DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: 1991 ELECTIONS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD: CS ......................................... 1
STAND TOGETHER AND MAKE '91 ELECTIONS A SUCCESS ............................... 3
PUBLIC URGED TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS ...................................... 5
PROPOSED POLITICAL MODEL NOT ACCEPTABLE ....................................... 6
DEVELOPMENT ALONG DEMOCRATIC LINES FORESEEN ................................... 8
SUCCESSFUL START WILL ENTITLE US TO MORE DEMOCRACY ............................ 9
RESTRICTION ON NATIONALITY NOT RIGHT ......................................... 10
CHANGE IN CHINA'S ATTITUDE PREDICTED ......................................... 11
CLOSE AND EAGER PARTICIPATION ADVOCATED ...................................... 14
COMMUNITY MUST SHOW COURAGE AND DETERMINATION ................................ 15
TIME TO DISCUSS ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR 1991 .................................... 16
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM .............................. 18
RIGHT TIME FOR QUALITY DRIVE IN MANUFACTURING: GOVERNOR ........................ 19
SOCIETY'S OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES ....................... 21
1989 EXPORTS STATISTICS RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRY ORIGIN ........................ 22
HK TO SET UP COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION ....................... 25
AGREEMENT FOR AIRPORT RAILWAY STUDY SIGNED .................................... 26
APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR UNDER COMPANIES ORDINANCE ............................. 27
CENTRAL AND WESTERN ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY ............................. 27
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND ................................ 28
DRIVERS AND VEHICLE OWNERS URGED TO AVOID BUDGET DAY RUSH ...................... 29
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT, WAN CHAI AND MID-LEVELS ................... 30
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
1
1991 ELECTIONS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD: CS *****
THE 1991 ELECTIONS WILL MARK A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG, AND THEY WILL BE A TANGIBLE DEMONSTRATION OF OUR RESOLVE TO DEVELOP A POLITICAL SYSTEM BASED ON ELECTORAL CHOICE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
"WITH CHOICE COMES RESPONSIBILITY: THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ABLEST IN OUR COMMUNITY TO STAND FOR OFFICE; THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ELECTORATE TO EXERCISE THEIR CHOICE, AND TO EXERCISE IT WISELY; AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP," SIR DAVID SAID IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE INCREASINGLY LOOKING TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE COUNCIL FOR LEADERSHIP TO SEE THEM THROUGH THE UNCERTAINTIES WHICH LAY AHEAD.
"WE NEED PEOPLE OF COMMITMENT AND VISION TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE OF LEADING HONG KONG INTO THE NEXT CENTURY; LEADERS WHO WILL ACT IN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF HONG KONG RATHER THAN ON THE BASIS OF NARROW FACTIONAL INTEREST," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD NOT HELP IF WE WASTED OUR TIME CASTIGATING CHINA OR BRITAIN FOR WHAT HAD GONE WRONG IN THE PAST OR INDEED WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG IN THE FUTURE.
"ABOVE ALL WE MUST LOOK FORWARD RATHER THAN BACKWARD. AT THIS POINT IN OUR HISTORY WE MUST ACCEPT THAT IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL OUR FUTURE DESTINY LIES WITH US," THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE CONCLUSION OF THE DRAFTING OF THOSE PARTS OF THE BASIC LAW WHICH DEALT WITH POLITICAL ARRANGEMENTS HAD BROUGHT TO AN END THE UNCERTAINTY WHICH HAD BEEN UNSETTLING FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAD TAKEN A KEEN INTEREST IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
"THERE IS A STRONG SENSE OF DISAPPOINTMENT IN THIS COUNCIL THAT THE OMELCO CONSENSUS WAS NOT ADOPTED AS THE BASIS FOR THE POLITICAL MODEL IN THE BASIC LAW, AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND MEMBERS' FRUSTRATION IN NOT BEING ABLE TO ACHIEVE MORE ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THAT TAKING A WIDER VIEW SOMETHING ELSE HAD BEEN ACHIEVED OVER THE PERIOD OF THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW WHICH WAS WORTHY OF COMMENT.
"THIS COMMUNITY HAS FACED UP TO, AND GRAPPLED WITH, THE TASK OF SECURING PROGRESSIVE CHANGE TO THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE THROUGH THE TRANSITION OF SOVEREIGNTY.
/"MANY PEOPLE .......
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’’MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THIS COUNCIL. BUT IT FELL TO THIS COUNCIL TO SET DOWN A FIRM MARKER ON WHERE THE COMMUNITY’S ASPIRATIONS LAY," HE SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAMMERED OUT A CONSENSUS, IN ITSELF NO MEAN ACHIEVEMENT, AND STUCK RESOLUTELY TO IT. THE FINAL OUTCOME DOES NOT MEET MEMBERS’ EXPECTATIONS IN FULL, BUT THE PROGRESS WHICH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS, WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THEIR FIRM RESOLVE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT CLEARLY, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, THE BASIC LAW WAS A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, ADDING: "WE HOPE THAT THAT GOVERNMENT WILL BE PREPARED TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON THE PACE OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT HERE."
"CLEARLY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 1991 LEGISLATURE WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN INFLUENCING THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE WAY FORWARD," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT ATTITUDES IN HONG KONG HAD CHANGED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RESPONDED TO THE DEMAND FOR A FASTER PACE OF DEMOCRACY BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY SEATS FROM THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED 10 IN THE 1988 WHITE PAPER TO 18 IN 1991.
"THE SUCCESS OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG WILL DEPEND VERY MUCH ON THE QUALITY OF CANDIDATES WHO COME FORWARD IN THAT ELECTION AND THE TURNOUT OF THE VOTERS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL IN 1991, THE CONSTITUTIONAL BOUNDARIES AND THE TYPE OF VOTING SYSTEM WOULD BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.
"IN CONSIDERING ALL THESE IMPORTANT MATTERS OUR CONCERN IS TO DEVISE AS FAIR A SYSTEM AS POSSIBLE, A SYSTEM WHICH WILL NOT FAVOUR ANY PARTICULAR GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY OVER ANOTHER, AND TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO PARTICIPATE AND VOTE," HE SAID.
"THIS COUNCIL WILL OF COURSE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SCRUTINISE AND DEBATE THE LEGISLATION WHICH WILL GIVE EFFECT TO THOSE ARRANGEMENTS," HE ADDED.
"BUT ELECTIONS ARE NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS. IN ORDER TO SUCCEED WE MUST HAVE THE WHOLEHEARTED AND ACTIVE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY IN 1991," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE BASIC LAW PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH HONG KONG COULD CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, NOTING THAT THE FUNDAMENTALS ON WHICH THE TERRITORY’S SUCCESS IN THE PAST HAD BEEN BUILT, HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED NOR WERE THEY LIKELY TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.
"WE STILL HAVE A HARDWORKING AND RESILIENT WORKFORCE, UNRIVALLED ENTREPRENEURS, A SOUND ECONOMY, PERSONAL FREEDOMS, AND A STABLE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
/"IT SEEMS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
"IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEMS WE FACE ARE NOT THE PRACTICAL TANGIBLE PROBLEMS. WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT WE CAN DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THOSE. THE PROBLEMS OF TODAY ARE IN OUR MINDS. WE FOCUS OUR WORRIES ON AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.
"BUT IF WE CONTINUE TO BE PREOCCUPIED WITH THE FUTURE ARE WE NOT IN DANGER OF INCREASING THAT UNCERTAINTY BY FAILING TO RECOGNISE AND SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW TO BUILD A SOLID BASE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY?
"AND SO THE SOLUTION TO MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS ARE HERE, WITH US IN HONG KONG, NOT IN CHINA AND NOT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS NOW FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AS ONE OF THE COMMERCIAL CAPITALS OF THE WORLD, WITH A MATURE AND STABLE ECONOMY.
"THE SAME SPIRIT AND DETERMINATION WHICH BROUGHT ABOUT THAT MATERIAL SUCCESS MUST SURELY NOW BE DIRECTED TOWARDS MAKING THE FUTURE CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG WORK, AND WORK WELL," HE SAID.
"THOSE WHO WOULD LEAD HONG KONG OWE IT TO ALL WHO ARE PROUD TO CALL HONG KONG THEIR HOMES AND WHOSE FUTURE RESTS HERE, TO SEIZE THAT CHALLENGE WITH BOTH HANDS, AND SO ENABLE HONG KONG TO GO FORWARD TO THE NEXT CENTURY WITH CONFIDENCE," SIR DAVID SAID.
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STAND TOGETHER AND MAKE '91 ELECTIONS A SUCCESS
*****
THE HON RONALD ARCULLI APPEALED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) TO THOSE WHO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO HONG KONG, BELIEVING THAT THE TERRITORY HAS THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO STRIVE AND PROSPER, TO STAND TOGETHER IN MAKING NEXT YEAR’S DIRECT ELECTIONS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS.
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, MR ARCULLI SAID HE SUPPORTED THE MOTION MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE.
HE COMMENTED THAT CRITICISMS COULD NEVER CORRECT PREJUDICE, BUT ACTION, PRACTICE AND PERSUASION MIGHT IN HONG KONG’S BID FOR DEMOCRACY.
IT WOULD NOT SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE TO CONTINUE LASHING OUT AT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR NOT HEEDING OUR WISHES, OR AT WHITEHALL FOR YET ANOTHER SELLOUT.
/NEVERTHELESS, THIS ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
NEVERTHELESS, THIS DID NOT MEAN HONG KONG SHOULD NOT CONTINUE ITS BID FOR DEMOCRACY, BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BALANCE OUR DESIRE WITH REALITY.
MR ARCULLI SAID IT WOULD BE FUNDAMENTALLY UNSOUND TO COMPARE THE QUEST OF HONG KONG WITH THAT OF EASTERN EUROPE BECAUSE THE EASTERN BLOC’S CAUSE WAS FOUNDED NOT ONLY ON A LOVE OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY BUT ALSO ON THEIR ECONOMIC PLIGHT.
"HONG KONG HAS A LOT TO LOSE IF WE TIP THE BALANCE THE WRONG WAY. ONE WRONG STEP MAY COST US DEARLY.
"IN THIS CONTEXT I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT THE LESSON TO BE LEARNT FROM ALL THIS IS SIMPLY THAT WE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN MASTERS OF COMPROMISES IN OUR DEALINGS WITH CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. WE HAVE HAD TO ALTER AND ADAPT TO SURVIVE AND BE SUCCESSFUL. WE CAN DO IT AGAIN" HE SAID.
MR ARCULLI POINTED OUT THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE WAS THE FIRST AND GIANT STEP TOWARDS A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, BUT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT THAT THE FIRST DIRECT POLLS WOULD NOT END UP AS A FAILURE OR A FARCE.
THE FIRST THING WAS TO DECIDE UPON THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES AND THEIR BOUNDARIES BECAUSE DIFFERENT METHODS OF DIVIDING HONG KONG FOR ELECTION PURPOSES COULD BRING ABOUT DIFFERENT POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES.
"A BALANCE SHOULD BE STRUCK TO AVOID GERRYMANDERING BY THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS TO ENSURE THAT A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WOULD BE ABLE TO REFLECT VIEWS OF HIS CONSTITUENTS AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS AS A WHOLE WHEN MAKING DECISIONS," HE SAID.
MR ARCULLI NOTED THAT THE BASIC LAW PROPOSED TO RETAIN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN THE FUTURE SAR LEGISLATURE FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME.
HE SUGGESTED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE SAR ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ENSURE THAT ALL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS BE HELD DEMOCRATICALLY AND THAT SECTOR INTERESTS, BE THEY PROFESSIONAL PROTECTIONISM OR TRADE UNIONISM, SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED.
MR ARCULLI ALSO REFERRED TO MONEY.
HE BELIEVED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL COMMUNITY LEADERS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND STAND FOR LEGCO DIRECT ELECTIONS BY GRANTING FUTURE CANDIDATES A SUBSIDY, SET AT A REALISTIC LEVEL, FOR RUNNING CAMPAIGNS.
IT SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO A CANDIDATE ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS ACCORDING TO ACTUAL EXPENDITURE INCURRED DURING THE CAMPAIGN, HE SAID.
SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT WOULD HELP SUBSTANTIALLY IN REMOVING ANY CRITICISM THAT THE RICH HAD AN EDGE OVER THE NOT SO WELL-OFF IN PUBLIC ELECTIONS.
/HE ALSO ........
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HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT DIRECTLY ELECTED CANDIDATES SHOULD BE GIVEN A STIPEND AND ALLOWANCE WHICH WOULD BE HIGHER THAN THAT OF THEIR FUNCTIONAL OR APPOINTED COLLEAGUES BECAUSE THEY MIGHT HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT TO SERVE THEIR CONSTITUENTS.
MR ARCULLI SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO UPDATE AND REVIEW EXISTING ELECTORAL LAWS, SUCH AS A CLEARER DEFINITION OF THE TERM "PUBLIC OFFICE", AND OTHER LEGAL PROBLEMS INVOLVED.
HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR EFFECTIVE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND BEIJING IN THE COMING SEVEN YEARS, WHICH WOULD SERVE TO ENHANCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION.
SUCH CHANNELS WOULD BE CRUCIAL AFTER THE DISBANDING OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING AND CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES.
"I BELIEVE THAT IT IS RIGHT FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THIS ADMINISTRATION TO ACTIVELY ENCOURAGE AND NURTURE THE SINO-HONG KONG DIALOGUE AND RELATIONSHIP AT ALL LEVELS SO AS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND HANDOVER," HE SAID.
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PUBLIC URGED TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS
*****
IT WILL BE THE RESPONSE OF THE HONG KONG POPULACE, THE RESPONSE OF EVERY ONE OF US, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY DETERMINE THE SUCCESS OF DEMOCRATISATION, THE HON PAUL CHENG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SUPPORTING THE MOTION OF THE SENIOR MEMBER IN THE DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, MR CHENG SAID THAT HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THE OMELCO CONSENSUS HAD NOT BEEN ADOPTED, BUT HE THOUGHT THAT FACED WITH NEW REALITIES, WE MUST CONCENTRATE OUR EFFORTS ON NEXT YEAR’S DIRECT ELECTIONS.
"NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, WE MUST FOCUS SOME ENERGIES ON COMMUNICATING WIDESPREAD CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AMONG HONG KONG PEOPLE SO THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE AND COMPETENT TO GET OUT AND VOTE.
"THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THOSE WHO CAN REPRESENT THEM WELL - THOSE WHO ARE ARTICULATE AND CONVERSANT WITH THE MANY ISSUES THAT HONG KONG IS FACING TODAY," HE SAID.
MR CHENG SAID THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS ON THEIR PART MUST SUPPORT ALL EFFORTS TO INFORM CITIZENS IN PUBLIC POLICY, BASED ON EDUCATION AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL.
/"WE ARE .......
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THURSDAY MARCH i 1990
”WE ARE LOOKING AT A TRANSFORMATION IN HOW HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE TO BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS. IT IS THIS NEW ’HOW’ - THE ’HOW TO BE INVOLVED’ - THAT IS AT THE CRUX OF OUR SUCCESSFUL GOVERNANCE THROUGH THE 1990S AND BEYOND,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT FACED WITH SO MUCH NEGATIVE NEWS EVERY DAY, WE NEED TO STRIVE FOR BALANCE IN SHARING INFORMATION, AND SEE THE POSITIVE THAT WAS A BIG PART OF HONG KONG.
THE MEDIA COULD GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING TO REBUILD HONG KONG’S CONFIDENCE.
MR CHENG ALSO SAID IT WAS TIME TO STOP THE PLETHORA OF SURVEYS THAT BUFFETTED US WITH HOW MANY OF OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST WERE LEAVING HONG KONG AND TO MOVE OUR SURVEYS TO TORONTO, SYDNEY AND NEW YORK, TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT AND HONG KONG PEOPLE BACK TO HONG KONG.
ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PART, HE SAID IT MUST BE THOUGHTFUL AND WELL-ORGANISED, AND MUST HAVE VISION.
"IT MUST ADDRESS THE HONG KONG IMAGE PROBLEM FORCEFULLY AND POSITIVELY. FOR THE PEOPLE IT SERVES, THE HONG KONG CITIZENRY, IT MUST ALSO ADDRESS THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD BY PUTTING A WELL-DEFINED POLITICAL SYSTEM IN PLACE WITH AN ESTABLISHED ELECTION PROCESS,” HE ADDED.
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PROPOSED POLITICAL MODEL NOT ACCEPTABLE * ♦ » * ♦
THE FUTURE POLITICAL MODEL PROPOSED IN THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WILL NOT ACHIEVE THE IDEALS UNDERLAID BY THE SPIRIT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION TO ALLOW HONG KONG PEOPLE TO RULE HONG KONG WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.
THE HON DAVID CHEUNG SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT ON THIS GROUND, HE COULD NOT ACCEPT THE POLITICAL MODEL NOR COMMEND IT TO HONG KONG PEOPLE.
HE CRITICISED THE PROPOSED MODEL AS FALLING FAR SHORT OF THE OMELCO CONSENSUS AND FAILING TO MEET THE GENERAL WISHES OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE DISAGREED THAT THE PROPOSED MODEL WAS A BIG IMPROVEMENT ON THE VERSION PROPOSED IN GUANGZHOU AND THAT IT SHOULD SATISFY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
/"WHY SHOULD .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
"WHY SHOULD IT BE WHEN FOR THE OMELCO CONSENSUS HAS ADOPTED?" •
MR CHEUNG CATEGORICALLY A NUMBERS GAME.
THE COMMUNITY’S OVERWHELMING SUPPORT NOT EVEN \BEEN DISCUSSED, LET ALONE
DENIED THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN PLAYING
HE SAID: "EVEN IF IT WAS SO, THEY ARE NOT TO BLAME BECAUSE BY 2003, BETWEEN THE TWO MODELS THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF 30 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND 30 IS CERTAINLY A LARGE NUMBER."
REFUTING THE ALLEGATION THAT THE OMELCO CONSENSUS WAS BRITISH, HE SAID: "THE PAINSTAKING EFFORTS ON THE PART OF OMELCO MEMBERS TO STRIVE TO REACH A CONSENSUS AMIDST TWO POLARISED CONCEPTIONS OF DEMOCRATISATION AND TO STICK TO THE SAME MODEL AFTER WHAT HAS HAPPENED ON JUNE 4, 1989 SHOW THAT WE, AS RESPONSIBLE OMELCO MEMBERS, HAVE TAKEN THE ENTIRE SITUATION INTO CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, INCLUDING THE POLITICAL SENSITIVITY OF THE CHINESE LEADERS."
MR CHEUNG DISMISSED AS TOTALLY UNNECESSARY THE MOVE TO BRUSH ASIDE THE OMELCO CONSENSUS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF FACE AND TO PROVE WHO WAS HONG KONG’S SOVEREIGN MASTER.
"IT WOULD ONLY DISCOURAGE HONG KONG PEOPLE FROM EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS, KNOWING THAT CHINA HAS NO DESIRE TO HEED THEIR CRIES. THIS WILL FURTHER ERODE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE COMPELLED BY REALITY TO LIVE WITH THE PROPOSED MODEL FOR THE TIME BEING, THEIR PRAGMATISM SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED, MR CHEUNG SAID.
"THE FIRE OF OUR ASPIRATIONS FOR A MORE DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL STRUCTURE WILL CONTINUE TO KINDLE AND SPARK."
HE URGED THE COMMUNITY TO FACE UP TO THE CHALLENGES OF THE ACID TEST IN THE 1991 ELECTION BY VOTING FOR THOSE WHO COULD BEST REPRESENT THEIR INTERESTS, AND TO PROVE TO THOSE WHO WERE LESS DEMOCRATICALLY MINDED THAT DEMOCRACY WAS NOT AN EVIL TO BE STIFLED AT ALL COSTS.
"ONLY THROUGH ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF OURSELVES IN THE ELECTION OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES WILL WE, IN TIME, BE THE MASTERS OF OUR OWN DESTINY," MR CHEUNG CONCLUDED.
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/8.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
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DEVELOPMENT ALONG DEMOCRATIC LINES FORESEEN
*****
THE BASIC LAW FOR THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE TERRITORY CAN PROSPER, IN PEACE AND STABILITY, THE HON NELLIE FONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, MRS FONG SAID SHE WAS GLAD THE DRAFTING STAGE WAS OVER NOW, AS PEOPLE COULD FOCUS THEIR MINDS ONCE MORE ON BUILDING HONG KONG, AND THE BASIC LAW FORESAW A CONTINUATION OF DEVELOPMENT FOR HONG KONG ALONG DEMOCRATIC LINES, SHE SAID.
"THE CHANGES AS FORESEEN WILL BE GRADUAL. I SEE NO REASON FOR THE CHANGE TO BE DISRUPTIVE."
WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG REALLY WANTED WAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RETAIN THE LIFESTYLE THEY HAD GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO, FREEDOM TO TRAVEL AND TO TRADE.
"WE WANT A HONG KONG THAT ENCOURAGES BUSINESS AND FOSTERS THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH BUSINESS CAN PROSPER ... WE WANT A HONG KONG THAT CONTINUES TO BE A RECOGNISED CENTRE OF CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC POWER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA,” MRS FONG SAID.
"THESE THINGS ARE DESCRIBED BY THE BASIC LAW; BUT THEY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED BY ANY PIECE OF PAPER. THEY CAN ONLY BE ATTAINED BY DETERMINATION, BY GOOD AND MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS AND WITH THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP."
CALLING FOR UNITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG. MRS FONG SAID WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO CHERISH OUR VALUES ' OF FREEDOM, OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND FREE TRADE, AND WORK DILIGENTLY FOR OUR FUTURF STABILITY.
SHE ALSO APPEALED TO THOSE WHO HAD THE ABILITY AND THE INCLINATION TO LEAVE TO RECONSIDER, AND THOSE WHO HAD LEFT TO RETURN TO HELP BUILD THIS CITY.
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/9.........
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SUCCESSFUL START WILL ENTITLE US TO MORE DEMOCRACY
* * * * »
IT'WE CAN MAKE A SUCCESSFUL START TO OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO FURTHER NEGOTIATE WITH CHINA FOR RELAXATION OF THE GAG ON DEMOCRACY AND FOR OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BASIC LAW, THE HON MIRIAM LAU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE SENIOR MEMBER’S MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, MRS LAU SAID IT WAS MOST UNFORTUNATE THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE DECIDED AT A TIME WHEN THE SINO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIP WAS MOST STRAINED AND MUTUAL TRUST AND RESPECT APPEARED TO BE LOWEST.
THE TRAGIC EVENTS LAST JUNE HAD SHOCKED HONG KONG AND THE WORLD BUT REPERCUSSIONS ON CHINA CAUSED BY WORLDWIDE REACTIONS AND THOSE OF HONG KONG’S COULD NOT HAVE BEEN UNFELT, SHE SAID.
CHINA HAD BECOME PARANOID ABOUT DEMOCRACY BREEDING SUBVERSION, AND WAS OBSESSED WITH THE MISCONCEPTION THAT IF HONG KONG SHOULD GET TOO MUCH DEMOCRACY, IT WOULD BECOME A BASE FOR SUBVERSION.
’’THIS BEING THE CASE, WE MUST TRY TO CORRECT THE MISCONCEPTION AND TAKE STEPS TO FOSTER BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL TRUST BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA,” SHE SAID.
MRS LAU SAID WE MUST PROVE BY ACTION THAT WE COULD BE ENTRUSTED WITH DEMOCRACY, AND THAT SUBVERSION HAD NO PART TO PLAY IN THE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM WHICH WE SOUGHT.
"WE ARE NOT ABLE AT THIS STAGE TO PROCURE A POLITICAL MODEL OF OUR CHOICE, BUT LET US THINK AND ACT POSITIVELY RATHER THAN RECRIMINATE.
"THE FRAMEWORK AVAILABLE IS NOT ONE WHICH WE CANNOT WORK WITH, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO 1991,” SHE SAID.
MRS LAU STRESSED THAT IT WAS NOT JUST THE POLITICAL MODEL THAT MADE A DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM, AND THERE WERE MANY OTHER AREAS WHICH WE HAD YET TO WORK ON.
SHE SAID THAT A SUCCESSFUL DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM DEPENDED ON WHETHER WE HAD THE RIGHT PERSONS TO FILL THE ELECTED SEATS, WHETHER WE COULD GET ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND WHETHER WITH THE DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS WE COULD STILL MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT.
CIVIC EDUCATION AND PROMOTION OF KNOWLEDGE IN POLITICS WERE PRIORITY ITEMS WE HAD STILL TO WORK ON, SHE SAID.
MRS LAU SAID SHE DID NOT ACCEPT THE STATEMENT BY CHINESE OFFICIALS THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THE BASIC LAW COULD BE CHANGED AFTER IT HAD BEEN RATIFIED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS.
/GIVEN THE .......
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GIVEN THE POLITICAL WILL AND DETERMINATION, SHE SAID, WE COULD MAKE REVISIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BASIC LAW TO COPE WITH THE CHANGING POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
"FOR THE TIME BEING, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO MAINTAIN OUR SENSE OF DIRECTION, BE CONSTRUCTIVE AND ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE," SHE SAID.
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RESTRICTION ON NATIONALITY NOT RIGHT
*****
IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR THE BASIC LAW DRAFT MODEL TO INCLUDE A 20 PER CENT RESTRICTION ON THE NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS HOLDING FOREIGN PASSPORTS OR RIGHT OF ABODE OVERSEAS, FOR THESE PEOPLE STAND FOR HONG KONG AND HONG KONG ALONE, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, DR LEONG SAID THE SPIRIT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS TO SAFEGUARD THE FREEDOMS AND RIGHTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AFTER 1997, FOR 50 YEARS.
THE EXISTING SYSTEM DID NOT FORBID ANYBODY, WHETHER HE HELD A FOREIGN PASSPORT OR RIGHT OF ABODE OVERSEAS, FROM TAKING PART IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATURE SO LONG AS HE WAS QUALIFIED AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT HERE.
"CHINA HAS PLEDGED NOT TO CHANGE HONG KONG’S SYSTEM. TO IMPOSE SUCH A RESTRICTION IS TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM," DR LEONG SAID.
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT COULD CO-OPERATE AND ALLOW AN ISSUE THAT CLEARLY VIOLATED THE SPIRIT AND LETTER OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
ON A TECHNICAL BASIS, DR LEONG SAID, THE NATIONALITY RESTRICTION IN THE FUTURE LEGISLATURE SIMPLY DID NOT WORK, AS THE SYSTEM COULD NEVER ENSURE THAT NO MORE THAN 20 PER CENT OF THE LEGISLATORS WOULD BE RETURNED BY THE END OF THE DAY.
FURTHERMORE, PROBLEMS WOULD ARISE IF MORE THAN 20 PER CENT OF THE LEGISLATORS HOLDING FOREIGN PASSPORTS WERE ELECTED.
DR LEONG ALSO SAID THAT FOR CONSTITUENCIES LIKE THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL ONES, IT WAS DOUBTFUL WHETHER A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF QUALITY PEOPLE COULD BE ATTRACTED TO JOIN THE ELECTIONS AS MANY OF THEM WERE HOLDING FOREIGN PASSPORTS OR RIGHT OF ABODE OVERSEAS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT DISAPPOINTED AS WE WERE, WE SHOULD NOT GIVE WAY TO DESPAIR.
/"THE PROMULGATION ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
"THE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS THE END OF HONG KONG, FAR LESS THE END FOR DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MUST STAND FIRM, AND OMELCO MUST TAKE A LEAD AND MUST SHOW THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THEIR DETERMINATION IN THEIR DRIVE FOR DEMOCRACY.
COMMENDING THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR’S MOTION TO HIS COLLEAGUES, DR LEONG SAID THEY MUST SHOW CONVICTION FOR WHAT THEY STOOD FOR, AND OMELCO SHOULD STAND FIRM ON THEIR OWN CONSENSUS.
HE SAID THE 1991 ELECTION WOULD BE VITAL FOR HONG KONG, AND THE ELECTION PACKAGE AND ELECTION METHODS MUST BE OPEN, FAIR, EQUAL AND FREE TO ENSURE THAT GENUINE REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG WERE BEING ELECTED.
DR LEONG ALSO SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MUST BE STIMULATED AND SELF MOTIVATED TO COME OUT TO VOTE EN MASSE TO REFLECT THEIR CONCERN AND TO CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY.
------0--------
CHANGE IN CHINA’S ATTITUDE PREDICTED *****
THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR PREDICTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL SEE CHANGES FOR THE BETTER IN CHINESE ATTITUDES AND POLICIES TOWARDS HONG KONG.
"I BELIEVE THAT CHINA WILL RECOGNISE THAT WE POSE NO THREAT, THAT OUR ECONOMIC SYSTEM IS VASTLY SUPERIOR TO THEIRS, THAT AN ESSENTIAL PART OF IT IS CONFIDENCE, BOTH PERSONAL AND CORPORATE, AND THAT GREATER DEMOCRACY IN GOVERNMENT IS THE BEST WAY OF ENSURING THAT OUR SYSTEM CONTINUES TO FLOURISH AND TO SUPPORT CHINA,” HE SAID IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
AND CHANGE IN CHINA WAS HONG KONG’S GREATEST HOPE, HE ADDED.
IT WAS BASED ON THIS CONVICTION AND ON THE VIEW THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COULD NOT ABANDON THE VERY MODERATE POLITICAL MODEL IT HAD CHAMPIONED FOR SO LONG AND WHICH HAD BEEN SO WIDELY SUPPORTED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT HE WOULD BE MOVING HIS MOTION IN THE DEBATE.
/HIS MOTION........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
12
HIS MOTION READS: ’’THAT THIS COUNCIL DEPLORES THE EXTREMELY UNDEMOCRATIC POLITICAL MODEL PROPOSED FOR THE BASIC LAW AT THE RECENT MEETING OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE AND URGES THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THEIR FUTURE AFTER 1997 BY ACCEPTING A MORE DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL MODEL FOR THE BASIC LAW BASED UPON THE OMELCO CONSENSUS WHICH RECOMMENDS A FULLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE BY THE YEAR 2003, REFLECTING THE EXPRESSED WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG; AND URGES THE ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR NO LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEATS TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY 1995.”
MR MCGREGOR SAID THAT FIVE YEARS WAS A VERY LONG TIME IN POLITICS AND ECONOMICS, AND MANY CHANGES COULD BE BROUGHT ABOUT BY CONTINUED NEGOTIATION AND PRESSURE ON THE TWO SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENTS, ESPECIALLY IF THE 1991 ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG WERE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL AND THE SUBSEQUENT TRACK RECORD OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS ENLIGHTENED AND HELPFUL TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE VAST AND UNPREDICTED CHANGES NOW SWEEPING THROUGH EASTERN EUROPE WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS FOR CHINA AND ITS LEADERS.
"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHAT THESE EFFECTS WILL BE BUT THEY MUST SURELY BE BENEFICIAL TO HONG KONG AND TO THE SYSTEM WHICH WE HAVE BUILT HERE AND WHICH CHINA SO EARNESTLY WISHES TO PRESERVE," HE SAID.
"WE CAN THEN SEEK THE SPECIFIC CHANGES I PROPOSE IN MY MOTION."
IN ADDITION TO WHAT HE HAD PROPOSED IN HIS MOTION, MR MCGREGOR SUGGESTED THAT THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR 1991 BE RESTRICTED TO 54, THUS MAINTAINING THE FIRST LEG OF THE OMELCO CONSENSUS AT ONE THIRD OF MEMBERS BEING ELECTED BY UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE.
TURNING TO THE PRESENT, MR MCGREGOR DESCRIBED THE POLITICAL MODEL PROPOSED IN THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW AS "A PALE SHADOW OF WHAT IS NEEDED TO GUARANTEE OUR FUTURE VIGOUR AND VITALITY AND TO ENSURE THE SUPPORT OF THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG".
HE BLAMED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MORE THAN THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS.
"WE DESERVED BETTER FROM THE MOTHER OF DEMOCRACY," HE SAID.
MR MCGREGOR SAID THAT BRITAIN HAD ENJOYED FULL DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM IN THE ELECTION OF ITS GOVERNMENT FOR MOST OF THIS CENTURY; THE PRIME MINISTER HERSELF WAS A FIERCE AND DETERMINED SUPPORTER OF DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS; AND HER GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN FULLY AWARE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE’S WISH FOR A FASTER PACE OF DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT.
/HE WAS ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
- 13 -
HE WAS SURPRISED THAT AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, MR DOUGLAS HURD AND MR FRANCIS MAUDE SHOULD ENTER THE LATTER STAGE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CHINA WITH SOME PERCEPTION THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE READY TO CONCEDE TO A SLOWER PACE OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM.
WHERE ON EARTH DID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT GET THIS IDEA, HE WONDERED.
IN MR MCGREGOR’S VIEW, CHINA’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS HONG KONG WAS MORE EXCUSABLE, BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COUNTRY HAD NEVER TASTED DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM, NOR DID IT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THE VITAL CONTRIBUTION THAT DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM WOULD MAKE TO THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG.
’’THEY (THE CHINESE LEADERS) APPEAR TO EXPECT THAT WHAT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR BRITAIN SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR CHINA; THAT SUCCESSFUL COLONIAL HONG KONG SHOULD BECOME SUCCESSFUL SAR OF CHINA WITHOUT ANY GREAT CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT,” HE SAID.
BUT THE DIFFERENCE WAS THAT WHILE THE BRITISH TRACK RECORD IN ADMINISTERING HONG KONG HAS BEEN BENIGN AND NON-INTERVENTIONIST IN CHARACTER, CHINA’S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS HAD INSPIRED LITTLE FAITH AMONG THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
ALTHOUGH CHINA HAD BEEN TRYING TO LIBERALISE ITS ECONOMIC SYSTEM, IT HAD NOT RECOGNISED THE NEED FOR CORRESPONDING CHANGE TO ITS POLITICAL SYSTEM.
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CHANGE WERE INTERDEPENDENT AND ONE COULD NOT SUCCEED WITHOUT THE OTHER, MR MCGREGOR EMPHASISED.
HE SAID THE LACK OF FAITH IN CHINA WAS NOW CAUSING THE GREATEST BRAIN DRAIN IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY.
’’PEOPLE WHO HAVE A CHOICE ARE CHOOSING TO LEAVE AND NOTHING THAT CHINA HAS DONE SO FAR WITH THE BASIC' LAW WILL PROVIDE THE ASSURANCES NECESSARY TO SLOW IT DOWN,” HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE SENIOR MEMBER’S MOTION, MR MCGREGOR SAID THAT HE DID NOT OPPOSE IT ALTHOUGH HE FELT IT WAS TOO CONCILIATORY TO BOTH THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS WHICH HAD IMPOSED THEIR AGREED POLITICAL MODEL ON HONG KONG IN DISREGARD OF THE CLEARLY EXPRESSED WISHES OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
’’INDEED I WILL VOTE IN FAVOUR OF IT,” HE CONCLUDED.
---------0 - -
/14 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
14 CLOSE AND EAGER PARTICIPATION ADVOCATED * » » * »
THE HON JAMES TIEN ADVOCATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) THE CLOSE AND EAGER PARTICIPATION BY ALL SECTORS OF HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
BETWEEN ALL THE ELECTED MEMBERS, EITHER BY ONE MAN, ONE VOTE OR BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, HONG KONG COULD MAKE A SOLID BASE FOR FUTURE PROGRESS, HE SAID.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE SENIOR MEMBER’S MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, MR TIEN SAID HE STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE PRINCIPLE OF A BALANCED LEGISLATURE, IN PARTICULAR IN THOSE AREAS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT OPPOSE SOME DIRECT ELECTION.
"I URGE GREATER REALISATION OF THE FACT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS HERE IS ONLY A MEANS TO AN END. I HAVE SUPPORTED THE 4-4-2 MODEL AS THE BEST PACE. THAT IS STILL MY VIEW.
"I KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE SEE GRADUAL, BUT NEVERTHELESS IN THE HONG KONG’S CONTEXT, DYNAMIC CHANGE WITH DISAPPROVAL. THEY REFER TO IT AS ’TOOTHPASTE DEMOCRACY’, SQUEEZED OUT BIT BY BIT.
"BUT CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SQUEEZE THE TOOTHPASTE TUBE TOO HARD. THE ANSWER IS A MESS.
"FOR MY PART, I FAVOUR PUTTING ONLY AS MUCH TOOTHPASTE ON THE BRUSH AS IS NECESSARY. THE RESULT IS HOPEFULLY A BRIGHT AND HEALTHY SMILE," HE SAID.
MR TIEN NOTED THAT THE BASIC LAW HAD PLACED NATIONALITY RESTRICTIONS ON ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC OFFICE AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH HE FOUND WOULD BE UNDESIRABLE AND WOULD DETER BUSINESSMEN AND PROFESSIONALS FROM PARTICIPATING IN POLITICS.
ON A SEPARATE VOTING MECHANISM, MR TIEN SAID IT WOULD SURELY SUIT THE FUTURE CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO HAVE DIVISION, ARGUMENT AND CONFRONTATION WITHIN THE CHAMBER AND SO DIVIDE AND RULE, BECAUSE SEPARATE PARTS OF A SINGLE CHAMBER COULD ONLY PROMOTE DISUNITY AND DISHARMONY.
HE ALSO SAID THERE WERE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS IN THE MOVE TO DIRECT ELECTIONS. AMONG THEM WERE THE DANGER OF MOVING HONG KONG TOWARDS BEING TURNED INTO A WELFARE STATE AND INCREASING THE CHANCE OF MORE BUREAUCRACY, WHICH MIGHT DRIVE ENTREPRENEURS AND INVESTORS FROM HONG KONG.
MR TIEN NOTED THAT FOR 150 YEARS HONG KONG DID NOT HAVE DEMOCRACY BUT IT HAD HAD FREEDOM.
HE SAID: "I PREFER FREEDOM TO DEMOCRACY... DEMOCRACY IS ALL TOO OFTEN USED AS A SLOGAN, BUT THIS IS TO DEBASE IT.
/"FREEDOM IS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
- 15 -
’’FREEDOM IS NOT GUARANTEED BY DEMOCRACY AS EXPRESSED BY DIRECT ELECTION... FREEDOM IS GUARANTEED WHERE FREE MEN LIVE IN DIGNITY UNDER JUST LAWS.
"A LOT OF TIMES DEMOCRACY FAILS TO GUARANTEE THIS DIGNITY AND JUSTICE. FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE SENSE OF ONE MAN, ONE VOTE IS MERELY A MEANS TO AN END."
"I THINK," HE SAID, "DEMOCRACY SUCCEEDS BEST WHEN IT RESTS ON A SOLID BASE. THOSE WHO CREATE WEALTH ARE THE TRUE DEMOCRATS."
WHAT THE COUNCIL NEEDED, NOW, AND IN THE FUTURE, WAS A BALANCED VOICE, WITH NOT ONLY LIBERALS BUT COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS ALSO FIRMLY REPRESENTED THROUGH THEIR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, MR TIEN SAID.
--------0-----------
COMMUNITY MUST SHOW COURAGE AND DETERMINATION * t * * *
THE HON ELSIE TU URGED THE COMMUNITY TODAY (THURSDAY) TO MUSTER COURAGE AND DETERMINATION TO SECURE HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, MRS TU SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE MUST FACE THE TASK AHEAD OF THEM, AND THEY MUST BEGIN TO DO SO NOW.
WHEN THE CHIPS WERE DOWN, THERE WAS NOTHING MORE WE COULD DO EXCEPT TO PICK OURSELVES UP AND LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS TO SUCCEED.
"IF WE STOP TO FLOG A DEAD HORSE (THE POLITICAL MODEL WHICH WE STILL THINK BEST FOR HONG KONG), WE MAY MISS THE REMAINDER OF THE RACE (1997)," SHE SAID.
MRS TU BELIEVED THAT HARSH WORDS, FIST-RAISING AND EFFIGY-BURNING WOULD ONLY SERVE TO FUEL PUBLIC FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY, WHEREAS POSITIVE ACTIONS COULD INFLUENCE CHINA FAR MORE.
"WE MUST SEEK FREEDOM, EQUALITY, ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL SECURITY, AND ALL THESE THINGS ARE INTERDEPENDENT. ONLY BY THIS MEANS CAN WE PROVE TO CHINA THAT DEMOCRACY WILL SUCCEED IN THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION," SHE SAID.
CITING EXAMPLES OF ISSUES THAT MUST BE ATTENDED TO IN THE YEARS AHEAD, TO ENSURE THAT OUR SOCIETY WAS TRULY DEMOCRATIC, MRS TU SAID WE MUST ADDRESS THE SHORTCOMINGS IN OUR RECORD OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD TRUE FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA WHICH WOULD BE THE MOUTHPIECE OF DEMOCRACY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE MEDIA SHOULD HOLD TRUTH MORE VALUABLE THAN SENSATION.
/MRS TU ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
- 16 -
MRS TU POINTED OUT THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS THAT WHEN IT WAS SIGNED FIVE YEARS AGO, NO ONE REALISED THAT THE WORDS "THE LEGISLATURE SHALL BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTION" DID NOT MEAN DEMOCRATIC ELECTION, BUT ONLY PARTIAL DIRECT ELECTION, MAINLY INDIRECT ELECTION, AND EVEN SOME SELECTION.
"THE BLAME FOR THIS PUBLIC MISUNDERSTANDING RESTS NOT ONLY ON CHINA BUT ON BRITAIN,” SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD RESISTED DEMOCRACY FOR HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, AND EVER SINCE BRITAIN REALISED THE COLONIAL SYSTEM WAS COMING TO AN END, IT HAD BEEN INTRODUCING A SYSTEM OF INDIRECT ELECTION INSTEAD OF DIRECT ELECTION.
"CHINA HAS COTTONED ON TO THIS IDEA, AND NOW WE HAVE A KIND OF MISSHAPEN OFFSPRING CONCEIVED BY THE MOTHER OF PARLIAMENTS," SHE SAID.
MRS TU CONSIDERED IT A PITY THAT CHINA DID NOT TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF ALLAYING HONG KONG’S FEARS AND RESTORING ITS CONFIDENCE BY ADOPTING A FOUR-PHASE PATH TO DEMOCRACY AS PROPOSED BY OMELCO AND OTHER GROUPS.
NOW THAT BRITAIN AND CHINA HAD LEFT US WITH NOTHING TO CLING TO IN OUR DILEMMA, WE MUST STAND FIRM AND UNITED IN SECURING OUR OWN FUTURE, COME WHAT MAY, SHE CONCLUDED.
' ------0------
; I
TIME TO DISCUSS ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR 1991
*****
THE TIME OF ARGUING ABOUT THE ABSTRACT DRAFT BASIC LAW IS ABOUT TO PASS AS WE HAVE TO FACE THE REALITY THAT THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS WILL PROMULGATE THE BASIC LAW SHORTLY, THE HON PETER H.Y. WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE TIME HAD NOW COME TO DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR 1991, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM, MR WONG SAID: "IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG, WE MUST WORK HARD TO CONSTRUCT A TRULY DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE WITH OUR LIFE STYLES AND YET BE RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGES THAT MUST INEVITABLY COME," HE SAID.
IN WORKING OUT THE NEW POLITICAL SYSTEM, MR WONG SAID IT WOULD BE WRONG TO DENY MINORITY GROUPS A VOICE, ESPECIALLY THOSE MINORITY GROUPS WHOSE INTERESTS WOULD NOT BE REPRESENTED BY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
/"AT THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
17 -
"AT THE SAME TIME, ALL OUT PROPORTIONALITY AT THE EXPENSE OF POLITICAL COHESION," HE ADDED.
MUST NOT BE PURSUED
"THE REPRESENTATION OF TOO MANY DIVERSE INTERESTS CAN ONLY RESULT IN PREVARICATION, INDECISION AND SOMETIMES PURE ANTAGONISM. A CLEAR MAJORITY WORKS WONDERS TO GET LEGISLATION THROUGH."
NOTING THAT STRONG LINKS BETWEEN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS MUST BE FORGED, MR WONG SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE MUST HAVE A CHANNEL THROUGH WHICH THEY COULD EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS TO GOVERNMENT.
"YET IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT THIS COUNCIL SHOULD NOT BECOME A MERE STAGE FOR LOCAL POLITICS.
"CONCERN WITH LOCAL ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CROWD OUT THE DEBATE ON ISSUES THAT CONCERN THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM WE ADOPT MUST BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL. THE EQUALITY OF POPULATION BETWEEN CONSTITUENCIES IS PARAMOUNT, AND THE CURRENT GROSS IMBALANCE OF THE NUMBER OF VOTERS BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCIES CANNOT BE CONTINUED," MR WONG SAID.
HE SAID THERE WERE THREE MORE ISSUES WITH WHICH WE SHOULD CONCERN OURSELVES.
"FIRSTLY, WE SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE VITAL ROLE PLAYED BY POLITICAL PARTIES IN A MODERN DEMOCRACY IN ARTICULATING POLICIES AND PROVIDING REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE PEOPLE.
"THE SYSTEM WHICH WE CHOOSE SHOULD ENSURE THAT THOSE PARTIES WHICH ARE FORMED ARE STRONG AND COHESIVE, AND NOT WEAK AND FRAGMENTED.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, WE SHOULD BE EXAMINING THE SORT OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL GOVERN THE FORMATION AND RUNNING OF POLITICAL PARTIES; HOW THEY CAN SOLICIT FUNDS AND RUN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS," HE SAID.
"SECONDLY, WE MUST ENSURE THAT THIS COUNCIL REMAINS EFFECTIVE IN ITS TASK OF SCRUTINISING THE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND TN THE FUTURE, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE. ITS MEMBERS MUST BE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING LEADERSHIP FOR HONG KONG THROUGHOUT THE TESTING TIMES AHEAD.
"FINALLY, IT IS VITAL THAT WE ADOPT A SYSTEM THAT IS FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE.”
MR WONG ADDED: "LET US TAKE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD UP A SYSTEM THAT WILL TRULY ENABLE HONG KONG PEOPLE TO RULE HONG KONG AND CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE TO EVERYONE THAT WE CAN INDEED DO SO IN A DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT. ONLY THUS, CAN WE CONVINCE EVERYONE THAT WE ARE FIT AND PROPER TO RULE OURSELVES."
- 0-----------
/18 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
18
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED A MOTION TODAY (THURSDAY) ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG, AFTER TWO DAYS OF DEBATE.
THE MOTION, WHICH WAS MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, WAS PASSED BY VOICE VOTE.
IT READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE OMELCO CONSENSUS HAS NOT BEEN ADOPTED IN THE FORMULATION OF THE FUTURE POLITICAL MODEL BUT URGES THE COMMUNITY, IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG, TO BE UNITED IN ITS EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE A SUCCESSFUL DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM."
AFTER THE VOTE WAS TAKEN ON MR LEE’S MOTION, ANOTHER MEMBER, THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR, FORMALLY MOVED HIS MOTION ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
THIS READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL DEPLORES THE EXTREMELY UNDEMOCRATIC POLITICAL MODEL PROPOSED FOR THE BASIC LAW AT THE RECENT MEETING OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE AND URGES THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THEIR FUTURE AFTER 1997 BY ACCEPTING A MORE DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL MODEL FOR THE BASIC LAW BASED UPON THE OMELCO CONSENSUS WHICH RECOMMENDS A FULLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE BY THE YEAR 2003, REFLECTING THE EXPRESSED WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG; AND URGES THE ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR NO LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEATS TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY 1995.”
THE MOTION WAS NOT CARRIED. A DIVISION SHOWED THAT SEVEN MEMBERS VOTED FOR IT, 27 AGAINST, AND 11 ABSTAINED.
THE COUNCIL HAD DEBATED BOTH MOTIONS TOGETHER AS THEIR CONTENT RELATED TO THE SAME SUBJECT.
A TOTAL SECRETARY, THE
OF 32 MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE, AND THE CHIEF HON SIR DAVID FORD, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
/19 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
19
RIGHT TIME FOR QUALITY DRIVE IN MANUFACTURING: GOVERNOR
*******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THAT CONDITIONS ARE RIPE FOR A SUSTAINED QUALITY DRIVE FOR HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR LAY IN PRODUCING HIGH VALUE-ADDED, HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS AND THE TIMING OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS DELIBERATE.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HONG KONG HAD BEEN DEVELOPING ITS QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE NOW HAD A MANUFACTURING SECTOR WHICH COULD ACHIEVE HIGH LEVELS OF PRECISION.
”WE ALSO HAVE IN PLACE, THROUGH A RANGE OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR AGENCIES, THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT WHICH OUR MANUFACTURERS NEED,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE AIM OF THE QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, WHICH HAD HIS FULL SUPPORT, WAS TO INFLUENCE MANUFACTURERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS QUALITY MANAGEMENT, TO CONVINCE THEM, WHERE NECESSARY, THAT PROPER QUALITY MANAGEMENT WAS WORTHWHILE, AND TO HELP THEM TO ACHIEVE IT.
”IN DOING THIS WE CAN USE THE EXPERIENCE OF AND AVOID THE MISTAKES THEY HAVE MADE,” HE SAID.
OTHER COUNTRIES
NOTING THAT CONCERN FOR QUALITY WAS SO OBVIOUSLY IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG NEEDED A CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE BECAUSE EXPERIENCE IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES, WHERE SIMILAR CAMPAIGNS HAD BEEN RUN, HAD SHOWN THAT THERE WAS A GOOD DEAL OF CONFUSION OVER HOW TO ACHIEVE QUALITY IN MANUFACTURING.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT IT USED TO BE THOUGHT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT A MANUFACTURER COULD BEST SHOW HIS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY BY EMPLOYING LARGE NUMBERS OF TRAINED STAFF IN A QUALITY CONTROL UNIT.
”AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE TO THEIR EMPLOYER, THESE STAFF SPENT THEIR TIME REJECTING PRODUCTS WHICH HAD GONE THROUGH THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND FAILED TO MEET A GIVEN STANDARD.
"IT IS NOW REALISED THAT IT MAKES MUCH MORE SENSE TO PLAN QUALITY INTO A PRODUCT RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING AND USE STAFF TO PRODUCE GOODS, NOT TO REJECT THEM.
’’ADVANCED COMPANIES AROUND THE WORLD HAVE NOW MADE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS, WE IN HONG KONG NEED TO CATCH UP AND TO ABANDON WHAT IS NOW SEEN AS AN OUTDATED APPROACH,” SIR DAVID SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
20
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE CAMPAIGN, WITH THE SLOGAN "MAKE IT BETTER IN HONG KONG", WOULD RUN FOR THREE YEARS AND HAD A MANAGEABLE TARGET - THE 2,500 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
NOTING THAT THE TERRITORY HAD SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 50,000 FACTORIES, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE 2,500 COMPANIES IN THE TARGET GROUP ACCOUNTED FOR OVER HALF OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT.
"MANY OF THEM ARE REPRESENTED IN THE AUDIENCE HERE TONIGHT. IF THESE COMPANIES ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THE CONCEPT OF QUALITY, THE MESSAGE WILL QUICKLY SPREAD TO OTHERS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WAS ONLY ONE PART OF OUR WIDER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
"WE ARE BROADENING OUR RANGE OF SERVICES, TO PROVIDE MANUFACTURERS BOTH WITH THE INFORMATION THEY NEED ON OVERSEAS STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS AND WITH THE TECHNICAL SERVICES THEY REQUIRE TO ENSURE THEIR PRODUCTS MEET THOSE STANDARDS.
"WE HAVE INTRODUCED A VOLUNTARY ACCREDITATION SCHEME, RUN BY A NEWLY ESTABLISHED HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S KEY AIM WAS THAT THE "HONG KONG SEAL OF QUALITY" AWARDED BY THE AGENCY SHOULD BE RECOGNISED, BOTH HERE AND OVERSEAS.
THE SYMBOL WAS A Q FOR QUALITY, AND A HAND THAT REACHED OUT FOR HIGHER STANDARDS AND NEW MARKETS.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HOPED THAT ALL MANUFACTURERS IN HONG KONG WOULD MAKE EVERY POSSIBLE USE OF THIS SCHEME.
"IN EVERY SENSE THE KEY TO QUALITY AWARENESS LIES IN THEIR OWN HANDS.
"I HOPE THAT OUR COMMUNITY - AND INDUSTRIALISTS PARTICULARLY -WILL SEIZE ON TWO MESSAGES: - HONG KONG NEEDS QUALITY; AND QUALITY IS PROFITABLE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER THE LAUNCH CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THE MESSAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS QUITE CLEAR : "IF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS PAY ATTENTION TO QUALITY, THEY CAN SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVE THEIR PROFITS. IF THEY DON’T, THEY WILL GO OUT OF BUSINESS."
MR BARMA SAID THE STAGE HAD BEEN SET FOR AN INTENSIVE THREE-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO GET THIS MESSAGE ACROSS.
REFERRING TO THE SMALL GROUP OF 2,500 IMPORTANT MANUFACTURERS CHOSEN AS THE TARGET, HE SAID: "IF WE CAN GET THEM ON SIDE, THEIR SUB-CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS WILL FOLLOW THEIR LEAD AND THE MESSAGE WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR."
/MR BARMA .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
- 21 -
MR BARMA SAID THERE WAS NO MAGIC ABOUT QUALITY MANAGEMENT.
"WE DRESS IT UP WITH TECHNICAL JARGON, BUT ESSENTIALLY IT IS AN ATTITUDE TOWARDS WORK.
"IF YOU GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME, EVERY TIME, YOUR PRODUCTS WILL BE MORE RELIABLE IN THEMSELVES AND CHEAPER TO MANUFACTURE.
"IT’S AS SIMPLE AS THAT," HE SAID.
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSTILLING QUALITY INTO A COMPANY’S MANUFACTURING PROCESS RESTED WITH ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE, "BUT HE WILL NOT BE ALONE".
"THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS WHICH CAN HELP. IF ANY MANUFACTURER WANTS HELP IN MOVING TOWARDS BETTER QUALITY, I URGE HIM TO CONTACT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION SERVICE," HE SAID.
NOW THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS UNDERWAY, HE CALLED ON MANUFACTURERS TO ATTEND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S SEMINAR, "MAKING QUALITY HAPPEN", AT THE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ON MARCH 5, 6 AND 7.
HE SAID THIS SEMINAR WOULD SHOW MANAGERS THE FIRST STEPS IN IMPROVING QUALITY AND WOULD FEATURE ADVICE FROM FAMOUS QUALITY EXPERTS WITH MANY YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN QUALITY MANAGEMENT.
AS SOME PLACES WERE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE SEMINAR, MR BARMA URGED INTERESTED MANUFACTURERS TO CONTACT THE IES ON TEL. 7360722 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
----0------
SOCIETY’S OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES
*******
THE PROVISION OF CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES IS AN OBLIGATION THAT EVERY SOCIETY SHOULD MEET, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE HELPING HAND TAI WO HAU CHRISTA TISDALL JOCKEY CLUB CARE HOME, LADY WILSON SAID IT WAS ONLY RIGHT THAT THOSE WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO THE BUILDING UP OF HONG KONG SHOULD, IN THEIR LATER YEARS, HAVE HOMES WHERE THEY COULD LIVE IN DIGNITY, AND SHARE IN THE PROSPERITY OF THIS TERRITORY.
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THE HOME WAS THE 19TH PROJECT OF HELPING HAND SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1978 AND ITS SIXTH SUCH HOME TO PROVIDE CARE AND NURSING FOR THE ELDERLY.
"IN TERMS OF THE LARGE NUMBERS OF ELDERLY STILL IN NEED, THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALL EFFORT. IN TERMS OF THE MANY PEOPLE STILL ON THE WAITING LIST, THIS MIGHT SEEM LIKE ONLY A FEW MORE BEDS. BUT I ASSURE YOU, SUCH IS NOT THE CASE," LADY WILSON SAID.
/SHE STRESSED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
22
SHE STRESSED THAT IT WAS ONLY THROUGH THE CONCERTED EFFORT OF SO MANY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, INCLUDING HELPING HAND, THAT STRIDES HAD BEEN MADE IN PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL CARE SERVICES FOR THE OLD AND FRAIL.
"THERE IS A CHINESE SAYING THAT ’A JOURNEY OF 10,000 MILES BEGINS WITH ONE STEP’. EACH NEW PROJECT, EACH NEW HOME THAT IS OPENED, IS ANOTHER STEP ALONG THE WAY.
"HOPEFULLY MANY, MANY MORE SUCH STEPS WILL BE TAKEN, BY BOTH GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SO THAT SOON, WE WILL SEE A DAY WHEN NO ONE IN DIRE NEED WILL EVER BE KEPT WAITING," LADY WILSON ADDED.
LADY WILSON SAID IT WAS A FITTING MEMORIAL TO HAVE THE HOME NAMED AFTER MRS CHRISTA TISDALL, FOUNDER OF HELPING HAND WHO SPENT MANY YEARS OF HER LIFE HERE IN HONG KONG PROMOTING THE CAUSE OF CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
"WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO HELPING HAND, ITS GROWTH AND EXPANSION, BUT, MORE IMPORTANT, ITS CONTINUING DESIRE TO CARE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON, IS PARTLY DUE TO THOSE EARLY SEEDS SOWN BY CHRISTA AND A NUMBER OF OTHERS," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROJECT.
"I KNOW THIS HOME WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE EFFORT AND WORK OF SO MANY PEOPLE - THE JOCKEY CLUB FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THE ARCHITECTS AND CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE FOR THEIR BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS AND WORKMANSHIP, AND TO ALL THOSE IN HELPING HAND WHO GAVE OF THEIR TIME AND TALENTS," SHE SAID.
-----0------
1989 EXPORTS STATISTICS RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRY ORIGIN
*******
THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1989 WERE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS; TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING; WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR; PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT; PLASTIC PRODUCTS; AND BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 81.9 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1989.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1989 OVER 1988 WERE: TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING (+$3,620 MILLION); WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR (+$2,081 MILLION); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+$1,083 MILLION); CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+$858 MILLION); AND PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (+$483 MILLION).
/IN PERCENTAGE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
- 23 -
IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1989 OVER 1988 WERE: PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL (+44.7 PER CENT); TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (+31.6 PER CENT); CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+22.5 PER CENT); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+16.4 PER CENT); AND TOBACCO (+14.0 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, SEVERAL INDUSTRIES RECORDED DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1989 AS COMPARED WITH 1988.
AMONG THEM WERE: PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$1,682 MILLION OR -13.9 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (-$721 MILLION OR -1.3 PER CENT); BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (-$213 MILLION OR -2.0 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-$206 MILLION OR -16.7 PER CENT); AND WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES (-$130 MILLION OR -15.1 PER CENT).
OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING DECREASED BY $22 MILLION OR 3.5 PER CENT IN 1989 AS COMPARED WITH 1988, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICITY INCREASED BY $145 MILLION OR 28.2 PER CENT.
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS STRUCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (I.S.I.C.), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S.I.T.C.) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN REFERRING TO THESE RECLASSIFIED STATISTICS. CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IN THEIR PRODUCTION.
IN SUCH CASES, THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH AN ITEM IS FINALLY PRODUCED IS NOT THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE EXPORT VALUE OF THAT ITEM. HOWEVER, THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE ITEM HAS WHOLLY BEEN ALLOCATED TO THAT INDUSTRY IN THIS RECLASSIFICATION.
BESIDES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE EXPORT VALUE OF THE ITEM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, SINCE PART OF THE VALUE MAY BE DUE TO PRODUCTION BY ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS.
A TABLE CONTAINING FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (ON TEL. 8234832).
A TABLE SHOWING MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1989".
/VALUE OF .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
24
Value of merchandise domestic exports reclassified by industrial origin for the whole year of 1989
/
(Value in HK$ million)
Industrial origin of the commodities exported Merchandise domestic exports
1989 whole year 1988 whole year Value change % change
Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing
Agricultural,, livestock and 6 11 -5 -48.1
poultry production
Ocean and coastal fishing 604 626 -3.5
Mining and Quarrying 5 7 -2 -23.0
Manufacturing
Food 1,652 1,508 +144 -9.5
Beverages 334 338 -3 -1.0
Tobacco 2,013 1,765 +248 -14.0
Textiles (including knitting) 44,946 41,326 -3,620 -8.8
Wearing apparel, except 44,499 42,418 +2,081 -4.9
footwear and knitwear
Leather and leather products 964 901 -63 -7.0
Footwear 1,030 1,236 -206 -16.7
Wood and cork products. 729 859 -130 -15.1
furniture and fixtures
Paper and paper products, 5,438 4,955 -483 -9.7
printing and publishing
Chemicals and chemical products 4,672 3,814 +858
Products of petroleum and coal 7 4 +2 -44.7
Rubber products 132 182 -50 -27.3
Plastic products 10,382 12,063 -1,682 -13.9
Mon-metallic mineral products 691 747 -56 -7.6
Basic metals and fabricated 10,166 10,379 -213 -2.0
metal products Machinery, except electrical 7,694 6,611 +1,083 -16.4
Electrical and electronic 52,792 53,512 -721 -1.3
products
Transport equipment 229 I'M +55 -31.6
Professional and optical 20,705 20,380 + 325 -1.6
equipment 13,612 13,239 +373
Other manufacturing industries -2.8
Electricity 662 517 +145 -28.2
Miscellaneous items 140 90 +50 -55.5
(e.g. developed photographic plates and film, antiques, and works of art)
Total 224,104 217,664 -6,440 -3.0
Individual entries of a column may not add up exactly to the corresponding total due to rounding. All percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded figures.
Industrial Research Section, (Tel. : 823 4332) Census « Statistics Department, Hong Kong.
February 1990 --------0-----------
/25 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
25
HK TO SET UP COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION
* » * * *
A HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION WILL BE SET UP SHORTLY WITH A VIEW TO JOINING THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID THE PECC WAS A NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION SET UP IN 1980 COMPRISING 15 MEMBER COMMITTEES FROM AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI, CANADA, CHINA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN (STYLED AS CHINESE TAIPEI), THAILAND AND THE USA.
"ITS OBJECTIVE IS TO DEVELOP CLOSER CO-OPERATION IN TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICY ISSUES IN THE PACIFIC REGION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARTICIPATION IN PECC IS BASED ON THE "TRIPARTITE" FORMULA: EACH DELEGATION CONSISTS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND ACADEMICS, ALL ATTENDING IN THEIR PRIVATE CAPACITIES.
"THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE WILL COMPRISE MEMBERS FROM THE BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC SECTORS AND FROM WITHIN GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
"WE ARE JUST IN THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP THE COMMITTEE AND ITS MEMBERSHIP HAS YET TO BE FINALISED."
HONG KONG HAS PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE PECC AND ATTENDED AS AN OBSERVER AT THE SEVENTH GENERAL MEETING OF THE ORGANISATION IN AUCKLAND LAST NOVEMBER.
PECC’S WORK IS CONDUCTED BY TASK FORCES AND PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION COMMITTEES.
TASK FORCES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO DEAL WITH SUBJECTS SUCH AS TRADE POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, TRANSPORT, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND TOURISM.
GENERAL MEETINGS OF PECC ARE HELD EVERY 12 TO 19 MONTHS WITH MEMBER COMMITTEES TAKING TURNS TO BE HOST.
-----------0---------------
I
/26 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
- 26 -
AGREEMENT FOR AIRPORT RAILWAY STUDY SIGNED
*****
■fHE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SIGNED A $15.6 MILLION AGREEMENT FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE PROPOSED RAILWAY TO THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF FREEMAN FOX MAUNSELL, MR DOUG MORTON.
MR KWEI SAID THE PROPOSED AIRPORT RAILWAY WOULD RUN FROM HONG KONG ISLAND VIA THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION TO THE NEW AIRPORT.
THERE WOULD BE TWO SERVICES OPERATED - A DEDICATED SERVICE FOR AIRPORT PATRONS AND A COMMUTER SERVICE SERVING WEST KOWLOON, TSING YI AND THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ON NORTH LANTAU.
WHEN IN OPERATION, THE RAILWAY IS EXPECTED TO ASSIST IN RELIEVING CONGESTION ON THE NATHAN ROAD SECTION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
HE SAID THE NINE-MONTH FEASIBILITY STUDY WOULD COVER ENGINEERING, TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER STUDIES, WOULD SELECT THE OPTIMUM ROUTE FROM CENTRAL TO TSING YI. •
IT WOULD RECOMMEND THE TYPE OF TRAINS, SIGNALLING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS TO BE USED THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE AS WELL AS MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE LOCATION AND OUTLINE DESIGN OF STATIONS.
THE STUDY WOULD ALSO ASSESS THE BENEFITS OF PROVIDING CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING AND FUTURE LINES TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE BASED ON ITS PASSENGER DEMANDS FORECASTS.
ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE RAILWAY, THE STUDY WOULD LOOK INTO THE PROBLEMS THAT WOULD ARISE FROM THE CONSTRUCTION AND SUBSEQUENT OPERATION OF THE RAILWAY, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MINIMISING THE EFFECTS OF THESE PROBLEMS.
MR KWEI ADDED THAT THE STUDY WOULD PROVIDE IMPORTANT INPUT FOR A FINANCIAL STUDY WHICH WOULD COMMENCE LATER THIS YEAR.
THE AIRPORT RAILWAY DIVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL MANAGE THE STUDY WITH THE PARTICIPATION AND ASSISTANCE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
FREEMAN FOX MAUNSELL IS A CONSORTIUM COMPRISING ACER CONSULTANTS (FAR EAST LIMITED) AND MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LIMITED/ PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF (ASIA) LIMITED, THE MVA CONSULTANCY, CES CONSULTANTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (ASIA) LIMITED/ACER ENVIRONMENTAL AND LLEWELYN-DAVIS WEEKS HONG KONG LIMITED.
--------0-----------
/27........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
27
APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR UNDER COMPANIES ORDINANCE
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, HAS ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF MR JOHN ROBERT LEES, PRINCIPAL OF FERRIER HODGSON SPICER & MARFAN, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, AS INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE AFI-IARS OF PALADIN LIMITED.
THIS FOLLOWS INFORMATION DISCOVERED TODAY BY MR LEES THAT MR MICHAEL STIASSNY OF AUCKLAND, RECEIVER AND MANAGER OF NEW ZEALAND EQUITIES LTD, HAS DECLARED HIS INTENTION TO JOIN FERRIER HODGSON & CO. IN AUCKLAND AS A PARTNER.
IN EXERCISE OF THE POWERS CONFERRED ON HIM BY SECTION 143(1)(C) OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 32), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS NOW APPOINTED MR MARVIN K.T. CHEUNG, RESIDENT PARTNER OF MARWICK, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, TO BE INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF PALADIN LTD.
- - 0 - -
CENTRAL AND WESTERN ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY
******
A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL ON SUNDAY (MARCH 4) TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ROAD SAFETY.
IN ADDITION TO AN AUXILIARY POLICE BAND PARADE AND TELEMATCHES, THERE WILL BE DEMONSTRATIONS ON SAFE CYCLING, QUIZZES AND A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION ON BASIC ROAD SAFETY RULES.
CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES SPECIALLY LINED UP FOR THEM.
TELEVISION ARTISTE MR LEE YAU-NGAI WILL BE THE COMPERE. THERE WILL ALSO BE A PERFORMANCE BY POPULAR SINGER MR CHAN TAK-CHEONG.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM. OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; AND THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR NGAI WAI-MING.
IT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
/REQUIRIES ABOUT
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CARNIVAL CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 8523484.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 4) AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND
*****
ALL REGISTERED NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS CAN NOW APPLY FOR GRANTS FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOR THE YEAR 1990-91 FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN MUSIC, DANCE AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES.
GRANTS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY AWARDED 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 INCLUDING CONCERTS, MUSIC CAMPS AND DANCE WORKSHOPS.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FOR OTHER PURPOSES CAN ALSO BE MADE AS LONG AS THEY CONFORM WITH THE OVERALL EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE FUND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC FUND SAID GRANTS TOTALLING $770,000 WERE APPROVED IN 1989-90 FOR 131 SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT, 25TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AND FROM ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED ON TEL. 8235343. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 12.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
29
DRIVERS AND VEHICLE OWNERS URGED TO AVOID BUDGET DAY RUSH *******
DRIVERS AND VEHICLE OWNERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY CAN SAVE TIME BY APPLYING TO RENEW THEIR DRIVING OR VEHICLE LICENCES BY POST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE LICENSING OFFICES WERE USUALLY EXTREMELY CROWDED DURING THIS PERIOD WHEN PEOPLE RUSHED TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES JUST BEFORE THE ANNUAL BUDGET WAS ANNOUNCED.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTED POSTAL APPLICATIONS FOR RENEWAL OF DRIVING LICENCES; LEARNER’S DRIVING LICENCES AND VEHICLE LICENCES; THE ISSUE OF INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS; AND THE TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES, ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXISTING LICENCE FEES WOULD STILL BE APPLIED TO APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BEARING POSTAL CHOPS BEFORE 2.30 PM ON BUDGET DAY WHETHER OR NOT THE FEES WILL BE INCREASED.
IN RENEWING THE VEHICLE LICENCE, THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED VEHICLE OWNERS THAT ONLY THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT SHOULD BE SENT WITH THE POSTAL APPLICATION.
ON EXTREMELY BUSY DAYS, THE LICENSING OFFICES WILL ADOPT A QUOTA SYSTEM UNDER WHICH APPLICANTS ARE GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT DISC FOR A SPECIFIED TIME TO HAND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS. THE APPOINTMENT DISCS WILL BE HANDED OUT ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THOSE WHO WISH TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEIR LICENCES EXPIRE. THEY CAN APPLY ANY TIME DURING THE FOUR-MONTH PERIOD PRIOR TO THE EXPIRY.
--------0-----------
/30 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
- 30 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT, WAN CHAI AND MID-LEVELS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 3), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN NORTH POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY:
* TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HEALTHY STREET
WEST AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
AND
* HEALTHY STREET WEST BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH
OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT
FIVE METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
IN WAN CHAI, CONVENTION AVENUE EASTBOUND FROM FLEMING ROAD TO ITS JUNCTION WITH HARBOUR ROAD AND FENWICK STREET WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
IN THE MID-LEVELS, EASTBOUND ROBINSON ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ALBANY ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A BAN ZONE FOR VEHICLES WITH GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OVER THREE TONNES.
ALL VEHICLES WITH GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OVER THREE TONNES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMIT ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE ZONE 24 HOURS DAILY.
THE EXISTING WEIGHT LIMIT ON THIS SECTION OF ROBINSON ROAD FOR ALL VEHICLES WITH GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OVER 2.5 TONNES WILL BE CANCELLED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SENSIBLE, IMAGINATIVE PLANNING FOR FUTURE: GOVERNOR ............................. 1
EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION VITAL TO HK'S SUCCESS, PROSPERITY........ 3
FUNDS APPROVED FOR VBP CENTRE ON TAI A CHAU...................................... 4
$19M APPROVED TO MEET ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF AUXILIARY POLICE ....................................................................... 5
WELFARE PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT IN APRIL ............................................. 6
HK PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 GAZETTED........................... 8
TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL, TIC RESERVE FUND MADE PUBLIC BODIES .................... 9
RADIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED............................................. 10
MEMBERSHIP OF ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS ANNOUNCED................................ 11
INDUSTRY DEPT HOLDS QUALITY MANAGEMENT FORUM.................................... 12
LAW REFORM COMMISSION TO STUDY PRIVACY LAWS .................................... 13
KEEP HK CLEAN SPECTACULAR TO MARK CAMPAIGN'S CLIMAX ............................ 13
1990 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED.............................. 14
NEW FEE REMISSION FOR KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN ANNOUNCED .......................... 15
WORKER FINED FOR SMOKING IN FACTORY ............................................ 17
PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY SURVEY RESULTS ............... 17
THREE GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ............................................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR SALE OF DESALTING PLANT..................................... 19
DREDGING WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT OFF TUEN MUN ................................... 19
ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN TAI PO............................................... 20
OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS INVALID FROM MARCH 5 ................................... 21
PLB BAN ZONE IN CENTRAL
21
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
1
SENSIBLE, IMAGINATIVE PLANNING FOR FUTURE: GOVERNOR
*****
HONG KONG IS PLANNING SENSIBLY AND IMAGINATIVELY FOR THE FUTURE, NOT JUST TO 1997 BUT WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS WORK HAD BEGUN ON SOME OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS ENGINEERING PROJECTS IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY, PROJECTS WHICH WOULD SHAPE OUR FUTURE.
"ALL THESE PROJECTS TOGETHER - THE NEW AIRPORT, THE EXPANSION OF THE PORT, AND THE NEW ROADS AND BACK-UP FACILITIES THAT WE WILL NEED - ARE EXPECTED TO COST A TOTAL OF $127 BILLION.
"IT IS AN ENORMOUS SUM. BUT IT WILL BE MONEY WELL SPENT. WE ARE LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT IT WAS INTENDED TO OPEN THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK IN EARLY 1997, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WERE JUST SEVEN YEARS TO COMPLETE DETAILED ENGINEERING STUDIES, RECLAIM LAND FROM THE SEA, AND BUILD A LARGE NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND THE ASSOCIATED ROAD AND RAIL NETWORK.
"HONG KONG’S REPUTATION FOR ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE, AND ACHIEVING IT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, WILL BE TESTED TO THE FULL," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS COMMITTED TO THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTAINER PORT AT KWAI CHUNG, AND TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF WHAT WOULD IN EFFECT BE A COMPLETELY NEW PORT FURTHER WEST.
KWAI CHUNG WAS ALREADY THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT, AND THE VOLUME OF CARGO HANDLED WAS LIKELY TO INCREASE BY 500 PER CENT IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS.
THUS WORK ON CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 8 WOULD START NEXT YEAR, AND TERMINAL NO. 9 WOULD FOLLOW, AND THERE WOULD ALSO BE A SOPHISTICATED SUPPORT SYSTEM OF ROADS, PARKING AND STORAGE FACILITIES.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE SAME APPROACH OF LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE WAS BEHIND THE WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT PUBLISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND RIGHTLY CALLED "MOVING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY".
SOME VERY LARGE PROJECTS WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN, BESIDES OTHER CREATIVE APPROACHES SUCH AS IMPROVING TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND GIVING PRIORITY TO THE MOST EFFICIENT MEANS OF TRANSPORT.
/THE ROUTE........
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 2 -
THE ROUTE 3 HIGHWAY FROM WESTERN ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO THE BORDER ALONE PRESENTED HUGE ENGINEERING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT ALL THESE PROJECTS WOULD GO AHEAD IN ADDITION TO THE CONTINUING PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, ITSELF EXPECTED TO COST MORE THAN $12 BILLION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
NEW LAND WOULD BE RECLAIMED,. WATER TREATMENT AND SEWERAGE PLANTS PROVIDED, AND SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BUILT. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD CONTINUE TO PRODUCE 50,000 NEW HOMES EVERY YEAR.
"THESE NEW PROJECTS WILL GIVE US THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND TO CAPITALISE ON OUR POSITION AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA.
"THEY WILL CARRY HONG KONG INTO THE 21ST CENTURY AS A GREAT INTERNATIONAL TRADING CENTRE AND ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST EFFICIENT AND MODERN CITIES," HE SAID.
FOR ENGINEERS, THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROJECTS WOULD PROVIDE HUGE PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES AND TREMENDOUS PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION.
"BUT ALL OF US, GOVERNMENT AND ENGINEERS ALIKE, MUST REMEMBER THAT DEVELOPMENT IS A HUMAN PROCESS.
"WE ARE TALKING NOT JUST OF POLICY DECISIONS AND PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES, BUT OF PRACTICAL BENEFITS TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO PROGRESS, AND ECONOMIC SUCCESS, OVER GENERATIONS, HAD GIVEN US TREMENDOUS SELF-CONFIDENCE.
BUT PROBLEMS DID EXIST, AND DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT WAS ONE OF THEM. THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES THAT HONG KONG FACED WERE DAUNTING.
"WE ARE WORKING HARD TO PUT IN PLACE A NEW FRAMEWORK OF LAWS THAT WILL PROVIDE GREATER PROTECTION FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, NEW LAWS ALONE WERE NOT ENOUGH, SIR DAVID SAID, AND OUTLINED THE RANGE OF MAJOR ENGINEERING AND PLANNING STUDIES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD STARTED ON AS PART OF ITS PROGRAMME TO TACKLE POLLUTION.
NOTING THAT THE OVERALL PROGRAMME OF WORK ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOW EMBARKED OFFERED TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LOCAL ENGINEERING PROFESSION, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE SHALL NEED THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL SKILL AND DEDICATION IN ALMOST EVERY FIELD.
"WE HAVE SET A COURSE FOR THE FUTURE, AND WE LOOK TO YOU, AND YOUR COLLEAGUES IN OTHER PROFESSIONS, TO HELP US TURN THE VISION INTO REALITY."
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FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 3 -
EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION VITAL TO HK ’ S SUCCESS, PROSPERITY
******
HONG KONG AS A COMMUNITY IS ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF EDUCATION AND THIS WILL BECOME EVEN MORE TRUE IN THE 1990’S, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF SHAW COLLEGE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID: "OUR ECONOMY IS BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED. IF WE ARE TO KEEP PACE WITH TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, AS OUR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS MOST CERTAINLY WILL, THEN WE SHALL NEED TO UPGRADE THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES OF OUR OWN PEOPLE."
ALSO, HONG KONG’S FUTURE LEADERS WOULD FACE NEW CHALLENGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS HONG KONG MOVED FORWARD TO BECOME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
FOR ALL THESE REASONS, SIR DAVID SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD EMBARKED ON A FAR-RANGING PROGRAMME, BOTH TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
THE TERTIARY SECTOR WOULD DOUBLE ITS FIRST-DEGREE PLACES FROM 7,000 TO 15,000 BY 1995.
"THIS EXPANSION PROGRAMME IS VITAL TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
NOTING THAT EDUCATION WAS ABOVE ALL A COMMUNITY EFFORT, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO ITS UTMOST TO ENSURE THERE WERE ADEQUATE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
"BUT IT MUST BE FOR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, AND OUR OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, TO PROVIDE THE COURSES WHICH MEET HONG KONG’S CHANGING NEEDS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD A MAJOR PART TO PLAY, NOT ONLY AS BENEFACTOR -- AS SIR RUN RUN SHAW HAD SHOWN — BUT ALSO AS BENEFICIARY.
"FOR IT IS ONLY BY MEETING THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGE OF THE NEW DECADE THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO THRIVE AS A VITAL TRADING TERRITORY.
"IT IS A CHALLENGE TO WHICH I BELIEVE HONG KONG, AND ABOVE ALL THOSE WHO WILL USE THIS SPLENDID CAMPUS, ARE EQUAL," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE UNIVERSITY HAD IN THE PAST 27 YEARS MORE THAN KEPT PACE WITH THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
/"THE HONG........
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
4
"THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, THE HONG KONG CENTRE OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND SPORTS SCIENCE, THE ASIA PACIFIC INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS, AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ASIA-PACIFIC STUDIES -- IN ALL OF THESE THE UNIVERSITY HAS PROMOTED REGIONAL STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN CO-OPERATION WITH INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
ON THE NEW SHAW COLLEGE, WHICH IS THE FOURTH CONSTITUENT COLLEGE OF THE UNIVERSITY, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT IT WOULD ALSO FOCUS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY APART FROM PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED TEACHING FACILITIES AND STUDENT AMENITIES.
"IT IS THE RESULT OF A CLEAR VISION AND FIRM COMMITMENT BY BOTH THE UNIVERSITY AND SIR RUN RUN TO THE EXPANSION OF FURTHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG," HF, SAID.
NOTING THAT THE OPENING OF SHAW COLLEGE MARKED THE CULMINATION OVER FIVE YEARS OF HARD WORK BY EVERYONE CONCERNED, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS SIR RUN RUN’S GENEROUS DONATION WHICH HAD MADE THE PROJECT POSSIBLE.
"I WISH THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, SIR RUN RUN, AND ALL WHO ARE HERE NOW OR WILL PASS THROUGH SHAW COLLEGE IN THE YEARS TO COME, EVERY SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
n
FUNDS APPROVED FOR VBP CENTRE ON TAI A CHAU *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED FUNDS TOTALLING $115 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CENTRE ON TAI A CHAU FAR AWAY FROM POPULATED AREAS.
THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF THE PROJECT FOR 10,000 BOAT PEOPLE IS $229 MILLION, OF WHICH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO BEAR 50 PER CENT.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE PROJECT WOULD ENABLE EXISTING TEMPORARY AND UNSATISFACTORY DETENTION CENTRES TO BE CLOSED DOWN.
IT WILL ALSO ENABLE SOME OF THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS NOW BEING USED BY BOAT PEOPLE TO BE RETURNED TO THEIR PERMANENT USE BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. »
THIS WILL HELP REDUCE THE PRESENT LEVEL OF OVERCROWDING, WHICH IS ABOUT 28 PER CENT, IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
/IN ADDITION .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 5 -
IN ADDITION, IT WILL THEN BE POSSIBLE TO CONVERT AN EXISTING CENTRE SO RELEASED, FOR EXAMPLE CHI MA WAN (UPPER), INTO A SEGREGATION CENTRE FOR TROUBLEMAKERS SO AS TO PREVENT THEM FROM CAUSING TROUBLES OR INTIMIDATING OTHER BOAT PEOPLE OR CAMP STAFF.
THE NEW DETENTION CENTRE WILL ALSO REDUCE OVERCROWDING IN OTHER REMAINING EXISTING CENTRES THEREBY REDUCING THE SECURITY RISKS INVOLVED.
THE COMMITTEE WAS TOLD THAT MORE THAN 43,600 BOAT PEOPLE WERE BEING DETAINED IN VARIOUS CENTRES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO HOLD ONLY 38,000, RESULTING IN THE MAXIMUM DESIGN CAPACITY BEING EXCEEDED BY ABOUT 15 PER CENT.
OVERCROWDING HAS RENDERED MANAGEMENT DIFFICULT AND HAS GIVEN RISE TO SECURITY PROBLEMS.
APART FROM PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION IN THE FORM OF PREFABRICATED BUILDINGS, THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITY AND A BERTHING PIER.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS LEARNED THAT WITH THIS INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE, THE DEVELOPMENT AT TAI A CHAU WOULD BE GREATLY ENHANCED AND IN THE LONGER TERM, THE REMOTE LOCATION OF THE ISLAND WOULD MAKE IT AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR RECREATIONAL OR INSTITUTIONAL USE.
WHEN THE CENTRE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR BOAT PEOPLE, THE SECURITY PERIMETER FENCES CAN BE REMOVED AND THE BUILDINGS CAN BE CONVERTED INTO HOLIDAY OR YOUTH HOSTELS.
ALTERNATIVELY, THE FENCES CAN BE RETAINED AND THE BUILDINGS TURNED INTO CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ACCOMMODATION. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURAL INVESTMENT IS PUT TO GOOD USE.
CONSTRUCTION WORK OF THE TAI A CHAU DETENTION CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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$19M APPROVED TO MEET ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF AUXILIARY POLICE
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $19 MILLION TO MEET THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE INCREASED EXPENDITURE HAD ARISEN FROM THE ADJUSTMENTS OF THE AUXILIARY POLICE RATES WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 LAST YEAR, AND FROM THE INCREASED TURNOUT OF AUXILIARY POLICE TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR REGULAR COUNTERPARTS DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
/MEMBERS WERE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 6 -
MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED THAT THE ADJUSTMENTS OF RATES WERE MADE TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH THE SALARY SCALES OF THEIR REGULAR COUNTERPARTS WHO WERE GIVEN AN AVERAGE OF 14.5 PER CENT PAY RISE LAST APRIL.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IT WAS NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE DAILY TURNOUT RATE OF THE AUXILIARY POLICE FROM 750 TO 850 FROM APRIL 1989 TO COPE WITH EXCEPTIONAL ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FORCE AS A WHOLE AND THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR.
IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE INCREASE IN THE DAILY TURNOUT RATE WAS AIMED AT FACILITATING THE RELEASE OF REGULAR POLICE OFFICERS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CAMPS AND OTHER DUTIES NORMALLY COVERED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
WITH CONTINUING DIFFICULT CONDITIONS IN THESE CAMPS PENDING REPATRIATION OF THOSE VIETNAMESE NOT CLASSIFIED AS REFUGEES, A FURTHER TEMPORARY INCREASE FROM 850 BY 100 TO 950 PER DAY WAS REQUIRED TO ASSIST IN CRIME PREVENTION IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR PERIOD.
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WELFARE PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT IN APRIL *****
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA) AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE (SNA) WILL GET A 10 PER CENT INCREASE IN PAYMENT STARTING FROM APRIL.
THE ADJUSTMENT WAS APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADJUSTMENT WAS IN LINE WITH THE INFLATION RATE SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE PURCHASING POWER OF PA AND SNA PAYMENTS. THE LAST REVISION WAS A 11 PER CENT INCREASE LAST YEAR.
BASED ON THE NEW SCALE, THE BASIC RATE FOR A SINGLE PERSON ON PA WILL BE RAISED TO $685 FROM $620. THE NEW SCALE IS AS FOLLOWS:
CATEGORY EXISTING REVISED
($) ($)
SINGLE PERSON 620 685
FAMILY: FIRST MEMBER 465 515
/SECOND MEMBER .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 7 -
SECOND MEMBER 465 515
THIRD MEMBER 455 505
FOURTH MEMBER 455 505
FIFTH MEMBER AND EACH ADDITIONAL MEMBER 445 495
LONG TERM SUPPLEMENT (FOR HOUSEHOLD IN RECEIPT OF PA FOR 12 MONTHS OR MORE)
A) FOR A SINGLE PERSON 790 870
B) FOR A FAMILY WITH TWO TO FOUR MEMBERS 1,580 1,740
C) FOR A FAMILY WITH FIVE OR MORE MEMBERS 2,370 2,610
THE NEW RATE FOR OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT FOR PA RECIPIENTS AGED 60 TO 69 WILL BE INCREASED FROM $310 TO $343, AND FROM $355 TO $393 FOR THOSE AGED 70 OR ABOVE.
THE DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT FOR PA RECIPIENTS WHO ARE NOT RECEIVING AN OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT OR A SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE WILL ALSO BE INCREASED TO $343 FROM $310. MEAL ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FULL-DAY SCHOOL WILL BE INCREASED FROM $106 TO $118.
THE NEW SCALE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE IS AS FOLLOWS:
CATEGORY EXISTING REVISED
OLD AGE ALLOWANCE I ) NORMAL RATE (FOR THOSE AGED 66 ($) ($)
TO 69) I I ) HIGHER RATE (FOR THOSE AGED 70 310 343
OR ABOVE) DISABILITY ALLOWANCE 355 393
I) NORMAL RATE 620 685
II) HIGHER RATE 1,240 1,370
/"THE ESTIMATED........
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 8
"THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ARISING FROM THE ADJUSTMENT WOULD BE $304.6 MILLION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $99.5 MILLION TO MEET INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON PA AND SNA IN 1989-90.
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HK PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 GAZETTED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO ENLARGE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE FOR GREATER REPRESENTATION FROM MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS CLARIE LO, SAID THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1967, BUT THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE COUNCIL’S ACTIVITIES HAI) EXPANDED ENORMOUSLY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE CURRENT SIZE OF THE MEMBERSHIP WAS INADEQUATE TO ALLOW ALL THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS TO BE SUFFICIENTLY REPRESENTED.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO ENLARGE THE COUNCIL’S MEMBERSHIP FROM 21 TO 23 TO ALLOW FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO EXTRA MEMBERS FROM THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS," SHE SAID.
"THIS WILL ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO COPE WITH THE SCOPE, VOLUME AND COMPLEXITY OF ITS WORK WHICH HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT YEARS."
MRS LO SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDING LEGISLATION ALSO EMPOWERED THE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH AND ACQUIRE COMPANIES TO CARRY OUT PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES.
IT ALSO EMPOWERED THE COUNCIL TO MAKE LOANS OR GIVE OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPANIES ESTABLISHED BY IT.
"THIS WILL ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO PLAY ITS ROLE AS A GOVERNMENT AGENT MORE EFFECTIVELY, AND TO EXPLOIT MORE READILY OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES," SHE SAID.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 14.
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/9 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
9
TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL, TIC RESERVE FUND MADE PUBLIC BODIES *****
BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG (TIC) AND THE TIC RESERVE FUND ARE NOW PUBLIC BODIES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
THE SPECIFICATION IS CONTAINED IN THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULE) ORDER 1990 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR PETER CHEUNG, SAID THAT BY SPECIFYING THE TWO AS PUBLIC BODIES, MEMBERS OF THE TWO BOARDS OF DIRECTORS WOULD BECOME PUBLIC SERVANTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE AND WOULD BE SUBJECT TO PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
’’THIS WILL HELP TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY AND HONESTY AND WILL ENHANCE THE STANDING OF THE TWO BODIES IN THE EYES OF INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL AGENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC,” HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE TIC WAS GIVEN CONSIDERABLE POWERS AND AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE SELF-REGULATION OF THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS INTRODUCED IN 1988 WHEN THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED.
"MEMBERSHIP OF THE TIC IS A PREREQUISITE FOR AN OUTBOUND TRAVEL AGENT TO OBTAIN A LICENCE TO OPERATE.
"THE TIC RESERVE FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO HOLD, MANAGE AND ADMINISTER A FUND CONSISTING OF A LEVY ON OUTBOUND TOURS.
"IT IS USED TO COMPENSATE MEMBERS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC FOR LOSSES SUFFERED BY REASON OF DEFAULT OF ANY LICENSED TRAVEL AGENT.
"AT PRESENT, THE FUND, WHICH IS FINANCED BY A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON ALL OUTBOUND PACKAGE TOURS, STANDS AT $30 MILLION," MR CHEUNG SAID.
"THE TIC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAILY MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND," HE SAID.
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/10 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 10 -
RADIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED
*****
A BILL SEEKING TO AMEND THE RADIATION ORDINANCE TO FACILITATE ITS ENFORCEMENT AND TO RATIONALISE CERTAIN PROVISIONS TO MEET CURRENT NEEDS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RADIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 PROPOSES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF FINES FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE BY FIVE TIMES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THESE FINES HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE THE ORDINANCE CAME INTO FORCE IN 1965," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE NUMBER OF OFFENCES INVOLVED WAS VERY SMALL.
FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE LEVEL OF FINE FOR AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS OR USE AN IRRADIATING APPARATUS WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE RADIATION BOARD SHOULD BE RAISED FROM $10,000 TO $50,000.
"ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF IDENTIFIED OFFENCES HAS REMAINED AT AN AVERAGE OF ONLY THREE OR FOUR A YEAR, WE CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE FINES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT," HE ADDED.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE RADIATION BOARD TO EXEMPT ANY SPECIFIED RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES OR IRRADIATING APPARATUS FROM PRESENT CONTROLS UNDER THE RADIATION ORDINANCE.
EXAMPLES ARE RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES CONTAINED IN LUMINOUS WATCHES AND SMOKE DETECTORS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THESE SUBSTANCES ARE BY DEFINITION "RADIOACTIVE" BUT THEY ARE PRESENT IN VERY SMALL QUANTITIES AND ARE PERMANENTLY ENCASED SUCH THAT THEY ARE NOT HARMFUL TO HEALTH.
"FOR PRACTICAL REASONS, IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO EXEMPT THEM FROM CONTROLS," HE SAID.
SUCH EXEMPTIONS GRANTED BY THE RADIATION BOARD WOULD BE PUBLICISED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE FROM TIME TO TIME.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE IS TO EMPOWER A RADIATION BOARD INSPECTOR TO SEAL THE ARTICLES OR PLACES CONTAINING RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES OR TO RENDER AN IRRADIATING APPARATUS INOPERABLE WHEN HE HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO SUSPECT THAT AN OFFENCE IN RESPECT OF THE SUBSTANCE OR APPARATUS HAS BEEN COMMITTED.
/"UNDER THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
11
"UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, AN INSPECTOR ALREADY HAS THE POWER TO SEIZE, REMOVE AND DETAIN THE SUBSTANCE OR APPARATUS.
"HOWEVER, IN CASES WHERE THESE ARE TOO BULKY TO BE REMOVED PROMPTLY, THE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS WOULD ENABLE THE BOARD TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREVENT OR MINIMISE ANY HAZARDS THAT MAY ARISE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 14.
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MEMBERSHIP OF ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS ANNOUNCED
******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS.
THE TENURE OF OFFICE IS THREE YEARS COMMENCING MARCH 1.
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
THE APPOINTED MEMBERS ARE MR HO SAI-CHU; MRS PEGGY LAM PEI YU-DJA; THE REV. ALFRED J. DEIGNAN; DR MARGARET KWAN SHUK-WA; PROFESSOR JOSEPH LEE (NOMINATED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG); PROFESSOR M.H. NG (NOMINATED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG); DR AVERY CHAN SAU-CHEE (NOMINATED BY THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION); MR DAVID CHU YU-LIN (NOMINATED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE); CONSULTANT, VIRUS UNIT; CONSULTANT IN-CHARGE OF AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION; AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL WAS TO UPGRADE THE FORMER EXPERT COMMITTEE ON AIDS TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO BETTER COPE WITH THE INCREASING PROBLEM OF AIDS.
"THE STRONG REPRESENTATION FROM BOTH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS NOT ONLY REFLECTS THE ADMINISTRATION'S COMMITMENT TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM BUT ALSO ENSURES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/12 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
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INDUSTRY DEPT HOLDS QUALITY MANAGEMENT FORUM ♦ * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES THAT LIE AHEAD IN THE PURSUIT OF INCREASED QUALITY AWARENESS AND MORE EXTENSIVE APPLICATION OF QUALITY METHODS AND PRACTICES IN INDUSTRY.
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN HE WELCOMED LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVES TO A QUALITY MANAGEMENT FORUM ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD A TRADITION OF COPING WITH RAPID CHANGES IN MARKET DEMAND AND BEING ABLE TO PRODUCE GOODS AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES.
HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS HAD RELIED, IN NO SMALL MEASURE, ON THE SUCCESS OF OUR ENTREPRENEURS IN OVERCOMING VARIOUS PROBLEMS THAT HAD BESET MANUFACTURING OVER THE YEARS, HE SAID.
"ONE OF THE NEW CHALLENGES NOW FACING HONG KONG INDUSTRY - AND PERHAPS ONE OF THE MORE IMPORTANT AND CERTAINLY MORE DEMANDING - IS HOW TO INTRODUCE QUALITY ASSURANCE EFFECTIVELY SO AS TO PROVIDE QUALITY PRODUCTS THAT CAN MEET THE DEMANDS OF DISCERNING MARKETS IN THE 1990’S."
MR BARMA SAID THE ROLE, AND IN PARTICULAR, THE COMMITMENT AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN THE QUALITY PROCESS HAD BEEN EXTENSIVELY RESEARCHED AND DEBATED.
HE ENCOURAGED THE PARTICIPANTS TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CAREFULLY SOME OF THE LATEST THINKING OF THIS SUBJECT.
THE ONE-DAY QUALITY MANAGEMENT FORUM IS BEING ATTENDED BY A TOTAL OF 60 SENIOR EXECUTIVES.
TWO EXPERTS IN QUALITY MANAGEMENT FROM BRITAIN, MR ERIC WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM JNSTITUTi. OF QUALITY ASSURANCE, AND MR RON MORTIBOYS, WHO HEADS HIS OWN QUALITY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY COMPANY, ADDRESSED THE EXECUTIVES.
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/13........
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
13
LAW REFORM COMMISSION TO STUDY PRIVACY LAWS *****
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS BEEN ASKED TO EXAMINE EXISTING LAWS AFFECTING PRIVACY AND TO RECOMMEND WHETHER THERE IS ANY NEED FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAVE ASKED THE COMMISSION TO LOOK NOT ONLY AT THE COLLECTION AND STORAGE OF INFORMATION AND ITS DISCLOSURE OR COMMUNICATION BUT ALSO AT INTRUSION INTO PRIVATE PREMISES AND THE INTERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATIONS.
AT THE END OF ITS STUDY, THE COMMISSION WILL REPORT ON WHETHER LEGISLATIVE OR OTHER MEASURES ARE REQUIRED TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND TO PROVIDE HIM WITH REMEDIES FOR UNDUE INTERFERENCE.
THE ACTING SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION, MR STUART STOKER, SAID A SUB-COMMITTEE HAD BEEN FORMED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR JUSTICE MORTIMER, WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, TO CONSIDER THE SUBJECT.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN WORK SHORTLY.
------0--------
KEEP HK CLEAN SPECTACULAR TO MARK CAMPAIGN’S CLIMAX *****
A VARIETY SHOW TO PROMOTE A CLEANER HONG KONG WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI. IT WILL BEGIN AT 8.15 PM.
THE SHOW IS ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE TO MARK THE CLIMAX OF THE 1989-90 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
PRODUCED BY TELEVISION SHOW WILL DISSEMINATE KEEP PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
BROADCASTS LIMITED, THE TWO-HOUR CLEAN MESSAGES THROUGH VARIOUS ARTISTES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM
/OFFICIATING AT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2,
- 14 -
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LTD, MR WILLIAM PURVES; REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF URBAN COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN; CHAIRMAN OF THE UC PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU; DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA; AND DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN SPECTACULAR TO BEGIN AT 8.15 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE ENQUIRY COUNTER ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRE’S AUDITORIA BUILDING AT-8 PM SHARP. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----0------
1990 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO PLANT TREES IN COUNTRY PARKS WITH THEIR OWN HANDS THROUGHOUT MARCH AND APRIL WITH THE OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE 1990 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME AT HOI HA AU IN SAI KUNG WEST COUNTRY PARK AT 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 4).
THE COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME IS AN ANNUAL EVENT WHICH DATES BACK TO 1957. OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS GROWN IN POPULARITY. ABOUT 20,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME LAST YEAR.
THIS YEAR’S SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG HIKING AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES GROUPS.
THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BE OMELCO MEMBER, DR DANIEL TSE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, MR CARLOS CHEUNG; DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG HIKING AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES GROUPS, MR C.W. LEE; GENERAL MANAGER OF TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD, MR KELLY CHENG; AND MISS HONG KONG, MISS MONICA CHAN.
/AT THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 15 7
AT THE FUNCTION, DI T3E WILL LEAD ABOUT 100 DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, INCLUDING MISS HONG KONG TITLE-WINNERS, AND 600 HIKERS AND 500 SCHOOL CHILDREN, IN PLANTING TREES AT HOI HA AU.
THE ACTIVITY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF TREE PLANTING DAYS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHEDULED FOR ALL SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ; STARTING MARCH 5 UNTIL THE END OF APRIL.
ON EACH PLANTING DAY, TREE SEEDLINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FOR PLANTING BY INTERESTED PARTIES AT SIX DESIGNATED SITES IN COUNTRY PARKS AT TAI MO SHAN, TAI MEI TUK, PAK TAM CHUNG, QUARRY BAY, MUI WO AND CLEAR WATER BAY.
AFD STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY AT THE SITES TO PROVIDE TREE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
MEANWHILE, TREE PLANTING BY SCHOOLS AND ORGANISED GROUPS CAN BE ARRANGED FOR WEEKDAYS AND SATURDAYS DURING THE PERIOD.
ANY ORGANISATION INTERESTED IN JOINING THE SCHEME CAN CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON TEL. 7332121 FOR REGISTRATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1990 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME ON SUNDAY (MARCH 4).
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AND WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 9.15 AM THAT DAY.
------0--------
NEW FEE REMISSION FOR KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN ANNOUNCED ******
A NEW AND SIMPLIFIED FEE REMISSION SCHEME FOR KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN WILL BE INTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
(FRIDAY), AN
FOLLOWS THE
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW SCHEME EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION AND REVISE THE EXISTING FEE SO AS TO BENEFIT A GREATER NUMBER OF PARENTS.
NO.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS OF
2 TO IMPROVE
THE STANDARD
THE
OF
ASSISTANCE SCHEME
/THE PRINCIPAL .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 16 -
THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE NEW SCHEME ARE:
* ASSISTANCE IS BASED ON THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE EXISTING FEE REMISSION SCHEME FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS;
* TO ASCERTAIN ELIGIBILITY, PARENTS WILL BE MEANS-TESTED; AND
* APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE KINDERGARTENS IN WHICH THE CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED AND COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO KINDERGARTENS WHICH SHOULD ENSURE THAT COPIES OF ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE ATTACHED BEFORE THEY ARE FORWARDED TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR PROCESSING.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT TO VET APPLICATIONS, A RECKONER GUIDE WILL BE USED TO AWARD POINTS TO AN APPLICANT ACCORDING TO FAMILY INCOME AND FAMILY SIZE.
"ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS MAY RECEIVE ASSISTANCE AT RATES OF 25, 50, 75 OR 100 PER CENT OF THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTEN FEES WHICH WILL BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY," HE SAID.
"ONE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW SCHEME OVER THE EXISTING ONE IS THAT AN ELIGIBLE PARENT WILL GET AT LEAST 25 PER CENT OF THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE FEE.
"PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE TO SCHOOLS BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NORMALLY WITHIN THE FIRST 10 DAYS OF EACH MONTH SO AS TO ENABLE SCHOOLS TO PAY INDIVIDUAL SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS THE AMOUNT OF FEE REMISSION TO WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED."
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR FEE REMISSION, KINDERGARTEN PUPILS SHOULD BE AGED THREE YEARS OR ABOVE AND APPLICANTS SHOULD NOT BE IN RECEIPT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
THE AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME OF A FAMILY FROM ALL SOURCES SHOULD NOT EXCEED $10,000.
A LEAFLET EXPLAINING THE NEW SCHEME AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHOOLS AND PARENTS SHORTLY.
PARENTS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION CAN TELEPHONE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANCE SCHEMES UNITS ON HONG KONG (8392545 OR 8392344), KOWLOON (3884111 EXT. 266 OR 3855514) AND NEW TERRITORIES (7601927 OR 7152840).
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO GIVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO KINDERGARTl'V OPERATORS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NEW FEE REMISSION SCHEME, THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS TO INCREASE FEES FOR THE 1990-91 SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 31.
/17........
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
17 -
WORKER FINED FOR SMOKING IN FACTORY * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED WORKERS TO STRICTLY OBSERVE FIRE PRECAUTIONS AT WORKPLACES.
IN A RECENT COURT CASE, A GARMENT FACTORY WORKER WAS FINED $200 BY THE SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACY FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH A SMOKING PROHIBITION.
DESPITE VERBAL ADVICE GIVEN TO HIM, THE WORKER WAS FOUND SMOKING IN THE FACTORY PREMISES WHERE A "NO SMOKING" NOTICE WAS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED.
"IT IS THE LEGAL DUTY OF EVERY PERSON TO COMPLY WITH SMOKING PROHIBITION IN ANY WORKPLACE," A LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MR RAYMOND LUK, SAID. THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR THE OFFENCE IS $10,000.
MR LUK ALSO REMINDED PROPRIETORS TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH SMOKING PROHIBITION AS FIRE CAUSED LOSS IN PRODUCTION TIME, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURIES AND EVEN DEATHS.
"PROPRIETORS SHOULD DISPLAY A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PROHIBITION NOTICES AT CONSPICUOUS SPOTS IN THEIR WORKPLACES AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE MAINTAINED IN GOOD CONDITION," HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ON FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN WORKPLACES CAN BE MADE AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE ON TEL. 8150678.
------0--------
PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY SURVEY RESULTS * * * ♦ »
CRIME
5) TO
IN THE
A WORKING GROUP OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT COMMITTEE (DFCC) WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY (MARCH ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF A RECENT SURVEY ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
DISTRICT.
TOTAL OF
40 SCHOOLS THE DFCC
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY. A 1 500 QUESTIONNIRES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO STUDENTS AT ABOUT IN THE DISTRICT, AND TO PARTICIPANTS AT A CARNIVAL HELD BY
LAST YEAR.
ABOUT 79 PER CENT OF THE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE RETURNED TO THE WORKING GROUP.
/THE SURVEY .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
THE SURVEY COVERED THE BACKGROUND AND HABITS OF THE RESPONDENTS; THEIR VIEWS ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY; THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT, AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS, TRIAD SOCIETIES; AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
HOSTING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE THE WORKING GROUP’S CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WONG, AND DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR FAN KAM-PING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF A JUVENILE DELINQUENCY SURVEY IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (MARCH 5) AT THE LAI KOK COMMUNITY HALL, LAI KOK ESTATE. IT WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
- - 0 - -
THREE GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ♦ * * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF THREE GOVERNMENT LAND LOTS.
THE FIRST TWO LOTS, IN KOWLOON, ARE FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/ , CHASSIS ATTACHED, CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THEY ARE LOCATED IN CARPENTER ROAD AND SA PO ROAD AND MEASURE ABOUT 3,050 AND 2,340 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE THIRD LOT IS A 7,224-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT SAI KUNG TOWN,-SAI KUNG. IT IS FOR A PUBLIC CARPARK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING ARTICULATED VEHICLES, CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR FIVE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 16.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES AT SAI KUNG AND KOWLOON EAST AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
/19
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 19 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR SALE OF DESALTING PLANT
******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF THE LOK ON PAI DESALTING PLANT AND ITS ASSOCIATED MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT-.
ONE OF THE TENDERS INVOLVES THE SALE OF THE MAIN AND AUXILIARY PLANTS OF THE DESALTER AND SPARE PARTS.
THE OTHER COMPRISES MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT SUITABLE FOR USE IN THE DESALTING PLANT, INCLUDING PIPE FITTINGS, POWER CABLES, CABLE TERMINALS, MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKERS, VALVES, PIPE GASKETS, O-RINGS, VALVE PACKINGS, NUTS AND BOLTS.
THE DESALTING PLANT, WHICH WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1975-77, COMPRISES SIX MULTI-STAGE FLASH DISTILLATION UNITS, EACH WITH ITS OWN OIL FIRED BOILER, EVAPORATOR, TURBO-GENERATOR AND ANCILLARIES.
THE TOTAL DISTILLATE OUTPUT IS 181,800 CUBIC METRE (40 MILLION GALLONS) PER DAY.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AGREED IN JULY LAST YEAR THAT IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT IMPROVED WATER SUPPLY SITUATION, ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO OISPOSE OF THE PLANT WHICH IS NOW MAINTAINED IN A MOTHBALLED STATE.
FORMS OF TENDERS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER AUTHORITY, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 11TH FLOOR, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 18 THIS YEAR.
----------------------0------- DREDGING WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT OFF TUEN MUN *****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 1,040 HECTARES OF SEABED AT THE BROTHERS AND AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,400 HECTARES OF SEABED AT URMSTON ROAD OFF TAP SHEK KOK IN TUEN MUN.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AFFECTED AREAS IS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
- 20 -
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MAY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE GAZETTE NOTICES, TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLANS, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITES.
THE PLANS CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
------0--------
ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS TN TAI PO t t t ♦ ♦
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR ANOTHER PROJECT AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TAI PO NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT MAINLY COVERS ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS TO SERVE PLATFORMS IN AREA 57, TAI PO, AND MISCELLANEOUS WORKS BETWEEN AREA 57 AND TUNG TSZ ROAD.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICULAR ACCESS FROM TUNG TSZ ROAD TO AREA 57 TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED FOOTPATH AND LAY-BYS; A CAR/LORRY PARK AND A CARPARK; A BRIDGE, STAIR ACCESS, AMENITY AREA AND ASSOCIATED SLOPEWORKS AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF TUNG TSZ ROAD.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CONSULTANTS FOR THE PROJECT, MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD, AT WO CHE ESTATE, SHA TIN.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 23.
--------0-----------
/21 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1990
21
OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS INVALID FROM MARCH 5
' * « * * »
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED MEN BORN BETWEEN 1941 AND 1952 THAT THEIR OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 WILL CEASE TO BE VALID DOCUMENTS FROM MONDAY, MRACH 5.
"THIS IS THE SEVENTH BATCH OF IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THIS NEW IDENTITY CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME STARTED IN JULY 1987,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT ONCE AN OLD CARD WAS DECLARED INVALID, IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD OR TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT.
"HOWEVER, THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR SPECIFIED CARD REPLACEMENT PERIODS DUE TO THEIR ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES," HE ADDED.
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0 - -
PLB BAN ZONE IN CENTRAL * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 4), THE SECTION OF MAN WA LANE BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ZONE.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE PROHIBITED ZONE 24 HOURS DAILY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT............................................ 1
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN SPECTACULAR AT CULTURAL CENTRE .............................. 2
PRAISE FOR AMS MEMBERS ........................................................... 2
DRIVE TO PROMOTE MACHINE SAFETY .................................................. 3
INMATE AWARDED BRONZE MEDAL IN TECHNOLOGICAL EXAM ................................ 4
ELDERLY LEARN ABOUT HEALTH CARE AT CARNIVAL ...................................... 5
TEN OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HONOURED................................................. 5
CARNIVAL ON CARE FOR THE HANDICAPPED TOMORROW .................................... 6
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN SHAM SHUI PO........................................ 6
REGIONAL SECRETARY OPENS NEW CLUBHOUSE IN WAN CHAI ............................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CENTRAL ................................................... 8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN AND ABERDEEN ..................................... 8
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TAI PO ROAD, FANLING ................................... 9
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WANG TAU HOM ................................... 9
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
MORE DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
*****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL CONTINUE TO SEE STEADY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE YEARS TO COME, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, 'MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT INDUSTRIALISTS’ ASSOCIATION, MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT THESE INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE AND MORE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHICH WOULD ENHANCE THE DISTRICT’S POTENTIAL FOR INDUSTRIAL GROWTH.
TO ENSURE THAT THE DEVELOPMENTS WOULD TIE IN WITH THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS AND NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT, MR LAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION AND CO-ORDINATION WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING INDUSTRIALISTS IN THE DISTRICT. •
"MEMBERS OF YOUR ASSOCIATION HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN A GREAT INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
"AMONG THEM ARE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, VARIOUS IMPORTANT ADVISORY COMMITTEES, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEES, THUS ENSURING THAT THE VIEWS OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN THE DISTRICT ARE EFFECTIVELY REFLECTED," HE SAID.
MR LAN NOTED THAT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT HAD UNDERGONE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT YEARS. THERE WERE THE OPENING OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL AND THE COMPLETION OF LEI TUNG ESTATE.
"THESE CHANGES HAVE CREATED FAVOURABLE- CONDITIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE NUMEROUS PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES CONSTRUCTED WITHIN THE DISTRICT HAVE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL LABOUR RESOURCES MUCH NEEDED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR," HE SAID.
EARLIER, MR LAN PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR PUTTING FORWARD VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC FACILITIES AND TRAFFIC IN THE DISTRICT.
AMONG THEM WERE THE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR NAM LONG SHAN ROAD AND HEUNG YIP ROAD ROVISION OF ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES / • C YIP ROAD AND YIP FAT ROAD.
"THESE HAVE GREATLY IMPROVED THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS TO FACILITATE THE 01 ■'■KA'.'IONS OF THE FACTORIES
THERE," HE ADDED.
MR LAN ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR LOOKING AFTER THE WELFARE OF WORKERS IN ’HE DISTRICT BY PROVIDING VARIOUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
/2 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
- 2 -
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN SPECTACULAR AT CULTURAL CENTRE
******
POPULAR SINGERS, ARTISTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS JOINED HANDS TO DISSEMINATE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGES AT THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN SPECTACULAR HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
THE SPECTACULAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/ REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE AND WAS PRODUCED BY TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED.
"IT AIMS TO CALL FOR WIDER PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN BY SHOWING THAT IT IS ONLY THROUGH THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE COMMUNITY CAN WE ACHIEVE A CLEANER AND THUS BETTER ENVIRONMENT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
BESIDES PROMOTING THE PITCH-IN SPIRIT, THE TWO-HOUR SHOW ALSO TOUCHED ON THE PENALTY AND NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR LITTERING.
"WHILE EMPHASISING EDUCATION AND POSITIVE APPROACH IN KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN, THE COMMITTEE ALSO SUPPORTS LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION AS A KIND OF DETERRENT TO LITTERERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TONIGHT’S EVENT WERE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION I.TD, MR WILLIAM PURVES; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN LAU; CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, DR RONALD LEUNG; DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA; DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO; CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, AND VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR TONG KAM-BIU.
THE ENTIRE PROGRAMME WILL BE BROADCAST .ON TVB JADE TOMORROW (SUNDAY), STARTING AT 8.45 PM.
---- _ v---
PRAISE FOR AMS MEMBERS
*****
THE FINE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) TRADITION OF DEDICATION AND PERSEVERANCE AT DIFFICULT TIMES IS BEING FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED DESPITE THE HEAVY LOAD ON MANPOWER RESOURCES, THE COMMISSIONER, DR S.H. LEE, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE AMS ANNUAL DINNER WHICH HERALDS A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO COMMEMORATE ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY, DR LEE PRAISED OFFICERS AND MEMBERS FOR THEIR FINE EFFORTS.
DR LEE NOTED THAT 1989 HAD BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR AMS.
/OFFICERS AND .......
SATURDAY. MARCH 3, 1990
- 3 -
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS HAD WORKED VERY HARD IN COPINC WITH THE EVER-INCREASING DEMAND FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE FOR THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN DETENTION CAMPS, HE SAID.
DURING THE DINNER, DR LEE PRESENTED CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE MEDALS TO 55 RECIPIENTS AND CIVIL DEFENCE LONG SERVICE FIRST CLASPS TO 12 OTHER MEMBERS.
THEY HAVE EACH SERVED THE AMS FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF 15 AND 27 YEARS RESPECTIVELY.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO MR GEOFFREY BARNES, WHO HAS RECENTLY RETIRED FROM HIS OFFICE AS SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, FOR HIS FULL SUPPORT RENDERED TO THE AMS, AND TO WELCOME HIS SUCCESSOR, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY.
THE DINNER WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 1,000 MEMBERS AND GUESTS.
------0-------
DRIVE TO PROMOTE MACHINE SAFETY *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL MOUNT A TWO-MONTH "MACHINE SAFETY CAMPAIGN 1990" ON MONDAY (MARCH 5) AS PART OF ITS ONGOING EFFORT TO CURB INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL VISIT WORKPLACES TO EXPLAiN TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES THE PROPER METHODS TO GUARD THEIR MACHINES.
THE INSPECTORS WILL ALSO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE OF THE MACHINES.
"ABOUT 17 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVE THE USE OF INEFFECTIVELY GUARDED MACHINES,” THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"SOME MACHINES ARE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS, SUCH AS POWER PRESSES, GRANULATORS, AND MACHINES USED IN WOODWORK, PAPER INDUSTRY AND PLASTICS FACTORIES," MR CHAN SAID.
DURING THE VISITS, THE INSPECTORS WILL TAKE OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST SERIOUS OFFENDERS UNDER THE GUARDING OF MACHINERY REGULATIONS AND RELATED REGULATIONS.
"OUR INSPECTORS WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN ENSURING WORK SAFETY AND TO ADVISE THEM ON THEIR GENERAL DUTIES UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE TO BE ENFORCED LATER THIS YEAR," MR CHAN SAID.
"OUR CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY THE NUMBER OF MACHINERY ACCIDENTS AND WE HOPE TO BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
4
INMATE AWARDED BRONZE MEDAL IN TECHNOLOGICAL EXAM
*****
A 33-YEAR-OLD PRISON INMATE HAS BEEN AWARDED A BRONZE MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE TECHNOLOGICAL EXAMINATION.
THE BRONZE MEDAL IS OFFERED TO THE BEST CANDIDATE OF EACH RESPECTIVE EXAMINATION IN THE FIRST (PART ONE) LEVEL OF THE CITY AND GUILDS EXAMINATION ON A GLOBAL SCALE.
THE CANDIDATE WAS AN INMATE IN STANLEY AND IS NOW UNDER THE "RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION" SCHEME.
HE SAT FOR THE INSTITUTE’S EXAMINATIONS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONICS IN DECEMBER 1988 AND SCORED DISTINCTIONS IN BOTH SUBJECTS. HE WAS AWARDED THE MEDAL FOR HIS BRILLIANT RESULTS.
IN ADDITION, HE HAD OBTAINED DISTINCTIONS IN MATHEMATICS AND ELECTRICAL PRINCIPLES, AS WELL AS CREDITS IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES SINCE HE FIRST ENROLLED IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNICIAN COURSE IN 1985.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY): "THE HONOUR SIGNIFIES THE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE CANDIDATE’S PERFORMANCE IN THE EXAMINATION AND WILL DEFINITELY BE A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHER INMATES SITTING FOR PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS."
HE SAID THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT A PRISONER UNDER THE DEPARTMENT’S CARE WAS AWARDED THE BRONZE MEDAL BY THE INSTITUTE. THE FIRST ONE WAS IN 1984.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THIS KIND OF PUBLICLY RECOGNISED ACADEMIC OR VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION WOULD ENABLE THE INMATES TO STAND A BETTER CHANCE OF EMPLOYMENT UPON THEIR RELEASE, AND WOULD SUBSEQUENTLY HELP THEIR REINTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
SINCE 1979, A TOTAL OF 1,327 INMATES HAD SAT FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE HELD BY THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE, THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE PITMAN EXAMINATION INSTITUTE AND THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY.
THEY ACHIEVED A TOTAL OF 483 DISTINCTIONS, 204 CREDITS AND 906 PASSES. THE AVERAGE PASS RATE IS 86 PER CENT.
/5........
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
- 5 -
ELDERLY LEARN ABOUT HEALTH CARE AT CARNIVAL ♦ » » » «
SENIOR RESIDENTS IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT LEARNED MORE ABOUT PERSONAL HEALTH CARE AND HYGIENE AT A CARNIVAL THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY ALSO HAD TESTS ON THEIR HEARING ABILITY, EYE-SIGHT AND BLOOD PRESSURE.
THE CARNIVAL WAS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON PREFERENTIAL SCHEMES FOR THE ELDERLY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE.
THERE WERE STALL GAMES ON VARIOUS HEALTH EDUCATION TOPICS, A TALK AND AN EXHIBITION.
SPEAKING AT THE CARNIVAL, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR WONG CHEE-KWUN, SAID THE GROUP HAD ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
’’THE GROUP OPERATES A PREFERENTIAL SCHEME UNDER WHICH PEOPLE AGED 60 OR ABOVE LIVING IN THE DISTRICT CAN OBTAIN DISCOUNTS OFFERED BY SOME LOCAL DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND SHOPS," HE SAID.
"MORE THAN 1,000 SENIOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME," HE ADDED.
OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL TODAY WERE THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; AND THE DISTRICT’S SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MISS CHAN JOY-YIN.
------0-------
TEN OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HONOURED *****
TEN STUDENTS FROM YAU TSIM DISTRICT -NINE GIRLS AND A BOY -WERE COMMENDED AS THE DISTRICT’S OUTSTANDING STUDENTS TODAY (SATURDAY).
THEIR ACADEMIC RECORDS, CONDUCT, KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL SERVICES IMPRESSED A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, SCHOOL HEADMASTERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
EACH OF THE 10, WHO WERE CHOSEN OVER 37 OTHER NOMINEES FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, WAS AWARDED A TROPHY, A CERTIFICATE AND A $300 BOOK COUPON.
/AMONG THOSE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
6
AMONG THOSE PRESENTING THE PRIZES WERE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; AND SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MS ROSE LAU.
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE WITH DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORSHIP TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ CONCERN FOR SOCIETY AND TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
---------0---------
CARNIVAL ON CARE FOR THE HANDICAPPED TOMORROW
*****
A CARNIVAL AIMED AT PROMOTING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF THE HANDICAPPED WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN SHEUNG WAN.
ENTITLED "WE CARE AND WE JOIN HANDS: THE HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED", THE CARNIVAL WILL PROVIDE STALL GAMES, PERFORMANCES BY THE DISABLED AND AN EXHIBITION ON REHABILITATION SERVICES.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT NOON. OFFICIATING WILL BE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR HUI YIN-FAT; REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR KWOK NAI-SIK; ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN, MISS MONICA CHEN; AND A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR PETER LEE SHUNG-TAK.
THE CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM. 11 AM TO 4.30 PM AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, THIRD FLOOR, SHUN TAK CENTRE, 200 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL. ADMISSION IS FREE.
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FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN SHAM SHUI PO * » t * *
FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGH AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT LEI CHENG UK ESTATE, SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 11 AM TO 3.30 PM.
THIS IS THE EIGHTH IN A SERIES OF NINE FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP FOR THIS WINTER.
"THE EXHIBITIONS AIM TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF ELECTRIC FAULT WHICH REMAINS A MAJOR CAUSE OF DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL FIRES," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
/"ELECTRIC FAULTS .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
"ELECTRIC FAULTS CAN BE AVOIDED IF REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF POWER POINTS AND APPLIANCES ARE CARRIED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS," HE SAID.
"IN ORDER TO HELP TtfE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THE SUBJECT BETTER, OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT AT THE EXHIBITION TO ANSWER QUESTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE EXHIBITION TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO PREVENT HILL FIRES.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL RECEIVE A BOOKLET ON THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC FIRES AND SOUVENIRS SPONSORED BY KWONG ON BANK LTD.
- - 0 - -
REGIONAL SECRETARY OPENS NEW CLUBHOUSE IN WAN CHAI
******
THE NEW CLUBHOUSE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ARTS, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION WILL PROVIDE AN IDEAL VENUE FOR RESIDENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR BODIES AND CULTIVATE GOOD CHARACTERS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CLUBHOUSE, MR LAN SAID THE NEW FACILITY WOULD ENABLE RESIDENTS OF DIFFERENT AGES AND FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE TO ENJOY A VARIETY OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE AND DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
DESCRIBING THE OPENING OF THE CLUBHOUSE AS A MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR LAN PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ACHIEVING RAPID DEVELOPMENT AND NOTABLE SUCCESS IN THE SEVEN YEARS SINCE ITS FORMATION.
"SINCE 1983, THE ASSOCIATION HAS ORGANISED MORE THAN 70 ACTIVITIES WHICH COST MORE THAN $840,000. PARTICIPANTS IN THESE ACTIVITIES NUMBERED MORE THAN 60,000," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE ASSOCIATION ALSO REGULARLY ORGANISES VARIOUS PROGRAMMES WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL.
"THESE INCLUDE MINI-FOOTBALL MATCHES, CHILDREN’S TELEMATCHES, CANTONESE OPERA NIGHTS AND LANTERN FESTIVAL CARNIVALS," MR LAN ADDED.
THE ASSOCIATION’S CLUBHOUSE IS BUILT ON A PIECE OF LAND UNDER THE TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE PROJECT, TOTALLING ABOUT $1.2 MILLION, WAS MET BY THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND AND PRIVATE DONATIONS.
THE OPENING CEREMONY TODAY WERE ALSO ATTENDED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND THE ASSOCIATION’S CHAIRMAN, MR HSU CHUNG-CHI.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CENTRAL ******
THfc TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 5), THE EXISTING RIGHT-TURNING FROM JUBILEE STREET INTO EASTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE BANNED FOR TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON JUBILEE STREET HEADING FOR EASTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, THE U-TURN LOOP ROAD OUTSIDE VICWOOD PLAZA TO JOIN EASTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN AND ABERDEEN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 5), THE SECTION OF TRAM TRACK ON CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND MORRISON STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A BAN ZONE 24 HOURS DAILY TO FACILITATE TRAM OPERATIONS.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE BAN ZONE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM HOUSE NO. 98 TO ITS JUNCTION WITH WILMER STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
IN ABERDEEN, THE SECTION OF OLD MAIN STREET, ABERDEEN FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH YUE FAI ROAD TO ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A TEMPORARY BAN ZONE TO ALL VEHICLES FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THIS BAN ZONE.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1990
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TAI PO ROAD, FANLING
* » * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, ABOUT 1.5 KILOMETRES OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF SOUTHBOUND TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) SOUTH OF WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 5) TO 6 PM THE NEXT DAY.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WANG TAU HOM
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN WANG TAU HOM FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE URGENT ROAD REPAIR WORKS.
VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN FROM JUNCTION ROAD ONTO HENG LAM STREET. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL . BE DIVERTED VIA TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD AND FUNG MO STREET.
KMB ROUTES 7 AND 11C AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 14 WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC URGED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME ................. 1
MANY PARTICIPATE IN ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL................................ 3
DISTRICT BOARDS TO REFLECT VIEWS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS .................. 3
WORK TO PROCEED ON THREE PROJECTS ...................................... 4
BADGE DESIGN COMPETITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT................... 5
DISTRICT BOARD SUBSIDIES FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS.?....................... 6
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ........................... 7
DB COMMITTEE TO REVIEW WORK ............................................ 8
DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS •.................... 8
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
PUBLIC URGED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME
« » » * t
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE 1990 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME.
OMELCO MEMBER DR DANIEL TSE MADE THE PLEA WHILE HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE SCHEME AT HOI HA AU OF SAI KUNG WEST COUNTRY PARK THIS MORNING.
ABOUT 1,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING HIKERS, COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS, JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS AND BOY SCOUTS TURNED UP FOR THE CEREMONY.
"IT IS THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG TO CONSERVE OUR COUNTRYSIDE," DR TSE STRESSED, ADDING THAT COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN TREE PLANTING WOULD HELP PEOPLE LEARN AND UNDERSTAND OUR DELICATE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS REMIND THEM OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO KEEP IT CLEAN, GREEN AND HEALTHY.
"TREES ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THEY BEAUTIFY OUR COUNTRYSIDE AND PROVIDE A SCENIC ENVIRONMENT FOR THOUSANDS OF HIKERS, PICNICKERS, MORNING WALKERS AND NATURALISTS TO ENJOY DURING THEIR WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS," DR TSE NOTED.
"TREES ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL IN STOPPING SOIL EROSION AND PROVIDING THE NATURAL HABITATS FOR A VARIETY OF OUR WILDLIFE," HE CONTINUED.
DR TSE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING HAD NOW BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT WITH SOME 20,000 PEOPLE PLANTING TREES IN VARIOUS COUNTRY PARKS EVERY YEAR.
HE BELIEVED THAT WITH THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG HIKING AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES GROUPS (FHKHOAG) FULLY BACKING THE SCHEME AND CO-ORGANISING THIS YEAR’S EVENT WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), THE CONSERVATION MESSAGE WOULD BE DRIVEN HOME AMONGST THE MOST FREQUENT USERS OF OUR COUNTRYSIDE.
EARLIER IN HIS WELCOME SPEECH, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, POINTED OUT THAT 1990 MARKED THE 33RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE SCHEME.
"STARTING AS A MODEST EVENT IN THE 1950’S, THE SCHEME HAS BEEN GROWING WITH TIME AND HAS ATTRACTED ABOUT 20,000 PARTICIPANTS PLANTING SOME 26,000 TREES LAST YEAR.
"AS WE GO INTO THE 1990’S, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS SCHEME WILL CONTINUE TO BE POPULAR AND SUCCESSFUL," DR LEE SAID.
HE THANKED THE CO-ORGANISER - THE FHKHOAG - FOR ITS PAST EFFORTS IN ASKING ITS MEMBERS TO OBSERVE THE COUNTRY CODE AND TO PARTICIPATE IN VOLUNTARY SERVICES AIMED AT KEEPING OUR COUNTRYSIDE GREEN AND CLEAN.
/HE ALSO .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
2
HE ALSO THANKED TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD (TVB), FOR ITS CONTINUING SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE OVER THE YEARS IN PROMOTING THE SCHEME AND SPREADING THE COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION MESSAGE.
SPEAKING IN ONE VOICE WITH DR TSE, DR LEE CALLED UPON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO COME FORWARD TO ANY ONE OF THE SIX DESIGNATED PLANTING SITES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BEFORE THE END OF APRIL TO PLANT HIS OR HER TREE.
OTHER GUESTS OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S LAUNCHING CEREMONY WERE THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CARLOS CHEUNG; CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF FHKHOAG, MR LEE CHI-WAI AND MR LO TIN-HOI; TVB GENERAL MANAGER, MR KELLY CHENG; AND MISS HONG KONG, MISS MONICA CHAN.
ON THE SAME OCCASION, MR CARLOS CHEUNG PRESENTED PLAQUES TO 10 ENTHUSIASTIC HIKING GROUPS WHICH HAD JOINED THE COUNTRY PARKS "FOREST ADOPTION SCHEME" SINCE ITS INAUGURATION LAST YEAR AND HAD COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO PLANTING AND LOOKING AFTER THEIR "FOREST PLOTS” IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THESE PLAQUES WOULD BE PUT UP LATER.AT THEIR "FOREST PLOTS" TO MARK THEIR EFFORT.
AFTER THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY, THE OFFICIATING PARTY FORMALLY STARTED THE 1990 COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME BY LEADING ABOUT 100 OTHER GUESTS IN PLANTING THE FIRST TREES OF THE YEAR.
DR TSE ALSO UNVEILED A PLAQUE AT THE PLANTING SITE TO COMMEMORATE THIS YEAR’S EVENT.
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO SEE HOW HIKERS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN CO-OPERATED IN TURNING THE BARREN HOI HA AU SITE INTO A SLOPE COVERED WITH SEEDLINGS OF ACACIA CONFUSA AND TRISTANIA CONFERTA, COMMON TREE SPECIES USED IN AFFORESTATION.
THEY LEARNT THAT AFD’S TREE NURSERIES IN TAI TONG, YUEN LONG AND IN NAM SHAN, LANTAU PRODUCED SOME 800,000 SEEDLINGS ANNUALLY, ABOUTHALF OF WHICH WERE FOR USE IN COUNTRY PARKS.
ON ALL SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BETWEEN MARCH 5 AND APRIL 30, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING ANY OF THE SIX DESIGNATED PLANTING SITES IN VARIOUS COUNTRY PARKS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE TREE SEEDLINGS AND TOOLS FOR PLANTING WHILE AFD STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO GIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
THE SIX SITES EARMARKED FOR THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES ARE LOCATED IN TAI MO SHAN, TAI MEI TUK, PAK TAM CHUNG, QUARRY BAY, MUI WO AND CLEAR WATER BAY RESPECTIVELY.
MEANWHILE, TREE PLANTING BY SCHOOLS AND ORGANISED GROUPS CAN BE ARRANGED BY COUNTRY PARKS STAFF BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND ON WEEKENDS THROUGHOUT MARCH AND APRIL WITH PRIOR BOOKINGS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN BE DIRECTED TO AFD’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON TEL. 7332121.
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/3 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
- 3 -
MANY PARTICIPATE IN ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL
*****
MORE THAN A THOUSAND RESIDENTS TOOK PART IN A CARNIVAL HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO MARK THE FINALE OF THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
THEY HAD FUN IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WHILE BECOMING MORE AWARE OF ROAD SAFETY.
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU, WHO OFFICIATED AT THE CARNIVAL’S OPENING, SAID THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD BEEN FINANCING A SERIES OF ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
"IN ADDITION TO PUTTING UP BANNERS AT ACCIDENT BLACK SPOTS AND DISTRIBUTING PAMPHLETS TO RESIDENTS, WE HAVE ALSO PRINTED POSTERS AND HELD SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY.
"WE HOPE THESE MEASURES WOULD HELP REMIND RESIDENTS TO OBSERVE ROAD SAFETY RULES AT ALL TIMES AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS COULD BE REDUCED," HE ADDED.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER, POINTED OUT THAT WITHOUT THE JOINT EFFORT OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PARTICULARLY THE WORK OF THE TRAFFIC POLICE, THE DISTRICT’S ROAD SAFETY FUNCTIONS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HELD SUCCESSFULLY.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, MR NGAI WAI-MING; POLICE COMMANDERS OF THE CENTRAL AND THE WESTERN DISTRICTS, MR CHRIS GLOVER AND MR ROBERT TOAL; AND THE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, TRAFFIC HONG KONG ISLAND, MR ALLAN GARROD.
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL' AND WESTERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
----0------
DISTRICT BOARDS TO REFLECT VIEWS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS
*******
DISTRICT BOARDS, AS ADVISORY BODIES, WILL CONTINUE TO REFLECT PUBLIC VIEWS ON TRANSPORT PROBLEMS IN DISTRICTS AND ON THE OVERALL TRANSPORT POLICY FOR THE TERRITORY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
’’THESE VIEWS ARE VITAL TO THE GOVERNMENT AND TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IN PLANNING FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS,” HE SAID.
/MR LAN ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
4
MR LAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE MTR DISTRICT FUN ORIENTEERING RACE AT CHATER GARDEN.
"I' HOPE TODAY’S CONTEST WOULD FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG DISTRICT BOARDS, THE COMMUNITY AND THE MTRC,” HE SAID.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG AS A MAJOR TRADING, FINANCIAL AND COMMUNICATION CENTRE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, WOULD PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN WORLDWIDE TRADE AND ECONOMY.
’’THIS WILL HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE ABILITY TO BUILD AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT OVERALL TRANSPORT SYSTEM.
’’THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY SPEECH LAST YEAR AND THE RECENT WHITE PAPER ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT HAVE UNVEILED THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF PORT FACILITIES AND A NEW AIRPORT, AS WELL AS A SERIES OF MAJOR PROGRAMMES ON ROAD WORKS AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES TO TIE IN WITH THESE PLANS.
’’THESE UNDERLINE THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO MAINTAIN THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC GROWTH,” MR LAN ADDED.
------0--------.
WORK TO PROCEED ON THREE PROJECTS *****
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT TWO SEWAGE TREATMENT PROJECTS AND A PROJECT FOR LAYING SUBMARINE GAS PIPELINES.
IN SHA TIN, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN AUTHORISED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW PIPE BRIDGE ACROSS THE SHING MUN RIVER WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 0.41 HECTARE OF SEABED AT THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
THIS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING TWO SEWAGE EFFLUENT PIPES, OF 1.4-METRES DIAMETER, AND OTHER UTILITIES ACROSS THE SHING MUN RIVER.
THE WORK WILL BEGIN IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED ABOUT AUGUST 1992.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO BEEN AUTHORISED TO CARRY OUT THE NORTH WEST KOWLOON SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL REVISED SCHEME.
THIS INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COASTAL SECTION OF EFFLUENT OUTFALL ALONG THE NORTH WEST COASTLINE OF STONECUTTERS ISLAND AND THE INSTALLATION OF MARINE SECTION OF EFFLUENT OUTFALL TO LINK WITH THE COASTAL SECTION.
/TEMPORARY WORKS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
- 5 -
TEMPORARY WORKS ON THE RECLAMATION AND ALONG THE NORTH WEST COASTLINE AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND, AND DREDGING AND BACKFILLNG OF THE SEABED ALSO FORM PART OF THE PROJECT.
THE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 43.2 HECTARES, INCLUDING THE WESTERN FORESHORE AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND AND THE SEABED BETWEEN THE WESTERN TIP OF STONECUTTERS ISLAND AND THE NORTHERN FAIRWAY.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MID-1990 AND BE COMPLETED ABOUT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GRANT A WAYLEAVE CONCERNING THE PROJECT TO LAY TWIN 600-MILLIMETRE-DIAMETER INTERMEDIATE PRESSURE SUBMARINE GAS PIPELINES ACROSS THE EASTERN HARBOUR.
DREDGING WILL BE CARRIED OUT OVER AN AREA OF ABOUT 2.8 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN THE QUARRY BAY AREA ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND CHA KWO LING IN KOWLOON.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKINGS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1 NEXT YEAR.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
--------0-----------
BADGE DESIGN COMPETITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT »««»»«
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR A BADGE DESIGN COMPETITION TO PROMOTE A "GREEN PLANT PROJECT" IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.
"THE DESIGN OF THE BADGE SHOULD CARRY THE THEMES OF CARING FOR PLANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND BUILDING A ’GREEN’ COMMUNITY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID.
"THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE USE OF COLOUR AND MATERIALS FOR THE DESIGN," HE ADDED.
/THE COMPETITION .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
- 6 -
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS - PRIMARY STUDENTS, SECONDARY STUDENTS AND OPEN. ENTRIES IN STUDENT SECTIONS ARE LIMITED TO STUDENTS FROM THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOLS.
IN'EACH SECTION, THREE WINNERS WILL BE NAMED AND AWARDS MADE FOR OUTSTANDING ENTRIES.
THE FIRST THREE WINNERS IN EACH OF THE STUDENT SECTIONS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND BOOK COUPONS WHILE THOSE WHO SUBMIT OUTSTANDING ENTRIES WILL RECEIVE BOOK COUPONS.
IN ADDITION TO TROPHIES AND COUPONS, THE WINNERS IN THE OPEN SECTION WILL BE GIVEN DRAWING EQUIPMENT.
ENTRANTS MUST WRITE THEIR NAMES, SECTION ENTERED FOR, NAMES OF SCHOOLS, CLASS, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS ON THE BACK OF THEIR ENTRIES.
THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES AN ENTRANT MAY MAKE.
ENTRIES MUST REACH THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET, BEFORE MARCH 15.
PAMPHLETS ON THE COMPETITION ARE AVAILABLE AT THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 3222261, EXT. 321.
---------0-----------
DISTRICT BOARD SUBSIDIES FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN EASTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO ORGANISE RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SAID THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD AIM AT ENHANCING THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE LIVING OR WORKING IN THE DISTRICT AND CULTIVATING RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT.
SUBSIDIES WOULD BE GRANTED TO PROJECTS RANGING FROM CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, EXHIBITIONS, SEMINARS AND SURVEYS TO RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED, AND TRAINING COURSES FOR VOLUNTARY WORKERS, HE SAID.
A WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON MARCH 27 TO VET APPLICATIONS.
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS THREE SUB-OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, BEFORE MARCH 13.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 5624453.
----------------------0------- DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS *****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH SEWERAGE WORKS IN SHEK O, STANLEY AND REPULSE BAY Af ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT UNDER THE HONG KONG ISLAND SOUTH SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN.
IN SHEK 0, CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT NEXT TO ROCKY BAY WILL ENTAIL THE BUILDING OF AN ACCESS ROAD TO THE PLANT, THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF SHEK O ROAD AND THE PROVISION OF A TEMPORARY ROAD LINKING SHEK O ROAD WITH SHEK O HEADLAND TO ALLOW FOR TRAFFIC DIVERSION.
IN STANLEY AND REPULSE BAY, CONSTRUCTION OF GRAVITY FOUL SEWERS AND ASSOCIATED MANHOLES IN STANLEY MAIN STREET AND DEEP WATER BAY ROAD RESPECTIVELY WILL RESULT IN THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SECTIONS OF THESE TWO ROADS.
AT THE MEETING, THE COMMITTEE WILL FOLLOW UP ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES RAISED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS, INCLUDING ROAD SAFETY AT THE JUNCTION OF REPULSE BAY ROAD AND ISLAND ROAD, PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE TAXI STAND IN NAM NING STREET, AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN SAI ON STREET AND CHENGTU ROAD.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF A BUS BAY IN ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD AND FARES FOR THE DISTRICT’S BUS ROUTES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
--------0-----------
/8 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
DB COMMITTEE TO REVIEW WORK *****
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL REVIEW ITS WORK IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY (MARCH 6).
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER 12 APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL ALSO STUDY THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (MARCH 6) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
- - 0 - -
DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS
*****
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS IN WONG TAI SIN ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO CARRY OUT DISTRICT-WIDE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
"APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT. THEY WILL BE PROCESSED IN THREE PHASES AND THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE FIRST PHASE IS MARCH 28," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE APPLICATIONS AT A MEETING ON APRIL 10.
AREA COMMITTEES MAY BE INVITED TO GIVE COMMENTS AND ADVICE ON APPLICATIONS FROM ORGANISATIONS IN THEIR AREAS.
"THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE VETTED ACCORDING TO THE CRITERIA SET DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AMOUNT APPROVED FOR A PARTICULAR ORGANISATION WILL NOT EXCEED $10,000 WITHIN A FINANCIAL YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE DEADLINES
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 1990
- 9 -
THE DEADLINES FOR THE OTHER PHASES ARE MAY 25 AND SEPTEMBER 22, AND THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS ON JUNE 12 AND OCTOBER 9.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT FUND APPLICATIONS FOR AREA-BASED ACTIVITIES WHICH COULD NOT BE SUBSIDISED BY ALLOCATIONS FOR AREA COMMITTEES, WOULD BE CONSIDERED AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING ON OCTOBER 9.
"SUCH APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE DB SECRETARIAT BEFORE SEPTEMBER 22.
"REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE APPLICANT ORGANISATIONS WOULD HAVE TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE TO PRESENT THEIR PROJECTS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
"A REPORT ON THE PROJECT SHOULD ALSO BE SUBMITTED TO THE DB SECRETARIAT WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER THE PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED," HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 3230387.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS TO PRESENT BUDGET ON WEDNESDAY ................................................ 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED ........................................ 2
APPOINTMENTS TO PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD ........................................... 6
BENEFITS OF EFFECTIVE QUALITY STRATEGY ..............?............................ 6
CSD DONATES OVER $500,000 TO ORGANISATIONS ....................................... 8
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON ATTACHMENT TO UK ......................................... 8
500 MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AT GALA ................................................. 9
SIX FARMS COMPLETED WASTE TREATMENT DEMONSTRATION ............................... 10
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS METROPLAN ................................................ H
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES ............................ 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FINANCIAL POSITION ...................................... 12
FUNDING PROCEDURES ON DB AGENDA ................................................. 32
COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW WORK ..................................... 13
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS JOSS STICKS BURNING...................................... 13
SURVEY REPORT ON COMMUNITY CARE NEEDS ........................................... 34
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................................ 14
WATER CUTS IN SHAM SHUT PO AND KWUN TONG......................................... I5
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON SHA TIN ROAD........................................... I5
* e
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
1
FS TO PRESENT BUDGET ON WEDNESDAY
*****
HONG KONG’S BUDGET FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1990-91 WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 7).
THE PROCEEDINGS WILL START AT 2.30 PM, WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, MOVES THE FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1990, AND OUTLINES THE ESTIMATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR 1990-91.
THE HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WERE SET OUT IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1990 WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WILL BE ADJOURNED UNTIL APRIL 25 AND 26, WHEN MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSALS.
OFFICIALS WILL REPLY ON MAY 9 TO POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS.
ON MAY 16, THE BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG’S RADIO 5 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH).
RADIO 5 AND RADIO 3 WILL ALSO BROADCAST LIVE THE OTHER BUDGET SITTINGS ON APRIL 25 AND 26 AND MAY 9 AND 16.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
GIS WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 7) TO ENABLE REPRESENTATIVES TO START WORK ON THEIR BUDGET STORIES EARLY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE GIVEN ADVANCE COPIES OF THE BUDGET SPEECH AND ECONOMIC PROSPECTS AT 12 NOON, BUT THEY MUST STAY AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM (FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL) TO WORK ON THEIR COPIES AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE UNTIL AFTER THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS CONCLUDED HIS SPEECH.
CONTACTS OF ANY KIND WITH THE OUTSIDE, SUCH AS TELEPHONE OR COMPUTER LINKS, WILL NOT BE PERMITTED DURING THE "LOCK-IN". ALSO, MOBILE TELEPHONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INTO THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH AND THE FINANCE BRANCH WILL BE ON HAND TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM FROM 12.30 PM. THEY ARE NOT THERE TO GIVE INTERVIEWS, AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE QUOTED.
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AND SANDWICHES WILL BE SERVED AND GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO OFFER HELP.
/2 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
- 2 -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY PUBLISHED
*****
BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED IN JANUARY 1990 COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
REFLECTING THE INCREASE IN CASH DEMAND DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, THE NARROWEST DEFINITION OF MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M1, ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY DURING JANUARY.
THE BROADER DEFINITIONS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 ALSO REGISTERED INCREASES DURING THE MONTH.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES FELL DURING JANUARY, IN PART BECAUSE OF THE SEASONAL DECLINE IN OFFSHORE LOANS.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1990, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.2 PER CENT AND 1.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1989 RESPECTIVELY. THE SLOWER INCREASE WAS A REFLECTION OF THE LARGE WITHDRAWAL OF CASH FROM DEPOSITS FOR USE DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR.
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEMAND DEPOSITS DECLINED BY 1.5 PER CENT, WHILE SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS ROSE BY 0.3 PER CENT AND 0.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1990, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 9.6 PER CENT, AND WHEN SWAP DEPOSITS ARE INCLUDED, BY 12.9 PER CENT, LARGELY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 3.5 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1990, AFTER INCREASES OF 3.4 PER CENT AND 2.5 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 0.2 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 7.1 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 25.1 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 0.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1990, AFTER A DECLINE OF 0.8 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND AN INCREASE OF 2.7 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1989.
/ADJUSTED TO .......
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
- 3 -
ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 0.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND BY 12.9 PER CENT COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 3.9 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND BY 23.8 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS ROSE BY 2.7 PER CENT IN JANUARY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES RECORDED A DECLINE OF 3.1 PER CENT. FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, THE FORMER ROSE BY 19.8 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER GREW BY 5.5 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 8.0 PER CENT, 2.1 PER CENT AND 2.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY 1990. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING RATES OF -0.6 PER CENT, +2.1 PER CENT AND +1.8 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1989.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1990, HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 ROSE BY 5.3 PER CENT, 12.1 PER CENT AND 10.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HK$M2 INCREASED BY 1.8 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND BY 15.0 PER CENT COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER. HK$M3 INCREASED BY 1.7 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND BY 13.3 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 9.2 PER CENT, 3.3 PER CENT AND 2.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN DECEMBER WERE 0.3 PER CENT, 2.4 PER CENT AND 2.2 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 6.8 PER CENT, 19.8 PER CENT AND 18.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECLINED BY 0.8 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1990, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.2 PER CENT AND 6.0 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 2.6 PER CENT WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES DECREASED BY 3.2 PER CENT.
/LOANS TO .......
MBNM-Y, MARCH 5, 1990
4
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG FELL BY 0.8 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1990, FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 1.1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND AN INCREASE OF 0.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1989 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 8.2 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 2.5 PER CENT IN JANUARY COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 2.3 PER CENT AND 1.1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 26.9 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG DECREASED BY 3.9 PER CENT IN JANUARY, FOLLOWING A STRONG INCREASE OF 8.1 PER CENT IN DECEMBER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 26.2 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE MERCHANDISING TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECLINED BY 22 PER CENT IN JANUARY, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 3.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER AND A ZERO GROWTH IN DECEMBER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS DECLINED BY 9.5 PER CENT. IN TERMS OF RELATIVE SHARE, HOWEVER, THESE LOANS ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF TOTAL LOANS.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 165. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY ONE TO 37 WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY TWO TO 200.
/TABLE 1 .......
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - JANUARY 1990
(HKSmn)
Earlier months (% change to January 1990)
Jan 1990
MONDAY. MARCH 5, 1990
Money Supply Dec 1989 Oct 1989 Jan 1989
Ml - HK$ 92,014 85,183 ( 8.0 %) 82,441 ( 11.6 %) 87,362 ( 5.3 %)
Foreign currency 11,554 9,675 ( 19.4 %) 9,178 ( 25.9 %) 9,608 ( 20.3 %)
Total 103,568 94,858 ( 9.2 %) 91,619 ( 13.0 %) 96,970 ( 6.8 %)
M2 - HK$ 412,321 403,987 ( 2.1 %) 386,216 ( 6.8 %) 367,752 ( 12.1 %)
Foreign currency 608,851 584,849 ( 4.1 %) 552,309 ( 10.2 %) 484,985 ( 25.5 %)
Total 1,021,172 988,836 ( 3.3 %) 938,525 ( 8.8 %) 852,737 ( 19.8 %)
M3 - HK$ 442,867 434,376 ( 2.0 %) 418,370 ( 5.9 %) 401,177 ( 10.4 %)
Foreign currency 647,517 625,831 ( 3.5 %) 591,129 ( 9.5 %) 518,007 ( 25.0 %)
Total 1,090,384 1,060.207 ( 2.8 %) 1,009,499 ( 8.0 %) 919,184 ( 18.6 %) I
Notes and coins in circulation 48,563 39,670 ( 22.4 %) 36,565 ( 32.8 %) 39,975 ( 21.5 %) I
1 of which held by public 41,811 34,192 ( 22.3 %) 31,843 ( 31.3 %) 33,838 ( 23.6 %) i i
in Total Deposits • o
Total Demand deposits 61,757 60,666 ( 1.8 %) 59,776 ( 3.3 %) 63,132 ( -2.2 %). 1
i Total Savings deposits 194,619 193,186 ( 0.7 %) 179,977 ( 8.1 %) 171,225 ( 13.7 %)
Total Time deposits with banks 706,270 683,802 ( 3.3 %) 649,924 ( 8.7 %) 568,984 ( 24.1 %) 1
Total Time deposits with dtcs 67,868 70,004 ( -3.1 %) 69,039 ( -1.7 %) 64,313 ( 5.5 %) 1
HK$ deposits 388,897 387,640 ( 0.3 %) 373,929 ( 4.0 %) 354,856 ( 9.6 %)
US$ deposits 325,845 325,088 ( 0.2 %) 308,162 ( 5.7 %) 266,761 ( 22.1 %)
Other foreign currency deposits 315,771 294,929 ( 7.1 %) 276,626 ( 14.2 %) 246,037 ( 28.3 %)
All deposits 1,030,512 1,007,658 ( 2.3 %) 958,716 ( 7.5 %) 867,654 ( 18.8 %)
Foreign currency swap deposits 63,033 63,122 ( -0.1 %) 61,954 ( ' 1.7 %) 45,527 ( 38.5 %)
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 63,024 63,562 ( -0.8 %) 63,899 ( -1.4 %) 58,239 ( 8.2 %)
To finance merchandising trade 8,134 , 10.427 (-22.0 %) 10,066 (- •19.2 %) 8,988 ( -9.5 %)
not touching H.K. Other loans for use in H.K. 599,267 584,594 ( 2.5 %) 564,974 ( 6.1 %) 472,311 ( 26.9 %)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 485,628 .505,396 ( -3.9 %) 456.347 ( 6.4 %) 384,775 ( 26.2 %)
Other loans where the place of 105,411 107,920 ( -2.3 %) 78,506 ( 34.3 %) 56,012 ( 88.2 %)
use is not known Loans in HK$ 538,757 525,239 ( 2.6 %) 507,919 ( 6.1 %) 419,770 ( 28.3 %)
Loans in foreign currencies 722,708 746,659 ( -3.2 %) 665.873 ( 8.5 %) 560,556 ( 28.9 %)
Total loans and advances 1,261,465 1,271,899 ( -0.8 %) 1,173.792 ( 7.5 %) 980,326 ( 28.7 %)
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
6
APPOINTMENTS TO PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD * * * ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE FIRST STEPS IN THE FORMATION OF THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR TONY CLARK, HAS BEEN APPOINTED SECRETARY TO THE BOARD; AND A PRINCIPAL MARINE OFFICER, MR IAN DALE, DEPUTY SECRETARY.
IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 11 LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID A NON-STATUTORY PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO BRING TOGETHER THE INTERESTS OF BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE OPERATORS, AND TO ADVISE ON THE PLANNING AND LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT.
’’DETAILED TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE BOARD ARE NOW BEING DRAWN UP WITH A VIEW TO ITS ESTABLISHMENT DURING 'APRIL,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THE BOARD WILL COMPRISE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND KEY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CONCERNED WITH THE PORT.
"THE CHAIRMAN WILL BE DRAWN FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR,” HE SAID.
PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTMENT AS SECRETARY TO THE BOARD, MR CLARK WAS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOVERNMENT’S SHIPPING POLICY.
MR DALE WAS PRINCIPAL MARINE OFFICER, PORT SERVICES, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT OF SHIPPING.
------0--------
BENEFITS OF EFFECTIVE QUALITY STRATEGY »»»»»»
QUALITY IN MANUFACTURING MUST BE SEEN AS A POTENTIAL WEAPON, RATHER THAN MERELY A PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SEMINAR ON "MAKING QUALITY HAPPEN" AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR BARMA SAID CHAIRMEN AND MANAGING DIRECTORS OF COMPANIES MUST BE CONVINCED OF THE NEED TO PURSUE AN EFFECTIVE QUALITY STRATEGY.
"AND THEY MUST BE INVOLVED PERSONALLY BY ENSURING THAT THIS STRATEGY IS INCORPORATED INTO THEIR COMPANIES’ BUSINESS PLANS.
/"SO, WHILE .........
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
"SO, WHILE ADEQUATE FINANCE AND OTHER RESOURCES WILL THEREFORE NEED TO BE MADE AVAILABLE, THE RETURNS ON SUCH INVESTMENT CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL.
"RECOGNITION OF THESE FACTORS IS CRITICAL TO A LONG TERM, OVERALL INDUSTRIAL QUALITY STRATEGY FOR HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY KEENLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURED GOODS TO ENABLE COMPANIES TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
FOR ITS PART, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SINCE THE EARLY 1980’S DEVELOPED A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF IMPROVED QUALITY IN PRODUCTION, AND SUCH QUALITY SERVICES WERE WELL DEVELOPED AND HAD ACHIEVED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION. »
FURTHER SUPPORT HAD BEEN GIVEN IN THE FORM OF A COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF EXISTING QUALITY SERVICES, THE PROMOTION OF QUALITY THROUGH THE LAUNCHING OF AN ONGOING QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A QUALITY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR MANUFACTURING COMPANIES.
MR BARMA SAID THE AIM OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO PROVIDE AN INSIGHT INTO THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY NECESSARY FOR IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY.
"FURTHER SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS, TOGETHER WITH THE PROVISION OF TRAINING MATERIAL COVERING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF QUALITY ASSURANCE THEORY AND PRACTICE, WILL BE ARRANGED AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN," HE SAID.
THE SEMINAR, IN WHICH 300 COMPANY EXECUTIVES ARE PARTICIPATING, WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND WEDNESDAY.
THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS WAS GIVEN TODAY BY MR RON MORTIBOYS, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MORTIBOYS TOTAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT LTD OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
OTHER SPEAKERS ARE MR JOHN EARLY, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE JURAN INSTITUTE OF THE UNITED STATES; MR ERIC WILLIAMS, CHAIRMAN OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM; MR ERNEST EVANS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (QUALITY SERVICES) IN THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT; AND MR KEITH NEWTON, DIRECTOR (EXPORTS) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
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/8 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
8
CSD DONATES OVER $500,000 TO ORGANISATIONS
*****
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT DONATED A TOTAL OF $500 000 TO 21 CHARITABLE AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS CLOSELY CONNECTED TO THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT AT ITS HEADQUARTERS THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY INCLUDE THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, THE PRISONERS FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG CHRISTIAN KUN SUN ASSOCIATION, CARITAS LOK HEEP CLUB, INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE, SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND, HONG KONG CHRISTIAN AID TO REFUGEES, THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND, THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF WELFARE FUND AND PRISONERS WELFARE FUND.
THE SUM CAME FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE AUTUMN FAIR ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT STANLEY IN NOVEMBER.
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IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON ATTACHMENT TO UK
*****
FOUR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM NEXT WEEK FOR A SIX-WEEK ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
THE FOUR OFFICERS ARE ACTING SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, MR TAM WING-YIN, MR CHAN WING-CHEONG AND MRS CHUI CHAN WAI-KUEN, AND AN ACTING IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR WONG WING-CHUNG.
THEY WILL VISIT BRANCHES OF THE HOME OFFICE HANDLING IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY MATTERS AS WELL AS IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND PORTS.
AT A BRIEFING TODAY (MONDAY) FOR THE OFFICERS, THE DIRECTOR 01 IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG, SAID IMMIGRATION WORK HAD BECOME MORI COMPLEX AND MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE WERE REQUIRED TO BE VIGILANT AND ALERT TOWARDS CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE.
"THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON GIVING ITS STAFF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING," HE SAID
"I HOPE THE ATTACHMENT WOULD ENABLE THE OFFICERS TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON AND TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM," HE ADDED.
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/9.........
MONDAY, MAKC ■ 5, 1 0
- 9 -
500 MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AT GALA
*****
MORE THAN 500 TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL BE PERFORMING IN A GALA CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE ON SUNDAY (MARCH 11).
THE 1990 ANNUAL GALA WILL BE A REVIEW OF THE TRAINEES’ ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR UNDER THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME RUN BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
THE HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
A NUMBER OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TWO ORCHESTRAS WERE WINNERS IN THE SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL IN RECENT YEARS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUSIC OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY): "IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR THE TRAINEES WHO HAVE BEEN REHEARSING HARD DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS FOR THIS GALA PERFORMANCE;"
UNDER THE BATON OF THE ASSISTANT MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MR THOMAS WANG, THE 500 YOUNGSTERS WILL PLAY A NUMBER OF FAMOUS PIECES INCLUDING HAYDN’S "TE DEUM", CHINESE TRADITIONAL "HAPPY SPRING EVENING” AND SOUTH AMERICAN FOLK SONG "LA CAMPARSITA".
SIMILAR TO A SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY, THE ANNUAL GALA IS ONE OF THE MAJOR MUSICAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PROVIDE ITS TRAINEES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM BEFORE THEIR PARENTS IN PUBLIC.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN PARENTS WATCH THEIR CHILDREN PERFORM ON STAGE AND PARTICULARLY BEFORE A LARGE AUDIENCE, THEY FEEL PROUD OF THE RESULTS ACHIEVED BY THE YOUNGSTERS.
"IT IS A SATISFYING FEELING YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF," HE ADDED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, DR HELMUT SOHMEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY DURING WHICH OUTSTANDING TRAINEES, ORCHESTRAL, CHOIR AND BAND MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT OR AWARDS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
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/10 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
- 10 -
SIX FARMS COMPLETED WASTE TREATMENT DEMONSTRATION * * * * *
SIX OF THE NINE PRIVATE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT METHODS HAVE COMPLETED THE SIX-MONTH DEMONSTRATION PERIOD, MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS LEARNT TODAY (MONDAY).
AT THE GROUP’S MEETING THIS AFTERNOON, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) BRIEFED MEMBERS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON VARIOUS TREATMENT METHODS WHICH CAN ENABLE LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO COMPLY WITH ANTI-POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS STIPULATED UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
MEMBERS LEARNT THAT ANALYSIS BY EPD CONFIRMED THAT THE TREATED EFFLUENT OF THE PIG FARM IN MA ON SHAN, WHICH JUST COMPLETED ITS DEMONSTRATION PERIOD LAST MONTH, COMPLIED WITH THE ANTI-POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS.
THE FARM OPERATOR WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO USE THE SYSTEM AFTER THE DEMONSTRATION PERIOD. THE OPERATOR HAD ALSO SUCCESSFULLY MADE USE OF THE SLUDGE PRODUCED TO FERTILISE FRUIT TREES, AN EPD REPRESENTATIVE ADDED.
THE PIG-ON-LITTER WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM IN ANOTHER PIG FARM IN TA KWU LING WAS HANDED OVER TO THE OPERATOR LAST MONTH AND IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DEMONSTRATION.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP, MR LEO KWAN, SAID ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE BUSINESS IN CONTROL AREAS TO VISIT THE FARM TO SEE HOW THE SYSTEM OPERATES.
MR KWAN SAID INDIVIDUAL FARMERS ARE WELCOME TO REGISTER THEIR INTEREST IN VISITING THE FARM WITH THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S HOTLINES: 6754664 FOR FARMERS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, 4792261 EXT. 216 FOR YUEN LONG DISTRICT, AND 8351533 FOR OTHER DISTRICTS.
AS FOR THE REMAINING TWO FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, THE EPD REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY WILL BE READY FOR DEMONSTRATION SHORTLY.
THE MEMBERS WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CONSULTANT’S REPORT ON THE PROJECTS IS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR CONSULTATION IN MAY THIS YEAR.
AFTER THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP WENT TO TA KWU LING TO INSPECT THE OPERATION OF THE PIG-ON-LITTER SYSTEM.
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
- 11
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS METROPLAN * * * * *
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE METROPLAN AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
A TOWN PLANNER FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, MR CHUNG PUI-KAI, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL. MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF TSUEN WAN.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS ON THE WORK OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
------0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES
******
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD IN 1990-91 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP ON APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSS EVALUATION REPORTS ON SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES HELD.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS ANOTHER SITE VISIT TO THE DISTRICT AS THE ONE ORIGINALLY ARRANGED IN EARLY MARCH WAS CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLAND DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.20 PM.
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/12 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FINANCIAL POSITION ******
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE BOARD AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
IT WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE ESTIMATES FOR NEXT YEAR’S EXPENDITURE AND A REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON PUBLIC RELATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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FUNDING PROCEDURES ON DB AGENDA ♦ * * *
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW FUNDING PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR VETTING APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1990-91.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE REPORTS ON A ’’SPECIAL OFFER DAY FOR THE ELDERLY” AND DISTRICT BOARD-FUNDED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
/13 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
13
COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW WORK
*****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL REVIEW THE WORK OF ITS WORKING GROUPS IN THE PAST YEAR AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A TRAINING COURSE FOR OFFICE-BEARERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS, A "CREATIONS BY YOUTH" PROJECT AND A FUN FAIR.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE A REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMMITTEE, AND THE ZONTA CLUB YOUTH DISTRICT LEADER AWARD 1990.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS JOSS STICKS BURNING ******
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AN IMPROVED MODEL OF A FURNACE WHICH WILL REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE CAUSED BY BURNING OF JOSS STICKS AND INCENSE PAPERS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE REPORTS ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND ON THE COMMITTEE’S FINANCIAL POSITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF YAU MA TEI DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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/14
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
- 14 -
SURVEY REPORT ON COMMUNITY CARE NEEDS
*****
'THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A PRELIMINARY SURVEY REPORT ON THE COMMUNITY CARE NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PRINCIPAL MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES EAST) OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DR DEBORAH LEUNG, WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL FOLLOW UP A REQUEST FOR SETTING UP A FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION CLINIC IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
NORTH DISTRICT
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY
(TUESDAY) IN CLUB ROAD,
FANL1NG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 40.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 234.555 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 212.165 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 36.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/15........
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1990
- 15 -
WATER CUTS IN SHAM SHUI PO AND KWUN TONG
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 7) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, WONG CHUK STREET, INCLUDING SHEK KIP MEI STREET, YU CHAU STREET, KI LUNG STREET AND TAI NAN STREET.
ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8), FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY WAN HON STREET, HIP WO STREET, KWUN TONG ROAD, HONG NING ROAD AND HONG NING RECREATION GROUND.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON SHA TIN ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT ABOUT 200 METRES LONG OF THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR SHA TIN WAI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 AM ON MARCH 7 (WEDNESDAY) TO 9 AM ON MARCH 10 BECAUSE OF ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSULTATION ON BILL OF RIGHTS TO BEGIN ......................................... 1
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL STAGE ONE OPENS ON MARCH 8 .................................... 2
METROPLAN CONSULTATION EXTENDED ................................................. 3
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER ON MARCH 13 .....................:.................... 3
PUBLISHING OF DRAFT SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER SUGGESTED ........................ 4
CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT CATERING WORKERS’ HEARING.......y.”.......................... 5
INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL REPORT PUBLISHED ....................................... 5
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON WAGE STATISTICS IN HK.................................. 6
REMINDER TO AVOID EASTER HOLIDAY RUSH ........................................... 6
CHILDREN’S LOVE FOR THEIR MOTHERS THROUGH ART AND MUSIC ......................... 7
DB TO ELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN .................................................. 8
RECLAMATION STUDY ON DB AGENDA .................................................. 8
METROPLAN ON DB AGENDA ......................................................... 9
ANTI-AIDS EXHIBITION IN WONG TAI SIN ............................................ 9
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION IN KWAI CHUNG ....................................... 10
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ........................................... 11
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ................................................ 12
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
- 1 -
CONSULTATION ON BILL OF RIGHTS TO BEGIN ******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL PUBLISH A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON A BILL OF RIGHTS A WEEK ON FRIDAY (MARCH 16), THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE BILL WOULD LAST FOR TWO MONTHS.
"WE HAVE TAKEN TIME ABOUT DOING THIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET IT RIGHT; THAT WE GET IT RIGHT IN TERMS OF THE OBJECTIVES WE SET OURSELVES FOR THE BILL OF RIGHTS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD BE SAYING THIS TO BRITISH MINISTERS WHEN HE VISITS LONDON THIS WEEK.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS ONE OF HIS REGULAR VISITS TO LONDON WHICH WAS TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH MINISTERS THERE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WERE UP-TO-DATE ON WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG.
"IT’S A ROUTINE VISIT THIS TIME. THERE ARE NO PARTICULAR ISSUES THAT I HAVE TO COVER. IT’S THE GENERALITY OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN HONG KONG AT THE MOMENT AND MATTERS OF CONCERN IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"AND THAT WOULD COVER THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. I WILL BE BRINGING MINISTERS UP-TO-DATE ON WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO DO IN 1991, AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS OF CURRENT CONCERN," HE ADDED.
ASKED IF IT WAS A WASTE OF MONEY TO BRING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO HONG KONG ON THE RIGHT OF ABODE ISSUE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "NOT AT ALL. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS BILL GOES THROUGH PARLIAMENT." ‘
"THERE ARE POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES IN BRITAIN WHICH EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT. WE HERE IN HONG KONG ALL HOPE THAT THE BILL WILL GO THROUGH.
"THE GOVERNMENT IN BRITAIN BELIEVES THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH, BUT IF WE CAN HELP IN THIS PROCESS BY EXPLAINING TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHY THIS BILL IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO KEEP PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND THAT IS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE THING, THEN WE SHOULD CERTAINLY DO SO," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IF WE BRING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT HERE, IT’S NOT SIMPLY TO TALK ABOUT ONE BILL, IT IS TO INTRODUCE TO THEM THE WHOLE OF THE HONG KONG SITUATION, AND WE DO THIS THE WHOLE TIME. IF WE INCREASE THE NUMBERS BECAUSE THERE IS A BILL GOING THROUGH, WE GET OTHER BENEFITS AS WELL," HE ADDED.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
2
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL STAGE
ONE OPENS ON MARCH 8
* * * * »
THE FIRST STAGE OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8), THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IT IS PLANNED THAT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE 1,606-BED HOSPITAL WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN FIVE STAGES.
’’STAGE ONE WILL BE PUT INTO OPERATION FROM MARCH 8 TO APRIL 2 TO PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 334 BEDS UNDER FIVE SPECIALTIES.
’’THE SPECIALTIES ARE MEDICAL, SURGICAL, PAEDIATRIC, ORTHOPAEDIC, AND GYNAECOLOGY AND OBSTETRIC.”
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AS THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WILL NOT BE IN OPERATION *IN THE INITIAL PERIOD OF THE OPENING OF THE HOSPITAL, THOSE ADMITTED TO TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WILL BE PATIENTS FROM THE SPECIALIST CLINIC SEESIONS OF THE TUEN MUN POLYCLINIC.
”A REVIEW OF THE SITUATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT TWO MONTHS AFTER STAGE ONE HAS BEEN PUT INTO SERVICE TO DECIDE THE DATE OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE AND THE SCHEDULE OF THE OPENING OF SUBSEQUENT PHASES,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, WHICH STANDS ON A 10.75-HECTARE SITE NEAR THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, IS AN ACUTE GENERAL HOSPITAL WITH 1,606 BEDS. IT MAINLY SERVES THE TUEN MUN NEW TOWN AND THE NORTHERN REGION OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE HOSPITAL COMPLEX COMPRISES AN 11-STOREY MAIN BLOCK, A FOUR-STOREY SPECIAL BLOCK, A SINGLE-STOREY RADIOTHERAPY BLOCK, A THREE-STOREY PATHOLOGY BLOCK, A 12-STOREY NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL AND FIVE BLOCKS OF STAFF QUARTERS.
A SPECIAL FEATURE IN THE DESIGN OF THE HOSPITAL IS THAT ALL THESE BLOCKS ARE INTERLINKED BY COVERED WALKWAYS AND UNDERGROUND TUNNELS TO ENSURE CONVENIENCE OF COMMUNICATION.
THE TOTAL COST OF THE HOSPITAL PROJECT IS AROUND $1,200 MILLION.
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/3.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
3
METROPLAN CONSULTATION EXTENDED * « » ♦ »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EXTENDED THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD ON "METROPLAN - THE INITIAL OPTIONS" FOR TWO MORE MONTHS TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS.
THE ORIGINAL CLOSING DATE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS WAS THE END OF THIS MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOW HAVE UNTIL MAY 31 TO FORWARD THEIR VIEWS ON HOW THEY WOULD LIKE THEIR CITY TO BE RESTRUCTURED SO AS TO CREATE A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
"CONSIDERABLE INTEREST HAS BEEN PROMPTED BY THE METROPLAN PROPOSALS AND THAT, IN VIEW OF THE MAGNITUDE OF SOME OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT SOME FURTHER TIME FOR CONSULTATION WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL," THE SPOKESMAN SAIDV
THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, "METROPLAN - INITIAL OPTIONS", HAS LISTED THREE OPTIONS ON HOW THE FUTURE METRO AREA IS TO BE SHAPED.
AFTER THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION, INITIAL CONCEPTS WILL BE MODIFIED AND BROUGHT TOGETHER AS A RECOMMENDED STRATEGY.
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EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER ON MARCH 13 » » » * *
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE TENDER FOR THE FIRST ISSUE OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 13, CLOSING AT. 10.30 AM.
THE AMOUNT ON OFFER WILL BE HK$300 MILLION. THE RESERVE WILL BE HK$30 MILLION. THE ISSUE DATE WILL BE MARCH 14 AND THE MATURITY DATE WILL BE 91 DAYS LATER ON JUNE 13.
THE TENDER IS OPEN TO THE 115 RECOGNISED DEALERS IN EXCHANGE FUND BILLS.
/4 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
4
PUBLISHING OF DRAFT SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER SUGGESTED
*****
THE WORKING PARTY ON THE WHITE PAPER FOR SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES HAS SUGGESTED PUBLISHING THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEFORE SUBMITTING IT TO THE GOVERNMENT.
AT THEIR MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY), MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION AFTER HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC VIEWS AND PETITIONS FROM VARIOUS BODIES, INCLUDING STUDENT GROUPS.
THE PROPOSED CONSULTATION PERIOD IS THREE MONTHS.
THE RECOMMENDATION WILL BE REFLECTED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) FOR CONSIDERATION. THE SWAC’S VIEWS ON THE METHOD AND PROCEDURES FOR CONSULTATION WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT.
MEANWHILE, WORKING PARTY MEMBERS LEARNED THAT A TOTAL OF 151 PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE, SETTING UP OF A POSTAL BOX TO RECEIVE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS LAST DECEMBER.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, DESCRIBED THE RESPONSE AS VERY ENCOURAGING AND ANTICIPATED MORE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE FORTHCOMING IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.
HE SAID: "THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN RESPONSE INDICATED THAT THE PUBLIC ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT DOCUMENT AND ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO PRODUCE A WHITE PAPER."
THESE SUBMISSIONS ARE FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS, INCLUDING DISTRICT BOARDS, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS, ACADEMICS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND INDIVIDUALS.
"WE HAVE RECEIVED MANY QUALITY SUBMISSIONS AND THEY WILL FORWARDED TO THE WORKING PARTY FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION," HE ADDED.
BE
MR CARTLAND NOTED THAT THE INITIAL FINDINGS OF THE FIRST BATCH OF SUBMISSIONS SHOWED THAT THE INDIVIDUALS TENDED TO FOCUS TO SOME EXTENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THEY SUGGESTED THAT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY SHOULD BE EXPANDED.
WORKING PARTY MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THAT THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, TOGETHER WITH THE MANY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, DISTRICT BOARDS AND GROUPS HAD GIVEN VIEWS NOT JUST ON THE CONSULTATION PROCEDURES BUT VERY MUCH MORE ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE REVIEW.
- - 0----------
/5.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
5 -
CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT CATERING WORKERS’ HEARING
*****
' FACTORY INSPECTORS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND TRADE UNIONS REPRESENTATIVES TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED A RESTAURANT TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN PROMOTING HEARING CONSERVATION AMONG WORKERS IN THE CATERING TRADE.
WHEN THE TEAM CALLED AT THE GOOD WORLD RESTAURANT IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, THEY CONDUCTED AUDIOMETRIC TESTS ON WORKERS TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY SUFFERED FROM HEARING IMPAIRMENT CAUSED BY NOISE GENERATED BY STOVES.
THEY ALSO PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO WORKERS WHO HAD TAKEN THE NECESSARY HEARING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND GAVE FREE EAR PROTECTORS TO OTHERS.
THE TWO-WEEK CAMPAIGN INCLUDES VISITS TO A NUMBER OF CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS WHERE WORKERS IN KITCHENS ARE LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE NOISE GENERATED BY STOVES
IT IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS AND IS PART OF A CONTINUING INDUSTRY-BASED PROGRAMME ON HEARING CONSERVATION AMONG WORKERS.
_ _ 0 - - - -
INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL REPORT PUBLISHED
*****
THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL WHICH INQUIRED INTO POSSIBLE CULPABLE INSIDER DEALING IN RELATION TO THE ORDINARY SHARES OF LAFE HOLDINGS LIMITED BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1989 AND MAY 5, 1989, SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, ON FEBRUARY 22, 1990.
THE TRIBUNAL COMMENCED ITS INQUIRY IN NOVEMBER 1989. IT WAS CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE NAZARETH, AND ITS TWO LAY MEMBERS WERE MR ALAN KEMP AND MR DENNIS H.S. LAM.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE REPORT HAS SINCE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO CHINESE AND COPIES PRINTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
COPIES IN BOTH LANGUAGES PRICED AT $22 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT BECAUSE THE TRIBUNAL’S PROCEEDINGS WERE JUDICIAL, ITS MEMBERS HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE NO PUBLIC STATEMENT RELATING TO THE TRIBUNAL’S PROCEEDINGS OR THE REPORT.
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
- 6
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON WAGE STATISTICS IN HK * ♦ ♦ * * *
THE NOVEMBER 1989 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ENTITLED "WAGE STATISTICS IN HONG KONG".
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE METHODOLOGY USED AND SUMMARY FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS WHICH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SINCE 1982.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY IS TO MEASURE CHANGE IN THE WAGE RATES FOR MAIN OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS AT THE SUPERVISORY, CRAFTSMAN AND OPERATIVE LEVELS OVER TIME.
THE ARTICLE CONTAINS STATISTICS ON MOVEMENTS OF THE WAGE INDEXES BY ECONOMIC SECTOR AS WELL AS BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS FOR MARCH 1982 TO JUNE 1989.
ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS, THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX IN JUNE 1989 HAD INCREASED BY 82.7 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARING WITH THE BASE PERIOD OF MARCH 1982.
THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), IN JUNE 1989 HAD INCREASED BY 12.3 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS WHEN COMPARING WITH THE BASE PERIOD OF MARCH 1982.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $34 PER COPY. PURCHASE MAY BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
-----0-----
REMINDER TO AVOID EASTER HOLIDAY RUSH
*****
RESIDENTS INTENDING TO TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS ARE REMINDED TO APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS NOW, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG KONG WILL BE GREATLY INCREASED DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID A LAST MINUTE RUSH, RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT OR CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY INTEND TO TRAVEL," HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT NOW TAKES 20 WORKING DAYS (THAT IS APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS) TO ISSUE A BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORT AND 15 WORKING DAYS (THAT IS APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS) TO ISSUE A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
HOWEVER, THE PROCESSING TIME FOR AN APPLICATION FOR A BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT OR A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY IS ABOUT FIVE WEEKS IF THE APPLICANT IS NOT IN POSSESSION OF A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD, BECAUSE HE HAS TO OBTAIN ONE AT THE SAME TIME.
”A RE-ENTRY PERMIT AND DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKELY IF THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS COMING AT THE SAME TIME.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, ON SATURDAY WE COULD ONLY PROVIDE A LIMITED SERVICE WITH HALF STRENGTH,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE PERIOD BEFORE THE EASTER HOLIDAYS IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST TIMES OF THE YEAR.
”BY APPLYING EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT WILL ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEET ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY,” HE ADDED.
--------0-----------.
CHILDREN’S LOVE FOR THEIR MOTHERS THROUGH ART AND MUSIC »***»*♦
A COMPETITION IS BEING HELD TO PROMOTE CHILDREN’S LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THEIR MOTHERS THROUGH ART AND MUSIC.
ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ZONTA CLUB OF KOWLOON, THE PAINTING COMPETITION IS OPEN TO CHILDREN STUDYING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
EXPLAINING THE COMPETITION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CHILDREN WOULD HAVE TO USE THEIR IMAGINATION TO INTERPRET CZECH COMPOSER DVORAK’S ’’THE SONG MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME” THROUGH A PAINTING, PRINT, COLLAGE OR ANY OTHER TWO-DIMENSIONAL UNMOUNTED WORK.
ENTRIES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS - ONE FOR PRIMARY 1 TO 3 PUPILS AND THE OTHER FOR THOSE IN PRIMARY 4 TO 6.
A PANEL OF JUDGES COMPRISING EDUCATIONISTS AND ZONTA CLUB REPRESENTATIVES WILL SELECT THE 25 WINNERS IN EACH GROUP. EACH WINNER WILL RECEIVE A $300 BOOK TOKEN.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES TO THE ART AND CRAFT SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IS MARCH 31.
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
8
DB TO ELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN *****
MEMBERS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL ELECT CHAIRMEN FOR TWO BOARD COMMITTEES AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8).
THE COMMITTEES ARE ON COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO CONSIDER FORMING THREE ADDITIONAL WORKING GROUPS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE THREE GROUPS WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EDITING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT STRATEGY 1990-93, PROMOTION OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN MONG KOK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0------
RECLAMATION STUDY ON DB AGENDA
*****
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION FEASIBILITY STUDY AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8).
A SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR W.C. CHAN, AND A TOWN PLANNER FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, MR MICHAEL CHAN, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE RENT POLICY OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/9 .....
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
- 9 -
METROPLAN ON DB AGENDA ♦ » ♦ *
MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S METROPLAN AT THE BOARD’S MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS FOR LICENSING GUESTHOUSES.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL VOICE THEIR CONCERN ABOUT HOUSING PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE "SANDWICHED CLASS" AND THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO ABOLISH RENT CONTROL.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE A REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR OLD BUILDINGS IN HO MAN TIN AND THE PRIVATISATION OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
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ANTI-AIDS EXHIBITION IN WONG TAI SIN ♦ t ♦ t *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT AIDS WHEN THEY VISIT AN AIDS EXHIBITION WHICH BEGINS IN WONG TAI SIN ON THURSDAY (MARCH 8).
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION, THE SIXTH IN A SERIES OF MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON AIDS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, WILL BE HELD AT THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM DAILY.
"THE EXHIBITION AIMS AT INCREASING COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE AIDS DISEASE, AND FOSTERING A POSITIVE, SYMPATHETIC AND SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE IN THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS AIDS PATIENTS AND CARRIERS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
/•'THE FOCUS ..........
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
10
"THE FOCUS IS ON YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MORE LIKELY THAN OTHERS TO ENGAGE IN RISK BEHAVIOUR, YET ARE OFTEN LESS LIKELY TO BE AWARE OF THE RISKS OF INFECTION WITH AIDS,” HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION, BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, COVERS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AIDS.
APART FROM SHOWING THE WORLDWIDE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE, IT ALSO ILLUSTRATES HOW AIDS THREATENS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THIS CAN BE COUNTERED.
MEDICAL STAFF WILL BE PRESENT TO GIVE ADVICE AND ANSWER PUBLIC ENQUIRIES.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON AIDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS WHO WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN HANDSOME PRIZES BY ANSWERING A QUIZ DESIGNED TO TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF AIDS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL RUN UNTIL SATURDAY '(MARCH 10), AND WILL MOVE TO TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MARCH 23.
-----0------
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION IN KWAI CHUNG
*****
A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION ON CIVIC EDUCATION ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL START ON FRIDAY (MARCH 9) AT THE YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE NO 1 SECONDARY SCHOOL.
TAKING PART WILL BE EIGHT SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE RECENTLY COMPLETED SURVEYS ON VARIOUS CIVIC EDUCATION TOPICS, INCLUDING RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CITIZEN, FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
DETAILS OF THE SURVEYS AND THEIR FINDINGS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT, KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TANG KWOK-WAI AND CHAIRMAN OF THE EXHIBITION, MR YAU HON-KEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION WHICH WILL START AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 9) AT THE YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE NO 1 SECONDARY SCHOOL, 42 WO YI HOP ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
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/Il ......
TUESDAY, HAKCn v , J.
- 11 -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES
THE GAZETTE PUBLISHED ON MONDAY (MARCH 5) CONTAINS A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED AN INCREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES.
AS FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 7.08 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 6.84 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.59 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDIT WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
MARCH 7, 1990.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE MARCH 7, 1990 CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS - WILL
3.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM APRIL 13, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR 1988 AND BEFORE MAY 11, 1988; AFTER
4.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR MAY" 11, 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 16, 1988; AFTER
4.80 PER CENT PER ANNUM JUNE 16, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 29, 1988; AFTER
5.28 PER CENT PER ANNUM JUNE 29, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR 1988 AND BEFORE JULY 27, 1988; AFTER
5.76 PER CENT PER ANNUM JULY 27, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR 1988 AND BEFORE AUGUST 17, 1988; AFTER
6.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM AUGUST 17 FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER , 1988 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 1988;
6.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM DECEMBER FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR 7, 1988 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, AFTER 1989;
7.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FEBRUARY FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER 15, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 8, 1989;
7.80 PER CENT PER ANNUM MARCH 8, FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 22, 1989; AFTER
/8.28 PER CENT ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1990
- 12 -
8.28 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
MARCH 22, 1989 AND BEFORE JUNE 22, 1989;
7.80 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
JUNE 22, 1989 AND BEFORE JULY 12, 1989;
7.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
JULY 12, 1989 AND BEFORE AUGUST 9, 1989; AND
6.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
AUGUST 9, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 7, 1990.
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE: $1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON
MARCH 7, 1990, APRIL 7, 1990 AND
MAY 7, 1990 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON JUNE 6, 1990 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS
FOLLOWS -
ON $1,000, MARCH 7, 1990 TO JUNE 6, 1990 = $17.70
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $5.90 PER MONTH
ON $1,000, APRIL 7, 1990 TO JUNE 6, 1990 = $11.80
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $5.90 PER MONTH
ON $1,000, MAY 7, 1990 TO JUNE 6, 1990 = $ 5.90
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $5.90 PER MONTH
$35.40
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FLUSHING WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ♦ * t * »
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 AM TO 10 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 9) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT ON YAT STREET, TSUEN KING CIRCUIT, ON YUK ROAD, INCLUDING ALLWAY GARDENS, HONG KONG ADVENTIST HOSPITAL AND STAFF QUARTERS, YAN CHAI HOSPITAL LIM POR YEN SECONDARY SCHOOL AND KEI WAI PRIMARY SCHOOL.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO KEEP LONDON UP-TO-DATE ............................................... 1
SERVICES FOR ELDERLY GREATLY IMPROVED IN THE 80'S ................................ 2
MANUFACTURERS MUST STRIVE TO UPGRADE PRODUCT QUALITY ............................. 3
HK'S QUALITY SITUATION AND AVAILABLE SERVICES .................................... 4
BUS FARE ADJUSTMENTS APPROVED.......................•............................. 6
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES IN SAI KUNG ....................... 8
DB COMMITTEE TO STUDY REPORT ON FACTORY OCCUPANCY ................................ 9
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS KMB FARE INCREASE APPLICATION ........................... 10
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT ............................................. 10
LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST AND KWUN TONG ROAD.................. 11
LONG VEHICLE BAN IN TAI PO ...................................................... 11
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD ......................................... 11
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
1
GOVERNOR TO KEEP LONDON UP-TO-DATE
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF HIS VISIT TO LONDON WAS TO KEEP PEOPLE THERE UP-TO-DATE • ON THE WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES WHICH WAS BEING DEALT WITH IN HONG KONG AT THE MOMENT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE, SIR DAVID SAID: "I THINK IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN SO MUCH IS HAPPENING HERE IN HONG KONG, PEOPLE SHOULD BE KEPT UP-TO-DATE DIRECTLY BY ME."
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HE WOULD BE SEEING THE SECRETARY OF STATE, MR DOUGLAS HURD; THE MINISTER OF STATE, MR FRANCIS MAUDE; THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR NICHOLAS RIDLEY; SENIOR MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
SIR DAVID SAID AMONG THE ISSUES HE WOULD BE BRIEFING PEOPLE IN LONDON WERE THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, AND THE WHOLE PACKAGE OF ARRANGEMENTS THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO POT IN PLACE FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS.
ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, THE GOVERNOR SAID ONE OF THE THINGS TO BE DONE WAS TO TRY TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT OF WHAT THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM WAS GOING TO BE THIS YEAR.
"ONE OF THE THINGS WE DON’T KNOW IS WHAT SORT OF PROBLEM WE ARE GOING TO FACE. THE NEXT THING IS HOW CAN WE TRY TO GET IN PLACE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE," HE SAID.
"BY THAT, I MEAN THE RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GENUINE REFUGEES; TRYING TO SPEED UP GETTING BACK TO VIETNAM THOSE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY VOLUNTEERED TO GO BACK; AND THEN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THEM ALL, HOW DO WE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO DEAL WITH ’THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES AND YET WHO HAVEN’T ACTUALLY VOLUNTEERED, TRYING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM," SIR DAVID SAID.
SEEING THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON OFF AT THE AIRPORT WAS THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD.
/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7,
1990
2
SERVICES FOR ELDERLY GREATLY IMPROVED IN THE 80’S
HONG KONG HAS SEEN CONSIDERABLE ADVANCES IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK CHOW HUNG PUI DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN TAI KOK TSUI, MR CARTLAND SAID ONE AREA OF IMPROVEMENT WAS MADE IN SOCIAL SECURITY.
"THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE IS BEING PROGRESSIVELY LOWERED, FROM 70 IN APRIL 1988 TO 66 IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND FURTHER DOWN TO 65 IN APRIL 1991,” HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, A HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR SEVERELY DISABLED ELDERLY PERSONS REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENDANCE, WAS INTRODUCED IN APRIL 1988.
"WE HAVE ALSO SEEN OVER THE PAST DECADE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CENTRES PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY," HE CONTINUED.
"SOCIAL CENTRES HAVE INCREASED IN NUMBER FROM 34 TO 106, MULTISERVICE CENTRES FROM FOUR TO 15 AND DAY CARE CENTRES FROM TWO TO EIGHT."
OUTLINING THE CURRENT POLICY OBJECTIVE OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, MR CARTLAND SAID IT WAS TO PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF ELDERLY PERSONS IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIFE, BY PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES THAT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE; AND TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY, TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL CARE SUITED TO THE VARYING NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY.
"TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR AIM TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE SPECTRUM OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS.
"IN SO FAR AS COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES ARE CONCERNED, THESE INCLUDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME, HOME HELP, SOCIAL CENTRES, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES AND DAY CARE CENTRES AS WELL AS A RANGE OF OTHER SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN SUCH AREAS AS HOUSING, TRANSPORT, HEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT."
NOTING THAT ABOUT 12.7 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION ARE AGED 60 AND ABOVE, MR CARTLAND SAID IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME, IT WAS PROJECTED THAT THE PERCENTAGE WOULD RISE TO AROUND 14.2 PER CENT.
"CLEARLY THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS WILL HAVE TO BE INTENSIFIED," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND SAID PREMISES HAD BEEN EARMARKED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 16 DAY CARE CENTRES BY 1994-95 AT WHICH TIME THE PRESENT PLANNING STANDARD WOULD BE FULLY MET.
/HE POINTED .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS STILL MUCH ROOM FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS NOTWITHSTANDING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE EIGHTIES.
"THE GOVERNMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES.
"THE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY INCLUDES COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, OTHER SERVICES AND NEW INITIATIVES.
"I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS REVIEW WILL BOOST OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE UP THE SHORTFALLS OF PROVISION IN THIS AREA AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AS WELL AS TO BRING ABOUT BETTER FACILITIES AND NEW IDEAS," HE SAID.
0 - -
MANUFACTURERS MUST STRIVE TO UPGRADE PRODUCT QUALITY
*****
HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS MUST CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS, IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SKILLS AND INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY IF THEY ARE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, GAVE THIS ADVICE TO LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY FAIR ’90.
MR CHAN SAID DESPITE THE SUCCESS THAT THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY WAS CURRENTLY ENJOYING, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WERE OPERATING AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF RISING PRODUCTION COSTS, A TIGHT SUPPLY OF LABOUR, GROWING THREATS OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS, AND INCREASING COMPETITION FROM OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES.
HE SAID THE PUBLIC SECTOR ALSO HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN SUPPORTING THE LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
”WE ALREADY HAVE IN HONG KONG TWO TRAINING CENTRES OPERATED BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, WHICH CAN TRAIN ABOUT 7,000 PEOPLE A YEAR.
’’THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ORGANISES TRADE FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS ON A REGULAR BASIS, TO PROMOTE OUR PRODUCTS,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT LAST YEAR THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TEXTILES AND APPAREL DIVISION IN THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
/"THIS DIVISION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
4
"THIS DIVISION NOW PROVIDES MANUFACTURERS WITH VALUABLE ADVICE AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES ON APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT, NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND MANAGEMENT, AND ON QUALITY ASSURANCE.
"IT ALSO OFFERS TRAINING PROGRAMMES, SEMINARS, AND STUDY MISSIONS ON MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID AUTOMATION AND MECHANISATION PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS MADE BY THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY FAIR ’90 PROVIDED A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR MANUFACTURERS TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE AND ENABLED THEM TO EXAMINE, AND EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH SUPPLIERS ON PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF A WIDE RANGE OF CLOTHING MATERIALS, ACCESSORIES AND RELATED SERVICES, HE ADDED.
HONG KONG IS THE WORLD’S THIRD LARGEST EXPORTER OF CLOTHING.
THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY ALONE EMPLOYS ABOUT 286,000 WORKERS OR 34 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE. THE TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING IN 1989 AMOUNTED TO $72 BILLION, REPRESENTING 32 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE YEAR.
--------0-----------
HK’S QUALITY SITUATION AND AVAILABLE SERVICES
******
LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WILL BE PUT IN A COMPETITIVELY DISADVANTAGEOUS POSITION IF THE GOODS THEY PRESENTLY MAKE CAN BE MADE CHEAPER ELSEWHERE, AND IT WILL PUT THEM IN A FAR WORSE POSITION IF THOSE PRODUCTS CAN ALSO BE MADE BY OTHERS AT BETTER QUALITY LEVELS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY' IN CHARGE OF QUALITY SERVICES, MR ERNEST EVANS, TOLD MANUFACTURERS THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN AN ADDRESS TO THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID IF NOTHING WAS DONE TO IMPROVE OUR SITUATION, ORDERS WOULD EVENTUALLY BE DIVERTED ELSEWHERE.
MR EVANS WAS SPEAKER AT THE THREE-DAY SEMINAR WHICH ENDED TODAY AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE. ’
HIS SPEECH, ENTITLED "THE LOCAL QUALITY SCENE", PROVIDED AN INSIGHT INTO THE QUALITY SITUATION IN HONG KONG AND HIGHLIGHTED THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MANUFACTURERS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR SYSTEMS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 5 -
HE SAID "THE CRUNCH" WOULD COME AS THE QUALITY EXPECTATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WERE HEIGHTENED.
"AND THE SITUATION WILL BE EXACERBATED BY THE FACT THAT BUYERS WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN QUALITY GOODS FROM SOME SOURCES AND NOT FROM OTHERS," MR EVANS SAID.
HE SAID OUR MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THAT MORE AND MORE QUALITY CERTIFICATION WITH PRODUCT-MARKING WOULD BECOME THE PASSPORT OF ACCEPTANCE OF GOODS.
HE SAID THIS WOULD FORM PART OF THE OVERALL PROGRAMME ASSOCIATED WITH THE HARMONISING OF STANDARDS WITHIN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC) AND WAS LIKELY ALSO TO BE ADOPTED ELSEWHERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
"THE EEC, IT SEEMS, IS THE FORERUNNER OF SYSTEMATISED QUALITY.
"IF WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE, WE WILL HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF GLOBAL TRENDS," HE SAID.
IN HONG KONG, THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION SCHEMES, SUCH AS THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) AND THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY (HKQAA) HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.
THE HOKLAS, LAUNCHED IN 1985, IS TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF TESTING AND MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL LABORATORIES, TO CONFER RECOGNITION ON THOSE THAT ARE FOUND TO BE COMPETENT AND TO PROMOTE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR TEST CERTIFICATES BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
MR EVANS, THEREFORE, ENCOURAGED MANUFACTURERS TO USE ACCREDITED LABORATORIES TO SATISFY THEIR TESTING NEEDS.
ESTABLISHED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR,, THE HKQAA IS AN INDEPENDENT NON-PROFIT DISTRIBUTING ORGANISATION, WHOSE FUNCTION WILL BE TO ASSESS AND CERTIFY FACTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO THE INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD ISO 9000.
"CERTIFICATION BY THE HKQAA WILL PROVIDE EVIDENCE TO OVERSEAS BUYERS AND PURCHASING AUTHORITIES THAT A COMPANY’S QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS ORGANISED AND FUNCTIONING IN LINE WITH MODERN, INTERNATIONALLY-ACCEPTED PRACTICE.
"IT WILL ASSURE OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS THAT A FIRM CAN CONSISTENTLY PRODUCE PRODUCTS TO MEET THEIR REQUIREMENTS.
"THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTE WILL BE A CONSULTANT TO THE HKQAA AND WILL PROVIDE A NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED ASSESSORS TO ASSIST WITH THE INITIAL ASSESSMENTS IN MID-1990," MR EVANS SAID.
HE CALLED ON LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TO PREPARE AND PUT THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER BEFORE THEY COULD BE ASSESSED BY THE HKQAA.
/"A LIST .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 6 -
"A LIST OF RECOMMENDED QUALITY CONSULTANTS WILL BE KEPT BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY COMPANY REQUIRING ASSISTANCE," HE SAID.
MR EVANS SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS INTRODUCING TO HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS A NUMBER OF OVERSEAS ORGANISATIONS SPECIALISING IN PRODUCT QUALITY AND CERTIFICATION MARKING. THEY INCLUDED TUV ESSEN OF WEST GERMANY, CERVAC OF FRANCE AND RESOURCE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET ASIDE OVER $9 MILLION TO RUN HONG KONG’S QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, PROMULGATING THE IDEA OF "MAKING QUALITY HAPPEN".
"THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS AVAILABLE, ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE BEING PUT IN PLACE AND THE QUALITY CONCEPT IS BEING ACTIVELY PROMOTED.
"IT REMAINS FOR HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS TO RESPOND," MR EVANS ADDED.
-------------0-------- BUS FARE ADJUSTMENTS APPROVED * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS FROM CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) AND KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (KMB) TO TAKE EFFECT ON MARCH 18.
AFTER THE FARE REVISIONS, 74.4 PER CENT OF KMB’S PASSENGERS WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL 20 CENTS TO 30 CENTS; 19.8 PER CENT AN ADDITIONAL 40 CENTS TO 50 CENTS; AND 5.4 PER CENT AN ADDITIONAL 60 CENTS TO $1.
THE REMAINING 0.4 PER CENT, MOSTLY ON AIRPORT COACH AND RACE-COURSE SERVICES, WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL $1.2 TO $3.
THE FARES FOR MOST CROSS HARBOUR SERVICES WILL INCREASE FROM $3 TO $3.5; AND THE "AFTER-TUNNEL" SECTION FROM $1.5 TO $1.8.
FOR CMB’S PASSENGERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ROUTES, 23.1 PER CENT WILL NOT BE AFFECTED AS FARES FOR MOST OF THE ROUTES SERVING SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE FROZEN IN THIS FARE INCREASE EXERCISE; 64.7 PER CENT WILL PAY 20 CENTS MORE. THE REMAINING 12.2 PER CENT WILL PAY 30 CENTS MORE.
IN APPROVING THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED KMB’S AND CMB’S FINANCIAL POSITION, AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC).
/THE MAIN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
THE MAIN FACTORS WHICH ACCOUNT FOR KMB’S FARE INCREASE APPLICATION ARE RISES IN OPERATING COSTS DUE TO INFLATION AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
TO MEET RISING DEMAND FROM AREAS OF POPULATION GROWTH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE STANDARD OF BUS SERVICES IN OTHER AREAS, KMB HAS MADE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS IN 1990 AND 1991.
THESE INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF NO LESS THAN 20 NEW ROUTES CATERING FOR THE NEEDS OF NEW HOUSING AREAS; SOME 75 CASES OF FREQUENCY IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCE WAITING TIME; CONVERSION TO HIGHER-CAPACITY BUSES ON ABOUT 15 ROUTES; AND USE OF AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE-DECKERS ON SELECTED ROUTES TO ENHANCE PASSENGER COMFORT.
TO DELIVER THE PLANNED SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS, KMB NEEDS AN ADDITIONAL 285 BUSES IN 1990 AND 1991.
FOR CMB, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PENSION LIABILITY WHICH IS A LEGITIMATE CHARGE TO OPERATING COSTS; INFLATION AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS; AND LOWER THAN EXPECTED OPERATING RECEIPTS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATION.
TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES, CMB PLANS TO PURCHASE 90 NEW BUSES IN 1990 AND 1991. MOST OF THEM ARE THREE-AXLE BUSES OFFERING GREATER PRODUCTIVITY AND COST EFFICIENCY. THEY ALSO INCLUDE A NUMBER OF AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE DECKERS FOR MEETING DEMAND AT THE UPPER END OF THE MARKET.
THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PUBLIC’S WISHES TO SEE BUS FARES BEING KEPT STABLE.
THE APPROVED INCREASE OF ABOUT 15 PER CENT FOR KMB SERVICES HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE COMPANY.
RESPONDING POSITIVELY TO TAC ’ S SUGGESTIONS, KMB HAS ALSO AGREED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON VARIOUS MEASURES WHICH WOULD HELP REDUCE COSTS OR RAISE NON-FAREBOX REVENUE, THEREBY FURTHER IMPROVING KMB’S SERVICES WITHOUT ACQUIRING ADDITIONAL ASSETS. THESE MEASURES INCLUDE:
* A MORE VIGOROUS ATTEMPT TO RATIONALISE LOSS-INCURRING ROUTES AND A CRITICAL RE-EXAMINATION OF THE NEED FOR EXISTING SERVICES IN AREAS OF FALLING DEMAND;
* A CONSULTANCY COMMISSIONED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE EFFICIENCY OF KMB’S BUS NETWORK IN NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES. THIS IS TO ENABLE KMB TO IMPROVE ITS EFFICIENCY BY MAKING FULLER USE OF ITS EXISTING FLEET;
» A CRITICAL RE-EXAMINATION OF KMB’S DEPOT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME;
/* HAVING MORE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 8 -
* HAVING MORE ADVERTISEMENTS ON KMB ’ S ROLLING STOCK AND BUS-SHELTERS; AND
* A REVIEW OF KMB’S STAFF REQUIREMENTS, AT ALL LEVELS, TO SEE IF OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR GREATER PRODUCTIVITY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING THE INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL BUS PRIORITY MEASURES TO HELP ENHANCE THE JOURNEY SPEED AND HENCE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF FRANCHISED BUSES.
TO KEEP DOWN THE NUMBER OF FRANCHISED BUSES LEFT IDLE DURING THE OFF-PEAK PERIOD, THE INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL COACH SERVICES WOULD ALSO BE ENCOURAGED.
FOR CMB, THE APPROVED FARE INCREASE IS ABOUT NINE PER CENT. FARES FOR ABOUT 58 PER CENT OF PASSENGERS ON ROUTES SERVING SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE FROZEN.
THIS WOULD GO FURTHER TO NARROW DOWN THE FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN SOUTHERN AND NORTH-SHORE ROUTES AND HELP BRING FORWARD IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MORE EQUITABLE FARE STRUCTURE RECOMMENDED BY TAC.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO ASKED CMB TO COMMISSION A MANAGEMENT STUDY BY PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS WITH A VIEW TO STRENGTHENING THE COMPANY’S ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN MORE EFFICIENT BUS SERVICES IN FUTURE.
A PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANCY FIRM HAS ALREADY STARTED THE STUDY, GUIDED BY A STEERING GROUP WITH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION. PROGRESS WILL ALSO BE REPORTED TO TAC.
THE CONSULTANTS ARE EXPECTED TO REPORT BEFORE JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE REVISED FARE SCALES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON MARCH 16.
--------0----------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES IN SAI KUNG ******
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS GREEN MINIBUS (GMB) SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING ON FRIDAY (MARCH 9).
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE THE GMB TERMINUS IN HANG HAU TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO RESIDENTS OF HANG HAU RESITE VILLAGE AND FU NING GARDEN. THREE SITES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR DISCUSSION.
/THERE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS THAT THE SERVICE OF GMB ROUTE 11, WHICH RUNS BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND TIU KENG LENG, HAD BEEN CURTAILED RECENTLY WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT. MEMBERS WILL REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE FALLING IN NUMBER OF PASSENGERS, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL SUGGEST REROUTING GMB ROUTE 12 TO OPERATE BETWEEN BAI KUNG AND PO LAM ESTATE VIA SAU MAU PING ROAD INSTEAD OF ANDERSON ROAD.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO RECOMMEND THE SUSPENSION OF KMB BUS ROUTE 291R IN SPRING AND SUMMER AS COUNTRY PARK VISITORS IN SAI KUNG DECREASES SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THESE PERIODS.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL EXAMINE THE PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITY NEAR TA KU LING SAN TSUEN AND PARKING SPACES WITHIN THE COUNTRY PARK AREA ALONG TAI MONG TSAI ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 9) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
- - 0 - -
DB COMMITTEE TO STUDY REPORT ON FACTORY OCCUPANCY ******
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL STUDY A REPORT ON THE SALE AND OCCUPANCY OF FLATTED FACTORY UNITS IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE REPORT ALSO INCLUDES INFORMATION ON THE UTILISATION OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS COMPLETED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE TO MEMBERS THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
710
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
io
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS KMB FARE INCREASE APPLICATION ******
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE RECENT FARE INCREASE APPLICATION BY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CANCELLATION OF SECTIONAL FARE ON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 30A RUNNING FROM CHAK ON ESTATE TO SHEK KIP MEI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
--------0----------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 9), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KINO’S ROAD.
KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND FROM HOUSE NO. 259 TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES EAST OF TIN CHONG STREET, AND TIN CHONG STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS 24 HOURS DAILY.
KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND FROM HOUSE NO. 259 TO A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES WEST OF POWER STREET, AND POWER STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING RESTRICTED AREAS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE SAME SECTIONS OF KING’S ROAD AND POWER STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
--------0 - -
/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7,
1990
- 11 -
LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST AND KWUN TONG ROAD *******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 9), THE SPEED LIMIT ON SECTIONS OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST AND KWUN TONG ROAD WILL BE LOWERED FROM 70 TO 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
THE AFFECTED ROAD SECTIONS ARE:
* PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWUN TONG ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE EASTERN END OF CONCORDE ROAD; AND
* KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST TO A POINT ABOUT 320 METRES TO THE EAST.
THIS MEASURE IS IMPLEMENTED FOR ROAD SAFETY REASONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
------0--------
LONG VEHICLE BAN IN TAI PO * » » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT VEHICLES EXCEEDING EIGHT METRES IN LENGTH WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER DAI FAT STREET SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN TING KOK ROAD AND DAI WANG STREET IN TAI PO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 9).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS BECAUSE OF WATERMAINS LAYING WORKS.
THOSE LONG VEHICLES ON TING KOK ROAD HEADING FOR TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA DAI KWAI STREET.
--------0-----------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS, TWO KOWLOON BOUND LANES OF TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR SHAM TSENG BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED DAILY FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY DURING THE PERIOD FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 9) TO MARCH 18.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
BUDGET SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT DETERMINED TO CARRY OUT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ............................... 1
PERIOD OF ECONOMIC CONSOLIDATION INEVITABLE ...................................... 2
THREE PER CENT GROWTH IN GDP FORECAST............................................. 4
GOVT EXPENDITURE IN 1989-90 PUT AT $73.1 BILLION ................................. 7
GOVT MUST SEEK TO BROADEN REVENUE BASE ........................................... 9
NEED TO TIGHTEN CONTROL, ENSURE VALUE FOR MONEY ................................. 11
COMING YEARS UNLIKELY TO BE AS FISCALLY COMFORTABLE ............................. 13
INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE ....................................................... 14
FS WILL AVOID HASTY DECISIONS ON WHOLESALE TAX .................................. 18
$800 MILLION IN DIRECT TAX CONCESSIONS .......................................... 20
ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM DUTIABLE COMMODITIES .................................... 21
INCREASED TAX RATES FOR PRIVATE CARS, GOODS VEHICLES ............................ 22
INCREASED BETTING TAX NEXT SEASON ............................................... 24
INCREASE IN GENERAL RATES FOR PROPERTY .......................................... 24
INCREASES IN VARIOUS FEES ....................................................... 25
CONCESSIONS IN PERSONAL TAXATION ................................................ 27
DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE ADJUSTED, EXEMPTION LEVEL RAISED ......................... 28
PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SIGNED ......................................... 29
PROPOSALS AIMED AT BUILDING SOLID FOUNDATION .................................... 30
FS'S SPEECH ON TV AND RADIO...................................................... 32
BUDGET PRESS CONFERENCE ......................................................... 34
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 1 -
GOVT DETERMINED TO CARRY OUT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME * * * * *
THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE HAS CHANGED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS MORE QUICKLY AND DRAMATICALLY THAN AL TONE COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED, AND HONG KONG DID NOT EMERGE UNSCATHED, 1;IE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, IN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1990-91, SIR PIERS SAID THE ADMINISTRATION REMAINED DETERMINED TO UNDERTAKE THE VITAL PROGRAMME OF INFRASTRUCTURAL AND OTHER PROJECTS DESCRIBED IN THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER.
"WE HAVE SET OURSELVES AMBITIOUS LONG TERM OBJECTIVES, AND THIS BUDGET SETS THE SCENE FOR THEIR ULTIMATE ACHIEVEMENT. THE PROGRAMME IN ITS ENTIRETY IS OUR INVESTMENT IN OUR OWN FUTURE AND IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CONTINUED PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY OF THIS COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"HONG KONG HAS GROWN TO BE BOTH AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE AND A PLACE WHICH PROVIDES A REWARDING LIFESTYLE FOR ITS PEOPLE ONLY BY PLANNING AHEAD AND BY MEETING CHALLENGES AND OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES AS THEY ARISE," HE ADDED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE UPON WHICH WE WERE NOW EMBARKING WAS WITHIN OUR CAPABILITIES BUT IT WOULD REQUIRE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF A HIGH ORDER.
"TODAY IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT WE SHOULD ASSESS OUR PROSPECTS REALISTICALLY AND TAILOR OUR THINKING TO WHAT IS POSSIBLE.
"THE STARTING POINT HAS TO BE THE BEST USE OF OUR RESOURCES. CONTROLLING PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE IN ALL ITS FORMS, ACHIEVING VALUE FOR MONEY, CONTAINING CIVIL SERVICE GROWTH, INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY, ALL ARE NEEDED," SIR PIERS SAID.
NOTING THAT RAISING SUFFICIENT REVENUE, AND HOW IT WAS RAISED, WAS NO LESS IMPORTANT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WOULD BE PROPOSING A NUMBER OF MEASURES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE REVENUE YIELD AND TO BRING ABOUT A RELATIVE SHIFT FROM DIRECT TO INDIRECT TAXATION.
IN SETTING THE SCENE FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OBJECTIVES, SIR PIERS SAID HE WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO DESCRIBE IN DETAIL HOW EACH PROJECT WOULD BE FINANCED, AS THAT WAS FOR A LATER STAGE WHEN PLANS WERE FURTHER ADVANCED.
"WHAT I AM SEEKING IS A SOUND FISCAL POSITION UPON WHICH WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP OUR FINANCING STRATEGY. THE TASK WILL NOT BE ACHIEVED IN THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR," HE SAID.
"NOW THAT THE KEY DECISION TO BUILD OUR NEW AIRPORT HAS BEEN TAKEN, IT IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT WE MAINTAIN A POSITION OF CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL STRENGTH," HE ADDED.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 2
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DREW MEMBERS' ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THIS YEAR THE ESTIMATES WERE PUBLISHED EARLIER THAN USUAL TO ASSIST MEMBERS IN THEIR PREPARATION FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
SIR PIERS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THIS YEAR THE BUDGET SPEECH WAS FOCUSSED UPON THE PROGRAMME OF EXPENDITURE AND ON HOW IT SHOULD BE MANAGED AND FINANCED.
--------0 _ _
PERIOD OF ECONOMIC CONSOLIDATION INEVITABLE * * * * *
HONG KONG'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) RECORDED A GROWTH RATE OF ONLY 2.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN 1989, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF AROUND 14 PER CENT IN 1987 AND SEVEN PER CENT IN 1988, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY IN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET.
IN REVIEWING THE ECONOMY IN 1989, SIR PIERS SAID A PERIOD OF CONSOLIDATION WAS PERHAPS INEVITABLE, AND IN SOME RESPECTS WELCOME.
HE NOTED THAT THE ECONOMY CONTINUED TO SLOW ADJUSTING TO THE PRESSURES ON CAPACITY BROUGHT ABOUT GROWTH OVER THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS.
DOWN IN 1989, BY SUBSTANTIAL
REDUCED OVERSEAS DEMAND FOR HONG KONG'S PRODUCTS, AS WELL AS THE AUSTERITY PROGRAMME IN CHINA, ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE CYCLICAL SLOW-
WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STAYING BELOW TWO PER CENT FOR THREE SUCCESSIVE YEARS, WAGES AND SALARIES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN UP BY THE KEEN COMPETITION FOR MANPOWER, AND THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LEVEL OF DOMESTICALLY GENERATED INFLATION WHICH IS UNCOMFORTABLY HIGH
"IN THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR, HOWEVER, THERE WAS INDICATION THAT CONDITIONS IN THE LABOUR MARKET WERE BECOMING TIGHT. IN THAT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN MOST SECTORS," HE SAID.
SOME
LESS JOB
ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES. SIR PIERS SAID FOR 1989 AS A WHOLE, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY AN AVERAGE OF AROUND 10 PER CENT. BUT THERE WERE SIGNS THAT INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, WHICH DOMINATED MUCH OF THE YEAR, MIGHT NOW BE EASING AS A RESULT OF THE ECONOMIC SLOW-DOWN.
"THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES STARTED TO LEVEL OFF IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR AFTER PEAKING IN JUNE.
"BUT THE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS WILL TAKE TIME." HE SAID
/IN THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 3 -
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1989, BUT RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW STRONGLY, ALTHOUGH NOT AS FAST AS IN 1988, SIR PIERS SAID.
"AS A PROPORTION OF TOTAL EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS EXCEEDED DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN SOME OF OUR MAJOR MARKETS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, WAS RATHER DISAPPOINTING.
BY CONTRAST, OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO BOTH JAPAN AND CHINA STILL SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME SLACKENING IN THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA GREW MORE MODESTLY THAN IN 1988, BUT THE STRONG GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN WAS SUSTAINED.
WITH TOTAL RE-EXPORTS UP BY 19 PER CENT. HONG KONG REMAINED A MAJOR ENTREPOT FOR CHINA AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, HE SAID.
IN THE DOMESTIC SECTOR, THE SLOW-DOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH WAS ALSO EVIDENT.
"PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE GREW BY ONLY THREE PER CENT IN 1989, MUCH LESS THAN THE INCREASE OF NINE PER CENT IN 1988; EXPENDITURE ON CONSUMER DURABLES IN FACT SHOWED A DECLINE," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GROWTH RATE OF INVESTMENT ALSO FELL, FROM SIX PER CENT IN 1988 TO ONLY ABOUT ONE PER CENT IN 1989.
"THIS COMPRISED A 1.5 PER CENT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON PLANT AND MACHINERY AND A 5.3 PER CENT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION, OFFSET IN PART BY A DECREASE OF ABOUT THREE PER CENT IN THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ MARGIN.
"REFLECTING A MORE CAUTIOUS SENTIMENT TOWARDS INVESTMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, RETAINED IMPORTS OF MACHINERY FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING DECLINED BY EIGHT PER CENT LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID WITH THE SLOW-DOWN IN BOTH EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC DEMAND, IMPORTS ALSO GREW MORE SLOWLY, AT NINE PER CENT IN 1989 COMPARED WITH 27 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
"AS IN 1988, OUR VISIBLE TRADE ACCOUNT REMAINED VIRTUALLY IN BALANCE," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR WAS A TESTING TIME FOR HONG KONG, AND THIS WAS REFLECTED IN THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, BUT HISTORY HAD DEMONSTRATED OUR FLEXIBILITY AND RESILIENCE.
"AS AN OPEN ECONOMY, WE ARE VULNERABLE TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCES," HE SAID.
/"ALTHOUGH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
4
"ALTHOUGH THE JUNE EVENTS HAD THEIR EFFECT, NOTABLY ON THE PROPERTY AND TOURIST-RELATED SECTORS, THE ECONOMY GENERALLY, AND THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IN PARTICULAR, WITHSTOOD THE IMPACT WELL."
SIR PIERS NOTED THAT THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR REMAINED STABLE EVEN DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE, AND HONG KONG DOLLAR INTEREST RATES STAYED CLOSE TO CORRESPONDING U.S. DOLLAR RATES FOR MOST OF THE YEAR.
"IT IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG," HE STRESSED.
HE SAID THE MAINTENANCE OF MONETARY STABILITY WAS VITAL TO HONG KONG IN THE RUN UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND. THE TERRITORY NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT ITS MONETARY SYSTEM COULD SUCCESSFULLY ABSORB SHOCKS.
"WHERE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE, WE WILL TAKE ACTION TO STRENGTHEN OUR SYSTEM.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE ISSUE OF SHORT TERM EXCHANGE FUND BILLS, SCHEDULED TO START SHORTLY, WILL PROVIDE US WITH AN ADDITIONAL MEANS OF CONDUCTING THE MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS WHICH ASSIST IN MAINTAINING EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG CONTINUED TO DEVELOP AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE DESPITE THE EVENTS LAST YEAR. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LICENCES GRANTED TO FOREIGN BANKS AND BANKING BUSINESS GREW RAPIDLY, INDICATING CONTINUING CONFIDENCE ON THE PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL BANKING COMMUNITY IN THE PROSPECTS FOR THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
--------0-----------
THREE PER CENT GROWTH IN GDP FORECAST
* * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY FORECAST A THREE PER CENT GROWTH RATE IN THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) IN 1990.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET, SIR PIERS SAID IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS, HONG KONG’S PER CAPITA GDP WAS EXPECTED TO RISE TO US$12,100.
"AT THIS LEVEL, OUR PER CAPITA GDP SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT, OVERALL, THE ECONOMY WAS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW ONLY SLOWLY DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME RECOVERY IN THE SECOND HALF.
HE SAID THAT FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE, THE GROWTH FORECAST TO BE BROADLY SIMILAR TO THAT ACHIEVED IN OF INFLATION WOULD NEVERTHELESS BE SOMEWHAT LOWER.
RATE OF THE GDP WAS 1989 AND THE RATE
/"FOR MANY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 5 -
"FOR MANY SECTORS, CONSTRAINTS ON PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY AND PRESSURE ON COSTS WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT BUSINESS GROWTH," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS EXPECTED THAT HONG KONG'S DOMESTIC EXPORTS WOULD RESUME MODEST GROWTH. AT 2.5 PER CENT, COMPARED TO VIRTUALLY ZERO GROWTH LAST YEAR, ALTHOUGH THE WORLD ECONOMY WAS LIKELY TO GROW MORE SLOWLY THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT PERFORMANCE WOULD VARY FROM MARKET TO MARKET.
"OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES MAY SHOW A MARGINAL IMPROVEMENT AFTER TWO YEARS OF DECLINE.
"THOSE TO CHINA ARE LIKELY TO BE RESTRAINED BY CHINA'S AUSTERITY PROGRAMME, AND EXPORTS ACROSS THE BORDER FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING PURPOSES MAY CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY SUPPLY BOTTLENECKS IN GUANGDONG AND UNCERTAIN OVERSEAS DEMAND.
"OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND JAPAN SHOULD SHOW FAIRLY STRONG GROWTH, BUT THOSE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM COULD DECLINE FURTHER," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG'S MAJOR PARTNER IN ITS RE-EXPORT TRADE WAS CHINA, SIR PIERS SAID IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, GROWTH IN HONG KONG'S TOTAL RE-EXPORTS WOULD DEPEND MORE ON CHINA'S EXPORT CAPABILITY THAN ON ITS IMPORT DEMAND.
"A SLOW-DOWN FROM LAST YEAR'S GROWTH RATE OF 19 PER CENT SEEMS INEVITABLE, AND MY FORECAST OF RE-EXPORT GROWTH FOR THIS YEAR IS EIGHT PER CENT," HE SAID.
HE FORECAST THAT EXPORTS OF SERVICES WOULD INCREASE BY 5.5 PER CENT THIS YEAR AND IMPORTS OF SERVICES WOULD GROW BY FIVE PER CENT.
"I EXPECT CONTINUED DEMAND FOR TRADE-RELATED SERVICES AND AN ENCOURAGING RECOVERY IN TOURISM," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE RECENT SLOW-DOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH IN HONG KONG WAS LIKELY TO AFFECT DOMESTIC DEMAND IN 1990.
"MY FORECAST OF THE GROWTH RATE IN 1990 FOR PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS 3.5 PER CENT, AND FOR INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY 2.8 PER CENT," HE SAID.
BY CONTRAST, AND REFLECTING THE CONTINUING COMMITMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE MORE AND BETTER PUBLIC SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY 10 PER CENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION BY 15 PER CENT.
"EVEN THOUGH PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BE ONLY 0.5 PER CENT HIGHER, OVERALL CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IS FORECAST TO INCREASE BY 5.5 PER CENT.
/"THE PRESSURE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
6
"THE PRESSURE ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, EVEN BEFORE THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT REALLY GETS UNDER WAY. WILL THUS CONTINUE TO BE HEAVY," HE SAID.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE FORECASTS OF EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC DEMAND, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IMPORTS WERE EXPECTED TO GROW BY 6.4 PER CENT.
"WITH TOTAL EXPORTS FORECAST TO GROW BY 5.7 PER CENT, AND WITH A MODEST IMPROVEMENT IN THE TERMS OF TRADE, WE SHOULD HAVE A SMALL VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS FOR 1990," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES IN THE ECONOMY, SIR PIERS SAID THIS WAS A MATTER OF CONCERN.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE LABOUR MARKET, THE PERSISTENTLY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS SUGGESTED THAT THERE WAS STILL LITTLE SPARE CAPACITY.
"THIS WILL CONTINUE TO RESTRAIN ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE SHORT TERM. ALTHOUGH, AS I HAVE ALREADY COMMENTED, THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNS OF EASING IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN RECENT MONTHS, THE PRESSURE ON WAGES AND SALARIES IS LIKELY TO PERSIST FOR SOME TIME," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS EXPECTED THAT THE RATE OF INFLATION WOULD COME DOWN, "BUT MORE SLOWLY THAN WE WOULD LIKE".
HE FORECAST THE AVERAGE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO BE 8.5 PER CENT IN 1990, SOMEWHAT LOWER THAN THE 10 PER CENT INCREASE IN 1989.
HE SAID THE AVAILABILITY OF OUTWARD PROCESSING FACILITIES ACROSS THE BORDER MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE RATE OF INFLATION TO BE LESS RESPONSIVE TO SHIFTS IN EXTERNAL DEMAND.
"THE PROSPECT FOR A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN INFLATIONARY PRESSURES WILL DEPEND, IN LARGE MEASURE, ON LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS." HE ADDED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN SOME IMPROVEMENT, INFLATION WAS STILL TOO HIGH.
"BUT THE REMEDIES DO NOT REST ENTIRELY IN THE GOVERNMENT’S HANDS. THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN DO MUCH TO HELP BY IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY BOTH THROUGH TRAINING AND THROUGH APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT IN 1990 AND IN THE YEARS BEYOND, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS BOTH GLOBALLY AND WITHIN THE REGION WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE KEY INFLUENCE ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS.
"WE REMAIN EXPOSED TO MANY UNCERTAINTIES, BUT IN THOSE ’NCERTAINTIES THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE GRASPED. HOW WE RESPOND /ILL BE THE MEASURE OF OUR SUCCESS," HE SAID.
- - 0----------
/7........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
7
GOVT EXPENDITURE IN 1989-90 PUT AT $73.1 BILLION * * * * *
THE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR INDICATE THAT TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WILL, AT $73.1 BILLION, EXCEED THE ESTIMATE BY ABOUT SIX PER CENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY IN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1990-91.
SIR PIERS SAID REVENUE, AT $82.4 BILLION. WAS EXPECTED TO EXCEED THE ESTIMATE BY ABOUT TWO PER CENT, AND AS A RESULT HE WAS EXPECTING AN OVERALL SURPLUS IN 1989-90 OF $9.3 BILLION COMPARED WITH HIS ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $11.5 BILLION.
"GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE, AT $52.3 BILLION, IS EXPECTED TO BE CLOSE TO THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE. IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO MEET INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE FROM THE PROVISION FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS AND FROM SAVINGS, INCLUDING THOSE ARISING FROM UNFILLED POSTS," HE SAID.
"EXPENDITURE FROM THE VARIOUS FUNDS IS EXPECTED TO TOTAL $20.8 BILLION COMPARED WITH THE ESTIMATE OF $16.8 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF AROUND 24 PER CENT.
"THIS INCREASE IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO OUR HAVING TO MEET HIGHER BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME; THE COST OF RESUMING THE MOBIL SITE AT TSING YI, WHICH WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE ESTIMATES; AND LASTLY, ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY." HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT TAKING THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND THE FUNDS TOGETHER, TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE WAS LIKELY TO BE ABOUT SIX PER CENT ABOVE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE AND ABOUT 29 PER CENT ABOVE THE ACTUAL FIGURE FOR 1988-89.
"CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE. THAT IS TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND THAT INCURRED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS. IS ALSO EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 29 PER CENT ABOVE THE ACTUAL FIGURE FOR 1988-89.
"AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR COST INCREASES. THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF AROUND 13 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF NINE PER CENT." HE SAID.
NOTING THAT REVENUE TO THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WOULD, AT $74.3 BILLION. EXCEED THE ESTIMATE BY ABOUT TWO PER CENT, SIR PIERS SAID THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTINUING GROWTH IN SALARIES TAX. BETS AND SWEEPS TAX AND STAMP DUTIES.
"REVENUE TO THE FUNDS, AT $8.1 BILLION, WILL EXCEED THE ESTIMATE BY AROUND FOUR PER CENT, MAINLY THROUGH HIGHER REVENUE FROM LAND SALES.
"THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT SURPLUS OF $22 BILLION IS PARTLY OFFSET BY A NET DEFICIT ON THE VARIOUS FUNDS OF $12.7 BILLION. THUS GIVING THE OVERALL SURPLUS OF $9.3 BILLION," HE SAID.
/A TOTAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
8
A TOTAL OF $17.7 BILLION WOULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO THE FUNDS, IN LINE WITH THE ESTIMATE.
"OF THIS, $7 BILLION WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND IN LINE WITH MY INTENTION, STATED IN MY LAST BUDGET SPEECH, OF SETTING ASIDE FUNDS TO MEET EXPENDITURE ON MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS. THESE TRANSFERS DO NOT, OF COURSE, AFFECT THE OVERALL SURPLUS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID HE WOULD INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION INTO THE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK TO SET UP A CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND TO SERVE, WITH THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, AS A VEHICLE FOR FUNDING EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL PROJECTS.
"THE NEW FUND WILL PROVIDE THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, SUCH AS THE NEW AIRPORT. WHEN THE FUND IS ESTABLISHED ON APRIL 1 IT WILL TAKE OVER THE BALANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH EXPENDITURE FROM GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WAS EXPECTED TO BE CLOSE TO THE ESTIMATE, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF THIS RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WAS HIGHER THAN THAT OF GDP.
"FURTHERMORE, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FROM THE FUNDS WILL SUBSTANTIALLY EXCEED BUDGET. THE INCREASE IN CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE OF 13 PER CENT OVER 1988-89 WILL BE WELL ABOVE THE TREND GDP GROWTH RATE OF SIX PER CENT ASSUMED LAST YEAR.
"CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE IS EXPECTED TO REPRESENT ABOUT 17 PER CENT OF GDP, COMPARED WITH OUR EARLIER ESTIMATE OF 16.4 PER CENT," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THIS SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, HONG KONG’S FISCAL POSITION WAS SATISFACTORY AT PRESENT.
"WE SHALL BE ENDING THE YEAR WITH A SURPLUS OF ABOUT $9 BILLION AND THIS WILL TAKE OUR ACCUMULATED RESERVES TO JUST UNDER $71 BILLION.
"THE OPERATING SURPLUS WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO COVER MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE. BUT WE REMAIN EXCESSIVELY DEPENDENT ON REVENUE FROM DIRECT TAXES AND WE ARE THUS VULNERABLE TO ANY DOWNTURN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
0
/9.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 19S0
9
GOVT MUST SEEK TO BROADEN REVENUE BASE * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO MAINTAIN THE DISCIPLINE THAT. OVER THE YEARS. THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPEND PE SHOULD NOT EXCEED THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
AND AS SLOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL AFFECT THE GROWTH IN REVENUE, THE GOVERNMENT MUST SEEK TO BROADEN THE REVENUE BASE AND REDUCE ITS VULNERABILITY TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE ECONOMY, HE SAID.
SPEAKING ON THE STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC FINANCES WHEN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET, SIR PIERS SAID THAT TO HELP ACHIEVE THE DISCIPLINE OF KEEPING THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE WITHIN THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY, THE GOVERNMENT LOOKED TO THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST TO PROVIDE THE OVERALL FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH TO PLAN ITS SPENDING.
"BY LOOKING SEVERAL YEARS AHEAD WE CAN DETERMINE TRENDS AND, IF NECESSARY, TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID SINCE THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST WAS BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING THE EXPECTED PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY, THE ASSUMED RATE OF GROWTH OF THE GDP OVER THE PLANNING PERIOD WAS CRITICAL.
"WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE TREND OVER THE PERIOD AND NOT WITH YEAR-ON-YEAR VARIATIONS.
"LAST YEAR, FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE FORECAST, I ASSUMED THAT THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP WOULD BE SIX PER CENT PER ANNUM.
"HAVING REGARD TO RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND TO THE GENERAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK, I HAVE COME TO THE VIEW THAT FOR PLANNING PURPOSES THE TREND GDP GROWTH ASSUMPTION SHOULD BE LOWERED TO 5.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE CAUTIONED THAT WITH A THREE PER CENT RATE OF GROWTH BEING EXPECTED IN 1990, IF A TREND GROWTH RATE OF 5.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM WAS TO BE ACHIEVED HIGHER RATES OF GROWTH WOULD BE NEEDED IN THE I,ATER YEARS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOMEWHAT SLOWER TREND GROWTH RATE ASSUMPTION FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THE GOVERNMENT WAS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO A PROGRAMME OF PUB!.IC EXPENDITURE REPRESENTING A MAJOR AND NECESSARY INVESTMENT TN HONG KONG'S FUTURE AND NEEDED TO MAINTAIN AND IN SOME AREAS EVEN IMPROVE EXISTING SERVICES.
"ALL THIS WILL TAFF US BEYOND OUR BUDGETARY GUIDELINES FOR A TIME," HF SAID. ADDING THAT THE BREACHING OF THESE GUIDELINES COULD ON OCCASIONS BE JUSTIFIED, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, BUT THE LEVEL OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE MUST BE KEPT UNDER STRICT CONTROL.
/WHILE CONCEDING ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 10 -
WHILE CONCEDING THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN EASY TO MAINTAIN THE DISCIPLINE OF CONTROLLING THE GROWTH RATE OF EXPENDITURE CLOSE TO THAT OF THE ECONOMY AT A TIME WHEN REVENUE HAD ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO MEET EXPENDITURE, AND THAT HAD BEEN EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO DO SO WHEN THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL BUDGET SURPLUSES, SIR PIERS EMPHASISED THAT A BUDGET SURPLUS "SHOULD NOT BE A REASON FOR INCURRING EXPENDITURE BEYOND OUR GUIDELINES".
"IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE BOTH TO ADD TO OUR RESERVES AND TO ALLOW THE COMMUNITY TO BENEFIT THROUGH CUTS IN TAXATION.
"BUT CONDITIONS ARE NOW CHANGING," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED TO INCREASE REVENUE AS THE PERIOD UP TO THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WAS LIKELY TO BE DOMINATED BY THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL BUILDING PROGRAMMES.
"ON PRESENT INDICATIONS IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO FUND FROM EXISTING REVENUE RESOURCES ALL OF THE EXPENDITURE WITHOUT DRAWING ON OUR RESERVES TO A DANGEROUS EXTENT.
"FURTHERMORE, EVEN WITH ADEQUATE CONTROL OVER THE GROWTH OF EXPENDITURE, WE MUST STILL SEEK TO BROADEN OUR REVENUE BASE AND REDUCE ITS VULNERABILITY TO FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR ECONOMY," HE SAID.
ON THE FINANCING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE REST OF THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, SIR PIERS SAID THE BROAD STRATEGY WAS TO BUILD ON METHODS ALREADY WELL TRIED AND TESTED IN HONG KONG.
"WE SHALL SEEK PARTICIPATION BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS WHICH ARE FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER INTRINSICALLY ATTRACTIVE TO PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT.
"THIS WILL MEAN THAT SOME PROJECTS WILL BE BUILT AND OPERATED ENTIRELY BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR," HE SAID, CITING SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF THIS APPROACH, SUCH AS THE CONTAINER TERMINALS, AND MORE RECENTLY THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
AS FOR OTHER PROJECTS, MOST NOTABLY THE AIRPORT ITSELF, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO USE METHODS SIMILAR TO THOSE EMPLOYED FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
"WE ENVISAGE A STATUTORY AIRPORT AUTHORITY, FINANCED BY A BLEND OF GOVERNMENT EQUITY AND LOAN FINANCING."
LASTLY, CERTAIN PROJECTS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT ENTIRELY BY THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, HE SAID.
"THE EXACT MIX MUST ENSURE THAT WE OBTAIN THE BEST OVERALL RESULTS FOR HONG KONG BOTH IN TERMS OF DELIVERY AND FINANCIAL BENEFIT IN THE LONGER TERM," HE ADDED.
/SIR PIERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 11 -
SIR PIERS SAID THAT AS THE PORT AND AIRPORT STRATEGY COMPRISED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT BUT RELATED PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED OVER A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME, THE EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY AND ON FINANCES WOULD NOT BE CONCENTRATED IN ANY ONE YEAR.
”WE HAVE SOME SCOPE FOR PHASING IN THE LIGHT OF DEMAND AND OTHER FACTORS, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO THE PORT,” HE SAID.
HE SAID OVER THE MONTHS AHEAD, AS THE DETAILED COSTINGS AND PLANS BECAME AVAILABLE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO ASSESS ALL ASPECTS OF THE FINANCING AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY.
’’FINANCIAL ADVISERS WILL ASSIST US IN THIS TASK, AND OUR STRATEGY WILL HAVE TO BE SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PARTICULAR ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CLIMATE AT THE TIME THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS COMMENCE,” HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WHAT HE WAS SEEKING TO DO IN THIS BUDGET WAS TO BEGIN PUTTING IN PLACE A STRUCTURE FOR THE PUBLIC REVENUES THAT COULD BE USED AS A BASIS FOR FINANCING THESE PROJECTS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE LOW RATES OF DIRECT TAXATION.
HE NOTED THAT LARGE CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS WERE NOT AS LABOUR INTENSIVE AS THEY WERE IN THE PAST.
”1 AM CONFIDENT THAT BOTH THE NEW AIRPORT AND ALL THE OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT WE ARE CONTEMPLATING ARE WITHIN OUR OVERALL CAPABILITY. ALTHOUGH WE MAY NEED TO CONSIDER EXCEPTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE COMPLETED ON TIME AND WITHOUT UNACCEPTABLE INFLATIONARY IMPACT,” HE SAID.
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NEED TO TIGHTEN CONTROL, ENSURE VALUE FOR MONEY * * * * *
THERE IS CLEARLY A NEED TO TIGHTEN CONTROL AND ENSURE VALUE FOR MONEY IN THE LIGHT OF THE SLOW-DOWN IN THE ECONOMY, THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE COMMITTED, AND AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF SEVEN PER CENT FOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET, SIR PIERS SAID IN THE PERIOD OF THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST UP TO 1993-94, REAL GROWTH IN CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE WAS FORECAST TO AVERAGE ABOUT 6.6 PER CENT A YEAR.
THIS, HE NOTED, WAS HIGHER THAN THE TREND GROWTH RATE ASSUMPTION FOR THE GDP OF 5.5 PER CENT A YEAR.
/"THE PROPORTION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 12 -
"THE PROPORTION OF GDP REPRESENTED BY CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE WILL AVERAGE 19 PER CENT COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF 15.5 PER CENT.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THE SLOW-DOWN IN THE ECONOMY AND THE LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE TO WHICH WE ARE NOW COMMITTED, THIS IS REGRETTABLY UNAVOIDABLE," HE SAID, NOTING ALSO THAT THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST SHOWED AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE FOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF SEVEN PER CENT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE ACCOUNTED FOR A HIGH PROPORTION OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND A SPECIAL EXERCISE HAD BEEN CONDUCTED TO REVIEW STAFF ESTABLISHMENTS AND TO CONTROL GROWTH IN THE SIZE OF THE SERVICE.
"BY REDUCING ESTABLISHMENT LEVELS IN THE CURRENT YEAR WE HAVE ACHIEVED NIL GROWTH. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE EFFORTS MADE BY BRANCH SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS IN THIS EXERCISE.
"AS MOST OF THE POSTS DELETED WERE UNFILLED, WHAT WE HAVE DONE DOES NOT REDUCE CURRENT LEVELS OF EXPENDITURE, BUT IT DOES REDUCE THE SCOPE FOR FUTURE GROWTH, AND SETS A NEW, LOWER BASE. IT IS FROM THIS NEW, LOWER BASE THAT DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE TO JUSTIFY ANY ADDITIONAL POSTS.
"IT IS INEVITABLE THAT NEW COMMITMENTS WILL REQUIRE MORE POSTS, BUT IN 1990-91 WE AIM TO LIMIT GROWTH IN ESTABLISHMENT TO 2.5 PER CENT, AND POSTS WILL BE CREATED ONLY IF THERE IS A CLEAR NEED AND A DEFINITE PROSPECT OF FILLING THEM.
"GIVEN THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED NIL GROWTH IN 1989-90, THIS MEANS THAT THE GROWTH IN ESTABLISHMENT OVER THE TWO YEARS IN QUESTION WILL AVERAGE ONLY 1.25 PER CENT. A USEFUL START," HE SAID.
TURNING TO REVENUE, IN ESSENCE, AND USING THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, SIR PIERS SAID HIS STRATEGY WAS THAT ENOUGH SHOULD BE RAISED TO MEET GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE RESERVES.
"AS I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE, OUR REVENUE BASE IS TOO NARROW AND TOO VULNERABLE TO ECONOMIC CHANGE: REVENUE FROM DIRECT TAXES, THAT IS SALARIES TAX, PROFITS TAX AND ESTATE DUTY, REPRESENTED 60 PER CENT OF TOTAL REVENUE FROM DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES IN 1985-86.
"IN 1989-90, IT HAD RISEN TO 63 PER CENT AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE 65 PER CENT IN 1990-91. WE MUST NOW TAKE STEPS TO REVERSE THIS TREND," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO MAINTAIN THE VALUE OF REVENUE FROM OTHER SOURCES, IN PARTICULAR THE CHARGES MADE FOR SERVICES PROVIDED.
"THE LEVEL OF FEES AND CHARGES IS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT THEY COVER THE COST OF THE SERVICE BEING PROVIDED UNLESS WE HAVE CONSCIOUSLY DECIDED TO RECOVER LESS THAN THE FULL COST, OR UNLESS THE FEE OR CHARGE IN QUESTION IS TAX-LOADED. THUS, FEES AND CHARGES ARE REVIEWED REGULARLY," HE POINTED OUT.
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/13 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
13 -
COMING YEARS UNLIKELY TO BE AS FISCALLY COMFORTABLE * * * * *
SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUSES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S RESERVES IN RECENT YEARS, BUT ’HE NEXT FEW YEARS ARE UNLIKELY TO BE AS FISCALLY COMFORTABLE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THERE WOULD BE A FALL IN THE RELATIVE SIZE OF OUR RESERVES AND WE MUST NOT EXACERBATE THAT DECLINE BY UNWISE EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE CONCESSIONS, HOWEVER POPULAR SUCH A COURSE OF ACTION MIGHT BE IN THE SHORT TERM.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AT THE END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR THE CONSOLIDATED RESERVES WERE EXPECTED TO STAND AT ABOUT $71 BILLION, WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT 85 PER CENT OF CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE.
’’THIS HIGH PERCENTAGE IS UNLIKELY TO BE MAINTAINED, EVEN ASSUMING GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY AT THE TREND RATE OF 5.5 PER CENT,” SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE TO WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED, THE RESERVES HAD A CRITICAL PLACE IN RELATION TO THE OVERALL STATEGY FOR PUBLIC FINANCES.
THE RESERVES WERE SOMETIMES SEEN AS A SYMBOL OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SUCCESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
”WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR RESERVES AT AN ADEQUATE LEVEL,” HE STRESSED.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT TO SOME EXTENT, WHAT WAS AN ADEQUATE LEVEL WAS A MATTER OF JUDGEMENT, BUT IN FORMING THAT JUDGEMENT IT WAS NECESSARY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A NUMBER OF FACTORS.
’’FIRST, WE MAY HAVE TO DRAW ON RESERVES TO MEET UNFORESEEN SHORTFALLS IN REVENUE. SECONDLY, WE HAVE CONTINGENT LIABILITIES TO COVER.”
HE EXPLAINED THAT THESE INCLUDED GUARANTEES OF NON-GOVERNMENT PUBLIC SECTOR BORROWING, SUCH AS THAT BY THE TWO RAILWAY CORPORATIONS.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE CALLED UPON TO INCREASE ITS EQUITY HOLDING IN THE MTRC AND THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAD TO COVER THE LIABILITIES OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
’’ALTHOUGH WE CAN MEASURE IN FINANCIAL TERMS THE CONTINGENT LIABILITIES I HAVE MENTIONED, IT IS EXTREMELY UNLIKELY THAT WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO DISCHARGE THEM IN FULL.
’’NEVERTHELESS, IT IS ONLY PRUDENT TO MAKE SOME ALLOWANCE FOR THEM,” SIR PIERS SAID.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
14
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT WITH A PROGRAMME OF THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT WE MUST ACCEPT THAT SOME OF THE COSTS MIGHT BE HIGHER THAN ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED.
"WE ARE ASSUMING THAT A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE EXPENDITURE ON THE AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL BE FINANCED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR. BUT THE AVAILABILITY OF PRIVATE SECTOR FINANCE AND THE TERMS OF ANY LOANS WILL BE INFLUENCED BY THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"HEALTHY RESERVES AND FINANCIAL PRUDENCE WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT BEARING ON THE DECISIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL LENDERS AND INVESTORS. SO WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR RECORD OF SOUND BUDGET MANAGEMENT,” SIR PIERS STRESSED.
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INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE * * * * *
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE SERVICES AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO CONTINUE ITS DRAMATIC SUCCESS STORY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET, SIR PIERS SAID THE ESTIMATES FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, WHICH SHOWED A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE, SHOULD BE SEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE.
"BUT THE DILEMMA IS THAT THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IMPLICIT IN OUR PROGRAMMES WILL, IN THE SHORT TERM, TAKE US WELL BEYOND OUR GUIDELINES.
"NEVERTHELESS, WHAT I AM SEEKING OVER THE MEDIUM TO LONGER TERM IS A REAL AND SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THIS DEPENDS UPON THE IMPOSITION OF DISCIPLINE AND INSISTENCE ON VALUE IN ITS WIDEST SENSE," HE SAID.
THE DRAFT ESTIMATES SHOWED EXPENDITURE ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT OF $65.3 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 25 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1989-90.
"EXPENDITURE FROM THE FUNDS IS ESTIMATED AT $25.7 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 23 PER CENT OVER 1989-90.
"TOTAL CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE, ESTIMATED AT $91 BILLION, WILL THUS BE 24 PER CENT HIGHER THAN TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE ESTIMATE OF $65.3 BILLION FOR GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT INCLUDED $8.3 BILLION FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS TO COVER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE WHICH COULD NOT BE FORESEEN OR FOR WHICH THERE WERE NO FIRM ESTIMATES.
/"IN MAKING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 1990
15
"IN MAKING THIS PIOVISION IT HAS BEEN NECESSARY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO TAKE A VIEW OF THE COST OF SETTING UP THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY. NOT AN EASY TASK.
"WHILST IT IS EXPECTED 1’HAT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL ASSUME ITS RESPONSIBILITIES LATER THIS YEAR, IT IS TOO EARLY TO ASSESS ACCURATELY THE FULL FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, OR THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE WILL FALL WITHIN 1990-91.
"CONSEQUENTLY, ALTHOUGH I HAVE MADE SOME PROVISION IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES, IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO SEEK ADDITIONAL FUNDS LATER ON.
"THE EXPENDITURE FROM THE FUNDS, AT $25.7 BILLION, ALLOWS FOR A 30 PER CENT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND FOR FURTHER EQUITY INVESTMENT OF $4 BILLION IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID TRANSFERS TOTALLING $22.9 BILLION WOULD BE MADE FROM GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO THE VARIOUS FUNDS, INCLUDING $4.1 BILLION TO THE NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND.
THESE TRANSFERS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO EXPENDITURE OF $65.3 BILLION PROVIDED FOR IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT.
"TOTAL CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE IS EXPECTED TO BE 24 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN 1989-90 AND THIS, WHEN ADJUSTED FOR COST INCREASES, INDICATES A GROWTH IN REAL TERMS OF 9.4 PER CENT.
"IN 1990-91, WE EXPECT RECURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TO INCREASE IN REAL TERMS BY APPROXIMATELY THE SAME RATE. THE RATE OF GROWTH GREATLY EXCEEDS THE EXPECTED RATE OF GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY IN 1990 OF ONLY THREE PER CENT.
"FURTHERMORE, AS I HAVE SAID, IN THE PERIOD TO 1993-94 THE AVERAGE ANNUAL REAL GROWTH IN CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE IS ESTIMATED AT 6.6 PER CENT, WHICH IS ABOVE THE ASSUMED TREND GDP GROWTH RATE OF 5.5 PER CENT," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WITH CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE EXPECTED TO GROW IN 1990-91 AT A RATE WHICH EXCEEDED THE GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY, EXPENDITURE WOULD REPRESENT 18.8 PER CENT OF GDP, WHICH WAS A HIGHER PROPORTION THAN THE 17 PER CENT EXPECTED IN 1989-90.
"IN THE LONGER TERM, THIS TREND IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE MUST NOT ALLOW THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO CONSUME AN INCREASING SHARE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RESOURCES INDEFINITELY, AND I SHOULD EXPLAIN WHY WE HAVE DEVIATED FROM OUR BUDGETARY GUIDELINES.
"FIRST, OUR BUDGET STRATEGY TAKES ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL YEARS, NOT JUST THE ESTIMATES YEAR, AND WHEN THERE IS A SHORT-TERM DIP IN ECONOMIC GROWTH IT IS NEITHER NECESSARY NOR DESIRABLE TO REDUCE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE BY A RIGID AND AUTOMATIC ADHERENCE TO OUR GUIDELINES. TO DO SO WOULD DISRUPT TO AN UNWELCOME EXTENT THE ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PUBLIC SERVICES.
/'•SECONDLY, WE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 16
"SECONDLY, WE HAVE COMMITMENTS AND ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE WHICH CANNOT EASILY OR READILY BE AVOIDED OR DEFERRED. THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLIES IS PERHAPS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
"THIRDLY, IN SOME AREAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SERVICES HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH THE GROWING ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY. PEOPLE RIGHTLY EXPECT BETTER QUALITY SERVICES AND, IF WE ARE TO MEET THOSE EXPECTATIONS, WE HAVE TO SPEND MORE. THUS THE ESTIMATES PROVIDE FOR THE INTRODUCTION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR OF SOME NEW SERVICES, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING SERVICES," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THESE INCLUDED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE, THE NEW UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, THE SETTING UP OF A HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL WELFARE AND HEALTH FIELDS, SUCH AS THE SHA TIN INFIRMARY AND THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL.
"LASTLY, TO MAINTAIN GOOD AND EFFICIENT PUBLIC SERVICES, WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF OF THE NECESSARY CALIBRE. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF OUR CIVIL SERVICE ARE A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"BUT WE WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE PRESSURE TO ENSURE A MATCHING QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE AND IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY.
"WE CANNOT AFFORD OVER ANY SIGNIFICANT LENGTH OF TIME BOTH REAL INCREASES IN CIVIL SERVICE PAY AND SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN NUMBERS. DESPITE SOME SUCCESS FROM OUR RECENT EFFORTS, THE GROWTH RATE IS STILL TOO HIGH AND WILL HAVE TO COME DOWN IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS," HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT IN HONG KONG TODAY THE COST OF AN EMPLOYEE WAS HIGH AND WAS LIKELY TO INCREASE OVER THE SHORT TERM, WHICH APPLIED AS MUCH TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR AS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"IN ENDEAVOURING TO CONTROL THE OVERALL GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, WE CANNOT IGNORE THIS FACT. WE MUST RECOGNISE THAT IF WE ARE TO CONTROL THE OVERALL GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, OUR PRIME TARGET MUST BE GROWTH IN NUMBERS," HE SAID.
HAVING MENTIONED THE SPECIAL EXERCISE TO REDUCE STAFF ESTABLISHMENTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID MORE NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THIS AREA BECAUSE STAFF COSTS REPRESENTED SOME 60 PER CENT OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
"THUS, WE MUST ENSURE MAXIMUM VALUE FOR MONEY. THIS REQUIRES MORE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT. WE MUST LOOK FIRST TO THE BASELINE EXPENDITURE TO ACCOMMODATE IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW SERVICES AND NOT SIMPLY ADD TO EXPENDITURE LEVELS. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REMAINS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE," HE SAID.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 17 -
TURNING TO THE MAIN PROGRAMME AREAS, IN TERMS OF CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, SIR PIERS SAID SPENDING ON SOCIAL SERVICES AT $16 BILLION WOULD SHOW AN INCREASE OF 17 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER 1989-90, AND SPENDING ON EDUCATION WOULD INCREASE BY THREE PER CENT.
"EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION WILL TOGETHER ACCOUNT FOR 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL. IN THE YEARS AHEAD WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE AN EXPANSION IN THESE AREAS, PARTICULARLY IN TERTIARY EDUCATION. IN ADDITION, EXPENDITURE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WILL INCREASE BY 16 PER CENT AND ON SECURITY BY EIGHT PER CENT.
"EXPENDITURE ON THE HOUSING PROGRAMME WILL REPRESENT ABOUT ONE EIGHTH OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE, EXCLUDING THE CLEARANCE OF KOWLOON WALLED CITY.
"ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE NEW HOUSING UNITS TO BE CONSTRUCTED WILL BE FOR SALE. IN ADDITION MORE WILL BE SPENT ON REMODELLING AND RENOVATING SOME OF THE OLDER HOUSING ESTATES," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID EXPENDITURE WOULD GROW IN 1990-91 LARGELY BECAUSE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO KAI TAK AIRPORT TO MEET ANTICIPATED TRAFFIC DEMAND AND BECAUSE OF PRELIMINARY EXPENDITURE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND OTHER MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
"ONCE WE ACTUALLY EMBARK ON THESE PROJECTS THE SHARE OF EXPENDITURE DEVOTED TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC SERVICES WILL INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY.
"IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A LARGE EQUITY INVESTMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE RAILWAY CORPORATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE AIRPORT ITSELF AND RELATED PROJECTS WHICH WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY THESE BODIES," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE ACCELERATION OF THE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, TO WHICH THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE, WAS UNDERLINED BY THE FACT THAT EXPENDITURE WOULD GROW BY NO LESS THAN 43 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
"AT $2.2 BILLION, THIS IS A RELATIVELY SMALL PART OF OUR TOTAL EXPENDITURE, BUT IN THE YEARS AHEAD THIS PROGRAMME AREA WILL ACCOUNT FOR AN INCREASING SHARE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF REVENUE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT BEFORE THE BUDGET PROPOSALS SHOWED REVENUE OF $82.7 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT OVER 1989-90.
"REVENUE FROM DIRECT TAXES WILL INCREASE BY 16 PER CENT AND WILL REPRESENT 65 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES TAKEN TOGETHER. THIS COMPARES WITH 63 PER CENT IN 1989-90," HE SAID.
"REVENUE TO THE VARIOUS FUNDS IS ESTIMATED TO BE $5.9 BILLION, A REDUCTION OF 27 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1989-90," HE ADDED.
/"IN THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 18 -
"IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, WE HAVE ENJOYED SOME EXCEPTIONAL LAND SALES. HAVING REGARD TO THE PROJECTED LAND SALES PROGRAMME AND THE STATE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET, WE DO NOT EXPECT SUCH BUOYANT RESULTS IN 1990-91; HENCE THE REDUCTION IN THE ESTIMATE," SIR PIERS POINTED OUT.
"TAKEN TOGETHER, REVENUE TO THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AND THE FUNDS WILL BE $88.6 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF SEVEN PER CENT OVER 1989-90. THIS INCREASE IS MODEST WHEN COMPARED WITH INCREASES IN SOME PREVIOUS YEARS," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE, BEFORE REVENUE MEASURES, INDICATED A DEFICIT OF $2.4 BILLION.
"GIVEN THE EXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN, AND HAVING REGARD TO THE LOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE WE ARE EXPECTING, I HAVE DECIDED TO INTRODUCE MEASURES WHICH WILL BOTH YIELD ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND SHIFT SOME OF THE BURDEN OF TAXATION FROM DIRECT TAXES TO INDIRECT TAXES.
"MY PROPOSALS WILL REDUCE DIRECT TAXATION BY ABOUT $800 MILLION BUT INCREASE INDIRECT TAXATION BY $2.9 BILLION AND OTHER REVENUE BY $1 BILLION," SIR PIERS SAID.
- - 0 - -
FS WILL AVOID HASTY DECISIONS ON WHOLESALE TAX
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE TO AVOID ANY HASTY DECISIONS ON THE ISSUE OF A WHOLESALE TAX.
STRESSING THAT HE WAS NOT DISSATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS OF THE CONSULTATION AND DEBATE ON THE ISSUE, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE DID NOT SADDLE OURSELVES WITH A TAX STRUCTURE THAT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT OR INAPPROPRIATE TO OUR NEEDS.
"THUS WHILST WE ARE GIVING THIS ISSUE OF A WHOLESALE TAX FURTHER THOUGHT, I WISH TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I AM NOT WORKING TO ANY SPECIFIC TIMETABLE," HE SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CONSULTATIVE EXERCISE. WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN OCTOBER, DID NOT UNCOVER ANY MAJOR TECHNICAL HURDLE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF A WHOLESALE TAX IN HONG KONG, AND SOME HELPFUL COMMENTS WERE MADE AS TO HOW WE MIGHT IMPLEMENT SUCH A TAX.
"WHAT WAS CLEAR, HOWEVER, WAS THAT MOST OF THOSE CONSULTED FELT THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT READY FOR A WHOLESALE TAX AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, AND INDEED SOME EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH A TAX ON THE ECONOMY.
/"SOME ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
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"SOME ALSO DOUBTED WHETHER IT WOULD ACHIEVE THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING A MORE STABLE SOURCE OF TAX REVENUE, AND GENEROUSLY PUT FORWARD SUGGESTIONS AS TO OTHER REVENUE RAISING MEASURES THAT WE MIGHT ADOPT," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID ALTHOUGH HE WAS FACED WITH SOMETHING LESS THAN TOTAL ENTHUSIASM FOR A WHOLESALE TAX, THERE WAS NEVERTHELESS A RECOGNITION OF THE NEED FOR A MORE STABLE TAX BASE, ONE LESS VULNERABLE TO THE VICISSITUDES OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE.
"INDEED, AN ENCOURAGING NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WHO SPOKE IN THE DEBATES ON THE LAST TWO BUDGETS ALSO RECOGNISED THE PROBLEM. I ATTACH A GREAT DEAL OF IMPORTANCE TO THESE REACTIONS," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID PART OF THE PURPOSE OF HIS RAISING FOR DEBATE THE WHOLE MATTER OF A SALES OR WHOLESALE TAX WAS TO ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM, THAT WAS THE VULNERABILITY OF OUR TAX SYSTEM AS PRESENTLY STRUCTURED.
"THAT THE DISCUSSION HAS TAKEN PLACE LARGELY WITHOUT POLITICAL 'STURM UND DRANG’ HAS BEEN HELPFUL. WHAT HAS BEEN SAID HAS INFLUENCED ME IN PUTTING TOGETHER MY BUDGET PROPOSALS THIS YEAR," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
ON VENTURE CAPITAL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT HE HAD EXAMINED IN SOME DETAIL THE PROPOSAL ON WHETHER A TAX CONCESSION SHOULD BE GRANTED TO VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG AND HAD COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE COMPLEXITY OF THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION MADE THE PROPOSAL UNSUITABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN HONG KONG AT THIS TIME.
HE NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOME UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHETHER PROFITS ARISING FROM VENTURE CAPITAL DISINVESTMENT WERE LIABLE TO PROFITS TAX, AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THIS UNCERTAINTY WAS HINDERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH FINANCING METHODS.
"I AM CONSCIOUS ALSO THAT THE BENEFITS ACCRUING TO THE ECONOMY ARE UNLIKELY TO BE SIGNIFICANT," HE SAID.
ON STAMP DUTY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID FOR FISCAL REASONS HE DID NOT THINK THAT, AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE GOVERNMENT WAS IN A POSITION TO GIVE ANY CONCESSION ON THE DUTY ITSELF.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT, RECENTLY, IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED TO HIM THAT A CONCESSION ON STAMP DUTY ON SHARE TRANSFERS WOULD BE WELCOME AND THAT IT WOULD BE SELF-FINANCING THROUGH INCREASED TURNOVER.
IT WAS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EASE THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST INVOLVED IN THE COLLECTION OF STAMP DUTY BY CHANGING THE SYSTEM OF LEVY SO THAT THE DUTY BECAME PAYABLE BY ONE PARTY ONLY, NAMELY THE VENDOR.
/SIR PIERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 20 -
SIR PIERS SAID WHILE HE COULD APPRECIATE THAT THESE PROPOSALS MIGHT BE OF SOME ATTRACTION TO THOSE INVESTING IN OUR MARKETS, FOR FISCAL REASONS THE GOVERNMENT AT PRESENT WAS UNABLE TO GIVE ANY CONCESSION ON THE DUTY ITSELF.
"FURTHERMORE, I WOULD NEED TO BE CONVINCED THAT THE PAYMENT OF THE DUTY BY ONE PARTY WOULD NOT CREATE LOOPHOLES, CAUSING AN UNACCEPTABLE EROSION OF STAMP DUTY REVENUE.
"I SHALL, HOWEVER, BE EXAMINING BOTH PROPOSALS IN GREATER DETAIL, BECAUSE I AM CONSCIOUS OF THE POSSIBLE POTENTIAL FOR MARKET DEVELOPMENT," SIR PIERS SAID.
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$800 MILLION IN DIRECT TAX CONCESSIONS * * * * *
THE BUDGET’S REVENUE PROPOSALS PACKAGE INCLUDES A NUMBER OF REVENUE RAISING MEASURES WHICH WILL YIELD SOME $3.9 BILLION IN 1990-91 AND APPROXIMATELY $4.7 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY.
SIR PIERS SAID HE ALSO PROPOSED TO GRANT A NUMBER OF TAX CONCESSIONS, IN RESPECT OF DIRECT TAXES, ESTIMATED TO COST $800 MILLION IN 1990-91, AND $1.1 BILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
"THE NET EFFECT WILL BE TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $3.1 BILLION FOR 1990-91. THESE PROPOSALS WILL THEREFORE CONVERT THE ESTIMATED OVERALL DEFICIT OF $2.4 BILLION TO AN OVERALL SURPLUS OF $720 MILLION.
"THE PROPOSALS WILL, IN ADDITION, ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF REDUCING THE PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL TAX REVENUE DERIVED FROM DIRECT TAXES, FROM 65 PER CENT TO 62 PER CENT," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HIGHER INDIRECT TAXES, BY THEIR NATURE, COULD HAVE SOME INFLATIONARY IMPACT, BUT HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE PACKAGE HE HAD PROPOSED WOULD HAVE ONLY A MARGINAL EFFECT.
"I CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE OF RAISING THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE FROM HIGHER DIRECT TAXES ON BALANCE TO BE LESS DESIRABLE. WE HAVE MANAGED TO REDUCE THE STANDARD RATE OF TAX IN RECENT YEARS. TO RAISE IT AGAIN COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT INVESTMENT DECISIONS," SIR PIERS SAID.
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/21 ........
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ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM DUTIABLE COMMODITIES * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY PROPOSED TO RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM DUTIABLE COMMODITIES.
IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, SIR PIERS NOTED THAT FOR SOME YEARS THE DUTIES ON HYDROCARBON OILS, LIQUORS AND TOBACCO HAD BEEN REVISED SOLELY TO KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION AND HE NOW PROPOSED TO RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THIS SOURCE.
HYDROCARBON OILS
SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE DUTY RATE ON HYDROCARBON OILS BY 30 PER CENT, FOR FISCAL AND NOT TRANSPORT REASONS.
THE DUTY ON PETROL WOULD INCREASE FROM $2.75 A LITRE TO $3.58 A LITRE, AND ON DIESEL OIL FOR ROAD VEHICLES FROM $1.37 A LITRE TO $1.78 A LITRE.
THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THESE INCREASES WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $580 MILLION.
THE REFUND ON DIESEL OIL TO THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES WOULD REMAIN AT 65 CENTS A LITRE.
THE COST OF THE DUTY INCREASE TO ALL THREE COMPANIES TAKEN TOGETHER WOULD BE ABOUT $50 MILLION. THE EFFECT WOULD BE TO INCREASE COSTS BY AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT FOUR CENTS A PASSENGER TRIP.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD CONSIDERED THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A DIFFERENTIAL RATE OF DUTY FOR UNLEADED PETROL BUT THIS WAS IMPRACTICABLE AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF SUITABLE FACILITIES AT PETROL STATIONS.
"WHEN THIS SITUATION CHANGES, I SHALL GIVE THE PROPOSAL FURTHER THOUGHT.
"CLEARLY, THE BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WOULD BE WELCOMED," HE SAID.
INTOXICATING LIQUOR AND ALCOHOL
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO:
- RAISE THE SPECIFIC DUTY RATES ON ALL INTOXICATING LIQUORS AND ALCOHOL BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT TO OFFSET EROSION BY INFLATION;
- BRING THE AD VALOREM RATE ON CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKLING WINES INTO LINE WITH THAT OF BRANDY, WHISKY AND OTHER SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS AND TO INCREASE THE RATE ON BOTH CATEGORIES TO 35 PER CENT; AND
/- MERGE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
22
- MERGE THE TWO CATEGORIES OF STILL WINES INTO ONE, WITH DUTY PAYABLE AT $24 A LITRE PLUS AN AD VALOREM RATE OF 20 PER CENT.
THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $50 MILLION.
TOBACCO
SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE DUTY ON TOBACCO BY ABOUT 25 PER CENT, FOR FISCAL AND NOT HEALTH REASONS.
THE DUTY ON CIGARETTES WOULD INCREASE FROM $190 TO $240 PER 1 000 STICKS. THE DUTY ON CIGARS WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $250 TO $310 A* KILOGRAM; ON SMOKING TOBACCO FROM $230 TO $290 A KILOGRAM; AND ON CHINESE PREPARED TOBACCO FROM $50 TO $60 A KILOGRAM.
HE ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE YIELD TO BE $400 MILLION.
--------0-----------
INCREASED TAX RATES FOR PRIVATE CARS, *******
GOODS VEHICLES
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY PROPOSED TO REDEFINE THE SCALE WHICH DEFINES BASIC, SEMI-LUXURY AND LUXURY CARS TO REFLECT MORE REALISTICALLY THE CURRENT VALUE OF VEHICLES AND TO INCREASE THE TAX RATES FOR PRIVATE CARS, MOTOR CYCLES AND TRICYCLES AND GOODS VEHICLES BY 10 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
”1 PROPOSE, AGAIN FOR FISCAL AND NOT TRANSPORT REASONS, TO CHANGE THE RATES AS FOLLOWS: 80 PER CENT TAX ON A BASIC CAR; 90 PER CENT TAX ON A SEMI-LUXURY CAR; AND 100 PER CENT TAX ON A LUXURY CAR,” SIR PIERS SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT HIS PROPOSALS WOULD HAVE NO PRACTICAL EFFECT ON THE RETAIL PRICE OF A BASIC OR A SEMI-LUXURY CAR AS DEFINED IN THE NEW SCALE AND THEY WOULD INCREASE THE RETAIL PRICE OF A LUXURY CAR BY ABOUT THREE TO FOUR PER CENT.
HE ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THESE INCREASES TO BE $200 MILLION.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE LAST REAL INCREASE IN THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON MOTOR VEHICLES DATED BACK TO 1982, AND THE SCALE WHICH DEFINED BASIC, SEMI-LUXURY AND LUXURY CARS HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE IT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1978.
FOR PRIVATE CARS, THE PRESENT SCALE DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN BASIC CARS, FOR WHICH THE RATE OF TAX WAS 70 PER CENT, SEMI-LUXURY CARS, FOR WHICH THE RATE WAS 80 PER CENT, AND LUXURY CARS, FOR WHICH THE RATE WAS 90 PER CENT.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 23 -
THE FOLLOWING ARE DETAILS OF THE NEW SCALE AND REVISED RATES OF FIRST REGISTRATION TAX FOR VEHICLES:
MOTOR VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX
SCALES AND RATES
CLASS EXISTING SCALE PROPOSED SCALE EXISTING RATES % PROPOSED RATES %
PRIVATE CARS
(I) BASIC CARS CIF VALUE BELOW $20,000 CIF VALUE BELOW $30,000 70 80
(II) SEMI-LUXURY CARS CIF VALUE BETWEEN $20,000 -$30,000 CIF VALUE BETWEEN $30,000 -$60,000 80 90
(III) LUXURY CARS CIF VALUE EXCEEDING $30,000 CIF VALUE EXCEEDING $60,000 90 100
MOTOR MOTOR CYCLES AND TRICYCLES 70 80
GOODS VEHICLES 15 25
OTHER TYPES OF VEHICLES (TAXIS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUSES, SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES) 15 15
0----------
/24 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
24
INCREASED BETTING TAX NEXT SEASON * * * * *
AN INCREASE IN THE BETS TAX FOR BOTH STANDARD AND EXOTIC BETS -BY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT - WAS PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY.
THE TAX RATES WOULD BECOME 10.5 PER CENT ON STANDARD BETS AND 17 PER CENT ON EXOTIC BETS, AND WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT RACING SEASON. SIR PIERS SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
”1 AM CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE RETURN TO PUNTERS AND NOT TO GIVE ANY ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE ACTIVITIES OF ILLEGAL BOOKMAKERS,” HE SAID.
"I PROPOSE THEREFORE THAT THE INCREASE IN THE RATES SHOULD BE BORNE ENTIRELY BY THE JOCKEY CLUB, THAT IS TO SAY, THERE WILL BE NO REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THE PRIZE MONEY POOL,” HE SAID.
THE INCREASE WAS ESTIMATED TO YIELD.AN ADDITIONAL $340 MILLION IN 1990-91, HE SAID.
SIR PIERS NOTED THAT BETS TAX WAS LAST INCREASED IN 1985.
--------0--------. -
INCREASE IN GENERAL RATES FOR PROPERTY
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY ,ROPOSED TO RAISE THE GENERAL RATES FOR PROPERTY, WHICH ARE PAYABLE TO GENERAL REVENUE, BY 1.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS,- BUT NO REVISION WAS PROPOSED TO THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL RATES.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET, SIR PIERS SAID THIS MEANT THAT THE GENERAL RATE WOULD BE FOUR PER CENT IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON AND 1.5 PER CENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AND THAT THE OVERALL CHARGE WOULD BE 7.5 PER CENT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
”THE TOTAL CHARGE IS CURRENTLY SIX PER CENT. IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON, 2.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS ARE FOR GENERAL REVENUE AND 3.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL.
”FOR PROPERTIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE REVENUE FROM THE CHARGE OF SIX PER CENT ALL GOES TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND NONE TO GENERAL REVENUE,” HE SAID.
THE ADDITIONAL YIELD TO GENERAL REVENUE IN 1990-91 RESULTING FROM THIS PROPOSAL WAS IN THE REGION OF $1.3 BILLION. HE SAID.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 25 -
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID RATES ON PROPERTY WERE LEVIED BY APPLYING A PERCENTAGE CHARGE TO THE RATEABLE VALUE OF PROPERTIES AND WERE CLEARLY ONE OF THE MORE STABLE SOURCES OF REVENUE.
"THE VALUE OF RATES WHEN EXPRESSED AS A PROPORTION OF ACTUAL RENTS CHARGED FOR PROPERTIES HAS FALLEN CONSIDERABLY IN RECENT YEARS. I HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE PRESENT RATES PERCENTAGE CHARGE." HE SAID.
SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THAT THE PROPOSED AVERAGE INCREASE IN RATES FOR A SMALL PRIVATE FLAT WOULD BE ABOUT $40 A MONTH, AND FOR A LARGE FLAT ABOUT $200.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT IN THE PAST. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD INITIALLY ABSORBED INCREASES IN RATES FOR TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING.
"THE AUTHORITY'S RENTS, WHICH INCLUDE AN ELEMENT FOR RATES, ARE NORMALLY REVISED EVERY TWO YEARS ON A ROLLING CYCLE. IT WILL BE FOR THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ABSORB THE RATES IN A SIMILAR MANNER ON THIS OCCASION." HE SAID.
"THE AVERAGE COST OF THE INCREASE FOR A HOUSING AUTHORITY FLAT WILL BE AROUND $20 A MONTH," HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNOUNCED INTENTION TO REVISE ALL RATEABLE VALUES WITH EFFECT FROM 1991-92 WAS A COMPLETELY SEPARATE EXERCISE AND WAS NOT OF ITSELF DESIGNED TO INCREASE RATES REVENUE.
"ITS PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE BURDEN OF THE CHARGE IS EQUITABLY SPREAD BETWEEN DIFFERENT CLASSES OF RATEPAYER.
"CONSEQUENTLY IF, AS IS LIKELY. THIS RESULTS IN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN RATEABLE VALUES. THE PERCENTAGE CHARGES FOR THAT YEAR WILL BE LOOKED AT AGAIN BUT. LET ME EMPHASISE. LOOKED AT IN THE LIGHT OF THE REVENUE NEEDS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TWO COUNCILS AT THAT TIME." HE SAID.
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INCREASES IN VARIOUS FEES * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY PROPOSED TO INCREASE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEES, COMPANY REGISTRATION FEES, BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES, VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES, AND PASSENGER EMBARKATION AND BERTHING FEES.
SIR PIERS OUTLINED THE PROPOSED INCREASES IN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET.
/BUSINESS REGISTRATION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 26 -
BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE
SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE TO $900 WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1990. THE FEE, WHICH WAS TAX-LOADED, WAS REVISED LAST YEAR TO $630.
HE ALSO PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE PRESENT EXEMPTION LEVELS, WHICH RELIEVED BUSINESSES WITH LOW TURNOVER FROM PAYMENT OF THE FEE.
IN FUTURE, A BUSINESS WOULD, UPON APPLICATION, BE EXEMPT FROM THE FEE IF ITS AVERAGE SALES DID NOT EXCEED $5,000 PER MONTH; OR, WHERE THE BUSINESS CONSISTED OF RENDERING SERVICES, IF ITS AVERAGE RECEIPTS DID NOT EXCEED $1,500 PER MONTH.
THE PRESENT EXEMPTION LEVELS HAD NOT BEEN ADJUSTED SINCE 1974, SIR PIERS SAID.
HE ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THE INCREASE IN BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE TO BE $140 MILLION.
"THE $100 LEVY FOR THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND WILL CONTINUE AND IS THEREFORE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS PROPOSAL," HE ADDED.
COMPANY REGISTRATION FEE
SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE COMPANY REGISTRATION FEE TO $1,000 FROM THE PRESENT $600, WHICH HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1983.
HE ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO BE $30 MILLION.
BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES
SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO INCREASE LICENCE FEES FOR BANKS OTHER THAN RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS BY 22 PER CENT AND THOSE FOR RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS BY 30 PER CENT; AND ALSO TO INCREASE REGISTRATION FEES FOR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BY 30 PER CENT.
HE ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THESE INCREASES TO BE $30 MILLION.
VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES
SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO INCREASE VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES BY 10 PER CENT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION.
HE ESTIMATED THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THESE INCREASES TO BE $150 MILLION.
/PASSENGER EMBARKATION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 27 -
PASSENGER EMBARKATION AND BERTHING FEES
SIR PIERS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE PASSENGER EMBARKATION FEE PAYABLE BY THOSE DEPARTING FROM THE MACAU AND CHINA FERRY TERMINALS FROM $17 TO $19, APPROXIMATELY IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
AS THE FEE WAS LAST RAISED IN OCTOBER 1989, THE NEXT INCREASE WOULD TAKE EFFECT AS FROM OCTOBER 1, 1990.
HE FURTHER PROPOSED TO INCREASE BERTHING FEES BY 15 PER CENT FROM APRIL 1, 1990.
THE TOTAL ADDITIONAL REVENUE ARISING FROM THESE INCREASES WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $20 MILLION IN 1990-91.
OTHER CHARGES
SIR PIERS SAID A NUMBER OF OTHER CHARGES, INCLUDING THOSE IN RELATION TO SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WERE SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW IN 1990.
FROM THESE SOURCES, HE EXPECTED ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $510 MILLION IN 1990-91.
---------0---------
CONCESSIONS IN PERSONAL TAXATION
* * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY PROPOSED TO ZERO-RATE THE CLAWBACK ON PERSONAL TAXATION ALLOWANCES INCREASE SOME ALLOWANCES, AND REDUCE THE RATES.OF TAX FOR THE FIRST TWO MARGINAL RATE BANDS FOR SALARIES TAX AND PERSONAL ASSESSMENT.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET, SIR PIERS PROPOSED THE FOLLOWING CONCESSIONS FOR PERSONAL TAXATION:
* FIRST, TO ZERO-RATE THE CLAWBACK ON ALLOWANCES.
"THIS MEANS THAT ALL ELIGIBLE TAXPAYERS WILL BE ENTITLED TO THE FULL ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR INCOME LEVELS, AND EFFECTIVELY INCREASES THE BASIC AND MARRIED PERSON'S ALLOWANCES FROM $32,000 AND 566,000 TO $39,000 AND $80,000 RESPECTIVELY.
"MIDDLE-INCOME TAXPAYERS STAND TO BENEFIT MOST. FOR THIS GROUP, THE TAX PAYABLE WILL BE REDUCED BY UP TO $1,750 FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND $3,500 FOR A MARRIED COUPLE," HE SAID.
/* SECONDLY, TO..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 28 -
* SECONDLY, TO REDUCE THE RATES OF SALARIES TAX APPLICABLE TO THE FIRST TWO $10,000 BANDS OF NET CHARGEABLE INCOME FROM THREE PER CENT TO TWO PER CENT AND FROM SIX PER CENT TO FOUR PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
SIR PIERS SAID THIS CONCESSION WOULD PARTICULARLY BENEFIT TAXPAYERS WITH LOWER INCOMES;
* THIRDLY, THAT THE CHILD ALLOWANCE FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND CHILD BE INCREASED FROM $13,000 TO $14,000, AND FROM $9,000 TO $10,000 RESPECTIVELY; AND
* LASTLY, THAT THE BASIC RATE OF DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE BE INCREASED FROM $11,000 TO $12,000.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THESE CONCESSIONS WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1990.
"THEREFORE, THE FIRST OCCASION ON WHICH THEY WILL APPLY WILL BE TO PROVISIONAL AND FINAL SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1990-91, AND ALSO TO 1990-91 PERSONAL ASSESSMENTS,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST TO THE REVENUE IN 1990-91 WOULD BE $700 MILLION, AND $980 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR.
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DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE ADJUSTED, EXEMPTION LEVEL RAISED
******
AN ADJUSTMENT IN THE DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCE FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND, IN RELATION TO ESTATE DUTY, A RAISING OF THE EXEMPTION LEVEL TO PROVIDE A FURTHER SPECIFIC RELIEF WERE PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET TODAY.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID HE PROPOSED TO REDUCE THE WRITE OFF PERIOD OF A COMMERCIAL BUILDING TO 50 YEARS BY INCREASING THE RATE OF THE ALLOWANCE TO TWO PER CENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ATTRACTED AN ANNUAL REBUILDING ALLOWANCE.
"WITH THE EXISTING ALLOWANCE SET AT 0.75 PER CENT IT TAKES SOME 133 YEARS TO WRITE OFF THE COST OF A COMMERCIAL BUILDING. THIS IS A LONG TIME," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE COST TO REVENUE OF THIS INCREASED ALLOWANCE WOULD BE $70 MILLION IN 1990-91, AND $85 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
ON ESTATE DUTY. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TWO CONCESSIONS. IN RECOGNITION OF THE EFFECT OF INFLATION ON ASSET VALUES HE PROPOSED TO RAISE THE ESTATE DUTY EXEMPTION LIMIT FROM $2 MILLION TO $4 MILLION.
/"IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
"IN ADDITION, I PROPOSE TO REPLACE THE PRESENT SCHEDULE OF RATES WITH A NEW SCHEDULE SCALED FROM SIX PER CENT ON ESTATES BETWEEN 34 MILLION AND $4.5 MILLION TO 18 PER CENT ON ESTATES OVER $5 MILLION." HE SAID.
SIR PIERS ALSO PROPOSED TO EXEMPT FROM ESTATE DUTY ALL DEATH BENEFITS FROM RETIREMENT FUNDS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE UNDER SECTION 87A OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
"THIS WILL REDUCE HARDSHIP THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE CAUSED TO DEPENDENTS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES. I ESTIMATE THE OVERALL COST OF THESE CONCESSIONS TO BE $50 MILLION," HE SAID.
ON TAX CONCESSIONS FOR UNIT TRUSTS AND MUTUAL FUNDS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD DECIDED IN FAVOUR OF THE PROPOSAL, (A) TO ALTER THE DEFINITION OF "SECURITIES" IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE SO THAT A WIDER RANGE OF PROFITS MADE BY AUTHORISED UNIT TRUSTS WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM PROFITS TAX, AND (B) TO CONSIDER WHETHER THERE WAS A CASE TO EXEMPT MUTUAL FUND CORPORATIONS FROM PROFITS TAX IN A SIMILAR MANNER TO UNIT TRUST.
"IT IS MY INTENTION TO INTRODUCE SUITABLE LEGISLATION INTO THIS COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE ACCORDINGLY," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE ESTIMATED THE COST OF THESE TWO CONCESSIONS TO BE $25 MILLION.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS.SIGNED * * * * *
BUDGET PROPOSALS ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES. FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY UNDER PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDERS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS WHEN PRESENTING HIS BUDGET TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"UNDER SIMILAR AUTHORITY, MY OTHER PROPOSALS ON RATES, BUSINESS AND COMPANIES REGISTRATION FEES. BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REGISTRATION AND LICENCE FEES, AND BERTHING FEES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, 1990," SIR PIERS ADDED.
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PROPOSALS AIMED AT BUILDING SOLID FOUNDATION
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY THAT IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET HE HAS CONSIDERED IT PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO LOOK BEYOND 1990 IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE PROPOSALS, AND THE STRATEGIES UPON WHICH THEY ARE BASED, ARB APPROPRIATE NOT ONLY FOR THE CURRENT YEAR BUT ALSO FOR THE YEARS AHEAD.
SUMMING UP HIS BUDGET SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT A SOUND FOUNDATION WAS IN PLACE ON WHICH TO BUILD FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE.
WHILE NOTING THAT PRUDENT MANAGEMENT IN THE PAST HAD PROVIDED A BASICALLY STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION. BUILT UP ON THE BACK OF HEALTHY BUDGET SURPLUSES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT SURPLUSES COULD NO LONGER BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED, AND THUS BOTH THE EXPENDITURE AND THE REVENUE STRUCTURE MUST BE ADAPTED TO THE CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES.
HE SAID THE BOLD AND FAR-REACHING PROGRAMME OF EXPENDITURE LAID DOWN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW DECADE WAS A PROGRAMME DESIGNED NOT FOR COSMETIC OR CONFIDENCE BUILDING PURPOSES BUT BECAUSE HONG KONG NEEDED THE SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONTEMPLATED IF THE TERRITORY WAS TO CONTINUE TO PROSPER.
"OUR PLANNING MUST BE THOROUGH AND WE MUST USE OUR RESOURCES TO THE BEST ADVANTAGE.
"IT IS CLEAR THAT WE FACE DIFFICULTIES AND UNCERTAINTIES, AND I HAVE ALLUDED TO THEM IN THE COURSE OF MY SPEECH, NOT BY WAY OF DISCOURAGEMENT BUT AS A SPUR TO ACTION.
"OPPORTUNITIES EXIST, AND IT IS NOW UP TO US TO SECURE OUR FUTURE FOR OURSELVES," HE SAID.
STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING WAYS IN WHICH MAJOR NEW PROJECTS MIGHT MOST SENSIBLY BE FINANCED.
"THE MORE AMBITIOUS OUR PROGRAMMES, THE MORE THE NEED FOR US TO MANAGE OUR RESOURCES PRUDENTLY AND INTELLIGENTLY.
"I HAVE DESCRIBED THE STEPS WE HAVE TAKEN TO CONTROL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND I HAVE GIVEN A CLEAR INDICATION THAT THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT THAT LAY AHEAD, IN PARTICULAR THE AIRPORT AND THE ASSOCIATED HARBOUR CROSSINGS, WERE OF INTEREST TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND AS THESE PLANS DEVELOPED THE GOVERNMENT LOOKED FORWARD TO PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT.
/"BUT WE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 31 -
"BUT WE CANNOT EXi IT POTENTIAL INVESTORS TO PARTICIPATE UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF HAL A SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION.
"IN FRAMIN'. MY BUDGET 1 OPOSALS, THIS HAS BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF MY MIND," HE SAID.
ON THE REVENUE SIDE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, SIR PIERS SAID OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ’E HAD EXPLAINED HIS CONCERN REGARDING THE OVERRELIANCE ON DIRECT 1AXATION, AND THE VULNERABILITY OF THE PRESENT TAX STRUCTURE TO CHANGES IN ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE.
"THE PROJECTED STATE OF PUBLIC FINANCES WHEN WEIGHED AGAINST THE PROGRAMMES THAT WE HAVE SET FOR OURSELVES GIVES ADDED POINT TO WHAT I HAVE SAID," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE REVENUE MEASURES PROPOSED THIS YEAR WERE THUS INTENDED TO SERVE A TWOFOLD PURPOSE - FIRST, TO RAISE THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE WE NEED. AND SECONDLY, TO BEGIN TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF OUR OVER-RELIANCE ON DIRECT TAXATION.
"I BELIEVE IN MOVING GRADUALLY SO AS NOT TO PUT STRAIN ON OUR SYSTEMS OR ON THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
FINALLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HIS BUDGET FORESHADOWED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRAMME OF IMMENSE SIGNIFICANCE, A PROGRAMME THAT WOULD AFFECT THE WHOLE FABRIC AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
"WE HAVE SET OUR SIGHTS HIGH; WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEMS; AND WE KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IF WE ARE TO OVERCOME THEM.
"BUT WE WILL NOT SUCCEED UNLESS WE DISPLAY THE WILL TO DO SO.
"OUR AIMS WILL NOT BE ACHIEVED UNLESS THEY ARE PURSUED WITH THAT VIGOUR AND ENTHUSIASM WHICH HAS MADE HONG KONG WHAT IT IS TODAY.
"THE COMING YEARS ARE RICH IN PROMISE FOR HONG KONG, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE SKILLS, DRIVE AND RESOURCEFULNESS FOR WHICH OUR COMMUNITY IS FAMOUS WILL NOT FAIL US AT THIS POINT IN TIME," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY. MARCH 7, 1990
32
FS'S SPEECH ON TV AND RADIO *****
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE BUDGET SUMMARY DELIVERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS THIS EVENING:
"LAST OCTOBER, THE GOVERNOR REVEALED AN EXCITING PROGRAMME FOR THE YEARS AHEAD. THIS INCLUDED A NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND A MAJOR EXPANSION OF OUR PORT. HE ALSO ANNOUNCED SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION AND IN MEASURES TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.
"ALL THIS IS ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG'S CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND TO THAT LIFESTYLE THAT WE VALUE SO MUCH. THE PROGRAMME UPON WHICH WE ARE EMBARKING IS WITHIN OUR CAPABILITIES BUT WILL REQUIRE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF A HIGH ORDER.
"WHAT I AM SEEKING IN MY BUDGET IS A SOUND BASIS UPON WHICH WE CAN BUILD FOR OUR FUTURE.
"FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDABLY EXPECTS THAT GOVERNMENT SERVICES SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND IMPROVED, AND INDEED IN THE COMING YEAR WE PLAN TO DO JUST THAT.
"WE ARE INCREASING THE PROVISION FOR MANY SERVICES THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY. FOR EXAMPLE, EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SERVICES WILL INCREASE BY SOME 17 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. SOCIAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION TOGETHER WILL ACCOUNT FOR NO LESS THAN 30 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL BUDGET. AND THERE WILL ALSO BE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN OUR SPENDING ON RECREATION AND ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
"BUT WE HAVE TO PLAN OUR EXPENDITURE IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE. IN CONTRAST TO THE AVERAGE DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE ECONOMY GREW BY ONLY TWO AND A HALF PER CENT IN 1989. AT THE SAME TIME, INFLATION WAS UNCOMFORTABLY HIGH.
"THIS YEAR'S ECONOMIC GROWTH IS LIKELY TO BE ONLY MARGINALLY HIGHER THAN IN 1989 BUT I EXPECT A MODEST DECLINE IN INFLATION. AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT ALL OUR PUBLIC SPENDING SHOULD BE CRITICALLY EXAMINED SO THAT WE GET MAXIMUM VALUE FOR MONEY.
"THIS IS AN ON-GOING TASK. WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS, BUT THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE.
"WITH ONLY MODERATE GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY AND A MAJOR PROGRAMME OF EXPENDITURE AHEAD OF US, WE ARE LIKELY TO HAVE A BUDGET DEFICIT UNLESS I TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION NOW. I HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED TO RAISE SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE. THIS WILL RESULT IN A BALANCED BUDGET FOR THE YEAR.
/"I AM ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
33
"I AM WELL AWARE THAT ANY INCREASE IN TAXATION IS UNWELCOME. SO, IN PUTTING TOGETHER MY REVENUE PROPOSALS, I HAVE SOUGHT TO SPREAD THE BURDEN AS FAIRLY AS POSSIBLE AND TO MINIMISE THE EFFECT ON THE LESS WELL-OFF.
"I HAVE LOOKED FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM PROPERTY RATES, PETROL, LIQUOR, TOBACCO, BETTING. AND VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES. AS USUAL, I SHALL ALSO BE ADJUSTING A NUMBER OF FEES AND CHARGES. TOGETHER, ALL THESE NCREASES WILL BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF ABOUT $4 BILLION.
"THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PART OF THIS INCREASED REVENUE IS DERIVED FROM GENERAL RATES. RATES ON PROPERTY PROVIDE A PARTICULARLY STABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE AND THIS IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IN RELATION TO OUR FUTURE PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. I HAVE THEREFORE INCREASED GENERAL RATES BY ONE AND A HALF PERCENTAGE POINTS, TAKING TOTAL PROPERTY RATES TO SEVEN AND A HALF PER CENT.
"QUITE SEPARATELY, IN 1991 WE SHALL BE REVISING ALL RATEABLE VALUES. IF RATEABLE VALUES GO UP SUBSTANTIALLY, AS THEY PROBABLY WILL, I SHALL IN MY NEXT BUDGET LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE RATE AGAIN.
"WITHOUT MAKING ANY COMMITMENT AT THIS STAGE, IT IS CERTAINLY NOT MY INTENTION TO INCREASE THE BURDEN UNNECESSARILY, BUT I SHALL HAVE TO KEEP IN VIEW OUR NEED FOR REVENUE AT THAT TIME.
"LAST YEAR, I WAS ABLE TO REDUCE SALARIES AND PROFITS TAXES TO THEIR 1983 LEVELS. I HAVE NOT ADJUSTED THE STANDARD RATES OF TAX THIS YEAR. BUT I HAVE INCREASED SOME PERSONAL ALLOWANCES. I HAVE ALSO ADJUSTED THE LOWER BANDS OF SALARIES TAX. THESE CONCESSIONS WILL HELP THE LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE PROPOSED A NUMBER OF CONCESSIONS IN RELATION TO ESTATE DUTY. TAKEN TOGETHER, THESE MEASURES WILL BENEFIT TAXPAYERS BY NEARLY $1 BILLION.
"FOR THE MOMENT I DO NOT INTEND TO CARRY FORWARD MY PROPOSALS FOR A WHOLESALE TAX. I HAVE PUT THIS IDEA ON THE BACKBURNER. NEVERTHELESS, MY REVENUE MEASURES HAVE THIS YEAR SLIGHTLY SHIFTED THE BURDEN OF TAXATION FROM DIRECT TO INDIRECT TAXES, WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE RIGHT IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
"I AM CONSCIOUS THAT HIGHER INDIRECT TAXES, BY THEIR VERY NATURE, CAN LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN PRICES, BUT I AM SATISFIED THAT THE TOTAL PACKAGE WILL HAVE ONLY A MARGINAL EFFECT.
"IN PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE WE MUST LOOK WELL BEYOND 1990. WE HAVE AMBITIOUS LONG TERM OBJECTIVES AND MY BUDGET ESTABLISHES A SOUND FOUNDATION FOR THEIR ULTIMATE ACHIEVEMENT. WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE AND THAT INVESTMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR CONTINUED PROGRESS.
"HONG KONG HAS BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE, WITH PERSONAL INCOMES AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE REGION. THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED ONLY BY PLANNING AHEAD AND BY MEETING CHALLENGES AND OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES AS THEY ARISE. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE SKILLS, DRIVE AND RESOURCEFULNESS OF OUR COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO SECURE OUR SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY IN THIS NEW DECADE."
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/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990
- 34 -
BUDGET PRESS CONFERENCE * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE BUDGET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, FIFTH FLOOR. BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
ALSO PRESENT WILL BE THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE. MR ANTHONY AU-YEUNG; COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR BARRY WOODROFFE; GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K.Y. TANG; AND ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PETER WINDER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
------o--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE FROM JULY 1 .............. 1
CONTRACT FOR LANTAU FIXED CROSSING SITE INVESTIGATION AWARDED ........ 3
DEMAND FOR MANAGERS AND QUALIFIED WORKERS TO GROW .................... 3
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING ........ 5
LADY YOUDE OPENS CLINIC IN NEW TERRITORIES ........................... 7
POSTPAK PADDED ENVELOPES ON SALE FROM MARCH 15 ....................... 8
DECEMBER RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY RELEASED .....................
APPLY NOW FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS ................................... 12
GOOD STUDENT AWARD PRESENTATION ON SATURDAY .......................... 13
PARTIAL SERVICE AT TUEN MUN NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE.................. 14
CLEAN-UP OPERATION AT TIU KENG LENG................................... 14
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED.............................................. 15
RIGHT TURN BANS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES .................................. 15
NIGHT CLOSURE OF WO TONG TSUI STREET, KWAI CHUNG...................... 15
LONG VEHICLE BAN IN YUEN LONG
15
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE FROM JULY 1 *****
THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS 1990 WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE REGULATIONS WERE PASSED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR AND GAZETTED ON JANUARY 15. THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S AD HOC GROUP ON THE REGULATIONS.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, FROM JULY 1 THE USE BY INDUSTRY OF HEAVY, HIGH SULPHUR FUEL OIL IN THE TERRITORY WILL BE BANNED. THE REGULATIONS WILL APPLY TO ALL' FACTORIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT BY LIMITING THE SPECIFICATIONS OF LIQUID FUELS TO NO MORE THAN 0.5 PER CENT BY WEIGHT OF SULPHUR AND A MAXIMUM VISCOSITY OF SIX CENTISTOKES, THE REGULATIONS WOULD REMOVE 80 PER CENT OF THE SULPHUR DIOXIDE AND UP TO 90 PER CENT OF SMOKE AND PARTICULATES EMITTED FROM INDUSTRIES PRESENTLY CONSUMING HEAVY, HIGH SULPHUR FUEL OIL.
"THIS WILL BRING ABOUT THE GREATEST SINGLE IMPROVEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN HONG KONG,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT PRESENT, ABOUT 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN AREAS WHERE THE HEALTH-RELATED AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR SULPHUR DIOXIDE ARE NOT BEING MET. MANY PEOPLE ARE AT THE SAME TIME SUFFERING FROM HIGH LEVELS OF SMOKE AND PARTICULATES EMITTED FROM FACTORY CHIMNEYS.
THE REGULATIONS STIPULATE ALSO THAT FOR NON-DOMESTIC USE IN SHA TIN, GASEOUS FUELS ARE THE ONLY PERMITTED FUELS. MOREOVER, THE SULPHUR CONTENT FOR ALL SOLID FUELS USED IN HONG KONG CANNOT EXCEED ONE PER CENT BY WEIGHT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ABOUT 1,000 TO 1,500 INDUSTRIES AND COMPANIES WHICH ARE BURNING HEAVY, HIGH SULPHUR FUEL OIL WILL HAVE TO CHANGE TO USE DIESEL, KEROSENE OR OTHER CLEAN FUELS.
THE REQUIRED MODIFICATION TO THEIR FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES SUCH AS BOILERS SHOULD BE MINOR AND WILL NOT REQUIRE THE BUILDING OF NEW CHIMNEYS.
THE EPD IS SENDING LETTERS TO THE CONCERNED COMPANIES TO INFORM THEM OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW REGULATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE COMPANIES SHOULD CONTACT THEIR EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS NOW TO ADJUST OR MODIFY THEIR FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES.
"IT IS BETTER TO DO THIS EARLY OR ELSE THERE WILL BE TOO MANY PEOPLE APPROACHING THE SUPPLIERS AT THE SAME TIME.
/"COMPANIES WILL
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 2 -
"COMPANIES WILL BE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION IF THEY ARE STILL USING HEAVY FUEL OIL AFTER JUNE 30," THE SPOKESMAN WARNED.
NORMALLY, ANY MODIFICATIONS TO FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE EPD. A SPECIAL PROVISION HAS, HOWEVER, BEEN INCLUDED IN THE NEW REGULATIONS TO WAIVE THIS REQUIREMENT FOR MODIFICATION WORK NEEDED TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS.
WITH THIS SPECIAL TEMPORARY PROVISION, ANY MODIFICATION WORKS ON FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO EFFECT COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS MAY GO AHEAD STRAIGHTAWAY.
THE EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THESE REGULATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT HAD OBTAINED VIEWS FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR AND DISTRICT BOARDS. DISCUSSIONS WERE ALSO HELD WITH THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON THE REGULATIONS.
AFTER CONSIDERING VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, IT HAS BEEN AGREED THAT THE EPD WILL EXAMINE CAREFULLY ANY PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD FOR ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO MEET THE INTENT OF THE REGULATIONS, SUCH AS THE USE OF FLUE GAS DESULPHURISATION SYSTEMS BY A FEW VERY LARGE INDUSTRIES.
"THE EPD IS PREPARED TO BRING FORWARD ANY PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO ACCOMODATE ANY SATISFACTORY ALTERNATIVES; ALTHOUGH WE HAVE DOUBT THAT THERE WOULD BE ANY ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE IN SUCH ALTERNATIVE MEASURES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN EXAMINING THE PROPOSALS, THE EPD WILL ADOPT SEVERAL ASSESSMENT CRITERIA TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL AND RELIABLE CONTROL OF POLLUTION.
FIRST, ONLY VERY LARGE COMPANIES CAN MAKE ALTERNATIVE MEASURES SUCH AS FLUE GAS DESULPHURISATION WORK. HENCE, THERE WILL BE A MINIMUM SIZE LIMITATION ON THE COMPANIES TO BE CONSIDERED. THIS WILL BE EXPRESSED AS A RATED FUEL CONSUMPTION CAPACITY OF MORE THAN 3,000 LITRES PER HOUR.
SECOND, BECAUSE OF THE VERY SERIOUS THREAT POSED BY INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS TO NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN MANY PARTS OF HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE POOR AIR POLLUTION DISPERSION CAPABILITIES IN SHA TIN, OTHER ALTERNATIVES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE IN THE HARBOUR, TSUEN WAN -KWAI CHUNG AND SHA TIN AIR CONTROL ZONES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT MUST ALSO BE SATISFIED THAT THE ALTERNATIVES WERE DESIGNED WITH THE MOST STRINGENT SAFEGUARDS AND WOULD NOT CAUSE OTHER FORMS OF POLLUTION PROBLEMS SUCH AS UNACCEPTABLE WASTEWATER DISCHARGE OR WASTE DISPOSAL.
"UNTIL SUCH TIME AS ANY APPROVED ALTERNATIVE MEASURES ARE ADOPTED, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR ALL INDUSTRIES TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS," HE ADDED.
ANYONE WHO HAS QUESTIONS OR WANTS TO CLARIFY ON THE REGULATIONS MAY CONTACT THE EPD BY TELEPHONE ON 8351048 OR 8351092. THE OFFICE ADDRESS IS 26TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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/3 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 3 -
CONTRACT FOR LANTAU FIXED CROSSING SITE INVESTIGATION AWARDED ******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $38.2 MILLION SITE INVESTIGATION CONTRACT FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WHICH WILL FORM A VITAL LINK TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN GOVERNMENT ENGINEER/NORTH LANTAU LINK, MR KENNETH LEUNG KWOK-SUN, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GAMMON-BACHY SOLETANCHE JOINT VENTURE, MR K.L. CHONG AND MR MARTIN PRATT.
MR LEUNG SAID THE SEVEN-MONTH INVESTIGATION WOULD INVOLVE EXPLORATORY LAND DRILLING ON TSING YI, MA WAN AND LANTAU, AS WELL AS OFFSHORE DRILLING IN THE MA WAN CHANNEL AND KAP SHUI MUN TO ASSESS GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
"THE FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION WILL BE ESSENTIAL FOR THE DESIGN OF BRIDGE FOUNDATIONS AND BORED TUNNELS ALONG THE ROUTE AND THE ASSESSMENT OF THE FEASIBILITY OF AN ALTERNATIVE SUBMERGED TUBE TUNNEL CROSSING," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT A PURPOSE-BUILT, OCEAN-GOING DRILLING SHIP WOULD BE USED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HONG KONG FOR THE WORK IN THE CENTRE OF THE BUSY SHIPPING CHANNELS.
HELICOPTERS WOULD BE USED TO HELP CARRY OUT THE WORK IN THE ISOLATED AREAS OF LANTAU AND MA WAN.
INVESTIGATION WORK TO BEGIN THIS MONTH WOULD BE SUPERVISED BY CONSULTING ENGINEERS MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LTD FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, MR LEUNG SAID.
----0------
DEMAND FOR MANAGERS AND QUALIFIED WORKERS TO GROW
******
THE DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONALLY OR TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED WORKERS AND THAT FOR MANAGERS IN PRACTICALLY ALL INDUSTRIES WILL GROW BY SOME 93,000 JOBS OR 26 PER CENT BETWEEN 1989 AND 1996, ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS OF A RECENT STUDY BY THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE INTERDISCIPLINARY LECTURE OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG WHEN HE DISCUSSED EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION, QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AND THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN DEVELOPING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
/MR YEUNG .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
4
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE GROWING DEMAND WOULD NOTABLY BE IN THE COMMUNITY AND PERSONAL SERVICES GROUP OF INDUSTRIES, FOLLOWED BY THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES, CONSTRUCTION, MANUFACTURING AND THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES.
"THE PLAIN FACT UNDERLYING OUR PLANS FOR INCREASING THE PROVISION OF FIRST DEGREE PLACES IS THAT HONG KONG BY THE MID 1990’S WILL NEED MANY MORE WORKERS REQUIRING HIGH LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING," HE SAID.
"ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND MANAGERS DO NOT GROW ON TREES. THEY HAVE TO BE EDUCATED, TRAINED AND MOTIVATED.
"AFTER MONTHS OF CONSULTATION WITH AND CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, I CAN NOW SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT WE WOULD BUILD FAST ENOUGH TO CREATE THE CAPACITY NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE 15,000 FIRST DEGREE PLACES BY 1994-95.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, I THINK OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ARE LIKELY TO RECRUIT SUFFICIENT TEACHERS TO MAN THE NECESSARY COURSES.
"I- SAY THIS PARTLY BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO FALLING OFF OF INTEREST IN ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT FROM LOCAL OR OVERSEAS SOURCES IN SPITE OF THE EVENTS OF LAST JUNE, AND PARTLY BECAUSE WE HAVE PLANS TO MAKE ACADEMIC WORK IN HONG KONG MORE COMPETITIVE BY AUGMENTING THE LEVEL OF RESEARCH ACTIVITY."
MR YEUNG EMPAHSISED THAT QUALITY IN THE INTERESTS OF ACHIEVING RAPID EXPANSION WOULD NOT BE SACRIFICED OR COMPROMISED BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY DETERIORATION IN STANDARDS.
"I HAVE RECENTLY INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A BILL THAT SEEKS TO CREATE THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION," HE SAID.
"THE COUNCIL WILL BE OUR WATCHDOG FOR ENSURING QUALITY ASSURANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
"I EXPECT THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL WILL EXPAND OVER TIME, AND THAT IT WILL PLAY AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT PART IN MAINTAINING LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE REST OF THE WORLD IN THE YEARS AHEAD."
APART FROM EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE SOME FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, SUCH AS DEVOLUTION OF DECISION-MAKING POWER TO SCHOOLS, MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, ASSESSING PERFORMANCE AND THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT.
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 5 -
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SETTING OUT THE BROAD STRATEGY WITHIN WHICH EDUCATIONAL CHANGE WOULD TAKE PLACE, AND IN PROVIDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH WOULD SUPPORT INITIATIVE AND INNOVATION IN SCHOOLS.
"THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S FOURTH REPORT, WHICH MIGHT BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR PUBLICATION TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, WILL DEFINE CLEARLY AND COMPREHENSIVELY THE ISSUES WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE EARLY 1990’S TO ENSURE QUALITY IN ALL SECTORS OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM," HE SAID.
"THE REPORT WILL THEN GO ON TO REVIEW PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROVISION OF NINE YEARS FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION."
MR YEUNG SAID THE REPORT WOULD PROPOSE ANSWERS TO SEVERAL QUESTIONS SUCH AS MODIFICATIONS TO THE SCHOOLS CURRICULUM, THE SETTING OF ATTAINMENT STANDARDS AND LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION.
"ONCE WE HAVE DECIDED ON THE FUTURE CONTENT OF EDUCATION, WE SHALL BE ABLE TO GO ON TO CONSIDER THE RIGHT APPROACH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION IN THE 1990’S," HE SAID.
"WE INTEND TO DEAL WITH THAT SUBJECT IN THE COMMISSION’S FIFTH REPORT."
- - 0 - T
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING
*****
HONG KONG MOVED A STEP CLOSER TO THE- FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE WITH ITS PREPARATORY COMMITTEE HOLDING ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS THE SCOPE AND METHOD OF WORK.
IN PURSUIT OF ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE, THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEES, EACH TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE SPECIFIC AREA RELATING TO THE FINAL FORMATION OF THE ACADEMY.
CHAIRED BY PROFESSOR DAVID TODD, THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO UNDERTAKE THE PLANNING AND PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ACADEMY, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
AS THE ACADEMY WILL BE A FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT BODY, THE COMMITTEE WILL FIRST ADDRESS THE ASPECTS OF CONSTITUTION, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION; COLLEGES, FACULTIES AND SPECIALTIES; AS WELL AS ACCREDITATION, TRAINING AND EXAMINATION.
/THE PREPARATORY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 6 -
THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE AIMS AT PRODUCING A REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION BY EARLY 1991.
ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE INCLUDE:
* DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS FOR THE ACADEMY;
* MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FORMATION OF ACADEMY COLLEGES, FACULTIES AND SPECIALTY BOARDS;
* MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTION OF FOUNDATION FELLOWS;’
* MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR AN INAUGURAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE; AND
* CONSIDERING POSTGRADUATE AND CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXAMINATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF THE HALNAN REPORT WHICH WAS PRODUCED BY A WORKING PARTY ON POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER.
IT WILL BE A STATUTORY BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISING AND SUPERVISING POSTGRADUATE AND CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG AND THE ACCREDITATION OF SPECIALIST STATUS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT WITH THE RAPID ADVANCEMENT OF MEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, POSTGRADUATE TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION WERE RECOGNISED AS NECESSARY FOR ENSURING THE COMPETENCY OF DOCTORS AND PROVIDING AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF MEDICAL CARE TO THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN FIELDS OF MEDICAL SPECIALISATION.
"CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO LOCAL STANDARDS OF HIGHER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING RECOGNISED BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
"HONG KONG DOCTORS SEEKING HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS USUALLY SIT THE EXAMINATIONS OF VARIOUS ROYAL COLLEGES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN A GROWING DEMAND WITHIN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FORMALISED, LOCALLY-BASED, POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES, GEARED TOWARDS STANDARDS DEFINED IN HONG KONG.
"SUCH PROGRAMMES WOULD ENABLE DOCTORS TO ACQUIRE SPECIALIST TRAINING MORE EASILY, HELPING TO ACHIEVE IMPROVED STANDARDS OF PATIENT CARE.
"BETTER TRAINING ARRANGEMENTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS WOULD ALSO HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF HELPING TO RETAIN DOCTORS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR," HE SAID.
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/7........
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 7 - ‘
LADY YOUDE OPENS CLINIC IN NEW TERRITORIES
*****
EARLY DETECTION AND INTERVENTION ARE VITAL FOR THE PREVENTION OF ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS UNNECESSARY TOOTH EXTRACTIONS AND MORE IMPORTANT THE REHABILITATION OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN, LADY YOUDE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PAMELA YOUDE CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE AND SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC IN SHA TIN, SHE SAID THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW PROJECT MARKED ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF HONG KONG.
LADY YOUDE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TO EXPAND THESE SERVICES BY BUILDING MORE CLINICS AND CENTRES MAINLY IN THE NEW TOWNS WHERE THE POPULATION CONTINUES TO GROW.
SHE RECALLED THAT WHEN SHE FIRST CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1982 ONLY ABOUT 135,000 CHILDREN TOOK PART IN THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE. TODAY, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS HAS INCREASED TO 400,000.
"A COMBINATION OF PARENTAL SUPPORT AND EXCELLENT SERVICE WILL ENSURE THAT THE STANDARD OF ORAL HEALTH AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE,” SHE SAID.
LADY YOUDE THANKED THE ANONYMOUS PHILANTHROPIST WHO MADE A $10 MILLION DONATION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE CLINIC.
EARLIER, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CLINIC FORMED PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL PLAN TO DEVELOP HEALTH SERVICES IN AREAS WITH SUCH NEEDS.
THE CLINIC, WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF OVER 4,000 SQUARE METRES, PROVIDES CHILD ASSESSMENT SERVICE AND SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND IN SHA TIN AND NEARBY DISTRICTS.
ON CHILD ASSESSMENT SERVICE, DR LEE SAID IT WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE TERRITORY IN 1977 WHEN THE FIRST CENTRE WAS OPENED IN ARRAN STREET, KOWLOON.
’’THE UNIQUE FEATURE OF THIS SERVICE IS THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH ADOPTED IN ASSESSMENT,” HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC, DR LEE SAID IT WOULD BENEFIT THE 71,000 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN RESIDING IN SHA TIN, TAI PO, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI AREAS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE 400,000 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AT PRESENT PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHOOL DENTAL CARE SCHEME REPRESENTED THREE-QUARTERS OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL POPULATION.
/ON FUTURE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 8 -
ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, DR LEE SAID FOUR MORE CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRES AND TWO SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS WOULD BE BUILT IN THE NEXT DECADE.
THE CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE OPENED TODAY PROVIDES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT, WHILE THE SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC PROVIDES BASIC DENTAL SERVICE AS WELL AS PREVENTIVE SERVICE AND DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION TO PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
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POSTPAK PADDED ENVELOPES ON SALE FROM MARCH 15
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE INTRODUCTION OF POSTPAK PADDED ENVELOPES WHICH WILL BE SOLD IN ALL POST OFFICES (EXCEPT MOBILE POST OFFICES) FROM MARCH 15.
THE LIGHT WEIGHT OF THE ENVELOPES MEANS SAVING ON POSTAGE AND THE DESIGN ACCORDS EXCELLENT PROTECTION TO ITEMS BEING SENT BY POST.
POSTPAK PADDED ENVELOPES ARE MADE OF HEAVY DUTY KRAFT PAPER LAMINATED TO A CUSHION LINER OF AIR BUBBLES, AND ARE SUITABLE FOR SENDING ITEMS SUCH AS VIDEO OR CASSETTE TAPES AND BOOKS THROUGH THE POST. THE ENVELOPES ARE AVAILABLE IN FOUR POPULAR SIZES AND ARE PRICED AS FOLLOWS:
SIZE CODE DIMENSIONS (MM) PRICE
00 229 X 127 c $3.00
2 280 X 215 $4.50
5 381 X 266 $6.00
7 483 X 361 $9.50
SAMPLES ARE ON DISPLAY AT ' ALL POST OFFICES. EXPLANATORY
LEAFLETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
TO COMMEMORATE THE INTRODUCTION OF THESE ENVELOPES, A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN AT ALL POST OFFICES ON MARCH 15.
ENVELOPES PURCHASED OVER THE COUNTER, LOCALLY ADDRESSED AND SUFFICIENTLY PREPAID IN POSTAGE, WILL BE DATESTAMPED AND HANDED BACK TO CUSTOMERS CONCERNED.
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/9 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 9 -
DECEMBER RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY RELEASED
* * * » »
'THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1989, ESTIMATED AT $10,044 MILLION, INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1988 WHILE THEIR VOLUME DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY/ BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1989 WITH 1988, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
THIS SUGGESTED THAT BOTH CONSUMER AND TOURIST EXPENDITURES WERE RELATIVELY WEAK IN 1989, PARTICULARLY IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1988, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS IN DECEMBER 1989 ROSE BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. HOWEVER, CONSUMER DURABLES DROPPED BY 9 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
OK THE OTHER HAND, CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DROPPED BY 8 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS RECORDED DECREASES OF 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 16 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1989 WITH THE YEAR 1988, SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT UP BY 10 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 7 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES FELL BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
OTHER CONSUMER GOODS REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT A DECREASE OF 1 PER CENT IN SALLS VOLUME.
/ANALYSED BY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
10
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS AND "MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS" INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VOLUME. DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
HOWEVER, CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 12 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR DECEMBER 1989 INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
FUELS ROSE BY 11 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN
SALES VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 5 PER CENT TN SALES VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS WENT UP BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 30 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 20 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
HOWEVER, MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECLINED BY 13 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER 1989 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1989.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1989 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF DECEMBER 1989 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1989 AND WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1988, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE YEAR 1989 WITH THE YEAR 1988, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSTS OF THE DECEMBER 1989 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THF SURVEY RESUI,TS MAY PE- DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 5565240).
/’'ABLE 1 : .........
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 11 -
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales Tor December 1989 (Provisional Figure) = HK$10,044miIlion
for November 1989 (Revised Figure) = HK$ 8,826mi11 ion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR NOVEMBER 1939 AND DECEMBER 1989
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 = 100)
Index of ! December 1989 ' December 1989 Jan.-Dec. 1989 1
Item ! Retail ! November I December 1 compared with ' compared with I compared with J
S Sales 1989 1 1989 J November 1989 ! December 1988 J Jam.-Dec. 1988 J
(Revised (Provisional Points I Points X ! Points X !
figures) figures)
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES । ।
Value 158 179 22 14 5 3 8 6 '9
Volume 120 135 15 13 -4 -3 -2 -1 1
(8) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS 1
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value ■ 154 167 13 9 18 12 IB 14 :
drinks and tobacco Volume 121 131 9 8 5 4 4 4 1
Fuels Value 117 . 130 13 11 17 16 io io :
Volume 114 124 10 9 2 2 3 2 J
Clothing, footwear Value 181 237 56 31 20 9 12 7 :
and allied products Volume 124 162 38 31 2 1 -3 -2 :
Consumer durables Value 147 154 7 5 -16 -9 -5 -3 :
Volume 110 117 7 6 -16 -12 -io -b :
Other consumer goods Value 165 192 27 . 16 1 1 8 5 :
Volume 124 142 18 15 -7 -5 -i -i :
(C) BY SELECTED TRADES । । ।
(see note I below) •
Supermarkets Value 171 207 36 21 26 14 22 14 :
Volume 129 155 26 20 6 4 4 3 1
Motor vehicles Value 263 230 -33 -13 -29 -11 • 31 13
and parts Volume 171 149 -22 -13 -28 -16 io 6 :
Consumer durables Value 112 131 20 18 -12 -8 -16 -12
other than motor Volume 91 107 16 18 -12 -10 -16 -15 I
vehicles and parts ■
Department stores Value 220 287 67 30 41 17 21 ii :
Volume 154 1 200 46 30 15 8 3 2 :
NOTES : I. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN major trade groups, the value and volume indexes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled !
(a) ’Supermarkets' - a trade in the 'Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco' group.
(b) 'Motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consumer durables' group.
(c) 'Consumer durables other than motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consumer durables* group.
(d) 'Department stores' - a trade in the 'Other consumer^goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
/12 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 12 -
APPLY NOW FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS
******
YOUTH GROUPS ARE NOW INVITED TO APPLY FOR GRANTS UNDER THE ’’OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME" (OYS) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO CARRY OUT THEIR PLANNED PROJECTS.
THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE INNOVATIVE AND HAVE MEANINGFUL CONTENT. THEY MAY BE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, RURAL AREA AND DEPRIVED AREA SERVICE, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, REHABILITATION SERVICE AND SERVICE FOR .THE ELDERLY, OR COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
EACH OF THE APPROVED PROJECTS WILL BE GRANTED A SUBSIDY OF UP TO $5,000.
A SWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE OYS WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974 TO PROMOTE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE; ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY; AND HELP TO DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP.
"YOUTH GROUPS WISHING TO APPLY FOR GRANTS MAY SUBMIT THEIR PROJECT PROPOSALS THROUGH THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH) OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BY APRIL 30 THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
"EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 25, AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, YOUTH AGENCY, OR AN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION.
"GROUPS WITHOUT SPONSORS MAY ALSO APPLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SWO (YOUTH) OF THEIR DISTRICT," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT A MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT, WHICH WILL OBTAIN A DISTRICT BEST OYS AWARD, TO COMPETE FOR THE HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE PROJECTS WOULD BE ASSESSED ON THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT, THE EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATION.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHEME AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE VARIOUS YOUTH OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
- 0 - -
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 13 -
GOOD STUDENT AWARD PRESENTATION ON SATURDAY ******
FORTY SECONDARY STUDENTS FROM CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE PRESENTED GOOD STUDENT AWARDS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 10).
THEY HAVE BEEN SELECTED, UNDER THE DISTRICT’S GOOD STUDENT AWARD SCHEME, FROM MORE THAN 100 CONTESTANTS NOMINATED BY SCHOOLS FOR THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, CONDUCT AND PARTICIPATION IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR OR SOCIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES.
THE TOP FOUR STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN A FREE OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR NEXT MONTH.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, PROF POON CHUNG-KWONG; THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI; CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN; AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER.
OTHER GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR WU CHOR-NAM; POLICE COMMANDERS OF THE CENTRAL AND THE WESTERN DISTRICTS, MR CHRIS GLOVER AND MR ROBERT TOAL; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHEME’S WORKING GROUP, MR LEUNG CHUNG-POR.
THE SCHEME HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICES OF THE TWO DISTRICTS.
THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE MOUNT CAMERON OF HONG KONG LIONS CLUB, MAN ON TOSHIBA LTD, BANGKOK BANK AND THE PHOENIX LIONS CLUB ARE JOINTLY SPONSORING THE SCHEME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1989-90 CENTRAL AND WESTERN GOOD STUDENT AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 10) AT THE MACAU (YAT YUEN) CANIDROME CLUB, 38TH FLOOR, SHUN TAK CENTRE, 200 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICER WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
--------0-----------
/14 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
- 14 -
PARTIAL SERVICE AT TUEN MUN NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE *******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT DUE TO SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY, THE TUEN MUN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM 1.30 PM TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 10).
THE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN, TUEN MUN.
"HOWEVER, RESIDENTS MAY COLLECT THE IDENTITY CARDS THEY HAD APPLIED FOR AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS AT THIS OFFICE DURING THAT PERIOD," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SERVICE WILL RESUME NORMAL AFTER 6 PM THAT DAY,” HE ADDED.
-----0------
CLEAN-UP OPERATION AT TIU KFNG LENG
*****
A CLEAN-UP OPERATION AIMED AT AROUSING RESIDENTS' ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS WILL BE HELD AT TIU KENG LENG, TSEUNG KWAN O, TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THF OPERATION IS PART OF’ A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES BEING ARRANGED IN THE DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
ABOUT 250 STUDENTS FROM TIU KENG LENG SECONDARY SCHOOL, TIU KFNG LENG PRIMARY SCHOOL, MING YUEN MIDDLE SCHOOL, MING YUEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, QUEEN MAUD MIDDLE SCHOOL AND QUEEN MAUD PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL TAKE PART IN THE OPERATION.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TIU KENG LENG CLEAN-UP OPERATION, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT VAN WILL PICK UP REPORTERS OUTSIDE THE CHOI HUNG MTR STATION NEAR NGAU CHI WAN MARKET COMPLEX. IT WILL DEPART FOR TIU KENG LENG SECONDARY SCHOOL AT 8.30 AM. THE INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0---------
/15........
THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 1990
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED * * * «
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF WING HONG FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
RIGHT TURN BANS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 10), VEHICLES OVER SEVEN METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT FROM BROADWOOD ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI HANG ROAD, AND FROM TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT FROM BLUE POOL ROAD WESTBOUND AT ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI HANG ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING WEIGHT LIMIT APPLYING AT THESE LOCATIONS IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE CANCELLED.
_ _ 0 - -
NIGHT CLOSURE OF WO TONG TSUI STREET, KWAI CHUNG ♦ * » ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WO TONG TSUI STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN KWONG FAI CIRCUIT AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 5.30 AM FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR TWO NIGHTS BECAUSE OF FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.
VEHICLES ON EASTBOUND WO TONG TSUI STREET HEADING FOR KWAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KWAI HING ROAD AND KWAI ON ROAD.
- - 0 - -
LONG VEHICLE BAN IN YUEN LONG * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY
(MARCH 10), VEHICLES EXCEEDING 10 METRES IN LENGTH WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD IN YUEN LONG LEADING FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD (PING SHAN) TO LEE CHEUNG WO DRIED BEANCURD AND SAUCE FACTORY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRESSING HARDER ON 'BASELINE' TO RESTRAIN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE .... 1
PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY FRAMEWORK PROPOSED ................... 2
IMMIGRATION RECRUITS IN PASSING-OUT PARADE ......................... 3
MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES TO EDUCATION ORDINANCE PROPOSED .............. 4
STOPPING ON YELLOW STRIPED MARKING AT CROSSINGS PROHIBITED ......... 5
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 GAZETTED ................... 6
280,000 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WORK TOWARDS A BETTER COMMUNITY ......... 7
FEE FOR BILINGUAL PRIVATE BILLS .................................... 8
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN DEC AND IN 1989 ....... 8
PREQUALIFICATION FOR HOSPITAL EXTENSION PROJECT .................... 13
VILLAGERS, FISHERMEN CELEBRATE HUNG SHING FESTIVAL ................. 13
NEW REGIONAL OFFICE FOR WSD OPENS .................................. 14
TSEUNG KWAN O TO HOLD VARIETY SHOW ON SUNDAY ....................... 15
CLEANING AND PLANTING FOR CHARITY .................................. 16
TAI PO FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ........................................ 17
FLAG DAY ORGANISERS DISCUSS RESPONSIBILITIES ....................... 17
NEW ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS ......................... 18
FIVE RETAILERS FINED FOR IMPROPER FOOD LABELLING ................... 19
RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF LANDING FACILITIES PROPOSED ........ 20
PETROL FILLING STATION TO LET BY TENDER ............................ 20
GOVT PROPERTIES FOR SALE BY AUCTION ................................ 21
NEW ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR TSING YI NORTH ..................... 22
CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN TIU KENG LENG ................................ 23
NEW RAMP FOR WONG TAI SIN FOOTBRIDGE TO HELP DISABLED .............. 23
WITHDRAWAL OF AIRPORT GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE .......................... 24
RE-OPENING OF PEKING ROAD .......................................... 24
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 1 -
PRESSING HARDER ON ’BASELINE’ TO RESTRAIN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE
»»»»»»»
THE NEED TO RESTRAIN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE MEANS THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO PRESS HARDER ON ’’THE BASELINE” — THE COST OF EXISTING SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCH MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR MACLEOD SAID THIS WOULD INVOLVE NOT ONLY DOING THINGS MORE EFFICIENTLY AND ECONOMICALLY, BUT ALSO REVIEWING IMAGINATIVELY WHETHER SOME OF THE SERVICES WERE NEEDED AT ALL, OR WHETHER THEY COULD BE CARRIED OUT MORE EFFECTIVELY BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"IT WILL ALSO MEAN THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING WITH A HARDER, COLDER EYE AT PROPOSALS FOR NEW SERVICES," HE SAID.
WHILST THERE WOULD STILL BE NEW SERVICES AND IMPROVEMENTS, HE STRESSED THAT THEY MUST REPRESENT REAL VALUE FOR MONEY AND SHOULD BE FUNDED BY RESOURCES RELEASED BY SAVINGS FROM OTHER ON-GOING ACTIVITIES.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED AT THE HIGH RATE OF GROWTH OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE. THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM WAS TWOFOLD.
THE FIRST WAS NOT SO MUCH THE INCREASING SIZE, BUT THE INCREASING COST, OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
WHILE STRESSING THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST PAY REASONABLE WAGES IF IT WANTED AN EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE, HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IN ADDITION TO "NORMAL" ANNUAL PAY REVISIONS, THERE HAD BEEN A ROUND OF OTHER REVISIONS AS A RESULT BASICALLY OF THE RENNIE AND STANDING COMMISSION EXERCISES.
"THE LATTER IS STILL UNDER WAY.
"AS THIS SPECIAL ROUND OF PAY REVIEWS DRAWS TO A CLOSE, AS THE VARIOUS PAY BODIES COME NEARER TO COMPLETING THEIR WORK, BOTH THE TAXPAYER AND THE EMPLOYER CAN REASONABLY ASK FOR INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY," HE SAID.
THE SECOND PROBLEM, HE SAID, WAS THE LOWER GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GROWTH RATE.
WHILE REAL GDP GROWTH IN THE FOUR YEARS TO 1990 WAS ABOUT 14 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT, 2.5 PER CENT, AND 3 PER CENT, REAL GROWTH IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN THE SAME PERIOD WAS ABOUT 3 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, 6.5 PER CENT, AND 9.5 PER CENT, HE SAID.
"IT WILL NOT TAKE A STATISTICIAN TO DISCERN THAT WHILE THE GDP GROWTH RATE HAS BEEN TRENDING DOWN, THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE GROWTH RATE HAS BEEN TRENDING UP," HE SAID.
/MR MACLEOD .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 2 -
MR MACLEOD ALSO REFUTED THE NOTION THAT THE NEED FOR TIGHTER CONTROLS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT 40 PER CENT TO 60 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF $127 BILLION WOULD BE MET BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND THAT EXPENDITURE WOULD BE SPREAD OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
’’BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE IS THAT WE ARE TALKING BASICALLY OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE,’’ HE SAID.
"BY ITS NATURE, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IS OF LESS CONCERN TO US THAN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE — IT HAS A LIMITED LIFE, CAN BE PHASED, AND TO AN EXTENT IS AN INVESTMENT -- IT PRODUCES IN THE LONGER RUN NOT ONLY ECONOMIC BENEFITS BUT ALSO IN SOME CASES REVENUE -- MOST NOTABLY ARISING FROM THE DEVELOPMENT MADE POSSIBLE BY THE RELEASE OF KAI TAK.
’’FURTHERMORE, IN TOTAL ANNUAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IS CONSIDERABLY SMALLER THAN ANNUAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE - CRUDELY SPEAKING, ABOUT $21 BILLION AS COMPARED WITH ABOUT $65 BILLION IN 1990-91," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY FRAMEWORK PROPOSED ♦ **♦♦:*
A BILL WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING FOR THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PAA THE BILL ALSO SETS OUT THE POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PAA.
ESSENTIALLY, THE PAA’S PRINCIPAL FUNCTION WILL BE TO SPEARHEAD THE PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT. TO DO THIS THE PAA WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS, ENGAGE STAFF, ACQUIRE ASSETS AND ACCEPT LIABILITIES.
"SINCE THE PAA WILL HAVE A LIMITED LIFE AND WILL BE REPLACED BY AN AIRPORT AUTHORITY (AA) IN DUE COURSE, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION LEAVES MATTERS THAT WILL OBVIOUSLY BE OF NO CONCERN TO THE PAA, SUCH AS THE DAY TO DAY MANAGEMENT OF THE AIRPORT, FOR CONSIDERATION AND RESOLUTION WHEN PREPARING THE MORE COMPLEX LEGISLATION THAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO SET UP THE AA,THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT DRAFT LEGISLATION FOR THE PAA GENERALLY FOLLOWED THE PRECEDENT USED TO ESTABLISH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) WHERE A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY WAS INITIALLY SET UP PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRESENT CORPORATION.
"LIKE THE MTRC, WE ENVISAGE THAT THE AA WILL, UPON ITS ESTABLISHMENT, TAKE OVER THE STAFF, ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND ON-GOING RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PAA," HE SAID.
/ON THE ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
ON THE PAA’S COMPOSITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN EX-OFFICIO AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WILL BE AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER.
"THERE WILL BE BETWEEN EIGHT AND 15 OTHER MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR," HE SAID.
"WHILE IT IS INTENDED THAT THE MAJOR SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THE PAA WOULD BE ADVANCES FROM GOVERNMENT FUNDS, THE BILL ALSO ENABLES IT TO BORROW OR RAISE MONEY EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE PAA WILL NEED TO EXERCISE THIS POWER," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION IS TO REPLACE THE PAA WITH THE AA
BY 1992.
THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL 1990 IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 14.
- - 0 - -
IMMIGRATION RECRUITS IN PASSING-OUT PARADE
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, INSPECTED A BATCH OF 168 IMMIGRATION SERVICE RECRUITS AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE HELD AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE 79 ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND 89 IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS HAVE COMPLETED THEIR INDUCTION COURSES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S TRAINING SECTION, WHICH COVERED A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS RANGING FROM IMMIGRATION LAWS AND PROCEDURES TO PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND FOOTDRILL.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR ASPREY SAID THE RECRUITS HAD CHOSEN A CHALLENGING CAREER.
"IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK, THEY WILL COME INTO CONTACT WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE - FROM BUSINESSMEN TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"TO DEAL FAIRLY BUT FIRMLY WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR PROBLEMS IS A REAL CHALLENGE AND REQUIRES NOT ONLY TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE BUT ALSO QUALITIES OF PATIENCE, COURTESY AND HUMANITY, AND A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN NATURE," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE REMINDED THE RECURITS THAT THEY WOULD BE WORKING IN A VERY BUSY DEPARTMENT.
/"APART FROM
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
’’APART FROM REGULAR INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS THROUGH HONG KONG WHICH NOW EXCEED 1.2 MILLION PERSONS PER WEEK, AND A CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND VISAS, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS HAD TO UNDERTAKE MUCH COMPLETELY NEW WORK IN RECENT YEARS.
’’THIS HAS INCLUDED THE SCREENING OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
’’THE NEW NATIONALITY PACKAGE WOULD BE A FURTHER AREA OF NEW WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY CONGRATULATED THE RECRUITS ON THE HIGH STANDARD THEY HAD ACHIEVED IN THEIR BEARING AND TURNOUT ON PARADE AND ON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THEIR INITIAL TRAINING WHICH WAS AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD THEIR CAREER.
HE REMINDED THEM THAT THERE REMAINED MUCH FOR THEM TO LEARN, BOTH ABOUT THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THEIR WORK, AND ABOUT DEALING WITH PEOPLE.
"THIS LEARNING WOULD COME PARTLY THROUGH EXPERIENCE, AND PARTLY THROUGH FURTHER STUDY AND TRAINING," HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE WITH ENTHUSIASM.
BEST RECRUIT SHIELDS WERE PRESENTED TO THE BEST ALL-ROUND RECRUIT OF EACH OF THE EIGHT PASSING-OUT SQUADS ON PARADE.
------0--------
MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES TO EDUCATION ORDINANCE PROPOSED ♦ * » » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY INTRODUCE INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AN AMENDMENT BILL SEEKING TO MAKE MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES TO THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE WHICH INCLUDE THE UPDATING OF TERMINOLOGY AND PENALTY LEVELS.
OTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE REMEDYING OF CERTAIN DEFICIENCIES WHICH HAVE EMERGED IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING THE ORDINANCE, THE REPEAL OF THE POWER TO REGULATE POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS, AND THE PROVISION OF APPEALS UNDER REGULATIONS.
THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT EDUCATION ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1971 AND CERTAIN PROVISIONS WERE OUT-OF-DATE OR NO LONGER APPROPRIATE.
”AN EXAMPLE OF THE LATTER IS THE PROVISION OF A POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS TO CONTROL POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS," HE SAID.
/‘’CONCERN HAS.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
5
"CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED IN RECENT YEARS THAT THIS PROVISION INHIBITS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION. ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT YET BEEN INVOKED, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT IT IS TIMELY TO REMOVE IT FROM THE STATUTE BOOK.
"THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE SHOULD PROPERLY CONFINE ITS SCOPE TO SAFEGUARDING THE WELFARE OF PUPILS AND THE INTERESTS OF EDUCATION GENERALLY."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REST OF THE BILL DEALT WITH A VARIETY OF MATTERS.
"IT REMEDIES DEFICIENCIES SUCH AS MAKING PROVISION FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO RESIGN, AND FOR THE SERVING OF AN ATTENDANCE ORDER WHENEVER A CHILD IS NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE," HE SAID.
"IT ALSO SEEKS TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR GIVING THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION THE POWER TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL TO ADMIT A CHILD NAMED IN AN ATTENDANCE ORDER TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM OF PLACING CHILDREN WITH A BACKGROUND OF TRUANCY OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS FOR ENTRY BY SCHOOL INSPECTORS TO PREMISES SUSPECTED OF BEING ’ILLEGAL’ SCHOOLS, UNDER A WARRANT ISSUED BY A MAGISTRATE.
"THE BILL FURTHER PROVIDES FOR AN APPEAL MECHANISM AGAINST THE UNREASONABLE EXERCISE BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OF POWERS WHICH MIGHT BE ARGUED TO AFFECT CIVIL RIGHTS."
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 21, WITH A VIEW TO COMPLETING THE PROCESS BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION.
-----0-----
STOPPING ON YELLOW STRIPED MARKING AT CROSSINGS PROHIBITED
******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS MAKING IT AN OFFENCE FOR MOTORISTS TO OBSTRUCT YELLOW STRIPED LIGHT SIGNAL CROSSINGS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS, WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT ON APRIL 1, CARRY A FIXED PENALTY OF $200 FOR CONTRAVENTION OF THE NO OBSTRUCTION REQUIREMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID EXISTING REGULATIONS MAKE NO PROVISION PROHIBITING VEHICLES FROM STOPPING ON LIGHT SIGNAL CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.
THIS HAS CAUSED SAFETY PROBLEMS AND INCONVENIENCE TO PEDESTRIANS.
/TO RECTIFY .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
6
TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, A NEW YELLOW STRIPED MARKING WAS INTRODUCED ON A TRIAL BASIS AT 32 LIGHT SIGNAL CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS IN KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO YEARS.
THE TRIAL HAS PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS AS, AT THE 32 CROSSINGS USED DURING THE TRIAL, VEHICULAR OBSTRUCTION WAS REDUCED BY 60 PER CENT AND ACCIDENTS TO PEDESTRIANS BY 18.2 PER CENT.
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR IMPOSITION OF THE FIXED PENALTY IN THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE WILL BE PUT BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS MONTH.
MEANWHILE, A NUMBER OF OTHER AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE REGULATIONS. DETAILS OF THESE REGULATIONS ARE CONTAINED IN THE GAZETTE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ONE AMENDMENT CLARIFIES THAT THE REQUIREMENT TO ERECT PRESCRIBED TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS AT ROAD WORKS IS APPLICABLE AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY, INSTEAD OF ONLY DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS AS REQUIRED AT PRESENT.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT AUTHORISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO ISSUE PERMITS TO ALLOW MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS EXCEEDING 16 METRES IN COMBINED LENGTH TO BE DRIVEN ON THE ROAD.
TO ENSURE THAT NO LOAD IS CARRIED ON THE TAILGATE OF GOODS VEHICLES, ANOTHER AMENDMENT STIPULATES THE PROPER WAY OF FASTENING OVERHANGING LOADS ON GOODS VEHICLES. THE PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THAT LOADS ARE NOT CARRIED IN A PRECARIOUS MANNER.
NEW TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS ARE PRESCRIBED IN THE FIRST AND SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS TO RECTIFY CERTAIN MINOR ANOMALIES OR TO MEET CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
------0---------
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 GAZETTED
» * « * *
PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, WHICH WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), WILL ENABLE THE COMPANIES REGISTRY TO INTRODUCE A NEW AND IMPROVED SYSTEM OF KEEPING COMPANY RECORDS AND MAKING THEM AVAILABLE FOR SEARCH BY THE PUBLIC ON MICROFILM.
THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD APPLY TO ALL COMPANY RECORDS, EXCEPT SHAREHOLDERS LISTS WHICH WERE NOT EASY TO MICROFILM BECAUSE OF THEIR SIZE, AND WOULD ALSO ACHIEVE SAVINGS IN COMMERCIAL FLOOR SPACE, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID.
/"SEARCHES OF .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
7
’’SEARCHES OF COMPANY RECORDS IN FUTURE WOULD BE BY THE YEAR OR A MULTIPLE OF YEARS AT A FEE OF $10 PER YEAR, AND A DOCUMENT INDEX WOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM WHICH SEARCHERS COULD, IF NECESSARY, ASCERTAIN THE YEAR OF FILING OF ANY PARTICULAR DOCUMENT,” HE SAID.
MR GLEESON SAID A HANDOUT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT THE COMPANIES REGISTRY, AND A CIRCULAR WOULD BE SENT TO ALL PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND OTHERS WHO USE THE FACILITIES OF THE COMPANIES REGISTRY ON A REGULAR BASIS, EXPLAINING THE OPERATION OF THE NEW SYSTEM.
"IN ADDITION, PRACTICE RUNS ON THE NEW SYSTEM WILL BE GIVEN DURING MARCH AND APRIL IN THE COMPANIES REGISTRY FOR MAJOR USERS,’’ HE SAID.
MR GLEESON EXPECTED THE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 21 AND THE NEW SYSTEM TO COME INTO OPERATION IN EARLY MAY THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
280,000 STUDENT VOLUNTEERS WORK TOWARDS A BETTER COMMUNITY ♦ ♦*»***
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) MEMBERS HAVE FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS A BETTER COMMUNITY BY TAKING PART IN A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CYC MOVEMENT, WITH WARM SUPPORT FROM SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, HAD GROWN TO MORE THAN 280,000 REGISTERED MEMBERS TODAY, MR LI SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT-RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TV SERIES, ”CYC THINK TANK”, TO PROMOTE THE CLUB’S ACTIVITIES.
MR LI BELIEVED THE 10-EPISODE SERIES, TO BE BROADCAST EVERY SATURDAY STARTING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) ON TVB JADE, WILL MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE CLUB AND ITS ACHIEVEMENTS.
TO FURTHER IMPROVE ITS EFFICIENT OPERATION, HE SAID, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD HELP SCHOOLS FORM THEIR OWN MANAGEMENT TEAMS.
ELEVEN SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN IN A ’’RE-STRUCTURING” PILOT SCHEME AND, IF SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL BE EXTENDED TO ALL MEMBER SCHOOLS.
THE 10-EPISODE CYC THINK TANK FEATURES LEADERSHIP TRAINING, CONSUMER KNOWLEDGE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, HOME SAFETY, FIRE PREVENTION AND HELPING THE HANDICAPPED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE LAUNCH WERE THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE, ANt) THE CHAIRMAN OF SIK SIK YUEN, MR WONG WAN-TIN, WHO HAS GIVEN FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE CYC MOVEMENT.
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/8 ........................................................
FRIDAY, MARCH 9,
1990
- 8 -
FEE FOR BILINGUAL PRIVATE BILLS * * * *
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO SET A FEE FOR WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
BILINGUAL PRIVATE BILLS
"THE PRIVATE BILLS BILL 1990 PROPOSES THAT THE FEE CHARGEABLE FOR A PRIVATE BILL DRAFTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE BE SET AT $50,000, THAT IS TWICE THAT FOR A BILL DRAFTED IN ONLY ONE OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FEE FOR PRIVATE BILLS DRAFTED IN ONLY ONE LANGUAGE, CURRENTLY $25,000, WOULD NOT BE REVISED FOR THE TIME BEING.
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR THE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXISTING PRIVATE BILLS ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 1915, ONLY PROVIDED FOR A FEE TO BE LEVIED FOR PRIVATE BILLS DRAFTED IN ONE LANGUAGE.
"FOLLOWING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 4 OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE WHICH TOOK EFFECT ON APRIL 7, 1989, ALL ORDINANCES, EXCEPT THOSE WHICH ARE URGENT OR ARE TO AMEND EXISTING ORDINANCES, SHOULD BE ENACTED AND PUBLISHED IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES.
"A NEW FEE HAS TO BE SET SINCE IT TAKES MORE TIME FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS TO VET A BILINGUAL BILL THAN A BILL DRAFTED IN ONLY ONE OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES," HE SAID.
"IN THE CASE OF PRIVATE BILLS SPOKESMAN SAID, "THE CHIEF SECRETARY UPON APPLICATION FROM THE PROMOTER."
THE PRIVATE BILLS BILL 1990 I LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 21.
FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES," THE
MAY WAIVE PAYMENT OF THE FEE
DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE
-----0------
PRICE, VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN DEC AND IN 1989
*****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED LITTLE GROWTH IN THE YEAR 1989 AS COMPARED WITH 1988, WHILE THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 19 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
/AS REGARDS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
9
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) ROSE BY 1 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 1989 WITH DECEMBER 1988, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 8 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS DROPPED BY 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME DECREASED BY 8 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN 1989 COMPARED WITH 1988, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-41 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-26 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-19 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-18 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HAND&AGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-17 PER CENT) AND METAL MANUFACTURES (-12 PER CENT).
NEVERTHELESS, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+22 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+11 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+9 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+6 PER CENT) AND CLOTHING (+4 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN 1989 COMPARED WITH 1988.
THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+10 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+6 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+5 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+5 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+3 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+3 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+1 PER CENT); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-3 PER CENT) AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-1 PER CENT).
/THE CHANGES .......
- 10 -
Friday, march y, iyyu
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN 1989 COMPARED WITH 1988. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR); SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; AND RICE. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; AND FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT. INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR FOOTWEAR; CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A DECREASE IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF PASSENGER MOTOR CARS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN 1989 COMPARED WITH 1988. INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR RAW COTTON; SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE AND YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES. SOME OTHER COMMODITY ITEMS RECORDED DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME, NOTABLY CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS; BASE METALS AND IRON AND STEEL.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN 1989 AS COMPARED WITH 1988.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN 1989 AS COMPARED WITH 1988. THERE WERE INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; OFFICE MACHINES AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; AND TEXTILE MACHINERY.
COMPARING THE IMPORT PRICES IN 1989 WITH THOSE IN 1988, ALL END-USE CATEGORIES SHOWED SOME INCREASES: FUELS (+12 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+5 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (+3 PER CENT); FOODSTUFFS (+3 PER CENT) AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+2 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR DECEMBER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FUELS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY BY 135 PER CENT IN 1989 AS COMPARED WITH 1988. THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS; CAPITAL GOODS AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT, 17 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN 1989 AS COMPARED WITH 1988: FUELS (+11 PER CENT); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+7 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+6 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (+5 PER CENT) AND FOODSTUFFS (+5 PER CENT).
/FURTHER DETAILS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
11
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE DECEMBER 1989 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND MARCH 12 AT $2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 8234918).
BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS
COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING DEC 1989 WITH DEC 1988 COMPARING JAN-DEC 1989
VALUE % WITH JAN-DEC 1988 UNIT VALUE VOLUME
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
% %
CLOTHING -3 4 -7 7 3 4
TEXTILE FABRICS 5 3 2 10 1 9
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -14 6 -19 9 3 6
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -25 3 -27 -12 6 -18
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -42 -2 -41 -41 ♦ -41
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 6 6 18 -3 22
FOOTWEAR -19 1 -20 ‘ -20 * -19
METAL MANUFACTURES -20 5 -24 -4 10 -12
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -28 -3 -25 12 1 11
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -6 -2 -4 -1 -1 *
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -2 5 -6 -13 5 -17
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -29 1 -29 -22 5 -26
ALL COMMODITIES -6 2 -8 3 3 t
* LESS THAN 0.5%
/TABLE 2: .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 12 -
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING DEC 1989 WITH DEC 1988 COMPARING JAN-DEC 1989 WITH JAN-DEC 1988
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% %
FOODSTUFFS -2 3 -5 6 3 3
CONSUMER GOODS RAW MATERIALS AND 7 5 2 23 5 17
SEMI-MANUFACTURES -12 * -12 7 2 4
FUELS 45 23 18 42 12 26
CAPITAL GOODS -21 3 -23 9 3 6
ALL COMMODITIES ♦ LESS THAN TABLE 3: CHANGES IN -5 3 -8 0.5% [ RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE 13 CATEGORY 4 9
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING WITH UNIT DEC 1989 DEC 1988 COMPARING JAN-DEC WITH JAN-DEC UNIT 1989 1988
VALUE % VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % VALUE VOLUME % %
FOODSTUFFS -18 3 -20 1 5 -4
CONSUMER GOODS RAW MATERIALS AND 23 7 15 42 6 34
SEMI-MANUFACTURES -8 5 -13 10 7 3
FUELS 179 32 111 160 11 135
CAPITAL GOODS -7 4 -11 23 5 17
ALL COMMODITIES * LESS THAN 5 0.5% 6 * 26 6 19
/13 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 13 -
PREQUALIFICATION FOR HOSPITAL EXTENSION PROJECT
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING CONTRACTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN A PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR STAGE III OF THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL EXTENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAMME, INVOLVING ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS TO BLOCK B AND THE PATHOLOGY BUILDING.
THE RENOVATION PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE UPGRADING OF FINISHES, FITTINGS, BUILDING SERVICES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DANGEROUS GOODS STORE AND PLANT ROOMS AND OTHER ITEMS.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1994.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE PUBLIC WORKS APPROVED CONTRACTORS LIST 1 GROUP ’C’ FOR ’’BUILDING” OR LIST 2 FOR ’’BUILDING” MAY APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION.
THOSE WHO HAVE SENT IN THEIR SUBMISSION IN THE PREVIOUS PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR THE PROJECT SHOULD RE-APPLY DUE TO CHANGES IN CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS.
THE CONTRACT IS A LUMP SUM TENDER UNDER WHICH SELECTED BUILDING SERVICES CONTRACTORS WILL ENTER INTO DOMESTIC SUB-CONTRACTS WITH THE MAIN CONTRACTOR.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES (ATTN. CHIEF ARCHITECT/6), 40TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, BEFORE MARCH 23.
A NOTICE ON THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
- - 0---------
VILLAGERS, FISHERMEN CELEBRATE HUNG SHING FESTIVAL ♦ * * ♦ * * *
HUNDREDS OF VILLAGERS AND FISHERMEN TODAY (FRIDAY) CELEBRATED THE HUNG SHING FESTIVAL AT KAU SAI ISLAND IN SAI KUNG WITH OPERAS AND A ”FA P’AAU" LUCKY DRAW CEREMONY.
THE HUNG SHING FESTIVAL IS A BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL FOR THE POPULAR DEITY HUNG SHING KUNG, WHO TRADITION SAYS WAS BORN ON THE 13TH DAY OF THE SECOND MOON.
ACCORDING TO THE VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ISLAND, MR MA WING-DOR, HIS ANCESTORS STARTED CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO AND IT HAD BECOME A VILLAGE TRADITION SINCE THEN.
/THOUGH WORSHIPPED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
THOUGH WORSHIPPED BY MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, PARTICURALY THOSE WHO MAKE THEIR LIVING ON THE WATER, THE ORIGIN OF THE DEITY IS LITTLE KNOWN.
ONE STORY IS THAT HE WAS AN OFFICIAL OF KWANGTUNG PROVINCE IN THE TANG DYNASTY (618 - 907 AD) WHO KNEW HOW TO FORETELL THE WEATHER. ANOTHER SAYS HE IS THE DRAGON KING WHO RULES THE SOUTHERN SEAS.
BOTH VERSIONS EXPLAIN HIS IMPORTANCE TO SEAFARERS AND FISHERMEN. THIS MAY ALSO EXPLAIN WHY MANY FISHERMEN GROUPS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY SUCH AS SHAU KEI WAN, ABERDEEN, TAI PO AND LANTAU CAME TO JOIN TODAY’S CELEBRATION ON KAU SAI ISLAND.
THE CLIMAX OF THE CELEBRATION WAS THE "FA P’AAU" LUCKY DRAW CEREMONY AFTER THE VILLAGE LUNCH.
THE "FA P’AAU" IS A TOWERING FLORAL SHRINE. USUALLY ABOUT 20 FEET TALL, IT IS MADE OF BAMBOO AND COLOUR PAPER AND HUNG WITH LETTUCES AND GINGER AND, IN A SMALL GLASS CASE, THE WOODEN STATUS OF THE SAINTLY LORD HUNG.
THERE WERE 34 "FA P’AAUS" FOR THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATION.
EACH WINNER OF THE LUCKY DRAW WAS GIVEN A "FA P’AAU" WHICH IS CONSIDERED A GUARANTEE OF GOOD FORTUNE AND GOOD HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, OR VILLAGE, FOR THE COMING 12 MONTHS.
MANY LOCAL DIGNITARIES, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ATTENDED THE CELEBRATIONS.
AMONG THEM WERE THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, WHO ALSO MADE THE FIRST DRAW, AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS LISA CHAN.
- - 0 - -
NEW REGIONAL OFFICE FOR WSD OPENS *****
A NEW REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO TAKE CHARGE OF DAILY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, LANTAU ISLAND, PENG CHAU, CHEUNG CHAU AND LAMMA ISLAND.
IT WAS OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR K.L. WONG.
THE HONG KONG AND ISLANDS REGIONAL OFFICE ALSO PROVIDES TECHNICAL SERVICES TO CONSUMERS IN THESE AREAS.
THE OFFICE IS OPEN FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.
/THE OFFICE'S
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 15 -
THE OFFICE’S TECHNICAL COMPLAINTS CENTRE OPERATES ROUND-THE-CLOCK. COMPLAINTS OF TECHNICAL FAULTS IN THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS SUCH AS A WATER MAIN BURST OR WEAK WATER PRESSURE TO THE CONSUMER’S TAP OCCURRING IN THESE AREAS CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 8802500 BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 8 AM, AND 8110788 BETWEEN 8 AM AND MIDNIGHT.
THE FOUR-STOREY OFFICE AT 611 KING’S ROAD IN NORTH POINT REPLACES THE OFFICE IN BULLOCK LANE, WAN CHAI.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE OFFICE BEGAN IN APRIL 1988 AND WAS COMPLETED LAST MONTH.
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TSEUNG KWAN O TO HOLD VARIETY SHOW ON SUNDAY
»«*«♦*
A "LOVELY HOMES IN TSEUNG KWAN O" VARIETY SHOW, AND A PRIZE PRESENTATION TO WINNERS OF A RELATED SLOGAN COMPETITION, WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (MARCH 11).
THE SHOW IS ORGANISED BY THE TSEUNG KWAN O AREA COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
IT AIMS AT CULTIVATING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS, AND GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SERVICES IN THE NEW TOWN .
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCES, AN INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL, SINGING, DANCES AND A MAGIC SHOW. THESE WILL BE GIVEN BY SCHOOLS AND MEMBERS OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
IN ADDITION, THE SCHOOLS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL JOINTLY STAGE AN EXHIBITION ON THEIR WORK AND SERVICES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG; CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, MR WILLIAM WAN; SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER (SAI KUNG) OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR YUEN HON-KEUNG; AND POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER AT KWUN TONG POLICE STATION, MR LAW WAI-SHING.
/ADMISSION IS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 16 -
ADMISSION IS FREE AND TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. COACHES WILL DEPART THE TIU KENG LENG BUS TERMINAL AND THE OPEN SPACE OFF CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL AT 1.30 PM AND 1.45 PM RESPECTIVELY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE ’’LOVELY HOMES IN TSEUNG KWAN 0” VARIETY SHOW ON SUNDAY (MARCH 11) AT TSUI LAM AMPHITHEATRE, TSUI LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0.
THE SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
- - 0----------
CLEANING AND PLANTING FOR CHARITY ******
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT CLEAN AND PLANT FOR CHARITY CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED ON THE PAVEMENT OUTSIDE CAUSEWAY BAY PLAZA, 485 HENNESSY ROAD, AT NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, FUNDS WILL BE RAISED FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST IN WAN CHAI AND TREES PLANTED IN THE QUARRY BAY COUNTRY PARK BY BOY SCOUTS FROM THE DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN; WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MR DENIS BRAY; AND MISS HONG KONG 1989, MISS MONICA CHAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A COCKTAIL RECEPTION WILL BE HOSTED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE CAMPAIGN AFTER THE CEREMONY AT 1 PM IN NOVEL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, FOURTH FLOOR, 6 TONNOCHY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND TO ATTEND THE COCKTAIL RECEPTION.
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/17........
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 17 -
TAI PO FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL * * * *
RESIDENTS IN TAI PO ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE CARNIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, IS AIMED AT SPREADING THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A POLICE BAND PERFORMANCE, MAGIC SHOW, FILIPINO DANCE AND A DISPLAY BY THE POLICE DOG UNIT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE STALL GAMES, AN INFLATABLE CARTOON FIGURE, AND EXHIBITIONS ON ROAD SAFETY, FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-BURGLARY.
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG, ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER MISS MARY CHOW, AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR S.P. CORRICK, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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FLAG DAY ORGANISERS DISCUSS RESPONSIBILITIES *****
ABOUT 30 REPRESENTATIVES FROM ORGANISATIONS ALLOCATED A FLAG DAY IN 1990 MET TODAY (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED IN ORGANISING FLAG DAYS.
ARRANGED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE BRIEFING SESSION DREW AN ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM PARTICIPANTS.
"PARTICIPANTS IN THE SESSION AGREED THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE PUBLIC IN THE ORGANISATION OF FLAG DAY ACTIVITIES," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
VIEWS WERE EXCHANGED ON COMMON PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED AND HOW THESE MIGHT BE TACKLED.
/ISSUES OF .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 18 -
ISSUES OF COMMON CONCERN, SUCH AS TWO ORGANISATIONS MISTAKENLY SELLING FLAGS ON THE SAME DAY AND FLAG SELLING BY PERSONS SUSPECTED TO BE IMPOSTORS, WERE ALSO DISCUSSED.
"PARTICIPANTS WERE REMINDED OF THE RULES AND CONDITIONS BY WHICH FLAG DAY ORGANISATIONS HAVE TO ABIDE; THE RULES AND CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS; THE NEED TO ISSUE CLEAR AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS TO VOLUNTEERS AND THE LOCATIONS TO BE COVERED BY FLAG SELLERS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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NEW ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS
*****
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRES (PESC’s) IN TSUEN WAN ARE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MAKING UP ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE REGION, THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN SOUTH PESC AT THE TOWN CENTRE, MR SHIU SAID THE FIVE ENQUIRY CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT HANDLED AN AVERAGE OF 60,000 GENERAL ENQUIRIES, 2,100 DECLARATIONS, 20 LEGAL ADVICE CASES AND DISTRIBUTED OVER 50,000 GOVERNMENT FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS EACH MONTH.
"THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PESC’S ARE WELL RECEIVED BY THE RESIDENTS AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT WITH THE GROWING POPULATION PUBLIC DEMAND ON THESE SERVICES WILL INCREASE ACCORDINGLY," MR SHIU SAID.
"THE SCOPE OF SERVICES OFFERED BY THE PESC’S WILL ALSO HAVE TO EXPAND TO TIE IN WITH THE STEADY .DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
"MOREOVER, THE PESC’S WILL ALSO ASSIST IN ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE CHANNEL BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND RESIDENTS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS."
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF TSUEN WAN CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE, MR CHU CHUNG-SHING.
THE TSUEN WAN SOUTH PESC IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR, 43-45 SHIU WO STREET, AND THE ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 4931451.
/19 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 19 -
FIVE RETAILERS FINED FOR IMPROPER FOOD LABELLING *****
FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS WERE REMINDED TODAY (FRIDAY) NOT TO SELL FOOD ITEMS IN PREPACKAGED FORM, WHETHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY PACKAGED, WITHOUT PROPER LABELLING AS REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
GIVING THE ADVICE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH POINTED OUT THAT THE PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING THE REGULATIONS WAS A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH FIVE RETAILERS WERE FINED FROM $1,000 TO $4,000.
IN THE FIRST CASE, HEARD IN THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY, A BAKERY IN SHAM SHUI PO WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $4,000 FOR SELLING PREPACKAGED SLICED BREAD AND COOKIES WITHOUT THE REQUIRED MARKING OR LABELLING.
THE ITEMS DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD, THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS, INDICATION OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PACKER, THE NUMERCIAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OR NET VOLUME OF THE FOOD.
IN ANOTHER CASE, HEARD IN THE CENTRAL MAGISTRACY, A SUPERMARKET IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $1,000 FOR SELLING TWO PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS — FROZEN MIXED VEGETABLES AND FROZEN BABY CARROTS — WITHOUT MARKING OR LABELLING WITH STORAGE CONDITIONS AS WELL AS THE AFOREMENTIONED FIVE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE TO THE REGULATIONS.
THE REMAINING THREE CASES WERE HEARD AT THE WESTERN MAGISTRACY. THREE RETAIL OUTLETS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WERE FINED $1,000 EACH FOR SELLING PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS — RADISH WITH CHILLI AND FRIED PIG SKIN -- WITHOUT PROPER LABELLING.
THE BOTTLE OF RADISH WITH CHILLI SOLD BY ONE OF THE ABOVE RETAIL OUTLETS HAD NOT BEEN MARKED OR LABELLED WITH THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS, INDICATION OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PACKER, AND THE NUMERICAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OR NET VOLUME OF THE FOOD.
BESIDES NOT HAVING THIS INFORMATION, THE PLASTIC BAG OF FRIED PIG SKIN SOLD BY THE OTHER TWO RETAILERS HAD ALSO NOT BEEN MARKED OR LABELLED WITH THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD.
THE RETAIL OUTLETS WERE PROSECUTED UNDER THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS, SECTION 55 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
/20 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 20 -
RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF LANDING FACILITIES PROPOSED *******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION AT TAI A CHAU AND CONSTRUCT A SMALL BOAT PONTOON LANDING FACILITY AT SAI KUNG.
THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 9.51 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TAI A CHAU.
IT IS TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR THE BERTHING OF BOATS, CONSTRUCTION OF SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROADS.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A SMALL BOAT PONTOON LANDING FACILITY FOR USE BY THE MARINE POLICE WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 1,125 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TUI MIN HOI, SAI KUNG.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE OPERATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE NEW MARINE POLICE DIVISION BASE BEING CONSTRUCTED AT THE TUI MIN HOI SITE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MAY 8 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
------------------0------- PETROL FILLING STATION TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE TENANCY OF A PETROL FILLING STATION AT MIDDLE ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK, KOWLOON.
THE AREA MEASURES ABOUT 43.2 SQUARE METRES, AND IS TO BE USED FOR PETROL FILLING STATION PURPOSES ONLY.
THE LEASE IS FOR SEVEN YEARS COMMENCING FROM THE DATE OF POSSESSION.
THE FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FIRST FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
TENDERS CLOSE AT NOON ON APRIL 6.
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/21 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
21
GOVT PROPERTIES FOR SALE BY AUCTION *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING FIVE GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON MARCH 27.
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE HALL OF THE HENRY G. LEONG YAUMATEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, KOWLOON.
THE LOCATIONS AND DETAILS OF THE PROPERTIES ARE:
* FIFTH FLOOR OF 456 SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, KOWLOON; WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 58.3 SQUARE METRES; FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES;
* FLAT NO. 7 ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF BLOCK A, TUNG LO COURT, 136-154 TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON; WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 36.9 SQUARE METRES; FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES;
* ELEVENTH FLOOR AND ROOF OF 42 TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON; WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 66.8 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 56 SQUARE METRES FOR THE 11TH FLOOR AND ROOF RESPECTIVELY; FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES;
* GROUND FLOOR OF ID UN CHAU STREET, KOWLOON; WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 47.4 SQUARE METRES; FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES;
* SHOP NO. 11 ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CHI FAI COURT, 31-35 TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON; WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 6.8 SQUARE METRES; FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.
ALL THE PROPERTIES WILL BE SOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 1OTH FLOOR,
STREET.
MADE DURING THE FOLLOWING
YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI
INSPECTION OF THE PROPERTY MAY BE OPENING HOURS:
PROPERTY DATE
FIFTH FLOOR, 456 MARCH 14
SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, MARCH 16
KOWLOON.
FLAT NO. 7, 12TH FLOOR, MARCH 14
BLOCK A, TUNG LO COURT, MARCH 21
-154 TAI PO ROAD,
OPENING HOURS
9.30 AM - 12.30 PM 2 PM - 5 PM
2 PM - 5 PM 9.30 AM - 12.30 PM
KOWLOON.
/11TH FLOOR
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
22
11TH FLOOR AND ROOF, 42 TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON. MARCH 16 MARCH 21 9.30 2 AM -PM - 12.30 5 PM PM
GROUND FLOOR, ID UN CHAU STREET, KOWLOON MARCH 12 MARCH 19 9.30 2 AM -PM - 12.30 5 PM PM
SHOP NO. 11, FIRST FLOOR, CHI FAI COURT, 31-35 TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON. MARCH 12 MARCH 19 2 9.30 PM -AM - 5 PM 12.30 PM
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NEW ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR TSING YI NORTH
* ♦ ♦ » *
THE TSING YI CHEUNG FAT ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE IS NOW OPEN TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN NORTHERN TSING YI.
THE SERVICE AREA INCLUDES CHEUNG FAT ESTATE, CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TSING YI ESTATE, CHING TAI COURT, CHING NGA COURT, GREENFIELD GARDEN; FUNG SHUE WO, TSING KIN, TSING YAN, TSING TSUI, TSING FAI TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS; AND CHEUNG HANG ESTATE WHICH IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS MAY APPLY TO USE THE HALL OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS OR SPORTS ACTIVITIES. APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE CHEUNG FAT ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MAY WAIVE CHARGES FOR USING THE HALL IF THE ACTIVITIES ARE NON-PROFIT MAKING.
WHEN THE HALL IS NOT BOOKED, IT WILL BE OPEN TO FREE ADMISSION FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY.
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTER LOCATED AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE PROVIDES SERVICES OF COUNSELLING, DECLARATION OF OATHS AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND FORMS.
THE DECLARATION SERVICE IS AVAILABLE DURING OFFICE HOURS ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS.
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/23 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 23 -
CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN TIU KENG LENG *****
A CLEAN-UP OPERATION AIMED AT AROUSING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT WAS HELD AT TIU KENG LENG IN SAI KUNG TODAY (FRIDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, IT WAS PART OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES BEING ARRANGED IN THE DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WAS HELD AT TIU KENG LENG SECONDARY SCHOOL BEFORE THE OPERATION BEGAN. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN, OFFICIATED.
THE OFFICIATING GUESTS AND VOLUNTEERS GAVE A DEMONSTRATION OF CLEAN-UP WORK AFTER THE CEREMONY.
THE VOLUNTEERS CAME FROM TIU KENG LENG SECONDARY SCHOOL, TIU KENG LENG PRIMARY SCHOOL, MING YUEN MIDDLE SCHOOL, MING YUEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, QUEEN MAUD MIDDLE SCHOOL AND QUEEN MAUD PRIMARY SCHOOL.
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NEW RAMP FOR WONG TAI SIN * »
FOOTBRIDGE TO HELP DISABLED * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE RAMP AND WIDENING OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH FUNG TAK ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN.
A TENDER NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
UPON COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE JUNCTION OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND FUNG TAK ROAD WILL BE GREATLY IMPROVED.
THE NEW RAMP TO THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE WILL ASSIST THE DISABLED IN CROSSING PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
LANDSCAPE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT ALONG PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN EARLY MAY AND BE COMPLETED BY MARCH NEXT YEAR.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
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/24 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1990
- 24 -
WITHDRAWAL OF AIRPORT GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE * ♦ ♦ * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 14, OPERATING BETWEEN LOK FU AND THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WILL BE WITHDRAWN FROM SERVICE FROM SUNDAY (MARCH 11) DUE TO LOW PATRONAGE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TRAVELLING TO THE AIRPORT MAY USE THE FOLLOWING ALTERNATIVE BUS SERVICES:
* KMB ROUTE A4, WHICH PLIES BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND MONG KOK KCR STATION, ALSO SERVES PRINCE EDWARD MTR STATION AND MONG KOK MTR STATION EN ROUTE; AND
» KMB ROUTE 11D, WHICH PLIES BETWEEN LOK FU AND KWUN TONG FERRY, ALSO SERVES THE AIRPORT EN ROUTE.
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RE-OPENING OF PEKING ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 12), PEKING ROAD IN TSIM SHA TSUI BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH NATHAN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES TO THE WEST WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF WORK ON AN ADDITIONAL MTR ENTRANCE.
SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON NATHAN ROAD WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT ONTO PEKING ROAD, BUT THE RIGHT-TURN ONTO MIDDLE ROAD WILL BE BANNED.
AT THE SAME TIME, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 8, ON JOURNEYS TO TSIM SHA TSUI, WILL OPERATE VIA PEKING ROAD, ASHLEY ROAD AND MIDDLE ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LADY YOUDE PRESENTS AWARDS TO 687 SCHOLARS ....................................... 1
PORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AMBITIOUS YET REALISTIC ............................... 4
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS DROP 27 PER CENT............................................. 6
FILM RETROSPECTIVE TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING OF HK IN FRANCE ...................... 7
EDUCATION ESSENTIAL FOR TERRITORY'S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY ..................... 8
SCHOOL PARTICIPATION IN CIVIC EDUCATION ESSENTIAL ................................ 9
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT GREENERY PROJECT ............................ 10
DRAMA PERFORMANCES CONVEY FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE ................................... 10
DB TO DISCUSS PROPOSED AMENDMENT PLANS .......................................... 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ILLEGAL HAWKING ......................................... 12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC REPORT .......................................... 12
GIRLS' HOME RESIDENTS TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE ............................ 13
EFFORTS IN MACHINE SAFETY REINFORCED ........................................... 14
PEAK POLICE STATION MODEL ON DISPLAY ............................................ 15
INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE FOR FANLING ............................................ 16
ID CARD VISITING SERVICE FOR OUTLYING DISTRICTS ................................. 16
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI, TUEN MUN .......................... 17
URBAN CLEARWAY IN IVY STREET '................................................... 18
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TOLO HIGHWAY, TAI PO ....................................... 18
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI ........................................................ 18
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WESTERN .................................................. I9
WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY ....................................................... I9
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
- 1 -
LADY YOUDE PRESENTS AWARDS TO 687 SCHOLARS * * * * *
LADY YOUDE TODAY (SATURDAY) PRESENTED AWARDS WORTH A TOTAL OF $3 MILLION TO 687 STUDENTS GRANTED SCHOLARSHIPS BY THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND.
"THE MEMORIAL FUND IS COMMITTED TO ENCOURAGING AND REWARDING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WHICH IS A GOOD WAY OF CONTRIBUTING TO A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR HONG KONG," SAID LADY YOUDE WHO HAD RETURNED FROM BRITAIN TO OFFICIATE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN THE CITY HALL.
THE AWARDS INCLUDED 560 PRIZES FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, 70 SCHOLARSHIPS AND 38 FELLOWSHIPS FOR TERTIARY STUDENTS, EIGHT AWARDS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES, SIX AWARDS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS AND FIVE MEDALS FOR STUDENTS WHO OBTAINED OUTSTANDING RESULTS IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN OF THE MEMORIAL FUND, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, SAID THE COMPETITION FOR THE OVERSEAS AWARDS HAD BEEN VERY KEEN.
"THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FROM OVER 320 APPLICANTS AFTER TWO VIGOROUS SELECTION INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL INCLUDING LADY YOUDE, MR K.Y. YEUNG, PROFESSOR LEUNG WAI-SUN, PROFESSOR BENJAMIN T’SOU, DR LUI MING-WAH AND MR ANTHONY KAN," HE SAID.
"OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND HAS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP IN HONG KONG.
"IN TERMS OF THE BREADTH OF ITS COVERAGE AND THE VERY HIGH STANDARDS OF AWARD RECIPIENTS THERE ARE FEW, IF ANY, EQUALS.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO BUILD ON THESE SOLID FOUNDATIONS AND MAKE PRUDENT BUT IMAGINATIVE USE OF THE FUND’S RESOURCES TO BENEFIT THF YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG."
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FUND’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SIR QUO-WEI LEE, SAID THE FUND’S PORTFOLIO HAD INCREASED TO A MARKET VALUE OF OVER $92 MILLION, WHICH WAS 10.7 PER CENT MORE THAN THE $83.5 MILLION RECEIVED FROM DONATIONS.
"THIS ENCOURAGING RESULT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED NOTWITHSTANDING THE SETBACK OF THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET LAST JUNE AND THE PLUNGE IN WALL STREET IN OCTOBER," HE SAID.
"AS HONG KONG ENTERS THE 1990’S, THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IS REFLECTED IN THE GOVERNMENT’S AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME OF EXPANSION IN THE TERTIARY SECTORS.
"THE DEMAND FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND RESEARCH GRANTS WILL NO DOUBT INCREASE. A HEALTHY GROWTH IN THE FUND’S INCOME IS NECESSARY TO MEET THIS DEMAND.
/"I THEREFORE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
- 2
"I THEREFORE APPEAL TO THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE FUND.”
THE FUND WELCOMES FURTHER DONATIONS TO ALL BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG BANK AND THE HANG SENG BANK, OR TO THE TRUST FUNDS SECTION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
UNDER THE AWARDS, EACH FELLOW WILL RECEIVE $135,000 PER YEAR AND EACH SCHOLAR $120,000 PER YEAR. THEY ARE ALL REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
THE AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE:
MR CHAO YU-HANG, 23, HAS OBTAINED A FIRST CLASS HONOUR DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HKU), AND PLANS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY AT EITHER CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY IN THE UNITED STATES.
MR CHENG CHI-TAT, 22 CURRENTLY AN ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE AT HKU, HOPES TO STUDY COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AT UC BERKELEY.
MISS ANNA TAM YICK-MAN, 22, NOW A POSTGRADUATE LAW STUDENT AT HKU, WISHES TO FURTHER HER LAW STUDIES AT YALE UNIVERSITY IN THE U.S., SPECIALISING IN THE FIELD OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.
MR LO KIN-CHUNG, 24, HAS OBTAINED A FIRST CLASS HONOUR DEGREE IN ECONOMICS AT HKU AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING AS A STATISTICIAN IN THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. HE INTENDS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE DEGREE IN ECONOMICS AT EITHER COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY OR PRINCETON UNIVERSITY IN THE U.S.
AS TO THE FOUR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS, THEY ARE MR HO YUK OF KING’S COLLEGE, MISS SERENA HUNG WAN-SI OF ST PAUL’S CO-EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, MISS WAH LOO OF MARYMOUNT SECONDARY SCHOOL AND MR JOHN DOLFIN OF KING GEORGE V SCHOOL.
MR HO, 17, WAS BORN IN TIANJIN AND CAME TO HONG KONG WITH HIS FAMILY ONLY SEVEN YEARS AGO. HE OBTAINED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN THE 1989 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) AND PLANS TO STUDY COMPUTER ENGINEERING AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE U.S.
BOTH MISS HUNG, 18, AND MISS WAH, 17, GAINED EIGHT A GRADES AND ONE B GRADE IN THE 1989 HKCEE. MISS HUNG WISHES TO STUDY PHARMACY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WHILE MISS WAH HOPES TO STUDY JOURNALISM AT YALE UNIVERSITY IN THE U.S.
MR DOLFIN, 17, OBTAINED SEVEN DISTINCTIONS IN THE 1988 GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION. HE PLANS TO STUDY PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN THE UK.
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND HAS ALSO AWARDED MEDALS AND SCHOLARSHIPS OF $2,000 EACH TO FIVE STUDENTS WHO EXCELLED IN 1989 PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS. THEY ARE:
/- MR CHAN ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
3
- MR CHAN WAI-KIN OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE WHO SCORED NINE A’S AND ONE B IN THE HKCEE
- MR CHUNG WING-YUNG OF NEW ASIA MIDDLE SCHOOL WHO SCORED FIVE A’S, ONE B AND ONE C IN THE HONG KONG HIGH LEVEL EXAMINATION (HKHLE) (SCIENCE STREAM)
- MISS LAU YIN-YEE OF CANOSSA COLLEGE WHO SCORED FOUR A’S AND ONE C IN THE HKHLE (ARTS STREAM)
- MISS FUNG CHUI-YEE OF KING’S COLLEGE WHO SCORED FIVE A’S IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION (HKALE) (SCIENCE STREAM)
- MISS HELENA CHUNG YAN-YAN OF ST PAUL’S SECONDARY SCHOOL WHO SCORED FOUR A’S IN THE HKALE (ARTS STREAM)
SIX STUDENTS WITH VARIOUS DISABILITIES WERE GIVEN GRANTS AMOUNTING TO $105,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF TECHNICAL AIDS AND SERVICES.
THEY ARE MR WONG HA AND MR JOSEPH LI JOE-YIN, BOTH STUDENTS OF HKU, MR POON KWOK-LEUNG OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (CUHK); MR CHAN CHI-HUNG OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC (HKP); MR NG PO-TIN OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG (CPHK); AND MR LEUNG KWOK-WING OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (HKBC).
"WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS SCHEME WILL PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL ENCOURAGEMENT AND ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE TO OVERCOME ADDITIONAL OBSTACLES IN THEIR PURSUIT OF HIGHER EDUCATION," MR CHEONG SAID.
"THE AWARD SCHEME FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS AT LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE STUDENTS ENROLLED WITH THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AS WELL AS THE TWO POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES OF LINGNAN AND SHUE YAN.
"SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR STUDIES AT ALL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, THEREBY OFFERING THE WIDEST POSSIBLE CHOICE FOR OUR STUDENTS."
UNDER THIS SCHEME, A TOTAL OF 38 POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS WERE AWARDED FELLOWSHIPS, WHICH ARE WORTH $25,000 EACH. AMONG THEM, 19 ARE FROM HKU; 11 FROM CUHK; FOUR FROM HKP; THREE FROM CPHK AND ONE FROM HKBC.
SEVENTY UNDERGRADUATE AND DIPLOMA STUDENTS WERE ALSO AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALLING $700,000. OF THESE, 14 STUDENTS ARE FROM HKU; 13 FROM CUHK; 14 FROM HKP; EIGHT FROM CPHK; SIX FROM HKBC; THREE EACH FROM SHUE YAN COLLEGE, LINGNAN COLLEGE, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION; TWO FROM GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND ONE FROM HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
IN ADDITION, 560 SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVED SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL PRIZES AMOUNTING TO $224,000. THEY WERE ALL NOMINATED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE PRINCIPALS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN BOTH STUDIES AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS.
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
4
PORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AMBITIOUS YET REALISTIC *****
THE WHOLE PORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IS HIGHLY AMBITIOUS BUT IT IS ALSO REALISTIC, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
SINGLING OUT THIS "MOST UNSUNG OF ALL TRANSPORT FACILITIES" FOR MENTION IN A SPEECH AT THE ANNUAL BALL OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT, MRS CHAN NOTED THAT "THE GREAT THING ABOUT PORT DEVELOPMENT IS THAT IT IS INCREMENTAL".
"HONG KONG IS A SMALL PLACE -- WE DON’T HAVE THE LUXURY OF WIDE OPEN SPACES WITHIN WHICH TO WORK, SO WE MUST ENSURE WE OPTIMISE OUR RESOURCES.
"IF CARGOES INCREASE AT RATES DIFFERENT FROM THOSE WE NOW PREDICT, THEN THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT CAN SLOW DOWN OR QUICKEN.
"AS A POINT OF PRINCIPLE, WE TRY TO MATCH DEMANDS WITH RESOURCES, WITH NEITHER ONE GREATLY OUTPACING THE OTHER.
"IN THE PAST THIS HAS ENCOURAGED PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT AND WE HOPE TO SUSTAIN THIS APPROACH IN THE FUTURE," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT 75 PER CENT OF THE CARGO WAS GENERATED OR ABSORBED DOMESTICALLY WHILE THE REST WAS TRANSHIPMENT -- EITHER GOING TO OR COMING FROM CHINA, OR MOVING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND REGIONAL PORTS.
"MUCH OF THE CHINA TRADE COMES TO HONG KONG BY SEA: IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE MOST VOLATILE SEGMENT OF OUR PORT TRAFFIC, AND I SUPPOSE IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE.
"BUT IT HAS SHOWN AN ENORMOUS GROWTH IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND THERE IS NO REASON TO THINK THAT IN THE LONG TERM INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT IN SOUTHERN CHINA, OR THE NEED FOR THE IMPORT OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES, WILL DIMINISH," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THAT THIS REINFORCED AGAIN THE VALUE OF THE INCREMENTAL APPROACH TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PORT FACILITIES.
"IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO CONSTANTLY MONITOR PORT CARGO THROUGHPUT AND ADJUST AS NECESSARY THE BALANCE OF FACILITIES REQUIRED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING DEMANDS -- WE MUST PROVIDE THE RIGHT TYPE OF FACILITY AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THE RIGHT PRICE TO DEAL WITH THESE CHANGING DEMANDS.
"THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, WHICH WE HOPE TO ESTABLISH SHORTLY WILL BE EXPECTED TO UNDERTAKE THIS ROLE," SHE SAID.
/LOOKING BACK .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
5 -
LOOKING BACK AT THE PORT DEVELOPMENT OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, SHE SAID THE ENORMOUS GROWTH HAD BEEN ACHIEVED LARGELY BY UTILISING THE STRENGTHS OF HONG KONG’S BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO INVEST IN CREATING THE LAND FOR CONTAINER TERMINALS, GIVING THEM ADEQUATE ASSURANCES THAT THEY COULD MAKE REASONABLE RETURNS ON THAT INVESTMENT AND HENCE THE CONFIDENCE TO PLOUGH THEIR PROFITS BACK INTO THE INDUSTRY.
"AS A GOVERNMENT WE HAVE LARGELY KEPT OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF BUILDING AND OPERATING THE ELEMENTS OF PORT INFRASTRUCTURE OURSELVES.
"WE HAVE LEFT THAT TO THOSE WHO BETTER UNDERSTAND COMMERCIAL REALITIES.
"BUT WE ARE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN PLANNING, IN SAFETY AND, OF COURSE, CERTAIN SECTORS OF CARGO HANDLING,” SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THESE INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF BUOYS AND ANCHORAGES; AND OF CARGO WORKING AREAS," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED IN BUOYS, BUT IT WAS QUESTIONING ITS CONTINUED ROLE IN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS.
THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY CONSULTANTS INDICATED A LARGE INCREASE IN REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, WHICH WERE UNLIKELY TO BE MET EFFICIENTLY USING EXISTING METHODS OF OPERATION, SHE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE TRANSPORT CHAIN FOR GOODS WORKED VERY EFFICIENTLY WITHIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, MRS CHAN SAID THERE MIGHT WELL BE SCOPE FOR ALLOWING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO HAVE A ROLE IN THE OPERATION OF PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS SINCE THEY FULFILLED A COMMERCIAL NEED.
"CONSULTATION WITH STAFF ON THIS COMMENCED SHORTLY AFTER LUNAR NEW YEAR. EARLIER THIS WEEK THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE ADDRESSED ALL 140 USERS OF THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS SEEKING THEIR VIEWS AND ADVICE AS TO THE BEST WAY FORWARD.
"WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A VIEW LATER THIS YEAR AS TO THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY OF PROVIDING FOR FUTURE PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREAS," SHE SAID.
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
- 6 -
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS DROP 27 PER CENT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1989, THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 2,139 COMPLAINTS, A DROP OF 27 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TCU TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THAT THE COMPLAINTS WERE RELATED MAINLY TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, ROAD MAINTENANCE AND ENFORCEMENT.
AS REGARDS THE ADEQUACY OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE, HE SAID, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 127 COMPLAINTS COVERING HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, THERE WAS A DECREASE OF 85 CASES OR 40 PER CENT.
ON THE STANDARD OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 337 COMPLAINTS, A DROP OF 33 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 506 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THESE COMPLAINTS WERE INDIVIDUALLY TAKEN UP WITH THE BUS COMPANIES CONCERNED.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI SERVICE DECLINED BY 33 PER CENT FROM 539 CASES TO 363 CASES.
THE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO RAIL TRANSPORT SERVICES AND FERRY SERVICES DROPPED FROM THE PREVIOUS QUARTER’S 92 CASES TO 68 CASES, AND FROM 31 CASES TO 25 CASES RESPECTIVELY.
THE MAIN AREAS OF COMPLAINT INCLUDED INADEQUATE FREQUENCY, STAFF CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE, AND PASSENGER SERVICES AND FACILITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION DROPPED BY
46 PER CENT TO 211 CASES, 48 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 72 IN KOWLOON, 86 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND FIVE IN TUNNELS OR OTHER AREAS.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ROAD CONGESTION INCLUDED TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MATTERS, VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION AND ROAD WORKS.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES DROPPED FROM 222 CASES TO 205 OR EIGHT PER CENT.
THE MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN WERE PHASING OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC LANE ARRANGEMENT, AND ADDITION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND AIDS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OF ROADS DECREASED BY 18 PER CENT FROM 227 CASES TO 186 CASES.
THE MAJOR AREAS OF COMPLAINT WERE DEFECTIVE ROAD SURFACES, FAULTY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND DAMAGED TRAFFIC SIGNS OR AIDS.
/TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CASES STOOD AT 358, 29 CASES OR SEVEN PER CENT LESS THAN THE NUMBER RECORDED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THESE WERE RELATED MAINLY TO REQUESTS FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL PARKING AND MOTORISTS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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FILM RETROSPECTIVE TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING OF HK IN FRANCE
*******
A HONG KONG FILM RETROSPECTIVE WILL BE HELD IN PARIS LATER THIS MONTH TO GIVE THE FRENCH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG.
A TOTAL OF 32 FILMS PRODUCED BY THE TERRITORY BETWEEN 1949 AND 1989 WILL BE SHOWN AT THE PALAIS DU CHALLIOT OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CINEMA BETWEEN MARCH 28 AND APRIL 27. THE FILMS RANGE FROM KUNG FU TO HORROR, COMEDY AND DRAMAS.
THE KUNG FU STAR, MR JACKIE CHAN, WILL BE INVITED BY LA CINEMATHEQUE FRANCAISE TO OPEN THE RESTROSPECTIVE ON MARCH 28. MR CHAN WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED WITH THE MEDAL "CHEVALIER DES ARTS ET LETTRES" IN RECOGNITION OF HIS CONTRIBUTION AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE HONG KONG FILM INDUSTRY.
"ALL FILMS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED TO INCLUDE WORKS OF HIGH ARTISTIC STANDARDS AND TO GIVE A MORE COMPLETE IMAGE OF HONG KONG FILMS AND THE ARTISTIC AND SOCIAL CONCERNS OF ITS IMPORTANT FILMMAKERS.
"IT WILL ALSO SERVE AS AN UNPARALLELED WAY TO PRESENT TODAY’S HONG KONG, ITS LIFE, PEOPLE, ASPIRATIONS AND CULTURE TO FRENCH AUDIENCES,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RETROSPECTIVE, NAMED "40 YEARS OF' HONG KONG CINEMA", IS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND LA CINEMATHEQUE FRANCAISE, A NON-PROFIT MAKING FILM LIBRARY SET UP IN FRANCE IN 1936 AND REGARDED AS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
OTHER ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ORGANISING THE RETROSPECTIVE INCLUDE CANAL PLUS (A PRIVATE TV CHANNEL IN FRANCE) AND LE NOUVEL OBSERVATEUR (A WEEKLY FRENCH NEWS MAGAZINE).
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE LARGEST STORE PROMOTION EVER ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TDC) IN FRANCE WILL BE HELD IN THE GALERIES LAFAYETTE BETWEEN MARCH 29 AND APRIL 28.
A FASHION SHOW WILL BE OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TDC, DAME LYDIA DUNN, AT L’OPERA ON APRIL 2.
"THESE EVENTS WILL PROMOTE THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AND ITS GOODS IN FRANCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/8 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
8
EDUCATION ESSENTIAL FOR TERRITORY’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY * t t t * * »
CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION IS A KEY FACTOR IN MAINTAINING THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN GOOD STUDENT AWARD SCHEME, MR POON NOTED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A NEED TO INSTIL A PROPER VALUE STANDARD AMONG YOUTH TO ENABLE THEM TO FACE UP TO THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
HE PRAISED THE AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR HAVING PARTICIPATED IN SOCIAL SERVICE AND CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, APART FROM THEIR OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS. 4
"YOU HAVE SET VERY GOOD EXAMPLES FOR OTHER STUDENTS. THE COMMUNITY WILL BECOME MORE HARMONIOUS IF MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN MEANINGFUL PROJECTS,” HF. TOLD THE 40 RECIPIENTS.
HOWEVER, HE REMINDED THE RECIPIENTS NOT TO BE COMPLACENT, AND TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK BOTH IN THEIR STUDIES AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, POINTED OUT THAT THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ORGANISED AWARD SCHEME, NOW IN ITS THIRD YEAR, HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN THE DISTRICT.
"APART FROM THIS PROJECT, THE DFCC HAS IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES WITH ’ANTI-NARCOTICS’ AND ’FIGHT CRIME’ AS THEIR THEMES.
"IT WILL ALSO PLAN ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BASED ON THE FINDING OF A RECENT SURVEY WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING THEIR CIVIC CONSCIOUSNESS."
MEANWHILE, THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR WU CHOR-NAM, THANKED THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICES IN THE DISTRICT FOR CO-ORGANIS I NG THE AWARD SCHEME.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE MOUNT CAMERON OF HONG KONG LIONS CLUB, MAN ON TOSHIBA LTD, THE BANGKOK BANK AND THE PHOENIX LIONS CLUB FOR SPONSORING THE EVENT.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE PRESENTATION WERE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN; THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; THE POLICE COMMANDERS OF THE CENTRAL AND THE WESTERN DISTRICTS, MR CHRIS GLOVER AND MR ROBERT TOAL; AND THE SCHEME’S WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN, MR LEUNG CHUNG-POR.
AMONG THE 40 SECONDARY STUDENTS HONOURED THIS AFTERNOON, 10 WERE EACH PRESENTED WITH A TROPHY AND A $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP.
/THE TOP .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
9 -
THE TOP FOUR AMONG THE 10 WILL JOIN A FREE STUDY TOUR TO THAILAND NEXT MONTH. THEY ARE MR LEUNG YU-CHEUNG OF KING’S COLLEGE, MR LUI KIN OF HON WAH MIDDLE SCHOOL, MISS WAT TSUI-YUNG OF ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH COLLEGE AND MISS WAN SHUK-FUN OF SIR ELLIS KADOORIE SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THIS YEAR’S GOOD STUDENT AWARD SCHEME, HELD BETWEEN DECEMBER AND JANUARY, ATTRACTED MORE THAN 100 SCHOOL-NOMINATED ENTRANTS.
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SCHOOL PARTICIPATION IN CIVIC EDUCATION ESSENTIAL
*****
SCHOOLS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TOLD TEACHERS OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER'S COLLEGE.
HE ALSO REMINDED THEM THAT EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS FORMED AN INTEGRAL PART OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
IN A TALK ON CIVIC EDUCATION TO THE TEACHERS EARLIER THIS WEEK, MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT IN THE VIEW OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, A GOOD HONG KONG CITIZEN SHOULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CARE ABOUT, AND PARTICIPATE IN, PUBLIC AFFAIRS; HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG; AND STRIVE FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE TERRITORY.
THE EMPHASIS ON CIVIC EDUCATION SHOULD BE PLACED ON ENABLING THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF POLITICS, PROMULGATING FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHT AND JUSTICE, AS WELL AS MOTIVATING AN ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS BY THE PUBLIC, HE SAID.
MR LAN DESCRIBED A SCHOOL AS AN IDEAL PLACE FOR MOULDING YOUNG STUDENTS INTO GOOD CITIZENS WHO WOULD DISCHARGE THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND CARE ABOUT SOCIETY.
HE NOTED THAT MOST LOCAL SCHOOLS WERE INSTILLING THE CONCEPT OF CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG STUDENTS THROUGH THE SUBJECTS OF "ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS" OR "GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS", BOTH OF WHICH ENABLED THEM TO GAIN A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND A BASIC CONCEPT OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
ON EXTRA-CURRTCULAR ACTIVITIES, MR LAN SAID STUDENTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS STUDENT UNION ELECTIONS AND STUDIES OF THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS IN THEIR SCHOOL’S DISTRICT.
IN CONCLUSION, MR LAN URGED THE TEACHERS TO FULLY SUPPORT THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION SO THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD BE READY TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE THAT LAY AHEAD.
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/10 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT GREENERY PROJECT
*****
WAN CHAI RESIDENTS WERE URGED TODAY (SATURDAY) TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT TO PROVIDE GREENERY IN THEIR DISTRICT AND TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE PLANTS PROVIDED UNDER THE SCHEME.
MAKING THE PLEA AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT CLEAN AND PLANT FOR CHARITY CAMPAIGN, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID ABOUT 200 PLANTERS HAD BEEN PLACED ON THE LOCKHART ROAD CENTRAL DIVIDERS FROM THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS TO CANAL ROAD IN ORDER TO BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT.
’’THIS IS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT,” HE SAID.
MR MANN SAID THE CAMPAIGN WAS ALSO INTENDED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
IT WAS HOPED THAT THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN THE PUBLIC WOULD BE MADE MORE AWARE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
A SUM OF MORE THAN $30,000, RAISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES, BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS OF WAN CHAI FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST, WAS PRESENTED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHEST, MR DENIS BRAY, AT THE CEREMONY.
AS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN, 50 TREE SEEDLINGS WILL BE PLANTED IN THE QUARRY BAY COUNTRY PARK THIS AFTERNOON BY A TEAM OF BOY SCOUTS FROM THE DISTRICT, TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, AND MISS HONG KONG 1989, MONICA CHAN.
- - 0 - -
DRAMA PERFORMANCES CONVEY FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE
*****
THE WINNING TEAMS IN A FIGHT CRIME DRAMA COMPETITION GAVE PERFORMANCES AT A "FIGHT CRIME DRAMA MEET" HELD IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING.
SEVERAL LOCAL SCHOOLS AND DRAMA GROUPS TOOK PART IN THE EVENT, FOCUSSING THEIR PRESENTATIONS ON THE THEMES OF ANTI-TRIAD AND HOME SECURITY.
SPEAKING AT THE COMPETITION PRIZE PRESENTATION HELD AT THE SAME TIME, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR SIN SIU-WAH, SAID VARIOUS ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN ORGANISED DURING THE YEAR TO PUBLICISE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES.
/THESE ACTIVITIES
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL ANTI-TRIAD TOUR PERFORMANCE, WATCHMEN LIAISON SCHEME, TSUEN WAN CITIZEN FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME AND FIGHT CRIME POSTER COMPETITION.
THE RESPONSE TO A FIGHT CRIME COLOURING CONTEST FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS WAS ENCOURAGING, WITH MORE THAN 4,000 ENTRIES RECEIVED, HE ADDED.
MR SIN URGED RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE POLICE IN STAMPING OUT CRIME.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU, AND THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR LAI KWOK-LEUNG.
- - 0 - -
DB TO DISCUSS PROPOSED AMENDMENT PLANS »»»»»♦
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE KOWLOON BAY OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND NGAU TAU KOK AND KOWLOON BAY OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (MARCH 12) .
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE DOCUMENTS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY THE WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY AND THE METROPLAN.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE IN ITS SHARE OF RATES, THE RE-REGISTRATION OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AND THE REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 12) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
l - 12 -
DB COMMITTEI TO DISCUSS ILLEGAL HAWKING
* * * * *
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS ILLEGAL HAWKING IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (MARCH 12).
ILLEGAL HAWKING IS A PROBLEM AT THE OPEN SPACE BETWEEN TAI PO CENTRE AND TAI PO PLAZA.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO LOOK INTO DUMPING THAT OCCURS AT TAI PO ESTATE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE TAI PO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL WORKING GROUP AND PROPOSED MINOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS: .
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING OE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (MARCH 12) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC REPORT
*****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A REPORT ON A TRAFFIC STUDY OF TAI PO MARKET AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (MARCH 12).
THE REPORT HAS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN THE AREA.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY 1990 AND THE LIGHTING FACILITIES ALONG TOLO HIGHWAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (MARCH 12) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
/13 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
13
GIRLS’ HOME RESIDENTS TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE ******
YOUNG PEOPLE IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LIKE OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE, CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN SHARING THEIR LOVE AND CARE WITH OTHERS.
THIS IS WHAT RESIDENTS OF THE MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ACHIEVE BY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES.
"I FEEL HAPPY BECAUSE I KNOW I HAVE HELPED OTHER PEOPLE," ONE OF THE GIRLS SAID ON HER TRIP BACK TO THE GIRLS’ HOME AFTER VISITING THE PO LEUNG KUK KWAI SHING CHILDREN’S TRAINING CENTRE FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
"WHEN I FIRST SAW THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN THERE, I WAS A BIT NERVOUS.
"BUT LATER I FOUND THAT THEY ARE FRIENDLY, JUST LIKE WHAT THE SOCIAL WORKERS IN OUR HOME HAVE TOLD US, AND I BEGAN TO LIKE THE CHILDREN."
ANOTHER GIRL SAID: "AFTER VISITING THESE CHILDREN, I LEARNT THAT THERE ARE MANY UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. SO I THINK I SHOULD BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT I HAVE.
"I FEEL SORRY FOR THE CHILDREN, AND I SAID TO MYSELF: WHEN I LEAVE THE GIRLS’ HOME, I CAN GO THERE AND OFFER MY HELP."
COMMENTING ON THE RESIDENTS' FEELINGS, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME, MRS ANNA MAK, SAID SHE WAS PLEASED THAT THE GIRLS HAD GAINED SOMETHING POSITIVE FROM THE VISIT.
"ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE TO INVOLVE THE GIRLS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES TO HELP THEM REBUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM," SHE SAID.
"IT IS HOPED THAT FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, THEY WILL LEARN THAT THEY COULD BE ’GIVERS’ TO THE COMMUNITY, AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE."
MRS MAK NOTED THAT MEMBERS OF THE HOME’S SOCIAL SERVICE GROUP HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED THREE SPECIAL COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS WITH SUBSIDIES FROM FUNDS RAISED AT A CHARITY BAZAAR HELD IN JULY LAST YEAR.
"THE BAZAAR WAS SPECIALLY ORGANISED IN RESPONSE TO THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE-CHILD.
"OVER 1,200 HANDICRAFTS MADE BY THE RESIDENTS WERE PUT ON SALE AND PART OF THE PROCEEDS WAS ALLOCATED FOR THE THREE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN."
/BESIDES THE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
- 14 -
BESIDES THE VISIT TO PO LEUNG KUK KWAI SHING CHILDREN’S TRAINING CENTRE, THE GIRLS ALSO VISITED CHILDREN AT THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG ELAINE FIELD SCHOOL IN SAU MAU PING AND THE HEEP HONG SOCIETY FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
"APART FROM SPECIAL PROJECTS, THE GIRLS ARE ALSO ENGAGED IN REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES," MRS MAK NOTED.
"TWICE EVERY MONTH, MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE GROUP VISIT HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHEK LEI PUI, CHATTING WITH ELDERLY RESIDENTS THERE AND ENTERTAINING THEM WITH PERFORMANCES LIKE DRAMAS," SHE SAID.
MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME IS ONE OF SEVEN RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE REMAND AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND YOUTH IN NEED OF STATUTORY CARE AND PROTECTION.
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EFFORTS IN MACHINE SAFETY REINFORCED ♦ * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS TAKING PART IN THE "HONG KONG LINKAGE INDUSTRY INTERNATIONAL MACHINE TOOL EXHIBITION ’90", WHICH IS BEING HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE UNTIL TUESDAY (MARCH 13), TO REINFORCE ITS EFFORT IN PROMOTING MACHINE SAFETY.
"OUR DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBITION FEATURES INTERESTING AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS, SUCH AS CHARTS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND A VIDEO-TAPE ON MACHINE SAFETY," THE DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR (TRAINING), MR WONG CHI-KAI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"STATISTICS SHOW THAT OF THE 59,508 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN 1988, 9,035 OR 15 PER CENT WERE CAUSED BY MACHINERY," MR WONG SAID, NOTING ALSO THAT 21 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES.
"THE FIVE TYPES OF MACHINES CAUSING MOST INJURY CASES IN 1988 WERE: SEWING MACHINE (1,681), METAL POWER PRESS (770), LOOSE KNIFE PUNCHING MACHINE (660), ABRASIVE WHEEL (349) AND DRILLING MACHINE (306)," HE NOTED.
TO CURB ACCIDENTS, THE DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A TWO-MONTH MACHINE SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAST MONDAY. DURING THIS PERIOD, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL VISIT WORKPLACES TO EXPLAIN TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES THE PROPER WAY TO GUARD THEIR MACHINES.
"ACCORDING TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, EVERY DANGEROUS PART OF A MACHINE MUST BE EFFECTIVELY GUARDED," MR WONG SAID.
/'•PROPRIETORS HAVE.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
15
"PROPRIETORS HAVE A DUTY TO ENSURE SAFE MACHINES BY PROVIDING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE GUARDING, AND GIVING PROPER TRAINING, SUFFICIENT INSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION TO WORKERS OPERATING THE MACHINES AS WELL AS EXERCISING PROPER SUPERVISION.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WORKERS SHOULD MAKE PROPER USE OF MACHINE GUARDS AND SAFETY DEVICES, SHOULD WEAR SUITABLE WORKING CLOTHES AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY THE PROPRIETORS AND SHOULD FOLLOW SPECIFIED SAFETY RULES," MR WONG SAID.
"IT IS HOPED THAT BY VISITING OUR DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBITION, FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS WILL BETTER UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF MACHINE SAFETY," MR WONG ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM ON MARCH 11 AND 12,
AND FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM ON MARCH 13.
- - 0 - -
PEAK POLICE STATION MODEL ON DISPLAY *****
THANKS TO A GENEROUS DONATION FROM A LOCAL CELEBRITY AND THE WILLING HELP OF STUDENTS FROM A SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT, THE MODEL OF THE PEAK POLICE STATION AND ITS SURROUNDINGS HAD BEEN RENOVATED AND OPENED AGAIN FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY.
"THE LARGE MODEL LOCATED IN THE GARDEN OF PEAK STATION WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT BY SHAN TUNG CONSTABLES IN 1953," THE POLICE PEAK SUB-DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR DAVID GREENWOOD, EXPLAINED.
"THE CONSTABLES WERE ATTACHED TO THE PEAK DURING THAT PERIOD AND BECAUSE THEY SPOKE LITTLE CANTONESE TENDED TO KEEP TO THEMSELVES DURING THEIR OFF-DUTY HOURS. THE BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MODEL WAS HOW THEY CHOSE TO SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME.
"UNFORTUNATELY ONCE THEY LEFT THE PEAK, NO-ONE SHOWED SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN THE UPKEEP OF THE MODEL.
"BEING EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS, IT BEGAN TO SHOW SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR WHICH IS NOT GOOD FOR SOMETHING ON PUBLIC DISPLAY."
AFTER BANGING HIS HEAD AGAINST BUREAUCRATIC BRICK WALLS IN TRYING TO GET THE NECESSARY FUNDS REQUIRED, MR GREENWOOD SAID HE RECEIVED A GENEROUS OFFER FROM MRS CHAN MOK WING-CHUN, HONORARY PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
AT THE SAME TIME, STUDENTS OF THE GERMAN SWISS SCHOOL VOLUNTEERED TO REBUILD THE MODEL.
WORK SWIFTLY GOT UNDERWAY IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, AND IN FEBRUARY THE COMPLETELY REFURNISHED AND UPDATED MODEL WAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC BY MRS CHAN MOK WING-CHUN.
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/16
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
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INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE FOR FANLING * * * *
AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE WILL BE BUILT IN AREA 44, FANLING, TO PROVIDE MORE SPORT FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START NEXT MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
MAJOR FACILITIES IN THE CENTRE WILL INCLUDE A MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL WHICH CAN PROVIDE EITHER TWO BASKETBALL COURTS, EIGHT BADMINTON COURTS OR TWO VOLLEYBALL COURTS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE THREE SQUASH COURTS, A FITNESS TRAINING ROOM, AN ACTIVITY/DANCE ROOM, A BOOKING OFFICE, A CONTROL OFFICE AND A MEETING ROOM.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MARCH 30 THIS YEAR.
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ID CARD VISITING SERVICE FOR OUTLYING DISTRICTS *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED MEN BORN BETWEEN 1928 AND 1931 THAT A VISITING SERVICE FOR THE ISSUE OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS WILL OPERATE FROM MONDAY (MARCH 12) UNTIL MARCH 24.
THE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED IN CHEUNG CHAU, LAMMA, MUI WO, TAI O AND SAI KUNG.
’’THE SERVICE IS AIMED AT FACILITATING APPLICATIONS FROM MEN AFFECTED BY THE CURRENT PHASE WHO LIVE IN OUTLYING DISTRICTS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
MEN BORN BETWEEN 1932 AND 1940 WHO MISSED THEIR TURN TO OBTAIN NEW IDENTITY CARDS MAY ALSO FILE THEIR APPLICATIONS DURING THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
THE VISITING SERVICE WILL OPERATE MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, UNDER THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
/OPERATING PERIOD .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
- 17 -
OPERATING PERIOD
CENTRE
OPENING HOURS
MARCH 12 MUI WO COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 10 AM - 1 PM
TO BRANCH OFFICE, 2 PM - 4 PM
MARCH 14 GRAND VIEW MANSION, GROUND FLOOR, SHOP D, SOUTH LANTAU ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND
MARCH TO MARCH 12 17 CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, 2 CHURCH ROAD, CHEUNG CHAU 10 AM - 2 PM - 1 4 PM PM
MARCH 12 SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, 10 AM - 1 PM
TO PO TUNG ROAD, 2 PM - 4 PM
MARCH 24 SAI KUNG
MARCH 19 NORTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, 10 AM - 1 PM
TO YUNG SHU WAN MAIN STREET, 2 PM - 4 PM
MARCH 21 NORTH LAMMA
MARCH TO 19 TAI O RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, 29 MARKET STREET, 10.30 AM - 2 PM - 1 PM 3.30 PM
MARCH 21 TAI O
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO
AMNESTY FOR
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
-----0------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI, TUEN MUN
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN YAU MA TEI AND TUEN MUN FROM MONDAY (MARCH 12) BECAUSE OF ROADWORKS.
VEHICLES EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES GROSS WILL BE BANNED FROM KWUN CHUNG STREET BETWEEN AUSTIN ROAD AND BOWRING STREET IN YAU MA TEI FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY UNTIL THE END OF APRIL.
MEANWHILE, TUEN LUNG STREET IN TUEN MUN WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 10.30 AM ON MARCH 12 TO 6 PM ON MARCH 26.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR TUEN SHUN STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TUEN HOP STREET.
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/18 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
- 18 -
URBAN CLEARWAY IN IVY STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 12), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF IVY STREET BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND TAI CHING STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TOLO HIGHWAY, TAI PO
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TWO SECTIONS OF TOLO HIGHWAY IN TAI PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MONDAY (MARCH 12) TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
ABOUT 1.4 KILOMETRES OF THE SLOW LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY.
IN ADDITION, ABOUT 1.8 KILOMETRES OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON MARCH 13 AND 14.
-----0-----
ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 12), THE SECTION OF TAK YAN STREET BETWEEN WAN CHAI ROAD AND OI KWAN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ELECTRIC CABLE DIVERSION WORK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON WAN CHAI ROAD INTENDING TO GAIN ACCESS TO OI KWAN ROAD THROUGH TAK YAN STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA WOOD ROAD AND WING CHEUNG STREET.
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/19 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1990
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WESTERN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 12), ALL VEHICLES OVER SEVEN METRES LONG WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING KO SHING STREET 24 HOURS DAILY FOR ONE WEEK TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON MONDAY (MARCH 12) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT TUNG SHAN TERRACE, SHIU FAI TERRACE, NO. 15-34 STUBBS ROAD AND NO. 120-128 KENNEDY ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE .................................................. 1
HK IDEALLY PLACED FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS: AG .............................. 2
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY RELEASED .................................... 4
HUMID AND MORE RAIN IN FEBRUARY .................................................. 10
QE FOUNDATION INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS .................................... 13
65 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN DECEMBER ....................................... 13
TWO OZP'S REFERRED BACK FOR AMENDMENTS ........................................... 14
POLICE ENHANCED FIREARMS TRAINING PROGRAMME TO BEGIN SOON ........................ 14
NUMBERS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES DOWN IN FEBRUARY ..................... 16
GOVT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP TSEUNG KWAN O........................................... 16
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ....................................... 18
BOOK EXHIBITION IN KOWLOON CITY .................................................. 18
PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON FESTIVE LIGHTING ...................................... 19
ANTI-DRUG CAMP HELD FOR STUDENTS ................................................. 19
ANOTHER CHANCE TO APPLY FOR PRIMARY 1 PLACE ...................<.................. 20
YOUNG MUSICIANS PERFORM AT GALA .................................................. 21
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
1
QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE * * * * *
FOLLOW TNG IS THE TEXT OF THE QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE, WHICH IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 000 J HOURS TOMORROW (MONDAY):
’’EVERY YEAR, WHEN WE CELEBRATE COMMONWEALTH DAY, IT REMINDS ME THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING SOMETHING WHICH IS QUITE UNIQUE. NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE COMMONWEALTH HAS EVER BEEN CREATED OR EVOLVED BEFORE. ITS COMPARATIVE LACK OF RULES, ITS HUMAN RICHNESS AND ITS GEOGRAPHICAL DIVERSITY, MAKE THE COMMONWEALTH AS HARD TO DEFINE AS IT IS EASY TO CRITICISE.
’’THE MEMBERS OF ANY FAMILY, AND THAT IS WHAT THE COMMONWEALTH MOST NEARLY RESEMBLES, WILL VARY WIDELY IN AGE, APPEARANCE, TASTES, TALENTS AND TEMPERAMENT. FROM TIME TO TIME THEY WILL HOLD SOME VERY DIFFERENT OPINIONS. YET MEMBERS OF A FAMILY HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN RECOGNISING EACH OTHER AS RELATIONS, AND IN PUTTING A VALUE UPON THEIR KINSHIP. THEY ARE ABLE TO SUM ONE ANOTHER UP WITH BOTH REALISM AND AFFECTION. THEY APPRECIATE EACH OTHER’S SPECIAL QUALITIES. ABOVE ALL, THEY HAVE LEARNED TO FEEL AT HOME WITH EACH OTHER. SO HAVE WE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
"IT IS A FEATURE OF OUR ASSOCIATION THAT WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND INFLUENCE EACH OTHER, BUT DO NOT EXPECT TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. IN THE LAST RESORT, THERE IS NO COMPULSION TO CONFORM. IF WE ARE SOMETIMES CRITICAL OF EACH OTHER, OR DISAPPOINTED, IT IS BECAUSE WE EXPECT MORE OF MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY THAN WE DO OF OTHERS. NOW AND THEN A MEMBER MAY EVEN FEEL CONSTRAINED TO GO OFF ON HIS OWN. SOME YEARS AGO THIS HAPPENED TO PAKISTAN FOR EXAMPLE. YET TODAY WE HAVE THE JOY OF HAVING PAKISTAN BACK IN THE FAMILY. THIS ILLUSTRATES PERFECTLY THE NATURE OF THE UNDERLYING BOND WHICH DISTINGUISHES THE COMMONWEALTH FROM ALL OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
"THE COMMONWEALTH HAS OTHER STRENGTHS TOO. ONE OF THEM IS THAT IT APPEALS TO THE YOUNG AS MUCH AS TO THE OLD, TO PEOPLES AND NATIONS AT ALL PHASES OF POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, TO REFORMERS AND LOVERS OF TRADITION ALIKE.
"ANOTHER STRENGTH OF THE COMMONWEALTH IS THE MULTIPLICITY OF STRANDS THAT BIND US TOGETHER. WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT THE COMMONWEALTH RELATIONSHIP IS NOT LIMITED TO THE CONTACTS BETWEEN POLITICAL LEADERS. EACH AND EVERY NATIONAL ORGANISATION AND PROFESSION SEEMS TO HAVE ITS COMMONWEALTH COUNTERPART. THEY GIVE IT LIFE AND DIVERSITY AND MAP OUT THE PATHS OF ITS FUTURE ACHIEVEMENTS.
"ON COMMONWEALTH DAY ESPECIALLY WE GREET EACH OTHER AS MEMBERS OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST UNUSUAL FAMILY ON EARTH."
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/2 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
2
HK IDEALLY PLACED FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS: AG * t » » »
CHANGES MADE IN RECENT YEARS TO LOCAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION LAW HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A LEADING ARBITRATION CENTRE IN THE REGION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARBITRATORS AT A DINNER MEETING THIS (SUNDAY) EVENINp. •
HE SAID THAT THE MOST RECENT CHANGE WAS THE INCORPORATION INTO DOMESTIC LAW OF THE UNITED NATIONS MODEL LAW ON INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION.
THIS WAS EFFECTED BY THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1989 PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATE LAST YEAR.
MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION SOON WHEN CERTAIN MINOR AMENDMENTS TO RELEVANT SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WERE MADE.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE MODEL LAW WOULD APPLY TO INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS, UNLESS THE PARTIES AGREED OTHERWISE.
THE ORDINANCE WAS A RESULT OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE HONG KONG LAW REFORM COMMISSION IN 1987.
"THE COMMISSION SAW REAL BENEFITS FOR HONG KONG IN ADOPTING A CLEARLY EXPRESSED AND WELL-KNOWN INTERNATIONAL CODE - THE MODEL LAW -FOR SETTLING INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL DISPUTES.
"ADOPTION OF THE MODEL LAW WILL PROVIDE A SOUND AND WELL-UNDERSTOOD FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS CAN BE CONDUCTED HERE.
"THIS WILL INEVITABLY ATTRACT MORE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS TO THE TERRITORY," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS IDEALLY PLACED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUCH A DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE OF ITS INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL CHARACTER, AND THE PRESENCE HERE OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE WHICH HAD BEEN OPERATING SINCE 1985.
HE SAID THE CENTRE PROVIDED FACILITIES FOR ARBITRATIONS AND MAINTAINED A PANEL OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED ARBITRATORS, BOTH FROM HONG KONG AND ABROAD.
THE CENTRE WAS ALSO FAMILIAR WITH THE MODEL LAW, THE RULES OF WHICH IT HAD ALREADY BEEN USING FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS FOR SOME TIME.
MR MATHEWS SAID TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED VIABILITY OF THE CENTRE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACTED ON A LAW REFORM COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION BY PROVIDING A GRANT OF $19.1 MILLION TO THE CENTRE.
/HE EMPHASISED .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
3 -
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE GRANT DID NOT CARRY WITH IT ANY GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THE OPERATION OF THE CENTRE WHICH WAS, AND WOULD REMAIN, FULLY INDEPENDENT.
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S HOPE THAT WITH THE CENTRE’S VIABILITY ASSURED, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THE MODEL LAW AS THE PROCEDURAL BENCHMARK FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS, HONG KONG WILL FULLY REALISE ITS POTENTIAL AS THE LEADING CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION IN THE FAR EAST,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
HE SAID THE MODEL LAW REPRESENTED A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF ARBITRATION AS A FORM OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION THAT WAS BASED ON PRIVATE CONTRACT RATHER THAN PUBLIC AUTHORITY, AND WHICH WAS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE COURTS, THOUGH STILL SUBJECT TO LIMITED JUDICIAL SUPERVISION.
GOING FURTHER TO EXPLAIN THE ATTRACTIONS OF ARBITRATION AS A PROCEDURE FOR SETTLING DISPUTES, MR MATHEWS SAID THERE WERE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ARBITRATION AND LITIGATION.
"IN BOTH, THE DECISION-MAKER MUST BE IMPARTIAL; TREAT THE PARTIES EQUALLY; AND HEAR THEIR RESPECTIVE CASES AND THE DECISION MADE IS BINDING ON THE PARTIES.
"THE DIFFERENCE IS, THAT ARBITRATION IS ESSENTIALLY A PRIVATE MATTER BASED ON AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES," HE SAID.
HE SAID ARBITRATION COULD CLEARLY OFFER ADVANTAGES OVER LITIGATION - THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE AN EXPERT AS DECISION-MAKER; THE DEGREE OF INFORMALITY AND FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF PROCEDURE; THE REDUCTION IN TIME AND EXPENSE CONSEQUENT UPON FLEXIBILITY AND EXPERTISE AND, FINALLY, PRIVACY OR CONFIDENTIALITY.
NOTING THAT NOT ALL OF THESE FEATURES WOULD ALWAYS BE PRESENT, HE SAID THE ULTIMATE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARBITRATION AND LITIGATION WAS THAT ARBITRATION PROVIDED A GREATER ELEMENT OF CHOICE AND THE FLEXIBILITY THAT WENT WITH IT.
"NOTWITHSTANDING THE ADVANTAGES OF ARBITRATIONS, HOWEVER, IT WOULD SEEM TO FOLLOW THAT THE MORE LEGALISTIC, ADVERSARIAL AND COURTLIKE THEY BECOME, THE LESS LIKELY THEY WILL BE SEEN AS ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO LITIGATION FOR SETTLING DISPUTES. THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN SOME OTHER JURISDICTIONS," MR MATHEWS SAID.
IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT THE UNITED NATIONS MODEL LAW SOUGHT TO AVOID, HE SAID.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
4
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR JANUARY RELEASED ♦ » * ♦ ♦
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY 1990, AT $85,689 MILLION, DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1989, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN JANUARY 1990 RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT TO $16,637 MILLION IN JANUARY 1990, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 7 PER CENT TO $27,960 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1990 TO $44,598 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 3 PER CENT OVER JANUARY 1989.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT TO $41,092 MILLION.
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH JANUARY 1989, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS DECREASED, PARTICULARLY THOSE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM (-21 PER CENT) AND CHINA (-14 PER CENT). THOSE TO CANADA, JAPAN, THE NETHERLANDS AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY DECLINED BY 9 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, A SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, BY 53 PER CENT. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO FRANCE AND THE USA ALSO INCREASED, BY 9 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE TERMS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, SINGAPORE, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, TAIWAN AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY DECREASED BY 21 PER CENT, 19 PER CENT, 18 PER CENT, 18 PER CENT, 13 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN VALUE TERMS.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE USA AND CHINA INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CANADA, THE USA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS TN JANUARY 1990 OVER JANUARY 1989, BY 44 PER CENT, 39 PER CENT, 34 PER CENT, 29 PER CENT, 17 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA DECREASED BY 23 PER CENT.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH TN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH. IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR ARE USUALLY AFFECTED BY THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1990 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT TO $223,480 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS, AT $348,112 MILLION, WERE UP BY 23 PER CENT.
/TAKING DOMESTIC .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
- 5 -
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY 14 PER CENT. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT TO $560,739 MILLION. TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, AS A WHOLE, INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT.
ALL TRADE STATISTICS PRESENTED 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 1990 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY APRIL.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH JANUARY 1989, INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE RECORDED IN MOST MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE MORE NOTABLE ONES WERE CLOTHING (BY $481 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT); TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $87 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $64 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $34 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $299 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT) AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $259 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH JANUARY 1989, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN IMPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY
$562 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (BY $290 MILLION OR 48 PER
CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $224 MILLION OR 9 PER
CENT) AND TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $186 MILLION OR 28 PER
CENT).
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS OF IRON AND STEEL (BY $474 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT) AND TEXTILES ( BY $305 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 II.LUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
6
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH JANUARY 1989, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS IN VALUE TERMS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,198 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1,051 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (BY $427 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT) AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (BY $240 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT).
DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $278 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT) AND TEXTILES (BY $50 MILLION OR 2 PER CENT).
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE ( RANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARF PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE JANUARY 1990 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TN JANUARY 1990 WILL BE ON SALE AROUND MARCH 15, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $27 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, I BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 8234915).
TABLE I: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JANUARY 1990 (HKD MN.) JANUARY J9R9 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
U.S.A. 5,277 5,184 + 93 + 2
CHINA 2,752 3,205 - 453 - 14
1.R. OF GERMANY 1,313 1 ,356 - 43 - 3
U.K. 957 1 , 208 - 251 - 21
JAPAN 897 966 - 68 - 7
CANADA 524 577 - 53 - 9
SINGAPORE 472 479 - 7 - 1
TAIWAN 443 289 + 154 + 53
NETHERLANDS 384 408 - 24 - 6
FRANCE 334 306 + 28 + 9
/TABLE 2 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
7
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JANUARY 1990 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1989 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,968 5,486 + 481 + 9
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,945 2,091 147 7
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,501 1,438 + 64 + 4
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,225 1 , 191 + 34 + 3
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1 , 140 1,439 — 299 * 21
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,054 1,313 - 259 - 20
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER JANUARY 1990 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1989 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
CHINA 16,043 14,948 + 1, 095 + 7
JAPAN 5,711 7,006 - 1, 294 - 18
U.S.A. 3,551 3,164 + 387 + 12
TAIWAN 3,503 4,032 — 529 — 13
/REPUBLIC OF ......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
- 8 -
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,614 2,036 - 422 - 21
SINGAPORE 1,546 1,919 - 373 - 19
F.R. OF GERMANY 941 1,078 - 138 - 13
U.K. 887 1,076 - 189 - 18
ITALY 691 686 + 5 + 1
FRANCE 647 663 - 15 - 2
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE PERCENTAGE
COMMODITY DIVISION 1990 (HKD MN.) 1989 (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) INCREASE ( % )
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4,751 5,056 - 305 - 6
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,822 4,256 - 433 - 10
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,756 3,194 + 562 + 18
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,912 2,961 - 50 - 2
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,769 2,545 + 224 ♦ 9
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,245 2,246 1
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
/TABLE 5 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
- 9 -
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JANUARY 1990 (HKD MN.) JANUARY 1989 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE ( % )
CHINA 6,889 8,969 - 2,080 - 23
U.S.A. 6,245 4,645 + 1 ,600 + 34
JAPAN 1,730 1,583 + 148 + 9
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,450 1,010 + 441 + 44
TAIWAN 1,311 1,333 - 22 - 2
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 995 1,008 - 13 - 1
SINGAPORE 925 906 + 19 + 2
U.K. 733 568 + 165 + 29
CANADA 533 384 + 149 + 39
AUSTRALIA 525 450 + 75 + 17
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY
DIVISION
JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE PERCENTAGE
1990 1989 INCREASE
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL
AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,869 2,671 + 1,198 + 45
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,477 2,426 + 1,051 + 43
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,948 2,998 50 - 2
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,570 2,706 136 - 5
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
- 10 -
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
SOUND RECORDING AND
REPRODUCING APPARATUS
AND EQUIPMENT 2,248 2,035 + 213
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS
AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 1,089 849 + 240
+ 10
+ 28
------0--------
HUMID AND MORE RAIN IN FEBRUARY * ♦ » ♦ ♦
FOLLOWING A WET AND HUMID JANUARY, FEBRUARY WAS EVEN WETTER AND MORE HUMID, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT RELEASED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE MONTHLY MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 86 PER CENT AND THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 195.7 MILLIMETRES WERE RESPECTIVELY THE SIXTH AND THE FIFTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR FEBRUARY.
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL WAS MORE THAN FOUR AND A HALF TIMES THE NORMAL FEBRUARY FIGURE OF 41.9 MILLIMETRES.
THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO 243.2 MILLIMETRES, WHICH IS ABOUT THREE AND A HALF TIMES THE NORMAL AND THE FOURTH WETTEST FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE INTENSE COLD SURGE TOWARDS THE END OF JANUARY REACHED ITS CLIMAX EARLY ON FEBRUARY 1 WHEN TEMPERATURES AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY PLUMMETED TO SEVEN DEGREES, THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH AND ALSO THE COLDEST SO FAR THIS WINTER.
TEMPERATURES WERE EVEN LOWER ELSEWHERE - DOWN TO FOUR OR FIVE DEGREES OVER THE NEW TERRITORIES AND NEAR FREEZING ON HIGH GROUND.
FRESH EASTERLIES REPLACED THE NORTHERLIES LATER ON FEBRUARY 1. THERE WERE SOME SUNNY PERIODS ON THE NEXT DAY AND TEMPERATURES STARTED TO CLIMB SLOWLY.
HOWEVER, A WEAK REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHERLIES ON FEBRUARY 3 BROUGHT THE TEMPERATURE DOWN AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY.
FROM FEBRUARY 5 TO 22, IT WAS MAINLY AN EASTERLY WEATHER REGIME APART FROM A BRIEF NORTHERLY INTERLUDE WHEN A WEAK COLD FRONT CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 11.
THE WEATHER FROM FEBRUARY 5 TO 15 WAS VARIABLE WITH PERIODS OF SUNSHINE AND OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN.
/UNDER THE .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
11
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF WARM AND MOIST AIR FROM THE PACIFIC, CONDITIONS WERE RATHER MISTY AT TIMES, PARTICULARLY OVER OFFSHORE AREAS WHERE FOG PATCHES WERE REPORTED ON THE MORNINGS OF FEBRUARY 9 TO 12.
ONE OF THE WARMEST DAYS IN THE MONTH OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 14 WHEN A MAXIMUM OF 23.4 DEGREES WAS REACHED.
OUTBREAKS OF RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH UPPER ATMOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES ADDED AN EXTRA DIMENSION TO THE WEATHER AND THE FIRST THUNDER OF THE SEASON WAS HEARD EARLY ON FEBRUARY 16. THE RAIN GOT EVEN HEAVIER THE NEXT DAY WITH MORE THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING.
THE EASING OF WINDS ON FEBRUARY 19 RESULTED IN A BREAK FROM THE OVERCAST AND RAINY CONDITIONS. PERIODS OF SUNSHINE PUSHED THE TEMPERATURE UP TO THE SAME FIGURE OF 23.4 DEGREES PREVIOUSLY REACHED ON FEBRUARY 14.
THE FRESHENING OF THE EASTERLIES EARLY ON FEBRUARY 20 BROUGHT THE RAIN BACK. RAIN AND THUNDERY SHOWERS PERSISTED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
SQUALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE THUNDERSTORMS WERE PARTICULARLY SEVERE ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 22.
IN ADDITION TO THE RATHER UNSETTLED CONDITIONS, THERE WAS ALSO POOR VISIBILITY DURING THE QUIETER PERIODS. FOG HOVERED OVER THE OFFSHORE WATERS ON FEBRUARY 19 AND DURING THIS PERIOD A HYDROFOIL WENT AGROUND AT DEEP BAY.
INSHORE AREAS WERE ALSO AFFECTED BY DENSE FOG ON FEBRUARY 22. AIR TRAFFIC WAS DISRUPTED AND THREE HIGH-SPEED FERRY SERVICES WERE SUSPENDED.
AN INTENSE COLD SURGE BROUGHT AN END TO THE EASTERLY REGIME ON FEBRUARY 23. THE PASSAGE OF THE ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME THUNDERSTORMS THAT AFTERNOON.
THE WEATHER OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS WAS GLOOMY AND COLD WITH PERSISTENT RAIN. TEMPERATURES DROPPED TO BELOW 10 DEGREES ON THE MORNINGS OF FEBRUARY 25 AND 26.
EARLY ON FEBRUARY 27, EASTERLIES STRENGTHENED FOR A WHILE BUT SOON GAVE WAY TO A NORTHERLY REPLENISHMENT LATER THAT EVENING.
ALTHOUGH OVERCAST AND COLD WEATHER CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER DAY, THE RAIN BEGAN TO EASE OFF BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE MONTH.
DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, NO TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. A TOTAL OF 21 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER.
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, AND 24. THE ONLY FIRE DANGER WARNING ISSUED WAS A YELLOW WARNING ON FEBRUARY 4.
/SIGNALS HOISTED .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
12
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON JANUARY 31 6.20 PM FEBRUARY 1 8.45 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEBRUARY 9 7.05 AM FEBRUARY 9 10.15 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEBRUARY 16 11 PM FEBRUARY 17 3 PM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEBRUARY 20 4.40 AM FEBRUARY 20 10.15 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON FEBRUARY 27 5 AM FEBRUARY 28 5 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 56.4 HOURS ; 52.3 HOURS BELOW
NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 7.47 MJ/SQUARE METRE » 3.62 MJ/SQUARE METRE BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 195.7 MM » 153.8 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 85 PER CENT » 14 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 86 PER CENT t 8 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
MEAN AIR DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 18.2 DEGREES CELSIUS 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS ' BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 16.2 DEGREES CELSIUS > 0.3 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AIR DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 14.5 DEGREES CELSIUS > 0.8 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 13.8 DEGREES CELSIUS > 2.1 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 44.1 MM f 37.8 MM BELOW NORMAL
--------0-----------
/13 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
- 13 -
QE FOUNDATION INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS ♦ t t ♦ t
THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED TODAY (SUNDAY) INVITED APPLICATIONS FROM VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS FOR GRANTS TO FINANCE ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO PROJECTS AIMED AT ENHANCING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE GUIDE TO APPLICATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARY, COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, REHABILITATION DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT OF THE FOUNDATION BY APRIL 17.
------0-------
65 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN DECEMBER
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED A TOTAL OF 65 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN DECEMBER.
OF THE PLANS, 26 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 29 FOR KOWLOON AND 10 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 23 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS; 19 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT; AND SEVEN FOR FACTORY, INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 42 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 181,570.8 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 434,805 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1,765 MILLION. THE USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 149,748.3 SQUARE METRES AND 196,656.3 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 42 OCCUPATION PERMITS, 19 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 10 FOR KOWLOON AND 13 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 41 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 100 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 498 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 626 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 209 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDING SECTION INSPECTED 336 BUILDINGS. NO EMERGENCY CLOSURES WERE REQUIRED.
------0----------
/14 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
14
TWO OZP’S REFERRED BACK FOR AMENDMENTS ♦ ♦ » » *
TWO OUTLINE ZONING PLANS HAVE BEEN REFERRED BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR AMENDMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS REFERRED THE DRAFT STANLEY OUTLINE ZONING PLAN BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO INCORPORATE THE PLANNING PROPOSALS OF THE STANLEY PLANNING STUDY (STAGE II) CURRENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE STANLEY PLANNING STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR AND AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT PLAN WILL BE MADE AFTERWARDS.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ALSO REFERRED THE ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU OUTLINE ZONING PLAN BACK TO THE BOARD FOR AMENDMENTS TO KEEP ABREAST OF CHANGES IN THE PLANNING PROPOSALS FOR THE ABERDEEN AND AP LEI CHAU AREA.
THESE WILL INCLUDE A PROPOSED PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME ESTATE AT SHUM WAN ROAD.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS TO THE TWO PLANS WOULD BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND OBJECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
--------0-----------
POLICE ENHANCED FIREARMS TRAINING PROGRAMME TO BEGIN SOON * * t * »
WITH YEARS OF PLANNING NEARING COMPLETION THE FIRST PHASE OF THE POLICE FORCE’S ENHANCED FIREARMS TRAINING PROGRAMME IS DUE TO BEGIN WITH THE OPENING IN APRIL OF A NEW INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE AT THE NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AT TAI PO.
THE PROGRAMME WILL EVENTUALLY INCLUDE ALL OF THE FORCE’S LAND REGIONS AND WILL ENABLE FIREARMS TRAINING TO USE IMPROVED FACILITIES UNDER THE TUITION OF A TRAINING CADRE THAT HAS EXPANDED BY AROUND 100 PPP CENT DURING RECENT YEARS.
’’THIS IS NOT A DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS HAPPENED DRAMATICALLY OVER NIGHT," THE SENIOR STAFF INSPECTOR (WEAPONS TRAINING) AT THE POLICE IRAI NG SCHOOL, MR PATRICK CHAN, SAID: "IT IS THE REALISATION OF LONG TERM PLANNING.
"THE PROVISION OF THE NEW RANGES WILL ALLOW INCREASED TIME TO BE SPENT AT THE RANGES WITHOUT ADDING TO THE TIME SPENT IN TRAINING.
"THERE WILL BE LESS TIME WASTED IN TRAVELLING TO RANGES AND TIME IN TRAINING WILL BE ENHANCED BY BETTER TRAINING METHODS."
/THE DEVELOPMENT .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
- 15 -
THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIREARMS TRAINING PROGRAMMES HAS CENTRED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS BUILDINGS — THE NEW REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AT TAI PO, THE COMING EAST AND WEST KOWLOON REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND THE SOON TO BE COMPLETED POLICE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN ARSENAL STREET, WAN CHAI.
ALL THE NEW RANGES WILL BE INDOORS, THEREBY CUTTING DOWN ON TIME WASTED THROUGH BAD WEATHER. THE COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT WILL ALSO ALLOW MORE TIME TO BE SPENT ON THEORETICAL WORK DURING TRAINING. TRAVELLING TIME WILL BE REDUCED.
THE NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDINGS WILL HAVE AN INDOOR CONVENTIONAL RANGE AND MINI-RANGES WHICH WILL ALLOW REALISTIC SHOOTING SCENARIOS TO BE ENACTED BASED ON ACTUAL INCIDENTS IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS.
OUTDOOR RANGES AT SMUGGLERS’ RIDGE AND MOUNT BUTLER WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED.
THE RANGE AT MOUNT BUTLER HAS BEEN IMPROVED WITH A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, A PARTITIONED AREA FOR BRIEFING AND A VENTILATION SYSTEM.
"THE CONVENTIONAL RANGES WILL ALLOW MORE COMFORTABLE CONDITIONS WITH IMPROVED TRAINING METHODS BEING USED BY BETTER QUALIFIED STAFF," MR CHAN SAID.
"ON THE MINI-RANGES TRAINEES WILL RESPOND TO REAL LIFE SITUATIONS IN DECIDING WHETHER TO DRAW THEIR REVOLVERS AND WHEN TO USE THEM."
TRAINEES AT POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM IMPROVEMENTS BEING INTRODUCED THERE IN WEAPONS TRAINING THROUGH MINIRANGES AND A VIDEO TRAINING SIMULATOR DUE TO BE' COMPLETED SOON.
"TEN YEARS AGO WE HAD NO PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED WEAPONS TRAINING INSTRUCTORS IN THE FORCE AND THERE WAS NO CO-ORDINATED TRAINING PROGRAMME," MR CHAN ADDED.
"WE NOW HAVE A SPECIALLY TRAINED CADRE OF INSTRUCTING USING STANDARDISED PROCEDURES FORCE-WIDE AS A RESULT OF THE FORCE MAKING WEAPONS TRAINING A PRIORITY ISSUE."
TWO NEWLY CREATED CHIEF INSPECTOR POSTS WILL ALLOW FOR THE FORCE-WIDE SUPERVISION OF REVOLVER TRAINING COURSES AND THE PRODUCTION OF VIDEO SCENARIOS FOR USE ON MINI-RANGES. THREE INSPECTORS OR SENIOR INSPECTORS WILL ACT AS FIREARMS INSTRUCTORS’ SUPERVISORS, ASSISTED BY TWO STATION SERGEANTS AND 29 ADDITIONAL SERGEANT INSTRUCTORS.
"THIS IS ABOUT A HUNDRED PER CENT EXPANSION IN OUR PRESENT ESTABLISHMENT," MR CHAN SAID.
/ALL OFFICERS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
- 16 -
ALL OFFICERS OF SUPERINTENDENT GRADE AND BELOW ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND RANGE COURSES THREE TIMES A YEAR TO MAINTAIN STANDARDS AND UPDATE THEIR SKILLS.
THOSE WHO FAIL TO QUALIFY MUST ATTEND EXTRA TRAINING.
"THESE EXCITING NEW FACILITIES HAVE BEEN IN THE PLANNING STAGES FOR A LONG TIME,” MR CHAN SAID. "THEY HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF NEW BUILDING PROJECTS THAT ARE NOW COMING INTO OPERATION.
------0--------
NUMBERS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES DOWN IN FEBRUARY ******
A TOTAL OF 1,535 CASUALTIES WAS REPORTED IN 1,128 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST MONTH (FEBRUARY).
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT 263 OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 615 IN KOWLOON AND 250 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY SHOWED THAT 10 PERSONS WERE KILLED, 317 PEOPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 1,208 SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 11.9 PER CENT AND 1.73 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
------0--------
GOVT CONTINUES TO DEVELOP TSEUNG KWAN 0 *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE FULL COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE "LOVELY HOMES IN TSEUNG KWAN O" VARIETY SHOW HELD AT THE TSUI LAM AMPHITHEATRE, MR TONG SAID AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AT TSUI LAM ESTATE, A SCHOOL AT KING LAM ESTATE AND A CLINIC IN YAU YUE WAN WOULD BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR.
"IN ADDITION, THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN OCTOBER, AND RESIDENTS AND VILLAGERS OF TSEUNG KWAN O, HANG HAU AND CLEAR WATER BAY WILL BY THEN BE ABLE TO TRAVEL BY BUS TO THE EASTERN PART OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND.
/REFERRING TO .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
- 17 -
REFERRING TO THE MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE AREA, MR TONG SAID WORK ON THE FIRST STAGE OF THE THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TAI CHEK SHA WOULD START LATER THIS YEAR.
HE ANTICIPATED THAT TSEUNG KWAN O WOULD BECOME MORE PROSPEROUS FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
MR TONG ALSO PRAISED THE TSEUNG KWAN O AREA COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS SET UP LAST JULY, FOR HAVING FULLY REFLECTED THE VIEWS AND NEEDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS TO THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MAKING CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS IN TURNING TSEUNG KWAN O INTO "LOVELY HOMES" FOR MANY FAMILIES.
"WITH THE SUGGESTION OF THE AREA COMMITTEE, A MINI-ROUNDABOUT WAS INSTALLED LAST YEAR AT THE JUNCTION OF PO LAM ROAD AND SAU MAU PING ROAD FOR BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW IN MA YAU TONG.
"ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE PROVISION OF A BUS STOP FOR ROUTE 95K OUTSIDE SHUN LEE CINEMA THIS SUMMER TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0 RESIDENTS TO VISIT SHUN LEE ESTATE."
THE AREA COMMITTEE ALSO MADE MANY VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS IN IMPROVING THE DESIGN OF SAFETY MEASURES ON THE ROOF OF THE TSUI LAM SHOPPING MALL AND IN SOLVING PROBLEMS IN RELATION TO LAW AND ORDER, ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND ILLEGAL HAWKING IN THE NEW TOWN, MR TONG ADDED.
THE "LOVELY HOMES IN TSEUNG KWAN O" VARIETY SHOW WAS ORGANISED BY THE TSEUNG KWAN O AREA COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT BOARD TO CULTIVATE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE AREA AND TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SERVICES IN THE NEW TOWN.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE SHOW WERE THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS LISA CHAN; SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER (SAI KUNG) OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR YUFN HON-KEUNG; AND THE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER OF THE KWUN TONG POLICE STATION, MR LAW WAI-SHING.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCES, AN INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL, SINGING, DANCES, A MAGIC SHOW AND AN EXHIBITION PRESENTED BY SCHOOLS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
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/18 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
18
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
******
THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER SEVEN APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING OUTINGS AND SEMINARS FOR THE DISTRICT’S ELDERLY AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (MARCH 13).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMMITTEE AND OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 13) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
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BOOK EXHIBITION IN KOWLOON CITY
* * * *
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON BOOKS AND STATIONERY WILL BE HELD AT THE YWCA ANNE BLACK CENTRE, 5 MAN FUK ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD HILL, KOWLOON CITY, BEGINNING ON SATURDAY (MARCH 17).
ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOL PRINCIPALS’ LIAISON COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, TO INTRODUCE VARIOUS READING MATERIALS TO STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
BOOKS AND STATIONERY WILL ALSO BE ON SALE AT A 10 TO 15 PER CENT DISCOUNT.
IT WILL BE OPEN FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY AND FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS.
GROUP VISITS BY SCHOOLS CAN BE ARRANGED BY TELEPHONING 7110171 EXT. 36.
/19 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990’
- 19 -
PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON FESTIVE LIGHTING
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR LIGHTING NEXT WEEK.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND LAST UNTIL SATURDAY AT THE FONG SHUE CHUEN EXHIBITION HALL, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, POK FU LAM, OPENING FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM DAILY.
IT WILL FEATURE 26 WINNING ENTRIES IN A TERRITORY-WIDE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ON FESTIVE LIGHTING, HELD BETWEEN LATE DECEMBER AND EARLY FEBRUARY.
THE COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO OPEN AND STUDENTS SECTIONS AND HAD ATTRACTED MORE THAN 150 ENTRIES.
BOTH THE COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION HAVE BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE MID-LEVELS (WESTERN) AREA COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND STEREO LTD.
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ANTI-DRUG CAMP HELD FOR STUDENTS *****
MORE THAN 200 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI DISTRICT TOOK PART IN AN ANTI-DRUG CAMP AT WU KAI SHA OVER THE WEEKEND.
THE TWO-DAY CAMP WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS AND THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS (DISTRICT 303).
SPONSORSHIP WAS PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED GAMES, DRAMAS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS LED BY FORMER DRUG ADDICTS TO INCREASE THE CAMPERS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGER OF SOFT DRUGS, AND TO REINFORCE THEIR DETERMINATION TO REFUSE THEM.
A FURTHER 300 STUDENTS JOINED IN THE FUN TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR DAVID WEEKS, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO, OFFICIATED AT THE CAMP’S CLOSING CEREMONY.
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/20 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
20
ANOTHER CHANCE TO APPLY FOR PRIMARY 1 PLACE
*****
PARENTS WILL HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE OF CHOOSING A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR THEIR CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOCATED A PRIMARY 1 DISCRETIONARY PLACE, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THESE CHILDREN WILL BE ALLOCATED SCHOOLS, THROUGH THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION SYSTEM, WHICH WILL BE AS NEAR TO THEIR HOMES AS POSSIBLE, HE SAID.
LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO THESE PARENTS BY THE PRIMARY 1 ADMISSION UNIT REQUESTING THEM TO GO TO SPECIFIED DISTRIBUTION-COLLECTION CENTRES TO COLLECT A "CHOICE OF SCHOOLS" FORM AND A LIST OF ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THEIR OWN DISTRICT FROM MARCH 17 (SATURDAY) TO MARCH 20 (TUESDAY) BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4 PM.
ALL THE CENTRES WILL REMAIN OPEN ON SUNDAY, MARCH 18.
"COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SAME CENTRE WITHIN THE SAME TIME PERIOD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE REMINDED PARENTS THAT THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE PRIMARY 1 ADMISSION UNIT ON TEL. NO. 5724383 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LETTER BY MARCH 17.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION SYSTEM IS SOLELY BASED ON PARENTS’ CHOICES WITH NO REFERENCE TO THE POINTS SYSTEM.
WHEN A SCHOOL IS OVERSUBSCRIBED - FOR EXAMPLE IN A DISTRICT WHICH DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PLACES - A RANDOMISATION METHOD WILL BE USED TO ENSURE FAIRNESS TO ALL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PARENTS WHO HAVE MOVED RECENTLY OR ARE PLANNING TO MOVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE MUST INFORM THE PRIMARY 1 ADMISSION UNIT SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO ALLOCATE A PLACE FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR NEW HOME DISTRICT.
HE ADDED THAT THE RESULTS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PLACES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN JUNE.
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/21
SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1990
21
YOUNG MUSICIANS PERFORM AT GALA
THE MUSIC OFFICE PRESENTED A CONCERT BY MORE THAN 500 YOUNG MUSICIANS AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE ANNUAL GALA IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PROVIDE ITS TRAINEES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN PUBLIC.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, DR HELMUT SOHMEN, AND MRS SOHMEN OFFICIATED AT THE GALA AND PRESENTED AWARDS TO THE OFFICE’S OUTSTANDING TRAINEES, ORCHESTRAL, CHOIR AND BAND MEMBERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE PAST YEAR.
ADDRESSING A CAPACITY AUDIENCE, DR SOHMEN SAID: "I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE TODAY TO WITNESS THE EXCELLENT PROGRESS MADE BY THE STUDENTS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE OVER THE LAST YEAR.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THE MUSIC OFFICE CONDUCTS OVER 700 CLASSES IN BOTH WESTERN AND CHINESE INSTRUMENTS AS WELL AS AURAL, THEORY AND CHORAL TRAINING FOR MORE THAN 4,000 TRAINEES EACH YEAR.
"THESE TRAINING PROGRAMMES HAVE HAD AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE HONG KONG MUSIC SCENE. THEY NOT ONLY HELP CREATE A GENERATION OF KEEN YOUNG MUSICIANS, BUT ALSO NURTURE A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AUDIENCE FOR THE FUTURE."
REFERRING TO MUSIC AS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE, DR SOHMEN SAID PEOPLE COMMUNICATED WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH MUSIC DESPITE DIFFERENCES IN COLOUR, RACE OR RELIGION.
"I CONGRATULATE THOSE OF YOU HERE WHO HAVE ACQUIRED THE BASICS OF THIS UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE AND HOPE YOU WILL USE IT FREELY TO EXPRESS YOURSELVES," HE SAID.
AS A MUSIC BELIEVER HIMSELF, DR SOHMAN ADVISED THE TRAINEES TO BE INQUISITIVE AND KEEP THEIR MINDS AND EARS OPEN TO THE VERY WIDE RANGE OF MUSIC OTHER PEOPLE MADE AND PLAYED.
"LIKE MOST ARTS, THE FORMS OF MUSIC KNOW NO BOUNDS. IT IS UP TO YOU TO EXPLORE AND EVENTUALLY CREATE YOUR OWN MUSIC," HE ADDED.
EARLIER, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK, SAID THE CONCERT PROVIDED A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO DEMONSTRATE THE PROGRESS THEY HAD MADE OVER THE LAST YEAR.
SHE ALSO GAVE A VOTE OF THANKS TO THE TEACHERS AND PARENTS FOR THEIR ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT.
PIECES PRESENTED TODAY INCLUDED A NUMBER OF FAMOUS CHINESE AND WESTERN COMPOSITIONS AND FOLK SONGS. THE AUDIENCE WAS ALSO INVITED TO SING A SONG, "I’D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING”, WITH THE PERFORMERS AT THE END OF THE CONCERT.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS SHELLEY LAU, ALSO ATTENDED THE GALA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MINISTERS DETERMINED TO PUT PACKAGE TO PARLIAMENT: GOVERNOR ...................... 1
STEADY GROWTH IN TRADING LINK WITH ASIA-PACIFIC................................... 1
COMMITTEE MEMBERS VISIT CSD INSTITUTIONS ......................................... 3
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN TIN SHUI WAI .............................................. 3
FIRE STATION, AMBULANCE DEPOT IN TIN SHUI WAI .................................... 4
TENDERS INVITED FOR WNT LANDFILL SITE PREPARATION WORKS .......................... 5
SPECIAL STAMPS ON INTERNATIONAL CUISINE .......................................... 5
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME ................................ 6
WATERFRONT PARK ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ........................................... 6
RIVER POLLUTION PROBLEM ON AGENDA ................................................ 7
FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES ................................................ 7
LUNG KWU SHEUNG TAN EXCAVATION WORK NEAR COMPLETION............................... 8
YAU TSIM SINGING CONTEST FINALS OPEN TO RESIDENTS................................ 8
ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ............................................ 9
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WANG TAU HOM .................................. 10
RE-INSTATEMENT OF VEHICULAR TURNING MOVEMENTS ................................... 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................................ 11
WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN ......................................................... 11
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
MINISTERS DETERMINED TO PUT PACKAGE TO PARLIAMENT: GOVERNOR
******
MINISTERS IN BRITAIN REMAINED DETERMINED TO PUT THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE TO PARLIAMENT AND THEY STILL BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL GET IT THROUGH, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN FROM A ROUTINE VISIT TO LONDON, 'SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS, OF COURSE, CONCERN ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN MAKING CRITICISMS OF THE PACKAGE.
"BUT WHEN I TALKED TO MINISTERS THEY STILL THOUGHT THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH PARLIAMENT AND THAT IS CERTAINLY THEIR OBJECTIVE," HE SAID.
"I HAVE ASSURED THEM THAT IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE IN HONG KONG CAN DO TO HELP, WE WILL DO SO," SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING: "FOR INSTANCE, BY EXPLAINING THE SITUATION HERE AND WHY WE BELIEVE IT IS SO NECESSARY TO HAVE MEASURES TO KEEP IN HONG KONG, KEY PEOPLE WHO WILL CONTRIBUTE TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY IN THE FUTURE."
ASKED IF THERE WERE CONTINGENCY PLANS SHOULD THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE FALL THROUGH, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I DON’T THINK IT’S A QUESTION OF TRYING TO PRODUCE CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR IF IT IS TURNED DOWN BY PARLIAMENT."
"AT THIS STAGE, IT’S A QUESTION OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY THAT IT DOES GET THROUGH PARLIAMENT," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD.
- - 0 - -
STEADY GROWTH IN TRADING LINK WITH ASIA-PACIFIC
*****
HONG KONG’S TRADING LINK WITH MAJOR ECONOMIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION HAS BEEN STEADILY EXPANDING, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE HONG KONG JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR CHEUNG SAID THESE ECONOMIES INCLUDED JAPAN, CHINA, TAIWAN, SOUTH KOREA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE ASEAN COUNTRIES.
"AS A MEASURE OF THIS GROWTH, WHEREAS THESE COUNTRIES ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 46 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL TRADE AND 16 PER CENT OF OUR EXPORTS IN 1979 IN VALUE TERMS, THE FIGURES HAVE RISEN TO 60.2 PER CENT AND 35.5 PER CENT IN 1989," HE SAID.
/HE SAID
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
- 2 -
HE SAID TOTAL TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND COUNTRIES IN THE REGION HAD BEEN GROWING AT A VERY IMPRESSIVE RATE DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS, PARTICULARLY IN 1987 AND 1988 WHEN A GROWTH OF 40.9 PER CENT AND 37.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WAS REGISTERED.
"IN 1989, TOTAL TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE COUNTRIES IN THE REGION WAS VALUED AT $682 BILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 14.7 PER CENT OVER 1988," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE REGION, MR CHEUNG SAID THESE TOOK UP 35.5 PER CENT OF OUR GLOBAL EXPORTS IN 1989, COMPARED WITH ONLY ONE-FOURTH IN 1985.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE REGION WERE ON THE RISE WITH AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 27.3 PER CENT IN 1985-1989. IN 1989, HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRIES ACCOUNTED FOR 54 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE WORLD, AND AMOUNTED TO $187 BILLION.
MR CHEUNG SAID THERE WAS EVERY SIGN THAT INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE WOULD GROW FURTHER IN THE YEARS TO COME AND HONG KONG MUST GRASP THIS OPPORTUNITY AND SECURE ITS MARKET SHARE.
HE SAID THAT AMONG THESE MARKETS, JAPAN WAS ONE IN WHICH HONG KONG WAS TRYING HARD TO STRENGTHEN ITS PRESENCE.
HE SAID THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN IN RECENT YEARS HAD BEEN CHARACTERISED BY HOPEFUL TRENDS OF EXPANSION AND PROGRESS. "JAPAN WAS OUR FIFTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, SECOND LARGEST SUPPLIER AND THIRD LARGEST RE-EXPORT MARKET IN 1989," HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT YEARS WAS THE INCREASE OF JAPAN-CHINA TRADE THROUGH HONG KONG, WHICH ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY FROM $4.5 BILLION IN 1985 TO $38.5 BILLION IN 1989.
LOOKING AHEAD INTO THE 90’S, MR CHEUNG SAID HONG KONG WOULD BE FACING MORE CHALLENGES IN VIEW OF THE POSSIBLE • SLOWDOWN OF THE U.S. ECONOMY AND THE IMPENDING FORMATION OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET IN 1992.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THE ECONOMIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WERE EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE OUTWARD LOOKING.
"AS TRADE AND INVESTMENT LINKS GROW, A HIGH DEGREE OF INTEGRATION AMONG THE ASIA-PACIFIC RIM ECONOMIES IS DEVELOPING. THIS REGION IS LIKELY TO REMAIN A HIGH GROWTH AREA IN THE COMING DECADE.
"AS OUTWARD-LOOKING ECONOMIES IN THE REGION, BOTH JAPAN AND HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO, AND BENEFIT FROM, THIS ECONOMIC INTEGRATION PROCESS," HE SAID.
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/3.........
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990 - 3 -
COMMITTEE MEMBERS VISIT CSD INSTITUTIONS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE SAW FOR THEMSELVES THE WORK OF STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHEN THEY VISITED SHEK PIK PRISON AND SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE ON LANTAU THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THREE MEMBERS, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, MRS MIRIAM LAU . AND MR BRIAN RENWICK, TOOK PART IN THE VISIT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR GARTH HYDES, MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FIRST VISITED SHEK PIK PRISON, WHICH IS A MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION.
IN TOURING THE WORKSHOPS OF THE SHEK PIK PRISON, MEMBERS WERE TOLD ALL PRISONERS WERE ENGAGED IN VARIOUS TRADES INCLUDING GARMENT MAKING, CARPENTRY, PRINTING, KNITTING, LEATHER WORK AND BOOK-BINDING.
THE PARTY ALSO VISITED THE CONTROL ROOM, HOSPITAL, DORMITORIES AND KITCHEN BEFORE PROCEEDING TO SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE.
AT SHA TSUI, MEMBERS TOURED THE AFTERCARE SECTION, REMAND SECTION, DORMITORIES, GYMNASIUM AND SICK-BAY. THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE CENTRE’S PROGRAMME WHICH CATERS FOR YOUNG MALE OFFENDERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 24.
THIS PROGRAMME EMPHASISES STRICT DISCIPLINE, HARD WORK AND COUNSELLING, WITH AN AIM OF TEACHING DETAINEES RESPECT FOR THE LAW, AND SELF-DISCIPLINE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING SUFFICIENT AND POSITIVE TRAINING.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS PART OF FAMILIARISATION TOURS OF CSD FACILITIES PLANNED FOR MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE.
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FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN TIN SHUI WAI * * * * »
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR ENGINEERING WORKS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN TIN SHUI WAI.
THE SCOPE OF PACKAGE 5 ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE, PHASE I, INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT THREE-AND-A-HALF KILOMETRES OF ROAD, TOGETHER WITH THE ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS AND CYCLE TRACKS, THREE VEHICULAR BRIDGES, THREE PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE BRIDGES, THREE PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS, LANDSCAPING, A SEWAGE PUMPING STATION, AND FOUL AND STORM WATER DRAINAGE WORKS.
/THE PROJECT........
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
4 -
THE PROJECT WILL SERVE THE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
THE FIRST BATCH OF RESIDENTS WILL BE MOVING IN BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, AND THE FIRST OF THE TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WILL BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1992.
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS TO COMPLETE.
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FIRE STATION, AMBULANCE DEPOT IN TIN SHUI WAI
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT IN TIN SHUI WAI.
THE SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND THE AMBULANCE DEPOT WILL BE BUILT ON A 3,510-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT AREA 4.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE SITE FOUNDATION AND PILING WORK, BUILDING OF SUPERSTRUCTURE, EXTERNAL FACILITIES AND DRAINAGE.
THE PROJECT MAINLY COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-BAY SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION, AND A TWO-BAY AMBULANCE DEPOT IN TWO SEPARATE FOUR-STOREY BLOCKS. EACH BLOCK WILL HAVE AN OFFICE, BARRACK ACCOMMODATION, CANTEEN/RECREATION AREA, A KITCHEN, TOILETS AND STORE FACILITIES.
A COMMON DRILL YARD AND EXERCISE ROOM WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND BE
COMPLETED IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON APRIL 6.
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MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
- 5 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR WNT LANDFILL SITE PREPARATION WORKS ♦ * * » ♦
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SITE PREPARATION OF THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL.
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PITCHED SLOPE SEAWALL, ROADS AND DRAINS, RECLAMATION AND SITE PREPARATION OF THE LANDFILL FOR REFUSE INTAKE.
THE DESIGN HAS INCORPORATED A SOPHISTICATED SOIL/BENTONITE LINER WHICH FORMS AN IMPERMEABLE LAYER TO CONTAIN LEACHATE TO AVOID POLLUTING THE DEEP BAY AREA. THE LEACHATE COLLECTED WILL BE CONVEYED TO THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK SEWER WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE CONTRACT PERIOD IS 22 MONTHS AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY.
FORMS OF TENDERS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER, DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SEVENTH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON APRIL 27.
------------------0-------- SPECIAL STAMPS ON INTERNATIONAL CUISINE * ♦ ♦ » *
A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS ON INTERNATIONAL CUISINE WILL BE ISSUED ON APRIL 26, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THESE STAMPS DEPICT SOME OF THE POPULAR CUISINE FOUND IN HONG KONG RESTAURANTS - CHINESE, INDIAN, THAI, JAPANESE AND FRENCH.
THERE WILL BE SIX DENOMINATIONS - 60-CENT, 70-CENT, $1.30, $1.40, $1.80 AND $5.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR NELPHEN YUNG AND PRINTED BY ENSCHEDE OF HOLLAND.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON APRIL 2 AT 70 CENTS EACH.
FURTHER DETAILS ON THE ISSUE WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEARER THE TIME.
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
6
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME
*****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME TO BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER AND THE WIDENING OF VICTORIA PARK ROAD AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE SCHEME WILL INVOLVE RELOCATING EASTWARD THE EXISTING STOPS FOR EASTBOUND BUSES AT VICTORIA PARK ROAD, DIVERTING EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG VICTORIA PARK ROAD TO A TEMPORARY ROAD ALONG THE SEAFRONT, AND SETTING UP ALTERNATIVE ROUTES FOR CAUSEWAY BAY-BOUND TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
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WATERFRONT PARK ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ * * » ♦
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE WATERFRONT PARK NEAR TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 14).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ZOO IN MA KWU
LAM.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS ON RESIDENTS’ RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES HELD IN THE DISTRICT IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS AND PLANNED COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR MARCH AND APRIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAT PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 14) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/7 ...
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
- 7 -
RIVER POLLUTION PROBLEM ON AGENDA
* * » » »
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE RIVER POLLUTION PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
A MEMBER WILL ENQUIRE ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTES DEPOSITED AT RIVER BEDS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF RIVER EMBANKMENTS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON VILLAGE LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS, AND MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
---------------0-------- FUNDS FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES * * » « »
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN EASTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS TO ORGANISE RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SAID THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES SHOULD AIM AT ENABLING YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 TO SPEND A MEANINGFUL SUMMER HOLIDAY.
A SUM OF $385,000 WAS GRANTED LAST YEAR FOR LOCAL BODIES TO HOLD 207 ACTIVITIES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS THREE SUB-OFFICES.
THE FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, BEFORE APRIL 2.
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/8 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 12,
1990
8
LUNG KWU SHEUNG TAN EXCAVATION WORK NEAR COMPLETION * * * * ♦
A LARGE NUMBER OF RELICS WERE UNEARTHED AT THE LUNG KWU SHEUNG TAN IN TUEN MUN IN A RECENT EXCAVATION CONDUCTED BY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
THE SOCIETY STARTED THE EXCAVATION, COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT, LAST DECEMBER AND THE OPERATION IS NOW NEAR COMPLETION.
THE RELICS UNEARTHED INCLUDED A LARGE QUANTITY OF NORTHERN SUNG (960-1127 AD) CERAMIC CONTAINERS OF MANY SHAPES AND PATTERNS AND A COIN OF THE SAME PERIOD.
A BROWN GLAZED JAR TYPICAL OF THE SUNG DYNASTY WAS ALSO FOUND IN FRAGMENTS.
AMONG THE UNEARTHED RELICS, SOME BRONZE AGE AND LATE NEOLITHIC MATERIAL WAS FOUND, INDICATING THAT THE SITE HAD BEEN USED FOR PRODUCING POLISHED STONE ORNAMENTS 2,500 TO 4,000 YEARS AGO.
ON COMPLETION OF THE EXCAVATION, THE SOCIETY WILL UNDERTAKE ANALYSIS AND STUDY OF THE ARTEFACTS DISCOVERED, AND A REPORT ON THE FINDINGS WILL BE PREPARED.
THE EXCAVATED RELICS TOGETHER WITH THE FIELD DOCUMENTATION WILL THEN BE HANDED OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT AS PART OF THE CENTRAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARCHIVE FOR USE BY SCHOLARS AND STUDENTS.
LUNG KWU SHEUNG TAN WAS ONE OF THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES LISTED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT WHO UNDERTOOK A COMPREHENSIVE TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY BETWEEN 1982 AND 1985.
------0--------
YAU TSIM SINGING CONTEST FINALS OPEN TO RESIDENTS * t » * ♦
YAU TSIM RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE FINALS OF A SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAUMATEI COMMUNITY CENTRE ON SATURDAY (MARCH 17). IT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
NINETEEN FINALISTS SELECTED FROM 120 CONTESTANTS WILL COMPETE IN THE POPULAR SONGS, FOLK SONGS AND CLASSICAL SONGS SECTIONS.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, 490 NATHAN ROAD AND AT THE MUSIC OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR, 138 AUSTIN ROAD.
THE CONTEST IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN MUSIC.
/THIS YEAR'S .......
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
- 9 -
THIS YEAR’S CONTEST HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FINALS OF THE YAU TSIM SINGING CONTEST TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (MARCH 17), AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAUMATEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET. THE CONTEST WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
-----------------0-------- ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN TAI KOO SHING AND TUEN MUN SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
IN TAI KOO SHING, THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN QUESTION ARE SITUATED ON ROOFS B, D, E, F, G AND H, HENG SHAN MANSION, KAO SHAN TERRACE, 19 TAIKOO SHING ROAD.
THE CLOSURE FORMS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN AUGUST LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING WORKS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 28 WERE POSTED ON CONSPICUOUS PARTS OF THE UNAUTHORISED WORKS TODAY (MONDAY).
IN TUEN MUN, THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT WITHIN SHOPS C, E, F AND G ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND OFFICES A, B, C AND D ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF WAH HING MANSION.
THE CLOSURE FORMS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JUNE AND NOVEMBER 1988 REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 31 WERE POSTED ON CONSPICUOUS PARTS OF THE PREMISES TODAY.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE MADE.
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/10 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
10
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WANG TAU HOM ♦ * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNONCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 14), TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WANG TAU HOM FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS BECAUSE OF ROAD REPAIR WORKS.
VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM JUNCTION ROAD NORTHBOUND ONTO HENG LAM STREET EASTBOUND.
THEY WILL ALSO BE BANNED FROM TURNING RIGHT FROM HENG LAM STREET WESTBOUND ONTO JUNCTION ROAD NORTHBOUND.
MOTORISTS ON JUNCTION ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR HENG LAM STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TUNG TAU TSUEN ROAD AND FUNG MO STREET.
MEANWHILE, MOTORISTS ON HENG LAM STREET WESTBOUND HEADING FOR JUNCTION ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ACCESS ROAD LINKING JUNCTION ROAD WITH HENG LAM STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB ROUTES 7 AND 11C WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED.
- - 0 - -
RE-INSTATEMENT OF VEHICULAR TURNING MOVEMENTS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 14), THE FOLLOWING VEHICULAR TURNING MOVEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE RE-INSTATED UPON THE COMPLETION OF ROAD WORKS:
- THE RIGHT-TURN FROM KWONG LEE ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO FAT TSEUNG STREET SOUTHBOUND;
- THE LEFT-TURN FROM FAT TSEUNG STREET NORTHBOUND ONTO KWONG LEE ROAD WESTBOUND;
- THE LEFT-TURN FROM TONKIN STREET SOUTHBOUND ONTO PO ON ROAD WESTBOUND; AND
- THE RIGHT-TURN FROM TONKIN STREET NORTHBOUND ONTO PO ON ROAD EASTBOUND.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 1990
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 39.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 232.671 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 207.964 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 35.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 -
WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 14) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE A LEAKAGE TEST.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT CERTAIN PREMISES BOUNDED BY PUI CHING ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, ARGYLE STREET AND SOARES AVENUE, AND INCLUDING MAN FUK ROAD, MAN WAN ROAD, HOK YU LANE, JULIA AVENUE, EMMA AVENUE AND NUMBER 61-79K WATERLOO ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WATER RATES TO RISE FROM APRIL 1 ............................................... 1
ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY .................................. 2
NEW KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME TO BENEFIT MORE NEEDY PARENTS ............ 4
HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR ALL AGE GROUPS ................................. 6
15 QUESTIONS, SIX BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ........................................ 7
WATER QUALITY ON AGENDA ........................................................ 7
PRESERVATION OF HOSPITAL FACADE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ......................... 8
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FOOTPATH FOR MORNING WALKERS .......................... 8
FIGHT CRIME, ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW IN FANLING............................. 9
HEALTH EDUCATION EXHIBITION BEGINS ON FRIDAY .................................. 10
TWO NT SITES TO LET BY TENDER ................................................. 11
)
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
1
WATER RATES TO RISE FROM APRIL 1 *****
WATER RATES ARE TO BE INCREASED FROM APRIL 1 TO REFLECT MORE REALISTICALLY OPERATING COSTS AND INFLATION FOR VARIOUS ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE, A WATER AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE INCREASES WERE APPROVED FOLLOWING AN ANNUAL REVIEW BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS MORNING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE NEW RATE, SOME 232,000 (OR 16 PER CENT) OF THE 1.45 MILLION DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WOULD CONTINUE TO ENJOY A FREE SUPPLY OF WATER.
ABOUT 753,000 CONSUMERS (OR 52 PER CENT) WOULD PAY AN EXTRA SUM OF LESS THAN $10 PER MONTH MORE FOR THEIR WATER BILLS. THIS INCLUDED ABOUT 11,000 CONSUMERS WHO PREVIOUSLY PAID NOTHING FOR WATER AND WOULD NOW HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $0.75 PER MONTH.
ANOTHER 464,000 CONSUMERS (OR 32 PER CENT) WOULD PAY OVER $10.60 EXTRA PER MONTH FOR THEIR BILLS.
ONLY 72,000 CONSUMERS (OR FIVE PER CENT) WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $20 EXTRA PER MONTH FOR THEIR BILLS.
AS FOR NON-DOMESTIC SUPPLY, A FLAT RATE OF 12.5 PER CENT INCREASE WOULD BE IMPOSED. SOME 147,000 (OR 91 PFR CENT) OF THE 161,000 USERS WOULD PAY LESS THAN $50 EXTRA PER MONTH, WITH ABOUT HALF OF THEM HAVING TO PAY LESS THAN $7 EXTRA PER MONTH.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN TERMS OF DOLLARS AND CENTS, THE INCREASES WERE STILL SMALL BECAUSE OF THE LOW BASIC RATE.
SALT WATER FOR FLUSHING WOULD REMAIN FREE.
"THE INCREASES WILL NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON BUSINESS OPERATIONS AS WATER CHARGES REPRESENT A SMALL PART OF THE OPERATING COSTS FOR MOST FIRMS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN ANNUAL REVIEWS OF WATER CHARGES SINCE 1982 AND THIS HAS RESULTED IN MODERATE ANNUAL INCREASES TO AVOID MAJOR INCREASES IN CHARGES AT ONE TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THAT THE FEE FOR PROVIDING AND INSTALLING A METER WOULD ALSO BE INCREASED FROM $100 TO $130 TO REFLECT THE RISE IN MATERIAL AND LABOUR COSTS.
THE TARIFF STRUCTURE FOR DOMESTIC SUPPLY WHICH WAS FIRST REVISED LAST YEAR HAS NOW BEEN FURTHER REVISED AS FOLLOWS:
/EXISTING ......
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
- 2 -
EXISTING
TIER UNITS
1989/90
1ST TIER (FREE) 17
2ND TIER 17
3RD TIER 26
4TH TIER 26
5TH TIER OVER 86
NEW
—
TIER UNITS
— ———
1990/91
1ST TIER (FREE) 16
2ND TIER 41
3RD TIER 25
4TH TIER OVER 82
---------0-----------
ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY
******
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE 1990-91 DRAFT ESTIMATES BY THE LEGISLATURE, A GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY WILL BE SET UP ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR TO ADMINISTER ALL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY MATTERS.
THE AGENCY’S ROLE WILL BE TO ADMINISTER ALL GOVERNMENT OWNED AND LEASED OFFICES, QUARTERS AND SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION, AND TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE PROPERTY PLAN FOR THE COST-EFFECTIVE USE OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.
/THE AGENCY .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
- 3 -
THE AGENCY WILL BE FORMED BY THE TRANSFER OF STAFF FROM THE PROPERTY DIVISION OF FINANCE BRANCH, THE LEASING DIVISION OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AND THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
IT WILL HAVE AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 115 STAFF, INCLUDING ARCHITECTS, VALUATION SURVEYORS, ESTATE SURVEYORS, AND OTHER GENERAL GRADES STAFF.
MR PHILIP MACKLEY, WHO WILL HEAD THE AGENCY AS THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY ADMINISTRATOR, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE GOVERNMENT WAS BY FAR THE LARGEST PROPERTY OWNER AND LESSEE IN THE TERRITORY, WITH OVER 1,700 OWNED BUILDINGS.
"RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THIS HUGE ESTATE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DISPERSED AMONG A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS, BUT IT WAS CLEAR NOW THAT CENTRALISED MANAGEMENT WAS NECESSARY.
"THE COSTS INVOLVED IN RUNNING THE ESTATE WERE VERY HIGH, AND IT HAD BECOME ESSENTIAL TO CONTROL THEM MORE CLOSELY.
"IN PARTICULAR, SITE UTILISATION NEEDED TO BE EXAMINED SO THAT UNDER-DEVELOPED SITES COULD EITHER BE REDEVELOPED OR SOLD TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR," HE SAID.
MR MACKLEY ADDED THAT OTHER IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES WERE TO:
(A) INTRODUCE APPROPRIATE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES;
(B) FORMULATE MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES;
(C) EXAMINE CRITICALLY THE SPATIAL AND LOCATIONAL NEEDS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH A VIEW TO ACCOMMODATING THEM IN PREMISES OF A TYPE AND IN A LOCATION THAT LEADS TO MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND VALUE FOR MONEY; AND
(D) PROMOTE AMONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AN AWARENESS OF THE COST OF THE ACCOMMODATION THEY OCCUPY AND THE NEED TO OPTIMISE ITS USE.
THE AGENCY IS ACCOMMODATED ON THE SIXTH TO EIGHTH FLOORS OF ST JOHN’S BUILDING, 33 GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/4 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
4
NEW KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME TO
********
BENEFIT MORE NEEDY PARENTS
A GREATER NUMBER OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM THE NEW KINDERGARTEN IMPROVEMENT MEASURES WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE 1990-91 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE MEASURES INCLUDE A NEW FEE REMISSION SCHEME WHICH IS SIMILAR IN APPROACH TO THE LONG-ESTABLISHED SCHEME FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL PARENT-APPLICANTS IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 10,000 COMPARED WITH ABOUT 4,000 UNDER THE EXISTING FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR KINDERGARTENS, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FEE REMISSION WILL BE THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF THE FEES CHARGED IN NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTENS OR THE ACTUAL FEE CHARGED BY THE KINDERGARTEN ATTENDED, WHICHEVER IS THE LOWER.
THE LEVEL OF REMISSION RECEIVED BY EACH APPLICANT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND TOTAL FAMILY INCOME.
IN ASSESSING FEE REMISSION, A STANDARD RECKONER WILL BE USED IN RESPECT OF FAMILY INCOME, AS ILLUSTRATED BELOW:
EXAMPLES OF MONTHLY INCOME POINTS
( $ )
0 - 2100 20
2101 - 2800 . 16
2801 - 3600 12
3601 - 4300 8
4301 - 5000 5
5001 - 5800 4
5801 - 6400 3
6401 - 6900 2
6901 - 7500 1
IN ADDITION TO POINTS BASED ON INCOME, ONE POINT WILL BE AWARDED FOR EACH DEPENDENT TN THE FAMILY. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS SCORED BY THE APPLICANT WILL DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF REMISSION.
FULL REMISSION WILL BE GRANTED TO AN APPLICANT WHO HAS 20 POINTS OR OVER, THREE-QUARTERS REMISSION TO 17-19 POINTS, HALF REMISSION TO 15-16 POINTS AND A QUARTER REMISSION TO 10-14 POINTS. THERE WILL BE NO REMISSION TO THOSE WITH LESS THAN 10 POINTS.
/"ALLOWING FOR .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
5
"ALLOWING FOR INFLATION AND ASSUMING THAT ALL KINDERGARTENS PAY THEIR TEACHERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDED SALARY SCALES, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT IN THE 1990-91 SCHOOL YEAR, THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE FEE OF NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTENS WILL INCREASE FROM ABOUT $2,650 TO ABOUT $3,160 PER ANNUM. INDIVIDUAL BENEFITS NEXT YEAR WILL THEREFORE RANGE FROM ABOUT $790 (QUARTER REMISSION) TO ABOUT $3,160 (FULL REMISSION)," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW SCHEME, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL, IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $14 MILLION IN THE FIRST FULL YEAR OF OPERATION, COMPARED WITH $6.5 MILLION CURRENTLY SPENT ON THE EXISTING FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME. DURING THE 1990-91 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE TOTAL COST WILL BE $11 MILLION AS THE EXISTING SCHEME WILL STILL BE IN PLACE UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST THIS YEAR.
COMMENTING ON CALLS BY CONCERNED GROUPS FOR DIRECT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS SALARIES, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE CURRENT KINDERGARTEN POLICY WAS BASED ON A RECOMMENDATION IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 2 THAT "SOME DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE IS JUSTIFIED TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO PRE-PRJMARY EDUCATION THOUGH WE CANNOT RECOMMEND THAT KINDERGARTENS SHOULD BE SUBSUMED INTO AN AIDED SECTOR".
THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE OF THE NEW FEE REMISSION SCHEME IS THEREFORE THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS PARENTS RATHER THAN KINDERGARTEN OPERATORS, AND MEANS-TESTED, BUT EXTENDED TO MORE PARENTS.
TO INTRODUCE A SALARY SUPPLEMENTATION FOR ALL KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WOULD IN EFFECT BE ASKING TAXPAYERS TO SUBSIDISE ALL PARENTS IRRESPECTIVE OF NEED, HE POINTED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DRAWN UP RECOMMENDED SALARY SCALES FOR TEACHERS, AND KINDERGARTENS WERE NOW ALLOWED TO RAISE THEIR FEES TO MEET THE COST OF PUTTING UP THEIR TEACHERS’ SALARIES TO THE RECOMMENDED LEVELS.
TO ENSURE THAT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WILL ACTUALLY RECEIVE THE SALARY INCREASES APPLIED FOR, KINDERGARTEN OPERATORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A RECORD OF SALARY PAYMENTS AND TO SUBMIT THESE TO THE F.DUC \TION DEPARTMENT WHEN APPLYING FOR FURTHER FEE INCREASES IN FOLLOWING YEARS.
THE RECOMMENDED SALARIES RANGE FROM $6,560-$9,970 (PLUS A $500 ALLOWANCE FOR A HEAD TEACHER) FOR A QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER TO $3, 725 -$6,970 FOR A QUALIFIED ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHER.
THE RECOMMENDED SALARY FOR AN UNQUALIFIED TEACHER WITHOUT ANY RECOGNISED TRAINING IS $3,570.
"THE RECOMMENDED SALARY SCALES SHOULD ENCOURAGE QUALIFIED TEACHERS TO REMAIN IN THE PROFESSION AND RESULT IN A GREATER NUMBER OF UNQUALIFIED ONES SEEKING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/AN ADVANCE .......
A
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
- 6 -
AN ADVANCE COPY OF A LEAFLET DESCRIBING THE NEW FEE REMISSION SCHEME AND OUTLINING THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES IS BEING DISTRIBUTED TO KINDERGARTENS FOR THEIR INFORMATION.
BULK SUPPLIES OF THE LEAFLET WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PARENTS WELL IN TIME FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO INDIVIDUAL KINDERGARTENS OR TO THE ASSISTANCE SCHEMES UNITS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON 839 2344 (HONG KONG), 385 5514 (KOWLOON) OR 760 1927 (NEW TERRITORIES).
--------0-----------
HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
******
HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE (HDA) WILL BE EXTENDED TO SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS AGED BELOW 16 STARTING FROM APRIL THIS YEAR, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS IS THE LAST PHASE OF A THREE-PHASE PLAN INTRODUCED IN 1988 TO PROVIDE GREATER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS WHO REQUIRE CONSTANT ATTENDANCE FROM OTHERS IN THEIR DAILY LIVES BUT ARE NOT RECEIVING SUCH CARE IN A GOVERNMENT OR SUBVENTED INSTITUTION.
"LAST YEAR, HDA WAS EXTENDED TO DISABLED PERSONS AGED 16 AND ABOVE. FROM NEXT MONTH, PERSONS OF ALL AGES WHO MEET THE REQUIREMENT WILL BENEFIT FOR AN ALLOWANCE WHICH IS TWICE THE RATE OF A NORMAL DISABILITY ALLOWANCE (NDA)," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 6,000 PERSONS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE EXTENSION. THE RATE OF THIS ALLOWANCE IS $1,240, WHICH WILL BE REVISED TO $1,370 FROM APRIL 1.
TO QUALIFY, A PERSON MUST MEET CRITERIA FOR A NDA AND MUST ALSO BE CERTIFIED EITHER BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH OR THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO BE IN NEED OF CONSTANT ATTENDANCE.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS SET OUT PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATION FOR HDA FOR EXISTING NDA RECIPIENTS AGED BELOW 16. APPLICANTS CAN APPLY EITHER BY POST OR CALL AT THE DEPARTMENT’S FIELD OFFICES OR BE REFERRED BY A THIRD PARTY.
--------0-----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
7
15 QUESTIONS, SIX BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 15 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY ARE THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL 1990, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES BILL 1990, AND RADIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
SECOND READING DEBATES ON THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WILL RESUME. WHEN THESE ARE COMPLETED, EACH BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, A MOTION UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE WILL BE MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
-----0-------
WATER QUALITY ON AGENDA
*****
THE RESULTS OF WATER QUALITY TESTS IN TUEN MUN NULLAH WILL BE DISCUSSED BY MEMBERS OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A PAPER PREPARED BY THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO FOCUS ON FUTURE WATER QUALITY MEASURES.
TWO PAPERS PREPARED BY THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WILL BE TABLED. THESE CONCERN THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF SIX ROADS IN AREA 16, AND A BUS TERMINUS ADJACENT TO THE SAM SHING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TERMINUS.
ANOTHER PAPER CONCERNS NOISE COMING FROM SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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/8 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
- 8 -
PRESERVATION OF HOSPITAL *
FACADE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ * * *
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL BY THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD TO PRESERVE THE FACADE OF THE FORMER MENTAL HOSPITAL IN HIGH STREET, SAI YING PUN, AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 15).
MEMBERS’ VIEWS WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT ON THE DISTRICT’S FIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS SCHEDULED FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
A REPORT ON THE RESITING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LICENSED HAWKERS AFFECTED BY THE CENTRAL HILLSIDE ESCALATOR LINK PROJECT WILL BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 15) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FOOTPATH FOR MORNING WALKERS
******
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL STUDY A PROPOSAL TO BUILD A PROPER FOOTPATH WITH RAILINGS BETWEEN PO LAM AND TSUI LAM ESTATES IN TSEUNG KWAN O FOR MORNING WALKERS, AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 15).
REPAIR WORK TO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM AT SUN KING TERRACE AT HIRAM’S HIGHWAY WILL BE CONSIDERED.
MEMBERS WILL CONTINUE THEIR DISCUSSION ON THE SUPPLY OF STANDPIPE WATER TO VILLAGERS OF PO TOI 0, WHO HAVE COMPLAINED THAT DRINKING WATER FROM NEARBY STREAMS HAS BEEN CONTAMINATED, AND SALTY, RECENTLY.
/THEY WILL .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
- 9 -
THEY WILL ALSO SEEK INFORMATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT ON THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR CONNECTING THE GOVERNMENT SEWAGE PIPELINES WITH THOSE OF INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS IN SHA KOK MEI VILLAGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 15) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT A CLEAN VILLAGE COMPETITION PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM AFTER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING.
PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THREE SAI KUNG VILLAGES BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
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FIGHT CRIME, ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW IN FANLING
A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING SOME OF THE TERRITORY’S TOP POP TALENTS WILL BE STAGED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 24, EVENING AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND TO MARK THE CLIMAX OF THE 1989-90 NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-DRUG ADDICTION CAMPAIGN.
THE TWO-HOUR SHOW IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK) TO PUT ACROSS TO YOUNGSTERS THE MESSAGE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUG ADDICTION AND TO PRMOTE AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE.
IT WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS SALLY YEH, CHAN CHUNG-LING, GRASSHOPPERS, NG YUEN-FONG, ECHO AND LAU SIK-MING. ARTISTES SIMON YAM, AMY YIP, SANDRA LANG AND SZE KAI-KEUNG WILL ACT IN A DRAMA. DISC JOCKEYS ERIC NG AND KITTY TAI WILL BE THE COMPERES OF THE SHOW.
THE SHOW IS SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL. IT IS EXPECTED TO DRAW AN AUDIENCE OF ABOUT 16,000.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 15) ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
/TICKETS CAN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
- 10 -
TICKETS CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING; ITS PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES AT SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUI; TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI; CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING AND IN THE SHA TAU KOK COMMUNITY HALL AS WELL AS COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI AND FROM THE FOUR RURAL COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT.
PRIOR TO THE SHOW, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF AN INTER-SCHOOL ESSAY COMPETITION ON THE FIGHT CRIME THEME, AND RECIPIENTS OF THE "NORTH DISTRICT GOOD CITIZEN AWARD".
THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK’S RADIO 1, FROM 8 PM TO 10 PM.
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HEALTH EDUCATION EXHIBITION BEGINS ON FRIDAY * * * * *
A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ESPECIALLY AMONG STUDENTS, WILL BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 16).
ON DISPLAY WILL BE WINNING ENTRIES IN THE 1990 INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION AND THE INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PAINTING COMPETITION ORGANISED EARLIER IN THE YEAR.
THERE WILL BE 15 WINNING COLOUR PAINTINGS SELECTED FROM 2 484 ENTRIES FROM 131 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 14 WINNING PROJECTS FROM 21 PARTICIPATING SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THEY INCLUDE PICTURES, CHARTS
MODELS, FEATURE ARTICLES, SLIDE SHOWS, VIDEO SHOWS AND COMPUTER GAMES.
THEMES FOR THE PAINTINGS ARE GOOD HYGIENE HABITS, LOVE OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, AND ENJOY LIFE IN A GROUP.
THEMES FOR THE PROJECTS ARE MULTI-STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS OF TOMORROW, POLLUTION IN HONG KONG AND ITS PREVENTION, AND DEVELOPING A HEALTHY PERSONALITY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE OPEN UNTIL MARCH 19, BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5.30 PM DAILY ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
/A PRIZE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
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A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY TO HIGHLIGHT THE OPENING, AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL. OFFICIATING WILL BE URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR CHEUNG KIN-TUNG, AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, MR LAI KAM-CHEUNG.
THE JUDGING FOR PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS
A ’’BEST ARTWORK DESIGN” PRIZE FOR ONE OF THE 14 WILL BE HELD BEFORE THE CEREMONY BEGINS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1990 INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION AND THE INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PAINTING COMPETITION AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 16).
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TWO NT SITES TO LET BY TENDER ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS
DEPARTMENT FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF TWO LOTS IN THE NEW
TERRITORIES.
LOCATED IN AREA 7A, SHEUNG SHUI, THE FIRST LOT IS A 3,206-SQUARE-METRE SITE DESIGNATED FOR A FEE PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED IN SAI KUNG TOWN, SAI KUNG, WHICH MEASURES ABOUT 3,586 SQUARE METRES. IT IS FOR A PUBLIC CARPARK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING ARTICULATED VEHICLES, CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR FIVE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 23.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE IN NORTH DISTRICT, SAI KUNG AND KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING : APPROVAL EOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND, LOAN FUND .................................. 1
MOTION ON FUNDING PASSED ......................................................... 2
BILL TO ENLARGE HKPC MEMBERSHIP .................................................. 3
MUCH PREPARATORY WORK DONE ON AIRPORT PROJECT .................................... 4
CHANGES IN RADIATION ORDINANCE PROPOSED .......................................... 5
BILL FOR FUNDING EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME ....................... 7
RAISING OF LEGAL AID MEANS LIMITS BEING CONSIDERED ............................... 8
POLICY ON REHOUSING OF SQUATTERS REMAINS UNCHANGED ............................... 9
NO ACTION TAKEN TO LIFT SANCTIONS ............................................... 10
TRAFFIC PATTERN OF EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING STILL DEVELOPING .................... 11
ASSESSMENT OF MANPOWER NEEDS BEING STUDIED ...................................... 11
ELECTRIC VEHICLES NOT YET COMMERCIALLY VIABLE ................................... 13
NO INDICATION OF INCREASE IN USE OF FORGED TRAVEL PAPERS ........................ 13
STEPS TAKEN TO PROTECT INTEGRITY OF LEGAL DEPT .................................. 34
MEASURES TO DETER CRIME BY VIETNAMESE ........................................... 16
HIGH DEGREE OF VIGILANCE EXPECTED OF EMPLOYERS .................................. 17
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMME AREAS ........................... 18
APPROPRIATE CROWD CONTROL AT LO WU .....................................
STEPS TAKEN TO ENSURE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF FLAG DAYS ............................ 21
/TSEUNG KWAN .......
TSEUNG KWAN 0 CLINIC TO OPEN IN AUGUST ....................................... 22
MEASURES TO REDUCE BYPASS TRAFFIC NOISE ...................................... 24
TIME TO UPGRADE BAPTIST COLLEGE STATUS ....................................... 25
MORE INTEREST IN RECREATION AND SPORT ................................
TWO BILLS PASSED ............................................................. 26
NEW VESSEL TO TACKLE FLOATING REFUSE BEING TESTED .......................
TRADING COMPANY PARTNER FINED FOR EXPORTING WITHOUT VALID LICENCE .......
CHILD CARE SERVICES BEING REVIEWED ......................................
DISTRICT SIGNS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ...................................
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOSPITAL AUTHORITY MATTERS ......................
NEW POST OFFICE OPENS AT LEI TUNG ESTATE ........................................ 31
YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA RECRUITS MEMBERS ......................................... 31
DEMOLITION OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN KOWLOON .........................
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN ..............................................
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO ........................................ 34
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
34
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
1
APPROVAL FOR • kPITAL INVESTMENT FUND, LOAN FUND
*****
RESOLUTIONS TO ESTA'MSH A CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND AND A LOAN FUND WERE APPROVED BY THE . LSLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE MOVED UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE
ORDINANCE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS.
NOTING THAT HE HAD REFERRED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH LAST WEEK, SIR PIERS SAID THIS FUND WOULD BE OF PARTICULAR RELEVANCE IN RELATION TO THE EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IN INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMING YEARS.
IN ESTABLISHING THE NEW FUND, THE OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE TAKEN TO RATIONALISE THE OPERATION OF THE OTHER FUNDS, AND AS A RESULT, THE MASS TRANSIT FUND AND THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND WOULD BE DISESTABLISHED.
’’THIS NEW CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND WILL BECOME A VEHICLE FOR PROVIDING THE GOVERNMENT’S PERMANENT INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR BODIES THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE ITSELF.
’’BODIES THAT ALREADY FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY ARE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
’’THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN 1991, WILL ALSO FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY.
’’WHILST THE MONEY IN THE FUND WILL, FOR ACCOUNTING PURPOSES, BE SEPARATED FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT, I MUST STRESS THAT ALL INVESTMENTS AND LOANS ARISING FROM THE. OPERATION OF THE FUND WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
’’THUS THE AUTHORITY OF FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL IN NO WAY BE DIMINISHED. IT IS THE ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS ONLY THAT WILL CHANGE,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND WOULD FACILITATE MORE LOGICAL ACCOUNTING FOR THE LARGE INVESTMENTS THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE AND WAS EXPECTED TO MAKE. AS A RESULT, THE FUND SHOULD ASSIST IN PROVIDING A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE OVERALL STATE OF THE PUBLIC FINANCES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT HIS RESOLUTION PROVIDED FOR THE FUND TO TAKE OVER THE VARIOUS INVESTMENTS ALREADY MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE RAIL CORPORATIONS AND OTHER BODIES SUCH AS THE NEW HONG KONG HARBOUR CROSSING COMPANY, AND TO MAKE FUTURE INVESTMENTS IN THESE AND OTHER BODIES.
FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND, THE MASS TRANSIT FUND WOULD NO LONGER BE REQUIRED.
/THE RESOLUTION .......
’•'SDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
CHE R..;SOLUTION THEREFORE PROVIDED FOR THE DISESTAi ISHNEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT FUND.
SIMILARLY, THE NEW FUND WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE OVEI THE MAJOR FUNCTION OF HE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND IN MAKING EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN T E HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THEREFORE, THE RESOLUTION ALSO PROVIDED FOR THF DISESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND.
A NUMBER OF RESIDUAL FUNCTIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND WERE COVERED IN THE SECOND RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE NEW LOAN FUND.
IN MOVING THE SECOND RESOLUTION, SIR PIERS SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS BEING TAKEN TO REORGANISE THE STRUCTURE OF THE PRESENT FUNDS.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO BRING TOGETHER LOANS MADE UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND, THE STUDENT LOAN FUND AND THE GENERAL REVENUE UNDER ONE FUND.
"THIS RESOLUTION PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOAN FUND TO ACHIEVE THIS PURPOSE AND AS A CONSEQUENCE THE DISESTABLISHMENT OF THE STUDENT LOAN FUND.
"LIKE THE FIRST RESOLUTION, THIS RESOLUTION IS CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LOAN FUND AND THE DISESTABLISHMENT OF THE STUDENT LOAN FUND WILL IN NO WAY AFFECT THE ELIGIBILITY FOR LOANS OF THOSE WHO QUALIFY AT PRESENT OR THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE.
"THE AUTHORITY OF FINANCE COMMITTEE TO APPROVE LOANS WILL NOT CHANGE BUT A SINGLE LOAN FUND WILL BE A MORE LOGICAL ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL LOANS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
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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 $38.9 BILLION.
THE MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE.
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/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
3 -
BILL TO ENLARGE HKPC MEMBERSHIP *****
A BILL TO ENLARGE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, SIR PIERS SAID SECTION 9 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE SPECIFIED THAT THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 21, OUT OF WHICH NOT MORE THAN 14 SHOULD BE REPRESENTATIVES OF MANAGEMENT, LABOUR, AND PROFESSIONAL OR ACADEMIC INTERESTS.
THIS NUMBER HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1967.
HE SAID THE CURRENT SIZE OF MEMBERSHIP WAS INADEQUATE TO ALLOW FOR ALL THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS TO BE SUFFICIENTLY REPRESENTED.
’’THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSES TO ENLARGE THE COUNCIL’S MEMBERSHIP FROM 21 TO 23 TO ALLOW FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO EXTRA MEMBERS FROM THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS,” SIR PIERS SAID.
’’THIS WILL ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO COPE WITH THE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED SCOPE, VOLUME AND COMPLEXITY OF ITS WORK.”
SIR PIERS SAID THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO EMPOWER THE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH AND ACQUIRE COMPANIES TO CARRY OUT PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES.
’’SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1967, THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAVE EXPANDED ENORMOUSLY.
’’THE COUNCIL HAS DEVELOPED INTO A LEADING INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION PROVIDING A DIVERSE RANGE OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN SUPPORT OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THAT IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO PLAY ITS ROLE MORE EFFECTIVELY AND TO EXPLOIT MORE READILY OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES, THE BILL WOULD EMPOWER THE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH COMPANIES AND TO PURCHASE SHARES IN COMPANIES FOR BETTER CARRYING OUT ITS FUNCTIONS.
’’THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO EMPOWER THE COUNCIL TO MAKE LOANS OR GIVE OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE COMPANIES IT HAS ESTABLISHED,” HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
4
MUCH PREPARATORY WORK DONE ON AIRPORT PROJECT *****
MUCH PREPARATORY WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK CAN BE OPERATIONAL IN 1997, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR PIERS WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL 1990 WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
HE SAID THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY WOULD BE SET UP TO TAKE FORWARD THE NECESSARY PLANNING AND PREPARATORY WORK PENDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AIRPORT AUTHORITY WHICH WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT AFTER ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY.
’’ONCE ESTABLISHED, THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY WILL BECOME THE DEDICATED VEHICLE TO TAKE OVER THE NECESSARY PLANNING AND PREPARATORY WORK FOR THIS MAJOR PROJECT,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE BILL SET OUT THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY’S DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS ONCE IT HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED.
THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY’S MAIN FUNCTION WOULD BE TO UNDERTAKE WHATEVER TASKS WERE NECESSARY IN ESTABLISHING THE NEW AIRPORT.
"TO PROVIDE A CORPORATE FRAMEWORK THROUGH WHICH THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY MAY ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE, THE BILL SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE ITS OWN STAFF, TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY OR LAND, TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS OR OTHER AGREEMENTS, TO RECEIVE AND EXPEND MONEY, AND TO EMPLOY CONSULTANTS OR OTHER ADVISERS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ASSIST IN THE TASK OF PLANNING AND DESIGNING THE AIRPORT.
"TO MEET THE
ENVISAGED THAT PUBLIC
PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY’S EXPENDITURE, FUNDS WILL BE PROVIDED INITIALLY.
IT IS
"NEVERTHELESS, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY Tf- BORROW AND FOR GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES TO BE GIVEN IN RESPECT OF MONEY RAISED IN THIS WAY,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT WHILE II WAS PRUDENT TO INCLUDE THESE PROVISIONS, IN PRACTICE, IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT BORROWINGS WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED UNTIL AFTER 1992 WHEN THE MAJOR EXPENDITURE ON THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME CAME ON STREAM.
/"BY THEN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
”BY THEN, WE EXPECT THAT THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY WOULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE SCHEDULE TO THE BILL SOUGHT TO MAKE THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY A BODY CORPORATE AND PROVIDED FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO ITS CONSTITUTION.
HE SAID THAT IN ADDITION TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WHO WOULD BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER WHO, WHEN APPOINTED, WOULD BE A MEMBER, THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF BETWEEN EIGHT TO 15 OTHER MEMBERS.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL EMPOWERED THE GOVERNOR TO DIRECT THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS FUNCTIONS, IF IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY.
CONSIDERING THE NEED TO ESTABLISH THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, EXCEPTIONALLY AND TO AVOID ANY DELAYS THAT COULD ARISE FROM PROCESSING THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE TEXTS SIMULTANEOUSLY, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD DIRECTED THAT ONLY THE ENGLISH VERSION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
’’ONCE ENACTED, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE, THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE TEXT WILL THEN BE STUDIED BY THE BILINGUAL LAWS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR FORMAL APPROVAL,” HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 -
CHANGES IN RADIATION ORDINANCE PROPOSED *****
THE CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE RADIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 ARE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE RADIATION BOARD TO REMOVE SOME PROVISIONS OF THE RADIATION ORDINANCE WHICH ARE NO LONGER SERVING A USEFUL PURPOSE OR CANNOT BE PRACTICALLY
IMPLEMENTED AND TO AMEND OTHERS THAT ARE INADEQUATE TO MEET OPERATIONAL NEEDS. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THE RADIATION ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION IMPOSED CONTROLS ON THE IMPORT, EXPORT, POSSESSION AND USE OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND IRRADIATING APPARATUS, IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE HEALTH HAZARDS ARISING FROM THE IMPROPER USE OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND IRRADIATING APPARATUS.
/SHE SAID
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 6 -
SHE SAID UNDER SECTION 15 OF THE ORDINANCE, THE RADIATION BOARD WAS EMPOWERED TO EXEMPT FROM PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE ANY SPECIFIED PERSON, GROUP OR CLASS OF PERSONS, HAVING REGARD TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE DEGREE OF RISK.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO GENERAL EXEMPTION COVERING RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES OR IRRADIATING APPARATUS THEMSELVES, WHICH WERE BY DEFINITION ’’RADIOACTIVE” BUT WERE NOT HARMFUL TO HEALTH, FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
THESE MIGHT INCLUDE LUMINOUS WATCHES AND SMOKE DETECTORS WHICH CONTAINED RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES THAT WERE SO PERMANENTLY ENCASED THAT THEY WERE CONSIDERED SAFE TO BE USED BY THE PUBLIC WITHOUT THE NEED FOR LICENSING CONTROLS.
SHE SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DRAW UP AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF SUCH ARTICLES WHICH MIGHT BE EXEMPTED AS NEW PRODUCTS APPEARED FROM TIME TO TIME.
’’CLAUSE 7 OF THE BILL THEREFORE PROVIDES THAT THE EXISTING POWER OF THE RADIATION BOARD TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS TO SPECIFIED PERSONS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER SPECIFIED RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES OR IRRADIATING APPARATUS, AND THAT SUCH EXEMPTIONS SHOULD BE PUBLICISED BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE,” MRS WONG EXPLAINED.
UNDER SECTION 16(4)(C), A RADIATION BOARD INSPECTOR HAD THE POWER TO SEIZE, REMOVE AND DETAIN ANY IRRADIATING APPARATUS OR RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE IN RESPECT OF WHICH THERE WERE REASONABLE GROUNDS TO SUSPECT THAT AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE HAD BEEN COMMITTED.
MRS WONG SAID CLAUSE 8 OF THE BILL AMENDED SECTION 16 BY EMPOWERING INSPECTORS TO SEAL OR RENDER INOPERABLE AN IRRADIATING APPARATUS IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DO SO WITHOUT PERMANENTLY DAMAGING THE EQUIPMENT.
IN THE CASE OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES WHICH HAD BEEN SEIZED OR DETAINED, MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT- NEW SUBSECTION 6 ENABLED AN INSPECTOR TO SEAL THE ARTICLES OR PLACES CONTAINING THESE SUBSTANCES.
’THESE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS ARE NECESSARY BECAUSE IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE APPARATUS OR SUBSTANCES INVOLVED MAY BE TOO BULKY TO BE REMOVED PROMPTLY AND THE BOARD SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREVENT OR MINIMISE HAZARDS THAT MAY ARISE FROM THE INDISCRIMINATE USE OF THE APPARATUS OR SUBSTANCES,” SHE SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT CLAUSE. 9 PROVIDED A SANCTION AGAINST UNAUTHORISED BREAKING OR INTERFERING WITH THE SEAL.
UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE ORDINANCE, A LICENCE HOLDER WAS LIABLE FOR AN OFFENCE AGAINST THF ORDINANCE COMMITTED BY HIS EMPLOYEE OR AGENT, UNLESS HE PROVED THAT THE OFFENCE WAS COMMITTED WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE AND THAT HE HAD EXERCISED ALL DUE DILIGENCE TO PREVENT THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENCE.
/MRS WONG ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
MRS WXG POINTED OUT THAT, HOWEVER, PAST EXPERIENCE HAD INDICATED TH T EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE OR PRINCIPAL-AGENT RELATIONSHIPS WERE DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH IN COURT AND, ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, THE LICENCE HOLDER WAS ABLE TO AVOID CONVICTION BY SUCCESSFULLY DENYING THAT THE OPERATOR OF AN IRRADIATING APPARATUS WHO HAD COMMITTED THE OFFENCE WAS HIS EMPLOYEE OK -.GENT.
TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT, MRS WONG SAID CLAUSE 14 RE-ENACTED SECTION 22 TO REMOVE THE REFERENCE TO EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS AND TO MAKE A LICENCE HOLDER LIABLE FOR AN OFFENCE COMMITTED IN RESPECT OF THE LICENSED RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES OR IRRADIATING APPARATUS UNLESS HE PROVED THAT THE OFFENCE WAS COMMITTED WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE AND THAT HE HAD EXERCISED ALL DUE DILIGENCE TO PREVENT THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENCE.
SHE SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE A FIVEFOLD INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF FINES FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE. THESE FINES HAD NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE THE ORDINANCE CAME INTO FORCE.
"ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF OFFENCES HAS BEEN AT A LOW LEVEL, IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE FINES SO AS TO MAINTAIN THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT AND BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH SIMILAR OFFENCES UNDER OTHER LEGISLATION, SUCH AS THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE," MRS WONG SAID.
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BILL FOR FUNDING EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME ******
A BILL INTENDED TO IMPOSE A LEVY ON THE PREMIA FOR EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE POLICIES, TO FUND AN EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES BILL 1990, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT INSURERS WERE COLLECTING A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIA TO MEET THE EXPENSES OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
"GIVEN THE IMMINENT INTRODUCTION OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND IS THE SUBJECT OF A SEPARATE BILL NOW BEING DRAFTED, AN ADDITIONAL LEVY OF ONE PER CENT WILL BE REQUIRED.
"INSTEAD OF ASKING INSURERS TO COLLECT TWO LEVIES AND REMIT THEM TO TWO DIFFERENT BODIES, THE BILL BEFORE US PROVIDES FOR A COMBINED LEVY OF TWO PER CENT, AND FOR THE CREATION OF AN EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE COMBINED LEVY," HE SAID.
/MR YEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 8 -
MR Ybl'.L ADDED Tit AT THIS Mi .SURE WOULD ALSO RELI \E THE TWO STATUTORY BO,. «DS Or THE BURDEN GF COLLECTING THEIR OW LEVY, AND ALLOW THEM :O ’ ACENTRATE ON THEIR PRIMARY TASK 0 PROMOTING OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ADMINISTERING THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE S ’HEME.
HE SAID PART II OF TH1- BILL ESTABLISHED THE MANAGEMENT BOARD AS A BODY CORPORATE AND SET OUT ITS COMPOSITION AND PROCEDURE.
“THE BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF A CHAIRMAN, UP TO FIVE MEMBERS REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, A MEMBER OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, AND UP TO TWO PUBLIC OFFICERS.
“THE BOARD SHALL HAVE ITS OWN STAFF AND ITS EXPENSES WILL BE MET FROM THE COMBINED LEVY,’’ HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID PART III DEALT WITH FINANCIAL MATTERS.
’’CLAUSE 7 AND SCHEDULE 2 PROVIDE FOR THE EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME FROM THE COMBINED LEVY TO THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AND, PENDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND, TO A TEMPORARY FUND TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INCORPORATED,” HE EXPLAINED.
MR YEUNG SAID PART IV PRESCRIBED THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPOSING, COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING THE COMBINED LEVY.
CLAUSE 14 PROVIDED FOR THE IMPOSITION OF THE LEVY, TO BE KNOWN AS THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVY, PAYABLE ON EVERY EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIUM.
’’THE CLAUSE ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE RATE OF LEVY TO BE DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL,” HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
RAISING OF LEGAL AID MEANS LIMITS BEING CONSIDERED ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW CONSIDERING RAISING THE MEANS LIMITS FOR LEGAL AID, AND A DECISION WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY 'WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, SIR DAVID SAID 2,557 APPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL AID WERE REJECTED IN 1987 ON THE GROUNDS OF FINANCIAL MEANS, 3,250 IN 1988, AND 3,044 IN 1989.
/"TO PUT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
To PUT THESE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THERE WERE MORE THAN ’5,000 APPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL AID IN EACH OF THESE YEARS.
"IN OTHER WORDS, ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN REJECTED FOR THIS REASON," HE SAID.
CN A SUGGESTION BY MR TAM YIU-CHUNG THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER EXEMPTING CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF APPLICANT FROM THE MEANS TEST, SIR DAVID SAID IT WOULD BE INVIDIOUS TO CREATE A SPECIAL CLASS OF APPLICANT.
HE SAID IF THE SYSTEM WAS TO BE FAIR, THEN MEANS TESTING SHOULD APPLY EQUALLY TO ALL.
'INEVITABLY, IN CASES SUCH AS THOSE MENTIONED, WHERE A GROUP OF WORKERS APPLIES FOR LEGAL AID IN ORDER TO RESPOND TO AN APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, SOME WILL SATISFY THE MEANS TEST AND OTHERS WILL NOT.
"LN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THOSE WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID WILL NEVERTHELESS BENEFIT FROM A COURT DECISION IN FAVOUR OF THOSE WHO WERE PROVIDED WITH ASSISTANCE," SIR DAVID SAID.
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POLICY ON REHOUSING OF SQUATTERS REMAINS UNCHANGED
*»*»»*»
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG ESTABLISHED POLICY OF OFFERING REHOUSING TO SQLATTERS WHO HAVE BEEN RENDERED HOMELESS BY NATURAL DISASTERS OR CLEARANCE OPERATIONS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TING, MR TSAO SAID THE INCOME LEVEL OF THESE SQUATTERS WAS NOT A CONSIDERATION IN I HEIR REHOUSING.
"THE SUCCESS OF THE POLICY IS DEMONSTRATED BY THE FACT THAT THE SQUATTER POPULATION IN THE TERRITORY HAS DECREASED FROM 473,000 PERSONS IN 1984-85 TO 292,000 PERSONS TODAY.
"WE ARE, IN FACT, IN SIGHT OF CLEARING ALL URBAN SQUATTER AREAS BY THE -;ID-199O’S. THERE IS NO INTENTION TO CHANGE THE POLICY AT THIS JUNCTURE," MR TSAO SAID.
- - 0 - -
i
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14,
1990
- 10 -
NO ACTION TAKEN TO LIFT SANCTIONS
*****
TO DATE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO LIFT THE EXISTING SANCTIONS AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA AND THE SITUATION WILL BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER H.Y. WONG, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED CERTAIN ECONOMIC SANCTION AGAINST THE COUNTRY IN 1986.
"THESE INCLUDE A STATUTORY BAN ON THE IMPORT OF GOLD COINS AND IRON AND STEEL FROM SOUTH AFRICA, AND A VOLUNTARY BAN ON NEW INVESTMENT AND BANK LOANS AND PROMOTION OF TOURISM TO THE COUNTRY," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE ALLEGATIONS THAT HONG KONG WAS BEING USED AS AN AREA TO CIRCUMVENT INTERNATIONAL TRADING SANCTIONS AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THEM.
"IT HAS BEEN ALLEGED THAT A HONG KONG COMPANY HAS IMPORTED COAL FROM SOUTH AFRICA, AND RE-EXPORTED IT TO OTHER COUNTRIES, AND THAT ANOTHER HONG KONG COMPANY HAS BEEN SHIPPING OIL TO SOUTH AFRICA," HE SAID.
ON THE FIRST ALLEGATION, SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG HAD NOT IMPOSED ANY BAN ON THE IMPORT OF COAL FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
"FURTHERMORE, ACCORDING TO AVAILABLE STATISTICS, THERE HAS BEEN NO RE-EXPORT OF COAL OF SOUTH AFRICAN ORIGIN FROM HONG KONG SINCE 1986," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID AS HONG KONG HAD NO OIL PRODUCTION, THERE WAS NO DOMESTIC EXPORT TRADE IN OIL.
"WE ARE ALSO NOT AWARE OF ANY RE-EXPORTS OF OIL TO SOUTH AFRICA," HE SAID.
-----0-----------
/Il........
WEJNLSDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
TRAP
pattern of eastern harbour crossing still developing »*»»»»»
"•HERE IS NO C0NCLUSI1E EVIDENCE THAT THE UTILISATION RATE OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IS DIRECTLY -.TTRIBUT ABLE TO THE LEVELS Gr TOL^S CHARGED AS THE TRAFFIC PATTERN CF THE TUNNEL IS STILL CEVI LOI-: NG, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEL'NG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE AVERAGE 28,000 VEHICLES USING THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING EACH DAY LAST MONTH WAS NOT TOO FAR REMOVED FROM THE COMPANY’S ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF 33,000 IN 1990, MR LEUNG SAID IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
ALTHOUGH SOME CATEGORIES OF VEHICLES WERE CHARGED MORE AT THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING THAN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, THESE CONSTITUTED LESS THAN 13 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES PASSING THROUGH BOTH TUNNELS DURING THE PAST FIVE MONTHS, MR LEUNG SAID.
THE BULK OF SUCH TRAFFIC WAS MADE UP OF PRIVATE CARS, TAXIS, LIGHT AND MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES.
THE TOLLS THEY PAID AT THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WERE THE SAME AS, OR IN SOME CASES LOWER THAN, THOSE PAYABLE AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS PREMATURE AT THIS STAGE TO DRAW ANY CONCLUSIONS ON THE TRAFFIC FIGURES, PARTICULARLY AS THE TUNNEL HAD BEEN OPEN FOR JUST OVER FIVE MONTHS AND THE TRAFFIC PATTERN HAD YET TO BE CLEARLY ESTABLISHED.
- - 0 - -
ASSESSMENT OF MANPOWER NEEDS BEING STUDIED
*****
AS INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MANPOWER COMMITTEE SET UP TO ASSESS HONG KONG'S MEDIUM TERM MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS HAS RECENTLY DELIVERED ITS MAIN FINDINGS WHICH ARE NOU BEING CAREFULLY STUDIED BY THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, WHO APPOINTED THE COMMITTEE, TOLD THF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON EDWARD HO.
MR YEUNG SAID IT WAS TOO EARLY TO GO INTO DETAILS.
’’SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT NO SERIOUS MIS-MATCF HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, AND THAT THE FINDINGS CONFIRM THE LIKELIHOOD OF CONTINUOUS GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT AMONGST HIGHLY EDUCATED AND TRAINED PEOPLE.
/••IT SEEMS ..
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 12 -
"IT SEEMS LIKELY TEAT PEOPLE WITH TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, AND PEOPLE WITH APPROPRIATE TRAINING FOR MANAGERIAL POSITIONS, WILL BE IN STRONG DEMAND FOR SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME.
"WHEN THESE FINDINGS HAVE BEEN PROPERLY DIGESTED IN TERMS OF THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, THEY WILL BE PUT TO THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL," HE SAID.
FAR MR YEUNG SAID THAT THE COMMITTEE HAD SO ASSESSED THE SIZE OF EXISTING NUMBERS OF TRAINED MANPOWER BY REFERENCE TO VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONAL LEVELS.
"HAVING REGARD TO EMPLOYMENT AND DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS, THE COMMITTEE WENT ON TO ESTIMATE HOW MANY AND WHAT TYPES OF PEOPLE EACH INDUSTRIAL SECTOR MIGHT EMPLOY BY THE MID-1990’S.
"THE DEMAND SIDE OF THE EQUATION THUS ESTABLISHED, THE COMMITTEE THEN ASKED ITSELF WHAT THE SUPPLY SIDE WOULD LOOK LIKE.
"THIS IS LARGELY MADE UP OF IMMIGRANTS, RETURNING EMIGRANTS AND STUDENTS, AND THE OUTPUT OF OUR EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, IN ADDITION TO AVAILABLE STOCK AS AFFECTED BY NATURAL WASTAGE AND EMIGRATION.
"THE COMMITTEE WAS ULTIMATELY TRYING TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THERE IS LIKELY TO BE ANY MIS-MATCH AT VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL LEVELS BETWEEN THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY SIDES OF THE EQUATION," HE SAID.
ON WHETHER IT WAS NECESSARY TO DEVELOP A CO-ORDINATED TRAINING PROGRAMME, MR YEUNG SAID THE SHORT ANSWER WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY ANTICIPATED THE NEED FOR THIS.
"IN RESPECT OF EDUCATION, WE PLAN TO DOUBLE THE CURRENT PROVISION OF FIRST-YEAR, FIRST-DEGREE PLACES OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS.
"WE ALSO PLAN TO UPGRADE THE LEVEL OF OUR EXISTING VOCATIONAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES, WORKING MAINLY THROUGH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
"HENCE THE TRANSFER OF HIGHER DIPLOMA WORK FROM THE POLYTECHNICS TO THE VTC, THE CREATION IN THE VTC OF SUCH ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FACILITIES AS THE ASIC (APPLICATION SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUIT) DESIGN CENTRE, FOR WHICH PROVISION HAS BEEN SOUGHT IN THE 1990-91 DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE," HE SAID.
ALSO, THERE WAS THE INTENTION TO ESTABLISH A TRAINING FUND TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS TO GIVE MANAGERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN USEFUL NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
MR YEUNG SAID THE EXPANSION OF DEGREE PLACES AND THE UPGRADING OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING SERVICES WERE BEING CO-ORDINATED AND MONITORED BY A STEERING GROUP UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP, AND GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE.
/13 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
13
ELECTRIC VEHICLES NOT YET COMMERCIALLY VIABLE * * * * *
ELECTRIC VEHICLES AT THE PRESENT STAGE OF THEIR DEVELOPMENT ARE NOT COMMERCIALLY VIABLE FOR GENERAL USE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM PROF THE HON C.K. POON, MR LEUNG SAID THAT WHILE THE USE OF THESE VEHICLES WOULD RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS, THERE WERE PRACTICAL LIMITATIONS TO THEIR WIDER USE IN HONG KONG.
THE LIMITING FACTORS INCLUDED THEIR HIGH CAPITAL COST, THE NEED FOR FREQUENT RE-CHARGING OF THE BATTERIES, THUS REQUIRING AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF RE-CHARGING FACILITIES, AND HONG KONG’S TRAFFIC AND TOPOGRAPHICAL LIMITATIONS.
FOR THE LONGER TERM, MUCH WOULD DEPEND ON THE ABILITY OF VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS TO DEVELOP HIGH CAPACITY, TECHNOLOGICALLY EFFICIENT AND COMMERCIALLY VIABLE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AS ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO VEHICLES POWERED BY CONVENTIONAL FUELS.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT PRESENT LEGISLATION ALREADY PROVIDED FOR THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN HONG KONG.
THERE WERE 34 ELECTRIC VEHICLES REGISTERED MAINLY FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES, SUCH AS FORKLIFT TRUCKS AND INDUSTRIAL TRACTORS.
---------0-----------
NO INDICATION OF INCREASE IN USE OF FORGED TRAVEL PAPERS
******
THERE IS NO INDICATION OF ANY RECENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HONG KONG PEOPLE USING FORGED OR ILLEGALLY OBTAINED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR ASPREY SAID 46 SUCH CASES HAD BEEN DISCOVERED DURING PASSENGER EXAMINATIONS AT CONTROL POINTS IN 1989, COMPARED WITH 84 CASES IN 1988.
ALL SUCH CASES WERE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED WITH A VIEW TO PROSECUTION, AS WERE ALL RELATED REPORTS OF SYNDICATES ENGAGED IN THE FORGERY OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, OR OF THE PAYMENT OF BRIBES TO OBTAIN OR EXPEDITE THE ISSUE OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
"ALL THE INFORMATION WHICH WE HAVE ON SUCH CASES SUGGESTS THAT THOSE WHO PURCHASE FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, OR DOCUMENTS TO WHICH THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED, ARE FULLY AWARE THAT THEY ARE ACTING IMPROPERLY.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THE GOVERNMENT PROTECTING PEOPLE WHO SUFFER ANY FINANCIAL LOSS THROUGH PURCHASING SUCH DOCUMENTS," HE SAID.
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Z14 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
14
STEPS TAKEN TO PROTECT * *
INTEGRITY OF LEGAL DEPT * * *
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DESCRIBED TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE STEPS TAKEN TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION BY THE ICAC INTO ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST A FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, MR C.W. REID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW, MR MATHEWS SAID THAT FIRSTLY, WHEN MR REID WAS ARRESTED, HE DECIDED THAT THE ICAC SHOULD RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE FROM LAWYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE INVARIABLE PRACTICE THAT WHENEVER A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT IS THE SUBJECT OF AN ALLEGATION OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT, INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE IS SOUGHT FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR SO AS TO ENSURE IMPARTIALITY AND, EQUALLY IMPORTANTLY, SO AS TO BE SEEN TO BE IMPARTIAL," HE SAID.
SECONDLY, HE SAID, MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION HAD BEEN, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE, GIVEN TO THE ICAC TO ENSURE THAT THE VERY SERIOUS ALLEGATION WAS THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED.
THIRDLY, THE ICAC’S INVESTIGATIONS INCLUDED THE EXAMINATION OF SEVERAL CASES WHICH MR REID HANDLED OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS.
"IT IS TOO EARLY YET TO SAY WHETHER ANY IMPROPRIETY OCCURRED IN THE WAY IN WHICH THESE CASES WERE DISPOSED OF, BUT MEMBERS MAY BE ASSURED THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IS BEING MOST VIGOROUSLY AND INDEPENDENTLY INVESTIGATED," HE SAID.
FOURTHLY, IN PARALLEL WITH THE EXAMINATION OF THESE CASES BY THE ICAC AND HAVING REGARD TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ALLEGATION AGAINST MR REID, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID HE HAD GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE SEVERAL CASES HANDLED BY THE COMMERCIAL CRIME UNIT THAT WERE NOT CURRENTLY UNDER ICAC INVESTIGATION BUT IN WHICH DEFENDANTS WERE REPRESENTED BY A BARRISTER AND A SOLICITOR INVOLVED IN THE ALLEGATION, SHOULD BE EXAMINED BY BARRISTERS OUTSIDE THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
FIFTHLY, MR REID WAS SUSPENDED FROM DUTY.
"I SHOULD STRESS THAT TO DATE NO ONE IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, APART FROM MR REID, IS THE SUBJECT OF THESE CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS OR INVESTIGATIONS," MR MATHEWS SAID.
HE REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE • FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES THAT "A PERSON IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVED GUILTY AND THAT THE ONLY PROPER PLACE FOR DETERMINING GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF A CRIME IS A COURT".
MR REID, WHO WAS APPOINTED CROWN COUNSEL IN 1975, WAS ONE OF THREE DEPUTY DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS AND HEAD OF THE COMMERCIAL CRIME UNIT, HAVING BEEN APPOINTED TO THAT POST IN 1983, HE SAID.
/THE ALLEGATION.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 15 -
THE ALLEGATION AGAINST HIM WAS ESSENTIALLY THAT OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS HE RECEIVED PAYMENTS FROM A BARRISTER AND A SOLICITOR IN EXCHANGE FOR FAVOURABLE TREATMENT OF THEIR CLIENTS.
"MEMBERS WILL APPRECIATE THAT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ENSUING, IT WOULD BE IMPROPER FOR ME TO GO FURTHER INTO DETAILS OF THE ALLEGATION OR MATTERS THAT MAY BE ISSUES IN ANY TRIAL,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
MR REID WAS ARRESTED ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1989, QUESTIONED BY ICAC OFFICERS AND RELEASED ON CONDITION THAT HE REPORT TO THE ICAC UN DECEMBER 1, 1989.
THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, HE WAS SUSPENDED FROM DUTY BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE. HE WAS ORDERED BY THE COURT TO SURRENDER HIS TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
HE WAS ALSO REQUIRED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION RELATING TO HIS ASSETS. HE FAILED TO DO SO AND HE COULD NOT BE FOUND.
ON DECEMBER 29, 1989 THE ICAC OBTAINED A WARRANT FOR MR REID'S ARREST. HE WAS DISMISSED FROM THE SERVICE WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 22, 1990.
AS TO THE STEPS BEING TAKEN TO FACILITATE MR REID'S RETURN TO HONG KONG, MR MATHEWS SAID THAT SINCE .THIS WAS A MATTER FOR THE ICAC AND ITS ADVISERS, THERE WAS LITTLE THAT HE COULD PROPERLY SAY’ AT THIS STAGE.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE QUESTION OF SECURING MR REID'S RETURN AND THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXTENT OF POSSIBLE CRIMINALITY WERE BEING THOROUGHLY AND URGENTLY PURSUED BY SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE ICAC.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN BOTH SADDENED AND ANGERED BY THE REVELATIONS CONCERNING MR REID.
"NO ORGANISATION RESPONDS HAPPILY TO THE COLLECTIVE EMBARRASSMENT OCCASIONED BY SUSPICION FALLING ON AN INDIVIDUAL MEMBER.
’’THIS IS MORE SO WHEN THAT ORGANISATION DEPENDS ON PUBLIC TRUST IN ITS INTEGRITY.
"MY STAFF, AND I MYSELF, ARE ACUTELY AWARE OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO THIS TRUST BY THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MR REID, BUT THEIR PRIDE IN THEIR WORK AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE ARE UNDIMINISHED,” HE SAID.
"MY STAFF RETAIN THE POSITIVE ATTITUDE THAT THEY HAVE A JOB TO GET ON WITH,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE SIX DIVISIONS OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WERE WORKING AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY.
”1 CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO PROVIDE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY THE VERY HIGH STANDARD OF LEGAL SERVICES THAT IT REQUIRES,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
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/16 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 16 -
MEASURES TO DETER CRIME BY VIETNAMESE * * * * «
A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAVE BEEN AND ARE BEING TAKEN TO PREVENT AND DETER CRIME BY VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND REFUGEES ACCOMMODATED IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, MR ASPREY SAID THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDERS AND THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES WERE MONITORING THE LEVEL AND PATTERN OF CRIME IN THEIR DISTRICTS.
"POLICE RESOURCES ARE DEPLOYED IN RESPONSE TO PERCEIVED REQUIREMENTS AND PATROLS HAVE BEEN STEPPED UP IN AREAS IDENTIFIED AS CRIME BLACK SPOTS.
"CLOSE LIAISON HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE POLICE IN THE DISTRICTS AND THE CENTRE MANAGEMENT TEAMS AND THIS HAS BEEN IMPORTANT IN DETECTING AND DETERRING CRIME," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THAT THE STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON CRIMINAL OFFENCES COMMITTED BY VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND REFUGEES IN THE DISTRICTS WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR 1988 AS SEPARATE RECORDS WERE NOT AT THAT TIME KEPT ON CRIMES COMMITTED BY VIETNAMESE.
THERE WERE 334 CRIMINAL OFFENCES COMMITTED BY VIETNAMESE IN TUEN MUN LAST YEAR AND 73 UP TO THE END OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, MAKING A TOTAL OF 407 CASES.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, A TOTAL OF 185 OFFENCES WERE REPORTED IN YUEN LONG, WITH 166 COMMITTED LAST YEAR AND 19 UP TO THE END OF FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
OF THE 407 OFFENCES REPORTED IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT IN 1989 AND 1990, 171, OR 42 PER CENT, TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE THE TUEN MUN, SAN YICK AND PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRES, MR ASPREY SAID.
OF THE 185 OFFENCES REPORTED IN YUEN LONG DISTRICT DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 57, OR 31 PER CENT, WERE COMMITTED OUTSIDE THE SEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE.
"THE GREAT MAJORITY OF OFFENCES COMMITTED BY VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND REFUGEES WERE THEFT OR THEFT-RELATED," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY ALSO SAID THAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS HAD ARRANGED CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE, AND, IN THE CASE OF TUEN MUN, ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO HELP REFUGEES COME TO TERMS WITH LIFE IN HONG KONG.
"LAW AND ORDER IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THESE PROGRAMMES,” HE SAID.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
HE ALSO NOTED THAT SECURITY HAD BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED AT THE SEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE SINCE IT OPENED IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
"THE NUMBER OF ESCAPES HAS CONSEQUENTLY FALLEN, AND THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES COMMITTED BY VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO FALL," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY ADDED THAT THE CURRENT REFUGEE POPULATION IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT WAS ABOUT 9,200, AND WAS EXPECTED TO FALL STEADILY TO ABOUT 4,000 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
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HIGH DEGREE OF VIGILANCE EXPECTED OF EMPLOYERS
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 171 OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE WHICH MAKES IT AN OFFENCE OF STRICT LIABILITY FOR AN EMPLOYER TO EMPLOY A PERSON WHO IS "NOT LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE", THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, MR ASPREY SAID THAT ANY SUCH AMENDMENT WOULD BE OPEN TO POSSIBLE EXPLOITATION, AND WOULD DETRACT FROM THE HIGH DEGREE OF CARE AND VIGILANCE EXPECTED OF EMPLOYERS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SECTION WAS INTRODUCED AS ONE OF A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO CURB ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
THE AIM WAS TO EMPHASISE THE SERIOUS VIEW WHICH THE GOVERNMENT TOOK OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO EXERCISE VIGILANCE OVER WHOM THEY EMPLOYED.
"IN PRACTICE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT PROSECUTE UNDER SECTION 171, IF HE IS SATISFIED THAT AN EMPLOYER HAS ACTED IN GOOD FAITH, HAS TAKEN ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO VERIFY AN EMPLOYEE’S IDENTITY, BUT HAS BEEN DECEIVED INTO BELIEVING THAT FALSE IDENTITY DOCUMENTS ARE GENUINE," HE SAID.
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COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMME AREAS *******
THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES, WHICH HAS BEEN TASKED WITH THE DRAFTING OF A NEW WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE, IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF ALL SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMME AREAS INCLUDING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MRS WONG SAID IN ITS DELIBERATIONS THE WORKING PARTY WOULD TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF THE EFFECT OF DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS, INCLUDING THE PROJECTED 'INCREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF THE ELDERLY IN THE POPULATION.
"IN RECOGNITION OF THIS TREND AND OF THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF ELDERLY SERVICES, A DEDICATED SUBCOMMITTEE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE WORKING PARTY WHICH WILL REVIEW THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, INCLUDING CARE AND ATTENTION FACILITIES," SHE SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SAID A COMBINATION OF ACCELERATING DEMAND AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PLANNING RATIO, . TOGETHER WITH THE LONG LEAD TIME REQUIRED FOR PHYSICAL PROVISION, ACCOUNTED FOR THE CURRENT SHORTAGE OF CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES.
THERE WAS, FIRSTLY, THE RAPID ACCELERATION OF SUCH DEMAND IN RECENT YEARS.
REFERRING TO THE WHITE PAPER "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1980’S" PUBLISHED IN 1979, MRS WONG SAID A TARGET PROVISION OF FOUR PLACES FOR EVERY THOUSAND ELDERLY PERSONS (I.E. THOSE AGED 60 OR ABOVE) WAS CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE DEMAND IN THE LONG TERM.
SINCE THAT TIME, THE PLANNING RATIO HAD BEEN REVIEWED ON TWO OCCASIONS, RESULTING IN A REVISION IN 1985 TO FIVE PLACES PER THOUSAND ELDERLY PERSONS AND A FURTHER INCREASE IN 1988 TO EIGHT PLACES PER THOUSAND ELDERLY PERSONS.
"THESE RECENT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PLANNING RATIO ARE CLEAR INDICATIONS OF THE SHARP INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES IN RECENT YEARS," MRS WONG SAID.
SECONDLY, THE CURRENT SHORTAGE WAS ALSO DUE TO THE LENGTHY LEAD TIME IN THE PROVISION OF CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES.
AS SUCH HOMES WERE MAJOR FACILITIES REQUIRING A MINIMUM LEAD TIME OF SEVERAL YEARS FOR SITE IDENTIFICATION, PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION AND FITTING-OUT, ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE PLANNING RATIO THEREFORE TOOK A NUMBER OF YEARS TO IMPLEMENT IN TERMS OF PROVIDING NECESSARY ADDITIONAL PLACES.
/TO ADDRESS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
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TO ADDRESS THE SHORTFALL IN CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES, MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN PLACE A PHASED EXPANSION PROGRAMME PROJECTED TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF SUBVERTED PLACES MORE THAN THREEFOLD TO 6,500 IN 1994-95, BY WHICH TIME THE PROVISION WOULD BE CLOSE TO MEETING PROJECTED DEMAND AS DERIVED FROM THE CURRENT PLANNING RATIO OF EIGHT SUBVERTED PLACES FOR EVERY THOUSARD ELDERLY PERSORS.
"IT IS ALSO RELEVART THAT SUPPLY IS NOT CONFINED TO EXISTING OR PROJECTED SUBVERTED FACILITIES BUT ALSO IRCLUDES RON-SUBVERTED NON-PROFIT-MAKING CARE ARD ATTERTIOR HOMES, THE CURRERT PROVISIOR OF WHICH STARDS AT 697 PLACES," SHE ADDED.
MRS WORG SAID THAT AS ILLUSTRATED BY THE CERTRAL WAITING LIST FOR SUBVERTED PLACES, EXPERIERCE INDICATED THAT DEMARD TERDED TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY OVERSTATED.
"FOR EXAMPLE, OF THE 1,927 WAIT-LISTED CASES WHICH WERE PROCESSED FOR ADMISSIOR DURIRG 1989, OHLY 1,246 ELDERLY PERSOHS (I.E. 65 PER CERT) WERE FOUND, FOR ORE REASOH OR OTHER, TO BE SUITABLE ARD AVAILABLE FOR ADMISSIOR IHTO A CARE ARD ATTERTIOR HOME," SHE SAID.
AMONG THE VARIOUS MEASURES WHICH HAD BEER OR WERE BEIHG INTRODUCED TO ALLEVIATE THE EFFECT OF THE SHORTAGE, MRS WORG SAID THEY INCLUDED THE EXPAHSIOH OF THE HOME HELP SERVICE, IHCREASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IH THE FORM OF A HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWAHCE, THE CONVERSION WHERE FEASIBLE OF HOSTELS IHTO CARE AHD ATTERTIOR HOMES, THE PROVISIOR OF CARE AHD ATTERTIOR UHITS IH HEW HOMES FOR THE AGED, AMD A SCHEME TO BUY PLACES FROM PRIVATE HOMES WHICH MET APPROVED STANDARDS.
MRS WORG ALSO GAVE STATISTICS OH THE PROJECTED DEMAHD AHD SUPPLY OF CARE AHD ATTERTIOR PLACES BY DISTRICT AS AT MARCH 31, 1995.
BY THEN, THE PROJECTED ELDERLY POPULATIOH WOULD BE 871,900 AHD THE DEMAHD FOR CARE AHD ATTERTIOR PLACES BASED OH A PLANNING RATIO OF EIGHT PLACES FOR EVERY THOUSARD ELDERLY PERSOHS WOULD BE 6,977.
OH THE OTHER HARD, THE TOTAL HUMBER OF EXISTIHG AHD PLANNED CARE AHD ATTERTIOR PLACES AS AT THE EHD OF MARCH, 1995 WOULD BE 7,269; COMPRISING 2,557 EXISTIHG PLACES (INCLUDING BOTH SUBVERTED AHD NON-SUBVENTED NON-PROFIT-MAKING PLACES) AHD 4,712 PLANHED ADDITIONAL CARE AHD ATTERTIOR PLACES (INCLUDING SUBVERTED PLACES OHLY).
MRS WORG SAID ALTHOUGH THE PROVISIOR OF CARE AHD ATTERTIOR HOMES WAS PLAHHED OH A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS, EFFORTS WERE MADE TO ACHIEVE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, A BALAHCED DISTRIBUTIOH OF PLACES HAVING REGARD TO THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN EACH DISTRICT.
/"THE ONGOING .....
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’’THE ONGOING CONVERSION OF SOME EXISTING HOSTELS INTO HOMES FOR AGED WITH CARE AND ATTENTION UNITS IS OF SOME ASSISTANCE IN ACHIEVING THIS GOAL ALTHOUGH DISTRIBUTION IS LIKELY TO REMAIN SOMEWHAT UNEVEN, DUE LARGELY TO DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING SITES AND PREMISES IN THE OLDER URBAN DISTRICTS.
’’THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE USE OF EVERY SUITABLE OPPORTUNITY TO LOCATE SITES AND PREMISES FOR CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES IN OLDER DISTRICTS AND, IN THIS CONNECTION, IS ALREADY LIAISING WITH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WITH A VIEW TO SECURING, WHERE POSSIBLE, THE PROVISION OF CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES THROUGH THE CORPORATION’S URBAN RENEWAL SCHEMES,” SHE SAID.
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APPROPRIATE CROWD CONTROL AT LO WU *****
APPROPRIATE CROWD CONTROL AND POLICING ARRANGEMENTS WERE CURRENTLY IN OPERATION AT THE LO WU BORDER CROSSING POINT TO ENSURE A SMOOTH PASSENGER FLOW, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR ASPREY SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE SITUATION AT THE LO WU BORDER CROSSING POINT WAS CHAOTIC.
’’POLICE OFFICERS ARE ON DUTY ON THE STATION PLATFORMS BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST TRAIN EACH MORNING, AND THROUGHOUT THE DAY THEREAFTER.
’’ADDITIONAL POLICE MANPOWER IS DEPLOYED AT LO WU DURING MAJOR FESTIVALS WHEN PASSENGER TRAFFIC INCREASES,” MR ASPREY SAID.
HE SAID AS WITH PERSONNEL DEPLOYED ELSEWHERE, OFFICERS AT LO WU WERE REGULARLY REMINDED OF THE NEED TO BE COURTEOUS.
”1 HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT RELATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND TRAVELLING PUBLIC AT LO WU ARE ANYTHING BUT CORDIAL.
’’CERTAINLY, THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT POLICE CONDUCT THERE,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT NEW CRUSH BARRIERS WERE INSTALLED AT LO WU IN 1989, AND THIS HAD IMPROVED CROWD CONTROL AND PASSENGER SAFETY. THE REQUIREMENT FOR ADDITIONAL SUCH MEASURES WAS KEPT REGULARLY UNDER REVIEW.
IN 1989, 20 CASES OF PICKPOCKETING WERE REPORTED AT LO WU, AS A RESULT OF WHICH 16 PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED.
’’DETAILS OF KNOWN PICKPOCKETS ARE CIRCULATED TO OFFICERS ON DUTY AT LO WU AND ON KCR TRAINS," HE ADDED.
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STEPS TAKEN TO ENSURE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF FLAG DAYS
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN VARIOUS MEASURES TO ENSURE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF FLAG DAYS BY CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG WAS GIVING THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM WHO HAD REFERRED TO A RECENT CASE IN WHICH TWO ORGANISATIONS WERE FOUND TO BE SELLING FLAGS ON THE SAME DAY.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT THE UNDERLYING REASON FOR THIS OCCURRENCE WAS THAT THE HOLY CARPENTER CHURCH COMMUNITY CENTRE, WHICH HAD BEEN GIVEN APPROVAL TO HOLD A FLAG DAY ON FEBRUARY 17, HAD DELIVERED THE FLAGS AND COLLECTION BAGS TO THE VOLUNTEERS AT TOO EARLY A DATE AND THAT THERE WAS A GENUINE MISUNDERSTANDING ON THE PART OF THE VOLUNTEERS CONCERNED AS TO THE DESIGNATED FLAG DAY.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT APPROVAL HAD BEEN GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY TO HOLD A FLAG DAY ON FEBRUARY 10.
HOWEVER, ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 10, VOLUNTEERS OF BOTH ORGANISATIONS WERE FOUND SELLING FLAGS TO RAISE FUNDS OUTSIDE THE KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION.
MRS WONG SAID ENQUIRIES HAD REVEALED THAT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE HAD RECRUITED SOME 3,500 VOLUNTEERS TO SELL FLAGS ON FEBRUARY 17.
’’SINCE IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE DELIVERY OF FLAGS AND COLLECTION BAGS WOULD TAKE SOME TIME, ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE BY THE COMMUNITY CENTRE TO DESPATCH A PROPORTION OF THESE AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY 9 TO SOME OF THE VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST HOSPITAL’S AU SHUE HUNG HEALTH CENTRE.
’’FIVE OF THE ELDERLY VOLUNTEERS OF THE HEALTH CENTRE, PROBABLY DUE TO OVER-ENTHUSIASM, MISTAKENLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FOLLOWING DAY, THAT IS, FEBRUARY 10, WAS THE DESIGNATED FLAG DAY INSTEAD OF THE CORRECT DATE OF FEBRUARY 17, 1990/
’’THEY THUS COMMENCED TO SELL FLAGS OUTSIDE KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 10,” MRS WONG SAID.
THE HOLY CARPENTER CHURCH COMMUNITY CENTRE, UPON NOTIFICATION OF THE INCIDENT, IMMEDIATELY RECALLED THE ELDERLY VOLUNTEERS THAT SAME MORNING, SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THAT THIS MISUNDERSTANDING AND THE REASONS FOR IT WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED IN A CHINESE LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER ON FEBRUARY 11.
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
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SHE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD TAKEN VARIOUS MEASURES TO ENSURE THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF FLAG DAYS HELD BY CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS.
"TWO LETTERS WERE ISSUED IN NOVEMBER AND IN DECEMBER 1989 TO ALL SUCH ORGANISERS, ADVISING THEM TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS IN MONITORING THE EXECUTION OF FLAG DAYS.
"THE ORGANISATIONS WERE ALSO ADVISED NOT TO DELIVER FLAGS AND COLLECTION BAGS TO VOLUNTEERS MORE THAN SIX DAYS IN ADVANCE.
"ON DECEMBER 27, 1989, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED A GENERAL PRESS RELEASE TO ANNOUNCE THAT ADVISORY LETTERS HAD BEEN ISSUED TO ALL FLAG DAY ORGANISERS," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT IN ORDER TO AVOID SIMILAR SUCH INCIDENTS IN FUTURE, AS WELL AS TO ALLAY PUBLIC CONCERN, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY TAKEN FURTHER STEPS.
"BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT, A CHINESE LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED A FEATURE ARTICLE ON FEBRUARY 22 WHICH DETAILED THE CRITERIA AND PRINCIPLES ADOPTED IN THE ALLOCATION OF FLAG DAYS, THE FINANCIAL MONITORING PROCEDURES, AS WELL AS THE DATES WHICH HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS DURING 1990.
"FURTHERMORE, STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT GAVE TWO SEPARATE TELEVISION INTERVIEWS EARLIER THIS MONTH TO EXPLAIN, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ALLOCATION OF FLAG DAYS AS WELL AS THE REQUIREMENT FOR FLAG DAY ORGANISERS TO SUBMIT TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF THE RECEIPT AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS RAISED.
"IN ADDITION, DEPARTMENTAL STAFF HELD DISCUSSIONS ON MARCH 9, WITH FLAG DAY ORGANISERS WITH A VIEW TO RESOLVING ANY COMMON DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SUCH ACTIVITIES," SHE SAID.
TSEUNG KWAN O CLINIC TO OPEN IN AUGUST » * * t t
THE FIRST CLINIC IN TSEUNG KWAN O, LOCATED IN AREA 22, WILL BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG, MRS WONG SAID THAT TO COPE WITH INCREASED DEMAND ARISING FROM FUTURE POPULATION GROWTH IN TSEUNG KWAN O, THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD RECENTLY ENDORSED THE PROPOSAL FOR A SECOND CLINIC IN THE AREA.
/"THIS SECOND .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
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’’THIS SECOND CLINIC WILL BE LOCATED IN AREA 44 AND IS PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN 1996-97.
’’BOTH CLINICS WILL PROVIDE OUT-PATIENT AND FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT IN RESPECT OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, RESIDENTS IN TSEUNG KWAN 0, WHICH FORMED PART OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT, WERE AT PRESENT COVERED BY THE MONA FONG CLINIC IN SAI KUNG TOWN.
ALTERNATIVELY, THEY MIGHT MAKE USE OF THE CLINICS AT KWUN TONG, LAM TIN AND SHUN LEE ESTATE.
"A SITE HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR THE BUILDING OF A THIRD CLINIC, AS AND WHEN THE NEED ARISES,” SHE SAID.
TURNING TO HOSPITAL SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID THE HAVEN OF HOPE HOSPITAL IN THE DISTRICT, WHICH WAS BUILT THREE DECADES AGO, AT PRESENT PROVIDED 300 BEDS, CONSISTING OF 54 MEDICAL BEDS, 144 TUBERCULOSIS AND CHEST BEDS, 98 REHABILITATION/HOSPICE BEDS AND FOUR STAFF BEDS.
IN VIEW OF THE UNSATISFACTORY STATE OF SOME OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE HOSPITAL, MRS WONG SAID THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ENDORSED A PROPOSAL IN MAY LAST YEAR TO REPROVISION THE HOSPITAL ON SITE TO PROVIDE IMPROVED SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
"CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO START IN 1991, WITH A TARGET COMPLETION DATE OF 1995.
"THE REPROVISIONED HOSPITAL WILL HAVE 316 BEDS AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES INCLUDING ACUTE, REHABILITATION, TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST, HOSPICE AND CONVALESCENCE," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT FOR THE LONGER TERM, .THERE WAS A PLAN TO BUILD A 600-BED DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN TSEUNG KWAN O TO CATER FOR FUTURE NEEDS.
"A SITE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND RESERVED IN TSEUNG KWAN O AREA 32 FOR THIS PURPOSE," SHE ADDED.
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24
MEASURES TO REDUCE BYPASS TRAFFIC NOISE *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO MINIMISE THE TRAFFIC NOISE FROM THE TSUEN WAN BYPASS THAT IS AFFECTING RESIDENTS OF CLAGUE GARDEN ESTATE, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE MEASURES WERE OUTLINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG.
MR BARNES SAID THE TRAFFIC FLOW ON THE BYPASS, A BUSY ROAD LINKING KWAI CHUNG ROAD WITH TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, AVERAGED 2,400 VEHICLES PER HOUR BETWEEN 8.30 PM AND 11 PM.
DURING PEAK TRAFFIC HOURS, THE TRAFFIC FLOW MIGHT RISE TO 6,200 VEHICLES PER HOUR, AND THE MEASURED PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC FLOW NOISE LEVEL EXCEEDED THE ACCEPTABLE STANDARD AT TIMES.
"THE ROAD IS WIDE, STRAIGHT AND WELL MAINTAINED, AND ALTHOUGH THERE IS A SPEED LIMIT OF 70 KILOMETRE PER HOUR DRIVERS SOMETIMES SPEED AT NIGHT AND MAKE MUCH MORE NOISE THAN TRAFFIC WITHIN SPEED LIMITS," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE POLICE WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND CARRIED OUT FREQUENT RADAR OPERATIONS AS A DETERRENT.
"THE FORCE WILL CONTINUE TO MOUNT SIMILAR OPERATIONS IN THE FUTURE, WHICH SHOULD HELP TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF NOISE NUISANCE FROM HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC IN THE NIGHT," HE SAID.
ON THE DESIGN OF THE ROAD, MR BARNES SAID THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY PAVED THE SECTION OF THE BYPASS NEAR THE CLAGUE GARDEN ESTATE WITH A NOISE REDUCING BITUMINOUS MATERIAL WHICH HELPED REDUCE ORDINARY TRAFFIC NOISE, BUT NOT THAT OF CARS SPEEDING AT NIGHT.
"FURTHER ENGINEERING REMEDIES ON THE ROAD WOULD BE DIFFICULT, BECAUSE THERE ARE PROBLEMS IN ERECTING NOISE ATTENUATION INSTALLATIONS SUCH AS ENCLOSURES OR SCREENS ON HIGHWAY STRUCTURES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN DESIGNED TO FACILITATE SUCH INSTALLATIONS," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE BYPASS WAS OPENED BEFORE CLAGUE GARDEN ESTATE WAS BUILT.
"WHEN THE LAND WAS GRANTED TO THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ESTATE, THE PLANNING BRIEF STATED THAT APPROPRIATE MEASURES RELATING TO BUILDING DESIGN, ORIENTATION AND SITING SHOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE EFFECTS OF THE BYPASS.
"THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY TOOK THIS INTO CONSIDERATION IN SITING THE HOUSING BLOCKS AND HAS BEEN MONITORING THE NOISE PROBLEM BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE HOUSING ESTATE.
"IT IS WILLING TO LOOK AT FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS AND THESE ARE NOW BEING DISCUSSED WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS," HE SAID.
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a^-
time TO UPGRADE BAPTIST COLLEGE STATUS * * * * ♦
THE TIME HAS COME FOR PROPER ACTION TO BE INITIATED WITH A VIEW TO CHANGING THE STATUS AND THE TITLE OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE TO THOSE OF A UNIVERSITY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BAPTIST COLLEGE COUNCIL, THE HON LAU WAH-SUM, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE 1988-89 HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT AND AUDITORS’ REPORT, MR LAU SAID THAT WITH THE RAPID PROGRESS MADE IN THE PAST YEARS, THE COLLEGE WAS ALREADY BEGINNING TO FUNCTION LIKE A UNIVERSITY.
THIS APPLIED IN STYLE, ACADEMIC CONTENT, STUDENT PROFILE, QUALITY OF TEACHING AND RESEARCH WORK, CALIBRE OF STAFF; AND ALL COURSES WERE PROPERLY ACCREDITED AT BRITISH UNIVERSITY STANDARDS.
MR LAU ADDED THAT GIVING THE BAPTIST COLLEGE THE STATUS OF A UNIVERSITY WAS IN THE INTEREST OF FULFILLING THE MISSION OF EDUCATING THE YOUTH OF HONG KONG FOR A BETTER AND BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID 1988-89 WAS HISTORIC FOR THE COLLEGE, WITH THE SUCCESSFUL ACCREDITATION OF THREE NEW DEGREE COURSES AND THREE NEW OPTIONS BEING PROVIDED WITHIN EXISTING DEGREE COURSES.
’’THE THREE NEW DEGREE COURSES ACCREDITED DURING THE YEAR WERE CHINA STUDIES, COMPUTING STUDIES, AND MUSIC.”
"WITH THESE ACHIEVEMENTS THE COLLEGE HAS BECOME A 100 PER CENT DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTION AND ALL STUDENTS ADMITTED, SINCE SEPTEMBER 1989, ARE ENROLLED IN DEGREE OR HIGHER DEGREE PROGRAMMES --A TOTAL OF NINE DEGREE COURSES WITH A CHOICE OF 29 OPTIONS,” MR LAU SAID.
MR LAU SAID THAT DURING THE YEAR THE COLLEGE ADMITTED ITS FIRST GROUP OF RESEARCH STUDENTS INTO A MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMME IN THE SCIENCE FACULTY.
HAND IN HAND WITH THIS, HE SAID EXTRA EFFORTS WERE MADE TO SUPPORT THE RAPIDLY EXPANDING PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH WORK, BY DOUBLING THE FUNDING FOR DIRECT ALLOCATION TO PROJECTS AS RESEARCH GRANTS AND ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THE FUNDING FOR STRENGTHENING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RESEARCH, SUCH AS IN LIBRARY JOURNALS AND COMPUTING FACILITIES.
MR LAU ALSO SAID THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, THE COLLEGE AWARDED ITS OWN BACHELOR’S DEGREE TO 203 GRADUATES FROM THE SCIENCE FACULTY AND THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT DURING THE YEAR.
ON THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT ASPECT, MR LAU SAID THAT THE YEAR SAW THE COMPLETION OF ALL THE NEW BUILDINGS ON THE WATERLOO ROAD CAMPUS UNDER THE FIVE-YEAR MASTER PLAN FOR CAMPUS REDEVELOPMENT.
’’THE COMING INTO USE OF THIS NEW ACCOMMODATION HAS BROUGHT MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROVISIONS FOR TEACHING, RESEARCH, ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,” HE SAID.
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MORE INTEREST IN RECREATION AND SPORT
*****
THE LAST DECADE SAW AN UPSURGE OF POPULAR INTEREST IN RECREATION AND SPORT, PROMPTED BY THE PURSUIT OF A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE RESULTING FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT FOR 1988 - 1989, DR IP SAID HONG KONG HAD BECOME A REGULAR PARTICIPANT IN INTERNATIONAL SPORT AND HAD ACHIEVED SOME NOTABLE SUCCESSES IN MAJOR EVENTS.
SUCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS OWED MUCH TO THE DEDICATION OF ATHLETES AND SPORTS ADMINISTRATORS AND COACHES, SHE NOTED.
"HOWEVER, CREDIT SHOULD ALSO GO TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT WHO LABOURED UNTIRINGLY TO ENSURE ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR ATHLETES THROUGH THE COUNCIL.
"ALTHOUGH THE COUNCIL OFTEN HAD TO START FROM MODEST BEGINNINGS WITH VARIOUS INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP SPORT, SUCH GROUNDWORK WAS MOST VALUABLE IN PAVING THE WAY FOR FURTHER PROGRESS," DR IP SAID.
THE REPORT WAS THE LAST FROM THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT WHICH WAS DISSOLVED ON NOVEMBER 1 LAST YEAR UPON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVISIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD, DR IP POINTED OUT.
"WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD IN APRIL THIS YEAR, SPORT IN HONG KONG WILL ENTER A NEW PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT," SHE ADDED.
------0----------
TWO BILLS PASSED * * * *
THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL 1990, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES BILL 1990 AND THE RADIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
IN ADDITION, THREE RESOLUTIONS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE WERE PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
27
NEW VESSEL TO TACKLE FLOATING REFUSE BEING TESTED ******
A NEW VESSEL IS BEING TESTED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR ITS SUITABILITY IN COLLECTING FLOATING REFUSE IN HONG KONG WATERS.
TRIALS ON THE VESSEL, "DISFLOATER NO. 1", STARTED LATE LAST YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE DISFLOATER IS A TWIN-HULLED CATAMARAN BUILT IN HONG KONG TO A JAPANESE DESIGN, WHICH HAS PROVED EFFECTIVE IN JAPANESE HARBOURS.
REFUSE IS COLLECTED BY CHANNELLING IT BETWEEN THE HULLS INTO A SUBMERGED CONTAINER. A ROTOR AT THE FORWARD END IS USED TO INDUCE SUCTION TO FACILITATE THE COLLECTION. THE CONTAINER WHEN FULL IS LIFTED AND EMPTIED.
BESIDES ASSESSING THE VESSEL’S SUITABILITY IN COLLECTING FLOATING REFUSE, ITS MANOEUVRABILITY, SEA KEEPING BEHAVIOUR AND FUEL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS WILL ALSO BE MONITORED DURING THE TRIALS.
A DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO PURCHASE THE VESSEL HAS YET TO BE MADE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE PROBLEM OF FLOATING REFUSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN OF CONCERN TO THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS TO THE PUBLIC.
"THE AMOUNT OF FLOATING REFUSE COLLECTED FROM HONG KONG WATERS IN RECENT YEARS HAS SHOWN A MARKED INCREASE: FROM 3,631 TONNES IN 1986 TO 4,876 TONNES IN 1989," HE SAID.
"SINCE THE EARLY 1960'S, A MARINE REFUSE SCAVENGING FLEET HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT FLOATING REFUSE," HE ADDED.
THE FLEET COMPRISES SIX "WATERWITCHES" AND A "HARBOUR SWEEPER", ALL OF WHICH ARE PURPOSE-BUILT VESSELS DESIGNED FOR COLLECTING FLOATING REFUSE.
THE DEPARTMENT REGULARLY ASSESSES OTHER TYPES OF FLOATING REFUSE COLLECTION VESSELS AVAILABLE IN THE WORLD WITH A VIEW TO DETERMINING WHETHER THEY ARE SUITABLE FOR OPERATING IN HONG KONG.
/"THE OPPORTUNITY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 28 -
"THE OPPORTUNITY HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO DEMONSTRATE THE DISFLOATER TO MEMBERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR GEORGE CARDONA, GROUP PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER, HONGKONGBANK AND THE GOVERNMENT’S STEERING GROUP ON FLOATING REFUSE CHARGED WITH THE TASK OF ABATING THE PROBLEM OF FLOATING REFUSE IN HONG KONG WATERS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SPECIAL DEMONSTRATION TOMORROW (THURSDAY) OF THE DISFLOATER NO. 1 COLLECTING REFUSE IN THE HARBOUR.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE STAR FERRY’S FIRST CLASS ENTRANCE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW, TO BOARD THE VESSEL "LADY STAR". TELEPHOTO LENSES ARE RECOMMENDED.
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TRADING COMPANY PARTNER FINED FOR EXPORTING WITHOUT VALID LICENCE * * * * *
A PARTNER OF A TRADING COMPANY WAS FINED $72,000 TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR EXPORTING STRATEGIC COMMODITIES NOT UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE GRANTED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
THE DEFENDANT, LEUNG SIU-SING OF YUE FUNG TRADING COMPANY, TSIM SHA TSUI, ADMITTED THE CHARGE AT SOUTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY ON FEBRUARY 21 AND WAS FINED THIS AFTERNOON FOLLOWING THE INVESTIGATION OF HIS FINANCIAL BACKGROUND.
THE COURT HEARD THAT ACTING ON INFORMATION FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO YUE FUNG TRADING COMPANY IN APRIL 1985 AND FOUND THAT A TOTAL OF 200 APPLE MACINTOSH COMPUTERS WERE SHIPPED TO CHINA UNDER THE DEFENDANT’S INSTRUCTION ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN 1984 AND 1985.
HOWEVER, THE TWO SHIPMENTS WERE NOT COVERED BY ANY VALID LICENCE.
FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED THAT THE COMPANY PLACED AN ORDER WITH A LOCAL COMPANY TO SUPPLY AND HANDLE THE EXPORT OF THE GOODS, WHICH WERE FALSELY CLAIMED TO BE DESTINED FOR MACAU, BUT WERE IN FACT SHIPPED ON TWO OCCASIONS DIRECTLY TO CHINA.
/THE CUSTOMS .
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 29 -
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT LATER REFERRED THE CASE TO THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, WHO CLASSIFIED THE GOODS AS STRATEGICALLY CONTROLLED ITEMS.
UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (STRATEGIC COMMODITIES) REGULATIONS, EXPORT FROM HONG KONG OF STRATEGIC COMMODITIES AS LISTED IN ITS SCHEDULE MUST BE COVERED BY LICENCES ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
TOTAL VALUE OF THE TWO SHIPMENTS WAS ABOUT $4 MILLION.
----------------0-------- CHILD CARE SERVICES BEING REVIEWED *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS REVIEWING THE EXISTING CHILD CARE SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE A MORE FLEXIBLE SERVICE TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF FAMILIES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF PO LEUNG KUK TAI KOK TSUI NURSERY.
MRS GOODSTADT SAID IN THE REVIEW OF THE EXISTING CHILD CARE CENTRE POLICY, THE DEPARTMENT WAS CONSIDERING THE STAFFING RATIO OF CHILD CARE CENTRES OPERATED BY NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AGED UNDER TWO.
ON THE FEE-ASSISTANCE SCHEME, SHE SAID EXPENDITURE ON THE SCHEME AMOUNTED TO $40 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
"WE ARE NOW PLANNING TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO BENEFIT MORE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHICH REQUIRE DAY NURSERIES' SERVICES," SHE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 170 AIDED DAY NURSERIES PROVIDING ABOUT 18,000 PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SIX.
ACCORDING TO THE PLANNED PROVISION OF 1,600 PLACES EVERY YEAR, THE NUMBER OF AIDED NURSERY PLACES WOULD INCREASE TO 25,000 IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, SHE ADDED.
/30 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
30
DISTRICT SIGNS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *****
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER WHETHER TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE EXISTING DISTRICT SIGNS OUTSIDE FU SHIN ESTATE AND KWONG FUK ESTATE AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUPS ON PUBLICATIONS AND ON THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
-----0-----
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOSPITAL AUTHORITY MATTERS
******
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AT THE COMMITTEE’S MEETING TOMOpROW (THURSDAY).
THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, MRS PAMELA CHAN, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON A REVIEW ON THE COUNCIL’S- FUNCTIONS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE CLOSING DOWN OF A VILLAGE SCHOOL IN PUN CHUNG AND A REPORT BY THE WORKING GROUP ON A SURVEY ON YOUTH BEHAVIOUR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/31 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 31 -
NEW POST OFFICE OPENS AT LEI TUNG ESTATE
A NEW LEI TUNG POST OFFICE, LOCATED AT SHOP NO. 103, GROUND FLOOR, COMMERCIAL CENTRE, PHASE I, LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU OPENED FOR BUSINESS AT NOON TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS POST OFFICE PROVIDES THE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES.
ITS BUSINESS HOURS ARE:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY : 9.30 AM TO 1 PM
2.15 PM TO 5 PM
SATURDAY : 9.30 AM TO 1 PM
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 814 7834.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS HELD THIS MORNING WITH THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG, AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN, OFFICIATING.
WITH THE OPENING OF THIS NEW OFFICE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG IS NOW 112.
-----0-----
YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA RECRUITS MEMBERS
******
YOUNG PEOPLE WITH APPROPRIATE QUALIFICATION ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE MUSIC OFFICE STRING ORCHESTRA WHICH IS RECRUITING MEMBERS FOR 1990-91.
THE ORCHESTRA WAS SET UP SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO PROVIDE REGULAR AND HIGH STANDARD ORCHESTRAL TRAINING IN A PLEASANT AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT TO YOUNG STRING PLAYERS.
THE PERFORMANCES OF THE ORCHESTRA HAVE RECEIVED HIGH ACCLAIM FROM MUSIC LOVERS.
LAST SUMMER THE ORCHESTRA PAID A TWO-WEEK VISIT TO CALIFORNIA SO THAT THE YOUNG MUSICIANS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM BEFORE MUSIC CRITICS IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE TRAINING PROGRAMME OF THE ORCHESTRA IS VARIED AND COMPREHENSIVE AND INCLUDES WORKS BY COMPOSERS OF DIFFERENT PERIODS AND STYLES.
/TRAINING WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 32 -
TRAINING WILL BE IN THE FORM OF SECTIONAL AND FULL REHEARSALS. EACH SECTION WILL BE COACHED BY AN INSTRUCTOR WHO WILL HELP MEMBERS TO OVERCOME BOWING, FINGERING AND OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS.
REGULAR REHEARSALS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAYS FROM 8.45 AM TO NOON AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE 23 YEARS OLD OR BELOW AND HAVE ATTAINED AT LEAST GRADE FIVE IN THE PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MUSIC OR EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ON APRIL 1.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 475 0465.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE YUEN LONG MUSIC CENTRE, THIRD FLOOR, SHAU FU STREET, YUEN LONG BY MARCH 24.
--------0-----------
DEMOLITION OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN KOWLOON
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE FLAT K, SECOND FLOOR, NATIONAL COURT, 240-252 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON SO THAT THE DEMOLITION OF AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE ON ITS ADJACENT FLAT ROOF CAN BE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE FORMS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN MARCH 1987 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 18 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE BUILDING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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/33 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
- 33 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 16), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN WESTERN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS 24 HOURS DAILY:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WESTERN STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH POK FU LAM ROAD;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WESTERN STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST FROM THE ENTRANCE ROAD OF THE WESTERN POLICE STATION ON WESTERN STREET TO ITS JUNCTION WITH CHIU KWONG STREET;
♦ THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WESTERN STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WESTERN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF POK FU LAM ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD WEST TO ITS JUNCTION WITH SECOND STREET; AND
♦ THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF POK FU LAM ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING RESTRICTED ZONES ON THE SAME SECTIONS OF ROADS FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY WILL BE CANCELLED.
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/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1990
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO ♦ * t ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 16), TWO SECTIONS OF TING KOK ROAD IN TAI PO WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS.
TING KOK ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES TO THE SOUTH WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
IN ADDITION, TING KOK ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI PO TAI WO ROAD AND ITS JUNCTION WITH KWONG FUK ROAD WILL BECOME A PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, ABOUT 650 METRES LONG OF ONE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC LANE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTH OF THE TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY ON MARCH 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 AND 22.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TOURS SHA TIN SCHOOLS ................................................... 1
DAME LYDIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO STAFF OF IMMIGRATION DEPT................................ 2
GOVERNOR TO STEP UP ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES .......................................... 3
FORTY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RELEASED, RETURNED TO CHINA ............................... 6
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR NOV - JAN RELEASED .................... 7
SURVEY TO GAUGE INDUSTRIALISTS' NEEDS COMPLETED .................................... 8
TAC DISCUSSES HYF FORWARD PLAN .................................................... 10
CENTRAL AND WESTERN FLOWER ARRANGEMENT CONTEST .................................... 12
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN YAU TSIM ......................................... 12
TROPHIES FOR CLEAN VILLAGES IN SAI KUNG ........................................... 13
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM ............................... 14
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ........................ 14
IMPROVEMENT IN RTHK'S AM SERVICE .................................................. 15
TWO NT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ...................................................... i5
WARNING ON UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ....................................... 16
ID CARD REMINDER FOR MEN BORN BETWEEN 1928-31 ..................................... 17
AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TSUEN WAN ......................................... 18
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHEUNG WAN ..................................................... I9
URBAN CLEARWAY IN BAKER STREET .................................................... 20
BAN ZONE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ..................................................... 20
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
1
GOVERNOR TOURS SHA TIN SCHOOLS « » * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED TWO SCHOOLS IN SHA TIN, ONE A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AND THE OTHER AN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR ART AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SIR DAVID FIRST VISITED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS YOW KAM YUEN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL.
HE TOURED THE SCHOOL PREMISES AND OBSERVED CLASSES IN SESSION IN ELECTRICAL, PRINTING, LIGHT METALWORK AND FINISHING, OFFICE PRACTICE AND RETAILING WORKSHOPS.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF SECONDARY EDUCATION TO THAT PROVIDED IN GRAMMAR AND SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS, AIMED AT STUDENTS WHO ARE MORE INCLINED TOWARDS PRACTICAL STUDIES.
HE NOTED THAT ALL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ALREADY OFFERED COURSES UP TO SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL AND THE NEXT MAJOR DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE THE OPENING OF SIXTH-FORM CLASSES IN 1992.
"THIS WILL MAKE PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO PURSUE THEIR EDUCATION IN VOCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL FIELDS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT SEVEN MORE PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WOULD BE BUILT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
THE GOVERNOR THEN VISITED THE JOCKEY CLUB TI-I COLLEGE, A NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH TALENT AND POTENTIAL IN THE VISUAL ARTS AND IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT.
OPENED LAST SEPTEMBER WITH A TOTAL OF 11 SECONDARY 1 TO 4 CLASSES, THE SCHOOL WILL REACH FULL DEVELOPMENT IN 1993-94 WITH 29 SECONDARY 1 TO 7 CLASSES.
SIR DAVID SAW AN EXHIBITION OF STUDENT ART WORK AND WATCHED GYMNASIUM, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SCULPTURE CLASSES IN SESSION.
"THESE EXCELLENT FACILITIES WERE MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS DONATION OF $70 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
"THIS IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN DO TO ADD DIVERSITY TO OUR TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL EDUCATION," SIR DAVID SAID BEFORE ENDING HIS VISIT.
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/2 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
2
DAME LYDIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO STAFF OF IMMIGRATION DEPT
♦ ♦ * * * »
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, DAME LYDIA DUNN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) SHE IS IMPRESSED BY THE DEDICATION, RESILIENCE AND RESOURCEFULNESS WITH WHICH STAFF OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMANDS PLACED ON THEM.
DAME LYDIA WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS AT 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
’’OVER THE PAST YEARS, THE INCREASE IN TRAVEL TO AND FROM HONG KONG, THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, THE CONSTANT FLOW OF IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA, AND THE SURGE IN APPLICATIONS FOR NATURALISATION AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE ALL ADDED TO THE PRESSURE ON THE STAFF OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
’’THE ABILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES AND TO CONTINUE TO OFFER ITS SERVICES IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER HAS BEEN ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO HONG KONG’S SUCCESS,” SHE SAID.
DAME LYDIA CONGRATULATED THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF ON THE EXCELLENT WORK THEY HAD BEEN DOING, AND WISHED THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN MEETING THE MANY CHALLENGES THAT WOULD LIE AHEAD. »
THE NEW IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS ARE NOW OCCUPYING 25 FLOORS OF A 48-STOREY GOVERNMENT BUILDING, WITH THE FLOOR AREA TOTALLING SOME 33,000 SQUARE METRES. EIGHT FLOORS ARE RESERVED FOR PUBLIC OFFICES AND CERTAIN FLOORS ARE DESIGNED TO HOUSE COMPUTERS AND OTHER SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT.
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG, SAID THE NEW HEADQUARTERS ENABLED THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE A BETTER WORKING ENVIRONMENT TO THE STAFF AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, VERY MUCH IMPROVED FACILITIES TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO VISITED THE DEPARTMENT IN TENS OF THOUSANDS EVERY DAY, FOR A MULTIPLICITY OF SERVICES.
’’THE REPROVISIONING EXERCISE HAS PROVED TO BE REMARKABLY SMOOTH AND SUCCESSFUL WITH VIRTUALLY NO DISRUPTION IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC,” MR LEUNG ADDED.
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/3 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
3
GOVERNMENT TO STEP UP ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BAN SMOKING ON ALL FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AS WELL AS IN CINEMAS, THEATRES, CONCERT HALLS, AND VIDEOGAME CENTRES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, TOBACCO ADVERTISING WILL BE SUBJECT TO NEW REQUIREMENTS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING ARE FULLY UNDERSTOOD, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE DECISIONS WERE MADE IN RESPONSE TO VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (COSH), AND FOLLOWED A PERIOD OF EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION, DURING WHICH THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARDS WERE SOLICITED.
"WE HAVE TRIED TO STEER A MODERATE COURSE TOWARDS GREATER SMOKING CONTROLS, HAVING CAREFULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC OPINION EXPRESSED.
"THERE WAS MUCH PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR EXTENDING NO-SMOKING AREAS IN PUBLIC PLACES, BUT PROPOSALS FOR EXTENDING CONTROLS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP PROVED TO BE MORE CONTROVERSIAL," HE SAID.
THE MAIN CHANGES PROPOSED ARE:
* NO-SMOKING AREAS IN PUBLIC PLACES WILL BE EXTENDED: SMOKING WILL BE BANNED IN ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT, INCLUDING TAXIS, AND IN CINEMAS, THEATRES, CONCERT HALLS AND VIDEO-GAME CENTRES.
* ROTATING HEALTH WARNINGS CONTAINING STRONGER AND MORE SPECIFIC MESSAGES WILL REPLACE THE SINGLE PRESCRIBED HEALTH WARNING ON CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS, AND THE SIZE OF THE WARNING ON CIGARETTE PACKETS AND CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS WILL BE ENLARGED.
* A MANDATORY UPPER LIMIT ON THE TAR AND/OR NICOTINE CONTENT OF CIGARETTES, THOUGH THE LIMITS TO BE IMPOSED HAVE STILL TO BE DETERMINED. THE TAR GROUP DESIGNATIONS WILL BE RESTRUCTURED IN LINE WITH THE UK PRACTICE.
* FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT’S EARLIER DECISION TO BAN TOBACCO ADVERTISING COMPLETELY ON TELEVISION AND RADIO WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1990, THIS BAN WILL BE EXTENDED TO CINEMAS BY DECEMBER 1991.
/* THE LAW ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
4
♦ THE LAW WILL BE AMENDED TO ENSURE THAT HEALTH WARNINGS IN TOBACCO ADVERTISEMENTS ON HOARDINGS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES AND OTHER EXTERNAL SIGNBOARDS ARE DISPLAYED CONSPICUOUSLY.
* WHILE TOBACCO SPONSORSHIP WILL CONTINUE TO BE PERMITTED, ADVERTISEMENTS USING A CIGARETTE BRAND NAME AS THE SPONSOR OF AN EVENT WILL NO LONGER BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY A HEALTH WARNING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD NOW BE PREPARED.
"WE HOPE TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDMENT BILL TO THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) ORDINANCE INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE NEXT SESSION," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO DISCOURAGING SMOKING IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY AN EXEMPLARY ROLE.
"ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC AREAS IN GOVERNMENT PREMISES INCLUDING CONFERENCE ROOMS WITHIN TWO YEARS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS PUT FORWARD BY COSH WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS UNABLE TO ACCEPT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE RESTAURANTS TO DISPLAY A SIGN STATING WHETHER THEY HAVE AREAS FOR NON-SMOKERS HAD PRODUCED STRONG OBJECTIONS FROM THE TRADE.
"MOST RESTAURANTS IN HONG KONG ARE SMALL AND THIS REQUIREMENT WOULD NOT HAVE THE EFFECT OF ENCOURAGING THEM TO SET ASIDE NO-SMOKING AREAS.
"HOWEVER, WE ARE AWARE THAT CERTAIN LARGE RESTAURANTS IN HONG KONG ARE ALREADY PROVIDING NO-SMOKING AREAS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.
"INSTEAD OF RESORTING TO LEGISLATION, WE WOULD URGE THE RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT TO SET ASIDE NO-SMOKING AREAS, AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO DECIDED NOT TO REQUIRE THE PACKETS AND CONTAINERS OF PIPE TOBACCO AND CIGARS TO DISPLAY A HEALTH WARNING.
"WHILE IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY TRUE THAT CIGARS AND PIPE TOBACCO ARE ALSO HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH, THESE PRODUCTS ARE CONSUMED BY A VERY SMALL PROPORTION OF THE ADULT POPULATION OF HONG KONG.
"TO EXTEND TO THESE PRODUCTS THE STATUTORY HEALTH WARNING REQUIREMENT WOULD HAVE A NEGLIGIBLE IMPACT ON OUR ANTI-SMOKING EFFORTS,” HE SAID.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
- 5 -
ON THE RECOMMENDATION TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF CIGARETTES TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18, HE SAID MANY RESPONDENTS RECOGNISED THAT THIS WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE, GIVEN THE MANY RETAIL OUTLETS FOR CIGARETTES IN HONG KONG.
"MOREOVER, AS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE STARTED TO SMOKE OUT OF CURIOSITY, THE PROPOSED BAN COULD BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE.
"ACCORDINGLY, INSTEAD OF LEGISLATING, EMPHASIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PLACED ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY AS A MEANS OF DISCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM STARTING TO SMOKE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING, THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DR RONALD LEUNG, WAS PLAYING A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE.
"SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1987, COSH HAS BECOME A FOCAL POINT FOR ALL INITIATIVES AGAINST THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF SMOKING.
"IN PARTICULAR, THE YOUTH CAMPAIGN CURRENTLY BEING LAUNCHED BY COSH ON THE THEME OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE WITHOUT SMOKING IS AN IMPORTANT VENTURE TO DISCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM STARTING TO SMOKE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE COSH PROPOSALS FOR A BAN ON ALL FORMS OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP AS A LONG-TERM GOAL, AND FOR CONTROLS ON THE CONTENT OF ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE MEANTIME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID TO ACCEPT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS IN FULL WOULD BE SEEN BY MANY PEOPLE AT PRESENT AS UNACCEPTABLE INTERFERENCE WITH THE PRINT MEDIA AND AN INFRINGEMENT OF PROPERTY RIGHTS.
"APART FROM THE BAN ON ADVERTISING IN CINEMAS, THE STRATEGY TOWARDS OTHER FORMS OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISING WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT THE HEALTH WARNING IS MADE MORE IMPRESSIVE AND PROMINENT.
"EFFORTS WILL ALSO BE MADE TO GET THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY TO INTRODUCE GREATER RESTRICTIONS ON THE CONTENT OF ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE PRINT MEDIA THROUGH ITS VOLUNTARY CODE OF PRACTICE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS HAD FELT THAT THE PROPOSED BAN ON TOBACCO SPONSORSHIP WOULD INHIBIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARTS AND SPORTS IN HONG KONG.
"AS FOR THE ALTERNATIVE IDEA OF IMPOSING A LEVY ON THE SALE OF CIGARETTES AND USING THE PROCEEDS TO SPONSOR ARTS AND SPORTS THROUGH AN INDEPENDENT BODY, THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD NOT FIT IN WELL WITH HONG KONG’S FISCAL SYSTEM," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT TOBACCO WAS ALREADY HIGHLY TAXED AND THE TAX HAD BEEN INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN THE RECENT BUDGET.
"SMOKERS ALREADY HAVE A STRONG FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO QUIT," HE SAID.
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/6 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
6
FORTY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RELEASED, RETURNED TO CHINA *****
■ FORTY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO HAD BEEN IMPRISONED FOR USING OTHER PEOPLE’S IDENTITY CARDS WERE RELEASED AND RETURNED TO CHINA EARLIER THIS WEEK AFTER IT WAS FOUND THAT THEY HAD BEEN CHARGED UNDER A REVOKED REGULATION.
THEY WERE AMONG A TOTAL OF 88 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT IN RECENT MONTHS UPON CONVICTION IN MAGISTRATE’S COURTS FOR THE OFFENCE UNDER REGULATION 12(3) OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS.
ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR THE REPATRIATION OF THE OTHER 13, WHILE THE REMAINING 35 CONTINUE TO SERVE PRISON SENTENCES FOR OTHER OFFENCES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE IIS, AND THREE OTHER PERSONS, HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY CHARGED UNDER REGULATION 12(3) WHICH HAD BEEN REVOKED WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1, 1989 AND REPLACED BY SECTION 7A(1A) OF THE MAIN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR THE SAME OFFENCE.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE IN HONG KONG’S POLICY TOWARDS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
"ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BREAKING HONG KONG LAWS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROSECUTED, AND ALL IIS ENTERING HONG KONG ILLEGALLY FROM CHINA WILL BE REPATRIATED," HE STRESSED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALTERNATIVE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS HAD BEEN CONSIDERED TO RECTIFY THE OVERSIGHT, INCLUDING PROSECUTING THESE PEOPLE AFRESH UNDER SECTION 7A(1A). HOWEVER, A PARDON WAS CONSIDERED THE QUICKEST AND MOST EFFICIENT MEANS OF REMOVING THESE PEOPLE FROM PRISON IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.
MEANWHILE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ORDERED AN INTERNAL INQUIRY INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO THE OVERSIGHT IN THE PREPARATION OF CHARGES IN THESE CASES.
STEPS HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT ALL NEW LEGISLATION RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS IS BROUGHT TO THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF COUNSEL, COURT PROSECUTORS AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
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/7........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
7 -
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR NOV - JAN RELEASED
*****
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASED DURING THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1989 -JANUARY 1990.
THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT INDICATE THAT THE LABOUR MARKET WAS STILL GENERALLY TIGHT AS BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES REMAINED RELATIVELY LOW.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1989 -JANUARY 1990 WAS 1.3 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.4 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1989. IT WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN NOVEMBER 1989 - JANUARY 1990 WAS ESTIMATED AT 36,800, COMPARED WITH 37,600 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1989 AND 35,400 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1989 - JANUARY 1990 WAS 0.9 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.6 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1989 AND 0.7 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASES OF 0.3 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN NOVEMBER 1989 - JANUARY 1990 WAS 24,800, COMPARED WITH 17,800 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 1989 AND 19,900 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
/THE COMMISSIONER .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
8
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION. THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1989 - FEBRUARY 1990 WAS 1.5 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.6 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR NOVEMBER 1989 - JANUARY 1990 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 13,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 48,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER. AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 1989 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND MARCH 20 AT $10 PER COPY.
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SURVEY TO GAUGE INDUSTRIALISTS’ NEEDS COMPLETED
INADEQUATE ACCOMMODATION WAS THE MAJOR FACTOR FOR A HIGH LEVEL MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG, A RECENTLY COMPLETED
OF MOBILITY AMONG
ACCORDING TO
THE
FINDINGS
OF
GOVERNMENT-COMMISSIONED SURVEY.
THE SURVEY ON "LAND AND FACILITY ESTABLISHMENTS" SUCCESSFULLY INTERVIEWED
REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRIAL 2,000 ESTABLISHMENTS.
/THE FINDINGS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
9
THE FINDINGS SHOWED THAT A QUARTER OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS HAD MOVED ONCE WITHIN THE PAST 10 YEARS AND ANOTHER 11 PER CENT HAD MOVED MORE THAN ONCE.
’’THE MOST IMPORTANT DETERMINANT OF MOBILITY FOR MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IS THE INADEQUATE SIZE OF PREMISES, EITHER FOR ANTICIPATED EXPANSION OR FOR CURRENT PRODUCTION,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID COMPULSORY MOVES, PRECIPITATED BY LEASE TERMINATION OR REDEVELOPMENT, HIGH RENTAL COST, POOR ENVIRONMENT AND LACK OF ADEQUATE SERVICES WERE ALSO IMPORTANT FACTORS.
ON THE SELECTION FOR FUTURE LOCATION, GOOD TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES TOPPED THE ORDER OF PRIORITIES, FOLLOWED BY LOW RENTALS/PROPERTY PRICES, SUFFICIENT-SIZED PREMISES AND AMPLE LABOUR SUPPLY IN THE VICINITY.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS WERE ADEQUATE PARKING, LOADING AND UNLOADING FACILITIES AND PROXIMITY TO BUYERS AND SUPPLIERS.
THE FINDINGS ALSO SHOWED THAT KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON WERE THE MOST PREFERRED AREAS FOR RELOCATION.
HALF OF THE ENTREPRENEURS POLLED OPTED FOR THE TWO AREAS WHILE ONE-FIFTH PREFERRED TSUEN WAN/KWAI TSING.
ABOUT 13 PER CENT OF THEM WOULD CONSIDER MOVING AWAY FROM THE OLDER INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA, FIVE PER CENT ANTICIPATED A MOVE ACROSS THE BORDER TO CHINA AND ONLY ONE PER CENT TO OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT SUCH PERCEPTIONS WOULD CHANGE IN RESPONSE TO THE EXPANSION OF PORT FACILITIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SURVEY RESULTS ALSO SHOWED THAT THERE MAY BE A RELATIVE DECLINE IN DEMAND FOR SMALL INDUSTRIAL SPACES OF LESS THAN 100 SQUARE METRES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
DEMAND FOR NET INDUSTRIAL FLOOR SPACE OF THE EXISTING ESTABLISHMENTS WAS ESTIMATED TO INCREASE BY 1.9 MILLION SQUARE METRES OR NINE PER CENT IN THREE YEARS AND BY ANOTHER 0.9 MILLION SQUARE METRES OR 3.9 PER CENT IN FOUR TO FIVE YEARS.
FUTURE DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL SPACE WAS MOSTLY FOR MULTI-STOREY INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER THE SURVEY FINDINGS WHEN DRAWING UP THE FINAL PROPOSALS FOR THE METROPLAN.
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/10 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
10
TAC DISCUSSES HYF FORWARD PLAN'
*****
MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (THURSDAY) DISCUSSED THE FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME FOR 1990-94 PROPOSED BY THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (HYF), THE DESIRABILITY OF PROVIDING CROSS HARBOUR TAXI STANDS, REPRESENTATION OF CONSUMER INTEREST ON THE TAC, THE TOLLS FOR GOVERNMENT TOLL TUNNELS AND THE IMPACT OF THE FUEL TAX INCREASE ON THE TAXI TRADE.
IN ITS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, HYF PROPOSES A NEW SERVICE BETWEEN WAN CHAI AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICES BETWEEN WAN CHAI AND HUNG HOM, AND SERVICES FOR CHEUNG CHAU, YUNG SHU WAN AND TSUEN WAN. THE PROPOSED SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE BETTER FREQUENCIES, LONGER OPERATING HOURS AND USE OF HIGHER CAPACITY VESSELS.
AS PART OF THE SERVICE RATIONALISATION EXERCISE FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE COMPANY HAS STARTED TO SUBSTITUTE DOUBLE DECKER VESSELS FOR THE TRIPLE DECK VESSELS USED ON THE NORTH POINT-KWUN TONG SERVICE, AND TO REORGANISE THE OPERATING HOURS AND FREQUENCY OF BOTH THE VEHICULAR AND THE PASSENGER CUM VEHICULAR SERVICES BETWEEN SAI WAN HO AND KWUN TONG.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE WEEKEND SERVICES BETWEEN KOWLOON POINT AND OUTLYING DISTRICTS, INCLUDING MUI WO AND CHEUNG CHAU, HAD BEEN QUITE POPULAR.
THE TAC ALSO NOTED THAT SINCE NOVEMBER 1989, HYF HAD DIVERTED THREE ORDINARY SAILINGS ON THE TSUEN WAN-CENTRAL SERVICE TO CALL AT TSI NG YI EACH MORNING AND EVENING, OFFERING RESIDENTS AN ADDITIONAL CHOICE.
TO IMPROVE PEAK-HOUR THROUGHPUT FOR ITS TUEN MUN-CENTRAL SERVICES, HYF HAS STARTED CONVERSION WORKS TO INCREASE THE PASSENGER CARRYING CAPACITY OF ITS HOVERFERRIES FROM 74 TO 105 SEATS BY UTILISING THE TONNAGE PREVIOUSLY RESERVED FOR HEAVY LUGGAGE.
THE COMPANY HAS ALSO AGREED TO EXAMINE, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PLANNED RECLAMATION FOR WEST KOWLOON, THE MERGING OF ITS TAI KOK TSUI-CENTRAL AND SHAM SHUI PO-CENTRAL PASSENGER SERVICES, AS A POSSIBLE MEASURE TO ENHANCE SERVICE EFFICIENCY.
ON FLEET DEVELOPMENT, MEMBERS OF THE TAC LEARNED THAT HYF WILL IMPROVE ITS VESSELS, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF RADAR AND NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT, INTERNAL REFURBISHMENT AND UPGRADING OF ENGINES.
THE TAC ALSO DISCUSSED THE SETTING UP OF CROSS HARBOUR TAXI STANDS BUT DEFERRED DECISION ON THE MATTER PENDING A DETAILED STUDY ON THE POLICY OF CROSS HARBOUR TAXI SERVICE.
THE TAC ALSO DISCUSSED THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S RECENT REPORT.
/MEMBERS GENERALLY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
MEMBERS GENERALLY AGREED THAT THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HANDLING TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AS THE PUBLIC WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE PRESENT CHANNEL OF TRANSPORT COMPLAINT AS WELL AS THE PROCEDURES THAT HAVE BEEN WELL ESTABLISHED OVER THE YEARS AND IS USING THE SYSTEM SATISFACTORILY.
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THAT THE TCU PROVIDED THE TAC WITH USEFUL PUBLIC FEEDBACK FOR DELIBERATION OF TRANSPORT MATTERS.
THE TAC RECONSIDERED THE TOLLS FOR GOVERNMENT TOLL TUNNELS IN THE LIGHT OF A RE-ASSESSMENT BY THE ADMINISTRATION. AS A RESULT, MEMBERS RESCINDED THE RECOMMENDATION MADE AT THE MEETING OF TAC ON DECEMBER 7, 1989 THAT UNIFORM TOLLS SHOULD BE CHARGED AT ALL GOVERNMENT TUNNELS, AND MADE A NEW RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNMENT.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE NEW RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE MAINLY ON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GROUNDS.
WITH THE REVISED TOLLS FOR LION ROCK TUNNEL- AT $6, MOTORISTS WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO USE THE NEW SHING MUN TUNNEL WHICH OPENS IN APRIL, 1990 AND THE TAI PO ROAD WHICH HAS BEEN WIDENED.
ALL OTHER GOVERNMENT TUNNELS WOULD BE CHARGED AT $3 PER TRIP. THIS REVISED RECOMMENDATION WOULD REDUCE REVENUE TO BE PAID BY MOTORISTS BY $40 MILLION. THE TRAFFIC AT LION ROCK TUNNEL SHOULD BE REDUCED TO 95,000 IN 1991 BEFORE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL OPENS AND 91,000 IN 1992 AFTER TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL OPENS. THE DESIGN CAPACITY OF LION ROCK TUNNEL IS 80,000 VEHICLES A DAY.
WITH THE REDUCTION OF VEHICLES USING THE LION ROCK TUNNEL, BETTER UTILISATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT WOULD BE ENCOURAGED AS TRAFFIC AT THE TUNNEL WOULD BE IMPROVED.
THE RECOMMENDATION IS IN LINE WITH THE POLICY OF USING TOLLS TO REGULATE TRAFFIC. TOLLS CAN BE INCREASED OR REDUCED UNDER THIS POLICY.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE RECENT COMPLAINTS BY TAXI DRIVERS AND OPERATORS OVER THE IMPACT OF FUEL TAX INCREASE ON THEIR INCOME.
THE ADMINISTRATION ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD TRY TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATION BY TAXI OPERATORS. THE TAC WILL MEET WHEN NECESSARY TO CO-ORDINATE THEIR EFFORTS.
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/12 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
CENTRAL AND WESTERN FLOWER ARRANGEMENT CONTEST
******
CENTRAL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A DISTRICT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT COMPETITION ON SATURDAY (MARCH 17).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BRANCH OF THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION, THE CONTEST WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 6 PM AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, 36A WESTERN STREET, SAI YING PUN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISERS SAID ADULTS AND GIRL GUIDES FROM THE DISTRICT ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE COMPETITION.
"CONTESTANTS HAVE TO BRING WITH THEM PLANTS OR FLOWERS AND ARRANGE THEM ON THE THEMES OF ’SPRING HAS RETURNED’ AND ’I LOVE NATURE’," HE SAID.
THE ADJUDICATORS WILL BE THE PRINCIPAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENT, MR WONG YUEN-HEI, AND A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MRS IRENE LEE.
WINNERS OF THE OPEN AND GIRL GUIDES SECTIONS WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AND TROPHIES.
APART FROM THE CONTEST, THERE WILL BE A DEMONSTRATION AND A LECTURE ON FLOWER ARRANGEMENT. ADMISSION IS FREE.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF ENTRY FORMS FOR THE CONTEST ARE STILL OBTAINABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE AT HARBOUR BUILDING IN PIER ROAD AND AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 852 3488.
- - 0 - -
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN YAU TSIM *****
OFFICE BEARERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT ARE BEING INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON MARCH 24 (SATURDAY) TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, WILL BE HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAUMATEI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
/IT WILL
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
- 13 -
IT WILL START WITH A SHORT DRAMA PRESENTING COMMON DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE CORPORATIONS AND COMMITTEES. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSION ON HOW THE STATUTORY POWERS PROVIDED BY MUTUAL CONVENANTS CAN BE UTILISED TO OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES.
THE SEMINAR WILL START AT 7.30 PM.
THOSE WHO WISH TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR CAN MAKE A RESERVATION WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE BY TELEPHONING 332 2716.
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TROPHIES FOR CLEAN VILLAGES IN SAI KUNG
LUNG MEI VILLAGE, MOK TSE CHE VILLAGE AND PO TOI O VILLAGE IN SAI KUNG WERE WINNERS OF THE CLEAN VILLAGE COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (THURSDAY), REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VILLAGES WERE PRESENTED TROPHIES BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG.
THE COMPETITION WAS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES THE DISTRICT HELD IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND WAS THE LAST OF SEVEN CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
ITS AIMS WERE TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND TO MOTIVATE VILLAGERS TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN KEEPING THEIR VILLAGES CLEAN.
A TOTAL OF 11 VILLAGES TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION WHICH STARTED ON FEBRUARY 19. THEY WERE PAK KONG, PAK WAI, LUNG MEI, MA NAM WAT, KAI HAM, MOK TSE CHE, MAU WU TSAI, HA YEUNG, HANG HAU, PO TOI O ANDTSEUNG KWAN O VILLAGES.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN; CONVENER OF THE COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP ON KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN 1989-90, MR EDWARD PONG; AND THE DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (SAI KUNG) OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHU WING-WAI.
- - 0 - -
/14 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
- 14 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM *****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CONGESTION PROBLEM AT THE NAM FUNG CENTRE FOOTBRIDGE AND INADEQUATE COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN LOWER HON MAN VILLAGE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS FROM VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN THE HING SHING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.45 AM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ******
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1990-91 AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE 20 PROJECTS WOULD COST $1.69 MILLION, REPRESENTING A 22 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE TOTAL COST OF $1.38 MILLION INCURRED IN 1989-90.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE CURRENT PROJECTS AND THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE OPEN AREA OUTSIDE THE WELFARE CENTRE AT LUTHERAN VILLAGE ON CHEUNG CHAU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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/15 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
- 15 -
IMPROVEMENT IN RTHK’S AM SERVICE ♦ » » * *
RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK) HAS INSTALLED A NEW AMPLITUDE MODULATION (AM) TRANSMITTER TO STRENGTHEN THE SERVICE OF RADIO 5 (AM 783).
WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW TRANSMITTER, RADIO 5 STARTED ITS IMPROVED SERVICE ON MARCH 4, A RTHK SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
’’THE NEW AM TRANSMITTER HAS A WIDER MODULATION, RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED RECEPTION FOR RADIO 5 TRANSMISSION,” HE SAID.
AS FOR PROGRAMME SERVICE, RADIO 5 PROVIDES WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FISHERMEN SIX TIMES A DAY — AT MIDNIGHT, 4 AM, 6 AM, 1 PM, 6.28 PM AND 10 PM. THIS SERVICE COVERS THE AREA 400 KILOMETRES OUTSIDE HONG KONG BOUNDARIES.
IN ADDITION, THE CHANNEL’S ’’FISHERMEN’S HALF HOUR" PROGRAMME IS BROADCAST EVERY TUESDAY AT 6.30 PM.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT TESTS ON AM STEREO BROADCASTING WOULD SOON BE CARRIED OUT IN CHUNG HOM KOK, AND THE SERVICE WOULD COMMENCE AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW AM RADIATING MAST BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.
"WITH AM STEREO BROADCASTING, BOTH RADIO 3 (AM 567) AND RADIO 5 (AM 783) WILL HAVE A HIGHER TRANSMISSION EFFICIENCY," HE SAID.
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TWO NT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ♦ * ♦ * t
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF TWO LOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
LOCATED IN AREA 11A, SAN KWAI STREET, KWAI CHUNG, THE FIRST LOT COVERS TWO PORTIONS WHICH MEASURE 1,850 AND 140 SQUARE METRES. BOTH PORTIONS ARE FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
/THE OTHER ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
16
THE OTHER LOT IS A 25,900-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN AREA 21, TSING YI ISLAND. IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE AND/OR LOADING, UNLOADING AND STORAGE OF CONTAINERS FROM SEA OR LAND, INCLUDING CONTAINER CONSOLIDATION (STUFFING AND DE-STUFFING) ONLY.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MARCH 30.
FORMS OF TENDERS, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
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WARNING ON UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS TO BEWARE OF OVERCHARGE BY UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 33 COMPLAINTS AGAINST LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES LAST YEAR AND THE MAJORITY INVOLVED OVERCHARGE.
"UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MAY CHARGE A JOB-SEEKER A MAXIMUM OF $5 FOR REGISTRATION AND ANOTHER $5 FOR RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS," THE LABOUR OFFICER (EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ADMINISTRATION), MRS ADA LEUNG, SAID.
"COMMISSION CHARGEABLE FOR A SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT IS ALSO LIMITED TO NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE JOB-SEEKER’S PAY IN THE FIRST MONTH," MRS LEUNG ADDED.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO PERMIT AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY TO CHARGE AN EMPLOYER $35 FOR EACH VACANCY REGISTERED AND $20 FOR RENEWAL WHILE THE COMMISSION FOR EACH PLACEMENT IS A MATTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE AGENCY.
MRS LEUNG SAID THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT FREQUENT INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES COMPLIED WITH THE REGULATIONS.
"AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WHICH CHARGES MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEES IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000," SHE SAID.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON CHARGES PAYABLE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES AND REPORTS ON OVERCHARGE CAN BE MADE TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ADMINISTRATION ON TEL. 852 3540 AND 852 3541.
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Z17........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
- 17 -
ID CARD REMINDER FOR MEN BORN BETWEEN 1928-31 ******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED TODAY (THURSDAY) MEN BORN IN 1928, 1929, 1930 OR 1931 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE APRIL 7 THIS YEAR.
"TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, MEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY.
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO RENEW THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS OR THE AFTERNOONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEY MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. TEL. NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 755 3679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI.
TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
TEL. NO. 498 1259
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING
CENTRE, 11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET.
TEL. NO. 605 9108
/YUEN LONG........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
- 18 -
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
TEL. NO. 458 0862
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
TEL. NO. 672 7191
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOCUMENT TO BE BROUGHT ALONG, THEY MAY MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DAILLING 824 0303.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TSUEN WAN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS TO CARRY OUT DETAILED DESIGN AND CONTRACT PREPARATION FOR AN AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM IN TSUEN WAN.
THIS IS ANOTHER STEP HOWARDS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEM IN THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF TRAFFIC IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WILL COVER ALL TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI, NUMBERING ABOUT 110 BY 1993.
THE CONSULTANCY FOLLOWED THE COMPLETION OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR TO INVESTIGATE THE VARIOUS AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVES AND TO CONSIDER THE BEST TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TSUEN WAN.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR CHAN CHIN-CHUN, SAID IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING TRAFFIC AND COMPLEXITY OF TSUEN WAN, THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO APPLY MODERN COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL MEASURES TO PROVIDE ENHANCED CAPABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY IN TRAFFIC CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT IN THE AREA.
TO KEEP THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD INFORMED OF THE PROJECT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TODAY (THURSDAY).
/A SIMILAR .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
- 19 -
A SIMILAR PRESENTATION WILL BE MADE AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS INSTALLED IN KOWLOON AND HONG KONG HAD PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN MANAGING THE UTILISATION OF ROAD CAPACITY AND HAD RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCING JOURNEY TIME, NUMBER OF STOPS AND STOP TIME, MR CHAN SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD, THEREFORE, DECIDED TO EXTEND THE SYSTEM TO OTHER NEW TOWNS AND TSUEN WAN WAS THE FIRST TO HAVE SUCH SYSTEMS PLANNED, HE ADDED.
TENDERS FOR THE SYSTEM WOULD BE INVITED LATER THIS YEAR. THE PROJECT, ESTIMATED TO COST $70 MILLION, WOULD COME INTO OPERATION IN 1993.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHEUNG WAN * * * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 17), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY:
* THE SECTION OF WING LOK STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CLEVERLY STREET TO A POINT ABOUT SIX METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SECTION OF CLEVERLY STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 24 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WING LOK STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 13 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE SAME SECTIONS OF WING LOK STREET AND CLEVERLY STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
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/20 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1990
- 20 -
URBAN CLEARWAY IN BAKER STREET * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 17), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF BAKER STREET IN HUNG HOM BETWEEN PO LOI STREET AND HUNG HOM ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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BAN ZONE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 17), RED HILL ROAD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED A BAN ZONE 24 HOURS DAILY.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE FOR ACCESS, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THIS BAN ZONE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BILL OF RIGHTS FOR HONG KONG ......................................
AUDITORS' PROVISIONS IN BANKING LAW TO BE CHANGED .................
UK HOME OFFICE UNDER-SECRETARY TO VISIT HK .......................■
HK'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WILL BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE .........
DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL GENETIC SERVICE ...........................
NT TAXI OPERATORS URGED TO CO-OPERATE IN SURVEY ...................
RESTAURANT OPERATOR FINED FOR USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS TAI PO DB STUDY GROUP LEAVES FOR JAPAN ............................
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOOK EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW ..............
AMENDMENT TO DRAFT CHEUNG SHA WAN OZP .............................
DREDGING AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PIER ..........................
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF EFFLUENT TUNNEL ...............
CONSTRUCTION OF HILLSIDE ESCALATOR LINK APPROVED ..................
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE IN SHAM SHUI PO .....
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHAM SHUI PO
13
FRIDAY, MARCH 16,
1990
- 1 -
BILL OF RIGHTS FOR HONG KONG
*****
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED, AS THE BASIS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION, A DRAFT BILL OF RIGHTS FOR HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH A COMMENTARY EXPLAINING ITS CONTENTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE DRAFT BILL OF RIGHTS SEEKS TO GIVE EFFECT IN LOCAL LAW TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
’’THE BILL WILL MAKE THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS CONTAINED IN THE COVENANT JUSTICIABLE,” HE SAID. ’’THIS MEANS THAT A PERSON WHOSE RIGHTS UNDER THE BILL HAVE BEEN CONTRAVENED BY ANY LAW OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACT WILL BE ABLE TO SEEK REDRESS IN THE COURTS.”
THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG WILL BE ENTRENCHED THROUGH THE SUPREME CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS: THE LETTERS PATENT BEFORE 1997, AND THE BASIC LAW THEREAFTER.
’’THUS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997 THE COVENANT, AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG, WILL BE SUPERIOR TO ALL LAWS ENACTED IN HONG KONG.
"THE BILL OF RIGHTS, AS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE COVENANT, WILL BE THE BENCH MARK BY WHICH ALL LAWS ENACTED IN HONG KONG WILL BE TESTED,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BILL WAS FURTHER EMPHASISED BY THE INCLUSION IN THE TEXT OF AN INTERPRETATION CLAUSE ENJOINING JUDGES, WHERE POSSIBLE, TO CONSTRUE EXISTING AND FUTURE LEGISLATION CONSISTENTLY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
’’ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE PROPOSING THAT, AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE, A CLAUSE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN FUTURE BILLS MAKING THEM SUBJECT TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO PROPOSING A TWO-YEAR "FREEZE" PERIOD AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILL.
"THE FREEZE WILL ONLY AFFECT EXISTING STATUTORY LEGISLATION AND WILL NOT COVER COMMON LAW OR ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES.
"THESE WILL BE LIABLE TO CHALLENGE UNDER THE BILL FROM ITS COMMENCEMENT.
"ANY NEW LEGISLATION AND AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING LEGISLATION ENACTED AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILL WILL A1SO BE LIABLE TO CHALLENGE UNDER THE BILL UPON THEIR ENACTMENT.
/"THE MAIN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
- 2 -
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ’FREEZE’ PERIOD IS TO ALLOW TIME TO REMOVE ANY UNCERTAINTIES IN EXISTING LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
THERE WILL BE A TWO-MONTH PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD WHICH WILL END ON MAY 16.
"30,000 COPIES OF THE BILINGUAL DRAFT BILL HAVE BEEN PRINTED AND ARE NOW AVAILABLE, TOGETHER WITH THE COMMENTARY EXPLAINING ITS CONTENTS, FREE OF CHARGE FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT BILL TO THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
"AT THE END OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, A FINAL BILL WILL BE PREPARED, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COMMENTS RECEIVED, FOR RESUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
"WE EXPECT THE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JULY THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
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AUDITORS’ PROVISIONS IN BANKING LAW TO BE CHANGED *«***»
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE WORKINGS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE RELATING TO AUDITORS OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXPLAINING THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROVISIONS WOULD APPLY TO BANKS, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES.
ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS WOULD PUT IT BEYOND DOUBT THAT ON THE VERY RARE OCCASIONS WHEN AN AUDITOR OF AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION DISCUSSES HIS CLIENT’S AFFAIRS WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WITHOUT INVOLVING THE INSTITUTION, THE AUDITOR DOES NOT BREACH HIS DUTY OF CONFIDENCE TO HIS CLIENT AND WOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES.
"AN EXAMPLE OF THOSE OCCASIONS WOULD BE WHEN MANAGEMENT FRAUD IS SUSPECTED," HE SAID, POINTING OUT THAT THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED WAS IN LINE WITH UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION.
"ANOTHER AMENDMENT REQUIRES CERTAIN NOTIFICATIONS TO BE GIVEN TO THE COMMISSIONER, FOR INSTANCE IN RELATION TO A CHANGE OF AUDITOR OR QUALIFICATION OF AN AUDITOR’S REPORT ON AN INSTITUTION’S PUBLISHED ACCOUNTS.
/"THE BILL .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
- 3 -
"THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO WIDEN THE SCOPE FOR DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST AUDITORS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A MISCELLANY OF TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS MAINLY TO REPEAL OBSOLETE REFERENCES TO UNINCORPORATED BANKS AND TO REMOVE UNCERTAINTIES IS PROPOSED IN THE BILL, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21.
COMMENTS ON THE BILL CAN BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER 2, 24TH FLOOR OR TO OMELCO AT 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
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UK HOME OFFICE UNDER-SECRETARY TO VISIT HK *****
THE BRITISH HOME OFFICE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, MR PETER LLOYD, WILL ARRIVE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH HONG KONG.
MR LLOYD, WHO HAS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE HOME OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY MATTERS, WILL MEET A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF PEOPLE AND HOLD TALKS WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
HE WILL CALL ON THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO; AND THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY. MR LLOYD WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD TSANG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG.
MR LLOYD WILL ALSO MEET WITH MEMBERS OF OMELCO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF MR LLOYD SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM AT 5.40 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY). MR LLOYD WILL ARRIVE BY FLIGHT BA 035 (ETA: 6.25 PM).
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/4 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
HK’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WILL BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE »*«*»**
HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WILL BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE, ALTHOUGH LEANER IN SIZE, IN THE FUTURE THROUGH THE UPGRADING OF ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND MOVING INTO HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THIS WAS THE ONLY ROUTE HONG KONG COULD TAKE IN THE FACE OF INCREASING COMPETITION FROM LOW-COST ECONOMIES AND DEMAND BY ITS MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS FOR EVER-HIGHER STANDARDS OF PRODUCT QUALITY AND INNOVATION.
ADDRESSING A GATHERING OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MR LEUNG EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE IN LOCAL MANUFACTURERS’ ABILITY TO UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTION LINES. MANY ALREADY HAD, RECOGNISING THAT SUCH INVESTMENT COULD REAP SUBSTANTIAL REWARDS, HE NOTED.
HE SAID THIS WAS COMPLEMENTARY TO THE EXPLOITATION OF REGIONAL OUTWARD PROCESSING OPPORTUNITIES IN SO FAR AS THESE REMAINED VIABLE OPTIONS.
"AS THESE OUTWARD PROCESSING OPERATIONS THEMSELVES CONTINUE TO UPGRADE, THERE WILL BE A NEED, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR HONG KONG’S SUPPORTING LINKAGE INDUSTRIES TO BECOME EVEN MORE TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED.
"LIKEWISE, IN ORDER TO COMPETE AGAINST EMERGING DYNAMIC ECONOMIES, HONG KONG’S OWN MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS WILL NEED TO BECOME MORE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL INTENSIVE AND ACHIEVE EVEN HIGHER QUALITY STANDARDS WORLD-WIDE," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID IN THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING, HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS WOULD BE SUPPORTED BY MORE COST-EFFECTIVE AUTOMATION; A SOUND FRAMEWORK OF QUALITY ASSURANCE SERVICES; A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND POSSIBLY A SCIENCE PARK; AND THE AVAILABILITY OF MORE TECHNOLOGISTS AND MORE TRAINING IN SKILLS APPLICABLE TO MANUFACTURING.
"SOME OF THESE SUPPORT SERVICES ARE ALREADY TAKING SHAPE," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ALSO PREDICTED THAT THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING WOULD BE FURTHER ASSISTED BY INCREASING OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
OVERSEAS INTERESTS IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES NOW RUN UP TO $26 BILLION. THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND ACCOUNT FOR A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF HONG KONG’S LARGE INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND ITS TOTAL MANUFACTURED EXPORTS.
/THERE ARE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
5
THERE ARE AT PRESENT ABOUT 600 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WITH OVERSEAS INVESTMENT, REPRESENTING ABOUT 1.2 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER. YET THEY EMPLOY ABOUT 108,000 WORKERS (12.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE) AND ACCOUNT FOR 23.4 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC MANUFACTURED EXPORTS.
MR LEUNG ALSO EXPECTED HONG KONG WOULD SEE A NEW GENERATION OF MODERN MANUFACTURERS. THEY WOULD OPERATE IN CLEAN, WELL DESIGNED AND WELL SERVICED FACTORIES AND THEIR PRODUCTS WOULD ACHIEVE INCREASING INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR QUALITY.
"OUR ’SWEATSHOP’ IMAGE, ALREADY EXAGGERATED, WILL HAVE GONE FOREVER," MR LEUNG SAID.
HE SAID WORLD TRADE WAS EXPECTED TO EXPAND EXPONENTIALLY, PARTICULARLY TRADE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
"ECONOMIC REALITIES ALSO NECESSITATE THE CONTINUAL EXPANSION OF CHINA’S TRADE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
"HONG KONG IS EXPECTED TO PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE ECONOMICALLY BOTH AS A REGIONAL CENTRE AND AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THE TERM "MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY" WAS EVOLVING TO ENCOMPASS MORE OF THE MANUFACTURING TECHNICAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES INCLUDING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE, TESTING AND OTHER SKILL-INTENSIVE BACK-UP SERVICES.
"ACTUAL ASSEMBLY-TYPE PRODUCTION IS LIKELY TO DIVERSIFY MORE INTO NEIGHBOURING REGIONS WITH LOWER COSTS, INCLUDING SOUTH CHINA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA.
"SO HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP INTO A REGIONAL CENTRE FOR, RATHER THAN A CENTRE OF, MANUFACTURING," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID HE WOULD EXPECT THAT THE MAIN TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES WOULD CONTINUE TO THRIVE IN THE YEARS AHEAD, BUT WERE LIKELY TO ACCOUNT FOR A DECREASING PROPORTION OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE.
"YET WHAT THEY MAY LOSE IN EMPLOYMENT SIZE, THEY ARE LIKELY TO GAIN IN VALUE-ADDED. AVERAGE FACTORY EMPLOYMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO FALL GRADUALLY AS AUTOMATION BECOMES EVEN MORE COMMON.
"ELECTRONICS WILL PROBABLY BE AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT INDUSTRY SECTOR THAN IT IS NOW. OTHER NEW SECTORS, SUCH AS CHEMICAL PROCESSING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, MAY WELL EMERGE," HE SAID.
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT HONG KONG WAS UNIQUELY VULNERABLE TO EVENTS OUTSIDE ITS CONTROL, MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT HONG KONG MUST NOT, HOWEVER, ALLOW OVER-PESSIMISM TO BLIND ITSELF TO DYNAMIC OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
- 6 -
HE SAID THERE WERE CHALLENGES AHEAD, "BUT NOTHING CAN ALTER HONG KONG’S GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC."
ACCORDING TO THE AUTHORITATIVE WORLD COMPETITIVENESS REPORT 1989 PRODUCED BY THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, HONG KONG REMAINED A FAVOURABLE CHOICE FOR MANY OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
AS THE WORLD’S 11TH LARGEST EXPORTER AND IMPORTER IN 1988, IT IS A VITAL PART OF THE WORLD’S ECONOMIC SYSTEM. ITS MANY FORMAL AND COMMERCIAL INTERNATIONAL LINKS WILL CONTINUE BEYOND THE 20TH CENTURY, MR LEUNG SAID.
NOTE:
THE FULL TEXT OF MR LEUNG’S SPEECH WILL BE BOXED.
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DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL GENETIC SERVICE
*****
CLINICAL GENETICS IS AN IMPORTANT SPECIALTY IN PREVENTIVE CARE, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF MEDICAL GENETICS, DR LEE, PATRON OF THE SOCIETY, SAID THAT TO SUPPORT THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL GENETIC SERVICE, A NEW POST OF CONSULTANT IN CLINICAL GENETICS WOULD BE CREATED IN HIS DEPARTMENT.
DR LEE WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SOCIETY, THE SERVICE WOULD BE IMPROVED AND DEVELOPED FURTHER TO MEET THE NEED OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE NOTED THAT 1989 HAD BEEN A FRUITFUL YEAR FOR THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF MEDICAL GENETICS.
"SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE SOCIETY IN 1987, THE MEMBERSHIP HAD GROWN STEADILY TO 36," HE SAID.
"THE GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP IS IN PARALLEL WITH THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIETY’S ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDE BOTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS."
DR LEE SAID THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE SOCIETY HAD CONTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL IN IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE IN CLINICAL GENETICS AMONG PROFESSIONALS AS WELL AS PROMOTING UTILISATION OF THE CLINICAL GENETIC SERVICE.
- 0---------
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
7
NT TAXI OPERATORS URGED TO CO-OPERATE IN SURVEY
******
TAXI OPERATORS AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE URGED TO CO-OPERATE IN A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON THE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE TAXI TRADE THERE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE SURVEY WOULD HELP THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS CORRECTLY THE OPERATING CONDITIONS OF THE TRADE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SURVEY IS AN ANNUAL EXERCISE AND IS CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE SAME PERIOD EVERY YEAR SO THAT A COMPARISON CAN BE MADE WITH PREVIOUS YEARS.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND ONLY BE USED FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.
THE SURVEY CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS: QUESTIONNAIRE AND METER READING. NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FOR THE EXERCISE.
OWNERS OF THE SELECTED TAXIS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE A SHORT QUESTIONNAIRE ON THEIR OPERATIONS WHICH INCLUDE ITEMS SUCH AS OPERATING FORMAT, INCOME AND FUEL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE DEPARTMENT BY APRIL 10.
TAXI OPERATORS ARE ALSO ASKED TO PRESENT THEIR TAXIS TWICE FOR METER READING FROM MARCH 19 TO MARCH 23 AND FROM MARCH 26 TO MARCH 30, BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 12.30 PM OR BETWEEN 2 PM'AND 4.30 PM, AT ANY OF THE SIX METER READING CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES.
RESTAURANT OPERATOR FINED FOR USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS ♦ * ♦ ♦ t
THE OPERATOR OF A ROAST GOOSE AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN SHA TIN WAS FINED $2,000 TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS.
IT WAS THE FIRST PROSECUTION INVOLVING THE USE OF INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS IN RESTAURANTS SINCE THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 LAST YEAR.
/THE DEFENDANT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
THE DEFENDANT, THE POWER LUCK INDUSTRIES LTD, WHICH WAS TRADING AS SUN KEUNG KEE ROASTED GOOSE AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN HOLFORD GARDEN, SHA TIN, ADMITTED THE CHARGE AT THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY.
THE PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE CUSTOMS TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID OF THE 114 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE, FIVE WERE LODGED AGAINST RESTAURANTS.
HE REMINDED RESTAURANT OPERATORS TO ENSURE THAT THEY USED ACCURATE WEIGHING OR MEASURING EQUIPMENT WHEN SUPPLYING GOODS BY WEIGHT OR MEASURE.
"OTHER THAN THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT RESTAURANTS, 78 WERE LODGED AGAINST RETAILERS OF VARIOUS FOOD ITEMS AND THE REMAINER WERE AGAINST VARIOUS TYPES OF TRADE INCLUDING HAWKERS, DEPARTMENT STORES, SUPERMARKETS AND PETROL STATIONS," HE SAID.
THE COURT HEARD THAT OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, ACTING ON A COMPLAINT, INSPECTED SUN KEUNG KEE ROASTED GOOSE AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT ON OCTOBER 31 LAST YEAR.
A CHINESE STEELYARD, WHICH WAS USED FOR SELLING SEAFOOD, WAS FOUND TO BE INACCURATE ON A PRELIMINARY CHECK.
THE WEIGHING INSTRUMENT WAS LATER REFERRED TO THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR FURTHER TESTING AND THE RESULT SHOWED THAT THE HIGHEST ERROR IN THE STEELYARD WAS 18.75 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHT OF THE GOODS.
ANY PERSON WANTING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MALPRACTICES IN RESPECT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES SHOULD CONTACT EITHER THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO 714 6146) OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
COMPLAINTS MAY ALSO BE MADE TO DUTY OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 852 3185 AFTER NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
- - 0 - -
TAI PO DB STUDY GROUP LEAVES FOR JAPAN *****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR GROUP LEFT FOR JAPAN THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING FOR A FIVE-DAY VISIT.
THE GROUP, LED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG, COMPRISES 10 DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR THOMAS YIU, AND STAFF OF THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT.
/THE GROUP
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
THE GROUP WILL VISIT FUKUOKA AND NAGASAKI ON KYUSHU TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT THERE.
IN FUKUOKA, THEY WILL CALL ON THE PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT AND EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH OFFICIALS.
THE GROUP WILL ALSO VISIT AN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTRE, A SPORTS PARK, A FISH CULTURE CENTRE AND HANDICRAFT FACTORIES.
THEY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON TUESDAY (MARCH 20).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR GROUP TAKEN AT THE AIRPORT WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE AND BOXED.
- - 0 - -
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOOK EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW
******
A THREE-DAY BOOK EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) MORNING AT THE YWCA ANNE BLACK CENTRE, 5 MAN FUK ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD HILL, KOWLOON CITY.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS JOEY LAM; SENIOR DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR CHIU BING-KWAN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOL PRINCIPALS’ LIAISON COMMITTEE, MADAM HILDA KWAN.
THE EXHIBITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS’ LIAISON COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, IS INTENDED TO INTRODUCE VARIOUS READING MATERIALS TO STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
ABOUT 10,000 BOOKS AND STATIONERY WILL BE ON DISPLAY, AND FOR SALE AT A 10 TO 15 PER CENT DISCOUNT.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM TOMORROW AND FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM ON THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS. ADMISSION IS FREE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOOK EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT 11 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE YWCA ANNE BLACK CENTRE, 5 MAN FUK ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD HILL.
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICER WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 - -
/10
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
- 10 -
AMENDMENT TO DRAFT CHEUNG SHA WAN OZP ******
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AN AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT CHEUNG SHA WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
THE AMENDMENT IS TO REZONE PART OF THE FORMER SHAM SHUI PO CAMP SITE FROM "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’’, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC RENTAL ESTATE AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
THE SITE LIES WEST OF YEN CHOW STREET ON LAI CHI KOK ROAD, AND HAS AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 3.4 HECTARES.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES UNTIL MAY 16:
- THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG;
- THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
- THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD BY MAY 16 THIS YEAR.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN IS AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, OR AT THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD AT $ 10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $60 EACH COLOURED COPY.
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DREDGING AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PIER
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT DREDGING AT TATHONG CHANNEL TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATION.
THE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 312 HECTARES OF SEABED AT MID-TATHONG CHANNEL AND 139 HECTARES OF SEABED AT NORTH TATHONG CHANNEL.
/THE EXTENT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
- 11 -
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MAY 15 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
ALSO, AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT A PUBLIC PIER WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 480 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT LEUNG SHUEN WAN, SAI KUNG.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE BERTHING OF BOATS AND POINTS OF ACCESS. THE WORK WILL COMMENCE IN MAY AND WILL BE COMPLETED ABOUT AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 15, 1991.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF EFFLUENT TUNNEL
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 7.5 KILOMETRE EFFLUENT TUNNEL FROM SHA TIN TO DIAMOND HILL.
THE THREE METRE DRIVEN BORE, CONCRETE LINED TUNNEL IS PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME WHEREBY TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT FROM TAI PO AND SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE PUMPED THROUGH TO THE HEAD OF KAI TAK NULLAH.
THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE PORTAL EARTHWORKS, AN ACCESS ROAD, DRAINAGE AND TWIN 1.4 METRE DIAMETER RISING MAINS AT SHA TIN; TOGETHER WITH A TERMINAL ACCESS SHAFT WITH FAN CHAMBER AND CONTROL ROOM AT DIAMOND HILL.
/THE CONTRACT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
12 -
THE CONTRACT PERIOD IS 31 MONTHS.
THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME IS PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PLAN. ITS AIM IS TO REDUCE POLLUTION IN TOLO HARBOUR, ONE MANIFESTATION OF WHICH IS THE FORMATION OF "RED TIDES".
APART FROM REDUCING POLLUTION IN TOLO HARBOUR, THE SCHEME, WHEN COMPLETED TOWARDS THE END OF 1992, WILL, BY VIRTUE OF THE FLUSHING EFFECT OF THE HIGHLY TREATED EFFLUENT, ASSIST IN CLEANING OUT THE KAI TAK NULLAH AND TYPHOON SHELTER DOWNSTREAM.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, APRIL 27.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST 1 IN GROUP C FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE OR WATER WORKS OR ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST II FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE OR WATER WORKS WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER.
-----0------
CONSTRUCTION OF HILLSIDE ESCALATOR LINK APPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HILLSIDE ESCALATOR LINK BETWEEN CENTRAL AND THE MID-LEVELS TO GIVE RESIDENTS MORE TRANSPORT OPTIONS BETWEEN THE TWO AREAS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE COVERED ESCALATOR LINK, AT A COST OF ABOUT $100 MILLION, WILL START IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
THE ESCALATOR LINK WILL COMPRISE TRAVELATORS, ESCALATORS AND FOOTBRIDGES. IT WILL PROVIDE A MORE ATTRACTIVE, CONVENIENT AND PHYSICALLY LESS DEMANDING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM THE CENTRAL DISTRICT TO CONDUIT ROAD.
THE ESCALATOR SYSTEM WILL START FROM THE EXISTING ELEVATED WALKWAY IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
FROM THE NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING OF HANG SENG BANK, THE ESCALATOR WILL CROSS DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BY TWO FOOTBRIDGES LEADING TO AN ENCLOSED WALKWAY IN CENTRAL MARKET.
IT THEN CROSSES QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL BY A FOOTBRIDGE, AND PROCEEDS UP COCHRANE STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND SHELLEY STREET BY ESCALATOR AND TRAVELATORS.
/THE LINK .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1990
- 13 -
THE LINK CONTINUES AT GROUND LEVEL ALONG SHELLEY STREET THEN CROSSES THE JUNCTION AT CAINE ROAD BY A FOOTBRIDGE.
FROM SHELLEY STREET, IT CONTINUES ON AN ELEVATED STRUCTURE PEBL STREET' ACROSS ROBINSON ROAO^ WO TOSN GROUND LEVEL UP TO CONDUIT ROAD.
ESCALATORS AND STAIRWAYS CONNECTING THE ELEVATED SECTION THE SYSTEM AND THE ADJACENT GROUND LEVEL ROADS WILL BE PROvZ INTERMEDIATE LOCATIONS, SO THAT PEDESTRIANS CAN JOIN OR LfIw ESCALATOR LINK AT CONVENIENT POINTS ALONG THE ROUTE.
AND
UP AT
OF
AT THE
------0--------
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE IN SHAM SHUI PO *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MONDAY (MARCH 19) TO CATER FOR THE TRAVEL DEMAND AT THE LUNG PING ROAD TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE NEW CIRCULAR ROUTE 32M WILL RUN BETWEEN LUNG PING ROAD TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND SHEK KIP MEI MTR STATION VIA LUNG PING ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, BERWICK STREET, SHEK KIP MEI STREET, WOH CHAI STREET, WAI CHI STREET, NAM CHEONG STREET AND LUNG PING ROAD.
IT WILL OPERATE AT A FREQUENCY OF 12 TO 15 MINUTES FROM 7 AM TO 10.30 PM DAILY. THE FARE WILL BE $1.70 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
--------0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHAM SHUI PO
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 9 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 18), PART OF THE CARRIAGEWAY AT THE JUNCTION OF NAM CHEONG STREET WITH WOH CHAI STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE OCCUPIED FOR EMERGENCY DRAINAGE REPAIR.
DURING THE WORKS PERIOD WHICH WILL LAST FOR ABOUT 24 HOURS, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE OF THE POLICE IN CASE OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC DIVERSION.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE THEM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXPANSION PROJECT AT KAI TAK AIRPORT............................................. 1
JANUARY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ................. 3
JEWELLERY INDUSTRY WILL ADVANCE FURTHER: LADY WILSON ............................ 8
CSD SETS UP TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT CENTRES ...............................
HK'S FIRST COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE SOON BE DEVELOPED................................. 10
THIRTY VOLUNTEERS COMMENDED FOR SERVICES TO OFFENDERS ...................
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR YUEN LONG SYP ......................................... 12
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION ON TSING YI ......................................... 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WESTERN ....................................... 13
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WESTERN ............................................ 13
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN TAI ................................................. 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TSUEN WAN ROAD............................................. 14
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
1
EXPANSION PROJECT AT KAI TAK AIRPORT *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO EMBARK ON A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TO EXPAND THE KAI TAK AIRPORT AND TO IMPROVE ITS INTERNAL AND CONNECTING ROAD NETWORK, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE FULL RANGE OF EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS, ESTIMATED TO COST SOME $3.6 BILLION, IS BEING PLANNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE KAI TAK CONSULTANCY ON THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 1988.
"THE CONSULTANTS HAD FORECAST THAT THE AIRPORT, AS IT IS NOW, WILL REACH ITS CAPACITY IN 1992 AND THEREAFTER EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED IF KAI TAK IS TO CONTINUE TO MEET THE NEED FOR AIR TRANSPORTATION UNTIL 1996," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"OTHERWISE, HONG KONG WILL SUFFER SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS," HE SAID.
THE AIRCRAFT MOVEMENT THROUGHPUT RATE IS INCREASING. AS A RESULT, PRIORITY IS BEING GIVEN TO EXPANDING THE AIRCRAFT PARKING APRONS TO ACCOMMODATE THIS DEMAND.
TOTAL INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS HAVE INCREASED BY 13.3 PER CENT PER YEAR BETWEEN 1987 AND 1989, WHICH IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE RATE FORECAST BY THE CONSULTANTS.
"THIS HAS RESULTED IN A SHORTFALL IN APRON CAPACITY BEING ADVANCED TO 1990 AND AIRLINES HAVE ALREADY HAD DIFFICULTIES IN SCHEDULING SOME OF THEIR SERVICES TO HONG KONG BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT PARKING SPACE.
"THE PROBLEM IS EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE ACUTE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ADDITIONAL PARKING BAYS ARE MADE AVAILABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MEET FORECAST DEMAND," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CONSULTANTS, HAVING CONSIDERED THE PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS OF THE AIRPORT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM INCREASED AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, HAVE RECOMMENDED TO EXPAND THE EXISTING LONG TERM PARKING APRON FURTHER TO THE NORTH-EAST OF THE EXISTING BOUNDARY AND TO THE SOUTH ON THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION.
THIS WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 13 TO 14 AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE CONCERN ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME.
/"HOWEVER, THE ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
- 2 -
"HOWEVER, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE ADVISED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES AS RECOMMENDED IN THE STUDY OF THE NOISE IMPACT OF GROUND OPERATIONS AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (THE GROUND NOISE STUDY) IN 1988 WILL GO A LONG WAY IN REDUCING ANY NOISE IMPACT ON ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL AREAS," HE SAID.
UNDER THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME, FIXED GROUND POWER INSTALLATION WILL BE PROVIDED AT EVERY AIRCRAFT PARKING BAY. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE WORK BEING CARRIED OUT ON THE EXISTING APRONS EAST OF THE KAI TAK NULLAH.
"THIS MEASURE IS A RECOMMENDATION OF THE GROUND NOISE STUDY AND WILL OBVIATE MOST OF THE TIME THE NEED TO USE THE AIRCRAFT’S NOISY AUXILIARY POWER UNITS (APU’S) AND THE MOBILE GROUND UNITS, WHICH ARE THE TWO MAIN SOURCES OF GROUND NOISE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE INSTALLATION OF FIXED GROUND POWER FOR THE EXISTING MAINTENANCE APRON, CARGO APRON AND LONG TERM PARKING APRON AND EXTENSION IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES.
THE FIRST PHASE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 AND THE SECOND PHASE BETWEEN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
SIMILAR WORKS FOR THE NEW APRONS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN PARALLEL WITH THE CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS WHICH ARE PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1992 FOR THE NORTH-EASTERN EXPANSION AREA AND IN 1993 FOR THE SOUTHERN EXPANSION AREA.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST FOR THE EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION WILL BE MORE THAN $110 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO PREPARING LEGISLATION TO FURTHER CONTROL THE NOISE GENERATED BY APRON ACTIVITIES. THE MEASURES INCLUDE:
* EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING AUXILIARY POWER UNIT (APU) CONTROLLED AREA TO THE NEW APRON EXPANSION AREAS WITHIN WHICH APU OPERATIONS ARE COMPLETELY PROHIBITED AT NIGHT;
* MANDATORY USE OF FIXED GROUND POWER;
t PROHIBITION OF ENGINE GROUND RUNS IN THE EVENING AND NIGHT WITHIN THE APRON EXTENSION AREA; AND
* RELOCATION OF ENGINE GROUND RUNS AT NIGHT FROM THE EAST OF THE NULLAH.
THE NEW LEGISLATION IS PLANNED TO BE BROUGHT INTO FORCE IN 1991 .
/ENGINE GROUND .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
- 3 -
ENGINE GROUND RUNS, WHICH ARE CITED AS THE SINGLE MOST NOISE GENERATING ACTIVITY AT NIGHT IN THE GROUND NOISE STUDY, WERE PREVIOUSLY CARRIED OUT MAINLY TO THE EAST OF KAI TAK NULLAH NEAR THE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGARS.
"FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GROUND NOISE STUDY, MOST OF THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE NOW BEEN RELOCATED TO THE WEST OF THE NULLAH.
"AT PRESENT, ABOUT 72 PER CENT OF THE ENGINE GROUND RUNS ARE CONDUCTED TO THE WEST OF THE NULLAH COMPARED TO SOME 32 PER CENT A YEAR AGO.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE SITUATION WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW LEGISLATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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JANUARY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED *******
IN JANUARY 1990, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989 BUT DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1989, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN JANUARY 1990 INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SLIGHT DECREASES IN ORDERS WERE RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE ORDERS POSITION REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH JANUARY 1989, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
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 1990 DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989 AND JANUARY 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH DECEMBER 1989, EMPLOYMENT DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN ALL THE OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1989, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1990 DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST DECREASE RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY.
IN JANUARY 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN MONEY TERMS, WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989. HOWEVER, CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY RESULTS.
THE MAIN FACTOR BEHIND THE LARGE INCREASES BETWEEN DECEMBER 1989 AND JANUARY 1990 WAS THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES AHEAD OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS BY MANY COMPANIES SURVEYED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR. THE INCREASE WAS PARTICULARLY LARGE IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A SLIGHT DECREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY, FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES IN DECEMBER 1989 BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED IN THIS INDUSTRY.
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH JANUARY 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
THE LARGEST INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, WHICH WAS LARGELY DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 1989 AND 1990 IN THE TIMING FOR THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES BY SOME MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1990 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989 AND JANUARY 1989. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JANUARY 1990 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER DECEMBER 1989 DUE TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES IN JANUARY BY MOST COMPANIES SURVEYED.
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH JANUARY 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS ALSO INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS SECTOR COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/IN THE ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
- 5 -
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY 1990 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1989.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN JANUARY 1990 INCREASED MODERATELY OVER DECEMBER 1989, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE RECORDED IN HOTELS, MAINLY DUE TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES BY MOST HOTELS SURVEYED.
DECREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN BANKS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES MAINLY DUE TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND YEAR-END BONUSES IN DECEMBER 1989 BY A NUMBER OF COMPANIES SURVEYED IN THESE TWO SECTORS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1990 WITH JANUARY 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN MOST SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY IS NOT BASED ON A SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE, THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE MERELY A REFLECTION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMPANIES SURVEYED.
HOWEVER, GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR JANUARY 1990 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4820.
/TABLE 1 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
- 6 -
TABLE 1: ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
CHANGE WHEN AS AT THE END OF COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY JANUARY 1990 DEC. 89 JAN. 89
(MONTHS) (X) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.27 * -3
— — — — — — — — _
WEARING APPAREL 4.60 -1 -3
TEXTILES 2.45 + 3 + 1
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.09 ♦ + 2
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC 4.30 -1 -7
PRODUCTS 5.14 + 1 -1
OTHERS 4.14 + 1 -2
♦ CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
TABLE 2: EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF JANUARY 1990
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES DEC. 89 JAN. 89
(X) (X)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -2 -10
FOOD AND DRINKS -1 + 2
WEARING APPAREL -1 -11
TEXTILES -1 - 4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -2 -13
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -1 -10
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -4 -17
OTHERS -2 ♦
CONSTRUCTION# -1 -3
SERVICES -1 + 2
Mi
BANKS -1 +1
HOTELS -2 -2
PUBLIC UTILITIES ♦ + 1
OTHERS * + 6
♦ CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/TABLE 3 .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
7
TABLE 3: PER CAPITA EARNINGS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN JANUARY 1990 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
DEC. 89 JAN. 89
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 8,663 + 40 + 19
FOOD AND DRINKS 8,775 - 2 + 17
WEARING APPAREL 6,049 + 18 + 10
TEXTILES 8,315 + 48 + 12
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 9,636 + 72 + 26
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 9,672 + 89 + 36
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 7,848 + 24 + 20
OTHERS 12,995 + 73 + 19
CONSTRUCTION# 10,545 + 33 + 24
SERVICES 13,677 + 6 + 18
BANKS 12,770 -11 + 23
HOTELS 19,509 + 188 + 16
PUBLIC UTILITIES 12,190 - 5 + 15
OTHERS 15,357 + 16 + 18
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
NOTES TO TABLES 1-3: UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND “PER CAPITA EARNINGS”, WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
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/8 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
8
JEWELLERY INDUSTRY WILL ADVANCE FURTHER: LADY WILSON
*****
HONG KONG’S JEWELLERY INDUSTRY WILL MAKE FURTHER STRIDES IN THE NINETIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN NEW TRADE DIMENSIONS IN ASIA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD HAVE EMERGED, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1990 HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL JEWELLERY SHOW ORGANISED BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, LADY WILSON SAID THAT FOR A DECADE, THE INDUSTRY HAD SEEN UNINTERRUPTED GROWTH IN WORLD EXPORTS, REACHING OVER $4.5 BILLION LAST YEAR AND HONG KONG WAS NOW ONE OF THE LARGEST JEWELLERY EXPORTERS IN THE WORLD.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT MARKET FOR JEWELLERY AND AN INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE, AND A LEADING DISTRIBUTION CENTRE IN ASIA.
"DURING THE PAST YEAR, IMPORTS OF JEWELLERY HAVE ALSO GROWN ENORMOUSLY," SHE SAID.
NOTING THAT THIS YEAR’S FAIR WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER THAN PREVIOUS ONES, LADY WILSON SAID THIS POSITIVE RESPONSE SHOWED THAT THE FAIR WAS RECEIVING WORLDWIDE INTEREST, AND IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE LARGE ATTENDANCE OF FOREIGN EXHIBITORS AND BUYERS.
"IT IS A CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF THE FACT THAT THE HONG KONG JEWELLERY INDUSTRY IS NOW WIDELY RECOGNISED, AND THAT HONG KONG HAS NOW BECOME A MAJOR JEWELLERY CENTRE," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPANSION OF TRADE FAIRS IN HONG KONG, SUCH AS THIS JEWELLERY FAIR, COULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT A PROPER EXHIBITION VENUE.
SHE SAID THAT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE HAD HELPED A GREAT DEAL IN ALLOWING HONG KONG TO DEVELOP INTO A REGIONAL TRADE FAIR CENTRE.
"PLANS ARE IN HAND TO DOUBLE THE CENTRE’S FACILITIES, IN ORDER TO CATER TO THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE TRADE FAIR INDUSTRY," SHE ADDED.
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/9 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
- 9 -
CSD SETS UP TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT CENTRES *****
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) HAS SET IT TWO TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT CENTRES TN TSUEN WAN AND KOWLOON TO ENABLE POTENTIAL APPLICANTS TO JOIN THE DEPARTMENT A3 OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS.
THEY ARE THE TSUEN WAN RECRUITMENT CENTRE AT PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN AND THE 01 MAN RECRUITMENT CENTRE hT 01 MAN SHOPPING ARCADE, 01 MAN ESTATE, KOWLOON.
THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTING SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (PERSONNEL), MR LAM CHUNG-PANG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE SETTING UP OF TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT CENTRES WAS THE LATEST MOVE TO STEP UP RECRUITMENT IN THE CURRENT MAJOR RECRUITMENT EXERCISE.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT AIMED AT RECRUITING 1,200 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO FILL VACANCIES IN THE OFFICER AND ASSISTANT OFFICER RANKS.
THE CENTRES ARE THE FIRST TWO SET UP THIS YEAR WITH HELP' FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
"TEMPORARY CENTRES WERE SET UP AT THE SAME VENUES LAST YEAR AND HAD RECEIVED GOOD RESPONSE FROM JOB-SEEKERS," MR LAM NOTED.
"THEREFORE, THE CENTRES ARE SET UP MUCH EARLIER THIS YEAR TO FACILITATE APPLICANTS," HE SAID.
EACH OF THE TEMPORARY CENTRES HAS THREE EXHIBITION PANELS EXPLAINING THE WORK OF THE RECRUITMENT DEPARTMENT. CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS MANNING THE CENTRES WILL ASSIST APPLICANTS AND ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
"WE ARE LIAISING WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN THE HOPE TO SET UP MORE RECRUITMENT CENTRES AT VARIOUS SHOPPING ARCADES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SOON," MR LAM SAID.
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO JOIN THE CSD CAN NOW APPLY AT THE TSUEN WAN AND 01 MAN RECRUITMENT CENTRES. THEY CAN ALSO APPLY AT THE CENTRAL RECRUITMENT CENTRE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, 23RD FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 527 5951.
/IO........
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SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
10
HK’s FIRST COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE SOON BE DEVELOPED *****
HONG KONG’s FIRST COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE, WHICH COMPRISES BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS AS WELL AS ASSOCIATED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, WILL SOON BE DEVELOPED IN THE TSIU HANG SPECIAL AREA OF SAI KUNG.
THE CENTRE IS PRIMARILY FOR THE PURPOSE OF NATURE EDUCATION AND RECREATION FOR THE PUBLIC, NATURE CONSERVATION, SCIENTIFIC STUDIES AND SCHOOL FIELD STUDIES.
THE TSIU HANG SPECIAL AREA OCCUPIES A TOTAL AREA OF 34 HECTARES OF LAND, AND ACCOMMODATES A FORMER FARM OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) IN SAI KUNG. IT HAS ALREADY A RICH COLLECTION OF VARIETIES OF FRUIT TREES, FLOWERING TREES AS WELL AS LOCAL MEDICINAL PLANTS.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE INVOLVES BUILDING A NEW EXHIBITION CENTRE AND UPGRADING EXISTING FACILITIES.
A SPECIAL EVENT, "THE LIONS WALK AND GROW 89-90", WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, HONG KONG AND MACAU, IN TSIU HANG TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT.
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FUNCTION WHICH STARTS AT 10.30 AM.
MORE THAN 1,000 LIONS CLUB MEMBERS WILL TAKE PART IN TREE PLANTING AND A TRAIL WALK DURING THE DAY WITH THE AIM OF RAISING $5 MILLION FOR CONSTRUCTING THE EXHIBITION HALLS OF THE CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE "LIONS WALK AND GROW 89-90" TOMORROW (SUNDAY). A PRESS TOUR OF THE EXISTING ORCHARDS, ARBORETUM AND WOODLAND IN THE COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE SITE WILL BE ARRANGED.
MEDIA TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 9 AM THAT DAY.
- 0-----------
/Il ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 17,
1990
- 11 -
THIRTY VOLUNTEERS COMMENDED FOR SERVICES TO OFFENDERS ******
A TOTAL OF 30 VOLUNTEERS WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR VALUABLE SERVICES TO OFFENDERS AT A CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1976 TO PROMOTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS.
DURING THE SERVICE PERIOD, VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED PROBATIONERS AND RESIDENTS OF PROBATION HOMES AND REFORMATORY SCHOOLS IN MANY WAYS. THEY TUTORED THEM IN THEIR SCHOOLWORK, GUIDED THEM TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THEIR LEISURE, AND CULTIVATED THEIR INTEREST IN HOBBIES, SPORTS AND OTHER WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID 334 VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME SINCE IT STARTED.
"THEY HAVE WILLINGLY GIVEN UP THEIR LEISURE TIME TO PROVIDE VARIOUS KINDS OF SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL PROBATIONERS MATCHED TO THEM," HE SAID.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE CARE, CONCERN, FRIENDSHIP AND MORAL SUPPORT OFFERED BY THE VOLUNTEERS HAS GIVEN GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO PROBATIONERS AND BOLSTERED THEIR DETERMINATION TO REFORM AND MAKE A FRESH START.
"VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE HAS OVER THE YEARS BECOME AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF PROBATION SUPERVISION AND RESIDENTIAL TRAINING," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 75 PROBATION OFFICERS WORKING OUT OF 11 OFFICES TO SERVE THE COURTS AND MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THEM COULD MAKE USE OF THE SERVICES OF VOLUNTEERS, MR CARTLAND SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS PLANNING TO WIDEN THE SCOPE OF THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME AND TO TRY TO DRAW MORE VOLUNTEERS INTO IT.
"IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, WHEN WE LAUNCH OUR ANNUAL RECRUITMENT OF NEW VOLUNTEERS ON MONDAY (MARCH 19), WE WILL BE HOPING TO DOUBLE THE PRESENT NUMBER FROM 30 TO 60," HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO HELD A SPRING RECEPTION THIS EVENING FOR THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE HELPED IN THE PAST OR ARE STILL SERVING TO GET TOGETHER TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE, VIEWS AND FEELINGS.
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/12 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
- 12 -
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR YUEN LONG SYP ♦ ♦**♦♦
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND YOUTH CENTRES IN YUEN LONG INTENDING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 1990 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME SHOULD SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
A SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, FUNDS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ORGANISATIONS TO HOLD VARIOUS SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES DURING THE SUMMER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
’’THE CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATING FUNDS ARE THAT THESE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND POTENTIAL, AND HEALTHY INTERESTS; UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS; GET TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE; AND ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY.
“THE CENTRAL THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS ’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY’,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ROOM 410, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE BY APRIL 12.
INTERESTED PARTIES ARE WELCOME TO TELEPHONE MISS ELISE LEUNG MEI-CHING ON 479 2261 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION ON TSING YI *****
MESSAGES ON FIRE PREVENTION WILL BE PUT ACROSS TO RESIDENTS OF TSING YI ISLAND THROUGH AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 11 AM TO 3.30 PM AT THE CHEUNG FAT COMMERCIAL COMPLEX.
THIS IS THE LAST IN A SERIES OF NINE FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP IN 1989-90.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID THE EXHIBITIONS AIM TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARD OF ELECTRIC FAULT WHICH REMAINS A MAJOR CAUSE OF DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL FIRES.
’’ELECTRIC FAULTS CAN BE AVOIDED IF REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF POWER POINTS AND APPLIANCES ARE CARRIED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS,” HE SAID.
/•'IN ORDER............
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
"IN ORDER TO HELP THE PUBLIC BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SUBJECT, OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT AT TOMORROW’S EXHIBITION TO ANSWER QUESTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE EXHIBITION TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO PREVENT HILL FIRES.
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL RECEIVE A BOOKLET ON THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC FIRES AND SOUVENIRS SPONSORED BY KWONG ON BANK.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WESTERN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 19), ALL VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON KA ON STREET SOUTHBOUND IN WESTERN WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT ONTO DES VOEUX ROAD WESTBOUND FOR ONE WEEK TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WESTERN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 19), DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM HOUSE NO. 400 TO ITS JUNCTION WITH KA ON STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 - -
/14
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990
- 14 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN TAI PO *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN TAI PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ON MARCH 19 AND 20 (MONDAY AND TUESDAY) RESPECTIVELY TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF KWONG FUK EAST VIADUCT LEADING FROM YUEN SHIN ROAD TO TOLO HIGHWAY WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY.
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF KWONG FUK WEST VIADUCT LEADING FROM TOLO HIGHWAY TO YUEN SHIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED THE NEXT DAY (TUESDAY).
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TSUEN WAN ROAD *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FAST AND CENTRE LANES OF THE TUEN MUN BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TSUEN WAN ROAD BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND TEXACO INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (MARCH 19).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FROM 10 PM TO 4 AM THE NEXT DAY DAILY FROM MARCH 19 TO 23 FOR PAINTING ROAD MARKING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE COMES CLOSER TO REALITY ................................. 1
TEACHERS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN CURRICULUM PROJECT SCHEME ...................... 3
TSUEN WAN DB TO REPORT ON WORK .................................................. 4
BOOKLET ON KWAI TSING PUBLISHED ................................................. 4
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHAM SHUI PO........................................... 5
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN .......................................................... 5
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1990
NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE COMES CLOSER TO REALITY
*****
HONG KONG’S FIRST NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE - THE SAI KUNG COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE - COMES ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY TODAY (SUNDAY) AS $5 MILLION IS RAISED FOR THE PROJECT.
THE CENTRE IS TO BE LOCATED IN THE TSIU HANG SPECIAL AREA, A 34-HECTARE SITE BY THE SIDE OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY NEAR SAI KUNG TOWN.
IT ACCOMMODATES A FORMER FARM OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN SAI KUNG. THE AREA IS OF HIGH EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL POTENTIAL DUE TO THE SUITABILITY OF ITS TERRAIN, CONVENIENT TRANSPORT AND HIGH LANDSCAPE VALUE.
TODAY’S FUND-RAISING DRIVE, ENTITLED "LIONS WALK AND GROW 89-90", WAS LAUNCHED BY THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, HONG KONG AND MACAU. IT TOOK THE FORM OF TREE PLANTING AND A TRAIL WALK IN WHICH MORE THAN 1,000 LION CLUB MEMBERS TOOK PART.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, EXPLAINED WHY THE TSIU HANG SPECIAL AREA WAS AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR DEVELOPING MORE FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR COUNTRYSIDE INTERPRETATION AND NATURE EDUCATION.
"THERE IS ALREADY A RICH COLLECTION OF FRUIT TREES, NATIVE FLOWERING TREES AND LOCAL MEDICINAL PLANTS," HE SAID.
"THEREFORE ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO DEVELOP A COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE THERE IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW EXHIBITION CENTRE AND THE UPGRADING OF OTHER ASSOCIATED FACILITIES.
"I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IF THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND BETTER OUR COUNTRYSIDE WITH ITS RICH VARIETY OF VEGETATION, WILDLIFE AND RURAL HERITAGE, THEY WOULD NOT ONLY DERIVE MORE ENJOYMENT IN THEIR VISITS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT ALSO HAVE A GREATER CONCERN IN TAKING CARE OF IT BOTH FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR CHILDREN," DR LEE SAID.
HE THANKED THE LIONS CLUBS FOR GENEROUSLY AGREEING TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE’S EXHIBITION HALLS, WHICH WOULD BE NAMED IN HONOUR OF THEM.
"THERE IS MUCH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROJECT AND THE COMMUNITY IN TURN WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS MEANINGFUL PROJECT," HE REMARKED.
THE IDEA OF DEVELOPING THE AREA INTO A COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE WAS FIRST MOOTED IN 1986 AND HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE COUNTRY PARK BOARD, SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
/ONE OBJECTIVE
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1990
- 2 -
ONE OBJECTIVE OF ESTABLISHING THE COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE RURAL HERITAGE, FARMING, FISHING AND COUNTRYSIDE RESOURCES OF HONG KONG TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CENTRE CAN ALSO PROVIDE A BASE FOR UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO CONDUCT SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD STUDIES AS WELL AS A BASE FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANISED GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICAL COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION WORK SUCH AS LITTER COLLECTION, TREE PLANTING AND TREE TENDING.
BESIDES, IT WILL SERVE AS A CONSERVATION CENTRE TO PRESERVE RARE AND VALUABLE PLANTS NATIVE TO HONG KONG IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING INFORMAL OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC.
THE PLANNED COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE WILL CONSIST OF FOUR INTEGRAL PARTS:
* AN EXHIBITION CENTRE OF ABOUT 650 SQUARE METRES FOR THE DISPLAY OF MATERIALS RELATED TO RURAL HERITAGE, PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, COUNTRYSIDE RESOURCES AND NATURE CONSERVATION, TOGETHER WITH AN AUDIO-VISUAL ROOM;
* A FIELD AND OUTDOOR DISPLAY AREA FEATURING FRUIT ORCHARDS, AN ARBORETUM, AN INSECT HOUSE, A ROCKS AND MINERAL GARDEN, A CHINESE MEDICINAL PLANTS GARDEN, A DEMONSTRATION FIELD FOR ECONOMIC PLANTS, A DEMONSTRATION TREE NURSERY AND MANAGED WOODLAND;
* A PRIMARY FOOTPATH SYSTEM DIRECTING VISITORS TO MAJOR OUTDOOR FIELD DISPLAY AREAS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES (ALONG THESE PATHS, ON-SITE INTERPRETATION MATERIALS WILL BE PROVIDED AND GUIDED WALKS FOR SCHOOL PARTIES AND ORGANISED GROUPS WILL BE CONDUCTED); AND
♦ PUBLIC AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES SUCH AS SHELTERS, REFRESHMENT KIOSK, PICNIC SITES, TOILETS AND PARKING SPACES.
IT IS INITIALLY ESTIMATED THAT THE WHOLE PROJECT WILL COST SOME $12 MILLION OF WHICH ABOUT $5.5 MILLION IS THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR THE EXHIBITION CENTRE.
CONSTRUCTION WORK OF THE EXHIBITION CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-1991.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1990
3
TEACHERS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN CURRICULUM PROJECT SCHEME
*******
GRANTS TOTALLING $1.39 MILLION HAVE BEEN AWARDED IN THE TWO-YEAR CURRICULUM PROJECT SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE TEACHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AIMED AT THE PARTICULAR NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF THEIR STUDENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) IN REMINDING TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS OF KINDERGARTENS AND SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT THEIR PROJECTS BY MARCH 31.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT 49 PROJECTS WERE SUBMITTED IN 1988, THE DEBUT YEAR OF THE AWARD SCHEME. OF THESE, 35 WERE AWARDED GRANTS RANGING FROM $3,600 TO $12,000 FOR KINDERGARTEN-PRIMARY SCHOOL PROJECTS AND $5,000 TO $16,000 FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PROJECTS.
THE 1989 SCHOOL YEAR SUBMISSIONS TOTALLED 77, WITH 53 WINNING AWARDS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT A PROJECT CAN BE DEVISED BY A TEACHER OR A GROUP OF TEACHERS TN A SCHOOL OR A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS TO SUIT THE PARTICULAR CURRICULUM NEEDS IDENTIFIED IN THEIR SCHOOLS.
THE PROJECTS MAY INVOLVE PRODUCING SIMPLE TEACHING MATERIALS SUCH AS WORKSHEETS FOR SPECIFIC TEACHING TOPICS FOR A PARTICULAR LEVEL, OR MULTI-MEDIA TEACHING PACKAGES WHICH NORMALLY INCLUDE A TEACHER’S GUIDE OR SUGGESTIONS FOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS SUCH AS SLIDES, CASSETTE TAPES AND OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCIES.
IN GENERAL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE SCHEME MIGHT INCLUDE PROJECTS ON NEW TEACHING APPROACHES TO SPECIFIC TOPICS IN THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (CDC) SYLLABUSES OR CURRICULUM GUIDELINES, AND IN NEW TOPICS OR AREAS OF STUDIES AS ALTERNATIVES TO CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE CDC SYLLABUSES OR GUIDELINES.
THE PROJECTS MAY ALSO INCLUDE TEACHING AND RESOURCES MATERIALS IN AREAS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE CURRICULUM RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC AIMED AT MEETING THE NEEDS OF PUPILS OR STUDENTS OF A PARTICULAR ABILITY RANGE.
PRODUCTION EXPENSES RANGING FROM $1,400 TO $5,000 WILL BE REIMBURSED TO PARTICIPANTS.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1990
TSUEN WAN DB TO REPORT ON WORK *****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BRIEF REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ON ITS WORK IN THE PAST YEAR AT A CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY (MARCH 20).
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, BEGINNING AT 8 PM.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARDS TO RESIDENTS WHO HAD HELPED ORGAN TSE ACTIVITIES LAST YEAR.
THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE ARTS AND SPORTS NURTURE SCHEMES ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE TO BEGIN AT 8 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 20) IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
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BOOKLET ON KWAI TSING PUBLISHED ♦ * * * ♦
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISTRIBUTE A NEWLY PUBLISHED BOOKLET, ’’THE MULTI-FACETED IMAGE OF KWAI TSING”, TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS THIS WEEK.
THE FULL-COLOURED BOOKLET INTRODUCES THE DIVERSIFIED DEVELOPMENTS AND VARIOUS ASPECTS OF KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI IN 46 PAGES.
TOPICS INCLUDE THE HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT, AREA AND POPULATION, MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS, DISTRICT FESTIVALS, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1990
- 5 -
FREE COPIES WILL BE PROVIDED TO SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, AREA COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
RESIDENTS CAN BORROW COPIES FROM THE EIGHT SUB-OFFICES OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE.
IN PRODUCING THE BOOKLET, THE DISTRICT BOARD RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE EDUCATION, HEALTH, HOUSING, HOSPITAL SERVICES, REGIONAL SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENTS.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHAM SHUI PO * ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT ORCHID STREET BETWEEN LARKSPUR STREET AND LILAC STREET IN SO UK ESTATE, SHAM SHUI PO, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM DAILY FROM MARCH 20 TO 22 AND FROM MARCH 27 TO 29 TO FACILITATE WATER IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES CAN ONLY REACH THE MIDWAY OF THE ESTATE VIA LARKSPUR STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 11M WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LILAC STREET, LARKSPUR STREET AND LILAC STREET, OMITTING ORCHID STREET.
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WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 20) TO 9 AM THE NFXT DAY FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
BE
TO
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TAI HO ROAD, YEUNG UK ROAD, MA TAU PA ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD INCLUDING THE RIVIERA GARDENS.
ALL PREMISES IN TAI HA STREET, KWAI HOP STREET, TAI WO HAU ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE AND KWAI SHING WEST ESTATE WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990 .
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
IMPROVED EDUCATION WILL PROVIDE BETTER MATRICULANTS: CS ............................ 1
PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE NATIONALITY SCHEME AFTER EASTER ............................... 2
HK COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION SET UP .............................. 3
COMPUTERISED ACCESS CONTROL TO BE INSTALLED AT AIRPORT CARPARKS .................... 4
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP PROBATIONERS ............................................. 5
SURVEY ON MOTORISTS' CHOICE OF ROUTEING ............................................ 6
TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ....................................... 7
WAN CHAI TRAFFIC STUDY COMMISSIONED................................................. 7
ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS .............................................. 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................................... 8
WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO........................................................... 8
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TSIM SHA TSUI ..................................... 9
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
1
IMPROVED EDUCATION WILL PROVIDE BETTER MATRICULANTS: CS *****»»♦♦
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT CONCERTED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL LEAD TO BETTER MATRICULANTS FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE BETTER EQUIPPED FOR THE CHALLENGE AHEAD, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE NAMING CEREMONY OF THE RUN RUN SHAW LIBRARY OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SPOKE OF THE INITIATIVES THE GOVERNMENT WAS PURSUING TO COMPLEMENT THE QUANTUM LEAP IN TERTIARY EDUCATION AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THERE WOULD BE A NEW SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM AVAILABLE BY SEPTEMBER 1992, WHICH WOULD BE A BROADER AND MORE FLEXIBLE CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO GIVE STUDENTS A MORE LIBERAL PREPARATION FOR LIFE.
HE ALSO SAID A NEW DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO INCREASE PARENTAL CHOICE AND TO ENCOURAGE VARIETY AND FLEXIBILITY IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.
’’PRIVATE OR AIDED SCHOOLS WHICH JOIN THE SCHEME WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, BUT WILL BE ABLE TO RETAIN CONSIDERABLE FREEDOM IN DECIDING ON CURRICULUM, FEES AND SELECTION OF PUPILS.
”WE HOPE THAT IN TIME THIS WILL LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRONG PRIVATE SCHOOLS SECTOR,” HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS REVIEWING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND WOULD BE CONSIDERING MEASURES TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT ACADEMIC ABILITIES, FOR WHOM THE NORMAL CURRICULUM MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE.
THE COMMISSION WOULD ALSO LOOK AT THE NEED FOR ATTAINMENT TESTS, SIR DAVID SAID.
’’WITH THE PROGRESSIVE ABOLITION OF PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS, THE TIME HAS COME FOR US TO ASK OURSELVES WHAT STANDARDS WE EXPECT OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS TO ACHIEVE AND TO HAVE SOME OBJECTIVE MEASURES OF ASSESSING THEIR PERFORMANCE AGAINST THESE STANDARDS,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID LANGUAGE WAS ANOTHER KEY QUESTION AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, AND THE RECENT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REPORT ON LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES HAD MADE EXTENSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF LANGUAGES IN SCHOOLS AND ON THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION.
/"IN DECIDING .......
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
2
"IN DECIDING ON THE WAY FORWARD, WE WILL CONSIDER VERY CAREFULLY THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC AND OF THE EDUCATION SECTOR," HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AND THE OTHER ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS WERE CENTRAL IN THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO DOUBLE TERTIARY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE FIRST YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES FOR 18 PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP BY 1995, SIR DAVID SAID: "MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE, BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WITH THEIR EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE."
SIR DAVID SAID STUDENTS OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC WOULD ALL BENEFIT FROM THE FINE FACILITIES OF THE RUN RUN SHAW LIBRARY.
NOTING THE HI-TECH INFORMATION SYSTEMS OF THE LIBRARY, SIR DAVID SAID PERHAPS ONE DAY WE WOULD HAVE A LIBRARY WITHOUT BOOKS AND ONLY COMPUTER SCREENS AND KEYBOARDS INSTEAD OF RECORDING KNOWLEDGE ON SCROLLS AND PARCHMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LIBRARIES OCCUPIED A CENTRAL POSITION IN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AS THE PLACE WHERE THE CUMULATIVE WISDOM OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE WAS READILY AVAILABLE TO HELP IN THE FURTHER PURSUIT OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.
OBSERVING THAT TO INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION WAS TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, HE SAID HE WAS VERY ENCOURAGED THAT IN PURSUING THIS OUR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS SO OFTEN ENJOYED THE WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT OF LEADERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
SIR DAVID PAID A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO SIR RUN RUN WHO, OVER THE YEARS, HAD CONTRIBUTED GENEROUSLY TO THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE ARTS, AND HAD DEVOTED MUCH OF THE TIME TO OTHER CHARITABLE INITIATIVES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.
"I ALSO WISH TO CONGRATULATE THE CITY POLYTECHNIC FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE LAST SIX YEARS AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ITS GRADUATES SERVING HONG KONG IN YEARS TO COME," HE SAID.
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PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE NATIONALITY SCHEME AFTER EASTER
*♦»♦***
THE SCHEME TO GIVE 50,000 HONG KONG FAMILIES BRITISH NATIONALITY WILL BE DEBATED IN PARLIAMENT SOON AFTER EASTER, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE NAMING CEREMONY OF RUN RUN SHAW LIBRARY OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD DISCUSSED THE WHOLE QUESTION WITH THE BRITISH HOME OFFICE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, MR PETER LLOYD, THIS MORNING.
/"HE CONFIRMED ......
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
- 3 -
"HE CONFIRMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO GO AHEAD WITH THE SCHEME THAT IT WILL BE DEBATED IN PARLIAMENT SOON AFTER EASTER AND WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE MINISTERS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE IT THROUGH PARLIAMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED IF THERE HAS BEEN A DELAY IN TABLING THE BILL IN PARLIAMENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID: "I DON’T THINK THERE IS EVER A CHANCE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE DEBATED BEFORE EASTER. IT COULD BE TABLED STILL BEFORE EASTER BUT THE EARLIEST TIME IT CAN BE DEBATED IS AFTER EASTER. SO THERE IS NO QUESTION OF DELAY'."
REPLYING TO ANOTHER QUESTION, SIR DAVID SAID IT REMAINED THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION THAT WE HAD NO INTENTION OF ALLOWING HONG KONG TO BE USED AS A BASE FOR SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITY AGAINST CHINA.
"NEVERTHELESS THE FREEDOMS WHICH ARE SO INHERENT TO HONG KONG AND ITS WAY OF LIFE WILL BE PRESERVED," HE ADDED.
ASKED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION TO ALLAY CHINA’S FEAR, SIR DAVID SAID HE DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY AS WE HAD MADE OUR POSITION VERY CLEAR. A NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE PAST.
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HK COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION SET UP ******
A HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (HKCPEC) HAS BEEN SET UP TO ADVISE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC) AND TO CO-ORDINATE HONG KONG’S INPUT TO THE CONFERENCE.
SPEAKING AFTER THE FIRST MEETING OF THE HKCPEC TODAY (MONDAY), THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR JOSEPH WONG WING-PING, SAID HONG KONG SUBSCRIBED FULLY TO THE PECC OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AMONG THE ECONOMIES IN THE PACIFIC REGION SO AS TO BRING ABOUT GREATER ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE REGION.
"THE COMMITTEE HAS AGREED THAT IT SHOULD PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PECC AND TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TOWARDS ATTAINING THIS OBJECTIVE," MR WONG SAID.
"AS THE 11TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD, A STAUNCH FREE TRADER, A SEPARATE CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, ' AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE REGIONAL ECONOMY, WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE A CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE AND A ROLE TO PLAY IN REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION," HE ADDED.
/MR WONG .......
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
MR WONG SAID HONG KONG HAD PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES OF PECC AND ATTENDED AS AN OBSERVER AT THE SEVENTH GENERAL MEETING OF THE ORGANISATION IN AUCKLAND LAST NOVEMBER.
THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE IS APPOINTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, AND STRUCTURED ON A TRIPARTITE BASIS, COMPRISING LEADING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC SECTORS AND FROM WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT.
PARTICIPATING FROM THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR ARE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOSEPH WONG WING-PING, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE; THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR TANG KWONG-YIU; AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG KIN-CHUNG.
MEMBERS FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR ARE MR PAUL CHENG, DIRECTOR OF INCHCAPE PACIFIC LTD; DR RAYMOND CHIEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LAM SOON HONG KONG GROUP; MR EDWARD LEUNG, CHIEF ECONOMIST OF STANDARD CHARTERED BANK; AND MRS ELEANOR LING, DIRECTOR OF JARDINE PACIFIC LTD.
MEMBERS FROM THE ACADEMIC SECTOR ARE PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE OF ASIAN STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; DR LIU PAK-WAI, SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; AND PROFESSOR YEUNG YUE-MAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
PECC IS A NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION SET UP IN 1980 COMPRISING 15 MEMBER COMMITTEES FROM AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI, CANADA, CHINA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN (STYLED AS CHINESE-TAIPEI), THAILAND AND THE USA.
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COMPUTERISED ACCESS CONTROL TO BE INSTALLED AT AIRPORT CARPARKS
* » * * *
THE FIVE CARPARKS SERVING THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL SHORTLY BE GREATLY IMPROVED AS A RESULT OF THE INSTALLATION OF COMPUTERISED ACCESS CONTROL AND FEE COMPUTING EQUIPMENT.
THIS IS PART OF AN AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND A PRIVATE CARPARK MANAGEMENT COMPANY TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION AND EFFICIENCY OF THE CARPARKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT AS A RESULT OF A PUBLIC TENDER EXERCISE, WILSON PARKING (HONG KONG) LTD HAD BEEN SELECTED TO MANAGE THE CARPARKS FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM COMMENCING APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
/THE SPOKESMAN ........
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
- 5
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER HAD BEEN CHOSEN ON THE BASIS OF ITS MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS.
UNDER THE TERMS OF AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY WILL INSTALL COMPUTERISED ACCESS CONTROL AND FEE COMPUTING EQUIPMENT AT ALL CARPARKS. THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WILL PAY A MONTHLY MANAGEMENT FEE IN REIMBURSEMENT OF OPERATIONAL AND EQUIPMENT EXPENSES.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE ALL REVENUE FROM THE OPERATION OF THE CARPARKS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SETTING OF CAR PARKING CHARGES AT THE FIVE CARPARKS," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
"THE CARPARKS AT THE AIRPORT WILL STILL REMAIN UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT.
"THEY WILL SIMPLY BE OPERATED ON OUR BEHALF WITH A BETTER SERVICE AND AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT BEING PROVIDED," HE ADDED.
THE FIVE CARPARKS ARE THE MULTI-STOREY CARPARK SERVING THE PASSENGER TERMINAL, A LARGE OPEN-AIR CARPARK IN CONCORDE ROAD AND THREE CARPARKS IN CARGO CIRCUIT SERVING THE AIR CARGO TERMINAL.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP PROBATIONERS ♦ ♦ ♦ t t
RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS.
A SPOKESMAN OF SWD SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SCHEME WAS SET UP IN 1976 TO PROMOTE THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN HELPING OFFENDERS.
’’THE VOLUNTEERS ARE EXPECTED TO ASSIST PROBATIONERS IN ACTIVITIES WHICH REQUIRE NO PROFESSIONAL SKILLS,” HE SAID.
"THE RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDES HELPING PROBATIONERS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SCHOOL WORK, GUIDING THEM IN THE PROPER USE OF LEISURE TIME AND DIRECTING THEIR INTEREST INTO WHOLESOME SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING FRIENDSHIP ESPECIALLY TO PROBATIONERS WITHOUT FAMILY SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE, AS WELL AS SHARING WITH THEM PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE."
THE VOLUNTEERS SHOULD PREFERABLY BE AGED 21 OR ABOVE, OF SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION STANDARD, MATURE IN PERSONALITY AND WILLING TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH LAW OFFENDERS.
THEY SHOULD ALSO BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THEIR LEISURE TIME TO SERVE OTHERS WITHOUT MONETARY REWARD.
/•'NEWLY RECRUITED.......
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
- 6
"NEWLY RECRUITED VOLUNTEERS WILL BE GIVEN A TRAINING AND ORIENTATION COURSE BEFORE STARTING THEIR SERVICES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO TAKE OVER THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROBATION OFFICERS," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THE PERIOD OF SERVICE IS NORMALLY SIX MONTHS SUBJECT TO EXTENSION, HE SAID A VOLUNTEER WHO HAS SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED THE SIX-MONTH ASSIGNMENT WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION AT AN ANNUAL CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
FORMER PARTICIPANTS OF THE SCHEME ARE WELCOMED TO APPLY AGAIN.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT PROBATION OFFICES ATTACHED TO MAGISTRACIES AND THE CENTRE FOR THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE VSP CENTRE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 19.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE TO MISS CHENG WING-SEUNG ON TEL. 895 4190.
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SURVEY ON MOTORISTS’ CHOICE OF ROUTEING
* * * * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN THIS WEEK A MONTH-LONG SURVEY ON MOTORISTS’ CHOICE OF ROUTEING IN MAKING THEIR JOURNEYS.
MOTORISTS ARE REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEY WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM THURSDAY (MARCH 22) TO APRIL 18 ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
A HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) SAID SURVEY CHECK POINTS WOULD BE SET UP AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS INCLUDING POK FU LAM ROAD, WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD, AND THE TOLL PLAZA OF ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
"WHEN VEHICLES ARE REQUESTED TO STOP AT THE CHECK POINTS, DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS (IN THE CASE OF A TAXI) WILL BE REQUESTED TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS ON AN ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY BASIS REGARDING THE ORIGIN, DESTINATION AND PURPOSE OF THEIR JOURNEYS.
"NO PERSONAL PARTICULARS WILL BE ASKED. EACH INTERVIEW WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN A MUNUTE OR SO," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SIGNS WOULD BE ERECTED AT THE CHECK POINTS TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
7
TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ * * ♦ ♦
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ON THE WHITE PAPER "MOVING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY", AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
DISCUSSION WILL FOCUS ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE WHITE PAPER ON THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE TRANSPORT POLICY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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WAN CHAI TRAFFIC STUDY COMMISSIONED *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A DISTRICT-WIDE TRANSPORT STUDY IN WAN CHAI WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF DETERMINING IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES.
THE $3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR PANG HAU-CHUNG, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF MVA CONSULTANCY.
THE STUDY COVERS THE WHOLE OF WAN CHAI WHICH EXTENDS FROM QUEENSWAY TO LAI TAK.CHUEN AND FROM THE HARBOUR COASTLINE TO WONG NAI CHUNG GAP. IT WILL COMMENCE NEXT MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES WILL COVER NEW TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATIONS.
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MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
8
ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS *****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN TAIKOO SHING SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE ON ROOFS B, C, E, AND F OF LOONG SHAN MANSION, KAO SHAN TERRACE, 21 TAIKOO SHING ROAD.
THE CLOSURE FORMS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN MARCH LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING WORKS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 3 WERE POSTED ON CONSPICUOUS PARTS OF THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE MADE.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * * t
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 39.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 230.632 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 203.130 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 34.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 21) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT CERTAIN PREMISES BOUNDED BY TAI PO ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, WOH CHAI STREET AND PAK TIN STREET, INCLUDING NOS. 180-230 TAI PO ROAD, NOS. 203-213 NAM CHEONG STREET, NOS. 43-61 BERWICK STREET, NOS. 134-138 AND 197-209 PEI HO STREET, AND BLOCKS 25-44 AND MEI HO HOUSE OF SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
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/9 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1990
9
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TSIM SHA TSUI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE DEMOLITION OF A FOOTBRIDGE IN KOWLOON PARK DRIVE, TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 21) FOR TWO NIGHTS.
THEY ARE KOWLOON PARK DRIVE BETWEEN SUN PLAZA AND CANTON ROAD; AND PEKING ROAD BETWEEN ASHLEY ROAD AND KOWLOON PARK DRIVE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON PEKING ROAD HEADING FOR CANTON ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KOWLOON PARK DRIVE SOUTHBOUND, SALISBURY ROAD EASTBOUND, CHATHAM ROAD NORTHBOUND, AUSTIN ROAD WESTBOUND WHILE THOSE HEADING FOR SALISBURY ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE CANTON ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNITY-WIDE ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE ........................ 1
ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN BUILDINGS TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION PAPER ......................... 3
LAND COMMISSION MEETING ............................................................ 3
11 QUESTIONS, SEVEN BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA .......................................... 4
DATE FIXED FOR HEARING OF WINDING-UP PETITIONS ..................................... 4
LADY WILSON VISITS KOWLOON SCHOOLS ................................................. 5
DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS BRIEFED ON DB'S WORK ........................................ 5
DB TO DISCUSS CENTRAL-WAN CHAI RECLAMATION STUDY ................................... 6
PROPOSED KCRC CONSULTATIVE BODY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ............................. 7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS GUESTHOUSE LICENSING PROPOSAL .............................. 7
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ......................................... 8
TENDERS INVITED FOR WATERMAINS LAYING IN TUEN MUN .................................. 8
OCT-DEC REPORT ON GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON SALE ................................. 9
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ................................................. 9
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HO MAN TIN ...................................... 10
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TAI PO ROAD.............................................. 10
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
1
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNITY-WIDE ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE *******
THE GOVERNMENT IS SETTING UP A JOINT PROJECT WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PHASE OF PREPARATION FOR A COMMUNITYWIDE ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) SERVICE FOR HONG KONG.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOSEPH WONG WING-PING, ANNOUNCED THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY).
CHRISTENED SPEDI - SHARED PROJECT FOR EDI - THE INITIATIVE WILL BE JOINTLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND TRADELINK, A GROUPING OF 11 OF HONG KONG’S LEADING BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS.
THE GROUPING FIRST PROPOSED THE CONCEPT OF A COMMUNITY EDI SERVICE IN NOVEMBER 1987, AND HAS SINCE UNDERTAKEN A MAJOR, GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED CONSULTANCY STUDY AS WELL AS AN EXTENSIVE EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN ON EDI.
THE PROJECT WILL COST $9 MILLION AND WILL BE EQUALLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND TRADELINK.
POPULARLY PROMOTED AS "PAPERLESS TRADING", THE APPLICATION OF EDI IN BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS ENVISAGES THE COMPUTER-TO-COMPUTER TRANSFER OF BUSINESS DATA IN SUCH A WAY THAT EACH TRANSACTION IN THE TRADING CYCLE - FOR EXAMPLE ORDERING, INVOICING, EXPORT LICENSING, SHIPPING AND TRADE PAYMENTS - CAN BE COMPLETED ALMOST INSTANTLY, AND WITH A MINIMUM OF HUMAN INTERVENTION.
EDI IS FAST BECOMING THE EXPECTED WAY OF DOING BUSINESS IN MANY PARTS OF THE USA AND EUROPE WHILE IN ASIA COUNTRIES SUCH AS SINGAPORE AND KOREA HAVE ALREADY EMBARKED ON COMMUNITY EDI PROJECTS TO ENHANCE THEIR FUTURE COMPETITIVENESS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
"THE PROJECT UNDERLINES GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TAKE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EDI SERVICE IN HONG KONG ANOTHER STEP FORWARD," MR WONG SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS STILL KEEPING ALL OPTIONS OPEN AND THE JOINT PROJECT DID NOT IMPLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD COMMITTED ITSELF AT THIS STAGE TO ANY PARTICULAR MODEL FOR THE PROVISION OF THE EDI FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP A DETAILED BUSINESS PROPOSAL AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SHARED EDI FACILITIES, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO AN INITIAL EDI SERVICE CENTRED AROUND A CAREFULLY SELECTED GROUP OF GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INVESTIGATE LOW-COST METHODS OF ACCESSING EDI SERVICES," HE SAID.
THE PROJECT WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
/"WE BELIEVE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
- 2 -
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE OUTCOME OF THE PROJECT SHOULD PROVIDE GOVERNMENT WITH A BASIS FOR DECIDING THE SCOPE OF ANY SHARED EDI FACILITIES, WHO SHOULD BUILD AND DEVELOP SUCH A SERVICE, WHO SHOULD MANAGE IT AND HOW IT SHOULD BE REGULATED," MR WONG ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE CHAIRMAN OF TRADELINK, MR ANTHONY CHARTER, WELCOMED THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNOUNCEMENT AS "RECOGNITION OF OUR LONG-HELD VIEW THAT EDI IS SO' IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE THAT NEITHER TIME NOR PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS ALLOW IT TO BE LEFT TO MARKET FORCES TO DEVELOP".
"THE BENEFIT OF EDI EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD HAS SHOWN US THAT A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR HONG KONG," MR CHARTER SAID.
"TRADELINK REPRESENTS A BROAD SPECTRUM OF BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS WITH MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE HONG KONG MANUFACTURING, IMPORT/EXPORT, TRANSPORTATION AND BANKING ENVIRONMENTS.
"I BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS ENSURING THAT THE EDI FACILITIES OFFERED IN HONG KONG MEET THE FUTURE NEEDS OF BOTH THE LARGE COMPANIES LIKE OURSELVES, AND THE SMALLER ONES WHO ARE OUR CUSTOMERS."
THROUGH SPEDI, TRADELINK’S "GROUND BREAKING" WORK ON DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG EDI MESSAGES WILL CONTINUE - ANOTHER VITAL PART OF PREPARING FOR EDI IMPLEMENTATION. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW PARTICIPATING IN MESSAGE DEVELOPMENT WORK.
MR CHARTER SAID THE MOST IMMEDIATE AND IMPORTANT ASPECT OF TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARATION OF ITS COMMITMENT TO MOVING AHEAD ON EDI IN HONG KONG.
"MANY COMPANIES HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO PREPARE FOR EDI BECAUSE THEY WERE UNCERTAIN OF THE DIRECTION HONG KONG WOULD TAKE, OR WHETHER THERE WOULD BE CONSENSUS ON USING INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS UNLESS GOVERNMENT TOOK THE LEAD.
"I HOPE TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE THE SPUR TO LOCAL BUSINESSES TO THINK ABOUT THEIR FUTURE AND START PLANNING NOW FOR EDI," HE SAID.
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/3 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
3
ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN BUILDINGS TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION PAPER ******
ENERGY CONSUMPTION TN BUILDINGS HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE FIRST TOPIC FOR A NUMBER OF DISCUSSION PAPERS TO BE PRODUCED BY THE PROPERTY DIVISION OF FINANCE BRANCH, WHICH WOULD BECOME THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY ON APRIL 1.
EXPLAINING THE OBJECTIVE BEHIND SUCH PUBLICATIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS STEMMED FROM THE AWARENESS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S NEED TO OBTAIN THE BEST POSSIBLE VALUE FROM THE RESOURCES IT CONSUMES THROUGH ITS VAST ESTATE.
ENTITLED "AN ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAMME- FOR HONG KONG BUILDINGS", THE PAMPHLET RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) ADDRESSES ONE OF THE MAJOR AREAS OF EXPENDITURE THAT MAY OFFER OPPORTUNITIES IN THIS RESPECT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PAMPHLET DISCUSSES THE HONG KONG SITUATION WITHIN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT AND IDENTIFIES THE KEY AREAS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN RESPECT OF PLANNED AND EXISTING BUILDINGS.
IT ALSO RECOMMENDED STEPS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN IN ORDER TO CREATE AN ENERGY CONSCIOUS ENVIRONMENT WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.
"THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PAMPHLET HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPERTY WORKING GROUP AND WILL BE PUT INTO IMMEDIATE EFFECT,” THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE CONTACT FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES IS MR KEITHR. ROPER, CHIEF PROPERTY MANAGER, PROPERTY DIVISION, FINANCE BRANCH. HE CAN BE REACHED ON TEL. 523 4610.
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LAND COMMISSION MEETING
*****
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SI NO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S NINETEENTH MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 22, 1990 AT 9.30 AM. THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS THE 1990-91 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME.
/4 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
4
11 QUESTIONS, SEVEN BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 11 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SEVEN BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY ARE THE PRIVATE BILLS BILL 1990, BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990, COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990, AND EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
SECOND READING DEBATES ON THE PROTECTION OF NON-GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION BILL 1990 AND ELECTRICITY BILL 1989 WILL RESUME. WHEN THESE ARE COMPLETED, EACH BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE AND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY, AND THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
DATE FIXED FOR HEARING OF WTNDING-UP PETITIONS
*****
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, SAID THE COURT HAD YESTERDAY (MONDAY) FIXED APRIL 19, 1990 FOR THE FINAL HEARING OF THE AUTHORITY’S PETITIONS FOR THE WINDING-UP OF GRAND UNION LIFE ASSURANCE LIMITED AND HANG LUNG INSURANCE LIMITED.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE AFFAIRS OF BOTH COMPANIES CONTINUED TO BE MANAGED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR.
MR GLEESON ADDED THAT, PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE FINAL HEARING, THE COURT APPROVED A PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT WHICH THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER HAD ENTERED INTO WITH A PROSPECTIVE BUYER FOR THE SALE OF THE TWO INSURANCE BUSINESSES.
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR WAS CONTINUING WITH THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR BRINGING THE SALE OF THE BUSINESSES TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION, MR GLEESON SAID.
HE ADVISED POLICY HOLDERS OF BOTH COMPANIES THAT THEIR INTERESTS WERE BEST SERVED BY CONTINUING TO PAY THEIR PREMIUMS TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER SO AS TO KEEP THEIR POLICIES IN FORCE.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, MARCH 20,
1990
5
LADY WILSON VISITS KOWLOON SCHOOLS *♦♦♦♦♦
THE LESS FORMAL, PUPIL-ORIENTED ACTIVITY APPROACH HAS BEEN ADOPTED AS EARLY AS 1977 BY THE FARM ROAD GOVERNMENT PRIMARY AM SCHOOL, LADY WILSON WAS TOLD THIS WHEN SHE VISTIED THE SCHOOL TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE SCHOOL, WHICH OPENED IN 1956, HAS FACILITIES WHICH CANNOT COMPARE FAVOURABLY WITH THOSE OF A MODERN STANDARD PRIMARY SCHOOL.
BUT WHILE THE SCHOOL’S FACILITIES WERE NOT IMPRESSIVE, ITS ACADEMIC STANDARDS CERTAINLY WERE AND, IN THE ALLOCATION OF DISCRETIONARY PLACES, APPLICATIONS FAR EXCEEDED THE NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE.
THIS, LADY WILSON NOTED, REFLECTED THE SCHOOL’S POPULARITY.
THE PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KOWLOON CITY HAS 24 PRIMARY 1 TO 6 CLASSES ATTENDED BY 873 PUPILS.
LADY WILSON ALSO VISITED THE SING YIN SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH 1,166 STUDENTS ATTENDING 29 SECONDARY 1 TO 7 CLASSES.
STUDENTS AT THE LAM TIN SCHOOL, KWUN TONG, ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND VOLUNTARY SERVICE SUCH AS HELPING THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN OF THE MORNINGHILL SCHOOL AND ASSISTING SCHOOLMATES UNDER THE PRIVATE STUDY SCHEME.
COMPUTER EDUCATION IS STRONGLY PROMOTED WITHIN THE SCHOOL, WHICH OPENED IN 1970.
COMPUTER STUDIES WAS FIRST INTRODUCED INTO THE CURRICULUM IN SEPTEMBER 1984 FOR SECONDARY 4 CLASSES, NOW EXTENDED TO SECONDARY 5, AND COMPUTER LITERACY IS OFFERED TO ALL SECONDARY 1 TO 3 STUDENTS.
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DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS BRIEFED ON DB’S WORK ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TONIGHT (TUESDAY) CALLED ON TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO HELP DEVELOP THE DISTRICT INTO AN EVEN MORE PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE WHERE MEMBERS OF RURAL COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WERE BRIEFED ON THE DB’S WORK IN THE PAST YEAR.
/MR HSU ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
6
MR HSU THANKED LOCAL RESIDENTS FOR THEIR STAUNCH SUPPORT TO THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
’’THIS INDICATES THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN TSUEN WAN HAS BEEN A SUCCESS,” HE SAID.
HE LATER PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARDS TO RESIDENTS WHO HAD HELPED ORGANISE ACTIVITIES LAST YEAR.
THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, ALSO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE ARTS AND SPORTS NURTURE SCHEME.
DB TO DISCUSS CENTRAL-WAN CHAI RECLAMATION STUDY ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION FEASIBILITY STUDY AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (MARCH 22).
MEMBERS WILL COMMENT ON THE METROPLAN, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE PROPOSALS AFFECTING THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE BUDGET FOR 1990-91.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE GRANTING BY THE GOVERNMENT OF A PERMANENT TENANCY AGREEMENT TO HONG KONG TRAMWAYS LTD FOR THE COMPANY’S DEPOT ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION.
A MEMBER IS EXPECTED TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO SHELVE THE PLAN, RECOMMENDED BY THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY, FOR A RAIL LINK CONNECTING THE NEW AIRPORT AND HONG KONG ISLAND, IN VIEW OF ANTICIPATED FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 22) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
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/7........
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
PROPOSED KCRC CONSULTATIVE BODY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA * * * * »
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL, AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), DISCUSS A PAPER, PREPARED BY THREE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION’S FARE INCREASE AND THE COMPANY’S PROPOSAL OF SETTING UP A CONSULTATIVE BODY TO CANVASS PUBLIC OPINION.
ALSO AT THE MEETING, A SENIOR LAND SURVEYOR OF THE NORTH DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICE WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROCEDURES OF NAMING STREETS IN THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL GIVE VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF A TEMPORARY FOOTPATH TO MAKE WAY FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SHEUNG SHUI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB, FANLING. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS GUESTHOUSE LICENSING PROPOSAL
******
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO LICENSE GUESTHOUSES AND SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO REFER TO THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY HOLIDAY FLATS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROPOSED MOBILE EXHIBITION OF PHOTOGRAPHS ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS UNEARTHED IN THE DISTRICT, PROGRESS ON THE PREPARATION OF TOURISTS MAP BOARDS, SANITARY CONDITIONS OF THE PUBLIC LATRINE AT MUI WO, AND THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE IN 1990-91.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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/8 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
8
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS * * * * *
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXAMINE 49 APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
IF APPROVED, THE FUNDS WOULD BE USED TO FINANCE CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT WITHIN THIS YEAR.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING THE FIRST MUSIC CARNIVAL IN THE DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE SIXTH VETTING REPORT OF THE DB SECRETARY WHICH RECOMMENDED A SUM OF ABOUT $20,000 BE APPROVED FOR ORGANISING PICNICS AND VISITS FOR RESIDENTS IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR WATERMAINS LAYING IN TUEN MUN
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE LAYING OF FRESH AND SALT WATERMAINS ALONG THE PROPOSED ROAD Bl IN SO KWUN WAT, TUEN MUN.
THE MAINLAYING IS PART OF A WATER SUPPLY IMPROVEMENT SCHEME TO THE EASTERN TUEN MUN AREA.
THE TOTAL LENGTH OF THE MAINS IS ABOUT 2,200 METRES WITH DIAMETERS RANGING FROM 150 MM TO 900 MM. THE MAINLAYING WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ROADWORKS.
MAINLAYING WORK, WHICH IS PART OF TUEN MUN WATER SUPPLY STAGE II PHASE 11A, IS SCHEDULED TO START IN JUNE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST 1 GROUP A, B OR C FOR WATERWORKS WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, APRIL 6.
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/9 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 20,
1990
- 9 -
OCT-DEC REPORT ON GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON SALE
*****
THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1989, CONTAINING STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE QUARTER, IS NOW AVAILABLE.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, INCLUDING THEIR AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT AT $10 EACH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
-----2 0 - - - -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (MARCH 24) AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL. THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOP BIDDING. THEY ARE:
EE 8288 CX 1 EE 163 EE 1133
EE 7008 EE 633 EE 6628 EE 2229
EB 5 EE 2628 AR 778 EE 1005
EE 6318 EE 1233 EE 222 EE 964
EF 400 2856 EE 119 9915
EE 1698 EE 869 EE 811 EE 1102
314 EE 9899 EB 6 CC 314
BR 711 EE 6326 EE 629 EE 9007
AS 2352 EE 923 ED 9239 EE 449
EE 369 EE 88 EE 822 EE 6616
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
/THE CERTIFICATE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1990
10 -
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 AUCTION WILL BE THE 148TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN HO MAN TIN ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN HO MAN TIN TO FACILITATE URGENT REPAIR WORKS CAUSED BY A WATERMAIN BURST AT THE JUNCTION OF FAT KWONG STREET AND SHEUNG SHING STREET.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
THE RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT FROM SHEUNG SHING STREET SOUTHBOUND ONTO FAT KWONG STREET WESTBOUND AND THE RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT FROM FAT KWONG STREET WESTBOUND ONTO SHEUNG SHING STREET NORTHBOUND ARE NOW BANNED.
KOWLOON MOTOR BUS ROUTE 17 ON JOURNEYS TO KWUN TONG (YUET WAH STREET) IS DIVERTED AT FAT KWONG STREET TO OPERATE VIA PUI CHING ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, ARGYLE STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST BEFORE RESUMING ITS NORMAL ROUTEING.
KMB ROUTES 7B, 8 AND 18 ARE DIVERTED AT FAT KWONG STREET WESTBOUND TO OPERATE VIA PUI CHING ROAD INSTEAD OF SHEUNG FOO STREET, SHEUNG SHING STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND PUI CHING ROAD BEFORE RESUMING ITS NORMAL ROUTEING.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TAI PO ROAD ♦ * * » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, ABOUT 250 METRES OF THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF TAI PO ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 22) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
CS ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF EXPANDED LEGISLATURE FOR 1991 .......................... 1
PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON ELECTRICITY BILL'S PROVISIONS ............................ 6
SEM RESPONDS TO OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE'S CONCERNS ............................. 7
CALL FOR PROPER ACCREDITATION OF OLI COURSES ................................... 8
TIMELY TO AMEND PROVISIONS IN EDUCATION ORDINANCE: SEM ........................ 10
NEW SYSTEM OF KEEPING COMPANY DOCUMENTS ON MICROFILM .......................... 13
BANKING AMENDMENT BILL INTRODUCED ............................................. 14
BILL SETS FEE FOR BILINGUAL PRIVATE BILLS ..................................... 16
TRANSFER OF STATUTORY FUNCTIONS ............................................... 17
FIXED PENALTY FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING OFFENCE ................................. 18
INCREASED LEGAL AID FEES APPROVED ............................................. 18
MORE POWER FOR CONSUMER COUNCIL URGED ......................................... 19
MORE STRINGENT CONTROL ON GAME CENTRES PROPOSED ............................... 20
SPIRIT OF LANGUAGES ORDINANCE FOLLOWED ........................................ 21
TEACHERS' PROVIDENT FUNDS WELL MANAGED ........................................ 21
INCREASE IN OFFICE AREA LIMIT UNLIKELY ........................................ 23
NEW VISA ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAIWANESE VISITORS SOON ............................. 24
ACTION IN HAND TO TACKLE BEDSPACE APARTMENT PROBLEMS .......................... 24
RATE OF INFLATION EXPECTED TO FALL GRADUALLY .................................. 26
/LIGHT RAIL .......
LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM FOR HK ISLAND BEING ASSESSED................................ 27
SPECIAL EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOTE ............................. 28
PROVISION OF ESCALATOR LINK HAS TO BE JUSTIFIED .............................. 29
REVIEW OF PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME SCHEDULED FOR MID-1990 ....................... 29
THREE BILLS PASSED............................................................ 30
1991 ELECTIONS AND COMPOSITION OF LEGCO......................................... 31
EXCO APPROVES NEW TUNNEL TOLLS ................................................. 34
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOUSING FOR ELDERLY .................................... 35
DB COMMITTEE TO REVIEW PROGRESS OF PROJECTS .................................... 36
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR VISITS ELECTRONICS FACTORY ............................. 37
AIDS EXHIBITION IN TAI PO ...................................................... 37
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ..................................................... 38
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES REMOVED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT ....................... 39
NINE Il'S ARRESTED ............................................................. 39
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED........................................................ 40
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ....................................... 40
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT................................................ 41
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF AIRPORT EAST FLYOVER ...................................... 41
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG ................................................... 42
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
42
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
1
CS ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF EXPANDED LEGISLATURE FOR 1991 *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DETAILS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S NEXT STEPS TOWARDS A MORE DIRECTLY REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY ANNOUNCED THAT THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991 WOULD BE INCREASED FROM THE 10 PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE 1988 WHITE PAPER TO 18.
"IN CONSIDERING THE COMPOSITION OF THE REST OF THIS COUNCIL, THE CHALLENGE TO US HAS BEEN TO SET IN TRAIN A PROCESS OF REFORM WHICH WILL TAKE US SMOOTHLY THROUGH THE TRANSITION YEARS," HE ADDED.
FURTHER CHANGES PROPOSED ARE:
A) TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS FROM 14 TO 21;
B) TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS FROM 20 TO 17;
C) TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COUNCIL ALL OFFICIAL MEMBERS
EXCEPT THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS AND;
D) TO APPOINT A NON-OFFICIAL MEMBER AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL.
AS REGARDS THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE IN THIS LATEST STAGE OF REFORM HAD BEEN TO BROADEN THE BASE OF REPRESENTATION BY FUNCTIONAL GROUPS.
"IN 1995, WE WILL CONTINUE THIS PROCESS SO THAT THE BROADEST SPECTRUM OF INTERESTS CAN BE SEPARATELY IDENTIFIED IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THIS COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
THE SEVEN NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE:
THE URBAN COUNCIL;
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL;
RURAL INTERESTS - REPRESENTED BY THE HEUNG YEE KUK;
TOURISM;
FINANCIAL SERVICES - COMPRISING STOCKBROKING, COMMODITIES AND FUTURES TRADING, THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE AND THE INSURANCE SECTOR;
/THE CONSTRUCTION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
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THE CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRIES; AND
ENGINEERING, WHICH WILL BE SEPARATED FROM AN EXISTING CONSTITUENCY.
"IN ADDITION, THE EXISTING FINANCE CONSTITUENCY IS TO BE EXPANDED BY THE ADDITION OF BOTH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED THAT INEVITABLY, THERE WOULD BE SOME GROUPS WHICH FELT THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN DISTINCT REPRESENTATION AND WHO HAD NOT BEEN SO IDENTIFIED THIS TIME.
"FURTHER THOUGHT WILL BE GIVEN TO THEM IN CONSIDERING OUR NEXT STEP, IN 1995, WHEN THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IS TO BE INCREASED TO 30, OR FULLY ONE HALF OF THIS COUNCIL," HE SAID.
"IN THIS CONTEXT, I THINK IT IS WORTHWHILE NOTING THE GENERAL DIFFICULTY OF IDENTIFYING THE ELECTORATES FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. OUR AIM IN THESE TRANSITION YEARS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY’S INTERESTS ARE PROPERLY REPRESENTED, BOTH GEOGRAPHICALLY AND BY OCCUPATION," THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THAT DEFINITION AND REGISTRATION OF THE ELECTORATE FOR THE FORMER WAS RELATIVELY EASY, FOR THE LATTER LESS SO EVEN WHEN THE FUNCTION ITSELF WAS READILY IDENTIFIABLE.
CITING TOURISM AS A USEFUL ILLUSTRATION, SIR DAVID SAID: "ALL ARE AGREED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS SECTOR TO THE ECONOMY AND THE DESIRABILITY OF ITS INTERESTS BEING REPRESENTED ON THIS COUNCIL."
"IDENTIFYING AN ELECTORATE WITHOUT DUPLICATION OF INTEREST PROVED RATHER MORE DIFFICULT, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE NOW ARRIVED AT A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID IN 1995, THE KEY FACTOR IN BROADENING AND REFINING THE SYSTEM WOULD BE THE SATISFACTORY IDENTIFICATION OF AN UNAMBIGUOUS ELECTORATE FOR OTHER CONSTITUENCIES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED.
"WE WILL BE LOOKING, FOR EXAMPLE, TO DEFINE A CONSTITUENCY TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE RETAIL TRADE. WE HOPE THAT MEMBERS OF THIS AND OTHER POTENTIAL GROUPS WILL ORGANISE THEMSELVES IN SUCH A WAY AS TO FACILITATE DEFINITION OF THAT CONSTITUENCY," SIR DAVID SAID.
FROM OCTOBER 1991 THE ONLY OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PROPOSING ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL ALLOW BRANCH SECRETARIES TO ATTEND BEFORE THE COUNCIL BY INVITATION BUT WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
/"THIS WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
3 -
’’THIS WILL ALLOW GREATER FLEXIBILITY, IN THAT THE SECRETARY DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A PARTICULAR SUBJECT WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND BEFORE COUNCIL TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION AND TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS. THE LATTER, WE FEEL CERTAIN, WILL BE A DISTINCT IMPROVEMENT OVER PRESENT PRACTICE.
"IT WILL ALSO HELP PREPARE US FOR THE POSITION AFTER 1997 WHEN ALL OFFICIALS WILL HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THIS COUNCIL AND WILL SIT ONLY IN ATTENDANCE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THESE CHANGES, TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS TO 17, WOULD PRODUCE A COUNCIL OF 60 MEMBERS, COMPRISING THREE ROUGHLY EQUAL PARTS: DIRECTLY ELECTED, FUNCTIONAL AND APPOINTED.
IN 1995, THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE ELECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FROM AMONG THEMSELVES.
"THE INDIVIDUAL CHOSEN, ONCE HE TAKES OFFICE, WILL BE OBLIGED TO BE COMPLETELY NEUTRAL IN HIS DEALINGS WITH ALL MEMBERS. TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THIS CHANGE, WE HAVE DECIDED TO APPOINT A DEPUTY PRESIDENT TO COUNCIL TO PRESIDE OVER SOME OF ITS MEETINGS," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR INTENDED TO APPOINT TO THIS OFFICE SOMEONE WHO HAD BROAD EXPERIENCE OF THE WORKINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT THIS CHANGE BE INTRODUCED GRADUALLY. THE GOVERNOR WILL ATTEND IMPORTANT MEETINGS, SUCH AS THOSE ON THE BUDGET, AND THE TRADITION OF THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS TO COUNCIL WILL OF COURSE BE CONTINUED," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MUCH DEBATE ABOUT THE TYPE OF CONSTITUENCIES TO BE USED IN THE ELECTIONS, WITH SOME FAVOURING SINGLE SEAT, SOME DOUBLE SEAT AND OTHERS REGIONAL, MULTI-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES.
"WE HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE NINE DOUBLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES, KEEPING CLOSELY TO THE DISTRICT BOARD BOUNDARIES," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL REASONS BEHIND THIS. "FIRST WE WANT TO BUILD ON THE SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY, WHILE PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATION ACROSS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WITHOUT FAVOURING ANY PARTICULAR GROUP."
"SECONDLY, THERE IS A PRACTICAL NEED TO AVOID THE DISRUPTION WHICH A CHANGE IN BOUNDARIES WOULD PRODUCE. AND THIRDLY, WE RECOGNISE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH A DYNAMIC SITUATION, IN WHICH OUR DEVELOPMENT PLANS CONTINUOUSLY CHANGE THE SHAPE OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/THE NINE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
THE NINE CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE:
HONG KONG ISLAND EAST, COMPRISING EASTERN DISTRICT AND WAN CHAI;
HONG KONG ISLAND WEST, COMPRISING CENTRAL AND WESTERN AND SOUTHERN;
KOWLOON EAST, COMPRISING KWUN TONG;
KOWLOON CENTRAL, COMPRISING WONG TAI SIN AND KOWLOON CITY;
KOWLOON WEST, COMPRISING SHAM SHUI PO, MONG KOK AND YAU TSIM;
NEW TERRITORIES NORTH, COMPRISING NORTH AND TAI PO;
NT EAST, COMPRISING SHA TIN AND SAI KUNG;
NT WEST, COMPRISING YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN; AND
NT SOUTH, COMPRISING TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING AND ISLANDS.
SIR DAVID SAID MOST PEOPLE SEEMED TO FAVOUR A SIMPLE "FIRST PAST THE POST" VOTING SYSTEM FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS, WITH EACH ELECTOR HAVING TWO VOTES, THIS WAS, ONE FOR EACH OF THE SEATS IN A CONSTITUENCY.
"THIS SYSTEM WILL BE ADOPTED FOR THE 1991 DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THIS COUNCIL. HOWEVER, THE PREFERENTIAL ELIMINATION VOTING SYSTEM, WHICH WAS USED SUCCESSFULLY IN THE 1988 INDIRECT ELECTIONS, WILL BE RETAINED FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES," HE SAID.
REGISTERED ELECTORS WOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS AND, WHERE QUALIFIED, IN A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
TURNING TO THE VOTING AGE, SIR DAVID SAID: "WHEN WE LAST CANVASSED PUBLIC OPINION ON THIS QUESTION IN 1987, THE RESPONSE WAS A RESOUNDINGLY CONSERVATIVE ONE; THAT WE SHOULD KEEP IT AT 21. THE ARGUMENTS ARE FINELY BALANCED."
"YOUNG PEOPLE NOW MATURE EARLIER. THIS HAS BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, AND WE ARE ALREADY MOVING TO BRING THE AGE OF MAJORITY FOR SOME OTHER PRACTICAL MATTERS DOWN TO 18.
"ALSO WE WOULD LIKE TO DEVELOP A GREATER SENSE OF INVOLVEMENT AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THEIR AFFAIRS. AGAINST THESE WE HAVE WEIGHED THE VERY MAJOR CHANGES ALREADY PROPOSED FOR 1991 AND THE NEED TO HASTEN CAUTIOUSLY," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IN ADDITION, EXPERIENCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION SO FAR SUGGESTS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LESS PREPARED TO COME FORWARD AS VOTERS. WE HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED FOR THE PRESENT TO MAINTAIN THE VOTING AGE AT 21, BUT TO CONSIDER LOWERING IT TO 18 IN 1995,” HE ADDED.
/SIR DAVID ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
5 -
SIR DAVID SAID THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ON THIS OCCASION. THIS WAS NOT A PASSIVE DECISION, HE SAID NOTING THAT ARGUMENTS HAD BEEN ADVANCED IN FAVOUR OF ALTERING THE BALANCE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND ALSO IN THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
"WE ACCEPT THAT THESE ARGUMENTS HAVE BEEN WELL MADE. OUR REASON FOR NOT PROCEEDING IS ESSENTIALLY THAT THE CHANGES PROPOSED TO THIS COUNCIL ARE ENOUGH TO DIGEST AT ONE TIME AND THAT CHANGES TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS AT THE SAME TIME MIGHT DISTRACT FROM THE FIRST DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THIS COUNCIL," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THUS, FOR THE MOMENT, THEY WILL PRESERVE THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT BY WHICH ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP IS APPOINTED. HOWEVER, WE WILL REVIEW THE SITUATION AGAIN BEFORE THE 1995 ELECTIONS, WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER CHANGES," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IN DUE COURSE TO SCRUTINISE AND DEBATE THE LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD GIVE EFFECT TO THE ARRANGEMENTS HE HAD OUTLINED TODAY.
"THE LEGISLATION WILL INCLUDE OTHER PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW INCLUDING ELECTION EXPENSES, NOMINATION PROCEDURES AND ELECTION DEPOSITS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO SET THEM IN PLACE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ALLOW THOSE WHO WISH TO STAND FOR ELECTION ADEQUATE TIME TO PREPARE THEMSELVES," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF OMELCO WHO HAD INVOLVED THEMSELVES IN DISCUSSIONS OF THESE ISSUES.
"THEIR ENTHUSIASM IN ENCOURAGING PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE PACE OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE AND THEIR PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THAT DEBATE HAVE BEEN OF ENORMOUS ASSISTANCE IN PREPARING THE WAY FORWARD," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT LOOKED FORWARD TO A WARM PUBLIC RESPONSE IN REGISTERING TO VOTE, IN PUTTING FORWARD CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION, AND IN TURNING OUT TO VOTE ON THE DAY," HE SAID.
"AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE COUNCIL WHICH CONVENES IN THIS CHAMBER IN OCTOBER 1991 WILL PROVIDE A FIRM FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BASE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM," SIR DAVID SAID.
- - 0---------
/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 6 -
PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON ELECTRICITY BILL’S PROVISIONS
******
A SUSTAINED PROGRAMME OF EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WILL BE DRAWN UP IN CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT PARTIES REGARDING THE PROVISIONS IN THE ELECTRICITY BILL 1989, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MRS CHAN SAID THE PROGRAMME WOULD ALSO COVER THE SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS WHICH WOULD EMBODY THE TECHNICAL AND DETAILED MEASURES TO GIVE FULL EFFECT TO THE BILL.
SHE SAID SHE WAS GRATEFUL TO PROF THE HON C.K. POON AND HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP FOR THEIR PAINSTAKING EXAMINATION OF THE BILL AND FOR THEIR USEFUL SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF IT.
NOTING THE AD HOC GROUP’S MAIN COMMENTS ON CERTAIN KEY PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AS HIGHLIGHTED BY PROF POON, MRS CHAN SAID, FIRSTLY, THE SUGGESTION THAT THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES SHOULD NOT BE A MEMBER OF THE DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL SHOULD, AS SHE ACCEPTED, ENHANCE THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE TRIBUNAL.
’’SECONDLY, THE PROPOSED EXEMPTION OF RESEARCH WORKERS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT IN RESPECT OF WORK DONE IN RELATION TO THEIR RESEARCH WOULD REMOVE ANY UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS ON RESEARCH ACTIVITIES WITHOUT AT THE SAME TIME INCREASING THE LEVEL OF RISK INVOLVED,” SHE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THESE AMENDMENTS, TOGETHER WITH OTHER AMENDMENTS WHICH WOULD BE MOVED DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE BY PROF POON, THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG AND THE HON MIRIAM LAU, HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT SUBSEQUENT TO THE GAZETTING OF THE BILL, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD RECEIVED FURTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS FROM VARIOUS PARTIES CONCERNED.
"IT HAS ALSO BECOME APPARENT THAT A NUMBER OF CLAUSES SHOULD BE REFINED TO PUT BEYOND DOUBT THEIR INTENDED PURPOSES," SHE SAID.
ACCORDINGLY, SHE WOULD MOVE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS IN THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
WHILST MOST OF THEM WERE TECHNICAL IN NATURE, ONE RELATED TO THE PROPOSAL FOR THE DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL AND THE APPEAL BOARD TO BE EMPOWERED TO AWARD COSTS IN RESPECT OF THEIR PROCEEDINGS.
/•'CONSISTENT WITH.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 7 -
’’CONSISTENT WITH SIMILAR PROVISIONS IN OTHER LEGISLATION, THIS AMENDMENT WILL PROVIDE THESE BODIES WITH GREATER DISCRETION IN THE HEARING OF CASES BUT THERE WILL BE SAFEGUARDS TO DISCOURAGE FRIVOLOUS ACTIONS ON THE PART OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE PROCEEDINGS,” SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID SHE WAS GRATEFUL TO THE AD HOC GROUP FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THESE AMENDMENTS.
THE BILL WAS LATER PASSED.
------0--------
SEM RESPONDS TO OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE’S CONCERNS * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, RESPONDED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) IN HAVING TO UNDERGO ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION THROUGH ITS INCLUSION IN THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION BILL 1990.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR YEUNG SAID THE IMPRESSION OF A STRAINED WORKING RELATIONSHIP MIGHT HAVE ARISEN OWING TO THIS CONCERN.
HE SAID HE WAS GLAD THERE WAS NO INHERENT DISAGREEMENT ON THE NEED FOR THE OLI TO UNDERGO ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION.
’’INDEED, THE OLI HAD AN INITIAL ACCREDITATION VISIT BY THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS LAST YEAR, HAD BUDGETTED FOR A FURTHER REVIEW THIS YEAR AND HAS INVITED THE HKCAA TO UNDERTAKE IT,” HE SAID.
’’THE OLI APPEARS TO BE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT, BY ITS INCLUSION IN THE BILL, AN INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW WILL MAKE EXTRA DEMANDS ON ITS FINANCIAL AND STAFF RESOURCES."
THIS COULD NOT BE THE CASE, HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID GIVEN THAT THE ESTIMATED COST OF AN INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW WAS LESS THAN ONE PER CENT OF THE OLI’S OPERATING BUDGET FOR 1990-91, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT FUNDING SHOULD BE NO OBSTACLE.
’’INDEED, SHOULD THE OLI GENUINELY RUN SHORT, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL WOULD BE SYMPATHETIC TO A REQUEST FOR A SUPPLEMENTARY SUBVENTION.
/'•WHILST I ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 8 -
’’WHILST I ALSO APPRECIATE THE DEMANDS ANY INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW MAKES ON A NEW INSTITUTION’S ADMINISTRATION IN THE PREPARATION OF A SUBMISSION, THIS IS A NECESSARY FACET OF ANY ACCREDITATION EXERCISE.
’’INSTITUTIONAL REVIEWS HAVE, AS ONE OBJECTIVE, TO EVALUATE WHETHER THE INSTITUTION, AS A WHOLE, HAS AN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT SUITABLE FOR OFFERING DEGREE PROGRAMMES OF AN APPROPRIATE STANDARD.
’’ASSUMING THE OUTCOME OF THE OLI REVIEW IS POSITIVE, THIS WILL GIVE PROVISIONAL RECOGNITION TO ITS DEGREE PROGRAMMES,” HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID A FURTHER REVIEW WOULD BE NECESSARY SOME YEARS HENCE, AT A TIME WHEN ’’COHORTS” OF STUDENTS WERE EITHER JUST COMPLETING OR APPROACHING THE FINAL STAGES OF THEIR COURSES.
"WHILE THE PROCEDURES AND SCOPE OF ANY EXERCISE IS ULTIMATELY WITHIN THE COMPETENCE OF THE HKCAA, I AM SURE THAT IT WILL RECOGNISE THE DIFFERENCES OF ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE INSTITUTIONS IT ACCREDITS,” HE POINTED OUT.
MR YEUNG ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL FULLY UNDERSTOOD THE NATURE OF OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING AND WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE METHODS WHICH MUST BE EMPLOYED TO EVALUATE INSTITUTIONS OFFERING SUCH COURSES.
HE SAID IT WAS SENSITIVE TO THE NEED NOT TO COMPROMISE THE OLI’S POSITION WITH THE SUPPLIERS OF COURSE MATERIALS.
’’HOWEVER, A DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE IS NOT JUST ITS MATERIALS, BUT ALSO THE WAY IN WHICH THEY ARE HANDLED AND USED WITH STUDENTS,” HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG THANKED MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE HON RITA FAN, FOR THE EFFORTS THEY HAD MADE IN IMPROVING THE BILL.
--------0-----------
CALL FOR PROPER ACCREDITATION OF OLI COURSES
*****
THERE IS A NEED FOR ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION TO ENSURE THAT THE ACADEMIC STANDARDS ARE COMPARABLE WITH INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI), THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION BILL 1990 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHENG SAID THAT IN THE DELIBERATION OF THE BILL, THE SENIOR STAFF OF THE OLI HAD EXPRESSED TO THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE BILL THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE OLI’S LIMITED RESOURCES AND COMMITMENTS TO SELF-FINANCING, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION.
/MR CHENG ......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 9 -
MR CHENG SAID THAT HE SHARED THE CONCERN AND THAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO. SAFEGUARD THE POSITION OF HONG KONG’S NEWEST TERTIARY INSTITUTION WHICH OFFERED COURSES AND PROGRAMMES BY USING THE PHILOSOPHY AND METHODS OF OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING.
HE WELCOMED THE ADVICE OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND INDEED THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PROVISIONAL HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION (HKCAA) THAT, IN THE CASE OF THE OLI WHERE NON-TRADITIONAL METHOD OF DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION WAS USED, INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION OR REVIEW WOULD BE REQUIRED ABOUT ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS AND, IN-BETWEEN REVIEWS, ONLY PROVISIONAL APPROVAL WOULD BE GIVEN TO NEW COURSE UNITS WITH A VIEW TO GRANTING FORMAL APPROVAL TOGETHER WITH INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION OR REVIEW.
NOTING THAT THE OLI DEPENDED VERY HEAVILY ON BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES FOR SUPPLY OF MANY OF ITS COURSES AND THAT EXPOSING THEIR COURSES TO LOCAL SCRUTINY WOULD RAISE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS FOR THEM THAT COULD LEAD TO PROBLEMS IN SUPPLY, MR CHENG SAID HE HOPED THAT THE HKCAA WHEN ESTABLISHED WOULD HAVE THIS REGARD IN FORMULATING ITS ACCREDITATION POLICY.
ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID THAT THE HKCAA HAD TO EARN THE RESPECT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE ACADEMIC FIELD LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, BY SETTING FOR ITSELF THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARD OF OPERATION.
"I WOULD LIKE TO LEND MY SUPPORT TO THE BILL BEFORE THE COUNCIL, INCLUDING THE CONTENTIOUS PART REGARDING WHETHER OLI OUGHT TO BE PLACED IN A CATEGORY WHICH IS SUBJECT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNOR OR WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EXERCISE THEIR OWN CHOICE AND DISCRETION IN SELECTING REGARDING COURSES FOR VALIDATION.
"I AM SATISFIED THAT PRACTICAL AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS VISUALISED BY OLI EXIST, BUT CAN BE RESOLVED IF AN OPEN AND OBJECTIVE ATTITUDE IS ADOPTED ON ALL SIDES," SHE SAID.
MRS CHOW POINTED OUT THAT OLI’S CONCERN WAS TRIGGERED MAINLY BY A STRANDED WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL OF ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION, WHICH LED THEM TO GRAVE WORRY THAT SUCH DIFFICULTIES COULD WELL PERPETRATE INTO THE FUTURE WHEN THE COUNCIL CAME INTO BEING.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE WORRY NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE DONE AT THE COST OF THE STANDARD OF DEGREE COURSES.
- 0----------
/10........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 10 -
TIMELY TO AMEND PROVISIONS IN EDUCATION ORDINANCE: SEM *******
HONG KONG’S EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS DEVELOPED RAPIDLY OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, AND IT IS NOW TIMELY TO AMEND A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS IN THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE WHICH NOW APPEAR OUT OF DATE, DEFECTIVE OR INAPPROPRIATE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR YEUNG WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, WHICH HE SAID PROPOSED A VARIETY OF AMENDMENTS. THESE COULD BE GROUPED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES:
* UPDATING OF TERMINOLOGY AND PENALTY LEVELS;
* REMEDYING OF CERTAIN DEFICIENCIES WHICH HAVE EMERGED IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING THE ORDINANCE;
* REPEAL OF THE POWER TO REGULATE POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS;
* PROVISION OF AN APPEALS MECHANISM IN RELATION TO POWERS EXERCISED UNDER REGULATIONS.
MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO, WITH MANY OF ITS PROVISIONS HAVING BEEN TAKEN OVER FROM AN EARLIER ORDINANCE DATING FROM 1952.
HE SAID THE SUBSTANCE OF THE BILL WAS CONTAINED IN FOUR CLAUSES: 3, 6, 9 AND 10.
CLAUSES 3, 6 AND 9 WERE INTENDED TO REMEDY DEFICIENCIES IN THREE AREAS.
THE FIRST DEFICIENCY WAS THE LACK, AT PRESENT, OF A PROVISION FOR A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO RESIGN. CLAUSE 3 PROPOSED SUCH A PROVISION.
THE SECOND DEFICIENCY CONCERNED ATTENDANCE ORDERS. SUCH ORDERS WERE INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN OF COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE DID ATTEND SCHOOL, UNLESS THERE WAS A REASONABLE EXCUSE.
"HOWEVER, THE PRESENT WORDING OF SECTION 74(1) REQUIRES THAT A PARENT BE WITHHOLDING A CHILD FROM SCHOOL BEFORE AN ORDER CAN BE SERVED.
"THIS IS UNDULY RESTRICTIVE, AND MAKES IT EASY FOR SOME PARENTS TO DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CHILD’S TRUANCY.
"CLAUSE 6(1) PROVIDES FOR THE SERVING OF AN ATTENDANCE ORDER WHENEVER A CHILD IS IN FACT NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL AND THERE IS NO REASONABLE EXCUSE.
"THE RIGHT OF A PARENT TO APPEAL AGAINST AN ORDER, HOWEVER, IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS AMENDMENT," HE SAID.
/MR YEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 11
MR YEUNG SAID ANOTHER PROBLEM IN CONNECTION WITH ATTENDANCE ORDERS WAS THE DIFFICULTY WHICH SOMETIMES AROSE IN FINDING A SCHOOL WILLING TO ACCEPT A TRUANT OR PROBLEM CHILD.
CLAUSE 6(2) PROPOSED TO GIVE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION THE POWER TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL TO ADMIT A CHILD NAMED IN AN ATTENDANCE ORDER, AND TO PROHIBIT THE EXPULSION OF THAT CHILD WITHOUT THE DIRECTOR’S WRITTEN PERMISSION.
"I CAN WELL UNDERSTAND THE RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF CERTAIN SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO ACCEPTING TRUANT OR PROBLEM CHILDREN, BUT AN IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE IS INVOLVED HERE.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION HAS THE MEANS OF ENSURING THAT ALL CHILDREN OF COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE HAVE A SCHOOL TO GO TO.
"I SHOULD LIKE TO MENTION, IN THIS CONNECTION, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S CURRENT STUDY OF CURRICULA AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS IN SCHOOLS.
"ONE PROPOSAL BEING CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSION IS THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING A SMALL NUMBER OF SCHOOLS CATERING SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, REJECT THE TYPE OF EDUCATION OFFERED IN THE MAINSTREAM OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE THIRD DEFICIENCY RELATED TO THE POWER OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO ENTER PREMISES.
SECTION 81 OF THE ORDINANCE PERMITTED THE INSPECTION OF ANY PREMISES WHERE AN OFFENCE AGAINST THE ORDINANCE WAS SUSPECTED.
HOWEVER, THE WORDING OF SECTION 87(1)(D)(1) CREATED AN OFFENCE OF OBSTRUCTION ONLY IN THE CASE OF A SCHOOL.
THIS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DIRECTOR TO OBTAIN EVIDENCE THAT PREMISES WERE BEING USED ILLEGALLY AS AN UNREGISTERED SCHOOL. CLAUSE 9 PROVIDED FOR ENTRY TO PREMISES SUSPECTED OF BEING ILLEGAL SCHOOLS, UNDER A WARRANT ISSUED BY A MAGISTRATE.
REFERRING TO WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS AN IMPORTANT ITEM IN THE BILL, MR YEUNG SAID CLAIMS HAD BEEN MADE IN RECENT YEARS THAT PROVISIONS IN THE LAW RELATING TO POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS INHIBITED EFFORTS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION.
"WHILST THERE IS LITTLE SUBSTANCE IN THESE CLAIMS, IF ONLY BECAUSE THE RELEVANT POWERS HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOKED, THE PROVISIONS WERE ENACTED AT A TIME WHEN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OF EDUCATION PROVIDED ONLY A SMALL MINORITY OF PLACES, AND WHEN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM WAS IN DANGER OF DISRUPTION BY CONTENDING POLITICAL FORCES EMANATING FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
/"OUR EDUCATION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 12 -
"OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS NOW MATURE, AND IT IS NOW CONSIDERED TIMELY TO REMOVE THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO POLITICAL ACTIVITY FROM THIS STATUTE.
’’THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS SHOULD PROPERLY CONFINE THEIR SCOPE TO SAFEGUARDING THE WELFARE OF PUPILS AND THE INTERESTS OF EDUCATION GENERALLY,” HE SAID.
ACCORDINGLY, CLAUSE 10 PROVIDED FOR THE REPEAL OF THE POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS PROHIBITING POLITICAL, SUBVERSIVE OR TENDENTIOUS PROPAGANDA IN SCHOOLS AND AMONG TEACHERS AND PUPILS.
"IT FOLLOWS THAT ALL REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THIS POWER NEED TO BE REVIEWED.
"I AM HAPPY TO INFORM HONOURABLE MEMBERS THAT SUCH A REVIEW HAS IN FACT BEEN COMPLETED, AND THAT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS NOTED THE CHANGES WHICH WILL BE REQUIRED.
"IT IS OUR FIRM INTENTION TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR AMENDING REGULATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WHEN THIS BILL IS PASSED INTO LAW," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE FINAL AMENDMENT OF SUBSTANCE CONCERNED APPEALS. THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE CONTAINED TWO APPEAL MECHANISMS: IN PART V FOR APPEALS RELATING TO REGISTRATIONS, AND IN PART VII FOR APPEALS AGAINST ATTENDANCE ORDERS.
NO PROVISION WAS MADE FOR APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ARISING FROM POWERS CONFERRED BY REGULATIONS.
"SINCE SOME OF THESE POWERS COULD BE ARGUED TO AFFECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF SCHOOLS OR INDIVIDUALS, WE CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR APPEALS UNDER REGULATIONS. CLAUSE 10 SO PROVIDES. THE INTENTION IS THAT THE APPEALS BOARD CREATED UNDER PART V OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEARING APPEALS UNDER REGULATIONS," MR YEUNG SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/13 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21,
1990
13
NEW SYSTEM OF KEEPING COMPANY DOCUMENTS ON MICROFILM * * ♦ * *
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 INTRODUCES AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT A NEW SYSTEM OF KEEPING COMPANY RECORDS ON MICROFILM, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR NENDICK SAID THAT CURRENTLY, COMPANY RECORDS FILED WITH THE COMPANIES REGISTRY OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT WERE KEPT IN PAPER FORM.
”TO SAVE STORAGE SPACE AND TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE COMPANIES REGISTRY PROPOSES IN FUTURE TO KEEP COMPANY RECORDS ON MICROFILM AND TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC SEARCH ON MICROFICHE.
"THE AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE THAT ARE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW SYSTEM RELATE TO THE DESTRUCTION, INSPECTION, STORAGE, PRODUCTION AND EVIDENTIAL USE OF MICROFILMED DOCUMENTS, AND TO THE PAYMENT OF INSPECTION FEES,” HE SAID.
ON DISPOSAL OF DOCUMENTS, MR NENDICK SAID SECTION 348B OF THE ORDINANCE CURRENTLY ENABLED THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES TO DESTROY VARIOUS DOCUMENTS AFTER SPECIFIED PERIODS OF TIME WHICH VARIED WITH EACH CLASS OF DOCUMENT.
’’THIS PROVISION HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO APPLY IN PRACTICE BECAUSE IT INVOLVES SIFTING THROUGH EACH COMPANY FILE TO ESTABLISH THE RELEVANT DESTRUCTION DATE FOR THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF DOCUMENT.
’’CLAUSE 3 AMENDS SECTION 348B TO GRANT THE REGISTRAR A DISCRETION TO DESTROY ALL DOCUMENTS AFTER SEVEN YEARS OR AT ANY TIME AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN MICROFILMED,” HE SAID.
ON INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS, HE SAID UNDER SECTION 305(1) OF THE ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON MIGHT AT PRESENT, ON PAYMENT OF A PRESCRIBED FEE, INSPECT COMPANY DOCUMENTS KEPT BY THE REGISTRAR.
UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, THE REGISTRAR WOULD PROVIDE A COPY OF THE MICROFICHE AND ONLY MAKE AVAILABLE THE DOCUMENT ITSELF WHERE IT HAD NOT BEEN MICROFILMED (FOR EXAMPLE IN THE CASE OF SHAREHOLDERS’ LISTS). CLAUSE 2 AMENDED THE SECTION ACCORDINGLY.
ON PRODUCTION AND EVIDENCE OF DOCUMENTS, MR NENDICK SAID SECTION 305(3) OF THE ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE ADMISSIBILITY AS EVIDENCE OF COPIES OF DOCUMENTS CERTIFIED BY THE REGISTRAR.
TO PERMIT THE USE OF COPIES OF MICROFILMED DOCUMENTS, CLAUSE 2 AMENDED THE SECTION TO PROVIDE EXPRESSLY THAT A COPY WAS TO BE REGARDED AS A COPY OF A DOCUMENT NOTWITHSTANDING THAT IT WAS ITSELF TAKEN FROM A COPY OR OTHER REPRODUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL.
/ON PROVISION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 14 -
ON PROVISION FOR THE REGISTRAR TO KEEP REGISTERS OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS IN A FORM OTHERWISE THAN IN A LEGIBLE FORM, HE SAID SECTION 347 OF THE ORDINANCE DID NOT STATE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE REGISTRAR MUST KEEP HIS RECORDS.
TO ENABLE THE REGISTRAR TO KEEP RECORDS ON MICROFILM, CLAUSE 4 AMENDED THIS SECTION TO PROVIDE EXPRESSLY THAT THE RECORDS KEPT BY THE REGISTRAR NEED NOT BE IN DOCUMENTARY FORM.
ON INSPECTION FEES, MR NENDICK SAID THAT UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, A SEARCH OF COMPANY RECORDS KEPT ON MICROFILM WOULD BE MADE BY REFERENCE TO A PARTICULAR YEAR OR NUMBER OF YEARS.
"TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF THE NEW SERVICE, THE COMPANIES REGISTRY PROPOSES TO CHARGE A FEE OF $10 FOR EACH YEAR SEARCHED, AND A FURTHER FEE OF $10 FOR INSPECTION OF ANY REMAINING DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MICROFILMED. CLAUSE 5 AMENDS THE EIGHTH SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE ACCORDINGLY," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
BANKING AMENDMENT BILL INTRODUCED
*****
THE PURPOSE OF THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 IS TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO AUDITORS AND TO RECTIFY SOME MINOR ANOMALIES AND UNCERTAINTIES, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR NENDICK SAID THAT UNDER SECTION 61 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE, DIRECTORS OF AN INSTITUTION, AUDITORS OR THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING MIGHT CALL TRIPARTITE MEETINGS TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO THE INSTITUTION.
"WHILST THIS SITUATION IS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY, CIRCUMSTANCES CAN ARISE WHERE THE REQUIREMENT TO INVOLVE THE AUTHORISED INSTITUTION MAY NEGATE THE USEFULNESS OF A MEETING.
"THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, RECOGNISING THE PRESENT SHORTCOMING, HAS RECOMMENDED IN A GUIDANCE NOTE THAT, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THE AUDITOR SHOULD APPROACH THE COMMISSIONER DIRECTLY WITHOUT INVOLVING THE AUTHORISED INSTITUTION.
"ALTHOUGH THE SOCIETY’S LEGAL ADVICE IS THAT, IN SO DOING, AN AUDITOR SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES TO HIS CLIENT FOR BREACH OF CONFIDENCE, THE MATTER IS NOT FREE FROM DOUBT.
/"THE SOCIETY .......
I I
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 15 -
"THE SOCIETY HAS THEREFORE SUGGESTED TO THE ADMINISTRATION THAT, AS IN THE UK, STATUTORY PROTECTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO AUDITORS TO COVER INFORMATION THAT THEY MIGHT DISCLOSE AT SUCH A MEETING," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID IT WAS PROPOSED IN CLAUSE 5 OF THE BILL THAT THE EXISTING LEGISLATION CONCERNING TRIPARTITE MEETINGS BE REPEALED, AND REPLACED BY A MORE GENERAL PROVISION EMPOWERING AUDITORS TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION TO THE COMMISSIONER IN GOOD FAITH.
THE SOCIETY’S GUIDELINES WOULD THEN GOVERN THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE AUDITORS AND THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE HELD.
ON DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST AUDITORS, HE SAID THE PRESENT PROVISIONS CONCERNING COMPLAINTS AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST AUDITORS WERE UNDULY RESTRICTIVE.
UNDER SECTION 62 OF THE ORDINANCE, THE COMMISSIONER COULD MAKE A COMPLAINT IN RESPECT OF ANY AUDITORS OF AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION.
THIS IMPLICITLY EXCLUDED AUDITORS OF FORMER AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND FORMER AUDITORS OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS.
FURTHERMORE, ALTHOUGH THE COMMISSIONER WAS PERMITTED TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION TO THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS IN RESPECT OF SUCH COMPLAINTS, HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO DISCLOSE SUCH INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR UNDER COMPLAINT OR TO GIVE EVIDENCE AT THE HEARING.
"THESE RESTRICTIONS MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINARY ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST AUDITORS OR FORMER AUDITORS. CLAUSE 9 INTRODUCES CHANGES TO RECTIFY THESE DEFICIENCIES AND CLAUSE 6 REPEALS SECTION 62 WHICH IS CONSIDERED UNNECESSARY AS A CONSEQUENCE, " HE SAID.
REFERRING TO OTHER AMENDMENTS, MR NENDICK SAID THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED A MISCELLANY OF MINOR AMENDMENTS TO REMOVE SOME UNCERTAINTIES AND ANOMALIES. CLAUSE 4 RELATED TO NOTIFICATIONS CONCERNING AUDITORS. CLAUSE 10 WIDENED THE SCOPE OF THE DEFENCE PROVISIONS. CLAUSE 11 EXTENDED THE TIME LIMIT FOR SUMMARY PROSECUTIONS. OTHER CLAUSES REPEALED REFERENCES TO UNINCORPORATED BANKS AS THIS CATEGORY NO LONGER EXISTED.
MR NENDICK SAID THE SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS WAS CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSALS RELATING TO MEETINGS WITH AUDITORS AND HAD EXPRESSED FULL SUPPORT.
THE BANKING AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEES WERE CONSULTED AND HAD EXPRESSED SUPPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL PROPOSALS OF THE BILL.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/16 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 16
BILL SETS FEE FOR BILINGUAL PRIVATE BILLS *****
THE PRIVATE BILLS BILL 1990, WHICH SETS A FEE FOR BILINGUAL PRIVATE BILLS, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE EXISTING PRIVATE BILLS ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR THE PAYMENT OF A FEE BY THE PROMOTER OF A PRIVATE BILL FOR PRESENTING SUCH A BILL TO THE COUNCIL.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE FEE IS TO COVER THE COSTS TO GOVERNMENT FOR PROCESSING A PRIVATE BILL, IN PARTICULAR THE WORK UNDERTAKEN BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS IN VETTING AND WHERE NECESSARY, IN REVISING A BILL.
"THE CURRENT FEE, WHICH WAS LAST REVISED IN 1984, IS $25,000," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT FOLLOWING THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 4 OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 7 LAST YEAR, ALL ORDINANCES, EXCEPT THOSE WHICH WERE URGENT OR AMENDED EXISTING ORDINANCES, HAD TO BE ENACTED AND PUBLISHED IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES.
"IT NECESSARILY TAKES MORE TIME TO VET A BILINGUAL BILL THAN A BILL DRAFTED IN ONLY ONE OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES.
"THE PRIVATE BILLS BILL 1990 NOW BEFORE THE COUNCIL PROVIDES THAT THE FEE CHARGEABLE FOR A PRIVATE BILL DRAFTED IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES BE TWICE THAT FOR A BILL DRAFTED IN ONE LANGUAGE I.E. $50,000.
"THE FEE FOR PRIVATE BILLS SUBMITTED IN ONLY ONE OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES WILL CONTINUE TO BE $25,000," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT THE BILL WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FOR THE WAIVER OF FEES FOR PRIVATE BILLS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0 - -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 17 -
TRANSFER OF STATUTORY FUNCTIONS ♦ * * ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSFER OF THE HYGIENE DIVISION FROM THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
MOVING THE MOTION UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER THE DIVISION RESULTED FROM THE DECISION THAT THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SHOULD BE DISSOLVED ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HYGIENE DIVISION WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1.
HE ADDED THAT CERTAIN STATUTORY FUNCTIONS NOW RESTING WITH THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES WOULD NEED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH.
’’THESE STATUTORY FUNCTIONS ARE SET OUT IN THE MOTION AND ITS SCHEDULE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT THE HYGIENE DIVISION WAS MAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR EXERCISING CERTAIN STATUTORY FUNCTIONS IN RESPECT OF FOOD SAFETY CONTROL ON BEHALF OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
IT ALSO ADVISED THE TWO COUNCILS ON MATTERS CONCERNING PEST CONTROL AND IMPLEMENTED HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR THE COUNCILS.
"THE TRANSFER OF THE HYGIENE DIVISION WILL COMPLEMENT THE OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
"IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE NO DISLOCATION BETWEEN THE WORK OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH IN HONG KONG, A COMMITTEE WILL BE SET UP TO ADVISE THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH ON MATTERS RELATING TO FOOD HYGIENE, ON WHICH THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS WILL BE REPRESENTED," HE SAID.
/18 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 18 -
FIXED PENALTY FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING OFFENCE *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE IMPOSITION OF A FIXED PENALTY OF $200 ON DRIVERS WHO CONTRAVENE THE YELLOW STRIPED MARKING AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE YELLOW STRIPED MARKING WAS INTRODUCED TO PREVENT ANY PERSON FROM DRIVING A VEHICLE INTO THE MARKED AREA AND STOPPING.
DURING A TWO-YEAR TRIAL OF THE MARKING AT 32 LIGHT SIGNAL CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, RESULTS SHOWED THAT VEHICULAR OBSTRUCTION WAS REDUCED BY 60 PER CENT AND ACCIDENTS TO PEDESTRIANS BY 18.2 PER CENT, HE ADDED.
THE RESOLUTION WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
INCREASED LEGAL AID FEES APPROVED * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION APPROVING THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES (AMENDMENT) RULES 1990, MADE BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE UNDER SECTION 9A OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE.
MOVING A MOTION UNDER THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, EXPLAINED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE AMENDED RULES WAS TO EFFECT AN INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM FEES PAYABLE TO COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS ASSIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO CONDUCT CRIMINAL CASES.
HE SAID THE FEES WERE LAST INCREASED IN 1987 AND THE PRESENT PROPOSAL WAS TO REFLECT INFLATION AND THE RISE IN OPERATING COSTS SINCE THEN.
"WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1990, THE MAXIMUM FEES WILL BE INCREASED ON AVERAGE BY 25 PER CENT, BUT WITH GREATER INCREASES IN RESPECT OF APPEAL CASES WHICH REQUIRE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE PREPARATION," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE REVISION HAD BEEN MADE WITH REGARD TO THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT EXPERIENCED AND ABLE LAWYERS WERE AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT CRIMINAL CASES AND IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FAIR AND REASONABLE REMUNERATION FOR THE WORK DONE.
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/19 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 19 -
MORE POWER FOR CONSUMER COUNCIL URGED
* * * * »
THE HON MARTIN LEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED THE GOVERNMENT AND HIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT HIS BID TO EXPAND THE ROLE OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO COVER FRANCHISED PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
TABLING THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1988-89 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEE ALSO CALLED FOR SUPPORT TO IMPROVE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ORDINANCE TO REFLECT THE IMPORTANT INVOLVEMENT OF THE COUNCIL BY PROVIDING IT WITH CLEAR POWER ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND PROPERTY TRANSACTION MATTERS.
AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, MR LEE NOTED THAT PROPERTY TRANSACTION MATTERS HAD OCCUPIED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF THE COUNCIL’S RESOURCES IN TERMS OF DEALING WITH INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND SEEKING SOLUTIONS TO RECURRING PROBLEMS FACED BY FLAT BUYERS.
HE SAID THE EXPANSION OF THE COUNCIL’S ROLE WAS AMONG THE VARIOUS VIEWS IN THE REVIEW OF THE COUNCIL’S JURISDICTIONS AND ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS WORK AND TO BETTER MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE CONSUMING PUBLIC.
"THE DECADE AHEAD PROMISES TO BE A TRYING AND CHALLENGING TIME FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION AS THE MARKETPLACE IS EXPECTED TO UNDERGO DYNAMIC CHANGES WHILST HONG KONG ADAPTS TO ITS NEW FUTURE," HE SAID.
"BUT WE BEAR A DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THE CONSUMER INTERESTS, INDEED, THE QUALITY OF LIFE, WILL NOT BE UNDULY SACRIFICED.
"IT IS IN RECOGNITION OF OUR SUCH RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL MUST STEP UP VIGILANCE OF A MARKETPLACE, A COMMITTEE TO STUDY BUSINESS MONOPOLISTIC TENDENCIES AND PRACTICE HAS JUST BEEN SET UP.”
MR LEE NOTED THAT ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WAS TO ENHANCE THE SELF-HELP ABILITY OF THE CONSUMER AGAINST MISLEADING AND EXPLOITATIVE TRADE PRACTICES. THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL WOULD CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY ITS EFFORT IN EDUCATING THE CONSUMING PUBLIC.
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/20........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 20 -
MORE STRINGENT CONTROL ON GAME CENTRES PROPOSED
*****
A SET OF MORE RESTRICTIVE LICENCE CONDITIONS AIMED AT BETTER CONTROL OF AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL SHORTLY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, MR TSAO SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING CONDUCTED A REVIEW RECENTLY TO STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING OF THE CENTRES.
"VIEWS FROM THE PUBLIC AND DISTRICT BOARDS WERE SOUGHT. AS A RESULT, AN APPLICANT FOR A NEW LICENCE IS NOW REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH EVEN MORE STRINGENT CRITERIA BEFORE A LICENCE IS GRANTED," HE SAID.
MR TSAO ADDED THAT THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY WOULD STREAMLINE THE PROCEDURES FOR REVOKING, OR NOT RENEWING, THE LICENCES OF REPEATED OFFENDERS SO AS TO MAKE THE SYSTEM MORE EFFECTIVE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE LICENCE CONDITIONS IMPOSED ON AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES WERE ENFORCED BY THE POLICE WHO CARRIED OUT REGULAR CHECKS ON THE ESTABLISHMENTS, WHILE THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, AS THE LICENSING AUTHORITY, WAS EMPOWERED TO REVOKE, OR REFUSE TO RENEW, A LICENCE.
"A BREACH OF LICENCE CONDITIONS WILL SUBJECT THE LICENSEE, UPON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
"REPEATED BREACHES MAY LEAD TO THE ISSUE OF WARNING LETTERS AND FINALLY REVOCATION OF, OR REFUSAL TO RENEW, A LICENCE," MR TSAO SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN 1989, THE POLICE ISSUED 2,406 SUMMONSES AND SECURED 1,116 CONVICTIONS AGAINST AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRE OPERATORS WHO HAD BREACHED THEIR LICENCE CONDITIONS.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, 150 WARNING LETTERS WERE ISSUED AND FIVE LICENCES WERE NOT RENEWED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, HE SAID.
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/21........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
SPIRIT OF LANGUAGES ORDINANCE FOLLOWED
*****
IN A RECENT SURVEY OF 64 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, NONE OF THEM WAS FOUND TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THEM ONLY IN ENGLISH.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON DANIEL TSE AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT ALL INCOMING LETTERS WRITTEN IN CHINESE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENTS WERE ANSWERED EITHER IN CHINESE OR IN ENGLISH WITH CHINESE TRANSLATION ATTACHED.
"HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RELATED TO TENDER, LAND, CONTRACT AND AGREEMENTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN TRANSLATED INTO CHINESE BECAUSE OF THE TECHNICAL COMPLEXITY AND LEGAL LIABILITIES INVOLVED.
"THE PROFESSIONS WHICH DEAL WITH THESE DOCUMENTS ARE INVARIABLY VERSED IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
"IN PRACTICE, THEREFORE, THE PUBLIC IS NOT INCONVENIENCED BY THESE EXCEPTIONS," MR TSAO SAID.
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE LANGUAGES ORDINANCE HAD BEEN FOLLOWED AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS THAT ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD EVENTUALLY BE BILINGUAL.
"WHEN STAFF RESOURCES PERMIT WE WILL REACH A POINT WHERE ALL DOCUMENTS WILL BE IN BOTH LANGUAGES," MR TSAO ADDED.
- - 0
TEACHERS’ PROVIDENT FUNDS WELL MANAGED
*****
THE GRANTS SCHOOLS PROVIDENT FUND AND THE SUBSIDISED SCHOOLS PROVIDENT FUND ARE WELL MANAGED AS TO FUNDING, INVESTMENT AND LIQUIDITY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR YEUNG WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, WHO HAD ASKED WHAT SAFEGUARDS WERE AVAILABLE TO ENSURE THAT ALL CONTRIBUTORS TO THE PROVIDENT FUNDS WOULD RECEIVE PAYMENTS UNDER THE EXISTING TERMS UPON THEIR CEASING TO BE TEACHERS IN SUBVERTED SCHOOLS.
MR CHEUNG SAID TEACHERS IN SUBVENTED SCHOOLS WERE CONCERNED THAT CURRENT HIGH WASTAGE OF TEACHERS WOULD HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE OPERATION OF THEIR PROVIDENT FUNDS.
/MR YEUNG
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 22 -
MR YEUNG SAID HE COULD NOT AGREE THERE HAD BEEN A HIGH WASTAGE OF TEACHERS RECENTLY.
"THE FIGURES DO NOT SUPPORT THIS CONTENTION. AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTORS, THE FIGURES FOR WITHDRAWALS FROM THE FUNDS HAVE AVERAGED 6 PER CENT ANNUALLY. SIX YEARS AGO THE FIGURE WAS 6.16 PER CENT. THE PRESENT IS 6.92 PER CENT.
"AS A PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTORS’ BENEFITS, THE AMOUNTS WITHDRAWN HAVE ALSO REMAINED FAIRLY CONSTANT -- 5.4 PER CENT SIX YEARS AGO AND 5.7 PER CENT NOW. CLEARLY THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID FUND ADMINISTRATION AND CONTROL WERE VESTED IN THE RESPECTIVE STATUTORY BOARDS OF CONTROL WHICH WERE MADE UP LARGELY OF TEACHERS WHO WERE THEMSELVES CONTRIBUTORS.
OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION CONSISTED OF TWO MEMBERS OUT OF 11 AND 13 RESPECTIVELY. THUS MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS WAS CONTROLLED LARGELY BY TEACHERS THEMSELVES.
MR YEUNG SAID AS REGARDS FUNDING, TO MATCH TEACHERS’ MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS OF 5 PER CENT OF SALARY, THE GOVERNMENT DONATED 5 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT OR 15 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO THE LENGTH OF SERVICE OF THE TEACHER.
THE FUNDS STOOD AT OVER $7 BILLION AS AT AUGUST 31, 1989, AND THE UNDERLYING ASSETS HAD NOT BEEN DEPLOYED FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN THOSE PRESCRIBED FOR THE FUNDS BY LAW.
"AS REGARDS INVESTMENT, THIS I UNDERSTAND IS MANAGED BY THE TREASURER, WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES. THE MONEY IS INVESTED IN CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, FIXED DEPOSITS, TRIPLE A RATED BONDS AND EQUITIES IN COMPANIES WITH TRUSTEE STATUS.
"THE RETURN OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS HAS PRODUCED HEALTHY AVERAGE ANNUAL DIVIDENDS OF ABOUT 14 PER CENT — CLEARLY A VERY IMPRESSIVE TRACK RECORD," HE SAID.
"AS REGARDS LIQUIDITY, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BOARDS OF CONTROL HAVE TAKEN STEPS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS TO INCREASE THE RESERVE ACCOUNT OF EACH FUND FROM 5 PER CENT TO 7 PER CENT OF THE SUMS DUE TO CONTRIBUTORS.
"THIS HAS HELPED TO STRENGTHEN THE LIQUIDITY OF THE FUNDS. THE BOARDS OF CONTROL HAVE ALSO TAKEN STEPS TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF LIQUIDITY SO AS TO ENABLE THE TWO FUNDS TO MEET A POSSIBLE INCREASE IN WITHDRAWALS WITHOUT HAVING RECOURSE TO THE ’FORCED’ SALE OF INVESTMENTS.
"THIS SHOULD RESULT IN $1.4 BILLION BFTNG AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENT AT THE END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, I.E. AUGUST 31, 1990, COMPARED WITH ESTIMATED WITHDRAWALS OF ABOUT $400 MILLION IN 1989-90.
/"THUS THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 23 -
"THUS THE LIQUID RESOURCES OF THE FUNDS ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND A THREE-FOLD INCREASE IN WITHDRAWALS DURING 1990-91," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE THREE CRITERIA FOR GOOD MANAGEMENT, THEREFORE, WERE MORE THAN WELL MET.
”1 CAN SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT CONTRIBUTORS NEED HAVE NO FEAR AS TO THE HEALTH AND INTEGRITY OF THE TWO PROVIDENT FUNDS OR THEIR ABILITY TO WITHSTAND FUTURE EVENTUALITIES,” HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
INCREASE IN OFFICE AREA LIMIT UNLIKELY *****
INCREASED DEMAND FOR OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IS BEING MET THROUGH REZONINGS AND APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR, MR BARNES SAID OFFICE USE IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS HAD BEEN UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD OVER THE LAST YEAR.
THE PROPORTION OF ANY INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN UNIT WHICH COULD BE USED FOR ANCILLARY OFFICES WITHOUT APPLICATION TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAD RECENTLY BEEN RAISED FROM 20 PER CENT TO 30 PER CENT.
BUT IT MUST BE FIRMLY TIED TO THE INDUSTRIAL USE IT IS SUPPORTING, THE SECRETARY ADDED.
"INDIVIDUAL FACTORIES MAY ALSO SEEK THE BOARD’S PERMISSION FOR GREATER AREAS OF OFFICE SPACE TO SUPPORT THEIR INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS.” HE SAID.
MR BARNES BELIEVED THAT THE BOARD WOULD NOT AT PRESENT SUPPORT RAISING THE LIMIT OF THE AREA TO BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
THE BOARD’S APPROVAL OF INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS WHERE THE ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED WAS SUITABLE FOR EITHER USE WAS A DEVELOPMENT IN THE DIRECTION SOUGHT BY MR MCGREGOR, HE SAID.
724 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
24
NEW VISA ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAIWANESE VISITORS SOON *****
THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS TO SHORTLY INTRODUCE NEW VISA ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISITORS FROM TAIWAN, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR ASPREY SAID: "WE SHALL BE PROPOSING THAT MULTIPLE VISIT PERMITS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ALL TAIWANESE VISITORS."
SUCH MULTIPLE VISIT PERMITS WOULD BE VALID FOR 12 MONTHS AND WOULD BE RENEWABLE IN HONG KONG, HE NOTED.
"THE PURPOSE OF THESE NEW ARRANGEMENTS IS TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR BOTH BUSINESSMEN AND TOURISTS FROM TAIWAN TO VISIT HONG KONG; AND AT THE SAME TIME TO REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR SINGLE AND DOUBLE VISIT PERMITS, AND HENCE THE WORKLOAD ON THE VISA SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT," HR ADDED.
------0-----------
ACTION IN HAND TO TACKLE BEDSPACE APARTMENT PROBLEMS ******
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ACTION IS IN HAND ON SEVERAL FRONTS TO TACKLE PROBLEMS OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS.
TN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG, MRS WONG SAID SINCE 1987 SPECIAL ATTENTION HAD BEEN PAID TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND FIRE REGULATIONS IN SUCH APARTMENTS.
"IN PARTICULAR, A PILOT SCHEME HAS BEEN TARGETTING A LIMITED NUMBER OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS TO ELIMINATE OVERCROWDING AND FIRE HAZARDS AND TO SEE WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO EXISTING CONTROL MECHANISMS TO ACHIEVE A MORE EFFECTIVE REGULATION OF CONDITIONS IN SUCH APARTMENTS," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONCLUDED THAT FURTHER MEASURES WOULD BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PUT IN PLACE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF CONTROL SO AS TO ENSURE THAT MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS COULD BOTH BE EFFECTED AND MAINTAINED.
"THE FEASIBILITY OF SUCH A SYSTEM, POSSIBLY IN THE FORM OF A LICENSING SCHEME FOR SUCH APARTMENTS, IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION BY GOVERNMENT," SHE ADDED.
/MEANTIME, MRS ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 25 -
MEANTIME, MRS WONG SAID, VARIOUS FORMS OF ASSISTANCE WERE BEING PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS INCLUDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING AND THE OFFER OF VARIOUS FORMS OF RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED.
HOWEVER, SHE NOTED THAT MANY OF THESE ELDERLY PEOPLE WERE RELUCTANT TO MOVE FROM THEIR PRESENT ACCOMMODATION BECAUSE OF THEIR STRONG LOCAL TIES.
’’PROVIDING THAT THE ACCOMMODATION COMPLIES WITH FIRE AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, THE QUESTION OF EVICTION BY GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT ARISE," MRS WONG SAID.
IN VIEW OF THE SCARCITY OF LOW RENTAL ACCOMMODATION FOR SINGLE PEOPLE IN THE URBAN AREA, MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OBTAINED SPECIAL FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF PREMISES FOR URBAN HOSTELS FOR THOSE WHO WERE EITHER WITHOUT HOUSING OR WERE INADEQUATELY HOUSED.
"ONE SUCH HOSTEL HAS BEEN SET UP TO CATER TO THESE NEEDS AND WE ARE ENDEAVOURING TO ESTABLISH A SECOND," SHE SAID.
IN 1989, A WORKING PARTY ON HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY RECOMMENDED THE PROVISION IN FUTURE WITHIN EACH HOUSING ESTATE OF A SPECTRUM OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY RANGING FROM SHELTERED HOUSING TO RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES, AS WELL AS MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO CONTINUE TO CARE FOR THEIR ELDERLY PARENTS AND RELATIVES AS PART OF THE FAMILY.
"THIS WORKING GROUP ALSO RECOMMENDED, AMONGST OTHER POINTS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSTELS FOR ELDERLY PERSONS IN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN AREAS.
"THESE PROPOSALS ARE, I BELIEVE, NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS APPROPRIATE," MRS WONG SAID.
NOTING THAT MUCH REMAINED TO BE DONE, MRS WONG SAID THE SUCCESS OF ALL THESE ENDEAVOURS WOULD DEPEND NOT SOLELY ON GOVERNMENT ACTION BUT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE ACTIVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT, NOT LEAST BY THOSE DIRECTLY CONCERNED, INCLUDING THE OPERATORS AND OWNERS OF SUCH APARTMENTS.
"AS A CARING COMMUNITY, WE MUST NOT IGNORE THE NEEDS OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED IN OUR MIDST," SHE SAID.
------0------------
/26 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 26 -
RATE OF INFLATION EXPECTED TO FALL GRADUALLY * * * ♦ *
ALTHOUGH INFLATION REMAINS UNCOMFORTABLY HIGH, DESPITE A SLOWING DOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH, THIS HAS TO BE VIEWED AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF AMPLE JOB OPPORTUNITIES, AND A CONTINUING INCREASE IN THE REAL PURCHASING POWER OF THE TERRITORY’S WORK FORCE.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER H.Y. WONG.
MR NENDICK SAID THE SO-CALLED WAGE-PRICE SPIRAL DID NOT HAVE AS GREAT A SIGNIFICANCE IN HONG KONG AS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
NOTING THAT BY FAR THE LARGEST PART OF THE GOODS PRODUCED LOCALLY WERE EXPORTED, HE SAID DOMESTICALLY GENERATED INFLATION SUCH AS THAT AT THE MOMENT WOULD, SOONER OR LATER, RESULT IN HONG KONG'S PRODUCTS BECOMING LESS PRICE COMPETITIVE IN OVERSEAS MARKETS.
’’THIS WILL LEAD TO A SLOW-DOWN IN DEMAND FOR THESE PRODUCTS.
”AS THE EFFECT OF THIS WORKS THROUGH THE SYSTEM, INFLATION SHOULD EASE," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE PROCESS WOULD BE ACCELERATED IF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN HONG KONG EXERCISED RESTRAINT IN THE CURRENT WAGE ROUND.
IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPECTATION THAT THE RATE OF INFLATION WOULD FALL GRADUALLY OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE RECENT CPI FIGURES SUGGESTED THAT WE WERE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S SMALL OPEN ECONOMY AND THE DESIRE TO ENSURE EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY WITHIN THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, THERE WAS IN FACT VERY LITTLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO OTHER THAN MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO CONTROL THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, WHICH HAD BEEN REPEATEDLY STRESSED AS ESSENTIAL.
"MEASURES SUCH AS CONTROLLING PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE OR IMPOSING COMPREHENSIVE PRICE CONTROLS WOULD BE CONTRARY TO OUR FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES AND DAMAGING TO THE WORKINGS OF THE ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID HE ACCEPTED THAT OVER THE MEDIUM TERM, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND OF OTHER MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS COULD LEAD TO CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES AND WE MUST TAKE CARE TO SEE THAT THIS DID NOT GIVE RISE TO INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
/“THE BUILDING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 27 -
"THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ITSELF CAN DO MUCH TO HELP AVOID SUCH PRESSURES, BY INTRODUCING FURTHER MECHANISATION TO SAVE MANPOWER AND BY IMPROVING LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY.
"MASSIVE CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS ARE LESS LABOUR INTENSIVE THAN BUILDING PROJECTS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, IF THE NEED WERE TO ARISE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER EXCEPTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS SO THAT THERE WOULD BE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LABOUR TO ENSURE THAT THE PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE WITHOUT UNACCEPTABLE STRAINS ON THE ECONOMY, HE SAID.
- - 0---------
LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM FOR HK ISLAND BEING ASSESSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING THREE SEPARATE PROPOSALS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BUILD A LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM BETWEEN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SO CHAU YIM-PING, WHO WANTED TO KNOW THE LIKELY ALIGNMENT OF THE SYSTEM AND THE TIMING OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ON THE MATTER.
HE SAID THE ALIGNMENTS SUGGESTED UNDER THE DIFFERENT SCHEMES VARIED, BUT ALL CONNECTED CENTRAL DISTRICT WITH THE VARIOUS POPULATION CENTRES ON THE SOUTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
ALL THREE PROPOSALS INCLUDED SUBSTANTIAL ASSOCIATED PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS AND LAND REQUIREMENTS ALONG THE ROUTES.
MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS PREMATURE TO DETERMINE AT THIS STAGE THE LIKELY ALIGNMENT OF THE RAILWAY AS THE GOVERNMENT WAS ASSESSING THE TRANSPORT, ECONOMIC, PLANNING AND LAND USE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSALS.
HE HOPED THAT RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
---------0-----------
/28 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
28
SPECIAL EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOTE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE MAKING A SPECIAL EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD AND EXERCISE THEIR ELECTORAL RIGHTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS SPECIAL EFFORT WOULD BE PART OF A GOVERNMENT PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, SIR DAVID SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM.
HE EXPLAINED THAT AN ANALYSIS OF THE 1989 FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS REVEALED THAT, OVERALL, 43.9 PER CENT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, HAD ACTUALLY REGISTERED.
’’THE FIGURE FOR THOSE IN THE 21 TO 25 AGE GROUP IS ONLY 12 PER CENT.
’’THIS IS DISAPPOINTING,’’ HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID A GOVERNMENT WORKING PARTY HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED VERY RECENTLY TO PLAN THE DETAILS OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN.
IT WOULD DRAW ON THE EXPERIENCE GAINED IN PREVIOUS VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGNS, WHICH HAD ACHIEVED MOST SUCCESS IN REGISTERING ELECTORS THROUGH PERSONAL CONTACT.
"IN REGISTERING YOUNG ELECTORS, WE WILL THEREFORE BE CONTACTING YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, STUDENT BODIES AND INSTITUTES OF TERTIARY EDUCATION TO SEEK THEIR ASSISTANCE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASING AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY OF THE NEED TO MAKE THE 1991 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS A SUCCESS.
"WE WILL BE BUILDING ON THIS AND DOING ALL WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE, INCLUDING YOUNG PEOPLE, TO REGISTER AS ELECTORS AND THEN TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS," HE ADDED.
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/29 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 29 -
PROVISION OF ESCALATOR LINK HAS TO BE JUSTIFIED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE PROVISION OF HILLSIDE ESCALATOR LINKS SUCH AS THE MID-LEVELS PROJECT DEPENDED ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM IN RELIEVING TRAFFIC CONGESTION, ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY, AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES AND PRIORITY IN THE ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
MR LEUNG WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CH1-FAI ON WHETHER OTHER AREAS WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ESCALATOR LINK.
HE SAID THE CONDUIT ROAD TO CONNAUGHT ROAD ESCALATOR LINK WAS A PILOT PROJECT RECOMMENDED BY THE TRAFFIC STUDIES COMPLETED IN 1984 TO HELP RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREA.
WORK ON THIS PROJECT, COSTING $100 MILLION, WOULD START IN AUGUST WITH A VIEW TO COMPLETION IN MID-1992.
THEREAFTER, ITS USE AND EFFECTIVENESS WOULD BE MONITORED AND EVALUATED BEFORE ANY CONCLUSIONS COULD BE REACHED ON THE SUCCESS OF SUCH SCHEMES, HE SAID.
BEFORE CONSIDERING OTHER SIMILAR LINKS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO BE CERTAIN THAT SUCH SYSTEMS WOULD PROVE EFFECTIVE IN RELIEVING TRAFFIC CONGESTION, AND THAT THE TRAFFIC BENEFITS WERE OVERRIDING.
DETAILED STUDIES WOULD HAVE TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO IDENTIFY ROUTES WHERE THERE WOULD BE A HIGH DEMAND FOR SUCH PEDESTRIAN LINKS AS WELL AS ALIGNMENTS WHICH WERE FEASIBLE IN ENGINEERING TERMS.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES ANP PRIORITIES IN THE ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WERE ALSO IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS.
REVIEW OF PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME SCHEDULED FOR MID-1990
******
THE NEXT REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THF PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME RELATING TO THE TWO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES IS DUE IN MID-1990, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REVIEW WOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, MR LEUNG ADDED IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHTN-WAH.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
30
HE SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW WAS TO CONSIDER, IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE, WHETHER THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS FOR CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY, COVERING MAINLY ACCOUNTING MATTERS, COULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED.
UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TWO FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES MUTUALLY AGREED TO A CHANGE, BOTH PARTIES WERE LEGALLY OBLIGED TO ABIDE BY THE BASIC TERMS OF THE AGREEMENTS UNTIL THE EXISTING FRANCHISES EXPIRED, HE ADDED.
-----0-----
THREE BILLS PASSED
*****
THE PROTECTION OF NON-GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION BILL 1990, AND THE ELECTRICITY BILL 1989 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE PRIVATE BILLS BILL 1990, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, AND THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
DURING THE MEETING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY MADE A STATEMENT ON DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 1991.
---------0-----------
/31 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 31 -
1991 ELECTIONS AND COMPOSITION OF LEGCO *****
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) GAVE FURTHER DETAILS OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991, AND THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS BEING PROPOSED FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SUEN SAID THE 1991 LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE A TOTAL OF 60 MEMBERS, INCLUDING A DEPUTY PRESIDENT.
ITS COMPOSITION WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
* 18 DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS
* 21 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
* 17 APPOINTED MEMBERS
* 3 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
* 1 DEPUTY PRESIDENT
MR SUEN SAID THE DECISION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FROM 14 TO 21 REPRESENTED A STEP TOWARDS THE 30 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AIMED FOR 1995.
THE SEVEN NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE:
* URBAN COUNCIL
* REGIONAL COUNCIL
* TOURISM (REPRESENTED BY THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL)
* FINANCIAL SERVICES (INCLUDING STOCKBROKING, COMMODITIES AND FUTURES TRADING, THE INSURANCE SECTOR, AND THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE)
* CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE (REPRESENTED BY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, THE REAL ESTATES DEVELOPER ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS
ASSOCIATION)
/* RURAL INTERESTS ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 32 -
* RURAL INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THE HEUNG YEE KUK, AND
* ENGINEERING (WHICH WILL BE SEPARATED FROM AN EXISTING CONSTITUENCY WHICH ALSO INCLUDES ARCHITECTS, SURVEYORS AND PLANNERS)
IN ADDITION, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE EXISTING FINANCE CONSTITUENCY ALONG WITH LICENSED BANKS.
MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT IN PREPARATION FOR A WHOLLY-ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1995, THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS IN 1991 WOULD BE REDUCED FROM 20 TO 18, AND THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS FROM 10 TO THREE.
"THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS WHO WILL REMAIN ARE THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL," HE SAID.
MR SUEN ADDED THAT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE FOR BRANCH SECRETARIES TO TAKE PART IN COUNCIL MEETINGS, BUT WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
"THIS WILL ALLOW GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THAT THE SECRETARY WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND."
ON THE ROLE OF THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SUEN SAID A NON OFFICIAL MEMBER WOULD BE APPOINTED TO PRESIDE OVER SOME MEETINGS, SUCH AS WHEN THE GOVERNOR WAS AWAY FROM HONG KONG.
"THIS IS AN INTERIM STEP, PAVING THE WAY FOR THE ELECTION OF A PRESIDENT FROM AMONG MEMBERS IN 1995."
FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS, MR SUEN SAID THERE WOULD BE NINE DOUBLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES, WHICH WOULD KEEP CLOSELY TO THE DISTRICT BOARD BOUNDARIES AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT POPULATION DISTRIBUTION.
THE NINE CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE:
* HONG KONG ISLAND EAST, COMPRISING EASTERN DISTRICT AND WAN CHAT;
» HONG KONG ISLAND WEST, COMPRISING CENTRAL AND WESTERN AND SOUTHERN;
« KOWLOON EAST, COMPRISING KWUN TONG;
* KOWLOON CENTRAL, COMPRISING WONG TAI SIN AND KOWLOON CITY;
* KOWLOON WEST, COMPRISING SHAM SHUT PO, MONG KOK AND YAU TSIM;
» NT NORTH, COMPRISING NORTH AND TAT PO;
/* NT EAST.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 33 -
* NT EAST, COMPRISING SHA TIN AND SAI KUNG;
* NT WEST, COMPRISING YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN; AND
* NT SOUTH, COMPRISING TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING AND ISLANDS.
TURNING TO THE VOTING SYSTEM, MR SUEN SAID THERE WOULD BE A ’’FIRST PAST THE POST" SYSTEM FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS WITH EACH ELECTOR GETTING TWO VOTES -- ONE FOR EACH OF THE SEATS IN THE CONSTITUENCY.
’’THIS SYSTEM HAD BEEN USED IN ELECTIONS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, AND IS WELL UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
"FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THE PREFERENTIAL ELIMINATION VOTING SYSTEM, WHICH WAS USED SUCCESSFULLY IN THE 1988 ELECTIONS, WILL BE RETAINED.
"REGISTERED VOTERS WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS, AS WELL AS IN A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY WHERE THEY ARE QUALIFIED TO DO SO," HE ADDED.
AS FOR VOTING ELIGIBILITY, MR SUEN SAID THE MINIMUN VOTING AGE OF 21 YEARS WOULD BE RETAINED FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS.
"WE WILL CONSIDER LOWERING IT TO 18 YEARS PRIOR TO THE 1995 ELECTIONS," HE SAID.
MR SUEN ADDED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN 1991, AND THAT ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THEIR MEMBERS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE APPOINTED.
"THE SITUATION WILL BE REVIEWED AGAIN BEFORE THE 1995 ELECTIONS."
ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARDS, HE SAID CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES HAD BEEN REVIEWED AS IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS.
"THE REVIEW TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION A NUMBER OF FACTORS RELATED TO INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS, SUCH AS POPULATION SIZE AND MOVEMENT, GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS, MIX OF HOUSING TYPES AND THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES," HE SAID.
"MAPS SHOWING THE CHANGES TO DISTRICT BOARDS’ BOUNDARIES AND CONSTITUENCIES WITHIN A DISTRICT WILL BE DISPLAYED AT DISTRICT OFFICES FROM MARCH 22 FOR SIX WEEKS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMENTS."
MR SUEN SAID THE REVIEW ALSO COVERED THE PROVISION OF ELECTED SEATS FOR EACH CONSTITUENCY OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
"AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, SINGLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE PROVIDED.
/"SINCE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
"SINCE THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE IN ESSENCE ADVISORY BODIES ON LOCAL AFFAIRS, THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ENABLE BOTH THE ELECTORATE AND ELECTED MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY WITH EACH OTHER MORE CLEARLY.
"DOUBLE-SEAT CONSTITUENCIES WILL, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED WHEN THE LOCAL SITUATION JUSTIFIES," HE SAID.
MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT THESE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS WOULD REQUIRE CHANGES TO THE ELECTORAL LAW.
"IN SEEKING THESE AMENDMENTS, THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO SCRUTINISE AND DEBATE THESE PROPOSALS," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
EXCO APPROVES NEW TUNNEL TOLLS *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT THE TOLL FOR ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL REMAIN AT $3, AND THAT THE TOLLS FOR THE SHING MUN AND JUNK BAY TUNNELS WILL ALSO BE SET AT $3, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE TOLL FOR LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE ADJUSTED TO $6 WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 20, 1990 WHEN THE SHING MUN TUNNELS OPEN TO TRAFFIC.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TUNNEL TOLIES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1985.
HE SAID IT WAS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO USE TOLLS TO REDUCE CONGESTION IN THE TUNNELS AND ADJACENT ROADS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT, AT PRESENT, AN AVERAGE OF 105,000 VEHICLES USE THE LION ROCK TUNNEL EACH DAY, WHICH IS 25,000 VEHICLES MORE THAN THE 80,000 VEHICLES FOR WHICH THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED.
THIS HAS RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE CONGESTION ON THE APPROACH ROADS TO THE TUNNEL, AND UNACCEPTABLY LONG QUEUES DURING RUSH HOURS.
IN RECENT YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TRIED VARIOUS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO RELIEVE CONGESTION AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL, SUCH AS TIDAL FLOW AND THE CONTROLLED MERGING OF VEHICLES.
HOWEVER, THESE HAVE LED TO ONLY MARGINAL IMPROVEMENTS. CONGESTION AT THIS TUNNEL WILL CONTINUE UNLESS THE TOLL IS REVISED.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT A TOLL OF $6 WILL HELP REDUCE CONGESTION TO A MORE ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.
/THE SPOKESMAN
35
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE ANTICIPATED IMPROVEMENT IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS SHOULD BENEFIT THE PUBLIC IN TERMS OF REDUCED TRAVELLING TIMES AND FUEL COSTS.
THOSE MOTORISTS NOT WISHING TO PAY THE NEW TOLL HAD THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE OF TAT PO ROAD, WHICH WAS WIDENED RECENTLY, AS WELL AS THE SHING MUN TUNNELS FOR WHICH THE TOLL WOULD BE ONLY $3.
BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, HE SAID, SUBSTANTIAL RELIEF TO THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WOULD BE PROVIDED UPON THE OPENING OF THE TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL.
TUNNEL TOLLS ARE USED PRIMARILY FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PURPOSES, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE TOLLS FOR THE SHING MUN AND JUNK BAY TUNNELS HAVE THEREFORE BEEN SET AT ONLY $3 IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE WIDER USE OF THESE NEW FACILITIES, WHEN THEY OPEN TO TRAFFIC IN APRIL AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS HOUSING FOR ELDERLY
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A REPORT ON HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE REPORT CONTAINS PROPOSALS ON ACCOMMODATION AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. THESE PROPOSALS WERE PUT FORWARD BY A JOINT WORKING GROUP OF THE HOUSING AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS.
THE DB COMMITTEE HAS SET UP AN AD HOC WORKING GROUP TO HELP RESIDENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT THE REPORT AND TO COLLECT THEIR VIEWS. THESE VIEWS, TOGETHER WITH MEMBERS’ COMMENTS, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR CONSIDERATION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TWO SCHOOLS WHICH WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ESTATE.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
36
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A BRIEFING ON GROUP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE IN SHAM SHUI PO AND REPORTS FROM THE COMMITTEE FOUR WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO REVIEW PROGRESS OF PROJECTS
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF ITS PROJECTS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE REPAINTING OF A MURAL ON A SLOPE IN PUI CHING ROAD, THF PROVISION OF A LAVATORY IN A HUNG HOM PARK AND THE RELOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEE NOTICE BOARDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
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/37........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
37
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR VISITS ELECTRONICS FACTORY
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED AN ELECTRONICS FACTORY IN KWUN TONG TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE LABOUR SCENE,
THE NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR (HONG KONG) LTD, WHICH WAS SET UP ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, PRODUCES COMPUTER PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS FOR EXPORT TO THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE, CANADA AND OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES,
THE COMMISSIONER WAS BRIEFED BY THE COMPANY'S HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, MR BEN LEUNG, AND PLANT MANAGER, MR ALEX WONG, ON THE FACTORY’S DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS SITUATION.
MR HAMMOND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FACTORY CURRENTLY EMPLOYS ABOUT 430 WORKERS OPERATING TWO SHIFTS A DAY AND HAS MAINTAINED GOOD LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS THROUGH FORMAL AND INFORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE FACTORY HAS TAKEN A SERIOUS VIEW ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, WITH AN IN-PLANT SAFETY COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY A SAFETY OFFICER. THIS HELPS THE FACTORY MAINTAIN A VERY GOOD SAFETY RECORD.
MR HAMMOND WAS LATER TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE FACTORY’S DESIGN SECTION, THE ASSEMBLY LINES AND THE PRODUCT QUALITY TESTING SECTION.
BEFORE CONCLUDING THE VISIT, MR HAMMOND DISCUSSED WITH THE MANAGEMENT THE LABOUR RELATIONS AND STAFF WELFARE SITUATION IN THE FACTORY.
------0-------
AIDS EXHIBITION IN TAI PO *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT AIDS WHEN THEY VISIT AN AIDS EXHIBITION IN TAI PO WHICH WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY (MARCH 23) .
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION, THE SEVENTH IN A SERIES OF MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON AIDS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, WILL BE HELD AT THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM DAILY.
"THE EXHIBITION AIMS AT INCREASING COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT AIDS, AND FOSTERING A POSITIVE, SYMPATHETIC AND SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE IN THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS AIDS PATIENTS AND CARRIERS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/"THE FOCUS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 38 -
"THE FOCUS IS ON YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MORE LIKELY THAN OTHERS TO ENGAGE IN RISK BEHAVIOUR, YET ARE OFTEN LESS LIKELY TO BE AWARE OF THE RISKS OF INFECTION WITH AIDS," HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION, BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, COVERS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AIDS.
APART FROM SHOWING THE WORLDWIDE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE, IT ALSO ILLUSTRATES HOW AIDS THREATENS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THIS CAN BE COUNTERED.
MEDICAL STAFF WILL BE PRESENT AT THE EXHIBITION TO GIVE ADVICE AND ANSWER PUBLIC ENQUIRIES.
EDUCATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON AIDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS WHO WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN HANDSOME PRIZES BY ANSWERING A QUIZ DESIGNED TO TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON AIDS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL RUN UNTIL SUNDAY (MARCH 25), AND WILL MOVE TO TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL IN TUEN MUN ON APRIL 6.
-----0-----
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR STORAGE PURPOSES.
TWO OF THEM ARE IN D.D. NO. 51, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, WITH AN AREA OF 10,500 SQUARE METRES AND 1,535 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THEY CAN BE USED FOR OPEN STORAGE AND LOADING AND UNLOADING OF THE TENANT’S GOODS INCLUDING VEHICLES NOT LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE OF CAP. 374 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG, CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS, CONSTRUCTION PLANT AND EQUIPMENT.
THE THIRD ONE IS A 6,600-SQUARE-METRE LOT IN AREA 26C, KWAI CHUNG WHICH CAN BE USED EITHER FOR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING STORAGE OF CONTAINERS) OR REPAIRING OF VEHICLES.
THE LEASES FOR ALL THREE LOTS ARE FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AS WELL AS THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF NORTH AND KWAI TSING.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 6 THIS YEAR.
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/39 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
39
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES REMOVED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
*****
SIXTEEN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WERE CLEARED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE STRUCTURES - SHOPS, RESIDENTIAL UNITS, STORES AND CANOPIES - WERE SITUATED AT BACKLANES IN DUNDAS STREET, RECLAMATION STREET, WATERLOO ROAD, CANTON ROAD, PITT STREET AND TUNG ON STREET.
EX-GRATIA PAYMENT OF $16,110 WERE PAID TO ELIGIBLE SHOP OPERATORS AND SUITABLE HOUSING ARRANGEMENT WAS MADE FOR A MAN AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE.
THE OPERATION WAS CO-ORDINATED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, INVOLVING STAFF FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS, HOUSING, URBAN SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS THE POLICE.
A TOTAL OF 56 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN THE DISTRICT WERE PULLED DOWN IN TWO EARLIER OPERATIONS CONDUCTED UNDER THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CLEARANCE PROGRAMME IN 1989-90.
- - 0 - -
NINE Il’S ARRESTED * * ♦ »
IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED NINE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA IN A SERIES OF OPERATIONS YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
THE NINE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - THREE WOMEN AND SIX MEN - WERE APPREHENDED IN TWO BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS AND TWO RESIDENTIAL FLATS.
AGED FROM 17 TO 25, THEY WERE NATIVES OF CHAOZHOU OR HAIFENG AND CLAIMED TO HAVE SNEAKED INTO HONG KONG DURING THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TWO FACTORIES IN WHICH TWO OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE FOUND ARE ASSISTING WITH INVESTIGATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REITERATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0 - -
/40
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED * * * ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF ROYAL SCOT FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORKS, HOI LEE STREET IN EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 23) FOR TWO WEEKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON SAI WAN HO STREET WESTBOUND HEADING FOR SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WESTBOUND OR EASTBOUND MAY TRAVEL VIA HOI NING STREET, HING MAN STREET AND HOI AN STREET.
IN THE MID-LEVELS, FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY, THE EXISTING BAN ZONE (FROM 7 AM TO 8 PM DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS) ON EASTBOUND PARK ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH BONHAM ROAD TO HOUSE NO. 25 FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT BUSES, PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE CANCELLED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF GILMAN STREET IN CENTRAL BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE EXTENDED FOR THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
IN WAN CHAI, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF HARBOUR ROAD BETWEEN FLEMING ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 105 METRES TO THE EAST WILL BE CURTAILED WESTWARD BY ABOUT 23 METRES.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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/41
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
- 41 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 23), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN NORTH POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED PUBLIC LIGHT BUS URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN CHIU STREET TO A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TIN CHIU STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
» THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TIN CHIU STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
WITHIN THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS URBAN CLEARWAYS, ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS, OR LOADING OR UNLOADING GOODS.
---------u _ _ _ _
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF AIRPORT EAST FLYOVER » * » * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE AIRPORT EAST FLYOVER LINKING EASTBOUND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WITH THE EASTERN END OF DEPARTURES CIRCUIT AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 23) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/42 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990
42
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 23), THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED PEAK HOUR (7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
* TSUN YIP STREET BETWEEN WAI YIP STREET AND HOI BUN ROAD;
» LAI YIP STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWUN TONG ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI BUN ROAD;
» THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF HOW MING STREET BETWEEN HUNG TO ROAD AND WAI YIP STREET;
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KWUN TONG FERRY CONCOURSE ACCESS ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WAI YIP STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES TO THE SOUTH; AND
* KEI YIP STREET BETWEEN WAI YIP STREET AND HOI BUN ROAD.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, ABOUT 450 METRES LONG OF ONE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC LANE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD SOUTH OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY ON MARCH 23 (FRIDAY), 25 AND 26 AND ON APRIL 1, 2 AND 3.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT TO CONSULT HOSPITAL STAFF SHORTLY ON SERVICE TERMS .......................... 1
GOVT TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL NT ...................................... 2
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING TODAY ....................................... 4
INTEGRATED EUROPEAN MARKET OFFERS ADVANTAGES TO HK ............................... 5
HK COMMISSIONER POINTS TO BIG OPPORTUNITIES ...................................... 7
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY TOMORROW ................................................ 8
SEMINAR ON STAFF SHORTAGE AND RETIREMENT SCHEMES ................................. 8
$56.9M SOUGHT FOR DB PROJECTS .................................................... 9
MONG DOK DB FUNDS OPEN FOR APPLICATION .......................................... 10
COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SHOW ON AGENDA .................... 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORK PLAN ............................................... 11
CHINESE REFERENCE GUIDE FOR TRADE CLASSIFICATION LIST ........................... 12
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ........................................................ 13
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN SHEUNG SHUI TO BE CLOSED ......................... 13
KEEN BIDDING FOR NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES ....................................... 14
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NT FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL ...................... 15
NO-ENTRY BAN IN KOWLOON TONG .................................................... 19
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SAN PO KONG..................................... 19
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON LAI KING HILL ROAD ........................................... 19
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
1
GOVT TO CONSULT HOSPITAL STAFF SHORTLY ON SERVICE TERMS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE GOVERNMENT WOULD START VERY SHORTLY TO CONSULT HOSPITAL STAFF FULLY ON THE NEW TERMS OF SERVICE UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY,
.ADDRESSING A LUNCH MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, MRS WONG SAID STAFF WERE NATURALLY CONCERNED TO KNOW HOW THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WOULD AFFECT THEIR JOBS AND TERMS OF SERVICE.
"I BELIEVE THAT MANY OF THE STAFF WILL FIND THE NEW TERMS ATTRACTIVE.
’’HOWEVER, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO REMAIN ON THEIR PRESENT TERMS AS CIVIL SERVANTS IF THEY SO PREFER. THUS NO ONE WILL BE WORSE OFF THAN THEY ARE AT PRESENT. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THE QUESTION OF WINDFALL PAYMENTS SHOULD NOT ARISE,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE AIM IN SETTING UP THE AUTHORITY WAS THREEFOLD, THE FIRST BEING TO BRING GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS TOGETHER WITHIN A SINGLE INTEGRATED SYSTEM.
’’THE PRESENT DIFFERENCES HAVE LED TO MUCH DISCONTENT WITHIN THE SUBVENTED HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE SITUATION WHERE THERE IS GROSS OVERCROWDING IN CERTAIN HOSPITALS AND UNDER-UTILISATION OF BEDS IN OTHERS.
”BY APPLYING RESOURCES MORE FAIRLY AND ENABLING EACH HOSPITAL TO DEVELOP IN WAYS TO WHICH IT IS BEST SUITED, WE BELIEVE THAT THESE PROBLEMS CAN BE OVERCOME,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE SECOND AIM WAS TO INTRODUCE MORE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS BY RUNNING PUBLIC HOSPITALS OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE ACCORDING TO PRINCIPLES CLOSER TO THOSE OF PRIVATE SECTOR MANAGEMENT.
”WE SHALL ALSO BE INJECTING CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES INTO STRENGTHENING MANAGEMENT CONTROL TO ENABLE PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO BE MORE EFFICIENTLY RUN.
’’THERE SHOULD ALSO BE GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO DEPLOY RESOURCES TO WHERE THEY CAN ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFECT.
THE
A AND SHE
’’THE THIRD AIM IS TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND TO ENSURE THAT HOSPITALS PROVIDE PATIENTS WITH SERVICE THAT IS BETTER ATTUNED TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS PREFERENCES, AND IS ALERT AND RESPONSIVE TO THEIR COMPLAINTS,’’
SAID.
/ON PRIMARY
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 2 -
ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, MRS WONG SAID A MAJOR WORKING PARTY CHAIRED BY PROF ROSIE YOUNG WAS REVIEWING EXISTING SERVICES AND EXAMINING THE ROLES OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
"THIS REVIEW HAS COME AT A RIGHT TIME AND WILL HELP TO REDRESS THE PREVIOUS IMBALANCE IN THE ORGANISATION OF OUR MEDICAL SERVICES WHICH HAS SO FAR BEEN VERY MUCH HOSPITAL-ORIENTATED.
"THE WORKING PARTY HAS MADE GOOD PROGRESS, AND I EXPECT TO HAVE ITS REPORT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR," SHE SAID.
ON THE ACCREDITATION OF POST-GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAMMES, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD HITHERTO RELIED PRIMARILY ON THE LEARNED COLLEGES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA.
"THIS IS NO LONGER SUFFICIENT, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT TRAINING SHOULD BE GEARED MORE SPECIFICALLY TO LOCAL NEEDS, WITH A SYSTEM OF ACCREDITATION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED ON A LOCAL BASIS," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE AND A PREPARATORY COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY PROF DAVID TODD WAS NOW DOING THE PREPARATORY WORK.
"THIS INCLUDES DRAFTING THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS FOR THE ACADEMY, MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FORMATION OF COLLEGES, FACULTIES AND BOARDS RESPONSIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL SPECIALTIES, AND CONSIDERING OTHER ASPECTS OF POST-GRADUATE AND CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXAMINATIONS.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE ACADEMY WILL BE FUNCTIONING AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY BY THE MIDDLE OF 1991," SHE SAID.
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GOVT TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL NT ******
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND $4 BILLION IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WHEN ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, HONG KONG, THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
HE SAID THE AMOUNT WAS THE BUDGET FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS MAPPED OUT FOR RURAL AREAS UNDER THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY.
/MR HSU ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 3 -
MR HSU SAID THE IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY, TOGETHER WITH THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, WOULD BE THE MAIN FEATURE OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NT IN THE NEXT DECADE.
NOTING THAT NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NT HAVE MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS SINCE THE EARLY 1970’S, HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO IMPROVE THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT AND LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE RURAL AREAS, MOST OF WHICH ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE NEW TOWNS.
"THE GOVERNMENT, THEREFORE, ANNOUNCED THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY LAST SUMMER FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION. A LOT OF PUBLIC VIEWS HAD BEEN RECEIVED, INDICATING THAT IT WAS WIDELY WELCOMED BY NT RESIDENTS," HE ADDED.
A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY WAS GIVING PRIORITY TO CARRYING OUT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE ACCESS ROADS, FOOTPATHS, RECREATION FACILITIES AND WATER SUPPLY, MR HSU SAID.
ANOTHER COMPONENT WAS LAND USE PLANNING AND POLICY, WHICH WOULD NOT ONLY PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND LAND WITH BASIC FACILITIES TO MEET DEVELOPMENT NEEDS BUT ALSO PREVENT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, POLLUTION AND FLOODING.
"A 10-YEAR PLAN HAS BEEN MAPPED OUT UNDER THE IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY, AND THE BUDGET OF THE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WILL AMOUNT TO $4 BILLION.
"IN THE FIRST FOUR YEARS, THE AUTHORITIES WILL SPEND ABOUT $600 MILLION ON VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, INCLUDING EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT OF VILLAGES, SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS, IMPROVED VILLAGE ACCESS AND ROAD MAINTENANCE.
"THE AUTHORITIES WILL ALSO GIVE PRIORITY TO DEALING WITH THE URGENT PROBLEMS RELATING TO FLOODING AND THE PROBLEM OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE NORTHWESTERN AND NORTHEASTERN PARTS OF THE NT BEING USED AS OPEN WAREHOUSES.
"TO MEET THE NEEDS OF MANUFACTURERS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER DESIGNATING AREAS FOR THESE OPEN WAREHOUSES," MR HSU ADDED.
TURNING TO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS, MR HSU SAID A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR JUNK BAY, AND THAT WORK WOULD BE UNDERWAY IN TUEN MUN IN THE COMING YEARS TO FACILITATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
"THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PLAN IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 1990’S, AND SO FAR ITS EXPENDITURE AMOUNTED TO ABOUT $25 BILLION.
/"IT IS
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE WILL BE $58 MILLION ON COMPLETION OF THE PLAN," MR HSU SAID.
MR HSU BELIEVED THAT THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WOULD GREATLY ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WESTERN PORT ANO THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE NT.
"THE AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND THE TWO PROPOSED SATELLITE TOWNS IN TUNG CHUNG AND TAI WOR WILL PROVIDE A FACELIFT FOR THE NORTHERN AND NORTHWESTERN PARTS OF LANTAU, AS WELL AS MA WAN," HE NOTED.
MR HSU POINTED OUT THAT IN THE YEARS TO COME, THE NT WOULD HAVE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS, MORE EFFICIENT ROAD NETWORKS AND IMPROVED FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES.
"I HOPE PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS WILL ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES. I AM CONVINCED THAT EVERYBODY HERE IS FULL OF CONFIDENCE IN TAKING UP THE CHALLENGE," HE CONCLUDED.
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SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING TODAY ♦ » * ♦ ♦
THE 19TH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD TODAY (THURSDAY, MARCH 22).
THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR THE 1990-91 FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD AMOUNT TO 128.27 HECTARES.
THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES 24 HECTARES FOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT; 21.26 HECTARES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AND VILLAGE HOUSING; 17.89 HECTARES FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES, EDUCATIONAL, WELFARE, RELIGIOUS, RECREATIONAL AND OTHER USES; AND 65.12 HECTARES AS SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING 50 HECTARES FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 8.
THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED TO SET ASIDE FIVE HECTARES OF LAND IN A SUPPLEMENTARY LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME.
THE LAND COMMISSION WILL DECIDE DURING THE YEAR ON THE AMOUNT OF LAND TO BE RELEASED FROM THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMME IN THE LIGHT OF DEMAND.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
INTEGRATED EUROPEAN MARKET OFFERS ADVANTAGES TO HK *******
THE POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES FOR HONG KONG ARE LIKELY TO OUTWEIGH THE POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES UPON THE COMPLETION OF AN INTEGRATED EUROPEAN MARKET BY THE END OF 1992.
THIS VIEW WAS EXPRESSED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, WHEN HE SPOKE ON "EUROPE 1992 - IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG’S TRADE AND INDUSTRY" AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
MR LEUNG SAID THE ELIMINATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND CUSTOMS PAPERWORK, FRONTIER DELAYS AND DIVERGENT RULES FOR FREIGHT TRANSPORT UNDER THE 12 SEPARATE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY WAS LIKELY TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF DELIVERY OF GOODS TO THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THE REMOVAL OF FRONTIER CONTROL ON THE FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS SHOULD LEAD TO BETTER MARKET PENETRATION BY HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN THE MAJOR MARKETS.
"EUROPE 1992" WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE HARMONISATION OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS INCLUDING THOSE RELATED TO QUALITY, HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF GOODS.
"IT SHOULD EXPAND MARKETS FOR EXPORTS TO THE COMMUNITY IN SO FAR AS SUCH EXPORTS ARE ABLE TO MEET THESE HARMONISED STANDARDS. AND A MORE BUOYANT ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE COMMUNITY MIGHT ENABLE IT TO ADOPT A MORE LIBERAL TRADE POLICY, WHICH SHOULD BENEFIT HONG KONG’S EXPORT-ORIENTED ECONOMY," MR LEUNG SAID.
HE SAID ONE POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGE FOR HONG KONG IN THE CREATION OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET WAS THAT INCREASED COMPETITION MIGHT LEAD TO THE INTENSIFICATION OF PROTECTIONIST PRESSURES FROM INDUSTRIES WITHIN THE EEC.
ACCORDING TO MR LEUNG, ONE IMPORTANT IMPLICATION OF "EUROPE 1992" FOR HONG KONG’S TOY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WAS THAT IF HONG KONG MADE TOYS WERE MANUFACTURED IN CONFORMITY WITH THE HARMONISED EUROPEAN STANDARDS, THEY WOULD SATISFY THE ESSENTIAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND THE "CE" MARK, WHICH DENOTES CONFIRMITY WITH THE STIPULATED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, COULD BE AFFIXED ON THEM BY THE MANUFACTURERS.
"TO ENSURE CONFORMITY, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS HAVE THEIR TOYS TESTED BY LABORATORIES ACCREDITED UNDER THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS).
/"THIS IS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 6 -
"THIS IS BECAUSE HOKLAS HAS ALREADY SIGNED A MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENT UNDER THE LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME WITH THE NATIONAL MEASUREMENT ACCREDITATION SERVICE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (NAMAS), AND THE EC COMMISSION HAS CONFIRMED IN WRITING THAT TESTING IN HOKLAS ACCREDITED LABORATORIES WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO RECENT EVENTS IN EASTERN EUROPE, MR LEUNG SAID OF THE POSSIBLE IMPACTS ON HONG KONG’S TRADERS AND MANUFACTURERS: "FIRSTLY, THE EEC ARE LIKELY TO BE SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS REQUESTS FROM EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND INCREASED MARKET ACCESS.
"THE NET EFFECT IS THEREFORE TO INCREASE TRADE WITHIN EUROPE AS A WHOLE, POSSIBLY AT THE EXPENSE OF SOME MARKET SHARE OF NON-EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FOR PRODUCTS OF COMPARABLE QUALITY/PRICE RATIOS.
"SECONDLY, EASTERN EUROPE COULD ALSO BE VIEWED BY EUROPEAN MANUFACTURERS AS A VAST HINTERLAND OF SUB-CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES.
"THIRDLY, HIGHER CAPITAL FLOWS TO EASTERN EUROPE CAN ALSO BE EXPECTED. THIS COULD LEAD TO TIGHTER WORLD LIQUIDITY AND FIRMER INTEREST RATES. THIS COULD DIVERT SOME INVESTMENT ATTENTION FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD INCLUDING THE ASIA PACIFIC."
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR LEUNG POINTED OUT, EASTERN EUROPE, WITH A POPULATION OF 420 MILLION, WAS A MARKET OF TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL, PARTICULARLY FOR GOODS IN THE LOWER PRICE RANGES.
"THE INABILITY TO MEET DEMAND FOR CONSUMER GOODS BY LOCAL PRODUCTION WOULD PRESENT CONSIDERABLE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES TO FOREIGN SUPPLIERS. MOREOVER, REFORMS IN TRAliE LIBERALISATION WOULD ALSO PROVIDE NEW SALES CHANNELS," HE SAID.
HE CONCLUDED THAT, ON BALANCE, IT WOULD SEEM EASTERN EUROPE PRESENTED ITSELF MORE AS AN OPPORTUNITY RATHER THAN A THREAT.
"AS THE EEC ACCOUNTS FOR 36.6 PER CENT OF ALL WORLD TRADE (COMPARED WITH 13.3 PER CENT FOR THE U.S. AND 7.7 PER CENT FOR JAPAN), IT HAS A LARGE STAKE IN FREE AND OPEN INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
"ONE CAN THEREFORE REASONABLY EXPECT THE COMMUNITY TO REMAIN ESSENTIALLY AN OPEN MARKET INSTEAD OF DEVELOPING INTO A ’FORTRESS EUROPE’.
"ONE THING IS CERTAIN: WHETHER MANUFACTURERS OUTSIDE THE EEC ARE ABLE TO REAP BENEFITS FROM THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET ULTIMATELY DEPENDS ON THEIR FLEXIBILITY AND CAPABILITY.
"HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS ARE RENOWNED FOR THESE QUALITIES. I HAVE THEREFORE EVERY CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEW CHALLENGES AHEAD," MR LEUNG SAID.
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/7........
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
7
HK COMMISSIONER POINTS TO BIG OPPORTUNITIES
*****
BRITISH BUSINESSMEN CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY HONG KONG AND THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, HAS SAID.
SPEAKING TO AN AUDIENCE OF LEADING BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS IN ENGLAND’S NORTH EAST, MR YAXLEY SAID THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION HAD SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER ECONOMIC GROWTH THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD.
’’JAPAN IS AND WILL REMAIN THE DOMINANT ECONOMIC POWER IN THE REGION FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, BUT HONG KONG HAS A UNIQUE ROLE AS THE HUB OF THE REGION AND PARTICULARLY AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA, A COUNTRY CONTAINING ONE QUARTER OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION.
"JAPAN CERTAINLY RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG BY INVESTING AT LEAST TWICE AS MUCH THERE AS IN THAILAND, SINGAPORE OR INDONESIA," HE SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID HONG KONG’S IMPRESSIVE ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN RECENT YEARS, COUPLED WITH ITS RE-EMERGENCE AS AN ENTREPOT AND INCREASING TRADE WITH THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING ASIA PACIFIC REGION, LEFT NO DOUBT THAT ITS EXTERNAL TRADE WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE 1990’S.
HE SAID THE EVENTS IN CHINA LAST YEAR HAD HAD SOME PASSING EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, BUT THERE WAS NO PANIC AND NOW THE SITUATION WAS BACK TO NORMAL, IF AT A SLOWER GROWTH RATE.
ON ECONOMIC LINKS WITH CHINA, MR YAXLEY SAID HONG KONG AND CHINA WERE NOW EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, NOTING THAT LAST YEAR TRADE WAS VALUED AT ABOUT 26 BILLION POUNDS STERLING, COMPARED WITH ONE BILLION POUNDS STERLING IN 1978.
TRADE IN SERVICES HAD ALSO GAINED PROMINENCE IN RECENT YEARS.
"HONG KONG IS BELIEVED TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF CHINA’S OVERALL TOURIST RECEIPTS, ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 1.25 BILLION POUNDS STERLING IN 1988," HE SAID.
"WE ARE ALSO THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA AND ACCOUNT FOR AROUND 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL REALISED DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA.
"TO DATE, THIS SUM HAS AMOUNTED TO NEARLY EIGHT BILLION POUNDS STERLING," HE SAID.
MR YAXLEY SAID THAT WHILE HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WAS INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO CHINA, THERE WERE HUGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT WOULD COST TWO AND A HALF TIMES MORE THAN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL TUNNEL.
THE COMMISSIONER’S THREE-DAY VISIT TO THE NORTH EAST INCLUDED A RECEPTION FOR CHINESE COMMUNITY LEADERS AND AN ADDRESS TO HIS ALMA MATER, THE UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM.
- - 0----------
/8 ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 8 -
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY TOMORROW
*****
TOMORROW (FRIDAY) HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS THIS YEAR’S WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY. THE THEME CHOSEN FOR THE 1990 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY CELEBRATIONS IS "NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION: HOW METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES CAN HELP".
THIS DAY ALSO MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION CONVENTION. IT WAS IN 1950, THE FORMER INTERNATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION, A NON-GOVERNMENTAL BODY SINCE 1873, WAS TRANSFORMED INTO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION (WMO) OF TODAY.
THIS YEAR’S THEME ECHOES THE CURRENT GLOBAL EMPHASIS ON NATURAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, AND HERALDS THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION.
THE OCCASION WILL BE COMMEMORATED THE WORLD OVER. THE AIM IS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF NATURAL DISASTERS SO THAT WE CAN REDUCE THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION THEY WILL CAUSE.
IN HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY WILL ORGANISE A RESEARCH FORUM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 24) TO BE HELD IN THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE. THE SUBJECT OF THE FORUM IS TOPICALLY "NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION: THE ROLE OF METEOROLOGY AND HYDROLOGY".
THE SOCIETY WILL ALSO CO-HOST WITH THE SPACE MUSEUM A SERIES OF SIX PUBLIC LECTURES ON CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS, COMMENCING ON JUNE 3. THE LECTURES WILL ALL BE ON RELATED SUBJECTS.
x v.------------0--------------------
SEMINAR ON STAFF SHORTAGE AND RETIREMENT SCHEMES
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A SEMINAR ON APRIL 3 (TUESDAY) TO HELP SENIOR MANAGEMENT STAFF TACKLE THEIR STAFF SHORTAGE PROBLEM AND SET UP STAFF RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR WILL ALSO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR PARTICIPANTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMERCIAL AND ACADEMIC SECTORS WILL BE INVITED TO TALK ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE SUBJECT.
/THEY INCLUDE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
THEY INCLUDE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CARLINGFORD SWIRE ASSURANCE GROUP, MR ROBERT HO; A PRINCIPAL LECTURER OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, MRS SARA TANG; REGIONAL PERSONNEL MANAGER OF WARDLEY LTD, MR K.S. YEUNG; AND PERSONNEL MANAGER OF THE ELECTRONIC DEVICES LTD, MR PETER CHEUNG.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE OPENED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR YIU YAN-NANG, AT THE MARRIOTT HOTEL, QUEENSWAY AT 2 PM. THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, MR JAMES YEUNG, WILL LEAD THE CONCLUDING DISCUSSION SESSION.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AND THE ENROLMENT FEE IS $150 PER HEAD.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION AT NEW RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
ENROLMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 528 2526.
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$56.9M SOUGHT FOR DB PROJECTS *****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) PLANS TO SPEND $56.9 MILLION IN THE 1990-91 FINANCIAL YEAR TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS AND TO RUN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE AMOUNT, EARMARKED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN CNTA’S DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1990-91. IT IS $2.4 MILLION MORE THAN THAT ALLOCATED FOR 1989-90.
HE SAID SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE SUM BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, $26.6 MILLION WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE 10 DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON, AND THE BALANCE OF $30.3 MILLION TO THE NINE DISTRICTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN 1990, A TOTAL OF 519 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY DISTRICT BOARDS, COMPARED WITH 474 PROJECTS IN 1989.
THE PROJECTS IN 1990 WILL INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL BEAUTIFICATION, DEVELOPMENT OF TEMPORARY AMENITIES ON VACANT GOVERNMENT LAND, MINOR WORKS TO DEAL WITH CRIME BLACK SPOTS, REMOVAL OF "EYESORES" AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF MINOR ACCESS ROADS AND PATHS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 10 -
HE ADDED THAT A TOTAL OF 4,371 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR 1990.
THROUGH THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, 3,946 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES WERE IMPLEMENTED IN 1989.
THE FUNDS WERE SPENT ON CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, SURVEYS AND SIMILAR PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS AND PROMOTE THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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MONG KOK DB FUNDS OPEN FOR APPLICATION
*****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE IS INVITING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING ACTIVITIES BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE SECOND FLOOR, TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON, BEFORE APRIL 10.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES SHOULD MEET ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: PROMOTE RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES; ENHANCE COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND SOCIAL COHESION; HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO DEVELOP GOOD HOBBIES, INTERESTS AND CIVIC CONSCIOUSNESS; OR BE EDUCATIONAL.
THE COMMITTEE HAS SENT LETTERS TO ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT, GIVING DETAILS AND INVITING THEM TO APPLY FOR FUNDS.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 3815291.
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/Il ........
THURSDAY, MARCTF
- 11 -
COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SHOW ON AGENDA
*****
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS DETAILS OF STAGING A LARGE-SCALE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SHOW WILL BE HELD FROM MAY 26 TO 28 AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND.
THE EXHIBITION WILL COVER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ON LOK TSUEN, FUTURE PROSPECTS OF AGRICULTURE AND MARICULTURE IN THE DISTRICT, AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
THE AIM IS TO GIVE LOCAL RESIDENTS AN INSIGHT INTO DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH DISTRICT AND TO ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORK PLAN
******
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS ITS PROPOSED WORK PLAN FOR 1990-91 AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY REPORTS ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
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/12........
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
12
CHINESE REFERENCE GUIDE FOR TRADE CLASSIFICATION LIST
*****
A PUBLICATION IN CHINESE HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AS A REFERENCE GUIDE IN COMPLETING IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATIONS.
IMPORTERS/EXPORTERS WILL FIND THE PUBLICATION USEFUL AS IT CONTAINS A COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION WITH HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODES AND CHINESE COMMODITY DESCRIPTIONS, AS WELL AS COUNTRY CODES AND NAMES OF COUNTRIES IN CHINESE.
THE HARMONIZED SYSTEM COMMODITY CODES AND COUNTRY CODES ARE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION WHICH IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS HAVE TO PROVIDE ON IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATION FORMS.
AN ENGLISH PUBLICATION, "HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST (HARMONIZED SYSTEM)", HAS BEEN AVAILABLE WITH ENGLISH COMMODITY DESCRIPTIONS AND NAMES OF COUNTRIES IN ENGLISH.
THE NEW PUBLICATION IN CHINESE OFFERS AN ADDITIONAL CHOICE OF REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS IN LOOKING UP THE CORRECT HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODES AND COUNTRY CODES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED, HOWEVER, THAT NOT ALL COMMODITIES AS DEFINED IN THE HARMONIZED SYSTEM HAVE WELL-ACCEPTED CHINESE TRANSLATION.
THE CHINESE TERMS GIVEN IN THE PUBLICATION ARE FOR REFERENCE ONLY. IF IN DOUBT, THE ORIGINAL ENGLISH DESCRIPTIONS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO IN COMPLETING IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS.
BESIDES THE COMMODITY AND COUNTRY CLASSIFICATION LISTS, THE NEWLY PUBLISHED CHINESE REFERENCE GUIDE CONTAINS OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATION.
IT INCLUDES EXPLANATIONS ON THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT AND PROCEDURES FOR LODGING IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATIONS, CALCULATION SCHEME FOR AD VALOREM CHARGES AND IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE IN COMPLETING IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATION FORMS.
THE PUBLICATION ALSO INCLUDES SPECIMEN OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DECLARATION FORMS.
THE NEW PUBLICATION IS NOW ON SALE AT $50 PER COPY AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:-
* GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE
GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR,
CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
/* KOWLOON COLLECTION ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 13 -
♦ KOWLOON COLLECTION OFFICE, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, STAR HOUSE, SECOND FLOOR, 3 SALISBURY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
* HONG KONG COLLECTION OFFICE, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, HARBOUR BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
* PUBLICATIONS SECTION, CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SAME LOCATIONS ARE THE ENGLISH PUBLICATION "HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST (HARMONIZED SYSTEM)” AT $30 PER COPY.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ABOVE PUBLICATIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 823 4919.
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DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF CITICORP ASIA PACIFIC LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN SHEUNG SHUI TO BE CLOSED
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN SHEUNG SHUI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
THEY ARE AT LOT 937 AND ON THE ADJACENT CROWN LAND HELD UNDER A SHORT-TERM TENANCY AGREEMENT IN DEMARCATION DISTRICT 92, KAM TSIN.
/THE CLOSURE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 14 -
THE CLOSURE FORMS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN OCTOBER 1987 REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THESE UNAUTHORISED WORKS.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 7 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
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KEEN BIDDING FOR NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED ABOUT 40 APPLICATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF 15 NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WHEN THE LATEST GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS SELECTION EXERCISE CLOSED ON MARCH 6.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THERE WAS KEEN BIDDING FOR ROUTES BETWEEN NAM CHEONG ESTATE AND SHAM SHUI PO MTR STATION; FAT TSEUNG STREET TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND CHEUNG SHA WAN MTR STATION; RIVIERA GARDEN AND TSUEN WAN FERRY; FO TAN AND TSUEN WAN CENTRAL; AND ALL-NIGHT SERVICE BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN.
"ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND A PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A SELECTION BOARD, COMPRISING AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND OFFICIALS FROM THE TRANSPORT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WILL SELECT THE APPLICANTS ON THE BASIS OF THE ESTABLISHED CRITERIA LAID DOWN BY THE BOARD.
THESE CRITERIA INCLUDE EXPERIENCE OF THE APPLICANT IN TRANSPORT SERVICE, HIS FINANCIAL RESOURCES, HIS MANAGEMENT RIGHT OVER THE VEHICLES, THE MAINTENANCE RECORD OF THE VEHICLES AS WELL AS THE QUALITY OF HIS VEHICLES TO BE DEPLOYED, INCLUDING THE AVAILABILITY OF AIR-CONDITIONING.
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/15........
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
15
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NT FOR
*****
CHING MING FESTIVAL
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD.
ROAD CLOSURE
WO HOP SHEK, FANLING
THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE SPECIFIED, ON MARCH 25 AND 31 AND ON APRIL 1, 5, 7, 8, 13 TO 16, AND 21, 22 DURING THE TIMES SPECIFIED BELOW:
(I) FROM 4 AM TO 8 PM
* KIU TAU ROAD EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FRANCHISED BUSES AND HEARSES;
* THE SECTION OF ROAD L100 BETWEEN FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT AND ROAD A100 EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES (PLB’S) AND TAXIS;
* THE SECTION OF ROAD A100 BETWEEN ROAD LI 10 AND ROAD D6 EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES;
* THE SECTION OF ROAD A100 BETWEEN ROAD LI 10 AND ROAD L100 EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, PLB’S AND TAXIS;
* ROAD L110 EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, PLB’S AND TAXIS;
* ROAD W100 EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND FRANCHISED BUSES; AND
* THE UNNAMED ROADS BETWEEN ROAD B200 AND KIU TAU ROAD EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES;
(II) FROM 7 AM TO 8 PM
* THE SECTION OF ROAD L100 BETWEEN ITS TWO JUNCTIONS WITH ROAD D6 EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FRANCHISED BUSES, TAXIS, COACHES AND SCHOOL BUSES.
/FANLING KCR .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 16 -
FANLING KCR STATION FORECOURT
THE FANLING KCR STATION FORECOURT WILL BE CLOSED AT ITS ACCESS FROM ROAD D5 TO ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, GREEN MINIBUSES, TAXIS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 PM ON MARCH 25 AND 31 AND ON APRIL 1, 5, 7, 13 TO 16, AND 21, 22.
CHEUNG WAH ESTATE ACCESS ROAD
CHEUNG WAH ESTATE ACCESS ROAD WILL BE CLOSED AT ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD D5 TO ALL TAXIS BETWEEN 7 AM AND 5 PM ON MARCH 25 AND 31 AND ON APRIL 1, 5, 7, 8, 13 TO 16, AND 21, 22.
LO WAI ROAD, TSUEN WAN
THE SECTION OF LO WAI ROAD BETWEEN LO WAI BUS TERMINUS AND YUEN YUEN HOK YUEN WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC; EXCEPT EMERGENCY VEHICLES, FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM ON APRIL 1, 5, 7 AND 8.
DURING THE PERIOD OF CLOSURE, THE LO WAI END TERMINATING POINT FOR NEW TERRITORIES PLB "SCHEDULED" SERVICE ROUTES 81 AND 81M WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE LO WAI BUS TERMINUS.
TSUEN WAN CEMETERY, TSUEN WAN
THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON MARCH 24, 25 AND 31 AND ON APRIL 1, 5, 7, 8 AND 13 TO 16:
* WING SHUN STREET SECTION BETWEEN TSUEN WAN CEMETERY AND ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI HEI STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, EXCEPT HEARSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM;
* A ONE-WAY SYSTEM WILL BE ADOPTED ON WING KEI ROAD, SECTION BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI HEI STREET AND WING KIN ROAD. VEHICLES WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER VIA WING KIN ROAD;
* WING LAP, WING CHONG AND WING HAU STREETS WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC;
♦ THE ROAD UNDER TSING TSUEN BRIDGE FROM RIVIERA GARDEN ONTO WING SHUN STREET IS NOT YET OPENED TO GENERAL TRAFFIC. NO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED;
♦ NO PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED ON ALL APPROACH ROADS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM. VEHICLES FOUND WILL BE SUBJECT TO BEING TOWED;
/* TEMPORARY TAXI ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 17 -
♦ TEMPORARY TAXI STANDS WILL BE ERECTED ON KWAI HEI STREET NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH WING SHUN STREET AND WING KEI ROAD.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD, GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE ADVISED TO USE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND GET OFF AT KWAI FONG STATION.
STOPPING RESTRICTIONS
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SET DOWN OR PICK UP PASSENGERS BETWEEN 6 AM AND 7 PM ON THE FOLLOWING ROADS ON MARCH 25 AND 31 AND ON APRIL 1, 5, 7, 8, 13 TO 16 AND 21, 22:
♦ SECTION OF ROAD D6 BETWEEN ROAD D3 AND ROAD L100;
* WO HOP SHEK ROAD;
♦ ROAD B200;
♦ SECTION OF ROAD L100 BETWEEN ROAD D6 AND ROAD A100;
* SECTION OF ROAD Al00 BETWEEN ROAD LI00 AND ROAD L110; AND
* SECTION OF TAI WO SERVICE ROAD WEST BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK MINI-ROUNDABOUT AND A POINT OF 300 METRES SOUTH OF KIU TAU ROAD.
CARPARK FACILITIES AND PRIVATE TRANSPORT
THE CARPARK ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF FANLING KCR STATION WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND FRANCHISED BUSES BETWEEN 4 AM AND 7 PM ON MARCH 25 AND ON APRIL 1, 5, 8, AND 15. THE CAR PARKING SPACES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM MARCH 25 TO APRIL 15.
THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GO TO THE CEMETERIES AS THERE WILL BE NO PARKING FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN THE VICINITY OF WO HOP SHEK; AND PARKING SPACES IN SHEUNG SHUI, FANLING (IN ON LOK TSUEN) AND AROUND TSUEN WAN CEMETERY ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED.
VEHICLES PARKED ILLEGALLY ON THE ROAD OR PAVEMENT WILL BE TOWED AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES
KCRC ELECTRIC TRAIN SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED AND OPERATED AT FANLING AT FIVE MINUTE FREQUENCY DURING PEAK PERIODS FROM 7 AM TO 9.30 AM AND FROM 5 PM TO 7.30 PM; AND AT EIGHT MINUTE OR NINE MINUTE FREQUENCY DURING OFF PEAK PERIODS FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM ON APRIL 1, 5, 8, 13 AND 15.
/A SPECIAL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
- 18 -
A SPECIAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 70R, WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN FANLING KCR STATION AND WO HOP SHEK TO CARRY GRAVE-SWEEPERS TO AND FROM THE CEMETERY AT ABOUT THREE MINUTE FREQUENCY AND AT $1.80 SINGLE FARE ON MARCH 25, APRIL 1, 5, 8 AND 15.
ROUTE 70R WILL PICK UP AND SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT THE PAIR OF BUS BAYS ON ROAD D6 ADJACENT TO FANLING KCR STATION AND WILL BE OPERATED VIA ROAD D6 AND ROAD L100 TO TERMINATE AT ROAD W100 NEAR FANLING SOUTH ROUNDABOUT.
ANOTHER SPECIAL BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 70S, WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD FERRY BUS TERMINUS AND WO HOP SHEK VIA TOLO HIGHWAY ON MARCH 25, APRIL 1, 5, 8 AND 15. THIS EXPRESS BUS SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED AT ABOUT SIX MINUTE FREQUENCY AND AT $6 SINGLE FARE.
A NEW SPECIAL BUS SERVICE, ROUTE 74R, WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN KWUN TONG TSUI PING ROAD AND WO HOP SHEK VIA TOLO HIGHWAY ON APRIL 5. THIS EXPRESS BUS SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED AT ABOUT SIX MINUTE FREQUENCY AND AT $6 SINGLE FARE.
GRAVE-SWEEPERS WISHING TO GO TO SANDY RIDGE FROM MARCH 31 TO APRIL 16 CAN TAKE KMB ROUTE 73K PLYING BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND SAN UK LING OR THE ELECTRIC TRAIN SERVICE TO LO WU.
DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD, PLB’S, TAXIS AND COACHES CARRYING PASSENGERS WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS AND WAITING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM THE SOUTH TO WO HOP SHEK ARE REMINDED TO USE TAI WO SERVICE ROAD WEST AT HONG LOK YUEN.
FOOTPATH FROM FANLING KCR STATION TO WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY
A DIRECT AND CONVENIENT PEDESTRIAN ROUTE IS AVAILABLE BETWEEN FANLING KCR STATION AND WO HOP SHEK. GRAVE-SWEEPERS CAN USE THE FOOTPATH AND SUBWAY SYSTEM ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF FANLING KCR STATION AND ALONG ROAD D6. PEDESTRIANS SHOULD ALSO USE THE NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE ACROSS ROAD L100, ROAD B200 AND ROAD W100 FOR GOING TO THE CEMETERY.
IF TRAFFIC SITUATION SO REQUIRES, EMERGENCY ROAD CLOSURE MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE POLICE ON ANY OTHER DAYS DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD.
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/19 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1990
19
NO-ENTRY BAN IN KOWLOON TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 24), VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM EDE ROAD EASTBOUND TO WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND, IN KOWLOON TONG.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SAN PO KONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE DOWN-RAMP OF THE FLYOVER LINKING CHOI HUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND AND THE OUTER TWO LANES OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WESTBOUND (LEADING TO PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST) WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE PERIODS SPECIFIED BELOW TO FACILITATE ROAD REPAIR WORKS:
- FROM 2 PM ON SATURDAY, MARCH 24, TO 7 AM ON MONDAY, MARCH 26;
- FROM 2 PM ON SATURDAY, MARCH 31, TO 7 AM ON MONDAY, APRIL 2;
- FROM 2 PM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 7, TO 7 AM ON MONDAY, APRIL 9;
- FROM 2 PM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 14, TO 7 AM ON MONDAY, APRIL 16;
- FROM 2 PM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 21, TO 7 AM ON MONDAY, APRIL 23.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON CHOI HUNG ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHOI HUNG ROAD, FLYOVER, THE INNER LANES OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WESTBOUND AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS ON LAI KING HILL ROAD ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 24), SECTIONS OF LAI KING HILL ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THEY ARE THE SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 800 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LAI WAN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 1.10 KILOMETRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND A SECTION OF THE ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH THE FOOTPATH LEADING TO LAI CHI KOK AMUSEMENT PARK TO A POINT ABOUT 180 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS ON THESE SECTIONS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PLANNING STANDARDS FOR HOMES FOR AGED UNDER REVIEW .............. 1
GOVT LAND SOLD FOR $303.5M ...................................... 2
BILL PROVIDES MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL ON IVORY TRADE ............. 3
BILL TO CHANGE LAW ON EVIDENCE BY SPOUSES ....................... 4
MOVE TO RELAX CRITERIA FOR GRANTING OF GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS..... 5
DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TO BE EXAMINED.................... 6
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES ORDINANCE ...... 7
AMENDMENT TO DRAFT NGAU CHI WAN OZP PUBLISHED.................... 7
RESUMPTION OF PRIVATE LOTS FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT ...i......... 8
SUBMARINE CABLE LAYING AND POWER STATION CONSTRUCTION ........... 9
NEW PARKING CHARGES AT HK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.................. 10
FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOW IN NORTH DISTRICT....................... 11
NEW POST OFFICE OPENS ON TSING YI ............................... 12
FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN VARIETY SHOW IN TUEN MUN ................... 12
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL......................................... 13
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI ................................ 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD .............................. 14
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
PLANNING STANDARDS FOR HOMES FOR AGED UNDER REVIEW
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS REVIEWING THE PLANNING STANDARDS FOR HOMES FOR THE AGED AND CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG PENINSULA LIONS CLUB HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY IN TSING YI RUN BY THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL.
MR CARTLAND SAID TO FACILITATE A SPEEDIER PROVISION OF THESE SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT WAS CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-SUPPORTING, NON-PROFIT-MAKING HOMES TO ALLEVIATE THE DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
AS AT FEBRUARY 1, THERE WERE 27 SUCH NON-SUBVENTED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, MAINLY OPERATED BY RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS, PROVIDING 2,074 PLACES.
’THESE SELF-SUPPORTING, NON-PROFIT-MAKING HOMES HAVE THE ADVANTAGES OF DRAWING ON COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY CONCERN TOWARDS THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE ELDERLY POPULATION IS INCREASING STEADILY, MR CARTLAND SAID THE PERCENTAGE WOULD INCREASE TO ABOUT 15 PER CENT BY THE YEAR 2000.
"IN THE LIGHT OF EXPECTED DEMOGRAPHIC AND OTHER SOCIAL CHANGES IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ACTIVELY EXAMINING HOW BEST THE ELDERLY CAN BE CARED FOR IN OUR SOCIETY," HE SAID.
"IN JULY 1987, THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WAS SET UP TO REVIEW EXISTING POLICY AND TO CO-ORDINATE THE PROVISION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
"IN NOVEMBER 1988, THE WORKING GROUP ON HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY WAS ESTABLISHED TO DETERMINE HOW THE POLICY ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY COULD BEST BE ALIGNED WITH THE HOUSING POLICY TO ENSURE A MORE INTEGRATED APPROACH.
"CURRENTLY, TN FORMULATING THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990'S AND BEYOND, THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES AND PROVISION or SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IS BEING THOROUGHLY REVIEWED TO MAKE SURE THAT THI NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL BE MET ADEQUATELY IN THE COMING YEARS," HE ADDED.
MR CARTLAND COMMENDED THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL FOR PROVIDING VALUABLE SERVICES TO DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE AREAS OF MEDICAL, CHILD CARE, EDUCATION AND ELDERLY SERVICES.
THE HOSTEL OPENED TODAY IS THE AGENCY’S SECOND OF ITS TYPE, CATERING FOR 157 ELDERLY PERSONS.
THE CAPITAL COST FOR SETTING UP THE HOSTEL, AT ABOUT $3.5 MILLION, CONES FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND, THE PENINSULA LIONS CLUB AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YAN CHAI HOSPITAL.
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/2 .........
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
- 2 -
GOVT LAND SOLD FOR $303.5M ♦ * * * ♦
FOUR PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $303.5 MILLION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT THE LAST PUBLIC AUCTION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR TODAY (FRIDAY).
TOPPING THE LIST IS A LOT AT ON LAI STREET IN SHA TIN, WHICH WAS BOUGHT BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED FOR $145 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $65 MILLION.
THE LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE, PURPOSES. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,380 SQUARE METRES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 19,266 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1994.
THE SECOND LOT IS IN AREA 2A, TUEN MUN, WHICH IS DESIGNATED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL, EXCLUDING GODOWN, PURPOSES.
IT WAS SOLD TO PEONY CITY DEVELOPMENT LIMITED FOR $117 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $90 MILLION.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE PLOT RATIO SHOULD BE 9.5/5 AND THE MAXIMUM SITE COVERAGE 66.6 PER CENT. A BUILDING OR BUILDINGS AT THE 4,949-SQUARE-METRE SITE HAVE TO BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 31, 1994.
THE THIRD LOT, WHICH IS DESIGNATED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, IS AT RAZOR HILL ROAD IN SAI KUNG AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,575 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING OPENED AT $14 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY WAH WEN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED FOR $31 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 2,058 METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1994.
THE FOURTH LOT IS A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT LOCATED IN SHA HA IN SAI KUNG.
BIDDING OPENED AT $5 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY TRUE MANNER LIMITED FOR $10.5 MILLION.
THE LOT COVERS AN AREA OF 1,860 SQUARE METRES, AND THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 670 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1993.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY THE ACTING GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR ROGER HARDING.
MR HARDING SAID HE WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE PRICES. HE SAID THE PRICES REFLECTED THE UNDERLYING STRENGTH OF THE PROPERTY MARKET.
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/3 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
- 3 -
BILL PROVIDES MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL ON IVORY TRADE * * * * *
A BILL TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO PROHIBIT MORE EFFECTIVELY COMMERCIAL IMPORT AND EXPORT OF IVORY AND OTHER HIGHLY ENDANGERED ANIMAL OR PLANT PARTS OR SPECIES WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 4.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE IS THE LOCAL LEGISLATION WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).
HONG KONG IS A PARTY TO CITES THROUGH THE UK’S MEMBERSHIP.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT, SECTION 7B OF THE ORDINANCE WILL EXPLICITLY STATE THAT THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (DAF) MUST REFUSE INDIVIDUAL LICENCE APPLICATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL IMPORT OR EXPORT OF HIGHLY ENDANGERED SPECIES WHICH ARE LISTED IN A NEW SIXTH SCHEDULE.
THIS NEWLY INSERTED SCHEDULE WILL BE REVISED FROM TIME TO TIME TO TALLY WITH THE CITES APPENDIX I SPECIES, I.E. FAUNA AND FLORA SPECIES WHICH ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION.
"CURRENTLY, SECTION 7 PROVIDES DAF WITH THE POWER TO ISSUE A LICENCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS ENDANGERED SPECIES.
"WHEN HONG KONG NEEDS TO BAN COMMERCIAL TRADE IN A CERTAIN ENDANGERED SPECIES IN ORDER TO FULFIL ITS CITES OBLIGATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT CAN ONLY DO SO BY REFUSING INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENCES ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
"THAT IS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DOING SINCE JUNE 16 LAST YEAR WHEN IVORY IMPORT INTO THE TERRITORY WAS BANNED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT SHOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON JULY 17 THIS YEAR, THE DAY WHEN HONG KONG IS OBLIGED TO PUT A HALT TO ALL INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN IVORY THROUGH THE TERRITORY.
CITES DECIDED AT A CONFERENCE LAST OCTOBER TO BAN INTERNATIONAL IVORY TRADE IN A BID TO CONSERVE THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT, WHICH IS FAST DECLINING IN NUMBERS.
BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S UNIQUE POSITION AS THE BIGGEST IVORY PROCESSING CENTRE IN THE WORLD, THE UK ENTERED A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION TO THE CITES DECISION ON THE TERRITORY’S BEHALF.
/THIS WAS .
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
THIS WAS TO ENABLE LOCAL TRADERS TO EXPORT THEIR LEGALLY HELD IVORY STOCKS TO NON-CITES PARTIES PRIOR TO THE EXPIRY OF THE RESERVATION PERIOD ON JULY 17 THIS YEAR AND TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR WORKERS TO BE RETRAINED OR TO FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT DESPITE THE RESERVATION ENTERED, THE BAN ON IVORY IMPORTS INTO HONG KONG STILL REMAINS IN FORCE.
REFERRING TO THE BILL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMENDED LEGISLATION WOULD STILL ALLOW DAF TO ISSUE IMPORT OR EXPORT LICENCES FOR HIGHLY ENDANGERED SPECIES IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
"THESE CIRCUMSTANCES PROVIDE FOR THE CONTINUED IMPORT AND EXPORT OF PERSONAL POSSESSIONS, OF PRE-CITES CONVENTION STOCK, OF SCIENTIFIC SPECIMENS, EXHIBITIONS INCLUDING CIRCUSES AND OTHER, NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST," HE NOTED.
"THE BILL FULLY DEMONSTRATES THAT THE TERRITORY HAS NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER OF EXTENDING IVORY TRADE BEYOND THE SIX-MONTH RESERVATION PERIOD," THE SPOKESMAN CONCLUDED.
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BILL TO CHANGE LAW ON EVIDENCE BY SPOUSES ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), PROPOSES TO AMEND THE LAW OF EVIDENCE EXTENDING THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SPOUSES ARE COMPETENT AND COMPELLABLE TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES.
THE BILL PROVIDES THAT A SPOUSE OF AN ACCUSED PERSON WOULD BE FREE TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN ANY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS ON BEHALF OF THE ACCUSED OR A CO-ACCUSED.
WHERE THE ACCUSED CALLS HIS OR HER SPOUSE, THAT SPOUSE WILL ALSO BE COMPELLABLE TO GIVE EVIDENCE ON HIS OR HER BEHALF. THE SPOUSE IS ALSO FREE TO GIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION EXCEPT WHERE HE OR SHE STANDS JOINTLY CHARGED AND IS STILL AWAITING TRIAL.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT A WIFE OR HUSBAND UNWILLING TO GIVE EVIDENCE WOULD BE COMPELLED TO DO SO IN CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
A HUSBAND OR WIFE WOULD BE COMPELLED TO TESTIFY FOR THE PROSECUTION AGAINST HER OR HIS ACCUSED SPOUSE OR SPOUSE’S CO-ACCUSED, OR ON BEHALF OF THE CO-ACCUSED IN CASES OF THE FOLLOWING OFFENCES:
♦ ASSAULT ON, OR INJURY OR THREAT OF THEIR CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE;
INJURY TO SPOUSE OR
/* SEXUAL OFFENCES
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
- 5 -
* SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST A CHILD OF THE FAMILY UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE; AND
♦ ATTEMPTING, CONSPIRING TO COMMIT, AIDING, ABETTING, COUNSELLING OR PROCURING OR INCITING THE COMMISSION OF SUCH AN OFFENCE.
THE CHANGES, HOWEVER, WILL NOT CAUSE A PERSON, WHO IS JOINTLY CHARGED WITH AN OFFENCE WITH HER OR HIS SPOUSE, TO LOSE THE RIGHT OF ALL ACCUSED PERSONS NOT TO GIVE EVIDENCE AND NOT TO INCRIMINATE HER OR HIMSELF.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT OF A SPOUSE NOT TO DISCLOSE ANY COMMUNICATION MADE BY HER OR HIS SPOUSE DURING THE MARRIAGE EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED CHANGES WERE BASED ON THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WERE ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL LAST YEAR.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE RIGIDITY OF THE CURRENT MIXTURE OF COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY RULES GOVERNING COMPETENCE AND COMPELLABILITY OF SPOUSES GIVING EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN THE CASE OF CRIMES AFFECTING THE FAMILY ITSELF, THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE SHOULD PREVAIL OVER THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY HARMONY.
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MOVE TO RELAX CRITERIA
FOR GRANTING OF GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS * ♦ t ♦ ♦
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO WIDEN THE ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE GRANTED UNDER THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND ORDINANCE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN THE PAST, SCHOLARSHIPS WERE GRANTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO STUDENTS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
UNDER THE AMENDING LEGISLATION - THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 - SCHOLARSHIPS MAY IN FUTURE ALSO BE
CANTED ON THE BASIS OF ACADEMIC AND OTHER RELEVANT ACHIEVEMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE AMENDMENTS HAVE HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE.
HE SAID THAT AS THE RESULT OF GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE INCOME LEVEL OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION, THE DEMAND FOR SCHOLARSHIPS BY STUDENTS IN FINANCIAL NEED HAS DECREASED IN RECENT YEARS, WHILE THE ANNUAL INCOME OF THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND HAS BEEN INCREASING STEADILY.
/THIS HAS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
THIS HAS LED TO A GROWING ANNUAL SURPLUS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IN 1984-85 WAS 890, COMPARED TO 595 IN 1988-89, WHILST THE ANNUAL SURPLUS IN 1984-85 WAS $6,000, COMPARED TO $1,954,000 IN 1988-89.
"TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE FUND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS DECLARED OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING LOCAL EDUCATION, IT IS NECESSARY TO AMEND THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND ORDINANCE, SO THAT IN FUTURE SCHOLARSHIPS MAY BE GRANTED NOT ONLY TO STUDENTS IN FINANCIAL NEED, BUT ALSO TO THOSE WITH ACADEMIC AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENT,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TO BE EXAMINED *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL PUBLICLY EXAMINE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1990-91 AT THREE SPECIAL MEETINGS TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK -- ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (MARCH 27-29).
DURING THE MEETINGS, THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS MAY BE CALLED UPON TO ANSWER SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS TO CLARIFY CERTAIN POINTS IN THEIR WRITTEN REPLIES SUBMITTED TO MEMBERS EARLIER.
EACH MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER AND DEAL WITH PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES AS FOLLOWS:
TUESDAY (MARCH 27)
WEDNESDAY (MARCH 28)
THURSDAY (MARCH 29)
ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, INDUSTRY, TRADE AND LABOUR EDUCATION
MEDICAL AND HEALTH, HOUSING, WELFARE AND RECREATION AND CULTURE
GENERAL SERVICES
SECURITY SERVICES
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE WRITTEN REPLIES PROVIDED BY CONTROLLING OFFICERS TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GIS NEWS DIVISION, ROOM 615, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL, AT 11 AM ON THE DAY OF EACH MEETING.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PAPERS FOR EACH MEETING WILL BE EMBARGOED UNTIL 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES ORDINANCE
*******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND LAND COMMISSION) ORDINANCE SO AS TO EXTEND PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO THE DEPENDANTS OF CERTAIN JLG AND LAND COMMISSION OFFICIALS WHILE THEY ARE IN HONG KONG.
THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND LAND COMMISSION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 4.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ORDINANCE GRANTS PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO THE CHINESE MEMBERS, EXPERTS AND SUPPORTING STAFF OF THE JLG WHILE THEY ARE IN HONG KONG.
IT ALSO GRANTS PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO THE CHINESE MEMBERS AND SUPPORTING STAFF OF THE LAND COMMISSION.
AT PRESENT DEPENDANTS OF THESE OFFICIALS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE AND ARE THEREFORE NOT ENTITLED TO ANY PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES WHILE IN HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NORMAL DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE FOR THE RELEVANT PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO BE GRANTED TO DEPENDANTS OF DIPLOMATS AND TO DEPENDANTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL STAFF IN A DIPLOMATIC MISSION.
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THEREFORE ALREADY EXTENDS APPROPRIATE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO DEPENDANTS OF THESE CHINESE OFFICIALS WHILE THEY ARE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM; THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT DOES THE SAME WHILE THE BRITISH TEAM ARE IN CHINA.
THE AMENDMENT BILL WOULD BRING HONG KONG’S PRACTICE INTO LINE WITH THAT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
- - 0 - -
Q, AMENDMENT TO DRAFT NGAU CHI WAN OZP PUBLISHED
******
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT NGAU CHI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID REZONINGS WERE MADE ON NGAU CHI WAN NORTH VILLAGE FROM "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT AND GREEN BELT" TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B), COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL, OPEN SPACE GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY AND ROAD".
/THIS REZONING
- 8 -
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990 ft
THIS REZONING WAS CARRIED OUT IN VIEW OF THE GROWING PRESSURE FOR DEVELOPMENT, THE NEED TO RESOLVE THE DETERIORATING E 'RONMENT/; CONDITIONS IN THE VILLAGE, AND TO IMPROVE THE PRl'iSlO’I INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO MEE’i THE 'WL1
THE OTHER AMENDMENTS ARE MAINLY UPDATING OF THE LAL ZONINGS IN THE AREA, SUCH AS THE HAMMER HILL ROAD SPORTSGROUND SWIMMING POOL, THE HAMMER HILL HIGH LEVEL SERVICE RESERVOIR, AND NGAU CHI WAN FRESH WATER PUMPING STATION.
USE AND
THE
THE PLAN HAS ALSO INCLUDED A SCHOOL SITE AND A PART OF ROAD, THE REVISED ALIGNMENT OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND THE HILL ROAD GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGE.
A NEW HAMMER
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT PLAN CAN NOW BE INSPECTED AT:
- THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND
THE WONG TAI SIN OFFICE BUILDING, KOWLOON.
DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT FOURTH FLOOR, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG,
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD BY APRIL 13 THIS YEAR.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND AT THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE PRICE IS $10 FOR AN UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 FOR A COLOURED
------0--------
RESUMPTION OF PRIVATE LOTS FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT ******
A TOTAL OF 60 PRIVATE RESUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.
AGRICULTURAL LOTS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE TO MAKE WAY FOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT
IN POK WAI, 22 LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF WILL BE RESUMED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A 150-METRE THIS CHANNEL WILL BE TWO METRES WIDE.
4,493 SQUARE METRES OPEN DRAINAGE CHANNEL.
/IN HA .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
- 9 -
IN HA SAN WAI VILLAGE, 11 LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 3,488 SQUARE METRES WILL BE RESUMED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 120-METRE OPEN CHANNEL TO LINK THfi EXISTING DRAINAGE CHANNELS TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF HA SAN WAI VILLAGE. THE CHANNEL WILL BE THREE METRES WIDE.
THE WORK ON THESE TWO PROJECTS WILL START IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND BE DUE FOR COMPLETION EARLY NEXT YEAR.
IN CHAU TAU, 27 LOTS HAVING A TOTAL AREA OF 8,234 SQUARE
METRES WILL BE RESUMED TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A 900-METRE OPEN
CHANNEL AND THREE BOX CULVERTS TO DIVERT THE MAIN STORM WATER AT CHAU TAU. THE CHANNEL WILL BE THREE METRES TO FIVE METRES IN DIAMETER.
WORK WILL START IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND BE DUE FOR
COMPLETION IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
RESUMPTION NOTICES WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LOTS WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE Months from the date of the posting of notices on them.
---------o-----------
SUBMARINE cable laying and power station construction
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PERMIT THE CABLE AND WIRELESS (HK) LIMITED TO LAY A SUBMARINE CABLE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 27.5 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED FROM LOBSTER BAY, CAPE D’AGUILAR TOWARDS TAIWAN.
THE CABLE SYSTEM IS FOR EXTENDING TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND TAIWAN.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22 NEXT YEAR.
ON LANTAU ISLAND, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PERMIT THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED TO USE AN AREA OF ABOUT 6.58 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT CHOK KO WAN FOR A GAS TURBINE POWER STATION.
THE AREA WILL BE USED AS WORKS AREA FOR RECLAMATION OF LAND, DREDGING OF SEABED AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE POWER STATION.
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MAY 22 THIS YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE AREA AFFECTED BY THE TWO PROJECTS ARE DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
- - 0 - -
NEW PARKING CHARGES AT HK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ♦ * * ♦ »
A NEW SCALE OF FEES WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC CARPARK AND SPECIAL CARPARK FACILITIES AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM APRIL 1.
THE REVISED PARKING FEES FOR THE PUBLIC CARPARK WILL BE $10 PER HOUR FOR THE FIRST TWO HOURS AND $20 PER HOUR THEREAFTER. THE PRESENT RATES ARE $7 FOR EACH OF THE FIRST TWO HOURS AND $14 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT HOUR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE NEW FEES WOULD BRING PARKING RATES AT THE PUBLIC CARPARK AT THE AIRPORT MORE INTO LINE WITH MARKET RATES AT OTHER PRIME PARKING LOCATIONS.
’’THE CURRENT RATE STRUCTURE WHICH PROVIDES FOR A DOUBLING OF THE HOURLY FEE AFTER THE FIRST TWO HOURS HAS EFFECTIVELY DISCOURAGED LONG-STAY PARKING AND MADE AVAILABLE MORE PARKING SPACES FOR SHORT-TERM USERS OF THE AIRPORT MULTI-STOREY PUBLIC CARPARK,” HE ADDED.
IN 1989, ONLY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGHPUT OF THE AIRPORT MULTI-STOREY PUBLIC CARPARK INVOLVED VEHICLES PARKING FOR OVER TWO HOURS.
AS PART OF THE REVIEW APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE MONTHLY FEE FOR THE USE OF THE SPECIAL CARPARKS WILL ALSO BE INCREASED AS FROM APRIL 1 FROM $650 TO $1,100 FOR A PRIVATE CAR AND FROM $850 TO $1,400 FOR A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.
THE SPECIAL CARPARKS ARE RESERVED FOR USE BY AIRPORT TENANTS, THEIR EMPLOYEES AND OWNERS OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SERVING THE AIRPORT.
A RECENT REVIEW INDICATED THAT MONTHLY PERMITS FOR PARKING IN AREAS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT CURRENTLY RANGE FROM $1,000 TO $1,500.
THE NEW RATES FOR THE AIRPORT SPECIAL CARPARKS HAVE, THEREFORE, BEEN INTRODUCED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CURRENT MARKET RATES.
- - 0 - -
/Il
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
- 11 -
FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOW IN NORTH DISTRICT
*****
A NUMBER OF POPULAR SINGERS AND ARTISTES WILL TURN OUT IN NORTH DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING TO HELP PUT ACROSS THE ANTI-SHOP THEFT MESSAGE TO YOUNGSTERS AT A FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW.
THE TWO-HOUR SHOW, TO BE HELD AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND, IS SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
"IT WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR THE YEAR 1989-90," THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR TAO MAN-KWONG, SAID.
"ABOUT 16,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE SHOW WHICH WILL BE PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG. ADMISSION IS FREE," MR TAO SAID.
THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS SALLY YEH, CHAN CHUNG-LING, NG YUEN-FONG, LAU SIK-MING, AND THE GROUPS GRASSHOPPERS AND ECHO.
ARTISTES SIMON YAM, AMY YIP, SANDRA LANG, POON BING-SHEUNG, AND SZE KAI-KEUNG WILL PERFORM IN A DRAMA TO TEACH A LESSON ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF COMMITTING CRIME.
COMPERES OF THE SHOW WILL BE DISC JOCKEYS ERIC NG AND KITTY TAI. THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK’S RADIO 1, FROM 8 PM TO 10 PM.
PRIOR TO THE SHOW, PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED TO RECIPIENTS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT GOOD CITIZEN AWARD, AND WINNERS OF AN INTER-SCHOOL ESSAY COMPETITION ON THE FIGHT CRIME THEME.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND PANG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI; THE FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN OF HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR SIMON LUN; AND FRONTIER POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR MICHAEL WATSON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND. THE OPENING AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL START AT 7 PM.
/12 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
- 12 -
NEW POST OFFICE OPENS ON TSING YI *****
A NEW CHEUNG FAT POST OFFICE, LOCATED AT UNITS 113 AND 114, GROUND FLOOR, CHUN FAT HOUSE, CHEUNG FAT ESTATE, TSING YI OPENED FOR BUSINESS AT NOON TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS POST OFFICE PROVIDES THE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES.
ITS BUSINESS HOURS ARE: -
MONDAY TO FRIDAY : 9.30 AM TO 1 PM
2.15 PM TO 5 PM
SATURDAY : 9.30 AM TO 1 PM
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 495 3822.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS HELD THIS MORNING WITH THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT, KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, AND TSING YI RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN TIN-SUNG, OFFICIATING.
WITH THE OPENING OF THIS NEW OFFICE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PO3* OFFICES IN HONG KONG IS NOW 113.
--------0-----------
q FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN VARIETY SHOW IN TUEN MUN
*****
WINNERS OF A HEALTHY YOUTH SCHEME WILL BE PRESENTED PRIZES AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM OF TUEN MUN TOWN HALL.
THE FIVE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TO A FREE TRIP TO SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES THIS SUMMER, A TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, THE SCHEME AIMED AT ENCOURAGING LOCAL YOUTHS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME AND PROMOTING THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
PARTICIPANTS WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE TRAINING COURSES ON SPORTS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ATTEND AN ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW.
DURING THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, 14 CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS WHO ASSISTED THE POLICE IN COMBATING CRIME WILL ALSO RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS.
/OFFICIATING AT
4
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
- 13 -
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR HUI CHIU-YIN; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN; A FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR WONG MAN-KONG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE YAN 01 TONG 10TH BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MR YEUNG SIU-WAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1989-90 TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE AUDITORIUM OF TUEN MUN TOWN HALL.
------0--------
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL ♦ * * * t
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 18 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL
TAKE PLACE: DATE TIME
APRIL 2 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 3 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 9 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 10 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 11 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 12 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 17 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 18 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 19 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 20 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 21 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 23 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 24 (TUESDAY) 00.01 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 25 (WEDNESDAY) 00.01 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 26 (THURSDAY) 00.01 AM - 11.59 PM
APRIL 27 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 10 PM
APRIL 28 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 10 PM
APRIL 30 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
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/14 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1990
- 14 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING SECT' " OF APPROACH ROADS NEAR THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL INTERCHANGE IN 'N
CHAI WILL BE CLOSED FROM SUNDAY (MARCH 25) TO THURSDAY (MARCH 2P W FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS:
- CANAL ROAD FLYOVER EASTBOUND DOWN RAMP LEADING TO NCL'l i POINT WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 PM ON SUNDAY UNTIL 6 AM TC FOLLOWING DAY.
TRAFFIC FROM ABERDEEN, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST OR HAPPY VALI’’ HEADING FOR NORTH POINT WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND, MORRISON HILL ROAD, TIN LOK LANE, HENNESS ROAD, YEE WO STREET AND CAUSEWAY ROAD, AND
- GLOUCESTER ROAD FLYOVER CONNECTING GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND TO CANAL ROAD FLYOVER SOUTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED FROM TUESDAY (MARCH 27) TO THURSDAY (MARCH 29) BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC ON GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR ABERDEEN OR HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA VICTORIA PARK ROAD, GLOUCESTER ROAD FLYOVER, GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND AND CANAL ROAD FLYOVER SOUTHBOUND.
--------u-----------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE KOWLOON BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR SIU LAM INTERCHANGE WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED FOR ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF MONTHS FROM 8 AM ON SUNDAY (MARCH 25).
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED .................................... 1
LADY WILSON URGES SUPPORT FOR PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION SERVICES ................ 3
$330M FOR YOUTH SERVICES IN 1990-91 .............................................. 4
CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE TO OPEN IN TUEN MUN ................................... 5
$47.7M GRANTED TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ....................................... 6
CREATIVE IDEAS FROM STUDENTS IN IMPROVING ENVIRONMENT ............................ 7
COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE HAPPY FAMILY LIFE ........................................ 8
TUEN MUN FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN PROVES SUCCESSFUL .................................. 9
FREE TRIP FOR FIGHT YOUTH CRIME COMPETITION WINNERS ............................. 10
POLICE CHOIR TO GIVE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE ......................................... 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR GARDEN PROJECT .............................................. 11
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ............................................. 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, BAN ZONE IN SSP ................................. 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON TONG ................................... 13
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN TAI PO ............................................... 13
URBAN CLEARWAY IN MONG KOK ...................................................... 13
SATURDAY, MARCH 24* 1990
1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1990.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR FEBRUARY 1990 WERE 136.5 AND 135.8 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 8.4 PER CENT AND 8.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER FEBRUARY 1989. THESE RATES OF INCREASE WERE LOWER THAN THOSE RECORDED IN JANUARY 1990 (9.8 PER CENT AND 9.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY).
IT SHOULD HOWEVER BE NOTED THAT THE COMPARISON WAS AFFECTED BY THE RELATIVELY HIGH BASE IN FEBRUARY 1989; THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FELL IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR WHEN PRICES, ESPECIALLY FOOD PRICES, WERE AT SEASONALLY HIGH LEVELS.
COMPARING FEBRUARY WITH JANUARY 1990, THE CPI(A) INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT AND THE CPI(B), BY 0.8 PER CENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1990, AT 131.3 AND 130.8 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 9.9 PER CENT AND 9.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1989.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 1990, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.7 PER CENT PER MONTH.
THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR FEBRUARY 1990 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990 AND FEBRUARY 1989, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR FEB. 90 XCHANGE OVER JAN. 90 XCHANGE OVER FEB. 89 INDEX FOR FEB. 90 %CHANGE OVER JAN. 90 %CHANGE OVER FEB. 89
FOODSTUFFS 139.5 + 1.8 + 9.1 141.1 + 1.6 + 9.6
HOUSING 126.4 + 0.4 + 7.1 121.8 + 0.7 + 6.7
/FUEL AND .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
FUEL AND LIGHT 100.8 + 1.3 + 6.6 100.7 + 1.1 + 6.0
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 144.4 + 0.5 + 14.6 145.3 + 0.7 + 14.2
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 136.9 - 0.5 + 6.5 138.2 - 0.5 + 6.0
DURABLE GOODS 122.8 + 0.3 + 2.0 121.5 + 0.2 + 1.7
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 137.4 + 1.4 + 5.7 137.2 + 1.5 + 6.0
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 140.5 + 0.1 + 7.6 139.8 + 0.2 + 7*9
SERVICES 153.1 - 0.2 + 12.2 153.0 - 0.5 + 11.7
ALL ITEMS 136.5 + 1.0 + 8.4 135.8 + 0.8 + 8.3
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 1.8 PER CENT IN CPI(A)
AND BY 1.6 PER CENT IN CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF LIVE POULTRY.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.1 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF THE EFFECT OF THE INCREASES IN THE PRICES OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS AND KEROSENE.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF BEER.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR DECREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY 1.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.5 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF JEWELLERY AND FRESH FLOWERS.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR FEBRUARY 1990, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $5 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
/IT CAN .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
- 3 -
IT CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED 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.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES MAY BE MADE TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CpNSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 5089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 143.5 IN FEBRUARY 1990, UP BY 0.5 PER CENT OVER JANUARY 1990 AND UP BY 10.0 PER CENT OVER FEBRUARY 1989.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT $10,000 -$24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
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LADY WILSON URGES SUPPORT FOR PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION SERVICES ******
LADY WILSON TODAY (SATURDAY) APPEALED FOR SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE LONG STAY CARE HOME RUN BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION IN TUEN MUN, LADY WILSON SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT PUT INTO PRACTICE THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION, AND THE BELIEF THAT CHRONIC MENTAL PATIENTS COULD LEAVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF A MENTAL HOSPITAL AND LIVE WITH REHABILITATIVE CARE IN THE COMMUNITY.
"THIS IS AN ENORMOUS BREAKTHROUGH IN THE TREATMENT AND CARE OF MENTAL PATIENTS.
"IT ALSO POSES A NEW CHALLENGE TO REHABILITATION WORKERS, TO DEMONSTRATE THAT COMMUNITY CARE IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THIS INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL HOME WAS A PURPOSE-BUILT FACILITY WITH A HOMELY ENVIRONMENT AND THE IDEA WAS TO HAVE SMALL GROUP LIVING, WITH 20 RESIDENTS TO A HOME UNIT.
THE HOME PROVIDES ACCOMMODATION, CARE AND REHABILITATION FOR A TOTAL OF 200 RESIDENTS.
/"IT SIGNIFIES .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
- 4
"IT SIGNIFIES A TRANSITION FROM HOSPITAL TO COMMUNITY CARE, FROM INSTITUTIONAL LIVING TO HOME LIVING, AND FROM DEPENDENCY TO SEMIDEPENDENCY.
"IT IS THE THRESHOLD TO SOCIAL RE-INTEGRATION AND AN ACCEPTABLE WAY OF LIFE AMONG OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON POINTED OUT THAT THIS LONG STAY CARE HOME WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AND THE EXTENT OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS HAD YET TO BE APPRAISED.
"IN TERMS OF COSTS, HOWEVER, IT IS MORE ECONOMICAL AND MANPOWER-SAVING THAN HOSPITAL CARE," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID SHE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE ASSOCIATION, WHICH HAD HAD MORE THAN 25 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, WAS ACTIVELY PLANNING A SECOND LONG STAY CARE HOME IN ITS NAM CHEONG CENTRE.
THE ASSOCIATION, TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT, HAD HAD TO NEGOTIATE AND OVERCOME MANY HURDLES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, SHE SAID.
"THIS CO-OPERATION HAS MEANT THAT MANY PROJECTS HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED TO PROVIDE THE CARE REQUIRED. THIS HAS GREATLY HELPED THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE NEED TO INTEGRATE THE HANDICAPPED INTO OUR SOCIETY," SHE ADDED.
LADY WILSON THANKED MEMBERS AND STAFF OF THE ASSOCIATION, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE IN BRINGING THIS PROJECT ABOUT.
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$330M FOR YOUTH SERVICES IN 1990-91 * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SPEND $330 MILLION ON YOUTH SERVICES IN THE YEAR 1990-91, WITH $229 MILLION EARMARKED FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) WHILE OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF SKH MA ON SHAN SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE RUN BY THE DIOCESAN WELFARE COUNCIL.
MRS WONG SAID THE EXPENDITURE FOR 1990-91 WAS AN INCREASE FROM THE $290 MILLION THE GOVERNMENT WAS SPENDING THIS YEAR ON YOUTH SERVICES, OF WHICH $199 MILLION WAS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES.
"THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO YOUTH SERVICES AND IS COMMITTED TO THEM," SHE SAID.
/"THE YOUNG
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
- 5 -
"THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF TODAY ARE THE FUTURE MASTERS OF HONG KONG. WE RELY ON THEM TO CARRY ON THE TASKS OF BUILDING UP AND SAFEGUARDING THE COMMUNITY.
"IT IS THEREFORE OF UTMOST CONCERN TO US THAT THEY BE FULLY PREPARED FOR THIS AGE OF RAPID CHANGES.”
MRS WONG SAID THE PURPOSE OF A CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE WAS TO PROVIDE A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND 24 OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES AND SCHOOLS.
"WITH THE HELP OF THE GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY THE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP THEIR MINDS AND BODIES IN A BALANCED FASHION, TO THINK INDEPENDENTLY AND ANALYSE PROBLEMS, TO LEARN HOW TO GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE, AND TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND LEADERSHIP ABILITY, WITH THE EVENTUAL AIM OF HELPING THEM FOR A PROPER PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE AND SENSE OF VALUE.”
MRS WONG PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DIOCESAN WELFARE COUNCIL FOR ITS CO-ORDINATION IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES UNDER THE DIOCESE SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1968.
"THE MA ON SHAN SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE, WHICH IS THE SEVENTH CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE OF THE COUNCIL, IS THE HALLMARK OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S SERVICES AND THE FRUIT OF THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF ITS LEADERS AND STAFF," SHE SAID.
"AT PRESENT, THE TOTAL POPULATION OF MA ON SHAN IS ABOUT 70,000 AND THERE ARE TWO CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND ONE GROUP WORK UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE AREA.
"BY THE MID-1990’S, THE POPULATION WILL INCREASE TO 150,000, AND TO MEET THE LOCAL NEEDS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP THREE ADDITIONAL CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND ONE CHILDREN’S CENTRE."
-----------------------0-------- CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE TO OPEN IN TUEN MUN *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS FURTHER IMPROVED ITS CAREERS SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES BY OPENING A NEW CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE IN TUEN MUN.
THE NEW CENTRE OPERATES FROM THE TAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 16 TSUN WEN ROAD, TUEN MUN. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 463 6855.
IT WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON MONDAY (MARCH 26) BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAU WONG-FAT, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK.
/THE CENTRE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
- 6 -
THE CENTRE IS EQUIPPED WITH A REFERENCE LIBRARY AND AN AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER STUDIES.
THE DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE ALSO RUNS THREE OTHER SUCH CENTRES IN SHA TIN, WAN CHAI AND TO KWA WAN.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITIES THERE WHILE FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO THE CENTRES ARE ALSO ORGANISED REGULARLY FOR STUDENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3.15 PM ON MONDAY.
$47.7M GRANTED TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
A TOTAL OF $47.7 MILLION WAS GRANTED TO 5,806 APPLICATIONS FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME LAST YEAR, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE ROAD SAFETY VARIETY SHOW FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISED BY THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION IN THE CITY HALL, MRS GOODSTADT SAID THE APPROVED APPLICATIONS REPRESENTED ABOUT 92.3 PER CENT OF THE 6,293 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.
"THE TAVA SCHEME, ADMINISTERED BY THE SWD, AIMS AT PROVIDING EARLY FINANCIAL HELP TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT," SHE SAID.
"THE SCHEME IS NON-MEANS TESTED AND THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE IS VERY SIMPLE.
"TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE TO MAKE THEIR APPLICATIONS WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE.
"AT LEAST THREE DAYS’ SICK LEAVE MUST BE EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATION BY A REGISTERED DOCTOR,” SHE ADDED.
/NOTING THAT........
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
7
NOTING THAT 146 ELDERLY PERSONS WERE KILLED AND ABOUT 2,000 INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR, MRS GOODSTADT CALLED ON DRIVERS TO EXERCISE FORBEARANCE AND TAKE CARE OF THE ELDERLY.
“WHILE RESIDENTS THEMSELVES SHOULD BE READY TO ASSIST ELDERLY PERSONS IN CROSSING THE ROADS, SENIOR RESIDENTS SHOULD ALSO PAY ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS,” SHE ADDED.
---------0-----------
CREATIVE IDEAS FROM STUDENTS IN IMPROVING ENVIRONMENT ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR ROBERT LAW, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING THAT HE IS DELIGHTED WITH IDEAS PUT FORWARD BY STUDENTS IN FIGHTING POLLUTION AND IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
MR LAW WAS SPEAKING AT A BRIEFING HELD FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS FROM 20 SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS FINALISTS IN THE SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS SCHEME.
THE 20 SCHOOLS SELECTED HAVE PRODUCED PRACTICAL PROJECT PROPOSALS AS WELL AS CREATIVE IDEAS ON WAYS OF IMPROVING OUR ENVIRONMENT. 9 <
THE PROPOSALS INCLUDE SUGGESTIONS IN REDUCING WASTES, MAKING USE OF NATURAL ENERGY IN OUR EVERYDAY LIFE, AND BUILDING MODEL TOWNS IN THE TERRITORY TO MINIMISE POLLUTION.
"THE PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY THE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN MOST IMPRESSIVE AND IMAGINATIVE. THE STUDENTS HAVE ATTENDED BOTH TO LOCAL POLLUTION PROBLEMS AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, SUCH AS THE DEPLETION OF THE OZONE LAYER," MR LAW SAID.
"WITH A MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS YOUNGER GENERATION, WE CAN BE SURE THAT A BETTER ENVIRONMENT IS IN SIGHT," HE ADDED.
THE TERRITORY-WIDE SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS SCHEME IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND CO-SPONSORED BY DUTY FREE SHOPPERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED AND THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST.
"THE OBJECTIVES OF THE AWARDS SCHEME ARE TO RAISE THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND TO CULTIVATE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT," MR. LAW SAID.
THE THEME OF THE PROJECTS THAT THE SCHOOL TEAMS WILL DEVELOP WILL BE ON EITHER BUILDING A BETTER ENVIRONMENT OR FIGHTING POLLUTION.
/EACH OF .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
8
EACH OF THE SCHOOLS WAS ALSO PRESENTED WITH A CHEQUE FOR $10,000 THIS MORNING FOR DEVELOPING THEIR PROJECTS AND FOR PREPARING A DISPLAY TO BE HELD IN AUGUST.
ALL 20 PROJECTS WILL BE EXHIBITED ON THE SECOND FLOOR, CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING, FROM AUGUST 25 TO AUGUST 27.
THE SCHOOLS THAT SUBMIT THE THREE BEST ENTRIES WILL EACH BE AWARDED A COMPUTER AND A TROPHY. BOOK COUPONS TOTALLING $36,000 AND OTHER PRIZES WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO STUDENTS OF THE THREE WINNING SCHOOLS.
TODAY’S BRIEFING SESSION WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY MR LIU YUK-WAH, A PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND MR ROGER THOMAS, THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER OF DUTY FREE SHOPPERS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
-----0------
COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE HAPPY FAMILY LIFE
******
TALES OF HAPPY FAMILY LIFE WILL BE TOLD BY EIGHT YOUNG STORY-TELLERS TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THEY ARE PRIMARY STUDENTS FROM TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TSING YI AND ISLANDS TAKING PART IN THE DISTRICT INTER-SCHOOL STORY-TELLING FINALS.
SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SERVICES), MR MAK TIK-WAH, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS IN VARIOUS OTHER COMPETITIONS INCLUDING DRAWING, SLOGAN AND BOOKMARK DESIGN.
THE EVENT IS PART OF A PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE HAPPY FAMILY LIFE ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN STUDENT GUIDANCE CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WHICH HELPS, THROUGH COUNSELLING AND PREVENTIVE PROGRAMMES, PUPILS WITH EMOTIONAL, STUDYING AND FAMILY PROBLEMS.
THE WORK OF THE WINNERS WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE HAPPY FAMILY LIFE PROMOTION CONTESTS TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, AT 10 AM.
/9 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
9
TUEN MUN FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN PROVES SUCCESSFUL
*****
THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN IN TUEN MUN HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE PAST YEAR, WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS PARTICIPATING AND GIVING GOOD SUPPORT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF TUEN MUN, MR JOHN WAN, THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1989-90 TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
"AS YOUTH TAKES UP A LARGE RATIO IN THE POPULATION OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN, THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS ORGANISED A ’HEALTHY YOUTHS SCHEME’ TO PROVIDE OUR YOUTHS WITH BENEFICIAL PHYSICAL AND SKILL TRAINING, SO THAT THEY CAN ESTABLISH A CORRECT ATTITUDE IN LIFE.
"MOREOVER, THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, IT IS HOPED THAT THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING IN THE COMMUNITY COULD BE STRENGTHENED," MR WAN SAID.
REGARDING THE "MODEL CITIZEN AWARD", MR WAN SAID IT WAS TO COMMEND THOSE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO ASSISTED THE POLICE IN BRINGING LAWBREAKERS TO JUSTICE.
"THE AWARD CAN STRENGTHEN RESIDENTS’ CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY," HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE INCLUDED THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME, THE ANTI-TRIAD STREET DRAMA, THE FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR FOR PARENTS, AND THE FORMATION OF AN OPEN SCOUT GROUP.
"ALTHOUGH THE 1989-90 TUEN MUN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN HAS DRAWN TO A CLOSE, THE SPIRIT OF THE CAMPAIGN CONTINUES," MR WAN POINTED OUT.
PRIZES WERE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF THE HEALTHY YOUTHS SCHEME AND MODEL CITIZEN AWARD.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, MR LAU WONG-FAT, AND THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR HUI CHIU-YIN.
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/10........
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
- 10 -
FREE TRIP FOR FIGHT YOUTH CRIME COMPETITION WINNERS
*****
SELECTION OF FIVE YOUNGSTERS TO REPRESENT HONG KONG ON AN OVERSEAS VISIT WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THESE YOUNGSTERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM ENTRANTS TO A POLICE COMPETITION WHICH CLOSES APPLICATION ON MARCH 31.
THE "HELP THE POLICE FIGHT YOUTH CRIME COMPETITION", WITH AIR TICKETS SPONSORED BY THE BRITISH AIRWAYS, OFFERS ITS FIVE WINNERS A FREE 19-DAY TRIP TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM JULY 23 TO AUGUST 10.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY): "THE INITIAL SELECTION OF 60 ENTRANTS FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF APRIL."
HE CALLED ON YOUNGSTERS WHO HAVE NOT RETURNED THEIR FORMS TO THE DISTRICT POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICES TO DO SO BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK (MARCH 31).
THE 60 SHORTLISTED ENTRANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW SESSION AT THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH BETWEEN APRIL 18 AND 20, HE SAID.
THE INTERVIEW BOARD WILL SELECT 30 FINALISTS TO COMPETE FOR THE GRAND PRIZES AT A TV QUIZ TO BE HELD AT RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG ON MAY 5.
"BASED ON PERFORMANCES AT THE INTERVIEW AND THE TV QUIZ, FIVE WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN TO BE HONG KONG’S AMBASSADORS TO THE UK.
"THEY WILL BE VISITING LONDON, MANCHESTER, EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW, WHERE THEY WILL BE MEETING LOCAL POLICE AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE "HELP THE POLICE FIGHT YOUTH CRIME COMPETITION" WAS ORGANISED TO REMIND YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE MORE AWARE OF THE CRIME SITUATION IN HONG KONG AND TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
IT IS OPEN TO ALL YOUNGSTERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 20. ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICES AND DISTRICT POLICE STATIONS.
------0-----------
/Il ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
11
POLICE CHOIR TO GIVE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE * * * * *
THE POLICE CHOIR WILL GIVE A PUBLIC PERFORMANCE WITH A SCOTTISH SCHOOL CHOIR AND A DELEGATION OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN CITY HALL ON MONDAY (MARCH 26).
THE MAIN THEME OF THE JOINT FUNCTION IS TO FOSTER A GENUINE FRIENDSHIP WITH OTHER MUSICAL BODIES LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.
"ADDITIONALLY, WE WANT TO OFFER A GOOD ENTERTAINMENT TO THE PUBLIC FOLLOWING OUR RECENT SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE IN SINGAPORE," THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FORCE CHOIR, MR JIM ELMS SAID.
"A TOTAL OF 40 ACTIVE PLAYERS IN THE CHOIR WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE SHOW AND THEY WILL PLAY SUCH FAMOUS SONGS AS RED BEAN LAMENT, THE SEA TIDE, JASMINE, SONG OF MOUNT ALI AND UNDER THE SILVER MOONLIGHT.
"THE SCOTTISH BOYS’ CHOIR FROM THE MERCHISTER SCHOOL IN EDINBURGH, ALL DRESSED IN THEIR TRADITIONAL COSTUME, WILL PRESENT SOME FOLK SONGS, WHILE FOUR STUDENTS OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS WILL HOST A SOLO EPISODE.
"THE FINAL PART OF THE OCCASION IS A GRAND PERFORMANCE IN WHICH THE SONG OF 'THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR’ WILL CERTAINLY MOVE EVERYONE THERE," HE SAID.
THE PROCEEDS FROM THE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DONATED TO THE POLICE WELFARE FUND.
TICKETS AT $30 ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
-----0-----
TENDERS INVITED FOR GARDEN PROJECT
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GARDEN AT MORRISON HILL ROAD, WAN CHAI.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES A CYCLING TRACK AND A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, IS SCHEDULED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG.
------0-----------
/12........
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
- 12 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION
*****
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,146,500 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER EE88 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $260,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER CXI WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $130,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR AS2352 AND EE964.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
EE8288 19,000 CXI 130,000 EE163 40,000 EE1133 47,000
EE7008 5,000 EE633 30,000 EE6628 25,000 EE2229 12,000
EB5 33,000 EE2628 17,000 AR778 36,000 EE1005 5,000
EE6318 7,000 EE1233 25,000 EE222 80,000 EE964 1,000
EF400 10,000 2856 23,000 EE119 16,000 9915 23,000
EE1698 16,000 EE869 18,000 EE811 22,000 EE1102 8,000
314 30,000 EE9899 22,000 EB6 55,000 CC314 12,000
BR711 13,000 EE6326 6,000 EE629 10,000 EE9007 3,500
AS2352 1,000 EE923 15,000 ED9239 5,000 EE449 4,500
EE369 32,000 EE88 260,000 EE822 26,000 EE6616 3,500
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 WITH 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 148TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $100,143,805.
- - 0---------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS, BAN ZONE IN SSP
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 26), TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
THE VEHICULAR TURNING MOVEMENTS FROM KWONG LEE ROAD INTO MAN FAT STREET WILL BE BANNED. MOTORISTS HEADING FOR MAN FAT STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHEUNG FAT STREET INSTEAD.
/MAN FAT ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1990
- 13 -
MAN FAT STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A BAN ZONE, EXCEPT FOR VEHICLES NEEDING ACCESS, 24 HOURS DAILY.
ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND THOSE NEEDING ACCESS, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE BAN ZONE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0-------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE LEFT TURN MOVEMENT FROM WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND ONTO SOMERSET ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE TEMPORARILY BANNED FROM 9 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 26) FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF TELEPHONE DUCTS AT SOMERSET ROAD.
SOMERSET ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY OPERATION TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
MINIBUSES ON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 29, ON JOURNEYS TO BROADCAST DRIVE, WILL BE DIVERTED AT WATERLOO ROAD TO OPERATE VIA DORSET CRESCENT AND DEVON ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTEING.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0-------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN TAI PO
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN TAI PO WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC SEPARATELY ON MARCH 26 AND 27 (MONDAY AND TUESDAY) FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE SLOW LANE OF KWONG FUK EAST VIADUCT LEADING FROM YUEN SHIN ROAD TO TOLO HIGHWAY WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY.
THE SLOW LANE OF KWONG FUK WEST VIADUCT LEADING FROM TOLO HIGHWAY TO YUEN SHIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED ON TUESDAY.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN MONG KOK
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 26), THE SECTION OF TUNG CHOI STREET BETWEEN FIFE STREET AND ARGYLE STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES CONSULTATION .................. 1
BILL OF RIGHTS ON DB AGENDA .................................................. 2
LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL ON DB AGENDA ........................................... 3
LOGO SELECTED FOR GREEN PLANT PROJECT ....................................... 4
WORKING GROUP TO VISIT LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ...................,................. 4
WINNING DANCERS TO PERFORM AT CITY HALL ...................................... 5
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE ............................... 6
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ..................................... 6
LIGHTER SIDE TO POLICING VBP CENTRE ............................................ 7
POLICE ARRESTED 1,157 PEOPLE IN 4,050 RAIDS IN FEBRUARY ,...f................... 9
NEW ACCESS ROADS PROPOSED FOR TAN KWAI TSUEN .................................. 10
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN .........................,..................... 10
REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR NORTH POINT ..................................... 11
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WONG TAI SIN.............................. 11
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ............................... 11
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
1
ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES CONSULTATION
*****
INDIVIDUAL POLITICAL AND CONCERN GROUPS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE SOCIAL WORK SECTOR HAVE RESPONDED ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO THE CONSULTATION ON HONG KONG’S SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) WHILE SPEAKING AT THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS’ GENERAL UNION.
MRS WONG SAID A WORKING GROUP HAD BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO REVIEW HONG KONG’S SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND TO DRAFT A WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
"OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS OR SO, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACTIVELY INVITED THE PUBLIC TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE WELFARE SERVICES," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE COVERAGE OF WELFARE SERVICES, THE PROPORTION OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES AGAINST CHANGING NEEDS WERE THE MAJOR CONCERNS OF THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"IN HONG KONG, WELFARE SERVICES HAVE BEEN QUITE WELL-ESTABLISHED IN THE 1980’S," SHE SAID.
"THE VARIETY OF SERVICES RANGES FROM THOSE PROVIDED FOR THE MOST NEEDY TO THOSE TARGETTED AT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS."
AS TO THE QUESTION OF A BIGGER SHARE OF WELFARE SERVICES IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, MRS WONG SAID IT DEPENDED ON THE DECISION ON THE PRIORITIES OF VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY.
SHE SAID THE WORKING GROUP, OPERATING WITHIN THE CONSTRAINT OF KEEPING EXPENDITURE IN LINE WITH INCOME, WOULD EXAMINE THE FUNDS NEEDED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS SERVICES AND THEIR PRIORITIES IN THE COURSE OF DRAFTING THE WHITE PAPER.
"IN ANY EVENT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE, WE HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO REVIEW THE EXISTING SERVICES TO SEE WHETHER RESOURCES HAVE BEEN PUT . TO PROPER USE FOR THE BEST RESULTS."
AS FOR THE PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID THESE WERE INTIMATELY RELATED TO POPULATION GROWTH AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
"TAKE THE ELDERLY POPULATION FOR INSTANCE: THE PERCENTAGE OF THOSE OVER 60 YEARS OLD WILL INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT 12.6 PER CENT TO 15 PER CENT IN 1999," SHE SAID.
/ON THE ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
- 2 -
ON THE ONE HAND, SHE ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD STEP UP CONSTRUCTION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF ELDERLY HOMES WHILE ON THE OTHER BAND, IT HAD DEVOTED MUCH EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN A BID TO BRING DEMAND AND SUPPLY TO MORE OR LESS THE SAME LEVEL.
"IN SHORT, THE COMMUNITY’S INCREASING DEMAND FOR ELDERLY SERVICES WILL BE GIVEN DUE ATTENTION BY THE WORKING GROUP," SHE SAID.
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, MRS WONG SAID: "OUR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES HAVE COME QUITE A LONG WAY TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW IN THE EARLY 1990’S.
"THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO THE WELFARE SERVICES SECTOR IN THE COMING DECADE WILL BE WHETHER IT COULD MAKE GOOD USE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES SUCH AS ITS EXPERIENCE, MANPOWER AND FACILITIES TO ACHIEVE THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS."
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BILL OF RIGHTS ON DB AGENDA
*****
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (CONSTITUTIONAL AND ELECTORAL AFFAIRS), MR FRANCIS HO, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS AT THE BOARD’S MEETING ON TUESDAY (MARCH 27).
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SPECIAL DUTIES DIVISION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND A SENIOR TOWN PLANNER FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BRIEF THE MEMBERS ON DEMOLITION METHODS FOR THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY AND ON THE METROPLAN, RESPECTIVELY.
IN ADDITION, A CONSUMER COUNCIL MEMBER, MR ANTHONY YUEN, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON A REPORT ON A REVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
THE BOARD WILL DISCUSS A MEMBER’S REQUEST FOR REVISION OF THE LAND USE AT DIAMOND HILL.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY (MARCH 27) IN THE FUNG MING HALL OF WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/3 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
- 3 -
LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL ON DB AGENDA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE INCREASE IN THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL PROPOSED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S MEETING ON TUESDAY (MARCH 27).
SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS WILL SUBMIT A PAPER SUGGESTING THAT THE PROPOSAL BE SHELVED PENDING A REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE SHING MUN TUNNEL, WHICH IS TO OPEN NEXT MONTH.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS OMELCO’S STAND ON THE POLITICAL MODEL THAT THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE HAS PROPOSED FOR THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
IN ADDITION, A MEMBER WILL ASK IF IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S PRACTICE TO CONDUCT PROPER GEOLOGICAL PROSPECTING TO ENSURE THAT A PIECE OF LAND TO BE TENDERED IS SUITABLE FOR THE STATED PURPOSE.
ANOTHER QUESTION WILL CONCERN PREVENTING GANGS FROM CAUSING DISRUPTIONS WHEN BLOCKS OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS GO ON SALE.
IN VIEW OF RECENT ROBBERY AND INDECENT ASSAULT CASES THAT HAVE OCCURRED ON A PATH BETWEEN THE CHEK NAI PING AREA AND THE GROUNDS OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, MEASURES TO COMBAT SUCH CRIMES WILL BE DISCUSSED.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE NOMINATION OF FOUR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS FOR APPOINTMENT AS CO-OPTED MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S MEETING ON TUESDAY (MARCH 27) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
4
LOGO SELECTED FOR GREEN PLANT PROJECT *****
A DESIGN SHOWING THE CARING OF PLANTS HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE I.OGO OF A "GREEN PLANT" PROJECT, AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
THE DESIGN BY I-ONG YUEN-MAN, AGED 18, FROM CCC ROTARY PREVOCAT1ONAL SCHOOL WAS AMONG NuKE iHAN 220 ENTRIES IN A LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
THE COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY STUDENTS, SECONDARY STUDENTS AND OPEN SECTIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SELECTION WAS MADE BY A PANEL OF FIVE ADJUDICATORS COMPRISING A SENIOR LECTURER OF HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S SWIRE SCHOOL OF DESIGN, MR ANDY LAW; PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG CHILDREN ARTS ASSOCIATION, MR MICHAEL LAI; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR MICHAEL LEE; ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY CHAN; AND A SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE, MISS LAI YUEN-LING.
"SELECTION OF THE THREE WINNING AND A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING ENTRIES FOR EACH SECTION HAS NOT BEEN EASY IN VIEW OF THE HIGH STANDARD OF THE DESIGNS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE ADJUDICATORS FINALLY SELECTED THE DESIGN BY FONG YUEN-MAN, WINNER OF THE SECONDARY STUDENTS SECTION, AS THE 'GREEN PLANT’ PROJECT LOGO BECAUSE IT BEST CONVEYS THE THEME OF ’CARING FOR PLANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND BUILDING A GREEN COMMUNITY’," HE ADDED.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH DURING A BASIC GARDENING SEMINAR AT THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
--------------------0------- WORKING GROUP TO VISIT LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
A WORKING GROUP ON VISITS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS HAS BEEN SET UP UNDER THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD. ITS CONVENER IS MR EDWARD PONG.
THE WORKING GROUP’S OBJECTIVES ARE TO STRENGTHEN CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS THROUGH REGULAR VISITS AND TO ENABLE GROUP MEMBERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE OF AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY SOCIAL AND WELFARE BODIES IN THE DISTRICT.
/IT ALSO .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
- 5 -
IT ALSO HOPES TO PROMOTE THE IMAGE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
MEMBERS INCLUDE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR GEORGE NG AND MR SING HON-KEUNG; THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE TSUI LAM SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED, MR CHAU YIN-MING; AND SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH AND COMMUNITY) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR LEE WING-WAI.
PLANS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP FOR THE WORKING GROUP TO VISIT VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN SAI KUNG AND TSEUNG KWAN 0 IN THE AFTERNOONS OF APRIL 25, MAY 15 AND JUNE 7.
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WINNING DANCERS TO PERFORM AT CITY HALL
*****
WINNERS OF THE 19TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WILL PERFORM IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL ON APRIL 1 (SUNDAY).
SEVENTEEN TEAMS, SELECTED FROM THE 117 TEAMS IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE DANCE CONTEST HELD LAST MONTH, WILL PERFORM A VARIETY OF DANCES, INCLUDING WESTERN AND ORIENTAL, CLASSICAL AND MODERN. THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE AWARDS AT A CEREMONY.
THE TWO-HOUR SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM. TICKETS AT $30 EACH ARE NOW ON SALE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
THE ANNUAL EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT’S CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG; KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI; AND A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR POON CHI-FAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 19TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND WINNERS’ PERFORMANCE TO BE HELD ON APRIL 1 (SUNDAY) IN THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL. THE SHOW WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM.
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/6 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
6
APPLICATIONS INVITED *
FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE * * * *
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR TEAMS TO TAKE PART IN THF TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE ON MAY 28 TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
THE RACES WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN THE MORNING OF MAY 28.
THEY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, WOMEN’S OPEN, MIXED INVITATION AND INDUSTRIAL CUP SECTIONS. EACH TEAM SHOULD CONSIST OF 27 MEMBERS, COMPRISING 24 PADDLERS, A DRUMMER, A GONG-BEATER AND A COXSWAIN.
COMPETING TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DRAGON BOATS AND PADDLES. THEY WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED TIME FOR PRACTISING.
LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS INVITING THEIR PARTICIPATION.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AT HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT ON CHEUNG ROAD, AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT TING KOK ROAD.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 12. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 657 7111, EXT. 244.
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FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME
*****
ORGANISATIONS AND YOUTH AGENCIES IN WONG TAI SIN ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR HOLDING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH THIS SUMMER.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE’S TSZ WAN SHAN SUB-OFFICE AT BLOCK THREE, TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE BEFORE APRIL 12.
"HOWEVER, AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, APPLICATIONS FROM AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROGRAMME WAS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO HOLD RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
"THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD FOCUS ON THE THEME ’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY’.
"IT IS HOPED THAT YOUNGSTERS WILL SHARE THE FUN AND DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT LETTERS HAD BEEN SENT TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND YOUTH AGENCIES INVITING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME.
A BRIEFING ON THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES WILL BE HELD AT ROOM 210 ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 28), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE BRIEFING.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 324 1872.
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LIGHTER SIDE TO POLICING VBP CENTRE
*****
THERE IS A LIGHTER, HUMANITARIAN SIDE TO POLICING A VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CENTRE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ONLY READ ABOUT A CAMP WHEN THERE ARE SPORADIC DISTURBANCES AND FIGHTING BETWEEN RIVAL FACTIONS, THE POLICE SENIOR STAFF INSPECTOR (ADMINISTRATION) AT THE SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE, MR KENNY MAK SAID.
BUT THEY WILL FIND THE RUNDOWN OF EXTRA CHORES CARRIED OUT BY THE CAMP POLICE MIND-BOGGLING, HE SAID.
FROM PREGNANT WOMEN TO THOSE SEEKING MARRIAGE AND FROM CASUALTY EVACUATION CASES TO WELL-WISHERS VISITING SICK RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN HOSPITALS - HUNDREDS OF VBP’S FLOW IN AND OUT THE CENTRE EACH WEEK UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF ESCORTING POLICE OFFICERS.
ADDITIONAL TO THE PARAMOUNT TASK OF MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER, THESE SUPERVISED TRIPS ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY EXTRA DUTIES THAT POLICE OFFICERS HAVE STRETCHED THEMSELVES TO UNDERTAKE IN A BID TO ALLEVIATE, ALBEIT MARGINALLY, THE TEDIOUS LIFE INSIDE THE CENTRE.
IN JANUARY ALONE, POLICE ESCORTED TRIPS IN AND OUT OF THE CAMP COVERED 6,117 KILOMETRES.
/•’TWICE A.........
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
- 8
’’TWICE A WEEK WE ARRANGE TRANSPORT FOR COUPLES TO REGISTER AT THE YUEN LONG MARRIAGE REGISTRY. AND EVERY WEDNESDAY, WE FERRY AN AVERAGE ABOUT 30 PREGNANT WOMEN TO YAN 01 POLYCLINIC FOR MATERNITY CHECKUPS,” MR MAK EXPLAINED.
ALSO SINCE JANUARY, STAFF HAVE ARRANGED HOSPITAL VISITS THREE TIMES A WEEK FOR INMATES TO VISIT THEIR SICK FAMILY MEMBERS, RELATIVES OR FRIENDS BEING TREATED IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL IN KWAI CHUNG, RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM IN WAN CHAI AND GRANTHAM HOSPITAL IN ABERDEEN.
’’THESE EXTRA ESCORT DUTIES, PLUS A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER NON-POLICE COMMITMENTS, ARE QUITE TIME-CONSUMING, BUT WE TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THEM AS FAR AS WE CAN," MR MAK SAID.
CAMP POLICEMEN HAVE ALSO BEEN PLAYING OTHER ROLES, SUCH AS POSTMEN AND "HEAD HUNTERS".
"THE MAIL SERVICE PROVIDED IN THE CAMP MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO PROCESS AND SORT THOUSANDS OF INCOMING AND OUTGOING LETTERS EACH MONTH. IT IS A FIVE-DAY-A-WEEK ROUTINE FOR US NOW," MR MAK WENT ON.
"IN FEBRUARY, THE CAMP STAFF HANDLED 7,900 OUTGOING AND 4,850 INCOMING LETTERS - SLIGHTLY DOWN OVERALL ON THE PREVIOUS MONTHS TOTALS OF 8,520 AND 5,040 RESPECTIVELY."
EVEN WITH THE HELP OF VIETNAMESE VOLUNTEERS, A HANDFUL OF POLICEMEN STILL HAVE TO BE DEPLOYED TO LOOK AFTER THE SORTING OUT PROCESS TO ENSURE ALL INCOMING LETTERS REACH THE HANDS OF THE ADDRESSEES.
"EVERY ADDRESSEE HAS TO BE IDENTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT IS MADE FOR HE OR SHE TO COME AND COLLECT THE MAIL FROM US," MR MAK POINTED OUT.
"WE SIMPLY CAN’T LEAVE IT TO THE VIETNAMESE VOLUNTEERS AS IT MIGHT ALLOW ROOM FOR MAIL RIGGING OR POSSIBLE THEFTS. WE HAVE TO BE ABSOLUTELY SURE.
"AT THE REQUEST OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS, WE ALSO PLAY ’HEAD HUNTERS’, SEEKING OUT THOSE NAMED BY OTHER VIETNAMESE, LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS, WHO BELIEVE EITHER A RELATIVE OR FRIEND IS BEING KEPT HERE," MR MAK SAID.
"IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THE TIME NEEDED TO TRACE THEM FROM AMONG MORE THAN 7,000 PEOPLE ACCOMMODATED HERE,” MR MAK REMARKED.
STAFF IDENTIFIED 60 "LOST” VIETNAMESE IN JANUARY AND 40 IN FEBRUARY.
ON TOP OF ALL THIS, THE MANAGEMENT HAS TO SPEND A SIZEABLE PORTION OF ITS MANPOWER AND TIME ARRANGING THE TRANSFER OF INMATES TO OTHER DETENTION CENTRES EITHER FOR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OR FOR SUCH REASONS AS REUNION WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AT OTHER CAMPS.
/STATISTICS MAINTAINED .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
- 9 -
STATISTICS MAINTAINED BY THE CAMP MANAGEMENT SHOW THAT THERE WERE 243 TRANSFER OR REUNION CASES IN JANUARY AND 219 IN FEBRUARY.
MEANWHILE, AFTER BEING APPROACHED BY A CHURCH-BASED VOLUNTARY AGENCY FOR ASSISTANCE IN OPENING A KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY SCHOO: IN THE CAMP, THE MANAGEMENT LOCA D A SITE CAMP FOR THE PROJECT. TUB SCHOOL HAS BEEN OPERATING SINGE SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
AND IN JANUARY, A SMALL ZIPPER FACTORY WAS OPENED IN THE SAME AREA BY ANOTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCY. THIS PROVIDES NOMINAL EMPLOYMENT FOR ABOUT 80 INMATES.
"GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF ITEMS INSIDE THE SCHOOLS AND FACTORY, WE HAVE TO DEPLOY TWO POLICE CONSTABLES TO GUARD THE AREA ON A ROUND-THE-CLOCK BASIS TO PREVENT BURGLARY," MR MAK SAID.
"IN GENERAL, OUR RELATIONS WITH
THE INMATES ARE QUITE CORDIAL."
---------0-----------
POLICE ARRESTED 1,157 PEOPLE IN 4,050 RAIDS IN FEBRUARY
*****
POLICE CONTINUED THEIR THREE-PRONGED ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST DRUGS, ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE ACTIVITIES LAST MONTH, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 1,157 PEOPLE IN 4,050 RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT DURING THE MONTH, 207 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 523 RAIDS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 747 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 3,248 RAIDS IN KOWLOON AND 183 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 259 RAIDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, NARCOTICS BUREAU OFFICERS ARRESTED 20 PEOPLE IN 20 OPERATIONS.
IN THEIR SUSTAINED EFFORTS AGAINST VICE ACTIVITIES, POLICE ARRESTED 114 PEOPLE IN 3,250 RAIDS AND SEIZED 2,268 PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO TAPES.
ON THE ANTI-GAMBLING FRONT, POLICE CONDUCTED 114 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 546 PEOPLE, SEIZING $155,000 IN TABLE MONEY AND BETTING SLIPS WORTH ABOUT $3.8 MILLION.
POLICE ALSO CARRIED OUT 686 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 497 PEOPLE IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING IN FEBRUARY. THE DRUGS SEIZED INCLUDED 6.3 KILOGRAM OF NO. 3 HEROIN, 50 GRAMS OF NO. 4 HEROIN, 234 GRAMS OF OPIUM AND 32 GRAMS OF CANNABIS.
- - 0----------
/10........
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
10
NEW ACCESS ROADS PROPOSED FOR TAN KWAI TSUEN
******
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD NEW ROADS, BRIDGES AND FOOTBRIDGES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO VILLAGES IN TAN KWAI TSUEN AREA IN YUEN LONG.
THE WORKS ARE RELATED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT A STREAM NEAR TAN KWAI TSUEN.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE:
- CONSTRUCTION OF PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES, VEHICULAR/PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES, TRACKS AND A MAINTENANCE ROAD WHICH WILL BE RESTRICTED TO MAINTENANCE VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS;
- CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF EXISTING PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES; AND
- ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
A COPY OF THE PLANS OF THE PROPOSED UNDERTAKINGS, SHOWING THE AREAS AND THE EXISTING ROADS TO BE AFFECTED, CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
- CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
- YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG; AND
- YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BY MAY 8 THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN
*****
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 27) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT ON YAT STREET, TSUEN KING CIRCUIT, ON YUK ROAD, INCLUDING ALLWAY GARDENS, HONG KONG ADVENTIST HOSPITAL AND STAFF QUARTERS, YAN CHAI HOSPITAL LIM POR YEN SECONDARY SCHOOL AND KEI WAI PRIMARY SCHOOL.
0 - -
/Il
SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1990
11
REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR NORTH POINT
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT 18 INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN MARBLE ROAD, NORTH POINT.
OCCUPYING A 540-SQUARE-METRE SITE, THE SINGLE-STOREY REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL ACCOMMODATE A CARBON FILTRATION SYSTEM TO PREVENT THE EMISSION OF FOUL SMELL.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE AN OFFICE, A PUMP ROOM AND STAFF CHANGING ROOMS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 12.
-----0------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WONG TAI SIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 27), A SECTION OF TUNG FAT ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN BETWEEN TUNG KWONG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES SOUTH OF TUNG TAI LANE WILL BE RE-ROUTED TEMPORARILY FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 45 DAYS.
THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORKS. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0-----------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, ABOUT 450 METRES LONG OF TWO SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC LANES ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, SOUTH OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD INTERCHANGE, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY ON MARCH 27, 28, 29 AND 30 (TUESDAY TO FRIDAY).
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED .........................
HK SHIPPING REGISTER TO KEEP UP HIGH STANDARDS ..........................
SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION AND PRIORITY ...........
CAREERS CENTRES MEET DEMAND OF MODERN ECONOMY ...........................
CONCERN GROUP SET UP TO HELP FIRE VICTIMS ...............................
HEIGHT OF RAILINGS ON JOINT COMMITTEE AGENDA ............................
COMMENDATION FOR PRISON VISITORS ........
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED .... WATER STORAGE FIGURE ....................
WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN .................
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHA TIN
12
MONDAY, MARCH 26,
1990
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED
*****
DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED WEAK IN FEBRUARY 1990, WHILE RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW. IMPORTS ALSO SHOWED A MODERATE INCREASE.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1990 WAS $13,311 MILLION, $731 MILLION OR 5.2 PER CENT LESS THAN IN FEBRUARY 1989, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $2,061 MILLION OR 9.2 PER CENT TO $24,446 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $37,757 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1990, WAS THUS $1,330 MILLION OR 3.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN FEBRUARY 1989.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 5.2 PER CENT OR $2,001 MILLION FROM A YEAR EARLIER, TO $40,473 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1990.
AS THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $2,716 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.7 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1990.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $2,045 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1989.
IN VIEW OF THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, IT IS MORE MEANINGFUL TO LOOK AT THE FIGURES FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY COMBINED.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1990 WAS $82,354 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $29,948 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $52,406 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $2,411 MILLION OR 3.0 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, WITH DOMESTIC EXPORTS FALLING BY $1,356 MILLION OR 4.3 PER CENT AND RE-EXPORTS RISING BY $3,767 MILLION OR 7.7 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, IMPORTS FELL BY $43 MILLION OR BY 0.1 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, TO $81,564 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $790 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.0 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1990. THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $1,664 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.0 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1989.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS CONTINUED TO BE SLUGGISH.
/ON RE-EXPORTS
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
- 2
ON RE-EXPORTS, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1990 WAS MUCH LOWER THAN THOSE RECORDED OVER THE COURSE OF 1989.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA DECLINED MARKEDLY, ALTHOUGH RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN CONTINUED TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT GROWTH. THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A SMALL INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF RETAINED IMPORTS IN FEBRUARY OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1990.
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS $13,311 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE $24,446 MILLION $37,757 MILLION $40,473 MILLION $ 2,716 MILLION
[IN DEFICIT]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS DEC 89 TO FEB 90 HK$ MN. DEC 88 TO FEB 89 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 49,864 52,477 -2,613 5.0
RE-EXPORTS 81,992 76,762 5,230 6.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 131,856 129,239 2,617 2.0
IMPORTS 129,008 131,790 -2,782 2.1
TRADE BALANCE 2,848 -2,551 5,399
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1990 1989 INCREASE
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 13,311 14,042 -731 5.2
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (35.3%) (38.5%)
RE-EXPORTS 24,446 22,385 2,061 9.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 37,757 36,427 1,330 3.7
IMPORTS 40,473 38,472 2,001 5.2
TRADE BALANCE -2,716 -2,045 -671
/LAST MONTH .......
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
LAST MONTH FEBRUARY 1990 HK$ MN. JANUARY 1990 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 13,311 (35.3%) 16,638 (37.3%) -3,327 -20.0
RE-EXPORTS 24,446 27,960 -3,514 -12.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 37,757 44,598 -6,841 -15.3
IMPORTS 40,473 41,092 -619 -1.5
TRADE BALANCE -2,716 3,506 -6,222
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-FEB 1990 HK$ MN. JAN-FEB 1989 HK$ MN. INCREASE HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 29,948 (36.4%) 31,304 (39.2%) -1,356 -4.3
RE-EXPORTS 52,406 48,639 3,767 7.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 82,354 79,943 2,411 3.0
IMPORTS 81,564 81,607 -43 -0.1
TRADE BALANCE 790 -1,664 2,454
LAST 12 MONTHS MAR 89 TO FEB 90 HK$ MN. MAR 88 TO FEB 89 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 222,749 218,851 3,898 1.8
RE-EXPORTS 350,172 289,766 60,406 20.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 572,921 508,617 64,304 12.6
IMPORTS 562,739 518,784 43,955 8.5
TRADE BALANCE 10,182 -10,167 20,349
------0 - -
/4 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
4
HK SHIPPING REGISTER TO KEEP UP HIGH STANDARDS ******
HIGH STANDARDS FOR SAFETY AT SEA AND THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED WITH THE SETTING UP OF HONG KONG’S OWN REGISTER OF SHIPPING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, SAID THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE ORIGIN OF THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A NEW AND AUTONOMOUS REGISTER OF SHIPPING FOR HONG KONG LIES IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WHICH PROVIDES THAT THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) SHALL MAINTAIN ITS PREVIOUS SYSTEMS OF SHIPPING MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION.
THE SAR SHALL ALSO BE AUTHORISED TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A SHIPPING REGISTER AND ISSUE CERTIFICATES UNDER ITS OWN LEGISLATION.
MR SZE TOLD A MEETING OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF INSURANCE BROKERS THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHIPS, THEIR SURVEY, AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR EQUIPMENT TO BE USED ON BOARD HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS, WOULD BE STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS.
"AN INTERESTING ASPECT IS THAT IN RESPECT OF MANNING," MR SZE SAID. "THE PRINCIPLES REQUIRE THAT ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG SHIPS WILL BE DETERMINED BY REFERENCES ONLY TO PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS HELD, WHICH ARE JUDGED TO BE AT LEAST EQUIVALENT TO THOSE ISSUED IN HONG KONG.
"THIS MEANS THAT NO NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE SPECIFIED FOR THE MASTER OR ANY OF THE OFFICERS OR CREW."
MR SZE SAID REASONS FOR NOT INSISTING UPON ANY REQUIREMENT THAT THERE SHOULD AT LEAST BE SOME SORT OF RESIDENTIAL LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE CREWS OF HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS WERE THREE FOLD.
"FIRST, IN ORDER TO MEET OUR OBJECTIVES FOR THE NEW REGISTER TO TAKE OVER SMOOTHLY FROM THE OLD THERE SHOULD BE AS LITTLE CHANGE AS POSSIBLE.
"TO INTRODUCE A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR NATIONALITY OR RESIDENT STATUS WHICH DOES NOT EXIST AT PRESENT, BEARING IN MIND THAT THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE MASTER AND OFFICERS TO BE BRITISH MUST BE REMOVED, WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THAT OBJECTIVE."
ANOTHER REASON WAS THAT MORE THAN A THIRD OF ALL THE POSTS AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS WERE ALREADY FILLED BY HONG KONG SEAFARERS, MAKING COMPULSION UNNECESSARY, MR SZE SAID.
"AND THIRD, SINCE THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED HONG KONG OFFICERS NOW AND IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE IS INADEQUATE TO MEET THE DEMAND FROM SHIPS PRESENTLY REGISTERED IN HONG KONG, THE NEW REGISTER WOULD EITHER START OFF IN AN UNSATISFACTORY WAY BY RELYING UPON A LARGE NUMBER OF EXEMPTIONS OR THE SIZE OF THE FLEET WOULD HAVE TO BE RESTRICTED TO MEET THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS AVAILABLE.
/"THIS WAS ........
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
- 5 -
’’THIS WAS NOT AN ATTRACTIVE PROSPECT."
MR SZE SAID IT WAS DECIDED THAT OWNERS MUST BE PERSONS ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG OR, IN THE CASE OF CORPORATE OWNERS, MUST BE INCORPORATED OR ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
"IN ADDITION, THE SHIPS MUST BE MANAGED AND CONTROLLED FROM HONG KONG AND A NOMINATED PERSON RESIDENT IN HONG KONG APPOINTED TO REPRESENT THE OWNER.
"THIS IS A NEW CONCEPT WHICH WILL ENABLE THE AUTHORITIES HERE TO HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HONG KONG REGISTERED FLEET AND IN THIS WAY ENSURE ADHERENCE TO HIGH STANDARDS AT ALL TIMES WHEREVER THE SHIPS MAY BE."
A COMPUTERISED SYSTEM WOULD BE INTRODUCED FOR THE ACTUAL PROCESS OF SHIP REGISTRATION, MR SZE SAID, AND THIS WAS NOW UNDER DEVELOPMENT.
SUCH A SYSTEM WAS PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR THE TASK TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF HUMAN ERROR AND DUPLICATION OF INFORMATION, IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND MAKE THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE MORE SIMPLE THAN THE PRESENT MANUAL SYSTEM.
SHIPPING POLICY FOR HONG KONG MUST IN FUTURE BE DEVELOPED SEPARATELY FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, MR SZE SAID.
"THIS IS IN ANY CASE DESIRABLE BECAUSE UK SHIPPING POLICY DOES NOT NECESSARILY SUIT THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONDITIONS WHICH OBTAIN IN HONG KONG."
HOWEVER, THE PRESENT HIGH STANDARDS IN HONG KONG SHIPS BY VIRTUE OF THEIR BEING ON THE BRITISH REGISTER WOULD BE MAINTAINED UNDER THE NEW REGIME AND STRONG LINKS WOULD BE FORGED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE SHIPS ON ITS REGISTER, MR SZE SAID.
------0-------
SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION AND PRIORITY ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) RECOMMENDS, IN PRINCIPLE, THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE A CHILDREN SUPPLEMENT FOR PUB!.IC ASSISTANCE CLIENTS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN AS PART OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY PACKAGE.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO SUGGESTED AT A MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE SETTING UP OF MORE SINGLE-PARENT CLUBS.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL PREPARE A PAPER ON THESE PROPOSALS FOR THE SWAC1S CONSIDERATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
/SPEAKING AT .......
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
- 6 -
SPEAKING AT THE MEETING, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID: "GREATER EFFORTS ARE NEEDED TO DEVELOP PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND PROVIDE PREVENTIVE SERVICES, NOT ONLY BY SOCIAL WORKERS BUT ALSO BY OTHER PROFESSIONALS, TO CURB THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF MARITAL BREAKDOWN."
MR CHUI SAID IT WAS RECOGNISED THAT SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES HAD SPEC(Al, SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND FINANCIAL NEEDS.
"HOWEVER, SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES SHOULD NOT BE LABELLED AS PROBLEMATIC FAMILIES, BUT RATHER BE VIEWED AS ANOTHER TARGET GROUP WITH PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS AND REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION AND PRIORITY," HE SAID.
HE TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE NEEDS OF THESE FAMILIES COULD GENERALLY BE MET WITHIN THE EXISTING NETWORK OF WELFARE SERVICE PROVIS(ON.
"WHAT (S REQUIRED IS MORE ALERTNESS AND SENSITIVITY TO IDENTIFY THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES, FLEXIBILITY AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO DELIVER SERVICES TO THIS CLIENT GROUP, STRENGTHENING OF EXISTING SERVICES AND BETTER PREPARATION FOR SOCIAL WORKERS TO COPE WITH THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THESE FAMILIES," HE ADDED.
ACCORDING TO THE 1986 BI-CENSUS, THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES WAS 36,541 OUT OF 1,452,576 HOUSEHOLDS (2.5 PER CENT OF ALL DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG). AMONG THESE .SINGLEPARENT FAMILIES, 22,411 WERE HOUSEHOLDS WITH A WIDOWED PARENT INVOLVING 37,921 CHILDREN WHILE 14,130 FAMILIES WERE HOUSEHOLDS WITH A DIVORCED OR SEPARATED PARENT, INVOLVING 23,139 CH'LDREN.
SWAC MEMBERS AGREED THAT, DESPITE THE RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE, SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES STILL COMMAND ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THEIR PARTICULAR FINANCIAL. PERSONAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS WHICH COULD MAKE THEIR CHILDREN MORE VULNERABLE.
THEY SHARED THE VIEW THAT SUCH FAMILIES DESERVE SPECIAL CONCERN FROM SOCIAL WORKERS.
OUTLINING THE EXISTING SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES, MR CHUI NOTED THAT THESE INCLUDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICE, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION (ELE) AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE GROUP PROGRAMMES, CHILD CARE CENTRE SERVICES, EXTENDED AND FLEXIBLE SERVICES HOURS, TEMPORARY DAY CARE, RESIDENTIAL CARE, AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMME AND HOME HELP SERVICE FOR SOCIAL NEED CASES.
TURNING TO FLE AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE GROUP PROGRAMMES, MR CHUI TOLD THE MEETING THAT THE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE ON FLE WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM SWD AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE HAD IDENTIFIED SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN AS ONE OF THE MAJOR TARGET GROUPS WHICH MERITED HIGH PRIORITY.
/"TO BETTER .......
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
"TO BETTER EQUIP SOCIAL WORKERS, MORE INFORMATION ON SINGLE-PARENTHOOD WILL BE DEVELOPED AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES WILL BE ORGANISED."
WHILE INFORMING SWAC MEMBERS THAT THE SWD AIMS TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 1,600 AIDED NURSERY PLACES EACH YEAR OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, MR CHUI SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ADVISED SUPERVISORS OF ALL AIDED AND NON-PROFIT-MAKING CHILD CARE CENTRES TO ACCORD PRIORITY TO CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES WITH A NEED FOR FULL DAY CARE, WHICH ENCOMPASSED SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES AND BROKEN FAMILIES.
"IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, THE SWD IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE PROVISION AND FINANCING OF DAY CRECHE AND DAY NURSERY SERVICES. PROPOSALS WILL BE FORMULATED IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE SWD WOULD CONSIDER THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY FOSTER CARE SERVICE TO MEET THE NEED FOR TEMPORARY AND EMERGENCY CARE IN NEEDY FAMILIES.
SWAC MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED THE DECISION OF THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES TO MAKE PUBLIC THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER AND ITS CONSULTATION PROCEDURES.
MEMBERS WERE PLEASED TO LEARN THAT A TOTAL OF 204 PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THE WORKING PARTY’S APPEAL FOR PUBLIC VIEWS.
SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, THE SWAC ALSO ENDORSED THE INTRODUCTION OF A UNIFIED SALARY SCALE FOR HOME HELPERS. THE NEW SALARY SCALE FOR HOME HELPERS IS BETWEEN MASTER PAY SCALE POINTS SIX AND 11 ($3,945 AND $5,340).
--------0-----------
CAREERS CENTRES MEET DEMAND OF MODERN ECONOMY
*****
A CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE CAN HELP PROVIDE THE MANPOWER RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR SUSTAINED GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MI LAU WONG-FAT, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
AS A FINANCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE WITH ONLY LIMITED RESOURCES, HONG KONG HAD TO MAKE THE OPTIMUM USE OF ITS HUMAN RESOURCES, MR LAU SAID WHEN OPENING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S TUEN MUN CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD ASSISTED YOUNG PEOPLE IN CHOOSING A CAREER SUITED TO THEIR ABILITY AND INTEREST THROUGH EDUCATION AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
/ALSO OFFICIATING ......
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, SAID A CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE WAS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE WORLD OF WORK.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT WERE ALL EQUIPPED WITH AN UP-TO-DATE CAREERS LIBRARY AND AUDIO-VISUAL INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
- - 0 - -
CONCERN GROUP SET UP TO HELP FIRE VICTIMS * * * * *
A CONCERN GROUP WAS SET UP TO HELP VICTIMS OF THE SAU ON VILLAGE FIRE AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
THE GROUP, COMPRISING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, IS UNDER THE JOINT CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN.
THE GROUP WILL LIAISE WITH THE VICTIMS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND ASSIST IN MATTERS RELATING TO REHOUSING, SCHOOLING AND EMPLOYMENT.
THE FIRE ON MARCH 23 LEFT MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE HOMELESS. THE VICTIMS ARE BEING HOUSED TEMPORARILY IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S SHUN LEE ESTATE AND SAU MAU PING (SOUTH) COMMUNITY CENTRES.
- - 0 - -
HEIGHT OF RAILINGS ON JOINT COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SERVICES WILL REQUEST THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION TO RAISE THE HEIGHT OF RAILINGS SEPARATING TRACKS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE SUGGESTION WILL BE MADE BY TWO MEMBERS WHO OBSERVED THAT FOR CONVENIENCE, MANY PEDESTRIANS CLIMB OVER THE RAILINGS SEPARATING THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND TRACKS AT YUEN LONG MAIN ROAD.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK ABOUT THE CLEANSING ARRANGEMENT FOR AREAS ALONG THE LIGHT RAIL.
'MEANWHILE THE
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
- 9
MEANWHILE, THE LATEST FIGURES AND
INFORMATION CONCERNING LRT
ACCIDENTS WILL BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LRT SERVICES TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE TUEN MUN DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TURN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
------0--------
COMMENDATION FOR PRISON VISITORS * * * * *
THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE BIBLE SEMINARY STUDENT EVANGELISTIC BAND WERE AWARDED THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES’ COMMENDATION TODAY (MONDAY).
THEY WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR UNSWERVING COMMITMENT, DEVOTION AND DEDICATION TO THE SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF THE PRISONERS AND INMATES IN THE PAST 30 YEARS.
THE BAND’S MEMBERS ARE AMONG THE PRISON VISITORS IN HONG KONG WHO PROVIDE RELIGIOUS SERVICES, TEACHING, COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE AND ORGANISE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE INMATES.
THE PRISON CHAPLAIN OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD), FATHER PETER NEWBERY, SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE VISITORS CAME FROM RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 138 PRISON VISITORS, WITH 98 OF THEM COMING FROM THESE ORGANISATIONS. THEY INCLUDE PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC MEMBERS AS WELL AS PEOPLE FROM THE ISLAMIC UNION OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG BUDDHISTS.
FATHER NEWBERY SAID MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS AND THE CARITAS LOK HEEP ASSOCIATION, WHICH OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO DISCHARGED PRISONERS AND EX-DRUG ABUSERS RESPECTIVELY, REGULARLY VISITED INSTITUTIONS TO INFORM THE INMATES OF THE SERVICES THEIR ORGANISATIONS OFFERED.
THEY WERE ISSUED WITH SPECIAL PASSES TO ENTER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO ENABLE THEM TO CONTACT INMATES ABOUT THEIR SERVICES, HE SAID.
/MEMBERS OF .......
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
- 10 -
MEMBERS OF THE PRISONERS’ FRIENDS ASSOCIATION VISITED THE INMATES IN THE VISIT ROOMS ON A ONE TO ONE BASIS, HE ADDED.
FATHER NEWBERY SAID THE VISITORS COULD PROVIDE THE SUPPORT THE INMATES NEEDED TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE DIFFICULTIES IN ADJUSTING TO PRISON LIFE. THE VISITORS STOOD BY THE INMATES AS THEY SERVED THEIR SENTENCE AND UNTIL THEY WERE EVENTUALLY PREPARED TO GO HOME AND FACE THE SOCIETY.
"THEY ENCOURAGE THE INMATES AND SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS TO BECOME MORE MATURE PEOPLE, TO GROW, TO DEVELOP AND TO CHANGE," HE SAID.
SOME VISITORS HELP ORGANISE SPECIAL TRAINING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE INMATES SUCH AS FOOTBALL, DRAWING AND GUITAR PLAYING.
THE MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE BIBLE SEMINARY STUDENT EVANGELISTIC BAND BEGAN THEIR SERVICE IN THE THEN CHI MA WAN PRISON IN 1960. THEY NOW HAVE 36 STUDENTS VISITING EIGHT INSTITUTIONS WEEKLY TO RUN RELIGIOUS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE INMATES.
AT A CEREMONY THIS MORNING, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, PRESENTED THE COMMENDATION CERTIFICATE TO FOUR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SEMINARY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.
-----0-------
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED
*******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT AND TUEN MUN SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
IN NORTH POINT, THE AUTHORITY SEEKS TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ON THE FLAT ROOF OF 19TH FLOOR, NAM TIN BUILDING, 275 KING’S ROAD.
THE CLOSURE FORMS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JULY LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 26 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (MONDAY).
IN TUEN MUN, THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN QUESTION ARE AT WORKSHOP 10, FIRST FLOOR, MING FAT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, KIN FAT STREET.
A DEMOLITION ORDER WAS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN OCTOBER 1988 IN RESPECT OF THE STRUCTURES BUT THE OWNER HAS FAILED TO COMPLY.
/TO FACILITATE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
TO FACILITATE THE DEMOLITION, THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES, TOGETHER WITH WORKSHOP 10, WILL HAVE TO BE CLOSED.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 14 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE PREMISES TODAY.
IN BOTH CASES, DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED. ' •
-----o--------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 38.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 228.195 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 198.811 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 33.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0---------
WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN * * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 28) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY PUI CHING ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, ARGYLE STREET AND SOARES AVENUE, INCLUDING MAN FUK ROAD, MAN WAN ROAD, HOK YU LANE, JULIA AVENUE, EMMA AVENUE AND 61-79K WATERLOO ROAD.
------0----------
/12 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1990
12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF SHA TIN ROAD, TAI PO ROAD AND TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR PAK SHEK KOK BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 28) TO 8 PM THE NEXT DAY.
THE INNERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN TOLO HIGHWAY AND FO TAN NULLAH WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30) TO 8 PM THE NEXT DAY.
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD AND TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND BETWEEN HO TUNG LAU AND MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON APRIL 2 (MONDAY) TO 8 PM ON APRIL 4 (WEDNESDAY).
THE FAST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND TSANG TAI UK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM ON APRIL 2 TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON APRIL 6 (FRIDAY) TO 8 PM THE NEXT DAY.
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD AND TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE AND FO TAN NULLAH WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 VI ON APRIL 9 (MONDAY) TO 8 PM ON APRIL 11 (WEDNESDAY).
THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE AND MA LIU SHUI WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON APRIL 11 TO 8 PM THE NEXT DAY.
THE FAST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN TSANG TAI UK AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM ON APRIL 17 (TUESDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND TSANG TAI UK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM ON APRIL 23 (MONDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN TSANG TAI UK AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM ON APRIL 30 (MONDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MINISTER OF STATE TO VISIT HK NEXT MONTH ........................................ 1
MERGING OF CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH AND GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH .............. 1
GOVT CONTINUES TO PURSUE MFA-BASED TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT ..................... 1
HIMONT SETS UP TECHNICAL CENTRE IN HK ................................... 3
GOVT PROPERTIES SOLD FOR $4.12M ................................................. 5
THREE MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED ................................................. 6
CAPO STUDIES INFORMAL RESOLUTION SCHEME ......................................... 8
MARCH SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STARTS ........................ 9
WANTED: FUTURE TECHNICAL TEACHERS .............................................. 10
AWARD SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO IMPROVE IN STUDIES ....................... 11
SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS ................ 11
TUESDAY, MARCH 27,
1990
1
MINISTER OF STATE TO VISIT HK NEXT MONTH * * * * *
THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE BY THE FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TODAY (TUESDAY):
MR -FRANCIS MAUDE, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, AND MRS MAUDE WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM APRIL 7-11, 1990.
THIS WILL BE MR MAUDE’S SECOND VISIT TO HONG KONG SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT LAST YEAR.
-------0----------
MERGING OF CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH AND GENERAL
******
DUTIES BRANCH
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH AND GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH WILL MERGE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1990 AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT REORGANISATION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THIS NEW BRANCH, TO BE HEADED BY MR MICHAEL SUEN, WOULD BE CALLED THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH.
"ON THE SAME DATE, THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE OVER FROM THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSEEING THE OPERATIONS OF THE COUNCILS DIVISION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE TWO BRANCHES WILL REMAIN THE SAME AFTER THE MERGER.
-----0------
GOVT CONTINUES TO PURSUE MFA-BASED TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT *******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO WORK INTENSIVELY WITH OTHER TEXTILES EXPORTING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES UNDER THE BANNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU (ITCB) TO PURSUE AN MFA-BASED TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT WITH A VIEW TO SECURING ITS ADOPTION AS PART OF THE URUGUAY ROUND RESULTS.
THIS ASSURANCE CAME FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR T.H. CHAU, WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INSTITUTE THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
/MR CHAU .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
2
MR CHAU SAID ONE OB' HIS PRIORITY TASKS SINCE TAKING UP HIS POST IN JANUARY HAD BEEN THE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE URUGUAY ROUND ON A FRAMEWORK TO GOVERN WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AFTER EXPIRY OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT IN JULY 1991.
HE SAID PROGRESS IN THE TEXTILES NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT KEY TO PROGRESS IN THE URUGUAY ROUND AS A WHOLE.
"THE TEXTILES SECTOR IS OF MAJOR INTEREST TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, WHO MUST SECURE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS AREA IF THEY ARE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE REST OF THE TRADE PACKAGE TO EMERGE FROM THE ROUND. FAILURE HERE WOULD INEVITABLY UNDERMINE THE ROUND AS A WHOLE.
"THIS WOULD HAVE EXTREMELY SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF WORLD TRADE, AND WOULD BE IN NOBODY’S INTEREST* DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ALIKE," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE ITCB, ACCOUNTING FOR THE BULK OF TEXTILE AND CLOTHING EXPORTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND OF WHICH HONG KONG WAS A MEMBER, HAD PROPOSED TO THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATING GROUP ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING THAT THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY AHEAD WAS THE GRADUAL PHASING OUT OF MFA RESTRICTIONS WITHIN A DEFINITE TIME SPAN.
"DURING THIS INTEGRATION OR TRANSITION PERIOD, RESTRICTIONS SHOULD BE REMOVED THROUGH PROGRESSIVELY HIGHER GROWTH RATES, GREATER FLEXIBILITY, AND SIMPLIFICATION OF PRODUCT CATEGORISATION, AND SO ON.
"BY THE END OF THIS PERIOD, THE QUOTA LIMITS WOULD HAVE GROWN TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THEY WOULD BECOME NOTIONAL AND ACADEMIC.
"IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THERE SHOULD THEN BE NO MORE RESTRICTIONS ON WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, EXCEPT WHERE JUSTIFIED UNDER THE GATT SAFEGUARD PROVISIONS FOR EMERGENCY MEASURES AGAINST INJURIOUS IMPORTS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR CHAU SAID, THE ITCB’S PROPOSAL FOR AN MFA-BASED TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT WAS MET WITH A LONG SILENCE BY THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES.
HE SAID THE U.S. AND CANADA, TWO MAJOR TEXTILE IMPORTING COUNTRIES, HAD ONLY RECENTLY PROPOSED A GLOBAL QUOTA SYSTEM AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE MFA-BASED APPROACH PROPOSED BY ITCB.
MR CHAU SAID THE FIRST IMPLICATION OF THE GLOBAL QUOTA PROPOSAL FOR EXPORTING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WOULD BE THAT, INSTEAD OF PROGRESSIVE LIBERALISATION OF TRADE AFTER EXPIRY OF THE CURRENT MFA, MORE COUNTRIES WOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER RESTRAINT.
"SECONDLY, THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY WOULD BE MORE SHELTERED FROM FOREIGN COMPETITION, AS IMPORTS FROM FOREIGN SUPPLIERS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A GLOBAL CEILING.
/’’WITH SUCH..........
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
3 -
"WITH SUCH GUARANTEED PROTECTION FROM FOREIGN COMPETITION, AND GIVEN THE EXPERIENCE OF THE MFA, IS IT REALISTIC TO EXPECT THAT THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES OF IMPORTING COUNTRIES WOULD BE WILLING TO SEE THE GLOBAL QUOTAS REMOVED AFTER THE TRANSITION PERIOD?" HE ASKED.
THIRDLY, HE SAID, GLOBAL QUOTAS MEANT THAT EXPORTING COUNTRIES WOULD BE LOSING THEIR RIGHT OF EXPORT CONTROL EITHER IMMEDIATELY (ACCORDING TO CANADA’S PROPOSAL) OR GRADUALLY OVER 10 YEARS (ACCORDING TO THE U.S. PROPOSAL).
NOTING THAT EXPORTING COUNTRIES HAD BEEN ABLE TO MAXIMISE UTILISATION OF THE LIMITED QUOTA AVAILABLE TO THEM BY ADMINISTERING THAT QUOTA EFFICIENTLY, MR CHAU ASKED WHAT GUARANTEES THERE WERE FOR EXPORTING COUNTRIES THAT THE IMPORT QUOTAS WOULD BE UTILISED AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE.
"AND IS IT FAIR TO EXPECT EXPORTING COUNTRIES TO CONTINUE TO ACCEPT RESTRAINTS ON THEIR TRADE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME TO GIVE UP EXPORT CONTROL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FEW ADVANTAGES THEY HAVE UNDER THE MFA?" HE QUESTIONED.
MR CHAU SAID THE GLOBAL QUOTA PROPOSALS HAD MET WITH STRONG OPPOSITION, NOT ONLY BY THE EXPORTING COUNTRIES BUT ALSO BY THE EEC, JAPAN, AUSTRIA AND THE NORDIC COUNTRIES.
------0-------
HIMONT SETS UP TECHNICAL CENTRE IN HK ******
A $60 MILLION ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE NEWLY SET UP TN HONG KONG BY THE WORLD’S LARGEST PRODUCER OF POLYPROPYLENE WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
WELCOMING HIMONT (EAST) LIMITED’S DECISION TO BUILD ITS EIGHTH REGIONAL TECHNICAL CENTRE ON A 7,000 SQUARE METRE SITE AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IT WAS PROOF OF CONTINUED OVERSEAS INTEREST IN HONG KONG AS AN OFFSHORE MANUFACTURING SUPPORT BASE.
HE SAID IT WAS ALSO EVIDENCE THAT OVERSEAS, HIGH-TECHNOLOGY, MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES WERE INCREASINGLY AWARE OF HONG KONG’S ADVANTAGES AND ATTRACTIONS FOR REGIONAL TECHNICAL SERVICE CENTRES.
HIMONT INCORPORATED, BASED AT WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, USA, HAS DESCRIBED ITS LATEST INVESTMENT AS ITS WAY OF STATING CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
THE NEW FACILITY WILL PROVIDE THE NEEDED TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN ADVANCING PLASTIC MATERIAL INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING ECOLOGICAL ISSUES AND DESIGN ADVANCEMENT CAPABILITIES.
/MR BARMA .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
MR BARMA SAID THE COMPANY’S DECISION TO SELECT HONG KONG AS THE FINAL SITE OF ITS GLOBAL NETWORK OF RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURING SUPPORT FACILITIES WAS "INDICATIVE OF THE STRATEGIC LOCATION ADVANTAGES WE CAN OFFER TO ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIAL RESEARCH AND ASSOCIATED APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES".
"NO DOUBT, HIMONT’S PROJECT WILL ADD LUSTRE TO HONG KONG’S ALREADY STRONG INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION IN THESE FIELDS," HE SAID.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG’S PLASTIC PROCESSORS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES WHICH THE TECHNICAL CENTRE WILL SOON PROVIDE," MR BARMA SAID.
INDUSTRIES USING POLYPROPYLENE INCLUDE THOSE IN THE APPLIANCES, ELECTRONIC HOUSINGS, RECREATIONAL, TRANSPORTATION, TEXTILE, PACKAGING AND CONSTRUCTION AREAS. EXPANSION OF EXPORTS IN THESE AREAS WILL BE ENHANCED WITH LOCAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT NOW AVAILABLE.
MR BARMA SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FIRST MET SENIOR EXECUTIVES FROM HIMONT’S PARENT COMPANY IN AUGUST 1987 AND DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE COMPANY EXPANDING ITS OPERATIONS INTO HONG KONG.
"THINGS THEN MOVED QUICKLY, AND IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF MONTHS BEFORE HONG KONG WAS SELECTED AND THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE EARMARKED AS THE SITE FOR A TECHNICAL CENTRE," HE SAID.
HIMONT IS A WORLD LEADER IN MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY. ITS TECHNOLOGY DATES FROM THE WORK OF DR GIULIO NATTA AND THE INVENTION OF CRYSTALLINE POLYPROPYLENE IN 1954. FOR THAT DISCOVERY, DR NATTA WON THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR CHEMISTRY IN 1963.
THE COMPANY IS NOW THE LEADING LICENSOR OF POLYPROPYLENE PROCESS TECHNOLOGY, AND THE WORLD’S LARGEST PRODUCER OF POLYPROPYLENE, WITH A PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF OVER 1.7 MILLION TONNES PER YEAR.
IT HAS ALSO LICENSED ABOUT' TWO-THI RDS OF THE WORLD’S ANNOUNCED POLYPROPYLENE CAPACITY AND CURRENTLY HAS OVER 60 LICENSEES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
THE END-USE MARKETS HIMONT SERVES RANGE FROM PACKAGING TO CONSUMER PRODUCTS, TRANSPORTATION, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND FIBRES. TWENTY PER CENT OF HIMONT’S 4,000 EMPLOYEES ARE INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES COVERING BOTH RESEARCH AND PRODUCT APPLICATION.
- - 0---------
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
- 5 -
GOVT PROPERTIES SOLD FOR $4.12M
* * * *
FIVE GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $4.12 MILLION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE PROPERTIES, INCLUDING TWO FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, ARE ALL LOCATED IN KOWLOON.
THE DETAILS AND RESULTS OF THE AUCTION ARE AS FOLLOWS •
LOCATION OF PROPERTY BIDDING AREA/USAGE OPENED AT SOLD FOR
FIFTH FLOOR OF 456 SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, KOWLOON ABOUT 58.3 $320,000 SQUARE METRES; FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES $475,000
FLAT NO. 7 ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF BLOCK A, TUNG LO COURT, 136 -154 TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON ABOUT 36.9 $340,000 SQUARE METRES; FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES $365,000
ELEVENTH FLOOR AND ROOF OF 42 TAI PO ROAD, KOWLOON ABOUT 66.8 $750,000 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 56 SQUARE METRES FOR THE 11 TH FLOOR AND ROOF RESPECTIVELY; FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES $790,000
GROUND FLOOR OF ID UN CHAU STREET, KOWLOON ABOUT 47.4 $1.8 MILLION SQUARE METRES; FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES $2.41 MILLION
SHOP NO. 11 ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CHI FAT COURT, 31 - 35 TAI PO ROAD, ABOUT 6.8 $50,000 SQUARE METRES; FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES $80,000
KOWLOON
THESE PROPERTIES WERE SOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE HALL OF THE HENRY G. LEONG YAUMATEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY THE ACTING GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR FRANCIS NG.
/6 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
6
THREE MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED ******
THREE MORE MEN IN HONG KONG WERE CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS BRINGS TO 36 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED AIDS CASES TO DATE. TWENTY OF THE PATIENTS HAVE PASSED AWAY, AND THE OTHER 16 ARE RECEIVING COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT.
TWO OF THE LATEST VICTIMS ACQUIRED THE DISEASE SEXUALLY WHILE THE OTHER IS A HAEMOPHILIAC.
MEANWHILE, ONE OF THE AIDS PATIENTS WHO WAS CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE EARLIER, HAD DIED.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR FEBRUARY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ONE MORE MAN WAS FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST. HE HAD ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED AIDS REMAIN AT 140. OF THESE, 52 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 71 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, Tl|REE WERE DRUG USERS, THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND THE INFORMATION FOR THE OTHER 11 WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 152,614 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 685,656 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 10 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
- 7 -
t M & 4 < #
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
% $ X 4
Virus Unit, Department of Health
Apr 85 - Jan 90 February 90 Total
f<jv£
No. , No. No. , No. No. „ No.
SR v=-V \Sj> tested +ve tested +ve tested ♦ve
Referrals from Govt, hospitals and clinics 9879 57 200 0 10079 57
A fl 4A £- 0 A &. $ M It Rj If ‘5
Referrals from private practitioners and subvented hospitals 1888 40 13 0 1901 <40
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 133255 19 2175 1 135<43O 20
4'4 11
Haemoph liacs & >‘i. •>;} 4 ■*? 4 ms 55 5 0 <420 55
IV drug abusers 3893 1 28 0 3921 1
Referrals from Family Planning Association 202 0 0 0 202 0
Health care personnel 655 0 6 0 661 0
Total 150187 172 2<427 1 152614 173
h >i & a & 4 K 1 , M • ® £ A 7 tl A* L <1 a a
* This indicates the number certain individuals. of specimens and not persons : as tests are re peated for
Aug 85 - Jan 90 February 90 Total
• No. No. No. No. No. No.
it | M A fa% Hong Kong Red Cross tested +ve tested +ve tested + V9
Blood Transfusion Service 670149 10 15507 0 685656 10
Department of Health March 1990
- - 0 - -
/8.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
8
CAPO STUDIES INFORMAL RESOLUTION SCHEME *****
THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE OFFICE IS CURRENTLY ADMINISTRATING A S(HEME DESIGNED TO ENABLE FASTER ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON COMPLAINTS OF A MINOR NATURE MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
SUCH CASES MAY IN FUTURE BE RESOLVED BY WHICH ENCOURAGES A PROMPT EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH THEIR GRIEVANCES TO A SENIOR POLICE OFFICER.
INFORMAL RESOLUTION
COMPLAINANTS AIRING
POLICE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER (COMPLAINTS AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS), MR PAUL BARKLEY, SAID: "THE PRESENTCRITERIA ONLY PERMIT COMPLAINTS INVOLVING FAULTS IN PROCEDURES OR POLICY, GENUINE MISUNDERSTANDING OR CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ARE COMPLETELY OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE OFFICER CONCERNED TO BE INVESTIGATED IN THIS WAY.
"A COMPLAINT WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED FOR INFORMAL RESOLUTION IF THERE IS ANY SIGNIFICANT CONFLICT OF TESTIMONY, THE COMPLAINANT DOES NOT AGREE TO ITS USE OR THERE IS LIKELIHOOD THAT THE COMPLAINT WILL BE SUBSTANTIATED OR THAT CRIMINAL OR DISCIPLINARY CHARGES WOULD ENSUE."
MR BARKLEY SAID EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT MANY COMPLAINANTS DID NOT WISH TO GET INVOLVED WITH WHAT THEY SAW AS A BUREAUCRATIC AND TIME-CONSUMING PROCESS.
"THIS IS EVIDENT FROM THE FACT THAT OVER 50 PER CENT OF ALL MINOR COMPLAINTS MADE LAST YEAR WERE WITHDRAWN," HE SAID.
"AN EXPLANATION OR AN APOLOGY, AS APPROPRIATE, WOULD SATISFY MANY COMPLAINANTS AND WOULD RESULT IN A MINIMUM OF INCONVENIENCE ALL ROUND."
MR BARKLEY WENT ON TO SAY THAT HE WAS SURE THAT EARLY RESOLUTION AND A PERSONALISED APPROACH THROUGH CONCILIATION WOULD HELP ENHANCE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ENGENDER FURTHER CONFIDENCE IN THE FORCE.
THE ADVANTAGES OF THE INFORMAL RESOLUTION SCHEME FOR POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE SUBJECT OF A COMPLAINT IS THAT IT TAKES A MATTER OF DAYS, NOT MONTHS, TO RESOLVE. THIS, IN TURN, ALLEVIATES STRESS AND ANXIETY ON THE PART OF THE OFFICER.
BUT THE SCHEME, INTRODUCED ON A TRIAL BASIS IN JANUARY 1989, HAS HAD ONLY LIMITED SUCCESS SO FAR POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF OFFICERS’ APPREHENSION OF ANY LIABILITY OF ADMISSION EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD FULL JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ACTION TAKEN AT THE TIME.
OFFERING REASSURANCE TO OFFICERS WHO AGREE TO INFORMAL RESOLUTION, MR BARKLEY WENT ON: "ONLY THE OUTCOME OF A RESOLVED CASE WILL BE KEPT ON RECORD BY THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE OFFICE, WITH COPIES BEING SENT TO THE COMPLAINANT AND TO THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE WHICH HAS FULLY ENDORSED THE SCHEME.
/"THESE RECORDS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
9 -
’’THESE RECORDS ARE PURELY FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY REVIEWS OF AN OFFICER’S OVERALL COMPLAINTS RECORD."
MR BARKLEY CONCLUDED: "SIMPLY, INFORMAL RESOLUTION PROVIDES A FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO ANYONE WHO, THROUGH MISINTERPRETATION OF THE LAW OR POLICE PROCEDURE, OR IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT FOLLOWING CONFRONTATION WITH ONE OF OUR OFFICERS, MAKES A COMPLAINT OVER WHAT THEY CONSIDER TO BE IMPROPER ACTION."
AFTER FURTHER ASSESSMENT IT IS HOPED TO FURTHER EXPAND THE SCHEME TO SELECTED FORMATIONS AND ULTIMATELY THE FORCE AS A WHOLE.
--------0-----------
MARCH SURVEY OF
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL 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 TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
THIS SURVEY IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG.
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 100,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), AND DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), WITH FULL ENUMERATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON MARCH 30 WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SELECTED ESTABLISHMENT.
ABOUT 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 1990.
ESTABLISHMENTS TN THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES) WILL ALSO BE REQUESTED TO FURTHER PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE MAJOR KIND OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1990.
/QUESTIONNAIRES ARE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
10
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 89 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. 823 5076.
AS FOR THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THIS DEPARTMENT DURING JANUARY-MARCH 1990, THEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE.
FIELD OFFICERS OF THIS DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARI), WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS COMMENCED*
IN CASE OF ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE FIELD VISITS, RESPONDENTS MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 823 4770.
------0--------
WANTED: FUTURE TECHNICAL TEACHERS *****
THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE IS OFFERING A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE IN SEPTEMBER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE INTERESTED IN TAKING UP THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
APPLICANTS MUST BE A HOLDER OF 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, AND WHO HAVE ACQUIRED SOME YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE IN THESE FIELDS.
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT INDUCEMENT GRANTS RANGING FROM $4,730 TO $7,390 PER MONTH WOULD BE GIVEN TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS DURING THEIR COURSE OF STUDY, ACCORDING TO THEIR YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SAME ADDRESS BY HAND BEFORE APRIL 7.
/Il ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
- 11 -
AWARD SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO IMPROVE IN STUDIES t t t * ♦
MORE THAN 520 SECONDARY STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THE SING TAO MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS AWARD IN A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30).
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR V.T. LI, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SING TAO FOUNDATION, MISS SALLY AW SIAN, WILL PRESENT THE AWARDS.
THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS WHO, AS A RESULT OF THEIR HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE, HAVE ATTAINED THE BEST ALL-ROUND IMPROVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE OVER THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SING TAO MOST IMPROVED • STUDENTS AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH TAKES PLACE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30), STARTING AT 3 PM.
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SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS *******
THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION AND THE JOCKEY CLUB GRANT FOR PERMANENT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUTH.
THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION IS USED FOR THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATIONAL, SPORTING, CULTURAL, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
IT IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE RECREATIONAL AND RELATED PROJECTS WITH THE AIM TO PROMOTING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, PURPOSEFUL USE OF LEISURE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, PARTICULARLY OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE JOCKEY CLUB GRANT IS PRIMARILY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEED OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
A SINGLE APPLICATION FORM HAS BEEN USED FOR THE TWO FUNDS SINCE 1989-90. ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED EITHER UNDER THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION OR THE JOCKEY CLUB GRANT.
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
12
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND AT THE EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, HEALTH, URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
THEY CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE RECREATION AND SPORTS SECTION OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, AND THE SECRETARIAT OF THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING BOTH THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION FOR CAPITAL AND NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS AND ADVISING ON THE DISBURSEMENT OF THE JOCKEY CLUB GRANT.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE, 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS FOR CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS WILL CLOSE ON MAY 21 WHILE THAT FOR NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS IS OPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WORKING PARTY MAY REVIEW PROPOSAL ON FIREMEN'S WORKING HOURS 1
CHANGE TN HOURS OF NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES ................... 1
DR TO DISCUSS SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRTDGF ALIGNMENT .............. 3
FUNERAL SERVICE FOR IMMIGRATION ASSISTANT ...................... 4
REMINDER ON CHING MTNG HOLIDAY ................................. 4
FESTIVAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLAND ..................... 5
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL ...................................................... 7
URBAN CLEARWAYS TN TAT WAI, SHA TIN ............................ 8
NEW SIGNALISED RIGHT TURN FACILITY IN KWAI CHUNG ............... 9
CLOSURE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN YUEN LONG ....................... 9
URBAN CLEARWAY TN SAT KUNG .................................... 10
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT TN CENTRA!................................. 10
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG . . . ..................... 10
WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLFY ..................................... 10
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
1
WORKING PARTY MAY REVIEW PROPOSAL ON FIREMEN’S WORKING HOURS ««***«*
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP A WORKING PARTY ON JUNE 1 TO REVIEW THE PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE HOURS OF WORK FOR OPERATIONAL FIREMEN TO 48 A WEEK IF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE CANNOT ARRIVE AT A CONCLUSION ON THE ISSUE AT ITS MEETING ON APRIL 11.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR WILFRED WONG, ANNOUNCED THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING FOLLOWING A TWO-HOUR MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFFS GENERAL ASSOCIATIONS.
"WE HOPE THE REVIEW WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN A YEAR AND FINDINGS WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION," HE SAID.
THE WORKING PARTY WOULD COMPRISE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, THE SECURITY BRANCH AND THE FINANCE BRANCH.
ITS OBJECTIVE WOULD BE TO EXAMINE WHETHER A 48-HOUR WEEK SHOULD BE ADOPTED, THE FEASIBILITY OF THE PROPOSAL, SHIFT ARRANGEMENTS, MANPOWER IMPLICATIONS, IMPLEMENTATION DATE AND OTHER POINTS OF DETAIL.
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CHANGE IN HOURS OF NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE BUSINESS HOURS OF SIX OF THE NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE CHANGED FROM MONDAY, APRIL 9.
FROM THAT DAY, ONLY TWO OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES — THE HONG KONG NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE AND THE WEST KOWLOON NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE — WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE BUSINESS HOURS OF THE OTHER SIX NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THOSE WHO WOULD SOON BE AFFECTED BY THE CHANGES IN BUSINESS HOURS ARE MEN AGED 63 AND ABOVE, WOMEN AGED 40 AND ABOVE AND JUVENILES AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 17 AS THEY ARE IN THE FORTHCOMING CYCLES OF PEOPLE WHO MUST APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS.
/"THOSE APPLICANTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
2
’’THOSE APPLICANTS WHO NEED TO REPLACE THEIR IDENTITY CARDS OUTSIDE NORMAL OFFICE HOURS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THE EXTENDED SERVICE AT THE HONG KONG OR WEST KOWLOON NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICES,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
i
HE SAID THE CHANGE IN THE BUSINESS HOURS OF THE SIX ISSUE OFFICES WAS MADE AS A RESULT OF REDEPLOYMENT OF STAFF RESOURCES TO MEET INCREASING DEPARTMENTAL COMMITMENTS.
"FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC, APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO OBTAIN AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND BETWEEN 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS," HE ADDED.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. 574 7070
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. 723 2424
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. 755 3669
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. 498 0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. 605 9108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHU1 : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. 672 7191
FROM APRIL 9, THE BUSINESS HOURS OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY
CARD ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE:
/HONG KONG
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
HONG KONG
WEST KOWLOON
EAST KOWLOON TSUEN WAN SHA TIN SHEUNG SHUI TUEN MUN YUEN LONG
8 AM TO 9.30 PM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
9 AM TO 5 PM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND 9 AM TO
I PM ON SATURDAYS, EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 824 6111.
DB TO DISCUSS SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ALIGNMENT
*****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE ALIGNMENT OPTIONS FOR THE PROPOSED SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
OFFICIALS FROM THE HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENTS WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO EXPLAIN THESE OPTIONS.
BOARD MEMBERS WILL EXAMINE A PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE A SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT IN SHEK O.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS A REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S FARE STRUCTURE WHICH RECOMMENDS RESTRUCTURING BUS FARES ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO REDUCE THE FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE NORTH-SHORE AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT BUS ROUTES.
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE RE-DEMARCATION OF CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1991 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE BOARD WILL ELECT THE CHAIRMEN FOR ITS FOUR COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR 1990-91 AND ENDORSE THE APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO THESE COMMITTEES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, A REPORT ON THE "SDB MEETS ARE COMMITTEES” SEMINAR, AND PROPOSED GUIDELINES AND VETTING CRITERIA FOR APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM
0 - -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
4
FUNERAL SERVICE FOR IMMIGRATION ASSISTANT ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR THE IMMIGRATION ASSISTANT MR NG HUNG-SHEK, WHO WAS KILLED WHILE CHASING AN ARMED ROBBER LAST WEEK, WILL BE HELD AT NOON ON SATURDAY (MARCH 31) AT THE UNIVERSAL FUNERAL PARLOUR IN HUNG HOM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EIGHT OF MR NG’S COLLEAGUES WILL BE THE PALLBEARERS.
ATTENDING THE SERVICE WILL BE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG, HAS WRITTEN TO MR NG’S FAMILY TO EXPRESS HIS CONDOLENCES, AND HIS APPRECIATION OF MR NG’S COURAGEOUS BEHAVIOUR.
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO PASSED ON THEIR CONDOLENCES TO MR NG’S FAMILY.
’’DONATIONS FROM IMMIGRATION STAFF AND FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE STILL COMING IN AND WILL BE DELIVERED TO MR NG’S AGED PARENTS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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REMINDER ON CHING MING HOLIDAY ♦ * ♦ » ♦
CHING MING FESTIVAL FALLS ON APRIL 5 (THURSDAY) AND IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND -THOSE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING NOT MORE THAN $11,500 A MONTH 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,” THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
’’HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THE EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES,” HE ADDED.
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.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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/5.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
5
FESTIVAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLAND
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND IN CONNECTION WITH THE CHING MING FESTIVAL DURING, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, THE PERIOD FROM 7 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 1) AND ON THE FESTIVAL DAY ON THURSDAY (APRIL 5).
IN CHAI WAN AREA, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD EAST OF LIN SHING ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT ROUTE 18M GREEN MINIBUSES AND HEARSES.
THE SLIP-ROAD LEADING FROM CAPE COLLINSON ROAD TO THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE AND CREMATORIUM WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT HEARSES AND VEHICLES CARRYING PASSENGERS TO SERVICES AT THE CREMATORIUM.
THE SLIP-ROAD LEADING TO CHAI WAN CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CLOSE CAP COLLINSON ROAD AND LIN SHING ROAD, DEPENDING ON THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THIS WILL BE EFFECTED BY THE POLICE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
THE EASTERN SECTION OF WAN TSUI ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM CHAI WAN ROAD TO FEI TSUI ROAD; LIN SHING ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM WAN TSUI ROAD TO CAPE COLLINSON ROAD; AND CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM LIN SHING ROAD TO SHEK O ROAD.
NO PARKING WILL BE PERMITTED ALONG WAN TSUI ROAD, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD, SHEK O ROAD AND TAI TAM ROAD FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON MARCH 31 AND APRIL 1, 5, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 AND 16.
FROM 10 AM TO 3 PM ON APRIL 1 AND 5, TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND PRIVATE CARS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER LIN SHING ROAD FOR CAPE COLLINSON ROAD EXCEPT FOR VEHICLES GAINING ACCESS TO WAN TSUI ESTATE.
TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND PRIVATE CARS WILL BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT WAN TSUI ROAD BETWEEN LIN SHING ROAD AND FEI TSUI ROAD.
ADVISORY SIGNS ON THE BAN ON PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES FROM ENTERING LIN SHING ROAD WILL BE PLACED AT THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STANDS AT KUT SHING STREET IN CHAI WAN AND AT FACTORY STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN.
WHEN THE ABOVE ARRANGEMENTS ARE IMPLEMENTED, RED MINIBUSES MAY SELECT TAI TAM ROAD AS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO CAPE COLL1NSON ROAD, RESULTING IN TRAFFIC CONGESTION ALONG SHEK 0 ROAD NEAR CAPE COLLINSON ROAD.
/DEPENDING ON .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
6
DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, RED MINIBUSES MAY BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING TAI TAM ROAD FROM CHAI WAN ROAD. THIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
CHINA MOTOR BUS (CMB) ROUTE 38 (CIRCULAR) BETWEEN CHAI WAN MTR BUS TERMINUS AND CHAI WAN CEMETERY WILL OPERATE FROM 7 AM TO 5.40 PM ON APRIL 1 AND 5, AT A FIVE-MINUTE FREQUENCY.
CMB ROUTE 388 MAY ALSO OPERATE ON APRIL 8 IF SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ARE IMPLEMENTED BY THE POLICE THAT DAY.
CMB ROUTE 389 (CIRCULAR) BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN BUS TERMINUS AND CHAI WAN CEMETERY WILL OPERATE FROM 7 AM TO 5.54 PM ON APRIL 1 AND 5, AT A FIVE-MINUTE FREQUENCY.
THE FIRST BUS STOP ON WAN TSUI ROAD WEST OF CHAI WAN ROAD, NEAR WAN TSUI ESTATE WILL BE SUSPENDED.
THE SECOND BUS STOP ON WAN TSUI ROAD EAST OF LIN SHING ROAD WILL BE RESITED ABOUT 40 METRES WESTWARD, NEAR TO THE JUNCTION WITH FEI TSUI ROAD.
A BUS STOP WILL BE PROVIDED ON CHAI WAN ROAD EAST OF HONG MAN STREET FOR EASTBOUND BUSES ON THE AFFECTED ROUTES.
A BUS STOP WILL BE PROVIDED ON LIN SHING ROAD BETWEEN WAN TSUI ROAD AND WAN HA STREET FOR CMB ROUTES 388 AND 389.
THE BUS STOP ON SHEK O ROAD NEAR CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WILL BE RELOCATED, NEAR TO THE ENTRANCE TO THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.
THE FOLLOWING BUS DIVERSIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON APRIL 1 AND 5:
♦ CMB ROUTES 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 780, CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE 106 AND EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BUS ROUTE 606, WHICH NORMALLY TRAVEL IN AN ANTI-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION ON WAN TSUI ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO CHAI WAN, WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO OPERATE ALONG CHAI WAN ROAD OMITTING WAN TSUI ROAD.
* CMB ROUTES 81 AND 81M, AFTER LEAVING THEIR TERMINAL POINTS AT HING WAH ESTATE, WILL BE RE-ROUTED VIA THE WESTERN SECTION (INSTEAD OF EASTERN SECTION) OF WAN TSUI ROAD BETWEEN FEI TSUI ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD ONTO CHAI WAN ROAD.
* CMB ROUTES 81 AND 8 IM, ON JOURNEYS TO HING WAH ESTATE, WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA CHAI WAN ROAD AND THE EASTERN SECTION OF WAN TSUI iiOAD.
THE FOLLOWING DIVERSIONS FOR GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
/• GREEN MINIBUS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
t GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 16M, ON JOURNEYS TO THE MTR CHAI WAN STATION, WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO OPERATE ALONG TAI TAM ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD, OMITTING SHEK O ROAD, CAPE COLLINSON ROAD, LIN SHING ROAD AND WAN TSUI ROAD.
* GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 18M, ON JOURNEYS TO THE MTR CHAI WAN STATION, WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO OPERATE ALONG CAPE COLLINSON ROAD WEST OF LIN SHING ROAD, SHEK O ROAD, TAI TAM ROAD AND CHAI WAN ROAD, OMITTING LIN SHING ROAD AND WAN TSUI ROAD.
IF THE POLICE CONSIDER IT NECESSARY, THE ABOVE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED PERIODICALLY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON MARCH 31 AND APRIL 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 AND 16.
IN POK FU LAM AREA, CONSORT RISE WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND FROM VICTORIA ROAD TO BISNEY ROAD.
CMB ROUTE 357 BETWEEN CENTRAL (EXCHANGE SQUARE) AND CHINESE CHRISTIAN CEMETERY (CIRCULAR) WILL OPERATE FROM 7 AM TO 5.52 PM ON APRIL 1, 5 AND 8 AT A FREQUENCY OF SEVEN OR EIGHT MINUTES.
IN ABERDEEN AREA, PEEL RISE IN THE VICINITY OF THE ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY, AND THE SLIP-ROAD FROM SHEK PAI WAN ROAD LEADING TO ABERDEEN CHINESE CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON APRIL 1 AND 5.
IN HAPPY VALLEY AREA, THE BUS STOP ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR HAU TAK LANE WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON APRIL 1 AND 5.
THE TRAM STOP ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND OPPOSITE THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WILL BE RESITED NORTHWARD BY ABOUT 30 METRES FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM ON APRIL 1 AND 5.
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON FOR CHING MING FESTIVAL * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO, WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD. GRAVE-SWEEPERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY ON SUNDAY (APRIL 1), APRIL 5 (THURSDAY) AND APRIL 8 (SUNDAY), WING MING STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
/AT THE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
8 -
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ON-STREET PARKING SPACES IN YEE KUK WEST STREET, YU CHAU WEST STREET, KING LAM STREET, WING HONG STREET AND TAI NAM WEST STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED.
A TEMPORARY TAXI STAND WILL BE DESIGNATED IN YU CHAU WEST STREET BETWEEN WING HONG STREET AND KING LAM STREET WHILE THE BUS STOP AT 542-544 CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE RELOCATED TO 520-522 CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
MEMBERS OR THE PUBLIC GOING 1’0 THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY ABOVE CHING CHEUNG ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YEE KUK WEST STREET AND KING LAM STREET. PARKING ALONG CHING CHEUNG ROAD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
IN WONG TAI SIN, EROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY ON APRIL 1 (SUNDAY), APRIL 5 (THURSDAY) AND APRIL ft (SUNDAY), THE ACCESS ROAD TO HAMMER HILL CEMETERY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
AT THE SAME TIME, A TEMPORARY TAXI STAND WILL BE DESIGNATED ALONG THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD BETWEEN FUNG SHING STREET AND TSZ WAN SHAN ROAD.
MOTORISTS HEADING FOR THE HAMMER HILL CEMETERY ARE ADVISED TO APPROACH VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE INTERCHANGE AND PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR AT HAMMER HILL ROAD JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
NO PARKING SPACES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND HAMNER HILL ROAD.
14 KWUN TONG, FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 31), SUNDAY (APRIL 1) AND ON APRIL 5 (THURSDAY), THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING FROM KO CHIU ROAD TO JUNK BAY CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETFRY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, HEARSES AND VEHICLES TAKING PART IN FUNERAL PROCESSIONS.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN TAI WAI, SHA TIN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30), A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN TAI WAI, SHA TIN WILL BE DESIGNA'I ED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THEY ARE:
* THE SECTION OF TAI WAI ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH CHIlt FAI STREET AND TSUEN NAM ROAD;
/* THE SECTION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
* THE SECTION OF CH1K FAI STREET WESTBOUND BETWEEN ITS
JUNCTION WITH TAI WAI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES WEST
OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SECTION OF CHIK FAI STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS
JUNCTION WITH TAI WAI ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES WEST
OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAYS AT CHIK FAI STREET AND TAI WAI ROAD WILL BE CANCELLED.
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NEW SIGNALISED RIGHT TURN FACILITY IN KWAI CHUNG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30), A NEW SIGNALISED RIGHT TURN FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED TO ASSIST VEHICLES TO TURN FROM SHING MUN ROAD ONTO CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD MAY USE WAI TSUEN ROAD, MIU KONG STREET AND SHING MUN ROAD TO GAIN ACCESS TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD INSTEAD OF USING TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN FU STREET AND TSUEN WAH STREET.
-----o-------
CLOSURE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN YUEN LONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN MAI PO SAN TSUEN AND SAN WAI LONG WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30)
TO FACILITATE
THE SECTION OF TSUEN IN YUEN
FOR ABOUT 10
DURING THE PERIOD OF INCLUDING FRANCHISED BUSES PARALLEL NEW SERVICE ROAD TO
ROAD CLOSURE, ALL VEHICULAR WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE THE EAST OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
TRAFFIC
VIA THE
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/10........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1990
10
URBAN CLEARWAY IN SAI KUNG
♦ * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30), THE OFFSIDE LANE OF CHAN MAN STREET IN SAI KUNG WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN CENTRAL
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30), ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEEDING EIGHT METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF MORRISON STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL 24 HOURS DAILY FOR THREE WEEKS.
THE MEASURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT KWUN TONG ROAD UNDERPASS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE STREET LIGHTING REPAIRS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE THE SECTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD AT GROUND LEVEL.
0--------
WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON FRIDAY (MARCH 30) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT TUNG SHAN TERRACEt SHIU FAI TERRACE, 15-34 STUBBS ROAD AND 120-128 KENNEDY ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NATIONALITY PACKAGE AIMED AT INCREASING CONFIDENCE: GOVERNOR ................... 1
GOVT ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO SOCIAL WELFARE: GOVERNOR ........................... 2
HONG KONG OFFERS IMMENSE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ................................ 3
FSD SERVICES BACK TO NORMAL..................................................... 6
WATER QUALITY REPORT AND NEW GRADING SYSTEM ANNOUNCED........................... 7
IMPROVEMENTS TO LEGAL AID ANNOUNCED ........................................... 10
ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING TERMINATED ............................................ 12
MERCHANT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR TAX EVASION .................................. 13
AIRPORT NOISE ABATEMENT MEASURES ON AGENDA .................................... 14
READING AWARD SCHEME FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS ..................................... 14
REVISION IN PRICE OF SOFTWARE FOR DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME................... 15
POLICE REMINDER ON INTRUDER ALARMS ............................................ 15
ANNUAL ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN STARTS ON SUNDAY ...................... 16
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR RUGBY TOURNAMENT IN HAPPY VALLEY ............. 17
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WO TAI STREET IN FANLING.................................. 19
WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG........................................................ 19
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 1
NATIONALITY PACKAGE AIMED AT INCREASING CONFIDENCE: GOVERNOR
******
THE KEY ELEMENT OF THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE IS AIMED PRECISELY AT INCREASING CONFIDENCE, KEEPING PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND GIVING PEOPLE THE SENSE OF ASSUREDNESS ABOUT THEIR ABILITY TO SETTLE SOMEWHERE ELSE IF NECESSARY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING WELFARE AGENCIES IN CHUK YUEN, SIR DAVID SAID THE HOPE WAS THAT THOSE PEOPLE WOULD REMAIN IN HONG KONG AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE TERRITORY.
"I HOPE THE PACKAGE WILL GO THROUGH PARLIAMENT, DESPITE OPPOSITION. WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE IS OPPOSITION WITHIN PARLIAMENT," HE SAID.
"I HOPE THAT IT WILL GO THROUGH SUCCESSFULLY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT A SUCCESSFUL PACKAGE WILL HELP, THAT IT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG; AND THAT IS CERTAINLY WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE WOULD PROBABLY BE ANNOUNCED TO PARLIAMENT NEXT WEEK, BEFORE PARLIAMENT GOES INTO RECESS FOR EASTER.
ASKED ABOUT THE VISIT TO HONG KONG NEXT MONTH BY THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR FRANCIS MAUDE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE MINISTER’S VISIT WAS TO KEEP HIMSELF UP-TO-DATE WITH WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WAS THAT THE MINISTER SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND PEOPLE HERE SHOULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO TALK TO HIM, HE ADDED.
ASKED ABOUT RECENT PETITIONS BY CIVIL SERVANTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED THAT THE FIREMEN’S HUNGER STRIKE HAD ENDED AND THAT MATTERS WERE NOW BACK TO THE NEGOTIATION TABLE.
"THAT IS THE WAY THESE MATTERS SHOULD BE SETTLED. THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE AN EXTREMELY GOOD REPUTATION AND I THINK WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS ALWAYS A PROBLEM WHEN THINGS WERE IN AN INFLATIONARY SITUATION WHERE THERE WERE WAGE DEMANDS.
"THE IMPORTANT THING IS IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS TO BE RESOLVED, THEY SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY NEGOTIATIONS AND NOT THROUGH ACTIVITIES WHICH DISRUPT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AND INCONVENIENCE THE PUBLIC," HE ADDED.
/ASKED IF .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 2 -
ASKED IF THERE WAS THE PROSPECT OF AN AMNENSTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, SIR DAVID SAID: "THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTION OF AN AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HERE. WE ARREST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHEN THEY TRY TO COME INTO HONG KONG. WE WOULD SIMILARLY ARREST THEM IF THEY WERE FOUND IN HONG KONG AND WE WOULD SEND THEM BACK TO CHINA."
WHEN ASKED IF HE THOUGHT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM PARTS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE BILL OF RIGHTS COVERS THE WHOLE OF SOCIETY AND THE WHOLE OF THE GOVERNMENT APPARATUS, AND IT MUST DO."
"THERE CAN’T BE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS. IT COVERS EVERYTHING AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANISATIONS HAVE TO ADJUST TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND ITS PROVISIONS," SIR DAVID SAID.
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GOVT ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO SOCIAL WELFARE: GOVERNOR
******
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PROVIDING WELFARE SERVICES FOR BOTH YOUNG AND OLD AND REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID DURING A VISIT TO THREE SUBVERTED VOLUNTARY AGENCIES THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THIS IS WHY THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED ALMOST $940 MILLION (INCLUDING OVER $830 MILLION FOR SUBVENTIONS) FOR PROJECTS IN THESE AREAS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, HE SAID.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON VISITED A DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, A CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE AND A HOSTEL FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON BEGAN THEIR TOUR WITH A VISIT TO THE CHUK YUEN DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY RUN BY THE SALVATION ARMY. THE CENTRE HAS A CAPACITY OF 40 AND PROVIDES MEALS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN DECLINING HEALTH.
"ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MAJOR CONCERNS MUST BE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE WELFARE SERVICES FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS.
"WE ARE AN INCREASINGLY AFFLUENT SOCIETY. WE MUST GIVE THE ELDERLY THE CARE, ATTENTION AND SUPPORT THEY DESERVE. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HELPED MAKE HONG KONG WHAT IT IS TODAY," SIR DAVID SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 3 -
HE ADDED AS AN EXAMPLE THAT ELIGIBILITY FOR NORMAL OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WOULD BE EXTENDED DOWNWARDS TO COVER THOSE WHO ARE 66 YEARS OF AGE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATES WOULD ALSO BE INCREASED.
SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON THEN MOVED ON TO THE CHUK YUEN CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, RUN BY THE CHINESE YMCA WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 2,600.
"SERVICES FOR THE YOUTH ARE BEING IMPROVED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE 1990’S AND BEYOND. NEW CENTRES AND SERVICES, SUCH AS THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMME, WILL BE BROUGHT IN AS THE NEED ARISES," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON THEN TOURED THE CHUK YUEN HALF-WAY HOUSE, OPERATED BY THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION.
THE HOSTEL, WITH A CAPACITY OF 40, HELPS RESIDENTS DEVELOP THE SKILLS, WORK HABITS AND DECISION-MAKING ABILITIES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY.
"RESIDENTS IN THESE HOSTELS NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AT THIS CRUCIAL MOMENT IN THEIR LIVES. IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO PROVIDE THE ENCOURAGEMENT WHICH THEY NEED,” SIR DAVID SAID AT THE END OF HIS VISIT.
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HONG KONG OFFERS IMMENSE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
******
THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENTS CLEARLY PROVIDE IMMENSE OPPORTUNITIES BOTH IN RELATION TO THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SIDE AND FOR THOSE WHO CAN PUT TOGETHER ATTRACTIVE FINANCIAL PACKAGES OR EVEN JOIN IN AS EQUITY PARTNERS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (THURSDAY) TOLD A GATHERING AT STATIONERS HALL, LONDON, OF THE ENORMOUS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES THAT THESE PROJECTS AND HONG KONG’S GROWING FINANCIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WOULD PROVIDE TO OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
"HONG KONG IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE GREAT PORT ON CHINA’S SOUTH-EASTERN SEABOARD BECAUSE NATURE MADE IT THAT WAY. A PORT WITH AN INCREASINGLY ACTIVE HINTERLAND DEVELOPS A NUMBER OF CHARACTERISTICS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
"THE PICTURE WHICH IS BEGINNING TO EMERGE IS OF HONG KONG AS, THE COMMUNICATIONS, TRADE AND FINANCIAL SERVICE CENTRE FOR AN ECONOMICALLY DYNAMIC SOUTHERN CHINA.
/"IT IS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
"IT IS A PICTURE WHICH IS ALREADY ATTRACTING INCREASING NUMBERS OF FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN, BANKERS, AND AN ASSORTMENT OF PROFESSIONALS ENGAGED IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, FOR WHERE TRADERS GATHER, MARKETS ARE MADE," HE SAID.
"WE OPERATE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL OUR INVESTORS, WHEREVER THEY COME FROM," HE SAID, ADDING THAT DEALS WERE MADE WITH THOSE WHO CAME WITH THE BEST OFFERS.
IN HIS SPEECH ON OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG IN THE NEW DECADE * SIR PIERS SAID THAT IN MAKING THE MOST OF SUCH OPPORTUNITIES, BUSINESS ATTITUDE WOULD BE OF ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE.
"WE LIKE PEOPLE TO COME TO HONG KONG AND SELL US THINGS AND MAKE MONEY, BUT WHAT IS ATTRACTIVE TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG IS INVESTMENT IN THE TERRITORY THAT IN SOME WAYS BECOMES WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF HONG KONG.
"INVEST IN HONG KONG TO MAKE MONEY BY ALL MEANS, BUT IF YOU CAN, GIVE SOMETHING OF YOURSELF TO THE PLACE. INVESTMENT, OF COURSE, CAN BE OF CAPITAL OR JUST STRAIGHT-FORWARD PERSONAL COMMITMENT," HE SAID.
"IF THERE IS THE RIGHT DEGREE OF COMMITMENT I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE VENTURE WILL BE ALL THE MORE PROFITABLE IN ANY EVENT.
"IN ENCOURAGING OVERSEAS INVESTMENT WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT SEEKING A FREE LUNCH, BUT WE TEND TO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE CLEARLY WITH US FOR THE LONG TERM," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE NOTED THAT MANY OF HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS INVESTORS DID BECOME READILY IDENTIFIED WITH HONG KONG.
"INDEED, SOME OF THE OLDER BRITISH INVESTORS IN HONG KONG HAVE BECOME SO IDENTIFIED WITH THE PLACE THAT WE NO LONGER THINK OF THEM AS BRITISH!" HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE YEARS, HONG KONG HAD SEEN CONSIDERABLE BRITISH FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG.
"FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE 1980’S NEW INVESTMENT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AVERAGED SOME 170 MILLION POUNDS STERLING A YEAR.
"FURTHERMORE, ALTHOUGH THE VISIBLE TRADE BALANCE IS IN HONG KONG’S FAVOUR (BY SOME 700 MILLION POUNDS STERLING, INCLUDING RE-EXPORTS, IN 1988), HONG KONG HAS PROVIDED A LARGE SOURCE OF INVISIBLE EARNINGS FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 1 BILLION POUNDS STERLING A YEAR," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF BRITISH INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG, THE VERY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION MADE BY BRITISH MANAGERS SHOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
/"THE BRITISH .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
5
"THE BRITISH CONNECTION IS VALUED, AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT MANY BRITISH INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR EXECUTIVES FEEL AT EASE IN HONG KONG BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE FORMS AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE FAMILIAR TO THEM," HE SAID.
SPEAKING OF HONG KONG’S DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT, SIR PIERS SAID OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS OR SO, HONG KONG HAD EMERGED AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL SERVICE CENTRES OF SOUTH EAST ASIA.
"SERVICES NOW ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND RE-EXPORTS ARE LARGER IN VALUE THAN TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS," HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT BY THE CHINESE OF THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES IN GUANGDONG AND A PARALLEL LIBERALISATION OF PROVINCIAL POLICIES ACHIEVED TWO THINGS.
"HONG KONG INDUSTRIALISTS GAINED ROOM FOR EXPANSION RIGHT NEXT DOOR, AND, AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WAS CREATED A NEW DEMAND FOR PORT, TRADE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, WHICH WE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN ONLY TOO HAPPY TO MEET.
"PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY HONG KONG HAS BEEN ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF AN ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE HINTERLAND.
"BUT HONG KONG’S OPPORTUNITIES DO NOT END THERE. NOT ONLY HAVE DEVELOPMENTS IN GUANGDONG AND THE REST OF CHINA BEEN OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG, HONG KONG HAS ALSO DEVELOPED AS A REGIONAL SERVICES CENTRE.
"HONG KONG HAS PROVED ITS VALUE AS A CENTRE FOR MANAGEMENT, DESIGN, FINANCING, MARKETING, AND OFFERS SERVICES THAT ENABLE MANY BUSINESSES IN THE REGION TO PROSPER.
"THE DEVELOPMENTS I HAVE DESCRIBED WILL BE OF ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE IN THE YEARS AHEAD BECAUSE WITH OUR INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION, HONG KONG IS PRODUCING THE PEOPLE WHO WILL FLOURISH BEST IN THIS SERVICE ORIENTED, MANAGERIAL, DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE," HE SAID.
"AS HONG KONG REACHES OUT TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, IT IS NATURAL, PERHAPS INEVITABLE, THAT THE WORLD WILL WANT TO BE PART OF HONG KONG’S BUSINESS SCENE," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT RECENTLY THE STRESSES AND STRAINS ON OUR ECONOMY HAD BEEN FORMIDABLE.
"NEVERTHELESS, HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY IS STILL OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY DESPITE FIERCE COMPETITION ALL ROUND THE REGION," HE SAID.
/MEETING NEW .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 6
MEETING NEW DEMANDS HAD PITTED EMPLOYER AGAINST EMPLOYER IN A BATTLE FOR SCARCE LABOUR RESOURCES, RESULTING IN HONG KONG'S EXTREMELY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES AND THE WAGE-LED INFLATION OF THE LAST THREE YEARS.
"HENCE ALSO OUR NEED TO PROCEED URGENTLY WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SEA AND AIRPORT FACILITIES, AND ALL THE ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE, HE SAID.
DESCRIBING THESE AS PROBLEMS OF ANY GROWING ECOMONY, SIR PIERS SAID: "LIKE ALL OF OUR PAST INTENSIVE INVESTMENT IN PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, THE PROBLEMS NOW FACING US WILL CHALLENGE OUR SKILLS AT BUDGETARY MANAGEMENT.
"BUT MANAGED THEY WILL BE, WITH OUR TRADITIONAL PRUDENCE IN THESE MATTERS.
"WHAT I WANT TO EMPHASISE TO YOU TODAY IS THAT OUR PROBLEMS, THE PROJECTS WE ARE UNDERTAKING, AND THE ECONOMIC GROWTH WHICH SUPPLIES THE MOMENTUM FOR THEM REPRESENT A HUGE RANGE OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES," SIR PIERS SAID.
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FSD SERVICES BACK TO NORMAL
*****
FROM 10.05 AM TODAY (THURSDAY), ALL SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S CONTINGENCY PLAN HAVE BEEN CANCELLED AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE BACK TO NORMAL.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, SAID THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON.
MR LAM SAID THE CONTINGENCY PLAN HAD WORKED PERFECTLY WELL IN MAINTAINING RESCUE AND FIRE COVER THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE HUNGER STRIKE BY FIREMEN.
"I PARTICULARLY WISH TO POINT OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLAN, WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP THE KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OPEN AND FULLY OPERATIONAL THROUGHOUT.
"WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO RESPOND TO ALL FIRE AND SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS WHERE LIVES AND PROPERTY WERE REPORTED TO BE IN DANGER," HE SAID.
MR LAM PAID A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICER CADRE AND A SMALL GROUP OF FIREMEN WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED IMMEASURABLY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CONTINGENCY PLAN.
/THROUGHOUT THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
THROUGHOUT THE DIFFICULT PERIOD, THEY HAD REMAINED DEDICATED TO THEIR DUTY AND HONOURED THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC AND THE COMMUNITY.
’’MEMBERS OF OUR AMBULANCE SERVICE AND FIRE CONTROL DESERVE A PAT ON THE BACK AS WELL AS THEY HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD TO COPE WITH THE EXTRA DEMANDS FOR SERVICE ARISING FROM THE HUNGER STRIKE,” HE SAID.
MR LAM ALSO EXPRESSED APPRECIATION OF THE EFFORTS MADE BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS, THE LIFT COMPANIES, AND OTHERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE AND THE PART THEY PLAYED IN THE CONTINGENCY PLAN.
HE REFERRED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AID SERVICES, HOUSING DEPARTMENT, HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MARINE POLICE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, ROYAL NAVY, ARMY, AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, AND THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
’’BETWEEN 9 AM ON TUESDAY, THE DAY THE HUNGER STRIKE BEGAN, AND 9 AM THIS MORNING, WE RECEIVED 131 FIRE CALLS AND 56 SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS.
’’ALL THESE CALLS WERE ATTENDED BY OUR FIRE APPLIANCES. THE AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME WAS ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF MINUTES.
’’DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE CIVIL AID SERVICES RESPONDED TO NINE VEGETATION FIRES AND 23 PERSONS SHUT-IN LIFT INCIDENTS WERE ATTENDED BY VARIOUS LIFT COMPANIES,” MR LAM SAID.
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WATER QUALITY REPORT AND NEW GRADING SYSTEM ANNOUNCED ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF A REPORT ENTITLED ’’BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG, 1989”.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO INTRODUCED A NEW FORTNIGHTLY GRADING SYSTEM TO PUBLICISE THE GRADES OF WATER QUALITY FOR BATHING BEACHES DURING THE SWIMMING SEASON.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, EPD’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL HOLMES, SAID THE REPORT REVIEWED THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THE BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG IN THE BATHING SEASON OF 1989.
/THE REPORT
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 8 -
THE REPORT ANALYSED THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY TRENDS OF BATHING BEACHES AND EVALUATED THE EFFECT OF BEACH ATTENDANCE ON BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY AT THESE BEACHES. THE POLLUTION SOURCES OF BEACHES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS AND THE REMEDIAL ACTIONS REQUIRED WERE ALSO DISCUSSED.
THE REPORT STATED THAT THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF SILVERMINE BAY, ANGLERS’, TING KAU AND ROCKY BAY BEACHES HAD BEEN RESTORED TO LEVELS REGARDED AS SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA BEACHES HAD IMPROVED.
WITH REGARD TO ROCKY BAY BEACH, THE REPORT SAID ALTHOUGH THE SHORT-TERM TREND OF THE BEACH WAS IMPROVING, CONTINUATION OF IMPROVEMENT DEPENDED ON FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OF REMEDIAL MEASURES.
A SUMMARY OF THE RANKING FOR ALL THE GAZETTED AND NON-GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE SWIMMING SEASON OF 1989 WAS PRESENTED IN THE REPORT.
THE IMPROVEMENT TREND IN WATER QUALITY FOR 27 GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE SWIMMING SEASON OF 1988 HAD BEEN MAINTAINED. NINE GAZETTED BEACHES WHOSE WATER QUALITY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DETERIORATING HAD BEGUN TO IMPROVE.
IN GENERAL, THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF HONG KONG BEACHES IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE BATHING SEASON OF 1989.
THE REPORT ON BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES, AT $26 A COPY, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
MR HOLMES SAID STARTING FROM APRIL THIS YEAR, A NEW FORTNIGHTLY GRADING SYSTEM FOR ALL BATHING BEACHES WILL BE USED.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS DURING THE SWIMMING SEASON.
THIS FORTNIGHTLY GRADING SYSTEM OF BATHING BEACH WATER QUALITY RECOMMENDED BY EPD HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ON BEACH WATER QUALITY.
/THE NEW .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
9
THE NEW FORTNIGHTLY GRADING SYSTEM IS SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
NEW FORTNIGHTLY GRADING SYSTEM
E.COLI COUNT
PER 100 EXPECTED HEALTH RISK: REMARKS
MILLILITRE CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS (WATER
GRADE OF WATER PER 1,000 SWIMMERS QUALITY)
1 NOT MORE THAN 24 UNDETECTABLE GOOD
2 NOT MORE THAN 180 NOT MORE THAN 10 FAIR
3 NOT MORE THAN 610 NOT MORE THAN 15 ACCEPTABLE
4 MORE THAN 610 MORE THAN 15 POOR
THE RANKING CRITERIA FOR THE NEW FORTNIGHTLY GRADING SYSTEM ARE BASED ON LOCAL DATA ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF BEACH WATER POLLUTION OF HONG KONG AND THUS WILL SUIT THE LOCAL CONDITIONS.
THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) THAT LOCAL GUIDELINES SHOULD BE USED IN PLACE ON THE GENERALISED WHO GUIDELINES.
THE RANKING CRITERIA FOR THE NEW FORTNIGHTLY GRADING SYSTEM ARE SOMEWHAT MORE STRINGENT THAN IN THE PAST.
THE EFFECT OF THIS WILL BE THAT SOME BEACHES PREVIOUSLY GRADED "A" WOULD NO LONGER BE PLACED IN THE TOP RANKING BUT WILL NOW HAVE A RANKING OF "2".
HOWEVER, SUCH A CHANGE IN RANKING WILL NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DETERIORATION IN WATER QUALITY, ONLY THAT THE EXISTING WATER QUALITY HAS A NEW RANKING UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM.
ANOTHER POSSIBLE EFFECT IS THAT THE GRADINGS OF BEACH WATER QUALITY MAY FLUCTUATE MORE FREQUENTLY BECAUSE OF THE NARROWER RANGES OF E.COLI COUNTS BEING USED.
MR HOLMES SAID THE PUBLIC MIGHT NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE NEW SYSTEM AT FIRST BUT ITS INTRODUCTION IS .JUSTIFIED ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT WOULD PROVIDE BOTH A BETTER SAFEGUARD FOR THE HEALTH OF THE SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND MORE PRECISE INFORMATION ON WHICH THE PUBLIC MAY BASE DECISIONS AS TO WHETHER TO SWIM OR NOT.
/AS IN.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
AS IN THE PAST YEAR, THE GRADINGS ON WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES WILL BE ANNOUNCED EVERY FORTNIGHT STARTING FROM APRIL.
HOWEVER, GRADINGS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR CASTLE PEAK, OLD CAFETERIA AND ROCKY BAY BEACHES BECAUSE THESE BEACHES HAVE ALREADY BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
MR HOLMES ADDED THAT BEACH-GOERS SHOULD NOTE THAT IT WILL BE SOME TIME BEFORE THE NOTICE BOARDS AT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S BEACHES WHICH DISPLAY THE MOST RECENT GRADINGS RELEASED BY THE EPD CAN BE ALTERED TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEW DESCRIPTIONS.
AT PRESENT, THE FORTNIGHTLY GRADINGS ARE DISPLAYED AT REGIONAL COUNCIL’S BATHING BEACHES ONLY AND NOT AT URBAN COUNCIL’S BEACHES.
- - 0 - -
IMPROVEMENTS TO LEGAL AID ANNOUNCED » * ♦ * *
A PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PRESENT LEGAL AID POLICY WHICH INCLUDES A FAIRER SYSTEM OF FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT AND SUBSTANTIAL RAISING OF APPLICANTS’ ELIGIBILITY LIMITS WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1, A PERSON’S ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID WOULD BE ASSESSED BY LOOKING AT HIS COMBINED DISPOSABLE INCOME AND CAPITAL (KNOWN AS "FINANCIAL CAPACITY").
'"AT PRESENT THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT HAS TO ASSESS AN APPLICANT’S INCOME AND CAPITAL SEPARATELY WHEN APPLYING A MEANS TEST TO ASSESS ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID.
"IF THE APPLICANT FAILS EITHER TEST, HE OR SHE WILL NOT GET LEGAL AID. THIS SYSTEM OF SEPARATE ASSESSMENT THEREFORE WORKS TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF THOSE HAVING ONLY INCOME OR CAPITAL. THE NEW SYSTEM WILL REMOVE SUCH INEQUITIES," HE SAID.
ON THE RAISING OF ELIGIBILITY LIMITS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXISTING DISPOSABLE INCOME (ACTUAL INCOME LESS ALLOWANCES) AND CAPITAL LIMITS WERE $2,200 PER MONTH AND $15,000 RESPECTIVELY.
"THE MAXIMUM FINANCIAL LIMIT OF THE IMPROVED COMBINED SYSTEM IS $120,000. AN APPLICANT WITH A FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF $46,000 OR BELOW WILL HAVE LEGAL AID PROVIDED FREE, IF HIS CASE IS ONE WHICH QUALIFIES FOR LEGAL AID AND HE HAS A REASONABLE CASE.
/"AN APPLICANT
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
11
' "AN APPLICANT AT THE TOP END OF THE SCALE, THAT IS HAVING A FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF $120,000 WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE UP TO $54,400 IF THE COSTS INCURRED IN THE PROCEEDINGS WERE IN EXCESS OF THIS SUM AND WERE NOT RECOVERED FROM THE OPPOSING PARTY.
"AS IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM, CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE PAID BY INSTALMENTS WHENEVER APPROPRIATE."
ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT CONCERNS PERSONAL ALLOWANCES WHICH ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN ASSESSING AN INDIVIDUAL’S ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID.
"THESE ALLOWANCES WILL BE INCREASED IN APRIL IN LINE WITH THE ADJUSTMENT TO THE SCALE OF BASIC RATES OF ALLOWANCES PAYABLE UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO EXAMINED A PROPOSAL MADE BY THE LEGAL PROFESSION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A STATUTORY ORGANISATION TO ADMINISTER LEGAL AID BUT DECIDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID THROUGH THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.
"THE PRESENT SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY GAINED MUCH PUBLIC CONFIDENCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, STRESSING THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S LAWYERS WHO TAKE DECISIONS ON ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID OPERATE WITHIN CLEARLY DEFINED GUIDELINES OF STATUTORY CONTROL AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS WHICH ENSURE IMPARTIALITY.
"AN UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANT FOR LEGAL AID HAS A RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT IN CIVIL CASES AND TO THE COURT IN CRIMINAL CASES. THESE RIGHTS ARE, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARDS BUILT INTO THE SYSTEM.
"OTHER CHANNELS FOR COMPLAINT SUCH AS THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS AND OMELCO WOULD REMAIN AVAILABLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR AGGRIEVED APPLICANTS," HE ADDED.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
t ALLOWANCES IN COMPUTING DISPOSABLE INCOME TO INCLUDE PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS AND SALARY TAX PAYMENTS AS THESE ARE COMMITTED EXPENDITURE;
* ASSETS WHICH PROVIDE AN APPLICANT’S PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF INCOME TO BE DISREGARDED IN COMPUTING DISPOSABLE CAPITAL;
* THE ENTIRE VALUE OF AN APPLICANT’S OWNER OCCUPIED DWELLING TO BE DISREGARDED TN COMPUTING DISPOSABLE CAPITAL;
♦ THE RESOURCE OF AN INFANT APPLICANT NOT TO BE AGGREGATED WITH THE PARENTS’ RESOURCES IN MEANS TESTING;
/* DISCRETION TO.........
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 12 -
* DISCRETION TO WAIVE THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY LIMIT TO BE GIVEN TO THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL, BUT NOT IN CIVIL CASES;
* THE FINANCIAL CAPITAL LIMIT AND CONTRIBUTIONS SCALES TO BE REVIEWED REGULARLY, AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS, HAVING REGARD TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, MOVEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE RATES;
* LEGAL AID TO BE AVAILABLE TO DEFEND A COUNTERCLAIM ALLEGING DEFAMATION.
-----0------
ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING TERMINATED
*****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) IT HAD RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES HAD ANNOUNCED TERMINATION OF THE ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING AGAINST RE-EXPORTS OF SILICON METAL OF CHINESE ORIGIN FROM HONG KONG INTO THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC).
SINCE THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE IMPORTS RECORDED IN COMMUNITY STATISTICS AS ORIGINATING IN HONG KONG IN FACT ORIGINATED IN CHINA, THE COMMISSION DECIDED THAT A SPECIFIC ANTI-DUMPING DUTY SHOULD NOT BE IMPOSED ON THE PRODUCT FROM HONG KONG AND THE PROCEEDING AGAINST HONG KONG SHOULD BE TERMINATED.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID THAT AS SOON AS THE PROCEEDING AGAINST HONG KONG WAS INITIATED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMISSION REQUESTING THAT HONG KONG BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROCEEDING BECAUSE THE PRODUCT IN QUESTION WAS MERELY TRANS-SHIPPED THROUGH THE TERRITORY.
"WE WELCOME THE COMMISSION’S DECISION TO EXCLUDE HONG KONG AND HOPE THAT THE SAME PRINCIPLE WILL BE APPLIED TO ANOTHER SIMILAR CASE CONCERNING THE RE-EXPORT OF TUNGSTEN ORE AND CONCENTRATES FROM HONG KONG INTO THE EEC,” MR HARBINSON SAID.
"THERE ARE STILL FIVE EEC ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HONG KONG AWAITING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF INVESTIGATION RESULTS. THE PRODUCTS INVOLVED ARE TUNGSTEN ORE, PHOTO ALBUMS, AUDIO TAPES, SMALL SCREEN COLOUR TELEVISION RECEIVERS AND DENIM CLOTH.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS VERY CLOSELY," MR HARBINSON SAID.
---------0-----------
/13 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 13 -
MERCHANT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR TAX EVASION
******
A TRADING COMPANY PROPRIETOR WAS TODAY (THURSDAY) FOUND GUILTY OF SIGNING INCORRECT PROFITS TAX RETURNS, WITH WILFUL INTENT TO EVADE TAX.
THE DEFENDANT, MR HO LUI, 62, DENIED SEVEN CHARGES OF TAX EVASION, AND WAS CONVICTED AFTER TRIAL BEFORE DEPUTY JUDGE SURMAN IN THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT.
HE WAS ORDERED TO PAY $1,955,000 IN FINE AND WAS SENTENCED TO IMMEDIATE IMPRISONMENT OF 12 MONTHS.
THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT DURING THE YEARS BETWEEN 1980 AND 1986, THE DEFENDANT WITHDREW STOCK OF PLASTIC MATERIALS FROM HIS OWN BUSINESS, WILSUN TRADING COMPANY, AND SOLD THEM TO OTHER PARTIES UNDER A SEPARATE TYPE OF INVOICES.
THESE INVOICES WERE KEPT PERSONALLY BY THE DEFENDANT AND WERE NOT RECORDED IN THE BOOKS OF THE BUSINESS.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME, THE DEFENDANT SIGNED AND SUBMITTED INCORRECT PROFITS TAX RETURNS WITH SUPPRESSED DAY-TO-DAY SALES AND INFLATED COSTS.
THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF PROFITS IN TOTAL WAS $6,779,922 OR 86 PER CENT OF THE TRUE PROFITS, AND THE TAX UNDERCHARGED WAS $1,080,153.
IN PASSING SENTENCE, THE JUDGE REMARKED THAT THIS WAS A BLATANT FALSIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS TO DEFRAUD THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THE AMOUNT INVOLVED WAS LARGE AND IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO HAVE AN IMMEDIATE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE.
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/14........
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 14 -
AIRPORT NOISE ABATEMENT MEASURES ON AGENDA *****
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL EXAMINE THE PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF AIRPORT GROUND NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS REPORTS ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE JORDAN VALLEY LANDFILL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
---------0-----------
READING AWARD SCHEME FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS *****
WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S PRIMARY 5 AND 6 READING AWARD SCHEME, ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND LIONS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, WILL RECEIVE PRIZES IN A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR WONG SIK-WAH, AND LIONS CLUB REPRESENTATIVES WILL PRESENT TROPHIES, CERTIFICATES OF MERIT AND BOOK COUPONS TO THE WINNING SCHOOLS AND PUPILS.
THE SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO HELP PRIMARY PUPILS DEVELOP GOOD READING HABITS, IMPROVE THEIR LANGUAGE SKILLS AND MAKE BETTER USE OF CLASS LIBRARY RESOURCES.
MORE THAN 26,000 STUDENTS TOOK PART IN THE SCHEME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIMARY 5 AND 6 READING AWARD SCHEME PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD IN THE RAINBOW ROOM ON THE 22ND FLOOR OF LEE GARDENS HOTEL, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 7 PM.
/15........
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
15
REVISION IN PRICE OF SOFTWARE FOR DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME
*******
THE PRICE OF THE SOFTWARE AND OPERATION MANUAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME, WHICH WAS IMPLEMENTED ON JULY 1 LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE TRADERS WITH AN ADDITIONAL OPTION TO SUBMIT IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS ON MICROCOMPUTER DISKETTES, WILL BE REVISED TO $160 PER SET FROM THE PRESENT $110 PER SET FROM APRIL J.
A CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE PRICE HAD TO BE REVISED DUE TO THE INCREASE IN COST OF PRODUCTION.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME IS TO FACILITATE TRADERS IN PREPARING TRADE DECLARATIONS IN A MORE ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT WAY THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTERS.
TO JOIN THE SCHEME, TRADERS ONLY NEED A MICRO-COMPUTER SYSTEM (WITH HARD DISK AND PRINTER) WHICH RUNS ON MS-DOS OF VERSION 2.0 ANQ HIGHER.
THE USER FRIENDLY SOFTWARE AND OPERATION MANUAL ARE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE TRADERS WHO HAVE NOT YET COMPUTERISED THEIR TRADfj DOCUMENTATION WORK, TO FACILITATE THEM IN PREPARING IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS USING MICRO-COMPUTERS AND AT THE SAME TIME PRODUCING OUTPUTS THAT MEET ALL THE FORMAT REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED BY GOVERNMENT,
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEME LAST YEAR, ABOUT 1,000 COPIES OF THE SOFTWARE HAVE BEEN SOLD. THE SOFTWARE TOGETHER WITH THE OPERATION MANUAL ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 18TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TRADERS ARE REMINDED TO BRING ALONG THEIR COMPANY CHOP IN THE COURSE OF THE PURCHASE OF THE SOFTWARE. THOSE TRADERS WHO WISH TO PURCHASE THE SOFTWARE BEFORE APRIL SHOULD APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE 10.30 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 31).
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 823 4883.
- - 0 - -
POLICE REMINDER ON INTRUDER ALARMS *****
POLICE WILL BE SENDING NOTICES TO OCCUPANTS WHOSE INTRUDER ALARMS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED TO REMIND THEM OF THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO INSTALL AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF DEVICE.
THE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU, MR LEE KI-PONG, SAID LEGISLATION INTRODUCED LAST OCTOBER REQUIRED AN INTRUDER ALARM SYSTEM TO BE FITTED WITH A DEVICE WHICH WOULD CUT THE AUDIBLE SIGNAL NOT MORE THAN 15 MINUTES AFTER ITS ACTIVATION.
/A GRACE
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
A GRACE PERIOD LASTING UNTIL OCTOBER 18 THIS YEAR IS PROVIDED TO ALLOW ANY NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO EQUIPMENT.
MR LEE SAID THE NOTICE WOULD ADVISE OWNERS THAT SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE AUTOMATIC CUT-OUT UNITS WERE AVAILABLE WHICH WOULD QUICKLY AND EASILY BE FITTED TO THEIR ALARM SYSTEM.
HE SAID: "IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE OWNERS TO UTILISE A REPUTABLE COMPANY TO CARRY OUT ALTERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS."
AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE GRACE PERIOD, ANYONE WHO FAILS TO MEET THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.
- - 0 - -
ANNUAL ANTI-MOSQUITO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN STARTS ON SUNDAY
******
THE ANNUAL TERRITORY-WIDE MOSQUITO PREVENTION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN WILL START ON SUNDAY (APRIL 1) TO REMIND THE PUBLIC TO HELP PREVENT MOSQUITO BREEDING WITH THE APPROACH OF THE HOT AND HUMID WEATHER.
THE CAMPAIGN IS RUN BY THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
A 24-HOUR HEALTH EDUCATION TELEPHONE HOTLINE, 723 0013, WILL BEGIN OPERATIONAL THIS SUNDAY TO PROVIDE . ADVICE ON MOSQUITO PREVENTION.
AS MOSQUITOES BREED IN STAGNANT WATER, THE SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR OF THE UNIT, MR TUNG CHAN-LONG, CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO ELIMINATE MOSQUITO BREEDING GROUNDS:
♦ TO KEEP ALL TINS, BOTTLES, RECEPTACLES AND RUBBER TYRES AWAY FROM OPEN SPACES AND TO TURN UPSIDE DOWN ALL LARGE RECEPTACLES WHICH CANNOT BE REMOVED READILY;
♦ TO COVER WATER STORAGE TANKS AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE IN GOOD REPAIR;
* TO ENSURE THAT DRAINAGE IS IN ORDER TO AVOID ACCUMULATION OF WATER;
♦ TO RENEW WATER IN VASES AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY AND TO MAKE SURE THAT NO WATER ACCUMULATES IN TRAYS OF FLOWER POTS FOR MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS; AND
/* TO ELIMINATE
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 17 -
* TO ELIMINATE THE COLLECTION OF STAGNANT WATER AROUND THE HOME OR IN THE GARDEN.
MR TUNG ALSO URGED BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO INSPECT FREQUENTLY THEIR SITES AND TO REMOVE ALL STAGNANT WATER, OR TO SPRAY AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY A LAYER OF DIESEL OIL ON THE SURFACE OF WATER THAT COULD NOT BE DRAINED AWAY.
"THE UNIT WILL SEND LETTERS WITH SUPPORTING PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO BUILDING CONTRACTORS, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND MANAGEMENT OFFICES OF LARGE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES APPEALING FOR CO-OPERATION DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD.
"TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE MOSQUITO PREVENTION MESSAGE, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT SCHOOLS AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION," MR TUNG SAID.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE TELEVISION API’S (ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST) AND ON-STREET MOBILE BROADCASTING IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," HE SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO CALL ON THE DISTRICT OFFICES (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE) OF BOTH THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS FOR ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE, MR TUNG ADDED.
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-----------
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR RUGBY TOURNAMENT IN HAPPY VALLEY
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY ON SATURDAY (MARCH 31) AND SUNDAY (APRIL 1) TO FACILITATE THE HOLDING OF THE RUGBY TOURNAMENT AT HONG KONG STADIUM:
FROM 8.30 AM TO 7.30 PM ON SATURDAY, AND FROM 7.30 AM TO 7.30 PM ON SUNDAY, CAROLINE HILL ROAD SECTION BETWEEN LINK ROAD AND STADIUM PATH WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
CAROLINE HILL ROAD SECTION BETWEEN EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND COTTON PATH WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC EXCEPT THOSE VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO PREMISES.
/CAROLINE HILL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 18 -
CAROLINE HILL ROAD SECTION BETWEEN COTTON PATH AND LEIGHTON ROAD/PENNINGTON STREET WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD SECTION BETWEEN STADIUM PATH AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND J BUT VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE ST PAUL’S HOSPITAL CARPARK FROM TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE MAINTAINED.
WESTBOUND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON HYSAN AVENUE WILL BE DIVERTED TO TURN LEFT ONTO EASTBOUND LEIGHTON ROAD.
SOUTHBOUND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON SUN WUI ROAD WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT ONTO WESTBOUND LEIGHTON ROAD.
TRAFFIC CONES WILL BE LAID ON THE SECTION OF LEIGHTON ROAD BETWEEN HYSAN AVENUE AND CAROLINE HILL ROAD TO ALLOW FOR TWO LANES OF EASTBOUND TRAFFIC.
COACHES, TAXIS AND PRIVATE CARS WILL BE ARRANGED TO SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
* SPECTATORS COACHES - EASTERN HOSPITAL SERVICE ROAD, OR CAROLINE HILL ROAD OUTSIDE SO KON PO RECREATION GROUND VIA NORTHBOUND CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND COTTON PATH AS DIRECTED BY THE POLICE ON SITE;
* PLAYERS COACHES - OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE STADIUM VIA EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD FROM CAROLINE HILL ROAD DIRECT;
* TAXIS - SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD NEAR CARPARK NO. 5;
* PRIVATE CARS - NORTHERN KERBSIDE OF EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD OPPOSITE CARPARK NO. 5.
ALL THE ABOVE VEHICLES SHOULD LEAVE VIA NORTHBOUND EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD TO TUNG LO WAN ROAD AFTER SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS. PLAYER COACHES AND VEHICLES WITH LABELS ISSUED BY THE RUGBY UNION WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARK INSIDE THE STADIUM CARPARKS.
ABOUT 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST MATCH, ONLY COACHES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE STADIUM PROXIMITY VIA SOUTHBOUND CAROLINE HILL ROAD.
THE STACKING AREAS WILL BE ARRANGED AS FOLLOWS:
* SPECTATORS COACHES - EASTERN HOSPITAL SERVICE ROAD, OR CAROLINE HILL ROAD OUTSIDE SO KON PO RECREATION GROUND AS DIRECTED BY THE POLICE ON SITE;
* PLAYERS COACHES - NORTHERN KERBSIDE OF EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD OPPOSITE CARPARK NO. 5.
/VEHICLES WILL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1990
- 19 -
VEHICLES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING CAROLINE HILL ROAD FOR LINK ROAD AT LEIGHTON ROAD/CAROLINE HILL ROAD JUNCTION.
ON COMPLETION OF THE LAST MATCH, CAROLINE HILL ROAD BETWEEN STADIUM PATH AND LEIGHTON ROAD, AND EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD BETWEEN STADIUM PATH AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BY POLICE TO FACILITATE THE DISPERSAL OF CROWD SHOULD THE SITUATION WARRANT.
BETWEEN 7 AM AND 8 PM, ALL LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING MATHESON STREET, LEIGHTON ROAD SOUTH OF IRVING STREET JUNCTION, RUSSELL STREET AND SHARP STREET EAST.
ALSO THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM PERCIVAL STREET SOUTHBOUND TO LEIGHTON ROAD EASTBOUND, AND TO TURN LEFT FROM CAUSEWAY ROAD WESTBOUND TO TUNG LO WAN ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
ALL ON-STREET CAR PARKING SPACES IN SUN WUI ROAD, STADIUM PATH, THE UNNAMED SERVICE ROAD AROUND THE STADIUM AND EASTERN HOSPITAL SERVICE ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 7 AM TO 8 PM.
----------------------0------- TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WO TAI STREET IN FANLING ♦ * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SECTION OF WO TAI STREET BETWEEN LUEN SHING STREET AND LUEN HING STREET IN FANLING WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE WATERMAINS MAINTENANCE WORK.
DURING THE PERIOD OF CLOSURE, TRAFFIC ON WO TAI STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LUEN SHING STREET, LUEN WO ROAD AND LUEN HING STREET.
--------0-----------
WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY (MARCH 31) TO NOON THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT INCLUDING KWAI FONG ESTATE, KWAI HING ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, TAI WO HAU ESTATE, KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE, KWAI SHING WEST ESTATE, TAI LIN PAI ROAD INDUSTRIAL AREA, WAH SING STREET, KUNG YIP STREET, WO TONG TSUI STREET INDUSTRIAL AREA AND KWAI HEI STREET INDUSTRIAL AREA.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SEPARATE TAXATION EFFECTIVE APRIL 1 ........................................ 1
AMENDMENT RULES ON ADMISSION OF GOVT LAWYERS GAZETTED ...................... 2
SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED.............. 4
WELFARE PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT FROM APRIL ...................................... 5
EVERY EFFORT MADE TO RECRUIT CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS ................ 7
WORKING TOGETHER TO STEM VIOLENT CRIMES .................................... 9
DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR EXEMPTIONS UNDER WPCO ........................... 10
PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED................................. 11
RECLAMATION PLANNED IN FOUR AREAS ......................................... 13
DRAFT PLANS FOR PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL ......................... 14
TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ................................ 15
ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ................................... 16
CS TO VISIT JAPAN ......................................................... 16
ATTITUDES TOWARDS PRODUCT QUALITY CHANGING ...........‘.................... 17
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN BETWEEN 1923-27 ................................. 18
NO LACK OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO STUDENTS .................................... 20
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE FOR GRAVE-SWEEPERS ..................................... 21
NEW HIGHWAYS COMPLAINT TELEPHONE NUMBER ................................... 22
DIRECT ACCESS ROAD FOR KAM TSIN VILLAGERS ................................. 23
SECOND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR GOVT CRAFT SIGNED.......................... 23
ANTI-POLLUTION PACK PRESENTATION CEREMONY ................................. 24
WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN AND KING'S PARK ................................... 25
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
1
SEPARATE TAXATION EFFECTIVE APRIL 1 * « t » t
THE LEGISLATION TO IMPLEMENT SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON APRIL 1, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, MR ANTHONY AU YEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR AU YEUNG SAID THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD APPLY TO ALL 1989-90 FINAL ASSESSMENTS AND SUBSEQUENT YEAR ASSESSMENTS ISSUED ON OR AFTER THAT DATE.
"THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IN THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, AS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM, IS THAT EACH MARRIED PERSON WILL BE INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF HIS OR HER OWN SALARIES TAX AFFAIRS INCLUDING LODGEMENT OF RETURNS, OBJECTING AGAINST ASSESSMENT, IF NECESSARY, AND PAYMENT OF TAX ASSESSED," HE SAID.
OUTLINING KEY FEATURES OF THE NEW SYSTEM, MR AU YEUNG SAID FOR MARRIED COUPLES WHO .BOTH, HAD EMPLOYMENT INCOME, THE HUSBAND AND WIFE HAD TO INDIVIDUALLY FILE THEIR OWN SALARIES TAX RETURNS.
WHILE THEY HAD TO NOMINATE WHICH OF THEM WOULD CLAIM THEIR TOTAL ENTITLEMENT TO CHILD ALLOWANCES IN A SINGLE SUM, THEY COULD CLAIM ALLOWANCES FOR THEIR DEPENDENT PARENTS AND PARENTS-IN-LAW ON AN INDIVIDUAL PARENT BASIS, HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, IN ANY YEAR ONLY ONE PERSON MAY CLAIM AN ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR PARENT," HE SAID.
IN THE CASE WHERE ONLY ONE SPOUSE HAD EMPLOYMENT INCOME, ONLY THE WORKING SPOUSE HAD TO FILE A SALARIES TAX RETURN, HE ADDED.
A LEAFLET, DESIGNED TO HELP TAXPAYERS UNDERSTAND THE SEPARATE TAXATION SYSTEM, WOULD ACCOMPANY EVERY SALARIES TAX RETURN TO BE ISSUED IN MAY.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS NOW OPENED SOME 180,000 SALARIES TAX RECORDS FOR MARRIED WOMEN AND SALARIES TAX RETURNS WILL BE ISSUED TO THEM INDIVIDUALLY," HE SAID.
THIS YEAR, THE RETURNS WOULD GENERALLY BE POSTED TO THE LAST KNOWN EMPLOYMENT ADDRESS.
HE URGED EMPLOYERS TO LEND THEIR ASSISTANCE BY PASSING ON THE SALARIES TAX RETURNS TO THEIR FEMALE EMPLOYEES AND SUBMITTING DETAILS OF INCOME FOR ALL MARRIED EMPLOYEES.
MR AU YEUNG CAUTIONED THAT THERE WOULD BE CASES WHERE, UNDER SEPARATE TAXATION, THE OVERALL TAXATION LIABILITY OF SOME MARRIED COUPLES WOULD BE GREATER THAN IT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN UNDER THE PREVIOUS AGGREGATION SYSTEM.
/THIS WOULD
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 2 -
THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN ONE SPOUSE WAS LIABLE TO SALARIES TAX AND THE OTHER HAD AN ENTITLEMENT TO ALLOWANCES EXCEEDING HIS OR HER INCOME.
ANOTHER SITUATION, HE SAID, WAS WHEN THE NET BENEFIT PROVIDED BY SEPARATE TAXATION WAS LESS THAN THE TAX BENEFIT DERIVED BY THE MARRIED COUPLE FROM BEING GRANTED MARRIED PERSON’S ALLOWANCE. • i
"WHEN EITHER OF THESE TWO SITUATIONS OCCUR, THE HUSBAND AND WIFE MAY ELECT TO RECEIVE AN AGGREGATED ASSESSMENT IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS PREVIOUSLY," HE SAID.
BUT EVEN FOR SUCH CASES, MR AU YEUNG SAID, THE HUSBAND AND WIFE WOULD STILL BE REQUIRED TO INDIVIDUALLY FILE THEIR OWN SALARIES TAX RETURNS.
THESE RETURNS WOULD BE ASSESSED AND ONCE AN ENTITLEMENT TO ELECT JOINT ASSESSMENT HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED, THE ASSESSOR WOULD ISSUE AN ADVICE STATING THE OVERALL TAX THAT THE COUPLE WOULD SAVE IF THEY MADE THE ELECTION, HE SAID.
"THE ADVICE WILL INCORPORATE AN ELECTION WHICH, IF JOINT ASSESSMENT IS ELECTED, MUST BE SIGNED BY BOTH THE HUSBAND AND THE WIFE AND RETURNED TO THE ASSESSOR," HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE AND BOXED.
--------0-----------
AMENDMENT RULES ON ADMISSION OF GOVT LAWYERS GAZETTED
*****
AMENDMENTS TO RULES GOVERNING PROCEDURES ON THE ADMISSION OF GOVERNMENT LAWYERS QUALIFIED IN SIX COMMONWEALTH JURISDICTIONS FOR PRACTICE AS SOLICITORS OR BARRISTERS IN HONG KONG WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) RULES 1990 ARE MADE UNDER THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE. AMENDMENTS TO THAT ORDINANCE PERMITTING COMMONWEALTH LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE TO BE ADMITTED TO PRIVATE PRACTICE WERE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JULY LAST YEAR.
/FOLLOWING THE
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
3 -
FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, CERTAIN EXPERIENCED MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE HAVE BECOME ENTITLED TO SEEK ADMISSION AS BARRISTERS OR SOLICITORS IN HONG KONG.
THE SCHEME APPLIES TO LEGAL OFFICERS ADMITTED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PLACES: THE STATES AND TERRITORIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA; THE TERRITORIES AND PROVINCES OF CANADA (EXCEPT QUEBEC); NEW ZEALAND; THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND; ZIMBABWE; AND SINGAPORE.
THE ASSISTANT SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR ANDREW BRUCE, EXPLAINED THAT THOSE WHO SEEK TO BE ADMITTED AS SOLICITORS UNDER THE SCHEME MUST HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED AS LAWYERS IN THE LEGAL, LEGAL AID OR REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENTS FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS.
OF THOSE SEVEN YEARS, THE THREE YEARS IMMEDIATELY OR RECENTLY BEFORE APPLYING FOR ADMISSION MUST HAVE BEEN SPENT DOING WORK SIMILAR TO THAT USUALLY UNDERTAKEN BY A SOLICITOR IN HONG KONG.
AN APPLICANT SHOULD ALSO PASS AN EXAMINATION IN SOLICITORS’ ACCOUNTS UNLESS THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS SATISFIED THAT THE APPLICANT HAS PREVIOUSLY PASSED SUCH AN EXAMINATION.
THE APPLICANT SHOULD INTEND TO ENTER PRACTICE AS A SOLICITOR WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF BEING ADMITTED. THERE IS A QUOTA OF 10 ADMISSIONS A YEAR.
FOR ADMISSION AS BARRISTERS, MR BRUCE SAID AN APPLICANT MUST HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED AS A LEGAL OFFICER IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS.
OF THOSE SEVEN YEARS, THE THREE YEARS IMMEDIATELY OR RECENTLY BEFORE THE APPLICATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN SPENT DOING WORK SIMILAR TO THAT USUALLY UNDERTAKEN BY A BARRISTER IN HONG KONG OF 10 YEARS SENIORITY. HE MUST HAVE ADVOCACY EXPERIENCE.
THE APPLICANT MUST INTEND TO PRACTISE AS A BARRISTER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF ADMISSION. THERE IS A QUOTA OF FOUR A YEAR.
THE RULES ALSO SET OUT PROCEDURES FOR LAW LECTURERS TO SEEK ADMISSION AS SOLICITORS IN HONG KONG.
THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WAS BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY TH! THEN UMELCO STANDING PANEL ON SECURITY IN 1988 FOLLOWING REPRESENTATION BY A GROUP OF GOVERNMENT LAWYERS WHO ASKED THAT EXPERIENCED LAWYERS IN GOVERNMENT LEGAL SERVICE WHO WERE QUALIFIED IN CERTAIN COMMONWEALTH JURISDICTION SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO JOIN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN HONG KONG.
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/4 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
4
SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED
******
AMENDMENTS TO THE NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES IN RESPECT OF INTERESTS IN SHARES IN LISTED COMPANIES ARE PROPOSED IN THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR THE AMENDMENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXISTING NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES LAID DOWN IN THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) ORDINANCE ENACTED IN JULY 1988 WERE UNSATISFACTORY.
’’THIS ORDINANCE IMPOSES CERTAIN DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS IN RELATION TO THE INTERESTS IN SHARES OF SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS AND THE INTERESTS IN SHARES AND DEBENTURES OF DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES.
”A PERSON WHO ACQUIRES OR CEASES TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE SHARE CAPITAL OF A LISTED COMPANY IS UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO REPORT THAT INFORMATION TO THE COMPANY.
’’SUCH NOTIFICATION MUST BE MADE WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF THE OBLIGATION ARISING. THE COMPANY IN TURN IS GIVEN UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF THE FOLLOWING DAY TO REPORT THE INFORMATION TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC).
’’THE STOCK EXCHANGE IS THEN REQUIRED TO PUBLISH THE INFORMATION," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXISTING NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES DO NOT ENSURE THE PROMPT RELEASE OF PRICE SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INSIDER DEALING BY THE OFFICERS OF THE LISTED COMPANY.
"THE LISTED COMPANY CAN POTENTIALLY BE IN POSSESSION OF PRICE SENSITIVE INFORMATION FOR UP TO TWO DAYS BEFORE IT IS PASSED ON TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE," HE SAID.
"TO RECTIFY THIS UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT WHEREVER A DUTY OF DISCLOSURE ARISES, THE PERSON CONCERNED SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY BOTH THE LISTED COMPANY AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE WITHIN FIVE DAYS, WITH THE STOCK EXCHANGE RECEIVING THE INFORMATION AHEAD OF THE LISTED COMPANY.
"THE SFC WILL ARRANGE WITH THE STOCK EXCHANGE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION," HE SAID.
WHILE FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS WILL BE AN OFFENCE, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT HOWEVER THAT TO AVOID POSSIBLE INJUSTICE, IT WILL BE A DEFENCE FOR A PERSON TO SHOW THAT HE HAD TAKEN ALL REASONABLY PRACTICABLE STEPS TO NOTIFY THE STOCK EXCHANGE BEFORE THE LISTED COMPANY.
/"UNDER THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 5 -
"UNDER THE NEW REPORTING SYSTEM, THE STOCK EXCHANGE WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROCESS QUICKLY A LARGE VOLUME OF NOTIFICATIONS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
"TO PROTECT THE STOCK EXCHANGE FROM SUIT FOR DAMAGES ARISING FROM BONA FIDE PUBLICATION OF INCORRECT INFORMATION (FOR EXAMPLE, EITHER FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION NOTIFIED TO THE EXCHANGE), A STATUTORY IMMUNITY IS GIVEN TO THE EXCHANGE AND ITS EMPLOYEES, IN THE PERFORMANCE, IN GOOD FAITH, OF ANY DUTY IMPOSED ON THE EXCHANGE UNDER THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 2 THIS YEAR. SUBJECT TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, IT IS THE INTENTION TO BRING THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE INTO OPERATION ON JULY 2 THIS YEAR.
-----------------0-------- WELFARE PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT FROM APRIL ******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL INCREASE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS -- PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA) AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE (SNA) -- BY 10 PER CENT STARTING FROM SUNDAY (APRIL 1).
THIS ADJUSTMENT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TOGETHER WITH THE EXTENSION OF THE HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE TO SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS AGED BELOW 16 AND THE EXTENSION OF THE NORMAL OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO ELDERLY WHO ARE 66.
A SWD SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADJUSTMENT OF.THE PA AND SNA PAYMENTS IS IN LINE WITH THE INFLATION RATE SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE CASH PAYMENTS.
WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONTH, A SENIOR CITIZEN ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WILL RECEIVE AN AVERAGE OF $1,500 PER MONTH.
"IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC RATE OF $685, AN ELDERLY PA RECIPIENT IS ALSO ENTITLED TO A $343 OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT OR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE.
"IN ADDITION, A MAXIMUM OF $488 IN RENT ALLOWANCE WILL BE PAID TO ASSIST HIM TO RESOLVE HIS ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILS OF THE NEW RATE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
/PUBLIC ASSISTANCE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
6
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
BASIC RATES: REVISED AMOUNT (PER MONTH)
FOR A SINGLE PERSON $685
FOR A FAMILY:
FIRST ELIGIBLE MEMBER $515
SECOND ELIGIBLE MEMBER $515
THIRD ELIGIBLE MEMBER $505
FOURTH ELIGIBLE MEMBER $505
FIFTH AND EACH ADDITIONAL ELIGIBLE MEMBER $495
SUPPLEMENTS J
LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT AMOUNT (PER YEAR)
FOR A SINGLE PERSON $870
FOR A FAMILY:
TWO TO FOUR MEMBERS $1,740
FIVE OR MORE MEMBERS $2,610
OLD-AGE SUPPLEMENT AMOUNT (PER MONTH)
FOR PERSONS AGED 60-69 $343
FOR PERSONS AGED 70 AND OVER $393
DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT AMOUNT (PER MONTH)
EVERY ELIGIBLE MEMBER $343
/SPECIAL NEEDS
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
7
SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES
AMOUNT
(PER MONTH)
HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE $1,370
NORMAL DISABILITY ALLOWANCE $685
HIGHER OLD AGE ALLOWANCE
(FOR THOSE AGED 70 AND OVER) $393
NORMAL OLD AGE ALLOWANCE
(FOR THOSE AGED 66-69) $343
AS FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE TO THE LOWER AGE GROUP, THE SPOKESMAN SAID PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN SET OUT FOR CERTIFICATION OF EXISTING NORMAL DISABILITY ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS FOR THE HDA.
"THOSE ELDERLY WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE NORMAL OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AS A RESULT OF THE EXTENSION TO THE 66 AGE GROUP COULD EITHER APPLY IN GROUPS THROUGH THEIR HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY OR SOCIAL CENTRES OR CALL AT, OR WRITE TO, THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICES," HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE HDA AND THE NOAA CAN BE MADE TO ANY OF THE SWD’S 34 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT OFFICES.
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EVERY EFFORT MADE TO RECRUIT CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS ******
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) IS SHORT OF 1,600 UNIFORMED OFFICERS, AND EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO BOOST RECRUITMENT, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CLASPS TO COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY, MR CHAN SAID THE ACUTE STAFF SHORTAGE WAS DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL MANPOWER REQUIRED TO COPE WITH THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM AND STAFF WASTAGE.
"TO TACKLE THE RETENTION PROBLEM," MR CHAN SAID, "WE HAVE ALREADY MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
"WE HAVE ALSO SPARED NO EFFORT TO IMPROVE STAFF WELFARE AND WORKING CONDITIONS WHEREVER WE CAN, AND WITHIN OUR VERY LIMITED RESOURCES," MR CHAN ADDED.
/THE CSD .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 8 -
THE CSD IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CUSTODY AND CARE OF 11,500 OFFENDERS AND 34,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE.
INHERENT IN THIS RESPONSIBILITY, MR CHAN SAID, THE DEPARTMENT HAD TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE UNDER ITS CUSTODY, WHICH INCLUDED LOOKING AFTER THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY AS WELL AS FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID: %E HAVE ALWAYS COMMITTED OURSELVES TO THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF THOSE IN CUSTODY AND THIS SHALL CONTINUE TO BE OUR POLICY.
"WE ARE EQUALLY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A SAFE AND ORDERLY ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE WITHOUT FEAR OF THE PREDATORY AND VICIOUS AMONGST THEMSELVES. ••
"FOR TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS IN PARTICULAR, A DISCIPLINED AND ORDERLY ENVIRONMENT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT IN OUR PAST SUCCESSES."
TURNING TO PROGRESS IN THE PROPER CORRECTIONAL FIELD, MR CHAN SAID SUCCESS RATES FOR ALL PROGRAMMES HAD IMPROVED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
THE SUCCESS RATES OF AFTERCARE CASES WHICH EXPIRED IN A THREE-YEAR PERIOD HAD GONE UP FROM 61.9 PER CENT TO 67.3 PER CENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES, FROM 58.3 PER CENT TO 61.7 PER CENT FOR TRAINING CENTRES, FROM 80.7 PER CENT TO 84.1 PER CENT FOR YOUNG PRISONERS, FROM 92.1 PER CENT TO 93.3 PER CENT FOR THOSE UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE, AND FROM 91.8 PER CENT TO 96 PER CENT FOR THOSE 21 TO 24 YEARS OF AGE IN THE SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE.
LOOKING AHEAD, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES URGED ALL STAFF TO RUSE TO EVERY CHALLENGE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.
"THE TIME AHEAD WILL SEE MANY MORE CHALLENGES FOR US, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH ARE SPURIOUS, MALICIOUS AND OFTEN CALCULATED NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS AGAINST EITHER THE SERVICE OR MEMBERS OF THE STAFF ARISING FROM OUR PART IN CARING FOR THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE," HE SAID.
"THE EXCEPTIONAL AND OFTEN UNFORESEEN DEMANDS OF OUR JOB ARE WHAT WE ARE ENTRUSTED TO MEET," HE ADDED.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE COMMISSIONER PRESENTED CLASPS TO THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL TO 40 VETERAN STAFF WITH A TOTAL OF 1,120 YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE.
THE PARADE ALSO MARKED THE PASSING-OUT OF 16 OFFICERS AND 67 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED SIX MONTHS’ BASIC TRAINING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
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/9 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
9
WORKING TOGETHER TO STEM VIOLENT CRIMES * * * * *
THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY INDUSTRY MUST WORK TOGETHER IN STEMMING A DISTRUBING UPSWING IN VIOLENT CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST CASH CARRYING SECURITY COMPANIES, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON GATHERING FOLLOWING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SECURITY ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MR LI SAID THE FORCE WAS WELL AWARE OF THEIR ANXIETIES OVER THE ATTACKS.
"EVERY EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO BRING THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO JUSTICE AND TO PREVENT SIMILAR CRIMES," HE ADDED. "YOUR INTEREST AND CONCERNS ARE MUTUALLY SHARED."
ANOTHER AREA ADDRESSED BY THE COMMISSIONER WAS THAT OF INTRUDER ALARMS, THE MANUFACTURE, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING OF WHICH, HE STRESSED, HAD LONG BEEN A PROBLEM.
"THE NEW POLICE POLICY OF PHASED RESPONSE TO ALARM CALLS IS ALREADY HAVING THE EFFECT OF IMPROVING SECURITY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY ALARM COMPANIES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"THE NUMBER OF PREMISES WHICH HAVE HAD TO BE PLACED ON THE LIST OF LOWER PRIORITY RESPONSE IS ALREADY BEGINNING TO DROP AS BOTH THE END-USERS AND ALARM INSTALLERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF MULTIPLE FALSE ALARM INCIDENTS."
MR LI EMPHASISED THAT THE POLICY WAS ALSO HAVING THE EFFECT OF REDUCING THE ENORMOUS WASTAGE OF MANPOWER EXPERIENCED BY THE FORCE IN ANSWERING FALSE CALLS WHICH WAS ALSO ONE OF THE ORIGINAL AIMS OF THE SCHEME.
COMPLIMENTING THE ASSOCIATION ON ITS GROWTH MR LI SAID THAT FROM THE OUTSET THE FORCE HAD CONSCIOUSLY SOUGHT TO FOSTER A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL SECURITY COMPANIES AND THE POLCE AS THEIR PATHS CROSSED ON MANY OCCASIONS.
"THE IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITIES OF YOUR PRODUCTS AND THE THOROUGH TRAINING OF YOUR EMPLOYEES IN ALL ASPECTS OF SECURITY WORK HAS BEEN UPPERMOST IN OUR MINDS," HE WENT ON.
IT IS THE HOPE OF THE POLICE FORCE THAT LEGISLATION, CURRENTLY BEING DRAFTED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF YOUR ASSOCIATION, AND ESPECIALLY YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS THIS GOAL. THE NEW LAWS WILL BRING A DEGREE OF CONTROL OF THOSE COMPANIES WHO WISH TO SUPPLY SECURITY OFFICERS, BOTH STATIC AND MOBILE, AND THOSE COMPANIES WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF CASH AND OTHER HIGHLY VALUABLE ITEMS."
/MR LI .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 10 -
MR El POINTED OUT THAT WHEN A SECURITY COMPANY WAS ENGAGED TO GUARD PREMISES, TO TRANSPORT VA1UABLES OR TO INSTAL ALARM SYSTEMS THERE WERE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THAT COMPANY’S PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT, OPERATION AND RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT ITS EMPLOYERS WERE CAPABLE, HONEST AND RELIABLE.
"UNFORTUNATELY THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS IN THE PAST WHERE THIS HAS NOT BEEN SO, AND EQUIPMENT AND HUMAN FAILURE HAVE BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.
"IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO APPORTION BLAME WHEN DEFICIENCIES HAVE ARISEN.
"HOWEVER THERE IS A BASIC RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POLICE FORCE, AND ESPECIALLY THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU, TO WARN THE PUBLIC AGAINST ILL-CONCEIVED APPROACHES TO SECURITY MATTERS, AND UNBIASLY RECOMMEND THAT SECURITY COMPANIES ARE EMPLOYED TO PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE."
--------0-----------
DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR EXEMPTIONS UNDER WPCO
*****
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE IN THE JUNK BAY AND PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONES IS TOMORROW (SATURDAY), THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) REMINDED AFFECTED RESIDENTS TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EPD SAID OWNERS OR OCCUPIERS OF RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL PREMISES INCLUDING RESTAURANTS WITHIN THE JUNK BAY AND PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONES WITH EXISTING DISCHARGES BEFORE AUGUST 1 LAST YEAR MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXEMPTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR EXEMPTIONS ALSO APPLIES TO INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DISCHARGES IN THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE, WHICH COVERS THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF HONG KONG AND LANTAU ISLANDS, AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS INCLUDING CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND LAMMA.
THOSE WITH EXISTING INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DISCHARGES IN THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE BEFORE AUGUST 1 LAST YEAR MAY ALSO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXEMPTION.
HOWEVER, ALL DISCHARGES WHICH BEGAN ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1 LAST YEAR ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED. EXISTING DISCHARGES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED TO THE EPD BY APRIL THIS YEAR WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE LICENSED.
/AFTER APRIL .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 11 -
AFTER APRIL 1, ANY DISCHARGE OR DEPOSIT MADE WITHOUT AN EXEMPTION OR LICENCE WILL BE ILLEGAL AND THE DISCHARGERS ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
THIS APPLIES ALSO TO LICENSED DISCHARGES AND DEPOSITS MADE IN BREACH OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE LICENCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SO FAR, IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, A TOTAL OF 15 CASES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED IN THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR EXEMPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EPD OFFICES AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN SAI KUNG, ABERDEEN, STANLEY, MUI WO AND CHEUNG CHAU.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE EPD ON TEL. 835 1183.
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PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED
*******
A TOTAL OF 34 SITES AMOUNTING TO 77 HECTARES IN THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION AND TENDER IN THE 1990-91 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
OUTLINING THE PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR BOB POPE, POINTED OUT THAT OUT OF THE 77 HECTARES, 50 HECTARES WOULD BE FOR THE CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 8 SITE.
THE REMAINING 27 HECTARES, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THAT OF LAST YEAR (25.7 HECTARES), WOULD BE SOLD IN VARIOUS FORMS.
THE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO INVITE TENDERS FOR THE NO. 8 TERMINAL SITE IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND TO AWARD THE TENDER IN MARCH
RELEASING DETAILS OF THE 1990-91 PROGRAMME, MR POPE SAID A TOTAL OF 18 SITES WOULD BE AUCTIONED, SEVEN SITES WOULD BE SOLD BY CASH TENDER AND THE REMAINING E'GHT SITES BY LETTER A/B TENDER.
THREE COMMERCIAL SITES TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION WOULD BE LOCATED AT SUNG ON STREET, THE JUNCTION OF LAM WAH STREET/WANG KWUN ROAD/LAM LOK STREET, AND YEN CHOW STREIT.
THE FORMER TWO SITES WOULD REQUIRE THE PURCHASER TO INCLUDE A PUBLIC MULTI-STOREY CARPARK IN THE DEVELOPMENT, WHILE THE LATTER WOULD REQUIRE THE PROVISION OF A BUS TERMINUS.
/SALES OF .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
12
SALES OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS WOULD INCLUDE SEVEN SITES IN TUEN MUN, FANLING, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, TAI PO, CAUSEWAY BAY AND LOWER SHING MUN. THE LOWER SHING MUN SITE WOULD BE THE BIGGEST WITH AN AREA OF 1.6 HECTARES.
EIGHT LOTS WOULD BE SOLD BY AUCTION FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN USES, INCLUDING THREE IN AREA 11 OF SHA TIN.
TURNING TO THE CASH TENDER SALES, MR POPE SAID TWO SITES WOULD BE OFFERED UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS) AT LOCATIONS IN SIU SAI WAN AND MA ON SHAN WHICH MEASURE 32,800 AND 43,000 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THESE SITES WOULD BE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE ABOUT 7,000 PSPS FLATS.
IN ORDER TO MEET THE ONGOING LETTER A/B COMMITMENT, A TOTAL OF EIGHT SITES WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 7.64 HECTARES WOULD BE TENDERED.
FOUR OF THEM WOULD BE IN SHA TIN, TWO IN FANLING, ONE IN TSUEN WAN AND ONE IN KAU WAH KENG.
’’PURCHASERS OF THESE SITES WOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING EITHER A ’VINTAGE’ OR A ’MONETISED LETTER B’ TENDER, WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO THE FORMER,” MR POPE SAID.
THE SITES WOULD EQUATE TO A LETTER B REDEMPTION OF MORE THAN TWO MILLION SQUARE FEET AGAINST A CURRENT COMMITMENT OF ABOUT NINE MILLION SQUARE FEET.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT LETTER B COMMITMENT WOULD BE REDEEMED IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS.
MR POPE ANTICIPATED THAT THE LAND SALES WOULD GENERATE SOME $5.8 BILLION.
’’THIS IS LESS THAN WHAT WE GOT THIS YEAR,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT THIS WAS DUE MAINLY TO THE ABSENCE OF HIGH VALUE SITES IN THE URBAN AREA.
MR POPE STRESSED THAT THE SALES PROGRAMME WAS ONLY PROVISIONAL AND COULD BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
FURTHER DETAILS AND DATES OF SALE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE AND MAJOR NEWSPAPERS.
COPIES OF THE TENTATIVE LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR FROM ANY DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
/13 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 13 -
RECLAMATION PLANNED IN FOUR AREAS
******
WORK ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WILL START IN JUNE THIS YEAR WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TYPHOON SHELTER AND RECLAMATION OF LAND OFF THE YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREA.
THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN AUTHORISATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 3,700 METRES OF VERTICAL SEAWALL AND BREAKWATER TO FORM A NEW TYPHOON SHELTER WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 70 HECTARES AT THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE EXISTING YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.
ABOUT 22 HECTARES OF LAND WILL ALSO BE RECLAIMED AND THE EXISTING YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREA WILL BE REPROVISIONED WITHIN THE RECLAIMED AREA.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 1993-94.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 29 NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, TO FACILITATE SEWERAGE PROJECTS AT SHEK O, REPULSE BAY AND DEEP WATER BAY, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM THREE AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
AT TAI TAU CHAU, TO THE EAST OF SHEK O, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT THREE 150 MILLIMETRE OUTFALL PIPES AND TEMPORARY STAGING WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 800 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
THIS IS FOR THE PROVISION OF AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE DISCHARGE POINT FOR PRELIMINARY TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT AND A TEMPORARY BARGE MOORING POINT DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.
THE WORK WOULD COMMENCE IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
AT REPULSE BAY, AN AREA OF ABOUT 0.44 HECTARE OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IS TO BE RECLAIMED TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWAGE PUMPING STATION.
THE WORK WOULD START IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN APRIL 1992.
AS PART OF A PROPOSED SEWERAGE PROJECT, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO: CONSTRUCT TEMPORARY STAGING WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 700 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT DEEP WATER BAY.
/THIS IS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
14
THIS IS FOR A TEMPORARY BARGE MOORING POINT DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HEADING FROM THE BAY TO THE VERGE ADJACENT TO THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL. THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE THREE AREAS OF FORESHORE AND SEABED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MAY 29.
DETAILS OF THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THE PROJECTS ARE DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
DRAFT PLANS FOR PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL
♦ * * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) TWO LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) SCHEME PLANS FOR THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES IN CENTRAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PLANS IS TO INDICATE HOW THE CORPORATION INTENDS TO REDEVELOP THE TWO LDC SCHEME AREAS AT JUBILEE STREET/QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL AND WING LOK STREET/QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
THE AREAS COVERED BY THE TWO PLANS ARE CHARACTERISED BY NARROW LANES WHICH ARE INACCESSIBLE TO TRAFFIC AND PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WHICH LACK BASIC AMENITIES.
THE PLANS WOULD PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORKS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO AREAS BY RESTRUCTURING THE EXISTING LAND USE PATTERNS AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
GUIDELINES ARE ATTACHED FOR OFFICE/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS WHICH INCORPORATE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE TWO AREAS.
ALSO, OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ENHANCE THE OPEN SPACE PROVISIONS IN THE TWO SCHEME AREAS.
A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE OF NOT LESS THAN 1,500 SQUARE METRES IN AREA HAS BEEN RESERVED ON THE DRAFT LDC SCHEME PLAN FOR JUBILEE STREET/QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL WHILE A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE OF NOT LESS THAN 800 SQUARE METRES IN AREA HAS BEEN DESIGNATED ON THE PLAN FOR WING LOK STREET/QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
/IN ADDITION .....
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
IN ADDITION TO THE DESIGNATED PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, LANDSCAPING AREAS WOULD BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES. THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOULD SUBMIT MASTER LAYOUT PLANS FOR THE TWO SCHEME AREAS TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION IN DUE COURSE.
THE DRAFT LDC SCHEME PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR TWO MONTHS AT:
♦ THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET;
* THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SECTION, PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; AND
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, HARBOUR BUILDING,
CENTRAL.
COPIES OF THE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, HONG KONG AND AT THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 405 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $60 EACH COLOURED COPY.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE TWO LDC SCHEME PLANS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING BY MAY 30.
- - 0 - -
TOWN PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNONCED THE NEW MEMBERSHIP OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS COMMENCING FROM APRIL 1, 1990.
THIS INCLUDE 18 UNOFFICIAL AND FIVE OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
OF THE 18 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, EIGHT ARE NEWLY APPOINTED. THEY ARE MR CHAN KA-KUI, QUANTITY SURVEYOR; MR DANIEL C.K. HEUNG, ARCHITECT, HEUNG YEE KUK MEMBER; MR HENRY Y.Y. TANG, INDUSTRIALIST; MR FUNG SHIU-WING, ADMINISTRATOR, MEMBER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE; MR VICTOR H.W. SO, SURVEYOR, MEMBER OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY; MISS ESTHER W.F. CHAN, ARCHITECT, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER; MR E.J. DAVISON, SOLICITOR; AND MR EDMUND K.S. YOUNG, INDUSTRIALIST.
/THE OTHER
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
16
THE OTHER 10 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED ARE THE HON MRS NELLIE FONG WONG KUT-MAN, ACCOUNTANT, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR; MR CARLOS H.K. CHEUNG, ENGINEER, MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND HOUSING AUTHORITY; DR SAMUEL P.W. WONG, ENGINEER, URBAN COUNCILLOR; MR PAO PING-WING, SOCIAL WORKER, MEMBER OF THE HOUSIG AUTHORITY AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD; MR KEITH H.K. LAM, SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, INVESTMENT AND STOCK EXCHANGE PROFESSION; MR LARRY H.C. TAM, REAL ESTATE CONSULTANT; MR J.C. SHAW, TOWN PLANNER; MR WINSTON K.S CHU, SOLICITOR; PROF LEUNG CHI-KEUNG, PROFESSOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; AND MR ANDREW K.F. LEE, ARCHITECT.
---------0-----------
ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS *****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO TAKE ACTION ON THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN THE SMOKE LOBBIES ADJACENT TO FLATS H AND I, 11TH FLOOR, SOUTHERN BUILDING, 257-273 KING’S ROAD, NORTH POINT.
IT IS INTENDED THAT A CLOSURE ORDER WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 30 TO CLOSE FLATS H AND I, TOGETHER WITH THE SMOKE LOBBIES, SO THAT THE LATTER COULD BE REINSTATED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTICES OF INTENTION WERE POSTED ON CONSPICUOUS PARTS OF THE FLATS TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CLOSURE FORMS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN SEPTEMBER 1988 REQUIRING THE REMOVAL OF THE UNAUTHORISED WORKS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE REINSTATEMENT WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
--------0-----------
CS TO VISIT JAPAN * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL VISIT JAPAN FROM APRIL 16 TO 21 AS A GUEST OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
SIR DAVID WILL VISIT TOKYO AND OSAKA AND MEET A NUMBER OF SENIOR JAPANESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS LEADERS.
WHILE IN OSAKA, HE WILL ALSO SEE THE KANSAI AIRPORT WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
SIR DAVID WILL ALSO ADDRESS THE JAPAN/HONG KONG SOCIETY AND THE JAPANESE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB WHILE IN TOKYO.
------0--------
/17......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
17
ATTITUDES TOWARDS PRODUCT QUALITY CHANGING
*****
ATTITUDES TOWARDS PRODUCT QUALITY ARE CHANGING, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"IN THE PAST, ONLY SCANT ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS, WITH MANUFACTURERS PROVIDING JUST THE MINIMUM TO SATISFY PURCHASERS’ REQUIREMENTS," MR BARMA SAID.
"HAPPILY, THEIR ATTITUDES ARE NOW CHANGING AS THEY BECOME MORE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT CUSTOMERS ARE MORE DISCERNING AND OFTEN PREPARED TO PAY A LITTLE MORE FOR BETTER QUALITY GOODS," HE TOLD THE INAUGURATION DINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT, TOO, WAS ENCOURAGING INDUSTRY TO IMPROVE ITS ATTITUDE. THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD LAUNCHED THE LONG-TERM QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN EARLIER THIS MONTH, INITIALLY SPANNING A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD, WITH THE SPECIFIC AIM OF PERSUADING MANUFACTURERS TO INTRODUCE AND PRACTISE QUALITY ASSURANCE.
MR BARMA SAID THERE WAS QUITE A LOT HERE IN HONG KONG TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS TO ACHIEVE HIGHER QUALITY LEVELS, EVEN BY THE STANDARDS OF THE MORE SOPHISTICATED INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES .
"OUR QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOW EQUAL IN CAPABILITY TO THAT OF COUNTRIES OF THE SIZE AND ECONOMIC STATURE OF DENMARK, AND CERTAINLY EQUAL TO THE BEST IN ASIA, OUTSIDE JAPAN," HE SAID.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY HELD A WIDE RANGE OF PRIMARY PHYSICAL MEASUREMENT STANDARDS.
IN THE FIELD OF DOCUMENTED STANDARDS, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU PROVIDED AN INFORMATION SERVICE TO MANUFACTURERS ON OVERSEAS PRODUCT SAFETY, HEALTH AND CERTIFICATION STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS, BESIDES DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON OVERSEAS PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE ISSUE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CIRCULARS.
MR BARMA SAID, COINCIDING WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, A VOLUNTARY THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION AGENCY HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ENABLE FACTORY QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO BE ACCREDITED TO RECOGNISED INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS.
LEGISLATION WAS BEING ENACTED THROUGHOUT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COVERING PRODUCT LIABILITY, HE SAID.
A NUMBER OF SOVEREIGN STATES ALREADY HAD SUCH LAWS ON THEIR STATUTE BOOKS AND OTHERS WOULD FOLLOW.
MANUFACTURERS COULD OBTAIN INSURANCE TO COVER DAMAGES WHICH MAY ARISE AS A RESULT OF PRODUCT LIABILITY LAW SUITS.
/"HOWEVER, NO .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 18 -
"HOWEVER, NO INSURANCE COMPANY WILL BE PREPARED TO OFFER COVERAGE UNLESS MANUFACTURERS CAN DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE QUALITY WHICH CAN BE OFFICIALLY VERIFIED BY A THIRD PARTY," MR BARMA SAID, ADDING THAT THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT VERIFICATION.
ON TESTING, HE SAID A SCHEME FOR ASSESSING AND ACCREDITING LABORATORIES TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS WAS LAUNCHED IN 1985 TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF TESTING AND MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL LABORATORIES, TO CONFER RECOGNITION ON THOSE FOUND TO BE COMPETENT AND TO PROMOTE ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR TEST CERTIFICATES BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) WAS NOW RECOGNISED AS AN ESTABLISHED AND MATURE SCHEME BY THE LABORATORY ACCREDITATION COMMUNITY WORLDWIDE.
"AS PURCHASERS, IT WOULD BE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE TO SEE HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS RESPOND TO THE NEW CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THEM BY EMBRACING QUALITY ASSURANCE AND OBTAINING CERTIFICATION OF THEIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS THROUGH THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY AND HAVING THEIR PRODUCTS TESTED BEFORE SHIPMENT BY A HOKLAS ACCREDITED LABORATORY," MR BARMA SAID.
"YOU ARE IN A STRONG POSITION TO INFLUENCE DEVELOPMENTS.
"IF YOU ASK YOUR HONG KONG SUPPLIERS FOR QUALITY, COUPLED WITH RECOGNISED CERTIFICATION, AS A PREREQUISITE FOR FUTURE PURCHASES, THEY WOULD BE OBLIGED TO RESPOND.
"HONG KONG WOULD THEN BE WELL ESTABLISHED AS A SOURCE FOR QUALITY GOODS," HE SAID.
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN BETWEEN 1923-27 *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MEN BORN IN 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926 OR 1927 WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM APRIL 9 TO MAY 26.
"MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 9, THERE WOULD BE CHANGES IN THE BUSINESS HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES.
FROM THAT DAY OFFICE HOURS OF THE HONG KONG AND WEST KOWLOON NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS.
/OTHER ISSUE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
19
OTHER ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AND 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS. ALL OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
APPLICANTS MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TEL. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON ! AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK.
TEL. 755 3669
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI.
TEL. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
TEL. 498 0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET.
TEL. 605 9108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TEL. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN.
TEL. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
TEL. 672 7191
APPLICANTS MAY MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DIALLING 824 0303 TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED.
"AS THE APPLICANTS IN THE COMING PHASE ARE OVER 60 YEARS OLD, SOME MAY, DUE TO HEALTH REASONS, FIND IT INCONVENIENT TO GO TO THE ISSUE OFFICES AND WISH TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REGISTRATION OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS.
"THEY MAY APPLY IN WRITING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 824 6111."
/AGED APPLICANTS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 20 -
AGED APPLICANTS LIVING ON HONG KONG ISLAND WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY IN USING ESCALATORS AT THE HONG KONG NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE AT BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, MAY TELEPHONE 574 7070 TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THEIR IDENTITY CARDS REPLACED AT THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE - HONG KONG OFFICE ON EIGHTH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, WHERE LIFT SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT, THE APPLICANTS NEEDFD TO GIVE THEIR NAMES, IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS AND YEARS OF BIRTH TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF.
HE REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1928, 1929, 1930 OR 1931 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON APRIL 7.
FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
--------0-----------
NO LACK OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO STUDENTS
******
HONG KONG WILL ATTAIN EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION IF IT SUCCEEDS IN HELPING ALL STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS THAT THEY INDIVIDUALLY ARE CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID THIS AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SING TAO MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS AWARD AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID HELP COMES IN MANY FORMS AND THE AWARD SCHEME, SPONSORED BY THE SING TAO FOUNDATION, IS ONE OF THEM WHICH SEEKS TO ENCOURAGE JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS TO DEVELOP FULLY THEIR INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL.
UNDER THE SCHEME, AWARDS OF $300 ARE OFFERED TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE BEST ALL-ROUND IMPROVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE ON COMPLETION OF SECONDARY 2 OR SECONDARY 3 OVER THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR.
THE SCHEME, IN ITS DEBUT YEAR, IS ADMINISTERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE SING TAO FOUNDATION. IT ATTRACTED 271 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WHICH SELECTED 523 STUDENTS RECIPIENTS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SING TAO FOUNDATION, MISS SALLY AW SIAN, PAID TRIBUTE TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS WHO, SHE SAID, ARE PART OF THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND HONG KONG’S SUCCESS.
/SHE HOPED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 21 -
SHE HOPED THAT THEIR CHILDREN, WHO ARE STUDENTS TODAY INHERIT THE AMBITIONS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THEIR PARENTS BUILD A BETTER AND MORE PROSPEROUS HONG KONG ON COMPLETION EDUCATION. uriuuiiuw
WOULD
HELP THEIR
AND OF
THE SING TAO MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS WAS BUT ONE OF THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS COMMERCIAL SECTORS TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO THEIR STUDIES.
AWARD SCHEME, SHE SAID, FROM THE FINANCIAL AND PERSEVERE AND EXCEL IN
"THERE IS NO LACK OF ENCOURAGEMENT ON COMMUNITY TO OUR YOUNG STUDENTS TO DO WELL STRESSED.
THE PART OF THE ENTIRE IN THEIR STUDIES,” SHE
-----0------
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE FOR GRAVE-SWEEPERS
******
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA CARE IN HANDLING FIRE WHEN THEY VISIT THEIR ANCESTRAL GRAVES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD.
THE DEPARTMENT’S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR LAI CHING-WAI, SAID: "FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE CURRENT FIRE SEASON ON SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 UP TO THE END OF THIS MONTH, A TOTAL OF 158 FIRES OCCURRED IN COUNTRY PARKS, DAMAGING 1,332 HECTARES OF PLANTATIONS AND SOME 84,160 TREES.
”ON THE LAST CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY, 21 REPORTS OF HILL FIRES WITHIN COUNTRY PARKS WERE RECEIVED, DAMAGING 108 HECTARES OF PLANTATIONS AND SOME 780 TREES.”
MR LAI SAID IF THE WEATHER TURNED DRY AND THE GRAVE-SWEEPERS WERE CARELESS IN HANDLING THEIR WORSHIPPING ITEMS, MORE COUNTRYSIDE FIRES WOULD BE EXPECTED DURING THE COMING CHING MING FESTIVAL.
"IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL HIGH FIRE RISK, THE DEPARTMENT HAS MOBILISED 23 TEAMS OF 200 FIRE FIGHTERS ON STAND-BY DUTIES ROUND THE CLOCK TO SAFEGUARD COUNTRY PARK PLANTATIONS DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD," HE SAID.
THE AFD FIRE FIGHTERS WILL BE JOINED BY SIX TEAMS OF 100 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 A FEW SIMPLE RULES.
/THESE RULES .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
THESE RULES ARE:
* TO BURN WORSHIPPING ITEMS IN METAL CONTAINERS;
♦ DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTED CANDLES, JOSS ARTICLES AND PAPERS UNATTENDED; AND
* TO MAKE SURE ALL BURNING ITEMS ARE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE LEAVING THE GRAVE SITES.
MR LAI SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PROVIDED METAL CONTAINERS IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS INSIDE COUNTRY PARK AREAS FOR THEIR USE.
HE ALSO REMINDED PICNICKERS TO LIGHT FIRES 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.
- - 0 - -
NEW HIGHWAYS COMPLAINT TELEPHONE NUMBER
*****
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC WHO WISH TO LODGE COMPLAINTS OR MAKE SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING ROAD WORKS TO THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TO DIAL A NEW HOTLINE NUMBER, 877 1222, FROM MONDAY (APRIL 2).
THE HOTLINE IS MANNED BY A SENIOR ENGINEER, MR FELIX LEUNG KANG-YIU, OF THE TRANSPORT BRANCH’S INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT.
COMPLAINTS OR SUGGESTIONS CAN ALSO BE MADE IN WRITING TO MR LEUNG AT HIS NEW ADDRESS — TRANSPORT BRANCH, FOURTH FLOOR, LOW BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, WAN CHAI.
- 0 - -
/23
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
23
DIRECT ACCESS ROAD FOR KAM TSIN VILLAGERS *****
RESIDENTS IN KAM TSIN VILLAGE IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL HAVE A DIRECT ACCESS ROAD WHEN A $1 MILLION ROAD-BUILDING PROJECT IS COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE PROJECT, DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES, INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VAN TRACK FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO KAM TSIN VILLAGE, RUNNING PARALLEL TO A SECTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD.
"THE VILLAGERS HAVE MADE REPEATED REQUESTS FOR AN ACCESS ROAD.
"I AM GLAD THAT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE RELEVANT LANDOWNERS FOR WORKS ON PRIVATE LAND, THE PROJECT CAN GO AHEAD," THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
PHASE ONE INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO VEHICULAR BRIDGES ACROSS STREAMS AT KAM TSIN VILLAGE. WORK STARTED TODAY AND WILL TAKE FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ROAD SURFACING WORK IN PHASE TWO IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AROUND NOVEMBER.
"THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS ALLOCATED $500,000 FOR THE PROJECT. ANOTHER $500,000 IS PROVIDED UNDER THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE’S LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME,” MR HUI SAID.
THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S WORKS SECTION, WHICH IS ALSO SUPERVISING THE WORK.
--------0-----------
SECOND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR GOVT CRAFT SIGNED
******
CONGESTION IN THE SLIPWAYS IN THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD WILL BE RELIEVED FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF A SECOND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT WITH A PRIVATE SHIPYARD TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE THREE-YEAR TERM CONTRACT, AWARDED TO HONG KONG UNITED DOCKYARDS LTD, PROVIDES 21 STEEL-HULL GOVERNMENT CRAFT WITH SCHEDULED AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS, INCLUDING THE SUPPLY OF MATERIALS AND SPARE PARTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID: "THIS SECOND TERM CONTRACT, AT AN ANNUAL COST OF $8 MILLION, WILL EASE CONGESTION IN THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AND SHOULD IMPROVE THE AVAILABILITY OF THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT FLEET WHICH HAS SOME 500 CRAFT.
/"FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
- 24 -
"FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS ARE EXPECTED WHEN EXTRA MAINTENANCE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN 1992."
THE CRAFT TO BE SERVICED RANGE FROM TUGBOATS TO SURVEY VESSELS USED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST TERM CONTRACT WAS SIGNED LAST MONTH FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF 18 GLASS REINFORCED PLASTIC HULL CRAFT.
------0--------
ANTI-POLLUTION PACK PRESENTATION CEREMONY *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) WILL HOLD A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO LAUNCH THE $5 MILLION ANTI-POLLUTION PACK, A COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION PACKAGE.
THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE IN ROOM 601, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, 1 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. IT WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM WITH A RECEPTION AND AN ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, AND A PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR Y.W. LIU.
A PREVIEW OF A DOCUMENTARY FILM, "ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT", WILL BEGIN AT 10.45 AM. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION AND GENERAL DISCUSSION.
ABOUT 300 TEACHERS AND MEMBERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN GROUPS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THIS PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
THE ANTI-POLLUTION PACK, FUNDED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, HAS TAKEN 14 MONTHS TO PREPARE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ANTI-POLLUTION PACK PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM IN ROOM 601, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, 1 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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/25........
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1990
25
WATER CUT IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK *****
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 5 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK DISTRICT INCLUDING KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, 01 MAN ESTATE, CHUN MAN COURT AND VILLAGE ROAD ESTATE.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BILL OF RIGHTS: DOCUMENT TO ENHANCE HUMAN RIGHTS ................................. 1
REPATRIATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INCREASES SLIGHTLY ............................ 2
POLICE CHILDREN RECEIVE $4.35 MILLION ............................................ 3
POLICE CLARIFICATION ON FIGURES .................................................. 4
MORE TENDERING EXERCISES FOR CHEUNG SHA WAN FACTORY TENANTS ...................... 4
SITE AGENT FINED FOR NOT WEARING HELMET........................................... 5
CONCESSION TICKETS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS .............................. 6
CASH AWARD FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION ON CRANE SHOOTING .............................. 7
KOWLOON TSAI SPORTS GROUND RE-OPENS AFTER MODERNISATION .......................... 8
DB TO DISCUSS CHANGES IN CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES ................................. 8
STOPPING ON YELLOW STRIPED MARKINGS PROHIBITED FROM APRIL 1 ...................... 9
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN YAU TONG ....................................... 10
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON NT CIRCULAR ROAD................'...................... 10
URBAN CLEARWAY ON PEKING ROAD .................................................... H
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WESTERN ........................................................ H
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER ...................................... H
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF AIRPORT EAST FLYOVER ....................................... 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT SHA TIN WAI ROAD .............................. 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR ...................... 12
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
- 1 -
BILL OF RIGHTS: DOCUMENT TO ENHANCE HUMAN RIGHTS
*****
THE TASK FOR DRAFTERS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS TO TRY AND PRODUCE A DOCUMENT THAT WOULD ENHANCE HUMAN RIGHTS IN HONG KONG IN THE LONG TERM, ASSISTANT SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR PHILIP DYKES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORGANISED BY THE FACULTY OF LAW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR DYKES EXPLAINED THE BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DRAFTING OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
"THE PURPOSE OF ANY MEANINGFUL BILL OF RIGHTS IS TO ENHANCE THE STATUS OF BASIC RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS AND TO SECURE THEM FOR THE BENEFIT OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE WITHIN A GIVEN CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK," HE SAID.
A BILL OF RIGHTS MUST BE DRAFTED IN SUCH A WAY AS FIRST, TO ENSURE THAT THE BILL ACHIEVES ITS PURPOSE OF ENHANCING RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, AND SECONDLY, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS ALSO A CONSTITUTIONALLY COMPETENT DOCUMENT.
"FAILURE TO DO EITHER OF THESE MEANS THAT THE PRODUCT - THE BILL OF RIGHTS - IS FLAWED AND THE OBJECTIVE HAS NOT BEEN ATTAINED," MR DYKES EXPLAINED.
MR DYKES SAID THAT THE FORMAL CONSTRAINTS WERE THE EXISTING LIMITATIONS ON THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ENACT CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS, AND THE BASIC LAW.
THE REAL PROBLEM WAS ENTRENCHMENT AND THERE WERE BASICALLY TWO OPTIONS FOR ENTRENCHMENT BEFORE 1997.
THE FIRST OPTION WAS TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS OR INVITE THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT TO CREATE THROUGH AN ORDER IN COUNCIL OR IMPERIAL ACT A NEW SOURCE OF LEGAL AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO PLACE THE BILL OF RIGHTS ABOVE ALL OTHER LOCAL LAWS.
THE SECOND WAS TO DEVISE LOCAL CONSTRAINTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEREBY THE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION WHICH WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS MADE PROCEDURALLY DIFFICULT AND HIGHLY PUBLIC.
"WE WERE NATURALLY ATTRACTED TO THE SECOND OPTION. BUT THERE WAS A DIFFICULTY RIGHT ON OUR DOORSTEP BEFORE WE WENT ON TO CONSIDER THE COMPATIBILITY OF THIS OPTION WITH THE BASIC LAWS," MR DYKES SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE COLONIAL LAWS VALIDITY ACT, ONLY "REPRESENTATIVE" LEGISLATURES WITH MORE THAN ONE HALF OF THE MEMBERS ELECTED HAD THE POWER TO ENACT LAWS RELATING TO THEIR OWN CONSTITUTION, POWERS AND PROCEDURE. "NON-REPRESENTATIVE" LEGISLATURES WERE INCAPABLE OF CHANGING ITS CONSTITUTION WITHOUT SOME EXPRESS IMPERIAL AUTHORITY.
/SELF-IMPOSED CHECKS .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
- 2
SELF-IMPOSED CHECKS ON THE LEGISLATURE WHICH WOULD PROTECT A BILL OF RIGHTS SUCH AS SPECIAL MAJORITY VOTING OR THE DELAYED ENACTMENT OF INCONSISTENT BILLS WERE LIKELY TO BE CHARACTERISED AS THE KIND OF THINGS WHICH ONLY A "REPRESENTATIVE" LEGISLATURE COULD ACHIEVE.
"GOING THIS WAY MEANT THAT WE WOULD FALL FOUL OF THE ACT UNLESS WE ASKED THE UK GOVERNMENT TO AMEND THE ACT AND EXEMPT US FROM ITS APPLICATION AS FAR AS TAKING THESE STEPS TO PROTECT THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS CONCERNED.
"THIS WAS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED NOT BECAUSE WE DID NOT THINK THE BRITISH WOULD SLACKEN THE CONSTITUTIONAL REINS IF REQUESTED BUT BECAUSE OF THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HEALTH OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS UNDER THE BASIC LAW IF WE SOUGHT TO IMPOSE FORMAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE POWERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR IN FACT IF WE DID ANYTHING WHICH WAS LIKELY TO BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH," HE SAID.
ARTICLE 8 OF THE BASIC LAW SAYS THAT ANY LAW PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE SHALL BE MAINTAINED UNLESS IT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW.
"THE ULTIMATE ARBITER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDITY OF LAWS IN FORCE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997 WILL BE THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS UNDER THE TERMS OF ARTICLE 157 TO 159 OF THE BASIC LAW."
HE POINTED OUT THAT A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO CONFORM TO THE BASIC LAW IF IT WAS TO HAVE ANY LONG TERM PROSPECTS TO DO THIS, IT WOULD HAVE TO SURVIVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RITES OF PASSAGE UNDER ARTICLE 8 OF THE BASIC LAW FROM MIDNIGHT ON OR AFTER JUNE 30, 1997 AND SHOULD NOT INVITE IMMEDIATE REFERRAL TO THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS FOR INTERPRETATION AND POSSIBLE REVISION, EXCISE FROM THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
REPATRIATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INCREASES SLIGHTLY
********
THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS REPATRIATED DAILY TO CHINA HAS INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL POLICE COMMANDER, BORDER OPERATIONS, MR STEPHEN BROWN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT MAN KAM TO BORDER POST, MR BROWN POINTED OUT THAT THE STATISTICS DEPENDED MUCH ON THE WEATHER AND THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE CAUGHT.
/"THERE IS .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
- 3 -
"THERE IS A SEASONAL INCREASE AND DECREASE WITH THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PROBLEM. IT DECLINES IN WINTER AND RISES AGAIN IN THE WARMER WEATHER AND IT IS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE NUMBER OF FARMERS COMING SOUTH AFTER THE HARVEST AND PEOPLE NOT COMING SOUTH BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACTUALLY GOT HARVESTS TO GET IN," HE SAID.
MR BROWN NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT IN THE PAST THREE DAYS AVERAGED OUT BE BETWEEN 60 AND 70. IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR ABOUT 4,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE CAUGHT AND REPATRIATED TO CHINA.
COMPARED WITH FIGURES IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, MR BROWN SAID THIS WAS ONLY A SLIGHT INCREASE.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THE REPATRIATION POLICY AND ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT WERE SENT BACE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.
-----0------
POLICE CHILDREN RECEIVE $4.35 MILLION
*****
BURSARIES TOTALLING $4.35 MILLION WILL BE AWARDED THIS YEAR TO 1,677 CHILDREN OF POLICE OFFICERS, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR’S AMOUNT.
SPEAKING AT THE 23RD ANNUAL BURSARY CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION OF THE POLICE CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST AND THE POLICE EDUCATION AND WELFARE TRUST AT THE POLICE SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB TODAY (SATURDAY), THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, NOTED THAT MANY POLICE CHILDREN HAD BEEN BENEFITED FROM THE FUND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS.
THIS YEAR THE AWARDS INCLUDED 253 BURSARIES GIVEN TO STUDENTS AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND 171 TO THOSE STUDYING IN OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
CONGRATULATING THE RECIPIENTS, MR LI REMINDED THEM TO EXPLOIT THEIR POTENTIAL TO THE FULL AND MAKE FULL USE OT THE OPPORTUNITIES GIVEN.
NOTING THAT A CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED LAST APRIL TO RAISE ADDITIONAL FUNDS, MR LI THANKED THOSE OFFICERS AND PAST BENEFICIARIES WHO SUPPORTED THE APPEAL AND WERE CONTRIBUTING DONATIONS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR MAKING GENEROUS DONATIONS TO THE TRUSTS.
/THE CHAIRMAN .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HUI CHUN-KEUNG, EXPLAINED THAT THE APPEAL FOR MORE FUNDS WAS THE RESULT OF AN ESCALATING RISE IN TUITION FEES AS WELL AS THE INCREASED COST FOR TEXT BOOKS. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DONATIONS WHICH POURED IN HAD FULLY REFLECTED THE SENSE OF MUTUAL-HELP AND CAMARADERIE WITHIN THE FORCE, AND THE CONTINUED APPRECIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BY THE COMMUNITY.
THE ASSETS OF THE POLICE CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1967, HAVE RISEN IN VALUE FROM THE INITIAL SUM OF $2.7 MILLION TO THE CURRENT AMOUNT OF $31.5 MILLION, WHILE THE POLICE EDUCATION AND WELFARE TRUST HAVE INCREASED TO $12.5 MILLION FROM $1 MILLION.
------0--------
POLICE CLARIFICATION ON FIGURES * * * ♦ ♦
A NUMBER OF REPORTS HAVE APPEARED IN THE LOCAL PRESS CONCERNING STATEMENTS MADE BY MR II KWAN-HA, COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, ON THE SUBJECT OF POLICF RECRUITMENT, TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON MARCH 29, 1990 DURING THE EXAMINATION OF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1990-91. IN PARTICULAR, REFERENCE HAS BEEN MADE TO THE NUMBER OF RECRUITS WHO LEFT THE FORCE PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF TRAINING.
THE FIGURES GIVEN BY MR LI FOR PREMATURE WASTAGE REFER TO THOSE OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE FORCE WHO LEFT OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL BEFORE REACHING RETIREMENT AGE, NOT JUST OFFICERS WHO WERE RECRUITED IN THE YEARS 1988 AND 1989 RESPECTIVELY. WHEN EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THOSE RECRUITS TAKEN ON STRENGTH THEN THE EQUIVALENT OF 49.1 PER CENT FOR INSPECTOR AND 91.1 PER CENT FOR RECRUIT CONSTABLES LEFT THE FORCE PREMATURELY.
---------0 - -
MORE TENDERING EXERCISES FOR CHEUNG SHA WAN FACTORY TENANTS
*******
THE EXERCISES SCHEDULED
HOUSING
AUTHORITY WILL
CONTINUE TO ARRANGE TFNDFRTNG
FOR CHEUNG SHA WAN FACTORY BLOCK I TENANTS AFTER MAY 31 ^E DATE FOR THEM TO MOVE OUT OF THE BLOCK.
A HOUSING OPERATORS WHO BUSINESS.
SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THIS WAS TO ENABLE WISHED TO RENT ALTERNATIVE UNITS TO CONTINUE
THOSE
THEIR
/HE POINTED .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
- 5 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE ALTERNATIVE FACTORY PREMISES WERE NOT YET READY FOR OCCUPATION BECAUSE OF FITTING OUT, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WOULD PROVIDE TEMPORARY STORAGE PLACES.
EARLIER, 15 MORE TENANTS OF THE BLOCK SUCCEEDED IN GETTING ALTERNATIVE UNITS IN A RESTRICTED TENDERING EXERCISE, THE SIXTH TO BE HELD FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN MAY LAST YEAR THAT THE BLOCK WOULD BE DEMOLISHED.
THIS HAS BROUGHT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OPERATORS WHO HAVE SUCCEEDED IN GETTING ALTERNATIVE UNITS TO 75.
THE 15 UNITS TAKEN UP BY TENANTS IN THE LATEST TENDERING EXERCISE ARE MOSTLY SITUATED IN THE URBAN AREA.
RANGING FROM 24 TO 160 SQUARE METRES, THE UNITS WERE LET AT MONTHLY RENTS OF BETWEEN $410 AND $11 540, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THEM WERE AWARDED TO BIDS EQUIVALENT TO THE UPSET MONTHLY RENT INCLUDING RATES.
SO FAR, EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES TOTALLING MORE THAN $13 MILLION HAVE BEEN PAID TO 110 TENANTS. THIS ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 38 PER CENT OF THE $34.18 MILLION ALLOCATED TO ASSIST THE BLOCK’S TENANTS.
"SOME OF THEM HAVE ALREADY MOVED OUT AND SURRENDERED THEIR UNITS TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEXT TENDERING EXERCISE WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 12.
-------------------0------- SITE AGENT FINED FOR NOT WEARING HELMET * * * * *
SITE MANAGEMENTS SHOULD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEIR WORKERS TO FOLLOW IN COMPLYING WITH SAFETY REGULATIONS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, REITERATED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, CONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT ALL PERSONS ON SITE WEAR SUITABLE SAFETY HELMETS.
SITE SUPERVISORS ARI PARTICULARLY REQUIRED TO DO SO BECAUSE OF THEIR LEADING ROLE AND THE INFLUENCE THEY HAVE ON WORKERS, HE STRESSED.
IN A RECENT CASE, A SITE AGENT OF A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, WHO WAS FOUND FAILING TO WEAR A SAFETY HELMET DURING A VISIT BY FACTORY INSPECTORS, WAS CONVICTED AND FINED $1,000 BY A SHA TIN MAGISTRATE.
/"THE DEPARTMENT .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
- 6 -
"THE DEPARTMENT TAKES A VERY SERIOUS VIEW ON THE OFFENCE AS THIS HAS A VERY BAD EFFECT ON WORKERS.
’’ANY PERSON WHO BREACHES THE PROVISION IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000,” MR CHAN SAID.
---------0-----------
CONCESSION TICKETS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS
******
EFFECTIVE AS FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY), SENIOR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS MAY HAVE THEIR EARLY BOOKINGS ON HALF-PRICE CONCESSION TICKETS ON URBAN COUNCIL’S ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL POINTED OUT THAT NEW MEASURES WOULD ENABLE SENIOR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS TO BOOK THEIR TICKETS ABOUT ONE MONTH BEFORE THE PRESENTATIONS BEGIN INSTEAD OF SEVEN DAYS.
"IT IS THE SAME AS THE COUNTER BOOKING TIME FOR NORMAL PATRONS.
"IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, TICKETS ARE ON SALE ABOUT ONE MONTH BEFORE PRESENTATIONS BEGIN. UNDER THE PREVIOUS CONCESSION ARRANGEMENT, SENIOR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS COULD ONLY PURCHASE THEIR TICKETS SEVEN DAYS IN ADVANCE.
"BENEFICIARIES OF THE SCHEME WILL INCLUDE SENIOR CITIZENS, AGED MORE THAN 60, AND FULL-TIME STUDENTS.
"AS FOR TICKET PRICES, SENIOR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS MAY BUY TICKETS AT HALF OF THE LOWEST PRICE WITH A MINIMUM PAYMENT OF $15 OR PAY THE LOWEST PRICE IN FULL FOR HIGHER-PRICED SEATS.
"THEY ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO BUY TICKETS FOR OMNIMAX AND SKY SHOWS AT THE HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM AT $10 EACH.
"THE CONCESSION TICKETS WILL ALSO BE SOLD UNDER A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVE BASIS SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF TICKETS AT ALL URBAN COUNCIL’S URBTIX OUTLETS.
THESE OUTLETS ARE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, CITY HALL, HONG KONG COLISEUM, QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, NAGAU CHI WAN CIVIC CENTRE, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, SHATIN TOWN HALL, TUEN MUN TOWN HALL, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND TOM LEE MUSIC CO LTD (CAMERON LANE, MAN YEE BUILDING, TAIKOO SHING CITYPLAZA AND HENNESSY ROAD).
- - 0-----------
/7.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
7
CASH AWARD FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION ON CRANE SHOOTING ******
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REITERATED ITS APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE CRUEL SHOOTING OF A PAIR OF CRANES AND A RUDDY SHELDUCK KEPT IN VICTORIA PARK EARLIER THIS MONTH.
THE SECOND APPEAL FOLLOWS THE RECEIPT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AN OFFER OF $5 000 IN CASH AWARD FROM A PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZEN FOR ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CALLOUS INCIDENT WHICH WILL LEAD TO THE ARREST OF THE CULPRIT.
"IT IS ALARMING TO ALLOW FOR SUCH WANTON AND CRUEL DESTRUCTION OF RARE AND BEAUTIFUL BIRDS. IT IS A DISGRACE TO OUR COMMUNITY," THE DONAR SAID IN HIS LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT.
"IT IS THEREFORE THE DUTY OF EVERYONE OF US TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT ANY ACT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST BIRDS AND ANIMALS, PARTICULARLY THOSE ENDANGERED SPECIES KEPT IN PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS."
WELCOMING THE MOVE, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S STAFF OFFICER (SPECIAL GARDENING) MR CHEUNG YIN-FAI, SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN MUCH PUBLIC CONCERN OVER THIS SAD INCIDENT BUT SO FAR, NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHOOTING WAS FORTHCOMING.
"ALTHOUGH THE CASE HAS BEEN REFERRED TO THE POLICE, ANY PUBLIC INFORMATION WOULD HELP US AND THE POLICE IN THE INVESTIGATION AND BRING THE CULPRIT TO JUSTICE.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE USEFUL INFORMATION TO OFFER MAY EITHER CONTACT THE VICTORIA PARK OFFICE (TELEPHONE NO. 8904204) OR THE CAUSEWAY BAY POLICE STATION. ALTERNATIVELY, THEY ARE ALSO WELCOME TO RING THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT 7236034," HE SAID.
THE SHOOTING OCCURRED ON MARCH 6 AT VICTORIA PARK WHERE A FEMALE WHITE-NAPED CRANE WAS SHOT DEAD, AND A MALE CRANE AND A RUDDY SHELDUCK WERE INJURED AND BLINDED IN ONE EYE.
WHILE NOTING THAT THE INJURED MALE CRANE AND THE RUDDY SHELDUCK WERE MAKING STEADY RECOVERY, MR CHEUNG REPEATED THE DEPARTMENT’S WARNING THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE PLEASURE GROUNDS (URBAN COUNCIL) BY-LAWS FOR ANYONE TO SHOOT ANIMAL AND BIRD EXHIBITS WITH AN AIR GUN IN ANY PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.
"SUCH MISBEHAVIOUR IS ALSO A VIOLATION AGAINST THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ORDINANCE. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY, IF CONVICTED, IS A FINE OF $5 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS," HE ADDED.
/8 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
8
KOWLOON TSAI SPORTS GROUND RE-OPENS AFTER MODERNISATION ******
SCHOOLS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ANOTHER TOP-CLASS VENUE FOR ATHLETIC TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS WHEN THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REDEVELOPED KOWLOON TSAI SPORTS GROUND RE-OPENS TOMORROW (APRIL 1).
"THE 26-YEAR-OLD KOWLOON TSAI SPORTS GROUND HAS JUST UNDERGONE A FULL SCALE MODERNISATION PROJECT TO MEET THE URBAN COMMUNITY’S ASPIRATIONS FOR BETTER-QUALITY SPORTING FACILITIES," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, DR SAMUEL WONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY)/
"THE $15-MILLION UPGRADING WORK INCLUDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SEVEN-LANE CONVENTIONAL ATHLETIC TRACK BY A WORLD STANDARD EIGHT-LANE TRACK MADE OF LONG-LASTING SYNTHETIC ALL-WEATHER MATERIAL," DR WONG SAID.
"THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ALSO PROVIDED A COVERED CONCRETE SPECTATOR STAND WITH 1 250 FIBREGLASS SEATS," HE SAID.
OCCUPYING AN AREA OF 1.2 HECTARES, THE REDEVELOPED SPORTS GROUND IS ALSO- PROVIDED WITH A FULL-SIZE TURFED PITCH FOR SOCCER, RUGBY AND HOCKEY GAMES AS WELL AS A HOST OF FACILITIES FOR FIELD EVENTS SUCH AS HIGH JUMP, LONG JUMP, POLE VAULT, JAVELIN, DISCUS AND SHOT PUT.
OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES IN THE SPORTS GROUND INCLUDE CHANGING ROOMS, TOILETS, LOCKERS, A FIRST AID ROOM AND AN OFFICE.
"LOCATED CENTRALLY IN KOWLOON, THE SPORTS GROUND WITH ITS MODERN FACILITIES WILL NO DOUBT PROVE TO BE A POPULAR VENUE FOR FIELD AND TRACK EVENTS IN THE URBAN AREAS," DR WONG SAID.
--------0-----------
DB TO DISCUSS CHANGES ♦
IN CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES * * * *
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED RE-DEMARCATION OF THE DISTRICT’S CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1991 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (APRIL 2).
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A REPORT ON THE REVIEW OF THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY FARE STRUCTURE SUBMITTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT THE FARE STRUCTURE BE CHANGED TO ENABLE THE FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE NORTH SHORE AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT BUS ROUTES TO BE REDUCED.
/MEMBERS WILL .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
- 9 -
MEMBERS WILL STUDY A REPORT OF THE ’’DISTRICT BOARD MEETS AREA COMMITTEES” SEMINAR HELD EARLIER TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1990-91, AND THE APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE BOARD’S FOUR COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (APRIL 2) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
--------0-----------
STOPPING ON YELLOW STRIPED MARKINGS PROHIBITED FROM APRIL 1
MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO STOP ON YELLOW STRIPED LIGHT SIGNAL PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS FROM TOMORROW (APRIL 1).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS WAS ENACTED RECENTLY TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE OF PEDESTRIANS WHILE CROSSING THE ROAD COULD BE PROTECTED.
HE SAID OFFENDERS OF THIS REGULATION WOULD BE INITIALLY PROSECUTED BY SUMMONS, PENDING THE PRODUCTION OF NEW FIXED PENALTY TICKETS OF $200 LATER THIS YEAR. THEREAFTER THE OFFENCE WOULD CARRY A FIXED PENALTY OF $200.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT A NUMBER OF NEW TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO GUIDE ROAD USERS FROM APRIL 1 UNDER THE REGULATIONS.
SOME OF THESE INCLUDED A NUMBER OF NEW SIGNS ON CYCLING RESTRICTIONS, WARNING SIGN TO MOTORISTS FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AHEAD AND A NEW SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL SIGN.
AN AMENDMENT CLARIFIES THE REQUIREMENT TO ERECT AND MAINTAIN TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS AT ROAD WORKS AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY. PREVIOUSLY, THIS REQUIREMENT APPLIES ONLY DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS.
/ANOTHER AMENDMENT .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
10
ANOTHER AMENDMENT AUTHORISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO ISSUE PERMITS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS EXCEEDING 16 METRES IN COMBINED LENGTH TO BE DRIVEN ON THE ROAD.
TO ENSURE THAT NO LOAD IS CARRIED ON THE TAILGATE OF GOODS VEHICLES, ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS STIPULATES THE PROPER WAY OF FASTENING OVERHANGING LOADS ON GOODS VEHICLES. THE PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THAT LOADS ARE NOT CARRIED IN A PRECARIOUS MANNER.
---------0-----------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN YAU TONG ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE GAS PIPELAYING WORKS, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN YAU TONG FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 2) FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT THREE MONTHS:
- THE SECTION OF YAU TONG ROAD BETWEEN YAN WING STREET AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
VEHICLES ON YAU TONG ROAD HEADING FOR LEI YUE MUN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHA KWO LING ROAD, KO CHIU ROAD AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD.
- KMB BUS ROUTE NO. 14B FROM YAU TONG TO NGAU TAU KOK WILL BE DIVERTED VIA YAN WING STREET SOUTHBOUND, KO CHIU ROAD AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD INSTEAD OF YAN WING STREET NORTHBOUND, YAU TONG ROAD AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD.
KMB BUS ROUTE NO. 14C FROM SAM KA TSUEN FERRY TO KWUN TONG (YUE MAN SQUARE) AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 24M SERVING LAM TIN/LAM TIN MTR STATION WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KO CHIU ROAD AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD IN LIEU OF YAN WING STREET, YAU TONG ROAD AND LEI YUE MUN ROAD.
------0--------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON NT CIRCULAR ROAD ♦ * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD WIDENING WORKS ON THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, THE OUTER LANE OF THE CIRCULAR ROAD, YUEN LONG BOUND, BETWEEN TSUNG PAK LONG AND KWU TUNG WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 2) FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.
--------0-----------
/Il ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
- 11 -URBAN CLEARWAY ON PEKING ROAD *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 2), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PEKING ROAD BETWEEN CANTON ROAD AND KOWLOON PARK DRIVE WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-----0------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WESTERN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 2), THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WHITTY STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 65 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR FIVE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RE-CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
--------0-----------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM DAILY FROM MONDAY (APRIL 2) TO WEDNESDAY (APRIL 4) TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FLYOVER THERE.
MOTORISTS ON FERRY STREET SOUTHBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA JORDAN ROAD EASTBOUND INTO GASCOIGNE ROAD EASTBOUND.
MOTORISTS ON GASCOIGNb I. >AD WESTBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA JORDAN ROAD WESTBOUND OR KANSU STREET WESTBOUND INTO FERRY STREET NORTHBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
- - 0---------
/12 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1990
12
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF AIRPORT EAST FLYOVER
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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION OF THE ROLLER GRILL OF A DROP ARM BARRIER, THE AIRPORT EAST FLYOVER LINKING PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST (EASTBOUND) WITH THE EASTERN END OF THE DEPARTURES CIRCUIT IN THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM MIDNIGHT TO 5.30 AM DAILY ON APRIL 2, 3 AND 4.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT SHA TIN WAI ROAD
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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD TS IN SHA TIN, FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM FOR THREE DAYS STARTING MONDAY (APRIL 2), THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD BETWEEN NGAN SHING STREET AND SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
DURING THE HOUR OF CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD HEADING FOR KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA NGAN SHING STREET, SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND SHA TIN ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, MOTORISTS ON SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF NGAN SHING STREET HEADING FOR SHA KOK ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHA TIN WAI ROAD EASTBOUND, SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD, SHA TIN WAI ROAD EASTBOUND AND SHA KOK STREET.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR
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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE FIRST STAGE OF A ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT ON ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, WHICH WILL START ON MONDAY (APRIL 2), TWO INNER LANES OF ABOUT 400 METRES ON BOTH EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAYS FRONTING PROVIDENT CENTRE WILL BE CLOSED.
THE WORK ON EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL START AT 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 2) AND THAT ON. WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY WILL START AT 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 4)~ EACH OF THE RESURFACING WORK WILL LAST FOR 10 DAYS.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH PATIENCE AND CARE.
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