AND WANCHAI RECLAMATION 1
NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY 6
NORTH LANTAU DEVELOPMENT 10
CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT 80
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING 1
AIRPORT RAILWAY 1
LANTAU FIXED CROSSING 0.2
OF THE EIGHT PROJECTS REQUIRING DREDGING, ONLY TWO, WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND THE CENTRAL AND WANCHAI RECLAMATION, WERE KNOWN AT THIS STAGE TO INVOLVE CONTAMINATED MATERIALS.
’’THE CONTAMINANTS ARE PRIMARILY HEAVY METALS, LEAD AND COPPER IN WEST KOWLOON; MERCURY AND COPPER IN THE CENTRAL AND WANCHAI AREAS.
’’THE TOTAL QUANTITY OF CONTAMINATED MUD IS ESTIMATED TO BE 1.75 MILLION CUBIC METRES,” HE SAID.
MR BLAKE NOTED THAT CONTAMINATED MUD WOULD BE DISPOSED OF BY METHODS AGREED WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE AREA DESIGNATED ORIGINALLY FOR DISPOSAL IS DEEP BAY, BUT OTHER POSSIBLE LOCATIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
AFTER THE MUD HAD BEEN PLACED, IT WOULD BE CAPPED WITH CLEAN MATERIAL, HE ADDED.
RECOGNISING THAT THE DREDGING AND DISPOSAL OF ANY MARINE MUD CAUSED ENVIRONMENTAL DISRUPTION, MR BLAKE EXPLAINED THAT ALL RECLAMATIONS WERE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO REDUCE TO A MINIMUM THE TOTAL VOLUME OF MARINE MUD TO BE REMOVED, CONSISTENT WITH PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS.
/THE PRIMARY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
29
THE PRIMARY ALTERNATIVE TO DREDGING IS TO LEAVE THE MUD IN PLACE AND TO DRAIN THE MUD USING VERTICAL WICK DRAINS, MR BLAKE SAID.
"THIS ALTERNATIVE REQUIRES EXTRA TIME FOR PRIMARY CONSOLIDATION OF THE MARINE SEDIMENTS TO TAKE PLACE SUCH THAT ANY FURTHER SETTLEMENT WILL NOT EXCEED AN ACCEPTABLE LIMIT.
"THIS ALTERNATIVE HAS BEEN ADOPTED WHEN PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS PROVIDE THE NECESSARY TIME FOR PRIMARY CONSOLIDATION AND SETTLEMENT TO TAKE PLACE," MR BLAKE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION DURING THE DREDGING AND DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED MUD WAS CAUSED WHEN THE SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SOLUBLE PART OF TOTAL METALS CONTAINED IN THE MUD, WAS RELEASED THROUGH AERATION AND SLURRYING OF THE SEDIMENTS DURING THE PROCESS OF DREDGING AND DUMPING.
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NO EXPEDITION OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS REDEMPTION
******
MEASURES TO EXPEDITE THE REDEMPTION PROCESS OF UNREDEEMED LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LEES) ARE NOT BEING CONSIDERED AT PRESENT.
NOR IS IT INTENDED THAT A PRECISE DEADLINE BE SET.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR A.G. EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL REVIEW THE POSITION IN 1994 TO DETERMINE HOW MANY LEES REMAIN UNREDEEMED AND, IF POSSIBLE, WHY.
"IT WILL CONSIDER WHAT MIGHT NEED TO BE DONE IN THE LIGHT OF ITS FINDINGS AT THAT TIME," MR EASON ADDED.
AS AT MARCH 31 THIS YEAR, THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 5,480,000 SQUARE FEET OF UNREDEEMED LEES (LETTERS A AND B) IN THE NEW TERRITORIES (INCLUDING 210,000 SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING LAND AND 5,270,000 SQUARE FEET OF AGRICULTURAL LAND).
UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF OFFERING LAND FOR SALE BY LETTERS A/B TENDER AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE AMOUNT OF LAND PLANNED FOR DISPOSAL IN THIS WAY IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE SECRETARY SAID IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF LEES WOULD BE REDEEMED BY MID-1994.
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/30 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
- 30 -
GOVT CONSIDERING LABELS FOR GREEN PRODUCTS *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO AWARD LABELS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTS IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR A. G. EASON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR EASON SAID A REVIEW HAD RECENTLY BEGUN OF THE POSSIBLE MEANS OF ASSISTING LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO COMPLY WITH THE PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT WHICH WOULD AFFECT THEM.
"AS PART OF THIS REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTING UP A SCHEME WHICH WOULD CERTIFY LOCALLY PRODUCED PRODUCTS AS ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY (OR PRODUCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION) WILL BE ASSESSED. RESULTS ARE DUE IN MARCH 1993," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID ANY PLANNING FOR THE AWARD OF LABELS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTS MUST RECOGNISE THAT MANY ITEMS SOLD IN HONG KONG WERE WHOLLY OR PARTLY MANUFACTURED OVERSEAS.
"THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF IMPORTED PRODUCTS CAN CHANGE FREQUENTLY AS THE MARKET SEEKS THE MOST ECONOMIC SOURCES OF SUPPLY," HE ADDED.
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LO WU PROJECT TO SPEED UP TRAVELLING
*****
WORK HAS STARTED ON A PROJECT AT LO WU TERMINAL TO SPEED UP THE MOVEMENT OF TRAVELLERS DURING RUSH HOURS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WAITING SPACE OF ABOUT 1800 SQUARE METRES AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF COUNTERS FOR PASSENGER CLEARANCE FROM 88 TO 160.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID THE PROJECT WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF 1994.
ON OTHER MEASURES TO COPE WITH PEAK-HOUR PASSENGER TRAFFIC, HE SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT DEPLOYED STAFF FLEXIBLY TO MAN AS MANY IMMIGRATION COUNTERS AS POSSIBLE IN THE DIRECTION WHERE DEMAND WAS HIGHEST.
IN ADDITION, HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE SEGREGATED FROM OTHER TRAVELLERS SO THAT HOLDERS OF HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS CAN BE CLEARED MORE QUICKLY.
/ON AVERAGE
31
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
ON AVERAGE, SOME 86,000 PASSENGERS PASS THROUGH THE LO WU TERMINAL ON WEEKDAYS, AND SOME 102,000 ON SATURDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE VOLUME OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC IS HIGHER AT A NUMBER OF FESTIVALS SUCH AS THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND CHING MING.
FORTY-SIX IMMIGRATION COUNTERS ARE MANNED ON WEEKDAYS, AND 60 AT WEEKENDS. ALL THE 88 COUNTERS ARE MANNED AT PERIODS OF PEAK DEMAND.
"WE AIM TO COMPLETE IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE OF ALL PASSENGERS WITHIN 30 MINUTES. THIS STANDARD IS GENERALLY ACHIEVED, INCLUDING AT THE LO WU TERMINAL.
’’HOWEVER, DURING PERIODS OF PEAK DEMAND, SOME PASSENGERS MAY HAVE TO WAIT FOR LONGER THAN THIS,” MR ASPREY SAID.
EXCLUDING FESTIVAL PERIODS, AVERAGE WAITING TIME DURING RUSH HOURS IS ABOUT 45 MINUTES.
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PERIODIC REVIEW ON DISABILITY ALLOWANCE RATE
*****
THE RATE OF THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE IS REVIEWED PERIODICALLY IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGES IN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INDEX OF PRICES, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, DR LEE SAID THE RATE IS PEGGED TO THE BASIC RATE FOR A SINGLE PERSON UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
"IRRESPECTIVE OF FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CLAIMANT, THE CURRENT RATE IS $825 PER CLAIMANT PER MONTH.
"THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WILL BE PAID PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PLUS THE APPROPRIATE SUPPLEMENTS," HE SAID.
THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR DISABILITY ALLOWANCE RECEIVED IN 1989-90 WAS 6,200. THIS WAS INCREASED TO 6,395 IN 1990-91 AND 6,496 IN 1991-92.
OF THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, 5,159 (OR 83 PER CENT) WERE APPROVED IN 1989-90, 5,434 (OR 85 PER CENT) IN 1990-91 AND 5,826 (OR 90 PER CENT) IN 1991-92.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ALLOWANCES INVOLVED IN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD WAS $1,282 MILLION.
DR LEE SAID THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE IS NON-CONTRIBUTORY AND NON-MEANS TESTED.
HE SAID A PERSON SUFFERING FROM PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND VISUAL DISABLEMENTS AS WELL AS PROFOUND DEAFNESS MAY QUALIFY FOR SUCH ALLOWANCE IF HE OR SHE:
/* HAS BEEN .......
32
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
» HAS BEEN IN CONTINUOUS RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CLAIMING THE ALLOWANCE;
* CONTINUES TO RESIDE IN HONG KONG AFTER RECEIPT OF THE ALLOWANCE (AN ABSENCE OF UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 119 DAYS A YEAR IS ALLOWED); AND
* HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH OR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OR, UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, BY A REGISTERED PRIVATE PRACTITIONER AS SEVERELY DISABLED WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS.
- - 0 - -
BUDGET-RELATED BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO
*****
FOUR BUDGET-RELATED BILLS WERE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
OF THEM, DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1922 WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS. THE THREE OTHER BILLS PASSED WERE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1992, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1992 AND ENTERTAINMENT TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
ONE OTHER BILL PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS IN THE LEGCO WAS MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
SEVENTEEN LEGISLATORS DEBATED ON LONG-TERM HOUSING STRATEGY MOVED BY THE HON K.K.FUNG.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT. AN AMENDED MOTION MOVED BY THE HON W.S. LAU WAS EVENTUALLY PASSED.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA ON THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY ON THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG WAS DEFEATED. A TOTAL OF 12 LEGISLATORS SPOKE ON THIS MOTION WHICH LASTED ABOUT AN HOUR.
IN ADDITION, NINE LEGISLATORS SPOKE IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND ETHICAL STANDARDS OF ESTATE AGENTS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS RAISED BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG.
MR EASON AND THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
A TOTAL OF FIVE BILLS WERE ALSO INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE: ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992, LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992, FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND AERIAL ROPEWAYS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
A MOTION MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
33
GOVERNOR CONDEMNS GANG ATTACK * * * * *
DURING A VISIT TO THE BORDER TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SPOKE ABOUT THE ATTACK BY AN ARMED GANG ON A MAHJONG ESTABLISHMENT IN MONG KOK ON TUESDAY.
LORD WILSON SAID:
"I SHARE THE OUTRAGE OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS AND OTHER RECENT ARMED ROBBERIES. I AM APPALLED BY THE CALLOUS DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC SHOWN BY THESE CRIMINALS AND WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE CAPTURE OF THIS AND ANY OTHER GANGS OF ARMED ROBBERS IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR THE POLICE FORCE. LAST WEEK'S SUCCESS WAS VERY ENCOURAGING AND A CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF OUR DETERMINATION TO CAPTURE AND BRING TO JUSTICE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCH INCIDENTS.”
LORD WILSON MADE THESE REMARKS DURING A VISIT TO THE BORDER TO SEE THE WORK OF THE FIELD PATROL DETACHMENT (FPD) OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND TO VISIT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) DURING ITS ANNUAL TWO-WEEK BORDER DEPLOYMENT.
HE CONGRATULATED THE FPD AND THE REGIMENT ON THEIR OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS IN PATROLLING THE BORDER.
THE BORDER VISIT WAS THE FIRST BY THE GOVERNOR SINCE THE GARRISON FORMALLY COMPLETED THEIR HANDOVER OF BORDER DUTIES TO THE FPD.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR JOHN THORPE, LORD WILSON WAS BRIEFED ON THE PRESENT SITUATION AND DEPLOYMENT ALONG THE BORDER BY DEPUTY REGIONAL COMMANDER, NEW TERRITORIES, MR HUI CHIU-YIN AND FPD CHIEF STAFF OFFICER VINCE CHAPMAN.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO MET POLICE OFFICERS MANNING THE BORDER AT MAN KAM TO, LO WU AND MA CHO LUNG AND TOURED BORDER POSTS MANNED BY THE VOLUNTEERS AT PAK HOK CHAU AND TS1M BEI TSUI.
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GOVT WILL DO EVERYTHING TO BUST CRIME ******
EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO APPREHEND THE CULPRITS IN THE ARMED ROBBERY IN MONGKOK LAST NIGHT AND TO PREVENT THIS SORT OF CRIME FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, SIR DAVID SAID THE POLICE HAD MOBILISED A TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF OFFICERS AND WERE DOING EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO DETECT THE CASE.
/"THEY HAVE
34
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
"THEY HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL UP TO NOW IN CAPTURING THE GANGS WHO CARRIED OUT THE PREVIOUS RAIDS," HE ADDED.
THEY HAVE BEEN HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL BY ANY STANDARDS."
COMMENTING ON WAYS TO TACKLE THE CRIME, SIR DAVID SAID :"THE COMMISSIONER IS THERE AT THE MOMENT IN CHINA, DISCUSSING METHODS OF IMPROVING COMMUNICATION AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CUT OFF THE FLOW OF PEOPLE AND ARMS WHICH ARE COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.
"THAT IS OBVIOUSLY THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM."
NOTING THAT THERE HAD BEEN GREAT CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE CHINESE AUTHORITY HAD STEPPED UP THEIR EFFORTS ON THEIR SIDE OF THE BORDER AGAINST CRIMINAL ELEMENTS.
THEY HAD ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION TO HONG KONG POLICE AND ENABLED HONG KONG DETECTIVES TO GO ACROSS THE BORDER AND FOLLOW UP LEADS, HE ADDED.
ASKED ABOUT POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENT TO POLICE WEAPONS, SIR DAVID SAID THE POLICE FORCE HAD MAXIMUM SUPPORT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.
"THERE WILL BE NO LACK OF WILLINGNESS ON OUR PARI* IN THE ADMINISTRATION TO GIVE THE POLICE TOTAL SUPPORT," HE SAID.
"IF THEY NEED NEW WEAPONS, WE SHALL PROVIDE THE MONEY FOR THEM. THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT AT ALL."
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STATEMENT BY FS ON BUDGET DEVELOPMENTS
IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLIER TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS NOW BECOME CLEAR THAT THE BUDGETARY SURPLUS FOR 1991-92 WILL BE ABOUT $22 BILLION. THIS IS OVER $6 BILLION MORE THAN EXPECTED WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PRESENTED II IS BUDGET TO THE LEGCO ON APRIL 1. THE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED SURPLUS IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF UNDERSPENDING ON CAPITAL PROJECTS AND HIGHER THAN EXPECTED TAX REVENUES.
MR MACLEOD SAID:
"WE CLEARLY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE OUR FORECASTING ARRANGEMENTS AND THIS WORK IS NOW IN HAND. NONETHELESS, THE ADDITIONAL $6 BILLION SURPLUS IS A WELCOME ONE-OFF WINDFALL AND IS ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO THE AMOUNT 1 HAD INTENDED TO RAISE BY INCREASING THE RATES BY A HALF OF ONE PERCENTAGE POINT. I HAVE THEREFORE BEEN ABLE TO ANNOUNCE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT, UNDER THESE (HANGED CIRCUMSTANCES, THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT NEED TO PROCEED WITH THE PROPOSED RATES INCREASE."
/THE ADDITIONAL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
35
THE ADDITIONAL $6 BILLION SURPLUS ONLY RECENTLY BECAME APPARENT WHEN THE ’FIRST CLOSING’ OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS MOVED QUICKLY TO AMEND HIS PROPOSALS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THIS BETTER THAN EXPECTED FINANCIAL POSITION.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE WAS PLEASED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD NOW PASSED HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS, THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF WHICH WERE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PERSONAL TAX ALLOWANCES RANGING FROM 12 - 15 PER CENT; A MODEST 1 PER CENT INCREASE IN CORPORATE PROFITS TAX; THE ABOLITION OF THE DUTY ON SOFT DRINKS AND THE TAX ON CINEMA TICKETS; THE EXEMPTION OF FRANCHISED BUSES FROM DUTY ON FUEL; AND A FURTHER REDUCTION IN STAMP DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS.
’’THIS BUDGET WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO GO ON IMPROVING PUBLIC SERVICES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING A HEALTHY FISCAL RESERVE. TAKEN TOGETHER, THIS PACKAGE OF MEASURES WILL BENEFIT ORDINARY HOUSEHOLDS AND HAVE AN IMPACT IN REDUCING INFLATION."
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RATES INCREASE WITHDRAWN *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE BUDGET PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE RATES PERCENTAGE CHARGE BY HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT WILL BE WITHDRAWN.
THIS MEANS THAT FROM APRIL 1, 1992 RATES WILL BE CHARGED AT 5.5% ON THE RATEABLE VALUE INSTEAD OF 6%.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY EXPLAINED THAT THE SECOND QUARTER RATES DEMANDS WERE ISSUED BASED ON 6% RATES CHARGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR AND PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON MARCH 4, 1992.
ANY AMOUNT OVERPAID ON SUCH DEMANDS WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE THIRD QUARTER’S RATES DEMANDS TO BE ISSUED AT THE END OF JUNE.
THE AMOUNT DUE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER DEMANDS WILL BE BASED ON 5.5% RATES CHARGE.
NO INTEREST WILL BE PAYABLE ON THE AMOUNTS REFUNDED AS RATES WERE CHARGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER AND THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR PAYING INTEREST ON ANY REVENUE REFUNDED DUE TO SUBSEQUENT CANCELLATION OR AMENDMENT OF A REVENUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE.
FINAL NOTICES SENT TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET SETTLED THEIR SECOND QUARTER DEMANDS WILL REFLECT THE REVISED RATES CHARGE. ANY SURCHARGES IMPOSED WILL ALSO BE CALCULATED BASED ON THIS REVISED RATES CHARGE.
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/36 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
LORD WILSON TO LEAVE HK IN JULY *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON JULY 3 (FRIDAY).
HIS SUCCESSOR, MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL ARRIVE IN THE TERRITORY ON JULY 9 (THURSDAY).
SIR DAVID FORD WILL BE THE ACTING GOVERNOR DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN LORD WILSON’S DEPARTURE AND THE ARRIVAL OF MR PATTEN.
- - 0 - -
YAXLEY HOSTS RECEPTION TO SAY "THANK YOU
*****
MR CHRIS PATTEN, THE GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE, ATTENDED A FAREWELL RECEPTION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR JOHN YAXLEY, AT HIS WESTMINSTER RESIDENCE FOR RETIRING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO HAD SHOWN AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS AND WERE GOOD FRIENDS OF THE TERRITORY.
DURING THE RECEPTION, MR YAXLEY PASSED ON A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, TO THE GUESTS WHO NUMBERED OVER 30 MP’S AND PEERS - MOST OF THEM FORMER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP (BHPG).
THE GOVERNOR THANKED THEM, FOR ALL THE INTEREST THEY HAD TAKEN IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS WHILE IN PARLIAMENT AND FOR THE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAD MADE.
THE GOVERNOR HAD A SPECIAL WORD OF THANKS FOR SIR RICHARD LUCE AND MR FRANCIS MAUDE FOR THEIR ROLES AS FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTERS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, AND SIR PETER BLAKER FOR ALL THAT HE HAD DONE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP.
LORD WILSON HOPED THEY WOULD NOT LOSE INTEREST IN THE TERRITORY, AND SAID HONG KONG WOULD CERTAINLY NOT FORGET THEIR EFFORTS. HE ADDED THAT THEY WOULD ALWAYS BE WELCOME IN HONG KONG.
AMONG THE GUESTS AT THE RECEPTION WERE MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD, THE FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, DR JOHN MAREK AND MR ROGER SIMS. FORMER VICE-CHAIRMAN AND TREASURER RESPECTIVELY OF THE BHPG AND THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, LORD MACLEHOSE.
EARLIER IN THE DAY MR YAXLEY CALLED ON MR PATTEN AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AS PART OF THE GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE’S BRIEFING PROGRAMME BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON.
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/37
WEDNESDAY. MAY 6, 1992
- 37 -
HK ENJOYS ICT STATUS
*****
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED IN ITS FEDERAL REGISTER YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) DETAILS OF ITS EXTENSION OF INTRA-COCOM TRADE (ICT) LICENSING BENEFITS TO HONG KONG.
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, HONG KONG WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SIMPLIFIED EXPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. LAW TO PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR MULTILATERAL EXPORT CONTROLS (COCOM).
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT WHICH PROVIDED FOR THE LIBERALISATION OF LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPORTS OF COCOM-CONTROLLED GOODS FROM THE U.S. TO HONG KONG.
HE BELIEVED THIS WOULD LESSEN THE BURDEN ON U.S. EXPORTERS AND HONG KONG IMPORTERS.
’’THIS IS A POSITIVE AND SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT.
"THE UNITED STATES IS THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF HIGH-TECH GOODS TO HONG KONG AND THE RELAXATION OF LICENSING PROCEDURES WILL LEAD TO A FASTER AND EASIER FLOW OF HIGH-TECH GOODS FROM THE UNITED STATES TO HONG KONG," MR CHAU SAID.
---------0-----------
HIGH COURT JUDGE APPOINTED
*****
THE JUDICIARY ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF A HIGH COURT JUDGE, MR WOO KWOK-HING, Q.C, EFFECTIVE FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WOO WAS BORN IN HONG KONG IN JANUARY 1946 AND WAS EDUCATED AT LAI CHAK MIDDLE SCHOOL, TAK YAN SCHOOL AND YING WAH COLLEGE.
IN 1965 HE ATTENDED BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY IN ENGLAND AND OBTAINED HIS LL.B. DEGREE IN 1968.
HE THEN WENT TO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON, WHERE HE OBTAINED AN LL.M. IN 1969. IN THE SAME YEAR MR WOO WAS ADMITTED TO THE BAR IN ENGLAND.
HE THEN RETURNED TO HONG KONG WHERE HE SERVED PUPILLAGE WITH MR RONALD ARCULLI.
SINCE THEN, MR WOO HAS BEEN IN CONTINUOUS PRACTICE AT THE BAR IN HONG KONG. IN HIS FIRST FEW YEARS HE DID NOT SPECIALISE BUT
UNDERTOOK BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES.
SINCE 1977, HIS PRACTICE HAS MAINLY BEEN IN CIVIL MATTERS,
INCLUDING GENERAL COMMERCIAL MATTERS, BANKING, TAXATION, CORPORATION, LAND, TRUSTS AND ESTATES.
/BETWEEN 1973 .......
WED’ ’pf-
MAY 6,
38 -
BETWEEN 1973 AND 1986, MR WOO TAUGHT LAW PART-TIME IN HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE, AND HAS HELD THE POSITION OF HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND BUSINESS SINCE APRIL 1985.
HE WAS APPOINTED QUEEN’S COUNSEL IN MAY 1987.
IN 1981, 1983 AND 1985, MR WOO SAT AS A DEPUTY JUDGE OF THE
DISTRICT COURT.
IN OCTOBER 1988, HE WAS APPOINTED DEPUTY JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT AND SAT FOR TWO PERIODS IN 1991. HE HAS ALSO SAT AS A DEPUTY HIGH COURT JUDGE SINCE APRIL 21 THIS YEAR.
MR WOO IS MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN.
------0--------
TV SERIES TO PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION
A 13-EPISODE TELEVISION SERIES TO PROMOTE HAPPY MARRIAGE AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD - THE MAIN THEME OF THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN - WILL BE SHOWN ON ATV’S HOME CHANNEL FROM NEXT MONDAY (MAY 11).
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, WHILE SPEAKING AT THE PREMIERE OF THE SERIES ENTITLED ’’UNDER THE SAME ROOF" IN A TSIM SHA TSUI HOTEL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EACH EPISODE TRIED TO BRING TO THE AUDIENCE A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION MESSAGE, HE SAID.
TO ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, HE SAID THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING MOTHERS HAD MEANT THAT MORE FAMILIES WERE EXPERIENCING STRAIN AND PRESSURE.
"AS A RESULT, THERE IS AN EVOLUTION TAKING PLACE IN THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF THE FATHER AND THE WORKING MOTHER WITH REGARD TO SHARING THE PARENTING AND HOUSEHOLD RESPONSIBILITIES," MR CARTLAND SAID.
THEREFORE, HE SAID TWO SUB-THEMES OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN WERE FATHERING AND DUAL-WORKING PARENTS, WHICH AIM IS TO HIGHLIGHT THE VALUE OF GOOD COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN AND THE NEED TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER.
"ANOTHER IMPORTANT RELATED SUB-THEME IS PRE-MARITAL PREPARATION DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS IN THEIR LIFESTYLE UPON ESTABLISHING A FAMILY," HE ADDED.
/THE DIRECTOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
39
THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, MR HUI YIN-FAT, THANKED THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG FOR PRODUCING THE TELEVISION PROGRAMME.
"THE PROMOTION OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE GOOD PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY," MR HUI ADDED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WAS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MS MARIA WAN.
- - 0 - -
HK TO TAKE PART IN STAMP EXPO ******
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD COLUMBIAN STAMP EXPO ’92 TO BE HELD IN CHICAGO, USA FROM MAY 22 TO 31.
A $10 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLET (NO. 4) WILL BE ISSUED ON MAY 22 TO COMMEMORATE HONG KONG POST OFFICE’S PARTICIPATION.
A SPECIAL DATESTAMP AND A CACHET WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED.
SOUVENIR COVERS AT $1 EACH WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM MAY 15. EACH CUSTOMER IS ENTITLED TO BUY 10 SHEETLETS ON THE DAY OF ISSUE.
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL POST OFFICES ON MAY 22 FOR OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING AN INDICATION OF THE STAMP EXPO.
- - 0 - -
TWO LOTS OF LAND IN KOWLOON EAST TO LET ♦ ♦ » * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN KOWLOON EAST.
THE FIRST SITE IS AT THE JUNCTION OF FUNG TAK ROAD AND YING FUNG LANE. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,550 SQUARE METRES.
SITUATED AT JORDAN VALLEY SOUTH ROAD, THE SECOND SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,350 SQUARE METRES.
BOTH SITES ARE INTENDED FOR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING STORAGE OF CONTAINERS) AND/OR PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
/THE PREMISES
WEDNEJ , DAY 6, 1992
THE PREMISES OR ANY PART THEREOF SHALL NOT BE USED FOR PARKING OF CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/CHASSIS ATTACHED OR AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK.
THE TENANCY OF THE FIRST SITE IS FOR NINE MONTHS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER WHILE THAT FOR THE SECOND ONE IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 22.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS OF THE TWO SITES INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
- - 0 - -
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON FRIDAY * * * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 8) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES.
THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE COMMITTEE’S PAPERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE READING FROM 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY AT THE OMELCO PRESS OFFICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENT OF THE PAPERS WILL BE EMBARGOED FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING ENDS.
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/41
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1992
- 41 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 5.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 6.5.92 4-157
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -157
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 »-0.1* 6.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.64 PCT 19 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.95 4.97
1 MONTH 3.55 PCT 22 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.35 5.36
3 MONTHS 3.64 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.84 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.30 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6,356 MN
CLOSED 6 MAY 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TSING MA BRIDGE CONTRACT TO BE AWARDED.............................. 1
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR FOURTH QUARTER 1991 ............. 4
TOP TRADE OFFICIAL TO PUT HK'S CASE TO U.S.......................... 6
TWO EXTENSION WORKS CONTRACTS AWARDED .............................. 6
LADY WILSON OPENS CLEARWATER BAY JUNIOR SCHOOL ..................... 7
AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY TO HOLD PUBLIC INQUIRY ........... 8
COURTESY CALL ON SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ......................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MCNEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 9
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
1
TSING MA BRIDGE CONTRACT TO BE AWARDED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO AWARD THE CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE TO THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION JOINT VENTURE.
THE CONSORTIUM’S FIXED PRICE LUMP SUM OFFER OF $7,144 MILLION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE ADVICE OF CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, SUBJECT TO ADEQUATE FUNDS BEING MADE AVAILABLE BY FINANCE COMMITTEE.
"THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSORTIUM HAS SUBMITTED THE LOWEST ACCEPTABLE TENDER AND IS THE CLEAR WINNER ON THE BASIS OF PRICE, RELIABILITY FOR COMPLETION ON TIME, AND CONFORMITY WITH OUR SPECIFICATIONS," SAID MR K.Y. YEUNG, SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD.
"THE $7,144 MILLION PRICE IS FIXED IN MONEY OF THE DAY TERMS. THIS IS WITHIN OUR $7,186 MILLION MONEY OF THE DAY EQUIVALENT OF THE AMOUNT WE HAVE ALLOWED FOR THE TSING MA BRIDGE IN THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING PROJECT ESTIMATE APPROVED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE LAST JULY. THAT AMOUNT, AT MARCH 1991 PRICES, WAS $5,197 MILLION.
"WE HAVE NOT ACCEPTED THE LOWEST OF THE FOUR TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THIS AMOUNTED TO $4,713 MILLION AND WAS SUBMITTED BY HYUNDAI ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION CO LTD.
"IT HAS NOT BEEN ACCEPTED PRIMARILY BECAUSE HYUNDAI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO MEET OUR STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING AND EMPLOYED CAPITAL.
"THESE CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS ARE A PREREQUISITE BEFORE THE AWARD OF ANY GOVERNMENT CONTRACT. THEY ARE NEEDED TO AVOID THE RISK OF A COMPANY FAILING TO COMPLETE A CONTRACT BECAUSE IT RUNS SHORT OF FUNDS.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPLIED THE SAME RIGOROUS ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES TO EACH OF THE FOUR INTERNATIONAL TENDERERS FOR THIS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACT.
"THERE HAS BEEN A STRINGENT AND SCRUPULOUSLY FAIR ASSESSMENT WHICH HAS INCLUDED THE TENDERERS’ PRICES AND PROPOSALS, THEIR EXPERIENCE IN SUSPENSION BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, AND THEIR ABILITY TO COMPLETE THE CONTRACT ON TIME TO THE STANDARDS WE REQUIRE," MR YEUNG SAID.
THE TSING MA BRIDGE WILL CARRY BOTH ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC AND WILL BE ONE OF THE WORLD’S LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGES, WITH A CENTRAL SPAN OF 1,377 METRES.
IT IS THE FIRST AND BIGGEST OF FIVE MAJOR CONTRACTS TO BE LET FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, WHICH IS A CRUCIAL SECTION OF THE ROAD AND RAIL LINKS TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
/WORK MUST .......
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
2
WORK MUST START UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT WITHIN FOUR WEEKS, AND IT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION AND COMMISSIONING WITHIN FIVE YEARS.
"THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD IS SATISFIED THAT THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSORTIUM, WHICH SUBMITTED THE SECOND LOWEST TENDER LAST DECEMBER, IS THE BEST PLACED OF THE FOUR CONTESTANTS TO UNDERTAKE THE TSING MA CONTRACT," SAID MR YEUNG.
"IT WILL BRING TO HONG KONG THE INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION EXPERTISE NEEDED AT THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE PRICE AND WITH THE GREATEST ASSURANCE OF PROJECT COMPLETION ON TIME.
"THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSORTIUM HAS EMERGED FROM OUR ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE AS THE CLEAR WINNER OVER THE THIRD LOWEST TENDERER, THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM, WHOSE TENDER PRICE WAS $7,363 MILLION.
"THE HIGHEST TENDER CAME FROM THE ALL-JAPANESE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING INTERNATIONAL AT $10,960 MILLION."
MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT, IN ADDITION TO HYUNDAI’S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH WORKING AND EMPLOYED CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS, IT WAS ALSO THE LEAST ACCEPTABLE OF ALL THE TENDERERS WHEN TIMELY COMPLETION OF THE CONTRACT WAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
"SINCE AUGUST 1991, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HYUNDAI ABOUT THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL POSITION. HYUNDAI WAS PREQUALIFIED IN LATE-1990 ON THE BASIS OF ITS 1989 AUDITED ACCOUNTS AND ITS UNAUDITED HALF-YEARLY ACCOUNTS TO JUNE 1990, AS WELL AS ON TECHNICAL GROUNDS.
"HYUNDAI THEN SUBMITTED FULL 1990 AUDITED ACCOUNTS IN JUNE 1991 WHICH SHOWED A DEFICIENCY IN WORKING AND EMPLOYED CAPITAL.
"FOLLOWING NOTIFICATION IN WRITING TO HYUNDAI DURING AUGUST 1991, A NUMBER OF MEETINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH REPRESENTATION UP TO THE HIGHEST OFFICIAL LEVELS ON BOTH SIDES.
"IN MARCH AND IN APRIL THIS YEAR, HYUNDAI WERE AGAIN ADVISED IN WRITING THAT ANY AWARD OF A CONTRACT BY THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRED THE CONTRACTORS CONCERNED TO HAVE AVAILABLE SUFFICIENT EMPLOYED AND WORKING CAPITAL TO COMPLY WITH GOVERNMENT RULES.
"THIS IS NECESSARY TO AVOID THE RISK OF A FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE CONTRACT DUE TO SHORTAGE OF FUNDING.
"CONTRACTORS NEED ADEQUATE WORKING CAPITAL TO MAINTAIN LIQUIDITY SO THAT THEY CAN FINANCE OUTGOINGS ON THE CONTRACT.
"ADEQUATE EMPLOYED CAPITAL IS NEEDED FOR THE PURCHASE OF FIXED ASSETS SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION PLANT AND OTHER CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.
/"MEANS TO .......
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
3
"MEANS TO MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS WERE POINTED OUT TO HYUNDAI BY WAY OF AN INTER-GROUP GUARANTEE AND AN IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT TO COVER THAT PART OF THE EMPLOYED AND WORKING CAPITAL DEFICIENCY THAT HYUNDAI WERE NOT ABLE TO MEET BY OTHER MEANS.
"HYUNDAI HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OFFER US SATISFACTORY ASSURANCES THAT THEIR POSITION WOULD BE CORRECTED," HE SAID.
THE TENDER EVALUATION PROCEDURE CARRIED OUT BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS ENCOMPASSED:
* A COMPARISON AND EVALUATION OF TENDER PRICES, INCLUDING THEIR NET PRESENT VALUE WHICH ENABLES PRICES TO BE ASSESSED ON A UNIFORM CASH BASIS;
* ASSESSMENTS OF TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT COMPETENCE;
* EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAMME FOR CONSTRUCTION; AND
* COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CONTRACT CONDITIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS ADVISED ON TECHNICAL MATTERS BY A TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS IN SUSPENSION BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.
EXCEPT FOR ITS TENDER PRICE BEING SECOND LOWEST, THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSORTIUM CAME FIRST AGAINST ALL THE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA.
THE CONSORTIUM IS VERY EXPERIENCED IN MAJOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING LARGE SUSPENSION BRIDGES, AND IN ACHIEVING REQUISITE QUALITY STANDARDS. THE RISK OF PROJECT DELAY IS ASSESSED AS THE LOWEST.
THE CONSORTIUM HAS ALSO COMPLIED WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S STANDARD REQUIREMENTS ON EMPLOYED AND WORKING CAPITAL.
THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSORTIUM COMPRISES DORMAN LONG OVERSEAS LTD, COSTAIN CIVIL ENGINEERING LTD, AND MITSUI & CO. LTD, WITH GAMMON (HK) LTD PROVIDING VERY STRONG LOCAL EXPERIENCE AS A PRINCIPAL SUBCONTRACTOR.
ALL OF THESE COMPANIES HAVE PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN MAJOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN HONG KONG AND HAVE STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL SUPPLIERS AND HONG KONG’S CONSTRUCTION WORK-FORCE.
OTHER IMPORTANT SUBCONTRACTORS NAMED BY THE CONSORTIUM INCLUDE COMPANIES WITH SPECIALIST BACKGROUNDS FROM CHINA, KOREA AND FRANCE.
THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED IN MARCH NOT TO ACCEPT FINANCIAL OFFERS WHICH THE TENDERERS SUBMITTED WITH THEIR PRICES. ALTHOUGH GOOD TERMS WERE OFFERED, THEY WERE NOT BETTER THAN THOSE AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET.
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT MORE FAVOURABLE FINANCING TERMS WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN BIDS TO TAKE ON THE FRANCHISE FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING ARE INVITED AFTER COMPLETION.
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/4 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
4
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR FOURTH QUARTER 1991 ******
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASED BY 0.8% IN 1991 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1990, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, THE INDEX WAS ALSO 0.8% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COMPARISON COULD BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE INDEX WAS 1.5% HIGHER IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
TAKING 1991 AS A WHOLE, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 10.4% IN PRODUCTION WAS RECORDED IN THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR. THE NEXT LARGEST INCREASE, AT 4.3%, WAS FOUND IN THE TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) INDUSTRY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A DROP OF 5.6% IN PRODUCTION WAS FOUND IN THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS; AND A FALL OF 3.6% IN THE WEARING APPAREL (NOT INCLUDING KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR) INDUSTRY.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN PRODUCTION WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING AND IN THE TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) INDUSTRY, AT 11.3% AND 9.5% RESPECTIVELY, WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN PRODUCTION WERE FOUND IN THE WEARING APPAREL (NOT INCLUDING KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR) INDUSTRY AND THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS, AT 8.1% AND 2.5% RESPECTIVELY.
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS PRIMARILY INTENDED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES OVER TIME OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN REAL TERMS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE VOLUME OF LOCAL PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 4TH QUARTER 1991", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $3 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 839 3250.
/INDEXES OF .......
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
5
Indexes of industrial production by broad industry group and selected industry group (1986 = 100)
---------- Percentage change in the
Broad industry group / Selected industry group Index for 4th Qtr. 1991 % change over index for 1991 as a whole over that for 1990
4th Qtr. 1990 3rd Qtr. 1991
1. Food, beverages and tobacco 155 -1.3 +6.9 +3.5
2. Wearing apparel, except knitwear and footwear 113 -8.1 0.0 -3.6
3. Textiles (including knitting) 138 +9.5 -1.4 + 4.3
4. Paper products and printing 216 + 11.3 -4.8 + 10.4
5. Chemicals, rubber, plastic and non-metallic mineral products 94 -1.1 -1.1 -5.6
— Plastic products (78) (-1.3) (-1.3) (-7.9)
6. Basic metals, fabricated metal products and non-electrical machinery 136 -1.4 +0.7 + 1.6
- Fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment (112) (-5.1) (-5.9) (-1.8)
7. Electrical and electronic products, professional equipment and optical goods 157 -2.5 +2.6 +2.1
— Consumer electrical and electronic products (138) (-4.2) ( + 3.0) (-0.8)
- Electrical & electronic parts, accessories and machinery (188) ( + 7.4) (+1.1) ( + 9.3)
8. Miscellaneous manufacturing industries 120 + 1.7 + 11.1 -3.6
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 134 + 0.8 + 1.5 +0.8
Note : For easy reading, figures for the 4 selected industry groups, which carry larger weights and are major components of the respective broad industry groups, are shown in brackets.
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/6 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
6
TOP TRADE OFFICIAL TO ♦ * *
PUT HK’S CASE TO U.S. * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON FOR THE UNITED STATES TO EXPLAIN TO THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND MEMBERS OF THE U.S. CONGRESS THE IMPACT ON HONG KONG IF CHINA SHOULD LOSE ITS MOST-FAVOURED NATION (MFN) TRADING STATUS.
”1 SHALL EXPLAIN THE SERIOUS INPACT ON HONG KONG IF CHINA SHOULD LOSE ITS MFN TRADE STATUS," MR CHAU SAID.
"HONG KONG APPRECIATES AND SUPPORTS THE U.S. PRESIDENT’S STRONG STANCE IN FAVOUR OF UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL. BUT GIVEN THE SENTIMENTS IN THE CONGRESS, IT WILL BE ANOTHER UPHILL BATTLE THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
"THINGS WILL BE FURTHER COMPLICATED BY THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS," HE ADDED.
THIS VISIT IS PART OF A CO-ORDINATED EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
A VISIT WAS MADE BY THE HONG KONG BUSINESS MISSION TO BEIJING AND WASHINGTON DC THIS WEEK.
AN AMERICAN CHAMBER DELEGATION WILL BE VISITING WASHINGTON DC IN THE SECOND HALF OF MAY.
------0--------
TWO EXTENSION WORKS CONTRACTS AWARDED ******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A $10.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE EXPANSION AND REPROVISION OF FACILITIES AT THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL IN SHA TIN.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, THE DELIVERY SUITE OF THE SPECIAL BLOCK WILL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL OPERATION THEATRE, FOUR NEW LABOUR ROOMS AND A 12-BED DELIVERY WARD.
FITTING-OUT WORKS WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE OFFICES OF THE OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY DEPARTMENT AFTER A REPROVISIONING OF FACILITIES.
THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED BY MAY NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER CONTRACT WORTH $12.3 MILLION WAS AWARDED EARLIER FOR BUILDING AN ADDITIONAL BLOCK FOR THE SAI KUNG POLICE STATION.
THE NEW THREE-STOREY BLOCK WILL COMPRISE A NIGHT DUTY ROOM, A BARBER SHOP, AN OFFICERS’ DINING ROOM, CHANGING ROOMS AND SHOWERING FACILITIES ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
/A FITNESS .......
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
A FITNESS TRAINING ROOM, LAUNDRY, WOMEN CONSTABLES’ BARRACKS AND CHANGING ROOMS WILL BE HOUSED ON THE SECOND FLOOR.
ON THE GROUND FLOOR, A DINING ROOM, A RECREATION ROOM AND COVERED CAR PARKING AREAS WILL BE PROVIDED.
WORKS WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
-----0-----
LADY WILSON OPENS CLEARWATER BAY JUNIOR SCHOOL
******
LADY WILSON TODAY (THURSDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION CLEARWATER BAY JUNIOR SCHOOL IN SAI KUNG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, SHE SAID HONG KONG WAS A TRULY INTERNATIONAL CITY WITH PEOPLE FROM MANY COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD LIVING AND WORKING HERE.
THIS CULTURAL MIX WAS REFLECTED IN THE ENROLMENT OF THE SCHOOL IN WHICH 23 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES WERE REPRESENT? :). SHE SAID.
"IT IS LOVELY TO THINK OF SO MANY STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS WORKING TOGETHER, ALL STRIVING ^OR T”' '.ME ENDS.
"TO MY MIND THERE ARE FEW THINGS WHICH EXEMPLIFY HONG KONG’S TRANSCULTURAL CHARACTER BETTER THAN THIS," SHE SAID.
RECOGNISING THAT THE FORMER BOUNDARY SCHOOL HAD ESTABLISHED A FINE ACADEMIC TRADITION OVER THE YEARS, SHE SAID THE NEW PREMISES WOULD ALLOW THE SCHOOL TO CONTINUE THAT FINE TRADITION AND BUILD ON IT.
THE MOVE WILL ADD MUCH TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE CHILDREN AND THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THEY RECEIVE, AND ALLOW PARENTS TO GET EVEN MORE INVOLVED WITH THE RUNNING OF THE SCHOOL, SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON CONGRATULATED THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION FOR ITS SUCCESS IN INTRODUCING THE UK NATIONAL CURRICULUM.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ALL OF YOU STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL ARE GREATLY BENEFITING FROM THE NEW SYSTEM, WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE TEACHING MORE EFFECTIVE AND LEARNING MORE REWARDING," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON ALSO PRAISED THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, THE PRINCIPAL, ITS STAFF AND ITS PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO Till SCHOOL.
--------0-----------
/8........
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
8
AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY TO HOLD PUBLIC INQUIRY *****
THE AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY (ATLA) WILL HOLD AN INQUIRY NEXT WEEK BEGINNING MAY 11 TO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED (CPA) TO OPERATE SCHEDULED AIR SERVICES TO THE FOLLOWING ROUTE, COVERING 17 POINTS IN ASIA AND AUSTRALIA:
HONG KONG/ MANILA/ CEBU/ KOTA KINABALU/ BRUNEI/ PORT MORESBY/ BANGKOK/ KUALA LUMPUR/ PENANG/ SINGAPORE/ JAKARTA/ DENPASAR/ PERTH/ BRISBANE/ SYDNEY/ MELBOURNE/ ADELAIDE/ AUCKLAND AND VICE VERSA.
CPA HAS BEEN LICENCED TO SERVE ALL THESE POINTS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ADELAIDE, BY ATLA LICENCE NO. 7 OF 1987.
JOINING THE CHAIRMAN OF ATLA, MR JUSTICE PENLINGTON, FOR THIS INQUIRY WILL BE PANEL MEMBERS MR TANG KWAI-NANG AND MR MICHAEL J CLANCY.
THE INQUIRY WILL TAKE PLACE AT COURT NO. 12, SIXTH FLOOR SUPREME COURT, QUEENSWAY. IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THE HOURS OF SITTING WILL BE FROM 9.30 AM TO 1 PM AND 2.15 PM TO 5 PM DAILY.
NOTE:
A FIVE-MINUTE PHOTO-TAKING SESSION FOR THE NEWS MEDIA WILL BE ARRANGED AT 9.30 AM ON MAY 11 (MONDAY) BEFORE THE INQUIRY STARTS.
--------0------------
COURTESY CALL ON SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
******
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YAN CHAI HOSPITAL TODAY (THURSDAY) PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
DURING THE VISIT, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MRS TERESA HOWELL, DISCUSSED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, ON ISSUES RELATING TO THE ORGANISATION’S EXISTING SERVICES AND PLANNED PROJECTS.
MR CARTLAND COMMENDED YAN CHAI HOSPITAL FOR ITS CONTINUOUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASSURED THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD GIVE ITS FULLEST SUPPORT TO THEIR SERVICES AND PROJECTS.
--------0-----------
/9 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1992
- 9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
date $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 6.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 7.5.92 + 193
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -193
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON + 400 *
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 8 MAY 1992
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.5 *-0.1* 7.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.74 PCT 19 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.97 4.96
1 MONTH 3.58 PCT 22 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.39 5.33
3 MONTHS 3.64 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.84 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.29 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4,751 MN
CLOSED 7 MAY 1992
---------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
HIGHEST-EVER HOURLY RAINFALL RECORDED ................................. 1
STATEMENT BY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON SCHOOLING ARRANGEMENTS IN RAINSTORM ............................................................... 2
TRAFFIC SITUATION CLOSELY MONITORED ................................... 3
GDP FOR 4TH QUARTER OF 1991 ........................................... 5
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN FEBRUARY .............. 9
DIRECT SETTLEMENT OF MINOR COMPENSATION CASES PROPOSED................. 13
TENDERS FOR MANAGEMENT OF GCVT TUNNELS INVITED......................... 15
INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES BUREAU SUPPORTS EARLY CONCLUSION OF URUGUAY ROUND................................................................... 16
INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU PUBLISHES COMMUNIQUE ....... 17
DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) REGULATION GAZETTED .................. 18
CALL FOR SUPPORT OF ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS PACKAGE.................... 19
GOVT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT ON ROAD SAFETY .............................. 21
ISSUE OF GUIDANCE NOTE TO LONG-TERM INSURERS AND APPOINTED ACTUARIES .. 22
PROPOSED BRIDGE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO TSING YI ................ 23
TENDER INVITED FOR MUI WO ENGINEERING WORKS ........................... 24
FEES FOR VERBATIM MEDICAL RECORDS REVISED ............................. 24
NEW REGULATIONS TO REQUIRE SHIPS TO COMPLY WITH GMDSS ................. 25
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED TO YAMAGUCHI BANK ............................. 26
DISABLED PEOPLE CAN BE PRODUCTIVE ..................................... 27
TENDERS INVITED FOR SEWERAGE WORKS FOR SHEK O, REPULSE BAY ........... 28
TENDERS INVITED FOR LANDFILL VILLAGE RESITE WORKS .................... 29
TENDERS FOR TWO PROJECTS INVITED....................................... 29
HK TO TAKE PART IN FIRE FIGHTERS GAMES ................................ 30
1991 REPORT ON CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ON SALE ........................... 30
YOUTH AMBASSADORS TO PROMOTE METRIC SCALES IN MARKETS ................. 31
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 32
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
HIGHEST-EVER HOURLY RAINFALL RECORDED * * * * *
THE HIGHEST-EVER HOURLY RAINFALL OF 110 MM WAS RECORDED IN HONG KONG BETWEEN 6 AM AND 7 AM THIS (FRIDAY ) MORNING, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY (RO), MR ROBERT LAU, SAID.
"IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. SO MUCH RAIN FALLEN IN ONE HOUR HAD CAUSED THE FLOODING AND TRAFFIC COMMOTIONS THIS MORNING," MR LAU TOLD NEWSMEN AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION IN THE AFTERNOON.
"UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO FORECAST THIS TORRENTIAL RAIN EPISODE, NOT TO THIS EXTREME INTENSITY, NOT TO HAVE PINPOINTED ITS PRECISE TIMING TO BETWEEN 6 AND 7 AM," HE ADDED.
THIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT DURING THE WEEK, THE RO HAS, IN ITS OUTLOOK, INDICATED A DETERIORATION IN WEATHER.
"YESTERDAY WE FORECAST HEAVY RAIN FOR TODAY. LAST NIGHT, AT 11.15 PM, WE ISSUED A THUNDERSTORM WARNING. NONETHELESS, WE COULDN’T EVEN BY 5.30 AM THIS MORNING BE ABLE TO TELL THAT WE ARE TO EXPECT OVER 100 MM BETWEEN 6 AND 7 O’CLOCK," HE SAID.
MR LAU ASSURED THAT NEXT TIME THE RO SHOULD BE ABLE TO FORECAST THIS TYPE OF RAIN AND CATCH THIS TYPE OF RECORD RAINFALL.
"BUT THE COLD REALITY IS, PROBABLY EVEN THE BEST METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE WOULD BE UNABLE TO FORECAST THIS EXTREME RAINFALL AND TO PINPOINT THE TIME OF COMMENCEMENT TO WITHIN AN HOUR," HE SAID.
"AFTER THIS MORNING, WE HAVE TO DO A LOT TO IMPROVE OUR EXTREME RAINFALL FORECASTING SKILL. IT MAY BE QUITE IMPOSSIBLE, IT MAY TAKE TIME, BUT WE SHALL TR'i OUR LEVEL BEST, THIS WE CAN BE RELIED UPON," HE SAID.
MR LAU SAID THE EVENTS AT THE WEATHER OFFICE THIS MORNING ROUND ABOUT 6 O’CLOCK WERE ROUGHLY AS FOLLOWS:
BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM, ONLY 7 MM OF RAIN WERE RECORDED. TOWARDS 6 AM ON A WEATHER RADAR, THE RO COULD SEE A BAND OF RAIN APPROACHING HONG KONG, FAST MOVING ONE AND AT THAT TIME THE ASSESSMENT WAS THAT IT PROBABLY WOULD YIELD 20 OR 30 MM OF RAIN.
"STILL THE FORECASTER SAW FIT TO ALERT ME. WITHIN MINUTES I WAS AT THE FORECAST OFFICE AND BY 6 AM THE FLOOD WARNING WENT OUT. THE NEXT CONSIDERATION THEN WAS THE LANDSLIP WARNING WHICH MEANT I HAD TO CONSULT THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER."
BY 6.20 AM, THE LANDSLIP WARNING WAS ISSUED.
AS SOON AS THE DISSEMINATION OF THAT WAS COMPLETED, MR LAU SAID HE CONTACTED THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ABOUT 6.40 AM.
/"IN CONSULTATION ......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
2
"IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, INSOFAR AS WHETHER MORNING SCHOOLS SHOULD BE CLOSED OR NOT, THE NORMAL ARRANGEMENT IS THE DEADLINE TO BE OBSERVED IS ABOUT 5.15. PASSED THIS DEADLINE THERE IS NO POINT TO ACTIVATE THE NORMAL ARRANGEMENT.
"IT MEANS THAT IF THE DECISION WAS NOT MADE Bl 5.15 TO 5.30, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH THE FIRST RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT AT 6 O’CLOCK. THE HEAVY RAIN THIS MORNING REALLY STARTED TO FALL. ABOUT 6 O’CLOCK, PASSED THE TIME OF THE DEADLINE OF 5.15," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
STATEMENT BY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON SCHOOLING ARRANGEMENTS IN RAINSTORM ******
NORMAL ARRANGEMENTS
IN THE EVENT OF TYPHOONS AND HEAVY RAINSTORMS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (ED) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING A TIMELY DECISION ON WHETHER, AND WHEN, SCHOOLS SHOULD BE CLOSED, BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
IF NECESSARY, INFORMATION IS ALSO SOUGHT FROM THE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT REGARDING ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
BECAUSE MOST PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS OPERATE BISESSIONALLY, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY' TO ALERT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NOT LATER THAN 5.30 PM SO THAT A DECISION CAN BE MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION PERSONALLY AS TO WHETHER AM SESSIONS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS (AND WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS) SHOULD BE CLOSED, AND THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT CAN BE MADE OVER THE RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS NOT LATER THAN 6.15 AM BEFORE CHILDREN LEAVE HOME FOR SCHOOL.
ANY DECISION REGARDING THE CLOSURE OF PM SESSIONS HAS TO BE MADE AND ANNOUNCED BEFORE 11 AM. SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH A GENERA) SCHOOLS CIRCULAR.
EVENTS ON THE MORNING OF MAY 8
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS NOT ALERTED BY' THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NORMAL ARRANGEMENTS. THE FIRST INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER WAS AN ALERT FROM THE DUTY OFFICER OF THE GIS NEWSROOM CONCERNING A LANDSLIP WARNING ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. HE RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION AT 6.20 AM.
/AS A ........
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
3
AS A RESULT, ED STAFF CONTACTED THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. THE ACTING DIRECTOR, ROYAL OBSERVATORY, PHONED THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION. THE FORMER EXPLAINED THAT IT COULD NOT BE ANTICIPATED THAT THE RAINFALL WOULD BE SO HEAVY AND THAT IT WAS FORECAST THAT FOR THE FOLLOWING HOUR, THE RAIN WOULD EASE OFF SOMEWHAT.
BY THAT TIME, IT WAS ALREADY ABOUT 6.45 AM AND IT WAS FELT THAT IF AN ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE AT THAT TIME TO CLOSE THE MORNING SESSION (IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST ANOTHER 15 MINUTES FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE MADE), IT WOULD LEAD TO GREATER CHAOS BECAUSE THOSE CHILDREN WHO HAD ALREADY LEFT HOME FOR SCHOOL WOULD HAVE TO RETURN HOME WHEN THEY FOUND THEIR SCHOOL CLOSED. THIS WOULD WORSEN THE ALREADY CONGESTED TRAFFIC SITUATION.
HOWEVER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL ARRANGEMENTS, INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS THAT WERE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE RAINSTORM COULD DECIDE TO CLOSE AND ANNOUNCE THIS THROUGH GIS, KEEPING THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS INFORMED. A TOTAL OF 36 SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED AS A RESULT.
CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS IN THE AFTERNOON
INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AT ABOUT 10.15 AM WAS THAT THERE WOULD BE NO HEAVY RAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR HOURS.
HOWEVER, ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED TO BE STILL CHAOTIC AND THERE WERE NUMEROUS FLOODINGS AND LANDSLIPS.
ACCORDINGLY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION DECIDED TO CLOSE THE PM SESSIONS OF ALL SCHOOLS AND A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE OVER THE RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS AT 11 AM.
TRAFFIC SITUAT ION CLOSEL^ MON ITORED ♦ t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE TRAFFIC SITUATION THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY IN AN EFFORT TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC FOLLOWING SOME ROAD CLOSURES IN A HEAVY DOWNPOUR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TONIGHT (FRIDAY) THAT FROM 7.20 AM THIS MORNING, THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALERTED THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY FLOODING AND LANDSLIP.
SINCE THEN, THE DEPARTMENT STARTED ADVISING THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE NEWS MEDIA ABOUT THE EFFECT OF ROAD CONDITIONS, INCLUDING TUNNEL CLOSURES, ON PUBLIC' TRANSPORT.
/THE DEPARTMENT’S .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
THE DEPARTMENT’S EMERGENCY TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATION CENTRE WAS SET UP AT 8.30 AM TO CO-ORDINATE TRAFFIC SITUATION REPORTS.
THE CENTRE ALSO KEPT CLOSE CONTACTS WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO ARRANGE EMERGENCY SERVICES.
AS REGARDS GOVERNMENT TUNNELS, THE FLOODING HAS AFFECTED THE TSEUNG KWAN O, AIRPORT AND LION ROCK TUNNELS WHICH WERE PARTIALLY CLOSED IN THE MORNING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TRAFFIC SITUATION AT THESE TUNNELS HAD RESUMED NORMAL BEFORE NOON.
MTR SERVICES BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND CENTRAL WERE ALSO AFFECTED IN THE MORNING AND FREQUENCY WAS REDUCED TO A FIVE-MINUTE INTERVAL. NORMAL SERVICE HAS RESUMED IN THE AFTERNOON.
MEANWHILE, TRAM SERVICE WAS SEVERELY AFFECTED BY FLOODING AND POWER FAILURES WITH SERVICES AT HAPPY VALLEY TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED IN THE MORNING. NORMAL SERVICE HAS RESUMED AT 11.45 AN.
THE HEAVY RAIN HAD BADLY AFFECTED THE BUS SERVICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND. THE WORST-HIT AREA WAS ON POKFULAM ROAD AND VICTORIA ROAD WHERE ROAD CLOSURES HAD LED TO THE SUSPENSION OF NINE CMB ROUTES. THERE WERE ALSO A NUMBER OF BUS DIVERSIONS OPERATING THROUGH ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TO MAKE UP FOR THE SUSPENDED SERVICES, CMB HAD STRENGTHENED EIGHT OTHER ROUTES IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
IN KOWLOON, THE SOUTHBOUND LANE OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD HAD BEEN CLOSED BECAUSE OF FLOODING AND A BROKEN-DOWN CAR. ALSO TWO NORTHBOUND LANES OF FERRY STREET NEAR WATERLOO ROAD HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR SOME TIME.
AS A RESULT OF CONGESTION, FLOODING AND LANDSLIP, BUS SERVICES WERE GENERALLY RUNNING AT LESS THAN NORMAL FREQENCIES.
NO SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS HAD BEEN REPORTED ON KCR AND LRT SERVICES.
AFTER THE GOVERNMENT GAVE ADVICE FOR THE STAGGERED RELEASE OF EMPLOYEES IN THE AFTERNOON, THE DEPARTMENT HAD REQUESTED ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR SERVICES TO CATER FOR THE EVENING PEAK-HOUR TRAVELLERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD LIAISE WITH OTHER DEPARTMENT’S INCLUDING THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT TONIGHT TO ASSESS THE TRAFFIC SITUATION BEFORE GIVING ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC EARLY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING.
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 5 -
GDP FOR 4TH QUARTER OF 1991 *****
HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 GREW BY 4.4% IN REAL TERMS OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990, ACCORDING TO THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FOR 1991 AS A WHOLE, THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP IN REAL TERMS WAS 3.9%, SAME AS THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE RELEASED IN MARCH 1992.
AMONG THE MAIN EXPENDITURE COMPONENTS OF GDP, PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE GREW BY 8.2% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
THIS GROWTH WAS MAINLY DUE TO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE OF RESIDENT HOUSEHOLDS TRAVELLING ABROAD.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS FOR GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WAS 5.0%.
REGARDING GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION, INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT CONTINUED TO GROW SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, RECORDING AN INCREASE OF 21.9% IN REAL TERMS OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
ON THE OTHER HAND, INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE ON BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION DECREASED BY 4.0% IN REAL TERMS.
EXTERNAL TRADE CONTINUED TO RECORD CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS REGISTERED A GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF 15.7%, AMONG WHICH RE-EXPORTS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY BY 25.7% WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECLINED BY 1.5%. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE FOR IMPORTS OF GOODS WAS 15.6%.
AS REGARDS EXPORTS OF SERVICES, THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS WAS 8.2%, REFLECTING AN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF TOURIST INDUSTRIES IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AS COMPARED TO THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1991.
IMPORTS OF SERVICES ALSO GREW SIGNIFICANTLY BY 15.0%, MAINLY DUE TO INCREASED EXPENDITURE OF RESIDENTS TRAVELLING ABROAD IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
DESPITE THE HIGH GROWTH RATES RECORDED FOR THE VARIOUS FINAL DEMAND COMPONENTS, INCLUDING PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION AND TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES, THE OVERALL GROWTH RATE OF GDP WAS COMPARATIVELY LOWER.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE INCREASES FOR THE VARIOUS FINAL DEMAND COMPONENTS WERE SUPPORTED TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT BY A LARGE INCREASE IN IMPORTS, APART FROM THE INCREASE IN LOCAL PRODUCTION.
/GDP REFLECTS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 6 -
GDP REFLECTS HOW MUCH THE LOCAL ECONOMY HAS PRODUCED AND IS ACTUALLY THE SUM OF ALL FINAL DEMAND COMPONENTS NET OF THEIR CORRESPONDING IMPORT CONTENTS.
ESTIMATES OF INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURE COMPONENTS OF GDP FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 WERE UPDATED BASED ON THE LATEST DATA AVAILABLE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.
THE REVISED OVERALL GROWTH RATE FOR THE QUARTER WAS 3.5%, SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF 3.6% RELEASED IN MARCH 1992.
THE IMPLICIT PRICE DEFLATOR OF GDP, AS A BROAD MEASURE OF OVERALL INFLATION IN THE ECONOMY, ROSE BY 10.3% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
FOR 1991 AS A WHOLE, THE IMPLICIT PRICE DEFLATOR OF GDP INCREASED BY 9.8% OVER 1990.
THE LATEST ESTIMATES OF QUARTERLY GDP FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 TO THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT ENTITLED "QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, 4TH QUARTER 1991".
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND AT THE PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 5077.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FIGURES ON THE GDP ESTIMATES FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1991 ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 1. REVISED ANNUAL GDP ESTIMATES FOR 1991 ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2.
/Table 1 .......
7
Table 1 Gross Danestic Product (GDP) Estimates for the third (03) and fourth (Q4) quarters, of 1991
Revised(May 92) Estimates for Q3 1991 Preliminary Estimates for Q4 1991
at current market nrices at constant (1980) market Drices at current market prices at constant (1980) market prices
Expenditure QOBIXDffltS of GDP HK$Mn % Change over 03 1990 HKgMn % Change over Q3 1990 HK$Wn % Change over Q4 1990 HK$Mn % Change over 01 1990
Private consumption expenditure 98,579 17.6 44,210 7.6 103,547 17.1 46,172 8.2
Governrent ccnsmpticn expenditure 12,983 15.5 4,341 4.8 13,065 14.8 4,336 5.0
Gross danestic fixed capital formation 45,902 18.2 19,536 11.1 49,399 16.3 20,363 9.3
of which :
Buildings & orris true lien 15,611 4.1 5,745 -3.0 16,664 3.2 5,976 -4.0
Machinery and equipnent 18,159 24.9 8,575 23.9 18,925 21.5 8,774 21.9
Change in stocks -617 • • 656 • • -4,073 • • -1,632 • •
Tbtal exports of goods : 207,911 21.8 118,412 18.2 219,937 18.5 125,162 15.7
Domestic exports 62,068 1.6 38,102 -O.5 64,052 -0.3 39,417 -1.5
Re-exports 145,843 33.1 80,310 29.8 155,885 28.5 85,745 25.7
Less Imports of goods 203,564 23.6 116,588 21.5 217,751 16.2 123,933 15.6
Exports of services 31,869 12.9 15,323 4.9 35,589 13.3 16,928 8.2
Less Imports of services 23,249 13.6 12,910 6.9 24,281 21.4 13,458 15.0
GDP 169,814 13.9 72,980 3.5 175,432 15.1 73,938 4.4
Implicit price deflator of GDP (1980100) 232.7 237.3
% change over the same quarter of preceding year 10.1 10.3
.. Not applicable
/Tabei 2 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 8
Table 2 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Estimates for 1991
Expenditure Components of GDP Revised (May 92) EBtimates_for_1991.
at current market Drices at constant (1980) market prices
HK$Hn % Change over 1990 HK$Mn % Change over 1990
Private consumption expenditure 381,472 17.2 173,745 7.0
Government consumption expenditure 51,587 18.3 17,567 6.7
Gross domestic fixed capital formation 179,587 16.8 76,542 9.8
of which :
Buildings 6 construction 62,655 7.0 23,173 -0.5
Machinery and equipment 70,441 21.0 32,989 18.8
Change in stocks 3,278 • • 3,968 • •
Total exports of goods : 765,886 19.7 438,139 16.6
Domestic exports 231,045 2.3 142,088 0.4
Re-exports 534,841 29.2 296,051 26.3
Less Imports of goods 782,042 21.2 446,952 19.0
Exports of services 123,812 14.3 59,312 6.7
Less Imports of services 89,121 18.2 49,836 10.0
GDP 634,459 14.1 272,485 3.9
Implicit price deflator of GDP (1980=100) 232.8
% change over the preceding year 9.8
.. Not applicable
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/9 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
9
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN FEBRUARY ******
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS THIS YEAH DECREASED BY 7%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 23% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 13%. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 18% IN VOLUME.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES WITH THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES HAVING BEEN DISCOUNTED.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
PRICE CHANGES ARE REFLECTED BY CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE INDEXES, WHICH ARE COMPILED BASED ON AVERAGE UNIT VALUES OR, FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES, BASED ON SPECIFIC PRICE DATA.
THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX IS THE RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX. IT INCREASED BY 2% IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1992 WITH FEBRUARY 1991, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 22% AND 55% RESPECTIVELY. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 44% WHILE THAT OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 53%.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IN ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH. IN PARTICULAR, TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY THIS YEAR ARE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED WHILE TH0SE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1%. IMPORT PRICES DECREASED BY 1%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME 6f DOMESTIC-EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR FEBRUARY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE I.
COMMODITY GROUPS THAT RECORDED CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+42%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+37%); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+30%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+29%); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+29%); AND CLOTHING (+17%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-43%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-29%); AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-10%).
/THE PRICES .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 10 -
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN FEBRUARY 1992 OVER FEBRUARY 1991. THE PRICE INCREASES RANGED FROM 1% FOR TEXTILE FABRICS TO 5% FOR TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, COMMODITY GROU'S WHICH RI CORDED LARGER DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES INCLUDE METAL ORES AND SCRAPS (-6%) AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-5%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR FEBRUARY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 57% IN FEBRUARY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR); FRUITS; TEA AND COFFEE; AND SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL, VEGETABLE OIL AND LARD.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF LIVE POULTRY; AND ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 56%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; FOOTWEAR; AND MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS. HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS NOTED FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 57% IN FEBRUARY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; BASE METALS (OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL); AND PLASTIC MATERIALS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SILK FABRICS AND MAN-MADE FIBRES.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 5% IN VOLUME IN FEBRUARY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 44% IN FEBRUARY 1992 OVER FEBRUARY 1991.
NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF OFFICE MACHINE; TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
• V •
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1992 WITH FEBRUARY 1991, THE IMPORT PRICES OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 1%.
THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 30% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF FOODSTUFFS AND CAPITAL GOODS WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
/THE CHANGES .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 11 -
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR FEBRUARY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1992 WITH FEBRUARY 1991, THE VOLUME OF REEXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED : RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES (+80%); FUELS (+67%); FOODSTUFFS (+59%); CAPITAL GOODS (+54%); AND CONSUMER GOODS (+43%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS, FOODSTUFFS AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 3%, 2% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS AND RAW MATERIAL AND SEMIMANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 29% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
STARTING FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE THIRD REVISION OF THE STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (SITC REV. 3) HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN HONG KONG IN PLACE OF THE SECOND REVISION FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF TRADE STATISTICS BY COMMODITY.
TO ACHIEVE COMPARABILITY WITH THE TRADE FIGURES IN 1992, THE CORRESPONDING COMMODITY TRADE STATISTICS IN 1991 HAVE BEEN RECLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE NEW SYSTEM.
DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE FEBRUARY 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AROUND MAY 15 AT HK$6 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WANCHAI .
ENQUIRIES ON REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 582 4918).
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMPARING FEB 1992 WITH FEB 1991 UNIT COMMODITY GROUP VALUE VALUE VOLUME % % % CLOTHING 19 2 17 TEXTILE FABRICS 39 1 37 TEXTILE YARN AND 27 -2 29 THREAD PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING JAN-FEB 1992 WITH JAN-FEB 1991 UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME % % % -2 3 -4 -15 2 -17 -14 * -14 /TEXTILE MADE-UPS
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 12 -
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -5 5 -10 -23 6 -28
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -45 -3 -43 -46 -1 -46
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 21 -5 29 -4 -3 -2
FOOTWEAR 10 2 7 -33 3 -35
METAL MANUFACTURES 47 4 42 14 4 10
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -8 -6 -2 -28 -4 -25
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 28 -2 30 -10 -2 -8
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 12 2 10 25 3 23
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -26 4 -29 -27 4 -30
ALL COMMODITIES 22 ♦ 22 -6 1 -7
* LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2 : CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING FEB WITH FEB 1992 1991 VOLUME % COMPARING JAN-FEB 1992 WITH JAN-FEB 1991 UNIT
VALUE % UNIT VALUE %
VALUE % VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 58 ♦ 57 13 1 12
CONSUMER GOODS 58 1 56 29 2 26
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 54 -2 57 10 -1 11
FUELS -27 -30 5 -31 -29 -3
CAPITAL GOODS 44 * 44 19 ♦ 18
ALL COMMODITIES 51 -1 53 17 * 18
♦ LESS THAN 0.5%
/TABEL 3 : .......
Fr । • • MAY 8, 3 992
- 13 -
TABLE 3 : CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING FEB WITH FEB 1992 1991 COMPARING WITH JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 1992 1991
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 63 2 59 5 3 1
CONSUMER GOODS 48 3 43 27 4 23
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 78 -1 80 18 » 18
FUELS 18 -29 67 50 -30 115
CAPITAL GOODS 56 1 54 36 2 33
ALL COMMODITIES 57 1 55 25 2 23
* LESS THAN 0.5%
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DIRECT SETTLEMENT OF MINOR COMPENSATION CASES PROPOSED
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES AN ADDITIONAL, SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO SETTLE COMPENSATION RELATING TO MINOR WORK INJURIES MORE SPEEDILY.
ALSO, FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE IN THE INTERESTS OF WORKERS.
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN TWO AMENDMENT BILLS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH.
THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 PROVIDES THAT AN EMPLOYER MAY AGREE WITH HIS EMPLOYEE ON THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION TO BE PAID IN THE CASE OF A MINOR INJURY OR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE INVOLVING SICK LEAVE OF UP TO SEVEN DAYS.
AT PRESENT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ISSUES A CERTIFICATE OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT TO BOTH THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE SPECIFYING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE, ALTERNATIVELY THE EMPLOYEE MAY RESORT TO COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR A SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM.
/"THE NEW .......
FRIDA , MAY 8, 1992
14
"THE NEW PROCEDURE OF COMPENSATION BY AGREEMENT WILL SAVE THE EMPLOYEE THE TROUBLE OF ATTENDING MEDICAL CLEARANCE AT Till- DEPARTMENT AND WILL ENABLE THE EMPLOYER TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COMPENSATION WHICH HE PAID TO THE EMPLOYEE FROM HIS INSURER MORE QUICKLY," ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR ALFRED CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT COMPENSATION CASES FOR MINOR INJURIES REPRESENT ABOUT 30% OF ALL CASES ASSESSED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF EMPLOYEES, HE SAID THE BILL SEEKS TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER TO REPORT THE WORK ACCIDENT AND THE AGREED AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, WHO MAY CANCEL THE AGREEMENT AND MAKE HER OWN ASSESSMENT IF IT IS CONSIDERED UNACCEPTABLE.
"DESPITE THE DIRECT SETTLEMENT PROVISION, AN EMPLOYEE MAY, HOWEVER, STILL APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPENSATION PAYABLE IF HE SO WISHES, OR TO SETTLE HIS CLAIM IN COURT," MR CHAN STRESSED.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE EXISTING REPORTING PERIOD OF NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS FROM SEVEN TO 14 DAYS TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PROCEDURE.
MEANWHILE, A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS, AIMING AT EXTENDING THE COVERAGE OF THE ORDINANCE AND CLARIFYING CERTAIN AMBIGUITIES IN ITS PROVISIONS, WERE MADE UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR AN EXPANDED DEFINITION OF "EMPLOYEES" AND "DEPENDANTS" UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
"IT PROPOSES TO INCLUDE PART-TIME DOMESTIC HELPERS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE LAW, WHOSE EMPLOYMENT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR, SO THAT THEY WILL ALSO BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION IN CASE OF INJURY AT WORK," MR CHAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EMPLOYERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THESE EMPLOYEES TO COVER THEIR LIABILITIES FOR COMPENSATION.
TO AVOID HARDSHIP ON A DECEASED EMPLOYEE’S FAMILY, HE SAID THE BILL PROPOSES TO REDEFINE THE TERM "DEPENDANTS" TO COVER NOT ONLY DEPENDANTS AT THE TIME OF THE EMPLOYEE’S DEATH BUT ALSO PROSPECTIVE DEPENDANTS.
"HENCE, IT WILL INCLUDE CHILDREN OF THE DECEASED EMPLOYEE BORN AFTER HIS DEATH, AS WELL AS HIS PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND STEPPARENTS WHO WILL RETIRE WITHIN A YEAR AFTER HIS DEATH AND WHO ARE EXPECTED TO RELY ON THE DECEASED EMPLOYEE FOR A LIVING," HE EXPLAINED.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE PROTECTION OF THE ORDINANCE TO LOCAL EMPLOYEES INJURED WHILE WORKING FOR FOREIGN EMPLOYERS OUTSIDE HONG KONG IF THE EMPLOYER AGREES TO SETTLE THE CASE IN A HONG KONG COURT.
/ANOTHER PROPOSED .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 15
ANOTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS TO REMOVE THE LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF ADVANCE PAYMENT, CURRENTLY SET AT $28,000, THAT MAY BE MADE BY AN EMPLOYER PENDING SETTLEMENT OR DETERMINATION OF A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION.
"THIS WILL ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS TO ADVANCE LARGER PAYMENTS TO NEEDY EMPLOYEES PARTICULARLY IN FATAL AND SERIOUS INJURY CASES," MR CHAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO EMPOWER AN ORDINARY ASSESSMENT BOARD TO ASSESS NOT ONLY THE EXTENT OF PERMANENT INCAPACITY SUFFERED BY AN INJURED EMPLOYEE BUT ALSO HIS OVERALL PERIOD OF ABSENCE FROM DUTY NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF HIS INJURY.
"THIS WILL FACILITATE THE DEPARTMENT IN DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE WHERE INTERMITTENT SICK LEAVES GRANTED TO AN EMPLOYEE BY DIFFERENT DOCTORS DID NOT FORM A CONTINUOUS PERIOD AND THE EMPLOYEE WAS UNABLE TO WORK ON THOSE DAYS NOT COVERED BY SUCH LEAVES,” MR CHAN EXPLAINED.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED INCLUDE A PROVISION TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO CANCEL HER PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT OF COMPENSATION ON REVIEW WHEN AN EMPLOYEE’S INJURY SUBSEQUENTLY RESULTED IN PERMANENT INCAPACITY, AND TO REFER THE EMPLOYEE TO AN ORDINARY ASSESSMENT BOARD.
THE BILL ALSO CLARIFIES THE "DATE OF ISSUE" IN RESPECT OF CERTIFICATES OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF INCAPACITY AND STIPULATES THAT COMPENSATION PAYABLE UNDER THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO LEGAL AID CHARGE.
IN ADDITION, IT REVISES THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE SO THAT THE SAME LEVEL OF PENALTY WILL APPLY TO OFFENCES OF SIMILAR GRAVITY.
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TENDERS FOR MANAGEMENT OF GOVT TUNNELS INVITED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE REMAINING FOUR GOVERNMENT TUNNELS AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THEIR EQUIPMENT AND PLANTS, FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS IN CONTRACTING OUT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
TWO SEPARATE CONTRACTS WILL BE AWARDED - ONE FOR THE AIRPORT TUNNEL AND LION ROCK TUNNEL, AND THE OTHER FOR THE SHING MUN TUNNELS AND TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL.
EXCEPT THE AIRPORT TUNNEL, THESE ARE TOLL TUNNELS.
A NOTICE TO INVITE THE TENDERS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
/DETAILS OF .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 16 -
DETAILS OF THE TENDERS ARE CONTAINED IN THE TENDER DOCUMENTS OBTAINABLE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT 41TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, UPON THE PRODUCTION OF A COMPANY LETTER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID A TENDERER MAY BID FOR EITHER OR BOTH CONTRACTS BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE SAME TENDERER BE AWARDED BOTH CONTRACTS.
’’THE GOVERNMENT SHALL HAVE THE SOLE DISCRETION TO DETERMINE WHETHER TWO TENDERERS, BECAUSE OF ANY INTER-RELATIONSHIP, SHOULD BE TREATED AS ONE AND THE SAME TENDERER,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A COMPLETED TENDER, TOGETHER WITH A RECEIPT SHOWING THE SPECIFIED DEPOSIT AMOUNT WITH THE GOVERNMENT, SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, GROUND FLOOR, EAST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE NOON ON JUNE 19 (FRIDAY).
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INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES BUREAU SUPPORTS EARLY CONCLUSION OF URUGUAY ROUND ******
THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU (ITCB) CONCLUDED THE 16TH MEETING OF ITS COUNCIL TODAY (FRIDAY) IN SHANGHAI.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, WHO LED THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, DESCRIBED THE SERIES OF MEETINGS AS "EXTREMELY USEFUL”.
’’FIRST, THERE IS UNANIMITY AMONG ALL DELEGATIONS THAT THEY SUPPORT THE EARLY CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND. THEY URGED THE MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS TO EXERCISE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP TO OVERCOME THE FINAL HURDLE.
"SECONDLY, WE HAVE ALSO CHARTED THE COURSE FOR THE WAY AHEAD. IF THERE IS NO BREAKTHROUGH AT THE NEXT GROUP OF SEVEN INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES (G-7) MEETING THIS SUMMER, THE ITCB COUNCIL AGREED TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR,” MR TSANG SAID.
THE MFA WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
ITCB, THE GENEVA-BASED ORGANISATION OF TEXTILES EXPORTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES, PROVIDED THE FORUM FOR ITS 22 MEMBERS, INCLUDING HONG KONG, TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND CO-ORDINATE ACTIONS ON MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
THE SHANGHAI COUNCIL MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM ARGENTINA, BANGLADESH, BRAZIL, CHINA, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, HONG KONG, INDIA, INDONESIA, JAMAICA, KOREA, MACAU, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA, TURKEY AND URUGUAY.
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/17........
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
17
INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU PUBLISHES COMMUNIQUE
*****
THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU (ITCB), IN A COMMUNIQUE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN SHANGHAI, CALLED ON ALL PARTICIPANTS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR POLITICAL WILL FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF AN EARLY SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE ROUND WITH BALANCED RESULTS.
THE FIVE-DAY ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING OF ITCB, IN WHICH A HONG KONG DELEGATION LED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, HAS BEEN TAKING PART, ENDED TODAY.
FULL TEXT OF THE ITCB COMMUNIQUE IS AS FOLLOWS:
"AT THE INVITATION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, THE COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU HELD ITS SIXTEENTH SESSION AT SHANGHAI FROM MAY 4 TO 8, 1992.
THE SESSION WAS INAUGURATED BY VICE-MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE (MOFERT), PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, MR TONG ZHIGUANG.
THE SESSION ELECTED VICE-MINISTER, MR TONG ZHIGUANG, TO PRESIDE OVER THE MEETING.
IT ALSO ELECTED AMBASSADOR RODRIGO BARZUNA (COSTA RICA) AND AMBASSADOR SAM HOON KIM (KOREA) AS VICE-CHAIRMEN.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL, GATT MR ARIF HUSSAIN, ADDRESSED THE SESSION.
IN ADDITION, IT RECEIVED A CONTRIBUTION FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE OF UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD).
IT ALSO BENEFITED FROM PRESENTATIONS BY REPRESENTATIVES OF RETAILERS’ AND IMPORTERS’ ASSOCIATIONS OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
THE COUNCIL REVIEWED THE STATE OF THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS.
WHILE NOTING A PERCEPTIBLE LOSS OF MOMENTUM DUE TO THE DIFFERENCES AMONG THE MAJOR TRADING ENTITIES IN OTHER AREAS, THE COUNCIL REITERATED ITS COMMITMENT TO AN EARLY SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE ROUND WITH BALANCED RESULTS, AND URGED ALL PARTICIPANTS OF THE ROUND TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR POLITICAL WILL FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS OBJECTIVE.
AT THE PRESENT STAGE OF NEGOTIATIONS IN THE URUGUAY ROUND, IT IS NOT CLEAR WHEN ITS TEXTILE AGREEMENT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) IS DUE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 1992. IN THIS CONTEXT, THE COUNCIL RECOGNISED THAT A NEED MIGHT ARISE FOR AN INTERIM ARRANGEMENT.
/IT DIRECTED .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
18
IT DIRECTED THE ITCB SECRETARIAT TO PREPARE AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE RANGE OF POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR ITS CONSIDERATION AND DECISION BY SEPTEMBER 1992, IN THE LIGHT OF THE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND.
THE COUNCIL MADE AN EVALUATION OF THE TEXTILE AGREEMENT CONTAINED IN THE DRAFT FINAL ACT OF THE URUGUAY ROUND.
IT PAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO ITS PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE ELEMENTS IN THE ECONOMIC PACKAGE.
THE COUNCIL NOTED THAT THERE WERE STILL A FEW OUTSTANDING ISSUES IN THE TEXTILE TEXT WHICH HAVE TO BE SETTLED.
IT DESIRED THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ITS MEMBERS AT GENEVA SHOULD SEEK THEIR RESOLUTION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, THE COUNCIL REITERATED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF DIFFERENTIAL AND MORE FAVOURABLE TREATMENT FOR THE EXPORTS OF THEIR TEXTILE PRODUCTS.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT CHINA'S PARTICIPATION IN THE URUGUAY ROUND AS WELL AS IN THE MFA, THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO EXTEND ITS FULL SUPPORT FOR CHINA'S PARTICIPATION IN THE TEXTILE AGREEMENT.
THE COUNCIL WELCOMED THE OFFER OF JAMAICA TO HOST THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IN JAMAICA.
THE ITCB AND ITS PARTICIPANTS EXPRESSED THEIR DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE EXCELLENT ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND FOR THE WARM HOSPITALITY EXTENDED TO THEM.”
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DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) REGULATION GAZETTED ♦ * ♦ *
THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, WHICH SEEKS TO REQUIRE A LICENSEE OF A BREWERY TO SUBMIT RETURNS ON A MONTHLY INSTEAD OF A WEEKLY BASIS, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE PREVIOUS REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT WEEKLY RETURN IN RELATION TO THE BUSINESS OF BREWING OR MAKING BEER CAUSED SOME ADMINISTRATIVE INCONVENIENCE TO THE LOCAL BREWERIES," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE CHANGE WOULD NOT PUT THE REVENUE FROM DUTY AT RISK BECAUSE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF AUDIT AND PHYSICAL STOCK CHECKS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS.
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/19........
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 19 -
CALL FOR SUPPORT OF ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS PACKAGE ******
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR MIAO CHI, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING CALLED ON THE ELECTRICAL TRADE INDUSTRY TO BE READY TO ’’PLUG IN” TO THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE AND TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDED IN IT.
MR MIAO MADE THE APPEAL AT A DINNER PARTY OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ELECTRIC TRADE ASSOCIATION.
HE SAID THE CURRENT YEAR WAS YET ANOTHER IMPORTANT YEAR IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS MEASURES STIPULATED UNDER THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE.
TOGETHER WITH A PACKAGE OF SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1990 BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A MOVE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY BY PROVIDING A COMPLETELY NEW FRAMEWORK FOR DETAILED REGULATORY CONTROL ON ELECTRICITY-RELATED MATTERS.
ITS IMPLEMENTATION HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT IN PHASES TO TIE IN WITH THE VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, MANY OF WHICH ARE NOW EITHER AT THEIR FINAL STAGE OR READY TO BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY.
ON THE LATEST POSITION ON THE ORDINANCE, MR MIAO DISCLOSED THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN THE ELECTRICITY (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS, HIS DEPARTMENT BEGAN THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS IN NOVEMBER 1990 AND OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS IN NOVEMBER 1991.
ACCORDING TO THE REGULATIONS, ALL WORK ON FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS MUST BE CARRIED OUT BY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS FROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR.
MR MIAO SAID THE WORK WAS PROGRESSING WELL AND HIS DEPARTMENT HAD NOW REGISTERED OVER 35,000 ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND 1,600 CONTRACTORS.
THE OTHER REGULATIONS THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE INVOLVED INDUSTRY INCLUDE:
* THE ELECTRICITY (WIRING) REGULATIONS 1990 WHICH SPECIFY THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WIRING OF FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION FROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR;
* A NEW SET OF REGULATIONS ENTITLED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1992 WILL BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR.
MR MIAO SAID THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS WITH RESPECT TO THE DESIGN, SELECTION AND USE OF SUITABLE MATERIALS AS WELL AS THE CORRECT TESTING AND PROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE INSTALLATION COULD NOT BE UNDERSTATED.
/"IN ADDITION, .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 20 -
"IN ADDITION, ALL REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WHEN SIGNING THE WORK COMPLETION CERTIFICATES AND UNDERSTAND THE OFFENCES AND DISCIPLINARY MEASURES UNDER THE ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
ALTHOUGH SUCH REGULATIONS WERE MOSTLY RELATED TO ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS, MR MIAO SAID MEMBERS OF THE ELECTRICAL TRADE INDUSTRY COULD HAVE TWO IMPORTANT ROLES TO PLAY IN HELPING THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE REGULATIONS.
FIRSTLY, AS SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, MEMBERS OF THE INDUSTRY SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE GOODS WERE DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO THE REQUIRED SAFETY STANDARDS.
SECONDLY, THEY CAN ALSO PROVIDE OR ENSURE THAT THE PRODUCTS ARE SUPPLIED WITH THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FOR THEIR PROPER INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE.
"THIS WILL HELP TO AVOID ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM WRONG CONNECTION OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION," HE ADDED.
MR MIAO SAID A CODE OF PRACTICE WAS BEING PRINTED FOR SALE TO ASSIST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS.
TOGETHER WITH THE REGISTRATION EXERCISE, THE REGULATIONS SET A MILESTONE IN THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY IN COMPLYING WITH SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1992, MR MIAO SAID THE VOLTAGE UPGRADING EXERCISE TO THE PUBLIC WOULD START IN THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR AFTER THE REGULATIONS WERE ENACTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE REGULATIONS WOULD ENABLE THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY TO USE MORE EFFICIENTLY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AT THE UPGRADED VOLTAGE FALLING IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INITIATE SUITABLE PUBLICITY TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUE, AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE INDUSTRY, HE WAS CONFIDENT OF ITS SUCCESS.
MR MIAO TOLD THE GATHERING ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING CONSULTATION OF THE LATEST DRAFT ELECTRICAL PRODUCT (SAFETY) REGULATIONS SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THE REGULATIONS, WHICH WOULD HAVE DIRECT IMPACT ON THE ELECTRICAL TRADE INDUSTRY, WOULD REQUIRE THEIR COMMENTS AS WELL AS CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN PROPOSALS.
THESE INCLUDE A GOOD COMMUNICATION LINK BETWEEN ELECTRICAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT BEING MAINTAINED TO FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE MARKET CHANGE AND THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.
MR MIAO SAID IT WAS ALSO ADVISABLE FOR THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ELECTRIC TRADE ASSOCIATION TO INITIATE CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL TESTING ORGANISATIONS SO THAT SPECIFIC TESTING AND CERTIFICATION MIGHT BE ARRANGED FOR THEIR MEMBERS WHEN REQUIRED.
/MEMBERS OF .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 21 -
MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION WHO WERE MANUFACTURERS OR IMPORTERS SHOULD BE MADE FULLY CONVERSANT WITH THEIR RESPONSIBILITY RELATING TO THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTRICAL GOODS, HE ADDED.
HE ALSO URGED THE ASSOCIATION TO CONSIDER, THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS, PROMOTIONS OF THE USE OF SAFE DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES IN SUPPORT OF THE REGULATIONS.
"ULTIMATELY, CONSUMERS MUST BE MADE AWARE THAT SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE SELECTION OF ELECTRICAL GOODS, AND YOUR ASSOCIATION’S ROLE IN THIS AREA OF ACTIVITY SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED," HE SAID.
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GOVT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT ON ROAD SAFETY
******
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TONIGHT (FRIDAY) REAFFIRMED GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY AND REDUCING TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AS ONE OF THE MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF GOVERNMENT’S TRANSPORT POLICY.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER TO COMMEMORATE THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION, MR LEUNG OUTLINED THE MEASURES TAKEN IN RECENT YEARS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY.
THESE INCLUDED THE LAUNCHING OF EDUCATIONAL AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES, EXTENDING THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS TO PRIVATE ROADS IN 1988 AND INTRODUCING SPECIAL DRIVING RULES ON EXPRESSWAYS UNDER THE EXPRESSWAY LEGISLATION IN 1991.
MR LEUNG SAID FURTHER MEASURES WERE BEING CONSIDERED TO TACKLE THE OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES TO REDUCE SAFETY HAZARDS ON ROADS.
"PLANS ARE ALSO IN HAND TO STEP UP THE INSPECTION OF GOODS VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ROADWORTHY.
"FOR PASSENGERS’ SAFETY, A REQUIREMENT TO FIT REAR SEAT BELTS IN NEW PRIVATE CARS AND POSSIBLE COMPULSORY MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLE DRIVERS ARE BEING LOOKED INTO," HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG REAFFIRMED CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS WHICH HAD PROVED EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING ACCIDENTS.
HE SAID DESPITE AN INCREASE OF 32% IN VEHICLE OWNERSHIP SINCE 1982, TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS HAD FALLEN BY 16% AND THE RESULTANT DEATHS BY 32% IN 1991.
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/22 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 22 -
ISSUE OF GUIDANCE NOTE TO LONG-TERM INSURERS AND APPOINTED ACTUARIES *****
THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY HAS TODAY (FRIDAY) ISSUED TO ALL LIFE INSURERS AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON BUSINESS IN OR FROM HONG KONG, AND TO THEIR APPOINTED ACTUARIES, A GUIDANCE NOTE (GUIDANCE NOTE 2) GIVING DETAILS OF THE ROLE PERFORMED BY THE ACTUARY APPOINTED UNDER THE INSURANCE LEGISLATION ("THE APPOINTED ACTUARY").
AN ACTUARY IS A PROFESSIONAL PERSON WHO HAS SPECIALISED INTENSIVELY IN THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF LIFE INSURANCE INCLUDING THE SETTING OF PREMIUMS AND THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE SOLVENCY OF AN INSURER’S BUSINESS.
AN IMPORTANT PROVISION OF THE HONG KONG LEGISLATION IS THAT EVERY LONG-TERM INSURER MUST HAVE AN APPOINTED ACTUARY TO PROVIDE ONGOING ADVICE REGARDING THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE BUSINESS.
THIS APPOINTMENT IS NOT ONLY OF GREAT VALUE TO POLICY-HOLDERS IN HELPING THE SAFEGUARDING OF THEIR SAVINGS AND THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THEIR POLICIES, BUT IS ADVANTAGEOUS TO INSURERS AS WELL.
BY RELYING ON THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE OF THE APPOINTED ACTUARY, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IS ABLE TO DISPENSE WITH STRICT RULES AND LIMITATIONS REGARDING THE SETTING OF PREMIUMS, THE TYPES OF POLICY OFFERED, AND THE BASIS FOR VALUING LIABILITIES, THUS PERMITTING A COMPETITIVE AND INNOVATIVE MARKET WITHOUT ENDANGERING THEREBY THE FINANCIAL SECURITY THAT POLICY-HOLDERS REQUIRE.
THE APPOINTED ACTUARY SYSTEM HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY SEVERAL OVERSEAS REGULATING AUTHORITIES, PRINCIPALLY THE UK AND CANADA, AND HAS PROVED IN PRACTICE TO BE EFFECTIVE AND DEPENDABLE.
THE LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG WAS INTRODUCED ON THIS BASIS IN 1983.
' ON THE ISSUE OF THE GUIDANCE NOTE, THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, MR DEREK SULLIVAN, SAID: "IN VIEW OF THE RAPID EXPANSION OF LIFE INSURANCE IN HONG KONG AND THE LIFE INSURERS’ CUSTODY OF SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS OF THE ’MAN IN THE STREET’, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE APPOINTED ACTUARY BE FULLY APPRECIATED AND SUPPORTED BY INSURERS."
"MOREOVER, THE LIFE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS EXPECTED TO PLAY AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING THE REGISTRATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES WERE TO BE ENACTED.
"THE SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IT IS LIKELY TO ATTRACT WILL UNDERLINE THE NEED FOR FOCUS ON THE ROLE OF THE APPOINTED ACTUARY,” HE POINTED OUT.
"THE GUIDANCE NOTE IS ISSUED IN THE GENERAL INTEREST OF PERSONS WHO ARE OR ARE BECOMING POLICY-HOLDERS OF AUTHORISED INSURERS."
/THE GUIDANCE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 23 -
THE GUIDANCE NOTE STATES THAT THE APPOINTED ACTUARY IS TO PROVIDE ADVICE ON ALL ACTUARIAL MATTERS - NOT ONLY THOSE ON WHICH HE HAS HAD A SPECIFIC REQUEST FOR ADVICE FROM THE INSURER.
’’ALTHOUGH THIS IS GENERALLY WELL UNDERSTOOD, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT NOT ALL INSURERS ARE SEEKING AND OBTAINING ACTUARIAL ADVICE ON AN ONGOING BASIS,” THE COMMISSIONER ADDED.
THE GUIDANCE NOTE STRESSES THAT THE APPOINTED ACTUARY SHOULD, IF THE ACTUARY SO REQUESTS, HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGARDING ACTUARIAL MATTERS, AND THAT HE BE KEPT FULLY INFORMED OF THE INSURER’S AFFAIRS AND BE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO CARRY OUT HIS ROLE EFFECTIVELY.
THE GUIDANCE NOTE MAKES CLEAR THAT, AS IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE ACTUARY TAKES ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO BE SATISFIED THAT AT ALL TIMES THE BUSINESS IS SOLVENT, HE MAY NEED TO OBTAIN PRIOR AGREEMENT FROM THE INSURER THAT HE BE CONSULTED IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND EVEN THAT CERTAIN TYPES OF ACTION SHOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL HE HAS BEEN CONSULTED.
IT IS POINTED OUT THAT IT IS ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE FOR THE APPOINTED ACTUARY TO SEE THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE POLICY-HOLDERS’ INTEREST AS BEING AN IMPORTANT PART OF HIS ROLE.
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PROPOSED BRIDGE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO TSING YI
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT ANOTHER TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE ACROSS THE RAMBLER CHANNEL TOGETHER WITH ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT THE APPROACHES AT ITS BOTH ENDS.
THE PROPOSED BRIDGE WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO TSING YI ISLAND TO RELIEVE THE HEAVY TRAFFIC MOVEMENT ON THE EXISTING TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE.
THE WORKS ARE PROGRAMMED TO START IN EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN MID 1996.
THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT MAY BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* KWAI TSING PUBLIC ENQUIRIES SERVICES CENTRE, KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING; 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG;
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
/DETAILS OF .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 24 -
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NOT LATER THAN JULY 7 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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TENDER INVITED FOR MUI WO ENGINEERING WORKS
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO UNDERTAKE A SERIES OF ENGINEERING WORKS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUI WO ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, DRAINS, SEWERS, AMENITY AREAS AND CYCLE TRACKS IN AREAS AROUND THE RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD AND MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BERTHING POINT FOR FIREBOAT NEAR THE EXISTING PASSENGER FERRY PIER IS ALSO INCLUDED.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START THIS AUGUST AND WILL TAKE 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES, THE CONSULTING COMPANY FOR THE PROJECT, AT SUITE 805, TSIM SHA TSUI CENTRE, WEST WING, 66 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 29.
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FEES FOR VERBATIM MEDICAL RECORDS REVISED *****
FEES PAYABLE FOR VERBATIM RECORDS OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MEMBERS OF CERTAIN MEDICAL PROFESSIONS WILL BE REVISED SHORTLY.
THE NEW FEES ARE PRESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY):
* ENROLLED NURSES (ENROLMENT AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992
/* NURSES (REGISTRATION ........
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 25 -
* NURSES (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992
* MIDWIVES (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992
♦ MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATION 1992
* DENTISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL OR BOARD MAY CONDUCT DISCIPLINARY ENQUIRIES AGAINST DOCTORS, DENTISTS, ENROLLED NURSES, REGISTERED NURSES AND MIDWIVES.
ANY PARTY MAY, AFTER THE ENQUIRY, OBTAIN A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS UPON PAYMENT OF A PRESCRIBED FEE.
"THE FEE LEVEL WAS SET MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO AND IS SERIOUSLY OUT OF STEP WITH THE ACTUAL COST OF THE SERVICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"A COSTING EXERCISE HAS REVEALED THAT THE ACTUAL COST OF PRODUCING EACH FOLIO OF 72 WORDS IS $73.
"FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT POLICY TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF SERVICES RENDERED, THE RELEVANT REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO REVISE THE FEE TO $73 FOR EACH FOLIO."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD WILL SHORTLY AMEND THE PHARMACISTS (DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS TO REVISE A SIMILAR FEE IN RESPECT OF PROCEEDINGS AGAINST PHARMACISTS.
THE NEW FEES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON A DATE TO BE APPOINTED LATER.
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NEW REGULATIONS TO REQUIRE SHIPS TO COMPLY WITH GMDSS ******
A NEW SET OF REGULATIONS REQUIRING HONG KONG REGISTERED MERCHANT SHIPS TO COMPLY WITH THE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM (GMDSS) WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) AND WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THEY ARE THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (GMDSS RADIO INSTALLATIONS) REGULATION 1992 AND THE AMENDMENTS TO SIX OTHER MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS ON EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS ON SHIPS.
THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR (MULTI-LATERAL POLICY) OF THE HONG KONG MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR DUNCAN DRUMMOND, SAID: "COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GMDSS, THE SYSTEM PROVIDES WORLDWIDE TWO-WAY RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN MERCHANT SHIPS AND SEARCH AND RESCUE AUTHORITIES ASHORE.
/"THIS MAKES .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 26 -
"THIS MAKES RAPID ALERTING AND RESPONSE TO SHIPS IN DISTRESS POSSIBLE.
"IT IS ACHIEVED BY MEANS OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVANCED LAND-BASED AND SHIP-BORNE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, AND ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF SAFETY INFORMATION, INCLUDING NAVIGATION AND STORM WARNINGS, TO SHIPS AT SEA."
MR DRUMMOND EXPLAINED THAT DISTRESS SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED MANUALLY, BUT WOULD ALSO BE TRANSMITTED AUTOMATICALLY FROM ANY SHIP WHICH SANK.
THE RAPID ALERTING OF SEARCH AND RESCUE AUTHORITIES WILL FACILITATE MORE RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF RESCUE SERVICES AND THEREBY ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA.
MR DRUMMOND SAID: "GIVING EFFECT TO THESE REGULATIONS MEANS THAT HONG KONG FULLY COMPLIES WITH THE GMDSS, WHICH IS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA."
MINOR CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE SIX REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS INCLUDED THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (CARGO SHIP CONSTRUCTION AND SURVEY) (SHIPS BUILT ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1984) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (CARGO SHIP SAFETY EQUIPMENT SURVEY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (LIFE-SAVING APPLICANCES) (SHIPS BUILT BEFORE JULY 1, 1986) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (LIFE-SAVING APPLICANCES) (SHIPS BUILT ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 1986) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (PASSENGER SHIP CONSTRUCTION AND SURVEY) (SHIPS BUILT ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1984) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992; AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (RADIO INSTALLATIONS SURVEY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992.
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BANKING LICENCE GRANTED TO YAMAGUCHI BANK
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE YAMAGUCHI BANK LTD HAS BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
THE YAMAGUCHI BANK LTD IS THE RANKS 182ND IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF
PRIOR TO THE GRANTING OF OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN OFFICE WILL BE UPGRADED TO A BRANCH.
37TH LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN, AND CAPITAL.
THE BANKING LICENCE, THE BANK HONG KONG. THE REPRESENTATIVE
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
27 -
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.
THE LICENCE FOR THE YAMAGUCHI BANK IS THE FIRST BANKING LICENCE GRANTED THIS YEAR.
THERE ARE NOW 162 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 132 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
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DISABLED PEOPLE CAN BE PRODUCTIVE * * * *
DISABLED PEOPLE CAN BE TRAINED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SKILLS AND WITH A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, THEY CAN OFTEN BE AS PRODUCTIVE AS THEIR ABLE-BODIED COUNTERPARTS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND WEST.
MR CARTLAND SAID THE GOVERNMENT, AS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN HONG KONG, HAD TAKEN THE LEAD IN EMPLOYING DISABLED PERSONS.
THERE WERE 3,769 DISABLED EMPLOYEES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE LAST YEAR.
"THEY HAVE PROVED THEMSELVES TO BE DEDICATED AND EFFICIENT WORKERS," HE SAID.
RATHER THAN BEING LOOKED UPON AS A DRAIN ON COMMUNITY RESOURCES, MR CARTLAND STRESSED THAT THE DISABLED SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A RESOURCE IN THEIR OWN RIGHT, ONE WHICH COULD BE DEPLOYED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
"REHABILITATION IS NOT ONLY AN AREA WHERE THERE IS A NEED FOR ALL TO HELP, FOR ALL TO CONTRIBUTE, BUT IT IS ALSO AN AREA WHERE THERE IS AMPLE SCOPE TO DO SO," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADITIONAL RESPONSE HAD BEEN TO ENGAGE IN FUND RAISING FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS.
SUCH EFFORTS WERE INDEED USEFUL FOR INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY IN SHARING THE BURDEN OF FUNDING WELFARE SERVICES, MR CARTLAND SAID, ADDING THAT THEY SUPPLEMENTED FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER SOURCES AND HELPED TO SPEED UP THE PROVISION OF MUCH-NEEDED FACILITIES.
"HOWEVER, IMPORTANT THOUGH RESOURCES ARE, AND THEY ARE OF COURSE ESSENTIAL TO THE PROVISION OF MANY SERVICES, IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO THINK THAT MONEY ALONE WOULD SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS," HE STRESSED.
/INDEED, HE ........
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 28 -
INDEED, HE SAID, A LARGE PART OF THE MESSAGE OF THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION, PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN MARCH THIS YEAR, WAS ABOUT ATTITUDES AND ACCEPTANCE, ABOUT PROVIDING EQUAL CHANCES FOR DISABLED PERSONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.
THE STARTING POINT IN HELPING THE DISABLED WAS THEREFORE TO DEVELOP A MUCH GREATER AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF THEM IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, HE ADDED.
MR CARTLAND ALSO APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER TO THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BY JUNE 10 THIS YEAR.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR SEWERAGE WORKS FOR SHEK O, REPULSE BAY ******
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO UNDERTAKE SEWERAGE WORKS AS ONE OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS UNDER THE SHEK 0 AND REPULSE BAY AREAS SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME.
THE SCHEME AIMS TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING SEWAGE SYSTEM AND TO PROVIDE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES FOR SHOUSON HILL, DEEP WATER BAY, REPULSE BAY, MIDDLE BAY, SOUTH BAY, CHUNG HOM KOK, MA HANG, SHEK O AND ROCKY BAY.
THE MOVE WILL PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF THE BATHING BEACHES ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEVEN SECONDARY PUMPING STATIONS, ASSOCIATED FOUL SEWERS AND PUMPING MAINS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS BETWEEN SHOUSON HILL AND MA HANG VALLEY.
IN ORDER TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC, THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED SO THAT THE LAYING OF A TRUNK SEWER WOULD BE CARRIED OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE FRESH WATER MAIN LAYING WORKS BY SHARING A COMMON TRENCH.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START THIS JULY AND WILL TAKE 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ACER CONSULTANTS (FAR EAST) LIMITED, THE CONSULTING COMPANY FOR THE PROJECT, ON NINTH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 4.
MEANWHILE, THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWAGE PUMPING STATION AND INTERCEPTING SEWER ON AP LEI CHAU AS PART OF THE CURRENT PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE SEWERAGE FACILITIES FOR THE ISLAND.
/THE FACILITIES .......
I'Fi , MAY 8, 1992
THE FACILITIES WILL BE USED TO CHANNEL THE. SEWAGE COLLECTED FROM THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE ISLAND TO THE EXISTING AP LEI CHAU SCREENING PLANT FOR TREATMENT.
THE CONTRACT IS SCHEDULED TO START THIS SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 19 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THE DESIGN DIVISION AND THE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE NEW WORKS DIVISION OF DRAINAGE SERVICES DEAPRTMENT.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE NEW WORKS DIVISION ON 14TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 29.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR LANDFILL VILLAGE RESITE WORKS
******
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS FOR A LAND LOT IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 EARMARKED FOR A VILLAGE RESITE SCHEME.
THE SCHEME, AIMING AT RESITING VILLAGERS TO BE DISPLACED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL, WILL BE DEVELOPED ON A SITE IN HANG HAU, PLANNING AREA 35, TSEUNG KWAN 0.
THE WORKS WILL COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NOISE BARRIER, A CARPARK, A TRANSFORMER ROOM, A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, A PAVILION AND LANDSCAPE PLANTING, PROVISION OF SURFACE DRAINAGE, AND LAYING OF SEWERS AND WATER MAINS FOR 43 PROPOSED VILLAGE HOUSE UNITS.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS JULY AND BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 29.
- - 0 - -
TENDERS FOR TWO PROJECTS INVITED * * * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE FITTING-OUT WORKS AT THE NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE WORKS, TO BE CARRIED OUT ON THE EXISTING PREMISES ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE BUILDING, WILL HOUSE A MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE UPON COMPLETION.
/WORKS ARE
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 30 -
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS JULY AND BE COMPLETED BY MARCH NEXT YEAR.
TENDERS ARE ALSO BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND PUBLIC TOILET AT BEDFORD ROAD, I AI KOK TSUI.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS JULY AND BE COMPLETED EARL\ NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR BOTH PROJECTS IS NOON ON MAY 29.
--------0-----------
HK TO TAKE PART IN FIRE FIGHTERS GAMES * * * * * ♦
A DELEGATION FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE PART IN THE SECOND WORLD FIRE FIGHTERS GAMES IN LAS VEGAS, USA, FROM MAY 15 TO 22.
AT A BRIEF CEREMONY AT THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, PRESENTED A FLAG TO THE TEAM MANAGER, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR JAMES HO.
THE DELEGATION WILL COMPETE IN NINE MAJOR EVENTS INCLUDING BASKETBALL, SOCCER, SWIMMING, SQUASH, BADMINTON, RUNNING, TABLE-TENNIS AND VOLLEYBALL.
THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES TEAM WON A TOTAL OF 61 MEDALS COMPRISING 29 GOLD, 15 SILVER AND 17 BRONZE MEDALS IN THE FIRST WORLD FIRE FIGHTERS GAMES HELD IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND IN APRIL AND MAY 1990.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR MARCH WISHED THE TEAM WOULD GET GOOD RESULTS IN THE COMPETITIONS.
------0--------
1991 REPORT ON CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ON SALE ******
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) FOR 1991 HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CPIS LAST YEAR.
/IT ALSO .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 31 -
IT ALSO INCLUDES THREE CHARTS AND SEVEN TABLES SHOWING MOVEMENTS OF BOTH THE 1984/85-BASED AND THE 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BY SECTION AND BY GROUP OF COMMODITY/SERVICE, AS WELL AS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE OVERALL CHANGE IN THE INDICES.
THE REPORT IS PUBLISHED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
APART FROM STATISTICS ON THE CPIS, IT CONTAINS A DETAILED ELABORATION ON THE CONCEPTS AND COMPUTATION METHOD OF THE CPIS, HELPING READERS OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND PROPER INTERPRETATION OF THE INDICES.
THE REPORT, AT HK$26 A COPY, IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ON THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 805 6403.
- - 0---------
YOUTH AMBASSADORS TO PROMOTE METRIC SCALES IN MARKETS ♦ * * * *
THE METRICATION COMMITTEE WILL SET UP METRIC SCALE COUNTERS IN EIGHT PUBLIC MARKETS FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) ON FOUR CONSECUTIVE SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
"WE WELCOME CUSTOMERS AND STALL HOLDERS TO VISIT THE METRIC SCALE COUNTERS AND USE THE METRIC SCALES," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, DR JAMES WU MAN-HON, SAID.
"THIS IS PART OF THE 1992/93 PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE WHICH FOCUSES ON THE USE OF METRIC UNITS AT THE RETAIL LEVEL, ESPECIALLY IN THE SALE OF PERISHABLES IN MARKETS AND SUPERMARKETS," HE SAID.
THE COUNTERS WILL BE OPEN DURING THE BUSIEST TRADING HOURS FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM ON THE DATES AND IN THE VENUES AS FOLLOWS:
DATE MARKET
MAY 9 AND 10
MAY 16 AND 17
MAY 23 AND 24
PO ON ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN
FA YUEN STREET, MONG KOK
SHATIN MARKET AT CENTRE STREET
YEUNG UK ROAD, TSUEN WAN
SAI WAN HO, EASTERN DISTRICT BOWRINGTON ROAD, WAN CHAI
/MAY 30 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 32 -
MAY 30 AND 31
KOWLOON CITY MARKET AT NGA TSIN WAI ROAD SHUI WO STREET, KWUN TONG
DR WU WILL VISIT THE METRIC SCALE COUNTERS IN THE PO ON ROAD AND FA YUEN STREET MARKETS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
"MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL HAVE BEEN INVITED TO MAN THE COUNTERS, AND IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION, THE METRICATION COMMITTEE WILL APPOINT THEM AS METRICATION AMBASSADORS," DR WU SAID.
"THE METRICATION AMBASSADORS SCHEME IS A NEW SCHEME AIMED TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF YOUNGSTERS IN THE PROMOTION OF METRICATION," HE ADDED.
THE METRICATION AMBASSADORS WILL DEMONSTRATE THE USE OF METRIC SCALES AND EXPLAIN METRIC CONVERSIONS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. METRIC DIALS, FACT SHEETS AND PLATEMATS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC AS SOUVENIRS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER DR JAMES WU’S VISIT TO THE METRIC SCALE COUNTERS AT PO ON ROAD MARKET, CHEUNG SHA WAN AND FA YUEN STREET MARKET, MONG KOK TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 9 AM AND 9.45 AM RESPECTIVELY. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 7.5.92 1,388
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 8.5.92 -225*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON * O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 8 MAY -400 MN -175 +325**
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ♦* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 11 +175 MN . 5
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 *+0.1* 8.5. 92
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1992
- 33 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FIND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.66 PCT 19 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.55 PCT 22 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.62 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.80 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.26 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 8 MAY 1992
- 5,748 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 102.05 4.89
2402 5.50 100.47 5.28
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POLICE COMMISSION RETURNED .................................. 1
CS EXTENDS SYMPATHY TO RAINSTORM VICTIMS .................... 2
CO-OPERATION VITAL iM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ................... 3
FACTORY GIVEN MAXIMUM FINE FOR BREAKING REST DAY RULE ....... 4
FUNDS FOR COUNTRYSIDE ACTIVITIES ............................ 5
METRIC SCALE COUNTERS SET UP IN 8 MARKETS ................... 6
LADY WILSON PRAISES HEEP HONG SOCIETY ....................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 8
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1992
- 1 -
POLICE COMMISSION RETURNED
* * * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, AND A DELEGATION OF ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE OFFICERS HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM AN ANNUAL LIAISON VISIT TO CHINA.
DURING THE VISIT, THE DELEGATION HELD A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH SENIOR PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS.
THESE MEETINGS COVERED A WIDE RANGE OF POLICE MATTERS AND FOCUSED ON CROSS-BORDER CRIMES INCLUDING FIREARM OFFENCES, ILLEGAL TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS (INCLUDING VEHICLES), ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION,DRUG TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL CRIME.
THE KEY TO IMROVING CO-OPERATION BETWEN ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND THE VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN CHINA ON ALL THESE MATTERS IS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND LIAISON.
TO THIS END, BOTH SIDES AGREED TO UPGRADE, ENHANCE AND STRENGTHEN THE PRESENT LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS. SPECIALLY IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE FOLLOWING SCHEMES BE PUT IN PLACE EITHER IMMEDIATELY OR SHORTLY:
(A) THERE WILL BE A CHINESE POLICE LIAISON OFFICER (OR OFFICERS) STATIONED IN HONG KONG.
(B) THE COMMAND OF THE GUANGDONG INTERPOL LIAISON OFFICE WILL BE RAISED TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU GUANGDONG HIMSELF.
(C) LIKEWISE,IN THE CASE OF SHENZHEN, ITS LIAISON OFFICE WILL BE HEADED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU SHENZHEN.
(D) ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE INTERPOL OFFICE TO BE IN CONTACT WITH THE GUANGDONG AND SHENZHEN LIAISON OFFICES ON A 24-HOUR BASIS, SO AS TO CO-ORDINATE ACTION IN URGENT CASES.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS ALSO RECEIVED BY THE CHINESE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY. THE MINISTER EXPRESSED SATISFACTION FOR THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND CHINA’S PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU AND A WISH THAT ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE OFFICERS WOULD LOVE CHINA AND CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. HE RE ITERATED THAT ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE OFFICERS WOULD NOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AFTER 1997 AS LONG AS THEY CARRIED OUT THEIR DUTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.
THE MINISTER ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELABORATE ON A PUBLIC STATEMENT WHICH HE HAD MADE PREVIOUSLY ON THE QUESTION OF TRIAD SOCITIES AND TRIAD MEMBERS. HE STRESSED THAT LAW-BREAKERS COULD NOT BE REGARDED AS PATRIOTIC TO CHINA OR LOYAL TO HONG KONG. HE SAID CHINA’S POSITION ON THIS WAS CLEAR, IN THAT CRIMINALS WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED IN CHINA.
/ON HIS .......
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1992
2
ON HIS RETURN TO HONG KONG TODAY (SATURDAY), THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OUTLINED THE LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HAD BEEN AGREED, AND DESCRIBED HIS TRIP AS VERY USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT BOTH SIDES HAD AGREED THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL TO ENABLE THE SPEEDY PASSAGE OF ACCURATE AND DETAILED INTELLIGENCE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
AS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS, HE REFERRED TO THE SHOOTING CASE WHICH HAD OCCURRED IN TAI KOK TSUI ON APRIL 24. INFORMATION ON THIS CASE WAS PASSED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY TO CHINA AND WAS DEVELOPED BY THE PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU.
AS A RESULT, THE PRINCIPAL SUSPECT IN THIS CASE WAS ARRESTED IN PO ON COUNTY ABOUT 6 PM LAST (FRIDAY) NIGHT. THIS SUSPECT, NAMED FUNG WAI-HON, HAD RECEIVED GUNSHOT WOUNDS, APPARENTLY RECEIVED IN HONG KONG. THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ARE WORKING ON THE CASE AND IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE SUSPECT WILL THEREAFTER BE HANDED OVER TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE.
ON THE TOPIC OF SMUGGLING, MR LI NOTED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE SHENZHEN PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU HAD GIVEN HIM A LIST OF DETAILS OF 16 VEHICLES WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN SEIZED IN CHINA.
IF IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THESE VEHICLES HAD BEEN STOLEN IN HONG KONG, THEN THE DIRECTOR UNDERTOOK THAT THEY WOULD BE RETURNED UNCONDITIONALLY.
REGARDING THE BASING OF A CHINESE POLICE LIAISON OFFICER OR OFFICERS IN HONG KONG, MR LI NOTED THAT THIS AGREEMENT AROSE OUT OF HIS SUGGESTION DURING HIS LAST VISIT TO CHINA. THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD FOLLOW THE PRACTICE WHEREBY A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES HAD LIAISON OFFICERS BASED HERE.
WHILE TIMINGS HAD NOT BEEN FINALISED, IT WAS HOPED THAT THE OFFICER COULD BE HERE AS EARLY AS JUNE THIS YEAR.
-----0------
CS EXTENDS SYMPATHY TO RAINSTORM VICTIMS
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD EXTENDS HIS SYMPATHY TO THE RELATIVES OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES YESTERDAY IN THE RAINSTORM AND ALL THOSE WHO WERE INJURED.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING AN EXHIBITION OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES TODAY (SATURDAY), SIR DAVID SAID : ” IT IS ALWAYS VERY SAD WHEN WE HAVE A NATURAL DISASTER SUCH AS THIS.”
/NOTING THAT .......
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1992
3
NOTING THAT IT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST RAINSTORMS IN HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID THAT IT WAS INEVITABLE THERE WAS GOING TO BE A GREAT DEAL OF DISRUPTION IN HONG KONG.
”1 THINK IT WAS ALSO FORTUNATE THOUGH THAT THE LANDSLIPS WERE AS LIMITED AS THEY WERE,” HE ADDED.
"AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A BIG PROGRAMME OF STABILIZING SLOPES WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS NOW.
"I THINK THAT HAS MADE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE TO LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND INDEED THE LOSS OF LIFE.”
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING AT ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM.
"I THINK THAT WE DO NEED TO HAVE A MORE FLEXIBLE SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN REACT PERHAPS MORE QUICKLY IN FUTURE,” HE SAID.
"WE WILL UNDERTAKE THAT REVIEW AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN AND WE WILL MAKE KNOWN PUBLICLY WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THAT REVIEW IS.
"CLEARLY, I THINK WE HAVE SOME LESSONS TO LEARN AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THAT WE MINIMIZE THE DISRUPTION, PARTICULARLY TO CHILDREN.
"OBVIOUSLY WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CHILDREN BEING OUT IN THESE RAINSTORMS AND THAT IS WHAT WE WILL BE CONCERNED TO DO."
ASKED ABOUT COORDINATION AMONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, SIR DAVID SAID : ” OF COURSE IT HAPPENED AT A VERY DIFFICULT TIME INDEED. IT WAS A CRUCIAL TIME FOR CHILDREN LEAVING SCHOOLS.
"1 THINK THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF COORDINATION AND IN TERMS OF THE FLEXIBILITY AND THAT IS WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT NOW IN THE WEEKS AHEAD."
---------0-----------
CO-OPERATION VITAL IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
******
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED PROPERTY MANAGERS, FLAT OWNERS AND RESIDENTS TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP TO BRING ABOUT A BETTER AND SAFER LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A TRAVELLING EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES LTD, HE SAID THE KEY TO THIS PARTNERSHIP WAS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AMONG THE PARTIES CONCERNED.
/TO HELP .......
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1992
TO HELP INITIATE AND MAINTAIN SUCH COMMUNICATION, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ASSISTING FLAT OWNERS TO FORM OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND OWNERS’ COMMITTEES.
"EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THESE REPRESENTATIVE BODIES HAVE BEEN USEFUL IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING FAST AND EFFICIENT COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR PROPERTY MANAGERS,” HE SAID.
WHILE SMALL OLD BUILDINGS HAD GIVEN WAY TO LARGE MULTI-STOREY DEVELOPMENTS, A MORE SOPHISTICATED AND PROFESSIONAL FORM OF MANAGEMENT WAS NEEDED.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID SAID PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT ALONE WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH IN THE UPKEEP OF BUILDINGS AND ESTATES.
THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING PROPERTY MANAGEMENT RESTED WITH OWNERS AND RESIDENTS WHO USUALLY ENGAGED THE SERVICES OF PROFESSIONALS TO MANAGE THE BUILDINGS, HE SAID.
"IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE THAT INDIVIDUAL OWNERS AND RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDING."
ALTHOUGH THEY PAY FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND THE UPKEEP, THEY NEED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE MANAGERS, PROVIDING FEEDBACK ON THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AND AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
"BECAUSE IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, IT IS OF COURSE THE OWNERS AND RESIDENTS WHO BENEFIT FROM A WELL-MANAGED BUILDING," HE SAID.
--------------------------0------- FACTORY GIVEN MAXIMUM FINE FOR BREAKING REST DAY RULE *****
FEMALE WORKERS IN INDUSTRY MUST BE GIVEN A DAY OFF ON THEIR SCHEDULED REST DAY AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
IN A RECENT CASE, THE SUNCITI MANUFACTURERS LIMITED IN HUNG TO ROAD WAS GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 BY A KWUN TONG MAGISTRACY FOR EMPLOYING WOMEN TO WORK ON THEIR REST DAY.
THE COMPANY WAS FOUND BY LABOUR INSPECTORS DURING A VISIT TO HAVE EMPLOYED 55 FEMALE WORKERS ON THE REST DAY SPECIFIED IN A PRESCRIBED NOTICE.
/"UNDER THE .......
»wruh« 'A.,
9, 1992
- 5 -
’’UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, AN EMPLOYER MUST NOT ENGAGE ANY WOMEN TO WORK IN AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING ON THEIR REST DAYS, OR CHANGE THEIR REST DAYS WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TWO DAYS BEFORE THE CHANGE TAKES EFFECT,” SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MR JOHN SUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES AN EMPLOYER TO DISPLAY IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN THE FACTORY A PRESCRIBED NOTICE SETTING OUT THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT, INTERVALS FOR MEAL OR REST, AND REST DAYS FOR WOMEN WORKERS," MR SUNG ADDED.
---------0-----------
FUNDS FOR COUNTRYSIDE ACTIVITIES * t * * *
SCHOOLS, YOUTH CENTRES AND REGISTERED ORGANISATIONS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS UNDER THE "ENJOY THE COUNTRYSIDE SCHEME" TO ORGANISE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
ADMINISTERED BY THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE FOR RECREATION, THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR.
IT AIMS TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HIKING, CAMPING, EXPEDITION, ORIENTEERING AND RESTORATION OF COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE ACTIVITIES WOULD HELP RESIDENTS APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF NATURE AND THUS ENRICH THEIR LIVES.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WILL EACH BE GRANTED BETWEEN $10,000 AND $50,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING PRIZES, AND INSTRUMENTS, AND THE PRINTING OF PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS.
THE ACTIVITIES MUST BE ORGANISED BEFORE MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
APPLICATION FORMS AND LEAFLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE SECRETARIAT, SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE FOR RECREATION, 10TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS JULY 31. ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 827 5409 EXT. 16.
--------0-----------
/6 ........
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1992
6
METRIC SCALE COUNTERS SET UP IN 8 MARKETS * * * * *
CUSTOMERS AND STALL HOLDERS WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED TO USE METRIC UNITS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SALE OF PERISHABLES IN MARKETS AND SUPERMARKETS.
THEY WERE INVITED TO USE THE METRIC SCALE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSE WITH THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE UNITS AND IMPERIAL UNITS IN THE SALE OF PERISHABLES LIKE MEAT, SEAFOOD, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES AT THE METRIC SCALE COUNTERS SET UP BY THE METRICATION COMMITTEE IN TWO MARKETS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, DR JAMES WU MAN-HON, TODAY JOINED MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL WHO ACTED AS METRICATION AMBASSADORS TO MAN THE COUNTERS IN THE MARKETS AT PO ON ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN AND FA YUEN STREET, MONG KOK.
FACT SHEETS, METRIC DIALS AND PLATEMATS WITH CONVERSION TABLES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC.
EIGHT METRIC SCALE COUNTERS WILL BE SET UP ON THE SPECIFIED DATES FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM IN THE FOLLOWING BUSY PUBLIC MARKETS IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS.
DATE MARKET
MAY 10 PO ON ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN
FA YUEN STREET, MONG KOK
MAY 16 AND 17 SHATIN MARKET AT CENTRAL STREET
YEUNG UK ROAD, TSUEN WAN
MAY 23 AND 24 SAI WAN HO, EASTERN DISTRICT
BOWRINGTON ROAD, WAN CHAI
MAY 30 AND 31 KOWLOON CITY MARKET AT NGA TSIN WAI ROAD
SHUI WO STREET, KWUN TONG
"THE METRIC SCALE COUNTER SCHEME, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1983, HAS DRAWN FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC," A MEMBER OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, MR K.Y. TONGSON, SAID.
"THE COMMITTEE AIMS TO MAKE THE SCHEME A CONTINUAL EVENT SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS CONTRIBUTED BY PRIVATE SPONSORS," MR TONGSON SAID.
"ENQUIRIES ON DETAILS OF THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE TO THE METRICATION COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT ON TEL 810 2869,” HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1992
7
LADY WILSON PRAISES HEEP HONG SOCIETY ♦ ♦ * * *
BOTH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER TO PROMOTE SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MARY WONG SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE OF THE HEEP HONG SOCIETY FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, SHE SAID THIS KIND OF CO-OPERATION WAS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE PROUD OF.
SHE PRAISED THE SOCIETY FOR ITS EFFORTS IN PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE HELP FOR THE HANDICAPPED.
"REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE GROWING FAST," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THEY WERE MEETING BASIC NEEDS AND EFFORTS WERE AT PRESENT DEVOTED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE WORK.
"THERE IS INCREASING CONCERN AND AWARENESS IM MANY COUNTRIES NOW, THAT EARLY INTERVENTION WITH CHILDREN WHOSE DEVELOPMENT IS IMPEDED BY THEIR MENTAL OR PHYSICAL HANDICAPS IS NECESSARY," LADY WILSON SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT EARLY DIAGNOSIS COULD HELP CHILDREN FROM DETERIORATING, IF PROGRAMMES WERE SET UP WITH THEIR OWN SPECIAL NEEDS IN MIND.
NEVERTHELESS, THERE WERE ENORMOUS DIFFERENCES AND DIVERSITY IN THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF HANDICAPS.
A SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED BY THE HEEP HONG SOCIETY IN 1989 WHERE ALL PARTICIPANTS, DOCTORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PARAMEDICS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS ALL AGREED THAT IT WAS CRUCIAL THAT ALL THESE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES SHOULD GET TOGETHER, AND SHARE INFORMATION IN ORDER TO DO THE BEST FOR EACH CHILD, SHE SAID.
"IT IS ONLY THROUGH SHARING IN THIS WAY, THAT WISDOM IN THE FIELD CAN BE POOLED TO OBTAIN BEST RESULTS.
"NO SINGLE DISCIPLINE, CAN CLAIM ADEQUACY IN HANDLING THESE SPECIAL CHILDREN ON THEIR OWN," SHE SAID.
WHILE PROFESSIONALS MIGHT HAVE SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AT HAND, SHE SAID THEY LACKED THE PARENTS’ CHANCES OF SUSTAINED OBSERVATION AND INTERACTION WITH THE CHILDREN.
LADY WILSON ALSO SAID PARENTS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN OFTEN HAD HEAVY DEMANDS ON THEM, BOTH PHYSCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.
"WE, THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE THIS BURDEN WITH THEM," SHE SAID.
/BY PROVIDING .......
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1992
- 8 -
BY PROVIDING SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR PRE-SCHOOL DISABLED CHILDREN, INCLUDING SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES, SHE SAID PARENTS KNEW THAT THEIR CHILDREN WOULD BE INDIVIDUALLY TAKEN CARE OF, AND EFFECTIVELY TRAINED.
IN DOING THIS, SHE SAID THE CHILDREN WOULD BE ABLE TO SECURE THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE FOR THEIR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND THROUGH THE SHARING AND CARING OF THE MANY DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, HAVE WHAT THEY ALL NEEDED, WHICH WAS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE IN LIFE.
- - 0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 8.5.92 1,313 *
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 9.5.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
* INCLUDES 325 MN O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 11 MAY
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MAY 10, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
45 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MARCH ............................ 1
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS IMMINENT ....... 1
WORKSHOPS ON WORK SAFETY TRAINING .................................. 2
RETRAINING COURSES FOR LOCAL WORKERS DUE TO START .................. 3
WEAKENED WATER SUPPLY IN KOWLOCN WEST ON TUESDAY ................... 5
SUNDAY, MAY 10, 1992
1
45 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MARCH *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 45 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN MARCH.
OF THESE, 11 WERE FOR HONG KONG, 14 FOR KOWLOON AND 20 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 23 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, FOUR FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND FIVE FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 40 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 29,766 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 140,752 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $2,373 MILLION.
USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES PROVIDED IN BUILDINGS WHICH WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION WERE ABOUT 128,004 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 204,081 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING MARCH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 42 OCCUPATION PERMITS; 20 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 6 FOR KOWLOON, AND 16 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 23 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 48 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 696 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,884 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 475 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 855 BUILDINGS AND NO EMERGENCY CLOSURES WERE REQUIRED.
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DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS IMMINENT
*******
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED COMPANIES THAT INTEND TO CARRY OUT ELECTRICAL WORK OR DO BUSINESS AS ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AFTER JUNE 1 THIS YEAR TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE COMPULSORY REGISTRATION EXERCISE WAS LAUNCHED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AS PART OF THE MEASURES INTRODUCED UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDED A COMPLETELY NEW FRAMEWORK OF REGULATORY CONTROL ON ELECTRICITY-RELATED MATTERS IN ORDER TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY.
/UNDER THE .......
SUNDAY, MAY 10, 1992
- 2 -
UNDER THE ELECTRICITY (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS, IT HAS BEEN STIPULATED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR, ALL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT FIRMS, CONTRACTING COMPANIES, ELECTRICAL SHOPS AND IN FACT ANY FIRMS OR COMPANIES CARRYING OUT ELECTRICAL WORK IN HONG KONG MUST BE REGISTERED WITH EMSD AS AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR BEFORE THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ELECTRICAL WORK MEANS WORK IN RELATION TO THE INSTALLATION, COMMISSIONING, INSPECTION, TESTING, MAINTENANCE, MODIFICATION OR REPAIR OF A LOW VOLTAGE OR HIGH VOLTAGE FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.
IT ALSO INCLUDES THE SUPERVISION AND CERTIFICATION OF THAT WORK AND THE CERTIFICATION OF DESIGN OF THAT INSTALLATION.
APPLICATION FORMS AND PUBLICITY LEAFLETS FOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) CAN BE OBTAINED AT VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES AND EMSD HEADQUARTERS IN ROOM 101, FIRST FLOOR, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ON ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION MATTERS CAN ALSO BE MADE BY CALLING THE HOTLINE - 895 8863.
WORKSHOPS ON WORK SAFETY TRAINING
*****
MORE THAN 100 INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISORS AND SAFETY OFFICERS WILL GET TOGETHER TO EXPLORE EFFECTIVE APPROACHES TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMMES AT A TWO-DAY SYMPOSIUM FROM TUESDAY (MAY 12).
THE SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT WILL INTRODUCE ESSENTIAL METHODS AND INSTRUCTIONAL TRAINING TECHNIQUES TO PARTICIPATING SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SAFETY OFFICERS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISING IN-HOUSE SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
COMPRISING A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS AND AN OPEN FORUM, THE SYMPOSIUM WILL FOCUS PARTICIPANTS’ ATTENTION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
THE SYMPOSIUM IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO) AND THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THE SYMPOSIUM WILL INCLUDE EXPERTS FROM THE
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND PRIVATE COMPANIES.
/THE SYMPOSIUM .......
SUNDAY, MAY 10, 1992
- 3 -
THE SYMPOSIUM WILL BE OPENED BY SENIOR EXPERT OF THE ILO DR KARI KURPPA, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR YIU YAN-NANG, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF TEXTILE BLEACHERS, DYERS, PRINTERS AND FINISHERS LIMITED MR KWAN KON-WAH AND A MEMBER OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MR CHEUNG LUN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SYMPOSIUM WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM ON TUESDAY AT BLOCK 5, LEI YUE MUN PARK AND HOLIDAY VILLAGE.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A COACH TAKING NEWS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE PLACE WILL DEPART FROM HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL AT 9.15 AM SHARP.
------0-------
RETRAINING COURSES FOR LOCAL WORKERS DUE TO START
******
TEN PILOT RETRAINING COURSES FOR INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND A HIGH DEMAND FOR IMPORTED LABOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR LOCAL WORKERS IN EARLY JULY.
THE COURSES, TO BE RUN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND THE HONG KONG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, COVER:
* HOTEL HOUSEKEEPING AND CLEANING SERVICES
* BASIC RETAIL SALES TECHNIQUES
* COMPUTERISED CHINESE TYPESETTING
* PRINTING FINISHING
* CHINESE DATA ENTRY
* SHIPPING AND DOCUMENTATION
* PREPARATION OF PRODUCTION ORDER
* SAMPLE MAKING
* IN-LINE Q.C. INSPECTION
* GARMENT FITTING ALTERATION
/A SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, MAY 10, 1992
4
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH SAID UNDER THE RETRAINING PROGRAMME, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 700 PERSONS CAN BE RETRAINED IN A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS.
AS REGARDS THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, HE SAID THE EXISTING TRAINING PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY ALREADY COVER A WIDE SPECTRUM OF THE SKILLS REQUIRED BY THE INDUSTRY.
THERE IS EXTRA CAPACITY FOR WORKERS WHO ARE IN NEED OF RETRAINING, HE SAID.
"THE PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, IS STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF DEVELOPING RETRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR OTHER TRADES.
"BASED ON THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PILOT PROGRAMMES, PARTICULARLY THE RESPONSE OF WORKERS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RETRAINING, THE SCHEME WILL BE EXPANDED IN TERMS OF THE QUANTITY AND VARIETY OF THE COURSES OFFERED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
APPLICANTS MEETING THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA MAY BE ADMITTED TO THE TRAINING OR RETRAINING PROGRAMMES:
* AGED ABOVE 30 ;
* HAVE BEEN WITH THE SAME EMPLOYER OR INDUSTRY FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND HAVE LOST THEIR JOB OR ARE ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR JOB BECAUSE THEIR PLANT OR BUSINESS HAS CLOSED DOWN OR MOVED OR THEIR POSITION OR SHIFT HAS BEEN ABOLISHED, OR NOT ENOUGH WORK IS AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO DO; AND
* HAVE THE NECESSARY APTITUDE, EDUCATION AND PHYSIQUE REQUIRED BY THE RELEVANT RETRAINING PROGRAMMES.
AN ALLOWANCE OF $2,800 PER MONTH WILL BE PAID TO WORKERS UNDERGOING TRAINING TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS.
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE SUPPORTING SERVICES FOR THE SELECTION AND PLACEMENT OF TRAINEES. DETAILS FOR APPLICATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COSTS OF THE PILOT SCHEME FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $14.3 MILLION WHICH INCLUDE $4.2 MILLION TRAINING ALLOWANCE.
HE SAID THE SCHEME IS TO BE FINANCED BY A LEVY IMPOSED ON EMPLOYERS IMPORTING WORKERS UNDER THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME.
"PENDING THE SETTING UP OF A STATUTORY FUND FOR THE SCHEME, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED A RECOVERABLE ADVANCE OF $50 MILLION TO ENABLE THE SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THIS SUM .......
SUNDAY, MAY 10, .1992
"THIS SUM WILL BE RECOVERED FROM THE STATUTORY FUND AFTER IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED."
A BILL FOR THE SETTING UP OF THE STATUTORY FUND IS BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
- - 0 - -
WEAKENED WATER SUPPLY IN KOWLOON WEST ON TUESDAY
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO MOST PREMISES IN KOWLOON WEST WILL TURN WEAK FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 12) TO FACILITATE THE ANNUAL CLEANSING OF HO MAN TIN EAST NO. 1 FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE IN MONG KOK, YAU MA TEI, TSIM SHA TSUI AND HUNG HOM, INCLUDING THOSE AT BOUNDARY STREET, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, ARGYLE STREET, NATHAN ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, FERRY STREET, JORDAN ROAD, GASCOIGNE ROAD, AUSTIN ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, SALISBURY ROAD, HONG CHONG ROAD, MA TAU WAI ROAD, FAT KWONG STREET, LOK MAN SUN CHUEN, PUI CHING ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND PERTH STREET.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WORK CONTINUING TO RESTABILISE SLOPES ............................... 1
CLOSURE OF BAGUIO VILLA BLOCK 26 .................................... 2
ASSISTANCE FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS .......................... 2
COMMISSIONER OF BANKING'S ANNUAL REPORT 1991 ........................ 2
PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS VISITING CHINA ........................ 4
TAIWAN'S ORIGIN REQUIREMENT EXTENDS TO ALL TRADING PARTNERS ......... 5
THIRD ISSUE OF GOVT BONDS TO BE TENDERED NEXT MONDAY ................ 5
OLD-TYPE I.D. CARDS INVALID FRCM MAY 14 ............................. 6
UK/HK SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS ANNOUNCED .................................. 6
PLACEMENT SERVICE TO HELP REDUNDANT TEACHERS ........................ 8
WATER SUPPLY TO GC OFF IN HO MAN TIN, SAI KUNG ...................... 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................ 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 10
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
1
WORK CONTINUING TO RESTABILISE SLOPES
* * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (MONDAY) REITERATED PREVIOUS ASSURANCES THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE IS BEING DONE TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN THE SLOPE ABOVE BAGUIO VILLA AND ON KENNEDY ROAD WHICH WERE DESTABILISED BY LAST FRIDAY’S RAINSTORM.
’’THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE IS WORKING VIGOROUSLY ON MEASURES TO RESTABILISE THE SLOPES AND TO DETERMINE THE CAUSES OF SLOPE FAILURES.
"IT IS PLANNED THAT AN INITIAL REVIEW WILL BE MADE WITHIN A WEEK AND THAT A DETAILED REVIEW WILL BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN A MONTH FROM NOW,” HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID THE INTENSITY OF LAST FRIDAY’S RAINSTORM WAS COMPARABLE TO THAT IN MAY 1982 WHICH RESULTED IN MORE THAN 1,000 LANDSLIDES AND TO THE ONE IN JUNE 1972 WHICH RESULTED IN 138 DEATHS.
"WHILE IT IS A TRAGIC FACT THAT LAST FRIDAY’S RAINSTORM CAUSED FOUR DEATHS AND TWO SIGNIFICANT SLOPE FAILURES, THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SERIOUS HAD WE NOT PROGRESSED A LONG WAY ALONG THE PROGRAMMED INVESTIGATION AND REMEDIAL WORKS TO STABILISE DANGEROUS SLOPES IN HONG KONG.
"DURING THE PAST 15 YEARS, ALMOST $910 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON CAPITAL WORKS FOR SLOPE IMPROVEMENT.
"THE PROGRAMME IS NOW IN AN ADVANCED STAGE, TARGETING AT SLOPES THAT ARE JUDGED AS SUFFICIENTLY LOW-RISK TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LONGTERM SLOPE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME.
"WE ARE SPENDING SOME $70 MILLION ANNUALLY ON THE PROGRAMME."
MR BLAKE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT 60,000 SQUATTERS HAD BEEN MOVED FROM DANGEROUS SLOPES, LEAVING ONLY AROUND 2,000 STILL LIVING ON HIGH-RISK SLOPES.
AT THE BEGINNING OF WET SEASON, THE DISTRICT OFFICER DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS IN THE SQUATTER AREAS GIVING WARNING OF THE THREAT OF SLOPE FAILURE AND ADVICE ON STAYING AWAY FROM THEIR HUTS IN TIMES OF HEAVY RAIN AND STORMS.
AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT’S LANDSLIP WARNING SYSTEM IS IN USE THIS YEAR. DURING A LANDSLIP WARNING, SQUATTERS LIVING ON STEEP SLOPES ARE URGED, THROUGH RADIO AND TV ANNOUNCEMENTS, TO TAKE REFUGE IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS MADE AVAILABLE BY DISTRICT OFFICES.
MR BLAKE COMMENTED THAT WHILE THERE IS NO 100% FOOL-PROOF METHOD TO ENTIRELY AVOID THE POTENTIAL LANDSLIDE THREAT, THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO MINIMISING SUCH RISKS THROUGH ITS VIGOROUS SLOPE CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS PROGRAMME. A MEANS OF ALLOWING ACCESS TO THE REGISTER OF SLOPES WHICH IS BEING HELD WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO TO BE FOUND.
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/2 ........
MONDAY, MAY 11,
1992
2
CLOSURE OF BAGUIO VILLA BLOCK 26 *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT OBTAINED A COURT ORDER THIS (MONDAY) MORNING FOR THE CLOSURE OF BLOCK 26 OF BAGUIO VILLA IN POKFULAM.
THE BUILDING WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED THAT THERE IS NO FURTHER RISK TO THE BUILDING.
- - 0 - -
ASSISTANCE FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS
*****
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE IN THE WAKE OF RECENT LANDSLIPS AND FLOODINGS IN THE DISTRICT CAN CONTACT THE DISTRICT OFFICE FOR INFORMATION.
THE OFFICE WILL ALSO CONSIDER PROVIDING TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION TO THOSE IN NEED AND WILL HELP RESIDENTS APPLY FOR CHARITABLE RELIEF FUNDS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 551 0111 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
- - 0 - -
COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S ANNUAL REPORT 1991
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR DAVID CARSE, NOTED IN HIS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THAT 1991 WAS AN EXCEPTIONALLY PROFITABLE YEAR FOR THE BANKING INDUSTRY.
THE REPORT, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY), REVIEWS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BANKING INDUSTRY AS WELL AS SUPERVISORY DEVELOPMENTS IN 1991.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR CARSE SAID: ’’FAVOURABLE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG AND A WIDENING OF DOMESTIC MARGINS HAVE HELPED TO BOOST THE PROFIT GROWTH OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS.
”A NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS WERE ABLE TO PUBLISH PROFIT INCREASES OF 30% OR MORE IN 1991”.
MR CARSE SAID THE HONG KONG FINANCIAL SYSTEM HAD AGAIN DEMONSTRATED IN 1991 ITS ROBUSTNESS AND RESILIENCE BY BEING ABLE TO ABSORB THE EFFECTS OF THE FAILURE OF A SIGNIFICANT RETAIL BANK, BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG (BCCHK) AND THE TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONFIDENCE BY SOME DEPOSITORS IN SEVERAL OTHER BANKS IN THE AFTERMATH OF BCCHK’S CLOSURE.
/HE SAID
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
3
HE SAID: "THE CLOSURE OF BCCHK SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DETRACT FROM THE SUPERVISORY FRAMEWORK IN HONG KONG WHICH COMPARES WELL WITH THOSE IN OTHER MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES".
HE ADDED THAT THE ORIGINS OF THE PROBLEMS OF THE BCC GROUP LAY OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAS TAKEN FURTHER STEPS
TO STRENGTHEN THE SUPERVISORY FRAMEWORK.
NEW LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED IN 1991 WHICH STRENGTHENS THE PROVISIONS OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE PARTICULARLY RELATING TO CHANGES OF CONTROL OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND TO LIMITATIONS ON CREDIT EXPOSURES.
FURTHER LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED WHICH WILL PERMIT EXTERNAL AUDITORS TO PLAY AN INCREASED ROLE IN THE REVIEW OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS’ INTERNAL CONTROLS.
MR CARSE SAID THE BASLE COMMITTEE ON BANKING SUPERVISION WAS EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE BCC INCIDENT FOR THE SUPERVISION OF INTERNATIONAL BANKS.
HE INDICATED THAT HIS OFFICE WOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF ANY RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH THE BASLE COMMITTEE MADE.
THE CAPITAL ADEQUACY OF THE BANKING SYSTEM AS A WHOLE REMAINED WELL ABOVE THE LEVELS REQUIRED UNDER THE BASLE ACCORD.
"ALL LOCALLY INCORPORATED INSTITUTIONS (EXCEPT BCCHK) MET THE MINIMUM RATIOS SET FOR THEM DURING 1991," MR CARSE NOTED.
THE REPORT NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DROPPED IN 1991 FROM 405 TO 375.
MR CARSE SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT ABOUT HONG KONG’S CONTINUING ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"MOST OF THE REVOCATIONS WERE BY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, REFLECTING THE CONTINUING RATIONALISATION AND CONSOLIDATION WITHIN THAT’SECTOR," HE NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS A CONTINUING FLOW OF FOREIGN BANKS WHO WISHED TO COME TO HONG KONG.
THE RAPID GROWTH OF LENDING FOR RESIDENTIAL HOUSING ATTRACTED SUPERVISORY ATTENTION IN 1991.
MR CARSE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A HIGHLY ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL HOUSING MARKET THAT HIS OFFICE WROTE TO BANKS IN MAY, AND AGAIN IN NOVEMBER, LAST YEAR TO REMIND THEM OF THE NEED TO EXERCISE PRUDENCE WHEN LENDING IN A BOUYANT MARKET.
HE COMMENDED THE BANKING INDUSTRY FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE ITSELF IN NOVEMBER TO REDUCE THE LOAN TO VALUATION RATIO FOR NEW MORTGAGE LOANS TO 70%.
/HE WELCOMED .......
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
4
HE WELCOMED THE SLOWING DOWN OF THE GROWTH OF LENDING IN RECENT MONTHS.
HE CAUTIONED, HOWEVER, THAT UNTIL IT BECAME CLEAR THAT CONDITIONS IN THE HOUSING MARKET HAD STABILISED, INSTITUTIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT IN THEIR MORTGAGE LENDING.
THE REPORT NOTED THAT THE TREND IN PREVIOUS YEARS OF FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GROWING MORE RAPIDLY THAN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WAS REVERSED IN 1991.
MR CARSE BELIEVED THAT THE SWITCH BACK INTO HONG KONG DOLLARS MIGHT HAVE PARTLY REFLECTED THE BUILDING UP OF HONG KONG DOLLAR FUNDS BY INVESTORS IN RESPONSE TO INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
MR CARSE SAID DESPITE THE IMPACT ON SUPERVISORY RESOURCES OF THE CLOSURE OF BCCHK, HIS OFFICE WAS ABLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OFF-SITE REVIEWS, ON-SITE EXAMINATIONS AND PRUDENTIAL INTERVIEWS.
THE OFFICE AIMS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN ITS EFFORTS ON ON-SITE EXAMINATION IN THE COMING YEARS, PARTICULARLY FOR LOCALLY INCORPORATED INSTITUTIONS.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE HAS BEEN REORGANISED TO STREAMLINE AND IMPROVE WORK ARRANGEMENTS.
UNDER THE NEW STRUCTURE, INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE SAME PEER GROUP AND WITH COMMON CHARACTERISTICS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UNDER COMMON OVERSIGHT.
THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $28 PER COPY.
- - 0 - -
PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS VISITING CHINA
******
A FIVE-MEMBER DELEGATION HEADED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR PETER K.S. PUN, IS CURRENTLY VISITING BEIJING AND SHANGHAI.
DURING THE EIGHT-DAY VISIT (FROM MAY 10 TO MAY 17), THE DELEGATION WILL EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE WITH EXPERTS IN THE TWO CITIES IN ORDER TO GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA IN GENERAL AND IN THOSE CITIES IN PARTICULAR.
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION INCLUDE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER (TERRITORIAL AND SUB-REGIONAL), DR TED PRYOR; CHIEF TOWN PLANNER (TERRITORIAL STUDIES), MR LAU SIT-MING; CHIEF TOWN PLANNER (TRANSPORT STUDIES AND CENTRAL DATA), MR ALAN KAM WAI-YIP AND SENIOR TOWN PLANNER (INFORMATION AND TRAINING), MS HEIDI CHAN YUET-MEI.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
- 5 -
TAIWAN’S ORIGIN REQUIREMENT EXTENDS TO ALL TRADING PARTNERS
*****
TRADE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THAT IT HAD RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT TAIWAN’S CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN REQUIREMENT FOR TEXTILES AND CLOTHING PRODUCTS WOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER ALL SUCH IMPORTS IRRESPECTIVE OF COUNTRY OF ORIGIN WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 15.
THE CONFIRMATION WAS MADE IN A COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR ISSUED TODAY (MONDAY).
UNDER THE REVISED ARRANGEMENTS, IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG HAD TO BE COVERED, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, BY CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN ISSUED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS:
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TRADE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
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THIRD ISSUE OF GOVT BONDS TO BE TENDERED NEXT MONDAY
******
THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND ANNOUNCES TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE TENDER FOR THE THIRD ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS WILL BE HELD NEXT MONDAY (MAY 18) FOR SETTLEMENT ON TUESDAY (MAY 19).
A TOTAL OF HK$500 MILLION TWO-YEAR BONDS WILL BE ON OFFER.
IN ADDITION TO THIS AMOUNT, ANOTHER HK$100 MILLION WILL BE HELD AS RESERVE BY THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND FOR THE PURPOSES OF LAST RESORT SUPPLY TO MARKET MAKERS OF GOVERNMENT BONDS.
THE BONDS WILL MATURE ON THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1994 AND WILL CARRY INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 5.5% PER ANNUM PAYABLE SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE BONDS MAY DO SO THROUGH ANY OF THE MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND ON 24TH FLOOR, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 18 HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG (OR TELEPHONE 528 9110).
EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF HK$50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES THEREOF.
/6 ........
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
6
OLD-TYPE I.D. CARDS INVALID FROM MAY 14 » * * » *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED PARENTS WITH MALE AND FEMALE JUVENILES BORN IN 1975 OR 1976 THAT THEIR CHILDREN’S OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 WILL BECOME INVALID FROM THURSDAY (MAY 14).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "THIS IS THE 12TH BATCH OF OLD-TYPE I.D. CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO BE DECLARED INVALID."
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONCE AN OLD CARD WAS DECLARED INVALID, IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, JUVENILES OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUPS HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE I.D. CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT," HE SAID.
"THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RENEWED THIER OLD-TYPE I.D. CARDS DUE TO ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO A REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE EXCEPT MA TAU WAI OFFICE FOR RENEWAL.
"THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR OWN MERITS," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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UK/HK SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS ANNOUNCED ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR 10 OUTSTANDING HONG KONG STUDENTS TO PURSUE POSTGRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES IN SOME OF THE FINEST ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM STARTING IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1992-93.
THEY HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 300 APPLICANTS AFTER CAREFUL SHORTLISTING AND TWO SELECTION INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY THE FULL COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF QUEEN’S COUNSEL MR HENRY LITTON.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD BEEN GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE HIGH STANDARD OF THE APPLICANTS, THEIR EXCELLENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS, STRONG INTELLECTUAL AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND THEIR COMMITMENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL BEING OF HONG KONG.
"THE SELECTION TASK WAS NOT EASY, BUT COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE CONFIDENT THAT MERITS HAVE PREVAILED.
/"EACH SCHOLARSHIP .......
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
7
"EACH SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE WORTH ABOUT 11,200 POUNDS STERLING TO 15,300 POUNDS STERLING A YEAR AND WILL COVER UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEE, COLLEGE FEE IN THE CASE OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE STUDENTS, ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE OF 5,300 POUNDS STERLING TO 5,800 POUNDS STERLING AND A RETURN AIR PASSAGE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON.
"ALL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES," HE SAID.
THE TWO WINNERS OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES ARE MR TSUI YUN-CHEONG, AN ENGINEER AND MR BONIFACE CHEUNG KWOK-WAH, AN ASSISTANT CURATOR AT THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ART.
THE EIGHT WINNERS OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES ARE MR TIMOTHY CHAN HOO-WAI OF LESTER B. PEARSON COLLEGE, MR KELVIN NG KAR-WAN OF KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, MISS WINNIE TSUI WAN-WAH AND MR LING CHUN-WAI OF ST PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, MISS GEMMY CHEUNG CHUI-MING OF KING’S COLLEGE, MISS ZANDRA MOK YEE-TUEN OF HEEP YUNN SCHOOL, MR HUNG CHEUNG-FUK OF ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE AND MISS LETTY LAM CHUK-SAU OF DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL.
THE 22-YEAR-OLD MR TSUI YUN-CHEONG, WHO HOLDS A FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, IS AN ENGINEER. HE PLANS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN MATERIAL SCIENCE AT CAMBRIDGE.
MR BONIFACE CHEUNG KWOK-WAH, 26, HOLDER OF FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN FINE ARTS FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, IS CURRENTLY AN ASSISTANT CURATOR AT THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ARTS. HE WISHES TO READ A MASTER DEGREE IN COMPUTING DESIGN AT MIDDLESEX POLYTECHNIC.
MR TIMOTHY CHAN HOO-WAI, 18, OF LESTER B. PEARSON COLLEGE IN CANADA, WHO OBTAINED EIGHT DISTINCTIONS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) 1990, PLANS TO STUDY PHILOSOPHY AND ECONOMICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH.
MR KELVIN NG KAR-WAN, 17, OF KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, SCORED EIGHT DISTINCTIONS IN THE GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION 1990, PLANS TO STUDY MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS AT CAMBRIDGE.
MISS WINNIE TSUI WAN-WAH, 18, OF ST PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, SCORED EIGHT DISTINCTIONS AND TWO CREDITS IN 1990 HKCEE, INTENDS TO STUDY LAW AT OXFORD.
MR LING CHUN-WAI, 18, OF ST PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, GOT NINE DISTINCTIONS IN 1990 HKCEE, ALSO ASPIRES TO BECOME A LAWYER AFTER HE GRADUATES FROM OXFORD.
MISS GEMMY CHEUNG CHUI-MING, 18, OF KING’S COLLEGE, SCORED NINE DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT IN 1990 HKCEE, PLANS TO STUDY MEDICINE AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LONDON UNIVERSITY.
MISS ZANDRA MOK YEE-TUEN, 19, OF HEEP YUNN SCHOOL, SCORED EIGHT DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT IN 1990 HKCEE, PLANS TO STUDY ECONOMICS AT LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE.
/MR HUNG .......
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
8
MR HUNG CHEUNG-FUK, 19, OF ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, GOT SEVEN DISTINCTIONS AND TWO CREDITS IN 1990 HKCEE, WILL PURSUE A BACHELOR DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS AT OXFORD.
MISS LETTY LAM CHUK-SAU, 18, OF DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL, SCORED SIX DISTINCTIONS AND FOUR CREDITS IN 1990 HKCEE, INTENDS TO STUDY BIOCHEMISTRY AT OXFORD.
IN ADDITION TO MR HENRY LITTON, THE SELECTION COMMITTEE COMPRISES DR JAMES WONG SAI-WING; MR NEIL MAIDMENT; MR JAMES SMITH-LAITTAN OF THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION; MS CLARE KEATES OF BRITISH COUNCIL; MR SIMON LI FOOK-SEAN REPRESENTING THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB; PROFESSOR KENNEDY F. SHORTRIDGE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND MRS GRACE CHOW OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
PLACEMENT SERVICE TO HELP REDUNDANT TEACHERS * * * ♦ »
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS NOW IN OPERATION TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO GET NEW TEACHING POSTS.
ESTABLISHED IN 1975, THE PLACEMENT SERVICE HELPS REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS SEEK EMPLOYMENT AS A RESULT OF THE DROP IN SCHOOL ENROLMENT IN SOME SCHOOLS AND A SHIFT OF POPULATION FROM URBAN AREAS TO NEW TOWNS.
THE UNIT HAS HELPED MORE THAN 6,400 TEACHERS OVER THE PAST YEARS.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE THESE TEACHERS FULL ASSISTANCE AGAIN THIS YEAR," THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE UNIT, MR HO WAI-MAN, SAID.
"OUR 100% SUCCESS RATE OVER THE PAST YEARS OWES MUCH TO THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF SCHOOL HEADS AND SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES FOR WHICH THE DEPARTMENT IS MOST GRATEFUL," HE ADDED.
THE UNIT, MANNED BY FOUR OFFICERS OF THE SCHOOLS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT, IS IN ROOM 704, SEVENTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
REDUNDANT TEACHERS ARE REQUESTED TO REGISTER WITH THE UNIT BETWEEN MAY 27 AND JUNE 3 (9 AM - 12.45 PM AND 2.15 PM - 4.45 PM).
THE SCHEDULE OF REGISTRATION IS:
MAY 27 (WEDNESDAY) FOR TEACHERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND
AND THE ISLANDS, AND IN SAI KUNG
MAY 28 (THURSDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN KWUN TONG AND YAU TSIM
/MAY 29 .......
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
MAY 29 (FRIDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN WONG TAI SIN,
MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO AND KOWLOON CITY
JUNE 1 (MONDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN TAI PO, NORTH DISTRICT
AND TSUEN WAN
JUNE 2 (TUESDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN KWAI CHUNG AND
TUEN MUN, AND ON TSING YI
JUNE 3 (WEDNESDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN
ENQUIRIES ABOUT REGISTRATION MAY BE MADE ON 332 4152, 332 4197, 332 4245 AND 332 4093 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
MR HO SAID TEACHERS WOULD BE INFORMED BY LETTERS OF THEIR REDUNDANCY UNDER THE AGREED PRINCIPLE OF "LAST IN, FIRST OUT".
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE UNIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEDULE. ONCE REGISTERED WITH THE UNIT, THEY WILL ALL BE HELPED TO FIND ANOTHER TEACHING POST IN AN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
WATER SUPPLY TO GO OFF IN HO MAN TIN, SAI KUNG ♦ ♦♦**♦
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO SOME AREAS IN HO MAN TIN AND SAI KUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 13) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
IN HO MAN TIN, THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT SOME PREMISES AT ARGYLE STREET, YIM PO FONG STREET, HO MAN TIN STREET, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN HILL ROAD, SOARES AVENUE, VICTORY AVENUE AND PEACE AVENUE.
IN SAI KUNG, THE WATER CUT WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BETWEEN KAU SAI SAN TSUEN AND LUK MEI TSUEN ALONG HIRAM’S HIGHWAY, INCLUDING PAK SHA WAN AND PAK WAI.
------0--------
/10........
MONDAY, MAY 11, 1992
- 10 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 52.6% OF CAPACITY OR 308.096 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 141.850 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 24.2% OF CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
------0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
***** DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 9.5.92 1,313
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 11.5.92 -217*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -108
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -325MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +108MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.7 *+0.0* 11.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.60 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.15 4.82
1 MONTH 3.55 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.53 5.24
3 MONTHS 3.59 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.78 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.20 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6,664 MN
CLOSED 11 MAY 1992
---------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM ENCOURAGES VOLUNTARY RETURN OF NON-REFUGEES.. 1
AGREEMENT ON RETURN OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS .................. 1
STATEMENT ON MAN-MADE SLOPES .......................................... 3
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MARCH RELEASED .......................... 3
VIEWS ON REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER URGED ............................ 10
NEW PENSION SCHEME DEADLINE EXTENDED ................................. 11
TWO BUILDINGS IN TAI PO DECLARED DANGEROUS ........................... 12
WEATHER OF APRIL ..................................................... 13
REGIONAL SECRETARY TO OFFICIATE AT BUN FESTIVAL ...................... 15
EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING VITAL TO WORK SAFETY ........................ 16
YAN 01 TONG DIRECTORS VISIT SWD....................................... 17
FRESH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN SAI KUNG ............................ 18
LEGCO TO MEET TOMORROW ............................................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MCNEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 20
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
- 1 -
AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM ENCOURAGES VOLUNTARY RETURN OF NON-REFUGEES
*****
THE AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM ON THE NEXT STAGE IN THE PROCESS OF RETURNING THE NON-REFUGEE VIETNAMESE WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO GO BACK VOLUNTARILY, THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, LORD WILSON SAID: "I AM VERY PLEASED THAT WE HAVE GOT AN AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM ABOUT THIS NEXT STAGE IN THE WHOLE PROCESS OF GETTING BACK TO THEIR HOMES IN VIETNAM PEOPLE WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES.
”AN IMPORTANT PART OF DOING THIS IS THAT IT WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER TO GO BACK. WHAT WE REALLY WANT IS THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE SHOULD VOLUNTEER TO GO BACK TO THEIR HOMES AND I HOPE THAT THIS NEW STAGE IN THE PROCESS OF REACHING AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM WILL ENCOURAGE THAT,” HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
AGREEMENT ON RETURN OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
*****
THE BRITISH, HONG KONG AND VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE TODAY (TUESDAY) SIGNED AN AGREEMENT ON THE REPATRIATION OF THOSE VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG BEFORE OCTOBER 29, 1991, AND WHO FOLLOWING SCREENING HAVE BEEN DETERMINED NOT TO BE REFUGEES.
IN A JOINT STATEMENT, THE THREE PARTIES SAID:
’’WORKING TOGETHER IN CLOSE COOPERATION, THE GOVERNMENTS OF VIETNAM, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN THEIR JOINT EFFORTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN HONG KONG. AS A FURTHER STAGE IN THIS COOPERATION THESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE AGREED ON THE REPATRIATION OF THOSE VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE NOT QUALIFIED FOR RESETTLEMENT IN THIRD COUNTRIES. THE REPATRIATION OF THESE VIETNAMESE CITIZENS WILL BE CONDUCTED UNDER CONDITIONS OF ORDER, SAFETY AND DIGNITY.”
MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE ACCORD PAVED THE WAY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FINAL STAGE OF THE AGREEMENT SIGNED ON OCTOBER 29, 1991. THIS FOLLOWS THE RETURN OF THE SO-CALLED DOUBLE-BACKERS AND THOSE NONREFUGEES WHO HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG AFTER OCTOBER 29.
/STATISTICS ON .......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
2
Statistics on Vietnamese Migrants/Refugees Tuesday, 12 May 1992
Population
Screened-out VMs : 22 466
Pending screening: 29 562
Screened-in VRs : 1 301
Pre-June 1988 VRs: 2 133
Total population ; 55 462
Total at Sept 91 : 64 129
Arrived Since 29.10.91 agreement : 65
So far this year (of the 7 arrived in 1992, 4 7 returned
voluntarily, 2 screened in, 1 screened out
and pending return to Vietnam) Arrivals same period last year :3 920
(i.e. down 99.8%) Arrivals whole of 1991 : 20 207
Departed Voluntarily so far this year: 3 704 Voluntarily since March 1989: 17 683
Orderly return : 123 1st flight ( 9.11.91) 59 2nd flight (10.12.91) 28 3rd flight (12. 2.92) 36
(Of these 123 returnees, 72 were double backers, 24 accompanying family members, and 48 post-agreement arrivals)
Assistance
Pre-26 September 1991 arrivals :
US$50 (children US$25) + US$30x12 months plus EC assistance
Post-26 September 1991 arrivals :
US$50 (children US$25) + up to US$50 after return plus indirect EC community-based assistance
- - 0 - -
/3 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
- 3 -
STATEMENT ON MAN-MADE SLOPES
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKS BRANCH SAID IT WAS GROSSLY MISLEADING TO DESCRIBE THE CATALOGUE OF ABOUT 10,000 MAN-MADE SLOPES HELD WITHIN GOVERNMENT AS "DANGEROUS SLOPES".
"THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE HAS STUDIED THE 4,300 HIGHEST-RANKED SLOPES LISTED IN THE CATALOGUE. OF THESE, ABOUT 3,400 SLOPES DO NOT REQUIRE PREVENTIVE WORK, AND THE REMAINING 880 SLOPES REQUIRE STABILISING.
"SO FAR, WE HAVE COMPLETED IMPROVEMENT WORK ON OVER 750 SLOPES.
"THE SLOPES REMAINING FOR STUDY IN THE CATALOGUE ARE OF A LESSER RISK AND IT IS PLANNED TO COMPLETE A FURTHER 1,000 STUDIES EACH YEAR FROM NOW," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0--------
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MARCH RELEASED
******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN MARCH THIS YEAR, AT $142,147 MILLION, INCREASED BY 34% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH MARCH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 14% TO $17,052 MILLION WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 51% TO $51,222 MILLION.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL- EXPORTS INCREASED BY 40% TO $68,274 MILLION. MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 30% TO $73,873 MILLION.
FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AS A WHOLE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, AT $386,274 MILLION, INCREASED BY 22% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED MARGINALLY BY 0.4% TO $48,707 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 34% TO $139,611 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 23% TO $188,318 MILLION WHILE THAT OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 22% TO $197,956 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
/COMPARING MARCH .......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
4
COMPARING MARCH. 1992 WITH MARCH 1991, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN (BY 43%), SINGAPORE (BY 40%), CHINA (BY 30%), CANADA (BY 25%), THE UNITED STATES (BY 20%) AND JAPAN (BY 12%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY (-24%), FRANCE (-18%), THE NETHERLANDS (-17%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (-4%).
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1991, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA AND CHINA BOTH INCREASED BY 16%.
THOSE TO SINGAPORE, THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN INCREASED BY 8%, 6% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE NETHERLANDS AND FRANCE DECREASED, BY 30%, 14%, 14% AND 13% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $345 MILLION OR 2%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $337 MILLION OR 7%); ELECTRIC CURRENT (BY $177 MILLION OR 96%); MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $172 MILLION OR 32%); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $163 MILLION OR 4%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $766 MILLION OR 22%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $488 MILLION OR 11%); TEXTILES (BY $314 MILLION OR 9%); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $194 MILLION OR 5%).
CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING MARCH 1992 WITH MARCH 1991, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS: THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY 38%), CHINA (BY 37%), TAIWAN (BY 32%), ITALY (BY 31%), JAPAN (BY 28%), GERMANY (BY 24%), SWITZERLAND (BY 18%), THE UNITED STATES (BY 17%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY 15%) AND SINGAPORE (BY 12%).
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1991, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM GERMANY, JAPAN, CHINA, ITALY, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND TAIWAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 28%, 27%, 26%, 25%, 24% AND 22% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES AND SWITZERLAND ALSO INCREASED, BY 8%, 7% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE DECREASED BY 1%.
/TABLE 4 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
5
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $4,130 MILLION OR 40%); CLOTHING (BY $3,276 MILLION OR 25%); ROAD VEHICLES (BY $3,240 MILLION OR 101%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,984 MILLION OR 24%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,069 MILLION OR 12%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,600 MILLION OR 9%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $1,694 MILLION OR 38%); AND OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (BY $800 MILLION OR 65%).
CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING MARCH 1992 WITH MARCH 1991, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED: THE UNITED STATES (BY 81%), ITALY (BY 79%), FRANCE (BY 57%), CHINA (BY 55%), TAIWAN (BY 54%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY 52%), JAPAN (BY 35%), SINGAPORE (BY 33%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY 8%) AND GERMANY (BY 6%).
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1991, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, CHINA, ITALY, FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN AND SINGAPORE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 50%, 42%, 42%, 38%, 30%, 24% AND 18% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALSO INCREASED, BY 9% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO GERMANY DECREASED BY 6%.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $6,326 MILLION OR 55%); CLOTHING (BY $3,305 MILLION OR 25%); FOOTWEAR (BY $2,697 MILLION OR 56%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $2,468 MILLION OR 65%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,703 MILLION OR 16%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $242 MILLION OR 11%); AND BEVERAGES (BY $135 MILLION OR 23%).
FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE THIRD REVISION OF THE STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (SITC REV. 3) HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN HONG KONG IN PLACE OF THE SECOND REVISION FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF TRADE STATISTICS BY COMMODITY.
TO ACHIEVE COMPARABILITY, THE COMMODITY TRADE STATISTICS FOR 1991 PRESENTED HERE HAVE BEEN RE-CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE NEW SYSTEM.
/ALL THE .......
6
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH 1992 WILL BE RELEASED EARLY JUNE.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE MARCH 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH 1992 WILL BE ON SALE AT $52 PER COPY AROUND MAY 22.
THE REPORT CAN BE PURCHASED EITHER AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 582 4915).
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) MAR 92 OVER MAR 91 ( % ) JAN-MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 92 OVER JAN-MAR 91
( * ; )
UNITED STATES 4,086 + 20 12,346 + 6
CHINA 4,656 + 30 11,898 + 16
GERMANY 1,004 - 24 3,424 - 30
JAPAN 1,081 + 12 2,732 + 4
UNITED KINGDOM 825 - 4 2,651 - 14
SINGAPORE 849 + 40 2,207 + 8
TAIWAN 645 + 43 1,432 - 1
NETHERLANDS 356 - 17 1,203 — 14
CANADA 333 + 25 1,201 + 16
FRANCE 219 - 18 757 - 13
/TABLE 2 .......
1
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION (HK MAR 1992 D MN. ) MAR 92 OVER MAR 91 JAN-MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 92 OVER JAN-MAR 91
( % . ) ( X . )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,212 + 15 15,229 + 2
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,955 + 17 5,146 + 7
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 1,860 + 39 4,434 + 4
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,461 — 10 4,130 — 11
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,543 + 11 4,013 - 5
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,329 + 4 3,305 - 9
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) MAR 92 OVER MAR 91 ( % ) JAN-MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 92 OVER JAN-MAR 91
( % . )
CHINA 26,167 + 37 72,297 + 26
JAPAN 12,916 + 28 34,548 + 27
/TAIWAN .......
8
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
TAIWAN 7,199 + 32 17,901 + 22
UNITED STATES 5,049 + 17 13,956 + 7
REP OF KOREA 3,736 + 38 9,434 + 24
SINGAPORE 2,722 + 12 7,766 - 1
GERMANY 1,698 + 24 4,593 + 28
UNITED KINGDOM 1,513 + 15 4,366 + 8
ITALY 1,300 + 31 3,138 + 25
SWITZERLAND 1,035 + 18 2,774 + 4
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) MAR 92 OVER MAR 91 ( % ) JAN-MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 92 OVER JAN-MAR 91
( * I )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 8,797 + 20 19,968 + 9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 9 6,977 + 24 18,641 + 12
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,686 + 35 16,559 + 25
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 5,647 + 26 15,568 + 24
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 5,085 + 50 14,356 + 40
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,463 + 15 9,888 + 18
/TABLE 5 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
9
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAR MAR 92 JAN-MAR JAN-MAR 92
MAJOR MARKET 1992 OVER 1992 OVER
MAR 91 JAN-MAR 91
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 15,987 + 55 41,083 + 42
UNITED STATES 9,890 + 81 28,470 + 50
JAPAN 2,888 + 35 7,971 + 24
GERMANY 2,254 + 6 7,383 - 6
TAIWAN 2,962 + 54 6,276 + 9
UNITED KINDGOM 1 , 194 + 52 3,561 + 30
REP OF KOREA 1,252 + 8 3,207 + 2
SINGAPORE 1,189 + 33 3,057 + 18
FRANCE 872 + 57 2,493 + 38
ITALY 892 + 79 2,444 + 42
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) MAR 92 OVER MAR 91 ( % ) JAN-MAR 1992 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 92 OVER JAN-MAR 91
( % )
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 6,504 + 92 17,906 + 55
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES
5,013 + 36 16,744
+ 25
/TEXTILE YARN .......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
10
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5,447 + 34 12,617 + 16
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,121 + 46 10,488 + 23
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,793 + 35 10,466 + 22
FOOTWEAR
2,488 + 86 7,512 + 56
--------0-----------
VIEWS ON REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER URGED
*****
THE THREE-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD OF THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES WILL END ON JUNE 10.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED TODAY (TUESDAY) TO SEND IN THEIR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF REHABILITATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (RDCC) AT A SPECIAL MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.
AT THE MEETING, RDCC MEMBERS HAD A DETAILED DISCUSSION ON THE GREEN PAPER AND EXPRESSED THEIR PERSONAL VIEWS ON IT.
THEY LEARNED THAT SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE DOCUMENT, 33 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SUBMISSIONS REVEALED THAT AREAS THAT DRAW MOST CONCERN WERE PREVENTION, IDENTIFICATIONS AND ASSESSMENT, MEDICAL REHABILITATION, EDUCATION, PARTICIPATION OF DISABLED PERSONS AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.
SUGGESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ALSO INCLUDED:
* PROGRESS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE SUBSEQUENT WHITE PAPER SHOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED;
» THE PROJECTED ANNUAL INCREASE OF 2.95% FOR IMPROVING REHABILITATION SERVICES SHOULD BE INCREASED TO 6% BECAUSE THERE ARE ALREADY SHORTFALLS IN EXISTING SERVICES AND A WIDE RANGE OF MAINSTREAM SERVICES IS INADEQUATE;
/* THE GOVERNMENT .......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
11
» THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MEET THE EXISTING SHORTFALLS WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, INSTEAD OF 10 YEARS; AND
» THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET OUT CLEARLY FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO EACH OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE GREEN PAPER.
SPEAKING AT THE MEETING, COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR ALLAN CHOW, SAID THE CONSULTATION PERIOD OF THE GREEN PAPER WOULD END ON JUNE 10.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL, HAVING REGARD TO PUBLIC RESPONSE, ADJUST THE RECOMMENDATIONS AFTER THE CONSULTATION PERIOD AND SET OUT LONG-TERM STRATEGIES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICE,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
NEW PENSION SCHEME DEADLINE EXTENDED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE WITHIN WHICH PENSIONABLE CIVIL SERVANTS MUST DECIDE WHETHER THEY WISH TO JOIN THE NEW PENSION SCHEME (NPS).
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID THAT THE DEADLINE WAS BEING EXTENDED FROM JUNE 30 TO DECEMBER 31 1992.
"THIS IS IN RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT MANY STAFF ARE STILL UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER TO OPT FOR THE NPS AND HAVE ASKED US FOR A FINAL EXTENSION," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
TO IT.
"WE ARE SYMPATHETIC TO THE REQUEST AND HAVE DECIDED TO ACCEDE
"BUT FURTHER EXTENSION BEYOND THE END OF THIS YEAR WOULD BE OUT OF THE QUESTION.
"STAFF HAVE ALREADY HAD A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO MAKE UP THEIR MINDS," HE SAID.
UNDER THE TERMS OF THE EXTENSION OFFICERS WILL HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1992 OR THEIR 50TH BIRTHDAY, WHICHEVER IS THE SOONER, TO DECIDE WHETHER TO OPT FOR THE NPS.
OFFICERS WHO HAVE ALREADY OPTED HOWEVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REVOKE THEIR OPTIONS AS THIS IS NOT PERMISSIBLE UNDER PENSIONS LEGISLATION.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
- 12 -
TWO BUILDINGS IN TAI PO DECLARED DANGEROUS
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 20 ON FU ROAD IN TAI PO TO BE DANGEROUS AND THE BUILDING AT 18 OF THE SAME ROAD TOGETHER WITH THE ANNEXES AT THE REAR OF THE TWO BUILDINGS LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (TUESDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE STRUCTURES AT 18 AND 20 ON FU ROAD WERE TWO-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED OF TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOFS ON LOAD BEARING BRICK WALLS.
AT THE REAR OF EACH BUILDING IS A SINGLE-STOREY ANNEX MADE OF TIMBER RAFTERS WITH ASBESTOS COVERINGS ON LOAD-BEARING BRICK/RUBBLE WALLS.
THE BUILDING AT 20 IS IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DILAPIDATION WITH A NUMBER OF CRACKS IN THE EXTERNAL FLANK WALL AND DEFECTIVE RAFTERS AT THE REAR.
IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE BUILDING SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING DANGEROUS.
WHEREAS THE BUILDING AT 18 IS IN DILAPIDATED CONDITION WITH CRACKS IN THE PARTY WALL COMMON WITH THE BUILDING AT 20 AND HAS DEFECTIVE FLOOR JOISTS AS WELL AS DECAYED ROOF RAFTERS.
IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE BUILDING AT 18 CANNOT SAFELY WITHSTAND THE EFFECT OF DEMOLITION OF NUMBER 20 AND IT SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE PGBS ALSO SAID THE ANNEXES AT THE REAR OF 18 AND 20 ON FU ROAD ARE IN POOR' CONDITION WITH DEFECTIVE ROOF RAFTERS AND BADLY DETERIORATED LOAD BEARING BRICK/RUBBLE WALLS.
THE ANNEXES HAVE DETERIORATED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE BEYOND VIABLE REPAIR AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIVES AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 23 WERE POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS TODAY.
--------0-----------
Z13........
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
- 13 -
WEATHER OF APRIL
*****
PROLONGED HEAVY DOWNPOURS
AFFECTED HONG KONG LAST MONTH.
AS A RESULT OF TORRENTIAL RAIN, THE MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTAL ROSE TO A RECORD HIGH OF 492.2 MILLIMETRES, MAKING THE MONTH THE WETTEST APRIL SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1884.
THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO 917.4 MILLIMETRES, BREAKING THE RECORD FOR THE PERIOD LAST SET IN 1983 WHEN 916.4 MILLIMETRES WERE RECORDED.
MOST OF THE RAIN FELL IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE MONTH.
RAIN WAS HEAVIEST ON APRIL 10, WITH A TOTAL OF 160.7 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR A SINGLE DAY IN APRIL.
THERE WERE ONLY A FEW BRIEF GLIMPSES OF THE SUN IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE MONTH AND THE TOTAL DURATION OF SUNSHINE IN APRIL WAS LESS THAN 70% OF NORMAL.
BROADLY SPEAKING, THE RAIN EPISODE LASTING FROM APRIL 3 TO 11 OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN TWO DIFFERENT AIR MASSES, A COOLER ONE FROM INLAND CHINA AND A WARMER ONE WITH MARITIME ORIGIN, MET ALONG THE COAST OF GUANGDONG NEAR HONG KONG.
THE MONTH STARTED OFF FOGGY WITH LIGHT RAIN ON APRIL 1.
THE VISIBILITY FELL TO 100 METRES INSIDE THE HARBOUR IN THE MORNING AND LED TO THE DISRUPTION OF HOVER FERRY SERVICES TO THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
THE ONSET OF EASTERLIES GRADUALLY LIFTED THE FOG THE FOLLOWING DAY BUT OVERCAST SKIES PERSISTED.
AFTER THE FRESHENING OF THE COOLER EASTERLIES OVERNIGHT, THE MORNING MINIMUM ON APRIL 3 DROPPED TO 17.4 DEGREES, THE LOWEST RECORDED IN THE MONTH.
THE PASSAGE OF AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS THEN BROUGHT HEAVY RAIN TO HONG KONG THAT EVENING, MARKING THE BEGINNING OF A PROLONGED WET SPELL.
AFTER A BRIGHT START ON APRIL 4 (CHING MING FESTIVAL), HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURNED IN THE LATE AFTERNOON.
HAIL WAS REPORTED AT CAUSEWAY BAY AND POKFULAM VILLAGE ABOUT 5 PM.
ANOTHER FOUR RAINY DAYS FOLLOWED WITH TWO REPLENISHMENTS OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON REACHING THE TERRITORY ON APRIL 5 AND 8.
/FLOODS, LANDSLIPS .......
14
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
FLOODS, LANDSLIPS AND TOPPLED TREES WERE REPORTED OVER VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY BETWEEN APRIL 5 AND 7.
ON APRIL 6, THE RESIDENTS OF A BUILDING IN HAPPY VALLEY NEAR A SCENE OF LANDSLIDE HAD TO BE EVACUATED.
AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A RAIN BAND AND THE MODERATION OF THE WINDS, RAIN BECAME LESS FREQUENT ON APRIL 9 AND A LITTLE SUNSHINE MANAGED TO PENETRATE THROUGH THE CLOUDS IN THE MORNING.
HOWEVER, RAINSTORM RETURNED THE NEXT DAY WITH EVEN GREATER RAINFALL INTENSITY. MOST OF THE RAINFALL WAS RECORDED DURING THE EVENING AND MORE THAN 45 MILLIMETRES WERE RECORDED BETWEEN 8 AND 9 PM THAT NIGHT.
THE HEAVY DOWNPOURS CAUSED ADDITIONAL MUDSLIPS AND FLOODS OVER HONG KONG. SOME RESIDENTS IN MOUNT DAVIS AND RENNIE’S HILL WERE EVACUATED AS A RESULT AND A HUT IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF HONG KONG ISLAND WAS DAMAGED BY A FALLEN BOULDER.
IN THE SMALL HOURS OF APRIL 11, THE COLLAPSE OF A RETAINING WALL AT TSIM SHA TSUI BLOCKED THE WAY LEADING TO ESCOLA CAMOES PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
THEN FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE, A NORTHERLY AIRSTREAM ARRIVED IN HONG KONG DURING THE DAY, PUTTING AN END TO THE RAIN SPELL.
IT REMAINED CLOUDY ON APRIL 12 AND 13. AS THE NORTHEAST MONSOON MODERATED, COASTAL MIST RETURNED ON APRIL 13.
HOWEVER, CLOUDS THINNED AND THERE WERE SOME BRIGHT PERIODS THE NEXT DAY. WITH FURTHER DISPERSION OF CLOUDS, HONG KONG ENJOYED TWO FINE AND WARM DAYS ON APRIL 15 AND 16.
THE EASTER HOLIDAYS BEGAN WITH INCREASING CLOUD AMOUNT ON APRIL 17. ON APRIL 18 AND 19, MIST THICKENED AND RAIN SET IN AS THE EASTERLIES GAVE WAY TO A WARMER MARITIME AIRFLOW.
A TAIWANESE CARGO SHIP AND A LIGHTER COLLIDED NEAR TSING YI ISLAND ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 19, BEFORE THE WEATHER TURNED FINE AGAIN IN THE AFTERNOON.
HOWEVER, IN THE NEXT FOUR DAYS, SUCCESSIVE OUTBREAKS OF COOL EASTERLIES ALONG THE COAST OF SOUTHEASTERN CHINA BROUGHT CLOUDY WEATHER AND LIGHT RAIN TO HONG KONG.
AS THE ANTICYCLONE OVER EAST CHINA WEAKENED, THE EASTERLIES AFFECTING THE TERRITORY MODERATED AND THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY FINE AND WARM APART FROM PATCHES OF FOG AND DRIZZLE IN THE MORNING FROM APRIL 24 TO 26.
WITH PROLONGED SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES WERE ON THE RISE DURING THE LAST FOUR DAYS OF THE MONTH AS A SOUTH TO SOUTHWESTERLY AIRFLOW ESTABLISHED ITSELF ALONG THE SOUTH CHINA COAST. THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 29.6 DEGREES RECORDED ON APRIL 30 AFTERNOON WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE MONTH.
/NO TROPICAL ......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
15
NO TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC DURING THE MONTH.
THIRTEEN AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER IN APRIL.
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT ON APRIL 3-11, 18 AND 21-22. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON APRIL 5, 6, 8, 10 AND 11. NO SIGNALS WERE HOISTED DURING THE MONTH.
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 75.5 HOURS; 33.4 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 9.50 MJ/SQM; 3.64 MJ/SQM BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 492.2 MM; 330.7 MM ABOVE NORMAL 85%; 7% MORE THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR 87%; 4% HIGHER THAN NORMAL 24.3 DEGREES CELSIUS;
TEMPERATURE MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL 21.9 DEGREES CELSIUS;
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM 0.3 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL 20.3 DEGREES CELSIUS;
AIR TEMPERATURE MEAN DEW POINT 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL 19.5 DEGREES CELSIUS; 0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 57.9 MM; 49.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
---------0-----------
REGIONAL SECRETARY TO OFFICIATE AT BUN FESTIVAL
******
THOUSANDS OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO FLOCK TO CHEUNG CHAU NEXT MONDAY (MAY 18) WHEN THE ISLANDERS HOLD A GRANT PROCESSION TO CELEBRATE THE WEEK-LONG BUN FESTIVAL.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE EVENT ORGANISED BY THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE CHEUNG CHAU 'TA CHIU’ 1992 COMMITTEE.
THE TWO-HOUR PARADE, INVOLVING SOME 2,000 PEOPLE AND SEVERAL HUNDRED SCHOOL CHILDREN, WILL START AT 2 PM FROM PAK TEI TEMPLE AND MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH THE BUSTLING ALLEYWAYS TO FUNG SHUI LANE IN FRONT OF THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT TAI SHEK HAU.
/THE PROCESSION .......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
16
THE PROCESSION WILL THEN MAKE A CIRCUIT OF CHEUNG CHAU TOWN AND RETURN TO PAK TEI TEMPLE.
THERE WILL BE 13 FLOATS, LION AND UNICORN DANCES, FLAG PARADES, CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND FESTIVAL MUSIC FEATURING DRUMS AND GONGS.
SHRINES OF DEITIES AND THE FAMED SWORD OF THE GOD, PAK TEI, WILL ALSO BE FEATURED.
THE BUN FESTIVAL, HELD TO APPEASE THE WANDERING SPIRITS OF PEOPLE KILLED BY PIRATES ON THE ISLAND IN THE EARLY DAYS, HAS BEEN ORGANISED ANNUALLY WITHOUT INTERRUPTION FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.
CELEBRATIONS OF THE FESTIVAL, FEATURING DAILY CANTONESE OPERA SHOWS, EYE-DOTTING CEREMONIES FOR LIONS AND UNICORNS, A GHOST-WORSHIPPING CEREMONY, A SMALLER SCALE PARADE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BUNS, WILL START ON FRIDAY (MAY 15) WITH THE PROCESSION ON MONDAY BEING THE CLIMAX.
AS A TOKEN OF SINCERITY AND HUMILITY, THE ISLANDERS WILL NOT TAKE MEAT FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS BEGINNING FROM SATURDAY. NO ANIMALS WILL BE SLAUGHTERED DURING THIS PERIOD.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL PROCESSION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 18).
PRESS BADGES FOR THE EVENT ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISIONS OF THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS, 30TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI. PLEASE NOTE THAT EACH ORGANISATION WILL BE GIVEN ONLY ONE BADGE.
- - 0 - -
EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING VITAL TO WORK SAFETY
*****
EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO ENSURE SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKING CONDITIONS.
THE REMARK WAS MADE BY SENIOR EXPERT OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO) DR KARI KURPPA AT THE OPENING OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT-TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR TRAINERS THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TRAIN THE TRAINERS WHO CAN IMPLEMENT FLEXIBLE TRAINING PROGRAMMES," DR KURPPA SAID.
/"POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
17
’’POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS AT WORKPLACES MUST BE ENCOURAGED DURING TRAINING ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES THROUGH DIRECT PARTICIPATION OF MANAGERS AND WORKERS,” HE SAID.
THE SYMOPSIUM IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC OF THE ILO AND THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
MORE THAN 100 INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISORS AND SAFETY OFFICERS TOOK PART.
"THE SYMPOSIUM IS OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO THE ILO TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION PROJECT AS IT IS THE FIRST TRAINING ACTIVITY FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED BY A LONG-TERM ILO PROJECT NOW LAUNCHED TO ADVANCE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IN ASIA,” DR KURPPA SAID.
HE SAID THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS CALLED THE ASIAN REGIONAL PROGRAMME ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, WOULD HAVE PARTICIPANTS FROM 20 ASIAN AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES OR AREAS, INCLUDING HONG KONG.
ONE OF THE MAIN STRATEGIES OF THE PROGRAMME IS THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COST-EFFECTIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT WILL LAST FOR FOUR YEARS, BUT THE ENTIRE PROGRAMME IS EXPECTED TO RUN 20 YEARS.
--------0-----------
YAN 01 TONG DIRECTORS VISIT SWD * * * * *
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YAN 01 TONG TODAY (TUESDAY) PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, AND EXCHANGED VIEWS ON WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.
THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CASEY HO KWAN-CHU, OUTLINED THE EXISTING SERVICES BY YAN 01 TONG AND THANKED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR OFFERING SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO THEIR PLANNED PROJECTS.
MR CARTLAND COMMENDED THE ORGANISATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASSURED BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM.
---------0-----------
/18 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
FRESH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN SAI KUNG ******
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO MOST PREMISES ALONG CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD IN SAI KUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 14) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES ALONG A SECTION OF CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD FROM FEI NGO SHAN ROAD TO SHAW’S STUDIO, INCLUDING PIK UK PRISON, CLEAR WATER BAY APARTMENTS AND THOSE AT ANDERSON ROAD AND RAZOR HILL ROAD.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO TO MEET TOMORROW » ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL DEBATE TWO SEPARATE MOTIONS ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION AS WELL AS THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
ONE OF THE MOTIONS, PROPOSED BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN, URGES THE GOVERNMENT, IN FORMULATING NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET, TO INCREASE THE PROVISIONS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
THE OTHER MOTION TO BE MOVED BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN IS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD.
MEANWHILE, THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG WILL RAISE AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON CHINESE MEDICINE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK A TOTAL OF 21 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE MEETING.
OF THE SIX BILLS, FOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1992, CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
DEBATES ON BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WILL BE RESUMED. THE TWO BILLS ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE AND THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE.
ALSO, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE.
/THE SECRETARY
19
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY WILL TABLE THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991-92.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL TABLE THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE DATED JANUARY 1992.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
--------0-----------
• HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS * * * * *
TENDER DATE 12 MAY 92 12 MAY 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q220 H264
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,200 MN HKD 970 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.60 PCT 3.79 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.60 PCT 3.79 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 87 PCT ABOUT 95 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.64 PCT 3.84 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 18 MAY 1992 -
TENDER DATE 18 MAY 92 19 MAY 92 19 MAY 92
PAPER ON OFFER GOVT BONDS EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER 2405 Q221 Y290
ISSUE DATE 19 MAY 92 20 MAY 92 20 MAY 92
MATURITY DATE 19 MAY 94 19 AUG 92 19 MAY 93
TENOR 2 YEARS 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$ 500 + 100 MN HK$500 + 100 MN HK$200 + 60 MN
COUPON 5.50 PCT N. A. N. A.
0 — _ — — /20
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1992
20 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 11.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 12.5.92 -30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.5 *-0.2* 12.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.47 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.20 4.78
1 3 6 12 MONTH MONTHS MONTHS i MONTHS 3.52 3.5T 3.78 4.20 PCT PCT PCT PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.60 5.20
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,647 MN
CLOSED 12 MAY 1992
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
STATEMENT BY CS TO LEGCO ON GOVT’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO THE RAIN STORM ......................................................... 1
PROSPERITY AND GROWTH TO BE BUILT ON AIRPORT FOUNDATIONS ........ 3
SPEECH BY SEM WHEN WINDING UP MOTION DEBATE ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION IN LEGCO ................................. 5
SPEECH BY ACTING SHW IN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON CHINESE MEDICINE IN LEGCO.......................................................... 9
MEASURES TO COMBAT ARMED ROBBERIES OUTLINED .................... 10
AIRPORT SITE FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BE ASSESSED SOON........... 11
PRACTICAL MEASURES DRAWN UP TO ACCELERATE LOCALISATION ......... 12
EFFICIENCY OF CIVIL SERVICE BEING MONITORED .................... 13
GOVT EXAMINING LAW OF PRIVACY .................................. 14
ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION POLICY REITERATED ..................... 15
NO PLAN TO CONTROL MEDICINE LABELLING........................... 15
STRUCTURE DESIGN REQUIRED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SETTLEMENT OF RECLAIMED AREA ............................................... 16
TWO-TIER MECHANISM TO MONITOR CCMPLAINTS AGAINST HOSPITALS ..... 17
LDC TO REIMBURSE COMPENSATION EXPENSES ......................... 18
POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT FOR RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS .......... 19
COMMISSION PAYMENT - ONE FACTOR FOR GOVT TO CHOOSE ESTATE AGENTS 20
RECOMMENDATIONS ON GENERAL TEACHING COUNCIL TO BE MADE SOON... 20
LAW ALREADY COVERED IN FORMAL CURRICULUM ....................... 21
PARENTS' PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL MANAGEMENT ENCOURAGED ......... 22
IMPROVEMENTS TO SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PROPOSED .... 23
ACTING STI ON CONSUMER PROTECTION .............................. 24
/M GOVT
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
42 GOVT OFFICIALS DEPLOYED TO PAA .................................... 26
DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON II MOTHERS ONGOING ......................... 26
13 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS' STRUCTURES CLEARED .......................... 27
STANDARDS OF CARE FOR ANIMALS ON DISPLAY SATISFACTORY ................ 27
CHANGES TO 3RD QUARTER APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TABLED ... 28
BILL TO UPDATE LAND REGISTRATION ORDINANCE INTRODUCED................. 29
POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED ......................... 30
CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL INTRODUCED ........................... 31
CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS TO INCREASE .................................. 31
INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE SERVICE TO BE EXPANDED ............. 32
MOTION ON NEW AIRPORT PROJECT PASSED ................................. 33
RENTON TO CHAIR BRITISH-HK PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ......................... 34
FINDINGS OF STUDY GROUP ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS RELEASED .................................................... 34
POLICE CHIEF WELCOMES RECRUITMENT MEASURES ............................. 38
GUANGDONG GOVERNOR TO VISIT HK ......................................... 38
GOVERNOR VISITS UNIVERSITY ............................................. 39
SOCIETIES ORDINANCE TO BE AMENDED ...................................... 40
APRIL AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED ...................................... 41
STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME NEVER SHELVED ......................... 44
POWER FOR HIGH COURT TO AFFIRM CONVICTION PROPOSED ..................... 46
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ............................... 46
THREE PIECES OF GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ............................. 47
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ......................................... 48
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON FRIDAY .................................... 48
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 49
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
STATEMENT BY CS TO LEGCO ON GOVT’S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO THE RAIN STORM **»*»»
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
THE RAINSTORM WHICH STRUCK HONG KONG LAST FRIDAY MORNING WAS ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE EVER RECORDED IN THE TERRITORY. IN SOME PLACES - PARTICULARLY THE NORTH WESTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND -OVER 300 MM OR 12 INCHES OF RAIN FELL IN NINE HOURS. THE STORM BROUGHT IN ITS WAKE SERIOUS FLOODING, MORE THAN 175 LANDSLIPS, DISRUPTION TO OUR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND, TRAGICALLY, THE LOSS OF FIVE LIVES. I AM SURE THAT 1 SPEAK FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL AND INDEED FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WHEN I SAY THAT THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF THOSE WHO DIED HAVE OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY. WE SHARE THE SADNESS OF THE FAMILIES AND WE OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES ON THE LOSS OF THEIR DEAR ONES.
I THINK MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THE INTENSITY AND SEVERITY OF THE STORM COULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORESEEN AND THAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE FACED WITH A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION. HAVING SAID THIS, I ACCEPT THAT THE STORM AND ITS AFTERMATH HAVE REVEALED SOME SHORTCOMINGS IN OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE MECHANISMS. WE HAVE MOVED QUICKLY TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS AND I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WE ARE DETERMINED TO LEARN THE LESSONS. I AM NOT IN A POSITION TODAY TO ANNOUNCE THE FULL DETAILS OF HOW WE INTEND TO IMPROVE OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM, BUT 1 CAN EXPLAIN IN GENERAL TERMS WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO PUT IN PLACE.
WE HAVE TO IMPROVE OUR ARRANGEMENTS SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO EMERGENCIES. BUT THESE RESPONSES MUST BE SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE SO THAT WE AVOID ALARMING THE PUBLIC OR DISRUPTING THE DAILY LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY UNNECESSARILY. CLEARLY, WE DO NOT WANT A FULL SCALE EMERGENCY RESPONSE EVERY TIME WE GET HEAVY RAIN; BUT WE DO NEED A SYSTEM WHICH ALERTS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SO THAT THEY ARE READY TO RESPOND ONCE IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT WE ARE FACING A MAJOR PROBLEM. OUR AIM IS THEREFORE A TWO STAGE ARRANGEMENT.
- THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL TRIGGER THE FIRST STAGE ON THE BASIS OF THEIR FORECASTING OF HEAVY RAINSTORMS LIKELY TO AFFECT HONG KONG. IT WILL INVOLVE A SERIES OF WARNINGS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SO THAT THEIR EMERGENCY TEAMS AND RESPONSES CAN BE PUT IN PLACE QUICKLY. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A MATTER OF PRIMING THE DEPARTMENTS AND MAKING SURE STAFF ARE IN POSITION AND ALERT.
/- ON MOST .......
WEDNESDAY, MAT 1J, xiHx
2
- ON MOST OCCASIONS HEAVY RAINSTORMS DO NOT DEVELOP INTO THE SORT OF INUNDATION WE SAW LAST FRIDAY AND IT WOULD CLEARLY BE A MISTAKE TO TRIGGER A FULL EMERGENCY RESPONSE EVERY TIME. IT IS ALSO CLEAR THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FORECAST ACCURATELY THE LEVEL OF RAIN FALL. WE BELIEVE THEREFORE THAT THE SECOND STAGE OF THE RAINSTORM ALERT SYSTEM SHOULD BE TRIGGERED BY THE ACTUAL RAIN FALL LEVELS BEING RECORDED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. AS WE WILL ALREADY HAVE ALERTED THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS BEFORE THE RAIN STARTS TO FALL THIS SYSTEM WILL ENSURE THAT WE ARE READY TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND FLEXIBLY ONCE IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO CONTEND WITH SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES. AND IT IS AT THIS STAGE THAT THE PUBLIC WILL BE GIVEN EARLY AND CLEAR ADVICE ON HOW TO RESPOND.
WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THE DETAILS OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS BUT OUR AIMS ARE CLEAR. WE WANT A SYSTEM BASED ON OBJECTIVE TRIGGERS WHICH LEADS TO A HIGH STATE OF PREPAREDNESS BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. WE ALSO NEED TO RESPOND FLEXIBLY SO THAT THE PUBLIC IS GIVEN CLEAR AND APPROPRIATE ADVICE. I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WE SHALL COMPLETE THIS WORK VERY QUICKLY AND MAKE KNOWN THE DETAILS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES LAST FRIDAY WAS THAT THE STORM STRUCK BETWEEN 6 - 7 A.M. AND DISRUPTED SCHOOLING ARRANGEMENTS. THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WAS CONCERNED TO AVOID A SITUATION IN WHICH SOME CHILDREN SET OFF FOR THEIR SCHOOLS IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS ONLY TO FIND THE SCHOOLS CLOSED OR THAT THERE WAS NO TEACHER THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. BUT OUR RESPONSES MUST BE SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO COPE EVEN IF THE EMERGENCY ARISES AT THE MOST INCONVENIENT OR DIFFICULT TIME. THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IS ALREADY WORKING ON A PLAN TO ACHIEVE THIS AND IS GETTING MAXIMUM COOPERATION FROM THE SCHOOLS. FOLLOWING ON FROM THE EVENTS OF LAST WEEK WE ARE ALL AGREED THAT IT IS BETTER TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION AND CLOSE THE SCHOOLS. THIS WILL CERTAINLY BE OUR GUIDELINE IN THE FUTURE.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INFORM MEMBERS OF THE PRESENT POSITION WITH THE MORE THAN 175 LANDSLIPS WHICH OCCURRED DURING THE STORM. THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THESE POSED NO SERIOUS THREAT OF INJURY OR DISRUPTION TO COMMUNICATIONS. OUR WORKS DEPARTMENTS MOVED QUICKLY TO DEAL WITH THE LANDSLIPS, PARTICULARLY THOSE AFFECTING PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNICATIONS. MORE THAN 100 GEOTECHNICAL STAFF, SCORES OF OTHER ENGINEERS AND HUNDREDS OF CONTRACTOR’S STAFF WERE DEPLOYED AND REMEDIAL WORKS WERE SET IN HAND. ALL EXCEPT 4 OR 5 ROADS WERE CLEARED WITHIN 24 HOURS AND PROTECTIVE WORKS FOR MANY OF THE LANDSLIPS WERE CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE SAME PERIOD.
THE HIGHEST 24-HOUR RAINFALL OCCURRED IN THE NORTH WESTERN CORNER OF HONG KONG ISLAND, WHERE BAGUIO VILLAS IS SITUATED. I CAN ASSURE THOSE RESIDENTS OF BAGUIO VILLAS WHO HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO COMPLETE OUR GEOTECHNICAL WORK AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. SAFETY MUST BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY BUT WE UNDERSTAND THE UNHAPPINESS AND DISRUPTION FACED BY RESIDENTS OF THE AFFECTED BLOCKS. BY THE END OF THIS WEEK WE WILL BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER IT IS SAFE FOR RESIDENTS TO RETURN TO BLOCK 26 .
/WE ARE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13,
3
WE ARE ALSO CARRYING OUT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF THE LANDSLIP BEHIND BAGUIO VILLA AND ARE DRAWING UP DETAILED PLANS FOR THE REMEDIAL WORK NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE LONG TERM STABILITY OF THE SLOPE. FULL INFORMATION ON BOTH WILL BE MADE PUBLIC AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE CURRENT SITUATION ON OUR SLOPE STABILISATION PROGRAMME. THIS PROGRAMME BEGAN IN 1976 AND WE HAVE PREPARED A CATALOGUE OF ABOUT 10,000 SLOPES WHICH MIGHT REQUIRE STABILISATION WORKS. WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR INVESTIGATION WORK ON 4,300 OF THESE AND HAVE DETERMINED THAT ONLY 880 REQUIRED WORK. WORK ON 750 OF THESE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THE INVESTIGATION PROGRAMME WILL PROCEED AT THE RATE OF ABOUT 1,000 EACH YEAR AND OF COURSE WE HAVE GIVEN PRIORITY TO THOSE WHICH ARE MOST LIKELY TO NEED WORK. WE HAVE ALSO GIVEN PRIORITY TO CLEARING ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE SLOPES IN SQUATTER AREAS AND ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE MADE IMPORTANT PROGRESS. IN 1982 WE ESTIMATED THAT UP TO 60,000 SQUATTERS WERE AT RISK FROM POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE SLOPES. ALMOST ALL OF THESE AREAS HAVE BEEN CLEARED AND THE SQUATTERS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH ALTERNATIVE, BETTER HOUSING. WE NOW ESTIMATE THAT THERE ARE FEWER THAN 2,000 SQUATTERS REMAINING ON A SPECIALLY VULNERABLE TERRAIN AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WILL BE REHOUSED BY EARLY 1994 AT THE LATEST.
THE GOVERNMENT’S CATALOGUE OF SLOPES IS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION UNIT AND THE DEPARTMENT IS PLEASED TO PROVIDE ADVICE TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS IT.
IN CONCLUSION I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT WE HAVE MADE ENORMOUS PROGRESS ON THIS ISSUE OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS. THE LIMITED DAMAGE FROM LAST FRIDAY’S STORM IS PROOF THAT THE $1 BILLION OF PUBLIC MONEY INVESTED IN SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS HAS BEEN WELL SPENT.
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PROSPERITY AND GROWTH TO BE BUILT ON AIRPORT FOUNDATIONS
1 1 1 1 1 1
HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE NEXT CENTURY WILL BE BUILT ON THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP), FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THIS EVENING AT THE END OF A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND THE ACP.
"TO PROCEED CONFIDENTLY WITH THE ACP IS THE WAY TO ENSURE A GROWING ECONOMY, AND WITH IT A GROWING ABILITY TO FUND SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE OTHER ITEMS WHICH WILL NOT JUST SAFEGUARD, BUT FURTHER IMPROVE, THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"TO REFUSE TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGE, TO OPPOSE CHANGE, IS TO OPT FOR STAGNATION AND DECLINE."
/MR MACLEOD .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
4
MR MACLEOD STRESSED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO:
* OPERATE STRICT COST CONTROLS OF ALL ACP PROJECTS;
* RESPOND CONSTRUCTIVELY TO SPECIFIC AND REASONABLE REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION ON THE ACP; AND
* MAINTAIN A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD ON THE AWARD OF ALL CONTRACTS.
"AN IMPRESSIVE MOMENTUM HAS DEVELOPED IN RECENT MONTHS AS DESIGN WORK HAS ADVANCED, TENDERS INVITED, CONTRACTS AWARDED, AND WORK STARTED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES," HE SAID.
"I BELIEVE THAT ALL CONCERNED UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THIS MOMENTUM TO BE SUSTAINED. TO LET IT FALTER OR SLIP WOULD BE EXPENSIVE AND WOULD UNDERMINE CONFIDENCE IN THE ACP, AND MAKE BORROWING MORE DIFFICULT."
MR MACLEOD WAS REPLYING TO A MOTION THAT CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT ACP EXPENDITURE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY MATERIAL EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON SOCIAL SERVICES AND OTHER PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS, AND THAT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE SAFEGUARDED.
HE REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PROJECTIONS SHOWED THAT THE ACP WOULD TAKE UP ABOUT 25% OF TOTAL ESTIMATED GOVERNMENT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THE PROGRAMME ITSELF WOULD ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
HONG KONG’S SUCCESS HAD BEEN BUILT ON THE FOUNDATIONS OF SUCH VISIONARY PROJECTS AS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS, SAID MR MACLEOD.
"IF WE HAD NOT TURNED SUCH VISIONS INTO REALITY, HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE WHAT IT IS TODAY, NOR WOULD IT BE POISED FOR THE GROWTH OF THE COMING YEARS.
"NOW THE VISION IS A NEW AIRPORT TO TAKE US INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, SERVED BY A RAILWAY, NEW HIGHWAYS, AND A THIRD HARBOUR TUNNEL. THESE ROAD AND RAIL FACILITIES WILL PROVIDE THE FAST ROAD AND RAIL TRANSPORT NEEDED BY A MODERN CITY AND AIRPORT OPERATING ROUND THE CLOCK."
OTHER SOCIAL BENEFITS FROM THE PROGRAMME’S ROAD, RAIL AND OTHER PROJECTS WOULD INCLUDE:
* RELIEF FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC FROM ROAD AND RAIL CONGESTION ON ROUTES THROUGH WEST KOWLOON;
* RAPID ACCESS TO TSING YI AND THE NEW TOWNS PLANNED FOR NORTH LANTAU;
* ACCESS IN 30 MINUTES FROM CENTRAL AND KOWLOON TO THE RECREATIONAL AREAS OF LANTAU;
/* IMPROVED LIVELIHOOD .......
WEDNESDAY, WAY 13, 1992
5
♦ IMPROVED LIVELIHOOD FOR THE 350,000 PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CORRIDOR MOST AFFECTED BY KAT TAK AIRCRAFT NOISE; AND
♦ REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KAI TAK SITE.
MR MACLEOD APPEALED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO GIVE A LEAD TO THE COMMUNITY BY SHARING THE VISION OF THE FUTURE AND SUPPORTING THE ACP.
- - 0 - -
SPEECH BY SEM WHEN WINDING UP MOTION DEBATE ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION IN LEGCO ******
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
I HAVE LISTENED ATTENTIVELY TO MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THE MOTION THIS AFTERNOON. A CENTRAL THEME WHICH RUNS CONSISTENTLY THROUGH THE MANY CONSTRUCTIVE SPEECHES IS THAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ENABLE OUR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TO DO A BETTER JOB.
I CAN READILY IDENTIFY WITH THESE SENTIMENTS. TEACHERS HAVE A PIVOTAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG MINDS AND IN ENSURING THE QUALITY OF THAT EDUCATION. THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES THIS AND HAS INTRODUCED VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT MEASURES OVER THE YEARS TO BETTER EQUIP TEACHERS FOR THEIR MISSION. WE REALIZE THAT THESE INDIVIDUAL MEASURES, WHILE USEFUL IN THEMSELVES, ARE NOT ENOUGH, BECAUSE SOCIETY IS CONSTANTLY MOVING ON AND THE COMMUNITY’S EXPECTATIONS OF OUR TEACHERS KEEP ON RISING. WHAT IS NEEDED AT THIS JUNCTURE IS A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE FULL RANGE OF ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PREPARATION, DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE TEACHING FORCE, INCLUDING THE VERY ITEMS LISTED IN THE MOTION BEFORE US. AND THEY ARE PRECISELY WHAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS BEEN EXAMINING THOROUGHLY OVER THE PAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS. THE OUTCOME OF THE COMMISSION’S DELIBERATIONS WILL BE RELEASED IN A FEW WEEKS’ TIME IN ITS FIFTH REPORT. THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY AND COMMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OVER THE SUMMER, BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT DECIDES ON WHAT POLICIES TO ADOPT.
WHILE THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IS STILL WORKING HARD TO FINALISE ITS REPORT, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO PREJUDGE THE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS IT WILL BE MAKING ON THE VARIOUS ISSUES LISTED IN THE MOTION, NOT TO MENTION THE PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT’S EVENTUAL DECISIONS ON THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS. NEVERTHELESS, TODAY’S DEBATE DOES GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE STOCK OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO DATE TO MAKE THE LIFE OF A TEACHER LESS ONEROUS, AND TO PROVIDE A CONTRAST TO THE SOMEWHAT GLOOMY PICTURE THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE TENDED TO PAINT OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.
/LET ME .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 6 -
LET ME START WITH THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. SINCE 1990, SIX NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 14 NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED TO IMPROVED STANDARD DESIGNS. THESE PROVIDE, RESPECTIVELY, 32% AND 15% MORE SPACE THAN THE FORMER DESIGNS, AS WELL AS ADDED FLEXIBILITY TO MEET MODERN EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. MOREOVER, THE NEW SCHOOLS ARE EQUIPPED WITH MICRO-COMPUTERS TO HELP COPE WITH THE MANY ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS ASSOCIATED WITH NORMAL SCHOOL OPERATION. THERE IS ALSO AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME TO UPGRADE THE OLDER SCHOOLS BY PROVIDING THREE ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL ROOMS IN EACH OF THEM. TO DATE, SUCH CONVERSION WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN 53 SCHOOLS, AND EIGHT MORE WILL UNDERGO SIMILAR CONVERSION IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
ANOTHER MAJOR EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR TEACHERS IS THE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME INVOLVING THE PROVISION OF AIR-CONDITIONING AND DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS FOR SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY TRAFFIC AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE. WORK ON 85 SCHOOLS HAS BEEN COMPLETED. ANOTHER 79 ARE IN THE PROGRAMME, WITH WORK ON 24 OF THEM EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 1992. 1 SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT, APART FROM THIS PROGRAMME, OVER 100 SCHOOLS HAVE HAD THEIR STAFF ROOMS AND GENERAL OFFICES AIR-CONDITIONED SINCE 1989. THESE IMPROVEMENTS REPRESENT SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL INVESTMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, THE COST OF A STANDARD PRIMARY SCHOOL HAS INCREASED FROM $16 MILLION TO $30 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 88%. THE COST OF A STANDARD SECONDARY SCHOOL HAS GONE UP BY 25% FROM $28 MILLION TO $35 MILLION. THE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME HAS COST $140 MILLION UP TO NOW.
WITH REGARD TO REDUCING THE NON-TEACHING WORK OF TEACHERS, PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE NOW PROVIDED WITH ONE OR TWO CLERICAL STAFF, DEPENDING ON SCHOOL SIZE. SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE PROVIDED WITH A BLOCK GRANT WHICH INCLUDES THE NOTIONAL ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE SECRETARY, ONE TYPIST AND TWO CLERICAL OFFICERS (FOR A 24-CLASS SCHOOL). THESE LEVELS OF PROVISION SHOULD BE ADEQUATE AT MOST TIMES, ALTHOUGH WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A PARTICULAR PROBLEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL TERM, WHEN APPLICATIONS FROM PARENTS FOR VARIOUS KINDS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HAVE TO BE PROCESSED WITH THE HELP OF THE SCHOOLS AND SOME, IF NOT MOST, OF THIS WORK HAS FALLEN ON TEACHERS. TO SOME EXTENT, THE PROVISION OF COMPUTERS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES IN SCHOOLS WOULD ALLEVIATE THIS BURDEN. SO WOULD A STREAMLINING OF THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE, WHICH THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY IS EXAMINING. HOWEVER, THE SEASONAL NATURE OF THE EXTRA WORKLOAD SUGGESTS THAT THE ANSWER LIES, NOT IN PROVIDING MORE CLERICAL POSTS, BUT IN MORE FLEXIBLE USE OF RESOURCES THROUGH HIRING TEMPORARY OR PART-TIME STAFF. SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE THIS FLEXIBILITY ALREADY. WE PLAN TO EXTEND THE SAME ARRANGEMENT TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS UNDER THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE.
/DESPITE RECENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
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DESPITE RECENT EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEBATE REGARDING THE REPEATER ALLOWANCE, OVER THE WORKLOAD OF TEACHERS, THE TEACHER:PUPIL RATIO IN HONG KONG HAS IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE PAST DECADE IN BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THE RATIO FOR A STANDARD SECONDARY SCHOOL IS NOW 1:22, NOT COUNTING THE SEPARATE PROVISION OF SPLIT CLASS TEACHERS AND ADDITIONAL TEACHERS FOR SCHOOLS USING CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION. THE CORRESPONDING RATIO FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS IS 1:27. THESE LEVELS OF PROVISION PUT HONG KONG ON PAR WITH SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN, ALBEIT STILL ADMITTEDLY SOME WAY BEHIND JAPAN, THE UK AND THE USA. THEY ALSO MEAN THAT, ALTHOUGH THE CLASS SIZE HAS REMAINED GENERALLY AT OR CLOSE TO 40, TEACHERS NOWADAYS HAVE FEWER ASSIGNED PERIODS, THUS ENABLING THEM TO HANDLE THE EXTRA DEMANDS THAT MASS EDUCATION HAS BROUGHT INTO SCHOOLS.
ON TEACHER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF 20 IN-SERVICE COURSES HAS BEEN OFFERED TO HELP TEACHERS DEVELOP PROFESSIONALLY. SOME OF THESE COURSES HAVE BEEN MADE PRE-REQUISITES FOR PROMOTION. THROUGH ITS ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ADVISES AND ASSISTS TEACHERS ACTIVELY ON ALL MATTERS RELEVANT TO SUBJECT TEACHING IN SCHOOLS. THESE INCLUDE THE ISSUE OF CURRICULUM GUIDELINES TO SCHOOLS COVERING ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION. IN-SERVICE REFRESHER COURSES ARE ALSO ORGANIZED TO PROVIDE INDUCTION FOR NEW TEACHERS AND TRAINING FOR SENIOR TEACHERS AND PANEL HEADS. FURTHERMORE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ESTABLISHED 21 TEACHING AND RESOURCE CENTRES FOR DIFFERENT SUBJECTS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO PROVIDE CENTRALISED SOURCES OF REFERENCE AND RESOURCE MATERIALS, AS WELL AS VENUES FOR INTERACTION AMONGST TEACHERS. AS A MAJOR INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM AMONGST TEACHERS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS SUPPORTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE WHICH WAS OPENED TO ALL TEACHERS IN JUNE 1989. IT IS A MULTI-FACETED, MULTIPURPOSE CENTRE MANAGED BY A REPRESENTATIVE BODY OF TEACHER ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG. IT AIMS TO PROMOTE CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENRICHMENT AMONG TEACHERS, AND TO FOSTER AMONG THEM A GREATER SENSE OF UNITY AND PROFESSIONALISM IN A FRIENDLY, ENCOURAGING, AND NON-HIERARCHIAL ENVIRONMENT.
WITH REGARD TO GRADUATE TEACHING POSITIONS WITHIN PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOLS, THE GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT POLICY IS TO PROVIDE FOR 70% OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHING POSTS TO BE FILLED BY DEGREE HOLDERS; THE REMAINING 30%, TOGETHER WITH ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING POSTS, ARE FILLED BY NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS. AN IMPROVEMENT ALREADY MADE IS THE PROVISION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADMASTERS TO UNDERGO STUDIES FOR THE B.A. IN PRIMARY EDUCATION AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN TERMS OF THE PROVISION OF NEW GRADUATE POSITIONS ARE THE SUBJECT OF CONSIDERATION BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
I NOW TURN TO THE QUESTION OF FUNDING. THE IMPROVEMENTS I HAVE MENTIONED WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED AS PART OF THE NORMAL ACTIVITIES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. AS A RESULT, THE UNIT COST OF EDUCATING A PUPIL WILL INCREASE, NOT DECLINE. HOWEVER, THE RATE AT WHICH INCREASES CAN BE ACHIEVED IS OFTEN NOT TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON A WILLINGNESS TO SPEND, BUT ON HOW WORTHWHILE INITIATIVES CAN BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE SYSTEM.
/SIR, I ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
8
SIR, I WISH TO DIGRESS A LITTLE TO ANSWER A SPECIFIC POINT MADE BY MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG ON THE APPARENT DISCREPANCY BETWEEN LOCAL AIDED SCHOOLS AND THE ENGLISH SCHOOL FOUNDATION SCHOOLS. THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS TO PROVIDE ESF SCHOOLS WITH NO MORE SUBSIDY THAN THAT AVAILABLE TO LOCAL AIDED SCHOOLS. THIS IS THE PARITY OF SUBSIDY PRINCIPLE ESTABLISHED SINCE 1980. THE EXTRA FACILITIES THAT ESF SCHOOLS PROVIDED ARE FUNDED ENTIRELY BY PARENTS WHO PAID SUBSTANTIAL FEES. BY COMPARISON, THE PARENTS OF PUPILS STUDYING IN AIDED SCHOOLS PAY NOTHING UP TO SECONDARY 3 OR UP TO ONLY ABOUT 5% OF ESF FEES AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL. HAVING SAID ALL THAT, I AGREE THAT THE ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOLS SECTOR WILL BE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT THE NEW ALLOCATION OF $300 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS, WHICH I ANNOUNCED IN THIS COUNCIL ON 1 APRIL, TOGETHER WITH THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY MEMBERS FOR THAT ALLOCATION TO BE SPENT ON OUTSTANDING IMPROVEMENT ITEMS FROM EARLIER EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORTS, HAS PUT ME IN THE HAPPY POSITION OF STARTING WITH A CLEAN SLATE WITH REGARD TO THE FUNDING OF NEW POLICIES TO EMERGE FROM ECR5. I CANNOT TODAY ANTICIPATE WHAT THESE NEW POLICIES WILL BE, AND IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF ME TO MAKE ANY SPECIFIC PROMISES AT THIS STAGE. BUT I DO UNDERTAKE TO ALERT MY COLLEAGUES IN THE ADMINISTRATION TO POSSIBLE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS AND TO BID FOR THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT NEW POLICIES AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY.
TO CONCLUDE, MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, THE ADMINISTRATION FULLY ACCEPTS THE NEED TO IMPROVE FURTHER THE QUALITY OF OUR SCHOOL EDUCATION. THIS IS OF COURSE NOT TO SAY THAT THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THAT WE ARE ALREADY PROVIDING IS ANYTHING THAT WE NEED TO BE ASHAMED OF. THE ADMINISTRATION FULLY SUPPORTS THE SPIRIT OF THE MOTION BEFORE THE COUNCIL. WE HAVE TAKEN CAREFUL NOTE OF THE OBSERVATION AND CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE MEMBERS TODAY AND WILL CONSIDER THEM CAREFULLY AND POSITIVELY. HOWEVER, UNTIL WE HAVE SEEN AND STUDIED THE OUTCOME OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S DELIBERATIONS, WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO GIVE CLEAR SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS REGARDING FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL THE AREAS LISTED IN THE MOTION, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS AND I QUOTE THE "MOVE TOWARDS THE TARGET OF AN ALL DEGREE-HOLDING TEACHING FORCE" WHICH TAKES US BEYOND EXISTING POLICY. FOR THIS REASON, THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS WILL ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THE MOTION NOTWITHSTANDING THE ADMINISTRATION’S SUPPORT FOR THE SPIRIT BEHIND IT.
THANK YOU, MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT.
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
9 -
SPEECH BY ACTING SHW IN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON CHINESE MEDICINE IN LEGCO ******
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
MAY I FIRST OF ALL THANK THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL FOR THEIR VIEWS AND OPINIONS ON CHINESE MEDICINE.
CHINESE MEDICINE HAS HAD A LONG HISTORY AND HAS SERVED MANY HERE AND ELSEWHERE FOR MANY MANY YEARS. INDEED, IT IS NOT JUST A FORM OF MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PREVENTIVE CARE, IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF CHINESE CULTURE.
LOCALLY, CHINESE MEDICINE IS WIDELY USED BY THE PUBLIC: BY PRESCRIPTION BY CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS, THROUGH SELF-MEDICATION AND FOR GENERAL HEALTH MAINTENANCE. INTERNATIONALLY, THERE IS GROWING INTEREST IN CHINESE MEDICINE AS A FORM OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, BOTH IN TREATMENT OF DISEASES AND IN ACADEMIC OR CLINICAL RESEARCH.
IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC CONCERN FOR THE PROPER USE AND GOOD PRACTICE OF CHINESE MEDICINE, GOVERNMENT APPOINTED THE WORKING PARTY ON CHINESE MEDICINE TO REVIEW EXISTING PRACTICES AND TO IDENTIFY THE WAY AHEAD. THE WORKING PARTY HAS, JUST LAST MONTH, COMPLETED PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON ITS INTERIM REPORT. WE NOW AWAIT WITH KEEN INTEREST ITS FURTHER DELIBERATIONS AND FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
CLEARLY, CHINESE MEDICINE HAS A ROLE IN MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE. THIS OUGHT TO BE RECOGNISED. I CAN SENSE CONSIDERABLE CONSENSUS ON THIS AMONGST MEMBERS IN TONIGHT’S DEBATE. THE QUESTION IS HOW. OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS SAFE PATIENT CARE. IN THE GENERAL INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY, OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO PROMOTE THE PROPER USE OF CHINESE MEDICINE, TO ENSURE STANDARDS AND TO ENHANCE THE STATUS OF THE PROFESSION.
I AM GRATEFUL TO MEMBERS FOR THEIR WIDE-RANGING VIEWS IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE THIS EVENING. THESE, TOGETHER WITH THE VIEWS AND COMMENTS ALREADY EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC AND INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE INTERIM REPORT, OFFER THE WORKING PARTY ON CHINESE MEDICINE MUCH FOOD FOR THOUGHT. WHEN THE WORKING PARTY’S FINAL REPORT COMES TO HAND, WE WILL CONSIDER ITS RECOMMENDATIONS CAREFULLY, WITH CLARITY OF OBJECTIVE AND PRAGMATISM IN APPROACH.
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/10........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 10 -
MEASURES TO COMBAT ARMED ROBBERIES OUTLINED
*****
THE POLICE HAVE RECENTLY COMPLETED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THEIR ARMS AND AMMUNITION TO ENSURE THAT THEIR EQUIPMENT IS ADEQUATE TO TACKLE CRIMINALS WHO ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY SOPHISCATED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN SUGGESTED, INCLUDING MORE EFFECTIVE AMMUNITION AND REVOLVERS, SPEED LOADING EQUIPMENT AND A NEW STYLE OF HOLSTER.
’’THESE SUGGESTIONS ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED URGENTLY WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION,’’ HE SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM.
MR APSREY POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN A NUMBER OF STEPS TO COMBAT THE OCCURENCE OF ARMED ROBBERIES.
IN THE CASE OF CRIMES INVOLVING CRIMINALS FROM CHINA, THE GOVERNMENT HAD IMPROVED CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA THROUGH BETTER COMMUNICATIONS AND LIAISON.
AT PRESENT, HE SAID THIS WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE INTERPOL OF WHICH BOTH CHINA AND HONG KONG WERE MEMBERS, REGULAR BORDER LIAISON AND VISITS BETWEEN THE HONG KONG POLICE AND MAINLAND PUBLIC SECURITY OFFICERS.
"HOWEVER, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAS JUST RETURNED FROM A LIAISON MEETING IN CHINA AT WHICH CROSS BORDER CRIME INCLUDING FIREARM OFFENCES WAS DISCUSSED.
"IT WAS AGREED TO STEP UP LIAISON THROUGH STATIONING A CHINESE LIAISON OFFICER IN HONG KONG AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE HONG KONG POLICE, AND THE GUANGDONG AND SHENZHEN INTERPOL LIAISON OFFICES TO CO-ORDINATE ACTION IN URGENT CASES.
"SUCH MEASURES SHOULD BE VERY USEFUL IN ENABLING MORE EFFICIENT EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON THE MOVEMENT OF CRIMINALS AND THE INFLUX OF FIREARMS ACROSS THE BORDER," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT LIAISON WITH CHINA MUST BE REINFORCED BY EFFECTIVE ACTION BY THE POLICE WITHIN HONG KONG INCLUDING MORE HIGH PROFILE PATROLS AROUND PREMISES PRONE TO ARMED ROBBERIES SUCH AS GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY SHOPS.
"THIS HAS MET WITH SOME SUCCESS. THE NUMBER OF ROBBERIES INVOLVING FIREARMS AND PISTOL-LIKE OBJECTS HAS DECREASED FROM 61 IN JANUARY TO 32 IN APRIL THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THE POLICE HAD APPREHENDED SOME OF THE CULPRITS INVOLVED IN ARMED ROBBERIES. THE ROBBERIES IN TAI KOK TSUI WHICH TOOK PLACE IN APRIL AND IN SHAM SHUI PO IN MARCH WERE CASES IN POINT.
/"DURING THE .......
11
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
"DURING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1992, EIGHT PERSONS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR ROBBERIES INVOLVING GENUINE FIREARMS AND 27 FOR ROBBERIES USING PISTOL-LIKE OBJECTS.
"A FURTHER EIGHT PERSONS HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A VARIETY OF SERIOUS OFFENCES, INCLUDING ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER," HE SAID.
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AIRPORT SITE FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BE ASSESSED SOON
******
THE EXACT AMOUNT OF LAND AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON THE EXISTING KAI TAK AIRPORT SITE WHEN REDEVELOPED WILL BE ASSESSED IN THE SOUTH-EAST KOWLOON DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT STUDY.
THE STUDY WILL SOON START AND BE COMPLETED IN MID NEXT YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE ASSESSMENT WOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF METROPLAN OBJECTIVES.
"METROPLAN IS A FRAMEWORK FOR MORE DETAILED PLANNING AND IS NOT A DETAILED PLAN IN ITSELF.
"AMOUNTS OF LAND FOR VARIOUS USES REFERRED TO IN METROPLAN SHOULD THEREFORE BE REGARDED AS INDICATIVE AND NOT PRECISE AT THIS STAGE," MR EASON SAID.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE SECRETARY SAID THE AMOUNT OF LAND DESIGNATED FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN KOWLOON UNDER METROPLAN TOOK THE FUTURE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND THE RELOCATION OF THE KAI TAK AIRPORT INTO ACCOUNT.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE RECENTLY COMPLETED WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION STUDY HAD SINCE SHOWN THAT MORE LAND WAS LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA THAN WAS ENVISAGED UNDER THE METROPLAN STUDIES.
"THE EXACT AMOUNT WILL BE ESTABLISHED THROUGH FURTHER DETAILED PLANNING STUDIES," HE SAID.
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/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
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PRACTICAL MEASURES DRAWN UP TO ACCELERATE LOCALISATION * * * * A
PRACTICAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE TO ACCELERATE THE PROGRESS OF LOCALISATION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR WIGGHAM SAID A DOUBLE-LADDER SCHEME AND A DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO GROOM LOCAL NON-DIRECTORATE OFFICERS AND ENHANCE THEIR SUITABILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT.
IN THE POLICE FORCE, STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO IDENTIFY SUITABLE LOCAL OFFICERS FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING COURSES TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER ADVANCEMENT.
OVERSEAS OFFICERS WORKING IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE HAVE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW GENERALLY BEEN REQUIRED TO RETIRE ON REACHING THE AGE OF 57.
THIS AIMS TO AVOID THE NEED TO RETIRE A LARGER NUMBER OF SENIOR OVERSEAS OFFICERS CLOSER TO 1997.
MR WIGGHAM SAID UNDER THE LOCALISATION POLICY, SUITABLY QUALIFIED LOCAL CANDIDATES ARE GIVEN PREFERENCE FOR APPOINTMENT.
THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED LOCAL OFFICERS IS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CONSIDERING RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FOR OVERSEAS OFFICERS.
"LOCALISATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS TAKING PLACE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATE AT WHICH QUALIFIED AND SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATES BECOME AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
"LOCALISATION HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE A GRADUAL PROCESS, DURING WHICH THE HIGH QUALITY OF HONG KONG'S ADMINISTRATION WILL BE MAINTAINED."
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LOCALISATION POLICY IN THE 1950'S, THE PERCENTAGE OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS TN THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE HAS SHRUNK FROM ABOUT 4.4% IN 1952 TO ABOUT 1.4% AT PRESENT.
LOCAL OFFICERS NOW FILL 63.2% OF THE DIRECTORATE POSTS AND 76.9% OF THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT/PROFESSIONAL POSTS INCLUDING THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN SECONDED OR TRANSFERRED TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
AT THE TOP, LOCAL OFFICERS ALSO FILL HALF OF THE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT AND POLICY SECRETARY POSTS.
FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, LOCAL OFFICERS CONSTITUTE ABOUT 14% AT THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL AND 54% AT THE NON-DIRECTORATE LEVEL.
/IN THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
13
IN THE POLICE, THEY CONSTITUTE 29% AT ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER/COMMISSIONER LEVEL, 40% AT SUPERINTENDENT LEVEL AND 77% AT THE INSPECTORATE LEVEL.
IN THE ADM INI STRATTVE SERVICE, THEY CONSTITUTE 62% AT DIRECTORATE LEVEL AND 85% AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER/SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER LEVEL.
---------------------0------- EFFICIENCY OF CIVIL SERVICE BEING MONITORED *****
THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IS RECOGNISED INTERNATIONALLY AS EFFICIENT AND DEDICATED, AND AS A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING GREATLY TO THE EFFICIENCY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE GOVERNMENT USED A VARIETY OF MEASURES TO ASSESS AND MONITOR THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT CONDUCTS VALUE-FOR-MONEY AUDITS TO ASCERTAIN THAT PRUDENCE AND ECONOMY HAVE BEEN EXERCISED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND THAT GOOD VALUE HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM EXPENDITURE THAT HAS BEEN INCURRED.
"THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT COVERING THE RESULTS OF SUCH AUDITS IS SUBMITTED TO THIS COUNCIL," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"THE COUNCIL’S ROLE IS ALSO VITAL IN THE ADOPTION AND MONITORING OF THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGET, THE CREATION OF DIRECTORATE POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND AS A WATCHDOG GENERALLY ON PERFORMANCE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR."
MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE ARE COMPILED AS A MEANS TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS.
ONE INDICATOR IS THE RATIO BETWEEN THE COST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND TOTAL GOVERNMENT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE. THE RATIO HAS VARIED FROM 42% IN 1981/82, 46.8% IN 1990/91 TO 42.3% IN 1991/92.
THE RATIO OF THE CIVIL SERVICE TO THE WHOLE POPULATION INCLUDING STAFF WHO HAVE LEFT THE SERVICE TO JOIN THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS 3.3% AT JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
THIS COMPARED WITH 4.3% IN JAPAN (1988), 13.7% IN FRANCE (1988), 9.4% IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (1987), 9.4% IN THE UNITED STATES (1988) AND 9.1% IN WEST GERMANY (1987).
OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR PURPOSES OF COMPARISON IS THE SHARE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
/THE FIGURES .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
14
THE FIGURES FOR HONG KONG AND SOME ASIAN COUNTRIES ARE: THAILAND - 13.4%; REPUBLIC OF KOREA - 15.9%; HONG KONG - 16.4%; SINGAPORE - 22.3%; AND MALAYSIA - 29.7%.
"HOWEVER, THESE FIGURES DO NOT NECESSARILY ENABLE A COMPARISON TO BE MADE BETWEEN THE RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS," SAID MR WIGGHAM.
"ADMINISTRATIONS DIFFER, AMONG OTHER THINGS, IN THE SCOPE OF THEIR ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES, AND CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEMS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, IN JAPAN, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INCLUDE THE SELFDEFENSE FORCE AND EMPLOYEES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THESE PERSONNEL AND SERVICES, AND THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE NO EQUIVALENTS IN HONG KONG.
"THERE IS THEREFORE NO COMMON BASIS FOR MEANINGFUL COMPARISON," HE ADDED.
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GOVT EXAMINING LAW OF PRIVACY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE MAY HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION CONCERNING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG, THE SECRETARY SAID THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION WAS EXAMINING EXISTING HONG KONG LAW RELATING TO PRIVACY IN GENERAL.
IN PARTICULAR, IT WOULD REPORT ON WHETHER LEGISLATIVE OR OTHER MEASURES WERE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST, AND TO PROVIDE REMEDIES IN RESPECT OF UNDUE INTERFERENCE WITH THE PRIVACY OF THE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING MATTERS CONCERNING THE ACQUISITION, COLLECTION, RECORDING AND STORAGE OF INFORMATION AND OPINIONS PERTAINING TO INDIVIDUALS BY ANY PERSONS OR BODIES, HE SAID.
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE ISSUES BY A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION WOULD BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND COMMENTS IN A FEW MONTHS1 TIME.
MEANWHILE, MR SZE SAID A GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WAS STUDYING THE APPROPRIATE APPROACH TO BE ADOPTED FOR DATA PROTECTION, AND WOULD HAVE REGARD TO THE FINDINGS OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IN ITS DELIBERATION.
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/15 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 15 -
ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION POLICY REITERATED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, REITERATED THE POLICY TO DETER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WHILE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING IN PRISONS.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID SOME 3,400 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE IN PRISON AND THE TOTAL MAINTENANCE COSTS WERE ABOUT $500 MILLION A YEAR.
HE SAID THE LEGISLATION ENACTED IN NOVEMBER 1990 SOUGHT TO FURTHER THE OBJECTIVE OF DETERING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BY DENYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN WORK IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS ALSO ACHIEVED BY A REVISED PROSECUTIONS POLICY INTRODUCED AT THE SAME TIME, WHEREBY ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FOUND AT PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT WERE TO BE PROSECUTED.
"WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE NEED TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING IN THE PRISONS AND THE NEED TO DETER PEOPLE FROM COMING HERE ILLEGALLY," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE NEW LEGISLATION AND PROSECUTIONS POLICY HAVE SUCCEEDED IN REDUCING THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT POPULATION IN PRISONS FROM A HIGH OF ABOUT 40% OF THE TOTAL PRISON POPULATION IN SEPTEMBER 1990 TO ABOUT 30% AT PRESENT, A REDUCTION OF OVER 1,200 PERSONS.
THE AVERAGE DAILY COST OF MAINTAINING A PRISONER IS $416 AT CURRENT PRICES.
NO PLAN TO CONTROL MEDICINF LABELLING *****
THERE IS NO PLAN TO INTRODUCE STATUTORY CONTROL ON LABELLING OF MEDICINE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ADVICE GIVEN BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD, HE SAID PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CO-OPERATION WOULD BE THE MOST PRACTICAL APPROACH.
"TO THIS END, WE HAVE MONITORED THE SITUATION AND ARE PLEASED THAT LABELLING OF DRUGS IS BEING INCREASINGLY PRACTISED BY HOSPITALS, DOCTORS AND PHARMACISTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS HAVE ALSO TAKEN STEPS TO URGE THEIR MEMBERS TO ADOPT THE PRACTICE IN THF INTEREST OF BETTER PATIENT CARE," DR LEE ADDED.
/REPLYING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
16
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY PROF THE HON FELICE LIEH MAK, DR LEE SAID: "THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE GOOD MEDICAL PRACTICE TO LABEL ALL DISPENSED MEDICINE.
"LABELLING IS NOW DONE THROUGH THE AUTHORITY'S COMPUTERISED PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLIES SYSTEM OR BY OTHER MEANS.
"THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAS PLANS TO EXTEND THE SYSTEM ON A PROGRESSIVE BASIS. BY 1994, THE SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED IN FOUR MORE HOSPITALS AND NINE SPECIALIST CLINICS," HE ADDED.
AT PRESENT, LABELLING OF DRUGS IS PRACTISED BY FIVE EXGOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, 11 EX-SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND ONE SPECIALIST CLINIC.
"EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO INTRODUCE LABELLING IN OTHER HOSPITALS AND SPECIALIST CLINICS," DR LEE SAID.
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STRUCTURE DESIGN REQUIRED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SETTLEMENT OF RECLAIMED AREA *****
UNDER THE BUILDING (CONSTRUCTION) REGULATIONS, WHEN DESIGNING STRUCTURES TO BE LOCATED ON RECLAIMED LAND, IT IS NECESSARY TO FORECAST THE SETTLEMENT OF THE RECLAIMED AREA AND TO TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT IN THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"SPECIFIED DESIGN STRESSES MUST NOT BE EXCEEDED, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ANY EFFECTS ARISING FROM SETTLEMENT OF THE RECLAIMED AREA," SAID MR BLAKE IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO.
BUILDING (CONSTRUCTION) REGULATIONS APPLY TO SUPERSTRUCTURES WHETHER ON ORIGINAL GROUND OR ON NEW OR OLD RECLAMATIONS.
MR BLAKE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST, AND NOW, COMMENCEMENT OF PILED FOUNDATIONS FOR BUILDINGS FOLLOWED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPLETION OF RECLAMATION WORKS.
"NON-PILED STRUCTURES SUCH AS ROADS AND DRAINS ARE NORMALLY CONSTRUCTED ON CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER COMPLETION TO MINIMISE SETTLEMENT.
"THIS PERIOD CAN BE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED BY USING SPECIAL METHODS TO ACCELERATE RECLAMATION SETTLEMENTS," HE SAID.
ON THE RECLAMATION PROJECT FOR THE AIRPORT ISLAND AT CHEK LAP KOK, MR BLAKE SAID THE AIRPORT ISLAND RECLAMATION WOULD BE FORMED BY REMOVAL OF THE SOFT MARINE MUD, AND CONTROLLED BACKFILLING WITH STABLE MATERIALS.
/THE AIRPORT ......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
17
THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, BY SEQUENCING THE RECLAMATION, TOGETHER WITH THE CAREFUL LOCATION OF THE VARIOUS STRUCTURES, HAD DEVELOPED A SCHEME WHICH MINIMISED DELAYS FROM SETTLEMENT AND ENABLED THE EARLY CONSTRUCTION OF STRUCTURES REQUIRED FOR AIRPORT OPENING, HE SAID.
"IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE MAIN TERMINAL BUILDING, RAILWAY STATION, CONTROL TOWER AND ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES WILL BE ERECTED ON CHEK LAP KOK ISLAND ITSELF, NOT ON THE RECLAMATION.
"ONLY THE RUNWAYS AND OTHER STRUCTURES SUCH AS THE MAINTENANCE AREA AND AIR CARGO HANDLING AREA, WILL BE WITHIN THE RECLAIMED AREA," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE POINTED OUT THAT AREAS OF RECLAMATION WOULD BE MONITORED BY MEASURING INSTRUMENTS AND SURVEY TECHNIQUES WHICH WOULD ENABLE ENGINEERS TO COMPARE SETTLEMENTS WITH THOSE PREDICTED AND THIS WOULD DETERMINE THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHIN THOSE AREAS.
ON THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO ASSURE THAT THE AIRPORT WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FILL, MR BLAKE SAID: "SETTLEMENTS WILL BE WITHIN THE ACCEPTABLE TOLERANCES FOR THE TYPES OF STRUCTURE, INCLUDING THE RUNWAYS, TO BE BUILT ON THE AREAS OF THE RECLAMATION."
- - 0 - -
TWO-TIER MECHANISM TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AGAINST HOSPITALS *****
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) IS OPERATING A TWO-TIER MECHANISM TO MONITOR THE HANDLING OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS BY VARIOUS HOSPITALS UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN’ IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), DR LEE SAID OFFICERS WERE DESIGNATED IN HOSPITALS AND IN HA HEAD OFFICE TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC COMPLAINTS WERE HANDLED PROMPTLY AND THOROUGHLY.
"THERE IS ALSO A PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE COMPRISING MEMBERS OF THE HA BOARD AND OTHER NON-OFFICIALS TO CONSIDER APPEAL CASES WITH IMPARTIALITY AND INDEPENDENCE," HE SAID.
"THE HA FURTHER MONITORS THE SITUATION THROUGH ITS PATIENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE TO DETECT PERSISTENT TRENDS RELATING TO A CERTAIN HOSPITAL OR SPECIALTY AND TO IDENTIFY ANY UNDERLYING PROBLEMS.
"TO THIS END, INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT MONTHLY STATISTICAL REPORTS ON PUBLIC COMPLAINTS FOR ANALYSIS AND COLLATION."
/THE AUTHORITY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
18
THE AUTHORITY ALSO INTENDS TO DEVELOP A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS ON THE NATURE OF THESE COMPLAINTS IN FUTURE ACCORDING TO THE HOSPITALS, SPECIALTIES, SERVICE UNITS OR PERSONNEL INVOLVED.
DR LEE NOTED THAT BEFORE HA TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, PUBLIC COMPLAINTS WERE HANDLED BY THE FORMER HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SET OF ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES.
STATISTICS SHOW THAT ABOUT 2,550 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS BETWEEN JULY 1989 AND NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WERE HANDLED BY THE INDIVIDUAL HOSPITAL’S GOVERNING BODY.
- - 0 - -
LDC TO REIMBURSE COMPENSATION EXPENSES *****
ALL ACQUISITION AND CLEARANCE COSTS ON WING LOK STREET IN CENTRAL MET BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE REIMBURSED BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC), WHICH WILL ALSO PAY THE GOVERNMENT A SERVICE CHARGE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE COSTS INCLUDED EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS.
THE COMPENSATION AND EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCE WERE ESTIMATED AT $400 MILLION.
FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND HEAD 701, LAND ACQUISITION, HE ADDED.
"THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION INCLUDES EX-GRATIA REMOVAL ALLOWANCES FOR ELIGIBLE AFFECTED TENANTS.
"SEPARATELY, THE LDC WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS IN RELATION TO THE REHOUSING OF ELIGIBLE DOMESTIC TENANT," HE ADDED.
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/I9
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 19 -
POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT FOR RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS *****
A TOTAL OF 119 APPLICATIONS FROM 76 RETIRED DIRECTORATE OFFICERS FOR PERMISSION TO WORK WERE REFERRED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD UP TO THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR.
OF THESE, THREE WERE NOT RECOMMENDED, 31 WERE APPROVED WITH THE IMPOSITION OF A SANITISATION PERIOD OF BETWEEN ONE AND SIX MONTHS, AND THE REST WERE APPROVED WITHOUT CONDITIONS.
THE FIGURES WERE GIVEN IN A WRITTEN REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). MR WIGGHAM SAID THE APPLICANTS INCLUDED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORATE STAFF OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND CHIEF PROFESSIONALS IN THE MEDICAL, ENGINEERING, LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING FIELDS.
"SOME OF THEM HAVE JOINED FINANCIAL AND TRADING ENTERPRISES AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WHILST OTHERS HAVE ENTERED PRIVATE PRACTICE AFTER RETIREMENT.
"THEY CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS DURING ANY EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR."
MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT IN CONSIDERING AN APPLICATION, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE APPLICANT'S PREVIOUS INVOLVEMENT IN POLICY FORMULATION.
VIEWS ARE SOUGHT FROM THE RESPECTIVE POLICY SECRETARIES FOR EACH APPLICATION ON THE QUESTION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
CONSIDERATION IS ALSO GIVEN TO WHETHER THE PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT WILL RESULT IN THE OFFICER HAVING AN UNDESIRABLE PUBLIC PROFILE.
"CONDITIONS, SUCH AS A SANITISATION PERIOD OR SANCTIONS AGAINST DEALING WITH SPECIFIC COMPANIES MAY BE IMPOSED AS NECESSARY," HE SAID.
IF A PENSIONER TAKES UP ANY POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT WITHIN TWO YEARS (FIVE YEARS FOR AN OFFICER AT SECRETARY RANK OR ABOVE) AFTER HIS RETIREMENT WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION, THE GOVERNOR IS EMPOWERED TO SUSPEND HIS PENSION UNDER THE HONG KONG PENSIONS LEGISLATION.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS ALSO APPLY TO AN OFFICER AFTER HIS RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE.
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COMMISSION PAYMENT - ONE FACTOR FOR GOVT TO CHOOSE ESTATE AGENTS
******
PROVISION HAD TO BE MADE FOR THE PAYMENT OF COMMISSION TO ESTATE AGENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S SALE OF ITS EX-QUARTERS BECAUSE FAILURE TO PROVIDE FOR THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR YEUNG SAID SALES AGENTS WERE SELECTED FOLLOWING A TENDER EXERCISE IN WHICH THE LEVEL OF COMMISSION WAS CONSIDERED ALONGSIDE MANY OTHER FACTORS.
THE FACTORS INCLUDED THE SCOPE OF SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED, MARKETING STRATEGY AND THE AGENT’S EXPERTISE AND REPUTATION, HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID THE REQUIREMENT TO PAY A COMMISSION WAS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY FACTORS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN ASSESSING THE TENDERS FROM THESE ESTATE AGENTS.
’’THE PRACTICE ON THE PART OF ESTATE AGENTS IN THE CHARGING OF COMMISSION VARIES.
"IN ADDITION TO CHARGING THE PURCHASER, SOME AGENTS ALSO REQUIRE A COMMISSION FROM THE VENDOR,” HE ADDED.
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RECOMMENDATIONS ON GENERAL TEACHING COUNCIL TO BE MADE SOON
*****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IS NOW CONSIDERING THE PROPOSAL FOR THE SETTING UP OF A GENERAL TEACHING COUNCIL AND IS EXPECTED TO MAKE KNOWN ITS VIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN ITS FIFTH REPORT TO BE RELEASED SHORTLY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NG MING-YUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID FOLLOWING COMPLETION IN OCTOBER 1990 OF THE CODE FOR THE EDUCATION PROFESSION OF HONG KONG, THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE HAD CONSULTED TEACHERS ON THE CODE ITSELF AND ON THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A GENERAL TEACHING COUNCIL TO ENFORCE THE CODE.
A FORMAL PROPOSAL FOR THE GENERAL TEACHING COUNCIL WAS SUBMITTED TO THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, HE NOTED.
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LAW ALREADY COVERED IN FORMAL CURRICULUM
*****
TO INCLUDE LAW AS AN INDEPENDENT AND EXAMINATION SUBJECT FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) WOULD INTRODUCE AN ELEMENT OF SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE WHICH IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE APPROPRIATE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD CONSIDERED THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF THE SUBJECT INTO THE CURRICULUM OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND AS A SUBJECT FOR HKCEE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS IN THE PAST.
"IT HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE IDEA SHOULD NOT BE PURSUED FOR THE TIME BEING," HE ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT SECONDARY EDUCATION WAS INTENDED TO BE GENERAL IN NATURE.
SAID.
"THE PRESENT SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM IS ALREADY FULL," HE
"NEW SUBJECTS CAN ONLY BE ADDED BY TAKING OUT EXISTING ONES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LAW OR KNOWLEDGE OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM WAS ALREADY COVERED IN THE FORMAL CURRICULUM.
CITING EXAMPLES, HE SAID AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL, ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AS WELL AS SOCIAL STUDIES COVER THE BASICS OF LAW AND ORDER, THE LEGAL SYSTEM, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE JUDICIARY.
AT THE ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY LEVEL, THE NEWLY-INTRODUCED LIBERAL STUDIES PROVIDES A MORE IN-DEPTH TREATMENT OF SIMILAR CONCEPTS.
"PUPILS NOT TAKING THESE SUBJECTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME EXPOSED TO LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM THROUGH EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND SCHOOL CIVIL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
"THESE ARE OUTLINED IN THE ’GUIDELINES ON CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS’ PRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT," MR CHAN SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 22 -
PARENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL MANAGEMENT ENCOURAGED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ENCOURAGED ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS IN SCHOOL MANAGEMENT BY PROVIDING SUCH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UNDER THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE (SMI), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WITH THE HELP OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE SMI, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS DEVELOPED A WIDE RANGE OF REFERENCE MATERIALS TO HELP SCHOOLS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS ADAPT TO SMI, HE SAID.
BUT IT WILL BE UP TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS TO CHOOSE SUITABLE REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE ABLE AND WILLING TO DEVOTE THEIR TIME AND EXPERIENCE TO FURTHER THEIR CONSTITUENTS’ INTERESTS ON THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
"THE OVERALL QUESTION OF TEACHERS’ WORKLOAD IS A SEPARATE ISSUE WHICH IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT," THE SECRETARY ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN NG MING-YUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAN SAID THE FIRST BATCH OF 21 AIDED SCHOOLS THAT JOINED THE SCHEME IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR WOULD EXPERIENCE THE FULL EFFECTS OF OPERATING UNDER THE SMI DURING 1992-93, WHEN THEY WOULD BE GIVEN GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THE SPENDING OF THEIR GRANTS.
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PLANS TO EVALUATE THE PROGRESS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCHEME BY MEANS OF QUESTIONNAIRES AND INTERVIEWS DURING THIS PERIOD," MR CHAN SAID.
"PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME AVAILABLE TOWARDS
THE END OF 1993. "
HE NOTED THAT A GENERAL INVITATION HAD BEEN ISSUED TO SCHOOLS TO JOIN A SECOND BATCH BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND SO FAR 10 GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS HAVE ALREADY INDICATED THEIR INTEREST TO JOIN.
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23 IMPROVEMENTS TO SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PROPOSED * * * * *
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO REMOVE CERTAIN AMBIGUITIES AND INADEQUACIES IN THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID AN EMPLOYEE’S ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IS SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM EQUIVALENT TO THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF HIS LAST 12 MONTHS’ WAGES.
AT PRESENT, AN EMPLOYEE ON SICK LEAVE, MATERNITY LEAVE OR LEAVE ARISING FROM WORK INJURIES DURING HIS LAST 12 MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT IS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN PAID FULL WAGES.
TO IMPROVE THE PROTECTION ACCORDED TO AN EMPLOYEE IN THE CALCULATION OF SUCH PAYMENT, MR CHAN SAID THE BILL PROPOSED TO EXPAND THIS DEEMING PROVISION TO COVER SITUATIONS WHERE AN EMPLOYEE HAD BEEN PUT ON SHORT-TIME WORK OR HAD TAKEN NO-PAY SICK LEAVE OR NO-PAY MATERNITY LEAVE.
"IT ALSO PROPOSES THAT THE PROVISION, WHICH AT PRESENT APPLIES ONLY TO EMPLOYEES BEING DISMISSED OR LAID OFF, SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER EMPLOYEES WHO RESIGN BECAUSE OF ILL-HEALTH OR OLD AGE AND DEPENDANTS OF AN EMPLOYEE WHO DIES IN SERVICE," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, THE "CROSS-HARBOUR" PROVISION WHICH AT PRESENT ENTITLES AN EMPLOYEE TO CLAIM SEVERANCE PAYMENT IF HIS EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED AS A RESULT OF HIS EMPLOYER MOVING THE WORKPLACE ACROSS THE HARBOUR, WOULD BE REMOVED.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRESENT TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN HONG KONG, MR CHAN FELT THAT A GEOGRAPHICAL DEMARCATION BASED SOLELY ON CROSSING THE HARBOUR HAD BECOME QUITE ANACHRONISTIC.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, IF A CHANGE OF WORKPLACE CAUSED HARDSHIP TO AN EMPLOYEE TO AN EXTENT SUFFICIENTLY SERIOUS TO ESTABLISH A CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL UNDER COMMON LAW, THE EMPLOYEE MIGHT STILL CLAIM SEVERANCE PAYMENT.
THE BILL FURTHER PROPOSES THAT AN EMPLOYEE SHOULD NOT BE DEPRIVED OF HIS ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE OR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT MERELY BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN NOTICE OF RESIGNATION.
THE EXISTING PROVISIONS STIPULATE THAT AN EMPLOYEE SHALL BE TAKEN TO BE DISMISSED, AND MAY CLAIM SEVERANCE OR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IF HE TERMINATES THE CONTRACT WITHOUT NOTICE OR PAYMENT IN LIEU BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CONDUCT ON THE PART OF HIS EMPLOYER, THAT IS, ILL TREATMENT.
/"HOWEVER, IF ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
24
"HOWEVER, IF AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS SITUATION INADVERTENTLY GIVES NOTICE OF RESIGNATION DESPITE HIS BEING ENTITLED TO LEAVE WITHOUT NOTICE, SEVERANCE OR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT WILL NOT BE PAYABLE," MR CHAN SAID.
"PROVISIONS ARE THEREFORE MADE IN THE BILL TO RECTIFY THIS ANOMALY."
AMBIGUITIES IN THE EXISTING PROVISIONS ON SETTING OFF OF RETIREMENT SCHEME PAYMENT AGAINST SEVERANCE OR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT WILL ALSO BE REMOVED TO PROTECT EMPLOYERS FROM HAVING TO PAY DOUBLE BENEFITS.
AT PRESENT WHEN AN EMPLOYEE DIES IN SERVICE, HIS STATUTORY BENEFICIARIES, NAMELY HIS SPOUSE, CHILDREN OR PARENTS IN THAT ORDER, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT DUE TO HIM.
IF THE EMPLOYEE IS ALSO COVERED BY A RETIREMENT SCHEME, THE RETIREMENT SCHEME CAN BE SET OFF BY THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
"PROBLEMS ARISE WHEN THE NOMINATED BENEFICIARY OF THE RETIREMENT SCHEME IS NOT THE SAME PERSON AS THE STATUTORY BENEFICIARY OF THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT," MR CHAN EXPLAINED.
"TO ENSURE THAT UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES THE STATUTORY BENEFICIARY OF A DECEASED EMPLOYEE WILL HAVE FIRST CALL ON THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT AND THAT AN EMPLOYER WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY DOUBLE BENEFITS, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT THE TRUSTEE OF THE RELEVANT RETIREMENT SCHEME SHALL RETURN TO THE EMPLOYER THE AMOUNT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS EQUIVALENT TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT AND PAY THE BALANCE, IF ANY, TO THE NOMINATED BENEFICIARY."
LASTLY, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT ONCE THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL HAS RULED THAT SEVERANCE PAYMENT IS PAYABLE, PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY THE EMPLOYER WITHIN 14 DAYS UNLESS ANOTHER TIME LIMIT IS SET BY THE TRIBUNAL.
THIS AIMS TO PLUG A LOOPHOLE IN THE EXISTING PROVISIONS WHEREBY AN UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYER CAN ESCAPE CRIMINAL SANCTION FOR WITHHOLDING SEVERANCE PAYMENT BY FILING A CLAIM AT THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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ACTING STI ON CONSUMER PROTECTION
*****
THE VAST MAJORITY OF GOODS AND SERVICES SUPPLIERS IN HONG KONG OPERATE IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET WITHOUT ANY GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION AND MARKET MECHANISM AND CONSUMER CHOICE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR GUARANTEEING A FREE MARKET.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING.
/"IN THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
25
"IN THIS CONNECTION, CONSUMER EDUCATION EFFORTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY," SHE SAID.
MISS YUE POINTED OUT THAT SECTORS THAT REQUIRED TO OPERATE IN A RESTRICTED COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WERE THE EXCEPTION RATHER THAN THE NORM.
"IN HONG KONG, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING AND PROMOTING THE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS.
"TOWARDS THIS END, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS CONDUCTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT REGULAR PRICE SURVEYS AS WELL AS MONITORING ANY MONOPOLISTIC TENDENCY IN TRADE PRACTICES," SHE SAID.
MISS YUE SAID MARKET CONCENTRATION IN ITSELF DID NOT NECESSARILY GIVE RISE TO ADVERSE EFFECTS TO CONSUMERS.
"WHERE IT DOES AND WHERE CONSUMERS ARE UNABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED VARIOUS FORMS OF REGULATORY FRAMEWORK THAT ARE BEST SUITED TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PARTICULAR SECTOR," SHE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, MISS YUE SAID THERE WERE SECTORS IN THE ECONOMY WHICH HAD TO BE OPERATED AT A SUFFICIENTLY LARGE SCALE TO ATTAIN OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND ACHIEVE ECONOMIES OF SCALE.
"THERE ARE ALSO OTHERS WHERE IT IS IN THE WIDER INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE FOR COMPETITION IN A CONTROLLED FASHION IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT CONSUMERS RECEIVE AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE SERVICE AT A REASONABLE PRICE.
"IN RESPECT OF THESE SECTORS, THE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS ARE GIVEN DUE REGARD IN THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS PUT IN PLACE BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, LIMIT THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE RATE OF RETURN ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED AND SPECIFY THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED," SHE ADDED.
MISS YUE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT ANY ARTIFICIAL INJECTION OF COMPETITION INTO THESE SECTORS THROUGH GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY LEAD TO CHEAPER PRODUCTS OR BETTER QUALITY SERVICES OR THE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES.
"FURTHERMORE, SUCH ACTION MIGHT RUN THE RISK OF GOVERNMENT HAVING TO PROTECT THE NEW ENTRANTS UNTIL THEY BECOME ESTABLISHED, IF EVER. SUCH PROTECTION CAN ONLY BE PROVIDED AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE," SHE SAID.
MISS YUE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO GENERALISE THE SORT OF CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT NEED TO CONSIDER INTRODUCING LEGISLATIVE CONTROL ADDING THAT EACH CASE WAS BEST DEALT WITH ON ITS OWN MERITS.
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42 GOVT OFFICIALS DEPLOYED TO PAA
*****
A TOTAL OF 42 GOVERNMENT OFFICERS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) IN 37 POSTS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN APRIL 1990, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG, MRS CHAN SAID OF THE 37 POSTS CONCERNED FIVE WERE IN THE DIRECTORATE RANK, 17 IN PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL GRADES AND 15 WERE FOR GENERAL GRADE AND SECRETARIAL STAFF.
THE PRESENT POSITION IS THAT, OF THE TOTAL OF 42 OFFICERS DEPLOYED TO THE PAA:
* NINETEEN OFFICERS HAVE ALREADY RETURNED TO POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE;
* TWO OFFICERS WILL RETURN TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BY THE END OF MAY AND 12 OTHERS WILL BE REVERTING SOON;
* ONE OFFICER WILL REMAIN WITH THE AUTHORITY UNTIL MAY NEXT YEAR; AND
* EIGHT OFFICERS HAVE RESIGNED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AND JOINED THE PAA.
- 0
DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON II MOTHERS ONGOING * * * * * *
DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ON MANY OCCASIONS RAISED THE MATTER WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WITH THE AIM OF ENSURING THE EARLY RETURN TO HONG KONG OF THE MOTHERS INVOLVED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, AND WE HOPE THEY GET THEIR PERMITS IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID A TOTAL OF 70 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MOTHERS WERE REMOVED TO CHINA IN EARLY 1988.
TO DATE, 34 OF THEM HAD RETURNED TO HONG KONG ON ONE-WAY PERMITS ISSUED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, HE SAID.
THE REMAINING 36 MOTHERS WHO HAD YET TO OBTAIN THEIR ONE-WAY PERMITS CAME FROM HAIFENG, SHANMEI, PUNING, HUIYANG, CHAOYANG, PANYU AND DONGGUAN, HE ADDED.
/27........
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13 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS’ STRUCTURES CLEARED *****
THIRTEEN STRUCTURES OCCUPIED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN TIN SHUI WAI WERE DEMOLISHED BY THE CONTRACTOR EMPLOYED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THEIR ARREST ON MAY 4.
THE DEBRIS AND LITTER WAS ALSO DISPOSED OF AT THE PILLAR POINT LANDFILL UNDER SUPERVISION BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, WHICH MANAGED THE LANDFILL.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR EASON SAID THE CLEARANCE ACTION IN THE TIN SHUI WAI AREA WAS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW POLLUTION IN PLACES WHERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE FOUND WAS DEALT WITH.
HE SAID THE MEASURES WERE ESSENTIALLY CONCERNED WITH THE REMOVAL OF LITTER AND CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT CAN ABATE SANITARY NUISANCES AND CLEAR OBNOXIOUS MATTER ARISING FROM THE UNAUTHORISED OCCUPATION OF SUCH AREAS.
HOWEVER, MR EASON SAID NO SUCH ACTION WAS NECESSARY AT TIN SHUI WAI.
STANDARDS OF CARE FOR ANIMALS ON DISPLAY SATISFACTORY
*****
THE EXISTING STANDARDS OF HUSBANDRY AND VETERINARY CARE FOR WILD ANIMALS ON PERMANENT EXHIBITION IN HONG KONG ARE SATISFACTORY IN GENERAL, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J.D. MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID THE STANDARDS OF CARE WERE SET OUT IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (EXHIBITIONS) REGULATIONS AND THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ORDINANCE.
THE STATUTORY STANDARDS REQUIRE THAT ANIMALS ON A PERMANENT EXHIBITION SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH ENCLOSURES WHERE THEY CAN LIVE COMFORTABLY, MOVE AROUND FREELY AND RECEIVE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND VENTILATION.
THEY ALSO REQUIRE THE ADEQUATE PROVISION OF FOOD AND WATER, ADEQUATE SANITATION AND A SUITABLE PROGRAMME OF VETERINARY CARE.
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
28
SHE SAID THE CRUEL TREATMENT OF ANY ANIMAL WAS PROHIBITED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT NO ONE MAY HOLD A PERMANENT EXHIBITION OF ANIMALS WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
IN GENERAL, ALTHOUGH THE STANDARDS OF CARE SPECIFIED IN HONG KONG WERE NOT AS COMPREHENSIVE AS THOSE IN BRITAIN, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES CONSIDERED HONG KONG'S STANDARDS COMPARED FAVOURABLY WITH THOSE IN OTHER CITIES IN THE REGION, SHE SAID.
"WHERE THE POSITION APPEARS TO BE LESS THAN SATISFACTORY IS IN RESPECT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF SPACE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ANIMALS TO FOLLOW THEIR NORMAL BEHAVIOUR PATTERNS," SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN RECOGNISED THAT THERE WAS A GROWING PUBLIC EXPECTATION THAT ANIMALS ON PERMANENT EXHIBITION SHOULD BE ACCOMMODATED IN CONDITIONS RESEMBLING THEIR NATURAL HABITAT WHERE THEY MIGHT DISPLAY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OF THEIR NATURAL BEHAVIOUR.
AS THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (EXHIBITIONS) REGULATIONS WERE MADE NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO, MRS CHAN AGREED THAT THEY PERHAPS DID NOT REFLECT THE PUBLIC EXPECTATION.
"THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES IS CONTACTING REPUTABLE EXHIBITORS OF WILD ANIMALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES IN BRITAIN AND ELSEWHERE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STANDARDS OF CARE THEY PROVIDE AND HOW THESE ARE REFLECTED IN LEGISLATION.
"I INTEND TO REVIEW OUR REGULATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTED AND BRING FORWARD SUCH AMENDMENTS TO THEM AS MAY BE NECESSARY," SHE SAID.
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CHANGES TO 3RD QUARTER APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TABLED * * * * *
A SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1991-92 WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EXPLAINING THE CHANGES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $4,088.1 MILLION WAS APPROVED, OF WHICH $2,741.8 MILLION WERE FOR THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1 LAST YEAR.
HE SAID THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION WAS FULLY OFFSET, EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE, OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS.
/DURING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
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DURING THE PERIOD, NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $11.6 MILLION, NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $190.3 MILLION WERE APPROVED, AND APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $25.7 MILLION WERE REVOTED.
THE PERIOD ALSO SAW AN APPROVED NET DECREASE OF 4,543 POSTS, MAINLY DUE TO THE DELETION OF POSTS AS A RESULT OF CIVIL SERVANTS HAVING OPTED FOR THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S TERMS OF SERVICE.
MR YEUNG SAID THESE ITEMS HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
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BILL TO UPDATE LAND REGISTRATION ORDINANCE INTRODUCED ******
AMENDMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO UPDATE CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE LAND REGISTRATION ORDINANCE AND TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF THE LAND REGISTRY, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID OUTDATED REFERENCES RELATING TO THE TERM "LIS PENDENS" WHICH MEANT PENDING ACTION IN THE ORDINANCE WERE REMOVED AND A DEFINITION WAS PROVIDED.
HE SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF THE TERM "FLOATING CHARGE" BY DELETING ITS DEFINITION.
"THIS APPROACH IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT ADOPTED BY THE AD HOC GROUP OF THIS COUNCIL WHICH STUDIED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONVEYANCING AND PROPERTY ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, TITLE TO LAND IS UNAFFECTED BY A WILL UNTIL THE TESTATOR DIES AND THERE IS A GRANT OF PROBATE. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO REGISTER ANY WILL WITH THE LAND OFFICE.
MR EASON SAID THE BILL THEREFORE SOUGHT TO REMOVE ALL REFERENCES TO WILLS FROM THE ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.
"WILLS ALREADY DEPOSITED IN THE LAND OFFICE, WHICH NUMBER ABOUT 150, WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT FOR CUSTODY," HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY SAID THE BILL PROPOSED THAT A PERSON COMMIT AN OFFENCE IF HE WILFULLY OR MALICIOUSLY DESTROYED, REMOVED OR DEFACED LAND OFFICE DOCUMENTS.
THIS SUPPLEMENTED THE EXISTING OFFENCE FOR DISHONESTLY DESTROYING OR DEFACING SUCH DOCUMENTS, HE ADDED.
/THE PENALTIES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
30
THE PENALTIES FOR THE TWO OFFENCES WERE SET AT THE SAME LEVEL AS FOR CORRESPONDING OFFENCES IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCES, THAT WAS, A FINE AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THE SECOND.
MR EASON SAID IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE WORKLOAD OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN CONSIDERING ROUTINE AND TECHNICAL MATTERS IN RESPECT OF THE ORDINANCE, THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE POWERS TO MAKE REGULATIONS UNDER SECTION 28(1) AND TO AMEND THE SECOND SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE UNDER SECTION 30(2) BE VESTED IN THE LAND OFFICER INSTEAD OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED *****
A BILL SEEKING TO REMEDY SOME EXISTING DEFICIENCIES IN THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THE BILL EXTENDED THE DEFINITION OF ’POSTMASTER GENERAL’ (PMG) TO COVER THE DEPUTY POSTMASTER GENERAL SO THAT THE LATTER COULD CARRY OUT THE PMG’S STATUTORY DUTIES IF NECESSARY.
IN ADDITION THE BILL AUTHORISED THE PMG TO MAKE DEPARTMENTAL RULES ALLOWING THE DESTRUCTION OF UNDELIVERABLE MAIL, SHE SAID.
"THIRDLY, OUTDATED PROVISIONS PROHIBITING THE POSTING OF LOTTERY TICKETS OR DOCUMENTS RELATING TO LOTTERIES, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER OR NOT THE LOTTERY IS LEGAL, ARE AMENDED TO RESTRICT THEIR APPLICATION PURELY TO ILLEGAL LOTTERIES.
"SIMILARLY OBSOLESCENT PROVISIONS PROHIBITING THE POSTING OF ’COINS OR GOLD OR SILVER BULLION’ ARE REPEALED," MRS CHAN SAID.
FOURTHLY, THE BILL REMOVED INCONSISTENCIES IN THE PENALTIES SET FOR DIFFERENT OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INCREASED THE LEVEL TO MAINTAIN THE DETERRENT EFFECT, SHE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/31
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL INTRODUCED
*****
THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 WHICH SEEKS TO MAKE A PROVISION ON LOITERING OFFENCE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID AT PRESENT POLICE OFFICERS ARE EMPOWERED TO REQUIRE AN ACCUSED PERSON TO EXPLAIN HIS SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR IF HE IS FOUND LOITERING IN A PUBLIC PLACE OR IN THE COMMON PARTS OF ANY BUILDING.
THIS REQUIREMENT RISKS INFRINGING THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE GUARANTEED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, AND THE RIGHT OF AN ACCUSED PERSON NOT TO BE COMPELLED TO CONFESS GUILT, HE SAID.
UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, ANY FAILURE OF A SUSPECT TO GIVE A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION OF HIS PRESENCE AND BEHAVIOUR WILL ONLY FORM PART OF THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE.
IT WILL NOT, AS IT DOES IN THE PRESENT OFFENCE, CONSTITUTE A PART OF THE OFFENCE.
MR ASPREY SAID THE AMENDMENT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THE PROSECUTION TO PROVE ’INTENT’ ON THE PART OF THE ACCUSED TO COMMIT AN ARRESTABLE OFFENCE.
"THE LOITERING OFFENCE HAS BEEN AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF CRIME PREVENTION, AND WE NEED TO RETAIN IT AS SUCH.
"THE ABILITY OF THE POLICE TO PREVENT AND COMBAT CRIME SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED ADVERSELY BY THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS TO INCREASE *****
TWO SEPARATE RESOLUTIONS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE AND WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE TO INCREASE CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS BY 11.54% WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
MOVING THE MOTIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARED POLICY WAS TO MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL PURCHASING POWER OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS.
/THESE INCLUDED
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
32
THESE INCLUDED PENSIONS PAYABLE UNDER THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME AND THE WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSIONS SCHEME.
HE SAID THIS WAS ACHIEVED BY PERIODIC PENSION ADJUSTMENTS IN LINE WITH MOVEMENTS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A).
DURING THE LATEST REVIEW PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1991 TO MARCH 31, 1992, THE MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGE OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 11.54%.
HE SAID THE TOTAL COST OF INCREASING ALL PENSIONS BY THIS PERCENTAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $198.29 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR.
---------0-----------
INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE SERVICE TO BE EXPANDED *****
A RESOLUTION WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ENABLE THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY TO EXPAND ITS INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE SERVICE.
MOVING A MOTION UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THE EXPANDED SERVICE WOULD ALLOW LOCAL RESIDENTS TO DIAL INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE NUMBERS, SUCH AS THE "1-800" NUMBERS IN USA, FROM HONG KONG.
THE COMPANIES THAT OFFER THESE TOLL-FREE NUMBERS WILL PAY FOR THE CALL CHARGES, AND WILL BE BILLED IN HONG KONG.
THEY WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PAY REGISTRATION AND ANNUAL SERVICE CHARGES, AS WELL AS A SEPARATE ONE-OFF CHARGE IF THEY WISH TO CHANGE NUMBERS.
ON CHARGES FOR THE REVISED SERVICE, MRS CHAN SAID: "WE HAVE EXAMINED THESE CHARGES AND CONSIDER THEM TO BE A FAIR REFLECTION OF THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE."
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/33 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
33 -
MOTION ON NEW AIRPORT PROJECT PASSED ******
A MOTION ON THE IMPACT OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TWENTY LEGISLATORS SPOKE ON THE MOTION MOVED BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION WAS ALSO PASSED.
ELEVEN MEMBERS DEBATED THE MOTION AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IN ADDITION, BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WERE PASSED.
A TOTAL OF FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1992, CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
MEANWHILE, EIGHT COUNCILLORS SPOKE IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON CHINESE MEDICINE RAISED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ALSO PASSED WERE TWO MOTIONS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE AND THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE, AND A MOTION BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, TABLED THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991-92.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TABLED THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE DATED JANUARY THIS YEAR.
- - 0-------
/34 .......
Whi>NI SDA\ , I \Y 13, 1992
- 34 -
RENTON TO CHAIR BRITISH-HK PARLIAMENTARY GROUP * * * * *
THE RT. HON. TIM RENTON, CONSERVATIVE MP FOR SUSSEX WAS ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY" GROUP YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
HE TAKES OVER FROM SIR PETER BLAKER WHO RETIRED FROM PARLIAMENT AT THE LAST GENERAL ELECTIONS.
THE OTHER OFFICE-BEARERS ELECTED TO THE GROUP ARE:
MR ROGER SIMS, MP (JOINT VICE-CHAIRMAN);
DR JOHN MAREK, MP (JOINT VICE-CHAIRMAN);
SIR RUSSELL JOHNSTON, MP (SECRETARY); AND MR JOHN MCFALL, MP (TREASURER).
THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR JOHN YAXLEY, WELCOMING THE ELECTION OF MR RENTON AND THE OTHER OFFICE BEARERS SAID: "MR RENTON IS A SENIOR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT WHO KNOWS HONG KONG WELL AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD FRIEND OF THE TERRITORY. HONG KONG IS LUCKY TO HAVE MR RENTON AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THIS VERY PRESTIGIOUS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP."
MR RENTON JOINED THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN 1974. A HIGHLY REGARDED MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, MR RENTON HAS A DISTINGUISHED POLITICAL CAREER, HOLDING VARIOUSLY THE MINISTERIAL POSITIONS OF: UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (1984-85); MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (1985-87); MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (1987-89); PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO HM TREASURY AND GOVERNMENT CHIEF WHIP (1989-90); AND MINISTER OF STATE, PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE (MINISTER FOR THE ARTS) (1990-MARCH 1992). WHEN HE WAS A MINISTER OF STATE IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, MR RENTON WAS THE MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG.
MR RENTON WAS BORN IN 1932. HE WAS EDUCATED IN ETON AND OXFORD. HE IS MARRIED WITH FIVE CHILDREN.
---------0-----------
FINDINGS OF STUDY GROUP ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS RELEASED ******
THE STUDY GROUP WHICH WAS APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEM OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION AMONG JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS (JPOS) HAS PRODUCED A PACKAGE OF 42 RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT INCREASING JPO STRENGTH.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES HAS ADVISED ON THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
35
ANNOUNCING THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID: ’’THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN A TWO-STEP APPROACH TO TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF POLICE MANPOWER SHORTAGES.
’’FIRST, A STUDY GROUP WAS APPOINTED, AS A MATTER OF URGENCY, TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION DIFFICULTIES AMONG JPOS AND TO RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS WHICH CAN BE IMPLEMENTED QUICKLY.
’’SECOND, A REVIEW TEAM WILL EXAMINE THE MANPOWER REQUIREMENT, AS WELL AS THE MANAGEMENT AND COMMAND STRUCTURE, OF THE POLICE FORCE SO AS TO ESTABLISH APPROPRIATE MANNING SCALES TO MEET OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEXT DECADE.”
MR WIGGHAM UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG POLICE FORCE, IN TERMS OF BOTH NUMBERS AND MORALE, IN MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER FOR THE CONTINUED STABILITY OF HONG KONG.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD TAKEN A LONG-TERM VIEW OF THE POLICE MANPOWER SITUATION IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, SUCH AS THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE BRITISH FORCES AND THE GROWING TRAFFIC ACROSS THE BORDER WITH CHINA.
"WE ARE NOT MERELY RESPONDING TO RECENT EVENTS,” MR WIGGHAM SAID, "BUT ALSO PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE.”
THE FIRST STUDY, WHICH HAS BEEN COMPLETED, REVEALED THAT THE JPO STRENGTH AS AT APRIL 1, 1992 WAS ABOUT 800 LESS THAN THREE YEARS AGO, DUE TO A COMBINATION OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION DIFFICULTIES, WHEREAS POLICE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE NUMBER OF VIOLENT CRIMES, IN PARTICULAR, ARMED ROBBERIES AND USE OF FIREARMS BY CRIMINALS, HAD INCREASED OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
ALTHOUGH RECRUITMENT HAS IMPROVED SINCE OCTOBER 1991, THE NUMBER TAKEN ON STRENGTH WAS STILL CONSISTENTLY BELOW TARGET.
’’AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND AND IN VIEW OF THE PROJECTED JPO WASTAGE RATE THROUGH RETIREMENT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE STUDY GROUP CONCLUDED THAT IMMEDIATE ACTION WAS NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE INTAKE AND TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RESIGNATIONS AMONG SERVING JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS,” MR WIGGHAM SAID.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE STUDY GROUP PROPOSED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM ON THREE FRONTS:
* TO INCREASE THE DEPLOYMENT OF POLICE OFFICERS FOR OPERATIONAL DUTIES THROUGH FURTHER CIVI LIANISATION OF DISCIPLINED POLICE POSTS AND WITHDRAWAL OF TRAINED POLICE OFFICERS FROM CIVILIAN POSTS;
* TO INCREASE INTAKE BY STREAMLINING THE RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES AND RECRUITING MORE WOMEN POLICE CONSTABLES; AND
/* TO REDUCE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 36 -
* TO REDUCE WASTAGE BY PROVIDING MORE PERSONAL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO ASSIST JUNIOR POLICE CONSTABLES IN COPING WITH THE DEMANDS OF WORK AND IMPROVING THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF JPOS.
COMMENTING ON THE PROPOSED PAY ADJUSTMENT, MR WIGGHAM SAID: "THE POLICE HOLD A SPECIAL POSITION IN OUR SOCIETY. IN RECOGNITION OF THE UNIQUENESS OF THE POLICE, AS THE GOVERNMENT’S AGENCY OF LAST RESORT, A SEPARATE POLICE PAY SCALE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1988.
"IT FOLLOWS THAT THE POLICE PAY SCALE MUST BE CAPABLE OF BEING ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER CIVIL SERVICE PAY SCALES.
"THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE POLICE PAY SCALE ARE JUSTIFIED ON A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF FACTORS FACING THE POLICE AND ARE BASED ON ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES.
"THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL INCREMENTS ON PASSING OUT FROM THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL AND AFTER THE SECOND YEAR OF SERVICE RESPECTIVELY IS A WELL-TRIED AND PROVEN METHOD OF REDUCING WASTAGE WHERE THE PROBLEM IS MOST SERIOUS.
"THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE POLICE CONSTABLE PAY SCALE RESTORES THE LENGTH OF THE PAY SCALE SO AS TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE CAREER STRUCTURE AND ENSURES A UNIFORM PAY DIFFERENTIAL WITH THE OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE RANK.
"IT SHOULD ALSO HELP RETENTION AMONG THE MORE SENIOR PCS. THE CONSEQUENTIAL ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SERGEANT AND STATION SERGEANT PAY SCALES ARE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN INTERNAL RELATIVITIES AND TO REFLECT THE DIFFERENCES IN THE JOB NATURE OF THE RANKS."
THE STUDY GROUP ALSO PROPOSED A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DEATH BENEFITS FOR THE FAMILIES OF OFFICERS KILLED ON DUTY. THESE WILL ALSO APPLY TO THE OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JPO PAY SCALES ARE ESTIMATED TO COST $208 MILLION PER ANNUM.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE APPROACHED FOR FUNDING AT THE MEETING ON MAY 22.
"SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE REVISED PAY SCALES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON THE DATE APPROVAL IS GIVEN," MR WIGGHAM ADDED.
/JPO PAY .......
37
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
JPO Pay Scale
PPS Point $ Value
28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 18740 17810 17035 16525 16035 15560 15205 14820 14435 14065 13680 13295 12925 12570 12215 11870 11535 11245 10875 10545 10230 9930 9630 9350 9070 8795 8535 8285
Pay Scale Adjustments
Existing Proposed
S. Sgt. PPS 20 - 27 PPS 21 - 28
($14,435 - $17,810) ($14,320 - $18,740)
Sgt. PPS 12 - 19 PPS 14 - 21
($11,535 - $14,065) ($12,215 - $14,820)
(1) (2)
PC PPS 1-13 PPS 1-15
($8,285 - $11,870) ($8,285 - $12,570)
(1) There are at present two omitted points in the PC pay scale, after the first and fifth years of service respectively. Points 12 and 13 are long service increments.
(2) Two additional incremental jumps are incorporated, one on passing out from PTS and another after the second year of service. Points 14 and 15 are long service increments.
--------o----------
/38........
WED*.: SI* V. ,
13, 1992
POLICE CHIEF WELCOMES RECRUITMENT MEASURES
******
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, TODAY (MAY 13) WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ON MEASURES TO IMPROVE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION AMONG JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS (JPOS).
MR LI SAID: ’’THE STUDY GROUP’S REPORT CONTAINS USEFUL RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND DEPLOYMENT OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS.
”1 AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE UNIQUE POSITION OF THE FORCE AS THE GOVERNMENT’S AGENCY OF LAST RESORT HAS BEEN PROPERLY RECOGNISED, AND THAT THE FORCE RECEIVES SPECIAL TREATMENT.”
MR LI NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION SENDT OUT A CLEAR MESSAGE FOR THE FUTURE.
”A STRONG POLICE FORCE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
’’MOST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON RECRUITMENT ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED. SOME OF THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, THOSE RELATING TO CIVILIANISATION AND VOLUNTARY ARMING OF WOMEN POLICE, WILL BE FOLLOWED UP IN THE MANAGEMENT REVIEW.”
DESCRIBED AS PARTICULARLY WELCOME ARE THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF JPOS, IN PARTICULAR, THE PROVISION OF MORE QUARTERS AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE JPO PAY SCALES.
THE TOTAL PACKAGE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.
”1 WELCOME THE SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE FORCE DEMONSTRATED BY GOVERNMENT IN THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE STUDY’S FINDING,"MR LI SAID.
"I NOW HOPE THAT EARLY IMPLEMENTATION WILL IMPROVE THE FORCE’S ABILITY TO PUT MORE MEN ON THE STREETS OF HONG KONG.”
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GUANGDONG GOVERNOR TO VISIT HK
*****
AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR ZHU SENLIN OF GUANGDONG WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM MAY 15-19.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BE ORGANISING A PROGRAMME FOR HIM ON MAY 16 AND 18.
GOVERNOR ZHU WILL HOLD TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR. HE WILL ALSO MEET THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
/HE WILL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
39
HE WILL VISIT THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, EASTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL, STOCK EXCHANGE, TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WILL SHOW HIM BORDER FACILITIES AND BRIEF HIM ON THE SECURITY SITUATION.
- - 0 - -
GOVERNOR VISITS UNIVERSITY * * * « »
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (HKUST).
HE CONGRATULATED THE COUNCIL AND THE STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY ON THEIR RAPID PROGRESS TOWARDS ESTABLISHING HKUST AS ONE OF ASIA’S CENTRES OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.
LORD WILSON SAID: "AN IMMENSE AMOUNT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN A VERY SHORT TIME. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RESEARCH, TEACHING AND STUDENT ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IS IMPRESSIVE ENOUGH. BUT, EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, HKUST HAS BEGUN TO ESTABLISH A REPUTATION FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. I CONGRATULATE THE COUNCIL AND THE STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY ON ALL THEY HAVE ACHIEVED."
( LORD WILSON SAID HKUST PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN HONG KONG’S DRIVE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN TERTIARY EDUCATION TO KEEP PACE WITH THE DEMAND FROM SCHOOL LEAVERS.
"IN 1989 WE SET OURSELVES THE TARGET OF EXPANDING TERTIARY EDUCATION TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD PROVIDE PLACES FOR 18% OF THE 17-20 AGE GROUP.
"WE SHALL ACHIEVE THIS TARGET IN 1995. WE HAVE ALREADY EXPANDED FROM ABOUT 5,000 FIRST-YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES IN 1988 TO OVER 10,000 PLACES NOW. WE ARE ON TARGET FOR 14,500 PLACES BY 1995."
LORD WILSON EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR A CAREFULLY CO-ORDINATED DEVELOPMENT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
"THIS MEANS MAINTAINING A BALANCE BETWEEN ALL SECTORS OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND IMPROVING ACADEMIC STANDARDS."
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, AND THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR CHIA-WEI WOO, ESCORTED LORD WILSON ON A TOUR OF THE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH LABORATORIES, COMPUTER FACILITIES AND THE POSTGRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE HALLS.
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/40
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 40 -
SOCIETIES ORDINANCE TO BE AMENDED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE WILL BE AMENDED TO MAKE IT CONSISTENT WITH THE HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS (BOR) ORDINANCE.
THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE IS ONE OF THE SIX ORDINANCES WHICH HAD BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE OPERATION OF THE BOR FOR ONE YEAR. THE ONE-YEAR FREEZE PERIOD IS DUE TO EXPIRE NEXT MONTH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD PROTECT THE FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION WHILE AT THE SAME TIME RETAINING A DEGREE OF REGULATION OVER SOCIETIES AS A CRIME PREVENTION MEASURE AND IN THE INTERESTS OF SECURITY, PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC ORDER AS PERMITTED UNDER THE BOR.
UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, SOCIETIES ARE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED TO GAIN LAWFUL STATUS. THIS REQUIREMENT IS CONSIDERED TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AS SET OUT IN THE BOR.
"THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 SEEKS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING REGISTRATION SYSTEM WITH A NOTIFICATION SYSTEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ENABLE PEOPLE TO FORM LAWFUL SOCIETIES FREELY WITHOUT THE REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTRATION. THEY ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH SOCIETIES.
FAILURE TO NOTIFY WILL BE AN OFFENCE, BUT SOCIETIES WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY BE REGARDED AS UNLAWFUL.
"WHEN A SOCIETY NOTIFIES THE GOVERNMENT OF ITS ESTABLISHMENT, IT IS ONLY REQUIRED TO GIVE ITS NAME, ITS OBJECTS, ITS ADDRESS AND THE NAMES OF ITS OFFICE BEARERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY COULD PROHIBIT THE OPERATION OF A SOCIETY IF HE BELIEVED THAT SUCH OPERATION WOULD BE PREJUDICIAL TO THE SECURITY OF HONG KONG, PUBLIC SAFETY OR PUBLIC ORDER.
THESE GROUNDS FOR PROHIBITION ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BOR AND THEIR SCOPE IS MUCH NARROWER THAN THE EXISTING POWER WHICH THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES HAS FOR REFUSING THE REGISTRATION OF A SOCIETY.
UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, CERTAIN PRESUMPTIONS IN RELATION TO SOCIETIES WOULD BE LIMITED IN THEIR APPLICATION.
THE PRESUMPTION OF EXISTENCE OF A SOCIETY WHERE ANY BOOKS, ACCOUNTS, WRITINGS, LISTS OF MEMBERS, SEALS, BANNERS OR INSIGNIA OF A SOCIETY ARE FOUND IN POSSESSION OF ANY PERSON WOULD APPLY TO TRIAD SOCIETIES ONLY.
/THE PRESUMPTION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
41
THE PRESUMPTION OF A PERSON’S ASSISTANCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A SOCIETY WHERE SUCH ITEMS ARE FOUND IN HIS POSSESSION WOULD APPLY TO BOTH TRIAD AND PROHIBITED SOCIETIES.
"IT IS NECESSARY TO RETAIN THESE PRESUMPTIONS - NOW IN A FORM COMPATIBLE WITH THE BOR - TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE FIGHT AGAINST TRIADS AND OTHER CRIMINAL ELEMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE TITLE OF THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES HELD BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, WILL BE CHANGED TO "SOCIETIES OFFICER" TO REFLECT HIS NEW ROLE.
THE AMENDMENT BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (MAY 15) AND BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 20.
-----0------
APRIL AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR LAST MONTH - THE 10TH MONTHLY ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT NORMALLY CONTAINS AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI
MONITORING RESULTS OBTAINED CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS.
FOR THIS RELEASE, HOWEVER, NO DATA IS AVAILABLE FOR THE CENTRAL/WESTERN STATION, WHERE ALL MONITORING ACTIVITIES HAVE TEMPORARILY BEEN SUSPENDED OWING TO CONSTRUCTION WORKS THERE.
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2) AND NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2) WHICH ARE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY ROUND THE CLOCK, AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP) AND RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) WHICH ARE SAMPLED FOR 24 HOURS EVERY SIX DAYS.
THE GENERAL SO2 AND NO2 LEVELS IN APRIL WERE RATHER HIGH, .[□THOUGH THEY DID NOT EXCEED THE HONG KONG AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES.
VERY HIGH LEVELS OF TSP AND RSP LEVELS WERE OBSERVED ON APRIL 15, WHEN BOTH EXCEEDED THEIR RELEVANT DAILY AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES.
ALSO ON THAT DAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THESE DAILY OBJECTIVES WERE EXCEEDED WIDELY AT OTHER MONITORING STATIONS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
THE EVIDENCE SO FAR INDICATES THAT THIS DUST POLLUTION IS ORIGINATED FROM OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST, THE EPD ARE CONDUCTING FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS INTO ITS NATURE AND SOURCE.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
42
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE GENERAL AIR QUALITY LEVELS TO WHICH THEY MIGHT BE EXPOSED.
THESE AIR POLLUTANTS MAINLY COME FROM COMBUSTION OF FUEL IN INDUSTRIAL PLANTS AND MOTOR VEHICLES ENGINES.
TSP AND RSP ARE ALSO GENERATED BY CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND SOME MANUFACTURING PROCESSES, AS WELL AS NATURAL SOURCES.
THE DAILY HONG KONG AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES OF SO2 AND NO2, TSP AND RSP ARE 350, 150, 260 AND 180 MICROGRAMS PER CUBIC METER RESPECTIVELY.
THESE OBJECTIVES ARE COMPARABLE TO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AIR QUALITY STANDARDS RECOMMENDED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE GENERAL HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC.
HIGH LEVELS OF SO2 CAUSE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCE LUNG FUNCTION AND INCREASE MORTALITY RATE.
NO2 CAUSES RESPIRATORY IRRITATION, INCREASES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND IMPAIRS LUNG DEVELOPMENT.
TSP ACTS SYNERGISTICALLY WITH OTHER GASEOUS POLLUTANTS AND RSP CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCES LUNG FUNCTION AND MORE FORMS OF RSP MAY CAUSE CANCER.
THE MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG STATIONS BROADLY REPRESENT AIR QUALITY RESPECTIVELY AT LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICT, COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, AND DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
CURRENTLY THE EPD OPERATES A TOTAL OF 11 FIXED AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE.
THE OTHER EIGHT STATIONS ARE AT KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUT PO, TSIM SHA TSUI, TSEUNG KWAN 0, TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG SOUTH, TAI PO AND SHA TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
AN ILLUSTRATION SHOWING THE SUMMARY AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR APRIL THIS YEAR WILL BE FAXED.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO A PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER, MR RAYMOND LEUNG, ON TEL. 810 3049.
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 43 -
- mu> ij t II t & %
Hong Kong Air Quality Report for April 1992
Concentration Concentration
Microgram per Cubic Meter Microgram per Cubic Meter
---------o-----------
¥
/u .....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
44
STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME NEVER SHELVED
******
THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME, ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF THE LONG-TERM STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL STRATEGY AIMED AT PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE WATER ENVIRONMENT, HAS NEVER BEEN SHELVED THOUGH IT WAS ABOUT THREE YEARS BEHIND THE ORIGINAL RATHER OPTIMISTIC SCHEDULE.
THIS WAS STATED BY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL HOLMES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF ROTARY CLUB OF CITY NORTHWEST HONG KONG.
MR HOLMES SAID THE BIGGEST LONG-TERM PROBLEM WITH THE SCHEME WAS FINDING MONEY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING AT A PROPOSAL TO FINANCE THE WORK BY LEVYING CHARGES ON ALL THE USERS OF THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SERVICE.
MR HOLMES SAID SINCE A LOT OF THE SEWAGE COMES FROM DOMESTIC USERS, THEY WOULD BE EXPECTED TO PAY THEIR SHARE OF THE COST.
THE CHARGES COULD BE SIMILAR TO THE COST OF CLEAN WATER - AN EQUATION THAT IS NEITHER SURPRISING NOR UNREASONABLE.
MR HOLMES SAID THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL STRATEGY HAD THREE ELEMENTS TO TACKLE THE WATER POLLUTION PROBLEM.
FIRST, THE PROVISION OF AN ADEQUATE SEWERAGE SYSTEM, TO COLLECT THE COMMUNITY’S LIQUID WASTE, SECOND, A STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME TO GET RID OF THE WASTE SAFELY, AND THE THIRD ELEMENT IS A PACKAGE OF LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE FIRST TWO ELEMENTS CAN OPERATE SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY.
"WORK ON ALL THE ELEMENTS OF THE STRATEGY HAS BEEN IN PROGRESS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. SEWERAGE MASTER PLANS HAVE NOW BEEN DRAWN UP FOR EIGHT AREAS COVERING OVER TWO-THIRDS OF THE TERRITORY’S POPULATION.
"A NEW LOCAL SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IS BEING BUILT AT STANLEY, AND VARIOUS OTHER IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
"A TOTAL OF OVER THREE BILLION DOLLARS IS ALREADY COMMITTED TO THIS WORK."
HE SAID AMENDMENTS TO THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE CAME INTO FORCE AT THE END OF 1990, AND A COMPREHENSIVE NEW SET OF STANDARDS WAS PUBLISHED IN JANUARY, 1991. THIS HAD PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN NEARLY A YEAR AND A HALF IN OPERATION.
"THERE ARE STILL IMPORTANT AREAS OF THE TERRITORY WHERE THIS LAW IS NOT IN FORCE, AND THIS INCLUDES THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS AROUND VICTORIA HARBOUR. THE REASON FOR THE DELAY IS SIMPLY A SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER.
/"ENFORCEMENT OF .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 45 -
"ENFORCEMENT OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROLS IS VERY LABOUR INTENSIVE. HOWEVER, THE EPD IS EXAMINING EVERY POSSIBILITY IN ITS EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE LABOUR DEMANDS OF EFFECTIVE WATER POLLUTION CONTROLS, AND WE HOPE TO HAVE THE LAW EFFECTIVELY IN FORCE WITHIN ABOUT THREE YEARS.
"THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME IS THE MOST COMPLEX ELEMENT OF THE STRATEGY AND INVOLVES BY FAR THE MOST COSTLY INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS.
"THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS MANAGING AN ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDY, WHICH IS LOOKING AT SPECIFIC TUNNEL ROUTES AND DIFFERENT TREATMENT OPTIONS.
"THE EPD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A MARINE INVESTIGATION, WHICH IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AUTHORITIES UNDER WHOSE JURISDICTION THE EVENTUAL OUTFALL WILL COME.
"THE INTENTION OF THIS SCHEME IS TO ENSURE THAT THE DISCHARGE OF TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT WILL NOT HAVE ANY ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT EITHER IN CHINESE WATERS OR ON THE COAST OF HONG KONG AND NEIGHBOURING CHINESE ISLANDS."
MR HOLMES SAID THOUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEWAGE DISPOSAL STRATEGY MAY IMPOSE SOME COSTS ON INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS, IT WILL BRING ALONG BENEFITS THAT FAR OUTWEIGH THOSE COSTS.
"THESE BENEFITS MAY COME IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, SUCH AS IMPROVED WORKER PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH BETTER HEALTH, RECOVERY OF VALUABLE ENERGY AND MATERIALS, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND INCREASED TOURIST SPENDING.
"THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE THREE-FOLD STRATEGY OF IMPROVED SEWERAGE, ADEQUATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES, AND LEGAL CONTROLS ON POLLUTION.
"WE ARE MAKING STEADY PROGRESS WITH ALL THESE ACTIVITIES, BUT THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE FACE IN THE FUTURE IS FINDING AN EFFECTIVE AND ACCEPTABLE MEANS TO FUND THE MAJOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS."
--------0--------
/46 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
46
POWER FOR HIGH COURT TO AFFIRM CONVICTION PROPOSED
******
THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 PROPOSES TO GIVE HIGH COURT THE POWER TO AFFIRM THE CONVICTION OF A DEFENDANT NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE POINT RAISED ON THE APPEAL MIGHT BE DECIDED IN FAVOUR OF THE CONVICTED PERSON, PROVIDED IT IS SATISFIED THAT NO MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE HAS OCCURRED.
THE POWER IS LIKELY TO BE USED WHERE AN APPEAL RAISES A TECHNICAL ISSUE ONLY, WHICH DOES NOT AFFECT THE ESSENTIAL CORRECTNESS OF THE ORIGINAL CONVICTION.
UNDER EXISTING LAW, THIS POWER IS ALREADY AVAILABLE TO THE COURT OF APPEAL UPON CRIMINAL APPEALS FROM HIGH COURT OR DISTRICT COURT TRIALS.
HOWEVER, THE HIGH COURT DOES NOT HAVE THIS POWER WHEN DETERMINING APPEALS FROM THE MAGISTRATES COURTS.
IN A CASE HEARD AT THE END OF 1988, THE COURT OF APPEAL RECOMMENDED THAT A SPECIFIC PROVISION FOR SUCH A DISCRETIONARY POWER BE INCLUDED IN STATUTE LAW.
THE COURT OF APPEAL STATED THAT THE EXPEDITIOUS AND FAIR DISPATCH OF APPEALS FROM MAGISTRATES IN HONG KONG WOULD GREATLY BE FACILITATED BY SUCH A POWER.
WITHOUT THIS POWER, JUDGES ARE OBLIGED TO ORDER NEW TRIALS OF CASES THAT HAVE SUCCEEDED IN APPEALS ON PURELY TECHNICAL ISSUES ALTHOUGH THE MAGISTRATES' VERDICTS ARE SAFE.
THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED THIS FRIDAY AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 27.
-----0------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON TWO BUILDINGS IN KWUN TONG AND SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN KWUN TONG ARE LOCATED AT FLATS A, G AND H, FIRST FLOOR OF MEE ON BUILDING, 39-49 HANG ON STREET.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, THE WORKS ARE SITUATED AT THE FRONT PORTIONS OF THE ROOF OF 208 AND 210 FUK WING STREET.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 15 AND AUGUST 28 RESPECTIVELY WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
/47
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
47 -
THREE PIECES OF GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT CHOI SHEK LANE, KWUN TONG AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,050 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS AND VEHICLES LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE).
SITUATED AT WO TIK STREET, TSUEN WAN, THE SECOND SITE OCCUPIES AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,350 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS DESIGNATED FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK FOR THE PARKING OF PRIVATE CARS AND LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES ONLY.
THE REMAINING SITE IS ALSO INTENDED FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CAR PARK, BUT EXCLUDES THE PARKING OF CONTAINER VEHICLES.
IT IS LOCATED AT AREA 123, TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,870 SQUARE METRES.
THE TENANCIES OF THE THREE SITES ARE FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
SUBMISSION OF TENDERS WILL BE CLOSED AT NOON ON MAY 29.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS OF THE SITES INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.
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/48 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
- 48 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON CITY HALL RECITAL HALL. WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL
SATURDAY (MAY 16) AT 9.30 AM AT THE
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
BIDDING. THEY ARE:
EW1105 EV1218 EW2322 EV618
EV8718 BC11 3219 EW3228
EW1623 EK6663 EU608 EV243
XX600 EW1119 AC2221 AZ400
EV190 CS8888 EY9779 EW802
BB6793 EV1813 EV169 AF350
EW203 EW693 EW7771 EW2212
3799 EX9000 ED3 BB252
EW1163 BS557 EW390 EW6838
AN5705 EV2668 EV7877 EW3303
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 175TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
--------------------0------- FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON FRIDAY * * * ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON THE TSING MA BRIDGE AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 15) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
/ATTENTION NEWS........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992
49
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE COMMITTEE’S PAPERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE READING FROM 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE OMELCO PRESS OFFICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE PAPERS WILL BE EMBARGOED FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING ENDS.
---------0---------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * * DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 12.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 13.5.92 -90
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 90
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON + 45*
* O/N ASST TO BE REVERSED ON 14 MAY
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.0 *-0.5* 13.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS TERM HONG KONG ISSUE GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.27 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.33 4.69
1 MONTH 3.38 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.76 5.10
3 MONTHS 3.48 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.75 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.17 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,914 MN
CLOSED 13 MAY 1992
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS'S SPEECH ON NEW AIRPORT IN LEGCC ON WEDNESDAY ................... 1
ADVERSE WEATHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCHOOLS ........................... 5
BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER 1992 RELEASED ............ 6
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY URGED TO MINIMISE WASTE ...................... 9
REGISTRATION OF CHIROPRACTORS PROPOSED.............................. 10
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ..................................... 11
RURAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UNDERWAY ................................ 14
INITIAL FINDINGS OF 1991/92 PAY TREND SURVEY ....................... 15
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON CHANGES IN TRADE STATISTICS SYSTEM ....... 15
LADY WILSON OPENS TWO SCHOCLS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ............. 16
POLL CARDS FOR BY-ELECTION ISSUED................................... 17
158 RETURN TO VIETNAM .............................................. 17
DISTRICT OFFICE LOOKS FOR PART-TIME STAFF .......................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 18
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
FS’S SPEECH ON NEW AIRPORT IN LEGCO ON WEDNESDAY
******
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
THE THEME RUNNING THROUGH SOME CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS DEBATE IS THAT THE ACP COSTS A LOT, THAT IT IS LIKELY TO COST FAR MORE THAN WE IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE PREPARED TO REVEAL OR ADMIT, AND THAT THESE COSTS WILL INCREASINGLY DEPRIVE THE PUBLIC OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND OTHER PUBLIC WORKS.
THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER CLAIMS IN THIS CHAMBER OR ELSEWHERE THAT WE ARE WITHHOLDING INFORMATION, AND THAT WE ARE FAVOURING BRITISH CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES AND CONSULTANTS WHEN AWARDING CONTRACTS.
A CONCERN TO ENSURE COST EFFECTIVENESS AND REDUCE THE RISKS OF COST OVERRUN IS ENTIRELY REASONABLE, AND INDEED ONE THAT I SHARE WHOLEHEARTEDLY. BUT THE OTHER SUBSIDIARY THEMES, ALLEGING A LACK OF INFORMATION AND CONTRACT FAVOURITISM, I REJECT TOTALLY AND WILL ANSWER FIRST.
OVER THE LAST SIX WEEKS WE HAVE RELEASED A GREAT DEAL OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. ON APRIL 2, WE PUBLISHED OUR OVERALL ACP COSTS PAPER. THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY DETAILED PAPERS ON THE COSTS OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND OF THE NEW AIRPORT ITSELF. LAST WEEK, WHEN WE ANNOUNCED THE TSING MA BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, WE REVEALED PERHAPS MORE INFORMATION THAN EVER BEFORE ON THE TENDERS AND ON THE REASONS FOR OUR DECISION.
THIS IS REAL TRANSPARENCY AND I WELCOME IT. AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE PRESENTED THESE PAPERS AND EXPLAINED THEIR CONTENTS TO THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE MEDIA. THIS EFFORT HAS INVOLVED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE MTRC, AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENT.
THE PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE. IN PARTICULAR, THE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AIRPORT AND THE RAILWAY WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. WE WILL RESPOND CONSTRUCTIVELY TO SPECIFIC AND REASONABLE REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION. IT IS DIFFICULT HOWEVER TO KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO VAGUE ALLEGATIONS OF A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY OR DEMANDS THAT WE SHOULD FILL A BOTTOMLESS PIT LABELLED "MORE INFORMATION". FORESTS OF TREES HAVE ALREADY BEEN FELLED IN AN ATTEMPT TO SATISFY THE DEMANDS MADE ON US OVER THE PERIOD SINCE THE NEW AIRPORT WAS ANNOUNCED. IT MAY BE WORTH RECALLING FOR EXAMPLE THAT THE MATERIAL ON THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN ALONE WAS THREE INCHES THICK. AND THAT THERE ARE NOW OVER 300 REPORTS, STUDIES ETC. RELEVANT TO THE ACP AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN THE AIRPORT AND PORT PROJECT RESOURCE CENTRE. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE READ THEM? THUS WE MUST DRAW A LINE SOMEWHERE. I AM PARTICULARLY ANXIOUS THAT WE SHOULD NOT PUBLICLY REVEAL COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION THAT COULD, FOR EXAMPLE, UPSET FINANCIAL PLANS OR UNDERMINE COMPETITIVE TENDERING.
/IMPLICIT IN .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
2
IMPLICIT IN SOME OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN THE DEBATE IS THE IDEA THAT ALL THIS COULD BE DONE AT LESS EXPENSE IF WE PROCEEDED MORE SLOWLY. CALCULATING ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS IS A SCIENCE THAT CAUSES A LOT OF CONTROVERSY AND I SHALL NOT TRY IT HERE : I WOULD RATHER APPEAL TO MEMBERS’ COMMON SENSE. WHAT WOULD BE MADE CHEAPER BY SPENDING MORE TIME? BY EXTENDING THE PROJECT CASHFLOWS, WE WOULD JUST INCREASE THE OUT-TURN COSTS. BY EXTENDING THE REPAYMENT PERIOD FOR BORROWING BY THE MTRC AND THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND PUTTING OFF THE TIME WHEN OUR INVESTMENTS START TO GENERATE REVENUES, WE SHALL INCUR MORE INTEREST COSTS AND DELAY PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS BACK TO THE PUBLIC. I AM AFRAID THAT IT JUST DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
ON THE AWARD OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. AS THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY SAID LAST WEEK : ’’THERE IS NEVER ANY FAVOURITISM TOWARDS ANY COMPANY OR ANY COUNTRY. HONG KONG THRIVES AS AN OPEN MARKET WITH FREE COMPETITION, AND THIS PRINCIPLE OF OPEN UNBIASED COMPETITION IS STRICTLY APPLIED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHEN EVALUATING ALL TENDERS”. REPEATED ALLEGATIONS AND INNUENDOES TO THE CONTRARY ARE TOTALLY UNFOUNDED. REGRETTABLY THEIR REITERATION WITHIN THIS CHAMBER LENDS THEM A VENEER OF CREDIBILITY THAT THEY IN NO WAY MERIT.
THE TSING MA BRIDGE CONTRACT IS THE LARGEST ACP CONTRACT SO FAR, AND SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING START TOWARDS ENSURING THAT THE ACP GOES AHEAD AT FULL SPEED, ON TIME, AND WITHIN BUDGET. THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSORTIUM’S CONTRACT PRICE OF S7.144BN IN MONEY OF THE DAY IS WITHIN THE ORIGINAL BUDGET. LIKE MOST OTHER MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS ON THE ACP, IT IS ON A LUMP SUM, FIXED PRICE BASIS - WHICH GIVES US THE BEST PROTECTION FROM UNFORESEEN PRICE INCREASES DURING CONSTRUCTION.
IMPRESSIVE PROGRESS IS EVIDENT ELSEWHERE. TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR OTHER ROAD AND BRIDGE CONTRACTS, AND FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE.
THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION IS WELL UNDER WAY, AND NEW LAND CAN BE SEEN EMERGING FROM THE SEA. TENDERERS HAVE BEEN PRE-QUALIFIED FOR . THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CENTRAL AND WANCHAI RECLAMATION. THE TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT HAS BEEN LET. AND, OF COURSE, ON FRIDAY WE SHALL BE SEEKING FUNDS FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE TO ENABLE WORK TO START ON THE TSING MA BRIDGE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THE PAA HAS ALMOST COMPLETED ITS ADVANCE WORKS FOR SITE FORMATION. TENDERS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE MAIN SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT TO CONSTRUCT THE AIRPORT PLATFORM. THESE BIDS WERE TOO HIGH. SO THE PAA WILL GO BACK TO THEM WITH NEW IDEAS DESIGNED TO BRING DOWN THEIR PRICES - A CONCRETE EXAMPLE OF HOW DETERMINED WE ALL ARE TO CONTAIN COSTS.
THE PAA HAS ALSO DONE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF OTHER VITAL WORK, BUILDING UP A CAPABLE TEAM FROM VIRTUALLY NOTHING, PRODUCING ITS MASTER PLAN AND FINANCIAL PLAN, AND GETTING WORK STARTED ON THE SITE.
/LET ME .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
3
LET ME NOW TURN TO THE FINANCING OF THE RAILWAY. WE HAVE PROPOSED TO INJECT EQUITY OF $3 BILLION INTO THE MTRC. THE MTRC WILL, INCIDENTALLY, PAY US BACK THE SAME AMOUNT, $3 BILLION, FOR PUBLIC WORKS TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY. WE PROPOSE TO OFFER FURTHER CALLABLE EQUITY OF $8.8 BILLION TO REASSURE THEIR LENDERS THAT THE MTRC’S BORROWINGS WILL BE REPAID, IF THINGS DO NOT TURN OUT AS WELL AS WE HAVE ANTICIPATED. THAT MONEY IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PAID OTHER THAN IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRUCMSTANCES : WE HAVE DESIGNED THE FINANCIAL PACKAGE SO THAT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE CALLED AT ALL.
THE PUBLIC WILL GET FOR $3 BILLION OF PUBLIC MONEY A MODERN, EFFICIENT, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY RAILWAY WHICH COSTS $22.L BILLION TO BUILD. WHAT IS MORE, WE PROPOSE TO ALLOW THE MTRC TO DEVELOP SITES OVER AND AROUND THEIR STATIONS - LAND THAT WOULD BE LARGELY UNDEVELOPABLE AFTER THE STATIONS AND RAILWAY LINES HAD BEEN BUILT -AND THE MTRC WILL PAY THE GOVERNMENT AROUND $20 BILLION IN PREMIUM FOR IT BEFORE L997, WITH ANOTHER $20 BILLION GOING TO THE SAR LAND FUND.
THIS IS OUTSTANDING VALUE FOR MONEY. THE COMMUNITY WILL NOT ONLY GET SPEEDY ACCESS TO THE NEW AIRPORT BUT MUCH NEEDED RELIEF FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC OF CONGESTION ON THE ROUTES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND KWAI CHUNG. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE RAPID ACCESS TO TSING YI AND THE NEW TOWNS PLANNED FOR NORTH LANTAU. AND IT WILL MAKE RECREATIONAL AREAS ON LANTAU ACCESSIBLE FROM HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON IN 30 MINUTES.
TURNING NOW TO THE OVERALL COST OF THE ACP, THE INCREASE FROM $98.6 BILLION LAST YEAR TO $112.2 BILLION (IN MARCH 1991 PRICES) IS NOT EXCESSIVE, GIVEN THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FINAL PLANNING AND OUTLINE DESIGN WORK THAT WAS CARRIED OUT IN THE LAST YEAR.
BUT WHAT IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO THE TAXPAYER IS THE COST TO GOVERNMENT - THAT HAS REMAINED THE SAME SINCE JULY 1991, AT HK$59.3 BILLION (AT 1991 PRICES). MOREOVER, WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE SPECIAL COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND COST CONTROL SYSTEMS, TOGETHER WITH A PARTICULARLY STRICT FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE OVER GOVERNMENT WORKS.
TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO SEE WHERE THERE ARE CHANGES IN REAL TERMS, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO PRESENT DATA IN MARCH 1991 FIGURES. SOMETIMES HOWEVER WE HAVE TO MOVE INTO MONEY OF THE DAY - FOR EXAMPLE WHEN BANKERS BECOME INVOLVED IN DISCUSSIONS ON MTRC AND PAA BORROWINGS. AND OF COURSE WHEN WE ARE AWARDING FIXED PRICE, LUMP SUM CONTRACTS, AS WITH THE TSING MA BRIDGE.
SO, LET US HAVE THE VISION AND COURAGE THAT HAS SUSTAINED US IN THE PAST, DESPITE THE SIREN VOICES OF THE CYNICS AND THE SCEPTICS. SUCH FEARS ARE NOT NEW.
BACK IN 1975, SOME LEADING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE SPREADING DOOM AND GLOOM FAR AND WIDE WITH FORECASTS OF MASSIVE COST OVER-RUN ON THE BUILDING OF THE MTRC’S INITIAL LINE FROM KWUN TONG TO CENTRAL. ONE EVEN SAID IT WAS A ’’LOSING GAMBLE”.
WELL, IMAGINE WHAT HONG KONG WOULD BE LIKE TODAY WITHOUT THAT ’’GAMBLE”. PICTURE THE ROADS CLOGGED SOLID WITH CARS AND BUSES; IMAGINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE THAT THE TRAFFIC POLLUTION WOULD HAVE CAUSED; THINK FOR A MOMENT ABOUT HOW IMPOSSIBLE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO HOUSE PEOPLE IN OUR NEW TOWNS.
/THERE WERE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
THERE WERE DOUBTS EVEN AT THE END OF THE LAST CENTURY ABOUT ANOTHER PROJECT - NATHAN ROAD. PEOPLE THEN ARGUED THAT NO-ONE WOULD EVER TRAVEL ALONG NATHAN ROAD BECAUSE IT LED TO NOWHERE, BUT THE PADDY FIELDS OF YAU MA TEI AND SHAM SHUI PO. LATER THE DOUBTING THOMAS’S WERE IN BUSINESS AGAIN ON PLANS FOR THE FIRST CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL.
BUT AS WE NOW KNOW, HONG KONG’S SUCCESS HAS BEEN BUILT ON THE FOUNDATIONS OF SUCH VISIONARY PROJECTS AS THE MTR, AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS. IF WE HAD NOT TURNED SUCH VISIONS INTO REALITY, HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE WHAT IT IS TODAY, NOR WOULD IT BE POISED FOR THE GROWTH OF THE COMING YEARS.
NOW THE VISION IS A NEW AIRPORT TO TAKE US INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, SERVED BY A RAILWAY, NEW HIGHWAYS AND A THIRD HARBOUR TUNNEL. THESE ROAD AND RAIL FACILITIES WILL PROVIDE THE FAST ROAD AND RAIL TRANSPORT NEEDED BY A MODERN AIRPORT OPERATING ROUND-THE-CLOCK. THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING HAS ALREADY CLEARLY INCREASED CONFIDENCE, MANIFESTED IN A HIGH LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IN THE STOCK MARKET AND BUSINESS GENERALLY.
THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE 350,000 PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CORRIDOR MOST AFFECTED BY KAI TAK AIRCRAFT NOISE WILL DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE WHEN THE NEW AIRPORT OPENS. KAI TAK ITSELF WILL BE RE-DEVELOPED.
BUT THE ACP DOES NOT ONLY PROVIDE US WITH A NEW AIRPORT, WHICH WE DESPERATELY NEED BY 1997, AND THE OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, MANY OF WHICH WE WOULD HAVE TO BUILD ANYWAY IN THE MID-1990S.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THE SPRINGBOARD FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH. IN 1991, 30 PER CENT OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 14 PER CENT OF OUR RE-EXPORTS, AND 18 PER CENT OF OUR IMPORTS WERE CARRIED BY AIR. ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF OUR TOURISTS ARRIVE AND DEPART BY AIR - LAST YEAR RECEIPTS FROM TOURISM AMOUNTED TO NEARLY $40 BILLION.
THESE STATISTICS ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR ECONOMY, AND WE MUST ENSURE THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR THE ECONOMY TO CONTINUE TO GROW. WITH THE ACP BUILT, WE SHALL NOT ONLY BENEFIT FROM AN ASSURED ROUTE FOR THE GROWTH OF OUR TOURISM AND EXPORTS. WE SHALL ALSO BE WELL PLACED TO SHARE IN THE GROWTH OF SOUTHERN CHINA.
THE ACP ITSELF WILL THEREFORE MEET CONCERNS IMPLICIT IN THE MOTION. AND, AS WE HAVE FREQUENTLY SAID, OUR PROJECTIONS SHOW THAT OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON THE ACP WILL TAKE UP ONLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF OUR TOTAL ESTIMATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE UP TO 1997.
THE OTHER THREE-QUARTERS WILL BE SPENT ON SCHOOLS, SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND LAW AND ORDER.
ON RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, I WOULD LIKE TO REFUTE THE REPEATED CHARGE THAT WE ARE CUTTING SOCIAL SERVICES ETC. WE ARE NOT, AS I MADE CLEAR IN MY BUDGET SPEECH. IF WE ARE DEALING IN THIS DEBATE WITH MYTHS, AS ONE SPEAKER SUGGESTED, THEN THIS IS THE MYTH WE MUST DEMOLISH.
/THE QUALITY .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
5
THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS THEREFORE NOT ONLY BEING WELL SAFEGUARDED. THE ACP WILL MATERIALLY ENHANCE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. TO ARGUE THAT THE ORDINARY PUBLIC WILL NOT BENEFIT IS LIKE ARGUING THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO BENEFITTED FROM THE MTR ARE THE CONTRACTORS WHO BUILT IT.
THERE WILL, OF COURSE, BE SCEPTICS, EVEN CYNICS, HERE AND ELSEWHERE, WHO WILL TRY TO TALK US OUT OF THIS OR THAT ASPECT OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME. TO SLOW IT DOWN, OR EVEN TO ABANDON IT. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THEY ARE WRONG. THAT TO REFUSE TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGE, TO OPPOSE CHANGE, IS TO OPT FOR STAGNATION AND DECLINE. TO PROCEED CONFIDENTLY WITH THE ACP IS THE WAY TO ENSURE A GROWING ECONOMY, AND WITH IT A GROWING ABILITY TO FUND SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE OTHER ITEMS WHICH WILL NOT JUST SAFEGUARD BUT FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
I APPEAL TO THIS COUNCIL TO GIVE A LEAD TO THE COMMUNITY BY SHARING THIS VISION AND SUPPORTING THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
- - 0 - -
ADVERSE WEATHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCHOOLS
*****
VIEWS EXPRESSED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VARIOUS SCHOOLS COUNCILS AND TEACHERS’ UNIONS AT A RECENT MEETING WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONCERNING ARRANGEMENTS IN THE EVENT OF ADVERSE WEATHER HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED INTO A SCHOOL CIRCULAR ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY).
AT THE MEETING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID REPRESENTATIVES AGREED THAT THE PRESENT TIMING OF 6.15 AM FOR MAKING THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT ON WHETHER MORNING (AM) SCHOOLS WOULD BE CLOSED, AND 11 AM FOR AFTERNOON (PM) SCHOOLS WAS GENERALLY APPROPRIATE AND SHOULD BE MAINTAINED FOR THE TIME BEING, PENDING THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY ON THE TIME AT WHICH STUDENTS SET OUT FOR SCHOOL.
"HOWEVER, SHOULD WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS DETERIORATE RAPIDLY THEREAFTER TO THE EXTENT THAT CLASSES SHOULD BE SUSPENDED, IT WAS AGREED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SHOULD MAKE A RAD1O/TV ANNOUNCEMENT EVEN AFTER 6.15 AM OR 11 AM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE:
* STUDENTS SHOULD REMAIN AT HOME IF THEY HAVE NOT YET SET OFF FOR SCHOOL; AND
* SCHOOLS SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO WOULD ARRIVE AT SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY LEFT HOME. THEY SHOULD MAKE ADEQUATE AND SAFE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THESE STUDENTS TO RETURN HOME AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ALSO AGREED THAT EACH SCHOOL SHOULD DRAW UP A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN ADVANCE TO COVER SUCH UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS.
THE PLAN SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL WILL BE OPEN AND THAT SOME TEACHERS LIVING NEARBY WILL BE PRESENT TO LOOK AFTER THOSE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ARRIVED.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
- 6 -
BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER 1992 RELEASED
*******
MANUFACTURERS GENERALLY REPORTED A LESS FAVOURABLE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS, HOWEVER, LARGELY DUE TO SEASONAL FACTORS, AS THERE WERE USUALLY LESS ORDERS AFTER THE CHRISTMAS DELIVERIES. THE RESULT WAS IN LINE WITH THE EARLIER EXPECTATIONS.
LOOKING AHEAD, MANUFACTURERS GENERALLY EXPECT AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER.
ABOUT 1,000 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND TRADES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY. THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS THEY FACED.
DESPITE THE LESS FAVOURABLE OVERALL TREND FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY REPORTED AN IMPROVED BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN THE FIRST QUARTER WAS SIMILAR IN MOST INDUSTRIES TO WHAT HAD EARLIER BEEN EXPECTED.
BUT THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, WHICH HAD EXPECTED BUSINESS SITUATION TO REMAIN THE SAME, ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED A DETERIORATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992. WHILE CAPACITY UTILISATION IMPROVED IN THE QUARTER, THE INDUSTRY WAS FACED WITH A GROWING PROBLEM OF HIGH WAGE RATES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BOTH THE PRINTING AND PLASTICS INDUSTRIES FOUND THAT THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 REMAINED SIMILAR TO THE PRECEDING QUARTER, ALTHOUGH A DETERIORATION HAD-EARLIER BEEN EXPECTED.
FOR THE PRINTING INDUSTRY, THERE WAS REDUCED CONCERN ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS.
FOR THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, THERE WAS DECREASED WORRY ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS.
AS REGARDS THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, FIRMS IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES ANTICIPATE THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION TO IMPROVE OVER THE FIRST QUARTER.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, FIRMS EXPERIENCED A MILD DETERIORATION IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
/LOCKING AHEAD .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
7
LOOKING AHEAD, MANY FIRMS IN THE SECTOR ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE AIRPORT PROJECT. THEY EXPECT THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 TO REMAIN AT LEAST THE SAME AS THE FIRST QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES EXPERIENCED A SLIGHTLY MORE FAVOURABLE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HOTELS REPORTED A LESS FAVOURABLE BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WHICH WAS NORMALLY AN OFF-PEAK TOURIST SEASON.
AS FOR RESTAURANTS, AGAINST AN EXPECTATION OF AN IMPROVED BUSINESS SITUATION, THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WAS ONLY SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
REGARDING THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IS EXPECTED BY THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT FIRMS. BUSINESS SITUATION FOR HOTELS WILL ALSO IMPROVE AS TOURISM STARTS ITS SEASONAL UPTREND AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
IN CONTRAST, RESTAURANTS GENERALLY EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO WORSEN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, WHICH IS A. RELATIVELY CALM PERIOD FOR THEIR BUSINESS.
IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, THE FIRMS SURVEYED GENERALLY EXPERIENCED A MILD IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
AMONG THEM, BANKS AND FIRMS ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES EXPERIENCED A CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT OVER THE PAST FEW QUARTERS.
HOWEVER, BANKS HAD GENERALLY EXPECTED BUSINESS SITUATION TO REMAIN THE SAME IN THE FIRST QUARTER. THERE WAS ALSO SOME ALLEVIATION IN THE PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED STAFF AND RELATIVELY TIGHT CREDIT SITUATION DURING THE QUARTER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES WAS LESS FAVOURABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER THAN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
REGARDING THE PROSPECTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, BANKS AND FIRMS ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES ANTICIPATE A CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION.
FOR THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES, AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE LESS THAN SATISFACTORY SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER IS EXPECTED.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED THE COMMON PROBLEMS OF HIGH WAGE RATES AND PRICE COMPETITION. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO THE SECOND QUARTER.
DURING THE PAST FEW QUARTERS, HIGH WAGE RATES HAD EMERGED AS ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEMS IN THE SECTOR.
/IN THE ........
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
8
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, PRICE COMPETITION, SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR AND INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS/CONTRACTS CONTINUED TO BE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR IS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE ACUTE, BUT THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT WORK IS LIKELY TO IMPROVE.
IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR, PRICE COMPETITION AND HIGH STAFF COSTS CONTINUED TO BE THE COMMON PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
FIRMS IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS OF PRICE COMPETITION AND HIGH STAFF COSTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
FURTHERMORE, HIGH STAFF TURNOVER WAS INCREASINGLY CITED AS A MAJOR PROBLEM FACED BY FIRMS ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES.
ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG FROM A SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE.
IN THE SURVEY, PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND THE LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD ’IMPROVED’, ’REMAINED THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATED’ IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO ’IMPROVE’, ’REMAIN THE SAME’ OR ’DETERIORATE’ IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
THE OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WERE THEN ANALYSED AND THE SUMMARY FINDINGS PUBLISHED IN THE "REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, FIRST QUARTER 1992".
MOREOVER, THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINS A SECTION ON THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS, AND A BREAKDOWN OF THE VIEWS OF FIRMS BY EMPLOYMENT SIZE GROUP.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT, IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CAUTION AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST AND PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PURCHASE COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $9.0 PER COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3250.
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
9
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY URGED TO MINIMISE WASTE
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO BE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS AND TO ATTACH GREATER IMPORTANCE IN MINIMISING AND RECYCLING WASTE.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF REAL ESTATES AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY, MR EASON SAID LIKE OTHER COSTS INCLUDING LABOUR, RAW MATERIALS, TRANSPORT WHICH INDUSTRY HAD TO BEAR, THE COST FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AMONG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, IF ANY, COULD BE MINIMISED.
HE SAID THE FACT THAT INDUSTRY COULD ACTUALLY SAVE MONEY OR REDUCE COSTS BY ADOPTING ENVIORNMENTAL PROTECTION AS A GOAL WAS STILL TOO OFTEN OVERLOOKED.
’’THE KEY IS WASTE MINIMISATION - NOT A NEW IDEA BUT ONE WHICH NEEDS GREATER APPLICATION.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, FEW INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET WOULD HIRE MORE STAFF THAN NECESSARY. IT IS SELF-EVIDENT THAT IT WOULD BE WASTEFUL.
”YET THE SAME ARGUMENT IS NOT ALWAYS APPLIED IN RELATION TO THE EXCESSIVE USE OF OTHER RESOURCES, SUCH AS POWER, WATER OR RAW MATERIALS,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WERE NOW CONSIDERING HOW TO MINIMISE THE WASTE OF TROPICAL HARDWOOD WHICH WERE CURRENTLY EITHER DISPOSED OF AT LANDFILLS OR BURNT ON SITE AFTER USE, THEREBY PRODUCING UNNECESSARY WASTE.
WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION IS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBLITY OF AWARDING A CONSULTANCY TO ADVISE ON WHAT STEPS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES IN HONG KONG TO MINIMISE CONSTRUCTION WASTE AND REUSE MORE MATERIALS, HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THERE WERE OTHER REASONS FOR CONSIDERING WAYS OF CUTTING BACK ON CONSTRUCTION WASTE, ONE OF THESE WAS PUBLIC CONCERN ON THE GROWING PROBLEM OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE BEING DISPOSED OF AT LANDFILLS.
’’SOME 16,000 TONNES PER DAY ARE DISPOSED OF BY THIS METHOD. THIS IS FAST EATING INTO THE AVAILABLE SPACE AT LANDFILLS, POSING A MAJOR DISPOSAL PROBLEM IN THE SHORT TERM,” HE SAID.
ALTHOUGH A PROGRAMME IS WELL UNDERWAY TO COMMISSION THREE MAJOR STRATEGIC LANDFILLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR EASON SAID UNLESS OTHER STEPS WERE TAKEN IN PARALLEL, THERE WAS A REAL RISK THAT THE AVAILABLE SPACE IN EXISTING LANDFILLS WOULD BE FILLED UP BEFORE THE NEW ONES COME ON LINE.
/MR EASON .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
- 10 -
MR EASON SAID ONE OF THE MEASURES BEING PURSUED TO HEAD OFF THIS PROBLEM WAS THE OPENING UP OF MORE PUBLIC DUMPS SO THAT CONSTRUCTION WASTE COULD BE PUT TO USE IN RECLAMATIONS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE ASSESSING THE FEASIBILITY OF RECYCLING CONSTRUCTION WASTE TO MINIMISE THE DEMAND ON LANDFILL SPACE.
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, HAD SET UP A TRIAL AT TSEUNG KWAN 0 AND WE ARE NOW ASSESSING THE RESULTS," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
REGISTRATION OF CHIROPRACTORS PROPOSED
*****
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF CHIROPRACTORS SO THAT ONLY THOSE PROPERLY TRAINED WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT CHIROPRACTIC IS A HEALTH CARE PROFESSION DISTINCT FROM THE PRACTICE OF WESTERN MEDICINE AND SURGERY.
UNLIKE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, CHIROPRACTORS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO CONTROL OVER THE STANDARD OF THEIR SERVICE TO PATIENTS OR THEIR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
UNDER THE PROPOSED CHIROPRACTORS' REGISTRATION BILL, A
CHIROPRACTORS COUNCIL WILL BE SET UP.
IT WILL CONSIST OF FIVE CHIROPRACTORS, FOUR NON-CHIROPRACTORS AND A PUBLIC OFFICER, ALL OF WHOM WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE MEMBERS WILL ELECT A CHAIRMAN FROM AMONG THEMSELVES.
THE BILL EMPOWERS THE CHIROPRACTORS COUNCIL TO PRESCRIBE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION.
IT ALSO CATERS FOR THE PROMULGATION OF A CODE OF PRACTICE AND ADMINISTRATION OF DISCIPLINE BY THE CHIROPRACTORS COUNCIL.
AVENUES ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR APPEALS AGAINST THE COUNCIL'S DECISION, EITHER IN REGARD TO REGISTRATION OR TO DISCIPLINE OF CHIROPRACTORS.
THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
------0-------
/Il ........
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
11
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT BIWEEKLY INTERVALS DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME. AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
’’BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN. BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE."
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS :
» GRADE ”1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
* GRADE ”2” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
* GRADE ”3” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
/* GRADE "4” .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
12
* GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS VERY POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A GRADE ”4" OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A GRADE ”3" OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE . CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THE WATER AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH
PREVIOUS GRADING
PRESENT
GRADING
(AS AT 30.4.92)
(AS AT 14.5.92)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 3
CHUNG HOM KOK 2
DEEP WATER BAY 2
HAIRPIN 2
MIDDLE BAY 2
REPULSE BAY 1
SHEK O 2
SOUTH BAY 1
ST. STEPHEN’S 2
TURTLE COVE 2
STANLEY MAIN 2
ROCKY BAY X
TO TEI WAN* 1
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2 2
2 X
1
/TUEN MUN .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
- 13 -
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 3
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 3
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 1
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI 1
PAK SHA CHAU 2
SILVERSTRAND 3
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT
k >—• ro » co co x to X
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 3
HUNG SHING YEH 1
KWUN YAM WAN 2
TONG FUK 1
LO SO SHING 1
PUI O 2
SILVERMINE BAY 4
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2
TUNG O* 1
•TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS9 4
APPROACH 3
CASAM 3
GEMINI 3
HOI MEI WAN 3
LIDO 3
TING KAU 3
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 3
NOTE : "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
14
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
CHUNG HOM KOK, DEEP WATER BAY, MIDDLE BAY, CAMPERS, PAK SHA CHAU FROM ”2” TO ” 1” ; SILVERSTRAND, TUNG WAN (MA WAN), NEW CAFETERIA FROM ”3” TO ’2”; TING KAU FROM "3” TO ”4".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
IN ADDITION TO THE ROUTINE MONITORING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY, THE EPD IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEDICINE AND DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY) WILL CONDUCT AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL-MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY AT REPULSE BAY BEACH AND BUTTERFLY BEACH STARTING JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE STUDY AIMS TO IDENTIFY AND QUANTIFY THE PATHOGENS THAT MIGHT CAUSE DISEASES AMONG BATHERS SWIMMING IN POLLUTED BEACH WATER, SO THAT APPROPRIATE STANDARD CAN BE USED AND EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES CAN BE DEVISED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TEL 835 1234.
---------0-----------
RURAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UNDERWAY *****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT STEADY PROGRESS IS MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY (RPIS), THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
DURING HIS VISIT TO THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT $60 MILLION WILL BE SPENT IN 1992-93 ON SOME 750 PROJECTS UNDER THIS SCHEME.
”WE WILL ALSO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ASSIST OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THEIR LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS IN ORDER TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RURAL RESIDENTS,” HE SAID.
MR SUEN ASSURED KUK MEMBERS THAT THEY WOULD BE KEPT FULLY IMFORMED, AND CONSULTED ON ALL MAJOR ISSUES CONCERNING THE NEW TERRITORIES.
- - 0----------
/15 ........
THURSDA., MAY 14, 1992
INITIAL FINDINGS OF 1991/92 PAY TREND SURVEY
*****
THE PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT HAS COMPLETED THE 1991/92 PAY TREND SURVEY WHICH MEASURES PAY TRENDS IN A SELECTED GROUP OF COMPANIES DURING THE PERIOD APRIL 2 LAST YEAR TO APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THE INITIAL FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY INDICATED THAT THE FOLLOWING AVERAGE PAY INCREASES HAD BEEN AWARDED BY THE SURVEYED COMPANIES :
* 11.81% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING LESS THAN $8,340 PER MONTH;
* 12.06% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN $8,340 AND $25,565 PER
MONTH;
* 12.50% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN $25,566 AND $51,700 PER
MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT EMPHASISED THAT THESE WERE INITIAL FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY AND THEY WERE SUBJECT TO VALIDATION BY THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY A MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, MR ANDREW K.W. SO, WILL MEET SHORTLY TO EXAMINE AND VALIDATE THE SURVEY RESULTS.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON CHANGES IN TRADE STATISTICS SYSTEM
******
THE MARCH 1992 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE DESCRIBING THE MAJOR CHANGES IN THE TRADE STATISTICS SYSTEM.
THE CHANGES HAVE ARISEN FROM THE ADOPTION OF THE HONG KONG HARMONISED SYSTEM 1992 EDITION FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATION, AND THE HONG KONG STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION REVISION 3 (HK SITC REV. 3) FOR STATISTICAL REPORTING, FROM JANUARY 1992.
THE ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE TWO NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS, AND THEIR MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN COMPARISON WITH THE OLD CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS USED BEFORE 1992.
THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE CHANGES ON TRADE STATISTICS SYSTEM AND THE METHODOLOGY OF RE-COMPILING PAST STATISTICS IN HK SITC REV. 3 ARE ALSO MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE.
MOREOVER, SOME SUMMARY TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED UNDER THE NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS ARE ALSO PRESENTED.
/THE HONG
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
16
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS WAILABLE AT $48 PER COPY.
IT IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
---------0-----------
LADY WILSON OPENS TWO SCHOOLS ♦ * * *
FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED * *
LADY WILSON TODAY (THURSDAY) OFFICIALLY OPENED TWO SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN TUEN MUN THAT CAN PROVIDE 300 PLACES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
THE TUEN MUN MORNINGHILL SCHOOL AND TUEN MUN MORNINGLIGHT SCHOOL ARE THE 13TH AND 14TH REHABILITATIONS PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SCHOOLS, LADY WILSON SAID LIKE ALL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN NEEDED A PROPER EDUCATION.
"I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE RIGHT EDUCATION WITH INDIVIDUAL NEEDS IN MIND, WITH TRAINING IN A CARING AND LOVING ENVIRONMENT ARE THE KEYS OF REHABILITATION.
’’ONLY IN THIS WAY, CAN MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN FIND ALL THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS TO THE FULL AND MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE THEM," SHE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE TWO SCHOOLS WERE PURPOSE-BUILT WITH A PLEASANT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILDREN, LADY WILSON SAID SUBJECTS SUCH AS COMPUTER LITERACY, MUSIC, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, HOME ECONOMICS, AND ART AND CRAFT, COULD NOW BE TAUGHT IN SPECIALLY DESIGNED ROOMS.
"DEVELOPING THE PUPILS’ POTENTIAL TO THE FULL WILL NOW BE POSSIBLE," SHE ADDED.
---------0-----------
/17........
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
POLL CARDS FOR BY-ELECTION ISSUED *****
ELECTORS OF THE PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY WILL RECEIVE THEIR POLL CARDS THIS WEEK FOR THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION ON MAY 24.
THE REGISTRATION OFFICER OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, MR LAI KWAN-TAT, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE CARDS HAD BEEN SENT OUT TO 12,521 VOTERS IN THE CONSTITUENCY EARLY THIS WEEK.
"ELECTORS WILL ALSO RECEIVE A VOTING GUIDE AND AN INTRODUCTORY LEAFLET ON CANDIDATES," HE SAID.
THE BY-ELECTION, WHICH FALLS ON A SUNDAY, WILL BE HELD FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
THE TWO POLLING STATIONS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE PAK TIN ESTATE . COMMUNITY HALL AND HU KUANG CHAK ON KINDERGARTEN AT WAH CHAK HOUSE, CHAK ON ESTATE.
MR LAI ADVISED ELECTORS TO BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARDS WHEN THEY GO TO THE BOOTHS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID ELECTORS MIGHT STILL BE ABLE TO VOTE WITHOUT THEIR POLL CARDS AS LONG AS THEY GO TO THE DESIGNATED POLLING STATION.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON TEL 827 1122.
- - 0 - -
158 RETURN TO VIETNAM *****
A GROUP OF 158 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 63 MEN, 42 WOMEN, 30 BOYS AND 23 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 102ND BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 3,862 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 17,841 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
/18
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
- 18 -
DISTRICT OFFICE LOOKS FOR PART-TIME STAFF
******
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR PART-TIME
COMMUNITY ORGANISERS TO HELP ITS COMMUNITY BUILDING WORK.
’’THE COMMUNITY ORGANISERS WILL HELP OUR EXECUTIVE STAFF IN THEIR DAILY LIAISON WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS, WHICH INCLUDES THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS, AND PROMOTION OF THEIR ACTIVITIES," A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THEY WILL ALSO HELP ORGANISE ACTIVITIES AT COMMUNITY CENTRES AND HALLS, AND IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE FACILITIES," HE ADDED.
A COMMUNITY ORGANISER WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IRREGULAR HOURS AND THE MONTHLY SALARY FOR THE POST IS $2,200.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED FORM FIVE AND AGED BETWEEN 21 AND 45.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING SECTION OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AT 6 TUNG YAN STREET, BEFORE JUNE 8 THIS YEAR.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 341 6315 EXTENSION 28.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 13.5.92 1,033
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 14.5.92 + 15 ♦
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -60
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON * O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -45 OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +60 MN MN NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *-0.2* 14.5.92
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1992
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.12 PCT 18 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.27 PCT 21 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.43 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.66 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.08 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 14 MAY 1992
- 7,663 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 102.46 4.60
2402 5.50 100.86 5.04
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO HERITAGE PRESERVATION ............... 1
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE POISED FOR CHANGES ................... 2
SECRETARY FOR WORKS ON BAGUIO VILLA LANDSLIDE ...................... 3
ARRANGEMENTS IN HAND TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SLOPE INFORMATION......... 3
UPGRADING OF LINGNAN COLLEGE TO TERTIARY STATUS .................... 4
NO EFFORT IS SPARED IN IMPROVING QUALITY OF EDUCATION .............. 5
STI HOPEFUL OF RENEWAL OF CHINA'S MFN STATUS ....................... 6
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JANUARY -MARCH ..... 7
AMENDED REGULATIONS TO CURB PROLIFERATION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS ...... 8
CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS REQUIRED TO REGISTER ...................... 9
CONTRACT SIGNED TO EXPAND TRANSFER CAPACITY FOR CHINA WATER......... 11
BILL TO INVOLVE OWNERS TO UPKEEP THEIR BUILDINGS GAZETTED .......... 11
"NO SMOKING" SIGNS TO STATE MAXIMUM PENALTY ........................ 12
•TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS OF CIGARETTES PUBLISHED ................... 13
i CONTRACT FOR AIRPORT TAXIWAY BRIDGE AWARDED ........................ 14
FIVE SUBMISSIONS OF INTEREST RECEIVED FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 ..... 15
.FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON AIRPORT RAILWAY .......................... 15
SIU CHIK SHA RECLAMATION WORKS AUTHORISED........................... 15
CONSTRUCTION OF TIN SHUI WAI WEST ACCESS APPROVED................... 16
CONTRACT FOR BUILDING SPECIAL SCHOOL AWARDED ....................... 17
PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR MARKETING OF BILINGUAL LAW
INFORMATION SYSTEM .............................................. i8
TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS COMMENDED .............................. 19
NEW MARINE OFFICE IN TAI PO OPENS .................................. 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 20
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
GOVERNOR GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO * * * * *
HERITAGE PRESERVATION *
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HE WELCOMED THE PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP THE HERITAGE TRUST TO CO-ORDINATE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THE TERRITORY’S PRECIOUS HERITAGE.
"THIS INITIATIVE HAS MY FULL AND ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT."
"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO HELP TRANSFORM THIS CREATIVE IDEA INTO A REALITY," LORD WILSON STRESSED.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW PREMISES OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE AT 136, NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON, LORD WILSON SAID HONG KONG COMMUNITY WAS BECOMING MORE AND MORE INTERESTED IN ITS PAST AND THAT EVERY ENDEAVOUR SHOULD BE MADE TO UNCOVER AND PRESERVE SOMETHING OF ITS PAST.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO PRAISED THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD AND THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE FOR MAKING A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT TO RECORD AND CONSERVE OBJECTS AND BUILDINGS WHICH HAD PLAYED A PART IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY.
LORD WILSON SAID GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM MANY ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND CHINA LIGHT AND POWER PLUS HELP FROM MANY PUBLIC-SPIRITED VOLUNTEERS HAD MADE POSSIBLE SEVERAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS, RESCUING OF OBSCURITY BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS AND THE PLANNING OF HONG KONG’S FIRST HERITAGE TRIAL IN PING SHAN, YUEN LONG.
ON THE SAME OCCASION, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, ALSO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF MERITS TO THE QUEEN’S GURKHA ENGINEERS AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB FOR THEIR HELP IN RELOCATING A TANG DYNASTY KILN AND THE REPORTING OF THE DISCOVERY OF SOME 2,500 SUNG DYNASTY COPPER COIN RESPECTIVELY.
WINNERS OF A "MONUMENTS ON CAMERA" PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ALSO RECEIVED THEIR PRIZES FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, MR LUNG PING-YEE.
THE NEW PREMISES OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE IS ORIGINALLY THE FORMER KOWLOON BRITISH SCHOOL WHICH IS THE OLDEST SCHOOL BUILDING CONSTRUCTED FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS LIVING IN HONG KONG.
THE BUILDING, BUILT IN EARLY 20TH CENTURY, WAS DECLARED A MONUMENT LAST YEAR AND AFTER RESTORATION, IT HAS BECOME THE HOME OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE. IT IS ALSO A RESOURCE CENTRE FOR HERITAGE PRESERVATION WORK IN HONG KONG.
NEW FACILITIES INCLUDING AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL LABORATORY, A CONSERVATION LABORATORY, A PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO, A VIDEO/AUDIO STUDIO AND AN EXHIBITION HALL ARE PROVIDED IN THE NEW OFFICE.
COINCIDED WITH TODAY’S OPENING, WINNING ENTRIES OF THE "MONUMENTS ON CAMERA" PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ARE DISPLAYED IN THE EXHIBITION HALL WHERE THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME FREE OF CHARGE.
- - 0---------
/2 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
2
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE POISED FOR CHANGES
******
HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE TRANSFORMED IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT ON CHEK LAP KOK AND THE ROADS, BRIDGES AND RAILWAY THAT WILL LINK IT TO THE URBAN AREA.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE SWEDEN-HONG KONG TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FORUM.
’’THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE TRANSPORT LINKS WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. PRELIMINARY DESIGNS HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED FOR MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE WORKS CONCERNED,” HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID SOME PROJECTS HAD MOVED INTO THE DETAILED DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION PHASES AND THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO BE DONE ON ALL OF THESE TRANSPORT PROJECTS.
"WE ARE THEREFORE PARTICULARLY RECEPTIVE TO NEW IDEAS FROM OVERSEAS AT THIS TIME," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG OFFERED UNIQUE CHALLENGES TO TRANSPORT PLANNERS AS IT HAD TO DEAL WITH THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF A RELATIVELY LARGE POPULATION LIVING IN A VERY SMALL AREA.
"BUT, IN COMMON WITH SWEDEN, WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO WRESTLE WITH A DIFFICULT AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHICH HAS INFLUENCED THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG HAD TO BUILD ROAD AND RAIL TUNNELS TO A MUCH GREATER EXTENT THAN IN SOME OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
"WE HAVE HAD TO INTRODUCE SOPHISTICATED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES BECAUSE THE CONCENTRATION OF HOUSING AND WORKPLACES IN A FEW LOW-LYING AREAS HAD CREATED MARKED PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC FLOWS ON ITS ROADS AND RAILWAYS," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG HAD ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED TO STAY ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS IN MODERN TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY AND CONSCIOUS OF THE BENEFITS IT COULD BRING.
"WE HAVE ALWAYS APPRECIATED THAT THE APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY COULD HELP TO OVERCOME THE CONSTRAINTS ON BUILDING AND MANAGING HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM," HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
/3.........
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
3
SECRETARY FOR WORKS ON BAGUIO VILLA LANDSLIDE
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, ON THE LANDSLIDE AT BAGUIO VILLA ON MAY 8:
"SINCE THE OCCURRENCE OF THE LANDSLIDE LAST FRIDAY, ENGINEERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN CARRYING OUT WORKS AT THE CREST OF THE LANDSLIDE TO REMOVE ANY IMMEDIATE AND OBVIOUS DANGER. THE WORKS WILL BE COMPLETED BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, PROVIDED THAT THE WEATHER IS NOT CONTINUOUSLY ADVERSE.
"ENGINEERS HAVE ALSO EXAMINED THE LANDSLIDE AREA CLOSELY. THEY ARE OF THE OPINION THAT, AT TIMES OF EXCEPTIONAL RAINFALL, SOME RISK WILL REMAIN OF SMALL-SCALE LANDSLIPS, BUT THESE WILL NOT THREATEN THE STABILITY OF THE TOWER STRUCTURE OF BLOCK 26 AT BAGUIO VILLA. THEREFORE, ALL RESIDENTIAL UNITS OF BLOCK 26 CAN BE REOCCUPIED ON MAY 21. HOWEVER, UNTIL ALL RISKS OF LANDSLIPS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED, THE NON-RESIDENTIAL AREAS ON THE PODIUM AND BELOW, INCLUDING ALL CAR PARKING AREAS, WILL REMAIN CLOSED, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LIFT LOBBY AND EXIT PASSAGES ON PODIUM LEVEL.
"THE FOUR GOVERNMENT BLOCKS AT BAGUIO VILLA MUST IN THE MEANWHILE ALSO REMAIN CLOSED."
_ _ 0 - -
ARRANGEMENTS IN HAND TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SLOPE INFORMATION
******
ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO PROVIDE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE GOVERNMENT CATALOGUE OF SLOPES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT IS HOPED THAT THE CATALOGUE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION UNIT IN JUNE.
THE CATALOGUE OF SLOPES INCLUDES A DATA SHEET FOR EACH OF 10,000 SLOPES. THE DATA SHEET CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEIGHT AND STEEPNESS OF THE SLOPES, DRAINAGE DETAILS AND THE POSITION OF THE NEAREST STRUCTURE.
THIS FACTUAL INFORMATION WAS USED SOME YEARS AGO BY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS IN THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE TO MAKE AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF FAILURE OF A SLOPE AND THE CONSEQUENCES IF FAILURE OCCURRED.
THIS INITIAL ASSESSMENT WAS THEN USED TO PRIORITISE THE SLOPES FOR THE LONG-TERM PROGRAMME OF SLOPE STABILITY INVESTIGATIONS, WHICH STARTED IN 1976 AND IS STILL CONTINUING.
SLOPE STABILITY INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THIS PROGRAMME HAVE NOW BEEN COMPLETED FOR 4,300 SLOPES IN THE CATALOGUE. STABILISATION WORK WAS REQUIRED FOR 880 OF THE 4,300 SLOPES.
/MOST OF
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
4
MOST OF THE SQUATTER AREAS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CATALOGUE, BECAUSE SEPARATE GEOTECHNICAL STUDIES OF SQUATTER AREAS HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN.
THESE STUDIES ENABLED THE HIGH RISK SLOPES OCCUPIED BY SQUATTERS TO BE TARGETED FOR EARLY CLEARANCE.
MORE THAN 60,000 SQUATTERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CLEARED FROM THESE HIGH RISK SLOPES AND PROVIDED WITH BETTER HOUSING.
LESS THAN 2,000 REMAIN IN AREAS ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO LANDSLIPS DURING HEAVY RAIN, AND THESE WILL ALL BE CLEARED BY 1994.
FOR MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS, THE GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION UNIT HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF USEFUL GEOLOGICAL AND GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION FOR REFERENCE BY THE GEOTECHNICAL PROFESSION IN HONG KONG.
IT CONTAINS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION IN THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING THE CATALOGUE OF SLOPES.
THE GEOTECHNICAL INFORMATION UNIT IS HOUSED WITHIN THE CIVIL ENGINEERING LIBRARY AT 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
--------0-----------
UPGRADING OF LINGNAN COLLEGE TO TERTIARY STATUS
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE A BILL SHORTLY FOR THE INCORPORATION OF LINGNAN COLLEGE AS A DEGREE-AWARDING INSTITUTION.
THE DECISION TO UPGRADE THE COLLEGE TO TERTIARY STATUS IS PART OF GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO PROVIDE FIRST-YEAR-FIRST-DEGREE PLACES FOR AT LEAST 18 PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE POPULATION IN THE 17-20 AGE GROUP, OR 14,500 PLACES, BY 1994/95.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH SAID: "AS THE SEVENTH TERTIARY INSTITUTION FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC), LINGNAN COLLEGE WILL HAVE ITS OWN ACADEMIC PROFILE, CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS MEETING GOVERNMENT’S STUDENT NUMBER TARGET, AND HELP PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH A WIDER RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
"IT IS EXPECTED TO OFFER ABOUT 700 FIRST-YEAR-FIRST-DEGREE PLACES BY 1994/95."
TO ENSURE THAT THE COLLEGE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION, MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF A GROWING NUMBER OF FIRST DEGREE PROGRAMMES, IT IS PROPOSED TO GRANT BY PRIVATE TREATY A SITE OF ABOUT EIGHT HECTARES AT TUEN MUN AREA 52 (FU TEI) TO THE COLLEGE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CAMPUS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
5
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SITING OF THE FUTURE COLLEGE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST WILL ENABLE HONG KONG TO HAVE A BETTER GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, WITH AT LEAST ONE INSTITUTION IN EACH MAIN REGION.
A RECENT POPULATION STUDY SHOWS THAT THE TOTAL POPULATION IN NORTH WEST AND SOUTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES WILL DOUBLE TO 1.25 MILLION IN 20 YEARS, HE ADDED.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CAMPUS WILL BE FUNDED BY PUBLIC FUNDS AND MONITORED BY THE UPGC.
ESTABLISHED UPGC PROCEDURES WILL APPLY AT ALL STAGES OF THE PROJECT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE CONTROL OVER SUCH MATTERS AS THE APPROVAL OF ARCHITECTURAL PLANS, COST ESTIMATES AND FUNDING OF ALL EXPENSES.
LINGNAN COLLEGE WAS FOUNDED IN 1967 BY A GROUP OF ALUMNI OF THE FORMER LINGNAN UNIVERSITY IN CHINA.
IT WAS FIRST REGISTERED AS A PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH LESS THAN 100 STUDENTS AND LATER BECAME AN APPROVED POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE.
"THE UPGRADING OF LINGNAN COLLEGE IS A REFLECTION OF THE REMARKABLE WORK OF ITS FOUNDERS AS WELL AS ITS SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS OF STAFF AND STUDENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO THE PURSUIT OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, A TRADITION WHICH WILL BE CONTINUED AFTER THE COLLEGE ACHIEVES ITS ENHANCED STATUS."
THE LINGNAN COLLEGE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON MAY 22 AND INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 3.
------0-------
NO EFFORT IS SPARED IN IMPROVING QUALITY OF EDUCATION
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SPARED NO EFFORTS IN IMPROVING ACCESS TO EDUCATION AT VARIOUS LEVELS AND IN THE QUALITY OF THE EDUCATION IT PROVIDES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THIS EVENING (FRIDAY).
"THIS IS REFLECTED IN VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE BASED ON OUR TWO-PRONGED STRATEGY OF EXPANDING THE LEVEL OF PROVISION IN TERTIARY EDUCATION SECTOR AND RAISING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN OUR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS," HE SAID.
MR CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS.
/"HCNG KONG'S
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
6
"HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ARE VERY HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON ITS HUMAN RESOURCES," HE SAID.
"WE ARE NOW GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING.
"TO MEET THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY THESE CHANGES, WE NEED TO OPTIMISE OUR HUMAN POTENTIAL MORE THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME IN OUR HISTORY."
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING OUR INVALUABLE HUMAN RESOURCES, HE SAID.
HE SAID ACCOUNTANCY WAS A PROFESSION CHOSEN BY MANY OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY PROCEEDED TO FURTHER ACADEMIC STUDIES AT TERTIARY LEVEL OR TO STUDY FOR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION HAD A UNIQUE ROLE TO PLAY IN THE ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.
"IT ENSURES ACCOUNTABILITY AND FAIR PLAY, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO THE VIBRANCY OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND TRUST IN PUBLIC SERVICES.
"AS OUR ECONOMY EXPANDS, THE NEED FOR SUITABLY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS AND SUPPORTING STAFF TO PERFORM THEIR INDISPENSABLE CUSTODIAL FUNCTION ALSO GROWS.
"I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS HAVE PLAYED SUCH AN ACTIVE ROLE IN TRAINING AND PROMOTING HIGH STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY FOR THE PROFESSION.
"THE INCREASING TREND FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS TO ASSUME WIDER MANAGERIAL POSITIONS REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY’S REGARD FOR THEIR EXPERTISE," MR CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN CONGRATULATED THE AWARD RECIPIENTS AND SAID THEY WERE "FINE EXAMPLES OF WELL-MOTIVATED AND CAPABLE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE HONG KONG A SUCCESS".
----0------
STI HOPEFUL OF RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS
******
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID TONIGHT (FRIDAY) HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT PRESIDENT BUSH WOULD AGAIN RENEW CHINA’S MFN TRADE STATUS THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING ON HIS RETURN FROM WASHINGTON D.C., HE SAID: "I MET AMBASSADOR CARLA HILLS, UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE; COMMERCE SECRETARY BARBARA FRANKLIN AND OTHER SENIOR U.S. OFFICIALS. I RECEIVED REASSURING REMARKS ON THE PRESIDENT’S POSITION ON UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS.
/"A CAUTIONARY .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
7
”A CAUTIONARY NOTE FROM THESE OFFICIALS, HOWEVER, WAS THAT THE ISSUE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE SUBJECT OF HEATED DEBATES IN CONGRESS IN THE COMING MONTHS," MR CHAU SAID.
"I ALSO CALLED ON SEVERAL CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS INCLUDING SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER ROBERT DOLE AND CHAIRMAN DAN ROSTENKOWSKI OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.
”1 CAME AWAY WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT WHILE THERE IS ROOM FOR CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM, ANOTHER TOUGH BATTLE IN CONGRESS LAY AHEAD.
”WE SHALL CONTINUE TO SPARE NO EFFORT IN PRESENTING HONG KONG’S ARGUMENTS TO KEY CONGRESSIONAL TARGETS. IN THIS RESPECT, WE SHALL ALSO STEP UP OUR CO-ORDINATION WITH OUR ALLIES IN THE U.S., HE SAID.
"DURING MY MEETING WITH AMBASSADOR HILLS, I ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE OTHER TRADE ISSUES INCLUDING THE PROSPECTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AND SECTION 301 NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CHINA," HE SAID.
MR CHAU VISITED WASHINGTON D.C. FROM MAY 11 TO 13 AND RETURNED TO HONG KONG TODAY.
---------0-----------
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JANUARY - MARCH
******
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1992 WAS 2.4%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.2%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY - APRIL 1992 WAS 2.5%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.2%.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1992 WITH THE PRECEDING THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1991, THE INCREASES IN THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
IT APPEARS THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME EASING IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN RECENT MONTHS. BUT FURTHER EASING MAY NOT BE LIKELY, AS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY CONTINUED TO GROW STEADILY.
DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY - MARCH 1992, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRSTTIME JOB-SEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 65,700, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 61,900.
/IN ACCORDANCE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
8
IN ACCORDANCE 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.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1992 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,600 HOUSEHOLDS OR 40,400 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG K0NG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 1992 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND JUNE 20, 1992 AT $15.50 PER COPY.
-----0------
AMENDED REGULATIONS TO CURB PROLIFERATION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS
******
WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY, LICENSING CONTROLS ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF STRATEGIC COMMODITIES WILL BE EXTENDED TO SOME ARTICLES WHICH CAN BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, OR NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
"AN IMPORT OR EXPORT LICENCE WILL BE REQUIRED WHEN AN IMPORTER OR EXPORTER KNOWS THAT SUCH GOODS WILL BE USED, OR SUSPECTS THAT THEY MIGHT BE USED, FOR THOSE PURPOSES.
"CERTAIN BIOLOGICAL AGENTS WHICH CAN BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS WILL ALSO BE BROUGHT UNDER IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENSING CONTROL," A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILS OF THE LICENSING CONTROL ARE SET OUT IN THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (STRATEGIC COMMODITIES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 GAZETTED TODAY.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
9
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE CHANGE WAS PART OF A CONTINUING EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PREVENT THE PROLIFERATION OF CHEMICAI, BIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
"THE CONTROL IS BASICALLY A PREVENTIVE MEASURE. THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE TRADE THROUGH HONG KONG HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM OF PROLIFERATION," HE SAID.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS NOTIFYING THE TRADE OF DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENT BY CIRCULAR LETTER.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE WITH THE STRATEGIC COMMODITIES SECTION OF TRADE LICENSING (NON-TEXTILES) BRANCH, TRADE DEPARTMENT, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, FIFTH FLOOR, 700 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON (TELEPHONE NUMBER: 398 5571 ) .
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CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS REQUIRED TO REGISTER
******
ALL PRODUCERS OF CHEMICAL WASTE ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) FROM MAY 18 WITHIN A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL (CHEMICAL WASTE) (GENERAL) REGULATION WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT RECENTLY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MR JOHN BOXALL SAID THE REGULATION, DESIGNED TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE ADVERSE EFFECTS Oi IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE, HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO EFFECT OL MAY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE REGULATION PROVIDES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF CHEMICAI WASTE, THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS PRODUCING CHEMICAL WASTE, AND TH! CONTROL OF THE PRODUCTION, POSSESSION, STORAGE, COLLECTION, TRANSPORT AND DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE.
CHEMICAL WASTE IS EITHER TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS IN NATURE AND EXAMPLES ARE SPENT ACIDS, ALKALIS, SOLVENTS, TOXIC METALS AND ASBESTOS WASTE.
IMPROPER DISPOSAL MAY ENDANGER THE SAFETY OF WORKERS AND POSE HEALTH RISKS TO THE PUBLIC.
ITS UNCONTROLLED DISCHARGE MAY ATTACK THE FABRIC OF THE SEWERS AND ADVERSELY AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESSES AND GENERATE TOXIC SLUDGES WHICH ARE BOTH DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO DISPOSE OF.
MR BOXALL SAID FROM MAY 18, ALL PRODUCERS OF CHEMICAL WASTE WILL HAVE TO REGISTER WITH EPD.
/ANY PERSON .......
fR. , MAY 15, 1992
- 10 -
ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO DO SO DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND ON CONVICTION IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
WASTE PRODUCERS WILL HAVE TO EMPLOY LICENSED COLLECTORS TO DELIVER THEIR WASTES TO DESIGNATED OR LICENSED DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE IS CURRENTLY BEING CONSTRUCTED BY ENVIROPACE LTD, WHICH HAS TO DESIGN, BUILD AND OPERATE THE FACILITY.
ENVIROPACE WILL PROVIDE TO WASTE PRODUCERS SUITABLE AND PROPERLY LABELLED CONTAINERS FOR STORING THEIR WASTE AND WILL COLLECT AND DELIVER THE WASTE TO THE TREATMENT CENTRE USING THEIR OWN FULLY EQUIPPED COLLECTION FLEET.
GENERAL ADVICE ON WASTE IDENTIFICATION, WASTE STORAGE ARRANGEMENTS AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE TO THE WASTE PRODUCERS IN HANDLING DOCUMENTATION WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTOR.
MR BOXALL SAID IN ORDER TO MONITOR ALL MOVEMENTS OF CHEMICAL WASTE IN THE TERRITORY, A SYSTEM FOR RECORDING CONSIGNMENTS OF WASTE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.
FOR EVERY WASTE CONSIGNMENT, A WASTE PRODUCER WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE A ’TRIP-TICKET’ BEFORE THE WASTE WILL BE ACCEPTED FOK COLLECTION FROM HIS PREMISES.
THE TRIP-TICKET WILL HAVE TO BE ADDED TO BY THE LICENSED COLLECTOR AND DISPOSAL FACILITY OPERATOR BEFORE SUBMISSION TO EPD.
THIS WILL HELP ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO FLYTIPPING OR ILLEGAI DISCHARGE OF CHEMICAL WASTE. ENVIROPACE WILL HELP WASTE PRODUCERS CORRECTLY FILL OUT THE TRIP-TICKET.
TO HELP INDUSTRY BETTER UNDERSTAND THE REGULATION, GUIDANCE NOTES AND A CODE OF PRACTICE WILL BE PUBLISHED. A SERIES OF SEMINARS WILL BE HELD FOR VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
ENQUIRY ABOUT THE REGULATION MAY BE MADE TO EPD ON TELEPHONE 755 3554. FURTHER ADVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE OF ENVIROPACE ON 420 6600.
------0-----------
/Il ........
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
11
CONTRACT SIGNED TO EXPAND TRANSFER CAPACITY FOR CHINA WATER
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED A $127 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS OF THE MUK WU ’C’ PUMPING STATION IN TA KWU LING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THIS IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF CONTRACTS FOR THE CHINA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT WHICH PROVIDES FOR PHASED EXPANSION OF FACILITIES TO RECEIVE AND TRANSFER ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA.
ON COMPLETION OF THE EXPANSION, THE RECEPTION AND TRANSFER CAPACITY WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE EXISTING 620 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER YEAR TO 1,100 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER YEAR.
STAGE I OF THE PROJECT, AT AN ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF $2,100 MILLION, COVERS ALL THE MAJOR WORKS REQUIRED FOR COMMISSIONING BY EARLY 1995.
MUK WU IS THE FOREMOST POINT IN THE TERRITORY’S CHINA WATER RECEPTION AND TRANSFER SYSTEM.
THERE ARE TWO EXISTING PUMPING STATIONS AT MUK WU, DESIGNATED AS MUK WU ’A’ & ’B’ PUMPING STATIONS, WHICH PROVIDE A COMBINED PUMPING CAPACITY OF 2.2 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
THE MUK WU ’C’ PUMPING STATION, ULTIMATELY HOUSING 12 PUMPS, WILL INCREASE THE PUMPING CAPACITY BY ANOTHER 2.3 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION/RECEPTION TANK COMPLEX, TWIN PIPELINES ACROSS THE SHENZHEN RIVER FOR CONNECTING WITH A NEW DELIVERY POINT ON THE NORTHERN BANK, POWER SUBSTATION AND OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS.
WORKS ON THE CONTRACT WILL TAKE ABOUT 30 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WONG KWOK-LAI, ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND A REPRESEnTATIVE OF WO HING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
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BILL TO INVOLVE OWNERS TO UPKEEP THEIR BUILDINGS GAZETTED
******
A BILL WHICH DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE BUILDINGS WAS GAZETTED
SEEKS TO MAKE OWNERS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS FOR THE PROPER MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF
TODAY (FRIDAY).
MORE THEIR
THE BUILDING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 EMPOWERS tup BUILDING AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE OWNERS TO APPOINT AN AUTHORISED PERSON TO CARRY OUT DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS OF THEIR BUILDINGS AND BU S DRAINAGE AND TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY REMEDIAL WORKS BUILDING
/THE BILL .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
12
THE BILL ALSO STIPULATES THAT IF AN OWNER FAILS TO FULLY COMPLY WITH THE PROVISION, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL BE EMPOWERED TO CARRY OUT THE WORKS AND TO RECOVER THE COST FROM THE OWNER.
A BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID: " IN THE PAST, THE BOO HAS TO CONDUCT EXHAUSTIVE SURVEYS OF SUSPECTED DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, BEFORE SERVING AN ORDER TO THE OWNER REQUIRING HIM TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY REMEDIAL WORK."
"WHILE IT MAY SPECIFY LIMITED DIAGNOSTIC WORK TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE DEFECTS, THE BOO CANNOT REQUIRE OWNERS TO CARRY OUT DETAILED INSPECTIONS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEIR BUILDINGS ARE DANGEROUS AND WHAT THE DEFECTS ARE."
"THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS TO IMPROVE BUILDING SAFETY, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE BUILDINGS WHICH ARE POORLY MAINTAINED," HE SAID.
"IN PARALLEL, THE BOO WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS IN ORGANISING. PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS TO ENHANCE THE AWARENESS OF PRIVATE BUILDING' OWNERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS BUILDING MAINTENANCE.
"IT IS THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE THAT THESE OWNERS WILL INVESTIGATE AND REPAIR THEIR BUILDINGS ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE," HE SAID.
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"NO SMOKING" SIGNS TO STATE MAXIMUM PENALTY
******
WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR, "NO SMOKING" SIGNS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS AND PUBLIC PLACES WHERE SMOKING IS PROHIBITED WILL HAVE TO STATE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR SMOKING IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROHIBITION IS A FINE OF $5,000.
THE NEW FORM OF "NO SMOKING" SIGN IS PRESCRIBED IN THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1992 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SIGNS SHALL READ "NO SMOKING" OR "SMOKING PROHIBITED" AND BEAR THE STATEMENT "MAXIMUM PENALTY: $5,000", BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
"THE INTENTION OF INCLUDING THE MAXIMUM PENALTY ON ’NO SMOKING’ SIGNS IS TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETERRENCE AGAINST SMOKING," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
MANAGEMENTS OF PUBLIC PLACES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS WHERE SMOKING IS PROHIBITED ARE CURRENTLY REQUIRED BY LAW TO PLACE PROMINENTLY IN THEIR PREMISES OR CARRIERS A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF "NO SMOKING" SIGNS.
/"UNDER THE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
- 13 -
’’UNDER THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992 WHICH WAS ENACTED EARLY THIS YEAR, THE PROHIBITION AGAINST SMOKING HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO OTHER AREAS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WHEN THE REQUIREMENT COMES INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR, NEW SIGNS WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONES AND ALSO BE ADDED TO THOSE AREAS WHERE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST SMOKING HAS BEEN EXTENDED.”
THE AREAS COVERED BY THE REQUIREMENT INCLUDE ALL SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN CINEMAS, THEATRES AND CONCERT HALLS; AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES; AND ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS.
SMOKING IN PUBLIC LIFTS, AMONG OTHERS, HAS ALL ALONG BEEN PROHIBITED.
---------0-----------
TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS OF CIGARETTES PUBLISHED
THE AVERAGE TAR YIELD AMONG THE 103 TOP BEST-SELLING CIGARETTES IN HONG KONG SAMPLED DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD BETWEEN AUGUST 1991 AND JANUARY 1992 IS 14.5 MILLIGRAMS PER CIGARETTE (MG/CIG).
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 0.2 MG/CIG OVER THE AVERAGE YIELD RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS SIX-MONTH PERIOD.
ACCORDING TO A LATEST SURVEY, THE AVERAGE NICOTINE YIELD HAS ALSO GONE UP BY 0.04 MG/CIG TO 1.22 MG/CIG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT APART FROM THE INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS, NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES HAVE BEEN FOUND.
AMONG THE 103 BRANDS OF CIGARETTES, 65 WERE IMPORTED AND 38 WERE MANUFACTURED LOCALLY.
"OF THE TOTAL, 10 BRANDS CONTAIN A TAR CONTENT EXCEEDING 20 MG/CIG.
"THESE WILL HAVE TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET IF THE TAR CONTENT IS NOT LOWERED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FULL REPORT OF THE LATEST SURVEY IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S "CHOICE” MAGAZINE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SAME TEST METHODS AND PROCEDURES FOR FORMER REPORTS WERE EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR THE LATEST SURVEY.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
14
HOWEVER, THE TAR GROUP DESIGNATION FOR CIGARETTES HAS NOW BEEN RESTRUCTURED AS FOLLOWS:
MILLIGRAMS PER CIGARETTE TAR GROUP DESIGNATION
0-9 LOW
10-14 LOW TO MIDDLE
15 - 17 MIDDLE
18 - 20 HIGH
’’THE RESTRUCTURING CORRESPONDS TO THE PROHIBITION OF SALE OF CIGARETTES WITH A TAR CONTENT EXCEEDING 20 MG UNDER THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH)(AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE NEXT REVIEW SCHEDULED IN APRIL 1993 WILL FOLLOW THE NEW TAR GROUP DESIGNATION,” HE ADDED.
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CONTRACT FOR AIRPORT TAXIWAY BRIDGE AWARDED * * * * *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED A $109 MILLION DESIGN-AND-BUILD CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TAXIWAY BRIDGE AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AS PART OF AN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
THIS IS THE FIRST-EVER FAST-TRACK DESIGN-AND-BUILD ENGINEERING CONTRACT SIGNED IN HONG KONG.
CIVIL
THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, MR GREGORY YUEN, SAID THE FAST-TRACK DESIGN-AND-BUILD CONCEPT WOULD ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY AND INCENTIVE TO TENDERERS TO PROVIDE THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE DESIGN WHICH COULD RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL SAVING TO THE GOVERNMENT.
THE CONTRACT WAS DESIGNED UNDER A SET OF CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT JOINTLY PREPARED BY THE WORKS BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION.
THE NEW TAXIWAY BRIDGE, CAPABLE OF CARRYING A FULLY LOADED BOEING 747, WILL SPAN ACROSS THE SEA CHANNEL BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND THE NEW PARKING APRON ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION.
UPON COMPLETION, IT WILL PROVIDE A MUCH SHORTER ROUTE FOR AIRCRAFT BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND THE NEW APRON.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START SOON AND BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST
THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX LIMITED.
------0 - -
/15........
FRIDAY, MAY 15,
1992
- 15 -
FIVE SUBMISSIONS OF INTEREST RECEIVED FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 9
******
FIVE SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN LODGED WITH THE GOVERNMENT AS AT THE CLOSING TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF INTEREST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 9 AT SOUTHEAST TSING YI, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THESE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE STUDIED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE IN DUE COURSE.
THE GOVERNMENT INVITED EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 9 ON APRIL 10 THIS YEAR. THE CLOSING TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF INTEREST WAS 5 PM TODAY.
------0-------
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON AIRPORT RAILWAY
*****
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL BE HOLDING FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AT ITS FIFTH MEETING ON MAY 18 (MONDAY).
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE), AND WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG ON 802 3302 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IN THE CONFERENCE HALL IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
------0-------
SIU CHIE SHA RECLAMATION WORKS AUTHORISED ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RECLAIM LAND AT SIU CH1K SHA IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 FOR THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 LANDFILL STAGE ONE EXTENSION.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 840 METRES OF SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 5.6 HECTARES OF LAND WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 18.9 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABEDS AT SIU CHIK SHA.
/THIS WILL .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
- 16 -
THIS WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR THE TIPPING OF ADDITIONAL QUANTITIES OF SOLID WASTE INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION WASTE AND REFUSE AT THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 LANDFILL STAGE ONE.
1994.
WORKS WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN AUTHORISATION GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A NOTICE OF
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MAY 14, 1993.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM, AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
THE GAZETTE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, WHERE COPIES CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED ON ORDER.
MEANWHILE, THE NOTICE AND RELATED PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 SUB-OFFICE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, UNIT 121-122, GROUND FLOOR, PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
--------0-----------
CONSTRUCTION OF TIN SHUI WAI WEST ACCESS APPROVED
******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL TO UPGRADE THE EXISTING HUNG TIN ROAD AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $300 MILLION TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE ACCESS TO THE TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS WOULD START IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, PROVIDING A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN AND THE YUEN LONG/TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR UPON COMPLETION.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE FOUR ACCESS ROADS, INCLUDING TIN HA ROAD, PING HA ROAD, HUNG TIN ROAD AND LONG TIN ROAD, SERVING TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN.
WITH THE GRADUAL BUILD-UP OF POPULATION IN THE NEW TOWN, THE CAPACITY OF THESE ROADS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE TRAFFIC DEMAND, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ALONG THE ALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING HUNG TIN ROAD.
/APART FROM .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
- 17 -
APART FROM WIDENING THE EXISTING HUNG TIN ROAD INTO A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HUNG SHUI KIU INTERCHANGE, A FLYOVER ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND ASSOCIATION SLIP ROADS TO LINK UP WITH THE YUEN LONG/TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR.
A NOTICE OF THE APPROVAL IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN THE TIN SHUI WAI WEST ACCESS WAS COMPLETED IN 1995, IT WOULD ONLY TAKE ABOUT 10 MINUTES FROM THE TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN TO TUEN MUN ROAD.
"MOREOVER, MOTORISTS CAN TRAVEL TO AND FROM URBAN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TOWN WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH THE ALREADY CONGESTED CASTLE PEAK ROAD," HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
CONTRACT FOR BUILDING SPECIAL SCHOOL AWARDED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED A $17.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AT LEI KING WAN, HONG KONG.
THE TWO-STOREY SPECIAL SCHOOL WHICH IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN ONE YEAR’S TIME WILL ACCOMMODATE 80 CHILDREN WITH BOARDING FACILITIES FOR 60.
THE SCHOOL PREMISES WILL HAVE 10 GENERAL CLASSROOMS, FOUR SPECIAL CLASSROOMS AND FOUR PARAMEDICAL ROOMS.
THE BOARDING SECTION WILL COMPRISE SEVEN BEDROOMS/STUDY ROOMS IN ADDITION TO WARDEN’S QUARTERS AND STAFF BARRACKS.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO FACILITATE THE EASY MOVEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH THE PROVISION OF WIDE AND OPEN CORRIDORS, ADEQUATE RAMPS AND A LIFT.
A DINING ROOM, PLAY AREAS AND
PROVIDED TO CREATE A PLEASANT LEARNING AND
LANDSCAPING WILL ALSO BE
LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE
CHILDREN.
--------0-----------
/18........
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
18
PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR MARKETING OF BILINGUAL LAW INFORMATION SYSTEM ******
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS INVITING COMMERCIAL FIRMS TO APPLY FOR THE PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS TO MARKET THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPUTER DATA BASES WHICH STORE ALL LAWS OF HONG KONG AND A GLOSSARY OF BILINGUAL LEGAL TERMS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE INTENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THE SYSTEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PRIVATE FIRMS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
AT PRESENT, THE INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN THE SEARCHABLE DATABASES OF THE BILINGUAL LAWS INFORMATION SYSTEM INCLUDES HONG KONG ORDINANCES AND SELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS THE LETTERS PATENT, THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION AND A GLOSSARY OF BILINGUAL TERMS.
THE ENACTED OR DECLARED CHINESE TEXTS OF THE LAWS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
AT PRESENT, ABOUT 65% OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION HAS BEEN STORED AND INPUT OF THE BALANCE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE GLOSSARY OF BILINGUAL TERMS NOW HAS ABOUT 5,000 ENTRIES AND WILL BE EXPANDED TO 60,000 ENTRIES BY THE END OF 1995.
WHILE THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS PREPARED TO MAKE THE DATABASES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, IT DOES NOT HAVE THE STAFF TO SERVICE A CUSTOMER BASE.
COMPANIES SHORTLISTED IN THE CURRENT PREQUALIFICATION TENDER EXERCISE WILL BE INVITED LATER TO TENDER FOR A CONTRACT FOR MARKETING THE SYSTEM.
A TENDER NOTICE IS GAZETTED TODAY.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BEFORE NOON, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, THIS YEAR.
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/19 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
- 19 -
TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS COMMENDED ******
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, PRAISED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR ITS CONTINUOUS EFFORTS IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY WHEN MEETING ITS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS TODAY (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, LED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR CHARLES CHAN, PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO MR CARTLAND AND DISCUSSED WITH HIM DEVELOPMENTS OF THE GROUP’S MAJOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN THE YEAR.
IN THE MEETING, MR CARTLAND ASSURED BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM TO FURTHER IMPROVE WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
--------0-----------
NEW MARINE OFFICE IN TAI PO OPENS ♦ * ♦ *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS ESTABLISHED FIRM AND FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEES AND FISHERMEN ORGANISATIONS, HAVING HAD A MARINE OFFICE OF SOME SORT IN THE AREA FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW TAI PO MARINE OFFICE, MR PYRKE SAID: ”1 AM SURE THIS WILL CONTINUE, TO THE BENEFIT OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, AS A REGULATORY AUTHORITY, AND OUR CUSTOMERS, THE LOCAL MARINE COMMUNITY.”
OVER THE YEARS, THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TAI PO MARINE OFFICE HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE ORIGINAL SINGLE FUNCTION OF LICENSING LOCAL CRAFT.
MR PYRKE SAID: "THIS OFFICE IS NOW THE BASE FOR MARINE PATROLS IN HONG KONG’S NORTHEASTERN WATERS, THE REGULATION OF MARINE ■ACTIVITIES, THE ENFORCEMENT OF MARINE LEGISLATION AND THE MONITORING OF SAFETY ON LOCAL VESSELS, IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL BASIC LICENSING FUNCTION.
"OUR LICENSING STAFF ALSO REGULARLY VISIT ABOUT 15 REMOTE VILLAGES SUCH AS SHA TAU KOK, AP CHAU, TAP MUN, HOI MA, AND KAU LAU WAN TO PROVIDE A CONVENIENT SERVICE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES."
REFERRING TO THE VAST PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN IN THE WEST OF THE TERRITORY RESULTING FROM THE PADS, MR PYRKE SAID: "MY DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A LARGE PART OF ITS RESOURCES TO THIS ENDEAVOUR.
"BUT LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE LOCAL MARINE COMMUNITY IN TAI PO WILL CONTINUE TO BE FULLY MET. THIS ASSURANCE IS UNDERLINED BY THE OPENING OF THIS NEW PERMANENT OFFICE TODAY."
/ALSO OFFICIATING .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
- 20 -
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO YUNG-SANG.
MR HO SAID: " THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SPARES NO EFFORT FROM TEDIOUS FORMALITIES SUCH AS LICENSING AND RENEWAL OF LICENCES FOR VESSELS, TO DIFFICULT TASKS SUCH AS ASSISTING IN COASTAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENSURING THAT VESSELS COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS.
’’THE DEPARTMENT HAS ACHIEVED SPLENDID RESULTS AND HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE AREA.”
THE NEW TAI PO MARINE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT 3 YU ON STREET IN SAM MUN TSAI.
SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE THE ISSUING, RENEWAL AND CANCELLATION OF LICENCES, CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OF VESSELS, COLLECTION OF SURVEY FEES, CONTROL OF PRIVATE MOORINGS AND THE SHUEN WAN TYPHOON SHELTER AND ISSUING PERMITS TO VESSELS ENTERING THE SHING MUN RIVER CHANNEL.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
DATE S MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 14.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 15.5.92 + 158
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -158
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON + 700 *
♦ O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED 18.5
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.0 *+0.2* 15.5.92
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992
- 21 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS TERMS 1 WEEK 1 MONTH YIELD 3.04 PCT 3.17 PCT TERM 18 MONTHS 21 MONTHS HONG KONG ISSUE 2311 2402 GOVERNMENT COUPON 6.25 5.50 BONDS PRICE 102.48 100.98 YIELD 4.58 4.96
3 MONTHS 3.30 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.60 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.02 TOTAL TURNOVER PCT OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,208 MN
CLOSED 15 MAY 1992
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MEASURES TO RELIEVE MTR CCNGESTION ..................................... 1
SHA TO VISIT CHINA ..................................................... 1
LAND AUCTION ON MONDAY ................................................. 2
WARNING AGAINST LIFT SHAFT HAZARDS ..................................... 2
DSHA STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF RULE OF LAW ................................ 3
SPECIAL CAR NLMBERS SALE BY AUCTION.........•........................... 4
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE ................................ 5
FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS AVAILABLE ................................. 5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 6
SATURDAY, MAY 16,
1992
1
MEASURES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION
*****
THE FIRST PHASE OF A SERIES OF MEASURES TO RELIEVE CONGESTION ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM MONDAY (MAY 18).
THE MEASURES INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW CROSS HARBOUR AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES AND THE STRENGTHENING OF THE EXISTING SERVICES AS FOLLOWS:
NEW CROSS HARBOUR AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES:
IN ADDITION TO NEW BUS ROUTE NO. 336 OPERATING BETWEEN LEI MUK SHUE AND SHEUNG WAN, ANOTHER BUS ROUTE NO. 312 WILL PLY BETWEEN HUNG HOM (CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA) AND TIN HAU (HING FAT STREET).
IT WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 7.55 AM AND 9.10 AM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS) AT A FIVE-MINUTE FREQUENCY. THE FARE WILL BE $5.5 PER JOURNEY FROM HUNG HOM AND $3.5 ON LEAVING THE TUNNEL.
STRENGTHENING OF EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES:
BUS ROUTES 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 307, 337 AND 348 WILL BE EXTENDED AT THE HONG KONG ISLAND END FROM CENTRAL TO SHEUNG WAN.
IN ADDITION, A NEW ADDITIONAL BUS BAY WILL BE PROVIDED OUTSIDE THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE NEW BUS BAY WILL BE OBSERVED BY CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTES NO. A2, A3, 109, 113, 119 AND 182.
- 0 -
SHA TO VISIT CHINA
******
SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL VISIT CHINA FROM MAY 18 TO 26 AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF CHINA.
MR SUEN WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY SEVEN OTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THIS IS ONE OF A SERIES OF GENERAL FAMILIARISATION VISITS WHICH STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO.
- - 0 -
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1992
- 2 -
LAND AUCTION ON MONDAY ******
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE SOLD IN A PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON MONDAY (MAY 18).
THE FIRST LOT IS AT ON CHUEN STREET, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF 471 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE AND ANY GODOWN FOR DANGEROUS GOODS).
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 1,415 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1996.
THE SECOND SITE IN AREA 30, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 14,540 SQUARE METRES. IT IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, RETAIL SHOPS, A SUPERMARKET AND A PUBLIC CAR PARK AND SUCH ANCILLARY USES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 13,894 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1996.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION. A DESIGNATED PRESS AREA WILL BE ALLOCATED AT THE VENUE. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
---------0-----------
WARNING AGAINST LIFT SHAFT HAZARDS
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS NOT TO THROW BUILDING DEBRIS AND WASTE MATERIALS DOWN LIFT SHAFTS UNLESS ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN.
THE APPEAL CAME IN THE WAKE OF TWO RECENT ACCIDENTS IN WHICH THREE WORKERS WERE KILLED BY DEBRIS FALLING DOWN LIFT SHAFTS.
"SUCH TRAGIC ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD THE SITE PERSONNEL TAKEN THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR KAN HON-SANG SAID.
/"UNDER THE .......
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1992
3
"UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, A CONTRACTOR HAS THE DUTY TO ENSURE THAT MATERIALS ARE NOT TIPPED, THROWN OR SHOT DOWN FROM A HEIGHT WHERE THEY ARE LIABLE TO CAUSE INJURY TO ANY PERSON," MR KAN NOTED.
"IF A PROTECTED LIFT SHAFT OR OTHER PROTECTED AREA HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED FOR THIS PURPOSE, CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE CAN APPROACH SUCH AREAS AND NOTICES MUST BE PUT UP TO WARN WORKERS OF THE DANGER," HE ADDED.
HE SUGGESTED CONTRACTORS LOWER BUILDING MATERIALS BY LIFTING APPLIANCES OR THROUGH CHUTES OR PROPER CONSTRUCTION.
HE ALSO REMINDED SITE WORKERS THAT BEFORE THROWING ANYTHING INTO A LIFT SHAFT, THEY SHOULD ASCERTAIN WHETHER IT IS DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE AND SHOULD TAKE REASONABLE CARE OF THE SAFETY OF FELLOW WORKERS.
"ANYONE WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $50,000."
- - 0 - -
DSHA STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF RULE OF LAW *****
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW, NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE, CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MISS JACQUELINE WILLIS, TOLD A CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR TODAY (SATURDAY).
AND INDEED, MISS WILLIS SAID, THIS HAD BEEN RECOGNISED BOTH IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND IN THE BASIC LAW.
SHE SAID CENTRAL TO HONG KONG’S SUCCESS AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND COMMERCE AND ITS REPUTATION FOR QUALITY SERVICES, WAS THE WIDE RECOGNITION OF THE RULE OF LAW.
SHE SAID THE RULE OF LAW DID NOT SIMPLY MEAN THAT THERE WAS A SET OF LAWS GOVERNING VARIOUS SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES.
"IT MEANS THAT BOTH INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE STATE ACCEPT A SET OF RULES OF CONDUCT TO REGULATE BEHAVIOUR.
"I SEE THIS AS A PARTNERSHIP WITH OBLIGATIONS TO ALL PARTIES," SHE SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, MISS WILLIS SAID WHILE AN INDIVIDUAL EXPECTS CERTAIN FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS, SHE MUST IN RETURN ACCEPT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AND RULES.
INSTITUTIONS, HOWEVER, WORK UNDER RULES DESIGNED TO PROTECT THEM AND TO REGULATE THEIR ACTIVITIES.
/BUT OVERALL
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1992
4
BUT OVERALL COMES THE STATE, SHE SAID.
"THE STATE’S OBLIGATION IS TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR THE LAW, TO SUPERVISE THE LAW AND TO UPHOLD THE LAW.
’’THIS COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING, AND MUST DO SO TO KEEP PACE WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN SOCIETY."
TODAY’S FORUM, MISS WILLIS SAID, HAD SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE ORGANISER - THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
IT IS THE FIRST SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE. CO-ORGANISED WITH THE 19 DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES, MISS WILLIS SAID IT ALSO MARKED A NEW PHASE OF CLOSE AND CORDIAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP AMONG THEM.
OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDED SENIOR LECTURER IN LAW FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR JOHANNES CHAN; AND A SOLICITOR, MR CHAN KAR-LOK.
THEY SPOKE ON TOPICS ON FAIR LEGAL SYSTEM, JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE, AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
---------0-----------
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION *****
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,806,000 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 CS8888 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $305,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER ED3 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $280,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $4,000 EACH FOR EW1105, AN5705.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ s
EW1105 4,000 EV1218 19,000 EW2322 18,000 EV618 50,000
EV8718 9,000 BC11 130,000 3219 110,000 EW3228 72,000
EW1623 7,000 EK6663 28,000 EU608 38,000 EV243 7,000
XX600 200,000 EW1119 9,000 AC2221 24,000 AZ400 22,000
EV190 17,000 CS8888 305,000 EY9779 13,000 EW802 29,000
BB6793 20,000 EV1813 22,000 EV169 21,000 AF350 15,000
EW203 22,000 EW693 12,000 EW7771 9,000 EW2212 12,000
3799 125,000 EX9000 50,000 ED3 280,000 BB252 24,000
EW1163 7,000 BS557 9,000 EW390 9,000 EW6838 15,000
AN5705 4,000 EV2668 25,000 EV7877 7,000 EW3303 7,000
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
SATURDAY, ,<AY J6, 1992
5
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY'S SALE, THE 175TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $135,426,105.
---------0-----------
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A NEW CROSS HARBOUR AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICE ROUTE NO. 336 OPERATING BETWEEN LEI MUK SHUE AND SHEUNG WAN IN THE MORNING WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MONDAY (MAY 18).
ROUTE NO. 336 WILL ONLY OPERATE ON MONDAY TO SATURDAY.
THE OPERATING HOURS WILL BE:
FROM ADMIRALTY (EAST) FROM LEI MUK SHUE
6.40 AM
7.40 AM
7.50 AM
THE FARE WILL RANGE FROM $3.5 TO $10 ($9.5 WILL BE CHARGED ON PASSENGERS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 1992 FOR PROMOTION PURPOSE) PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
------0--------
FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS AVAILABLE * * * ♦ *
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS IN WONG TAI SIN ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD TO ORGANISE LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS.
ORGANISATIONS AND AGENCIES WISHING TO APPLY FOR SUBSIDY SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION FORMS TO THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT BEFORE JUNE 11,” A DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
/"THE VETTING........
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1992
6
"THE VETTING OF APPLICATIONS WILL FOLLOW THE CRITERIA AS LAID DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE AMOUNT APPROVED FOR A PARTICULAR ORGANISATION WILL NOT EXCEED $10,000," HE ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE’S ENQUIRY COUNTER, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 323 5668 EXTENSION 23.
--------0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 15.5.92 1,688 *
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 16.5.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
* INCLUDES 700 MN O/N ASST TO BE REVERSED ON 18 MAY
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC VIEWS ON DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME SOUGHT .................... 1
MACHINERY MUST BE PROPERLY GUARDED .................................. 1
COMPETITIONS TO CELEBRATE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES' DIAMOND JUBILEE ... 2
ELECTION FORUM IN SHAM SHUI PO ...................................... 3
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ................... 3
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN TAI O..................................... 4
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 1992
- 1 -
PUBLIC VIEWS ON DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME SOUGHT
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSALS FOR A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME (DPS) BEFORE THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE CLOSES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT REACHED ANY CONCLUSION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME SHOULD BE INTRODUCED," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SAID DPS HAD ITS PROS AND CONS AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PREFER TO LISTEN TO THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC BEFORE COMING TO A DECISION.
"AS THIS IS A VERY COMPLEX SUBJECT AFFECTING VIRTUALLY EVERY ONE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT A DPS IS DESIRABLE," HE ADDED.
FREE COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES SINCE LATE FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
COPIES OF THE PAPER WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING DISTRICT BOARDS, BUSINESS GROUPS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES.
COMMENTS CAN BE SENT TO THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, 1802, TOWER I, ADMIRALTY CENTRE ON OR BEFORE MAY 31.
---------0-----------
MACHINERY MUST BE PROPERLY GUARDED
*****
FACTORY PROPRIETORS MUST PROPERLY GUARD ALL DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY OR PLANT TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT MADE THE APPEAL TODAY (SUNDAY) FOLLOWING THE RECENT CONVICTION OF THE LUEN CHEONG CAN FACTORY LTD. IN TUEN MUN OF FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT. THE COMPANY WAS FINED $25,000 BY A TUEN MUN MAGISTRATE.
THE CASE REVEALED THAT A FEMALE WORKER HAD HER LEFT INDEX FINGER AMPUTATED AFTER BEING CRUSHED BY AN UNGUARDED POWER PRESS SHE WAS OPERATING.
"ACCORDING TO THE FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, FACTORY PROPRIETORS MUST EFFECTIVELY GUARD DANGEROUS PARTS OF EVERY PIECE OF MACHINERY OR PLANT DRIVEN BY MECHANICAL POWER," SAID DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR WONG FAT-KEE.
/"IT IS .......
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 1992
2
"IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO LEAVE A MACHINE UNGUARDED OR INADEQUATELY GUARDED AS EVEN THE MOST CAREFUL OPERATIVE CAN MAKE MISTAKES, PARTICULARLY IN FAMILIAR WORK," MR WONG SAID, ADDING THAT PROPER GUARDING COULD ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AT ALL TIMES.
HE SAID OF THE 48,498 ACCIDENTS RECORDED LAST YEAR, 6,013 RELATED TO THE USE OF MACHINERY, INCLUDING 15 FATAL CASES.
HE CAUTIONED THAT INJURIES RESULTING FROM MACHINERY ACCIDENTS WERE OFTEN SERIOUS AND COULD CAUSE PERMANENT DISABILITY TO THE VICTIM.
"WORKERS MUST, THEREFORE, NOT WORK ON A MACHINE UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY GUARDED AND SHOULD AVOID COMING INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE DANGEROUS, MOVING PARTS OF A MACHINE," HE ADDED.
/’ANY PROPRIETOR WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
COMPETITIONS TO CELEBRATE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES’
*****
DIAMOND JUBILEE
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES (FHS) IS INVITING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH TALENTS IN WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY TO TAKE PART IN A PHOTO AND AN ESSAY CONTESTS.
THE COMPETITIONS, OPEN TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ARE ORGANISED TO COMMEMORATE THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FHS.
FOR THE PHOTO COMPETITION, ONLY 3R-SIZED PHOTOS WILL BE ACCEPTED. THE THEME OF THE PICTURE SHOULD FEATURE "A HAPPY FAMILY".
MEANWHILE, ENTRANTS FOR THE ESSAY COMPETITION SHOULD WRITE A COMPOSITION ENTITLED "MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE AND I" IN’ NOT MORE THAN 2,000 WORDS.
IN ADDITION TO TROPHIES, THE THREE WINNERS OF EACH COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE GIFT COUPONS RANGING FROM $500 TO $1,000.
COMPLETED ENTRIES AND PHOTOS SHOULD BE SENT EITHER IN PERSON OR BY MAIL TO ANY ONE OF THE MATERNAL AND CHILD CENTRES OR THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES HEADQUARTERS, SECOND FLOOR, CENTRE POINT, 181 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE ENTRY DEADLINE FOR BOTH COMPETITIONS IS JUNE 27.
/3.........
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 1992
3
ELECTION FORUM IN SHAM SHUI PO *****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD A FORUM TOMORROW (MONDAY) FOR THE THREE CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE SEAT OF THE PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY IN THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION.
THE FORUM WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM AT THE BASKETBALL COURT BETWEEN BLOCKS SEVEN AND EIGHT OF PAK TIN ESTATE.
IN THE EVENT OF RAINY WEATHER, THE VENUE WILL BE CHANGED TO THE PAK TIN COMMUNITY HALL, PODIUM, BLOCK 3, PAK TIN ESTATE.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FORUM WOULD HELP ELECTORS KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES BEFORE CASTING THEIR VOTES IN THE BY-ELECTION ON SUNDAY (MAY 24).
HE URGED ELECTORS AND RESIDENTS IN THE PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY TO ATTEND THE FORUM, DURING WHICH THE CANDIDATES WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
THE CANDIDATES ARE MR STANLEY SUM YIU-CHO, A 41-YEAR-OLD LECTURER; MR LEUNG WAI-SHING, A 33-YEAR-OLD CIVIC EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR; AND MR YAN KAI-WING, A 26-YEAR-OLD COMMUNITY ORGANISER.
THE PAK TIN CONSTITUENCY, COVERING MAINLY THE PAK TIN ESTATE AND THE TAI WO PING AREA, HAS A TOTAL OF 12,521 REGISTERED VOTERS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUM
- - 0 - -
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN THE REHABILITATION WORK OF OFFENDERS.
PEOPLE, AGED 21 OR ABOVE, WITH SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION, MATURE PERSONALITY AND INTEREST IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONS (VSP).
THE SCHEME WAS SET UP IN 1976 TO PROMOTE THE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN HELPING OFFENDERS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THE SCHEME AIMED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST AND CONCERN TOWARDS HELPING AND REHABILITATING OFFENDERS AND BY SO DOING BRING GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND STRONGER COMMUNITY ACTION AGAINST CRIME.
/"IT ALSO
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 1992
4
"IT ALSO HELPS TO MEET THE SPECIFIC NEED OF SUITABLE PROBATIONERS THROUGH SERVICE OFFERED BY VOLUNTEERS AND COMPLEMENT THE EFFORT OF PROBATION OFFICERS IN THE SOCIAL REHABILITATION OF PROBATIONERS," HE ADDED.
THE SERVICE PERIOD IS NORMALLY SIX MONTHS, BUT THE VOLUNTEER MAY SERVE FOR FURTHER TERMS FOR THE SAME OR OTHER OFFENDERS.
FORMER VOLUNTEERS OF THE SCHEME ARE WELCOME TO APPLY AGAIN.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE FOR VSP ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, PROBATION OFFICES ATTACHED TO THE MAGISTRACIES, COMMUNITY CENTRES AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE CENTRES ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, JUNE 12. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE ON TEL 895 4190.
--------0-----------
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN TAI 0
*****
FRESH AND FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TAI O WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 19) TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DON'T LET ROUGH POLITICAL DEBATE OBSCURE OUR CONSENSUS: GOVERNOR .......... 1
TSING MA BRIDGE CONTRACT SIGNED ........................................... 3
GOVT LAND SOLD FOR $541.65M ............................................... 4
ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS TO THAILAND ......................................... 5
EFFLUENT TUNNEL TO ABATE TOLO HARBOUR POLLUTION ........................... 5
MARCH ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES RELEASED ................................................................ 6
APPLICATION FOR REPLACING CI MAY BE MADE BY POST.......................... 11
LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY ............................................... 12
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REVOKED ................................ 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ..................................................... 13
FRESH WATER CUT IN TAI KOK TSUI .......................................... 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ........................ 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
14
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
DON’T LET ROUGH POLITICAL DEBATE OBSCURE OUR CONSENSUS: GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, TONIGHT (MONDAY) SAID THERE WAS A BROAD CONSENSUS IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON KEY ISSUES AND WE SHOULD NOT LET THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE POLITICAL DEBATE OBSCURE THIS BEDROCK OF CONSENSUS.
ADDRESSING A DINNER HOSTED BY THE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE HAD BEEN A GOOD DEAL OF TALK ABOUT THE CHANGED NATURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE THE ELECTIONS LAST SEPTEMBER.
"SOME PEOPLE FEAR THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL GROUPS HAS BEEN A RETROGRADE STEP. WE NEED TO KEEP ISSUES SUCH AS THIS IN PERSPECTIVE,” LORD WILSON SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ESSENTIAL POINT WAS THAT THERE WAS NO GREAT IDEOLOGICAL CHASM IN HONG KONG POLITICS.
’’THERE IS A BROAD CONSENSUS IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN LEGCO ON KEY ISSUES SUCH AS THE ECONOMY, TRADE, LAW AND ORDER, SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA.
”WE SHOULD NOT LET THE ROUGH AND TUMBLE OF POLITICAL DEBATE OBSCURE THIS BEDROCK OF CONSENSUS,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS THE BRITISH POLITICIAN RAB BUTLER WHO DECLARED THAT ’’POLITICS IS THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE”.
THE AMERICAN ECONOMIST JOHN KENNETH GALBRAITH DISAGREED, HE ADDED.
”HE SAID THAT ’POLITICS IS ABOUT DECIDING BETWEEN THE DISASTROUS AND THE UNPALATABLE’,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
LORD WILSON POINTED OUT THAT EITHER WAY, IT WAS ABOUT MAKING HARD CHOICES.
"IT IS TO MAKING SENSIBLE DECISIONS OUT OF THESE HARD CHOICES THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY SHOULD DEVOTE OUR EFFORTS.”
THE GOVERNOR RECOUNTED SOME OF THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS DURING HIS GOVERNORSHIP AND THE WAY HONG KONG HAD HANDLED THEM.
THEY INCLUDED THE CRASH OF THE STOCK MARKET IN OCTOBER 1987; THE ARRIVAL OF OVER 61,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE BETWEEN 1989 AND 1991; THE MAJOR BLOW TO CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AFTER THE EVENTS IN BEIJING IN JUNE 1989; THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS ON BUILDING A NEW AIRPORT AND THE LONG AND SOMETIMES DIFFICULT DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON THE NEW AIRPORT HAD BEEN A MAJOR TEST OF ABILITY TO RESTORE A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA.
/"THE RESULT .......
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 2 -
"THE RESULT LAST YEAR WAS A GOOD, WORKABLE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. NOW THE AIRPORT AND THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT HAVE MOVED FROM THE NEGOTIATING TABLE TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND THEN TO WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS, TO WORK ON SITE.
"TOGETHER, THE 10 PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AMOUNT TO THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. THEY WILL PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH A SPRINGBOARD FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
NOTING THAT THE NEW AIRPORT WAS CLEARLY REQUIRED TO REPLACE KAI TAK, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WOULD NOT ONLY PROVIDE THE DIRECT RAIL ACCESS TO CHEK LAP KOK WHICH A MODERN AIRPORT NEEDED.
IT WOULD ALSO BE OF IMPORTANT BENEFIT TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN KOWLOON AND ON LANTAU.
"HONG KONG FACES AN IMPORTANT CHALLENGE AS THIS EXCITING VISION IS CARRIED THROUGH TO REALITY. THE MOMENTUM IS ALREADY BUILDING UP AS DESIGNS ARE COMPLETED, CONTRACTS LET, AND WORK ON SITE BEGINS.
"WE, THE GOVERNMENT, LOOK TO YOU IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO GIVE THIS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE YOUR WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT, SO THAT WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE IT A REALITY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
LORD WILSON POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD SHOWN THAT IT HAD A REMARKABLE ABILITY TO COPE WITH THE CHALLENGE OF DIFFICULT TIMES.
BUT HONG KONG HAD ALSO BEEN GOOD AT THE QUIET, STEADY AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT WORK OF MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, HAD BUILT 215,000 NEW FLATS - A RATE THAT MADE ROUGHLY 120 NEW FLATS EVERYDAY - SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. BY THE END OF THE 1990’S, 400,000 MORE FLATS WOULD BE BUILT.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF TERTIARY LEVEL FIRST-YEAR FIRST-DEGREE PLACES IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM FROM ABOUT 5,000 TO OVER 10,000. ADD TO THAT, IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS A FURTHER 4,500 PLACES WOULD BE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO PROVIDED 6,300 ADDITIONAL HOSPITAL BEDS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
"WE HAVE INVESTED OVER $5 BILLION DOLLARS SO FAR IN CAPITAL WORKS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG WAS A SOCIETY WHICH HAD MOVED FROM THE THIRD WORLD TO THE FIRST WORLD IN TWO GENERATIONS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE PRAGMATISM AND DYNAMISM WHICH MADE THIS POSSIBLE REMAINED THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG TODAY.
THE GOVERNOR SAID TWO KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING HONG KONG’S PAST SUCCESS AND ITS PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE WERE THE IMPATIENCE OR A RESTLESSNESS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE FUNDAMENTAL STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY.
/"HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
"HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE A DEEP-SEATED CONVICTION THAT THINGS CAN AND SHOULD GET BETTER," SAID THE GOVERNOR.
HE SAID THE FUNDAMENTAL STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY, WHICH HAD IN THE PAST MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO REALISE THEIR ASPIRATIONS AND WOULD GO ON DOING SO IN THE FUTURE.
"WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO BE CONFIDENT ABOUT OUR ECONOMIC AND TRADE PROSPECTS," HE SAID.
LORD WILSON POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD SEEN A RAPID TRANSFORMATION TAKE PLACE AS A LARGE PART OF ITS MANUFACTURING BASE HAD BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE LOW COST ENVIRONMENT OF GUANGDONG.
"SERVICES NOW ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 70% OF OUR GDP. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN A MASSIVE GROWTH IN OUR TRADE WITH CHINA AND THE REGION. THESE TRENDS LOOK SET TO CONTINUE.
"I SEE NO REASON WHY HONG KONG SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO PROSPER THROUGH FREE TRADE AND ENTERPRISE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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TSING MA BRIDGE CONTRACT SIGNED ******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED THE CONTRACT FOR THE TSING MA BRIDGE WHICH FORMS THE MAJOR PART OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
THE $7 BILLION CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION JOINT VENTURE FORMED BY DORMAN LONG OVERSEAS LTD, COSTAIN CIVIL ENGINEERING LTD AND MITSUI & CO LTD.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR S.K. KWEI, AND MESSRS. BOYLE & HOLLANDERS (DORMAN LONG), LAWSON & WATKINSON (COSTAIN) AND IKEDA & TAKEYAMA (MITSUI) ON BEHALF OF THE JOINT VENTURE.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, ALSO ATTENDED THE SIGNING CEREMONY.
THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT’S AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, AND TOGETHER WITH THE KAP SHU1 MUN BRIDGE AND MA WAN VIADUCTS, WILL LINK THE ROUTE 3 (KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI SECTORS) AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE TSING MA BRIDGE WILL HAVE AN OVERALL LENGTH OF OVER 2 KILOMETRES, WITH A MAIN SUSPENDED SPAN OF 1,377 METRES.
IT WILL BE ONE OF THE WORLD’S LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGES AND THE LONGEST CARRYING BOTH A RAILWAY AS WELL AS A ROAD.
/THE MAIN
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
THE MAIN SUPPORT TOWERS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OF CONCRETE AND WILL BE MORE THAN 200 METRES HIGH. VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE RUNNING ON THE STEEL BRIDGE DECK AT A HEIGHT OF NEARLY 80 METRES ABOVE THE WATER OF MA WAN CHANNEL.
THE BRIDGE IS DESIGNED TO CARRY A DUAL THREE-LANE EXPRESSWAY ON THE TOP DECK. IT WILL ALSO HAVE A LOWER DECK CARRYING THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND A TWO-LANE SHELTERED ROADWAY FOR USE IN EMERGENCIES AND BAD WEATHER.
WORK ON THE BRIDGE WILL START ON MAY 25, 1992 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE YEARS TO COMPLETE.
-----0------
GOVT LAND SOLD FOR $541.65M
*****
TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $541.65 MILLION IN A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT . THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 30, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 14,540 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, RETAIL SHOPS, A SUPERMARKET AND A PUBLIC CAR PARK AND SUCH ANCILLARY USES.
IT WAS SOLD TO TIME RANK LIMITED AT $533 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $390 MILLION.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 13,894 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1996.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED AT ON CHUEN STREET, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 471 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE AND ANY ’GODOWN FOR DANGEROUS GOODS).
THE LOT IS BOUGHT BY V-DAY LIMITED AT $8.65 MILLION. BIDDING ■OPENED AT $7.5 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 1,415 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1996.
THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR JOHN CORRIGALL.
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
5
ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS TO THAILAND ******
IN VIEW OF THE SITUATION IN THAILAND AND ON THE ADVICE OF THE FCO, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TODAY (MONDAY) ISSUED THE FOLLOWING TRAVEL ADVICE:
"THERE HAVE BEEN SOME VIOLENT OUTBREAKS IN THE CONTINUING DEMONSTRATIONS IN THAILAND. THE DEMONSTRATIONS ARE PRESENTLY CONFINED TO THE AREAS SURROUNDING THE DEMOCRACY MONUMENT, GRAND PALACE AND GOLDEN MOUNT. TOURISTS SHOULD AVOID THESE AREAS AND ALL LARGE PUBLIC GATHERINGS.
"THERE IS NO DIRECT THREAT TO FOREIGNERS BUT IN VIEW OF UNCERTAINTY VISITORS TO BANGKOK SHOULD CONSIDER POSTPONING IF AT ALL POSSIBLE I.E. ONLY ESSENTIAL VISITS. TOURISTS GOING TO AREAS OTHER THAN BANGKOK SHOULD BE SAFE TO TRAVEL BUT SHOULD OBVIOUSLY AVOID ANY TROUBLE SPOTS AND GATHERINGS."
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EFFLUENT TUNNEL TO ABATE TOLO HARBOUR POLLUTION
*****
A 7.4-KILOMETRE LONG TUNNEL THAT FORMS AN IMPORTANT STAGE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME TO ABATE POLLUTION IN TOLO HARBOUR WAS OFFICIALLY "BROKEN THROUGH" AT A CEREMONY TODAY (MONDAY).
THE TUNNEL RUNS FROM SHA TIN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO DIAMOND HILL IN KOWLOON BEFORE PASSING INTO THE KAI TAK NULLAH AND EVENTALLY JOINING VICTORIA HARBOUR.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID AT PRESENT TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT WAS DISCHARGED INTO TOLO HARBOUR.
THE SEWAGE EFFLUENT WITH ITS NUTRIENT CONTENTS IS ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF RED TIDE IN TOLO HARBOUR.
"THIS SCHEME, WHEN FULLY COMPLETED IN EARLY 1995, WILL CONVEY TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT FROM TAI PO AND SHA TIN TO VICTORIA HARBOUR WHICH HAS GREATER CAPACITY THAN TOLO HARBOUR TO RECEIVE SEWAGE EFFLUENT," MR BLAKE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE TUNNEL, THE SCHEME ALSO INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUMPING STATIONS AT TAI PO AND SHA TIN, A SUBMARINE PIPELINE IN TOLO HARBOUR, A BRIDGE ACROSS SHING MUN RIVER, RISING MAINS, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KAI TAK NULLAH AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS.
/CONSTRUCTION WAS .......
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 6
CONSTRUCTION WAS SEPARATED INTO TWO STAGES - THE FIRST STAGE COMPRISES THE WORKS FROM SHA TIN TO KOWLOON, AND THE SECOND COMPRISES WORKS FROM TAI PO TO SHA TIN.
THE TWO STAGES COST $453 MILLION AND $430 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, MR BLAKE SAID.
’’THE SCHEME WHEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED WILL SERVE THE PLANNED TOTAL POPULATION OF ONE MILLION IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO NEW TOWNS.
’’THE SCHEME, TOGETHER WITH OTHER MEASURES UNDERTAKEN AS PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PLAN, WILL ELIMINATE MOST OF THE POLLUTION SOURCES OF TOLO HARBOUR,” MR BLAKE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN, SAID CONSTRUCTION TIME FOR THE TUNNEL WAS REDUCED FROM TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS TO TWO YEARS BY THE USE OF A TUNNEL BORING MACHINE.
MR SIU SAID: ’’THE TUNNEL BORING MACHINE OFFERS HIGH RATES OF ADVANCE AND THIS MEANS THAT LONG TUNNELS CAN BE BUILT FASTER AT LOWER COSTS.
’’WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND OF SEWER TUNNELLING WORK WITHIN THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IN PARTICULAR UNDER THE STRATEGIC DISPOSAL SCHEME, IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THIS KIND OF TUNNELLING BORING MACHINE WILL BE MORE FREQUENTLY USED IN FUTURE."
---------0-----------
MARCH ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES RELEASED ******
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MARCH THIS YEAR FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS INCREASED BY 2% OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO A MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE ORDERS POSITION IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, PARTLY OWING TO A LOW BASE OF COMPARISON IN MARCH 1991 .
THE ORDERS POSITION IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, WEARING APPAREL, AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES ALSO IMPROVED, THOUGH TO A LESSER EXTENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A SLIGHT DECREASE IN ORDERS WAS RECORDED IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND OF THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED INCREASED BY 1% IN MARCH 1992.
/SIMILAR TO .......
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
SIMILAR TO THE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, ORDERS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, WHILE THOSE IN THE WEARING APPAREL, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES SHOWED SMALLER INCREASES. THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, HOWEVER, REPORTED A MODERATE DECREASE IN ORDERS.
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.
CONTINUING WITH THE TREND IN RECENT YEARS, THE TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED DECREASED BY 10% IN MARCH 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO. THIS DECREASE REFLECTS THE CONTINUING TREND OF RELOCATING PRODUCTION PROCESSES TO SOUTH CHINA.
EMPLOYMENT DECLINED IN ALL THE INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT DECREASES FOUND IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, THE TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED DECREASED BY 1% IN MARCH 1992.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, EMPLOYMENT DECREASED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, WEARING APPAREL AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED INCREASED BY 15% IN MONEY TERMS IN MARCH 1992 OVER A YEAR AGO.
INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN ALL THE INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, MORE SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND THE PLASTICS PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 1% IN MONEY TERMS IN MARCH 1992.
INCREASES WERE REPORTED BY THE TEXTILES, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES; WHILE DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, FOOD AND DRINKS, AND PLASTICS PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED IN MARCH 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH THE PRECEDING MONTH AND THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN MARCH 1992 OVER A YEAR AGO. INCREASE WAS ALSO RECORDED OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/IN THE .......
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 8 -
IN THE SERVICE SECTORS, THE TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE COMPANIES SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN MARCH 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH A MONTH AND A YEAR AGO.
THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1992 FOR THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED INCREASED FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. IT WAS ALSO HIGHER THAN A MONTH AGO.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERS ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND THE SERVICE SECTORS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF SHORT-TERM DEVELOPMENTS IN THOSE SECTORS.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR MARCH 1992 IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES 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 $4.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6441.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING THREE TABLES:
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
END OF FEB. 92 MAR. 91
INDUSTRY MARCH 1992 — ———————
—
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 4.50 + 1 + 2
— — — — — — — —
WEARING APPAREL 4.86 + 2 + 3
TEXTILES 2.38 -7 -1
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.96 + 16 + 14
FABRICATED METAL 4.43 + 1 + 5
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.50 + 1 + 3
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 3.93 + 1 -4
/TABLE 2 : .......
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 9 -
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AS AT THE END OF MARCH 1992
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES FEB. 92 MAR. 91
— —
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED -1 -10
— — —
FOOD AND DRINKS + 1 -1
WEARING APPAREL -1 -9
TEXTILES -1 -8
PLASTIC PRODUCTS + 1 -12
FABRICATED METAL -2 -12
PRODUCTS •
ELECTRICAL AND -3 -18
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS * -3
CONSTRUCTION # -1 -5
— —
SERVICES ♦ *
BANKS -3 -1
HOTELS * *
PUBLIC UTILITIES * *
OTHERS + 1 + 1
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/TABLE 3 : .......
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 10 -
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
NOTE: OWING TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.G. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), ’’PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
CHANGE WHEN
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN MARCH 1992 COMPARED WITH
FEB. 92 MAR. 91
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 7,490 + 1 + 15
FOOD AND DRINKS 7,649 -2 + 4
WEARING APPAREL 5,555 + 3 + 11
TEXTILES 6,498 + 8 + 14
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 7,582 -1 + 17
FABRICATED METAL 8,652 + 6 + 22
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 7,794 -3 + 20
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 9,528 + 3 + 14
CONSTRUCTION # 10,090 + 6 + 15
SERVICES 12,085 + 1 + 9
BANKS 11,034 -2 + 13
HOTELS 7,943 -2 + 9
PUBLIC UTILITIES 11,748 + 1 + 3
OTHERS 14,325 + 2 + 11
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
NOTE TO TABLES 1 - 3 I
UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS", WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONG 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-----------
/Il ........
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 11 -
APPLICATION FOR REPLACING CI MAY BE MADE BY POST
******
A SPOKESMAN FOR IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT AS AN IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, APPLICATIONS FOR REPLACEMENT OF HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY MAY BE MADE BY POST.
APPLICANT’S PERSONAL ATTENDANCE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED.
FROM JUNE 1, MEMBERS OF THE' PUBLIC WHO ARE IN HONG KONG AND ARE AGED 18 OR OVER MAY SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THEIR HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY BY POST TO THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (OTHER SERVICES) SECTION, IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS, FOURTH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
APPLICATIONS MAY ALSO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE DROP-IN BOXES INSTALLED AT THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (OTHER SERVICES) SECTION OR AT ANY IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES.
APPLICANTS WHO PREFER TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IN PERSON MAY CONTINUE TO DO SO.
WHEN POSTING THEIR APPLICATIONS, APPLICANTS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ENCLOSED A PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THEIR CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY AND HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD, TWO IDENTICAL RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS AND A CROSSED CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER FOR PAYMENT OF DOCUMENT FEES.
FOR APPLICATIONS MADE BY POST OR DEPOSITED AT THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (OTHER SERVICES) SECTION, IT WILL NORMALLY TAKE 10 WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION TO ISSUE A NEW CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY.
FOR APPLICATIONS DEPOSITED AT AN IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICE, IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 WORKING DAYS.
APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED BY LETTER THE DATE AND OFFICE TO COLLECT THEIR NEW CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY.
THEY SHOULD COLLECT THEIR NEW CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY IN PERSON AND BRING ALONG THEIR PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY FOR CANCELLATION.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED: "THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE PROCEDURES FOR OTHER CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY SERVICES.
"APPLICANTS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY OR WHO NEED A CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY FOR URGENT TRAVEL SHOULD ALSO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IN PERSON."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CALL THE INFORMATION OFFICE ON TEL 824 6111.
------0------------
/12 .......
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 12 -
LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 19 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 20).
THREE OF THE BILLS: EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992 AND SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER THREE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED BEFORE GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND AERIAL ROPEWAYS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
PROF THE HON EDWARD CHEN WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME WHILE DR THE HON CONRAD LAM WILL MOVE A MOTION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
ALSO, DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA WILL MOVE AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON ’’ACCOUNTABILITY AND DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY MEMBERS OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND STATUTORY BODIES".
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS WILL PRESENT THE REVISIONS OF THE 1992/93 ESTIMATES WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
--------0-----------
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF ASIAN OCEANIC LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
/13........
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 13 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) AT 54.7% OF CAPACITY OR 320.702 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
STOOD
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 140.028 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 23.9% OF CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
------0--------
FRESH WATER CUT IN TAI KOK TSUI *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 20) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT LI TAK STREET, KOK CHEUNG STREET, TAI KOK TSUI ROAD, CHERRY STREET, .WAI ON STREET, CHUNG WUI STREET, TAI TSUN STREET AND IVY STREET.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
* * *
TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER AMOUNT APPLIED AMOUNT ALLOTTED AV PRICE (YIELD) ACCEPTED LOWEST PRICE (YIELD) ACCEPTED PRO RATA RATIO AV TENDER PRICE (YIELD)
» *
18 MAY 92
GOVT BONDS
2405
HKD 2.233MN - • t5■
HKD 500MN
100.77 (5.15)
100.75 (5.17)
ABOUT 46 PCT
100.59 (5.25)
0-------
/14........
MONDAY, MAY 18, 1992
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 16.5.92 1,688
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 18.5.92 -541 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -159
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +700 **
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -700 MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +159 MN
**O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 19/5
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.7 *-0.1* 18.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON -PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.13 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.44 4.60
1 MONTH 3.16 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.98 4.96
3 MONTHS 3.25 PCT 6 MONTHS 3.59 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.99 PCT 24 MONTHS 2405 5.50 100.68 5.20
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,196 MN
CLOSED 18 MAY 1992
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MR GCCDLAD TO VISIT HCNG KONG ...................................... 1
INCOME RANGE OF SANDWICH CLASS REFINED ............................. 1
GOVT WELCOMES MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE USE OF EASTERN CROSSING ........ 2
TENDERS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING SITE FORMATION INVITED .................. 2
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURES RELEASED ........................ 3
SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN SHA TIN ................. 11
BOOK ON HK HERITAGE ON SALE ........................................ 11
229 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME ......................................... 12
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ........................................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................. 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 13
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
MR GOODLAD TO VISIT HONG KONG *****
THE RT HON ALISTAIR GOODLAD MP, MINISTER OF STATE FOR AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM 24-28 MAY.
FOREIGN
BACKGROUND
THIS APPOINTMENT FOREIGN AND
WILL BE MR GOODLAD’S FIRST OVERSEAS VISIT SINCE TAKING AS MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, AT COMMONWEALTH OFFICE. HE IS ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH TERRITORY AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING MANY OLD FRIENDS.
HIS THE THE
THE AIM OF THIS VISIT WILL BE FOR MR GOODLAD TO BRING HIMSELF UP TO DATE WITH THE MANY ISSUES OF CURRENT CONCERN IN HONG KONG TO MEET AS MANY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND TO LISTEN TO THEIR VIEWS. IN ADDITION TO LOCAL POLITICIANS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS, HE WILL BE HAVING MEETINGS WITH BUSINESSMEN, COMMUNITY LEADERS, DDAireccTnu.rB ??,r, ACADEMICS.
YOUNG
PROFESSIONALS AND
MR GOODLAD WILL BE SPENDING SOME TIME IN A NEW TERRITORIES, WHERE HE WILL VISIT A SCHOOL INSTITUTIONS. HE WILL ALSO BE VISITING ONE OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS AND THE SITE OF THE NEW AIRPORT.
COMMUNITY IN THE AND OTHER LOCAL THE CENTRES FOR
INCOME RANGE OF SANDWICH CLASS DEFINED
*****
THE WORKING GROUP ON SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (TUESDAY) DEFINED THE SANDWICH CLASS AS FAMILIES WITH A MONTHLY INCOME OF BETWEEN $18,000 AND $40,000.
"THE FAMILIES WITH A MONTHLY INCOME OF BELOW $18,000 ARE ALREADY ELIGIBLE FOR SUBSIDISED HOUSING UNDER EXISTING POLICY, WHILE THOSE WITH A MONTHLY INCOME ABOVE $40,000 SHOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE MONTHLY MORTGAGE OF A PRIVATE SECTOR FLAT," MR EASON SAID.
"ON THE BASIS OF THE 1991 CENSUS, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 40,000 TO 45,000 POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WITHIN THE INCOME RANGE OF $18,000 AND $40,000."
GIVEN THE LARGE POOL OF POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE FAMILIES, THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERED THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO CONSIDER ALLOCATING SOME PRIORITY FOR ASSISTANCE WITHIN THE GROUP.
"FOR INSTANCE, SINGLETONS AT THE HIGHER END OF THE INCOME SCALE SHOULD PERHAPS HAVE LOWER PRIORITY THAN FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AT THE LOWER END OF THE SCALE," MR EASON SAID.
/"MORE DETAILED .......
2
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
’’MORE DETAILED WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO REFINE THIS.”
AT ITS SECOND MEETING TODAY, THE WORKING GROUP ALSO DECIDED THAT ITS WORK SHOULD FOCUS FOR THE TIME BEING ON SHORTER TERM AND MORE IMMEDIATE MEASURES, LEAVING LONGER-TERM MEASURES TO FUTURE DISCUSSIONS.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE WORKING GROUP HAD A FIRST ROUND OF DISCUSSION ON PROPOSALS TO DRAW ON THE EXISTING SUPPLY OF FLATS.
"MORE ANALYSIS IS NECESSARY, NOT LEAST OF WHICH IS TO ESTIMATE THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS WHICH MAY BE INVOLVED,” MR EASON SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL NEXT MEET IN FOUR WEEK’S TIME AFTER MORE DETAILED WORK HAS BEEN DONE.
-----0-----
GOVT WELCOMES MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE USE OF EASTERN CROSSING
******
COMMENTING ON THE MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY TODAY (TUESDAY) TO PROMOTE GREATER USE OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT BRANCH SAID THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THIS INITIATIVE BY THE COMPANY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE DECISION BY THE COMPANY TO PROVIDE ONE TUNNEL TICKET FREE WITH 10 PREPAID TICKETS SHOULD ENCOURAGE MORE USE OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND HELP TO ACHIEVE BETTER TRAFFIC DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN THE TWO CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS.”
------0--------
TENDERS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING SITE FORMATION INVITED *****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAND FORMATION FOR A SUPPLEMENTARY PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING SITE AT HO MAN TIN SOUTH, KOWLOON.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE BULK EXCAVATION, DISPOSAL OF EXCAVATED MATERIALS, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS UP TO 18 METRES HIGH AND ABOUT 500 METRES IN LENGTH AND RECOMPACTION OF LOOSE FILL SLOPES.
ALSO INCLUDED ARE FORMATION OF TEMPORARY SLOPES, CONSTRUCTION OF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND HYDROSEEDING TO PERMANENTLY FORMED SLOPES.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS AUGUST AND TAKE 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 12.
THE WORKS WERE DESIGNED BY AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE DESIGN DIVISION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
------0--------
/3 ......
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
- 3 -
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURES RELEASED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS LAST MONTH OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGULARLY ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME-CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS IN APRIL THIS YEAR:
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE COURT
1.VIBRO (HK) LTD ROBINSON RD, CENTRAL 12.9.90 APCO : FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 2,500 6TH WESTERN
2.MILK & HONEY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 18.1.91- 14.1.92 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST KWUN TONG
3.GREENWOOD RESTAURANT LTD PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0 22.1.91- 31.12.91 APCO : " 1,800 2ND KWUN TONG
4.HONG KONG PO KIT TOWEL TABLE CLOTH CLEANING SERVICE LTD HOW MING ST, KWUN TONG 23.1.91- 25.9.91 APCO : ” 1,000 1ST KWUN TONG
5.CHINA RESOURCES PETROLEUM & CHEMICALS CO LTD HARBOUR RD, WAN CHAI 28.2.91- 7.11.91 APCO : ” 4,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
6.BENNY’S CATERERS INT’L LTD CHE KUNG MIU RD, TAI WAI 22.3.91- 25.7.91 APCO : ” 1,500 1ST SHA TIN
/7.YOUNG .......
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
4
7.YOUNG PERM DEVELOPMENT LTD NGAU TAU KOK RD, KWUN TONG 12.4.Sill.5.91 APCO : 1,500 1ST KWUN TONG
8.CHOICE TIME DEVELOPMENT LTD SUN TUEN MUN SHOPPING CENTRE, TUEN MUN 12.4.91- 8.8.91 APCO : ” 2,000 1ST TUEN MUN
9.HERAEUS LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 17.4.91- 5.5.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST KWUN TONG
10.BLOOMCHEER LTD METROPOLIS PLAZA, SHEUNG SHUI 22.4.91- 3.9.91 APCO : ” 3,000 3RD FANLING
11.HANG HEUNG CAKE SHOP CO LTD TAI TONG RD, YUEN LONG 1.7.91- 31.7.91 APCO : " 2,000 2ND FANLING
12.YUMI YUMI CATERERS LTD NAM WAN RD, TAI PO 5.7.91- 3.9.91 APCO : ” 1,500 2ND SHA TIN
13.FOK TAI-FUK (TUG BOAT MASTER) WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE ABERDEEN 19.8.91 > DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF (PLUS ABOUT 750 2,500 CUBIC METRES COURT OF EXCAVATED CHARGE) MATERIAL AT SEA BETWEEN EAST NINEPIN ISLAND AND SOUTH NINEPIN ISLAND NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 2ND EASTERN
AND
WONG KAM-YAU OLD MAIN ST, ABERDEEN 19.8.91 DASO : ” 5,000 (PLUS 2,500 COURT CHARGE) 2ND i*
14.TOKWAWAN CHEERING PARADISE RESTAURANT LTD MA TAU CHUNG RD, TO KWA WAN 3.10.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 8,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
/15.K0WK MAN .......
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
5
15.KWOK MAN- KOK CHEUNG 4.10.91 NCO : ” 4,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
WANG ST, TAI KOK TSUI
16.SHING TAK-HING, DISCOVERY LASER LOUNGE HING LUNG 9.10.91 ST, CHEUNG CHAU WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO A COMMUNAL FOUL DRAIN WITHIN THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST WESTERN
17.KILOWAYS INVESTMENTS LTD MEI KING 10.10.91 ST, TO KWA WAN NCO : 25,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST SAN PO KONG
18.LAM FOR-SHING (TUG BOAT MASTER) KWONG FUK 22.10.91 RD, TAI PO DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF (PLUS ’ ABOUT 600 5,000 CUBIC METRES COURT OF DREDGED CHARGE) MARINE MUD AT SEA EAST OF TUNG LUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
19.CONTAI ENGINEERING CO LTD (LICENSEE) KAI HING 22.10.91 RD, KOWLOON BAY DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 6TH EASTERN
AND
PO AH-KAU (BARGE OPERATOR) YAU TONG 22.10.91 ESTATE, YAU TONG DASO : " 5,000 1ST EASTERN
/20.FONG WING .......
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
6
20.FONG WING KEE CO LTD HAU WONG RD, KOWLOON CITY 23.10.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 10,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
21.THE INCORPORATED OWNERS OF WALTON ESTATE WALTON ESTATE, CHAI WAN 30.10.91 NCO : " 10,000 1ST EASTERN
22.BANG BANG SNOOKER FRATERNITY ASSOCIATION LTD SAI YEE ST, MONG KOK 1.11.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2,500 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
23.HONG YIP SERVICE CO LTD GRANDEUR GARDEN, TAI WAI 5.11.91 NCO : " 3,000 1ST SHA TIN
24.YAU WAI-SHING (TUG BOAT MASTER) TSUI LAM 7.11.91 ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0 DASO : DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA BETWEEN FAT TONG KOK AND NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 4,500 1ST EASTERN
AND
LAM KAM-LEE (BARGE SAILOR) CHEUNG 7.11.91 KWAI ESTATE, CHEUNG CHAU DASO : ’’ 1,500 1ST EASTERN
25.MING KWAI DELUXE DRY CLEANERS TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, TSING YI 15.11.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
/26.WEALTH- .......
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
26.WEALTH- CODE LTD FU NING GARDEN, TSEUNG KWAN 0 26.11.91 APCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ORDER ON PROHIBITING THE USE OF FURNACES, ETC 300 1ST KWUN TONG
27.SAINT GALERIE TILES LTD TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TAI PO 26.11.91 WPCO : DISCHARGE WASTEWATER INTO STORMWATER DRAIN 8,000 2ND SHA TIN
28.WEALTH- CODE LTD FU NING GARDEN, TSEUNG KWAN 0 28.11.91 APCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ORDER ON PROHIBITING THE USE OF FURNACES, ETC 300 2ND KWUN TONG
29.CHUNG SHUN LAUNDRY CO ON HING STREET, YUEN LONG 30.11.91 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 3,000 1ST FANLING
30.REED CO LTD WHAMPOA GARDEN, HUNG HOM 3.12.91 APCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ORDER ON PROHIBITING THE USE OF FURNACES, ETC 1,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
31.MAY JADE CO LTD TING FU ST, NGAU TAU KOK 6.12.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 3,500 1ST KWUN TONG
32.WEALTH- CODE LTD FU NING GARDEN, TSEUNG KWAN 0 10.12.91 APCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ORDER ON PROHIBITING THE USE OF FURNACES, ETC 300 3RD KWUN TONG
/33.NEW YORK .......
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
8
33.NEW YORK DELI AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT LTD LAN FONG RD, CAUSEWAY BAY 13.12.91 NCO : FAILURE.TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 10,000 1ST EASTERN
34.GAMMON CONSTRUCTION LTD SHAN KWONG 15.12.91 RD, HAPPY VALLEY NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 6,000 2ND EASTERN
35.SIN WAI-KEUNG, BENSON SHAN KWONG RD, HAPPY VALLEY 15.12.91 NCO : PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 6,000 2ND EASTERN
36.HIGH PROSPEROUS DEVELOPMENT LTD TAI LOONG ST, KWAI CHUNG 19.12.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 15,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
37.LUCKY DRAGON RESTAURANT LTD CHOI WAN ESTATE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, NGAU TAU KOK 19.12.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 2ND KWUN TONG
38.ASCEND DYEING WORKS LTD FUI YIU KOK STREET, TSUEN WAN 20.12.91 APCO ! ” 6,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
39.WEALTH- CODE LTD FU NING GARDEN, TSEUNG KWAN 0 31.12.91 APCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ORDER ON PROHIBITING THE USE OF FURNACES, ETC 300 4 TH KWUN TONG
40.XIANG XING DYEING FTY LTD TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, 31.12.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
TSING YI
/41.SIN CHI-
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
9
41.SIN CHI-HUNG (TUG BOAT MASTER) HANG HAU 6.1.92 VILLAGE, CLEAR WATER BAY DASO : 2,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
42.CHIN HUAY FOODS CO (HK) LTD KWU TUNG VILLAGE, SHEUNG SHUI 8.1.92 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
43.TSANG KAI-SUM WHITTY STREET, SHEK TONG TSUI 8.1.92 NCO : 25,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND WESTERN
44.POFUNG FINISHING WORKS LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 9.1.92 APCO : 2,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST KWUN TONG
45.MILK & HONEY LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, TSUEN WAN 14.1.92 APCO : ” 8,000 3RD KWUN TONG
46.WEALTHCODE LTD FU NING GARDEN, TSEUNG KWAN 0 15.1.92 APCO : 300 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A COURT ORDER ON PROHIBITING THE USE OF FURNACES, ETC 5TH KWUN TONG
47.OWNSETS INVESTMENTS LTD BELCHER’S ST, KENNEDY TOWN 18.1.92 NCO : 10,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST WESTERN
/48.LEE TAI .......
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
10
48.LEE TAI BLEACHING & FTY LTD TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, TSING YI 21.1.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 5,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
49.SUN MEI UNIVERSAL LAUNDRY LTD TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, TSING YI 29.1.92 APCO : ” 20,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
50.WING HING LILYWHITFOAM FTY HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 28.2.91 APCO : ” 4,000 1ST KWUN TONG
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 NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT, ONE PERSON WAS PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE AND FINED $1,000.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID IN CASE 13, 18, 19, 24 AND’ 41, FIVE OF THE EIGHT PARTIES INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL DUMPING ACTIVITIES WERE FINED THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000. TWO PARTIES IN CASE 13 WERE REQUIRED TO PAY A COURT CHARGE OF $2,500 EACH AND THE TUG BOAT MASTER IN CASE 18 WAS REQUIRED TO PAY A COURT CHARGE OF $5,000.
IN RESPECT OF CONTAI ENGINEERING CO LTD IN CASE 19, IT IS A REPEAT OFFENDER AND HAS FIVE PREVIOUS CONVICTION. ITS DISPOSAL MALPRACTICES ARE MAINLY RELATED TO SHORT DUMPING, ACCEPTANCE OF WASTE FROM UNAUTHORISED SOURCES AND FLOATING REFUSE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE ADDRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING
PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL 810 2907
NCO MR STEVEN HO TEL 810 2800
WPCO CASE 16 MR MURRAY LUO TEL 835 1184
WPCO CASE 27 DR MIKE CHIU TEL 417 4101
WPCO CASE 42 DR ELLEN CHAN TEL 650 6955
DASO MR PATRICK LEI TEL 755 3553
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES EPD’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION.
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
---------0-----------
/Il........
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
11
SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN SHA TIN
♦ * * * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ON SUI WO ROAD, AREA 41A, SHA TIN.
OCCUPYING A 1,600-SQUARE-METRE SITE, THE FOUR-STOREY SCHOOL WILL HOUSE 100 STUDENTS.
THE PREMISES WILL COMPRISE 10 GENERAL CLASSROOMS, SEVEN SPECIAL CLASSROOMS AND THREE PARAMEDICAL ROOMS IN ADDITION TO STAFF FACILITIES.
A COVERED PLAYGROUND WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS JULY AND TAKE ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 4.
-------------0------- BOOK ON HK HERITAGE ON SALE *****
LOOKING AROUND HONG KONG, ONE MIGHT THINK IT HAD NO HERITAGE, CERTAINLY NOT ONE GOING BACK INTO PREHISTORY.
HOWEVER, IN A NEWLY RELEASED BILINGUAL PUBLICATION: "THE HERITAGE OF HONG KONG”, READERS WILL FIND OUT THE TRUTH THAT THERE ARE ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS AS OLD AS 6,000 YEARS, AS WELL AS MANY REMAINDERS OF LATER PERIODS.
PUBLISHED BY THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE, THE 77-PAGE BOOK CONTAINS LOTS OF COLOUR PHOTOS ON THE MARVELLOUS POSSESSION ON HONG KONG’S HERITAGE.
"THE HERITAGE OF HONG KONG" PROVIDES A FLAVOUR OF THE HUMAN , STORY IN THE HONG KONG AREA.
■. IT EXPLAINS HOW ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE TRIED TO PIECE TOGETHER
THE LIVES OF THE EARLIEST INHABITANTS FROM CLUES BURIED UNDERGROUND FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
IT DESCRIBES HOW THE REMAINS OF HONG KONG’S TIME AS A RURAL BACKWATER OF IMPERIAL CHINA CAN BE FOUND ALL OVER HONG KONG.
AND IT RECORDS THE REMINDERS OF HONG KONG’S EARLY BEGINNINGS AS ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC CITIES IN ASIA.
THE BOOK IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE SALES CENTRES OF URBAN COUNCIL AT $36 PER COPY.
- - 0 - -
/12
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
- 12 -
229 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME * * * * * *
A GROUP OF 229 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 96 MEN, 56 WOMEN, 40 BOYS AND 37 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 103RD BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 4,091 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 18,070 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0-------
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED * * t ♦
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON VU VAN-THANG AND BUI MINH-DUC ON MARCH 20, 1990 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO SENTENCES OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
VU AND BUI WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF DOAN VAN-HUNG.
- - 0-------------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS * * * * *
TENDER DATE 19 MAY 92 19 MAY 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q221 Y290
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,960 MN HKD 730 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.27 PCT 4.12 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.30 PCT 4.13 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 37 PCT ABOUT 36 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.35 PCT 4.16 PCT
/HCNG KONG .......
TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1992
13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 25 MAY 1992 -
TENDER DATE 26 MAY 92 26 MAY 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q222 H265
ISSUE DATE 27 MAY 92 27 MAY 92
MATURITY DATE 26 AUG 92 25 NOV 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$500 + 100 MN HK$200 + 60 MN
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 18.5.92 . 1,688
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 19.5.92 -1,023 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 323
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
♦ O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -700 MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED -323 MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.5 *-0.2* 19.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.99 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.48 4.57
1 MONTH 3.08 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.99 4.96
3 MONTHS 3.19 PCT 24 MONTHS 2405 5.50 100.79 5.14
6 MONTHS 3.48 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.01 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,472 MN
CLOSED 19 MAY 1992
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS ON DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME . 1
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.... 2
SECRETARY FOR WORKS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY .................... 6
SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS ON ADVISORY BODIES ..... 9
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION SYSTEM ...... 11
NEW PROCEDURES TO SETTLE COMPENSATION IN MINOR ACCIDENTS PROPOSED 13
BILL TO RETAIN LIMITED REGULATION OF BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS INTRODUCED................................................... 14
GOVT MOVING TOWARDS GREATER USE OF CHINESE IN COURTS....•.... 15
SLOPES STABILISATION WORKS IN PROGRESS ...................... 16
MEASURES TO FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME ON VARIOUS FRONTS ........... 17
LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS .......... 18
MORE THAN 2,900 POSTS SAVED OUT OF STUDIES .................. 20
WAITING TIME FOR EYE SURGERIES TO BE REDUCED................. 21
CRITERIA FOR EMPLOYING CONSULTANTS STRICTLY OBSERVED ........ 22
TRAINING FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ENCOURAGED ............... 23
WEST KOWLOON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL BE MONITORED......... 24
SQUATTER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME EFFECTIVE TO AVERT ACCIDENTS . 24
URBAN SQUATTERS TO GO BY MID-90'S ........................... 25
GOVT WATCHFUL OVER SUBSTITUTE TO CFCS ....................... 25
USE OF GIC SITES WILL BE OPTIMISED........................... 26
FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS MAY APPLY FOR STAY EXTENSION TO SEEK REDRESS ..................................................... 27
DEMAND FOR AIRPORT BUS SERVICE UNDER REVIEW ................. 28
/HOUSING SOCIETY
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
HOUSING SOCIETY DOES NOT APPLY FOR FUNDS IN 1992/93 ................ 29
COMMITTEES AIMED TO GIVE BEST ADVICE................................ 29
OVERTIME CONCEPT DIFFICULT TO APPLY ON MEDICAL INTERNS ............. 30
GOVT MAINTAINS RESTRICTIONS ON WATER CATCHMENT AREAS ............... 30
DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME MOTION PASSED ............................ 31
GOVERNOR VISITS ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ........ 33
1991/92 PAY TREND SURVEY ............................................. 33
BLOCK 26 OF BAGUIO VILLA READY FOR REOCCUPATION TOMORROW ............. 34
PUBLIC TRANSPORT - CUSTOMER MUST COME FIRST........................... 35
TOLO EXPORT SCHEME TO BENEFIT ENVIRONMENT............................. 35
LEGAL DEPARTMENT REVIEWING AGREEMENTS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS ........... 37
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY .................................. 38
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 39
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS * * * *
ON DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME * *
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT:
I AM MOST GRATEFUL TO THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN. THIS HAS, I BELIEVE, BEEN A THOUGHTFUL, INTERESTING AND USEFUL DEBATE. WE ARE MAKING CAREFUL NOTE OF WHAT MEMBERS HAVE SAID AND WILL TAKE THEIR VIEWS INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE COME TO CONSIDER HOW WE SHOULD PROCEED WHEN THE CONSULTATION PERIOD CLOSES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
I SHALL REFRAIN FROM COMMENTING ON SPECIFIC POINTS WHICH MEMBERS HAVE MADE, AS TO DO SO MIGHT PRE-EMPT OUR PROPER EVALUATION OF ALL THE SUBMISSIONS WHICH WE RECEIVE DURING THE PERIOD OF CONSULTATION. NEVERTHELESS, I FEEL I SHOULD SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON TWO IMPORTANT POINTS.
FIRST, I MUST AGAIN STRESS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET DECIDED WHETHER OR NOT A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG. AS THE CONSULTATION PAPER WE HAVE ISSUED IDENTIFIES, AND HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS, THE SUBJECT IS A COMPLEX ONE TO WHICH THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS. DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEMES HAVE THEIR DISADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS AS WELL AS THEIR ADVANTAGES. THERE IS A NEED, THEREFORE, TO WEIGH THESE CAREFULLY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG, BEFORE WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER SUCH A SCHEME WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR US.
THIS IS WHAT WE WILL BE DOING ONCE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD IS OVER, TAKING CAREFUL ACCOUNT OF ALL THE SUBMISSIONS WE HAVE RECEIVED. IF THERE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO PUT IN A SUBMISSION BUT WISH TO DO SO, I WOULD URGE THEM TO DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS THEY ONLY HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT, DESPITE THE WIDE PUBLICITY THE CONSULTATION PAPER RECEIVED, THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE STILL NOT AWARE THAT THEIR COMMENTS HAVE BEEN SOUGHT. IF THIS IS SO, THIS DEBATE MAY WELL HAVE HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF THE SUBJECT. THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH HAS AVAILABLE AMPLE COPIES OF THE PAPER IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE AND WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THEM TO ANY WHO ARE INTERESTED.
SECONDLY, I WISH TO REFUTE ANY SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT EMBARKED ON THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADDRESSING ANY SHORTCOMINGS IN OUR SUPERVISORY SYSTEM. WE HAVE A SOUND AND EFFECTIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FULLY MEASURING UP TO WORLD STANDARDS. OUR BANKS ARE IN GOOD HEALTH, PROFITABLE AND WELL-MANAGED. THE MAJOR REFORMS WE INTRODUCED TO THE MID-1980S HAVE FULLY PROVED THEIR WORTH AND HAVE ENABLED OUR BANKING SYSTEM TO EMERGE UNSCATHED FROM SEVERAL SUBSEQUENT SHOCKS. LET ME REITERATE THAT THE PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECTED BCC(HK) AROSE OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND SHOULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTED TO DEFICIENCIES IN OUR REGULATORY SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, THE BCCI GROUP CAME TO HONG KONG BEFORE OUR REGULATORY SYSTEM WAS REFORMED AND BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER HAS HIS PRESENT POWER IN RESPECT TO THOSE WHO COULD CONTROL AND RUN BANKS.
/THIS SAID .......
2
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
THIS SAID, WE CANNOT OF COURSE AFFORD TO STAND STILL AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF EVOLVING MARKETS AND WE SHALL CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS AND METHODS UNDER REVIEW. IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT THAT I INTRODUCED INTO THIS CHAMBER LAST MONTH THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WHICH SEEKS TO ENHANCE THE ROLE OF AUDITORS IN THE SUPERVISORY PROCESS. THERE WILL, I AM SURE, BE FURTHER REFINEMENTS WE WILL WISH TO MAKE FROM TIME TO TIME, FOR INSTANCE ARISING OUT OF THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE BASLE GROUP OF INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISORS IN THE WAKE OF THE CLOSURE OF THE BCCI GROUP, BUT THESE SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS DETRACTING FROM THE OVERALL ROBUSTNESS OF OUR PRESENT SUPERVISORY SYSTEM OR THE HEALTH OF OUR BANKING SYSTEM.
FINALLY, MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, LET ME TOUCH ON THE QUESTION TO WHICH SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE ALLUDED OF PROVIDING PRIORITY TO SMALL DEPOSITORS IN THE EVENT OF THE LIQUIDATION OF A BANK. WE WOULD EXPECT SUCH AN EVENT TO BE VERY RARE BUT, NEVERTHELESS, WE HAVE CONSIDERED SUCH A PROPOSAL WORTHY OF EXAMINATION AND, AS IDENTIFIED IN THE CONSULTATION PAPER, HAVE ASKED THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM TO LOOK AT THIS PROPOSAL. THEIR CONSIDERATION IS PROCEEDING IN PARALLEL WITH OUR CONSULTATION ON THE QUESTION OF A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME AND WE HOPE TO RECEIVE THEIR INITIAL VIEWS SHORTLY.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, THE MOTION BEFORE THE COUNCIL URGES THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER SERIOUSLY THE INTRODUCTION OF A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME. WE ARE INDEED CONSIDERING THE MATTER VERY SERIOUSLY BUT, LEST IT BE THOUGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY MADE UP ITS MIND ON THE SUBJECT, AND I HAVE ALREADY MADE CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE, THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS INTEND TO ABSTAIN WHEN THE MOTION IS VOTED UPON.
THANK YOU MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT.
---------0-----------
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
******
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
AS SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE RECALLED, THIS COUNCIL PASSED A MOTION ON l.MAY 1991 URGING THE ADMINISTRATION TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THREE ASPECTS, NAMELY, HAZARD PREVENTION; DISABILITY ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION; AND REHABILITATION. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, A JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WAS ESTABLISHED TO CONDUCT THE REVIEW. THIS WAS COMPLETED AT THE END OF 1991 AND THE JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE’S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS WERE PRESENTED TO OMELCO ON 6 JANUARY THIS YEAR. ALTHOUGH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS MIGHT NOT HAVE GONE AS FAR AS SOME MEMBERS WOULD LIKE, THEY WERE, NEVERTHELESS, POSITIVE AND PRACTICAL STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONS. THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SINCE BEEN PURSUING THE RECOMMENDATIONS WITH VIGOUR AND HAS UNDERTAKEN TO KEEP THE OMELCO PANELS ON HEALTH SERVICES AND MANPOWER INFORMED OF PROGRESS FROM TIME TO TIME.
/I HOPE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 3 -
I HOPE THIS BRIEF PREAMBLE WILL ASSURE MEMBERS THAT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IS AS CLOSE TO OUR HEART AS IT IS TO THEIRS. THE GOVERNMENT IS DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT SOME 100,000 OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS OCCURRED IN 1991, 48,000 ACCIDENTS IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS. THESE FIGURES ARE UNACCEPTABLY HIGH. WE WILL SPARE NO EFFORT IN SEEKING TO BRING IT RIGHT DOWN. BUT WE WILL NEED THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL CONCERNED, PARTICULARLY EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, IF WE ARE TO MAKE ANY REAL PROGRESS.
OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS ARE A PROBLEM FOR EVERYBODY. THEY CAUSE MUCH SUFFERING AND HARDSHIP TO THE AFFECTED EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES. TO EMPLOYERS THEY MEAN LOST PRODUCTIVITY, REDUCED OUTPUT AND COMPENSATION BILLS OR HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIA. AS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, EVERY NEW INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT BRINGS MORE CRITICISM AND PRESSURE FOR ACTION. SO ALL OF US HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN PREVENTING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS FROM HAPPENING.
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY : MONITORING AND PROSECUTION
LET ME TURN TO THE MOTION BEFORE US TODAY. IT HAS FOUR OPERATIVE PARTS. THE FIRST PART URGES THE ADMINISTRATION TO ENHANCE MONITORING AND STEP UP PROSECUTIONS. THIS IS AN AREA TO WHICH THE JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE DEVOTED ONE WHOLE CHAPTER OF ITS REPORT.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS GENERALLY WELL PLACED FOR THE MONITORING FUNCTION. ENFORCEMENT OF SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS IN THE 92,000 FACTORIES AND 4,000 CONSTRUCTION SITES IN HONG KONG IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WHICH HAS AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 217 STAFF. THEY WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE STAFF OF THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION WHOSE EXPERTISE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CALLED UPON IN INVESTIGATING SERIOUS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS, OR UNKNOWN FUMES AND CAISSON WORK. NEARLY 72,000 INSPECTIONS WERE MADE IN 1991 RESULTING IN 2,101 PROSECUTIONS AND FINES TOTALLING OVER $12 MILLION, COMPARED WITH 69,000 INSPECTIONS, 1,931 PROSECUTIONS AND FINES OF OVER $11 MILLION IN 1990.
BUT WHILE PROSECUTION CAN AND WILL BE STEPPED UP WHERE WARRANTED, IT IS NOT THE REAL ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. OUR CONCERN MUST BE TO KEEP THE RISKS OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS TO A MINIMUM. THIS DEPENDS GREATLY ON THE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES. THIS IS WHY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S STRATEGY FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF WORKPLACE SAFETY HAS PLACED INCREASING EMPHASIS ON EDUCATING EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SELFREGULATION AT THE WORKPLACE. WE BELIEVE THAT PUTTING THE EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, AND SUPPORTING IT WITH VIGOROUS INSPECTION AND PROSECUTION, IS THE RIGHT STRATEGY.
/CODES OF .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
4
CODES OF SAFETY PRACTICES
THE SECOND PART OF THE MOTION URGES THE ADMINISTRATION TO FORMULATE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, CODES OF SAFETY PRACTICES FOR VARIOUS TRADES AND TO CONSIDER INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE VARIOUS TRADES, IN PARTICULAR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, TO SET UP ’SAFETY COMMITTEES’.
THIS WORK IS ACTUALLY ON-GOING. TO DATE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED 10 CODES OF PRACTICE COVERING INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES IN PLASTICS, SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP-REPAIR, COTTON SPINNING, LEAD SMELTING, POWER PRESS OPERATION, DIVING, TUNNELLING, QUARRYING AND ASBESTOS WORK, AS WELL AS PROTECTION OF HEARING IN NOISY PROCESSES. ANOTHER 10 CODES ARE BEING DRAWN UP FOR THE MAJOR TYPES OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE EQUIPMENT. THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE DRAWING UP GUIDELINES ON OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS (OELS) FOR THE 231 CHEMICALS ALREADY LISTED IN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS. AS RECOMMENDED BY THE JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE, THE GUIDELINES WILL BE WRITTEN IN SIMPLE LAYMEN’S LANGUAGE AND DIFFERENT GUIDELINES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO DIFFERENT TRADES AND INDUSTRIES TO CATER FOR THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS. THE EIGHT INDUSTRY-BASED TRIPARTITE COMMITTEES OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL ARE ALSO ACTIVELY PRODUCING OR UPDATING GUIDELINES ON SAFETY PRACTICES FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, THE JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE EXISTING STATUTORY PROVISIONS ON SAFETY WOULD BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE IF THEY COULD BE REGULARLY UPDATED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF LATEST INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AND PRACTICES. A PRACTICAL WAY TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL IS TO LIFT THE DETAILED STANDARDS AND ADVICE OUT OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS REGULATIONS AND PUBLISH THEM AS FREE-STANDING CODES OF PRACTICE OR GUIDES FOR INDUSTRY. IT WILL BE EASIER AND FASTER TO UPDATE SUCH CODES OR GUIDES THAN TO AMEND STATUTORY REGULATIONS. THIS IS THE NEW DIRECTION IN WHICH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE WORKING.
ON THE QUESTION OF SETTING UP 'SAFETY COMMITTEES’, THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY HAS BEEN TO ENCOURAGE RATHER THAN TO COMPEL. SO FAR, 238 COMPANIES MOST OF WHICH EMPLOYING MORE THAN 100 STAFF HAVE ESTABLISHED SAFETY COMMITTEES. IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, SAFETY COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN 50 LEADING CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES WHICH TOGETHER EMPLOY OVER 80% OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN HONG KONG. FOLLOWING THE JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION, WE ARE EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF REQUIRING THE SETTING UP OF SAFETY COMMITTEES IN LARGER ESTABLISHMENTS. TO THIS END, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE CONSULTING THE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED, PARTICULARLY THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, BEFORE PUTTING FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR ENDORSEMENT BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNIZES THE MERIT OF SAFETY COMMITTEES AS A MEANS OF FORGING CLOSER COOPERATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS. HOWEVER, SOME 86% OF BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG ARE SMALL UNDERTAKINGS EMPLOYING FEWER THAN 20 WORKERS. THEY MAY HAVE VARYING DEGREES OF PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY IN FORMING SAFETY COMMITTEES. WE WILL NEED TO CONSIDER HOW TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM.
/INDUSTRIAL SAFETY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 5 -
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
THE THIRD PART OF THE MOTION CONCERNS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. I SHALL DEFER TO MY COLLEAGUE THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS TO COMMENT ON THIS ASPECT.
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY EDUCATION
THE FOURTH PART OF THE MOTION URGES THE ADMINISTRATION TO STRENGTHEN EDUCATIONAL AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY. WE FULLY ACCEPT THE NEED FOR DOING THIS.
THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RUNS REGULAR COURSES FOR MANAGERS, TECHNICIANS, FOREMEN AND OTHER SUPERVISORY STAFF TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE TO TACKLE SAFETY PROBLEMS. OF THE 30 COURSES ON OFFER NOW, 21 ARE RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION SAFETY.
THE CONCEPT OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY HAS ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED INTO SECONDARY SCHOOLS UNDER THE GENERAL CONCEPT OF SAFETY EDUCATION. BOOKLETS AND POSTERS ON SAFETY IN LABORATORIES AND WORKSHOPS, AND GENERAL SCHOOL CIRCULARS ON SAFETY MEASURES IN THE TEACHING OF CERTAIN SUBJECTS AND THE CONDUCT OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. IN ADDITION, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, HAS ESTABLISHED A COMMITTEE FOR THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN SCHOOLS. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE SUPPLEMENTED BY SAFETY TALKS TO STUDENTS AND SEMINARS FOR CAREER TEACHERS TO ENABLE THEM TO HELP SPREAD THE SAFETY MESSAGE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS AN ANNUAL "BOOK MARK DESIGN COMPETITION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY" FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS, AS WELL AS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED.
LET ME REITERATE IN CONCLUSION THAT THE GOVERNMENT FULLY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WILL SPARE NO EFFORT IN PROMOTING AND ACHIEVING IT. BUT THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT ALONE CAN ACHIEVE. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT RESTS PRIMARILY WITH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES THEMSELVES. THEY, MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE, HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN ENSURING SAFETY. I URGE THEM TO PLAY THEIR FULL PART, AS WE IN THE GOVERNMENT WILL PLAY OURS.
THANK YOU, MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT.
- - 0----------
/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 6 -
SECRETARY FOR WORKS ON * * ♦ *
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY * *
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
A BASIC CHANGE IN ATTITUDE TO CONSTRUCTION SAFETY IS NOW APPARENT. THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH OF LEAVING THE PROBLEM TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, AS THE LAW ENFORCER, AND TO THE CONTRACTOR, THROUGH A FEW GENERAL PROVISIONS IN THE CONTRACT, IS NOW SEEN AS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH. THE DEVELOPER MUST TAKE A POSITIVE INTEREST AND BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN MAKING THE CONSTRUCTION SITE A SAFE PLACE TO WORK. GOVERNMENT BEING A MAJOR DEVELOPER, IT FOLLOWS THAT WE SHOULD TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN RAISING THE GENERAL AWARENESS OF SITE SAFETY.
AS WE HAVE BEEN REMINDED TODAY BY SPEAKERS ACCIDENT RATES ARE AT AN UNACCEPTABLY HIGH LEVEL. WORKERS CONTINUE TO BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED, AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WITH GOVERNMENT ALSO IN THE LEAD MUST INTENSIFY ITS EFFORTS TO FIND SOLUTIONS.
CONSTRUCTION SITES INEVITABLY ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, AND ’THINKING SAFE’ MUST BE ONE OF MANAGEMENTS’ TOP PRIORITIES AND BE INSTILLED INTO THE ACTIONS OF EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL WHO ENTERS ANY CONSTRUCTION SITE. THIS MUST BE PART OF THEIR DAILY ROUTINE. AND THIS AWARENESS OF SAFETY MUST BE REFLECTED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.
GOVERNMENT’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE ’THINK SAFE’ MESSAGE IS INDIRECT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT PART OF THE CULTURE OF ORGANISING WORKS ON SITE. WE ARE HOWEVER ABLE TO LOOK FOR COMMITMENTS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS, WHICH ARE NEEDED TO IMPOSE ’THINK SAFE’ ON EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS SPEECH TO THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS IN MARCH THIS YEAR, IN FRONT OF THE MORE THAN 1,000 SENIOR PEOPLE FROM THE INDUSTRY, STATED: "WE MUST IMPROVE THE SAFETY RECORD IN CONSTRUCTION. THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN CONSTRUCTION. FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE EVEN LOSE THEIR LIVES IN ACCIDENTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES." SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY CONFERENCE LAST NOVEMBER AND REFERRING TO THE ACCIDENT STATISTICS OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS I SAID: "FRANKLY, THESE STATISTICS ARE SHAMEFUL TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY”.
THESE STATEMENTS ECHO GOVERNMENT'S FIRM COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING SAFETY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. THE WORKS BRANCH AND DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLIC WORKS, ARE CONTINUING TO REVIEW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ACHIEVE BETTER SITE SAFETY ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS. IN THIS REGARD, WH SHARE THE VIEWS EXPRESSED THIS EVENING THAT SAFE WORKING PRACTICES DEMAND STRONG INVOLVEMENT NOT ONLY FROM GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO FROM EMPLOYEES, PRIVATE EMPLOYERS, DESIGNERS AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS ALIKE.
/WE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
WE HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY PREPARING A SITE SAFETY MANUAL FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS. THE DRAFT HAS ALREADY BEEN CIRCULATED BY NAPCO. THE APPROACH ADOPTED FOR THE ACP PROJECTS IS -
(A) TO SECURE THE ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT OF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED, INCLUDING WORKS DEPARTMENTS, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, SUB-CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS UNIONS;
(B) TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS REQUIRING CONTRACTORS TO PREPARE AND IMPLEMENT A SITE SAFETY PLAN WHICH LOOKS AHEAD AT SAFETY RISKS FOR PREVENTATIVE ACTION TO BE MONITORED BY THE SITE SUPERVISORY STAFF;
(C) TO ARRANGE ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND SAFETY TRAINING;
(D) TO ESTABLISH CONTRACT SITE SAFETY COMMITTEES;
(E) TO ESTABLISH AN ACP SITE SAFETY STEERING COMMITTEE, INVOLVING MYSELF, WORKS DEPARTMENTS, LABOUR DEPARTMENT, NAPCO, HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION AND OTHERS SUCH AS THE PAA AND REPRESENTATIVES OF MTRC FORGING A BRIDGE BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE CONTRACTOR CONSORTIUM WILL ENGAGE IN ENGINEERS EXPERIENCED IN THE SAFE WORKING PRACTICES NEEDED FOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS TYPE;
(F) WE SHALL ALSO PUBLISH THE SITE SAFETY MANUAL TO ASSIST WORKS DEPARTMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF SITE SAFETY MATTERS ON ACP CONTRACTS.
BUT THE ACP CONTRACTS PROVIDE A SHARP WEDGE WHICH WILL BE DRIVEN HOME TO BENEFIT OTHER NON-ACP PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS. MEASURES WHICH ALREADY APPLY TO PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS INCLUDE:
(A) QUARTERLY REPORTING ON CONTRACTORS, WHICH INCLUDES SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND THE REGULAR REVIEW OF CONTRACTORS’ SAFETY RECORDS. ANY MAJOR SITE SAFETY PROBLEMS INVOLVED URGENT HIGH LEVEL MANAGEMENT DISCUSSIONS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. POOR SITE SAFETY PERFORMANCE WILL ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE ELIGIBILITY OF A CONTRACTOR TO TENDER FOR FURTHER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
(B) IN LARGER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, A WEEKLY REPORT IS PREPARED BY THE SAFETY OFFICER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS) REGULATIONS SO THAT MONITORING CAN BE CARRIED OUT BY THE SITE STAFF AND THE ENGINEER. SETTING UP OF "SAFETY COMMITTEES" ON SITE BY THE CONTRACTOR IS ALSO ACTIVELY PROMOTED.
(C) GUIDELINES ENSURE THAT ALL SITE STAFF RECEIVE SUITABLE TRAINING AND CONTINUING SAFETY EDUCATION.
/■(D) WORKS ............
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
8
(D) WORKS BRANCH RECEIVES RETURNS ON ACCIDENTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ON QUARTERLY BASIS AND WORKS DEPARTMENT ARE REQUIRED TO CLOSELY MONITOR CONTRACTS IF THERE IS A HIGH OCCURRENCE OF ACCIDENTS. THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUNG TRAINEES BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL INCLUDES INSTRUCTION ON SAFE WORKING AND THE USE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING:
(A) INSPECTION TEAMS, COMPRISING GOVERNMENT, THE CONTRACTOR AND SUB-CONTRACTORS, TO JUDGE WHETHER THE REQUIRED SAFETY MEASURES ARE BEING ACHIEVED. INDEPENDENT AUDITS MAY BE CARRIED OUT ON LARGER SITES.
(B) MEANS TO ENSURE THAT CONTRACTORS CLEARLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THEM SO THAT THEY CAN PRICE THEIR TENDERS IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT ALL CONTRACTORS WILL BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY ARE ALSO IN HAND.
(C) INTRODUCTION OF INCENTIVES AS WELL AS PENALTIES FOR CONTRACTORS AND SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
(D) CONTRACTORS MUST ALSO HAVE AN APPROVED SAFETY’POLICY, NOT ONLY TO GAIN ENTRY BUT ALSO TO MAINTAIN THEIR STATUS AS AN APPROVED CONTRACTOR ON OUR LISTS. PERFORMANCE ON SAFETY WILL BE GIVEN MUCH GREATER PROMINENCE IN DECIDING WHETHER REGULATING ACTIONS, SUCH AT SUSPENSION FROM TENDERING, SHOULD BE TAKEN.
IN OUTLINING THESE MEASURES TO YOU, I MUST AVOID GIVING ANY IMPRESSION THAT UNTIL RECENTLY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO IMPROVE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE. FROM MY OWN DIRECT EXPERIENCE, I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE INDUSTRY IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE NEED AND HAS MADE CONSIDERABLE EFFECTS TO PROMOTE THE CAUSE OF SITE SAFETY. WHAT WE ARE NOW PRESSING FOR IS A CONTINUATION AND A FURTHER STRENGTHENING OF THESE EFFORTS.
BUT I MUST UNDERLINE THE VIEWS OF SPEAKERS WHO WARN THAT THE NATURE OF THE SAFETY PROBLEMS SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. CONCERTED EFFORTS FROM ALL PARTIES INVOLVED: GOVERNMENT, DEVELOPERS, CONTRACTORS, SUB-CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WILL BE NEEDED TO BRING THE PROBLEM UNDER CONTROL. GOVERNMENT IN ITS ROLE AS A MAJOR DEVELOPER CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE ’THINK SAFE’ MESSAGE, AND WILL ALSO USE EVERY AVAILABLE MEANS TO INFLUENCE PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPERS, WHO MUST ALSO PLAY THEIR PART.
THANK YOU MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 9 -
SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS ON ADVISORY BODIES
******
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
I THANK ALL MEMBERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN FOR THE VIEWS THEY HAVE EXPRESSED. IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE IN THE TIME AVAILABLE TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THESE POINTS, THOUGH, I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT I HAVE TAKEN CAREFUL NOTE OF THEM ALL. THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY OF STATUTORY BODIES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES. SOME OF THEM ARE ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING EXPERT ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THEIR PARTICULAR AREAS OF CONCERN. OTHERS ARE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE A SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT WHERE IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY OFFERED BY A BODY OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE IS CONDUCIVE TO MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE PROVISION OF SERVICE. STILL OTHERS ARE ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. TOGETHER THEY FORM A KEY FEATURE OF OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, AS PRACTISED OVER THE YEARS, WHICH ALLOWS US TO DRAW ON THE BEST TALENTS AND EXPERTISE THAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY. THAT SYSTEM EVOLVES OVER TIME : IT DOES NOT STAND STILL. NEW BODIES AND COMMITTEES ARE CREATED FROM TIME TO TIME TO MEET THE COMPLEX NEEDS OF ADMINISTERING A MODERN SOCIETY OF 5.8 MILLION PEOPLE. OLD ONES ARE MODIFIED, OR REPLACED. THERE ARE CURRENTLY OVER 400 STATUTORY BODIES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBER AND WIDE VARIETY OF STATUTORY BODIES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES, IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO IMPOSE UNIFORM AND INFLEXIBLE RULES ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND DECLARATION OF INTERESTS. TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FIRST. IN ESSENCE, ALL STATUTORY BODIES AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT, SO STRICTLY SPEAKING IT CAN BE ARGUED THAT THEY ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR FUNCTIONS. BUT THAT IS A HIGHLY SIMPLIFIED WAY OF LOOKING AT THE ISSUE. ULTIMATELY, IN AN OPEN SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG ALL BODIES WHICH PERFORM A PUBLIC FUNCTION ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY. SOME OF THEM MAY NOT DO SO DIRECTLY, FOR EXAMPLE THROUGH A SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS. BUT THEY ARE SUBJECT, AS IS THE GOVERNMENT, TO PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS, EXPRESSED DIRECTLY TO THEM BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH THE MEDIA, OR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE BODIES. INDEED THERE ARE ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY REPORTS OF STATUTORY BODIES ARE LAID BEFORE THIS COUNCIL, AND IT IS OPEN FOR THIS COUNCIL TO DEBATE OR COMMENT ON THEM.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, 1 DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN ON THE GOVERNMENT’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THESE STATUTORY AND ADVISORY BODIES. THERE ARE WELL KNOWN PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THAT RELATIONSHIP :
- IT IS THE GOVERNMENT THAT ULTIMATELY DETERMINES POLICY.
- IT IS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT ENACTS THE LAWS AND APPROVES THE FUNDS FOR THESE BODIES WHERE SUCH LAWS AND FUNDS ARE NECESSARY.
/WHERE QUESTIONS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 10 -
- WHERE QUESTIONS ARE RAISED BY THIS COUNCIL ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THESE BODIES/COMMITTEES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO ANSWER FOR THEM.
I NOTE THAT DR HUANG AND MR TIE WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE DONE BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF STATUTORY BODIES. BUT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT FOR POLICY SECRETARIES TO DEAL WITH SUCH QUESTIONS REFLECT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RELEVANT STATUTORY BODIES AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IS ANSWERABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THOSE UNDERTAKING ON ITS BEHALF BY STATUTORY BODIES. THE RELEVANT SECRETARY WILL OF COURSE CONSULT THE STATUTORY BODIES CONCERNED BEFORE PROVIDING ANY ANSWER OR INFORMATION TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MATTERS AFFECTING THESE BODIES.
WITHIN THESE BROAD PARAMETERS, THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS GOVERNING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARTICULAR BODIES OR COMMITTEES ARE OF COURSE ADAPTED AND REFINED, HAVING REGARD TO THE NATURE OF THEIR ACTIVITIES AND THE NEEDS OF THE TIME. CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE AS CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT, NOT ONLY IN THEIR PRECISE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO IN THEIR STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION. ONE AREA WHICH WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT IS THE FEASIBILITY OF DEFINING THE PRECISE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND SOME STATUTORY BODIES MORE CLEARLY. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD DEAL WITH THESE RELATIONSHIPS PRAGMATICALLY, RATHER THAN MAKING CHANGES FOR DOCTRINAL REASONS. WE SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO LOOK OVER EVERYTHING 'THAT THEY DO, AND HOW THEY DO IT, FOR WE RISK DESTROYING THE VERY FLEXIBILITY THAT WE WISH TO ACHIEVE IN SETTING UP STATUTORY BODIES. WE MUST HANDLE THIS WITH CARE AND SENSITIVITY.
TURNING TO DECLARATION OF INTERESTS, THE GOVERNMENT IS OF COURSE FULLY ALIVE TO THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT DECISIONS ARE MADE IMPARTIALLY, AND THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE INTERESTS OF MEMBERS OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN CONSIDERING THEIR VIEWS AND ADVICE. HONG KONG IS RELATIVELY A SMALL AND COMPACT PLACE AND IT IS NOT HARD FOR THE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUALS TO BE KNOWN, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE OFFICIALLY DECLARED. SOMETIMES, INDEED, WE APPOINT INDIVIDUALS TO REPRESENT SPECIFIC INTERESTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES IN ORDER THAT THOSE INTERESTS MIGHT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, E.G. . THE RICE ADVISORY BOARD WHERE A NOMINEE OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL LOOKS AFTER THE INTERESTS OF THE CONSUMER. OTHER CASES WE NEED TO DRAW ON THE EXPERTISE OF THE PRACTITIONERS IN THE PARTICULAR FIELD OF ACTIVITY, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT NECESSARY TO APPOINT INDIVIDUALS WITH A PARTICULAR BACKGROUND AND INTEREST. THUS ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD ARE MANUFACTURERS OR EXPORTERS OF TEXTILES AND GARMENTS WITH IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THAT INDUSTRY. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THEY ACT AS INDUSTRIAL ADVISERS TO HONG KONG’S TRADE NEGOTIATORS. THESE ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE CIVIL AND MISCELLANEOUS LISTS, AND IT IS QUITE EASY TO FIND OUT.
/THAT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
11
THAT IS NOT TO SAY, HOWEVER, THAT THERE IS NOT A PLACE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOME SYSTEM OF DECLARATION OF INTERESTS WHERE IT IS NEEDED. THERE ARE INDEED ELABORATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN RESPECT OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS. THIS REFLECTS ALSO THE IMPORTANT POSITION THAT SUCH BODIES OCCUPY IN THE COMMUNITY. MOST STATUTORY AUTHORITIES/CORPORATIONS ALREADY HAVE SOME PROVISIONS, EITHER IN LAW OR IN ADMINISTRATIVE RULES, ON THE NEED TO DECLARE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. AND THE ICAC HAS JUST FORMULATED SOME GUIDANCE NOTES ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEES WHICH WILL BE FURTHER PURSUED. BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO IMPOSE A UNIFORM AND ELABORATE SYSTEM ON ALL BOARDS AND COMMITTEES. QUITE APART FROM BEING ADMINISTRATIVELY CUMBERSOME, AND POSSIBLY COSTLY, WE MUST TAKE CARE THAT WE DO NOT DAMPEN THE ENTHUSIASM OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. WE SHOULD LOOK AT EACH CASE ON ITS MERITS, AND DECIDE WHAT ARRANGEMENTS BEST SUIT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE. IN THIS RESPECT, WE WILL AS PART OF OUR ON-GOING PROCESS CONTINUE TO SEE WHERE IMPROVEMENTS MIGHT BE MADE.
A NUMBER OF MEMBERS REFERRED TO THE NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE IN GOVERNMENT’S APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES. THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS THAT MORE ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO SUCH BODIES. THERE ARE ALSO CONTRARY VIEWS THAT POLITICIANS SHOULD BE BARRED FROM SUCH BODIES. BUT AS I SAID IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION IN THIS COUNCIL EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON, OF APPOINTING THE BEST MAN OR WOMAN TO SERVE ON SUCH COMMITTEES, INDEED, GIVING A SHORT TIME BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1991 AND TODAY, WE HAVE APPOINTED SOME 15 ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SUCH BODIES. ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS NOW CHAIRED 12 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, I WOULD AGAIN ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION THANK ALL MEMBERS FOR EXPRESSING THEIR INTEREST AND THEIR VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT OF THIS ADJOURNMENT DEBATE. I ASSURE MEMBERS THAT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED. THANK YOU.
---------0-----------
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION SYSTEM
* * » * *
PART-TIME DOMESTIC HELPERS WHO ARE INJURED WHILE AT WORK WILL BE ABLE TO CLAIM EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION IF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 IS PASSED INTO LAW.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID PART-TIME DOMESTIC HELPERS WERE CURRENTLY EXCLUDED FROM THE PROTECTION OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
”AS A RESULT, THEY CAN ONLY SEEK REDRESS BY CLAIMING DAMAGES AT COMMON LAW IF THEY ARE INJURED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK." HE SAID.
/"IN VIEW .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
12
"IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING POPULARITY OF EMPLOYING PART-TIME DOMESTIC HELPERS, WE PROPOSE TO BRING THEM WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE ORDINANCE."
THE PROPOSED BILL ALSO SEEKS TO RE-DEFINE 'DEPENDANTS’ TO INCLUDE CHILDREN OF AN EMPLOYEE BORN AFTER HIS DEATH AND RETIRING PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WHO ARE LIKELY TO BE DEPENDENT ON THE EARNINGS OF THE DECEASED.
THE CURRENT DEFINITION OF ’DEPENDANTS’ IS CONFINED TO DEPENDENCY AT THE TIME OF THE EMPLOYEE’S DEATH.
UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, THE LEVELS OF PENALTY FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WILL BE REVISED SO THAT OFFENCES OF SIMILAR GRAVITY WILL CARRY THE SAME MAXIMUM PENALTY.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED: "THE REALIGNMENT IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE PROSECUTABLE OFFENCES WERE BROUGHT IN AT DIFFERENT TIMES BY VARIOUS AMENDMENT ORDINANCES WHICH SET DIFFERENT MAXIMUM PENALTIES.
"AFTER THIS REVISION, THE MAXIMUM FINES WOULD BE SET UNIFORMLY AT $5,000, $10,000 AND $20,000, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE
OFFENCES.
"THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 WOULD BE RETAINED FOR THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENCES OF FAILING TO SECURE INSURANCE COVER OR TO PRODUCE AN INSURANCE POLICY FOR INSPECTION."
THE EXISTING PENALTIES INVOLVING CUSTODIAL SENTENCES WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT BILL, HE ADDED.
MR CHAN ALSO INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE. THESE INCLUDE:
* CLARIFY THE TIME LIMITS WITHIN WHICH AN EMPLOYER MUST EFFECT COMPENSATION PAYMENT TO HIS EMPLOYEE OR ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT OF COMPENSATION WITH HIM;
* ALLOW AN EMPLOYER TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF ADVANCE PAYMENT IN DESERVING CASES AND DEDUCT IT AFTERWARDS FROM THE FINAL COMPENSATION THAT THE COURT OR THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MAY ORDER;
* EXTEND THE APPLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE TO AN EMPLOYEE INJURED WHILE WORKING FOR A FOREIGN EMPLOYER OUTSIDE HONG KONG, IF THAT FOREIGN EMPLOYER VOLUNTARILY SUBMITS HIS CASE TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE HONG KONG COURT;
* ENABLE AN ORDINARY ASSESSMENT BOARD TO ASSESS THE OVERALL
PERIOD OF ABSENCE FROM DUTY NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF THE
INJURY; AND
* PROVIDE THAT COMPENSATION PAYABLE UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO A
LEGALLY AIDED PERSON IS SUBJECT TO THE FIRST CHARGE
PROVISION IN THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE.
MR CHAN SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
/13 .....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
13
NEW PROCEDURES TO SETTLE COMPENSATION IN MINOR ACCIDENTS PROPOSED ♦ * * * *
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN SETTLING COMPENSATION IN CASES OF MINOR INJURY INVOLVING ABSENCE FROM DUTY OF NOT MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, AN EMPLOYER MAY AGREE WITH HIS EMPLOYEE ON THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION TO BE PAID WITHOUT THE NEED FOR MEDICAL CLEARANCE AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"THE KIND OF AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED IS OF A VERY SIMPLE AND STRAIGHT-FORWARD NATURE AND MAY TAKE EITHER A WRITTEN OR VERBAL FORM," MR CHAN SAID.
"TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEREST OF THE EMPLOYEE, THE BILL REQUIRES THE EMPLOYER TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT AND ALSO THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION AGREED WITH THE EMPLOYEE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
"THE COMMISSIONER WILL SEE TO IT THAT THE COMPENSATION AGREED DOES NOT FALL SHORT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE. IF NECESSARY, THE COMMISSIONER MAY CANCEL THE AGREEMENT AND SUBSTITUTE HIS ASSESSMENT INSTEAD."
SHOULD THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE FAIL TO REACH AN AGREEMENT UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURES, HE ADDED, THE COMPENSATION CLAIM CAN STILL BE PROCESSED IN THE OLD MANNER.
AT PRESENT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OPERATES A TWO-TIER SYSTEM OF MEDICAL CLEARANCE AND ASSESSMENT TO ASCERTAIN THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF INJURY SUSTAINED BY AN EMPLOYEE.
MEDICAL STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT INTERVIEW EVERY INJURED EMPLOYEE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND WHERE THE INJURY IS CONSIDERED LIKELY TO RESULT IN PERMANENT INCAPACITY, THEY REFER THE INJURED TO A STATUTORY ASSESSMENT BOARD.
MR CHAN CONSIDERED THIS SYSTEM OF MEDICAL CLEARANCE AND ASSESSMENT USEFUL IN CASES INVOLVING INJURY OF A MORE SERIOUS NATURE.
BUT FOR MINOR CASES INVOLVING ONLY A FEW DAYS’ SICK LEAVE, IT IS OBVIOUSLY A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY TO REQUIRE THE EMPLOYEES TO TAKE LEAVE FOR MEDICAL CLEARANCE AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND REQUIRE THEIR EMPLOYERS TO PAY THEM WAGES FOR THE ABSENCE FROM DUTY.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT THE NEW PROCEDURES DID NOT DEPRIVE EMPLOYEES OF EXISTING CHANNELS OF REDRESS, BUT OFFERED THE ADDED ADVANTAGE OF A SPEEDIER MECHANISM FOR SETTLEMENT OF MINOR INJURY CLAIMS.
THE PROPOSAL HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS AGREEABLE TO IT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
14
BILL TO RETAIN LIMITED REGULATION OF BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS INTRODUCED » * » « *
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO REPLACE THE SOCIETIES REGISTRATION SYSTEM BY A NOTIFICATION SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID AS IN ANY CIVILISED SOCIETY THE GOVERNMENT WISHED TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUALS TO FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION.
BUT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO NEEDED TO PROTECT CITIZENS FROM CRIMINAL, AND IN PARTICULAR TRIAD ACTIVITIES AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SECURITY, PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC ORDER AS PERMITTED UNDER ARTICLE 18 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
"THUS WE PROPOSE TO RETAIN LIMITED REGULATION OF BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 REQUIRES ALL SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS WHICH ARE NOT OTHERWISE APPROVED OR REGULATED TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT NOT LATER THAN 14 DAYS AFTER FORMATION.
FAILURE TO NOTIFY WILL BE AN OFFENCE BUT SOCIETIES WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT WILL NOT BE REGARDED AS UNLAWFUL AUTOMATICALLY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS CONFIDENT THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
THE PRESENT ORDINANCE EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER A SOCIETY ON A NUMBER OF SPECIFIED GROUNDS, INCLUDING WHERE A SOCIETY IS CONNECTED WITH AN OVERSEAS POLITICAL ORGANISATION.
MR STRACHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL PROPOSED TO SUBSTITUTE THIS BY A PROVISION WHEREBY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY MIGHT PROHIBIT THE OPERATION OF A SOCIETY IF HE CONSIDERS IT NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF SECURITY, PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC ORDER.
"THIS REQUIREMENT IS NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH CRIMINAL AND OTHER UNDESIRABLE SOCIETIES WHOSE OPERATIONS ARE PREJUDICIAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
"IT IS, FOR EXAMPLE, ESTABLISHED POLICY THAT WE DO NOT WANT HONG KONG TO BE USED BY OUTSIDERS FOR THEIR POLITICAL BATTLES AGAINST CHINA."
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO REAFFIRM THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THAT AS LONG AS THEY REMAIN WITHIN THE LAW, IT COULD NOT AND WOULD NOT TAKE ACTION AGAINST THEM, THE SECRETARY SAID.
/MR STRACHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
15
MR STRACHAN ADDED THAT THESE POLICIES WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO AMEND CERTAIN PRESUMPTIONS IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE REGARDING EXISTENCE, MEMBERSHIP, AND MANAGEMENT OF SOCIETIES BY RESTRICTING THEIR APPLICATION TO UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES ONLY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THIS WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE AND YET ENABLE THE POLICE TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR EFFECTIVE FIGHT AGAINST TRIADS.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO UPDATE FINES FOR VARIOUS TRIAD-RELATED OFFENCES.
THE SECRETARY SAID THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS THAT THE IMPRISONMENT PENALTIES OF SUCH OFFENCES SHOULD LIKEWISE BE REVIEWED TO ENSURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO BE GOOD DETERRENTS.
"WE SEE MERIT IN THIS AND WILL BE PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THIS EFFECT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
GOVT MOVING TOWARDS GREATER USE OF CHINESE IN COURTS
******
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT POLICY TO MOVE TOWARDS GREATER USE OF CHINESE IN THE COURTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES K.S. TO, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THIS WAS NOW IN PLACE IN THE LOWER COURTS, THAT IS, MAGISTRATES’ COURTS AND TRIBUNALS, AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE ENCOURAGED CHINESE-SPEAKING MAGISTATES TO CONDUCT TRIALS IN CHINESE.
IN THE HIGHER COURTS, BECAUSE OF THE GREATER COMPLEXITY OF THE LEGAL LANGUAGE USED THERE, ENGLISH CONTINUED TO BE THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH THE PROCEEDINGS WERE CONDUCTED.
"INTERPRETATION IS PROVIDED IN ALL CASES WHEN IT IS NEEDED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE CHINESE LANGUAGE WAS USED TO DIFFERENT EXTENTS IN COURTS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS.
ALMOST ALL THE TRIALS CONDUCTED BY SPECIAL MAGISTRATES WERE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE.
THESE TRIALS WERE FOR MINOR OFFENCES SUCH AS HAWKING AND LITTERING AND THEY FORMED A VERY LARGE PROPORTION OF ALL CASES DEALT WITH BY THE COURTS.
/THE VAST
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
16
THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASES DEALT WITH IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL AND THE LABOUT TRIBUNAL WERE ALSO CONDUCTED IN CHINESE, HE SAID.
CASES DEALT WITH BY PERMANENT MAGISTRATES MIGHT BE CONDUCTED IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH, OR PARTLY IN CHINESE AND PARTLY IN ENGLISH, DEPENDING ON THE CHOICE OF THE MAGISTRATE AND COUNSEL.
’’HOWEVER, NO STATISTICS ARE KEPT," THE CHIEF SECRETARY ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE LANGUAGE USED IN PROCEEDINGS IN HIGHER COURTS, SIR DAVID SAID BECAUSE OF THE GREATER COMPLEXITY OF THE LEGAL LANGUAGE USED, ENGLISH CONTINUED TO BE THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH THE PROCEEDINGS WERE CONDUCTED IN THE DISTRICT AND SUPREME COURT.
NEVERTHELESS, SECTION 5 (3) OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT ANY PARTY OR WITNESS IN ANY PROCEEDINGS IN ANY COURT MIGHT USE EITHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE OR ANY OTHER LANGUAGE AS THE COURT MIGHT PERMIT, HE ADDED.
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SLOPES STABILISATION WORKS IN PROGRESS *****
A LONG-TERM PROGRAMME OF GEOTECHNICAL STABILITY INVESTIGATIONS HAS BEEN IN PROGRESS DURING THE PAST 16 YEARS TO DEAL WITH 10,000 OR SO SLOPES OR ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN CATALOGUED ON A RISK PRIORITY BASIS.
OF THE 4,300 INVESTIGATED SO FAR, 880 REQUIRED PREVENTIVE WORKS AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON 750 SLOPES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"OF THE REMAINING 130, ON WHICH PREVENTIVE WORKS ARE IN HAND OR WILL COMMENCE SHORTLY, 35% ARE LOCATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, 10% IN KOWLOON AND 55% ON HONG KONG ISLAND," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE EXPLAINED THAT A SLOPE WAS ONLY CLASSIFIED AS DANGEROUS WHEN IT POSED AN IMMEDIATE AND OBVIOUS THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, IN WHICH CASE IMMEDIATE STEPS WERE TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND REMOVE THE DANGER.
"FOR OTHER SLOPES IT IS ONLY AFTER A DETAILED GEOTECHNICAL STABILITY INVESTIGATION THAT WE KNOW WHETHER OR NOT A SLOPE IS LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS DURING EXTREME RAINSTORMS," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID IF ANY SLOPE WAS OF IMMEDIATE AND OBVIOUS DANGER, IT WAS INJECTED IMMEDIATELY INTO THE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME AND MONITORED CLOSELY UNTIL WORKS HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THE SLOPE STABILISED.
/"EMERGENCY MEASURES .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
17
"EMERGENCY MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IF NECESSARY TO SAFEGUARD LIFE PRIOR TO COMPLETION," HE SAID.
FOR PRIVATELY-OWNED SLOPES IDENTIFIED AS REQUIRING PREVENTIVE WORKS, MR BLAKE SAID A STATUTORY ORDER WAS SERVED TO THE OWNERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
"THIS REQUIRES THAT AN APPOINTED AUTHORISED PERSON BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THE STABILITY OF THE SLOPE AND GIVING WARNING OF IMPENDING DANGER UNTIL PREVENTIVE WORKS ARE COMPLETED.
"A COPY OF THE STATUTORY ORDER IS POSTED AT THE SITE TO INFORM OCCUPANTS OF THE SITUATION," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1992/93, LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS WOULD BE IN PROGRESS ON A TOTAL OF 52 GOVERNMENT SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS AT AN ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF $66 MILLION.
IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT PREVENTIVE MEASURES WOULD BE COMPLETED FOR 20 PRIVATE SLOPES.
DURING THE 1991/92 FINANCIAL YEAR, LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES WERE COMPLETED AT 34 GOVERNMENT SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS, AND WORKS STARTED AT 21 OTHERS.
EXPENDITURE ON THE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME WAS $62 MILLION. ♦
DURING THE SAME YEAR, PREVENTIVE MEASURES WERE COMPLETED FOR 22 PRIVATE SLOPES.
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MEASURES TO FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME ON VARIOUS FRONTS * * » * *
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE MEASURES ON A NUMBER OF FRONTS TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY AND ENLIST PUBLIC SUPPORT TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR STRACHAN SAID THESE MEASURES INCLUDED MAINTAINING CLOSE LIAISON WITH CHINA, STEPPING UP POLICE PATROLS IN HIGH-RISK AREAS, IMPROVING POLICE EQUIPMENT; AND ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
HE SAID OVER THE YEARS THE HONG KONG POLICE AND MAINLAND PUBLIC SECURITY OFFICERS HAD BEEN WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER THROUGH REGULAR CROSS-BORDER LIAISON, VISITS, AND ON OCCASIONS, CO-ORDINATED OPERATIONS.
/HE POINTED........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
18
HE POINTED OUT THAT ON A RECENT VISIT TO CHINA BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, IT WAS AGREED THAT LIAISON BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES SHOULD BE STEPPED UP THROUGH A CHINESE POLICE LIAISON OFFICER BEING STATIONED IN HONG KONG.
ALSO, COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE HONG KONG POLICE AND CHINESE COUNTERPARTS IN GUANGDONG AND SHENZHEN ARE BEING STRENGTHENED TO CO-ORDINATE ACTION IN SERIOUS CASES.
"SUCH MEASURES SHOULD HELP TO ENSURE A BETTER FLOW OF INFORMATION ON THE MOVEMENT OF CRIMINALS AND OF FIREARMS ACROSS THE BORDER," HE SAID.
ON POLICE PATROLS, MR STRACHAN SAID THERE WERE MORE HIGH-PROFILE PATROLS IN HIGH-RISK AREAS AND SWIFT POLICE ACTION HAD RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF SEVERAL PERSONS CONNECTED WITH THE RECENT ARMED ROBBERIES.
TURNING TO POLICE EQUIPMENT, HE SAID A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED IN A RECENT POLICE REVIEW INCLUDING MORE EFFECTIVE AMMUNITION AND REVOLVERS, SPEED-LOADING EQUIPMENT AND A NEW STYLE OF HOLSTER.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING THESE PROPOSALS AS A MATTER OF URGENCY," HE SAID.
HE APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO JOIN FORCES WITH POLICE TO FIGHT CRIME, TO REPORT CRIME AND THEN, IF NECESSARY, GIVE EVIDENCE IN COURT.
TO THIS END, THE POLICE HAVE HELD MEETINGS WITH VARIOUS TAXI ASSOCIATIONS TO ENLIST THEIR ASSISTANCE.
DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES ALSO PROVIDE MANY USEFUL PROPOSALS ON WAYS TO COMBAT CRIME AND HELP DISSEMINATE THE MESSAGE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
DESPITE RECENT HIGH-PROFILE CASES OF ARMED ROBBERIES, HE SAID THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF SUCH ROBBERIES HAS DECREASED STEADILY DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THERE WERE 61 IN JANUARY, 32 IN APRIL.
- - 0 - -
LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THERE WAS A LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS.
MR CHAN SAID OPERATING WITHIN THIS FRAMEWORK, DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT INSPECTED SCHOOLS REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WERE MET.
/SUBJECT INSPECTORS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
19
SUBJECT INSPECTORS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ALSO VET THE SYLLABUSES AND TIME-TABLING ARRANGEMENTS OF NEW COURSES AND, IF NECESSARY, THEY WILL ADVISE ON THE SUITABILITY AND ADEQUACY OF TEACHING FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.
IN ADDITION, CIRCULARS ARE ISSUED TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM TIME TO TIME TO ADVISE THEM ON VARIOUS MATTERS CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF SCHOOLS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR CHAN SAID IF AN OPERATIONAL PROBLEM AROSE IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL OR A COMPLAINT WAS RECEIVED ABOUT ITS OPERATIONS, DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS WOULD INVESTIGATE, ADVISE OR TAKE FOLLOW-UP ACTION AS APPROPRIATE.
"WHERE SCHOOL CLOSURE IS INVOLVED, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ASSIST THE STUDENTS TO FIND SUITABLE PLACES IN OTHER SCHOOLS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
"IN PARTICULAR, LOCAL STUDENTS &HO ARE AGED 15 OR BELOW AND WHO ARE PURSUING A NORMAL PRIMARY OR JUNIOR SECONDARY CURRICULUM IN SUCH A SCHOOL WILL BE OFFERED PLACES IN A SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR," MR CHAN SAID. ♦
THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE AND THE EDUCATION REGULATIONS IMPOSE A RANGE OF LEGAL OBLIGATIONS ON OPERATORS OF SCHOOLS, INCLUDING PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT:
» SCHOOL PREMISES ARE STRUCTURALLY SAFE AND MEET ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF FIRE SAFETY, HEALTH AND SANITATION;
» EACH SCHOOL IS MANAGED PROPERLY BY A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT THE EDUCATION OF PUPILS IS PROMOTED IN A PROPER MANNER;
* NO PERSON SHALL TEACH IN A SCHOOL UNLESS HE IS A REGISTERED OR PERMITTED TEACHER;
* THE SYLLABUSES, TIMETABLES AND TIME ALLOCATION TABLES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION;
« ONLY THE APPROVED INCLUSIVE FEES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE AND ANY ADDITIONAL FEES THAT HAVE HAD THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ARE CHARGED; AND
* PROPER ACCOUNTS ARE KEPT BY SCHOOLS AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND ANY INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS.
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/20 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 20 -
MORE THAN 2,900 POSTS SAVED OUT OF STUDIES *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONDUCTED 48 VALUE-FOR-MONEY STUDIES FOR 27 BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, RESULTING IN THE SAVING OF MORE THAN 2,900 POSTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.C. KWONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK.
MR KWONG SAID ALL THE STUDIES HAD RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENT MEASURES IN TERMS OF STAFFING AND/OR OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES.
EXAMPLES OF THE MEASURES INTRODUCED WERE:
* IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW ACCOUNTING FRAMEWORK (OPERATING SERVICES ACCOUNT) FOR ELECTRICAL &. MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WORKSHOPS;
* MAJOR ORGANISATIONAL CHANGES TO REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT;
* THE INTRODUCTION OF MODERN OFFICE TECHNOLOGY IN INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT LEADING TO IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND SAVINGS IN STAFF;
* IMPROVEMENT TO METHODS AND PROCEDURES FOR STREET-CLEANSING IN BOTH URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND PROPOSALS TO CONTRACT OUT STREET-CLEANSING LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY;
* SIMPLIFYING HANDLING PROCEDURES AND RELAXING REVIEW CYCLES FOR A VARIETY OF SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCES ENABLING REVISION OF MANNING STANDARDS AND MERGING OF SMALLER FIELD UNITS;
* MODIFICATION OF INSPECTION FREQUENCIES, COMPUTERISATION OF FACTORY RECORDS FOR BETTER INSPECTION SCHEDULING AND CONTROLS IN THE WOMEN & YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT;
* INTRODUCTION OF MODERN OFFICE EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY IN TYPING POOLS;
* INTRODUCTION OF A CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SYSTEM IN CNTA TO ENABLE BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC;
* RATIONALISATION OF ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES TO ENABLE THE CLOSING OF SOME UNDERUTILISED PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES.
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/21........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 21
WAITING TIME FOR EYE SURGERIES TO BE REDUCED * * * * *
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS PLANNING TO INTEGRATE ITS EXISTING SERVICES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY IN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE A NETWORK OF THREE TERTIARY REFERRAL CENTRES AND EIGHT SECONDARY REFERRAL CENTRES FOR EYE SURGERIES.
THE PLAN WAS OUTLINED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THIS WOULD LEAD TO BETTER SERVICE CO-ORDINATION AND HELP TO REDUCE THE WAITING TIME FOR OPHTHALMOLOGICAL OPERATIONS.
DR LEE SAID THE WAITING TIME FOR SUCH OPERATIONS DEPEND ON THE NATURE AND SEVERITY OF THE DISEASE INVOLVED.
"WHILE OCULAR EMERGENCIES ARE NORMALLY HANDLED BY THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS, URGENT REFERRALS ARE ACCEPTED BY THE ARGYLE STREET OPHTHALMIC CENTRE, TANG CHI NGONG EYE CLINIC AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL," HE SAID.
"IN ALL CASES, SURGERY IS ARRANGED ALMOST WITHOUT WAITING OR WITHIN DAYS OR WEEKS DEPENDING ON THE DEGREE OF URGENCY INVOLVED."
PATIENTS OF NON-URGENT CASES SUCH AS CATARACT ARE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST.
THE WAITING TIME RANGES FROM BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX MONTHS AT THE SOUTH KWAI CHUNG CLINIC, EAST KOWLOON POLYCLINIC AND TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, TO BETWEEN 16 AND 18 MONTHS AT THE ARGYLE STREET OPHTHALMIC CENTRE, TANG CHI NGONG EYE CLINIC AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL.
DR LEE SAID PATIENTS WERE INFORMED OF THE WAITING TIME AND THEY MAY REQUEST FOR AN EARLY APPOINTMENT AT ANOTHER HOSPITAL OR CLINIC.
"REGULAR FOLLOW-UP CONSULTATIONS ARE PROVIDED TO THESE PATIENTS TO DETECT ANY DETERIORATION OF THEIR CONDITIONS AND TO PROVIDE PRIORITY ARRANGEMENTS WHERE APPROPRIATE,” HE ADDED.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
22
CRITERIA FOR EMPLOYING CONSULTANTS STRICTLY OBSERVED
*****
THE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING WHETHER CONSULTANTS ARE TO BE EMPLOYED RECOGNISE THE NEED TO KEEP IN-HOUSE RESOURCES FULLY OCCUPIED AND TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE LEVEL OF TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE WITHIN GOVERNMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID THE CRITERIA WERE WHETHER THERE WERE QUALIFIED STAFF WITH THE REQUISITE SKILLS AVAILABLE TO UNDERTAKE THE WORK IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND IF NOT, WHETHER THE LENGTH OF THE ASSIGNMENT JUSTIFIED THE RECRUITMENT OR TRAINING OF STAFF.
HE SAID OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURE AND APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTANTS WERE AWARE OF THE NEED TO STRICTLY OBSERVE THE CRITERIA.
THE SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTANTS FOR INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY WHO IS ADVISED BY THE CENTRAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION BOARD (CCSB) FOR GENERAL CONSULTANCY STUDIES.
APPROVAL WOULD ONLY BE GIVEN IF A DIRECTOR COULD DEMONSTRATE IN HIS WRITTEN SUBMISSION THAT THERE WAS A CLEAR NEED TO EMPLOY A CONSULTANT HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN-HOUSE RESOURCES AND THE NATURE OF THE TASK ITSELF, THE SECRETARY SAID.
ALSO, HE HAS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE PROPOSAL HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE RELEVANT POLICY BRANCH, AND NO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT HAS THE RESOURCES TO UNDERTAKE THE WORK.
AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THE SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANTS HAS BEEN DELEGATED TO THE ENGINEERING AND ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS SELECTION BOARD (EACSB) AND THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS SELECTION BOARD (AACSB) RESPECTIVELY.
THE NUMBER OF CONSULTANCIES COMMISSIONED SINCE APRIL 1990 AND
THEIR COSTS ARE:
NO. COST
HK$ MILLION
GENERAL CONSULTANCIES (CCSB) : 43 269
ENGINEERING & ASSOCIATED CONSULTANCIES : (EACSB) 131 2,155
ARCHITECTURAL & ASSOCIATED : CONSULTANCIES (AACSB) 28 114
TOTAL : 202 2,538
0 /23
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
23
TRAINING FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ENCOURAGED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A NUMBER OF MEASURES SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT ENCOURAGING HEADS OF KINDERGARTENS TO RELEASE THEIR TEACHERS FOR TRAINING, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE OFFERING A VARIETY OF MODES OF ATTENDANCE AND TRAINING TIMES TO SUIT DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, HE ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN NG MING-YUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR CHAN SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROVIDED INDIRECT ENCOURAGEMENT BY ALLOWING KINDERGARTEN OPERATORS TO INCREASE FEES TO COVER THE INCREASED STAFF COSTS.
"A NEW KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1990-91 TO ASSIST NEEDY PARENTS SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE DETERRED BY THE INCREASED FEES FROM SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO KINDERGARTENS.
"THE SCHEME WAS ENHANCED IN THE 1991-92 SCHOOL YEAR."
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IS ALSO CONSIDERING FURTHER MEANS OF ENCOURAGING THE MOVE TOWARDS A BETTER QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHING FORCE AND IS EXPECTED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS IN ITS FIFTH REPORT TO BE RELEASED SHORTLY.
MR CHAN SAID THE NUMBER OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN COURSES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN EACH OF THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IS 960.
FURTHERMORE, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC RUNS A CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION WHICH HAS AN ANNUAL INTAKE OF ABOUT 130.
STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS TRAINED IN 1988-89, 1989-90 AND 1990-91 WERE 227, 224 AND 226 RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS TRAINED IN THE SAME THREE-YEAR PERIOD WERE 484, 274 AND 358.
THE ACTUAL INTAKE AND CAPACITY OF THE TRAINING COURSES WERE 758 AND 960 IN 1988-89, 526 AND 960 IN 1989-90, AND 659 AND 1,020 IN 1990-91 RESPECTIVELY.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS FROM TRAINED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS CONCERNING DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING JOBS OR IN OBTAINING THE NORMATIVE SALARIES DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, MR CHAN SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
WEST KOWLOON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL BE MONITORED
*****
A CONSULTANT WILL BE EMPLOYED BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR IN A NEW WEST KOWLOON ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OFFICE TO MONITOR THE MEASURES TAKEN TO MINIMISE AIR, WATER AND NOISE POLLUTION FROM CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN WEST KOWLOON.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FUNG KIN-KEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE CONSULTANT WOULD REPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING ANY POLLUTION PROBLEMS THAT ARISED.
THE CONSULTANT WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RECOMMENDING REMEDIAL ACTION AND LIAISING WITH THE PROJECT ENGINEERS TO IMPLEMENT SUCH ACTION.
MR EASON SAID CONDITIONS WERE CONTAINED AND WOULD BE CONTAINED IN THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WORKS CONTRACTS REQUIRING THE SUPERVISING ENGINEER TO MINIMISE POLLUTION.
TO DO THIS, TRAINED STAFF USING EQUIPMENT AND METHODS AGREED WILL BE EMPLOYED BEFORE WORK COMMENCES.
"CONDITIONS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED TO MINIMISE WATER AND NOISE POLLUTION, SUPPRESS DUST, AND ENSURE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE METHODS ARE USED FOR DISPOSING OF WASTES.
"IF POLLUTION IS DETECTED, THE ENGINEER MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE WORK UNTIL IT IS ABATED," MR EASON SAID.
- - 0 - -
SQUATTER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME EFFECTIVE TO AVERT ACCIDENTS
AN IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME THAT PROVIDES BASIC SERVICES AND SAFETY FACILITIES IN SQUATTER AREAS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING FIRES, SERIOUS LANDSLIPS AND FLOODING.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
INTRODUCED IN 1983, THE PROGRAMME COVERED 99 SQUATTER AREAS AT A TOTAL CAPITAL COST OF $182 MILLION AND WAS COMPLETED IN 1990.
/THE PROGRAMME
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
25
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED FIRE PREVENTION EDUCATION, THE PROVISION OF FIREBREAKS AND DRAINAGE FACILITIES, THE INSTALLATION OF FIRE MAINS AND HYDRANTS IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS, AND THE CLEARANCE OF SQUATTER DWELLINGS MOST VULNERABLE TO LANDSLIPS.
MR EASON SAID A FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMME OF REGULAR INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR HAD BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ENSURE THEIR CONTINUED EFFECTIVENESS UNTIL THE SQUATTER AREAS WERE CLEARED.
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URBAN SQUATTERS TO GO BY MID-90’S ******
UNDER A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME FROM 1992/93 TO 1995/96 AN AVERAGE OF 14,500 URBAN SQUATTERS WILL BE CLEARED EACH YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING, THE SECRETARY SAID THE CLEARANCE OF SQUATTER HUTS ON GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE URBAN AREA SINCE 1984 HAD REDUCED THE SQUATTER POPULATION FROM 183,000 TO 56,000.
HE SAID THE AIM WAS TO COMPLETE THE CLEARANCE OF ALL SQUATTER AREAS IN THE URBAN AREA BY THE MID-1990’S.
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GOVT WATCHFUL OVER SUBSTITUTE TO CFCS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS KEEPING CLOSE WATCH ON DEVELOPMENT OF A DIRECT SUBSTITUTE TO CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS) AS REFRIGERANT IN EXISTING AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION PLANTS.
• THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THIS FIELD WAS BEING PURSUED BY SCIENTISTS WORLDWIDE AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN ABOUT A YEAR’S TIME.
’’THE MOST ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE THE ADOPTION OF A DIRECT SUBSTITUTE TO THE REFRIGERANT IN THE EXISTING PLANT WITH ONLY LIMITED ALTERATION TO THE PLANT THEMSELVES,” HE SAID.
CFCS COMMONLY USED AS REFRIGERANTS IN AIR-CONDITIONING PLANTS ARE REGARDED AS OZONE DEPLETING AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTING TO GLOBAL GREENHOUSE WARMING.
/SINCE THE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
26
SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE IN 1989, MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF CFC ESCAPING TO THE ATMOSPHERE INCLUDING THE USE OF RECYCLING ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT.
PLANTS OPERATING WITH REFRIGERANTS OTHER THAN CFC HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
THE SECRETARY SAID THESE INCLUDED THE HCFC CENTRIFUGAL CHILLERS AT THE KAI TAK AIRPORT AND THE WANCHAI TOWER 3, AND THE LITHIUM BROMIDE ABSORPTION CHILLER AT QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.
THE HCFCS HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OZONE DEPLETION AND GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL.
IN THE ABSORPTION SYSTEM, WATER IS USED AS A REFRIGERANT WHICH IS CFC-FREE.
IN THE LONGER TERM, MR BLAKE SAID CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO REPLACING ALL EXISTING INSTALLATIONS BY HCFC-22 AND ABSORPTION CHILLERS.
HE SAID A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT $500 MILLION AND AN ADDITIONAL ENERGY COST OF $30 MILLION A YEAR WERE REQUIRED IF HCFC-22 WAS TO BE PURSUED.
THE CORRESPONDING CAPITAL COST AND ADDITIONAL ENERGY COST PER YEAR WERE $920 MILLION AND $490 MILLION FOR ABSORPTION CHILLERS.
THE SECRETARY SAID A TWO-YEAR RE-FITTING PROGRAMME WAS EXPECTED FOR EITHER OPTION.
ADDITIONAL PLANT ROOM SPACE WOULD INVARIABLY BE REQUIRED, WHICH MIGHT NOT PERMIT THE REPLACEMENT OR MODIFICATION OF THE PLANTS IN ALL CASES.
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USE OF GIC SITES WILL BE OPTIMISED *****
THE USE OF GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY (GIC) SITES IS KEPT UNDER REVIEW TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF END-USERS.
WHERE SITES ARE FOUND TO BE UNDER-UTILISED, STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO OPTIMISE THEIR USE, IF NECESSARY, BY REDEVELOPMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOTING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISED THE NEED TO OPTIMISE LAND USE, MR EASON SAID LAND USE OPTIMISATION WAS ALSO ASSISTED BY INCLUDING GIC USES WITHIN COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES OR REVISED USE PROJECTS ON GIC SITES WHERE IT WAS ACCEPTABLE BOTH TO THE USERS AND THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
/GIC FACILITIES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
27
GIC FACILITIES ARE NORMALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE END-USER.
HE SAID THE INTENSITY TO WHICH GIC SITES WERE DEVELOPED WAS GENERALLY DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A SCHEDULE OF ACCOMMODATION RELATED TO THEIR USE AND PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, THE SITE REQUIREMENTS OF A SCHOOL ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF A GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, OR A POLYCLINIC, OR A DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION, ETC.
’’PLOT RATIO IS THUS NOT A DETERMINING FACTOR IN DECIDING HOW AND TO WHAT INTENSITY GIC SITES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED,” MR EASON SAID.
NOR WAS IT APPROPRIATE TO COMPARE THE DEVELOPMENT INTENSITY OF GIC SITES WITH THAT OF INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL SITES BY REFERENCE TO PLOT RATIOS, THE SECRETARY ADDED.
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FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS MAY APPLY FOR STAY EXTENSION TO SEEK REDRESS *****
FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS WHOSE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN TERMINATED PREMATURELY ARE NORMALLY PERMITTED TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG FOR TWO WEEKS SO AS TO SETTLE THEIR AFFAIRS AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO LEAVE HONG KONG.
BUT IF THEY HAVE A GENUINE REASON TO STAY BEYOND THE TWO WEEKS PERMITTED, SUCH AS THEY HAVE BEEN UNFAIRLY TREATED AND ARE SEEKING REDRESS, THEY MAY APPLY FOR AN EXTENSION OF STAY IN ORDER TO PURSUE A CLAIM AGAINST THEIR FORMER EMPLOYERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ELSIE TU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THE CURRENT PERIOD OF EXTENSION RANGED FROM FIVE TO 17 WEEKS DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF INDIVIDUAL CASES AND A STANDARD FEE OF $115 WAS CHARGED FOR EACH EXTENSION.
UPON RECEIPT OF A REQUEST FROM A FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL NORMALLY ARRANG ■. CONCILIATION MEETINGS WITHIN FOUR WEEKS.
LAST YEAR, IT DEALT WITH 908 SUCH CASES, OF WHICH TWO-THIRDS WERE SETTLED AFTER CONCILIATION.
BUT IF THE DISPUTE IS SUBSEQUENTLY BROUGHT TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, THE WAITING TIME FOR THE HEARING COULD BE UP TO FOUR MONTHS.
IN ANY CASE, MR CHAN SAID, FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS ARE NOT NORMALLY ALLOWED TO WORK FOR NEW EMPLOYERS DURING THIS WAITING PERIOD.
/FOREIGN DOMESTIC
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 28 -
FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS ARE ALLOWED TO CHANGE EMPLOYMENT ONLY IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN UNFAIRLY TREATED OR WHEN AN EMPLOYER IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE WITH THE CONTRACT BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES, EMIGRATION, TRANSFER ABROAD OR DEATH.
’’THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH CASE TO SEE WHETHER THERE ARE STRONG HUMANITARIAN OR COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS TO JUSTIFY EXCEPTIONAL TREATMENT,” HE SAID.
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DEMAND FOR AIRPORT BUS SERVICE UNDER REVIEW ******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP THE DEMAND FOR AN AIRPORT BUS SERVICE UNDER REVIEW, TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF GROWING HOTEL ACCOMMODATION IN MONG KOK AND YAU MA TEI.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID AN AIRPORT BUS SERVICE (AIRBUS ROUTE A4) FOR MONG KOK WAS INTRODUCED BY KMB IN JANUARY 1990. THE SERVICE WAS LATER EXTENDED TO THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL.
HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE LOW UTILISATION AND SUSTAINED FINANCIAL LOSS, THE SERVICE WAS CANCELLED IN MAY LAST YEAR FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE YAU-TSIM DISTRICT BOARD.
DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR, KMB TESTED A NEW SERVICE (AIRBUS ROUTE A8) FROM KAI TAK TO THE MTR PRINCE EDWARD STATION. ONLY 15% OF THE AVAILABLE CAPACITY WAS TAKEN UP.
AS 10 OF THE 11 HOTELS IN MONG KOK AND YAU MA TEI HAD THEIR OWN * TRANSPORT SERVICES TO KAI TAK, MR LEUNG SAID THERE WAS THEREFORE NO PLANS AT THIS STAGE TO INVITE INTERESTED PARTIES TO OPERATE AN AIRPORT BUS SERVICE FOR WEST KOWLOON.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 29 -
HOUSING SOCIETY DOES NOT APPLY FOR FUNDS IN 1992/93
******
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE HOUSING SOCIETY HAD NO PLANS TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE GOVERNMENT DURING 1992-93.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, MR EASON SAID THE HOUSING SOCIETY’S RENTAL AND FLATS-FOR-SALE PROJECTS WERE FUNDED FROM ITS OWN RESOURCES.
IT IS OPEN TO THE SOCIETY TO APPLY TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR LOW-INTEREST LOANS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND FOR ITS RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING AND URBAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, HE SAID.
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COMMITTEES AIMED TO GIVE BEST ADVICE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL AIMS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMPOSITION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP ARE SUCH AS TO PROVIDE, IN EACH CASE, THE BEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE ADVICE TO IT* IN THEIR AREAS OF CONCERN.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THIS MAY MEAN, IN SOME CASES, THAT MEMBERSHIP ARE DRAWN FROM A BROAD SPECTRUM OF THE COMMUNITY, WHILE IN OTHERS MEMBERSHIP ARE DRAWN FROM PARTICULAR SECTORS WITH THE RELEVANT EXPERTISE," HE SAID.
WHILE THERE IS NO UNIVERSALLY APPLICABLE POLICY OF APPOINTING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES, MR SZE STRESSED THAT MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL WAS NOT A BAR TO APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED IN THE BEST MAN AND WOMAN FOR THE JOB.
AT PRESENT, OVER 400 ADVISORY COMMITTEES GIVE ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE.
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/30 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
30
OVERTIME CONCEPT DIFFICULT TO APPLY ON MEDICAL INTERNS
*****
IT IS DIFFICULT TO APPLY THE CONCEPT OF OVERTIME ON HOSPITAL INTERNS GIVEN THE NEED TO PROVIDE THEM WITH GOOD EXPOSURE AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW WONG, DR LEE SAID THE WORK SCHEDULE OF INTERNS WAS DRAWN UP BY THEIR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING NEEDS.
’’APART FROM SCHEDULED DUTIES WITHIN OFFICE HOURS SUCH AS OUTPATIENT CLINICS AND WARD ROUNDS, THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO BE ON CALL IN THE HOSPITAL TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS,” HE SAID.
"ACCOMMODATION IS PROVIDED TO THEM FOR THIS PURPOSE BUT THE FREQUENCY OF SUCH ON-CALL DUTIES WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS AND DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES WITHIN EACH HOSPITAL ACCORDING TO THEIR ACTIVITY LEVEL AND CASE MIX.”
IN DISCHARGING THEIR DUTIES, DR LEE SAID INTERNS WERE SUPERVISED BY THE DUTY MEDICAL OFFICER, SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER OR CONSULTANT IN-CHARGE TO ENSURE THAT THE STANDARD OF SERVICE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS WAS MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES.
THE 12-MONTH INTERNSHIP PERIOD IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR THESE MEDICAL GRADUATES BEFORE THEY BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR FULL REGISTRATION UNDER THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
SUCH TRAINING IS ALSO REGARDED AS A CONTINUATION OF EDUCATION FOR INTERNS WHO ARE SUPERVISED BY THE MEDICAL SCHOOLS OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES DURING THIS PERIOD.
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GOVT MAINTAINS RESTRICTIONS ON WATER CATCHMENT AREAS
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION TO LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON EXISTING WATER CATCHMENT AREAS IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO PRESERVE VALUABLE SOURCES OF WATER, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG, MR BLAKE ASSURED THAT THE RESTRICTIONS WERE IMPOSED IN A MANNER THAT NEVERTHELESS DID RESULT IN FAIR AND REASONABLE DIVISION BETWEEN WATER CATCHMENT AND OTHER USES.
HE SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT POLICY TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING WATER CATCHMENT AREAS FOR THE TERRITORY AS THEY PROVIDED THE GATHERING GROUNDS FOR AN IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE SOURCE OF WATER SUPPLY.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
31
HE SAID ONE-THIRD OF THE WATER SUPPLY CAME FROM THE NATURAL YIELD FROM THESE AREAS.
"IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO RELY SOLELY ON THE SUPPLY FROM CHINA, WHICH IS EXTRACTED FROM A SINGLE RIVER SOURCE AND IS PROVIDED THROUGH A DELIVERY SYSTEM OVER A LONG DISTANCE.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID ANY LOSS OF WATER FROM THE GATHERING GROUNDS IN HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE GOOD BY BUYING MORE WATER FROM CHINA.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT WHILE RESTRICTIONS ON CATCHMENT AREAS MUST BE IMPOSED TO ENSURE A HIGH QUALITY OF WATER FROM THE CATCHMENT AREAS, A FLEXIBLE APPROACH WAS ADOPTED TO MAXIMISE THE UTILISATION OF LAND TERRITORY-WIDE.
"SUCH CONTROLS WILL OF COURSE VARY DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES," THE SECRETARY SAID.
GENERALLY, ANY EXISTING USE OF CATCHMENT AREAS WAS LARGELY MAINTAINED AND THE RESTRICTION WAS MORE STRICT ON CROWN LAND THAN ON LEASED LAND.
"MORE STRINGENT CONTROL IS IMPOSED IF A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS NEARER TO THE POINT OF WATER COLLECTION OR A RESERVOIR. LESSER RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO COMMUNITY-WIDE DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES."
WHERE DEVELOPMENT WAS PERMITTED, MR BLAKE SAID VERY STRINGENT CRITERIA WERE IMPOSED TO ENSURE NO POLLUTION OF THE WATER RUN-OFF WITHIN THE CATCHMENT AREA.
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DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME MOTION PASSED
* * * * *
A MOTION ON THE DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME WAS PASSED BY LEGISLATORS AFTER A TWO-HOUR DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TWENTY-ONE LEGISLATORS SPOKE ON THE MOTION MOVED BY PROFESSOR THE HON EDWARD CHEN. THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY WAS ALSO PASSED.
FOURTEEN MEMBERS DEBATED THE MOTION AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, AND THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
/IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
32
IN ADDITION, SEVEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY MEMBERS OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND STATUTORY BODIES.
THE DEBATE WAS RAISED BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA. THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THREE BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGCO. THEY WERE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND AERIAL ROPEWAYS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992 AND SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
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/33 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
33
GOVERNOR VISITS ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT * ♦ * * *
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, WAS BRIEFED THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON ON HOW GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE CHARGED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVCIES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) UNDER A NEW COMMERCIALISATION SCHEME TO PROMOTE GREATER EFFICIENCY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THEIR VEHICLES.
LORD WILSON, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR MIAO CHI, VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE WORKSHOPS IN HAPPY VALLEY.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE ’’OPERATING SERVICES ACCOUNT” INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT AT ITS VEHICLE WORKSHOPS LAST MONTH.
PREVIOUSLY, THE DEPARTMENT HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY, AND PROVIDED THE NECESSARY FUNDS, FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ALL GOVERNMENT VEHICLES.
UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO PAY EMSD COMMERCIAL RATES FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS FROM THEIR OWN BUDGETS.
’’THE IDEA IS TO MAKE EMSD MORE EFFICIENT BY PLACING ITS OPERATION ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS. DEPARTMENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE IMPROVED SERVICE,” LORD WILSON SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO EXTEND THE OPERATING SERVICES ACCOUNT TO ITS OTHER SECTIONS SUCH AS ITS AIR-CONDITIONING ’AND ELECTRICAL WORKSHOPS NEXT YEAR.
- - 0 - -
1991/92 PAY TREND SURVEY
*****
THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE MET TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO CONSIDER THE FINDINGS OF THE 1991/92 PAY TREND SURVEY.
THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY MR ANDREW K.W. SO, A MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE SURVEY, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED BY THE PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT, MEASURED PAY TRENDS IN A SELECTED GROUP OF 65 COMPANIES DURING THE PERIOD APRIL 2, 1991 TO APRIL 1, 1992.
IT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT INCREASES RELATING TO COST OF LIVING, GENERAL CHANGES IN MARKET RATES, COMPANY PERFORMANCE, MERIT AND INSCALE INCREMENT.
THE COMMITTEE ACCEPTED THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FOLLOWING AVERAGE PAY INCREASES WERE AWARDED BY THE SURVEYED COMPANIES :
/ll.81% FOR
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 34 -
11.81% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING LESS THAN $8,340 PER MONTH;
12.06% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN $8,340 AND $25,565 PER MONTH;
12.50% FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN $25,566 AND $51,700 PER MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE HAS EMPHASISED THAT THESE FIGURES WERE THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF PAY TRENDS IN THE PRIVATE COMPANIES.
PAY ADJUSTMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS A SEPARATE MATTER AND THE LEVEL OF THE ADJUSTMENT IS DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS.
THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE STAFF SIDES OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL, THE MODEL SCALE 1 STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL, THE POLICE FORCE COUNCIL AND THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL.
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BLOCK 26 OF BAGUIO VILLA READY FOR REOCCUPATION TOMORROW *****
ALL RESIDENTIAL UNITS OF BLOCK 26, BAGUIO VILLA IN POKFULAM CAN BE REOCCUPIED TOMORROW (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SAID TODAY.
A NOTICE OF EXPIRY OF THE CLOSURE ORDER SHALL BE POSTED ON THE BUILDING AT 6 AM TOMORROW AND OCCUPANTS CAN REOCCUPY THEIR FLATS AFTER THEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HOWEVER, EXCEPT FOR THE LIFT LOBBY AND EXIT PASSAGES, ALL NON-RESIDENTIAL AREAS ON THE PODIUM LEVEL AND BELOW, INCLUDING ALL CAR PARKING AREAS, SHALL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, HE SAID.
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/35 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
PUBLIC TRANSPORT - CUSTOMER MUST COME FIRST ******
THE GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO PUT THE CUSTOMER FIRST AND TO RESPOND TO DEMANDS FOR IMPROVED SERVICES BY UPGRADING QUALITY AND KEEPING THEIR SERVICES WITH RISING COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT MUST AND DOES MAINTAIN A REGULATORY ROLE TO ENSURE THAT THE SERVICES PROVIDED ARE SAFE, EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH TRANSPORT POLICY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR JOHN TELFORD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON "TRANSPORT - PUTTING THE CUSTOMER FIRST" HOSTED BY THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG.
"THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN ENCOURAGING INITIATIVE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING ADEQUATE CONTROLS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, MR TELFORD SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED A POLICY OF INTER-MODAL CO-ORDINATION, GIVING PRIORITY TO THE MASS CARRIERS AND YET MINIMISING WASTEFUL COMPETITION.
"BUT OUR APPROACH DOES ALLOW FOR HEALTHY .COMPETITION TO STIMULATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO REVIEW AND’ IMPROVE THEIR SERVICES CONSTANTLY, AND TO IDENTIFY AND MEET CHANGING MARKET DEMANDS," HE SAID.
MR TELFORD SAID ALL MAJOR TRANSPORT COMPANIES HAD NOW INTRODUCED BETTER CUSTOMER RELATION ARRANGEMENTS WHICH VARIED FROM ATTENDANCE AT DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS AND CONDUCTING OPINION SURVEYS TO ESTABLISHING CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRES AND PASSENGER LIAISON GROUP.
"MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE, BUT A PROMISING START HAS BEEN MADE IN PUTTING THE CUSTOMER FIRST,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
TOLO EXPORT SCHEME TO BENEFIT ENVIRONMENT *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RELEASED DETAILS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF A SCHEME TO TAKE EFFLUENT FROM SHA TIN TREATMENT WORKS TO THE KAI TAK NULLAH.
THE TREATMENT WORKS PURIFIES THE SEWAGE BY FULL BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT WITH 90% NITROGEN REMOVAL SO THAT IT MEETS THE SAME STANDARDS AS ARE USED IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA.
/DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
36
DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT HAVE SHOWN THAT THE SCHEME IS THE MOST RELIABLE WAY TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION OF TOLO HARBOUR, BUT IT WILL NOT HARM ANY PART OF VICTORIA HARBOUR.
”WE DON’T NEED DRINKABLE WATER TO IMPROVE VICTORIA HARBOUR,” SAID PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL HOLMES.
HE SAID THE SCHEME WOULD TAKE OVER ONE TONNE OF NITROGEN POLLUTANT AWAY FROM THE SENSITIVE WATERS OF TOLO HARBOUR EVERYDAY.
"TOGETHER WITH IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESSES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED, THIS WILL CUT THE POLLUTION LOAD ON TOLO HARBOUR BY HALF. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY THAT COULD ACHIEVE THIS RESULT SO EFFICIENTLY.
"THE RESULT OF TOLO HARBOUR WILL BE BETTER WATER QUALITY, LESS RED TIDES, AND AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL ENCOURAGE THE RETURN OF NATURAL MARINE LIFE.
"THE FISHING INDUSTRY WILL BENEFIT, AND SO WILL THE THOUSANDS OF REGULAR VISITORS WHO WISH TO ENJOY PLEASANT COUNTRYSIDE FREE FROM THE INTRUSION OF URBAN POLLUTION.
"THE PURIFIED EFFLUENT WILL BE PUMPED INTO THE KAI TAK NULLAH. THIS NULLAH IS VERY HEAVILY POLLUTED AT PRESENT, AND ANOTHER PROJECT UNDER THE SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN FOR EAST KOWLOON WILL STOP MUCH OF THIS POLLUTION. •
STAGE I OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED IN MID-1994 AT THE COST OF $484 MILLION.
MR HOLMES POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPORT SCHEME WOULD IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE NULLAH.
"THE SEWAGE EFFLUENT IS SO THOROUGHLY TREATED BEFORE IT LEAVES SHA TIN THAT IT WILL BE MUCH BETTER THAN THE WATER IN THE NULLAH. IT WILL INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN IN THE NULLAH BY ABOUT HALF : THIS IS ONE OF THE KEY INDICATORS OF THE HEALTH OF A BODY OF WATER.
"EVENTUALLY, THE PURIFIED EFFLUENT FROM SHA TIN WILL FLOW OUT INTO VICTORIA HARBOUR. BECAUSE THE WATER IS DISPERSED RAPIDLY BY TIDES AND CURRENTS, THERE WILL BE NO TIME FOR HARMFUL RED TIDES TO GROW.
"THIS IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM TOLO HARBOUR, WHERE THE SHAPE OF THE INLET CAUSES POLLUTANTS TO ACCUMULATE AND ENCOURAGES RED TIDES TO GROW.
"WHILE CARRYING OUT THIS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO WORKING ON ITS STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME.
"THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS SCHEME, WHICH WILL COLLECT AND TREAT 80% OF THE SEWAGE LOAD THAT NOW GOES INTO VICTORIA HARBOUR, WILL COMPLETE IN 1997 AT A COST OF ABOUT $3.1 BILLION," HE SAID.
-------0----------
/37........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
37
LEGAL DEPARTMENT REVIEWING * *
AGREEMENTS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS
* » * «
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS AT PRESENT CARRYING OUT ITS ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE AGREEMENTS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS WHOSE AGREEMENTS HAVE AT LEAST ONE YEAR TO RUN BEFORE EXPIRY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IT WAS THE INTENTION OF THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT IF IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE AGREEMENT OF AN OFFICER WAS NOT TO BE RENEWED, THAT OFFICER WOULD BE GIVEN AMPLE NOTIFICATION TO PLAN HIS OR HER CAREER.
THE CURRENT REVIEW IS STILL IN PROGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT IS EXPECTED TO FORWARD ITS RECOMMENDATION TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE AGREEMENTS OF ABOUT 20 OFFICERS AT VARIOUS RANKS WILL EITHER NOT BE RENEWED ON EXPIRY BETWEEN OCTOBER 1993 AND SEPTEMBER 1994, OR IN CERTAIN CASES BE EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR.
"THIS WILL GIVE THE OFFICERS AT LEAST MORE THAN A YEAR OR IN SOME CASES MORE THAN TWO YEARS TO PLAN THEIR CAREER," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S LOCALISATION POLICY, PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO LOCAL CANDIDATES AT THE RECRUITMENT LEVEL, AND IN CONSIDERING WHETHER TO RENEW THE CONTRACT OF AN OVERSEAS OFFICER.
MORE LOCAL OFFICERS IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ARE- EXPECTED TO BECOME SUITABLE TO FILL POSTS AT SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL AND DIRECTORATE LEVELS AS A RESULT OF TWO SCHEMES INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO SPEED UP THE PACE OF LOCALISATION.
THE DOUBLE LADDER SCHEME, AIMED AT PROMOTING LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL WITH POTENTIAL TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL, WAS IMPLEMENTED AT THE END OF 1988.
AS A RESULT, THE NUMBER OF LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL HAS GONE UP TO THE PRESENT 65 (46.8%) OUT OF A TOTAL OF 139, COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF 23 (23%) OUT OF A TOTAL OF 99 AS AT THE END OF 1988.
THE DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN THE MIDDLE OF 1991,.WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING THE PROMOTION POTENTIAL OF LOCAL OFFICERS TO FILL DIRECTORATE POSTS.
THE GROOMING PERIOD IS FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS CONSISTING OF TWO ELEMENTS, ABOUT SIX MONTHS TRAINING OR ATTACHMENT TO A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BRANCH, FOLLOWED BY ABOUT 12 MONTHS ACTING APPOINTMENT IN A DIRECTORATE POST.
UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME, SEVEN LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL ARE ACTING IN DIRECTORATE POSTS WHILE FOUR OTHERS HAVE BEEN ATTACHED TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
ANOTHER LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IS ATTACHED TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN GENEVA.
/AT PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
AT PRESENT SEVEN OUT OF A TOTAL STRENGTH OF 50 DIRECTORATE COUNSEL ARE LOCAL.
MEANWHILE, THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT HAS RECRUITED SOME OVERSEAS OFFICERS ALONG WITH SIX LOCAL OFFICERS AT THE CROWN COUNSEL LEVEL TO FILL VACANCIES.
WHILE PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO LOCAL CANDIDATES AT RECRUITMENT, OVERSEAS CANDIDATES WILL BE APPOINTED ONLY WHEN THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATES TO MEET OPERATIONAL NEEDS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT WITHOUT FILLING THE VACANT POSTS, THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED LEVEL OF SERVICE.
- - 0 - -
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY ******
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 22) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE COMMITTEE’S PAPERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE READING FROM 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE OMELCO PRESS OFFICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENT OF THE PAPERS WILL BE EMBARGOED FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING ENDS.
- - 0 - -
/39
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1992
- 39 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 19.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 20.5.92 +207
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -207
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +300 *
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 21.5.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.5*+O.O* 20.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1W 2.54 PCT 18M 2311 6.25 102.48 4.57
IM 2.82 PCT 21M 2402 5.50 101.03 4.93
3M 3.11 PCT 24M 2405 5.50 100.84 5.12
6M 3.41 PCT
12M 4.00 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 12.929MN
CLOSED 20 MAY 1992
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPOSAL TO PHASE OCT RENT CONTROL BY 1994 ....................... 1
REVIEW OF POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE ................................. 4
LBAC MEETING ON LAND ASSESSMENT .................................. 6
CONCERTED EFFORTS ESSENTIAL TO REHABILITATION SERVICES ........... 8
PUBLIC CONCERNS ABOUT NUCLEAR SAFETY WILL NOT DISAPPEAR OVERNIGHT: SES ............................................................ 9
STUDY ON SCIENCE PARK COMMISSIONED .............................. 10
APPLICATION FEES FOR CERTAIN TRADE LICENCES, DOCUMENTS AND SERVICES TO BE REVISED.................................................. 11
OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE WITH CHINA IN 4TH QUARTER AND 1991 ..... 13
HK TO ATTEND PACIFIC ECONOMIC CC-OPERATION COUNCIL .............. 17
HEFTY FINE FOR UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ...................... 18
LICENCE REQUIRED FOR MARINE FISH TRANSPORTATION ................. 18
TWO HIGH COURT JUDGES APPOINTED ..................•.............. 19
REGIMENT RECRUITMENT EXERCISE TO CLOSE SOON ..................... 20
135 RETURN TO VIETNAM ........................................... 21
46 PASS MEDICAL LICENTIATE EXAM ................................. 21
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS VISIT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ........... 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...... 23
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
PROPOSAL TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROL BY 1994 ******
PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROL BY THE END OF 1994 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT MONTH, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
BUT HE EMPHASISED THAT THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) WOULD CONTAIN A NUMBER OF SAFEGUARDS FOR AFFECTED TENANTS.
FOR INSTANCE, THE LAW WILL ALLOW THE NEW INCREASES AND THEIR TIME-FRAME TO BE ADJUSTED RELATIVELY EASILY SHOULD UNFORESEEN MARKET FORCES THREATEN ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR SPECIFIC LEVELS OF PERMITTED INCREASES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO ALLOW CONTROLLED RENTS TO RISE CLOSE TO MARKET RENTS.
IN ADDITION, TENANTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY SECURITY OF TENURE IF THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY MARKET RENTS AFTER DECONTROL.
ALSO, THOSE TENANTS DISPOSSESSED ON THE GROUNDS OF REDEVELOPMENT ARE PRESENTLY ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION AT TWICE THE 1983 RATEABLE VALUE OF THEIR PREMISES PLUS REMOVAL 'COSTS AND THE VALUE OF FITTINGS, ALTHOUGH IN MOST CASES LANDLORDS ARE PREPARED TO PAY MORE.
IN FUTURE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEVEL WILL BE INCREASED TO A MULTIPLE OF 1.3 OF THE CURRENT RATEABLE VALUE. THIS WILL ROUGHLY DOUBLE THE CURRENT LEVEL OF STATUTORY COMPENSATION AND WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY EVEN AFTER THE PRESENT CONTROLS ON RENT END IN 1994.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT PROPOSED CHANGES WILL AFFECT THE RENT CONTROL MECHANISMS IN BOTH PARTS I AND I1 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER PART I WHICH COVERS PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE PERMITTED RENT IS CURRENTLY 48 TIMES THE PRE-WAR RENT. THIS WILL BE REVISED TO 55 TIMES IN 1992, 65 IN 1993 AND 75 IN 1994.
HOWEVER, THE BILL ALSO SPECIFIES A MINIMUM RENT IN EACH OF THESE YEARS. THIS WILL BE 60% OF PREVAILING MARKET RENT IN 1992, 75% IN 1993 AND 92.5% IN 1994.
NO RENT INCREASES CAN BE MADE WITHIN 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE LAST INCREASE.
AS FOR PART II, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS RELATES TO TENANCIES CREATED BEFORE JUNE 10, 1983 IN THOSE POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES BUILT BEFORE JUNE 19, 1981 WITH A 1983 RATEABLE VALUE OF LESS THAN $30,000.
/THE RENTS .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 2 -
THE RENTS FOR THESE PREMISES MAY ONLY BE INCREASED ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS BY NOT MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR CURRENT PAYMENTS OR UP TO 70% OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT WHICHEVER IS THE GREATER.
THIS MINIMUM RENT WILL BE INCREASED TO 77.5% IN 1992, 85% IN 1993 AND 92.5% IN 1994.
TURNING TO THE NUMBER OF PREMISES WHICH WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE DECONTROL PROPOSALS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT NOW STOOD AT ONLY 39,000 WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 4% OF ALL PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL FLATS.
THIS NUMBER IS DIMINISHING AT THE RATE OF SOME 5,000 A YEAR OWING TO REDEVELOPMENT AND REPOSSESSION.
BECAUSE OF THIS DWINDLING FIGURE COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT TENANTS IN RENT CONTROLLED APARTMENTS ARE ONLY PAYING AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 60% OF MARKET VALUE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO MAINTAIN INDEFINITELY A POLICY OF GIVING THE BENEFITS OF REDUCED RENTS TO A SMALL MINORITY OF HOUSEHOLDS AT THE EXPENSE OF LANDLORDS WHO MIGHT BE DISCOURAGED FROM MAINTAINING AND REFURBISHING THEIR PREMISES.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT WHEN RENT CONTROLS WERE FIRST INTRODUCED THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE TEMPORARY MEASURES TO PROTECT TENANTS FROM EXCESSIVE RENT INCREASES.
FOR THIS REASON, THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN THE PAST REGULARLY AND PUBLICLY DECLARED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE DECONTROL OF RENTS WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOWED.
AN IMPORTANT INDICATION THAT THIS GOAL CAN BE ACHIEVED AT THE END OF 1994 IS THAT THE ONGOING HIGH PRODUCTION OF HOUSING IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS HAVE PRODUCED A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE SUPPLY OF, AND THE DEMAND FOR HOUSING AS EVIDENCED BY THE MODEST MOVEMENT IN DOMESTIC RENTS IN RELATION TO PRICES.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT SHOULD THERE BE UNFORESEEN CHANGES IN MARKET FORCES DURING THE PERIOD LEADING TO DECONTROL, OR IF HARDSHIP IS CAUSED TO TENANTS, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL ALLOW FOR- THE ADJUSTMENT OF BOTH THE TIME-FRAME FOR DECONTROL AND THE LEVEL OF ANNUAL INCREASES BY A SIMPLE RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/RENT CONTROL .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 3 -
Rent Control Mechanisms under Parts I and II Of the landlord and Tenant (ConsolidatxonY Ordinance
Part I control
toalisailofl Tenancies in pre-war
domestic premises
2A?-.t..XJ_.C.on.tX&X
Tenancies created before 10 June 1983 in 2SSt=liar domestic premises:
(a) built before 19 June 1981 and
(b) with a rateable value of less than $30,000 in 1983.
PJtL«mAn.aJ;^.Qn
(a) Current Maximum Rent
System
48 times the Standard Rent (rent payable on 25 December 1941) provided it does not exceed the prevailing market rent (PMR).
MiD-imum_JRent .
Not specified
Maximua.,gen.t
la3 times the current rent provided it does not exceed the prevailing market rent (PMR) or is not less than the Minimum Rent.
Minimum Rent
70% of the prevailing market rent.
(b) Proposed Changes
To increase progressively the standard rent multiplier and tc specify a minimum level of controlled rent, as follows! To increase the percentage governing the minimum rent in steps, as follows: Minimum X^ar font.
Standard Rent x Minimum X&&C MlJtlRjUA. font... _ 1992 1993 77.5% Of PMR 85% Of PMR 92.5% of PMR
1992 55 60% -o'f PMR 1993 > > 65 75% of PKR 1994 '75 92.5% Of pMR 1994
Provided that the rent determined by a multiple of the standard rent is not less than the Minimum Rent.
No rent, increase can be made within 12 months from the date of the Jest increase. No rent increase can be made within 24 months from the date of the last increase.
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 4 -
REVIEW OF POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE
*******
POLICE POWERS TO STOP, SEARCH, ARREST AND DETAIN SUSPECTS ARE TO BE MODIFIED TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
THE EXISTING POWERS ARE CONTAINED IN THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE, ONE OF THE SIX PIECES OF LEGISLATION EXEMPTED FROM THE OPERATION OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE WHEN IT CAME INTO EFFECT ON JUNE 8, 1991. THE EXEMPTION EXPIRES NEXT MONTH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID MEASURES BEING PROPOSED IN THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WOULD MEET PROVISIONS IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO ARBITRARY ARREST OR DETENTION, OR UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH HIS PRIVACY.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT THE CHANGES WOULD NOT AFFECT THE ABILITY OF THE POLICE TO COMBAT CRIME.
"THE PROPOSALS STRIKE A SENSIBLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE POLICE POWERS ON THE ONE HAND AND THE NEED TO MEET THE CONCERN OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ON THE OTHER."
"UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE POLICE MAY ARREST WITHOUT A WARRANT ANY PERSON WHO MAY BE CHARGED WITH OR WHOM THE’POLICE OFFICER REASONABLY SUSPECTS OF HAVING COMMITTED ANY OFFENCE, REGARDLESS OF HOW TRIVIAL THE OFFENCE IS," HE SAID.
"THE PROPOSALS LIMIT THESE POWERS TO SITUATIONS WHERE AN OFFICER SUSPECTS THE PERSON HAS COMMITTED AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT ON FIRST CONVICTION; AN OFFENCE CARRYING A DEATH PENALTY OR LIFE IMPRISONMENT; AND ANY OFFENCE IF PROOF OF IDENTITY OR PERMANENT ADDRESS CANNOT BE ASCERTAINED FOR SERVING SUMMONS."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE POWER TO SEARCH AN ARRESTED PERSON WOULD ALSO BE MODIFIED.
"UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, THE SEARCH AND SEIZURE MUST BE LIMITED TO THINGS OF VALUE TO THE INVESTIGATION OF A SUSPECTED OFFENCE COMMITTED BY THE ARRESTED PERSON. THIS FOLLOWS COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES," HE ADDED.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT RELATES TO THE POWER OF ENTRY, SEARCH, SEIZURE AND DETENTION UNDER A WARRANT ISSUED BY A MAGISTRATE.
IT IS PROPOSED TO RESTRICT THESE POWERS TO SEARCHING FOR AND SEIZING ARTICLES THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE OF VALUE IN THE INVESTIGATION OF AN OFFENCE. HOWEVER, THE POWER OF ARREST OR AT LEAST TEMPORARY DETENTION IS TO BE RETAINED.
"WE CONSIDER IT IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE THIS POWER TO GUARD AGAINST ANYONE DESTROYING VALUABLE EVIDENCE OR TIPPING OFF ASSOCIATES ELSEWHERE WHO MAY BE CONNECTED WITH THE OFFENCE," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
/HOWEVER UNDER .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 5
HOWEVER UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, POLICE OFFICERS CAN ONLY DETAIN PERSONS WHO, IF NOT DETAINED, MIGHT PREJUDICE THE PURPOSE OF THE SEARCH, AND ONLY FOR SUCH PERIOD AS IS REASONABLY REQUIRED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SECTION 54 WHICH COVERS THE POWER TO STOP, SEARCH AND DETAIN, WOULD BE SPLIT UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION INTO TWO SUBSECTIONS TO COVER TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.
THE FIRST SITUATION INVOLVES A PERSON FOUND TO BE ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY IN A PUBLIC PLACE.
"A POLICE OFFICER MAY STOP SUCH A PERSON TO SEEK PROOF OF IDENTITY AND DETAIN HIM FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME TO CHECK WHETHER HE IS A SUSPECTED OFFENDER," HE SAID.
"MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE OFFICER WILL HAVE THE POWER TO SEARCH THE SUSPECT IF HE THINKS IT NECESSARY TO ENSURE HIS OWN SAFETY," HE ADDED.
THE OTHER SITUATION INVOLVES PEOPLE REASONABLY SUSPECTED OF HAVING COMMITTED, OF BEING ABOUT TO COMMIT OR INTENDING TO COMMIT ANY OFFENCE.
IN ADDITION TO STOPPING AND DETAINING SUCH A PER’sON, AN OFFICER MAY SEARCH FOR THINGS WHICH ARE SUSPECTED TO BE OF VALUE TO THE INVESTIGATION OF ANY OFFENCE RELATED TO THE PERSON.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXISTING SECTION 56, WHICH EMPOWERS POLICE TO DETAIN ANYONE FOUND REMOVING FURNITURE FROM PREMISES AT NIGHT, WAS OBSOLETE AND WOULD BE REPEALED.
HE SAID OTHER SECTIONS OF THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE WERE ALSO UNDER REVIEW BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, BUT THAT THE CURRENT EXERCISE HAD FOCUSED ON POWERS THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
"WE WILL STUDY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE TO SEE IF ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE ARE REQUIRED," HE SAID.
THE BILL WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY.
---------0-----------
/6 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
6
LBAC MEETING ON LAND ASSESSMENT *****
THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LBAC) DISCUSSED THE ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE LAND REQUIREMENTS AND LAND SUPPLY FOR 1991/92 -2000/01 IN ITS MEETING THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT, MADE BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, AIMS TO IDENTIFY ANY POSSIBLE SHORTFALL OR SURPLUS OF NEW SITES FOR PARTICULAR TYPES OF LAND USE IN HONG KONG OVER THE NEXT 10-YEAR PERIOD IN THE CONTEXT OF LAND REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPLY.
IT HAS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE SUPPLY OF LAND FROM THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND PORT-RELATED PROJECTS.
RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT WILL PROVIDE A USEFUL INPUT TO THE REVIEW OF LAND PRODUCTION PROGRAMMES AND ADJUSTMENT OF PLANNED LAND USES SO AS TO REDUCE THE MISMATCH BETWEEN LAND SUPPLY AND REQUIREMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE LBAC WERE INFORMED THAT THE ASSESSMENT SHOWED A SHORTFALL OF LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, BOTH PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT SOME OF THE SURPLUS IN OTHER LAND USES COULD BE RELEASED TO REDRESS THE SHORTFALL.
WHILE THERE IS A SURPLUS OF LAND SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE HOUSING IN THE MEDIUM TERM, A SHORTFALL IS EXPECTED BY THE END OF 2000/01.
BUT THIS WILL BECOME A CUMULATIVE SURPLUS WHEN UNCOMMITTED PROJECTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE LAND SUPPLY.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THAT THE RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI, WEST KOWLOON AND HUNG HOM WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE ADDDITIONAL OFFICE SITES FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
REGARDING THE LAND REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, THERE WILL BE A SURPLUS OF INDUSTRIAL LAND THROUGHOUT THE STUDY PERIOD, SOME OF THESE SURPLUS COULD BE REZONED TO OTHER LAND USES.
SOME OF THE SURPLUS IN LAND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY (GIC) AND OPEN SPACE WILL BE DEVELOPED EVENTUALLY WITH A BUILD-UP IN POPULATION IN NEW DEVELOPMENT AREAS AND WHEN FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE.
MEMBERS OF THE LBAC WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE PROJECTED LAND REQUIREMENTS WERE BASED ON A NUMBER OF ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING MARKET CONDITIONS AND STATE OF ECONOMY WHICH WERE SUBJECT TO CHANGES.
THE STATISTICS OF THE ASSESSMENT EXERCISE ARE INDICATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE USED WITH CAUTION AND FOR BROADBRUSH PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY.
/TABLE 1 .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
Table 1 : Balance of Land Requirements and Land Supply for Major Land Uses (Committed Projects)
Year of Development
Year of Land Requirement
1995/95-1998/99 1995/96-2000/01
1992/93-1995/96 1992/93-1997/98
(ha) (ha)
Public Housing Rental HOS PSPS
-28.5
-41.8
4-4.8
Total
-65.5
Year of Development
Year Of Land Requirement
Private Housing
Office
Industry
G/IC &. Open Space
1995/96-1998/99 1995/96-2003/04
1992/93-1995/96 1992/93-2000/01
(ha) (ha)
4-47.9 -36.2
4-5.3 4-9.8
■ -r-114.4 4-106.7
4-150.1 4-389.4
Note : F-gures are cumulative
Table 2 : Balance of Land Requirements and Land Supply for Major Land Uses (including Un-Committed Projects)
Year of Development
Year of Land Requirement
1995/96-1998/99 1992/93-1995/96 (ha)
1995/96-2003/04
1992/93-2000/01 (ha)
Private Housing Industry G/IC & Open Space
4-196.0
4-206.9
4-16.8
1-285.6
4-522.9
Note : Figures are cumulative
--------o-----------
/8 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 8 -
CONCERTED EFFORTS ESSENTIAL
* * »
TO REHABILITATION SERVICES
* » *
CONCERTED EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY ARE ESSENTIAL TO FURTHER IMPROVE AND DEVELOP REHABILITATION SERVICES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SIR DAVID MADE THE REMARKS WHEN VISITING A NUMBER OF SERVICE UNITS OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE EAST KOWLOON, PROVIDING SERVICES TO MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS AND DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS.
"WE HAVE BEEN ATTACHING GREAT IMPORTANCE TO REHABILITATION SERVICES. THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLANNED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL OF 2,600 PLACES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE IN THE COMING THREE YEARS.
"BUT MUCH MORE NEED TO BE DONE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND 1 BELIEVE WE SHOULD MAKE THIS A HIGH PRIORITY IN THE YEARS AHEAD," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID, ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, FIRST TOURED PO LEUNG KUK 88 KWUN TONG WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL AT TSUI PING ESTATE, WHICH CATER FOR MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
DURING THE TOUR, HE WAS BRIEFED ON SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL.
THE WORKSHOP PROVIDES SHELTERED WORK FOR DISABLED PEOPLE WHO BECAUSE OF THEIR DISABILITY, CANNOT NORMALLY ENTER INTO OPEN AND COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT.
HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE WORK THERE AND CALLED ON BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO GIVE THEM JOB.
THE WORKSHOP HAS A HOSTEL ATTACHED PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL PROVISION FOR THEM WHO ARE UNABLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY THEN PROCEEDED TO KOWLOON UNION CHURCH WAI JI DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE (DAC) CUM HOSTEL AT PO LAM ESTATE TO SEE FOR HIMSELF HOW THE DAC PROVIDED DAY CARE, SIMPLE OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING AND WORK TRAINING TO LOW-MODERATE AND SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS.
SIR DAVID ALSO TOURED THE HOSTEL, WHICH PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION, PERSONAL AND NURSING CARE, AND TRAINING TO THE RESIDENTS WHO CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY CARED FOR BY THEIR OWN MEANS OR BY THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.
SIR DAVID’S LAST STOP WAS THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE'S TSUI LAM HOUSE FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS AT TSUI LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN O WHERE HE SPOKE TO A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS THERE.
/HE WAS ........
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
9
HE WAS GLAD TO LEARN THAT SOME OF THEM WERE ALREADY FULLY EMPLOYED.
”1 AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THE GOOD QUALITY OF SERVICES BEING PROVIDED BY THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, AND THAT THE DEDICATED STAFF OF THESE AGENCIES ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB TO HELP THE DISABLED.
"THE REHABILITATION OF THE MENTALLY ILL REQUIRE THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY," SIR DAVID ADDED.
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PUBLIC CONCERNS ABOUT NUCLEAR SAFETY * * * * *
WILL NOT DISAPPEAR OVERNIGHT:SES * *
IT WOULD BE NAIVE TO THINK THAT PUBLIC CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF NUCLEAR ENERGY ARE GOING TO DISAPPEAR OVERNIGHT, ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON NUCLEAR ENERGY, MRS BOSHER SAID SOME OF THE CONCERNS WERE BASED ON IGNORANCE.
"FOR MOST OF US THE TECHNOLOGY IS BAFFLING AND THE POWER UNLEASHED BY NUCLEAR FISSION AWESOME," SHE SAID.
"IT IS RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD TREAT NUCLEAR ENERGY WITH THE RESPECT IT DESERVES.
"THAT IS WHY THE GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING IN PLACE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS AND PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITH THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF AN ACCIDENTAL RELEASE OF RADIATION AT DAYA BAY---NO MATTER HOW REMOTE THE CHANCES OF SUCH AN ACCIDENT MAY BE," SHE SAID.
MRS BOSHER SAID THE COMMISSIONING OF THE DAYA BAY POWER STATION NEXT YEAR WOULD MARK AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE.
"FOR THE FIRST TIME, HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY NUCLEAR POWER," SHE SAID.
SOME 25% OF THE BASE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE SUPPLIED BY THE DAYA BAY POWER PLANT WHEN IT IS IN FULL OPERATION.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE ROLE OF THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT, MRS BOSHER SAID.
"I AM ONE OF TWO SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE COMPANY AND WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THE PLANT IS BEING CONSTRUCTED TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS," SHE ADDED.
/THE SEMINAR .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
10
THE SEMINAR ON NUCLEAR ENERGY IS ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT COMPANY.
ITS PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE WIDER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF A WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATED TO THE GENERATION OF NUCLEAR POWER.
- - 0 - -
STUDY ON SCIENCE PARK COMMISSIONED * * * *
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO EXAMINE THE CASE FOR DEVELOPING A SCIENCE PARK IN HONG KONG.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, AND THE DIRECTOR (ASIA) OF SEGAL QUINCE WICKSTEED LTD (SQW), MR CHRIS GREEN, SIGNED THE $4.19 MILLION CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT THIS MORNING.
IN ADDITION TO SQW WHICH CARRIED OUT THE ORIGINAL CONSULTANCY STUDIES LEADING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, THE PRESENT STUDY WILL INVOLVE A NUMBER OF SUB-CONSULTANTS.
THEY INCLUDED MACNEIL PACIFIC, HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, TOWNLAND, HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, NOMURA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NEXUS (USA) AND DYTECH (USA AND TAIWAN).
SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MR BARMA SAID THE STUDY FOLLOWED THE GOVERNMENT DECISION TO DEVELOP A TECHNLOLGY CENTRE.
"THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IS TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR SMALL ’START-UP’ COMPANIES. THE MAJORITY OF TENANTS OF THE CENTRE WOULD OCCUPY UNITS OF ONLY 20 TO 100 SQUARE METRES IN AREA.
"AS TENANTS OF THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE GROW AND THEIR BUSINESSES EXPAND, SOME WILL WANT TO GO INTO A FACTORY ENVIRONMENT TO MANUFACTURE PRODUCTS THEY HAVE DEVELOPED.
"OTHERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE RESEARCH- OR SERVICE-ORIENTED, SUCH AS COMPUTER SOFTWARE DESIGNERS AND LABORATORY TESTING FACILITIES, WILL WANT TO MOVE INTO LARGER ACCOMMODATION AND A SCIENCE PARK COULD PROVIDE THE EXTRA SPACE THAT THEY NEED," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE SCIENCE PARK COULD ALSO PROVIDE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR EXISTING MANUFACTURERS WHO WANTED TO DEVELOP THEIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY.
"MOREOVER, THE SCIENCE PARK COULD OFFER A LIMITED NUMBER OF SITES TO LARGE ’ANCHOR’ TENANTS. IN SEVERAL SCIENCE PARKS, A KEY ROLE HAS BEEN PLAYED BY A SINGLE WELL-KNOWN HIGH TECHNOLOGY FIRM.
/"SUCH FIRMS
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
11
’’SUCH FIRMS NOT ONLY ADD PRESTIGE TO THE PARK, WHICH ATTRACTS OTHER COMPANIES, BUT ALSO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTRACT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK BY OTHER SMALLER TENANTS OF THE PARK," HE SAID.
THE CONSULTANCY STUDY REQUIRES A BACKGROUND ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENT AND LIKELY FUTURE TECHNLOLGY INFRASTRUCTURE IN HONG KONG AND THE ASIAN REGION, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF DEVELOPING SCIENCE PARKS ELSEWHERE.
IT ALSO REQUIRES A DETAILED MARKET ANALYSIS CONDUCTED BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS TO IDENTIFY THE DEMAND FOR A SCIENCE PARK IN HONG KONG AND THE SERVICES THAT TENANTS MIGHT REQUIRE, AND AN OVERALL ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BENEFITS THAT MIGHT BE GAINED BY HONG KONG THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SCIENCE PARK.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS WORK THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE ASKED TO RECOMMEND CLEARLY WHETHER A SCIENCE PARK SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE DEVELOPED AND, IF SO, DEFINE WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG," MR BARMA SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE CONSULTANTS’ FINAL REPORT WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC) FOR ITS CONSIDERATION.
"IF THE ITDC BELIEVES THAT THE NEED FOR A SCIENCE PARK HAS CLEARLY BEEN SHOWN BY THE CONSULTANTS’ FINDINGS, FUNDS WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE SECOND PART OF THE SJUDY."
PART TWO OF THE STUDY WOULD INCLUDE WHERE AND HOW THE SCIENCE PARK MIGHT BE ESTABLISHED, THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS AS WELL AS THE DEGREE TO WHICH BOTH THE TERTIARY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR MIGHT BE INVOLVED.
PART ONE OF THE STUDY WILL START ON JUNE 1 AND BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.
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APPLICATION FEES FOR CERTAIN TRADE LICENCES, DOCUMENTS AND SERVICES TO BE REVISED ******
AS FROM JUNE 1, APPLICATION FEES FOR CERTAIN TRADE LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES, DOCUMENTS AND SERVICES WILL BE REVISED UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (FEES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) STRESSED THAT THE INCREASE WAS NECESSARY TO RECOVER THE COST.
"COSTING REVIEWS CONDUCTED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THESE SERVICES HAVE BEEN OPERATING AT A LOSS," HE SAID.
/"IT IS .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
12
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT FEES AND CHARGES SHOULD RECOVER THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.
"THE NEW SCALE OF FEES IS DETERMINED ON A FULL COST RECOVERY BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE APPLICATION FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN MID 1989.
"BETWEEN 1988-89 AND 1990-91, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TEXTILES RELATED APPLICATIONS PROCESSED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT INCREASED BY 20%. WHEREAS THE NUMBER OF STAFF IN THE TRADE DEPARTMENT INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT AND IMPORT CONTROL SYSTEM INCREASED BY 10% ONLY.
"THIS REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTIVITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD AND THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD HAVE BEEN CONSULTED RESPECTIVELY ON THE REVISION AND THEY HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT," HE ADDED.
FROM JUNE 1, THE FOLLOWING NEW SCALE OF FEES WILL APPLY:
FEES
TYPE OF APPLICATION CURRENT NEW
(I) TEXTILES LICENCES, DOCUMENTS AND SERVICES ($) ($)
(a) NON-RESTRAINED EXPORT LICENCE (FORM 4) 25 40
(b) RESTRAINED EXPORT LICENCE (FORM 5) 65 120
(c) IMPORT LICENCE (FORM 7) 25 25
• (d) TEXTILES CONTROLS REGISTRATION (ANNUAL FEE) 1,000 1 , 100
(e) SWING OF QUOTAS 100 175
(f) TRANSFER OF QUOTAS 100 175
(g) INTER-REGIONAL TRANSFER OF QUOTAS 100 175
(h) FREE QUOTA EXPORT AUTHORISATION 200 325
(i) SURVEILLANCE EXPORT AUTHORISATION 100 175
(j) CERTIFIED TRUE COPY OF LICENCES 25 45
AND CERTIFICATES
/(k) LICENCES ISSUED .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
13
(k) LICENCES ISSUED UNDER THE SPECIAL EXPORT AND IMPORT LICENSING (TEXTILES) SCHEME FOR PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS:
EXPORT LICENCE (FORM 8) NIL* 120
SPECIAL EXPORT LICENCES (FORMS 8a AND 8d) NIL* 40
SPECIAL IMPORT LICENCES (FORMS 8b, 8c AND 8e) NIL* 25
♦ NO FEES HAVE BEEN CHARGED SO FAR AS THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SPECIAL
SCHEME IN AUGUST 1991 COINCIDED WITH THE MORATORIUM WHICH PREVENTED THE INTRODUCTION OF FEES FOR SUCH LICENCES
FEES
TYPE OF APPLICATION CURRENT NEW
($) ($)
(II) NON-TEXTILES TRADE DOCUMENTS
(a) DELIVERY VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE 40 90
(b) INTERNATIONAL IMPORT CERTIFICATE 30 35
(c) LANDING CERTIFICATE 150 210
(d) CERTIFIED TRUE COPY OF TRADE DECLARATION AND CARGO MANIFEST 100 140
(e) PROVISION OF OFFICIAL RECORDS OF STATISTICAL DATA DERIVED OR EXTRACTED FROM IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS 10 (PER PAGE) 12 (PER PAGE)
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OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE WITH CHINA IN 4TH QUARTER AND 1991 ******
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER LAST YEAR, 72% OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, 53% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 75% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 45% FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
/THE CORRESPONDING .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
14
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WERE 62% FOR IMPORTS, 60% FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 80% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 51% FOR RE-EXPORTS.
FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1991, 68% OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, 55% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 77% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 48% FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN 1990 WERE 62% FOR IMPORTS, 59% FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 79% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 50% FOR RE-EXPORTS.
THE DECREASES IN THE PROPORTIONS OF EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AS RECORDED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1991 REFLECT THAT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS FOR MEETING DOMESTIC DEMAND IN CHINA, NAMELY EXPORTS TO CHINA NOT DESTINED FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING, INCREASED AT A FASTER PACE THAN OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE DURING THE PERIOD.
THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE INCREASING DOMESTIC DEMAND IN CHINA FOR IMPORTED GOODS.
TO ENHANCE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE IN CHINA, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A SURVEY SINCE THE TH-IRD QUARTER OF 1988 TO DISTINGUISH HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA INTO THOSE THAT ARE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT.
THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY HAS BEEN EXTENDED SINCE THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 TO BREAK DOWN HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA INTO THOSE THAT ARE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT.
THE RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1991 ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
IN VALUE TERMS, $60,183 MILLION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 40% OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 15% TO $31,278 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 8% TO $11,179 MILLION AND BY 20% TO $20,100 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1991, $197,384 MILLION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 36% OVER 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 24% TO $113,931 MILLION.
/THE VALUE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 15 -
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 11% TO $40,369 MILLION AND BY 33% TO $73,562 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY, EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE EXPORTATION OF RAW MATERIALS OR SEMIMANUFACTURES FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING WITH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT RE-IMPORTATION OF THE PROCESSED GOODS INTO HONG KONG.
IMPORTS FROM CHINA RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE IMPORTATION OF PROCESSED GOODS FROM CHINA OF WHICH ALL OR PART OF THEIR RAW MATERIALS OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES ARE UNDER CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT EXPORTED FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING.
A SAMPLE OF TRADE DECLARATIONS IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA (IMPORTS FROM CHINA, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA) IS SELECTED FOR ENUMERATION TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION FROM THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SYSTEM OF RECORDING TRADE FLOWS, ALL MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ACROSS THE BORDER, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE, ARE RECORDED AS EXTERNAL TRADE.
THUS THE MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTWARD PROCESSING ARE CORRECTLY INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS, HE ADDED.
’’THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, HOWEVER, FACILITATE A MORE INFORMED ANALYSIS OF THE NATURE OF HONG KONG-CHINA TRADE. IN THIS RESPECT, THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT TO THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS,” HE SAID.
DETAILS OF THE SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE MARCH 1992 ISSUE OF THE ”HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE”.
THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AROUND MAY 22 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI AT $52 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 582 5037.
THE ESTIMATES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1991 AND THE CORRESPONDING CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 ARE SUMMARISED IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
/TOTAL VALUE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
16
TOTAL VALUE OF TRADE WITH CHINA AND ESTIMATED VALUE AND PROPORTION OF TRADE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING NATURE, 4TH QUARTER AND WHOLE YEAR OF 1991
4TH QTR. 1991 PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER 4TH QTR. 1990 1991 PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER 1990
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
TOTAL TRADE VALUE * ! IMPORTS FROM CHINA 84,024 + 21.8 291,829 + 24.3
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 59,381 + 30.5 205,328 + 31.3
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14,980 + 15.7 52,751 + 14.4
TO CHINA RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 44,401 + 36.3 152,576 + 38.3
ESTIMATED VALUE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE :
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 60,183 + 40.2 197,384 + 36.0
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 31,278 + 15.5 113,931 + 24.0
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 11,179 + 8.0 40,369 + 10.8
TO CHINA
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 20,100 + 20.1 73,562 + 32.6
ESTIMATED PROPORTION OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE IN TRADE WITH CHINA
4 TH 4TH
QTR. QTR.
1991 1990 1991 1990
— — — — — — — — ———— —
(%) (%) (%) (%)
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 71.6 62.2 67.6 61.8
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 52.7 59.5 55.5 58.8
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 74.6 80.0 76.5 79.0
TO CHINA
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 45.3 51.4 48.2 50.3
* THE VALUE EXCLUDES COMMODITIES AND TRANSACTIONS NOT CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO KIND.
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/17........
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 17 -
HK TO ATTEND
PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION COUNCIL
******
A HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL ATTEND THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION COUNCIL (PECC) STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN SEATTLE.
LED BY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (HKCPEC) AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LAM SOON HONG KONG GROUP, DR RAYMOND K.F. CH’IEN, THE DELEGATION INCLUDES SECRETARYGENERAL OF HKCPEC AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR JOHN C. TSANG.
"HONG KONG INTENDS TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. BEING THE FOURTH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE REGION AND WITH TRADE WITH THE ASIA-PACIFIC ACCOUNTING FOR 78% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE LAST YEAR, HONG KONG WILL CONTRIBUTE TO, AND BENEFIT FROM, REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION," DR CH’IEN SAID.
HKCPEC WAS SET UP ON MARCH 19, 1990 TO ADVISE ON MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PECC AND TO CO-ORDINATE HONG KONG’S INPUT TO THE COUNCIL.
IT COMPRISES PROMINENT PERSONS FROM BUSINESS* AND ACADEMIC SECTORS AND FROM THE GOVERNMENT, ALL PARTICIPATING IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY.
HONG KONG WAS ADMITTED TO THE PECC IN MAY LAST YEAR.
PECC IS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION SET UP IN 1980 TO DEVELOP CLOSE CO-OPERATION IN TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICY ISSUES IN THE PACIFIC REGION.
PECC NOW COMPRISES 20 MEMBER COMMITTEES REPRESENTING THE ECONOMIES OF AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, CHILE, CHINA, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, NEW ZEALAND, PERU, THE PHILIPPINES, RUSSIA, SINGAPORE, CHINESE TAIPEI, THAILAND, THE UNITED STATES AND THE PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS, AND TWO INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS, THE PACIFIC BASIN ECONOMIC COUNCIL AND THE PACIFIC TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE.
POLICY MATTERS IN THE PECC ARE HANDLED BY A STANDING COMMITTEE.
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/18 .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
18 HEFTY FINE FOR UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS * * ♦ * ♦ *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) REITERATED THAT PROPERTY OWNERS MIGHT FACE HEFTY COURT FINES FOR HAVING CARRIED OUT BUILDING WORKS WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE AUTHORITY.
THE ADVICE CAME AFTER A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A SCAFFOLDING COMPANY WAS FINED $35,000 AT A SHA TIN COURT AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO CARRYING OUT UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON ITS PROPERTY IN SHA TIN.
THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, IN RESPONSE TO A COMPLAINT, INSPECTED THE PREMISES ON MA YEUNG PATH, SHA TIN ON OCTOBER 21 LAST YEAR AND REVEALED THAT A SERIES OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS WERE BEING CARRIED OUT.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS INCLUDED VARIOUS EXTENSIONS TO THE TWO-STOREY HOUSE, INTERNAL ALTERATIONS AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES.
IN HIS MITIGATION, THE DIRECTOR OF VECTOR SCAFFOLDING COMPANY, MOK BONG-TUNG, TOLD THE COURT THAT HE HAD ALREADY STARTED TO REMOVE THE ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS FOR WHICH HE HAD SPENT ABOUT $200,000.
HOWEVER, SPECIAL MAGISTRATE, MR H.H. TAM, IN PASSING SENTENCE, SAID A HEFTY FINE WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS WERE EXTENSIVE IN SCALE.
-----0------
LICENCE REQUIRED FOR MARINE FISH TRANSPORTATION
******
FISHERMEN ARE REMINDED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 1, VESSELS TRANSPORTING OVER 60 KILOGRAMMES OF MARINE FISH IN HONG KONG WATERS MUST BE IN POSSESSION OF A PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO).
THIS REQUIREMENT IS AIMED AT FURTHER COMBATTING ILLEGAL FISH MARKETING ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE WHOLESALE MARKETS RUN BY THE FMO.
PREVIOUSLY, VESSELS LICENCED AS FISHING VESSELS BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WERE EXEMPTED FROM OBTAINING A PERMIT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, WHO IS CURRENTLY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
WITH THE AMENDMENT OF THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING AND
EXPORTATION) REGULATIONS, THE EXEMPTION PROVISION IS REMOVED.
OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 AND
IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
APPLICATION FOR THE PERMIT MAY BE MADE AT THE FMO WHOLESALE MARKETS AND LIAISON OFFICES.
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/19
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 19 -
TWO HIGH COURT JUDGES APPOINTED ******
THE JUDICIARY ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE APPOINTMENTS OF TWO HIGH COURT JUDGES.
THEY ARE MR PATRICK CHAN SIU-OI AND MR FRANK STOCK, QC. THE APPOINTMENTS TOOK EFFECT TODAY.
MR CHAN WAS BORN IN HONG KONG IN OCTOBER 1948.
HE WAS EDUCATED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WHERE HE OBTAINED HIS BACHELOR OF LAWS DEGREE WITH HONOURS IN 1974 AND WAS NOMINATED AS ONE OF TWO OUTSTANDING GRADUATES OF THE YEAR IN THE LAW FACULTY.
HE TOOK HIS P.C.LL. WITH DISTINCTION THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
IN 1976, MR CHAN WAS CALLED TO THE BAR IN HONG KONG AND WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE UNTIL APPOINTED A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE IN NOVEMBER 1987. HE WAS APPOINTED A DEPUTY REGISTRAR IN JANUARY 1991.
APART FROM HIS JUDICIAL WORK, MR CHAN IS CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT EXAMINATION BOARD ON THE P.C.LL. AND A CONSULTANT EDITOR OF HONG KONG LAW DIGEST.
HE IS AN HONORARY LECTURER AT HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AND IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE AND A MEMBER OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES UNDER THE HONG KONG CARITAS.
HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING AND MANPOWER PLANNING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES SUPPORT SUB-COMMITTEE.
HE IS THE PATRON OF HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION.
MR CHAN, WHO IS MARRIED, HAS BEEN SITTING AS A DEPUTY HIGH COURT JUDGE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2, 1991.
MR STOCK WAS BORN IN RHODESIA IN JUNE 1945 AND EDUCATED THERE.
IN 1964, HE ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL IN ENGLAND WHERE HE GRADUATED IN 1967.
HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR OF ENGLAND AND WALES IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
HE THEN SERVED HIS PUPILLAGE IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE LATE JOHN WILMERS, QC AND THEREAFTER WAS OFFERED A TENANCY IN THE SAME CHAMBERS.
IN 1978, MR STOCK JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS CROWN COUNSEL WHERE HE WAS ATTACHED TO THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION.
/HE WAS ........
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
20
HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND IN 1980, HAVING ACTED AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL, WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL.
HE PLAYED A CONSIDERABLE PART IN DEVELOPING THE COMMERCIAL CRIME AND EXTRADITION SECTION.
MR STOCK WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN 1984, OCCUPYING THE POST OF DEPUTY CROWN SOLICITOR. HE WAS MADE QUEEN’S COUNSEL THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
IN SEPTEMBER 1987, MR STOCK WAS APPOINTED SOLICITOR GENERAL. IN 1989, HE WAS APPOINTED JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
MR STOCK, WHO IS MARRIED WITH TWO SONS, HAS BEEN SITTING AS DEPUTY HIGH COURT JUDGE SINCE SEPTEMBER 1991 AND HAS BEEN HEARING CIVIL MATTERS ONLY.
- - 0 - -
REGIMENT RECRUITMENT EXERCISE TO CLOSE SOON
******
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS TO SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS EARLY BEFORE THE LAST RECRUITMENT EXERCISE CLOSES ON MAY 31.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VOLUNTEERS SAID: "THE REGIMENT WILL BE DISBANDED BY SEPTEMBER 1995, HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE THIS LAST OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE REGIMENT AND EXPERIENCE FOR THEMSELVES THE SATISFACTION OF BELONGING TO A DISCIPLINED ORGANISATION WHICH PROMOTES LEADERSHIP AND COMRADESHIP.”
THIS YEAR, THE REGIMENT IS LOOKING FOR ABOUT 200 MALE AND 50 FEMALE RECRUITS.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING IN BASIC MILITARY SKILLS, INCLUDING DRILL, HANDLING RIFLES, SUB-MACHINE GUNS, AND USE OF VEHICLES AND ASSAULT BOATS.
TRAINING IN MAP-READING, FIRST-AID AND OPERATING RADIO EQUIPMENT IS ALSO GIVEN.
THIS NO DOUBT HELPS TO BUILD UP ONE’S PHYSIQUE AND CULTIVATE
A MORE MATURE AND CAPABLE PERSONALITY.
"VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN SUPERVISORY SKILLS, JUDGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING," HE SAID.
A SIX-MONTH TRAINING FOR NEW RECRUITS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON FOUR EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND PER MONTH. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO ATTEND TWO NINE-DAY TRAINING CAMPS BEFORE PASSING OUT.
/THE MAJORITY
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
21
THE MAJORITY OF TRAINING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE SCENIC COUNTRY PARKS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ON COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING, THE VOLUNTEERS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING ON TWO EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND A MONTH. THERE ARE TWO CAMP PERIODS, ONE OF WHICH IS SPENT ON MANNING THE HONG KONG-CHINA BORDER.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD BE 18 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE, HAVE COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION AND HAVE A REASONABLE KNOWLEDGE OF SPOKEN ENGLISH. THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT AND SHOULD HAVE OBTAINED THEIR EMPLOYERS’ CONSENT FOR JOINING THE FORCE.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS ON SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE VOLUNTEERS’ HEADQUARTERS ON TEL 576 1371.
- 0 - -
135 RETURN TO VIETNAM » ♦ * *
A GROUP OF 135 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 56 MEN, 32 WOMEN, 30 BOYS AND 17 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 104TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 4,226 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 18,205 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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46 PASS MEDICAL LICENTIATE EXAM
******
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A TOTAL OF 46 CANDIDATES THE PART II (ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL USE PAPER) oJ EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS THIS YEAR.
OF HONG KONG HAVE PASSED
THE LICENTIATE
THE 1992 PART II EXAMINATION THIS YEAR GIVING CANDIDATES A CHOICE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO FAILED IN ANOTHER ONE IN THE SAME YEAR.
HAS BEEN HELD IN MARCH
OF EXAMINATION DATES THE FIRST EXAMINATION
AND MAY
AND THE TO TAKE
/OF THE ........
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
22
OF THE 46 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, 41 PASSED THE EXAMINATION IN MARCH AND FIVE IN MAY.
ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED THE PART II EXAMINATION THIS YEAR ARE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE PART III EXAMINATION SCHEDULED FOR JULY THIS YEAR.
THE PART III EXAMINATION IS AN ORAL EXAMINATION ON CANDIDATES’ ABILITY TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS.
EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE TESTED IN EACH OF THE THREE DISCIPLINES OF MEDICINE, SURGERY AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY.
---------0-----------
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS VISIT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ******
SIX MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, LED BY CHAIRMAN MR TIMOTHY HA, TODAY (THURSDAY) CONTINUED THEIR TOURS OF SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS BY VISITING THE CHINESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN BRAEMAR HILL, NORTH POINT. •
ESTABLISHED IN 1984, THE SCHOOL USES ENGLISH AND PUTONGHUA AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION.
BOARD MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE SCHOOL WAS OPERATING 36 KINDERGARTEN, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CLASSES FOR 822 STUDENTS COMING FROM A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM, USA. AUSTRALIA AND OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES.
THE SECONDARY SECTION HAS JOINED THE GOVERNMENT’S DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME.
APART FROM OFFERING ACADEMIC COURSES, THE SCHOOL ALSO PLACED IMPORTANCE ON EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING GYMNASTICS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, CHINESE PAINTING AND SPORTS.
THE BOARD MEMBERS TAKING PART IN THE VISIT WERE MS SANSAN CHING, MRS MINNIE LAI, MISS SO YAN-LAP, MR CHAN KIN-HUNG AND MR LUKE YIP. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS), MR LUCAS CHAN.
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/23 .......
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992
- 23 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 20.5.92 1,288
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 21.5.92 -359*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +59
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +700**
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -300MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED -59MN
* * O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 22/5
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.7 *+0.2* 21.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.62 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.35 4.65
1 MONTH 2.86 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.86 5.04
3 MONTHS 3.15 PCT 24 MONTHS 2405 5.50 100.67 5.21
6 MONTHS 3.43 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.01 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,018 MN
CLOSED 21 MAY 1992
------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT FLYING SERVICE TO BE SET UP ............................... 1
PATTEN VISITS HKGO, LONDON ..................................... 2
PUBLIC VIEWS ON TAXI POLICY RELEASED ........................... 2
FOUR MORE HIV CARRIERS FOUND ................................... 3
NEW LAW TO BAR MARKED OIL SUPPLY TO PLEASURE VESSELS ........... 5
DSC OFFICERS REQUIRED TO HOLD TYPE RATING CERTIFICATES ......... 6
RECLAMATION IN TIU KENG WAN .................................... 7
TENDERS INVITED FOR SEWAGE PUMPING WORKS IN TAI PO ............. 7
SURVEY STARTS ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ......................... 8
MORE TRADERS USING DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME .................. 9
FIRING PRACTICE IN JUNE ........................................ 10
PROPOSED EXTENSION WORKS FOR TUNG CHAU STREET................... 11
RESUMPTION OF KING WAH ROAD PROPOSED............................ 12
STRONG SUPPORT FOR YOUTH CHARTER'S PRINCIPLES .................. 12
29 INMATES PASS PUBLIC EXAMS .................................. ' 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
14
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
1
GOVT FLYING SERVICE TO BE SET UP
*****
THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE WILL BE SET UP AS A CIVILIAN DISCIPLINED FORCE TO TAKE OVER ALL THE FUNCTIONS CURRENTLY PERFORMED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF).
THESE FUNCTIONS INCLUDE AIR SUPPORT TO THE POLICE ALONG THE BORDER AND IN ANTI-CRIME OPERATIONS, INCLUDING OPERATIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE.
OTHER FUNCTIONS ARE SEARCH AND RESCUE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION SERVICES FROM REMOTE AREAS, AIR SURVEY WORK, AND OTHER FLYING SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENT.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID AS THE RHKAAF NO LONGER HAD A MILITARY ROLE, IT WAS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR IT TO REMAIN CONSTITUTED AS AN AIR FORCE.
THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) SEEKS TO ESTABLISH THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE AS A CIVILIAN DISCIPLINED FORCE.
THE RHKAAF’S LINKS WITH THE MILITARY WILL BE SEVERED BY THE CONSEQUENTIAL REPEAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE ORDINANCE.
THE BILL SETS OUT THE ROLES OF THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE AND THE POWERS OF THE CONTROLLER AS THE HEAD OF THE SERVICE.
IT ALSO MAKES PROVISION FOR DISCIPLINE AND THE CONDUCT OF ITS MEMBERS, AND ESTABLISHES A WELFARE FUND FOR MEMBERS KILLED OR INJURED ON DUTY.
MR STRACHAN SAID OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS, THE RHKAAF HAD UNDERGONE A MAJOR EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
EIGHT NEW HELICOPTERS ARE NOW IN OPERATION AND A FURTHER TWO LARGER ONES WILL ENTER SERVICE NEXT JANUARY.
"ADDITIONAL STAFF HAVE BEEN RECRUITED AND AN EXTENSIVE LOCALISATION PROGRAMME FOR PILOTS IS UNDER WAY. THIS IS PART OF A PROGRAMME TO ENSURE THAT BY 1993, ALL NON-MILITARY FLYING DUTIES CAN BE PERFORMED BY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESOURCES WITHOUT THE NEED TO USE GARRISON HELICOPTERS," HE SAID.
HE EXPECTED THAT THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME WOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1993, AT WHICH TIME THE RHKAAF WOULD HAVE COMPLETED THE CHANGEOVER FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN OPERATING PROCEDURE.
THE BILL IS THUS EXPECTED TO ENTER INTO FORCE ON APRIL 1, 1993.
"I BELIEVE THIS BILL WILL LAY A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY," MR STRACHAN SAID.
------0-------
/2 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
PATTEN VISITS HKGO, LONDON *****
THE GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE, MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, PAID A VISIT YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON -HIS FIRST CALL ON A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT.
HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE COMMISSIONER, MR JOHN YAXLEY, AND HIS DEPUTY, MR DAVID TSUI.
AFTER A BRIEFING ON THE WORK OF THE OFFICE BY THE COMMISSIONER AND SENIOR STAFF, MR PATTEN TOURED THE OFFICES TO MEET STAFF.
HE ALSO INSPECTED SPECIAL DISPLAYS RELATING TO THE RECRUITMENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE WORK OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES AND STUDENT DIVISION. HE WENT ON TO VISIT THE LIBRARY FROM WHICH HE BORROWED SOME BOOKS.
MR PATTEN EXPRESSED GREAT INTEREST IN A WHOLE RANGE OF GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES AND ASKED MANY SEARCHING QUESTIONS INCLUDING HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN GATT AND THE COVERAGE OF HONG KONG MATTERS ON THE UK PRESS.
ON HIS DEPARTURE MS MAUREEN WONG, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER PRESENTED MR PATTEN WITH A COPY OF THE BOOK "IN TIMES OF GREAT CHAOS" AS A MEMENTO OF HIS FIRST VISIT TO A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC VIEWS ON TAXI POLICY RELEASED *****
AN INFORMATION DOCUMENT ON PUBLIC VIEWS PRESENTED TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) WORKING GROUP ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW IS NOW MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, A TRANSPORT BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP LAST DECEMBER TO REVIEW CURRENT TAXI’ POLICY, PARTICULARLY IN LICENSING SYSTEM, FARE POLICY AND QUALITY OF SERVICES.
THE GROUP IS CONSIDERING PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PROPOSALS RECEIVED AND WILL REPORT BACK TO THE TAC THIS SUMMER.
"IN THE LIGHT OF WIDESPREAD INTEREST IN THE PROPOSALS PRESENTED TO THE WORKING GROUP, A DOCUMENT OUTLINING PUBLIC VIEWS RECEIVED IS NOW MADE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE DOCUMENT CONTAINS COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC SO FAR. AS SUCH, IT REFLECTS DIVERGENT AND SOMETIMES CONFLICTING INTERESTS. THE WORKING GROUP WILL EXAMINE THE PROPOSALS CAREFULLY BEFORE PUTTING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TAC," HE ADDED.
/ANYONE WHO
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 3 -
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE INFORMATION DOCUMENT MAY CONTACT THE TRANSPORT BRANCH ON TEL 810 2028 DURING OFFICE HOURS. A CHINESE VERSION OF THE DOCUMENT WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE ON MAY 27 (WEDNESDAY).
"THE PUBLIC WILL BE CONSULTED AGAIN ON ANY PROPOSALS BEFORE THEY ARE ADOPTED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
---------0-----------
FOUR MORE HIV CARRIERS FOUND
******
FOUR MORE PERSONS INCLUDING A WOMAN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 280.
REVIEWING THE LATEST AIDS SITUATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CONSULTANT (SPECIAL PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME), DR S.S. LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT NO NEW AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED DURING THE PERIOD AND THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED AIDS CASES REMAINED AT 61.
"SO FAR, 40 AIDS PATIENTS HAVE DIED AND 21 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY."
OF THE 280 HIV-INFECTED, 60 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 186 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, FIVE WERE DRUG ABUSERS AND THREE .ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION.
FOR THE REMAINING 26, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION, DR LEE ADDED.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 233,339 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,069,232 UNITS OF BLOOD HAVE BEEN TESTED AND 20 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
' TURNING TO AIDS PUBLICITY AND HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, DR LEE SAID INVITATION TOGETHER WITH APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE YOUTH FUNDING SCHEME ON AIDS WOULD BE SENT OUT IN EARLY JUNE TO YOUTH GROUPS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS INVITING THEM TO ORGANISE AIDS-RELATED ACTIVITIES.
"THE SCHEME WILL PROVIDE FUNDS FOR 10 YOUTH GROUPS OR ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR PROJECTS WHICH IS SIX MORE THAN THAT OF LAST YEAR," HE ADDED.
"EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT CAN GET A MAXIMUM FUNDING OF $8,000 BUT SHOULD IMPLEMENT AND COMPLETE THEIR PROJECT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR."
INTERESTED GROUPS THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE LETTER AND APPLICATION FORM MAY CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH ON TEL 835 1821.
/4 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
4
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
Virus Unit,’ Department of Health
Apr 85-Mar 92 Apr '•tk • 92 Total
& vi) • No. tested* NO. +ve No -tested* NO. +ve NO • tested* NO. +ve
Referrals from Public hospitals and clinics 27793 112 1264 2 29057 114
Referrals from private practitioners t 1891 54 9 2 1900 56
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 191492 48 2200 0 193692 48
Haemophiliacs . . . 609 60 2 0 611 60
6602 1 75 0 6677 ,1
Referrals Irom 'Family Planning Association 240 0 0 0 240 0
Health care personnel 1144 0 18 0 • 1162 0
TOTAL h > > a 229771 275 3568 _ 4 233339 279
* This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests
are repeated for certain individuals.
Aug 85-Mar 92 Apr 92 Total
No. tested No. +ve No. tested No. +ve No. No. tested +ve
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion
Service 1055296 18 13936 2 1069232 20
Department of Health May 1992
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/5.........
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 5 -
NEW LAW TO BAR MARKED OIL * *
SUPPLY TO PLEASURE VESSELS * * *
NEW LEGISLATION REQUIRING ALL PLEASURE VESSELS TO USE DUTIABLE LIGHT DIESEL OIL FOR PROPULSION IN HONG KONG WATERS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON JUNE 1 (MONDAY).
EXPLAINING THE LEGISLATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID FROM THAT DATE, MARKED OIL OR COMMONLY KNOWN AS INDUSTRIAL DIESEL OIL, WHICH IS EXEMPTED FROM EXCISE DUTY, WILL NO LONGER BE PERMITTED TO BE SUPPLIED TO PLEASURE VESSELS UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992.
"THE CHANGE WILL NOT AFFECT OTHER TYPES OF VESSEL, INCLUDING FISHING VESSELS, AS MARKED OIL WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUPPLIED FOR MARINE USE OTHER THAN AS FUEL FOR PLEASURE VESSELS," HE ADDED.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE CHANGE, OWNERS OF PLEASURE VESSELS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO MARK CONSPICUOUSLY IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE --"NO KEROSENE OR MARKED OIL IS TO BE PLACED IN THIS FUEL TANK" -- NEXT TO EACH INLET OF THE FUEL TANK OF THEIR VESSEL, ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESMAN.
"A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS FROM JUNE 1 WILL BE ALLOWED FOR THESE OWNERS TO USE UP AND CLEAN TRACES OF MARKED OIL IN THEIR FUEL TANKS.
"ANYONE WHO VIOLATES THE ORDINANCE IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR CONVICTED OFFENCE IS $100,000 PLUS TWO YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT, TOGETHER WITH FORFEITURE OF GOODS RELATED TO THE OFFENCE," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, OWNERS OF PLEASURE VESSELS OF OVER 60 TONS NET REGISTER AND SAILING TO REACH AN IDENTIFIED PORT OUTSIDE HONG KONG CAN APPLY FOR REFUND OF THE AMOUNT OF DUTY PAID.
"AN APPLICATION FOR REFUND HAS TO BE MADE BEFORE OBTAINING THE FUEL FROM AN OIL STATION. A REFUND OF DUTY WILL BE DETERMINED AND PAID BY POST AFTER COMPLETION OF THE RESPECTIVE VOYAGE AND UPON PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OIL COMPANIES, OPERATORS OF MARINE FILLING STATIONS, OIL BARGES AND MARINE CLUBS HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE NEW LEGISLATION BY THE DEPARTMENT.
ENQUIRIES ON THE NEW LEGISLATION CAN BE MADE TO SENIOR CUSTOMS INSPECTOR NG CHING-MAN ON TEL 852 4831.
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/6 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
6
DSC OFFICERS REQUIRED TO HOLD TYPE RATING CERTIFICATES
******
NEW AMENDMENTS TO THREE MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE REQUIRING DECK AND ENGINEER OFFICERS ON HONG KONG REGISTERED AND LICENSED DYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT (DSC) TO HOLD A TYPE RATING CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT STARTING FROM JANUARY 1, 1993.
THE PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR (CREWS BRANCH) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR MATHAI VARGHESE, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID: "THE NEW REQUIREMENTS WHICH CALL FOR SPECIALISED TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS ON DSC WILL ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF THE PORT AND THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC."
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LAUNCHES AND FERRY VESSELS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (FEES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, WERE GAZETTED TODAY.
MR VARGHESE SAID: "OFFICERS ON DSC WILL NEED TO UNDERGO SPECIALISED TRAINING FOR THE OPERATION OF THESE TECHNOLOGICALLY-ADVANCED CRAFT AND BE EXAMINED BEFORE THEY CAN . OBTAIN THE CERTIFICATES.
"WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE OFFICERS OPERATING DSC ALREADY HOLD THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, OTHERS HAD ONLY RECEIVED COMPANY TRAINING IN THE PAST.
"THESE OFFICERS ARE NOW BEING RETRAINED AND EXAMINED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO MEET THE DEADLINE."
MR VARGHESE SAID THE NEW REQUIREMENTS WHICH WERE WELCOMED BY ALL SECTORS OF THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY WERE IN LINE WITH THE QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS ON DSC AS LAID DOWN BY THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO).
' THEY AROSE OUT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MARINE COURT WHICH INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE WATERJET-PROPELLED CATAMARAN "APOLLO JET" ON DECEMBER 15, 1989.
THE VESSEL COLLIDED WITH FOUR VESSELS AT THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER BEFORE BECOMING STRANDED ON THE SEAWALL OF FERRY STREET. AS A RESULT, FOUR PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND SEVEN INJURED.
DSC ARE SHIPS THAT CAN OPERATE ON OR ABOVE WATER, THE WEIGHT OF WHICH, OR A SIGNIFICANT PART OF IT, IS SUPPORTED WHEN UNDER WAY BY OTHER THAN HYDROSTATIC FORCES, SUCH AS HYDROFOILS AND JETFOILS.
LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 16 MILLION PASSENGERS TRAVELLED ON THESE VESSELS BETWEEN HONG KONG, MACAU AND CHINA.
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/7........
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 7 -
RECLAMATION IN TIU KENG WAN ******
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION IN TIU KENG WAN TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE DREDGING OF SEABED, CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 12.4 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
PREPARATION WORK FOR THE PROJECT WILL START IN MID-1993 WHILE THE ACTUAL RECLAMATION WILL START AROUND LATE 1993 AND BE COMPLETED BY ABOUT MID-1997.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE JULY 21.
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 OR PURCHASED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14/F, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
IT CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, 2/F, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES AND AT THE TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, ROOM 121-122, G/F, PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR SEWAGE PUMPING WORKS IN TAI PO
******
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL INSTALLATION WORKS OF THE TAI PO PUMPING STATION UNDER THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE INSTALLATION OF FOUR PUMPS AND THE ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS.
WITH THIS INSTALLATION THE PUMPING STATION WILL PUMP TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT FROM THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS THROUGH A SUBMARINE PIPELINE TO THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WHERE THE TREATED SEWAGE WILL THEN BE PUMPED THROUGH PUMPING MAIN TO EAST KOWLOON FOR FINAL DISCHARGE.
/THE WCRKS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 8 -
THE WORKS IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1995.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, JULY 24.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM BALFOURS-HASWELL, 10/F, 1 KOWLOON PARK DRIVE, KOWLOON. ----------------------------------0-------
SURVEY STARTS ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE SURVEY ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1991 HAS JUST STARTED.
THE ANNUAL SURVEY IS PART OF A CONTINUAL PROGRAMME TO COMPILE STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
THE SURVEY AIMS TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR FREDERICK HO, APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES BY RETURNING PROMPTLY THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES AND CO-OPERATING WITH OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE SURVEY.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE RELEASED, HE SAID.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES THAT ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ABOUT 7,800 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, COVERING THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN MANUFACTURING; MINING AND QUARRYING; AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
/INFORMATION SOUGHT .......
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 9 -
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (I.E. WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), PAYMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL WORK AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, VALUE OF PURCHASES AND OTHER EXPENSES, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND STOCKS AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS OPERATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 15 IN THE GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS. THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31, 1992.
IF REQUIRED, OFFICERS ESTABLISHMENTS AND HELP THEM
OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
INDIVIDUAL
THESE OFFICERS WILL CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILE ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 839 3230 OR 805 6441.
---------0-----------
MORE TRADERS USING DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME
******
MORE AND MORE TO SUBMIT IMPORT AND
TRADERS ARE USING THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION EXPORT DECLARATIONS.
SCHEME
BY APRIL THIS YEAR, THERE ARE MORE THAN 1,000 ACTIVE USERS AND SOME 90,000 DECLARATIONS ARE SUBMITTED EACH MONTH UNDER THE SCHEME.
THE SCHEME, WHICH IS AN ADDITIONAL OPTION FOR TRADERS TO SUBMIT IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS ON MICRO-COMPUTER DISKETTES, HAS FACILITATED TRADERS IN PREPARING AND SUBMITTING DECLARATIONS IN A MORE ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT WAY THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTER.
TO USE THE SCHEME, TRADERS ONLY NEED A SIMPLE MICRO-COMPUTER SYSTEM (WITH HARD DISK AND PRINTER) WHICH RUNS ON MS-DOS OF VERSION 2.0 AND ABOVE.
TO PRODUCE THE REQUIRED OUTPUTS, TRADERS MAY CHOOSE TO PURCHASE A USER-FRIENDLY MICRO-COMPUTER SOFTWARE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN SOFTWARES ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUIREMENTS.
/THE GOVERNMENT'S
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 10 -
THE GOVERNMENT’S SOFTWARE IS AVAILABLE FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 18/F, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN HELPING THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN OPERATING THE SOFTWARE.
FROM JUNE 1, THE PRICE OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE REVISED FROM $170 TO $190.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN USING THE SCHEME MAY CALL 802 0196 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
------0--------
FIRING PRACTICE IN JUNE * * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 16 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE:
DATE
TIME
JUNE 1 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 2 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 3 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 4 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 8 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 9 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 10 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 11 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 12 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 22 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 23 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 24 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 25 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 26 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 29 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 30 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
0 _
/Il .......
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
11 -
PROPOSED EXTENSION WORKS FOR TUNG CHAU STREET
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO EXTEND AND WIDEN TUNG CHAU STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC HEADING TOWARDS THE NEW RECLAMATION AREA IN WEST KOWLOON.
THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT.
UNDER THE PROJECT, TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE EXTENDED WESTWARD TO LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND BE WIDENED TO BECOME A TWO-LANE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY WITHIN ITS SECTION BETWEEN TONKIN STREET AND LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
IT ALSO INVOLVES IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO SOME ROAD JUNCTIONS ALONG LAI CHI KOK ROAD TO TIE IN WITH THE NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME OF THE AREA.
ALSO INCLUDED ARE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS, AT-GRADE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, MINOR ROADSIDE AMENITY AREAS AND THE ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WORKS.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN OF THE PROPOSAL CAN BE SEEN IN THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, G/F, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10/F, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, YAU MA TEI; AND
* SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 6/F, WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL
BUILDING, 290 UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
OFFICES, EAST WING, 2/F, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NO LATER THAN
JULY 21 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
--------0-----------
/12 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 12 -
RESUMPTION OF KING WAH ROAD PROPOSED
******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR A PORTION OF KING WAH ROAD IN EASTERN DISTRICT TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT NUMBER 14-30 OF KING WAH ROAD WERE UNDER PRIVATE OWNERSHIP AND WERE NOT PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED, GIVING RISE TO CONSIDERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
"THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO REPAIR THE ROAD TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC," HE ADDED.
WORKS IS EXPECTED TO START IN DECEMBER 1993.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND LAND RESUMPTION CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
♦ CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 29 TAI ON STREET, GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, SAI WAN HO; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2/F, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NO LATER THAN JULY 21 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
------0--------
STRONG SUPPORT FOR YOUTH CHARTER’S PRINCIPLES ******
THE PUBLIC HAVE EXPRESSED STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPLES CONTAINED IN THE DRAFT CHARTER FOR YOUTH, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, MR ERIC LI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR LI SAID THIS WAS THE CONSENSUS OF THE THREE-MONTH CONSULTATION EXERCISE WHICH ENDED ON MAY 1.
/MR LI .......
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 13 -
MR LI SAID IT WAS ALSO GENERALLY AGREED THAT THE CHARTER WOULD BE OF GREAT VALUE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WELL-BEING OF YOUTH.
IT WAS ALSO WIDELY ACCEPTED THAT THE CHARTER WAS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP TO IDENTIFY THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT," HE ADDED.
REFERRING TO THE PUBLIC'S COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT CHARTER, MR LI SAID THEY DEALT WITH THE CONTENTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS PROVISIONS.
"THERE WERE CALLS FOR SETTING OUT IN THE CHARTER THE DUTIES OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE NEED TO PROMOTE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CHINA.
"THERE WERE ALSO REQUESTS TO SET OUT THE PRINCIPLES ENSHRINED IN THE CHARTER IN MORE SPECIFIC TERMS.
"THE COMMISSION IS GLAD TO NOTE THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE CHARTER ARE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," HE SAID.
ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS ON THE DIFFICULTIES OF ASSESSING THE PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE CHARTER, THE DOCUMENT’S PROPOSED BIENNIAL REVIEWS WERE WELL RECEIVED, MR LI SAID.
MANY HAVE ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE LEAD IN BECOMING A SUBSCRIBER, HE SAID.
THE COMMENTS ALSO INDICATE RECOGNITION OF THE NATURE OF THE DRAFT CHARTER: THAT IT IS INTENDED TO BE A SET OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES, NOT A LEGAL DOCUMENT NOR A POLICY STATEMENT.
MR LI SAID A NUMBER OF PARTIES HAD ALSO EMPHASISED THE NEED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS IN THE CHARTER.
TURNING TO THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE, MR LI WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT 108 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED, MOSTLY FROM YOUTH GROUPS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, STUDENT BODIES AND ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS FROM YOUTHS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS.
THE COMMISSION HAS ALSO PRESENTED THE DRAFT CHARTER TO 13 DISTRICT BOARDS, YOUTH FORUMS, STUDENT BODIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES AND A NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS.
MANY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE ALSO ASSISTED IN PUBLICISING THE DRAFT CHARTER AND CONDUCTED OPINION SURVEYS ON THE DOCUMENT TO SOLICIT THE VIEWS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
MR LI SAID THE COMMISSION WAS NOW EXAMINING THE OPINIONS CAREFULLY TO SEE HOW THE DRAFT CHARTER CAN BE IMPROVED UPON.
- - 0----------
/14 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 14 -
29 INMATES PASS PUBLIC EXAMS
*****
TWENTY-NINE INMATES AT STANLEY PRISON THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON RECEIVED CERTIFICATES FOR PASSING PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
ONE OF THEM OBTAINED A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE CONFERRED BY THE EAST ASIA OPEN INSTITUTE.
THE OTHERS OBTAINED A TOTAL OF 56 DISTINCTIONS AND 19 CREDITS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXAMINATION, PITMAN EXAMINATION AND CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE EXAMINATION.
AN ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF HONGKONGBANK, MR EDWIN LAU, PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO THE INMATES AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE PRISON.
MR LAU ALSO PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR $250,000 FROM THE HONGKONGBANK FOUNDATION TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PRISONERS EDUCATION TRUST FUND.
THE FUND WAS SET UP TO SUBSIDISE EDUCATIONAL COURSE FEE, EXAMINATION FEE AND THE PURCHASE OF BOOKS FOR THOSE PRISONERS WITH FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 21.5.92
1,688
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 22.5.92 -500 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -200
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +700 *♦
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -700 MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +200 MN
♦*O/N ASISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 23/5
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.7 *+0.0* 22.5.92
/HONG KONG ........
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992
- 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.27 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.39 4.62
1 MONTH 2.48 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.92 5.00
3 MONTHS 3.00 PCT 24 MONTHS 2405 5.50 100.65 5.22
6 MONTHS 3.33 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.97 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 12,895MN
CLOSED 22 MAY 1992
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PAK TIN ELECTORS URGED TO VOTE.......................................... 1
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 1
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOIN FORCES CALLED TO CURB CAR THEFTS .................................. 2
COMPANY GIVEN MAXIMUM FINE FOR NEGLECTING SAFETY ....................... 3
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON AIRPORT FINANCING PLAN ........................ 4
CAS - A BRIDGE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY .................................. 4
BRIDGING COURSE FOR STUDENTS ........................................... 6
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION IN KENNEDY TOWN ................................. 7
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 1992
PAR TIN ELECTORS URGED TO VOTE ******
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED ELECTORS IN THE PAR TIN CONSTITUENCY TO VOTE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
MR FUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD WAS AN IMPORTANT CONSULTATIVE BODY IN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME AND HAD CONTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF RESIDENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE.
’’THE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME DEPENDS LARGELY ON THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF RESIDENTS.
"I HOPE REGISTERED VOTERS IN PAR TIN WILL CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD BY CASTING THEIR BALLOTS TOMORROW TO ELECT A REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
THE BY-ELECTION WAS CALLED AFTER THE RESIGNATION OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MR CHENG HOR-CHIT. IT WILL BE HELD FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
THERE WILL BE TWO POLLING STATIONS, ONE IN THE PAR TIN ESTATE COMMUNITY HALL AND THE OTHER AT MU RUANG CHAR ON RINDERGARTEN AT WAH CHAR HOUSE, CHAR ON ESTATE.
WITH 12,521 REGISTERED VOTERS, THE PAR TIN CONSTITUENCY COVERS MAINLY THE PAE TIN ESTATE, CHAR ON ESTATE, BEACON HEIGHTS AND A NUMBER OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
THE THREE CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE VACATED SEAT ARE 41-YEAR-OLD LECTURER MR STANLEY SUM YIU-CHO, 33-YEAR-OLD CIVIC EDUCATION CO-ORDINATOR MR LEUNG WAI-SHING, AND 26-YEAR-OLD COMMUNITY ORGANISER MR YAN RAI-WING.
RESIDENTS MAY MARE ENQUIRIES OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON TEL 827 1122.
---------0-------------
HONG RONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARRET OPERATIONS
****** DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 22.5.92 1,688
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 23.5.92 -700 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 1992
2 -
JOIN FORCES CALLED TO CURB CAR THEFTS ******
THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU (CPB) WILL SOON PUT OUT A CAR PARK MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK AS PART OF A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH TO COUNTER THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF CAR THEFTS.
WITH APRIL EMERGED AS THE WORST MONTH FOR THE STEALING OF A POPULAR LUXURY MAKE IN THE PAST YEAR, A CPB SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO ALL PARTIES CONCERNED TO JOIN FORCES TO FEND OFF ATTACKS BY CAR THIEVES.
IN APRIL, HE NOTED, THERE WAS A DRASTIC RISE IN THE NUMBER OF LUXURY CARS REPORTEDLY STOLEN. FOUR OF THE MOST POPULAR MAKES STOOD AT A TOTAL OF 109, COMPARED WITH 71 RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH, AN INCREASE OF 54 PERCENT.
ONE EUROPEAN MAKE ACCOUNTED FOR 67 OF THE TOTAL, A RISE OF 49 PERCENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SIMILAR FIGURE REGISTERED IN MARCH.
THE CPB SPOKESMAN SAID THE BUREAU HAD BEEN IN CONSTANT LIAISON WITH INSURERS, MOTOR TRADERS, CAR MANUFACTURERS AND CAR PARK OPERATORS AS WELL AS OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH A VIEW TO MAPPING OUT LASTING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.
HE NOTED THAT THE BUREAU HAD ALSO HAD REGULAR MEETINGS WITH CAR PARK OPERATORS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS TO IDENTIFY WAYS OF IMPROVING SECURITY AT CAR PARKS.
THE COMPILATION OF THE CAR PARK MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK WAS ONE POSITVE OUTCOME OF THESE MEETINGS.
’’INITIATIVES TAKEN ON THE PART OF THE CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE DEMONSTRABLY PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CARS FALLING PREY TO CAR THIEVES.
’’SUCH INITIATIVES UNDERTOOK BY THE MANUFACTURER OF A POPULAR JAPANESE LUXURY MAKE, IN THE FORM OF ENHANCED BUILT-IN ANTI-THEFT DEVICES AND TIGHT CONTROLS OVER SPARE PARTS STOCK, HAVE EFFECTED A NOTICEABLE DROP OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS IN THE NUMBER OF MISSING REPORTS OF SUCH MAKE,”HE ADDED.
TO KEEP CAR THIEVES AT BAY, CAR OWNERS, WATCHMEN AND SECURITY GUARDS, CAR PARK OPERATORS COULD ALL CONTRIBUTE IN THE BATTLE, HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE CHANCE OF HAVING ONE'S CARS STOLEN WOULD BE GREATLY REDUCED IF THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES WERE OBSERVED:
* ALWAYS LOCK THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY AND TAKE THE KEYS WITH YOU, EVEN IF YOU ARE LEAVING THE CAR FOR JUST A MOMENT;
* KEEP ALL PROPERTY INSIDE THE CAR OUT OF VIEW - DON'T LEAVE
ANY VALUABLES WHERE THEY CAN BE SEEN;
* ALWAYS TRY .......
SCWAY, MAY 24, 1992
3
* ALWAYS TRY TO PARK YOUR CAR IN AREAS OF HIGH VISIBILITY, AND NEVER LEAVE YOUR CAR PARKED IN THE SAME PUBLIC PLACE FOR MORE THAN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS;
♦ USE UP-TO-DATE LOCKS AND AN EFFECTIVE SECURITY ALARM. HAVE A SECRET ENGINE IMMOBILISER SWITCH FITTED. THIS IS CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE;
* DON'T RELY SOLELY ON SECURITY SERVICES PROVIDED IN PUBLIC CAR PARKS;
* BE CAUTIOUS WHEN USING CAR PARKING SERVICES;
* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ADVICE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU ON TEL 721-2486.
---------0-----------
COMPANY GIVEN MAXIMUM FINE FOR NEGLECTING SAFETY
******
BUILDING CONTRACTORS MUST ENSURE THEIR WORKERS WEAR SAFETY HELMETS ON SITE AT ALL TIMES.
RECENTLY, THE HIP HING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED WAS GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000 BY A TUEN MUN MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO ENSURE THAT ITS WORKERS WEAR SAFETY HELMETS ON A TUEN MUN CONSTRUCTION SITE.
DURING A SPECIAL INSPECTION CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR, FACTORY INSPECTORS FOUND 23 WORKERS NOT WEARING SAFETY HELMETS ON THE SITE.
"THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS REQUIRE A CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE SUITABLE SAFETY HELMETS FOR ALL HIS WORKERS AND TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE WORKERS WEAR THEM WHILE REMAINING ON SITE," SAID DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR KAN HON-SANG OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
MR KAN SAID A THREE-MONTH SPECIAL INSPECTION CAMPAIGN IS BEING LAUNCHED ON BUILDING SITES WITH POOR RECORDS OF ACCIDENTS AND PROSECUTIONS.
"FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL CONCENTRATE ON BLACK SPOT AREAS LIKELY TO CAUSE FALLS OF PERSONS OR OBJECTS SUCH AS SCAFFOLDS, LIFT-SHAFT OPENINGS, FLOOR EDGES AND CAISSON WORK," HE SAID.
"THEY WILL ALSO CHECK ON THE USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING SAFETY HELMETS AND SAFETY BELTS OF WORKERS, AS WELL AS THE SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES, CRANES AND OTHER SITE PLANTS," HE ADDED.
/APART FROM .......
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 1992
4
APART FROM HIGH RISK AREAS, MR KAN SAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO HOUSE KEEPING ON THE SITES TO ENSURE THEIR PROPER AND ORDERLY MAINTENANCE AS POOR HOUSE KEEPING HAS BEEN THE CAUSE OF MANY COMMON ACCIDENTS ON SITE.
HE ALSO CAUTIONED THAT PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN OUT DURING THE INSPECTIONS AGAINST BLATANT OFFENDERS.
- - 0 - -
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON AIRPORT FINANCING PLAN
******
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MAY 28 (THURSDAY) FOR FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON THE AIRPORT FINANCING PLAN.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE), STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY CALLING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG ON 802 3302 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
- - 0 - -
CAS - A BRIDGE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY
******
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES (CAS), AN AUXILIARY RELIEF ORGANISATION, PLANS TO RECRUIT 500 TO 600 ADULT VOLUNTEERS AND 800 CADETS THIS YEAR TO UNDERTAKE ITS MULTIFARIOUS SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
ACCORDING TO STAFF OFFICER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, MR S.F. LAM, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE JOINING EVERY YEAR JUST OFFSET THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS DROPPING OUT.
HE URGED MORE PEOPLE TO JOIN IN TO MAINTAIN THE HIGH STANDARD OF THE SERVICES.
/"YOU CAN
5
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 1992
"YOU CAN GET SATISFACTION AND A SENSE OF SUCCESS FROM CAS WORK," MR LAM SAID, ADDING THAT IT NOT ONLY GAVE THE YOUTH AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO PROVIDED THEM WITH DIFFERENT WAYS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
"MEMBERS FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AS WELL AS A SENSE OF DUTY. THIS LEADS TO CO-OPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND RESIDENTS."
FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT, CAS AT PRESENT HAS 3,800 ADULT VOLUNTEERS AND 3,200 CADETS, ALMOST REACHING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 3,818 ADULTS AND 3,232 CADETS.
MR LAM SAID CAS REGULARLY CARRIED OUT PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES WITH A SPECIAL RECRUITMENT EXERCISE LAUNCHED EVERY SUMMER TO ATTRACT SCHOOL LEAVERS TO JOIN THE SERVICES.
HE SAID YOUTHS IN HONG KONG HAD BECOME MORE CIVIC-MINDED. THIS COULD BE REFLECTED BY THE FACT THAT AN AVERAGE OF 130 PEOPLE INCLUDING 50 ADULTS AND 80 YOUNGSTERS JOINING THE SERVICES EVERY MONTH LAST YEAR.
ANYONE WHO IS OVER THE AGE OF 16 (THOSE WHO ARE UNDER 18 HAVE TO OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM PARENTS OR GUARDIANS) CAN APPLY TO JOIN THE ADULT SERVICE. THE AGE FOR JOINING THE CADET CORPS IS 12.
ONCE THEY HAVE PASSED A MEDICAL EXAMINATION, THEY WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS MEMBERS.
NEW RECRUITS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING CONDUCTED IN EVENINGS, OVER WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS TO ACQUIRE BASIC KNOWLEDGE ON FIRST-AID, CASUALTY HANDLING AND FOOTDRILL.
ON COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING COURSE, THEY WOULD BE DEPLOYED TO DIFFERENT UNITS AND WOULD RECEIVE FURTHER TRAINING, HE ADDED.
IT HAS BEEN A FAMILIAR FACE TO SEE CAS MEMBERS AND CADETS ON DUTY IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THEY ARE EASILY RECOGNISABLE IN THEIR FAMILIAR BLUE UNIFORMS, CONTROLLING CROWDS AT FESTIVAL TIMES, PATROLLING THE COUNTRY PARKS AND GENERALLY BEING PRESENT AT A WIDE VARIETY OF CIVIC FUNCTIONS.
THEY HAVE TO RESCUE VICTIMS FROM COLLAPSED AND DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, MUDSLIDES AND ROCK FALLS.
THEY ARE ALSO CAPABLE OF BRIDGE-BUILDING AND THEY PROVIDE THE ONLY RECOGNISED MOUNTAIN RESCUE SERVICE IN THE TERRITORY. FOREST FIRE FIGHTING, OIL POLLUTION AND TYPHOON RESPONSE ARE OTHER AREAS OF EXPERTISE.
ALSO, CAS CAN HANDLE MASS EVACUATION, REGISTRATION AND FEEDING OF HOMELESS DISASTER VICTIMS.
IN ADDITION, THEY MAY ALSO RESPOND TO ANY MASS INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SET UP AND MANAGE HOLDING CENTRES. THEY ALSO HELP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS.
- 0-----------
/6 ........
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 1992
6 -
BRIDGING COURSE FOR STUDENTS
*****
A SIX-WEEK PILOT BRIDGING COURSE FOR STUDENTS WISHING TO TRANSFER FROM A GRAMMER TO A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL WILL BE HELD IN JULY.
THE COURSE, WHICH IS FREE OF CHARGE, PROVIDES THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL STUDIES ON METALWORK, ELECTRICAL STUDIES AND TECHNICAL DRAWING.
"STUDENTS APPLYING SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED SECONDARY 1 BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN SECONDARY 2 IN A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PILOT SCHEME, SERVED TO ESTABLISH THE FEASIBILITY OF AND DEMAND FOR THE BRIDGING COURSE, WOULD INITIALLY PROVIDE ONE CLASS OF 40 STUDENTS EACH ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"THE PILOT COURSE WAS ARRANGED FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS REPORT NO. 4 WHICH LOOKED AT THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WHO, HAVING BEEN ALLOCATED PLACES IN GRAMMER SCHOOLS, FOUND THEMSELVES AFTER THE FIRST YEAR OR SO LOSING INTEREST IN THE MORE ACADEMIC APPROACH AND WISHING TO LEARN MORE PRACTICAL SUBJECTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD CONDUCTED A TELEPHONE SURVEY IN 1986 OF PRIMARY 6 LEAVERS WHO DID NOT ATTEND THEIR ALLOCATED SECONDARY 1 CLASSES AND DROP-OUTS FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"ABOUT 88% OF THE RESPONDENTS INDICATED A POSITIVE INTEREST ATTENDING PRACTICAL COURSES,” HE SAID.
IN
THE BRIDGING COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THREE CENTRES:
* CARITAS ST FRANCIS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL
2 CAINE ROAD CARITAS HOUSE HONG KONG
* BISHOP HALL MEMORIAL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL
82 HIU KWONG STREET SAU MAU PING KOWLOON
* COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL
350 KWAI SHING CIRCUIT
KWAI CHUNG
NEW TERRITORIES
THE SPOKESMAN SAID STUDENTS SHOULD ATTEND ALL CLASSES AND PASS A TEST AT THE END OF THE BRIDGING COURSE.
APPLICANTS CAN SELECT ONE OF 16 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO TRANSFER TO.
- - 0---------
/7........
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 1992
7
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION IN KENNEDY TOWN
* t * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 26) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY KENNEDY TOWN NEW PRAYA, SMITHFIELD, FORBES STREET AND CADOGAN STREET AS WELL AS THOSE LOCATED AT 1-7 VICTORIA ROAD AND 30 CADOGAN STREET.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MAY 25, 1992
CONTENT PAGE NC.
FIGHT CRIME COLLABORATION SHOULD INCREASE : MINISTER ................ 1
MINISTER OF STATE BRIEFED ON ACP PROJECTS ........................... 1
GARRISON SAYS GOODBYE TO CCMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ......................... 2
RAIL LINK UNDER STUDY ............................................... 2
APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ............................................................ 3
APPLICATION FOR HKCI REPLACEMENT BY POST............................. 4
QUARRY BAY STREET TO BE RESUMED...................................... 5
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ............................ 5
LEGCO MEETS ON WEDNESDAY ............................................ 6
WATER STORAGE FIGURE................................................. 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 7
MONDAY, MAY 25, 1992
FIGHT CRIME COLLABORATION SHOULD INCREASE : MINISTER ******
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD TODAY (MONDAY) SAID BOTH THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAVE TALKED TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE FIGHT AGAINST SERIOUS CRIME.
NOTING THAT THE HONG KONG POLICE HAD ALSO BEEN CO-OPERATING WITH THE CHINESE IN SOME AREAS, MR GOODLAD HOPED THAT THESE COLLABORATIONS WOULD BE INCREASING IN THIS ASPECT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING A CRIME SCENE IN TAI KOK TSUI, HE SAID: ”1 AM DETERMINED AS IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THESE APPALLING CRIMES SHALL IN THE FUTURE BE PREVENTED AND THAT THE VILLAINS SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO BOOK.”
MR GOODLAD APPLAUDED THE EFFORTS THAT HAD BEEN MADE BY THE HONG KONG POLICE AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO CRACK DOWN ON CRIME.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, MR GOODLAD PAID A VISIT TO THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT SITE AT CHEK LAP KOK.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE VISIT, HE SAID:’’THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING HAVE GIVEN THE PROJECT EVERY SUPPORT.”
ASKED ABOUT ALLEGATIONS THAT CONTRACTS HAD BEEN GIVEN TO TOO MANY BRITISH FIRMS, MR GOODLAD SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE CRITERIA BY WHICH THE CONTRACTS HAD BEEN AWARDED WERE VERY STRICT AND WERE VERY IMPARTIALLY APPLIED.
--------0-----------
MINISTER OF STATE BRIEFED ON ACP PROJECTS
*****
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD, WAS TODAY (MONDAY) GIVEN A WIDE-RANGING BRIEFING ON HONG KONG’S AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
MR GOODLAD VISITED THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE IN WAN CHAI AND WAS BRIEFED BY ITS DIRECTOR, MR RAFAEL HUI, AND THE CONSULTANT PROJECT MANAGER, DR HENRY TOWNSEND.
MR GOODLAD THEN HAD A HELICOPTER TOUR OF THE VARIOUS ACP WORK SITES BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE NEW AIRPORT SITE AT CHEK LAP KOK FOR A BRIEFING ON THE WORKS THERE.
- - 0 - -
/2........
MONDAY, MA* 25, 1992
2
GARRISON SAYS GOODBYE TO COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
******
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON, TONIGHT (MONDAY) ATTENDED A FAREWELL DINNER AT HMS TAMAR HOSTED BY BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG.
THE OCCASION GAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE GARRISON - ROYAL NAVY, ARMY AND ROYAL AIR FORCE - TO SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FOLEY, PAID TRIBUTE TO LORD WILSON’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPING PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG OVER THE VERY DIFFICULT FIVE YEARS OF HIS GOVERNORSHIP.
HE SAID THE GARRISON VERY MUCH VALUED LORD WILSON’S INTEREST IN AND SUPPORT FOR BRITISH FORCES.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ROLE LADY WILSON HAS FULFILLED DURING THE GOVERNOR’S TERM OF OFFICE.
DURING THE EVENING THE REGIMENTAL BAND OF 1ST BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF WALES INCLUDED IN ITS PROGRAMME, "ALL THE BLUE BONNETS ARE OVER THE BORDER”, ONE OF THE REGIMENTAL MARCHES OF LORD WILSON’S FORMER REGIMENT THE BLACK WATCH.
------0----------
RAIL LINK UNDER STUDY * * * *
COMMENTING ON A MEETING BETWEEN THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG AND A GROUP OF DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS FROM TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING TODAY (MONDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT BRANCH SAID PUBLIC VIEWS WILL BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY WHICH WILL DRAW UP LONG-TERM RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE TERRITORY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THE STUDY IS PROGRESSING WELL AND ITS OBJECTIVE IS TO ADVISE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED RAILWAY NETWORK. THE STUDY INCLUDES A RAIL LINK WITH THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
"ALL OPTIONS INCLUDING POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS FROM TSUEN WAN TO EITHER TUEN MUN OR YUEN LONG ARE STILL OPEN."
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A DIALOGUE ON THE SUBJECT WAS MAINTAINED WITH THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS THROUGH TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S REPRESENTATIVES AT THESE BOARDS.
"THEY WILL BE CONSULTED AGAIN WHEN RESULTS OF THE STUDY ARE AVAILABLE AT THE END OF 1992 AND BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION TAKES A VIEW,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/WITH REGARD .......
3
MONDAY, MAY 25, 1992
WITH REGARD TO MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "IN THE SHORT TERM, WORK IS IN HAND TO IMPROVE SECTIONS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN, TO IMPROVE ROAD JUNCTIONS AND TO RE-ROUTE TRAFFIC IN SOME AREAS.
"IN THE LONGER TERM, FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND SECTIONS OF ROUTE 5 AT SHEK WAI KOK AND CHAI WAN KOK,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE YUEN LONG-TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR AND YUEN LONG WEST LINK WOULD BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR AND THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS IN JUNE 1994.
HE SAID THIS WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY THE COMPLETION OF THE TIN SHUI WAI WEST ACCESS IN JULY 1995. THESE PROJECTS WOULD GREATLY RELIEVE CONGESTION IN THE AREA.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT IS STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING THE ROUTE 3 (COUNTRY PARK SECTOR), FROM AU TAU TO TSING YI, AS A PRIVATISED PROJECT.
THIS WILL GREATLY RELIEVE THE CONGESTED TUEN MUN HIGHWAY APART FROM PROVIDING AN IMPORTANT NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
------0--------
APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ******
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MESSRS VICTOR CHU, PAUL FAN, PHILIP GRAY AND KEVIN WESTLEY AS MEMBERS OF THF. ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) FROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR TO MAY 31 NEXT YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
EIGHT OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED FOR A FURTHER TERM OF ONE YEAR FROM JUNE 1.
THEY ARE MESSRS RONALD ARCULLI, CHAN SUN-SUN, RAYMOND KWOK, CHARLES SOO, RICHARD MARGOLIS, LINCOLN YUNG, ZHOU ZHEN-XING AND WATARU YAMAGUCHI.
THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF 15 MEMBERS, NAMELY 12 MARKET MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, TWO SFC EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY SFC AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SFC WHO PRESIDES AT THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
"THE MARKET MEMBERS ARE DRAWN FROM A CROSS-SECTION OF THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY AND FROM THE PROFESSIONS TO ADVISE THE SFC ON MATTERS OF POLICY AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT," MR NENDICK SAID.
MR NENDICK ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FOUR OUTGOING MEMBERS, MESSRS VICTOR FUNG, PETER NORRIS, LINCOLN SOO AND ROBERT THOMAS FOR THEIR INVALUABLE ADVICE TO THE COMMISSION OVER THE PAST YEARS.
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/4 .....
MONDAY, MAY 25, 1992
4
APPLICATION FOR HKCI REPLACEMENT BY POST
******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY (MONDAY) THAT AS AN IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, APPLICATIONS FOR REPLACEMENT OF HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY MAY BE MADE BY POST.
APPLICANT’S PERSONAL ATTENDANCE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED.
FROM JUNE 1, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE IN HONG KONG AND ARE AGED 18 OR OVER MAY SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THEIR HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY BY POST TO THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (OTHER SERVICES) SECTION, IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS, 4/F, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
APPLICATIONS MAY ALSO BE DROPPED INTO THE DROP-IN BOXES INSTALLED AT THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (OTHER SERVICES) SECTION OR AT ANY IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES.
APPLICANTS WHO PREFER TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IN PERSON MAY CONTINUE TO DO SO.
WHEN POSTING THEIR APPLICATIONS, APPLICANTS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ENCLOSED A PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THEIR CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY AND HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD, TWO IDENTICAL RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS AND A CROSSED CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER FOR PAYMENT OF DOCUMENT FEES.
FOR APPLICATIONS MADE BY POST OR DEPOSITED AT THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (OTHER SERVICES) SECTION, NORMALLY 10 WORKING DAYS WILL BE NEEDED FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION FOR THE ISSUE OF A NEW CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY.
FIFTEEN WORKING DAYS WILL BE NEEDED FOR APPLICATIONS DEPOSITED AT AN IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICE. APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED BY LETTER THE DATE AND OFFICE TO COLLECT THEIR NEW CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY.
THEY SHOULD COLLECT THEIR NEW CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY IN PERSON AND BRING ALONG THEIR PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY FOR CANCELLATION.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED: "THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THE PROCEDURES FOR OTHER CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY SERVICES.
"APPLICANTS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PREVIOUS CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY OR WHO NEED A CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY FOR URGENT TRAVEL SHOULD ALSO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IN PERSON."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CALL THE INFORMATION OFFICE ON TEL 824 6111.
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/5 ........
MONDAY, MAY 25, 1992
5
QUARRY BAY STREET TO BE RESUMED * * * * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR PART OF QUARRY BAY STREET IN EASTERN DISTRICT TO RESTORE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRAFFIC TO A PROPER STANDARD.
UNDER PRIVATE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIPS, QUARRY BAY STREET IS NOT PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED.
IN VIEW OF THE POOR CONDITION OF THE STREET WHICH IS PARTLY OCCUPIED BY STALLS THAT OBSTRUCT PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT, THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE ITS ENVIRONMENT TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN DECEMBER 1993.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND LAND RESUMPTION CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, G/F, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 29 TAI ON STREET, G/F, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, SAI WAN HO; AND
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19/F, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2/F, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NOT LATER THAN JULY 21 DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
------0-------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A BUILDING IN YAU MA TEI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE ON THE ROOF OF 9-15 TUNG ON STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 18 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
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/6 ........
MONDAY, MAY 25, 1992
- 6
LEGCO MEETS ON WEDNESDAY ******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SEVEN BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 27).
FIVE OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY ARE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE BILL, BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 AND CHIROPRACTORS REGISTRATION BILL.
DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER TWO BILLS WILL BE RESUMED BEFORE GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
THE HON HENRY TANG WILL MOVE A MOTION ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WHILE THE HON MIRIAM LAU WILL MOVE A MOTION ON TAXI POLICY.
ALSO, THE HON K.K. FUNG WILL MOVE AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
THE HON PEGGY LAM WILL PRESENT TO AND ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON THE REPORT OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE 1991.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1991.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 56% OF CAPACITY OR 327.924 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 136.660 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 23.3% OF CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
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/7........
MONDAY, MAY 25, 1992
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * * » »
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 23.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 25.5.92 + 72
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -72
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON + 400 »
» O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 26.5.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.6 *+0.0* 25.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 1.81 PCT 18 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.06 PCT 21 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.59 PCT 24 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 3.14 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.83 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 102.50 4.54
2402 5.50 101.10 4.88
2405 5.50 100.76 5.16
- 18,213 MN (RECORD HIGH)
CLOSED 25 MAY 1992
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NO PLANS TO CHANGE THE FUNCTIONS OF EXCO: MINISTER ..................... 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR APRIL ....................................... 1
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL PUBLISHED .......................... 8
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT FOR LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AWARDED ............... 11
NEW ROADS PROPOSED FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0................................... 11
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES AT CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL FURTHER DISCUSSED 12
SUBSCRIPTION FEES OF TRADE CIRCULARS TO BE REVISED..................... 14
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE COMMISSIONER CALLS FOR SUPPORT...................... 16
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES .................................. 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ..................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 20
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
NO PLANS TO CHANGE THE FUNCTIONS OF EXCO: MINISTER
*****
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THERE ARE NO PLANS WHATSOEVER TO CHANGE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A MEETING WITH THE BRITISH SENIOR TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR STEPHEN DAY, MR GOODLAD SAID THAT THE CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MIGHT BE SOMETHING WHICH THE GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE MIGHT WISH TO CONSIDER.
"THERE ARE NO PLANS THAT I’M AWARE OF TO CHANGE THE FUNCTIONS OF EXCO,", THE MINISTER SAID.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, MR GOODLAD SAID AFTER VISITING THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE, THAT THE BEST THING FOR THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SCREENED OUT WAS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMELAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE DETENTION CENTRE, HE SAID HE HOPED THAT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED SPEEDILY AND EASILY AND THAT THE PEOPLE WOULD BE SETTLED BACK INTO VIETNAM.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF NEW ARRIVALS HAD BEEN REDUCED TO SEVEN THIS YEAR WHILE THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS TO GO BACK WAS AT A RECORD HIGH.
MR GOODLAD SAID THAT THE ENORMOUS RESOURCES THAT HAD BEEN DEVOTED BY THE HONG KONG AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS WERE VERY WELL DEPLOYED.
- - 0 - -
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR APRIL
*****
THE RATE OF INFLATION CONTINUED TO MODERATE IN APRIL THIS YEAR.
ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS & STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) WAS 8.9% HIGHER THAN IN APRIL 1991.
THIS COMPARED WITH 9.5% IN THE PRECEDING MONTH AND THE PEAK FIGURE OF 13.9% IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI IN APRIL 1992 WERE HIGHER BY 9.2% AND 9.7% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN MARCH WERE 9.7% AND 10.1%.
/THE COMPOSITE
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
2
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH WAS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 9.2% IN APRIL 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1991. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN MARCH WAS 9.7%.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WELCOMED THE CONTINUED MODERATION IN CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION, NOTING THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE MONTH IN WHICH THE INFLATION RATE FELL BELOW DOUBLE DIGIT LEVEL.
THE FURTHER DECELERATION IN THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) IN APRIL 1992 WHEN COMPARED TO MARCH 1992, WAS PARTLY DUE TO LESS RAPID INCREASE IN RENT.
ANOTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE INCREASE IN BUS FARE IN LATE MARCH LAST YEAR, WHICH THUS CONSTITUTED A HIGH BASE OF COMPARISON FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL THIS YEAR.
A FURTHER FACTOR WAS THE CONTINUING EFFECT OF THE BUDGET PACKAGE THIS YEAR, WHICH SHOULD HAVE A MODEST DEFLATIONARY EFFECT.
COMPARING APRIL 1992 WITH APRIL 1991, THE PRICES OF ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO REGISTERED DECREASES (-10.8% IN CPI(A) AND -6.0% IN CPI(B)).
RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (2.7% IN BOTH CPIS); FUEL AND LIGHT (6.0% AND 5.7%); TRANSPORT (6.0% AND 6.1%); MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.9% AND 6.4%); AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (8.8% AND 8.7%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR FOOD (EXCLUDING RESTAURANT MEALS) (10.3% IN CPI(A) AND 9.4% IN CPI(B)); MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (10.9% IN BOTH CPIS); SERVICES (11.3% AND 11.0%); AND HOUSING (11.3% AND 11.5%).
COMPARING APRIL 1992 WITH MARCH 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS HIGHER BY 1.2%, THE CPI(B) BY 1.3%, AND THE HANG SENG CPI BY 0.8%. THIS COMPARISON WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
■ THE INCREASES IN THE INDICES WERE LARGELY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND OUTERCLOTHING, AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS.
RENT FOR SOME PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS WERE ALSO HIGHER IN APRIL ALTHOUGH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE HAD MODERATED WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 9.6% THAN IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 1991. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE WAS 9.7% FOR THE CPI(B).
FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY TO APRIL 1992, BOTH THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 9.8% THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1991.
/FOR THE........
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
- 3 -
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED APRIL 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 11.1% THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE WAS 10.9% FOR THE CPI(B).
ON A SEASONALLY ADJUSTED BASIS, BOTH THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.0% PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 1992.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR APRIL 1992, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $9 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19/F, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/TABLE 1 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
4
Table 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for April 199? (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
CP I(A) CPI (R) Hang Seng CPI Composite CPI
Component Index for Apr.92 % change over Apr.91 Index for Apr.92 % change over Apr.91 Index for Apr.92 % change over Apr.91 Index for Apr.92 % change over Apr.91
Food 124.4 +10.6 124.8 +10.3 122.8 +9.9 124.3 +10.3
Meals bought away from home 127.9 +10.9 127.8 +10.9 123.7 + 10.4 127.0 +10.8
Food, excluding meals bought away from home 120.9 • +10.3 120.7 +9.4 121.3 +9.1 120.9 +9.8
Housing 128.0 +11.3 127.4 +11.5 128.5 +11.3 127.9 +11.4
Fuel and light 115.6 +6.0 115.0 +5.7 114.8 +4.9 115.2 +5.7
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 160.8 -10.8 152.8 -6.0 149.0 -3.2 156.3 -8.2
Clothing and footwear 118.8 +8.8 120.0 +8.7 121.9 +16.7 120.4 +11.4
Durable goods 107.3 +2.7 106.8 +2.7 109.3 +4.8 107.7 +3.3
Miscellaneous goods 114.4 +6.9 113.3 +6.4 112.8 +5.7 113.6 +6.4
Transport 122.1 +6.0 122.2 +6.1. 123.5 +6.1 122.5 +6.1
Services 12?.4 +11.3 123.9 + 11.0 120.4 +9.3 123.3 +10.6
All items 124.0 +8.9 123.4 +9.2 122.9 +9.7 123.5 +9.2
The 1989/90-based consumer price Indices are based on the expenditure patterns derived from the 1989/90 Household Expenditure Survey. The CPI(A) is based on the expenditure pattern of about 50% of urban households in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of $2,500-$9,999 a month in 1989/90. The CPT(B) is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 30% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $10,000-$17,499 in the same period. The Hong Seng CPI is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 10% )f urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of S17,500-$37,499 in 1989/90.
Whereas the CPT(A), CPT(B) and Hang Seng CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Composite CPI is compiled based on the expenditure pattern of all these households taken together. Thus, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI show the impact of consumer price changes on different groups of households, the Composite CPI shows the impact of consumer price changes on the household sector generally.
/TABLE 2 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
5
Table 2. Consumer Price Indices for October 1990 - April 199? (Oct. R9 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPI(A) CPT(B) Hang Seng CPI Composite CP)
1990 October 105.8 105.9 106.7 106.1
NiVemUi1 10U 10C.1 107.8 10M
December 107.4 107.6 108.1 107.7
1991 January 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
February 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
March 111.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
April 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
May 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
June 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
July 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
August 116.0 115.3 114.6 115.4
September 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
October 117.2 116.8 117.4 117.1
November 117.7 117.6 118.7 117.9
December 118.1 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992 January 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
February 121.8 121.2 121.0 121.4
March 122.5 121.9 121.8 122.1
April 124.0 123.4 122.9 123.5
/CHART 1 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
- 6 -
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(R)
/CHART 3
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase In Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase In Composite CPI
/8 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
- 8 -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL PUBLISHED ♦ * * t ♦
RE-EXPORTS RECORDED A FURTHER MARKED INCREASE LAST MONTH OVER A YEAR EARLIER, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED A DECLINE. IMPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE SIGNIFICANTLY.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY $11,816 MILLION OR 28.5% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $53,330 MILLION IN APRIL.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN APRIL, AT $17,718 MILLION, WAS $464 MILLION OR 2.6% LOWER.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $11,352 MILLION OR 19.0% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $71,048 MILLION.
MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $12,734 MILLION OR 19.3% TO $78,551 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE MONTH WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $7,503 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 9.6% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED LAST MONTH.
THIS COMPARED WITH THE DEFICIT OF $6,121 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 9.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN APRIL 1991.
IT THUS APPEARED THAT THE RELATIVELY LARGE VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT IN APRIL WAS MAINLY SEASONAL.
IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1992, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $47,069 MILLION OR 32.3% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $192,942 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $66,424 MILLION, $259 MILLION OR 0.4% LESS THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1992, AT $259,366 MILLION, WAS $46,810 MILLION OR 22.0% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $48,015 MILLION OR 21.0% TO $276,507 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $17,141 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.2% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1992.
/THIS COMPARED ......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
- 9
THIS COMPARED WITH THE DEFICIT OF $15,936 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 7.0% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED THAT THE SUSTAINED RAPID INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS, AGAINST THE VIRTUALLY STATIC DOMESTIC EXPORT PERFORMANCE, REFLECTED THE CONTINUING RELOCATION OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES ACROSS THE BORDER.
THIS WAS RESULTED IN AN INCREASING PROPORTION OF GOODS BEING SHIPPED OUT OF HONG KONG AS RE-EXPORTS RATHER THAN AS DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE TO 74% IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1992, COMPARED WITH 69% IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1991.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, IMPORTS RETAINED FOR LOCAL USE INCREASED FURTHER, BY 7.3% IN VALUE TERMS.
/PRESS RELEASE .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
10
PRESS RELEASE
TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL, 1992
. The Census and Statistics Department has released the following provisional merchandise trade figures for April:-
MERCHANDISE: Domestic Exports : Re-exports Total Exports :
Imports :
Trade balance :
i;17,718 million :;53,330 million S71j04o million ■78,551 million $7,503 million
(in deficit)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES Latest 3 months Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance Feb 92 to Apr 92 HK$ Mn. 62,259 153,933 206,192 220 598 -14,406
Same,month last year April 1992 HK$ Mn.
Domestic Exports (% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance 17,718 (24.9%) 53,330 71,048 78,551 -7,503
Last month April 1992 HK$ Mn.
Domestic Exports (% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports * Trade balance 17,718 (24.9%) 53,330 71,048 78,551 -7,503
Calendar year to-date Jan-Apr 1992 HK$ Mn.
Domestic Exports (% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance 66,424 (25.6%) 192,942 259,366 276,507 -171141
Last 12 months May 91 to Apr 92 HK> Mn.
Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance 230,787 581,909 812,696 826,997 -14,301
Feb 91 to Apr 91 HK$ Mn. Increase
HK$ Mn. %
47,506 106,853 154,359 167,831 -13,472 -934 10.0 44.1 33.6 31.4
April 1991 HK$ Mn. Increase
HK$ Mn • %
18,182 (30.5%) 41,514 59,696 65,817 -6,121 -464 11,816 11,352 12,734 -1,382 -2.6 28.5 19.0 19.3
March 1992 HK$ Mn. Increase HK$ Mn. %
17,052 (25.0%) 51,222 68,274 73,873 -5,599 666 2,108 2,774 4,678 -1,904 3.9 4.1 4.1 6.3
Jan-Apr 1991 HK$ Mn. Increase HK$ Mn. %
66,683 (31.4%) 145,873 212,556 228,492 -15,936 -259 47,069 46,810 48,015 -1,205 -0.4 32.3 22.0 21.0
May 90 to Apr 91 HK$ Mn. Increase HK$ Mn. %
229,691 445,863 675,554 687,702 -12,148 l,09( 136,041 137 14: 139,29; -2,16 5 8 2 I 0.5 30.5 20.3 20.3
25th May, 1992
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT
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/Il .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
11
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT FOR LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AWARDED *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS ENTERED INTO A $106 MILLION CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH SIR WILLIAM HALCROW AND PARTNERS LTD TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT WITH MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING (LFC) PROJECT.
THE FIRM HAS A LONG ASSOCIATION WITH HONG KONG WHICH IS THE BASE FOR HALCROW ASIA PARTNERSHIP LTD, PART OF THE HALCROW GROUP.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID HALCROW SUBMITTED THE LOWEST PRICE FOR THE WORK. IT WAS CHOSEN FROM A SHORTLIST OF FOUR INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY FIRMS FROM THE UK, U.S. AND CANADA.
’’HALCROW WAS ALSO GIVEN THE HIGHEST TECHNICAL MARKS BY AN ASSESSMENT PANEL CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LFC OFFICE, TRANSPORT BRANCH, AND NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE,” HE SAID.
THE PANEL CONSIDERED SUBMISSIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PREDETERMINED CRITERIA AND WEIGHTINGS, APPROVED BY THE ENGINEERING AND ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS SELECTION BOARD WHICH INCLUDE THE CONSULTANTS’ EXPERIENCE, RESPONSE TO THE BRIEF, APPROACH TO COST-EFFECTIVENESS, METHODOLOGY, AND STAFFING.
THE ASSESSMENT PANEL NOTED PARTICULARLY HALCROW'S RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR CABLE SUPPORTED BRIDGES INCLUDING THE RECENTLY COMPLETED DARTFORD BRIDGE IN LONDON.
IT IS NORMAL PRACTICE TO ENLIST TECHNICAL AND EXPERTISE SUPPORT INTO A GOVERNMENT TEAM TO CLOSELY MONITOR A PROJECT OF SUCH A LARGE SIZE WITH THE VIEW OF ENSURING THAT THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT, HALCROW WILL SECOND STAFF WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN MAJOR SUSPENSION AND OTHER BRIDGE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT TO THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT’S LFC OFFICE.
- 0 - -
NEW ROADS PROPOSED FOR TSEUNG KWAN O *****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD A NEW ROAD NETWORK IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 NEW TOWN TO TIE IN WITH THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW SETTLEMENT.
THE NEW ROADS WILL CONNECT TWO NEW AREAS, WHICH WILL BE DEVELOPED AT THE EXISTING TIU KENG LENG COTTAGE AREA AND TIU KENG WAN, TO OTHER PARTS OF TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN AND KOWLOON.
/WHEN DEVELOPMENT
12
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
WHEN DEVELOPMENT IS COMPLETED, THE TWO NEW AREAS WILL PROVIDE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING FOR ABOUT 86,000 PEOPLE TOGETHER WITH COMMERCIAL AND ANCILLIARY COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
THE PROPOSED ROAD PROJECT WILL START IN LATE 1993 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE.
TO FACILITATE THE ROADWORKS, A SECTION OF THE PO LAM ROAD SOUTH AND AN UNNAMED ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES, BUT STILL BE RETAINED AS FOOTPATH. FOOTPATHS AFFECTED BY THE WORKS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
IN FUTURE, NEW PEDESTRIAN ROUTES WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE WORKS AREA TO LINK UP WITH FOOTPATHS IN THE SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE UPON COMPLETION OF THE WORKS.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED ROAD PROJECT IS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
THE PLAN SHOWING THE ROADWORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, G/F, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SAI KUNG, 3/F, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG;
* SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, 2/F, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG; AND
♦ TSEUNG KWAN O SUB-OFFICE, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, ROOM 121-122, G/F, PO NING HOUSE, PO NING ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN O.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2/F, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NO LATER THAN JULY 21, 1992, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
---------0-----------
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES AT CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL FURTHER DISCUSSED *****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) MET TODAY (TUESDAY) TO FURTHER DISCUSS CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL (CHT) AND OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO CONSIDERED FARE INCREASES SOUGHT BY THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (HYF).
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS TRIED TO REDUCE AND CONTAIN CONGESTION AT CHT IN THE CONTEXT OF OVERALL DEMAND FOR CROSS HARBOUR TRAFFIC.
/THIS HAD .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
13
THIS HAD RESULTED IN THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IN 1989, THE DECISION TO BUILD THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO EASE THE CONGESTION AT CUT.
THE MEETING IN GENERAL AGREED THAT THE CONGESTION IS INCURRING A SOCIAL COST TO THE COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF MAN-HOUR LOSS TO MOTORISTS AND PASSENGERS QUEUING UP TO GET THROUGH THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
MEMBERS FELT THAT GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING NOW PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE, A PASSAGE TAX INCREASE SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IF OTHER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES FAILED TO TACKLE THE CONGESTION PROBLEM EFFECTIVELY.
SOME MEMBERS WISHED TO SEE THAT REVENUE GENERATED FROM ANY TAX INCREASE SHOULD BE PLOUGHED BACK TO TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE EXISTING CAPACITY OF CROSS HARBOUR BUSES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WOULD BE ABLE TO ABSORB PASSENGERS WHO WOULD WISH TO MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AS A RESULT OF A RISE IN TUNNEL PASSAGE TAX.
THEY ALSO DISCUSSED WHETHER PASSAGE TAX INCREASE SHOULD BE LIMITED TO CONGESTION HOURS OF A DAY OR ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.
IN THEIR FURTHER DELIBERATION OF THE ISSUE, MEMBERS TOOK INTO ACCOUNT VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE OMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
AS THERE WERE STILL SOME POINTS TO BE CLARIFIED, THE COMMITTEE AGREED TO HAVE ANOTHER MEETING ON THE MATTER IN MID-JUNE.
ON THE OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES, MEMBERS NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN CONSULTATION WITH TWO MORE TRADE GROUPS - THE MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS GENERAL UNION AND HK AND KOWLOON TAXI AND LORRY OWNERS ASSOCIATION.
THE TWO BODIES POINTED OUT THAT MANY DRIVERS OVERLOADED THEIR VEHICLES TO AVOID ADDITIONAL TRIPS, AND IN THE ABSENCE OF ON-VEHICLE WEIGHT INDICATORS, SOME DRIVERS COULD NOT TELL WHETHER THEIR VEHICLES HAD BEEN LOADED EXCESSIVELY.
THEY WERE ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO MAKE OVERLOADING INDIVIDUAL AXLES AN OFFENCE BECAUSE FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS, DRIVERS NORMALLY STORED GOODS AT THE FRONT OF THEIR VEHICLES.
THE TAC ENDORSED THE PROPOSAL OF INCREASING THE FIXED PENALTY FOR OVERLOADING, MAKING VEHICLE OWNERS LIABLE FOR OVERLOADING OFFENCES AND INTRODUCING INTEGRATED ON-VEHICLE WEIGHT INDICATORS WHICH ARE ALREADY USED IN SOME COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATION FROM HYF WAS ALSO CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE PROPOSED FARE RISE WAS DUE PRIMARILY TO RISING OPERATING COSTS AND THE KEEN COMPETITION FACING HYF’S CROSSHARBOUR SERVICES.
/HYF’S FARES .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
14
HYF’S FARES WERE LAST INCREASED IN NOVEMBER 1990 AND THE LEVEL OF INFLATION SINCE THEN WAS CLOSE TO 18% AS MEASURED BY THE CPI(A).
WHEN ASSESSING THE APPLICATION, TAC MEMBERS NOTED HYF’S SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PLANS IN 1992, INCLUDING -
* THE ADDITION OF A SECOND AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE-DECKER TO THE TUEN MUN - CENTRAL SERVICE AND EXTENSION OF SELECTED SAILINGS TO WAN CHAI;
* ADDITIONAL SAILINGS ON THE TSING YI - CENTRAL SERVICE DURING THE PEAK HOURS;
* FREQUENCY IMPROVEMENTS ON THE CHEUNG CHAU - CENTRAL SERVICE;
AND
* THE SPLITTING OF THE MUI WO/PENG CHAU - CENTRAL SERVICE, PROVIDING MORE DIRECT SERVICES WITH SHORTER JOURNEY TIMES.
MEMBERS ALSO OBSERVED THAT HYF HAD MADE CONSCIOUS EFFORTS TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND TO GENERATE MORE NON-FAREBOX REVENUE. THEY INCLUDE -
* CURTAILMENT OF THREE LOSS-INCURRING SERVICES IN 1991 AND FURTHER RATIONALISATION OF SERVICES IN THE INNER HARBOUR IN 1992; AND
* MORE EXTENSIVE ADVERTISING ON HULLS OF VESSELS AND PIER
TOPS .
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT HYF PLANNED TO INTRODUCE A 50% DISCOUNT FOR ELDERLY PASSENGERS AGED 65 OR ABOVE WHO TRAVELLED DURING THE OFF-PEAK HOURS ON WEEKDAYS.
MEMBERS TOOK ACCOUNT OF WRITTEN REPRESENTATION ADDRESSED TO THE
TAC.
TAC’S RECOMMENDATION ON HYF’S FARE INCREASE APPLICATION WOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
- - 0 - -
SUBSCRIPTION FEES OF TRADE CIRCULARS TO BE REVISED
******
TRADE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHES REGULARLY INFORMATION CIRCULARS TO KEEP LOCAL TRADERS ABREAST OF THE LATEST TRADING SCENES.
THE CIRCULARS, AT PRESENT SUBSCRIBED BY NEARLY 20,000 TRADERS, INCLUDE NOTICES TO EXPORTERS, COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULARS AND CERTIFICATION BRANCH CIRCULARS.
/THE NOTICES
15
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
THE NOTICES TO EXPORTERS CONTAIN INFORMATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VARIOUS TEXTILE CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS AS WELL AS REPORT ON QUOTA UTILISATION IN INDIVIDUAL RESTRAINT MARKETS AND PROVIDE LISTS OF QUOTA HOLDERS AND THEIR HOLDINGS.
COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULARS PROVIDE INFORMATION ON TRADE POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND TARIFFS CONCERNING BOTH TEXTILES AND NON-TEXTILES MATTERS IN HONG KONG'S OVERSEAS MARKETS.
MEANWHILE, CERTIFICATION BRANCH CIRCULARS GIVE INFORMATION RELATING TO CERTIFICATION OF ORIGIN AND CERTIFICATION OF PREFERENCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT FROM NEXT MONDAY (JUNE 1), FEES FOR SUBSCRIBING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S MAILING SERVICE OR FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION SERVICE FOR THESE CIRCULARS WILL BE REVISED.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEES WILL BE ADJUSTED AS FOLLOWS:
EXISTING NEW
ANNUAL FEE ANNUAL FEE
s $
* NOTICE TO EXPORTERS 125 135
(SERIES 1 TO 3) PER SERIES PER SERIES
* NOTICE TO EXPORTERS 55 60
(SERIES 1A TO 3A) PER SERIES PER SERIES
* COMMERCIAL INFORMATION 120 130
CIRCULAR
* CERTIFICATION BRANCH 60 65
CIRCULAR
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SUBSCRIPTION FEES WERE INTENDED TO COVER OPERATING COSTS AND THE DEPARTMENT MADE NO PROFIT FROM THE SERVICE.
IN ADDITION, FEES FOR OVERSEAS SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TRADE CIRCULARS WILL ALSO BE REVISED.
DEPENDING ON THE POSTAL ZONE AND CLASS OF SUBSCRIPTIONS, ALL FEES WILL BE ADJUSTED UPWARD BY ABOUT 8.7%.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE AVAILABLE, FREE OF CHARGE, COPIES OF CIRCULARS TO TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL AS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING THE DEPARTMENT.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR SUBSCRIPTION TO MAIL SERVICE OR FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION SERVICE FOR THE CIRCULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE INFORMATION COUNTER OF TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 398 5595.
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/16........
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
- 16 -
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE COMMISSIONER CALLS FOR SUPPORT
******
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, TONIGHT (TUESDAY) CALLED FOR CO-OPERATION ON CUSTOMS WORK IN A SPEECH TO THE LIONS CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"OBVIOUSLY NONE LIKES TO HAVE PERSONAL BAGGAGE OR COMMERCIAL CONSIGNMENTS CHECKED BY A CUSTOMS OFFICER BUT, SHOULD IT EVER HAPPEN TO YOU, I WOULD ASK YOU TO REMEMBER THE PLUS SIDE AND TO APPRECIATE THE REASONS," HE SAID.
IF THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DID NOT EXIST, FIRSTLY, SOME HK$7 BILLION WOULD BE LOST IN ANNUAL REVENUE FROM DUTIABLE COMMODITIES.
"TEXTILE ORIGIN AND QUOTA FRAUD WOULD INCREASE DRAMATICALLY, PERHAPS TO THE EXTENT THAT OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS SUCH AS THE USA AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WOULD TAKE ECONOMIC ACTION AGAINST US.
"FURTHERMORE, THE ILLEGAL IMPORT OF DANGEROUS DRUGS, FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION WOULD ALSO ESCALATE WITH ALL THE UNFORTUNATE CONSEQUENCES THIS WOULD HAVE," MR OXLEY SAID.
ON CUSTOMS AND EXCISE IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT, HE SAID THAT A NEW DIMENSION IN CUSTOMS OPERATIONS WAS THE NEED FOR TRADE FACILITATION.
"THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF CUSTOMS WORK WAS TO IMPOSE CONTROL WHETHER FOR FISCAL OR FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES.
"HOWEVER, WITH THE EVER GROWING VOLUME OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ITS EVER GREATER IMPORTANCE TO THE ECONOMIES OF THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO SPEED UP CUSTOMS CONTROL PROCESS WITHOUT LOSING EFFICIENCY IN ORDER TO AVOID UNDUE DELAY TO NORMAL COMMERCIAL PROCEDURES," HE SAID.
HE SAID A HIGH RISK MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE HAD ALREADY BEEN DEVELOPED IN HONG KONG TO SPEED UP EXISTING OPERATION.
"THIS INVOLVES THE USE OF INFORMATION, EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE TO BUILD UP PROFILES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR COMPANIES WHO ARE LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.
"WHAT NOW HAPPENS IS THAT AN OVERALL SYSTEM OF OBSERVATION OR MONITORING IS MAINTAINED BOTH OVER CARGO AND OVER TRAVELLERS AND, ALTHOUGH SOME RANDOM OR PERCENTAGE CHECKS ARE STILL MADE, THE MODERN TREND IS TO BASE EXAMINATIONS MORE AND MORE ON THE INTELLIGENCE WE BUILD UP.
"AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THIS TECHNIQUE IS INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION INSOFAR AS THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IS INVOLVED.
/"A NEW ........
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
17
"A NEW SMUGGLING TREND IN ONE COUNTRY COULD FOR EXAMPLE BE RAPIDLY INTRODUCED IN ANOTHER AND IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THAT DETAILS ARE EXCHANGED BETWEEN ADMINISTRATIONS AS SOON AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE."
MR OXLEY SAID FORTUNATELY MODERN TECHNOLOGY WAS BEGINNING TO BE OF GREAT ASSISTANCE ON THE OTHER HAND.
"ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE IS BEING USED INCREASINGLY AND I CAN FORESEE IN THE RELATIVELY NEAR FUTURE, A TIME WHEN PAPERLESS TRADING WILL BECOME THE RULE RATHER THAN THE EXCEPTION.
"IN ORDER TO REGULATE SUCH TRADING, IT IS OF COURSE NECESSARY FOR CUSTOMS TO REMAIN ABREAST OF, IF NOT AHEAD OF, MODERN TRENDS AND TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH ALL MODERN TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS.
"THIS IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE TREND OF THE FUTURE AND WILL EASE THE PROCEDURAL BURDEN ON BOTH TRADES AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICES."
ON SMUGGLING, MR OXLEY SAID ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS OCCURRED WAS THE IMPROVED CO-OPERATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINESE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS.
"IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITHIN HONG KONG TO FACILITATE THE CONTROL OF SMUGGLING.
"THESE INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT TO POSSESS A CARRIAGE LICENCE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF CONSUMER GOODS IN SMALL VESSELS WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS AND CONTROLS ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF SPEEDBOATS.
"AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE HAS ALSO BEEN ESTABLISHED IN WHICH MY OFFICERS WORK ALONGSIDE WITH POLICE OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL OF THE ROYAL NAVY."
MR OXLEY HOWEVER CITED TWO BASIC PROBLEMS WHICH "NEITHER THE ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NOR THE PASSAGE OF NEW LEGISLATION COULD ELIMINATE COMPLETELY".
"THESE ARE HONG KONG'S LONG AND CONVOLUTED COASTLINE AND THE SHEER VOLUME OF LEGITIMATE TRAFFIC, WHICH CAN UNFORTUNATELY ALSO CONCEAL ILLEGITIMATE TRAFFIC, BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
"THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THESE IS BY THE IMPROVED EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT MUCH PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN THIS DIRECTION," MR OXLEY SAID.
FINALLY, HE SAID: "I WOULD LIKE YOU TO REMEMBER THE COMPLEX AND HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM OF INTERNATIONAL LIAISON WHICH ASSISTS HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY AND WHICH HELPS TO ENSURE THAT TRAVEL AND COMMERCE ALIKE REMAIN PROPERLY REGULATED WITHOUT UNDUE DELAY.
"IT ALSO FACILITATES THE GROWING PROSPERITY OF AN INCREASINGLY CLOSELY KNIT GLOBAL ECONOMY."
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/18........
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
- 18 -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES
******
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED ON MAY 25 CONTAINS A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED A DECREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES.
AS FROM MAY 27, THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 3.6% (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 4.56% (TAX FREE).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.3 PER MONTH PER $100.
INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 27.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE MAY 27 THIS YEAR WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
7.32% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 12, 1989 AND BEFORE AUGUST 9, 1989;
6.84% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 9, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 7, 1990;
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 7, 1990 AND BEFORE APRIL 4, 1990;
8.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER APRIL 4, 1990 AND BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1990;
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 15, 1990 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 24, 1990;
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 24, 1990 AND BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1991;
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER JANUARY 30, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 29, 1991;
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 29, 1991 AND BEFORE JULY 3, 1991;
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 3, 1991 AND BEFORE AUGUST 14, 1991;
6.00% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER AUGUST 14, 1991 AND BEFORE SEPTEMBER 18, 1991;
/5.52% .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
19
5.52% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER SEPTEMBER 18, 1991 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 6, 1991;
5.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER NOVEMBER 6, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 6, 1992; AND
4.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 6, 1992 AND BEFORE MAY 27, 1992.
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE: $1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON MAY 27, 1992, JUNE
27, 1992 AND JULY 27, 1992 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON AUGUST 26, 1992 WILL HAVE
INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1,000, MAY 27, 1992 TO AUGUST 26, 1992
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $3.00 PER MONTH = $9.00
ON $1,000, JUNE 27, 1992 TO AUGUST 26, 1992
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $3.00 PER MONTH = $6.00
ON $1,000, JULY 27, 1992 TO AUGUST 26, 1992
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $3.00 PER MONTH = $3.00
$18.00
---------0------------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 26 MAY 92 26 MAY 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q222 H265
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,600 MN HKD 810 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.72 PCT 3.24 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.73 PCT 3.25 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 71 PCT ABOUT 70 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.82 PCT 3.32 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1992
20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 1 JUNE 1992 -
TENDER DATE 2 JUNE 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q223
ISSUE DATE 3 JUNE 92
MATURITY DATE 2 SEPT 92
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKS500 + 100 MN
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 25.5.92 1,388
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 26.5.92 -302 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -98
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +700 *♦
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -400 MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +98 MN
* * O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 27.5.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.6 *+0.0* 26.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.85 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.44 4.58
1 MONTH 2.58 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.03 4.93
3 MONTHS 2.74 PCT 24 MONTHS 2405 5.50 100.76 5.16
6 MONTHS 3.25 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.92 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18,507 MN (RECORD HIGH)
CLOSED 26 MAY 1992
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
S FOR T ON TAXI POLICY ........................................ 1
STI ON INDUSTRIAL POLICIES .................................... 5
SPEL ON LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION .......................... 10
POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED ...................... 13
BILL TO HELP ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ........................ 15
REGISTRATION OF CHIROPRACTORS PROPOSED ........................ 17
BILL TO FORM NEW GOVT FLYING SERVICE INTRODUCED................ 18
BILL TO BETTER BUILDING SAFETY INTRODUCED ..................... 19
ICAC COMMITTED TO CONTINUING REVIEW OF LEGISLATION ............ 20
KCRC OPERATES SUCCESSFULLY .................................... 21
TALKS ON IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE UNDER WAY ...................... 23
EPD PROMOTES QUIETER PILING METHODS ........................... 23
LDC OFFERS MARKET PRICES TO AFFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS .......... 24
THAILAND SITUATION CLOSELY MONITORED .......................... 25
VTC LOOKS AFTER TRAINING NEEDS OF RETAIL INDUSTRY ............. 26
TOO COSTLY FOR FULL CONTROL SYSTEM OF SIGNBOARDS .............. 27
PARTICIPATION IN ADB UNDER REVIEW ............................. 28
•GOVT IN CONTACT WITH ADB ON PADS FINANCING ................... 29
MILDLY DISABLED CHILDREN ENCOURAGED TO ENROL IN ORDINARY SCHOOL .. 29
KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME TO BE IMPROVED .............. 30
URGENT CASES GIVEN PRIORITY AT CLINICS ........................ 31
NO INTENTION TO CHANGE 1992 BUDGET ............................
HANDLING OF FORCED EVICTIONS CASES EXPLAINED .................. 32
MEASURES TO PROTECT SPORTSMEN FROM CONTRACTING AIDS ........... 33
SIGNAGE OUTSIDE AIRPORT DEPARTURE HALL WILL BE IMPROVED ....... 34
/IRD COMPUTER ......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
IRD COMPUTER ADEQUATE FOR REVENUE CALCULATION ....................... 35
DEVELOPMENTS NO HARM TO TUEN MUN ENVIRONMENT ........................ 35
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO KCRC TERMINAL UNLIKELY ................... 37
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS EFFECTIVE IN NORTH AND TAI PO ................ 37
S FOR S EXPLAINS BOAT INCIDENT ...................................... 38
MOTION ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY PASSED .................... 39
GOVERNOR VISITS QEH ................................................... 40
PLAN FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROGRESSING ......................... 41
COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE ALL-TIME LOW SINCE 1986 ..................... 42
FOUR PIECES OF LAND TO LET............................................. 44
CONTRACT FOR FANLING SCHOOL AWARDED ................................... 45
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON MOVE .................................. 46
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON AIRPORT FINANCING PLAN ....................... 46
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG ........................................... 46
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 47
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
1
S FOR T ON TAXI POLICY * * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THR SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
THE ADMINISTRATION, THROUGH THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING OUR TAXI POLICY. MEMBERS’ VIEWS ARE THEREFORE MOST TIMELY AND WE WILL CONSIDER THEM THOROUGHLY.
ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SURVEYS, OVER 60% OF TAXI TRIPS ARE USED FOR SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES. TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK REPRESENTS ABOUT 13% OF ALL TRIPS, AND SPECIAL URGENT TRIPS ABOUT 5%. THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION USE TAXIS ON IRREGULAR OCCASIONS ONLY. OUR CURRENT POLICY RECOGNISES TAXIS AS A PERSONAL DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE. THOUGH NOT ECONOMIC ROAD USERS, TAXIS ARE ALLOWED TO GROW IN LIMITED NUMBER BECAUSE OF THEIR ROLE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PRIVATE CARS. THIS POLICY IS REAFFIRMED IN THE 1990 WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG.
OUR TAXI POLICY HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY REVIEWED TO MEET CHANGING TRANSPORT, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL NEEDS. THERE WERE TWO MAJOR REVIEWS, ONE IN 1983 AND ANOTHER IN 1988. THE 1983 REVIEW PRIMARILY STUDIED THE ROLE OF TAXIS. IT CONCLUDED THAT TAXIS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO WHAT THE ROADS COULD BEAR. THE 1988 REVIEW COVERED THE ROLE AND CLASSIFICATION OF TAXIS, FARE POLICY, LICENSING SYSTEMS, QUALITY OF SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF TAXI SERVICES. THE REVIEW REAFFIRMED GOVERNMENT POLICY ON THE ROLE AND CLASSIFICATION OF TAXIS, AND RECOMMENDED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE TAXI SERVICES AND THE LICENSING SYSTEM.
SINCE THE LAST REVIEW, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE TAXI LICENCE PREMIUM. THIS PHENOMENON, COUPLED WITH CONCERN OVER TAXI . MALPRACTICES, HAS PROMPTED A FRESH LOOK AT THE SUBJECT. OUR CURRENT REVIEW COVERS THREE ASPECTS OF TAXI SERVICES, NAMELY, THE LICENSING SYSTEM, FARE STRUCTURE AND QUALITY OF SERVICE. I WILL FOCUS ON THESE ASPECTS, ADDRESS MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN AND CLARIFY SOME MISCONCEPTIONS.
TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM
IT IS WIDELY PERCEIVED THAT THE LIMITED QUOTA SYSTEM IS THE CAUSE OF THE RISING PREMIUM AND THAT THIS IN TURN WILL FUEL TAXI FARE INCREASES. SOME THINK THAT THE CURRENT SYSTEM SHOULD BE IMPROVED. OTHERS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT IT SHOULD BE ABANDONED ALTOGETHER.
/THE ANNUAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
2
THE ANNUAL ROADSIDE AND TAXI STAND SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOW THAT THE OVERALL AVAILABILITY OF URBAN/NT TAXI SERVICE REMAINED RELATIVELY STABLE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. HOWEVER, NOTWITHSTANDING A GENERAL REDUCTION IN PASSENGER WAITING TIME AT TAXI STANDS, THE HEADWAY BETWEEN VACANT TAXIS AT SOME LOCATIONS HAS INCREASED. THIS SUGGESTS THAT MORE TAXIS MAY CONTINUE TO BE NEEDED TO MEET DEMAND.
AS TAXIS ARE UNECONOMIC ROAD USERS, THERE IS A NEED TO REGULATE THEIR SUPPLY. WE WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY WHETHER MORE TAXIS WILL ADD TO ROAD CONGESTION AND UNDERMINE THE VIABILITY OF THE TAXI TRADE.
SOME ARE CONCERNED THAT A HIGH TAXI LICENCE PREMIUM WILL LEAD TO INCREASE IN TAXI FARES. I WISH TO POINT OUT THAT LICENCE PREMIUM IS NOT A FACTOR FOR ASSESSING TAXI FARE INCREASES. NOR IS IT EVER INCLUDED AS OPERATING COST IN THE ASSESSMENT. THIS IS BECAUSE THE LICENCE PREMIUM IS ESSENTIALLY A CAPITAL INVESTMENT. MOREOVER, NOT ALL TAXI DRIVERS ARE LICENCE HOLDERS AND THE LATTER BOUGHT THEIR Licences at different prices, some expect that as licence premium GOES UP, THERE WOULD BE GREATER PRESSURE TO DEMAND HIGHER RENTAL WHICH WOULD IN TURN TRANSLATE INTO PRESSURE FOR HIGH FARES. THERE ARE, HOWEVER, NO DATA TO PROVE ANY DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN A RISE IN PREMIUM AND AN INCREASE IN TAXI RENTAL.
SOME THINK THAT TAXI SERVICES HAVE BECOME INADEQUATE BECAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF LICENCES ARE KEPT BY TAXI TRADING COMPANIES PURELY FOR SPECULATION. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. A FEW TAXI TRADING COMPANIES HAVE RECENTLY SUCCEEDED IN BIDDING FOR MANY NEWLY-ISSUED LICENCES. BUT THERE IS LITTLE ROOM FOR WITHHOLDING OF LICENCES. THIS IS BECAUSE SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS ARE OBLIGED TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION OF THE NUMBER OF TAXIS ALLOCATED WITHIN SIX MONTHS. THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STATISTICS SHOW THAT 90% OF THE TAXI LICENCES ARE OWNED BY INDIVIDUALS.
SOME HAVE CRITICIZED THE ROLES PLAYED BY TAXI TRADING COMPANIES IN THE TAXI LICENCE MARKET. THE 1988 REVIEW REVEALED THAT MANY PROSPECTIVE TAXI OWNERS PREFERRED TO DEAL WITH THESE COMPANIES INSTEAD OF BIDDING IN THE TENDER EXERCISE. THE COMPANIES SERVED AS MIDDLEMEN TO PROVIDE A PACKAGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING ACTING AS GUARANTORS IN ARRANGING LOANS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. WE WILL EXAMINE THE ROLES OF THESE COMPANIES AGAIN AND CONSIDER MEASURES TO PREVENT ANY MANIPULATION OF THE LICENCE MARKET TO THE DETRIMENT OF GENUINE TAXI OPERATORS.
WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE PREMIUM LEVEL HAS RECENTLY RISEN SHARPLY BEYOND THE PROFITABILITY OF THE TAXI TRADE. THERE IS REASON TO SUSPECT THAT TAXI LICENCES HAVE BECOME A PROFITEERING COMMODITY TO SOME SPECULATORS WHO ARE NOT END-USERS. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NO INTENTION TO INTERFERE WITH INVESTMENT IN A FREE MARKET, WE SHOULD PREVENT MANIPULATIVE SPECULATION WHICH UNDERMINES THE HEALTH OF THE TAXI TRADE. THIS PROBLEM IS BEING CRITICALLY EXAMINED IN OUR CURRENT REVIEW.
/SOME CONSIDER .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 3 -
SOME CONSIDER THE FREE TRANSFER OF TAXI LICENCES AS CONDUCIVE TO SPECULATION. IT HAS BEEN PROPOSED THAT ALL LICENCES SHOULD IN FUTURE BE SUBJECT TO TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD INCLUDE SETTING A NON-TRANSFERABLE PERIOD, IMPOSING STAMP DUTY AND REQUIRING LEGAL EXECUTION ON TRANSFER. THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN OUR REVIEW.
OTHERS HAVE PROPOSED A ’’TAXI OWNERSHIP SCHEME" WHEREBY TAXIDRIVERS WOULD BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE LICENCES AT A FIXED DISCOUNT PRICE. THE 1988 REVIEW CONCLUDED THAT THE PROPOSAL TO ISSUE FIXED PREMIUM LICENCES WOULD AMOUNT TO SUBSIDIZING TAXI OPERATION. THIS RUNS COUNTER TO OUR ESTABLISHED POLICY THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SHOULD BE SELF-FINANCING. THERE IS ALSO NO REASON FOR GOVERNMENT TO SUBSIDISE THE TAXI TRADE OUT OF ALL TRADES IN THE ECONOMY.
QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICE
MOVING TO THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICE, VARIOUS MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN RECENT YEARS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF MALPRACTICES. THESE INCLUDE INCREASING THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR TAXI OFFENCES FROM $3,000 TO $5,000 AND REGULATING THE DISPLAY OF FARE TABLES INSIDE TAXIS. IN ADDITION, THE TAXI DRIVING LICENCE WRITTEN TEST HAD BEEN MADE MORE STRINGENT. A GUIDE ON TAXI SERVICE WAS PUBLISHED IN 1989 TO HELP DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
TAXI MALPRACTICES, IN PARTICULAR, TAXIMETER TAMPERING, ARE A CONTINUING CAUSE OF CONCERN. THE SEALING OF TAXIMETERS WILL BE IMPROVED TO MAKE BREAKING MORE DIFFICULT AND COUNTERFEITING MORE READILY DETECTABLE. BESIDES, ALL TAXIS WILL BE REQUIRED TO INSTALL SHEATHED AND VISIBLE METER CABLES TO DETER INTERFERENCE AND TO FACILITATE INSPECTION. THESE MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS PART OF ANNUAL VEHICLE EXAMINATIONS LATER THIS YEAR. ALL TAXIS WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENT IN A YEAR’S TIME. THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP IN TOUCH NEW TECHNOLOGY TO HELP PREVENT TAXIMETER TAMPERING.
WE ARE ALSO ACTIVELY PURSUING THE COMPULSORY DISPLAY OF TAXI DRIVER IDENTITY PLATES. THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO ENCOURAGE TAXI DRIVERS TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO SELF-DISCIPLINE. IT WILL ALSO FACILITATE THE EASY IDENTIFICATION OF TAXI DRIVERS BY PASSENGERS WHEN LODGING COMPLAINTS. WE INTEND TO INTRODUCE THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN LATE 1992.
WE AGREE THAT MORE PUBLIC EDUCATION IS LIKEWISE NECESSARY FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES. THE SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED ON THIS WILL ALSO BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN OUR REVIEW.
/FARE POLICY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 4 -
FARE POLICY
TURNING TO TAXI FARE POLICY, OUR TAXI FARES, ON AVERAGE $4.5 PER KILOMETER FOR URBAN TAXIS, COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH MANY OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CITIES. HOWEVER, A BALANCE MUST BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE USE OF TAXIS AND MASS CARRIERS IN OUR CROWDED CITY. AS TAXI DEMAND IS GENERALLY PRICE ELASTIC, THE 1988 REVIEW RECOMMENDED A DIFFERENTIAL WITH FARES OF MASS CARRIERS TO REGULATE TAXI DEMAND. THIS POLICY WAS REAFFIRMED IN THE 1990 WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY. WE SUBSEQUENTLY AIM AT MAINTAINING A DIFFERENTIAL, ON A PER PASSENGER BASIS, OF 5 TO 7 TIMES FOR URBAN TAXIS AND 3 TO 4 TIMES FOR NT TAXIS. THIS HAS HELPED TO MAINTAIN THE ROLE OF TAXIS AS A FORM OF PERSONALIZED TRANSPORT.
SOME ARE HOWEVER CONCERNED THAT THIS FARE DIFFERENTIAL WILL ADD TO INFLATION. WE MUST REALISE THAT SPENDING ON TAXI SERVICES REPRESENTS ONLY 0.8% OF THE AVERAGE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A). THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT SUCH FARE DIFFERENTIAL PUTS PRESSURE ON INFLATION.
SOME HAVE PROPOSED TO CHANGE THE METER CHARGE STRUCTURE TO REGULATE THE USE OF TAXIS FOR SHORT JOURNEYS AND TO REDUCE REFUSALS OF HIRE. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO CONSENSUS ON THE PART OF THE TAXI TRADE OR THE PUBLIC ON THESE PROPOSALS. THE PROS AND CONS WILL BE CRITICALLY EXAMINED IN OUR REVIEW.
ANY APPLICATION FOR TAXI FARE INCREASES IS OF COURSE ALWAYS CAREFULLY ASSESSED ON GROUNDS OF COSTS, VIABILITY OF THE TRADE, ADEQUACY OF TAXI SERVICES AND PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY. THE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS AND TAC ARE CONSULTED BEFORE ANY DECISION IS TAKEN. THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE FARE NOT ONLY REFLECTS OUR TAXI POLICY, BUT ALSO THE INTERESTS OF OPERATORS, DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.
AMALGAMATION OF URBAN AND NT TAXIS
WITH THE CONTINUED URBANISATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, THERE HAVE BEEN REQUESTS FOR THE AMALGAMATION OF URBAN AND NT TAXIS. THE ADMINISTRATION HAS YET NO PLANS TO CHANGE THE EXISTING CLASSIFICATION OF TAXIS. THERE ARE STILL RESIDENTS LIVING IN REMOTE AREAS NOT WELL SERVED BY OTHER FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT. TO REMOVE THE CURRENT DEMARCATION MAY RESULT IN NT TAXIS OPERATING ONLY IN THE URBAN AREAS. THIS WILL DEPRIVE THE NT RESIDENTS OF THE NEEDED TRANSPORT SERVICE.
HOWEVER, WE WILL COMMISSION A GENERAL CONSULTANCY STUDY LATER THIS YEAR TO EXAMINE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NEEDS ARISING FROM THE NEW AIRPORT. THE FUTURE ROLE AND CLASSIFICATION OF TAXIS WILL, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, BE PART OF THIS REVIEW.
THE WORKING GROUP ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW WILL FORWARD ITS FINDINGS TO THE TAC THIS SUMMER. THE PUBLIC VIEWS RECEIVED SO FAR ARE RATHER DIVERGENT AND SOMETIMES REPRESENT COMPETING OR CONFLICTING INTERESTS. ALL VIEWS WILL BE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT. THE PUBLIC WILL BE CONSULTED AGAIN BEFORE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FINALIZED. THANK YOU.
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/5......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
5
STI ON INDUSTRIAL POLICIES ******
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, IN A MOTION DEBATE ON POLK IES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
SECRETARY
INDUSTRIAL
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUOUSLY REVIEWS ITS POLICIES AND SERVICES FOR INDUSTRY TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE EFFECTIVE IN ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS AND DEVELOPMENT. DI RING A TIME OF RAPID STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY, IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT THIS PROCESS OF REVIEW IS RELEVANT TO THE NEEDS OF INDUSTRY AND TO THE ECONOMY GENERALLY.
RESTRUCTURING AND ITS EFFECTS ON INDUSTRY
THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS OR SO - ESPECIALLY IN SO FAR AS THEY RELATE TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES - HAVE BEEN DRAMATIC. MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES’ SHARE OF TOTAL GDP DECLINED FROM 21.9% IN 1985 TO 16.7% IN 1990. THE MANUFACTURING LABOUR FORCE HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 849,000 TO 655,000 BETWEEN 1985 AND 1991. SINCE THE OPENING OF CHINA IN 1979, HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIALISTS HAVE MADE CONSIDERABLE USE OF LOWER LABOUR AND LAND COSTS IN SOUTHERN CHINA FOR THE MANUFACTURING - ON A MUCH LARGER SCALE - OF GOODS THAT USED TO BE PRODUCED IN HONG KONG AND FOR THE OUTWARD PROCESSING OF GOODS WHICH ARE ULTIMATELY FINISHED IN HONG KONG.
A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE PRESENTED THESE CHANGES NEGATIVE TERMS. BUT IN REALITY, THE EVIDENCE INDICATES THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE MAKING POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO
IN SOMEWHAT CLEARLY THAT
HONG KONG’S
ECONOMY GENERALLY AND TO ITS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN PARTICULAR. THE REDUCTION IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES’ SHARE IN HONG KONG’S GDP IS
BALANCED BY RAPID ADVANCES IN OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, SUCH AS
TRADING, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS, AND ONE OF THE MAIN IMPETUS FOR THE ADVANCES IN OTHER SECTORS IS THE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR MUCH ENLARGED
PRODUCTION BASE IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
IN REAL TERMS, INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT
IN HONG KONG INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY AT AN AVERAGE
ABOUT 9% IN ALMOST THE WHOLE OF THE 1980’S AND HAS
ANNUAL RATE OF REMAINED STABLE
ONLY SINCE 1989. THIS MEANS THAT, IN SPITE OF THE CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF OUR ECONOMY,. HONG KONG STILL HAS A SUBSTANTIAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR WHICH IS TODAY PRODUCING, IN REAL TERMS, 80% MORE
THAN IT DID 10 YEARS AGO.
SECONDLY, ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURING LABOUR FORCE HAS DECLINED IN NUMBERS, PRODUCTIVITY PER PERSON ENGAGED - LARGELY THE RESULT OF GREATER AUTOMATION, MORE EFFICIENT PRODUCTION PROCESSES, AND A CONCENTRATION ON HIGHER-VALUE PRODUCTS - HAS GROWN AT AN IMPRESSIVE RATE : IN QUANTITATIVE TERMS, PRODUCTIVITY PER PERSON HAS INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE 10.5% PER ANNUM BETWEEN 1986 AND 1991. THIS FIGURE COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE EQUIVALENT RATES FOR DEVELOPED INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIES AND FOR NEWLY-INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES IN THE REGION.
/THIRDLY, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
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THIRDLY, THE MOVEMENT OF INDUSTRIES TO SOUTHERN CHINA HAS OFTEN BEEN DESCRIBED AS AN ’EXODUS’. BUT IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO VIEW IT AS AN EXPANSION OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE. THE CONTINUED RELIANCE OF MANY OF SOUTHERN CHINA’S INDUSTRIES ON HONG KONG FOR INVESTMENT, MANAGEMENT, LINKAGE MATERIALS, FINISHING, AND RE-EXPORTING DEMONSTRATES THIS. THE RESTRUCTURING OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL BASE IN THIS WAY HAS RELEASED LABOUR IN HONG KONG FOR OTHER EXPANDING SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY AND HAS ENABLED THE INDUSTRIES THAT REMAIN IN HONG KONG TO CONCENTRATE ON HIGHER-VALUE, HIGHER-QUALITY PRODUCTS.
FOURTHLY, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THESE STRUCTURAL CHANGES HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO DIMINISH HONG KONG’S PRICE COMPETITIVENESS IN WORLD MARKETS. THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BOTH BY IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY AND BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER. THUS HONG KONG PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVENESS IN WORLD MARKETS.
THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT ITS POLICIES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AN ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF SUCCESS. THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND THESE POLICIES HAVE BEEN THOSE THAT HAVE UNDERPINNED OUR FREE MARKET ECONOMY : MINIMUM INTERVENTION, BUT MAXIMUM SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT. WE BELIEVE THAT ATTEMPTS TO FRUSTRATE OR OTHERWISE INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF MARKET FORCES WILL TEND TO DAMAGE THE HEALTHY GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY. UNDER THIS PHILOSOPHY, INDUSTRIES - OR INDEED ANY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY - NOT KEEPING PACE WITH THEIR COMPETITORS DECLINE; THOSE MAINTAINING A COMPETITIVE EDGE REAP THE FULL BENEFITS OF THEIR SUCCESS. THIS BOTH ENSURES AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF LIMITED RESOURCES WITHIN THE ECONOMY AND ENABLES INDUSTRIES TO MAXIMISE THEIR RETURNS.
MINIMUM INTERVENTION MEANS THAT WE LET BUSINESSMEN, NOT CIVIL SERVANTS, MAKE BUSINESS DECISIONS; THAT WE DO NOT PROTECT OR SUBSIDISE INDUSTRIES WHICH ARE UNABLE TO SURVIVE THROUGH FREE COMPETITION; AND THAT WE DO NOT PROVIDE DISCRIMINATORY INCENTIVES, SUCH AS TAX BREAKS. GIVEN HONG KONG’S SIMPLE TAX SYSTEM AND LOW TAX RATES, TAX CONCESSIONS OR TAX HOLIDAYS WOULD, IN ANY CASE, BE UNLIKELY TO BE EFFECTIVE IN ENCOURAGING OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES HERE. MOREOVER, EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT INVESTORS PREFER A SIMPLE, STABLE LOW TAX STRUCTURE TO SHORT-TERM INCENTIVES.
MAXIMUM SUPPORT MEANS THAT WE SEEK TO ENSURE THAT THE BEST POSSIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE IS AVAILABLE TO ENABLE INDUSTRIES TO SURVIVE; THAT WE IDENTIFY CONSTRAINTS TO GROWTH AND SUGGEST WAYS OF BUILDING ON STRENGTHS AND OVERCOMING WEAKNESSES; AND THAT WE PROVIDE THE SERVICES NEEDED TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND PRODUCT INNOVATION.
/ALL THESE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
ALL THESE ELEMENTS OF SUPPORT RELY FOR THEIR EFFECTIVENESS ON A CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF REVIEW. IN THE PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT CRITICALLY EXAMINES THE POLICIES AND SERVICES IN OTHER PROGRAMME AREAS - SUCH AS EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, PLANNING, AND ECONOMIC SERVICES - TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ADEQUATE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDUSTRY. THROUGH ITS REGULAR TECHNO-ECONOMIC STUDIES ON EACH OF THE FOUR MAJOR MANUFACTURING SECTORS, THE DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONS OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS TO REPORT IN DETAIL ON THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY, HOW IT HAS CHANGED, AND WHAT ACTIONS ARE NEEDED TO HELP IT DEVELOP FURTHER. DIRECT SERVICES TO INDUSTRY - FOR EXAMPLE, THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY OR THROUGH SUCH ORGANISATIONS AS THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL - ARE CONTINUOUSLY REVIEWED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE CAPABILITY AND EXPERTISE TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF MANUFACTURERS.
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS SEVEN CONSULTANCY STUDIES EITHER TN PROGRESS OR DUE TO BEGIN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR. THEY INCLUDE THREE TECHNO-ECONOMIC STUDIES, A STUDY TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT ON INDUSTRIES OF THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT, A STUDY ON WHETHER A SCIENCE PARK SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG, AND STUDIES ON INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AND INDUSTRIAL DATABASES.
SUCH REVIEWS AND CONSULTANCIES ARE NOT EMPTY, THEORETICAL EXERCISES. THEY HAVE IN RECENT YEARS LED TO A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT INITIATIVES. FOR EXAMPLE:
- THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, DUE FOR COMPLETION IN 1994 BUT ALREADY PROVIDING SOME SERVICES, WILL PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES FOR SMALL HIGH TECHNOLOGY BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG.
- THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, TO BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR, WILL PROVIDE $200 MILLION OF GOVERNMENT MONEY FOR INVESTING IN R & I) BY INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
- A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IS BEING DEVELOPED IN TSEUNG KWAN O, AND WILL BE READY IN 1993. THIS WILL ADD TO THE LAND ALREADY AVAILABLE AT THE TAI PO AND YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES FOR THE DIVERSIFICATION AND UPGRADING OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES.
THESE INITIATIVES ARE COMPLIMENTED BY ACTIONS IN OTHER POLICY AREAS, SUCH AS THE CREATION OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, THE NEW TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SCHEME, AND THE INCREASING PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR ACADEMIC R & I) WHICH HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLE OVER THE LAST TWO ACADEMIC YEARS. ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTHENING THE TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITY OF OUR INDUSTRIES.
/HCNG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
8
HONG KONG HAS BENEFITTED FROM THE IMPORT OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE PAST, AND IS BOUND TO CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE ADAPTATION OF OVERSEAS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE FUTURE. THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INWARD INVESTMENT PROGRAMME, THE GOVERNMENT STRIVES TO ATTRACT OVERSEAS INVESTORS WHO CAN BRING IN USEFUL TECHNOLOGIES. THE PROGRAMME TAKES A PRO-ACTIVE APPROACH TO SELECTED COMPANIES IN A RANGE OF TARGETTED INDUSTRIES. THE TARGETS ARE IDENTIFIED AND REVIEWED REGULARLY HAVING REGARD TO THE FINDINGS OF HONG KONG’S TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE TECHNO-ECONOMIC REPORTS AND THE ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT OFFICERS ON THE GROUND. THE CONTINUED FLOW OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS INTO HONG KONG SUGGESTS BOTH THAT THE PROGRAMME IS ACHIEVING SOME SUCCESS AND THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO HAVE MUCH TO OFFER TO NEW AND DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS FROM OVERSEAS. IN AN AGE IN WHICH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES ARE RAPID AND COMPLEX, AND IN A WORLD WHERE COMPETITIVENESS DEPENDS INCREASINGLY ON TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW-HOW, THE GOVERNMENT HAS A DEFINITE ROLE TO PLAY IN PROVIDING SUPPORT TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY IN RESPONDING TO TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AROUND THE WORLD.
TO UNDERLINE THE VITAL CONNECTION BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED THIS YEAR A NEW INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, WHICH HAS REPLACED THE OLD INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. WITH ITS EXPANDED TERMS OF REFERENCE AND A MORE FOCUSSED AND CO-ORDINATED APPROACH, THIS NEW COUNCIL WILL BE BETTER PLACED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG. THE COUNCIL, TOGETHER WITH THE COMMITTEE ON THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME UNDER IT WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT TO ADMINISTER THE NEW APPLIED R & D SCHEME. FURTHERMORE, UNDER THE COUNCIL, WE WILL SET UP A TECHNOLOGY REVIEW BOARD, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP WILL INCLUDE DISTINGUISHED SCIENTISTS FROM OVERSEAS AS WELL AS FROM HONG KONG AND WHICH WILL PROVIDE ADVICE ON BROAD STRATEGIES IN TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT HAVING REGARD TO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY TRENDS AND . HONG KONG’S CIRCUMSTANCES. THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WILL, OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR, BE EXAMINING ITS OWN ROLE AND WORK METHODS TO ENSURE MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS. SOME MEMBERS HAVE RAISED THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE ITDC SHOULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO A BODY ALONG THE LINE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD IN SINGAPORE. THIS QUESTION WAS CONSIDERED BY THE FORMER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD WHICH CONCLUDED THAT HAVING REGARD TO HONG KONG CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACTIVITIES ALREADY UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT, SUCH A CHANGE WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE.
/CONCLUSION........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
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CONCLUSION
THE GOVERNMENT SHARES THE VIEWS EXPRESSED TODAY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG INDUSTRIAL BASE IN HONG KONG: IT CREATES WEALTH THROUGH EXPORTS; IT PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT FOR MORE THAN 23% OF OUR WORKING POPULATION; IT CONTRIBUTES TO THE DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR ECONOMY, ALLOWING FOR FLEXIBILITY AND ADJUSTMENT; IT IS AN IMPORTANT USER OF SERVICES IN OTHER SECTORS; AND, IN PROVIDING A STIMULUS TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ECONOMIES WITHIN THE REGION, IT CREATES NEW USERS OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL AND EXPORT SERVICES. WE ALSO RECOGNISE THAT, IN AN INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED ECONOMIC STRUCTURE, THE VARIOUS MAJOR SECTORS ARE IN FACT FUNCTIONING IN A HIGHLY COMPLEMENTARY MANNER. OUR AIM FOR THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO FLOURISH.
I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SHOW THAT, WITHIN THE OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF MINIMUM INTERVENTION AND MAXIMUM SUPPORT, OUR INDUSTRIAL POLICIES HAVE BEEN - AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE - SUBJECTED TO A VIGOROUS PROCESS OF CRITICAL REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT, RESULTING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT NEW INITIATIVES AND THE GREATER FOCUSSING ON LINKING TECHNOLOGY WITH INDUSTRY. THESE INITIATIVES ARE THE RESULTS OF BOTH CAREFUL RESEARCH AND OF LISTENING TO THE ADVICE AND REQUESTS OF INDUSTRIALISTS. THE SUCCESS OF THESE POLICIES IS EVIDENT FROM THE LARGE INCREASES IN PRODUCTIVITY PER PERSON, THE CONTINUED COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN OVERSEAS MARKETS, AND THE INCREASING INFLUENCE OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION METHODS IN THE REGION. WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF ALTERING THE PRINCIPLE OF ALLOWING FREE PLAY TO MARKET FORCES, ON WHICH OUR POLICIES ARE BASED : THAT PRINCIPLE HAS WORKED WELL, AND HAS ALLOWED HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES THE SCOPE, FLEXIBILITY AND IMAGINATION THEY NEED TO FLOURISH IN AN EXPORT-LED ECONOMY.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, THIS DEBATE HAS PROVIDED A VERY TIMELY AND WELCOME FOCUS OF ATTENTION ON AN IMPORTANT SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY. LET ME ASSURE MEMBERS FIRST THAT THE MANY AND VARIED VIEWS EXPRESSED TODAY WILL BE BORNE IN MIND IN OUR CONTINUING REVIEW OF INDUSTRIAL POLICY AND SECONDLY, THAT THE GOVERNMENT FULLY ACCEPTS THE THRUST OF TODAY’S DEBATE WHICH IS THAT WHATEVER OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS, WE CANNOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE COMPLACENT. IT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE HELP OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, SHOULD CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE ADEQUACY AND NATURE OF ITS INDUSTRIAL POLICIES AND SERVICES IF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES - AND INDEED ITS ECONOMY GENERALLY - ARE TO REMAIN HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE, AND COMPETITIVE.
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/10 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
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SPEL ON LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ******
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
THE ADMINISTRATION IS ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO BALANCE THE WIDER COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF URBAN RENEWAL WITH THE INTERESTS OF THOSE WHOSE PROPERTIES, BUSINESSES AND HOMES ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY IT. THIS CONCERN GUIDED OUR APPROACH IN CREATING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND DEVISING THE INTRICATE STATUTORY PROCESSES WHICH GOVERN ITS OPERATIONS. SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED IN STRIKING THIS BALANCE HAVE BEEN TOUCHED UPON BY MEMBERS TODAY.
URBAN RENEWAL IS NOT NEW TO HONG KONG. INDEED IT IS AN ACTIVITY WHICH HAS BEExN GOING ON FOR MANY YEARS LARGELY THROUGH THE OPERATION OF MARKET FORCES AND THE INITIATIVES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR. AN EXTENSIVE PILOT SCHEME CARRIED OUT ON HONG KONG ISLAND IN THE 1960’8 AND 70'S SHOWED US HOW SLOW AND CUMBERSOME THE PROCESS BECOMES WHEN CONDUCTED THROUGH A FORMAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME COMPETING WITH OTHER PRIORITIES FOR PUBLIC FUNDS. APART FROM THE RELATIVELY LIMITED SCHEMES UNDERTAKEN BY THE HOUSING SOCIETY, NOTHING FURTHER WAS ATTEMPTED ON A FORMAL BASIS UNTIL, AFTER LENGTHY STUDIES AND CAREFUL PREPARATION OVER A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS, THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WAS CREATED IN 1988.
URBAN DECAY IS NOT UNIQUE TO HONG KONG. IT AFFECTS MATURE CITIES EVERYWHERE AND IS BROUGHT ON BY A COMBINATION OF FACTORS: OVERRAPID DEVELOPMENT TO OFTEN INADEQUATE STANDARDS IN TERMS OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION; RAPID AND UNCONTROLLED POPULATION INCREASE AND MOVEMENT; FRAGMENTED AND UNCO-ORDINATED PROPERTY OWNERSHIP; AND UNATTRACTIVE REDEVELOPMENT OPTIONS. DECAY IS ALSO SELF-PERPETUATING AND BRINGS ABOUT INTRACTABLE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS IN CITIES.
HONG KONG, LIKE MANY OTHER PLACES THEREFORE, HAVING WRESTLED WITH .THESE DIFFICULTIES, DECIDED TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THEM, CHOOSING THE URBAN RENEWAL MECHANISM OF WHICH THE LDC IS AN IMPORTANT PART AS THE MEANS. AND, ALTHOUGH THE SOLUTION ITSELF HAS NOT PROVED TROUBLE FREE, WE MUST PRESS ON, IMPROVING BY APPLYING THE LESSONS OF EXPERIENCE AS WE PROCEED. THE ALTERNATIVE IS INACTION AND CONTINUING DETERIORATION IN CONDITIONS IN SOME OF OUR OLDER URBAN AREAS WITH NO PROSPECT OF REGENERATION.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LDC WAS INTENDED TO DEAL WITH OTHERWISE INSURMOUNTABLE PROBLEMS OF LAND ASSEMBLY, WHERE OWNERSHIP IS FRAGMENTED AND ACTS AS A DEAD-HAND ON TIMELY REDEVELOPMENT; AND OF RELOCATING RESIDENTS, WHO WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IF LEFT TO FIND THEIR OWN SOLUTIONS. THE AIM WAS TO PROVIDE AN AGENCY ABLE TO FUND AND IMPLEMENT REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES ON A LARGER SCALE THAN WAS PREVIOUSLY POSSIBLE. IT ALSO PROVIDED A FOCAL POINT WHERE DIFFERENT INTERESTS AND PRIORITIES IN THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES COULD BE COORDINATED.
/THE LAND .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ORDINANCE DEFINES THE PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION, AS WELL AS ITS POWERS AND OBLIGATIONS, IN DETAIL. THE BROAD GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF HOUSING AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE OLDER PARTS OF HONG KONG BY - AND HERE I QUOTE FROM SECTION 4(A) OF THE ORDINANCE - "UNDERTAKING, ENCOURAGING, PROMOTING AND FACILITATING URBAN RENEWAL". IN OTHER WORDS, THE LDC IS NOT SUPPOSED TO GO IT ALONE, BUT TO EXPLORE WAYS OF MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN THE MARKET PLACE. THUS, FOR ITS OWN PROJECTS, IT IS EXPECTED TO ACQUIRE LAND AND BUILDINGS BY PRIVATE NEGOTIATION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. ITS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL INITIALLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS AND SUBSEQUENTLY BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD. WHERE PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL, THE LDC MAY APPLY TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE RESUMPTION OF PROPERTY. HOWEVER, SECTION 16 OF THE ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY REQUIRES THAT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR RESUMPTION WILL ONLY BE MADE ON THE FULFILMENT OF A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS, NOT LEAST OF WHICH IS THAT THE "THE CORPORATION HAS TAKEN ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THE LAND INCLUDING NEGOTIATING FOR THE PURCHASE THEREOF ON TERMS THAT ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE". IN ADDITION, SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REHOUSING OF RESIDENTS WHO WILL BE DISPLACED MUST BE MADE.
TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF THE LDC BECOMING DEPENDENT ON PUBLIC FUNDS, THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES THAT ITS BUSINESS BE CONDUCTED ACCORDING TO PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES. SO, WHILE THE ORDINANCE SETS THE PARAMETERS WITHIN WHICH THE LDC MUST OPERATE, IT ALSO ALLOWS WIDE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE CORPORATION TO RUN ITS DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES ON ITS OWN AND TO HARNESS THE AMPLE RESOURCES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR THROUGH JOINT VENTURES AND THE LIKE. OBVIOUSLY, WHILE THE LDC WILL PLOUGH ANY PROFITS BACK INTO FURTHER URBAN RENEWAL, ITS PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS REQUIRE SOME INCENTIVE FOR THEIR CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT. THIS SORT OF PARTNERSHIP CAN WORK IN HONG KONG IN A WAY WHICH CANNOT HAPPEN IN OTHER PLACES.
IN ITS FIRST FOUR YEARS THE LDC HAS SOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT SEVERAL COMPREHENSIVE SCHEMES TO BRING ABOUT OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NEIGHBOURHOODS AFFECTED. THESE SCHEMES HAVE BEEN BASED ON A SERIES OF DETAILED STUDIES ON URBAN DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT STUDIES, WHICH EXAMINED NOT ONLY THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE BUILDINGS CONCERNED BUT THE ADEQUACY OF INFRASTRUCTURAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND THE SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS WELL. THE AIM IS TO ENSURE THAT REDEVELOPMENT WILL ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY BY IMPROVING THE FACILITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREA.
- - 0-----------
/12 ........
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AS I HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED, LDC PROJECTS ARE SUBJECT TO CLOSE SCRUTINY BY BOTH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THEN THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD. THE STATUTORY PROCEDURES REQUIRE PROPOSED SCHEMES TO BE PUBLICISED. COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS BY DISTRICT BOARDS ARE REPORTED TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WHEN OBJECTIONS TO THE LDC’S PROPOSED SCHEME PLANS ARE CONSIDERED. ANY UNWITHDRAWN OBJECTIONS, TOGETHER WITH THE VIEWS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE NORMAL WAY. THE LDC IS CURRENTLY PUTTING IN HAND EIGHT COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES. THESE INCLUDE THE WING LOK STREET, THE JUBILEE STREET AND THE LI CHIT STREET SCHEMES.
I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT RESUMPTION WILL ALWAYS BE A LAST RESORT IN IMPLEMENTING LDC SCHEMES. THE LDC MUST ATTEMPT TO ACQUIRE PROPERTIES BY NEGOTIATION WITH THE OWNERS THROUGH THE OFFER OF FAIR AND REASONABLE COMPENSATION ASSESSED BY INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS. OWNERS OF DOMESTIC PREMISES ARE OFFERED AN ADDITIONAL EX-GRATIA AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THEM TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT FLAT OF SIMILAR SIZE IN THE LOCALITY. PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH LDC’S OFFERS AND WHOSE INTERESTS ARE RESUMED HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFER THE VALUATION OF ASSESSMENTS MADE UPON RESUMPTION TO THE LAND TRIBUNAL FOR A DETERMINATION.
AS REGARDS REHOUSING FOR THOSE AFFECTED, THE LDC HAS A POLICY OF PROVIDING FLAT-FOR-FLAT EXCHANGES FOR OWNER-OCCUPIED DOMESTIC PREMISES. RENTAL REHOUSING IN PROPERTIES ALREADY OWNED BY THE LDC CAN BE PROVIDED TO ELIGIBLE DOMESTIC TENANTS AT CONCESSIONARY RENTALS. PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO LOWER INCOME EARNERS WHO HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION. WHERE CASH COMPENSATION IS OFFERED, THE AMOUNT USUALLY EXCEEDS THAT STATUTORILY PAYABLE UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE. THE LDC ALSO TRIES TO ACCOMMODATE SINGLETONS AND DOUBLETONS, PARTICULARLY THE ELDERLY. FINALLY, ALL ELIGIBLE DOMESTIC OWNERS AND TENANTS ARE GIVEN AN OPTION TO PURCHASE NEW FLATS FROM THE LDC AT A CONCESSIONARY PRICE.
WITH THE FIRST BATCH OF LDC PROJECTS NOW WELL UNDER WAY, IT IS AN OPPORTUNE TIME TO TAKE STOCK IN THE LIGHT OF CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND EXPECTATIONS. MEMBERS HAVE REFERRED TO THE NEED TO ALLOW OWNERS’ PARTICIPATION IN REDEVELOPMENT, FOR EXAMPLE. THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE LDC’S INITIAL PROJECTS BECAUSE OF THE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS ENTERED INTO WITH JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS WHICH WERE AIMED AT MAKING IT A FINANCIALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT ORGANISATION FROM THE OUTSET. OTHERWISE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE LITTLE OR NOTHING. HOWEVER, THE POSITION WILL BE RE-EXAMINED IN RELATION TO FUTURE PROJECTS. ISSUES SUCH AS WHETHER OWNERS ARE PREPARED TO FOREGO COMPENSATION, BEAR DEVELOPMENT RISKS, PROVIDE REHOUSING FOR THEIR TENANTS, AND HELP FUND PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE COST OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES, WILL NEED TO BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED. THERE MAY ALSO BE A NEED TO STREAMLINE COMPENSATION PROCEDURES SO THAT OFFERS CAN BE ASSESSED AND MADE MORE PROMPTLY, PARTICULARLY IN A QUICKLY MOVING PROPERTY MARKET.
/MR DEPUTY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
13
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WAS CONCEIVED AND PUT IN PLACE AFTER LONG AND CAREFUL DELIBERATION TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS OF LAND ASSEMBLY AND RELOCATING RESIDENTS WHICH ARE AN INESCAPABLE PART OF THE URBAN RENEWAL PROCESS. TO DO ITS JOB THE CORPORATION REQUIRES EXPERTISE IN THE PLANNING, PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL, SOCIAL AND OTHER-RELATED FIELDS, BOTH AMONG ITS PERMANENT STAFF AND ON ITS MANAGING BOARD. THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP OF THE CORPORATION, WHICH IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO MEET REQUIREMENTS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL IN SECTION 7 OF THE ORDINANCE, PROVIDES THE NECESSARY RANGE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE. THE LAWS AND PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH THE CORPORATION OPERATES PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE MIXTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY.
LDC’S TASK IS A DIFFICULT ONE BUT ITS SUCCESS WILL BRING TREMENDOUS BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY. THE ADMINISTRATION IS SATISFIED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LDC SO FAR AND IS CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO DISCHARGE ITS FUNCTIONS CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND WITH INTEGRITY. NEVERTHELESS, THE ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO REVIEW ITS OWN AND THE LDC’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE URBAN RENEWAL FIELD SO FAR, TO SEE WHETHER THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED. THE VIEWS MEMBERS HAVE PUT FORWARD TODAY WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THIS PROCESS. IN THE MEANTIME, I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE CORPORATION TO MEMBERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
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POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED ******
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE AND THE LETTERS PATENT WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 SPECIFIES CLEARLY THE SITUATIONS IN WHICH POLICE POWERS TO STOP, SEARCH, DETAIN AND ARREST CAN BE EXERCISED IN ORDER TO REMOVE UNCERTAINTY AND TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE ARBITRARY EXERCISE OF POWERS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT NOT TO BE SUBJECTED TO ARBITRARY ARREST OR DETENTION, OR UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH HIS PRIVACY, WERE PROTECTED.
THE BILL PROVIDES THAT THE POWER TO ARREST A PERSON REASONABLY SUSPECTED OF BEING GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE WILL EXIST IF THE OFFENCE IS ONE FOR WHICH THE SENTENCE IS FIXED BY LAW OR FOR WHICH A PERSON MAY BE SENTENCED TO ANY PERIOD OF IMPRISONMENT.
THE POWER TO ARREST CAN ALSO BE EXERCISED IF IT APPEARS TO THE POLICE OFFICER THAT SERVICE OF A SUMMONS IS IMPRACTICABLE.
THE POWER TO ARREST A PERSON WHO MAY BE CHARGED WITH ANY OFFENCE IS REPLACED AND RESTRICTED.
/ON THE........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
14
ON THE POWER TO SEARCH AN ARRESTED PERSON, HE SAID THE BILL PROVIDES THAT A POLICE OFFICER MAY SEARCH FOR AND TAKE POSSESSION OF THINGS WHICH HE REASONABLY SUSPECTS WILL BE OF VALUE TO THE INVESTIGATION OF ANY OFFENCE THAT THE PERSON HAS COMMITTED OR IS REASONABLY SUSPECTED OF HAVING COMMITTED.
MR STRACHAN ADDED THAT THE GENERAL POWER OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE UNDER A MAGISTRATE’S WARRANT IS AMENDED ALONG SIMILAR LINES.
IN ADDITION, A MAGISTRATE MAY AUTHORISE THE TEMPORARY DETENTION OF A PERSON WHO POSSESSES ANYTHING THAT MAY BE SEIZED AND WHO, IF NOT DETAINED, MIGHT PREJUDICE THE PURPOSE OF THE SEARCH.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE POWER TO STOP AND SEARCH CAN BE EXERCISED IN TWO SCENARIOS.
THE FIRST RELATES TO A PERSON FOUND .IN A PUBLIC PLACE WHO ACTS IN A SUSPICIOUS MANNER.
THE SECOND SCENARIO RELATES TO A PERSON FOUND IN A PUBLIC PLACE WHO IS SUSPECTED OF HAVING COMMITTED, OR INTENDING TO COMMIT, ANY OFFENCE.
"WE BELIEVE THE BILL STRIKES A SENSIBLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED FOR PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUALS’ RIGHTS ON THE ONE HAND AND ADEQUATE POWERS FOR THE POLICE TO FIGHT CRIME ON THE OTHER," MR STRACHAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION WOULD GIVE COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS ON THE WHOLE AREA OF LAW RELATING TO ARREST WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
HE EXPECTED THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE CLARIFICATION AND DELINEATION OF POLICE POWERS BEGUN IN THE BILL.
THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE WILL BECOME SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE ON JUNE 8 THIS YEAR.
MR STRACHAN SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ENACT THE BILL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"A PROLONGED PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY WILL BE UNHELPFUL TO POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREETS AS THEY SEEK TO MAINTAIN THE LAW," HE SAID.
IN THE EVENT THAT THE BILL WAS NOT ENACTED BEFORE JUNE 8, HE SAID HE HAD BEEN DISCUSSING WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HOW BEST TO ENSURE THAT POLICE OFFICERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO EXERCISE THEIR POWERS AT PRESENT CONFERRED UNDER SUB-SECTION 1 AND 6 OF SECTION 50 IN A WAY WHICH ACCORDED WITH THE PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS OF THE BILL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
15
BILL TO HELP ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE *****
THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY WOULD ASSIST IN THE BETTER ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BY ALLOWING AN APPEAL JUDGE TO REJECT A CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM A MAGISTRATE WHICH WAS MADE ON TECHNICAL GROUNDS ONLY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS SAID THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR ORDERS WHICH MIGHT BE MADE BY THE COURT OF APPEAL UPON CRIMINAL APPEAL FROM HIGH COURT OR DISTRICT COURT TRIALS.
WHERE AN APPELLANT SUCCEEDED UPON A TECHNICAL POINT ONLY, THE COURT OF APPEAL MIGHT AFFIRM THE CONVICTION IF IT CONSIDERED THAT NO MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE HAD ACTUALLY OCCURRED.
IN A CASE OF CRIMINAL APPEALS FROM A MAGISTRATE, THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE GAVE THE APPEAL JUDGE A RESIDUAL DISCRETION TO ’MAKE SUCH OTHER ORDER AS HE THINKS JUST’.
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT FOR MANY YEARS IT WAS ASSUMED THAT THIS PERMITTED THE JUDGE TO REFUSE APPEALS WHERE THERE WAS NO MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE, ON A SIMILAR BASIS TO THAT ALLOWED IN THE CASE OF DISTRICT COURT AND HIGH COURT CRIMINAL APPEALS.
HOWEVER, IN A CASE IN DECEMBER 1988, THE COURT OF APPEAL HELD THAT THIS ASSUMPTION WAS WRONG.
THE COURT REACHED ITS CONCLUSIONS RELUCTANTLY, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE LAW BE AMENDED SO AS TO PERMIT THE REJECTION OF APPEALS MADE ON TECHNICAL GROUNDS.
THE COURT SAID THE EXPEDITIOUS AND FAIR DISPATCH OF APPEALS FROM MAGISTRATES IN HONG KONG WOULD GREATLY BE FACILITATED THEREBY.
"THE CURRENT LAW ALLOWS APPEALS TO BE BROUGHT AND SUCCEED ON TECHNICAL ISSUES, AND COMPELS JUDGES TO ORDER NEW TRIALS WITH THE ATTENDANT COSTS OF TIME AND MONEY," MR MATHEWS SAID.
AS SUGGESTED BY THE COURT OF APPEAL, HE SAID, THE PROPOSED BILL WOULD ADD THE PROVISO CONTAINED IN SECTION 83(1) OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE TO SECTION 119(1)(D) OF THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE.
HE SAID HIGH COURT JUDGES ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL WORK HAD BEEN CANVASSED AND CONSIDERED THAT THERE WAS A PRESSING NEED FOR AMENDMENT.
THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE AND DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID ALSO SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL.
THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND LAW SOCIETY HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT SUCH A PROVISO COULD OPERATE UNFAIRLY AGAINST AN ACCUSED PERSON.
/THEY FELT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 16 -
THEY FELT THAT A MAGISTRATE’S RECORD MIGHT BE INSUFFICIENT FOR AN APPEAL JUDGE TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE WHEN CONSIDERING THE USE OF THE PROPOSED PROVISO.
"I HAVE GIVEN THE LEGAL PROFESSION’S CONCERN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, BUT I AM SATISFIED THAT JUDGES WILL HAVE NO SUCH DIFFICULTY," MR MATHEWS SAID.
"THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE OBLIGES MAGISTRATES TO TAKE, IN WRITING, A FULL MINUTE OF THE EVIDENCE, AND OBJECTIONS TO AND RULINGS ON THE ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE.
"IF A DEFENDANT APPEALS, THE MAGISTRATE MUST SUPPLY A STATEMENT OF HIS FINDINGS ON THE FACTS AND OTHER GROUNDS OF HIS DECISION," HE SAID. -
MR MATHEWS SAID PURSUANT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, A JUDGE WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO DISMISS AN APPEAL IF HE WAS SATISFIED THAT NO MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE ACTUALLY OCCURRED BY THE VERDICT OF THE MAGISTRATE.
"IN PRACTICE, APPELLANTS ARE ALREADY ALLOWED CONSIDERABLE LATITUDE TO EXPLAIN ALLEGED MISCARRIAGES WHICH THEY CLAIM ARE NOT APPARENT FROM THE RECORD OR THE MAGISTRATE’S STATEMENT OF FINDINGS.
"I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT IN THE MANNER OF RECORDING A CASE, THE MAGISTRATES’ COURT DOES NOT DIFFER FROM THE DISTRICT COURT.
LIKE MAGISTRATES, DISTRICT JUDGES TAKE THEIR OWN HANDWRITTEN NOTES. A PROVISO APPLIES IN APPEALS FROM DISTRICT COURT, AND IS ADMINISTERED SUCCESSFULLY BY THE COURT OF APPEAL."
MR MATHEWS SAID JUDGES WOULD BE WELL ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY CASE WHERE A MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE COULD OCCUR BY THE USE OF THE PROPOSED PROVISO.
HE SAID HE HAD REGARD TO THE FACT THAT THE AMENDMENT DID NO MORE. THAN TO RESTORE TO JUDGES A POWER WHICH THEY HAD EXERCISED FOR MANY YEARS PRIOR TO THE COURT OF APPEAL CASE IN DECEMBER 1988.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
17
REGISTRATION OF CHIROPRACTORS PROPOSED ******
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF CHIROPRACTORS SO THAT ONLY THOSE PROPERLY TRAINED WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CHIROPRACTORS REGISTRATION BILL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR. S.H. LEE, SAID CHIROPRACTIC WAS AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF TREATMENT DISTINCT FROM ALLOPATHIC PRACTICE OF WESTERN MEDICINE AND SURGERY.
HE NOTED THAT CHIROPRACTORS HAD BEEN OPERATING IN HONG KONG FOR SOME 20 YEARS AND THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT 26 OF THEM, ALL TRAINED OVERSEAS.
"IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, IT HAS BEEN OUR POLICY TO PROGRESSIVELY REGISTER KEY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS: TO ENSURE HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE AND TO ENHANCE THE STATUS OF OUR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS," DR LEE STRESSED.
"THIS BILL IS PART OF OUR CONTINUING EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THOSE OBJECTIVES."
UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, A CHIROPRACTORS COUNCIL WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REGISTRATION, SETTING OF STANDARDS, REGULATION OF CONDUCT AND ADMINISTRATION OF DISCIPLINE FOR CHIROPRACTORS.
THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF CHIROPRACTORS AND NONCHIROPRACTORS.
DR LEE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MAINTAINED CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE CHIROPRACTIC PROFESSION THROUGH THE HONG KONG CHIROPRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION.
THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTED THE BILL BUT EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT THE 1 PROPOSED CHINESE TITLE FOR CHIROPRACTORS WOULD PLACE THEM IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS "THERAPISTS" OR SUB-PROFESSIONALS.
IT FURTHER CONTENDS THAT AS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ON A PAR WITH PRACTITIONERS OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, THEY SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO USE THE TERM "YSANG" AND BE ADDRESSED AS EITHER "JET QUAT SAN GENG FOR YSANG" OR "JET YI".
"WE IN THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISE THE PROFESSIONAL STATUS OF CHIROPRACTORS," DR LEE EXPLAINED.
"WE APPRECIATE THEIR ROLE IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. WE ARE, HOWEVER, CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE MISLED INTO THINKING THAT CHIROPRACTORS ARE QUALIFIED TO PRACTISE MEDICINE AND SURGERY.
/"ACCORDINGLY, WE.........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 18 -
’’ACCORDINGLY, WE HAVE PROPOSED THE CHINESE TITLE ’JET QUAT CHE LIU HOK KA’ FOR CHIROPRACTORS.”
DR LEE ADDED THAT THE PROPOSED TITLE DISTINGUISHED CHIROPRACTORS FROM ’’THERAPISTS” AND SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND THAT IT WAS A WELL RESPECTED DESIGNATION IN USE BY OTHER PRIMRARY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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BILL TO FORM NEW GOVT FLYING SERVICE INTRODUCED
*****
THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF), A CIVILIAN DISCIPLINED SERVICE, IS TO BE RECONSTITUTED TO FORM THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE (GFS).
A BILL TO THE EFFECT WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE BILL 1992 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID THE GFS WOULD BE A FULL-TIME CIVILIAN DISCIPLINED FORCE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONS AT PRESENT CARRIED OUT BY THE RHKAAF.
’’THIS BILL WILL ESTABLISH THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE IN ITS INTENDED ROLES, PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR THE CONDUCT OF ITS MEMBERSHIP AND PROVIDE FOR DISCIPLINE,’’ MR STRACHAN SAID.
HE SAID THE GFS WILL BE BOUND BY CIVIL AVIATION LEGISLATION.
”WE ARE CURRENTLY COMPLETING ALL THE FORMALITIES TO MAKE THIS TRANSITION,” HE ADDED.
THESE INCLUDED APPROPRIATE CIVILIAN CERTIFICATION FOR THE AIRCREW, GROUND CREW AND AIRCRAFT AND THE FINALISATION OF THE CIVIL OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR THE GFS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ANTICIPATED THAT THESE WOULD ALL BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 1, NEXT YEAR, THE DATE INTENDED FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/19........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 19 -
BILL TO BETTER BUILDING SAFETY INTRODUCED ******
A BILL TO IMPROVE BUILDING SAFETY WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO EMPOWER THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO SERVE AN ORDER ON THE OWNER OF A BUILDING IN SUSPECT CONDITION, REQUIRING HIM TO APPOINT AN AUTHORISED PERSON TO CARRY OUT DETAILED INVESTIGATION OF HIS BUILDING AND TO PROPOSE REMEDIAL WORK.
THEREAFTER, THE SECRETARY SAID THE CARRYING OUT OF THE WORK WILL BE ORDERED.
"IF THE OWNER FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE INITIAL ORDER, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THE INVESTIGATION WORK AND RECOVER THE COSTS FROM THE OWNER,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE PRIME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING THE PROPER MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF BUILDINGS LAY WITH THEIR OWNERS.
MR EASON SAID THE BILL WILL ALSO HELP MAKE OWNERS MORE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
THIS IS DONE BY ENABLING THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE AN OWNER OF A BUILDING IN SUSPECT CONDITION TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED TO ESTABLISH WHAT REMEDIAL WORK IS NEEDED.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO GIVE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SIMILAR POWERS TO DEAL WITH DEFECTIVE BUILDING DRAINAGE WORKS.
"IN PLANNING THE DIVISION OF BUILDING INVESTIGATION WORK BETWEEN THE BOO (BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE) AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WE INTEND TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE ABILITY OF BUILDING OWNERS IN PARTICULAR CASES TO ORGANISE AND TO PAY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 - -
/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 20 -
ICAC COMMITTED TO CONTINUING REVIEW OF LEGISLATION
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WAS COMMITTED TO A CONTINUING REVIEW OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ORDINANCE IN THE LIGHT OF LEGAL ADVICE AND DECISIONS OF THE COURTS REGARDING THEIR COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR MATHEWS SAID AMENDMENT TO SECTION 30 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE WOULD PERMIT DISCLOSURE OF THE IDENTITY OF A PERSON UNDER INVESTIGATION AND DETAILS OF AN INVESTIGATION AFTER THE ARREST OF THAT PERSON.
HE SAID SOME WERE OF THE VIEW THAT THE AMENDMENT WAS TOO CAUTIOUS; THAT THE SCOPE OF SECTION 30 SHOULD BE MUCH MORE SEVERELY LIMITED; OR THAT THE SECTION SHOULD BE DISPENSED WITH ALTOGETHER.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE DETECTION OF CORRUPTION OFFENCES, COVERT INVESTIGATION WAS FREQUENTLY ESSENTIAL AT AN EARLY STAGE.
"IN THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATIONS, OFFICERS OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION OFTEN SEEK INFORMATION, IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR STATUTORY POWERS, FROM INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS BANKS.
’’DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION RELATING TO THOSE INVESTIGATIONS PRIOR TO THE ARREST OF THE PERSON UNDER INVESTIGATION WOULD, IN MANY CASES, THWART TOTALLY THE INVESTIGATION.
’’THE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMMISSION WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED. THAT, IN MY VIEW, IS NOT WHAT THE COMMUNITY DESIRES,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 30 WAS ONE WHICH SOUGHT TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF INVESTIGATIONS, AND ALSO THE REPUTATIONS OF THOSE AGAINST WHOM ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION WERE MADE BUT AGAINST WHOM NO CRIMINAL CHARGES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY BROUGHT, AND OF WHAT SOME WOULD CALL THE COMMUNITY’S RIGHT TO KNOW.
”1 BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT SUCCEEDS IN STRIKING THAT BALANCE AND WILL ENSURE SECTION 30’S COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE,” HE SAID.
THERE WERE OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE ABOUT WHICH MEMBERS OF AN AD HOC GROUP HAD EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS AND CONCERNS. MANY OF THESE PROVISIONS CONCERNED THE COMMISSION’S POWERS OF INVESTIGATION.
/MR MATHEWS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992 - 21 -
MR MATHEWS SAID: "IN THE ABSENCE OF AUTHORITATIVE DECISIONS BY THE COURTS IN RELATION TO THE COMMISSION’S LEGISLATION, SWEEPING CHANGES TO THE COMMISSION’S POWERS ARE THOUGHT TO BE NEITHER SENSIBLE NOR APPROPRIATE.
"THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION HAS NEVERTHELESS ASKED ME TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT IT IS NOT HIS INTENTION, WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL, THEN TO PUT ASIDE FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMISSION’S LEGISLATION AND ITS COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
"HE IS COMMITTED TO A CONTINUING REVIEW OF THE LEGISLATION IN THE LIGHT OF LEGAL ADVICE AND DECISIONS OF THE COURTS. THIS COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP WILL BE KEPT FULLY INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF THAT REVIEW."
HE SAID THE COMMISSIONER HAD ALSO ASKED HIM TO REASSURE THIS COUNCIL THAT THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ADVERSE EFFECT UPON THE OPERATION OF THE COMMISSION.
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KCRC OPERATES SUCCESSFULLY *****
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) IS TO SPEND $4.6 BILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
TABLING THE KCRC'S ANNUAL REPORT 1991 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDED THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HO TUNG LAU DEPOT AND MAINTENANCE CENTRE TO PROVIDE BETTER MAINTENANCE AND MORE STABLING AREA FOR THE KCR FLEET.
OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDED ARE IMPROVEMENT TO SIGNALLING SYSTEM AND STATION FACILITIES; EXPANSION OF THE KOWLOON GOODS YARD FOR BETTER CARGO HANDLING; AND PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES AND NOISE ABATEMENT MEASURES.
"THE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT DEMONSTRATES CLEARLY THE CORPORATION’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO UPGRADE ITS SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SERVICES," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE KCRC CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN A STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION IN 1991.
OPERATING REVENUE STOOD AT $1,849 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 16% OVER 1990. INCLUDING INCOME FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, NET PROFIT FOR THE YEAR WAS $449 MILLION.
/A DIVIDEND .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
22
A DIVIDEND OF $140 MILLION WAS PAID TO THE GOVERNMENT. THIS REPRESENTS A RETURN TO THE TAXPAYERS ON THE SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN THE CORPORATION.
"IT ALSO UNDERLINES THE CORPORATION’S ABILITY TO OPERATE ON A PRUDENT COMMERCIAL BASIS," HE SAID.
AT THE END OF 1991, TOTAL ASSETS OF THE CORPORATION STOOD AT $5.4 BILLION AND BORROWINGS AT LESS THAN $1 BILLION. THE YEAR-END DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO WAS 1:4.3. CASH GENERATED BY THE OPERATING DIVISIONS WAS SUFFICIENT TO COVER ONGOING CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND DEBT REPAYMENT.
THE KCRC CARRIED 189 MILLION PASSENGERS IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 5% OVER 1990. PASSENGERS TO AND FROM LO WU INCREASED BY 13% TO 31 MILLION, WHILE THROUGH TRAIN TRAFFIC BETWEEN KOWLOON AND GUANGZHOU ROSE BY 7% TO 2.5 MILLION.
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE DURING THE YEAR TO ENHANCE SERVICES.
NINETY-SIX NEW TRAIN CARS WERE DELIVERED BY OCTOBER 1991. THE NEW TRAIN TIMETABLE ACHIEVED AN AVERAGE PUNCTUALITY OF 96%. A PROGRAMME TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL ESCALATORS AND REPLACE OLD ONES ALSO STARTED IN 1991.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FREIGHT BUSINESS DROPPED SLIGHTLY OWING TO KEEN COMPETITION IN THE HONG KONG/CHINA FREIGHT MARKET, RESULTING IN A 4% DECLINE IN OVERALL TRAFFIC.
A STUDY TO EVALUATE FUTURE OPTIONS FOR THE KCRC’S FREIGHT STRATEGY HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT.
MEANWHILE, THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM CARRIED 95.7 MILLION PASSENGERS IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 11.6% OVER 1990.
THE THREE REGIONAL LINKS IN TUEN MUN WERE ALL COMMISSIONED BY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
WORK HAS STARTED ON THE TIN SHUT. WAI EXTENSION FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THIRTY NEW LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES WILL BE DELIVERED STARTING THIS OCTOBER. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COOLING CAPACITY OF THE EXISTING VEHICLES’ AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAVE ALSO BEGUN.
"IN SUM, THE CORPORATION HAS CONTINUED TO OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY," MR MACLEOD SAID.
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/23 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
23
TALKS ON IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE UNDER WAY
*****
TALKS ARE UNDER WAY WITHIN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WITH A VIEW TO ALIGNING THE PROVISIONS OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID: "THE STATUS OF ETHNIC CHINESE WITH OTHER NATIONALITIES WILL BE CLARIFIED AS PART OF THAT PROCESS.
"WE HOPE TO BE IN A POSITION TO ANNOUNCE PROGRESS AS SOON AS THESE DISCUSSIONS ARE COMPLETED," HE ADDED.
MISS LAU ASKED WHAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE OF CHINESE RACE WITH FOREIGN NATIONALITY AND WHO HAVE SATISFIED THE RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY ENJOY THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AFTER 1997.
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EPD PROMOTES QUIETER PILING METHODS *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IS LIAISING WITH THE BUILDING INDUSTRY AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO PROMOTE THE USE OF QUIETER PILING METHODS IN THE URBAN AREAS.
THIS IS A MEANS TO FURTHER IMPROVE CONTROLS ON PERCUSSIVE PILING ACTIVITIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN ADDITION, MR EASON SAID FROM OCTOBER THIS YEAR, IT WAS PROPOSED TO STIPULATE IN THE GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS (TO BE ISSUED BY THE WORKS BRANCH) THAT CONTRACTORS SHOULD REGULARLY CONDUCT NOISE MONITORING ON CONSTRUCTION SITES WHERE PILING WORKS WERE CARRIED OUT.
NOTING THAT SECTION 6 OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE ENACTED IN 1989 PROVIDED FOR THE CONTROL OF PILING ACTIVITES, MR EASON SAID SUCH ACTIVITIES WERE PROHIBITED BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM ON WEEKDAYS OR AT ANY TIME ON GENERAL HOLIDAYS, AND WERE RESTRICTED TO SEVERAL PERIODS OF OPERATION ON WEEKDAYS.
CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS ARE ISSUED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT FOR PERCUSSIVE PILING ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT ON WEEKDAYS.
/"THESE PERMITS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
24
’’THESE PERMITS RESTRICT SUCH PILING TO THREE, FIVE OR 12 HOURS OF OPERATION DEPENDING ON THE PROXIMITY OF NOISE SENSITIVE RECEIVERS, SUCH AS DOMESTIC PREMISES AND SCHOOLS.
"IN BUILT-UP URBAN AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS, PERCUSSIVE PILING IS RESTRICTED TO THREE HOURS DURING THE LESS SENSITIVE PERIODS OF THE DAY, NAMELY BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9 AM, BETWEEN 12.30 PM AND 1.30 PM AND BETWEEN 5 PM AND 6 PM," THE SECRETARY SAID.
LAST YEAR, 19 COMPLAINTS OF NOISE POLLUTION CAUSED BY PILING WORKS WERE RECEIVED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
"OF THESE, FOUR WERE DEALT WITH BY THE POLICE, AND 15 BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT," MR EASON SAID.
SIX SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS WERE BROUGHT AGAINST CONTRACTORS FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH PERMIT CONDITIONS. /
THE REMAINING 13 CASES WERE THE SUBJECT OF VERBAL WARNINGS AND THE CONTRACTORS TOOK IMMEDIATE STEPS TO REMEDY THE BREACH OF THE PERMITS.
IN ADDITION, 478 CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR PERCUSSIVE PILING ACTIVITIES LAST YEAR.
- - 0 - -
LDC OFFERS MARKET PRICES TO AFFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS
*****
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) OFFERS NO LESS THAN THE CURRENT MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY INTERESTS TO OWNERS AFFECTED IN WING LOK STREET/QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL DEVELOPMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON YEUNG SUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE OFFERS, CONFIRMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, WERE BASED ON VALUATIONS MADE BY AN INDEPENDENT FIRM OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS AND SUPPORTED BY A SECOND OPINION OBTAINED FROM A DIFFERENT FIRM, PLUS AN ADDED AMOUNT FOR INCENTIVES.
HE SAID 30 OUT OF THE ORIGINAL 66 INTERESTS REMAINED TO BE ACQUIRED AFTER ALMOST THREE YEARS OF NEGOTIATIONS.
"SOME OWNERS SIMPLY REFUSED TO ENTER INTO DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LDC, SOME COUNTER-DEMANDED EXCESSIVE PRICES AND SOME HAD TITLE PROBLEMS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID THE LDC ALSO INVITED THE OWNERS TO FIND THEIR OWN VALUERS TO ASSESS THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTIES, WITH PROFESSIONAL FEES TO BE COVERED BY THE EVENTUAL PURCHASE AMOUNT, BUT THIS CAME TO NO AVAIL.
/TO ENABLE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
25
TO ENABLE THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME TO PROCEED, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL APPROVED THE RESUMPTION OF THE OUTSTANDING INTERESTS LAST MONTH.
MR EASON SAID DETAILS OF THE OFFERS MADE BY THE LDC AND COUNTER-CLAIMS MADE WERE PRIVATE TO THE PARTIES CONCERNED AND IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO PUBLICISE THEM WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.
FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES, HE SAID THE LDC HAD TO ASSESS BUSINESS LOSSES OR DISTURBANCE ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES.
HE SAID THE LDC*S OFFERS FOR NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES, INCLUDING SHOPS, WERE NOT LESS THAN THE CURRENT MARKET VALUE OF THE INTERESTS COMPARED WITH EVIDENCE OF SALES OF SIMILAR PREMISES IN SIMILAR LOCATIONS.
HE SAID THESE AMOUNTS SHOULD ENABLE THE AFFECTED SHOP OWNERS TO BUY SHOP PREMISES OF SIMILAR TRADING POTENTIAL.
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THAILAND SITUATION CLOSELY MONITORED
*****
NO ENQUIRIES OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE HAVE SO FAR BEEN RECEIVED IN WAKE OF THE RECENT POLITICAL UNREST IN THAILAND.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR STRACHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION IN THAILAND VIA THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN BANGKOK.
WITH THE OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE ADVISING PEOPLE TO AVOID CERTAIN AREAS IN BANGKOK AND TO TRAVEL THERE ONLY FOR ESSENTIAL VISITS.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO SET UP TWO HOT-LINES TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
HE SAID CALLERS WERE GIVEN ADVICE ON PROPOSED VISITS TO THAILAND AND WHERE HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN DISTRESS THERE COULD GET HELP.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO READY TO HANDLE REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM RELATIVES OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS TRAVELLING OR WORKING IN THAILAND.
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/26 ........
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VTC LOOKS AFTER TRAINING NEEDS OF RETAIL INDUSTRY
******
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) HAS SET ASIDE SOME $10 MILLION IN 1992/93 TO PROVIDE TRAINING COURSES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE RETAIL INDUSTRY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION (HKTA), WHICH DERIVES MOST OF ITS INCOME FROM A GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION, SPENDS ABOUT $1.4 MILLION ANNUALLY ON RETAIL TRADE TRAINING.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THE MAIN ROLE OF THE COUNCIL WAS TO ADVISE ON THE MEASURES REQUIRED TO ENSURE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SUITED TO THE DEVELOPING NEEDS OF HONG KONG AND TO PUT IN PLACE SUCH MEASURES AS WERE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"TO THIS END, THE VTC HAS OPERATED RELEVANT COURSES UNDER ITS WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES TRAINING CENTRE AND EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES," MR CHAN SAID.
"REGULAR MANPOWER SURVEYS ARE CONDUCTED BY THE VTC TO ASSESS THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY."
THE COURSES RUN BY THE VTC FOR THE RETAIL SECTOR IN 1992/93 INCLUDE 2,140 FULL-TIME AND 980 PART-TIME PLACES IN THE RELEVANT TRAINING CENTRE AND 160 ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME AND 60 TWO-YEAR PART-TIME CERTIFICATE PLACES IN THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
AT THE REQUEST OF THE PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD, IT WILL SOON PUT ON A RETRAINING COURSE ON BASIC RETAIL SALES TECHNIQUES FOR 120 LOCAL WORKERS.
• MR CHAN NOTED THAT SUCH PROVISIONS SERVE TO COMPLEMENT THE TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE HKTA.
THESE INCLUDE TRAINING FOR IN-SERVICE TOUR OPERATORS AND GUIDES, RESTAURANT AND SALES PERSONNEL; AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED TRAINING FOR SOME 650 PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE MOSTLY EMPLOYEES OF THE RETAIL TRADE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 27 -
TOO COSTLY FOR FULL CONTROL SYSTEM OF SIGNBOARDS *****
A FULL SYSTEM OF CONTROL, PUTTING UP AND MAINTENANCE OF SIGNBOARDS IS NOT IN PLACE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE TOO COSTLY TO DO SO.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES WOULD BE INVOLVED IN SUCH PRACTICES WHICH WOULD NOT BE COMMENSURATE WITH THE RISK INVOLVED AND UNLIKELY TO BE RECOVERABLE THROUGH CHARGES.
"SIGNS WHICH ARE UNTIDY BUT DO NOT POSE A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD ARE TOLERATED AS THEIR REMOVAL ON AESTHETIC GROUNDS COULD, AGAIN, NOT COMMAND PRIORITY FOR RESOURCES," THE SECRETARY ADDED.
NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID, BUILDING OWNERS, UNDER THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE, MIGHT DO ANYTHING NECESSARY TO ENFORCE OBLIGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT FOR THE CONTROL OF THEIR BUILDING, INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF UNSIGHTLY OR ABANDONED SIGNS.
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS HAS THE POWER TO REMOVE OR TO RENDER SAFE SIGNBOARDS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS OR LIKELY TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
AS PART OF ITS ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES ON BUILDING SAFETY, STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) SEEK OUT DANGEROUS SIGNS ON A DAILY BASIS AS WELL AS RELYING ON NOTIFICATION THROUGH PUBLIC COMPLAINTS.
SINCE APRIL 1987, WHEN THE BOO TOOK OVER THE CONTROL OF DANGEROUS SIGNS, 5,682 NOTICES HAD BEEN SERVED ON SIGN OWNERS AND 65% OF THESE SIGNS HAD BEEN REMOVED VOLUNTARILY.
THE REMAINING SIGNS WERE REMOVED BY THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR ON DEFAULT BY THE OWNERS.
OBJECTIONABLE SIGNS ARE REMOVED BY THE POLICE UNDER THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ORDINANCE.
AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO STATUTORY CONTROL ON THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF ADVERTISEMENT SIGNBOARDS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION’S PRIMARY CONCERN IS IN RELATION TO THE SAFETY OF OVERHANGING SIGNBOARDS," MR EASON SAID.
WHERE SIGNBOARDS POSED A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, HE SAID THEY WERE REMOVED EITHER BY THE OWNERS THEMSELVES OR, WHERE NECESSARY, BY THE BOO OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 28 -
HE SAID APPROVAL FOR THE PUTTING UP OF SIGNBOARDS WAS REQUIRED FROM THE LAND AUTHORITY IF THE CONDITIONS OF THE LAND LEASE WOULD BE CONTRAVENED OR IF THE SIGN WOULD ENCROACH UPON GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE CONTENT OF SIGNBOARDS MAY BE CONTROLLED UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE LAND LEASE, THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE, THE OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ORDINANCE, THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) ORDINANCE AND THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS ORDINANCE.
BUT THERE WAS NO REQUIREMENT THAT THE CONTENT MUST RELATE TO ANY PARTICULAR BUSINESS FUNCTION, THE SECRETARY ADDED.
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PARTICIPATION IN ADB UNDER REVIEW *****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THERE WERE NO PRESENT PLANS TO INCREASE HONG KONG’S CAPITAL SHARE AND VOTING POWER IN THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.
BUT THE OCCASION MAY ARISE IN A YEAR OR SO’S TIME IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NEXT GENERAL CAPITAL INCREASE TO REPLENISH THE BANK’S CAPITAL STOCK, HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI KWOK PO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR NENDICK SAID IN THE MEANTIME, THE GOVERNMENT WAS KEEPING UNDER REVIEW OTHER MEANS OF INCREASING HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN AND SUPPORT FOR THE BANK’S ACTIVITIES.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHORTLY APPROACH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FIFTH REPLENISHMENT OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT FUND.
THIS IS USED FOR LOANS TO THE NEEDIEST DEVELOPING COUNTRY MEMBERS OF THE BANK.
THE SIZE OF A MEMBER’S SUBSCRIPTION TO THE BANK’S CAPITAL STOCK IS BASICALLY DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO A MEMBER’S ECONOMIC CAPACITY AS REFLECTED BY GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FIGURES ADJUSTED FOR POPULATION, TAX REVENUES AND EXPORTS ON A WEIGHTED BASIS.
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/29 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
29
GOVT IN CONTACT WITH ADB ON PADS FINANCING * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IN INFORMAL CONTACT WITH THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK SINCE EARLY THIS YEAR TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF IT PARTICIPATING IN THE FINANCING OF SOME OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY PROJECTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI KWOK-PO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE INFORMAL SOUNDINGS WERE STILL IN PROGRESS.
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MILDLY DISABLED CHILDREN ENCOURAGED TO ENROL IN ORDINARY SCHOOL
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROVIDES SPECIAL CLASSES IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS AND A RANGE OF REMEDIAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES FOR MILDLY DISABLED CHILDREN OR THEIR PARENTS TO ENABLE THE CHILDREN TO RECEIVE EDUCATION IN SUCH SCHOOLS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THESE INCLUDE THE INTEGRATED KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMME FOR MILDLY DISABLED PRE-SCHOOLERS, RESOURCE CLASSES AND RESOURCE TEACHING CENTRES FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, PERIPATETIC ADVISORY SERVICES FOR HEARING IMPAIRED PUPILS, AND RESOURCE TEACHERS FOR BLIND INTEGRATORS.
’’THESE SERVICES ARE REGULARLY REVIEWED AND IMPROVED TO ENHANCE EFFECTIVENESS AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY MEET THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS,” HE ADDED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHENG HOI-CHUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAN SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT DISABLED CHILDREN SHOULD RECEIVE EDUCATION IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS, UNLESS THE DEGREE OF DISABILITY MAKES IT NECESSARY FOR A CHILD TO BE PLACED IN A SPECIAL SCHOOL.
“BY AND LARGE, MILDLY DISABLED CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM EDUCATION IN AN ORDINARY SCHOOL, GIVEN SOME EXTRA HELP IN THE FORM OF SPECIAL CLASSES AND OTHER SERVICE,” HE ADDED.
TEACHERS IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO TEACH STUDENTS IN SPECIAL CLASSES MAY ATTEND THE TWO-YEAR PART-TIME IN-SERVICE COURSE OF TRAINING FOR TEACHERS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OPERATED BY THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
IN ADDITION, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ORGANISES SHORT INTRODUCTORY COURSES TWICE A YEAR FOR TEACHERS OF ORDINARY CLASSES TO FAMILIARISE THEM WITH THE GENERAL TECHNIQUES OF HANDLING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
/MR CHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
30
MR CHAN STATED THAT AN ORDINARY SCHOOL IS NOT ENTITLED TO REJECT A MILDLY DISABLED STUDENT ON GROUNDS OF THAT STUDENT’S DISABILITY.
’’WHERE A DISABLED CHILD IS CONSIDERED BY THE HEADMASTER OF AN ORDINARY SCHOOL TO BE UNDULY DISRUPTIVE OR INCAPABLE OF BENEFITING FROM EDUCATION IN THAT SCHOOL, THE CASE MUST BE REFERRED TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION FOR A RULING," HE SAID.
"IF THE RESULTS OF AN ASSESSMENT BY EXPERTS IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION INDICATE THAT THE CHILD IS UNABLE TO BENEFIT FROM AN EDUCATION IN A ORDINARY SCHOOL BECAUSE OF HIS DISABILITY, THAT CHILD WILL BE RECOMMENDED FOR TRANSFER TO A SPECIAL SCHOOL."
MR CHAN ALSO NOTED THAT ONLY ONE COMPLAINT CONCERNING A MILDLY DISABLED CHILD STUDYING IN AN ORDINARY SCHOOL WAS RECEIVED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS.
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KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME TO BE IMPROVED
******
THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO RELAX THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO BRING IT MORE IN LINE WITH THE SCHEME FOR SENIOR SECONDARY PUPILS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, MR CHAN ADDED, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS EXPECTED TO PROPOSE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SCHEME IN ITS FIFTH REPORT DUE TO BE PUBLISHED NEXT MONTH.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN NG MING-YUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAN NOTED THAT THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN THE 1990-91 SCHOOL YEAR AND PROVIDED WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN 1991-92.
AS AT APRIL THIS YEAR, THE MONTHLY AVERAGE RATE OF ASSISTANCE FOR EACH PUPIL ATTENDING WHOLE-DAY CLASS WAS $460 AND THAT FOR EACH PUPIL ATTENDING HALF-DAY CLASS WAS $209.
THE PROVISION FOR KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, INCLUDING RENT AND RATES REIMBURSEMENT TO NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTENS AND THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME, IS $138.1 MILLION IN 1992-93.
THIS IS FORECAST TO RISE TO $139.8 MILLION IN 1993-94 AND $140.6 MILLION TN 1994-95, 1995-96 AND 1996-97 RESPECTIVELY.
AS REGARDS THE PROVISION OF KINDERGARTEN PLACES, MR CHAN NOTED THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS FROM PARENTS ABOUT INSUFFICIENT KINDERGARTEN PLACES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.
CITING STATISTICS, HE SAID AS AT SEPTEMBER 1991, THERE WERE 223,376 KINDERGARTEN PLACES WHILE THE ACTUAL ENROLMENT AND THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION AGED BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE WERE 193,658 AND 225,000 RESPECTIVELY.
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/31 ........
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URGENT CASES GIVEN PRIORITY AT CLINICS ******
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO FACILITATE PRIORITY TREATMENT OF URGENT CASES AT GENERAL OUTPATIENT CLINICS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE NURSING OFFICERS AND MEDICAL OFFICERS IN-CHARGE HAVE FLEXIBILITY TO EXERCISE THEIR DISCRETION TO GRANT SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS FOR SUCH CASES," HE SAID.
"AS REGARDS SPECIALIST CLINICS AND THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, PROFESSIONAL STAFF WILL SCREEN PATIENTS TO ASSESS THE SEVERITY OF THEIR INJURY OR ILLNESS AND ACCORD THEM WITH PRIORITY TREATMENT WHERE APPROPRIATE.”
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN, DR LEE SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD A TOTAL ESTABLISHMENT OF 463 DOCTOR POSTS AND 1,247 NURSING POSTS WITH VACANCIES OF 17 AND 84 RESPECTIVELY AS AT MAY 1 THIS YEAR.
AS FOR HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 2,385 DOCTOR POSTS AND 16,809 NURSING POSTS WITH VACANCIES OF 121 AND 1,328 RESPECTIVELY.
TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS AND NURSES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE STRENUOUS EFFORTS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS TO IMPROVE THE EMPLOYMENT TERMS, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, WORKING CONDITION, PROFESSIONAL STATUS AND JOB SATISFACTION OF DOCTORS AND NURSES, DR LEE SAID.
MEASURES INTRODUCED FOR DOCTORS INCLUDE REVISION OF SALARY STRUCTURE, ENHANCEMENT TO CAREER PROSPECTS, HONORARIUM FOR LONG WORKING HOURS AND BETTER MANNING OF CLINICAL UNITS, HE SAID.
MEASURES FOR NURSES INCLUDE REVISION OF PAY SCALE, IMPROVED CAREER PROSPECTS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, RESIDENTIAL ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENT NURSES, INTENSIFIED RECRUITMENT DRIVE, OVERTIME ALLOWANCE FOR REGISTERED NURSES AND PART-TIME NURSES SCHEME.
ALSO INCLUDED ARE INTRODUCTION OF WARD STEWARDS AND CLINIC ASSISTANTS AND GREATER USE OF CHINESE AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENT NURSES, HE SAID.
"IN THE LONG TERM, WE INTEND TO BUILD ON THE EXISTING FOUNDATION AND EXPLORE FURTHER WAYS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN DOCTORS AND NURSES," DR LEE SAID.
"VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, SUCH AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE IN GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND THE CONCEPT OF HEALTH NURSE, WILL ALSO HELP ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONALISM AND STATUS OF NURSES."
/IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
32
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, PLANS ARE ALREADY IN HAND TO INTRODUCE THE NURSE SPECIALIST SCHEME AND ACTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO REVIEW THE MANPOWER SITUATION IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT WASTAGE AND RECRUITMENT RATES.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 23 COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS ON FAILURE TO OBTAIN AN APPOINTMENT AT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS.
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NO INTENTION TO CHANGE 1992 BUDGET * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID HE DID NOT HAVE ANY INTENTION OF MAKING CHANGES TO THE 1992 BUDGET, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AND PUT INTO EFFECT.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SZETO WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD SAID THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THIS YEAR’S ADDITIONAL SURPLUS AND THE DECISION TO DEFER A GENERAL RATES INCREASE WAS THAT THE MEDIUM-TERM FISCAL POSITION REMAINED UNCHANGED.
"THE 1992 BUDGET TOOK ACCOUNT OF OUR EXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS, THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE RESERVES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGING FISCAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OVER THE PERIOD UP TO 1996-97,” HE SAID.
AS A RESULT OF THE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED SURPLUS FOR 1991-92, THE GOVERNMENT WAS IN THE FORTUNATE POSITION OF BEING ABLE TO FORGO ONE OF THE MEASURES WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO RAISE THE REVENUE THAT THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO MEET ITS COMMITMENTS OVER THE COMING YEARS, HE ADDED.
”1 REFER OF COURSE TO THE INCREASE IN GENERAL RATES."
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HANDLING OF FORCED EVICTIONS CASES EXPLAINED
*****
THERE IS NO OFFENCE BY ITSELF OF "FORCING OCCUPANTS OF PRIVATE PREMISES TO VACATE THEIR PREMISES BY UNLAWFUL MEANS" AND EACH CASE IS DEALT WITH BASED ON ITS OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IF A CLEAR CASE OF HARASSMENT IS ESTABLISHED, THE POLICE WILL FIRST CONDUCT PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS.
/IF THERE .......
33
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
IF THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED, A FULL INVESTIGATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT AND IF NECESSARY CRIMINAL CHARGES LAID.
"THE POLICE WILL ALSO ASSIST IN THE INVESTIGATION OF HARASSMENT CASES WHERE THE PARTIES INVOLVED ARE UN-COOPERATIVE OR BELIEVED TO BE CONNECTED TO TRIADS," MR STRACHAN.
IN HANDLING DISPUTES BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND TENANTS INVOLVING ALLEGED HARASSMENT AND ILLEGAL EVICTION, HE SAID THE POLICE OFFICER WOULD BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CONCERNED PARTIES THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
ANY PERSON WHO UNLAWFULLY EVICTS THE TENANT OR SUB-TENANT OF OCCUPATION OF ANY PREMISES, OR COMMITS ANY ACT TO INTERFERE WITH THE PEACE OR COMFORT OF THE TENANT OR SUB-TENANT, IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
THE COURT MAY ALSO REQUIRE HIM TO COMPENSATE THE TENANT OR SUB-
TENANT.
WHERE NO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WAS INVOLVED, MR STRACHAN SAID THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WOULD TRY TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE BY MEDIATION AND ADVICE.
- 0 - -
MEASURES TO PROTECT SPORTSMEN FROM CONTRACTING AIDS
*****
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION HAS DEVELOPED A CONSENSUS STATEMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE TO PROTECT SPORTSMEN FROM CONTRACTING AIDS THROUGH INJURY DURING SPORTS EVENTS.
THE ADVICE INCLUDES MEDICAL COUNSELLING FOR INFECTED SPORTSMEN, INTERRUPTION OF SPORTS FOR IMMEDIATE TREATMENT OF WOUNDS AND PROMPT REPORTING OF SKIN LESIONS TO RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR S.H. LEE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR LEE SAID THESE PROCEDURES WERE PART OF THE GENERAL HYGIENE AND FIRST AID PRACTICE FOR ALL SPORTS AND WERE OBSERVED WORLDWIDE.
"ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, THERE IS NO MEDICAL OR PUBLIC HEALTH JUSTIFICATION FOR TESTING OR SCREENING FOR AIDS PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
"LOCAL SPORTS ORGANISATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR ADVICE AND HEALTH EDUCATION ON AIDS."
DR LEE NOTED THAT AIDS WAS NORMALLY TRANSMITTED THROUGH SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, BLOOD AND FROM AN INFECTED MOTHER TO HER CHILD.
/IT IS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 34 -
IT IS NOT TRANSMITTED THROUGH SALIVA, SWEAT, TEARS, URINE, SWIMMING POOL WATER, COMMUNAL BATH WATER, TOILETS, FOOD OR DRINKING WATER.
HE SAID: "IN THEORY, THERE IS A POSSIBLE RISK OF TRANSMISSION WHEN ONE INFECTED ATHELETE WITH A BLEEDING WOUND OR A SKIN LESION OR EXPOSED MUCUOUS MEMBRANE THAT COULD SERVE AS A POSSIBLE PORTAL FOR ENTRY OF THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS.
"IN PRACTICE, THE RISK IS VERY LOW. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO RISK IF ONE PARTY DOES NOT SUFFER BLEEDING WOUNDS OR OTHER SKIN LESIONS. ’’
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SIGNAGE OUTSIDE AIRPORT DEPARTURE HALL WILL BE IMPROVED ******
ACTION CAN AND WILL BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE SIGNAGE OUTSIDE THE DEPARTURE HALL AT KAI TAK.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THIS IS A PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN MUCH THOUGHT OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS OF THE DEPARTURE HALL FRONTAGE, COMBINED WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF AIRLINES WHICH WILL REQUIRE TO BE IDENTIFIED AT EACH DROPPING OFF POINT HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DESIGN A WORKABLE SOLUTION," MRS BOSHER SAID.
THE APPROACH WHICH IS NOW BEING PURSUED IS TO INDICATE THE LOCATION OF CHECK-IN ISLANDS BY MEANS OF REFERENCE LETTERS DISPLAYED ALONG THE FRONTAGE OF THE DEPARTURE HALL.
DEPARTING PASSENGERS WILL BE GUIDED AS TO WHICH AIRLINES OPERATE FROM WHICH CHECK-IN ISLANDS BY MEANS OF PROMINENT SIGNS ALONG THE APPROACH ROADS TO THE AIRPORT.
MRS BOSHER SAID THE CURRENT REFURBISHMENT OF THE DEPARTURE HALL HAD INVOLVED SOME RE-ALLOCATION OF AIRLINES TO DIFFERENT CHECK-IN ISLANDS.
"IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SIGNAGE OUTSIDE THE DEPARTURE HALL WILL THEREFORE BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THIS REFURBISHMENT EXERCISE," SHE ADDED.
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IRD COMPUTER ADEQUATE FOR REVENUE CALCULATION *****
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S COMPUTER SYSTEM IS PERFECTLY ADEQUATE FOR CALCULATING THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM DIRECT TAXES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.C. KWONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ESTIMATED BUDGET SURPLUS MENTIONED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, AND THE SURPLUS ACCORDING TO THE "FIRST CLOSING" OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS, MR KWONG SAID ONLY ABOUT 20% OF THE DIFFERENCE OF ABOUT $6 BILLION WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO INCREASED TAX REVENUE COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEPARTMENT’S "SHARE" OF THE ADDITIONAL SURPLUS WAS STAMP DUTY (ABOUT $670 MILLION).
HE NOTED THAT THE ESTIMATED SURPLUS ANNOUNCED IN THE BUDGET WAS BASED ON THE REVISED ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE MADE AT THE END OF JANUARY.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD THEN TO MAKE AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL TAX REVENUE IT WOULD COLLECT IN THE FOLLOWING TWO MONTHS, UP TO THE CLOSE OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR.
"IN THE CASE OF STAMP DUTY, COLLECTIONS FOR MARCH TURNED OUT TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH BECAUSE OF THE BUOYANT PROPERTY AND STOCK MARKETS," MR KWONG SAID.
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DEVELOPMENTS NO HARM TO TUEN MUN ENVIRONMENT
******
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIAL INDUSTRIES AREA (SIA) AND A RIVER TRADE TERMINAL (RTT) AT TUEN MUN WILL NOT HAVE AN UNACCEPTABLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS TO THE EAST OR THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT OFF THE NEW RECLAMATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN NG MING-YUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF SUCH DEVELOPMENTS.
"THE INITIAL ENVIORNMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT HAS SHOWN THAT, IF APPROPRIATE MITIGATION MEASURES ARE TAKEN AND MODERN STANDARDS OF POLLUTION CONTROL ARE APPLIED, THE SITE IS SUITABLE FOR THE PURPOSES DESCRIBED," MR EASON SAID.
/WHILE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
36
WHILE THE TRAFFIC NOISE PROBLEM FACED BY THE OCCUPANTS OF SOME RESIDENTIAL AND SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE AREA MIGHT BE WORSENED BY FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN TUEN MUN WEST, THIS WOULD NOT BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN AREA 38 ALONE, HE ADDED.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES RECOMMENDED IN THE STUDY INCLUDE THE REPROVISIONING AND EXTENSION OF THE SUBMARINE OUTFALL AND THE EMERGENCY BYPASS OF THE PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
RECOMMENDATIONS ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BYPASS ALONG THE CASTLE PEAK FOOTHILLS BETWEEN BUTTERFLY ESTATE AND WONG CHU ROAD TO REDUCE TRAFFIC NOISE NEAR THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS ALONG LUNG MUN ROAD.
IN ADDITION, FUTURE OPERATORS AT THE SIA WILL BE SUBJECT TO SEPARATE, PROJECT SPECIFIC AND DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AT THE PROJECT PLANNING STAGE.
’’THE TRANSPORT IMPLICATIONS ASSESSED UNDER THE STUDY INDICATE THAT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS WOULD IMPACT MAINLY ON LUNG MUN ROAD, WONG CHU ROAD AND TUEN MUN ROAD EASTBOUND TOWARDS TSUEN WAN AS WELL AS NORTHBOUND TOWARDS YUEN LONG,” MR EASON SAID.
HE SAID IMPROVEMENT MEASURES WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BEFORE THE SIA AND RTT FULLY DEVELOPED INCLUDED:
» DUALLING OF THE SECTION OF LUNG MUN ROAD BETWEEN PILLAR POINT AND THE WESTERN PART OF AREA 38; AND
* IMPROVING GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGES AT KEY JUNCTIONS, INCLUDING THE ONES AT WONG CHU ROAD/LUNG MUN ROAD AND WONG CHU ROAD/TUEN MUN ROAD.
SUCH IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN EARLY 1994. THE FIRST ONE IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY 1996 AND THE SECOND, TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES OVER FIVE YEARS.
. MR EASON NOTED THAT THE LONG-TERM EXTERNAL TRANSPORT IMPLICATIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF AREAS 38 AND 47 (WHERE A RTT WILL BE BUILT) WERE BEING INVESTIGATED IN DETAIL UNDER THE TUEN MUN PORT DEVELOPMENT STUDY.
HE SAID A LONGER TERM IMPROVEMENT TO PROVIDE A BY-PASS FROM WONG CHU ROAD TO THE PART OF LUNG MUN ROAD SOUTH OF MELODY GARDEN WAS SCHEDULED TO START IN EARLY 1994 AND BE COMPLETED BY 1999.
"THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTION, SHOULD PROVIDE EFFECTIVE RELIEF FOR TUEN MUN ROAD,” MR EASON SAID.
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SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO KCRC TERMINAL UNLIKELY
*****
IT IS UNLIKELY THAT SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO PASSENGER FACILITIES WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE EXISTING KCR HUNG HOM TERMINAL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE ONLY IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS WE CAN MAKE ARE TO AIR-CONDITION THE CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION HALL," HE SAID.
HE SAID DISCUSSION WAS UNDER WAY WITH THE KCRC IN A HOPE TO DO IT BY MID NEXT YEAR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE EXISTING TERMINAL WAS NOT DESIGNED TO COPE WITH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.
IT WAS BUILT IN 1975, FOUR YEARS BEFORE THE THROUGH-TRAIN SYSTEM WAS CONSIDERED, AT A TIME WHEN ALL PASSENGERS FOR CHINA HAD TO CHANGE AT LO WU.
"THEREFORE, NO PROVISION WAS MADE FOR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION FACILITIES.
"THESE HAD TO BE IMPROVISED WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE EXISTING BUILDING," MR STRACHAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXPLORED THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING A PURPOSE-BUILT HALL WITH BETTER FACILITIES FOR THE COMFORT OF PASSENGERS.
"BUT THE EXISTING TERMINAL OFFERS LITTLE SCOPE FOR THIS AND IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE SAID.
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COMMUNICATION CHANNELS EFFECTIVE IN NORTH AND TAI PO
******
THE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE ALREADY EFFECTIVE AND ADEQUATE IN NORTH AND TAI PO DISTRICTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEREFORE, THERE HAS BEEN NO NEED TO ESTABLISH AREA COMMITTEES (ACS) IN THESE DISTRICTS, NOR ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO FORM AC’S IN THE NEAR FUTURE, MR SUEN SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD, HE SAID HOWEVER, THE SITUATION WOULD BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW.
/ACS WERE ........
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38
ACS WERE FORMED ONLY WHEN THERE WAS A PERCEIVED NEED TO SUPPLEMENT EXISTING CHANNELS OF CONSULTATION WITHIN A DISTRICT, HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, ACS EXIST IN ALL THE DISTRICTS EXCEPT NORTH AND TAI PO.
BUT IN THESE TWO DISTRICTS, HE SAID, WHERE MANY AREAS WERE STILL PREDOMINANTLY RURAL, THE RURAL COMMITTEES PROVIDED A VERY EFFECTIVE CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS, INCLUDING BOTH THE INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS AS WELL AS NEW TOWN RESIDENTS.
"IN ADDITION, THERE IS A WELL BALANCED GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR COMMITTEES.
"FURTHERMORE, OTHER LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES SUCH AS THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE COMPRISE OF MEMBERS WHO COME FROM A WIDE SPECTRUM OF SOCIAL BACKGROUND AND INTERESTS,” MR SUEN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY MEMBERS OF THESE COMMITTEES WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
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S FOR S EXPLAINS BOAT INCIDENT *****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, EXPLAINED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AN INCIDENT IN WHICH TWO HONG KONG BOATS WERE INTERCEPTED BY CHINESE PATROL VESSELS LAST MONTH.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM, HE SAID WHEN THE MARINE POLICE AND AN AUXILIARY AIR FORCE HELICOPTER ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, BOTH THE BARGE AND THE TUG-BOAT WERE IN CHINESE WATERS.
"THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY CONFIRMED THAT THEIR PATROL VESSELS FIRST INTERCEPTED THE BOATS IN CHINESE WATERS.
"AN NO TIME WERE ANY OF THE VESSELS OBSERVED BY THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES INSIDE HONG KONG WATERS," HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO NEGOTIATION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OVER THE INCIDENT, ALTHOUGH IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS AND AGAIN ON MAY 7 THE GOVERNMENT HAD SOUGHT INFORMATION FROM THEM ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE CREW.
HE SAID WHETHER THE CREW COULD BE PERMITTED TO RECEIVE VISITORS WAS A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
"WE ARE AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE TO OUR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CREW," HE SAID.
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MOTION ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY PASSED *****
A MOTION ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER A TWO-AND-A-HALF HOUR DEBATE AT ITS MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIXTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION PROPOSED BY THE HON HENRY TANG WHICH URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF ITS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY. THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR CHAU TAK-HAY, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION ON TAXI POLICY MOVED BY THE HON MIRIAM LAU WAS ALSO PASSED.
TWELVE MEMBERS DEBATED THE MOTION. THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IN ADDITION, 13 MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE RAISED BY THE HON K.K. FUNG ON LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
TWO BILLS - PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 - WERE PASSED.
FIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE BILL, BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 AND CHIROPRACTORS REGISTRATION BILL.
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GOVERNOR VISITS QEH
* ♦ * *
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON PROGRESS IN ELIMINATING CAMP BEDS FROM PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
HE CONGRATULATED THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ON ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
LORD WILSON SAID:
“IN MY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER, I SAID THAT I HOPED IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ELIMINATE CAMP BEDS FROM OVERCROWDED HOSPITAL WARDS WITHIN A YEAR. I AM PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL COME VERY CLOSE TO ACHIEVING THIS FORMIDABLE TARGET.”
’’WHEN I VISITED QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL IN AUGUST 1987 OVERCROWDING IN SOME OF THE WARDS WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.
’’OVER 100 CAMP BEDS WERE BEING USED IN THE WARDS. NOW THESE HAVE DISAPPEARED. THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS ON TARGET TO ELIMINATE CAMP BEDS AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL BY OCTOBER.
"AT THAT STAGE, OVER 70% OF THE CAMP BEDS IN OUR HOSPITALS WILL HAVE BEEN REMOVED. ALL SHOULD HAVE GONE BY EARLY 1993.
’’THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS SET UP WITH THE CLEAR OBJECTIVE OF RAISING THE STANDARDS OF PATIENT CARE IN OUR PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
"THIS IS THE CRITERION BY WHICH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AUTHORITY WILL BE JUDGED. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. TO GET RID OF CAMP BEDS SHOWS THAT THIS QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENT IS BEING ACHIEVED."
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THE ELIMINATION OF CAMP BEDS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF OVERFLOW WARDS TO PROVIDE A CENTRAL POOL OF BEDS FOR PATIENTS DISPLACED FROM THE SPECIALIST WARDS.
IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN COMPLEMENTED BY EIGHT ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION BEDS IN THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
THE GOVERNOR WAS BRIEFED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, SIR S.Y. CHUNG; THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, DR E.K. YEOH; AND THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT, DR CHOY YUEN-CHUNG.
HE TOURED SOME OF THE OLD WARDS AND THE NEW B BLOCK EXTENSION, AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE HOSPITAL’S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THE GOVERNOR WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED TO HEAR ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OLDER WARDS, INCLUDING CENTRAL AIR-CONDITIONING AND RENOVATION, AND THE INSTALLATION OF THE FIRST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM IN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
THIS NEW SYSTEM FOR SCANNING AND DIAGNOSIS WILL BE COMMISSIONED DURING THE AUTUMN OF THIS YEAR.
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1992
41
PLAN FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROGRESSING
******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CARRY OUT A DETAILED ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL, ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF BIDS FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING (WHC) IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE CHOSEN EARLY NEXT YEAR. CONSTRUCTION FOR WHC IS EXPECTED TO START BY MID-1993 FOR COMPLETION BY MID-1997.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR JOHN TELFORD, AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG HIGHWAYS ASSOCIATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR A FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT THE WHC ON A BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER (BOT) BASIS UNDER AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS. THE CLOSING DATE WILL BE JULY 3.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO COLLECT TOLLS OVER A FRANCHISE PERIOD OF 30 YEARS.
MR TELFORD SAID THE FRANCHISE TO BE GRANTED BY LAW WOULD SET OUT THE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FRANCHISEE IN CONSTRUCTING, OPERATING AND MAINTAINING THE TUNNEL.
"AS THE FRANCHISE WILL EXTEND BEYOND 1997, THERE WILL BE A NEED TO DISCUSS ITS TERM AND CONDITIONS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE BEFORE IT IS AWARDED."
"THE CHINESE HAVE ALREADY BEEN BRIEFED ON THE PROJECT PRIOR TO THE ISSUE OF THE INVITATION TO TENDER," HE SAID.
MR TELFORD SAID THE WHC WOULD BE BUILT IN A DUAL THREE-LANE CONFIGURATION BECAUSE TRAFFIC IN THE TUNNEL WAS FORECAST TO INCREASE TO ABOUT 120,000 VEHICLES PER DAY BY 2001, ALREADY BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF A-DUAL TWO-LANE TUNNEL.
APART FROM CONNECTING WITH THE NEW WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY IN KOWLOON, MR TELFORD SAID THE CROSSING WOULD CONNECT WITH ROUTE 7 AT SAI YING PUN ON HONG KONG ISLAND, PROVIDING ACCESS EASTWARD VIA CONNAUGHT ROAD AND WESTWARD TO BELCHER BAY.
"AT THE TIME WHEN THE WHC OPENS, ROADS WILL BE UPGRADED IN WESTERN DISTRICT TO PROVIDE A CONNECTION BETWEEN BELCHER BAY AND POKFULAM ROAD, VIA KENNEDY TOWN, ROCKHILL AND SMITHFIELD TO SERVE TRAFFIC HEADING FOR THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND," HE SAID.
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COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE ALL-TIME LOW SINCE 1986
******
THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE LAST YEAR DROPPED TO AN ALL-TIME LOW SINCE 1986, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE FOR 1991.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE REPORT THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE (PCC), DR DANIEL TSE, SAID A TOTAL OF 3,158 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED IN 1991 COMPARED WITH 3,424 IN 1990, REPRESENTING A DROP OF ABOUT 8%.
THE NUMBER WAS 4,544 IN 1986, THE YEAR WHEN THE COMMITTEE WAS FIRST SET UP TO MONITOR AND REVIEW THE HANDLING BY THE POLICE OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS.
EARLIER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE COMMITTEE’S VICE-CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, PRESENTED THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT FOR 1991 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ON THE REASON FOR THE DECLINE, DR TSE SAID: "WE HAVEN’T CARRIED OUT ANY STUDY ON THE QUESTION BUT I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
"ON ONE HAND, THE QUALITY AND DISCIPLINE OF POLICE OFFICERS HAVE IMPROVED. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE CITIZENS HAVE HAD A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF POLICE WORK," HE SAID.
DESPITE THE DECLINE IN THE OVERALL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, THOSE ALLEGING ASSAULTS BY THE POLICE HAVE BEEN ON THE INCREASE.
IN 1991, 1,699 SUCH COMPLAINTS WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 1,645 IN 1990 AND 1,248 IN 1986.
"WE MUST NOT TAKE THESE FIGURES ON THEIR FACE VALUE," SAID DR TSE. "AS MRS LAM POINTED OUT IN HER STATEMENT AT LEGCO ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AGO, A VERY LARGE PERCENTAGE OF SUCH COMPLAINTS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY WITHDRAWN BY THE COMPLAINANTS OR THE COMPLAINTS WERE NOT PURSUABLE BECAUSE THE COMPLAINANTS REFUSED TO GIVE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION."
"IN THE REPORTS EXAMINED AND ENDORSED BY THE COMMITTEE IN 1986, 47.3% OF THESE ALLEGATIONS ABOUT ASSAULTS WERE WITHDRAWN OR NOT PURSUABLE. THIS HAS STEADILY INCREASED TO 85.3% IN 1991.
"SO, IF THE NUMBER OF WITHDRAWN AND NOT-PURSUABLE CASES IS DEDUCTED, THE NUMBER OF ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS HAVE IN FACT BEEN DECREASING," DR TSE ADDED.
ON THE CAUSE OF THE TREND OF INCREASING NUMBER OF ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS, WITHDRAWN AND NOT-PURSUABLE CASES, DR TSE SAID: "ONE THEORY IS THAT SOME OF THESE ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE BY CRIME SUSPECTS IN ORDER TO HELP THEIR DEFENCE IN THE COURT CASE AGAINST THEM.
/"SUCH COMPLAINANTS .......
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"SUCH COMPLAINANTS, THEREFORE, DO NOT WISH TO PURSUE THE ALLEGATIONS FURTHER ONCE THE COURT CASE IS OVER.
"I CANNOT SAY, HOWEVER, TO WHAT EXTENT SUCH A THEORY REPRESENTS THE TRUTH SINCE THE COMMITTEE HAS NOT CARRIED OUT A STUDY ON THIS QUESTION."
COMPLAINTS ARE INVESTIGATED BY THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICE (CAPO) UNDER THE POLICE. CAPO’S REPORTS ARE MONITORED AND REVIEWED BY THE PCC.
A COMPLAINT IS NOT FINALISED UNTIL THE PCC’S QUERIES AND SUGGESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED TO THE PCC’S SATISFACTION AND THE REPORT HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE COMMITTEE.
PRESENTING THE REPORT TO LEGCO, MRS PEGGY LAM SAID 3,333 CAPO'S REPORTS WERE ENDORSED BY THE COMMITTEE LAST YEAR.
"THESE REPORTS DEAL WITH 4,580 ALLEGATIONS, OF WHICH ABOUT TWO-THIRDS WERE WITHDRAWN OR NOT PURSUABLE. ONLY 2.3% OF THE ALLEGATIONS WERE SUBSTANTIATED."
REFUTING SUGGESTION THAT THE LOW RATE OF SUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATION REFLECTED ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PRESENT COMPLAINTS SYSTEM, SHE SAID: "SUCH AN INFERENCE IS INVALID BECAUSE IT ASSUMES THAT MOST COMPLAINTS ARE JUSTIFIED.
"WHILE WE SHOULD NOT EASILY DISMISS A COMPLAINT AS MISGUIDED, IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD NOT DISBELIEVE A COMPLAINEE SIMPLY BECAUSE HIS ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT DIFFERS FROM THAT OF THE COMPLAINANT.
"THIS IS THE REASON FOR THE 27.1% OF ALLEGATIONS WHICH WERE CLASSIFIED AS ’UNSUBSTANTIATED’. NEARLY ALL THESE CASES INVOLVE THE COMPLAINANTS’ WORDS AGAINST THE POLICE OFFICERS’, WITH NO INDEPENDENT WITNESS FOR EITHER SIDE," MRS LAM ADDED.
TO SHOW THAT A COMPLAINANT’S WORDS ARE NOT EASILY DISMISSED AS MISGUIDED, SHE POINTED OUT THAT ONLY 1.8% OF THE ALLEGATIONS CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE LAST YEAR WERE CLASSIFIED AS "FALSE".
"EACH AND EVERY SUCH CASE WAS REFERRED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR ADVICE ON WHETHER THE COMPLAINANTS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED FOR WASTING POLICE TIME."
ILLUSTRATING THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE, MRS LAM SAID: "WITH REGARD TO THE 3,333 CAPO’S REPORTS ENDORSED BY THE COMMITTEE IN 1991, THE FINAL CONCLUSIONS REACHED IN THESE REPORTS INCORPORATED 123 SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE, MAINLY ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED AND CLASSIFICATION OF RESULT.
"IN ADDITION, 269 COMMENTS AND QUERIES WERE RAISED AND CAPO’S SUBSEQUENT EXPLANATIONS WERE ACCEPTED," SHE SAID.
/ACCORDING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
44
ACCORDING TO THE PCC’S REPORT FOR 1991, NEW PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED FROM JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN MINOR COMPLAINTS AND ALSO THE SUB-JUDICE COMPLAINTS.
UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURES, IF THE COMPLAINANTS SO AGREE, CERTAIN MINOR COMPLAINTS MAY BE RESOLVED INFORMALLY THROUGH THE PERSONAL INTERVENTION OF A CONCILIATING OFFICER OF THE RANK OF SUPERINTENDENT OR ABOVE, WHO WILL INTERVIEW THE COMPLAINANTS AND EITHER JOINTLY OR SEPARATELY, THE COMPLAINEES.
SUB-JUDICE COMPLAINTS ARE COMPLAINTS LIKELY TO BE RAISED AGAIN BY CRIME SUSPECTS DURING THE COURT CASE AGAINST THEM.
THE COMMITTEE HAS ACCEPTED A SUGGESTION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND CAPO THAT AFTER A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION, SUCH COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR ADVICE ON WHETHER A FULL INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE THE COURT CASE.
THE PCC IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. CHAIRED BY DR DANIEL TSE, ITS MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN WHO ARE BOTH LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, EIGHT JUSTICES OF PEACE AND TWO EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, NAMELY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE) AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS.
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FOUR PIECES OF LAND TO LET ******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON FOUR PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
LOCATED AT CHUN WAH ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK, TWO OF THE SITES HAVE AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,150 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 4,650 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ONE OF THEM IS DESIGNATED FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS OR CHASSIS ATTACHED) OR AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA.
THE OTHER LOT IS INTENDED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS OR CHASSIS ATTACHED AND VEHICLES LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE).
BOTH TENANCIES ARE FOR NINE MONTHS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE OTHER TWO SITES ARE IN KWAI CHUNG. ONE IS AT AREA 10E, HING SHING ROAD AND THE OTHER IS AT AREA 26E.
/WITH AN
WEDNESDAY, . MAY 27, 1992
- 45 -
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,570 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE AT AREA 10E IS EARMARKED FOR A FEE-PAYING CAR PARK FOR PRIVATE CARS, G^ODS VEHICLES AND CONTAINER TRACTORS WITHOUT TRAILERS, ALL OF WHICH MUST BE LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE SITE AT AREA 26E OCCUPIES AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,100 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR A FEE-PAYING CAR PARK FOR CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCIES ARE FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
AND ONE YEAR RESPECTIVELY
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 12.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY - — BUILDINGS
FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE Buibu DEPARTMENT, 14/F, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON OR THE DISTRICT LANDS
BE <
AND
OBTAINED
HONG KONG;
OFFICE,
EAST, 10/F
LANDS THE
. YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KWAI TSING, 10/F AND 11/F, TSUEN BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE
KOWLOON KOWLOON;
AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK
PEAK
WAN ROAD,
TSUEN WAN.
--------0-----------
CONTRACT FOR FANLING SCHOOL AWARDED ******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED A $28.4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN LUEN WO HUI, FANLING.
OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,860 SQUARE METRES, THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE A MAIN TEACHING BLOCK, A BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, SEPARATE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND STAFF QUARTERS.
THE MAIN TEACHING BLOCK WILL COMPRISE 26 CLASSROOMS WITH A LIBRARY, A COMPUTER ROOM AND STAFF ROOMS ON THE UPPER FLOORS AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THE BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS, WITH A COVERED PLAY AREA ON THE GROUND FLOOR, WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.
WORK FOR THE PROJECT IS TO START SOON AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------0-------
/46 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON MOVE
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE IN TONKIN STREET WILL MOVE TO A NEW OFFICE ON 6/F AND 9/F OF WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 290 UN CHAU STREET, TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER WILL BE LOCATED ON 6/F.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER, 720 4251, WILL REMAIN
UNCHANGE.
- - 0 - -
FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON AIRPORT FINANCING PLAN ♦ ♦♦♦**
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS ON THE AIRPORT FINANCING PLAN.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE), STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG ON TEL 802 3302 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IN THE CONFERENCE HALL IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FlRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG ♦ ♦ t ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 3 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 29) TO FACILIITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT MAU PO VILLAGE, TAI HANG HAU VILLAGE AND ALL PREMISES ON LUNG HA WAN ROAD.
- 0 - -
/47
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1992
- 47 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 26.5.92 1,688
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 27.5.92 -933 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 233
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -700 MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED -233 MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *+0.1* 27.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.85 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.32 4.66
1 MONTH 2.71 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.96 4.97
3 MONTHS 2.76 PCT 24 MONTHS 2405 5.50 100.68 5.20
6 MONTHS 3.22 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.93 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18.714MN (RECORD HIGH)
CLOSED 27 MAY 1992
--------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO VISIT CHINA ................................................ 1
GARRISON COMMITTED TO HONG KONG, SAYS NEW COMMANDER .................... 1
EXCHANGE FUND TO INTRODUCE LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY ............... 2
STATEMENT- ON RAIL LINK ................................................ 3
INQUIRY INTO SEA ACCIDENT CALLED........................................ 3
TWO FERRY ROUTES TO BE WITHDRAWN ....................................... 4
COLOUR AND FLAVOUR OF METHADONE LINCTUS CHANGE ......................... 5
REMINDER ON FLAG DAYS APPLICATIONS ..................................... 5
EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT LAW ........................................... 6
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO EE CLOSED ............................... 6
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ANNOUNCED ............................... 7
MAILING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAYS ..................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 11
THURSDAY, MAY 28,
1992
GOVERNOR TO VISIT CHINA * * * * ♦
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, WILL VISIT CHINA FROM JUNE 7 TO 12.
THIS WILL BE HIS FAREWELL VISIT TO CHINA AS GOVERNOR.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON, HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR WILLIAM EHRMAN.
LORD WILSON WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS ON JUNE 7 TO 9.
HE WILL THEN SPEND TWO DAYS TRAVELLING OUTSIDE BEIJING BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG IN THE MORNING OF JUNE 12.
THE GOVERNOR LAST VISITED BEIJING IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, FOR THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
0 - -
GARRISON COMMITTED TO HONG KONG, SAYS NEW COMMANDER * * * ♦
THE NEW COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG, MAJOR GENERAL JOHN FOLEY, SEES NO BASIC CHANGE IN THE GARRISON’S ROLE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING HOSTED BY THE BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TODAY (THURSDAY), GENERAL FOLEY SAID THE HANDOVER OF MOST OF THE MILITARY BORDER DUTIES TO THE POLICE LAST MONTH WOULD RESULT IN THE WITHDRAWAL OF ONE BATTALION LATER THIS YEAR.
BUT THIS WOULD NOT AFFECT THE GARRISON’S MAIN ROLE OF PROVIDING ”A VERY TANGIBLE DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM’S SOVEREIGNTY AND COMMITMENT IN THESE LAST YEARS OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION”.
"THEREBY I BELIEVE, CONTRIBUTING TO HONG KONG’S SECURITY, STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
"IN ORDER TO FULFIL THAT ROLE, WE RETAIN THE ABILITY TO ASSIST THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IF AND WHEN NECESSARY, IN A FULL RANGE OF TASKS CONCERNED BOTH WITH TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND INTERNAL SECURITY," HE SAID.
GENERAL FOLEY REMINDED HIS AUDIENCE THAT THE GARRISON IS CAPABLE OF SUPPLYING A WIDE RANGE OF SPECIALIST SUPPORT, INCLUDING SEARCH-AND-RESCUE, DIVING CAPABILITIES, MEDICAL BACK-UP, EXPLOSIVE AND ORDNANCE EXPERTISE, ENGINEERING SKILLS AND A FULL RANGE OF LOGISTIC SUPPORT CAPABLE OF DEALING WITH DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES.
HE CONTINUED: "WE ARE PLAYING A NECESSARILY DISCREET, BUT FULL PART IN THE CURRENT ANTI-SMUGGLING EFFORT AGAINST AN ACTIVITY WHICH HAS NOT ONLY ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS, BUT ALSO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS."
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
- 2 -
EXCHANGE FUND TO INTRODUCE LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY
******
FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (HKAB), THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND (OEF) ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IT WILL INTRODUCE A LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY (LAF) WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (JUNE 8).
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF LAF IS TO HELP LICENSED BANKS IN MAKING LATE ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR LIQUIDITY POSITIONS, DEFINED TO BE THE BALANCE IN THEIR CLEARING ACCOUNTS WITH THEIR SETTLEMENT BANKS," THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND, MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID.
LAF WILL BE OPEN FROM 4 PM TO 5 PM ON MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 11.30 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAY, OTHER THAN PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"LICENSED BANKS MAY APPROACH THE OEF DURING THESE HOURS IF THEY WISH TO MAKE USE OF LAF TO ADJUST THEIR LIQUIDITY POSITIONS," MR YAM SAID.
OVERNIGHT FUNDS WILL NORMALLY BE PROVIDED BY THE OEF THROUGH A SALE AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (REPO) OF A BANK’S HOLDING OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS AND GOVERNMENT BONDS.
LENDING ON AN UNSECURED BASIS MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR OF OEF, HAVING REGARD TO THE PREVAILING MARKET CONDITIONS AND CREDIT RISK INVOLVED.
THE INTEREST RATE CHARGED ON UNSECURED LENDING WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THE OFFER RATE REPRESENTED BY A REPO.
"UNDER LAF, OEF IS ALSO PREPARED TO ACCEPT OVERNIGHT SURPLUS FUNDS THAT BANKS MAY WISH TO OFFER AT THE BID RATE," MR YAM SAID.
BOTH THE BID RATE AND THE OFFER RATE UNDER LAF WILL BE DETERMINED IN ADVANCE AND PUBLISHED THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
THE RATES MAY BE VARIED FROM TIME TO TIME, ALTHOUGH THEY WILL NOT NORMALLY BE CHANGED WHILE LAF IS OPEN.
"THE OEF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE OFF EITHER THE BID RATE OR THE OFFER RATE AT ANY TIME SHOULD THIS BE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE, HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED TO ENSURE EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY," HE SAID.
AS SUGGESTED BY HKAB, THE SPREAD BETWEEN THE BID RATE AND THE OFFER RATE WILL BE SET AT TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS INITIALLY, SUBJECT TO REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.
"THE INTRODUCTION OF LAF SHOULD FACILITATE MORE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF LIQUIDITY POSITIONS BY BANKS," MR YAM SAID.
"HOWEVER, LAF SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PRUDENT LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT AND BANKS ARE, THEREFORE, NOT EXPECTED TO MAKE USE OF LAF ON A REGULAR BASIS," HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
/3 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
3
STATEMENT ON RAIL LINK
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT BRANCH CLARIFIED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT NO PROPOSAL HAD YET BEEN RECEIVED FROM KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) TO BUILD A RAIL LINK FROM KWAI CHUNG TO THE BORDER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE KCRC’S PLAN TO BUILD SUCH A RAILWAY WAS A PRELIMINARY IDEA ARISING FROM THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS, WHICH MUST BE LOOKED AT FURTHER IN THE GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY WHICH IS DUE FOR COMPLETION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
"THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ADDITIONAL RAIL LINK TO THE BORDER IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS BEING EVALUATED AS PART OF THE STUDY," HE SAID. /
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT PUBLIC VIEWS WILL BE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT IN DRAWING UP LONG-TERM RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE TERRITORY.
---------0-----------
INQUIRY INTO SEA ACCIDENT CALLED
******
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (THURSDAY) APPOINTED TWO SURVEYORS OF SHIPS TO CARRY OUT A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE 11,400-TONNE CONTAINER VESSEL ’’PUERTO CORTES” WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN THE WESTERN WATERFRONT.
THE SURVEYORS ARE CAPTAIN JEROMY CARO, NAUTICAL SURVEYOR AND MR LAI YING-KEUNG, ENGINEER SURVEYOR.
THE PURPOSE OF THE INQUIRY IS TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT WITH A VIEW TO RECOMMENDING ACTION TO PREVENT SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN FUTURE.
THE INQUIRY IS CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 18 OF THE PILOTAGE ORDINANCE AND THE FINDINGS OF THE INQUIRY WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
ABOUT 10.48 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 25) THE PILOTED VESSEL HIT THE WESTERN DISTRICT PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA SEA-WALL. NO INJURY WAS REPORTED IN THE ACCIDENT.
0----------
/4.........
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
4
TWO FERRY ROUTES TO BE WITHDRAWN * * * * *
THE TWO FERRY SERVICES FROM SHAM SHUI PO AND TAI KOK TSUI TO CENTRAL WILL CEASE OPERATION NEXT MONTH.
PASSENGERS AFFECTED MAY USE EXISTING CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES OPERATING ALONG LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
MORE, A NEW CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTE OPERATING FROM SHAM SHUI PO TO CENTRAL VIA TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE INTRODUCED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY PROPOSED TO WITHDRAW THE TWO SERVICES AS AND WHEN THE EXISTING PIERS AT WEST KOWLOON WERE AFFECTED BY RECLAMATIONS IN MID-1992.
"THE PIER IN CENTRAL FOR THE TWO SERVICES WILL ALSO BE REMOVED IN 1994 OWING TO THE CENTRAL AND WANCHAI RECLAMATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IF THE TWO FERRY SERVICES ARE RETAINED, AT LEAST ONE REPLACEMENT PIER WOULD BE REQUIRED AT THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION IN 1992 AND ANOTHER AT CENTRAL IN 1994. _
"ONE REPLACEMENT PIER IS ESTIMATED TO COST $80 MILLION IN 1991 PRICES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE PIERS, IF RELOCATED TO THE NEWLY RECLAIMED WATERFRONT, WOULD BE SOME DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE EXISTING PASSENGER CATCHMENT AND HENCE MUCH LESS ACCESSIBLE.
"ACCESSIBILITY WILL BE FURTHER AFFECTED IN 1993 AND 1994 BY ROAD WORKS AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECLAMATION. THIS WOULD LEAD TO FURTHER DEPLETION IN FERRY PATRONAGE AND INCREASE THE LOSSES INCURRED.
"PROSPECTS FOR RECOVERY IN THE LONGER TERM ARE LIMITED. WHEN THE PLANNED WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING (WHO OPENS IN 1996/97, THE NEW AIRPORT RAILWAY AS WELL AS CROSS-HARBOUR BUS SERVICES USING THE WHC WOULD DIRECTLY DUPLICATE THE TWO FERRY SERVICES."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WITHDRAWAL OF THE FERRY SERVICES COULD NOT BE DEFERRED BEYOND JUNE THIS YEAR AS THE EXPANDING DREDGING WORKS NOW UNDER WAY IN FRONT OF THE SHAM SHUI PO PIER MIGHT BY THEN AFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE SERVICES.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CLOSELY MONITOR THE ADEQUACY OF ALTERNATIVE BUS SERVICES AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS WHEN NECESSARY.
--------0-----------
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
- 5 -
COLOUR AND FLAVOUR OF METHADONE LINCTUS CHANGE
******
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE COLOUR AND FLAVOUR OF METHADONE LINCTUS NOW BEING PRESCRIBED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S METHADONE CLINICS WILL BE CHANGED IN PHASES, STARTING NEXT MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID WITH IDENTICAL EFFICACY AS THE PRESENT ORANGE ONE, THE NEW METHADONE LINCTUS WILL BE IN ’’GREEN” COLOUR AND RASPBERRY FLAVOUR.
"WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT, IT IS HOPED THAT THE CHANCES OF THE PRESENT METHADONE LINCTUS BEING MISTAKEN AS ORANGE JUICE WILL BE REDUCED,” THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT NOTICES INFORMING PATIENTS OF THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT WILL BE PUT UP AT CONSPICUOUS SPOTS OF THE METHADONE CLINICS.
---------0-----------
REMINDER ON FLAG DAYS APPLICATIONS ♦ » ♦ » »
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO HpLD FLAG DAYS IN 1993 TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE SATURDAY (MAY 30).
’’THE COMPLETED APPLICATION, TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF THE ORGANISATION’S LATEST ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF AUDITED ACCOUNTS, MUST REACH THE DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE THAT DAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS MUST BE BONA FIDE NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE SUBVENTIONS AND LOTTERIES FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE MERITS OF THE SERVICE OR SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR WHICH FUND-RAISING THROUGH A FLAG DAY WAS PROPOSED, THE APPLICANT ORGANISATION’S FINANCIAL NEEDS, AND THE ORGANISATION'S ABILITY TO EXECUTE SUCH FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.
"LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 576 5922.
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/6 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
6
EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT LAW * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD AN EXHIBITION TO PUBLICISE THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AMONG EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN KWAI CHUNG FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO SUNDAY (MAY 31).
ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT INCREASING PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE STATUTORY BENEFITS FOR WORKERS, INCLUDING PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, MATERNITY PROTECTION, LONG SERVICE AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS, AND ENTITLEMENT UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
LABOUR OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
ALSO, A QUIZ WILL BE HELD THERE FROM 3 PM TO 4 PM DAILY TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND LABOUR RELATIONS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 2 PM TO 6 PM TOMORROW ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF METRO PLAZA IN HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, AND BETWEEN 10 AM AND 6 PM OVER THE WEEKEND.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A BUILDING IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED ON THE ROOF OF FLAT B, FIRST FLOOR OF CHI FUNG MANSION, 218-220 YEE KUK STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 9 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ANNOUNCED ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH THAT HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GQOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
"BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
"BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS :
* GRADE "1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
* GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
/* GRADE ”3
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
8
* GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
* GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS VERY POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A GRADE "4" OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A GRADE "3" OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW :
PREVIOUS PRESENT
BEACH GRADING GRADING
(AS AT 14.5.92) (AS AT 28.5.92)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 3 2
CHUNG HOM KOK 1 2
DEEP WATER BAY 1 1
HAIRPIN 2 1
MIDDLE BAY 1 1
REPULSE BAY 1 1
SHEK 02 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST. STEPHEN’S 2 1
TURTLE COVE 2 1
STANLEY MAIN 2 2
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 1
/TUEN MUN .......
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
- 9 -
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 2
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 3
X 2
X 3 3
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 1
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1
SILVERSTRAND 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 2
2 2
2
1
1
1
3 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 3
HUNG SHING YEH 1
KWUN YAM WAN 2
TONG FUK 1
LO SO SHING 1
PUI O 2
SILVERMINE BAY 4
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2
TUNG O* 1
1
2 3
2 2
1 1
2
3 2
1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 4
APPROACH 3
CASAM 3
GEMINI 3
HOI MEI WAN 3
LIDO 3
TING KAU 4
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
NOTE
"X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN
* NON-GAZETTED BEACH
CLOSED FOR SWIMMING.
/THE FOLLOWING
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
10
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
HAIRPIN, ST STEPHEN’S, TURTLE COVE FROM "2" TO "1"; BIG WAVE BAY FROM ”3" TO "2"; SILVERMINE BAY, ANGLERS’ FROM "4" TO "3"; CHUNG HOM KOK, HUNG SHING YEH, CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH, CAMPERS FROM "1" TO "2"; SILVERSTRAND FROM "2" TO "3”.
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
IN ADDITION TO THE ROUTINE MONITORING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY, EPD IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEDICINE AND DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY) WILL CONDUCT AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL-MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDY AT REPULSE BAY AND BUTTERFLY BEACH STARTING JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE STUDY AIMS TO IDENTIFY AND QUANTIFY THE PATHOGENS THAT MIGHT CAUSE DISEASES AMONG BATHERS SWIMMING IN POLLUTED BEACH WATER, SO THAT APPROPRIATE STANDARD CAN BE USED AND EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES CAN BE DEVISED. "
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY), MR DAVID HALL, ON 835 1234.
--------0------------
MAILING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAYS
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M. PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT DURING THE FORTHCOMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL AND THE BIRTHDAY OF THE QUEEN, ALL POST OFFICES WOULD BE CLOSED.
A SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERY WOULD HOWEVER BE PROVIDED ON JUNE 13 (THE BIRTHDAY OF THE QUEEN). NO DELIVERY WOULD BE MADE ON JUNE 5 AND 15.
--------0-----------
/Il ........
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1992
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ » ♦ ♦ *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 27.5.92 988
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 28.5.92 -10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +300 «
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 29/5 TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.9 *+0.1* 28.5.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS TERMS YIELD TERM HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.00 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.34 4.64
1 MONTH 2.74 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.04 4.92
3 MONTHS 2.77 PCT 24 MONTHS 2405 5.50 100.75 5.16
6 MONTHS 3.28 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.95 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6.026MN
CLOSED 28 MAY 1992
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WALLED CITY PHASE 3 CLEARANCE DEFERRED ......................... 1
REGULATION OF FRINCE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COMPANIES ................ 2
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN 1ST QUARTER OF 1992 AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF
GDP AND PRICES FOR 1992 ...................................... 3
SLOPE INSPECTION PROGRAMME IN NT ............................... 9
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR APRIL .................................. 10
CHRISTOPHER HUM APPOINTED FCO ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY FOR HK AFFAIRS ........................................................ 13
NEW OFFICIAL RECEIVER APPOINTEE ............................... 13
AMENDMENTS TO PRISON RULES APPROVED ............................ 14
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION INTO HELICOPTER ACCIDENT' .............. 15
DREDGING AT PC TOI WEST ........................................ 15
1991 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND RE:AL ESTATE SECTORS.. 16
TENDERS INVITED FOR OPEN SPACE WORKS ........................... 18
PROPOSED ROAD WORKS TO FACILITATE HOS PROJECT .................. 18
TENDERS FOR SPECIAL SCHOOL IN TSELNG KWAN 0 INVITEE ............ 19
TENDERS INVITED FCR IMPROVEMENT WOFKS OF FA HUI PARK ........... 19
IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL AWARDED TO RETIRING SENIOR COXSWAIN ..... 20
TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY OF GOVT FLEET INFO SYSTEM ........... 21
TEACHERS' ROLE VITAL IN NEW LEARNING INITIATIVE ................ 22
SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED .......................... 23
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ....................................... 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT' EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET' OPERATIONS ... 24
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
WALLED CITY PHASE 3 CLEARANCE DEFERRED ******
THE THIRD AND FINAL PHASE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK, WILL BE POSTPONED BY ABOUT A MONTH, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR PHILIP CHOK, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE DECISION TO POSTPONE THE OPERATION FOLLOWED CLAIMS OF POSSESSORY TITLES BY 18 HOUSEHOLDS COVERING 40 STRUCTURES.
’’THE CLEARANCE PROCESS WILL BE VERY COMPLICATED IF WE ARE TO CARRY ON WITH THE OPERATION AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED BUT LEAVING ASIDE THE CLAIMANTS.”
"IT IS THEREFORE DECIDED TO POSTPONE THE ENTIRE OPERATION UNTIL THE END OF JUNE,” MR CHOK EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT LAND ACQUISITION NOTICES WERE AFFIXED TODAY ON PREMISES WITHIN THE PHASE III CLEARANCE AREA NOTIFYING THE CLEAREES THAT AFTER ONE MONTH FROM THE DATE OF AFFIXING OF THE NOTICES, THE LAND DESCRIBED THEREIN SHALL VEST IN THE CROWN AND THAT EVERY INTEREST, RIGHT OR ANY EASEMENT OF ANY PERSON IN OR OVER THE LAND SHALL BE EXTINGUISHED.
"IN OTHER WORDS, ALL THE PHASE III CLEAREES MUST MOVE OUT ON OR BEFORE JUNE 29," HE SAID.
THE LAND ACQUISITION NOTICES WERE ISSUED UNDER THE LAND ACQUISITION (POSSESSORY TITLE) ORDINANCE AFTER A DECISION WAS MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 26 THAT THE AREA OF LAND CONCERNED IS REQUIRED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE.
"IN TAKING THIS COURSE OF ACTION, IT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY MEAN THE GOVERNMENT CONCEDES TO THE CLAIMS TO POSSESSORY TITLE MADE BY THE OWNERS/RESIDENTS.
"BY EXERCISING THE POWERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, WE ARE ABLE TO MINIMISE THE DELAY CAUSED TO THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE PROJECT," MR CHOK SAID.
AT PRESENT, 358 HOUSEHOLDS STILL REMAIN IN PHASE III. OF THESE, ONLY 104 HAVE YET TO ACCEPT GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION OFFERS.
THE SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE WILL BE CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS WITH THESE HOUSEHOLDS WITH A VIEW TO REACHING SETTLEMENT.
MR CHOK ALSO POINTED OUT THAT PHASE III CLEAREES WHO REMAIN DISSATISFIED WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION OFFERS WILL HAVE UP TO AUGUST 2 EITHER TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO SUBSTANTIATE A CLAIM FOR HIGHER COMPENSATION OR APPEAL TO THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD (ARB).
"THIS DEADLINE WILL NOT BE POSTPONED EVEN THOUGH THE CLEARANCE OF PHASE III WILL BE DELAYED BY ABOUT ONE MONTH. ANY APPEALS TO THE ARB SUBMITTED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE STRESSED.
/FURTHERMORE, WITH ........
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
- 2 -
FURTHERMORE, WITH THE KWOLOON WALLED CITY SCHEDULED TO BE CLEARED OF RESIDENTS BY JUNE THIS YEAR, THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE HAS ALSO DECIDED THAT A DEADLINE SHOULD BE SET FOR APPEALS TO THE APPEALS TRIBUNAL FROM CLEAREES OF ALL PHASES OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY.
THE DEADLINE HAS ALSO BEEN SET FOR AUGUST 2. ANY APPEALS FROM CLEAREES TO THE APPEALS TRIBUNAL AFTER THAT DATE WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
--------0-----------
REGULATION OF FRINGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COMPANIES
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO SEEK LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL FOR THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) TO UNDERTAKE THE ROLE OF REGULATING FRINGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COMPANIES IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (HKFE) HAD EARLIER BROACHED AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH WHICH WOULD HAVE INVOLVED ESTABLISHING UNDER ITS AUSPICES A RETAIL CURRENCY MARKET.
"HOWEVER, AFTER CAREFULLY EXAMINING THIS CONCEPT IN DETAIL, THE HKFE HAS COME TO THE VIEW THAT IT COULD ONLY CONSIDER PURSUING SUCH A PROPOSAL AFTER A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGULATION OF FRINGE FOREX COMPANIES HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE," HE SAID.
"THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP SET UP BY THE AFFAIRS BRANCH WILL THEREFORE CONTINUE TO FLESH OUT THE REGULATORY PROPOSAL WHICH WAS TO SEEK LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY SFC TO REGISTER AND SUPERVISE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COMPANIES ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST UNREGISTERED DEALERS.
MONETARY ORIGINAL FOR THE AND TAKE
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE COURSE OF THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THERE ARE HIGH RISKS INVOLVED IN INVESTING IN LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS.
THOSE WHO CHOOSE, NEVERTHELESS, TO INVEST WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO DO SO THROUGH INTERMEDIARIES OF HIGH REPUTATION AND STANDING INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
IN SUCH CONTRACTS
LONG ESTABLISHED
SUCH AS AUTHORISED
- - 0------------
/3.........
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
3
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN 1ST QUARTER OF 1992 AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF GDP AND PRICES FOR 1992 ******
THE ECONOMY CONTINUED TO GROW STEADILY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
WHILE THE STRONG PERFORMANCE OF RE-EXPORTS WAS STILL THE MAIN IMPETUS TO GROWTH, THE FURTHER SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN CONSUMPTION AND INVESTMENT EXPENDITURES ALSO CONTRIBUTED.
CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION CONTINUED TO MODERATE IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GREW BY 4.4% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 3.5% IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
THE GROWTH RATE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WAS PROBABLY IN THE REGION OF 4.5%.
THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1992 RELEASED TODAY.
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST SAID THE ECONOMIC FORECASTS FOR 1992 RELEASED IN EARLY MARCH WERE REVIEWED, ON THE BASIS OF THIS REPORT AND OTHER LATEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION.
THE FORECAST GDP GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS REMAINS UNCHANGED AT 5%. THE FORECAST INFLATION RATES IN TERMS OF BOTH THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) AND THE GDP DEFLATOR ARE ALSO KEPT UNCHANGED, AT 9.5%.
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED SLACK. A DECLINE OF ABOUT 1% IN REAL TERMS WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER.
THIS PERFORMANCE SHOULD, HOWEVER, BE VIEWED AGAINST THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PROGRESSIVE RELOCATION OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES ACROSS THE BORDER.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA CONTINUED TO SHOW A MARKED INCREASE.
WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN REVIVED SOMEWHAT, THOSE TO GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM FELL SHARPLY.
RE-EXPORTS WERE ON A STRONG RISING TREND IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WITH A GROWTH RATE OF ABOUT 31% IN REAL TERMS OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
AS A RESULT OF THIS GROWTH, THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE EVEN FURTHER, FROM 68% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 TO 74% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
/RE-EXPORTS .......
4
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA CONTINUED TO SURGE, AS OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER EXPANDED FURTHER AND AS CHINA ABSORBED MORE IMPORTS FOR ITS OWN USE.
RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN ALSO INCREASED MARKEDLY. CHINA REMAINED THE LARGEST MARKET FOR AS WELL AS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 29% AND 58% RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
IMPORTS REGISTERED A SHARP INCREASE OF ABOUT 22% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
MOST OF THIS GROWTH WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SURGE IN REEXPORTS, ALTHOUGH THE RISE IN RETAINED IMPORTS, BY ABOUT 10% IN REAL TERMS, ALSO CONTRIBUTED.
AMONG THE VARIOUS END-USE CATEGORIES, RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS RECORDED THE FASTEST INCREASE, BY ABOUT 29% IN REAL TERMS, FOLLOWED BY THOSE OF CAPITAL GOODS AND OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES, BY ABOUT 11% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $9,638 MILLION WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, EQUIVALENT TO 5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
THE CORRESPONDING DEFICIT IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR WAS $9,815 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
ACCORDING TO THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF QUARTERLY GDP IN CONSTANT PRICE TERMS, PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, AS THE LARGEST COMPONENT OF DOMESTIC DEMAND, GREW BY 8% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, FOLLOWING A SIMILAR INCREASE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
THE EXPENDITURE OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS TRAVELLING ABROAD RECORDED PARTICULARLY STRONG GROWTH. AS REGARDS GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, THE GROWTH RATE IN NATIONAL ACCOUNTS TERMS WAS 5% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 OVER A YEAR EARLIER. THE GROWTH RATE IN THE THIRD QUARTER WAS SIMILAR.
LOCAL INVESTMENT, MEASURED IN TERMS OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION, ROSE BY 9% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 11% IN THE THIRD QUARTER. OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS, EXPENDITURE ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SHOWED A MARKED INCREASE, BY 22% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, HAVING RISEN BY 24% IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DUE TO THE COMPLETION OR WINDING DOWN OF SOME MAJOR PROJECTS, EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION FELL BY 4% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 3% IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
CONSUMER DEMAND PICKED UP FURTHER IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992. RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY, BY ABOUT 29% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
/THE VOLUME .......
5
FEIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES ALSO SHOWED A SHARP IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
INCREASE OF 14%
THESE LARGE INCREASES WERE, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY THE LOW BASE OF COMPARISON IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 DUE TO THE GULF WAR.
ON INVESTMENT DEMAND, RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED FURTHER, BY ABOUT 11% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THIS INCLUDED A CONTINUED GROWTH IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING USE.
CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION WAS ON A MODERATING TREND IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992. COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTHS A YEAR EARLIER, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 10.5%, 10.4% AND 9.5% RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH (AND BY 8.9% IN APRIL).
THIS REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT DECELERATION FROM THE PEAK FIGURE OF 13.9% IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AS A WHOLE, THE INCREASE WAS 10.1%. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN THE CPI(B) AND HANG SENG CPI WERE 10.0% AND 9.9%, WHILE THE COMPOSITE CPI WAS 10.0% HIGHER.
IN THE LABOUR MARKET, BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES EDGED UP IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STOOD AT 2.4% AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE AT 2.2%.
NEVERTHELESS, JUDGING FROM THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ECONOMY, THE EASING IN THE LABOUR MARKET SEEN IN THE FIRST QUARTER MAY ONLY BE TEMPORARY.
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET VARIED AMONG SUBSECTORS. IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET, AFTER A BRIEF CONSOLIDATION TOWARDS THE END OF 1991 DUE TO THE ANTI-SPECULATION MEASURES, THE PRICES OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS CONTINUED TO RISE IN THE FIRST .QUARTER OF 1992.
HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS IN THE FIRST QUARTER WAS WAY BELOW THOSE RECORDED IN THE PRECEDING QUARTERS. PROSPECTIVE FLAT BUYERS TENDED TO ADOPT A WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE, ALTHOUGH THE LOW INTEREST RATE RELATIVE TO THE PREVAILING INFLATION STILL PROVIDED AN INDUCEMENT TO DEMAND.
THE DEMAND FOR SHOPPING SPACE REMAINED FAIRLY STABLE. PRICES AND RENTALS GENERALLY MOVED WITHIN A NARROW RANGE, BUT WITH FASTER INCREASES RECORDED FOR THE PRIME LOCATIONS.
THE MARKET FOR OFFICE SPACE CONTINUED TO FACE AN OVER-SUPPLY, WITH RENTALS SHOWING LITTLE SIGN OF IMPROVEMENT.
THE SALES MARKET FOR OFFICE STRATA NEVERTHELESS ATTRACTED A GREATER INTEREST. AS FOR FLATTED FACTORY SPACE, THE MARKET WAS GENERALLY QUIET.
IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS WERE OBSERVED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER.
/FIRST, THE
6
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
FIRST, THE MARKET EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR REMAINED STABLE.
HOWEVER, INFLUENCED BY THE STRENGTHENING OF THE U.S. DOLLAR AGAINST OTHER MAJOR CURRENCIES, THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ROSE FROM 109.2 AT THE END OF 1991 TO 112.5 AT THE END OF MARCH 1992.
SECONDLY, AMIDST A SEASONAL DEMAND FOR MONEY AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND SHARE SUBSCRIPTION ACTIVITIES DURING MARCH, LOCAL MONEY MARKET INTEREST RATES FIRMED UP AS LIQUIDITY TIGHTENED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER.
DEPOSIT RATES ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, NEVERTHELESS REMAINED UNCHANGED IN THE QUARTER.
THIRDLY, DOMESTIC LOANS AND ADVANCES SHOWED A LESS RAPID INCREASE DURING THE FIRST QUARTER, PARTLY DUE TO THE SLOW-DOWN IN RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS FOLLOWING A TIGHTENING OF MORTGAGE LENDING POLICY BY THE BANKS IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE BROADER DEFINITIONS OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ALSO RECORDED SLOWER INCREASES DURING THE QUARTER.
FOURTHLY, DURING THE FIRST QUARTER THE STOCK MARKET WAS BOOSTED BY THE SATISFACTORY OUTCOME OF THE SPECIAL 301 NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES AND BY FAVOURABLE CORPORATE RESULTS.
THE HANG SENG INDEX ROSE FROM 4,297 AT THE END OF 1991 TO A HIGH OF 5,071 ON MARCH 13, BEFORE CLOSING THE QUARTER AT 4,938 (THE INDEX ROSE FURTHER TO 5,988 ON MAY 28).
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST SAID IN REVIEWING THE GDP AND PRICE FORECASTS FOR 1992 IN THE LIGHT OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO THE COMPONENT FORECASTS WHERE DEEMED APPROPRIATE. THE UPDATED FORECASTS ARE SHOWN IN THE TABLE ANNEXED.
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE FORECAST TO INCREASE BY 1% IN REAL TERMS, SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE EARLIER FORECAST. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN ROBUST, WHILE THOSE TO THE UNITED STATES ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THE RECENT DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ALONG WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR SHOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE PRICE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN THE OVERSEAS MARKETS.
THIS MAY PROVIDE A PARTIAL OFFSET TO THE WEAK DEMAND IN GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM. ALTHOUGH THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS RATHER SLACK, THERE WAS A PICK-UP IN ORDERS-ON-HAND.
HAVING REGARD TO THE SHARP INCREASE IN THE FIRST QUARTER, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF RE-EXPORTS FOR 1992 AS A WHOLE IS REVISED UPWARDS FROM 20% TO 24%.
/ASSUMING SATISFACTORY .......
7
FFIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
ASSUMING SATISFACTORY OUTCOMES FOR BOTH THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA UNDER SECTION 301 OF THE U.S. TRADE ACT, OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND BOOST HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS INVOLVING CHINA IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR MEETING ITS OWN DEMAND ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO RISE FURTHER.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE UPWARD REVISION IN THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS AND A FASTER INCREASE IN RETAINED IMPORTS FOR MEETING LOCAL DEMAND, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS OF GOODS IS RAISED FROM 14.9% TO 17.6%.
IN LINE WITH THE FASTER INCREASE IN EXPORT TRADE AND IN TOURIST RECEIPTS, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF EXPORTS OF SERVICES IS LIFTED FROM 8% TO 10%.
AS REGARDS IMPORTS OF SERVICES, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IS ALSO LIFTED FROM 8% TO 9.5%, HAVING REGARD TO THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS TRAVELLING ABROAD IN RECENT MONTHS.
IN THE DOMESTIC SECTOR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS REVISED UPWARDS FROM 6% TO 7%, IN VIEW OF THE BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED OUTTURN SO FAR THIS YEAR.
CONSUMER SPENDING IS LIKELY TO BE ORIENTED MORE TOWARDS DURABLE ITEMS AND TRAVELLING ABROAD.
THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS REVISED UPWARDS FROM 4% TO 6%.
THIS REVISION IS MAINLY DUE TO THE RECLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURES PERTAINING TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, WHICH FOR GDP ESTIMATION PURPOSES IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION IS REVISED DOWNWARDS FROM 8.2% TO 7.1%, MAINLY REFLECTING THE CURRENT SLACK IN PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY.
THE FORECAST GROWTH RATES OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND OF EXPENDITURE ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT REMAIN UNCHANGED.
TAKING ALL THESE COMPONENTS TOGETHER, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF THE GDP IS UNCHANGED, AT 5%.
THE FASTER INCREASE IN DOMESTIC DEMAND CAN BE SUPPORTED BY A MORE RAPID GROWTH IN RETAINED IMPORTS.
ON CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION, SEVERAL FACTORS ARE CONDUCIVE TO MODERATION. THE GOVERNMENT IN FORMULATING THE 1992-93 BUDGET HAS BEEN CAREFUL IN MINIMISING ITS IMPACT ON CONSUMER PRICES, AND THE NET EFFECT SLIGHTLY DEFLATIONARY.
/WORLD COMMODITY .......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
8
WORLD COMMODITY PRICES REMAIN GENERALLY STABLE, SO ARE THE PRICES OF IMPORTED GOODS. IN ADDITION, THE SUSTAINED INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS A GREATER SUPPLY OF LABOUR SHOULD HELP TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
HOWEVER, AS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY PICKS UP FURTHER OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR AND AS WORK ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS GATHERS MOMENTUM, THERE MAY BE SOME RENEWED PRESSURES ON LOCAL RESOURCES.
ON BALANCE, THE EARLIER FORECAST OF CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION FOR 1992 AS A WHOLE SHOULD REMAIN APPLICABLE : THE CPI(A) TO INCREASE BY AN AVERAGE OF 9.5%. THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE IN THE GDP DEFLATOR IS ALSO KEPT UNCHANGED AT 9.5%.
THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1992 WILL BE ON SALE ON MAY 30 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $34 A COPY.
FORECAST FOR 1992 AS RELEASED ON 4.3.1992 (%) CURRENT UPDATE RELEASED ON 29.5.1992 (%)
GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS:
PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION TRANSFER COSTS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PRIVATE SECTOR PUBLIC SECTOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ MARGIN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT PRIVATE SECTOR PUBLIC SECTOR TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS IMPORTS OF GOODS EXPORTS OF SERVICES IMPORTS OF SERVICES 6 4 8.2 8 7.6 4 15 5 10.3 10 20 14.2 2 20 14.9 8 8 7 6* 7.1 8 6.1 2 15 2 10.3 10 20 16.6 1 24 17.6 10 9.5
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) PER CAPITA GDP 5 4.2 5 4.2
GROWTH RATE IN MONEY TERMS OF:
GDP PER CAPITA GDP
14.9 14.9
14.1 14.1
/RATE OF .......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
9
RATE OF INCREASE IN:
GDP DEFLATOR
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A)
9.5
9.5
9.5
9.5
NOTE : (*) THE REVISION IS MAINLY DUE TO THE RECLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURES PERTAINING TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, WHICH FOR GDP ESTIMATION PURPOSES IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
--------0-----------
SLOPE INSPECTION PROGRAMME IN NT ******
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE (GEO) OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A PROGRAMME OF INSPECTION OF SLOPES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE SQUATTERS ARE LOCATED WILL BE LAUNCHED IN JULY.
AN EARLIER PROGRAMME OF INSPECTION IN THE 1980’5 HAS IDENTIFIED SLOPES ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO LANDSLIP DURING HEAVY RAINSTORM.
THE FUTURE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE AREAS OF LOWER RISK. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AREAS TO BE INSPECTED IS ESTIMATED AT 120.
THE INSPECTION FORMS PART OF THE LONG-TERM SURVEY PROGRAMME FOR SQUATTER AREAS BY GEO.
THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS TO CLEAR AND REHOUSE SQUATTER LIVING ON STEEP SLOPES ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO LANDSLIP RISKS.
OF THE 64,000 SQUATTERS FOUND IN THE 1980’S TO BE LIVING ON THESE SLOPES, 62,000 SQUATTERS HAVE BEEN CLEARED.
ABOUT 1,000 OF THE REMAINING 2,000 ARE BEING CLEARED AND REHOUSING IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
THE REMAINDER WILL BE OFFERED HOUSING BEFORE THE NEXT WET SEASON.
AN ONGOING CLEARANCE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DRAWN UP TO CLEAR ALL SQUATTERS IN THE URBAN AREAS AROUND THE END OF 1995.
0
/10........
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
10
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR APRIL *****
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS SHOWED A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE DURING APRIL, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 16.0%, BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN MONEY TERMS.
CONSISTENT WITH THE INCREASE IN DEPOSITS IN APRIL, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE DURING THE MONTH.
HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED IN APRIL.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, ROSE BY 1.9% IN APRIL FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 0.1% IN FEBRUARY AND AN INCREASE OF 1.2% IN MARCH.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND, SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS GREW BY 1.3%, 0.6% AND 2.9% RESPECTIVELY DURING APRIL.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 16.0%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 0.5% IN APRIL, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 0.2% IN FEBRUARY AND A DECREASE OF 1.1% IN MARCH.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN. CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 0.7% AND 0.4% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 5.6%.
DURING APRIL, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY 1.3% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 2.1% AND 2.6% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 11.5%, WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 9.7% AND 25.9% RESPECTIVELY.
/MONEY SUPPLY ........
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
1]
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 1.1%, 1.9% AND 1.8% RESPECTIVELY IN APRIL, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 2.8%, 0.8% AND 0.7% IN MARCH.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 19.1%, 17.8% AND 15.9% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 1.7%, 1.2% AND 1.1%
RESPECTIVELY IN APRIL.
THESE COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF +0.9%, -0.2% AND -0.4% IN MARCH.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES GREW BY 17.5%, 11.5%
AND 9.9% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 0.7% IN APRIL, FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 0.4% EACH IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH.
AMONG THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR INCREASED BY 1.1% WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY ROSE BY 0.5%.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.1% AND 24.5% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 3.8% IN APRIL, AFTER A DECLINE OF 2.4% IN FEBRUARY AND AN INCREASE OF 1.0% IN MARCH.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 14.4%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 0.9% IN APRIL, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.2% AND 1.4% IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY.
.YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 16.7%. LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG DECREASED BY 0.3% IN APRIL, AFTER DECREASES OF 0.5% AND 1.8% IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 28.2%. LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG ROSE BY 7.2% DURING APRIL, AFTER INCREASES OF 2.1% AND 10.8% IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 71.3%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS DECREASED BY ONE TO 160, WHILE THOSE OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 55 AND 156 RESPECTIVELY.
/TABLE 1 .......
12
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - APRIL 1992
(HKSmn)
Apr 1992
Earlier months (% change to Apr 1992)
Mar 1992 Jan 1992 Apr 1991
Money Supply
Ml - HKS 116,907 115,642 ( 11 ) 125,705 ( -7.0 ) 98,123 ( 19.1 )
Foreign currency 15,072 14,139 ( 6.6 ) 15,619 ( -35 ) 14,234 ( 5.9 )
Total 131,979 129,781 ( 17 ) 141,324 ( -6.6 ) 112,357 ( 17.5 )
M2 - HKS* 650,471 638,577 ( 19 ) 640,258 ( 16 ) 552,407 ( 17.8 )
Foreign currency* 745,938 740,630 ( 0.7 ) 747,115 ( -0.2 ) 700,313 ( 6.5 )
Total 1,396,409 1,379,207 ( 12 ) 1,387,374 ( 0.7 ) 1,252,720 ( 11.5 )
M3 - HKS* 673,263 661,380 ( 1-8 ) 663,344 ( 15 ) 581,035 ( 15.9 )
Foreign currency* 783,058 778,939 ( 0.5 ) 787,943 ( -0.6 ) 743,835 ( 5.3 )
Total 1,456,321 1,440,319 ( 11 ) 1,451,287 ( 0.3 ) 1,324,869 ( 9.9 )
Notes and coins in circulation 51,630 51,024 ( 12 ) 61,738 ( -16.4 ) 43,606 ( 18.4 )
of which held by public 44,706 44,341 ( 0.8 ) 52,909 ( -15.5 ) 37,954 ( 17.8 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 87,272 85,440 ( 2.1 ) 88,414 ( -1.3 ) 74,403 ( 17.3 )
Total Savings deposits 312,730 309,466 ( LI ) 310,750 ( 0.6 ) 239,595 ( 30.5 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 935,672 924,103 ( 1.3 ) 918,439 ( 1.9 ) 883,742 ( 5.9 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 36,422 37,185 ( -2.1 ) 37,961 ( -4.1 ) 40,350 ( -9.7 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 21,290 21,866 ( -2.6 ) 22,750 ( -6.4 ) 28,717 ( -25.9 )
HKS deposits* 615,135 603,765 ( 1.9 ) 597,130 ( 3.0 ) 530,077 ( 16.0 )
USS deposits* 316,439 314,182 ( 0.7 ) 314,617 ( 0.6 ) 297,902 ( 6.2 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 461,812 460,113 ( 0.4 ) 466,567 ( -1.0 ) 438,829 ( 5.2 )
All deposits 1,393,386 1,378,061 ( 1.1 ) 1,378,315 ( 1.1 ) 1,266,807 ( 10.0 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 44,536 44,275 ( 0.6 ) 41,946 ( 6.2 ) 57,680 ( -22.8 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 85,558 82,457 ( 3.8 ) 83,623 ( 2.3 ) 74,764 ( 14.4 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 14,159 13,211 ( 7.2 ) 11,678 ( 21.2 ) 8,264 ( 71.3 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 851,597 844,262 ( 0.9 ) 830,865 ( 2.5 ) 729,807 ( 16.7 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,282,065 1,277,847 ( 0.3 ) 1,308,063 ( -2.0 ) 999,793 ( 28.2 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 38,529 37,811 ( 19 ) 40,572 ( -5.0 ) 50,841 ( -24.2 )
Loans in HKS 759,684 751,240 ( LI ) 736,501 ( 3.1 ) 648,518 ( 17.1 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,512,224 1,504,348 ( 0.5 ) 1,538,300 ( -1.7 ) 1,214,950 ( 24.5 )
Total loans and advances 2,271,908 2,255,588 ( 0.7 ) 2.274,801 ( -0.1 ) 1,863,468 ( 21.9 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar 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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/13..............
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
- 13 -
CHRISTOPHER HUM APPOINTED FCO ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY FOR HK AFFAIRS
******
FROM JUNE 1, MR CHRISTOPHER HUM WILL TAKE OVER FROM MR ANDREW BURNS AS AN ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG AFFAIRS IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
MR BURNS WILL TAKE UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE.
MR HUM, AGED 46, IS MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN. HE WAS A LANGUAGE STUDENT IN HONG KONG BETWEEN 1968 AND 1970. HE SERVED IN BEIJING FOR FOUR YEARS, FROM 1971 TO 1973 AND FROM 1979 TO 1981. HE WAS DEPUTY HEAD OF THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT IN THE FCO FROM 1983 AND BECAME HEAD OF THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT BETWEEN 1986 AND 1989.
MOST RECENTLY, HE HAS BEEN A COUNSELLOR IN THE UK MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK.
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NEW OFFICIAL RECEIVER APPOINTED *♦»»»*
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MR A.R. HEARDER WILL BE APPOINTED AS THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER TO HEAD THE NEW OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE.
THE NEW OFFICE, TO BE ESTABLISHED ON MONDAY (JUNE 1), WILL TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF BANKRUPTCIES AND COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS FROM THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
MR HEARDER, AGED 52, JOINED THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT IN APRIL 1966 AS A SOLICITOR.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SOLICITOR IN APRIL 1973, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SOLICITOR IN APRIL 1978, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SOLICITOR IN FEBRUARY 1982 AND ASSISTANT REGISTRAR GENERAL IN APRIL 1983.
MR HEARDER HAS CONSIDERABLE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH INSOLVENCY WORK.
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/14 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
- 14
AMENDMENTS TO PRISON RULES APPROVED *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO PRISON RULES CONCERNING THE USE OF MECHANICAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE REMOVAL OF PRISONERS FROM ASSOCIATION WITH OTHERS IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE AMENDMENTS WERE MAINLY TECHNICAL IN NATURE AND WERE AIMED AT TIDYING UP THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND CLARIFYING EXISTING PROVISIONS IN THE PRISON RULES.
THE PRISON (AMENDMENT) RULES 1992 PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF MECHANICAL RESTRAINTS ON PRISONERS IN LEGAL CUSTODY OUTSIDE A PRISON.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID EXISTING RULES ALLOW FOR THE USE OF HANDCUFFS TO ENSURE THE SAFE CUSTODY OF PRISONERS ’’DURING REMOVAL”.
THERE IS HOWEVER DOUBT AS TO WHETHER THIS COVERS THE PERIOD WHEN A PRISONER IS TAKEN OUT OF AN INSTITUTION AND KEPT IN ANOTHER PLACE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE SUCH AS MEDICAL TREATMENT OR ATTENDANCE IN COURT.
’’DURING THESE TIMES HE MAY NEED TO BE HANDCUFFED FOR SECURITY REASONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT IT WAS ARGUABLE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WHETHER THE PRISONER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REMOVED.
THE AMENDMENT IS TO ELIMINATE THIS DOUBT AND TO CLARIFY THAT HANDCUFFS MAY BE USED FOR THE SAFE CUSTODY OF ANY PRISONER WHILST UNDER LEGAL CUSTODY.
ALSO, EXISTING PRISON RULES DO NOT PROVIDE FOR THE REMOVAL OF PRISONERS FROM ASSOCIATION WITH OTHERS EVEN WHERE SUCH REMOVAL IS CONSIDERED DESIRABLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE.
A NEW PRISON RULE IS INTRODUCED TO EMPOWER A SUPERINTENDENT TO ARRANGE FOR A PRISONER TO BE SEGREGATED FOR NOT MORE THAN 72 HOURS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD ORDER OR DISCIPLINE OR IF IT IS DEEMED TO BE IN THE PRISONER’S OWN INTEREST.
"ANY FURTHER REMOVAL WOULD NEED TO BE BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. EACH ORDER WOULD BE FOR A PERIOD OF NOT MORE THAN ONE MONTH, SUBJECT TO RENEWAL THEREAFTER FROM MONTH TO MONTH.
"ON EACH RENEWAL, THE PRISONER CONCERNED MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THE REASONS AND CAN MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONER," HE SAID.
A BOARD OF REVIEW IS TO BE APPOINTED IN EACH PRISON TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF ALL PRISONERS REMOVED FROM ASSOCIATION AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO THEIR SUITABILITY FOR CONTINUED REMOVAL OR TO BE RETURNED TO ASSOCIATION.
/ANY PRISONER
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
15
ANY PRISONER BEING SEGREGATED MAY MAKE REPRESENTATIONS IN RESPECT OF HIS REMOVAL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OR COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, WHOEVER MADE THE ORDER, AND THE REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE DULY CONSIDERED.
THE NEW PROVISION IS SIMILAR TO WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED FOR IN THE RELEVANT ENGLISH PRISON RULES.
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NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION * *
INTO HELICOPTER ACCIDENT
♦ * *
4
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, WHO IS ALSO THE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF ACCIDENTS, ANNOUNCED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT AN INSPECTOR’S INVESTIGATION IS TAKING PLACE INTO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON MAY 21 AT TAI LANG SHUI IN TUEN MUN.
THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED AN AEROSPATIALE SA315B LAMA HELICOPTER REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE NAME OF HELISERVICES (HONG KONG) LTD.
ANY PERSON INTERESTED IN MAKING REPRESENTATIONS ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OR CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT SHOULD DO SO IN WRITING TO THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF ACCIDENTS, C/O CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, ROOM 261, APRON SERVICES COMPLEX, HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, HONG KONG, BEFORE JUNE 12 THIS YEAR.
INFORMATION MAY ALSO BE GIVEN BY TELEPHONE TO THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT ON 769 8912, 769 7604, 769 7605, 769 7587 OR 769 7710.
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DREDGING AT PO TOI WEST * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CARRYING OUT DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 590 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT PO TOI WEST.
THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE MARINE SAND FOR USE AS FILL MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND RECLAMATION IN THE TERRITORY, WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND AND SUBSEQUENT BACKFILLING OR SURPLUS MATERIAL WILL BE STRICTLY MONITORED AND CONTROLLED BY LICENCE CONDITIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
16
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MAY 28, 1993.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
THE GAZETTE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14/F, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, WHERE COPIES CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED ON ORDER.
MEANWHILE, THE NOTICE AND PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT: THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG; THE ISLAND DISTRICT OFFICE, 20/F, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, ISLANDS, 19/F, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 20/F, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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1991 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS ******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS FOR 1991 HAS JUST STARTED.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO COMPILE STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COURSE OF THE SURVEY, SO AS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
/HE. STRESSED ......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
17
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION, WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ABOUT 4,800 ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, INCLUDING A FULL COVERAGE OF PROMINENT ESTABLISHMENTS AND A RANDOM SAMPLE OF SMALLER ESTABLISHMENTS:
* BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION;
♦ REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT;
* ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING; AND
* REAL ESTATE LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 14 IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
A DIFFERENT VERSION OF SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE IS USED FOR EACH OF THE FOUR AFOREMENTIONED CATEGORIES OF ESTABLISHMENTS.
IN GENERAL, INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP; NUMBER OF DIRECT EMPLOYEES; COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES; CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES; PAYMENTS FOR SUB-CONTRACT WORK; OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES AND VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
IT ALSO INCLUDES VALUE OF PROPERTIES UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND THE ASSOCIATED PROJECT OUTLAYS (INCLUDING LAND VALUES); OTHER FORMS OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS; CAPITAL EXPENDITURE; AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS OPERATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE SURVEY.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31 THIS YEAR.
/IF REQUIRED .......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
18
IF REQUIRED, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHMENTS AND HELP THEM IN COMPLETING THE
WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
THESE OFFICERS WILL CARRY A GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILST AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
IDENTITY CARD AND A ON DUTY, WHICH ARE
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3204.
TO
OF
THE THE
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TENDERS INVITED FOR OPEN SPACE WORKS
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE AT YUEN CHAU KOK HILL IN AREA 13, SHA TIN AS PART OF THE NEW TOWN’S DEVELOPMENT.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF SITTING-OUT AREAS, CHILDREN PLAY AREAS AND PUBLIC LAVATORIES, ARE EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF EBC HASSELL LTD, THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS FOR THE PROJECT, 4/F, HYDE CENTRE, 221 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 19.
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PROPOSED ROAD WORKS TO FACILITATE HOS PROJECT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CLOSE CERTAIN ROADS AND BUILD SOME FOOTPATHS AT MEI TIN ROAD IN TAI WAI TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROJECT IN SHA TIN.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURE AND ROAD WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, G/F, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
/* DISTRICT LANDS .......
19
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN; AND
* SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, 6/F, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2/F, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NOT LATER THAN JULY 28, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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TENDERS FOR SPECIAL SCHOOL IN TSEUNG KWAN O INVITED
******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN AREA 5, TSEUNG KWAN O.
OCCUPYING A SITE AREA OF MORE THAN 3,900 SQUARE METRES, THE FOUR-STOREY SCHOOL WILL ACCOMMODATE 200 STUDENTS.
THE SCHOOL PREMISES WILL COMPRISE 10 GENERAL CLASSROOMS, SEVEN SPECIAL CLASSROOMS AND THREE PARAMEDICAL ROOMS IN ADDITION TO STAFF FACILITIES.
A COVERED PLAYGROUND WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED ON THE GROUND LEVEL.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START BY THE END OF JULY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 19.
----0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS OF FA HUI PARK
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS OF FA HUI PARK IN KOWLOON.
THE WORKS, WHICH INVOLVE THE UPGRADING OF PLANTERS, ARBOUR, TOILET FACILITIES AND PAVING, ARE EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
SUBMISSION OF TENDERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JUNE 19.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34/F, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
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/20 .....
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
- 20 -
IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL AWARDED TO RETIRING SENIOR COXSWAIN
******
AFTER SERVING THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR 37 YEARS, DEVOTED SENIOR COXSWAIN, MR NG PUI, SAID IT IS TIME FOR HIM TO RETIRE AND TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
THOUGH HE IS NOT FOND OF TRAVELLING, HE WILL TAKE HIS WIFE ON A TRIP TO CHINA BEFORE DECIDING WHAT TO DO IN HIS RETIREMENT.
THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER LIFE IN THE DEPARTMENT, HE EXCELLED HIMSELF IN SEAMANSHIP. HE WAS DEDICATED AND PERFORMED EFFECTIVELY.
MR NG HAS BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL FOR HIS 37 YEARS’ LOYAL AND EFFICIENT SERVICE.
IN A BRIEF CEREMONY TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER, PRESENTED A LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, TO MR NG.
MR MILLER THANKED MR NG FOR THE FINE SERVICE HE HAD RENDERED TO THE DEPARTMENT.
"I ALWAYS FELT OBLIGED TO FULFIL MY DUTIES AND I TRIED MY VERY BEST TO ACCOMPLISH THEM," MR NG SAID AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER.
MR NG IS ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE SINCE EARLIER THIS MONTH.
AGED 54, MR NG JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS A SEAMAN CLASS II IN OCTOBER 1955 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SEAMAN CLASS I IN NOVEMBER 1959, TO LEADING SEAMAN IN NOVEMBER 1968.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO COXSWAIN CLASS III IN AUGUST 1973 AND REGRADED AS COXSWAIN IN APRIL 1974. HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PROMOTED TO SENIOR COXSWAIN IN SEPTEMBER 1981.
IN SEPTEMBER 1965 AND MARCH 1966, MR NG WAS COMMENDED BY THE THEN DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR J.P. HEWITT, FOR HIS BEARING AND EFFICIENCY IN PERFORMING HIS DUTIES ON THE "LADY MAURINE" DURING THE ROYAL VISITS OF H.R.H. PRINCESS ALEXANDRA AND PRINCESS MARGARET.
IN FEBRUARY 1974, HE WAS AGAIN COMMENDED BY THE THEN DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR A. FLETCHER, FOR HIS EXCELLENT WORK IN SUCCESSFULLY CLEARING UP AN EXTENSIVE OIL SPILL NEAR AP LEI CHAU IN ABERDEEN.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS MERITORIOUS PERFORMANCE OVER THE YEARS, HE WAS AWARDED A LONG AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE CERTIFICATE AND A GOLD PIN LAST YEAR.
THE AWARD WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
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/21........
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
21
TENDERS INVITED FOR SUPPLY OF GOVT FLEET INFO SYSTEM * * * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, COMMISSIONING, MAINTENANCE, TRAINING AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES OF A GOVERNMENT FLEET INFORMATION SYSTEM (GFIS) FOR GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE SYSTEM IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE PURCHASED BY THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD.
DETAILS OF THE TENDERS ARE CONTAINED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE SYSTEM ARE:
- TO PROVIDE A STRUCTURED AND PRACTICAL MAINTENANCE PLAN THAT WOULD BE USED TO FORECAST WORKLOAD AND RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS IN AN ACCURATE AND TIMELY MANNER;
- TO PROVIDE AN OPTIMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE;
- TO PROVIDE DETAILED AND ACCURATE INFORMATION FOR BUDGETING;
- TO PROVIDE AN AUTOMATED PROVISIONING SYSTEM, EFFECTIVE PURCHASING SCHEDULE AND INVENTORY/SPARE PARTS CONTROL SYSTEM; AND
- TO PROVIDE A MEANS TO AUTOMATE THE CURRENT MANUAL SCHEDULING PROCEDURES.
THE SYSTEM IS INTENDED TO COVER ABOUT 360 MECHANISED VESSELS, i
THESE INCLUDED ABOUT 80 RELATIVELY SOPHISTICATED LAUNCHES SERVING PRINCIPALLY THE MARINE POLICE, 100 MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS SUCH AS TUGS, LIGHTERS, PERSONNEL CARRIERS, SURVEY VESSELS, AND 180 SMALL CRAFT SUCH AS SPEEDBOATS AND RIGID-HULL-INFLATABLE BOATS.
THE SYSTEM IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES.
THE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ARE EXPECTED TO BE DELIVERED AND INSTALLED IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER THIS YEAR, WHILE THE LAST STAGE OF DATA CONVERSION IS SCHEDULED TO BE CARRIED OUT IN DECEMBER 1994.
TENDER FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROCUREMENT DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, 6/F, OIL STREET, NORTH POINT; THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL; AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, KOWLOON.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD PLACE TENDERS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX AT THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE NOON ON JULY 10.
/22 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
- 22 -
TEACHERS’ ROLE VITAL IN NEW LEARNING INITIATIVE
******
THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TARGETS AND TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENT (TTRA) INITIATIVE, THE ACTING SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (DEVELOPMENT), MR KWAN TING-FAI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE A STUDENT’S LEARNING, HE SAID THE INITIATIVE WAS RECOMMENDED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4, ADDING THAT ITS IMPLEMENTATION WAS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
TTRA WOULD INITIALLY COVER THE CORE SUBJECTS OF CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS, WITH LEARNING TARGETS FOR PRIMARY 1 TO SECONDARY 5 AND ASSESSMENT SCHEMES FOR PRIMARY 1 TO SECONDARY 3.
"THE TARGETS WILL PROVIDE TEACHERS AND LEARNERS WITH CLEARER GOALS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING," HE SAID.
AS RESEARCHES INDICATED, LEARNERS LEARN BEST THROUGH CARRYING OUT PURPOSEFUL LEARNING TASKS, PROGRAMMES OF STUDY WERE BEING CREATED FOR EACH SUBJECT CONTAINING EXAMPLES OF VARIOUS LEARNING TASKS DESIGNED TO LEAD TOWARDS THE TARGETS.
FOR ASSESSMENT, TEACHERS WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING INDIVIDUAL LEARNER’S PROGRESS SO THAT THEY COULD ADAPT THEIR TEACHING TO WHAT THEY FOUND.
PARENTS WOULD RECEIVE MORE REPORTS, INDICATING WHAT THEIR CHILDREN COULD DO AND HOW WELL THEY COULD DO IT IN EACH SUBJECT.
MR KWAN EXPLAINED THAT TTRA WAS CHILDREN TO LEARN TOWARDS WORTHWHILE TARGETS
DESIGNED TO ENABLE ALL AT THEIR OWN BEST SPEED.
"TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENTS INCLUDE BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES AND THE FIRST EXTERNAL TRA IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD FOR PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS IN DECEMBER 1994," MR KWAN ADDED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT A TTRA TEACHER EDUCATION TEAM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO DEVELOP IN-SERVICE EDUCATION MATERIAL AND TO PLAN AND CONDUCT SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS, PANEL CHAIRPERSONS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHER-EDUCATORS.
THE SERIES OF TRAINING FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS WILL START WITH HEADS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS ATTENDING TWO-DAY SEMINARS IN JUNE AND JULY.
"THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THREE-DAY IN-SERVICE SEMINARS FROM OCTOBER THIS YEAR TO APRIL NEXT YEAR FOR PRIMARY 4 TO PRIMARY 6 TEACHERS," MR KWAN SAID.
THESE SEMINARS WILL CARRY ON IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS UNTIL JUNE 1995 TO COVER SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND PRIMARY 1-3 AND SECONDARY 1-3 TEACHERS.
/THE EDUCATION .......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
23
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT TEACHERS AND TO INFORM PARENTS AND OTHERS:
* A LEAFLET ON TTRA FOR PARENTS;
* AN OVERVIEW OF TTRA SUMMARISING ITS AIMS, CONTENT AND IMPLEMENTATION; AND
* LEARNING TARGETS AND EXEMPLAR TASKS FOR CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS.
OTHERS TO BE PRODUCED INCLUDE:
* A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO TTRA FOR SCHOOLS; AND
* PROGRAMMES OF STUDY FOR EACH KEY STAGE FOR EACH OF THE THREE SUBJECTS.
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SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED
******
IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED THREE SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA AND SEVEN TWO-WAY PERMIT VISITORS FOR ALLEGED BREACH OF CONDITION OF STAY IN A SERIES OF OPERATIONS YESTERDAY (THURSDAY).
THE SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, TWO WOMEN AND A MAN AGED BETWEEN 22 AND 28, WERE ARRESTED IN TWO RESTAURANTS WHERE THEY ADMITTED TO HAVE OBTAINED EMPLOYMENT AS CASUAL WORKERS.
AMONG THE SEVEN VISITORS, TWO WERE INTERCEPTED AT THEIR PLACES OF WORK.
FIVE OTHERS WERE FOUND TO HAVE OVERSTAYED IN HONG KONG. OF THEM, TWO WERE INTERCEPTED AT WORKPLACES.
A 33-YEAR-OLD FILIPINO DOMESTIC HELPER WAS ALSO FOUND WORKING IN A FACTORY. SHE WAS SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY DEPLOYED BY HER EMPLOYER TO WORK THERE.
SIX HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE ASSISTING WITH INVESTIGATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
HE SAID VISITORS MUST LEAVE HONG KONG WITHIN THEIR LIMIT OF STAY IMPOSED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT, WHETHER PAID OR UNPAID, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
/HE EXPLAINED .......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
- 24 -
HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER HONG KONG LAWS, A FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER IS ONLY ALLOWED TO PERFORM DOMESTIC DUTIES FOR A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER UNDER A SPECIFIC EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.
HE SAID THOSE WHO BREACH THEIR CONDITION OF STAY WERE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND UPON CONVICTION, TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
PEOPLE WHO AID AND ABET OTHERS TO COMMIT THESE OFFENCES ARE ALSO LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND PENALTY.
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DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
♦ ♦**♦♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF RIGGS ASIA LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 28.5.92 1,288
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 29.5.92 -241 ♦
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -59
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +700 ♦♦
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -300 MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +59 MN
* * O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 1.6.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.4 *-0.5* 29.5.92
/HCNG KONG .......
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1992
- 25 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.81 PCT 18 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.40 4.59
1 MONTH 2.70 PCT 21 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.09 4.88
3 MONTHS 2.77 PCT 24 MONTHS 2405 5.50 100.81 5.12
6 MONTHS 3.27 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.94 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6,889 MN
CLOSED 29 MAY 1992
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MOFE SERVICES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION ................................. 1
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE BECOMES CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ........................ 2
TV TO SCREEN CCNDOM API AFTER MIDNIGHT................................... 3
THREE-WAY COMMUNICATION CHANNEL NEEDED TO HELP STUDENTS ................. 3
LAW ON PLEASURE VESSEL FUEL TO TAKE EFFECT .............................. 4
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HEARING ON UNIVERSITY ......................... 5
TUEN NG FESTIVAL A STATUTORY HOLIDAY .................................... 6
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT PHOTO CONTEST ...................................... 7
NEW DRAGON BOATS TO BE LAUNCHED IN TAI PC .............................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT' EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 8
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
1
MORE SERVICES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION ♦ * * * *
MORE ALTERNATIVE MODES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO COMMUTERS TRAVELLING ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOURS FROM NEXT MONDAY (JUNE 1).
BEING THE SECOND PHASE OF A SERIES OF MEASURES TO RELIEVE CONGESTION ALONG THE CORRIDOR, THE NEW FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF A BUS-ONLY LANE ALONG WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
ALSO INCLUDED ARE MORE NEW CROSS-HARBOUR AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL AND EXTENDED FERRY SERVICES FROM TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN TO CENTRAL.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT APART FROM THE EXISTING FERRY SERVICES, AN ADDITIONAL SAILING OF ORDINARY FERRY SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FROM TUEN MUN AT 7.45 AM BETWEEN MONDAYS AND SATURDAYS EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, AND THIS WILL BE EXTENDED TO WAN CHAI VIA CENTRAL.
ON ORDINARY FERRY SERVICES FROM TSUEN WAN TO CENTRAL, ONE ADDITIONAL SAILING WILL BE PROVIDED AT 8.05 AM. THIS, TOGETHER WITH TWO OTHER SAILINGS AT 7.05 AM AND 8.15 AM FROM TSUEN WAN, WILL BE EXTENDED TO WAN CHAI VIA TSING YI AND CENTRAL.
TO HELP SPEEDY MOVEMENT OF BUSES FROM NORTHWEST KOWLOON TO CENTRAL KOWLOON, A BUS LANE WILL BE DESIGNATED ON THE EASTBOUND NEARSIDE LANE OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES TO THE WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND SYCAMORE STREET FROM JUNE 1.
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT BUSES ARE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE BUS LANE BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 9 AM DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
TO TIE IN WITH THE OPENING OF THE BUS LANE, KOWLOON MOTOR BUS AIR-CONDITIONED BUS ROUTE NUMBERS 258B, 258C, 259B, 259C, 260B AND 267S WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD ON THEIR WAY TO STAR FERRY.
IN ADDITION TO THE NEW CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTE NUMBER 114 OPERATING BETWEEN SHAM SHUI PO FERRY PIER AND THE MACAU FERRY PIER IN CENTRAL VIA TAI KOK TSUI FROM TODAY, FOUR NEW AIR-CONDITIONED BUS ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO STRENGTHEN SERVICES FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES TO KOWLOON IN THE MORNING PEAK HOURS.
THESE ROUTES, OPERATING FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, WILL INCLUDE NO. 230X FROM ALLWAY GARDENS, TSUEN WAN TO WHAMPOA GARDEN, HUNG HOM; NO. 244X FROM TSING YI FERRY PIER TO STAR FERRY; NO. 268B FROM YUEN LONG EAST TO STAR FERRY AND NO. 271 FROM FU HENG ESTATE, TAI PO TO TSIM SHA TSUI.
/•'SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL.......
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
- 2 -
l
"SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL FARE OF $0.5 WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR THESE BUS SERVICES UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THESE MEASURES COUPLED WITH THE PHASE I MEASURES INTRODUCED TWO WEEKS AGO WILL ATTRACT SOME 7,000 COMMUTERS WHO MIGHT USE MTR IN THE MORNING PEAK HOURS," HE ADDED.
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ACADEMY OF MEDICINE BECOMES CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT IT IS NECESSARY FOR DOCTORS TO KEEP PACE WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELDS SINCE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THEY ACQUIRED IN MEDICAL , SCHOOL WERE RAPIDLY OVERTAKEN.
OFFICIATING AT THE "WALK FOR THE ACADEMY - WALK FOR HEALTH" OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE AT TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK, SIR DAVID SAID THE ACADEMY WOULD HELP DOCTORS DO PRECISELY THAT, BY PROVIDING LOCALLY-BASED POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES IN A RANGE OF MEDICAL SPECIALITIES.
"DOCTORS WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND UPDATE THEIR SPECIALISED SKILLS.
"THIS WILL ENHANCE THE ALREADY HIGH STANDARDS OF OUR MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL THUS BE OF DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID BELIEVED THAT THE ACADEMY WOULD ALSO BECOME A CENTRE OF MEDICAL EXCELLENCE IN HONG KONG AND THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME, ALL MEDICAL SPECIALITIES WOULD BE BROUGHT TOGETHER UNDER ONE ROOF.
NOTING THAT HEALTH WAS NOT JUST A MATTER OF CURE AND CARE BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, SIR DAVID SAID ALL COULD HELP TO PREVENT ILLNESS BY LIVING HEALTHILY.
"AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THIS MEANS TAKING PLENTY OF EXERCISE AND FRESH AIR," HE ADDED.
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/3........
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
3
TV TO SCREEN CONDOM API AFTER MIDNIGHT
******
AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (API) THAT ENCOURAGES ADULTS TO PRACTISE SAFE SEX BY USING CONDOMS WILL BE SCREENED ON TELEVISION FROM NEXT MONTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.
THE API SHOWS A CONDOM REMOVED FROM A PACKAGE AND A WOMAN IS TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE HER PARTNER TO USE IT. THIS ADVERTISEMENT IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AGAINST AIDS THIS YEAR.
THE API HAS ALREADY BEEN SHOWN IN 14 LOCAL CINEMAS AND WILL BE SCREENED ON THE FOUR TELEVISION CHANNELS ONCE EVERY NIGHT BETWEEN 1 AM TO 5 AM FROM JUNE.
THE FIRST SCREENINGS ON THE TWO CHINESE TELEVISION CHANNELS WILL BE AT ABOUT 1 AM ON JUNE 2 (TUESDAY) AND AT ABOUT 2 AM ON JUNE 3 (WEDNESDAY) WHILE THE FIRST SHOWS ON THE ENGLISH CHANNELS WILL BE AT ABOUT 2 AM ON JUNE 2 AND 3.
COMMENTING ON THE SCHEDULING ARRANGEMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE THE API WAS TARGETED AT ADULT AUDIENCE, IT WOULD ONLY APPEAR ON TELEVISION AFTER MIDNIGHT.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TREATMENT OF THE API WAS VERY EXPLICIT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO INTENTION OF AVOIDING THE ISSUE OF SEX WHILE EMPHASISING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE SEX AND THE NEED TO USE CONDOMS.
THE API ALSO CARRIES THE MESSAGE THAT CONDOMS CAN PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST AIDS AND OTHER SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES WITHOUT DETRACTING FROM THE SEXUAL EXPERIENCE.
- - 0 - -
THREE-WAY COMMUNICATION CHANNEL NEEDED TO HELP STUDENTS
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN RECENT YEARS AND A VARIETY OF THESE SERVICES ARE NOW EASILY AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IN NEED, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (DESIGNATE), MR DOMINIC WONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE GOOD HOPE SCHOOL, MR WONG SAID THERE EXISTED, MORE SPECIFICALLY ON BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS, A NETWORK OF GUIDANCE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR STUDENTS INCLUDING THOSE SUFFERING FROM EMOTIONAL STRESS.
/"THE EDUCATION
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
4
’’THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAVE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL OF GUIDANCE AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS, SUGGESTING WAYS OF HANDLING PROBLEMS,” HE POINTED OUT.
ALREADY ESTABLISHED WAS THE WIDELY REPRESENTED ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON STUDENT GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO EXAMINE STUDENT PROBLEMS MORE CLOSELY, MR WONG SAID.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD:
* PRODUCE A SHORT FILM SOON TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE PROPER WAYS OF HANDLING EMOTIONAL STRESS AND TO THE REAL VALUE OF LIFE;
* CONTINUE TO ANALYSE EACH CASE OF STUDENT SUICIDE; AND
* SUGGEST FURTHER PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO TEACHERS AND PARENTS AS NECESSARY.
A GREAT DEAL HAD BEEN DONE AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE DONE, HE ADDED.
’’WHATEVER WE DO, HOWEVER, THE IMPORTANT AIM IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CONGENIAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS AND A THREE-WAY CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION TO ACHIEVE HARMONY,” MR WONG SAID.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD LEARN TO ADOPT A POSITIVE OUTLOOK TOWARDS LIFE.
NOTING THAT EVERY ONE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS SOMETIMES, HE SAID: "THEY ARE RARELY INSURMOUNTABLE. YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD LEARN TO FACE THESE PROBLEMS.
"OUR YOUNG PEOPLE MUST REALISE THAT THERE CAN BE DIFFERENT WAYS OF SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND THEY SHOULD THEREFORE RATIONALLY ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THEM EITHER ON THEIR OWN OR SEEK HELP FROM EXPERTS AND RELEVANT SOURCES AS NECESSARY.
"SOMETIMES EVEN A DISCUSSION WITH FRIENDS, TEACHERS OR CLASSMATES WILL HELP," HE SAID.
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LAW ON PLEASURE VESSEL FUEL TO TAKE EFFECT
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED OWNERS OF PLEASURE VESSELS THAT A NEW LEGISLATION REQUIRING THESE VESSELS TO USE DUTIABLE LIGHT DIESEL OIL FOR PROPULSION IN HONG KONG WATERS WILL COME INTO EFFECT NEXT MONDAY (JUNE 1). ilVHUAI
HE SAID VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
/"THE MAXIMUM .......
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
"THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR CONVICTED OFFENCE IS $100,000 PLUS TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT, IN ADDITION TO FORFEITURE OF THE GOODS IN QUESTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EXPLAINING THE LEGISLATION, HE SAID FROM MONDAY, MARKED OIL OR COMMONLY KNOWN AS INDUSTRIAL DIESEL OIL, WHICH IS EXEMPTED FROM EXCISE DUTY, WILL NO LONGER BE PERMITTED TO BE SUPPLIED TO PLEASURE VESSELS UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992.
"THE CHANGE WILL NOT AFFECT OTHER TYPES OF VESSEL, INCLUDING FISHING VESSELS, AS MARKED OIL WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUPPLIED FOR MARINE USE OTHER THAN AS FUEL FOR PLEASURE VESSELS," HE ADDED.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE CHANGE, OWNERS OF PLEASURE VESSELS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO MARK CONSPICUOUSLY IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE --"NO KEROSENE OR MARKED OIL IS TO BE PLACED IN THIS FUEL TANK" — NEXT TO EACH INLET OF THE FUEL TANK OF THEIR VESSEL.
"A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS FROM JUNE 1 WILL BE ALLOWED FOR THESE OWNERS TO USE UP AND CLEAN TRACES OF MARKED OIL TN THEIR FUEL TANKS."
HOWEVER, OWNERS OF PLEASURE VESSELS OF OVER 60 TONS NET REGISTER AND HEADING FOR AN IDENTIFIED PORT OUTSIDE HONG KONG CAN APPLY FOR REFUND OF THE DUTY PAID.
"AN APPLICATION FOR REFUND HAS TO BE MADE BEFORE OBTAINING THE FUEL FROM AN OIL STATION. A REFUND OF DUTY WILL BE DETERMINED AND PAID BY POST AFTER COMPLETION OF THE RESPECTIVE VOYAGE AND UPON PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON THE NEW LEGISLATION MAY BE MADE TO SENIOR CUSTOMS INSPECTOR NG CHING-MAN ON 852 4831.
- 0 - -
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HEARING ON UNIVERSITY
* * * * *
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL RECONVENE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NEXT MONDAY (JUNE 1) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THE HEARING WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM.
INVITED TO THE HEARING WILL BE THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; SIR GORDON MACWHINNIE; MAJOR-GENERAL GUY WATKINS; AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN.
/MEMBERS OF
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
- 6 -
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF THE CHAMBER BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY (JUNE 1), STARTING AT 9 AM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
-------- 0 ---------
TUEN NG FESTIVAL A STATUTORY HOLIDAY * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT TUEN NG FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON JUNE 5 (FRIDAY), IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
AT THE SAME TIME, JUNE 15 IS A FLOATING HOLIDAY, BEING THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY, UNLESS AN ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY HAS BEEN FIXED FOR AN EMPLOYEE.
"UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR EARNINGS ARE ENTITLED TO BE PAID FOR THE HOLIDAYS IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAYS," CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, MR JAMES YEUNG, SAID.
"HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNING ON A NORMAL 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," HE EXPLAINED.
"WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, THE HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNING DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY," HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE FOR AN EMPLOYER NOT TO GRANT AN EMPLOYEE STATUTORY HOLIDAYS, AND THE EMPLOYER IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
- 0----------
n....
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
- 7 -
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT PHOTO CONTEST
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ENTER A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST TO CAPTURE THE EXCITEMENT OF THE DRAGON BOAT RACES IN SAI KUNG ON JUNE 5 (FRIDAY).
THE RACES, ORGANISED BY SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION, WILL BE HELD OFF THE WATERFRONT OF SAI KUNG TOWN BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 12.30 PM.
ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM A LAUNCH DURING THE RACES.
BOARDING PASSES TO THE LAUNCH WILL BE ISSUED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE 5R-SIZED AND NO ALTERNATIONS TO THE ORIGINAL PRINT WILL BE ACCEPTED. THERE IS NO LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES BY EACH PARTICIPANT.
WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED CASH COUPON, TROPHIES, AND CAMERAS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT KWONG MING COMPANY, 14 WAN KING PATH, SAI KUNG TOWN, AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE’S SUB-OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF PO NING HOUSE IN PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0.
ENTRIES, TOGETHER WITH APPLICATION FORMS, SHOULD BE RETURNED TO KWONG MING COMPANY BY JUNE 17.
ENQUIRIES AND RESERVATION FOR THE LAUNCH PASSES CAN BE MADE ON 792 1678.
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NEW DRAGON BOATS TO BE LAUNCHED IN TAI PO *****
TWO NEW DRAGON BOATS WILL BE LAUNCHED AT AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY NEXT MONDAY (JUNE 1) MORNING AT THE TAI WONG YEH SHRINE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI, TAI PO.
THE BOATS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACES TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY (JUNE 5) OFF THE WATERFRONT OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, LAST YEAR’S WINNERS WILL TAKE PART IN A DEMONSTRATION RACE.
/TAI PC ........
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1992
- 8
TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY AT THE TAI WONG YEH SHRINE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI, TAI PO AT 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 1).
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 29.5.92 1,688 *
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 30.5.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
* INCLUDES 700 MN O/N ASSISTANCE
TO BE REVERSED ON 1 JUNE
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
CONTENTS PACE NC.
UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 1993-94 ................ 1
CONTROL OF NOISY EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVE TOMORROW....................... 2
NEW DISTRICT OFFICER FOR NORTH DISTRICT............................. 3
LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME EXTENDED TO TIN SHUI WAI ............ 3
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER TO END SCON....... 4
SEARCH ON FCR FOSTER PARENTS........................................ 5
YOUTH FUNDING SCHEME ON AIDS INVITES APPLICATIONS .................. 6
113 VOLUNTEERS ON PARADE ........................................... 7
SCHOLARSHIP FUNES FCR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES STUDIES ............ 7
NINE NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES AWARDED .............................. 8
TRAFFIC LIGHTS SET UP AT WUHU STREET/CHATHAM ROAD NORTH ............ 9
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
1
UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 1993-94 *****
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR ITS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES STARTING IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1993-94.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OFFERED BY THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A HIGHER DEGREE EITHER BY RESEARCH OR BY COURSEWORK.
APPLICANTS MAY CHOOSE ANY SUBJECT OF STUDY OR RESEARCH AT ANY LEADING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE AND SHOULD BE OFFERED A PLACE SUBSEQUENTLY.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO POSSESS HIGH ACADEMIC PROWESS AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.
THEY SHOULD ALSO DEMONSTRATE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG.
UPON GRADUATION, SCHOLARS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS.
THE VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP NORMALLY COVERS UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEE, A MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE AND AN ALLOWANCE FOR AIR TRAVEL.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES :-
* STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES LOW BLOCK, G/F 66 QUEENSWAY HONG KONG
* STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY 5/F, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING 16 ICE HOUSE STREET CENTRAL HONG KONG
* EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION ROOM 206 MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 30 LUEN WAN STREET MONG KOK KOWLOON
/* YAU TSIM .......
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
2
* YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE G/F, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING 15 MIDDLE ROAD TSIM SHA TSUI KOWLOON
* THE BRITISH COUNCIL EDUCATIONAL COUNSELLING SERVICE 255 HENNESSY ROAD WAN CHAI HONG KONG
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 867 2735.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS AUGUST 15. WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE SELECTION KONG IN DECEMBER/JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
SUITABLE CANDIDATES
INTERVIEW IN HONG
--------0 -----------
CONTROL OF NOISY EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVE TOMORROW
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE CONTROL OF NOISY EQUIPMENT UNDER THE NOISE CONTROI REGULATIONS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
ALL IMPORTED, MANUFACTURED OR SUPPLIED HAND HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS (HAVING MASS ABOVE 10 KG) AND AIR COMPRESSORS (CAPABLE OF SUPPLYING COMPRESSED AIR AT 500 KPA PRESSURE OR ABOVE FOR CARRYING OUT ANY CONSTRUCTION WORK) INTENDED FOR USE IN HONG KONG SHALL COMPLY WITH RELEVANT PRESCRIBED NOISE EMISSION STANDARDS SET OUT IN THE REGULATIONS.
THE REGULATIONS ARE THE NOISE CONTROL (HAND HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS) REGULATIONS AND THE NOISE CONTROL (AIR COMPRESSORS) REGULATIONS.
OFFENDERS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION AND $100,000 ON SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION, AND ALSO A DAILY FINE OF $10,000.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE CONCERNED BUILDING CONTRACTORS THAT APPLICATIONS FOR NOISE EMISSION LABELS FOR BOTH NEW AND IN-USE ITEMS OF THESE BREAKERS AND COMPRESSORS CAN NOW BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE LABELS ARE REQUIRED TO BE FITTED ON THE HAND HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS AND AIR COMPRESSORS DURING THEIR USE AFTER SEPTEMBER 1 AND DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
/HE SAID .......
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
HE SAID THE NEW CONTROLS, WHICH ESSENTIALLY REQUIRE ALL NEW JACKHAMMERS AND AIR COMPRESSORS TO MEET STRINGENT EUROPEAN NOISE EMISSION STANDARDS, MARKED YET ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN REDUCING CONSTRUCTION NOISE LEVELS IN HONG KONG.
LABEL APPLICATIONS, IN THE PRESCRIBED FORM ACCOMPANIED BY A NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE OF $100 FOR EACH LABEL SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DEPARTMENT ON 5/F, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
THE APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS WITHIN 28 DAYS. ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE TO EPD AT THE SAME ADDRESS OR THE ENQUIRY COUNTER ON TEL 810 2811.
NEW DISTRICT OFFICER FOR NORTH DISTRICT ♦ t * » t *
MR TIMOTHY TONG HAS BEEN APPOINTED DISTRICT OFFICER OF NORTH DISTRICT AND WILL TAKE UP HIS NEW OFFICE TOMORROW (MONDAY), THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR TONG, AGED 43, JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN 1972 AND SERVED AS A TRADE OFFICER IN 1976. HE WAS POSTED TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN GENEVA, SWITZERLAND FOR TWO PERIODS: 1978 TO 1981 AND 1983 TO 1986.
IN 1988, MR TONG JOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE STREAM. HE HAS SERVED IN A NUMBER OF POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE SECURITY BRANCH, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH.
HIS LAST POSTING WAS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER.
0 - -
LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME EXTENDED TO TIN SHUI WAI
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE TIN SHUI WAI ENVIRONS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
FARMERS IN THE TIN SHUI WAI AREA WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE SCHEME ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THOSE WHO
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
4
THOSE WHO PREFER TO CEASE BUSINESS RATHER THAN INSTALL THE NECESSARY POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITIES COULD APPLY FOR AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE, WHILE THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTINUE COULD APPLY FOR A CAPITAL GRANT AND LOW INTEREST LOAN TO COVER THE COST OF POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT.
A PRE-OPERATIONAL SURVEY TO RECORD ACTIVE LIVESTOCK FARMS IN THE AFFECTED AREA HAS BEEN COMPLETED, AND LETTERS INVITING FARMERS TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT TO AFFECTED FARMS, THE SPOKESMEN SAID.
OPERATORS OF LIVESTOCK FARMS IN THE AREA WHO HAVE NOT BEEN SURVEYED SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 685 1111.
"AT PRESENT THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME IS BEING REVIEWED AND IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT NO ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN THE TIN SHUI WAI AREA UNTIL THE REVIEW HAS BEEN COMPLETED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
NEVERTHELESS ANY FARMERS WHO ACCEPTED EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND THEN LATER RESTARTED FARMING ACTIVITIES WOULD BE REGARDED AS OPERATING NEW FARMS AND WOULD BE PROSECUTED IF THEY WERE FOUND NOT COMPLYING WITH THE REGULATION, HE SAID.
THE EXTENSION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME TO THE TIN SHUI WAI ENVIRONS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEDULE SET DOWN IN THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE NEXT AREAS TO COME UNDER CONTROL WOULD BE SAN TIN AND LAU FAU SHAN IN THE DEEP BAY CATCHMENT, AND MAU WU TSAI VILLAGE IN THE JUNK BAY CATCHMENT, IN JUNE 1993.
HE REMINDED LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THESE AREAS TO RETAIN RELEVANT DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR FARMING ACTIVITIES (SUCH AS RECEIPTS FOR PURCHASE OF FEEDSTUFF, OR INVOICES FOR SALE OF LIVESTOCK) IF THEY WISHED TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AT THAT TIME.
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PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER TO END SOON ******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY HAVE 10 MORE DAYS TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES.
THE GREEN PAPER WAS PUBLISHED ON MARCH 11 THIS YEAR TO SOLICIT PUBLIC VIEWS ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE THREE-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD WILL END ON JUNE 10.
/SO FAR .......
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
- 5 -
SO FAR, MORE THAN 100 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED -THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE FROM SELF-HELP ORGANISATIONS, REHABILITATION SERVICE AGENCIES AND PROFESSIONALS IN RELEVANT FIELD.
"COMMENTS FROM EVERY SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY ARE WELCOME," THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR ALLAN CHOW, SAID.
"THE GREEN PAPER IS A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT BECAUSE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS WILL FORM THE BASIS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN THE NEXT DECADE AND BEYOND.
"WE WILL ASSESS CAREFULLY VIEWS FORWARDED TO US BEFORE WE MAP OUT THE WAY FORWARD."
CHINESE AND ENGLISH COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES; GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND SUB-OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
WRITTEN COMMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO REHABILITATION DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, P.O. BOX 25666, HARBOUR BUILDING POST OFFICE, CENTRAL, BEFORE JUNE 10.
SEARCH ON FOR FOSTER PARENTS
* * » » ♦
THE CENTRAL FOSTER CARE UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS URGENTLY LOOKING FOR FOSTER PARENTS LIVING IN URBAN AREAS TO TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN WHO ARE DEPRIVED OF PARENTAL LOVE AND CARE.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO BECOME FOSTER PARENTS COULD APPROACH THE UNIT ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
"FAMILIES THAT CAN PROVIDE FOSTER CARE SERVICE TO CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 10, AND THAT CAN LOOK AFTER TWO CHILDREN OR MORE AT ONE TIME ARE MOST WELCOME," A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
FOSTER CARE IS A FORM OF NON-INSTITUTIONAL RESIDENTIAL CHILD-CARE SERVICE WHICH AIMS TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY ALTERNATIVE FAMILY FOR ORPHANS OR CHILDREN WHO LACK ADEQUATE CARE BECAUSE OF NEGLECT, ILLNESS OF THE PARENTS OR OTHER SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 220 CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN HOMES OF OVER 160 FOSTER PARENTS.
/THROUGH FOSTERING .......
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
6
THROUGH FOSTERING, CHILDREN COULD GROW UNDER A NORMAL FAMILY SETTING AND ENJOY A NORMAL CHILDHOOD, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
’’FOSTER PARENTS CAN, ON THE ONE HAND, SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND ON THE OTHER, IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY AS PARENTS,” HE SAID.
MARRIED COUPLES JOINING THE TEAM OF FOSTER PARENTS ARE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY ALLOWANCE OF $2,678.
ENQUIRIES ON FOSTER CARE SERVICE MAY BE MADE ON 852 4596 OR 852 4599.
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YOUTH FUNDING SCHEME ON AIDS INVITES APPLICATIONS
*****
THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS (CEPAIDS) IS INVITING LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE PART IN THE YOUTH FUNDING SCHEME ON AIDS 1992.
ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH UNDER THE CEPAIDS, THE SCHEME PROVIDES FUNDS FOR YOUTH GROUPS TO PLAN AND ORGANISE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ON AIDS.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S WORLD AIDS DAY ’’AIDS --- A COMMUNITY COMMITMENT”, THE SCHEME AIMS TO AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ON AIDS AND ITS SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS.
IT ALSO HELPS TO ENCOURAGE AND MOBILISE YOUNG PEOPLE IN ORGANISING PROJECTS ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS FOR OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY.
APPLICATIONS MUST COME FROM A YOUTH GROUP OR ORGANISATION WITH NO LESS THAN FIVE MEMBERS AND EACH GROUP SHOULD SUBMIT ONE APPLICATION ONLY.
EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT CAN GET A MAXIMUM FUNDING OF $8,000.
APPROVED PROJECTS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AND COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THE BEST THREE APPROVED PROJECTS WILL EACH ADDITIONALLY BE AWARDED A TROPHY AND A CASH PRIZE OF $2,000.
DETAILED PROJECT PROPOSALS TOGETHER WITH DULY COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM MUST REACH THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH, C/O CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, 7/F, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI ON OR BEFORE JULY 15.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 835 1821.
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SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
113 VOLUNTEERS ON PARADE ♦ * ♦ *
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, TODAY (SUNDAY) INSPECTED A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 113 RECRUITS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) AT ITS HAPPY VALLEY BARRACKS.
THE GROUP - 95 MEN AND 18 WOMEN - HAVE COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH TRAINING, INCLUDING TWO EIGHT-DAY CAMPS AND REGULAR EVENINGS AND WEEKEND TRAINING SESSIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE REGIMENT CALLED ON YOUNGSTERS TO SIGN UP IN ITS LAST RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR 200 MEN AND 50 WOMEN.
THE REGIMENT’S COMMANDING OFFICER, LT COL NICK COOMBE, SAID THE RESPONSE TO THE DRIVE HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING.
"SO FAR ABOUT 700 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, AND WE HOPE THAT MANY MORE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WILL WANT TO TAKE THIS LAST OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE VOLUNTEERS," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES STUDIES
*****
STUDENTS WISHING TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUND MAY TENDER THEIR APPLICATIONS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAN BE IN THE FORM OF SCHOLARSHIP, GRANTS AND INTEREST-FREE LOANS FROM THE TWO FUNDS WHICH ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ADVISORY COMMITTEES SAID APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE TOMORROW FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, AND FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES LIAISON OFFICES.
THE FUNDS WERE SET UP IN 1978 TO HELP PEOPLE WISHING TO SERVE THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES OR RELATED TRADES ON COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES, AND ALSO THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRIES WISHING TO PURSUE FURTHER TRAINING.
ANOTHER AIM OF THE FUNDS IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES TO COMPLETE THEIR TERTIARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLING.
APPLICATIONS FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDIES IN THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 16 WHILE THOSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE CLOSED ON AUGUST 19.
/THE AWARDS
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
- 8
THE AWARDS WILL BE TENABLE AT ANY UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CITY POLYTECHNIC, BAPTIST COLLEGE, ANY ACCEPTABLE OVERSEAS INSTITUTION AND AT ANY SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION SHOULD BE HONG KONG RESIDENTS UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE WHILE SECONDARY SCHOOL APPLICANTS SHOULD BE STUDENT IN FORMS FOUR TO SEVEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPROVED COURSES FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION INCLUDE THOSE ON AGRICULTURE, VETERINARY SCIENCE, MARINE SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY OR ANY APPLIED SCIENCE DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE OR FISHERIES INDUSTRIES AND RELATED TRADES.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 103 APPLICATIONS FOR THE TWO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AND 82 OF THEM WERE SUCCESSFUL.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY PROVIDED WAS MORE THAN $900,000.
THE AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP FUND APPROVED FOR INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION RANGED FROM $2,500 TO $12,000 WHILE THE AMOUNT OF GRANT RANGED FROM $1,000 TO $10,000 LAST YEAR.
AS FOR LOAN, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF LOAN PROVIDED FOR ONE APPLICANT WAS $33,000.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE FUNDS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 733 2249 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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NINE NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES AWARDED *****
NINE NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES SERVING VARIOUS DISTRICTS WILL SHORTLY COME INTO OPERATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE NEW ROUTES, IN SIX GROUPS, WILL SERVE EASTERN, WAN CHAI, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG, TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK IN KOWLOON; AND TSEUNG KWAN O, SHA TIN AND KWAI TSING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS TO OPERATE THESE ROUTES WAS GAZETTED ON NOVEMBER 8 LAST YEAR AND A TOTAL OF 34 APPLICATIONS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED.
/THE SUCCESSFUL
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1992
- 9 -
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WERE SELECTED BY THE GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS SELECTION BOARD CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMPRISED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER, REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
WHEN MAKING ITS SELECTION, THE BOARD HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE APPLICANTS’ EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC LIGHT BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS OPERATIONS, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, MANAGEMENT RIGHTS OVER THE VEHICLES, THE MAINTENANCE RECORD OF THE VEHICLES AND THE QUALITY OF THE VEHICLES TO BE DEPLOYED, INCLUDING THE AVAILABILITY OF AIR-CONDITIONING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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TRAFFIC LIGHTS SET UP AT WUHU STREET/CHATHAM ROAD NORTH
♦ * * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 2), TRAFFIC LIGHTS WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE JUNCTION OF WUHU STREET AND CHATHAM ROAD NORTH TO REGULATE TRAFFIC FROM WUHU STREET (WESTBOUND) TO CHATHAM ROAD NORTH (SOUTHBOUND), AND FROM CHATHAM ROAD NORTH (SOUTHBOUND) TO CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL/TSIM SHA TSUI.
- 0 - -