DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
CONTROL OF NOISY PRODUCTS EFFECTIVE TODAY ............................. 1
RE-APPOINTMENTS TO YOUTH COMMISSION ................................... 2
TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED TOMORROW..................... 3
SPECIAL MEETING ON NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN ............................ 3
RC WELCOMES PUBLIC VIEWS ON SERVICES ................................... 4
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN TAI PO.......................................... 5
NEW MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR AT MUSIC OFFICE ................................ 5
LEGCO SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW................................. 6
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1992
1
CONTROL OK NOISY PRODUCTS * * * * *
EFFECTIVE TODAY
THE NOISE CONTROL (HAND HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS) AND THE NOISE CONTROL (AIR COMPRESSORS) REGULATIONS BECOME AS FROM TODAY.
REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE,
AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SPOKESMAN SAID THE REGULATIONS REQUIRED THAT FROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR, ALL IMPORTED, MANUFACTURED OR SUPPLIED ITEMS OF 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 THE RELEVANT PRESCRIBED NOISE EMISSION STANDARDS.
THE USE OF SUCH EQUIPMENT SHALL REQUIRE THE FITTING OF NOISE EMISSION LABELS, FOR HAND-HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR AND AIR COMPRESSORS, DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
NOISE EMISSION LABELS ARE ISSUED BY THE EPD. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN THE PRESCRIBED FORM AND ACCOMPANIED BY A RELEVANT EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY TYPE-EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE OR A NOISE TESTING REPORT AND A NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE OF HKS100 FOR EACH LABEL.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE FIFTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL, HONG KONG. THE APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS WITHIN 28 DAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IMPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS CAN NOW APPLY FOR NOISE EMISSION LABELS FOR SUCH EQUIPMENT FROM THE EPD.
FOR HAND-HELD PERCUSSIVE BREAKERS CURRENTLY USED IN HONG KONG, APPLICATIONS FOR NOISE EMISSION LABELS CAN BE MADE TO THE EPD STARTING ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR.
FOR AIR COMPRESSORS CURRENTLY USED HERE, APPLICATIONS FOR NOISE EMISSION LABELS CAN BE MADE TO THE EPD, STARTING SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
OFFENDERS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF HK$50,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION AND HK$100,000 ON SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION, AND ALSO A DAILY FINE OF HK$ 10,000.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE EPD AT THE
ABOVE-MENTIONED ADDRESS OR THE ENQUIRY COUNTER ON TEL. 810 2811.
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/2 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1992
2
RE-APPOINTMENTS TO YOUTH COMMISSION *****
THE CHAIRMAN AND ALL NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED FOR A FURTHER TERM OF ONE YEAR.
THE COMMISSION IS NOW CHAIRED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG.
OTHER NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS INCLUDE MRS MIRIAM LAU KIN-YEE, MR HOWARD YOUNG, PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW WING-SUN, DR LO CHI-KIN, MR MAK HOI-WAH, MR CHEUNG YIN-TUNG, MR CHAN MO-POW, MRS JOYCE TAI POON CHING-SHEUNG, MISS JUNIA HO SHUK-YIN, MR CHAN KA-KUI, MRS ANGELA CHEUNG WONG WAN-YIU AND MRS TERESA LAM YU LAI-LING.
THEY HAVE ALL BEEN RE-APPOINED TO THE COMMISSION BY THE GOVERNOR FOR ONE YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 15 THIS YEAR.
TWO NEW MEMBERS, MR LEUNG YUK-CHEUNG AND MR RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU HAVE ALSO BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COMMISSION.
MR LEUNG IS A NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WHILE MR WONG IS SERVING ON THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFIARS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND MANPOWER, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ON THE COMMISSION.
THE COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED IN FEBRUARY 1990.
ITS MAIN FUNCTIONS ARE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO YOUTH, TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND INFORMATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT ADVISORY BODIES ON YOUTH MATTERS, TO ENCOURAGE CO-OPERATION AND CO-ORDINATION IN THE DELIVERY OF YOUTH SERVICES AND TO SERVE AS A LIAISON POINT WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ORGANISATIONS.
THE COMMISSION HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED A DRAFT CHARTER FOR YOUTH AND PUBLISHED A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE SUBJECT.
AS PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE DRAFT CHARTER, WHICH SETS OUT IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDES A FOCAL POINT FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED, ARE BEING SOUGHT, YOUTH ORGANISATIONS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE URGED TO GIVE SUBMISSIONS BEFORE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD CLOSES ON MAY 1.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1992
- 3 -
TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED TOMORROW
THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991, WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES, WILL COME INTO OPERATION TOMORROW (MONDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, MISS ALICE TAI, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE NEW TRADE MARKS RULES WILL ALSO COME INTO FORCE ON THE SAME DAY.
THE NEW RULES AND THE COMMENCEMENT NOTICE FOR THE ORDINANCE WERE GAZETTED ON JANUARY 17, 1992
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SPECIAL MEETING ON NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN
******
MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN AT A SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THEY WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MR RICHARD ALLEN.
THE SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE), AND WILL START AT 11 AM.
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 3511 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.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1992
RC WELCOMES PUBLIC VIEWS ON SERVICES
******
NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS CAN AIR THEIR VIEWS ON MUNICIPAL SERVICES TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND ITS SELECT COMMITTEES THROUGH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CHANNELS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE COUNCIL, WHICH OVERSAW THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC HYGIENE, AND RECREATION, SPORT AND CULTURAL SERVICES TO SOME 2.4 MILLION RESIDENTS, WOULD WELCOME THESE VIEWS AS REFERENCE FOR MAKING IMPROVEMENT.
"IF THEY PREFER, RESIDENTS COULD WRITE TO OR TELEPHONE THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT OR DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, OR SEEK MEETINGS WITH COUNCILLORS, IN ADDITION TO MAKING KNOWN THEIR VIEWS VIA THE MASS MEDIA," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FURTHERMORE, A NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS MAINTAIN THEIR OWN OFFICES TO FACILITATE LIAISON WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ■ IN THE DISTRICTS.
HE SAID APART FROM A 24-HOUR HOTLINE (424 0853) WHICH RECEIVED COMPLAINTS, A SPECIAL LINE FOR ENQUIRY AND COMPLAINT WAS SET UP AT EACH DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
APPOINTMENTS WITH COUNCILLORS CAN ALSO BE MADE THROUGH THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT BY CALLING 601 8886.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS AT THE NINE DISTRICT OFFICES ARE:
TUEN MUN - 651 1159
YUEN LONG - 475 3466
TAI PO - 657 7111 EXT. 162
NORTH DISTRICT - 667 2788
ISLANDS - 852 3200
KWAI TSING - 420 9204
TSUEN WAN - 414 4281
SHA TIN - 601 884 1
SAJ KUNG — 792 3680
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SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1992
- 5 -
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN TAI PO
A CARNIVAL WAS HELD IN TAI PO PLAYGROUND AND THE ADJACENT TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO PUT ACROSS FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES TO RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE EVENT, WHICH ATTRACTED HUNDREDS, WAS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP AND SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
THE CARNIVAL CONCLUDED THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR. EARLIER CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES INCLUDED A HOME SECURITY DAY, A SINGING COMPETITION, A QUIZ AND VISITS TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
PROGRAMMES AT THE FUN FAIR FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS, EXHIBITIONS ON HOME SAFETY AND ANTI-BURGLARY DEVICES, A VIDEO SHOW, EDUCATIONAL STALL GAMES AND A QUIZ.
A FIGTH CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR JUSTIEN WONG; THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG; THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG; THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR YIP KWOK-KEUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR TANG PUI-TAT, OFFICIATED AT THE CARNIVAL.
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NEW MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR AT MUSIC OFFICE
MR BRIAN LAU KIM-TIM WILL ASSUME THE POST OF MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE TOMORROW (MONDAY).
HE IS SUCCEEDING MRS AGNES ALLCOCK WHO IS TAKING UP A NEW POST AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MR LAU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF POLICY AND OPERATIONAL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE MUSIC OFFICE, AS WELL AS THE PROMOTION OF INTEREST IN MUSIC AMONG THE PUBLIC IN HONG KONG.
MR LAU JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1980.
HE HAS SERVED IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES INCLUDING THE FORMER MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE FINANCE BRANCH, AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 1992
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LEGCO SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW
*****
THE SECOND OPEN MEETING OF THE LEGCO SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD AT 1.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN Till- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
\T THE MEETING, THE SECRETARY FOK CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, WILL PRESENT A PAPER ON Till- ESTABLISHMENT OF A BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION.
THE MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. AS THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY IS LIMITED, THOSE WHO WISH TO ATTEND ARE ADVISED TO BOOK A SEAT BY TELEPHONING 869 9192 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REP.RESENTAT J \ ES ARE INV I TED COMMITTEE MEETING. THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE THOSE FOR COVERING LEGCO SITTINGS.
TO COVER THE SELECT PRESS ARE THE SAME AS
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG'S TRADE RELIES ON ITS AIR AND SEA LINKS ................. 1
FS TO DELIVER BUDGET SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY .......................... 1
HONG KONG EAGER TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC TIES WITH ASIA PACIFIC REGION 2
CONSULTANCY STUDY ON INDUSTRY-RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ........ 3
SES WELCOMES NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN .............................. 5
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1992 .............................. 6
1991 DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ... 10
OPEN DIALOGUE ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR ............................ 11
CLEAN SQUATTER AREA/VILLAGE PHASE LAUNCHED ........................ 12
CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN CATERING TRADE ...................... 12
REPORT ON JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES FOR.CIVIL SERVANTS PUBLISHED ..... 13
MUSIC GRANTS FOR 1992-93 .......................................... 14
NEW KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER APPOINTED ......................... 15
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .............................................. I5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 16
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
1
HONG KONG’S TRADE RELIES ON * * * *
ITS AIR AND SEA LINKS *
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT IT WAS HONG KONG’S EFFICIENT AND EXTENSIVE AIR AND SEA LINKS WHICH ENABLED THE TERRITORY TO BE THE 11TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD.
ADDRESSING 1’HE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SECOND WORLD FREIGHT, TRADE AND DISTRIBUTION EXHIBITION, THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG COULD BE PROUD OF WHAT HAD BEEN ACHIEVED, BUT IT MUST THINK AHEAD AND MUST BUILD NOW FOR THE FUTURE.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE BUILDING PROJECT INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NINTH CONTAINER TERMINAL AT TS1NG Y1.
’’THE FIRST BERTH OF THE NEW TERMINAL WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1995 AND THE FOURTH AND FINAL BERTH IN EARLY 1997. THE TSING YI TERMINAL WILL THEN BE ABLE 1’0 HANDLE 1.6 MILLION TEUS PER ANNUM," HE SAID.
AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE GOVERNOR SAID BULLDOZERS HAD ALREADY GOT TO WORK ON THE SITE FOR A NEW AIRPORT.
’’WHEN COMPLETED BY 1997, THIS NEW AIRPORT WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE 1.1 MILLION TONNES OF FREIGHT A YEAR WE EXPECT BY THAT TIME - AND MORE IF NECESSARY.
’’THESE FACILITIES ARE VITAL TO HONG KONG AS IT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP ITS ROLE AS A CENTRE FOR TRADE. THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE REPRESENTED HERE TODAY,’’ HE SAID.
CITING • FIGURES ON THE GOODS HANDLED THROUGH HONG KONG’S PORT AND AIRPORT, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE TERRITORY POSITION AS NEIGHBOUR TO THE MOST RAPIDLY DEVELOPING PROVINCE IN CHINA AND ROUGHLY HALF WAY BETWEEN ASEAN COUNTRIES AND JAPAN, ADDED STRENGTH TO ITS TRADE IMPORTANCE IN 'HUS FAST GROWING REGION.
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FS TO DELIVER
BUDGET SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY
*****
HONG KONG’S BUDGET PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1992-93 COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 4).
WILL BE
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL
START
AT
2.30 PM AND THE
ofC™?aJ™“r!“Io" S“tE??s2“ILL-"?''E ™E FIEST ssctSd EXPENDITURE FOR 1992-93.
FINANCIAL
ALItx _ ----- READINGS
AND OUTLINE THE ESTIMATED REVENUE AND
/THE HEADS .....
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
- 2 -
THE HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WERE SET OUT IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1992 WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED UNTIL MARCH 25 AND 26, WHEN MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.
OFFICIALS WILL GIVE THEIR REPLIES ON APRIL 1.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE GIS WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 4) TO ENABLE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO START WORK EARLY ON THE BUDGET.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE GIVEN ADVANCE COPIES OF THE BUDGET SPEECH AND ECONOMIC PROSPECTS AT NOON.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MUST STAY IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO WORK ON THEIR COPIES AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE UNTIL AFTER THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS CONCLUDED HIS SPEECH.
CONTACTS OF ANY KIND WITH OUTSIDE, SUCH COMPUTER LINKS, ARE PROHIBITED DURING THE CLOSED ALSO, MOBILE TELEPHONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO THE
AS TELEPHONE OR WORKING SESSION. CONFERENCE ROOM.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM THE FINANCE BRANCH WILL BE ON HAND TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM FROM 12.30 PM. THEY WILL NOT GIVE INTERVIEWS AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE QUOTED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MEET THE MEDIA AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AROUND 4 PM TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BUDGET AFTER H1S DELIVERY OF THE SPEECH IN THE LEGCO.
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HONG KONG EAGER TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC TIES WITH ASIA PACIFIC REGION ' *»»*»**
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID HONG KONG WAS KEEN TO ENHANCE ITS ECONOMIC TIES WITH COUNTRIES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
SPEAKING AT THE PRE-CONFERENCE DINNER OF THE 1992 INTERNATIONAL SHIPPERS’ CONFERENCE THIS (MONDAY) EVENING, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT SAW REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AS COMPLEMENTARY' TO THE OPEN MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM OF WHICH HONG KONG WAS A STAUNCH SUPPORTER.
/"INDEED, AS ........
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
3
"INDEED, AS THE 11TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD AND FOURTH LARGEST IN ASIA PACIFIC, WE CLEARLY HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY, AND A CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE, IN REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT ASIA PACIFIC WAS RECKONED TO BE THE FASTEST GROWING AND MOST DYNAMIC REGION IN THE WORLD, ACCOUNTING FOR HALF OF THE WORLD’S GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AND ONE-THIRD OF WORLD TRADE.
MR MACLEOD SAID HONG KONG WAS NOW A MEMBER OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC), THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC) AND THE PACIFIC BASIN ECONOMIC COUNCIL (PBEC).
"MEMBERSHIP OF THESE ORGANISATIONS HAS ENABLED HONG KONG TO DISCUSS AT VARIOUS LEVELS WITH OUR TRADING PARTNERS IN THE REGION A FULL RANGE OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AS A TESTIMONY OF HONG KONG'S IMPORTANCE AS A LEADING FINANCIAL ' CENTRE IN THE REGION, THE TERRITORY WOULD- BE HOSTING THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK IN MAY THIS YEAR.
"THIS WILL DRAW TO THIS TERRITORY SOME 1,000 LEADING CENTRAL BANKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY FROM AROUND THE WORLD," HE SAID.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR MACLEOD SAID HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION AND ROLE AS A TRADE AND FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC.
"WE SHALL MEET NEW CHALLENGES BY OUR EFFORTS TO UPGRADE OUR INDUSTRIES, ENHANCE OUR MANPOWER TRAINING AND IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
"THE ASIA PACIFIC HOLDS GREAT PROMISE FOR ALL OF US AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG WILL THRIVE IN CO-OPERATION WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS," MR MACLEOD SAID.
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CONSULTANCY STUDY ON INDUSTRY-RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
******
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) COMMISSIONED A $12 MILLION CONSULTANCY STUDY ON SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS IN HONG KONG.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SIGNED THE CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF GILMORE HANKEY KIRKE LTD., DR NICHOLAS MILES, AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CES (ASIA) LTD., DR ROBERT STERR1TT.
/SPEAKING AFTER
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MR BARMA SAID THE STUDY PLANNED TO REVIEW THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO HELP THEM COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY THE WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO RECOMMEND MEASURES TO OVERCOME ANY DEFICIENCIES IDENTIFIED.
"THE PRIMARY AIM OF THE STUDY IS TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURED EXPORTS REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN BOTH REGIONAL AND WORLD MARKETS.
"THE CONSULTANTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE DUE REGARD TO THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT ADHERES FIRMLY TO A POLICY OF MINIMUM INTERVENTION AND A STRONG PREFERENCE FOR METHODS THAT PROMOTE SELF-HELP," MR BARMA SAID.
HE SAID THE FIRST PART OF THE STUDY WOULD REQUIRE THE CONSULTANTS TO EXAMINE THE EFFECT ON THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE AS WELL AS ON INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES OF THOSE PROPOSALS IN THE .WHITE PAPER THAT HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO DATE.
"AN ASSESSMENT WILL ALSO BE MADE ON THE LIKELY EFFECT OF THOSE INITIATIVES THAT REMAIN TO BE IMPLEMENTED," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE CONSEQUENCES FOR MANUFACTURING, BOTH OPERATIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY, WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS IN THE REGION, THE STUDY WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES AND LEVELS OF SUPPORT THAT ALREADY EXIST, OR ARE LIKELY TO BE IMPLEMENTED, IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES SUCH AS CHINA, TAIWAN, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA AND THAILAND.
MR BARMA SAID THE STUDY WOULD MAKE A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG FROM BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
"IT WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE LONGER TERM IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL INDUSTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES NOT CONTAINED IN THE PRESENT WHITE PAPER, SUCH AS ENERGY OR CARBON TAXES AND THE GERMAN PACKAGING LAWS," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE SECOND PART OF THE STUDY REQUIRED THE CONSULTANTS TO IDENTIFY ANY DEFICIENCIES IN THE PROVISION OF THE NECESSARY SUPPORT, AND TO RECOMMEND HOW THESE DEFICIENCIES MIGHT BE MADE GOOD HAVING REGARD TO THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF MINIMUM INTERVENTION.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE ASKED TO RECOMMEND HOW ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO RELOCATE CERTAIN INDUSTRIES UNABLE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY IN CONVENTIONAL HIGH-RISE FACTORIES TO NEW DESIGNATED AREAS WHERE ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUITABLE PREMISES CAN BE PROVIDED," HE ADDED.
/MR BARMA .......
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
5
MR BARMA SAID THE STUDY WOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE GROWING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF CONSUMERS IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS.
THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A CERTIFICATION SCHEME TO ENABLE PRODUCTS TO BE CERTIFIED AS BEING "ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY" OR "PRODUCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION".
"CONSIDERATION WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE NEED TO INTRODUCE A FORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING SYSTEM IN THE TERRITORY. THIS WILL ENABLE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WHO CARRY OUT SUCH AUDITS IN A PRESCRIBED FASHION TO RECEIVE OFFICIAL RECOGNITION THAT THEY HAVE DONE SO," HE SAID.
THE FINAL REPORT OF THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (1TDC) FOR ITS ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT. THIS WILL PROBABLY TAKE PLACE BY MID 1993.
MR BARMA ADDED THAT PRIOR TO THE SUBMISSION OF THE FINAL REPORT TO THE ITDC, CONSULTATION WOULD TAKE PLACE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MAJOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSULTANTS. ANY COMMENTS RECEIVED WOULD BE INCORPORATED IN THE FINAL REPORT TO THE ITDC.
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SES WELCOMES NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN ******
THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE NEW AIRPORT WAS UNVEILED TODAY (MONDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE BY MR RICHARD ALLEN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA).
WELCOMING THE RELEASE OF THE PLAN, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, COMMENTED : "THIS REPRESENTS THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A SIGNIFICANT FIRST STAGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT."
IN DEVELOPING THE MASTER PLAN OVER THE LAST 18 OR SO MONTHS, THE PAA’S CONSULTANTS, GREINER-MAUNSELL, HAVE DRAWN ON A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERTISE BOTH INTERNATIONALLY AND LOCALLY.
/MRS CHAN .......
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
- 6 -
MRS CHAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION AND HIS STAFF AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY PART OF THE STUDY WHEN THE PAA ITSELF WAS BEING ESTABLISHED.
’’MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE,” MRS CHAN SAID. "THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A NEED FOR CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PAA IN MOVING THE PLAN FROM A CONCEPTUAL LEVEL TO ONE OF DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. OUR COMMON OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET A SAFE, EFFICIENT, FINANCIALLY VIABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE NEW AIRPORT.”
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1992
*****
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS INCREASED DURING JANUARY 1992, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
REFLECTING THE SEASONAL DEMAND FOR CASH WITH THE APPROACH OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, LEGAL TENDER NOTES AND COINS HELD BY THE NONBANK PUBLIC ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY IN JANUARY WHILE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS REGISTERED A DECLINE.
HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES RECORDED AN INCREASE DURING THE MONTH.
LEGAL TENDER NOTES AND COINS
INFLUENCED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, LEGAL TENDER NOTES AND COINS HELD BY THE NON-BANK PUBLIC ROSE BY 24.2% DURING JANUARY 1992, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.2% AND 3.0% DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THEY INCREASED BY 39.0%. (HOWEVER, THIS YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON WAS AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENT TIMING OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.)
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, FELL BY 1.2% DURING JANUARY 1992 FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.4% AND 1.2% DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
/AMONG THESE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
7 -
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 5.3%, WHILE SAVINGS DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 3.4% AND 0.9% RESPECTIVELY DURING JANUARY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 12.5%.
EOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 1.4% DURING JANUARY 1992, AFTER INCREASES OE 0.7% AND 3.0% DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
OE THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.0% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.6%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL EOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 7.8%.
DURING JANUARY, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY 0..5% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 4.2% AND 3.4% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 11.6% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 11.9% AND 27.6% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 12.5%. 0.7% AND 0.5% RESPECTIVELY DURING JANUARY 1992, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 1.8%, 1.6% AND 1.3% DURING DECEMBER 1991.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 29.5%, 16.0% AND 13.9% RESPECTIVELY.
THE GROWTH IN THE BROADEST DEFINITION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY HAS BEEN BROADLY CONSISTENT WITH THE GROWTH IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 10.0%, 1.2% AND 1.0% RESPECTIVELY DURING JANUARY 1992.
THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES DURING DECEMBER 1991 WERE 1.7%, 2.6% AND 2.3%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES GREW BY 27.4%, 12.2% AND 10.5% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 1.4% DURING JANUARY 1992, AFTER INCREASING BY 2.9% AND 3.5% DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
/OF THE........
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OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR INCREASED BY 1.8% WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY ROSE BY 1.2%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 19.4% AND 25.6% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.2% DURING JANUARY 1992, AFTER RECORDING NO GROWTH IN NOVEMBER AND FALLING BY 0.2% DURING DECEMBER 1991. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 14.1%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.7% DURING JANUARY 1992, FOLLOWING INCREASES Ob 2.0% AND 1.6% DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1991 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 19.0%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG ROSE BY 1.1% DURING JANUARY 1992, AFTER INCREASES OF 3.8% AND 5.1% DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1991 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 41.7%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG FELL BY 5.7% DURING JANUARY 1992, AFTER A DECREASE OF 5.9% IN NOVEMBER AND AN INCREASE OF 13.8% IN DECEMBER 1991. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 26.0%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 160. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY TWO TO 54 WHILE THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY TWO TO 155.
/TABLE 1 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
9
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS • JANUARY 1992
(HKSmn)
Earlier months (% change to Jan 1992)
Jan 1992
Pec, 19.91 Oct 1991 Jan 1991
Money Supply
Ml - HKS 125,705 111,769 ( 12.5 ) 108,142 ( 16.2 ) 97,062 ( 29.5 )
Foreign currency 15,619 16,728 ( -6.6 ) 15,964 ( -2.2 ) 13,880 ( 12.5 )
Total 141,324 128,497 ( 10.0 ) 124,106 ( 13.9 ) 110,942 ( 27.4 )
M2 • HKS* 640,258 636,042 ( 0.7 ) 6)1,155 ( 4.8 ) 552,058 ( 16.0 )
Foreign currency0 747,115 734,948 ( I? ) 706,650 ( 5.7 ) 684,895 ( 9.1 )
Total 1,387,374 1,370,990 ( 12 ) 1,317.804 ( 5.3 ) 1,236,952 ( 12.2 )
M3 • HKS* 663,344 660,117 ( 0.5 ) 636,798 ( 4.2 ) 582,345 ( 13.9 )
Foreign currency* 787,943 777,225 ( 1.4 ) 748,809 ( 5.2 ) 730,851 ( 7.8. )
Total 1,451,287 1,437,342 ( io ) 1,385,607 ( 4.7 ) 1,313,195 ( 10.5 )
Noles and coins in circulation 61,738 49,177 ( 25.5 ) 46,097 ( 33.9 ) 45,802 ( 34.8 )
of which held by public i 52.909 42,608 ( 24.2 ) 40,082 ( 32.0 ) 38,070 ( 39.0 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 88,414 85,889 ( 2.9 ) 84,024 ( 5.2 ) 72,871 ( 21.3 )
Total Savings deposits 310,750 314,052 ( -M ) 291,009 ( 6.8 ) 242,123 ( 28.3 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 918,439 911,491 ( 0.8 ) 886,557 ( 3.6 ) 866,072 ( 6.0 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 37,961 39,627 ( "4.2 ) 39,693 ( -4.4 ) 43,069 ( -11.9 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 22,750 23,547 ( -34 ) 24,816 ( -8.3 ) 31,417 ( -27.6 )
HKS deposits* 597.130 604,162 ( -12 ) 583,035 ( 2.4 ) 530,884 ( 12.5 )
USS deposits* 314,617 311,422 ( io ) 301,948 ( 4.2 ) 304,014 ( 3.5 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 466,567 459,023 ( 16 ) 441,115 ( 5.8 ) 420.655 ( 10.9 )
All deposits 1,378,315 1,374,606 ( 0.3 ) 1,326,099 ( 3.9 ) 1,255,553 ( 9.8 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 41,946 40,235 ( 4.3 ) 41,893 ( o.i ) 65,278 ( -35.7 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 83,623 82,637 ( 12 ) 82,806 ( io ) 73,287 ( 14.1 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11,678 12,384 ( -5.7 ) 11,569 ( 0.9 ) 9,265 ( 26.0 )
Other loans fof use in H.K. 830,865 816,767 ( 17 ) 787,995 ( 5.4 ) 698,148 ( 19.0 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,308,063 1,293,387 ( II ) 1,185,737 ( 10.3 ) 923,020 ( 41.7 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 40,572 38,598 ( 5.1 ) 39,046 ( 3.9 ) 138,028 ( -70.6 )
Loans in HKS 736,501 723,832 ( 1-8 ) 697,195 ( 5.6 ) 616,665 ( 19.4 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,538,300 1,519,940 ( 12 ) 1,409,958 ( 9.1 ) 1,225.082 ( 25.6 )
Total loans and advances 2,274,801 2,243,773 ( 1-4 ) 2,107,153 ( 8.0 ) 1,841,747 ( 23.5 )
♦ 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 *licenscd deposit-taking companies’ and ’registered deposit-taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
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1991 DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN *****
IN TERMS OF VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THE THREE LEADING MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUPS IN 1991 WERE TEXTILES INCLUDING KNITTING, WEARING APPAREL EXCEPT FOOTWEAR, AND CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS.
DETAILS ARE SHOWN IN THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN 1991, DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AMOUNTED TO $49,534 MILLION, REPRESENTING A 9.6% INCREASE OVER 1990.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WEARING APPAREL, AND CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, AT $43,835 MILLION AND $39,909 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FROM 1990.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES RECORDING THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1991 OVER 1990 WERE TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING (+$4,345 MILLION OR +9.6%); MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS (+$2,867 MILLION OR +14.5%); PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (+$718 MILLION OR +11.8%); CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+$617 MILLION OR +10.3%); AND FOOD (+$156 MILLION OR +8.2%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES RECORDING DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1991 OVER 1990 WERE PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (-$2,510 MILLION OR -11.1%); PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$980 MILLION OR -11.1%); TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (-$405 MILLION OR -13.4%); AND FOOTWEAR EXCEPT RUBBER, PLASTIC AND WOODEN FOOTWEAR (-$283 MILLION OR -32.8%).
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED.
TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
THE INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION USED IS THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC).
THE HSIC IS TO BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASS I FICAT1ON (SITC) USED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS IN THAT THE FORMER IS MORE RELATED TO PRODUCTION PROCESSES WHEREAS THE LATTER IS MORE GEARED TO END USES OF PRODUCTS.
CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN REFERRING TO THESE DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN.
CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IN THEIR PRODUCTION.
/HOWEVER, IN ........
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
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HOWEVER, IN COMPILING THE ABOVE STATISTICS, THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE ITEM HAS BEEN WHOLLY ALLOCATED TO THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH THE ITEM IS FINALLY PRODUCED.
BESIDES, DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS OF A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY MAY INCLUDE PRODUCTS WHICH ARE PRODUCED AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS BY ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES.
FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE FOUND IN A TABLE TO BE FAXED LATER WHICH IS ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 839 3250).
A TABLE SHOWING MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT “HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1991".
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OPEN DIALOGUE ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR
AN OPEN DIALOGUE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LABOUR • REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME.
REPRESENTING THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN ('HAN, COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR; MR DARWIN CHEN, GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K.Y. TANG, AND OTHER OFFICIALS FROM THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
ON THE LABOUR SIDE, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MR TAM YIU-CHUNG AND MR PANG CHUN-HOI, THE SIX EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND SOME 40 UNION REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE ATTENDING THE MEETING.
THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL AT 2.30 PM AND WILL BE OPEN TO THE MASS MEDIA.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
TO FACILITATE PRESS ARRANGEMENTS, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS ROOM, GROUND FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), NOT LATER THAN 1.45 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
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MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
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CLEAN SQUATTER AREA/VILLAGE PHASE LAUNCHED
*****
THE CLEAN SQUATTER AREA/V1LLAGE PHASE OE CLEAN CAMPAIGN IS LAUNCHED TODAY (MONDAY) TO CONDITION IN THESE AREAS.
THE KEEP HONG KONG IMPROVE THE HYGIENIC
THE ONE-MONTH TERRITORY-WIDE OPERATION IS ORGANISED JOINT URBAN COUNC1L/REG1ONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN COMMITTEE.
BY THE STEERING
"DURING THIS PHASE,
CLEANSING
STAFF OF THE
DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES OPERATIONS ON BLACK SPOTS SUCH AS OTHER PUBLIC PLACES," A SPOKESMAN
DEPARTMENT WILL
URBAN CONDUCT
SERVICES
CLEAN-UP
STREAMS AND DITCHES, AS WELL
FOR THE
STEER1NG COMMITTEE
AS IN
SAID
TODAY'.
ADDITIONAL REFUSE AND JUNK COLLECTION TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED OUTPUT OF LITTER,
POINTS WERE BEING SET THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UP
"LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 325 TONNES OF COLLECTED," HE ADDED.
REFUSE AND JUNK WAS
TO SE
ENQUIRIES ABOUT DETAILS OF THE CLE THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE RVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 414 5555, AND
AN-UP OPERATIONS CAN BE MADE 868 0000 OR THE REGIONAL
RESPLOT1VE DISTRICT 0FFICES
OF BOTH DEPARTMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR LITTERING IS A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
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CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE *
SAFETY IN CATERING TRADE ♦ * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A ONE-MONTH INSPECTION CAMPAIGN TODAY (MONDAY) TO REMIND PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY OE THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAWS.
"FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL VISIT EATING ESTABLISHMENTS SUCH AS RESTAURANTS, FAST-FOOD SHOPS, CANTEENS, CAFES AND BARS TO IIF1 P CATERING PERSONNEL COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH TOOK EFFECT IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR," CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR CHAN TAT-KING SAID.
"DURING THE INSPECTION, FIRST-TIME OFFENDERS WILL BE REMINDED
OF THEIR MALPRACTICES SO THAT THEY COULD MAKE THE NECESSARY
RECTIFICATIONS," MR CHAN SAID. "UVuaoAKY
/"HOWEVER, PROSECUTION
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
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"HOWEVER, PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST BLATANT OFFENDERS," HE ADDED, NOTING THAT A ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD HAS ALREADY BEEN GRANTED TO CATERING PERSONNEL TO ADJUST TO THE NEW STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.
"A PROPRIETOR WHO BREACHES THE SAFETY PROVISION UNDER THE ORDINANCE WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS, WHILE AN EMPLOYEE MAY BE FINED UP TO $30,000 AND MAY BE IMPRISONED FOR SIX MONTHS," HE SAID.
MR CHAN URGED CATERING PROPRIETORS TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY CONDITIONS OF THE WORKPLACE, NOTING THAT 15,136 WORKERS WERE INJURED AND EIGHT WERE KILLED IN THE TRADE IN 1990.
"OF THESE ACCIDENTS, 3,314 CASES WERE CAUSED BY HOT OR CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES, 5,210 RELATED TO THE USE OF HAND TOOLS, 1,749 RELATED TO FALLS OF PERSONS AND 1,979 WERE DUE TO STEPPING ON,STRIKING AGAINST OR STRUCK BY OBJECTS," HE SAID.
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REPORT ON JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS PUBLISHED ******
THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAS PUBLISHED ITS PROGRESS REPORT FOR 1991 (REPORT NO. 281.
THE MAIN ACTIVITY OF THE COMMISSION DURING THE YEAR WAS A REVIEW OF JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES.
THE COMMISSION EXAMINED THE BASIS FOR DETERMINING THE RATES OF THE ALLOWANCES, ELIGIBILITY FOR THE ALLOWANCES AND THEIR CATEGORISATION.
THE COMMISSION ALSO TENDERED ADVICE ON THE PROPOSED CREATION OF A NEW GRADE OF LAUNCH MASTER AND ON THE METHODOLOGY FOR CARRYING OUT THE ANNUAL PAY TREND SURVEY.
IN ADDITION, STUDIES ON JOB EVALUATION AND ON LEAVE PASSAGE ARRANGEMENTS WERE STARTED.
OTHER ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMMISSION INCLUDED THE EXAMINATION OF PROPOSALS FOR MODIFYING DEPENDANT PENSION BENEFITS AND SERVICE PENSION ARRANGEMENTS AND PROPOSALS RELATING TO A SHADOW-PROMOTION SCHEME FOR CIVIL SERVANTS WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
/AN ACCOUNT .......
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
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AN ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF THE PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT, WHICH IS UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE STANDING COMMISSION, IS GIVEN IN THE PROGRESS REPORT.
IN ADDITION TO THE 1990/91 PAY TREND SURVEY, THE UNIT CONDUCTED TWO SURVEYS IN CONNECTION WITH THE REVIEWS ON JOB-RELATED ALLOWANCES AND LEAVE PASSAGE ARRANGEMENT.
THE PROGRESS REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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MUSIC GRANTS FOR 1992-93 ******
ALL REGISTERED NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS CAN NOW APPLY FUR GRANTS FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOR THE YEAR 1992-93 WHICH ARE PRIMARILY FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE FIELDS OF MUSIC, DANCE AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES.
GRANTS WERE PREVIOUSLY MADE TO SCHOOLS AND MUSIC AND DANCE ORGANISATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, DANCE EQUIPMENT, MUSIC SCORES AND PARTS; PAYMENT OF INSTRUCTORS' FEES FOR TRAINING; AND ORGANISING MUSIC AND DANCE EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS, MUSIC CAMPS AND DANCE WORKSHOPS.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE FOR GRANTS FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHICH CONFORM TO THE OVERALL EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE FUND.
A MUSIC FUND SPOKESMAN SAID GRANTS TOTALLING $630,000 WERE APPROVED IN 1991-92 FOR 121 SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS.
APPLICATON FORMS AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT, 25TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; AND MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED ON TEL. 582 5327. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 10.
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/15 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
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NEW KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER APPOINTED *****
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK CHUNG SIU-LING, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO SUCCEED MR PAUL TANG AS KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, AS FROM TODAY (MONDAY).
MRS ALLCOCK HAS BEEN WITH THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SINCE NOVEMBER 1989.
SHE JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A POLICE INSPECTOR IN 1974 AND BECAME AN ADM1NISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1980.
MRS ALLCOCK HAS SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, THE SECURITY BRANCH AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
SHE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN APRIL 1987 .
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 31.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 184.021 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 161.877 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 27.6 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.
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/16........
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1992
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS It***
DATE S MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 29.2.92 1, 100
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 2.3.92 -500*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.6 *+0.0* 2. 3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
' TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.94 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.90 5.76
1 MONTH 3.84 PUT 24 MONTHS 3 MONTHS 3.81 PCT 6 MONTHS 4.03 PCT 12 MONTHS 4.63 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS CLOSED 2 MARCH 1992 2402 5.50 - 10,697 MN 99.50 5.86
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK STRENGTHENING ITS STATUS AS WORLD MARITIME CENTRE ................... 1
STI WELCOMES VETO OF CONDITIONAL MFN BILL .............................. 2
BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME MAKES GCOD PROGRESS ......................... 2
EMIGRATION RATE LEVELLING OFF .......................................... 3
MORE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED RBCOMMENDED ............................................................ 4
RESULTS OF HOTEL INDUSTRY SURVEY RELEASED .............................. 5
WALLED CITY CLEARANCE PHASE IIA COMPLETED .............................. 6
RE-APPOINTMENT TO STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE .................................................. 7
ORAL HEALTH EXHIBITION WITH A DIFFERENCE ............................... 7
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ......................................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ..................................... 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 10
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
HK STRENGTHENING ITS STATUS AS WORLD MARITIME CENTRE
******
HONG KONG WAS STEPPING UP ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES OF INTERNATIONAL BODIES ON MARITIME AND PORT MATTERS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPERS’ CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), MRS CHAN SAID THE TERRITORY WOULD DEFEND ITS SHIPPING INTERESTS AND ENSURE THAT SEABORNE TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE REST OF THE WORLD WOULD BE CONDUCTED WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE RED TAPE.
"WE ARE STRENGTHENING OUR STATUS AS A WORLD MARITIME CENTRE," SHE SAID.
OUTLINING MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN SUCH A STATUS, MRS CHAN SAID THE TERRITORY ESTABLISHED ITS OWN SHIPPING REGISTER IN DECEMBER 1990.
"IT HAS SINCE BEEN PERFORMING VERY WELL.
"WE EXPECT IT TO PERFORM EVEN BETTER WHEN WE ARE IN A POSITION TO ENACT THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION TO REMOVE PROFITS TAX LIABILITY FOR HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS," SHE SAID.
THE NECESSARY BILL WAS PUBLISHED A FEW DAYS AGO, SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AT THE SAME TIME LOCALISING VAST AMOUNT OF UK MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGISLATION WITH SUITABLE MODIFICATIONS.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT, COME 1997, THERE WILL MOT BE ANY DISRUPTION TO THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR SHIPPING AND RELATED INDUSTRIES," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT, MRS CHAN SAID IN 1991 HONG KONG HANDLED OVER 6 MILLION CONTAINERS, A 21 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1990.
"PORT DEVELOPMENT PLANS ARE WELL ADVANCED TO PROVIDE FACILITIES NEEDED TO MEET THIS FORECAST DEMAND," SHE SAID.
"THESE DEVELOPMENTS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN PRINCIPALLY BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BUT UNDER AN OVERALL STRATEGIC PLAN MONITORED AND UPDATED ON THE ADVICE OF OUR PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
"BY 1997, WE EXPECT TOTAL TERMINAL HANDLING CAPACITY TO REACH 8.8 MILLION TEUS.
"OUR STRATEGIC PLAN THEN PROVIDES FOR INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF A MASSIVE NEW PORT ON LANTAU ISLAND IN THE WESTERN PART OF OUR HARBOUR FROM 1997 ONWARDS," SHE SAID.
"HONG KONG HAS A LONG HISTORY AS A MAJOR SHIP OWNING, SHIP MANAGEMENT AND SHIP FINANCING CENTRE.
"WE ARE TAKING A SERIES OF MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THE SYSTEM FOR ALL THESE IS UP-TO-DATE AND SELF-CONTAINED,” SHE SAID.
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/2......
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
2
STI WELCOMES VETO OF CONDITIONAL MFN BILL *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, TODAY (TUESDAY) WELCOMED PRESIDENT BUSH’S VETO OF THE BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON THE RENEWAL OF MOST FAVOURED NATION TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA.
MR CHAU SAID: "AN IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT IN THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO THE CONGRESS, PARTICULAR MENTION WAS MADE OF THE FACT THAT CONDITIONAL MFN STATUS FOR CHINA WOULD WEAKEN HONG KONG. THIS SHOWS THAT HONG KONG’S CASE HAS BEEN GIVEN WEIGHT IN THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION."
"THERE IS A STRONG LIKELIHOOD THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL SEEK TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO IN THE NEAR FUTURE. ON THE BASIS OF PREVIOUS VOTING PATTERNS ALL EXPECTATIONS ARE THAT A VETO OVERRIDE WOULD BE CARRIED BY A LARGE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE. THE REAL BATTLE WOULD TAKE PLACE IN THE SENATE BUT THE TIMING IS NOT CERTAIN.
"WE WILL OF COURE CONTINUE TO DO ALL WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN THIS MATTER ARE FULLY UNDERSTOOD AND ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT," MR CHAU SAID.
- - 0 - -
BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME MAKES GOOD PROGRESS
******
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME HAS BEEN MAKING GOOD PROGRESS, AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990 PROVIDES FOR UP TO 50,000 PRINCIPAL APPLICANTS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS TO BE REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS WITHOUT REQUIRING THEM TO LEAVE HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AS AT FEBRUARY 29 THIS YEAR, 11,060 PERSONS HAD BEEN REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS UNDER THE SCHEME. THIS INCLUDES 3,746 PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARIES AND THEIR 7,314 DEPENDANTS.
"IN ADDITION, ABOUT 9,367 PRINCIPAL APPLICANTS HAVE ALREADY ATTENDED THE VERIFICATION INTERVIEWS. ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF INTERVIEW AND CHECK, DETAILS OF THESE APPLICANTS WILL BE PUT FORWARD BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME TO THE GOVERNOR WHO, IF SATISFIED, WILL RECOMMEND THEM TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR REGISTRATION AS BRITISH CITIZENS.
/"FOR THE
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
3 -
"FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE APPLICANTS, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS SENT OUT 22,981 LETTERS TO THOSE IN THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS AND THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS WHOSE PROVISIONAL SCORES MAY BRING THEM WITHIN THE QUOTA OF THEIR SELECTED OCCUPATIONAL GROUP.
"THE LETTER WILL GIVE THE APPLICANT A ROUGH INDICATION OF THE TIME IN WHICH HE WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND A VERIFICATION INTERVIEW," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID BY THE END OF LAST MONTH, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO INFORMED 1,390 APPLICANTS IN THE ABOVE TWO CLASSES WHOSE PROVISIONAL SCORES WERE VERY CLOSE TO THE QUOTA LINE THAT THEIR APPLICATIONS WERE STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
"THESE APPLICANTS MIGHT EVENTUALLY MOVE ABOVE OR BELOW THE QUOTA LINE, DEPENDING ON WHETHER THEY OR OTHER APPLICANTS CAN SUBSTANTIATE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THEIR APPLICATION FORMS AT THE INTERVIEW STAGE," HE EXPLAINED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT STARTING FROM MARCH, UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WOULD RECEIVE LETTERS INFORMING THEM THAT THEIR APPLICATIONS WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL.
APPLICANTS ARE REMINDED TO KEEP THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT POSTED OF CHANGES IN THEIR ADDRESSES.
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EMIGRATION RATE LEVELLING OFF
******
THE LATEST STATISTICS ON EMIGRATION COMPILED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHOW THAT THE YEARLY EMIGRATION RATE IS LEVELLING OFF AT AROUND THE 60,000 MARK.
ANNOUNCING THE LATEST STATISTICS ON EMIGRATION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT AN ESTIMATED 62,000 PEOPLE EMIGRATED FROM HONG KONG IN 1990.
THE ESTIMATES FOR 1991 AND THE PROVISIONAL FORECAST FOR 1992 ARE BOTH 60,000.
"THE STATISTICS ARE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF VISAS ISSUED BY THE MAIN DESTINATION COUNTRIES, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE LEAD TIME NEEDED FOR THE VISAS TO BE TAKEN UP BY THE EMIGRANTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE ESTIMATES FOR 1991, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FIGURE BROADLY AGREED WITH WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FORECAST IN 1990.
/HE ADDED .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
4
HE ADDED THAT THE NUMBER OF VISAS ISSUED ANNUALLY, AND HENCE EMIGRATION FIGURES, WERE TO AN EXTENT CYCLICAL, AS EVIDENCED BY THE SLIGHT DROP IN 1989 OVER 1988, AND AGAIN IN THE ESTIMATE FOR 1991 AS COMPARED TO THE ESTIMATE FOR 1990.
"IGNORING THESE SHORT TERM FLUCTUATIONS, IT APPEARS THE EMIGRATION RATE IS LEVELLING OFF AT THE 60,000 MARK," HE SAID.
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MORE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED RECOMMENDED *****
THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (RDCC) TODAY (TUESDAY) RECOMMENDED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A SERIES OF MEASURES TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF MEETING THE SHORTFALL IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED (SMH) ADULTS.
SPEAKING AT A RDCC MEETING TODAY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR ALLAN CHOW, SAID A NEW CARE AND ATTENTION SERVICE WAS BEING PLANNED TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES TO SMH ADULTS WHO NEEDED MORE INTENSIVE PERSONAL CARE AND WERE NOT RECEIVING ANY DAY TRAINING SERVICES.
MR CHOW NOTED: "TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PLANNED PROJECTS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE WOULD STILL BE A SHORTFALL OF 789 HOSTEL PLACES BY 1996/97.
"HOWEVER, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THESE HOSTELS SERVE NOT ONLY SMH ADULTS, BUT ALSO THE LOW TO MODERATE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED OR THE MULTIPLE HANDICAPPED."
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE SHORTFALL IN HOSTEL PLACES FOR SMH WILL BE ABOUT 400 BY 1996/97.
DURING THE MEETING, RDCC MEMBERS HAD A THOROUGH DISCUSSION ON OPTIONS TO IMPROVE THE SERVICES AND THEIR PRIORITIES. THEY CONCLUDED THAT PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL HOSTEL PLACES WAS THE BEST SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT 600 HOSTEL PLACES PLUS SIMILAR NUMBER OF DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE PLACES AND 200 CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MEET THE ESTIMATED SHORTFALL BY 1997.
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE UNCERTAINTIES IN THE PROVISIONING OF RESOURCES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, RDCC MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS OR PHILANTROPHISTS SHOULD BE ASKED TO PROVIDE CAPITAL AND INITIAL RUNNING COSTS, SAY FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS, FOR SOME OF THESE PROJECT.
/AT THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
- 5 -
AT THE SAME TIME, EFFORTS MUST BE MADE TO SECURE SUITABLE PREMISES FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, IDENTIFY INTERESTED NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS AS OPERATORS AND LIAISE WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE CONTINUAL SUBVENTION.
RDCC MEMBERS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FURTHER EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF BUYING PLACES FROM PRIVATE HOMES FOR SMH ADULTS TO MEET PART OF THE SHORTFALL IN NUMBERS AS WELL AS IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF SERVICE BEING PROVIDED IN THOSE PRIVATE HOMES.
MR CHOW POINTED OUT THAT RESPITE SERVICES FOR DISABLED PERSONS, WHICH WERE PROVIDED IN CHEUNG HONG HOSTEL AS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT SINCE 1989, HAD PROVED TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.
HE SAID: "IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT NONE OF THE FAMILIES HAD MADE USE OF THE SERVICES AS A ’DUMPING’ GROUND, WHICH WAS OUR MAJOR WORRY BEFORE THE PROJECT WAS LAUNCHED." :
RDCC MEMBERS GENERALLY AGREED THAT AS A COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE AND ON THE BASIS OF FAIRNESS RESIDENTIAL RESPITE SERVICES SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL DISABLED ADULTS.
FOR EASY ACCESSIBILITY, RDCC MEMBERS RECOMMENDED IN PRINCIPLE THAT RESPITE SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON A REGIONAL BASIS. INITIALLY, FIVE UNITS PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL RESPITE SERVICES WERE NEEDED TO MEET THE ESTIMATED DEMAND OF 10 RESPITE SERVICE PLACES.
TO IMPLEMENT THIS, CHEUNG HONG HOSTEL WHICH IS PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL RESPITE SERVICES WILL CONTINUE WITH ITS SERVICE. IN ADDITION, FOUR HOSTELS FOR SEVERELY SMH PERSONS WILL BE INVITED TO PROVIDE TWO RESIDENTIAL RESPITE PLACES EACH.
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES WILL BE INVITED TO Provided two day respite places each.
---------o-----------
RESULTS OF HOTEL INDUSTRY SURVEY RELEASED • ******
A SURVEY OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY CONDUCTED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE FIELDWORK OF THE SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT BETWEEN JULY AND OCTOBER LAST YEAR BY A PRIVATE MARKET RESEARCH COMPANY COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
- 6 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD HELP THE GOVERNMENT PLAN FOR THE ALLOCATION OF LAND AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES FOR HOTEL AND TOURIST RELATED INDUSTRIES.
HE SAID ABOUT 100 HOTELS AND LARGE LAND DEVELOPING COMPANIES WERE INTERVIEWED.
RESULTS SHOWED THAT RESPONDENTS EXPECTED THAT THE NEW AIRPORT WOULD HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE FUTURE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
THE SURVEY IDENTIFIED THAT NEW INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE HIGHWAY TO GUANGZHOU IN CHINA WERE IMPORTANT FOR THE INDUSTRY, AND, OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSPORT AND ROAD SYSTEMS WOULD ALSO HELP THE DECENTRALISATION OF HOTELS OUT FROM THE TRADITIONAL DISTRICTS OF CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE RESULTS NOTED THAT ADMIRALTY/CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI/CAUSEWAY BAY WERE THE DISTRICTS THAT WOULD SEE MOST DEVELOPMENT AND THERE WERE SIGNS THAT HOTELS WOULD BE SITED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OTHER LESS DEVELOPED AREAS.
ON A BROADER SPECTRUM, THE RESPONDENTS WERE MOST OPTIMISTIC FOR THE INCREASING WORLDWIDE INTEREST IN TOURISM AND THE SPENDING POWER OF CONSUMERS.
THEY WERE ALSO OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CONTINUED PROSPECTS OF CHINA RELATED TOURISM AND ITS POSITIVE EFFECTS ON VISITORS ARRIVING IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THE INFLATING COSTS IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY AND THE COMPETITIVENESS WITH OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES.
IT IS ALSO EXPECTED THAT MORE TOURISTS WOULD COME FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA WHILE VISITORS FROM THE LONG ESTABLISHED MARKETS IN THE U.S., EUROPE AND JAPAN WOULD BE FEWER.
--------0-----------
WALLED CITY CLEARANCE PHASE HA COMPLETED ******
PHASE HA OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEARANCE PROJECT HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED, A SPOKESMAN FOR CNTA ANNOUNCED THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
THE OPERATION, WHICH STARTED AT ABOUT 8 AM TODAY, WAS COMPLETED AT 6.10 PM. A TOTAL OF 135 HOUSEHOLDS WERE RECOVERED.
THE HOUSEHOLDS COMPRISED 86 DOMESTIC, 34 BUSINESS AND 15 MIXED UNITS.
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/7........
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
7 -
RE-APPOINTMENT TO STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED MR STANLEY ELLIOTT AS A MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM MARCH 1 THIS YEAR.
THE STANDING COMMISSION ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE NON-DIRECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE OTHER THAN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
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ORAL HEALTH EXHIBITION WITH A DIFFERENCE ******
AN EXHIBITION, ENTITLED "HEALTH TEETH, HAPPY LIFE" WILL BE OPENED AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON SATURDAY (MARCH 7).
THE THREE-DAY DISPLAY, ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AIMS AT AROUSING PEOPLE’S CONCERN ABOUT THEIR ORAL HEALTH.
SENIOR DENTAL OFFICER OF THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, DR DEBORAH CHAN, SAID THE EXHIBITION WAS DESIGNED FOR ALL AGE GROUPS.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO SIX SECTIONS ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE, NAMELY, INFANCY, CHILDHOOD, ADOLESCENCE, PREGNANCY, ADULTHOOD AND ELDERLY, WITH RELEVANT AND INTERESTING ORAL HEATLH MESSAGES TAILORED-MADE FOR EACH SECTION.
DR CHAN SAID THE EXHIBITION WOULD TAKE THE FORM OF A CARNIVAL WITH VIDEO SHOWS, COMPUTER GAMES AND MOUTH MODELS TO FACILITATE VISITORS TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH ORAL HEALTH CARE TECHNIQUES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A VARIETY SHOW BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4 PM EACH DAY.
ATTRACTIVE PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO GAMES WINNERS WHILE VISITORS WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS AND BALLOONS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUpLIC FROM 10.30 AM TO 6.30 PM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (MARCH 7 AND 8) AND FROM 10.30 AM TO 4.30 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 9). ADMISSION IS FREE.
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/8.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
- 8 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON WILL HOLD ANOTHER i AUCTION OF SPE CIAL
SATURDAY (MARCH 7) AT 9.30 AM AT THE
CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
BIDDING. THEY ARE: EU9867 EV1320 EU3927 EV121 BH557 EV911 EU6008 AR400 EV1982 CP2133 SUCCESSFUL EV 625 DF52 EV368 DM5201 CS9000 EV8963 AR165 ES666 HK2221 EV139 BIDDERS MUST EV3345 EV332 BC18 AA954 EV310 EV6090 DL3788 XX4000 HK1991 EV7668 EV1038 AF103 AD350 EV2878 EV747 EW9911 BB911 XX1955 EU6321 EV1898 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 174TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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/9.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
- 9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ♦ » * ♦ *
TENDER DATE 3 MAR 92 3 MAR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q210 H259
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,579 MN HKD 950 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.93 PCT 4.18 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.95 PCT 4.19 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 40 PCT 50 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD HONG KONG 4.01 PCT GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 4.26 PCT
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER ISSUE DATE MATURITY DATE TENOR AMOUNT ON OFFER WEEK BEGINNING 9 MARCH 1992 10 MAR 92 EF BILLS Q211 11 MAR 92 10 JUN 92 91 DAYS HK$500 + 100 MN
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/10........
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1992
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 2.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 3.3.92 + 79
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -79
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON + 250»
» LATE O/N ASSISTANCE,
TO BE REVERSED ON 4.3.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *+0.2* 3.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS TERM HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS YIELD
TERMS YIELD ISSUE COUPON PRICE
1 WEEK 4.16 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.64 5.93
1 MONTH 3.96 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99.25 6.00
3 MONTHS 3.92 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.15 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.73 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,198 MN
CLOSED 3 MARCH 1992
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: FS SPELLS OUT BUDGET AIM ........................................... 1
HEALTHY PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AHEAD: FS .................. 3
INFLATION MUST BE REVIEWED REALISTICALLY: FS ..................... 5
BUDGET PROPOSALS FOCUS ON PUBLIC FINANCES MANAGEMENT : FS ........ 8
$14.1 BILLION SURPLUS FOR 1991-92 ................................ 10
GOVT TO SPEND $115.1 BILLION IN 1992-93 .......................... 11
RISE IN REVENUE ESTIMATE FOR 92-93: FS ........................... 13
FS EXPLAINS THE SHAPING OF REVENUE PROPOSALS .................... 15
FS PROPOSES NEW REVENUE MEASURES AND TAX CONCESSIONS ............. 16
CORPORATE PROFITS TAX AND GENERAL RATES TO INCREASE : FS ......... 17
FS PROPOSES REVENUE MEASURES ..................................... 20
TAX CONCESSIONS ON NON-LUXURY ITEMS AND SALARIES TAX ............. 21
REVENUE PROTECTION ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES TO TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT................................'•............................ 24
WE MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OURSELEVES : FS ....................... 25
NEW ROAD WILL MEET INCREASE IN CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC .............. 27
FLUSHING WITH TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT EXPENSIVE .................. 27
BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TO BE REORGANISED ................. 28
CRIME CONTROL MEASURES IN ISLANDS DISTRICT ....................... 29
MOST PUBLIC ESTATES HAVE MAC'S: SHA .............................. 30
RATES REVENUE AND RATES RELIEF EXPLAINED ......................... 31
CONTROL ON FUME DISCHARGE FROM RESTAURANT KITCHENS ............... 31
/ACADEMY OF .......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE TO PROVIDE SPECIALIST TRAINING .................. 32
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SUSPENSE ACCOUNT TO BE ESTABLISHED .............. 33
BUDGET SUMMARY BY FS ON TV AND RADIO .................................. 35
ISLANDERS' CO-OPERATION CRUCIAL TO LANTAU DEVELOPMENT ................. 37
NON-INSTITOTIONAL CARE ESSENTIAL TO CHILDREN IN NEED OF FAMILY CARE 37
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ...................................... 39
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 40
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
FS SPELLS OUT BUDGET AIM *****
THE AIM OF THE BUDGET IS TO BALANCE THE NEED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICES WITH THE NEED TO FOSTER GROWTH THROUGH ENTERPRISE AND AT THE SAME TIME, SEEK NOT TO ADD TO INFLATION NOR INCREASE THE OVERALL COST OF LIVING OF ORDINARY HOUSEHOLDS; AND TO KEEP THE RESERVES AT A PRUDENT LEVEL.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1992 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN PRESENTING HIS FIRST BUDGET, MR MACLEOD SAID HE WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF HONG KONG'S REMARKABLE RECORD OF ECONOMIC SUCCESS DURING THE PAST 40 YEARS.
"MY PRIME DUTY AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS TO DC ALL I CAN TO ENSURE THAT THIS RECORD OF SUCCESS CONTINUES INTO THE FUTURE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS MUST BE A FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S FIRST PRIORITY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S PAST SUCCESS HAD MEANT THAT THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY HAD BEEN TRANSFORMED. IT WAS NOT JUST THAT PERSONAL INCOMES HAD INCREASED TO THE POINT WHERE PER CAPITA GDP WAS AT PRESENT AMONG THE HIGHEST IN ASIA.
"OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS HAS BEEN THE FOUNDATION FOR EVERYTHING WE HAVE ACHIEVED IN THE PAST 40 YEARS IN HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY WAS NOT DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE.
"IT IS A COMMITMENT TO ENTERPRISE, A COMMITMENT TO LOW TAXATION AND A COMMITMENT TO FREE MARKETS AND FREE TRADE," HE SAID.
AT A TIME WHEN LARGE PARTS OF THE WORLD WERE REDISCOVERING - OR IN SOME CASES DISCOVERING FOR THE FIRST TIME - THAT THE MARKET WAS THE BEST MEANS OF ORDERING ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, HE SAID IT WAS WORTH REMINDING OURSELVES THAT WE IN HONG KONG HAD NEVER LOST SIGHT OF THIS BASIC FACT OF ECONOMIC LIFE.
"WE HAVE NEVER SET OUR FACE AGAINST ECONOMIC REALITIES AND THE NEED TO EARN A LIVING IN THE WORLD THROUGH ENTERPRISE AND EFFICIENCY," HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR AT THE OUTSET THAT HE SUBSCRIBED FULLY TO THE ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY WHICH HAD BROUGHT PROSPERITY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"MY BUDGETS WILL BE CHARACTERISED BY A COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, BY A COMMITMENT TO MAINTAIN SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND BY A COMMITMENT TO HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED," HE SAID.
/WHILE HE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
WHILE HE WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUITY IN ECONOMIC POLICY, HE SAID HE WAS ALSO AWARE THAT HONG KONG WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION, AND THAT THIS FACT MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FRAMING THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES.
HE ALSO SAID THE ECONOMY HAD UNDERGONE A PROFOUND STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN RECENT YEARS AS A LARGE PART OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING BASE HAD BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE LOWER COST ENVIRONMENT OF GUANGDONG.
HONG KONG’S TRADING PATTERNS HAD ALSO CHANGED.
HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IN THE 1950S AND 1960S WAS BASED ON TRADE WITH NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE WHILE THESE MARKETS WERE CERTAINLY STILL VERY IMPORTANT, IT WAS AT PRESENT TRADE WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS IN ASIA WHICH GAVE THE ECONOMY. ITS DYNAMISM, HE SAID.
"BUT THIS PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION GOES BEYOND THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY AND THE TRADING PATTERNS. THE PRIORITIES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE ALSO CHANGING.
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE COMMUNITY’S DESIRE FOR BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE FACT THAT THE PROPORTION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WAS INCREASING.
"WE HAVE TO HELP THE WORKFORCE ADJUST TO THE CHANGING CHARACTER OF THE ECONOMY.
"WE HAVE TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN OUR SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO SECURE THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE PROSPERITY, AND WE HAVE TO FACE UP TO THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES WHICH ARISE FROM STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND OUR SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG UNDERSTOOD THAT IF THEY WERE TO CONTINUE THEIR RECORD OF SUCCESS, THE HEALTH OF THE ECONOMY MUST BE ENSURED.
"AN OPEN ECONOMY, DEPENDENT ON VOLATILE WORLD MARKETS AND ITS CAPACITY TO RESPOND FLEXIBLY AND PROMPTLY TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, MUST AVOID MORTGAGING ITS FUTURE OR DEVELOPING A MONOLITHIC PUBLIC SECTOR," HE STRESSED.
THIS MEANT ENSURING THAT THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE REMAINED IN STEP WITH THE RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"WE CANNOT ACHIEVE ALL OF OUR OBJECTIVES AT ONCE, BUT WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT THE SUCCESS OF OUR ECONOMY HAS MEANT THAT THIS YEAR WE ARE ABLE TO DEVOTE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO MEETING OUR OBJECTIVES," HE CONTINUED.
NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO SET PRIORITIES AND MAKE CHOICES. SOME OF THESE CHOICES WOULD BE DIFFICULT.
/"IN FRAMING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
3
"IN FRAMING MY BUDGET PROPOSALS, I HAVE TAKEN THESE ISSUES INTO ACCOUNT.
"I HAVE ALSO BEEN CONCERNED TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT FINANCIAL RESERVES TO MEET BOTH KNOWN CONTINGENCIES AND THE FUTURE STRAINS AND CHALLENGES WHICH ARE AN INEVITABLE PART OF OUR HEAVY DEPENDENCE ON EXTERNAL TRADE AND OF THE COMPLEX ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL TRANSITION WHICH HONG KONG HAS EMBARKED UPON," HE SAID.
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HEALTHY PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AHEAD: FS ♦ ♦ » » ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 1992 LOOKED HEALTHY.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1992-93 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S ESTIMATE WAS THAT GDP WOULD GROW THIS YEAR BY 5% IN REAL TERMS.
THIS YEAR’S ECONOMIC EXPANSION, HE SAID, WOULD GIVE HONG KONG A GDP PER HEAD OF HK$125,000 OR US$16,000.
"AT THIS LEVEL, HONG KONG’S GDP WILL BE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN ASIA, AND WELL AHEAD OF A NUMBER OF DEVELOPED ECONOMIES, HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE PROMISING OUTLOOK FOR 1992 CONTINUED THE ENCOURAGING TREND WHICH BEGAN TO EMERGE IN THE LATTER PART OF 1990 WHEN HONG KONG’S GROWTH RATE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND ECONOMIC REVIVAL WAS EVIDENT.
IN 1991, GDP GROWTH WAS ABOUT 4%, COMPARED WITH ONLY 3% IN 1990.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE PICK-UP IN THE TEMPO OF THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY REFLECTED A NUMBER OF FACTORS.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WAS THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CHINA ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME. THIS LED TO A SURGE IN OPTIMISM THROUGHOUT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THE NEW, MORE CONFIDENT ATMOSPHERE SHOWED UP MOST STRONGLY IN THE INVESTMENT FIGURES. INVESTMENT SPENDING GREW BY 10% IN REAL TERMS IN 1991.
HE SAID PARTICULARLY NOTABLE LAST YEAR WAS THE 18% RISE IN INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY.
"THIS SHARP GROWTH MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO UPGRADING OUR PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY AND QUALITY," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE HEALTHY GROWTH PREDICTED FOR THIS YEAR REFLECTED, FIRST AND FOREMOST, PROMISING TRADE PROSPECTS.
/’’HONG KONG..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
4
"HONG KONG IS ESPECIALLY FORTUNATE IN THE NEW MARKETS IT HAS BUILT UP IN THE ASIAN REGION. CHINA, IN PARTICULAR, IS EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN STRONG GROWTH, WITH EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG FIRMS," HE SAID.
JAPAN’S GROWTH WOULD BE SLOWER THAN IN THE PAST, BUT SHOULD STILL BE SATISFACTORY, HE ADDED.
MAJOR WESTERN MARKETS, HE SAID, WERE LESS ENCOURAGING. THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM APPEARED TO BE EMERGING ONLY SLOWLY FROM RECESSION, THOUGH GERMANY WAS DOING SOMEWHAT BETTER.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IN RECENT YEARS MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS GROWING ACCESS TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA, AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AS ASIA'S "FIFTH DRAGON".
AS HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING VENTURES IN GUANGDONG EXPANDED IN SCOPE AND INCREASED IN SOPHISTICATION, MORE AND MORE OF THE OUTPUT WAS SHIPPED AS RE-EXPORTS OF FINISHED PRODUCTS WITH NO FURTHER PROCESSING REQUIRED IN HONG KONG.
"THIS EXPLAINS THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF RE-EXPORTS IN OUR TOTAL TRADE. IN 1991, THEY REACHED A RECORD 70% OF THE OVERALL EXPORTS.
"THE EXCEPTIONAL EXPANSION OF OUR RE-EXPORTS DEMONSTRATES THEIR COMPETITIVENESS ON WORLD MARKETS, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS ENCOURAGING TREND WILL CONTINUE," HE SAID.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, MR MACLEOD SAID HE EXPECTED TOTAL EXPORTS TO GROW BY 14% THIS YEAR, WITH RE-EXPORTS INCREASING BY 20%.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS WOULD PERFORM MORE MODERATELY, WITH GROWTH PREDICTED AT ONLY 2%.
"THIS SLOWER RATE OF EXPANSION IS NOT SURPRISING. IT REFLECTS THE SUCCESS WITH WHICH OUR MANUFACTURERS HAVE RELOCATED OPERATIONS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE IN THEIR SEARCH FOR GROWTH.
"IT ALSO REFLECTS THE CONSTRAINTS ON INDUSTRIAL GROWTH IN HONG KONG CAUSED BY THE SHORTAGES OF LAND AND, MORE ESPECIALLY, OF LABOUR," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER FACTOR AT WORK: THE SWITCH FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICE ACTIVITIES.
"OUR SERVICES SECTOR SUPPORTS A SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER VOLUME OF EXPORTS, AND HAS GENERATED IMPORTANT NEW SOURCES OF EXPORT EARNINGS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED," HE EXPLAINED.
AS ALWAYS, HE CAUTIONED THAT HONG KONG COULD NOT TAKE WORLD MARKETS FOR GRANTED.
/"THERE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
5
"THERE ARE PROTECTIONIST CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON, ALTHOUGH IN PREPARING THE BUDGET FORECASTS I HAVE ASSUMED THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND OUR ACCESS TO EXPORT OUTLETS DURING 1992.
"WE ATTACH MUCH IMPORTANCE TO THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS AND VIGOROUSLY SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM LIBERALISATION POSSIBLE FOR WORLD TRADE," HE SAID.
A MORE IMMEDIATE ANXIETY, HOWEVER, WAS TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES.
MR MACLEOD SAID HONG KONG WAS NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS.
"BUT THE TERRITORY HAS A GREAT DEAL AT STAKE BECAUSE OF ITS HEAVY INVESTMENTS IN CHINA, THE MANUFACTURING CAPACITY WE HAVE CREATED IN GUANGDONG AND THE FACT THAT HONG KONG AND CHINA ARE EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER."
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS RELIEVED THAT THE TRADE ISSUE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WAS SOLVED.
"WE HOPE THAT A SETTLEMENT WILL ALSO BE FOUND FOR THE ISSUE ON MARKET OPENING MEASURES, AND THAT CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE RENEWED.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THIS PROCESS," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
INFLATION MUST BE REVIEWED REALISTICALLY: FS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THAT WHILE HE COULD BE REASONABLY CONFIDENT ABOUT ROBUST GROWTH IN GDP THIS YEAR, ABOUT FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ABOUT INCREASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTHERN CHINA, HE WAS LESS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR AN EARLY AND SIGNIFICANT FALL IN THE RATE OF INFLATION.
"THIS IS DESPITE THE RECENT DOWNWARD TREND," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH FOR 1992-93 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE COMMUNITY WAS UNDERSTANDABLY WORRIED ABOUT RISING PRICES, AND IT WAS ONLY RIGHT THAT HE REVIEWED THE PROSPECTS ON THIS FRONT FRANKLY AND REALISTICALLY.
"THIS YEAR WILL SEE A FURTHER RISE IN THE REAL GROWTH RATE OF GDP TO 5%, AS I HAVE ALREADY EXPLAINED. THIS EXPANSION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WILL BRING HIGHER INCOMES," HE SAID.
BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, IT MUST INEVITABLY ADD TO THE SEVERE PRESSURES ON EXISTING RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY OF LABOUR AND LAND.
/"AS A........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 6 -
"AS A RESULT, THE FALL IN THE RATE OF INFLATION WILL NOT BE AS SUBSTANTIAL AS WE WOULD WISH,” HE SAID.
THE FORECAST WAS THAT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) WOULD INCREASE BY AN AVERAGE OF 9.5% THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID AMONG THE PROPOSALS WHICH HAD BEEN MADE FOR ATTACKING INFLATION WAS ADJUSTMENT TO THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE.
HOWEVER, HE REJECTED CALLS FOR ANY CHANGE IN THE LINK FOR TWO MAIN REASONS.
"FIRST, THOSE IN FAVOUR OF THIS STRATEGY CLAIM THAT WE HAVE BEEN IMPORTING INFLATION BECAUSE OF AN UNDERVALUED CURRENCY."
HE SAID THE EVIDENCE POINTED TO THE OPPOSITE.
IMPORT PRICES ROSE BY ONLY 2% LAST YEAR. MOREOVER, SINCE THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED THE LINKED RATE SYSTEM IN 1983, THE CURRENCY HAD ACTUALLY INCREASED IN VALUE BY NEARLY 10%.
"THIS HAS ENABLED US TO BENEFIT FROM LOWER IMPORT PRICES THAN WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN THE CASE,” HE SAID.
YET DOMESTIC INFLATION HAD REMAINED HIGH.
SECONDLY, MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE LINK HAD CLEARLY PROVED ITS VALUE TO HONG KONG SINCE 1983.
"WE HAVE ENJOYED A ROBUST AND STABLE CURRENCY DESPITE TRAUMATIC POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC EVENTS.
"CONSEQUENTLY, I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REAFFIRM THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE LINK AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT. IN THE STABLE FINANCIAL SYSTEM WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION, MR MACLEOD SAID, WAS THAT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WAS SOMEHOW A SOURCE OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
"THE FACT IS THAT GOVERNMENT SPENDING HAS ONLY A LIMITED IMPACT ON INFLATION. THIS IS NOT HARD TO EXPLAIN SINCE HONG KONG’S PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTS FOR ONLY A RELATIVELY MODEST SHARE OF GDP," HE STRESSED.
ON AN ADVICE TO BEAT INFLATION BY RAISING PRODUCTIVITY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE FULLY AGREED WITH IT.
"WE TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY THE NEED TO EXPLOIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY AND INDEED ARE EFFECTIVELY KEEPING GROWTH IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TO ZERO.
"WE SHALL BE PUSHING ON WITH PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM.
"WE ARE CREATING AN EFFICIENCY UNIT. WE ARE ENCOURAGING GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CONSIDERING PRIVATISATION OF COMMERCIALTYPE OPERATIONS," HE SAID.
/FOR THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
7
t
FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, MR MACLEOD SAID TRAINING PROGRAMMES WERE BEING UPGRADED TO ENABLE WORKERS TO ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS AND TO FIND NEW ONES, AND TO SWITCH FROM DECLINING INDUSTRIES TO JOBS IN GROWTH SECTORS.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT PRODUCTIVITY GAINED ALONE COULD NOT OVERCOME THE OVERALL SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES WHICH FUELS INFLATION.
"LAST YEAR, THANKS TO THE INCREASED EFFICIENCY OF OUR WORKFORCE, BACKED BY THE SURGE IN INVESTMENT WHICH I HAVE ALREADY MENTIONED, WE SAW A FURTHER INCREASE IN LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY GENERALLY."
BUT STILL THE PRESSURE ON PRICES CONTINUED, HE ADDED.
"PLAINLY, WE HAVE TO TACKLE THE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR RESOURCES AT SOURCE. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS CURRENTLY BELOW 2%. THIS IS EFFECTIVELY FULL EMPLOYMENT. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WE HAVE EMBARKED ON A CAREFULLY-CONTROLLED PROGRAMME OF LABOUR IMPORTATION," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID A WIDESPREAD VIEW ' AMONG hONG KONG’S ECONOMISTS, WHICH HE ACCEPTED, WAS THAT INFLATION HAD MAINLY BEEN GENERATED BY THE STRAINS AND DISTORTIONS INVOLVED IN THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE ECONOMY.
"WE ARE SWITCHING FROM AN INDUSTRIAL TO A MIXED MANUFACTURING/SERVICE ECONOMY.
"IN ONLY 10 YEARS, THE PROPORTION OF OUR WORKFORCE EMPLOYED IN THE SERVICES SECTOR HAS INCREASED FROM ABOUT 47% TO 63%. AND THE MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE HAS DECLINED BY 220,000 PEOPLE.
"WE ARE TAKING ON A NEW ROLE AS THE CENTRE OF AN EXTENSIVE MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIAL HINTERLAND IN SOUTHERN CHINA," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THIS RADICAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTER OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY HAD CREATED ACUTE SHORTAGES OF KEY PROFESSIONALS, EXECUTIVES AND SERVICE WORKERS, AS WELL AS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS.
HIGHER LIVING STANDARDS, AND EXPECTATIONS OF FURTHER RISES IN DISPOSABLE INCOMES GENERATED BY THIS TRANSFORMATION, HAD ALSO CREATED A SURGE IN DEMAND FOR SERVICES OF EVERY KIND WITHIN HONG KONG ITSELF.
"THE RESULT HAS BEEN INFLATION. IT IS UNDESIRABLE AND, FOR SOME, PAINFUL. IT SHOULD GRADUALLY ABATE AS THE TRANSFORMATION PROGRESSES."
IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, RISING PRICES REFLECTED THE STRAINS CREATED BY THE QUEST FOR GROWTH AND THE PURSUIT OF A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING.
"THIS TRANSFORMATION HAS GIVEN US GOOD GROWTH DESPITE THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD ECONOMY IN RECENT YEARS, AND HAS ALLOWED OUR EXPORTS TO REMAIN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE DESPITE DOMESTIC INFLATION."
/"LET US .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
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"LET US REMIND OURSELVES OF THE ALTERNATIVE. WE COULD SEEK TO SUPPRESS INFLATION BY A DELIBERATE DEFLATION," HE SAID.
THE RESULT, HE POINTED OUT, WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL UNEMPLOYMENT, A SHARP RISE IN THE NUMBER OF BANKRUPTCIES AND A DRASTIC FALL IN INVESTMENT.
"THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COSTS OF SUCH A RECESSION ARE, IN MY VIEW, UNACCEPTABLE," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID EVEN THOUGH EFFORTS TO RELIEVE THE BASIC CAUSES OF INFLATION WOULD NOT.PRODUCE JMMEDIATE RESULTS, THERE WERE CERTAIN UNDESIRABLE ASPECTS OF INFLATION WHICH MUST BE TACKLED.
THE FIRST WAS THE DANGER THAT AS THE COMMUNITY’S LIVING STANDARDS RISE, THE VULNERABLE, THE DISABLED, THE UNSKILLED AND THE ELDERLY WOULD BE LEFT BEHIND, HARD HIT BY RISING PRICES.
TO MAINTAIN THE REAL LIVING STANDARDS OF THESE GROUPS,. HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WERE REVISED IN LINE WITH THE COST OF L'lVING.
"NO ONE WILL BE DEPRIVED OF EDUCATION OR MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF A LACK OF MEANS.
"PROSPERITY BRINGS WITH IT AN OBLIGATION FOR THE COMMUNITY TO PROTECT THOSE MOST AT RISK, ESPECIALLY IN A PERIOD OF INFLATION. THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THIS RESPONSIBILITY,” HE STRESSED.
SECONDLY, WHERE PRICES WERE DELIBERATELY INFLATED THROUGH MARKET RIGGING, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT STEPS WERE TAKEN TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.
"WE ACTED PROMPTLY LAST YEAR WHEN THE PRICES OF NEW FLATS WERE BEING DRIVEN SHARPLY UPWARDS BY SPECULATORS. WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS COUNCIL, I INTEND TO SEE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO ENJOY MARKETS WHERE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, COMPETITION ENSURES THAT THE PUBLIC GETS A FAIR DEAL," HE SAID.
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BUDGET PROPOSALS FOCUS ON PUBLIC’FINANCES MANAGEMENT : FS •»**»»
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID IN PREPARING HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS HE HAD FOCUSSED ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES RATHER THAN ATTEMPTING TO MANIPULATE MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES.
PRESENTING THE BUDGET FOR 1992-93 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD SAID IN ANY EVENT, THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WAS RELATIVELY SMALL, AND HONG KONG BUDGETS HAD TENDED TO BE BASICALLY NEUTRAL IN MACROECONOMIC TERMS, AS IS THIS ONE.
/IN SETTING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
9 -
IN SETTING ABOUT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD BEEN DETERMINED :
» TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC SPENDING REMAINED IN LINE WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH:
* TO RAISE SUFFICIENT REVENUE TO COVER THE GOVERNMENT’S
SPENDING COMMITMENTS, AND TO ENSURE THAT AT LEAST HALF THE COSTS OF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WAS FINANCED BY RECURRENT REVENUE; AND
» TO MAINTAIN RESERVES AT THE LEVEL ADEQUATE BOTH TO MEET KNOWN COMMITMENTS AND TO PROVIDE A CUSHION AGAINST FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES.
HE SAID THIS LAST GUIDELINE TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME BOTH TO COMPLETE THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS BY MID-1997 TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE, AND TO PLAN THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES WITH THE FIRM OBJECTIVE THAT THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION INHERITED FISCAL RESERVES OF AT LEAST $25 BILLION.
MR MACLEOD SAID THIS LATTER COMMITMENT WAS ENTIRELY COMPATIBLE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S TRADITIONAL FINANCIAL POLICY AND BUDGET PLANNING WHICH SOUGHT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE RESERVES.
’’THE GUIDELINES I HAVE ADOPTED REPRESENT SOUND SENSE AND ARE THOSE WHICH HONG KONG MUST FOLLOW IN THE FUTURE, AS IN THE PAST,” THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"IN APPLYING MY GUIDELINES, I HAVE OF COURSE LOOKED BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMING YEAR. WE PREPARE A MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST WHICH NORMALLY COVERS THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE ESTIMATE YEAR AND THREE YEARS BEYOND THAT.
"THE LASTEST MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST GOES FURTHER AND INCLUDES 1996-97. I JUDGED IT SENSIBLE THIS YEAR TO EXTEND THE FORECAST PERIOD BY ONE YEAR IN ORDER TO SHOW THE POSITION UP TO THE LAST FULL YEAR BEFORE THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID THIS FORECASTING PROCEDURE WAS A VITAL AND EFFECTIVE TOOL OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. IT INVOLVES A THREE-STAGE PROCESS:-
"FIRST, WE FORECAST THE TREND RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH. THIS GIVES US THE MAXIMUM SAFE CEILING FOR THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
"SECOND, WE FORECAST THE BASIC SPENDING PRESSURES: THE LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE GROWTH NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN EXISTING SERVICES, TO MEET EXPECTED INCREASES IN DEMAND, TO COVER THE RECURRENT IMPLICATIONS OF NEW CAPITAL PROJECTS DUE TO COME ON STREAM IN THE FORECAST PERIOD, AND TO COVER MAJOR NEW COMMITMENTS MADE IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
"THIRD, THE GAP BETWEEN THE EXPENDITURE CEILING AND THE EXPENDITURE FORECAST DEFINES THE SCOPE FOR FUNDING NEW COMMITMENTS, PROVIDED THAT SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE."
/IN PLANNING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
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IN PLANNING HIS BUDGET THIS YEAR, MR MACLEOD ESTIMATED THAT THE TREND RATE OF GROWTH WOULD BE 5% FOR THE FORECAST PERIOD.
’’AFTER EXAMINING OUR EXPENDITURE OBJECTIVES, PRIORITIES AND SCOPE FOR ECONOMIES, I HAVE CONCLUDED, AS I SHALL EXPLAIN LATER, THAT WE WILL BE ABLE BOTH TO PAY FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND TO FUND REAL INCREASES IN BOTH RECURRENT PROGRAMMES AND IN OTHER CAPITAL EXPENDITURE NEXT YEAR,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
"I MAKE THIS PREDICTION WITH CONFIDENCE, GIVEN THE SOUND POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES WHICH ARE A CONSISTENT FEATURE OF OUR PUBLIC FINANCES," HE ADDED.
REASSURING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO MANAGE THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S SHARE OF THE COSTS OF THE CAPITAL WORKS WOULD ABSORB ABOUT 25% OF THE TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE DURING THE PERIOD UP TO 1997.
BUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE PLANNED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS WOULD BE DEVOTED TO PROJECTS OTHER THAN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
"MOREOVER, THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEASURES SUCH AS FIXED-PRICE LUMP SUM CONTRACTS AND CASH LIMITED PROVISION SHOULD GREATLY ASSIST US IN CONTROLLING COSTS," HE ADDED.
WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE IN A POSITION TO PUT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE FURTHER DETAILS OF THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE ENTIRE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, AND OF HOW IT PROPOSED TO FINANCE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
---------0 - - - -
$14.1 BILLION SURPLUS FOR 1991-92
*****
THE LATEST ESTIMATE FOR 1991-92 WILL RECORD AN OVERALL BUDGET SURPLUS OF $14.1 BILLION, EXCLUDING BORROWINGS, COMPARED WITH THE ORIGINAL FORECAST OF $1.3 BILLION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, IN HIS BUDGET FOR 1992-93 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THIS SURPLUS IS WELCOME, AND HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN ASSESSING THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE NEED FURTHER REVENUE MEASURES," MR MACLEOD SAID.
OF THE SURPLUS, $8 BILLION WAS THE RESULT OF UNDERSPENDING.
A TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $104.8 BILLION, INCLUDING EQUITY INVESTMENTS, WAS ORIGINALLY BUDGETTED FOR. BUT THE TOTAL SPENDING CAME TO ONLY $96.8 BILLION, SOME 8% LOWER.
/THE FINANCIAL ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPLAINED THAT THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS SHORTFALL IN EXPENDITURE WAS AN UNDERSPENDING OF $5.6 BILLION ON PUBLIC WORKS.
"ONE FACTOR WAS THE INEVITABLE SLIPPAGE OF SOME PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AS A RESULT OF DELAYS IN CONCLUDING THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING LAST YEAR, LEADING TO A DEFERRAL OF SPENDING TO SUBSEQUENT YEARS.
"IN ADDITION, WE ACHIEVED SOME HELPFUL SAVINGS ON PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS, THANKS TO LOWER CONSTRUCTION PRICES,” HE SAID.
BUOYANT REVENUES ALSO ACCOUNTED FOR $4.7 BILLION OF THE SURPLUS.
A TOTAL REVENUES OF $106.1 BILLION WAS ORIGINALLY BUDGETTED FOR. IN THE EVENT, TOTAL REVENUE AMOUNTED TO $110.8 BILLION, OR ABOUT. 4% MORE THAN EXPECTED.
"THE REVENUE FROM STAMP DUTY AND LAND SALES PROVIDED THE BULK OF THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE. PRICES AT LAND AUCTIONS WERE SUBSTANTIALLY ABOVE THE ORIGINAL FORECASTS. WE ALSO BENEFITED FROM THE SALE OF TWO MAJOR SITES POSTPONED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR,” MR MACLEOD EXPLAINED.
LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT BEGAN SALES OF GOVERNMENT BONDS, WHICH HAD RAISED $1.2 BILLION FOR THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
THE TOTAL CASH SURPLUS AS A RESULT WAS $15.3 BILLION, BRINGING THE FISCAL RESERVES AT THE END OF 1991-92 TO SOME $92 BILLION. THIS WOULD COVER SOME 76% OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR NEXT YEAR.
"THIS REPRESENTS A REASONABLE CUSHION AGAINST WHATEVER SHOCKS MIGHT BE IN STORE FOR US, ALTHOUGH THE PROPORTION IS NOT THE HIGHEST IN RECENT YEARS," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
- - 0 - -
GOVT TO SPEND $115.1 BILLION IN 1992-93 * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, HAS PROPOSED A TOTAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING OF $115.1 BILLION FOR THE 1992-93 FISCAL YEAR.
IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH DELIVERED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR MACLEOD SAID THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF $13.8 BILLION COMPARED WITH THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES FOR 1991-92.
HE SAID THE FORECAST LEVEL OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THE GOVERNMENT’S HEALTHY FINANCIAL POSITION MADE IT POSSIBLE TO ALLOCATE INCREASED RESOURCES FOR ALL THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME AREAS NEXT YEAR.
/THE FINANCIAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
12
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID SPENDING ON SOCIAL SERVICES IN GENERAL WOULD INCREASE IN REAL TERMS NEXT YEAR.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD AN EXCELLENT RECORD IN DEVELOPING ITS SOCIAL SERVICES AND HAD IN RECENT YEARS MADE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"WE CAN NOW MEET THE DEMAND FOR BASIC SERVICES. BUT THE PUBLIC EXPECTS HIGHER STANDARDS AND A GREATER RANGE OF FACILITIES TO MEET THE CHANGING REQUIREMENTS OF OUR RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SOCIETY.
"WE PLAN TO RESPOND TO THESE EXPECTATIONS,” THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID LAST YEAR’S WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE SET AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE REST OF THIS DECADE.
"THE FINANCING OF THIS LONG-TERM PROGRAMME WILL REQUIRE CAREFUL MANAGEMENT. MY PROPOSALS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SPENDING THIS YEAR WILL LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR ACHIEVING OUR TARGETS," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING FOR A RAPID EXPANSION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
BY 1995-96, HONG KONG SHOULD BE ABLE TO MEET 80% OF THE DEMAND FROM THE ELDERLY FOR PLACES IN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES, OVER 60% OF THE DEMAND FOR HOSTEL PLACES FOR THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED AND ALL THE DEMAND FOR PLACES IN HALF-WAY HOUSES AND LONG-STAY CARE HOMES FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS.
ON HOSPITAL CARE, MR MACLEOD SAID OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, FUNDS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS BY 5,600 OR 25%.
ON PUBLIC HOUSING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT 39,000 NEW FLATS WOULD HAVE COME ON STREAM IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
"THIS SUBSTANTIAL EFFORT WILL CONTINUE, WITH 400,000 NEW FLATS PLANNED FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR OVER THE NEXT DECADE," HE SAID.
ON EDUCATION, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLANS FOR THE FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLING, AND THE DRIVE TO EXPAND TERTIARY EDUCATION WOULD CONTINUE.
"WE ARE INVESTING $18 BILLION OVER THE NEXT THREE ACADEMIC YEARS, SO THAT BY 1994-95 THE NUMBER OF FIRST-YEAR, FIRST DEGREE PLACES WILL INCREASE TO 15,000, THREE TIMES THE NUMBER AVAILABLE IN 1987-88," HE SAID.
ON LAW AND ORDER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THE POLICE AND THE OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES HAD BEEN GIVEN THE FUNDS THEY NEED TO DO THE JOB.
"TAKING THE POLICE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE OPERATIONAL FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THEM IN LAST YEAR’S BUDGET CAME TO NEARLY $6BILLION. ONLY THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND THE HOSPITAL SERVICES RECEIVED LARGER ALLOCATIONS," HE SAID.
/MR MACLEOD .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
13
MR MACLEOD SAID THIS YEAR, SPENDING ON THE POLICE FORCE WOULD CONTINUE TO RISE IN REAL TERMS.
"I HAVE PROVIDED THE FINANCE TO COVER EVERY POLICE OFFICER THE COMMISSIONER BELIEVES HE CAN RECRUIT. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE PROVIDING THE EQUIPMENT SO THAT POLICE OFFICERS CAN OPERATE AT MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY.
"WE SPENT MORE THAN $44 MILLION LAST YEAR UPGRADING COMPUTER FACILITIES. NEW LAUNCHES TO STRENGTHEN THE MARINE POLICE IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST SMUGGLING AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CRIME ARE BEING BOUGHT AT A COST OF $300MILLION," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HOWEVER STRESSED THAT THIS INVESTMENT IN RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT MUST ALSO BE MATCHED BY A CONTINUING EFFORT TO ACHIEVE EVEN GREATER EFFICIENCY AND TO REDEPLOY MANPOWER AND OTHER RESOURCES TO WHERE THEY WERE MOST NEEDED. .
"I MUST EMPHASISE THAT IF WE ARE TO REACH OUR GOALS AND PROVIDE THE QUALITY OF LIFE WE WANT FOR ALL OUR PEOPLE, THEN IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE REALLY DO REVIEW OUR PRIORITIES AND THEN REDEPLOY RESOURCES AS NECESSARY."
TO PUT TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN 1992-93 IN PERSPECTIVE, MR MACLEOD SAID IT WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO 18.8% OF ESTIMATED GDP, A MODEST INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S FIGURE OF 17.8%.
"ARGUABLY, THIS RATIO IS NOT THE BEST INDICATOR OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SHARE IN THE TOTAL OUTPUT OF GOODS AND SERVICES.
"A BETTER MEASURE MAY BE THE PROPORTION OF GDP ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN OUR NATIONAL INCOME ACCOUNTS. THIS RATIO WILL INCREASE VERY LITTLE NEXT YEAR ABOVE THE 1991-92 FIGURE OF 11.5%," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
--------0-----------
RISE IN REVENUE ESTIMATE FOR 92-93: FS *****
REVENUE FOR 1992-93 BEFORE THE NEW MEASURES AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS WOULD TOTAL $127.6 BILLION, REPRESENTING A RISE OF 20.3% OVER THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE FOR 1991-92, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1992-93 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD SAID:
"THIS INCREASE REFLECTS THE RECENT SPURT IN ECONOMIC GROWTH WE HAVE ENJOYED, WHICH WE EXPECT WILL BOOST THE REVENUE FROM EARNINGS AND PROFITS TAX."
HE SAID REVENUE FROM LAND SALES WOULD ALSO CONTINUE AT A HIGH LEVEL. RECEIPTS FROM BETTING DUTY SHOULD RISE SUBSTANTIALLY.
/THE PROCEEDS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
14
THE PROCEEDS FROM STAMP DUTY, HOWEVER, WERE FORECAST TO DECLINE.
ON THE BASIS OF THESE ESTIMATES, MR MACLEOD SAID THE SURPLUS IN THE COMING YEAR WOULD BE AROUND $4 BILLION.
IF A FURTHER $2.4 BILLION FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S BOND PROGRAMME WAS ADDED TO THIS, BY THE END OF MARCH 1993, THE FISCAL RESERVES WOULD TOTAL $98.2 BILLION.
HE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE GOVERNMENT IDENTIFIED THE PROPER ROLE OF THE RESERVES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ONLY WAY TO ACHIEVE BOTH CONTINUITY AND EFFICIENCY IN DEVELOPING THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMMES FOR THE FUTURE WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S SPENDING REMAINED IN STEP WITH THE PACE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.
HENCE, HE SAID, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT PLANS WERE MADE ON THIS REALISTIC BASIS RATHER THAN TAILORING THEM FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT ON THE BASIS OF AVAILABLE REVENUE, THE CURRENT BUDGET SURPLUS OR THE FORECAST LEVEL OF RESERVES.
"WE MUST HAVE CONSISTENCY IN OUR EXPENDITURE PROGRAMMES IF WE ARE TO SECURE THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY," HE STRESSED.
FOR THIS REASON, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT TESTED ITS SPENDING PLANS AGAINST THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST FOR THE ECONOMY, AND EXAMINED THE TREND GROWTH IN PLANNED EXPENDITURE OVER A PERIOD RATHER THAN IN TERMS OF A SINGLE YEAR.
"IF WE LOOK AT THE RESULTS OF THIS EXERCISE SINCE WE STARTED THE CURRENT PLANNING CYCLE IN MID-1990, WE HAVE BEEN PRETTY MUCH ON TARGET, TAKING THE SITUATION AS A WHOLE.
"FOR THE TWO YEARS 1991-92 AND 1992-93, HE ESTIMATED THAT TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WAS EXPECTED TO GROW BY 10.6%, AGAINST A TARGET OF ’10.8%.
HOWEVER, MR MACLEOD SAID THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S REVENUE IN FUTURE YEARS WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET EXPENDITURE.
"EVEN AFTER THE REVENUE MEASURES I WILL BE PROPOSING SHORTLY, CASH DEFICITS WILL EMERGE AFTER 1992-93.
"HOWEVER, THE END RESULT WILL BE THAT WE SHALL HAVE THE RESERVES WE NEED IN 1996-97," HE SAID.
IN ADDRESSING THE NEED TO HAVE ADEQUATE RESERVES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD BEEN CONSCIOUS THAT THE EARLIER THE GOVERNMENT TOOK THE MEASURES REQUIRED TO AUGMENT THE RESERVES, THE GREATER THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT AND THE GREATER THE GOVERNMENT’S CAPACITY TO COPE WITH UNFORESEEN ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTS.
/"MY PACKAGE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 15 -
"MY PACKAGE OF REVENUE MEASURES WILL GENERATE NET ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $1.1BILLION, BRINGING THE TOTAL ESTIMATED SURPLUS FOR 1992-93 TO $5.1BILLION, EXCLUDING BORROWINGS.
"OUR FORECASTS INDICATE THAT AFTER TAKING THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE INTO ACCOUNT, THE RESERVES WILL STAND AT S71.6BILLION AT THE END OF MARCH 1997, INCLUDING BORROWINGS OF $4.8 BILLION," HE SAID.
THIS WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO MEET ITS COMMITMENTS UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WHILE MAINTAINING A REASONABLE CUSHION AGAINST THE CONTINGENCIES OF THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
MR MACLEOD SAID IT WOULD HAVE THE ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY ADVANTAGE THAT THIS EVIDENCE OF CONTINUING FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND PRUDENCE SHOULD DO MUCH TO REASSURE POTENTIAL LENDERS AT A TIME WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FINANCING OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT.
MOREOVER, HE SAID HONG KONG’S FINANCES IN 1997 WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT LAND FUND.
"THIS RECEIVES AND MANAGES THE SHARE OF LAND SALE REVENUE WHICH IS SET ASIDE FOR THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
THIS FUND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ACCOUNTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BUT WOULD BECOME PART OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATION’S FISCAL RESERVES IN 1997.
AT THE END OF MARCH 1991, THE LAND REVENUE TRANSFERRED TO THE FUND TOTALLED $20.3 BILLION. THE FORECAST WAS THAT IT WOULD RECEIVE A FURTHER $7.4 BILLION FOR 1991-92 AND $8 BILLION IN 1992-93.
IF THESE FORECASTS WERE ACHIEVED, MR MACLEOD SAID THE FUND WOULD HAVE RECEIVED $35.7 BILLION BY THE END OF MARCH 1993, EXCLUDING INTEREST EARNED.
IN FUTURE YEARS, HE SAID THE FUND WOULD INCREASE FURTHER, THROUGH ITS SHARE OF REVENUE FROM LAND SALES AND THE RETURNS FROM ITS INVESTMENTS.
--------0-----------
FS EXPLAINS THE SHAPING OF REVENUE PROPOSALS *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT IN SHAPING HIS REVENUE PROPOSALS, HE HAD NOT FOCUSSED EXCLUSIVELY ON THE NEED TO RAISE MORE REVENUE, HE HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED TO REDUCE HONG KONG’S DEPENDENCE ON RELATIVELY VOLATILE SOURCES OF REVENUE.
PRESENTING HIS 1992-93 BUDGET, MR MACLEOD SAID HE HAD ALSO SOUGHT NOT TO ADD TO INFLATION, AND THROUGH CAREFULLY SELECTED TAX CONCESSIONS, TO PROVIDE A MEASURE OF RELIEF TO THE ORDINARY TAXPAYER.
/"THE OVERALL ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 16 -
"THE OVERALL EFFECT OF MY SPECIFIC PROPOSALS IS EFFECTIVELY NEUTRAL ON THE CPI(A), WHILST SOME OF THE OTHER MEASURES - SUCH AS ZERO GROWTH IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, BUDGETTING FOR A SURPLUS AND THE PLANNED BORROWING - ARE MILDLY DEFLATIONARY," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD ALSO HAD VERY MUCH IN MIND THE NEED TO PLUG TAX LOOPHOLES WHENEVER THEY APPEARED.
"HONG KONG’S LOW, SIMPLE AND PREDICTABLE TAX REGIME IS CRUCIAL TO ITS SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. BUT THIS COMMITMENT TO A GENEROUS TAX CLIMATE SHOULD NOT BE MISUNDERSTOOD.
"EXTENSIVE TAX AVOIDANCE IS A CLEAR BREACH OF THE SPIRIT OF OUR LIBERAL TAX ARRANGEMENTS AND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. NOR OF COURSE IS TAX EVASION.
"THOSE WHO PROFIT FROM THEIR OPERATIONS OR RESIDENCE HERE MUST ACCEPT THEIR OBLIGATION TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR FAR-FROM-ONEROUS TAXES AND DUTIES," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT ONE AREA WHICH AT PRESENT DEMANDED ACTION WAS THE VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX.
"THERE IS INCREASING EVIDENCE THAT SOME IMPORTERS ARE ARTIFICIALLY DEPRESSING THE IMPORT PRICE OF VEHICLES TO REDUCE THEIR TAX LIABILITY.
"THIS MAY BE COSTING SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN LOST REVENUE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT A BILL WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO END THIS ABUSE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARING MEASURES TO PREVENT SPECULATORS FROM AVOIDING STAMP DUTY ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS THROUGH THE DEVICE OF LAND-HOLDING COMPANIES.
”1 WANT TO REPEAT MY MESSAGE : THE TAXES WILL REMAIN LOW, BUT WHERE THEY EXIST THEY MUST BE PAID," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
--------0-----------
FS PROPOSES NEW REVENUE MEASURES AND TAX CONCESSIONS *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH FOR 1992-93 HAS PROPOSED NEW REVENUE MEASURES WHICH WILL YIELD ABOUT $2.9 BILLION FOR 1992-93, AND ABOUT $3.8 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
THESE REVENUE MEASURES ARE:-
* TO INCREASE CORPORATE PROFITS TAX FROM 16.5% TO 17.5% APPLICABLE TO ASSESSMENTS FOR 1992-93;
* TO INCREASE THE GENERAL RATES FOR 1992-93 BY HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT. THIS MEANS THE TOTAL CHARGE TO RATES WILL BE 6%;
/* TO EXTEND .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
17 -
» TO EXTEND THE APPLICATION OF STAMP DUTY TO THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF COVERED WARRANTS, EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1992;
* TO INCREASE THE TAX RATE FOR STANDARD BETS FROM 10.5% TO 11.5% AND FOR EXOTIC BETS FROM 17% TO 17.5%, EFFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT RACING SEASON;
* TO EXTEND THE REQUIREMENT TO PAY DUTY ON LIGHT DIESEL OIL TO LOCALLY REGISTERED PLEASURE CRAFT FROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR; AND
* TO INCREASE THE DUTIES ON TOBACCO, HYDROCARBON OILS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ALCOHOL BY 10% WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO PROPOSED FIVE CONCESSIONS, WHICH WILL COST $1.8 BILLION FOR 1992-93, AND ABOUT $2.1 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
THESE CONCESSIONS ARE:-
» TO INCREASE ACROSS-THE-BOARD PERSONAL ALLOWANCES OF SALARIES TAX WITH EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1992;
* TO ABOLISH DUTY ON SOFT DRINKS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT;
* TO ABOLISH ENTERTAINMENTS TAX IN RESPECT OF CINEMA TICKETS FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR;
* TO EXEMPT FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES COMPLETELY FROM THE TAX ON DIESEL FUEL WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT; AND
» TO FURTHER LOWER THE STAMP DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS TO 0.4%, EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1992.
---------u - - - -
CORPORATE PROFITS TAX AND GENERAL RATES TO INCREASE : FS *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH FOR 1992-93 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HAD PROPOSED TO INCREASE CORPORATE PROFITS TAX FROM 16.5% TO 17.5%, APPLICABLE TO ASSESSMENTS FOR 1992-93.
THIS WILL YIELD $850 MILLION IN 1992-93, RISING TO $1.6 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE NEW RATE WOULD BE BELOW THE HISTORICAL HIGH OF 18.5% REACHED IN 1984-85 AND REPRESENTED A MODEST INCREASE.
"IT WILL HAVE NO APPRECIABLE IMPACT ON EITHER LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL ENTHUSIASM FOR INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/RATES .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 18 -
RATES
MR MACLEOD ALSO PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE GENERAL RATES FOR 1992-93 BY HALF OF A PERCENTAGE POINT.
THIS MEANS THAT THE TOTAL CHARGE TO RATES WILL BE 6%. NO
CHANGES ARE PROPOSED TO THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL RATES.
MR MACLEOD SAID HIS PROPOSAL TO INCREASE RATES BY HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT WOULD INCREASE GENERAL REVENUE IN 1992-93 BY ABOUT $940 MILLION.
"THE EFFECT ON INFLATION, AS MEASURED BY THE CPI(A), WILL BE NEGLIGIBLE AT 0.14%," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE HIGHER RATES WOULD HAVE A MODERATE IMPACT ON RATEPAYERS IN DOMESTIC PROPERTIES.
"SOME 7 OUT OF 10 OF THESE RATEPAYERS WILL EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 9% IN THEIR RATES BILL.
"IN CASH TERMS, THE INCREASE FOR THE AVERAGE PRIVATE FLAT WILL BE ABOUT $43 PER MONTH,” HE SAID.
AS REGARDS PUBLIC HOUSING, MR MACLEOD SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S RENTS INCLUDED AN ELEMENT FOR RATES AND WERE NORMALLY REVISED EVERY TWO YEARS ON A ROLLING CYCLE.
"IT WILL BE FOR THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE HOW BEST TO REFLECT THIS RATES INCREASE IN THEIR RENTS.
"NEVERTHELESS, I ESTIMATE THAT THE INCREASE IN RATES WILL COME TO AROUND $15 PER MONTH FOR THE AVERAGE HOUSING AUTHORITY FLAT," HE SAID.
BUSINESS PREMISES WOULD EXPERIENCE HIGHER PERCENTAGE INCREASES, HE SAID.
"RATES HAVE BEEN VERY LOW, AND EVEN AT THE NEW LEVELS, THEY WILL STILL BE LOW COMPARED WITH RENTS AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES.
"THE AVERAGE OFFICE TENANT, FOR EXAMPLE, PAYS $34 PER SQUARE FOOT A MONTH, WHICH COVERS RENT, AIR CONDITIONING, MANAGEMENT AND RATES. THE NEW RATES WILL ADD 80 CENTS, OR 2.4%, TO THE COST PER SQUARE FOOT A MONTH," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT RATES IN HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
"A RECENT SURVEY OF OFFICE ACCOMMODATION REVEALED THAT IN THE MAJORITY OF CITIES SURVEYED, RATES (OR SIMILAR PROPERTY-BASED TAXES) REPRESENTED MORE THAN 10% OF THE RENTS, WITH A FEW AROUND 50%.
"EVEN AFTER THE PROPOSED INCREASE, RATES WILL ONLY BE ABOUT 6% OF RENTS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/THE RATEABLE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 19 -
THE RATEABLE VALUES OF ALL PROPERTIES WERE REVISED FROM APRIL 1, 1991, BASED ON RENTAL VALUES AS AT JULY 1, 1990.
MR MACLEOD SAID TODAY'S RATES WERE AT AN HISTORICALLY LOW LEVEL.
FROM 1931 TO 1972, .THEY WERE CHARGED AT 17% OF RATEABLE VALUES. SINCE THEN, THE PERCENTAGE CHARGE HAS VARIED FROM AS HIGH AS 18% TO AS LOW AS THE CURRENT 5.5%.
"AT THIS LEVEL, THEY REPRESENT A VERY MINOR CHARGE ON RATEPAYERS IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. FOR THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD, RATES ARE EQUAL TO LESS THAN 2% OF HOUSEHOLD INCOMES. FOR BUSINESSES, RATES ARE LESS THAN 1% OF AVERAGE OPERATING EXPENSES," HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, MR MACLEOD SAID RATES AS A PROPORTION OF RENTAL VALUES HAD FALLEN SUBSTANTIALLY.
"FROM 1973 TO 1977, THEY WERE AROUND 8%. TODAY, THEY ARE LESS THAN 4%. RATES HAVE THUS DECLINED AS A PROPORTION OF THE TOTAL COSTS OF ACCOMMODATION.
"IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THIS BENEFIT HAS NOT BEEN PASSED ON TO TENANTS, BUT HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED BY PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE FORM OF HIGHER RENTS,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT RATES OFFERED SPECIAL ADVANTAGES AS A SOURCE OF REVENUE AS THEY BROADLY REFLECTED THE RATEPAYER’S ABILITY TO PAY, SINCE THEY WERE RELATED TO THE RENTAL VALUE OF THE PROPERTY OCCUPIED.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THEY ARE A STABLE AND PREDICTABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE,” HE SAID.
ON THE RATES RELIEF SCHEME WHICH WAS INTRODUCED ON APRIL 1, 1991 AND WOULD END ON MARCH 31, 1992, MR MACLEOD THE SCHEME HAD SERVED ITS PURPOSE AND SHOULD NOT BE EXTENDED.
THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY RELIEF, PARTICULARLY FOR DOMESTIC RATEPAYERS, TO ENABLE THEM TO ADJUST TO THE HIGHER RATES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REVALUATION.
"BUT THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF RATING IS THAT RATEPAYERS SHOULD CONTRIBUTE ACCORDING TO THE RENTAL VALUE OF THE PROPERTIES THEY OCCUPY. RATES RELIEF UNDERMINES THIS PRINCIPLE AND SHOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY MEASURE," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID AS IT HAPPENED, EXTENDING THE SCHEME FOR A FURTHER YEAR WOULD ANYWAY BENEFIT LESS THAN 6% OF RATEPAYERS IN DOMESTIC PROPERTIES. THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES WOULD BE RATEPAYERS IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES (ABOUT 50% OF WHOM WOULD BE BETTER OFF).
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/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
20
FS PROPOSES REVENUE MEASURES * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH FOR 1992-93 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HAD PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE APPLICATION OF STAMP DUTY TO THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF COVERED WARRANTS.
MR MACLEOD SAID THIS WAS A LOGICAL EXTENSION OF HONG KONG’S EXISTING TAX SYSTEM, SINCE WARRANTS WERE A ROUTINELY TRADED FORM OF SECURITY.
THIS MEASURE WILL YIELD AN ADDITIONAL $140 MILLION A YEAR.
HE ALSO REFERRED TO A MEASURE ALREADY PASSED INTO LAW BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN WHICH STAMP DUTY WAS IMPOSED ON SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, BY THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992.
"THIS MEASURE IS DESIGNED TO CURB SPECULATION IN THE DOMESTIC PROPERTY MARKET. I ESTIMATE THAT WE WILL OBTAIN AN ADDITIONAL $500 MILLION A YEAR FROM THIS SOURCE," HE SAID.
BETTING TAX
MEANWHILE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE TAX RATE FOR STANDARD BETS FROM 10.5% TO 11.5% AND FOR EXOTIC BETS FROM 17% TO 17.5%.
THESE INCREASES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT RACING SEASON.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE JOCKEY CLUB HAD AGREED TO BEAR A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE COST OF THE MEASURE, AND THERE SHOULD BE NO EFFECT ON TURNOVER.
AN ADDITIONAL YIELD OF $390 MILLION IS EXPECTED FROM THIS MEASURE IN 1992-93.
DUTY ON DIESEL FUEL USED BY PLEASURE BOATS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO PROPOSED TO ELIMINATE AN INCONSISTENCY IN THE EXCISE DUTY SYSTEM AND EXTEND THE REQUIREMENT TO PAY DUTY ON LIGHT DIESEL OIL TO LOCALLY REGISTERED PLEASURE CRAFT, WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR.
"GIVEN THE RAPID GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS OF THE NUMBER OF PLEASURE CRAFT, MOST OF WHICH USE DIESEL FUEL, I EXPECT AN ADDITIONAL $80 MILLION A YEAR FROM THIS MEASURE. PETROL USED BY SUCH PLEASURE CRAFT IS ALREADY SUBJECT TO DUTY," HE SAID.
/OTHER INDIRECT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
21
OTHER INDIRECT TAXES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DID NOT PROPOSE ANY OTHER INCREASES IN REAL TERMS IN INDIRECT TAXATION.
NEVERTHELESS, MR MACLEOD SAID THOSE DUTIES WHICH WERE ASSESSED ON A SPECIFIC BASIS, AS OPPOSED TO AD VALOREM LEVIES, WOULD REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT IF REAL YIELDS WERE NOT TO DIMINISH BECAUSE OF INFLATION.
HE PROPOSED A 10% INCREASE IN THE DUTIES ON TOBACCO, HYDROCARBON OILS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ALCOHOL.
HE SAID HE DID NOT INTEND TO PROPOSE ANY INCREASES IN SUCH GOVERNMENT UTILITY CHARGES AS WATER AND POSTAL CHARGES, TUNNEL TOLLS AND AIRPORT AND FERRY FEES.
"WE WILL NEED TO CONSIDER APPROPRIATE INCREASES TO THESE CHARGES DURING THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR. BUT THE TIMING WILL BE CAREFULLY PHASED, SO THAT THEY ARE NOT BUNCHED TOGETHER AND THE IMPACT ON CONSUMERS CAN BE MINIMISED.
"SIMILAR ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE NEEDED TO TAX-LOADED FEES, SUCH AS VEHICLE LICENCE AND COMPANY REGISTRATION FEES. AGAIN, THE TIMING OF ANY CHANGES WILL BE LOOKED AT CAREFULLY," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REMINDED THAT THE MORATORIUM ON GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTAL FEES EXPIRED ON FEBRUARY 29.
"THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE ROUTINE FEES ARE DESIGNED TO DO NO MORE THAN RECOVER COSTS AND HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES.
"NEVERTHELESS, THEY WERE FROZEN TEMPORARILY TO HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF INFLATIONARY EXPECTATION. THE INTENDED EFFECT HAS BEEN LARGELY ACHIEVED, AND ROUTINE CONSIDERATION OF ADJUSTMENTS TO THESE FEES WILL NOW RESUME. BUT ANY CHANGES WILL BE PHASED IN GRADUALLY," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
TAX CONCESSIONS ON NON-LUXURY ITEMS AND SALARIES TAX
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH FOR 1992-93, HAD PROPOSED TAX CONCESSIONS WITH THE AIMS OF REDUCING OR ABOLISHING TAXES ON CERTAIN NON-LUXURY ITEMS WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTED THE COST OF LIVING OF ORDINARY FAMILIES AND EASING THE BURDEN ON THOSE LIABLE TO SALARIES TAX.
SALARIES TAX
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASES IN PERSONAL ALLOWANCES.
/HE PROPOSED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 22 -
HE PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE AGGREGATE SINGLE AND MARRIED PERSON’S ALLOWANCES BY OVER 12%, FROM $41,000 AND $82,000 TO $46,000 AND $92,000 RESPECTIVELY.
IN ADDITION, HE PROPOSED INCREASES RANGING BETWEEN 11% AND 15% IN THE ALLOWANCES FOR THE FIRST CHILD, SECOND CHILD, DEPENDENT PARENT AND SINGLE PARENT.
THESE CONCESSIONS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1992.
MR MACLEOD SAID THESE PROPOSALS WOULD COST $850 MILLION IN 1992-93, OR $1.2 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
"THEY WILL CUT THE TAX BILL FOR 1.2 MILLION TAXPAYERS (83% OF THE TOTAL). A FURTHER 120,000 (8% OF THE TOTAL) WILL BE FREED COMPLETELY FROM PAYING ANY SALARIES TAX," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR, TAX BANDS WERE SIMPLIFIED TO BENEFIT TAXPAYERS WITH LOWER INCOMES. AT THE SAME TIME, PERSONAL ALLOWANCES FOR SINGLE PERSONS AND MARRIED COUPLES WERE INCREASED.
"NEVERTHELESS, THERE HAS BEEN SOME CRITICISM THAT THE VALUE OF PERSONAL ALLOWANCES HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION. IN ASSESSING THESE CRITICISMS, IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT WELL OVER HALF OF THE WORKING POPULATION OF HONG KONG IN FACT PAYS NO SALARIES TAX AT ALL; AND OF THOSE WHO DO, ONLY 100,000 PAY TAX AT THE STANDARD RATE," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE HAD CONSIDERABLE SYMPATHY WITH THE GENERAL AIM OF MAINTAINING THE VALUE OF PERSONAL ALLOWANCES, ALTHOUGH THIS COULD NOT BE DONE AUTOMATICALLY, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO CONSIDER DETAILED FISCAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES YEAR BY YEAR.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN ALLOWANCES WOULD NOT ONLY PROVIDE RELIEF TO TAXPAYERS BUT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF TAXPAYERS DROPPING OUT OF THE TAX NET ALTOGETHER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
DUTY ON SOFT DRINKS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO ABOLISH WITH EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON (WENDESDAY) DUTY ON SOFT DRINKS WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1985 AS A REVENUE RAISING MEASURE.
THIS CONCESSION WILL COST THE REVENUE ABOUT $230 MILLION A YEAR.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE HAD TAKEN STEPS WHICH SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE FULL BENEFIT WAS PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS.
/"I HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
23
"I HAVE TOLD THE SOFT DRINKS INDUSTRY THAT WE EXPECT NO PRICE INCREASES FOR AT LEAST TWELVE MONTHS OR, WHERE INCREASES WERE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR, A PRICE REDUCTION TO REFLECT FULLY THE ABOLITION OF THE DUTY.
’’THE INDUSTRY’S REPRESENTATIVE ASSOCIATION IN HONG KONG HAS UNDERTAKEN TO PERSUADE ITS MEMBERS TO DO SO. AS A RESULT, THERE SHOULD BE A SMALL BUT BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES,” HE SAID.
ENTERTAINMENTS TAX ON CINEMA TICKETS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO ABOLISH THE TAX IN RESPECT OF CINEMA TICKETS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TAX AT PRESENT ACCOUNTED FOR ROUGHLY 10% OF THE COST OF A NORMAL CINEMA TICKET AND THE ABOLITION SHOULD THEREFORE HELP TO KEEP DOWN THE COST OF THIS POPULAR FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT.
"IT SHOULD ALSO HAVE A USEFUL, IF MINOR, IMPACT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES. THE COST TO THE REVENUE WILL BE ONLY $130 MILLION A YEAR.
"I HAVE RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM HONG KONG’S TWO LARGEST CINEMA OPERATORS THAT THE FULL BENEFIT OF THIS CONCESSION WILL BE PASSED ON TO CINEMA-GOERS AND THAT THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF TICKETS IN THE COMING YEAR," HE SAID.
ENTERTAINMENTS TAX IS LEVIED UNDER THE ENTERTAINMENTS TAX ORDINANCE INTRODUCED OVER 60 YEARS AGO IN RESPONSE TO THE NEW-FANGLED "CINEMATOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONS" OF THE TIME.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO CINEMAS WERE AT PRESENT OUTDATED AND ARGUABLY PUT CINEMAS AT AN UNFAIR DISADVANTAGE WHEN COMPARED WITH HOME ENTERTAINMENT.
DUTY ON DIESEL OIL
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO EXEMPT THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES COMPLETELY FROM THE DUTY ON DIESEL FUEL, WITH EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON (WEDNESDAY).
"THIS CONCESSION WILL BE FULLY REFLECTED IN FUTURE ADJUSTMENTS TO BUS FARES. THIS PROPOSAL WILL COST $190 MILLION A YEAR AND, AGAIN, WILL HELP TO COMBAT INFLATION," HE SAID.
BEFORE THE EXEMPTION, FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES RECEIVED A REFUND OF 65 CENTS A LITRE ON DUTY PAID FOR DIESEL OIL.
/STAMP DUTY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 24 -
STAMP DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO LOWER THE STAMP DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS TO 0.4%.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR, IN RECOGNITION OF THE WORLD-WIDE TREND TOWARDS ELIMINATING THE DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS, OVERALL CONTRACT NOTE DUTY WAS LOWERED FROM 0.6% TO 0.5%.
"THIS YEAR, I PROPOSE TO CONTINUE THIS PROCESS BY A FURTHER REDUCTION TO 0.4% TO HELP TO MAINTAIN THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S SECURITIES MARKET.
"THIS WILL COST THE REVENUE $400 MILLION A YEAR. I EXPECT THE INDUSTRY TO PASS ON THE FULL BENEFIT TO INVESTORS. THEIR RESPONSE WILL INFLUENCE OUR ATTITUDE IN FUTURE YEARS," HE SAID.
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REVENUE PROTECTION ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES TO TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSALS ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNDER APPROPRIATE PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS.
UNDER SIMILAR AUTHORITY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSALS ON RATES, PROFITS TAX, PERSONAL ALLOWANCES, STAMP DUTY AND ENTERTAINMENTS TAX WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1992-93 TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE AMENDING BILLS REQUIRED TO BRING THE PROPOSALS INTO LAW WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK, OR WHERE RESOLUTIONS OF THE COUNCIL WERE REQUIRED, AT AN APPROPRIATE LATER SITTING.
"IN ALL CASES, ADEQUATE TIME WILL BE GIVEN TO MEMBERS TO CONSIDER THE MEASURES BEFORE THE DEBATES ON THE BILLS ARE RESUMED AND THE RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED," HE SAID. •
MR MACLEOD COMMENTED ON TWO ITEMS WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN HIS BUDGET - SALES TAX AND AN INCREASE IN SALARIES TAX.
ON SALES TAX, HE SAID HE HAD MADE IT CLEAR BEFORE THAT HE DID NOT REGARD THAT AS ATTRACTIVE AT A TIME OF RELATIVELY HIGH INFLATION, AND IT WAS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.
ON SALARIES TAX, HE SAID HE WAS GLAD TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST TAXPAYERS BY NOT RAISING IT AT THE SAME TIME AS THE INCREASE IN PROFITS TAX.
"BUT I SHOULD WARN THAT THE RESULTING DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN SALARIES AND PROFITS TAX IS PROBABLY AT ABOUT THE MAXIMUM, BEYOND WHICH AVOIDANCE IS LIKELY TO BE A PROBLEM," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
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WE MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OURSELEVES : FS * * ♦ » »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID WE MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OURSELVES, AND IN OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO CREATE ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND TO ENJOY ITS REWARDS.
CONCLUDING HIS FIRST BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD SAID WE SHOULD NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF EXAGGERATING DIFFERENCES OR PROBLEMS WHICH DID EXIST, OR WE RISKED CAUSING OTHERS TO LOSE CONFIDENCE IN US.
"I DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE EFFECT DEBATES IN THIS COUNCIL, OR IN THE WIDER PUBLIC ARENA, CAN HAVE ON PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE HAD DEALT WITH THE SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THE REAL INCREASE IN PLANNED SPENDING IN THOSE SERVICES, AT SOME LENGTH, PRECISELY BECAUSE SOME OF THE PUBLIC DEBATE ON THOSE ISSUES WAS BEING CONDUCTED IN SUCH SIMPLISTIC AND MISLEADING TERMS THAT THE PUBLIC WAS IN DANGER OF BEING LED TO BELIEVE THE OPPOSITE OF THE TRUTH.
’’THE TRUTH, I MUST REITERATE, IS THAT WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO HELPING THE MAN IN THE STREET, AND TO INCREASING SPENDING ON SERVICES WHICH BENEFIT HIM.
’’THIS COMMITMENT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREAT STRENGTHS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AND THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE. BUT ALONG WITH THIS MUST GO A WILLINGNESS TO RE-APPRAISE PRIORITIES IN ALL AREAS.
"RESOURCES ARE LIMITED, AND THERE MUST BE NO SACRED COWS CREATED BY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS. WE MUST ALWAYS BE READY TO REDEPLOY RESOURCES TO WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD ALSO SOUGHT TO REASSURE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT PAST, OR INDEED FUTURE POLITICAL CHANGE DID NOT MEAN THAT HONG KONG WAS ABOUT TO EMBARK ON RADICAL CHANGES IN POLICY, WHETHER IN TAXATION OR OTHER MATTERS.
"INDEED, IT IS IN MY VIEW ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY’S GREAT STRENGTHS THAT THERE IS A BROAD CONSENSUS ABOUT THE NEED .TO PRESERVE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS - THE COMMITMENT TO THE MARKET ECONOMY, TO COMPETITION, AND TO PROVIDING COMMUNITY SERVICES FROM THE WEALTH CREATED BY THAT ECONOMY.
"THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES ENSURE THAT EVERYONE RECEIVES PROPER EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE, AND CAN RISE AS FAR AS THEIR TALENTS ENABLE THEM.
"WE ARE AN OPEN, MERITOCRATIC SOCIETY, WHERE SUCCESS INSPIRES EFFORT TO EMULATE THAT SUCCESS, NOT JEALOUSY. RAGS TO RICHES STORIES ARE COMMONPLACE IN HONG KONG. LONG MAY THAT CONTINUE TO BE SO," HE SAID.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 26 -
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THERE WAS ALSO BROAD AGREEMENT ABOUT THE NEED TO PROVIDE A SAFETY-NET FOR THOSE LESS ABLE TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES, THOUGH THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE LEGITIMATE DEBATE ABOUT PACE AND SCALE.
"NO SOCIETY CAN ACHIEVE ALL THAT MAY BE DESIRABLE IN ONE DRAMATIC GESTURE. BUT WE ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SPEND MORE ON PUBLIC SERVICES AS THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW AND PROSPER," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE ENGINE OF GROWTH - THE ECONOMY - WAS PICKING UP, AND INFLATION WAS SLOWLY DECLINING.
"I HAVE SOUGHT IN THIS, MY FIRST BUDGET, TO SET OUT MY PHILOSOPHY CLEARLY, AND TO EXPLAIN FRANKLY THE PROBLEMS AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITIES WE FACE.
"AND I HAVE SOUGHT IN MY PROPOSALS TO MAINTAIN THE NECESSARY BALANCE BETWEEN INVESTING IN AREAS WHICH WILL HELP KEEP OUR ECONOMY GROWING, SUCH AS EDUCATION AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SPENDING ON ALL THE OTHER AREAS WHICH MAKE OUR LIFE HERE RELATIVELY SAFE AND REWARDING, INCLUDING THE SAFETY-NET I HAVE REFERRED TO," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD HAD ALSO ENSURED THAT HONG KONG CONTINUED TO LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS.
"AND BY A MODEST NET INCREASE IN TAXATION TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE CUSHION IN OUR RESERVES TO HELP MEET ANY UNFORESEEN ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTS. IN ALL THIS, AND PARTICULARLY IN THE TAX CONCESSIONS, I HAVE SOUGHT TO SOFTEN THE EFFECT OF INFLATION," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PAID A WARM AND SINCERE TRIBUTE TO HIS PREDECESSOR, SIR PIERS JACOBS.
"SIR PIERS STEERED US SAFELY THROUGH SOME TESTING TIMES, AND IN THE PROCESS CARRIED OUR MONETARY MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, A LONG WAY FORWARD.
"ABOVE ALL, IN RELATION TO THIS BUDGET, HE LEFT OUR FINANCES IN A HEALTHY STATE; A STATE I HAVE EVERY DETERMINATION WILL CONTINUE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE MOVED THAT THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION BE ADJOURNED.
/27........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 27 -
NEW ROAD WILL MEET INCREASE IN CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC ******
THE ROAD BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND LOK MA CHAU WILL HAVE AMPLE CAPACITY TO MEET THE PROJECTED INCREASE IN TRAFFIC USING LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING AFTER THE OPENING OF PHASE I OF THE ZHU-SHEN EXPRESSWAY.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG SAID THIS SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD WAS PLANNED TO BE A DUAL-THREE LANE EXPRESSWAY.
"CONSTRUCTION OF THAT PART OF THE ROAD FROM LOK MA CHAU TO FAIRVIEW PARK HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED AND OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
"THE REMAINING SECTION, FROM FAIRVIEW PARK TO AU TAU, IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID IN ADDITION, THE TUEN MUN-YUEN LONG EASTERN CORRIDOR AND THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BY-PASS, DUE FOR COMPLETION IN JULY 1993 AND JULY 1994 RESPECTIVELY, WOULD HELP ENSURE A SMOOTH FLOW OF TRAFFIC TO AND FROM THE BORDER.
"AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THIS ROUTE, VEHICLES CROSSING THE BORDER AT LOK MA CHAU CAN TRAVEL TO THE URBAN AREA VIA THE CIRCULAR ROAD AND THE TOLO HIGHWAY."
MR LEUNG SAID PRELIMINARY DESIGN FOR THAT SECTION OF ROUTE 3 CONNECTING AU TAU AND NORTH TSING YI (THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR) WAS IN HAND, AND WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY A FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
"THE PURPOSE IS TO ASSESS THE VIABILITY OF THIS PROJECT AS A ’BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER’ (BOT) SCHEME WITH A VIEW TO ITS BEING IMPLEMENTED BEFORE 1998," HE SAID.
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FLUSHING WITH TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT EXPENSIVE
A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON USING TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT (TSE) FOR FLUSHING PURPOSES IN THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE BUT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN USING SEA-WATER, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MISS ELAINE CHUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SAMUEL WONG, MISS CHUNG SAID FINDINGS OF THE STUDY APPLIED EQUALLY TO THE MA ON SHAN AND TAI PO NEW TOWNS.
"IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
28
"IN ADDITION, A 1988 CONSULTANCY REPORT CONCLUDED THAT IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION LOADING IN TOLO HARBOUR, THE LEAST COSTLY SCHEME WAS TO EXPORT ALL EFFLUENT FROM SHA TIN AND TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO KAI TAK NULLAH AND TO USE SEA WATER FOR FLUSHING IN THE SHA TIN AND TAI PO AREAS.
"SUBSEQUENTLY THIS EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME WAS ADOPTED," MISS CHUNG SAID.
SHE SAID CURRENTLY THE AMOUNT OF SEA WATER USED FOR FLUSHING WAS 67 PER CENT, AND THIS WOULD RISE TO 90 PER CENT BY 1995.
"FOR DEVELOPMENTS OUTSIDE SEA-WATER FLUSHING SUPPLY ZONES, WHERE IT IS PRESENTLY UNECONOMICAL TO PROVIDE SEA WATER FOR FLUSHING PURPOSES, THE USE OF POTABLE WATER WILL NOT BE APPROVED FOR DEVELOPMENTS UNLESS THE FEASIBILITY OF USING STREAM WATER AND WELL WATER HAS FIRST BEEN EXPLORED."
MISS CHUNG SAID THE USE OF RECYCLED WATER FOR FLUSHING WAS NOT USED BECAUSE IT NEEDED SPECIAL RECYCLING PLANTS AND IT WAS NOT ECONOMICALLY PRACTICAL.
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BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TO BE REORGANISED
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO DEPARTMENTS TO ENABLE A BETTER BALANCE BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR PROGRAMME AREAS AND RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS TO BE MAINTAINED AT THE POLICY BRANCH LEVEL IN THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID THE RE-ORGANISATION WOULD INVOLVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AS A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT TO BE KNOWN AS THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT AND THE DIVISION OF THE PRESENT BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ACCORDINGLY.
"GREATER EMPHASIS AND FRESH IMPETUS IS REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS OF SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
"THESE EFFORTS WILL BE ASSISTED IF THE IDENTITY AND AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN THIS FIELD ARE MORE CLEARLY ESTABLISHED IN THE EYES OF THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
MR BARNES INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE RE-ORGANISATION WOULD BE ACHIEVED AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
/•'THERE WILL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
"THERE WILL BE NO BASIC CHANGES IN THE SYSTEMS OF LAND ADMINISTRATION AND BUILDING CONTROL, WHICH ARE AT PRESENT OPERATED BY THE LANDS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE (INCLUDING THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES) AND THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, WHICH WILL CONTINUE UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE FUTURE LANDS DEPARTMENT AND BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT.
"ASSURANCES ALONG THESE LINES WILL BE GIVEN AND ELABORATED ON AT THE VARIOUS STAGES OF THE PROCESSING OF THE RE-ORGANISATION . PROPOSALS AND WILL BE FULLY PUBLICISED ONCE IMPLEMENTATION IS ABLE TO START," MR BARNES SAID.
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CRIME CONTROL MEASURES IN ISLANDS DISTRICT ******
THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP PATROLS AND OPERATIONS TO COUNTER THEFTS OF MOTORISED SAMPANS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, THE SECRETARY SAID THE POLICE GAVE ADVICE TO FISHERMEN AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS ON MEASURES TO PREVENT SUCH CRIMES BY, FOR EXAMPLE, REMOVING BOATS ONSHORE WHEN NOT IN USE.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF CASES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OF THEFT OF MECHANISED SAMPANS HAD INCREASED FROM FIVE IN 1989 TO 25 IN 1990 AND 49 IN 1991.
ON TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THERE WERE 13 TRIAD-RELATED CASES IN 1989; 12 IN 1990 AND 20 IN 1991.
"HOLIDAY FLATS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT ARE OCCASIONALLY USED FOR ILLEGAL PURPOSES, BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE INCREASING," HE SAID.
TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, THE SECRETARY SAID THE POLICE REGULARLY CARRY OUT ANTI-TRIAD OPERATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
MR ASPREY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL NUMBERS OF CASES OF REPORTED CRIME IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT IN 1989, 1990 AND 1991 WERE 857, 818 AND 942 RESPECTIVELY.
THE CORRESPONDING DETECTION RATES WERE 50.6 PER CENT, 45.4 PER CENT AND 42.5 PER CENT, HE SAID.
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MOST PUBLIC ESTATES HAVE MAC’S: SHA *****
THERE ARE 1,219 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC’S) IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF THESE BUILDINGS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
HE ALSO SAID THERE WERE 2,893 MAC’S IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD, MR SUEN SAID BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY, THERE WERE 1,732 BLOCKS OF BUILDINGS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES (BOTH RENTAL AND SALE FLATS INCLUDED).
MR SUEN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT AIMS AT ENCOURAGING AND ASSISTING RESIDENTS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS TO FORM THE MAC’S.
THE MAC SCHEME WAS FIRST INTRODUCED ON A TRIAL BASIS IN 1973 AS A FORM OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION IN WHICH THE RESIDENTS CAN WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THE SECURITY, CLEANLINESS AND MAINTENANCE OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
"ITS VALUE WAS CONFIRMED FOLLOWING A REVIEW IN 1974," MR SUEN SAID.
MR SUEN SAID SINCE A MAC WAS A VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION, THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF SETTING A TIMING FOR ITS FORMATION IN EACH BUILDING.
"THE NORMAL PRACTICE IS FOR OUR LIAISON STAFF IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE VISITS TO RESIDENTS IN BUILDINGS, TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THE FUNCTIONS AND BENEFITS OF A MAC AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO FORM ONE.
"THE FINAL DECISION ON THE MAC FORMATION RESTS WITH THE RESIDENTS THEMSELVES," MR SUEN SAID.
AS TO WHY RESIDENTS IN SOME PRIVATE BUILDINGS HAD NOT YET FORMED THE MAC’S, MR SUEN SURMISED THAT SOME MIGHT HAVE OPTED TO FORM OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS WHILE OTHERS MIGHT NOT SEE THE NEED TO HAVE A RESIDENT ASSOCIATION OF ANY KIND BECAUSE THEY EXPERIENCED NO SECURITY, ENVIRONMENTAL OR BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
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RATES REVENUE AND RATES RELIEF EXPLAINED * * * * *
THE RATES REVENUE COLLECTED IN 1990-91 IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA WAS $5,012 MILLION, AND THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE IN RESPECT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA WAS $1,831 MILLION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR YEUNG KAI-YIN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FUNG KIN-KEE, MR YEUNG SAID THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RATES RELIEF GRANTED IN 1991-92 FOR ALL PROPERTIES WAS ESTIMATED AT $1,418 MILLION.
AS REGARDS RELIEF GRANTED TO PUBLIC CORPORATIONS, MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE THESE ORGANISATIONS OCCUPIED ALL TYPES OF PROPERIES (OTHER THAN PUBLIC HOUSING) SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, IT WOULD TAKE CONSIDERABLE TIME AND STAFF RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE FULL DETAILS.
HE NOTED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE RATES RELIEF SCHEME INTRODUCED FOR 1991-92 WAS TO LIMIT THE INCREASE IN RATES PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF A PROPERTY TO 25 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE IN 1990-91 AND THAT THE SCHEME WAS APPLICABLE EQUALLY TO ALL TYPES OF PROPERTIES.
"THE FACT THAT THESE PROPERTIES ARE HELD BY A PUBLIC CORPORATION WILL NOT AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF RATES RELIEF TO BE GRANTED," MR YEUNG SAID.
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CONTROL ON FUME DISCHARGE FROM RESTAURANT KITCHENS *****
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF EXHAUST SYSTEMS OF RESTAURANT KITCHENS ARE REGULATED BY LICENSING CONDITIONS WHICH STIPULATE THAT EXHAUST FUMES SHOULD BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER AND AT SUCH A POSITION AS NOT TO CAUSE NUISANCE.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCI I. TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES EXPLAINED THAT AS THE LICENSING AUTHORITY, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS REQUIRE ALL RESTAURANT OPERATORS TO COMPLY WITH LICENSING REQUIREMENTS BEFORE THE ISSUE OF LICENCES.
A LETTER OF COMPLIANCE ON THE INSTALLATION SHOULD ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES.
"BREACH OF LICENSING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION OF THE LICENCE, AFTER SUFFICIENT WARNINGS HAVE BEEN GIVEN," HE SAID.
/IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 32 -
IN ADDITION, RESTAURANT OPERATORS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO SUBMIT PLANS FOR THE INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF ANY FURNACE, OVEN OR CHIMNEY THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR PRIOR APPROVAL.
MR BARNES SAID IN THE CASE OF EMISSION OF PARTICLES AND SMELL FROM SUCH SYSTEM, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WERE EMPOWERED TO SERVE A NOTICE REQUIRING THE RESTAURANT OPERATOR TO ABATE THE NUISANCE.
"IN ADDITION, THE ADMINISTRATION CAN SERVE NOTICES UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE THE ABATEMENT OF THE NUISANCE OR THE INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT.
"IN THE EVENT OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THESE ABATEMENT NOTICES, LEGAL ACTION CAN BE TAKEN AS APPROPRIATE," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS HAD RECEIVED 1,349 COMPLAINTS WHILE DURING THE PERIOD 1989 -1991, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 360 COMPLAINTS AGAINST KITCHEN FUME AND ODOUR AND 300 COMPLAINTS AGAINST NOISE FROM KITCHEN EXHAUST SYSTEMS.
"ALL CASES HAVE BEEN SATISFACTORILY’ RESOLVED," HE SAID.
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ACADEMY OF MEDICINE TO PROVIDE SPECIALIST TRAINING
*****
AN ACADEMY, WHICH WILL BE EMPOWERED TO CONFER SPECIALIST MEDICAL DESIGNATIONS AND TO RECOMMEND TO THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG TO RECOGNISE SUCH QUALIFICATIONS, WILL BE SET UP IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, WNEN MOVING THE SECOND READING .OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
•
MRS WONG SAID THIS WOULD ENABLE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TO BE DISTINGUISHED BY THEIR PATIENTS AS QUALIFIED SPECIALISTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS OF MEDICINE.
SHE NOTED THAT WITH THE RAPID ADVANCEMENT OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, THERE WAS A GROWING NEED FOR POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO ENSURE THAT DOCTORS CONTINUE TO REMAIN PROFICIENT IN THEIR FIELD FOR THE WHOLE OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL WORKING LIVES.
AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION ARE UNCOORDINATED AND RECEIVE NO STATUTORY RECOGNITION, MANY HONG KONG DOCTORS GO OVERSEAS TO FURTHER THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.
/"CONSEQUENTLY, THERE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
33
"CONSEQUENTLY, THERE HAS BEEN A GROWING DEMAND WITHIN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FORMAL, LOCALLY-BASED POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, GEARED TOWARDS STANDARDS AND SERVICE NEEDS DEFINED IN HONG KONG," THE SECRETARY SAID.
"THE ACADEMY IS BEING ESTABLISHED PRECISELY TO MEET THOSE STANDARDS AND TO SERVE THOSE NEEDS. IT WILL ENABLE MORE DOCTORS TO UNDERGO SPECIALIST TRAINING AND IN SO DOING, BENEFIT BOTH THE PROFESSION AND THE COMMUNITY BY ENHANCING EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE AMONG DOCTORS PRACTISING IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
DESCRIBING THE ACADEMY AS AN UMBRELLA ORGANISATION, MRS WONG SAID IT WOULD CONSIST OF A NUMBER OF ACADEMY COLLEGES EACH RESPONSIBLE FOR A PARTICULAR MEDICAL SPECIALITY.
FELLOWS OF THE ACADEMY WILL BE DOCTORS WHO HAVE COMPLETED A SIX-YEAR COURSE OF SUPERVISED POSTGRADUATE TRAINING AND PASSED EXAMINATIONS CONDUCTED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE ACADEMY COLLEGE.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE, PROF DAVID TODD, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR HAVING DEDICATED THEIR TIME SINCE FEBRUARY LAST YEAR TO PLAN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROPOSED ACADEMY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SUSPENSE ACCOUNT TO BE ESTABLISHED
******
A RESOLUTION WHICH SEEKS TO ESTABLISH WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 A SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT FOR THE VEHICLE SECTION OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) WAS PASSED BY -THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE SCERETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THE AIM IN ESTABLISHING SUCH AN ACCOUNT WAS PARTLY TO PROMOTE GREATER COST-CONSCIOUSNESS AMONGST USERS, AND PARTLY TO FOSTER COMMERCIAL DISCIPLINES WITHIN EMSD’S VEHICLE SECTION.
THE ACCOUNT WILL BE MONITORED BY A COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY.
MR YEUNG SAID THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF A FLEET OF ABOUT 7,000 VEHICLES FOR ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO DEALS WITH VEHICLE PROCUREMENT AND MODIFICATION, AND PROVIDES ALL VEHICLE-RELATED TECHNICAL SERVICES.
/MR YEUNG
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 34 -
MR YEUNG SAID AT PRESENT, BECAUSE THE EXPENSES OF ALL THESE SERVICES WERE CHARGED TO THE EMSD HEAD OF EXPENDITURE, IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR USER DEPARTMENTS TO BE FULLY AWARE OF THE COSTS INVOLVED IN MAINTAINING THEIR RESPECTIVE FLEETS OF VEHICLES.
HE SAID THE VEHICLE SECTION OF EMSD HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A POSSIBLE CANDIDATE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A TRADING FUND.
"AS A FIRST STEP IN THIS DIRECTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE CHARGING FOR EMSD’S VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SERVICES THROUGH THE MECHANISM OF A SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT.
"UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, A SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT MAY BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY CARRIED ON BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID ONCE THE SPECIAL EXPENSE ACCOUNT CAME INTO OPERATION, THE EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE EMSD IN PROVIDING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND ANCILLARY SERVICES WOULD BE DEBITED TO THE ACCOUNT, WHILE THE CHARGES PAID BY USER DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER PUBLIC BODIES FOR SERVICES RENDERED WOULD BE CREDITED TO IT.
HE SAID ANY DEBIT BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT WILL REPRESENT A LEVEL OF INDEBTEDNESS.
HE NOTED THAT AS THIS DEBT WOULD BE A CHARGE TO THE GENERAL REVENUE, CLAUSE (f) OF THE RESOLUTION PROVIDED THAT THE AMOUNT OF SUCH DEBT SHOULD NOT EXCEED $70 MILLION AT ANY TIME.
HE SAID THIS WAS THE LIMIT WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD SET IN RESPECT OF THE SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED ON DECEBMER 1, 1990 FOR FINANCING THE PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF STORES BY THE EMSD.
"THIS CLAUSE ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAY SET A LOWER LIMIT TO ENSURE TIGHTER CONTROL," HE ADDED.
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/35 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 35 -
BUDGET SUMMARY BY FS ON TV AND RADIO
*****
GOOD EVENING,
THIS AFTERNOON, I PRESENTED MY FIRST BUDGET. IT OUTLINED OUR PLANS TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMMES, PARTICULARLY FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICES. IT IDENTIFIED OUR INVESTMENT PROPOSALS, INCLUDING THE NEW AIRPORT. AND I ANNOUNCED SOME MODEST TAX INCREASES, AS WELL AS IMPORTANT TAX CONCESSIONS FOR THE AVERAGE SALARY-EARNING FAMILY.
HONG KONG CAN AFFORD THIS BALANCED PACKAGE OF PRUDENT INCREASES IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING WITHOUT LARGE TAX INCREASES, BECAUSE OF THE ENCOURAGING WAY OUR ECONOMY IS PERFORMING. IN 1990, GROWTH WAS ONLY 3%, DISAPPOINTING BY OUR USUAL STANDARDS. BUT LAST YEAR, ECONOMIC GROWTH WAS 4%. AND WE HOPE TO HIT 5% FOR 1992.
DESPITE THE PROMISING PROSPECTS FOR THE ECONOMY, I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO STICK TO OUR BASIC GUIDELINE FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. IT MUST NOT GROW FASTER THAN THE TREND RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH. THIS SIMPLE RULE IS DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE GOVERNMENT SPENDING DOES NOT GROW BEYOND WHAT WE CAN AFFORD, DOES NOT BECOME SUCH A BURDEN THAT FUTURE GROWTH AND OUR OVERALL PROSPERITY ARE THREATENED.
BUT EVEN ON THIS CAUTIOUS BASIS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE COMING YEAR. SPENDING ON HEALTH CARE WILL INCREASE BY 27%, AND THE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES WILL RISE BY 15%. SPENDING ON EDUCATION WILL INCREASE BY 13%, ENABLING US TO CONTINUE THE EXPANSION OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR AND BRING ABOUT IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLING. THERE WILL ALSO BE REAL INCREASES IN SPENDING ON LAW AND ORDER AND ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
WE ARE ALSO MAKING LARGE INVESTMENTS IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE NEED FOR OUR CONTINUED GROWTH AND OUR WELL-BEING IN THE FUTURE. THE NEW AIRPORT IS A MAJOR PART OF THESE PLANS. BUT AS I EXPLAINED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, OUR SPENDING ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS WILL BE CAREFULLY CONTROLLED. WE WILL BE DEVOTING ONLY ABOUT A QUARTER OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS SPENDING OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO THE AIRPORT PROJECTS. THE OTHER 75% OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS SPENDING WILL BE DEVOTED TO PROVIDING THE BUILDINGS, THE ROADS, THE ENVIRONMENT-RELATED SCHEMES WHICH HONG KONG NEEDS TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF LIFE QUITE SEPARATELY FROM THE AIRPORT.
WE ARE DETERMINED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH IMPROVING OUR ON-GOING PROGRAMMES. WE MUST CONTINUE TO INVEST IN OUR FUTURE. AS A RESULT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENTS. IT IS ONLY SENSIBLE THAT WE SHOULD SET ASIDE ADEQUATE RESERVES AS A CUSHION AGAINST FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES. SO, I HAVE BUDGETED FOR A SURPLUS OF $5.1 BILLION IN THE COMING YEAR WHICH, WITH THE $2.4 BILLION TO BE RAISED BY OUR BOND PROGRAMME, WILL INCREASE OUR FISCAL RESERVES TO AROUND $99 BILLION BY THE END OF MARCH 1993. AND OUR PROJECTIONS SHOW WE SHOULD STILL HAVE AROUND $70 BILLION RESERVES BY 1997. I THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT LEVEL OF INSURANCE WHICH HONG KONG NEEDS IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD.
/I WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 36 -
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO EXPLAIN MY REVENUE PROPOSALS. I HAVE HAD TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE, OF COURSE. BUT I HAVE ALSO HAD WIDER AIMS. I WANT TO AVOID ADDING TO INFLATION. AND, THROUGH TAX CONCESSIONS, TO REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN ON A BROAD SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
MY FIRST PROPOSAL IS TO INCREASE CORPORATE PROFITS TAX FROM 16.5% TO 17.5%. THIS IS A MODEST INCREASE WHICH LEAVES THE RATE OF PROFITS TAX A FULL PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW ITS HISTORICAL HIGH. THIS INCREASE WILL HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON EITHER LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL ENTHUSIASM TO INVEST IN HONG KONG.
I HAVE ALSO DECIDED TO INCREASE THE GENERAL RATES FOR THE COMING YEAR BY A HALF OF ONE PER CENT. THIS WILL MEAN THAT THE TOTAL CHARGE TO RATES WILL BE 6%. RATES ARE CURRENTLY AT AN ALL-TIME LOW. THEY ARE EQUAL TO ONLY ABOUT 2% OF HOUSEHOLD INCOMES. FOR BUSINESSES, RATES ARE LESS THAN 1% OF AVERAGE OPERATING EXPENSES. MY PROPOSALS WILL HAVE A NEGLIGIBLE IMPACT ON THE RATE OF INFLATION AS MEASURED BY THE CPI(A). AND RATES IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE VERY LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
THESE WERE THE TAX INCREASES. BUT I WAS ALSO ABLE TO PROPOSE TAX CUTS. MY TAX CONCESSIONS HAVE TWO AIMS. FIRST, TO ABOLISH TAXES. ON CERTAIN NON-LUXURY ITEMS WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECT THE COST OF LIVING FOR ORDINARY FAMILIES. SECOND, TO EASE THE BURDEN ON THOSE LIABLE TO SALARIES TAX.
THE FIRST AIM WILL BE MET BY ABOLISHING THE DUTY ON SOFT DRINKS AND THE ENTERTAINMENT TAX ON CINEMA TICKETS. I SHALL ALSO EXEMPT FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES FROM THE DUTY ON DIESEL FUEL WHICH WILL HELP TO KEEP BUS FARES DOWN.
I PROPOSE TO ACHIEVE MY SECOND AIM, TO EASE THE BURDEN ON SALARIES TAXPAYERS, BY AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASE OF ABOUT 12 PER CENT IN PERSONAL ALLOWANCES. THIS WILL PROVIDE WELCOME RELIEF TO TAXPAYERS. IT WILL ALSO MEAN THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO PAY ANY SALARIES TAX AT ALL. THEY WILL JOIN THE VERY LARGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES - OVER HALF - WHO ALREADY DO NOT PAY SALARIES TAX.
AS I TOLD THE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON, MY FIRST PRIORITY -AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY MUST BE TO ENSURE HONG KONG’S CONTINUED ECONOMIC SUCCESS. AT THE SAME TIME, MY DUTY IS TO FIND THE RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO THE COMMUNITY’S CHANGING EXPECTATIONS. TO ACHIEVE THIS, MY BUDGETS WILL HAVE A COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, A COMMITMENT TO SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND A FIRM COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING OUR PUBLIC SERVICES. IN THIS WAY, I BELIEVE HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PROSPER; INCOMES AND PROFITS WILL RISE; AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.
GOOD NIGHT.
- - 0 -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
ISLANDERS’ CO-OPERATION CRUCIAL TO LANTAU DEVELOPMENT
******
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED LANTAU RESIDENTS TO JOIN HANDS WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN DEVELOPING THE ISLAND.
"CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE RURAL COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT IS CRUCIAL TO BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY FOR THE ISLANDERS," MR LAM STRESSED.
SPEAKING TO MORE THAN 1,000 RESIDENTS AT THE LANTAU CHINESE NEW YEAR CARNIVAL AT THE PO LIN MONASTERY, MR LAM SAID- THE ISLAND WOULD HAVE A FACELIFT FOLLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
ON OTHER AREAS, MR LAM PRAISED THE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROMOTING CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND INITIATIVES IN COMMUNITY BUILDING.
MR LAM SAID THE NEW YEAR CARNIVAL WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ON LANTAU AS AN ANNUAL EVENT WAS GAINING INCREASING POPULARITY EVERY YEAR.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG; AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD.
- - 0 - -
NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE ESSENTIAL TO CHILDREN IN NEED OF FAMILY CARE * » » * *
NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE BETTER ALTERNATIVES TO SUBSTITUTE FAMILY CARE FOR CHILDREN, WHO ARE UNABLE TO LIVE WITH THEIR OWN FAMILIES EITHER TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT. SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS GOODSTADT WAS SPEAKING ON NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE FOR CHILDREN IN THE FORMS OF FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOMES AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF ROTARY CLUB OF CITY NORTHWEST HONG KONG.
FAMILY LIFE ENABLED CHILDREN TO HAVE AN INTENSIVE AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR PARENTS WHICH AN INSTITUTION COULD HARDLY PROVIDE, SHE SAID.
/"PROLONGED INSTITUTIONAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 38 -
"PROLONGED INSTITUTIONAL LIFE BEARS FAR-REACHING EFFECTS ON THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD, PARTICULARLY HIS HAPPINESS AND ABILITY TO ADAPT TO FAMILY LIFE AS HE GROWS UP INTO ADULTHOOD," SHE ADDED.
CHILDREN NOT ONLY NEEDED PHYSICAL CARE, BUT ALSO INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION OF LOVE AND SECURITY IN A WARM HOME ENVIRONMENT, SHE STRESSED.
"AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOMES HAVE EMERGED AS IMPORTANT CHILD CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
IN FOSTER CARE, A CHILD IS PLACED IN THE HOME OF FOSTER PARENTS WHICH WILL CREATE A FAMILY SITUATION FOR THE CHILD AND ENABLE NORMAL AND HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT TO PROCEED.
A SMALL GROUP HOME, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE CARE OF A SMALL GROUP OF NOT MORE THAN EIGHT CHILDREN BY A HOME-LIKE SETTING WITH A STAFFING STRUCTURE TO MODELLING OVER A FAMILY.
"THE MERITS OF A SMALL GROUP HOME IS THE PROVISION OF A HOME-LIKE RESIDENTIAL SETTING FOR THE CHILD," MRS GOODSTApT -ADDED.
IT COULD ALSO CATER FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO MIGHT NOT YET BE •READY FOR THE MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP OF FOSTER HOME, SHE NOTED.
THESE EFFORTS AT SERVICE EXPANSION AND BREAKING UP LARGE INSTITUTIONS WOULD GIVE IMPETUS TO THE REPLACEMENT’ OF INSTITUTIONAL CARE BY FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOMES AS THE MAIN STREAM IN CHILD CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG, SHE SAID.
WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE TWO KINDS OF NON-INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE, CHILDREN DID NOT HAVE TO BE PLACED IN LARGE INSTITUTIONS WHERE THEY HAD TO INTERACT WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF ADULTS AND ABIDE TO REGULATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ALREADY IN A STATE OF EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY AND FRUSTRATIONS, SHE ADDED.
ON SERVICE DEVELOPMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE GIVEN $1.8 MILLION TO PROVIDE 80 FOSTER CARE PLACES AND SIX SMALL GROUP HOMES IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
"THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL INCREASE THIS MORE APPROPRIATE KIND OF CARE FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN TO 504 PLACES," SHE SAID.
BOTH FOSTER PARENTS AND PARENTS IN SMALL GROUP HOLIES WILL BE SUPPORTED BY PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS SO THAT THE HOMELESS CHILDREN WILL ADJUST TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT WITH THE MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
"TOTAL SPENDING IN THIS PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN IS ABOUT $20 MILLION CURRENTLY," MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
SHE STRESSED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS ACTIVELY HEADING FOR EXPANSION IN BOTH FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOME SERVICES.
/SHE, HOWEVER .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 39 -
SHE, HOWEVER, ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS CHALLENGE IN RECRUITING SUITABLE FOSTER PARENTS AND HOUSE-PARENTS BECAUSE LOOKING AFTER CHILDREN WAS INDEED A VERY DEMANDING JOB.
"ALTHOUGH WE HAVE BUILT UP A POOL OF DEDICATED FOSTER PARENTS AND DEVOTED HOUSE-PARENTS, WE NEED MANY MORE TO EXPAND THESE TWO SERVICES," SHE ADDED.
LATER IN THE YEAR, LARGE-SCALE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS WOULD BE LAUNCHED TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST IN PROVIDING A MEANINGFUL SERVICE TO OUR CHILDREN, SHE SAID.
"I HOPE TO APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT NOW ALL PERSONS WHO ARE WILLING TO GIVE LOVE AND CARE TO CHILDREN TO COME FORWARD TO BECOME FOSTER PARENTS AND HOUSE-PARENTS," MRS GOODSTADT CONCLUDED.
------0------------
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY ON A PIECE OF LAND IN CHAI WAN, HONG KONG.
THE SITE AT SIU SAI WAN RECLAMATION, CHAI WAN HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,529 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR STORAGE OF TENANT’S GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINER, CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS AND DANGEROUS GOODS) AND/OR PUBLIC FEE PAYING VEHICLE PARK AND/OR WASTE PAPER COLLECTING AND SORTING.
THE TENANCY IS FOR 18 MONTHS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 20.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
------0-----------
/40 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1992
- 40 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 3.3.92 850
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 4.3.92 -628 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 378
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
♦ O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -250MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED -378MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.2 *+0.4» 4.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.23 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.60 5.95
1 MONTH 3.97 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99.19 6.03
3 MONTHS 3.94 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.21 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.74 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,685 MN
CLOSED 4 MARCH 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS OPENING LEARNING INSTITUTE ............................. 1
TRANSCRIPT OF FS'S PRESS CONFERENCE .................................... 1
HOUSING AUTHORITY A PIONEER OF SOCIAL CHANGE - CS ..................... 15
EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE PAY AND SERVICE CONDITIONS OF POLICEMEN 17
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR DECEMBER 1991 RELEASED .............................................................. 18
EPD ANNOUNCES 1991 BATHING BEACHES WATER QUALITY REPORT ............... 21
$80,750 FINE FOR UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ........................... 23 ‘
HK STUDENT IN INT'L POSTER CONTEST .................................... 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 24
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
1 GOVERNOR VISITS OPENING LEARNING INSTITUTE *****
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE AT TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER IN MONG KOK.
HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY CHAIRMAN OF THE OLI COUNCIL MR CHENG HON-KWAN AND DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE PROFESSOR GAJARAJ DHANARAJAN.
DURING THE VISIT, THE GOVERNOR WAS BRIEFED ON STUDENT REGISTRATION, THE STUDENT PROFILE AND THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.
ABOUT 17,500 STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THREE SCHOOLS, WHICH OFFER COURSES LEADING TO DEGREES IN SCIENCE, ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
THE GOVERNOR TOURED THE INSTITUTE’S COMPUTING AND PUBLISHING FACILITIES AND SAW FOR HIMSELF STUDENTS AT WORK IN THE LIBRARY AND THE LABORATORY.
THE GOVERNOR SAID: ”1 AM MUCH IMPRESSED BY THE WAY OLI MANAGES TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE DIFFERENT LEARNING PACKAGES ARE DELIVERED TO THE RIGHT STUDENTS AT THE RIGHT TIME, ALL OVER HONG KONG.”
THE VISIT CONCLUDED WITH A PRESENTATION BY THE DIRECTOR ON THE OLI’S ASPIRATIONS, PLANS PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
THE GOVERNOR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES WITH SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF.
THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE OLI HAS MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS. IT IS CLEARLY MEETING THE DEMAND FOR OPENING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AMONG ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY."
-----0------
TRANSCRIPT OF FS’S PRESS CONFERENCE
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (THURSDAY):
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I’D LIKE JUST TO PICK UP A FEW OF THE ISSUES WHICH SEEM TO ME TO MERIT SOME COMMENT OR CLARIFICATION. FIRST THE QUESTION OF THE SIZE OF THE RESERVES - WHETHER THEY ARE ADEQUATE, TOO BIG OR WHATEVER. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS, PERHAPS FOR SOME, THAT THE FIGURES SOUND VERY LARGE WHEN THEY ARE LOOKED AT IN ISOLATION. BEAR IN MIND THAT THE FIGURE IN 1996-97 OF ROUGHLY 71 BILLION IS IN MONEY OF 1996-97, SO THAT IS THE FIRST POINT.
/THE USUAL*.......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
2
THE USUAL WAY OE TRYING TO PUT THESE FIGURES INTO PERSPECTIVE - ONE THAT WE’VE USED BEFORE, WE HAVEN’T JUST THOUGHT OF IT - IS TO EXPRESS THE RESERVES AS A PERCENTAGE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, AND I THINK THAT IS A HELPFUL WAY OF PUTTING IT INTO PERSPECTIVE. WE WILL GIVE YOU A HANDOUT WITH THE FIGURES FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS AND FOR THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE MEDIUM-RANGE FORECAST, BOTH THE FIGURES AND A NICE.LITTLE CHART WHICH I HOPE WILL ILLUSTRATE THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE. OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, RESERVES, AS A PERCENTAGE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, HAVE VARIED BETWEEN ABOUT 50% AND 90%. THE RESERVES IN 1992-93 WILL BE AT ABOUT 80% OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, AND BY 1996-97 THEY WILL HAVE DROPPED TO ABOUT 40% OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE. SO THEY MAY SOUND A LOT BUT IN RELATION TO ANNUAL EXPENDITURE THEY ARE NOT THAT BIG. AND I WOULD JUST REPEAT, THE PURPOSE OF THE RESERVES IS THAT OVER THE PERIOD - IT’S NOT JUST 1996-97, BUT OVER THOSE YEARS LEADING UP TO 1996-97 - WHEN WE WILL BE ENTERING INTO SOME MODEST DEFICITS WHICH WILL OF COURSE REDUCE OUR RESERVES, THAT WE SHOULD ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH TO MEET UNFORESEEN DEVELOPMENTS. AND REALLY, I MUST SAY AGAIN, I THINK THAT IS THE ONLY PRUDENT WAY FOR THIS GOVERNMENT TO ACT. SO THAT’S JUST SOME COMMENTS. THE HANDOUT WILL BE - AT THE END? - OR NOW? - WHO HAS GOT IT? - ANYWAY, IT WILL BE DONE. DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT IT.
SECONDLY, JUST TO REPEAT THE POINT I MADE YESTERDAY, IN CASE IT HASN’T ENTIRELY BEEN UNDERSTOOD, THE INCREASE IN PROFITS-TAX IS NOT THE TOP OF A SLIPPERY-SLOPE, THAT IS TO SAY THERE IS NO THOUGHT EVEN IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD THAT WE SHOULD GO ON AND ON AND ON INCREASING PROFITS-TAX. WE ARE COMMITTED STILL TO A LOW TAX POLICY AND AS I SAID IN THE SPEECH, ON OUR PRESENT PROJECTIONS - AND OBVIOUSLY BARRING ANY UNFORESEEN DEVELOPMENTS - WE THINK THAT THIS PACKAGE WILL SET US UP QUITE WELL FOR THE PERIOD TO 1996-97 WITHOUT RADICAL CHANGE HEREAFTER. SO THAT IS THE SECOND POINT.
THE THIRD POINT - THE SANDWICHCLASS, WHICH OF COURSE IS NOT TERRIBLY WELL DEFINED BUT BASICALLY IS THE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST TOO WELL-OFF TO QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDISED HOUSING, TO PUT IT MORE GENERALLY, BUT ARE NOT QUITE WELL-OFF ENOUGH TO AFFORD PRIVATE HOUSING, TO BUY THEIR OWN PRIVATE HOUSING. IT HAS BEEN ARGUED THAT WE ARE NOT HELPING THEM ENOUGH AND THAT HAS BEEN RELATED TO THE SALARIES-TAX ALLOWANCES, AND SOMEHOW THE IMPRESSION HAS BEEN GIVEN THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED SALARIES-TAX ALLOWANCES TO FALL BEHIND INFLATION. THAT IS NOT CORRECT - THAT IS NOT CORRECT. IF YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INCREASE IN THE BUDGET, THEN PERSONAL ALLOWANCES HAVE INCREASED OVER THE PERIOD FROM 1986-87 TO 1992-93. IF YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INCREASES IN THE ALLOWANCES, AND CHANGES IN THE TAX BANDS, THEY HAVE INCREASED IN LINE WITH INFLATION. SO THERE IS NO GAP TO BE FILLED. SO IN THAT SENSE, THE SANDWICH-CLASS IS NEITHER BETTER-OFF NOR WORSE-OFF THAN IT WAS SOME YEARS PREVIOUSLY. THAT SAID, I DO ACCEPT THAT THEY HAVE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT AND THAT IS BECAUSE PROPERTY PRICES ARE VERY HIGH. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TAX SYSTEM BUT IT IS A GENUINE PROBLEM. WE HAVE TRIED TO HELP ON THAT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY AND HELP ON THAT BY AT LEAST DISCOURAGING SPECULATION AND TH! EFFECTS OF SPECULATION ON PROPERTY PRICES WHENEVER WE SEE IT HAPPENING AND WHENEVER WE THINK WE CAN AFFECT THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. THAT IS A CONTRIBUTION.
/BUT, AS ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
3
BUT, AS 1 SAY, GOING BACK TO THE OTHER POINT, IT IS REALLY NOT TRUE THAT SALARIBS-TAX ALLOWANCES HAVE FALLEN BEHIND CPIA, THEY HAVEN'T - UNLESS YOU CHOOSE, PERHAPS, ONE OR TWO RECENT YEARS, BUT IE YOU LOOK AT A LONGER PERIOD, IT IS NOT CORRECT.
FINALLY, RATES. I THINK, AGAIN, I WOULD URGE COMMENTATORS TO LOOK VERY CAREFULLY AT RATES. WE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY MANY COMMENTATORS TO CONTINUE OUR SEARCH FOR LESS VOLATILE SOURCES OF REVENUE. AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE BEEN STRONGLY DISCOURAGED BY MOST OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT, TO CONSIDER SALES-TAX, AND ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF RATES IS THAT IT IS A VERY RELIABLE, BROAD-BASED, ACTUALLY RATHER FAIR TAX. AND IT SEEMED QUITE A REASONABLE TIME TO PUT THE RATES UP BECAUSE HISTORICALLY THEY ARE VERY LOW, THAT IS SIMPLY A FACT. AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT IN THE LONG TERM, LETTING RATES GET LOWER AND LOWER ACTUALLY DOESN’T BENEFIT THE TENANTS, IT BENEFITS THE LANDLORDS. THE MARKET PRICE RELATES TO RENT PLUS RATES, IT DOESN’T RELATE TO RENT AND RATES SEPARATELY. SO THAT IF THERE IS SUCH A THING AS MARKET PRICE, AND EVEN IN PROPERTY I THINK THERE PROBABLY IS IN THE LONG RUN, THEN MY ARGUMENT, I THINK, IS TRUE.
SO I WILL STOP THERE, HAVING CHOSEN A FEW OF THE HOT-POTATOES. THERE MAY BE ONE OR TWO OTHERS WHICH YOU WANT TO RAISE.
QUESTION: IT SEEMS MR LU PENG OBJECTED TO
SOME PARTS OF YOUR BUDGET, SPECIFICALLY, I THINK WE ARE RUNNING A STORY NOW SAYING THAT HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER ARTICLE 107 OF THE BASIC LAW THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE BUDGET. CAN YOU RESPOND TO THOSE COMMENTS?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
TO DISAPPOINT YOU - "NO COMMENT".
I WOULD HAVE TO SAY - I’M SORRY
QUESTION: MR MACLEOD, YOU’RE SAYING THAT THE SANDWICH-CLASS IS IN A PARTICULARLY BAD WAY BECAUSE OF HIGH PROPERTY’ PRICES, WHY DIDN’T YOU ADDRESS PROPERTY SPECULATION IN YOUR SPEECH MORE YESTERDAY? YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED YOU’LL TRY TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM BREAKING LAWS, BUT WHY' DIDN’T YOU INSTITUTE ANY NEW MEASURES, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THE MARKET SEEMS TO BE HEATING UP IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR SALES? DO YOU THINK THAT YOU’VE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH YOUR MEASURES LAST YEAR AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE YOU CAN DO? WHY AREN’T YOU MAKING ANYTHING NEW?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO, 1 WOULDN’T CLAIM THAT THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. THE STAMP-DUTY MEASURE. OF COURSE, IS ONLY RATHER RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET THAT THROUGH AND IMPLEMENT IT, SO WE MUST LET THAT HAVE SOME CHANCE TO WORK. BUT I AM CERTAINLY FOLLOWING WITH SOME INTEREST WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PROPERTY MARKET AND I MAY HAVE FURTHER COMMENTS ON THAT, BUT I THINK AT THE MOMENT THE MARKET IS NEITHER UP NOR DOWN, IT'S AT A LEVEL STAGE. SO AT THE MOMENT I DON’T HAVE ANY’ NEW MEASURE ON THAT BUT I AM NOT AT ALL RESTRICTED TO THE BUDGET. IN FACT THE BUDGET ISN’T REALLY THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO DEAL WITH THAT SORT OF PROBLEM. SO WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT DEVELOPS.
/QUESTION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 4 -
QUESTION: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY QUESTION IN CHINESE. I AM FROM TVB. NOW IN YOUR BUDGET SPEECH YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD TRY TO COMBAT THE EVASION OF TAXES AND YOU MENTIONED THE DELIBERATE LOWERING OF CAR-IMPORT PRICES AS WELL AS IMPORT-TAX. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: YES. I MEAN BASICALLY WHAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HAPPENING IS - AS YOU KNOW THERE IS A FIRST-REGISTRATION TAX, IT IS RELATED TO THE DECLARED VALUE OF THE CAR AND OF COURSE IF YOU, THROUGH ONE MEANS OR ANOTHER, CAN LOWER THE DECLARED VALUE OF THE CAR THEN YOU PAY LESS TAX. I DON’T THINK IT IS MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT. 1 MEAN HOW THEY ACTUALLY DO IT CAN BECOME VERY COMPLICATED BUT I THINK THAT IS THE PROBLEM. WE’VE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM, WE’VE BEEN LOOKING VERY HARD AT HOW TO DEAL WITH IT - IT IS NOT ACTUALLY A VERY SIMPLE MATTER - WE NOW ARE PRETTY SURE THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH IT AND WE WILL BE BRINGING LEGISLATION FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN BECAUSE AS I SAID IN THE SPEECH, THIS IS NOT A SMALL THING, I MEAN THIS IS COSTING US HUNDREDS-OF-MILLIONS-OF-DOLLARS.
QUESTION: NOW MR LU PENG SAID THAT HONG KONG SHOULD LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS, BUT HE SAID THAT WE ARE NOW NOT LIVING WITHIN OUR MEANS. DO YOU AGREE WITH HIM?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: IT’S A GOOD TRY! OUR PHILOSOPHY AND OUR STRATEGY IS WELL SET OUT IN THE BUDGET SPEECH, AND I THINK ACTUALLY EXTREMELY CLEARLY SET OUT, AND I WOULDN’T WISH TO COMMENT ON ANY OTHER VERSIONS.
QUESTION: MR MACLEOD, WITH REGARD TO THE FIRST-REGISTRATION TAX, YOU SAID YOU ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION. WHAT TYPE OF LEGISLATION ARE YOU LOOKING AT AND HOW SOON ARE YOU GOING TO INTRODUCE IT? I MEAN BECAUSE IT IS COSTING YOU MONEY IN THE MEANTIME.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: WELL IT IS SIMPLY
TO DEAL WITH THIS LOOPHOLE. I DON’T KNOW THAT I CAN SAY THAT WILL HELP YOU - A FEW MONTHS.
LEGISLATION
MUCH MORE
QUESTION: OKAY, CAN I JUST ASK ONE MORE QUESTION. with Regard to - environmentalists and oil companies are disappointed THAT YOU DIDN’T FURTHER WIDEN THE GAP BETWEEN LEADED AND UNLEADED PETROL TO TRY AND ENCOURAGE, FOR THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT, TAXIDRIVERS AND CAR-DRIVERS TO CONVERT TO UNLEADED PETROL. CAN I ASK YOU ABOUT THIS, I MEAN WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT ON THAT?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I THINK IT’S FOR THE SECRETARY CONCERNED - IN THAT CASE, PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, I GUESS -ALTHOUGH I THINK THERE ARE PROBABLY ANOTHER TWO SECRETARIES WHO ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST - TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD. IF THEY DO, THEN OF COURSE IT DOESN’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE BUDGET, ACTUALLY, IT CAN BE INTRODUCED AT SOME APPROPRIATE TIME. BUT IT DIDN’T COME UP TO US AS AN APPROPRIATE BUDGET MEASURE, IT WOULD BE FOR ENTIRELY OTHER REASONS, NOT REVENUE REASONS.
/QUESTION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
QUESTION: MR MACLEOD, YOU’VE TALKED ABOUT THE RESERVES, THAT BY 1996-97 IT IS GOING TO BE $71 BILLION AND IT AMOUNTS TO SOME 40% OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE, BUT YOU HAVEN’T TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE AMOUNTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET FROM THE SAR LAND FUND WHICH SIR PIERS JACOBS ESTIMATED TO BE SOMETHING LIKE $70 BILLION BY 1997. SO IT MEANS, BY THAT YEAR, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A HANDSOME RESERVE WHICH WILL BE EQUIVALENT TO 80% - BASED ON YOUR CALCULATIONS -OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE. SO IT COMES BACK TO THE QUESTION: WHY DO YOU NEED SUCH A BIG CUSHION? IT'S NOT 40% - AS LOW AS YOU DESCRIBE -SO IS THERE ANY HIDDEN AGENDA? THERE WAS TALK THAT HONG KONG IS CONCERNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE CONFIDENCE CRISIS CLOSER TO 1997, SO IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE IN MIND, THAT WE NEED TO KEEP SUCH BIG RESERVES?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO, THERE IS NO HIDDEN AGENDA. I MENTIONED THE LAND FUND IN MY SPEECH, I DIDN’T FORGET IT. OF COURSE IT DOESN’T COME INTO THE RESERVES UNTIL AFTER THE SAR GOVERNMENT IS SET UP, SO WE HAVE TO PLAN OUR FINANCES OVER THE PERIOD - YOU KNOW IT’S NOT JUST THE LAST YEAR BUT OVER THE PERIOD - SO THAT WE HAVE SUFFICIENT CUSHION TO DEAL WITH UNFORESEEN DEVELOPMENTS, AND OF COURSE HAVE LEFT, AT LEAST, THE 25 BILLION HANDOVER. WE CAN’T START COUNTING THE LAND FUND UNTIL AFTER THAT. CERTAINLY, WE HAVE IT VERY MUCH IN MIND THAT IT WILL HELP TO GET THE SAR OFF TO A GOOD START BUT IT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO US - LET’S SAY IF THERE IS A SERIOUS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN IN 1995 - AND IF WE HAD SUCCUMBED TO THE TEMPTATION TO SPEND OUR RESERVES ON ANY NUMBER OF POSSIBLE CONCESSIONS, WE WOULD THEN BE FACED WITH AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT POSITION. AND I THINK TO TRY AND SUDDENLY, IN THE SHORT TERM, REMEDY A REVENUE DEFICIENCY AT A TIME WHEN BY DEFINITION WE HAVE A PROBLEM, IS NOT A SENSIBLE WAY TO PLAN ANY GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES, AND CERTAINLY NOT THIS GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES. BEARING IN MIND ALSO THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION, EVEN IF WE WANTED IT, OF CUSHIONS BY HUGE AMOUNTS OF BORROWING. THAT’S NOT OUR STYLE, IT’S NOT APPROPRIATE.
QUESTION: BUT BEARING IN MIND, AS YOU SAID JUST
NOW, THE RANGE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS IS BETWEEN 50% TO 90%, SO DO YOU THINK HAVING SOMETHING LIKE 80% IS VERY SUBSTANTIAL COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING, AND YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE TO RESORT TO THAT PARTICULAR PATH?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: WELL, WHAT WE HAVE IS - IF THE
REVENUE MEASURES ONCE THEY ARE PASSED AND IMPLEMENTED, YOU KNOW BEGIN TO REDUCE THE REVENUE - WE HAVE RESERVES WHICH WILL DECLINE FROM 80% OF EXPENDITURE TO 40% OF EXPENDITURE OVER A PERIOD. I SAY I FIND THAT ACCEPTABLE, THAT IS WHAT I AM PLANNING ON. WHAT I DON’T FIND ACCEPTABLE IS THAT WE SHOULD PLAN-FOR A VERY MUCH LOWER FIGURE AND LEAVE OURSELVES VERY LITTLE ROOM FOR MANOUEVRE IF THINGS HAPPEN, AS THEY CAN DO, WHICH MEAN WE ARE SUDDENLY SHORT OF REVENUE.
QUESTION: BUT DO YOU AGREE THAT IS
ACTUALLY 80% AND NOT 40% AS YOU SAID, BECAUSE --
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
NO!
QUESTION: — BECAUSE IT’S JUST THREE
MONTHS BEFORE YOU CAN GET THE SAR LAND FUND.
/FINANCIAL SECRETARY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 6 -
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: ’ YES, BUT WHAT I AM TRYING TO GET OVER IS, ALTHOUGH FOR CONVENIENCE ONE CHOOSES THE TWO ENDS OF THE PERIOD, WE ARE ACTUALLY DEALING WITH THE WHOLE PERIOD. WE’VE GOT TO GET THROUGH THOSE YEARS UP TO THE MIDDLE OF 1997, AND THAT IS WHEN WE NEED THE RESERVES. NOW YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT, I AM NOT AT ALL DISPUTING THE FACT, THAT AS YOU GET MUCH NEARER THE END OF THAT PERIOD THE DEGREE OF RISK OF UNFORESEEN DEVELOPMENTS GETS LESS - IT DOES GET LESS - BUT WE ARE NOT THERE YET, WE’RE HERE. YOU KNOW, THAT MONEY IS NOT GUARANTEED AND IN THE BANK, THAT IS MERELY A FORECAST BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS. IF IT WAS IN THE BANK IT WOULD BE QUITE A DIFFERENT MATTER.
QUESTION: MR MACLEOD, WHEN THE UK AND
CHINA BEGAN TO NEGOTIATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, THE SUM LEFT TO THE SAR GOVERNMENT WAS EXPECTED TO BE ($5)- BILLION BUT NOW YOU CAN LEAVE $71 BILLION TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT AS THE RESERVE FUND IN 1997. WHY IS THERE SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: WELL, I WON’T COMMENT ON A
PARTICULAR FIGURE BUT I WILL MAKE A GENERAL POINT. WE ACTUALLY PUBLISH - UNTIL RECENTLY NO ONE BOTHERED READING THEM - BUT WE PUBLISH IN THE BACK OF BUDGET SPEECHES, FOR VERY MANY, MANY YEARS, MEDIUMRANGE FORECASTS, AND THEY HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT QUALIFICATION ATTACHED TO THEM WHICH IS STATED IN SMALL-PRINT, PROBABLY, SOMEWHERE, AND THAT IS THAT THEY DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FUTURE REVENUE MEASURES. SO THEY ARE FORECASTS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE - THEY CAN’T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FUTURE REVENUE MEASURES. SO IF YOU COMPARE ANY FORECAST MADE TWO YEARS AGO WITH A FORECAST A YEAR LATER AND A FORECAST A YEAR AFTER THAT, YOU WILL FIND THE FIGURES ARE QUITE DIFFERENT. THAT’S ONE OF THE REASONS. THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF OTHER
REASONS - MAYBE INFLATION HAS CHANGED - MAYBE OUR ASSUMPTION ON GROWTH HAS CHANGED. WE DO SET OUT THE MAIN ASSUMPTIONS IN THE BACK OF THE BUDGET SPEECH - YOU WILL FIND THE MRF THERE. BUT THAT IS THE REASON THEY WILL CHANGE, AND I AM QUITE SURE THEY WILL GO ON CHANGING, I WON’T- BE EMBARRASSED BY THAT. I MEAN I’VE TRIED TO SET OUT IN THE BUDGET HOW WE USE THOSE FIGURES.
QUESTION -RATE WILL
TVB NEWS:
________________ m „ YOU ESTIMATE THAT THE INFLATION DROP TO 9.5% IN THE COMING YEAR, BUT THAT FIGURE IS NOT TOTALLY AGREED BY MANY ECONOMISTS WHO SAY THEY DON’T SEE MANY ANTT-INFLATIONARY MEASURES IN YOUR BUDGET, SO WHY ARE YOU SO CONFIDENT?
SECRETARY: WELL ACTUALLY, I DON’T
THERE IS A VERY WIDE RANGE OF FIGURES PRODUCED BY ECONOMISTS OR COMMENTATORS. I DOUBT IF YOU WOULD GET A RANGE BETWEEN 9 AND 10 - MAYBE THERE IS THE ODD ONE A BIT ENTIRELY ACCEPT THAT A FORECAST IS A FORECAST,
FORECAST WE CAN MAKE.
THINK MOST
BEYOND SOMEWHERE
HIGHER THAN
IT IS
THE
THAT.
BEST
ELABORATE DECLINE.
™ a MR TANG MIGHT want to
ON A FEW FACTORS WHICH WILL HELP THE INFLATION TO MODESTLY
/MR K.Y.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 7 -
MR K.Y. TANG: WELL I THINK OUR FORECAST OF THE RATE OF INCREASE IN CPIA OF 9.5% FOR 1992, I FEEL THAT IT IS QUITE IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION. LOOKING AT THE FIGURES FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY AND LAST DECEMBER, ACTUALLY THE RATE OF INCREASE WAS QUITE NEAR TO 10% AND THAT IS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A TREND OF MODERATION SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR. FURTHERMORE, IF WE LOOK AT THIS BUDGET, ACTUALLY THE NET IMPACT ON THE CPI IS VERY LITTLE, IT IS VERY, VERY MILD. AND WHAT IS MORE, SINCE WE ARE BUDGETING FOR A SURPLUS, THE EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY WILL BE DEFLATIONARY.
QUESTION: MR MACLEOD, UNDER A NORMAL SITUATION AND DEVELOPMENT, IF THE SAR GOVERNMENT CAN RECEIVE ABOUT 70 BILLION RESERVE, IT WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE SAR GOVERNMENT, BUT NOW LU PENG IS GOING TO ATTACK IT. DO YOU FIND THERE’S ANY HIDDEN AGENDA, FOR EXAMPLE TO ATTACK ON THE BUDGET, OR NOW THE SITUATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IS NOT SO GOOD, FOR EXAMPLE THE INDEPENDENCE OF RTHK -DO YOU FIND LU PENG HAS SOME OTHER MOTIVATION TO ATTACK?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I LOOK FORWARD TO READING ALL
YOUR SPECULATIONS IN THE NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW, BUT I’M AFRAID I’M NOT GOING TO ADD TO THEM.
QUESTION: YOU REFERRED TO RATES AS BEING
REASONABLY FAIR. YOU ALSO SAID IN YOUR SPEECH THAT WHILE RATES HAVE DECLINED OVER TIME, THOSE DECREASES HAVE NOT BEEN PASSED ALONG TO RENTERS BY THEIR LANDORDS. IT SEEMS NEITHER REASONABLE NOR FAIR, IT SEEMS AN ARGUMENT FOR EITHER NOT INCREASING THE RATES OR FOR GIVING RENTERS A CREDIT IN TAXATION. COULD YOU RESPOND?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: COULD YOU REPEAT THE LAST BIT -
RENTERS A CREDIT?
QUESTION: WELL IN MANY PLACES, RENTERS
RECEIVE A CERTAIN CREDIT ON THEIR INCOME-TAX BASED ON THE PORTION OF THEIR INCOME WHICH THEY SPEND IN RENT, TO RECOGNISE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE THESE KINDS OF, FOR THEM, INDIRECT FORMS OF TAXATION.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: WELL I WOULD BE HAPPY TO LOOK
AT THAT. IT HASN’T, CERTAINLY, BEEN PUT TO ME AS AN IDEA BEFORE, IT’S A NEW ONE. BUT I MEAN THE POINT I WAS MAKING WAS, IT HASN’T ACTUALLY GREATLY BENEFITED PEOPLE, THAT WE’VE ALLOWED THE CONTRIBUTION OF RATES TO OUR REVENUE, OR INDEED A PROPORTION OF RATES TO RENT, TO DECLINE. IT DOESN’T ACTUALLY BENEFIT ANYONE, IT MERELY REDUCES THE REVENUE TO GOVERNMENT WHICH WE HAVE TO MAKE UP IN OTHER WAYS. IT’S NOT THE MAIN ARGUMENT FOR USING RATES, THE MAIN ARGUMENTS, APART FROM THE FACT THAT THEY ARE STILL PRETTY LOW, ARE THE OTHER ONES: THAT IT IS PREDICTABLE, RELIABLE, THAT IT IS PROGRESSIVE IN THE SENSE THAT IT VARIES ACCORDING TO THE SIZE AND THE VALUE OF THE ACCOMMODATION, AND SO ON. I MEAN THOSE ARE THE MAIN ONES.
QUESTION: IF I CAN FOLLOW UP. IT DOES
NOT SEEM TO ME TO MATCH ANY DEFINITION OF PROGRESSIVE TO SAY THAT YOU PAY IT TO THE GOVERNMENT WHEN THE RATE GOES UP BUT YOU GIVE IT TO THE LANDLORD WHEN THE RATE GOES DOWN.
/FINANCIAL SECRETARY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
8 -
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO, THE PROGRESSIVE ASPECT IS
THAT YOU PAY MORE IF YOU’RE BETTER-OFF, AND BETTER-OFF IS LOOSELY EQUATED WITH THE VALUE OF THE FLAT. I MEAN THAT IS THE MEANING OF PROGRESSIVE.
QUESTION: ALTHOUGH YOU AGREE THAT THE
SAVINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN PASSED ALONG TO THE TENANTS?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I’M SAYING THAT IS A DEFECT OF
THAT PARTICULAR TAX, YES.
QUESTION: BUT YOU HAVE NO PLAN TO REMEDY
IT?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I DON’T, BUT IT WOULD BE VERY
NICE IF I COULD, AND I WILL LOOK AT YOUR IDEA, THANK YOU.
QUESTION: MR MACLEOD, THERE IS A GENERAL
FEAR IN THE COMMUNITY THAT A REVENUE DIP COULD BE RELATED TO SOME UNFORESEEN BLOW-OUT IN THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF THE AIRPORT. COULD YOU ASSURE US AT THIS STAGE THAT YOU DO NOT THINK THAT ANY OF THE RESERVES WOULD NEED TO BE TRANSFERRED DURING THIS PERIOD - THESE MAMMOTH RESERVES IN SOME PEOPLE’S VIEW - TRANSFERRED DURING THIS PERIOD, TO EXPENDITURE FOR THE AIRPORT?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO. I MEAN IT ISN’T THE WAY IT WORKS. I MEAN I THINK WE ARE IN DANGER OF THIS ENDLESS PERUSAL OF THE AIRPORT PROJECTS, OF TRYING TO GET ASSURANCES WHICH NO ONE IN THE WORLD CAN DELIVER FOR A LARGE PROJECT. YOU KNOW, NO ONE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN DO IT EITHER. NO ARCHITECT OR ENGINEER CAN SAY TO YOU, AT THE DRAWING STAGE, THAT THEY KNOW FOR A HUNDRED PERCENT FACT THAT THE COST OF THAT BUILDING WILL NOT GO UP ONE DOLLAR OVER THE FIGURE WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED. I MEAN IT IS AN ENTIRELY UNREALISTIC PURSUIT OF CERTAINTY. IT’S NOT ATTAINABLE AND I’M NOT ABOUT TO PRETEND THAT IT IS. HAVING SAID THAT, WE HAVE DONE OUR VERY BEST TO DO REALISTIC FORECASTS, IN THAT AREA AS IN ANY OTHER. LIKE ANY PRUDENT PERSON WE BUILD-IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONTINGENCY AND WE HAVE CERTAIN CUSHIONS AVAILABLE. WHETHER IT IS FOR THAT EVENTUALITY, WHETHER IT’S * FOR GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY BEING LESS THAN FORECAST, WHETHER IT’S FOR SOME FORM OF REVENUE PRODUCING LESS - YOU KNOW THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS WHICH MIGHT HAPPEN. BUT I AM NOT ABOUT TO SAY THAT NOT A SINGLE FURTHER DOLLAR OF THE RESERVES WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, I MEAN IT IS BEYOND ANYONE’S ABILITY TO DO THAT.
QUESTION: WHEN WILL THE EFFICIENCY UNIT BE SET UP, AND WHAT ITS PRECISE REMIT GOING TO BE? WILL YOU FOR EXAMPLE GIVE IT TARGETS FOR SAVINGS TO MAKE, AND ARE THERE ANY OVERSEAS MODELS OF SIMILAR AGENCIES ABROAD - PERHAPS IN SINGAPORE -THAT YOU MIGHT MODEL IT ON HERE?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I THINK WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO DO IS, FAIRLY SOON TO BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE WHO WILL HEAD IT, AND IN THAT CONTEXT PROBABLY ELABORATE ON WHAT IT WILL DO. BUT I KNOW THAT QUITE APART FROM DRAWING ON OUR OWN EXPERIENCE, WE CERTAINLY HAD IN MIND SOME OF THE UK EXPERIENCE.
/QUESTION........
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
9
QUESTION: IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, OR
THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH’S RESPONSIBILITY, TO COMMISSION THIS UNIT OR IS IT SOMETHING OUTSIDE THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: IT WILL BE UNDER THE CHIEF
SECRETARY BECAUSE IT REALLY COVERS PRETTY WELL EVERYTHING - CIVIL SERVICE, MONEY, EVERYTHING.
QUESTION: COULD I ASK BRIEFLY ABOUT
FINANCIAL PLANNING AS WELL, BECAUSE YOU’VE GIVEN US THESE ESTIMATES UP TO 1997 BUT NOT BEYOND? AND ALSO YESTERDAY YOU WERE REFERRING IN YOUR SPEECH TO THE SAR GOVERNMENT AS A NEW ADMINISTRATION. I MEAN HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS EMPHASISED CONTINUITY ACROSS 1997 BUT NOW YOU SEEM TO BE PLANNING PURELY IN TERMS OF UP TO 1997. DO YOU NOW SEE THIS AS YOUR JOB, AS ONLY PLANNING UNTIL THE END OF BRITISH RULE?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO. I MEAN WHAT I HAVE ACTUALLY DONE IS TO EXTEND THE PLANNING PERIOD TO COVER 1996-97, NOT TO SHORTEN IT, AND I AM QUITE SURE AS WE GET NEARER 1997, OUR FINANCIAL FORECASTS, JUST LIKE ALL OUR OTHER FORECASTS, WILL GO BEYOND 1997. BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS NOT TERRIBLY SENSIBLE TO STOP IN 1995-96 WHICH IS ‘WHERE OUR NORMAL PLANNING HORIZON WOULD BE.
QUESTION: DO YOU RECOGNISE SOME SORT OF DISCONTINUITY IN FINANCIAL PLANNING BECAUSE --
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: WELL THERE IS A DISCONTINUITY IN THE SENSE THAT - IT’S QUITE A GOOD ONE - IN THE SENSE THAT THE MAIN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL HAVE FINISHED BY 1997, AND, AS HAS BEEN SAID, THE LAND FUND WILL COME IN. AND ACTUALLY VARIOUS OTHER FORMS OF REVENUE, I MEAN THE FULL LAND REVENUE WILL THEN GO TO THE GOVERNMENT, SO IT WILL BE IN A VERY GOOD HEALTHY POSITION WHICH WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT, AND OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT BETWEEN THEN AND NOW, WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALSO IN A HEALTHY FINANCIAL POSITION. YES, THERE IS A CHANGE - OF COURSE THERE IS - BUT THERE IS NOTHING SINISTER OR WORRYING ABOUT IT.
QUESTION: YOU MENTIONED, YESTERDAY, THAT THE GAP BETWEEN SALARIES AND PROFITS-TAX RATES IS PROBABLY AT ITS MAXIMUM. CAN THIS BE INTERPRETED AS AN INDICATION THAT SALARIES-TAX COULD BE NEXT TO BE RAISED AND IS THERE ANY DANGER OF THAT?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO, IT IS NOT AN INDICATION - I MEAN THIS IS SORT OF AN ENDLESS ASSURANCE, BUT I’D BETTER GIVE IT. WE DON’T HAVE ANY PLANS UP OUR SLEEVES - ACTUALLY WE HAVE ONLY JUST FINISHED ONE BUDGET, WE’RE NOT ABOUT TO START PLANNING THE NEXT ONE TOMORROW. WE DON’T HAVE ANY SORT OF HIDDEN PLANS FOR RAISING SALARIES-TAX. ALL I WAS SIGNALING WAS THAT THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PROFITS-TAX AND SALARIES-TAX RATES CAN BE DIFFERENT. THERE IS A LIMIT BECAUSE AVOIDANCE IS POSSIBLE IF THE DIFFERENCE BECOMES TEMPTING ENOUGH, AND A SMALL COMPANY CAN IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES DECIDE TO TAKE THE MONEY EITHER IN THE FORM OF MORE SALARY OR IN THE FORM OF A DIVIDEND, AND THEY WILL DO WHICHEVER PRODUCES THE LESS TAX BILL. IF THE DIFFERENCE ISN’T VERY GREAT IT’S NOT WORTH THE HASSLE. IF IT BECOMES GREATER THEN IT IS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN. IT’S NOT A BLACK AND WHITE SITUATION, THE AVOIDANCE JUST GETS WORSE AS THE GAP GROWS AND OUR JUDGMENT WAS, THAT’S PROBABLY PRETTY NEAR THE LIMIT, THAT’S ALL.
/QUESTION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 10 -
QUESTION: OUR EX-FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS, PROMISED THAT WE CAN GET THE TAXATION REVIEW IN YjOUR BUDGET, AS HE PROMISED LAST YEAR, BUT THIS YEAR THERE IS NOTHING MENTIONED ABOUT IT.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO, HE DIDN’T. HE CONSULTED ME ON THOSE WORDS. I DON’T HAVE THEM IN FRONT OF ME BUT I THINK WHAT HE SAID WAS THAT HE WOULD LEAVE IT FOR ME TO DECIDE - SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. I MEAN HE WAS QUITE CAREFUL. AND OF COURSE THERE WAS A DEBATE ON THE QUESTION OF A TAXATION REVIEW AND I CLEARLY EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR A GENERAL TAXATION REVIEW AT THE PRESENT TIME, SO THAT’S WHERE WE STAND.
QUESTION: THE MEDIUM-RANGE FORECAST SHOWS
THAT -- MR MACLEOD, YOU MENTIONED THAT ONE OF THE AIMS OF THE BUDGET IS ACTUALLY NOT TO FUEL INFLATION. HOW CAN YOU SAY THIS WHEN YOU SAID IN THIS BUDGET STATEMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS PURSUING A PROPER INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT UTILITY CHARGES, WATER CHARGES, TUNNEL TOLLS, FERRY FEES, AIRPORT FEES AND PERHAPS EVEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTAL FEES?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: THE FACT IS THAT THE VAST
MAJORITY OF GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES HAVE ABSOLUTELY - WELL I SAY NO EFFECT, OR VIRTUALLY NO EFFECT IF I WAS MORE CAUTIOUS - ON INFLATION AS MEASURED BY CPI OR AS MEASURED BY ANYTHING ELSE. THERE ARE A MYRIAD OF SMALL FEES PAID BY USERS OF SERVICES, MANY OF THEM BY COMPANIES RATHER THAN INDIVIDUALS. THE PURPOSE OF THE MORATORIUM WAS MAINLY A PSYCHOLOGICAL ONE. AT THE TIME THERE WAS A SORT OF ATMOSPHERE OF EXPECTATION THAT INFLATION WAS JUST GOING TO GO UP AND UP AND UP, AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO MAKE SOME MOVES. WE DID SO AND THE EXPECTATION IS NOW GREATLY LOWERED. AFTER ALL, WE HAVE GONE DOWN FROM A PEAK OF 13.9 TO AROUND 10.5 AND WE ARE FORECASTING 9.5, SO THAT SORT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MOVE IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. NOW I DO ACCEPT THAT THERE ARE A FEW FEES AND CHARGES.WHICH DO HAVE SOME IMPACT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL NOT A GREAT ONE, ON CPIA, AND WHAT I SAID IN THE BUDGET SPEECH WAS SIMPLY THAT WE CAN’T CARRY ON WITH THE MORATORIUM. ACTUALLY, IT BECOMES EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO DO SO AND THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE UP BY OTHER TAXES, WHICH WOULDN’T BE VERY POPULAR, BUT WE WILL TRY AND BE SENSITIVE ABOUT THE TIMING, TO AVOID BUNCHING AND SO ON.
QUESTION: THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST SHOWS
THAT THERE WILL BE A CASH DEFICIT OF ABOUT $7 BILLION IN THE YEAR 1993-94, DOES THAT IMPLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER BIG TAX INCREASE AFTER THIS YEAR?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO, IT DOESN’T --
QUESTION: HOW IS GOVERNMENT GOING TO TAKE
CARE OF THAT DEFICIT?
/FINANCIAL SECRETARY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 11 -
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: — WELL THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT IS MEANT BY THE RESERVES GOING DOWN FROM 99 OR THEREABOUTS TO AROUND 70 OVER A PERIOD. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN REDUCE THE RESERVES IS ACTUALLY TO RUN DEFICIT BUDGETS, THAT IS HOW YOU REDUCE THE RESERVES. SO WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT ON THAT SCENARIO, WE WOULD HAVE A DEFICIT BUDGET AND WE WOULD DRAW ON THE RESERVES, THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS.
QUESTION: BUT TRADITIONALLY WE DON’T USUALLY HAVE A DEFICIT BUDGET - I MEAN IN THE LAST ABOUT 8 YEARS.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: YES, THAT’S TRUE. AND IF YOU DON’T WANT ME TO HAVE A DEFICIT BUDGET, THEN WE’LL HAVE TO HAVE MORE TAXATION - WHICH I AM NOT PROPOSING.
QUESTION: IN YOUR MEDIUM-RANGE FORECAST
FOR 1994-95 THE DEFICIT WILL REACH A PEAK AND MANY PEOPLE SPECULATE THAT A LOT OF LAND WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION BY THE GOVERNMENT. HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THAT?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I MEAN THE FIRST POINT IS, I
WOULD ADVISE, DON’T GET OVER-FIXATED ON THE EXACT FIGURES - THESE ARE FORECASTS AND SOME OF THE FIGURES ARE NECESSARILY AVERAGES, AND I THINK I AM RIGHT IN SAYING THAT LAND REVENUE IS ONE. IT’S NOT A BUILD-UP OF ACTUAL SITES THAT WE EXPECT TO SELL IN A PARTICULAR YEAR, IT’S AN AVERAGE, IT’S A PROJECTION OF WHAT WE EXPECT THE PRICES TO BE, BASED ON OUR HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE AND THEN JUST AVERAGED OVER THE PERIOD. SO THESE FIGURES WILL NOT BE - YOU KNOW, THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN 9 OR 8 OR 7 IS NOT OF ENORMOUS SIGNIFICANCE. WHERE THERE WILL BE THE PEAKS AND TROUGHS OF LAND SALES, I DON’T THINK I CAN POSSIBLY PREDICT, I’M AFRAID - IF THAT WAS THE QUESTION.
QUESTION: I WAS SURPRISED BY THE 10%
INCREASE IN HYDRO-CARBON TAX, WOULDN’T A LOWER INCREASE HAVE BEEN BETTER IN THE BID TO FIGHT INFLATION?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: THE PROBLEM, WHEN YOU LOOK AT
CONCESSIONS, IS TO TRY AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER AND IT SEEMED TO US THAT THE BEST WAY OF ENSURING THAT WAS TO DO WHAT WE DID, THAT IS TO SAY TO FOCUS ON THE FRANCHISED BUSES. AND WE HAVE A MECHANISM - AFTER ALL WE APPROVE, IN THE END,
THE FARES - WE HAVE A MECHANISM THEREFORE FOR ENSURING THAT THE BENEFIT IS PASSED ON TO THE PUBLIC. THAT IS PROBABLY THE MAIN ANSWER. THE MORE GENERAL POINT IS THAT WE ARE NOT MAKING REAL INCREASES IN ALL THOSE OTHER TAXES, INCLUDING THAT ONE, WE’RE ALMOST KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION - YOU’LL NOTICE IT IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE SIT BELOW INFLATION - THAT IS ALSO A DELIBERATE CONTRIBUTION, AS IT WERE, TO KEEPING INFLATIONARY PRESSURES DOWN. BUT WE CAN’T LET THE ANNUAL REVISION OF DUTIES AND SO ON BEGIN TO FALL BEHIND INFLATION, IN OTHER WORDS, TO GO DOWN IN REAL TERMS TOO MUCH, ONLY IN A SELECTIVE WAY CAN WE DO IT, AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TRIED TO DO THIS TIME.
/QUESTION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 12 -
QUESTION: J WANT TO ASK SOMETHING ABOUT THE EXPENDITURE AND THE INFLATION. IN YOUR NEW BUDGET THE EXPENDITURE IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR IS MUCH HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR, IT IS ABOUT A 5% INCREASE IN REAL TERMS, BUT WHEN WE COMPARE WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE WITHIN THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR, THE INCREASE IN REAL TERMS WILL RISE OVER 10%. DO YOU THINK SUCH EXPENDITURE WILL MAKE INFLATION HIGHER?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I HAVE TO SAY, NO. WHY DO I HAVE TO SAY, NO? THE MAIN REASON IS THAT OVER A PERIOD WE ARE KEEPING OUR EXPENDITURE GROWTH IN LINE WITH THE ECONOMIC GROWTH. WE CAN’T ACTUALLY JUGGLE TOO MUCH ACCORDING TO THE REVISED ESTIMATES. I MEAN IT HAPPENS THAT THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE UNDER-SPENDING LAST YEAR. WE CAN’T ACTUALLY SUDDENLY - WE ARE LIKE AN OCEAN-LINER - WE CAN’T SUDDENLY REDUCE EXPENDITURE TO REFLECT THAT TEMPORARY BLIP, SO WE WORK ON THE TREND. BUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING AS A PROPORTION OF GDP IS STILL RATHER MODEST, DEPENDING WHICH WAY YOU MEASURE IT - IT’S SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 11% AND 18%, THE TWO FIGURES ARE IN THE SPEECH - SO EVEN MOST ECONOMISTS AGREE THAT UNLESS THERE IS A VERY MAJOR SHIFT IN THE TREND OF OUR EXPENDITURE, IT DOES NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON INFLATION. AND THE OFFSETTING POINT ON THAT IS THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE GROWTH IS KEPT TO ABOUT ZERO, SO THAT IS ACTUALLY HELPFUL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, GIVEN THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF LABOUR. SO ON BALANCE, IT DOESN’T HAVE MUCH EFFECT EITHER WAY.
QUESTION: MR MACLEOD, SOME OF YOUR CRITICS HAVE SAID THAT IT IS NOT VERY CLEAR, READING YOUR BUDGET, WHAT KIND OF SIGNAL YOU ARE REALLY TRYING TO SEND OR WHICH SECTOR OF SOCIETY YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP. FIRST YOU TAKE FROM THE RICH CORPORATE CLASS TO GIVE TO THE WORKING CLASS, RIGHT? - THROUGH AN INCREASE IN PERSONAL ALLOWANCES. AT THE SAME TIME YOU HIT THE WORKING CLASS WITH AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY RATES. AND THEN YOU TRY TO SOFTEN THE BLOW FOR THE CORPORATE CLASS THROUGH YOUR REDUCTION IN STAMP-DUTY AND STOCK-TRANSFER AT A TIME WHEN THERE WAS NO SERIOUS LOBBY FOR A CUT IN STAMP-DUTY. AND THEN YOU SAID THAT THROUGH YOUR INCREASE IN PERSONAL ALLOWANCES THERE WILL ACTUALLY BE SOMETHING LIKE 120,000 PEOPLE WHO WOULD NOT HAVE ANY TAX LIABILITY BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BECAUSE OF INCREASING WAGES, YOU ARE ADDING 250,000 MORE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, NEW TAXPAYERS THIS YEAR. COULD YOU COMMENT ON THAT?
/FINANCIAL SECRETARY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 13 -
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: YES. LIFE IS FULL OF THESE LITTLE PROBLEMS. I MEAN THAT NOT SORT OF RUDELY. IT’S QUITE MISLEADING IN SOME WAYS TO SPLIT SOCIETY AND INDEED TAXATION UP INTO BITS. I MEAN THE FACT IS, FOR INSTANCE, THAT THINGS WHICH HELP THE ECONOMY TO GROW HELP THE WHOLE POPULATION, NOT JUST THE BUSINESSMAN OR THE RICH. THE FACT IS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION DON’T PAY SALARIES-TAX, SO WHAT WE DO WITH SALARIES-TAX IS IRRELEVANT TO THEM -I’M NOT SAYING IT’S IRRELEVANT TO THE OTHERS - IRRELEVANT TO THEM. THE FACT IS THAT THOSE WHO DON’T PAY SALARIES-TAX, THE MAIN WAY OF ASSISTING THEM IS THROUGH EXPENDITURE, NOT THROUGH TAXATION. ALRIGHT, I AGREE WHAT HAPPENS TO RATES IS OF SOME INTEREST, WHAT HAPPENS TO SOFT-DRINKS IS OF SOME INTEREST, BUT THE MAIN EFFECT, THE MAIN BENEFIT, THE MAIN WAY IN WHICH WE ASSIST THE LESS BETTER-OFF IS THROUGH THE EXPENDITURE AND THE EXPENDITURE DOES BENEFIT THOSE PEOPLE. THAT IS THE LOGIC OF WHAT WE ARE DOING. SO, I MEAN ALL I WOULD SAY IS, LOOK AT THE WHOLE THING, LOOK AT THE EXPENDITURE AND THE REVENUE. WE ARE AN EXTREMELY UNUSUAL GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE OVER, I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS, BUT CERTAINLY TWENTY - AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE - TO SPEND MORE IN REAL TERMS YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, AND YOU KNOW, A 5% REAL INCREASE OR A 6% REAL INCREASE BY MOST GOVERNMENT’S STANDARDS, IS AN ENORMOUS FIGURE. WHAT WE ARE ANXIOUS TO DO, WHY WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT RE-APPRAISING PRIORITIES, IS TO ENSURE WE DON’T JUST CARRY ON SPENDING THE MONEY ON THE SAME OLD THINGS AND IT IS NOT BEING SPENT IN AN INEFFICIENT WAY. WE MUST MAKE SURE WE INCREASE OUR EFFICIENCY AND THAT WE CONSCIOUSLY REVIEW WHETHER THE ELDERLY NEED MORE PRIORITY THAN THE YOUTH - TO TAKE AN EXAMPLE. WE MUSTN’T GET INTO A RUT WHERE EVERY SINGLE AREA THAT WE FUND IS SACRED AND CANNOT BE TOUCHED.
CHRIS WONG: I THINK WE ARE NOW RUNNING SHORT OF TIME.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: '
SORRY, THAT WAS SERMONIC.
CHRIS WONG: OKAY, THREE LAST
QUESTIONS. ALRIGHT, CHRISTINE, YOU CAN HAVE YOUR QUESTION NOW.
QUESTION: THANK YOU. WELL ACTUALLY IT
HAS BEEN PARTLY ANSWERED BUT I JUST WONDERED IF YOU COULD GIVE US AN INDICATION OF WHAT THESE INCREASES WILL BE IN UTILITY CHARGES? I GATHER FROM WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IT IS GOING TO BE BASICALLY RELATED TO INFLATION BUT COULD YOU JUST GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY WILL BE AND WHEN?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: WELL I DON’T KNOW. I MEAN THEY
ARE NOT IN THE BUDGET, THERE IS A WHOLE SYSTEM OF REVIEWING - WHAT IS IT, 15,000 OR SOMETHING FEES AND CHARGES?
QUESTION: ••• KEEP THEM WITHIN
INFLATIONARY LIMITS, IS THAT YOUR INTENTION?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: MOST FEES AND CHARGES ARE ON A
RECOVERY OF COSTS BASIS - THAT IS THE BASIS ON WHICH THEY ARE SET.
/QUESTION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
14
QUESTION: SAID THROUGH THE YEAR.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
QUESTION:
THESE CHARGES?
AND IS THERE A TIMETABLE? YOU
THERE IS.
AND WHAT IS IT? - TO COLLECT
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
THOUSANDS OF VERY SMALL CHARGES.
QUESTION:
WELL I MEAN, THERE ARE
NO, I’M TALKING ABOUT THE ONES
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
THE MAIN ONES?
QUESTION:
YES.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: I DON’T KNOW, IS THE ANSWER.
K.Y. ANY HELPFUL THOUGHTS ON THAT QUESTION?
K.Y. YEUNG: YES, THERE ARE SOME SEVERAL
THOUSAND FEES AND CHARGES. THEY ARE KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW AND INCREASED TO RECOVER COST AS REQUIRED. NOW THERE IS AN ANNUAL CYCLE OF REVIEW ACTIVITIES. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS TO PHASE IN THESE INCREASES BUT AVOIDING THE BLIMPS AND PEAKS AT THOSE TIMES OF THE YEAR WHEN OTHER CHARGES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TEND TO GO UP, LIKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FEES AND CHARGES WHICH ARE NOT OURS. WE WILL BE PHASING THESE IN GRADUALLY. WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE EFFECT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - WE ARE SATISFIED THAT EVEN IF WE WERE TO PHASE THEM IN IN THIS WAY, THE EFFECT ON CPIA GROWTH WOULD BE INSIGNIFICANT.
QUESTION: THE TUNNEL-TOLL - WE’VE TALKED
ABOUT IT A LOT - WHEN CAN WE EXPECT AN INCREASE IN THE TUNNEL-TOLL?
K.Y. YEUNG: I’M SORRY, I COULDN’T GIVE YOU
THE DETAILS, I’LL HAVE TO LOOK IT UP.
QUESTION: IT SEEMS THAT LEGISLATIVE
COUNCILLORS WHO YOU WILL RELY ON TO APPROVE YOUR APPROPRIATION BILL ARE UNANIMOUS THAT THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCE IS NOT ENOUGH AND NEEDS TO BE RAISED. GIVEN THAT THE PRECEDENT HAS ALREADY BEEN SET BY YOUR PREDECESSORS THAT THERE COULD BE A CHANGE TO YOUR APPROPRIATION BILL, WILL YOU COMPLETELY REALISE THAT YOU MAY CHANGE THE LEVEL OF THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES IN THE LIGHT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY LEGCO?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO, MY PACKAGE IS VERY CLEAR,
IT IS CONSTRUCTED AS A PACKAGE, I BELIEVE IT MAKES SENSE, AND AS I HAVE POINTED OUT, THE SUPPOSITION ON WHICH THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARGUE FOR HIGHER ALLOWANCES BASE THEIR PROPOSAL IS NOT CORRECT. THE ALLOWANCES HAVE KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION, SO I WOULD VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THEY WILL RECONSIDER THEIR IDEAS, WHICH IN SOME CASES ENVISAGE THE ALLOWANCES GOING UP BY AS MUCH AS 50%.
QUESTION: SO YOU WOULD NOT CHANGE IT,
EVEN IF YOU REACH THE CHANCE THAT THEY MAY VOTE DOWN THE BUDGET?
/FINANCIAL SECRETARY .......
15
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: WELL I HAVE JUST SAID WHAT I’VE JUST SAID, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CHRIS WONG: LET ME REMIND YOU THAT - BEFORE THE LAST QUESTION - MR WOODROFFE AND MR AU YEUNG ARE PREPARED TO STAY BEHIND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE SUBJECT, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, OKAY? SO THE LAST QUESTION PLEASE.
QUESTION: MR MACLEOD, AN EARLIER QUESTION WAS ASKED ABOUT STAMP-DUTY AND YOUR REASON FOR TRIMMING IT SINCE THERE WAS NO CALL FOR IT. YOU SAID THAT IT WAS TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN LINE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, BUT WAS IT NOT TO SORT OF APPEASE BUSINESSMEN AFTER RAISING PROFITS-TAX?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: NO, BUSINESSMEN —
QUESTION: I MEAN, WHAT WAS YOUR REASON OR YOUR REASONS BEHIND THE DROP?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: THE STAMP-DUTY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS MAINLY OF INTEREST TO THE STOCK MARKET AND IT IS A FACT THAT OTHER STOCK MARKETS IN THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY ONES THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE COMPETING WITH US, INCLUDING LONDON, EITHER HAVE OR ARE MOVING TOWARDS ZERO STAMP-DUTY - ZERO. WE ARE BEING MORE CAUTIOUS, THERE IS QUITE A LOT OF REVENUE AT STAKE, AND WE HAVE INCHED OUR WAY DOWNWARDS BY 0.1, I THINK FOR THE LAST TWO OR THREE BUDGETS. IT IS VERY SIMPLE - IF WE DON’T DO IT WE WILL CEASE TO BE COMPETITIVE, WE WILL LOSE BUSINESS AND WE WILL HAVE LESS REVENUE ANYWAY, SO WE HAD BETTER BE REALISTIC. WHEN THAT PROCESS WILL END, I WILL NOT FORECAST BUT THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING. WE ARE NOT APPEASING BUSINESSMEN, WE ARE BEING COMPLETELY REALISTIC ABOUT MARKET FORCES WHICH ARE IN PLAY.
CHRIS WONG:
YOU VERY MUCH.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
ALRIGHT, ON THAT NOTE, THANK
THANK YOU.
---------0-----------
HOUSING AUTHORITY A PIONEER OF SOCIAL CHANGE
*****
- cs
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, IN REFLECTING THE CHANGING SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE OF THE COMMUNITY, RISING ASPIRATIONS AND POLITICAL PRESSURES IN ITS POLICIES, IS NOW A PIONEER OF SOCIAL CHANGE MORE THAN A REHOUSING AGENCY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
"THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ALWAYS BUILT COMMUNITIES RATHER THAN DORMITORIES, WITH EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE STRONG DEMAND FOR HOME OWNERSHIP, THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY AND THE INFIRM AND THE GROWING NUMBERS OF SINGLE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY PRESENTED GREAT CHALLENGES TO THOSE INVOLVED IN OUR HOUSING PROGRAMME.
/”WE SHOULD .......
16
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
"WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE CONFLICTING PRESSURES WHICH SUCH PROBLEMS POSE AND CANNOT EXPECT COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS TO BE READY IN WEEKS OR MONTHS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE SHOULD ALSO RECOGNISE AND BE GRATEFUL FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE DEVOTED MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WHO SHOULDER A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY.
"THEY ARE DRAWN FROM A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ARE WELL PLACED TO SUGGEST BALANCED POLICIES WHICH WILL GAIN THE SUPPORT OF A MAJORITY IN OUR COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"THEY CAN BE VERY PROUD OF BEING INVOLVED IN WHAT MUST BE ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL HOUSING PROGRAMMES IN THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF KWONG YUEN ESTATE, THE AUTHORITY'S LATEST IN SHA TIN, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID IT WAS ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE STEADY PROGRESS OF THE HOUSING STRATEGY AND IN BUILDING OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN WHICH HAD GROWN IN 20 YEARS FROM A QUIET MARKET TOWN OF 25,000 INTO A BUSTLING SUBURBAN SATELLITE CITY OF OVER 500,000.
"TOGETHER WITH OUR SEVEN OTHER NEW TOWNS, SHA TIN HAS BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE ENLARGED PUBLIC HOUSING EFFORT, BEGUN IN 1973, WHICH NOW PROVIDES HOMES FOR NEARLY THREE MILLION PEOPLE.
"IN THIS PERIOD WE HAVE SEEN THE POPULATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES GROWN FROM ABOUT 700,000 IN 1971 TO 2.38 MILLION IN 1991, WHILE DURING THE LAST DECADE THE POPULATION OF KOWLOON HAS ACTUALLY DECLINED BY HALF A MILLION.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF THIS SUSTAINED EFFORT, HOUSING CONDITIONS HAD IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY AS IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS THE COMBINED HOUSING PRODUCTION OF THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR NOW MEANT THAT A MILLION MORE PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN NEW FLATS CONSTRUCTED DURING THIS SHORT SPAN OF TIME.
IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID THAT THE CHIEF SECRETARY HAD HIMSELF BEEN BOTH DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND SECRETARY FOR HOUSING/CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND TOOK A CLOSE PERSONAL INTEREST IN HOUSING AND THE WORK OF THE AUTHORITY, AND "THIS IS A SOURCE OF GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO US IN OUR WORK".
BEFORE THE OPENING CEREMONY, SIR DAVID VISITED THREE ELDERLY WOMEN LIVING IN ONE OF THE SHELTERED HOUSING FLATS LOCATED WITHIN THE ESTATE AND THEN TOURED THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE, WHICH COMPRISES FIVE TWO-STOREY BLOCKS WITH 6,100 SQUARE METRES OF LETTABLE RETAIL SPACE.
KWONG YUEN, WHICH WAS BUILT IN FOUR STAGES FROM MARCH 1989 TO JANUARY 1990, COMPRISES SIX RENTAL BLOCKS, SIX HOME OWNERSHIP BLOCKS, TWO DISCIPLINED SERVICES BLOCKS AND HOUSES A POPULATION OF NEARLY 25,200.
AFTER UNVEILING A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE, SIR DAVID WAS JOINED BY SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOY KAN-PUI, TO PLANT A FLOWERING MAGNOLIA TREE TO MARK THE OCCASION.
- - 0 - -
/17
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 17 -
EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE PAY AND SERVICE
*****
CONDITIONS OF POLICEMEN
THE POLICE MANAGEMENT IS WELL AWARE OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS’ ASPIRATIONS FOR BETTER PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE THEM, ACCORDING TO COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA.
SPEAKING AT A SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, MR LI (WHO IS PRESENTLY ON LEAVE) SAID TWO NEW JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS QUARTERS WERE BEING BUILT- ONE IN TSING YI FOR 288 UNITS AND THE OTHER IN FANLING FOR 408 UNITS.
THE TSING YI PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE BY LATE 1993 AND THE FANLING UNITS IN 1994.
"THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD MORALE IS ESSENTIAL AND THE ASSOCIATION CAN BE ASSURED OF MY FULLEST SUPPORT IN THIS REGARD.
"THE QUESTION OF IMPROVEMENT TO PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ESPECIALLY FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS IS AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THEM," MR LI SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER NOTED THAT PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE REMUNERATION OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS WERE PRESENTLY WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
"I AM OF COURSE AWARE OF THE WISH OF OFFICERS TO SECURE SOME REDUCTION IN THE 51-HOUR WORKING WEEK,
"THERE ARE OBVIOUS PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN THE PROPOSAL AND THE SUBJECT IS BEING EXAMINED," MR LI SAID.
HE CAUTIONED, HOWEVER, THAT AN EARLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROPOSAL WAS UNLIKELY.
MR LI PRAISED JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS, THE FORCE’S FRONT-LINE TROOPS, FOR HAVING PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND PRESERVED CONFIDENCE IN THE FORCE.
DESPITE INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE FORCE, NOTABLY WITH REGARD TO CRIME AND SMUGGLING AND ADDITONAL DUTIES, MR LI SAID OFFICERS HAD RESPONDED WELL AND FACED THESE CHALLENGES REALISTICALLY.
WITH THE FORTHCOMING CHANGE IN SOVEREIGNTY, MR LI SAID THE PUBLIC WOULD BE LOOKING TO THE POLICE IN PARTICULAR FOR STABILITY, EFFECTIVENESS AND PROFESSIONALISM.
”1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE FORCE WILL MEET ALL DEMANDS IN A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL MANNER," MR LI SAID.
EARLIER IN THE RECEPTION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, MR TSUI WAI-CHUN, SAID THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASINGLY CRUCIAL NEED FOR POLICE SERVICE IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
/MR TSUI .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
18
MR TSUI SAID THE INCREASE IN VARIOUS CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES HAD ALSO PUT MEMBERS OF THE FORCE UNDER INCREASINGLY MENTAL AND WORK PRESSURE, WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED TO WASTAGE OF POLICE OFFICERS.
MR TSUI URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS OVER POLICE OFFICERS’ PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
"ELEVATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL STATUS OF THE POLICE OFFICERS AND BOOSTING OF STAFF MORALE WILL NATURALLY ENABLE THE FORCE MEMBERS TO WORK OUT THEIR FULL POTENTIAL,” MR TSUI SAID.
------0----------
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR DECEMBER 1991 RELEASED ******
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1991, ESTIMATED AT $13,500 MILLION, INCREASED BY 23% WHEN COMPARED WITH .DECEMBER 1990, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE INCREASES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 17% IN VOLUME. FOR 1991 AS A WHOLE, THE INCREASE IN SALES WAS 17% IN VALUE AND 10% IN VOLUME.
THE MARKED INCREASE IN DECEMBER WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A HIGH LEVEL OF CONSUMER SPENDING ON CLOTHING, JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND MOTOR VEHICLES. MEANWHILE, SALES IN SUPERMARKETS AND OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS GREW MODERATELY.
SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN DECEMBER 1991 COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, BY 98% IN VALUE AND 82% IN VOLUME. THE LARGE INCREASE WAS RELATED TO THE PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS LAUNCHED BY SOME MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS TOWARDS THE END OF 1991.
SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES, CLOCKS AND VALUABLE GIFTS ALSO INCREASED CONSIDERABLY , BY 42% IN VALUE AND 48% IN VOLUME, PARTLY DUE TO A GENERAL FALL IN PRICES OF JEWELLERY ITEMS.
MARKED INCREASE IN SALES WAS ALSO RECORDED FOR CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS. SALES WERE UP BY 36% IN VALUE AND 26% IN VOLUME.
INCREASES IN SALES WERE RELATIVELY MODERATE IN FOODSTUFF OUTLETS OTHER THAN SUPERMARKETS (17% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME), DEPARTMENT STORES (13% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME), SUPERMARKETS (13% IN VALUE AND 4% IN VOLUME), AND FUEL OUTLETS (3% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME).
ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES DECLINED SLIGHTLY FOR CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, BY 1% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME.
/COMPARING 1991 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 19 -
COMPARING 1991 WITH THE PRECEDING YEAR, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 17% IN VALUE AND 10% IN VOLUME. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN 1990 WERE 7% IN VALUE AND 1% IN VOLUME.
THE FASTER GROWTH IN 1991 REFLECTED A RECOVERY IN CONSUMER SPENDING FROM THE LOW LEVELS IN 1989 AND 1990.
SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE SHARPLY IN 1991 BY 26% IN VALUE AND 15% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ALSO INCREASED RAPIDLY, BY 24% IN VALUE AND 15% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND VALUABLE GIFTS WERE HIGHER BY 19% IN VALUE AND 20% IN VOLUME; AND THOSE OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS BY 18% IN VALUE AND 15% IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, SALES IN SUPERMARKETS AND OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS INCREASED AT LESS RAPID RATES, BY 14% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE, AND 3% AND 1% IN VOLUME.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1991, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1991 INCREASED BY 16% IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
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.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE DECEMBER 1991 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $1.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 802 1258.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER 1991 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1991.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1991 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 DECEMBER 1991 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1991 AND WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1990, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN 1991 WITH 1990 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE I .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 20 -
TAfeLE 1 ; TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales tor Deceeber 1991 (Provisional Figure) for November 1951 (Revised Figure)
HI$13r537.3 Billion
HUH,665.0 Billion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR NOVEMBER 1991 AND DECEMBER 1991
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 c 100)
1 Itei ! Index of ; Retail ! Sales November 1991 December 1991 December 1991 compared with December 1991 compared with Jan.-Dec. 1991 compared with
November 1991 December 1990 Jan,-Dec. 1990
(Revised (Provisional Points * Points * Points
i (A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS Value figures) 124.2 figures) 144.1 +19.9 +16.1 +27.3 +23.4 +17.8 +17.4
Volume 111.7 129.8 +18.1 +16.2 +19.0 +17.1 +10.4 +10.4
! (B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET ! Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 122.6 * 128.8 +6.2 +5.0 +18.8 +17.1 +12.2 +11.9
! drinks and tobacco Volume 108.3 114.2 +5.8 +5.4 +6.8 +6.4 +1.1 ♦1.1
! (other than I supermarkets) ) Supermarkets Value 109.8 128.3 +18.5 +16.9 +14.5 +12.7 +14.1 +13.7
Volume 94.5 110.3 +15.8 ♦16.7 +3.8 +3.5 +3.1 ♦3.1
'■ Fuels Value 118.9 133.8 +14.9 +12.6 +3.9 +3.0 +15.6 ♦14.5
Volume 96.0 107.3 +11.3 +11.7 +2.2 +2.1 +2.0 ♦2.0
! Clothing, footwear and Value 136.1 165.8 ♦29.7 +21.8 +43.4 +35.5 +23.9 +23.7
! allied products Volume 115.7 142.5 +26.8 +23.2 +29.6 +26 2 +15.0 +15.2
! Consumer durable goods* Value 132.7 138.9 +6.2 +4.7 +33.3 +31.5 +22.3 +21.6
Volume 122.0 127.1 +5.1 +4.2 +25.2 +24.7 +15.3 +15.0
J - Motor vehicles Value 154.4 164.3 +9.8 +6.4 +81.2 +97.8 ♦26.6 ♦26.1
! and parts Volume 135.8 143.1 +7.3 +5.3 +64.6 +82.3 +14.9 ♦14.9
! - Consumer durable Value 116.9 120.5 +3.6 +3.1 -1.4 -1.1 +19.2 ♦18.4
J goods other than Volume 112.1 115.6 +3.5 +3.1 -3.4 -2.8 +15.5 +15.0
! motor vehicles I and parts ! Department stores Value 124.7 157.9 +33.2 +26.6 ♦18.5 +13.3 +11.9 ♦11.5
Volume 107.6 138.4 +30.8 +28.6 +7.5 +5.7 +4.7 +4.6
1 Jewellery, watches Value 112.4 138.0 +25.6 *22.8 +40.7 +41.8 ♦18.3 +18.6
and clocks, and Volume 114.6 139.7 +25.1 +21.9 ♦45.0 +47.5 +18.9 +19.5
’« valuable gifts 1 Other consumer goods Value 130.1 155.8 +25.7 +19.8 +26.8 +20.7 +21.3 +20.5
! not elsewhere Volume 117.2 140.3 +23.0 +19.7 +14.7 +11.7 +14.1 +13.8
classified
NOTE : 1 This covers both ’Motor vehicles and parts’ and ’Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts’.
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/21 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 21 -
EPD ANNOUNCES 1991 BATHING BEACHES WATER QUALITY REPORT *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF A REPORT ENTITLED BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG, 1991.
ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EPD, MR PAUL HOLMES, SAID THE REPORT REVIEWED THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THE BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG IN THE BATHING SEASON OF 1991.
THE REPORT ANALYSES THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY TRENDS OF BATHING BEACHES.
IT ALSO DISCUSSES THE SOURCES OF POLLUTION OF BEACHES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS AND THE REMEDIAL ACTIONS REQUIRED.
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION TO BEACH-GOERS ON THE LATEST WATER QUALITY AT BEACHES AND THE ASSOCIATED RISK TO HEALTH OF SWIMMING AT THEM IS ALSO PROVIDED.
THE REPORT STATES THAT THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY AT ANGLERS’, APPROACH, BUTTERFLY, HOI MEI WAN, NEW CAFETERIA, ROCKY BAY AND TING KAU BEACHES IS BARELY ACCEPTABLE FOR SWIMMING, WHEREAS OLD CAFETERIA AND CASTLE PEAK BEACHES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
THE GENERAL MOMENTUM TOWARDS IMPROVEMENT IN BACTERIOLOGICAL BEACH WATER UALITY, BUILT UP DURING 1989 AND 1990, HAD STALLED IN 1991, WITH A TOTAL NUMBER OF 19 GAZETTED BEACHES RANKED GOOD; 14, ACCEPTABLE; AND SEVEN, BARELY ACCEPTABLE.
A SUMMARY OF THE RANKING OF ALL GAZETTED AND NON-GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE SWIMMING SEASON OF 1991 IS PRESENTED IN THE REPORT.
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY AT SEVERAL BEACHES -- TURTLE COVE, TRIO, CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND AND KADOORIE HAD BEEN ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS MEASURES.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE "FIRST-AID" WORKS TO DIVERT POLLUTING FLOWS AWAY FROM BEACHES; ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE IN THE WATER CONTROL ZONES; AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 1 1992, A SINGLE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN APPLIED TO ALL BATHING BEACH SUBZONES.
THE OBJECTIVE IS THAT THE LEVEL OF E. COLI SHOULD NOT EXCEED 180/100 MILLILITRES CALCULATED AS THE GEOMETRIC MEAN FOR ALL SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM MARCH TO OCTOBER INCLUSIVE.
SAMPLES SHOULD BE TAKEN AT LEAST THREE TIMES A MONTH AT INTERVALS OF BETWEEN THREE AND 14 DAYS.
/ALSO EFFECTIVE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 22 -
ALSO EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 1 1992, THE FOLLOWING UNIFORM DESCRIPTIONS ARE TO BE USED FOR BOTH ANNUAL RANKING AND FORTNIGHTLY GRADING SYSTEMS.
ANNUAL RANKING SYSTEM FOR HONG KONG BEACHES
! RANK BATHING SEASON GEOMETRIC MEAN E. COLI COUNT PER 100 MILLILITRES OF SEAWATER CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS! (GASTROINTESTINAL AND SKIN COMPLAINTS) PER ! 1,000 SWIMMERS ! । । । ।
: OLD [DESCRIPTION NEW DESCRIPTION EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 1, 1992
J GOOD GOOD UP TO 24 UNDETECTABLE ! ।
! ACCEPTABLE FAIR 25 TO 180 10 OR LESS : 1
! BARELY ACCEPTABLE POOR 181 TO 610 11 TO 15 ! । । ।
! UN- ! ACCEPTABLE VERY POOR OVER 610 MORE THAN 15 ! । ।
SYSTEM FOR FORTNIGHTLY GRADING OF WATER QUALITY AT HONG KONG BEACHES
5 NUMERICAL ! GRADE DESCRIPTION GEOMETRIC MEAN E. COLI! COUNT PER 100 ! MILLILITRES IN SAMPLES! TAKEN ON THE 5 MOST ! RECENT SAMPLING ! OCCASIONS !
OLD DESCRIPTION NEW DESCRIPTION EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 1, 1992
: i GOOD GOOD UP TO 24 !
; 2 FAIR FAIR 25 TO 180 !
! 3 ACCEPTABLE POOR 181 TO 610 !
: 4 POOR VERY POOR MORE THAN 610 !
IN ADDITION, THE REPORT ALSO REVIEWS THE INCIDENCES OF ALGAL BLOOMS AT BEACHES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
THE REPORT, AT $35 A COPY, CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
AS IN THE PAST YEAR, THE GRADINGS ON WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES WILL BE ANNOUNCED ONCE EVERY FORTNIGHT. THIS YEAR, THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE ON APRIL 16.
HOWEVER, GRADINGS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE BEACHES WHICH ARE CLOSED TO SWIMMERS BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL.
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/23 .....
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
- 23 -
$80,750 FINE FOR UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS
*****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REITERATED THAT ANYONE WHO CARRIED OUT BUILDING WORKS WITHOUT PERMISSION MIGHT FACE HEFTY FINES, INCLUDING A DAILY FINE FOR EACH DAY WHEN THE OFFENCE WAS COMMITTED.
THE REMINDER CAME SHORTLY AFTER A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH AN ESTATE MANAGEMENT COMPANY WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $80,750 FOR HAVING CARRIED OUT UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE PODIUM OF A BUILDING IN QUARRY BAY.
THE PARK VALE MANAGEMENT LIMITED, WHICH PLEADED GUILTY TO THE OFFENCE, WAS FINED $5,000 AT THE EASTERN MAGISTRACY, PLUS A DAILY FINE OF $250 FOR 303 DAYS, FROM THE DATE OF REVELATION OF THE OFFENCE TO THE DATE OF CONVICTION.
THE COURT HEARD THAT THE OFFENCE CAME TO LIGHT ON APRIL 30 LAST YEAR WHEN BOO STAFF INSPECTED THE SHUI PAK MANSION, PARK VALE, 4 GREIG ROAD AND FOUND THAT CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT AT THE SECOND FLOOR PODIUM.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS WERE FOUND TO BE A STRUCTURE OF BRICKWORKS HAVING AN AREA OF ABOUT 80 SQUARE METRES, AND WAS USED AS A MANAGEMENT OFFICE.
THE CASE WAS BROUGHT TO COURT ON NOVEMBER 19 LAST YEAR AND THE TRIAL HEARING ENDED LAST THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 27).
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HK STUDENT IN INT’L POSTER CONTEST
*****
A POSTER DESIGNED BY A 12-YEAR-OLD STUDENT HAS BEEN ENTERED IN THE FOURTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL PEACE POSTER CONTEST TO BE HELD IN NEW YORK LATER THIS (MARCH) MONTH.
KWOK KA-KI OF SAM SHUI NATIVE ASSOCIATION LOU PUN CHEUNG SCHOOL HAD EARLIER WON THIS HONOUR IN THE LOCAL "PEACE BEGINS WITH US" COMPETITION, BEATING 702 OTHER YOUNG ARTISTS.
THE LOCAL CONTEST, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WAS OPENED TO STUDENTS IN THE 11-13 AGE GROUP FROM ALL COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBER SCHOOLS.
TWENTY SECONDARY AND 60 PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART, SUBMITTING A TOTAL OF 703 ENTRIES.
WINNERS OF THE LOCAL CONTEST WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES ON SATURDAY (MARCH 7).
/OFFICIATING AT .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
24
OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE DISTRICT GOVERNOR OF LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, MR ALBERT WONG, AND THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MRS C.H. KONG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 HEADQUARTERS, DOMINION CENTRE, ROOM 803, 43-59 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, ON SATURDAY (MARCH 7), STARTING AT 10.30 AM.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * » » »
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 4.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 5.3.92 + 55
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -55
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.4 »+0.2* 5.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.29 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.57 5.97
1 MONTH 3.98 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99. 18 6.04
3 MONTHS 3.94 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.20 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.74 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,370 MN
CLOSED 5 MARCH 1992
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SAFETY RECORD IN CONSTRUCTION MUST BE IMPROVED: GOVERNOR ...... 1
CONSTRUCTION OF WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROPOSED ............. 2
CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY SECOND PHASE PROPOSED . 3
FUND APPROVED FOR WORKS TO DRAW MORE WATER FROM CHINA ......... 4
HK FLOWER SHOW POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC ........................ 4
HONG KONG TO PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN APEC ......................... 6
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES REVISED ........ 7
UPGC CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1992-93 ................................ 9
LEGAL ACTION AGAINST FALSE STATEMENT MADE FOR REGISTRATION .... 10
INTEREST IN MUSIC AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE PROMOTED ................. 11
ONEROUS TASK FOR CSD STAFF .................................... i3
TENDER FOR SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS IN NGAU CHI WAN .......... 14
TUEN MUN FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY ....................... 14
FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOW IN NORTH DISTRICT .................... 35
APPLICATIONS FOR DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES BY POST OVERWHELMING 16
LAND TO BE RESUMED IN TA KWU LING ............................. I7
SPECIAL SCHOOL TO EE BUILT AT LEI KING WAN .................... 37
GOVT TO BUILD NEW CARPARK IN TUEN MUN ......................... I8
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN YUEN LONG .......................... I8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .... I9
I
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992 t
- 1 - ‘ 4
SAFETY RECORD IN CONSTRUCTION MUST BE IMPROVED: GOVERNOR * * * * *
HONG KONG MUST IMPROVE ITS SAFETY RECORD IN CONSTRUCTION AS IT FORGES AHEAD WITH EXCITING NEW PROJECTS WHICH WILL CREATE THE HONG KONG OF TOMORROW.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, WHEN SPEAKING AT THE 17TH ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
LORD WILSON SAID THERE WERE FAR TOO MANY INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES .AND THAT THERE WERE FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE EVEN LOST THEIR LIVES IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
"WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT, IN EVERY WAY, THEY (THESE PROJECTS) ARE CARRIED OUT IN A MANNER WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE IN THE HONG KONG OF TODAY," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR ALL INVOLVED TO WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THE RECORD.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS NO EASY SOLUTION. ALL POSSIBILITIES MUST BE EXPLORED AND THESE INCLUDED:
* SAFETY CAMPAIGNS AND TRAINING FOR EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS;
* MODIFIED CONTRACT CONDITIONS TO ENCOURAGE CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE BETTER SAFETY MEASURES;
* AS WELL AS, POSSIBLY, TOUGHER LEGISLATION.
LORD WILSON STRESSED THAT WORKERS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT.
"WE MUST DO OUR BEST TO PROTECT THEM," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID ONE OF THE MANY GOOD FEATURES OF THE ENGINEERS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE WAS THAT IT WAS OPEN TO ENGINEERS FROM ANY COUNTRY, TRAINING BACKGROUND OR INSTITUTION MEMBERSHIP, PROVIDING THEY HAD WORKING EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG AND WERE RESIDENT HERE .
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE INTERNATIONAL DEALINGS, THIS "OPEN DOOR" APPROACH TO REGISTRATION, WITHOUT SACRIFICING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, WAS ESSENTIAL.
HE SAID PROFESSIONALS J.INF ENGINEERS COULD GO WELL BEYOND THE STRICT LIMITS OF THEIR PROFESSION AND CONTRIBUTE IN THE BROADEST POSSIBLE WAY TO'THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT MUST BE AN UNUSUAL, NOT TO SAY UNIQUE, SITUATION WHEN THE FUTURE GROWTH, AND POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE IN A PLACE, HINGED SO DIRECTLY ON THE WORK OF ENGINEERS IN PLANNING, DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE.
"MUCH RESTS ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND YOUR ENERGY AND HARD WORK," HE SAID.
LORD WILSON ALSO PRAISED THE INSTITUTION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 2 -
CONSTRUCTION OF WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROPOSED
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BETWEEN THE WESTERN RECLAMATION AT SAI YING PUN ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
IT IS THE THIRD CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL LINKING HONG KONG ISLAND WITH KOWLOON.
AS AN AIRPORT CORE PROJECT, IT IS A VITAL PART OF ROUTE 3, GIVING ACCESS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES AND, BY CONNECTING WITH THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING ON TSING YI ISLAND, THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE TUNNEL WILL BE ABOUT TWO KILOMETRES FROM PORTAL TO PORTAL AND THE TUBE ALONE IS 1.36 KILOMETRES LONG.
VENTILATION BUILDINGS ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED, CLOSE TO THE SEAWALL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR.
A FREE-FLOW INTERCHANGE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION AT SAI YING PUN, PROVIDING SLIP ROAD CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE TUNNEL, CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND A PROPOSED ELEVATED EXTENSION OF ROUTE 7 BETWEEN RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER AND WATER STREET.
A TOLL PLAZA AND AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING WILL BE LOCATED ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WILL BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1997, PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
♦ THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
♦ THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, KOWLOON.
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 5 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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/3 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
3
CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY SECOND PHASE PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THE SECOND PHASE OF THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY FROM KEI TAU KOK TO THE PROPOSED TUNG CHUNG DEVELOPMENTS AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WAS A CRUCIAL ELEMENT OF AN EXTENSIVE TRANSPORT NETWORK DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE NEW AIRPORT AND DEVELOPMENTS ON LANTAU.
"THE SECOND PHASE OF THE EXPRESSWAY IS ABOUT 2.6 KILOMETRES.
"THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE A DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, AN UTILITY RESERVE AND FORMATION FOR A TWO-TRACK RAILWAY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE EXPRESSWAY, OF WHICH TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION, IS ABOUT 9.9 KILOMETRES LINKING TSING CHAU TSAI IN THE EAST WITH KEI TAU KOK IN THE WEST ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE WHOLE EXPRESSWAY WILL RUN ALONG THE FULL LENGTH OF THE COASTLINE ON EXISTING OR RECLAIMED LAND BETWEEN THE WESTERN END OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND THE NEW AIRPORT WITH INTERCHANGE FACILITIES AT TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN.
UPON ITS COMPLETION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF OTHER ROAD AND RAIL PROJECTS, THE TRAVELLING TIME BETWEEN HONG KONG ISLAND AND CHEK LAP KOK OR TUNG CHUNG COULD BE REDUCED TO ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
PLANS SHOWING PHASE II OF THE EXPRESSWAY CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, MUI WO SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MUI WO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/ISLANDS, 19TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 5 DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
- - 0 - -
Z4
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
FUND APPROVED FOR WORKS TO DRAW MORE WATER FROM CHINA * ♦ ♦ * t
FOLLOWING THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL BUREAU OF WATER CONSERVANCY AND HYDRO-POWER LAST WEEK, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED $27 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY WATER PUMPING WORKS IN GUANGDONG.
’’WITH THIS ADDITIONAL PUMPING CAPACITY A TOTAL OF 705 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER WILL DE DELIVERED TO HONG KONG BY THE END OF FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PUMPING WORKS BY THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITY WILL START IMMEDIATELY AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY JUNE IN TIME TO COLLECT MORE WATER FOR DELIVERY TO HONG KONG THIS WET SEASON.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO EMERGENCY PUMPING STATIONS AT SHANGPU AND YANTIAN, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE REGULATING CAPACITY OF THE SHENZHEN AND YANTIAN RESERVOIRS AND THE UPGRADING OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AT EXISTING PUMPING STATIONS.
BY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM PUMPING RATE OF THE EAST RIVER SCHEME TO 705 MILLION CUBIC METRES, THERE WILL BE EXTRA AVAILABILITY OF WATER NEXT YEAR SHOULD THAT BE ANOTHER DRY YEAR.
---------0-----------
HK FLOWER SHOW POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC
THE HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS EACH YEAR SINCE 1987, HAD BECOME A POPULAR EVENT AMONGST THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN SHE OFFICIALLY OPENED THIS YEAR’S FLOWER SHOW IN VICTORIA PARK.
THIS WAS INDICATED BY THE FACT THAT THE FLOWER SHOW ATTRACTED OVER 300 000 PEOPLE LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE, LADY WILSON SAID.
”1 HOPE IT ALSO REFLECTS AN INCREASING AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF THE EXCELLENT WORK BEING DONE B\ THE TWO COUNCILS IN THE GREENING OF HONG KONG.
"NEW PARKS ARE PRIORITY PROJECTS. SINCE THE LAST FLOWER SHOW, WE HAVE SEEN THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG PARK AND THE TOWN PARK IN YUEN LONG," SHE ADDED.
LADY WILSON ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE LANDSCAPE PLANTING PROGRAMMES, WHICH WERE REGULARLY CARRIED OUT ALL OVER THE TERRITORY, HAD ALSO HELPED TO BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BENEFIT AND ENJOYMENT OF THE COMMUNITY.
/"THIS FLOWER .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 5 -
"THIS FLOWER SHOW, IN ITS OWN UNIQUE WAY, HELPS TO PROMOTE GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS .AND INTEREST IN PLANTS AND HORTICULTURE," SHE CONTINUED.
"MANY PEOPLE WHO VISIT US IN HONG KONG ARE IMPRESSED AND DELIGHTED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE PLACE. THE FACT THAT WE STILL HAVE FOURTY PERCENT OF HONG KONG AS COUNTRY PARK IS A REVELATION TO THEM -A FACT WHICH IS RARELY PUBLICISED OVERSEAS," LADY WILSON REMARKED.
WHILE HONG KONG’S KEEN HORTICULTURALISTS REGARDED THIS EVENT AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF "THEIR YEAR", SHE SAID, MANY PEOPLE WHO ALREADY GREW FLOWERS AND PLANTS IN THEIR HOMES WOULD BE INSPIRED BY THE EXHIBITS DISPLAYED AT THE FLOWER SHOW, ESPECIALLY EXHIBITS FROM THE OVERSEAS, TO GROW MORE.
"THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SHOW IS ’FLOWERAMA’. OVER SEVENTY ORGANISATIONS, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS, ARE PARTICIPATING, TO PROVIDE A VERY WIDE RANGE OF DISPLAYS.
"THE FLOWER ENTHUSIASTS WILL BE PARTICULARLY KEEN TO SEE THE MANY NATIONAL, STATE AND CITY FLOWERS WHICH ARE BEING EXHIBITED THIS YEAR," LADY WILSON SAID.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG, THANKED LADY WILSON AT THE OPENING CEREMONY FOR HER PERSISTENT SUPPORT OF THE FLOWER SHOW OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.
"THIS YEAR, OUR EXHIBITS COVER A WIDE RANGE OF EXOTIC FLORA CULTIVATED BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS, SOME OF THESE PLANTS AND FLOWERS MAKING THEIR DEBUT IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"APART FROM APPRECIATING A WIDE RANGE OF EXQUISITE FLORA, VISITORS OF THE SHOW WILL ALSO FIND MAN\ INTERESTING EDUCATIONAL AND FRINGE ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS TALKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON HORTICULTURE, BAND CONCERTS AND NOVEL CHILDREN’S PLAY FEATURES," DR LEUNG ADDED.
BEING THE SIXTH ANNUAL EVENT JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS SINCE 1987, THE FLOWER SHOW IS NOW OPENED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TILL MARCH 15.
THIS YEAR’S FLOWER SHOW FEATURES "FLOWERAMA" AS ITS THEME SYMBOLISING THE CONVERGENCE OF A GREAT VARIETY OF OVERSEAS NATIONAL AND CITY FLOWERS WITH THE LOCAL PLANTS OF HONG KONG.
APART FROM NATIONAL AND CITY FLOWERS, VISITORS TO THE FLOWER SHOW ARE ALSO ABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO APPRECIATE THE GARDENING SKILLS OF LOCAL PRIMARY PUPILS PARTICIPATING IN THE SHOW’S SCHOOL GARDEN PLOT COMPETITION.
ANOTHER NEW FEATURE OF THE FLOWER SHOW IS THE GARDENS CREATED BY THE PUPILS AT THE SHOW GROUND.
/IN ADDITION........
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 6 -
IN ADDITION, A MAJOR DEMONSTRATION BY A RENOWNED JAPANESE FLORAL ARRANGEMENT MASTER OF THE SOGETSU SCHOOL WILL BE STAGED ON MARCH 12 AT 7 PM.
ANOTHER MAJOR ATTRACTION OF THE FLOWER SHOW IS THE COMPETITION SECTION CONSISTING OF 131 CLASSES OF EXHIBITS.
THE FLOWER SHOW ALSO FEATURES 45 STALLS FOR SALE OF FLOWERS AND OTHER HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS, AS WELL AS 20 COMMERCIAL STALLS DISPLAYING THE LATEST MODELS OF GARDENING MACH INERY,EQUIPMENT AND NEW HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
THIS DISPLAY WILL HELP TO UPDATE VISITORS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HORTICULTURE, AND PROVIDE THEM WITH PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE ON PLANT-GROWING.
THE 10-DAY FLOWER SHOW IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM EVERY DAY. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE CLOSED TEMPORARILY FROM 2 PM ON MARCH 10 TO 2 PM ON MARCH 11.
ADMISSION TICKETS ARE PRICED AT $10 FOR ADULTS AND $5 FOR THE ELDERLIES, CHILDREN AND STUDENTS.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG TO PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN APEC
HONG KONG, WHICH WAS ADMITTED TO TAKE PART IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) PROCESS IN NOVEMBER 1991, WOULD PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR JOHN TSANG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR TSANG HAS JUST RETURNED FROM BANGKOK AFTER ATTENDING AN APEC SENIOR OFFICIALS' MEETING TOGETHER WITH THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG. THIS TWO-DAY PREPARATORY MEETING WAS THE LEAD-UP TO THE FOURTH MINISTERIAL MEETING OF APEC SET FOR SEPTEMBER.
MR TSANG SAID HONG KONG WOULD TAKE PART IN MOST OF THE 10 APEC PROJECT GROUPINGS. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDED TRADE PROMOTIONS, TRADE AND INVESTMENT DATA INTERCHANGE, EXPANSION OF INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT, REGIONAL ENERGY CO-OPERATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRANSPORTATION AND TOURISM.
AT THE BANGKOK MEETING, REPRESENTATIVES OF 15 PACIFIC-RIM MEMBER STATES REACHED A CONSENSUS THAT SOME FORM OF SUPPORTIVE MECHANISM WAS NECESSARY TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GROUP IN IMPLEMENTING ITS WORK.
/THIS QUESTIONS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
THE QUESTIONS OF THE OPTIMUM SIZE OF THE SUPPORTIVE MECHANISM, ITS WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH MEMBER PARTICIPANTS AND FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS ARISING FROM THE INCREASED ACTIVITIES WILL BE DISCUSSED FURTHER AT THE NEXT SENIOR OFFICIALS’ MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE IN BANGKOK.
APEC WAS SET UP SOME THREE YEARS AGO TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AMONG COUNTRIES OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC RIM. IT BRINGS TOGETHER 15 COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN).
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PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES REVISED
* t * » * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED THE INCREASE IN THE BASIC RATES FOR THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA) AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES (SNA) SCHEMES, ESTIMATED AT $365 MILLION IN ANNUAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PA AND SNA RECIPIENTS WILL HAVE THEIR PAYMENTS INCREASED BY 10.74 PER CENT AS A RESULT OF THE REVISION FROM NEXT MONTH.
THE ADJUSTMENT OF PA AND SNA PAYMENTS WAS IN LINE WITH THE INFLATION RATE SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE CASH PAYMENT, HE EXPLAINED.
DETAILS OF THE NEW RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CATEGORY EXISTING SCALE NEW SCALE
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
SINGLE PERSON $745 $825
FAMILY: FIRST MEMBER $560 $620
SECOND MEMBER S560 $620
THIRD MEMBER $550 $610
FOURTH MEMBER $550 $610
FIFTH AND EACH
ADDITIONAL MEMBER $540 $600
/OLD AGE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 8 -
OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT
* FOR A PA RECIPIENT WHO IS AGED 60 TO 69 AND IS NOT IN RECEIPT OF A SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE $373 $413
* FOR A PA RECIPIENT WHO IS AGED 70 OR OVER AND IS NOT IN RECEIPT OF A SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE $425 $470
DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT (FOR A PA RECIPIENT WHO IS PARTIALLY DISABLED AND IS NOT IN RECEIPT OF AN OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT OR A SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE) $373 $413
CHILD SUPPLEMENT $185 $205
LONG-TERM ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT (FOR THOSE HOUSEHOLDS IN RECEIPT OF PA FOR 12 MONTHS OR MORE)
» FOR A SINGLE PERSON $950 $1,050
* FOR A FAMILY COMPRISING TWO TO FOUR MEMBERS. $1,900 $2,100
* FOR A FAMILY COMPRISING FIVE OR MORE MEMBERS $2,850 $3,150
MEAL ALLOWANCE (FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FULL-DAY SCHOOLS AND REQUIRED TO TAKE LUNCH AWAY FROM HOME) $128 $142
SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES
OLD AGE ALLOWANCE
* NORMAL RATE (FOR THOSE AGED 65 TO 69) $373 $413
* HIGHER RATE (FOR THOSE AGED 70 AND OVER) $425 $470
DISABILITY ALLOWANCE
* NORMAL RATE $745 $825
* HIGHER RATE (FOR THOSE IN NEED OF CONSTANT ATTENDANCE) $1,490 $1,650
/"SOCIAL SECURITY
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 9 -
"SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT STAFF WILL AT ONCE START MAKING THE ADJUSTMENT TO THE PAYMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
CITING A CASE INVOLVING A 70-YEAR-OLD ELDERLY SINGLETON WHO IS ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, HE SAID: "APART FROM THE BASIC RATE OF $825, THE RECIPIENT IS ENTITLED TO A $470 OLD AGE ALLOWANCE."
HE IS ALSO ENTITLED TO A LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT OF $1,050 PAYABLE ONCE A YEAR - ABOUT $90 A MONTH.
SHOULD HE NEED TO PAY THE COST OF ACCOMMODATION, A MAXIMUM OF $600 IN RENT ALLOWANCE WOULD BE RELEASED TO HELP HIM, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE RECIPIENT IN THIS CASE WILL RECEIVE ABOUT $2,000 A MONTH.
IN ADDITION, IF HE HAS ANY OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS, INCLUDING GLASSES AND DENTURES AS WELL AS SPECIAL DIET, ADDITIONAL PAYMENT WILL BE MADE TO COVER THE EXPENSES.
A FAMILY OF FOUR ON"AVERAGE WILL GET ABOUT $5,000 BUT CAN GET BETWEEN $6,000 TO $8,000 IF THE FAMILY HAS A SEVERELY DISABLED MEMBER OR A CHILD IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL OR NEED EXTRA MONEY TO EMPLOY A BABY SITTER.
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UPGC CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1992-93 ******
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (MARCH 6) APPROVED NEW COMMITMENTS AND INCREASES IN COMMITMENTS TOTALLING $838 MILLION FOR 11 CAPITAL PROJECTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) AND A FURTHER $94 MILLION TO UPDATE THE COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF ONE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED UPGC-FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECT IN LINE WITH THE TENDER PRICE INDEX (TPI) WHEN TENDERS WERE RECEIVED.
SPEAKING AFTER ATTENDING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING, THE UPGC CHAIRMAN, MR ANDREW LI, SAID:
"A TOTAL OF 40 CAPITAL PROPOSALS WERE RECEIVED BY THE UPGC FROM THE INSTITUTIONS FOR FUNDING IN 1992-93. THE COMMITTEE EXAMINED THESE PROPOSALS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ADDITIONAL SPACE REQUIRED BY INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS TO ACHIEVE THE STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS DURING THE TERTIARY EXPANSION PERIOD UP TO 1994-95 AS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN 1990."
"THE COMMITTEE ALSO TOOK INTO ACCOUNT EARLIER DECISIONS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN RESPECT OF THE FIRM STUDENT TARGET FOR THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, THE PLANNED CAPACITY OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE AND THE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS AS INDICATED BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
/"THE COMMITTEE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 10 -
THE COMMITTEE ORIGINALLY RECOMMENDED 12 PRIORITY
FUNDING IN 1992-93," MR LI EXPLAINED. "HOWEVER, TAKING THE SENTIMENT EXPRESSED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION AT HELD ON FEBRUARY 29 THIS YEAR THAT THERE SHOULD BE CONSOLIDATION POST 1994-95, I ADVISED THAT CONSIDERATION FOR SITE INVESTIGATION AND PLANNING FOR HKUST PHASE III, COUNCIL HAS MADE A FIRM
DEFERRED UNTIL THE THE STUDENT NUMBER
GOVERNOR IN
TARGETS FOR
PROJECTS FOR INTO ACCOUNT ITS MEETING
A PERIOD OF OF ONE ITEM,
SHOULD BE
DECISION ON
THE UNIVERSITY DURING THE POST
1994-95
PERIOD."
THE UPGC IS UNDERTAKING A REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FURTHER EXPANSION PLAN AND WILL BE MAKING ITS PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS ON STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS FOR 1995-98 IN EARLY 1993.
UNDER EXISTING PROCEDURES, CAPITAL PROPOSALS FROM THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE UPGC ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE UPGC EXAMINES ALL SUCH PROPOSALS CAREFULLY, SEEKING AND RELYING ON THE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES WHO ACTS AS THE COMMITTEE’S TECHNICAL ADVISER, AND REFERS SUCH PROJECTS AS ARE SUPPORTED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR APPROVAL NORMALLY IN TWO STAGES - APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE, WITH VOTING OF FUNDS FOR SITE INVESTIGATION AND PLANNING ONLY, AND FULL APPROVAL.
THE LEVEL OF FUNDING SUPPORTED BY THE UPGC IS BASED ON THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES' PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. THE COMMITMENTS TOTALLING $838 MILLION APPROVED FOR THE 11 CAPITAL PROJECTS ON THIS OCCASION REPRESENT SOME 61 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT SOUGHT BY THE INSTITUTIONS.
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LEGAL ACTION AGAINST FALSE STATEMENT MADE FOR REGISTRATION *****
ELECTRICAL WORKERS WISHING TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTRICAL WORKERS UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE ARE ADVISED NOT TO MAKE FALSE STATEMENT OR' SUBMIT FORGED DOCUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THEIR QUALIFICATIONS IN THEIR APPLICATIONS OR ELSE THEY WOULD FACE LEGAL ACTION.
THE REMINDER WAS MADE BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) TODAY (FRIDAY) FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A MAN WAS CONVICTED FOR SUBMITTING FORGED DOCUMENT FOR APPLICATION BUT WAS DETECTED AFTER VETTING BY THE DEPARTMENT DURING THE COURSE OF REGISTRATION.
THE COURT HEARD THAT THE APPLICANT, LO CHI-KEUNG, HAD CLAIMED THAT HE WAS EMPLOYED BY A LOCAL ENGINEERING COMPANY AS AN ELECTRICIAN.
/BUT IT .......
I
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 11 -
BUT IT WAS LATER CONFIRMED BY THE COMPANY MANAGEMENT THAT- LO WAS NEVER EMPLOYED BY THE COMPANY. THE RECOMMENDATION LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT WAS THUS FOUND TO BE FORGED.
LO WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED AND WAS CHARGED UNDER THE CRIMES ORDINANCE FOR WHICH HE WAS FINED $4,000 AFTER PLEADING GUILTY IN EASTERN LAW COURT ON FEBRUARY 29.
AN EMSD SPOKESMAN COMMENTED THAT THE CASE WOULD SERVE AS A TIMELY REMINDER FOR POTENTIAL APPLICANTS IN THE CURRENT REGISTRATION EXERCISE OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS.
THE EXERCISE IS PROMPTED BY THE ENACTMENT OF THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE IN MARCH 1990 WHICH PROVIDES THAT ALL ELECTRICAL WORKERS ENGAGED IN ELECTRICAL WORK ON FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION ARE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED WITH EMSD, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NEW LEGISLATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALL APPLICATIONS, ESPECIALLY THOSE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED ALONG WITH THE APPLICATIONS, WOULD BE SCRUTINISED BY THE EMSD. • •
LEGAL ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST APPLICANTS IF THEY WERE FOUND KNOWINGLY TO HAVE MADE FALSE STATEMENTS IN A MATERIAL PARTICULAR, HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, FOR ANOTHER PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR GAS SAFETY PURPOSES, THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO FOR THE FIRST TIME SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING AN OFFENDER TO COURT FOR VIOLATING THE PROVISION SET DOWN IN THE GAS SAFETY REGULATIONS.
THE CASE, WHICH WAS HEARD AT WESTERN MAGISTRACY TODAY, INVOLVED A 19-YEAR-OLD DRIVER, CHEUNG KAM-KEUNG, WHO WAS ARRESTED NEAR MUI WO PIER, LANTAU ON NOVEMBER 17 LAST YEAR FOR CARRYING 35 LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS CYLINDERS IN A GOODS VEHICLE, WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT GRANTED UNDER GAS SAFETY (GAS SUPPLY I REGULATIONS.
THE DEFENDANT PLEADED GUILTY AND WAS FINED $600.
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INTEREST IN MUSIC AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE PROMOTED
******
THE MUSIC OFFICE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE IN HONG KONG BY PROMOTING INTEREST IN MUSIC AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LIONS CLUB HONG KONG (HOST) LUNCHEON MEETING, MR SO SAID THE MUSIC OFFICE HAD GROOMED A NUMBER OF REMARKABLY TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS SUCH AS MISS YIP WING-SIE AND MR IVAN CHAN THROUGH ITS INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING.
/MOREOVER, IT .........
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 12 -
MOREOVER, IT HAD ALSO ENABLED NUMEROUS YOUNG PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE MUSIC, THUS ENRICHING THEIR LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOMS.
"IN THE PAST 14 YEARS, THE MUSIC OFFICE HAS ORGANISED MUSIC TRAINING CLASSES FOR ABOUT 13,000 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 23," MR SO SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE MUSIC OFFICE MANAGED AND TRAINED 22 YOUNG ORCHESTRAS, BANDS AND CHOIRS THUS PROVIDING DISCIPLINED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE MOUNTED SOME 5,300 ’’MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS" CONCERTS FOR ABOUT THREE MILLION PEOPLE UP TO THE END OF LAST YEAR/
EVERY YEAR, THE MUSIC OFFICE ORGANISED THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL, THE YOUTH STRING FESTIVAL, BAND FESTIVAL AND MUSIC CAMP.
RENOWNED OVERSEAS MUSICIANS OR OVERSEAS YOUNG MUSICIANS WERE . INVITED TO HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL MUSICAL CAPABILITIES AND ’ TO FOSTER INTERNATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MUSIC, MR SO ADDED.
"THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL SEND A CHILDREN CHOIR AND A SMALL GROUP OF THE CHINESE ORCHESTRA TO CANADA IN SEPTEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL THERE," MR SO SAID.
MR SO SAID COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP HAD GIVEN A LOT OF MOMENTUM IN PROMOTING ARTS AND CULTURE.
HE SAID FUNDS FROM COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP HAD IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMME PRODUCTION AND ENHANCED THE PUBLICITY EFFECT.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, THROUGH SPONSORSHIP, COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS CAN DIRECTLY TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN CULTURE AND ARTS PROMOTION," MR SO SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT IN ARTS AND CULTURE WOULD NOT BE SUBSTITUTED BY COMMERCIAL SPONSORSHIP. •
"INDEED BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE WORKING TOWARDS A PARTNERSHIP aK'D WILL PROMOTE CULTURE HAND-IN-HAND," J MR SO SAID.
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/13 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 13 -
ONEROUS TASK FOR CSD STAFF
*****
THE TASK OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF IN THE YEARS AHEAD WOULD PROBABLY BECOME MORE ONEROUS, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PASSING-OUT PARADE IN STANLEY, MR MARCH SAID ALREADY THERE HAD BEEN AN UPSURGE IN THE CRIME RATE OVER THE PAST YEARS, PARTICULARLY AS MANY OFFENDERS DID NOT HESITATE TO USE VIOLENCE.
"HONG KONG NEEDS THE SUPPORT OF A HUMANE, DISCIPLINED AND WELL-TRAINED CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT IT HAS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT," MR MARCH SAID.
HE TOLD THE GRADUATING GROUP THAT THEY HAD JOINED A FIRST-CLASS DEPARTMENT WITH A FINE TRADITION AND AN EXCELLENT AND ENVIOUS REPUTATION WORLDWIDE.
"BEING IN A DISCIPLINED SERVICE MYSELF, I FULLY REALISE THE ACCOUNTABILITY PROBLEM AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TASK YOU NOW HAVE IN LOOKING AFTER SOME 35,000 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS HELD IN OVERCROWDED DETENTION CENTRES.
"AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE YOUR TRADITIONAL ROLE AS CUSTODIANS OF SOME 11,000 OFFENDERS AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THOSE OFFENDERS.
"I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, AND STILL AM, GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE ADMIRABLE STANDARDS ACHIEVED IN THESE INSTITUTIONS AND BY THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF THE STAFF,” HE ADDED.
MR MARCH SAID THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT CALLED FOR SERVICE IN REMOTE AREAS, UNSOCIAL WORKING HOUKS, DISRUPTION OF NORMAL FAMILY LIFE AND IT ALSO REQUIRED PATIENCE, DILIGENCE, INTEGRITY AND COMMITMENT.
"DESPITE THIS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCEEDED IN MAINTAINING COMPLETELY HIGH STANDARDS," MR MARCH SAID.
MR MARCH PRAISED THE SUCCESS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES. HE SAID THESE ACTIVITIES HAD AN IMPORTANT DUAL ROLE IN KEEPING PRISONERS GAINFULLY EMPLOYED AND IN SAVING TAXPAYERS’ MONEY BY PRODUCING A WIDE RANGE OF GOODS AND SERVICES.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 156 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED THE BASIC TRAINING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
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/14 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
14
TENDER FOR SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS IN NGAU CHI WAN’ *****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS AT A BORROW AREA IN NGAU CHI WAN.
A NOTICE OF THE TENDER WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE STABILISATION OF A PREVIOUSLY FAILED AREA WITH ROCK FILL AND THE FLATTENING OF THE EXISTING SLOPES TO MEET CURRENT STABILITY STANDARD.
THEY WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE BACKFILLING OF THE EROSION GULLIES AT THE PLATFORM AND THE PROVISION OF SURFACE DRAINAGE CHANNELS AND HYDROSEEDING TO THE FINISHED SLOPE.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN MAY THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF CHIEF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER/DESIGN, GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS NOON, MARCH 27
- - 0 - -
TUEN MUN FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY *****
THE TUEN MUN FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MARCH 8) AT THE TUEN MUN CULTURE AND RECREATION SQUARE OUTSIDE THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 11 AM AND 5 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE AND ALL RESIDENTS IN THE AREA ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
IN ADDITION TO A HOST OF SPECIALLY DESIGNED GAME STALLS, THERE WILL BE POP SINGING, HANDICRAFT ILLUSTRATION, PERFORMANCE BY POLICE DOGS, AND AN EXHIBITION ON DRUGS AND FIGHT CRIME MATERIALS.
WINNERS OF THE ANTI-TRIAD SLOGAN WRITING COMPETITION, THE ANTITRIAD COLOURING COMPETITION, THE HEALTHY YOUTHS AWARD AND THE MODEL CITIZENS SCHEME WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES AND SOUVENIRS AT THE FUN FAIR.
A FREE SHUTTLE BUS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE RESIDENTS FROM VARIOUS AREAS IN THE DISTRICT TO THE VENUE.
/THE CARNIVAL
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 15 -
THE CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO PUT ACROSS ANTI-CRIME AND ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WILL BE MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR JUSTEIN WONG; THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG; AND THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR WILLIAM NICHOLSON.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CARNIVAL.
-----0-------
FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOW IN NORTH DISTRICT
******
POPULAR SINGERS WILL PERFORM AT A VARIETY SHOW IN NORTH DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING TO HELP SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES.
THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW, TO BE HELD AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND, BETWEEN 8 PM AND 10 PM, IS SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
"THE TWO-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN 1991-92," THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, MR TAO MAN-KWONG, SAID.
"ABOUT 20,000 PEOPLE 'XRE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE SHOW WHICH WILL BE PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG. ADMISSION IS FREE," HE SAID.
SINGERS WILL INCLUDE MR ANDY LAL’, MISS LAM YICK-LIN, MR CHEUNG LAP-KI AND MISS LAU MEI-KWAN.
COMPERES WILL BE DISC JOCKEYS MR FUNG WAI-TONG, MISS CHIN PUI-HING AND FILM STAR MISS YIP YUK-HING. THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RADIO 1.
PRIOR TO THE SHOW, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO RECIPIENTS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT GOOD CITIZEN AWARD.
OMELCO MEMBER MR ANDREW WONG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
/OTHER GUESTS ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 16 -
OTHER GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG; THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; THE FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG; AND THE FRONTIER POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL WATSON.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 8 PM AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 7 PM.
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APPLICATIONS FOR DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES BY POST OVERWHELMING
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED IN RECENT WEEKS A LARGE NUMBER OF POSTAL APPLICATIONS FOR DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES WHICH THE DEPARTMENT WILL NEED ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO PROCESS.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE USE OF POSTAL SERVICE, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY POST SINCE MID FEBRUARY AMOUNTED TO ABOUT 600 PER DAY, COMPARING TO AN AVERAGE OF BELOW 200 FOR A NORMAL DAY.
’’FOR THE SINGLE DAY OF MARCH 3, THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 2,200 APPLICATIONS THROUGH THE MAIL," HE SAID.
"WHILE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES HAVE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME TO CLEAR THE OUTSTANDING APPLICATIONS, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE GENERAL PROCESSING TIME REQUIRED FOR APPLICATIONS SENT IN BY POST WILL HAVE TO BE EXTENDED FROM THE NORMAL 10 DAYS TO ABOUT THREE WEEKS."
HE REMINDED POSTAL APPLICANTS THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO MAKE ENQUIRY ABOUT THEIR APPLICATIONS WITHIN THREE WEEKS FROM THEIR APPLICATION DATE WHILE THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING ITS BEST TO HAVE THESE APPLICATIONS PROCESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
---------0-----------
/17........
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 17 -
LAND TO BE RESUMED IN TA KWU LING ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND IN TA KWU LING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LEACHATE TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL.
LOCATED NEAR HA HEUNG YUEN, THE LAND COMPRISES 69 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 37,766.3 SQUARE METRES.
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 (FR1 DAY >.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL SCHOOL TO BE BUILT AT LEI KING WAN
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AT
SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR
SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY LEI KING WAN, HONG KONG.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE SPECIAL SCHOOL TO ACCOMMODATE CHILDREN WITH BOARDING FACILITIES
THE SCHOOL PREMISES WILL SPECIAL CLASSROOMS AND FOUR PARA
THE BOARDING SECTION WILL IN ADDITION TO WARDEN’S QUARTERS
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STOREY 80 SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED FOR 60.
HAVE 10 GENERAL CLASSROOMS, FOUR MEDICAL ROOMS.
COMPRISE SEVEN BEDROOMS/STUDY ROOMS 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. ’
MEANWHILE, TENDERS ARE ALSO INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DISPENSARY AT FANLING HOSPITAL TN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH WORKS SCHEDULED TO START NEXT MONTH.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE TWO PROJECTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON, MARCH 27.
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/IB ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 18 -
GOVT TO BUILD NEW CARPARK IN TUEN MUN ******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD A CARPARK IN AREA 30A IN TUEN MUN AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN.
THE PROPOSED PRO.JECT ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS AND FOOTWAYS.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6TH FLOOR, 1 TUEN Hl ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW
TERRITORIES, AND
♦ THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN
GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN Hl ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS OR THE USE IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS HIS OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN 5 DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND
MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN YUEN LONG
******
SUPPLY OF FRESH AND SALT WATER TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN PING SHAN, YUEN LONG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 8) TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
IT WILL AFFECT SAN HEI TSUEN STREET. PING FUK LANE, SAN FU STREET, PING TONG STREET EAST, PING TONG STREET SOUTH, PING TONG STREET WEST, PING TONG STREET NORTH, FU SHA WAI LANE AND TONG YAN SAN TSUEN.
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/19........
I
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992
- 19 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
t * * * ♦ $ MILLION
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 5.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 6.3.92 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.3 *-0.1» 6.3.92 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT -40 + 40 NEUTRAL BONDS •
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.26 PCT 2.1 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.30 6.15
1 MONTH 4.01 PCT 24 MONTHS 3 MONTHS 3.98 PCT 6 MONTHS 4.21 PCT 12 MONTHS 4.74 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS CLOSED 6 MARCH 1992 2402 5.50 - 4,037 MN 98.89 6.21
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TAX ALLOWANCES DO COVER INFLATION ................................. 1
WORKING GROUP TO STUDY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN ............... 1
VOLUNTEER SCHEME - HELPING HAND TO PROBATIONERS ................... 2
FINE IMPOSED FOR ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF LAND........................ 3
RESUMPTION AND REPAIR OF TWO SHEUNG WAN STREETS ................... 4
PROPOSED ROADWORKS FOR NT LANDFILL PROJECT ........................ 5
EMPLOYERS REMINDED NOT TO HIRE CHILDREN ........................... 6
FREE BOOKLET ON SOLVENT HAZARDS ................................... 6
IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH RECOGNISED............................... 7
PART-TIME ADULT EDUCATION LECTURERS SOUGHT ........................ 8
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION ............................... 9
BLANKETS FOR STREET SLEEPERS ...................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 10
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
TAX ALLOWANCES DO COVER INFLATION
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE INCREASES IN SALARIES TAX ALLOWANCE PROPOSED IN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET ON WEDNESDAY COVERED INFLATION.
"BOTH THE BASIC AND MARRIED PERSON’S ALLOWANCES ARE TO GO UP BY OVER 12%. ALLOWANCES FOR CHILDREN, DEPENDENT PARENTS AND SINGLE PARENTS ARE TO RISE BY UP TO 15%. THIS COMPARES WITH CURRENT INFLATION, WHICH IN 1991 WAS 12%, AND IS NOW SOMEWHAT LOWER," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REFERRING TO A RECENT MEDIA REPORT WHICH QUESTIONED WHETHER ALLOWANCES HAD MAINTAINED THEIR REAL VALUE O'ER TIME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OVER THE PERIOD 1986-87 TO 1992-93, INCREASES IN PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND SUCCESSIVE REVISIONS OF THE TAX-BANDING SYSTEM HAVE MEANT THAT ALL TAX-PAYERS, OTHER OF COURSE THAN THOSE PAYING AT THE STANDARD RATE, HAVE BEEN MORE THAN COVERED FOR INFLATION," HE SAID.
"AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT AS MANY AS HALF HONG » KONG’S WORKFORCE PAY NO SALARIES TAX AT ALL," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
RESPONDING TO THE SUGGESTION THAT A SHORTER PERIOD OF COMPARISON APPEARED TO SHOW THAT INCREASES IN ALLOWANCES HAD BEEN OVERTAKEN B\ INFLATION, THE SPOKESMAN COMMENTED THAT A MEANINGFUL COMPARISON MUST COVER A REASONABLE NUMBER OF YEARS.
TAKING THE PERIOD FROM 1980 TO THE PRESENT, FOR EXAMPLE, PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND INFLATION HAVE BOTH INCREASED BY APPROXIMATELY 210%.
"THIS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE GOVERNMENT HAS MAINTAINED THE VALUE OF PERSONAL ALLOWANCES OVER TIME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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WORKING GROUP TO STUDY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ’ TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIELD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE WORKING GROUP WOULD ASCERTAIN THE EXTENT TO WHICH DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN IN EMPLOYMENT MATTERS IS A PROBLEM IN HONG KONG, AND TO CONSIDER WHAT GOVERNMENT MEASURES, IF ANY, SHOULD BE TAKEN TO TACKLE IT.
/THE WORKING .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
2
THE WORKING GROUP WOULD ALSO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT WHETHER, IN SO FAR AS EMPLOYMENT MATTERS ARE CONCERNED, THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG.
’’THE WORKING GROUP WILL UNDERTAKE A SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE PRECISE EXTENT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN STUDYING FOR SOME TIME THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE CONVENTION SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG.
THE CONVENTION COVERED THE ADVANCEMENT OF EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN IN THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL REALM, HE NOTED.
"WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION BEFORE WE ARE IN A POSITION TO CONSIDER THE OPTION OF EXTENDING THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’ONE MAJOR AREA OF POSSIBLE SEX DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN IS IN EMPLOYMENT MATTERS. BUT THE INFORMATION SO FAR AVAILABLE CANNOT FIRMLY ESTABLISH THE EXTENT OF THIS PROBLEM. WE NEED TO FIND OUT EXACTLY THE EXTENT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT. THIS IS THE FIRST THING THE WORKING GROUP WILL SET OUT TO DO," HE SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH, THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, THE CITV ANT) NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE WORKING GROUP WOULD BE HAPPY TO ESTABLISH DIALOGUE WITH ALL INTERESTED PARTIES IN THE PROCESS OF ITS WORK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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VOLUNTEER SCHEME
HELPING HAND TO PROBATIONERS * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IT IS THE DUTY OF A JUDGE TO IMPOSE A SEVERE SENTENCE UPON A CONVICTED PERSON - DOING IT WITH A HEAVY HEART AND A FEELING THAT A LIFE IS BEING WASTED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE HAS A FEELING THAT PERHAPS IF A WRONG-DOER HAD BEEN GIVEN A HELPING HAND EARLIER ON, THAT WASTE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
THIS WAS STATED BY X HIGH COURT JUDGE, MR JUSTICE LEONARD, AT A CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE CEREMONY KAS ORGANISED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
/THE VOLUNTEER
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
- 3 -
THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME WAS PART OE AN EFFORT TO GIVE THAT HELPING HAND BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE, MR JUSTICE LEONARD ADDED.
"WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE IN HONG KONG TO HAVE A BODY OF DEDICATED CITIZENS WHO COME FORWARD TO FULFIL THAT NEED BY TAKING PART IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS," HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SAID SINCE THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED IN 1976, IT HAD BEEN RECEIVING GREAT SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY.
"IN ORDER TO GET MORE INTERESTED MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN IN, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SCHEME IS READY TO RECRUIT SUITABLE AND INTERESTED PEOPLE INTO THE SCHEME OUTSIDE ITS ANNUAL RECRUITMENT EXERCISE," MR FUNG SAID.
HE HOPED THAT WITH SUCH FLEXIBILITY ADDED, MORE OFFENDERS COULD BE HELPED THROUGH THE SCHEME.
MR JUSTICE LEONARD AND MR FUNG PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO 56 I VOLUNTEERS IN APPRECIATION OF THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS.
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FINE IMPOSED FOR ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF LAND » » » ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REITERATED THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO OCCUPY UNLEASED LAND AND THAT STRUCTURES BUILT THERE MIGHT BE DEMOLISHED B> THE LAND AUTHORITY WITH THE COST RECOVERED FROM THE OFFENDER.
THE REMINDER CAME AFTER A COURT CASE ON THURSDAY (MARCH 5) IN WHICH A WOMAN WAS FINED $2,000 FOR UNLAWFULLY OCCUPYING A PIECE OF CROWN LAND OF ABOUT 78 SQUARE METRES OUTSIDE HER BUILDING AND GARDEN IN SUI WO ROAD, SHA TIN AND USING IT TO EXTEND HER GARDEN.
THE DEFENDANT WAS ALSO ORDERED TO PAY $6,400 AS THE COST FOR DEMOLISHING THE STRUCTURES BUILT ON THE UNLEASED SITE BY THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN.
THE COURT HEARD THAT THE DEFENDANT WAS INFORMED BY THE LAND AUTHORITY ON NOVEMBER 28 LAST YEAR THAT SHE WAS UNLAWFULLY OCCUPYING A PIECE OF UNLEASED LAND AND THAT SHE HAD TO VACATE IT. BUT THE WARNING WENT UNHEEDED.
WHEN THE CROWN LANI) NOTICE POSTED ON THE SITE ON NOVEMBER 31 EXPIRED ABOUT A MONTH LATER, STAFF OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT LAND OFFICE INSPECTED THE SITE AGAIN AND FOUND THE DEFENDANT CONTINUING TO OCCUPY THE LAND.
/THE CCURT ......
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT WHEN A DEMOLITION TEAM FROM THE LAND AUTHORITY ARRIVED AT THE SITE ON JANUARY 16 THIS YEAR, THEY FOUND THE STRUCTURE WAS ONLY PARTIALLY DEMOLISHED.
THE TEAM THEN DEMOLISHED THE REMAINDER OF THE STRUCTURE AT A COST OF $6,400.
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RESUMPTION AND REPAIR OF TWO SHEUNG WAN STREETS ♦ * * * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR NEW MARKET STREET AND TUNG HING LANE IN SHEUNG WAN TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC SITUATION THERE.
NEW MARKET STREET AND TUNG HING LANE ARE UNDER PRIVATE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIPS.
THEY ARE IN POOR REPAIR AND ARE PARTLY OCCUPIED BY STALLS THAT OBSTRUCT PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT, GIVING RISE TO CONSIDERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CLEAR THE OBSTRUCTING STALLS AND TO REPAIR THE LANE TO PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START BY APRIL NEXT YEAR.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND LAND RESUMPTION CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
♦ THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, 2ND FLOOR, LOWER Al.BERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 5, THIS YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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/5.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
- 5
PROPOSED ROADWORKS FOR NT LANDFILL PROJECT ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO EXECUTE ROADWORKS NEAR TA KWU LING AS PART OF THE PROPOSED NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL PROJECT.
THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS ARE TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF A PIPELINE DISPOSING OF LEACHATE ARISING FROM THE LANDFILL.
THE WORKS WILL START IN JANUARY 1993 AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT FEBRUARY 1994.
DURING THE WORKS PERIOD, 700 METRES OF THE EXISTING TRACK, LOCATED ABOUT 650 METRES NORTH OF TA KWU LING POLICE STATION, WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE WILL BE IN SUCCESSIVE SECTIONS OF ABOUT 100 METRES EACH FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT FIVE MONTHS.
EMERGENCY ACCESS TO THE AREA WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN REQUIRED.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED AND DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NORTH, SIXTH FLOOR, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 3 PIh FUNG ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
* THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 5, THIS YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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/6.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
- 6 -
EMPLOYERS REMINDED NOT TO HIRE CHILDREN
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS WHO TAKE ON CHILDREN IN NON-INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS TO COMPLY STRICTLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED A RECENT CASE AT THE FANLING MAGISTRACY IN WHICH A CANTEEN OWNER WAS FINED $2,000 FOR EMPLOYING A CHILD ILLEGALLY.
THE 13-YEAR-OLD CHILD WAS FOUND WORKING ALONG WITH EIGHT OTHER WORKERS IN THE FU WAH FACTORY CANTEEN IN YUEN LONG DURING AN INSPECTION BY LABOUR INSPECTORS.
FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION HAD FOUND THAT THE EMPLOYER DID NOT OBTAINED FROM THE CHILD’S PARENT A WRITTEN CONSENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT AND PROOF OF THE CHILD’S SCHOOLING AS REQUIRED UNDER THE REGULATIONS.
THE LAW STIPULATED. THAT AN EMPLOYER MUST OBTAIN FROM A CHILD’S PARENT A VALID SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATE FOR THE CHILD OR EVIDENCE OF THE CHILD HAVING COMPLETED FORM THREE EDUCATION.
IN ADDITION, A CHILD AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 14 CAN BE EMPLOYED ONLY ON A PART-TIME BASIS IN AN NON-INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING, BUT SHOULD IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES BE EMPLOYED IN THE KITCHEN OF AN EATING ESTABLISHMENT.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO BREACHES THE PROVISION ON CHILD EMPLOYMENT IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
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FREE BOOKLET ON SOLVENT HAZARDS ******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED A BOOKLET TO ADVISE EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS ON THE SAFE USE OF SOLVENTS IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY.
ENTITLED "SOLVENT HAZARDS IN PRINTING INDUSTRY", THE BILINGUAL BOOKLET PROVIDES GUIDELINES ON GOOD WORK PRACTICES TO PREVENT POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS.
"ORGANIC SOLVENTS, WHICH ARE POTENTIALLY TOXIC, ARE COMMONLY USED IN PRINTING PROCESSES," AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONSULTANT, DR CHAN SIK-YUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
’’SOLVENTS CAN ENTER THROUGH THE LUNGS AND CAN BE ABSORBED BY SKIN, PRODUCING ACUTE OR CHRONIC POISONING EFFECTS," DR CHAN SAID.
/TO MINIMISE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
7
TO MINIMISE EXPOSURE TO SOLVENTS, THE BOOKLET SUGGESTS THAT GOOD WORK PRACTICES BE IMPLEMENTED TO PROTECT WORKERS’ HEALTH, SUCH AS GOOD PERSONAL HYGIENE AND HOUSEKEEPING, PROPER LABELLING OF ALL SOLVENTS AS WELL AS REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF CONTROL EQUIPMENT AND CHECKING OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
IT ALSO OUTLINES VARIOUS CONTROL METHODS TO PREVENT POTENTIAL HARMFUL EFFECTS, INCLUDING GOOD VENTILATION IN THE WORKPLACE, USING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEARS AND APPROPRIATE RESPIRATORS, TRAINING OF WORKERS IN THE PROPER USE OF PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND USING THE LEAST TOXIC SOLVENTS.
THE BOOKLET IS ONE OF THE ’’PROTECTION OF WORKERS’ HEALTH SERIES” PUBLISHED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
IT IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE UNIT REGIONAL OFFICES AND FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISIONAL OFFICES.
FURTHER ADVICE ON SOLVENT HAZARDS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION ON 15TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL OR ON TEL. 852 4041.
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IMPORTANCE OF ORAL HEALTH RECOGNISED *****
THE GENERAL MISCONCEPTION THAT TEETH WILL BE LOST WITH THE ADVANCE OF OLD AGE IS STILL PREVALENT IN HONG KONG, THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG DENTAL ASSOCIATION, DR HOMER TSO, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
NOT MANY UNDERSTAND THAT TEETH COULD BE KEPT HEALTHY AND FUNCTION FOR LIFETIME AND THAT THEY WERE MEANT TO LAST FOR LIFE, DR TSO SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "HEALTHY TEETH, HAPPY LIFE” EXHIBITION, DR TSO SAID: "ONLY WHEN EVERYONE IS ACTIVELY PLAYING HIS PART IN ORAL HEALTH CARE, WILL THE DENTAL TREATMENT NEED THAT WE SEE TODAY DIMINISH.”
DR TSO SAID THE PROMOTION OF ORAL HEALTH WAS AMONG THE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE REPORT BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S DENTAL SUB-COMMITTEE.
HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE QUICK RESPONSE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO THE RECOMMENDATION.
SPEAKING AT THE SAME CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS DETERMINED TO STRENGTHEN THE ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE.
’’THIS,” HE ADDED, "WILL COMPLY WITH THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT — HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION.”
/TURNING TO .......
8
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
TURNING TO THE WORK ON ORAL HEALTH, DR LEE SAID A THREE-YEAR PILOT ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG WOULD BE LAUNCHED THIS YEAR.
THE PROGRAMME, WITH CHILDREN AT MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES (MCHC) AND KINDERGARTENS AS THE TARGET GROUPS, AIMS TO EDUCATE AND MOTIVATE ALL ADULTS SUCH AS PARENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, TEACHERS AND CHILD CARE WORKERS SO AS TO ENABLE THESE CHILDREN TO HAVE HEALTHY TEETH.
ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, THE EXHIBITION IS DIVIDED INTO SIX SECTIONS ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE, NAMELY INFANCY, CHILDHOOD, ADOLESCENCE, PREGNANCY, ADULTHOOD AND ELDERLY, WITH RELEVANT AND INTERESTING ORAL HEALTH MESSAGES TAILORED-MADE FOR EACH SECTION.
THE DISPLAY WILL TAKE THE FORM OF A CARNIVAL WITH VIDEO SHOWS, COMPUTER GAMES AND MOUTH MODELS TO FACILITATE VISITORS TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH ORAL HEALTH CARE TECHNIQUES. THERE WILL ALSO BE A VARIETY SHOW BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4 PM EACH DAY.
ATTRACTIVE PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS OF THE GAMES WHILE VISITORS WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS AND BALLOONS.
THE EXHIBITION, BEING HELI) AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10.30 AM TO 6.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AND FROM 10.30 AM TO 4.30 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 9). ADMISSION IS FREE.
- - 0 - -
PART-TIME ADULT EDUCATION LECTURERS SOUGHT * * * * ♦
THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM QUALIFIED PERSONS TO FILL THEIR EVENING PART-TIME LECTURING VACANCIES IN VARIOUS COURSES FOR 1992-93.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THE CLOSING DATE IS MARCH 28.
APPLICATION FORMS.ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF LEE GARDENS IN HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
APPLICANTS SHOULD NORMALLY. BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS WITH A GENUINE INTEREST TN TEACHING ADULTS IN THE EVENING.
EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE AT POST-SECONDARY OR SENIOR SECONDARY LEVELS; CHINESE LANGUAGE; SCIENCE/SOCIAL SUBJECTS OR COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVELS AND/OR POSSESSION OF A DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION OR ADVANI ED CERTIFICATE IN TEACHER TRAINING WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE.
EXISTING REMUNERATIONS FOR PART-TIME LECTURING ARE: $245 PER HOUR FOR POST-SECONDARY LEVEL SUBJECTS; $205 PER HOUR FOR SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL SUBJECTS; $160 PER HOUR FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY’ LEVEL SUBJECTS, AND $145 PER HOUR FOR PRIMARY LEVEL SUBJECTS.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
- 9 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION t * * t t
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,002,000 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 BB911 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $120,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER BC18 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $113,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $2,000 FOR EV8963.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
EU9867 3,000 EV625 6,000 EV3345 6,000 EV332 35,000
EV1320 3,000 DF52 15,000 BC18 113,000 AA954 15,000
EU3927 3,000 EV368 39,000 EV310 13,000 EV6090 4,000
EV121 10,000 DM5201 3,000 DL3788 12,000 XX4000 50,000
BH557 6,000 CS9000 26,000 HK1991 70,000 EV7668 6,000
EV911 45,000 EV8963 2,000 EV1038 6,000 AF103 58,000
EU6008 6,000 AR165 11,000 AD350 11,000 EV2878 16,000
AR400 18,000 ES666 110,000 EV747 20,000 EW9911 32,000
EV1982 3,000 HK2221 40,000 BB911 120,000 XX1955 28,000
CP2133 8,000 EV139 22,000 EU6321 4,000 EV1898 4,000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY'S SALE, THE 174TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $133,620,105.
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/10 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1992
- 10 -
BLANKETS FOR STREET SLEEPERS ♦ t t * ♦
A TOTAL OF 501 BLANKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO STREET SLEEPERS BY SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT STAFF THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST (FRIDAY) NIGHT.
THE BLANKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS WERE GIVEN TO 174 STREET SLEEPERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 29 IN EAST KOWLOON, 221 IN WEST KOWLOON, 23 IN NEW TERRITORIES EAST AND SEVEN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE DISTRIBUTION LAST NIGHT WAS THE THIRD SUCH EXERCISE MOUNTED TO HELP THE NEEDY IN THE STREETS THIS WINTER.
’’MORE THAN 610 BLANKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED IN THE PREVIOUS TWO EXERCISES,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 6.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 7.3.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FREE LABOUR SERVICES TO 2.8 MILLION WORKFORCE .................... 1
APPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS INVITED .................... 2
PROPOSED ROAD EXTENSION IN TUEN MUN ..............................
NEW FRAMA LABEL ADOPTS MONKEY DESIGN .............................
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1992
1 -
FREE LABOUR SERVICES TO 2.8 MILLION WORKFORCE ******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF FREE SERVICES TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF HONG KONG’S 2.8 MILLION WORKFORCE AND TO HELP JOB-SEEKERS AND THE DISABLED IN OPEN EMPLOYMENT.
THESE SERVICES, AND THE ACCESS TO THEM, ARE GIVEN A THOROUGH DESCRIPTION IN A BILINGUAL BOOKLET: "THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFERS YOU ITS SERVICES".
TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT GIVES ADVICE TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ON MANY ISSUES, INCLUDING THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, SETTING UP JOINT CONSULTATIVE BODIES IN INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, AND GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
WHEN THERE IS A LABOUR DISPUTE, THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION ACTS AS A CONCILIATOR TO HELP THE PARTIES INVOLVED. IN COMING TO AMICABLE TERMS OF SETTLEMENT.
THE DIVISION ALSO HELPS EMPLOYEES WHO ARE OWED WAGES AND OTHER RELATED BENEFITS BY AN INSOLVENT EMPLOYER TO APPLY FOR EX GRATIA PAYMENT FROM THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND. «
THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT AND REST DAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY ARE MONITORED BY THE LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION, WHICH ALSO CONTROLS THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15.
LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM THE DIVISION VISIT ESTABLISHMENTS TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE THEIR STATUTORY BENEFITS.
WHEN A WORK ACCIDENT OCCURS, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION HELPS THE INJURED WORKER TO OBTAIN COMPENSATION FROM THE EMPLOYERS AND ADVISES BOTH THE EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER ON THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER RELEVANT LEGISLATION.
IN ADDITION, THE DIVISION HELPS PNEUMOCONIOTICS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS IN OBTAINING COMPENSATION FROM THI PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND.
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF WORKERS AND HELP INDUSTRIAL PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS IN COMPLYING WITH STATUTORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
FACTORY INSPECTORS ALSO PROVIDE SAFETY TRAINING FOR INDUSTRIAL PERSONNEL AND ORGANISE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES To PROMOTE SAFETY AT WORK.
/OTHER ESSENTIAL .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1992
- 2 -
OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS OFFERED BY THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, JOB PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR THE DISABLED PROVIDED BY THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION AND CAREERS GUIDANCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE GIVEN BY THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ATTESTS EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS AND LOCAL WORKERS EMPLOYED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY, AND CONTROLS THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES AND THE USE OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT.
APART FROM AN INDEX TO THESE SERVICES, THE HANDBOOK INCLUDES A LIST OF PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON VARIOUS LABOUR SUBJECTS AND LEGISLATION IT ADMINISTERS.
IT ALSO GIVES THE ADDRESSES AND ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE BRANCH OFFICES OF VARIOUS DIVISIONS WHERE ADVICE AND FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED.
THE PUBLICATION IS A MOST USEFUL HANDBOOK FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES. IT IS NOU OBTAINABLE FREE FROM ALL OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND FROM PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
------0--------
APPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS INVITED ♦ ♦ * * *
LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS ARE INVITED TO^APPLY FOR GRANTS UNDER THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME” (OYS) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SU’D) TO CARRY OUT THEIR COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE CONDUCIVE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS TO THE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AN SWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THEY MAY BE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY SERVICES, COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, OR RURAL AREAS AND DEPRIVED AREA SERVICES.
THE PROJECTS, IF APPROVED, WILL EACH BE GRANTED A SUBSIDY UP TO $6,000. WITH THIS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THE GROUP WILL THEN BE ABLE TO MATERIALISE PROJECTS DESIGNED ON THEIR OWN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974 WITH AN AIM TO PROMOTE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTHS, TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, AND TO HELP DEVELOP A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP.
/THROUGH THE .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1992
- 3
THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WORKING TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOAL, THE SCHEME OFFERS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BROADEN THEIR SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, TO HAVE GREATER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY, AND BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE NECESSARY SATISFACTION FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
"THE THEMES FOR THIS YEAR’S SCHEME ARE TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONCERN FOR THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS; TO ESTABLISH A SOCIAL NETWORK; AND TO PROMULGATE THE MESSAGE OF HOME SAFETY," HE SAID.
INTERESTED YOUTH GROUPS MAY SUBMIT THEIR PROJECT PROPOSALS THROUGH THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH) OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BY APRIL 30.
EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 25, AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, A YOUTH AGENCY, OR AN INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCJ AL ORGANISATION.
GROUPS WITHOUT SPONSORS MAY ALSO APPLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH) OF THEIR DISTRICT.
"UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT ITS MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT WHICH WILL RECEIVE A DISTRICT BEST OYS AWARD. THE DISTRICT WINNERS WILL THEN COMPETE FOR THE HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEY WOULD BE ASSESSED ON THE EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, OPTIMIM USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATION, HE NOTED. K
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM VARIOUS YOUTH OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
---------0-----------
PROPOSED ROAD EXTENSION IN TUEN MUN
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE EXISTING ROAD 8A IN TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PROPOSED VILLAGE EXPANSION AT YEUNG SIU HANG AND A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE IN AREA 8.
THE SCHEME FORMS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
/THE PLAN .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1992
THE PLAN OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT
OFFICES, SIXTH FLOOR, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW
TERRITORIES.
» THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN
GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN Hl ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW
TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS OR THE USE IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS HIS OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 5 THIS YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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NEW FRAMA LABEL ADOPTS MONKEY DESIGN
» * * » » .
THE LABEL PAPER AND MACHINE DIE PLATE IMPRESSION OF THE ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL (FRAMA LABEL) VENDING MACHINES AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WILL BE CHANGED FROM THE RAM DESIGN TO THE MONKEY DESIGN ON MARCH 12 (THURSDAY), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
ON THE SAME DAY, THE FRAMA MACHINE AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A 1 O-KEY CONFIGURATION.
FOLLOWING THE CONVERSION, CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF CHOOSING 50 DENOMINATIONS FROM 10 CENTS TO S5, AT 10 CENTS INTERVALS, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT FOUR PRE-SET VALUE. CHANGE WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FORM OF POSTAGE LABELS BEARING THE VALUE OF $1, 50 CENTS AND 10 CENTS.
CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE ORDERED IN ADVANCE THE PRE-PACKAGED SETS OF LABEL MAY COLLECT THEIR ORDERS ON MARCH 12 FROM THE POST OFFICES WHERE THEY PLACED THE ORDERS.
/A LIMITED .......
»
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1992
- 5
A LIMITED QUANTITY OF PRE-PACKAGED FRAMA
MOST COMMON POSTAGE (10 CENTS, 80 CENTS, 90 $2.30 AND $5), WILL HE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FOLLOWING SEVEN PHILATELIC OFFICES:
LABELS, BEARING THE CENTS, $1.70, $1.80,
ON MARCH 12 AT THE
AIRPORT POST OFFICE BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL POST OFFICES ON MARCH 12 FOR PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING THE ’’FIRST DAY” INDICATION FOR THE OCCASION.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BUDGET HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AS A PACKAGE ............................ 1
NEW SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENT FOR CLP ............................. 2
DEBATE TO OVERRIDE BUSH'S MFN VETO SCHEDULED ........................ 5
ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1991 TO PARLIAMENT ....................... 6
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY .......................................... 6
FLYOVER TO EASE FUTURE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TRAFFIC PROPOSED .... 7
SHW OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO PLAYGROUPS ................................. 8
HK COMMISSIONER VISITS MANCHESTER ................................... 9
GUIDE TO POLLUTION CONTROL LAW RELEASED ............................. 11
ROVING EXHIBITION ON "THE CHANGEABLE WEATHER IN SPRING" ............. 11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................ 12
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ............................................. 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 13
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
1
BUDGET HAS TO BE CONSIDERED AS A PACKAGE
» » » ♦ ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (MONDAY) REITERATED HIS FIRM CONVICTION THAT THE BUDGET HAD TO BE LOOKED AT AS A PACKAGE.
"IF WE START UNSTITCHING IT AND TRYING TO NEGOTIATE ON PARTICULAR PARTS OF IT, THEN IT REALLY BECOMES AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION. AND I DON’T THINK THAT IT IS IN ANYONE’S INTEREST TO HAVE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS THE BUDGET," HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE RESOURCES CENTRE, MR MACLEOD SAID DIALOGUE WITH GROUPS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WAS USEFUL TO BOTH SIDES, BUT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE BUDGET PACKAGE, IT HAD TO BE A PACKAGE.
"I UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERN THAT ALLOWANCES IN SALARIES TAX SHOULD KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION," MR MACLEOD SAID, UNDERLINING A POINT IN THE GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE ISSUED LAST SATURDAY THAT SALARIES TAX ALLOWANCES HAD INDEED OVER THE PERIOD SINCE 1980 AND ALSO OVER THE PERIOD FROM 86/87 TO THE PRESENT BEEN INCREASED IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
"PARTICULARLY IF YOU ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE REVISIONS IN TAX-BANDS, OF WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN A LARGE NUMBER."
THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE REVISIONS IN THE TAX-BANDS SINCE 1979-80.
"SO ROUGHLY SPEAKING IF YOU LOOK BACK YOU WILL SEE THAT ROUGHLY EVERY TWO YEARS OR SO WE REVISED THE TAX-BANDS. IT IS NOT AT ALL UNUSUAL. WE’VE DONE IT FREQUENTLY," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE SANDWICH CLASS, MR MACLEOD SAID HE DID HAVE SYMPATHY FOR THEM, BUT THE BASIC PROBLEM WAS NOT THE TAX SYSTEM BUT PROPERTY PRICES.
"THE FACT IS FOR WHATEVER REASONS, THE PROPERTY PRICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE SMALL RESIDENTIAL FLATS, HAVE RISEN BY PRETTY HORRENDOUS PERCENTAGES OVER THE LAST YEAR.-
"IT IS A REAL PROBLEM. IT IS A PROBLEM THAT WE TRIED TO TACKLE IN RECENT MONTHS BY THE STAMP DUTY MEASURE TO REDUCE SPECULATION," HE POINTED OUT.
"I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO KEEP A VERY CLOSE EYE ON PROPERTY PRICES AND I NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME SPECULATION IN THE NEWSPAPERS RECENTLY THAT PRICES MAY BE ABOUT TO GO UP AGAIN, AND THAT THE BANKS MAY BE GOING TO LOOSEN THEIR LENDING CRITERIA.
"I HAVE HAD THAT CHECKED. I HAVE HAD THE MAIN LENDING BANKS APPROACHED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, AND THEY HAVE CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THEY HAD NO SUCH PLANS.
/"THERE WERE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
- 2 -
"THERE WERE NO PLANS FOR THE MAJOR BANKS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN MORTGAGE LENDING TO RELAX THEIR LENDING CRITERIA. SO THERE SHOULD BE NO EXCUSE FOR RAISING PRICES BECAUSE SOMEHOW THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE MONEY AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
INDEED ONE BANK HAD ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS CONSIDERING TIGHTENING ITS LENDING CRITERIA, MR MACLEOD ADDED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE ALSO HAD A CHECK ON THE SITUATION OF VACANT FLATS AT PRESENT AND FLATS COMING ON THE MARKET IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
"ABOUT HALF THE FLATS WHICH WERE RELEASED ONTO THE MARKET LAST YEAR ARE STILL VACANT. AND WE HAVE 15,000 NEW FLATS COMING UP ONTO THE MARKET OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
"SO THERE IS A GOOD SUPPLY, THE BANKS WILL CONTINUE TO BE CAUTIOUS ON LENDING AND THERE IS NO OBJECTIVE REASON FOR AN EXPECTATION OF RISING PROPERTY PRICES," HE STRESSED.
ASKED WHETHER HE WAS WORRIED THAT MEMBERS MIGHT VETO THE BUDGET IF IT HAD TO BE SEEN AS A PACKAGE, MR MACLEOD SAID: "I BELIEVE THAT LEGCO MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE, THAT THEY DO NOT WISH TO CREATE A SITUATION WHERE A BUDGET, OR SOME PARTS OF A BUDGET, CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED."
HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD BE A VERY SERIOUS THING IF SOME PARTS OF THE BUDGET WERE NOT APPROVED.
- - 0----------
NEW SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENT FOR CLP *****
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (MONDAY) REPRESENTED THE GOVERNMENT TO SIGN A NEW SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENT WITH CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED, EXXON ENERGY LIMITED AND THEIR SUBSIDIARY GENERATING COMPANIES.
THE NEW SCHEME WILL COMMENCE IN OCTOBER 1993 AND EXTEND UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2008, SOME 11 YEARS BEYOND THE RESUMPTION OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG BY CHINA.
SPEAKING AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MRS ANSON CHAN SAID THE AGREEMENT WAS A POWERFUL SYMBOL OF CONTINUITY DURING THIS PERIOD OF TRANSITION, AND OF THE CONTINUING COMMITMENT OF CHINA LIGHT AND ITS PARTNER EXXON ENERGY TO A PROSPEROUS AND DYNAMIC FUTURE FOR HONG KONG.
/"WE ARE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 9, .1992
3 -
"WE ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF ENCOURAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO FINANCE AND OPERATE PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT RUNNING BUSINESSES IS BEST LEFT TO BUSINESSMEN," MRS CHAN SAID.
"THE EFFICIENCY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR TWO POWER COMPANIES, WHICH FUNCTION WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF ANY SUBSIDY FROM PUBLIC FUNDS, IS TESTIMONY TO THE WISDOM OF THAT APPROACH," SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN STRESSED THAT THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD A COMPLETELY HANDS-OFF ATTITUDE.
"GIVEN THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF A SECURE ENERGY SUPPLY BOTH TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND TO THE LIVELIHOOD AND WELL-BEING OF ORDINARY PEOPLE, WE ACCEPT FULLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC ARE PROTECTED," SHE SAID.
"IN EXERCISING OUR REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES WE AIM TO STRIKE AN EQUITABLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF SHAREHOLDERS AND CONSUMERS.
"IN PARTICULAR, WE AIM TO ENSURE:
* THAT CONSUMERS GET A RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE AND ONE WHICH WILL GROW TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMANDS OF THE COMMUNITY;
* THAT CONSUMERS GET THE SERVICE AT A REASONABLE PRICE;
* THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANIES GET A REASONABLE RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT, SO AS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY INVESTMENTS;
* THAT THE COMPANIES CAN COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS WHEN FUNDS ARE NEEDED; AND
* THAT THESE OBJECTIVES ARE ACHIEVED WITHOUT ANY DIRECT SUBSIDY FROM PUBLIC FUNDS AND WITHOUT UNDUE INTERFERENCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANIES.
THE SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENT SETS OUT THE MUTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOTH SIDES.
THE COMPANIES UNDERTAKE TO PROVIDE A SERVICE WHICH IS NOT JUST ADEQUATE TO MEET DEMAND BUT WHICH IS ALSO EFFICIENT, OF HIGH QUALITY AND PROVIDED AT THE LOWEST REASONABLE COST.
IN FULFILLMENT OF THESE OBLIGATIONS THE COMPANIES SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS SCRUTINY AND APPROVAL, THEIR FORECASTS OF DEMAND, DETAILS OF THE INVESTMENTS WHICH THEY CONSIDER NECESSARY TO MEET THAT DEMAND AND THE TARIFFS WHICH THEY BELIEVE IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO CHARGE OVER THE PLANNING PERIOD IN QUESTION.
/MRS CHAN .......
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
4
MRS CHAN SAID: "FOR OUR PART, WE IN THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENT HAS GENERALLY WORKED WELL:
» CLP’S CONSUMERS ENJOY ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES IN THE REGION;
» THE COMPANIES HAVE INVESTED OVER $55 BILLION IN ASSETS DURING THE COURSE OF THE CURRENT AND PREVIOUS SCA;
* TARIFF LEVELS COMPARE FAVOURABLY WITH THOSE CHARGED IN THE REGION AND HAVE INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF UNDER 13% OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. THIS REPRESENTS A REDUCTION OF OVER 40 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS;
» THE TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE COMPANIES HAVE IMPROVED STEADILY - WITH THE RESULT THAT FEWER PEOPLE AND LESS FUEL ARE REQUIRED NOW TO PRODUCE THE SAME MOUNTS OF ELECTRICITY THAN WAS THE CASE 10 YEARS AGO.
’’FOR THESE REASONS THE MAJOR TERMS OF THE NEW AGREEMENT REMAIN BASICALLY UNCHANGED,” MRS CHAN SAID.
”AT THE SAME TIME IMPORTANT NEW PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO:
I. REVIEW THE LIFE OF ASSETS TO BRING THEM MORE INTO LINE WITH THEIR ESTIMATED USEFUL LIVES;
II. ALLOW CAPITALISED EXPENDITURE ON REFURBISHING OR IMPROVING ASSETS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERMITTED RETURN SO AS TO ENSURE THAT ASSETS ARE NOT REPLACED PREMATURELY;
III. REDUCE THE SOURCES OF FUNDING THAT ARE CONSIDERED AS SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENTS AND THEREFORE ELIGIBLE FOR THE ADDITIONAL 1-1/2 PERMITTED RETURN;
IV. SET OUT THE COMPANIES’ RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS ON ENERGY CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (INCLUDING SUBMITTING IN FUTURE FINANCING REVIEWS PLANS TO REDUCE PEAK DEMAND);
V. IMPROVE GOVERNMENT’S MONITORING ABILITY THROUGH ENHANCING THE SCOPE OF FINANCING AND AUDITING REVIEWS E.G. THE LATTER WILL ALSO NOW COVER TECHNICAL MATTERS;
VI. CLARIFY THAT FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR EXPORT SALES OF ELECTRICITY REQUIRE OUR PRIOR APPROVAL;
VII. IMPROVE THE PRESENTATION OF THE SCA TO MAKE IT MORE UNDERSTANDABLE TO THE LAYMAN.
/"IN ACCORDANCE .......
MCNDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
- 5 -
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROCEDURES AGREED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP A COPY OF THE NEW DRAFT AGREEMENT WAS PASSED TO THE CHINESE FOR ANY COMMENTS THEY MIGHT HAVE," MRS CHAN SAID.
THE CHINESE SIDE HAD CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THE TERMS OF THE NEW AGREEMENT, SHE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OCCASION, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CHINA LIGHT & POWER COMPANY LIMITED, SIR WILLIAM STONES SAID THE AGREEMENT, WHICH WOULD SPAN L997, ALSO DEMONSTRATED THE STRONG COMMITMENT AND CONFIDENCE OF THE TWO COMPANIES IN THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
"BY THE END OF THIS DECADE CLP CONSUMERS WILL OBTAIN THEIR ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM OIL, COAL, NUCLEAR, HYDRO POWER AND NATURAL GAS. WE WILL ALSO BE STRONGLY INTERCONNECTED WITH THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING POWER INDUSTRY IN CHINA.
"TODAY OUR PRICE OF ELECTRICITY IS LESS THAN IT WAS AT THE END OF 1983 AND IN REAL TERM IS 40 PER CENT LESS THAN 10 YEARS AGO. THIS IS QUITE AN ACHIEVEMENT AND HAS ASSISTED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION," HE SAID.
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DEBATE TO OVERRIDE BUSH’S MFN VETO SCHEDULED
*****
THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS SCHEDULED A DEBATE ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 11) ON THE VOTE TO OVERRIDE PRESIDENT BUSH'S VETO OF THE BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON THE RENEWAL OF MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN STATED THE ABOVE TODAY, QUOTING A RELIABLE SOURCE FROM WASHINGTON.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE THAT THE VOTE WOULD BE RESCHEDULED TO THURSDAY (MARCH 12) AS SOME MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE 'SUPER TUESDAY’ PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ACTIVITIES AND MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK TO WASHINGTON ON WEDNESDAY.
"ON THE BASIS OF PREVIOUS VOTING PATTERNS, ALL EXPECTATIONS ARE THAT A VETO OVERRIDE WOULD BE CARRIED BY A LARGE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.
"THE IMPORTANT BATTLE WILL BE THE VOTE IN THE SENATE BUT THAT HAS YET TO BE SCHEDULED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
LOCAL TRADERS WERE REASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO ALL IT COULD TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN THIS MATTER WERE FULLY UNDERSTOOD AND TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
/6 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
- 6 -
ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1991 TO PARLIAMENT ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1991 TO PARLIAMENT WILL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 11) FOLLOWING ITS PRESENTATION TO PARLIAMENT TODAY (MARCH 9 LONDON TIME).
ANNOUNCING THIS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT AGREED IN 1985, DURING THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ON THE HONG KONG BILL, TO PRODUCE ANNUAL REPORTS ON HONG KONG AND TO LAY THEM BEFORE PARLIAMENT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SERIES OF REPORTS IS TO KEEP PARLIAMENT INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.”
HE SAID THE REPORT, THE SEVENTH IN THE SERIES, CONTAINED A GENERAL SURVEY OF THE MAIN EVENTS IN HONG KONG DURING THE YEAR 1991.
IT COVERS VISITS TO HONG KONG BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AND GOVERNMENT MINISTERS, CONTACTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
IT ALSO COVERS MATTERS CONCERNING VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, EMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY, THE GENERAL ECONOMIC SITUATION, THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, GENERAL SOCIAL CONDITIONS, THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND LAW AND ORDER.
COPIES OF BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC STARTING THURSDAY (MARCH 12) FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES; THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES SECTION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
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LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 12 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 11).
THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
ANOTHER TWO BILLS DUE TO BE GIVEN A SECOND READING, AND TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING ARE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.5) BILL 1991 AND DENTISTS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE.
/THE HON .......
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
THE HON PEGGY LAM WILL MOVE A MOTION ON LAW AND ORDER THAT:
"IN VIEW OF THE COMMUNITY’S STRONG CONCERN OVER VIOLENT CRIMES AND GANG ACTIVITIES, THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE AND APPROPRIATE MEASURES, INCLUDING THOSE TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY, EQUIPMENT AND MORALE OF THE POLICE FORCE, SO AS TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF THE PEOPLE, MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER AND REDUCE THE CRIME RATE IN HONG KONG."
MEANWHILE, THE HON MARTIN BARROW WILL RAISE AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON "VOLUNTARY RETURN PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS."
FOUR PAPERS WILL BE PRESENTED IN THE LEGCO.
THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG WILL PRESENT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S ANNUAL REPORT 1990-91 WITH BALANCE SHEET AT JUNE 30, 1991 AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED ON THAT DATE.
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS WILL PRESENT THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION APPROVED ESTIMATES OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1993.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL PRESENT THE GREEN PAPER BY THE WORKING PARTY ON REHABILITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND FULL PARTICIPATION: A BETTER TOMORROW FOR ALL.
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS WILL PRESENT A WHITE PAPER ON THE ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1991 TO PARLIAMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
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FLYOVER TO EASE FUTURE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TRAFFIC PROPOSED
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD A FLYOVER BETWEEN WATER STREET AND KENNEDY TOWN TO CATER FOR THE FUTURE TRAFFIC GENERATED FROM THE PROPOSED WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
AS PART OF ROUTE 7, THE FLYOVER IS A DUAL THREE-LANE ROAD WITH DOWN RAMPS CONNECTING WITH THE PROPOSED BELCHER’S BAY LINK.
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-LANE ELEVATED ROAD CONNECTING THE EXISTING HILL ROAD FLYOVER WITH THE PROPOSED FLYOVER, AND ANCILLARY ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
/THE PROPOSED .......
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
- 8 -
THE PROPOSED ROAD NETWORK WILL RELIEVE CONGESTION ON THE EXISTING NARROW STREETS BETWEEN SAI YING PUN AND KENNEDY TOWN AND SERVE AS PART OF THE FREE-FLOW THROUGH ROUTE FROM CHAI WAN TO KENNEDY TOWN.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS MAY BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
♦ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 5, THIS YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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SHW OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO PLAYGROUPS * » » ♦ *
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUPS ASSOCIATION (PPA) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MET THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS THE REALLOCATION OF SPACE IN THE OLD BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL IN BORRETT ROAD.
MRS WONG TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT SHE APPRECIATED THEIR FEELINGS ON THE ISSUE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE WORK OF THE PPA HAD GAINED MUCH RESPECT FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A SHORTAGE OF SPACE IN THE PARTICULAR LOCALITY IN QUESTION TO MEET A RANGE OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND COMMUNITY NEEDS.
AT PRESENT, THE ASSOCIATION OCCUPIES 1,022 SQUARE METRES IN THE SAID PREMISES AND ITS ACCOMMODATION WILL BE REDUCED BY ONE-THIRD TO ABOUT 665 SQUARE METRES IN JUNE THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE URGENTLY NEEDED ACCOMMODATION FOR THE WEST ISLAND SCHOOL.
AFTER THE REDUCTION, THE ASSOCIATION WILL STILL HAVE NEARLY NINE SQUARE METRES FOR EACH CHILD.
/THIS COMPARES .......
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
9
THIS COMPARES WITH 1.8 SQUARE METRES FOR EACH CHILD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLANNING STANDARD FOR CHILD CARE CENTRES UNDER CURRENT LEGISLATION.
"THE DECISION TO ALLOCATE PART OF THE SPACE USED BY THE PPA TO WEST ISLAND SCHOOL HAD NOT BEEN AN EASY ONE,” MRS WONG SAID, "BUT REPRESENTED A SENSIBLE COMPROMISE.
"AN ADDITIONAL 357 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE PROVIDED TO THE SCHOOL. OTHERWISE, THERE WILL BE NO FIRST YEAR IN-TAKE IN 1992, AND THE PRESENT PUPILS CANNOT CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION."
IN THE COURSE OF THE MEETING, THE SECRETRAY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE OFFERED ASSISTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
* THE ASSOCIATION WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE WEST ISLAND SCHOOL HALL FOR UP TO TWO DAYS A WEEK;
» THE ADMINISTRATION IS LIKELY TO SUPPORT THE ASSOCIATION IF IT WISHES TO APPLY FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE IN HOUSING AUTHORITY PREMISES; AND
♦ THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY ADMINISTRATOR IS LIAISING WITH THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION TO REFURBISH THE FACILITIES REMAINING AVAILABLE FOR THE ASSOCIATION’S USE, AND THUS RESULTING IN MUCH BETTER UTILISATION OF THE ACCOMMODATION.
MRS WONG URGED THE ASSOCIATION TO APPROACH THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY ADMINISTRATOR EARLY TO TAKE THE MATTER FORWARD IN EVERYONE’S INTEREST.
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HK COMMISSIONER VISITS MANCHESTER *****
THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, MADE A THREE-DAY VISIT TO MANCHESTER LAST WEEK TO MEET VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE MEDIA.
LEADING A TEAM OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE (LONDON), THE COMMISSIONER TOOK PART IN AN AUDIO-VISUAL BUSINESS SEMINAR ON THE NEW AIRPORT JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH HMG’S DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (NORTHWEST).
AT THE SEMINAR, BUSINESSMEN IN THE REGION WERE BRIEFED ON THE INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKERS INCLUDED MR YAXLEY; HEAD OF SPECIAL HONG KONG AIRPORT UNIT, DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (NORTHWEST), MR JIM BROAD; AND REGIONAL DIRECTOR, NORTHERN EUROPE, OF HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MR JOSEPH LEE.
/OPENING THE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
- 10 -
OPENING THE SEMINAR WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG TRADE ADVISORY GROUP, BRITISH OVERSEAS TRADE BOARD, MR MICHAEL ROSENBERG.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO VISITED THE LORD MAYOR OF MANCHESTER, COUNCILLOR CHADWICK.
MR YAXLEY WAS TOLD THAT THE LOCAL CHINESE COMMUNITY HAD ALWAYS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN MANCHESTER. THEIR ENTERPRISE HAD TRANSFORMED CHINATOWN, EXTENDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANCHESTER AS A WHOLE.
THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE CHINATOWN, WHICH REMAINED VIBRANT EVEN IN THE ECONOMIC RECESSION IN THE COUNTRY, HAD BEEN VERY IMPRESSIVE, THE LORD MAYOR NOTED.
SHARING THIS VIEW WERE THE DEPUTY COUNCIL LEADER, COUNCILLOR RICHARD LEE; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY COUNCIL’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, COUNCILLOR BRIAN HARRISON.
MR YAXLEY INVITED THE LORD MAYOR TO SEND A DELEGATION TO HONG KONG TO HAVE A BETTER INSIGHT INTO THE TERRITORY AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE, AND TO PROMOTE TRADE.
AS PART OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR EVENT, MR YAXLEY HOSTED A SPRING RECEPTION FOR OVER 120 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY, UPDATING THEM ON THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS OF HONG KONG.
HE ALSO TOURED A HONG KONG EXHIBITION MOUNTED BY THE HONG KONG STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF THE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER (UMIST), WHERE HE DISCUSSED STUDENT MATTERS WITH THE SENIOR INTERNATIONAL LIAISON OFFICER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, DR PETER GABBUTT.
AT A SEMINAR, HE ADDRESSED 150 HONG KONG STUDENTS OF MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY AND UMIST, AND ANSWERED QUESTIONS ON THE TERRITORY, ESPECIALLY ITS INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT.
MRS YAXLEY PAID VISITS TO FAULKNER COURT SHELTERED HOME FOR CHINESE ELDERLIES AND THE CHINESE SECTION OF MANCHESTER CENTRAL LIBRARY.
--------0 - -
/Il ........
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
- 11 -
GUIDE TO POLLUTION CONTROL LAW RELEASED * * t * *
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED A BOOKLET ENTITLED "A GUIDE TO POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION AFFECTING MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES”.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID WHEREAS PREVIOUSLY INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION WAS MADE KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC ON AN AD HOC BASIS, THE PRESENT GUIDE ATTEMPTED TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION TO DATE, AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS AGENCIES DEALING WITH SUCH MATTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IF MANUFACTURERS FOUND THE GUIDE TO BE USEFUL, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONSIDER PUBLISHING THE GUIDE ANNUALLY.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD JUST COMMISSIONED A $12 MILLION CONSULTANCY STUDY ON SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS IN HONG KONG.
TAKING THE PROPOSALS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ’’POLLUTION IN HONG KONG - A TIME TO ACT” INTRODUCED IN JUNE 1989, AND THE GENERAL WORLDWIDE TREND TOWARDS REQUIRING BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY WOULD BE TO REVIEW THE CURRENT LEVEL AND MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURED EXPORTS REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN BOTH REGIONAL AND WORLD MARKETS.
THE FINAL REPORT OF THE CONSULTANTS WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR ITS ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT BY MID NEXT YEAR.
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ROVING EXHIBITION ON ’’THE CHANGEABLE WEATHER IN SPRING” t » ♦ * t
A ROVING EXHIBITION ON THE LOCAL WEATHER IN SPRING IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY (RO) FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
AN RO SPOKESMAN SAID DURING THE TRANSITION FROM WINTER TO SUMMER, COLD AIR FROM THE NORTH STARTED TO LOSE ITS GRIP OVER THIS REGION WHILE WARM AIR FROM THE SOUTH INVADED THE REGION WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. IT WAS THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE WARM AIR AND THE COLD AIR THAT BRINGS THE CHANGEABLE WEATHER IN SPRING.
THE EXHIBITION IS TO BE HOSTED BY 24 SCHOOLS FROM MID JANUARY TO THE END OF MARCH. THE SCHOOLS VISITED BY THE EXHIBITION ARE SCATTERED OVER THE TERRITORY, RANGING FROM AS FAR SOUTH AS WAH FU ESTATE AND AS FAR NORTH AS YUEN LONG.
/AS A........
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
-12 -
AS A CO-OPERATIVE PROJECT WITH THE SCHOOLS, SELECTED STUDENTS ARE GIVEN DETAILED BRIEFING ON THE EXHIBITION TO ENABLE THEM TO EXPLAIN TO THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS WHEN THE EXHIBITION GOES TO THEIR SCHOOLS.
UP TO THE END OF FEBRUARY, THE EXHIBITION HAS VISITED MORE THAN HALF OF THE SCHOOLS. THE RESPONSES FROM TEACHERS AND STUDENTS SO FAR ARE FAVOURABLE.
THERE WILL BE A SECOND SCHOOL EXHIBITION IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR COVERING THE THEME ON TYPHOON.
THIS SERIES OF ROVING EXHIBITIONS ON THE WEATHER IN HONG KONG AIMS TO PROMOTE AMONG STUDENTS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PHYSICAL PROCESSES INVOLVED IN AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS BROUGHT BY LOCAL WEATHER.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH THIS, THE STUDENTS WOULD APPRECIATE THE REAL-LIFE RELEVANCE OF WHAT THEY STUDY IN SCHOOL IN CONNECTION WITH WEATHER.
---------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 33.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 193.964 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 159.584 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 27.2 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.
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/13........
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1992
- 13 -
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION
*****
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO SOME PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI, KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 11) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT NOS. 1-45 BEECH STREET, NOS. 1-43 LIME STREET, NOS. 1-12 FIR STREET, NOS. 59-81 TONG MEI ROAD, NOS. 1-25 TUNG CHAU STREET, NOS. 10-40 BEDFORD ROAD, NOS. 3-79 LARCH STREET AND NOS. 2-64 FUK TSUN STREET.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TUEN MUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8.30 AM TO 6 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 11) BECAUSE OF SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO A PUMPING STATION IN THE AREA.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 7.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 9.3.92 + 99
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -99
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.2 »-0.1* 9.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.15 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.56 5.98
1 MONTH 3.98 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99.05 6.11
3 MONTHS 3.95 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.20 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.71 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4,057 MN
CLOSED 9 MARCH 1992
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN DECEMBER AND 1991 .. 1
CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES ................................ 5
THE WEATHER OF FEBRUARY 1992 ............................................ 6
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS CONFIRM HAN DYNASTY SETTLEMENTS IN HK .............. 8
HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ........................ 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ...................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 12
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
1
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN DECEMBER AND 1991
*****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS RECORDED VIRTUALLY NO GROWTH IN 1991 AS COMPARED WITH 1990, WHILE RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 26%, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 17%. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 19% 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, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ALL ROSE BY 2%.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) INCREASED BY 1%.
PRICE CHANGES ARE REFLECTED BY CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE INDICES, WHICH ARE COMPILED BASED ON AVERAGE UNIT. VALUES OR, FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES, BASED ON SPECIFIC PRICE DATA.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 1991 WITH DECEMBER 1990, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 40%. TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 28%.
THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 29%. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 1%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMMODITY GROUPS WHICH RECORDED INCREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1991 OVER 1990 INCLUDED ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+23%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+8%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+2%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+2%); AND CLOTHING (+2%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN FOOTWEAR (-36%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-19%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-18%); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-12%); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-11%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-10%); AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-7%).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN 1991 AS COMPARED WITH 1990. THESE INCLUDED FOOTWEAR (+5%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+4%); CLOTHING (+3%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+3%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+3%); TEXTILE MADE-UP AND RELATED ARTICLES (+3%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+3%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+2%); AND TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+2%).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
2
HOWEVER; DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-5%); AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-2%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 9% IN 1991 AS COMPARED WITH 1990.
INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS; CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR); AND FRUIT. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF LIVE POULTRY; AND SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD.
OVER. THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 20%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; FOOTWEAR; HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; AND CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 18% IN 1991 AS COMPARED WITH 1990.
IN PARTICULAR, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; AND PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SILK FABRICS; AND CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS AND SO ON, EXCEPT GLASS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 6% IN VOLUME TERMS IN 1991 AS COMPARED WITH 1990.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 25% IN 1991 AS COMPARED WITH 1990.
INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; TEXTILE MACHINERY; AND SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS. HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.
COMPARING 1991 WITH 1990, THE IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: FOODSTUFFS (+3%); CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); CAPITAL GOODS (+2%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+1%). ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS DECREASED BY 1%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS
BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
/COMPARING 1991 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
- 3 -
COMPARING 1991 WITH 1990, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED : CAPITAL GOODS (+30%); CONSUMER GOODS (+28%); FUELS (+25%); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+23%); AND FOODSTUFFS (+10%).
THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN 1991 AS COMPARED WITH 1990: FUELS (+11%); FOODSTUFFS (+4%); CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); CAPITAL GOODS (+2%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES (+1%).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE DECEMBER 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND 12 MARCH 1992 AT HKS4.00 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 582 4918) .
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING DEC 1991 COMPARING JAN-DEC 1991
COMMODITY GROUP WITH DEC 1990 WITH JAN-DEC 1990
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING 11 3 8 5 3 2
TEXTILE FABRICS 19 3 16 5 3 2
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 20 -1 22 4 2 2
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -30 4 -33 -17 3 -19
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS * 4 -4 -16 3 -18
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 33 1 31 23 * 23
FOOTWEAR -38 4 -41 -34 5 -36
METAL MANUFACTURES 31 2 29 12 3 8
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -11 -10 -1 -15 -5 -11
/WATCHES AND .......
- 4 - TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -17 -3 -15 -14 -2 -12
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -24 3 -26 -6 4 -10
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES * 2 -2 -5 2 -7
ALL COMMODITIES 10 1 9 2 2
♦ LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH DEC 1991 DEC 1990 COMPARING WITH JAN-DEC JAN-DEC 1991 1990
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 8 3 5 12 3 9
CONSUMER GOODS 34 3 31 23 3 20
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 25 ♦ 24 20 1 18
FUELS -36 -22 -18 5 -1 6
CAPITAL GOODS 50 1 49 27 2 25
ALL COMMODITIES 30 1 29 21 2 19
» LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING DEC 1991 COMPARING JAN-DEC 1991
WITH DEC 1990 WITH JAN-DEC 1990
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 23 4 18 15 4 10
/CONSUMER GOODS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
- 5 -
CONSUMER GOODS 42 3 38 32 3 28
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 42 ♦ 41 24 1 23
FUELS 183 -28 294 38 11 25
CAPITAL GOODS 50 2 47 33 2 30
ALL COMMODITIES 43 2 40 29 2 26
y
» LESS THAN 0.5%
---------0-----------
CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES
* » * * «
ALL CHILDREN WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR A PUBLIC-SECTOR PRIMARY ONE PLACE BUT HAVE NOT SECURED A DISCRETIONARY PLACE WILL BE CENTRALLY ALLOCATED TO A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR THE 1992-93 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THEY WILL RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS FROM THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
IN THE LETTER, THEY WILL BE REQUESTED TO GO TO A SPECIFIED DISTRIBUTION/COLLECTION CENTRE TO COLLECT A "CHOICE OF SCHOOLS" FORM AND A LIST OF ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THEIR OWN HOME DISTRICT FROM MARCH 14 (SATURDAY) TO MARCH 16 (MONDAY).
THE CENTRE WILL OPEN FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM AND 1.30 PM TO 4.30 PM. ALL DISTRIBUTION/COLLECTION CENTRES WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE SPECIFIED TIME ON SUNDAY, MARCH 15.
"COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SAME CENTRE WITHIN THE SAME PERIOD," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED PARENTS THAT IF THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT BY MARCH 14, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT ON TEL. 572 4383 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES IS SOLELY BASED ON PARENTS’ CHOICES.
PARENTS WHO HAVE MOVED HOUSE RECENTLY OR ARE PLANNING TO MOVE HOUSE IN THE NEAR FUTURE MUST INFORM THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO ALLOCATE A PLACE TO THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR NEW HOME DISTRICT.
RESULTS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION WILL BE RELEASED IN JUNE THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. ----------------------------------0-------
/6 .....
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
- 6 -
THE WEATHER OF FEBRUARY 1992 *****
THE GENERALLY GLOOMY AND DAMP CONDITIONS IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR WERE IN SHARP CONTRAST TO THE BRIGHT AND SUNNY SKIES IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH, A ROYAL OBSERVATORY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER A PROLONGED SPELL OF CLOUDS, RAIN AND MIST, WHICH EXTENDED OVER MOST PART OF THE MONTH, THE TOTAL DURATION OF SUNSHINE IN FEBRUARY WAS ONLY ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF NORMAL*.
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTAL WAS 142.8 MILLIMETRES. THIS WAS NEARLY THREE TIMES THE FEBRUARY NORMAL OF 48.0 MILLIMETRES AND PRODUCED THE SIXTH WETTEST FEBRUARY ON RECORD.
THE RAINFALL TOTAL FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR AMOUNTED TO 182.8 MILLIMETRES, MORE THAN 2.5 TIMES THE NORMAL AND THE EIGHTH WETTEST ON RECORD FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF A SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ON THE LAST DAY OF JANUARY, WINDS TURNED EASTERLY AND STRENGTHENED ON FEBRUARY 1.
CLOUDY AND WINDY CONDITIONS PERSISTED INTO THE NEXT DAY BEFORE THE STRONG EASTERLY AIRSTREAM SUBSIDED TOWARDS THE EVENING. IN ITS PLACE CAME A MARITIME AIRSTREAM LADEN WITH MOISTURE.
MIST APPEARED OFFSHORE THAT NIGHT AND THICKENED INTO FOG THE NEXT DAY. FOR INSHORE AREAS, IT WAS A MAINLY FINE DAY APART FROM SOME MIST ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 3.
HOWEVER, FOG BECAME MORE WIDESPREAD ON FEBRUARY 4 AND VISIBILITY INSIDE THE HARBOUR WAS DOWN TO 100 METRES THAT MORNING. ONCE THE FOG LIFTED, A FINE AND MILD DAY FOLLOWED AS THE FESTIVE CROWDS CELEBRATED THE FIRST DAY OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
BUT IT WAS A FRUSTRATING TIME FOR MANY HOLIDAY-MAKERS AS POOR VISIBILITY HAD EARLIER AFFECTED AIR TRAFFIC AS WELL AS SOME FERRY AND HYDROFOIL SERVICES.
AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 4, A COMBINATION OF ACTIVE WINTER MONSOON AND RAINY WEATHER PERSISTED FOR A SPELL OF NEARLY THREE WEEKS. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE MONSOON WINDS ALTERNATED BETWEEN NORTHERLY AND EASTERLY.
THE CONVERGENCE OF THE TWO AIRSTREAM NEAR THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY OFTEN LED TO EPISODES OF ENHANCED RAINFALL OVER THE TERRITORY. THE FIRST THUNDERSTORM OF THE YEAR OCCURRED DURING ONE SUCH EPISODE ON FEBRUARY 7.
MEANWHILE, TEMPERATURES FELL PROGRESSIVELY AS A COLD AIR MASS CONTINUED TO SPREAD TOWARDS THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
THE EASTERLIES STRENGTHENED ON FEBRUARY 8 AND BECAME STRONG OFFSHORE.
/UNDER THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
7
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANOTHER NORTHERLY REPLENISHMENT, THERE WERE SOME ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 11 IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO DAYS OF HEAVIER RAIN.
THE WEATHER BECAME EVEN COLDER AS THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED FURTHER TO THE MONTH’S LOWEST OF 11.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ON FEBRUARY 13.
AFTER A TEMPORARY LULL IN THE RAIN, THERE WAS RENEWED ACTIVITY IN RAIN CLOUDS DEVELOPMENT THE NEXT DAY.
FOLLOWING SOME MORNING THUNDERSTORMS ON FEBRUARY 15, BRIGHT PERIODS APPEARED LATER IN THE DAY TO AFFORD A RARE GLIMPSE OF THE SUN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 DAYS.
FROM FEBRUARY 16 TO 23, FREQUENT REPLENISHMENT OF COLD AIR FROM THE NORTH MAINTAINED THE GENERALLY COOL AND CLOUDY CONDITIONS.
OUTBREAKS OF HEAVIER RAIN ON FEBRUARY 19 CAUSED A LANDSLIP IN TSUEN WAN. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS INJURED, THREE HUTS WERE DAMAGED IN THE INCIDENT.
AFTER SOME BRIGHT PERIODS ON FEBRUARY 20 AND 21, IT CLOUDED UP AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 22. RAIN, THOUGH LIGHT, WAS RATHER PERSISTENT AND LASTED TILL THE NEXT MORNING.
MEANWHILE, A DRY CONTINENTAL AIR MASS MOVED SOUTHWARDS AND EVENTUALLY REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL WATERS THAT NIGHT. THE LINGERING CLOUDS CLEARED AS SUNNY AND DRY WEATHER SET IN ON FEBRUARY 24. THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY DROPPED DRAMATICALLY AND WAS AS LOW AS 26 PER CENT ON THE DAY. HILL FIRES WERE REPORTED IN CLEARWATER BAY AND TAI MO SHAN.
WITH THE WIND VEERING EASTERLY AND THEN SOUTHEASTERLY TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH, THE DRY INTERLUDE WAS GRADUALLY ERODED AS THE ATMOSPHERE MOISTENED UP.
ALTHOUGH THE WEATHER WAS STILL FINE ON FEBRUARY 27, MIST PATCHES STARTED TO FORM OVER OFFSHORE WATERS THAT EVENING.
VISIBILITY DETERIORATED FURTHER AS CLOUDY WEATHER RETURNED ON FEBRUARY 28. EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS HARDLY ANY SUNSHINE THAT DAY, WARM AIR FROM THE SOUTHEAST MANAGED TO PUSH THE TEMPERATURE UP TO THE MONTH’S HIGHEST OF 23.3 DEGREES CELSIUS.
AFTER SOME DRIZZLE IN THE EVENING, LIGHT RAIN GREW MORE FREQUENT ON FEBRUARY 29 AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF MIST AND FOG. AS A RESULT OF POOR VISIBILITY, THE FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND PING CHAU WAS SUSPENDED.
THERE WAS ONLY ONE TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN FEBRUARY. ELEVEN AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY DURING THE MONTH.
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 7, 12, 15, AND 19. THE GAS HEATER ALERT WAS IN FORCE ON FEBRUARY 7 TO 15 AND 19 TO 24. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 24 TO 25 AND THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING ON FEBRUARY 25 TO 27.
/SIGNALS HOISTED .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
8
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS: DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 1 FEB 4 PM 2 FEB 4 PM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON 8 FEB 12.30 PM 9 FEB 11.30 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM
AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
64.1 HOURS
7.39 MJ/SQ.M.
142.8 MM
80 %
83 %
17.2 DEGREES CELSIUS
15.4 DEGREES CELSIUS
13.9 DEGREES CELSIUS
12.3 DEGREES CELSIUS
41.5 MM
-------0-------
33.6 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
3.30 MJ/SQ.M. BELOW NORMAL
94.8 MM ABOVE NORMAL
7 % MORE THAN NORMAL
5 % HIGHER THAN NORMAL
1.4 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
NORMAL
0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
37.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS CONFIRM HAN DYNASTY SETTLEMENTS IN HK
*****
FOR THE FIRST TIME, A GREAT QUANTITY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS OF THE WESTERN HAN DYNASTY (206 B. C. - 24 A. D.) HAS BEEN UNEARTHED AT AN EXCAVATION SITE AT PAR MONG ON NORTH LANTAU ISLAND.
THE EXCAVATION IS COMMISSIONED TO THE INSTITUTE OF CHINESE STUDIES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BY THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE, AS PART OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN PAK MONG WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXPRESSWAY TO THE NEW CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT.
/THE EXCAVATION .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
THE EXCAVATION, WHICH STARTED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, WAS FULLY FINANCED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE EXCAVATION PROJECT, MR TANG CHUNG, WHO IS ALSO RESEARCH-ASSOCIATE OF THE INSTITUTE SAID: "DESPITE THE SPECTACULAR DISCOVERY OF THE EASTERN HAN (25-220 A. D.) TOMB IN LEI CHENG UK IN 1955, THERE HAS BEEN NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF THE HAN DYNASTY SETTLEMENTS IN HONG KONG.”
"BRONZE SPEARHEADS AND AXES AS WELL AS IRON FARMING IMPLEMENTS EXCAVATED FROM THE SITE ALL BEAR SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS OF WESTERN HAN FINDS DISCOVERED IN GUANGZHOU," MR TANG SAID.
PARTICULARLY NOTED ARE SOME POTTERY UNEARTHED IN PAK MONG WHICH ARE IDENTICAL TO THE POTTERY FINDS FROM THE FAMOUS TOMB OF THE NAN YUE KING IN GUANGZHOU.
"THE EXCAVATION CONFIRMS THE EXISTENCE OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON NORTH LANTAU DURING THE WESTERN HAN DYNASTY," MR TANG SAID.
THE EXCAVATION IS ASSISTED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS FROM THE ZHONG SHAN UNIVERSITY OF GUANGZHOU, AND THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL INSTITUTE OF CULTURAL RELICES AND ARCHAEOLOGY.
MEMBERS OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALAEONTOLOGICAL COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD VISITED THE CURRENT RESCUE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION AT PAK MONG ON FEBRUARY 28.
THEY WERE DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE EXCAVATION AS WELL AS THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE DEMONSTRATED BY THE EXCAVATION TEAM.
- - 0 - -
HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
AS FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR THE PRESENTATION OF TRADE STATISTICS OF HONG KONG IS THE HONG KONG STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM REVISION 3 (HK SITC REV. 3), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS NEW VERSION REPLACES THE PREVIOUSLY USED HK SITC REV. 2 AND FOLLOWS EXACTLY THE SYSTEM DESIGNED BY THE UNITED NATIONS FOR COMPILATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE STATISTICS.
THE CHANGE IN COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION FOR PRESENTING TRADE STATISTICS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED CONCURRENTLY WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE 1992 EDITION OF THE HONG KONG HARMONISED SYSTEM (HKHS) FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATION AS FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR.
/"AFTER THESE
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
- 10 -
"AFTER THESE CHANGES, HONG KONG NOW FULLY ADOPTS INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION CONCERNING EXTERNAL TRADE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COMMODITY DESCRIPTIONS AND CODES OF THE HK SITC REV. 3 CAN BE FOUND IN THE PUBLICATION TITLED "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS CLASSIFICATION (S.I.T.C. REV. 3)".
IT ALSO CONTAINS THE CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTRIES/TERRITORIES AND UNITS OF QUANTITY USED IN TRADE STATISTICS AND A TABLE SHOWING THE HKHS CODES CORRESPONDING TO EACH HK SITC REV. 3 CODE.
THE PUBLICATION IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE, AT $84 PER COPY, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
AS REGARDS THE COMPARABILITY OF TRADE STATISTICS IN SITC REV. 3 WITH PAST TRADE STATISTICS IN SITC REV. 2, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO STATISTICAL SERIES WERE NOT DIRECTLY COMPARABLE BECAUSE OF DIFFERENCES IN COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION.
HOWEVER, TO CATER FOR YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON WHICH IS COMMONLY MADE IN ANALYSIS OF TRADE STATISTICS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS ARRANGED TO RE-TABULATE THE TRADE STATISTICS OF 1991 IN SITC REV. 3 IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPARING WITH THE 1992 STATISTICS.
FURTHERMORE, USERS MAY REFER TO A CORRELATION TABLE BETWEEN THE SITC REV. 3 AND SITC REV. 2 FOR UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO VERSIONS AT THE DETAILED COMMODITY LEVEL. THE CORRELATION TABLE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO NOTED THAT BESIDES BEING ANALYSED BY SITC REV. 3, COMMODITY STATISTICS IN HKHS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON COMPUTER PRINTOUTS AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR USERS’ REFERENCE.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SUBJECT MAY BE MADE ON TEL. 582 5042.
--------0-----------
/Il ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE TENDER RESULTS FUND
★ ★ * * *
TENDER DATE 10 MAR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q211
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD l,709MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 4.00 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.02 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 30 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.10 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 16 MARCH 1992 -
TENDER DATE 17 MAR 92 17 MAR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q212 H260
ISSUE DATE 18 MAR 92 18 MAR 92
MATURITY DATE 17 JUN 92 16 SEP 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$500 + 100MN HK$200 + 60 MN
/12 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1992
12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * ♦ ♦ ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 9.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 10.3.92 -175
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +175
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.3 *+0.1* 10.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 4.15 PCT 21 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.98 PCT 24 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.99 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.22 PCT
12 : MONTHS 4.69 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 100.59 5.96
2402 5.50 99.07 6.10
- 6,290 MN
CLOSED 10 MARCH 1992
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
MEASURES TO FIGHT CRIME SPELLS OUT ............................... 1
MOMENTUM OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION TO BE INCREASED ............... 2
MOTION ON LAW AND ORDER PASSED ................................... 3
MOTION ON FUNDING PASSED ......................................... 3
CONSULTANTS ENGAGED IN SOME AIRPORT PROJECTS ..................... 4
GOVT REGULARLY REVIEWS BANKING LAW ............................... 5
NO GUARANTEE ON KCRC'S TARGET RATE OF RETURN ..................... 6
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS .................... 7
GOODS SMUGGLING BY LAND NOT RAMPANT .............................. 7
APPROVAL NEEDED FOR DISPLAY OF SIGNBOARDS ........................ 8
PROPOSAL TO RECYCLE CONSTRUCTION WASTE UNDER CONSIDERATION ....... 9
FOREIGN WORKERS MAY EXTEND STAY FOR COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION ...... 9
PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICE EXPLAINED ............................ 10
REVIEW ON OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCES AND PASSAGES UNDERWAY .... 11
MORE CONTAINER VEHICLE PARKING SPACES ON TSING YI ................ 12
ROLE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS EXPLAINED ... 13
INLAND REVENUE AMENDMENT (NO. 2) BILL INTRODUCED ................. 14
BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED ...................... 16
HK IS A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE: GOVERNOR ............................... I8
GOVERNOR SEES IMPROVED LIVING CONDITIONS IN EASTERN DISTRICT ....... 19
STATEMENT OF FS ON CAC'S REPORT .................................... 20
NEED FOR PRIORITISATION ON REHABILITATION SERVICES STRESSED ........ 21
PUBLIC LAND AUCTION ON FRIDAY ...................................... 23
GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC ............................ 24
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ................................... 25
273 VOLUNTARY RETURNEES BACK TO VIETNAM ............................ 26
GRANTS TO ARTS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS APPROVED ..................... 26
INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SUB-OFFICE ON MOVE ....................... 27
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 28
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
1
MEASURES TO FIGHT CRIME SPELLS OUT * t * t *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) SPELT OUT A SERIES OF NEW MEASURES TO FIGHT CRIME.
WINDING UP A NOTION DEBATE ON LAW AND ORDER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID SOME SUCCESS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE POLICE MANAGEMENT IN THEIR EFFORT TO COUNTER THE EFFECT OF MANPOWER SHORTAGE.
AT MARCH 1 THIS YEAR, THERE WERE ABOUT 250 MORE POLICE OFFICERS IN THE FORCE THAN THERE WERE /X YEAR AGO.
IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS, RECRUITMENT AT JUNIOR POLICE OFFICER LEVEL HAD PICKED UP; AT THE SAME TIME WASTAGE HAD DECLINED.
THE NET RESULT HAD. BEEN A STEADY IF SLOW INCREASE IN POLICE STRENGTH, HE SAID.
"WE MUST ENSURE THAT THIS TREND CONTINUES," HE SAID, ADDING THAT IF IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE PAY FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS WAS NOT ATTRACTING SUFFICIENT RECRUITS, THEN CLEARLY THEIR PAY HAD TO BE REVIEWED.
HE SAID THE POLICE HAD ALSO MADE VERY CONSIDERABLE INVESTMENT IN NEW ANTI-CRIME EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY.
"WE WILL SEE THE DELIVERY OF 21 NEW LAUNCHES FOR THE MARINE POLICE IN 1992-93; THESE WILL HELP TO CURB CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AT SEA,” HE SAID.
OTHER ANTI-CRIME EQUIPMENT INCLUDED THE COMPUTER ASSISTED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM, WHICH HAD HELPED TO RESOLVE A NUMBER OF SERIOUS CRIMES; THE ENHANCED COMMAND AND CONTROL COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH IMPROVES DEPLOYMENT OF POLICE OFFICERS; THE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH IMPROVES INVESTIGATION WORK; UPGRADED POLICE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT; AND THERMAL IMAGERS FOR ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT OPERATIONS ON THE BORDER.
THE POLICE WERE STREAMLINING CRIME REPORTING PROCEDURES TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO FIGHT CRIME, HE SAID.
ONE-WAY VIEWING FACILITIES FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF SUSPECTS BY WITNESSES ARE IN OPERATION IN FOUR POLICE STATIONS, AND TWO MORE WILL COME INTO OPERATION THIS YEAR.
THE POLICE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING IMPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROTECTION OF WITNESSES, ESPECIALLY IN CASES OF TRIAD CRIMES WHERE INTIMIDATION IS FEARED.
MR ASPREY SAID THE ORGANISED CRIME BILL WAS NOW BEING REVISED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BILL, WHEN ENACTED, WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN TACKLING ORGANISED CRIME AND AT THE SAME TIME RE CONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE. THIS IS NOT AN EASY BALANCE TO STRIKE BUT WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD ON IT," HE SAID.
/TURNING TO........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
2
TURNING TO THE • SO-CALLED POLICE "MORALE" PROBLEM, MR ASPREY MID IT WAS WRONG TO SUGGEST THAT THE POLICE WERE PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES RELUCTANTLY AND INEFFICIENTLY.
"THE POLICE CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES WITH DEDICATION, DETERMINATION AND COURAGE. THIS IS THE TRUE MEASURE OF MORALE," HE SAID.
"THE POLICE ARE DOING A DIFFICULT JOB. WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THEIR HARD WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS, NOT DIMINISH THEM," HE ADDFD.
- - 0 - -
MOMENTUM OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION TO BE INCREASED
*****
THE OCTOBER 1991 AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN BRITAIN, HONG KONG AND VIETNAM ON REPATRIATION HAS WORKED WELL AND IS SUCCESSFUL IN STEMMING ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM AND IN STIMULATING VOLUNTARY RETURNS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, WHEN WINDING UP AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON "VOLUNTARY RETURN PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS" IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
"WE NOW NEED TO BUILD ON THIS PROMISING START BY INCREASING THE PACE OF RETURN," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS SEEKING TO INCREASE THE MOMENTUM OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION BY EXTENDING THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT FOR NON-VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION TO THE LONG-TERM SCREENED-OUT POPULATION IN THE (’AMPS.
SO FAR, MR ASPREY SAID, THERE HAD BEEN NO SUBSTANTIATED CASE OF PERSECUTION OR MISTREATMENT OF ANYONE WHO HAD RETURNED.
TO ENSURE THAT GUARANTEES WERE UPHELD, THE SECRETARY SAID THE UNHCR MONITORED THE TREATMENT OF EVERYONE WHO WENT BACK WHETHER UNDER THE VOLUNTARY OR THE MANDATORY RETURN SCHEME.
NEVERTHELESS, EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE IN THE CENTRES ARE GIVEN ACCURATE AND RELIABLE INFORMATION ON CONDITIONS IN VIETNAM AND RECEIVE COUNSELLING ON REPATRIATION.
ON THE EXPANSION OF REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE IN VIETNAM, MR ASPREY SAID THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HAD JUST EXTENDED A PILOT SCHEME OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO A FULL PROGRAMME PROVIDING $800 MILLION IN 17 PROVINCES OF VIETNAM.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 11. 1992
- 3
MOTION ON LAW AND ORDER PASSED
A MOTION ON LAW AND ORDER MOVED BY THE HON PEGGY LAM WAS PASSED AFTER A THREE-AND-A-HALF HOUR DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION READ: "IN VIEW OF THE COMMUNITY’S STRONG CONCERN OVER VIOLENT CRIMES AND GANG ACTIVITIES. THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE AND APPROPRIATE MEASURES, INCLUDING THOSE TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY. EQUIPMENT AND MORALE OF THE POLICE FORCE, SO AS TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF THE PEOPLE, MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER AND REDUCE THE CRIME RATE IN HONG KONG."
A TOTAL OF 21 MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY/ MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
NINE LEGISLATIVECOUNCILLORS SPOKE IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE VOLUNTARY RETURN PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RAISED BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW. MR ASPREY AGAIN SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
A MOTION UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD. WAS PASSED.
TWO BILLS, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.5) BILL 1991 AND DENTISTS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991, WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
TWO OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY WERE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992 AND BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
------0----------
MOTION ON FUNDING PASSED
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION PROVIDING FUNDS ON ACCOUNT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY ON EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR ON APRIL 1 AND THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
THE FUNDS INVOLVED AMOUNT TO $39,204,635,000.
THE MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE.
e
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/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 4 -
CONSULTANTS ENGAGED IN SOME AIRPORT PROJECTS
******
CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN ENGAGED TO CARRY OUT FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY STUDIES ON SOME PROJECTS RECOMMENDED IN THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND NOW INCLUDED IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR YEUNG ADDED THAT THESE PROJECTS INCLUDED THE NEW AIRPORT, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
"THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY PROJECTS IN WHICH WE ENVISAGE A DEGREE OF PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION," HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF RELEASING THE STUDY REPORTS, MR YEUNG SAID THE FINANCIAL STUDIES CONTAINED COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION.
"IN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO PUBLISH THESE STUDIES, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER WHETHER THE RELEASE OF COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION WILL PREJUDICE TENDERS OR OFFERS OF FINANCING TO THE GOVERNMENT OR THE STATUTORY CORPORATIONS INVOLVED," THE SECRETARY SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, IN SOME CASES, THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS USED IN THE EARLIER STUDIES WERE OUT OF DATE.
"WE THEREFORE CONSIDER THESE REPORTS UNSUITABLE FOR PUBLICATION AND THAT THEY MAY, IF RELEASED, CAUSE MORE CONFUSION THAN ENLIGHTENMENT," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO CONSIDERED WHETHER THE REPORTS COULD BE RELEASED AFTER REMOVING SENSITIVE INFORMATION.
"THE FACT IS THAT, IN ALL CASES, THE SENSITIVE INFORMATION CONSTITUTE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE REPORTS,
"WITHOUT THEM, THE REPORTS WOULD BE VIRTUALLY MEANINGLESS," HE SAID.
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/5 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
5
GOVT REGULARLY REVIEWS BANKING LAW
»»»«»»
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO REVIEW AND REVISE LEGISLATION RELATING TO BANKS REGULARLY TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD K.S. LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY SAID THE EXTENT TO WHICH MORE INFORMATION SHOULD BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IN RESPECT OF BANKING OPERATIONS WAS ONE OF MANY ISSUES THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THAT ON-GOING REVIEW.
"BUT WE SHALL ALSO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF THE BANKING SYSTEM," HE ADDED.
AS TO THE UNRECORDED LIABILTIES OF A BANK, MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT SHOULD A BANK HAVE SUCH, THAT WAS TO SAY THAT THERE WERE CLAIMS WHICH WERE NOT RECORDED IN ITS BOOKS THOUGH IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD ACCOUNTING PRACTICES THEY OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN, IT MIGHT NOT BE POSSIBLE TO DISCOVER THESE, HOWEVER TRANSPARENT THE OPERATIONS OF THE BANK WERE TO BECOME.
HE SAID THEY COULD WELL ONLY BE IDENTIFIED WHEN THE PERSONS PURPORTING TO HAVE SUCH CLAIMS ON THE BANK CAME FORWARD AND MADE THEIR CLAIMS.
"CERTAINLY IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE CLAIMS WHICH HAVE RECENTLY BEEN LODGED WITH THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF BCCHK (THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG) BY LIQUIDATORS OF OTHER PARTS OF THE 3CC GROUP WORLDWIDE, WHETHER THEY CAN BE DESCRIBED AS ’RECORDED’ OR ’UNRECORDED’ LIABILITIES, ARE NOT SUCH AS COULD HAVE BEEN REASONABLY IDENTIFIED OR ANTICIPATED BY A REGULATOR OF AUDITOR.
"THESE CLAIMS, ARISING OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF BCCHK HAVE YET TO BE EVALUATED, AND IF NECESSARY, RULED UPON BY THE COURT," HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID IT WOULD NOT BE A PRACTICABLE PROPOSITION TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE UNRECORDED OR POTENTIAL LIABILITIES IN OTHER AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS BEARING IN MIND THE LARGE NUMBER OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND THE SCALE AND EXTENT OF THEIR BUSINESS.
THE BEST PREVENTIVE MEASURE WAS TO ENSURE THAT ONLY INSTITUTIONS WITH PRUDENT MANAGEMENT WERE AUTHORISED TO OPERATE IN HONG KONG AND THAT INSTITUTIONS HAD GOOD AND EFFECTIVE INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEMS WHICH COULD GUARD AGAINST FRAUD AND MALPRACTICES INCLUDING FAILURE TO KEEP PROPER RECORDS OF TRANSACTIONS, HE SAID.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, THE CONTROLS ON BANK OWNERSHIP AND THE AUTHORISATION POLICY HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED SINCE THE ENTRY OF BCCHK IN 1979.
/"A PERSON .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
6
"A PERSON PROPOSING TO BECOME A CONTROLLER OF AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG NOW HAS TO OBTAIN THE PRIOR CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING," HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD SAID LEGISLATION HAD ALSO BEEN AMENDED TO FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN REGULATORS, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS, AND THE REPORTING OF FRAUD TO THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING BY AUDITORS.
IN ADDITION, A BANKING AMENDMENT BILL WAS BEING DRAFTED TO PROVIDE THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR EXTERNAL AUDITORS TO REPORT ON THE ADEQUACY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS’ INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEM.
"WHILE WE ARE NOT COMPLACENT AND WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP MATTERS UNDER REVIEW, WE BELIEVE WE HAVE A SOUND AND ADEQUATELY SUPERVISED BANKING SYSTEM WHICH COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THAT IN OTHER CENTRES AROUND THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
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NO GUARANTEE ON KCRC’S TARGET RATE OF RETURN
*****
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION’S (KCRC) TARGET RATE OF RETURN OF 12 PER CENT TO 15 PER CENT ON NET FIXED ASSETS IS NOT A PERMITTED OR GUARANTEED RETURN, BUT ONE OF THE INTERNAL GUIDELINES FOR 'HE KCRC TO OPERATE ON PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MR LEUNG SAID LAST YEAR KCRC’S RATE OF RETURN ON FIXED ASSETS WAS EIGHT PER CENT BEFORE PROPERTY INCOME AND NINE PER CENT AFTER PROPERTY INCOME.
"THE KCRC EXPECTS THAT EXCLUDING PROPERTY INCOME, THE RETURN ON ITS NET FIXED ASSETS WILL ONLY BE AROUND SIX TO SEVEN PER CENT PER ANNUM IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE INTERNAL GUIDELINES WERE ADOPTED AS THE CORPORATION’S CORPORATE INTENT, FOLLOWING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE KCRC IN LATE 1990.
MR LEUNG SAID THE 12 PER CENT TO 15 PER CENT RATE OF RETURN WAS A LONG-TERM TARGET WHICH WAS INDICATIVE RATHER THAN DEFINITIVE. IT WAS NOT TO BE USED AS THE SOLE INDICATOR TO EVALUATE PERFORMANCE.
"SPECIFICALLY, A RATE OF RETURN WILL ENSURE THAT THE CORPORATION WILL BUILD UP SUFFICIENT RESERVES OVER TIME TO FINANCE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITHOUT RECOURSE TO THE TAXPAYER," HE SAID.
"AS THE GUIDELINES ARE INTENDED FOR INTERNAL GUIDANCE WITHIN THE KCRC AND INVOLVE COMMERCIAL CONFIDENTIALLY, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PUBLICISED,” HE SAID.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 7 -
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS
IN VIEW OF THE SCALE AND INTENSITY OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS, THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO PROMOTE AND PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND SITE PERSONNEL INVOLVED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID THE ADDITIONAL MEASURES WOULD INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A CONTRACTOR’S SITE SAFETY PLAN TO BE APPROVED AND CLOSELY FOLLOWED.
’’THE CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE BEING STRENGTHENED TO GIVE CONTRACTUALLY BINDING EFFECT TO THE ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS,” HE SAID.
MOREOVER, MR BLAKE SAID, A SITE SAFETY MANUAL INCLUDING PROCEDURES FOR AUDITING SAFETY ACTIONS AND FOR EMERGENCY SUPPORT WAS BEING DEVELOPED TO ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK COMMON TO ALL AIRPORT-RELATED CONTRACTS.
THE USUAL QUARTERLY REPORTING ON CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING SAFETY PERFORMANCE WILL APPLY, AND CONTRACTORS’ SAFETY RECORDS WILL BE REGULARLY REVIEWED.
"IF THERE ARE ANY MAJOR SITE SAFETY PROBLEMS, THERE WILL BE URGENT HIGH-LEVEL MANAGEMENT INVOLVEMENT TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION,” MR BLAKE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT POOR SITE SAFETY PERFORMANCE ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE ELIGIBILITY OF CONTRACTORS TO TENDER FOR FURTHER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
”AS A POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT A SITE SAFETY AWARD SCHEME IS BEING CONSIDERED. THIS WILL REQUIRE FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH CONTRACTORS INVOLVED AND OTHER RELEVANT BODIES," HE SAID.
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GOODS SMUGGLING BY LAND NOT RAMPANT
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SMUGGLING OF UNMANIFESTED GOODS INTO CHINA BY LAND WAS NOT RAMPANT.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW WONG, MR ASPREY SAID LAST YEAR 63 CASES WERE DETECTED INVOLVING GOODS WORTH SOME $36 MILLION.
/THE TYPES .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
8
THE TYPES OF GOODS TYPICALLY SMUGGLED INTO CHINA BY LAND INCLUDED VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS, COMPUTERS, CAMERAS AND AIR CONDITIONERS.
HE SAID THERE WERE TWO INCIDENTS LAST YEAR WHEN VEHICLES CROSSING IN TO CHINA DROVE STRAIGHT ON AFTER BEING DIRECTED TO THE CUSTOMS INSPECTION AREA IN HONG KONG.
THE VEHICLES WERE DIRECTED BACK TO HONG KONG BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE INCIDENTS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF MISUNDERSTANDINGS, AS NO CONTRABAND WAS FOUND IN EITHER CASE.
"THERE IS CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINESE CUSTOMS AT THE VEHICULAR CROSSING POINTS, AND I WOULD NOT EXPECT PROBLEMS OF THE TYPE ENVISAGED IN THE QUESTION TO ARISE IN FUTURE," MR ASPREY SAID.
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APPROVAL NEEDED FOR DISPLAY OF SIGNBOARDS
*****
APPLICATIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO PUT UP PUBLICITY SIGNBOARDS FOR THEIR OFFICES AT PUBLIC PLACES WITHIN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES ARE CONSIDERED AND PROCESSED IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR PUTTING UP SIGNBOARDS IN PUBLIC PLACES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO, MR BARNES SAID IN CONSIDERING AN APPLICATION, FACTORS SUCH AS OBSTRUCTION TO THE PUBLIC, TRAFFIC SAFETY AND THE COMMERCIAL CONTENT OF THE SIGNBOARDS WERE ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
MR BARNES SAID AN APPLICATION WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE TO THE RELEVANT DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER IF THE SIGNBOARDS WERE PROPOSED TO BE PUT ON GOVERNMENT LAND.
"HOWEVER, DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION, APPROVAL BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS OR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER WOULD ONLY APPROVE NON-COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING INVOLVING THE DISPLAY OF BANNERS OR POSTERS ON HIGHWAY STRUCTURES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS, SUCH AS TRADE FAIRS AND FESTIVALS.
"WHERE THERE MAY BE POSSIBLE OBSTRUCTIONS TO TRAFFIC OR VIEW OF TRAFFIC, THE POLICE AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BE CONSULTED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID APPLICATIONS FOR PUTTING UP SIGNBOARDS NORMALLY TAKE SOME SIX WEEKS TO PROCESS.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 9 -
PROPOSAL TO RECYCLE CONSTRUCTION WASTE UNDER CONSIDERATION
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING PROPOSALS TO LEVY A CHARGE FOR CONSTRUCTION WASTE DISPOSAL AND TO ESTABLISH SORTING AND RECYCLING CENTRES FOR CONSTRUCTION WASTE INCLUDING TIMBER, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG, MR BLAKE SAID WOODEN PLANKS AND BOARDS USED IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WERE AT PRESENT DISPOSED OF EITHER BY TAKING TO LANDFILLS OR BY BURNING ON SITE.
’’HOWEVER BURNING IS NOW MUCH LESS COMMON SINCE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES HAVE BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT ABOUT 95 PER CENT OF THE WOODEN PLANKS AND BOARDS USED IN GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WERE IMPORTED FROM COUNTRIES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA.
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FOREIGN WORKERS MAY EXTEND STAY FOR COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION *****
FOREIGN WORKERS COULD APPLY TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR EXTENSION OF STAY PENDING CONCILIATION MEETINGS, COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION AND COURT HEARINGS IN CASE THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINT AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYERS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS ELSIE TU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT ALL FOREIGN WORKERS WERE SUBJECT TO PROTECTION UNDER HONG KONG LAW IRRESPECTIVE OF SEX, RACE AND NATIONALITY.
"THE SAME COMPLAINT MECHANISM APPLIES TO FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS AND TO WORKERS IMPORTED UNDER THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEMES.
"IF THEY HAVE ANY COMPLAINT AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYERS, THEY CAN APPROACH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL PROVIDE A CONCILIATION SERVICE. ’’
IF NO SETTLEMENT CAN BE REACHED, HE SAID, THEIR CASES ARE REFERRED TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR ADJUDICATION.
"THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE ’TWO-WEEK RULE’ ON LIMITATION OF STAY: THAT IS TO SAY, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO LEAVE HONG KONG WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE TERMINATION OF THEIR CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.
"HOWEVER THEY CAN APPLY TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR EXTENSION OF STAY PENDING CONCILIATION MEETINGS, COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION AND COURT HEARINGS," HE SAID.
/THE EMPLOYMENT ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
10
THE EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS HAS HAD A HISTORY OF MORE THAN 15 YEARS AND BOTH THE FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS WERE WELL AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, HE ADDED.
"EMPLOYERS OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS ARE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION IF THEY HAVE COMMITTED OFFENCES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
"THE RECORDS OF OFFENCES PROVIDE USEFUL INFORMATION TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN DECIDING WHETHER AN EMPLOYER IS A SUITABLE SPONSOR IN FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN WORKERS," MR CHAN SAID.
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PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICE EXPLAINED ♦ » * ♦ »
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PREFER SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHERE IT IS WILLING AND ABLE TO DO SO, AND WHERE THE PUBLIC INTEREST CAN BE ADEQUATELY SAFEGUARDED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FRED LI WAH-MING, MR MACLEOD SAID MOST PUBLIC TRANSPORT, HARBOUR CROSSINGS, BROADCASTING, POWER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS WERE PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"WHERE THESE BUSINESSES ARE MONOPOLIES OR QUASI-MONOPOLIES, THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS USUALLY SAFEGUARDED THROUGH FRANCHISE AND/OR LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS OF SOME SORT," HE SAID.
"WHERE A PUBLIC SERVICE NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED, AND THERE IS MERIT IN GIVING ITS MANAGEMENT A LARGE DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AND IN ENSURING THAT IT OPERATES THE SERVICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES, WE TEND TO SEEK TO PROVIDE IT THROUGH THE MECHANISM OF A STATUTORY CORPORATION," HE SAID.
THE MTRC, KCRC AND THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ARE CASES IN POINT.
WHERE A PUBLIC SERVICE IS NEEDED, BUT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS EITHER UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO DO SO (EITHER BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE OR BECAUSE IT IS NOT COMMERCIALLY VIABLE), MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER PROVIDING THAT SERVICE.
"WE WOULD, HOWEVER, ASK OURSELVES WHETHER ALTERNATIVELY THE SERVICE COULD BE PROVIDED EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY THROUGH THE MECHANISM OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES," HE ADDED.
AIDED SCHOOLS AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND WELFARE AGENCIES FORMED THE BULK OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES.
"WHERE THE SERVICE CANNOT BE PROVIDED IN THAT WAY, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ASSUME THE DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY OF DELIVERING THE SERVICE THROUGH A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
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/Il ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 11 -
REVIEW ON OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCES AND PASSAGES UNDERWAY *****
A REVIEW IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY TO EXAMINE WHETHER AND HOW THE OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCES AND SCHOOL PASSAGES SCHEME SHOULD BE CHANGED, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AMONG THE CONSIDERATIONS IN CARRYING OUT THE REVIEW ARE THE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF LOCAL EDUCATION, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO CONSULT STAFF ON ANY PROPOSALS TO MODIFY THE OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCE SCHEME AND SCHOOL PASSAGE SCHEME BEFORE ANY CHANGES WERE INTRODUCED TO THE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF SERVING OFFICERS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN NG, MR WIGGHAM EXPLAINED THAT THE TWO SCHEMES WERE INTRODUCED IN THE PAST TO FACILITATE RECRUITMENT FROM OVERSEAS AND WERE LATER EXTENDED TO LOCAL OFFICERS ON GROUNDS OF PARITY.
THERE ARE ASPECTS OF THE SCHEMES WHICH HAVE BECOME OUT-DATED, HE ADDED.
ON THE RATES OF THE ALLOWANCES, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE RATES OF OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCE VARIED FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY DEPENDING ON THE COST OF EDUCATION IN THAT COUNTRY.
"THERE ARE DIFFERENT RATES FOR DAY SCHOOL AND BOARDING SCHOOL.
"TRADITIONALLY, WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE RATES LAID DOWN BY THE UK OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (ODA) FOR ITS STAFF WORKING OVERSEAS. THE ODA RATES ARE REVISED FROM TIME TO TIME BASED ON CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF TUITiON FEES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES."
HE NOTED THAT THE COST OF SCHOOL PASSAGES ON THE UK ROUTE WAS BASED ON THE CONTRACT FARE IN THE AIR PASSAGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TWO OPERATING AIRLINES.
SCHOO), PASSAGES ON NON-UK ROUTES , WHICH ONLY CONSTITUTE ABOUT 4.5 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, ARE BASED ON THE PUBLISHED ECONOMY CLASS FARE OR STUDENT FARE, WHERE AVAILABLE.
/MR WIGGHAM .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
12
MR WIGGHAM TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE EXPENDITURE ON OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCES AND SCHOOL PASSAGES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WAS:
OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCES PASSAGES
$ MILLION $ MILLION
1989/90 112.6 52.3
90/91 168.5 66.4
91/92 211.2 103.7
(REVISED PROVISION)
THE FORECAST EXPENDITURE FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS IS:
OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCES PASSAGES
$ MILLION $ MILLION
1992/93 222.1 84.7
93/94 235.4 82.5
94/95 249.6 87.4
THE FORECAST REDUCTION IN PASSAGE EXPENDITURE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS IS DUE TO A NEW TICKETING ARRANGEMENT WITH RETURN JOURNEYS STARTING IN HONG KONG AND LOWER FARES UNDER A NEW PASSAGE AGREEMENT TO BE INTRODUCED IN 1992/93, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
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MORE CONTAINER VEHICLE PARKING SPACES ON TSING YI * * * * ♦ ♦
EXTRA LAND TO ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 330 CONTAINER VEHICLES AT SAI TSOI WAN ON TSING YI SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JULY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MR LEUNG SAID THERE WERE ALSO PLANS TO MAKE TWO MORE SITES AVAILABLE IN NORTHEAST TSING YI BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR FOR ABOUT 400 LORRIES.
/"IN THE........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
13
"IN THE LONGER TERM, PROVISION FOR VEHICLE PARKING WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 9, WHICH WILL HAVE A 36-HECTARE BACK-UP AREA," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES WHICH STIPULATED STANDARDS FOR PROVIDING LORRY PARKING SPACES IN NEW INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, WERE BEING APPLIED IN THE CASE OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON TSING YI.
"THE ACTUAL AVAILABILITY OF LAND FOR PARKING IS MONITORED. WHERE THERE IS A SHORTFALL, EFFORTS ARE MADE TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL SITES FOR USE ON A TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT BASIS," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 1,150 PARKING SPACES FOR CONTAINER VEHICLES AND ABOUT 1,800 SPACES FOR LORRIES ON TSING YI.
MR LEUNG SAID A SPOT CHECK BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LAST JANUARY SHOWED THAT ABOUT 310 CONTAINER VEHICLES AND 350 LORRIES WERE ILLEGALLY PARKED ON TSING YI OVERNIGHT.
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ROLE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS EXPLAINED *****
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (NLCDPS) ARE CARRIED OUT BY SUBVENTED AGENCIES IN AREAS WHERE THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL FACILITIES AND WELFARE SERVICES IS NON-EXISTENT OR INADEQUATE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FUNG KIN-KEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR SUEN SAID SUCH AREAS INCLUDED TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, SQUATTER AREAS, COTTAGE AREAS, AND MARK I TO VI PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES THAT WERE DUE FOR IMMINENT REDEVELOPMENT.
THE NLCDP TEAM IS GENERALLY THE MAIN SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCY IN THE PRIORITY AREA, PROVIDING A PACKAGE OF WELFARE SERVICES TO THE TARGET POPULATION.
SINCE MAY 1989, THE COMMITTEE ON NLCDP HAS APPROVED THE EXTENSION OF NLCDP TEAMS, INTER ALIA, TO MARK III TO MARK VI PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
"A TOTAL OF 51 TEAMS HAVE BEEN SET UP, 14 SERVE THESE ESTATES," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT APPROVED APPLICATIONS FROM AGENCIES TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN EACH CASE, MR SUEN SAID IT WAS A MATTER FOR THE AGENCY TO APPLY TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE ALLOCATION OF SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION.
/"THE HOUSING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
14
"THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CONSIDERS APPLICATIONS FROM A VOLUNTARY AGENCY FOR PREMISES FOR NLCDP IN THE CONTEXT OF ALL OTHER PRIORITIES AND HAVING REGARD TO THE WISHES OF ESTATE RESIDENTS.
"TO DATE, 13 UNITS IN MARK III - VI ESTATES HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO NLCDP TEAMS FOR USE AS A BASE FOR THEIR WORK IN THE ESTATE; THERE IS ONE APPLICATION STILL BEING PROCESSED," MR SUEN SAID.
UNDER CURRENT POLICY, MR SUEN STRESSED, IF VACANT PREMISES FAIL TO ATTRACT COMMERCIAL TENANTS AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO LET, CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CONVERSION OF SUCH PREMISES TO COMMUNITY USE, PROVIDED THAT SUCH USE WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BUSSINESS ENVIRONMENT OF NEARBY SHOPS.
HE ALSO SAID IT WAS THE AIM TO PROVIDE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, PREMISES THAT MEET THE OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
"FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRES, PREMISES BETWEEN 50 TO 140 SQUARE METRES ARE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR ALLOCATION.
"BASED ON OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE, IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO MAKE AVAILABLE PREMISES WITHIN THIS RANGE FOR USE BY THESE CENTRES," HE SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, MR SUEN SAID PROVIDED THAT SUITABLE PREMISES
ERE AVAILABLE AND THAT ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WERE SUBMITTED TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATION, IT HAD BEEN POSSIBLE TO COMPLETE THE PROCESSING WITHIN FOUR MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF SUBMISSION.
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INLAND REVENUE AMENDMENT (NO. 2) BILL INTRODUCED
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 IS TO EXEMPT FROM PROFITS TAX INCOME DERIVED FROM GOODS AND PASSENGERS UPLIFTED IN HONG KONG BY SHIPS REGISTERED ON THE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
MOVING THE BILL FOR THE SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG SAID MAJOR WORLD SHIP REGISTRATION CENTRES, OTHER THAN HONG KONG, DID NOT CHARGE TAX ON PROFITS MADE BY OWNERS OF SHIPS REGISTERED WITH THEM.
INSTEAD, THEY LEVIED INITIAL REGISTRATION FEES AND ANNUAL CHARGES•
MR YEUNG SAID AT PRESENT THERE WAS A DISINCENTIVE FOR SHIPS TO JOIN THE HONG KONG REGISTER, BECAUSE HERE THEY WERE SUBJECT BOTH TO FEES AND CHARGES AND TO PROFITS TAX.
/•'BY EXEMPTING.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 15 -
"BY EXEMPTING THEM FROM PROFITS TAX, THE BILL WILL ENCOURAGE MORE SHIPS TO JOIN OUR REGISTER AND SO PROVIDE A LARGE, EVEN IF UNQUANTIFIABLE BENEFIT TO THE ECONOMY GENERALLY," THE SECRETARY SAID.
DESCRIBING THE REVENUE IMPLICATIONS AS SMALL, MR YEUNG SAID THE NOTIONAL COST TO REVENUE OF THE EXEMPTION WOULD BE LESS THAN $30 MILLION A YEAR.
"AND, OF COURSE, WE EXPECT MOST OF THIS TO BE MADE UP FOR BY FEES AND CHARGES PAID BY NEW SHIPS COMING ONTO THE REGISTER," HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO MAKE TWO OTHER CHANGES. THE FIRST OF THESE RELATED TO CHARTER HIRE.
"FEW OPERATORS SIGN CHARTER CONTRACTS WHICH PRODUCE INCOME TAXABLE UNDER HONG KONG LAW."
NEVERTHELESS, THERE WAS SOME DISINCENTIVE FOR SHIP-OWNERS TO SIGN CHARTERING CONTRACTS IN HONG KONG, BECAUSE OF THEIR POTENTIAL LIABILITY TO PROFITS TAX, HE SAID.
THE BILL SOUGHT TO REMOVE THIS UNCERTAINTY BY NOT CHARGING PROFITS TAX ON THE CHARTER HIRE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO A PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT MAINTAINED IN HONG KONG OF EITHER HONG KONG-REGISTERED OR OVERSEAS REGISTERED SHIPS.
FINALLY, THE OPPORTUNITY WAS TAKEN IN THE BILL TO CLARIFY THE LIABILITIES OF AIRLINES TO PROFITS TAX ON THEIR CHARTER HIRE INCOME.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS CHANGE, AIRLINES WILL BE ABLE TO CALCULATE THEIR TAX LIABILITY FROM THEIR OWN RECORDS," HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID IT WAS NOW OVER A YEAR SINCE THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED ITS INTENTION TO INTRODUCE THIS LEGISLATION.
"ALTHOUGH THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND THE BILL ARE STRAIGHT-FORWARD, PROTRACTED CONSULTATIONS HAVE BEEN NECESSARY WITH THE SHIPPING AND AIRLINE INDUSTRIES ON MATTERS OF TECHNICAL DETAIL.
"THESE INCLUDE, IN PARTICULAR, AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF DEFINITIONS TO COVER THE WIDE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CAN APPLY IN DETERMINING THE TAX LIABILITY OF SHIPPING AND AIRLINE OPERATIONS,” HE SAID. .
MR YEUNG SAID IT WAS PARTLY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE DRAFTING DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE MEASURES WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FROM DECEMBER 3, 1990, THE DATE ON WHICH THE NEW SHIPPING REGISTER WAS ESTABLISHED.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE TIME TAKEN HAS BEEN WORTHWHILE, AS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED NOT ONLY ON THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND THE BILL, BUT ALSO ON IMPORTANT DRAFTING TECHNICALITIES.
/"THE RESULT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 16 -
"THE RESULT IS, I HOPE, A COMPREHENSIVE AND POLISHED BILL WHICH WILL ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES IN A MANNER ACCEPTABLE TO ALL THE MAIN AFFECTED PARTIES," HE ADDED
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED ******
THE PURPOSE OF THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 IS TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A SEPARATE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID AS PART OF THE REORGANISATION PROGRAMME OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNMENT WAS PROPOSING THAT THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY.
"THIS SHOULD BOTH IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND, IN CONJUNCTION WITH CERTAIN PROPOSED CHANGES IN WORKING PRACTICES, ALLOW FOR A MORE EFFICIENT AND STREAMLINED OPERATION," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE OFFICE, HEADED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, WOULD ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSOLVENCY MATTERS UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE (CAP.6) AND COMPULSORY WINDING-UP OF COMPANIES UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (CAP. 32) WHICH WERE AT PRESENT UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
"THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE IS THE PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE, SECTIONS 75 AND 76 PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN OFFICIAL RECEIVER BY THE GOVERNOR AND DEFINE HIS POWERS AND STATUS," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID IN ORDER THAT HE COULD DISCHARGE HIS DUTIES EFFECTIVELY, CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL ENABLED THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER TO DELEGATE HIS POWERS TO CERTAIN SPECIFIED OFFICERS WHO COULD ACT ON HIS BEHALF AND CARRIED OUT HIS STATUTORY FUNCTIONS AS LIQUIDATOR AND TRUSTEE OF THE ESTATES OF INSOLVENT COMPANIES AND BANKRUPT PERSONS.
SUCH DELEGATION HAS HITHERTO BEEN PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE REGISTRAR GENERAL (ESTABLISHMENT) ORDINANCE.
"THE SPECIFIED OFFICERS MAY ALSO REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER IN THE SUPREME COURT IN HEARINGS ON PETITIONS OR CIVIL LITIGATION PROCEEDINGS, AND CONDUCT PROSECUTIONS ON INSOLVENCY-OFFENCES IN THE MAGISTRATES COURTS.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT TO STIPULATE THAT THE INCUMBENTS OF SUCH POSTS SHOULD HOLD THE APPROPRIATE LEGAL QUALIFICATIONS," EE SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 17 -
HE SAID CLAUSE 4 ALSO AUTHORISED THEM TO TAKE AFFIDAVITS.
CLAUSE 6 INTRODUCED A NEW SCHEDULE WHICH SPECIFIED THE
OFFICERS APPOINTED TO ASSIST THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER.
’’THE SCHEDULE MAY BE AMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR BY ORDER PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE,” HE ADDED.
HE SAID CLAUSE 5 CONTAINED TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY AND CERTAINTY AS TO THE VALIDITY OF ACTIONS TAKEN RESPECTIVELY BY OFFICERS OF REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE BEFORE AND AFTER THE DATE OF TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS.
CLAUSES 7 TO 13 CONTAINED AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LEGISLATION CONSEQUENT UPON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW OFFICE AND THE TRANSFER OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER FROM THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
”IT IS NOT ENVISAGED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THESE NEW INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, WHICH IS PROVISIONALLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 1, 1992, WILL REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS,” HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/18 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 18 -
HK IS A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE: GOVERNOR *****
DESPITE LAST NIGHT’S SHOOTING INCIDENT IN AN ARMED ROBBERY IN SHAM SHUI PO, HONG KONG WAS STILL A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE IN AND MUCH SAFER THAT MOST CITIES IN THE WORLD, THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A VISIT TO EASTERN DISTRICT, LORD WILSON SAID SUCH INCIDENTS HAD TO BE DEALT WITH IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.
THESE INCLUDE RESOLUTE POLICE ACTION; CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN THE PROBLEM OF SMUGGLED FIREARMS INTO HONG KONG AND SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY, HE ADDED.
ASKED IF THERE WAS SUFFICIENT POLICE MANPOWER, LORD WILSON SAID: "WE’RE NOT BAD ON MANPOWER AT THE MOMENT; WHAT WE’VE GOT TO DO IS TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE ON THE STREETS AND WE’VE BEEN TRYING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF POLICEMEN WHO ARE OUT ON THE BEAT ON THE STREETS."
"RECRUITMENT HAS BEEN GOING BETTER IN THE POLICE, AS YOU KNOW, AND THERE IS FUNDING FOR AS MANY RECRUITS AS THE POLICE CAN GET AT THE MOMENT. BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT POLICE MANPOWER IS KEPT AT AN ADEQUATE LEVEL," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "IT’S A VERY CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT BUDGET WHICH DEALS WITH THE SORT OF ISSUES WE SHOULD BE DEALING WITH NOW AND ALSO MAKES VERY PRUDENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE."
"AT A TIME OF PROSPERITY LIKE WE HAVE AT THE MOMENT, IT’S VERY SENSIBLE TO PLAN ALSO FOR THE FUTURE AND TO SET ASIDE FUNDS SO THAT IF WE GET PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE WE HAVE A CUSHION," HE ADDED.
"I THINK THAT IS THE SORT OF OBJECTIVE WHICH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD FULLY SUPPORT," LORD WILSON SAID.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON CHINA’S APPOINTMENT OF HONG KONG ADVISERS, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM GETTING ADVICE FROM EACH DIFFERENT SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE 1 THINK THAT CAN BE HELPFUL IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG AND THEIR POLICIES."
"BUT THE JOB OF RUNNING HONG KONG IS A JOB FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND FOR NOBODY ELSE, THAT’S HOW IT MUST REMAIN," LORD WILSON SAID.
- - 0-------
/19........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
19
GOVERNOR SEES IMPROVED LIVING CONDITIONS IN EASTERN DISTRICT
******
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, VISITED THE EASTERN DISTRICT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO LOOK AT NEW PUBLIC HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL WONG AND EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, LORD WILSON TOURED SIU SAI WAN ESTATE, A NEWLY-DEVELOPED AND SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITY IN CHAI WAN MANAGED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
WHEN IT IS COMPLETED, THE ESTATE WILL HOUSE 31,000 PEOPLE. PLANS ARE IN HAND TO DEVELOP THE REMAINING RECLAIMED LAND TO PROVIDE HOMES FOR ANOTHER 17,000 PEOPLE UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
AFTER CALLING ON A FAMILY AND A HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY RUN BY THE HELPING HAND, LORD WILSON SAID: "IT IS GOOD TO SEE THAT MANY TENANTS, WHO BEFORE WERE LIVING IN OLD ESTATES, SQUATTER AREAS AND ON ROOFTOPS, ARE NOW ENJOYING MUCH BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS."
THE VISITING PARTY THEN WENT TO SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILLS TO SEE PROGRESS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE YIU TUNG AND HING TUNG ESTATES. WHEN THEY ARE COMPLETED IN 1993-96, THE NEW ESTATES WILL PROVIDE HOUSING FOR ABOUT 40,000 PEOPLE.
LATER, THE GOVERNOR VISITED THE HAWKER STALLS AT MARBLE ROAD AND CHUN YEUNG STREET, NORTH POINT, AS WELL AS THE NEW $105 MILLION JAVA ROAD URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX WHICH WILL COME INTO OPERATION IN APRIL THIS YEAR. THE COMPLEX CONTAINS A MARKET, A COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND INDOOR GAMES FACILITIES.
LORD WILSON WAS BRIEFED ON PLANS TO RESITE MOST OF THE HAWKERS TO TWO NEW PERMANENT MARKETS IN THE AREA, AND TO RELIEVE CONGESTION BY CONCENTRATING THE REMAINING HAWKERS ON ONE SIDE OF THE STREETS LATER THIS YEAR.
HE SAID: "THE LARGE NUMBER OF STREET HAWKERS IN THE MARBLE ROAD AREA CLEARLY CREATE SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS. PROVIDING PERMANENT MARKETS AND REORGANISING LATER THIS YEAR THE AREAS WHERE HAWKING WILL BE ALLOWED SHOULD DO A GREAT DEAL TO SORT OUT THESE PROBLEMS."
HE ALSO MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS IN A TEA RECEPTION BEFORE ENDING HIS VISIT.
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/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 20 -
STATEMENT OF FS ON CAC’S REPORT *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY
WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN NOTE OF THE FINDINGS OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS (CAC) IN TWO CASES
CONCERNING THE CLOSURE OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE (HONG KONG) IN JULY 1991. MR MACLEOD WAS COMMENTING FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF THE CAC’S REPORTS TO THE TWO COMPLAINANTS AND TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF OMELCO.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING
MR MACLEOD SAID:
’’THE CAC HAS FOUND THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ACTED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS AND WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS IN MIND. HE TOOK EXPERT ADVICE AND MOVED QUICKLY TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON BCCHK OF THE COLLAPSE OF BCCI OPERATIONS ELSEWHERE. THESE MEASURES INCLUDED THE APPOINTMENT OF A TEAM OF BANK EXAMINERS, APPOINTING ADVISERS AND ATTEMPTING TO RING-FENCE BCCHK’S ASSETS.”
”1 NOTE THE CAC’S CONCLUSION THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S STATEMENT ON JULY 5 WAS A GENERALLY CORRECT DESCRIPTION OF THE SITUATION; AND THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING DID NOT DELIBERATELY MISLEAD THE PUBLIC AS ALLEGED BY THE COMPLAINANT.”
"I ALSO NOTE THAT, ALTHOUGH THE CAC COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TOOK ADVICE AND GATHERED THE BALANCE OF PROBABILITY, SUPPORTED HIS VIEW GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT BCCHK, HE COMPLAINT HAS BEEN PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED.”
CONSIDERED THAT THE
INFORMATION WHICH, ON
THAT THE ABU DHABI CONCLUDES THAT THE
MR MACLEOD SAID:
”1 SHOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAS MY FULL SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE. HE HAS DISCHARGED HIS DUTIES WITH INTEGRITY AND SKILL IN VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. THE CAC’S REPORT AMOUNTS TO A SUBSTANTIAL VINDICATION OF HIS ACTIONS DESPITE THE PARTIAL SUBSTANTIATION OF SOME ELEMENTS OF THE COMPLAINT.”
/COMPLAINTS AGAINST .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
21
COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH
MR MACLEOD SAID:
"IN THIS INVESTIGATION THE CAC CONSIDERED TWO COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AND IN GENERAL TERMS CONCLUDED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO ABUSE OF POWER. SPECIFICALLY, HE FOUND THAT ONE COMPLAINT WAS NOT SUBSTANTIATED AND THAT THE OTHER WAS PARTIALLY SUBSTANTIATED ON THE GROUNDS THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MIGHT HAVE BEEN MISLED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ALL OF THE SMA’S STATEMENTS OR THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY WERE MADE."
"THE SMA ACTED QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO PREVENT THE ESCALATION OF A SERIOUS RUN ON THE HONG KONG BANKING SYSTEM. THE FACT THAT INCOMPLETE REPORTING OF HIS STATEMENTS MIGHT HAVE LED TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS IS REGRETTABLE, BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS INVALIDATING THE CONSCIENTIOUS EFFORTS MADE BY MR NENDICK TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE HONG KONG BANKING SYSTEM."
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NEED FOR PRIORITISATION ON REHABILITATION SERVICES STRESSED *****
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REAFFIRMED GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF DISABLED PERSONS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE LAUNCHING THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION ENTITLED "EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND FULL PARTICIPATION : A BETTER TOMORROW FOR ALL", MRS WONG SAID IT OFFERED OPTIONS FOR THE WAY FORWARD AND A VISION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
"WE NEED TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO TURN OUR VISION INTO REALITY. WE NEED TO PRIORITISE AND FOCUS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT AS THEIR PRIORITY ITEMS.
"PRIORITISATION IS NEVER EASY, BUT IT IS NECESSARY. WE MUST NOT BE SIDE-TRACKED,” SHE SAID.
THE GREEN PAPER, WHICH HAS EXAMINED A WIDE RANGE OF IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THE REHABILITATION FIELD, IS PUBLISHED FOR THREE MONTHS’ PUBLIC CONSULTATION UNTIL JUNE 10 THIS YEAR.
MRS WONG APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC FOR COMMENTS, PARTICULARLY ON WHICH AREAS COVERED IN THE GREEN PAPER SHOULD BE ACCORDED EARLY PRIORITY.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE GREEN PAPER INCLUDE:
/* MEDICAL REHABILITATION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 22 -
* MEDICAL REHABILITATION:
UPGRADE MEDICAL REHABILITATION AND ESTABLISH SPECIALISATION; SET UP DAY HOSPITALS AND SPECIAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED; ESTABLISH DISTRICT-BASED GERIATRIC TEAMS; PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES TO CERTAIN CHRONICALLY ILL PATIENTS; AND PROVIDE A FULL TIME REHABILITATION CO-ORDINATOR IN EACH CENTRE PROVIDING MEDICAL REHABILITATION SERVICES.
* SPECIAL EDUCATION:
EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF INTEGRATION; PROMOTE LONGER TERM EDUCATION FOR DISABLED CHILDREN; AND FACILITATE CAPABLE DISABLED PERSONS TO RECEIVE HIGHER EDUCATION.
» SERVICES FOR DISABLED ADULTS:
BUILD MORE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND RESIDENTIAL HOSTELS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS; AND STRENGTHEN VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
* PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
THE GREEN PAPER STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AS WELL AS PARTICIPATION OF DISABLED PERSONS IN THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE PROCESS OF FURTHER DEVELOPING REHABILITATION SERVICES.
* ACCESS AND TRANSPORT:
INCORPORATE SPECIAL NEEDS OF DISABLED PERSONS IN CURRENT SERVICES AND WHEN NEW PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ARE DESIGNED IN FUTURE.
» LEGISLATIVE MEASURES:
REVIEW THE GUARDIANSHIP PROVISIONS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, AND CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION ON LAWS FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
* SERVICE PROVISION AND USE OF RESOURCES:
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS SHOULD ADOPT A MORE INNOVATIVE, IMAGINATIVE AND FLEXIBLE APPROACH; AND EXPLORE WAYS TO IMPROVE COSTEFFECTIVENESS.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT CERTAIN PROPOSALS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH BETTER CO-ORDINATION AMONG SERVICE PROVIDERS OR BY THE STREAMLINING OF EXISTING STRUCTURES, WITHOUT INCURRING ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE.
/"THE ANNUALLY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
"THE ANNUALLY RECURRENT COST OF THE MORE CONCRETE AND QUANTIFIABLE RECOMMENDATIONS IS ESTIMATED TO BE $600 MILLION," SHE SAID.
"AS REGARDS THE REMAINING RECOMMENDATIONS, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS STAGE TO ESTIMATE THEIR COST.
"SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE THOSE DEALING WITH EMPLOYMENT, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND THE ACCESS AND TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE DISABLED, HAVE YET TO BE PRECISELY DEFINED.”
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT GOVERNMENT HAS BUDGETED FOR THE EXPANSION OF- EXISTING SERVICES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AT AN ADDITIONAL RECURRENT COST OF $140 MILLION, AND EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS PACE OF EXPANSION THEREAFTER, REACHING ABOUT $350 MILLION IN 2001-2002.
ON THIS BASIS, THE EXISTING SHORTFALLS IN SOCIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES WILL BE FULLY MET BUT NO DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE HAS BEEN DRAWN UP AS MUCH WILL DEPEND ON THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC ON THE RELATIVE PRIORITIES OF VARIOUS SERVICES.
COPIES OF THE GREEN PAPER ARE AVAILABLE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES, GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SUBOFFICES .
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO THE REHABILITATION DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, P.O. BOX 25666, HARBOUR BUILDING POST OFFICE, HONG KONG, BEFORE JUNE 10 THIS YEAR.
EARLIER WHEN TABLING THE GREEN PAPER AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON, MRS WONG PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY WHO WERE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO CONSIDER HOW REHABILITATION SERVICES SHOULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED.
"THE GREEN PAPER HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF A TRUE COALITION OF THOUGHTS, OF VISION AND OF A SHARED CONVICTION.
"HERE I RECORD MY THANKS FOR THEIR TIME AND PARTICIPATION," SHE SAID.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC LAND AUCTION ON FRIDAY * * » t s
FIVE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN A PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON FRIDAY (MARCH 13).
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
/THE FIRST
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
24
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT MA TIN ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,320 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL, EXCLUDING GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE SECOND SITE, LOCATED AT AREA 15, SHUI WAI, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 19,830 SQUARE METRES. IT IS DESIGNATED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE THIRD SITE IS LOCATED AT AREA 14B, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,500 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR GODOWN AND PUBLIC LORRY PARK PURPOSES.
THE FOURTH SITE IS LOCATED AT MA LING PATH, KAU TO, AREA 46, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES. WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,700 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE REMAINING SITE IS LOCATED AT 30 SEVERN ROAD, THE PEAK, HONG KONG. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,239 SQUARE METRES AND IS ALSO DESIGNATED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
PLEASE NOTE THAT NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN COVERING THE AUCTION WILL BE INTRODUCED. A DESIGNATED PRESS AREA WILL BE ALLOCATED AT THE VENUE.
IT IS ADVISABLE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
INFORMATION OFFICERS OF THE LANDS AND WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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GOVERNMENT HOUSE GARDENS OPEN TO PUBLIC «»«»»».
THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SUNDAY (MARCH 15) FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM TO ENABLE RESIDENTS TO SEE THE AZALEAS IN BLOOM.
THE OPEN DAY HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1968.
PEOPLE WISHING TO VISIT THE GARDENS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE ARE REQUESTED TO ENTER BY THE MAIN GATE AND LEAVE BY THE SIDE GATES SO THAT ALL CAN ENJOY THE FLOWERS WITHOUT CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO OTHERS.
THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT ONLY THE GARDENS WILL BE OPEN AND THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER THE HOUSE ITSELF.
SCOUTS AND POLICEMEN WILL BE PRESENT AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEM TO AVOID OVERCROWDING.
- - 0---------
/25........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 25 -
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON FOUR PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT CARMEL VILLAGE STREET, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,060 SQUARE METRES, IT IS EARMARKED FOR FEE PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH OR WITHOUT THEIR TRAILERS AND DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES).
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE SECOND SITE, LOCATED AT WESTERN RECLAMATION, HONG KONG, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.15 HECTARES.
IT IS DESIGNATED FOR OPEN STORAGE OR WORKS AREA OR FOR THE STUFFING AND DESTUFFING OF CONTAINERS.
THE TENANCY IS UP TO DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR AND MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE THIRD SITE IS LOCATED AT RESERVOIR ACCESS ROAD OFF MOUNT DAVIS ROAD, HONG KONG.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 600 SQUARE METRES AND IS DESIGNATED FOR A COMMERCIAL GARDEN INCLUDING GROWING, STORAGE AND SALE OF PLANTS, FLOWERS AND OTHER ANCILLARY GARDEN PRODUCTS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE REMAINING SITE IS LOCATED AT AREA 16, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,175 SQUARE METRES, IS INTENDED FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC VEHICLE PARK FOR LICENSED VEHICLES EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS, AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 27.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, TUEN MUN, 6TH FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES; DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
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/26 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
273 VOLUNTARY RETURNEES BACK TO VIETNAM ******
A GROUP OF 273 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 100 MEN, 63 WOMEN, 67 BOYS AND 43 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 93RD BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 2,358 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 16,337 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
GRANTS TO ARTS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS APPROVED
******
OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS FIVE PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS WHICH HAVE SUCCESSFULLY SOLICITED BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS HAVE BEEN AWARDED A TOTAL OF $414,000 BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) UNDER THE MATCHING GRANT SCHEME.
AMONG THEM IS THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY LTD IN THE COMBINED ARTS FIELD, SPONSORED BY SAN MIGUEL BREWERY LTD.
IN THE MUSIC FIELD, THE HONG KONG PIANO AND MUSIC ASSOCIATION IS SPONSORED BY MIKROMESKOS MUSIC CENTRE, EDDY PIANO COMPANY AND MUSICAL INSTITUTE AND ROCKSON PIANO CO. LTD.
MEANWHILE, GREEN HILL ANGLO-CHINESE ARTS PERFORMANCE TROUPE IS SPONSORED BY SHING HING PLASTIC FACTORY, LO FUNG MUSIC CENTRE, 41B STORE AND YAU HANG GINSENG AND MEDICINE CO.
IN THE DRAMA FIELD, CREATION BRAND HAS TWO PROJECTS, ONE SPONSORED BY UNICORN JEWELLERY CO. LTD AND THE OTHER BY ELITE MODELLING PRODUCTION LTD; AND JOINT SCHOOL DRAMA PROJECT IS SPONSORED BY CALTEX OIL (HK) LTD.
THE CFPA HAS ALSO APPROVED 21 PROJECT GRANTS TOTALLING $822,246 TO 18 PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS.
THEY ARE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON, INSPIRED DANCE COMPANY AND HONG KONG CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DANCE FIELD.
IN THE DRAMA FIELD, THEY ARE NOVICE, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC STUDENT’S UNION, HONG KONG SHUE YAN COLLEGE, CARLSBERG WANCHAI THEATRE, HORIZONTE DRAMA SOCIETY, ANONYMITY DRAMATIC CLUB, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, MR LEE YIN-KWAI AND MR FUNG CHI-KEUNG.
/IN THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 27 -
IN THE MUSIC FIELD, GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO HONG KONG COMPOSERS’ GUILD AND HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE LTD, MUSIC SOCIETY, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CECI LIAN SINGERS.
IN THE CHINESE OPERA FIELD, A GRANT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE CHING YING DRAMA SOCIETY.
APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECT AND MATCHING GRANTS CAN BE MADE ANY TIME IN THE YEAR. THE APPLICANT ORGANISATION MUST BE AN APPROVED CHARITABLE INSTITUTION OR A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT-MAKING BODY.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE PLANNED PERFORMANCE DATES TO ALLOW TIME FOR ASSESSMENT BY THE RELEVANT CFPA COMMITTEES.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR PROJECT AND MATCHING GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CFPA SECRETARIAT ON 25TH FLOOR, SHUI ON CENTRE 6-8 HARBOUR ROAD, WANCHAI. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 802 0869.
--------0-----------
INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SUB-OFFICE ON MOVE
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN SUB-OFFICE AND KWAI HING INSPECTORATE OFFICE WILL MOVE TO TSUEN WAN MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14).
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 402 2269.
THE TSUEN WAN SUB-OFFICE IS AT PRESENT LOCATED AT FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, GROUND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN WHILE THE KWAI HING INSPECTORATE OFFICE IS ON FIFTH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KWAI HING.
DUE TO REMOVAL, THE OFFICES WILL SUSPEND SERVICE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14).
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/28 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1992
- 28 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 10.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 11.3.92 -401
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 401
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112. HONG KONG 7 *+0.4* 11. GOVERNMENT 3.92 EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.14 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.49 6.02
1 MONTH 3.99 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.99 6.15
3 MONTHS 3.99 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.23 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.68 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 2,967 MN
CLOSED 11 MARCH 1992
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT FULLY BACKS POLICE IN COMBATTING ROBBERIES ....................... 1
TRADE DEPARTMENT PRESS STATEMENT ON MFN ............................... 1
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT PLEDGES FULL ASSISTANCE TO TUNNEL STAFF .......... 2
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1992 RELEASED ................... 3
BARMA OPENS POLYESTER DYEING PLANT .................................... 9
FEBRUARY AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED .................................. 10
TWO MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS TAKE EFFECT ......................... 13
EXPERT TALKS ON CHILD CARE CENTRES .................................... 13
•
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD TO REPORT ON WORK ............................ 14
FOUR OFFICERS TO STUDY UK IMMIGRATION SERVICE ......................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 15
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
1
GOVT FULLY BACKS POLICE IN COMBATTING ROBBERIES
» * » » *
THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVING MAXIMUM SUPPORT TO THE POLICE TO COMBAT ARMED ROBBERIES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD,SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ROBBERY CASES.
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO THE POLICE FORCE IN TERMS OF THE RESOURCES THEY NEED, IN TERMS OF THE WEAPON AND THE MEN THAT THEY NEED,” HE SAID.
"ANOTHER IMPORTANT ELEMENT IS THAT WE TALK TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ACROSS THE BORDER TO TRY TO PUT AN END TO THE SMUGGLING OF WEAPON WHICH IS GOING ON AND WHICH IS AT THE HEART OF MANY OF THESE ROBBERIES AND PEOPLE TOO.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO LIAISE CLOSELY TO TRY TO PUT A STOP TO THE MOVEMENT OF CRIMINALS AND WEAPONS ACROSS THE BORDER."
ASKED IF THE REPORT BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS CONTRADICTED WHAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID YESTERDAY, SIR DAVID SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE IT DID AT ALL.
"THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT SAID THAT THE OFFICERS CONCERNED ACTED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, THAT THEY HAD THE INTERST OF THE DEPOSITORS AT HEART, AND THEY ACTED WITHIN THEIR OWN JUDGEMENT. WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE OFFICERS CONCERNED," HE ADDED.
_ _ _ - 0
TRADE DEPARTMENT PRESS STATEMENT ON MFN
*****
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTED BY A MARGIN OF 357 TO 61 TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO ON THE CHINA MFN CONDITIONALITY BILL LAST NIGHT.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE OUTCOME AS "WIDELY EXPECTED".
"THE RESULT CAME AS NO SURPRISE TO US AS PREVIOUS VOTING PATTERNS SHOWED THAT A VETO OVERRIDE WOULD BE CARRIED BY A LARGE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.
"THE REAL BATTLE IN THE SENATE MIGHT TAKE PLACE LATER THIS MONTH AND WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS," HE SAID.
/THE BILL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
- 2 -
THE BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PLACE CONDITIONS ON GRANTING MFN TRADING STATUS TO CHINA WAS PASSED IN THE SENATE TWO WEEKS AGO BY A 59 TO 39 MARGIN AND WAS VETOED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MARCH 2.
IN HIS VETO MESSAGE, THE PRESIDENT INDICATED AGAIN HIS READINESS TO VETO ANY BILL ATTACHING CONDITIONS TO RENEWING MFN TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA.
A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS IS REQUIRED TO OVERRIDE A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
--------0----------
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT PLEDGES FULL ASSISTANCE TO TUNNEL STAFF
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN A SERIES OF ACTIONS TO SECURE JOB TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE FOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE CONTRACTING OUT OF THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT TUNNELS.
THROUGH THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO NEGOTIATING WITH ITS BEST EFFORTS FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR STAFF CONCERNED IN THEIR APPLICATION FOR POSTS IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR ERNEST LEE SHU-WING, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) AFTER MEETING THE STAFF REPRESENTATIVES.
"SINCE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECISION IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR TO CONTRACT OUT THE MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT TUNNELS, INDIVIDUAL LETTERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO ALL CONCERNED INCLUDING TRANSPORT CONTROLLERS, TRANSPORT ASSISTANTS, WORKMEN II AND COOKS,EXPLAINING HOW THE EXERCISE WOULD AFFECT THEM.
"ALL OFFICERS WERE PROVIDED WITH A PRELIMINARY CALCULATION OF THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS THAT WOULD BE PAYABLE TO THEM UNDER THE ABOLITION OF OFFICE TERMS," MR LEE SAID.
THIS WOULD HELP INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS CONCERNED TO DECIDE IF THEY WOULD PREFER TO STAY WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE OR OTHERWISE.
AT THE SAME TIME, PREFERENCE FORMS WERE ISSUED SO THAT THEY COULD INDICATE CLEARLY WHETHER THEY WOULD WANT THE DEPARTMENT TO HELP IN THEIR JOB TRANSFER.
"FOR THOSE WHO PREFER A CIVIL SERVICE JOB TRANSFER, THE DEPARTMENT HAS CIRCULATED AND WILL CONTINUE TO CIRCULATE TO THEM CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES PERTINENT TO THEIR QUALIFICATIONS.
"AS FOR THOSE WHO WOULD WANT TO APPIA FOR NEW VACANCIES TO BE ADVERTISED BY CONTRACTORS TENDERING TO MANAGE AND OPERATE GOVERNMENT TUNNELS BY EARLY 1993, THE DEPARTMENT HAS PLEDGED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CONTRACTORS TO HIRE THEM WHERE APPROPRIATE," MR LEE ADDED.
/MR LEE ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
3 -
MR LEE HAS EARLIER MET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT ASSISTANTS UNION AND THE TRANSPORT CONTROLLER,'TRANSPORT ASSISTANT BRANCH OF THE CHINESE CIVIL SERVANTS1 ASSOCIATION.
’’BOTH SIDES EXCHANGED VIEWS FRANKLY AND FURTHER MEETINGS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE UNIONS WILL CONTINUE,” MR LEE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THROUGH VARIOUS STAFF CHANNELS INCLUDING DEPARTMENT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND TRANSPORT CONTROLLER/TRANSPORT ASSISTANT GRADE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS MET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GRADE TO LISTEN TO THEIR VIEWS AND CONCERNS, AND TO INFORM THEM OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS, APART FROM PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND ANNOUNCING NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
’’THE DEPARTMENT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES BEING FELT BY MEMBERS OF THE GRADE AND WILL SPARE NO EFFORTS IN ARRANGING APPROPRIATE REDEPLOYMENT FOR THE AFFECTED STAFF,” HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR LEE URGED THE STAFF TO TAKE PUBLIC INTEREST INTO CONSIDERATION.
HE SAID THE SPECIAL TEAM HEADED BY DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IS THERE FULL-TIME TO PROVIDE HELP TO TUNNEL STAFF ON ALL MATTERS CONCERNING THE REDUNDANCY ARRANGEMENTS.
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EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1992 RELEASED *****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, AT $109,082 MILLION, DECREASED BY 8% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 26% TO $14,165 MILLION WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS, AT $39,008 MILLION, RECORDED VIRTUALLY NO GROWTH.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS DECREASED BY 9% TO $53,174 MILLION IN JANUARY 1992. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS DECREASED BY 8% TO $55,909 MILLION.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH. IN PARTICULAR, TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY THIS YEAR ARE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1992 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1991, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 1% TO $226,034 MILLION WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS WAS UP BY 26% TO $534,829 MILLION.
/TAKING DOMESTIC .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
4
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY 16%. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 17% TO $774,230 MILLION. THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, AS A WHOLE, INCREASED BY 17%.
CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY 1992 WITH JANUARY 1991, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORT? TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS DECREASED. SIGNIFICANT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, TAIWAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SINGAPORE, BY 40%, 34%, 31% AND 28% RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S., CHINA, FRANCE, JAPAN, THE NETHERLANDS AND CANADA ALSO DECREASED, BY 24%, 23%, 21%, 21%, 19% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALU§ OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1992 WITH JANUARY 1991, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ALL MAJOR COMMODITIES, INCLUDING CLOTHING (BY $1,167 MILLION OR 19%), TEXTILES (BY $710 MILLION OR 52%), AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $659 MILLIONS OR 37%).
ALSO INCLUDED WERE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $527 MILLION OR 40%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $507 MILLION OR 31%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $507 MILLION OR 30%), AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $329 MILLION OR 18%).
CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JANUARY 1992 WITH JANUARY 1991, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE U.S., SINGAPORE, TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 25%, 24%, 21% AND 16% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THAILAND, THE UNITED KINGDOM, ITALY AND CHINA DECREASED BY 7%, 6%, 5%, 3% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM JAPAN INCREASED BY 5%.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1992 WITH JANUARY 1991, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF TEXTILES (BY $2,956 MILLION OR 45%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,340 MILLION OR 22%); AND CLOTHING (BY $66 MILLION OR 1%).
/NEVERTHELESS, THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
5
NEVERTHELESS, THE IMPORT VALUE OF SOME MAJOR COMMODITIES RECORDED MODERATE INCREASES, INCLUDING MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $373 MILLION OR 9%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $323 MILLION OR 7%), AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $30 MILLION OR 1%).
CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JANUARY 1992 WITH JANUARY 1991, THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS TO TAIWAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND SINGAPORE DECREASED BY 34%, 16% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA AND JAPAN DECREASED BY 3% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CANADA, FRANCE, ITALY, THE U.S. AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INCREASED BY 22%, 16%, 15%, 9% AND 7% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1992 WITH JANUARY 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $609 MILLION OR 13%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $499 MILLION OR 33%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $386 MILLION OR 12%), AND CLOTHING (BY $8 MILLION OR LESS THAN 0.5%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $1,887 MILLION OR 46%), AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $511 MILLION OR 16%).
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, THE COMMODITY TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1991 PRESENTED HERE HAVE BEEN RE-CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE NEW SYSTEM.
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON. A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY 1992 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY APRIL.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS. THE JANUARY 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1992 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND MARCH 18, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $52.00 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
6
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 582 4915).
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JANUARY 1992 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1991 (HKD MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
U.S.A. 3,571 4,712 - 1,140 - 24
CHINA 3,296 4,263 968 - 23
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,156 1,930 774 - 40
U.K. 831 1,201 371 - 31
JAPAN 744 938 194 - 21
SINGAPORE 621 861 240 - 28
NETHERLANDS 406 502 96 - 19
CANADA . 387 440 53 - 12
TAIWAN 368 559 191 - 34
FRANCE 264 334 70 - 21
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE/ PERCENTAGE
COMMODITY 1992 1991 DECREASE CHANGE
DIVISION (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 4,944 6,111 - 1,167 - 19
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 9 1,497 1,826 329 - 18
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 1 , 185 1,692 507 - 30
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,117 1,625 507 - 31
/PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
7 -
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS » 1 , 101 1,760 — 659 - 37
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 800 1,327 — 527 - 40
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 663 1,374 — 710 - 52
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER JANUARY 1992 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1991 (HKD MN.) ‘ INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
CHINA 22,653 22,881 - 228 - 1
JAPAN 9,228 8,816 + 412 + 5
TAIWAN 4,458 5,635 - 1 , 177 - 21
U.S.A. 3,937 5,280 - 1 ,344 - 25
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,375 2,815 - 440 - 16
SINGAPORE 2,369 3,099 - 731 - 24
U.K. 1,251 1,310 - 60 - 5
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,191 1,276 - 85 - 7
ITALY 738 763 - 25 - 3
THAILAND 704 746 — • 42 - 6
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JANUARY 1992 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1991 (HKD MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,279 5,345 — 66 — 1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,859 4,536 + 323 + 7
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
- 8 -
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,823 6,162 - 1,340 - 22
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 4,347 3,973 + 373 + 9
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,608 6,564 - 2,956 - 45
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS > 2,960 2,931 + 30 + 1
TABLE 5: • RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS •
MAJOR MARKET JANUARY 1992 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1991 (HKD MN. INCREASE/ DECREASE ) (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
CHINA 10,755 11,090 - 336 - 3
U.S.A. 8,345 7,625 + 720 + 9
F.R. OF GERMANY 2,466 2,948 - 481 - 16
JAPAN 2,223 2,261 - 38 — 2
TAIWAN 1,322 2,016 - 694 - 34
U.K. 1,136 1,061 + 76 + 7
SINGAPORE 839 955 - 115 - 12
ITALY 745 647 + 98 + 15
CANADA 744 612 + 132 + • 22
FRANCE 740 641 + 100 + 16
TABLE 6: RE- EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JANUARY 1992 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1991 (HKD MN. INCREASE/ DECREASE ) (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,216 5,208 + 8 t
/MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
- 9 -
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES
AND SPORTING GOODS) 5,208 4,600 + 609 + 13
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,571 3, 185 + 386 + 12
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,732 3,244 511 16
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2, 194 4,082 — 1,887 — 46
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2,030 1,531 + 499 ♦ 33
♦ DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
_ _ _ _ 0
BARMA OPENS POLYESTER DYEING PLANT ******
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, TODAY (THURSDAY) PRAISED A JAPANESE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY FOR ITS ABILITY TO CAPITALISE ON THE UNIQUE ADVANTAGES OF HONG KONG IN EXPANDING ITS OPERATION HERE.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE POLYESTER DYEING PLANT OF YUEN LONG TEXTILE COMPANY LTD. AT YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MR BARMA SAID THE COMPANY WAS ABLE TO COMBINE ITS MANUFACTURING AND MARKETING ABILITY WITH THE RESULTS THAT ITS FORESIGHT AND PLANS WERE BEING TRANSLATED INTO A VALUABLE OPERATION.
THE YUEN LONG TEXTILE COMPANY LTD. IS THE FIRST JAPANESE DYEING AND FINISHING OPERATION ADMITTED INTO YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
IT HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A MAJOR LOCAL SUPPLIER OF ACETATE TAFFETA AND SATIN, FABRICS WHICH ARE WIDELY USED AS LINING FOR QUALITY SUITS, BLOUSES, SKIRTS AND TROUSERS.
MR BARMA SAID THE COMPANY WAS CERTAINLY A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE MANY SUCCESSFUL JAPANESE INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG.
/’’IT IS...........
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
- 10 -
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD SINCE IT WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG, THE COMPANY IS ABLE TO MOVE INTO A.NEW AREA OF PRODUCTION.
"THE POLYESTER DYEING PLANT WHERE WE ARE TODAY IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, AND IT IS A FURTHER CHAPTER OF THE COMPANY’S LONG LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID JAPAN WAS NOW THE LEADING OVERSEAS INVESTOR IN HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
"THERE WERE 173 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WITH JAPANESE INVESTMENT BY THE END OF 1990 AND THEY ACCOUNTED FOR A CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT OF HK$9.5 BILLION, OR 32 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
"THESE SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS INITIATIVES ALSO UNDERPIN THE CAPABILITY OF HONG KONG TO MOVE TOWARDS MORE SOPHISTICATED MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
-----0------
FEBRUARY AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AS OBTAINED AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS.
THIS IS THE EIGHTH MONTHLY ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT. SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGULARLY.
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 NITROGEN DIOXIDE AND SULPHUR DIOXIDE LEVELS IN FEBRUARY WERE BETTER THAN IN JANUARY. NO MEASUREMENT EXCEEDED THE HONG KONG AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES.
THE HIGHER LEVELS MEASURED IN THE BEGINNING AND NEAR THE END OF THE MONTH WERE DUE TO LOWER WIND SPEED AND HENCE POORER DISPERSION OF AIR POLLUTANTS DURING THESE PERIODS.
DUST LEVELS WERE LOWER AS AVERAGE HUMIDITY WAS HIGHER IN FEBRUARY THAN IN JANUARY.
AT THE CENTRAL/WESTERN STATION ALL MONITORING ACTIVITIES WERE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ON FEBRUARY 13 DUE TO CONSTRUCTION WORK TAKING PLACE AT THE STATION. OPERATION IS EXPECTED TO RESUME IN LATE APRIL.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
- 11 -
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, AND THE ATMOSPHERIC AND OTHER FACTORS THAT AFFECTED AIR QUALITY.
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.
THE DAILY HONG KONG AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES OF SO2 AND NO2, TSP AND RSP ARE 350, 150, 260 AND 180 MICROGRAMS PER CUBIC METRES 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, REDUCES LUNG FUNCTION AND INCREASE MORTALITY RATE.
NO2 CAUSES RESIRATORY 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 SOME 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 BUILD-UP URBAN DISTRICT; COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; AND DISTRICT CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
CURRENTLY THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES A TOTAL OF 11 FIXED AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE.
THE OTHER EIGHT STATIONS ARE AT KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO, TSIM SHA TSUI, TSEUNG KWAN O, TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG SOUTH, TAI PO AND SHA TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRY CAN BE DIRECTED TO PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER MR RAYMOND LEUNG ON TEL. 810 3049.
/12 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
12
M 1 ft k
Hong Kong Air Quality Report for February 1992
250
200 -
150 -
100 -
50 -
0 -
Mong Kok
Key ■ Total Suspended PerticUnta
[7] Respirable Suspended Particulate
— Sulphur Dioxide
—» Nbogen Dioxide
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 1 5 17 1921 23 25 27 29
% ft y
February 1992
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/13 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
- 13 -
TWO MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS TAKE EFFECT ♦ * * * ♦ *
TWO SETS OF REGULATIONS INCORPORATING RECENT AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA 1974 (SOLAS) HAVE COME INTO EFFECT.
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (USE OF SIGNALS OF DISTRESS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY (MARCH 6).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID: ’’THE FIRST SET OF REGULATIONS REQUIRES SHIPS OF 150 GROSS TONS AND OVER TO BE PROVIDED WITH A TELEPHONE OR OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION FOR RELAYING HEADING INFORMATION TO THE EMERGENCY STEERING POSITIONS.
’’SHIPS OF 500 GROSS TONS OR OVER CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR ARE, IN ADDITION, TO BE PROVIDED WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUPPLYING VISUAL COMPASS READINGS AT THE EMERGENCY STEERING POSITIONS.
’’THE SECOND SET OF REGULATIONS PROVIDES FOR THE USE OF DISTRESS SIGNALS ON A SHIP WHEN A PERSON IS IN SERIOUS OR IMMINENT DANGER,’’ HE SAID.
-----0-----
EXPERT TALKS ON CHILD CARE CENTRES
*****
AN OVERSEAS EXPERT ON CHILD CARE SERVICES IS NOW BACK AGAIN IN TOWN, AT THE INVITATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, TO GIVE TALKS ON EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF CHILD CARE CENTRES.
ATTENDING THE TWO-DAY WORKSHOP, WHICH STARTED TODAY (THURSDAY), WERE. MORE THAN 40 CHILD CARE CENTRE SUPERVISORS AND CO-ORDINATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF AGENCIES OPERATING CHILD CARE CENTRFS, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE EXPERT, MR KENNETH JAFFE, WHO CAME TO HONG KONG LAST OCTOBER AND ENLIGHTENED US ON THE CONCEPT OF WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRES, WILL THIS TIME FOCUS ON THE PROVISION OF QUALITY CHILD CARE CENTRES,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MR JAFFE, AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHILD RESOURCE INSTITUTE IN THE UNITED STATES, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CO-ORDINATION OF 82 COUNTRY-INFORMATION-SYSTEM, INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUES AND SPECIAL PROJECTS ON A WORLDWIDE LEVEL.
/AT TODAY'S .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
AT TODAY’S WORKSHOP HELD AT THE LADY TRENCH CENTRE, HE GAVE TALKS ON THE MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVE APPROACH, THE DESIGN OF A PLANNING BLUEPRINT, STAFF SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT, AND MOTIVATION FOR STAFF.
THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO UPDATE THEMSELVES ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PROGRAMME PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, ITS APPLICABILITY TO HONG KONG AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE CENTRE PROGRAMME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE WORKSHOP, MR KENNETH JAFFE WILL ALSO HOLD A SERIES OF TRAINING AND CONSULTATION PROGRAMME ON CHILD CARE CENTRES, INCLUDING A SEMINAR ON FACILITY DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT IN CHILD CARE CENTRES NEXT THURSDAY (MARCH 19).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE TWO WORKSHOPS ON PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES IN CHILD CARE CENTRES TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS.
- - 0 - -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD TO REPORT ON WORK *****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BRIEF COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES ON THE BOARD’S WORK IN THE PAST YEAR AT A CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14).
MEMBERS OF RURAL COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 2.30 PM.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS TO RESIDENTS WHO HAVE HELPED ORGANISE ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, WILL ALSO PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO THOSE WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED ACTIVELY IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALSO INVITED THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (COMMUNITY RELATIONS) OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE, MR PAUL TANG, TO GIVE A TALK ON THE NEW AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 14) IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
/15
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
- 15 -
FOUR OFFICERS TO STUDY UK IMMIGRATION SERVICE * » ♦ * ♦
FOUR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM LATER THIS MONTH FOR A SIX-WEEK ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
THEY WILL VISIT BRANCHES OF THE HOME OFFICE HANDLING IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY MATTERS AS WELL AS IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND PORTS.
AT A BRIEFING BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG, POINTED OUT THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PLACED GREAT IMPORTANCE ON GIVING ITS STAFF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
HE SAID BECAUSE OF THE GROWING COMPLEXITY OF IMMIGRATION WORK, MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE WERE REQUIRED TO BE VIGILANT AND ALERT TOWARDS CHANGES THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE.
HE HOPED THE ATTACHMENT WOULD PROVIDE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OFFICERS TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON AND TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
•>
THE FOUR OFFICERS ARE ACTING SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS MR TSANG MON-WAH AND MS YEUNG NGAN-KUEN, IMMIGRATION OFFICER MR WONG YIN-SANG AND ACTING IMMIGRATION OFFICER MR AU-YEUNG CHEUNG. • r
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 11.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 12.3.92 + 22
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -22
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.7 »+0.0» 12.3.92
/HONG KONG........
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992
- 16 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 W'EEK 4.24 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.48 6.03
1 MONTH 4.03 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.88 6.21
3 MONTHS 4.01 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.24 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.70 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 2,170 MN
CLOSED 12 MARCH 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK'S INDUSTRIES IMPORTANT TO SOUTH CHINA'S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: GOVERNOR .................................................................. 1
FIVE GOVT LAND LOTS SOLD FOR $1.72 BILLION ................................ 2
POSSIBLE IMPACT ON HK IF CHINA LOST MFN STATUS ............................ 3
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 92-93 ......... 5
ROADS TO FUTURE CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 PROPOSED ............................. 6
CONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 3 GETS GO-AHEAD ..................................... 7
WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED .............................. 8
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSUEN WAN ROAD WORKS .................................. 8
COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME 1992 TO BE LAUNCHED ........................ 9
TENDERS CALLED FOR SCHOOL IN FANLING ..................................... 10
THREE INSHORE WORK PROJECTS GAZETTED ...................................... H
TENDERS INVITED FOR TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT .............................. 11
FULL-TIME ONE-YEAR TECHNICAL TEACHERS' COURSE ............................ 12
WINNERS OF MONUMENTS PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION NAMED ...................... 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 14
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 1
HK'S INDUSTRIES IMPORTANT TO SOUTH CHINA’S ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: GOVERNOR » t * * *
HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES ARE PLAYING A MAJOR PART IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF SOUTH CHINA AS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, AT THE DINNER RECEPTION OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION (CMA) THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THAT PROCESS - BY PROVIDING INVESTMENT, TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS.
"WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR OWN INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE IN SOUTHERN CHINA," HE ADDED.
LORD WILSON SAID THE DYNAMIC ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WHICH HAD BEEN FORGED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG WOULD CONTINUE TO THRIVE -TO THE BENEFIT OF BOTH SIDES.
HE SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD BENEFITTED GREATLY FROM THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH GUANGDONG OVER THE YEARS AND HE WAS SURE THAT THIS RELATIONSHIP WOULD CONTINUE.
TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AHEAD, LORD WILSON SAID: "WE NEED TO BRING IN NEW IDEAS AND GET THE BEST OUT OF OUR WORKFORCE THROUGH MORE AUTOMATION."
THIS WOULD MEAN USING NEW ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO THE GREATEST SUCCESS POSSIBLE.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO HELP," HE STRESSED.
LOOKING AHEAD, LORD WILSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS BUILDING AN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE TO PROVIDE A LAUNCHING PAD FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF SETTING UP A SCIENCE PARK.
THIS SUMMER, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE LAUNCHING A $200 MILLION SCHEME TO SUPPORT APPLIED INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
TO UNDERLINE THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY, THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY SET UP A NEW INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
HE ALSO SAID INDUSTRY ITSELF WAS MAKING THE CHANGES WHICH HONG KONG NEEDED TO STAY COMPETITIVE.
THE EMPHASIS PLACED ON DESIGN, QUALITY AND TECHNOLOGY HAD NEVER
BEEN STRONGER.
/"SO IT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 2 -
"SO IT SHOULD BE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE CMA WAS MAKING AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION.
HE ALSO PRAISED THE CMA FOR PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS AND ITS RECENT EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE CLOSER TIES WITH ITS ASIA PACIFIC COUNTERPARTS TO PROMOTE TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN THE REGION.
"SO TOO IS THE CONTRIBUTION YOU MAKE TO GOVERNMENT THINKING ON INDUSTRIAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES.
"NOT ONLY HONG KONG, BUT THE REGION AS A WHOLE WILL BENEFIT FROM YOUR CO-OPERATION WITH MALAYSIA, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE IN ATTRACTING INVESTORS."
------0------------
FIVE GOVT LAND LOTS SOLD FOR $1.72 BILLION
*****
FIVE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $1,720 MILLION IN A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
TOPPING THE LIST IS THE LOT AT AREA 15, SHUT WAI, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY PROMAX LTD. AT $900 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $580 MILLION.
THE SITE WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 19,830 SQUARE METRES IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 25,000 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE SECOND SITE IS LOCATED AT MA TIN ROAD, YUEN LONG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE LAND WAS SOLD TO CUSHION CO. LTD. AT $415 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $230 MILLION.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,320 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL EXCLUDING GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,000 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE THIRD SITE IS LOCATED AT AREA 14B, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY HORWAY LTD. AT $266 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $130 MILLION.
/THE LAND .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 3 -
THE LAND WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,500 SQUARE METRES AND IS DESIGNATED FOR GODOWN AND PUBLIC LORRY PARK PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 28,500 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE FOURTH SITE IS LOCATED AT 30 SEVERN ROAD, THE PEAK, HONG KONG.
IT WAS SOLD TO GOLDEN SCHEME INVESTMENT LTD. AT $33 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $22 MILLION.
THE SITE WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,239 SQUARE METRES IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
UPON REDEVELOPMENT,‘THE DEVELOPER SHOULD COMPLETE A MAXIMUM GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 921 SQUARE METRES WITHIN THREE YEARS OF DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURES.
THE REMAINING SITE IS LOCATED AT MA LING PATH, KAU TO, AREA 46, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY TURAYS DEVELOPMENT LTD. AT $106 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $50 MILLION.
THE LAND WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,700 SQUARE METRES IS ALSO INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 1,848 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL THETRE AND CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR ROGER HARDING.
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POSSIBLE IMPACT ON HK IF CHINA LOST MFN STATUS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES THAT, IF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) TRADING STATUS WERE WITHDRAWN, HONG KONG MIGHT LOSE HK$91 BILLION TO $123 BILLION IN OVERALL TRADE; HK$12 BILLION TO $16 BILLION IN INCOME AND AROUND 44,000 TO 60,000 IN JOBS.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE GOVERNMENT’S LATEST ASSESSMENT ON THE IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IF CHINA WERE TO LOSE ITS MFN TRADING STATUS IN THE U.S.
/AT A........
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
4
AT A BRIEFING SESSION GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS WERE TOLD THAT REMOVAL OF CHINA’S MFN TRADING STATUS BY U.S. WOULD HAVE A DIRECT ADVERSE IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO THE U.S.
"A REDUCTION BY 35 PER CENT TO 47 PER CENT, OR OF HKS36 BILLION TO $49 BILLION WORTH OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT FROM CHINA TO THE U.S. IS EXPECTED.
"IN 1991, RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO THE U.S. AMOUNTED TO HK$104 BILLION, REPRESENTING 19 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL RE-EXPORTS," HE SAID.
ON THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS, MR TSANG EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY AND COULD NOT, IN ANY CASE, BE ASSESSED ON A ONE-OFF BASIS.
HOWEVER, REMOVAL OF CHINA’S MFN TRADING STATUS WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT VENTURES IN CHINA. HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA WOULD ALSO BE UNDERMINED.
"MUCH WOULD DEPEND ON HOW SUCCESSFULLY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ADJUSTED TO THE SITUATION," HE SAID.
THE U.S. SENATE PASSED THE MFN CONDITIONAL BILL ON FEBRUARY 25; PRESIDENT BUSH VETOED IT ON MARCH 2; THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OVERRODE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO TWO DAYS AGO AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT SUPPORTERS OF CONDITIONAL MFN RENEWAL WILL SEEK TO OVERRIDE THE VETO IN THE SENATE SOMETIME NEXT WEEK.
MR TSANG SAID IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO WOULD BE SUSTAINED IN THE SENATE.
THE PRESIDENT’S VETO CAN ONLY BE OVERRIDDEN BY A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.
"WE WILL SPARE NO EFFORT IN SUPPORTING THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN TRADING STATUS," MR TSANG SAID.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE MR DONALD TSANG AND AN ECONOMIST FROM THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH WILL MEET THE MEDIA ON THE ABOVE ISSUE AT 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON AT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICE, 18TH FLOOR, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
/5 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 5 -
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 92-93
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL PUBLICLY EXAMINE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1992-93 AT THREE SPECIAL MEETINGS TO BE HELD FROM WEDNESDAY (MARCH 18) TO FRIDAY (MARCH 20).
THIS YEAR’S MEETINGS WILL TAKE THE SAME FORMAT AS LAST YEAR WITH THE SESSIONS EXTENDED TO TWO-AND-A-HALF DAYS TO PROVIDE MORE TIME FOR QUESTIONS.
EACH BRANCH SECRETARY WILL ATTEND WITH HIS KEY CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND MAKE A PRESENTATION FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON POLICIES IN THEIR PROGRAMME AREAS, THEIR PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD AND THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO THEM.
MEMBERS WILL THEN RAISE QUESTIONS ON POINTS MADE DURING THE PRESENTATION AND THE DRAFT EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES GENERALLY.
EACH MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. FOLLOWING IS THE PROGRAMME FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGS:
SESSION
NO. DATE/TIME POLICY SECRETARY INVOLVED
MARCH 18 (WEDNESDAY)
1. 9 AM - 10 AM SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE
2. 10 AM - 11.15 AM SECRETARY MANPOWER FOR EDUCATION AND
(11.15 AM - 11.30 AM TEA BREAK)
3. 11.30 AM - 12.45 PM SECRETARY WELFARE FOR HEALTH AND
(12.45 PM - 2 PM LUNCH BREAK)
4. 2 PM - 3.15 PM SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
5. • 3.15 PM - 4.15 PM SECRETARY CULTURE FOR RECREATION AND
6. 4.15 PM - 5. 15 PM SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS
MARCH 19 (THURSDAY)
7. 9 AM - 10.15 AM SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT PLANNING, AND LANDS
8. 10.15 AM - 11.15 AM SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT
(11.15 AM - 11.30 AM TEA BREAK)
/9...........
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
6
9. 11.30 (12.45 AM - PM - 12.45 PM 2 PM SECRETARY FOR LUNCH BREAK) WORKS
10. 2 PM - 3 PM SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY
11 . 3 PM - 4.15 PM SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES
12. 4 . 15 MARCH PM - 5.30 PM SECRETARY FOR 20 (FRIDAY) (MORNING ONLY) TRADE AND INDUSTRY
13. 9 AM - 9.45 AM SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS
14« 9.45 (10.30 AM - AM - 10.30 AM 10.45 AM SECRETARY FOR AFFAIRS TEA BREAK) CONSTITUTIONAL
15. 10.45 AM - 12.15 PM DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT
CHAMBERS MANAGER OF LEGAL DEPARTMENT
COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS
COMMISSIONER, INDEPENDENT
COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION
DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
DIRECTOR OF AUDIT
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
THE FIRST BATCH OF THE REPLIES TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1992-93 CAN BE COLLECTED FROM 9 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT GIS GENERAL OFFICE, ROOM 615, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
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ROADS TO FUTURE CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 PROPOSED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT ACCESS ROADS IN THE
SOUTHEAST TSING YI CONTAINER TERMINAL THE WORKS KILOMETRES OF ROAD, RECLAMATION AREA TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO FUTURE NO. 9 AND ASSOCIATED BACK-UP AREAS. WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT THREE , FOOTPATHS, ROUNDABOUT, AND LAY-BYS. /THE WORKS
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN 1994 AND BE COMPLETED IN 1997.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECTS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN OF THE PROPOSED WORKS 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, 1OTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 12, THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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CONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 3 GETS GO-AHEAD ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF ROUTE 3 AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE ROAD ACCESS TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THIS SECTION OF ROUTE 3 IS AN EXPRESSWAY OF ABOUT SEVEN KILOMETRES LONG, TO BE BUILT BETWEEN NORTHWEST TSING Y1 AND MEI FOO, LINKING THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WI TH THE VEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY.
A NOTICE ANNOUNCING THE AUTHORISATION OF THE WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID THIS SECTION OF ROUTE 3 WOULD HAVE INTERCHANGES WITH THE OTHER STRATEGIC ROADS IN TSING Y1 AND KWAI (HUNG AREA INCLUDING TSING Y1 ROAD WEST, TSUEN WAN ROAD, KWAI CHUNG ROAD, CHING CHEUNG ROAD AND CONTAINER PORT ROAD.
’’CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED UNDER THREE MAJOR CIVIL CONTRACTS.
/•'THESE INCLUDE..........
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
8
’’THESE INCLUDE A TWIN THREE-LANE BORED TUNNEL THROUGH THE CENTRAL PART OF TSING YI ISLAND; A TWIN THREE-LANE BOX GIRDER BRIDGE SPANNING ACROSS THE CHANNEL TO THE NORTH OF EXISTING TSING YI BRIDGE; AND A DUAL-FOUR LANE HIGH LEVEL VIADUCT THROUGH THE KWAI CHUNG ROAD CORRIDOR FROM LAI KING TO MEI FOO,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO START IN EARLY 1993 AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1996.
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WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MISS CHENG HOW-YEE HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS A MEMBER OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD FOR THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 28 THIS YEAR TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.
A NOTICE ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
MISS CHENG WAS APPOINTED TO FILL THE SEAT LEFT VACANT BY APPOINTED MEMBER MISS MARGARET HONG FUNG-KIT WHO RESIGNED ON FEBRUARY 15 THIS YEAR.
MISS CHENG, AGED 38, IS A SOCIAL WORKER. SHE IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF WONG TAI SIN AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT ELDERLY SERVICE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND A MEMBER OF LOWER WONG TAI SIN AREA COMMITTEE.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR TSUEN WAN ROAD WORKS
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE COMPLETION OF PHASE TWO OF TEXACO ROAD/TSUEN WAN BYPASS INTERCHANGE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO TEXACO ROAD.
NOTICE OF THE TENDER WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECT, WHICH IS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN, COMPRISES:
* THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-WAY VIADUCT OVER TSUEN TSING INTERCHANGE CONNECTING TEXACO ROAD AND TSING TSUEN ROAD;
* THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED SINGLE-LANE SLIP ROAD CONNECTING TSUEN WAN ROAD AND THE PROPOSED VIADUCT;
/* THE CONSTRUCTION........
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 9 -
♦ THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF THE FUTURE PHASE THREE VIADUCT SPANNING OVER TSUEN TSING INTERCHANGE; AND
* CONSTRUCTION OF TWO SLIP ROADS AT TSUEN TSING INTERCHANGE, AND
♦ WIDENING OF THE TEXACO ROAD AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAYS WITHIN THE LIMIT OF THE WORKS AREA.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MAY AND WILL TAKE 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, APRIL 10.
FORMS OF TENDER AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ACER CONSULTANTS (FAR EAST) LIMITED, 16TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME 1992 TO BE LAUNCHED
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO HELP MAKE THE COUNTRY PARKS GREEN WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO WITH THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 1992 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME AT HOI HA AU IN SAI KUNG WEST COUNTRY PARK THIS SUNDAY (MARCH 15).
THE COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO PLANT TREES IN COUNTRY PARKS.
THIS YEAR’S SCHEME IS SPONSORED BY THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 3450 AND WILL LAST THROUGHOUT MARCH AND APRIL.
DURING THE PERIOD, A SERIES OF TREE PLANTING DAYS FOR THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED ON ALL SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM MARCH 22 UNTIL THE END OF APRIL.
ON EACH PLANTING DAY, TREE SEEDLINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE FOR PLANTING BY INTERESTED PARTIES IN SEVEN DESIGNATED SITES IN COUNTRY PARKS AT TAI MO SHAN, TAI MEI TUK, PAK TAM AU, QUARRY BAY, NGONG PING, CLEAR WATER BAY AND TAJ TONG.
THE DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY TO PROVIDE TREE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AT THE SITES.
MEANWHILE, TREE PLANTING BY SCHOOLS AND ORGANISED GROUPS CAN BE ARRANGED ON WEEKDAYS AND SATURDAYS DURING THE PERIOD.
THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BE OFFICIATED BY AN EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ANDREW WONG. OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; THE GOVERNOR OF THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 3450, MR ANDRES GUILLEN AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, MR CARLOS CHEUNG.
/AFTER THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 10 -
AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR WONG WILL LEAD ABOUT 700 GUESTS ATTENDING THE FUNCTION TO PLANT THE FIRST BATCH OF TREES AT HOI HA AU.
ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TREE PLANTING SCHEME ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON TEL. 733 2121 FOR REGISTRATION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1992 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 9.30 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 15).
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TENDERS CALLED FOR SCHOOL IN FANLING
******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT ON A SITE OF ABOUT 5,860 SQUARE METRES IN LUEN WO HUI, FANLING.
IT WILL HAVE A MAIN TEACHING BLOCK, A BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, SEPARATE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND STAFF QUARTERS.
THE SCHOOL WILL ALSO HAVE A BASKETBALL COURT, CARPARK AND PLANTING AREAS.
THE MAIN TEACHING BLOCK WILL COMPRISE 26 CLASSROOMS WITH A LIBRARY, A COMPUTER ROOM AND STAFF ROOMS ON THE UPPER FLOORS. IT WILL HAVE ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THE BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS. IT WILL HAVE A COVERED PLAY AREA ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
NOTICE OF THE TENDER WAS PUBLISHED TN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, APRIL 3.
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/Il ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
THREE INSHORE WORK PROJECTS GAZETTED ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED SEPARATE NOTICES REGARDING THREE INSHORE PROJECTS WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE TERRITORY.
TWO OF THE PROJECTS INVOLVE THE DREDGING OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT KELLETT BANK AND THE WESTERN WATERS OFF TSING YI IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE WORKS ARE RESPECTIVELY REQUIRED FOR PROVIDING A FAIRWAY APPROACH TO KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINALS AND OBTAINING MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE REMAINING PROJECT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN AN AREA OF ABOUT 23 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND NORTH OF THE FORMER LEI YUE MUN BARRACKS IN SHAU KEI WAN, HONG KONG ISLAND.
MORE THAN 19 HECTARES OF THE AREA INVOLVED WILL BE RECLAIMED TO PROVIDE LAND FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING, AND ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENTS WITH ABOUT 4.31 HECTARES OF THE AREA WILL BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALL FOUNDATION.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER SUCH FORESHORE AND SEA-BED THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORK PROJECTS MAY DELIVER A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION OR A WRITTEN OBJECTION (APPLIED TO THE KELLETT BANK PROJECT) TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS WITHIN THE PERIODS SPECIFIED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICES.
THE NOTICES TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS MAY BE INSPECTED BY THE PUBLIC 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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TENDERS INVITED FOR TREATMENT PLANT PROJECT
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE COMBINED CIVIL, BUILDING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL INSTALLATION WORKS OF THE STAGE II EXTENSION OF AU TAU WATER TREATMENT WORKS IN YUEN LONG.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIX CLARIFIERS, 14 RAPID GRAVITY FILTERS AND A SLUDGE THICKENING TANK.
/EXTENSION WORKS
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 12 -
EXTENSION WORKS ARE ALSO REQUIRED FOR THE CONTACT TANK, TREATED WATER AND PRIMARY SERVICE RESERVOIRS, PIPELINES, SLUDGE DEWATERING FACILITIES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TREATMENT PLANT.
UPON COMPLETION, THE EXTENSION WORKS WILL HAVE A DAILY CAPACITY OF 220,000 CUBIC METRES WHILE THE TOTAL ULTIMATE DAILY CAPACITY OF THE TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE 330,000 CUBIC METRES.
THE EXTENSION WILL HELP MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR POTABLE WATER IN YUEN LONG, TIN SHUT WAI AND TUEN MUN AREAS.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JULY THIS YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 15.
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FULL-TIME ONE-YEAR TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE »*»»*♦
YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN THE FULL-TIME ONE-YEAR TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE WHICH WILL START THIS SEPTEMBER AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
THE COURSE IS INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING UP TEACHING AS A PROFESSION AND WHO HAVE ACQUIRED SOME YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE IN ELECTRICAL-ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A HIGHER DIPLOMA, HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL-ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AWARDED BY THE POLYTECHNICS OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, OR AN EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION.
INDUCEMENT GRANTS, FROM $6,707 TO $10,480 PER MONTH, WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS DURING THEIR COURSE OF STUDY, CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF RELEVANT POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE COLLEGE ON APRIL 6 EITHER DELIVERED IN PERSON OR BY REGISTERED POST.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 13 -
WINNERS OF MONUMENTS PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION NAMED ♦ » » » »
A CAMERA-SHOT OF HONG KONG’S OLDEST GAS LAMP AT DUDDELL STREET, CENTRAL HAS EARNED ITS PHOTOGRAPHER THE HONOUR TO BE THE CHAMPION OF A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ON THE THEME OF MONUMENTS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENT OFFICE (AMO), THE CHINESE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG CAMERA CLUB AND THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, THE "MONUMENTS ON CAMERA" PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION RECEIVED ABOUT 2,000 ENTRIES SHOWING SOME 50 GAZETTED MONUMENTS AND DEEMED MONUMENTS IN THE TERRITORY.
A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS, COMPRISING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, DR JANET LEE SCOTT, THREE LOCAL RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHERS, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE AMO, AND THE TWO SPONSORS- THE KODAK (FAR EAST) LTD. AND THE SHRIRO (HK) LTD., HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED THE SELECTION OF THE WINNING ENTRIES.
THE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION, MR CHEN SUI-CHEONG, WILL RECEIVE A CAMERA, A ZOOM LENS AND A $3,000 CASH PRIZE.
THE SECOND PRIZE GOES TO MR LAI MAU-KAM AND THE THIRD PRIZE IS WON BY MR TSE SHUN-TAT.
THE TWO RUNNERS-UP WILL EACH RECEIVE A CAMERA AND CASH PRIZE OF $2,000 AND $1,000 RESPECTIVELY.
ONE HUNDRED ENTRIES HAVE ALSO BEEN SELECTED FOR THE MERIT PRIZES, WINNERS HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE RESULT INDIVIDUALLY IN WRITING.
ALL WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AT THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE WHEN IT MOVES TO ITS NEW OFFICE AT 136 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON IN MAY.
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/14........
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1992
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 12.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 13.3.92 + 10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.7 »+0.0* 13.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.37 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.34 6.12
1 MONTH 4.15 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.73 6.30
3 MONTHS 4.16 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.36 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.76 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,110 MN
CLOSED 13 MARCH 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POLICE COMMISSIONER VISITS CHINA ................................... 1
LADY YOUDE PRESENTS AWARDS TO 752 STUDENTS ......................... 1
$13.5M GRANTED TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS ......................... 4
VOLUNTEER SERVICE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY ............. 5
WORKING PARTY ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES HOLDS FIRST MEETING ... 6
WONG TAI SIN LOOKS GREENER ......................................... 8
DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES PLAY KEY ROLE IN LAW AND ORDER ..... 8
SHAM SHUI PO DB REPORT PUBLISHED ................................... 9
OUTSTANDING TSUEN WAN CITIZENS COMMENDED ........................... 10
NEW ROADS TO TIN SHUI WAI PROPOSED.................................. 10
PROPOSED WORKS AREA AT LAU FA TSUEN IN MA WAN ...................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 12
SATURDAY, MARC.H 14, 1992
1
POLICE COMMISSIONER VISITS CHINA
*****
IN RESPONSE TO A NUMBER OF PRESS QUERIES, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR .LI KWAN-HA CONFIRMED THAT HE WOULD NEXT MONTH LEAD A DELEGATION OF SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS TO CHINA FOR HIGH-LEVEL TALKS.
MR LI SAID THAT THE VISIT WAS A SCHEDULED ONE BUT ON THIS OCCASION, THE TALKS WOULD CENTRE ON THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF CROSS-BORDER CRIME AND THE MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED TO COUNTER THIS ACTIVITY.
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LADY YOUDE PRESENTS AWARDS TO 752 STUDENTS *»»»*»
LADY YOUDE TODAY (SATURDAY) PRESENTED AWARDS TO 752 STUDENTS WHO WERE GRANTED VARIOUS KINDS OF AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND.
RETURNING FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO OFFICIATE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN CITY HALL, LADY YOUDE SAID:
"IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND HAS CONTINUED TO PURSUE ITS OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, FOCUSING ON ENCOURAGING LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.
”WE SHALL SPARE NO EFFORT IN EQUIPPING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE THEIR PLACES AS LEADERS IN A DYNAMIC AND FORWARD-LOOKING HONG KONG.”
A TOTAL OF $6.2 MILLION WAS DISBURSED UNDER THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL AWARDS FOR THE 1991-92 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THIS INCLUDED 12 AWARDS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES, FIVE MEDALS FOR STUDENTS WHO OBTAINED OUTSTANDING RESULTS IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS, 10 AWARDS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS, 83 SCHOLARSHIPS AND 42 FELLOWSHIPS FOR TERTIARY AND POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS. AND 600 PRIZES FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
ACCORDING TO THE FUND'S COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, THE COMPETITION FOR THE 12 OVERSEAS AWARDS HAD BEEN VERY KEEN.
"THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WERE CHOSEN FROM OVER 300 APPLICANTS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR EXCELLENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, STRONG LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE AT TWO VIGOROUS SELECTION INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED B^ MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL INCLUDING LADY YOUDE, MR JOHN CHAN, PROFESSOR LEUNG WAI-SUN, PROFESSOR BENJAMIN T'SOU AND MR ANTHONY KAN,” MR CHEONG SAID.
/EACH FELLOW
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
- 2 -
EACH FELLOW WILL RECEIVE $160,000 AND EACH SCHOLAR $145,000 PER YEAR. THEY ARE ALL REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
THE AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR THE FIVE OVERSEAS FELLOWSHIPS ARE:
* MR NGO TAK-WING, 28, HOLDER OF A MASTER DEGREE IN ARTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND CURRENTLY A LECTURER IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ASIA. HE PLANS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AT UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.
* MR CHUNG YU-SUM, DAVID, 23, HOLDER OF A FIRST-CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN MUSIC AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND A MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN MUSICOLOGY AT CAMBRIDGE, WHO INTENDS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN MUSICOLOGY AT CAMBRIDGE.
* MISS TENG YU-YAN, ANNE, 22, WHO HOLDS A FIRST-CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE FROM THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND CURRENTLY A TEACHING ASSISTANT AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY. SHE WISHES TO READ A MASTER DEGREE IN EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO IN CANADA.
* MISS HOYAN HANG-FUNG, CAROLE, 23, WHO GRADUATED FROM THE
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WITH FIRST-CLASS HONOURS IN CHINESE LITERATURE, IS AT PRESENT STUDYING FOR HER MASTER DEGREE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY. SHE PLANS TO PURSUE A
DOCTORATE IN MODERN CHINESE LITERATURE IN CANADA OR IN UK.
* MR CHOY SAI-TSANG, BORIS, 25, WHO GRADUATED FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS WITH A FIRST-CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN
MATHEMATICS, IS CURRENTLY STUDYING FOR HIS M.PHIL IN STATISTICS AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE INTENDS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN APPLIED STATISTICS IN UK.
THE SEVEN OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE :
» MISS MARIA CHAN, 17, OF DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL, WHO OBTAINED 10 DISTINCTIONS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) 1991. SHE IS THE WINNER OF THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL MEDAL FOR BEST PERFORMANCE AT THE HKCEE. SHE PLANS TO PURSUE A BACHELOR DEGREE IN PHYSICS AT MIT.
* MISS LEUNG WING-CHI, 17, OF TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, WHO SCORED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE, PLANS TO STUDY CHEMICAL ENGINEERING IN USA.
» MISS CHEUNG CHUI-MING, GEMMY, 18, OF KING’S COLLEGE OBTAINED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE. SHE PLANS TO STUDY MEDICINE IN UK.
* MR FONG SHEK-YUEN, JOSEPH, 17, OF ST. PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE SCORED 10 DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE. HE INTENDS TO STUDY ARCHITECTURE IN USA.
/★ MISS ISABELLA .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
3
* MISS ISABELLA VINCENT CHAN, 18, OF GERMAN SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, SCORED EIGHT DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT AT HKCEE. SHE ASPIRES TO BECOME A FILM DIRECTOR AND JOURNALIST AFTER HER STUDY IN CINEMA-TV & JOURNALISM IN USA.
* MISS LEE CHEUK-WAH, ADA, 17, OF MARYKNOLL CONVENT SCHOOL OBTAINED. NINE DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT AT HKCEE. SHE PLANS TO STUDY ECONOMICS IN USA OR CANADA.
♦ MISS TAI KA-PU1, 18, OF ST. MARY’S CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, WHO SCORED SIX DISTINCTIONS AND TWO CREDITS IN HKCEE, INTENDS TO STUDY ECONOMICS AT CAMBRIDGE.
’’THEY ARE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE STRONGLY COMMITTED TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG,” MR CHEONG SAID, ”WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT, WHEN THEY RETURN FROM THEIR OVERSEAS STUDIES, THEY WILL BECOME LEADERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS AND OF OUR COMMUNITY.”
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND ALSO AWARDED MEDALS AND SCHOLARSHIPS OF $2,500 EACH TO FIVE STUDENTS WHO OBTAINED OUTSTANDING RESULTS IN 1991 PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS. THEY ARE :
* MISS CHAN KA-YEE, MARIA OF DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL WHO SCORED 10AS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
* MR CHAN HANG-FUNG OF PUI CHING MIDDLE SCHOOL WHO SCORED 7AS IN THE HONG KONG HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION (SCIENCE STREAM).
* MISS CHU SHENG-HUA, ALSO OF PUI CHING MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHO SCORED 5AS IN THE HONG KONG HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION (ARTS STREAM).
* MR MAK WAH-SUNG, VINCENT OF ST PAUL’S COLLEGE WHO SCORED 5AS IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION (SCIENCE STREAM).
* MISS LEE SIU-MUI OF TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL WHO SCORED 4AS IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION (ARTS STREAM).
MR CHEONG SAID THE AWARD SCHEME FOR DISABLED STUDENTS WHICH CAME IN FORCE IN 1988-89 HAD BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE DISABLED STUDENTS AT SENIOR SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY LEVELS IN ADDITION TO THOSE IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS. NINE DISABLED STUDENTS INCLUDING FOUR AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL WERE AWARDED GRANTS AMOUNTING TO $91,020 FOR THE PURCHASE OF TECHNICAL AIDS FOR THEIR PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
UNDER THE LOCAL FELLOWSHIP AND SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES, 42 POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS WERE AWARDED FELLOWSHIP WORTH $30,000 EACH. 83 UNDERGRADUATE AND DIPLOMA STUDENTS WERE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP WORTH $12,000 EACH.
BESIDES, 600 SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVED THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL PRIZES AMOUNTING TO $300,000.
/THEY WERE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
THEY WERE ALL NOMINATED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PRINCIPAL ON THE BASIS OF THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN BOTH STUDIES AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT SCHOOL.
"WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THE BEGINNING OF OUR HARVEST UNDER THE VARIOUS AWARDS SCHEMES. A NUMBER OF OUR SCHOLARS HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THEIR SPONSORED STUDIES.
"THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE TAKEN UP EMPLOYMENT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELD AND ARE CONTRIBUTING TO OUR SOCIETY. THIS HAS BEEN A MOST WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT.
"OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IS THE MOST VALUABLE ASSET OF HONG KONG. THE FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG ARE IN THEIR HANDS, MR CHEONG SAID.
LADY YOUDE AND MR STEPHEN CHEONG ALSO OFFICIATED AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THE FELLOWS AND SCHOLARS OF THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND HELD AT FURAMA HOTEL.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION ARE TO FOSTER FRATERNITY AMONG THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL SCHOLARS, TO ADVANCE LEARNING AND EDUCATION AND TO PROMOTE AN INTEREST TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG.
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$13.5M GRANTED TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS
******
THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND, ONE OF THE LARGEST CHARITABLE TRUSTS IN HONG KONG, HAS RECENTLY DONATED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $13.5 MILLION TO 49 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE LARGEST GRANT THIS YEAR, $2,028,000, WAS MADE OUT TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS - $1.25 MILLION FOR A SKULL X-RAY UNIT FOR THE TUNG WAH EASTERN HOSPITAL AND THE REST FOR THE PURCHASE OF OTHER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.
ALICE HO MIU LING NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL WAS GRANTED $1,199,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PORTABLE X-RAY MACHINE, AN AUTOMATIC X-RAY FILM PROCESSOR, A STEAM STERILIZER, AN INFANT RESUSCITAIRE AND TWO CARBON DIOXIDE MONITORS.
/OTHER GRANTS .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
- 5
OTHER GRANTS INCLUDED:
♦ $825,000 TO SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISABLED CHILDREN;
* $809,000 TO CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE;
* $782,880 TO HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY;
» $704,000 TO HAVEN OF HOPE HOSPITAL;
* $691,298 TO HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE;
♦ $619,040 TO PO LEUNG KUK; AND
* $558,367 TO SAMARITAN FUND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT ALL THE GRANTS WOULD BE SPENT ON THE PURCHASE OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT OR UPGRADING EXISTING FACILITIES.
THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND WAS SET UP WITH A BEQUEST OF $0.5 MILLION BY THE LATE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG IN 1956.
IN 1966, THE CAPITAL OF THE FUND WAS INCREASED THROUGH THE INJECTION OF $4.95 MILLION FROM THE CHINA CHARITABLE FUND, ALSO SET UP BY HIM.
THE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY THE HONGKONG BANK TRUSTEE LTD.
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VOLUNTEER SERVICE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY
******
THERE IS OBVIOUSLY NO GENERATION GAP BETWEEN 82-YEAR-OLD KWOK LAI-KUEN AND 16-YEAR-OLD LEE TSZ-WAN BECAUSE THEY BOTH FIND VOLUNTEER SERVICES A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.
THEY WERE AMONG 59 VOLUNTEERS RECEIVING OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARDS AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY).
”1 HAVE COME TO REALISE THAT WE, AS YOUNG PEOPLE, SHOULD ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN VOLUNTEER SERVICES TO HELP THE NEEDY,” SAID LEE TSZ-WAN, WHO HAS FOUR YEARS' EXPERIENCE IN THE SERVICES.
WAVING HER CERTIFICATE OF OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER, SHE NOTED THAT PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTEER SERVICES COULD FOSTER A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND A COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.
/MADAM KWOK .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
6 -
MADAM KWOK LAI-KUEN, WHO HAS BEEN SERVING AT PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSUEN WAN SINCE 1984, SAID SHE ENJOYED ORGANISING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SHARING HER EXPERIENCE WITH FRIENDS OF HER AGE.
SHE APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
EARLIER, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, POINTED OUT THAT VOLUNTEERING WAS AN EXPRESSION OF CONCERN AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE WELLBEING OF SOCIETY.
MR FUNG ADDED THAT IT ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND HELP ESTABLISH A CARING COMMUNITY.
’’THEREFORE, THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, IN VOLUNTEER SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENCOURAGED,” HE SAID.
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WORKING PARTY ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES HOLDS FIRST MEETING ******
THE WORKING PARTY ON REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE 17-MEMBER WORKING PARTY, APPOINTED RECENTLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, COMPRISED OF MEMBERS FROM YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, ACADEMICS, SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING PARTY SAID THE REVIEW WAS A FOLLOWUP ACTION TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER.
IT SUGGESTED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO REVIEW CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES AS WELL AS THE MODE OF OPERATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES TO ADOPT A MORE REALISTIC AND FLEXIBLE APPROACH AND MAXIMISE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG.
HE ADDED THAT THE CURRENT EXERCISE WAS TO REVIEW THE OBJECTIVES AND SERVICES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, HAVING REGARD TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES OF THE POPULATION, RECENT SOCIAL CHANGES, CURRENT NEEDS AND CHALLENGES TO YOUNG PEOPLE, AVAILABILITY OF RELATED SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUCH AS SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK AND OTHER SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND THE ECONOMICAL USE OF RESOURCES.
/•'VIEWS ON..........
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
’’VIEWS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES WILL BE INVITED FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES, YOUTH WORK AGENCIES AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS," HE SAID.
"THE WORKING PARTY AIMS AT CONCLUDING ITS REVIEW IN ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS. A REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WHO WILL CONSULT THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE BEFORE HER VIEWS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY IS TAKEN," HE ADDED.
"THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY WILL INVITE ORGANISATIONS PROVIDING CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING STARTING FROM NEXT MONDAY," HE SAID.
AT ITS MEETING, WORKING PARTY MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE OBJECTIVES, TERMS OF REFERENCE, PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, EXISTING CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES AND THE SCOPE OF REVIEW.
THE WORKING PARTY WILL MEET AGAIN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE WORKING PARTY ON REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES IS AS FOLLOWS:
CHAIRMAN: PROF FELICE L1EH-MAK,
VICE-CHAIRMAN: MR CHENG HON-KWAN,
MEMBERS: MR PAUL CHAN KAM-CHEUNG
MISS VIRGINIA CHAN CHOI-YING MR CHEUNG YIN-TUNG MR FAN KAM-PING MISS DOROTHY LAU WAI-LING MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG MR DAVID LUNG PING-YEE DR AGNES NG MUNG-CHAN MR LINCOLN SOO HUNG-LEUNG MR JOHN ESTMOND STRICKLAND SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE OR HER REPRESENTATIVE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE
SECRETARY: MISS JOHANNA TSAO
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/8.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
- 8 -
WONG TAI SIN LOOKS GREENER
*****
MORE THAN 1,000 TREES WERE PLANTED IN DIAMOND HILL, WONG TAI SIN THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO BEAUTIFY THE DISTRICT.
THE TREES WERE PLANTED BY SOME 100 PEOPLE INCLUDING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, LOCAL RESIDENTS, STUDENTS AND YOUNGSTERS FROM LOCAL VOLUNTARY BODIES.
TODAY’S ACTIVITY IS THE FIRST PHASE OF A PROJECT TO BEAUTIFY THE DISTRICT LAUNCHED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICI’ BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.
UNDER THE PROJECT, MORE THAN 10,000 TREES WILL BE PLANTED IN THE DISTRICT LATER THIS YEAR.
THE SAPLINGS WERE PROVIDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PLANTED TREES.
OFFICIATING AT THE TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, MR CHAN CHUN-FAT, AND ASSISTANT WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JAMES CHAN.
------0-----------
DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES PLAY KEY ROLE IN LAW AND ORDER
*****
DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES (DFCC) HAVE BEEN PLAYING A CRUCIAL ROLE IN IMPROVING THE TERRITORY’S LAW AND ORDER, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL WONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN GOOD STUDENT AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR WONG SAID DFCC’S HAD BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN CO-ORDINATING ANTI-CRIME EFFORTS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
"THE DFCC’S HAVE ALSO ASSISTED IN ORGANISING DISTRICT ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE THE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF CRIME PREVENTION AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO REPORT CRIME," HE SAID.
CITING THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DFCC AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID ITS MANY FUNCTIONS LAST YEAR HAD SUBSTANTIALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE TERRITORY’S LAW AND ORDER.
ON THE GOOD STUDENT AWARDS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY PRAISED THE RECIPIENTS AS SETTING GOOD EXAMPLES FOR OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO FOLLOW.
/"I HOPE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
9
"I HOPE THEY WILL CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS IN COMMUNITY WORK SO AS TO CONTRIBUTE MORE TO A BETTER HONG KONG OF TOMORROW," HE ADDED.
THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR WU CHOR-NAM, WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THE ENCOURAGING RESPONSE TO THE AWARDS SCHEME.
’’FIFTY OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM A TOTAL OF 127 NOMINEES FROM THE DISTRICT’S 15 SCHOOLS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT FOUR OF THEM WOULD BE INVITED TO A FREE STUDY TOUR OF TAIWAN TO BE ORGANISED BY THE DFCC IN APRIL THIS YEAR.
MR WU ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO URGE THE STUDENTS NOT TO BE TOO COMPLACENT WITH THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WERE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU; THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR HERMAN CHO; THE POLICE COMMANDERS OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS, MR JUSTIN CUNNINGHAM AND MR ROBERT TOAL, AS WELL AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHEME’S WORKING GROUP, MR LEUNG CHUNG-POR.
---------0-----------
SHAM SHUI PO DB REPORT PUBLISHED
******
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD HAS PUBLISHED A FULL-COLOUR REPORT ON ITS WORK AND ACTIVITIES FROM 1988 TO 1991.
THE 48-PAGE REPORT, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH EDITIONS, COVERS THE WORK OF THE BOARD’S FOUR COMMITTEES ON ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY BUILDING, COMMUNITY WELFARE AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT AS WELL AS THEIR VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTRICT’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS WAS ALSO INCLUDED.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS PARTICULARS OF INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS.
A TOTAL OF 11,000 COPIES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED.
COPIES HAVE BEEN SENT TO SCHOOLS, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS.
FREE COPIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 37 TONKIN STREET.
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/10.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
- 10 -
OUTSTANDING TSUEN WAN CITIZENS COMMENDED
******
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM, PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS TO FIVE TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR LONG AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
ANOTHER 10 RESIDENTS, WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ORGANISING ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, ALSO RECEIVED CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG.
OVER 300 LOCAL COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE RURAL COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE WORK OF THE BOARD OVER THE PAST YEARS AND ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (COMMUNITY RELATIONS) OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE, MR PAUL TANG.
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NEW ROADS TO TIN SHUT WAI PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD A NUMBER OF NEW ROADS, FOOTPATHS, CYCLING TRACKS, SUBWAY AND BUS TERMINI AS PART OF THE TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT.
THROUGHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, EXISTING ACCESSES TO TIN SHUI WAI WILL BE MAINTAINED. THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1994.
ON COMPLETION OF THE WORKS, ACCESS TO THE TOWN CENTRE OF TIN SHUI WAI CAN BE ACHIEVED BY THE NEW ROADS ON THE NORTH PART OF THE NEW TOWN.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS 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;
/* DISTRICT LANDS .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
11
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, NINTH TO 11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
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, HONG KONG NO LATER THAN MAY 12 THIS YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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PROPOSED WORKS AREA AT LAU FA TSUEN IN MA WAN
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT WORKS FOR THE FORMING OF A WORKS AREA AT LAU FA TSUEN, MA WAN.
THE GENERAL NATURE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS AREA IS TO PROVIDE AN DDITIONAL AREA OF LAND TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS 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;
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/TSUEN WAN, 1OTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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, HONG KONG NO LATER THAN MAY 12 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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/12 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1992
- 12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 13.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 14.3.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATUTORY BENEFITS OF IMPORTED WORKERS PROTECTED ................... 1
ONE MORE MONTH TO GIVE VIEWS ON CHINESE MEDICINE ................... 2
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN TREE PLANTING URGED ....................... 2
TAX-FRAUD BUSTERS AT WORK .......................................... 4
58 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY .......................... 6
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL IN SAI KUNG........................................ 7
YAU TSIM FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST FINALS ........................ 7
SOCIAL WELFARE DISTRICT OFFICES ON MOVE ............................ 8
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
1 STATUTORY BENEFITS OF IMPORTED WORKERS PROTECTED ♦ t * * *
IMPORTED WORKERS ARE ENTITLED TO EXACTLY THE SAME RIGHTS AND PROTECTION AS LOCAL WORKERS UNDER THE LABOUR LAWS.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR MAK SAI-YIU TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY .MUST GIVE IMPORTED WORKERS THEIR STATUTORY BENEFITS AND THE FULL AMOUNT OF WAGES.
HE NOTED THAT THREE EMPLOYERS HAD RECENTLY BEEN FINED BY THE COURTS FOR INFRINGING THE RIGHTS OF IMPORTED WORKERS.
MR MAK CITED A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE PROPRIETOR OF HIP HING MACHINE AND METAL FACTORY IN TSUEN WAN WAS FINED $1,500 FOR ILLEGALLY DEDUCTING $380 FROM THE WAGES OF AN IMPORTED WORKER.
"ACCORDING TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER IS NOT ALLOWED TO DEDUCT THE WAGES OF HIS EMPLOYEES EXCEPT UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS AND UP TO CERTAIN LIMITS STIPULATED IN THE LAW, SUCH AS FOR THE PROVISION OF FOOD AND .ACCOMMODATION AND RECOVERY OF LOANS MADE BY THE EMPLOYER," HE EXPLAINED.
"ANY DEDUCTION FROM AN IMPORTED WORKER’S WAGES OTHER THAN IS PERMITTED BY THE ORDINANCE IS UNLAWFUL," HE ADDED.
MR MAK NOTED THAT AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEEKING TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE TO A FINE OF $100,000 PLUS ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT.
IN ANOTHER CASE, THE PROPRIETOR OF YUEN LEE COMPANY IN TUEN MUN WAS FINED $500 FOR FAILING TO GRANT A STATUTORY HOLIDAY TO AN IMPORTED WORKER, CONTRARY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
EMPLOYERS WHO BREACHED THE REQUIREMENT ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
MR MAK ALSO REMINDED EMPLOYERS TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR IMPORTED WORKERS AS REQUIRED UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
HE NOTED THAT THE FUNG CHEONG LOONG INDUSTRIAL COMPANY LIMITED IN KWAI CHUNG HAD BEEN FINED $1,500 RECENTLY BY A TSUEN WAN MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO INSURE FOR ITS EMPLOYEES, IN< LUDING THREE IMPORTED WORKERS.
"ALL EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR FULL LIABILITIES TO COMPENSATE WORKERS INJURED AT WORK UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND UNDER COMMON LAW," HE SAID.
"OFFENDERS ARE HABLE, ON SUMMARY CONVICTION, $20,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR," HE NOTED.
TO A FINE OF
MR MAK STRESSED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL STEP UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF IMPORTED WORKERS AND WILL PROSECUTE OFFENDING EMPLOYERS WHEN THERE IS EVIDENI E.
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/2 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
•- 2 -
ONE MORE MONTH TO GIVE VIEWS ON CHINESE MEDICINE . *****
THE WORKING PARTY ON CHINESE MEDICINE TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED THE PUBLIC AND PRACTITIONERS OF CHINESE MEDICINE TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN ITS INTERIM REPORT, PUBLISHED IN MID-JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THE SECRETARY OF THE WORKING PARTY, MR PETER KWOK, SAID: "IT IS NOW EXACTLY ONE MONTH FROM THE END OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON APRIL 16. THE WORKING PARTY WILL BE EXAMINING ALL VIEWS CAREFULLY BEFORE REFINING FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUBMISSION TO GOVERNMENT.”
IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, THE WORKING PARTY RECEIVED MORE THAN 70 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS. OF THESE, 15 WERE FROM PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE REST FROM INDIVIDUALS. THE WORKING PARTY HAS ALSO MONITORED COMMENTS THROUGH THE MEDIA.
”WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THESE VIEWS BUT WE WOULD APPRECIATE MORE VIEWS SO AS TO REFLECT MORE FULLY THE WISHES OF OUR COMMUNITY,” MR KWOK SAID.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE REGISTRATION OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS SO AS TO ASSURE PATIENTS OF PROPER STANDARDS AND TO ACCORD PRACTITIONERS DUE STATUS. THE WORKING PARTY HAS ALSO ADVOCATED THE PROMULGATION OF A LIST OF POTENT AND TOXIC HERBS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS IN THEIR PROPER USE.
’’THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AIM TO RECOGNISE THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE IN HEALTH CARE AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND TO DEVELOP TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE IN HONG KONG ON THE STRENGTHS OF ITS HERITAGE,” MR KWOK ADDED.
COPIES OF THE INTERIM REPORT IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS. TO DATE, 10,500 COPIES OF THE REPORT HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED.
VIEWS IN WRITING SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE WORKING PARTY AT P.O. BOX 13282, HONG KONG, BEFORE APRIL 16 THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN TREE PLANTING URGED
*****
PROMOTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN TREE PLANTING HELPS PEOPLE LEARN AND UNDERSTAND THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT AND REMINDS PEOPLE OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO KEEP IT CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY OMELCO MEMBER MR ANDREW WONG AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1992 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME AT HOI HA AU, SAI KUNG WEST COUNTRY PARK.
/MR WONG .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
- 3 -
MR WONG SAID: "IT IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP CONSERVE OUR COUNTRYSIDE."
HE SAID THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ( AFD) PRODUCED SOME 800,000 TREE SEEDLINGS EACH YEAR FOR PLANTING IN COUNTRY PARKS AND FOR USE IN GOVERNMENT LANDSCAPING PROJECTS.
"IT WOULD BE REALLY SAD IF SOME OF THESE TREES TURN OUT TO BE DAMAGED BY HILL FIRES OR VANDALISM," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID TREES WERE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
"THEY HELP TO BEAUTIFY OUR COUNTRYSIDE, STABILISE SOIL IN WATER CATCHMENT AREAS AND PROVIDE SHELTERS AND FOOD FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF WILDLIFE.
"TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR TREES AND TREE PLANTING," HE SAID, "I AND MY FAMILY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO PLANTING TREES IN COUNTRY PARKS WHEN THE COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME STARTS EACH SPRING."
HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE SCHEME HAD NOW BECOME A VERY POPULAR ANNUAL EVENT AND HAD RECEIVED INCREASING SUPPORT FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PLANT THEIR TREES IN COUNTRY PARKS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
"SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION BY PLANTING YOUR TREES AND TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION TO PROTECT THE COUNTRYSIDE FROM HILL FIRE," HE URGED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD. MR CARLOS CHEUNG, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 3450, MR ANDRES GUILLEN.
EARLIER IN HIS WELCOME SPEECH, DR LEE SAID IT HAD BEEN THE DEPARTMENT’S LONG-STANDING PRACTICE TO ENCOURAGE ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS AND THE YOUNGER GENERATION, TO BE INVOLVED IN PLANTING TREES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS AND IN CARING FOR THEM.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME DATED BACK TO 1957. SINCE THEN MORE AND MORE PEOPLE HAD RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF TREE PLANTING AND COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION.
"LAST YEAR, ABOUT 20,000 PEOPLE JOINED THE SCHEME AND PLANTED A TOTAL OF 26,000 TREES," HE SAID.
DR LEE ALSO COMMENDED THE ROTARIANS FOR THEIR KEEN SUPPORT FOR TREE PLANTING AND NATURE CONSERVATION.
/HE SAID .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
4
HE SAID SEVEN PLANTING SITES IN SELECTED COUNTRY PARKS WOULD BE OPEN BETWEEN MARCH 22 AND END OF APRIL FOR THE PUBLIC TO PLANT TREES, ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
DR LEE SAID: "COUNTRY PARKS STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY AT THE SELECTED SITES DURING THE PERIOD TO PROVIDE TREE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ADVICES."
ARRANGEMENTS CAN ALSO BE MADE FOR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO TAKE PART IN THE PLANTING PROGRAMME ON WEEKDAYS OR SATURDAYS DURING THE PERIOD.
ANY ORGANISATIONS INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TREE PLANTING SCHEME CAN CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON TEL. 733 2121 FOR REGISTRATION.
---------0 - - - -
TAX-FRAUD BUSTERS AT WORK
*****
RAYMOND NG AND HIS SIX COLLEAGUES HARDLY LOOK LIKE LAW ENFORCERS. THEY DO NOT WEAR UNIFORM WHILE ON DUTY NOR DO THEY HAVE LEGAL POWER TO MAKE ARRESTS.
HOWEVER, THEY CAN BRING TO JUSTICE PEOPLE WHO STEAL WILFULLY WITH INTENT FROM THE PUBLIC PURSE.
SO FAR THIS YEAR, THEIR EFFORTS HAVE LED TO THE CONVICTIONS OF THREE MERCHANTS WHO EVADED PROFITS TAX TOTALLING $1.8 MILLION BY UNDERSTATING PROFITS OF OVER $10 MILLION.
SENIOR ASSESSOR RAYMOND NG, WHO HEADS THE SEVEN-MEMBER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, SAID THEIR MAIN TASK WAS TO CRACK DOWN ON SERIOUS TAX EVASION ACTIVITIES.
SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SECTION IN APRIL 1987, THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED NINE MERCHANTS FOR EVADING PROFITS TAX AND HAVE RECOVERED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $12.1 MILLION FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
EXPLAINING THE TACTICS USED BY TAX EVADERS, HE SAID: "THEY MAY INFLATE CHARGES OR COSTS OF PURCHASES IN THE TAX RETURNS, UNDERSTATE SALES REVENUE, OMIT COMMISSION INCOME, OR MAKE FALSE INVOICES."
HE SAID THE INVESTIGATION TARGETS WERE MOSTLY UNLIMITED COMPANIES WHICH DID NOT NEED TO HAVE THEIR ACCOUNTS AUDITED, THUS POSSIBLY OPENING THE WAY TO MANIPULATION OF RECORDS.
"WHERE THERE ARE INDICATIONS OF SERIOUS FRAUDS, WE SHALL INITIATE INVESTIGATION ACTION. USUALLY WE HAVE TO APPLY FOR A SEARCH WARRANT TO SEIZE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND RECORDS FROM THE SUSPECT’S BUSINESS PREMISES.
/"WE HAVE .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
- 5 -
"WE HAVE TO INTERVIEW THE SUSPECT AND VARIOUS WITNESSES, CROSS CHECK LARGE QUANTITIES OF DOCUMENTS AND. RECORDS OF DIFFERENT PARTIES TO A BUSINESS DEAL.
"A HUGE VOLUME OF EVIDENCE HAVE TO BE GATHERED BEFORE WE CAN TAKE THE SUSPECT TO COURT," HE ADDED.
DESCRIBING THE PROCESS AS LENGTHY AND TIME-CONSUMING, MR NG SAID AN AVERAGE CASE MIGHT TAKE ONE-AND-A-HALF TO TWO YEARS BEFORE THE WORK COULD BEAR FRUITS.
DURING THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATION, ASSISTANCE OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE POLICE, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, IS ENLISTED.
CITING A RECENT CASE IN WHICH A SHOES AND HANDBAGS BUYING AGENT WAS FOUND GUILTY OF SUBMITTING FRAUDULENT PROFITS TAX RETURNS, MR NG SAID EXPERTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY HAD BEEN CALLED TO CONDUCT FORENSIC TEST TO VERIFY THE SIGNATURE OF THE DEFENDANT.
THE MERCHANT WAS SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT SUSPENDED FOR TWO YEARS, AND FINED A SUM OF $10,000 ON EACH CHARGE PLUS A PENAL TAX OF $3.4 MILLION IN THE DISTRICT COURT.
THE INVESTIGATION SECTION HAS A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE INTERPOL.
IN 1990, EXTRADITION ACTIONS WERE INITIATED AGAINST A CHEMICALS WHOLESALER WHO FLED TO CANADA WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT DURING THE INVESTIGATION PERIOD.
HE WAS FINALLY ARRESTED AFTER HE HAD SLIPPED INTO HONG KONG. HE WAS LATER JAILED FOR 12 MONTHS AND FINED $3.35 MILLION IN THE DISTRICT COURT.
NOTING THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT PLAYED AN IMPERATIVE PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TAX EVASION, MR NG SAID 80 PER CENT OF THE CASES HANDLED WERE PROMPTED BY TIP-OFFS FROM INFORMERS WHO MAY BE THE SUSPECT’S EMPLOYEES, COMPETITORS, FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.
HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO COME FORWARD TO REPORT CASES OF POSSIBLE TAX EVASION BY" WRITING TO THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE AT GPO BOX 132 OR SIMPLY CALLING 594 4011.
"INFORMERS CAN BE ASSURED OF PEACE OF MIND BECAUSE INVESTIGATORS ARE OBLIGED BY LAW TO KEEP ALL INFORMATION STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL," HE SAID.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR NG HOPED THEIR WORK COULD CREATE A DETERRENT EFFECT ON POTENTIAL TAX EVADERS.
/TAX EVASION .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
- 6 -
TAX EVASION IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE. ON CONVICTION, THE MAXIMUM CUSTODIAL SENTENCE IS THREE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $20,000 ON EACH CHARGE, PLUS A FURTHER FINE OF TREBLE THE AMOUNT OF TAX UNDERCHARGED.
"WE HOPE TO INSTIL A MORE RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE TO TAX MATTERS AMONG THE COMMUNITY. AFTER ALL, TAX EVASION IMPOSES SUBSTANTIAL COSTS TO A TAXPAYER," HE SAID.
- - 0----------
58 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 58 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN JANUARY.
OF THESE, 22 WERE FOR HONG KONG, 20 FOR KOWLOON AND 16 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 29 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 10 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND SIX FOR WORKSHOP PURPOSE.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 44 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 54,435.4 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 107,683.8 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1,455 MILLION.
USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES PROVIDED IN BUILDINGS WHICH WERE CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION WERE ABOUT 21,015.3 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 186,257 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING JANUARY, THE OFFICE ISSUED 45 OCCUPATION PERMITS; 17 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 16 FOR KOWLOON, AND 12 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 26 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 51 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 560 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,033 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 361 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 737 BUILDINGS AND NO EMERGENCY CLOSURES WERE REQUIRED.
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/7........
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
- 7 -
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL TN SAI KUNG
THE SAI KUNG SEAFOOD FESTIVAL WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING TOURISM IN THE AREA SO AS TO BOOST THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES. MR ALBERT LAM, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL, MR LAM NOTED THAT SAI KUNG WAS THE FASTEST GROWING DISTRICT IN HONG KONG AND A SEAFOOD CENTRE AS WELL.
’’THE SEAFOOD HERE IS INEXPENSIVE, WITH A CONTINUOUS FRESH SUPPLY FROM THE EIGHT MARICULTURE ZONES IN THE DISTRICT.
"THIS ’SEAFOOD PARADISE’ ATTRACTS NOT ONLY LOCAL BUT FOREIGN VISITORS AS WELL," NR LAM SAID..
ANOTHER "MAGNET" OF THE DISTRICT IS THE SERENE COUNTRYSIDE SETTING WITH A LARGE COUNTRY PARK, 28 BEACHES, THREE LARGE-SCALE HOLIDAY RESORT CENTRES, A WATER ACTIVITY CENTRE, * SEVEN DECLARED MONUMENT LOCATIONS, AND MANY OTHER TOURIST SPOTS.
THE SAI KUNG SEAFOOD FESTIVAL, BEING HELD BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND APRIL 5, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BV THE SAI KING DISTRICT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
DURING THE FESTIVAL, MORE THAN 40 RESTAURANTS AND SEAFOOD STALLS IN THE DISTRICT WILL PREPARE SPECIAL DISHFS AND MENUS FOR CUSTOMERS.'
TO ADD FURTHER COLOUR TO THE FESTIVAL, FOUR SIX-METRE HIGH FA PAIS" HAVE BEEN ERECTED AT THE TOWN’S WATERFRONT.
GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY INCLUDED THE (HAIRMAX Ob THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, MR MARTIN BARROW, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
------0--------
YAU TSIM FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST FINALS ♦ * ♦ i ♦
EIGHTEEN AMATEUR SINGERS WUJ PART I( I PATE IN \ I 1GHI (RIME SINGING CONTEST FINALS TOMORROW (MONDAV ) EVENING AT HIE GRAND THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE ’GLORY OF LIFE’ SINGING CONTEST IS JOJNTIV ORGANISED BY THE V AU IS IM DISTRICT FIGHT C’RIME COMMITTEE AND THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL TO PROMOTE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE.
/THE FIRST .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 1992
THE FIRST THREE WINNERS WILL EACH BE GIVEN ATTRACTIVE PRIZES AND VOICE TESTS WHICH MAY LEAD THEM TO ENTER A SINGING CONTRACT WITH A RECORD COMPANY.
OFFICIATING AT THE CONTEST’S OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE YAU TSM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER FERRY.
POPULAR SINGER WONG .YICK WILL BE GUEST PERFORMER.
THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONTEST WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM AT THE GRAND THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI TOMORROW (MONDAY).
- - 0 - -
SOCIAL WELFARE DISTRICT OFFICES ON MOVE
*»»»**
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT YOUTH OFFICE AND REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY OFFICE IN SOUTH KOWLOON HAVE MOVED TO THE NINTH FLOOR OF TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE TWO OFFICES ARE 712 6595 AND 388 4111 EXT. 335 RESPECTIVELY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO EXPAND INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION ............ 1
AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION ........................ 2
COMMITMENT ON ENVIRONMENT REAFFIRMED .............................. 2
JOINT STATEMENT BY POLICE COMMISSIONER AND STAFF ASSNS' CHAIRMEN .. 3
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER 1991 -JANUARY 1992 RELEASED ............................................. 4
SWAC RECOMMENDS CHANGES TO PROPOSED LAW FOR ELDERLY HOMES ......... 5
WORKING GROUP ON INTEGRATION OF SERVICE DELIVERY TO BE FORMED ..... 6
WATER SUSPENSION IN TWO KOWLOON AREAS ............................. 7
INLAND REVENUE SUB-OFFICE ON MOVE ................................. 7
MODERN ELECTRONIC STAMP VENDING MACHINE INTRODUCED ................ 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .............................................. 9
•HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
9
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
1
GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO EXPAND INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING TO INCREASE SPENDING ON THE MAJOR PROGRAMME AREAS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PRIORITIES ARE BEING ADJUSTED TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD WHEN SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE NAMING CEREMONY OF THE WEI HING THEATRE AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC TODAY (MONDAY).
"WE WOULD BE VERY SHORT-SIGHTED IF WE LOCK OURSELVES INTO A SYSTEM WHERE ONE SIMPLY HAD TO KEEP ON SPENDING MORE MONEY ON EVERYTHING.
’’CLEARLY WE HAVE TO ADJUST PRIORITIES. AT THE MOMENT WE ARE PROUD OF OUR BIG EXPANSION PROGRAMME IN TERTIARY EDUCATION," MR MACLEOD SAID, STRESSING THAT SUCH EXPANSION . IS IN THE LONG-TERM INTEREST OF HONG KONG AND IN THE INTEREST OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAN ACTUALLY GO TO THOSE INSTITUTES.
HE SAID THE QUESTION OF PRIORITIES FOR EXPENDITURE, EITHER WITHIN EDUCATION OR BETWEEN EDUCATION AND OTHER AREAS, IS A VERY COMPLEX ONE, AND IT WOULD NOT HELP TO OVER-SIMPLIFY.
"FOR EXAMPLE IN ASSESSING THE AMOUNT WE SPEND ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, ONE HAS TO LOOK AT THE TREND OF PUPILS OF THE RELEVANT GROUP. IT IS NO USE SIMPLY COMPARING THE OVERALL AMOUNT OF MONEY."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON DEMANDS TO INCREASE EXPENDITURE ON SECONDARY AND PRIMARY EDUCATION, MR MACLEOD SAID: "IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIGURES, PARTICULARLY IF YOU LOOK OVER THE PERIOD OF THE NEXT FEW YEARS, VERY CLEARLY, WE ARE CONTINUING TO EXPAND OUR INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION."
HE SAID THE DEBATE ABOUT EXACTLY HOW ONE SHOULD SPLIT UP THE CAKE AND EXACTLY HOW MUCH PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EACH SECTOR WAS PERFECTLY REASONABLE. "BUT IT IS NOT FAIR TO OVER-SIMPLIFY AND SAY THAT WE ARE SOMEHOW UNDERSPENDING IN THE PRIMARY SECTOR. I DON’T THINK THAT’S TRUE."
"I BELIEVE WE ARE STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE, ALTHOUGH OF COURSE THIS IS AN AREA WHICH IS SHIFTING YEAR BY YEAR. AND WE HAVE A STREAM OF RECOMMENDATIONS COMING UP FROM THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, FOR EXAMPLE. SO IT IS NOT BY ANY MEANS A STATIC SITUATION, AND AS THOSE COME OUT WE WILL LOOK AT THEM AND SEE WHICH ONES WE SHOULD DO FIRST," HE SAID.
ASKED HOW CONFIDENT HE WAS IN GETTING THE BUDGET PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD SAID HE WOULD NOT LIKE TO PUT A PERCENTAGE ON THAT BUT HE BELIEVED SOME OF HIS MESSAGES WERE GETTING OVER PRETTY WELL.
"BUT I WON’T PRETEND THAT ALL OF LEGCO ARE ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH EVERY PART OF THE BUDGET. CLEARLY THEY ARE NOT. I CERTAINLY AM HOPEFUL THAT I’LL PERSUADE THOSE MEMBERS WHO ARE STILL NOT ALL THAT HAPPY THAT IF THEY VIEW THE BUDGET AS A PACKAGE, THAT IT IS REASONABLE AND IT IS WORTH SUPPORTING," HE SAID.
/2.........
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
- 2
AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED UPON AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME OF EXPANSION OF OPPORTUNITY AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL, WITH THE CURRENT FOCUS BEING TO PROVIDE 15,000 FIRST-YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES BY 1994-95.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AT THE NAMING CEREMONY OF THE WEI HING THEATRE, CITY POLYTECHNIC TODAY (MONDAY).
MR MACLEOD SAID IN 1992-93, GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON RECURRENT EXPENDITURE FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION WILL INCREASE BY 18.5 PER CENT OVER 1991-92 AND CAPITAL'EXPENDITURE WILL RISE BY 36 PER CENT.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FULL POTENTIAL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IS CRUCIAL TO THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG," HE 3AID.
TURNING TO THE WEI HING THEATRE, MR MACLEOD PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WEI LUN FOUNDATION WHICH HAD GIVEN A DONATION FOR THE FITTING-OUT OF THE THEATRE.
"THE FOUNDATION HAS, OVER THE YEARS, PROVIDED SUPPORT AND FUNDING FOR A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION," HE SAID.
"THE THEATRE WILL PROVIDE AN IMPETUS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL LIFE ON CAMPUS," MR MACLEOD SAID.
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COMMITMENT ON ENVIRONMENT REAFFIRMED
******
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, TODAY (MONDAY) REAFFIRMED GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO FURTHER IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAKING HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.
SPEAKING IN A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION, MR BARNES SAID IN 1992-93, THE TOTAL GROWTH IN REAL TERMS OF THE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME AREA IS 20.2 PER CENT.
THE BULK OF THIS YEAR’S PROVISION AT $2,985 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON SEWAGE PROJECTS ($1,425 BILLION) AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL $1,346 BILLION), WITH A NUMBER OF LARGE LANDFILL PROJECTS STARTING.
THE SEWERAGE PROJECTS INCLUDED IMPROVEMENTS TO EAST KOWLOON, NORTH WEST KOWLOON, HK ISLAND SYSTEMS, TOLO HARBOUR AND THE NORTHWEST NT EFFLUENT TUNNEL AND OUTFALL, HE SAID.
/MR BARNES .......
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
3 -
MR BARNES SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) WAS CONTINUING TO GROW TO MEET AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TARGETS OF THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION, POINTING OUT THAT THE 16.3 PER CENT GROWTH IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WAS PRIMARILY TO FUND THE 128 POSTS IN THE EPD.
"WE ARE COMMITTED ALSO TO THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME, WHICH WILL CARRY PRIMARILY TREATED SEWAGE THROUGH A SYSTEM OF TUNNELS FAR OUT TO SEA WHERE IT CAN BE READILY ABSORBED IN THE VAST WATERS OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA," MR BARNES SAID.
ON PLANNING OF DEVELOPMENT AREAS, MR BARNES SAID THE ZONING PLANS FOR WEST KOWLOON AND SOUTH EAST TSING YI AND NORTH LANTAU TO BE PUBLISHED SOON WILL INCLUDE MANY FEATURES TO AVOID EXCESSIVE NOISE OR OTHER NUISANCE.
"IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN RECLAMATION SCHEMES, WE WILL BE PUTTING THE MAIN BY-PASS THROUGH A TUNNEL," HE ADDED.
ON AIR POLLUTION, MR BARNES SAID PRIORITY WAS GIVEN TO DEAL WITH THE POLLUTION AT STREET LEVEL CAUSED BY MOTOR VEHICLES.
HE SAID THE VEHICLE EMISSION DESIGN STANDARDS WERE RECENTLY INTRODUCED TO REQUIRE ALL NEW PETROL-DRIVEN CARS FITTED WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. .
THIS WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY MOVES TO TIGHTEN EMISSION STANDARDS OF DIESEL-DRIVEN VEHICLES BY INCREASED ENFORCEMENT, MR BARNES SAID.
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JOINT STATEMENT BY POLICE COMMISSIONER AND STAFF ASSNS’ CHAIRMEN *****
THE FOLLOWING IS A JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE CHAIRMEN OF THE FOUR POLICE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TODAY (MONDAY) HELD A’ MEETING WITH THE CHAIRMEN OF THE FOUR.POLICE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND HAD OPEN AND FRANK DISCUSSIONS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF RESOURCES, IMPROVEMENTS IN PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, AND THE SAFETY OF OFFICERS. THE COMMISSIONER BRIEFED THE FOUR CHAIRMEN ON WHAT STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN ON THESE ASPECTS. HAVING BEEN BRIEFED THE CHAIRMEN REFUTE ANY ALLEGATIONS THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAS NOT BEEN PURSUING THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES. THE FOUR CHAIRMEN REAFFIRMED THEIR LOYALTY AND SUPPORT TO THE COMMISSIONER. IT IS STRESSED THAT THE FORCE STANDS UNITED IN ACTING IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
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/4 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
4
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER 1991 - JANUARY 1992 RELEASED *****
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER LAST YEAR TO JANUARY THIS YEAR WAS 1.9%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.8%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1991 - FEBRUARY 1992 WAS 2.0%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.9%.
WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1991, THE DIFFERENCES ARE INSIGNIFICANT. BOTH THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED STABLE AT A RELATIVELY LOW LEVEL.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN NOVEMBER 1991 - JANUARY 1992 WAS ESTIMATED AT 53,700, COMPARED WITH 54,900 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1991 AND 38,000 IN NOVEMBER 1990 - JANUARY 1991.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN NOVEMBER 1991 - JANUARY 1992 WAS 52,200, COMPARED WITH 44,400 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1991 AND 18,200 IN NOVEMBER 1990 - JANUARY 1991.
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.
AS THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. ♦
THE SURVEY FOR NOVEMBER 1991 - JANUARY 1992 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,700 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
/DETAILED ANALYSIS .......
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
- 5 -
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND MARCH 20 AT $13.5 PER COPY.
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SWAC RECOMMENDS CHANGES TO PROPOSED LAW FOR ELDERLY HOMES
******
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) TODAY (MONDAY) RECOMMENDED THAT REVISIONS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO REGULATE RESIDENTIAL CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
SPEAKING AT THE SWAC MEETING, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MR ANTHONY CHAN SAID THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (FSD) AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT HAD ADVISED THAT MOST EXISTING RESIDENTIAL CARE AND ATTENTION HOME PREMISES COULD NOT MEET STATUTORY BUILDING REQUIREMENTS.
HE SAID AN OVERALL ANALYSIS ON THE EXISTING PRIVATE HOME PREMISES CONDUCTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT EARLY THIS YEAR INDICATED THAT OUT OF THE 348 PRIVATE HOMES, 182 HOMES WITH A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 6,380 RESIDENTS COULD NOT COMPLY WITH STATUTORY BUILDING REQUIREMENTS.
IN VIEW OF THE IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ORIGINAL SCHEME, SWAC MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THE FOLLOWING REVISION:
» THERE SHOULD BE ONLY ONE SET OF LICENSING STANDARDS, THAT IS, PHASE II STANDARDS;
« UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION, ALL APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES OR CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE FSD FOR INSPECTION FIRST;
♦ LICENCES WOULD ONLY BE GRANTED TO HOMES COMPLYING FULLY WITH BUILDING AND FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, AND PHASE II STANDARDS;
* EXISTING HOMES WHICH FAIL TO MEET ANY OF THE PRESCRIBED REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE GRANTED CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION FOR A PERIOD OF NOT MORE THAN THREE YEARS;
* THE EXEMPTION PERIOD WOULD VARY ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF COMPLIANCE WITH VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS;
/* THE DIRECTOR .......
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
- 6
* THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD IMPOSE SUCH CONDITIONS AS HE DEEMS APPROPRIATE ON THE CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION WHICH COULD BE REVOKED IF THE CONDITIONS ARE NOT FULFILLED, AND
* THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE COULD COMPEL OPERATORS OF SUBSTANDARD HOMES TO TAKE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES BY REFUSING TO RENEW THEIR CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION.
---------0-----------
WORKING GROUP ON INTEGRATION OF SERVICE DELIVERY TO BE FORMED
*****
A WORKING GROUP ON THE CO-ORDINATION AND INTEGRATION OF SERVICE DELIVERY WILL BE SET UP TO REVIEW EXISTING SERVICES AND IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTEGRATION AND RATIONALISATION OF SERVICES.
THE WORKING GROUP’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE:
* TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITIES OF INTEGRATION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ELDERLY;
* TO IDENTIFY EXISTING SERVICES WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR INTEGRATION, AND
» TO EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF RELOCATING EXISTING SERVICES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A MORE BALANCED DISTRIBUTION OF SERVICES ON A GEOGRAPHIC BASIS.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE WORKING GROUP, TO BE APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH.
AT ITS MEETING TODAY (MONDAY), MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) CONSIDERED THAT AN INTEGRATED APPROACH OF SERVICE DELIVERY WOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT PROVISION OF SERVICES.
MEANWHILE, SWAC MEMBERS LEARNED THAT A WORKING GROUP ON STREET SLEEPERS, WHICH WAS SET UP LAST SEPTEMBER TO REPLACE THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET SLEEPERS, HAD DISCUSSED A SERIES OF SUBJECTS.
THEY INCLUDED EXISTING DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES ON STREET SLEEPERS; URBAN REHOUSING FOR LONG TERM STREET SLEEPERS; NEW URBAN HOSTELS SCHEME FOR STREET SLEEPERS AND BEDSPACE LODGERS; REVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AGAINST STREET SLEEPERS AND POLICE’S VIEWS ON THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS.
/SWAC MEMBERS .......
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
7
SWAC MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE EXISTING POLICY ON STREET SLEEPERS REMAINED GENERALLY APPROPRIATE. NEW LEGISLATION SHOULD NOT BE INTRODUCED TO PROHIBIT STREET SLEEPING OR TO FORCE STREET SLEEPERS TO UNDERGO THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT $15.6 MILLION HAD BEEN SECURED FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR 'A URBAN HOSTEL SCHEME FOR STREET SLEEPE.RS.
A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR STEPHEN FISHER, TOLD THE MEETING THAT PREMISES HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE SETTING UP OF FIVE HOSTELS, WHCIH SHOULD COME INTO OPERATION VERY SOON.
"THE FIRST HOSTEL IS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR INTAKE NEXT MONTH," HE ADDED.
- - C
WATER SUSPENSION IN TWO KOWLOON AREAS *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO AND KWUN TONG IN KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 18) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE AREA BOUNDED BY NAM CHEONG STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, WONG CHUK STREET, TAI PO ROAD AND UN CHAU STREET.
THE AFFECTED AREA IN KWUN TONG INCLUDES 21-55 AND 38-44 KUNG LOK ROAD AND ALL PREMISES ON HONG LEE ROAD.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO THE AREA BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, GASCOIGNE ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, YIM PO FONG STREET, ARGYLE STREET, SAI YEE STREET, BOUNDARY STREET AND THE WATERFRONT IN YAU MA TEI AND MONG KOK WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8 AM WEDNESDAY (MARCH 18) TO 8 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS -CONNECTION WORKS .
- - 0 - -
INLAND REVENUE SUB-OFFICE ON MOV1 *****
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S TSI EN WAN SUB-OFFICE AND’ KWAI HING INSPECTORATE OFFICE HAVE MOVED TO TSUEN WAN MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 17 1-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSI I N WAN.
THE NFW TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 102 2269.
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1992
- 8 -
MODERN ELECTRONIC STAMP VENDING MACHINE INTRODUCED » * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE WILL INTRODUCE A MODERN TYPE OF ELECTRONIC POSTAGE "STAMP VENDING MACHINE, INITIALLY AT NINE POST OFFICES LATER THIS MONTH.
THE NEW MACHINES, WHICH ARE COIN OPERATED AND GIVE CHANGE, WILL DISPENSE STAMPS OF FOUR CONVENIENT DENOMINATIONS.
TO COMPLEMENT OPERATION, NEW DESIGNS FOR FOUR DENOMINATIONS OF REEL STAMPS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED.
"SUBJECT TO FUNDS BEING AVAILABLE, MORE NEW MACHINES WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE COMING YEAR," MR WONG SAID.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH OUR OBJECTIVE OF GIVING CUSTOMERS SATISFACTION. THE CONVENTIONAL MECHANICAL MACHINES WILL BE PHASED OUT. "
THE NEW MACHINES WILL OPERATE AT THE FOLLOWING BRANCH POST OFFICES AS FROM 9.30 AM ON MARCH 26:
- AIRPORT POST OFFICE
- BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
- HENNESSY ROAD POST OFFICE
- GENERAL POST OFFICE
- KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE
- MONG KOK POST OFFICE
- QUEEN’S ROAD POST OFFICE
- SHAM SHUI PO POST OFFICE
- TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
TO MARK THE OCCASION, SOUVENIR COVERS AT 70 CENTS EACH AND NEW REEL STAMPS BEARING THE FACE VALUE OF 80 CENTS, 90 CENTS, $1.80, AND $2.30 WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL BRANCH POST OFFICES ON MARCH 26.
THE MAXIMUM QUANTITY OF STAMPS THAT A CUSTOMER MAY BUY ON EACH OCCASION IS LIMITED TO FJVE PIECES FOR EACH VALUE.
HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED ON MARCH 26 FOR OFFICIAL SOUVENIR COVERS AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS COMMEMORATING THE OCCASION.
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/9 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 16,
1992
- 9 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 33.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 195.233 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 156.677 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 26.7 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.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 14.3.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 16.3.92 +19
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +81*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
* AN INJECTION OF A TOTAL OF $100 MILLION
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.9 *+0.2» 16.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.32 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.34 6.12
1 MONTH 4.17 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.65 6.35
3 MONTHS 4.17 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.43 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.86 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 12,292 MN
CLOSED 16 MARCH 1992
- 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON HSBC HOLDINGS ANNOUNCEMENT ................. 1
SHARP RISE IN HEPATITIS A CASES ................................... 1
MANPOWER SUPPLY AND REQUIREMENTS IN 1990S ......................... 2
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ........................ 6
121 VOLUNTARY RETURNEES BACK TO VIETNAM ........................... 12
EXHIBITIONS ON TRANSFORMATION OF METRO AREAS ...................... 12
1992 OLYMPIC GAMES SPECIAL STAMPS TO GO ON SALE ................... 14
BOOKMARK PROMOTING SUMMER JOB SAFETY ............................. 16
NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ROUTE IN SAI KUNG ........................... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ................ 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....... 18
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
- 1 -
FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON HSBC HOLDINGS ANNOUNCEMENT * * * * »
IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT ISSUED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY HSBC HOLDINGS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID:
’’THE HSBC GROUP HAS LONG BEEN LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND ITS OPERATIONS INTO EUROPE. HSBC HOLDINGS ALREADY HAS A CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH THE MIDLAND BANK, OF WHICH IT IS THE LARGEST SINGLE SHAREHOLDER.”
’’THE HONG KONG & SHANGHAI BANK WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY ITS IMPORTANT ROLE WITHIN HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SYSTEM.”
’’THE DETAILS OF THIS MATTER ARE FIRSTLY FOR THE COMPANIES INVOLVED AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS. BUT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS A CONTINUING STRONG INTEREST IN THE HONG KONG & SHANGHAI BANK REMAINING A HEALTHY DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL BANK."
------0--------
SHARP RISE IN HEPATITIS A CASES *****
THERE HAS BEEN A SHARP INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HEPATITIS A CASES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
* A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY)
THAT SO FAR THIS YEAR THERE WERE 503 CONFIRMED CASES OF HEPATITIS A, COMPARED WITH 242 CASES IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
IN ADDITION, 738 CASES OF VIRAL HEPATITIS ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. MAJORITY OF THESE ARE EXPECTED TO BE HEPATITIS A CASES.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE UPWARD TREND OF THE DISEASE.
HE SAID PEOPLE MUST NOW, AS ALWAYS, EXERCISE CAUTION IN THEIR EATING HABITS.
AS HEPATITIS A IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE CONSUMPTION OF CONTAMINATED FOOD, PARTICULARLY POLLUTED SHELLFISH, HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC THAT ALL FOOD SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY WASHED AND COOKED BEFORE EATING.
"POLLUTED SHELLFISH AND OTHER FOOD WHICH ARE NOT PROPERLY COOKED SHOULD BE AVOIDED," HE ADDED.
COPIES OF A LEAFLET ON SHELLFISH HYGIENE CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE HYGIENE DIVISION, ' EIGHTH FLOOR, FA YUEN STREET UC COMPLEX, 123A FA YUEN STREET, KOWLOON; THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, SEVENTH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, AND REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
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/2 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
- 2 -
MANPOWER SUPPLY AND REQUIREMENTS IN 1990S ♦ * * * *
THE NUMBER OF WORKERS WITH TERTIARY EDUCATION IS PROJECTED TO INCREASE FROM 9.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL MANPOWER SUPPLY IN 1990 TO 11.7 PER CENT IN 1996, ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS OF A REPORT ON ’’MANPOWER OUTLOOK IN THE 1990S”.
THE REPORT IS THE SECOND MANPOWER PROJECTION CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND UPDATES THE FIRST PROJECTION, WHICH WAS COMPILED IN 1990.
THE LATEST STUDY SHOWS THAT OUT OF THE 2,741,000 WORKERS IN 1990, 253,000 WERE AT TERTIARY EDUCATION LEVELS.
THIS COMPARES WITH 2,951,800 WORKERS PROJECTED FOR 1996, OF WHOM 345,900 WILL POSSESS EITHER SUB-DEGREE OR FIRST DEGREE AND ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS. •
IT ALSO REVEALS THAT OUT OF 222,900 GRADUATE MANPOWER IN 1996, 103,500 PERSONS WILL BE NEW ENTRANTS TO THE WORKFORCE BETWEEN 1990 AND 1996.
THESE NEW ENTRANTS ARE MADE UP OF 42,400 LOCAL GRADUATES, 38,600 OVERSEAS GRADUATES AND 22,500 IMMIGRANTS/RETURNED EMIGRANTS.
WHILE THE MANPOWER SUPPLY AT HIGHER EDUCATIONAL LEVELS IS INCREASING, THE NUMBER OF WORKERS WITH LOWER SECONDARY OR BELOW LEVEL OF EDUCATION IS EXPECTED TO DROP FROM 59.9 PER CENT OF THE MANPOWER SUPPLY RECORDED IN 1990 TO 56.6 PER CENT OF THAT IN 1996.
AS REGARDS THE REQUIREMENT PROJECTION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT DEMAND FOR BETTER EDUCATED WORKERS WOULD ALSO GROW RAPIDLY.
HE NOTED THAT EMPLOYMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO SHIFT FROM MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO SERVICES SECTOR AND AT A FASTER PACE THAN IT WAS PREVIOUSLY PROJECTED.
"IN THE 1990'S PROJECTION, MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT WAS PROJECTED TO DROP BY 1.3 PER CENT YEARLY. BUT THE RATE OF DECLINE IS NOW REVISED TO TWO PER CENT PER ANNUM BETWEEN 1990 AND 1996,' OR BY A TOTAL OF 80,000 WORKERS.
"DURING THE SAME PERIOD, TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN SERVICES INDUSTRIES WILL INCREASE BY 2.5 PER CENT A YEAR, AS COMPARED WITH ONLY 1.3 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS PROJECTION," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THIS WOULD GIVE AN EMPLOYMENT GROWTH OF SOME 276,000 WORKERS IN THESE INDUSTRIES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A GENERAL UPGRADING OF THE OCCUPATIONAL STRUCTURE WITHIN INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES, SHIFTING THE EMPLOYMENT DEMAND IN FAVOUR OF HIGH-SKILLED WORKERS.
/FOR THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
- 3
FOR THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, THE RELOCATION OF THE MORE LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROCESSES ACROSS THE BORDER AND THE NEED TO GO FOR HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION LOCALLY HAVE RESULTED IN AN UPGRADING OF THE OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE.
SIMILARLY, TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS WITHIN THE SERVICES INDUSTRIES WILL LEAD TO REDUCTION IN THE REQUIREMENT FOR LOW-SKILLED WORKERS.
AS A RESULT, EMPLOYMENT OF PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL WORKERS IS PROJECTED TO GROW RAPIDLY WHILE EMPLOYMENT OF PRODUCTION AND RELATED WORKERS WILL DECLINE.
"THIS MEANS THAT SOME 90,400 MORE WORKERS WILL BE EMPLOYED IN PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL OCCUPATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE IS ABOUT 3.5 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH THE 2.9 PER CENT PREVIOUSLY PROJECTED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PRODUCTION WORKERS AND RELATED OCCUPATIONS IS PROJECTED TO LOSE ALMOST 36,000 WORKERS, OR AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF 0.6 PER CENT. •
COMPARING THE PROJECTED MANPOWER SUPPLY AND REQUIREMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WOULD BE A SURPLUS OF 84,000 WORKERS WITH LOWER SECONDARY OR BELOW EDUCATION IN 1996.
HOWEVER, HE SAID SHORTFALLS WERE EXPECTED TO EXIST AT OTHER EDUCATIONAL LEVELS, THAT IS, 52,400 WORKERS AT UPPER SECONDARY LEVEL, 21,600 AT SIXTH FORM LEVEL, AND 6,100 AT FIRST DEGREE ANT ABOVE LEVEL.
"THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE WILL BE EXCESS WORKERS WITH ONLY LOWER SECONDARY AND BELOW EDUCATION, BUT RATHER IMPLIES THAT SOME OF THESE WORKERS WILL BE WORKING IN JOBS WHICH REQUIRE EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY POSSESS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE PROJECTION OF THE MANPOWER SUPPLY AND REQUIREMENTS STUDY IS AIMED AT ASSESSING WHETHER, UNDER THE EXISTING AND PLANNED EDUCATION PROVISIONS, THE MIX OF MANPOWER SUPPLY IN TERMS OF EDUCATIONAL LEVEL WILL BE BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE ECONOMY.
IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A LABOUR SHORTAGE OR WHETHER IMPORTATION OF LABOUR IS JUSTIFIED.
IT IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH DETERMINING WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION THE POPULATION SHOULD POSSESS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT.
IN THE LATEST STUDY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE RECENT TRENDS IN SUCH FACTORS AS MIGRATION OF PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG, PATTERN OF INDUSTRIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION, WHICH ARE AFFECTING BOTH MANPOWER SUPPLY AND MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS AT AN EDUCATIONAL LEVEL.
/MANPOWER SUPPLY .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
4 -
Manpower Supply Bv Educational Level
Educational Level Actual 1990 Projected 1996
Number %
Number %
Lower secondary & below 1,641,600 59.9 1,669,600 56.6
upper secondary 636*,200 23.2 674,400 22.9
Sixth form 139,700 5.1 142,700 4.8
Craft level 6,200 0.2 21,700 0.7
Technician level 64,300 2.3 97,500 3.3
Sub-degree 89,700 3.3 123,000 4.2
First degree and above 163,300 6.0 222,900 7.5
All levels 2,741,000 100.0 2,951,800 100.0
/PROJECTED MANPOWER
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
- 5 -
Pgoiftgtj?!.
Educational Level Supply • Requirements Balance
Lower secondary & below 1,669,600 1,584,800 • +84,600
Upper iGcondary 674,400 726,800 -52,400
Sixth form 142,700 164,300 -21,600
craft level 21,700 19,300 +2,400
Technician level 97,500 99,000 -1,500
Sub-degree 123,000 128,600 -5,600
First degree and above 222,900 229,000 -6,100
All levels 2,951,800 2,951,800 0
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
- 6 -
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS, DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE 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 OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE. THE
THE ASSOCIATED THIS YEAR: FOLLOWING IS THE FINES IMPOSED BY THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE COURTS DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) DATE OF ADDRESS OFFENCE OF NATURE OFFENCE RECORD OF FINES($) OFFENCE COURT
1.CHUI WU SEAFOOD RESTAURANT LTD HENNESSY RD, WAN CHAI 26.1.91- 28.3.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 3,000 2ND EASTERN
2.HOI YUEN RESTAURANT NASSAU ST, MEI FOO SUN CHUEN 14.4.91- 15.5.91 APCO : ” 2,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
3.REGENT SMART LTD PRAT AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI 20.4.91- 9.5.91 APCO : " 2,000 1ST FANLING
4.PEACOCK HOME’ LTD CHATHAM RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 18.5.91- 28.6.91 APCO : " 1,500 2ND SOUTH KOWLOON
5.CONTAI ENGINEERING CO LTD (LICENSEE) KAI HING RD, KOWLOON BAY 12.6.91 DASO : DUMPING OF ABOUT 8 CUBIC METRES OF 5,000 4TH EASTERN
EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
/6.HANG PO .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
6.HANG PO SEA FOOD RESTAURANT YAU SAN ST, YUEN LONG 13.6.91- 19.6.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST FANLING
7.YUNG KIN-CHIK, CHUNG NAM SOY FOOD COMPANY YUNG YUEN RD, PING SHAN 10.7.91 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE WATERS IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
8.CHI PAN CO LTD NGAU TAU KOK RD, NGAU TAU KOK 11.7.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 12,000 1ST KWUN TONG
9.DINKEEP INVESTMENT LTD ON NING GARDEN, TSEUNG KWAN 0 23.7.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST KWUN TONG
10.NOVY FOOD COMPANY LIMITED, NOVY RESTAURANT FAU TSOI STREET, YUEN LONG 31.7.91 WPCO : 5,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE WATERS IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
11.SUN LUNG FURNITURE CO LTD NGA TSIN LONG RD, KOWLOON CITY 8.8.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 20,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
12.FOO LUEN WEAVING AND DYEING FTY LTD TUNG YUEN ST YAU TONG 13.8.91 APCO : USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN THE TERRITORY 1,500 1ST KWUN TONG
/13.SHUI ON- .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
8
13.SHUI ON- TAI KOK 20.8.91 DASO : 3,000 1ST EASTERN
BOSKALIS JOINT VENTURE (LICENSEE) AND TSUI RD, TAI KOK TSUI PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF NINEPIN . GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION •
GEOWORKS CONTRACTORS (HK) LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) AND CANTON RD, MONG KOK 20.8.91 DASO : 3,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
KWOK HOI-CHUEN (TUG BOAT MASTER) AND LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU 20.8.91 DASO : 3,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
CHEUNG HO (BARGE OPERATOR) MAIN STREET, AP LEI CHAU 20.8.91 DASO : " 3,000 1ST EASTERN
/14.SHUI ON- .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
9
14.SHUI ON-BOSKALIS JOINT VENTURE (LICENSEE) TAI KOK TSUI RD, TAI KOK TSUI 20.8.91 DASO : 3,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 2ND EASTERN
AND
GEOWORKS CONTRACTORS (HK) LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) CANTON RD, MONG KOK 20.8.91 DASO : 3,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 2ND EASTERN
AND •
NG AH-TIM (BARGE OPERATOR) SAN HING 20.8.91 BACK STREET, CHEUNG CHAU DASO : 3,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
15.FUSUN TAI YIP 30.8.91
WASHING & STREET,
BLEACHING KWUN TONG
CO LTD
16.YUE SUN CUTTING FACTORY LTD HOW MING STREET, KWUN TONG 11.9.91
17.MEYER MFG CO LTD HOW MING STREET, KWUN TONG 12.9.91
APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 2,500 1ST KWUN TONG
APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST KWUN TONG
APCO : ” 2,500 1ST KWUN TONG
/18.CHIAPHUA .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
10
18.CHIAPHUA TAI PO 18.9.91 APCO : 12,000 1ST SHA TIN
INDUSTRY LTD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TAI PO FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE UPON CESSATION OF EXEMPTION FOR THE EXEMPTED PREMISES
19.GENERAL LUCK CO LTD LION ROCK RD, KOWLOON CITY 18.9.91 NCO : 50,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND SAN PO KONG
20.KAI LIM MARBLE ENGINEERING CO LTD YEUNG UK RD, TSUEN WAN 24.9.91 APCO : 1,500 FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 1ST TSUEN WAN
21.LUNG KEE BRONZE WARE MFG CO SHAN MEI STREET, FO TAN 14.10.91 APCO : 1,200 USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN THE TERRITORY 2ND SHA TIN
22.CHI SHING FOUNDRY FACTORY SHAN MEI STREET, FO TAN 14.10.91 APCO : " 2,600 3RD SHA TIN
23.YEUNG IU-CHUNG (TUG BOAT MASTER) SUN CHUI ESTATE, SHA TIN 22.10.91 DASO : 4,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
. 24.CHIAPHUA INDUSTRY LTD ' TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TAI PO 25.10.91 APCO : 12,000 FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE UPON CESSATION OF EXEMPTION FOR THE EXEMPTED PREMISES 2ND SHA TIN
/25.TAI YIP .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
- 11 -
25.TAI YIP DYEING FACTORY LTD WAI YIP STREET, KWUN TONG 29.10.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 18,000 12TH KWUN TONG
26.HANG FUNG MARBLE ENGINEERING CO TAI PA STREET, TSUEN WAN 5.11.91 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 10,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
27.KAI LIM MARBLE ENGINEERING CO LTD YEUNG UK RD, TSUEN WAN 26.11.91 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 1,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
28.YUI LEE DYEING FACTORY LTD WAI YIP STREET, KWUN TONG 13. 12.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 8,000 8TH KWUN TONG
29.TANG TAM DEVELOPMENT CO LTD MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG 19.12.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
EMISSION
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 NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT, FIVE PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE AND EACH FINED $1,000.
/A COMPANY .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
12
A COMPANY WAS PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE AND FINED $1,000 FOR PERMITTING CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT. ANOTHER TWO PERSONS WERE SEPARATELY FINED $200 AND $500 FOR CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PLACE AT NIGHT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES ON'SPECIFIC CASE CAN BE ADDRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG
NCO MR STEVEN HO
DASO MR PATRICK LEI
WPCO CASE 7, 10 MR MURRAY LUO
TEL. NO. 810 2907
TEL. NO. 810 2800
TEL. NO. 755 3553
TEL. NO. 835 1184
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUE SHOULD CONTINUE DIRECTED TO THE EPD’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION.
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121 VOLUNTARY RETURNEES BACK TO VIETNAM ******
A GROUP OF 121 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 45 MEN, 32 WOMEN, 24 BOYS AND 20 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 94TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 2,479 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 16,458 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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EXHIBITIONS ON TRANSFORMATION OF METRO AREAS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO VISUALISE THE FUTURE TRANSFORMATION OF HONG KONG’S METRO AREAS DURING A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS WITH THE FIRST OF WHICH TO BE OPENED THIS FRIDAY (MARCH 20) .
ORGANISED UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, THE EXHIBITIONS ARE PART OF A PUBLICITY EXERCISE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE VARIOUS PLANNING CONCEPTS AND PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE METROPLAN SELECTED STRATEGY.
/THE METROPLAN
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
13
THE METROPLAN, COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AFTER MORE THAN FOUR YEARS OF PREPARATION AND COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION, PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE METRO AREAS OF HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON, INCLUDING TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING.
APART FROM INTRODUCING THE VARIOUS AIMS AND APPROACHES ADOPTED FOR RESTRUCTURING THE CITY BY MEANS OF DISPLAY PANELS AND AUDIOVISUAL PRESENTATIONS, THE EXHIBITION ALSO FEATURES A CLUSTER OF LIGHTWALLS WHICH WILL ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A GLIMPSE OF THE NEW CITY FORM IN FUTURE AS WELL AS SOME MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS.
ALSO ON DISPLAY TO FORM THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE THREE PURPOSE-BUILT MODELS WHICH HIGHLIGHT HOW THE CITY WILL BE RE-SHAPED.
IN ADDITION TO THE DIFFERENT EMPHASES ON PLANNING IN THE METRO AREAS, THESE MODELS WILL ALSO ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIEW OF THE FUTURE SKYLINE OF THE HARBOUR TO BE BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE RELOCATION OF THE AIRPORT FROM THE EXISTING 230-HECTARE SITE IN KOWLOON IN 1997 AND THE MODERN DEVELOPMENTS ON NEW RECLAMATION SITES.
i THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL LAST THREE DAYS IN THE PACIFIC
PLACE, QUEENSWAY, BEGINNING THIS FRIDAY, WILL BE MOVED TO DIFFERENT VENUES IN THE HUB OF OTHER METRO AREAS.
DETAILS OF THE EXHIBITION SCHEDULES ARE:
DATE VENUE
MARCH 20 - 22 PACIFIC PLACE, QUEENSWAY
MARCH 23 - 29 TSUEN WAN PLAZA (LEVEL I)
MARCH 30 - APRIL 5 LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE (STAGE II ATRIUM)
APRIL 6-10 OCEAN TERMINAL (MAIN CONCOURSE)
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE METROPLAN EXHIBITION AT NOON ON FRIDAY (MARCH 20) IN THE GARDEN COURT, PACIFIC PLACE, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
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/14 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992 *
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1992 OLYMPIC GAMES SPECIAL STAMPS TO GO ON SALE ******
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS, "1992 OLYMPIC GAMES", WILL BE ISSUED ON APRIL 2.
THERE WILL BE FOUR DENOMINATIONS - 80 CENTS, $1.8, $2.3 AND $5. > A SOUVENIR SHEET INCORPORATING THE FOUR STAMPS WILL ALSO BE ISSUED.
THE STAMPS SHOWN IN THE SOUVENIR SHEET WILL BE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE FOUR STAMPS SOLD INDIVIDUALLY.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR KEN LI AND PRINTED BY LEIGH-MARDON PTY. LTD. OF AUSTRALIA.
THE STAMPS WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE FROM MARCH 20.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS’ WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM MARCH 20 AT $1 EACH. ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM MARCH 20 TO 26. THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF COVERS PER ORDER IS FIVE.
A SET OF FIVE POSTCARDS ISSUED BY THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG WILL ALSO BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES AT $15 PER SET FROM MARCH 20.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ' SPECIAL DATESTAMP WILL BE SOLD AT $12.9 EACH AT THE FOLLOWING 29 POST OFFICES ON APRIL 2:
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE
GENERAL POST OFFICE
HENNESSY ROAD POST OFFICE
KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
QUEEN’S ROAD POST OFFICE SAI YING PUN POST OFFICE TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE
/KOWLOON .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
- 15 -
KOWLOON AIRPORT POST OFFICE CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE KOWLOON BAY POST OFFICE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE KWONG WAH STREET POST OFFICE KWUN TONG POST OFFICE LOK FU POST OFFICE MONG KOK POST OFFICE NGAU TAU KOK POST OFFICE 01 MAN POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE SHEK WU HUI POST OFFICE TAI PO POST OFFICE TUEN MUN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TUEN MUN SAN HUI POST OFFICE TSUEN WAN POST OFFICE TSUEN WING STREET POST OFFICE YUEN LONG POST OFFICE A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS AND POSTCARDS BEARING THE "FIRST DAY"
INDICATION ON APRIL 2.
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/16 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
- 16 -
BOOKMARK PROMOTING SUMMER JOB SAFETY
*»**«*
SOME 10,000 COPIES OF A PLASTIC BOOKMARK CARRYING A MESSAGE ON WORK SAFETY FOR STUDENTS TAKING UP SUMMER JOBS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE COMING MONTHS.
THE BOOKMARK FEATURES A WINNING DESIGN SELECTED FROM 490 ENTRIES TO THE "BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION ON SAFETY AT WORK FOR STUDENTS".
"AS STUDENTS GENERALLY LACK WORKING EXPERIENCE AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY KNOWLEDGE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO INSTIL AN AWARENESS OF SAFETY AT WORK INTO THEIR MINDS THROUGH VARIOUS PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES," CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR CHAN NOTED THAT SEVEN STUDENT WORKERS WERE INVOLVED IN MINOR ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING A DROP OF 61 PER CENT FROM 18 PERSONS IN 1990.
OF THESE, THREE WERE INJURED BY MACHINERY AND THE OTHERS BY STEPPING ON OR STRIKING AGANIST OBJECTS, FALLING OBJECTS, MANUAL LIFTING OF WEIGHTS AND THE USE OF HAND TOOLS.
"THE DECREASE IN ACCIDENTS IS ENCOURAGING AND PUBLICITY EFFORTS WILL BE KEPT UP IN SAFETY AT WORK FOR STUDENTS BEFORE THE SUMMER VACATION STARTS," MR CHAN ADDED.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (MARCH 20).
THE CHAMPION OF THE SENIOR SECTION OF THE COMPETITION IS YIP PAN-WA OF ST CATHARINE’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, WHOSE DESIGN HAS BEEN REPRODUCED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO STUDENTS.
THE FIRST RUNNER-UP IS LAU SHUI-HANG OF CMA CHOI CHEUNG KOK PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AND THE SECOND IS CHENG YIN-MEI OF NING PO NO. 2 COLLEGE.
THE FIRST AND SECOND WINNERS IN THE JUNIOR SECTION ARE MA KWOK-LEUNG AND LEE PAK-KIN, BOTH OF RAIMONDI COLLEGE. THE THIRD IS CHAN YU-FAI OF NING PO NO. 2 COLLEGE.
/THE CHAIRMAN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
17
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNICL, MR K.Y. TONGSON; CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, MR CHAN JOE-CHAK; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADJUDICATION PANEL FOR THE COMPETITION, MR CHEUNG LUN WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE "BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION ON SAFETY AT WORK FOR STUDENTS" AT 3.30 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 20) AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE CLUB HONG KONG, THE PRESIDENT SUITE, 2M FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
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NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ROUTE IN SAI KUNG ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTE NO. 12A IN SAI KUNG WILL START OPERATION FROM 7.40 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 19) TO SERVE BETWEEN SAI KUNG TOWN CENTRE AND HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
THE NORMAL FREQUENCY WILL BE 25 MINUTES AND THE FARE ’WILL BE $5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
TENDER DATE 17 MAR 92 17 MAR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q212 H260
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2.500MN HKD 970MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500MN HKD 200MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 4.11 PCT 4.37 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.13 PCT 4.38 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 47 PCT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.19 PCT 4.46 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
18
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1992
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK‘BEGINNING 23 MARCH 1992 -
TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER 24 MAR 92 EF BILLS 24 MAR 92 EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q213 Y288 ISSUE DATE 25 MAR 92 25 MAR 92 MATURITY DATE 24 JUN 92 24 MAR 93 TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS AMOUNT ON OFFER HKS500 + 100MN HK$200 + 60 MN HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * t » * * DATE $ MILLION CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 16.3.92 700 EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 17.3.92 -158 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +158 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 *-0.3* 17.3.92 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.28 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100 .30 6.14
1 MONTH 4.12 PCT 23 MONTHS 2102 5.50 98 . 59 6.39
3 MONTHS 4.12 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.37 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.77 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,272 MN
CLOSED 17 MARCH 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR OPENS TAI TUNG PUI SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING ............. 1
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN HEALTH AND WELFARE EXPENDITURE FOR 1992/93 2
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BUDGET ON INCREASE .................... 5
HK BECOMES 10TH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY ......................... 6
JLG XXII ........................................................ 7
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION .................................... 7
TRIPARTITE PARTNERSHIP KEY TO PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND CULTURE .. 7
STUDY ON SPORTS DEVELOPMENT COMPLETED ........................... 9
MORE ATTRACTIVE AND EFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN FUTURE ... 10
ITDC HOLDS FIRST MEETING ....................................... 11
HK TO BUY HAWK HELICOPTERS ...................................... H
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO BE CLOSED ...... 12
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ............................... 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
14
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
GOVERNOR OPENS TAI TUNG PUI SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING
*****
HONG KONG CAN BE PROUD OF ITS GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS IN BUSINESS AND FINANCE BUT WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT SOME PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY NEED HELP.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS TAI TUNG PUI SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING IN TUEN MUN.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GROUP HAD FOR MANY YEARS, RECOGNISED THIS NEED AND WITH TYPICAL HONG KONG FLAIR, IT HAD COME UP WITH A NEW CONCEPT BY BUILDING THIS INTEGRATED-SERVICE BUILDING.
THE GOVERNOR SAID FOR THOSE OLD PEOPLE WHOSE FAMILIES COULD NOT LOOK AFTER THEM ON A FULL-TIME BASIS, THIS CENTRE WOULD BE A DAY CENTRE WHERE THEY COULD TAKE THEIR MEALS AND MEET THEIR FRIENDS.
"FOR THOSE WHO ARE TOO FRAIL TO BE LOOKED AFTER BY THEIR FAMILIES, THERE WILL BE A HOME WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE NURSING CARE AND SUPPORT,” LORD WILSON SAID.
FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, LORD WILSON NOTED THAT THEY COULD GET TOGETHER IN THE CENTRE TO PURSUE HOBBIES, SUCH AS COOKING OR DANCING, TO TAKE CLASSES ON CALLIGRAPHY OR PUTONGHUA, OR JUST TO HAVE A QUIET READ IN THE READING ROOM.
AND FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, THIS WOULD BE A DAY CENTRE AND A HOME WHERE THEY COULD LEARN TO BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT IN THEIR DAILY LIVES, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE WELL-WISHERS FOR THEIR SUBSTANTIAL DONATIONS TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP, THE GOVERNOR SAID SPECIAL THANKS WERE DUE TO THE LATE MADAM TAI LUNG WING-YUEN FOR A MOST GENEROUS DONATION OF $5 MILLION TO MEET PART OF THE CAPITAL COSTS OF THE PROJECT.
”IN THE YEARS TO COME, ALL THOSE WHO USE THE CENTRE, BE THEY YOUNG OR OLD, WILL BE A CONTINUING VOTE OF THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO GENEROUSLY TO MAKE THIS VENTURE POSSIBLE,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
2 -
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE EXPENDITURE * * *
IN HEALTH AND WELFARE FOR JL992/93 * * *
THE $22.56 BILLION SOUGHT FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES IN 1992/93 REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $4.16 BILLION, OR 23 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR’S REVISED ESTIMATES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS INCREASED PROVISION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO SUSTAIN THE INITIATIVES WHICH HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE OVER THE PAST YEARS AND TO INTRODUCE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.
’’LAST YEAR, WE INTRODUCED MAJOR REFORMS AND INITIATIVES,” MRS WONG SAID, ’’THIS YEAR, WE WILL IMPLEMENT AND DEVELOP THEM."
"AT THE SAME TIME, OF COURSE, WE,ARE MINDFUL OF OUR DUTY TO THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF TAXPAYERS’ MONEY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR OPERATIONS MORE EFFICIENT AND MANAGE RESOURCES BETTER."
MRS WONG WAS SPEAKING AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WHICH STARTED TODAY TO CONSIDER THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1992/93.
SHE SAID EXPENDITURE ON HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED - FROM $8.2 BILLION IN 1987/88 TO $18.4 BILLION IN 1991/92.
IN REAL TERMS, THIS REPRESENTS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 42 PER CENT OVER THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OR AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 9.2 PER CENT.
DURING THIS TIME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN MAJOR STRIDES FORWARD IN INITIATING REFORMS.
THESE INCLUDED, ON THE SOCIAL WELFARE FRONT, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND, AND THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES RECENTLY WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES IN THE YEARS TO COME.
ON THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SIDE, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAS TAKEN OVER THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS SINCE DECEMBER 1, 1991.
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND ORAL HEALTH CARE HAS ALSO BEEN COMPLETED, RESULTING IN 150 RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH ARE EITHER BEING IMPLEMENTED OR TO BE FURTHER DEVELOPED.
TURNING TO THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, MRS WONG SAID OUT OF THE PROVISION OF $22.56 BILLION, $8 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON SOCIAL WELFARE.
/LEAVING ASIDE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
3
LEAVING ASIDE THE PROVISION IN ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS, SHE SAID, RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN THIS PROGRAMME AREA IS ESTIMATED TO BE $6.7 BILLION OR A REAL INCREASE OF 3.6 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1991/92 AND AN INCREASE OF 10.8 PER CENT OVER THE APPROVED ESTIMATE IN THE SAME YEAR.
”IT TESTIFIES TO OUR CONTINUAL EFFORT TO PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF THE NEEDY IN THE COMMUNITY,” MRS WONG STRESSED.
THIS YEAR’S ESTIMATE ON SOCIAL WELFARE ALSO INCLUDES $79.5 MILLION OF ’’NEW MONEY” - $44.3 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT 84 NEW PROJECTS AND $35.2 MILLION TO FUND RECENTLY-INTRODUCED SERVICES ON A FULL YEAR BASIS IN 1992/93.
THE NEW RESOURCES WILL BE USED:
» TO IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND;
* TO MEET THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL SECURITY, INCLUDING THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN CASELOAD AND REVISION OF RATES OF PAYMENT IN LINE WITH INFLATION;
♦ TO CONTINUE THE GROWTH IN PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES, THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED; AND
* TO SUBVENT NON-GOVERNMENTAL WELFARE AGENCIES FOR THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES.
ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET IS THE CONVERSION OF GRANTS FOR EX-PRISONERS OF WAR AND WAR VETERANS INTO PENSIONS AS OF RIGHT.
A NEW SUBHEAD HAS BEEN CREATED TO MEET PAYMENTS UNDER THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON DECEMBER 1, 1991.
TURNING TO THE HEALTH SIDE, THE SECRETARY SAID OUT OF THE $14.5 BILLION SOUGHT FOR THE HEALTH PROGRAMME, $11.3 BILLION WAS ESTIMATED TO BE USED ON RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
THIS SHOWS A REAL INCREASE OF 9.4 PER CENT OVER THE 1991/92 REVISED ESTIMATE AND AN INCREASE OF 19.5 PER CENT OVER THE SAME YEAR’S APPROVED ESTIMATE.
THE BULK OF THE PROVISION SOUGHT WILL GO TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) WHICH IS POISED TO IMPLEMENT REFORMS, ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND MAXIMISE THE USE OF RESOURCES FOR BETTER QUALITY PATIENT CARE.
"IT HAS PLANS FOR INTRODUCING MANAGEMENT REFORMS IN EIGHT ’PILOT’ HOSPITALS, FOR ESTABLISHING ’CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE’ AND FOR IMPROVING THE HOSPITAL INFORMATION SYSTEM," MRS WONG SAID.
"THE HA SHOULD GET $10,265 BILLION IN BLOCK VOTES. THIS WILL ENABLE IT TO GET OFF TO A GOOD START -- BUT CERTAINLY NOT OFF THE HOOK."
/FOR 1992/93 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
4
FOR 1992/93, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL GET $1.4 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF $30 MILLION OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE AND $149 MILLION OVER THE APPROVED ESTIMATE FOR LAST YEAR.
COUPLED WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE GREATER EFFICIENCY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS, THIS AMOUNT WILL ENABLE IT TO IMPROVE PREVENTIVE AND PROMOTIVE SERVICES.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCEPTANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SIGNALS A NEW ERA FOR PREVENTION OF DISEASES AND PARTICIPATORY CARE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS.
MRS WONG SAID GOOD GROUNDWORK HAD BEEN LAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH HAS KICKED OFF EARLIER THIS MONTH A PILOT SCHEME OF THE DISTRICT HEALTH SYSTEM IN KWUN TONG TO PROVIDE BETTER INTEGRATED PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE SERVICES AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL; NEW CLINIC SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED; HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION PROGRAMME WILL BE EXPANDED TO COVER PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN; AND FUNDS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL CLINIC EQUIPMENT.
AND IN THE COMING YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL FURTHER DEVELOP ITS HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMME AND MEDICAL RECORDS SYSTEM, AND REVAMP THE EXISTING SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF REFORMS FOR BETTER SERVICES TO PATIENTS, AN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE WILL BE ESTABLISHED. A $10 MILLION SETTING-UP GRANT WILL BE SOUGHT IN DUE COURSE.
MRS WONG SAID ARRANGEMENTS WERE ALSO BEING MADE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF A RANGE OF SUPPLEMENTARY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS, PROGRESSIVE CAMPAIGNS AGAINST SMOKING, AND OTHER MEASURES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE.
TO SEEK NEW SOURCES AND SPREAD COSTS MORE EQUITABLY, A COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP TO DEVELOP A LONG-TERM FEE AND WAIVER STRATEGY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES.
THE PUBLIC WOULD BE CONSULTED ON OPTIONS LATER THIS YEAR, SHE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
- 5 -
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BUDGET ON INCREASE ♦ * * * ♦ ♦
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S FINANCIAL PLANS FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR FOLLOWING HER ATTENDANCE AT A SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON THE 1992-93 DRAFT ESTIMATES, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REITERATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S BUDGET WOULD RISE BY 13 PER CENT TO $4.6 BILLION.
THE SUBVENTED SECTOR WOULD HAVE A SEVEN PER CENT RISE IN SUBVENTIONS TO $1.5 BILLION, MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
"WE HAVE OBTAINED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE FUNDS WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE WELFARE FIELD,” SHE STRESSED.
THE BIGGEST SPENDING PRIORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMMES. THESE WILL TAKE ALMOST $4 BILLION OF THE BUDGET.
’’ADDITIONALLY, SCALE RATE REVISION OF 10.74 PER CENT EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE ON MARCH 6 THIS YEAR AND SEPARATE PROVISION OF SOME $365 MILLION WILL BE FORTHCOMING FOR THIS PURPOSE," MRS GOODSTADT NOTED.
FAMILY WELFARE REMAINED A MAJOR PRIORITY FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, SHE SAID.
"SPENDING ON FAMILY WELFARE WOULD GO UP 14 PER CENT TO REACH $306 MILLION, INCLUDING $83 MILLION FOR FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR CHILD CARE CENTRES, AN INCREASE OF SOME $10 MILLION OVER THAT FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR," SHE ADDED.
OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE ARE EFFORTS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO GET INTO TROUBLE WITH THE LAW, YOUNG PEOPLE ESPECIALLY.
ABOUT $89 MILLION WILL BE SPENT ON SERVICES FOR OFFENDERS.
"WE WILL EXTEND THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS SCHEME TO COVER THREE MORE MAGISTRACIES NEXT MONTH," SHE DISCLOSED.
ELDERLY SERVICES WILL HAVE A BUDGET OF $30 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 26 PER CENT OVER THE CURRENT YEAR. THIS MONEY WILL BE SPENT MAINLY ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAMME, ESPECIALLY TO SPEED UP ADMISSION TO HOMES TO MAKE FULLER USE OF EXISTING FACILITIES.
MRS GOODSTADT POINTED OUT THAT SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED, WITH A SPENDING OF $83 MILLION, REMAINED OF VERY GREAT CONCERN TO THE . SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH OUR SERVICES FOR DAY AND RESIDENTIAL CLIENTS," SHE ADDED.
FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW SHELTERED WORKSHOP-CUM-HOSTEL WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SHELTERED WORKSHOP AND HOSTEL PLACES.
/SUBVENTIONS ENABLE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
SUBVENTIONS ENABLE THE NON-GOVERNMENT SECTOR TO MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY’S WELFARE. TOTAL EXPENDITURE WILL AMOUNT TO $1,542 MILLION, AN OVERALL 4.2 PER CENT INCREASE.
THESE AGENCIES WILL TAKE YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEIR TOP SPENDING PRIORITY ($410 MILLION), CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY THE ELDERLY ($378 MILLION), FAMILY WELFARE ($327 MILLION) AND REHABILITATION ($324 MILLION).
CITING SOME EXAMPLES IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR, SHE SAID THERE WOULD BE EIGHT NEW CHILDREN CENTRES AND NINE NEW YOUTH CENTRES CATERING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, AN ADDITIONAL 1,400 DAY-NURSEY PLACES, 527 EXTRA PLACES IN ELDERLY HOSTELS AND HOMES, AND AN ADDITIONAL 457 RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THE DISABLED, 640 SHELTERED WORKSHOP PLACES AND 420 DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE PLACES.
- - 0 - -
HK BECOMES 10TH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY * * * » ♦
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRESENTED TO THE GATT COUNCIL HIS ANNUAL REPORT ENTITLED ’’OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE TRADING SYSTEM”, COVERING DEVELOPMENTS IN 1991.
"IT IS PLEASING TO NOTE FROM THE REPORT THAT IN 1991, HONG KONG MOVED FROM BEING THE 11TH LARGEST EXPORTER TO THE 10TH PLACE. HONG KONG WAS ALSO THE 10TH LARGEST IMPORTER (12TH PLACE IN 1990),” THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID.
"HONG KONG, WHICH HAS BEEN PLAYING AN ACTIVE PART IN THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD), WAS ONE OF THE SIX LEADING NON-OECD ASIAN ECONOMIES TO REGISTER THE STRONGEST OVERALL TRADE GROWTH.
"WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED CLEARLY THAT TRADE IS NOT A ZERO-SUM GAME AND THAT DYNAMIC EXPORTERS ARE ALSO DYNAMIC IMPORTERS," MR TSANG SAID.
"A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND WILL PROVIDE A BOOST TO THE WORLD ECONOMY WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, IS SHOWING SIGNS OF A MODEST RECOVERY. HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE PART IN THE NEGOTIATIONS," HE ADDED.
_ - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
JLG XXII * * *
THE FCO ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING THAT THE TWENTY-SECOND MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON HONG KONG WILL TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG FROM 24-26 MARCH. THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY. THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE MR MICHAEL SZE (SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, HONG KONG), MR ALAN PAUL (COUNSELLOR, OFFICE OF THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, HONG KONG), AND MR WILLIAM EHRMAN (POLITICAL ADVISER, HONG KONG).
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION
» « » * t
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S 25TH MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE AFTERNOON ON MARCH 20, 1992. THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS THE 1992/93 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST MEETING ATTENDED BY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, WHO WILL RETIRE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
HE WILL BE REPLACED BY HIS SUCCESSOR, MR ANTHONY EASON, WHO HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE LAND COMMISSION WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1992.
- - 0 - -
TRIPARTITE PARTNERSHIP KEY TO PROMOTION
******
OF RECREATION AND CULTURE
THE GOVERNMENT’S PARTNERSHIP WITH
______ — ---THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE ROYAL HONG JOCKEY CLUB, HAS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE PROMOTION RECREATION AND CULTURE IN THE PAST.
AND
KONG OF
,™E REMARK WAS MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
"I EXPECT THIS PARTNERSHIP TO CONTINUE," MR SO SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
8
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE WAS NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR POPULAR MAINSTREAM ACTIVITIES BUT ALSO TO GIVE FULLER SUPPORT AT THE INITIAL STAGES TO EMBRYONIC GROUPS AND NEW TYPES OF ACTIVITY TO NURTURE THEM TO THE POINT WHERE THEY COULD GAIN ADEQUATE COMMUNITY RECOGNITION.
IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH WILL SPEND A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $256.13 MILLION IN THE PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND SPORTS, PERFORMING ARTS AND PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE, AS WELL AS MUSIC PROMOTION THROUGH THE MUSIC OFFICE.
MR SO SAID IN ADDITION TO GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS HAD ALSO DONE A GREAT DEAL TO NURTURE THE ARTS, BY PRESENTING THE PROGRAMMES OF LOCAL PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS, BY GIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL PERFORMING GROUPS AND BY PROVIDING VENUES AND OTHER FACILITIES.
EXPENDITURE BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS ON THE PERFORMING ARTS HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
"IN 1987-88, THE URBAN COUNCIL SPENT $142.89 MILLION ON PROGRAMMING, VENUE MANAGEMENT, FUNDING FOR ITS THREE PERFORMING COMPANIES AS WELL AS SUBVENTIONS FOR THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL AND THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE. THIS WAS INCREASED TO $311.6 MILLION BY 1991-92," MR SO SAID.
"COMPARABLE FIGURES FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (WHICH DOES NOT SUBVENT OR FUND PERFORMING GROUPS) ARE $67.11 MILLION AND $140 MILLION RESPECTIVELY," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO PRIVATE SECTOR SPONSORSHIP, MR SO SAID DIRECT COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FACILITATED THE MOST DIRECT REFLECTION OF THE COMMUNITY’S PREFERENCES.
HE SAID THE COUNCIL FOR PERFORMING ARTS’ MATCHING GRANT SCHEME ATTRACTED NEARLY $2 MILLION IN SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR, THREE TIMES MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
"THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB IS ALSO A MOST GENEROUS BENEFACTOR. WE HAVE THE JOCKEY CLUB TO THANK FOR MANY HERITAGE PRESERVATION PROJECTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS," MR SO SAID.
DURING THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, THE CLUB WILL BE PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE CHING SHU HIU SCHOLARS’ HOSTEL IN PING SHAN.
THE JOCKEY CLUB ALSO PROVIDES SIZEABLE GRANTS EACH YEAR TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
DURING 1991-92, THE JOCKEY CLUB MADE AVAILABLE $1.5 MILLION FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROJECTS THROUGH THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOR THE PROMOTION OF MUSIC AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE. THIS IS EXPECTED TO RISE TO $2.4 MILLION IN 1992-93.
IN SPORTS, THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD LAST YEAR RECEIVED SPONSORSHIP PLEDGES TOTALLING ABOUT $12 MILLION.
/MR SO ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
9
MR SO SAID IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE PRODUCTIVITY WITHOUT JEOPARDISING THE LEVEL AND QUALITY OF SERVICE, HIS BRANCH WOULD ALSO BE GEARED TOWARDS RIGOROUS COST EFFECTIVENESS.
"I HAVE SHED 11 POSTS IN THE BRANCH AND LOOK TO REDUCE EXPENDITURE BY $2 MILLION, AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT INFLATION.
"ON RTHK, EXPENDITURE BY GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN REDUCED BY 8.65 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN 1991-92, AND IS ESTIMATED TO FALL BY A FURTHER 6.06 PER CENT IN 1992-93.
"THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY RATIONALISATION IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, AND A CONSEQUENT REDUCTION IN THE ESTABLISHMENT FROM 735 PERMANENT POSTS AT MARCH 31 LAST YEAR TO 709 PERMANENT POSTS AT MARCH 31 THIS YEAR. THESE SAVINGS HAVE HOWEVER BEEN ACHIEVED WITHOUT AFFECTING THE LEVEL AND QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDED," MR SO SAID.
THE ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR SHOW AN INCREMENT OF NINE POSTS AND $0.8 MILLION.
"IN SPITE OF TELA’S INCREASED WORKLOAD AS A RESULT OF RECENTLY INTRODUCED AND PROSPECTIVE BROADCAST MEDIA SUCH AS SATELLITE TELEVISION, THE SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO STATION AND THE PROPOSED SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE, THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN MANPOWER," MR SO ADDED.
---------0 - -
STUDY ON SPORTS DEVELOPMENT COMPLETED ******
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD COMPLETED ITS STUDY ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD (HKSDB) AND THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE (HKSI). »
"THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY CLEARLY SHOW THAT THERE ARE MERITS IN BRINGING THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE BOARD CLOSER TOGETHER IN THE WIDER INTEREST OF SPORTS PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT TN HONG KONG," MR SO SAID.
THE STUDY HAS PROPOSED A FRAMEWORK WHEREBY THE TWO BOARDS COULD WORK IN CLOSER CO-OPERATION THROUGH GREATER SHARING OF MEMBERSHIP, AND POLICY DECISIONS CONCERNING THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG COULD BE TAKEN IN A MORE CONCERTED AND INTEGRATED MANNER.
THIS WOULD ALSO INVOLVE SOME CHANGES IN THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURES OF THESE TWO BODIES TO BRING ABOUT A MORE STREAMLINED AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT.
/THERE MAY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
10
THERE MAY, HOWEVER, BE A NEED FOR, SOME LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO EFFECT THE NECESSARY CHANGES'.
’’THE PROPOSALS OF THE STUDY HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE BY BOTH THE HKSDB AND HKSI BOARD. THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH IS NOW WORKING ON THE DETAILS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE TWO BOARDS, WITH A VIEW TO IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSALS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,” MR SO ADDED.
- - 0 - -
MORE ATTRACTIVE AND EFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN FUTURE ***** .
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T. H. BARMA, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED MANUFACTURERS NOT TO OVERLOOK THE CONSIDERABLE BENEFITS THAT CLEANER, WELL-PLANNED, AND WELL-DESIGNED PRODUCTION FACILITIES BROUGHT TO THE WORK PLACE, THE WORKFORCE AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
SPEAKING AT THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY FOR RILEY HOUSE, AN INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AT KWAI CHUNG, MR BARMA SAID IN THE FUTURE, HONG KONG PEOPLE COULD PERHAPS LOOK FORWARD TO MORE INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS THAT WERE ATTRACTIVE AND EFFICIENT, AND IN KEEPING WITH THE TERRITORY’S ROLE AS A FLOURISHING METROPOLIS.
’’THIS CAN ONLY ADD TO THE PRODUCTIVITY OF OUR INDUSTRIES, TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR WORKFORCE, AND TO HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG WERE MAKING MORE AND MORE USE OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY, AUTOMATION, AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE THEIR SURVIVAL IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE AND DEMANDING WORLD MARKET.
"AS THE SOPHISTICATION OF BOTH PRODUCT AND PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES GROWS, SO TOO DO THE REQUIREMENTS OF MANUFACTURERS FOR CLEANER, BETTER PLANNED AND MORE EFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL SPACE.
"RILEY HOUSE NOT ONLY FULFILS THESE REQUIREMENTS: IT ALSO RECOGNISES INCREASING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN HONG KONG BY PROVIDING THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO ALLOW FUTURE OCCUPANTS TO MEET MODERN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STANDARDS,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE TOTAL FLOOR SPACE OF RILEY HOUSE WOULD EXCEED ONE MILLION SQUARE FEET, REPRESENTING A SUBSTANTIAL ADDITION TO HONG KONG’S STOCK OF HIGH-QUALITY INDUSTRIAL ACCOMMODATION.
"RILEY HOUSE IS SITUATED IN A LONG-ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT THAT IS ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING ITS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES: THIS IMPRESSIVE NEW BUILDING MAKES AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THAT UPGRADING,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
/Il
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
- 11 -
ITDC HOLDS FIRST MEETING
******
THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC), THE GOVERNMENT’S PRINCIPAL ADVISOR ON INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ON THE AGENDA WERE GUIDELINES FOR A NEW $200 MILLION SCHEME TO SUPPORT APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDUSTRY.
DETAILS OF THE SCHEME WILL NOW BE WORKED OUT BY THE ITDC’S COMMITTEE ON THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (CARDS) SO THAT THE FIRST APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING CAN BE INVITED THIS SUMMER.
CARPS IS TO BE CHAIRED BY MR CHENG HON-KWAN, DIRECTOR OF H.K. CHENG AND PARTNERS LTD.
ITS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN IS MR JAMES KUNG, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF MANAGER OF CHEKIANG FIRST BANK LTD.
THE ITDC ALSO RECEIVED A PRESENTATION FROM CONSULTANTS ON A STUDY FOR TFE POTENTIAL FOR A CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, AND AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS OTHER STUDIES.
IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL TOOK A FIRST LOOK AT FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR ITS WORK.
AFTER THE MEETING, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID: ’’THIS WAS A USEFUL FIRST MEETING. THE COUNCIL HAS MAPPED OUT THE BROAD PRINCIPLES FOR THE APPLIED RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT SCHEME. WORK CAN NOW GO FULL STEAM AHEAD ON THIS IMPORTANT INITIATIVE.”
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD IN MAY THIS YEAR.
---------0-----------
HK TO BUY HAWK HELICOPTERS *****
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS SIGNED AN AMENDMENT TO A CONTRACT WITH A U.S. AIRCRAFT COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO S-70A BLACK HAWK HELICOPTERS TO BE USED FOR PERFORMING POLICE DUTIES.
AT A CEREMONY TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR BILLY LAM; AND THE PRESIDENT OF SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION, MR EUGENE BUCKLEY, SIGNED AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, AND THE AMERICAN CONSUL-GENERAL IN HONG KONG, MR RICHARD WILLIAMS.
THE AMENDMENT EXERCISES THE OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SIKORSKY HELICOPTERS CONTAINED IN THE CONTRACT FOR EIGHT S-76 HELICOPTERS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES AND THE PRESIDENT OF SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION ON APRIL 4, 1989.
/THE AMENDMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
- 12 -
THE AMENDMENT, WHICH COVERS THE TWO HELICOPTERS, SPARE PARTS, TRAINING AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES, IS WORTH US$23.8 MILLION.
THE TWO HELICOPTERS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE DELIVERED IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THEY WILL BE OPERATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF) AND WILL BE DEPLOYED ON DUTIES IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE TACTICAL AND POLICE SPECIAL DUTIES UNITS.
THE PRIMARY ROLE OF THESE "BLACK HAWKS" IS TO SUPPORT THE POLICE IN ITS ROLE ON THE BORDER AND IN AN INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATION.'
THE S-70A HELICOPTER HAS BEEN CHOSEN FOR ITS LARGE CARRYING CAPACITY OF 20 MEN, POWER, RUGGED AIRFRAME AND ITS ABILITY TO HOVER WITH A FULL LOAD, ENABLING OFFICERS TO ABSEIL DOWN TO SITE WHERE THE HELICOPTER IS UNABLE TO LAND.'
THE RHKAAF HAVE ALREADY OPERATED A FLEET OF EIGHT SIKORSKY S-76 HELICOPTERS DELIVERED IN 1990-91.
FIVE OF THOSE ARE USED FOR GENERAL PURPOSES INCLUDING POLICE AND V.I.P. TRANSPORT, MEDICAL EVACUATION AND OVERLAND EVACUATION.
THE THREE ADDITIONAL S-76 HELICOPTERS ARE SPECIALLY EQUIPPED WITH ADVANCED AVIONICS, INCLUDING AUTOMATIC APPROACH TO HOVER CAPABILITY, NIGHTSUN SEARCHLIGHTS AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFRARED TO CARRY OUT SEARCH-AND-RESCUE MISSIONS AT NIGHT AND IN ADVERSE WEATHER.
"THE BLACK HAWKS HELICOPTERS WILL BE THE PERFECT COMPLIMENT TO THE S-76 FLEET AND WILL PROVIDE THE RHKAAF WITH THE VERSATILITY TO ACCOMPLISH ALL TYPES OF MISSIONS," THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR BILLY LAM, SAID.
"THE TWO S-70A BLACK HAWKS WILL BE FITTED WITH EXTERNAL RESCUE HOISTS TO ENABLE THEM TO BE DEPLOYED ON MAJOR OFFSHORE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS WHEN A MAJOR RESCUE UPLIFT OF SURVIVORS IS REQUIRED," HE ADDED.
-----------0------------«-
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO BUILDING WORKS AT A BUILDING IN TSIM SHA TSUI, CAN BE CLOSED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS
CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED KOWLOON SO THAT THEY AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT THE ROOF OF NO 12-14 GRANVILLE ROAD. U’
/NOTICES OF........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
- 13 -
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER 1HE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 22 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
------0--------
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER » » » » *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY ON TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT DRAGON ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,060 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR A COMMERCIAL GARDEN AND SUCH ANCILLIARY USES.
THE SECOND SITE, LOCATED IN AREA 40, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,085 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS EARMARKED FOR GENERAL OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS AND CONTAINERS (INCLUDING LOADING, UNLOADING AND REPAIRING OF CONTAINERS).
BOTH TENANCIES ARE FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, APRIL 3.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN, SIXTH FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
--------0-----------
/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1992
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 17.3.92 700
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 18.3.92 -105
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +105
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.5 *-0.1* 18.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.39 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.26 6.17
1 MONTH 4.16 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.56 6.41
3 MONTHS 4.16 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.40 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.79 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4,454 MN
CLOSED 18 MARCH 1992
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STI COMMENTS ON MFN VOTE .......................................... 1
GOVT INVESTS A LOT TO HELP INDUSTRIES ............................. 1
TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENTS FORGING AHEAD .............................. 3
MORE EFFECTIVE COST CONTROL ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS .............. 5
NEED TO DEVELOP CIVIL SERVANTS FOR CHANGE STRESSED ................ 6
KOWLOON TO HAVE NEW OUTLINE ZONING PLANS .......................... 8
107 VMS RETURNED .................................................. 8
SAN PO KONG EMPLOYMENT OFFICE REPROVISIONED ....................... 9
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MONDAY .................. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 11
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
1
STI COMMENTS ON MFN VOTE
*****
SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL ATTACHING CONDITIONS TO THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) TRADING STATUS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) FAILED TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO IN THE U.S. SENATE. THE VOTE WAS 60 TO 38.
COMMENTING ON THIS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU SAID THE VOTE FELL SHORT OF THE TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY REQUIRED TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO. THE BILL WAS THEREFORE DEAD.
"UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE MATTER AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT. UNDER THE RELEVANT U.S. LEGISLATION, THE PRESIDENT HAS TO RENEW MFN TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. HE HAS TO DO SO BY JUNE 3 EVERY YEAR BUT HIS DECISION CAN BE OVERTURNED BY A CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION. THE CONGRESS COULD ALSO INTRODUCE A NEW BILL IN YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS."
"PRESIDENT BUSH, IN HIS MESSAGE TO THE CONGRESS EARLIER THIS MONTH WHEN HE VETOED THE BILL, MADE PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC WELL-BEING."
"WE BELIEVE THAT HE WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS IN DECIDING, BY JUNE 3, ON THE RENEWAL OF MFN TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA FOR ANOTHER YEAR," MR CHAU SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN SUPPORT OF UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN TRADING STATUS.
---------0-----------
GOVT INVESTS A LOT TO HELP INDUSTRIES ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVESTING A GREAT DEAL OF CAPITAL AND EFFORT IN PROVIDING A SOUND INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE DIRECTORS OF PO LEUNG KUK THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, MR CHAU SAID WHILE BUSINESS DECISIONS WERE LEFT TO BUSINESSMEN, IT DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOTHING TO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRIES.
"OUR AIM IS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS FAVOURABLE TO INVESTMENT, AND WHICH ENABLES INDUSTRY TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY; AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES WHICH ENABLE INDUSTRY TO IMPROVE ITS COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND PRODUCT INNOVATION.
/•'WE ALSO...........
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
2
"WE ALSO PROMOTE THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY THROUGH. AN INWARD INVESTMENT PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
HE SAID WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS THE EXECUTIVE ARM.
"THE DEPARTMENT HELPS TO ENSURE THAT INDUSTRY HAS ACCESS TO THE LAND, TRAINED MANPOWER, WATER, RAW MATERIALS AND OTHER RESOURCES WHICH IT NEEDS. IT PROVIDES A RANGE OF QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY, WHICH HOLDS HONG KONG’S OFFICIAL MEASUREMENT STANDARDS," HE SAID.
IT IS ALSO WORKING TO ENCOURAGE HIGH-TECHNOLOGY OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO SET UP OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG.
"WE HAVE FOUND THAT THIS SORT OF INVESTMENT HAS BENEFICIAL SPIN-OFFS FOR MANUFACTURING AS A WHOLE," MR CHAU SAID.
HE SAID THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HELPED MANUFACTURERS TO FIND AFFORDABLE WAYS OF IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY.
"THE COUNCIL NOW HAS ABOUT 479 STAFF AND OPERATES OUT OF A BRAND NEW BUILDING IN KOWLOON TONG CONSTRUCTED SPECIALLY TO MEET ITS NEEDS," HE SAID.
"THROUGH THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, WE PROVIDE- LAND ON SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATES FOR HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES WHICH CANNOT FUNCTION IN THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS WHICH HOUSE MOST HONG KONG FACTORIES.
"WE ARE CURRENTLY FORMING A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TSEUNG KWAN 0 AT A DEVELOPMENT COST OF $900 MILLION.
"WE ARE CONSTRUCTING A NEW INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WHICH WILL PROVIDE SPACE AND FACILITIES FOR FLEDGLING TECHNOLOGY-BASED COMPANIES. FUNDS TOTALLING $438 MILLION HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE PROJECT," MR CHAU SAID.
MR CHAU SAID $200 MILLION HAD RECENTLY BEEN SET ASIDE FOR INVESTMENT IN WORTHWHILE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. THE AIM WAS TO STIMULATE INNOVATION IN HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
"THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES WE OFFER IN THE INDUSTRIAL FIELD. THEY ADD UP TO A LARGE-SCALE INVESTMENT IN HELPING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG TO TRADE UP IN TERMS OF PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY AND CREATIVITY.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO THIS AIM," HE STRESSED.
TURNING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT TOOK A TWO-PRONGED APPROACH.
"THE FIRST IS IN GOVERNMENT PROVIDING THE ’HARDWARE’, IN THE FORM OF LEGISLATION WHICH SETS DOWN THE GROUND RULES.
"THE MOST BASIC ARE ORDINANCES ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND TRADE DESCRIPTIONS WHICH PREVENT CHEATING," HE SAID.
/MORE SOPHISTICATED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
3
MORE SOPHISTICATED ONES WERE THE SALE OF GOODS AND CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES WHICH AIMED TO AID THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER WHERE HE DID NOT ENJOY AN EQUAL BARGAINING POSITION AS THE SUPPLIER OF GOODS OR SERVICES.
"IN FUTURE, WE SHALL ALSO HAVE LEGISLATION TO ENSURE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR TOYS, CHILDREN PRODUCTS AND, EVENTUALLY, GENERAL CONSUMER GOODS," MR CHAU SAID.
HE SAID OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS THE CHAMPION OF CONSUMER INTERESTS.
"IT IS OPERATIONALLY AUTONOMOUS BUT IS FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE COUNCIL MADE GREAT CONTRIBUTION IN THE GATHERING AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, CONSUMER EDUCATION, AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF GOOD COMMERCIAL PRACTICES, ALTHOUGH IT WAS PROBABLY THEIR WORK ON PRODUCT TESTING AND CONSUMER ADVOCACY THAT MIGHT HAVE ATTRACTED GREATER PUBLIC ATTENTION.
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TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENTS FORGING AHEAD
*****
THERE WILL BE MORE SPENDING ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, FURTHER EXPANSION AND UPGRADING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AND BETTER MANAGEMENT OF ROAD USE IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (THURSDAY) IN HIS PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES IN TRANSPORT PROGRAMME AREAS FOR 1992/93 TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
"IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, ABOUT $4.26 BILLION WILL BE SPENT ON NEW ROADS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING ROADS, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 65 PER CENT OVER EXPENDITURE IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR," HE SAID.
OF THIS SUM, $2.29 BILLION WILL BE SPENT ON TRANSPORT LINKS TO THE NEW AIRPORT WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, ROUTE 3 FROM TSING YI TO WEST KOWLOON AND THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY.
$1.5 BILLION WILL BE SPENT ON OTHER ROADS UNDER THE HIGHWAYS PROGRAMME SUCH AS BELCHER BAY LINK IN KENNEDY TOWN AND THE SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE, AND $474 MILLION ON ROADS UNDER THE NEW TOWNS PROGRAMME WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE TIN SHUI WAI WEST ACCESS ROAD AND WIDENING OF A SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
EXPENDITURE ON THE RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION OF EXISTING ROAD WILL INCREASE FROM $100 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR TO $230 MILLION IN 1992/93.
/IN ADDITION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
4
IN ADDITION, $567 MILLION WILL BE SPENT ON ROAD MAINTENANCE.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, MR LEUNG SAID ABOUT 20 NEW BUS ROUTES WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE COMING YEAR AND ABOUT 130 ADDITIONAL AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO USE ON ROUTES ENDORSED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
"THE EXEMPTION OF FRANCHISED BUSES FROM FUEL TAX WILL MEAN THAT FARE LEVELS SHOULD REMAIN STABLE IN 1992," HE SAID.
OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE PIPELINE ARE:
* PROVISION OF SEVEN MORE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINI COMPRISING FIVE FOR BUSES, ONE FOR GREEN MINI-BUSES AND ONE FOR CROSS BORDER COACHES;
* MORE EXPRESS BUS SERVICES AND FERRY SERVICES AND ADDITIONAL BUS PRIORITY SCHEMES TO RELIEVE PEAK HOUR CONGESTION IN THE MTR NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR;
* MTR TO UPGRADE ITS SIGNALLING SYSTEM, TO REFURBISH STATIONS, TO REPLACE VENTILATION EQUIPMENT AND TO INTRODUCE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT;
* KCR TO DEVELOP THE HO TUNG LAU WORKSHOPS AND TO IMPROVE STATIONS;
* LRT TO INCREASE ITS CARRYING CAPACITY BY 40 PER CENT LATER THIS YEAR WITH THE DELIVERY OF 30 NEW VEHICLES, TO UPGRADE AIR-CONDITIONING OF ITS VEHICLES AND TO COMMISSION THE TIN SHUI WAI LINK EARLY NEXT YEAR; AND
* HYF TO STRENGTHEN ITS FERRY SERVICES TO TSING YI, TUEN MUN AND OUTLYING ISLANDS AND TO CONSIDER BUYING MORE HIGH-SPEED VESSELS.
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ROAD USE, MR LEUNG SAID THREE MAJOR STRATEGIC STUDIES -- THE UPDATING OF THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY, THE FREIGHT TRANSPORT STUDY AND THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY — HAD BEEN LAUNCHED AND WOULD BE COMPLETED BY NEXT YEAR.
AT THE REGIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVEL, MR LEUNG SAID A NEW AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TSUEN WAN BY MID NEXT YEAR WHILE PLANNING FOR A SIMILAR SYSTEM IN SHA TIN WOULD CONTINUE.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMING YEAR WILL INCLUDE THE UPGRADING OF THE KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 1,650 DISTRICT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES AND THE TRIALS OF AUTOMATIC TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEMS AT TUNNELS.
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/5 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
- 5 -
MORE EFFECTIVE COST CONTROL ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS
******
A STUDY IS UNDERWAY TO SEE WHETHER THE CASH LIMITING COST CONTROL SYSTEMS DEVELOPED FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS CAN BE APPLIED WITH SUITABLE MODIFICATION TO PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME (PWP) PROJECTS.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN HE PRESENTED THE DRAFT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF WORKS BRANCH AND THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH FOR 1992/93 TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
MR BLAKE SAID A PUBLIC WORKS PROGRESS COMMITTEE WOULD BE SET UP THIS YEAR TO MAINTAIN THE PWP MORE EFFECTIVELY UNDER CONTINUOUS REVIEW AND TO HELP WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS IN DEALING WITH ANY DEVIATIONS OR PROBLEM AREAS THAT MAY EMERGE.
’’WORK IS ALSO PROGRESSING TO DEVELOP COMPUTERISED SYSTEMS BOTH TO MONITOR EXPENDITURE AND PHYSICAL PROGRESS,” HE SAID.
FOR BETTER CONTROL OF PROJECT ESTIMATES, MR BLAKE SAID RISK ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES, STARTING AT THE EARLY CONCEPTUAL STAGE OF DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, WOULD BE USED MORE SYSTEMATICALLY IN FUTURE.
IT WOULD RESULT IN BETTER UTILISATION OF AVAILABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR PLANNING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR PWP, HE SAID.
MR BLAKE ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WERE IN. THE PROCESS OF CONDUCTING MANAGEMENT REVIEWS WHILE' THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WOULD START THEIR REVIEWS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WERE ALSO UNDER REVIEW FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECOMMENDING CHANGES TO ENHANCE DEPARTMENTAL EFFICIENCY AND TO MAINTAIN RELIABILITY OF SUPPLY TO DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL CONSUMERS,” HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) WOULD RECOVER THE FULL COSTS OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS UNDER THE NEW OPERATING SERVICES ACCOUNT.
“THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT WILL PUT THE EMSD VEHICLE WORKSHOP ON A QUASI-COMMERCIAL FOOTING. THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO EXTEND CHARGING TO OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE WORKSHOPS, TO PLANT MAINTENANCE AND EVENTUALLY TO BUILDING SERVICES MAINTENANCE WORK," HE SAID.
ON WATER SUPPLY, MR BLAKE SAID THE PROVISION IN 1992/93 WAS $2,872 MILLION, INCLUDING $1,142.7 MILLION FOR THE TOTAL COST OF WATER TO BE PURCHASED FROM CHINA.
/MR BLAKE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
- 6 -
MR BLAKE SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT PRESENT INDICATIONS HAD SHOWN THAT THERE WAS LESS CONSUMPTION NOW THAN AT THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
"A GENERAL REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED LATER THIS YEAR , AND IE NECESSARY, THE LONG-TERM DEMAND FORECAST WILL BE REVISED," HE SAID.
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NEED TO DEVELOP CIVIL SERVANTS FOR CHANGE STRESSED
******
PREPARING CIVIL SERVANTS FOR THE CHALLENGES OF CHANGE IS A SUBJECT WHICH THE GOVERNMENT TAKES VERY SERIOUSLY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE OPENING OF A TRAINING CONFERENCE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, AND THE INSTITUTE OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.
MR WIGGHAM SAID IT WAS ALSO A RESPONSIBILITY WHICH MUST BE SHARED BY ALL THOSE CONCERNED WITH MAKING THE BEST USE OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
"IT HAS BECOME A TRUISM TO SAY THAT HONG KONG HAS NO NATURAL RESOURCES EXCEPT ITS PEOPLE.
"BUT IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE: AS SUCH THEY MEED NURTURING, AND WE, THE MANAGERS, ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME IN THIS PLACE, HAVE A DUTY TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO DEVELOP PEOPLE FOR A CHANGE."
HE POINTED OUT THAT PEOPLE, COLLECTIVELY WORKING FOR A COMMON PURPOSE, NEED MANAGEMENT; AND ONE ASPECT OF MANAGEMENT WAS TRAINING WHICH PROVIDED THE INDIVIDUAL WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER DEVELOP HIS OR HER POTENTIAL.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS FOR MANY YEARS BEEN A GREAT BELIEVER IN TRAINING.
"WE NEED TO BE," HE SAID, "THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS A ’SERVICE INDUSTRY’ : OUR OUTPUT IS THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY CIVIL SERVANTS AND PEOPLE ARE THEREFORE OUR MAIN ASSET, OR LIABILITY IF THEY DO NOT DO THEIR JOB PROPERLY.
"SO WE NOT ONLY TRY TO RECRUIT THE RIGHT PEOPLE, BUT WE ALSO SPEND A LOT OF EFFORT GIVING THEM ADEQUATE TRAINING AFTER THEY ARE RECRUITED."
THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE WAS SET UP IN 1961.
/FROM A .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
1
FROM A MODEST START WITH ONLY ONE TRAINING OFFICER, IT NOW HAS 80 OFFICERS IN THE CENTRE. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE ABOUT 1,150 OFFICERS WORKING FULL-TIME ON TRAINING IN OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
IN TERMS OF OUTPUT, THE GOVERNMENT ORGANISED OVER TWO MILLION DAYS OF TRAINING, OR ABOUT 11 TRAINING DAYS PER CIVIL SERVANTS, IN 1990/91 .
MR WIGGHAM POINTED OUT THAT TRAINING, TODAY MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, MUST HAVE AS ONE OF ITS MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENTS: PREPARING PEOPLE FOR CHANGE.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 DOES REQUIRE PREPARATION.
"WE NEED TO INCREASE CIVIL SERVANTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA, AND THEIR ABILITY TO OPERATE IN WRITTEN CHINESE AND PUTONGHUA AS WELL AS IN ENGLISH.
"TO THESE ENDS WE HAVE DEVELOPED A CHINA STUDIES PROGRAMME, WHICH INCLUDES SEMINARS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF CHINA; FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO CHINA; AND COURSES ON WRITTEN CHINESE AND PUTONGHUA FOR VARIOUS GROUPS AND LEVELS OF CIVIL SERVANTS."
THERE ARE OTHER CHALLENGES OF CHANGE NOT RELATED TO 1997.
THESE INCLUDE THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY WHICH LEADS TO INCREASING DEMANDS ON THE CIVIL SERVICE; CHANGES IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT FINANCES IN THE 1990S; CHANGES IN THE LOCAL POLITICAL SYSTEM, AND ITS INTERFACE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION; AND THE INCREASING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF THE PACIFIC REGION.
IN LINE WITH THESE DEVELOPMENTS, THE CURRICULUM OF EXISTING COURSES WILL BE REVIEWED AND NEW PROGRAMMES INTRODUCED.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE PACIFIC REGION, AS AN ECONOMIC FOCAL POINT, IS DEVELOPING RAPIDLY.
HE SAID IF HONG KONG WAS TO BENEFIT FROM THIS DEVELOPMENT, IT MUST INCREASE LINKS WITH THE REST OF THE REGION.
"THE POINT IS WELL RECOGNISED BY THE HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN, BUT IT IS PERHAPS TIME WE CIVIL SERVANTS BECAME MORE FAMILIAR WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS AND PUBLIC SERVICES IN ASIA.
"RECENTLY, I AND MEMBERS OF MY STAFF HAVE BEEN VARIOUSLY TO JAPAN, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH KOREA AND SINGAPORE IN AN ATTEMPT TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS, TO LEARN FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES AND TO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF TRAINING COURSES," MR WIGGHAM ADDED.
/8.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
- 8 -
KOWLOON TO HAVE NEW OUTLINE ZONING PLANS
*****
WORK WILL SOON BEGIN ON REVISING ALL OUTLINE ZONING PLANS IN KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE IMPACT OF THE REMOVAL OF THE KAI TAK AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE METROPLAN.
PRESENTING THE DRAFT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE FOR 1992/93 UNDER HIS PORTFOLIO AT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AIMED TO CONVERT ABOUT HALF OF THE 30 DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS INTO OUTLINE ZONING PLANS IN 1992/93.
HE SAID THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO GIVE PRIORITY TO COMPLETE THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW AND NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES SUB-REGIONAL STRATEGY.
HE SAID OTHER MAIN PRIORITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT IN 1992/93 WOULD BE THE PREPARATION OF TOWN PLANS AT VARIOUS LEVELS TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS.
MR BARNES SAID THESE PRIORITIES WOULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH STAFF REDEPLOYMENT AND ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY, SINCE THE RESOURCES ALLOCATED IN 1992/93 WOULD INCREASE MARGINALLY BY 2.2 PER CENT.
ON LAND ACQUISITION WORK OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR BARNES SAID IT WOULD FOCUS ON PADS RELATED PROJECTS, LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND HOUSING SOCIETY SCHEMES, PRIVATE STREET RESUMPTIONS, THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL AND THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BY-PASS.
HE SAID THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS IN BUILDING SAFETY AND THE INSTALLATION OF COMPUTERISED LAND INFORMATION SYSTEM.
107 VMS RETURNED * * * *
A GROUP OF 107 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 39 MEN, 31 WOMEN, 18 BOYS AND 19 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 95TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 2,586 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 16,565 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
/THE 107 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
9
THE 107 PEOPLE ON TODAY’S FLIGHT ARE SOUTHERNERS FROM SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE.
THEY HAVE ALL VOLUNTEERED SINCE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND ARE IN ADDITION TO THE 800 OR SO VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED IN THE SHEK KONG TRAGEDY WHOSE CLEARANCE FOR DEPARTURE AWAITS THE OUTCOME OF POLICE INVESTIGATIONS.
NONE OF THE RETURNEES TODAY WERE IN ANYWAY INVOLVED IN THE SHEK KONG TRAGEDY.
THERE ARE ANOTHER 512 VOLUNTEERS AT SHEK KONG AND 590 AT LO WU WHO ARE AWAITING THEIR RETURN HOME ON FUTURE UNHCR FLIGHTS TO VIETNAM.
THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR MR CLINTON LEEKS WELCOMED THESE CLEAR SIGNS THAT THE MOMENTUM OF THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME HAD BEEN MAINTAINED DESPITE THE SHEK KONG TRAGEDY.
"THE IMPORTANT FACT IS THAT WE ARE SEEING PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS OF VIETNAM AND FROM ALL OUR DETENTION CENTRES DECIDING TO VOLUNTEER TO RETURN.
"THIS IS CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THE MESSAGE IS GETTING THROUGH THAT THE ONLY SENSIBLE OPTION FOR NON-REFUGEES IS TO RETURN HOME," HE SAID.
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SAN PO KONG EMPLOYMENT OFFICE REPROVISIONED ******
THE SAN PO KONG OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) WILL BE REPROVISIONED TO NEW PREMISES ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF WANG CHIU HOUSE, WANG TAU HOM ESTATE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 21 ) .
THE NEW LES WANG TAU HOM OFFICE WILL SERVICE JOB-SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL KOWLOON, INCLUDING HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY, SAN PO KONG, WONG TAI SIN, TSZ WAN SHAN, NGAU CHI WAN, KOWLOON BAY (EXCLUDING TELFORD GARDEN), SAI KUNG AND CLEAR WATER BAY.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 338 9787 AND 338 9843.
THE LES OPERATES 10 DISTRICT OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, AND PROVIDES FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS.
EMPLOYERS RECRUITING STAFF CAN TELEPHONE THEIR DISTRICT LES OFFICE TO PLACE JOB VACANCIES, OR SEND IN THEIR ORDERS BY MAIL OR IN PERSON.
/SUCH INFORMATION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE TRANSMITTED BY FACSIMILE TO ALL OTHER LES OFFICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL JOB-SEEKERS.
JOB-SEEKERS ARE REQUIRED ONLY TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER AT A LES OFFICE, WHERE THE STAFF WILL HELP THEM IN SELECTING SUITABLE JOBS AND WILL ARRANGE INTERVIEWS WITH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS.
- - 0 - -
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MONDAY
*****
MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE GENERAL PLANNING OBJECTIVES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AT ITS FOURTH MEETING NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 23).
THEY WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES; PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER, DR TED PRYOR, AND A PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR BILL FARRELL.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY CALLING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG ON TEL. 802 3511 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATS IN THE CONFERENCE HALL ARE LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
- - 0 - -
/Il
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* ♦ * ♦ * DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 18.3.92 700
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 19.3.92 + 94
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -94
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 *+0.1* 19.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.60 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.18 6.23
1 MONTH 4.21 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.47 6.46
3 MONTHS 4.23 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.49 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.87 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,380 MN
CLOSED 19 MARCH 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR URGES PUBLIC TO GIVE VIEWS ON REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER .. 1
COMMUNITY PLAYS ROLE IN EMPLOYMENT OF HANDICAPPED ................. 2
NEW CATEGORY FOR GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR INDUSTRY ................... 2
COMMUNITY HAS ROLE TO BRING METROPLAN INTO FRUITION ............... 4
BUDGET PACKAGE REFLECTS PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY ............... 6
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION ...................................... 6
SUITABLE VACANCIES IDENTIFIED FOR TUNNEL STAFF .................... 7
HK SET TO ACHIEVE GREATER ENERGY SAVING ........................... 7
ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES IN
JANUARY RELEASED ................................................ 8
MARINERS URGED TO PAY ATTENTION TO SAFETY IN HARBOUR ............. 13
NEW HEALTH AND MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FORMED ..... 14
HIGH-TECH BOOSTS COMPETITIVENESS OF INDUSTRY ..................... 16
PUBLICITY DRIVE ON SUMMER JOB SAFETY ACHIEVES RESULTS ............ 17
SCOTTISH BUSINESSMEN TOLD OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HK ........ 19
MORE TO BE EVACUATED FROM PAK TIN PA SUN TSUEN ................... 20
ROADWORKS FOR MUI WO DEVELOPMENT APPROVED ........................ 21
CONTRACT FOR MANAGEMENT OF VEHICLE EXAM CENTRE AWARDED ........... 22
MORE ELEVATED WALKWAYS NEAR TSUEN WAN MTR STATION PROPOSED ....... 22
TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO WORKS PROJECTS ........................... 23
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED ............. 23
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN WEST KOWLOON ................. 24
LEGCO ELECTIONS SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MONDAY ............... 24
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL ......................................... 25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....... 26
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
GOVERNOR URGES PUBLIC TO GIVE VIEWS ON REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED HONG KONG PEOPLE TO WRITE IN TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK Y.C. CHENG CENTRE IN SHA TIN, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS KEEN TO HAVE THE PUBLIC’S VIEWS ON THE GREEN PAPER WHICH REVIEWED POLICY IN THE REHABILITATION FIELD AND MADE PROPOSALS FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICES.
HE SAID THE Y.C. CHENG CENTRE WOULD BE THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, OFFERING 200 RESIDENTIAL AND DAY PLACES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAD WORKED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A WHOLE RANGE OF SOCIAL REHAB ILITATION SERVICES, INCLUDING SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, DAY CENTRES AND HOSTELS, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT IN THE CENTRE, TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS AND NURSES WOULD HELP MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE TO BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT IN THEIR DAILY LIVES AND TO COMMUNICATE AND RESPOND BETTER WITH OTHERS.
’’THEY CAN USE THE SKILLS THEY LEARN HERE WHEN THEY MOVE ON TO SHELTERED WORKSHOPS TO EARN SOME MONEY OF THEIR OWN, AN IMPORTANT STEP IN MAKING THEM FEEL MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT,” LORD WILSON SAID.
BUT REHABILITATION WENT BEYOND THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL CARE, THE GOVERNOR SAID, ADDING THAT SPECIAL EFFORTS WERE NEEDED TO INTEGRATE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE INTO THE COMMUNITY.
”WE NEED TO INVOLVE THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN WHAT THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY DOES,” LORD WILSON SAID.
SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD GIVE THEM THE SIPPORT THEY NEED TO LIVE AMONG THE COMMUNITY; EMPLOYERS SHOULD GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT THEY COULD DO, AND ALL OF US SHOULD GIVE THFM OUR UNDERSTANDING AND ENCOURAGEMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
- - 0-----------
/2.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 2 -
COMMUNITY PLAYS ROLE IN EMPLOYMENT OF HANDICAPPED *****
IT NEEDS THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE TO PUT ACROSS IDEAS TO ENCOURAGE THE EMPLOYMENT OF HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK Y.C. CHENG CENTRE, LORD WILSON SAID: ”1 THINK BY SHOWING THAT THERE ARE THINGS WHICH PEOPLE WHO ARE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, OR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CAN DO, THAT THERE’S A USEFUL ROLE THAT THEY CAN PLAY IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT’S GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE WHO EMPLOY THEM AND VERY GOOD OF COURSE FOR THEM.”
NOTING THAT SPENDING ON WELFARE WAS GOING UP SUBSTANTIALLY THIS YEAR BY ABOUT 15 PER CENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I WOULD ASK THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN VIEWS ON WHAT WE SHOULD NOW BE DOING FOR THE 1990’S, BECAUSE WE MUSTN’T SIMPLY GO ON DOING JUST WHAT WE WERE DOING BEFORE.
"WE MUST REASSESS WHAT WE ARE DOING, SEE WHAT’S APPROPRIATE FOR THE 1990’S AND PARTICULARLY LOOK AT THE QUESTION OF WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY THINK ARE THE PRIORITIES FOR WELFARE AND REHABILITATION, BECAUSE ONE CANNOT DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE."
--------0-----------
NEW CATEGORY FOR GOVERNOR’S AWARDS FOR INDUSTRY *****
A NEW CATEGORY OF AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE WILL BE ADDED TO THE GOVERNOR’S AWARDS FOR INDUSTRY THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, LORD WILSON SAID THE FIRST SUCH AWARDS WOULD BE GIVEN LATER THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THE IDEA FOR THIS AWARD, WHICH WAS AN EXCELLENT CONCEPT, CAME FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
LORD WILSON SAID HE APPRECIATED THE COMMITTEE’S WILLINGNESS TO ORGANISE THE AWARD.
"IT WILL, I HOPE, BE A SIGNIFICANT BOOST TO THE ATTEMPTS YOU ARE MAKING - AND WE ARE ALL TRYING TO MAKE - TO ENSURE THAT INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THEIR DAILY WORK," HE SAID.
"I AM ENCOURAGED THAT THE TERRITORY’S LARGER COMPANIES HAVE DECIDED TO COME TOGETHER. IN THIS COMMITTEE TO FIND PRACTICAL AND BUSINESS-LIKE WAYS OF CLEANING UP HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/HE IS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 3 -
HE IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED TO LEARN WHAT THE CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY, SUPPORTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE, IS DOING TO HELP.
"THIS IS A FIRST-RATE INITIATIVE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT AS HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL LEGISLATION BEGAN TO BITE, HE WAS SURE THAT INDUSTRY WOULD TURN INCREASINGLY TO THE CENTRE FOR HELP.
LORD WILSON SAID HELPING COMPANIES TO MEET LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS WAS NOT THE ONLY PURPOSE OF THE CENTRE.
"MANY COMPANIES ARE NOW BEGINNING TO REALISE THAT IF THEY ARE TO MEET GROWING CUSTOMER DEMAND FOR GOODS PRODUCED IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE WAY, AND SO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE MARKET PLACE, THEY MUST TAKE A NEW LOOK AT HOW TO CLEAN UP THEIR PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND TO MINIMISE WASTE," HE SAID.
LORD WILSON SAID HE ’ PERSONALLY ATTACHED A GREAT DEAL OF IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG - MODERN PROSPEROUS HONG KONG - BECOMING MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS.
"I SHOULD LIKE TO SHOW THE PEOPLE OF'HONG KONG WHICH COMPANIES ARE LEADING THE WAY IN THIS IMPORTANT FIELD, SO THAT THEIR EXAMPLE WILL HELP TO CONVINCE OTHER COMPANIES OF THE NEED TO RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS PART, IS TAKING ACTION ACROSS A BROAD FRONT TO TACKLE HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
BUT THE GOVERNMENT ACTION IS NOT ENOUGH IN TACKLING HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS, THE GOVERNOR SAID A COMMITMENT FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BACK UP THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS WAS NEEDED.
"MANUFACTURERS TOO MUST TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE," HE SAID.
IT WILL TAKE TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY TO CLEAN UP HONG KONG.
"THE MORE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN WORK TOGETHER, THE FASTER WE SHALL GET THE JOB DONE, AND THE MORE SUCCESSFUL WE SHALL BE," HE ADDED.
/4 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
4
COMMUNITY HAS ROLE TO BRING METROPLAN INTO FRUITION
******
FULL PARTICIPATION OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE CRUCIAL IN REMOULDING THE CITY OF HONG KONG IN ORDER TO BRING THE METROPLAN INTO FRUITION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN HE OFFICIALLY OPENED A MONTH-LONG ROVING EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AS PART OF A PUBLICITY EXERCISE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE VARIOUS PLANNING CONCEPTS AND PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE METROPLAN SELECTED STRATEGY.
THE METROPLAN WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE A PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT WITH THE AIM OF MAKING HONG KONG A BETTER CITY IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
RATHER THAN A PROGRAMME OF WORKS BY ITSELF, IT IS A CONCEPTUAL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING AND UPGRADING THE METRO AREA OF HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING.
SIR DAVID SAID THE • METROPLAN ALSO REPRESENTED A VISION AS WELL AS AN ACHIEVABLE GOAL WHICH WOULD PROVIDE OPPORUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENT OF THE CITY.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS SMALL, COMPACT AND DENSELY POPULATED WITH THE PRESENT POPULATION IN THE METRO AREA OF ABOUT 3.8 MILLION WHICH WAS TOO CROWDED BY WORLD STANDARDS.
THERE WAS A GROWING DEMAND FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT, WITH THE INCREASING AFFLUENCE OF THE SOCIETY, AND THE RISING EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, HE ADDED.
HE SAID TO CREATE A PLEASANT AND COMFORTABLE URBAN LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT WAS CERTAINLY NO EASY TASK FOR WHICH HONG KONG WAS A REAL CHALLENGE BUT ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS; IT IMPOSED MANY CONSTRAINTS, BUT ALSO PROVIDED AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG COULD HAVE TRIED TO ACHIEVE WORKS IN SUCH PURSUIT IN LITTLE PIECES, FITTING IN SUCH IMPROVEMENTS TO EACH AREA AS IT COULD MANAGE AND TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BLACK SPOTS.
"BUT WITHOUT AN OVERALL PLAN TO STRUCTURE THE WHOLE CITY, WE WOULD HAVE LITTLE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN WORKING TO DIFFUSE PLANNING GOALS," HE STRESSED.
/SIR DAVID .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 5 -
SIR DAVID SAID UNDER THE METROPLAN, HONG KONG WOULD BY THE YEAR 2011 HAVE SOME 2,600 HECTARES OF ADDITIONAL LAND THROUGH RECLAMATION, LAND FORMATION AND RELOCATION OF THE KAI TAK AIRPORT.
THEY WILL BE USED FOR HOUSING, INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, PORT AND RECREATION PURPOSE.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO SET TARGETS IN THE METROPLAN TO THIN OUT THE PRESENT OVER-DENSELY POPULATED AND OLD URBAN AREAS AND, TO BUILD NEW AREAS TO DENSITIES AND WITH AMENITIES MORE LIKE THOSE OF THE NEW TOWNS BY LIMITING THE POPULATION IN THE METRO AREA TO 4.2 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
SIR DAVID HAD NO DOUBT THAT METROPLAN WOULD BE THE KEY TO ORCHESTRATING A BETTER URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF TOMORROW BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO SATISFY HOUSING NEEDS AND TO FACILITATE A MORE BALANCED DISTRIBUTION OF JOBS AND BUSINESS.
IT WILL ALSO MEET THE COMMUNITY’S NEED FOR OPEN SPACE AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE METRO AREA AND ABOVE ALL, CREATE A CITY WHICH FOSTERS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY IDENTITY.
SIR DAVID MAINTAINED THAT THE SUCCESSFUL, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METROPLAN WOULD RELY ON THE EFFORTS AND WILL OF BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO TAKE THE IN1TITATIVE AND PURSUE DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES WHICH MUST BE FINANCIALLY VIABLE AND WERE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
"VISION, GOOD PLANNING AND DESIGN, INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND RESOURCES, ALL OF WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN LACKING SO FAR, WILL EVENTUALLY DETERMINE THE FINAL SHAPE OF METROPLAN AND HOW FAST IT CAN BE FULLY REALISED," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES TO TRANSLATE STRATEGIC CONCEPTS INTO DETAILED PLANS AND PROGRAMMES FOR EACH OF THE SEVEN BOARD DISTRICTS IN METRO AREA WERE EITHER BEING OR WOULD BE PREPARED.
"ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT AND INPUTS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES, AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE INTO TOWN PLANNING MATTERS AND DEVELOPMENT WILL BE INDISPENSABLE," HE ADDED.
THE METROPLAN EXHIBITION WILL LAST UNTIL SUNDAY (MARCH 22) IN THE PACIFIC PLACE, QUEENSWAY AND WILL BE MOVED TO THREE OTHER VENUES THE FOLLOWING WEEKS.
THE EXHIBITION SCHEDULES ARE: TSUEN WAN PLAZA (MARCH 23-29), LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE (MARCH 30-APRIL 5), OCEAN TERMINAL (APRIL 6-10) .
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/6 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
BUDGET PACKAGE REFLECTS PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS.
HE WAS SPEAKING AFTER MEETING THREE GROUPS OF LEGCO MEMBERS TO DISCUSS THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT PARTICULAR FEATURES OF THE BUDGET PACKAGE.
MR MACLEOD SAID: "THE BUDGET IS A CAREFULLY BALANCED PACKAGE OF MEASURES WHICH HAS BEEN TAILORED TO REFLECT THE PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. I BELIEVE IT HAS A BROAD MEASURE OF PUBLIC SUPPORT. IT ENABLES US TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICES, INVEST IN HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE FINANCIAL CUSHION AGAINST FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES. I HAVE EXPLAINED TO LEGCO MEMBERS THAT I AM NOT PREPARED TO JEOPARDISE THE INTEGRITY OF MY BUDGET PROPOSALS AND I HAVE ASKED FOR THEIR SUPPORT TN THE FORTHCOMING DEBATE."
"I HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO MEMBERS’ VIEWS AND EXPLAINED THAT I BELIEVE WE CAN MEET MANY OF THEIR CONCERNS OUTSIDE THE BUDGET. I HAVE SAID THAT IF OUR FINANCIAL POSITION AFTER THIS BUDGET CONTINUES TO BE AS FORECAST, THEN IN THE 1993/94 BUDGET IT WOULD BE MY INTENTION TO DO WHAT I CAN TO ALLEVIATE THE TAX BURDEN ON THE LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS BY REVIEWING AND IMPROVING SALARIES TAX ALLOWANCES AND TAX BANDS."
"I HAVE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT I AM PREPARED TO EXAMINE URGENTLY THE HOUSING PROBLEMS OF THE ’SANDWICH CLASS’ AND TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP."
- - 0 - -
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION
******
THE TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD ON 20 MARCH 1992. THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR THE 1992/93 FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD AMOUNT TO 159.30 HECTARES. THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES 27.96 HECTARES FOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT; 21.80 HECTARES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AND VILLAGE HOUSING; 16.79 HECTARES FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES, EDUCATIONAL, WELFARE, RELIGIOUS, RECREATIONAL AND OTHER USES; AND 92.75 HECTARES AS SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING 60 HECTARES FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 9.
THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED TO SET ASIDE 5 HECTARES OF LAND IN A SUPPLEMENTARY LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME. THE LAND COMMISSION WILL DECIDE DURING THE YEAR ON THE AMOUNT OF LAND TO BE RELEASED FROM THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMME IN THE LIGHT OF DEMAND.
DURING THE MEETING THE TWO SIDES ALSO HAD USEFUL DISCUSSIONS ON THE LAND REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY. THE TWO SIDES WILL CONTINUE CONSULTATIONS ON LAND FOR THESE PROJECTS.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
SUITABLE VACANCIES IDENTIFIED FOR TUNNEL STAFF * * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ABSORB STAFF AFFECTED BY THE CONTRACTING OUT OF THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF FOUR GOVERNMENT TUNNELS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID AFFECTED STAFF WOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY OVER OTHER CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO SUITABLE VACANCIES WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"A TOTAL OF ABOUT 100 VACANCIES IN DIFFERENT RANKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SUITABLE FOR APPLICATION BY THOSE IN THE TRANSPORT CONTROLLER AND TRANSPORT ASSISTANT GRADES,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH WILL CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY MORE SUITABLE VACANCIES AND WILL INVITE THEM TO APPLY,” HE SAID.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERVIEWS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MADE NEXT MONTH FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO JOIN THE CLERICAL ASSISTANT GRADE. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY INTERVIEWS FOR OTHER VACANCIES.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED THE AFFECTED STAFF TO INDICATE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE JOBS THEY PREFER TO TRANSFER TO WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE SO THAT EARLY ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE MADE FOR THEM.
--------0-----------
HK SET TO ACHIEVE GREATER ENERGY SAVING *****
HONG KONG IS SET TO MOVE TOWARDS GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDING DESIGN AND ENERGY HOUSEKEEPING.
FORWARD IN ACHIEVING MORE ENERGY SAVING IS SET OUT IN RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
THE WAY THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE AND
IN THE SHORT RUN:
THERE SHOULD BE AN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE EDUCATED IN THE INITIAL PHASE ON THE CONCEPT OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. SUBSEQUENT PHASES WILL BE DEVOTED TO
SPECIFIC TARGET GROUPS.
/♦THERE SHOULD .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
8
* THERE SHOULD BE STATUTORY CONTROL ON OVERALL THERMAL TRANSFER VALUE (OTTV) IN AIR-CONDITIONED NEW COMMERCIAL AND HOTEL BUILDING IN THE FIRST STAGE. THE CONTROL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER CLASSES OF BUILDINGS IN LATER STAGES. A HANDBOOK ON OTTV CALCULATIONS SHOULD BE PUBLISHED AS A GUIDE FOR BUILDING DESIGN DURING A TRIAL PERIOD BEFORE STATUTORY CONTROLS ARE TO BE INTRODUCED, WITH THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE CODE TO CONTROL BUILDING ENERGY CONSUMPTION.
* A SERIES OF ADVISORY NOTES ON GOOD ENERGY HOUSEKEEPING SHOULD BE PUBLISHED. THE FIRST OF THIS SERIES SHOULD COVER COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
i A DATA BASE ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION PATTERNS IN ALL MAJOR ENERGY-USING SECTORS INCLUDING DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND TRANSPORT SECTORS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED.
IN THE LONG RUN:
* PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ESTABLISHING AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY DISPLAY AND INFORMATION CENTRE. THE GOVERNMENT, POWER AND OIL COMPANIES, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND POSSIBLY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE COMPANIES SHOULD BE INVOLVED.
* CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO INTRODUCING AN ENERGY LABELLING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING TODAY (FRIDAY), PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (ENVIRONMENT), DR PATRICK HASE SAID IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST OF IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN 1992-93 WOULD BE IN THE ORDER OF $2-3 MILLION.
DR HASE SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD ALSO DECIDED THAT THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ITS WORKING GROUPS SHOULD REMAIN IN BEING TO CARRY OUT A FURTHER DETAILED INVESTIGATION OF ALL POTENTIAL AREAS OF ENERGY SAVINGS IN ORDER TO FORMULATE A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
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ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND FIGURES IN JANUARY * * * * *
PER CAPITA EARNINGS RELEASED *
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, AS REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT OVER JANUARY LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO RESULTS OF A MONTHLY SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FOR MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, THE ORDERS POSITION IMPROVED WHEN COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO. NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED.IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
/COMPARED WITH .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 9 -
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1991, ORDERS IN JANUARY 1992 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE FOR THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED A MODERATE INCREASE WHILE SLIGHT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
ORDERS POSITION FOR THE TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN JANUARY 1992 DECREASED BY 10 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991.
DECREASES IN EMPLOYMENT WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1991, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1992 DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. SLIGHT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN MOST SURVEYED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
IN JANUARY 1992, PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENCE IN TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN EARLY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR BUT IN MID-FEBRUARY LAST YEAR. A NUMBER OF MANUFACTURERS WHO HAD ISSUED DOUBLE-PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR MADE SUCH PAYMENTS IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1991, PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY BY 48 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS IN JANUARY 1992.
THIS SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE WAS DUE TO A LARGER NUMBER OF MANUFACTURERS ISSUING DOUBLE-PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES IN JANUARY 1992 THAN IN DECEMBER 1991.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1992 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH JANUARY 1991 AND DECEMBER 1991.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JANUARY 1992 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH JANUARY 1991 AND DECEMBER 1991. THE INCREASES WERE AGAIN DUE TO SIMILAR REASONS AS IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
/IT SHOULD .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 10 -
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1992 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1991.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JANUARY 1992 FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER JANUARY 1991. THE PARTICULARLY LARGE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE IN TIMING OF ISSUING DOUBLE-PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES BY SOME HOTELS BETWEEN 1992 AND 1991.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1991, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED MODERATELY FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER IN JANUARY 1992. THE VARIED CHANGES AMONG SERVICE SECTORS WAS AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENCE IN TIMING OF ISSUING DOUBLE-PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES AMONG THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERED ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND THE SELECTED 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 DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE SECTORS IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR JANUARY 1992 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 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 $4.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6441.
/TABLE 1 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
11
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF JANUARY 1992 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
DEC. 91 JAN. 91
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.37 * + 3
WEARING APPAREL 4.74 -1 t + 2 + 8
TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.35 2.86 + 6 + 11 ♦
FABRICATED METAL 4.21 — i
PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND 5.40 ♦ + 3
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS 3.94 * -3
* CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS
ENGAGED AS AT THE END OF JANUARY 1992
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
DEC. 91 JAN. 91
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
FOOD AND DRINKS WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES
PLASTIC PRODUCTS
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS
CONSTRUCTION #
(%) (%)
-1 -10
-1 -5
-1 -6
-2 -10
-1 -19
* -8
-1 -18
-2 -3
-1 -4
/SERVICES .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 12 -
SERVICES
BANKS
HOTELS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
OTHERS
*
+ 1 ♦
-1
-1
+ 2
-4
-3
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.G. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), ’’PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
AS IN —
INDUSTRY/SERVICES JANUARY 1992 DEC. 91 JAN. 91
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 11,928 + 48 + 24
FOOD AND DRINKS 10,947 + 13 + 10
WEARING APPAREL 7,655 + 21 + 19
TEXTILES 11,912 + 66 + 32
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 15,207 + 94 + 4 1
FABRICATED METAL 11,894 + 33 + 12
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 11,795 + 45 + 29
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 16,720 + 72 + Z1
CONSTRUCTION # 14,465 + 35 + 46
—————— — — — — — —
/SERVICES .
. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
13
SERVICES 17,570 + 5 + 19
BANKS 16,225 -9 + 13
HOTELS 22,525 + 158 + 61
PUBLIC UTILITIES 16,754 + 9 + 17
OTHERS 19,004 + 2 + 20
#
PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
NOTE TO TABLES 1 - 3 :
UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS", WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
--------0-----------
MARINERS URGED TO PAY ATTENTION TO SAFETY IN HARBOUR
*****
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID HONG KONG WAS PROBABLY THE BUSIEST HARBOUR IN THE WORLD AND MARINERS SHOULD PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO MARINE SAFETY AT ALL TIMES.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE THIRD ANNUAL ABERDEEN MARINA CLUB BOAT SHOW AND EXHIBITION, MR PYRKE SAID: "THERE ARE 23,000 OCEAN-GOING SHIPS, 56,000 SMALLER COASTAL VESSELS AND FERRIES CRISS-CROSSING THE HARBOUR IN SEVERAL DIRECTIONS, SOME AT HIGH SPEED ANNUALLY."
IN ADDITION, THERE ARE MYRIAD LIGHTERS, TUGS AND OTHER WORKING
CRAFT.
"MARINE TRAFFIC OVER RECENT YEARS HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AND THIS IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE, BUT MARINERS MUST NOW CONTEND WITH NIGHTLY INTRUSIONS BY HIGH SPEED, UNLIT SMUGGLING CRAFT DRIVEN WITH NO REGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS.
"I WILL SHORTLY BE ISSUING A MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE WARNING OF THE DANGERS OF VENTURING OUT IN THE EASTERN APPROACHES AT NIGHT, TOGETHER WITH LETTERS TO THE VARIOUS YACHT CLUBS AND BOATING ASSOCIATION IN SIMILAR TERMS," HE SAID.
ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE, HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION IN THE FIELD OF MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE AND HAS COMPLETED THE FINAL STAGES IN IMPLEMENTING THE GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND ' '.rETY SYSTEM (GMDSS) THIS YEAR.
/"WE WERE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 14 -
"WE WERE THE FIRST IN ASIA TO IMPLEMENT THE NAVTEX SERVICE, COVERING SOUTH CHINA SEA AND PROVIDING MARITIME SAFETY INFORMATION, METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION AND A WARNING AND DISTRESS ALERTS.
"WE WERE ALSO THE FIRST TO COMMISSION A SATELLITE TRACKING STATION IN THE COSPAS-SARSAT PROGRAMME FOR DETECTING EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATOR RADIO BEACONS WITHIN A 4,000-KILOMETRE RADIUS.
"SINCE THE END OF LAST YEAR, WE HAVE HAD SPECIALLY TRAINED MARINE OFFICERS MANNING THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S MARITIME RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE 24 HOURS A DAY," MR PYRKE SAID.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT STAGED AN EXHIBITION COMPRISING FIVE DISPLAY PANELS AND AN AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION TO INTRODUCE ITS MARITIME RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE AND THE NEW GMDSS AT THE ANNUAL BOAT SHOW. THE EXHIBITION WAS MANNED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SEARCH AND RESCUE OFFICERS.
THE THREE-DAY BOAT SHOW IS BEING HELD AT 8 SHUM WAN ROAD IN ABERDEEN AND IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
--------0-----------
NEW HEALTH AND MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FORMED * * * » t *
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED A HEALTH AND MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (HMDAC) UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF PROFESSOR NATALIS YUEN CHUNG-LAU.
THE NEW COMMITTEE IS TO SUCCEED THE FORMER MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MDAC).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY): "THE CHANGE TO THE TITLE IS A REFLECTION OF THE INCREASED EMPHASIS ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCEPTANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND THE MDAC DENTAL SUB-COMMITTEE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR." '
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IS PARTICIPATORY CARE AND REQUIRES THE SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
"THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE NEW COMMITTEE THEREFORE INCLUDES EXPERTS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT INTERESTS,” HE SAID.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF HMDAC ARE:
* BEARING IN MIND THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE GENERAL LEVEL OF HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY; AND
/♦HAVING REGARD .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 15 -
* HAVING REGARD TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE AVAILABILITY OF MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES, TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND THE INTERFACE BETWEEN HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES.
’’WITH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TAKING OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE INCEPTION OF HMDAC IS TIMELY.
”IT WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT TO ACHIEVE BETTER INTERFACE BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, AS WELL AS TO COMPLEMENT, RATHER THAN DUPLICATE, THE WORK OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
•
PROFESSOR YUEN IS A PRIVATE PRACTITIONER AND THE PROFESSOR OF FAMILY MEDICINE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (CUHK).
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, IS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN EX OFFICIO.
OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE:
- DR JOHN H BOEY, A PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER;
- DR CHAN KAI-MING, READER, DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY, CUHK;
- MR DONALD CHIA, A BUSINESSMAN IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY;
- MRS ALICE CHONG YUK TAK-FUN, A SOCIAL WORKER;
- MR ALBERT HO CHUN-YAN, A SOLICITOR;
- MRS VERONICA HO CHAN YUEN-NGA I, A DIETICIAN;
- MS NANCY KIT KWONG-CHI, AN EDUCATOR IN HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION;
- DR LILLIAN KO YANG-YANG, A PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER;
- DR LEE KIN-HUNG, A PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER;
- PROFESSOR LEUNG PING-CHUNG, PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF
ORTHOPAEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY, CUHK;
- MRS ALICE PONG TSO SHING-YUK, A NURSE EDUCATOR;
- MR PETER SUEN YIU-CHAN, A PHARMACIST IN COMMUNITY PRACTICE;
- DR HOMER TSO WEI-KWOK, A DENTIST IN PRIVATE PRACTICE;
/- MRS GLORIA .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 16 -
- MRS GLORIA WONG DUNN WEI-YU, A PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL;
- DR PETER YUEN POK-MAN, A SENIOR LECTURER IN DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC; AND
- A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, EX OFFICIO.
THE APPOINTMENT TAKES EFFECT FROM MARCH 1 THIS YEAR AND WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS.
--------0-----------
HIGH-TECH BOOSTS COMPETITIVENESS OF INDUSTRY
******
VERY SOPHISTICATED, FAST-CHANGING TECHNOLOGY HAD A ROLE TO PLAY IN MAINTAINING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE LOCAL INDUSTRY, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
"APPLYING THIS TECHNOLOGY AS WIDELY AND AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY IN A COMMUNITY OF PREDOMINANTLY SMALL OR MEDIUM-SIZED FACTORIES, REQUIRES A COLLECTIVE, CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN INDUSTRY, HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE GOVERNMENT," MR BARMA SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE SPRING DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS (GROUP 2), MR BARMA SAID SUCH CO-OPERATION HAD EXISTED FOR. SOME TIME.
IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING INDUSTRY THROUGH PROVIDING EFFECTIVE INFRASTRUCTURE, MANPOWER TRAINING, AND OTHER BASIC SERVICES, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ENCOURAGED THE GREATER APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY TO INDUSTRY IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES ENABLING MANUFACTURERS, PARTICULARLY SMALL ONES, TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVE DESIGN.
"THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION SUPPLIES LAND FOR INDUSTRIES INTRODUCING NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO TAKE ROOT IN HONG KONG’S TRADITIONAL, CROWDED INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT.
"THE INVESTMENT PROMOTION DIVISION OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ATTRACTS NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUES TO HONG KONG BY ENCOURAGING OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN THE TERRITORY’S INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
/MR BARMA .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
MR BARMA ADDED THAT TO UNDERLINE THE VITAL CONNECTION BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ESTABLISHED THIS YEAR A NEW INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC), WHICH HAD REPLACED THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"BRINGING TOGETHER EXPERTISE FROM INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE COUNCIL AND ON ITS SPECIALIST COMMITTEES IS A CLEAR RECOGNITION THAT INDUSTRY CANNOT NOW BE DISCUSSED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO TECHNOLOGY.
"WITH ITS EXPANDED TERMS OF REFERENCE AND A MORE FOCUSSED APPROACH, THIS NEW COUNCIL WILL BE BETTER PLACED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON WHAT SUPPORT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY IN RESPONDING TO TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AROUND THE WORLD," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE ITDC HAD UNDER IT SIX SPECIALIST COMMITTEES: FOUR OF THESE PROVIDED ADVICE AND GUIDANCE ON THE NEEDS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ELECTRONICS, PLASTICS, METALS AND TEXTILES AND CLOTHING; A FIFTH COMMITTEE WOULD ADVISE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY; A SIXTH COMMITTEE WOULD ADVISE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENTLY-ANNOUNCED APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.
"THIS SCHEME WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COMPANIES ON A DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR BASIS AS A FORM OF INVESTMENT IN THEIR APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
"THE SCHEME REPRESENTS MORE THAN SIMPLE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: IN ITS EXPECTATION OF FINANCIAL RETURNS, IT IS A SIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY.
"A TOTAL OF $200 MILLION HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO THE SCHEME, AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE INVITED LATER IN THE YEAR," HE SAID.
--------0 - - - -
PUBLICITY DRIVE ON SUMMER JOB SAFETY ACHIEVES RESULTS
*»*»*»
HAVE BEEN
WAS MOUNTED
INCREASINGLY FEW STUDENTS TAKING UP SUMMER JOBS INVOLVED IN WORK ACCIDENTS SINCE A JOINT PUBLICITY DRIVE
IN 1988.
MR
PRESENTATION
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH-COUNCIL, K.Y. TONGSON, MADE THE REMARK WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE PRIZE RnR
CEREMONY OF THE "BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION ON SAFETY AT WORK FOR
STUDENTS" TODAY (FRIDAY).
/MR TONGSON .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
-18 -
MR TONGSON RECALLED THAT A WORKING GROUP, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, WAS SET UP IN 1988 TO PROMOTE SUMMER JOB SAFETY AS MORE AND MORE STUDENTS WORKED DURING SUMMER VACATION.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SUMMER JOB STUDENTS DECLINED FROM 41 IN 1987 TO SEVEN LAST YEAR, A DROP OF 83 PER CENT, AND NO SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS RECORDED," HE SAID.
"SCHOOL AUTHORITIES AND TEACHERS HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE DRIVE AS THEY PLAY A COMPLEMENTARY ROLE IN STEPPING UP ADVISORY WORK FOR STUDENTS," MR TONGSON ADDED.
THE BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PUBLICITY DRIVE, ATTRACTING 490 ENTRIES FROM 32 SCHOOLS.
SOME 10,000 COPIES OF THE TOP WINNING ENTRY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO STUDENTS THROUGH SCHOOLS.
THE PRIZE WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION ARE:
SENIOR SECTION:
FIRST PRIZE: YIP PAN-WA OF ST CATHARINE’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
SECOND PRIZE: LAU SHUI-HANG OF CMA CHOI CHEUNG KOK
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL
THIRD PRIZE: CHENG YIN-MEI OF NING PO NO. 2 SCHOOL
JUNIOR SECTION:
FIRST PRIZE: MA KWOK-LEUNG OF RAIMONDI COLLEGE
SECOND PRIZE: LEE PAK-KIN OF RAIMONDI COLLEGE
THIRD PRIZE: CHAN YU-FAI OF NING PO NO. 2 COLLEGE
THIS YEAR’S PUBLICITY PROGRAMME, INCLUDING TALKS BY FACTORY INSPECTORS AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND DISTRIBUTION OF LEAFLETS AND POSTERS, WILL BEGIN IN EARLY JUNE TO REINFORCE THE WORK SAFETY MESSAGE TO STUDENTS.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN TAT-KING; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG; CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, MR CHAN JOE-CHAK, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ADJUDICATION PANEL FOR THE COMPETITION, MR CHEUNG LUN.
/19 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 19 - ’
SCOTTISH BUSINESSMEN TOLD OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HK
*****
SCOTTISH BUSINESSMEN ARE KEEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HONG KONG’S NEW AIRPORT AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.
THIS BECAME APPARENT DURING A FOUR-DAY VISIT TO THE REGION BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR JOHN YAXLEY, WHO SPOKE TO LEADING BANKERS, INDUSTRIALISTS AND BUSINESSMEN IN EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW ABOUT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
DURING THE VISIT, WHICH ENDED ON THURSDAY, MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THE TWO CITIES EXPRESSED A KEEN INTEREST IN DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.
MR YAXLEY URGED THEM TO INVEST IN HONG KONG, POINTING OUT THE HUGE POTENTIAL THAT EXISTED IN THE TERRITORY.
SCOTTISH FIRMS, HE SAID, SHOULD NOT MISS OUT ON THE CONTRACTS THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS OFFERED THEM.
HE TOLD BUSINESSMEN TO VISIT HONG KONG AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT THE TERRITORY HAD TO OFFER.
ADDRESSING A SEMINAR IN GLASGOW TODAY ON "BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG", JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SCOTTISH COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON, MR YAXLEY EXPLAINED THE ROLE HONG KONG WAS PLAYING IN THE OPENING UP OF CHINA AND, IN PARTICULAR, IN THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES IN SOUTH CHINA.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE AS A FOCUS OF ACTIVITY IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
HE SAID FOR THE NEXT DECADE AND PROBABLY WELL BEYOND, IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE ECONOMIES OF THE REGION WOULD OFFER THE MOST EXCITING BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN THE WORLD.
IT WAS A GREATLY EXPANDING AREA AND IT WOULD BE A PITY IF SCOTTISH BUSINESSMEN, AND BRITISH BUSINESSMEN AS A WHOLE, MISSED OUT ON TRADING OPPORTUNITIES, MR YAXLEY SAID.
AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A RAPIDLY EXPANDING ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMY, AN ECONOMY WHICH IN A DECADE OR SO WOULD BE LARGER THAN THAT OF EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA, AND HONG KONG’S OWN VERY BUOYANT ECONOMY, THERE WERE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRITISH BUSINESSMEN.
HONG KONG, HE SAID, WAS THE BEST BASE FROM WHICH TO GRASP THEM. IT OFFERED A GREAT MANY ADVANTAGES TO BRITISH BUSINESS.
/OTHERS WHO .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
-r 20 -
OTHERS WHO ADDRESSED THE SEMINAR INCLUDED, MR IAN HOWARD, (REGIONAL DIRECTOR/EUROPE), INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION, HONG KONG GOVERNMENT; MR EDWARD P. KERR, SALES MANAGER (FAR EAST) BIWATER VALVES; MR VICTOR W.T. SUN, MANAGER, CHINA SERVICES, HONGKONG BANK; AND MR JOSEPH LEE, SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, UK/NORTHERN EUROPE, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
DURING HIS VISIT TO SCOTLAND MR YAXLEY PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE DEPUTY LORD PROVOST OF GLASGOW, MR JAMES MCLEAN, AT THE CITY CHAMBERS AND, AS PART OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS, HOSTED A SPRING RECEPTION FOR OVER 150 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN SCOTLAND ON TUESDAY.
AT THE RECEPTION, HE UPDATED THEM ON POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG. HE ALSO MET SENIOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN THE REGION.
MRS YAXLEY, VISITED A CHINESE COMMUNITY PROJECT IN GLASGOW, ALSO MET MANY ELDERLY CHINESE RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE AREA.
AND
---------0-----------
MORE TO BE EVACUATED FROM PAK TIN PA SUN TSUEN * * * * * *
A FURTHER GROUP OF 230 PEOPLE LIVING NEAR THE VICINITY OF LAST MONTH’S BOULDER FALL IN PAK TIN PA SUN TSUEN IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE EVACUATED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
THIS DECISION FOLLOWS AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEETING CONVENED YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE. THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE (GEO), DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE 70 AFFECTED FAMILIES WOULD BE APPROACHED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT’S URGENT SLOPE REPAIR WORKS TO TEMPORARILY STABILISE THE BOULDERS HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON TUESDAY (MARCH 17), FURTHER REMEDIAL ACTION MAY AFFECT STRUCTURES IN THE AREA IN QUESTION.
FOR THIS REASON, HE SAID THE SITE HAD TO BE CLEARED AND FENCED OFF BEFORE SUCH WORK COULD PROCEED.
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED ON PERMANENT EVACUATION IN VIEW OF THE IMPRACTICABILITY OF TEMPORARY EVACUATION AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF GEO,” HE EXPLAINED.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
HE SAID THE GEO WAS CONDUCTING A BOULDER SURVEY FOR THE WHOLE OF PAR TIN PA SUN TSUEN WHICH WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER EVACUATION WOULD BE MADE IF NECESSARY, HE STRESSED.
FOLLOWING LAST MONTH’S BOULDER INCIDENT, 21 FAMILIES COMPRISING 74 RESIDENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN EVACUATED FROM THE AREA.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE ASSISTANT TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS DIANE WONG, WILL CHAIR A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION ON THE EVACUATION ARRANGEMENTS AT 3.30 PM TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE DB MEMBERS’ COMMON ROOM ADJACENT TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, NEAR THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
- - 0 - -
ROADWORKS FOR MUI WO DEVELOPMENT APPROVED * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE EXISTING ROADS AND BUILDING NEW ROADS IN MUI WO ON LANTAU.
THE ROADWORKS WILL INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS TO MUI WO RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD AND CHUNG HAU STREET IN THE OLD TOWN AREA AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ROADS TO THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MUI WO.
THE AUTHORISATION IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO COMPRISE ANCILLARY WORKS SUCH AS FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS, BICYCLE HIRING AND PARKING AREAS, CARPARK AND AMENITY AREAS.
THE APPROVED ROADWORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED WITHIN TWO YEARS.
- - 0 - -
/22
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
22
CONTRACT FOR MANAGEMENT OF VEHICLE EXAM CENTRE AWARDED
*****
THE CONTRACT FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE NEW KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE HAS BEEN AWARDED TO DAH CHONG HONG (MOTOR SERVICE CENTRE) LTD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT FOR THE TERRITORY’S FIRST FULLY COMPUTERISED VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE WOULD START ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR.
THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTIFYING THE ROADWORTHINESS OF VEHICLES AND MAINTAINING THE INTERIOR AND ALL EQUIPMENT AND BUILDING SERVICE INSTALLATION AT THE CENTRE*
”A THREE-MEMBER MONITORING TEAM WILL BE SET UP TO MONITOR THE CONTRACTOR’S PERFORMANCE AND LEVEL OF SERVICE- PROVIDED AND DEAL WITH APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE RESULTS OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALL EXISTING STAFF AT THE CENTRE WILL BE REDEPLOYED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------0-----------
MORE ELEVATED WALKWAYS NEAR TSUEN WAN MTR STATION PROPOSED
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD SEVERAL MORE ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS NEAR TSUEN WAN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION TO REDUCE THE CONGESTION AT THE EXISTING WALKWAYS THERE.
THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL ELEVATED WALKWAYS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH COVERS, LINKING UP TSUEN WAN MTR STATION WITH TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE COMPLEX WHICH IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, AND THE ADJACENT PREMISES.
SOME SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING TSUEN WAN MTR STATION EXTERNAL WALKWAY WILL ALSO BE WIDENED.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN MID THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPETE.
THE 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, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
/♦DISTRICT LANDS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 23 -
♦ DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/TSUEN WAN, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN;
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MAY 19 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
------0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO WORKS PROJECTS
*****
THE ELECTRICAL AND MACHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF AEROBRIDGES FOR THREE PARKING BAYS AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 24.
MEANWHILE, THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ALSO INVITED TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AIR-CONDITIONED STORE NEXT TO THE HONG KONG COLISEUM FOR THE STORAGE OF SPORTS EQUIPMENT.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN MAY AND TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 10.
-----0------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A BUILDING IN MONG KOK, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED ON THE ROOF OVER THE THIRD FLOOR OF 78 SHAN TUNG STREET.
/NOTICE OF .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 22 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN WEST KOWLOON
******
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WEST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 22) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT LAI CHI KOK, CHEUNG SHA WAN, SO UK, TAI WO PING, SHEK KIP MEI, YAU YAT TSUEN, SHAM SHUI PO, TAI KOK TSUI, MONG KOK AND INCLUDING BROADCAST DRIVE, MARCONI ROAD, FESSENDEN ROAD AND THE SECTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN NAM CHEONG STREET AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND BEACON HEIGHTS.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO ELECTIONS SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MONDAY
******
THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL HOLD ITS SIXTH OPEN MEETING NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 23).
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THE SELECT COMMITTEE WILL MEET REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MERCHANTS AND HAWKERS ASSOCIATION, AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS.
IT WILL ALSO MEET A DELEGATION OF OVERSEAS CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, MS JENNIFER CHOW AND MR ALEXANDER CHANG.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
- - 0 - -
/25
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
- 25 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL
*****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 20 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE 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
APRIL 1 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 2 (THURSDAY) 00.01 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 6 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 7 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 8 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 9 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 10 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 11 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 10 PM
APRIL 13 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 14 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APR FL 15 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 16 (THURSDAY) 00.0 1 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 21 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 22 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 23 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 24 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 27 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 28 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 29 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
APRIL 30 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM
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/26 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
26
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 19.3.92 700
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 20.3.92 +74
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -74
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.9 *+0.3* 20.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.40 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.22 6.19
1 MONTH 4.16 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.52 6.43
3 MONTHS 4 . 19 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.49 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.86 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,075 MN
CLOSED 20. MARCH 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TSUEN WAN CENTRAL LIBRARY IN SERVICE BY YEAR END..................... 1
LADY WILSON OPENS NEW YOUTH CENTRE .................................. 2
KNOWLEDGE AT WORK KEEPS AIDS AWAY ................................... 3
23 COURSES AND SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS ................................ 5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 5
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1992
1
TSUEN WAN CENTRAL LIBRARY IN SERVICE BY YEAR END
*****
ANOTHER REGIONAL CENTRAL LIBRARY CUM GOVERNMENT OFFICE TOWER WILL BE IN SERVICE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, SERVING TSUEN WAN, A DISTRICT WITH A POPULATION OF 270,000.
OFFICIATING AT THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY OF THE BUILDING THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING, THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR PAUL CORSER, SAID THE PROJECT WOULD ENHANCE THE SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC IN THE AREA.
HE ESTIMATED THAT SOME 8,000 PEOPLE WOULD FREQUENT THE BUILDING EVERYDAY.
"BOTH FIRST AND ENDURING IMPRESSIONS ABOUT A SOCIETY ARE GIVEN BY ITS BUILDINGS; THEY ARE THE MEASURE BY WHICH VISITORS JUDGE ITS SOPHISTICATION.
"IN THIS CASE, THE PEOPLE OF TSUEN WAN WILL RIGHTLY FEEL PROUD OF THIS NEW LANDMARK WHEN, BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, IT STARTS ITS OPERATIONAL LIFE," MR CORSER SAID.
THE S363-MILLION DEVELOPMENT COMPRISES A FOUR-STOREY LIBRARY BLOCK AND A 26-STOREY OFFICE TOWER SHARING A COMMON FOUR-STOREY PODIUM.
LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF SAI LAU KOK ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE 3,700 SQUARE METRES OF SPACE FOR THE LIBRARY AND SOME 16,000 SQUARE METRES FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE PODIUM FLOORS WILL BE OCCUPIED BY HIGHLY PATRONISED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS POST OFFICE AND MUSIC OFFICE WHILE THE OFFICE TOWER WILL HOUSE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS, SOCIAL WELFARE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENTS AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
THE DESIGN AND PLANNING CONSTRAINTS OF THE PROJECT, AS A RESULT OF THE ODDLY-SHAPED SITE AND ITS PROXIMITY TO RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, WERE MASTERED BY THE SPECIAL TOUCH IN THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN.
THE OFFICE TOWER, WHICH IS POSITIONED AT THE CENTRE LINE OF TWO ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS, HAS ITS SIZE REDUCED PROGRESSIVELY AS ITS HEIGHT INCREASES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE EFFECTS OF MINIMISING THE VISUAL IMPACT ON THE NEIGHBOURING OCCUPANTS.
A SIMILAR PLAN WAS ADOPTED FOR THE LIBRARY BLOCK FOR CONSISTENCY IN DESIGN CONCEPT.
THE USE OF WINDOW OPENINGS OF VARIOUS SIZES HAS ALSO CREATED A RHYTHM ON THE ELEVATION.
/TO FACILITATE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1992
2
TO FACILITATE BETTER ACCESS TO THE BUILDING, A COVERED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY CANTILEVERED FROM THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE PODIUM WILL LINK UP WITH THE EXISTING WALKWAY OF THE ADJACENT NAM FUNG CENTRE AND TSUEN KAM CENTRE WHERE THE MTR STATION AND BUS TERMINUS ARE LOCATED.
THE TSUEN WAN CENTRAL LIBRARY IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE A TOTAL STOCK OF 300,000 BOOKS, EXPANDABLE TO ACCOMMODATE UP TO 500,000.
IT WILL CONSIST OF AN ADULT LIBRARY, A JUNIOR LIBRARY, A REFERENCE LIBRARY, A NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS LIBRARY, AN AUDIO-VISUAL LIBRARY, A COMPUTER ROOM, A 180-SEAT STUDENTS’ STUDY ROOM AND AN EXTENSION ACTIVITIES ROOM.
THE THIRD OF ITS KIND RUN BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE LIBRARY WILL BE THE LARGEST IN THE COUNCIL’S AREA.
--------0------------
LADY WILSON OPENS NEW YOUTH CENTRE *****
THE NEW FONG SHU CHUEN CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE WOULD PROVIDE WELL-PLANNED FACILITIES TO MEET THE SOCIAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CENTRE AT WHAMPOA GARDEN, SHE SAID SPECIAL CARE AND ATTENTION WERE NEEDED TO ENSURE YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP INTO MATURE, RESPONSIBLE, AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
"AS HONG KONG ENTERS A PERIOD OF RAPID SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CHANGES, IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GIVEN THE SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO CARRY IN THE YEARS TO COME," LADY WILSON SAID.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES ARE ESTABLISHED ON A NEIGHBOURHOOD BASIS TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES AND TO ALLOW THEM TO ORGANISE THEIR OWN GROUPS.
SHE SAID ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THESE CENTRES WAS TO PROMOTE VOLUNTEERISM AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
"PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTEER WORK PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-REALISATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE,” SHE SAID.
THROUGH VOLUNTEER WORK, YOUNG PEOPLE COULD EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN FOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS, PARTICIPATE IN THE PROMOTION OF THE WELLBEING OF SOCIETY, AND LEARN TO CARE FOR AND SHARE WITH OTHERS.
"VOLUNTEER WORK FOSTERS A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND A COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY THEY LIVE IN.
/"IT GIVES .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1992
3
"IT GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND MEET NEW FRIENDS," LADY WILSON ADDED.
THE POLICY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WAS FIRST DETERMINED IN 1973. THE RECENT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE IN THE 1990’S AND BEYOND STATED THAT THERE WERE GROUNDS FOR GREATER INTEGRATION OF WELFARE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
THE FONG SHU CHUEN CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE IS ONE OF THE SIX SIMILAR CENTRES RUN BY THE HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES (HKCYS), WHICH NOW HAVE OVER 26,000 MEMBERS.
HKCYS ALSO OPERATES A FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE, THREE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TEAMS, THREE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK UNITS AND FOUR SMALL GROUP HOMES.
KNOWLEDGE AT WORK KEEPS AIDS AWAY ******
LOCAL EMPLOYERS SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE WORKPLACE TO EDUCATE WORKERS AGAINST AIDS NOW RATHER THAN DEAL WITH THE AIDS PROBLEM AND PAY A HIGHER COST LATER.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR STEPHEN CHEONG AT A SEMINAR ON "AIDS AND THE WORKPLACE - SHARING THE CHALLENGE" THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
ADDRESSING THE SEMINAR, MR CHEONG SAID: "IN HONG KONG, THE EPIDEMIC IS ONLY NOW BEGINNING. WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT, LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE UNITED STATES, TO ACT SWIFTLY AND INTELLIGENTLY TO CURB THE SPREAD OF AIDS VIRUS (HIV) NOW RATHER THAN WHEN IT IS TOO LATE.
HE CAUTIONED THAT AS THE PATTERN OF THE DISEASE CHANGED AND A BROADER SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED, THE BURDEN OF PAYING FOR MEDICAL CARE WOULD ALSO SHIFT FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. ULTIMATELY, IT PAID TO BE PREPARED.
"SINCE MANY COMPANIES IN HONG KONG HAVE MEDICAL BENEFIT SCHEMES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES, IT ONLY MAKES DOLLAR SENSE TO EDUCATE AND THEREBY PREVENT THE DISEASE FROM OCCURING NOW RATHER THAN DEAL WITH THE HUGE CHRONIC CARE COSTS LATER," HE STRESSED.
HE SAID THE WORKPLACE PROVIDED A UNIQUE SETTING TO DISSEMINATE AIDS INFORMATION EFFICIENTLY AND FOSTER A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS PERSONS WITH AIDS.
IN ORGANISING EFFECTIVE AIDS EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN THE WORKPLACE, MR CHEONG ADVISED: FIRSTLY, THERE SHOULD BE A CLEAR MESSAGE OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THAT HIV/AIDS CONCERNS EVERYONE.
/SECONDLY, APPROPRIATE ______
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1992
4
SECONDLY, APPROPRIATE AND SENSIBLE PREVENTIVE MEASURES SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED TO Dl'SPEL MISCONCEPTIONS WHICH QUITE OFTEN ARISE FROM IGNORANCE.
THIRDLY, POSITIVE ATTITUDES SHOULD BE FOSTERED TOWARDS THE HIV INFECTED PEOPLE.
"THEY ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED AND WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOCIETY. ISOLATION OR PREJUDICE CAN CAUSE DISRUPTION TO THE WORKPLACE AND LEAD TO FINANCIALLY DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG BELIEVED THAT A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED POLICY ABOUT AIDS WOULD FOSTER CO-OPERATION AND LOYALTY FROM EMPLOYEES AS IT WOULD SHOW THEM THAT MANAGEMENT HAD THEIR INTERESTS AT HEART.
OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDED DR PATRICK LI OF THE HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION; THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, MR M.E. PEAKE; MR HO SAI-YIU OF FOOK LEE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER MISS LI FUNO-YING.
THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS WITH THE AIM OF HELPING PARTICIPANTS AND EMPLOYERS TO ARRIVE AT A SENSIBLE POLICY ABOUT AIDS IN THE WORKPLACE.
THE CONVENER OF THE SEMINAR, URBAN COUNCILLOR MS CARLYE TSUI, THANKED THE HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION FOR CO-ORGANIS ING THE FUNCTION AND BURROUGHS WELLCOME AND COMPANY FOR SPONSORING THE EVENT.
SHE NOTED THAT 14 BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS, WHICH INCLUDED MOST OF THE MAJOR LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, ALSO GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED THIS SEMINAR PROJECT.
MS TSUI ADDED THAT THE OVER-SUBSCRIPTION OF SEMINAR SEATS WAS ANOTHER ENCOURAGING INDICATION OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS.
"THE PROMOTION OF AIDS EDUCATION IN THE WORKPLACE IS ONE OF THE LONG BATTLES AGAINST AIDS. WE WILL CONTINUE WHAT WE HAVE STARTED TODAY AND I HOPE LEADERS OF THE BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS WILL CONTINUE SUPPORTING OUR COMMITTEE," SHE URGED.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1992
- 5 -
23 COURSES AND SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED 23 COURSES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR KINDERGARTEN, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY!; SCHOOL TEACHERS LAST MONTH.
THE WORKSHOPS INCLUDED THOSE ON THE USE OF HAND TOOLS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL ART AND DESIGN TEACHERS, SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS AND NURSERY CLASS ACTIVITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AT THE SEMINARS COVERED COMPUTER AWARENESS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR TEACHERS OF VARIOUS SUBJECTS, NEUROSCIENCE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY TEACHERS, THE TEACHING OF AS-LEVEL MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND AIDS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
THE COURSES INCLUDED TRAINING FOR TEACHER LIBRARIANS, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PILOT SCHEME ON LOCAL HISTORY, COMPUTER AWARENESS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, REFRESHER COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WAYS TO ORGANISE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN THE TEACHING OF PUTONGHUA AND WAYS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH THE TEACHING OF CHINESE LANGUAGE.
ORIENTATION SEMINARS FOR AS-LEVEL BIOLOGY TEACHERS WERE ALSO ORGANISED.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 20.3.92 700
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 21.3.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CLUBHOUSE OPERATORS URGED TO APPLY FOR CERTIFICATE BEFORE DEADLINE .. 1
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD REMINDED ....................... 1
APPLICATION FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY SPONSORSHIP INVITED ................ 2
UNSCHEDULED WORK FOR WOMEN PROHIBITED ................................ 2
SPEL TO BRIEF ACC MEMBERS ............................................ 3
SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WINNERS TO GIVE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES ........... 4
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION .............................................. 5
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1992
- 1 -
CLUBHOUSE OPERATORS URGED TO APPLY FOR CERTIFICATE BEFORE DEADLINE *****
CLUBHOUSE OPERATORS WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY HAD UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION OR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR THEIR BUSINESS.
CALLING ON THE OPERATORS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS, THE CHIEF OFFICER OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S OFFICE OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY, MR ROBIN HOWES SAID ANY OPERATOR WHO HAD NOT HANDED IN AN APPLICATION AND CONTINUED WITH THE BUSINESS AFTER APRIL 1 WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE BREACHED THE LAW.
HE NOTED THAT UNDER THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1 LAST YEAR, CLUBS WITH CLUBHOUSES WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION OR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR THEIR OPERATIONS.
"THE TYPES OF CLUBHOUSES UNDER THE SCOPE' OF CONTROL OF THIS ORDINANCE INCLUDE RESIDENTS CLUBS, PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS, AND SPORTS AND FITNESS ORGANISATIONS," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR HOWES POINTED OUT THAT CERTAIN CLUBHOUSES MIGHT BE CONSIDERED FOR EXCLUSION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THESE CLUBHOUSES ARE BUILT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE, AND ARE OF A LOW-RISE ISOLATED NATURE ACCESSIBLE TO FIRE SERVICES APPLIANCES," HE EXPLAINED.
MR HOWES ADVISED OPERATORS V HO BELIEVED THAT THEIR CLUBHOUSES BELONGED TO THIS CATEGORY TO CONTACT HIS OFFICE AND SUBMIT A COPY OF THE PLANS OF THE PREMISES FOR THE AUTHORITY’S CONSIDERATION.
THE OFFICE OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY IS LOCATED AT EAST WING, SEVENTH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY AND ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 881 7034.
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PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD REMINDED
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (SUNDAY) ASKED FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND PACKERS TO PROPERLY MARK OR LABEL PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS AS STIPULATED BY LAW.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE AFTER TWO RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH TWO RETAILERS PLEADED GUILTY TO CHARGES OF SELLING IMPROPERLY LABELLED PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FINED $3,500 EACH.
/"OFFENDERS WHEN .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1992
2
"OFFENDERS WHEN CONVICTED WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF $25,000 IN FINE AND SIX MONTHS IN JAIL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE TWO SHOPS, BOTH IN KOWLOON, HAD CONTRAVENED THE REGULATION BY SELLING HIGH PROTEIN MILK FOOD WITHOUT PROPER MARKINGS.
THE FOOD ITEMS DID NOT HAVE THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS; A STATEMENT OF SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR STORAGE; SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE; AND THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF MANUFACTURER OR PACKER OF THE FOOD IN EITHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE OR IN BOTH LANGUAGES AS REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
APPLICATION FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY SPONSORSHIP INVITED
******
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO SPONSOR THE 1993 LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO SUBMIT EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE APRIL 22.
SINCE 1982, FIREWORKS DISPLAYS HAVE BEEN HELD OVER THE VICTORIA HARBOUR IN THE EVENING OF THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AS THE FOCAL POINT TO CELEBRATE THE SPRING FESTIVAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH ADVISED THAT APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE AT LEAST NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE PROPOSED FOR THE DISPLAY.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, 1ITH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 827 5409 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
- - 0 - -
UNSCHEDULED WORK FOR WOMEN PROHIBITED
*****
FEMALE IMPORTED AND LOCAL WORKERS IN INDUSTRY MUST NOT BE ENGAGED IN WORK OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL, PERMITTED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT AND MUST BE GIVEN A DAY OFF ON THEIR SCHEDULED REST DAY.
IN A RECENT CASE, THE TSUI HANG HING GARMENT FACTORY LIMITED IN HOI YUEN ROAD WAS FINED $8,000 BY A KWUN TONG MAGISTRATE FOR EMPLOYING WOMEN TO WORK ON THEIR REST DAY.
/THE COMPANY
3
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1992
THE COMPANY WAS POUND BY LABOUR INSPECTORS DURING A VISIT TO HAVE EMPLOYED 23 FEMALE LOCAL AND IMPORTED WORKERS ON THE REST DAY SPECIFIED IN A PRESCRIBED NOTICE.
"UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, AN EMPLOYER MUST NOT EMPLOY IN AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING ANY WOMEN TO WORK ON THEIR REST DAYS, OR TO 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 (SUNDAY).
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 DAY FOR WOMEN WORKERS.
"EMPLOYERS MUST NOT ENGAGE ANY WOMEN TO WORK OUTSIDE THEIR PERMITTED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT," HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE ASSOCIATED GARMENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED IN KWAI CHUNG WAS RECENTLY GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 FOR EMPLOYING 42 WOMEN IN UNREPORTED OVERTIME WORK.
"IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE REGULATIONS FOR AN EMPLOYER TO CHANGE THE PRESCRIBED WORKING HOURS OF WOMEN IN INDUSTRY OR TO ENGAGE THEM IN OVERTIME WORK, WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BEFOREHAND," HE SAID.
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SPEL TO BRIEF ACC MEMBERS ♦ » « » *
MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE GENERAL PLANNING OBJECTIVES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AT ITS FOURTH MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THEY WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES; THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (DESIGNATE), MR TONY EASON; PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER, DR TED PRYOR; AND PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR BILL FARRELL.
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 3511 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IN THE CONFERENCE HALL IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A F1RST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
------0--------
/4 .....
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1992
4
- 4
SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WINNERS TO GIVE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES
******
THE BEST DANCERS FROM AMONG 3,781 STUDENTS WHO TOOK PART IN THE 28TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WILL PERFORM FOR THE PUBLIC IN APRIL.
THEY WILL PERFORM AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON APRIL 7 AND 8, AND AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL FROM APRIL 16 TO 18.
ALL PERFORMANCES - CHINESE, ORIENTAL, MODERN, WESTERN FOLK AND NATIONAL DANCES - WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ATTEND CAN OBTAIN TICKETS, RANGING IN PRICE FROM $ 10 TO $25, FROM URBTIX OUTLETS.
THERE WILL BE A 10 PER CENT DISCOUNT FOR EACH PURCHASE OF MORE THAN 10 TICKETS.
♦
THE 28TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES ARE BEING PRESENTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, AND THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID 16 SPECIAL SCHOOLS, 134 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 91 SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE DANCE FESTIVAL.
TWENTY-SEVEN TEAMS RECEIVED HONOURS WHILE 132 WERE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND 179 COMMENDED. SIX TEAMS WERE ALSO AWARDED FOR THEIR CHOREOGRAPHY.
RESULTS OF THE DANCE FESTIVAL WERE:
PRIMARY SCHOOLS SECTION
OVERALL CHAMPION: ST PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL PRIMARY SECTION
OVERALL SECOND: SAM SHUI NATIVES ASSOCIATION AM SCHOOL
OVERALL THIRD: DR CATHERINE F. WOO MEMORIAL AM SCHOOL
MOST PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL: YAUMATI CATHOLIC PRIMARY PM SCHOOL
SECONDARY SCHOOLS SECTION
OVERALL CHAMPION: SKH BISHOP MOK SAU TSENG SECONDARY SCHOOL
OVERALL SECOND: ST MARGARET’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE, KOWLOON
OVERALL THIRD: ST MARGARET’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE, HONG KONG
MOST PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL: ST MARGARET’S GIRLS’ 0 COLLEGE, KOWLOON
/5.........
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1992
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WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ******
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHEUNG SHUI IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 24) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ON ROAD L9 INCLUDING TIN PING ESTATE AND ON KWOK SAN TSUEN.
MEANWHILE, FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM ON THE SAME DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT WATERLOO ROAD HILL, HO MAN TIN HILL, SHEUNG SHING STREET, PUI CHING ROAD, SHEK KU STREET, KING TAK STREET, PERTH STREET,DUNBAR ROAD, TWEED ROAD, GULLANE ROAD AND GOOD SHEPHERD STREET AND INCLUDING 01 MAN ESTATE, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, CHUN MAN COURT AND VALLEY ROAD ESTATE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR LORD WILSON AT THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS' CLUB ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992 .......................... 1
REPORT ON OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIONS IN HK PUBLISHED .................... 14
APPROPRIATION BILL TO BE DEBATED ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ............ 15
NEW POST OFFICE OPENS IN SHA TIN ...................................... 16
ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO START IN APRIL .................... 16
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 17
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................................. 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 18
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR LORD- WILSON AT THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS’ CLUB
ON MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
•k ★ * ★ ★
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THOSE OPENING REMARKS. IT’S VERY NICE FOR ME TO BE AROUND HERE AT MY LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD CLUB. I HAD EXPECTED TO COME HERE, AS YOU SAY, INFORMAL SURROUNDINGS AND I’M SURPRISED THAT YOU SEEM TO HAVE TOLD OTHER PEOPLE THAT I WAS COMING AND I SEE THERE IS AN ENORMOUS NUMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHERS OUTSIDE THE
DOOR AS I CAME IN - NOT WHAT I HAD EXPECTED,
I AM VERY KEEN ON PRESERVING THIS PLACE AS ONE OF HONG KONG'S FAMOUS OLD BUILDINGS AND I AM VERY GLAD, LOOKING ROUND THE TABLES
TODAY, TO SEE YOU’RE ALSO PRESERVING SOME OF HONG KONG’S FAMOUS OLD
CORRESPONDENTS.
I NOTICE THAT I’M BILLED BY RTHK AMONGST OTHERS AS MAKING A SPEECH AND THEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS. JUST SAID YOU DON’T BLAME THOSE PEOPLE FROM GOVERNMENT INFORMATION HERE, I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE A SPEECH OFF A WRITTEN TEXT, I’M JUST GOING TO TALK. I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME THOUGHTS OF MY OWN ABOUT THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT I’VE BEEN HERE, SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING, AND ALSO SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND PARTICULARLY WITH SOUTHERN CHINA.
AND JUST LOOKING AT VARIOUS THINGS BEFORE COMING HERE TODAY I CAME ACROSS ONE OF THOSE VERY NICE QUOTATIONS FROM MAE WEST, WHICH WAS: "IT’S BETTER TO BE LOOKED OVER THAN OVERLOOKED”. WELL, AS A GOVERNMENT, WE ARE USED TO BEING ’LOOKED OVER’ AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ACCEPT,. WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO GNAW OVER THE VARIOUS BONES OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING, SO 1 THOUGHT I’D GIVE YOU SOME IDEA OF THE SORT OF FLESH THAT I PUT ON THOSE BONES MYSELF.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRIKES ME, AS I LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THAT I’VE BEEN HERE AS GOVERNOR, IS THE NUMBER OF STORMS OF VARIOUS SORTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH - AND NOT JUST BEEN THROUGH BUT SURVIVED AND COME OUT VERY WELL FROM - AND LET ME JUST GIVE YOU A FEW OF THOSE BECAUSE PEOPLE’S MEMORIES TEND TO BE RATHER SHORT - EVEN PERHAPS SOME DISTINGUISHED OLD CORRESPONDENTS, ALTHOUGH I’M SURE YOUR MEMORIES ARE BETTER THAN MOST.
TAKE FOR INSTANCE ONE OF THE ONES THAT HIT ME IN THE FIRST YEAR I WAS HERE, THE STOCK EXCHANGE CRISTS, THE ’CRASH OF OCTOBER 1987’. IT WAS A VERY DRAMATIC PERIOD, IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT PERIOD. WE WERE AFFECTED BY THINGS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG; THE MARKET CLOSED, IT SHOWED UP ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS IN OUR MARKET.
WELL, TAKE FROM THERE TO WHERE WE ARE NOW. WE HAD A REVIEW OF THE WHOLE PROCESS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE; WE’VE INTRODUCED SOME VERY’ SWEEPING REFORMS - THOSE ARE WORKING; WE ARE EXPECTING TO BRING IN A NEW SETTLEMENT SYSTEM VERY SOON, SO THAT WE WILL BE THE SORT OF MODERN UP-TO-DATE MARKET THAT HONG KONG OUGHT TO BE. AND THEN LOOK AT THE MARKET ITSELF - AND DON'T JUST LOOK AT THE MARKET ITSELF BUT COMPARE IT WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE REST OF THE WORLD.
/I DON'T ......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
2
I DON’T WANT TO BOMBARD YOU WITH TOO MANY STATISTICS - BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE A WRITTEN SPEECH SO YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WHAT I AM SAYING, OR TAKE NOTES OF IT - BUT JUST TAKE A FEW STATISTICS. NOT ON* ARE WE NOW ABOVE Till 5,000 BARRIER BUT SINCE DECEMBER OF LAST Yi . . OUR MARKET HAS GONE UP BY SOME 17% AND YOU CAN COMPARE THAT WITH TOKYO WHICH IS DOWN ABOUT NINE-AND-A-HALF PERCENT, LONDON WHICH IS UP ONLY JUST OVER ONE PERCENT, AND NEW YORK WHICH IS UP BY SOMETHING LIKE THREE-AND-A-HALF PERCENT SO NOT ONLY HAVE WE RECOVERED FROM 1987, WE’VE PUT THE MECHANISMS INTO PLACE AND FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS - AND SOME OF THOSE I WILL COME ON TO - OUR MARKET IS DOING EXTREMELY WELL.
OR TAKE ANOTHER ONE, SOMETHING WHICH HAS BEEN VERY MUCH ON MY MIND FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AND INDEED WAS VERY MUCH ON MY MIND WHEN I WAS HERE IN AN EARLIER JOB AS POLITICAL ADVISER IN THE LATE 1970’S AND THE EARLY 1980’S, THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, PEOPLE ARRIVING HERE FROM VIETNAM BY BOAT AND BY LAND.
WE HAVE HAD A HUGE CRISIS ON THAT PROBLEM SINCE I’VE BEEN HERE. THINK BACK TO 1989 WHEN OVER 34,000 PEOPLE ARRIVED HERE, OR THINK BACK JUST TO 1991 WHEN OVER 20,000 PEOPLE ARRIVED. WELL NOW, WE HAVEN’T SOLVED THE PROBLEM BUT WE ARE MAKING SOME PROGRESS IN DEALING WITH IT. WE HAVE AN ARRANGEMENT FOR SENDING BACK TO VIETNAM PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEER AND THERE IS SOMETHING LIKE OVER 16,000 OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY GONE BACK AND, WHO ARE MONITORED WHEN THEY GO BACK. WE’VE GOT IN PLACE AN ARRANGEMENT FOR RETURNING PEOPLE WHO HAVE ARRIVED HERE RECENTLY. A QUICK TURN-ROUND ARRANGEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET IN PLACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SENDING THEM BACK TO THEIR HOMES IN VIETNAM IF THEY ARE NOT REFUGEES, AND I EMPHASIS THAT POINT, PEOPLE WHO ARRIVED HERE BEFORE OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.
NOW THE RESULTS OF THAT, IT DOESN’T TOTALLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM, WE STILL HAVE FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR CAMPS, FAR TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, CHILDREN WHO SPENT YEARS IN THOSE CAMPS WHICH IS SOMETHING WHICH I TREAT AS A HORRIFYING PHENOMENON, I WOULD MUCH RATHER SEE THOSE PEOPLE BACK IN THEIR OWN HOMES IN VIETNAM. BUT WHAT IS THE RESULT OF THAT? THIS YEAR, SO FAR, WE HAVE PRECISELY SEVEN PEOPLE ARRIVING HERE FROM VIETNAM, AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE ALREADY RETURNED 2,500 VOLUNTEERS TO VIETNAM. SO THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN BEDEVILING US FOR YEARS, WHICH WE ARE NOW MAKING SOME PROGRESS IN SOLVING.
OR TAKE ANOTHER ONE, 1989 WHICH WAS A CRISIS PERIOD, A CRISIS IN CHINA AND A CRISIS FOR US HERE IN HONG KONG. CONFIDENCE WAS VERY BADLY HIT BY THE EVENTS OF MAY AND OF JUNE AND HONG KONG WAS MORE GLOOMY DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME THAN ANY TIME 1 CAN REMEMBER IN MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE BEFORE THAT. LINKS WITH CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD WERE SUSPENDED. OUR OWN RELATIONS WERE VERY DIFFICULT, WE DIDN’T SUSPEND CONTACTS BUT THOSE CONTACTS THAT WE HAD WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE AND THERE WAS A CONFIDENCE CRISIS HERE AND THERE WAS IMMENSE MISTRUST BUILDING UP ON BOTH SIDES.
/NOW TAKE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 3 -
NOW TAKE THE PRESENT SITUATION. WE HAVE CONTACTS BETWEEN CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD, OUR OWN CONTACTS ARE VERY FREQUENT, WE ARE BACK DEALING WITH PROBLEMS IN A MUCH MORE SENSIBLE WAY THAN WE WERE BEFORE AND CONFIDENCE HERE IN HONG KONG, FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, NOT JUST ONE, BUT A VARIETY OF REASONS, CONFIDENCE HERE IS VERY MUCH BETTER THAN IT WAS, AND ONE MARK OF THE WAY IN WHICH THINGS HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH RECENTLY IS THOSE LONG-RUNNING AIRPORT NEGOTIATIONS. VERY DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS, SOMETIMES VERY FRUSTRATING, BUT AT THE END OF THAT, WE CAME OUT WITH AN AGREEMENT, WHICH IN MY JUDGMENT IS A WORKABLE, SENSIBLE AGREEMENT WHICH ENABLES US TO GET ON WITH A PROJECT WHICH IS OF ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE TO THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND, INDEED, I THINK OF SOUTHERN CHINA AS WELL.
SO WE ARE ACTUALLY WORKING ON IT NOW, AND TO THROW IN A FEW EXTRA STATISTICS FOR THOSE WHO ARE TAKING NOTES, TWO MILLION CUBIC METERS OF EARTH HAVE ALREADY BEEN MOVED AT CHEP LAK KOK AND WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, 10 MILLION CUBIC METERS HAVE BEEN MOVED THERE AND YOU CAN SEE THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION COMING OUT OF THE SEA ALREADY.
SO, A NUMBER OF CRISES WE HAVE MET OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE COULD LIST MANY MANY MORE THAN THAT I’M SURE AND WE HAVE DEALT WITH AND WE HAVE OVERCOME. I WOULD LIKE ALSO, JUST IF I MAY, TO REMIND YOU OF SOME OTHER THINGS WHICH ARE NOT CRISES, DRAMATIC THINGS, DRAMATIC ANSWERS OVERCOMING THOSE SORT OF PROBLEMS, BUT THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND THAT I THINK IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT, AND AGAIN, SOMETIMES IT’S FORGOTTEN BECAUSE IT’S AN OLD STORY. BUT LET ME JUST GIVE A FEW OF THOSE. TAKE HOUSING FOR INSTANCE, THAT’S SOMETHING WHICH IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT TO MOST OF THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG. AFTER ALL, SOMETHING LIKE HALF OF OUR POPULATION LIVE IN HOUSING WHICH IS, IN EFFECT, SUBSIDISED BY THE PUBLIC PURSE.
SINCE I CAME HERE IN APRIL 1987, SOMETHING LIKE 227,000 APARTMENTS HAVE BEEN BUILT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THAT IS, AGAIN IF YOU LIKE STATISTICS, 130 NEW FLATS EVERYDAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND THE PLANS ARE TO BUILD 400,000 MORE BY THE YEAR 2000. SO THERE IS A HUGE ON-GOING PROGRAMME. OR, TAKE EDUCATION, TERTIARY EDUCATION. WHEN I CAME HERE IN 1987 THE NUMBER OF TERTIARY LEVEL PLACES, DEGREE PLACES WAS 5,000. IT’S NOW 10,000, WE’RE GOING UP TO 15,000 IN 1995 AND THAT WILL BE SOMETHING LIKE 18 PERCENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP, THAT’S THE 17 TO 20 AGE GROUP*. SO THAT’S A HUGE IMPROVEMENT.
OR, TAKE ANOTHER ONE, I’M SORRY TO THROW SO MANY STATISTICS AT YOU, BUT I THINK THEY’RE VERY INTERESTING. HEALTH, HOSPITAL BEDS. 1987 - 12,500, 1992 - 22,000 WITH MORE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. OR, TAKE ANOTHER ONE, WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO MY OWN HEART, ENVIRONMENT. 1987 WE WERE SPENDING SOMETHING LIKE $429 MILLION A YEAR ON ENVIRONMENT. THIS YEAR, 1992/92, THAT IS, $2.9 BILLION. FOR 1992/93 - $4.1 BILLION. I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO WOULD SAY THAT’S NOT ENOUGH, THE PROBLEMS ARE HUGE, BUT IT SHOWS HOW MUCH EMPHASIS WE’RE NOW PUTTING ON THAT.
THAT’S JUST AN ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON THE WHOLE TIME. BUT AS ONE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE IN EVERY SENSE, THOSE SORT OF PROGRAMMES ARE ALSO POLITICAL. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE FACT THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE FUTURE, THE ECONOMY IS CRUCIAL TO WHAT HAPPENS HERE AND THERETO IT’S WORTH REMEMBERING THAT HONG KONG DOES NOT BADLY.
/AVERAGE GROWTH .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 4
AVERAGE GROWTH RATE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS IS SOMETHING LIKE 6.4 PERCENT. PER CAPITA GDP DURING THAT TIME HAS GONE UP 16 PERCENT IN REAL TERMS SO THAT NOW WE RATE AS PER CAPITAL GDP AT SOMETHING LIKE US$14,000 AND IT’S WORTH REMEMBERING THAT THAT IS MORE THAN FOUR COUNTRIES IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY. SO IT’S NOT A BAD FIGURE, AND OUR TRADE, PARTICULARLY OUR TRADE WITH CHINA HAS DEVELOPED ENORMOUSLY.
IN THOSE FIVE YEARS, TRADE WITH CHINA HAS GONE UP BY 140 PERCENT. AND THAT’S THE OTHER POINT I WANTED TO TOUCH ON. I’M SORRY, IN A WAY TO FIND YOU’VE HAD SUCH A LARGE DELEGATION GOING UP TO GUANGDONG BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROFIT FROM MY OWN RECENT EXPERIENCE AND SAY I’VE JUST SEEN IT ALL MYSELF, AND HERE ALL AROUND THE ROOM WILL BE TENS OF PEOPLE WHO’VE SEEN IT THEMSELVES.
BUT LET ME JUST SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE I THINK IT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE. LIKE MANY OF YOU, I WAS UP IN GUANGDONG RECENTLY AND I’M SURE, LIKE MANY OF YOU, WAS ENORMOUSLY IMPRESSED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE. HUGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND I WAS STRUCK TOO BY THE INTERLINKING BETWEEN THAT AND HONG KONG. IT WASN’T JUST SEEING FACTORIES WHICH WERE JOINT VENTURES OR BEING MANAGED BY HONG KONG MANAGERS, IT WAS REALISING THAT ALL THE TRANSPORT LINKS, NEARLY ALL THE CONNECTIONS WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD ARE COMING THROUGH HONG KONG. THAT’S WHAT REALLY STRUCK ME. ALSO THE FACT THAT THERE IS A PROVINCE WHICH IS GROWING ENORMOUSLY FAST. THEY HAVE BEEN GROWING MUCH FASTER THAN US. THEIR FIGURE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS OF GROWTH IS 13 PERCENT A YEAR AVERAGE TERMS. BUT OUR INVOLVEMENT THERE, HONG KONG’S INVOLVEMENT IS ENORMOUS AND YOU ALL KNOW THE FIGURES, ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN GUANGDONG COMES FROM HONG KONG OR THROUGH HONG KONG. SOMETHING LIKE THREE MILLION WORKERS WORKING FOR HONG KONG ENTERPRISE, SOMETHING LIKE 19,000 ENTERPRISES IN GUANGDONG DOING PROJECTS FOR HONG KONG.
SO THERE IS AN ENORMOUS INTERCHANGE BETWEEN OURSELVES AND GUANGDONG, AND AS ONE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE, I FIND GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT FROM WHAT IS GOING ON IN GUANGDONG AND OUR OWN ROLE IN IT. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF MAGAZINE NEWSPAPER ARTICLES AROUND THE WORLD ON THIS RECENTLY NOTING THAT GUANGDONG AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS OF THE WORLD NOW, AND RIGHT AT THE CENTER OF THAT IN EVERY SENSE IS HONG KONG. I DO NOTICE THAT EVERY TIME THAT I MOVE MY HANDS EVERYBODY PHOTOGRAPHS. THANK YOU. I SHALL TRY TO DO IT MORE OFTEN.
IT BRINGS ME ON TO MY LAST POINT AND PERHAPS I’LL DO IT LIKE THIS, AND THAT IS, THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP, A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OURSELVES AND CHINA AND HANDLING THAT RIGHT IS GOING TO BE CRUCIAL TO THE WAY IN WHICH WE MANAGE THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. IT’S NOT AN EASY RELATIONSHIP. GOODNESS KNOWS, WE ALL REALISE THAT. TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SYSTEMS, DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, DIFFERENT HISTORIES, A LOT OF SUSPICION THAT HAS GROWN UP OVER THE YEARS, MISTRUST OF WHAT THE OTHER SIDE IS DOING. A TERRIFIC ABILITY, AND IT’S AN ABILITY ON BOTH SIDES LET ME SAY THAT, TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT THE OTHER SIDE DOES IS INFINITELY SUBTLE AND CLEVER AND HAS AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE. NOW I KNOW MY SIDE AND 1 KNOW HOW OFTEN THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE THAT THOSE WHO DEVISE MARVELLOUS CALCULATIONS ABOUT HOW SUBTLE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS, FAIL TO REALISE THAT QUITE OFTEN WE JUST MUDDLE THROUGH AND THAT WE HAVE NOT WORKED THINGS OUT IN A VERY SUBTLE WAY. I SUSPECT, INCIDENTALLY, THAT WHEN WE DO THE SAME TO CHINA WE WORK OUT MARVELLOUS THEORIES ABOUT WHY SUCH AND SUCH A THING WAS DONE AT SUCH AND SUCH A TIME, PROBABLY WE ARE WRONG AS WELL AND THAT THEY HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME SORT OF PROBLEMS THAT WE DO.
ANYHOW, WE.........
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
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ANYHOW, WE HAVE, AND WE JUST HAVE TO WORK WITH THAT SORT OF INHERITED SUSPICION ON BOTH SIDES. WE’VE GOT TO WORK AT IT, WE LIVE NEXT DOOR TO EACH OTHER. IN 1997 SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG IS TRANSFERRED TO CHINA, WE CANNOT AVOID THOSE HISTORICAL FACTS, SO WE HAVE GOT TO WORK WITHIN THAT FRAMEWORK. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS MORE EFFORT GOING INTO BREAKING DOWN THOSE BARRIERS, BREAKING DOWN THE SUSPICIONS. IT MEANS LONG CONCENTRATED PATIENT WORK. IT MEANS PEOPLE TRAVELLING INTO CHINA AS YOUR GROUP DID INTO GUANGDONG BUT FROM THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL, AND I’M GLAD TO SAY WE HAVE HAD LARGE NUMBERS OF GROUPS GOING INTO CHINA.
WE HAD LAST YEAR, FOR INSTANCE, SOMETHING LIKE 145 OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT GROUPS WENT INTO CHINA AND A HUGE NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS GO PRIVATELY INTO CHINA ON HOLIDAY AND A VERY GOOD THING TOO THAT THEY SHOULD. SO WE HAVE GOT TO TRY TO BUILD UP THAT RELATIONSHIP, ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME DOWN HERE FROM CHINA. I’VE SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, SOMETHING LIKE FIVE PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS AND WELCOMED THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OTHER CHINESE LEADERS COMING TO HONG 'KONG, HAVING A CHANCE TO TALK INFORMALLY AND SEE THE PLACE FOR THEMSELVES. WE REALLY HAVE TO WORK VERY HARD AT BUILDING UP THAT RELATIONSHIP FOR THE SAKE OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
WE HAVE A MEETING THIS WEEK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. THEY HAVE AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF WORK STILL TO DO. ALL SORTS OF TREATIES TO BE DEALT WITH, QUITE APART FROM THE SUBJECTS WHICH APPEARED IN THE NEWSPAPERS WHICH EACH OF THEM HAS IT’S OWN PARTICULAR PROBLEMS.
THE JLG NEEDS TO GET ON WITH THE WORK THAT’S BEFORE IT AND GET A LARGE BODY OF THOSE TREATIES AND THINGS WHICH HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE 1997, GET THEM SORTED OUT SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE SITUATION WILL BE IN 1997.
ALL OF THAT REQUIRES PATIENT LONG-TERM EFFORT ON BOTH SIDES AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, AND AS A CONCLUDING POINT, IS THAT FROM OUR SIDE, THAT IS, FROM THE SIDE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, WE’RE DETERMINED TO TRY TO DO THAT. OUR OBJECTIVE IS QUITE A . SIMPLE ONE. WE WANT TO WORK WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. IT IS THERE, THAT IS THE HISTORICAL TRUTH. WE WANT TO WORK WITHIN THAT FRAMEWORK TO GIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE TO THE FUTURE SAR OF SUCCEEDING, SO WE WANT POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS THAT SURVIVE, IN OTHER WORDS WE WANT STABILITY. WE WANT THE ECONOMY TO DO WELL, IN OTHER WORDS, WE WANT PROSPERITY AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DETERMINED TO WORK AT. THANK YOU.
MODERATOR: MAYBE I START THE QUESTION SESSION WITH ASKING THE GOVERNOR HAS HE INVESTED SOME OF HIS MONEY IN THE STOCK MARKET HERE IN HR WHILE HE WAS HERE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND MADE GOOD USE OF HIS SALARY AND THEN THE FLOOR IS OPEN PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND WAIT FOR THE MICROPHONE.
GOVERNOR: ALRIGHT I’LL ANSWER YOUR FIRST QUESTION. IF YOU LOOK IN, I CAN’T REMEMBER WHICH IT IS, THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS OR THE LETTERS PATENT, THAT IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR HONG KONG, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT ALLOWED TO PURCHASE LAND IN HONG KONG AND THAT IS BECAUSE APPARENTLY ONE VERY EARLY GOVERNOR TRIED TO DO THAT WHEN THE PRICES WERE LOW. SO I HAVE A SELF-DENYING ORDINANCE PERSONALLY THAT, AS A RESULT OF THAT SORT OF THING, I SHOULDN’T PERSONALLY INVEST IN THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET. I GREATLY REGRET IT. I WOULD HAVE DONE VERY WELL IF I HAD.
/QUESTION: .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
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QUESTION: SIR, ARE YOU SURPRISED HOW MUCH INTEREST THE
MAINLAND GOVERNMENT IS SHOWING IN THE HIVING OFF OF RTHK, AND SECONDLY, ARE YOU SURPRISED HOW UNHAPPY THE MAJORITY OF THEIR STAFF APPEAR TO BE AT THE MOMENT?
GOVERNOR: I CAN’T ANSWER FOR THE SECOND POINT AT ALU, HOW HAPPY
OR UNHAPP' RTHK ARE. THEY ALWAYS SOUND VERY HAPPY WHEN I’M LISTENING TO THEM IN THE MORNING. BUT THE INTERESTS OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, I AM, [ THINK, SLIGHTLY SURPRISED AT THE, PUT IT LIKE THIS, THE AMOUNT OF CONCERN, NOT THE INTEREST, I MEAN, AFTER ALL WE BRIEFED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WAS RIGHT TO BRIEF THEM AND WE WILL INDEED LISTEN TO WHAT VIEWS THEY’VE GOT, AND I EXPECT THAT’S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WILL COME UP AT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP THIS WEEK. BUT THERE DOES SEEM TO BE A DEGREE OF CONCERN ABOUT IT AND POSSIBLY ALSO MISUNDERSTANDING WHICH I HADN’T REALLY ANTICIPATED. WHAT’S HAPPENING. AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW, IS AN IDEA OF CORPORATISING RTHK, IT’S NOT BECOMING INDEPENDENT IN THE SENSE THAT SOME OF THE NEWSPAPERS SAY. IT IS NOT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT AT THE MOMENT, IN THE WAY THAI SOME NEWSPAPERS APPARENTLY BELIEVE. I FIND IT ACTUALLY VERY STRANGE TO THINK THAT ANYBODY BELIEVES RTHK IS UNDER THE EDITORIAL CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH IMMENSE CONVOLUTIONS TO EXPLAIN QUITE A LOT OF THEIR CRITICAL COMMENT ON THE GOVERNMENT. YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A WONDERFUL CONSPIRACY THEORY ABOUT ONE HALF OF THE GOVERNMENT HARD AT WORK CRITICISING THE OTHER HALF. IT’S A MUCH EASIER THEORY TO BELIEVE THE TRUTH, WHICH IS THAT RTHK HAS EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE. NOW WE’VE STILL GOT A LOT OF TALKING TO DO ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, SO I CAN’T SAY AT THIS STAGE EXACTLY WHERE WE WILL GET TO, BUT I CAN SAY THAT THE IDEA WAS TO RETAIN THAT EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE WHICH IT ALREADY HAS AND TO FIND WAYS OF RUNNING RTHK WHICH ARE MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN THEY ARE AT THE MOMENT.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, YOUR WIFE HAS BEEN GRACIOUSLY REMINDING ME THAT WE SHOULD GIVE MORE ATTENTION TO HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS, AND ALL THESE THAT YOU GIVE TODAY IS IMPRESSIVE AND DESERVES CONGRATULATIONS AND IT SPEAKS WELL FOR BRITISH RULE. THE QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU IS, DO YOU THINK THINGS WOULD HAVE GONE THIS WELL IF YOU HAD ENTRUSTED GREATER RESPONSIBILITY DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THEMSELVES. FOR EXAMPLE, HAD YOU ALLOWED ELECTORAL LEGISLATURE SAY BACK IN 1988?
GOVERNOR: YOU QUOTE WHAT WAS SAYING WE’VE SAID AT LUNCH, AND WITHOUT BEING UNFAIR I’LL QUOTE A BIT OF A CONVERSATION BEFORE LUNCH. WE WERE TALKING TO SOME PEOPLE ABOUT CRICKET AND SAYING THAT CRICKET WAS A PECULIARLY ENGLISH PASTIME, NOT EVEN A SCOTTISH PASTIME, YOU HAVE JUST BOWLED WHAT IN CRICKETING TERMS WOULD BE CALLED A ’GOOGLY’, BECAUSE IT’S A BALL THAT WEAVES AROUND AND IS RATHER DIFFICULT TO ACTUALLY KNOW WHERE TO HIT. LET ME SAY THIS ON IT, RATHER THAN A ’YES/NO’ ANSWER BECAUSE CLEARLY NEITHER A ’YES’ OR ’NO’ ANSWER IS CORRECT FOR THAT SORT OF QUESTION. WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO DO IS EVOLVE A POLITICAL STRUCTURE HERE WHICH FITS HONG KONG’S HISTORY, WHICH FITS ITS SOCIETY AT THE MOMENT AND WHICH FITS WITHIN WHAT IS LAID DOWN FOR THF FUTURE, AND THAT IS A VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS, IT’S GOT TO BE, IF WE ARE TO RETAIN STABILITY, A SLOW AND GRADUAL PROCESS. THAT I THINK IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH, AND I THINK WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH IT, CONSIDERING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHANGES, VERY WELL, AND THE MARK OF THAT IS THE FACT THAT HONG KONG, AS YOU SAY QUITE RIGHTLY, OVER THESE LAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN DOING SO SUCCESSFULLY.
/QUESTION:
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 7 -
QUESTION: IF I MAY FOLLOW UP ON CLAUDIA’S QUESTION: I’VE BEEN INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW ABOUT THE WAY YOU HANDLED THE GREEN PAPER OF 1987 ON POLITICAL REFORMS - WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE DIRECT-ELECTIONS IN 1988? BECAUSE AS YOU MAY KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG FELT AT THAT TIME THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS MANIPULATING PUBLIC OPINION AND THAT THE SURVEYS WERE GAUGED IN SI CH A WAY AS TO ELICIT A PARTICULAR RESPONSE.
GOVERNOR: I FEEL, ON THAT, THAT THE 1987-88 EXERCISE, THAT THAT DID COME UP WITH THE RIGHT ANSWER AT THAT TIME. AND AS I SEE IT, THERE WAS QUITE A SHIFT OF OPINION AFTER. THAT, AND IT WAS THEREFORE RIGHT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND TO THAT SHIFT OF OPINION AFTERWARDS AND MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. AND AS YOU KNOW - AS EVERYBODY KNOWS - WE MADE A SIGNIFICANT ADJUSTMENT UPWARDS IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS. I DON’T FEEL THAT 1987-88, AS YOU WOULD PUT IT, WAS AN ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE PUBLIC OPINION, IT WAS A VERY SERIOUS ATTEMPT TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT PUBLIC OPINION WAS. THE WHOLE TIME, AND THIS IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS. BUT GIVEN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WE’VE GOT, WE HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO ASSESS, AS BEST WE CAN, WHAT GENUINE OPINION IS - RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD. AND IT IS NOT EASY BECAUSE ON ANY ISSUE, AND PARTICULARLY SOMETHING, I THINK, LIKE DEMOCRACY AND DIRECT ELECTIONS, YOU GET VERY VOCIFEROUS GROUPS AT EACH END OF THE SPECTRUM, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TRY TO ASSESS WHAT ARE THE OPINIONS OF THOSE WHO OFTEN DON’T EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS, AND THAT IS NOT AN EASY TASK. BUT FOR MY PART, I THINK THAT 87-88 WAS A SENSIBLE ANSWER AT THAT TIME, BUT ALSO THAT IT WAS RIGHT TO MAKE THE LATER ADJUSTMENT, AS WE DID.
QUESTION: CHINA AND BRITAIN HAVE BOTH RATIFIED ’CEDAW” - ’THE CONVENTION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN’ - WHAT IS YOUR ASSURANCES YOU GIVE WOMEN, THAT THE POLITICAL WILL EXISTS TO THE EXTENSION OF ’CEDAW’ TO HONG KONG, AND THAT THE APPROPRIATE MACHINERY, SAY A COMMISSION FOR. WOMEN, WOULD BE SET UP UNDER AN INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION?
GOVERNOR: WERE YOU NOT THE PERSON WHO FLOORED ME LAST YEAR? AND
WERE YOU NOT THEN A CORRESPONDENT - FROM LIVERPOOL?
QUESTION: WELL I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE TOO LONG IF I RECITED ALL
THE LIVERPOOL DATA.
GOVERNOR: THAT’S RIGHT, YES, I THOUGHT SO. WE HAVE GOT A GROUP WHICH IS WORKING ON THIS. THE FIRST THING IS TO LOOK AT WHAT FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION THERE ARE NOW, AND THEN WHAT IS RIGHT IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG ABOUT CHANGING THAT SITUATION - SHOULD WE SIMPLY RATIFY ’CEDAW’ OR SHOULD WE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT? ALL 1 CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THAT WORKING GROUP - AND IT IS A WORKING GROUP INSIDE THE GOVERNMENT - IS THERE, IS OPERATING, FIRST OF ALL TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHAT FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION, WHERE THEY ARE, AND THEN WHAT SORT OF MEASURES MIGHT BE TAKEN TO DEAL WITH IT.
QUESTION: LORD WILSON, THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN TOLD A GROUP OF VISITING JOURNALISTS LAST WEEK THAT DISCUSSIONS ARE GOING ON BETWEEN THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON LIBERALISING CUSTOMS CONTROLS AT THE BORDER. COULD YOU TELL US WHAT IS IN THE WORKS? AND DO YOU ENVISAGE A SITUATION, AFTER 1997, WHERE THE LO WU BORDER WILL COME CRUMBLING DOWN LIKE THE BERLIN WALL?
/GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 8 -
GOVERNOR: I THINK PROBABLY WHAT THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN MUST HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WAS THINGS LIKE OPENING HOURS AT THE BORDER - IT’S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT WHEN I WAS THERE - NOT, ON OUR SIDE ANYHOW, ABOUT LIBERALISING CUSTOMS MEASURES. I CAN MAKE A GENERAL POINT ON THAT, AND I THINK IT GETS ON TO YOUR LAST POINT AS WELL, AND THAT IS, WE HAVE GOT TO KEEP SOME SORT OF CHECKS ON THE BORDER, PARTICULARLY AT THE MOMENT. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE ARE DEALING WITH IS A LOT OF SMUGGLING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. SMUGGLING OF HONG KONG GOODS INTO CHINA, SMUGGLING BACK OF THINGS LIKE WEAPONS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. SO WE HAVE GOT TO KEEP ADEQUATE CHECKS AND IN LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE CUSTOMS REGIMES, WHICH ARE NOT ONEROUS ON OUR SIDE AFTERALL, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE’VE STILL GOT THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THOSE CHECKS. POST-1997, I THINK THOSE HUNGS ALSO APPLY. BUT POST-1997, AFTER ALL, HONG KONG WILL BE ITS OWN CUSTOMS AREA -THAT’S ONE OF THE THINGS LAID DOWN IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. SO THERE MUST BE A CUSTOMS BARRIER BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE, UNLESS FOR ANY REASON, THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE BECAME A COMPLETELY FREE TRADE AREA. BUT OTHERWISE, THERE MUST BE A CUSTOMS BORDER BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE. SO WHAT WE IN GENERAL, AS I SEE IT, WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TRY TO FACILITATE TRAVEL BETWEEN HERE AND THE MAINLAND OF CHINA, TRY TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS, BUT STILL MAINTAIN THE CHECKS WHICH WE NEED. NOW JUST GOING ON A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, SPEEDING UP THE WHOLE PROCESS, ONE OF THE THINGS 1 DISCUSSED WITH THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN WAS THE USE OF THE VARIOUS BORDER CROSSING-POINTS. AT THE MOMENT, MAN KAM TO IS DESPERATELY OVERCROWDED - WELL OVER 10,000, 11,000 VEHICLES A DAY; LOK MA CHAU IS UNDER-USED AND WE HAVE SUPERB FACILITIES THERE WHICH COULD BE USED MORE THAN THEY ARE AT THE MOMENT; SHA TAU KOK, FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH, IS UNDER-USED BUT THEN THAT IS A LONG TREK ROUND; AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS SUGGESTING TO THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN WAS THAT WE REALLY MUST TRY TO MAKE EFFORTS TO GET SOME OF THE TRAFFIC NOW GOING ACROSS AT MAN KAM TO, TO MOVE TO LOK MA CHAU, SO WE SPEED UP THE WHOLE PROCESS.
QUESTION: WE ARE FAST GETTING TO THE POSITION IN HONG KONG WHERE THE STRONGEST POLITICAL PARTY IS THE UNITED DEMOCRATS AND YET BEIJING REFUSES TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT POLITICAL PARTY. DO YOU THINK THAT BODES RATHER ILL FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE?
GOVERNOR: SOMETHING WHICH I HAVE TALKED TO CHINESE LEADERS ABOUT, AND I KNOW OTHERS HAVE AS WELL, IS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO HAVE GREATER CONTACT WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THAT APPLIES TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THERE ARE, AS WE ALL KNOW, INHIBITIONS AT THE MOMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE OVERCOME BECAUSE ALL THOSE PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICHEVER PARTY, WHICHEVER GROUP THEY COME FROM, THEY ALL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ROLE TO PLAY NOW IN HONG KONG, AND WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHINA TAKING A MORE FORWARD LOOKING APPROACH TO DEALING DIRECTLY WITH THOSE PEOPLE AND INDEED WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, AND I HOPE THAT GRADUALLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO PERSUADE PEOPLE IN CHINA THAT THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
/QUESTION: .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
9
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, EARLIER YOU SAID YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE VISITS BY MORE SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS TO HONG KONG. CAN YOU TELL US IF YOU’VE EXTENDED THAT INVITATION TO ANY OF THE TOP OFFICIALS IN BEIJING, OR IF YOU INTEND TO DO SO IN FUTURE? IF SO, TO WHOM?
GOVERNOR: IT’S A GENERAL POINT. IN SAYING THAT I DON’T MEAN, NOR WOULD I EXPECT, THE VERY TOP, TOP, TOP, BECAUSE I THINK THAT’S QUITE DIFFICULT FOR THEM AND I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT I THINK THAT MR DENG XIAOPING SHOULD PAY A VISIT HERE, I THINK THAT WOULD BE QUITE DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO DO. WHAT I AM THINKING OF IS PEOPLE MORE AT THE VICE-PREMIER LEVEL, OR PEOPLE IN VARIOUS MINISTRIES WHO HAVE SOME SORT OF DEALINGS WITH HONG KONG AT A SENIOR LEVEL: MINISTERS, VICE-MINISTERS. WE HAVE, OVER THE YEARS, HAD A NUMBER OF THOSE PEOPLE COMING HERE, WE’VE HAD VICE-PREMIERS COMING HERE, WE’VE HAD MR ZHU RONGJI WHEN HE WAS MAYOR OF SHANGHAI, WE’VE HAD VICE-PREMIER TIAN JI YUN, WE’VE HAD OTHERS. THOSE ARE THE SORT OF PEOPLE I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE TO COME HERE AND SEE THINGS FOR THEMSELVES BUT ALSO HAVE THE SORT OF INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS THAT ONE COULD HAVE IF PEOPLE CAME HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS, SO THAT IT WAS NO SPECIAL EVENT FOR A RELATIVELY SENIOR CHINESE LEADER TO COME HERE, THAT IT WOULDN’T SPLASH ITSELF OVER THE HEADLINES - PEOPLE WOULD FEEL THAT THAT WAS PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE - I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT ADVANTAGE. AND THE POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THOSE PEOPLE COME, YES, I HAVE BEEN MAKING THAT POINT TO THE CHINESE.
QUESTION: ZHOU NAN HAD A REACTION TO WHAT HE HOPES WOULD BE THE OUTCOME OF JLG’S LIBERATIONS ON RTHK AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD HOPE THE OUTCOME WOULD BE, AND SECONDLY, THE UD WILL BE MEETING WITH YOU TOMORROW TO ASK YOUR CONSENT TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET. WILL YOU GIVE THAT CONSENT AND DO YOU THINK THAT IF LEGCO VOTED DOWN THE BUDGET, THAT IT WOULD BE SFEN AS THE LFGISLATURE URSURP1NG THE POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE, AND THIRDLY, LAST ONE, ONE OF BEJING’S ADVISORS ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS SAID RECENTLY THAT HE BELIFVE THAT CHINA SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO AUDIT HONG KONG’S BOOKS BEFORE 1997. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THAT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
10
GOVERNOR: IN THE DAYS WHEN I USED TO ACTUALLY SIT IN AS PRESIDENT
OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I USED TO SAY TO PEOPLE WOULD THEY PLEASE ASK SIMPLE SINGLE QUESTIONS AND NOT DOUBLE-BARRELLED OR TRIPLEBARRELLED. I’LL TRY TO DEAL WITH ALL THOSE. I HAVEN’T ACTUALLY READ THROUGH THE REMARKS BY MR ZHOU NAN ON THE OUTCOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS ON RTHK. MY WISH WOULD BE A VERY SIMPLE CNE, AND THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE AN OVERLY BRIEF ANSWER. IT IS SIMPLY THAT THERE WOULD BE BETTER UNDERSTANDING AS A RESULT OF WHAT OUR INTENTIONS ARE, AND THAT’S THE OBJECTIVE OF IT. YOUR SECOND, UDHK, YES I HAVE GOT A MEETING WITH SOME OF UDHK TOMORROW. I DON’T KNOW WHAT SUGGESTIONS THEY ARE GOING ,a TO MAKE TO ME, EXCEPT FROM LISTENING TO THE MEDIA, AND SO 1 WOULDN’T ANSWER THEM BEFORE THEY HAVE MADE ANY PROPOSALS TO ME. BUT THE ONE SORT OF GENERAL POINT I WOULD MAKE ABOUT THE BUDGET AND AMENDING THE BUDGET, OR MOTIONS TO AMEND THE BUDGET, UNDER THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IF THERE IS ANY AMENDMENT WHICH COSTS MONEY TO THE PUBLIC PURSE, SO IT REMOVES MONEY FROM THE PUBLIC PURSE, THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR PERSONALLY. IN OTHER WORDS IT IS SOMETHING WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL INDEED AND WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SPECIAL REASONS. NOW I WON’T GIVE AN ANSWER TO WHATEVER THEY ASK ME UNTIL THEY HAVE ACTUALLY ASKED ME, BUT THAT’S A GENERAL POINT I THINK WORTH MAKING. YOUR OTHER POINT WAS AUDITING THE ACCOUNTS. HONG KONG HAS FINANCIAL AUTONOMY AT THE MOMENT, IT’S A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE STRUCTURE OF HONG KONG. WE RUN OUR OWN FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS. THERE IS NO AUDITING FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, THERE IS NO
NEED AND THERE IS NO CONSULTATION WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM ON SOMETHING LIKE PREPARING A BUDGET, FOR INSTANCE. HONG KONG SAR, AFTER 1997, LOOKS AFTER ITS OWN FINANCES AND ECONOMY, A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. I THINK BOTH OF THOSE THINGS SHOW THAT AUTONOMY AND FINANCIAL MATTERS FOR HONG KONG IS CRUCIAL AND THAT I DON’T THINK MEANS THAT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE AUDITORS COMING IN TO LOOK AT THE BOOKS. THE BOOKS ARE TO BE LOOKED AT BY HONG KONG.
|i
QUESTION: LORD WILSON, FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO ADDRESS THE
QUESTION ABOUT TEXTILES. YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU WELCOME THE SORT OF VICE-MINISTER TO VISIT HONG KONG. I REMEMBER A FEW YEARS AGO THE VICE-MINISTER OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY WHEN HE CAME HERE HE HAD DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING A VISA AND THE HONG KONG SECTION OF THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE HAS TO SPONSOR HIS VISIT HERE AND WE EXERT A LOT OF EFFORT IN OBTAINING A VISA TO ENABLE HIM TO COME TO VISIT HONG KONG. THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS A VERY IMPORTANT SECTOR AND THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO REGIONS IS VERY IMPORTANT ON THIS ISSUE. CAN YOU TELL ME WHY IT WAS SO DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN A VISA FOR HIM. SECONDLY, YOU HAVE KINDLY ADDRESSED US ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS HONG KONG HAD MADE DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS UNDER YOUR GOVERNORSHIP. NOW, CAN YOU LIST SOME OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS HONG KONG SHOULD ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
GOVERNOR: THOSE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT QUESTIONS. I’LL TRY. ON
THE FIRST ONE, AND I SAID, I NCI DENT IALLY, I’D WELCOME MINISTERS AS WELL AS VICE-MINISTERS, AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE MINISTERS DEALING WITH TEXTILES. I DON’T KNOW WHY ANY VICE-MINISTER SHOULD HAVE A PROBLEM GETTING A VISA HERE. CAN I JUST ASK YOU IN RETURN WHEN THIS WAS, HOW MANY YEAR’S AGO?
QUESTION: ABOUT FOUR YEARS.
/GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
GOVERNOR: ABOUT FOUR YEARS’ AGO. I’M VERY SURPRISED. IF YOU EVER HAVE A CASE LIKE THAT OF SOMEBODY WHO IS INTENDING TO VISIT HONG KONG, A SENIOR PERSON AND THERE IS ANY DIFFICULTY, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME PERSONALLY AND I WILL DEAL WITH IT. I’M VERY SURPRISED TO HEAR IT. WE WOULD WELCOME VISITS BY PEOPLE LIKE THAT, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO TALK ABOUT. YOUR OTHER QUESTION WAS THAT MARVELOUS BROAD BROAD ONE OF WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, I DON’T THINK I’LL EVEN ATTEMPT THAT. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT I WOULD BE KEEPING YOU HERE UNTIL TEA TIME, BUT JUST VERY VERY BRIEFLY, IT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GO ON BEING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY, THAT’S ONE THING, MAKE SURE THAT WE BUILD UP A SENSIBLE, CONSTRUCTIVE, PRAGMATIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, THAT’S ANOTHER THING, AND THIRDLY, THAT WE TRY TO BUILD UP INSTITUTIONS HERE OF ALL SORTS WHICH WILL SURVIVE THROUGH 1997. THOSE ARE THREE, I KNOW, VERY BROAD BRUSH ONES, BUT AT THE EXPENSE OF TRYING TO DO IT BRIEFLY, THOSE ARE THE THREE THINGS I WOULD LEAVE YOU WITH.
QUESTION: WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT A CHANGE OF GOVERNOR WAS NECESSARY, AND DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT JUDGMENT?
GOVERNOR: I CAN’T SEE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU GOT LOST AMONGST ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHERS. I CAN’T REALLY ANSWER IT PRECISELY AS YOU’VE PUT IT, BUT LET ME PUT IT LIKE THIS INSTEAD. THERE HAS TO BE A CHANGE AT SOME TIME. 1 DON’T THINK IT MAKES SENSE FOR SOMEONE TO GO ON BEING GOVERNOR FOR 10 YEARS OR MORE WHICH WOULD BE A CASE IF I WENT STRAIGHT THROUGH FROM APRIL 1987 RIGHT THROUGH TO 1997, SO THERE HAS TO BE A CHANGE AT SOME POINT. THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING A CHANGE NOW DURING 1992 MEANS THAT A NEW PERSON, WHEN THEY COME IN WILL HAVE TIME TO SETTLE IN, PEOPLE WILL GET TO KNOW THEM, THEY WILL GET TO KNOW THE PLACE, GET WELL ESTABLISHED, SIGNIFICANTLY IN ADVANCE OF THE LAST TWO YEARS OR SO, AND THERE IS A GREAT ADVANTAGE TO THAT. FOR MYSELF, WHAT DO I SAY. SIMPLY THAT I SHALL BE SAD TO LEAVE HONG KONG WHEN THE TIME COMES. I HAVE DEVOTED A LOT OF MY LIFE, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO HONG KONG, IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO ME THIS PLACE, ITS PEOPLE AND ITS FUTURE, SO I SHALL BE SAD WHEN THE TIME COMES TO GO, BUT THAT TIME ALWAYS HAS TO COME AT SOME POINT AND I TAKE COMFORT FROM THE FACT THAT I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO GO ON PLAYING, I HOPE, A HELPFUL AND SUPPORTIVE ROLE FROM THE HOUSE OF LORDS, AND YOU CAN BE SURE OF ONE THING, AND THAT IS, I SHALL NOT LOSE INTEREST IN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG.
QUESTION: I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU, GOVERNOR. (1) CAN YOU FRANKLY SEE A ROLE FOR VOCAL AND POPULAR FIGURES EMILY LAU, MARTIN LEE AND SZETO WAH - BEING APPOINTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE REMAINING OF THE TRANSITION YEARS? AND SECONDLY, WHAT KIND OR ARRANGEMENTS DO HONG KONG AND BRITAIN HAVE IN HELPING CHINA TO GROOM THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE FIRST SAR GOVERNMENT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 12 -
GOVERNOR: THANK YOU. 1 WOULD PREFER NOT TO DEAL WITH THINGS IN TERMS OF PERSONALITIES, IF YOU DON’T MIND, PARTICULARLY WHEN AT LEAST ONE OF THEM MUST BE A MEMBER OF THIS FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB. I JUST MAKE THE GENERAL POINT THAT IN LOOKING FOR PEOPLE FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ONE HAS TO LOOK ALSO AT THE WAY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL RUNS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I HAD TO GIVE A LOT OF THOUGHT TO LAST OCTOBER-NOVEMBER - AND HOW CAN I PUT IT? - IT’S NOT QUITE THE RULES BUT THE CUSTOMS UNDER WHICH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OPERATES. THAT IS THAT EVERYTHING THAT IS DISCUSSED THERE IS CONFIDENTIAL AND THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNCIL AGREE THAT THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DISCUSSED THEY WILL COLLECTIVELY BACK. AND THOSE RULES OR THOSE TRADITIONS ARE AT THE MOMENT DIFFICULT FOR SOME PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ONE DOESN’T KNOW WHETHER THAT WILL GO ON BEING THE CASE AND WE MUST ALWAYS BE LOOKING AT WAYS IN WHICH WE EVOLVE AND DEVELOP OUR SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THAT IT RUNS THE BEST IT CAN. THE BROADER ONE, GROOMING PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE, I DON’T THINK THERE IS JOINT GROOMING GOING ON AT ALL. WHAT WE’VE GOT TO LOOK AT FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW IS TRYING TO MAKE SURE, AND THIS PROBABLY COMES NEARER 1997, THAT THERE IS AS MUCH CONTINUITY THROUGH 1997 AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT APPLIES PARTICULARLY TO THE CIVIL SERVICE. I THINK THAT ON THE CHINESE SIDE THEY ARE ALSO CONSCIOUS OF THAT FACT. WE HAVE, IF I COULD SAY IT, ONE OR TWO CIVIL SERVANTS AROUND - WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CIVIL SERVICE. THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO DEALING WITH HONG KONG, THEY KNOW THE PLACE, THEY KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM OPERATES. WE MUST TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE CONTINUITY IN THE JOBS THAT THEY’LL GET INTO BEFORE 1997 - THAT WILL MATTER FOR THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG. BUT THE PROCESS OF SELECTING LEADERS WILL BE A DIFFERENT ONE. THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, FOR INSTANCE, THAT IS LAID DOWN IN THE ANNEXES, ISN’T IT, TO THE BASIC LAW, SO IT IS NOT REALLY A QUESTION OF JOINT GROOMING. AND PERSONALLY, AND THIS IS JUST A PERSONAL VIEW, I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE AT THIS STAGE TO IDENTIFY WHO THOSE TOP LEADERS OF THE HONG KONG SAR WILL BE. I SEE A GREAT DEAL OF SPECULATION AROUND THE PLACE. I DON’T THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO SPECULATE ACCURATELY ON WHO ACTUALLY WILL SHOW UP AS BEING THE RIGHT SORT OF LEADERS AS LONG BEFORE 1997 AS WE ARE NOW.
QUESTION: LORD WILSON, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IS EXPRESSING INCREASING INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE. LAST YEAR THE CONSUL-GENERAL GAVE A SPEECH ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING A SPECIAL ACT ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE. HOW DO YOU PERCEIVE THIS INCREASING INTEREST? DO YOU VIEW THIS AS MEDDLING OR DO YOU VIEW THIS AS SUPPORTIVE ACTION FROM A LONG-TIME ALLY?
/GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 13 -
GOVERNOR: RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING, AS IT WERE, FROM THE JOINTDECLARATION 1984, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. I THINK THAT IS A VERY GOOD THING, I WELCOME THAT, I WELCOME THAT CONTINUING INTEREST. THERE IS ALSO A CONSIDERABLE UNITED STATES ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENT HERE I THINK IT IS AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR ONLY, THERE ARE MORE AMERICAN. CITIZENS HERE THAN THERE ARE UK CITIZENS. I’M TOLD IT DEPENDS SLIGHTLY ON THE SORT OF HOLIDAY PATTERNS, BUT IT SHOWS YOU JUST WHAT A LARGE AMERICAN PRESENCE THERE IS AND THERE IS A VERY BIG BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT. WE HAVE CLOSE ECONOMIC LINKS WITH THE UNITED STATES. I WELCOME THOSE TWO. MY OWN CONCEPT OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IS THAT IT HAS TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CENTRE, INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE, INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE; THAT IS THE WAY IT IS GOING TO SURVIVE, BE PROSPEROUS, BE VALUABLE TO CHINA. SO FOR ALL OF THOSE REASONS, I WELCOME THE INVOLVEMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. BUT IT IS ESSENTIALLY THIS: AT ONE LEVEL IT IS BROAD SUPPORT BY THE US GOVERNMENT, WHICH THERE HAS BEEN, FOR THE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION; AT THE NEXT LEVEL, THERE IS THE QUESTION OF THE ECONOMY AND IT IS ESSENTIALLY AN ECONOMIC MATTER - INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG THAT MATTERS. AND THERE ARE OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW, VERY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES, PART ECONOMIC, PART POLITICAL, WHERE THE UNITED STATES CAN PLAY A ROLE WHICH IS EITHER VERY HELPFUL TO HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA, OR WHICH IS NOT HELPFUL. MFN STATUS FOR CHINA IS ONE OF THOSE, THAT AFFECTS US ENORMOUSLY, THE DECISIONS TAKEN IN CONGRESS AND BY THE PRESIDENT, AND IT AFFECTS SOUTHERN CHINA - AND MOST OF CHINA -BUT PARTICULARLY THE SOUTHERN DEVELOPING COASTAL PROVINCES VERY . MUCH TOO. THERE AGAIN, I MEAN I MIGHT SAY THAT I WELCOME THE ATTITUDE WHICH HAS BEEN TAKEN BY MR BUSH, THE US PRESIDENT, IT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO THINGS THAT MATTER ENORMOUSLY TO THIS PLACE AND ITS FUTURE.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, IF 1 COULD FOLLOW UP ON A PREVIOUS QUESTION. YOU JUST SAID THAT CHINESE LEADERS WERE WELCOME IN HONG KONG, WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT ON THE OTHER HAND FOR LEADERS FROM OTHER PLACES, INCLUDING EASTERN EUROPE, MONGOLIA AND TAIWAN, TO COME TO HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK IT IS VERY DIFFICULT. I MEAN TAKE THE WORLD, IF I MIGHT - THAT SOUNDS A MODEST STATEMENT. WE HAVE A HUGE NUMBER OF LEADERS WHO COME HERE - AN AWFUL LOT OF THEM COME INTO MY OFFICE. WE HAVE A TRADITION IN HONG KONG - I’VE EMPHASISED THIS TO FUTURE VISITORS - NOBODY HAS TO PAY A COURTESY CALL ON THE GOVERNOR BUT IF THEY HAVE GOT BUSINESS THEY WANT TO DISCUSS, MY DOOR IS OPEN. AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD OPEN THAT DOOR AND COME AND TALK ABOUT REAL ISSUES. EASTERN EUROPE - WE HAVE BEEN LIBERALISING STEADILY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND THAT IS A PROCESS WHICH WILL GO ON. I DON’T THINK, NOW, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE TO COME HERE FROM EASTERN EUROPE OR THE SOVIET UNION, PROVIDING THEY HAVE A STRAIGHTFORWARD BACKGROUND, IF I MIGHT PUT IT LIKE THAT. YOU CRITICISED SOMEWHERE ELSE, I THINK, NOT JUST EASTERN EUROPE, YOU MENTIONED - MONGOLIA? MONGOLIA - NO PARTICULAR PROBLEM. WE HAD SOME VISITORS FROM MONGOLIA THE OTHER DAY HERE. TAIWAN - NO PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND THERE ARE TENS OR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WHO COME A YEAR. I THINK WE HAVE A MILLION VISITORS A YEAR FROM TAIWAN. PEOPLE WHO ARE POLITICAL LEADERS IN TAIWAN, OF THE KUOMINTANG, THAT IS A PROBLEM, OR PEOPLE WHO COME HERE AS PART OF A POLITICAL OBJECTIVE, BECAUSE WE KEEP HONG KONG NEUTRAL IN DISPUTES BETWEEN TAIWAN AND THE MAINLAND OF CHINA. I THINK THAT IS A VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD THING WHICH IS WELL UNDERSTOOD.
MODERATOR:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
/14........
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 14 -
REPORT ON OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIONS IN HK PUBLISHED
******
OVERSEAS COMPANIES HAVE ESTABLISHED 880 REGIONAL REPRESENTATIONS IN HONG KONG, ACCORDING TO A' RECENT SURVEY BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THESE INCLUDE 602 REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND 278 REGIONAL OFFICES, WHICH WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE 1991 SURVEY OF REGIONAL REPRESENTATION BY OVERSEAS COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS WAS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF SURVEYS BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TO STUDY REGIONAL REPRESENTATIONS BY OVERSEAS COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
IN THE LAST SURVEY, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED IN 1990, A TOTAL OF 572 REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES WERE IDENTIFIED TN HONG KONG.
MR BARMA EMPHASISED, HOWEVER, THAT THE RESULTS OF THE TWO SURVEYS COULD NOT BE DIRECTLY COMPARED SINCE THE DEFINITION OF REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS HAS BEEN REVISED FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED CONCERNING THE SURVEY IN 1990.
"MOREOVER, THE SCOPE OF THE 1991 SURVEY HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO COVER REGIONAL OFFICES, WHICH ARE ALSO A VERY COMMON FORM OF OVERSEAS REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID HONG KONG HAD LONG BEEN AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL CENTRE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
"ITS CENTRAL LOCATION AND EXCELLENT EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS HAVE MADE HONG KONG ATTRACTIVE TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES NOT ONLY FOR BUSINESS, BUT ALSO AS A CONVENIENT BASE FROM WHICH TO SUPERVISE OTHER OFFICES IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
"WITH THE SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION IN RECENT YEARS, HONG KONG’S REGIONAL ROLE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT BETWEEN 1980 AND 1984 AN AVERAGE OF 21 NEW REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS HAD BEEN OPENED EACH YEAR.
"FROM 1985 TO 1990 THE AVERAGE NUMBER INCREASED TO 53. IN THE WHOLE OF 1990 AND THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1991, A TOTAL OF 58 AND 26 NEW REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS WERE SET UP RESPECTIVELY,” HE SAID.
"ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, AT LEAST 61 MORE COMPANIES WERE PLANNING TO SET UP REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN HONG KONG : HALF OF THESE INTENDED TO DO SO IN 1991 OR 1992,” HE ADDED.
MR BARMA SAID 61 OF THE RESPONDING COMPANIES INDICATED THAT THEY HAD MOVED THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AWAY FROM HONG KONG SINCE 1980 .
/OF THESE, ........
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 15 -
OF THESE, 18 HAD DECIDED, FOR CORPORATE REASONS, TO DOWNGRADE THEIR REPRESENTATION AND TO MANAGE THEIR AFFAIRS IN THE REGION FROM THEIR MAIN HEADQUARTERS.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN HONG KONG, WITH 258 COMPANIES, FOLLOWED BY THE UK (75 COMPANIES) AND JAPAN (44 COMPANIES).
THE MAJOR LINES OF BUSINESS OF THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS INCLUDE WHOLESALE, RETAIL, AND IMPORT AND EXPORT ACTIVITIES, FOLLOWED BY REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES, MANUFACTURING AND FINANCE AND BANKING.
WHEN ASKED TO GIVE VIEWS ON HONG KONG AS A REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, ABOUT 95 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDING COMPANIES CONSIDERED HONG KONG’S TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR AFFECTING HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A REGIONAL CENTRE, TO BE FAVOURABLE.
HONG KONG’S BANKING AND FINANCIAL FACILITIES WERE CONSIDERED FAVOURABLE BY 92 PER CENT OF THE COMPANIES. ’OTHER FACTORS WITH A HIGH PROPORTION OF RESPONDING COMPANIES RATING THEM AS FAVOURABLE INCLUDED HONG KONG’S CORPORATE TAX STRUCTURE (83 PER CENT) AND HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA (83 PER CENT).
MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE RESPONDING COMPANIES CONSIDERED THAT, COMPARED WITH THE YEAR BEFORE, THE OVERALL FAVOURABILITY OF HONG KONG AS A REGIONAL CENTRE HAD IMPROVED OR HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE MAJORITY OF THEM ALSO CONSIDERED THAT THE COST OR RENTAL OF OFFICE SPACE, BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN HONG KONG, TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, AVAILABILITY OF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, POLITICAL CLIMATE AND BANKING AND FINANCIAL FACILITIES HAD IMPROVED OR REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE SURVEY REPORT, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, INCLUDING LISTS OF REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND REGIONAL OFFICES, IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE DATA AND SERVICES DIVISION OF INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 1419, OCEAN CENTRE.
------0-------
APPROPRIATION BILL TO BE DEBATED ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ♦ *♦**♦.
SOME 52 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE EXPECTED TO SPEAK ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1992 AT THE COUNCIL MEETINGS ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (MARCH 25 AND 26) WHEN IT IS INTRODUCED FOR THE SECOND READING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
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/16........
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 16 -
NEW POST OFFICE OPENS IN SHA TIN * * * * *
A NEW BRANCH POST OFFICE AT KWONG YUEN ESTATE IN SHA TIN OPENED FOR BUSINESS TODAY (MONDAY).
THE KWONG YUEN POST OFFICE, LOCATED AT UNIT NO. 4, COMMERCIAL BLOCK 4, KWONG YUEN ESTATE, PROVIDES A NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOY KAN-PUI, AND THE ACTING SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS JOANNA YUEN, OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY THIS MORNING.
WITH THE OPENING OF THIS OFFICE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BRANCH POST OFFICES IN.HONG KONG IS NOW 119.
THE BUSINESS HOURS OF KWONG YUEN POST OFFICE ARE :
MONDAY TO FRIDAY : 9.30 AM TO 1 PM
2 PM TO 5 PM
SATURDAY : 9.30 AM TO 1 PM
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 647 9019.
-----0------
ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO START IN APRIL
*****
A TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN, AIMED AT REMINDING STAFF WORKING ON BUILDING SITES TO ADOPT HEALTH MEASURES AGAINST MOSQUITO BREEDING TO PREVENT MOSQUITO NUISANCE AND MALARIA, WILL BE LAUNCHED ON APRIL 1.
ENTITLED "NO STAGNANT WATER, NO MOSQUITO BREEDING", THE ONE-MONTH CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT AS MOSQUITOES BRED IN STAGNANT WATER, STAFF WORKING ON BUILDING SITES WERE ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO ELIMINATE MOSQUITO BREEDING GROUNDS:
♦ INSPECT REGULARLY THEIR SITES AND KEEP CLEAR OF USELESS ARTICLES AND CONTAINERS SUCH AS EMPTY TINS AND TYRES;
* COVER PROPERLY ALL WATER CONTAINERS;
* PUMP AND DRAIN AWAY STAGNANT WATER IN HOLES, TRENCHES AND HOLLOW SPACES OR TOP UP THE SPACES WITH SOIL, AND
/* SPRAY A ........
f
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 17 -
» SPRAY A THIN LAYER OF DIESEL OIL ON THE WATER SURFACE IF DRAINING OF STAGNANT WATER IS NOT POSSIBLE.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE HEED OF THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST MOSQUITO BREEDING SUCH AS KEEPING ALL DRAINS FREE FROM CHOKAGE AND DISPOSING OF ALL USELESS TINS AND RECEPTACLES THAT COULD HOLD WATER.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, A ROUND-THE-CLOCK TELEPHONE HOTLINE SERVICE - 723 0013 - WILL BE PROVIDED IN CANTONESE ON WAYS TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BREEDING.
A TELEVISION AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST WILL BE BROADCAST TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE MESSAGE.
EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE SUCH AS ADVISORY LETTERS, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO BUILDING CONTRACTORS, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF LARGE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES.
PUBLICITY LEAFLETS CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, ANYONE WHO ALLOWS MOSQUITO BREEDING ON PREMISES IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
------0 - - - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A BUILDING IN KWUN TONG, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT FLAT B ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF SAN LOONG HOUSE AT 25-37 TUNG YAN STREET AND 55-57 HIP WO STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 2 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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/18........
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1992
- 18 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* t * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 33.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 195.933 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 156.212 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 26.7 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 21.3.92 700
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 23.3.92 +10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.0 *+0.1* 23.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.13 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.22 6.19
1 MONTH 4.07 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.51 6.44
3 MONTHS 4.14 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.48 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.83 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,930 MN
CLOSED 23 MARCH 1992
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES AT CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ............... 1
1992/93 LAND SALES PROGRAMME ...................................... 2
STUDY ON POLICE'S RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS ..............
IMPORTANCE TO MAINTAIN GOVT TUNNEL SERVICE STRESSED ............... 4
NEW CHAIRMAN OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION APPOINTED ....... 5
MARCH 1992 EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL SURVEY STARTS ........ 6
HONG KONG DELEGATION LEAVES FOR PEKING ............................ 7
$100 M CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE WORKS AWARDED ........................ 7
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON WAGE STATISTICS IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES .. 8
NO POSTAL SERVICE ON CHING MING DAY ............................... 8
VIEWS RECEIVED FOR BROADCASTING REVIEW ............................ 9
NEW PLB ROUTE IN YUEN LONG ........................................ 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ................. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 11
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
1
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES AT CROSS
HARBOUR TUNNEL
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAG) TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE CONGESTION PROBLEM A'l THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW ON THE TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS AND TO FACILITATE GREATER USE OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
THESE INCLUDED PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL LANES FOR CENTRAL-BOUND TRAFFIC ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND ON GLOUCESTER ROAD NEAR THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL, AND WIDENING OF GLOUCESTER ROAD NEAR THE MARSH ROAD FLYOVER TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL EASTBOUND LANE.
WORKS ARE ALSO UNDERWAY TO WIDEN VICTORIA PARK ROAD NEAR THE NOON-DAY GUN SITE TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL EASTBOUND LANE BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR AND \LSO TO WIDEN GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND NEAR PERCIVAL STREET TO PROVIDE A THIRD LANE FOR CENTRAL-BOUND TRAFFIC.
HOWEVER, MEMBERS NOTED THAT WHILE THESE MEASURES HAD AND WOULD BRING SOME RELIEF, THEY WERE INSUFFICIENT TO CONTAIN CONGESTION AT CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 8.8 PER CENT IN CROSS HARBOUR TRAFFIC FROM 171,900 VEHICLES A DAY IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IN JUNE To 187,000 VEHICLES A DAY IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE INCREASE WAS DUE TO THE RELEASE OF SUPPRESSED DEMAND AND A SHIFT FROM CAR FERRY TO TUNNEL USAGE. HOWEVER, THE OPENING OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING HAD NOT RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN TRAFFIC USING THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
THE DAILY TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL (CHT) REMAINED AT THE HIGH LEVEL OF 120,500 VEH IC LES A DAY LAST SEPTEMBER. THE FIGURE ROSE TO 123,000 IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
GIVEN THAT THE CROSS HARBOUR TRAFFIC IS FORECAST TO GROW BY FOUR PER CENT PER ANNUM, THE CONGESTION SITUATION AT THE CHT IS LIKELV TO DETERIORATE FURTHER \ND THE CONGESTION IS EXTENDING TO EARLIER HOUKS IN THE MORNING OR LATE HOURS INTO THE NIGH I.
THE CONGESTION HAS INCREASED DELAYS, PARTICULARLY AT PEAK HOURS, REDUCING THE EFFICIENCY OF RUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES AND AFFECTED THE OPERATION OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAI TAC LOOKED INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING GREATER USE OF VEHICULAR FERRIES, RATIONALISING THE CLASSIFICATION AM) TOLLS FOR GOODS VEHICLES I SING THE CHT, AND INCREASING PASSAGE TAN FOR CUT DURING CERTAIN HOC RS OF THE DAV.
/NO DECISION........
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
- 2 -
NO DECISION WAS TAKEN AS FURTHER DELIBERATIONS OF THE ISSUE WOULD BE REQUIRED.
AT THE MEETING, THE TAC WAS BRIEFED ON I'HE PROBLEM OF OVERLOADING GOODS VEHICLES WHICH AFFECTED ROAD SAFETY AND CAUSED ROAD SURFACE DAMAGE.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF OVERLOADING SUMMONSES AND ARRESTS MADE B\ THE POLICE LAST YEAR INCREASED BY OVER 100 PER CENT AND 280 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
IT WAS FOUND THAT ONE IN EVERY FOUR VEHICLES INTERCEPTED BY THE POLICE WAS OVERLOADED.
ON ROAD DAMAGE, TAC MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT A STUDY AT THE TOLO HIGHWAY SHOWED OVERLOADING WOULD BRING FORWARD THE RESURFACING OF TOLO HIGHWAY BY A’FEW YEARS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $220 MILLION.
THEY ALSO NOTED THAT IN SOME COUNTRIES SUCH AS BRITAIN AND SINGAPORE, THEY HAD STRICTER CONTROL OVER OVERLOADING THAN IN HONG KONG. THE BRIEFING WAS TO PAVE WAY FOR A FULL DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM MORE EFFECTIVELY AT THE NEXT TAC MEETING.
THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO INFORMED OF THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATl FERRY COMPANY’S FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME FOR 1992-96 WHICH INCLUDED A ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAMME AND ITS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS AND THE ADMINISTRATION’S ASSESSMENT.
THEY ALSO NOTED THE ARRANGEMENTS BEING TAKEN BY PUBLIC-TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO FORM PASSENGER LIAISON GROUPS OR SIMILAR CONSULTATIVE CHANNELS TO ALLOW FOR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BETWEEN THE COMPANIES AND THEIR PASSENGERS.
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1992/93 LAND SALES PROGRAMME * * t t *
THE GOVERNMENT’S PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR WILL COMPRISE 29.67 HECTARES INVOLVING 45 SITES WHICH WILL PRODUCE ABOUT 16,500 RESIDENTIAL FLATS, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR BOB POPE, SAID TOD-AY (TUESDAY).
MR POPE, WHO HEADS THE LAND ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, WAS ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR 1992/93 FOLLOWING THE AGREEMENT OF THE LAND COMMISSION TO THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME SUBMITTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
/HE SAID .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
- 3 -
HE SAID 28 OE THE SITES IN THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME WOULD BE SOLD BY AUCTION. THESE INCLUDE 16 FOR RESIDENTIAL/ RESIDENTIAL-CUM-COMMERCIAL, TWO FOR COMMERCIAL AND 10 FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN.
MR POPE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE CURRENT DEMAND IN THE PROPERTY MARKET AND WAS KEEN TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF FLATS WOULD BE PRODUCED FROM THE GOVERNMENT LAND SALES TO KEEP PROPERTY PRICES STABLE.
HE SAID THE PROGRAMME FOR 1992/93 COMPRISED MORE HIGH DENSITY SITES, ALTHOUGH THE AREA OF LAND IN THE PROGRAMME WAS SIMILAR TO THE EXTENDED PROGRAMME OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RESIDENTIAL SITES IN THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD PRODUCE A TOTAL OF 1.2 MILLION SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR DOMESTIC FLATS, WHICH IS A 30 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THIS YEAR’S FIGURE.
FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, MR POPE SAID THREE LARGE SITES WOULD BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY TENDER WITH A VIEW TO PRODUCING 4,600 FLATS.
ON THE INDUSTRIAL SIDE, HE SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD BE OFFERING SOME 4.12 HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND WHICH WERE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OVER LAND SOLD IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS KEEN TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL LAND WAS MADE AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIALISTS.
MR POPE ESTIMATED THAT THE TOTAL REVENUE FROM LAND SALES WOULD BE $8.6 BILLION AS COMPARED TO REVENUE FROM THIS YEAR’S LAND SALES OF $13.8 BILLION.
HE -SAID IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT IN AN ACTIVE PROPERTY MARKET TO ESTIMATE REVENUE AND HE CONSIDERED THAI’ IT WAS BETTER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO BE CONSERVATIVE ON ESTIMATES RATHER THAN THE REVERSE.
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STUDY ON POLICE’S RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS RETENTION PROBLEMS AMONG
UNDERTAKING A STUDY INTO RECRUITMENT
AND
JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS (JPOS).
THE STUDY IS JOINTLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE POLICE, SECURITY BRANCH, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND FINANCE BRANCH.
/"RECOMMENDATIONS WILL .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
"RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE MADE TO COPE WITH THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS, SO AS TO HELP BOOST THE MANPOWER OF THE POLICE IN THE LIGHT OF THE CURRENT LAW AND ORDER SITUATION.” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE STUDY WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SUBMISSION FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO INTRODUCE A SPECIAL POLICE ALLOWANCE FOR JPOS. THE INTENTION IS TO COMPLETE THE STUDY IN ABOUT A MONTH.
- - 0 - -
IMPORTANCE TO MAINTAIN GOVT TUNNEL SERVICE STRESSED
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS MAKING A SERIES OF MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC USAGE OF GOVERNMENT TUNNELS WHILE PROVIDING ALL POSSIBLE HELP TO STAFF AFFECTED BY THE CONTRACTING OUT OF THESE TUNNELS. «
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR ERNEST LEE SHU-WING, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE EMPLOYMENT OF TEMPORARY STAFF IN TUNNELS IS TO TAKE UP THE DUTIES OF TOLL COLLECTORS WHO ARE LIKELY TO LEAVE THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT EARLY ON THEIR SUCCESSFUL APPOINTMENT TO OTHER GRADES WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE OR IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR RECEIVED 70 APPLICATIONS FROM STAFF SEEKING REDEPLOYMENT TO OTHER POSTS AND 60 PREFERENCE FORMS. ON THE BASIS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS, SELECTION BOARDS WILL BE HELD IN APRIL.
MR LEE ALSO REASSURED TUNNEL 'STAFF THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ADSORBING THEM WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE WHERE SUITABLE VACANIES COULD BE IDENTIFIED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID IT WOULD RELY ON STAFF ADOPTING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND HANDING IN THEIR APPLICATION FORMS SO THAT PROMPT REFERRALS COULD BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENTS WITH APPROPRIATE VACANCIES.
HE ALSO REITERATED THAT THEY WOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY OVER OTHER APPLICANTS.
"FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO MAKE CHOICES OTHER THAN JOB TRANSFER, THEY SHOULD HAND IN THEIR OPTION FORMS TO THE DEPARTMENT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
"DIRECT CONSULTATION AND GUIDANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE GIVEN TO THEM BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL MANAGEMENT TEAM SET UP SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO CONTRACT OUT THE MANAGEMENT OF TUNNELS," MR LEE SAID.
/HE SAID
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
- 5 -
HE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE TUNNEL SERVICE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AND A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE STAFF THROUGH PROPER CHANNELS.
"WE ARE PREPARED TO MEET OUR STAFF AT ANY TIME AND AS FREQUENTLY AS NECESSARY." MR LEE ADDED.
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NEW CHAIRMAN OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION APPOINTED *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MR ROBERT OWEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF APRIL ON COMPLETION OF HIS CURRENT CONTRACT.
MR ROBERT NOTTLE, CURRENTLY DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (INTERMEDIARIES AND INVESTMENT PRODUCTS) OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, WILL TAKE OVER THE DUTIES AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 1. HIS APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR.
MR OWEN FIRST CAME TO WORK IN HONG KONG AS GOVERNMENT SECURITIES CONSULTANT IN JULY 1988. IN PURSUANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WAS SET UP IN MAY 1989 AND MR OWEN HAS HELD THE POST AS THE CHAIRMAN EVER SINCE.
IN A TRIBUTE TO MR OWEN, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID: "MR OWEN HAS ABLY LED THE COMMISSION IN DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR OUR STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS WHICH HAS BROUGHT HONG KONG INTO LINE WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF MARKET REGULATION AND PRACTICE."
"HONG KONG MUST BE GRATEFUL TO HIM FOR A JOB WELL DONE. ALTHOUGH WE ARE SORRY TO SEE HIM LEAVE, WE WISH HIM EVERY SUCCESS IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVOURS," MR MACLEOD ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR ERMANNO PASCUTTO AS THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN TN ADDITION TO HIS APPOINTMENT AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AS FROM MAY 1, 1992 AND THE EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT FOR MR ROBERT GILMORE AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
ALSO INCLUDED TN THE ANNOUNCEMENT ARE THE APPOINTMENTS OF MR MICHAEL WU AND MR GERARD J MCMAHON AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS TO FILL THE TWO POSITIONS PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BY MR ROBERT NOTTLE AND MR GAVIN EDIE.
- 0----------
/6 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
- 6 -
MARCH 1992 EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL SURVEY STARTS
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED TO CONDUCT THE MARCH ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORTTERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AND INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG.
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 115,000 ESTABLISHMENTS DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PEOPLE ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON MARCH 31 THIS YEAR WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SELECTED ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS ARE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF JANUARY-MARCH 1992.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982 GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 582 5076.
AS FOR THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT DURING JANUARY TO MARCH THIS YEAR, THEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE.
FIELD OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS STARTED.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE FIELD VISITS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 582 4782.
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/7
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
HONG KONG DELEGATION LEAVES FOR PEKING
. * * » t *
A HONG KONG DELEGATION LEFT FOR PEKING THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING FOR A FIVE-DAY VISIT AT THE INVITATION OF THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE (MOFERT).
THE DELEGATION, LED BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR KEVIN HO CHI-MING, INCLUDES OFFICERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
A MOFERT STUDY GROUP PAID A VISIT TO HONG KONG TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE TERRITORY’S RULES OF ORIGIN AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM LAST MONTH.
IT WAS AGREED THAT THE TWO SIDES SHOULD MAINTAIN A REGULAR DIALOGUE WHICH WILL BE USEFUL FOR DISCUSSING MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
- - 0 - -
$100 M CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE WORKS AWARDED *****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AWARDED A $100 MILLION CONTRACT FOR WORKS TO OVERHAUL THE SEWERAGE NETWORK OF SAN PO KONG AND KOWLOON BAY AS PART OF THE EAST KOWLOON SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME.
THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND POLLUTION CONTROL B\ INTERCEPTING AND DIVERTING THE SEWAGE WHICH WILL OTHERWISE BE INADVERTENTLY DISCHARGED TO THE STORMWATER SYSTEM.
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1,200-METRE-LONG BOX CULVERT, 2,000 METRES OF PIPE SEWERS AND THREE SMALL PUMPING STATIONS.
WORKS ON THESE TRUNK SEWERS AND BOX CULVERTS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ALONG CHOI HUNG ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST, EASTERN ROAD AND WANG KWONG ROAD TO FORM A NEW SEWERAGE NETWORK REPLACING THE EXISTING TRUNK SEWER SYSTEM WHICH IS OVERLOADED.
THE NETWORK HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ENABLE THAT SEWAGE GENERATED IN THE AREA CAN EVENTUALLY BE DISCHARGED TO THE KWUN TONG SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT WHILE THE POLLUTED BASE FLOWS FROM THE STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM WILL BE INTERCEPTED BY NEW PUMPING STATIONS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS FOR TREATMENT.
LAST WEEK ANOTHER MAJOR CONTRACT WHICH DEALS WITH SIMILAR WORKS FOR KWUN TONG AND YAU TONG UNDER THE EAST KOWLOON SEWERAGE SCHEME HAS ALSO BEEN AWARDED AT A SUM OF $170 MILLION.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR BOTH CONTRACTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
- 8 -
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON WAGE STATISTICS IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
*****
THE JANUARY 1992 ISSUE OE THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE WHICH GIVES A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF WAGE STATISTICS FOR THE PERIOD 1982 TO 1991.
THE AVERAGE WAGE RATE FOR WORKERS UP TO THE SUPERVISORY LEVEL IN 41 SELECTED INDUSTRIES HAS INCREASED BY OVER 130 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS AND OVER 14 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
IN THE ARTICLE, MOVEMENTS OF WAGE INDEXES IN FIVE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE COMPARED.
THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IS FURTHER ANALYSED BY LOOKING AT THE CHANGES IN WAGE INDEXES OVER TIME IN SOME 20 MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THE AVERAGE BASIC WAGES AND FRINGE BENEFITS FOR TWO GROUPS OF WORKERS, NAMELY, CRAFTSMEN AND OTHER OPERATIVES, AND SUPERVISORY, TECHNICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS NON-PRODUCTION WORKERS IN EACH OF THE 20 MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES ARE ALSO COMPARED.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE AT $48 PER COPY.
PURCHASE CAN BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL 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-----------
NO POSTAL SERVICE ON CHING MING DAY *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THERE WOULD BE NO MAIL DELIVERY ON APRIL 1 (CHING MING FESTIVAL).
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THAT DAY.
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/9.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
- 9
VIEWS RECEIVED FOR BROADCASTING REVIEW
******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, HAD A MEETING WITH LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MR MAN SAI-CHEONG AND MR ALBERT CHAN THIS MORNING TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE REVIEW OF THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY.
DURING THE DISCUSSION, MR MAN AND MR CHAN CLEARLY REFLECTED THE VIEWS OF THE UNITED DEMOCRACTS OF HONG KONG ON BROADCASTING POLICY TO MR SO. MR SO PROMISED TO TAKE THESE VIEWS INTO ACCOUNT IN FINALISING THE REVIEW.
"OUR AIM IS TO COMPLETE THE REVIEW BY THE END OF JUNE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE LIGHT OF SUBMISSIONS MADE BY ALL EXISTING AND POTENTIAL TELEVISION SERVICE OPERATORS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY IS TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE REVIEW, AND WILL BE MEETING VARIOUS INTERESTED PARTIES IN EARLY APRIL TO DISCUSS THE CONTENTS OF THEIR SUBMISSIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
---------0-----------
NEW PLB ROUTE IN YUEN LONG
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 605 WILL BE IN SERVICE FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 26) TO COPE WITH THE TRAVEL NEED OF LOCAL COMMUTERS IN YUEN LONG.
THE NEW ROUTE WILL RUN BETWEEN KI LUN TSUEN AND SHEUNG SHUI (AREA 7B).
THE OPERATING HOURS WILL BE BETWEEN 6.30 AM AND 8.10 PM. THE FARE WILL BE $3.50 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
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/10........
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 24 MAR 92 24 MAR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q213 Y288
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,215 MN HKD 690 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 4.11 PCT 4.92 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.13 PCT 4.93 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 27 PCT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.18 PCT 5.00 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 30 MARCH 1992 -
TENDER DATE 31 MAR 92 31 MAR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q214 H261
ISSUE DATE 1 APR 92 1 APR 92
MATURITY DATE 1 JULY 92 30 SEP 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$500 + 100 MN HK$200 + 60 MN
--------0-----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 1992
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 23.3.92 700
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 24.3.92 -119
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +119
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.8 *-0.2* 24.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.96 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.24 6.18
1 MONTH 3.99 PCT 3 MONTHS 4.08 PCT 6 MONTHS 4.42 PCT 12 MONTHS 4.87 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 23 MONTHS ! AND BONDS 2402 5.50 - 7,200 MN 98.55 6.42
CLOSED 24 MARCH 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
SELECTION OF NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL DESIGN EXPLAINED .................... 1
GOVT TO REVIEW QUOTAS BEFORE SECOND NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME 2
ASSESSMENT SYSTEM OF PUBLIC HOUSING RATES IS WORKING WELL ............. 3
NO POWER OVER EARLY RELEASE OF HK RESIDENTS IMPRISONED OVERSEAS .. 5
IMPORTANCE OF NT POSTAL SERVICES STRESSED ............................. 6
ATTORNEY GENERAL ON BCC COMPLAINTS .................................... 8
REGULATION OF FRINGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE FIRMS BEING CONSIDERED .......... 9
GOVT TAKES LEAD IN EMPLOYING DISABLED ................................ 10
NO PLAN TO CHANGE ALLOWABLE WAGE DEDUCTIONS PROVISION ................ 11
CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES CONTINUES .................... 12
NT ORDINANCE UNDER REVIEW ............................................ 12
SIZE OF LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS EXPLAINED .............................. 13
MAINS WATER SUPPLY IN VILLAGES KEPT UNDER REVIEW ..................... 14
GOVERNOR REPLIES ON BUDGET AMENDMENTS ................................. 15
POLICE FORCE DESERVES FULL SUPPORT .................................... 15
GOVERNOR VISITS TUEN MUN .............................................. i6
IMPROVED SERVICES FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ................... 17
HK TO SEEK TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY REVIEW .......................... 18
SEMINAR TO PROMOTE HK-CANADA FILM AND TV CO-PRODUCTION ................ 18
POSTCARDS TO BUILD UP FRIENDSHIP ACROSS PACIFIC ....................... 19
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ...................................... 20
GOVERNMENT HOUSE OPENS FOR COMMUNITY CHEST ............................ 21
268 VOLUNTARY RETURNEES BACK TO VIETNAM ............................... 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 22
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 1 -
SELECTION OF NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL DESIGN EXPLAINED ♦ # * * *
THE OVER-RIDING CONCERN OF THE GOVERNMENT IN SELECTING A CONSULTANT FOR THE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT TERMINAL DESIGN IS TO HAVE ONE THAT IS MOST ABLE TO COME UP WITH A COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID THE RATIONALE FOR A WEIGHTING, TO BE APPLIED FOR COMBINING TECHNICAL MERIT SCORES WITH FEE PROPOSALS, WHICH ALSO MIRRORED THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH, WAS THAT AN ELEMENT OF FEE COMPETITION WAS IMPORTANT, BUT SHOULD NOT BE DOMINANT.
REPLYING TO A WRITTEN QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG, . THE SECRETARY SAID:
"IN THE CASE OF THE TERMINAL, THIS HAD TO BE THE DESIGN THAT BEST SATISFIED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND FUTURE NEEDS OF A TECHNICALLY DEMANDING PROJECT, WHILST AT THE SAME TIME ENSURING THAT THE DESIGN COULD BE BUILT WITHIN BUDGET AND ON TIME.”
OF THE THREE FINALISTS, HE SAID, BASED UPON TECHNICAL APPRAISAL INCLUDING A REVIEW BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE CHOSEN CONSULTANT TECHNICALLY WAS CLEARLY AHEAD OF THE NEXT CONSULTANT, WHOSE FEE WAS SIMILAR.
THE REMAINING FINALIST WHOSE FEE PROPOSAL WAS THE LOWEST OF ANY RECEIVED, WAS THIRD BOTH IN TERMS OF TECHNICAL MERIT AND ALSO WHEN COMBINED WITH FEES.
MR BLAKE SAID ONLY ONE OF THE THREE FINALISTS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER IN FEE. TWO OF THE FINALISTS, INCLUDING THE CONSULTANT AWARDED THE BID, WERE EXTREMELY CLOSE IN TERMS OF FINAL FEE.
THE OVERALL METHOD OF SELECTION WAS IN FACT VERY SIMILAR TO THAT CURRENTLY USED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR ALL ENGINEERING AND ASSOCIATED CONSULTANCIES.
ALL BIDDING CONSULTANTS WERE IN FACT CONSORTIA OF SEVERAL FIRMS, AND EACH OF THE EIGHT BIDDING CONSORTIA HAD INVOLVEMENT OF OVERSEAS FIRMS BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR SPECIALIST EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE NOT AVAILABLE LOCALLY.
CONVERSELY, MR BLAKE SAID, HONG KONG EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE WERE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT, AND WERE TAKEN ACCOUNT OF IN ASSESSMENT SUBMISSIONS. ALL CONSORTIA INCLUDING THE APPOINTED CONSULTANT HAD INVOLVEMENT OF HONG KONG BASED FIRMS.
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/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 2 -
GOVT TO REVIEW QUOTAS BEFORE SECOND NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME
******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL REVIEW THE QUOTAS FOR THE VARIOUS CLASSES AND OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS BEFORE APPLICATIONS FOR THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME ARE INVITED FOR THE SECOND PHASE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE QUOTAS FOR THE VARIOUS CLASSES AND OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS HAD BEEN SET BY THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) (SELECTION SCHEME) ORDER 1990.
’’THERE IS NO PROVISION IN THE ORDER FOR THE UNUSED QUOTA IN ONE OCCUPATIONAL GROUP TO BE REALLOCATED TO ANOTHER.”
HE SAID ANY UNUSED PLACES WOULD. BE CARRIED FORWARD TO THE SECOND PHASE OF THE SCHEME.
MR ASPREY SAID AS AT MARCH 21 THIS YEAR, 12,078 PERSONS, INCLUDING 4,087 PRINCIPAL APPLICANTS AND THEIR 7,991 DEPENDENTS, HAD BEEN REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS UNDER THE SCHEME.
CORRESPONDINGLY, 3,141 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN REJECTED BECAUSE THE APPLICANTS DID NOT SCORE SUFFICIENT POINTS TO BRING THEM WITHIN THE QUOTA OF THEIR SELECTED OCCUPATIONAL GROUP.
A BREAKDOWN OF THE PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARIES BY CLASS AND BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP IS AS FOLLOWS:
NO. OF
PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARIES
GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS
1,375
MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS 50
INFORMATION SCIENCE PROCESSIONALS 24
NEWS EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS 93
MEDICAL DOCTORS 331
PHYSICAL AND LIFE SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS 25
NURSES AND MIDWIVES 417
LEGAL PROFESSIONALS 113
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS (POST-SECONDARY) 138
/EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATORS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992 * 4
- 3 - \
1
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATORS 97
i
SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALS 29
STATISTICAL ASSISTANTS • 34
TRANSLATORS/INTERPRETERS 24
DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS 1,145
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT 205
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT 260
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT 537
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT
COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION 57
ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE 3
GARRISON 83
SENSITIVE SERVICE CLASS 1,511
ENTREPRENEURS CLASS
TOTAL
56
4,087
- - 0 - -
ASSESSMENT SYSTEM OF PUBLIC HOUSING RATES IS WORKING WELL
4 *****
4
THE SYSTEM OF ASSESSING THE RATEABLE VALUE OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES HAS WORKED WELL AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY (HA) TO COMMISSION AN INDEPENDENT SURVEYOR TO UNDERTAKE THE APPRAISAL WORK.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR YEUNG KAI-YIN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR YEUNG SAID THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD ESTATE SURVEYORS WHO APPRAISED THE GOVERNMENT’S VALUATION BEFORE THE RATES ASSESSMENT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WAS FINALISED.
/WHERE NECESSARY .......
*
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992.
4 -
WHERE NECESSARY, THE SECRETARY SAID THEY WOULD SEEK CLARIFICATION AND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT (RVD), AND ADJUSTMENTS IN RESPECT OF CASES THAT WERE JUSTIFIED WERE MADE AS A RESULT OF THOSE CONSULTATION PROCESS.
’’EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT LIAISON BETWEEN THE TWO DEPARTMENTS
HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE,” HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID UNTIL RECENTLY, NEITHER THE HA NOR THE RVD HAD RECEIVED ANY OBJECTIONS OR APPEALS AGAINST RATES FROM PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS.
HE SAID THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RENT INCREASE FOR 69 POST-1973 ESTATES HAD GENERATED SOME CONCERN OVER THE RATES ISSUE.
«
"IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN DECIDED THAT THE RATES NOTICE AND EXPLANATORY NOTES WILL BE DISPLAYED WITHIN EACH HOUSING BLOCK FROM MARCH 1992 ONWARDS, SO AS TO GIVE TENANTS SUFFICIENT NOTICE AND TO ENABLE THEM TO LODGE AN OBJECTION, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER IT WOULD BRING ABOUT ANY DIRECT GAIN TO THEM IN RELATION TO THEIR INCLUSIVE RENT," HE SAID.
IF INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS FELT AGGRIEVED, THE SECRETARY SAID THEY MIGHT TAKE THEIR OBJECTION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION IN APRIL AND MAY EACH YEAR.
"IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, IN ITS CAPACITY OF A LANDLORD, TO LODGE AN APPEAL AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT’S FINAL ASSESSMENT SINCE ITS VIEWS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT," MR YEUNG SAID.
IN ASSESSING THE RATES OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION FOLLOWS THE SAME PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA AS IN ASSESSING PROPERTIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE, THE RATEABLE VALUE OF A PROPERTY WAS AN ESTIMATE OF ITS OPEN MARKET RENTAL VALUE.
"THIS REMAINS THE SAME REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE PROPERTY IS ACTUALLY OWNER-OCCUPIED, RENTED AT FULL MARKET RENT OR AT CONCESSIONARY RENT, OR SUBJECT TO STATUTORY CONTROL," HE NOTED.
IN ARRIVING AT AN ASSESSMENT, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSIONER TOOK INTO ACCOUNT FACTORS WHICH AFFECTED THE RENTAL VALUE OF THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING ITS LOCATION, FACILITIES, ENVIRONMENT AND MANAGEMENT.
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/5 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 5 -
NO POWER OVER EARLY RELEASE OF HK RESIDENTS IMPRISONED OVERSEAS
» * » » *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD NO POWER TO FACILITATE EARLY RELEASE OF PERSONS SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT OVERSEAS.
"HOWEVER, IN LIAISON WITH BRITISH CONSULAR POSTS IN THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED, WE PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO PRISONERS IN RELATION TO PETITIONS FOR PARDON OR EARLY RELEASE," HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, HE SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WAS INFORMED IN EACH CASE AND, IF THE DETAINEE ASKED THAT HIS NEXT-OF-KIN BE INFORMED, THIS WAS DONE BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
MR ASPREY SAID ASSISTANCE WAS ALSO GIVEN BY THE DEPARTMENT TO FACILITATE VISITS TO THE DETAINEES BY THEIR NEXT-OF-KIN.
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF 394 HONG KONG RESIDENTS BEING DETAINED OR SERVING SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG AS AT MARCH 18 THIS YEAR.
MR ASPREY SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAD A LIST OF NAMES OF THESE PERSONS WHICH WOULD NOT BE MADE PUBLIC.
A COUNTRY BREAKDOWN OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS BEING DETAINED OR SERVING SENTENCES OVERSEAS IS AS FOLLOWS:
NO. OF RESIDENTS NO. OF RESIDENTS
COUNTRY BEING DETAINED SERVING SENTENCES TOTAL NO.
1. AUSTRALIA 1 9 10
2. AUSTRIA 4 9 13
3. BELGIUM 4 9 13
4. CANADA 2 0 2
5. CHINA 0 34 34
6. DENMARK 1 0 1
7. FRANCE 8 3 11
8. GERMANY 2 7 9
9. GREECE 2 1 3
10. INDONESIA 0 1 1
/11. ITALY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
6
11. ITALY 0 4 4
12. JAPAN 10 35 45
13. KOREA 6 5 11
14. MALAYSIA 0 1 1
15. MEXICO 0 2 2
16. NETHERLANDS 2 3 5
17. PHILIPPINES 17 4 21
18. SINGAPORE 8 14 22
19. SOUTH AFRICA 5 0 5
20. SPAIN 7 0 7
21. SWEDEN 3 1 4
22. SWITZERLAND 6 3 9
23. TAIWAN 5 5 10
24. THAILAND 18 109 127
25. USA 7 14 21
26. RUSSIA 0 1 1
27. VANUATU 0 1 1
28. VIETNAM 0 1 1
TOTAL 118 276 394
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IMPORTANCE OF NT
POSTAL SERVICES STRESSED
« * » * *
THE ADMINISTRATION ATTACHES CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO PROVIDING POSTAL SERVICES TO THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY TO ASCERTAIN IF AND WHEN IMPROVEMENTS ARE NECESSARY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/IN A........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO, MRS CHAN SAID AT PRESENT, MAIL WAS COLLECTED AT LEAST ONCE A DAY FROM ALL POSTBOXES.
"OUR ASSESSMENT IS THAT THIS LEVEL OF SERVICE IS GENERALLY REGARDED AS ACCEPTABLE BY THE MAJORITY OF NT RESIDENTS,” SHE SAID.
ALL POSTBOXES ARE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED TO SERVE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
THE PLANNING STANDARD APPLIED IN BUILT UP AREAS, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, IS THAT NOBODY SHOULD LIVE FURTHER THAN 0.4 KILOMETRE FROM THE NEAREST POSTBOX.
IN RURAL AREAS, THE STANDARD IS 0.8 KILOMETRE.
”WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THIS PROVIDES AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF COVERAGE,” MRS CHAN SAID.
ON DOOR-TO-DOOR DELIVERY OF LETTER MAIL, MRS CHAN SAID THIS SERVICE WAS PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF UNNUMBERED BUILDINGS AND REMOTE AREAS WHERE A POSTMAN CARRYING A MAIL POUCH WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY GAINING ACCESS.
IN THESE CASES THE POST OFFICE MAKES ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE RESIDENTS CONCERNED SO THAT THEY CAN RECEIVE MAIL EITHER FROM NEST LETTER BOXES (A GROUP OF LETTER BOXES, EACH SERVING A HOUSEHOLD), A COMMUNAL BOX OR ACCOMMODATION ADDRESSES.
MRS CHAN ALSO SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 950 VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR WHICH BUILDING NUMBERS WERE REQUIRED.
OF THESE ABOUT 700 WERE ALREADY NUMBERED AND 250 REMAIN UNNUMBERED.
A PROGRAMME IS NOW BEING DEVISED TO REVIEW BUILDING NUMBERING IN ALL NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGES, INCLUDING THOSE WHERE A NUMBERING SCHEME HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED AS SOME UPDATING IS REQUIRED TO INCLUDE NEW HOUSES.
"PRIORITY WILL HOWEVER BE GIVEN TO THOSE IDENTIFIED AS BEING MOST IN NEED OF NUMBERING DUE TO OUTSTANDING REQUESTS FOR DIRECT MAIL DELIVERY,” SHE SAID.
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/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 8 -
ATTORNEY GENERAL ON BCC COMPLAINTS
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, EXPLAINED WHY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS RAISED TWO QUESTIONS WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS IN RELATION TO THE COMMISSIONER’S INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE CLOSURE OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE (HK).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR MATHEWS SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS WAS REQUESTED TO ADVISE THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS ON A MEMORANDUM DATED OCTOBER 4, 1991 FROM THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS.
AS A RESULT TWO QUERIES WERE RAISED WITH THE COMMISSIONER. THE FIRST CONCERNED JURISDICTION AND RELATED TO SECTION 10 OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS ORDINANCE AND THE SECOND CONCERNED SECTION 12(6) OF THAT ORDINANCE.
ON THE QUESTION OF JURISDICTION, MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 10 OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD NOT UNDERTAKE OR CONTINUE AN INVESTIGATION IF THE COMPLAINT RELATED TO ACTION IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE COMPLAINANT HAD A REMEDY BY PROCEEDINGS IN COURT UNLESS THE COMMISSIONER WAS SATISFIED THAT IN THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS NOT REASONABLE TO EXPECT THE COMPLAINANT TO RESORT TO THAT REMEDY.
THE SECTION WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COMMISSIONER BECAUSE SHORTLY AFTER THE COMPLAINTS WERE MADE TO THE COMMISSIONER, A BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE DEPOSITOR ISSUED COURT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING SEEKING DAMAGES FOR HIS LOSS.
MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS HAD RECOMMENDED IN HIS DRAFT REPORT THAT IF THE COMPLAINANT WISHED TO PURSUE A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION, HE MIGHT TAKE THE MATTER TO COURT.
ON NOVEMBER 4, 1991, THE COMMISSIONER STATED THAT HE WAS SATISFIED THAT HE HAD JURISDICTION TO UNDERTAKE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE’COMPLAINT.
THE SECOND QUESTION RELATED TO SECTION 12(6) OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES THAT IF DURING THE COURSE OF AN INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS TO THE COMMISSIONER THAT THERE MAY BE SUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR HIM TO MAKE ANY REPORT THAT MAY CRITICISE OR ADVERSELY AFFECT ANY OFFICER, HE SHALL GIVE THE OFFICER AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.
"ALTHOUGH THE COMMISSIONER HAD SAID ON OCTOBER 4 THAT HE HAD COMPLETED HIS INVESTIGATION, HE HAD NOT AT THAT STAGE INTERVIEWED THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING OR INDEED HAD ANY DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH HIM.
/"ON OCTOBER .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
9
"ON OCTOBER 31, 1991 THE CROWN SOLICITOR ACCORDINGLY DREW THE ATTENTION OF THE COMMISSIONER TO THE REQUIREMENT IN SECTION 12(6).
"FOLLOWING THIS LETTER BOTH THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS*APPEARED BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF MAKING REPRESENTATIONS," MR MATHEWS SAID.
- - 0 - -
REGULATION OF FRINGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE FIRMS BEING CONSIDERED * * * * ♦ ♦
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP IS WORKING ON A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK TO REGULATE FRINGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COMPANIES THROUGH LICENCING AND CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE LEVEL AT WHICH THE LICENSING CRITERIA WOULD BE PITCHED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO, MR NENDICK SAID THE APPROACH WAS EXPECTED TO REQUIRE CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE LICENSING, SUPERVISION AND ENFORCEMENT WORK, WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE ASSESSED AS USUAL THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT’S RESOURCE ALLOCATION SYSTEM.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG FUTURES’ EXCHANGE WAS WORKING ON AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH WHICH WOULD INVOLVE ESTABLISHING UNDER ITS AUSPICES A RETAIL CURRENCY MARKET AIMED AT PROVIDING A MORE PRUDENT ALTERNATIVE TO INVESTORS THAN THE EXISTING FRINGE MARKET.
’’THE FUTURES EXCHANGE IS DRAWING UP THE DETAILS OF ITS PROPOSAL AND EXPECTS TO COMPLETE THIS WORK WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WHEN IT WILL CONSULT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION,” HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 300 TO 400 FRINGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO LICENSING OR REGISTRATION AND FALL OUTSIDE EXISTING FIELDS OF SUPERVISION AND REGULATION.
THERE ARE THEREFORE NO SPECIFIC MEASURES TO MONITOR THEIR ACTIVITIES. ON RECEIPT OF COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC, THE POLICE WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE INVESTIGATION ACTIONS.
ACCORDING TO THE RECORDS OF THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU OF THE POLICE, A TOTAL OF 80 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AGAINST SUCH COMPANIES.
/THE REPORTED
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
10
THE REPORTED GRIEVANCES COVER A WIDE RANGE OF MALPRACTICES. THESE INCLUDE:
* CHURNING, UNDER WHICH A COMPANY MAKES MANY MORE TRANSACTIONS THAN COMMERCIAL PRUDENCE tfOULD DICTATE, IN ORDER TO BOOST THEIR PROFITS FROM COMMISSION;
* IN-HOUSE TRADING WITHOUT CARRYING OUT ACTUAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS;
* DISHONOURED CHEQUES;
* OUTRIGHT FRAUD SUCH AS FLY-BY-NIGHT COMPANIES;
* COLLAPSE OF COMPANIES DUE TO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES;
* INABILITY OF CLIENTS TO CONTACT THEIR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES, AND
* COMPANIES IGNORING THE CLIENTS’ BUYING OR SELLING INSTRUCTIONS, THEREBY PREVENTING THE CLIENTS FROM REALISING PROFITS OR CUTTING LOSSES, AS THE CASE MAY BE.
MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ISSUE WARNINGS FROM TIME TO TIME THROUGH THE MEDIA ABOUT THE RISKS IN INVESTING THROUGH FRINGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE OPERATORS AND ADVISING THEM AT THE SAME TIME TO USE AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
HE REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO EXERCISE UTMOST CARE AND PRUDENCE WHEN ENTERING INTO ANY INVESTMENT ARRANGEMENT IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THEIR OWN INTERESTS.
- - 0 - -
GOVT TAKES LEAD IN EMPLOYING DISABLED ♦ * * * * *
AS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER OF DISABLED PERSONS IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THE LEAD IN PLACING DISABLED PERSONS IN APPROPRIATE JOBS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, MR WIGGHAM EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS TO PLACE THEM IN APPROPRIATE JOBS WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
"AS WITH ABLE-BODIED PERSONS, DISABLED PERSONS APPLYING FOR APPOINTMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH ANY STIPULATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
/"IF THEY
11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
IF THEY ARE FOUND SUITABLE FOR APPOINTMENT, THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF PREFERENCE FOR APPOINTMENT OVER OTHER CANDIDATES.
"A DISABLED PERSON FOUND SUITABLE TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF A PARTICULAR POST MAY BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPOINTMENT EVEN THOUGH HE MAY NOT BE ABLE, ON ACCOUNT OF HIS DI8ABLIL1TY, TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF EVERY POST IN THE SAME RANK."
AS WITH OTHER PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS, ORGANISATIONS TAKING ON RESPONSIBILITY FOR FORMER GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW THE GOVERNMENT'S LEAD IN EMPLOYING DISABLED PERSONS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAVE ADOPTED A SIMILAR POLICY TO THAT OF THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDES FREE SERVICES TO DISABLED PERSONS SEEKING OPEN EMPLOYMENT IN BOTH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, HAD SUCCESSFULLY PLACED MORE THAN 1,000 DISABLED PERSONS LAST YEAR.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION PUBLISHED RECENTLY FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION HAD RECOMMENDED THAT OPTIONS SHOULD BE EXPLORED TO FACILITATE OPEN EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
IT ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT ORGANISATIONS IN RECEIPT OF PUBLIC FUNDS, PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND BIG COMMERCIAL FIRMS SHOULD BE URGED TO ADOPT A MORE POSITIVE POLICY TOWARDS THE EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS AND SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN MAKING A STATEMENT IN THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT POLICY FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
NO PLAN TO CHANGE ALLOWABLE WAGE DEDUCTIONS PROVISION
*****
• THERE WAS NO PLAN TO INCREASE THE AMBIT OF THE CURRENT PROVISION IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE ON ALLOWABLE WAGE DEDUCTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG, MR CHAN SAID IMPORTED WORKERS ARE ENTITLED TO THE SAME PROTECTION UNDER HONG KONG LAW AS LOCAL WORKERS, INCLUDING PAYMENT OF WAGES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMOUNT STIPULATED IN THEIR CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT.
"ALLOWABLE WAGE DEDUCTIONS ARE SPELT OUT IN THE RELEVANT SECTION OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND DO NOT INCLUDE FEES CHARGED ON AN EMPLOYEE BY AUTHORITIES IN HIS COUNTRY OF ORIGIN," HE SAID.
- - 0----------
/12
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 12 -
CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES CONTINUES
*****
ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURES WHICH CONSTITUTE A DANGER; OR POSE SERIOUS SAplfAk'x AML ENyiKONM'ENTAL NUISANCE ARE; BEING, AND. WILL CONTINUE TO -fig KEJioVtiD. ’ r I flMl tin
.. . . • i. •
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND
LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION RY THE HON CONRAD LAM s'r 'T’HE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ij r ... .•itb'UK'UOwH ’ • *• 1 • 1 ■
IN ADDITION, MR BARNES SAID ANY PERSON FOUND ERECTING A NEW ILLEGAL ROOFTOP STRUCTURE WOULD BE PROSECUTED FOR CARRYING OUT BtWlitilNG WORKS1 WITHOUT" THE APPROVAL AND CONSENT, , OF THE- BUILDING AUTHORITY-.‘ ; T-
"PERSONS WHQ ARE MADE HOMELESS AS A RESULT OF THE CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL I’OOFTpP. ‘ STRUCTURES ARE REHOUSED ACCORDING TO THEIR ELIGIBILITIES’ BY'THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
ACCbR'biNG‘To^THe" POPULATION CENSUS, THERE WERE 3,086
ROOFTOP STRUCTURES WITH 9,985 PEOPLE ENUMERATED.
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. i-----• - 0------
•• /vj.ita 'I ‘ "
i.'i '• NT ORDINANCE.UNDER REVIEW
,t.? -'vqj ir1r ..iL**•*'•*♦
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THE GOVERNMENT IS REVIEWING THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE WITH A VIEW TO MAKING IT MORE RELEVANT TO PRESENT-DAY NEEDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SUEN SAID THERE WERE PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE WHICH ENABLE THOSE HOLDING AN INTEREST IN LAND IN THE NEW TERITORIES TO CIRCUMVENT THE EFFECT OF CUSTOMARY LAW, FOR EXAMPLE, BY SEEKING AN EXEMPTION TO THE LAND IN QUESTION FROM THE APPLICATION OF PART. II OF THE ORDINANCE.
Ihl A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION .BY THE HON STEPHEN NG MING-YUM, MR SUEN EXPLAINED THAT MATTERS CONCERNING SUCCESSION WERE GENERALLY GOVERNED RY THE WILLS ORDINANCE, THE INTESTATES’ ESTATES ORDINANCE AND THE DECEASED’S FAMILY MAINTENANCE ORDINANCE.
THESE LAWS APPLIED TO ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR GENDER AND SOCIAL ORIGIN.
HOWEVER, MR SUEN SAID IN RELATION TO INHERITANCE OF LAND, THERE WERE CERTAIN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OBSERVED BY THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH LAID DOWN RULES FOR THE INHERITANCE OF ANCESTRAL LAND ALONG THE MALE LINE.
/’•THESE RULES..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
13
"THESE RULES ARE GIVEN RECOGNITION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES THAT SUCCESSION TO ANCESTRAL LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL GENERALLY BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUSTOMARY LAW," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE ON SUCH CUSTOMARY LAW, MR SUEN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD STUDIED SUCH IMPLICATIONS PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
"AS THE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED DURING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS BILL 1990 ON JULY 25, 1990, THE FACT THAT CUSTOMARY LAW IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TREATS WOMEN IN A WAY DIFFERENT TO MEN DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE LAW IS NECESSARILY DISCRIMINATORY UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
"THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE HAS OBSERVED THAT IT IS NOT MERELY DIFFERENTIATION OF TREATMENT THAT CONSTITUTES DISCRIMINATION.
"IF THE REASONS FOR THE DIFFERENTIATION IN TREATMENT ARE REASONABLE AND OBJECTIVE AND THE PURPOSE IS ONE WHICH DOES NOT CONTRAVENE THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS THEN SUCH TREATMENT WILL NOT BE DISCRIMINATORY," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
SIZE OF LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS EXPLAINED ******
THE SIZE OF THE "LOWER INCOME GROUP" WOULD INCREASE DIRECTLY IN PROPORTION TO THE INCREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN, MRS CHAN SAID THERE WAS NO GENERALLY AGREED DEFINITION OF "LOWER INCOME GROUP".
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE REPLY, THE "LOWER INCOME GROUP" REFERRED TO THE BOTTOM 60 PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE INCOME DISTRIBUTION.
IN LINE WITH THE INCREASE OF 1.5 PER CENT PER YEAR IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE SIZE OF THE GROUP ALSO INCREASED AT THE SAME RATE, MRS CHAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE INCOME OF THE GROUP HAD BEEN INCREASING FASTER THAN INFLATION AS MEASURED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
BETWEEN 1988 AND 1991, THE MEDIAN MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF THIS GROUP INCREASED BY 48 PER CENT, BASED ON DATA OBTAINED FROM THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY, WHILE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT, SHE SAID.
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/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 14 -
MAINS WATER SUPPLY IN VILLAGES KEPT UNDER REVIEW
******
FOR THE REMOTE VILLAGES WITHOUT MAINS WATER SUPPLY, THE VILLAGERS USE WELL OR STREAM WATER WHICH IS REGULARLY MONITORED BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON WONG WAI-YIN, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT OF THE 171 VILLAGES WITHOUT MAINS WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, IT WAS PLANNED THAT 67 VILLAGES WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH MAINS WATER SUPPLY.
"PROVISION OF MAINS WATER SUPPLY TO THE OTHER VILLAGES WILL NEVERTHELESS BE KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW," HE SAID.
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/15 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 15 -
GOVERNOR REPLIES ON BUDGET AMENDMENTS *****
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, HAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REPLIED TO TWO GROUPS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE SEEKING TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENTS TO THE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE MEASURES CONTAINED IN THE BUDGET. UNDER THE COUNCIL’S STANDING ORDERS, ANY SUCH AMENDMENTS REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR’S RECOMMENDATION.
THE GOVERNOR HAS DECLINED TO RECOMMEND THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY WOULD UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF THE BUDGET AND COMPROMISE THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY FOR MANAGING THE TERRITORY’S PUBLIC FINANCES.
LORD WILSON EXPLAINED THAT THE BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE ARE A REFLECTION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CAREFULLY CONSIDERED STRATEGY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TERRITORY’S FINANCIAL RESOURCES IN THE FORECAST PERIOD OF THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THE GOVERNMENT’S PRUDENT APPROACH REFLECTS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE SUFFICIENT RESERVES TO COPE WITH ANY ADVERSE CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY IN THE YEARS AHEAD. ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO EITHER THE EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE PROPOSALS CANNOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THAT STRATEGY. THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE.
ON THE EXPENDITURE MEASURES, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT IF HE WERE TO ALLOW ONE PROPOSAL TO BE TABLED TO INCREASE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN SPECIFIED AREAS, HE WOULD FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REFUSE SIMILAR REQUESTS FROM OTHER MEMBERS. MANY MEMBERS MIGHT WISH TO SPECIFY AREAS WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE EXPENDITURE. IT MUST BE THE ADMINISTRATION’S TASK TO TRY TO BALANCE EXPENDITURE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
SIMILARLY, ON THE REVENUE SIDE, LORD WILSON THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY TO ALLOW A SITUATION IN WHICH INDIVIDUAL NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO REDUCE PARTICULAR ELEMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING REVENUES. SUCH ADJUSTMENT SHOULD, LORD WILSON CONCLUDED, COME FROM THE GOVERNMENT AS HAS TRADITIONALLY BEEN THE CASE.
------0-----------
POLICE FORCE DESERVES FULL SUPPORT
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE POLICE FORCE HAVE BEEN DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB AND DESERVE A FULL SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE VISIT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, TO PEKING WAS A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE AUTHORITY THERE.
/COMMENTING ON .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 16 -
COMMENTING ON THE RECENT ARMED ROBBERIES, LORD WILSON SAID:
"THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS THAT WE MUST GET ON TOP OF."
ASKED ABOUT THE BUDGET, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE BUDGET IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME.
"THAT ALL GOES TOGETHER AS A PACKAGE. IT IS VERY UNUSUAL INDEED FOR PROPOSALS TO BE PUT FORWARD TO REDUCE THE INCOME OF THE GOVERNMENT OR TO INCREASE EXPENDITURE."
---------0---------
GOVERNOR VISITS TUEN MUN
*****
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, VISITED TUEN MUN DISTRICT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG, THE GOVERNOR BEGAN HIS VISIT BY TAKING A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE DISTRICT FROM THE ROOF TOP OF THE SUN TUEN MUN CENTRE.
"I AM IMPRESSED TO SEE THAT DEVELOPMENTS WHICH WERE ONLY PLANS ON THE DRAWING BOARD WHEN I LAST VISITED THE DISTRICT ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO ARE NOW IN PLACE," LORD WILSON SAID.
"TUEN MUN NOW HAS A LOT TO OFFER TO ITS RESIDENTS - A BEAUTIFUL TOWN PARK, A MODERN HOSPITAL AND A FULL RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES."
THE GOVERNOR THEN WENT ON FOR A RIDE ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TRAIN TO KIN SANG ESTATE WHERE HE VISITED THE GUIDEPOSTS KINDERGARTEN. STUDENTS WELCOMED HIM WITH A SONG.
LORD WILSON ALSO VISITED KAI MAN PATH, THE BUSIEST STREET IN TUEN MUN TOWN AND STOPPED TO CHAT WITH THE SHOPKEEPERS.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, LORD WILSON ATTENDED A TEA RECEPTION WHERE HE MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES.
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 17 -
IMPROVED SERVICES FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO EXTINGUISH THE EXISTING SHORTFALL IN HOSTEL AS WELL AS DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE FACILITIES FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR ALLAN CHOW, SAID.
MR CHOW GAVE THIS ASSURANCE WHEN HE MET A GROUP OF PARENTS OF SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ALSO ATTENDED THE MEETING WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND A FEW NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS.
MR CHOW SAID THE NUMBER OF HOSTEL PLACES INCREASED FROM 488 IN 1988-89 TO 896 IN 1991-92, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 84 PER CENT. THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES ALSO INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT TO 600 DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
"THE FIGURES TESTIFY TO THE HARD WORK PUT IN BY BOTH GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS OVER THE YEARS IN EXPANDING SERVICES FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS," MR CHOW SAID.
"AND BETWEEN 1992-93 AND 1995-96, A TOTAL OF 489 ADDITIONAL HOSTEL PLACES AND 120 CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES HAVE BEEN PLANNED."
ON THE SHORTAGE OF PLACES FOR THOSE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE, MR CHOW SAID WITH THE EXPECTED COMPLETION OF THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL IN 1992-93 AND THE SIU LAM EXPANSION PROJECT IN 1993-94, AN ADDITIONAL 100 AND 300 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED RESPECTIVELY.
THE PARENTS WERE ALSO INFORMED OF THE OPTIONS BEING EXPLORED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOSTEL PLACES. THESE INCLUDE THE PROCUREMENT OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS AND THE PROPOSED BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME.
IN THE MEANTIME, A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES IS BEING PROVIDED TO THOSE AWAITING HOSTEL PLACEMENT INCLUDING HOME-BASED TRAINING SERVICE, HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE AND THE RESPITE SERVICE.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SECURE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR INTERESTED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS TO SET UP PARENTS RESOURCES CENTRES.
MR CHOW ALSO TOLD THE PARENTS THAT THE EXISTING DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES WERE ALSO CATERED FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
LATEST STATISTICS SHOW THAT OVER HALF OR 58 PER CENT OF THE ENROLLED TRAINEES IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES ARE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
"TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM EFFECTIVELY, THERE IS A NEED FOR CONCERTED EFFORT BY GOVERNMENT, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE," MR CHOW SAID.
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/18 .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
18
HK TO SEEK TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY REVIEW
*****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT HAD DECIDED TO REFER A CASE CONCERNING A NEW U.S. CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINE FOR KNIT TIGHTS TO THE TEXTILES SURVEILLANCE BODY (TSB) FOR REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION.
AN OFFICIAL REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED BY HONG KONG’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO GATT IN GENEVA TODAY.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE NEW GUIDELINE INTRODUCED BY THE U.S. CAME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR AND HAS RESULTED IN RECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN KNIT TIGHTS AS TROUSERS.
"UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE HONG KONG/U.S. TEXTILES AGREEMENT, TIGHTS HAVE BEEN EXPORTED TO THE U.S. UNDER EXPORT AUTHORISATION CATEGORIES, BUT TROUSERS REQUIRE QUOTA FROM SPECIFIC LIMIT CATEGORIES. BECAUSE TROUSERS QUOTA IS FULLY UTILISED, THE CHANGE HAS DISRUPTED HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF KNIT TIGHTS TO THE U.S.," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT HONG KONG HAD HELD THREE ROUNDS OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. IN A BID TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
BOTH SIDES HAD MADE GREAT EFFORTS TO FIND A MUTUALLY ■
SATISFACTORY SOLUTION. UNFORTUNATELY A SOLUTION HAD NOT SO FAR BEEN POSSIBLE.
"THE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THAT IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES ARE AT STAKE, AND THAT IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG TO REFER.THE CASE TO THE TSB FOR REVIEW. WE CAME TO THIS DECISION AFTER CONSULTING THE LOCAL TIGHTS TRADE AND THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS CASE WILL BE CONSIDERED BY TSB AT ITS NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 9 AND 10.
ABOUT HK$390 MILLION WORTH OF KNIT TIGHTS WERE EXPORTED FROM HONG KONG TO THE U.S. LAST YEAR.
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SEMINAR TO PROMOTE HK-CANADA * * *
FILM AND TV CO-PRODUCTION * *
A SEMINAR ON HONG KONG-CANADA FILM AND TELEVISION CO-PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE HELD IN THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS AT 2.15 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 27).
THE SEMINAR IS THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CERTIFYING BODY FOR HONG KONG-CANADA FILM AND TELEVISION CO-PRODUCTION THIS YEAR.
/IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 19 -
IT WILL BE OPENED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA, MR JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE PRESENTED BY EXPERTS IN FINANCE, TAX CONSULTANTS AND LAWYERS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW AS WELL AS PROMINENT LOCAL FILM DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS.
SPEAKERS IN THE SEMINAR WILL EXPLAIN THE HONG KONG OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL FILM FINANCE, TAX-ADVANTAGED FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG AND CANADA CO-PRODUCTIONS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION AND THE FILM ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND FILMING EXPERIENCE IN CANADA.
SPEAKERS IN THE SEMINAR WILL BE MR PHILIP MARCOVICI, MR STEPHEN SHIN, MR LAWRENCE CHENG, MR TOMMY LEUNG AND MISS ANNE CHAN.
THE CERTIFYING BODY IS ALSO PLANNING TO HOLD A SEMINAR LATER THIS YEAR IN CANADA AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FILM FESTIVAL TO BE HELD UNDER THE BANNER OF THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92.
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POSTCARDS TO BUILD UP FRIENDSHIP ACROSS PACIFIC
******
HONG KONG STUDENTS ARE NOW INVITED TO BRING A MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP TO CANADIANS BY JOINING "OPERATION POSTCARD" - A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT HELD UNDER THE BANNER OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92.
FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92, WITH THE THEME OF "HONG KONG AND CANADA: BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC", WILL BE THE BIGGEST OVERSEAS PROMOTION HONG KONG HAS EVER LAUNCHED.
THE FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE IN VANCOUVER, CALGARY, TORONTO, MONTREAL AND OTTAWA IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
IT WILL SHOW TO CANADIANS THE CULTURE, ACHIEVEMENTS AND ENERGY OF THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FESTIVAL OFFICE, RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, "OPERATION POSTCARD" AIMS TO HELP PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND BUILD UP FRIENDSHIP IN THE YOUNGER GENERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA.
"THE IDEA IS TO INVITE HONG KONG YOUNGSTERS TO WRITE MESSAGES OR PRODUCE DRAWINGS ON PRE-PRINTED POSTCARDS WHICH WILL SERVE AS A PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE GREETING," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/"COMPLETED POSTCARDS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 20 -
"COMPLETED POSTCARDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND STUDENTS IN THE FIVE MAIN CANADIAN CITIES WHERE THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD," HE ADDED.
AN APPEAL LETTER HAD BEEN SENT TO ABOUT 1,100 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE TERRITORY AND POSTCARDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO SCHOOLS INTERESTED TO PARTICIPATE BEFORE THE END OF NEXT MONTH. STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY IV TO FORM VII ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE OPERATION.
COMPLETED CARDS SELECTED BY INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS SHOULD BE RETURNED IN BULK TO THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE JUNE 1 THIS YEAR.
SOUVENIRS WILL BE PROVIDED ' TO EACH SCHOOL FOR AWARD TO OUTSTANDING ENTRIES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR ENQUIRIES, SCHOOLS CAN CONTACT THE CYC OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 2376 OR THE FESTIVAL OFFICE ON TEL. 827 4455 EXT. 56.
--------0
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCIES ON TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST SITE, LOCATED IN AREA 14, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.26 HECTARES.
IT IS EARMARKED FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC VEHICLE PARK FOR PARKING MOTOR VEHICLES CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE OTHER SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABQUT 11,790 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED IN AREA 4B, SHEUNG SHUI.
THE LAND IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC VEHICLE PARK FOR THE PARKING OF LICENSED PRIVATE CARS, GOODS VEHICLES, CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
/TENDERS WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
TENDERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON APRIL 10.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN, SIXTH FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN• THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NORTH, SIXTH FLOOR, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
- - 0 - -
GOVERNMENT HOUSE OPENS FOR COMMUNITY CHEST
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE GARDENS AND PRINCIPAL ROOMS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE WHILE SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY CHEST ON SUNDAY (MARCH 29).
GOVERNMENT HOUSE WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON MARCH 15 AS AN ANNUAL TRADITION.
THE ADDITIONAL ’’OPEN DAY”, FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM, WILL GIVE VISITORS A CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST BY DONATING A MINIMUM OF $10 PER PERSON.
LAST YEAR THIS EVENT ATTRACTED OVER 18,000 VISITORS, RAISING WELCOME FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
- 0 - -
268 VOLUNTARY RETURNEES BACK TO VIETNAM ******
A GROUP OF 268 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 105 MEN, 67 WOMEN, 43 BOYS AND 53 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 96TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 2,854 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 16,833 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
/22
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1992
- 22 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 24.3.92 700
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 25.3.92 + 151
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -151
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON + 500 »
♦ LATE O/N ASSISTANCE, TO BE REVERSED ON 26.3.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.8 »+0.0» 25.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.06 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.34 6.11
1 MONTH 4.01 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.65 6.36
3 MONTHS 4.05 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.41 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.82 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,455 MN
CLOSED 25 MARCH 1992
------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
22ND MEETING OF SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ............... 1
BILL TO TACKLE COMPUTER CRIMES ................................. 2
PROPOSAL TO BUILD RIVER TRADE TERMINAL INVITED ................. 3
ANTI-CRIME PROPOSALS FORWARDED TO CHINA ........................ 4
ADVICE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS AND HK RESIDENTS IN LIBYA ......... 5
STUDY ON METAL AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES UNDERWAY ....... 6
DANGEROUS GOODS (SHIPPING) REGULATIONS AMENDED ................. 8
NEW HONG KONG/NORWAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT REACHED ................ 8
52 MEMBERS SPEAK IN APPROPRIATION BILL DEBATE .................. 9
STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION WORK ON BRIDGE EXTENDED ............... 9
PRIMARY STUDENTS ENJOY CLASSROOM CLEANING WORK ................. 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .... 10
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
1
COMMUNIQUE
22ND MEETING OF SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP » » ♦ * *
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS TWENTY-SECOND MEETING IN HONG KONG. FROM MARCH 24 TO 26, 1992.
THE GROUP HAD A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE FUTURE OF LANDS WHICH ARE NOW IN USE FOR DEFENCE PURPOSES IN HONG KONG.
THE GROUP DISCUSSED MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AND REACHED AGREEMENT ON THE CONTINUED APPLICATION TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997 OF NINE INTERNATIONAL TREATIES IN THE FIELDS OF CONSERVATION, TRADE, POSTAL COMMUNICATIONS AND PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW.
THE GROUP HAD A FURTHER EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997.
THE GROUP HAD A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE QUESTION OF MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CERTAIN COUNTRIES.
THE GROUP HAD AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES AND MADE PROGRESS.
THE TWO SIDES HAD AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON MATTERS RELATING TO RTHK.
THE TWO SIDES HAD A FURTHER EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON HONG KONG’S AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS.
THE GROUP HAD A FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT MAJOR FRANCHISES EXTENDING BEYOND 1997.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL TAKE PLACE IN PEKING IN JUNE 1992.
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/2 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
- 2 -
BILL TO TACKLE COMPUTER CRIMES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO TACKLE COMPUTER-RELATED CRIME.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID LEGAL SANCTIONS WERE REQUIRED TO COUNTER THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ABUSE PROVIDED BY THE INCREASING USE OF COMPUTERS HERE.
’’EXISTING LAWS ARE INADEQUATE IN THAT CERTAIN ACTS RELATED TO COMPUTER CRIME ARE NOT OFFENCES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT,” THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
’’THEY WILL BE OUTLAWED IN FUTURE BY AMENDING OR CREATING NEW SECTIONS IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION ORDINANCE, CRIMES ORDINANCE AND THEFT ORDINANCE,’’ HE SAID.
THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY THE COMPUTER CRIMES BILL 1992, WHICH WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE BILL MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO OBTAIN UNAUTHORISED ACCESS TO A COMPUTER BY MEANS OF TELECOMMUNICATION. THE PENALTY WOULD BE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000 ON CONVICTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS TO PREVENT ’’HACKING", WHEREBY A PERSON CAN ACCESS A COMPUTER SYSTEM FROM A REMOTE LOCATION WITHOUT PHYSICAL CONTACT BY MEANS OF A MODEM AND TELEPHONE.
"WHILE HACKING IS OFTEN DONE FOR PLEASURE RATHER THAN WITH ANY DISHONEST INTENT, IT CAN CAUSE GREAT INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE TO THE COMPUTER USER," HE ADDED.
IT WILL ALSO BE AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO A COMPUTER WITH INTENT TO COMMIT AN OFFENCE, WITH DISHONEST INTENT TO DECEIVE, WITH A VIEW TO DISHONEST GAIN FOR HIMSELF OR ANOTHER,. OR WITH DISHONEST INTENT TO CAUSE LOSS TO ANOTHER. A PERSON WHO IS CONVICTED WOULD BE LIABLE TO IMPRISONMENT FOR FIVE YEARS.
THE BILL ENABLES THE OFFENCE OF MAKING A FALSE ENTRY IN A BANK BOOK TO APPLY TO ENTRIES MADE ON A COMPUTER. SIMILARLY, THE OFFENCE OF FALSE ACCOUNTING WILL BE MADE TO APPLY TO RECORDS KEPT BY MEANS OF A COMPUTER.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE OFFENCE OF BURGLARY TO BE EXTENDED TO COVER A PERSON WHO ENTERS A BUILDING AS A TRESPASSER WITH INTENT UNLAWFULLY TO ALTER OR ERASE INFORMATION STORED IN A COMPUTER OR ITS SOFTWARE OR TO CAUSE THE COMPUTER TO MALFUNCTION.
- - 0---------
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
3
PROPOSAL TO BUILD RIVER TRADE TERMINAL INVITED
PRELIMINARY PROPOSALS ARE INVITED FROM INTERESTED PARTIES TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE A RIVER TRADE TERMINAL IN TUEN MUN AREA 38 TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING RIVER CRAFT TRAFFIC FROM THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION.
THE TERMINAL, WHICH FORMS PART OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, WILL BE BUILT IN AN AREA OF 56 HECTARES OF SEABED TO THE EAST OF TAP SHEK KOK POWER STATION.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, SAID: ’’THE LOCATION HAS BEEN CHOSEN BECAUSE OF ITS CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE DEEP WATER CHANNEL AT URMSTON ROAD AND GOOD POTENTIAL FOR ROAD ACCESS VIA TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AND THE FUTURE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR OF ROUTE 3.”
"AND, MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, IT WILL OBVIATE THE NEED FOR RIVER CRAFT FROM THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION TO PASS THROUGH THE NARROW MA WAN CHANNEL," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE AWARD OF THE RIGHT TO DEVELOP AND OPERATE THE TERMINAL WOULD PROBABLY BE MADE THROUGH COMPETITIVE TENDER.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER IS EXPECTED TO PAY A LAND PREMIUM FOR DEVELOPING AND OPERATING THE TERMINAL ACCORDING TO CONDITIONS LAID DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
ONE OF THE CONDITIONS IS THAT THE TERMINAL SHOULD BE A SELF-CONTAINED FACILITY WHICH WILL PROVIDE A 3,000-METRE BERTHING FRONTAGE WITHIN A SHELTERED BASIN, CARGO WORKING AREAS, SUFFICIENT LORRY PARKING, AND A GODOWN.
THERE SHOULD ALSO BE FACILITIES FOR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION CONTROLS, FIRE-FIGHTING, AND OPEN SPACE AND CATERING FACILITIES FOR WORKERS TO BE EMPLOYED THERE.
THE TERMINAL HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR 24-HOUR USAGE WITH FLOOD LIGHTING AVAILABLE FOR NIGHT-TIME OPERATION.
THE TARGET COMMISSIONING DATE OF THE TERMINAL SHOULD BE AROUND 1995 ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT PORT DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PROGRAMME.
THE LEASE TERM FOR THE TERMINAL WILL RUN TO 2047.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 42,000 RIVER TRADE CRAFT WILL USE THE TERMINAL IN 1996. THE NUMBER WILL GROW TO 58,950 IN 2001 AND 86,350 IN 2006.
/A PROSPECTUS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
4
' A PROSPECTUS OUTLINING THE OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT IS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT FROM THE PLANNING DIVISION OF THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH ON 20TH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR PRELIMINARY PROPOSALS IN RESPECT OF THE PHASING OF DEVELOPMENT, LEASE PERIOD, ACTUAL LAND REQUIREMENT AND THE SUGGESTED WAYS OF OPERATING THE TERMINAL TO THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BY THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR.
- 0 - -
ANTI-CRIME PROPOSALS FORWARDED TO CHINA
******
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, HAD PERSONALLY FORWARDED A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO BETTER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES IN COMBATING CROSS-BORDER CRIMES DURING A TWO-DAY TRIP TO BEIJING.
THE VISIT, MR LT SAID, WAS MADE TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO CONSIDER THE HONG KONG PROPOSALS BEFORE A SCHEDULED MEETING IN APRIL.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WOULD ALSO HAVE TIME TO STUDY SIMILAR PROPOSALS RAISED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT IMMEDIATELY UPON HIS RETURN FROM BEIJING, MR LI SAID HE WOULD NOT RULE OUT MAKING ANOTHER TRIP TO BEIJING IF NECESSARY PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED APRIL MEETING SUBJECT TO DELIBERATIONS BY BOTH SIDES ON THESE PROPOSALS.
MR LI ALSO EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TOWARDS THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, WHO YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF THE POLICE AND THE POLICE FORCE HAD BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB AND BOTH DESERVED A FULL SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.
LORD WILSON, DURING A VISIT TO TUEN MUN, ALSO SAID THE VISIT TO BEIJING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE PROVIDED A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSIONS.
MEANWHILE, MR LI TOLD REPORTERS THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO HAVE FACE-TO-FACE DISCUSSIONS WITH HTS CHINESE COUNTERPARTS THAN THROUGH CORRESPONDENCE AND TELEPHONE.
HE SAID THE TWO-DAY TRIP WAS ’’FRUITFULL”.
MR LI REVEALED THAT MAJOR FEATURES OF HIS PROPOSALS COVERED SUGGESTED WAYS AND MEANS TO ’’BETTER AND ENHANCE THE EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCE” WITH A VIEW TO SPEEDING UP THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS.
/OTHER AREAS
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
5
OTHER AREAS COVERED TOUCHED ON HOW ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS AT SEA COULD BE BETTER CO-ORDINATED, HE ADDED.
"WE ALSO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON CRIME INVESTIGATIONS AND HOW THEY CAN BE CONDUCTED BY BOTH SIDES WITH THE SAME AIM TO PUT THE WRONGDOERS BEFORE THE COURTS.
BOTH SIDES ALSO DISCUSSED EXCHANGES OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN TACKLING VARIOUS TYPES OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.
MR LI CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THAT THE FORCE’S EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREA OF COMMERCIAL CRIMES WERE QUITE "RICH".
"WE BOTH, HOWEVER, RECOGNISE THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES AND WE TRY TO FIND SOME COMMON GROUND FROM WHICH TO WORK ON," MR LI SAID.
DURING THE TWO-DAY VISIT, MR LI SAID HE HAD ALSO SOUGHT ASSISTANCE FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN THE INVESTIGATIONS OF SEVERAL MAJOR CRIMES HAPPENED IN THE TERRITORY.
MR LI SAID HE WAS TOLD THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAD SOME CLUES ON THE CASH-IN-TRANSIT ROBBERY WHICH HAPPENED AT THE AIRPORT LAST JULY IN WHICH $167 MILLION WERE LOOTED.
HE SAID POLICE INVESTIGATORS WOULD BE SENT TO CHINA IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO TO FOLLOW UP ON THE LEADS.
PROGRESS MADE BY CHINESE INVESTIGATORS ON THE KIDNAP OF BUSINESSMAN, MR WONG TAK-FAI, WAS ALSO INQUIRED AS THE FORCE BELIEVED THE PRIME SUSPECT WAS STILL HIDING IN CHINA, HE ADDED.
ALSO, ASSISTANCE FROM CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON TRACKING DOWN A SUSPECT, NICKNAMED "GOOSE HEAD”, WHO WAS BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF MAJOR ARMED ROBBERIES IN HONG KONG RECENTLY AND NOW HIDING IN CHINA, WAS ALSO SOUGHT.
--------------------------0------- ADVICE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS AND HK RESIDENTS IN LIBYA *****
ON THE ADVICE OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (FCO), THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TODAY (THURSDAY) ADVISED BRITISH NATIONALS AND HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN LIBYA TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY WHETHER THEY NEED TO REMAIN IN THE COUNTRY.
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION POINTED OUT THAT THE FCO, IN AN ADVICE TO BRITISH NATIONALS, HAD NOTED THAT LIBYA HAD NOT COMPLIED WITH SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 732 ON THE QUESTION OF THE BOMBING OF FLIGHTS PAN AM 103 AND UTA 772.
/THE UNITED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
- 6 -
THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE ARE NOW CONSIDERING, IN CONSULTATION WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, WHAT FURTHER STEPS MIGHT BE TAKEN UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED NATIONS, INCLUDING SANCTIONS INVOLVING FLIGHTS TO AND FROM LIBYA, TO SECURE LIBYA’S COMPLIANCE.
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND ON THE ADVICE OF THE FCO, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ADVISED BRITISH NATIONALS AND HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN LIBYA THAT THEY SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT THERE MAY BE NO FLIGHTS TO AND FROM LIBYA FOLLOWING THE IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL.
THEY ALREADY KNOW THAT, IN THE ABSENCE OF DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR RELATIONS, BRITAIN CAN PROVIDE ONLY VERY LIMITED CONSULAR PROTECTION.
IF, DESPITE THESE CONDITIONS, THEY DECIDE TO REMAIN IN LIBYA THEY ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE BRITISH INTERESTS SECTION OF THE ITALIAN EMBASSY (TELEPHONE NUMBER TRIPOLI 31191).
BRITISH NATIONALS AND HONG KONG RESIDENTS CONSIDERING VISITING LIBYA SHOULD ALSO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT FLIGHTS MAY CEASE AND ARE ADVISED TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEIR VISITS ARE REALLY NECESSARY.
THEY SHOULD BE AWARE THAT SOME LIBYAN ENTRY AND EXIT VISAS ARE ENDORSED ’BY AIR ONLY’.
--------0-----------
STUDY ON METAL AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES UNDERWAY ******
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONED A $3.1 MILLION STUDY ON THE METALS AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH AN AIM TO IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE INDUSTRIES.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG LINKAGE INDUSTRY - INTERNATIONAL MACHINE TOOL EXHIBITION ’92 TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY WAS TO IDENTIFY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOCAL METALS AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES AND TO ANALYSE THE GLOBAL TRENDS IN RELATED PRODUCT MARKETS AND THE APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY.
HE SAID THE STUDY WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP, A U.S. MANAGEMENT CONSULTING FIRM, WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT THEIR DRAFT FINAL REPORT IN MAY THIS YEAR.
INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE STUDY WOULD BE DISSEMINATED TO MANUFACTURERS, HE ADDED.
/MR BARMA .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
7
MR BARMA SAID THE LINKAGE INDUSTRIES, OF WHICH THE METALS AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES FORM A PART, NOW FACED REQUESTS PROM MANUFACTURERS FOR HIGH QUALITY SERVICES NEVER DEMANDED BEFORE.
MANY COMPANIES, EVEN SMALL ONES, HAD FOUND IT NECESSARY TO INVEST IN ADVANCED MACHINERY AND TO ADOPT NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE FAST PACE OF COMPETITION, HE SAID.
MR BARMA POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO HELP THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY UPGRADE.
"TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R & D) IN TECHNOLOGIES APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES, AN APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME WILL BE LAUNCHED LATER THIS YEAR.
"UNDER THE SCHEME, FINANCIAL SUPPORT ON A MATCHING BASIS WILL BE PROVIDED TO COMPANIES FOR APPLIED R & D WORK," HE SAID.
X.
ANOTHER MEASURE THAT WOULD STIMULATE DEVELOPMENT WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.
APART FROM PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS, THE CENTRE WOULD ALSO PROVIDE PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FACILITIES.
ALTHOUGH CONSTRUCTION WOULD NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL 1994, THE CENTRE HAD ALREADY STARTED TO PROVIDE SOME SERVICES, MR BARMA SAID.
IN THE AREA OF PRECISION CALIBRATION, THE STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD INVESTED HEAVILY IN RECENT YEARS IN BUILDING UP ITS MECHANICAL MEASUREMENT FACILITIES TO MEET INDUSTRY’S INCREASING NEEDS FOR THE SERVICE.
MR BARMA SAID THE LABORATORY, USING THE VERY LATEST STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT, COULD PROVIDE FOR MOST OF THE REQUESTS FROM LOCAL INDUSTRIES FOR PRECISION CALIBRATION, ADDING THAT SUCH REQUESTS WERE INCREASINGLY COMING FROM LINKAGE INDUSTRIES.
HE SAID THE GROWTH OF LINKAGE INDUSTRIES IN RECENT YEARS WAS A REFLECTION OF THE GRADUAL SHIFT OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY FROM LOW VALUE-ADDED AND LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING INTO THE MECHANISED AND OFTEN AUTOMATED PRODUCTION OF HIGHER QUALITY PRODUCTS.
"IT IS ALSO A RESPONSE TO THE CONSIDERABLE DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS FROM MANUFACTURERS WHO HAVE RELOCATED SOME OR ALL OF THEIR OPERATIONS TO CHINA.
"IN 1991, FOR EXAMPLE, 64.4 PER CENT OF MACHINE TOOLS AND INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY MANUFACTURED IN AND EXPORTED FROM HONG KONG WENT TO CHINA," HE ADDED.
------0-----------
/S ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
- 8 -
DANGEROUS GOODS (SHIPPING) REGULATIONS AMENDED ♦ * * » »
A WHARF AT NIM SHUE WAN WILL BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF APPROVED PETROLEUM WHARVES TO BE USED BY VESSELS CONVEYING PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND TRADING EXCLUSIVELY WITHIN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG (REFERRED TO AS TYPE III VESSELS IN THE DANGEROUS GOODS (SHIPPING) REGULATIONS).
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE DANGEROUS GOODS (SHIPPING) REGULATIONS 1992 TO ALLOW THE WHARF TO BE USED FOR THE ABOVE PURPOSE.
THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS ALSO REPEAL THE REFERENCE TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL AT HUNG HOM IN THE LIST OF APPROVED CONTAINER TERMINALS, AS THIS TERMINAL WAS CLOSED DOWN IN AUGUST 1990.
WITH THE ADDITION OF THE NIM SHUE WAN WHARF, THERE ARE NOW 22 APPROVED PETROLEUM WHARVES FOR TYPE III VESSELS IN HONG KONG.
THE DANGEROUS GOODS (SHIPPING) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1992 WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
------0--------
NEW HONG KONG/NORWAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT REACHED * * * * *
HONG KONG AND NORWAY HAVE TODAY CONCLUDED AN 18-MONTH TEXTILES AGREEMENT TO SUCCEED THE CURRENT ONE WHICH EXPIRES ON JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
THE NEW AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS CONCLUDED AFTER A THREE-DAY CONSULTATION IN HONG KONG, PROVIDES FOR LIBERALISATION OF SOME CLOTHING CATEGORIES.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS LED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ALAN LAI,AND THE NORWEGIAN DELEGATION WAS LED BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ROYAL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR JOHAN IVERSON.
THE NEW AGREEMENT WILL BE RATIFIED ONCE INTERNAL PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. DETAILS OF IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A NOTICE TO EXPORTERS TO BE ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
--------0-----------
/9 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
- 9 -
52 MEMBERS SPEAK IN APPROPRIATION BILL DEBATE *****
A TOTAL OF 52 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SPOKEN IN A TWO-DAY DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1992 IN THE COUNCIL THAT ENDED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE DEBATE ON THE BILL IS FURTHER ADJOURNED TO NEXT WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1) WHEN REPLIES FROM OFFICIALS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE GIVEN ON VARIOUS POINTS RAISED.
--------0------------
STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION WORK ON BRIDGE EXTENDED
*****
ALL VESSELS INTENDING TO PASS THROUGH THE TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE ARE URGED TO NAVIGATE WITH EXTREME CAUTION AS STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION WORK ON THE BRIDGE IS STILL UNDERWAY, A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE INVESTIGATION WORK, WHICH STARTED IN EARLY JANUARY THIS YEAR, HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF APRIL,” HE SAID.
"SCAFFOLDINGS HAVE BEEN PUT UP UNDER THE ARCH OF THE BRIDGE, AND THE MAXIMUM VERTICAL CLEARANCE FOR SAFE NAVIGATION BELOW THE SPAN HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 17 TO 15 METRES."
MASTERS, COXSWAINS AND PERSONS IN CHARGE OF ALL VESSELS REQUIRING TO PASS THROUGH THE BRIDGE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THE AIR DRAFT OF THEIR VESSEL DOES NOT EXCEED 15 METRES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------0------------
PRIMARY STUDENTS ENJOY CLASSROOM CLEANING WORK
******
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS WERE IMPRESSED BY STUDENTS TAKING PART IN THE CLASSROOM CLEANLINESS PILOT SCHEME DURING A VISIT TO THE SKH LUI MING CHOI MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KENNEDY TOWN TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THEIR TEACHERS, PRIMARY ONE TO SIX STUDENTS ON DUTY CLEANED DESKS, CHAIRS, BOARDS, CUPBOARDS, SWEPT THE FLOOR, AND COLLECTED LITTER FOR DISPOSAL.
THE MEMBERS SAW SENIOR STUDENTS HELP YOUNGER ONES LOCK WINDOWS AND DOORS AND SWITCH OFF LIGHTS.
/THE 15 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1992
10
THE 1-5-MINUTE CLEANING DUTY IS CONDUCTED AT THE END OF THE LAST CLASS OF THE DAY.
THE HEADMASTER OF THE AM SECTION OF THE SCHOOL, MR LEE SIU-TIN, SAID THE SCHEME STARTED IN MID-SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR AND WAS CONTINUING.
MEMBERS JOINING TODAY’S SCHOOL VISIT WERE MRS MINNIE LAI, MS AUDREY EU, MR PETER LEE AND DR ANDREW WONG KAM-CHEUNG. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR KAN KWOK-CHOI.
- - 0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 25.3.92 1200
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 26.3.92 -554 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 54
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +700 ♦ ♦
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -500 MN
» OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED - 54 MN
** O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 27 .3.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 *-0.2* 26.3 .92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS TERM HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.24 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.51 6.00
1 MONTH 4.00 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.78 6.28
3 MONTHS 4.04 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.39 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.79 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4,115 MN
CLOSED 26 MARCH 1992
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR FEBRUARY .............................. 1
HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES TO BE ADJUSTED FROM APRIL ............... 7
BAN ON COMMERCIAL ORGAN TRADING AND TRANSPLANTS .................. 8
SECOND QUARTER RATES NOTICES ..................................... 9
SHEK KONG ENQUIRY COMPLETED ...................................... 10
BILL TO BETTER DEFINE BUILDING AUTHORITY'S POWERS GAZETTED ....... 10
MORE PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE .............................. H
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY ........................... 12
WAYS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR HK .......................... 15
WORKSHOPS ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW .................................. 16
TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ....................... 17
WUN SHA STREET PLAYGROUND TO BE UPGRADED.......................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR SERVICE RESERVOIR WORKS ...................... 19
PROPOSALS TO ALTER PROPERTY RATEABLE VALUE INVITED ............... I9
TOURISM VITAL TO HONG KONG........................................ 20
INSHORE WORKS FOR AIRPORT-RELATED PROJECTS ....................... 20
FILM AND TV CO-PRODUCTIONS WITH CANADA ENCOURAGED ................ 21
NON-GOVT GROUPS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN ELDERLY SERVICES .......... 22
INVITATION TO ENROL IN CONTRACTOR LIST FOR WASTE RECYCLING FACILITIES
PROVISION ...................................................... 23
MACAU DELEGATION TO SEE YOUTH SERVICES IN HK ..................... 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....... 25
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
1
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR FEBRUARY ******
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN FEBRUARY 1992 WAS 10.4% HIGHER THAN IN FEBRUARY 1991, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 10.1% AND 9.8% RESPECTIVELY.
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH WAS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 10.1% IN FEBRUARY 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1991.
THESE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CPIS WERE GENERALLY LOWER THAN THOSE IN JANUARY 1992.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1992 WITH FEBRUARY 1991, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR FUEL AND LIGHT (0.3% IN CPI(A) AND 0.1% IN CPI(B)); DURABLE GOODS (2.2% AND 2.0%); MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.7% AND 5.8%); AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (6.9% AND 6.5%).
MEANWHILE, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR FOOD (EXCLUDING RESTAURANT MEALS) (10.3% IN CPI(A) AND 9.9% IN CPI(B)); TRANSPORT (10.6% AND 9.6%); SERVICES (10.6% AND 10.4%); HOUSING (11.0% AND 11.8%); MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (12.3% AND 12.1%); AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (33.7% AND 27.2%).
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1992 WITH JANUARY 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS HIGHER BY 1.8%, THE CPI(B) BY 1.6%, AND THE HANG SENG CPI BY 1.4%.
THIS COMPARISON IS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
THE INCREASES IN THE INDICES WERE MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH SEA PRODUCTS, FRESH FRUIT, PORK AND LIVE POULTRY AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
MOREOVER, CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS, TAXI FARES, AND RENT FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS ALSO INCREASED IN FEBRUARY. ON THE OTHER HAND, RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES RECORDED A DECREASE.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 10.4% THAN IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1991. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE WAS 10.2% FOR CPI(B).
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 11.8% THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE WAS 11.4% FOR CPI(B).
ON A SEASONALLY ADJUSTED BASIS, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.0% AND 0.9% RESPECTIVELY PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1992.
/THESE RATES .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992 ‘
- 2 -
THESE RATES WERE HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE RECORDED DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 1991, AT 0.6% FOR CPI(A) AND 0.7% FOR CPI(B).
THIS RISE WAS MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AND HIGHER RENTS FOR PRIVATE DWELLINGS, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR OVER 60% OF THE INCREASES RECORDED IN THE INDICES FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR FEBRUARY 1992, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $9.0 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, 19TH FLOOR, 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 CALL 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: CONSUMER PRICE INDICES AND RATES OF INCREASE TOR FEBRUARY 1992
(OCT. 89 - SEP. 90 = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B) HANG SENG CPI COMPOSITE CPI
% % % %
INDEX CHANGE INDEX CHANGE INDEX CHANGE INDEX CHANGE
FOR OVER FOR OVER FOR OVER FOR OVER
COMPONENT FEB.92 FEB.91 FEB.92 FEB.91 FEB.92 FEB.91 FEB.92 FEB.91
— — — — — — — — —————— —————— — — — — — — —————— MB MB MB -M BM «M MB MB MB MB MB MB — MB MB BOB MB MB ■M MB MB ^B MB OM
FOOD 123.8 + 11.3 124.2 + 11.2 122.0 +9.9 123.6 + 11.0
MEALS 126.1 + 12.3 125.9 + 12. 1 121.6 +9.5 125.1 + 11.6
BOUGHT
AWAY
FROM
HOME
FOOD, 121.5 +10.3 121.8 +9.9 122.7 +10.5 121.8 +10.2
EXCLUDING
MEALS
BOUGHT
AWAY
FROM
HOME
/HOUSING .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
3 -
HOUSING 123.9 + 11.0 124.3 + 11.8 125.9 + 11.1 124.7 + 11 .4
FUEL AND LIGHT 113.2 + 0.3 112.6 + 0.1 113.1 + 0.3 113.0 + 0. 2
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 146.2 + 33.7 140.1 + 27.2 137.3 + 24.1 142.8 + 30 . 1
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 109.3 + 6.9 109.5 + 6.5 116.5 + 14.2 111.8 + 9. 2
DURABLE GOODS 105.9 + 2.2 105.1 + 2.0 107.3 + 4.5 106.0 + 2. 8
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 113.2 + 6.7 111.7 + 5.8 110.9 + 5.1 112.0 + 6. 0
TRANSPORT 122.0 + 10.6 122. 1 + 9.6 123.3 + 8.4 122.4 + 9. 6
SERVICES 125.0 + 10.6 123.5 + 10.4 120.1 + 9.1 123.0 + 10 . 1
ALL ITEMS 121.8 + 10.4 121.2 + 10.1 121.0 + 9.8 121.4 + 10 . 1
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 CPI(B) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE NEXT 30% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $ 10,000-$17,499 IN THE SAME PERIOD.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE NEXT 10% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $ 1 7,500-$37,499 IN 1989/90.
WHEREAS THE CPI(A), CPI(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: .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
4
TABLE 2: CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR OCT. 1990 - • FEB.. 1992
(OCT . 89 - SEP. 90 = 100)
YEAR/MONTH CPI(A) CPI(B) HANG SENG CPI COMPOSITE CPI
— — ———————
1990 OCT 105.8 105.9 106.7 106.1
NOV 106.5 106.7 107.8 106.9
DEC 107.4 107.6 108.1 107.7
1991 JAN 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
FEB 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
MAR 111.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
APR 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
MAY 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
JUN 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
JUL 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
AUG 116.0 115.3 114.6 115.4
SEP 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
OCT 117.2 116.8 117.4 117.1
NOV 117.7 117.6 118.7 117.9
• DEC 118.1 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992 JAN 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
FEB 121.8 121.2 121.0 121.4
/Chart 1 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 5 -
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase In CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
/Chart 3 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 6 -
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI
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/7........
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 7 -
HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES TO BE ADJUSTED FROM APRIL
******
THE FEES AND CHARGES AT FORMER GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS NOW UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) AND GOVERNMENT CLINICS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE ADJUSTED WITH EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT POLICY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FEES AND CHARGES FOR SERVICES AT SOME PUBLIC HOSPITALS, NAMELY FORMER GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS NOW UNDER HA, AND GOVERNMENT CLINICS ARE REVIEWED ANNUALLY TO REFLECT INCREASED COST FOR PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
THE CURRENT LEVELS OF FEES AND CHARGES WERE INTRODUCED IN 1990, SOME TWO YEARS AGO.
THERE HAS BEEN NO REVISION SINCE THEN DUE TO THE MORATORIUM ON GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES WHICH EXPIRED ON FEBRUARY 29 THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW RATES WERE CALCULATED BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE CALCULATION WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE ESTABLISHED METHODOLOGY.
"AT THE NEW RATES, THE SERVICES CONTINUE TO BE HEAVILY SUBSIDISED BY PUBLIC FUNDS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE NEW CHARGE FOR ATTENDANCE AT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS IS $21 COMPARED WITH THE ACTUAL COST OF $111, AND THAT FOR A BED IN A PUBLIC WARD IS $43 COMPARED WITH THE AVERAGE BED COST OF $1,312 PER DAY. "
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING POLICY, FULL OR PARTIAL REMISSION OF CHARGES WAS AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS WHO ARE IN GENUINE HARDSHIP AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY.
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO THE POLICY THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM GETTING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT.
DETAILS OF THE NEW FEES AND CHARGES ARE PUBLISHED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION IN TODAY’S GAZETTE. THE MAIN FEATURES ARE DESCRIBED BELOW:
IN-PATIENT (PER BED DAY)
- PUBLIC WARD
- PRIVATE WARD
1ST CLASS
2ND CLASS
PRESENT FEE NEW FEE
($) ($)
34 43
1,570 2,055
1,045 1,370
/- PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
8 -
- PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC WARD
1ST CLASS 360 465
2ND CLASS 240 310
- TSAN YUK HOSPITAL
(SPECIAL CLASS) 880 1,370
OUT-PATIENT (PER ATTENDANCE) .
.- GENERAL OUT-PATIENT 18 21
- SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT 28 33
- DRESSING AND INJECTION 7 9
- GERIATRIC DAY CENTRE 27 34
- PSYCHIATRIC DAY CENTRE 27 34
COMMUNITY NURSING (PER VISIT)
- GENERAL 27 34
- PSYCHIATRIC 27 34
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW FEES WOULD APPLY ONLY TO ENTITLED PERSONS, THAT WAS THOSE WHO HOLD A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD OR A BRITISH PASSPORT.
PATIENTS NOT HOLDING A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD OR A BRITISH PASSPORT WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THE FULL COST OF THE MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED, WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN ADJUSTED.
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STAND READY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THESE NEW FEES.
--------0-----------
BAN ON COMMERCIAL ORGAN TRADING AND TRANSPLANTS ******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL TRADING IN HUMAN ORGANS AND ORGAN TRANSPLANTS IN THE TERRITORY WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
COMMERCIAL ORGAN TRADING HAS BEEN CONDEMNED INTERNATIONALLY AS AN UNETHICAL AND MORALLY REPUGNANT PRACTICE. THE BILL AIMS TO PREVENT THIS AND TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC.
UNDER THE HUMAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT BILL, IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF HUMAN ORGANS, WHETHER REMOVED FROM A LIVING OR DEAD PERSON.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO BAN ALL ADVERTISEMENTS AND SOLICITATION RELATING TO COMMERCIAL ORGAN TRADING AND TO REGULATE THE USE OF ORGANS.FROM LIVING DONORS.
/"TRANSPLANT OF .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 9 -
"TRANSPLANT OF ORGANS FROM A LIVING DONOR WILL BE PROHIBITED UNLESS THE DONOR IS GENETICALLY RELATED TO OR MARRIED TO THE PROSPECTIVE RECIPIENT, OR UNLESS APPROVAL IS OBTAINED FROM A HUMAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT BOARD, IF THE BILL BECOMES LAW," A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, MR DEREK GOULD, SAID.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS STIPULATION WOULD A ATTRACT FINE OF $10,000 FOR FIRST CONVICTION AND $25,000 AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION."
COMMERCIAL DEALINGS IN HUMAN ORGANS INTENDED FOR TRANSPLANT PURPOSES AND ADVERTISEMENTS OFFERING TO BUY OR SELL SUCH ORGANS WILL ALSO BE PROHIBITED.
THE PENALTY 'FOR INITIATING OR NEGOTIATING ANY ARRANGEMENT INVOLVING PAYMENT FOR AN ORGAN IS $10,000 FOR FIRST CONVICTION AND $25,000 PLUS ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT UPON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION.
A MULTI-MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO MOTIVATE MORE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO DONATE ORGANS WILL SOON BE LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
MR GOULD OBSERVED THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE VERY CARING AND THERE IS UNQUESTIONABLY A LARGE POOL OF POTENTIAL ORGAN DONORS.
"WE HAVE FOUND, HOWEVER, THAT MOST PEOPLE STILL PREFER A SYSTEM OF CONSENSUAL DONATION," HE SAID.
"WE ARE TARGETTING OUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON ORGAN DONATION. WE ARE ALSO AIMING TO INCREASE PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE TO THE IDEA OF TRANSPLANTS AND DONATION GENERALLY."
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 8, 1992.
----0------
SECOND QUARTER RATES NOTICES
******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE TREASURY WAS ISSUING THE RATES DEMANDS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
THESE ARE NORMALLY DESPATCHED A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE QUARTER IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT RATEPAYERS HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO PAY THEM BY THE DUE DATE.
THE DEMANDS NOW BEING ISSUED ARE CHARGED AT SIX PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUES WHICH REFLECTS THE INCREASE IN RATES PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS RECENT BUDGET SPEECH.
/THIS HAS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 10 -
THIS HAS BEEN GIVEN LEGAL EFFECT BY A REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR AND PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON MARCH 4 THIS YEAR, PENDING THE INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN APRIL.
RATEPAYERS SHOULD PAY THE AMOUNT SHOWN ON THE DEMANDS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30 THIS YEAR.
---------0-----------
SHEK KONG ENQUIRY COMPLETED *****
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, HAS TODAY (FRIDAY) RECEIVED MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER’S REPORT ON THE DISTURBANCE AND FIRE AT THE SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 3 TO 4.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, THE FINDINGS OF MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER’S REPORT WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC.
BEFORE THIS WAS DONE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WISH TO CONSIDER THE REPORT CAREFULLY TO ENSURE THAT WHAT IS MADE PUBLIC DOES NOT PREJUDICE THE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS NOW UNDERWAY.
--------0-----------
BILL TO BETTER DEFINE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S POWERS GAZETTED
******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO BETTER DEFINE THE POWERS OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY AND TO STREAMLINE SOME OF ITS OPERATING PROCEDURES WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ONE OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 IS TO REQUIRE THAT PRIOR APPROVAL SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDING AUTHORITY FOR CARRYING OUT GROUND INVESTIGATION AND UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE WORKS WITHIN THE MTR PROTECTION AREAS.
A BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE REQUIREMENT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT MTR UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES FROM POSSIBLE DAMAGE CAUSED BY SUCH WORKS WHICH ARE NOT COVERED IN THE SCHEDULE OF CONTROL IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE."
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO INTRODUCE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST DEFECTIVE OR INSANITARY DRAINS AND TO RECOVER COSTS OF WORKS IN DEFAULT CASES.
ANOTHER PROVISION IN THE BILL WILL REQUIRE THE 2,200 CONTRACTORS NOW ON THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S REGISTER TO PAY AN ANNUAL FEE TO RETAIN THEIR NAMES ON THE REGISTER.
/"THE REQUIREMENT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 11 -
’’THE REQUIREMENT AIMS TO ENSURE THAT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S RECORDS ARE UP-TO-DATE AND THE REGISTERED CONTRACTORS ARE INDEED PRACTISING THEIR TRADE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL WILL INCLUDE:
♦ STRENGTHENING OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S POWERS TO REMOVE PROJECTIONS OVER STREETS;
* EMPOWERING THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF ABORTIVE VISITS MADE BY GOVERNMENT’S CONTRACTORS WHO INTEND TO CARRY OUT WORKS ON BEHALF OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY; AND
* AUTHORISING THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO DESTROY OR DISPOSE OF PLANS AND OTHER BUILDING DOCUMENTS AFTER MICROFILMING.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH.
------0-------
MORE PROTECTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE ♦ ♦ * * »
THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WHICH SEEKS TO WIDEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A CHILD MAY BE CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEED OF CARE OR PROTECTION WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, THE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED AS GROUNDS FOR CARE OR PROTECTION.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL AIMED TO BRING THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE MORE IN LINE WITH COMMUNITY VALUES AND ATTITUDES ON THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE.
"THERE IS NOW MUCH GREATER AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING IN THE COMMUNITY OF THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE THAN BEFORE, AND THE PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE CASES NEED TO BE REVIEWED AND REFINED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE WIDELY PUBLICISED KWOK AH NUI CASE HAS HAD A MAJOR INFLUENCE ON THE PRESENT REVIEW.
"IT ILLUSTRATED THE INFLEXIBLE NATURE OF THE POWERS OF INTERVENTION AND INVESTIGATION VESTED IN THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND THE PROBLEM OF THE DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE," HE SAID.
THE BILL THEREFORE SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WITH MORE FLEXIBLE POWERS OF INTERVENTION AND INVESTIGATION WITHOUT ALWAYS HAVING TO FIRST REMOVE A CHILD FROM HOME.
/THE DIRECTOR .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 12 -
THE DIRECTOR WILL BE ENABLED TO OBTAIN A MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF A CHILD BY ISSUING A CHILD ASSESSMENT NOTICE TO THE CHILD’S PARENT REQUIRING HIM OR HER TO BRING THE CHILD FOR AN ASSESSMENT BY A DOCTOR OR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST.
THE BILL ALSO STIPULATES THAT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE APPLICATION TO A COURT WITHIN 48 HOURS, INSTEAD OF EIGHT DAYS, OF ANY REMOVAL OR DETENTION OF A CHILD OR JUVENILE UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, ALL REFERENCES TO SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR WOMEN IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WILL BE REMOVED SO THAT IT WILL APPLY EQUALLY TO FEMALE AND MALE CHILDREN AND JUVENILES.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 8 THIS YEAR.
------0--------
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY
IN FEBRUARY 1992, BOTH EXPORTS AND IMPORTS RECORDED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OVER A YEAR EARLIER, THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE SHARPLY BY $17,920 MILLION OR 57.0% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $49,381 MILLION IN FEBRUARY.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ALSO SHOWED A MARKED INCREASE, BY $3,144 MILLION OR 21.9% TO $17,490 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $66,871 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1992, WAS $21,064 MILLION OR 46.0% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
‘ MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED MARKEDLY BY $23,166 MILLION OR 51.5% TO $68,175 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $1,304 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.9%. OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1992.
THIS COMPARES WITH THE SURPLUS OF $798 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1991.
IN VIEW OF THE VOLATILITY OF THE TRADE FIGURES AT THE BEGINNING OF A YEAR, IT IS USEFUL TO MAKE COMPARISONS OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1992, THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $140,876 MILLION, $33,633 MILLION OR 31.4% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
/THE VALUE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 13 -
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY $220 MILLION OR 0.4% TO $53,954 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1992, AT $194,830 MILLION, WAS $33,853 MILLION OR 21.0% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $36,030 MILLION OR 21.8% TO $201,057 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $6,227 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.1% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1992. THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $4,050 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1991.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CAUTIONED THAT LIKE JANUARY, THE TRADE PERFORMANCE IN FEBRUARY WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY, THOUGH PROBABLY IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.
SOME SHIPMENTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED IN JANUARY WERE POSTPONED TO FEBRUARY, AFTER THE HOLIDAY.
TRADE FIGURES FOR A LONGER PERIOD INDICATED THAT WHILE GROWTH OF RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST, THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS MUCH SLOWER.
THIS REFLECTED LARGELY THE CONTINUED RELATIVE SHIFT FROM DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO RE-EXPORTS AS LOCAL PRODUCTION PROCESSES MOVED TO SOUTH CHINA, RESULTING IN MORE GOODS BEING SHIPPED OUT AS RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN RATHER THAN AS DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SUSTAINED INCREASE IN RETAINED IMPORTS, BY 10.9% IN VALUE TERMS IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, WAS IN LINE WITH THE CONTINUED GROWTH IN DOMESTIC DEMAND.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1992:
TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY, 1992
MERCHANDISE: DOMES1 RE-EXI TOTAL IMPOR' PIC EXPORTS : $17,490 MILLION (IN DEFICIT)
’ORTS : $49,381 MILLION
EXPORTS : $66,871 MILLION
rs : $68,175 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : $1,304 MILLION
COMPARATIVE FIGURES LATEST 3 MONTHS DEC 91 TO FEB 92 HK$ MN. DEC 90 TO FEB 91 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 53,954 53,734 220 0.4
RE-EXPORTS 140,876 107,243 33,633 31.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 194,830 160,977 33,853 21.0
IMPORTS 201,057 165,027 36,030 21.8
TRADE BALANCE -6,227 -4,050 -2,177
/SAME MONTH .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 14 -
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR FEBRUARY 1992 HK$ MN. FEBRUARY 1991 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 17,490 14,346 3,144 21.9
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (26.2%) (31.3%)
RE-EXPORTS 49,381 31,461 17,920 57.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 66,871 45,807 21,064 46.0
IMPORTS 68,175 45,009 23,166 51.5
TRADE BALANCE -1,304 798 -2,102
FEBRUARY JANUARY INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1992 1992
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 17,490 14,165 3,325 23.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (26.2%) (26.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 49,381 39,009 10,372 26.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 66,871 53,174 13,697 25.8
IMPORTS 68,175 55,909 12,266 21.9
TRADE BALANCE -1,304 -2,735 1,431
JAN-FEB JAN-FEB INCREASE
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1992 1991
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 31 ,655 33,522 -1,867 -5.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (26.4%) (32.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 88,389 70,482 17,907 25.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 120,044 104,004 16,040 15.4
IMPORTS 124,084 105,669 18,415 17.4
TRADE BALANCE -4,040 -1 ,665 -2,375
MAR 91 TO MAR 90 TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS FEB 92 FEB 91
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 229,178 229,449 -271 -0.1
RE-EXPORTS 552,748 432,075 120,673 • 27.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 781,926 661,524 120,402 18.2
IMPORTS 797,396 666,636 130,760 19.6
TRADE BALANCE -15,470 -5,112 -10,358
•--------------------------------------o-------------------------------------------------
/15 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 15 -
WAYS TO
IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR HK ******
A GOOD PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM GOES A LONG WAY TO ENHANCING THE GENERAL HEALTH OF THE POPULATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IS PREVENTIVE, PROMOTIVE AND THUS PARTICIPATORY CARE.
"IN MANY WAYS, IT IS ALSO MORE EFFECTIVE," MRS WONG SAID, "IT L^YS A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR AN EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE SECONDARY AND TERTIARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM."
MRS WONG WAS SPEAKING ON WAYS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR HONG KONG AT THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY LUNCHEON. '
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE REPORT BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WHICH PROVIDED A CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE FOR FORMULATING A LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE STRATEGY FOR THE COMING DECADE.
"WE HAVE GENERALLY ADOPTED THE 102 RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT AND ARE COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTATION IN PHASES," SHE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED A HEALTH AND MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE DIFFERENT INTERESTS INVOLVED TO GET TOGETHER AND TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH CARE AND THE INTERFACE BETWEEN HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES. »
AS THE PROVISION OF BETTER SERVICES AT THE HOSPITAL AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE LEVELS REQUIRES A CORPS OF DOCTORS WITH ADVANCED TRAINING IN THE VARIOUS MEDICAL SPECIALTIES, AN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE FOR POSTGRADUATE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION WOULD BE SET UP TO PRODUCE SUCH SPECIALISTS.
ON NEW REFORMS, MRS WONG SAID A STUDY GROUP HAD LOOKED AT OPTIONS FOR HEALTH FINANCING, INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE, IN HONG KONG WHILE ANOTHER GROUP WAS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS ON FEES AND WAIVER TO WORK OUT A LONG-TERM STRATEGY.
PROPOSALS ON THESE ISSUES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A GREEN PAPER FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME.
TURNING TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED ON DECEMBER 1, 1990, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT IT HAD DESIGNATED EIGHT "CANDIDATE" HOSPITALS WHERE MANAGEMENT REFORMS WOULD BE INTRODUCED.
NINE CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE WILL ALSO BE SET UP IN MAJOR HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE ADVANCED TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS, TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES FOR HIGHER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND RESEARCH, AS WELL AS TO ENHANCE THE STATUS OF INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS AND THEIR STAFF.
/IN ADDITION.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 16 -
IN ADDITION, THE AUTHORITY HAS SET UP HOSPITAL GOVERNING COMMITTEES TO OVERSEE THE MANAGEMENT OF 23 EX-SUBVENTED INSTITUTIONS; INITIATED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE DEMANDS FOR HOSPITAL BEDS IN THE TERRITORY; AND PLANNED TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS TO ASSESS EFFICIENCY IN THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES AND TO HIGHLIGHT PRIORITY AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS ALSO TAKEN MEASURES TO IMPROVE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL RECORDS, LABELLING OF DRUGS AND MEDICATION AND A BETTER APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR CONTINUITY OF CARE TO PATIENTS.
MRS WONG SAID A PILOT SCHEME TO GROUP CLINICS TOGETHER WITHIN EACH DISTRICT TO INTEGRATE AND NETWORK PREVENTIVE, PROMOTIVE, CURATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, HAD JUST KICKED OFF IN KWUN TONG.
IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PILOT, SHE ADDED, THE SCHEME WOULD BE EXTENDED TO TUEN MUN.
-----0-----
WORKSHOPS ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW
******
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW MET WITH THE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS TODAY (FRIDAY), A TRANSPORT BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP IS SET UP UNDER THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE CURRENT TAXI POLICY.
TO FACILITATE PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS ON THE SUBJECT, TWO SEPARATE WORKSHOPS WERE HELD TODAY FOR THE TAXI OWNERS AND DRIVERS ASSOCIATIONS.
AT THE WORKSHOPS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TAXI ASSOCIATIONS EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS ON THE ROLE OF TAXIS, THE LICENSING SYSTEMS, THE TAXI FARE STRUCTURE, THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES AND SO ON.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THEIR COMMENTS BEFORE REPORTING TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN JUNE.
ANOTHER WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES ON APRIL 6 THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED TO SUBMIT THEIR COMMENTS ON CURRENT TAXI POLICY AND PRACTICES BY MARCH 31, THIS YEAR TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW, C/O TRANSPORT BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
SUBSEQUENT VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS AFTER MARCH 31 ARE ALSO WELCOME.
- - 0 - -
/17........
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 17 -
TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
*****
OFFICIAL AND NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS STARTING FROM APRIL 1, 1992.
THE APPOINTMENTS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE MEMBERS ARE:
SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (CHAIRMAN)
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING (VICE-CHAIRMAN)
MR CHARLES NICHOLAS BROOKE
MISS ANN CHIANG LAI-WAN
MR CHAN KA-KUI
MISS ESTHER CHAN WAI-FONG
MR ALFRED CHAN WING-KIN
MR CARLOS CHEUNG HON-KAU
MS JENNIFER CHOW KIT-BING
MR WINSTON CHU KA-SUN
MR E J DAVISON
MR FUNG SHIU-WING
MR DANIEL HEUNG CHEUK-KEI
MR ANDREW LEE KING-FUN
PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG
MR DAVID LUNG PING-YEE
MR EDWARD PONG CHONG
MR J C SHAW
MR VICTOR SO HING-WOH
MR HENRY TANG YING-YEN
MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG
/DR SAMUEL WONG
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 18
DR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI
PROFESSOR ANTHONY WALKER
MR ANTHONY WONG LUEN-KIN
PROFESSOR YEUNG YUE-MAN MR EDMUND YOUNG KAK-SUN DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT (TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT) DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER (DISTRICT) (SECRETARY) MEANWHILE, APPOINTMENTS FROM AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AS MEMBERS OF METRO PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THE RURAL AND NEW TOWN PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD WERE ALSO ANNOUNCED.
THE APPOINTMENTS ARE ALSO FOR TWO YEARS BEGINNING FROM APRIL 1. 1992
BOTH COMMITTEES ARE CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING.
--------0-----------
WUN SHA STREET PLAYGROUND TO BE UPGRADED
* * * »
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR IMPRQVEMENT WORKS TO THE WUN SHA STREET PLAYGROUND IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
NOTICE OF THE TENDER WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE UPGRADING THE EXISTING SITTING-OUT AREA AND THE HALF-SIZED BASKETBALL COURT.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE 34TH FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, APRIL 24.
--------0-----------
/19........
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 19 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR SERVICE RESERVOIR WORKS
******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND PORTION OF THE TUEN MUN WEST FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR.
THE EXTENDED PORTION, WITH A CAPACITY OF 37,000 CUBIC METRES, IS PART OF THE SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE WATER SUPPLY TO THE AREA IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
THE FIRST PORTION, WITH A CAPACITY OF 14,000 CUBIC METRES, HAS BEEN IN SERVICE SINCE 1988.
WORKS FOR THE SECOND PORTION ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 24.
FORMS OF TENDER AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, 44TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
------------------------0------- PROPOSALS TO ALTER PROPERTY RATEABLE VALUE INVITED ******
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE REMINDING THE PUBLIC THAT IF THEY WISH TO MAKE A PROPOSAL TO ALTER THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY FOR THE YEAR STARTING APRIL 1, 1992, THEY MAY DO SO DURING THE MONTHS OF APRIL AND MAY.
FORMS FOR THIS PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT AT HENNESSY CENTRE, 17TH FLOOR, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG AND FROM DISTRICT OFFICES.
PROPOSALS MUST BE LODGED WITH THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE MONTHS OF APRIL AND MAY. THEY CANNOT BE ACCEPTED IF SERVED BEFORE APRIL 1 OR AFTER MAY 31.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT RATEABLE VALUES FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE THE SAME AS FOR THIS YEAR.
WHERE AN ALTERATION WAS MADE TO THE RATEABLE VALUE AS A RESULT OF A PROPOSAL LODGED LAST YEAR, THE REVISED FIGURE WILL APPLY NEXT YEAR AND SO NO FURTHER PROPOSALS ARE NEEDED TO BE MADE.
HE STRESSED THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE LODGING OF A PROPOSAL OR APPEAL, RATES MUST STILL BE PAID BY THE DUE DATE.
_ _ o-----------
/20 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 20 -
TOURISM VITAL TO HONG KONG
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID TOURISM HAD AN IMPORTANT BEARING ON ALL PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’TOURISM AND YOU” ROVING EXHIBITION IN CENTRAL, HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD BECOME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD WITH OVER SIX MILLION TOURISTS COMING TO THE TERRITORY LAST YEAR, CONTRIBUTING $40 BILLION TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
HONG KONG HAD MUCH MORE TO OFFER TO THE TOURISTS THAN JUST THOSE STANDARD ATTRACTIONS SUCH AS THE PEAK TRAM, STAR FERRY, OCEAN PARK, FOOD AND SHOPPING, HE SAID.
’’FOR INSTANCE, THERE ARE TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS SUCH AS THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL; THERE ARE THE MANY TEMPLES, THE ANTIQUE STORES AND THE STREET MARKETS; AND THERE ARE THE MANY MODERN SHOPPING CENTRES.
"ALL OF THESE HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON - THEY ARE NOT MERELY TOURIST ORIENTED BUT ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR DAILY LIFE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE EXHIBITION, MR SUEN NOTED THAT IT HAD BEEN ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION WITH ASSISTANCE FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT BOARDS, AND HAD BEEN ON DISPLAY IN ALL DISTRICTS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
HE SAID THE EXHIBITION HAD ALSO ALLOWED LOCAL PEOPLE TO BECOME AWARE OF THE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT, AND TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM TO HONG KONG PEOPLE.
DURING TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMEN OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS ALSO RECEIVED COMMEMORATIVE TROPHIES FROM THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION’S CHAIRMAN, MR MARTIN BARROW, FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROJECT.
--------0-----------
INSHORE WORKS FOR AIRPORT-RELATED PROJECTS
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO GO AHEAD WITH TWO INSHORE WORKS RESPECTIVELY ON LANTAU AND TSING YI IN CONJUNCTION WITH AIRPORT-RELATED PROJECTS.
ON LANTAU, AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT TSING CHAU WAN WILL BE RECLAIMED TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE FORMATION OF A RESERVE FOR THE FUTURE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
/IN THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 21 -
IN THE NORTH OF TSING YI, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO DREDGE AND BACKFILL WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.05 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT NGAU KOK WAN.
THE AREA WILL BE RECLAIMED LATER TO PROVIDE A BARGING AREA FOR SURPLUS MATERIAL EXCAVATED FROM THE LANTAU FIXFD CROSSING/ROUTE 3 INTERCHANGE PROJECT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THE TWO INSHORE WORKS WAS DESCRIBED IN SEPARATE NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY SUCH UNDERTAKINGS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 26, 1993.
THE NOTICES, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT’S 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.
--------0-----------
FILM AND TV CO-PRODUCTIONS WITH CANADA ENCOURAGED ******
FILM AND TELEVISION CO-PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG AND CANADA UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNED BY THE TWO GOVERNMENTS LAST YEAR WERE EXPLAINED TO LOCAL FILM-MAKERS AND THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY AT A SEMINAR TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR, WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE CERTIFYING BODY SET UP TO IMPLEMENT THE MOU, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID NEW MARKETS WERE BEING CREATED FOR FILMS DUE TO INCREASING AFFLUENCE AND STRONG DEMAND FOR ENTERTAINMENT IN THE ASIAN REGION AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
"THE SALE OF FILMS WHETHER FOR THE CINEMA OR TELEVISION CAN BE AN IMPORTANT EXPORT INDUSTRY AND WE SHOULD DO ALL WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE ITS GROWTH," MR SO SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE MOU ON FILM AND TELEVISION CO-PRODUCTION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA WOULD FACILITATE THE ENTRY OF TECHNICAL PERSONNEL, ACTORS, PERFORMERS AND PRODUCERS AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR CO-PRODUCTION INTO BOTH PLACES.
"THE MOU ENABLES HONG KONG AND CANADIAN PRODUCERS OF FILM AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES TO POOL THEIR RESOURCES TO CO-PRODUCE FILM AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES," MR SO SAID.
"CO-PRODUCTIONS UNDER THE MOU WILL BE TREATED BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF HONG KONG AND CANADA AS LOCAL PRODUCTIONS AND WILL BE ENTITLED TO UNRESTRICTED MARKET ACCESS IN THESE TWO PLACES."
/"IN ADDITION .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 22 -
"IN ADDITION HONG KONG PRODUCERS MAY BECOME ELIGIBLE THROUGH THEIR CANADIAN PARTNERS FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN CANADA FOR CO-PRODUCTIONS," HE ADDED.
THE CERTIFYING BODY CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, AND COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRIES WAS SET UP IN NOVEMBER 1991 TO RECEIVE AND EVALUATE APPLICATIONS FOR CO-PRODUCTIONS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.
"THE CERTIFYING BODY IS ALSO ACTIVELY PROMOTING CO-PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES UNDER THE MOU IN HONG KONG AND CANADA," MR SO SAID.
"IT IS PLANNING ANOTHER SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN CANADA LATER THIS YEAR AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HONG KONG FILM FESTIVAL UNDER THE BANNER OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92," HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY THANKED THE HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (MPIA) FOR PROVIDING SECRETARIAT SUPPORT FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CERTIFYING BODY.
AN INFORMATION PAMPHLET ON THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES UNDER THE MOU HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE MPIA.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR WAS THE COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA, MR JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR WAS PRESENTED BY FINANCIAL EXPERTS, TAX CONSULTANTS AND LAWYERS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW, AS WELL AS LOCAL FILM DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS.
THEY WERE MR PHILIP MARCOVICI, MR STEPHEN SHIN, MR LAWRENCE CHENG, MR TOMMY LEUNG AND MISS ANNE CHAN.
THEY SPOKE ON TOPICS INCLUDING HONG KONG OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL FILM FINANCE, TAX ADVANTAGED FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG AND CANADA CO-PRODUCTIONS, INTELLECTUAL, PROPERTY PROTECTION, THE FILM ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND FILMING EXPERIENCE IN CANADA.
--------0-----------
NON-GOVT GROUPS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN ELDERLY SERVICES ******
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS WERE URGED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY LAU MUI HIN HOME FOR THE ELDERLY ON TSING YI.
/MRS GOODSTADT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 23 -
MRS GOODSTADT SAID SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR HAD A 3.9 PER CENT REAL GROWTH.
’’APART FROM MAINTAINING EXISTING SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO EARMARKED $44.3 MILLION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 84 NEW SERVICE UNITS.
’’THESE INCLUDED SEVEN ELDERLY SOCIAL CENTRES, ONE ELDERLY COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTRE, THREE DAY-CARE CENTRES, ONE HOME FOR THE AGED AND TWO CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
’’WHILE WE ARE MAKING EFFORTS TO MEET THE SHORTFALL IN RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, THE NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS’ PARTICIPATION ALSO PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE,” SHE ADDED.
MRS GOODSTADT POINTED OUT THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD TAKEN A SERIES OF MEASURES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM BY INTRODUCING BOUGHT-PLACE SCHEME, ENCOURAGING NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATION TO OPERATE SELF-FINANCING PROJECTS, AND TURNING SOME RESIDENTIAL PLACES INTO MEAL PLACES AND CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES.
------0--------
INVITATION TO ENROL IN CONTRACTOR LIST FOR WASTE RECYCLING FACILITIES PROVISION
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING CONTRACTORS TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR INCLUSION IN A LIST OF INTERESTED PARTIES FOR THE PROVISION OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING FACILITIES.
THE EXERCISE IS AIMED AT PROVIDING FOR THE PROPER RE-USE AND DISPOSAL OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
IT IS INTENDED THAT CONSTRUCTION WASTE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR DISPOSAL AT LANDFILLS.
THE PROPOSED RECYCLING FACILITIES WOULD PROCESS THE WASTE FOR RECLAIMING LAND AND OTHER USES.
AFTER PROCESSING, MATERIALS NOT SUITABLE FOR RE-USE WILL BE DISPOSED OF AT LANDFILLS.
THE ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS INCLUDE:
» SORTING TO SEPARATE FLOATABLE AND BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS FROM THE INERT MATRIX OF THE WASTE;
* SEPARATION OF METALLIC MATERIALS FROM THE WASTE MATRIX;
* CRUSHING AND SCREENING TO PROVIDE SUITABLY-SIZED INERT MATERIAL FOR RE-USE, PRIMARILY FOR RECLAIMING LAND; AND
/★ TRANSPORTATION OF.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 24 -
♦ TRANSPORTATION OF SUITABLE MATERIALS TO RECLAMATIONS FOR RE-USE AND REJECTED MATERIALS TO LANDFILLS FOR DISPOSAL.
SUBMISISONS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING TO CHIEF ENGINEER/SOLID WASTE, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON, BEFORE APRIL 16.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
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MACAU DELEGATION TO SEE * * *
YOUTH SERVICES IN HK
» *
A 39-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM MACAU, LED BY THE HEAD OF THE YOUTH DEPARTMENT OF THE EDUCATION SERVICE, DR JOAO QUEIROGA, WILL PAY A TWO-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE VARIOUS YOUTH SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID THE GROUP WOULD ARRIVE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING.
THEY WILL FIRST TOUR THE CARITAS SHEK TONG TSUI CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE AND VISIT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S GROUP WORK UNIT IN THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TOWN HALL.
ON SUNDAY, THEY WILL MEET THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CNTA, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON YOUTH MATTERS.
THE DELEGATION WILL THEN SEE AN EXHIBITION ON YOUTH’S LEGAL KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS IN KOWLOON PARK.
BEFORE CONCLUDING THE VISIT, THE GROUP WILL TOUR THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD TRAINING CAMP IN FANLING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCHEME’S OPERATIONS.
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/25 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1992
- 25 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 26.3.92 1,400
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 27.3.92 -640
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -60
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +300
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -700MN
* OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +60MN
* * O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 30.3.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.8 *+0.2* 27.3.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.32 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.50 6.01
1 3 6 12 MONTH MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS 4.03 4.10 4.41 4.81 PCT PCT PCT PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 98.82 6.26
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,079 MN
CLOSED 27 MARCH 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROMOTION OF LAW AMONG YOUTH URGED .................................. 1
CHING MING A STATUTORY HOLIDAY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES .................... 1
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE FOR GRAVE SWEEPERS ............................... 2
CONFERENCE ON WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO GUIDANCE ..................... 3
COURTEOUS AND SAFE BOATING URGED .................................... 3
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS INVITED TO JOIN MUSIC CAMP THIS SUMMER ........... 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 5
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1992
PROMOTION OF LAW AMONG YOUTH URGED * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT LEGAL AWARENESS SHOULD BE PROMOTED AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE "LAW : IN-TOUCH PIAZZA" EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS AT KOWLOON PARK, HE EMPHASISED THAT LAW WAS A PRACTICAL SUBJECT CLOSELY RELATED TO PEOPLE'S EVERYDAY LIFE.
"IN SALES AND PURCHASES, TN EMPLOYMENTS AND INVESTMENTS AND EVEN IN BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES, LEGAL KNOWLEDGE WILL FACILITATE US IN UNDERSTANDING OUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
"FROM A BROADER PERSPECTIVE, RESPECT FOR LAW AND ORDER IS A BASIC CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY," HE NOTED.
IN VIEW OF THIS, HE SAID, THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION HAS PROPOSED TO PUT ITS WORK EMPHASIS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS ON THE PROMOTION OF RULE OF LAW AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
ON THE EXHIBITION, HE SAID IT MARKED THE FEDERATION’S FURTHER DEDICATION IN CULTIVATING YOUTH’S INTEREST IN LAW.
THE ORGANISER HAD DEVOTED MUCH EFFORT IN THE PAST YEARS TO THE PROMOTION OF LEGAL KNOWLEDGE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
CHING MING A STATUTORY HOLIDAY FOR ALL EMPLOYEES
*****
THE LABOUR. DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT CHING MING FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON APRIL 4 (SATURDAY), IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
ALL EMPLOYEES, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGE LEVELS, ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A FULL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
/IF AN
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1992
2
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S .LABOUR RELATIONS THE DEPARTMENT’S ENQUIRY HOTLINE ON 815 5066.
DIRECTED TO
SERVICE, OR
------0--------
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE FOR. GRAVE SWEEPERS *****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA CARE IN HANDLING FIRE WHEN THEY VISIT ANCESTRAL GRAVES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVE PERIOD.
THE DEPARTMENT’S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR LAI CHING-WAI, SAID: "ON THE LAST CHING MING FESTIVAL DAY, 10 REPORTS OF HILL FIRES WITHIN COUNTRY PARKS WERE RECEIVED, DAMAGING 113 HECTARES OF PLANTATIONS AND SOME 3,400 TREES."
HE SAID IF THE GRAVE SWEEPERS WERE CARELESS IN HANDLING WORSHIPPING ITEMS, HIGHER RISKS OF COUNTRYSIDE FIRES WOULD BE POSSIBLE DURING THE COMING FESTIVAL.
"IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HIGH FIRE RISK, THE DEPARTMENT WILL MOBILISE 22 TEAMS OF 200 FIRE FIGHTERS ON STAND-BY DUTIES ROUND THE CLOCK TO SAFEGUARD COUNTRY PARK PLANTATIONS DURING THE PERIOD," HE SAID.
THE FIRE FIGHTERS WILL BE JOINED BY SIX TEAMS OF 120 CIVIL AID SERVICES PERSONNEL.
MR LAI SAID MOST OF THE COUNTRYSIDE FIRES WERE CAUSED BY HUMAN NEGLIGENCE AND COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF PEOPLE OBSERVED SEVERAL SIMPLE RULES AS FOLLOWS:
* BURN WORSHIPPING ITEMS IN METAL CONTAINERS;
* DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTED CANDLES, JOSS ARTICLES AND PAPERS UNATTENDED; \ND
* MAKE SURE ALL BURNING ITEMS ARE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE LEAVING GRAVE SITES.
MR LAI SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD PROVIDE METAL CONTAINERS AT APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS INSIDE COUNTRY PARK AREAS FOR GRAVE SWEEPERS.
HE ALSO REMINDED PICNICKERS TO LIGHT FIRE ONLY AT DESIGNATED BARBECUE AREAS.
"ILLEGAL LIGHTING OF FIRES INSIDE COUNTRY PARKS MAY LEAD TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT, AND A FINE OF UP TO $2,000 MAY BE IMPOSED FOR CAUSING FIRE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE," HE SAID.
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/3 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1992
3
CONFERENCE ON WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH' TO GUIDANCE
******
ABOUT 600 PRINCIPALS, GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE MASTERS-MISTRESSES WILL ATTEND A CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOPS ON THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO GUIDANCE.
THE FORUM IS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS THE ROLES OF TEACHERS AND SCHOOL HEADS IN CREATING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT IN SCHOOLS TO RESPOND TO STUDENTS’ PROBLEMS.
THE CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, FROM MARCH 31 TO APRIL 3.
TWO EDUCATION EXPERTS, MR CHRIS WATKINS AND MISS PATSY WAGNER, WILL ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE AND LEAD THE WORKSHOPS.
THEY ARE SPECIALISTS IN PASTORAL CARE IN EDUCATION AND HAVE WRITTEN ARTICLES AND BOOKS ON THE SUBJECT. LAST YEAR, THEY HAD SUCCESSFULLY HELD A SIMILAR FUNCTION ON THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO DISCIPLINE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE WORKSHOPS ARE FOR TRAINERS IN GUIDANCE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONFERENCE WHICH WILL START AT 9 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 31).
------0-----------
COURTEOUS AND SAFE BOATING URGED
******
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED YACHTSMEN TO THINK OF COURTESY AND SAFETY WHILE BOATING.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG BOAT SHOW 1992 AT THE CLUB MARINA COVE IN SAI KUNG, MR PYRKE SAID: "COURTESY ON THE WATER WILL REDUCE ACCIDENTS, AND THE NEED FOR MY DEPARTMENT TO IMPOSE MORE FORMAL RESTRICTIONS WITH PROSECUTIONS AND PENALTIES WHICH IS A ROUTE NO ONE WANTS.
"HELP US TO TRAVEL THIS NON-REGULATORY ROAD - THE SOLUTION IS IN YOUR HANDS."
BEING A YACHTSMAN HIMSELF, MR PYRKE SAID: "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME."
/"YOUR THOUGHTFUL ......
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1992
4
"YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION OF HOW YOU USE AND OPERATE YOUR VESSEL IN RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER USERS OF OUR WATERS WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ENHANCING YOUR OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS," HE SAID.
MR PYRKE GAVE SOME EXAMPLES OF THOUGHTLESS, UNCOURTEOUS, AND EVEN DANGEROUS BEHAVIOUR.
THESE INCLUDE HIGH-POWERED VESSELS AT SPEED CREATING A LARGE WASH PASSING CLOSE TO SMALLER SLOWER CRAFT UNDERWAY OR AT ANCHOR, VESSELS TOWING A TENDER OR SPEEDBOAT ON AN EXCEPTIONALLY LONG PAINTER WHICH IS OFTEN INVISIBLE TO OTHER VESSEL AND WATER-SKIING IN AND AROUND GROUPS OF ANCHORED VESSELS WHERE PEOPLE MAY BE SWIMMING.
"MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE BECOMES NECESSARY WHEN SAFETY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL BOATING COMMUNITY SEEM TO THINK THAT MARINE SAFETY IS THE SOLE FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITIES. THIS IS NOT SO.
"AUTHORITIES LAY DOWN REGULATIONS ON MARINE SAFETY IN LINE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THESE RULES ARE GENERALLY RESTRICTIVE AND THUS INHIBIT THE FREEDOM SOUGHT BY YACHTSMEN," MR PYRKE SAID.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT STAGED AN EXHIBITION IN THE HONG KONG BOAT SHOW TO INTRODUCE THE MARITIME RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE AND THE NEW GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM.
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS INVITED TO JOIN MUSIC CAMP THIS SUMMER
******
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN A HOLIDAY PROGRAMME WHICH WILL PROVIDE INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING IN A SUMMER-CAMP ATMOSPHERE.
THE 1992 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WILL BE HELD AT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S TSO KUNG TAM OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, TSUEN WAN, FROM JULY 17 TO AUGUST 1.
PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL BE RECRUITED BOTH LOCALLY AND FROM OVERSEAS TO TAKE PART IN THE CAMP TO HELP FOSTER INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MUSIC.
RENOWNED MUSICIANS WILL BE INVITED TO CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING KARAOKE, VIDEO SHOWS, SWIMMING, BADMINTON AND BILLIARD WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED.
INTENSIVE REHEARSALS AND A NUMBER OF CONCERTS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR THE CAMPERS.
/YOUNG PEOPLE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1992
5
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BELOW 25 AND ABLE TO PLAY AT LEAST ONE CHINESE OR WESTERN ORCHESTRAL OR BAND INSTRUMENT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE CAMP. ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE WILL BE AN ADVANTAGE.
FEES INCLUSIVE OF TUITION, THREE MEALS A DAY AND ACCOMMODATION ARE $280 PER HEAD FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE DAYS AND $550 PER HEAD FOR A PERIOD OF 10 DAYS.
ALL CAMPERS ARE REQUIRED TO RESIDE IN THE CAMP FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 10. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 582 5314 OR 492 8127.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 27.3.92 1,000 ♦
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 28.3.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
* INCLUDES 300 MN O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON MARCH 30
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992
CONTENTS PACE NO.
MORE EMPLOYERS PROSECUTED FOR LABOUR OFFENCES ...................... 1
CHANGES TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES CONCEPT .................... 2
HUMAN CASUALTIES ON ROADS ON RISE .................................. 3
NEW SHAPE FOR POLICE HEADQUARTERS .................................. 4
AUTO-TOLL TRIAL SCHEME TO START AT ABERDEEN TUNNEL .................
SEMINAR ON QUALITY MANAGEMENT ...................................... 6
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT ARRANGED ..................................... 7
110 SCHOOLS JOIN FIRST SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL ....................... 7
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992
1
MORE EMPLOYERS PROSECUTED FOR *****
LABOUR OFFENCES
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SUCCEEDED IN SECURING CONSIDERABLY MORE CONVICTIONS OF OFFENDERS OF LABOUR LAW LAST YEAR IN ITS BID TO BETTER PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF WORKERS.
ACCORDING TO DEPARTMENTAL STATISTICS, 3,889 CASES WERE SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT TO THE COURTS DURING THE PERIOD, RESULTING IN A .TOTAL FINE OF $15.54 MILLION.
"THIS REPRESENTS A 23 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, WHICH HAD RECORDED 3,156 CASES WITH FINE’S TOTALLING $13.19 MILLION," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS) MR JOHN SUNG SAID.
"THE FACT THAT MANY MORE EMPLOYERS HAD TO PAY FOR THEIR MALPRACTICES SHOULD MAKE THEM TAKE A MORE SERIOUS VIEW OF THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF WORKERS," MR SUNG ADDED.
COMMENTING ON THE PROSECUTION FIGURES LAST YEAR, MR SUNG NOTED THAT ABOUT 53 PER CENT OF THE CONVICTED CASES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFENCES.
"THEY INCLUDED 968 CASES OF BREACHES OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, WITH FINES TOTALLING $3.86 MILLION," HE SAID, ADDING THAT IN ONE CASE AN EMPLOYER WAS FINED $20,000 UNDER THE GENERAL DUTY PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
"OF THESE CASES, 206 WERE AGAINST EMPLOYERS WHO HAD FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY GUARD DANGEROUS PARTS OF POWER PRESS WHILE ANOTHER 207 CASES CONCERNED FAILURE TO MAINTAIN EXIT DOORWAYS FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION," HE NOTED.
AS REGARDS THE SAFETY OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, MR SUNG SAID THERE WERE 1,092 CONVICTIONS UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, WITH FINES TOTALLING $8.38 MILLION.
"THESE INCLUDED, IN PARTICULAR, 388 CASES AGAINST EMPLOYERS FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE FENCES OR COVERINGS TO FLOOR EDGES, EXCAVATIONS, OPENINGS AND OTHER DANGEROUS PLACES ON SITE TO PREVENT THE FALL OF PERSONS," HE SAID.
"ANOTHER 186 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST EMPLOYERS WHO HAD FAILED TO PROVIDE SAFETY HELMETS TO WORKERS OR TO ENSURE THAT THEY WORE SUCH HELMETS WHILE ON SITE," HE ADDED.
APART FROM INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFENCES, THERE WERE 1,607 CONVICTIONS OF VIOLATION OF WELFARE PROVISIONS UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY), EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS THE EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR RELATIONS AND EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCES. THE FINES IMPOSED TOTALLED $2.71 MILLION. .
/"THE MAJORITY .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992
2
"THE MAJORITY OF THESE CASES RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS TO WORK OVERTIME OR TO WORK ON REST DAYS, AS WELL AS FAILURE OF EMPLOYERS TO INSURE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES OR TO GIVE THEM STATUTORY HOLIDAY PAY, AND THESE ACCOUNTED FOR 897 CASES AND 353 CASES RESPECTIVELY," MR SUNG SAID.
OF THE REMAINING CASES, 192 INVOLVED BREACHES OF THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS ORDINANCE, AND MOST OF THEM CONCERNED OPERATION OF BOILERS OR PRESSURE VESSELS WITHOUT THE DIRECT SUPERVISION OF COMPETENT PERSONS.
ANOTHER 30 CASES RELATED TO FAILURE OF EMPLOYERS TO KEEP OR-PRODUCE FOR INSPECTION EMPLOYEES’ RECORDS AS REQUIRED UNDER PART IVB OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
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■ CHANGES TO OCCUPATIONAL
* * *
HEALTH SERVICES CONCEPT
* t t
CHANGES TO THE CONCEPT AND SCOPE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG ARE IMPERATIVE TO MEET THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT AND RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG WORKERS’ HEALTH CENTRE AT NAM CHEONG ESTATE THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
"NOWADAYS, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NOT ONLY REFERS TO THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE ESTABLISHED TRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, IT CONCERNS THE TOTAL HEALTH OF ALL WORKERS," DR LEE SAID.
THE ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES HAS ALSO BEEN SHIFTED TO THE-PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND PREVENTION OF DISEASES FROM DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, HE ADDED.
IN VIEW OF THIS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TO REVIEW MATTERS RELATING TO OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS, DISABILITY EVALUATION AND COMPENSATION AS WELL AS REHABILITATION.
DR LEE SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD ALSO ESTABLISHED AN EXPERT WORKING GROUP ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES TO REVIEW OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY.
THE REVIEW IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.
THE DIRECTOR EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASES PREVENTION ASPECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH WOULD IN FUTURE BE INCORPORATED INTO THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICE.
"THE SUCCESS AND SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG CANNOT RELY SOLELY ON THE GOVERNMENT. THE CO-OPERATION AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE VITAL," DR LEE ADDED.
/3 ........
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3
HUMAN CASUALTIES ON ROADS ON RISE * * * * *
NEARLY TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES THE NUMBER OF HUMAN LIVES WERE LOST ON THE ROADS THAN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE - 92 - KILLED IN MURDERS LAST YEAR, BUT IT OSTENSIBLY HAS FAILED TO MAKE A DENT IN THE MINDS OF THE PUBLIC. •
THE SAME STARK TRAGEDY OF DEATH WAS REPEATED ON OUR ROADS AGAIN 59 TIMES IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, UP FROM 43 IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
LAST YEAR, EACH OF THE 315 HUMAN BEINGS WHO PERISHED ON THE ROADS MERELY BECAME PART OF THE DRY TRAFFIC FATALITY STATISTICS THAT WERE QUOTED BY THE MASS MEDIA, OFTEN INCONSCIPlCUOUSLY.
UNDERSTANDABLY, THE PUBLIC SOMETIMES FINDS IT HARD TO ASSOCIATE THE STATISTICS WITH THE LOSS OF 315 FUTURES, 315 EDUCATIONS, 315 DREAMS AND 315 BEREAVED FAMILIES GRIEVING FOR THEIR BELOVED ONES.
"SAD TO SAY, BUT TRUE, VERY FEW OF THESE FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, 208 OR 66 PERCENT OF THEM INVOLVED PEDESTRIANS, WAS "UNAVOIDABLE". ALMOST ALL WERE CAUSED BY HUMAN FAILINGS OR CARELESSNESS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
WHAT APPEARED TO HAVE ESCAPED THE PUBLIC MINDS ARE THE ENORMOUS SOCIAL COSTS TO THE COMMUNITY. EACH OF THESE ACCIDENTS TOOK UP PRECIOUS MEDICAL AND RELATED RESOURCES, IN ADDITION TO THE MANY POLICE HOURS DEVOTED TO THESE ACCIDENTS BY TEAMS OF INVESTIGATORS, AT THE EXPENSES OF OTHER POLICE DUTIES.
"NEVERTHELESS, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE EFFORTS MAY HAVE BEEN ALL WASTED. ALL THE INVESTMENT BY SOCIETY IN RESPECT OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND SOCIAL CARE FOR THE VICTIM ARE LOST," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PEDESTRIANS ARE THE LEAST PROTECTED CLASS OF ROAD USERS AND BY FAR THE MOST VULNERABLE TO INJURY OR DEATH IN COLLISION WITH ANY VEHICLE, HE NOTED.
"MOTORISTS MUST BE CONSTANTLY AWARE OF THE HIGH DUTY OF CARE PLACED ON THEM, EVEN IF PEDESTRIANS APPEAR TO ACT IRRATIONALLY THEY DESERVE THE SAME COURTESY AND CONSIDERATION AS YOU EXPECT FOR YOURSELF.
FOR THOSE ON FOOT, THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO THEM TO SPARE A THOUGHT BOTH FOR THE DRIVER AND FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY BY LOOKING ALL AROUND BEFORE YOU STEP FROM THE SAFETY OF THE PAVEMENT.
"DON’T SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE DASHING UNDER THE WHEELS OF A CAR," HE ADDED.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT MANY FATAL ACCIDENTS AND THE SWATHE OF MISERY MOWING THROUGH EVERY SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY COULD BE AVOIDED IF ALL ROAD USERS ACTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ROAD USERS CODE," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
/4
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992
4
NEW SHAPE FOR POLICE HEADQUARTERS *****
THE SHAPE OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN ARSENAL YARD, WANCHAI, WILL CHANGE AGAIN SOON WHEN THE FIRST FLOORS OF THE NEW 32 STOREY PHASE TWO OF THE HEADQUARTERS DEVELOPMENT START TO RISE FROM GROUND LEVEL IN MID-1993.
PILING FOR THE NEW BUILDING TO BE CONSTRUCTED ADJACENT TO THE WEST SIDE OF THE RECENTLY COMPLETED ARSENAL HOUSE COMPLEX WILL START IN JUNE AND COMPLETION IS EXPECTED AT THE END OF 1995.
ESTIMATED COST OF THE NEW BUILDING, WHICH WILL HOUSE MOSTLY CRIME FORMATIONS, IS $524.2 MILLION.
THE FINAL THIRD PHASE OF THE DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW COMPLETION OF PHASE TWO.
EARMARKED TO MOVE INTO PHASE TWO ARE CRIME WING DIRECTORATE, THE STATISTICAL OFFICE, INTERPOL, ORGANISED CRIME AND TRIAD GROUP, CRIMINAL CRIME BUREAU, NARCOTICS BUREAU, CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU, IDENTIFICATION BUREAU, CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU, BALLISTICS AND FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION BUREAU, TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION, THE FORCE ARMOURY AND FORENSIC PATHOLOGY LABORATORY.
NON-CRIME FORMATIONS SHARING THE NEW BUILDING WILL BE THE POLICE VETTING SECTION, STORES AND MAINTENANCE, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, INSPECTION SERVICES WING, MANAGEMENT SERVICES WING, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BRANCH AND COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH HEADQUARTERS.
THE BUILDING WILL ALSO CONTAIN SUCH AMENITIES AS MESSES, CATERING AND SOCIAL FACILITIES AND A BARBER SHOP.
MRS GILLIAN FLETCHER, CHIEF STAFF INSPECTOR, POLICE
HEADQUARTERS DEVELOPMENT, IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BRANCH SAID: "IN GENERAL TERMS ALL REMAINING POLICE HEADQUARTERS FORMATIONS NOW IN LEASED ACCOMMODATION WILL BE MOVING INTO THE NEW COMPLEX.
"THIS WILL PRODUCE SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN TERMS OF RENTS WITH ANNUAL SAVING OF AROUND $24 MILLION."
SPACE VACATED IN MAY HOUSE AT POLICE HEADQUARTRS WILL BE RE-ALLOCATED BY THE FORCE ACCOMMODATION COMMITTEE.
PHASE TWO HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO GIVE MAXIMUM USAGE OF SPACE, WITH A GENEROUS 15 PER CENT OF FLOOR SPACE BEING ALLOCATED CIRCULATION AREAS.
THE NEW BLOCK WILL HAVE AN AVERAGE FLOOR SPACE OF 977 SQUARE METRES, COMPARED WITH 705 SQUARE METRES IN MAY HOUSE.
"THIS IS BASICALLY AN OFFICE BUILDING AND IT WILL OFFER FACILITIES AND COMFORTS ACCORDING TO OPERATIONAL NEEDS," MRS FLETCHER SAID.
/"FORMATIONS HAVE .......
5
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992
"FORMATIONS HAVE MADE THEIR NEEDS KNOWN AND FITTING OUT WILL BE TAILOR MADE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS."
MODERN STANDARDS OF OPERATIONAL AIDS WILL INCLUDE AN IDENTIFICATION PARADE SUITE BASED ON THE LATEST DESIGN WITH A ONE WAY VIEWING ROOM AND MODERN AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT.
CRIME FORMATIONS WILL ALSO HAVE SEVERAL AUDIO-VISUAL INTERVIEW
ROOMS.
MRS FLETCHER SAID: "PERSONNEL WILL ENJOY A NEW AND MODERN WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND WE ARE ANTICIPATING THAT THEY WILL LIKE IT.
"WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN THE NEW BUILDING AND ITS FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A MODERN AND WELL-EQUIPPED POLICE FORCE.”
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AUTO-TOLL TRIAL SCHEME TO START AT ABERDEEN TUNNEL
*****
THE EXTREME LEFT TOLL BOOTH ON EITHER DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC AT THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE DESIGNATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR VEHICLES TAKING PART IN AN AUTO-TOLL TRIAL SCHEME STARTING FROM WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1) FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
THE TOLL BOOTHS WILL BE INSTALLED WITH AUTO-TOLL DEVICES WHICH WILL "READ" THE PRE-PAID TOLL TAGS CARRIED BY THESE VEHICLES USING MICROWAVE PRINCIPLES FOR DEBITTING THE TOLL ACCOUNT HOLDERS.
THEREFORE, ONLY VEHICLES WITH CLOSED ROAD PERMITS TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THESE BOOTHS AND THEIR APPROACHING LANES AT THE EXTREME LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE TOLL PLAZA.
SUFFICIENT SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO REMIND MOTORISTS ABOUT THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE BOOTHS FOR SUCH VEHICLES INCLUDING BUSES AND GOVERNMENT CARS.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE SCHEME IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT IN FINDING WAYS TO SAVE MANPOWER RESOURCES AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY IN TUNNEL OPERATION.
THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY, WHICH HAS A MANAGEMENT CONTRACT TO OPERATE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, HAS BEEN GIVEN APPROVAL TO CONDUCT THE SCHEME.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED OTHER MOTORISTS NOT TO USE THE DESIGNATED TOLL BOOTHS DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD AS NO CASH NOR TOLL COUPON WOULD BE ACCEPTED.
TO FACILITATE ENFORCEMENT, THE AUTO-TOLL EQUIPMENT IS ALSO CAPABLE OF ACTIVATING CLOSED-CIRCUIT VIDEO CAMERAS PUT UP AT THE BOOTHS TO RECORD VEHICLES PASSING THROUGH THE TOLL COLLECTION POINTS WITHOUT THE PRE-PAID TOLL TAGS FOR FOLLOW-UP PROSECUTIONS.
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1
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992
- 6 -
SEMINAR ON QUALITY MANAGEMENT *****
HONG KONG COMPANY EXECUTIVES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND EXPORT CAPABILITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS WILL BENEFIT FROM A SEMINAR TO BE ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (TSO) AND THE GERMAN INSTITUTE FOR STANDARDISATION.
SPONSORED AND HOSTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE SEMINAR ON ’’QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND ISO 9000” IS AIMED AT HELPING COMPANIES TO IMPROVE THEIR LEVEL OF QUALITY THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.
IT IS ONE IN A SERIES OF SEMINARS ON QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND ISO 9000 TO BE HELD UNDER THE ISO DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1992-94.
AT THE SEMINAR, TWO EXPERTS FROM GERMANY WILL SPEAK ON TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, ASSESSMENT AND AUDITING OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OF COMPANIES AND THE APPLICATION OF ISO 9000 TO ACHIEVE TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT.
ISO 9000 SERIES OF STANDARDS REPRESENT INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS ON HOW BEST TO ESTABLISH AND ASSESS QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.
THESE STANDARDS HAVE FOUND WIDE APPLICATION IN INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES WHERE THEY ARE USED AS A BASIS FOR AGREEMENTS BETWEEN BUYERS AND SUPPLIERS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELI) AT THE REGENT HOTEL FROM APRIL 6 TO 8. THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, WILL SPEAK AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR AT 9 AM ON APRIL 6 (MONDAY).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD AT PRIVATE ROOMS I-III ON THE LOBBY LEVEL OF REGENT HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 9 AM ON APRIL 6 (MONDAY).
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SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT ARRANGED
*****
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOK COUPONS MAY RECEIVE THEIR WELFARE PAYMENT EARLIER IF THEIR PAY-DAY FALLS ON THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN APRIL.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT WHILE PAYMENT SCHEDULED ON APRIL 4 AND 5 WOULD BE ADVANCED BY TWO DAYS, PAYMENT DATES WHICH FALL ON APRIL 17 TO 20 WOULD BE ADVANCED TO APRIL 13 TO 16 RESPECTIVELY.
ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE FOR RECIPIENTS TO COLLECT THEIR SUMS AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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110 SCHOOLS JOIN FIRST SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL ******
THE FINALS OF THE FIRST SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL, IN WHICH 110 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART, WILL BE HELD EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THE FESTIVAL, SPONSORED BY THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY (KOWLOON), AIMS TO PROMOTE DRAMA AS A REGULAR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY TO DEVELOP STUDENTS’ CREATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE EXPRESSION AND LANGUAGE SKILLS.
NINE PRIMARY AND 16 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL COMPETE IN SEPARATE FINAL EVENTS AFTER ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN REGIONAL PERFORMANCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED THE RESPONSE TO THE FIRST SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL AS "MOST ENCOURAGING" WITH 79 SECONDARY AND 31 PRIMARY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING.
PRODUCTION COST GRANTS RANGING FROM $800 TO $1,000 WERE AWARDED TO EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL.
IN ADDITION, TRAINING COURSES WERE ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS CONDUCTING THE PLAYS BY THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
/DETAILS OF
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1992
DETAILS OF THE EVENTS, WHICH WILL START AT 1.30 PM EACH DAY, ARE:
DATE
CATEGORY
LOCATION
APRIL 2 AND 3
CHINESE DRAMA, SECONDARY SCHOOLS ( 10 TEAMS)
SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE
APRIL 7
CHINESE DRAMA, PRIMARY SCHOOLS (NINE TEAMS)
SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE
APRIL 9
ENGLISH DRAMA, SECONDARY SCHOOLS (SIX TEAMS)
SHA TIN TOWN HALL
THE GALA EVENINGS AND PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 30 AND MAY 1.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FINALS OF THE FIRST SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON APRIL 2, 3 AND 7 AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, AND ON APRIL 9 AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL, STARTING AT 1.30 PM EACH DAY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG MUST BUILD FOR THE FUTURE: GOVERNOR ..................... 1
HK PREPARES TO PLAY KEY ROLE IN PACIFIC : SES ..................... 2
$732 MILLION SITE FORMATION CONTRACT FOR TUNG CHUNG AWARDED ....... 3
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDIES ON AIRPORT PROJECTS
DISCUSSED ....................................................... 4
SECRETARY FOR WORKS VISITS TSEUNG KWAN 0 .......................... 5
BUDGET DEBATE TO RESUME ON WEDNESDAY .............................. 6
NEW TELEPHONE GUIDE PUBLISHED ..................................... 6
DRAGON BOAT RACES INVITE ENTRIES .................................. 8
KWUN TONG MARRIAGE REGISTRY TO BE CLOSED .......................... 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .............................................. 9
LEGCO ELECTIONS SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW ................. 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 10
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
HONG KONG MUST BUILD * »
FOR THE FUTURE: GOVERNOR t t *
WE WANTED HONG KONG TO REMAIN ONE OF ASIA’S TOP TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND THEREFORE MUST BUILD NOW FOR THE FUTURE, THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT WAS WHY HONG KONG WAS PUTTING SO MUCH EFFORT INTO BUILDING A NEW AIRPORT WHICH WOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE 35 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR WHEN IT OPENED IN 1997.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT FROM A BUSINESS POINT OF VIEW, HONG KONG SHOULD FEEL GLAD AND PROUD OF THE FACT THAT IT WAS DOING RELATIVELY WELL AT A TIME WHEN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA WERE STILL STRUGGLING THROUGH THEIR RECESSIONS.
"THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION HAS GONE THROUGH A REMARKABLE PERIOD OF GROWTH DURING THE PAST- DECADE, WITH RATES OF GROWTH DOUBLE OR EVEN THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF THOSE IN WESTERN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
"HONG KONG IS NO EXCEPTION. OUR ECONOMY HAS GROWN BY AN AVERAGE, IN REAL TERMS, OF EIGHT PER CENT EACH YEAR SINCE THE 1970S. HONG KONG’S PER CAPITA GDP IS NOW ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN ASIA," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN THE REGION HAD LED TO GREATER DEMAND FOR BUSINESS AND LEISURE TRAVEL.
"AS A RESULT WE NOW SEE HUGE INVESTMENT IN AIRLINES, HOTELS, RESORTS AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS," HE ADDED.
OUTLINING THE REASONS WHY HONG KONG WAS WELL PLACED TO PLAY A MAJOR PART IN THE TRAVEL BOOM, THE GOVERNOR SAID OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS VISITORS TO HONG KONG HAD INCREASED FROM TWO-AND-A-HALF MILLION A YEAR TO SIX MILLION - WITH MORE AND MORE COMING FROM WITHIN THE REGION.
THESE VISITORS CONTRIBUTED SOME $40 BILLION TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
"THE IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM TO ALL THE ECONOMIES IN THIS REGION MEANS THAT WE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO THIS PART OF THE WORLD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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Z2 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
- 2 -
HK PREPARES TO PLAY KEY ROLF IN PACIFIC : SES
*****
HONG KONG IS INVESTING HEAVILY IN THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENABLE THE TERRITORY TO GO ON PLAYING ITS KEY ROLE IN THE PACIFIC, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION PRESS LUNCHEON, MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PACIFIC TRADING COMMUNITY.
"BEYOND 1997 WE WILL REMAIN INTEGRATED WITH THE PACIFIC," SHE STRESSED.
SHE SAID CERTAINLY FOR THE NEXT DECADE, AND PROBABLY WELL BEYOND, IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE ECONOMIES OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WOULD OFFER THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING BUSINESS PROSPECTS.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA, MRS CHAN SAID IN THE PAST DECADE HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC LINKS WITH CHINA HAD GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.
"WE ARE NOW EACH OTHERS’ LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, ACCOUNTING FOR ROUGHLY A THIRD OF EACH OTHER’S TRADE," MRS CHAN SAID, ADDING THAT SOUTHERN CHINA WITH WHICH HONG KONG HAD THE CLOSEST TIES WAS DESCRIBED BY ONE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL AS "THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY ON EARTH".
OVER THE PAST DECADE, THE ANNUAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA HAS INCREASED SIX TIMES IN REAL TERMS. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS ALONE, IT HAS GROWN BY NEARLY 40 PER CENT.
SHE SAID SOME 40 PER CENT OF ALL CHINA’S EXPORTS PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG. TWO-THIRDS OF CHINA'S FOREIGN INVESTMENT CAME FROM, OR THROUGH, HONG KONG.
SOME THREE MILLION PEOPLE IN GUANGDONG WERE EMPLOYED BY HONG KONG FIRMS. THIS WAS FOUR TIMES HONG KONG’S TOTAL MANUFACTURING LABOUR FORCE, SHE ADDED.
THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 WAS THUS NOT A THREAT TO LOCAL ECONOMY, SHE STRESSED.
"ON THE CONTRARY, IT SHOULD PROVIDE GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPING A PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG KNOW-HOW AND CHINA’S RESOURCES AND MANPOWER.
"THIS ECONOMIC MOMENTUM WILL, I AM SURE, HELP TO CARRY US THROUGH MANY OF THE DIFFICULTIES WHICH WILL INEVITABLY SURROUND THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997," SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THE BEST GUARANTEE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE LAY IN THE CONTINUING ECONOMIC? GROWTH WHICH IN TURN WAS DEPENDENT ON A THRIVING AND OPEN CHINA.
/"OUR TWO .......
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
"OUR TWO ECONOMIES ARE NOW INEXTRICABLY INTERWINED. * THE MORE OUR CAPITALIST VALUES CAN PERMEATE CHINA, THE MORE SECURE HONG KONG WILL BE AFTER 1997.
"IT IS THEREFORE VITAL FOR THE WORLD TO KEEP OPEN ITS LINKS WITH CHINA, WHETHER POLITICAL, ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL. HONG KONG CANNOT BE ISOLATED FROM ANY PUNITIVE ACTION IMPOSED UPON (HINA," SHE SAID.
------0--------
$732 MILLION SITE FORMATION CONTRACT FOR TUNG CHUNG AWARDED ******
THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN, TODAY (MONDAY) SIGNED A $732 MILLION CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE SITE FORMATION WORKS OF THE TUNG CHUNG DEVELOPMENT PHASE I.
THE TUNG CHUNG PHASE I DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF THE 10 AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS AND WILL FORM THE BASIS OF A NEW TOWN TO SERVE THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
PHASE I WILL ACCOMMODATE A POPULATION OF 20,000 AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1997 TO TIE IN WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING, COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, OPEN SPACE AND THE ASSOCIATED GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED.
UNDER THE SITE FORMATION CONTRACT, AN AREA OF ABOUT 52 HECTARES WILL BE RECLAIMED FROM THE FORESHORE BETWEEN THE TUNG CHUNG BATTERY AND TAI PO, TOGETHER WITH A LAND AREA OF ABOUT 15 HECTARES TO BE FORMED IN THE TUNG CHUNG AREA.
THE LAND FORMED WILL ACCOMMODATE THE FIRST PHASE OF THE TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN AS WELL AS THE SECTION OF THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY AND AIRPORT RAILWAY THROUGH TUNG CHUNG.
A CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT AREA WITH CARGO HANDLING FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED WHILE A 400-METRE WIDE FAIRWAY WILL BE DREDGED TO FACILITATE MARINE ACCESS TO THE TUNG CHUNG WATERFRONT, AND AN INTERIM FERRY PIER.
WORKS ON THE CONTRACT WILL BEGIN EARLY NEXT MONTH AND WILL TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE. EARLY HANDOVERS OF CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE WORK TO THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE HOWEVER SPECIFIED IN THE CONTRACT TO ENSURE TIMELY COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXPRESSWAY AND HOUSING PROJECTS IN MEETING THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF THIS CONTRACT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE SOUTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND ENGINEERING SUPERVISION WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE CONSULTANTS, MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED.
THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER OF THE CONTRACT IS CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY.
------0---------
/4 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
4
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDIES ON AIRPORT PROJECTS DISCUSSED
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) HELI) A MEETING TODAY DURING WHICH THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) STUDIES ON THE FINAL PHASES OF THREE CORE PROJECTS RELATING TO THE NEW AIRPORT WERE DISCUSSED.
THE THREE CORE PROJECTS ARE THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEE LAP KOK, THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY (TUNG (HUNG SECTION) AND THE NORTH LANTAU NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
EPCOM CHAIRMAN PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU SAID MEMBERS NOTED THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SET OUT IN THE EIA REPORTS AND CONSIDERED IT DESIRABLE FOR ALL THE PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER THAT THE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROJECTS COULD BE MITIGATED.
THERE WAS CONCERN THAT THE GROWTH OF THE AIRPORT TO THE PERIOD 2000-2030 MIGHT CAUSE NOJSE NUISANCE TO SOME AREAS. IT WAS AGREED THAT FURTHER CHECKS ON THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE REPORTED BACK TO EPCOM FROM TIME TO TIME.
MEMBERS NOTED WITH PLEASURE THAT THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) HAD ACCEPTED VERBALLY THE "ON-SITE" RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MITIGATION AT ITS EXPENSE, AND THAT THE "OFF-SITE" RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
IT WAS EPCOM’S VIEW THAT A FIRM FUNDING COMMITMENT FROM BOTH PAA AND THE GOVERNMENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL MITIGATION MEASURES SHOULD BE SOUGHT.
THE MEETING ALSO DISCUSSED THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONAL IMPACTS OF THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY’S TUNG (HUNG SECTION AND THE NORTH LANTAU NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
PROFESSOR WANG SAID THE MAJOR ISSUE OF CONCERN WAS THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONAL NOISF IMPACTS OF THE EXPRESSWAY ON EXISTING SENSITIVE RECEIVERS AND THE FUTURE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
MEMBERS WERE HAPPY TO NOTE THAT MITIGATION MEASURES HAD BEEN ADOPTED IN THE ROADWORK DESIGN AS WELL AS THE MASTER LAYOUT PLAN OF THE NEW TOWN TO MITIGATE THE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.
AIR-CONDITIONING AND WINDOW INSULATION WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE EXISTING SENSITIVE RECEIVERS. AFFECTED RESIDENTS IN THE TAI PO VILLAGE ON NORTH LANTAU WOULD ALSO BE RESITED IN 1993.
MEMBERS STRONGLY ADVISED THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAI AN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND AUDIT PROGRAMME WOULD BE CARRIED OUT TO CHECK COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION PERIOD.
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/5 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
- 5 -
SECRETARY FOR WORKS VISITS TSEUNG KWAN O
******
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED TSEUNG KWAN 0 TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THE NEW TOWN FOR WHICH THE WORK ACTIVITIES HAVE ALREADY STARTED MOVING TO THE SOUTH EASTERN PART.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN, MR BLAKE WAS FIRST BRIEFED AT A VANTAGE LOCATION ON THE VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES ALREADY COMPLETED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TSEUNG KWAN O, INCLUDING HANG HAU, TSUI LAM AND PO LAM AREAS.
THE NEW TOWN, WHICH WAS ONCE \ REMOTE VILLAGE SETTLEMENT AND WHICH LATER TURNED INTO AN AREA MAINLY FOR SHIP BREAKING AND RELATED INDUSTRIES, HAS NOW BEEN BUILT UP WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 110,000.
MR BLAKE WAS TOLD THAT DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN HAD NOW ENTERED A NEW PHASE WITH ENGINEERING WORKS CONCENTRATED ON THE SOUTH EASTERN PORTION OF THE NEW TOWN WHICH HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE SITE OF THE THIRD AND LARGEST INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN HONG KONG.
RECENTLY, A CONSULTANCY' STUDY ON THE ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA AS A BASE FOR DEEP WATERFRONT INDUSTRIES HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED.
AT A BRIEFING BY THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE SOUTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES, DR CHOI YU-LEUK, AT THE SITE OFFICE OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, THE SECRETARY' LEARNT THAT WORKS ON THE FIRST CONTRACT FOR THE LAND FORMATION AND ANCILLARY WORKS ON THE ESTATES WERE NOW IN FULL SWING.
WITH AN ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF ABOUT $1.04 BILLION FOR THE WHOLE PROJECT, ABOUT 90 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE FORMED FOR THE ESTATE UPON FULL DEVELOPMENT BY THE END OF 1995 YIELDING A NET SALEABLE AREA OF ABOUT 70 HECTARES.
TO CONCLUDE HIS VISIT, MR BLAKE ALSO HAD A TRIP ON BOARD A LAUNCH TO SEE THE VARIOUS INTERESTING CONSTRUCTION WORKS CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE ALONG THE COASTAL AREA OF THE NEW TOWN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE PROJECT.
THESE INCLUDED SPECIAL RECLAMATION AND ENGINEERING TECHNIQUE BEING EMPLOYED IN MARINE SAND- FILLING AND SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS THE INSTALLATION OF "WICK" DRAINS WHICH IS A MODERN METHOD USED TO ACCELERATE CONSOLIDATION OF MARINE MUD IN RECLAMATION PROJECTS.
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/6.........
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
BUDGET DEBATE TO RESUME ON WEDNESDAY
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND FOUR BRANCH SECRETARIES WILL SPEAK IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1992 AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1).
THE FOUR BRANCH SECRETARIES ARE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND SECRETARY FOR PLANNING,. ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS.
THE COMPUTER CRIMES BILL 1992 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATE ON IT WILL BE ADJOURNED.
OTHER THAN THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1992, SECOND-READING DEBATES WILL BE RESUMED ON SIX OTHER BILLS AND EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE* BILLS ARE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, NURSES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, MIDWIVES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, PROF EDWARD CHEN WILL PRESENT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S ANNUAL REPORT 1990-91 AT THE MEETING.
MEMBERS .OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 869 9192.
- - 0 - -
NEW TELEPHONE GUIDE PUBLISHED *****
A PUBLICITY PAMPHLET ON "HOW TO CHOOSE AND USE A TELEPHONE" WILL BE ISSUED ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE PAMPHLET WILL PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF TELEPHONE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG AND SOME HINTS TO CONSUMERS WHEN BUYING A TELEPHONE.
’’WE HOPE THAT THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUBJECT AFTER READING THE PAMPHLET SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE A WISE CHOICE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PUBLICATION OF THE PAMPHLET ALSO TIES IN WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW "PERMISSION TO CONNECT" PROCEDURES WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
/THE NEW
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
THE NEW PROCEDURES INCLUDE:
♦ PERMISSION TO CONNECT CERTIFICATION FROM HONG KONG
TELEPHONE COMPANY LTD. IS NOT REQUIRED FOR SINGLE LINE PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORK (PSTN) EQUIPMENT
(E.G. TELEPHONES) BEFORE CONNECTION TO THE TELEPHONE NETWORK;
* EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN A VOLUNTARY TEST, CALLED COMPLIANCE TEST, TO TEST THEIR SINGLE LINE PSTN EQUIPMENT;
* THE TEST WILL RE CARRIED OUT BY CERTIFYING AGENCIES RECOGNISED BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS ISSUED BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY; AND
♦ A UNIFIED LABEL HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR PRODUCTS WHICH HAVE PASSED THE TEST. MANUFACTURERS AND SIPPLIERS MAY AFFIX THE LABEL TO SUCH PRODUCTS.
THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPLIANCE TEST IS TO ENSURE THAT THE EQUIPMENT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE NETWORK AND WILL NOT CAUSE ELECTRICAL HAZARDS TO USERS AND THE PERSONNEL OF THE NETWORK OPERATOR.
A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POST OFFICE, CONSUMER COUNCIL, HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO. LTD., HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL LTD., HONG KONG TELECOM ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG TELECOM USERS GROUP WAS FORMED TO REVIEW EXISTING PROCEDURES FOR GIVING PERMISSION TO CONNECT TELECOMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS TO THE PUBLIC TELEPHONE AND TELEX NETWORKS.
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY HAS DECIDED RECENTLY TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW PROCEDURES AFTER CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP.
’’IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PROCEDURES IS ANOTHER STEP FORWARD TO LIBERALISE THE TESTING AND CERTIFICATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPLIANCE TEST WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PUBLICITY PAMPHLET.
COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET MAY BE OBTAINED FROM BRANCH POST OFFICES, PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF DISTRICT OFFICES AND CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRES OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
---------0-----------
/8........
MOND*AY, MARCH 30, 1992
8
DRAGON BOAT RACES INVITE ENTRIES * * * *
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR THIS YEAR’S DRAGON BOAT RACES IN SHA TIN.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE RACE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY), ITS ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW HEI-HUNG, SAID THE SHA TIN RACES HAD BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY PRIVATE AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS, WITH MORE THAN 200 ENTRIES LAST YEAR.
HE SAID THIS YEAR’S RACES WOULD COST MORE THAN $900,000.
THE RACES WILL BE HELD IN THE SHING MUN RIVER ON JUNE 5.
THEY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THE MEN’S DIVISION, MEN’S MINI-BOAT DIVISION, AND THE WOMEN’S MINI-BOAT DIVISION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE INVITATION RACES FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE COMPANIES.
THE WINNER OF THE MEN’S DIVISION WILL BE INVITED TO
• PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACE IN HONG KONG NEXT
YEAR. ALL THE ENTRY TEAMS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN SOUVENIRS.
THE RACES ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN SPORTS
ASSOCIATION AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, AND SPONSORED BY THE
REGIONAL COUNCIL AND SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SPORTS ASSOCIATION ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SAU TSUEN HOUSE, LEK YUEN ESTATE. THE DEADLINE IS APRIL 16.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSOCIATION ON TEL. 691 5657.
--------0-----------
KWUN TONG MARRIAGE REGISTRY TO BE CLOSED
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT
KWUN TONG MARRIAGE REGISTRY WOULD
ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE BE CLOSED FROM WEDNESDAY (APRIL 1).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CLOSURE WAS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO DEPLOY RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY.
DEMAND FOR THE SERVICE AT THE KWUN TONG MARRIAGE REGISTRY HAS BEEN LOW. ON AVERAGE. THERE WERE EIGHT MARRIAGE REGISTRATIONS A DAY LAST YEAR, AND THE DAILY MAXIMUM HANDLING CAPACITY WAS 19.
/'•CLOSING THIS ........
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
9
"CLOSING THIS OFFICE WILL ALLOW US TO REDEPLOY RESOURCES WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY MAKE USE OF ANY OF THE TERRITORY’S MARRIAGE REGISTRIES. THE NEAREST ONE FOR KWUN TONG RESIDENTS IS AT SAN PO KONG,” HE ADDED.
FOR ENQUIRIES, THE PUBLIC MAY CALL TEL. 824 6111.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 34.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 201.018 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 154.268 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 26.3 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 - -
LEGCO ELECTIONS SELECT COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW ******
THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL HOLD ITS SEVENTH OPEN MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THE SELECT COMMITTEE WILL MEET REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG GRAZIERS UNION, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE CHRI STIAN/CATHOLIC GROl PS.
IT WILL ALSO MEET MR HO KING-ON, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE ACTUARIAL ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
- - 0 - -
/10
MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1992
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 28.3.92 1,000
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 30.3.92 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -430 + 130 t
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON * O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -300 MN * OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED -130 MN * * O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 31.3.92 TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.5 *-0.1* 30.3.92 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT + 300 BONDS tt
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.24 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.74 5. 85
1 MONTH 4.03 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 3 MONTHS 4.07 PCT 6 MONTHS 4.40 PCT 12 MONTHS 4.75 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,740 MN CLOSED 30 MARCH 1992 0 98.99 6. 16
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
DEPUTY LAW DRAFTSMAN ERIC AU PASSES AWAY ................................ 1
HOTLINES ON RATES DEMAND NOTES SET UP ................................... 2
CLOSURE DEADLINE FOR OPEN NIGHTCLUB EXTENDED ............................ 2
VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN TO START TOMORROW ........................... 3
FOUR MORE HIV CARRIERS FOUND ............................................ 4
CERTAIN GOODS VEHICLES REQUIRED INSPECTION .............................. 6
NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE EFFECTIVE TOMORROW ..................... 7
VOLUNTEERS LOOKS FOR RECRUITS ........................................... 8
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY UNDERWAY ....................................... 9
ORDER TO AMEND FOOTWEAR ITEMS EFFECTIVE TOMORROW ....................... 10
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED................................................. 11
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN EAST KOWLOON ................................ 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ...................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 12
TUESDAY, MARCH 31,
1992
- 1 -
DEPUTY LAW DRAFTSMAN ERIC AU PASSES AWAY ♦ x * * * ♦
STAFF MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WERE DEEPLY GRIEVED BY THE DEATH ON MONDAY OF THEIR COLLEAGUE, DEPUTY LAW DRAFTSMAN MR ERIC AU SING-WAI, AGED 39.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID HE WAS DEEPLY SHOCKED BY MR AU’S DEATH.
MR MATHEWS SAID: "MR AU’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN IMMENSE, PARTICULARLY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILINGUAL LAW DRAFTING PROGRAMME.
"MR AU WAS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THE COMPLETION OF THE BILINGUAL LAW DRAFTING PROGRAMME AND BELIEVED PROFOUNDLY IN THE USEFULNESS OF THE PROGRAMME TO THE COMMUNITY.
"HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED," MR MATHEWS SAID.
MR AU HAD AN OUTSTANDING RECORD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. HE UNDERTOOK A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY WORK AS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE RED CROSS.
HE PLAYED A MAJOR PART IN THE RED CROSS’S FLOOD RELIEF WORK IN EAST CHINA LAST YEAR AND WAS SELECTED IN 1991 ONE OF THE "10 OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS OF HONG KONG".
MR AU WAS A MEMBER OF THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
MR AU JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER II ON JULY 24, 1972. HE WAS AWARDED A GOVERNMENT LEGAL TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP IN 1976 AND JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AS A LEGAL TRAINEE IN JULY 1980.
HE WAS APPOINTED CROWN COUNSEL IN MARCH 1982 UPON HIS ADMISSION AS A SOLICITOR IN HONG KONG, AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN OCTOBER 1984, TO DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN DECEMBER 1988, AND TO THE PRESENT RANK OF PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN JULY 1991.
MR AU COLLAPSED AT AN EXIT OF THE PRINCE EDWARD MTR STATION ON MONDAY EVENING AND WAS CERTIFIED DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN HOSPITAL.
MR AU IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN.
---------0---------
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
- 2 -
HOTLINES ON RATES DEMAND NOTES SET UP * ♦ * * * ♦
THE TREASURY WILL INTRODUCE FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) NEW TELEPHONE HOTLINES WITH A RECORDED MESSAGE ADVISING RATEPAYERS ON HOW TO OBTAIN DUPLICATE RATES DEMAND NOTES.
RATEPAYERS MAY DAIL 829 0588 FOR AN ENGLISH MESSAGE OR 829 0533 FOR A CHINESE MESSAGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID RATES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WERE DUE FOR PAYMENT ON APRIL 30.
HE ADVISED RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR DEMAND NOTE BY APRIL 11 TO OBTAIN A DUPLICATE ONE AT THE RATES SECTION, 30TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II, HONG KONG OR AT ANY OF THE TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES.
THE NEW HOTLINES WILL STRENGTHEN THE DEPARTMENT’S EXISTING TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE.
FOR ENQUIRIES ON OTHER QUESTIONS ON RATES DEMAND NOTES, RATEPAYERS MAY CALL TEL. 829 5011.
--------0-----------
CLOSURE DEADLINE FOR OPEN NIGHTCLUB EXTENDED
* * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE DEADLINE FOR THE CLOSURE OF THE ’’OPEN NIGHTCLUB AND DAY-TIME PARKING LOT” BORDERING THE WATERFRONT POLICE STATION IN CENTRAL WOULD BE EXTENDED TO JULY 31 THIS YEAR.
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP CONVENED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE GRANTED THE EXTENSION AFTER CONSIDERING A REQUEST BY THE STALL OPERATORS.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ’’NIGHTCLUB" OPERATORS HAD REJECTED A SIMILAR OFFER FROM THE GOVERNMENT DURING A MEETING WITH THE WORKING GROUP ON MARCH 25.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HAWKERS HAD SUBSEQUENTLY REVERSED THEIR POSITION AND SUBMITTED A COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES FROM THE MAJORITY OF HAWKERS YESTERDAY (MONDAY) TO INDICATE THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NEW DEADLINE.
A REVISION IN THE WORK SCHEDULE OF THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION PROJECT HAD ENABLED THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL CLOSURE DEADLINE ON MARCH 31, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HOWEVER, HE ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
3 -
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT IT WOULD DEFINITELY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO GRANT ANY FURTHER EXTENSIONS AS THE SITE WAS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A WORKS AREA THIS SUMMER.
TURNING TO THE LAST MEETING WITH THE HAWKERS, HE SAID THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN INFORMED THAT AN EX-GRAT1A PAYMENT OF $7,500 WOULD BE OFFERED TO ALL LICENSED ITINERANT HAWKERS IF THEY SURRENDERED THEIR PERMITS.
HE SAID THEY COULD ALSO CHOOSE TO CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS IN MINI-STALLS IN THE URBAN COUNCIL MARKETS OR ON-STREET FIXED-PITCH STALLS UNDER THE PREFERENTIAL CONDITIONS OFFERED IN THE ITINERANT HAWKER LICENCE REDUCTION SCHEME.
HE STRESSED THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD NOT MAKE ANY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE UNLICENSED HAWKERS AT THE "NIGHTCLUB" BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO UPHOLD THE PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS FOR ALL HAWKERS IN THE TERRITORY.
--------0-----------
VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN TO START TOMORROW
******
THE ANNUAL VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN WILL START TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND LAST UNTIL JULY 1.
THE REGISTRATION OFFICER OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, MR LAI KWAN-TAT, SAID OUT OF THE 3.7 MILLION ELIGIBLE ELECTORATE, 1.9 MILLION WERE ALREADY ON THE ROLL.
MR LAI URGED THE REMAINING 1.8 MILLION TO SIGN UP AS ELECTORS.
"ONCE REGISTERED, AN ELECTOR WILL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE IN ALL THE' GEOGRAPHICALLY-BASED ELECTIONS," MR LAI SAID.
GENERALLY, PERSONS AGED 21 OR ABOVE, WHO ARE HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS OR HAVE ORDINARILY RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR A CONSECUTIVE PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS, ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER.
REGISTRATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT OVER 1,400 DISTRIBUTION POINTS AT GOVERNMENT OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES, HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, POST OFFICES AND BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG BANK, HANG SENG BANK, CHARTERED BANK AND BANK OF CHINA GROUP.
REQUESTS FOR THE FORMS CAN ALSO BE MADE THROUGH THE REGISTRATION HOTLINE 827 1122.
/MR LAI ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
MR LAI ALSO INDICATED THAT OVER 170,000 APPLICATION FORMS WOULD BE POSTED TO PERSONS ON THE MAILING LIST FOR URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL PUBLICATIONS AND TO SOME DRIVING LICENCE HOLDERS AND VEHICLE OWNERS WHO ARE NOT YET ENROLLED AS ELECTORS.
MR LAI URGED REGISTERED ELECTORS TO REPORT CHANGES OF THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, BY FILLING IN A REGISTRATION FORM OR WRITING TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE.
’’OVER 98,000 POLL CARDS WERE RETURNED UNDELIVERED IN THE 1991 ELECTIONS. EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO TRACE THE ELECTORS CONCERNED. IF NO CONTACT COULD BE RE-ESTABLISHED, SUCH ELECTORS WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE REGISTER,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
FOUR MORE HIV CARRIERS FOUND ******
ONE MORE WOMAN WAS FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH (FEBRUARY), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED WOMEN TO 11, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
REVIEWING THE LATEST SITUATION OF AIDS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID APART FROM THE WOMAN, THREE MEN WERE TESTED HIV POSITIVE LAST MONTH. THIS BROUGHT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED IN HONG KONG TO 272.
NO NEW AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED DURING THE SAME 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 272 HIV INFECTED, 60 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 179 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, FIVE WERE DRUG ABUSERS AND THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION.
FOR THE REMAINING 25, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION, HE ADDED.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 226,897 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,038,767 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 18 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS
I
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
- 5 -
fa Ifo
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing i & wit
Virus Unit, Department of Health
Apr 85-Jan 92 Fet > 92 Total
’• No. tested* No. +ve NO. tested* No. +ve NO. tested* NO . +ve
from Public hospital's and clinics & 4 %, i M'y Ppferrals from orivate 26476 108 335 1 26811 109
practitioners and subvented hospitals 2450 52 34 2 2484 54
Attendances at social •
hygiene clinics 187462 46 1684 1 189146 47
Haemophiliacs 4 . Referrals from ramily Planning Association ft, 7 7 60 1 1 6 o * ‘ 589 60
6443 75 0 6518 1
239 0 1 0 240 0
Health care personnel 1088 0 21 0 1109 0
TOTAL « > a a 224731 267 2166 ,4 226697 271
r' This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests are repeated for certain individuals.
Aug 85-Jan 92 Feb 92 Total
No • . tested No.-+ve NO. tested No. No. No. +ve tested +ve
Hong Kong Red Cross •
Blood transfusion Service 1024854 17 13913 1 1038767 IS
V •
Department of Health-March 1992
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
- 6 -
CERTAIN GOODS VEHICLES REQUIRED INSPECTION
******
SEVERAL CATEGORIES OF GOODS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1989 REQUIRING RELICENSING ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR WILL HAVE TO BE INSPECTED FOR THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR LICENCE RENEWAL.
ANNOUNCING THE COMPULSORY REQUIREMENT, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THESE VEHICLES INCLUDED LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES BUT NOT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1989; AND MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES, HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1987.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE VEHICLES REQUIRING A NEW LICENCE STARTING ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR MUST BE INSPECTED AT A DESIGNATED VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE.
"THE OWNERS HAVE TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATES OF ROADWORTHINESS FOR RELICENSING THEIR VEHICLES.
"THE CERTIFICATE WILL BE VALID FOR RELICENSING FOR FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUE," HE ADDED.
OWNERS AND OPERATOR GROUPS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE TIMING FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INSPECTION, HE SAID.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT A TOTAL OF 70,000 GOODS VEHICLES BELONGING TO THESE CATEGORIES HAVE BEEN REGISTERED IN HONG KONG.
FOR VEHICLES HAVING A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF BETWEEN 1.9 TONNES AND 16 TONNES WILL BE INSPECTED AT THE NEW KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT 8 TSUI HING STREET, KOWLOON BAY.
OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD CALL 751 8862 FOR INSPECTION APPOINTMENTS.
THE OTHER TYPE OF VEHICLES HAVING A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 16 TONNES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT 2 CHEUNG YIP STREET, KOWLOON BAY. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR MAKING APPOINTMENTS IS 759 7573.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT PROVISIONS HAD BEEN MADE UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE FOR OWNERS OF ALL GOODS VEHICLES, SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES AND TRAILERS MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1983 TO SUBMIT THEIR CARS FOR INSPECTION AT A DESIGNATED VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR LICENCE RENEWAL.
/7........
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
- 7 -
NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE EFFECTIVE TOMORROW *******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IS THE FIRST APPOINTED DAY OF THE NEWLY DECLARED NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE (WCZ) WHEN CONTROLS ON NEW DISCHARGES UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE (WPCO) IN THE ZONE TAKES EFFECT.
THE SECOND APPOINTED DAY WILL BE ON OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR WHEN ALL EXISTING DISCHARGES WILL COME UNDER CONTROL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE NORTH WESTERN WCZ COVERS TUEN MUN, LAM TEI, TAI LAM CHUNG, SO KWUN WAT, PILLAR POINT, TAP SHEK KOK, LUNG KWU SHEUNG TAN, YAM O, CHEK LAP KOK, TUNG CHUNG AND TAI O.
EXCEPT FOR THE DISCHARGE OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE INTO PUBLIC SEWERS AND UNPOLLUTED WATER INTO ENVIRONMENTAL WATERS, ALL OTHER DISCHARGES ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROL.
THESE INCLUDE EFFLUENTS FROM ALL TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL, MANUFACTURING, COMMERCIAL, INSTITUTIONAL AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS, AND SEPTIC TANKS RECEIVING DOMESTIC SEWAGE FROM VILLAGE HOUSES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO DISCHARGE ANY POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE WATERS OF HONG KONG IN A WCZ UNLESS THE DISCHARGE WAS MADE UNDER, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH, A LICENCE GRANTED UNDER THE WPCO.
THEREFORE, WHILE FAILURE TO OBTAIN A LICENCE IS NOT AN OFFENCE, IT IS STRONGLY ADVISABLE FOR THE DISCHARGER, OR THE OWNER OR OCCUPANT OF THE PREMISES FROM WHICH THE EFFLUENT DISCHARGE IS MADE, TO OBTAIN A LICENCE TO AVOID THE RISK OF PROSECUTION.
FOR ANY NEW DISCHARGE MADE IN THE NORTH WESTERN WCZ AFTER APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, A LICENCE SHOULD BE OBTAINED BEFORE COMMENCING THE DISCHARGE.
FOR ALL DISCHARGES IN EXISTENCE IN THE NORTH WESTERN WCZ BEFORE APRIL 1, APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR.
NORTH WESTERN WCZ IS THE SEVENTH OF ITS KIND DECLARED SO FAR.
THE SIX OTHER WCZs ARE IN TOLO HARBOUR, SOUTHERN, JUNK BAY, PORT SHELTER, DEEP BAY AND MIRS BAY.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED THOSE WHO WERE DISCHARGING POLLUTING MATTER WITHOUT A LICENCE IN THESE WCZs TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
- 8 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN DECEMBER 1990 THE WPCO WAS AMENDED DELETING THE EXEMPTION CLAUSE FOR THE EXISTING DISCHARGES.
THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTIONS ARE INSTEAD DEEMED TO BE LICENSED FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS ENDING NOVEMBER 30, THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THAT DISCHARGES IN THE TOLO HARBOUR, SOUTHERN, JUNK BAY AND PORT SHELTER WCZs WHOSE DISCHARGES WERE PREVIOUSLY EXEMPTED FROM CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENTLY DEEMED TO BE LICENSED, SHOULD APPLY FOR LICENCE RENEWAL BEFORE THE EXPIRY DATE.
APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE SHOULD BE MADE USING FORM A WHICH IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT OFFICES AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE EPD ON TEL. 835 1181.
--------0-----------
VOLUNTEERS LOOKS FOR RECRUITS
*»»**»
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WILL START ITS ANNUAL RECRUITMENT EXERCISE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE REGIMENT IS LOOKING FOR ABOUT 200 MALE RECRUITS AND 50 FEMALE RECRUITS THIS YEAR.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD BE BETWEEN 18 AND 45 YEARS OLD, 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.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VOLUNTEERS SAID: "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 OPERATING RADIO EQUIPMENT, AND IN MAP READING AND FIRST AID IS ALSO GIVEN."
"THIS NO DOUBT HELPS IN BUILDING UP ONE’S PHYSIQUE AS WELL AS CULTIVATING A MORE MATURE AND CAPABLE PERSONALITY.
"VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN SUPERVISORY SKILLS, JUDGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING." HE ADDED.
/TRAINING FCR .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
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 OF BASIC TRAINING, 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.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS MAY 31 THIS YEAR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE VOLUNTEERS’ HEADQUARTERS ON TEL. 576 1371.
- - 0 - -
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY UNDERWAY * » t * »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DURING THE QUARTER FROM APRIL TO JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE MONTHLY SURVEY, CONDUCTED SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD, HONG KONG RESIDENTS WORKING IN CHINA, WORKER DISPLACEMENT IN HONG KONG, HOUSING DEMAND AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.
ABOUT 4,500 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION IN THE SURVEY.
/CENSUS OFFICERS
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
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CENSUS OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER PART IIIA OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG) AS NOTIFIED IN THE GENERAL NOTICE NO. 212 IN THE GAZETTE OF JANUARY 19, 1990.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, DATA RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL PERSON OR HOUSEHOLD COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, ANY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
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ORDER TO AMEND FOOTWEAR ITEMS EFFECTIVE TOMORROW
******
THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULE) ORDER 1992, WHICH AMENDS CERTAIN ITEMS OF FOOTWEAR THAT ARE SUBJECT TO CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING LEVY, WILL TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
EXPLAINING THE LEGISLATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE AMENDMENT AIMED AT REFLECTING CHANGES IN THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST AFTER THE FULL ADOPTION OF THE HARMONISED COMMODITY DESCRIPTION AND CODING SYSTEM FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATION AS FROM JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE, DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ITEMS SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE ARE SUBJECT TO A LEVY OF 0.03 PER CENT OF THE FREE-ON-BOARD VALUE UPON EXPORT. THE ITEMS IN THE SCHEDULE ARE DEFINED BY REFERENCE TO THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST.
THE REVENUE SO COLLECTED
IS USED FOR
---- ---- FINANCING TRAINING
PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY FOR WORKERS IN THE CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY AND TO OPERATE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW SCHEDULE IS PUBLISHED AS APPENDIX II IN THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST (HARMONISED SYSTEM), 1992 EDITION, WHICH CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
/U .....
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
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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 HUI CHI-MING ON APRIL 27, 1988 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF FOUR YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT. HUI WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF LEE WING-CHIU.
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WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN EAST KOWLOON *****
SUPPLY OF FLUSHING WATER TO CERTAIN AREAS IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 2) TO FACILITATE MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, NGAU TAU KOK, JORDAN VALLEY, KOWLOON BAY, KWUN TONG, SAU MAU PING, LAM TIN AND CHA KWO LING AND INCLUDING CHOI HUNG ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, PING SHEK ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT, SHUN LEE TSUEN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND LOK WAH ESTATE.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 31 MAR 92 31 MAR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q214 HY261
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,792 MN HKD 1,050 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 4.10 PCT 4.43 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.13 PCT 4.46 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 25 PCT ABOUT 28 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.17 PCT 4.49 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 6 APRIL 1992 -
TENDER DATE 7 APR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q215
ISSUE DATE 8 APR 92
MATURITY DATE 8 JULY 92
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$500 + 100 MN
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
4 * DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 30.3.92 1,000
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 31.3.92 -200 *
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -100
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -300 MN
* OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +100 MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
112.5 *+0.0* 31.3.92
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1992
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.21 PCT 20 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.20 5.54
1 MONTH 4.03 PCT 23 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99.30 5.98
3 MONTHS 4.07 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.37 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.68 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,824 MN
CLOSED 31 MARCH 1992
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