DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEADERS URGED TO SPEAK UP ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .................. 1
GUIDELINE FOR COMMUNICATION BY AN AUDITOR WITH BANKING COMMISSIONER .... 2
RESIDENTS URGED TO VOTE IN ELECTIONS ................................... 3
SURVEY ON TAXI TIPPING PATTERNS ........................................ 4
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS TO GREET THE YEAR OF THE GOAT ...................... 4
SEMINAR ON SAFETY LAW FOR WORKERS ...................................... 5
OVER 100 MEDALS FOR SHELTERED WORKERS .................................. 5
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1991
1
LEADERS URGED TO SPEAK UP ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
*****
RELIGIOUS LEADERS HAVE BEEN URGED TO SPEAK UP ON THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
DR STUART REED, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION POINTED OUT TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE RESPECT FOR NATURE WAS A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF MANY CHURCHES AND PHILOSOPHICALLY-BASED ORGANISATIONS, BUT LITTLE HAD BEEN HEARD FROM CHURCH LEADERS EXPRESSING THEIR CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
"IT IS NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING THAT WE HAVE HEARD SO LITTLE FROM THE LEADERS OF THE VARIOUS CHURCHES ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, TO WHICH MOST OF THE ANCIENT SCRIPTURES MAKE FREQUENT REFERENCE, ’» HE SAID.
"THE CHURCHES, WHETHER THEY ARE CATHOLIC OR PROTESTANT, BUDDHIST, SIKH OR ISLAM, MUST STAND-UP AND BE COUNTED IN THE FIGHT TO SAFEGUARD OUR ENVIRONMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS," HE SAID.
DR REED TOLD THE 750 SCOUTS ATTENDING THE EAST KOWLOON REGION SCOUT CAMP AT WU KAI SHA, THAT HIS WISH FOR THE NEW YEAR WAS THAT ALL THOSE WHO WERE JOINED TOGETHER IN LONG-ESTABLISHED AND RESPECTABLE ASSOCIATIONS WHICH HAD A STRONG COMMON BOND IN A FUNDAMENTAL RESPECT FOR NATURE SHOULD COME TOGETHER AND SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MOVEMENT.
HE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE SCOUT MOVEMENT WAS TAKING SERIOUSLY AND IN AN ACTIVE WAY THE THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WAS POSED BY THE MODERN WORLD.
"THERE IS NO REASON WHY MODERN DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERESTS CANNOT, UP TO A POINT, GO HAND IN HAND,” DR REED SAID, "BUT MUCH HAS TO CHANGE IN OUR ATTITUDE IF THIS REASONABLE EXPECTATION IS TO BE TURNED INTO PRACTICE."
"THIS NEED FOR A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT CHURCH LEADERS SPEAK UP FOR THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG AND FOR THAT MATTER THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE WORLD AT LARGE," HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1991
2
GUIDELINE FOR COMMUNICATION BY AN AUDITOR WITH BANKING COMMISSIONER
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT DESCRIBING WHEN THE AUDITOR OF A BANK OR DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SHOULD SEE THAT MATTERS OF CONCERN ARE BROUGHT TO THE COMMISSIONER’S ATTENTION, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE STATEMENT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BANKING INDUSTRY AND THE AUDITING PROFESSION. IT FOLLOWS AN AMENDMENT IN JUNE 1990 TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
"THIS MADE IT CLEAR THAT AN AUDITOR IS NOT PREVENTED BY ANY DUTY TO HIS CLIENT FROM COMMUNICATING WITH THE COMMISSIONER ANY INFORMATION OR OPINION OF WHICH HE BECAME AWARE IN HIS CAPACITY AS AUDITOR OF THE BANK OR THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE PROVISION IN THE ORDINANCE IS WORDED VERY GENERALLY. THE STATEMENT THEREFORE PROVIDES A MORE DETAILED INDICATION OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH AN AUDITOR IS EXPECTED TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN SEEING THAT MATTERS ARE BROUGHT TO THE COMMISSIONER’S ATTENTION,” HE SAID.
"USUALLY THIS WILL BE VIA THE AUTHORISED INSTITUTION; ONLY EXCEPTIONALLY WOULD AN AUDITOR BE EXPECTED TO REPORT WITHOUT HIS CLIENT’S KNOWLEDGE.
"THE PROCEDURES SET OUT IN THIS STATEMENT PROVIDE AN 'EARLY WARNING’ SYSTEM TO HELP THE COMMISSIONER TAKE APPROPRIATE SUPERVISORY ACTION TO PROTECT DEPOSITORS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS WILL SHORTLY BE PUBLISHING, AS AN EXPOSURE DRAFT, A GUIDELINE FOR THEIR MEMBERS CONCERNED WITH BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY AUDITS. THIS WILL COVER IN PART SIMILAR GROUND TO THE COMMISSIONER’S STATEMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS NEWSROOM.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1991
- 3 -
RESIDENTS URGED TO VOTE IN ELECTIONS *****
THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT TO VOTE IN THE VARIOUS ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YAU TSIM CULTURE AND ARTS FESTIVAL AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, MR FUNG SAID THE SMOOTH DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT DEPENDED VERY MUCH ON THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY.
HE CALLED ON ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE DISTRICT CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION WHICH ORGANISED THE FESTIVAL, TO ENCOURAGE MORE RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN ELECTION ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE FESTIVAL EVENTS.
"BY DOING SO, THEY WILL HELP BUILD A MORE PERFECT SOCIETY AND MAKING THE FESTIVAL MORE MEANINGFUL," MR FUNG SAID.
EARLIER, MR FUNG PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION IN ENHANCING A SENSE OF BELONGING AS WELL AS PROMOTING INTERESTS IN ARTS AMONG THE RESIDENTS.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY AN ARTISTIC SHOW WHICH FEATURED A CHILDREN’S PLAY, THE "ROSE GARDEN" WHICH DESCRIBED THE OUTER SPACE JOURNEY OF A GROUP OF CHILDREN LOOKING FOR A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE.
THE THREE-MONTH FESTIVAL WAS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
MORE THAN 20 EVENTS WILL BE HELD DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD. THESE WILL INCLUDE A CLASSICAL SONGS’ NIGHT, A LUNAR NEW YEAR CARNIVAL, A SHOW OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE DRAMA FORMS, EXHIBITIONS ON VARIOUS STYLES OF CHINESE PAINTINGS, A PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST AND A SINGING COMPETITION.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY INCLUDED THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG AND AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1991
4
SURVEY ON TAXI TIPPING PATTERNS ♦ » ♦ * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A SURVEY ON THE TIPPING PATTERN OF TAXI PASSENGERS BETWEEN TOMORROW (JANUARY 2) AND THURSDAY (JANUARY 10) AT VARIOUS POPULAR ALIGHTING SPOTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
DURING THE SURVEY, TRANSPORT INSPECTORS WILL INTERVIEW THE TAXI PASSENGERS ON THE INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THE TIPPING PATTERN OF THE RECENT TAXI TRIP SUCH AS THE EXACT FARE SHOWN IN THE METER, TIPS, LUGGUAGE FEES, RADIO-CALL SURCHARGE AND OTHER EXTRAS PAID TO DRIVER AND THE ORIGIN OF THE TRIP.
ALL DATA COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE USED FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT URGED TAXI PASSENGERS TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE TRANSPORT INSPECTORS WHO WILL CARRY WITH THEM GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS.
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS TO GREET THE YEAR OF THE GOAT *****
823;
AT A
THREE SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS WITHOUT PREFIX 2323 AND 6633; ARE AMONG 20 SPECIAL MARKS TO BE PUT UP FOR SALE LUNAR NEW YEAR "LUCKY" VEHICLE NUMBER AUCTION ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 5.
THE 20 MARKS ARE SELECTED SPECIALLY FOR THE AUCTION OF REGISTRATION MARKS HELD ANNUALLY BEFORE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
THE NUMBERS AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING ARE AS FOLLOWS:
HK9 823 2323 XX8 EEI
DC22 BM63 . AD8833 CJ38 BC333
DH9898 CD99 BB828 6633 CW8888
DL18 CP3 CC100 AA28 AE8 8
ALL THE NUMBERS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE.
WITH AN EXPECTED LARGE TURNOUT, INSTEAD OF HOLDING THE AUCTION AT CITY HALL’S RECITAL HALL, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD THE COMING AUCTION AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 10 AM.
CAR OWNERS WHO WOULD WANT TO GRACE SPECIAL NUMBER TO GREET THE YEAR OF THE GOAT AUCTION.
THEIR VEHICLES WITH A ARE URGED TO ATTEND THE
ALL PROCEEDS FROM LUCKY CAR NUMBER AUCTIONS WILL GO TO THE LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
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TUESDAY, JANUAR
SEMINAR ON
5
SAFETY * * »
LAW FOR WORKERS « *
SOME 300 WORKERS IN LOCAL INDUSTRIES WILL GET TOGETHER TO DISCUSS THE GENERAL DUTIES OF BOTH PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES IN ENSURING SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK AT A SEMINAR TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS (FTU).
"IT IS PART OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES AIMED AT ENHANCING PROPRIETORS’ AND WORKERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON DECEMBER 15 LAST YEAR,” SAID SUPERINTENDENT OF FACTORY INSPECTORS (TRAINING), MR CHAN HON-TING.
’’PARTICIPANTS OF THE SEMINAR WILL EXAMINE A CASE OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT WHICH SERVES TO ILLUSTRATE THE DUTIES OF BOTH PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES AND THE SAFETY MEASURES WHICH OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN,” MR CHAN SAID.
"AN 18-MINUTE FILM PRODUCED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO PUBLICISE THE NEW GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS WILL BE PREMIERED AT THE SEMINAR,” HE ADDED.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FTU’S OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG FU-WAH AND CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR ON GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS AT 7 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS, 50 MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, 9TH FLOOR, TO KWA WAN.
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OVER 100 MEDALS FOR SHELTERED WORKERS
♦ » » » *
TO SHELTERED WORKERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, 1990 WAS A YEAR OF JOY AND THEY HAVE EVERY REASON TO CELEBRATE.
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, THEY PARTICIPATED IN A SERIES OF SPORT COMPETITIONS AND BROUGHT HOME OVER 100 MEDALS, INCLUDING 44 GOLD, 36 SILVER AND 28 BRONZE MEDALS.
THEY ALSO WON THE TITLE OF CHAMPION AND FIRST CLASS HONOUR IN A NUMBER OF COMPETITIONS FOR HANDICAPPED PEOPLE.
/MANY MEMBERS .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1991
6
MANY MEMBERS OF SWD’S SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES ARE TALENTED IN SPORTS. IN THE PAST YEAR, THE MAJORITY OF MEDALS THEY WON CAME FROM THE HONG KONG SPECIAL OLYMPICS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE EVENTS INCLUDED FOOTBALL TECHNIQUE GROUP COMPETITION* MARATHON WALK, BASKETBALL, SWIMMING, TABLE TENNIS AND ATHLETIC MEETS.
OF THE PARTICIPANTS, TWO SHELTERED WORKERS WERE SELECTED THE BEST HONG KONG ATHLETES. THEY WERE OFFERED FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES BY THE HONG KONG SPORT ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITH A VIEW TO PREPARING THEM FOR INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS AND SPORT GAMES.
ANOTHER WORKER, WHO IS MENTALLY RETARDED, WAS RECRUITED INTO THE HONG KONG TEAM OF THE BEST OF THE VERY BEST ATHLETES.
AS A MEMBER OF THE TEAM, HE IS RECEIVING TRAINING IN THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE EVERY SATURDAY UNTIL NEXT SUMMER. HE WILL THEN UNDERGO A SELECTION TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE 400 METRE RACE IN THE EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SPECIAL OLYMPIC TO BE HELD IN THE UNITED STATES.
AN SWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY): "OUR SHELTERED AND DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE WORKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS COMPETITIONS TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS, ENHANCE THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND TO HELP THEM RE-INTEGRATE INTO THE SOCIETY."
THE SWD OPERATES A TOTAL OF 10 DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND 11 SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.
THEY PROVIDE DAY CARE FOR MODERATELY AND SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS AND JOBS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE WHO CANNOT ENTER INTO OPEN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT RESPECTIVELY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1991 r
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FRINGE FOREX DEALINGS SHOULD BE REGULATED ....................................... 1
VBP FIGURES FOR 1990 ............................................................ 2
SPECIAL STAMPS ON LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE RAM ..................................... 4
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ................................................ 5
HIGHWAYS COMPLAINT OFFICER MOVES TO NEW OFFICE .................................. 5
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 STARTED ...................... 6
CAUSEWAY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE OPEN DAY .......................................... 6
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST ............................ 7
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1991
1
FRINGE FOREX DEALINGS SHOULD BE REGULATED *****
AN INTERNAL WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH HAS REACHED AN INITIAL DECISION THAT DISCRETIONARY DEALINGS IN LEVERAGED FOREX CONTRACTS SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO SPECIFIED INSTITUTIONS SUPERVISED BY THE EXISTING AUTHORITIES.
"THE WORKING GROUP, COMMISSIONED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS TO CONSIDER WAYS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE ACTIVITIES OF FRINGE FOREX COMPANIES, HAS DECIDED THAT THIS POLICY OPTION SHOULD BE PURSUED," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS IS ONE OF THE THREE POSSIBLE POLICY OPTIONS WHICH THE WORKING GROUP HAS CONSIDERED AFTER THE EXAMINATION INTO THE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS MADE ON THE SUBJECT DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE CONDUCTED IN JUNE AND JULY LAST YEAR.
"THIS OPTION HAS THE VIRTUE OF ENABLING A MINIMUM LEVEL OF REGULATION TO BE IMPOSED AND AVOIDING THE FINANCIAL ANJJ MANPOWER BURDEN OF INTRODUCING A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK," HE POINTED OUT.
THE WORKING GROUP IS AWARE THAT SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES DEALERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OR THE FUTURES EXCHANGE ARE PREVENTED BY THE RESPECTIVE REGULATIONS OF THE EXCHANGES FROM CARRYING ON BUSINESS IN FOREX.
"IT IS ALSO AWARE THAT ONLY A FEW AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE AT PRESENT OFFER DISCRETIONARY DEALINGS IN LEVERAGED FOREX CONTRACTS," HE SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS THEREFORE DECIDED TO PROPOSE A NEW CATEGORY OF DISCRETIONARY LEVERAGED FOREX CONTRACT DEALER. ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO CARRY ON DISCRETIONARY DEALINGS IN LEVERAGED FOREX CONTRACTS WOULD HAVE TO REGISTER IN THIS CATEGORY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE WORKING GROUP IS NOW CONSIDERING WHAT PRUDENTIAL REGISTRATION AND SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.
"THIS WILL PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO BE DRAFTED," HE ADDED.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS DECIDED THAT THE OPTIONS OF ALLOWING THE INDUSTRY TO REGULATE ITSELF AND THAT FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK SHOULD NOT BE PURSUED FURTHER.
"IN VIEW OF THE NATURE AND THE RECORD OF COMPLAINTS, THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERS THE OPTION TO ALLOW THE INDUSTRY TO REGULATE ITSELF IS UNACCEPTABLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THE WORKING .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1991
2
"THE WORKING GROUP IS AWARE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TWO ASSOCIATIONS OF FRINGE FOREX COMPANIES FORMED TO PURSUE SELF-REGULATION BUT HAS DOUBTS WHETHER THESE ASSOCIATIONS WOULD BE ABLE TO STRIKE A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN THEIR MEMBERS’ INTERESTS AND THOSE OF INVESTORS,” THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE SAID IN THE LONGER TERM THE INDUSTRY MIGHT DEVELOP TO THE POINT WHERE IT COULD REGULATE ITSELF, BUT THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERS THAT A CERTAIN DEGREE OF REGULATION WOULD HAVE TO BE INTRODUCED FIRST.
THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERS THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, IF PURSUED, WOULD BE VERY BURDENSOME TO TAXPAYERS.
"AS THE PROBLEMS ARE ON THE MARKET’S FRINGE, THIS POLICY OPTION IS CONSIDERED TO BE LIKE USING A SLEDGE-HAMMER TO CRACK A'NUT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"GIVEN THAT BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, WHICH ARE SUPERVISED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, AND OTHER WELL-ESTABLISHED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGH REPUTE OFFER SIMILAR SERVICES TO THE FRINGE COMPANIES, THE WORKING GROUP DOES NOT CONSIDER THE MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK JUSTIFIED," HE ADDED.
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VBP FIGURES FOR 1990
*****
A TOTAL OF 6,599 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG IN 1990.
THE REFUGEE COORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHILE THE FIGURE WAS LOWER THAN THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS IN 1988 AND 1989, THIS HAD DONE LITTLE TO ALLEVIATE THE REAL PROBLEM THAT HONG KONG IS FACING.
"IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT ARRIVALS IN 1988 AND 1989, AT 18,000 AND 34,000, WERE UNUSUALLY HIGH,” HE EXPLAINED.
"THE ARRIVAL RATE IN THE EARLY 1980S HAD BEEN GRADUALLY DROPPING EACH YEAR, TO ABOUT 3,400 IN 1987, BEFORE THIS SUDDEN UPSURGE. THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS IN 1990 WAS, IN FACT, NOT MUCH BELOW THE AVERAGE ANNUAL ARRIVAL FIGURE OF ABOUT 8,000 FOR THE 1980S AS A WHOLE."
AT THE END OF THE YEAR, THERE WERE 8,161 REFUGEES AND 43,875 BOAT PEOPLE (I.E. THOSE ALREADY SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES, OR AWAITING SCREENING) IN CAMPS IN HONG KONG. THIS COMPARED WITH 12,022 REFUGEES AND 43,702 AT THE START OF 1990.
/"THESE FIGURES .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1991
3
"THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT WHILE THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES HAS DROPPED IN THE PAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF BOAT PEOPLE HAS ACTUALLY INCREASED," MR LEEKS POINTED OUT.
"THIS WAS DUE NOT JUST TO THE ARRIVAL OF 6,600 BOAT PEOPLE BUT ALSO TO 2,400 BIRTHS IN THE DETENTION CENTRES, IN A YEAR WHICH SAW JUST UNDER 5,500 BOAT PEOPLE RETURN TO VIETNAM," HE ADDED.
MR LEEKS SAID ANOTHER WORRYING TREND WAS THAT TWO THIRDS OF THE ARRIVALS CROSSED OVERLAND THROUGH CHINA AND THIS MEANT THAT FACTORS SUCH AS SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS HAD NOT HAD THEIR USUAL EFFECT OF REDUCING ARRIVALS ONCE THE SUMMER ENDED.
"THE FIGURE OF 553 ARRIVALS IN DECEMBER WAS MUCH GREATER THAN THE 200 WHO ARRIVED IN DECEMBER 1989, OR EVEN THE 300 IN NOVEMBER 1990. THIS IS THE REVERSE OF THE USUAL REDUCTION WE EXPECT TOWARDS THE END OF EACH YEAR," HE SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE VERY HARD TO PREDICT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN 1991, EVEN BEFORE THE TRADITIONAL ARRIVAL SEASON STARTS AROUND APRIL," HE SAID.
ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THE PAST YEAR HAD BEEN THAT SOME 7,700 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES LEFT HONG KONG FOR RESETTLEMENT.
AFTER REACHING A PEAK OF OVER 37,000 IN 1980, THE RESETTLEMENT RATE FELL BY HALF EACH YEAR, TO ABOUT 2,800 IN 1988.
"IT WAS AT THAT POINT, WITH RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES MAKING CLEAR TO US THAT THEY WERE SUFFERING FROM COMPASSION FATIGUE AND REDUCING THEIR INTAKES OF REFUGEES, AND THAT THEY CONSIDERED MOST NEW ARRIVALS TO BE UNRESETTLABLE ECONOMIC MIGRANTS, AND WITH HONG KONG EXPERIENCING A RAPID INCREASE IN ARRIVALS, THAT WE INTRODUCED SCREENING TO IDENTIFY WHO WERE THE GENUINE REFUGEES.
"IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT SINCE THEN, NOW THAT WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE FOR IDENTIFYING GENUINE REFUGEES, THE RESETTLEMENT RATE HAS RISEN AGAIN TO ITS PRESENT LEVEL.
"THIS PROVES THAT THE SCREENING POLICY WAS EFFECTIVE IN BREAKING UP THE RESETTLEMENT LOG JAM WHICH HAD DEVELOPED BY 1988.
"IT MEANT THAT GENUINE REFUGEES, SOME OF WHOM HAD ALREADY BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR ALMOST A DECADE, NO LONGER FACED THE PROSPECT OF REMAINING HERE INDEFINITELY WITHOUT APPARENT HOPE OF RESETTLEMENT," MR LEEKS SAID.
HE SAID IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S REAL PROBLEM WAS NO LONGER THE DWINDLING NUMBER OF REFUGEES, WHO WOULD FIND HOMES ELSEWHERE SOON.
"IT IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE 44,000 BOAT PEOPLE IN THE VARIOUS CENTRES WHO WILL NOT BE RESETTLED OVERSEAS, AND WHOM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAVE MADE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THEY REGARD AS NONREFUGEES WHO MUST RETURN TO THEIR OWN HOMES IN VIETNAM. OUR AND UNHCR’S MAJOR AIM FOR 1991 MUST BE TO GET THESE PEOPLE HOME", HE CONCLUDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1991
- 4
SPECIAL STAMPS ON LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE RAM
******
A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS ON LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE RAM WILL BE ISSUED ON JANUARY 24, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE STAMPS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN ADVANCE FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE FROM JANUARY 7.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 70-CENT EACH WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM JANUARY 7.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR FIRST DAY TREATMENT OF FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN JANUARY 7 AND 16 AT ALL POST OFFICES. THE MINIMUM QUANTITY PER ORDER IS FIVE COVERS. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE "JUNK" PHILATELIC BUREAU DATESTAMP WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $11 EACH AT THE DESIGNATED COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING 21 POST OFFICES ON JANUARY 24:
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
SAI YING PUN POST OFFICE
TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE
KOWLOON
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE KOWLOON BAY POST OFFICE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE KWUN TONG POST OFFICE MONG KOK POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
NEW TERRITORIES
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TAI PO POST OFFICE SHEK WU HUI POST OFFICE TSUEN WING STREET POST OFFICE TUEN MUN SAN HUI POST OFFICE YUEN LONG POST OFFICE
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1991
5
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF TWO SITES IN HONG KONG AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE HONG KONG ISLAND SITE IS NEAR THE SLIP ROAD BETWEEN THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND A KUNG NGAM ROAD.
MEASURING ABOUT 1,720 SQUARE METRES, IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, THE BREAKING UP OF ABANDONED VEHICLES OR AS FEE PAYING CAR/LORRY PARKING AREA, EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR NINE MONTHS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE OTHER SITE IS IN AREA 6, TSING YI.
IT MEASURES ABOUT 875 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR CARGO HANDLING.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND IS RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE HONG KONG EAST OR KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, KOWLOON, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 18.
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HIGHWAYS COMPLAINT OFFICER MOVES TO NEW OFFICE »*.*♦»*
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT’S COMPLAINT OFFICER, MR FELIX LEUNG KANG-YIU, WILL OPERATE FROM HIS NEW OFFICE IN THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 10TH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE HIGHWAYS COMPLAINT HOTLINE WILL BE CHANGED FROM TEL. 877 1222 TO 311 3422.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO LODGE COMPLAINTS OR MAKE SUGGESTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT ON ROAD WORKS MAY DO SO EITHER BY TELEPHONE OR IN WRITING.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF ALL PUBLIC ROADS AND PATHS IN HONG KONG.
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/6.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1991
6
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 STARTED ♦ ♦♦♦*♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DURING THE QUARTER FROM JANUARY TO MARCH 1991 TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
THE SURVEY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED ON A MONTHLY BASIS SINCE AUGUST 1981. THIS QUARTER’S SURVEY WILL ALSO INCLUDE QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD, ATTENDING CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, UTILISATION OF FACILITIES IN THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, RADIO AUDIENCESHIP AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT.
SOME 4,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH 'FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
A LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO EACH OF THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR VOLUNTARY CO-OPERATION.
CENSUS OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AS PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE ON JANUARY 19, 1990.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, DATA RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, ANY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
- - 0 - -
CAUSEWAY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE OPEN DAY
*****
RESIDENTS MAY GET TO KNOW THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES OFFERED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AT THE NEW CAUSEWAY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE AT ITS OPEN DAY ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5).
LOCATED AT 7 FOOK YUM ROAD, THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IS HOME TO THE PROJECT CARE SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FONG SHU CHUEN DAY NURSERY AND THE CARITAS LOK MIU EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE.
/THE FOUR-STOREY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1991
7
THE FOUR-STOREY BUILDING ALSO HOUSES THE CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-OFFICE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE GROUP WORK UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL.
< THE OPEN DAY WILL START AT 2 PM WITH A JOINT EXHIBITION PRESENTED BY THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 3 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CAUSEWAY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE OPEN DAY ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5) AT 7 FOOK YUM ROAD. THE PROGRAMME WILL START AT 2 PM.
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TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR DISTRICT SINGING CONTEST
A LIMITED NUMBER OF FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THE FINALS OF THE NINTH CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SINGING COMPETITION SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY (JANUARY 6).
THE TICKETS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S THREE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES AT HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING) AND IN KENNEDY TOWN, AS WELL AS FROM WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, 36A WESTERN STREET.
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPETITION’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR OR SHING-MOK, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT RESPONSE TO THE ANNUAL CONTEST WAS ENCOURAGING, WITH MORE THAN 200 ENTRANTS ACCEPTED TO THE CLASSICAL SONG SOLO, POP AND FOLK SONG SOLO AND POP AND FOLK SONG ENSEMBLE GROUPS.
’’FOLLOWING AUDITIONS ON DECEMBER 15 AND 18, A TOTAL OF 18 SOLO OR GROUP CONTESTANTS WERE CHOSEN FOR THE FINALS WHICH WILL BEGIN Al 8 PM ON SUNDAY AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE THEATRE.
"APART FROM THE ANTICIPATED KEEN COMPETITION, POP SONG SINGER CHRIS WONG WILL BE THE GUEST PERFORMER AT THE SHOW," HE SAID.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMPETITION. OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER; MUSIC OFFICE’S MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION, MR WONG CHUNG-YING; AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR PETER LEE.
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
■ ■ r 1 " 11
NOMINATIONS FOR DB ELECTIONS TO START NEXT WEEK .................................. 1
LORD CAITHNESS TO VISIT HONG KONG................................................. 2
PAY COMMISSION MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED .............................................. 2
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR TUEN MUN SECTION .......................................................................... 3
COMPLEX PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES AN IMPORTANT CHALLENGE ............................. 3
CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL IN SHAM SHUI PO ......................................... 5
YOUTH CARNIVAL IN MONG KOK ...................................................... 5 '
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1991
- 1 -NOMINATIONS FOR DB ELECTIONS TO START NEXT WEEK
NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES FOR THE 1991 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN JANUARY 7 AND 21, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ANNOUNCING THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS, HE SAID: ’’SUBJECT TO CERTAIN SPECIFIED DISQUALIFICATIONS, ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR WHO HAS ORDINARILY RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS CAN BE NOMINATED AS A CANDIDATE.
”A CANDIDATE MAY STAND FOR ELECTION IN ANY CONSTITUENCY, BUT MUST BE NOMINATED BY A TOTAL OF 10 ELECTORS WHO ARE REGISTERED FOR THE CONSTITUENCY CONCERNED.
”HE WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE A CONSENT FORM AND HAND IN HIS NOMINATION PAPERS FOR VALIDATION BY THE RETURNING OFFICER WHO IS THE DISTRICT OFFICER OF THE DISTRICT CONCERNED.”
MR TSAO SAID THE LEVEL OF ELECTION DEPOSIT FOR DB ELECTIONS HAD BEEN INCREASED FROM $2,000 TO $3,000.
”A CANDIDATE WILL HOWEVER BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND IF HE SECURES NOT LESS THAN FIVE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALID VOTES CAST IN THE CONSTITUENCY CONCERNED.”
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LIMIT OF ELECTION EXPENSES HAD ALSO BEEN INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT TO $30,000.
ON OVERALL NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS FOR 1991-94, HE SAID THE FIGURE WOULD INCREASE BY 10 FROM 264 TO 274 DUE TO POPULATION CHANGES.
THE EIGHT DISTRICTS WHICH WILL BE GIVEN MORE ELECTED SEATS ARE EASTERN (2), ISLANDS (1), KWAI TSING (2), SAI KUNG (2), SHA TIN (2), TAI PO (2), TSUEN WAN (1), TUEN MUN (1) AND THE TWO URBAN DISTRICTS THAT HAVE LESS SEATS ARE SOUTHERN (-1) AND WONG TAI SIN (-2).
TURNING TO PUBLICITY, MR TSAO SAID A CAMPAIGN WOULD BE MOUNTED TO PROMOTE THE NOMINATIONS OF CANDIDATES AND THE ELECTIONS, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTION OF POSTERS AND API'S (ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST).
’’THE DISTRICT OFFICES WILL ALSO ORGANISE THEIR OWN PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ELECTION FORUMS, BUS PARADES AND EXHIBITIONS ON THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME,” HE ADDED.
THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE IS NOW BUSY RECRUITING POLLING AND COUNTING STAFF AND MAKING THE NECESSARY LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SETTING UP OF POLLING STATIONS.
IT IS PLANNED THAT ABOUT 5,000 PEOPLE WILL BE MOBILISED TO MAN THE 356 POLLING STATIONS ON ELECTION DAY TERRITORY-WIDE.
/"THE WHOLE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1991
- 2 -
"THE WHOLE EXERCISE, INCLUDING THE PUBLICITY AND LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS, WILL COST ABOUT $6.9 MILLION," MR TSAO SAID.
HE DESCRIBED AS "VERY ENCOURAGING" THE RESULTS OF THE REGISTRATION DRIVE LAUNCHED LAST AUGUST AS THE SIZE OF THE ELECTORATE TERRITORY-WIDE HAS INCREASED BY ABOUT 250,000 NEW REGISTERED VOTERS TO ABOUT 1.85 MILLION.
ELECTIONS TO THE 1991-94 TERM OF THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, MARCH 3. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST SUNDAY POLLING FOR HONG KONG.
MR TSAO URGED ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS AND TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON THE POLLING DAY.
"A VOTE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND DIRECT WAY OF EXERCISING OUR CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. REMEMBER, EVERY VOTE COUNTS'" HE STRESSED.
----------------0------- LORD CAITHNESS TO VISIT HONG KONG *****
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, LORD CAITHNESS, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM JANUARY 29 TO FEBRUARY 1, 1991 AS PART OF A VISIT TO THE REGION.
THIS WILL BE THE MINISTER’S SECOND VISIT TO HONG KONG.
-----0------
PAY COMMISSION MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED
*****
THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOUR SERVING MEMBERS WHOSE CURRENT TERMS OF SERVICE EXPIRE THIS MONTH.
THEY ARE MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, MR WILFRED CHAN SIU-YUEN, PROFESSOR ROBERT TRICKER AND MRS NELLIE FONG WONG KUT-MAN, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE STANDING COMMISSION ADVISES THE GOVERNOR ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING NON-DIRECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
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/3 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1991
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR TUEN MUN SECTION ******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $310 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUEN MUN SECTION OF THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF AOKI CORPORATION, MR SEIYA YAMAMOTO.
THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR IS A 5.5 KILOMETRE-LONG DUAL TWO-LANE EXPRESSWAY RUNNING ALONG THE EASTERN SIDE OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
MR KWEI SAID IT WOULD CONNECT THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TUEN MUN NEAR TO YUEN WAI AND THE EXISTING WANG TAT ROAD/MA WANG ROAD IN YUEN LONG NEAR SHUI PIN WAI.
"ON COMPLETION OF THE CORRIDOR, IT WILL RELIEVE THE HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN. "
HE SAID THE TUEN MUN SECTION OF THE CORRIDOR COVERED BY THE CONTRACT SIGNED TODAY WOULD BE A 2.5 KILOMETRE-LONG DUAL TWO-LANE EXPRESSWAY EXTENDING FROM TO YUEN WAI TO TAN KWAI TSUEN.
"THE WORKS ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GRADE-SEPARATED INTERCHANGE NEAR TO YUEN WAI, SIX ROAD BRIDGES, FOUR PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
"THE FIRST CONTRACT, INVOLVING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE YUEN LONG SECTION OF THE CORRIDOR AND YUEN LONG WEST LINK, WAS AWARDED AT A CONTRACT SUM OF $390 MILLION IN MAY 1989."
BOTH CONTRACTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN LATE 1993.
- - 0 - -
COMPLEX PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES AN IMPORTANT CHALLENGE * * * * * *
THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGE FOR MANUFACTURING IN THE 1990'S IS HOW TO MANAGE THE MORE COMPLEX PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES WHICH GO WITH INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 1991 INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE PENINSULA JAYCEES, MR WONG SAID: "WE MUST ENSURE THAT HONG KONG PRODUCES MEN AND WOMEN WHO CAN GET THE BEST OUT OF THE MORE SOPHISTICATED RESOURCES AT THEIR DISPOSAL."
/HE SAID
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1991
HE SAID WE MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT TECHNOLOGY, HOWEVER ADVANCED, WAS ONLY A MEANS TO AN END AND IT MUST BE PROPERLY EXPLOITED.
"WE NEED EFFECTIVE MANAGERS AND LEADERS, WHO CAN PRODUCE AND MARKET QUALITY GOODS EFFICIENTLY.
"WE NEED TO ATTRACT MORE OF HONG KONG'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST YOUNG GRADUATES INTO MANUFACTURING.
’’GROUPS LIKE THE JAYCEES, WHICH AIM TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR THEIR MEMBERS, CAN MAKE A VITAL CONTRIBUTION HERE: YOU CAN GET ACROSS THE MESSAGE THAT A MANAGEMENT CAREER IN MANUFACTURING IS AT LEAST AS CHALLENGING AND REWARDING AS IN OTHER FIELDS,” HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT THAT HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR WOULD BE RADICALLY DIFFERENT IN THE YEAR 2000.
HONG KONG WOULD STILL BE PRODUCING LIGHT CONSUMER GOODS FOR EXPORT, AND AMERICA AND EUROPE WOULD PROBABLY STILL BE THE TERRITORY’S MAIN MARKETS, THOUGH ASIA WOULD NO DOUBT ACCOUNT FOR A LARGER SHARE OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS THAN IT DID NOW.
"WE SHOULD STILL HAVE OVER HALF A MILLION PERSONS EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING, AND OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR WILL CONTINUE, BOTH IN ITS OWN RIGHT AND THROUGH ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH GUANGDONG, TO PROVIDE MUCH OF THE WORK WHICH KEEPS OUR SERVICES SECTOR IN BUSINESS.
"IT WILL BE MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN TODAY; IT WILL CONTINUE TO CONTAIN A LARGE NUMBER OF OVERSEAS INVESTORS, PARTICULARLY AMERICAN AND JAPANESE COMPANIES, AND THESE INVESTORS WILL CONTINUE TO BRING INTO HONG KONG ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE 1990’S SHOULD BE, LIKE THE 1980’S A DECADE IN WHICH HONG KONG MOVED ON TO EVEN GREATER PROSPERITY.
"AND, JUST AS IN THE 1980'S OUR SUCCESS WILL BE IN LARGE MEASURE DUE TO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT OF OUR MANUFACTURERS.
"THEY HAVE ALREADY SHOWN THAT THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA CAN BE PROFITABLE, AND I AM SURE THAT IN THE 1990’S THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL BECOME EVEN CLOSER, TO THE BENEFIT OF BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA.
"WE SHOULD THEREFORE LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE," HE SAID.
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/5 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1991
- 5
CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL IN SHAM SHUI PO
A CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND IN SHAM SHUI PO ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AS PART OF THE CURRENT DISTRICT FESTIVAL, THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE STALL GAMES, STAGE PERFORMANCES, COMPUTER GAMES, KARAOKE AND A CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION.
OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WILL BE THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MR RAYMOND CHAN; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHAU MUN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5) AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------0--------
YOUTH CARNIVAL IN MONG KOK ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A CARNIVAL TO DRIVE HOME THE ANTI-JUVENILE DELINQUENCY WILL BE HELD AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND IN MONG KOK ON (JANUARY 5). IT WILL BEGIN AT 1 PM.
MESSAGE
SATURDAY
qpnMRORPn RY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE THE M0NG KOK POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE AND THE DISTRICI OFFICE.
AHMTCcinM Trt TMF CARNIVAL IS FREE. THERE WILL BE SINGING, nANCTNC A BAND PARADE KUNG-FU, DEMONSTRATION, HANDICRAFT MAKING AND “a" owes d?sc““ned forces will ALSO set up recruitment counters AT THE VENUE.
A PRIZF PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE DISTRICT’S CITIZENS AND THE "BEWARE OF PJCKPOCKETING POSTER DESIGN
COMPETITION" WILL BE HELD DURING THE CARNIVAL.
/THE OFFICIATING
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1991
- 6 -
THE OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE REGIONAL COMMANDER, MR PETER LEE; MONG KOK LORNA MA; POLICE MONG KOK DISTRICT COMMANDER, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI; AND TAM CHEUNG KIT-YING.
THE POLICE KOWLOON DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MR JAMES WALKER; THE
THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MRS
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK GOOD YOUTH CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 5) AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND, SAI YEE STREET. IT WILL BEGIN AT 1 PM.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRADE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF HK'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS ...................... 1
STATEMENT CONCERNING HK/VIETNAM AIR SERVICES ........................... 2
APPOINTMENTS TO ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD ANNOUNCED ................... 2
CONSTRUCTION OF LANTAU FIXED CROSSING GAZETTED ......................... 4
PROPOSED WORKS AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND .................................. 5
TENDERS INVITED FOR MAINTENANCE WORKS AT AIRPORT ....................... 6
TENDERS INVITED FOR WONG CHUK HANG PARK ................................ 7
ALLOCATION OF FREE QUOTAS FOR RETAINED IMPORTS OF CFC'S ................ 7
FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR THE ELDERLY ................................. 8
SOCIAL DANCE OPEN COMPETITION ON SUNDAY ................................ 9
OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID ............................... 9
HUNG HOM EMPLOYMENT OFFICE CLOSED....................................... 10
A CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 'NOISE' ................................... 11
CENSUS EXHIBITION IN TSUEN WAN ......................................... 12
LATEST CIVIC EDUCATION BULLETIN AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS .................. 13
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
1
TRADE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF HK ’ S ECONOMIC SUCCESS
* * t » * ♦ *
HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD HAS BEEN THE CORNERSTONE OF THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS, THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICES AT TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, MONG KOK, BARONESS DUNN SAID: ’’THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THIS SUCCESS THROUGH THEIR ENLIGHTENED ATTITUDE IN CONSULTING AND INVOLVING TRADERS IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES, THEIR PROFESSIONALISM IN MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS AND THEIR EFFICIENCY IN ADMINISTERING THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.” r
SHE SAID HONG KONG’S EFFECTIVENESS AS A TRADING AND TRADE SERVICES CENTRE WOULD ASSUME EVEN GREATER IMPORTANCE AS INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS INCREASED ITS LINKS WITH CHINA AND COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE WITHIN THE ASIAN REGION EXPANDED.
BARONESS DUNN SAID DEMANDS ON THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO GROW.
’’THE TASK OF ADMINISTERING AND REGULATING THE MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUAL TRANSACTIONS THAT MAKE UP OUR COLLECTIVE TRADE PERFORMANCE MAY APPEAR ROUTINE TO SOME, BUT THE ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT DOCUMENTATION OF TRADE, WITH MINIMUM BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE, HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED ASSETS FOR WHICH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT CAN CLAIM FULL CREDIT.
”1 KNOW THIS NEW FACILITY HAS BEEN DESIGNED WITH SPECIFIC FEATURES TO ENSURE THIS TRADITION WILL BE MAINTAINED, IN FACE OF THE GREATER TRADE VOLUMES EXPECTED IN THE YEARS TO COME,” SHE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID TRADE WAS THE LIFEBLOOD OF HONG KONG AND THE TRADE DEPARTMENT EXISTED TO SERVE THE TERRITORY’S TRADERS.
"WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TO OUR NEW PERMANENT HEADQUARTERS, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE OUR TRADERS WITH A BETTER SERVICE,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE NEW OFFICES WERE CONSIDERABLY LARGER THAN THE OLD ONES AND ALLOWED THE DEPARTMENT TO ORGANISE ITS WORK IN A MORE EFFICIENT WAY, RESULTING IN IMPROVEMENTS IN ITS SERVICES.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICES AT TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, CONVENIENTLY LOCATED ON TOP OF MONG KOK MTR STATION, BECAME OPERATIONAL ON AUGUST 28 LAST YEAR.
SEVERAL FEATURES HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED IN DESIGNING THE NEW OFFICES WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING SERVICES TO THE TRADE, INCLUDING DECENTRALISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S RECEIPT AND ISSUE COUNTERS TO THE RELEVANT LICENSING OFFICES ON THE RESPECTIVE FLOORS.
/A DOCUMENT .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
2
A DOCUMENT CONVEYOR HAS ALSO BEEN INSTALLED TO RUN FROM BASEMENT 2 TO THE SEVENTH FLOOR TO FACILITATE TRANSPORTATION OF LICENCES AND DOCUMENTS BETWEEN LICENSING OFFICES AND THE COMPUTER HALL.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ISSUES OVER FOUR MILLION LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES EVERY YEAR, INCLUDING IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENCES FOR TEXTILES, CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN AND STRATEGIC COMMODITIES.
- - 0 - -
STATEMENT CONCERNING HK/VIETNAM AIR SERVICES ♦ * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES CONCERNING A REPORT WHICH SAID THAT HONG KONG IS TO LIFT THE BAN ON SCHEDULED FLIGHTS TO VIETNAM, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY):
’’THERE HAVE BEEN NO SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENTS ON AIR SERVICES SINCE THE SUSPENSION OF AIR LINKS BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES IN THE MID-70’S.
”NO PROPOSALS FOR SUCH DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN PUT TO THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES.
’’THEREFORE THERE IS NO CLEAR INDICATION AT THIS STAGE AS TO WHEN CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND AIR HONG KONG LTD MAY BE PERMITTED TO FLY TO HANOI AND HO CHI MINH CITY OR * WHEN VIETNAMESE AIRLINES MAYSERVE HONG KONG.”
- - 0 - -
APPOINTMENTS TO ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD ANNOUNCED * » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED MR EDWARD HO SING-TIN AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD FOR ONE YEAR UP TO DECEMBER 31, 1991, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR HO, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD SINCE 1989. HE IS AN ARCHITECT AND A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO RE-APPOINTED FIVE MEMBERS AND APPOINTED SEVEN NEW MEMBERS FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 1991.
ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AND ONE FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAVE ALSO BEEN RE-APPOINTED WITH THEIR TERMS EXPIRING ON MAY 31, 1991 TO TIE IN WITH THE EXPIRY OF THEIR CURRENT TERM WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNCIL.
/THE FOLLOWING
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
- 3 -
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, AS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE:
- MR EDWARD HO SING-TIN, AN ARCHITECT AND MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (CHAIRMAN);
- DR SOLOMON BARD, A WELL-KNOWN LOCAL ARCHAEOLOGIST WHO HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE FIELD SINCE THE LATE 1950’S;
- MISS CHENG CHEE-HING, SENIOR INSPECTOR IN HISTORY, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND A LOCAL HISTORIAN;
- MR AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD;
- MR DAVID LUNG, SENIOR LECTURER IN ARCHITECTURE, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY;
- DR JANET LEE SCOTT, HEAD OF THE SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE;
- MR AU KA-FAT, AN ARCHAEOLOGIST ATTACHED TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY;
- MR STEVEN H.K. CHAN, DIRECTOR, PLANNING DIVISION OF LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION;
- MR BOSCO H.N. HO, AN ARCHITECT AND A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS;
- MR DOUGLAS KING, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION;
- DR MICHAEL LAU WAI-MAI, A RENOWNED ART HISTORIAN AND CURATOR OF FUNG PING SHAN MUSEUM;
- DR ELIZABETH SINN, RESOURCES OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY;
- DR DERIC DANIEL WATERS, A CONSULTANT IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT AND A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY;
- MR CHAN LAU-FONG, REPRESENTING THE REGIONAL COUNCIL; AND
- DR PHILIP KWOK CHI-KUEN, REPRESENTING THE URBAN COUNCIL.
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/4 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
- 4
CONSTRUCTION OF LANTAU FIXED CROSSING GAZETTED
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING EXTENDING FROM NORTHWEST TSING YI TO NORTHEAST LANTAU ISLAND.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF, THE EXTENSIVE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND PORT ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE CROSSING WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE PROPOSED ROUTE 3, TSING YI NORTH COASTAL ROAD AND TO THE PROPOSED NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WHICH LEADS TO CHEK LAP KOK, THE SITE OF THE NEW AIRPORT ON LANTAU ISLAND. APART FROM A DUAL THREE-LANE HIGHWAY, THE CROSSING WILL ACCOMMODATE A RAILWAY.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE CROSSING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED ROAD AND RAIL CONNECTIONS, AN EXTENSIVE AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORT NETWORK WILL BE PROVIDED TO LINK THE NEW AIRPORT WITH THE REST OF THE TERRITORY.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOLLOWING:
* AN INTERCHANGE AND A TOLL PLAZA ON TSING YI WITH ROUTE 3;
* A SUSPENSION BRIDGE BETWEEN TSING YI AND MA WAN (THE TSING MA BRIDGE);
* CABLE SUPPORTED BRIDGE BETWEEN MA WAN AND LANTAU ISLAND (THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE);
* HIGH LEVEL VIADUCTS ACROSS MA WAN, AND A TOLL PLAZA ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE TSING MA BRIDGE, KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE AND THE VIADUCTS ACROSS MA WAN WILL HAVE TWO DECKS, WITH A DUAL THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY ON THE UPPER DECK, AND TWO SINGLE LANE SHELTERED CARRIAGEWAYS AND ACCOMMODATION FOR A TWO TRACK RAILWAY ON THE LOWER DECK.
THE SHELTERED TRAFFIC LANES ARE DESIGNED FOR USE IN EMERGENCY AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
THE LENGTH OF THE CROSSING, FROM THE TSING YI ANCHORAGE OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE TO THE WESTERN LIMIT ON LANTAU ISLAND NEAR TSING CHAU TSAI, IS ABOUT 4.95 KILOMETRES.
THE CROSSING IS SCHEDULED TO BE OPERATIONAL BY LATE 1996 BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT.
CONDITIONS WILL BE IMPOSED UPON THE VARIOUS CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THAT DISRUPTION TO MARINE TRAFFIC IS MINIMISED.
/THE PLANS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
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THE PLANS AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, CENTRAL;
» KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG;
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; AND
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 5 THIS YEAR.
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PROPOSED WORKS AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND
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THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO MODIFY THE ENTRANCE TO THE BASIN AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF HMS TAMAR.
THE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN ABOUT 2.47 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
A NEW ENTRANCE WILL BE BUILT WHILE THE EXISTING BREAKWATER WILL BE EXTENDED TO ENABLE SAFER MANOEUVRABILITY OF VESSELS ENTERING THE BASIN.
ALSO, A BOAT HOIST JETTY WILL BE CONSTRUCTED WITHIN THE BASIN TO ENABLE THE HANDLING OF SMALL VESSELS FROM THE BASIN ONTO LAND FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES AND PARKING OF BOATS FOR TYPHOON PRECAUTIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 3.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
/MEANWHILE, THE ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
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MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT ABOUT 950 METRES OF BREAKWATER AND SIX MOORING DOLPHINS WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 35 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TO KWA WAN IN KOWLOON.
THIS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FORMING A TYPHOON SHELTER WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 18 HECTARES.
THE WORK WILL BEGIN IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 1992.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS ALSO DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THIS UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 3, 1992.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR MAINTENANCE WORKS AT AIRPORT
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THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF MINOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THESE INCLUDE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF AIRCRAFT PAVEMENTS, MARKINGS, ROADS, BRIDGES, CARPARKS, DRAINAGE AND ASSOCIATED MISCELLANEOUS WORKS WITHIN THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY, TOGETHER WITH CONSTRUCTION OF MINOR NEW CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE.
FORMS OF TENDER 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 EAST.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 25.
/7........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
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TENDERS INVITED FOR WONG CHUK HANG PARK *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WONG CHUK HANG PARK IN ABERDEEN.
FACILITIES OF THE 2,197-SQUARE-METRE PARK WILL INCLUDE PLANTERS, PAVILION, ARBOUR, BENCHES AND A RUBBLE FENCE WALL.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 25.
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ALLOCATION OF FREE QUOTAS FOR RETAINED IMPORTS OF CFC’S
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THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITED APPLICATIONS FOR FREE QUOTAS FOR RETAINED IMPORTS OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S).
THESE FREE QUOTAS ARE FOR THE CURRENT 12-MONTH CONTROL PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 1991.
A SPOKESMAN . FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE, A LICENSING AND QUOTA ALLOCATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE' JULY 1, 1989 TO CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF CFC’S BEING IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO IMPORT ANY QUANTITY OF CFC’S CONTROLLED UNDER THE ORDINANCE MUST HAVE SUFFICIENT QUOTA TO COVER QUANTITY BEFORE HE CAN OBTAIN AN IMPORT LICENCE FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
SUBSEQUENT TO THE PREVIOUS ISSUE IN SEPTEMBER 1990 OF NORMAL QUOTA FOR THE CURRENT CONTROL YEAR, FREE QUOTAS, AMOUNTING TO A QUANTITY OF 404 TONNES OF CFC’S WEIGHTED BY THEIR OZONE DEPLETING POTENTIAL, ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND WILL BE ALLOCATED IN FEBRUARY.
UNLIKE THE NORMAL QUOTAS, THESE FREE QUOTAS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE AMONG IMPORTERS AND THERE ARE CONDITIONS ON THEIR UTILISATION WHICH AN APPLICANT MUST NOTE BEFORE ACCEPTANCE.
THESE QUOTAS WILL ONLY BE VALID FOR IMPORTS ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
ALL IMPORTERS OF CFC’S REGISTERED ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 1991 UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE AND WHO HAVE NOT COMMITTED ANY OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
/THE ALLOCATION .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
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THE ALLOCATION OF FREE QUOTAS WILL BE BASED ON A POINT SYSTEM AND PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO SMALL QUANTITY APPLICANTS BUT THE ALLOCATION IS ENTIRELY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE ON SPECIFIED FORMS AND SUBMITTED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT BY FEBRUARY 4, 1991. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE AIR CONTROL GROUP OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AT 26TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 835 1089.
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FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR THE ELDERLY ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE GIVEN FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS BY A MEDICAL TEAM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY), FROM 2.30 PM TO 5 PM, AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE.
THE TEAM WILL COMPRISE MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY AND THE DENTAL SOCIETY, HONG KONG UNIVERSITYSTUDENT UNION.-
THEY WILL CHECK THE BLOOD PRESSURE AND ORAL CAVITY OF THE
LECTURES AND EXHIBITIONS WILL ALSO BE HELD AT THE VENUE.
THE SERVICE IS ORGANISED. BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHEUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, LIONS CLUB OF MOUNT CAMERON AND LIONS CLUB OF PHOENIX, AND IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 852 3488 OR 852 3492.
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/9 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
SOCIAL DANCE OPEN COMPETITION ON SUNDAY
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SIXTY PAIRS OF AMATEUR DANCERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE THIRD SOCIAL DANCE OPEN COMPETITION ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6), FROM 3 PM TO 7.30 PM AT THE HONG KONG EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE.
ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION, THE COMPETITION IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE ANNUAL SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL WHICH BEGAN LAST MONTH AND WILL LAST UNTIL JANUARY 13.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED SECTIONS. EACH PAIR OF CONTESTANTS WILL HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE MODERN OR LATIN STEPS SUCH AS RUMBA, JIVE AND TANGO.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PERFORMANCES BY RENOWNED DANCERS AFTER, THE COMPETITION.
THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; AND DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU MUN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE THIRD SOCIAL' DANCE OPEN COMPETITION TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 6), FROM 3 PM TO 7.30 PM AT THE CONVENTION HALL, SECOND FLOOR, HONG KONG EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE, 1 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
FOLLOWING THE PRIZE PRESENTATION, THE WINNERS WILL PERFORM AGAIN AT 8.20 PM, AND A DEMONSTRATION PERFORMANCE WILL BEGIN AT 8.45 PM.
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OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID
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THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ALL OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO MEN BORN IN
1927 AND BEFORE WILL BECOME INVALID FROM JANUARY 14, 1991.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THIS IS THE NINTH BATCH OF IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THE NEW IDENTITY CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME STARTED ON JULY 1, 1987.
/A SPOKESMAN
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
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A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: ’’ONCE AN OLD CARD IS DECLARED INVALID, IT WILL 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.”
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.
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS, r
THE SIZE OF THE NEW TYPE I.D. CARDS IS THE SAME AS THE OLD ONES .
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD CARDS AND THE NEW ONES.
THE MAIN DIFFERENCES ARE:
* THE IDENTITY CARD NUMBER IS PRINTED ON THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THE OLD CARD, BUT ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF THE NEW CARD.
* THE HONG KONG CREST AT THE BACK IS REPLACED BY THE MULTICOLOUR BACKGROUND PRINTING.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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HUNG HOM EMPLOYMENT OFFICE CLOSED * * *. * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL CLOSE DOWN ITS LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) OFFICE IN HUNG HOM FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR JOB-SEEKERS AND
AFTER THE CLOSURE, EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND HO MAN TIN AREAS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE LES (SHAM SHUI PO) OFFICE ON GROUND FLOOR 234 TAI PO ROAD. ’
ENQUIRIES ON EMPLOYMENT CAN BE MADE ON TEL 777 0296.
777 0189 OR
/RESIDENTS AND .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
• RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYERS IN HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN AND KOWLOON CITY WILL BE SERVED BY THE LES (SAN PO KONG) OFFICE AT PARIS THEATRE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 7 KING FUK STREET. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 326 5121-4.
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE PROVIDES FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO BOTH JOB-SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS THROUGH A NETWORK OF 12 BRANCH OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
JOB-SEEKERS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING ALONG ONLY THEIR IDENTITY CARDS DURING OFFICE HOURS TO REGISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AT THEIR RESPECTIVE LES OFFICES, WHILE EMPLOYERS CAN SIMPLY PLACE THEIR VACANCY ORDERS BY TELEPHONE.
VACANCY INFORMATION SO OBTAINED WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY AND SENT BY FACSIMILE TO ALL OTHER LES OFFICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF JOB-SEEKERS IN OTHER DISTRICTS.
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A CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ’NOISE’ *****
RESIDENTS CAN NOW LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SUBJECT OF NOISE — SUCH AS THE TYPICAL NOISE LEVEL OF A BUSY STREET AND THE AMOUNT OF DAILY NOISE EXPOSURE THAT WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO HEARING ABILITY --FROM AN INDOOR TV COMPUTER DISPLAY PANEL INSTALLED AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL LOBBY.
THE DISPLAY PANEL IS PART OF THE NOISE DISPLAY ACTIVITY ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) AND SPONSORED BY THE STAR FERRY COMPANY LTD AND THE BRUEL AND KJAER HONG KONG LTD.
THE DISPLAY ACTIVITY CONSISTS OF AN INDOOR TV COMPUTER DISPLAY PANEL AND AN OUTDOOR DIGITAL NOISE DISPLAY UNIT
THE OUTDOOR DIGITAL NOISE DISPLAY UNIT IS INSTALLED ON TOP OF THE STAR FERRY TSIM SHA TSUI PIER FACING THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE.
THIS UNIT INDICATES THE INSTANTANEOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE LEVEL IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, SUCH AS THE NOISE LEVEL OF A BUS PASSING BY.
THE INDOOR TV COMPUTER DISPLAY PANEL INDICATES THE NOISE LEVEL SHOWN ON THE OUTDOOR NOISE DISPLAY UNIT AS WELL AS THE NOISE DATA RECORDED ON THE PREVIOUS DAY.
IT IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH VISUAL INFORMATION ON NOISE AND A NUMBER OF INTERESTING QUESTIONS ABOUT NOISE. VIEWERS CAN TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE SUBJECT BY SIMPLY PRESSING A BUTTON.
/THE INDOOR .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
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TH• INDOOR TV COMPUTER DISPLAY PANEL WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN THE OCEAN TERMINAL LOBBY TODAY, WILL REMAIN THERE UNTIL JANUARY 21.
THE PANEL WAS PREVIOUSLY SET UP AT THE UPPER CONCOURSE OF STAR FERRY TSIM SHA TSUI PIER.
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CENSUS EXHIBITION IN TSUEN WAN *****
RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO VISIT THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS MOBILE EXHIBITION FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) UNTIL SUNDAY (JANUARY 6) AT THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION.
ORGANISED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT REMINDING THE PUBLIC OF THE FORTHCOMING POPULATION CENSUS AND TO CALL FOR THEIR.CO-OPERATION.
APART FROM SETTING OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT, THE EXHIBITION ELUCIDATES THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS AND GRAPHICS THE ENUMERATION METHODS TO BE USED IN THE CENSUS AND HOW THE DATA COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
"THE SELF-ENUMERATION METHOD, IN PARTICULAR, WILL BE USED IN HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SIX OUT OF SEVEN HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE ENUMERATED THIS WAY WHILE THE OTHER ONE-SEVENTH HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE ENUMERATED BY THE TRADITIONAL INTERVIEWING METHOD.
"WE THEREFORE HOPE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD GAIN A FAIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE METHODS THROUGH VISITING THE EXHIBITION," HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION AT THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF 11 MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD IN PROMINENT LOCATIONS, SUCH AS SHOPPING ARCADES AND MTR STATIONS, SO THAT THE MESSAGE CAN BE EFFECTIVELY CONVEYED TO THE LARGEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 11.30 AM TO 7.30 PM DAILY EXCEPT ON SUNDAY WHEN IT WILL CLOSE AT 4 PM. THE NEXT EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT SHUN TAK CENTRE IN SHEUNG WAN STARTING JANUARY 11.
THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND 24.
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/13 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1991
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LATEST CIVIC EDUCATION BULLETIN AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS
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THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION BULLETIN BEING DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS CONTAINS TWO PAPERS ON CURRICULUM DESIGN FOR AND APPROACHES TO POLITICAL EDUCATION.
THE PAPERS ARE:
* A FRAMEWORK OF DECISION MAKING ANALYSIS APPLICABLE TO, THE DESIGN OF CURRICULUM FOR POLITICAL EDUCATION, BY MR CHEUNG WING-HUNG, INSPECTOR OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS-CIVIC EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND
* AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON OF APPROACHES TO POLITICAL EDUCATION, BY PROFESSOR IAN LISTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK.
THE BULLETIN IS PUBLISHED BY THE CIVIC EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
EACH SCHOOL . WILL RECEIVE FOUR COPIES. COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR TEACHERS FOR REFERENCE AT THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.'
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS-CIVIC EDUCATION SECTION, ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 2630 AND 839 2635.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER PUBLISHED ............................ 1
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR OCTOBER RELEASED ....... 5
HK GOVT COMMITTED TO BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE ......................... 8
MEDICAL INSURANCE STUDY GROUP SET UP .................................. 9
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ESSENTIAL TO HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATION ......... 11
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ................................... H
SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT DESIGN CONTEST ........................ 12
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN KWUN TONG...................................... 13
GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ............................ 13
SINGING CONTEST FOR SHAM SHUT PO STUDENTS ............................. 14
ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN SHAM SHUI PO........................ 15
SATURDAY JANUARY 5, 1991
MONETARY STATISTICS * »
FOR NOVEMBER PUBLISHED * * *
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS WERE 15.6 PER CENT HIGHER AT THE END OF NOVEMBER IN COMPARISON WITH 1,2 MONTHS EARLIER, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
THE BROADEST DEFINITION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY WAS LITTLE CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH. TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES, ON THE OTHER HAND, RECORDED SOME INCREASE IN NOVEMBER.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS,
ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, DECREASED BY 0.3 PER CENT NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING THE DECLINES OF 0.2 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS ROSE BY' 2.9 PER CENT WHILE SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS FELL BY 1.2 PER CENT AND 0.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN NOVEMBER.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, 'TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY' 15.6 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, STILL CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN THE INCREASE IN NOMINAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, FORECAST AT 11.5 PER CENT FOR 1990.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 1.7 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 3.5 PER CENT AND 3.8 (P®R CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL BY 2.3 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 4.8 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY' DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 28.9 PER CENT.
DURING NOVEMBER, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS ROSE BY 0.7 PER CENT AND 6.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 1.2 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 24.0 PER CENT, 16.3 PER CENT AND 1.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISONS ON DEPOSITS WITH THE LATTER TWO CATEGORIES WERE PARTLY AFFECTED BY THE UPGRADING OF FOUR DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES TO THE STATUS OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS.
/MONEY SUPPLY ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
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MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 AND HK$M2 ROSE BY 3.0 PER CENT AND 0.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN NOVEMBER WHILE HK$M3 RECORDED ZERO GROWTH. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN OCTOBER WERE 2.5 PER CENT, -0.7 PER CENT AND -0.5 PER CENT.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES ROSE BY 7.9 PER CENT, 16.1 PER CENT AND 15.2 PER' CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 2.2 PER CENT, 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN NOVEMBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN OCTOBER WERE 1.4 PER CENT, 2.2 PER CENT AND 1.8 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 12.3 PER CENT, 23.3 PER CENT AND 22.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 2.0 PER . CENT IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 4.0 PER CENT AND 4.2 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY.'
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 1.6 PER CENT DURING NOVEMBER, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES ROSE BY 2.2 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 15.8 PER CENT AND 71.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.1 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 4.0 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND A DECLINE OF 0.5 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 12.8 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 2.0 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.1 PER CENT AND 2.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 18.7 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG ROSE BY 1.4 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 8.3 PER CENT AND 5.0 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 84.9 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE MERCHANDISING TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECLINED BY 2.5 PER CENT IN NOVEMBER, AFTER A DECREASE OF 6.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER AND AN INCREASE OF 7.2 PER CENT IN OCTOBER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS DECREASED BY 5.4 PER CENT.
/NUMBER OF .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
3
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 166 WHILE THAT OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS ROSE BY TWO TO 42. THE NUMBER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 190.
NOTES :
(1) BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 1990, "RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS" AND "DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES" WERE KNOWN AS "LICENSED DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES" AND "REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES" RESPECTIVELY.
(2) IN THE TEXT ABOVE, TOTAL HK$ DEPOSITS, HK$ TIME DEPOSITS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS. TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS AND US$ DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS.
"SWAP DEPOSITS" ARE DEPOSITS INVOLVING CUSTOMERS BUYING FOREIGN CERRENCIES (MOSTLY U.S. DOLLARS) IN THE SPOT MARKET AND PLACING THEM AS DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT TO SELL SUCH FOREIGN CURRENCIES (PRINCIPAL PLUS INTEREST) FORWARD IN LINE WITH THE MATURITY OF SUCH DEPOSITS. FOR MOST ANALYTICAL PURPOSES, THEY SHOULD BE REGARDED AS HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.
/4 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
MONETARY STATISTICS - NOVEMBER 1990
(HKSmn)
Nov 1990 Earlier months (X change to November 1990)
Money Supply Oct 1990 Aug 1990 Nov 1989
— ———————— — —
Ml - HK5 92,411 89,728 ( 3.0 X) 86,527 ( 6.8 X) 85,661 ( 7.9 X)
Foreign currency 13,756 14.177 ( -3.0 %) 12,257 ( 12.2 X) 8,894 ( 54.7 X)
Total 106,167 103,905 ( 2.2 X) 98,784 ( 7.5 X) 94,554 ( 12.3 X)
M2 - HKS* 530,550 530,131 ( 0.1 X) 535,082 ( -0.8 X) 457,017 ( 16.1 X)
Foreign currency* 660,141 651,404 ( 1.3 X) 602,630 ( 9.5 X) 509,022 ( 29.7 X)
Total 1. 190,692 1,181,535 ( 0.8 X) 1,137,711 ( 4.7 X) 966,039 ( 23.3 X)
M3 - HKS* 562,414 . 562,607 ( 0.0 X) 566,928 ( -0.8 X) 488,230 ( 15.2 X)
Foreign currency* 706,245 694,874 ( 1.6 X) 647,518 ( 9.1 X) 549,183 ( 28.6 X)
Total 1,268,660 1.257.480 ( 0.9 X) 1,214,447 ( 4.5 X) 1,037,413 ( 22.3 X)
Notes and coins in circulation 41,566 40,457 ( 2.7 X) 40,064 ( 3.7 X) 36,542 ( 13.7 X)
of which held by public 36,338 35,211 ( 3.2 X) 34,480 ( 5.4 X) 31,974 ( 13.6 X)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 69,829 68,694 ( 1.7 X) 64,304 ( 8.6 X) 62,580 ( 11.6 X)
Total Savings deposits 226,240 225,163 ( 0.5 X) 223,200 ( 1.4 X) 183,354 ( 23.4 X)
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 840,892 834,990 ( 0.7 X) 797,236 ( 5.5 %) 671.205 ( 25.3 X)
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 43,505 40,976 ( 6.2 X) 42.009 ( 3.6 X) 37,402 ( 16.3 X)
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 33,011 33,421 ( -1.2 X) 33,205 ( -0.6 X) 32,562 ( 1.4 X)
HKS deposits* 512,981 514,606 ( -0.3 X) 518,864 ( -1. 1 X) 443,662 ( 15.6 X)
USS deposits* 289,2-91 296,219 ( -2.3 X) 289,995 ( -0.2 X) 250,874 ( 15.3 X)
Other foreign currency deposits 411,203 392,419 ( 4.8 X) 351,096 ( 17. 1 X) 292,567 ( 40.6 X)
All deposits 1,213,476 1,203,244 ( 0.9 X) 1,159,954 ( 4.6 X) 987,103 ( 22.9 X)
Foreign currency swap deposits 67.633 68,416 ( -1.1 X) 70,088 ( -3.5 X) 61,488 ( 10.0 X)
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.'s visible trade 71,336 69,872 ( 2.1 X) 67,518 ( 5.7 X) 63,215 ( 12.3 X)
To finance merchandising trade 9,858 10,112 ( -2.5 X) 10,046 ( -1.9 X) 10,425 ( -5.4 X)
not touching H.K.
Other loans for use in H.K. 686,089 672,947 ( 2.0 X) 658,325 ( 4.2 X) 577,988 ( 18.7 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 864.710 852,910 ( 1.4 X) 750.445 ( 15.2 X) 467,631 ( 84.9 X)
Other loans where the place of 134,874 125,893 ( 7.1 X) 110,852 ( 21.7 X) 80,205 ( 68.2 X)
use is not known
Loans in HK$ 600,278 590,715 ( 1.6 X) 580,108 ( 3.5 X) 518,205 ( 15.8 X)
Loans in foreign currencies 1,166,588 1,141,020 ( 2.2 X) 1,017,078 ( 14.7 X) 681,257 ( 71.2 X)
Total loans and advances 1,766,866 1,731,734 ( 2.0 X) 1,597,186 ( 10.6 X) 1,199,462 ( 47.3 X)
* Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits
Note
’Restricted licence banks’ and ’deposit-taking companies’ were known as ’licensed deposit-taking companies’ and 'registered deposit-taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
- 0 --------
/5 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
- 5 -
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR OCTOBER RELEASED
**»«*»*
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN OCTOBER 1990, ESTIMATED AT $9,736 MILLION, INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989 WHILE THEIR VOLUME INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
CHANGES IN VOLUMES OF RETAIL SALES REFER TO CHANGES IN VALUES OF RETAIL SALES AFTER DISCOUNTING THE ESTIMATED CHANGES IN PRICES.
THE INDICATORS OF PRICE CHANGES USED FOR THE PURPOSE ARE THE RESPECTIVE COMPONENTS OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE BROAD CATEGORY OF GOODS IN QUESTION.
COMPARING WITH OCTOBER 1989, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS ROSE BY 38 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES WENT UP BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT DROPPED SLIGHTLY BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE. AFTER DISCOUNTING THE ESTIMATED INCREASE IN PRICES, THERE WAS A DECLINE OF 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME, LARGELY DUE TO THE DECREASE IN RETAIL SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 20 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS AND "MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS” WENT UP BY 5 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VALUE BUT WENT DOWN BY 5 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO OCTOBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME.
FUELS WENT UP BY 22 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT WENT DOWN BY 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE. THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A DECLINE OF 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME, LARGELY DUE TO THE DECREASE IN RETAIL SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS.
/ANALYSED BY .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
6 -
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. DEPARTMENT STORES SALES ROSE BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 12 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH SEPTEMBER 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR OCTOBER 1990 ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF FUELS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT DOWN BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS WENT UP BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF SUPERMARKETS WENT DOWN BY 14 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR SEPTEMBER 1990 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR OCTOBER 1990.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE.AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN SEPTEMBER 1990 AND OCTOBER 1990 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF OCTOBER 1990 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR SEPTEMBER 1990 AND WITH THOSE FOR OCTOBER 1989, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO OCTOBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF OCTOBER 1990 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1258).
/TABLE 1 : .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY b, 1^1
7
TA3LB 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for October 1990 (Provisional Figure) = HK$9,736 lillion for September 1990 (Revised Figure) = HI$9,397 lillion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AMD VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR SEPTEMBER 1990 AMD OCTOBER 1990
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 = 100)
Itei 1 Index of Retail Sales 1 1 Septeiber 1 1990 i i 1 October 1 : 1990 1 October coipared Septeibei 1990 ; with i 1990 I October coipared October 1990 ! with 1 1989 : Jan.-Oct. coipared v Jan.-Oct. 1990 1 ith I 1989 !
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES _ Value 1 (Revised 1 figures) 1 168 1 (Provisional 1 1 figures) 1 . i Points ♦6 1 ! । । । • । । ♦4 ; Points ♦14 * ! 1 । । 1 ♦9 1 Points ♦11 X 1 1 1 ♦7 1
Voluie 1 121 i : 124 : । । ♦3 ♦3 1 • ♦1 ♦1 1 1 1 1 ! I
(B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value i । । 1 1 179 i i । 1 177 | -2 1 1 1 -11 ♦18 1 1 ♦11 1 ♦18 1 <n I
drinks and tobacco Voluie 1 130 : bo i । । t t ! । ♦6 ♦5 1 ; ♦7 ♦6 1 |
Fuels Value । ; 162 ; 173 । ♦11 ♦7 1 ♦47 ♦ 38 1 ♦24 ♦22 :
Voluie 1 126 1 126 1 । । 1 1 ! i ♦1 ♦i : 1 ♦2 ♦2 1 •
1 Clothing, footwear Value ! 174 । । 1 184 ’ 1 ♦10 i ♦6 : ♦12 ♦7 : ♦9 ♦5 1
। । and allied products Voluie ; 116 । J 121 1 • । ♦5 ♦4 1 1 -I -i : । -3 -3 1 |
I 1 Consuier durables Value 1 169 : 168 ! -1 11 ♦23 ♦16 1 ♦14 ♦9 1
Voluie 1 121 1 120 1 -1 -11 1 ♦12 ♦11 J । ♦5 ♦5 1 1
Other consuier goods Value 1 1 160 ! 172 1 ♦12 ♦8 : ♦2 ♦1 1 ♦3 ♦2 1
Voluie 1 116 • 1 124 1 1 ' ♦7 ♦6 1 1 -7 -5 1 | -5 -4 1 ।
1 (0 1 । i । । BY SELECTED TRADES (see note 1 below) Superiarkets Value । 1 । । 1 1 231 ■ । i । । । I । । । 1 199 -32 1 1 1 1 -14 : ♦9 1 1 1 ♦5 1 ♦31 1 1 । ♦17 J
1 Voluie : 161 : 138 1 -24 -15 1 t -7 -5 1 ; ♦9 ♦7 1 }
! 1 Kotor vehicles Value 1 297 1 287 I -11 -4 : ♦11 ♦4 1 ♦16 ♦6 1
1 and parts Voluie 1 181 1 174 1 । । -7 -4 ! 1 -7 -4 : । ’ -3 -2 1 |
! 1 Consuier durables Value { 129 1 132 1 ♦2 ♦2 1 ♦27 ♦25 ! ♦13 ♦12 1
other than lotor Voluie 1 102 : 103 : ♦1 ♦i : ♦ 17 ♦20 : ♦8 ♦8 1
vehicles and parts < Departient stores Value ! : : 2ii । । i । । । , । 1 237 ♦26 1 1 ♦12 ! ♦29 1 1 ♦14 J +26 1 1 ♦13 1
1 Voluie : 143 1 159 1 ♦ 15 ♦111 ♦ 8 ♦6 ; ♦7 ♦5 1
NOTES : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN ia]or trade groups, the value and voluie indexes in respect of the following selected trades are coipiled :
(a) 'Superiarkets' - a trade in the ’Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco’ group.
(b) ’Kotor vehicles and parts’ - a trade in the ’Consuier durables’ group.
(c) ’Consuier durables other than lotor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consuier durables' group.
(d) 'Departient stores' - a trade in the 'Other consuier goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived froi the unrounded index figures.
3. 'I' denotes a figure within +0.5.
/8.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY'5, 1991
- 8 -
HK GOVT COMMITTED TO BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE ******
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID IN CAMBRIDGE, UK YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO SOME 250 HONG KONG STUDENTS AT A SEMINAR HELD AT THE PRESTIGIOUS QUEEN’S COLLEGE, MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY WAS TO MAINTAIN THOSE ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE THAT' WERE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND TO IMPROVE FURTHER THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
OUTLINING HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS AND POLICY WHICH IS SOMETIMES DESCRIBED AS "LAISSEZ FAIRE" OR "POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTIONIST", HE SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM BELIEF THAT IT WAS BEST TO LEAVE BUSINESS DECISIONS TO BUSINESSMEN AND TO ADOPT A "HANDS OFF” POSTURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
"BUT THE ROLE IS MUCH MORE POSITIVE THAN APPEARS ON THE SURFACE," HE EXPLAINED. "THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE CAN FLOURISH.
"THIS ENTAILS A NUMBER OF POSITIVE ACTIONS SUCH AS A SIMPLE TAXATION SYSTEM AND LOW TAX RATE; ENSURING EFFICIENT AND DEPENDABLE PROVISION OF PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING TRANSPORT, ELECTRICITY, WATER, ETC; PROVIDING THE NECESSARY ’SOFT INFRASTRUCTURE’ THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING; SEEKING TO MAINTAIN UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO WORLD MARKETS, MAINLY THROUGH GATT; AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL STABILITY THROUGH PROVISION OF HOUSING, MEDICAL AND WELFARE SERVICES, LAW AND ORDER."
IN CONCLUSION, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN EXTENDED WELL BEYOND 1997.
"OF COURSE HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECTED TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCES, TO AN EXTENT MUCH LARGER THAN MOST OTHER ECONOMICS, BECAUSE OF OUR EXTREMELY HEAVY DEPENDENCE ON TRADE. BUT OUR ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS ARE STRONG," HE SAID.
THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG POST-GRADUATE SOCIETY AND AIMS AT ENCOURAGING WILL-BE GRADUATES TO RETURN TO HONG KONG AND CONTRIBUTE TO ITS SUCCESS.
A CAREER EXHIBITION IS BEING HELD AT THE SAME TIME AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN HONG KONG.
EARLIER AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE FCO MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS, SPOKE HIGHLY OF THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE TERRITORY AND ITS IMPORTANT ROLE AS "THE ENGINE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SOUTH CHINA" AS WELL AS AN INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
/ON THE ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
9
ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, THE MINISTER SAID IN VIEW OF THE SCALE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECT, IT WAS RIGHT THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE GIVEN A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF WHAT WAS PROPOSED.
’’THIS HAS ALREADY HAPPENED AND I AM SURE THAT AFTER FURTHER STUDY IT WILL BECOME APPARENT TO ALL THAT, FAR FROM BEING A BURDEN ON THE FUTURE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE AIRPORT AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT WILL PROVE A VALUABLE ASSET,” LORD CAITHNESS SAID. 4
ON THE FIRST DIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE MINISTER SAID IT WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE DIRECTLY REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, IN LINE WITH THE COMMUNITY’S ASPIRATIONS.
’’THE PACE MAY NOT BE AS FAST AS SOME PEOPLE WOULD HAVE LIKEDY TO SEE. BUT OUR GOAL, AND THAT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IS TO SEE A STEADY EVOLUTION OF A RESPONSIBLE, CONSTRUCTIVE AND PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE BASIC LAW.
"WE WISH TO LAY THE FOUNDATION OF A SYSTEM WHICH WILL SERVE HONG KONG WELL, BOTH IN THE REMAINING YEARS OF THE BRITISH ADMINISTRATION AND BEYOND.”
OTHER GUESTS OF HONOUR WHO ATTENDED THE OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDED LABOUR PARTY’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESMAN, MR GEORGE FOULKES, LADY YOUDE, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, AND ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, MISS MAUREEN WONG, AND MR ALISTAIR LANG OF THE OMELCO LONDON OFFICE.
SENIOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, MR ALLEN LEE, GAVE A KEY-NOTE SPEECH AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY FOLLOWED BY A LIVELY AND INFORMATIVE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.
ALSO SPEAKING IN LAST NIGHT’S FIRST SEMINAR WERE AN ECONOMIST, PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN, AND A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR RONALD ARCULLI. OTHER PERSONALITIES TAKING PART IN THE CONFERENCE WERE OMELCO MEMBERS MRS ROSANNA TAM, DR C.H. LEONG AND DR DANIEL TSE, AS WELL AS A CHINA EXPERT, DR C.K'. LOU.
---------0-----------
MEDICAL INSURANCE STUDY GROUP SET UP
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, HAS SET UP A STUDY GROUP TO GENERATE IDEAS AND DEVELOP OPTIONS FOR SOME FORM OF HEALTH/MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME TAILORED TO SUIT THE HONG KONG CONTEXT.
ANNOUNCING THE SETTING UP OF THE STUDY GROUP, MRS WONG SAID THE INTENTION TO INTRODUCE SUCH AN INSURANCE SCHEME DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CUT BACK ON MEDICAL OR HEALTH FINANCING.
/'•WE REMAIN.......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
- 10 -
"WE REMAIN FIRM IN OUR COMMITMENT THAT NO ONE WILL BE DENIED ADEQUATE MEDICAL SERVICES THROUGH LACK OF MEANS," SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT IN THE GOVERNOR’S OPENING ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, THE NEED FOR AN EXPANSION OF MEDICAL INSURANCE WAS HIGHLIGHTED TO RECONCILE INCREASING PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS WITH THE RISING COST OF MEDICAL CARE.
AN INSURANCE SCHEME WOULD OFFER BETTER PERSONAL CHOICE AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE, SHE SAID, t
MEMBERS OF THE STUDY GROUP ARE DRAWN FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE AND FROM BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT. THEY BRING TOGETHER A BROAD SPECTRUM OF INTERESTS, EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THE HOSPITAL, HEALTH, CONSUMER, LABOUR, EMPLOYER, HEALTH ECONOMICS AND INSURANCE FIELDS.
"I AM LOOKING TO THEM FOR THEIR PERSONAL ADVICE AND CONTRIBUTION IN SUGGESTING IDEAS AND STUDYING OPTIONS FOR A SIMPLE SCHEME WORKABLE IN HONG KONG.
"WE WILL TAKE REFERENCE FROM MEDICAL INSURANCE AND FINANCING SCHEMES OF OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT THE OBJECT OF THE EXERCISE IS TO DEVELOP A SCHEME BEST SUITED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE," SHE SAID. :
A SPECIAL UNIT HAS BEEN SET UP IN THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH FOR THIS PURPOSE AND WILL SOON CONVENE THE FIRST MEETING.
THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE STUDY GROUP IS AS FOLLOW:
MR ALEC CHAN MR RAYMOND CHAN MR RONALD CHOW MEI-TAK MR DAVID COSGROVE MS AMY KWOK MR LAU WAH-SUM DR PETER C.Y. LEE DR LEONG CHE-HUNG MR PAO PING-WING MR KEITH PEARSON MR SAMMY SOU MR TAM YIU-CHUNG MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN MR JOHNSTON WONG ’ MR PETER WONG HONG-YUEN MR PETER WONG MAN-KONG DR PETER YUEN
GOVERNMENT MEMBERS ON THE STUDY GROUP ARE REPRESENTATIVES FROM:
FINANCE BRANCH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
------0------------
/Il ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
11
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ESSENTIAL TO * * * * *
HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATION
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION (FLE) IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PROMOTION OF HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATION, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT TOWARDS MAINTAINING THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A FLE SINGING CONTEST AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WAN CHAI.
"DESPITE CHANGES IN THE COMMUNITY, IT IS STILL BELIEVED THAT THE FAMILY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAINTAINING THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY," MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
SHE SAID THE SUCCESS OF THE VARIOUS FLE ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST DECADE HAD VERY MUCH RELIED ON THE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT RENDERED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"AS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE FACING DRASTIC CHANGES IN THE. COMMUNITY IN THE 90’S, OUR FLE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR IS TARGETTED AT YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR PARENTS," SHE SAID.
THE CAMPAIGN WAS AIMED AT AROUSING PARENTS’ AWARENESS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THEIR CHILDREN AS WELL AS YOUNGSTERS CONCERN TOWARDS THEIR PARENTS, SHE ADDED.
THE SINGING CONTEST, THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS YEAR’S FLE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FLE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, THE MUSIC OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL RADIO 1.
IN ADDITION TO THE KEEN COMPETITION AMONG THE 12 FINALISTS, AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 2,000 PEOPLE WERE ALSO TREATED TO PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS MISS ELIZA CHAN, MR DANNY CHAN AND MR ANTHONY LUN.
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION » » * » »
TWENTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $3,029,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER HK9 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $450,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER XX8 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $420,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $19,000 FOR DH9898.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1**1
- 12 -
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION: $ $ $ $ $■
HK9 450,000 823 150,000 2323 140,000 XX8 420,000 EEI 250,000 DC22 WITHDRAWN BM63 65,000 AD8833 50,000 CJ38 55,000 BC333 100,000 DH9898 19,000 CD99 80,000 BB828 120,000 6633 120,000 CW8888 120,000 DL18 225,000 CP3 200,000 CC100 55,000 AA28 230,000 AE88 180,000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 159TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $113,723,505.
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SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT DESIGN CONTEST
*****
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PROJECT DESIGN-ARE REMINDED TO SEND IN THEIR WORKS WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS ENTRY FOR THE 1991 INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 11).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).. THAT THE COMPETITION AIMED TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES.
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
EACH PARTICIPATING TEAM IS REQUIRED TO CHOOSE A GIVEN SUBJECT AND DEPICT THE THEME ON A PROJECT NOT EXCEEDING 3.5 METRES BY 3.5 METRES BY 2.5 METRES IN SIZE.
APART FROM TROPHIES, BOOK COUPONS WORTH $1,500 TO $3,500 WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP FIVE TEAMS. A TROPHY WILL ALSO BE AWARDED TO THE BEST ART WORK.
THE PRIZE-WINNING PROJECTS WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY AT A JOINT EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL IN MARCH.
COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EIGHTH FLOOR, UC FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX, 123A FA YUEN STREET, KOWLOON.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE CONTEST CAN BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING 723 6234.
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/13........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
- 13 -
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN KWUN TONG * * * * *
THE ANNUAL KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND, TSUI PING ROAD. IT WILL BEGIN AT 1.30 PM.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF FIGHTING AND PREVENTING CRIME.
THERE WILL BE A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING ITEMS, INCLUDING GAMES STALLS, A VARIETY SHOW, A DEMONSTRATION BY POLICE DOGS AND THE DISPLAY OF DANGEROUS DRUGS. r
TEN RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ASSISTED THE POLICE IN FIGHTING CRIME WILL BE PRESENTED THE "GOOD RESIDENT AWARD” AT THE CARNIVAL.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (KWUN TONG), MR ARTHUR HIGGINBOTTOM; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DFCC, MR MAU KEI-ON.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONGDISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 1.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND, TSUI PING ROAD.
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GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS
*****
TWENTY-EIGHT MONG KOK RESIDENTS WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) PRESENTED ’’GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS” FOR ASSISTING THE POLICE IN FIGHTING CRIME.
THEY INCLUDED 26 MEN AND TWO WOMEN AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 70.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT GOOD YOUTH CARNIVAL AND THE AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND, THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) CHAIRMAN, MRS TAM CHEUNG KIT-YING, SAID THE AWARD RECIPIENTS’ BRAVERY AND ALERTNESS DESERVED THE HIGHEST RESPECT FROM THE COMMUNITY.
"I HOPE ALL RESIDENTS WOULD CO-OPERATE WITH THE POLICE AND TAKE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO COMBAT CRIME,” SHE SAID.
/MRS TAM .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
- 14 -
MRS TAM POINTED OUT THAT THE CARNIVAL AND THE DISTRICT’S ’’BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION” WERE PART OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE TO SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE.
WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION WERE ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES AT THE CARNIVAL.
THE CARNIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DFCC, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED GAMES STALLS AND PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS, A CHOIR, AND THE POLICE BAND AND DOG UNIT.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE POLICE KOWLOON REGIONAL COMMANDER, MR PETER LEE; MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA; MONG KOK POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR JAMES WALKER; AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI.
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SINGING CONTEST FOR SHAM SHUI PO STUDENTS * * * * *
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO TAKE- PART IN THE DISTRICT’S FORTHCOMING STUDENTS’ SINGING CONTEST.
ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CONTEST AIMS AT PROMOTING STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE POSITIVE VALUES IN LIFE.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: SOLO FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS, SOLO FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS, AND GROUPS.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS IN THE GROUPS SECTION SHOULD NOT COMPRISE MORE THAN SIX MEMBERS.
THE PRELIMINARY COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 2 AND THE FINAL ON FEBRUARY 9.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS AND TWO OUTSTANDING CONTESTANTS IN EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND BOOK COUPONS.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS JANUARY 25.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 720 4251 OR 361 6205.
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/15 .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991
- 15 -
ACTION ON UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN SHAM SHUI PO
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ON THE ROOF OF 219B YEE KUK STREET, SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 6 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (SATURDAY).
r
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE* NO.
ACTING RS CALLS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT ON ELECTIONS .......................... 1
LEGISLATION ON PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY PROPOSED .................... 1
RESIDENTS URGED TO VOTE FOR A BETTER DISTRICT ............................ 2
SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO HOLD OPEN DAY...........,........ 3
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF OPEN SPACE ........................... 3
SUNDAY, JANUARY fi, 1991
- 1 -
ACTING RS CALLS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT ON ELECTIONS »»»»*»
THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, TOADY (SUNDAY) URGED DISTRICT COMMUNITY LEADERS TO SET GOOD EXAMPLES FOR OTHERS BY PARTICIPATING ACTIVELY TN THE THREE ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE LEADERS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR FELLOW RESIDENTS TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE ELECTIONS SO AS TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE THIRD HONG KONG SOCIAL DANCE OPEN COMPETITION AT THE HONG KONG EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE, MR FUNG SAID PUBLIC SUPPORT WAS VERY MUCH NEEDED FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WHICH WOULD BE HELD ON MARCH 3, MAY 5 AND SEPTEMBER 15 RESPECTIVELY.
MR FUNG NOTED THAT THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION WHICH ORGANISED THE COMPETITION HAD ARRANGED A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS' SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT.
"LARGE SCALE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION PROVIDE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SOCIETY," HE SAID.
THE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL CURRENTLY IN FULL SWING.
SIXTY PAIRS OF AMATEUR DANCERS COMPETED IN THE LATIN DANCE AND MODERN DANCE SECTIONS.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S COMPETITION INCLUDED THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN FUNG; AND DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU MUN.
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LEGISLATION ON PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENACT LEGISLATION ON RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME FOR THE ELDERLY THIS YEAR TO ENSURE THAT SERVICES PROVIDED IN SUCH HOMES ATTAIN THE REQUIRED STANDARDS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A NEW YEAR PARTY FOR THE ELDERLY JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LION’S CLUB OF BAUHINIA AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
/MR CHUI .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY. 6, 1991
2
MR CHUI SAID THE INCREASE IN PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN RECENT YEARS HAD HELPED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OLD PEOPLE WHO REQUIRED RESIDENTIAL SERVICE.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED THAT DESPITE THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND GUIDANCE GIVEN ON THE OPERATION OF SUCH PRIVATE HOMES, SOME OF THEM MIGHT STILL NOT BE ABLE TO OFFER A SERVICE THAT COULD MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS, HE SAID.
MR CHUI SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD SET OUT THE STANDARDS REQUIRED ON THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF WORKERS, THE FLOOR AREA RATIO, FURNISHING, SAFETY AND FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND SO ON.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TASKS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO LIAISE CLOSELY WITH OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THEIR OPERATION SO THAT ALL HOMES WOULD BE ABLE TO IMPROVE THEIR STANDARD TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, HE ADDED.
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RESIDENTS URGED TO VOTE FOR A BETTER DISTRICT ******
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG, THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING URGED RESIDENTS TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE THREE-TIER ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT ACADEMIC MEET AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, MISS TANG SAID ACTIVE SUPPORT BY THE PUBLIC WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE SMOOTH DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
"I WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL TO LOCAL RESIDENTS TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS TO HELP BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
MISS TANG NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE, WHICH ORGANISED THE ACADEMIC MEET, HAD HELPED ENHANCE COMMUNICATIONS AMONG SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"THE COMMITTEE ALSO PLANS AND CO-ORDINATES ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE GOOD FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS," SHE ADDED.
THE ACADEMIC MEET, WITH 13 PERFORMANCES BY MORE THAN 400 STUDENTS FROM 11 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, WAS HELD FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE 1988.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE PROGRAMME TONIGHT INCLUDED CHORUS SINGING, PERCUSSION RECITAL, A MUSICAL, FOLK DANCES AND POEM RECITATION.
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/3 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1991
SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO HOLD OPEN DAY
*****
SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WILL HOLD A THREE-DAY OPEN DAY FROM THURSDAY TO SATURDAY (JANUARY 10 TO 12).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE COLLEGE AT 6 CALDECOTT ROAD, KOWLOON FROM 9 AM TO 4.30 PM ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (JANUARY 10 AND 11), AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 12). A
THE PRESIDENT OF THE HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE, MR HO NGAI-MING, AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON JANUARY 10 (THURSDAY).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION OPEN DAY AT 6 CALDECOTT ROAD, KOWLOON AT 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 10).
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF OPEN SPACE
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OPEN SPACE AT SOUTH LANE/HILL ROAD IN WESTERN DISTRICT, HONG KONG.
THE PROJECT STANDS ON THE FORMER MARKET SITE AND THE OPEN SPACE WILL MEASURE ABOUT 780 SQUARE METRES.
IT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REST GARDEN, A TAI-CHI PLAYING AREA, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND CHESS TABLES.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN MAY THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 1992.
TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 25.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
CONTENTS PAGET NO.
HK-AN IRREPLACEABLE GATEWAY TO CHINA: STI .................................. 1
AG OUTLINES MAJOR CHALLENGES FACING LAWYERS ................................ 4
GOVERNMENT CONTINUES ITS EFFORT IN PROTECTING INVESTORS .................... 6
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE BRINGS ABOUT TWO MAJOR CHANGES ................................................................
FREE HEALTH GUIDE ON USE OF VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT............................ 12
WORK OF ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY PRAISED.................................. 12
EARLY REGISTRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS URGED ..................................................
THIRTEEN QUESTIONS FOR LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY ......................... 14
1 S
YAU TSIM FESTIVAL CONCERT TOMORROW ......................................
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
- 1 -
HK-AN IRREPLACEABLE GATEWAY TO CHINA: STI
******
TWO UNRELATED BUT EQUALLY IMPORTANT EVENTS SCHEDULED TO OCCUR ON JANUARY 15 WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY FAR-REACHING ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID IN LONDON TODAY (MONDAY).
MR CHAN TOLD THE HONG KONG EXECUTIVES CLUB THAT BOTH EVENTS -THE SITUATION IN THE PERSIAN GULF AND A MEETING IN GENEVA ON THE URUGUAY ROUND OF GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) NEGOTIATIONS - HAD, IN DIFFERENT WAYS, POTENTIALLY FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES FOR THE WORLD ECONOMY, AND AS A CONSEQUENCE FOR HONG KONG’S WHICH WAS SO OPEN AND EXPOSED TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCES.
HE SAID SHORT-TERM PROBLEMS AND UNCERTAINTIES SUCH AS THESE OFTEN LOOM VERY LARGE IN OUR THINKING.
e
"THEY ARE ALSO USUALLY RATHER WORRYING. WE HAVE TO LEARN TO FACE THEM, TO ANALYSE THE SITUATION CAREFULLY AND TO MAP OUT RESPONSES THAT WILL MAXIMISE THE OPPORTUNITIES AND MINIMISE THE RISKS.
"BUT WE MUST ALSO LEARN TO PUT SUCH SHORT-TERM PROBLEMS AND UNCERTAINTIES IN THEIR PROPER PERSPECTIVE AND NOT ALLOW THEM TO BLOCK OUR VISION, FOR, OTHERWISE, WE SHALL NEVER BE ABLE TO LOOK BEYOND OUR NOSES,” MR CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN NOTED THAT THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT POINT TO BEAR IN MIND WHEN LOOKING AT HONG KONG AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME.
"WE WERE GOING THROUGH A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE, A LONGISH PERIOD OF TRANSITION LEADING TO AN UNPRECEDENTED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE.
"THE SITUATION IS A SENSITIVE ONE. IT IS ALSO FULL OF APPARENT CONTRADICTIONS WHICH DEMAND A GREAT DEAL OF IMAGINATION TO COMPREHEND AND RECONCILE," HE SAID.
FOR A START, WHILE THE PROSPECTIVE CHANGE FROM BEING A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY TO BECOMING A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY WAS TRULY UNPRECEDENTED, IT WAS MEANT TO TAKE PLACE IN SUCH A WAY THAT HONG ' KONG’S LEGAL, JUDICIAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS WOULD REMAIN BASICALLY UNCHANGED; THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE AFTER 1997 TO BE RUN BY HONG KONG PEOPLE, NOT BY PEOPLE POSTED FROM THE MAINLAND; AND THAT HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN A CAPITALIST SOCIETY, UNDER THE "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" CONCEPT, WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"BUT TO ENSURE THAT THE PROMISED CONTINUITY ACROSS 1997 WILL MATERIALISE, AND THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REMAIN UNCHANGED DO REMAIN UNCHANGED, A GREAT DEAL OF WORK REQUIRES TO BE DONE DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD TO PUT THE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE.
"SOME OF THESE NECESSITATE CHANGES BEING MADE TO THE STATUS QUO. AT THE SAME TIME, HONG KONG MUST DEVELOP AND CHANGE IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS ANY LIVING SOCIETY DOES. WE LIVE IN A FAST MOVING WORLD IN WHICH WE OFTEN HAVE TO KEEP RUNNING TO STAND STILL.
/"NO SOCIETY,
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
"NO SOCIETY, LEAST OF ALL ONE AS DYNAMIC AND EXTERNALLY-ORIENTED AS HONG KONG’S, CAN BE PUT IN A REFRIGERATOR TO BE TAKEN OUT AND DEFROSTED AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME,” MR CHAN SAID.
HE CONTINUED: "THIS BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER APPARENT CONTRADICTION. ON THE ONE HAND, HAVING A 12 1/2-YEAR TRANSITION PERIOD BETWEEN THE SIGNATURE OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND THE RETURN TO CHINA OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG IS CLEARLY A SOUND AND SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENT WHICH ALLOWS AMPLE TIME IN WHICH TO PREPARE FOR THE SMOOTHEST POSSIBLE TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, IT DOES MEAN THAT THERE IS RATHER A LONG PERIOD IN WHICH THE DATE JULY 1, 1997 THREATENS TO BLOCK OUR VISION AND TO PREVENT US FROM LOOKING BEYOND IT."
FURTHERMORE, ALTHOUGH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC' LAW HAD SET OUT CLEARLY WHAT HONG KONG WOULD BE LIKE AFTER 1997, THERE WAS STILL, IN THE PERCEPTION OF SOME PEOPLE, GREAT UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHETHER WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED WOULD ACTUALLY MATERIALISE.
AND WHEN, AS WAS PERHAPS INEVITABLE, THE OCCASIONAL SQUABBLE AROSE BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS OVER A HONG KONG ISSUE, CONCERNS WERE IMMEDIATELY AROUSED THAT THE AGREEMENT OVER THE FUTURE WOULD NOT WORK.
"IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AT TIMES LIKE THIS .THAT WE SHOULD LOOK PURPOSEFULLY INTO THE FUTURE, BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT CONFRONT US," MR CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN TRACED CHANGES IN HON.G KONG’S ECONOMY FROM BEING LARGELY RELIANT ON MANUFACTURING TO THE STAGE NOW WHERE AROUND 70 PER CENT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WAS ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE SERVICES SECTOR.
WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS HAD INCREASED BY AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 9.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS BETWEEN 1984 AND 1989, THIS FIGURE PALED INTO INSIGNIFICANCE WHEN COMPARED WITH THAT FOR RE-EXPORTS WHICH HAD INCREASED BY AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF NEARLY 30 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD, REFLECTING IN PART THE REMARKABLE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
SO, WITH ITS CHINA CONNECTION, STRATEGIC LOCATION, HIGHLY EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOPHISTICATED COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, HONG KONG HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT TRADING, FINANCIAL AND SERVICES CENTRE FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, AS WELL AS AN IRREPLACEABLE GATEWAY TO CHINA, MR CHAN SAID.
TRADE WITH THE REGION HAD INCREASED BY OVER 30 PER CENT A YEAR IN 1987 AND 1988, AND BY A FURTHER 15 PER CENT IN 1989. TODAY, TRADE WITH ASIA-PACIFIC PARTNERS ACCOUNTED FOR MORE THAN THREE-QUARTERS OF OUR GLOBAL TRADE.
WITHIN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, MR CHAN SAID TRADE WITH EAST ASIA HAD GROWN PARTICULARLY FAST. TEN YEARS AGO, ASIA ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 45 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL TRADE: IT NOW ACCOUNTED FOR 60 PER CENT.
/"THIS IS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
3 -
"THIS IS LARGELY, BUT BY NO MEANS ALL, DUE TO CHINA,” HE SAID.
"I THINK YOU WILL AGREE THAT WHAT I HAVE DESCRIBED SO FAR PROVIDES VERY STRONG FOUNDATIONS ON WHICH WE CAN BUILD THE HONG KONG OF THE FUTURE.
"WE ARE BUILDING ON THESE FOUNDATIONS. THIS WILL NOT BE AN EASY TASK. THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS ALONG THE WAY. BUT THE TASK IS ENTIRELY ACHIEVABLE," THE SECRETARY SAID.
MR CHAN SAID A PERENNIAL THREAT TO SMALL, EXPORT-ORIENTATED ECONOMIES SUCH AS HONG KONG’S WAS TRADE PROTECTIONISM IN WORLD MARKETS.
"WE HAD VERY LITTLE CLOUT OF OUR OWN. THIS WAS WHY THE 'GATT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO US.
"THE ON-GOING URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS IS CRUCIAL TO THE FUTURE OF THE FREE TRADE SYSTEM THAT HAS BROUGHT PROSPERITY TO SO MANY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG, AS A CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT IN ITS OWN RIGHT, HAD BEEN PLAYING A FULL AND CONSTRUCTIVE PART IN THOSE NEGOTIATIONS.
"LIKE MANY OTHER PARTICIPANTS, WE WERE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THAT SERIOUS DIFFERENCES IN SOME AREAS PREVENTED THE URUGUAY ROUND FROM BEING SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED BEFORE THE END OF 1990.
"IT WILL TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF POLITICAL WILL AND COURAGE ON THE PART OF THE WORLD'S MAJOR TRADING POWERS TO RESOLVE THE OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS.
"I HOPE THEY WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE," MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG FULLY EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO BE FACED WITH PROBLEMS OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER.. BUT PROBLEMS WERE USUALLY BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE.
"TOO MUCH PLAIN SAILING CAN BE HYPNOTIC. HONG KONG WILL NOT SHY AWAY FROM ITS PROBLEMS, OR ALLOW THEM TO DISCOURAGE US FROM BUILDING FOR OURSELVES A BETTER TOMORROW," HE SAID.
"OUR STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE IS TO MAINTAIN THOSE ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE THAT ARE MOST ATTRACTIVE, SUCH AS A DYNAMIC ECONOMY, FULL EMPLOYMENT AND LOW TAX RATES, AND TO IMPROVE FURTHER THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN TERMS OF, FOR EXAMPLE, A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT, BETTER HOUSING AND HIGHER STANDARDS OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
"IN PURSUING THIS STRATEGY, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS PART, IS LOOKING WELL BEYOND 1997," MR CHAN SAID.
--------0 - -
/4 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
4
AG OUTLINES MAJOR CHALLENGES FACING LAWYERS *****
MAJOR CHALLENGES FACING LAWYERS WOULD ARISE THROUGH THE BILL OF RIGHTS, THE COMPLETION OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET IN 1992 AND THE INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR, MR MATHEWS SAID: "THE BILL OF RIGHTS IS NOT DESIGNED TO BRING ABOUT A REVOLUTION IN OUR LAWS AND OUR LEGAL SYSTEM. IT IS A RESTATEMENT IN LEGISLATIVE FORM OF THOSE CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS WHICH ARE ALREADY KNOWN TO US. '
"THE BILL SHOULD ENABLE THE INDIVIDUAL TO SEEK AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY IN OUR COURTS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THOSE RIGHTS. THE LEGAL PRINCIPLES WHICH IT ENUNCIATES WILL BE FAMILIAR TO EVERY LAWYER TRAINED IN THE COMMON LAW SYSTEM, EVEN IF THOSE PRINCIPLES ARE PACKAGED IN A NOVEL FORM."
IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE BILL WOULD BE CONSTITUTIONALLY UNDERPINNED BY AN AMENDMENT TO THE LETTERS PATENT WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM ENACTING VALID LAWS THAT WERE INCONSISTENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS WHICH WAS REPRODUCED IN THE BILL.
"THIS MEANS THAT WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGES A NEW LAW ON THE BASIS THAT THE LEGISLATURE DID NOT, BY REASON OF THE LETTERS PATENT, HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE THAT LAW, THE COURTS WILL BE ABLE TO REVIEW IT.
"AS FOR EXISTING LAWS, IF THEY ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL, THEY ARE REPEALED TO THE EXTENT OF THAT INCONSISTENCY BY OPERATION OF WELL-KNOWN RULES OF STATUTORY INTERPRETATION," MR MATHEWS SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS, IF ENACTED IN ITS PRESENT FORM, WOULD HAVE ITS GREATEST IMPACT ON THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN LITIGATION, PARTICULARLY CRIMINAL LITIGATION.
"VIOLATIONS OF THE BILL’S PROVISIONS MAY RESULT IN JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES GRANTING SUCH RELIEF AS THEY CONSIDER APPROPRIATE AND JUST, WHICH IN THE CONTEXT OF CRIMINAL TRIALS MAY FOR EXAMPLE MEAN THE EXCLUSION OF EVIDENCE WHICH, PRIOR TO THE BILL’S ENACTMENT, MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN ADMITTED," HE SAID.
BUT THE BILL SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED B'i CIVIL PRACTITIONERS. MR MATHEWS SAID ALTHOUGH IT WAS PRIMARILY ADDRESSED TO PUBLIC AUTHORITIES, THE BILL WOULD BIND EVERYONE IN HONG KONG.
"FOR EXAMPLE LIMITATIONS ON PERSONAL FREEDOMS WHICH ARE IMPOSED BY EMPLOYERS WILL HAVE TO BE SHOWN TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL.
"IN THIS CONTEXT, LEGAL ADVISERS TO LARGE BUSINESS CONCERNS MIGHT WELL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER WHETHER SERVICE AGREEMENTS WHICH SEEK TO IMPOSE LIMITATIONS ON THE CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES, SUCH AS THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION; THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND OPINION; AND THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC LIFE, ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
/"IT SHOULD .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
- 5 -
”IT SHOULD ALSO BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THAT, ALTHOUGH I WOULD NOT WISH TO PREDICT THE FINAL OUTCOME OF THE BILL WHICH IS PRESENTLY BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WE WILL NOT BE PRODUCING A 'CRIPPLED BILL’ .
"I WOULD WISH TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO STATE ONCE AGAIN -BECAUSE IT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO LEGAL PRACTITIONERS - THAT EVEN IF THERE IS A FREEZE PROVISION IN THE BILL - THE LEGISLATION ITSELF WILL BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY IT IS BROUGHT INTO OPERATION.
"IT IS NOT THE BILL WHICH IS FROZEN, OR LEGISLATION WHICH FOLLOWS IT, BUT ONLY PRE-EXISTING LEGISLATION - AND THAT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
"SO I URGE YOU ALL - JUDGES, BARRISTERS, AND SOLICITORS - TO MAKE Y’OURSELVES THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS. NO, ONE IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE DISADVANTAGED BECAUSE OF HIS LAWYER'S IGNORANCE OF HIS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS.”
ON EUROPE AND 1992, HE SAID ANY LAW FIRM WHICH HELD ITSELF OUT AS COMPETENT TO ADVISE ITS CLIENTS ON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, INVESTMENT OR LITIGATION WOULD NEED - IF IT WAS TO DO ITS JOB PROPERLY - ACCESS TO EUROPEAN LAW EXPERIENCE. THAT WOULD BE PROVIDED EITHER IN HOUSE OR BY THE BAR OR BY ASSOCIATION WITH ANOTHER FIRM, WHETHER LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL, WHICH HAD A SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF EUROPEAN LAW.
"THIS IS NOT, OF COURSE, TO SAY THAT THERE WILL BE NO ROOM FOR THE PURELY LOCAL PRACTICE, BUT IT IS TO SAY THAT IF HONG KONG IS TO REMAIN IN THE FOREFRONT OF LEGAL PRACTICE SO THAT THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSMAN CAN OBTAIN THE ADVICE THAT HE WANTS WHEN HE WANTS IT, THEN TRULY INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRMS MUST EXIST HERE.
"IF THEY DO NOT, THEN HONG KONG MUST INEVITABLY LOSE OUT AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE TO THE ADVANTAGE OF OTHER - PERHAPS MORE FORWARD LOOKING - CENTRES.
"HONG KONG IS IDEALLY PLACED TO STRENGTHEN ITS POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES. WE SHOULD SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO US BEFORE OTHERS DO, ALTHOUGH SOME OTHERS ARE ALREADY SHOWING US THE WAY," MR MATHEWS SAID.
AS FAR AS EUROPE WAS CONCERNED, HE SAID THE FACT OF THE MATTER WAS THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE SINGLE MARKET IN 1992 AND THE DEREGULATION OF FINANCIAL MARKETS WOULD MILITATE IN FAVOUR OF MULTINATIONAL PRACTICES.
"DO WE - AS LAWYERS IN HONG KONG - WANT TO BE A PART OF THOSE PRACTICES, WHICH WILL ENGAGE NOT ONLY IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY BUT WORLDWIDE, OR DO WE WISH TO RISK BEING ISOLATED?"
TURNING TO THE URUGUAY ROUND OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS HELD UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, OR GATT, MR MATHEWS SAID THE NEGOTIATIONS AIMED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO EXTEND TO TRADE IN SERVICES RULES AND DISCIPLINES BASED ON THOSE WHICH GOVERNED TRADE IN GOODS UNDER THE GATT, WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING TRADE IN SERVICES ON A COMPETITIVE AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY BASIS.
/’’ASSUMING THAT
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
6
"ASSUMING THAT THE PRESENT DEADLOCK IN THE URUGUAY ROUND IS RESOLVED AND AN AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES IS REACHED, WE MUST CONSIDER THE LIKELY CONSEQUENT IMPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE PROFESSION IN HONG KONG.
"THE MAIN IMPLICATION WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS WE SET FOR ADMISSION OF LAWYERS IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE MAINTAINED ON THE BASIS OF FAIR AND OBJECTIVE STANDARDS.
"I WISH TO REASSURE YOU THAT NOTHING IN THE POSSIBLE TRADE IN SERVICES AGREEMENT WILL UNDERMINE HONG KONG’S PRIMARY OBJECTIVE TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE SERVED BY LAWYERS OF COMPETENCE, EXPERIENCE AND INTEGRITY."
MR MATHEWS SAID IN THIS CONTEXT THE ADMINISTRATION, THE BAR AND THE LAW SOCIETY HAD BEEN HARD AT WORK SEEKING TO EVOLVE RULES AND CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR LAWYERS IN HONG KONG.
"WE ARE CONSIDERING THE IMPACT THAT ANY AGREEMENT RESULTING FROM THE TRADE IN SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS MIGHT HAVE ON THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
"THE SUBJECT IS FAR-REACHING AND COMPLEX, BUT EQUALLY IT IS ONE WHICH WE ALL REGARD AS HAVING A HIGH PRIORITY AND A GOOD DEAL OF PROGRESS HAS ALREADY’ BEEN MADE.
"THERE EXIST, NOT LEAST BECAUSE OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND BECAUSE OF EUROPE, GREAT CHALLENGES AND GREAT OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS UP TO US TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WISH TO GRASP THEM," MR MATHEWS SAID.
------0--------
GOVERNMENT CONTINUES ITS EFFORT IN PROTECTING INVESTORS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO WORK TOWARDS ENSURING THAT APPROPRIATE MEASURES ARE IN PLACE FOR THE PROPER PROTECTION OF NONPROFESSIONAL INVESTORS, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF RTHK’S "MONEY PROGRAMME" THIS AFTERNOON, MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE TO ENSURE FAIR TRADING AND THE AVAILABILITY OF RELEVANT AND TIMELY INFORMATION TO ALL INVESTORS.
THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN JULY LAST YEAR, MR NENDICK NOTED.
"IT PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE DEFINITION OF INSIDER DEALING AND EMPOWERS THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON PEOPLE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN INSIDER DEALING.
/"SUCH SANCTIONS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
’’SUCH SANCTIONS MAY INCLUDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AN ORDER THAT THE PERSON SHALL PAY TO THE GOVERNMENT THE AMOUNT OF ANY PROFIT GAINED OR LOSS AVOIDED AS A RESULT OF THE INSIDER DEALING, PLUS A FINE OF UP TO THREE TIMES THAT AMOUNT,” MR NENDICK SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AMENDMENTS WERE ALSO MADE TO THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) ORDINANCE IN JUNE LAST YEAR TO REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS OF LISTED COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE THEIR SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE DEALINGS TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
’’THIS ENSURES THAT THE STOCK EXCHANGE IS IN A POSITION TO PUBLISH PRICE-SENSITIVE INFORMATION AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE," MR NENDICK SAID.
’’STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO BRING BOTH THE ’INSIDER DEALING’ AND THE ’DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS’ ORDINANCES INTO OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE ADDED.
APART FROM MEASURES TO PROTECT INVESTORS, THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO TAKING STEPS TO IMPROVE THE LIQUIDITY OF THE SECURITIES MARKET, MR NENDICK SAID.
"TO THIS END, PLANS ARE IN HAND TO AMEND THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO ALLOW COMPANIES, BOTH LISTED AND UNLISTED, TO BUY BACK THEIR OWN SHARES.
”WE BELIEVE THAT THE POWER TO BUY BACK ITS OWN SHARES IS A USEFUL FINANCIAL TOOL WHICH SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO EVERY COMPANY BUT THERE MUST BE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSE,” HE SAID.
"THIS WE ARE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE,” MR NENDICK SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID ANOTHER MEASURE BEING CONSIDERED WAS TO ALLOW STOCK LENDING AND BORROWING INVOLVING MARKET PARTICIPANTS FREE OF STAMP DUTY.
’’THIS WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCREASING MARKET LIQUIDITY,” HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE BRINGS ABOUT TWO MAJOR CHANGES ******
THE MOST NOTABLE EVENT IN 1990 CONCERNING THE JUDICIARY WAS THE ENACTMENT OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH BRINGS ABOUT TWO MAJOR CHANGES, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
IN ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1991 LEGAL YEAR HELD AT THE CITY HALL, SIR TI LIANG SAID THE FIRST CHANGE WAS THAT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN ENLARGED FROM SIX TO NINE PERSONS.
/THE ENLARGED .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
- 8 -
THE ENLARGED MEMBERSHIP NOW CONSISTS OF:
- THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN;
- THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; AND
- SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, OF WHOM TWO SHALL BE JUDGES, ONE SHALL BE A BARRISTER AND ONE SHALL BE A
SOLICITOR, AND THREE LAYMEN WHO ARE NOT, IN THE OPINION OF
THE GOVERNOR, CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH THE PRACTICE OF LAW.
"BY THIS CHANGE IN MEMBERSHIP, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WILL NO LONGER BE ON THE COMMISSION, AND THE INCLUSION OF LAY MEMBERS ENSURES THAT THE PUBLIC HAS A VOICE IN' THE APPOINTMENT AND PROMOTION OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS," THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID.
THE NEXT MAJOR CHANGE WAS THAT WHILST THE COMMISSION’S RESOLUTIONS HAD TO BE UNANIMOUS PRIOR TO THE AMENDED ORDINANCE, THESE MAY NOW BE BY A MAJORITY.
"IT IS PROVIDED THAT AT A MEETING OF THE COMMISSION A RESOLUTION IS EFFECTIVE IF WHERE SEVEN MEMBERS ARE PRESENT, AT LEAST FIVE VOTE IN FAVOUR; WHERE EIGHT MEMBERS ARE PRESENT, AT LEAST SIX VOTE IN FAVOUR; AND WHERE NINE MEMBERS ARE PRESENT, AT LEAST SEVEN VOTE IN FAVOUR," SIR TI LIANG EXPLAINED.
IN THE DAYS WHEN RESOLUTIONS HAD TO BE UNANIMOUS, THERE WERE-COMPLAINTS THAT SINCE ONE PERSON ALONE COULD BLOCK AN APPOINTMENT OR PROMOTION, THIS COULD PRODUCE UNFAIR RESULTS. IT WAS THEN GENERALLY AGREED THAT RESOLUTIONS BY MAJORITY SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE. THE ARGUMENTS WERE CENTRED ON THE SIZE OF THE MAJORITY.
"ONE SCHOOL OF THOUGHT WAS THAT TWO DISSENTING VOTES SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO RENDER A RESOLUTION INEFFECTIVE," THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID.
"THE OTHER SCHOOL HOWEVER MAINTAINED THAT IN ORDER TO PREVENT TWO PEOPLE FROM ACTING UNFAIRLY TOGETHER, THREE DISSENTING VOTES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RENDER A RESOLUTION INEFFECTIVE, FOR THE LIKELIHOOD OF THREE PEOPLE AGREEING TO ACT UNFAIRLY TOGETHER WAS VERY MUCH REDUCED," HE ADDED.
AFTER LONG AND CAREFUL DELIBERATIONS, THE RESULT WAS THAT THREE DISSENTING VOTES WERE NEEDED TO RENDER A RESOLUTION INEFFECTIVE.
"WHATEVER THE PROS AND CONS, THE NEW LAW HAS NOW BEEN PASSED, AND IT IS UP TO ALL THOSE CONCERNED TO MAKE IT. WORK. IN MY VIEW THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO SUSPECT THAT THE COMMISSION COULD NOT OR WOULD NOT ACT FAIRLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY IN FUTURE," SIR TI LIANG STRESSED.
UNDER THE NEW LAW, THE CHAIRMAN AND SIX OTHERS FORM A QUORUM.
/THE JUDICIAL .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
9 -
THE .JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, ENACTED ON JULY 12, 1990, CAME INTO OPERATION ON NOVEMBER 26, 1990. THE COMMISSION IS THE BODY WHICH MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS.
EARLIER, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE COMMISSION WAS A MUCH DEBATED ISSUE AT THE TIME THE AMENDMENT BILL WAS EXAMINED THOUGH IT WAS AGREED BY ALL THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO SINCE THE COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED, HAD ALWAYS ACTED FAIRLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY.
"THOSE WHO WERE IN FAVOUR OF KEEPING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE COMMISSION ARGUED THAT LAWYERS FROM HIS DEPARTMENT APPEARED IN A GREAT MANY CASES AT ALL LEVELS OF THE COURTS AND HE WOULD THEREFORE BE IN A POSITION TO OFFER USEFUL COMMENTS WHEN JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS WERE CONSIDERED.
"ON THE OTHER HAND THOSE WHO CONTENDED THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD NOT BE A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION HELD THAT AS A SENIOR M MBER OF THE EXECUTIVE, AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN NOT ONLY THE S '.STANCE BUT ALSO THE APPEARANCE OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY, HE SHOULD NOT SERVE ON THE COMMISSION," HE SAID.
AFTER LONG AND CAREFUL DELIBERATIONS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S MEMBERSHIP STAYS, IN LINE WITH JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSIONS OF MANY OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
IN HIS SPEECH, THE CHIEF JUSTICE ALSO ELABORATED ON HOW THE COMMISSION ASSESSES CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT AND PROMOTION.
"WHEN IT IS KNOWN THAT THERE WILL BE A VACANCY AT ANY LEVEL BELOW THE HIGH COURT, NOTIFICATION IS SENT OUT TO THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS THROUGH THE GOOD OFFICES OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY. NOTIFICATION IS ALSO SENT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, REGISTRAR GENERAL AND DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID.
"IN THE RECRUITMENT OF MAGISTRATES, THE VACANCIES MAY BE ADVERTISED IN ENGLAND AS WELL. A CLOSING DATE IS GIVEN FOR APPLICATIONS AND VERY OFTEN INTERVIEWS ARE HELD.
"FOR THOSE ALREADY WITHIN THE JUDICIARY WHO ARE ENTITLED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A MORE SENIOR POST, THE CHIEF JUSTICE RECEIVES ADVICE FROM A BODY CALLED THE JUDICIARY APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
THE COMMITTEE, SET UP YEARS AGO BY SIR TI LIANG’S PREDECESSOR, IS CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE JONES AND ASSISTED BY A HIGH COURT JUDGE, A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, AND THE CHIEF MAGISTRATE, WITH THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT, AS SECRETARY.
"BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES, WITH SOME OF WHOM I MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR, I CONTINUE TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM THE COMMITTEE, ALTHOUGH LT BY NO MEANS PRECLUDES ME FROM FORMING MY OWN JUDGEMENT ON PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OR WHAT I LEARN THROUGH MY CONTACTS WITHIN THE JUDICIARY AND THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS.
/"IN THIS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
- 10 -
"T\ THIS WAY, IT IS HOPED THAT INCORRECT ASSESSMENTS MAY BE VASTLY REDUCED IF NOT ENTIRELY ELIMINATED," THE CHIEF JUSTICE STRESSED.
SIR TI LIANG POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THE JUDICIARY APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE HAS MADE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE, AND WHEN ALL OTHER APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, A PAPER IS PREPARED FOR THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION.
"THE PAPER WILL GIVE DETAILS OF THE POST OR POSTS TO BE FILLED, OF ALL CANDIDATES, AND WILL HAVE ATTACHED, FOR THOSE FROM W,ITHIN GOVERNMENT SERVICE, THE ASSESSMENTS RECEIVED FROM THEIR HEADS OF DEPARTMENT.
"IN ADDITION, THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM THE ANNUAL STAFF REPORT FILES FOR EVERY ELIGIBLE PERSON FROM WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE," HE SAID.
THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE READ ALL THESE PAPERS BEFORE A MEETING IS HELD AND THEY THEN CONSIDER ALL THOSE ELIGIBLE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT FACTORS SUCH AS THE CANDIDATE’S LEGAL KNOWLEDGE, JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT AND PROPRIETY OF CONDUCT IN AND OUT OF COURT, TOGETHER WITH AGE, SENIORITY AND EXPERIENCE, AND KNOWLEDGE OF LEGAL AFFAIRS AND LANGUAGE, HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE EMPHASISED THAT THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS ITS’ MATTERS EXTREMELY THOROUGHLY, BEARING 'IN MIND THE OVERRIDING DUTY TO APPOINT THE BEST PEOPLE AVAILABLE TO JUDICIAL OFFICE WHILST, AT THE SAME TIME, BEING SCRUPULOUSLY FAIR TO ALL THOSE ENTITLED TO BE CONSIDERED.
ON THE POSTS IN THE HIGH COURT, SIR TI LIANG STATED THAT THE PROCEDURES TEND TO BE SLIGHTLY LESS FORMAL AND THE JUDICIARY APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE IS NOT ASKED TO ADVISE THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
"THOSE WITHIN THE JUDICIARY, WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ELEVATION TO THE HIGH COURT BENCH, ARE USUALLY WELL KNOWN TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. CERTAINLY THAT HAS BEEN SO IN THE PAST, ALTHOUGH, WITH A COMMISSION NOW INCLUDING MEMBERS NOT CONNECTED WITH THE LEGAL PROFESSION, THE POSITION WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
"CANDIDATES FOR THE HIGH COURT BENCH FROM OUTSIDE THE JUDICIARY BUT FROM WITHIN HONG KONG WILL, INEVITABLY, BE WELL KNOWN AND, ALTHOUGH CERTAIN ENQUIRIES MAY HAVE TO BE MADE, THERE IS USUALLY LITTLE DOUBT IN THE COMMISSION ABOUT SOMEONE’S SUITABILITY OR OTHERWISE," HE SAID.
IT WAS HOWEVER A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT TO CONSIDER CANDIDATES FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG (UP TO NOW ALWAYS ENGLAND) WHERE LESS WILL BE KNOWN AND MORE ENQUIRIES MAY BE CALLED FOR, BOTH HERE AND IN ENGLAND, ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
/NEVERTHELESS, SIR
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
11
NEVERTHELESS, SIR TI LIANG SAID THE JUDICIARY NOW HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE SO THAT CANDIDATES, WHO ARE TO BE GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, CAN BE INVITED TO COME TO HONG KONG, AT THE JUDICIARY’S EXPENSE, SO THAT MEMBERS AND LEADING FIGURES IN THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS CAN MEET HIM OR HER TO FORM A PERSONAL ASSESSMENT, AND THE CANDIDATE WILL ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORM AN ASSESSMENT OF THIS CITY IN GENERAL AND THE JUDICIARY IN PARTICULAR.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS THE APPLICATION FOR THOSE EMPLOYED ON CONTRACT TERMS TO GO ONTO THE PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT, AND ALSO THE APPLICATION OF THOSE ON CONTRACT FOR A DEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME TO HAVE THEIR CONTRACTS RENEWED WHEN THESE EXPIRE BY EFFLUXION OF TIME.
"WHILST THE COMMISSION DOES NOT FEEL OBLIGED TO RECOMMEND A RENEWAL OF CONTRACT, THE INSTANCES OF REFUSAL ARE RARE, EXCEPT FOR THOSE MAGISTRATES WHO WISH TO STAY ON AFTER THE RETIREMENT AGE OF 60," HE MAINTAINED.
EXPLAINING WHY HE HAD GIVEN AN OUTLINE ON THE APPOINTMENTS, SIR TI LIANG SAID: "I AM GRATIFIED TO NOTE THAT THERE IS A HEALTHY DESIRE ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE.
"THE PARAMOUNT OBJECTIVE IS A JUDICIARY OF QUALITY AND INDEPENDENCE WHICH COMMANDS PUBLIC CONFIDENCE; AND THE SYSTEM -NECESSARILY A HUMAN ONE OF COURSE - HAS BEEN FASHIONED TO ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE BY AN IMPARTIAL, FAIR AND EFFECTIVE PROCESS."
THE CHIEF JUSTICE CONCLUDED HIS ADDRESS BY ASSURING MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE AND PUBLIC THAT THE JUDICIARY WOULD DO ITS BEST - NOBODY FORGETS THE INTERESTS OF THE CANDIDATES AND AT THE SAME TIME, NOBODY IS ENTITLED TO PUT ANY INTEREST ABOVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
EARLIER, SIR TI LIANG ACKNOWLEDGED IN HIS SPEECH THE RETIREMENT OF MR JUSTICE O’CONNOR, WHO HAD LEFT THE JUDICIARY IN NOVEMBER 1990 AFTER 28 YEARS WITH THE JUDICIARY.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID MR JUSTICE O’CONNOR IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED JUDGE WHO HAD MADE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION, MR ANTHONY ROGERS, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR DONALD YAP.
THE CEREMONIAL OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR ORGANISED BY THE JUDICIARY WAS WELL ATTENDED BY JUDGES, MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER DIGNITARIES.
IT BEGAN WITH A CHURCH SERVICE AT CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, CAINE ROAD, AT 3.30 PM.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY ADDRESSES IN THE CONCERT HALL OF CITY HALL WHICH FINISHED AROUND 6.30 PM.
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/12 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
- 12 -
FREE HEALTH GUIDE ON USE OF VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT
*****
THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION OF RECENTLY PUBLISHED A CONCISE GUIDE ON THE DISPLAY UNIT (VDU) UNDER ITS PROTECTION OF THE INFORMATION OF GENERAL VDU OPERATORS.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS HEALTH ASPECTS OF VISUAL WORKERS’ HEALTH SERIES FOR
UNIT", THE VDU, WHILE
ENTITLED "HEALTH GUIDE ON THE USE OF VISUAL DISPLAY BOOKLET AIMS TO CLEAR THE DOUBTS AND ANXIETY IN THE USE OF ADVISING ON WAYS AND MEANS TO MINIMISE OR PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE
OF
HEALTH COMPLAINTS.
THE GUIDE LOOKS INTO PROBLEMS COMMONLY THOUGHT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH VDU SUCH AS RADIATION, CATARACT, EPILEPSY, FACJAL DERMATITIS, MISCARRIAGE AND FOETAL ABNORMALITIES, MUSCLE PAINS, FATIGUE AND EYE
STRAIN.
IT ALSO SUGGESTS VARIOUS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BEFORE OPERATING THE MACHINE AS RELATED TO THE JOB, THE EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE USED, THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND THE USER.
PUBLISHED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, THE BOOKLET AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL DIVISION AND ITS OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE UNIT REGIONAL OFFICES.
IS NOW.
HEALTH
FURTHER ADVICE ON THE SUBJECT MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION ON 15TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, HONG KONG.
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WORK OF ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY PRAISED *******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY FOR THE IMPORTANT ROLE IT PLAYS IN PROMOTING WATER SAFETY.
SPEAKING AT THE CENTENARY RE-UNION DINNER OF THE SOCIETY’S HONG KONG BRANCH, THE GOVERNOR SAID EVERY YEAR THE LOCAL BRANCH TAUGHT THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE HOW TO SAVE LIVES, PREVENT ACCIDENTS IN THE WATER AND GIVE FIRST AID TREATMENT.
"THOSE WHO RECEIVE THIS TRAINING BECOME MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR OWN ABILITIES.
"THEY ALSO HAVE THE GREAT SATISFACTION OF BEING BETTER EQUIPPED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS MORE AND MORE HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD FOUND THEIR RELAXATION IN WATERSPORTS.
/"IN THE .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
- 13 -
"IN THE SUMMER, OUR BEACHES ARE FULL OF FAMILIES ENJOYING THEMSELVES. IT IS GOOD TO SEE PEOPLE ENJOYING THEMSELVES IN THIS WAY.
"IT IS RIGHT THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO IN SAFETY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SOCIETY FOR ITS DEDICATED SERVICE AND TO THOSE WHO GAVE UP THEIR FREE TIME TO TEACH, EXAMINE AND ORGANISE THE YOUNG LIFE-GUARDS.
----u----
EARLY REGISTRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS URGED »****»
PEOPLE PRACTISING AS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION BY JANUARY 31.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARIAT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD AND THE MEDICAL LABORATORY BOARD SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT SOME OF THE APPLICANTS MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO SIT FOR A BOARD EXAMINATION WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICANTS SHOULD HAND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS BY JANUARY 31 ALTHOUGH APPLICATIONS FOR FULL REGISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED BEYOND THAT DAY.
"EARLY RETURN WILL ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE RELEVANT STATUTORY BOARDS TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES BEFORE AUGUST 1 AS WELL AS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY WELL IN ADVANCE THOSE APPLICANTS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO SIT FOR THE EXAMINATION IN APRIL," HE SAID.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE EXERCISE IS TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION TO THE PUBLIC BY MAINTAINING ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS IN THE PRACTICE OF THESE TWO SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.
"OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RELEVANT SECTIONS IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF THESE TWO PROFESSIONS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR.
AFTER THAT DATE, UNREGISTERED PERSONS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PRACTISE IN THESE PROFESSIONS.
AS REGARDS PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION WHICH IS A ONE-OFF EXERCISE, APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED UNTIL JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
/LATE APPLICATIONS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AND THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION ARE DEEMED TO BE REGISTERED UNTIL THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE KNOWN.
DETAILS ON THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES ARE CONTAINED IN A BOOKLET ON "GUIDE TO APPLICANTS".
THE BOOKLET TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATION FORM CAN BE OBTAINED IN PERSON OR BY WRITING TO THE SECRETARIAT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD AND THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD AT SUNNING PLAZA, SIXTH FLOOR, 10 HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THEY ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL AND TSAN YUK HOSPITAL ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KOWLOON HOSPITAL, LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL AND QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL IN KOWLOON; CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, FANLING HOSPITAL, KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, ST JOHN HOSPITAL ON CHEUNG CHAU, SIU LAM HOSPITAL, SOUTH LANTAU HOSPITAL AND TUEN MUN HOSPITAL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 890 0843 OR 890 0514.
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THIRTEEN QUESTIONS FOR LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY • * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 13 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR BILLS AT THE COUNCIL'S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 9).
THE FOUR BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY ARE LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990 AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATION BILL 1990.
DEBATE ON THE BILLS WILL BE ADJOURNED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1991
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YAU TSIM FESTIVAL CONCERT TOMORROW
*****
A YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM TOMORROW (TUESDAY). IT WILL BEGIN AT 7.45 PM.
THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, THE CONCERT WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY A POPULAR BAND AND SINGERS. THE PROGRAMME WILL FOCUS ON THE DISTRICT’S CHARACTERISTICS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL CONCERT AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THEY ARE REQUESTED TO COLLECT THE ADMISSION TICKETS FROM THE RECEPTION COUNTER AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THE COLISEUM AT 7.30 PM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT LOOKING INTO INNOVATIVE WAYS OF RAISING REVENUE ..................... 1
TAC DISCUSSES TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ........ 2
ACTING RS URGES SUPPORT FOR DB ELECTIONS ................................. 4
DECEMBER SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL BEING CONDUCTED .. 5
REGISTRATION OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING CO. REVOKED. ............................ 5
CYC WORKS TOWARDS BETTER ENVIRONMENT ..................................... 6
LABOUR COMMISSIONER VISITS KNITTING FACTORY .............................. 6
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1991
GOVT LOOKING INTO INNOVATIVE WAYS OF RAISING REVENUE *******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED TO ENSURE THAT ITS OVERALL PUBLIC REVENUE DOES NOT REMAIN SO HEAVILY RELIANT ON SALARIES TAX AND BUSINESS PROFITS TAX, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG TOYS COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD SAID THESE TWO DIRECT TAXES ARE SO SENSITIVE BOTH TO HONG KONG’S OWN ECONOMY AND THAT OF THE WORLD AT LARGE, OVER WHICH WE HAVE NO CONTROL.
"THIS HAS SPURRED US TO KEEP LOOKING AT INNOVATIVE WAYS OF RAISING REVENUE," HE SAID.
"ONE IDEA WHICH HAS BEEN MOOTED IS A ’PREMIUM BOND’ SCHEME ALONG THE LINES OF THE ONE WHICH HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS OR SO.
"IT IS, IN FACT, A KIND OF SOFT GOVERNMENT BORROWING THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE MIGHT ACCEPT AS WORTHWHILE TO PARTICIPATE IN, AND FUN.
"LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR, THOUGH, THAT THIS IS NOT ON THE AGENDA ■ FOR THIS YEAR’S BUDGET.
"WHAT HAPPENS UNDER THE SCHEME IS THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BUY A BOND FROM THE GOVERNMENT AT A FACE VALUE OF, SAY $100. THE BONDS CAN BE REDEEMED AT THEIR FACE VALUE AT ANY TIME AS LONG AS THEY HAVE BEEN HELD FOR AT LEAST FOUR MONTHS.
"THERE IS NO INTEREST PAID DIRECTLY ON THE BOND. INSTEAD, THE GOVERNMENT HOLDS THE PROCEEDS OF ALL SALES, AND PUTS PART OF THE INTEREST EARNED ON THE MONEY BACK INTO A PRIZE FUND.
"PRIZES ARE DRAWN ON THE BASIS OF THE BOND NUMBERS ONCE A WEEK. THE PRIZES WOULD BE LARGE ENOUGH TO MAKE THE BONDS AN INTERESTING PROPOSITION TO MOST HONG KONG PEOPLE."
MR MACLEOD STRESSED THAT THIS IS NOT A FORM OF GAMBLING, ADDING THAT UNLIKE THE MARK SIX LOTTERY, THE AMOUNT INVESTED IN THE BOND IS NEVER LOST: IT IS ALWAYS REDEEMABLE IN FULL, WHETHER THE BOND WINS A PRIZE OR NOT.
"AND THE SAME BOND CAN WIN PRIZES OVER AND OVER AGAIN: IT ALWAYS FORMS PART OF THE DRAW AS LONG AS THE HOLDER DECIDES NOT TO REDEEM IT," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT SALARIES TAX AND BUSINESS PROFITS TAX ARE, OF COURSE, ALWAYS HOSTAGE TO CONTINUE EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE BY THE BUSINESS SECTOR.
"THANKFULLY, THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF ANY DIRE HAPPENINGS ON THAT FRONT IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE ADDED.
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/2 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1991
2
TAC DISCUSSES TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ******
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED THE POSSIBLE MEASURES TO TACKLE THE CONGESTION PROBLEM AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE 1991-95 FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME (FPP) OF KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY.
THE TAC MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES WERE INTRODUCED TO ALLEVIATE THE CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IN 1988, INCLUDING LANE MARKING, BUS STOP RELOCATIONS AND BUS BAY WIDENING.
HOWEVER, THESE MEASURES HAD PROVIDED SOME MARGINAL RELIEF BUT PROVED INSUFFICIENT TO CONTAIN CONGESTION MAINLY BECAUSE THE MAXIMUM z CAPACITY OF THE TUNNEL HAS ALREADY BEEN EXCEEDED.
MEANWHILE, THE TOTAL VOLUME OF TRAFFIC IN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HAS INCREASED FROM 118,000 VEHICLES A DAY IN SEPTEMBER 1989 TO 122,000 VEHICLES A DAY IN DECEMBER 1990.
THIS INCREASE IS THE RESULT OF THE RELEASE OF SUPPRESSED DEMAND AND A SHIFT FROM FERRY TO TUNNEL TRAFFIC UPON THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
THE'PRACTICAL CAPACITY OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IS 100,000 VEHICLES PER DAY.
TRAFFIC USING THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING HAS INCREASED FROM 19,000 VEHICLES PER DAY IN SEPTEMBER 1989 WHEN IT FIRST- OPENED TO 38,000 VEHICLES PER DAY IN DECEMBER 1990.
DESPITE SUCH GROWTH, THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IS STILL VERY MUCH UNDER-UTILISED. THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE SLIGHTLY UPON THE OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IN MID 1991 WHEN AN EXTRA 4,000 VEHICLES ARE EXPECTED TO PASS THROUGH IT.
MUCH EFFORT HAS ALREADY BEEN PUT INTO IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING SUCH AS PUTTING UP MORE TRAFFIC SIGNS AND IMPROVING THE ACCESS ROADS. HOWEVER, ONLY 38,000 VEHICLES ARE USING IT EVERY DAY.
AT THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING TODAY, MEMBERS ADVISED THAT THE AIM OF ANY NEW MEASURES SHOULD BE TO FACILITATE THE EASIER MOVEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGERS, MAXIMISE THE USE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES SUCH AS THE EASTERN ISLAND CORRIDOR AND SECOND CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, AND REDUCING THE ECONOMIC DISBENEF1TS ARISING FROM CONGESTION ON OUR ROADS AND ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
THE COMMITTEE ASKED THE ADMININSTRATION TO PROVIDE MORE DATA AND INFORMATION SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO TENDER THEIR ADVICE ON THE BEST WAY TO TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS AT A FUTURE MEETING.
THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO INFORMED OF THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S FIVE-YEAR PLAN AND ITS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS.
/THE PLAN .......
3
THH PLAN INCLUDES PROGRAMMES ON BUS ROUTE, FLEET AND DEPOT DEVELOPMENT, AND FINANCIAL FORECASTS FOR THE FIVE YEARS ENDING 1995.
ON ROUTE DEVELOPMENT, MEMBERS NOTED THAT KMB, IN PREPARING THE LATEST PROGRAMME, HAS ALREADY TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE [AC’S ADVICE ON THE NEED FOR A CRITICAL REVIEW OF NETWORK EFFICIENCY, THEREBY MAKING FULLER USE OF ITS EXISTING FLEET.
KMB HAS PLANS FOR 29 NEW ROUTES AND 107 SERVICE IMPROVEMENT ITEMS TO SERVE NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND TO MEET RISING DEMAND FOR CERTAIN EXISTING SERVICES.
THESE INCLUDE 10 AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES AND THE CONVERSION OF
FOUR EXISTING ROUTES TO AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES. IN ADDITION, 48 AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE DECKERS ARE PROPOSED FOR DEPLOYMENT ON EIGHT EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR ROUTES IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.
NOW CONDUCTING
ECONOMICS OF A MORE BALANCED SERVICES, ' HAVING
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS A STUDY ON THE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES WITH A VIEW TO FORMULATING AND REALISTIC FARE SCALE FOR AIR-CONDITIONED BUS REGARD TO VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE CONCERNED THAT SOME PASSENGERS MIGHT BE FORCED TO USE THE AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES AT HIGHER FARES AS AND WHEN MORE CONVENTIONAL BUS SERVICES ARE GRADUALLY PHASED OU I .
TAC MEMBERS WERE ASSURED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD MONITOR CLOSELY THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF KMB’S. AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THEIR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND CUSTOMER FEEDBACK.
THERE ARE PLANS FOR
SERVICES OR SERVICES FOR WHICH
FURTHER RATIONALISING THE DEMAND IS FALLING.
LOSS-INCURRING
KMB HAS NOT IMPLEMENTED SOME SERVICE RATIONALISATION IN THE LIGHT OF OBJECTIONS OR COUNTER-PROPOSALS FROM BOARDS. REVISED PROPOSALS ARE BEING FORMULATED AND THE BOARDS WILL BE FURTHER CONSULTED.
PROPOSALS DISTRICT DISTRICT
TAC MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON KMB’S FINANCIAL FORECASTS AND NOTED THAT, AT EXISTING FARE LEVELS, THERE WOULD BE A SHORIFALL IN PERMITTED RETURN IN ALL FIVE YEARS COVERED BY THE PLAN.
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/4 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1991
- 4 -
ACTING RS URGES SUPPORT FOR DB ELECTIONS
*****
THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KFUNG, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING URGED LOCAL RESIDENTS TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE FORTHCOMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL CONCERT AT THE HONG KONG . COLISEUM, MR FUNG SAID LOCAL RESIDENTS SHOULD EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS BY CASTING VOTES IN THE MARCH 3 ELECTIONS.
"THE SUCCESS OF A REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON THE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS,” HE STRESSED.
ON THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL, MR FUNG SAID ITS VARIOUS ACTIVITIES HAD ENABLED RESIDENTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR DISTRICT AND ENHANCED THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
"THE FESTIVAL ALSO ENCOURAGED THE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL AFFAIRS SO AS TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY AND TO STRIVE FOR THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
"THIS SPIRIT OF UNITY AND ENTERPRISE IS EXACTLY WHAT HONG KONG NEEDS TO COPE WITH FUTURE CHALLENGES," MR FUNG NOTED.
MORE THAN 10,000 RESIDENTS ATTENDED THE CONCERT WHICH WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST EVENTS OF THE CURRENT DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
THE CONCERT FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY A POPULAR BAND AND SINGERS AS WELL AS OTHER PROGRAMMES FOCUSING ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT.
OTHER.OFFICIATING GUESTS OF THE CEREMONY INCLUDED THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHIU YU-HEI.
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/5 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1991
- 5 -
DECEMBER SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL BEING CONDUCTED
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE DECEMBER 1990 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 40,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1990. REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDEk 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.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON DECEMBER 31, 1990 FOR EACH SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1990.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 823 5076.
-----0------
REGISTRATION OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING CO. REVOKED
******
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF CHINA INVESTMENT AND FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT.THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JANUARY 8 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
0
/6.........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1991
- 6 -
CYC WORKS TOWARDS BETTER ENVIRONMENT
* ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE ITS COMMUNITY SERVICES IN THE 1990s UNDER THE THEME ’’ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND CREATION OF BETTER ENVIRONMENT.”
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN LAUNCHING THE CYC CITY GAMES TELEVISION SERIES.
HE SAID THE CLUB FORMED PART OF THE SCHOOL EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND IS A POPULAR YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUP.
THE 13-PART TV SERIES, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK) AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IS TO ENCOURAGE MORE YOUTHS TO CARE AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY, AND TO KNOW BETTER ABOUT THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THEY LIVE.
THE 30-MINUTE PROGRAMME WILL BE TELEVISED ON ATV HOME CHANNEL EVERY SATURDAY, STARTING FROM JANUARY 12.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS THE CONTROLLER (EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION), RTHK, MR CHU PUI-HING.
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LABOUR COMMISSIONER VISITS KNITTING FACTORY ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE FANG BROTHERS KNITTING LTD IN KWAI CHUNG TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE LABOUR SCENE.
ESTABLISHED IN 1972, THE FACTORY MANUFACTURES LADIES’ KNITWEARS MAINLY FOR EXPORT TO THE UNITED STATES. IT HAS A WORKFORCE OF ABOUT 800, MOSTLY EXPERIENCED WORKERS WITH LONG YEARS OF SERVICE.
MR HAMMOND WAS RECEIVED ON ARRIVAL BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR KENNETH FANG, WHO BRIEFED HIM ON THE GENERAL EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN THE FACTORY.
MR HAMMOND WAS TOLD THAT THE LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS ARE HARMONIOUS AND THE FACTORY HAS SUCCEEDED IN MAINTAINING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
NO PROSECUTION UNDER INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT AGAINST IT IN RECENT YEARS WHILE MOST INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS RECORDED WERE ALL OF A MINOR NATURE.
MR HAMMOND LATER TOURED THE PLANT TO SEE EMPLOYEES AT WORK.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991 CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
BILL TO TACKLE CAR EMISSIONS ........................................ 1
BILL TO STRENGTHEN SMOKE CONTROL .................................... 3
STEPS TO MINIMISE VOLUME OF WASTE ................................... 5
USE OF RECYCLED PAPER ENCOURAGED .................................... 7
GOVT TACKLING BEDSPACE APARTMENT PROBLEM DILIGENTLY ................. 8
SUCCESSFUL POLICE ACTIONS AGAINST CAR HOLD-UP CASES ................. 10
PROPOSAL TO LICENSE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION ............................. 11
QUICK ACTION AGAINST DANGEROUS SIGNS ................................ 12
MONITORING OF SUPPLY OF METHADONE CONSIDERED ADEQUATE ............... 13
PERMANENT SOLUTIONS NEEDED TO TACKLE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TRAFFIC ... 14
POLICY ON ENTRY OF VISITORS FROM EASTERN EUROPE, SOVIET UNION BEING REVIEWED ............................................................. 15
GOVT'S OBJECTIVE TO FIND MOST SUITABLE PERSON FOR SECRETARY FOR WORKS POST.................................................................. 16
NOT UNUSUAL FOR POLICE TO ASK FOR IDENTITY PROOF .................... 16
NO INCOME LIMIT FOR HOS GREEN FORM APPLICANTS ....................... 17
EXTENDED PHARMACY SERVICE OPERATING SMOOTHLY ........................ 18
FUNDS TO BE SOUGHT FOR SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE .................... 18
BILL TO DEFINE DEPUTY JUDGES' STATUS IN LAND TRIBUNAL INTRODUCED .... 19
FOUR BILLS INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO .................................... 20
'PREMIUM BOND' HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AIRPORT PROJECT.................. 21
PREVENTIVE DRUG EDUCATION COURSE FOR TEACHERS ......................... 22
1990 STAMP PACK ON SALE FROM MONDAY ................................... 22
NEW MONG KOK POST OFFICE TO OPEN ON JAN 21 ............................ 23
CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY ............. 23
TENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCIES INVITED .............................. 24
SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY ................................ 25
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
BILL TO TACKLE CAR EMISSIONS
*****
THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS A MOVE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES WERE ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG, AFFECTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECOGNISED THIS FACT AND, IN THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION, SPELT OUT A FOUR-PART STRATEGY TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, WHICH INVOLVED:
- ENSURING THAT UNLEADED PETROL IS SUPPLIED AND USED WIDELY;
- INTRODUCING NEW LEGISLATION WHICH WILL ENABLE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL TO BE EXERCISED OVER SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES IN USE;
- INTRODUCING NEW REGULATIONS WHICH WILL REQUIRE ALL VEHICLES IMPORTED, BOTH DIESEL AND PETROL ENGINED, TO COMPLY WITH THE MOST STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS; AND
- EXAMINING AND, IF FEASIBLE, IMPLEMENTING MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING RELIANCE ON DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE BILL INTRODUCED TODAY CONCERNED THE FIRST TWO PARTS OF THE STRATEGY WITH REGARD TO THE SUPPLY AND USAGE OF UNLEADED PETROL AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROL OVER SMOKE EMISSIONS.
HE SAID THE DRAFTING OF NEW REGULATIONS TO SPECIFY DESIGN STANDARDS FOR NEW VEHICLES WAS IN HAND AND WOULD SHORTLY BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WHILE THE LAST PART OF THE STRATEGY - WHICH WAS AIMED AT REDUCING RELIANCE ON DIESEl,-ENGINED VEHICLES - WAS ALSO BEING PURSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE BILL UNLEADED PETROL WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR THE ADOPTION OF STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR NEW VEHICLES.
"ALTHOUGH THERE ARE POWERS IN THE LAW TO SPECIFY THE QUALITY AND COMPOSITION OF FUELS, THERE ARE NO POWERS TO REQUIRE THEIR AVAILABILITY.
"IT IS PROPOSED THAT ALL PETROL RETAILERS BE REQUIRED TO HAVE UNLEADED PETROL AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON AND AFTER A SPECIFIED DATE," HE SAID.
/HE TOLD ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
2
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE RECOMMENDED WAS APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, A DATE WHICH HAD ALSO BEEN AGREED WITH THE OIL INDUSTRY.
HE SAID THE EUROPEAN SPECIFICATIONS OF 95 OCTANE FOR UNLEADED PETROL WAS PROPOSED FOR ADOPTION FOR HONG KONG. THIS GRADE IS LIKELY TO BE THE FUTURE GLOBAL STANDARD.
THE UNLEADED PETROL TO BE INTRODUCED WOULD CONTAIN LESS THAN 0.013 GRAMS OF LEAD PER LITRE AND 0.1 PER CENT OF SULPHUR CONTENT BY WEIGHT.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE UNIVERSAL AVAILABILITY OF UNLEADED PETROL, ONE CLAUSE OF THE BILL WOULD MAKE IT AN OFFENCE:
- FOR A PETROL RETAILER TO REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH A REASONABLE REQUEST TO BE SOLD UNLEADED PETROL, WITH DEFENCES AGAINST PROSECUTION PROVIDED FOR IN A NUMBER OF SITUATIONS.
- TO SELL, OR OFFER TO SELL, AS UNLEADED PETROL ANY PETROL WHICH IS NOT UNLEADED PETROL, OR AS LEADED PETROL ANY PETROL WHICH IS NOT LEADED PETROL.
- FOR A PETROL RETAILER TO FAIL TO PROVIDE PETROL DISPENSING EQUIPMENT OF THE SPECIFIED TYPE, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL MISFUELING.
- EITHER DELIBERATELY TO PLACE PETROL OTHER THAN UNLEADED PETROL IN THE FUEL TANK OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WHICH HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO OPERATE ON UNLEADED PETROL, OR TO DEMAND THAT THIS SHOULD BE DONE.
REGARDING SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES, MR BARNES SAID HONG KONG’S PRESCRIBED EMISSION STANDARDS, AS STIPULATED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS, WERE ADEQUATE AS A MINIMUM STANDARD FOR VEHICLES IN USE, BUT WERE QUITE INADEQUATE IN WORLD TERMS AS A STANDARD FOR NEW VEHICLES.
"AT PRESENT, THERE ARE NO POWERS TO MAKE REGULATIONS TO IMPOSE DIFFERENT DESIGN STANDARDS ON NEW VEHICLES, OR TO MONITOR THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF VEHICLES; OR ANY POWERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE NEW CONTROLS,” HE ADDED.
TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, THE BILL WOULD ALLOW CODES OF PRACTICE TO BE ISSUED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THE OPERATION, MODIFICATION, ADAPTATION, REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REGULATION - MAKING POWERS IN RESPECT OF VEHICLE DESIGN STANDARDS, CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER CONTROLS.
UNDER THE BILL, NEW VEHICLES TO BE REGISTERED AFTER A SPECIFIED DATE WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO MEET NEW VEHICLE DESIGN STANDARDS, WHICH INCLUDE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR EMISSION CONTROL EQUIPMENT, UNDER CERTAIN REGULATIONS.
/MR BARNES .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
MR BARNES SAID THE RETAIL PRICE FOR UNLEADED PETROL WOULD NEED TO BE LESS THAN THAT FOR LEADED PETROL IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE USE OF UNLEADED PETROL WHEREVER POSSIBLE AND TO REMOVE ANY INCENTIVE TO MISFUEL NEW VEHICLES.
HE SAID CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, AS INCLUDED IN A CLAUSE IN THE BILL, WOULD PROVIDE A UNIFIED CLASSIFICATION OF PETROL IN THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE. THIS WOULD LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR DETERMINING DIFFERENT DUTIES FOR THE TWO GRADES OF PETROL.
MR BARNES EXPECTED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL WOULD NOT CAUSE UNDUE INCONVENIENCE TO CAR OWNERS, BECAUSE 70 PER CENT OF EXISTING PETROL VEHICLES NEED NO MODIFICATION TO USE UNLEADED PETROL WHILE 14 PER CENT OF VEHICLES WOULD BE ABLE TO USE UNLEADED PETROL MOST OF THE TIME (SAY, THREE TANKFULS OUT OF FOUR) WITHOUT ILL EFFECTS.
ANOTHER 10 PER CENT COULD SWITCH TO UNLEADED PETROL WITH A MINOR ENGINE ADJUSTMENT COSTING $200 - $300 ONLY. HE SAID A LIMITED SUPPLY OF 97 OCTANE LEADED PETROL WOULD CONTINUE TO BE REQUIRED AS THERE WOULD BE A SMALL NUMBER OF EXISTING VEHICLES, ABOUT SIX PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VEHICLE POPULATION, WHICH WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO USE UNLEADED PETROL FOR TECHNICAL REASONS.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE UNLEADED PETROL HAD BEEN DISCUSSED WITH AND WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE OIL INDUSTRY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
BILL TO STRENGTHEN SMOKE CONTROL
*****
PROPOSALS IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 WILL STRENGTHEN THE CURRENT SMOKE CONTROL PROGRAMME BY ALLOWING MORE SMOKY VEHICLES TO BE TESTED.
SUCH SCHEME IS LIKELY TO ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO SHOW GROWING CONCERN OVER THE PROBLEM OF POLLUTING EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, MADE THESE REMARKS WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THE BILL EFFECTED THE SECOND PART OF THE STRATEGY IN THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION FOR TACKLING THE VEHICLE EMISSION PROBLEM, AND WAS CLOSELY LINKED TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WHICH WAS ALSO MOVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
/HE SAID: ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
HE SAID: "THE SECOND PART OF THE STRATEGY IS TO INTRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION TO EXERCISE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES IN USE.
"ONE OF THE SYSTEMS TO ENFORCE THE EMISSION CONTROL PROVISIONS DERIVES FROM THE POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE (RTO) TO ISSUE AN EXAMINATION ORDER.
"THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OR DRIVER OF A VEHICLE TO PRESENT IT FOR EXAMINATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER IT COMPLIES WITH THE RTO.
"FOR ENFORCEMENT OF EMISSION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS, THESE POWERS HAVE BEEN DELEGATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD)."
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THERE WERE LARGE NUMBERS OF SMOKY VEHICLES ON THE ROADS OF HONG KONG.
EVEN THOUGH THE EPD CURRENTLY EXAMINED ABOUT 1,600 VEHICLES PER MONTH, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE SMOKE EMISSION PROBLEM WAS NOT BEING SOLVED.
THE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED THAT A TESTING CAPACITY OF ABOUT 5,000 VEHICLES PER MONTH WAS NEEDED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SMOKY VEHICLES ON OUR ROADS SUBSTANTIALLY.
"TO INCREASE TESTING CAPACITY, IT IS NOW PROPOSED TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF APPROVED EMISSION TESTING CENTRES TO BE ADMINISTERED BY EPD UNDER PROVISIONS SIMILAR TO THOSE WHICH GOVERN THE EXISTING PRIVATE CAR TESTING SCHEME ADMINISTERED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT," MR BARNES SAID.
"THESE CENTRES WOULD GENERALLY BE PRIVATE SERVICE CENTRES, IN MOST CASES THE SAME CENTRES WHICH ARE INVOLVED IN THE PRIVATE CAR TESTING SCHEME.
"EPD’S EMISSION TESTING CENTRE WILL REMAIN AS A DESIGNATED CENTRE FOR TESTING THE LARGER VEHICLES WHICH THE PRIVATE CENTRES WOULD NOT EASILY BE ABLE TO TEST BECAUSE OF SPACE LIMITATIONS.
"SUCH CENTRES WILL BE DESIGNATED FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS AND THE DESIGNATION CAN BE RENEWED."
CODES OF PRACTICE COULD BE ISSUED FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES SUCH AS REGULATION OF TESTING PROCEDURES.
FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION, POWERS WOULD BE PROVIDED TO AUTHORISED OFFICERS TO ENTER A VEHICLE EMISSION TESTING CENTRE TO INSPECT RECORDS, EQUIPMENT AND SO ON, HE SAID.
IF THE VEHICLE OWNER FAILED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE EXAMINED AT A VEHICLE EMISSION TESTING CENTRE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT COULD REFUSE TO RENEW THE LICENCE, OR CANCEL THE LICENCE OF THE VEHICLE CONCERNED, MR BARNES SAID.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 5 -
TURNING TO THE FEES TO BE CHARGED UNDER THE PROPOSED SCHEME, MR BARNES SAID THE TESTING FEE, WHICH WOULD ALSO BE COLLECTED BY EPD’S TESTING CENTRE, WOULD APPLY TO ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES BECAUSE THE EMISSION TESTING PROCEDURE WAS THE SAME.
THE OWNER OF A VEHICLE CALLED FOR TESTING WOULD HAVE TO PAY A TESTING FEE FOR EACH AND EVERY TEST AND THE COLLECTION OF FEES FOR THE SUPPLY OF CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE WAS TO COVER THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE SCHEME.
THE NET REVENUE TO THE PRIVATE CENTRES WOULD COVER THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING COSTS.
MR BARNES ESTIMATED THAT THE REVENUE INCOME GENERATED FROM THE PROPOSED SCHEME WOULD BE ABOUT $2.7 MILLION PER ANNUM.
"THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY IS TO PRESCRIBE THE VEHICLE DESIGN STANDARDS OF ALL NEW VEHICLES, WHICH WILL BE ACHIEVED BY REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE. THE DRAFTING OF THESE REGULATIONS IS IN HAND," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE PRESENT BILL WOULD REQUIRE NEW VEHICLES TO COMPLY WITH SUCH VEHICLE DESIGN STANDARDS.
"THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT CAN REFUSE REGISTRATION OF NEW VEHICLES NOT COMPLYING WITH THE VEHICLE DESIGN STANDARDS," MR BARNES ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.
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STEPS TO MINIMISE VOLUME OF WASTE *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN VARIOUS STEPS, INCLUDING WASTE SEPARATION AT SOURCE, TO MINIMISE THE VOLUME OF WASTE AND RECYCLE IT.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN.
HE SAID THE AVERAGE DAILY WASTE DISPOSED OF AT THE TSEUNG KWAN O LANDFILLS IN 1990 WAS 8,500 TONNES.
"THIS 8,500 TONNES COMPRISES 4,700 TONNES OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE, 2,100 TONNES OF DOMESTIC WASTE, 1,200 TONNES OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE AND 500 TONNES OF ASH AND PULVERISED REJECTS," HAS SAID.
MR BARNES SAID SINCE CONSTRUCTION WASTE PROVIDED THE LARGEST VOLUME OF ALL WASTES AT LANDFILLS, RENEWED EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE IN THIS AREA. .
/"THE ENVIRONMENTAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
6
’’THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) IS CURRENTLY SELECTING CONSULTANTS FOR A STUDY TO PROPOSE A STRATEGY FOR RECYCLING CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO SEEKING TO CONSERVE LANDFILL SPACE BY THE INTRODUCTION OF CHARGES FOR DISPOSAL OF WASTES AT LANDFILLS.
’’THIS CAN BE EFFECTED THROUGH AN AMENDMENT TO THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PROMOTING THE SEPARATION OF PAPER WASTE FOR RECYCLING BOTH IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD.
’’COMPREHENSIVE GUIDES ON HOW TO START A WASTE PAPER RECYCLING SCHEME IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND OFFICES HAVE BEEN PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC.
”A TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENT AND ACCOMPANYING POSTERS TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH SCHEMES HAVE ALSO BEEN PREPARED,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID MORE DIRECT INITIATIVES HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WHOSE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR PROMOTED RECYCLING VIA A "REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE” CAMPAIGN.
"OTHER SUCH SCHEMES HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED IN HOUSING ESTATES, AND VARIOUS EXPERIMENTAL SCHEMES HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT BY SCHOOLS AND INTEREST GROUPS, WITH EPD1S SUPPORT.
"THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INITIATIVES BY SOME SUPERMARKET CHAINS TO USE BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAGS. SOME 30 GOVERNMENT OFFICES ARE ALSO ENGAGED IN A WASTE MINIMISATION AND RECYCLING SCHEME.”
MR BARNES SAID ANY SCHEME OR PROJECT THAT WOULD RESULT IN PROLONGING THE LIFE OF THE LANDFILLS WOULD BE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE.
THEREFORE, HE SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION TOGETHER WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR WOULD BE EXAMINING FURTHER POSSIBLE INITIATIVES IN THIS FIELD DURING THE COMING YEAR - AS WELL AS CONTINUING TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM GAINED IN 1990.
---------0-----------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
USE OF RECYCLED PAPER ENCOURAGED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS ENCOURAGING SPECIFIC SCHEMES THAT PROMOTE THE SEPARATION AND COLLECTION OF WASTE PAPER AND GREATER USE OF RECYCLED PAPER, AND THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 30 GOVERNMENT OFFICES PARTICIPATING IN PAPER SEPARATION SCHEMES IN THEIR BUILDINGS.
THE AIM IS BOTH TO CREATE A DEMAND FOR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED FROM RECYCLED PAPER AND A SOURCE OF RAW MATERIAL FOR THE PAPER RECYCLING INDUSTRY.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO ASSISTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE THE SEPARATION OF PAPER WASTE IN OFFICES AND HOUSEHOLDS TO RECOVER MORE PAPER FOR RECYCLING.
HE SAID GUIDES TO PAPER RECYCLING IN OFFICES AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS HAD RECENTLY BEEN PRODUCED AND WERE NOW BEING ISSUED BY THE COMMITTEE, WHICH HAD MADE RECYCLING ONE OF ITS MAIN FOCUSES OF ATTENTION SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF 1990.
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT OFFICIAL PROMOTION OF RECYCLING WAS A COMPLEX BUSINESS, AND INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RELATING TO RECYCLING WAS PROBABLY THE BEST CONTRIBUTION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT COULD MAKE AT THIS STAGE.
’’THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL'ONLY INVEST IN RECYCLING PLANTS IN HONG KONG IF IT BELIEVES THAT IT WILL GET TANGIBLE PUBLIC SUPPORT,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE AVAILABILITY OF RECYCLED PAPER, MR BARNES SAID THERE WERE THREE PAPER MILLS OPERATING IN HONG KONG PRODUCING ABOUT 400 TONNES OF LOW GRADE RECYCLED PAPER DAILY, WITH MOST OF WHICH IS USED IN HONG KONG, WHILE A FOURTH MILL WAS DUE TO COMMENCE OPERATIONS SHORTLY.
FROM OVERSEAS SOURCES, IMPORTED RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTS SUCH AS NEWSPRINT, PRINTING AND WRITING PAPER CAME MAINLY FROM TAIWAN AND JAPAN WHICH ARE ALSO DESTINATIONS OF A GREAT DEAL OF HONG KONG WASTE PAPER - THOUGH MANY OF THESE PRODUCTS CONTAINED ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF RECYCLED PAPER, HE SAID.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE PRIMARY USAGE OF LOCALLY PRODUCED RECYCLED PAPER WAS PAPERBOARD FOR PACKAGING, WHEREAS IMPORTED PAPER PRODUCTS INCLUDED PAPER ENVELOPES AND TOILET TISSUE.
HE SAID RECENTLY SOME HONG KONG COMPANIES HAD TAKEN THE INITIATIVE IN USING RECYCLED PAPER SHOPPING BAGS AND STATIONERY
MR BARNES SAID A TRIAL USE OF RECYCLED PAPER FOR PRINTING AND CORRESPONDENCE WOULD ALSO START SOON IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH.
/•'HOWEVER, AT..........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 8 -
”HOWEVER, AT PRESENT, THE COST QUOTED FOR A RECYCLED PRODUCT OF THIS GRADE IS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE PRICE AT WHICH THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER IS ABLE TO PURCHASE COMPARABLE NON-RECYCLED PAPER,” HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE MATERIAL PURCHASED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER IS MATERIAL WITH A RECYCLED CONTENT, SUCH AS ENVELOPES, PACKAGING AND FILE COVERS,” HE ADDED.
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GOVT TACKLING BEDSPACE APARTMENT PROBLEM DILIGENTLY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT LOST SIGHT OF THE PROBLEM OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS AND IS IN FACT TACKLING IT DILIGENTLY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, MR TSAO SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS CONSIDERING THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO REGULATE FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY IN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS,.
"THE SCHEME BEING CONTEMPLATED WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE ONE FOR GUESTHOUSES. THE PRIMARY CONCERN WILL AGAIN BE THE FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY. BEDSPACE APARTMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FOR THEIR OPERATION," HE SAID.
MR TSAO ADDED THAT IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT SOME BEDSPACE APARTMENTS WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE THEIR OCCUPANCY LEVEL BEFORE THEY COULD ATTAIN THE NECESSARY STANDARDS AND SOME LODGERS WOULD THEREFORE HAVE TO BE DISPLACED FROM SUCH CONGESTED APARTMENTS.
HE NOTED THAT MANY OF THE LODGERS WERE RELUCTANT TO MOVE TO MORE DECENT HOUSING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR VARIOUS REASONS BUT PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE NEAR THEIR PLACE OF WORK.
"THE ADMINISTRATION THEREFORE CONSIDERS IT NECESSARY TO ADOPT A CAUTIOUS APPROACH AND TO COLLECT, FIRST OF ALL, RELEVANT AND ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS AND ON THEIR LODGERS WITH A VIEW TO ASSESSING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM AND FORMULATING APPROPRIATE SOLUTIONS TO TACKLE IT.
"TO THIS END, A TERRITORY-WI DE SURVEY ON BEDSPACE APARTMENTS IS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID OWING TO STAFF CONSTRAINTS, THE SURVEY HAD HAD TO BE DIVIDED INTO TWO STAGES.
STAGE ONE WAS UNDERTAKEN IN MAY 1990 TO FIND OUT BASICALLY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, BEDSPACES AND LODGERS.
/SURVEY RESULTS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 9
SURVEY RESULTS INDICATED THAT THERE WERE 196 BEDSPACE APARTMENTS KNOWN TO THE ADMINISTRATION, 5,879 BEDSPACES AND 4,240 LODGERS.
STAGE TWO OF THE SURVEY COMMENCED IN NOVEMBER 1990 AND WOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
IT AIMED AT COLLECTING INFORMATION ON EVERY LODGER, INCLUDING HIS AGE, OCCUPATION, PLACE OF WORK, MONTHLY INCOME, MARITAL STATUS AND REASONS FOR RENTING BEDSPACES, MR TSAO SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS STAGE WAS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AS STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES HAD TO VISIT THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY AND NIGHT IN ORDER TO INTERVIEW ALL THE TENANTS.
IN THE MEANTIME, MR TSAO SAID THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE, AS A SPECIAL SOCIAL PROJECT, TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE SETTING UP OF A SINGLETON HOSTEL TO BE MANAGED BY A VOLUNTARY AGENCY.
"THE PROPOSED HOSTEL WILL BE SITUATED IN AN URBAN AREA AND WILL CATER, IN PARTICULAR, FOR EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENT LODGERS.
"SUITABLE PREMISES ARE BEING LOCATED," HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED LODGERS, MR TSAO SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS MAKING SPECIAL EFFORTS TO SET UP HOSTELS IN THE URBAN AREAS FOR THEM.
"THESE HOSTELS PROVIDE THEM WITH TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION WHILE SUITABLE LONG-TERM ACCOMMODATION IS BEING ARRANGED.
"THE FIRST SUCH URBAN HOSTEL, THE SALVATION ARMY LOK ON HOSTEL IN YAU MA TEI, WAS SET UP IN NOVEMBER 1988. IT HAS PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS. FUNDS HAVE BEEN SECURED TO SET UP A SECOND ONE IN WAN CHAI.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE PREMISES IN LOK FU ESTATE FOR A HOSTEL FOR SINGLE PERSONS UPON THE COMPLETION OF ITS REDEVELOPMENT BY OCTOBER 1993."
MR TSAO EXPLAINED THAT ALL THE EFFORTS WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION WAS MAKING WERE AIMED AT REDUCING THE OCCUPANCY LEVEL IN EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BY ABOUT 50 PER CENT.
"IN ACHIEVING THIS POLICY OBJECTIVE, LODGERS ELIGIBLE FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING WILL BE MOVED TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
"SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER LODGERS WHO NEED TO BE DISPLACED," HE ADDED.
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/io ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 10 -
SUCCESSFUL POLICE ACTIONS AGAINST CAR HOLD-UP CASES
*****
POLICE MEASURES AGAINST VEHICLE HOLD-UP CASES HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HONIAN STRACHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SO CHAU YIM-PING, MR STRACHAN SAID THE POLICE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT ABOUT SUCH CRIME AND CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGES WOULD BE PUBLICISED IN THE MASS MEDIA TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS.
HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE ON ROBBERIES AGAINST OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLES AFTER STEADY INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1989, RISING TO A PEAK OF 118 CASES IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
MR STRACHAN NOTED THAT FOR THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1990, THE AVERAGE HAD BEEN IN THE REGION OF 70 CASES, A DECREASE OF 40 PER CENT SINCE THE FIRST QUARTER.
"THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CASES INVOLVED TAXIS," MR STRACHAN SAID, "FOR PRIVATE CARS, THE OFFENCE NORMALLY TAKES PLACE IN MORE SECLUDED AREAS."
HE ADDED THAT THERE WERE SIX CASES INVOLVING PRIVATE CARS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990, THREE IN THE SECOND QUARTER, ONE IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND TWO IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1990.
THE DETECTION RATE FOR HOLD-UP CASES AGAINST VEHICLES IN 1990 WAS 23 PER CENT, COMPARED TO 25 PER CENT IN 1989, MR STRACHAN SAID.
AS MANY OF THE INVESTIGATIONS DURING THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS WERE ONGOING, HE BELIEVED THE EVENTUAL DETECTION RATE OF 1990 MIGHT INCREASE.
MR STRACHAN SAID IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO DETECT VEHICLE HOLD-UP CASES IN REMOTE AREAS.
"POLICE RESOURCES ARE THINNER ON THE GROUND," HE SAID, "THE MAJORITY OF THE ROBBERIES HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHICH MAKES A POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION OF THE CULPRITS MORE DIFFICULT."
IN RESPONSE, HOWEVER, MR STRACHAN SAID, THE POLICE HAD INCREASED THE NUMBER OF ROAD-BLOCKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, PARTICULARLY AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS WHICH LED TO MORE REMOTE AREAS.
"MORE FREQUENT MOBILE PATROLS HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN. OPERATIONAL COMMANDERS HAVE DEPLOYED RESOURCES AT BLACK SPOTS," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
PROPOSAL TO LICENSE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION ******
WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION BILL 1990, ANY PERSON WHO OPERATES A HOTEL OR SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE OR CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION WILL COMMIT AN OFFENCE AND WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $100,000, IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS AND A FINE OF $10,000 FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUES.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID THIS WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID: "HOTELS AND SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION ARE AT PRESENT NOT LICENSED. TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH EXISTING FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, THE ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES THAT A LICENSING SYSTEM BE INTRODUCED FOR THE PURPOSES OF IMPOSING NECESSARY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR THEIR OPERATION AND KEEPING A COMPREHENSIVE REGISTER OF SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS.
"THIS BILL SEEKS TO CREATE A HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER A LICENSING SCHEME. ANY ESTABLISHMENT WHICH PROVIDES TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY PERSON WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM THE AUTHORITY."
THE TYPES OF ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH COULD FALL WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CONTROL WERE HOTELS, GUESTHOUSES SITUATED IN HIGH-RISE BUILDING FOR BUDGET TOURISTS OR LOCAL PEOPLE, LOW-RISE MOTELS AND HOLIDAY FLATS MOSTLY ON THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT, HAVING CONSIDERED THE DEGREE OF POTENTIAL RISKS TO LIFE AND LIMB ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION, INTENDED THAT THE LICENSING SCHEME SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN PHASES.
PHASE I WOULD COVER HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES FOR TOURISTS. OTHER TYPES OF ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE LICENSED IN SUBSEQUENT PHASES HAVING REGARD TO EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE I.
TO MONITOR THOSE NON-PHASE I ESTABLISHMENTS, THE BILL EMPOWERED THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION TO SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH WOULD BE BROUGHT WITHIN LICENSING CONTROL, IN WHICH EVENT THEIR CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION WOULD BE REVOKED.
APPLICANTS FOR A LICENCE HAVE TO SATISFY THE AUTHORITY THAT THE PREMISES HAVE COMPLIED WITH REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO STRUCTURAL AND FIRE SAFETY UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE.
LICENCES WERE RENEWABLE ANNUALLY. HOWEVER, THE PREMISES WOULD BE RE-INSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY STANDARDS WERE MAINTAINED BEFORE A LICENCE WAS RENEWED.
APPEALS WOULD BE DETERMINED BY A SPECIALISED APPEAL BOARD APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
/MR TSAO ......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 12 -
MR TSAO SAID THE BILL EMPOWERED THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS ON THE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF THE APPEAL BOARD, AS WELL AS ON THE FEES TO BE CHARGED FOR A LICENCE AND A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION.
"WE INTEND THAT THE TOTAL COSTS OF THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AUTHORITY SHOULD BE RECOVERED FROM THE TRADE THROUGH SUCH FEES," HE SAID.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL WILL GO A LONG WAY IN REGULATING SAFETY STANDARDS IN HOTELS AND SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION.
"IN PREPARATION FOR THE FORMAL CREATION OF THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AUTHORITY, THE FIRST BATCH OF STAFF HAVE BEEN SECONDED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TO DRAW UP THE NECESSARY WORKING PROCEDURES," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0-------
QUICK ACTION AGAINST DANGEROUS SIGNS
THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN CONCERN ABOUT THE CONTROL OF ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS IS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF DEATH AND INJURY FROM POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SIGNS BY TAKING QUICK ACTION AGAINST THEM.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID: ’’THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1989 WAS ENACTED IN APRIL 1989 TO STRENGTHEN THE CONTROL OF ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS AND TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.
”IT EMPOWERS THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO RENDER SAFE OR REMOVE DANGEROUS ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS WHERE THERE IS A REAL AND IMMEDIATE THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, AND TO DISPOSE OF ANY MATERIALS SO REMOVED.
HE SAID THE AUTHORITY MIGHT RECOVER ANY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE REMOVAL OF SUCH SIGNS AND IN THE DISPOSAL OF THE MATERIALS.
SINCE APRIL 1, 1987, OVER 4,300 DANGEROUS SIGNS HAVE BEEN REMOVED, THE SECRETARY ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID AT THE TIME OF ENACTMENT, IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT A FULL SYSTEM OF CONTROL AND ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE WOULD INVOLVE A GREAT DEAL OF STAFF WITHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE MEANS NEEDED TO COPE WITH THE RISKS OF THOSE ALREADY ERECTED. THIS WAS STILL CONSIDERED TO BE SO.
/"THE BUILDINGS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 13 -
’’THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IS CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING A SURVEY ON DANGEROUS BUILDINGS WHICH WILL ALSO COVER THE INSPECTION OF DANGEROUS SIGNS.
’’THIS WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE ACTION ON DANGEROUS SIGNS AND ENSURE THAT THEY WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND REMOVED IN A TIMELY AND EFFICIENT MANNER,” HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
MONITORING OF SUPPLY OF METHADONE CONSIDERED ADEQUATE
* ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE CURRENT MONITORING OF THE SUPPLY OF METHADONE IS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE, BUT SHOULD THERE BE CLEAR INDICATIONS THAT THIS IS NOT SO, ADDITIONAL MONITORING MEASURES WILL BE CONSIDERED, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON IAN STRACHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD CHOW, MR STRACHAN SAID ALL WHOLESALERS AND AUTHORISED SELLERS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS WERE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT INFORMATION ON TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING METHADONE AND OTHER DANGEROUS DRUGS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
"ON THE BASIS OF THIS INFORMATION THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS ALL PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS WHO HAVE BOUGHT QUANTITIES OF METHADONE IN EXCESS OF WHAT MIGHT BE EXPECTED FOR NORMAL MEDICAL PRACTICE TO SUBMIT AN EXPLANATION FOR THEIR PURCHASES," HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR ROUTINELY THE PROCUREMENT BY PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS OF METHADONE AND OTHER DRUGS LIABLE TO ABUSE, AND IF ANY MALPRACTICE COMES TO LIGHT, APPROPRIATE MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN.
SUCH MEASURES MIGHT INCLUDE REFERRAL TO THE HONG KONG MEDICAL COUNCIL FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION, AND REFERRAL TO THE POLICE FOR INVESTIGATION SHOULD ANY BREACH OF THE LAW BE SUSPECTED, HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN NOTED THAT AT PRESENT, METHADONE WAS INCLUDED IN PART I OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE, WHICH IMPOSED STRINGENT CONTROLS ON THE SUPPLY OF SUCH DRUGS.
"UNDER PART IV OF THE ORDINANCE REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS ARE AUTHORISED TO SUPPLY SUCH DANGEROUS DRUGS SO FAR AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE PRACTICE OR EXERCISE OF THEIR PROFESSION.
"METHADONE MAY LEGITIMATELY BE SUPPLIED FOR THE TREATMENT OF ADDICTION TO OPIATE DRUGS SUCH AS HEROIN AND OPIUM," THE SECRETARY EXPLAINED.
/MR STRACHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 14 -
MR STRACHAN ADDED THAT BOTH THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HAD GIVEN WIDE PUBLICITY TO THE STATUTORY CONTROLS OVER DANGEROUS DRUGS, AND HAD REMINDED THEIR MEMBERS OF THE NEED FOR THEM TO ADHERE TO THE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PRESCRIBING PRACTICE.
"IT SHOULD NOT, THEREFORE, BE EASY FOR PEOPLE TO OBTAIN METHADONE FROM MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, UNLESS THIS IS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
PERMANENT SOLUTIONS NEEDED TO TACKLE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TRAFFIC
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID MORE PERMANENT SOLUTIONS WERE NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH THE TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EDWARD HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIMARY OBJECTIVES WERE TO EASE CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, TO FACILITATE MOVEMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGERS, AND TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES SUCH AS THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PUT FORWARD SOLUTIONS TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR ADVICE YESTERDAY.
AFTER FULL AND CAREFUL DELIBERATIONS, THE COMMITTEE ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE MORE DATA AND INFORMATION TO ENABLE IT TO TENDER ITS ADVICE AT A FURTHER MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE SERIOUS CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND ITS APPROACH ROADS, AND HAD BEEN MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY OVER THE PAST 15 MONTHS.
DESPITE THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IN SEPTEMBER 1989, THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HAD GONE UP FROM 118,000 TO 122,000 VEHICLES A DAY IN DECEMBER 1990. THIS WAS WELL IN EXCESS OF THE DESIGN CAPACITY OF 80,000 VEHICLES FOR THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WAS UNDER-UTILISED,CARRYING ONLY 38,000 VEHICLES A DAY, COMPARED WITH ITS DESIGN CAPACITY OF 80,000 VEHICLES.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED VARIOUS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
/THESE INCLUDED .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9/ 1991
- 15 -
THESE INCLUDED SEGREGATING TUNNEL AND NON-TUNNEL TRAFFIC AT THE APPROACH ROADS, ADJUSTING BUS-ONLY-LANES AT CERTAIN CRITICAL LOCATIONS, ADDING A LANE NEAR THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL AND WIDENING VICTORIA PARK ROAD. PLANS TO RECONSTRUCT AND UPGRADE THE CAUSEWAY BY A FLYOVER WERE ALSO IN HAND.
NOTWITHSTANDING THESE EFFORTS, HE SAID, MORE PERMANENT SOLUTIONS WERE NECESSARY, AND HE LOOKED FORWARD TO RECEIVING THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S ADVICE AT A FURTHER MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
---------0-----------
POLICY ON ENTRY OF VISITORS FROM EASTERN EUROPE, SOVIET UNION BEING REVIEWED ♦ * * ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS REVIEWING THE POLICY ON THE ENTRY OF VISITORS FROM EASTERN EUROPE AND THE SOVIET UNION AGAIN TO SEE WHETHER FURTHER RELAXATION OF VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONALS OF HUNGARY AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA, AND CERTAIN OTHER COUNTRIES, MAY BE INTRODUCED.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON IAN STRACHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
MR STRACHAN NOTED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN INFORMED ON JULY 11 LAST YEAR OF CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE POLICY.
HE SAID SUCH CHANGES, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JULY 16 LAST YEAR, WERE:
* VISITORS FROM THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (EAST GERMANY) WOULD BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS VISITORS FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (WEST GERMANY), THAT IS, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO VISIT HONG KONG FOR UP TO 30 DAYS WITHOUT A VISA; AND
♦ VISAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TOURISM AND SIGHTSEEING WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO VISITORS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA, HUNGARY AND POLAND.
- - 0-----------
/16........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
16
GOVT’S OBJECTIVE TO FIND MOST SUITABLE PERSON FOR SECRETARY FOR WORKS POST *****
IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT THE POST OF SECRETARY FOR WORKS SHOULD BE FILLED BY THE MOST SUITABLE PERSON, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, SIR DAVID SAID THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS POST CARRIED IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD AND THAT THE GOVERNMENTS OBJECTIVE WAS TO SELECT THE MOST SUITABLE PERSON FOR THE POST.
"IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE POST IS BEING ADVERTISED BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE IN ORDER THAT A WIDER CHOICE OF CANDIDATES MAY BE CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID CLARIFIED THAT THE POST WAS NOT AN AUTOMATIC PROMOTION POST FOR OFFICERS FROM THE WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS.
THE POST WOULD BE OPEN TO APPLICATIONS BOTH FROM SERVING OFFICERS AND THE NON-GOVERNMENT SECTORS, AND NOT SOLELY FROM THE LATTER, HE SAID.
------0--------
NOT UNUSUAL FOR POLICE TO ASK FOR IDENTITY PROOF
*****
IT IS NEITHER UNREASONABLE NOR UNUSUAL FOR THE POLICE TO REQUEST THE ORGANISERS OF PUBLIC GATHERINGS TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON IAN STRACHAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR STRACHAN SAID SUCH MEASURE WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE MEETING TOOK PLACE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PERMIT CONDITIONS AND THAT THOSE ORGANISING THE MEETING WERE PRESENT WHEN THE MEETING WAS HELD.
MR STRACHAN ADDED THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECENT PUBLIC GATHERINGS, OF WHICH THE POLICE HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, WHERE PARTICIPANTS WERE ASKED TO PRODUCE THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
------0 - -
/17........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 17 -
NO INCOME LIMIT FOR HOS GREEN FORM APPLICANTS ******
HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME GREEN FORM APPLICANTS, WHO ARE GENERALLY PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING TENANTS AND OTHERS AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, HAVE NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO ANY INCOME LIMIT SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE SCHEME.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.'
MR TSAO SAID THE ARRANGEMENT WAS JUDGED DESIRABLE AS IT COULD ENCOURAGE BETTER-OFF FAMILIES TO VACATE PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING SO THAT THEIR FLATS COULD BE RELEASED FOR ALLOCATION TO OTHER FAMILIES IN GREATER NEED.
IT WOULD ALSO FACILITATE THE VARIOUS CLEARANCE AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BY PROVIDING FAMILIES INVOLVED WITH A REASONABLY WIDE CHOICE OF ALTERNATIVE HOUSING, HE SAID.
"THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME IS ALSO INTENDED TO COVER THAT SECTION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOMES ARE TOO HIGH FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING BUT TOO LOW TO AFFORD A PRIVATE SECTOR FLAT," HE ADDED.
AS FOR WHITE FORM APPLICANTS, MR TSAO SAID A HOUSEHOLD INCOME LIMIT WAS APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY IN ORDER TO EXCLUDE THOSE WHO MIGHT REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO PURCHASE A PRIVATE FLAT.
"IN THE THREE PREVIOUS HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME SALES PHASES IN 1990, WHITE FORM APPLICANTS WITH INCOMES WITHIN THE EXISTING LIMIT OF $11,500 PER MONTH, COULD MEET THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AFFORDABILITY CRITERIA FOR 45 PER CENT OF THE FLATS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
"SOME HOUSEHOLDS MAY NATURALLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRAW ON SAVINGS AND OTHER RESOURCES TO AFFORD MORE EXPENSIVE FLATS."
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME INCOME LIMIT FOR ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WAS SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW, THE LAST OF WHICH WAS IN MARCH 1990.
"THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL REVIEW THE INCOME LIMIT AGAIN IN MARCH 1991," HE ADDED.
--------0----------
718 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 18 -
EXTENDED PHARMACY SERVICE OPERATING SMOOTHLY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EXTENDED HOURS OF THE PHARMACY SERVICE IN TWO REGIONAL HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN OPERATING SMOOTHLY, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON M.D. CARTLAND, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD CHOW, MR CARTLAND STATED THAT AT PRESENT, THE PHARMACY SERVICE IN TWO REGIONAL HOSPITALS, VIZ QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL AND PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, OPERATED EXTENDED HOURS.
’’ADDITIONAL POSTS HAVE BEEN CREATED TO CATER FOR THE SERVICE. THESE POSTS HAVE BEEN FILLED SINCE AUGUST 1990 AND THE SERVICE HAS BEEN OPERATING SMOOTHLY," MR CARTLAND SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXTENDED HOURS WERE OPERATED WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF AND IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO REQUEST DISPENSERS TO TAKE UP VOLUNTARY PAID OVERTIME WORK.
"ALL POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, INCLUDING PROMOTION POSTS FOR DISPENSERS, ARE CREATED ON THE BASIS OF FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
"THE MANPOWER REQUIREMENT IN THE DISPENSER GRADE IS REGULARLY REVIEWED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
FUNDS TO BE SOUGHT FOR SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT IN THE ROAD BUILDING PROGRAMME AND IT IS HOPED THAT ITS CONSTRUCTION COULD START IN EARLY 1993 IF FUNDS WERE MADE AVAILABLE.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SO CHAU YIM-PING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THE PROJECT WOULD THEN BE COMPLETED BY MID-1995 IF THE APPLICATION FOR FUNDS WAS APPROVED.
HE SAID THE BRIDGE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO COPE WITH THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN TRAFFIC FLOWS ARISING FROM NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS ON AP LEI CHAU.
"DUE TO RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, NO FUNDS HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE PROJECT TO START IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR.
’’HOWEVER, I INTEND TO SEEK FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT AGAIN IN THE NEXT RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE LATER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
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/19 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9,1991
19
BILL TO DEFINE DEPUTY JUDGES’ STATUS IN LAND TRIBUNAL INTRODUCED
*****
THE LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AMENDS THE LANDS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT BOTH DISTRICT JUDGES AND DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGES SHALL BE EX OFFICIO PRESIDING OFFICERS OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT, THE LANDS TRIBUNAL CONSISTED OF A PRESIDENT, PRESIDING OFFICERS AND OTHER APPOINTED MEMBERS.
SECTION 4(3) OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE STATES THAT 'THE PRESIDING OFFICERS SHALL BE DISTRICT JUDGES AND SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR’.
"BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE IN 1982, THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED ' ALL DISTRICT JUDGES’ TO BE PRESIDING OFFICERS WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1, 1982," THE SECRETARY SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS, DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGES HAD ALSO SAT AS PRESIDING OFFICERS IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL SINCE 1982.
"BY VIRTUE OF SECTION 8(1) OF THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE, A DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGE SHALL 'DURING THE PERIOD FOR WHICH HE IS APPOINTED, HAVE ALL THE JURISDICTION, POWERS AND PRIVILEGES, AND PERFORM ALL THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF DISTRICT JUDGE’.
"HOWEVER, DOUBTS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED WITHIN THE JUDICIARY AS TO WHETHER THE WORDING OF SECTION 8 OF THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENT OF 'ALL DISTRICT JUDGES’ COULD HAVE THE COMBINED EFFECT OF ENTITLING DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGES TO SIT AS PRESIDING OFFICERS IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE BILL THEREFORE AMENDED THE LANDS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE TO MAKE IT OBVIOUSLY CLEAR THAT DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGES COULD SIT AS PRESIDING OFFICERS IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.
"THE AMENDMENT WOULD HAVE RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT, FROM JULY 30, 1982 WHEN SECTION 4(3) OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL ORDINANCE CAME INTO OPERATION SO AS TO PUT BEYOND ANY DOUBT THE VALIDITY OF THEIR PAST ACTIONS IN THAT CAPACITY," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/20.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 20 -
FOUR BILLS INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO
*****
FOUR BILLS WENT THROUGH FIRST AND SECOND READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATION BILL 1990.
DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
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/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 21 -
’PREMIUM BOND’ HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AIRPORT PROJECT
******
THE IDEA OF THE "PREMIUM BOND" HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AIRPORT PROJECT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TOYS AND GAMES FAIR 1991, MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE IDEA WAS SIMPLY TO PUT IT OUT FOR A PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
"IF WE GET A FAVOURABLE RESPONSE, THEN, WE WILL LOOK AT IT FURTHER. IF WE DO NOT, WE PROBABLY WILL FORGET IT.
"WE ARE VERY MUCH AT A PRELIMINARY STAGE, JUST AFLOATING THE IDEA AND SEEING WHETHER THERE IS ENOUGH ENTHUSIASM FOR IT TO CARRY IT FORWARD," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD STRESSED THAT THE "PREMIUM BOND" IDEA WAS NOT IN THE IMMEDIATE PROPOSAL.
"I THINK UNLESS THERE WAS ENTHUSIASM, WE PROBABLY WOULD FORGET IT," HE ADDED.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE "PREMIUM BOND", MR MACLEOD SAID : "THE ATTRACTION IS SIMPLY THAT YOU BUY THE BONDS AND YOU CAN THEN FORGET ABOUT THEM ACTUALLY AND IF YOU WIN, THEN, YOU GOT A PRIZE.
"IF AFTER A WHILE, YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK, YOU JUST GO AND CASH IT IN AGAIN. SO YOU DO NOT LOSE YOUR MONEY AT ALL.
"WHAT YOU ARE IN EFFECT DOING IS THAT YOU ARE TRADING IN THE INTEREST THAT YOU WOULD HAVE GOT IT IN THE BANK IN EXCHANGE FOR THE CHANCE OF A LARGE PRIZE.
"AND FOR A FAIRLY SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY OF COURSE THE INTEREST IS NOT WORTH VERY MUCH ANY WAY SO IT IS QUITE EXCITING TO HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING A NICE LARGE PRICE.
"THAT IS BASICALLY, FROM ANY GOVERNMENT’S POINT OF VIEW, IT IS A FAIRLY CHEAP WAY OF GETTING MONEY.
"IT IS ALSO VOLUNTARY, UNLIKE TAX WHICH TENDS TO BE INVOLUNTARY. THAT THE PREMIUM BONDS IS VOLUNTARY SO IT HAS SOME ATTRACTIONS."
IN REPLY TO WHY THE IDEA WAS PUT FORWARD AT THIS TIME, MR MACLEOD SAID: "IT IS A TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE GOT ALL SORTS OF IDEAS ABOUT TAX MEASURES.
"YOU MAY RECALL THERE HAS BEEN QUITE A NUMBER OF SUGGESTIONS FLOATED IN THE PRESS. SOME OF THEM, I THINK, ARE COMPLETE NON-STARTERS. SOME OF THEM PERHAPS WORTH THINKING ABOUT A BIT MORE AND THIS IS REALLY ONE WHICH IS WORTH THINKING ABOUT A BIT MORE."
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 22 -
PREVENTIVE DRUG EDUCATION COURSE FOR TEACHERS *****
A ONE AND A HALF DAY COURSE ON DRUG EDUCATION, TO BE CONDUCTED BY DR J.R. DAY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 22 AND 23.
THE COURSE, TO BE HELD AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ANNEX IN KOWLOON, IS TO INTRODUCE TO TEACHERS AN ONGOING PREVENTIVE DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR SECONDARY 1 TO 5, BASED ON THE DRUG WISE LEARNING PACKAGE PRODUCED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND ITS APPLICATION IN CLASS LEARNING.
ENROLMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO 30 AND SCHOOL NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BY JANUARY 25 AT THE LATEST, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE AT THE SOCIAL STUDIES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SECTION ON TEL. 839 2496.
MEANWHILE, THE SECTION HAS PRODUCED, AND DISTRIBUTED TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS, A CHINESE BOOKLET ON HOW TO TEACH DRUG EDUCATION TOPICS IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION SYLLABUS.
THE BOOKLET PROVIDES INFORMATION-, GUIDELINES ON TEACHING, AND SUGGESTED LEARNING ACTIVITIES ON TOPICS RELATED TO DRUG EDUCATION FOR HEALTH EDUCATION TEACHERS.
---------0-----------
1990 STAMP PACK ON SALE FROM MONDAY * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ANNUAL STAMP PACK FOR 1990, WHICH CONTAINS ALL THE SPECIAL STAMPS ISSUED LAST YEAR, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FROM NEXT MONDAY (JANUARY 14), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SPECIAL STAMPS ARE:
YEAR OF THE HORSE (SOUVENIR SHEET) HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CUISINE UNITED NATIONS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 100 YEARS OF ELECTRICITY IN HONG KONG CHRISTMAS 1990
THE PACK, AT $65, IS IDEAL BOTH AS A GIFT AND FOR PERSONAL COLLECTION.
/IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 23 -
IT WILL BE SOLD AT THE PHILATELIC COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING POST OFFICES:
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
---------0-----------
NEW MONG KOK POST OFFICE TO OPEN ON JAN 21 * ♦ * ♦ »
THE NEW MONG KOK POST OFFICE, LOCATED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF UNION PARK CENTRE, 771-775 NATHAN ROAD, WILL OPEN AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY, JANUARY 21. THE EXISTING POST OFFICE AT 37 BUTE STREET WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS FROM 1 PM ON JANUARY 19 (SATURDAY), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE HOURS OF BUSINESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE EXISTING OFFICE. THERE WILL BE 1,400 P.O. BOXES.
A SPECIAL HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL PHILATELISTS ON JANUARY 21.
UNREGISTERED FULL POSTAGE PREPAID FIRST DAY COVERS PREPARED PRIVATELY, AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS, WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
- - 0----------
CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT *
COMPETITION PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY * * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE 1990 INTER-SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION RPOJECT COMPETITION TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS' CENTRE.
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE BIENNIAL COMPETITION MADE ITS DEBUT IN 1986 TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ CIVIC AWARENESS AND HELP THEM DEVELOP THE SKILLS OF PRESENTING IDEAS AND FACTS.
THIS YEAR 50 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION, THE THEME OF WHICH WAS "BUILD HONG KONG FOR THE FUTURE".
/AN EXHIBITION .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
- 24 -
AN EXHIBITION OF THE WINNING PROJECTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY FROM FRIDAY TO TUESDAY (JANUARY 11 TO 15), EXCEPT ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THE 1990 INTER-SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 3 PM AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
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TENDERS FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCIES INVITED
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING SHORT-TERM TENANCY TENDERS FOR THREE SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 10,300 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT WING SHUN STREET, TSUEN WAN.
IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF NON-OFFENSIVE AND NON-DANGEROUS GOODS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE SECOND SITE AT ON MUK STREET IN SHA TIN, IS FOR PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRAILERS, TRACTORS AND CHASIS) AND MINOR REPAIRS AND/OR MAINTENANCE OF SUCH VEHICLES.
THIS SITE MEASURES ABOUT 2,017 SQUARE METRES.
THE THIRD SITE, ALSO AT ON MUK STREET, MEASURES ABOUT 2,100 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR STORAGE OF PLANT, MACHINERY AND BUILDING MATERIALS.
THE TENANCIES FOR THE SITES IN SHA TIN ARE FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON JANUARY 25.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN TSUEN WAN OR SHA TIN; 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, KOWLOON.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991
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SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY
******
SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO SHARE THE FUN AND GAMES OF A SPORTS CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13).
IT WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM AT THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND.
THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AS ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENTS OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
A TEAM OF MARTIAL ARTS EXPERTS FROM SHENZHEN WILL DEMONSTRATE AT THE CARNIVAL. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO BAND PERFORMANCE, TAIJI BOXING DEMONSTRATION, LION DANCE AND POP SONG SINGING.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A RANGE OF CHILDREN GAMES, TELEMATCHES FOR AREA COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES AND LUCKY DRAWS FOR PARTICIPANTS.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE FOR RECREATION, AMENITIES AND SPORTS AND SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION OFFICE IN LAI KOK ESTATE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13) AT THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND, BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK CAN BE PROUD OF ITS MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS: GOVERNOR ................. 1
CS STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF MANPOWER TRAINING ....................... 2
FINAL REPORT ON 1989 SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW ANNOUNCED ................ 5
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER 1990 .......... 6
1990 COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES RELEASED .............................. 11
THREE AMENDMENT BILLS ON ELECTIONS TO BE GAZETTED ..................... 13
ORDER TO DESIGNATE NINE OVERSEAS JURISDICTIONS UNDER DRUG TRAFFICKING
ORDINANCE .......................................................... 15
MEDICAL SERVICES IN NEW TOWNS TO EXPAND ............................... 16
CONSULTANT COMMISSIONED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ................................................................. 17
WELL-BALANCED CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS .................. 18
WARM AND DRY IN DECEMBER .............................................. 19
1992 HIGHER LEVEL EXAM APPLICATION FOR FIRST TIME PARTICIPANTS ........ 22
REVISED RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS ............. 22
SUBMISSION OF VISA APPLICATIONS UNDER IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME .... 23
NEW ID CARD APPLICATION REMINDER FOR WOMEN ............................ 23
CENSUS MOBILE EXHIBITION AT SHUN TAK CENTRE ........................... 25
91 VBP RETURNED TODAY ................................................. 26
REVISED JOB SPECIFICATIONS MANUAL FOR TEXTILE INDUSTRY ON SALE ........ 26
CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION FOR YOUNGSTERS .............................. 27
CARNIVAL TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES IN TSUEN WAN .................. 27
CONCERT FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ........................................ 28
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO CLOSE .................................. 28
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
1
UK CAN BE PROUD OF [TS MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS: GOVERNOR * t * * *
HONG KONG HAS MUCH TO BE PROUD OF IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO STAND STILL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THERE IS STILL MUCH TO BE DONE," SIR DAVID SAID, WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, WHICH IS THE 35TH PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE AS PART OF THE NEVER-ENDING PROCESS OF SEEKING TO IMPROVE THE MEDICAL FIELD.
HE SAID THE NEW HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED WOULD BEGIN TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR RUNNING HONG KONG'S PUBLIC HOSPITALS LATER THIS YEAR.
"THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHANGE IS TO CREATE A HOSPITAL SERVICE WHICH IS BOTH EFFICIENT AND ALSO RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC NEEDS.
"IT WILL PRESENT OUR NURSES AND DOCTORS WITH OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES TO MAKE OUR HOSPITAL SERVICES NOT ONLY AMONG THE BEST IN THE REGION, AS THEY ARE TODAY, BUT AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT LIFE EXPECTANCY AND INFANT MORTALITY RATES IN THE TERRITORY HAD IMPROVED STEADILY AND THEY WERE NOW AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT HONG KONG WAS ALSO AMONG THE WORLD LEADERS IN SOME AREAS OF MEDICAL CARE AND RESEARCH.
"OUR UNIVERSITIES AND TEACHING HOSPITALS PROVIDE A GROWING STREAM OF QUALIFIED DOCTORS AND OTHER MEDICAL STAFF. PUBLIC MEDICAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL, AT A HEAVILY SUBSIDISED COST," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT 20 YEARS AGO, TUEN MUN WAS A QUIET VALLEY. IT WAS NOW HOME TO NEARLY HALF A MILLION PEOPLE.
IN THE LATE 1960S, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT LAID THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A SUBSTANTIAL SHIFT IN HONG KONG’S POPULATION FROM THE CROWDED URBAN AREAS INTO THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"THOSE PLANS ARE STILL BEARING FRUIT. TODAY, TUEN MUN HAS MODERN HOUSING, SHOPPING COMPLEXES, SCHOOLS AND PARKS. IT IS NOW GETTING ONE OF THE LARGEST HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED THE PLANNERS, ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WHO HELPED BRING THIS IMPRESSIVE BUILDING INTO BEING.
"AND I WISH EVERY SUCCESS TO THE ADMINISTRATORS AND MEDICAL STAFF WHOSE JOB IT NOW IS TO MAKE THIS A FIRST CLASS MODERN HOSPITAL, AND A CREDIT TO HONG KONG," HE SAID.
Z2 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
2
CS STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF MANPOWER TRAINING
* * ♦ ♦ *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, STR DAVID FORD TODAY (THURSDAY) STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTMENT TN EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO THE CHANGING AND EXPANDING ECONOMY OF HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES WERE INCREASINGLY DEMANDING HIGHLY EDUCATED, COMPUTER LITERATE MANAGERS, WHO WERE CAPABLE OF TAKING A REGIONAL AS WELL AS A GLOBAL VIEW OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
SIR DAVID WAS ADDRESSING THE NEW YEAR LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION.
HE SAID IN 1989, THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH LAUNCHED AN EXERCISE TO GET A BETTER FIX OF THE ECONOMIC TRENDS AND TO ASCERTAIN FUTURE MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS BY OCCUPATION AND BROAD EDUCATIONAL SKILLS.
ITS MOST SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS, SIR DAVID SAID, CONCERNED THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL.
’’THUS, WHILE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED IS LIKELY TO GROW ONLY MODESTLY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL IS GOING TO GROW VERY RAPIDLY: BY ABOUT 26 PER CENT BETWEEN 1988 AND 1996.
”IN ADDITION, THEIR SHARE OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT WILL RISE MARKEDLY - FROM 13 PER CENT TO 16 PER (’ENT,” HE SAID.
EVEN MORE ILLUMINATING FOR THOSE WHO HAD BEEN FORECASTING THE DEMISE OF MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE PROPORTION OF SUCH PEOPLE IN THE MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE WAS LIKELY TO RISE OVER THE SAME PERIOD, FROM JUST OVER SIX PER CENT TO JUST OVER EIGHT PER CENT.
HE NOTED THAT THIS WAS PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGING GIVEN THAT 10 YEARS AGO THE FIGURE WAS ONLY HALF THIS AND THAT OF HONG KONG’S NEIGHBOURS, FOR EXAMPLE, JAPAN REACHED EIGHT PER CENT ONLY IN 1988.
’’THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT, ALLOWING FOR WASTAGE, BETWEEN 1989 AND 1996, WE WILL NEED UP TO 240,000 NEW ENTRANTS FOR THESE OCCUPATION, OF WHOM 40 PER CENT WILL NEED TO BE FIRST-DEGREE HOLDERS.
’’THIS IS WHAT IS DRIVING OUR MANPOWER POLICIES AND IN PARTICULAR EDUCATION,” SIR DAVID SAID.
ON THE SUPPLY OF MANPOWER IN THE 1990S, SIR DAVID SUMMED UP THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY IN THREE WORDS: RETENTION, PRODUCTION AND ATTRACTION.
/BY RETENTION.........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 3 -
BY RETENTION, HE REFERRED TO SUCH SCHEME AS THE BRITISH NATIONALITY PACKAGE BY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO GIVE HONG KONG’S KEY YOUNG TALENT THE REASSURANCE THEY NEEDED TO STAY IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE TRANSITION PERIOD.
"WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE BRAIN DRAIN COMPLETELY - INDEED WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING FREEDOM OF TRAVEL - BUT WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO STEM THE FLOW," HE SAID.
BY PRODUCTION, SIR DAVID SAID HE MEANT EXPANDING AND IMPROVING HONG KONG’S EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
"SADLY, AT THE TIME WHEN WE NEED THEM MOST, MANY OF OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST ARE LOOKING FOR THE ASSURANCE OF FOREIGN TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND LEAVING HONG KONG IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THEM.
"THIS IS THE ONE REASON WHY WE ARE SEEKING SO RAPIDLY TO EXPAND THE PROVISION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION," HE ADDED.
AT PRESENT, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG PROVIDED ABOUT 7,100 FIRST-YEAR, FIRST-DEGREE PLACES, SUFFICIENT TO COVER ABOUT EIGHT PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP.
"WE AIM TO DOUBLE THIS TO 15,000 PLACES BY 1994-95 SO THAT WE CAN CATER FOR NO LESS THAN 18 PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED THAT AMONGST THE CRITICS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EDUCATION STRATEGY, THERE WERE NOT A FEW WHO ARGUED THAT IT WAS WRONG TO ACCORD PRIORITY TO THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
"TO THOSE WHO SAY IT CANNOT BE DONE, I NOW SAY THAT WE CAN AND WILL ACHIEVE THOSE TARGETS. TO THOSE WHO SAY WE ARE PURSUING TARGETS IN THE WRONG SECTOR OF EDUCATION, I SAY THAT IT IS BARELY ENOUGH," HE SAID.
EVEN WITH A DOUBLING OF THE PROVISION OF FIRST DEGREE PLACES, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE DEPENDENT TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT ON THE OVERSEAS SUPPLY OF GRADUATES.
"SO FAR WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY. NO FEWER THAN 90 PER CENT OF ALL OUR STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE OVERSEAS HAVE BEEN RETURNING TO HONG KONG.
"IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, SOME 16,000 HAVE RETURNED AND ANOTHER 54,000 ARE EXPECTED TO DO SO BETWEEN NOW AND 1996.
"THIS CERTAINLY HELPS TO MEET OUR NEEDS, BUT IT IS ALSO CLEARLY A MEASURE OF OUR VULNERABILITY," HE SAID.
THE THIRD PRONG OF THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY - ATTRACTION -MEANT LOOKING ABROAD FOR ANY SHORTFALL IN EITHER NUMBERS OR QUALITY, SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT TRUE TO HONG KONG’S FREE MARKET ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY, THE GOVERNMENT WAS HAPPY FOR EMPLOYERS WHO COULD NOT FIND THE RIGHT SKILLS LOCALLY TO LOOK FOR THEM OVERSEAS.
/"OUR IMMIGRATION .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
4
"OUR IMMIGRATION RULES ARE ALREADY SIMPLE. WE DO NOT IMPOSE A QUOTA, AND IN THE LAST THREE YEARS 18,000 PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS HAVE TAKEN UP EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG UNDER THIS POLICY.
"WE WILL REMAIN FLEXIBLE - AND THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING RULES TO ALLOW RECRUITMENT OF OVERSEAS EDUCATED PRC (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA) NATIONALS IS AN EXAMPLE OF OUR PRAGMATIC APPROACH - BUT FLEXIBILITY MAY NOT BE ENOUGH. WE MAY HAVE TO GO HUNTING,” SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT ALL OVER NORTH AMERICA, BRITAIN AND AUSTRALIA THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN COMING HERE TO WORK AND LIVE, SIR DAVID SAID MANY OF THEM HAD A PAST ASSOCIATION WITH HONG KONG.
’’THE GOVERNMENT CAN HELP THEIR RETURN, PARTLY BY PROVIDING THE RIGHT TYPE OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLING FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND PARTLY BY PROMOTING HONG KONG’S OPPORTUNITIES MORE EFFECTIVELY OVERSEAS.
”WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF A JOINT PUBLIC/PRIVATE SECTOR SCHEME AIMED AT TRAWLING THIS PARTICULAR POOL,” HE SAID.
ON LABOUR LEGISLATION, SIR DAVID SAID ONE OF THE UNSUNG PASSAGES OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS WAS LABOUR RELATIONS.
"THEY HAVE BEEN AND REMAIN BY ANY INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON REMARKABLY STABLE.
’’THIS STABILITY HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY A COMBINATION OF PUSH AND PULL: THE PUSH OF GOVERNMENT INSPIRED LABOUR LEGISLATION AND THE PULL OF SHARED PROSPERITY,” HE SAID.’
HE SAID THAT THROUGHOUT THE 70S AND 80S, THE GOVERNMENT HAD GRADUALLY INTRODUCED CHANGES TO HONG KONG’S LABOUR LEGISLATION WHICH PROVIDED PRUDENT PROTECTION FOR ALL IN THE WORK PLACE.
’’THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONAL COMPLAINTS FROM EMPLOYERS THAT CONDITIONS IMPOSED ARE TOO ONEROUS AND WILL DISADVANTAGE HONG KONG IN COMPETITION WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS.
”1 HAVE TO SAY THAT I SEE NO EVIDENCE OF THIS.
’’QUITE THE REVERSE; WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF LABOUR BECAUSE OUR APPETITE FOR EXPANSION IS SO GREAT. HENCE OUR INTRODUCTION OF A SCHEME FOR THE IMPORTATION OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF WORKERS," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT COMPETITION CONTINUED TO LEAD HONG KONG OUT OF DIRTY DRUDGE JOBS AND INTO THE AIR-CONDITIONED WORKPLACES OF HI-TECH INDUSTRY AND HIGHER SKILLS REQUIRED HIGHER WAGES AND HIGHER WAGES HAD HELPED THAT SUCH SKILLS HAD BEEN ACQUIRED.
"INDEED THE LOW-LEVEL OF WAGES ACCEPTABLE IN A REFUGEE COMMUNITY PULLING ITSELF UP BY ITS BOOTSTRAPS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THE HONG KONG OF 1990S.
"WE HAVE A TALENTED WORKFORCE WHICH NOW KNOWS ITS VALUE IN THE MARKET PLACE,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
5
FINAL REPORT ON 1989 SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW ANNOUNCED *****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ACCEPTED IN FULL THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE THIRD AND FINAL REPORT BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ON THE 1989 SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW, WHICH WAS COMPLETED LAST MONTH.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID THE REPORT WAS THE LAST OF A SERIES PRODUCED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION AS PART OF AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE SALARY STRUCTURE OF NON-DI RECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE GRADES OUTSIDE THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND THE JUDICIAL SERVICE, TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS SINCE THE LAST OVERALL REVIEW IN 1979.
THE SALARY STRUCTURES OF 126 GRADES OF CIVIL SERVANTS HAD ALREADY BEEN DEALT WITH BY THE STANDING COMMISSION IN ITS SECOND REPORT, WHICH WAS ACCEPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 10, 1990.
"THE THIRD REPORT DEALS WITH THE SALARY STRUCTURE OF THE REMAINING 216 GRADES WHICH HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY EXAMINED AND THIS REPRESENTS THE FINAL STAGE OF WHAT WAS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"THE ADDITIONAL ANNUAL COST OF THE LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS AT CURRENT SALARY LEVELS IS ESTIMATED TO BE $500 MILLION. TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE PAY IMPROVEMENTS ARISING FROM THE SECOND REPORT, THE ADDITIONAL ANNUAL SALARY BILL WILL BE ABOUT $1.5 BILLION COVERING BOTH THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE SUBVENTED SECTOR," HE ADDED.
SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, CHANGES TO EXISTING SALARY SCALES WOULD BE BACKDATED TO OCTOBER 1, 1989, WHICH IS THE COMMON DATE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STANDING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS. HOWEVER, THE CREATION OF NEW RANKS, DELETION OF EXISTING RANKS, RESTRUCTURING OF EXISTING PAY SCALES AND THE PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THEIR APPROVAL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL PRACTICE.
THE THIRD REPORT INCLUDED DETAILS ON THE TRANSFER OF SENIOR ARTISAN AND ARTISAN GRADES TO THE MASTER PAY SCALE.
A NUMBER OF GRADES WOULD ALSO HAVE THEIR PAY SCALES REVISED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE AGREED NEW QUALIFICATION BENCHMARKS USED TO SET THE STARTING PAY OF ENTRY RANKS OF A NUMBER OF JUNIOR GRADES ON THE MASTER PAY SCALE AND MODEL SCALE I.
THE NEW PAY BENCHMARKS WERE BASED ON THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY ON PRIVATE SECTOR PAY CONDUCTED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION.
"OF THE 107,000 CIVIL SERVANTS COVERED BY THE REPORT, A TOTAL OF 65,000 OFFICERS WILL RECEIVE IMMEDIATE PAY IMPROVEMENTS OF FIVE PER CENT OR LESS, SOME 28,000 WILL HAVE THEIR SALARIES INCREASED BY FIVE TO 10 PER CENT AND ABOUT 4,000 WILL RECEIVE PAY RISES AMOUNTING TO 10 PER CENT OR MORE UPON CONVERSION TO THEIR NEW PAY SCALES," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
/MR WIGGHAM .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
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MR WIGGHAM SAID DURING THE COURSE OF THE 20-MONTH LONG REVIEW THE STANDING COMMISSION TOOK INTO ACCOUNT INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PAY RELATIVITIES, PRIVATE SECTOR PRACTICE, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, EXTRA DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, ONEROUS WORKING CONDITIONS, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION DIFFICULTIES AND THE AGREED PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN DETERMINING THE SALARY STRUCTURE OF CIVIL
SERVICE GRADE AS CONTAINED IN ITS FIRST REPORT.
THE COMMISSION ALSO GAVE CAREFUL AND DETAILED CONSIDERATION TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY STAFF AND MANAGEMENT BEFORE ARRIVING AT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE COMMISSION HAD MEETINGS WITH THE STAFF AND DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT.
DESCRIBING THE REVIEW AS THOROUGH AND OBJECTIVE, MR WIGGHAM CALLED ON CIVIL SERVANTS TO RECEIVE THE STANDING COMMISSION’S REPORT IN A POSITIVE LIGHT, EVEN IF THEIR INDIVIDUAL ASPIRATIONS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY MET IN EVERY CASE.
"GIVEN THE SCOPE AND THOROUGHNESS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION'S REVIEW, AND THE FACT THAT IT COVERED CHANGES OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD, IT IS NOT EXPECTED THAT ANOTHER OVERALL REVIEW OF THE SALARY STRUCTURE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL BE NECESSARY FOR SOME TIME TO COME," HE ADDED.
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PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN OCTOBER 1990 ******
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY TWO PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 1.3 PER CENT IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE STATISTICS ALSO SHOWED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF SEVEN PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS WHILE IMPORTS INCREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE WAS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
AS FOR PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY ONE PER CENT AND THREE PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY TWO PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) INCREASED BY ONE PER CENT.
/PRICES WERE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
7
PRICES WERE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES WERE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 1990 WITH OCTOBER 1989, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY FIVE PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS ROSE BY ONE PER CENT AND TWO PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY THREE PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF SOME COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989, INCLUDING METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+49 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+29 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+26 PER CENT); AND TEXTILE FABRICS (+ EIGHT PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES TN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-16 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-15 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-12 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-10 PER CENT); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-10 PER CENT).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989. THESE INCLUDED FOOTWEAR (+ EIGHT PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+ SIX PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+ FOUR PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+ THREE PER CENT); CLOTHING (+ TWO PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+ TWO PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+ ONE PER CENT); AND TEXTILE FABRICS (+ ONE PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (- FOUR PER CENT); AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (- ONE PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; VEGETABLES; AND SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR; AND RICE.
/OVER THE........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 8 -
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT. COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; FOOTWEAR; AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES. DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989. INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; PAPER AND PAPERBOARD; AND IRON AND STEEL. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW COTTON; AND WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989.
AS FOR CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN OCTOBER 1990 OVER OCTOBER 1989. INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN OTHER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY (OTHER THAN TEXTILE MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY).
COMPARING OCTOBER 1990 WITH OCTOBER 1989, THE IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED : FUELS (+45 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (+ SIX PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+ FOUR PER CENT); AND FOODSTUFFS (+ THREE PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY ONE PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF REEXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989 WERE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING OCTOBER 1990 WITH OCTOBER 1989, THE VOLUME OF REEXPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS; FOODSTUFFS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES; AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT, 28 PER CENT, 27 PER CENT AND 25 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 27 PER CENT.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN OCTOBER 1990 AS COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1989: FUELS (+10 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+ THREE PER CENT); FOODSTUFFS (+ TWO PER CENT); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+ TWO PER CENT). RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
FURTHER DETAILS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE OCTOBER 1990 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTREAL, NEXT WEEK AT HKS3.00 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES ON .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
9
ENQUIRIES ON REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG ON TEL: 842 8802 AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL: 823 4918
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING WITH OCT OCT 1990 1989 COMPARING JAN-OCT WITH JAN-OCT 1990 1989
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
CLOTHING 3 2 1 ♦ 2 -2
TEXTILE FABRICS 10 1 8 3 3 ♦
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 1 t 1 -8 3 -10
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES 16 -1 -16 -12 1 -12
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -7 4 -10 -32 2 -33
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 20 -4 26 18 1 17
FOOTWEAR -3 8 -10 -21 3 -24
METAL MANUFACTURES 8 6 1 -13 6 -18
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 49 * 49 -10 -5 -6
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 32 3 29 9 ♦ 9
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -11 2 -12 -18 2 -20
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -14 1 -15 -25 1 -26
ALL COMMODITIES 6 1 5 - 1 1 -2
* LESS THAN 0.5%
/TABLE 2: .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 10
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH OCT OCT 1990 I9R9 COMPARING JAN-OCT 1990 WITH JAN-OCT 1989
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT VALUE VALUE % % VOLUME % UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME % % %
FOODSTUFFS 29 3 25 8 3 5
CONSUMER GOODS 29 4 24 20 4 15
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES 30 -1 31 4 -1 5
FUELS 64 45 13 7 16 -7
CAPITAL GOODS 24 6 17 8 3 5
ALL COMMODITIES 30 3 25 1 1 2 8
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING OCT 1990 COMPARING JAN-OCT 1990
WITH OCT 1989 WITH JAN-OCT 1989
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 30 2 28 -1 1 -3
CONSUMER GOODS 34 3 31 30 4 25
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES 29 2 27 3 3
FUELS -20 10 -27 4 9 -5
CAPITAL GOODS 25 * 25 1 1 2 8
ALL COMMODITIES 31 2 28 17 3 13
- - 0-----------
♦ LESS THAN 0.5%
/Il .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 11 -1990 COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES RELEASED *****
FIGURES RELEASED BY THE COMPANIES REGISTRY OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) INDICATED INCREASES OF ACTIVITY IN SOME AREAS AND DECREASES IN OTHERS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 1990 BY COMPARISON WITH 1989.
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID THE COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES NOW REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE HAD INCREASED BY NINE PER CENT FROM 242,709 TO 265,452 WHILE THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED DURING THE YEAR HAD DECREASED BY 17 PER CENT FROM 31,674 TO 26,147.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES WHICH HAD AN ESTABLISHED PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AT THE END OF THE YEAR INCREASED BY SEVEN PER CENT FROM 2,464 TO 2,635.
THE NUMBER OF NEW OVERSEAS COMPANIES ESTABLISHING A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI DURING 1990 WAS 350, AN INCREASE OF 32 PER CENT OVER THE NUMBER OF SUCH COMPANIES IN 1989.
NO SEPARATE STATISTICS ARE MAINTAINED ON HOW MANY OVERSEAS COMPANIES INCORPORATE LOCAL SUBSIDIARIES OR TAKE UP A MAJORITY. SHAREHOLDING IN A HONG KONG COMPANY.
EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY $33,122 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT OVER THE INCREASE OF $27,406 MILLION IN 1989, WHILE THE’ NOMINAL CAPITAL OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED DURING THE YEAR DECREASED BY SIX PER CENT FROM $3,371 MILLION TO $3,163 MILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED BY CHARGES REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES DECREASED BY SIX PER CENT FROM $89,334 MILLION TO $84,100 MILLION WHILE THE AMOUNT REPAID ON CHARGES, AS EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, DECREASED BY 10 PER CENT FROM $13,415 MILLION TO $12,022 MILLION.
DURING THE YEAR A TOTAL OF 154 PROSPECTUSES OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 88 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED COMPARED WITH 127 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 65 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECEIVED FOR FILING DURING THE YEAR DECREASED BY FIVE PER CENT FROM 842,763 TO 797,180.
THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE RESERVATION OF NEW COMPANY NAMES DURING 1990 WAS 155,569 WHICH WAS A 20 PER CENT DECREASE OF 194,765 IN 1989.
THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS IS PARTLY BECAUSE SECTION 11 OF THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.5) ORDINANCE 1990 CAME INTO OPERATION ON NOVEMBER 30, 1990 AND NO NAME APPLICATIONS WERE ACCEPTED FROM DECEMBER 1, 1990.
/THE FIGURES .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 12 -
THE FIGURES FOR 1990 INDICATED THAT IN THE SECOND SIX MONTHS OF 1990 13,634 COMPANIES WERE REGISTERED COMPARED WITH 12,513 IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS TAKEN BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS FOR BREACHES OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, MAINLY FOR FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH ACCOUNTS, TN 1990 WAS 157. ANOTHER 87 SUMMONSES WERE OUTSTANDING FROM 1989.
OF THIS TOTAL OF 244 SUMMONSES, 120 RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS (COMPARED WITH 211 IN 1989) AND 98 REMAINED TO BE HEARD BY THE COURT.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED FOR CONVICTIONS IN 1990 WAS $267,030, COMPARED WITH $597,570 IN 1989.
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.5) ORDINANCE 1990 WHICH ABOLISHED THE COMPANY NAME RESERVATION SYSTEM AND INTRODUCED A NEW NAME SYSTEM WAS ENACTED ON JULY 26, 1990.
SECTION 11 OF THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.5) ORDINANCE 1990 CAME INTO OPERATION ON NOVEMBER 30, 1990 AND NO NAME APPLICATIONS WERE ACCEPTED FROM DECEMBER 1, 1990.
THE NEW NAME SYSTEM WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MARCH 1, 1991. UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM THE REGISTRAR WILL CHECK ONLY FOR AND REFUSE NEW COMPANY NAMES THAT ARE IDENTICAL WITH EXISTING COMPANY NAMES.
THE PROMOTERS OF NEW COMPANIES AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEIR COMPANY NAME IS TOO LIKE ANY EXISTING COMPANY NAME.
COMPUTERISED SEARCH FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE COMPANIES REGISTRY TO CHECK EXISTING COMPANY NAMES, AND IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR ANY AGGRIEVED COMPANY TO APPLY TO THE REGISTRAR WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE REGISTRATION OF A NEW COMPANY TO REQUIRE THE NEW COMPANY TO CHANGE ITS NAME ON THE GROUND THAT IT IS TOO LIKE THE NAME OF THE ALREADY EXISTING COMPANY.
MR GLEESON SAID THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD SIMPLIFY AND SPEED UP THE PROCEDURE FOR COMPANY REGISTRATION.
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/13 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 13 -
THREE AMENDMENT BILLS ON ELECTIONS TO BE GAZETTED ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THREE AMENDMENT BILLS CONCERNED WITH THE 1991 ELECTIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO REQUIRE CANDIDATES TO DECLARE AFTER AN ELECTION THE DONATIONS IN EXCESS OF $500 WHICH THEY HAVE RECEIVED FOR THEIR ELECTION EXPENSES AND THE IDENTITY OF THE DONORS, AND TO ENABLE THEM TO DISPOSE OF UNSPENT OR EXCESS DONATIONS.
THE BILL ALSO ENABLES INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT TO DECLARE WELL IN ADVANCE OF AN ELECTION THE DONATIONS WHICH THEY HAVE RECEIVED FOR THEIR ELECTION EXPENSES, SO AS TO RELIEVE THEM OF THEIR POTENTIAL LIABILITY UNDER THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
’’WITH THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, CANDIDATES WILL INCREASINGLY BE DEPENDENT ON OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING, EITHER FROM INDIVIDUALS OR POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS, TO FINANCE THEIR ELECTION CAMPAIGNS,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THIS CREATES A NEED FOR MEASURES TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND BETTER PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY OF DONATIONS FOR ELECTIONS.
"WE THEREFORE CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO MAKE IT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR CANDIDATES TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE DONORS AND CONTRIBUTORS OF THEIR ELECTION EXPENSES AS WELL AS TO THEIR ELECTORATE AS REGARDS THE SOURCES AND DISPOSAL OF THEIR ELECTION FUNDS."
UNDER SECTION 8B OF THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE, NO CANDIDATE OR HIS AGENTS MAY USE MONEY RECEIVED FOR ELECTION EXPENSES FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE.
"THE ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS FOR ELECTION EXPENSES COULD GIVE RISE TO THE QUESTION OF DISPOSAL OF UNSPENT DONATIONS, WHICH MAY ARISE DUE TO DEATH OF THE CANDIDATE, HIS WITHDRAWAL FROM AN ELECTION, DONATIONS RECEIVED IN EXCESS OF THE PERMISSIBLE ELECTION EXPENSES LIMIT OR DONATIONS SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW IS THAT THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM LIES PRIMARILY IN SOUND ELECTION FUND MANAGEMENT ON THE PART OF THE CANDIDATE SO THAT UNSPENT OR EXCESS DONATIONS WOULD NOT ARISE.”
HOWEVER, PROVISIONS ARE MADE IN THE BILL TO ENABLE UNSPENT OR SURPLUS DONATIONS TO BE RETURNED TO THE DONOR IF THIS IS PRACTICABLE; OTHERWISE THE DONATIONS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO CHARITY.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
/THEY ARE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
14
THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ACCEPT OR SOLICIT DONATIONS FOR POLITICAL OR ELECTION PURPOSES UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AS SUCH DONATIONS WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE AND THE OFFERING OR RECEIPT OF THEM MAY CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE.
"IN CONSIDERING PROSECUTION IN THIS REGARD A CRUCIAL FACTOR IS THE EXISTENCE OF A CORRUPT MOTIVE,"
"WHILE PROSECUTIONS MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY BE INSTITUTED UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SITUATION REMAINS HIGHLY UNSATISFACTORY UNLESS SUCH A POSSIBILITY IS REMOVED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE AMENDMENT BILL SEEKS TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM TO ENABLE AN INTENDING CANDIDATE TO DECLARE SUCH DONATIONS AS SOON AS IS PRACTICABLE, AND WHERE APPLICABLE, BEFORE HE IS DULY NOMINATED AS A CANDIDATE.
"THE OBJECT IS TO ENSURE THAT CORRUPT ADVANTAGES CANNOT BE LABELLED SUBSEQUENTLY AS ’DONATION TO BE DECLARED’, WHEN CHALLENGED.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, DECLARATIONS COULD BE MADE AS SOON AS THEY ARE RECEIVED, THEREBY REMOVING THE LIABILITY OF THE RECIPIENT INCUMBENT MEMBER AND THE DONOR UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF ADVANTAGE UNDER SECTION 2 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO EXCLUDE DONATIONS WHICH ARE SOLICITED, OFFERED OR ACCEPTED SPECIFICALLY FOR ELECTION EXPENSES AS DEFINED IN THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE AND WHICH ARE PROPERLY DECLARED UNDER THAT ORDINANCE.
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO TIDY UP THE EXISTING POWERS OF THE ICAC SO THAT IT IS ABLE TO TAKE EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST A PERSON IN RESPECT OF ANOTHER RELATED OFFENCE DURING AN INVESTIGATION UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE AND TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED OR SUSPECTED CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT AN OFFENCE UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE.
"THE INTENTION IS TO PASS THESE BILLS IN TIME FOR THE PROVISIONS TO BE APPLIED TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 3," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/15
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 15 -
ORDER TO DESIGNATE NINE OVERSEAS JURISDICTIONS UNDER DRUG TRAFFICKING ORDINANCE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY A MUCH LARGER PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL EEFORT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING IF THE ORDER TO DESIGNATE NINE OVERSEAS JURISDICTIONS UNDER THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16.
THE ORDINANCE, ENACTED IN JULY 1989, HAS STRENGTHENED HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO COMBAT DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING BY PROVIDING FOR THE TRACING, RESTRAINING AND CONFISCATION OF THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING.
IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE DESIGNATION OF OVERSEAS COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES SO THAT THEIR ('ONFI SCAT ION AND RELATED ORDERS MAY BE ENFORCED IN HONG KONG, AND ALLOWS ASSISTANCE TO BE PROVIDED IN RELATION TO THEIR DRUG TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS.
THE DESIGNATION ORDER IF APPROVED WILL APPLY THE ORDINANCE, WITH CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS, TO CONF I SCAT I ON ORDERS MADE BY COURTS IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM JURISDICTIONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES, SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AS WELL AS JERSEY, GUERNSEY AND THE ISLE OF MAN, AND TO PROCEEDINGS IN THOSE PLACES WHICH MAY RESULT IN A (’ONE I SCATTON ORDER BEING MADE.
IT WILL IN PARTICULAR ENABLE THE HIGH COURT TO ORDER THE RESTRAINT IN HONG KONG OF PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED TO ENFORCE A CONFISCATION ORDER MADE IN A DESIGNATED COUNTRY OR TERRITORY, AND TO REGISTER AND ENFORCE A CONFISCATION ORDER MADE BY A COURT IN A DESIGNATED COUNTRY OR TERRITORY, THUS ENABLING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS IT HAS NEGOTIATED WITH THESE JURISDICT IONS FOR RECIPROCAL ASSISTANCE IN THE RESTRAINT AND CONFISCATION OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS” ASSETS.
IE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 16, THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) (DESIGNATED COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES) ORDER 1991 WILL BE GAZETTED AND COMMENCE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE WITH OTHER OVERSEAS COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WITH A VIEW TO EXTENDING SIMILAR ASSISTANCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING.
- - 0 - -
/16 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 16 -
MEDICAL SERVICES IN NEW TOWNS TO EXPAND
******
TO MEET THE NEEDS OE THE INCREASING POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROPRIATE PLANS TO EXPAND THE MEDICAL SERVICES IN NEW TOWNS, AND THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL IS ONE OF MANY PROJECTS FOR THIS PURPOSE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, DR T.Y. CHAU, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, WHICH ADMITTED ITS FIRST PATIENT ON MARCH B LAST YEAR, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THIS AFTERNOON.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY, DR CHAU SAID IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENSURE THAT MEDICAL SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE WITHIN REASONABLE ACCESS OF CENTRES OF POPULATION, AND THE OPENING OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WAS EVIDENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT.
APART FROM PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF FACILITIES WITH ALL THE BASIC SPECIALTIES, SPECIALIST UNITS AND SUPPORTING SERVICES, TUEN MUN HOSPITAL. HAD A DAY PROCEDURE UNIT WITH 16 BEDS WHICH COULD PROVIDE DAY (’ARE MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING SURGERY AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATORY PROCEDURES, FOR AMBULATORY PAT I ENTS.
’’THIS ARRANGEMENT IS SPECIALLY USEFUL FOR PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS WHO DO NOT NEED TO GO THROUGH THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE OF PROLONGED HOSPITAL STAY. IT ALSO OPTIMISES THE USE OF HOSPITAL BEDS AND STAFF AND ALLEVIATES CONGESTION IN THE WARDS. IT ALSO REDUCES RISK OF HOSPITAL CROSS-INFECTION.”
DR CHAU ALSO GAVE HIS HEARTIEST THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE HOSPITAL.
THE 1,606-BED TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, WHICH WAS BEING COMMISSIONED IN FIVE PHASES, STARTED OPERATION ON MARCH ft LAST YEAR. IN THE INITIAL STAGE, 334 BEDS WERE PROVIDED.
BY EARLY JANUARY WHEN THE SECOND PHASE CAME INTO OPERATION, SOME 450 ACUTE BEDS AND 200 BEDS FOR THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED HAD BEEN PUT INTO USE.
IT WAS PLANNED TO PROCEED WI TH SUCCESSIVE PHASES UNTIL THE HOSPITAL IS IN FULL OPERATION IN EARLY 1993.
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WERE ALSO PHASED IN TO MATCH THE BUILD-UP OF SPECIALTY BEDS '1'0 ACCOMMODATE ADMISSION CASES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT ANCILLIARY FACILITIES.
THE SERVICES STARTED ON JULY 30 LAST YEAR ON A 9 AM TO 5 PM BASIS, AND WERE EXTENDED TO 12 HOURS BETWEEN 8 AM AND ft PM FROM JANUARY 2.
/IT WAS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 17 -
IT WAS INTENDED THAT 24-HOUR SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE SECOND HALE OE THIS YEAR.
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, WHICH COST SOME $1.2 BILLION, HAD A TOTAL GROSS AREA OF 125,000 SQUARE METRES ON A 10.75-HECTARE SITE NEAR THE CASTLE PEAK HOSP ITAI-.
THE HOSPITAL WAS FULL\ AIR-CONDITIONED AND HAD A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF FACILITIES WITH ALL THE BASIC SPECIALTIES SUCH AS MEDICINE, SURGERY, OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, ORTHOPAEDICS AND PAEDIATRICS.
SPECIALIST UNITS FOR PSYCHIATRY, MENTALLY-HAND1CAPPED, RADIOTHERAPY, PHYSICAL MEDICINE, INTENSIVE CARE, BURNS AND RENAL DIALYSIS WOULD BE PART AND PARCEL OF THE SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE HOSPITAL.
THE HOSPITAL ALSO HAD A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SUPPORTING SERVICES SUCH AS CLINICAL PATHOLOGY, X-RAY, LAUNDRY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSIOTHERAPY AND PROSTHETIC-ORTHOTIC SERVICES.
IN ANTICIPATION OF A GREAT NEED OF NURSES IN OUR HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM, THE FIFTH GOVERNMENT NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL WAS ACCOMMODATED IN TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, WITH A TRAINING CAPACITY FOR 195 STUDENTS EACH YEAR.
THE HOSPITAL COMPLEX COMPRISED AN I 1-STOREY MAIN BLOCK, A FOUR-STOREY SPECIAL BLOCK, A SINGLE-STOREY RADIOTHERAPY BLOCK, A THREE-STOREY PATHOLOGY BLOCK, A I2-STOREY NURSE TRAINING SCHOOL AND FIVE BLOCKS OF STAFF QUARTERS.
A SPECIAL FEATURE IN THE DESIGN OF THE HOSPITAL WAS THAT ALL THESE BLOCKS ARE INTERLINKED BY COVERED WALKWAYS AND UNDERGROUND TUNNELS TO ENSURE CONVENIENCE OF COMMUN I (’AT ION .
THE HOSPITAL IS REACHED BY PUBLIC BUS ROUTES 67M, 67X AND 53 WHICH RUN FROM KOWLOON DOWNTOWN AND THE KWAI CHUNG MTR STATION.
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT CARRIED PASSENGERS FROM THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG AREAS PRACTICALLY TO THE HOSPITAL’S MAIN ENTRANCE.
--------0-----------
CONSULTANT COMMISSIONED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED ERL (ASIA) LTD TO BE THE SPECIALIST CONSULTANT FOR OVERSEEING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ON TSJNG Yl ISLAND.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCT ION AND OPERATION FOR 15 YEARS OF THE CENTRE WAS AWARDED LAST DECEMBER TO A CONSORTIUM COMPRISING BOTH LOCAL COMPANIES AND AN 1NTERNAT1ONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST.
/A TIGHT ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 18 -
A TIGHT CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME IS SPECIFIED IN THE CONTRACT WITH COMMISSIONING OF THE CENTRE BEFORE THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
ACCORDING TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (WASTE AND WATER POLICY DIVISION), MR MIKE STOKOE, THE CENTRE WILL PROVIDE EFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SECURE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SERVICE FOR THE WASTES GENERATED BY FACTORIES.
IT WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE DESIGNATED RECEPTION AND DISPOSAL POINT FOR OILY AND NOXIOUS WASTES GENERATED BY SHIPS.
THE CENTRE WILL COMPRISE AN OIL/WATER SEPARATION SYSTEM FOR OILY WASTES, PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL UNITS FOR AQUEOUS INORGANIC WASTES, AND A HIGH TEMPERATURE INCINERATION SYSTEM FOR ORGANICS.
A FLEET OF SPECIALLY DESIGNED CHEMICAL WASTE COLLECTION VEHICLES AND BARGES WILL BE EMPLOYED TO COLLECT THE WASTES FROM THE PREMISES OF WASTE PRODUCERS AND SHIPS.
MR STOKOE SAID STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN SPECIFIED FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, COMMISSIONING AND OPERATION OF THE CENTRE. ERL (ASIA) LTD IS EMPLOYED TO ENSURE THAT THESE STANDARDS ARE MET.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING COMPANY ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG IN 1974, ERL (ASIA) LTD HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND PREPARATORY WORK ON THE CENTRE SINCE MID 1987.
THE CONSULTANCY WILL, COVER THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PHASE, AND THE FIRST YEAR Ol- OPERATION OF THE FACILITIES. THE TOTAL COST FOR THE THREE-YEAR CONSULTANCY WILL BE AROUND $15 MILLION.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSULTANCY WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN MR STOKOE AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ERL (ASIA) LTD, MR ERIC TURNER.
--------0-----------
WELL-BALANCED CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS »«»*♦»»
CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN PROMOTING RESPONSIBILITY AND FOSTERING STUDENTS’ CAPACITY FOR ASSUMING A RESPONSIBLE ROLE OF A GOOD CITIZEN.
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1990 INTER-SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID DESIRABLE QUALITIES IN PEOPLE WERE DEVELOPED THROUGH CIVIC EDUCATION.
MR LI SAID THIS WOULD HELP TO PROMOTE A BETTER AND HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND DEVELOP STUDENTS INTO USEFUL FUTURE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY.
/STUDENTS, HE ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
STUDENTS, HE SAID, SHOULD DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE
SKILLS BUT, IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM
AND ANALYTICAL TO DEVELOP AN
INTEREST AS WELL AS TAKE PART IN SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND ACTIVITIES
ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES, THE BIENNIAL INTER-SCHOOL
EDUCATION ORGANISED SKILLS OF
PROJECT COMPETITION WHICH MADE ITS
TO PROMOTE CIVIC PRESENTING IDEAS
AWARENESS AND HELP AND FACTS.
DEBUT IN 1986 STUDENTS DEVELOP
CIVIC
WAS ' THE
FIFTY SECONDARY AND
PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOOK
COMPETITION, THE THEME OF WHICH WAS ’’BUILD HONG
PART IN THIS YEAR’S KONG FOR THE FUTURE”.
WINNING THE FIRST PRIZE OF THE PRIMARY AND THE SECONDARY GROUPS WERE FUK WING STREET GOVERNMENT PRIMARY (AM) SCHOOL AND *S COLLEGE.
D A MEDAL.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
20
THE YEARLY RAINFALL TOTAL AMOUNTED TO 2,046.9 MILLIMETRES AND WAS EIGHT !•; R CENT BELOW THE ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 2,224.7 MILLIMETRES.
AN INTENSE SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED ON THE LAST DAY OF NOVEMBER AND PERSISTED INTO EARIA DECEMBER. STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS BUFFETED THE TERRITORY ON DECEMBER I AND BROUGHT COLD AND DRY AIR OF POLAR ORIGIN.
THE COLDEST DAY SO FAR THIS WINTER OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 2 WHEN THE TEMPERATURE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY PLUMMETED TO A LOW OF 10.5 DEGREES.
WHILE THE EXTREMELY DRY CONDITIONS ENSURED A PROLONGED PERIOD OF FINE WEATHER, ENHANCED FIRE RISKS RESULTED IN OVER 200 CASES OF HILL FIRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
AS THE INFLUENCE OF THE COLD AIR SUBSIDED, TEMPERATURES GRADUALLY RECOVERED. WINDS TURNED EASTERLY ON DECEMBER 6 AND CONDITIONS BECAME EVEN WARMER AND MOISTER.
DESPITE AN INCREASE OF CLOUDINESS, PARTICULARLY ON DECEMBER 8, THE WEATHER REMAINED GENERALLY FINE.
THE SUNNY WEATHER AND AN EXTENDED LULL OF THE WINTER MONSOON ALLOWED THE TEMPERATURE ON DECEMBER 9 TO CLIMB TO A MAXIMUM OF 25.6 DEGREES, THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
TWO INSTALMENTS OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON OCCURRED DURING THE ENSUING WEEK - THE FIRST ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 10 AND THE SECOND ON DECEMBER 14. THEY ONLY PRODUCED SOME MINOR DROPS IN NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURES AS DAYTIME CONDITIONS STAYED RELATIVELY WARM.
ON BOTH OCCASIONS, EASTERLIES FRESHENED AT THE LATER STAGE OF THE MONSOON REPLENISHMENT AND LED TO CLOUDIER CONDITIONS. TN THE LATTER CASE, LIGHT DRIZZLE FELL ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 15 AND BROKE THE 17-DAY SPELL OF RAIN-FREE WEATHER.
A WEAK AND TRANSIENT NORTHERLY REPLENISHMENT ARRIVED ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 17 AND BROUGHT A SLIGHT DROP IN TEMPERATURES THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
A MORE PERSISTENT NORTHERLY REGIME SET IN ON DECEMBER 20, LEADING TO A PROGRESSIVE FALL IN TEMPERATURES FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
AFTER A RATHER COOL MORNING ON DECEMBER 23, THE WEATHER GRADUALLY WARMED UP OVER THE FESTIVE HOLIDAY PERIOD AS THE WINTER MONSOON RELENTED.
THE EASTERLIES GRADUALLY INCREASED IN STRENGTH ON DECEMBER 26 AND LIGHT RAIN PATCHES OCCURRED THAT NIGHT. A DAY OF GUSTY WINDS FOLLOWED ON DECEMBER 27.
DURING THESE TWO DAYS, ABOUT 20 CASES OF HILL FIRES WERE REPORTED.
THE EASTERLIES WERE RELATIVELY SUBDUED ON DECEMBER 28 BEFORE FRESHENING AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. THE INCREASINGLY MOIST CONDITIONS LED TO CLOUDY WEATHER AND MORE FREQUENT DRIZZLE WHICH PREVAILED TILL THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 31.
/AS THE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 21 -
AS I'HE EASTERLIES MODERATED, THE WEATHER TURNED FINE AND WARM FOLLOWING SOME MIST PATCHES EARLIER IN THE DAY. VISIBILITY DETERIORATED AGAIN IN THE EVENING AS FOG PATCHES MOVED IN TO AFFECT THE HARBOUR AREAS.
TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC DURING THE MONTH. TWO AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO FOGGY CONDITIONS ON DECEMBER 31.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON DECEMBER 8, 9, 16, 24 TO 28 AND 30 AND THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON DECEMBER 1 TO 6, 22 AND 23.
SIGNALS WEATHER SYSTEM HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
SIGNAL DATE & TIME OF HOISTING DATE & TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON NOVEMBER 30 7.15 PM DECEMBER 2 4.50 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON DECEMBER 11 11 PM DECEMBER 12 8 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON DECEMBER 27 6.30 AM DECEMBER 27 3.20 PM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 218.7 HOURS; 39.4 HOURS ABOVE
NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 12.41 MJ/ SQ.M.; 0.18 MJ/SQ.M. ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 0.1 MM; 25.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 39 PER CENT; 13 PER CENT LESS THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 69 PER CENT; NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 21.1 DEGREES CELSIUS; 0.3 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 18.8 DEGREES CELSIUS; 1.1 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 17 DEGREES CELSIUS; 1.8 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 12.6 DEGREES CELSIUS; 1.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 89 MM; 27 MM BELOW NORMAL
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/22 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 22 -
1992 HIGHER LEVEL EXAM APPLICATION FOR FIRST TIME PARTICIPANTS
SCHOOLS WISHING TO ENTER FOR THE FIRST TIME CANDIDATES FOR THE 1992 HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION OR THE PRACTICAL SUBJECTS IN BI^LOGY, CHEMISTRY OR PHYSICS SHOULD APPLY TO THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY (HKEA) NOT LATER THAN APRIL 1.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE HKEA IN SOUTHORN CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT A HANDBOOK ON THE REGULATIONS AND SYLLABUSES FOR THE 1992 EXAMINATION WILL BE PUBLISHED IN MARCH.
IT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE PUBLICATIONS UNIT OF THE HKEA IN TSEUK LUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
------0--------
REVISED RATES OF EX-GRAT1A ALLOWANCE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS ♦ **♦*♦♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED THE REVISED RATES OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE TO PIG AND POULTRY FARMERS AFFECTED BY THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
THE REVISED RATES. WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 1991,
ARE:
TYPES OF LIVESTOCK KEEPING STRUCTURE
CHICKEN
LEGHORN
PIGEON
QUAIL
DUCK/GOOSE
PER CAPITA (♦) ($ PER BIRD)
30.63
4 5.41
34.00
3.59
20.15
BUILDING AREA
($ PER SQ. METRE)
469.85
489.40
453.30
386.02
/PIG........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 23 -
PIG
401.55
PIG PENS ACCOMMODATING BREEDER PIGS AND WITH GESTATION AND FARROWING CRATES
457.60
(*) ONLY APPLICABLE TO "BACKYARD" AND FREE RANGE POULTRY FARM IN WHICH THE NUMBER OF POULTRY IS SMALL AND CAN BE PRACTICALLY COUNTED, THAT IS LESS THAN 1,000.
- - 0----------
SUBMISSION OF VISA APPLICATIONS UNDER IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) CONFIRMED THAT LETTERS HAD BEEN SENT TO SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYERS REMINDING THEM TO ARRANGE FOR SUBMISSION OF THEIR WORKERS’ VISA APPLICATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THE WORKERS COULD BE IN POST BY MARCH 8.
"EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE NOT YET MADE SUCH ARRANGEMENTS CAN WRITE TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT GIVING REASONS FOR THE DELAY.
"THE DEPARTMENT IS PREPARED TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FLEXIBLY. THE DEADLINE WOULD BE EXTENDED IN JUSTIFIABLE CIRCUMSTANCES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"OVER 500 EMPLOYERS HAVE SO FAR ASKED FOR MORE TIME," HE ADDED.
FOR ENQUIRIES, EMPLOYERS MAY TELEPHONE 829 3220.
-----0------
NEW ID CARD APPLICATION REMINDER FOR WOMEN
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1935 AND 1940 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE FEBRUARY 2.
"TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW I.D. CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE ADDED THAT FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW l.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000.
/APPLICANTS CAN .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 24 -
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO REPLACE THEIR I.D. CARDS, t
THE ISSUE OFFICES OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS.
ALL OFFICES CLOSE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. NO. 755 3669
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 498 0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
THEY MAY MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY TELEPHONING 824 0303 TO ENQUIRE ABOUT DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS TO BE BROUGHT ALONG.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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/25........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 25 -
CENSUS MOBILE EXHIBITION AT SHUN TAK CENTRE
*****
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE BASEMENT OF SHOPPING MALL OF SHUN TAK CENTRE, SHEUNG WAN.
ORGANISED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT REMINDING THE PUBLIC OF THE FORTHCOMI NG POPULATION CENSUS AND TO CALL FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION.
APART FROM SETTING OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT, THE EXHIBITION ELUCIDATED THROUGH ATTRACTIVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND DESIGN THE ENUMERATION METHODS TO BE USED IN THE CENSUS AND HOW THE DATA COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
’’THE SELF-ENUMERATION METHOD, IN PARTICULAR, IS THE FIRST TIME TO BE USED IN HONG KONG,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SIX OUT OF SEVEN HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE ENUMERATED THIS WAY WHILE THE OTHER ONE-SEVENTH HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE ENUMERATED BY THE TRADITIONAL INTERVIEWING METHOD.
THOSE SELECTED FOR SELF-ENUMERATION WOULD RECEIVE A SIMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE MAILED TO THEM BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CENSUS.
THE HOUSEHOLD HAVE TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE ACCORDINGLY AND THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE WOULD BE COLLECTED BY THE ENUMERATOR PERSONALLY DURING THE CENSUS.
”IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO GAIN A FAIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIFFERENT METHODS THROUGH VISITING THE EXHIBITIONS,” HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION AT SHUN TAK CENTRE IS THE FOURTH IN A SERIES OF 11 MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD TN PROMINENT LOCATIONS SUCH AS SHOPPING ARCADES OF POPULATED AREAS AND MTR STATIONS WHERE THE MESSAGE COULD BE EFFECTIVELY CONVEYED TO THE LARGEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM DAILY UNTIL JANUARY 13. AFTER THAT, THE EXHIBITS WILL BE MOVED TO THE CITYPLAZA IN TA I KOO SHING ON JANUARY 18.
THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WOULD BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND 24.
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/26 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
91 VBP RETURNED TODAY *****
A GROUP OF 91 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 37 MEN, 18 WOMEN, 20 BOYS AND 16 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 4 6TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 6,387 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
- - 0 - -
REVISED JOB SPECIFICATIONS MANUAL FOR TEXTILE INDUSTRY ON SALE * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS PUBLISHED A REVISED AND UPDATED MANUAL OF JOB SPECIFICATIONS AND TRADE TESTS FOR THE PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE SPINNING BRANCH OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY.
ACCORDING TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD, MR SUNG ZAI-KUNG, THERE HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE SPINNING BRANCH OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN TERMS OF PRODUCTION, QUALITY, JOB REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST MANUAL IN 1978.
THE REVISED VERSION, INCORPORATING NEW SKILLS AND THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE, COVERED SPECIFICATIONS AND TRADE TESTS FOR EIGHT JOBS AT TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL, SIX JOBS AT TECHNICIAN LEVEL, EIGHT JOBS AT CRAFTSMAN LEVEL AND 26 JOBS AT OPERATIVE LEVEL.
THE MANUAL NOT ONLY SERVED AS GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING SKILLS FOR JOBS IN THE SPINNING BRANCH OF THE INDUSTRY, BUT ALSO SUGGESTED A FRAMEWORK TO TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS AND TRAINING ORGANISATIONS FOR COURSE PLANNING.
EMPLOYERS COULD MAKE USE OF THE MANUAL IN ASSESSING THE COMPETENCY OF THEIR WORKERS AND IN DRAWING UP TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO UPDATE AND UPGRADE THEIR EMPLOYEES’ SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE.
’’JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY” IS AVAILABLE NOW AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $54.50 PER COPY.
- - 0 - -
/27
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
- 27 -
CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION FOR YOUNGSTERS
*****
MORE THAN 250 YOUNG CHINESE CHESS LOVERS WILL TAKE PART IN A TERRITORY-WIDE COMPETITION AT THE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL IN SHAM SHUI PO ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 12).
ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUT PO COUNCIL FOR THE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES AND SPONSORED BY THE TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE COMPETITION AIMS YOUNGSTERS’ INTERESTS AND SKILLS IN CHINESE CHESS.
PROMOTION OF CITY AND NEW AT PROMOTING
IT IS DIVIDED INTO YOUTH AND STUDENTS SECTIONS. THE TOP FOUR WINNERS OF EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND CASH COUPONS OF $700, $500, $300 AND $200 RESPECTIVELY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DEMONSTRATIONS BY CHINESE CHESS
EXPERTS.
WILL INCLUDE CHAIRMAN OF
COMPETITION ORGANISING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG.
OFFICIATING THE AT KICK-OFF CEREMONY THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMMITTEE, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; SHAM SHUI PO MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; AND SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHINESE CHESS COMPETITION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 (JANUARY 12) AT THE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN SCHOOL, TAI (NEAR SHEK KIP MEI MTR STATION).
HONG KONG YOUTH PM ON SATURDAY HANG TUNG ROAD
--------0----------
CARNIVAL TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME * * * *
MESSAGES IN TSUEN WAN *
TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A COLOURFUL FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 12) AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE CARNIVAL, WHICH AIMS AT PROMOTING FIGHT CRIME AND ANT1-NARCOT1CS MESSAGES, IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 2 PM WILL BE THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN; TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG; TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DFCC, MR DAVID HO.
THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE DRAMA, STALL GAMES, LION DANCE, A VARIETY SHOW, DEMONSTRATIONS BY POLICE DOGS AND EXHIBITIONS ON CRIME PREVENTION AND DRUG ABUSE.
/PRIZES WILL .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1991
28
PRIZES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF THE FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN FIGHT CRIME AND ANTINARCOTICS CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 12) AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
- - 0 - -
CONCERT FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS
*****
OVER 1,900 MONG KOK RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A CONCERT AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI TOMORROW (FRIDAY). THE CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
ENTITLED "A NIGHT OF GOLDEN OLDIES", THE TWO-HOUR CONCERT WILL FEATURE SOLO AND GROUP SINGING, PIANO AND ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCES.
IT IS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PROMOTION OF ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD PRIOR TO THE CONCERT WITH THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, AND ASSISTANT MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VINCENT FUNG, OFFICIATING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO' COVERjft'HE NIGHT OF GOLDEN OLDIES CONCERT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO CLOSE * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED ‘BUILDING WORKS AT THE ROOF OF NINTH FLOOR, 208A FUK WA STREET, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 13 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED
BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCI.
THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MAJORITY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG: SURVEY ................... 1
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED ................. 3
RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 GAZETTED............................ H
TV SHOW TO SPREAD PITCH-IN MESSAGE............................... 12
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ON TV .................................... i3
GOVT DETERMINED TO IMPROVE ENGLISH STANDARDS ....................
OLD-TYPE ID CARDS INVALID FROM JANUARY 14 ....................... 16
NEW ROADS TO BE BUILT IN TOEN MUN ...............................
HK TO SET UP INSECT HOUSE ....................................... i7
GATHERING FOR PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHERS IN YAU TSIM ............ 18
ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ....................... I9
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE SCHOOL EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES .......... 1$
CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR IN MONG KOK .............................
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
1
MAJORITY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG: SURVEY » « » » »
SIXTY-TWO PER CENT OF THI? 2,000 PEOPLE POLLED IN A GOVERNMENT SURVEY SAID THEY HAD CONFIDENCE THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROSPEROUS AND STABLE.
THIS IS ONE OF THE FINDINGS OF A BENCHMARK SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN MARCH TO MAY 1990.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY WAS TO COLLECT PUBLIC OPINION ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE IN ALL MAJOR AREAS OF ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE DIRECT AND SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
•
SIMILAR SURVEYS HAD BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH IN 1982 AND 1984 RESPECTIVELY.
THE SURVEY WAS UNDERTAKEN BY A PRIVATE RESEARCH FIRM AND WAS CONDUCTED BY WAY OF FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEWS WITH A SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE OF 2,000 PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 64.
"HONG KONG FUTURE" WAS ONE OF THE MOST-MENTIONED SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE SURVEY.
SIXTY-TWO PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THEY HAD CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY, OF WHICH 56 PER CENT SAID "SOME CONFIDENCE", AND SIX PER CENT SAID THEY HAD "A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE" THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROSPEROUS AND STABLE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, 25 PER CENT SAID THEY HAD "ONLY A LITTLE CONFIDENCE", AND NINE PER CENT SAID THEY HAD "NO CONFIDENCE AT ALL" IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
WHEN ASKED WHETHER THEY HAD ANY ACTUAL PLAN OR TAKEN ANY ACTION WITH REGARD TO EMIGRATING, 14 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SAMPLE OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY PLANNED TO EMIGRATE AND 79 PER CENT HAD NO SUCH PLANS.
ON THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, 43 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE, AS A WHOLE, WAS GOOD.
A FURTHER 44 PER CENT SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE WAS NEITHER GOOD NOR POOR OR GAVE NO COMMENT, AND 13 PER CENT SAID IT WAS POOR.
AS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, 38 PER CENT RATED IT AS BEING EFFICIENT, WHILE 42 PER CENT WERE INDIFFERENT OR GAVE NO COMMENT. TWENTY PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS RATED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS "INEFFICIENT".
THE WORKING ATTITUDES OF CIVIL SERVANTS RECEIVED A "GOOD" RATING AMONG 40 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS, AND A "BAD" RATING AMONG 17 PER CENT.
/THIRTY-NINE PER ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
- 2 -
THIRTY-NINE PER CENT RATED THE ATTITUDES OE CIVIL SERVANTS AS "NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD" AND FOUR PER CENT GAVE NO COMMENT.
WHEN COMPARED WITH' THE 1984 SURVEY, THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE SAYING THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS EFFICIENT AND THAT CIVIL SERVANTS’ WORKING ATTITUDES WERE GOOD IN 1990.
ON THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC, 31 PER CENT FELT THAT THE COMMUNICATION WAS GOOD, AND 42 PER CENT SAID "NEITHER GOOD NOR POOR".
ONLY 27 PER CENT FELT IT WAS POOR, WHEREAS IN 1984 AS MANY AS 50 PER CENT GAVE IT POOR RATING.
FORTY-ONE PER CENT THOUGHT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC OPINION ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS. TWENTY-THREE PER CENT THOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT WAS INDIFFERENT TO PUBLIC OPINION, WHILE 36 PER CENT THOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NEITHER CONCERNED NOR INDIFFERENT.
WHEN ASKED "TO WHAT EXTENT THE GOVERNMENT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC OPINION WHEN DECIDING ON POLICIES AND ACTIONS", 69 PER CENT BELIEVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID DO SO, WHILE 20 PER CENT THOUGHT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT TAKE PUBLIC OPINION INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DECIDING ON POLICIES AND ACTIONS. THE REMAINING 11 PER CENT WERE UNSURE AND OFFERED NO COMMENT EITHER WAY.
THE MAIN CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION PERCEIVED BY THE RESPONDENTS FOR THE PUBLIC TO CONVEY THEIR VIEWS TO THE GOVERNMENT WAS THE DISTRICT BOARD (53 PER CENT). SOME MENTIONED OTHER CHANNELS SUCH AS DISTRICT OFFICES (12 PER CENT), OMELCO (10 PER CENT) AND ANY RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS (EIGHT PER CENT).
ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE PUBLIC (73 PER CENT) FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY. THIS FINDING COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THAT OF THE 1984 SURVEY.
ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE PEOPLE AGREED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BUILD A NEW AIRPORT (68 PER CENT) AND EXPAND THE PORT FACILITIES (65 PER CENT). THE PERCENTAGES OF PEOPLE WHO DTD NOT SUPPORT THESE TWO PROJECTS WERE EIGHT PER CENT IN BOTH CASES.
ANOTHER MOST-MENTIONED SOCIAL PROBLEM WAS "VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE". EIGHTY-EIGHT PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS FELT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A SERIOUS ONE.
WHEN ASKED WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE IN HANDLING THE PROBLEM, NEARLY ONE-THIRD (32 PER CENT) FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS HANDLING THE PROBLEM WELL, OF WHICH 29 PER CENT SAID "WELL" AND THREE PER CENT SAID "VERY WELL".
ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE WERE 38 PER CENT WHO FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS HANDLING THE PROBLEM BADLY, OF WHICH 34 PER CENT SAID "BADLY" AND FOUR PER CENT "VERY BADLY".
/ON SOLUTIONS........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
- 3 -
ON SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM, 68 PER CENT FELT THAT MANDATORY REPATRIATION WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE WAY. MOST OF THE RESPONDENTS (88 PER CENT) ALSO FAVOURED ABOLITION OF THE PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM POLICY IN HONG KONG (BEFORE THE QUESTION ON THE RISK OF BOAT PEOPLE BEING DROWNED WAS ASKED). EVEN KNOWING THAT THE BOAT PEOPLE MIGHT DROWN, 70 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS STILL FELT THAT THE POLICY SHOULD BE ABOLISHED WHILE 10 PER CENT FELT THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE ABOLISHED.
THE RESPONDENTS WERE ALSO ASKED TO ASSESS THE GOVERNMENT’S PERFORMANCE IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, LABOUR, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, HEALTH/MEDICAL CARE, HOUSING, LAW AND ORDER, SOCIAL WELFARE AND TRANSPORT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE REPORT ON THE 1990 BENCHMARK SURVEY ON PUBLIC ATTITUDES WILL BE BOXED.
-----------------------0------- EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED *****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1990, AT $128,676 MILLION, GREW BY 34 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1990 RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT TO $21,878 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS ROSE BY 42 PER CENT TO $42,705 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT TO $64,583 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 38 PER CENT TO $64,092 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1990, AT $1,166,073 MILLION, INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT TO $205,663 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT TO $377,238 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT TO $582,901 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT TO $583,172 MILLION.
/THE CHANGES .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
- 4 -
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1990 WITH NOVEMBER 1989, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY RECORDED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OF 68 PER CENT AND 46 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE NETHERLANDS AND JAPAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 30 PER CENT, 26 PER CENT, 19 PER CENT, 14 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA, THE USA AND AUSTRALIA DECREASED BY 10 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN, BY 33 PER CENT AND 32 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA AND THE NETHERLANDS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT, 9 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA AND AUSTRALIA BOTH DECREASED BY 15 PER CENT. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE USA AND JAPAN ALSO DECREASED IN VALUE TERMS, BY 9 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,551 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT); TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $973 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $917 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING WENT UP BY $277 MILLION ALTHOUGH IN PERCENTAGE TERMS IT WAS AN INCREASE OF LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT. THOSE OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $217 MILLION OR 1 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1,845 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT), AND MANUFACTURES OF METAL (BY $728 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
/COMPARING NOVEMBER .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
5
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1990 WITH NOVEMBER 1989, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, SWITZERLAND, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND SINGAPORE, BY 56 PER CENT, 54 PER CENT, 52 PER CENT, AND 46.PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM TAIWAN, CHINA, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, ITALY AND THE USA INCREASED BY 36 PER CENT, 36 PER CENT, 35 PER CENT, 31 PER CENT, 28 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA, SWITZERLAND, SINGAPORE, THE USA AND TAIWAN INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT, 19 PER CENT, 15 PER CENT, 12 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, ITALY, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $8,516 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $8,468 MILLION OR 21 PERCENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $7,929 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $5,883 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1,705 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT), AND NON-FERROUS METALS (BY $766 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO ALL THE MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN NOVEMBER 1990 OVER NOVEMBER 1989.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM, TAIWAN, JAPAN AND CHINA, BY 139 PER CENT, 85 PER CENT, 78 PER CENT, 53 PER CENT, 46 PER CENT AND 41 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO THE USA, SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND CANADA INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT, 17 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1990 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM, TAIWAN, THE USA, CANADA AND SINGAPORE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 69 PER CENT, 41 PER CENT, 35 PER CENT, 30 PER CENT, 22 PER CENT, 21 PER CENT AND 16 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/THOSE TO........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
6
THOSE TO JAPAN AND CHINA INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASE!) BY 2 PER CENT.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $12,317 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $9,377 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $8,036 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $3,865 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1,879 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT), AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $785 MILLION
OR 10 PER CENT).
AS FROM OCTOBER 1990, STATISTICS ON HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY REFER TO THE UNIFIED GERMANY. WHERE PAST DATA ARE REFERRED TO, THE TRADE VALUES OF THE PREVIOUS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ARE ADDED TOGETHER TO ENSURE COMPARABILITY WITH THOSE AFTER THE GERMAN UNIFICATION.
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON. A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1990 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY FEBRUARY 1991.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE NOVEMBER 1990 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1990 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND JANUARY 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, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 823 4915).
/TABLE 1 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET NOV 1990 (HKD MN.) NOV 90 OVER NOV 89 JAN-NOV 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-NOV 90 OVER JAN-NOV 89 ( % )
( % )
USA 5,920 - 7 60,869 - 8
CHINA 4,752 + 26 43,453 + 9
FR OF GERMANY 1,900 + 46 15,810 + 13
UK 1,445 + 19 12,046 - 9
JAPAN 1,221 + 9 11,146 - 7
SINGAPORE 884 68 7 , 109 + 33
TAIWAN 577 + 30 5,267 + 32
CANADA 391 — 10 4,856 - 15
NETHERLANDS 431 + 14 4,434 + 5
AUSTRALIA 350 — 4 3,284 - 15
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
NOV NOV 90 JAN-NOV JAN-NOV 90
COMMODITY 1990 OVER 1990 OVER
DIVISION NOV 89 JAN-NOV 89
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 6,436
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS' AND
SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 2,505
+ 4 64,701
+ 8 24,073
/PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
8
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,166 ♦ 26 19,450 4 9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,763 4 16 15,844 - 4
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,648 4 6 15,534 4- 1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,681 4 22 15,298 4 3
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER NOV 1990 (HKD MN.) NOV 90 OVER NOV 89 ( % ) JAN-NOV 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-NOV 90 OVER JAN-NOV 89 ( % )
CHINA 23,599 4 36 213,866 4- 20
JAPAN 10,712 4 56 93,459 4- 9
TAIWAN 6,095 ♦ 36 52,678 4- 11
USA 4,438 4 17 47,630 4 12
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,782 4 52 25,476 4- 8
SINGAPORE 2,783 + 46 23,409 4- 15
FR OF GERMANY 1,577 4 35 13,571 4- 7
UK 1,385 4 31 12,765 4 7
SWITZERLAND 1,272 4 54 10,422 4 19
ITALY 1,000 4- 28 9,974 4 8
/TABLE 4 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
9
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
NOV NOV 90 JAN-NOV JAN-NOV 90
COMMODITY 1990 OVER 1990 OVER
DIVISION NOV 89 JAN-NOV 89
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 8,140 4 32 72,070 4 9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 6,472 4 40 58,434 4 12
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,122 4 28 48,903 4 21
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 5,268 4 46 44,888 4 23
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 4,595 4 41 42,289 4 23
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,645 4 50 31,381 4 17
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET
NOV 1990
(HKD MN.)
NOV 90 JAN-NOV JAN-NOV 90 OVER 1990 OVER
NOV 89 JAN-NOV 89
( % ) (HKD MN. ) ( % )
CHINA
USA
11,679 4 41 100,817 4 6
8,071 4 27 80,754 4 22
/JAPAN 2,864 ..........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
10
JAPAN 2,864 46 22,251 +* 8
FR OF GERMANY 2,936 + 139 20,459 ♦ 69
TAIWAN 2,169 + 53 19,492 + 30
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,247 ♦ 11 12,033 — 2
SINGAPORE 1 , 167 + 17 11,625 + 16
UK 1,279 + 78 11,073 35
CANADA 487 + 7 5,996 + 21
FRANCE 637 + 85 5,812 + 41
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
NOV NOV 90 JAN-NOV JAN-NOV 90
COMMODITY 1990 OVER 1990 OVER
DIVISION NOV 89 JAN-NOV 89
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED
ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 5,513 + 47 51,300 + 32
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,488 ♦ 37 43,448 + 28
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4,941 + 36 42,833 + 10
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,670 + 32 34,283 ♦ 12
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4, 117 ♦ 52 33,113 ♦ 32
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 1,289 ♦ 49 13,875 ♦ 31
--------0----------
/Il ........
FRIDAY, .JANUARY 11, 1991
- 11 -
RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 199 1 GAZETTED * ♦ ♦ t t
THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH WILL PROVIDE A MECHANISM IN THE RATING ORDINANCE EOR GRANTING RELIEF AGAINST SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN RATES, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
IF ENACTED, THE BILL WILL ENABLE A LIMIT TO BE PLACED ON THE AMOUNT OF RATES PAYABLE IN ANY ONE YEAR TO AN AGGREGATE OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE IN THE PRECEDING YEAR PLUS A PRESCRIBED PERCENTAGE OF THAT AMOUNT.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE RELIEF IN A PARTICULAR YEAR AND THE RELIEF LIMIT.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MECHANISM FOR A RATES RELIEF SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN CONNECTION WITH THE GENERAL REVALUATION OF RATEABLE VALUES NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN.
’AS DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT IS PREPARING NEW RATEABLE VALUES FOR ALL THE ASSESSED PROPERTIES TO TAKE EFFECT ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
’’BECAUSE OF THE TIME LAG Sl'NCE THE LAST REVALUATION THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES WILL BE HIGHER THAN THE EXISTING ONES,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ESTIMATED AN OVERALL INCREASE OF ABOUT 80 PER CENT BUT STRESSED THAT THE ACTUAL INCREASE IN PAYMENTS BY RATEPAYERS WOULD GENERALLY BE LESS THAN THIS BECAUSE THE PERCENTAGE CHARGED ON THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES WOULD BE REDUCED.
"THE RATES RELIEF SCHEME IS A FURTHER PROVISION TO ENSURE THAT RATEPAYERS WILL NOT BE FACED WITH EXCESSIVE INCREASES IN RATES PAYMENTS IN 1991/92,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF A GENERAL REVALUATION WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE TOTAL RATES BURDEN WAS EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT RENTAL VALUE OF EACH PROPERTY.
- - 0----------
/12 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
12
TV SHOW TO SPREAD PITCH-IN MESSAGE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
unwo H°NG K°NG CLEAN SPECTACULAR WILL BE STAGED AT THE HONG
.... r|C)" S ' M ()N ,,ANGARY 27 (SUNDAY) EVENING TO CALL ON THE SUPPORT NFCERPp|ACFUNJ*V T° P1TCH IN TO MAKE THE TERRITORY A CLEANER AND
bpta n qS^l'Au ’n A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY) TO ANNOUNCE ..MI|AI,/^ SHOW, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL
*,7. M„,tKRhP H()NG KONG (’CRAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU, ... SPKC'I’ACULAR to BE PRODUCED BY ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED IS HIGHLIGHT FUNCTION OF THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG KONG (‘LEAN CAMPAIGN.
cDDrTA... J.l>c!h .2NE AN,) A HALF HOUR SHOW W1LL BE ATTENDED BY ABOUT 6,000 ‘ E ’A•°RS INCLUDING LEADING COMMUNITY LEADERS, CELEBRITIES, DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS."
vm .MA va)mULmiR $INGERS AND ARTISTES INCLUDING MS MAK KIT-MAN, MS PERFORM^ \TTHF SHcbZ 1 NG”MAN ’ MS EhA,NE wu ANI) MS ELAINE DA SILVA WILL uiu he- NESSRS JAMES WONG AND DAVID LAU WILL BE MASTERS OF CEREMONY, HILE MR LI LIANJIE AND MS FLORA CHEONG-LEEN WILL BE SPECIAL GUESTS.”
WILL BE TELECAST ON ATV’S HOME CHANNEL ON FEBRUARY 2 8.35 PM TO 10.05 PM.
OF tup DIIDI m TV PR0GRAMMR '^OULD REMIND AND ENCOURAGE MEMBERS
TnwrHQArnBLIC T° CLEAN UP ESPECIALLY DURING THIS YEAR-END PERIOD,” MR I ONG SAID.
•; SHOW
(SATURDAY) FROM
"WE HOPE
..... A. £.ROM THE TV SPR<'TAC'ULAR, he said the steering committee uLJro0 PRODIICED, DURING the year, three ANNOUNCEMENTS in public INIEREST (API’S) EOR SHOWING ON TV.
BVr,B,„p ... w° Apl s <)N PENALTV REMIND THE PUBLIC NOT to litter and •ruv '■r!„l?aGE1 AWAV WITH IT’ W»'l-R THE THIRD ONE STRESSES THAT KEEPING ' ,EJ^RR'?’RY CLKAN IS KVERYUODY’S RESPONSIBILITY, IRRESPECTIVE OF SOCIAL STATUS AND OCCUPATION.
... THIS API ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WILL MAKE ITS I HIS EVENING," HE SAID.
DEBUT ON TV
tpddit o1 11 rHE APPRO/*« H OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR utT,,!, H,I)K YEAR -END CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATED SIEERING COMMITTEE START ON JANUARY 20 (SUNDAY).
MR
TONG
SAID A
BY THE
...."ADDITIONAI , LORRIES AND MANPOWER WILL BE DEPLOYED TO REEUSE DURING THF.sE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS," HE ADDED.
REMOVE
- - 0----------
/13 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
13
(’LASS I FI Fl) ADVERTISING ON TV
★ ★ ★ ★ *
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY \NNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ATV AND TVB HAD BEEN INFORMED THAI' I’ll RY COULD INTRODUCE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION AS FROM FEBRUARY 1, 1991.
A SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, THE TELEVISION LICENSEES MAY BROADi AST ( I. ASS I FI ED ADVERTISEMENTS BETWEEN 2 AM AND 12 NOON SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RULES PRESCRIBED BY THE BROADCAST I NG AUTHOR ITY.
AFTER CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF ITS WORKING GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF CODES OF PRACTICE AND CONSULTING ATV AND TVB, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAS REACHED A DECISION ON THE CONDITIONS FOR INTRODUCING CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS ON TELEVISION TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CHANNEL FOR MEETING THE ADVERTISING AND INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC’.
"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL BUSINESSES WOULD, IN PARTICULAR, BENEFIT FROM THIS NEW CATEGORY of ADVERTISING.
”TO ENSURE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE REASONABLE ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING, PRODUCTS OR SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN ADVERTISED ON TELEVISION IN REGULAR ADVERTISING SPOTS OR ADVERTISING MAGAZINES DURING THE PRECEDING SIX MONTHS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE FEATURED IN CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
IN THE INTEREST OF VIEWERS, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ALSO DECIDED NOT MORE THAN TWO BLOCS OF SUCH ADVERTISEMENTS TOTALLING 15 MINUTES MAY BE SHOWN DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN 2 AM AND 12 NOON.
"IN ADDITION, EACH BLOC OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS SHOULD NOT LAST MORE THAN EIGHT MINUTES.
"ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE SAME PRODUCT OR SERVICE MAY NOT BE REPEATED WITHIN THE SAME BLOC’ AND THE AIR TIME OCCUPIED BY A SINGLE ADVERTISER SHOULD NOT EXCEED 30 SECONDS IN ANY BLOC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RULES GOVERNING CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING WILL BE 1NCORPORATED INTO THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON ADVERTISING STANDARDS FOR TELEVISION. THE ARRANGEMENT WILL BE REVIEWED AFTER 12 MONTHS.
NOTE:
ANY ENQUIRIES ON THIS SUBJECT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO SENIOR INFORMATION OFFICER MR PAUL WAI ON TEL. R3R 9515.
/34 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
14
GOVT DETERMINED TO IMPROVE ENGLISH STANDARDS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SINCE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH SCHOOL LEAVERS WITH EFFECTIVE SKILLS IN ENGLISH, A FALSE IMPRESSION HAS BEEN CREATED THAT STANDARDS OF ENGLISH ARE FALLING WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE NOT, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT RESEARCH FINDINGS, RESULTS OF PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS, INFORMATION FROM THE POLYTECHNICS AND THAT PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL INDICATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN INDEED AN IMPROVEMENT IN STANDARDS OF ENGLISH AT SCHOOL LEVEL THROUGHOUT THE 1980’S, RATHER THAN TO ANY DECLINE.
SPEAKING AT A CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS, MR YEUNG SAID THE PERCEPTION THAT STANDARDS OF ENGLISH WERE DECLINING STEMMED FROM THE PROBLEM OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
"OUR SUCCESS AS AN ECONOMY HAS FUELED DEMAND FOR EMPLOYEES WITH EFFECTIVE AND WIDE-RANGING SKILLS IN ENGLISH TO SATISFY THE NEEDS OF COMMERCE, THE FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES, GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND OTHER INDUSTRIES, ALL OF WHICH DO THEIR BUSINESS TO A GREATER OR LESSER EXTENT IN ENGLISH.
"THIS DEMAND HAS NOW OUTSTRIPPED THE SUPPLY, AND THE EXCESS IS ACCENTUATED BY THE CONTINUING SHIFT AWAY FROM MANUFACTURING TOWARDS THE SERVICES INDUSTRIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE RAPIDLY ’UPSKILLING’ THEMSELVES," MR YEUNG SAID.
HF STRESSED THAT THE PROBLEM, NEVERTHELESS, WAS A SERIOUS ONE.
"IT IS ALL VERY WELL TO SAY THAT STANDARDS ARE RISING STEADILY, BUT THIS IS COLD COMFORT TO THOSE WHO HAVE GAPS TO FILL IN THEIR WORKFORCE," HE ADDED.
FACED WITH THIS SITUATION THE EDUCATION COMMISSION THOUGHT LONG AND HARD ABOUT SOLUTIONS, MR YEUNG SAID.
THE COMMISSION HAD, IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 1, RECOMMENDED LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM, MR YEUNG SAID.
ON THE LONG TERM SOLUTIONS, MR YEUNG SAID THE RECOMMENDATION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF WHOLE DAY SCHOOLING AT PRIMARY 5 AND 6 WOULD GIVE STUDENTS FIVE EXTRA LESSONS A WEEK, ALLOWING TIME FOR ADDITIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES WHERE NECESSARY.
THE INTRODUCTION OF ATTA INMENT TARGETS AND RELATED ASSESSMENTS AT PRIMARY 3 AND 6 FOR ENGLISH SHOULD HELP TO RE-FOCUS ATTENTION AMONG TEACHERS’ AND PUPILS 1'0 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WITHOUT, HOWEVER, UNDULY DISTORTING THE PRIMARY CURRICULUM.
"TO ENABLE THOSE SELECTED FOR AN ENGLISH MEDIUM EDUCATION TO COPE PROPERLY AT SECONDARY LEVEL, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS A FULL TIME ENGLISH LANGUAGE BRIDGING COURSE IN THE FIRST TERM OF SECONDARY 1," MR YEUNG SAID.
/"IT ALSO .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
15
"IT ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT WAYS SHOULD BE EXPLORED IN WHICH A BRIDGING COURSE MIGHT BE PROVIDED AT THE END OF SECONDARY 3, FOR THOSE STUDENTS IN THE CHINESE STREAM WHO ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT . FROM SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE ENGLISH STREAM."
HE SAID A MAJOR RECOMMENDATION OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WAS THE SETTING UP OF A CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE TO UNDERTAKE CURRICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO INCLUDE EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND PARENTS, ON THE OTHER.
"THIS SHOULD LEAD TO AN IMPROVED, MORE INNOVATIVE AND RELEVANT CURRICULUM IN OUR SCHOOLS TO MEET THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"BUSINESSMEN WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO WHAT IS TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS."
REGARDING THE SHORT TERM MEASURES, MR YEUNG SAID THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT AN APPROPRIATE GENERAL ENGLISH COURSE BE PROVIDED, POSSIBLY DURING SUMMER AFTER STUDENTS HAD LEFT SCHOOL BUT BEFORE THEY ENTERED THE WORKPLACE.
"WE ARE AT PRESENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BRITISH COUNCIL OVER THE MEANS OF PROVIDING SUCH COURSES.
"THE COUNCIL IS WORKING TOWARDS RUNNING A PILOT SCHEME THIS: SUMMER, WITH THE INTENTION OF STARTING IN EARNEST IN THE SUMMER OF 1992.
"THE COMMISSION ALSO RECOMMENDS APPROPRIATE VOCATIONAL ENGLISH COURSES DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF OCCUPATIONS AND BE AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS FROM CHINESE-MEDIUM AND ENGLISH-MEDIUM BACKGROUNDS WHO ARE ABOUT TO TAKE UP OR WHO HAVE ALREADY TAKEN UP EMPLOYMENT, FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR EDUCATION AT SECONDARY 5 OR SECONDARY 7," MR YEUNG SAID.
IN ORDER TO GET THE BALL ROLLING ON BOTH OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS, MR YEUNG HAVE ALREADY MET WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THEY HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE ON THE NEED FOR THE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING PARTY ON VOCATIONAL ENGLISH.
THE WORKING PARTY WILL BE ASKED TO IDENTIFY INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS, AND TO TRANSLATE THESE REQUIREMENTS INTO EXPECTED STANDARDS, CURRICULUM, AND APPROPRIATE TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND MATERIALS.
IT WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO IDENTIFY THE ORGANISATION(S) MOST QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE WORKING PARTY WILL HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS FROM THE BRITISH COUNCIL AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
"IF ALL GOES WELL I EXPECT THE WORKING PARTY TO DELIVER ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN A YEAR," MR YEUNG SAID.
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/16 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
- 16 -
OLD-TYPE ID CARDS INVALID FROM JANUARY 14 ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1927 AND BEFORE THAT THEIR OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 WILL BECOME INVALID FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 14).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "THIS IS THE NINTH BATCH OF I.D. CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THE NEW I.D. CARD REISSUE SCHEME STARTED ON JULY 1, 1987."
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ONCE AN OLD CARD WAS DECLARED INVALID, IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
HE SAID: "FOR EXAMPLE, MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE I.D. 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 I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES," HE ADDED.
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO AND DEALT WITH ON INDIVIDUAL MERITS.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
----------------0 - -NEW ROADS TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN ♦ * * * ♦
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT SIX NEW ROADS IN AREA 16 SOUTH, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN TO SERVE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE SCHEME FORMS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND A NOTICE CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED ROADS MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
♦ CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUBOFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, CENTRAL; AND
♦ TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHS TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 5, THIS YEAR.
/17......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
- 17 -
HK TO SET UP INSECT HOUSE
RESIDENTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT INSECTS WHEN THE INSECT HOUSE IN HONG KONG’S FIRST NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE IS SET UP, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG ISLAND, DR LEE SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSECT HOUSE WOULD ALSO PREVENT SOME INSECT SPECIES FROM SINKING INTO OBLIVION JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE DECLINING IN NUMBERS OWING TO URBANISATION AND LOSS OF NATURAL HABITATS.
THE INSECT HOUSE, WHICH STANDS ON A 480-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE IN TSTU HANG, SAI KUNG, WILL COMPRISE AN EXHIBITION HALL, A NET HOUSE AND A GREEN HOUSE. IT IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $2.5 MILLION.
"APART FROM THE ANNOTATED DISPLAY OF HUNDREDS OF INSECT SPECIMENS CAUGHT LOCALLY, VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH CLOSELY LIVE SPECIMENS IN A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT INSIDE THE GREEN HOUSE AND THE NET HOUSE," DR LEE SAID.
"INTERESTED RESIDENTS WILL THEN HAVE A FAIR IDEA OF WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL INSECTS, WHICH ARE INJURIOUS PESTS, WHICH CAN BE USED FOR MEDICINE AND WHICH ARE OF ECONOMIC VALUE," HE CONTINUED.
APART FROM MAN, INSECTS ARE THE MOST ANIMALS ON EARTH AND OVER ONE MILLION SPECIES MANY MORE TO BE ADDED, ACCORDING TO DR LEE.
SUCCESSFUL GROUP OF HAVE BEEN NAMED WITH
IN HONG KONG, OVER 2,100 INSECT SPECIES HAVE BEEN AMONG THEM ARE SOME 500 SPECIES OF BEETLES, SOME 200 BUTTERFLIES AND NEARLY 100 SPECIES OF MOTHS.
IDENTIFIED.
SPECIES OF
HE ELABORATED ON THE INTERESTING CHARACTER I ST ICS OF SOME OF THE INSECT SPECIES, INCLUDING THE DIVING BEETLE WHOSE NUMBER HAS GREATLY DECLINED IN RECENT YEARS OWING 'I’O THE LACK OF PADDY FIELDS, THE ADULT MAYFLY WHICH HAS ONLY ABOUT ONE DAY’S LIFE, THE APHID WHICH IS HIGHLY PROLIFIC AND SENSITIVE TO LIGHT, THE COMMON (’ROW BUTTERFLY WHOSE PUPA LOOKS LIKE A GOLDEN PEANUT AND THE BANANA SKIPPER WHOSE LARVA LIKES TO ROLL ITSELF UP IN BANANA LEAVES.
"THE STUDY OF INSECTS IS AN IMPORTANT THEME IN NATURE EDUCATION AND KNOWING MORE ABOUT INSECTS IS INSTRUMENTAL TO BETTER PEST CONTROL, CONSERVATION, AGRI CULTURAL PRODUCT I V ITY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
"1 BELIEVE THE INSECT HOUSE WILL MAKE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF NATURE EDUCATION IN HONG KONG," DR LEE CONCLUDED.
/THE LIONS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
- 18 -
THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE, SPONSORED BY THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 - HONG KONG AND MACAU, WILL BE OPEN IN PHASES.
THE FIRST PHASE, COMPRISING EXHIBITION HALLS ON AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND COUNTRY PARKS AND AN ORCHARD, IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.
THE INSECT HOUSE, WHICH CONSTITUTES THE SECOND PHASE, WILL BE READY FOR OPENING SOME TIME NEXT YEAR.
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GATHERING FOR PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHERS IN YAU TSIM ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MORE THAN 700 ARTISTS WILL JOIN A GATHERING AT THE MIRAMAR HOTEL IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13), FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM, TO EXCHANGE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN CHINESE PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY.
IT IS ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AS PART OF THE CURRENT YAU TSIM CULTURE AND ARTS FESTIVAL.
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY. SHE WILL ALSO JOIN NINE FEMALE ARTISTS TO WORK ON A PAINTING ENTITLED "PERFECT COMBINATION".
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, AND THE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER FERRY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GATHERING OF CHINESE PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHERS IN YAU TSIM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13), FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM, AT THE CONVENTION CENTRE, PENTHOUSE OF MIRAMAR HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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/19 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
- 19 -
ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH MOBILE EXHIBITIONS
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH FROM AN EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN TSUEN WAN FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 14).
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE HELD AT THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION CONCOURSE.
"THE EXHIBITION AIMS AT AROUSING GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS TO THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON HEALTH," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"IT IS TARGETTED TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE WHO CAN HELP PREVENT MOST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONS THROUGH DEVELOPING A SENSE OF OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT." THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE VISITORS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL RUN UNTIL WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 16) MORNING
BEFORE MOVING TO THE KWUN TONG MTR STATION CONCOURSE IN THE AFTERNOON.
THERE IT WILL CONTINUE TO RE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL JANUARY 23.
HEALTH THE OPENING HOURS OF THE MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ON ARE AS FOLLOWS: TSEUN WAN MTR STATION JANUARY 14 JANUARY 15 JANUARY 16 KWUN TONG MTR STATION JANUARY 16 JANUARY 17 TO 22 JANUARY 23 ENVIRONMENT AND 1 PM TO 6 PM 10 AM TO 6 PM 10 AM TO 2 PM 4 PM TO 6 PM 10 AM TO 6 PM 10 AM TO 1.30 PM
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1'' CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE SCHOOL EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
*******
A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE SCHOOL EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD AT VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY, ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13).
THROUGH EXHIBITS, PERFORMANCE AND GAMES, 65 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ORGANISATIONS WILL CONVEY TO THE PUBLIC THE POSITIVE VALUE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
/THE DIRECTOR .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1991
20
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, THE GOVERNOR OF LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, MR TAM WING-KUN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES CO-ORDINATORS’ ASSOCIATION, MR WONG KWONG-KAI, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE CARNIVAL.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY, ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 13) AT 11 AM.
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CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR IN MONG KOK ******
A CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE FA YUEN STREET URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX IN MONG KOK TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE THEME OF THE SEMINAR IS "PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN HONG KONG". ADMISSION IS FREE.
IT IS ORGANISED BY THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
WINNERS OF THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION SLOGAN AND COMICS COMPETITIONS WILL BE PRESENTED PRIZES AT THE SEMINAR.
AN EXHIBITION OF THE WINNING ENTRIES OF THE COMPETITIONS WILL ALSO BE STAGED AT THE VENUE.
OFFICIATING GUESTS OF THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, AND ASSISTANT MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VINCENT FUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE FA YUEN STREET URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX, 10TH FLOOR, 123A FA YUEN STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OWNERS TO DO MORE TO ENSURE BUILDING SAFETY ............................. 1
SIR ROBERT HO TONG CHARITABLE FUND 1990 ALLOCATION ...................... 2
POLICE OFFICERS PLAY ARDUOUS ROLE ....................................... 3
SPECIAL ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS .................. 4
GO-METRIC CALL FOR SALE OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT.......................... 5
FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL IN TSUEN WAN .................... 6
HEALTH CARNIVAL FOR ELDERLY ON SUNDAY ................................... 7
ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL IN KOWLOON CITY .................................... 7
STUDENTS TO GET A GLIMPSE OF WORKPLACES ................................. 8
COURSE ON ORGANISING EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN PUTONGHUA TEACHING 9
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
- 1 -OWNERS TO DO MORE TO ENSURE BUILDING SAFETY *****
BUILDING OWNERS SHOULD DO MORE TO COMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S ENDEAVOURS TO IMPROVE BUILDING SAFETY, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
IN AN OPENING ADDRESS TO THE BUILDING SURVEYORS CONFERENCE 1991 ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS AND THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR EASON SAID ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR BUILDING OWNERS AND EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO BRING HOME THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THEM MORE CLEARLY.
MR EASON SAID THE PROCESS OF APPROVING RELATIVELY SIMPLE ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO BUILDINGS WOULD BE MADE MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD AND ACCESS TO COPIES OF ORIGINAL BUILDING PLANS EASIER.
"ON THE PRESSURE SIDE, WE WILL BE EXAMINING NEW POWERS WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE OWNERS TO HAVE INSPECTIONS AND SURVEYS OF THEIR BUILDINGS CARRIED OUT, TO PRODUCE CERTIFICATES OF STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND TO ENSURE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT REGISTRATION OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS. AGAINST LAND TITLE WOULD ALSO BE PURSUED.
ON THE PROGRESS OF THE SURVEY ON OLD BUILDINGS, MR EASON SAID PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WERE AT PRESENT THE TOP PRIORITY FOR DETAILED SURVEY AND BY ABOUT MAY THIS YEAR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WOULD MOVE ' ON TO LOOK AT POST-WAR BUILDINGS.
HE SAID ENFORCEMENT ACTION WOULD BE TARGETTED AT THE SAME TIME AGAINST POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS APPENDAGES OVERHANGING PUBLIC STREETS FROM PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
"WE WILL ALSO BE STEPPING UP OUR PROSECUTION AND PUBLICITY EFFORTS," HE ADDED.
MR EASON ALSO URGED THE PROFESSIONALS TO PLAY A PART IN SEEKING WAYS AND MEANS TO ATTACK THE PROBLEM OF BUILDING SAFETY, PARTICULARLY IN OLDER BUILDINGS.
"IN FACT, I KNOW SOME MEMBERS ARE ALREADY DOING SO AND WILL BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE EFFORT WHICH WILL BE REQUIRED TO INFORM AND EDUCATE BUILDING OWNERS AND USERS ON THE PROBLEM OF BUILDING SAFETY AND RELATED MATTERS.
"BUT PERHAPS THERE IS MORE THAT COULD BE DONE TO GET DIRECT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY AFFORDING THEM," MR EASON SAID.
/2 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
- 2 -
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND 1990 ALLOCATION
*****
THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND HAS MADE GRANTS TOTALLING $11,935,764 TO 40 CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR RICKY FUNG, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNOR ON ALLOCATIONS FROM THE FUND.
MR FUNG SAID MAJOR GRANTS IN 1990 INCLUDED A SUM OF $2,673,690 MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS. OUT OF THAT AMOUNT, $1,627,000 WAS FOR PURCHASING PHYSIOTHERAPY EQUIPMENT FOR THE TUNG WAH EASTERN HOSPITAL; $508,000 FOR PURCHASING A 4-CHANNEL ELECTROLYTE ANALYZER AND A MOBILE X-RAY UNIT FOR THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL; AND $538,690 FOR PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ITS KWAN FONG CHILD CARE CENTRE.
CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE WAS GRANTED $1,728,000, OUT OF WHICH $679,000 WAS FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSTIC CONSOLE FOR SOMATOM SCANNER; $549,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN ULTRASOUND SCANNER FOR MATERNITY WARDS; AND $500,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN OPERATION MICROSCOPE.
PO LEUNG KUK RECEIVED A GRANT OF $1,076,806 FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE KUK’S MAIN BUILDING, WEST WING BUILDING AND THE VALLEY ROAD NURSERY.
A SUM OF $979,100 WAS GRANTED TO THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION, OF WHICH $287,000 WENT TO THE RUTTONJEE SANATORIUM FOR THE PURCHASE OF VARIOUS ITEMS OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AND $692,100 FOR THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL TO PURCHASE A WASHER/EXTRACTOR.
A GRANT OF $795,110 WAS GIVEN TO THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A COMPUTERISED CLIENTELE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.
HONG KONG BUDDHIST HOSPITAL WAS GRANTED $770,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PORTABLE X-RAY MACHINE AND AN AUTOCLAVE FOR POROUS LOAD.
OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL WAS GRANTED $509,300 FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN AUTOCLAVE FOR ITS CENTRAL STERILE SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
METHODIST EPWORTH VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE - SOCIAL WELFARE RECEIVED A GRANT OF $421,265 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ITS EXISTING ELECTRICAL WIRING.
ALICE HO MIU LING NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL AND THE DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL WERE GIVEN GRANTS OF $340,000 AND $327,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR THE PURCHASE OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.
/THE SIR .......
3
THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND IS ONE OF THE LARGEST CHARITABLE TRUSTS IN HONG KONG. IT WAS SET UP WITH A BEQUEST OF $500,000 BY THE LATE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG ON HIS DEATH IN 1956.
IM 1966, THE CAPITAL OF THE FUND WAS INCREASED THROUGH THE INJECTION OF $ 4.95MILLION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SIR ROBERT’S WILL, FROM THE CHINA CHARITABLE FUND SET UP BY HIM. THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG BANK TRUSTEE LTD.
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POLICE OFFICERS PLAY ARDUOUS ROLE » » * * *
THE YEARS AHEAD ARE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR HONG KONG AND THE ROLE POLICE OFFICERS WILL NEED TO PLAY SOMETIMES BE ARDUOUS, FRUStRATING AND, AS EVENTS HAVE PROVED IN RECENT WEEKS, DANGEROUS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MANAGEMENT, MR GEORGE HINDHAUGH, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
POINTING OUT THAT THE MATERIAL REWARDS FOR THE POLICE FORCE HAD BEEN IMPROVED SOMEWHAT OVER RECENT YEARS, MR HINDHAUGH HOPED THAT THE SPECIAL NATURE OF POLICE SERVICE WOULD HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED TO A MUCH GREATER DEGREE.
RECOGNISING THE CONCERN THAT OFFICERS FELT ABOUT THEIR FUTURE AND THE INCREASING DIFFICULTY OF POLICING THE STREETS, MR HINDHAUGH CALLED ON THE GRADUATING OFFICERS TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO THE SERVICE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS AN HONOURABLE AND WORTHWHILE COMMITMENT.
"FROM TIME TO TIME YOUR EFFORTS ARE NOT APPRECIATED; THE CRITICISM, THE DEMANDS AND OCCASIONALLY THE OUTRIGHT HOSTILITY WHICH IS LEVELLED AT YOU WILL OFTEN CAUSE DISMAY," HE SAID.
"DO NOT LET IT GET YOU DOWN,” MR HINDHAUGH TOLD THE GRADUATES "BECAUSE DESPITE ITS DIFFICULTIES AND FRUSTRATIONS, THE CAREER YOU HAVE EMBARKED UPON IS SECOND TO NONE AND IT WILL ALSO BRING YOU MOMENTS OF GREAT PRIDE AND ENJOYMENT."
MR HINDHAUGH ALSO REASSURED THEM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE SATISFACTION OF CARRYING OUT AN IMPORTANT SERVICE WHICH WAS CRUCIAL TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND WOULD HAVE THE SUPPORT OF TRUST OF ALL WHO HAD THE WELL-BEING OF THE TERRITORY AT HEART.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 15 INSPECTORS AND 96 POLICE CONSTABLES WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR BASIC TRAINING.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
4
SPECIAL ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS ♦ * » * ♦
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY LAUNCH A SPECIAL DOG INOCULATION DRIVE IN FISHING PORTS SO THAT FISHERMEN CAN HAVE THEIR DOGS IMMUNISED AGAINST RABIES.
THE DRIVE, A REGULAR EXERCISE LAUNCHED SINCE 1980, IS SPECIALLY TIMED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF FISHERMEN, MOST OF WHOM WILL BE COMING BACK FROM SEA IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
STARTING FROM JANUARY 21, THE DEPARTMENT’S MOBILE DOG INOCULATION TEAMS WILL GO TO THE TERRITORY’S SEVEN FISHING PORTS ONE AFTER THE OTHER AND MADE BOAT-TO-BOAT VISITS BETWEEN 10 AM TO 4 PM DAILY. THE WHOLE OPERATION WILL LAST FOR NINE WORKING DAYS UNTIL JANUARY 31.
THEY WILL VISIT THE FISHING PORTS IN ABERDEEN ON JANUARY 21 AND 22; CHEUNG CHAU ON JANUARY 23 AND 24; SAM MUN TSAI ON JANUARY 25 AND 26; SHAU KEI WAN AND SHA TAU KOK ON JANUARY 28 AND 29; AND CASTLE PEAK BAY AND SAI KUNG ON JANUARY 30 AND 31.
THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTING SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER (HEALTH), DR K.K. LIU, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE DRIVE IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE OUTBREAK OF RABIES IN HONG KONG.
’’THE TERRITORY REGAINED THE RABIES-FREE AREA STATUS IN JULY 1989 BY HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PREVENTED THE OUTBREAK OF ANY INDIGENOUS RABIES CASE IN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS,” HE NOTED.
NEVERTHELESS, HE STRESSED THAT RABIES IS A DEADLY DISEASE TRANSMISSIBLE FROM ANIMALS TO HUMAN. DOGS ON FISHING VESSELS ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR POSSIBLE CONTACTS WITH OTHER ANIMALS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT FISHERMEN’S DOGS ARE INOCULATED AGAINST THE DISEASE AT LEAST EVERY THREE YEARS TO KEEP UP THEIR IMMUNITY," DR LIU ADDED.
HE URGED FISHERMEN WHO OWN DOGS TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE SPECIAL INOCULATION SERVICE.
"A TOTAL OF 260 DOGS OWNED BY FISHERMEN WERE INOCULATED IN SIMILAR ANTI-RABIES INOCULATION DRIVES LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
UNDER THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE, ALL DOGS OVER FIVE MONTHS OLD ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED AND INOCULATED AGAINST RABIES. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RENDER THE OWNER LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.
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/5 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
- 5 -
GO-METRIC CALL FOR SALE OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT
******
RESIDENTS TODAY (SATURDAY) ARE URGED TO USE THE METRIC UNITS IN THE SALE OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT IN MARKETS.
METRIC SCALE COUNTERS, MANNED BY STAFF OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, ARE SET UP TODAY AND TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MARKETS OF THE LHEUNG WAN AND THE LOCKHART ROAD UC COMPLEXES TO AROUSE LOCAL RESIDENTS, AWARENESS AND TO FAMILIARISE THEM WITH THE USE OF METRIC UNITS.
’’THE TARGET OF METRICATION FOR THE YEAR 1990/91 IS THE NON-PREPACKAGED FOOD TRADE PARTICULARLY THE SALE OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE METRICATION COMMITTEE SAID.
CUSTOMERS AND STALL-HOLDERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO TRY THE METRIC SCALES AT THE COUNTERS SO AS TO COMPARE THEM WITH THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE UNITS IN THE SALE OF VEGETABLES AND IMPERIAL UNITS IN THE SALE OF FRUIT.
THE METRIC SCALE COUNTER SCHEME WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1983 AND WAS REPEATED IN 1984, 1985 AND 1988.
"AS THE SCHEME HAD DRAWN FAVOURABLE PUBLIC RESPONSE’ THE COMMITTEE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HAD IDENTIFIED EIGHT UC MARKETS TO RUN THE METRIC SCALE COUNTERS AGAIN THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE METRIC SCALE COUNTERS ARE OPEN DURING THE BUSIEST TRADING HOURS FROM 10 AM TO 12 NOON ON THE FOLLOWING DATES AND VENUES:
DATE MARKET
JANUARY 12 AND 13 SHEUNG WAN
LOCKHART ROAD
JANUARY 19 AND 20 SAI WAN HO
KOWLOON CITY
JANUARY 26 AND 27 SHUI WO
NGAU CHI WAN
FEBRUARY 2 AND 3 FA YUEN STREET
PO ON ROAD
THE PUBLICITY DRIVE ALSO INCLUDED A TELEVISION API (ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST) WHICH HAS BEEN SCREENED SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR. A POSTER ON THE SAME THEME HAD ALSO BEEN PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED TO ALLPUBLIC MARKETS, CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRES AND SUPERMARKETS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, MR JAMES WU MAN-HON, TODAY JOINED IN WITH THE STAFF AT THE METRIC SCALE COUNTERS OF THE TWO MARKETS TO DISTRIBUTE METRIC CONVERSION TABLES AND SOUVENIR RED PACKETS TO VISITORS.
0---------
/6 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL IN TSUEN WAN ******
MORE THAN 1,000 TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS TODAY (SATURDAY) TOOK PART IN A DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE CARNIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS TO PROMOTE FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID CRIMES, IN PARTICULAR VIOLENT ONES’ INCREASED AND DRUG ABUSE REMAINED A SEVERE PROBLEM LAST YEAR.
’’THE USE OF FIREARMS IN THE PURSUIT OF CRIME HAS ALSO CAUSED USA GREAT CONCERN,” MR STRACHAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND DRUGS REMAINED VIGOROUS AND EFFECTIVE.
HE NOTED THAT THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR RAIDS ON VICE ESTABLISHMENTS, MAHJONG PALROURS AND OTHER PLACES FREQUENTED BY CRIMINALS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
’’NEW LEGISLATION AIMED AT COMBATING ORGANISED CRIME IS BEING DRAFTED TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AGAINST SUCH CRIMES AND THE PUBLIC WILL BE CONSULTED ON THIS LEGISLATION IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL THIS YEAR,” HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN NOTED THAT THE ABUSE OF BOTH ILLEGAL DRUGS SUCH AS HEROIN AND CANNABIS, AND DRUGS WHICH COULD BE PRESCRIBED LEGALLY FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES, WAS STILL A MAJOR PROBLEM IN OUR COMMUNITY.
’’INTENSIFIED PUBLICITY HAS BEEN DIRECTED AT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, INSTILLING IN THEM A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFE AND A SENSE OF SELF-ESTEEM, AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO SAY NO TO ALL DRUGS,” HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSUEN WAN DFCC, MR DAVID HO, SAID VARIOUS ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE TSUEN WAN CITIZEN FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME, WATCHMEN LIAISON SCHEME AND A FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR WERE ORGANISED DURING THE YEAR.
MR HO URGED RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO GIVE FIRM SUPPORT TO THE POLICE IN STAMPING OUT CRIME.
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/7........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
HEALTH CARNIVAL FOR ELDERLY ON SUNDAY
*****
A "HEALTH CARNIVAL" FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE HELD AT THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK, EASTERN STREET, TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE CARNIVAL, FEATURING HEALTH TALKS AS WELL AS POP AND CANTONESE OPERA SINGING, WILL START AT 2 PM.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL AIMS AT PROVIDING HEALTH ADVICE AND ENTERTAINMENT TO THE DISTRICT'S ELDERLY RESIDENTS.
THE SHEK TONG TSUI CARITAS YOUTH CENTRE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAM OF THE YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, MEN CHUNG SOCIAL SERVICES CENTRE, WESTERN DISTRICT POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE AND ST. JAMES’ SETTLEMENT CENTRAL AND WESTERN MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY ALSO HELPED ORGANISE THE CARNIVAL.
OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL WILL BE THE ASSISTANT CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MONICA CHEN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WESTERN COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, MRS IRENE LEE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT’S "HEALTH CARNIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY" TO BE HELD AT THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK, EASTERN STREET, TOMORROW (SUNDAY). THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL START AT 2 PM.
---------0-----------
ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL IN KOWLOON CITY
*****
A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY WILL BE HELD AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND IN KOWLOON CITY TOMORROW (SUNDAY), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
ADMISSION TO THE CARNIVAL IS FREE. THERE WILL BE A BAND PARADE, GAME STALLS, A SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROL TEAMS PARADE AND A LUCKY DRAW.
/AN EXHIBITION .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
AN EXHIBITION OF THE SKID-CAR DISPLAY AND MODEL JEEP-DRIVING WILL ALSO BE HELD.
THE CARNIVAL WILL ALSO FEATURE A SIMULATED ROAD SAFETY TOWN WHICH HELPS PARTICIPANTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT TRAFFIC SIGNS.
MEANWHILE, A VIDEO ON "KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TRAFFIC BLACK SPOTS" WILL ALSO BE SHOWN.
OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL WILL BE THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DUNCAN PESCOD; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR DAVID DEPTFORD AND POLICE STAFF OFFICER (TRAFFIC/KOWLOON), MR DAVID TALLON.
- - 0 - -
STUDENTS TO GET A GLIMPSE OF WORKPLACES
*****
MORE THAN 600 SECONDARY STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE WORLD OF WORK UNDER A WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE (CAS).
"THE YEAR-LONG CAREERS EDUCATION PROJECT HAS BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH STUDENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS, WITH SOME 650 STUDENTS FROM 24 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE FIRST PHASE WHICH ENDED LAST MONTH," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS CLARE SIU SAID.
"THE PROGRAMME AIMS TO HELP STUDENTS GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE REAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE BETTER PLANS FOR THEIR FUTURE," MRS SIU SAID.
UNDER THE NEXT PHASE OF THE PROGRAMME, FORM 3 TO FORM 7 STUDENTS IN WONG TAI SIN, WAN CHAI, TSUEN WAN, ISLANDS AND EASTERN DISTRICTS WILL VISIT 22 DIFFERENT ESTABLISHMENTS.
"THESE ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED TO COVER A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES AND PROFESSIONS INCLUDING THE MASS MEDIA HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, BANKS, FACTORIES, AIRLINES AND TRANSPORT COMPANIES, ADVERTISING AND TRADING FIRMS, LABORATORIES, TRAINING INSTITUTES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"STUDENTS WILL BE SHOWN AROUND THE FACILITIES AND BRIEFED BY COMPANY STAFF OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE COMPANIES’ OPERATION," MRS
THE CAS PROVIDES A LARGE VARIETY OF SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CAREERS GUIDANCE THROUGH ITS FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
EACH CENTRE HAS A REFERENCE LIBRARY EQUIPPED WITH AN AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT WITH SOUND-ON-SLIDES, VIDEO AND AUDIO TAPE RECORDINGS, AND PUBLICATIONS ON EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
/"STUDENTS, CAREERS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1991
9
"STUDENTS, CAREERS TEACHERS AND OTHER PEOPLE INTERESTED ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THESE FACILITIES AND SEEK CAREERS ADVICE OF INFORMATION AT THESE CENTRES," MRS SIU SAID.
THE CENTRES ARE SITUATED AT:
» SOUTHORN CENTRE, 16/F 130 HENNESSY ROAD WAN CHAI HONG KONG TEL: 835 2044
♦ TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9/F 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD KOWLOON TEL: 715 3635
» TAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2/F 16 TSUN WEN ROAD TUEN MUN NEW TERRITORIES TEL: 463 6855
» CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 2/F, SHOP 8B 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET SHATIN NEW TERRITORIES TEL: 601 5101
---------0-----------
COURSE ON ORGANISING EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN PUTONGHUA TEACHING ♦ ♦ » ♦ *
THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE WILL BE HOLDING TWO HALF-DAY COURSES TO INTRODUCE METHODS OF ORGANISING VARIOUS EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN TEACHING PUTONGHUA IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
THE COURSES WILL BE HELD FROM 2.30 PM TO 4.30 PM ON FEBRUARY 7 AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.30 AM ON FEBRUARY 8 AT TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID 50 PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR EACH COURSE.
SCHOOLS WISHING TO NOMINATE TEACHERS SHOULD APPLY TO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE IN MA TAU WELL ROAD BY JANUARY 15.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HAMISH MACLEOD ON SECOND ROUND OF EXPERT TALKS .......................... 1
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES ............................................................... 1
1990 WARMER AND DRIER ON AVERAGE ........................................ 4
REMINDER TO PROSPECTIVE DB ELECTION CANDIDATES .......................... 6
MAJOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND DISASTER SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR POLICE FORCE ...............................................................
IMPORTANCE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES RECOGNISED .................... 9
WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN ...............................................
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
1
HAMISH MACLEOD ON SECOND ROUND OF EXPERT TALKS ♦ « ♦ » »
MR HAMISH MACLEOD, LEADER OF THE HONG KONG GROUP WHICH TRAVELLED TO PEKING FOR TALKS ON THE NEW AIRPORT, SPOKE TO REPORTERS ON THE GROUP’S RETURN TO THE TERRITORY TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SAID: "I OUTLINED TO YOU YESTERDAY THE MAIN POINTS WHICH OUR SIDE MADE DURING THE SECOND ROUND OF EXPERT TALKS ON THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS RELATED TO THE NEW AIRPORT. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE AGREED THAT DISCUSSIONS HOULD CONTINUE THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS.
"I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF REPORTS ON THE TALKS THIS MORNING, NOT ALL OF THEM ACCURATE. SO LET ME MAKE CLEAR TWO THINGS:
"OUT REACTION TO THE POINTS PUT TO US BY THE CHINESE SIDE WAS AS I DESCRIBED YESTERDAY - NO MORE, NO LESS.
"SECONDLY, AS THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG WITH CLEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UP UNTIL 1997, WE SEE IT AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR TASK TO BE WORKING AND BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE LONG-TERM PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG; AND PART OF THAT IS TO GET ON WITH BUILDING KEY TRANSPORT LINKS SUCH AS A MODERN AIRPORT IN GOOD TIME. THIS IS OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY."
- - 0 - -
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES * » » t »
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990, ESTIMATED AT $8,836 MILLION, WAS 10 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1989, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 3 PER CENT LOWER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $3,478 MILLION, WHICH WAS 5 PER CENT HIGHER IN VALUE TERMS THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR BARS, FAST FOOD SHOPS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND CHINESE RESTAURANTS WENT UP BY 17 PER CENT, 13 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989, WHILE THAT FOR "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" - COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEANCURD JELLY, AND SO ON REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED.
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS AND FAST FOOD SHOPS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/THE TOTAL
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
- 2 -
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BOTH CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT, AND THAT OF "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" FELL BY 8 PER CENT.
COMPARING THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 7 PER CENT.
IN VALUE TERMS, INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR BARS, FAST FOOD SHOPS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES", AT 21 PER CENT, 19 PER CENT, 17 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
IN VOLUME TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS, FAST FOOD SHOPS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS GREW BY 13 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY; WHILE THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" DROPPED BY 5 PER CENT AND 8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER - AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS - TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT.
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS WENT UP BY 7 PER CENT, THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS, BARS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" RECORDED THE SAME INCREASES OF 5 PER CENT, AND THAT OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT.
IN VOLUME TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BOTH FAST FOOD SHOPS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT, AND THOSE OF BARS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS WENT UP BY 3 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE SECOND AND THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 AND FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989. COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1258).
/3........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
3
Total restaurant receipts (in HKS Billion)
Total purchases by restaurants (in HK$ Billion)
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
2nd qtr. 1990 (Revised figures) 3rd qtr. 1990 (Provisional figures)
8 418 8 836
3 311 3 478
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OP TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 2ND QUARTER 1990 AND 3RD QUARTER 1990
(Quarterly average of October 84 - September 85 = 100)
1 Type of restaurant 1 Index of 1 total 1 restaurant 1 receipts 2nd quarter 1990 1 1 3rd 1 quarter 1 1990 1 1 3rd qtr. 1990 1 coipared with 1 2nd qtr. 1990 1 1 3rd qtr. 1990 1 coipared with 1 3rd qtr. 1989 1 1 llst-3rd qtr. 19901 1 coipared with 1 llst-3rd qtr. 19891
1 (Revised 1(Provisiona 1 Points % 1 Points H 1 Points A 1
1 i figures) Ifigures) । 1 । 1 1 1
1 Chinese restaurants i 1 Value i 172 1 181 1 *9 *5 । 1 415 49 1 416 410 |
I 1 Voluie 108 1 I 110 1 I 1 *2 +2 1 1 -5 -4 1 1 1 1-6 -51 1 1
1 Non-Chinese restaurants 1 1 Value i 195 1 201 I ! 1 *6 13 । 1 1 418 no i 1 1 1 429 417 | i ।
i 1 Voluie 1 124 I 125 । । • 1 *1 H 1 1 -5 -4 1 1 1 1 43 42 I 1 1
I Fast food shops 1 1 Value i 252 1 1 269 ■ 1 S *17 *7 । 1 1 431 413 1 1 1 1 440 419 I
1 1 Voluie 1 174 l 1 180 1 1 ! *6 *4 1 1 1 41 H 1 1 1 1 48 45 I 1 1
1 Bars 1 1 Value i 151 1 1 159 i 1 1 *8 *5 i 1 1 423 417 i 1 1 1 427 421 | 1 1
1 1 Voluie 1 118 I 1 121 1 I 1 *3 *3 । । I 1 411 410 1 1 414 113 | 1 1
(Other eating and drinking places 1 1 Value 161 1 1 169 । 1 1 *8 *5 i 1 1 *1 ‘ | 1 1 1 42 42 | i ।
i 1 Voluie 108 । 1 112 i 1 *4 *4 1 -10 -8 I I 1-9 -81
1
1 Entire restaurant sector 1 1 Value i 181 1 1 190 i 1 I *9 *5 । 1 I 417 410 1 1 1 1 420 412 | i ।
i 1 Voluie 1 116 । 1 118 1 1 U *2 1 1 -4 -3 1 I I 1-3 -21 1 1
Notes: 1. Figures denoting changes are derived froi unrounded figures.
2. 1 denotes a figure within 10.5.
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/4
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
4
1990 WARMER AND DRIER ON AVERAGE
*****
IN 1990, SIX OF THE 13 TROPICAL CYCLONES WHICH OCCURRED OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA REQUIRED THE HOISTING OF TROPICAL CYCLONE SIGNALS IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, NONE OF THEM NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE GALE OR STORM SIGNAL, ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER REPORT FOR 1990 ISSUED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (SUNDAY).
WITH AUGUST 1990 THE HOTTEST MONTH ON RECORD AND AUGUST 18, 1990 THE HOTTEST DAY EVER EXPERIENCED IN HONG KONG, THE YEAR’S MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 23.1 DEGREES WAS 0.3 DEGREE HIGHER THAN THE NORMAL FIGURE.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL IN 1990 WAS 2,046.9 MILLIMETRES, EIGHT PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 2,224.7 MILLIMETRES.
JANUARY 1990 WAS GENERALLY CLOUDY, HUMID AND WET. THERE WERE ONLY SEVEN DAYS IN THE MONTH WITH NO RAIN RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. THE TOTAL RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH AMOUNTED TO 47.5 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS 77 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.
FEBRUARY WAS EVEN WETTER AND MORE HUMID. THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 195.7 MILLIMETRES WAS MORE THAN FOUR-AND-A-HALF TIMES THE NORMAL. AN INTENSE SURGE TOWARDS THE END OF JANUARY REACHED ITS CLIMAX ON FEBRUARY 1 AND BROUGHT TEMPERATURES AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DOWN TO SEVEN DEGREES.
THE WEATHER IN MARCH TURNED DRIER AND BRIGHTER. THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 29.9 MILLIMETRES WAS 45 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL.
APART FROM THE LAST 10 DAYS OF THE MONTH, THE DAILY MEAN PRESSURE STAYED CONSISTENTLY ON THE HIGH SIDE AS A CONTINENTAL ANTICYCLONE PREVAILED OVER CHINA. AS A RESULT, THE MONTHLY MEAN PRESSURE OF 1,018.2 HECTOPASCALS WAS THE FIFTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR MARCH.
APRIL WAS GLOOMY AND WET. ONLY 73.8 HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE WERE RECORDED FOR THE WHOLE MONTH. THIS WAS THE 10TH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR APRIL.
THERE WAS ONLY THREE DAYS IN THE MONTH WHEN NO RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO 257.6 MILLIMETRES WHICH WAS 85 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL.
ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 11, GUSTS OF UP TO 135 KILOMETRES PER HOUR WERE RECORDED AT WAGLAN ISLAND IN SEVERE SQUALLS ACCOMPANYING HEAVY DOWNPOUR. THIS WAS THE STRONGEST GUST EVER RECORDED AT THAT STATION IN THE MONTH OF APRIL.
MAY WAS RELATIVELY DRY WITH A MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 102.4 MILLIMETRES WHICH WAS JUST OVER ONE-THIRD OF THE NORMAL.
/TROPICAL CYCLONE .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
5
TROPICAL CYCLONE SIGNALS WERE HOISTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE YEAR ON MAY 17 FOR TYPHOON MARIAN, BUT MARIAN FAILED TO COME CLOSE ENOUGH TO BRING ANY SIGNIFICANT RAIN TO THE TERRITORY.
IN JUNE, TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE HOISTED DURING THE PASSAGE OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM NATHAN AND TYPHOON PERCY BUT THE MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTAL OF 448.1 MILLIMETRES WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL.
ON JUNE 30, AN UNSTABLE SOUTHWESTERLY AIRSTREAM IN THE WAKE OF PERCY BROUGHT ABOUT PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS, RESULTING IN THREE INCIDENTS OF LANDSLIPS AND OVER 30 REPORTS OF FLOODING IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
JULY WAS HOTTER AND DRIER THAN NORMAL. THE WEATHER WAS BASICALLY FINE EXCEPT FOR SHOWERS AND PERIODS OF RAIN BROUGHT BY AN UNSTABLE SOUTHWESTERLY AIRSTREAM IN MID-JULY AND BY SEVERE TROPICAL STORM TASHA WHICH NECESSITATED THE HOISTING OF THE STRONG WIND SIGNAL NO. 3 TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH.
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTAL WAS 268 MILLIMETRES, 15 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 316.8 MILLIMETRES.
AUGUST 1990 WAS THE HOTTEST MONTH AND THE DRIEST AUGUST EVER EXPERIENCED IN HONG KONG. THE MONTHLY MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 29.5 DEGREES AND THE MONTHLY MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 27.4 DEGREES WERE THE HIGHEST ON RECORD, WHILE THE MONTHLY MEAN MAXIMUM OF 32.1 DEGREES WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST FOR AUGUST.
WITH A DAILY MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 31.9 DEGREES AND A DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 30.1 DEGREES, AUGUST 18 WAS THE HOTTEST DAY ON RECORD. THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 36.1 DEGREES ON THAT DAY EQUALLED THE ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM SET 90 YEARS AGO.
ITS MONTHLY MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY OF 75 PER CENT WAS ALSO THE LOWEST FOR AUGUST. THE MONTHLY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 150.1 MILLIMETRES WAS 64 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL.
SEPTEMBER WAS RELATIVELY CLOUDY AND WET. THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 409.9 MILLIMETRES WAS 28 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL. OVER HALF OF THE MONTH’S RAINFALL COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON DOT OVER SOUTHERN CHINA.
DURING THE FIVE-DAY PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 8 TO 12, 230 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WERE RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOUR OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 10 AND TRIGGERED OFF FLOODING AND LANDSLIP OVER VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
OCTOBER WAS SUNNIER THAN NORMAL. THE MEAN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE OF 1,015.7 HECTOPASCALS WAS THE SEVENTH HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 100.7 MILLIMETRES WAS. 17 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL.
NOVEMBER WAS ON THE WHOLE WINDY AND RELATIVELY CLOUDY. THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, IT WAS STILL COMPARATIVELY WARM WITH A MONTHLY MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 20.4 DEGREES, THE FIFTH HIGHEST ON RECORD.
/THE MONTHLY .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 36.9 MILLIMETRES WAS SIX PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 34.7 MILLIMETRES.
DECEMBER WAS WARMER AND SUNNIER THAN NORMAL. THE MONTHLY MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 18.8 DEGREES WAS 1.1 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL, WHILE THE TOTAL DURATION OF SUNSHINE, 218.7 HOURS, WAS 22 PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 179.3 HOURS. ONLY 0.1 MILLIMETRE OF RAIN WAS RECORDED DURING THE WHOLE MONTH.
- - 0 - -
REMINDER TO PROSPECTIVE DB ELECTION CANDIDATES
*****
PEOPLE INTENDING TO STAND FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 3 ARE REMINDED THAT NOMINATION WILL CLOSE ON JANUARY 21.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 237 CANDIDATES HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR NOMINATIONS. OF THIS NUMBER, 139 ARE INCUMBENT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
ISSUING THE REMINDER TODAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID IT WAS ADVISABLE FOR PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES TO HAND IN THE NOMINATION FORMS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT ANY ANOMALY IN THE FORMS CAN BE RECTIFIED BEFORE THE NOMINATION PERIOD ENDS BY THE CLOSE OF PLAY ON MONDAY, JANUARY 21," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED THE CANDIDATES AND PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES THAT THE DISPLAY OF ELECTION BANNERS AND POSTERS ON CROWN LAND AND GOVERNMENT PROPERTIES IS PROHIBITED DURING THE NOMINATION PERIOD.
AFTER THE CLOSING OF NOMINATIONS, CANDIDATES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND MEETINGS CONVENED BY DISTRICT OFFICERS ON THE ALLOCATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR SPOTS FOR THE DISPLAY OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS.
HOWEVER, CANDIDATES IN THE MEANTIME CAN ORGANISE ELECTION FORUMS, DISTRIBUTE PAMPHLETS, CONDUCT HOME VISITS AND TAKE PART IN CURRENT AFFAIRS AND OTHER PROGRAMMES ON TELEVISION AND RADIO.
"THEY CAN ALSO PUT UP PUBLICITY MATERIALS AT PRIVATE BUILDINGS PROVIDED THEY HAVE OBTAINED THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER/OCCUPIER," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT ALL THESE GUIDELINES ARE DETAILED IN A MANUAL FOR PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES. GUIDANCE NOTES ON SPECIFIC SUBJECTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO CANDIDATES AFTER THEY HAVE HANDED IN THEIR NOMINATION PAPERS.
BRIEFING SESSIONS WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED FOR CANDIDATES AFTER THE CLOSING OF NOMINATIONS.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
7 -
MAJOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND DISASTER SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR POLICE FORCE ******
A SPECIALLY SELECTED GROUP OF NINE POLICE OFFICERS HAS RETURNED TO HONG KONG FROM AN INTENSIVE TRAINING COURSE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ON THE CENTRALISED COMPUTERISATION OF THE INVESTIGATION OF SERIOUS CRIMES.
THE FORCE IS NOW READYING FOR THE INTRODUCTION SOON OF THE NEW MAJOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND DISASTER SUPPORT SYSTEM (M1IDSS) AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND HAS THE OFFICERS TO USE IT AND TRAIN OTHERS.
THE STAFF OFFICER, CRIME, ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT, IN THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIME GROUP, SAID: "THE COURSE NOT ONLY MET BUT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.
"AS AN INVESTIGATIVE TOOL, THE SYSTEM HAS NUMEROUS SEARCHING FUNCTIONS WHICH ENABLE A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION TO BE CROSS-INDEXED, TO PERSONS, VEHICLES, ADDRESSES AND OTHER DATA.
"IT PUTS TOGETHER IN MANAGEABLE FORMAT A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON ANY NUMBER OF TOPICS AND INDICES."
MR RICHMOND SAID THE NEW SYSTEM COULD BE INTRODUCED WITH RESOURCES ALREADY AVAILABLE AT ARSENAL HOUSE.
"WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY. NOW WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TRAINING OF OTHER OFFICERS WHO WILL USE IT. WE HAVE A MARVELLOUS FACILITY AT ARSENAL HOUSE WHICH IN THE VIEW OF ALL WHO ATTENDED THE COURSE WILL ADEQUATELY FULFIL ALL REQUIREMENTS."
A STEERING COMMITTEE AND VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO PRODUCE RECOMMENDATIONS ON STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND TRAINING.
THE COURSE, ON THE USE OF HOME OFFICE LARGE MAJOR ENQUIRY SYSTEM (HOLMES), WAS HELD EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE HONG KONG OFFICERS AT THAMES VALLEY POLICE TRAINING CENTRE, NEAR READING, SOUTH ENGLAND.
AN EMPHASIS ON THE COMPUTERISED INVESTIGATION SYSTEM IS FOR THE STANDARDISATION OF DATA INPUT SO THAT LARGE SCALE ENQUIRIES INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE POLICE FORCE CAN HAVE ACCESS IN INTERFORCE CASES.
"TO ENABLE VARIOUS DATA BASES TO SPEAK TO EACH OTHER, THERE MUST BE A HIGH DEGREE OF CONFORMITY OF DATA INPUT," MR RICHMOND SAID.
SERIAL CRIMES OR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING LARGE NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS AND LOCATIONS CAN BE EFFECTIVELY HANDLED, REDUCING MANPOWER AND DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.
THE MIIDSS SYSTEM DEMONSTRATED HOW A LARGE SCALE VEHICLE CRIME SYNDICATE INVOLVING OVER A HUNDRED POTENTIAL SUSPECTS OPERATING IN A LARGE AREA COULD BE QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY INVESTIGATED.
/IT COULD .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
8
IT COULD ALSO BE USED IN THE HUNDREDS OF DETAILED INQUIRIES REQUIRED IN THE INVESTIGATION OF MAJOR DISASTERS, SUCH AS THE LOCKERBIE AIR CRASH.
"A MAJOR CONSIDERATION IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM TO HONG KONG,” MR RICHMOND SAID, ’’HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO EXTEND IT TO COVER DAY TO DAY WORK BY CRIME FORMATIONS AND IN A SIMILAR FASHION TO THAT ADOPTED IN THE UK.
"IT IS HOPED THAT WE ACHIEVE THE SAME DEGREE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN VARIOUS USER FORMATIONS.
"WE HAVE SEEN THE VALUE AND ADAPTABILITY OF THE DATA BASE TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE IN LESS SENSATIONAL CASES IN DAY TO DAY INVESTIGATIONS RATHER THAN HAVE THE SYSTEM LIE DORMANT WAITING FOR A MAJOR INCIDENT TO OCCUR.
’’THAT IS HOW THE SYSTEM HAS EVOLVED IN THE UK, WHERE IT . IS WIDELY ACCEPTED AND USED BY SENIOR OFFICERS. THE INTERNATIONAL CAPABILITY OF THE SYSTEM IS ALSO EXPANDING."
MR RICHMOND SAID IT WAS INTENDED TO FORM A CORE GROUP OF OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ONGOING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS IN THE USE OF THE NEW SYSTEM. THESE OFFICERS WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO ASSIST INVESTIGATING OFFICERS WITH THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM AND THEREAFTER MONITOR AND MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE DATA BASE.
"IT COULD ALSO BE ADAPTED TO COVER DATA UNIQUE TO HONG KONG REQUIREMENTS.
"WE HAVE TO INDEX ADDRESSES WHICH ARE QUITE DIFFERENT HERE. FOR EXAMPLE THEY DON’T HAVE NUMBERED WOODEN HUTS IN THE UK. WITH VERY LITTLE ADAPTATION WE CAN COMPENSATE FOR QUITE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. THE SYSTEM IS EXTREMELY ADAPTABLE."
ALL NINE OFFICERS PASSED A FIVE HOUR EXAMINATION AT THE END OF THE COURSE, WITH ONE OFFICER, SENIOR INSPECTOR STEPHEN LO OF KOWLOON EAST REGIONAL CRIME UNIT, ACHIEVING AN "A" RATING, MEANING THAT HE PRODUCED AN ENTIRELY EXCEPTIONAL PAPER.
"IT WAS A VERY PROFESSIONAL COURSE, CONDUCTED BY SPECIAL LECTURERS, ALTHOUGH WE WILL HAVE TO MODIFY SOME OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED TO HONG KONG REQUIREMENTS." MR LO SAID.
CHIEF INSPECTOR ALAN CHAN OF DETECTIVE TRAINING SCHOOL SAID THE COURSE, USUALLY OF FIVE WEEKS’ DURATION, HAD BEEN CONDENSED TO FOUR FOR THE HONG KONG PARTICIPANTS.
"IT WAS A GRUELLING 10 HOUR DAY FOR US AND IT WAS VERY HARSH STUDY. IT WAS THE FIRST COURSE OF ITS KIND TO BE TAILOR MADE FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS."
THE OFFICERS WILL SOON EMBARK ON LOCAL TRAINING IN THE INSTALLATION AND USE OF SYSTEMS.
THE OTHER SIX OFFICERS ARE MESSRS PETER PANNU, WILLIAM LEE, FRANCIS LAI, ALAN SIN, TED AITKEN-DAVIES AND DAVE LOVELESS.
------0--------
/9 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1991
9
[[ । RTANCE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES RECOGNISED
* ♦ i » *
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY IS AN INDISPENSIBLE PART OF A BALANCED CURRICULUM THROUGH WHICH STUDENTS CAN DEVELOP THEIR INTEREST AND POTENTIAL AND IMPROVE THEIR HUMAN RELATIONS.
ADDRESSING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES CARNIVAL AT VICTORIA PARK TODAY (SUNDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID SINCE MID-1970S, THE MEANING AND VALUE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES BEGAN TO GAIN PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDED SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOLS IN MANY ASPECTS.
"BETWEEN 1982 AND 1986, FIVE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS WERE PROVIDED TO EACH STANDARD SECONDARY SCHOOL TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR STUDENTS, ONE OF WHICH WAS EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES," MR LI SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT SET UP A SCHOOL ACTIVITIES SECTION IN APRIL 1989 TO CO-ORDINATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS.
SIXTY-FIVE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES GROUPS TOOK PART IN TODAY’S CARNIVAL WHICH AIMED AT ENCOURAGING STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN AND PROMOTING THE POSITIVE VALUE OF SUCH ACTIVITIES.
MR LI THANKED THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 FOR SPONSORING THE CARNIVAL.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUT IN SHEUNG WAN *****
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (JANUARY 15) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED BY THE SUSPENSION ARE NOS. 127-133 HOLLYWOOD ROAD (ODD NUMBERS), NOS. 76-130 HOLLYWOOD ROAD (EVEN NUMBERS), NOS. 1-2 TSUI ON LANE, NOS. 270-290 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL (EVEN NUMBERS).
IT WILL ALSO AFFECT THE SECTION OF LADDER STREET BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, CIRCULAR PATH, AND THE SECTION OF SHING WONG STREET BETWEEN GOUGH STREET AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK NEEDS TO HAVE EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, STRONG ADMINISTRATION: GOVERNOR .. 1
GOVERNOR VISITS WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ...................................... 2
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON NATIONALITY SCHEME ISSUED ............................ 2
SEPT EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED ..................... 3
PARENTS URGED NOT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME ................... 8
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY ..................................................... 9
NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM TO ANALYSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DATA .......................... 10
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON FIRST QUARTER PAYMENT ............................ 11
MAKING MALICIOUS REPORT AGAINST POLICE AN OFFENCE ............................. 12
CARNIVAL FOR ELDERLY IN SHAM SHUI PO........................................... 13
TWO UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .................................. 13
MONDAY, JANUARY 14,
1991
1
HK NEEDS TO EFFICIENT, STRONG *
HAVE EFFECTIVE, ADMINISTRATION: GOVERNOR » * t »
WHAT IS NEEDED IN HONG KONG IS TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT AND STRONG ADMINISTRATION TO MAINTAIN ITS PROSPERITY AND STABILITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THAT MUST MEAN THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE CLEAR-CUT AUTHORITY," SIR DAVID SAID AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT THIS AFTERNOON.
THE GOVERNOR WAS RESPONDING TO A PRESS QUESTION CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG.
"NOW THERE IS NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT IN EVERY WAY, JOINT DECLARATION AND EVERYTHING, THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTERING HONG1 KONG UP TO 1997 IS THAT OF BRITAIN AND OF THE PRESENT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
"VERY IMPORTANT THAT THOSE LINES OF AUTHORITY SHOULD BE CLEAR AND IT SHOULD ALSO BE QUITE CLEAR THAT WITH THAT RESPONSIBILITY WHICH WE HAVE AS THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG, WE WILL CARRY OUT THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND CARRY IT OUT FULLY FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND FOR THE LONG TERM PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE RECENT DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS, SIR DAVID SAID THE RESULTS OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS AND THE WAY IN WHICH THEY WERE CARRIED OUT WAS DISAPPOINTING.
"IT’S NO DOUBT THAT THEY WERE DISAPPOINTING. BUT WHAT ONE’S GOT TO THINK ABOUT IS WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG AND THERE IS NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT GETTING ON WITH BUILDING LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, THE THINGS THAT HONG KONG NEEDS, LIKE THE AIRPORT, IS VERY IMPORTANT," HE SAID.
"IF YOU ARE GOING TO BUILD AN AIRPORT, IT TAKES A LONG TIME. SO THERE IS A REAL NEED TO GET ON WITH IT," HE ADDED.
"I HOPE THAT IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THIS WE CAN ALSO GO ON TALKING TO THE CHINESE THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS SO THAT WE CAN EXPLAIN WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WE CAN IRON OUT ANY PARTICULAR CONCERNS AND WORRIES THAT THEY MAY HAVE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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/2 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
- 2 -
GOVERNOR VISITS WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ♦ ♦ * » ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, VISITED THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY). HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR KENNETH KWOK.
SIR DAVID VISITED THE DEPARTMENT'S NEW HEADQUARTERS IN WAN CHAI WHERE HE WAS MET BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WONG KWOK-LAI.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND, IN PARTICULAR, ON THE EXPANSION OF FACILITIES TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL WATER FROM CHINA.
THE FIRST AND MAJOR STAGE OF THESE WORKS IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN 1995 AT A COST OF $1,900 MILLION.
SIR DAVID THEN VISITED THE DEPARTMENT'S BIGGEST WATER TREATMENT WORKS, SITUATED IN SHA TIN WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON ITS OPERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS BEING CARRIED OUT.
HE TOURED THE CONTROL ROOM, LABORATORY AND THE CHLORINE STORE ROOMS. HE ALSO SAW THE SLUDGE TREATMENT PLANT UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
-----0-------
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON NATIONALITY SCHEME ISSUED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) ISSUED THE FOLLOWING UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME.
A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 1,900 COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS HAD BEEN RECEIVED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT UP TO LAST SATURDAY (JANUARY 12).
"MORE THAN 226,000 APPLICATION FORMS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED, AND OVER 18,000 COPIES OF VARIOUS REFERENCE MANUALS SOLD," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL HOTLINE ON THE SCHEME HAD BEEN HANDLING AN AVERAGE OF 200 ENQUIRIES A DAY.
THE MAJORITY OF THESE ENQUIRIES WERE ON HOW THE APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE COMPLETED.
"ALL THE INDICATIONS ARE THAT PEOPLE ARE CAREFULLY STUDYING THE MANUALS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEIR APPLICATION FORMS ARE COMPLETED CORRECTLY.
’’THERE ARE ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS BEFORE THE CURRENT APPLICATION PERIOD ENDS, AND WE EXPECT THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS TO PICK UP QUICKLY LATER," HE SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, Ibbl
3
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED APPLICANTS NOT TO WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE, AS AN ORDERLY SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS WOULD HELP PROCESSING.
"IN PARTICULAR, APPLICANTS WITH CHILDREN APPROACHING THE AGE OF 18 SHOULD APPLY EARLY, AS ONLY CHILDREN UNDER 18 ON THE DATE OF APPLICATION CAN BE INCLUDED UNDER THE SCHEME," HE SAID.
HE REMINDED APPLICANTS THAT THE DEADLINE OF FEBRUARY 28, 1991 WAS A STATUTORY ONE AND COULD NOT BE CHANGED.
------0-----------
SEPT EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES t
AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED * » » ♦ *
IN SEPTEMBER 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, WHILE EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THUS THE SHIFT IN EMPLOYMENT FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES CONTINUED.
THERE WERE 730,200 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN SEPTEMBER 1990, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 9.1 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH SEPTEMBER 1989.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 814,800 IN SEPTEMBER 1990, WAS 7.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1989.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 273,200, WAS UP BY 9.5 PER CENT.
EMPLOYMENT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 4.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989.
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1990 IN THE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1989 AND JUNE 1990, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN* PERCENTAGE CHANGE*»
SEPT 89 JUNE 90 SEPT 90 SEPT 90 ON SEPT 89 SEPT 90 ON JUNE 90
MANUFACTURING 803,000 755,000 730,200 -9.1 -3.3
/CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
4
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WUnnERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 67,500 70,400 70,700 + 4.6 + 0.3
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 757,700 804,400 814,800 + 7.5 + 1.3
FINANCING, 249,500 269,300 273,200 + 9.5 + 1.5
INSURANCE,
REAL ESTATE
AND BUSINESS SERVICES
♦ FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST 100.
♦* BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH JUNE 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 3.3 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT, 1.3 PER CENT AND 1.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN SEPTEMBER 1990 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE CONSTRUCTION SITES; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL-ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES ALSO PROVIDE VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS.
THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1989 AND JUNE 1990 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN » PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 89 JUNE 90 SEPT 90 SEPT 90 ON SEPT 89 SEPT 90 ON JUNE 90
MANUFACTURING 43,960 37,410 36,160
-17.7
/CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
- 5 -
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 4,050 2,160 1,860 -54 . 1 -13.8
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 28,830 27,560 30,000 + 4.0 . + 8.9
FINANCING, 10,850 9,530 9,150 -15.7 - 4.0
INSURANCE,
REAL ESTATE
AND BUSINESS
SERVICES
» FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST 10.
** BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, THE VACANCY SITUATION SHOWED AN IMPROVEMENT IN MOST MAJOR SECTORS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR DECREASED BY 12.3 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1990 OVER SEPTEMBER 1989.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES SHOWED A MARKED DECREASE OF 54.1 PER CENT, WHEREAS THE MANUFACTURING AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS FELL BY 17.7 PER CENT AND 15.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTORS EXPERIENCED A SMALL INCREASE OF 4.0 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
COMPARED WITH JUNE 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THE INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL FACTORS, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS FELL BY 3.3 PER CENT AND 4.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER 1990.
THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED CONSIDERABLY BY 13.8 PER CENT. HOWEVER, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 8.9 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
/QUARTERLY TOTALS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
6
QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 3RD QTR. 1989 3RD QTR. 1990 3RD QTR. 1990 1989
3RD ON QTR.
HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING 11,125 11,422 + 2. 7
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 10,446 13,453 + 28. 8
FINANCING, 5,698 7,049 + 23. 7
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 2.7 PER CENT, 28.8 PER CENT AND 23.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN SEPTEMBER 1989 AND SEPTEMBER 1990, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED.
TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. THESE TWO INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER 1989 AMD SEPTEMBER 1990 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW :
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 89 SEPT 90 SEPT 90 ON SEPT 89
MANUFACTURING 321.7 364.0 + 13.1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 303.5 > 361.4 + 19.1
/FINANCING, INSURANCE ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
7
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
295.3
333. 1
+ 12.8
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY SEPT 89 SEPT 90 SEPT 90 ON SEPT 89
MANUFACTURING 154.9 159.7 + 3.1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 146.1 158.6 + 8.6
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 142.2 146.2 + 2.8
BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1989 AND SEPTEMBER 1990, AN INCREASE OF
13.1 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 19.1 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 12.8 PER CENT.
SALARY REVISION WAS REPORTED AS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE INCREASE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED OVER THIS PERIOD.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 3.1 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, 8.6 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND 2.8 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, SEPTEMBER 1990 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, SEPTEMBER, 1990.
THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT $11 PER COPY AND $7.5 PER COPY RESPECTIVELY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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/8.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
8
PARENTS URGED NOT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME » » ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE RECENT TRAGEDY DURING WHICH FOUR CHILDREN DIED IN A FIRE IN A HOM MAN TIN FLAT.
AT ITS MEETING, SWAC MEMBERS URGED PARENTS NOT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
THE CHAIRMAN OF SWAC, MRS ROSANNA TAM SAID: '*IT IS THE
REPONS1BILITY OF PARENTS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN. SHOULD THEY HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN LOOKING AFTER THEIR CHILDREN, THEY SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE OR REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM THEIR NEIGHBOURS.”
SWAC MEMBERS GENERALLY FELT THAT THERE WERE DIFFICUTIES IN ENFORCING LAW TO PROHIBIT PARENTS FROM LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME. HOWEVER, THEY RECOMMENDED THAT CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS SHOULD STEP UP PUBLICITY EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC NOT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
THE MEMBERS WILL REVIEW, BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO PREVENT PARENTS TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THEY ALSO AGREED THAT THE OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE SHOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED, IMPROVED AND SUGGESTED OPERATORS TO EXERCISE A GREATER FLEXIBILTY IN PROVIDING THE SERVICE.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS PATRICIA CHU, TOLD THE MEMBERS THAT THE OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE, BEING A PILOT SCHEME, WAS IN OPERATION IN 15 CHILD CARE CENTRES TERRITORY-WIDE.
SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT, CONSIDERABLE PUBLICITY, INCLUDING PRESS RELEASES, PRESS INTERVIEWS, LEAFLETS AND RADIO APIS (ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST), HAD BEEN MADE, MRS CHU NOTED.
’’WORKING IN HAND IS A TV API TO ADVISE PARENTS NOT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED,” SHE SAID.
ON SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SERVICE, THE MEMBERS MAINTAINED THAT THE MANNING RATIO SHOULD BE ONE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER TO 2,000 STUDENTS. THE EXISTING MANNING RATIO IS ONE TO 3,000.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED IN THE 1992/93 RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE, HIGHER PRIORITY SHOULD BE ACCORDED TO LOWER THE MANNING RATIO TO ONE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER PER 2,500 STUDENTS, AND THE TARGET SHOULD BE REACHED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED A PACKAGE TO IMPROVE THE ACCIDENT COMPENSATION SCHEMES WHICH COMPRISED OF THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION, TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE AND EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND.
/THE ESTIMATED .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
THE ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPLICATION OF THESE CHANGES FOR A FULL FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD BE $7.6 MILLION.
SWAC MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL OF FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT THESE CHANGES WOULD BE SOUGHT WITHIN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
THE IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE INCLUDED:
* EXTENSION OF PAYMENT PERIOD OF INJURY GRANT FROM 90 DAYS TO 180 DAYS WITH REVISED DAILY RATES;
* EXTENSION OF PAYMENT PERIOD OF INTERIM MAINTENANCE GRANT FROM THREE MONTHS TO SIX MONTHS;
* SAVINGS FROM DISCONTINUING OF PAYMENT OF INTERIM MAINTENANCE GRANT IN CASES WHERE DEATH GRANT IS PAYABLE;
* REVISION OF RATE OF BURIAL GRANT*, AND
♦ ENHANCEMENT OF GRANTS FOR VICTIMS HELPING IN FIGHTING CRIME UNDER THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME.
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LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY ♦ * * * »
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF FOUR QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FOUR GOVERNMENT BILLS AND ONE PRIVATE BILL AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 16).
THE FIVE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THE FOUR GOVERNMENT BILLS ARE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, COMMODITY EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990; WHILE THE PRIVATE BILL IS THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
DEBATE ON THESE BILLS WILL BE ADJOURNED.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE, WHILE THE HON SELINA CHOW WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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/10
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
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NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM TO ANALYSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DATA *****
A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DATA BY THE ROAD SAFETY AND STANDARDS DIVISION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE HAS COME INTO OPERATION RECENTLY.
AN ENGINEER OF THE ROAD SAFETY AND STANDARDS DIVISION, MR LEUNG TAK-FAI, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DATA SYSTEM (TRADS) WAS A DISTRIBUTED MICRO-COMPUTER BASED SYSTEM PROVIDING MEANS AND FACILITIES FOR THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DATA.
"THE SYSTEM IS DEVELOPED WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING THE EXISTING COMPUTERISED RECORDS ON TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DATA; AND TO FACILITATE INTERACTIVE ENTRY, EDIT AND FLEXIBLE SELECTION OF THE DATA.
"THE SYSTEM WILL ALSO FACILITATE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF TERRITORY-WIDE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DATA AND DATA COLLECTION ANALYSIS UNDER THE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT REDUCTION SCHEME," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT INVESTIGATION WORK DONE BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STAFF COULD BE GREATLY ENHANCED AND MORE TIME COULD BE SPENT BY POLICE IN INVESTIGATING ACCIDENTS, INSTEAD OF RECORDING TIME.
MORE UP-TO-DATE ACCIDENT INFORMATION COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO BOTH THE OFFICERS INVESTIGATING ACCIDENTS AND TO THE MEMBERS OF OMELCO, DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
INPUT AND VALIDATION OF ACCIDENT DATA COULD BE DONE WITHIN TWO DAYS INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT TWO TO THREE WEEKS, HE ADDED.
ELABORATING ON THE APPLICATION OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY, A SENIOR ENGINEER, MR CHING KAM-CHEONG, SAID THE FINAL PRODUCT OF TRADS WAS AN ACCIDENT DATA BANK FROM WHICH ACCIDENT INFORMATION COULD BE RETRIEVED AND ANALYSED TO PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTION AND PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY.
"FROM ITS ACCIDENT DATA BANK, THE COMPUTER REGULARLY PRODUCES LISTS OF LOCATIONS (ACCIDENT BLACK SITES) WHICH ARE CATEGORISED BY NAME AND NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS OCCURRING.
"FROM THESE LISTS, SITES WITH SEVERE ACCIDENT PROBLEMS CAN BE IDENTIFIED AND STUDIED ON A PRIORITY BASTS, WORST SITES BEING DEALT WITH FIRST.
"WHEN STUDIES INDICATE A COMMON FACTOR IN A NUMBER OF THE ACCIDENTS OCCURRING AT A PARTICULAR LOCATION, IT IS OFTEN POSSIBLE FOR THE ROAD SAFETY ENGINEER TO PROPOSE REMEDIAL MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING THESE COMMON-FACTOR ACCIDENTS," HE SAID.
/IN PROMOTING .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
- 11 -
IN PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY, MR CHING ADDED THAT ANALYSIS OF THE ACCIDENT DA1A HIGHLIGHTS THOSE GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WERE MOST AT RISK ON THE ROAD OR THOSE CATEGORIES OF VEHICLES WHICH WERE INVOLVED IN MOST ROAD ACCIDENTS.
ROAD SAFETY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS AND LEGISLATION WERE THEREFORE AIMED AT THESE GROUPS FOR THE GREATEST EFFECTIVENESS TOWARDS CORRECTING THE PROBLEM, HE SAID.
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RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON FIRST QUARTER PAYMENT ♦ »»»»»
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR RATES FOR THE QUARTER JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1991 WHICH ARE DEMANDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE MAY BRING A RATES DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER AND MAKE PAYMENT AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
» THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, WANCHAI TOWER II, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
♦ THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, (SIDE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING IN ICE HOUSE STREET), HONG KONG;
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG;
» THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
* THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE AND CANNOT PRODUCE A RATES DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER SHOULD INQUIRE FORTHWITH AT THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, WANCHAI TOWER II, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON JANUARY 31, 1991 AND UNLESS SO PAID MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT IMPOSED UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE RATING ORDINANCE.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO ACCOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
/RATEPAYERS WHO
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
- 12 -
r. :’ LAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING "PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY” IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THIS CASE THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON JANUARY 31, 1991. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTIONS 30 (1A) AND (2A), HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
------0--------
MAKING MALICIOUS REPORT AGAINST POLICE AN OFFENCE
POLICE TODAY (MONDAY) REITERATED THAT MAKING A MALICIOUS REPORT AGAINST POLICE WOULD RESULT IN SEVERE PUNISHMENT, INCLUDING IMPRISONMENT.
CITING A RECENT COURT CASE, A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A 32-YEAR-OLD MAN, WHO WAS ARRESTED BY TSUEN WAN SPECIAL DUTIES SQUAD OFFICERS FOR POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUG IN JUNE LAST YEAR, MADE A REPORT TO THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICE (CAPO) THAT HE WAS ASSAULTED BY THE ARRESTING OFFICERS AND THAT THE ARREST WAS RASED ON FABRICATED EVIDENCE.
THE ARRESTED PERSON WAS CONVICTED OF POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUG FOR UNLAWFUL TRAFFICKING AND WAS SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.
FOLLOWING IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION, CAPO OFFICERS FOUND THAT THE DEFENDENT’S ACCUSATION WAS FALSE AND THEREFORE CHARGED HIM WITH CAUSING WASTEFUL EMPLOYMENT OF POLICE.
HE WAS CONVICTED OF THE OFFENCE AND WAS SENTENCED TO SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT IN TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY ON JANUARY 12.
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/13 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1991
13 -
CARNIVAL FOR ELDERLY IN SHAM SHUI PO
* » * * *
RESIDENTS IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 60 ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN A CARNIVAL ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 19) AT THE BUDDHIST TAI HUNG COLLEGE IN SO UK ESTATE.
IT WILL BE HELD FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM.
ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON PREFERENTIAL SCHEMES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE A CANTONESE OPERA SHOW AND STALL GAMES WHICH AIM AT GIVING PARTICIPANTS SOME GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HEALTH CARE.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OCCASION WILL BE THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MISS JOY CHAN; AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS AVA CHAN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO CARNIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 19), FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM AT THE BUDDHIST TAI HUNG COLLEGE, SO UK ESTATE.
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TWO UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
* » « * »
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING TO CLOSE TWO UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER TO CLOSE THE ILLEGAL BUILDING ADJOINING THE KITCHEN OF THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF 89 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 14, WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURE TODAY (MONDAY).
ANOTHER NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER ON THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT FLAT I ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF CHEONG FUNG MANSION, 85-95 TONG MEI ROAD AND 2-16 TUNG CHAU STREET, KOWLOON FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 22 WAS ALSO POSTED TODAY ON THE AFFECTED PREMISES.
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK ON THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SEPT-NOV UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED ................... 1
OIL SUPPLY RESOURCES REMAIN AVAILABLE TO HK ...................'................. 2
LOCAL FERRY SERVICES INTO THE 1990'S ............................................ 3
OBJECTIONS TO DRAFT MID-LEVELS WEST OZP WILL BE CONSIDERED..................... 5
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ...................................... 6
30 INMATES PASS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS ............................................. 9
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON DOMESTIC HELPERS ...................................... 9
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO CLOSE ........................................... 10
FRESH WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY, TAI HANG AREAS ................................ 10
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
1
SEPT-NOV UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED ♦ » * » *
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASED WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED STABLE AT A LOW LEVEL DURING THE PERIOD OF SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 1990, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 1990 WAS 1.4 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.8 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1990 AND 1.3 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASE OF 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 1990 WAS ESTIMATED AT 40,000, COMPARED WITH 48,600 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1990 AND 37,000 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 1990 WAS 0.9 PER CENT, WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1990 AND THAT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989 WAS 0.8 PER CENT.
THE INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989 IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 1990 WAS 25,100, COMPARED WITH 26,200 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING AUGUST 1990 AND 22,000 TN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 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 BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
/THESE PROVIDE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
2
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION. THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1990 WAS 1.3 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.8 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 SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 1990 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,300 HOUSEHOLDS OR 40,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 1990 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL IN LATE MARCH AT $11.50 PER COPY.
---------0-----------
OIL SUPPLY RESOURCES REMAIN AVAILABLE TO HK
SINCE THE ONSET OF THE CO-OPERATED VERY CLOSELY WITH SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE.
GULF CRISIS THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE OIL INDUSTRY, A GOVERNMENT
FOLLOWING A MEETING OF THE OIL
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MEETING REVIEWED THE PRESENT SUPPLY SITUATION AND IN PARTICULAR POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG’S SUPPLIES SHOULD WAR BREAK OUT.
HE SAID ALL THE OIL COMPANIES HAD REAFFIRMED THAT THEIR STOCKS AND SUPPLY RESOURCES REMAINED AVAILABLE AND UNAFFECTED BY THE SITUATION IN THE GULF.
THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS THERE ARE NO GROUNDS FOR CONCERN AND THAT LOCAL AND REGIONAL OIL STOCKS ARE ADEQUATE TO DEAL WITH ALMOST ANY SITUATION,” HE SAID.
/•'ONLY IN..........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
3 -
"ONLY IN THE MOST UNLIKELY EVENT OF CATASTROPHIC LONG-TERM DAMAGE TO GULF OIL SUPPLIES MIGHT IT BE NECESSARY TO CONSIDER FORMAL FUEL CONSERVATION MEASURES.”
HE SAID, IN ADDITION TO THE 30 DAYS RESERVE OF KEY OIL PRODUCTS HELD IN HONG KONG, MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNTRIES) HAD AGREED AT THE IEA MEETING ON JANUARY 11, 1991 THAT, IF REQUIRED, ITS MEMBERS WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE UP TO 2.5 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL PER DAY TO COVER ANY POSSIBLE SHORTFALL OF SUPPLIES FROM THE GULF AS A RESULT OF HOSTILITIES.
THIS WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY A COMBINATION OF DRAWING ON STRATEGIC STOCKS AND OTHER ECONOMY MEASURES.
HE SAID THE PRESENT GLOBAL SITUATION WAS NOT ONE OF SUPPLY SHORTAGES BUT OF PRICE VOLATILITY REFLECTING CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE GULF.
"EVEN IF HOSTILITIES WERE TO BREAK OUT, THE LIKELIHOOD IS THAT OIL SUPPLIES WILL REMAIN RELATIVELY UNAFFECTED AND, BECAUSE THERE IS A CURRENT WORLD SURPLUS OF OIL SUPPLIES, PRICES SHOULD RAPIDLY STABILISE, SINCE THE MARKET IS DISCOUNTING THE POSSIBILITY OF HOSTILITIES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMITTEE DID NOT ANTICIPATE ANY SHORTAGE OF OIL IN HONG KONG AND WAS SATISFIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING CONTINGENCY PLANS PROVIDED THE MEANS TO OVERCOME ANY DIFFICULTIES WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE TERRITORY.
-----0------
LOCAL FERRY SERVICES INTO THE 1990’S
*****
THE GEOGRAPHY OF HONG KONG MAKES TRAVEL BY SEA AS NATURAL TO ITS PEOPLE AS TRAVEL BY UNDERGROUND IS TO LONDONERS AND OVER 300,000 PEOPLE USE PASSENGER FERRIES TO GO TO WORK, SCHOOL OR FOR DAILY NECESSITIES EVERY DAY.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A LUNCHEON OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST.
MR SZE SAID THE VAST MAJORITY TRAVELLED ON A VARIETY OF CRAFT SUCH AS TRIPLE-DECKERS, HOVERFERRIES OR THAT WELL KNOWN SYMBOL OF HONG KONG, THE STAR FERRY.
A SIZEABLE FLEET OF SMALLER CRAFT KNOWN AS WALLA WALLAS FERRY HUNDREDS OF WORKERS TO AND FROM SHIPS IN THE PORT, HE SAID.
/"THE SAFETY .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
4
"THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF SUCH PASSENGER CARRYING LOCAL VESSELS IS REGULATED UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LAUNCHES AND FERRY VESSELS) REGULATIONS 1965 WHICH PRESCRIBE A HIGH DEGREE OF PASSENGER SAFETY BASED ON INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
"THE SAFETY RECORD OF THESE PASSENGER VESSELS IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG IS BEYOND QUESTION.
"NEVERTHELESS PUBLIC INTEREST WAS FURTHER SERVED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY THIRD PARTY INSURANCE ON SUCH VESSEL LAST (1990) YEAR AS A CONDITION OF MY LICENSING THEM," HE SAID.
MR SZE SAID THERE WERE HOWEVER TWO AREAS OF PASSENGER SERVICES, ONE ANCIENT AND ONE MODERN, WHICH TO DATE DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE CATEGORIES OF LAUNCHES AND FERRY VESSELS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
"AS FAR BACK AS 1937 RECOGNITION WAS MADE OF JUNKS CONVEYING VILLAGERS FROM OUTLYING ISLANDS OR REMOTE MAINLAND ENCLAVES TO MARKET TOWNS AND ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRES SUCH AS TAI PO AND SAI KUNG," HE SAID.
"THESE JUNKS WERE NATIVE DESIGN VESSELS INTENDED FOR TRADING PURPOSES. THEY WERE REFERRED TO AS 'KAITOS’ OR STREET FERRIES.
"A FAR MORE MODERN PHENOMENON IS THE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR TRANSPORT TO THE SCENIC OUTER ISLANDS AND REMOTE COUNTRY PARK BEACHES AND THE DEMAND IN THIS AREA FLUCTUATES GREATLY ACCORDING TO PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND SEASONAL FACTORS.
"SUCH SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY ’KAITOS’ OR PLEASURE JUNKS OFFERING THEMSELVES FOR HIRE."
MR SZE SAID OBVIOUSLY IT WAS IMPRACTICAL TO APPLY THE STRINGENT AND EXACTING STANDARDS OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LAUNCHES AND FERRY VESSELS) REGULATIONS TO THESE INFORMAL STREET FERRIES, AND PLEASURE JUNKS WERE NOT REQUIRED TO UNDERGO THE STRINGENT SAFETY INSPECTIONS REQUIRED OF FERRIES AND LAUNCHES.
"TODAY THERE ARE 121 KAITOS WITH A CARRYING CAPACITY OF 4,434 OF WHICH 89 (WITH A CAPACITY OF 3,012) OPERATE IN THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES COUPLED WITH THE ABANDONMENT OF MANY REMOTE VILLAGES AND ISLANDS WILL LEAD TO A DECLINE IN THE NEED FOR KAITOS," HE SAID.
MR SZE SAID THE CHALLENGE FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED, FOR EXAMPLE TRANSPORT, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND MARINE POLICE, WAS HOW TO CONTINUE TO SATISFY THE LEGITIMATE TRANSPORT DEMAND OF SUCH VILLAGERS AND HOLIDAY-MAKERS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENSURING THAT THE SAFETY OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC WAS NOT COMPROMISED.
HE SAID A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAD BEEN PROPOSED BY THE LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW AND WERE UNDER CONSIDERATION.
/THESE ARE .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
- 5 -
THESE ARE:
» TO CONDUCT PERIODIC REVIEWS OF KAITO ROUTES;
* TO REQUIRE THOSE FERRIES WHICH COULD NOT AND DO NOT FIT THE DESCRIPTION OF KAITOS BUT ARE OPERATING UNDER KAITO FERRY LICENCES TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SAME SAFETY STANDARDS AS LAUNCHES;
« TO IDENTIFY BONA FIDE KAITO ROUTES WHERE INCREASED PATRONAGE MAY WARRANT AN UPGRADING OF THE SERVICE TO A "MINOR FERRY SERVICE" USING LICENSED LAUNCHES. FOR EXAMPLE THE ABERDEEN TO SOK KWU WAN SERVICE;
* TO PERMIT A NEW CLASS OF PASSENGER CARRYING VESSEL, CALL THEM "EXCURSION VESSELS", WHOSE SAFETY STANDARDS WOULD CONFORM WITH THOSE OF LAUNCHES AND FERRY VESSELS;
» TO INCREASE PATROLS AND INSPECTIONS BY MARINE DEPARTMENT AND MARINE POLICE DURING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN THE PEAK MONTHS;
« TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE PROPER USE OF KAITOS, FOR EXAMPLE NOT TO GET ON BOARD OVERLOADED KAITOS; AND
* TO INTRODUCE IN PHASES HIGHER THOUGH PRAGMATIC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ON ALL KAITOS.
------0--------
OBJECTIONS TO DRAFT MID-LEVELS WEST OZP WILL BE CONSIDERED
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ALL THE OBJECTIONS CONCERNING AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT MID-LEVELS WEST OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (OZP) WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE AMENDMENTS, WHICH WERE GAZETTED ON SEPTEMBER 7 LAST YEAR,_ INCLUDED PLOT RATIO RESTRICTIONS IN THE MID-LEVELS WEST AREA.
A TOTAL OF 29 OBJECTIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, AND WILL BE REFERRED TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION IN APRIL.
A TOWN PLANNING BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE BOARD MAY DECIDE TO AMEND OR NOT TO AMEND THE DRAFT OZP TO MEET THE OBJECTIONS.
"IF THE BOARD DECIDES NOT TO AMEND THE DRAFT PLAN, EACH OBJECTOR IS ENTITLED TO BE HEARD BEFORE THE BOARD.
"IF THE BOARD DECIDES NOT TO AMEND THE DRAFT OZP AFTER THE HEARINGS, THE DRAFT PLAN, TOGETHER WITH THE UNWITHDRAWN OBJECTIONS, WILL THEN BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL."
------0-------
/6.........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
6
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED
♦ » ♦ » *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAD BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS, DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WOULD BASIS.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
BE MADE REGULARLY ON A MONTHLY
BE VERY TIME-CONSUMING AND AS A TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE
THE FOLLOWING
FINES IMPOSED BY THE
IS A LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED COURTS DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER LAST YEAR:
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE 1 RECORD OF FINES($) OFFENCE COURT
l.NEW TOWN HOTEL MANAGEMENT LTD PAK HOK TING ST, SHA TIN 1.8.89- 30.9.89 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,500 1ST SHA TIN
2.KULSUM LTD PAK HOK TING ST, SHA TIN 11.9.89- 10.10.89 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 2,000 1ST SHA TIN
3.LEE SING DYEING FACTORY SHEK WU SUN CHUEN, SHEUNG SHUI 18.9.89 APCO: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FUEL RESTRICTION REGULATIONS 3,500 1ST FANLING
4.SKY PHONE INVESTMENTS LTD TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA, TUEN MUN 19.12.89 -15.2.90 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,500 1ST TUEN MUN
5.CARITAS-HONG KONG CAINE RD, CENTRAL 1.2.90- 28.2.90 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST WESTERN
/6.LEE TAI ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
6.LEE TAI BLEACHING A DYEING FACTORY LTD TSING YI 16.5.90 INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, TSING Yl APCO: 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
EXCESSIVE DARK
SMOKE EMISSION
7.UNION SIX DYEING WORKS WING KEI 29.5.90 RD, KWAI CHUNG APCO: 4,500 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND TSUEN WAN
8.SUN LUEN GLOVES FACTORY LTD HUNG SHU1 28.6.90 K1U, YUEN LONG APCO: 1,500 FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 1ST FANLING
9.ETERNAL CAPITAL LAUNDRY FACTORY TSING YI 3.7.90 INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, TSING YI APCO: 5,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FUEL RESTRICTION REGULATIONS 1ST TSUEN WAN
10.GLOBE DYEING FACTORY LTD PING SHAN, 5.7.90 YUEN LONG APCO: 2,500 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FUEL RESTRICTION REGULATIONS 1ST FANLING
11.HONG KONG PAPER MILLS LTD CONNAUGHT 5.7.90 RD CENTRAL, CENTRAL APCO: 1,500 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FUEL RESTRICTION REGULATIONS 1ST FANLING
12.KONG LUEN ALUMINIUM WINDOW MANUFACTURING LTD BELCHER’S 24.7.90 ST, KENNEDY TOWN APCO: 10,000 FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 2ND FANLING
13.AUSTRIA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD OF RUBY CHALET LOT 1128, 9.8.90 SAI KUNG WPCO: 5,000 DISCHARGE OF POLLUTING MATTERS INTO WATERS OF 1ST KWUN TONG
HONG KONG IN BREACH OF A LICENCE
/14.MARINE LORD .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
8
14.MARINE MAN CHEONG 19.10.90 DASO: 3,000 1ST CENTRAL
LORD LTD ST, YAU MA DUMPING OF
TEI 750 CUBIC
METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GRANTED LICENCE
AND
LAM SIU- MARINE " " 3,000 1ST CENTRAL
MING LORI) LTD
(TUG MASTER)
AND CHAN MEI (BARGE OPERATOR) ii II II 3,000 1ST CENTRAL
15.UNIVER- SAL DOCKYARD LTD KO FAI RD, KWUN TONG 2.11.90 DASO: DUMPING OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA WITHOUT A LICENCE 4,000 2ND CENTRAL
AND FOOK TAI- FUK (TUG MASTER) UNIVERSAL DOCKYARD LTD IV II 3,000 1ST CENTRAL
AND LEUNG YAU- KAN (BARGE OPERATOR) II VI • • 3,000 1ST CENTRAL
NOTE:
APCO: AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO: DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
WPCO: WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
ON THE PROVISION OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE, 14 PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE FOR CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PLACES AT NIGHT WITH FINES RANGING FROM $300 TO $500.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO STEP UP ITS ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ANY MALPRACTICE OF ILLEGAL AND SHORT DUMPING ACTIVITIES THROUGH MORE REGULAR MARINE PATROLS. THE EXISTING ENFORCEMENT ACTION IS UNDER REVIEW WITH A VIEW TO TIGHTENING UP THE CONTROL MEASURES. THESE MEASURES WOULD BE DRAWN UP IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS’ TIME.
------0--------
/9 .....
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
30 INMATES PASS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS *****
THIRTY YOUNG INMATES FROM THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (PUCI) RECEIVED CERTIFICATES THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON FOR HAVING PASSED PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
THEY ACHIEVED A TOTAL OF FIVE DISTINCTIONS, 16 CREDITS AND 48 PASSES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXAMINATIONS AND PITMAN EXAMINATIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT PUCI, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL, MR DEREK PRITCHARD, STRESSED THAT EDUCATION WAS ONE OF THE KEYS TO SUCCESS.
THE FACT THAT THE INMATES HAD PASSED THE EXAMINATIONS SHOULD GIVE THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE, HE SAID.
"IT SHOWS THAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF GETTING DOWN TO DOING SOME LEARNING WITH PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE," HE ADDED.
SINCE 1979, A TOTAL OF 1,356 YOUNG INMATES HAD SAT FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE HELD BY THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY, THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE PITMAN EXAMINATION INSTITUTE AND THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE.
THEY ACHIEVED A TOTAL OF 389 DISTINCTIONS, 191 CREDITS AND 964 PASSES. THE AVERAGE PASS RATE IS 84 PER CENT.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON DOMESTIC HELPERS »»«♦»«
THE SEPTEMBER 1990 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON DOMESTIC HELPERS.
A TOTAL OF ABOUT 62,200 (OR 3.9 PER CENT) DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDS WERE EMPLOYING ONE OR MORE DOMESTIC HELPERS IN 1989, COMPARED WITH THE SLIGHTLY LOWER FIGURES OF 59,000 (OR 3.8 PER CENT) IN 1988 AND 54,100 (OR 3.6 PER CENT) IN 1987.
FOUR-FIFTHS OF THESE HOUSEHOLDS EMPLOYED "LIVE-IN" DOMESTIC HELPERS (THOSE WHO STAYED OVERNIGHT IN THEIR EMPLOYERS’ HOME) AND ABOUT 16 PER CENT EMPLOYED PART-TIME DOMESTIC HELPERS (THOSE WHO WORKED LESS THAN 40 HOURS PER WEEK).
THESE ARE FINDINGS FROM A SUPPLEMENTARY ENQUIRY CONDUCTED VIA THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DURING THE QUARTER FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1989.
/THIS ARTICLE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1991
THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLDS EMPLOYING DOMESTIC HELPERS AND THOSE NOT EMPLOYING ANY BUT WITH THE INTENTION OF EMPLOYING ONE, AS WELL AS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DOMESTIC HELPERS BEING EMPLOYED.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $40 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO CLOSE
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT EIGHTH FLOOR, 93 FUK WA STREET, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 26 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN HAPPY VALLEY, TAI HANG AREAS
♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO SOME PREMISES IN HAPPY VALLEY AND TAI HANG AREAS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (JANUARY 17) TO 5 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATERMAINS CONNECTION.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT 27-33 PERKINS ROAD, 148 AND 150 TAI HANG ROAD AND ALL PREMISES AT BROADWOOD ROAD AND HAPPY VIEW TERRACE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
CONTENT’S PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
FOUR BILLS SEEK TO EXTEND TIME LIMIT FOR PROCEEDINGS ........................... 1
RESOLUTION ON DRUG TRAFFICKING ORDER PASSED .................................... 2
FOUR PILOT PROJECTS ON PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM UNDERWAY ........................... 3
GOVT REMAINS FULLY COMMITTED TO DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ........................ 5
HK WILL REMAIN WMO'S TERRITORIAL MEMBER AFTER 1997 ............................. 6
USE OF MEDICAL FACILITIES BY VR, VBP WILL NOT AFFECT SERVICE TO LOCALS 8
MOTION ON ECR 4 PASSED ......................................................... 8
HK ESTABLISHING REPUTATION AS FASHION CENTRE .................................... 10
FORGERY TRAVEL DOCUMENT RACKET SMASHED .......................................... 11
OVERSEAS STUDY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS ........................................ 12
'HK TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS' PUBLISHED ............................... 13
THREE GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ............................................. 13
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
FOUR BILLS SEEK TO EXTEND TIME LIMIT FOR
PROCEEDINGS
» » » » »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOUR BILLS SEEKING TO EXTEND THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH PROCEEDINGS FOR SUMMARY OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCES MAY BE BROUGHT.
THE FOUR BILLS WERE THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE COMMODITIES EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990.
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, SIR PIERS SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS FOR SUMMARY OFFENCES AS CONTAINED IN THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE FROM SIX MONTHS TO THREE YEARS AFTER AN OFFENCE HAD BEEN COMMITTED OR 12 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST DISCOVERY OF THE •OFFENCE BY THE PROSECUTOR, WHICHEVER PERIOD EXPIRED FIRST.
HE SAID SUMMARY OFFENCES CONCERNING THE TRADING OF SECURITIES AND REGISTRATION OFDEALERS WERE OFTENCOMPLEX INNATURE, INVOLVING NUMEROUS WITNESSES AND VOLUMINOUS DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE.
"EXPERIENCE OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION INDICATES THAT THE EXISTING SIX-MONTH TIME LIMIT IS TOO RESTRICTIVE BECAUSE AN OFFENCE MAY NOT COME TO LIGHT UNTIL SOME TIME AFTER IT WAS COMMITTED.
"FURTHERMORE, IN MOST CASES CONSIDERABLE TIME IS REQUIRED TO PREPARE FOR THE PROSECUTION," SIR PIERS SAID.
"THE EXTENSION OF THE TIME LIMIT WILL ASSIST IN FACILITATING THE EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
TN MOVING THR SECOND READINGS OF THE REMAINING THREE BILLS, BIR PIERS SAID THEY HAD THE SAME PROVISIONS AS THOSE CONTAINED IN THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
HE SAID THE SUMMARY OFFENCES IN THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE WERE CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH THE ADVERTISING OF UNREGISTERED INVESTMENT BUSINESS.
THE SUMMARY OFFENCES IN THE COMMODITIES EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE RELATED MAINLY TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF A COMMODITIES EXCHANGE; WHILE THOSE IN THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE RELATED MAINLY TO TRADING IN COMMODITIES FUTURES CONTRACTS AND THE REGISTRATION OF DEALERS, HE SAID.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
2
RESOLUTION ON DRUG TRAFFICKING ORDER PASSED
♦ ♦ ♦ t »
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT IT APPROVES THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) (DESIGNATED COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES) ORDER 1991, MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON JANUARY 8 THIS YEAR, WITH AMENDMENTS.
MOVING A MOTION TO MODIFY THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE SOLELY TO RECTIFY CLERICAL ERRORS AND TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENCY WITH THE CHINESE TERMS USED IN THE MAIN ORDINANCE.
THEY REPRESENTED NO SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE TO THE ORDER MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY SAID THE ORDINANCE, ENACTED IN JULY 1989, HAD STRENGTHENED THE GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO COMBAT THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN DRUGS BY PROVIDING FOR THE TRACING, RESTRAINING AND CONFISCATION OF THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG.TRAFFICKING.
SECTION 28(1) OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TO DESIGNATE COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG TO ENABLE THEIR CONFISCATION AND OTHER ORDERS RELATING TO DRUG TRAFFICKING TO BE ENFORCED IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
"IT ALSO ALLOWS ASSISTANCE TO BE PROVIDED IN RELATION TO THEIR DRUG TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS.
"TO ENSURE RECIPROCAL TREATMENT, HONG KONG HAS NEGOTIATED BILATERAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM JURISDICTIONS OF ENGLAND AND WALES, SCOTLAND, AND NORTHERN IRELAND, AS WELL AS JERSEY, GUERNSEY AND THE ISLE OF MAN," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD COME INTO EFFECT WHEN THE PARTIES TO THEM HAD NOTIFIED EACH OTHER THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY INTO FORCE HAD BEEN MET, HE SAID.
"IN HONG KONG’S CASE, THE REQUIREMENT IS FOR THE OVERSEAS JURISDICTIONS TO BE DESIGNATED UNDER THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE," MR ASPREY ADDED.
REFERRING TO THE DESIGNATION ORDER, MR ASPREY SAID IT WOULD APPLY THE ORDINANCE WITH CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS TO CONFISCATION ORDERS AND RELATED PROCEEDINGS IN THE COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WITH WHICH HONG KONG HAD NEGOTIATED BILATERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE HIGH COURT WOULD BE ABLE TO ORDER THB RESTRAINT IN HONG KONG OF PROPERTY WHICH MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO ENFORCE A CONFISCATION ORDER MADE IN A DESIGNATED COUNTRY OR TERRITORY; AND REGISTER AND ENFORCE A CONFISCATION ORDER MADE BY A COURT IN A DESIGNATED COUNTRY OR TERRITORY.
/MR ASPREY .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
3
MR ASPRFY SAID THE DESIGNATED ORDER ALSO PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 7, THAT Till VALUE OF ANY PROPERTY RECOVERED IN A DESIGNATED COUNTRY OR TERRIT JY IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST BY THE GOVERNMENT Or HONG KONG FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF AN ORDER WAS TO BE TREATED AS REDUCING THE AMOUNT PAYABLE LN HONG KONG UNDER A CONFISCATION ORDER MADE BY THE HIGH COURT OR DISTRICT COURT.
"THIS MECHANISM IS REQUIRED SINCE, UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS NEGOTIATED, PROPERTY RECOVERED ABROAD WOULD NORMALLY REMAIN WHERE IT IS RECOVERED," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT MODIFICATIONS TO THE ORDINANCE WERE SET OUT IN SCHEDULE 2 TO THE ORDER, MR ASPREY SAID THEY WERE MAINLY OF A TECHNICAL NATURE, TO MAKE THE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE LAW AND PRACTICE RELATING TO CONFISCATION ORDERS AND RELATED PROVISIONS IN THE DESIGNATED JURISDICTIONS.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF USERS OF THIS LEGISLATION, BOTH IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD, THE WHOLE ORDINANCE, AS MODIFIED, WAS SET OUT IN SCHEDULE 3 TO THE ORDER, HE ADDED.
- 0 -
FOUR PILOT PROJECTS ON PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM UNDERWAY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT APPROACH HAS BEEN TO SELECT PRIORITY AREAS OF PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM AND USE PILOT PROJECTS TO TEST THE WIDER APPLICABILITY OF NEW CONCEPTS TO ENABLE IT TO DECIDE HOW BEST TO EXTEND THE BENEFITS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW, SIR DAVID SAY FOUR PILOT PROJECTS WERE UNDERWAY.
HE SAID THE FIRST PROJECT REVIEWED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE SCHOOLS EDUCATION PROGRAMME.
"THE OBJECT IS TO STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF THE POLICY SECRETARY IN ALLOCATING RESOURCES WITHIN HIS PARTICULAR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY.
"THE REVIEW HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND RECOMMENDED THE INTRODUCTION OF A FORMAL SYSTEM FOR REVIEWING POLICIES, AGREEING ON OBJECTIVES, AND EVALUATING PERFORMANCE BASED ON THE PRODUCTION OF AN ANNUAL POLICY STATEMENT BY THE BRANCH, AND AN ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN AND FIVE-YEAR PLAN BY THE DEPARTMENT," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE POLICY SECRETARY AND THE CONTROLLING OFFICER WOULD BE DELEGATED MORE FINANCIAL AUTHORITY TO MANAGE THEIR BUDGETS.
/HE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
HE ADDED THAT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON A TRIAL BASIS IN T.IB 1992/93 ESTIMATES.
SIR DAVID SAID THE SECOND PROJECT EXAMINED THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A TRADING FUND OPERATION INTO THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID A BUSINESS REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD CONCLUDED THAT IT COULD BENEFIT SUBSTANTIALLY IN TERMS OF REDUCED COSTS AND BETTER SERVICE BY TAKING A MORE COMMERCIAL APPROACH.
"WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW ACCOUNTING FRAMEWORK UNDER WHICH THE VEHICLE SECTION WILL CHARGE FULL COSTS FOR SERVICES IT PROVIDES TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE SPECIFIC FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL TARGETS.
"THIS FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE CREATION OF A TRADING FUND WILL BB TAKEN IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,” HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE THIRD PROJECT REVIEWED THE GOVERNMENT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAJOR STATUTORY BODIES.
"THE OBJECT OF THIS REVIEW IS TO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE BODIES BY FORMALISING THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR AGREEING ON OBJECTIVES AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
"THE REVIEW COVERS 13 MAJOR STATUTORY BODIES AND HAS LARGELY BEEN COMPLETED," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE INITIAL FINDING WAS THAT THE PRESENT REPORTING AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK WAS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, SUCH AS THE NEED FOR SOME BODIES TO DEFINE MORE CLEARLY THEIR OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVBS.
"THIS WILL BE LOOKED AT FURTHER BY POLICY SECRETARIES CONCERNED.
"IT IS OUR INTENTION TO UNDERTAKE THE REVIEW PERIODICALLY TO EXAMINE THE SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
THF. FOURTH PROJECT, HE SAID, EXAMINED INCREASING DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY BY CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND FINANCE BRANCH TO GIVE DEPARTMENTS MORE FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EFFECTIVE USE OF THEIR RESOURCES.
"CONTROLLING OFFICERS HAVE NOW BEEN DELEGATED AUTHORITY FOR APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS, CONTROL OF RECRUITING EXPENSES, CONTROL OF FUNDS FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AS WELL AS UNDER A NUMBER OF OTHER CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS.
"THIS PROCESS WILL CONTINUE," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
5
HE ADDED THAT SEPARATELY, FOUR WORKING GROUPS THE MAIN AREAS OF CONCERN TO DEPARTMENTS.
WERE LOOKING
AT
THESE INCLUDE RECRUITMENT, COMMITTEES, EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT, PROCEDURES.
DEPARTMENTAL
AND OFFICE
ESTABLISHMENT
ACCOMMODATION
THE PROGRAMME IS COMPLEMENTED AND SUPPORTED BY VALUE-FOR-MONEY STUDIES WHICH FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS TO SPECIFIC, INDIVIDUAL SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES,” HE CONCLUDED.
--------0-----------
GOVT REMAINS FULLY COMMITTED TO DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION » * » » t
THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME DESPITE THE REDUCTION OF MANPOWER AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN 1991/92, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR TSAO SAID THESE MEASURES WERE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT'S AUSTERITY PROGRAMME AND HE STRESSED THAT STANDARDS WILL BE MAINTAINED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BY MAKING THE BEST USE OF EXISTING SERVICES.
HE ALSO EMPHASISED THAT THOSE MEASURES HAD BEEN PROMPTED SOLELY BY THE NEED TO CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT'S RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
"THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IN WHICH THE DISTRICT BOARDS PLAY SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE.
"IN FACT, WHEN IMPLEMENTED ON APRIL 1, 1991, THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MONITORED CLOSELY AND GREAT CARE WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT SERVICES TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC REMAIN UNAFFECTED," MR TSAO SAID.
HOWEVER, MR TSAO SAID THE ACTUAL FIGURES TO BE PROPOSED FOR THE 1991/92 DRAFT ESTIMATES HAD NOT YET BEEN FINALISED.
ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT (MEI) AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, MR TSAO SAID THEY WERE CARRIED OUT EACH YEAR ON THE ADVICE OF THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT BOARDS OUT OF THEIR ANNUAL FUND ALLOCATIONS.
"THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THESE PROJECTS IS DETERMINED BY THE NUMBER OF REQUESTS OF FUNDING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FROM DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS EACH YEAR," HE SAID.
/FOR THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
6
FOR THIS REASON, MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH IN ADVANCE THE NUMBER OF MEI PROJECTS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE DEFERRED BECAUSE OF THE PROPOSED REDUCTION IN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
BUT MR TSAO ADDED THAT DISCUSSIONS WERE TAKING PLACE WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS WITH A VIEW TO DEVISING A NEW PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD LESSEN ANY ADVERSE IMPACT OF DIMINISHED ALLOCATION IN FUNDS.
"OUR AIM IS TO RESTORE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND AT LEAST IN PART, THE ALLOCATIONS FOR MEI’S," HE STRESSED.
--------g-----------
HK WILL REMAIN WMO'S TERRITORIAL MEMBER AFTER 1997
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE ITS OWN METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE AFTER 1997 AND WILL REMAIN A TERRITORIAL MEMBER OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION (WMO), THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE, SIR DAVID 8AID THIS WAS AGREED WITH THE CHINESE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"WE HAVE ALSO AGREED WITH THE CHINESE ON THE HONG KONG SAR’S PARTICIPATION IN A NUMBER OF OTHER UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT; THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC AND THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL TYPHOON COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
ON THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION FROM THE MINISTERIAL SESSION OF THE SECOND WORLD CLIMATE CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY THE WMO IN GENEVA LAST NOVEMBER, SIR DAVID SAID THE DECISION IN NO WAY PREJUDICED HONG KONG’S STATUS IN THE WMO OR ITS RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN ITS OWN NAME IN WMO CONFERENCES.
THIS HAD BEEN MADE CLEAR TO THE CHINESE SIDE, HE STRESSED.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE WHICH WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS.
THE FIRST SIX DAYS, WHICH WERE FOR TECHNICAL EXPERTS, WIRE ATTENDED THROUGHOUT BY THE HONG KONG DELEGATION.
AT THE SECOND PART, LASTING TWO DAYS, MINISTERS OF PARTICIPATING STATES WERE TO ENDORSE AN ACTION PLAN FOR DEALING WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE, SIR DAVID SAID.
/"THE INVITATION .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
"THE INVITATION TO HONG KONG TO ATTEND BOTH PARTS OF THE CONFEREN E WAS ISSUED BY THE WMO AND THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME.
"HONG KONG IS A "TERRITORIAL" MEMBER OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION, AS DISTINCT FROM A STATE, GOVERNMENTAL OR UNITED NATIONS MEMBER. BUT HONG KONG IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
WMO’S TERRITORIAL MEMBERSHIP WAS DESIGNED TO ENABLE NON-SOVEREJGN ENTITIES WHO MAINTAINED THEIR OWN METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES, SUCH AS HONG KONG, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION IN A CAPACITY DISTINCT FROM SOVEREIGN STATES, SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CONFERENCE WAS SPONSORED BY SIX INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HONG KONG PARTICIPATED IN THE ACTIVITIES OF ONLY TWO OF THESE : THE WMO AND THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION, SIR DAVID ADDED.
"PROCEEDINGS AT THE SECOND WORLD CLIMATE CONFERENCE WERE GOVERNED BY THE CONFERENCE’S OWN RULES OF PROCEDURE.
"THE CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT CONFIRMED THAT HONG KONG’S INVITATION FLOWED FROM ITS MEMBERSHIP OF THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANISATION," HE SAID.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ATTENDED THE FIRST PART OF THE CONFERENCE WHICH LASTED SIX DAYS AND FOUND IT VERY USEFUL," SIR DAVID SAID.
"SHORTLY BEFORE THE SECOND PART OF THE CONFERENCE THAT IS THE TWO DAY MINISTERIAL PART BEGAN THE PRC (PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA) QUESTIONED HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION ON THE BASIS THAT IT WOULD NOT BE CONSISTENT WITH ITS NON-SOVEREIGN STATUS.
"FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT IT WAS DECIDED THAT, SINCE THE MATTER COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY BE RESOLVED, THE HONG KONG DELEGATION SHOULD BE WITHDRAWN,” SIR DAVID SAID.
- - 0----------
/8.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
8
USE OF MEDICAL FACILITIES BY VR, VBP WILL NOT AFFECT SERVICE TO LOCALS *****
THE USAGE RATES OF MEDICAL FACILITIES BY VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE CAN BE ABSORBED WITHIN THE CAPACITY OF OUR HOSPITALS AND THUS HAVE HAD LITTLE IMPACT ON SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON M. D. CARTLAND, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD CHOW, MR CARTLAND SAID OVERALL, THE USE OF MEDICAL FACILITIES BY VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE CONSTITUTED LESS THAN THREE PER CENT OF THE CASE-LOAD AND OCCUPANCY IN REGIONAL HOSPITALS AND LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
"NO MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC HAS EVER BEEN TURNED AWAY OR DENIED PROMPT AND ADEQUATE TREATMENT BECAUSE OF THE USE OF THESE FACILITIES BY VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE USING THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE IN REGIONAL HOSPITALS HAD RISEN FROM 805 IN 1989 TO 992 IN 1990.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE AVERAGE OCCUPANCY OF REGIONAL HOSPITAL BEDS BY THESE PEOPLE HAD ALSO INCREASED FROM 2.3 PER CENT TO 2.9 PER CENT, HE SAID.
IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, MR CARTLAND SAID VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE ACCOUNTED FOR 0.4 PER CENT OF THE BED OCCUPANCY AND THAT THIS RATE HAD REMAINED STEADY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
NO RECORD WAS KEPT OF THEIR USE OF THE SUBVENTED ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE PRIOR TO MAY 1990.
"BASED ON THE STATISTICS AVAILABLE SINCE THEN, IT IS OBSERVED THAT APPROXIMATELY 120 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE VISIT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS EACH MONTH," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
MOTION ON ECR 4 PASSED ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE MOTION ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4, MOVED BY THE HON SELINA CHOW, WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TWENTY-THREE MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
/ANOTHER MOTION
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
9
ANOTHER MOTION UNDER THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE, MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, WAS ALSO PASSED.
MEANWHILE, FIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY WERE THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, COMMODITY EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 AND THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, A PRIVATE BILL INTRODUCED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE.
DEBATESON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
---------0-----------
/10.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
- 10 -
HK ESTABLISHING REPUTATION AS FASHION CENTRE
« « « « «
HONG KONG IS ESTABLISHING ITS REPUTATION AS A FASHION CENTRE AND CONSUMER DEMAND FOR ITS FASHION PRODUCTS IS GROWING, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG FASHION WEEK 1991, SIR DAVID SAID LAST YEAR HONG KONG WAS SECOND ONLY TO ITALY IN THE TOTAL VALUE OF GARMENTS EXPORTED.
THIS WAS AN IMPRESSIVE STATISTIC FOR A TERRITORY OF ONLY ABOUT 400 SQUARE MILES IN SIZE, HE SAID, ADDING THAT HONG KONG WAS HOWEVER RIGHTLY INTERESTED IN QUALITY AS WELL AS QUANTITY.
’’TWENTY YEARS AGO, HONG KONG WAS BEST KNOWN AS A MANUFACTURER OF JEANS AND T-SHIRTS.
"WE HAVE BEEN MOVING UP-MARKET EVER SINCE. TODAY THE BULK OF OUR GARMENT EXPORTS GO TO QUALITY STORES IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMBRCIA," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID DURING THIS PERIOD, HONG KONG'S GREAT STRENGTH HAD BEEN THAT WE COULD MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF OVERSEAS BUYERS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
"BUT WE ARE NOW BEGINNING TO GO FURTHER.WE GENERATE OUR OWN IDEAS ABOUT FASHION. WE HAVE AN ENTHUSIASTIC AND GROWING BODY OF YOUNG DESIGNERS.
"SO HONG KONG IS ESTABLISHING ITS REPUTATION AS A FASHION CENTRE. OUR MANUFACTURERS CAN SEE THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS. AND CONSUMER DEMAND FOR HONG KONG FASHION PRODUCTS IS GROWING," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID PEOPLE IN HONG KONG RECOGNISED THAT TO GROW WE MUST EXCHANGE IDEAS WITH OTHERS.
"FASHION IS ABOUT CHANGE. IT MEANS APPROACHING OLD IDEAS FROM NEW ANGLES; AND GENERATING COMPLETELY NEW IDEAS.
"THIS WEEK IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FASHION EXPERTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND FIND INSPIRATION IN HONG KONG'S UNIQUELY EXCITING AND VIBRANT SETTING," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG FASHION WEEK WAS GROWING IN IMPORTANCE.
"THE APPEARANCE FOR THE FIRST TIME HERE OF A EUROPEAN PAVILION IS A MARK OF THIS NEW STATURE," HE SAID.
FINALLY, THE GOVERNOR PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS YEAR'S HONG KONG FASHION WEEK — THE MODELS, THE BUYERS, DISTINGUISHED OVERSEAS VISITORS AND THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND STAFF OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WHO HAD WORKED HARD TO ORGANISE THE EVENT.
------0-------
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
11
FORGERY TRAVEL DOCUMENT RACKET SMASHED
*****
IMMIGRATION AND POLICE AUTHORITIES HAVE SUCCESSFULLY SMASHED A SYNDICATE BELIEVED TO BE ENGAGED IN FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENT PRODUCTION AFTER A TERRITORY-W1DE RAIDS IN THE PAST TWO DAYS RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 19 PERSONS, SOME SUSPECTED TO BE ITS MASTERMINDS AND KEY MEMBERS.
DURING THE OPERATION, INVESTIGATORS SEARCHED 28 LOCATIONS, INCLUDING ONE BELIEVED TO BE THE SYNDICATE’S COUNTERFEIT TRAVEL DOCUMENT PRODUCTION HOUSE AT TAI NAM STREET. OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, FIVE WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA.
THE OPERATION WAS JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY IMMIGRATION AND POLICE’S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION INTELLIGENCE BUREAU’S OFFICERS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE JOINT OPERATION THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON, THE HEAD OF THE INVESTIGATION DIVISION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, MR TANG CHIU-SHING, SAID THE SYNDICATE HAD BEEN PUT UNDER THEIR SURVEILLANCE FOR THREE MONTHS BEFORE THEY DECIDED TO LAUNCH AN OVERT OPERATION, COMMENCING AT 2230 HOURS ON MONDAY (JANUARY 14) TO NET SUSPECTED SYNDICATE MASTERMINDS AND MEMBERS.
MR TANG SAID MORE THAN 600 EXHIBITS, INCLUDING COMPLETE COUNTERFEIT MACHINE-READABLE HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORTS, PASSPORT INSIDE PAGES, PASSPORT COVERS, SUSPECTED PHOTO-SUBSTITUTED HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS, EQUIPMENTS AND SEALS BELIEVED TO BE USED FOR FORGING TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, WERE SEIZED.
HE SAID THE JOINT OPERATION WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL WHICH MANAGED TO QUASH THE PRODUCTION OF FORGED MACHINE-READABLE HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORTS RIGHT AT THE OUTSET.
"THIS IS THE FIRST OCCASION WHERE WE MANAGED TO STRIKE DIRECT AT THE FACTORY WHERE THE FORGERIES WERE MADE.
"WE HAVE ALSO ARRESTED SUSPECTED KEY MEMBERS OF THE SYNDICATE, TWO OF THEM WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA," MR TANG SAID.
MR TANG BELIEVED THAT THE SYNDICATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING FORGED DOCUMENTS TO NATIONALS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC) WHO WANTED TO SEEK ILLEGAL ENTRY TO COUNTRIES ABROAD.
THE SYNDICATE WAS ALSO SUSPECTED TO BE SUPPLYING FORGED HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM PRC.
"THE SYNDICATE IS BELIEVED TO BE SUPPLYING A FULL SET OF FORGED DOCUMENTS TO THEIR CLIENTS AT A PRICE OF BETWEEN HK$130,000 AND $150,000. THE WHOLESALE PRICE FOR A FORGED HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD IS AROUND HK$40,000 WHILE THE PRICE FOR A COUNTERFEIT PASSPORT IS AROUND HK$5,000," MR TANG ADDED.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
- 12 -
HE SAID THE USE OF FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS HAD BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WAS WORKING CLOSELY WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS TO ENHANCE LIAISON AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE.
”WE WANT TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP ANY POSSIBLE CLUE SO FAR AS TRACKING DOWN FORGERY ACTIVITIES ARE CONCERNED.
"OUR OFFICERS AT THE CONTROL POINTS ARE ON HIGH VIGILENCB AND ALERT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT PERSONS ATTEMPTING TO USE FORGED DOCUMENTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH,” MR TANG STRESSED.
HE BELIEVED THAT SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN FORCED TO AVOID HONG KONG ALTOGETHER.
-------------------0-------- OVERSEAS STUDY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BEING OFFERED TO LOCAL STUDENTS FOR A TWO-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSE AT FOUR CO-EDUCATIONAL RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES IN BRITAIN, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY THIS SEPTEMBER.
THE INSTITUTES ARE,THE ATLANTIC COLLEGE IN THE UK, PEARSON COLLEGE IN CANADA, AMERICAN WEST COLLEGE IN THE USA AND ADRIATIC COLLEGE IN ITALY.
THE COURSE IS RECOGNISED FOR UNIVERSITY ENTRY PURPOSES IN HONG KONG AND IN MOST OTHER COUNTRIES.
APPLICANTS MUST BE HONG KONG CITIZENS WITH AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS* RESIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY; AGED OVER 16 AND UNDER 18; AND POSSESS (OR HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF OBTAINING) A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION WITH AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS AT GRADE C OR ABOVE, INCLUDED ENGLISH (OR GCE EQUIVALENT).
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND A SELECTION INTERVIEW.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS, DONATED BY A NUMBER OF LOCAL LEADING ORGANISATIONS, WOULD NORMALLY COVER TUITION AND BOARDING FEES FOR THE TWO YEARS.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.
--------0-----------
/13 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991
13
*HK TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS’ PUBLISHED
Tl . 1991 EDITION OF "HONG KONG TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS" PUBLISHED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS BILINGUAL ANNUAL PUBLICATION PROVIDES BASIC INFORMATION SUCH AS THE ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND NAMES OF KEY OFFICIALS OF MORE THAN 240 TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS IN HONG KONG.
COMPILED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, IT SERVES AS A DIRECTORY FOR LOCAL TRADERS AND INDUSTR1ALISTS IN GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS, AS WELL AS A USEFUL REFERENCE GUIDE FOR THE PUBLIC.
ORGANISATIONS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER AND THERE IS A CROSS REFERENCE CLASSIFYING ORGANISATIONS BY THE NATURE OF THEIR BUSINESS.
AS AN EXAMPLE, UNDER THE SECTION "APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES", A TOTAL OF 12 RELATED ORGANISATIONS ARE INCLUDED.
FIRST INTRODUCED IN THE LATE 1970’S, THE PUBLICATION HAS PROVED POPULAR AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THOSE WISHING TO OBTAIN A FREE COPY SHOULD WRITE TO MISS AMY CHEUNG, DATA AND SERVICES DIVISION, INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
-----------------0------- THREE GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 18).
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED AT ORMSBY STREET, TAI HANG, MEASURES ABOUT 160 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL, EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL AND SERVICE APARTMENTS PURPOSES.
THE SECOND LOT IS A 12,090-SQUARE-METRE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITE LOCATED IN AREA 6, MA WO, TAI PO.
THE THIRD LOT IS AT THE JUNCTION OF KWOK SHUI ROAD AND CHEUNG WING ROAD, TSUEN WAN, AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 15,030 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HOSTILITIES IN GULF CAUSE NO DIREST THREAT TO HK: GOVERNOR ....................... 1
COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES' STATEMENT ON GULF CRISIS ............................... 2
OIL SUPPLIES REMAIN NORMAL IN HK ................................................. 2
AIR MAIL SERVICES TO MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES SUSPENDED ............................. 3
APPOINTMENTS TO THE HIGH COURT AND DISTRICT COURT................................. 4
SOUTHERNERS RETURN TO VIETNAM .................................................... 5
ARRANGEMENT FOR INT'L VALUE ADDED SERVICES ....................................... 6
AMENDMENTS TO DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE PROPOSED ................................. 7
POTENTIAL CANDIDATES URGED TO SUBMIT NOMINATION FORMS EARLY ...................... g
HK ENTERS NEW PHASE IN IMO AFFAIRS ............................................... 8
GOVT GRADUATE TEACHERS URGED TO MAINTAIN PROFESSIONALISM ........................ 10
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSMEN IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ....................... 10
UPWARD TREND IN NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES IN 1990 ............................... H
CUSTOMS AND POLICE JOINT OPERATION AT LO WU CARGO YARD .......................... 13
FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENT PRINTING FACTORY SMASHED ................................. 14
CHILDREN NEED REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ....................................... 14
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW .............................................. 15
PRE-WAR BUILDING IN KENNEDY TOWN DECLARED DANGEROUS ............................. 16
1990 HK ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS ON SALE ..................................... 16
CHINESE VERSION OF CRIME REPORT AVAILABLE ....................................... 17
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN YAU TSIM ................................................ 17
CENSUS EXHIBITION IN TAIKOO SHING .......................;....................... 18
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 1 -
HOSTILITIES IN GULF CAUSE NO DIREST THREAT TO HK: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO DIRECT THREAT TO HONG KONG AS A RESULT OF THE GULF WAR.
"THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE SHORTAGES OF OIL AND NO IMMEDIATE SHORTAGES OF FOOD. BUT PEOPLE WILL, I’M SURE, WISH TO KNOW THAT WHENEVER CONTINGENCY PLANS ARE NECESSARY THAT THOSE CONTINGENCY PLANS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP."
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE ATTENDING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
"THE OTHER POINT IS THAT WHERE THERE ARE SECURITY MEASURES THAT ARE NECESSARY, JUST IN CASE THERE ARE CONTINGENT PROBLEMS, THOSE SECURITY MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN. THE ONE OBVIOUS EXAMPLE THAT PEOPLE WILL FIND IS AT THE AIRPORT WHERE THERE IS INCREASED SECURITY AND INCREASED CHECKING," HE SAID.
"THAT MAY MEAN THAT THERE WILL BE MORE TIME TAKEN SOMETIMES TO GET THROUGH SOME OF THE CHECKS AT THE AIRPORT, BUT I’M SURE THAT EVERYBODY WILL WELL UNDERSTAND THE REASON FOR THAT AND THEY WILL RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THAT PARTICULAR NEED," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THAT IT WAS A TRAGEDY THAT ALL THE EFFORTS THAT HAD BEEN MADE TO GET A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO GET IRAQ TO WITHDRAW PEACEFULLY FROM KUWAIT HAD MET NO RESPONSE.
"NOW THAT HOSTILITIES HAVE STARTED WE MUST ALL HOPE THAT THEY WILL BE CONCLUDED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
ASKED WHETHER IRAQIS IN HONG KONG WOULD BE ARRESTED, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF JUST ARRESTING PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE A PARTICULAR NATIONALITY.
"THE NUMBER OF IRAQIS IN HONG KONG CAN BE COUNTED ON LESS THAN THE FINGERS OF ONE HAND,” HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE LONG TERM EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY, SIR DAVID SAID: "CLEARLY A CONFLICT WILL HAVE SOME EFFECT ON THE WORLD ECONOMY. ALREADY THERE WERE PROBLEMS IN THE UNITED STATES AND ELSEWHERE."
"BUT WE DON’T GET AS DIRECTLY AFFECTED AS SOME OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD AND IN THAT SENSE WE ARE FORTUNATE; AND WE DON’T GET DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH OIL SUPPLIES AS SOME OTHER PLACES," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY IN HONG KONO DEPENDED ON COAL AND NOT OIL, SIR DAVID SAID THE REAL ANSWER WOULD DEPEND ON HOW LONG THE CONFLICT LASTED: "AND NOBODY AT'THIS STAGE CAN PREDICT HOW LONG THAT WILL BE."
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/2 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
2
COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES' STATEMENT ON GULF CRISIS * * * * *
THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG, MAJOR GENERAL PETER DUFFELL, ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON:
"YOU WILL BE AWARE THAT HOSTILITIES IN THE GULF STARTED THIS MORNING WITH THE ALLIED AIR AND MISSILE ATTACK ON IRAQI INSTALLATIONS. HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES ARE MONITORING EVENTS AS CLOSELY AS WE CAN BUT AT THIS EARLY STAGE WE HAVE FEW DETAILS BEYOND MEDIA REPORTS.
"WE ARE AWARE THAT BRITISH FORCES, PARTICULARLY ROYAL AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT AND THEIR CREW WERE INVOLVED. AS MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH SERVICES WE NATURALLY FEEL A DEEP INTEREST IN THE PROGRESS AND OUTCOME OF THE HOSTILITIES AND WE ARE PARTICULARLY CONSCIOUS OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF SOME 200 MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON.
"AS FAR AS WE ARE AWARE HOSTILITIES HAVE SO FAR BEEN LARGELY LIMITED TO AIR AND MISSILE ACTIVITY AND IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT ANY OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON HAS YET BEEN INVOLVED.
"OUR SERVICEMEN INVOLVED IN THE GULF AND ALL THEIR FAMILIES ARE VERY MUCH IN OUR THOUGHTS AT THIS TIME. WE SHALL KEEP THE MEDIA INFORMED OF ANY EVENTS WHICH PARTICULARLY AFFECT THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE MEN OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON DEPLOYED IN THE GULF.
"HERE IN HONG KONG AS HAS ALREADY BEEN ANNOUNCED, A NUMBER OF PRUDENT SECURITY MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN, SOME OF WHICH INVOLVE THE GARRISON. IT WOULD NOT BE SENSIBLE TO ELABORATE ON THESE BUT THEY ARE BEING KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW TO MEET ANY PERCEIVED THREAT."
OIL SUPPLIES REMAIN NORMAL IN HK
* * * * *
WITH THE OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES IN THE GULF, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, TODAY (THURSDAY) GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT OIL SUPPLIES REMAINED NORMAL AND "THERE IS NO NEED FOR CONCERN".
SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS DIRECTOR OF OIL SUPPLIES, MR BARMA SAID HE HAD BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ALL THE OIL COMPANIES IN ORDER TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE STATISTICS ON LOCAL STOCKS AND THE DATES OF SHIPMENTS TO HONG KONG.
HE SAID SINCE STOCKS BOTH LOCALLY AND IN THE REGION WERE ADEQUATE TO MEET NORMAL DEMAND THERE WAS NO NEED FOR PEOPLE TO BUY MORE FUEL THAN WAS NECESSARY. HE ALSO REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT STORING FUELS SUCH AS PETROL WAS DANGEROUS.
"IN VIEW OF THE SUPPLY SITUATION, THE RETAIL PRICE OF OIL PRODUCTS LOCALLY IS STABLE AND, EVEN IF THERE IS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN WORLD PRICES BECAUSE OF THE GULF WAR, IT WOULD BE SOME TIME BEFORE THE EFFECTS, IF ANY, WOULD BE FELT IN HONG KONG," MR BARMA SAID.
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 3 -
HE SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR SUPPLIES AND PRICES.
HE CONFIRMED THAT THE OIL DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE COMPRISING OIL COMPANY AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES WOULD MEET REGULARLY TO REVIEW THE SITUATION.
"FURTHER UPDATES WILL BE PROVIDED AS NECESSARY,” MR BARMA SAID.
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AIR MAIL SERVICES TO MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES SUSPENDED *****
ALL AIR MAIL SERVICES INCLUDING SPEEDPOST TO A NUMBER OF MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES ARE SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THESE COUNTRIES ARE:
BAHRAIN (STATE OF) CYPRUS
GAZA AND KHAN YUNIS IRAN
IRAQ ISRAEL
JORDAN KUWAIT
LEBANON OMAN, SULTANATE OF
QATAR (DOHA AND UMM SAID) SAUDI ARABIA
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC TURKEY
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES YEMEN (REPUBLIC OF)
IN ADDITION, AIR PARCEL, SMALL PACKET AND SPEEDPOST MERCHANDISE SERVICES TO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND ALL CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES ARE SUSPENDED DUE TO RESTRICTIVE AIRLINE PROVISION.
SPEEDPOST AND AIR LETTERS CONTAINING ONLY PERSONAL OR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE TO THESE PLACES WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED.
AS A RESULT OF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN BY AIRLINES IN RESPONSE TO THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GULF AREA, THE PUBLIC MAY EXPECT SOME DELAY IN AIR MAIL SERVICES TO ALL DESTINATIONS OUTSIDE THE MIDDLE EAST.
SURFACE MAIL TO MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES EXCEPT IRAQ AND KUWAIT WILL NOT BE AFFECTED FOR THE TIME BEING.
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/4 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
4
APPOINTMENTS TO THE HIGH COURT AND DISTRICT COURT
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ , •
THE JUDICIARY TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENTS OF A HIGH COURT JUDGE AND FIVE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES.
JUDGE THOMAS MITCHELL GALL WAS APPOINTED A HIGH COURT JUDGE WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 14, 1991.
BORN IN BURRA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, IN 1942, MR GALL RECEIVED HIS LEGAL EDUCATION IN ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY FROM 1960 TO 1965. HE BECAME BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA IN 1966.
MR GALL WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE FROM 1966 TO 1973 WHEN HE JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG AS A CROWN COUNSEL. HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN 1976, AND TO ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN 1981. HE WAS APPOINTED A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE IN 1982.
OF THE FIVE APPOINTMENTS OF JUDGES OF THE DISTRICT COURT, THREE WERE FROM WITHIN THE JUDICIARY AND TWO FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
THE APPOINTMENTS OF MISS LEAH CANNON, MISS CLARE MARIE BEESON AND MR MICHAEL PETER BURRELL, ALL FORMERLY PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATES, TOOK EFFECT FROM JANUARY 14, 1991.
MISS CANNON WAS BORN IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, IN 1937. SHE STUDIED IN UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO FROM 1962 TO 1968, WAS ADMITTED AS SOLICITOR IN NEW ZEALAND IN 1968 AND AS BARRISTER THE FOLLOWING YEAR. SHE WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE BETWEEN 1969 AND 1981.
IN 1982, MISS CANNON WAS APPOINTED A MAGISTRATE IN HONG KONG AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE IN 1987.
BORN IN NEW ZEALAND IN 1948, MISS BEESON OBTAINED LL.B DEGREE IN UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND IN 1971. SHE WAS ADMITTED AS BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND IN 1972.
MISS BEESON WAS A SOLICITOR IN NEW ZEALAND BETWEEN MARCH 1973 AND MARCH 1975. SHE JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG AS A CROWN COUNSEL IN APRIL 1975 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN 1980. SHE WAS APPOINTED A MAGISTRATE IN 1984 AND PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE IN 1990.
MR BURRELL WAS BORN IN ENGLAND IN 1948. HE ATTENDED CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY FROM 1967 TO 1970 AND WAS CALLED TO THE BAR IN 1971.
BETWEEN 1972 AND 1986, MR BURRELL PRACTISED AS A BARRISTER IN LIVERPOOL. HE WAS APPOINTED A MAGISTRATE IN HONG KONG IN 1986, AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE IN 1990. HE IS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG MAGISTRATES ASSOCIATION.
THE APPOINTMENTS OF MR COLIN GRAHAM JACKSON AND MR BERNARD WHALEY, BOTH FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, WILL TAKE EFFECT ON COMPLETION OF THEIR PRESENT DUTIES.
/BORN IN .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
5
BORN IN ENGLAND IN 1945, MR JACKSON OBTAINED HIS LAW DEGREE AT LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY IN 1967. HE WAS ADMITTED AS A SOLICITOR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF ENGLAND AND WALES IN 1970 AND AS A BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA IN 1982.
MR JACKSON JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AS CROWN COUNSEL IN JANUARY 1981. HE WAS PROMOTED 10 SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN 1982, TO DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN 1986, AND TO PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN 1989.
MR WHALEY, BORN IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA IN 1944, OBTAINED HIS LAW DEGREE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN IN 1967. HE WAS A PUBLIC PROSECUTOR IN SALISBURY, RHODESIA, FROM 1970 TO 1972, AND WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AS AN ADVOCATE OF THE HIGH COURT OF RHODESIA BETWEEN 1972 AND 1983.
IN JUNE 1983, MR WHALEY JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AS CROWN COUNSEL AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN 1984.
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SOUTHERNERS RETURN TO VIETNAM
» * * » »
FOR THE FIRST TIME, A SPECIAL STOP WAS MADE IN SOUTH VIETNAM TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE LATEST OF THE REGULAR FLIGHTS CARRYING VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO GO HOME.
THIS WAS TO ALLOW 29 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TO DISEMBARK IN HO CHI MINH CITY.
WELCOMING THE DEVELOPMENT, THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME A GROUP OF SOUTHERNERS HAD RETURNED HOME FROM HONG KONG UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
A FEW INDIVIDUAL SOUTHERNERS HAVE PREVIOUSLY GONE BACK BUT BECAUSE OF THEIR SMALL NUMBERS, THEY HAVE RETURNED VIA HANOI ON THE REGULAR UNHCR FLIGHTS.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN LARGE ENOUGH TO FORM A GROUP FOR RETURN, AND THEREFORE TO ARRANGE A SEPARATE STOP IN HO CHI MINH CITY.
MR LEEKS SAID THIS INDICATED THAT THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE WERE GETTING THE MESSAGE THAT THERE WAS NO FUTURE FOR NON-REFUGEES STUCK IN DETENTION CENTRES IN HONG KONG.
"LIKE THE NORTH VIETNAMESE BEFORE THEM, SOUTHERNERS ARE NOW REALISING THAT FOR THE GREAT MAJORITY WHO WILL BE SCREENED OUT AS NONREFUGEES, HONG KONG IS NOT A SHORT CUT TO A NEW LIFE IN THE WEST.
/"THIS IS....... •
THURSDAY, JANUARY J 7, 1991
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR US AS MOST OF OUR ARRIVALS IN 1990 AND SO FAR IN 1991 HAVE COME FROM SOUTH VIETNAM," HE SAID.
MR LEEKS POINTED OUT THAT SOME 6,400 VOLUNTEERS HAD ALREADY GONE BACK IN ORDER TO BUILD NEW LIVES FOR THEMSELVES IN VIETNAM OR TO APPLY TO EMIGRATE LEGALLY UNDER THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME.
"WE HOPE THAT MANY OF THE OTHER THOUSANDS OF SOUTHERNERS ALREADY IN DETENTION CENTRES WILL FOLLOW SUIT, RATHER THAN WASTE THEIR TIME LANGUISHING IN A DETENTION CENTRE IN HONG KONG WITHOUT ANY HOPE OF RESETTLEMENT.
"OUR MESSAGE TO ANY OTHERS CONSIDERING SETTING OUT FOR HONG KONG IS FOR THEM TO THINK AGAIN, IN VIEW OF THE BLEAK PROSPECTS THEY FACE,” HE SAID.
A TOTAL OF 123 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE LEFT ON TODAY’S REPATRIATION FLIGHT.
THE 29 SOUTHERNERS WERE MADE UP OF 19 MEN, FOUR WOMEN, TWO BOYS AND FOUR GIRLS.
THE 94 OTHERS IN THE GROUP COMPRISED 40 MEN, 19 WOMEN, 20 BOYS AND 15 GIRLS.
THIS WAS THE 47TH FLIGHT UNDER THE UNHCR PROGRAMME, BRINGING TO 6,510 THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE RETURNED TO VIETNAM SINCE THE PROGRAMME BEGAN IN MARCH 1989.
ARRANGEMENT FOR INT’L VALUE ADDED SERVICES ******
FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH U.S. TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICIALS, VALUE ADDED DATA AND FACSIMILE SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE U.S. MAY NOW BE PROVIDED TO THIRD PARTIES USING INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LEASED CIRCUITS (IPLC’S), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE SERVICES INVOLVED WILL BE PROVIDED ON IPLC’S LEASED AT THE NORMAL FLAT RATES FROM HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL LTD AT THE HONG KONG END AND FROM THE U.S. INTERNATIONAL CARRIERS AT THE U.S. END.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL OPEN THE WAY FOR THE COMPETITIVE PROVISION OF A WIDE RANGE OF AFFORDABLE INTERNATIONAL VALUE ADDED SERVICES TARGETTED AT THE SOPHISTICATED BUSINESS USER," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE ARRANGEMENT APPLIED ONLY TO VALUE ADDED SERVICES PROVIDED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE U.S.
/"HOWEVER, WE ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
"HOWEVER, WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE IMPLEMENT! WITH OTHER LIKEMINDED TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE ADDED.
INDUSTRY ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SCOPE OF SERVICES COVERED BY THE ARRANGEMENT AND THE LICENSING PROCEDURES APPLICABLE IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH, HONG KONG POST OFFICE, FIFTH FLOOR, SINCERE BUILDING, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
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AMENDMENTS TO DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE PROPOSED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN THE WAY DANGEROUS DRUGS ARE SOLD AND CONSUMED ILLEGALLY, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE.
THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), IS TO REMOVE UNRELIABLE PROVISIONS AND IMPROVE INADEQUATE ONES RELATING TO THE PRESUMPTION THAT POSSESSION OF MORE THAN SPECIFIED AMOUNTS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING.
"THE SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN THE PURITY OF NO. 3 HEROIN AND THE EMERGENCE OF HIGH PURITY NO. 4 HEROIN AT STREET LEVEL IN RECENT YEARS HAVE RADICALLY CHANGED THE LOCAL DRUG ABUSE PATTERN, LEADING MORE ADDICTS TO CONSUME NO. 4 HEROIN OR A MIXTURE OF NO. 3 AND NO. 4 HEROIN," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"IN ADDITION TO PACKETS, HEROIN IS NOW SOLD IN SEALED DRINKING STRAW SEGMENTS, OR EVEN ALREADY MADE UP IN SYRINGES.
"THERE ARE ALSO MIXTURES CONTAINING A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF VARIOUS DANGEROUS DRUGS ABUSED BY ADDICTS."
THE BILL IS TO AMEND SECTION 46 OF THE ORDINANCE BY RAISING THE PRESUMPTION OF POSSESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING WHERE A PERSON IS IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN FIVE "CONTAINERS" OF DANGEROUS DRUGS OR IN POSSESSION OF ONE OR MORE DANGEROUS DRUGS WEIGHING HALF A GRAM OR MORE.
UNDER THE EXISTING LAW A PERSON IS PRESUMED TO HAVE POSSESSION OF DRUGS FOR TRAFFICKING IF HE HAS MORE THAN A SPECIFIED QUANTITY OF A MIXTURE CONTAINING DANGEROUS DRUGS.
BECAUSE NO. 3 HEROIN IS NOW SUCH A WEAK MIXTURE - LESS THAN THREE PER CENT PURE COMPARED WITH 30 PER CENT PURE A DECADE AGO - THIS IS NO LONGER A RELIABLE YARDSTICK.
IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO CHANGE THE LAW SO THAT THE PRESUMPTION IS RAISED WHEN THE ACTUAL WEIGHT OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS NOT THE MIXTURE IN WHICH IT IS CONTAINED - EXCEEDS A SPECIFIED LEVEL.
/ANYONE FOUND .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
AN >NE FOUND GUILTY OF POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNLAWFUL TRAFFICKING FACES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION. HIS PROCEEDS FROM DRUG TRAFFICKING MAY ALSO BE CONFISCATED.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 30. .
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POTENTIAL CANDIDATES URGED TO SUBMIT NOMINATION FORMS EARLY * * * * *
POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE 1991 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ARE REMINDED THAT THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY (JANUARY 21).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID: "THE CLOSING TIME OF DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE URBAN AREA IS 5.30 PM AND THAT OF NEW TERRITORIES OFFICES IS 5.15 PM.”
"CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED TO HAND IN THEIR NOMINATION FORMS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT ANY ANOMALY CAN BE RECTIFIED BY THE CLOSE OF PLAY ON MONDAY."
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HK ENTERS NEW PHASE IN IMO AFFAIRS ******
WITH THE COMING INTO OPERATION OF THE AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER, HONG KONG ENTERS A NEW PHASE IN ITS PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO) AFFAIRS, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A HONG KONG SHIPOWNER’S ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON MEETING, MR SZE SAID HONG KONG WAS NOW SOLELY RESPONSIBLE TO THE OWNERS OF HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS FOR ENSURING THAT THEIR INTERESTS WERE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT IN THE FORMULATION OF SHIPPING POLICY AND THE CREATION OF NEW OBLIGATIONS BY THE IMO.
IN ORDER TO DISCHARGE THIS VERY IMPORTANT
RESPONSIBILITY
EFFECTIVELY I HAVE RE-ORGANISED THE FORMER TECHNICAL POLICY DIVISION, MARINE DEPARTMENT SO THAT REPRESENTATION AT THE IMO HAS BECOME THE DIVISION’S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY," HE SAID.
THE DIVISION HAS BEEN RENAMED THE MULTILATERAL POLICY DIVISION AND ITS OBJECTIVES ARE:
* TO SECURE (AT ANY IMO OR INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS) THE BEST ATTAINABLE AGREEMENTS AND OTHER OUTCOMES FOR THE GENERAL BENEFIT OF HONG KONG;
/* TO PROMOTE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 9 -
* TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT HONG KONG’S PORT AND SHIPPING INTERESTS AND THE SHIPPING SERVICES HONG KONG PROVIDES IN ITS POSITION AS A MAJOR PORT AND WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE;
* TO DEMONSTRATE THAT HONG KONG HAS A RESPONSIBLE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION WITH STRONG PROFESSIONAL BACK-UP WHICH IS CONCERNED TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS FOR SAFETY AT SEA AND THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT;
* TO PROMOTE AND TO ENSURE THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE REGISTER; AND
* TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE LIAISON WITH OWNERS OF HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS TO ENSURE THE INTERESTS OF SUCH OWNERS ARE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT IN ALL THE ABOVE OBJECTIVES.
AS REGARDS LIAISON WITH OWNERS OF HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS, MR SZE SAID HE WAS IN FAVOUR OF A STANDING COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE ON MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION AT THE IMO AND THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE REGISTER.
MR SZE SAID: "WE WILL NEED TO HAVE ON THE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNER’S ASSOCIATION. EQUALLY, WE MUST HAVE REPRESENTATIVES OF OWNERS OF HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS.
"THESE WILL BE CHOSEN NOT NECESSARILY ON THE BASIS Of REGISTERED TONNAGE BUT ON ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING POLICY."
MR SZE THANKED THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE SHIPOWNER’S ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN SETTING UP THE AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
THE SHIPPING REGISTER, WHICH BEGAN OPERATIONS ON DECEMBER 3 LAST YEAR, IS BACKED UP BY A POOL OF QUALIFIED MARINE PROFESSIONALS, MASTER MARINERS, ENGINEERS AND SHIP SURVEYORS.
IN ADDITION, HONG KONG’S FIRST PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE IMO WAS APPOINTED IN 1987 AND BASED IN LONDON. THIS GAVE HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE FULL RANGE OF IMO BUSINESS.
APART FROM THE IMO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ALSO PARTICIPATES ACTIVELY IN NON-GOVERNMENTAL INTERNATIONAL MARITIME BODIES.
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/10 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 10 -
GOVT GRADUATE TEACHERS URGED TO MAINTAIN PROFESSIONALISM *****
THE FOLLOWING IS ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY) IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE UNION OF GRADUATE OFFICERS IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS' REACTION TO THE RECENT REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY APPEALED TO GRADUATE TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO MAINTAIN THEIR PROFESSIONALISM AND AVOID TAKING ANY ACTION WHICH WOULD DISRUPT THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS UNDER THEIR CARE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY ACCEPTED THE STANDING COMMISSION’S REPORT AND THAT ANY RECONSIDERATION WOULD ONLY BE POSSIBLE IF THE TEACHERS COULD PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL NEW ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THEIR CASE.
HOWEVER, IF THEIR CONCERNS DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE COMMISSION, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THESE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TEACHERS’ UNION CONCERNED
"WE HOPE THAT THE TEACHERS WILL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THEIR CONCERNS WITH THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH EXISTING CHANNELS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSMEN IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED EFFORT IN IMPLEMENTING THE VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND POLICY COMMITMENT MADE IN THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION HAS GIVEN RISE TO MANY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 1990'S, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID THE PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON ENVIRONMENT-RELATED PRODUCTS OVER THE NEXT DECADE WOULD BE AT LEAST EQUIVALENT TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROJECTED BUDGET FOR THE PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES WHICH WAS ABOUT $20 BILLION AT 1988 PRICES.
DR REED TOLD MEMBERS OF THE FRENCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AT ITS LUNCHEON MEETING THAT THROUGH VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, THEY COULD CONTRIBUTE BOTH PERSONALLY AND THROUGH THE OPERATION OF THEIR COMPANIES TO HALT THE EXPLOITATION OF HONG KONG’S LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS.
HE SAID THIS COULD BE DONE BY PROVIDING SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FIELD TO SUPPORT THE VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN HAND, AND BY MAKING SURE THAT ANY PRODUCTS THEY INTRODUCED TO THE HONG KONG MARKET WERE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
/"FOR EXAMPLE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 11
"FOR EXAMPLE, I BELIEVE THAT FRANCE EXPORTED TO HONG KONG OVER $100 MILLION OF PAPER AND PAPER BOARD LAST YEAR. I HOPE THAT AT LEAST SOME OF THIS WAS OF THE RECYCLED VARIETY.
"WE IN EPD ARE CERTAINLY VERY KEEN TO PROMOTE THE USE OF RECYCLED PAPER WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SCHEMES UNDERWAY AT PRESENT INVOLVING EITHER WASTE PAPER COLLECTION OR TRIALS OF RECYCLED PRODUCTS.
"ALSO, I HOPE THAT VEHICLE IMPORTERS WILL BE READY TO IMPORT THE VERSIONS FITTED WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS SHORTLY AFTER WE INTRODUCE UNLEADED PETROL ON APRIL 1, 1991 AND IN ADVANCE OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT IN EARLY 1992 FOR NEW CARS TO BE FITTED WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS."
DR REED SAID ANOTHER WAY THAT MEMBERS OF THE FRENCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION COULD CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT WAS WHERE THEY WERE RESOURCING FRENCH IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG.
"YOU CAN DO THIS BY TAKING A DIRECT INTEREST IN THE EFFECT THAT THE PRODUCTION OF SUCH ITEMS HAS ON THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
"YOU MAY FEEL THAT I AM BEING UNREALISTIC IN SUGGESTING TO YOU THAT YOU DON’T SOURCE THESE GOODS FROM FACTORIES THAT PUSH OUT WAVES OF BLUE AND ORANGE DYES INTO THE NEW TERRITORIES STREAMS AND OUR COASTAL WATERS," HE SAID, "ALTHOUGH I KNOW OF ONE MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CLOTHING CHAIN IN HONG KONG WHICH IS CONSIDERING DOING JUST THAT."
HONG KONG EXPORTED AND RE-EXPORTED TO FRANCE OVER $1 BILLION WORTH OF CLOTHING IN 1990.
DR REED SAID MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO GAIN COMMERCIALLY AND FINANCIALLY FROM HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES.
OUTLINING THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES FOR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT OVER THE COMING DECADE, DR REED SAID "ENVIRONMENT" WOULD BE A MAJOR BUSINESS GROWTH AREA FOR THE YEARS TO COME IN HONG KONG.
-----0-------
UPWARD TREND IN NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES IN 1990
*****
NINETEEN NINETY WAS THE FIRST YEAR SINCE 1986 WHICH SHOWED AN UPWARD TREND IN THE NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES REACHING THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST YEAR SINCE 1985 THAT NEW COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS WERE MORE THAN NEW PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES.
/"THERE WERE........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 12 -
"THERE WERE 286 NEW COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND 209 NEW PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING FIGURES OF 158 AND 177 IN 1989, AN INCREASE OF 47.76 PER CENT," MR GLEESON SAID.
"HOWEVER, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW CASES AT 495 WAS ONLY 71 PER CENT OF THE HIGHEST EVER TOTAL FIGURE OF 699 WHICH WAS RECORDED IN 1985," HE ADDED.
THE BUSINESSES MAINLY AFFECTED BY BANKRUPTCIES AND COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS INCLUDED GARMENT AND KNITTING MANUFACTURING AND TRADING, IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS, COMPANY DIRECTORS GIVING PERSONAL GUARANTEES, CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC MANUFACTURING AND RESTAURANTS AND CANTEENS.
PETITIONS WERE FILED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID (50 PER CENT), TRADE CREDITORS (25 PER CENT), BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (20 PER CENT) AND OTHERS (FIVE PER CENT).
MORE COMPLICATED OR SIGNIFICANT INSOLVENCIES DURING THE YEAR WERE MAGNIFICENT GARMENTS LTD, GRAND UNION LIFE ASSURANCE LTD, ARMOUR INSURANCE CO. LTD, NATIONAL EMPLOYERS’ MUTUAL GENERAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION LTD, VAN SHUN DYEING FACTORY LTD, SANG LEE INVESTMENT CO. LTD, COIN HOUSE LTD, AND PAUL NG ALSO KNOWN AS NG TSE MO.
TOTAL DIVIDENDS DECLARED BY- THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER DURING 1990 AMOUNTED TO $54.8 MILLION IN 253 INSOLVENCIES, AS AGAINST $139.9 MILLION IN 308 INSOLVENCIES IN 1989.
MR GLEESON NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL PAY-OUT IN ONE LARGE INSOLVENCY DURING 1989.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE INSOLVENCY CASES BEING HANDLED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT THE END OF THE YEAR WAS 1,573, REPRESENTING 870 COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS AND 703 PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES, AS AGAINST A TOTAL OF 1,608 AT THE END OF 1989.
FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AT THE END OF THE YEAR TOTALLED $1,004 MILLION AS AGAINST $1,297 MILLION AT THE END OF 1989, A DECREASE OF 22.5 PER CENT.
HE ALSO ADMINISTERED A SUM OF US$7.8 MILLION TOGETHER WITH A JOINT LIQUIDATOR.
/13........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 13 -
CUSTOMS AND POLICE JOINT OPERATION AT LO WU CARGO YARD
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE TODAY (THURSDAY) CONTINUED THEIR CLAMP-DOWN ON ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ON BOARD FREIGHT WAGONS COMING FROM CHINA.
IN AN OPERATION CONDUCTED AT THE LO WU CARGO YARD, OFFICERS SEARCHED THE WAGONS TO DETECT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA AND CONTRABAND CONCEALED AMONG CARGOES, IN PARTICULAR FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS COMMAND, MR LEUNG HO, SAID THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING EFFORTS IN CURBING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES WHICH MIGHT OCCUR ON BOARD FREIGHT WAGONS.
’’THERE WILL BE NO LET-UP IN OUR EFFORTS AND SIMILAR OPERATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN FUTURE,” MR LEUNG SAID.
TODAY’S OPERATION WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS. POLICE OFFICERS FIRST SEARCHED ALL FREIGHT WAGONS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA. THEN CUSTOMS OFFICERS TOOK OVER AND SEARCHED THE CARGO.
EIGHT POLICE DETECTOR DOGS WERE ALSO USED TO ASSIST IN THE OPERATION.
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND THE RECENT DISCOVERY OF THREE TONS OF FIREWORKS BY THE POLICE AT TAI PO, MR LEUNG TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND THE PUBLIC NOT TO BRING FIREWORKS, SUCH AS FIRECRACKERS, INTO HONG KONG ON THEIR RETURN FROM CHINA.
’’UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF STORING DANGEROUS GOODS WITHOUT A LICENCE IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT,” HE SAID.
THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO REMINDED NOT TO BRING INTO HONG KONG OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS, SUCH AS DANGEROUS DRUGS, ANTIBIOTICS AND PART I POISONS. CONTRAVENTION WILL BE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION UNDER RELEVANT ORDINANCES.
THE QUANTITIES OF DUTIABLE GOODS IMPORTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS IN THEIR BAGGAGE FOR THEIR OWN USE WHICH MIGHT BE EXEMPTED FROM DUTY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
LIQUOR - ONE LITRE OF STILL WINE
TOBACCO - 100 CIGARETTES OR 25 CIGARS OR 125
GRAMS OF SMOKERS’ TOBACCO
PERFUME - 60 MILLILITRES
TOILET WATER - 250 MILLILITRES
"PASSENGERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO BRING IN LIQUOR OR TOBACCO,” HE ADDED.
0---------
/14 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
14
FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENT PRINTING FACTORY SMASHED * * * * *
CONTINUED EFFORTS BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CRACKED A SUSPECTED FORGED TRAVEL DOCUMENT PRINTING FACTORY IN CENTRAL TODAY (THURSDAY), WITH THE ARRESTS OF FIVE PEOPLE, ONE OF WHOM BELIEVED TO BE THE FACTORY’S OPERATOR.
THE OPERATION WAS JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE’S ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION INTELLIGENCE BUREAU.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE SCENE, THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IMMIGRATION OFFICER OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATION DIVISION, MR P.K. LEUNG, SAID THE OPERATION WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.
"THE PRODUCTION MACHINERY OF THE FORGERY SYNDICATE, WHICH WAS SMASHED TWO DAYS AGO, HAD BEEN SEIZED," HE SAID.
THE SEIZURE INCLUDED TWO PRINTING MACHINES, ELECTROPLATES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COUNTERFEIT BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORTS, AND FINISHED COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS.
THE FIVE SUSPECTS ARE STILL UNDER IMMIGRATION CUSTODY.
- - 0---------
CHILDREN NEED REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
*****
THERE IS A NEED TO MAKE CHILDREN IN HONG KONG PARTICIPATE IN REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES SO THAT A HEALTHY EXERCISE HABIT CAN BE DEVELOPED AND SUSTAINED THROUGHOUT THEIR ADULTHOOD, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICAL FITNESS AWARD SCHEME, MR LI ALSO POINTED OUT TO PARENTS AND SCHOOL HEADS THAT INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH HAD INDICATED THAT MODERATE EXERCISE ENABLED INDIVIDUALS TO DO BETTER IN VARIOUS ACADEMIC TESTS.
ATTENDING WERE LADY WILSON AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG CHILDHEALTH FOUNDATION, DR HENRIETTA IP.
MR LI SAID PHYSICAL EDUCATION PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
THE PROCESS OF ACHIEVING A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN INCLUDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PHYSICAL FITNESS, MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SPORTSMANSHIP.
"THEY NEED ALSO TO BE ENCOURAGED TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PERSONAL AND PUBLIC HYGIENE AND TO MAKE WORTHY USE OF THEIR LEISURE BY TAKING PART IN SUITABLE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES,” HE SAID.
/MR LI ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
15 -
MR LI SAID A RECENT STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG CHILDHEALTH FOUNDATION INDICATED THAT THE PHYSICAL FITNESS LEVEL OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN HAD GONE DOWN.
HE SAID IT WAS EASY TO UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE, IN LIVING IN ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED AREAS IN THE WORLD, CHILDREN IN HONG KONG HAD LIMITED SPACE TO EXERCISE THEMSELVES.
BUT, MR LI ADDED, AS FROM LAST SEPTEMBER, 22 PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND MORE THAN 8,000 CHILDREN WERE NOW PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHOOL PHYSICAL FITNESS AWARD SCHEME.
"THE SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST ALL CHILDREN TO IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL FITNESS THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME.
"PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO CONTINUED ASSESSMENTS DESIGNED TO MONITOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PHYSICAL FITNESS," HE SAID.
MR LI HOPED THAT THROUGH THESE PROCESSES, CHILDREN WOULD COME TO APPRECIATE THE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND LEARN HOW TO PLAN A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMME FOR THEMSELVES, FINALLY CULTIVATING THE HABIT OF EXERCISING REGULARLY.
LADY WILSON, ACCOMPANIED BY DR IP AND THE SUPERVISOR OF SHANGHAI ALUMNI PRIMARY SCHOOL, MRS PEGGY LAM, LATER VIEWED AN EXHIBITION OF THE FOUNDATION’S LATEST WORK AND A DEMONSTRATION OF THE PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS OF THE AWARD SCHEME BY STUDENTS FROM PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.
- - 0----------
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUPLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
--------0-----------
/16 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
16
PRE-WAR BUILDING IN KENNEDY TOWN DECLARED DANGEROUS ♦ ♦ » ♦ »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 36 HAU WO STREET, KENNEDY TOWN TO BE DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED OF LOAD-BEARING BRICKWALLS WITH TIMBER FLOORS, STAIRS AND ROOF.
A RECENT INSPECTION OF THE BUILDING INDICATED THAT PART OF THE MAIN ROOF HAD COLLAPSED WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE ROOF TIMBERS IN AN ADVANCED STATE OF DETERIORATION.
THERE WAS ALSO EXTENSIVE CRACKING TO THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW ARCHES AND THE CANTILEVERED BALCONY SLABS ON EVERY UPPER FLOOR.
HE SAID RECENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE REAR MAIN WALL AND THE PARTY-WALL WITH 38 HAU WO STREET WAS ALSO NOTED, AND THE TIMBER STAIRS BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THE SECOND FLOORS WERE IN A POOR CONDITION..
THE BUILDING IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE DETERIORATED TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS CONSIDERED DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 14 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY.
---------0-----------
1990 HK ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS ON SALE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE 1990 EDITION OF THE HONG KONG ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS, PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, IS NOW ON SALE.
THIS ANNUAL PUBLICATION IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE OF OFFICIAL STATISTICS, BRINGING TOGETHER IN ONE VOLUME UP-TO-DATE STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS OF HONG KONG.
THE REPORT COVERS STATISTICS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING POPULATION AND VITAL STATISTICS, LABOUR, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES, TRANSPORT AND SERVICES, EXTERNAL TRADE, GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, PUBLIC FINANCE, MONEY AND BANKING, PRICES AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE, FOOD SUPPLIES, TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS AND TOURISM, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE, LAW AND ORDER, AND CULTURE AND RECREATION.
/ALTOGETHER THERE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
17
ALTOGETHER THERE ARE ABOUT 300 TABLES IN 20 SECTIONS, COVERING WHEREVER POSSIBLE A 10-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1980-1989.
THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE AT $98 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALE COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
-----0-------- '
CHINESE VERSION OF CRIME REPORT AVAILABLE
******
THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE REPORT ON THE 1990 CRIME VICTIMISATION SURVEY IS NOW AVAILABLE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT DETAILED FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, ALONG WITH THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT, HAD BEEN RELEASED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE FINDINGS WERE BASED ON A SURVEY CONDUCTED IN JANUARY 1990 BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
THE MAIN FINDINGS WERE THAT THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME VICTIMISATION DECREASED BY 30 PER CENT IN 1989 COMPARED WITH 1986, THAT THE CRIME REPORTING RATE INCREASED FROM 32 PER CENT TO 34 PER CENT DURING THE SAME PERIOD, AND THAT ABOUT HALF OF THE POPULATION AGED 18 AND ABOVE CONSIDERED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE SHOULD NOT BE ABOLISHED.
COPIES OF THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT HAVE BEEN ON SALE SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COPIES OF THE CHINESE VERSION ARE NOW ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THESE TWO OUTLETS.
---------------0-------- FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN YAU TSIM *****
A CARNIVAL TO SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE HELD AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20).
IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AND WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY SHOW, POLICE BAND PERFORMANCE, STALL GAMES, A QUIZ, LUCKY DRAW AND DISPLAY OF CRIME PREVENTION EQUIPMENT.
/A SIMULATED .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 18 -
A SIMULATED REPORT ROOM WITH A ONE-WAY VIEW IDENTIFICATION PARADE FACILITY WILL BE SET UP TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REPORT CRIME AND TO COME FORWARD AS WITNESSES WHEN REQUIRED.
CARDS WITH TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF POLICE STATIONS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SHOP OWNERS AND RESIDENTS.
ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES BEING HELD IN THE DISTRICT TO ENLIST PUBLIC SUPPORT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL WILL BE THE YAU TSIM POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER FERRY; DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; AND DISTRICT BOARD CHARIMAN, MR YIP WAH.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY (JANAURY 20) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
--------0-----------
CENSUS EXHIBITION IN TAIKOO SHING
*****
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE WEST BRIDGE EXHIBITION AREA, SECOND FLOOR, CITYPLAZA 2, TAIKOO SHING.
ORGANISED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT REMINDING THE PUBLIC OF THE FORTHCOMING POPULATION CENSUS AND TO CALL FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION.
APART FROM SETTING OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT, THE EXHIBITION ELUCIDATES THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS AND GRAPHICS THE ENUMERATION METHODS TO BE USED IN THE CENSUS AND HOW THE DATA COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
’’THE SELF-ENUMERATION METHOD, IN PARTICULAR, WILL BE USED IN HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN' SAID SIX OUT OF SEVEN HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE ENUMERATED THIS WAY WHILE THE OTHER ONE-SEVENTH HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE ENUMERATED BY THE TRADITIONAL INTERVIEWING METHOD.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991
- 19 -
THOSE SELECTED FOR SELF-ENUMERATION WOULD RECEIVE QUESTIONNAIRE MAILED TO THEM BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CENSUS.
A SIMPLE DEPARTMENT
’’THE HOUSEHOLD HAS TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE ACCORDINGLY AND THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE WOULD BE COLLECTED BY THE ENUMERATOR PERSONALLY DURING THE CENSUS.
"IT IS THEREFORE FAIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE EXHIBITIONS,” HE SAID.
IMPORTANT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO GAIN A
DIFFERENT METHODS THROUGH VISITING THE
THE EXHIBITION AT CITYPLAZA IS THE FIFTH IN A SERIES MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD IN PROMINENT LOCATIONS SUCH AS___ ARCADES AND MTR STATIONS SO THAT THE MESSAGE CAN BE E. . CONVEYED TO THE LARGEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF
PEOPLE.
OF 11 SHOPPING
EFFECTIVELY
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE DAILY UNTIL JANUARY 20. THE EXHIBITS WILL HONG KONG CITY IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON JANUARY
PUBLIC FROM 11 AM TO THEN BE MOVED TO THE 25.
7 PM CHINA
THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN MARCH 15
AND 24.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NOVEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ...... 1
LAND OFFICE FIGURES FOR 1990 RELEASED ................................. 5
TRAVEL ADVICE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS AND HK RESIDENTS .................. 8
SUSPENSION OF TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME FROM APRIL .................... 8
GOVERNMENT LOTS SOLD FOR $440.2 MILLION ............................... 10
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED ............................................... H
TWO GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ..................................... 11
COMMUNITY SUPPORT IMPORTANT TO JPC SCHEME ............................. 12
OVERALL CRIME DOWN IN FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 .......................... 12
FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE........................... 14
RECLAMATION OF INDUSTRIAL LAND IN TSEUNG KWAN 0........................ 16
PRIVATE LANE TO BE RESUMED FOR WIDENING OF ARBUTHNOT ROAD ............. 16
TENDERS INVITED FOR RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION WORKS ................ 17
TENDERS INVITED FOR REMEDIAL WORKS TO RESERVOIR OVERFLOW SPILLWAY ..... 18
RENFREW ROAD TO BE RECONSTRUCTED ...................................... I8
FISHERMEN ON STUDY TOUR TO AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE .................... 18
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ............................... I9
MOST OUTSTANDING HKCEE STUDENT RECEIVES AWARD ......................... 20
FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ............................. 21
FIGHT-CRIME BUS PARADE IN KOWLOON CITY ................................ 21
STODEWS HAVE CHANCE TO SHOW THEIR PAINTING TALENTS .................... 22
MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION ON MOVE ............................ 23
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING TO BE CLOSED .................................... 23
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
NOVEMBER ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED
»«*♦»*
IN NOVEMBER 1990, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990, BUT DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN NOVEMBER 1990 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989, THE ORDERS POSITION IN NOVEMBER 1990 DROPPED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE TEXTILES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY INCREASED MODERATELY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN NOVEMBER 1990 DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990, AND BY 11 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989.
COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1990 DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989, EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1990 DECREASED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY.
IN NOVEMBER 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT, IN MONEY TERMS, WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990.
OVER THIS PERIOD, PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF BONUSES IN OCTOBER BY SOME MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED. A SLIGHT DECREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
/ON THE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 2 -
ON THE OTHER HAND, SLIGHT INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, WEARING APPAREL AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES, WHILE THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 1990 INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT, IN MONEY TERMS, IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED. INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1990 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990 AND MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 1990 INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990 AND SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1989. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT IN NOVEMBER 1990 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990 AND NOVEMBER 1989.
IN NOVEMBER 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1990, BUT SHOWED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OVER NOVEMBER 1989.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY IS NOT BASED ON A SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE, THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE MERELY A REFLECTION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ’ COMPANIES SURVEYED.
HOWEVER, GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 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. 839 3222.
/TABLE.kl.......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
3 -
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
INDUSTRY ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AS AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 1990 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
OCT. 90 NOV. 89 (t) -1
(MONTHS) 4.21 (X) ♦
WEARING APPAREL 4.59 * -3
TEXTILES 2.05 * -11
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.30 -11
FABRICATED METAL 4.06 * -fl
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.27 t . A
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 4.08 * -1
» CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 1990
INDUSTRY/SERVICES CHANGE WHEN OCT. 90 COMPARED WITH NOV. 89
<«)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -1 -11
FOOD AND DRINKS +1 4-1
WEARING APPAREL * -10
TEXTILES -3 -15
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -4 -23
FABRICATED METAL + 1 -5
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND -1 -13
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS ♦ -5
CONSTRUCTION # -1 -6
/SERVICES ......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
SERVICES + 1 + 3
_ — —
BANKS ♦ + 3
HOTELS -5
PUBLIC UTILITIES ♦ *
OTHERS 42 +8
♦ CHANGES WITHIN 4/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN NOVEMBER 1990 CHANGS WHEN COMPARED WITH
OCT. 90 NOV. 89
(HKt) (X) (X)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 6,074 -2 + 17
FOOD AND DRINKS 6,879 ♦ 116
WEARING APPAREL 4,914 + 1 413
TEXTILES 5,605 +1 + 17
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 6,070 ♦ 2 420
FABRICATED METAL 5,941 -1 + 18
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5,906 -8 417
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 7,872 t 418
CONSTRUCTION # 8,536 + 2 + 10
SERVICES 10,293 42 418
BANKS 9,639 ♦ 1 + 1B
HOTELS 6,451 -3 415
PUBLIC UTILITIES 10,723 + 5 422
OTHERS 11,157 416
* CHANGES WITHIN 4/- 0.5%
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/NOTE : .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 5 -
NOTE : DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.O. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
NOTE TO TABLES 1 - 3 : UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS", WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
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LAND OFFICE FIGURES FOR 1990 RELEASED » « * * «
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS • REGISTERED LAST YEAR FOR THE AREAS OF HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON WAS 69,255, AN INCREASE OF 12.9 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITHTHE FIGURE FOR 1989, ACCORDING TO LAND OFFICE FIGURES FOR 1990 RELEASED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE AGREEMENTS ALSO INCREASED BY 9.3 PER CENT FROM $89.7 BILLION IN 1989 TO $98,014 BILLION IN 1990.
DURING 1990, 91,088 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE REGISTERED IM THE URBAN AREA, COMPARED WITH 87,676 IN 1989.
OF THESE A TOTAL OF 9,846 ASSIGNMENTS WERE COMPLETED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, COMPARED WITH 10,709 IN 1989.
THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS INCREASED BY 9.8 PER CENT FROM $98,842 BILLION TO $108,527 BILLION.
THERE WERE 441 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 42 PER CENT LESS THAN IN 1989. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS WAS LOWER DURING 1990 BY 31.3 PER CENT FROM $31,176 BILLION IN 1989 TO $21.42 BILLION.
SIXTY-ONE BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 95,975 OTHER MORTGAGES FOR THE URBAN AREA WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 60 AND 90,822 RESPECTIVELY IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED DURING THE YEAR ROSE BY 201.9 PER CENT, FROM $2,555 BILLION TO $7,716 BILLION.
/THE AMOUNT .......
Friday, January 18, 1991
6 -
THE AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES DROPPED BY 2.7 PER CENT, FROM $59,597 BILLION TO $57.99 BILLION.
REPAYMENTS .UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS IN THE URBAN AREA, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEES’ RECEIPTS, DROPPED BY 30.8 PER CENT, FROM $35.03 BILLION IN 1989 TO $24,254 BILLION IN 1990.
SEARCHES IN THE HONG KONG LAND OFFICE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DECREASED BY 1.8 PER CENT TO 1,537,630.
THE URBAN LAND OFFICE MAINFRAME COMPUTER REACHED MAXIMUM CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY AT THE END OF 1990. A NEW MAINFRAME HAS BEEN ACQUIRED AND WILL ENABLE SEARCHES OF THE COMPUTERISED REGISTERS AND REGISTRATION OF DEEDS TO BE MORE EFFICIENTLY CONDUCTED.
PROPOSALS ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION TO COMPUTERISE THE EIGHT DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES BUT THIS IS STILL A LONG WAY OFF.
THERE WERE 1,216 SURRENDERS AND RESUMPTIONS OF LAND WITH A TOTAL COMPENSATION OF $0,723 BILLION PAID IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, COMPARED WITH 2,095 AND $1,567 BILLION IN 1989.
THE TAKEOVER OF NORTH DISTRICT LAND REGISTRY ON JULY 23 LAST YEAR COMPLETED THE PROJECT FOR THE TAKEOVER OF ALL EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
DURING 1990, THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 304,206 INSTRUMENTS, AGAIN AN ALL TIME HIGH, INCLUDING 57,835 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS, 75,266 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS, 4,545 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 94 BUILDING MORTGAGES, 89,908 OTHER MORTGAGES AND 43,455 MORTGAGEES’ RECEIPTS, REASSIGNMENTS AND CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF CONSIDERATION OF $46,848 BILLION, $50,667 BILLION, $5,950 BILLION, $1,706 BILLION, $19,841 BILLION AND $8,899 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES MR GLEESON SAID THEY REFLECTED A CONTINUING HIGH LEVEL OF ACTIVITY IN THE PROPERTY MARKET GENERALLY DURING THE YEAR AND ALSO THE CONTINUING URBANISATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE TERRITORY NOW STOOD AT 1,320,271, AN INCREASE OF 107,271 OR 8.8 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE AT THE END OF 1989 WHICH ITSELF WAS AN INCREASE OF 18.3 PER CENT OVER 1988.
A TOTAL OF 1,286 GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS WERE CONCLUDED IN 1990 IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES COMPARED WITH 1,380 IN 1989.
/AMONGST THE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
AMONGST THE MORE SIGNIFICANT OF THESE TRANSACTIONS WERE THE FOLLOWING :
- THE SALE BY CASH TENDER ON JANUARY 3 OF A 11,220-SQUARE METRE SITE (RURAL BUILDING LOT NO. 3) AT PEAK ROAD TO STOOKET LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $328,000,000 FOR NONINDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
- THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 23 OF A 2,941-SQUARE METRE SITE (NEW KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 5971) AT WANG HOI ROAD, KOWLOON BAY TO SOLANA LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $238,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
- THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 23 OF A 5,220-SQUARE METRE SITE (HUNG HOM INLAND LOT NO. 545) AT MAN LOK STREET, HUNG HOM TO VIEW SUCCESS INVESTMENTS LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $200,000,000 FOR GODOWN PURPOSES.
- THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JUNE 22 OF A 2,900-SQUARE METRE SITE (INLAND LOT NO. 8740) AT HOI CHAK STREET, QUARRY BAY TO DELOSA INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $130,000,000 FOR GODOWN PURPOSES.
- THE GRANT ON SEPTEMBER 1 OF A 17,247-SQUARE METRE SITE (DD 390 LOT 261) IN SHAM TSENG, TSUEN WAN TO PENKILAN LIMITED BY WAY OF EXCHANGE AT A PREMIUM OF $250,000,000 FOR NONINDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN AND HOTEL) PURPOSES.
- THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON NOVEMBER 22 OF A 7,198-SQUARE METRE SITE (NKIL 6144) IN YEN CHOW STREET, SHAM SHUI PO TO FOTOSKY INVESTMENT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $280,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL AND RESIDENTIAL) PURPOSES.
- THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON NOVEMBER 22 OF A 12,670-SQUARE METRE SITE (FANLING SHEUNG SHUI TOWN LOT NO. 53) IN AREA 29A, FANLING TO YENISEY COMPANY LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $256,000,000 FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
- THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON DECEMBER 11 OF A 9,820-SQUARE METRE SITE (TAI PO TOWN LOT NO. 112) IN AREA 6, MA WO, TAI PO TO MERRY MILES LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $197,000,000 FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
- - 0 - -
/8 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 8 -
TRAVEL ADVICE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS AND HK RESIDENTS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
ON THE ADVICE OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISES BRITISH NATIONALS AND HONG KONG RESIDENTS THAT IT IS BETTER TO AVOID TRAVEL TO THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES UNLESS THEY HAVE STRONG REASONS TO GO THERE -
SAUDI ARABIA BAHRAIN QATAR UNITED ARAB EMIRATES OMAN YEMEN JORDAN SYRIA ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES SOUTH EASTERN TURKEY EGYPT LIBYA ALGERIA TUNISIA MOROCCO MAURITANIA BURKINA FASO NORTHERN NIGERIA SUDAN IRAN PAKISTAN BANGLADESH PHILIPPINES
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 829 3075/6 DURING OFFICE HOURS OR 543 1958 OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS.
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SUSPENSION OF TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME FROM APRIL ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
TRIADS WILL BE GIVEN A LAST CHANCE OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM THE TAINT OF TRIAD MEMBERSHIP.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME WOULD BE SUSPENDED FROM APRIL 1.
THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE SUSPENSION, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JANUARY 30.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1981
9
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 8, 1988 AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO ALLOW PERSONS TO FORMALLY RENOUNCE THEIR MEMBERSHIP OF A TRIAD SOCIETY IN RETURN FOR A STAY OF PROSECUTION FOR OFFENCES RELATED TO TRIAD MEMBERSHIP UNDER THfc SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
"THE SCHEME WAS AIMED PARTICULARLY AT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BECOME TRIAD MEMBERS UNDER DURESS OR OUT OF IGNORANCE OF THE IMPLICATIONS, AND AS A RESULT, HAVING A BLACK CLOUD HANGING OVER THEIR CHANCES OF LEADING CRIME-FREE AND USEFUL LIVES," THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
HE ADDED THAT THE RESPONSE TO THE SCHEME HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING. UP TO THE END OF DECEMBER 1990, A TOTAL OF 4,479 ENQUIRIES AND 959 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 549 GENUINE TRIAD MEMBERS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RENOUNCED TllfelR TRIAD MEMBERSHIP SO FAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DECISION TO SUSPEND THE SCHEME WAS MADE IN THE BELIEF THAT TWO YEARS WAS LONG ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO WERE SINCERE IN THEIR INTENTIONS TO RELINQUISH THEIR TRIAD INVOLVEMENT TO COMB FORWARD.
"AN EXTENSION OR PERMANENT AVAILABILITY OF THE SCHEME COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE OR EVEN COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE EFFECT AS THIS COULDT ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL RENOUNCERS TO DEFER THEIR APPLICATIONS AND TEMPT OTHERS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO BECOME TRIAD MEMBERS IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY COULD MAKE A RENUNCIATION LATER," HE EXPLAINED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN PARALLEL WITH THE SUSPENSION OF THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARING NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDING FOR TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES, INCLUDING TRIADS. THESE WILL INCLUDE HEAVIER PENALTIES AND THE FORFEITURE OF ASSETS.
"ONCE THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL IS PASSED, A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED TO ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL RENOUNCERS TO COMB FORWARD BEFORE APRIL 1, AS APPLICATIONS RECEIVED ON OR AFTER THAT DATS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"TRIADS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THIS FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO RENOUNCE THEIR TRIAD MEMBERSHIP BEFORE THE SCHEME IS SUSPENDED AND THE NEW TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME ARB INTRODUCED," Hfi ADDED.
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/10 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
10
GOVERNMENT LOTS SOLD FOR $440.2 MILLION ♦ * » ♦ »
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $440.2 MILLION AT A PUBLIC AUCTION HELD AT THE CITY HALL TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
TOPPING THE LIST WAS THE LOT LOCATED IN AREA 6, MA WO, TAI PO, WHICH WAS BOUGHT BY BEST REWARD DEVELOPMENT LTD. FOR $280 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $200 MILLION.
THE SITE, MEASURING 12,090 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 23,940 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE SECOND LOT, A SITE OF ABOUT 15,030 SQUARE METRES AT THE JUNCTION OF KWOK SHUI ROAD AND CHEUNG WING ROAD IN TSUEN WAN, WAS SOLD TO GOLDSTEAD PROPERTIES LTD. AT $147 MILLION. THE BIDDING OPENED AT $100 MILLION.
IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 29,500 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE THIRD LOT IS LOCATED AT ORMSBY STREET, TAI HANG AND MEASURES ABOUT 160 SQUARE METRES. IT WAS BOUGHT BY PERFECT RICH DEVELOPMENT LTD. FOR $13.2 MILLION AFTER THE BIDDING OPENED AT $4.5 MILLION.
THE SITE IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL, EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL AND SERVICE APARTMENTS, PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 768 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 17, 1994.
THE AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR ROGER NISSIM, WHO SAID HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS.
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/Il .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY It, ItM
- 11 -BANKING LICENCE REVOKED *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE BANKING LICENCE OF BANK FUR GEMEINWIRTSCHAFT AG (BFG) HAS BEEN REVOKED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AT THE REQUEST OF THE BANK.
"BFG WAS GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE IN 1981. OWING TO ITS GLOBAL RESTRUCTURING, THE BANK HAS CEASED OPERATING IN HONG KONG SINCE SEPTEMBER 1990,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AFTER THE REVOCATION, THERE ARE 167 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 137 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
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TWO GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION
*****
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ON FEBRUARY 11 BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, AND WILL. BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 25, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,559 SQUARE METRES, IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE AND GODOWN FOR DANGEROUS GOODS.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 7,677 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED AT TUI MIN HOI, SAI KUNG.
MEASURING ABOUT 2,850 SQUARE METRES, IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 6,840 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1994.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE VARIOUS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE ISLANDS.
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/12 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 12 -
COMMUNITY SUPPORT IMPORTANT TO JPC SCHEME * * * * *
THE UNCEASING SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE SUCCESS OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL (JPC) SCHEME, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JPC PATRONS RECEPTION AT THE POLICE OFFICERS’ CLUB, MR LI SAID A WIDE RANGE OF JPC ACTIVITIES WERE SPONSORED BY CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS.
ESTABLISHED IN 1974, THE AIM OF THE JPC SHCEME IS TO PROVIDE HEALTHY ACTIVITIES TO ITS MEMBERS.
"THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN JPC ACTIVITIES, YOUNGSTERS WILL BE GUIDED ALONG IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT INTO PUBLIC SPIRITED AND LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS," MR LI SAID.
SINCE ITS INCEPTION, MORE THAN 540,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE JOINED THE SCHEME.
"AT PRESENT, THERE ARE SOME 162,000 ACTIVE JPC MEMBERS AND 15,000 JPC LEADERS," MR LI SAID.
MR LI NOTED THAT IN THE COMING MONTHS, A JPC RECRUITMENT DRIVE WOULD BE LAUNCHED TO FURTHER EXPAND THE SCHEME, ADDING THAT HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUED COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
TODAY’S RECEPTION WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 400 GUESTS WHO HAVE IN THE PAST YEARS RENDERED ASSISTANCE TO JPC ACTIVITIES.
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OVERALL CRIME DOWN IN FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990
« » ♦ * ♦
OVERALL CRIME WAS DOWN DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 AND DECEMBER SAW A DROP IN CRIME AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO DOUBT A NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-CRIME OPERATIONS WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT PART IN REDUCING CRIME," HE SAID.
SPEAKING IN A PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH A SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE FOR THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, MR LI GAVE AN OVERVIEW ON POLICE EFFORTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
ACKNOWLEDGING CHINA CONNECTION IN A NUMBER OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORY, MR LI SAID FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE HONG KONG POLICE HAD BEEN DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL LINKS WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN CHINA.
/"AGREEMENTS HAVE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
13 -
"AGREEMENTS HAVE BEEN REACHED ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ISSUES -WE HAVE FUR EXAMPLE ESTABLISHED WORKABLE PROCEDURES FO.” EXCHANGING INFORMATION QUICKLY ON CASES INVOLVING GUNS, DRUGS, SMUGGLING AND CAR THEFT.
"I DO NOT FOR ONE MOMENT SUGGEST THAT BECAUSE OF THIS WE SHOULD ALL EXPECT THE PROBLEMS TO GO AWAY," HE SAID.
"IT DOES MEAN HOWEVER THAT WE ARE MAKING IT VERY MUCH HARDER FOR THOSE WHO WOULD MAKE USE OF THE BORDER, EITHER FOR UNLAWFUL GAIN OR TO ESCAPE JUSTICE.
"THE SEIZURE OF VAST QUANTITIES OF DRUGS IN CHINA, HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF OUR CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP.
"THE SAME APPLIES EQUALLY TO THE SEIZURE OF GUNS AND THE ARREST OF THOSE INVOLVED IN GUN RUNNING AND SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES," MR LI SAID.
MR LI ALSO ADDRESSED THE TRIAD PROBLEM WHICH HE SAID HAD GIVEN THE PUBLIC MUCH CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
"THE STRONG AND VISIBLE OPERATIONS AGAINST TRIAD HAUNTS AND PERSONALITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN A FEATURE OF POLICE OPERATIONS IN RECENT MONTHS WILL CONTINUE," THE POLICE CHIEF REITERATED.
REFERRING TO SPECIFIC POLICE MEASURES, MR LI SAID THAT A NUMBER OF STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE COVERAGE BY POLICE.
"THIS COVERAGE IS CALCULATED TO THWART THE ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO WOULD IMPORT AND USE WEAPONS IN THE TERRITORY.
"THE MEASURES WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED INCLUDE THE INCREASED SEARCHING BY BOTH POLICE AND CUSTOMS OF TRAINS AND VEHICLES ENTERING HONG KONG, AND AT CARGO HANDLING YARDS AND PASSENGER RAILWAY STATIONS; STEPPED UP VIGILANCE BY BORDER UNITS, SUPPORTED BY CID, TO DETECT AND DETER CRIMINALS AND GUN SMUGGLERS; AND INCREASED PATROLS AND SEARCHES AT SEA BY MARINE POLICE OFFICERS," MR LI SAID.
AT A BRIEFING SESSION FOR DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN HELD BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CRIME, MR WONG TSAN-KWONG, SAID THAT OVERALL CRIME WAS LOWER BY ALMOST THREE PER CENT THAN IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, AVERAGING 242 REPORTED CASES DAILY.
"DESPITE MEDIA HEADLINES CONCERNING ARMED ROBBERIES AND OTHER CRIMES OF VIOLENCE, THE OVERALL FIGURE FOR VIOLENT CRIME HAS DROPPED 5.4 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER," HE SAID.
"THAT WAS BROUGHT ABOUT MAINLY BY THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF WOUNDINGS AND SERIOUS ASSAULTS.
"WHILST THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE USE OF PISTOL LIKE OBJECTS IN ROBBERIES HAS INCREASED, I AM ABLE TO REPORT A DECREASE IN THE PROVEN USE OF GENUINE FIREARMS FROM 23 INCIDENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER TO 17 IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
/"THE TOTAL .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 14 -
"THE TOTAL NUMBER OF JEWELLERY/WATCH SHOPS BEING ATTACKED HAVE ALSO DROPPED BY SEVEN TO 18," MR WONG ADDED.
"OF GREATER IMPORTANCE, IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL REDUCTION IN THE USE OF FIREARMS, WAS THAT POLICE SEIZED 28 HANDGUNS INCLUDING 20 COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED FIREARMS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER," HE SAID.
MR WONG NOTED THAT ANOTHER ISSUE WHICH HAD GENERATED A LOT OF PUBLIC INTEREST DURING THE SAME QUARTER WAS THE THEFT OF VEHICLES.
"IN RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM, POLICE COMBINED PRO-ACTIVE AND REACTIVE MEASURES AND SUCCEEDED IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES BEING TAKEN.
"OUR INTELLIGENCE-BASED COUNTER OPERATIONS BROUGHT ABOUT THE NEUTRALISATION OF A NUMBER OF SYNDICATES AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO TAKE A MULTI-FACETED AGGRESSIVE STANCE ON THIS MATTER.
"THE FOURTH QUARTER SAW A 10 PER CENT REDUCTION IN NUMBER FROM THE PREVIOUS QUARTER AND IN DECEMBER THERE WAS A 45 PER CENT DROP COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON TRIAD-RELATED CRIME, MR WONG SAID THAT THE 333 UNLAWFUL SOCIETY CASES RECORDED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER WAS UP ON THE THIRD QUARTER.
"THESE ARRESTS WERE OF A PREVENTIVE NATURE, PRINCIPALLY BROUGHT ABOUT BY OUR HEIGHTENED RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM," HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO REPORTED THAT OPERATION "LEVINGTON" WAS PLANNED TO STRIKE AT TRIADS, GANG MEMBERS AND OTHER CRIMINALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY OPERATED.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, DURING THE COURSE OF "LEVINGTON", 4,011 PREMISES WERE VISITED BY THE POLICE, AND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WERE CHECKED.
THIS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 47 WANTED PERSONS, AND 442 OTHERS WERE ARRESTED FOR A VARIETY OF CRIMES.
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FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE ♦ * * ♦ ♦
A SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE FOR THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST CRIME, TO REPORT CRIME TO THE POLICE AND TO COME FORWARD WITH INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE.
ANNOUNCING THE DETAILS IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC) PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE, THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH, MR DENNIS COLLINS, SAID THAT THE SLOGAN FOR THE SPECIAL DRIVE WAS "JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME".
/NOTING THAT .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
15
NOTING THAT THE THREE THEMES FOR THE CAMPAIGN WERE "PREVENT CRIME", "REPORT CRIME" AND "PROVE CRIME", MR COLLINS SAID THAT THESE WERE THE CIVIC DUTIES OF EACH MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC IN HONG KONG.
"WE HOPE THE SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE WILL ENCOURAGE THE PUfeLlC TO UNDERTAKE EACH OF THESE DUTIES WITH EVEN GREATER VIGOUR AND ENTHUSIASM," HE SAID.
MR COLLINS SAID THAT A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES WOULD TAKE PLACE AT THE CENTRAL AND DISTRICT LEVEL TO SUPPORT THE SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE.
"THESE INCLUDE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE 19 DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, BUS TOURS BY FCC MEMBERS TO VISIT SUCH ACTIVITIES AND DISTRIBUTION OF FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY PACKAGES TO 100,000 HOUSEHOLDS.
"THE HIGHLIGHT OF THESE ACTIVITIES WILL BE THE ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT FIGHT CRIME SPECIAL ON FEBRUARY 1," HE SAID.
TO TIE IN WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRODUCED A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO DISSEMINATE CAMPAIGN MESSAGES TO ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
FIVE NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (API’S) ON THE "REPORT CRIME" AND "PROVE CRIME" THEMES WILL BE SCREENED ON BOTH TV STATIONS FROM TODAY.
A GENERAL POSTER TO PROMOTE THE NEW CAMPAIGN SLOGAN "JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME" AND A POSTER URGING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME HAVE BEEN PRODUCED. THESE WILL BE DISPLAYED AT GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES AND WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO DISTRICTS FOR DISPLAY AT SUITABLE VENUES.
SIMILAR POSTERS WILL ALSO BE MOUNTED ON THE TRACK-SIDE POSTER SITES IN MTR STATIONS AND INSIDE MTR TRAINS.
TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE NEW CAMPAIGN AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC, A SPECIAL THEME SONG HAS BEEN WRITTEN AND SUNG BY POPULAR ACTOR ANDY LAU TAK-WAH. THE THEME SONG WILL BE BROADCAST AS GOVERNMENT MESSAGES BY RADIO STATIONS FROM NEXT WEEK.
A MUSIC VIDEO ON THE SONG IS ALSO BEING PRODUCED AND IS
Expected to go on air on both tv stations in early February.
APART FROM GOVERNMENT PUBLICITY EFFORTS, THE CAMPAIGN HAS THE WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT FROM THE MEDIA AND COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WILL BE SCREENING THE NEW FIGHT CfclME API'S DURING RACES FOR ONE MONTH STARTING JANUARY 27, WHILE CINEMA OPERATORS WILL SCREEN FREE OF CHARGE A SPECIAL SLIDE ON "REPORT CRIME".
THE NEW FIGHT CRIME LOGO AND SLOGAN HAVE ALSO BEEN PAINTED ON TWO KMB BUSES WHICH WILL MAKE THEIR DEBUT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) WHEN THEY WILL HAVE ON BOARD FCC MEMBERS VISITING VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
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/16 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
16
RECLAMATION OF INDUSTRIAL LAND IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PROCEED WITH RECLAMATION WORKS WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 97.4 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED IN TSEUNG KWAN O TO PROVIDE LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL USES, ROADS, OPEN SPACE AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
THE WORKS WILL START IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PERMIT DREDGING TO BE CARRIED OUT IN MARCH WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 8.62 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED OFF SOUTHWEST TSING YI FOR A PIER PROJECT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THESE TWO PROJECTS IS DESCRIBED IN SEPARATE NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICES, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THESE PROJECTS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION BEFORE JANUARY 17, 1992.
---------0
PRIVATE LANE TO BE RESUMED FOR WIDENING OF ARBUTHNOT ROAD
* * * * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME A PORTION OF A PRIVATE SCAVENGING LANE BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 20 AND 26 ARBUTHNOT ROAD IN CENTRAL FOR THE WIDENING OF ARBUTHNOT ROAD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THH BOTTLENECK SECTION OF ARBUTHNOT ROAD FRONTING THE SCAVENGING LANE WAS CAUSED BY A STAIRCASE LEADING TO THE LANE WHICH RESTRICTED THB PROVISION OF FOOTPATH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.
THE SITUATION HAD SOMETIMES GIVEN RISE TO CONSIDERABLE TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN PROBLEMS.
"THE RESUMED AREA WILL TO BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTING A NEW STAIRCASE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE WHICH INTRUDES INTO ARBUTHNOT ROAD," HE SAID.
"THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE DEMOLITION OF PART OF THE EXISTING STAIRCASE AND CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS AND A STAIRCASE WITHIN THE RESUMED LAND SO AS TO WIDEN THE CARRIAGEWAY AND TO PROVIDE A FOOTPATH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ARBUTHNOT ROAD."
/A NOTICE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
♦ CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUBOFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, CENTRAL;
♦ HONG KONG WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI; AND
♦ CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, GROUND AND 11TH FLOORS, CENTRAL.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 19 THIS YEAR.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION WORKS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BREAKWATER, AND RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINS IN SAI KUNG.
THE CONTRACT WILL COVER THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 150 METRES OF BREAKWATER AND THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT FOUR HECTARES OF LAND.
IT WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 180-METRE-LONG SEAWALL AND ASSOCIATED ROADS AND DRAINS.
THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE USED MAINLY FOR A RURAL HOUSING ESTATE AND FOR VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1993. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 8.
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/18 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
18
TENDERS INVITED FOR REMEDIAL WORKS TO RESERVOIR OVERFLOW SPILLWAY ******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR REMEDIAL WORKS TO THE SHAM TSENG RESERVOIR OVERFLOW SPILLWAY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE WIDENING OF THE OVERFLOW SPILLWAY AND ASSOCIATED STABILISATION WORKS TO EXISTING SLOPES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN MARCH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 8.
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RENFREW ROAD TO BE RECONSTRUCTED *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL RECONSTRUCT RENFREW ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG.
A NOTICE INVITING TENDER FOR THE PROJECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UPON COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT, THE EXISTING DETERIORATED BITUMINOUS CARRIAGEWAY PAVEMENT WOULD BE REPLACED BY CONCRETE PAVEMENT AND THE EXISTING CONCRETE FOOTWAY WOULD BE RECONSTRUCTED IN PRECAST CONCRETE PAVING BLOCKS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN END MARCH AND BE COMPLETED IN SEVEN MONTHS.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS DESIGNED THE WORKS AND WILL SUPERVISE THEIR CONSTRUCTION.
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FISHERMEN ON STUDY *
TOUR TO AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE ******
A GROUP OF 18 LEADING FISHERMEN WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE ON AN 11-DAY TOUR TO STUDY MODERN FISHING TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING SYSTEMS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
THE NINTH SINCE 1981, THE STUDY TOUR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION. FOURTEEN OF THE FISHERMEN ARE TAKING PART AT THEIR OWN EXPENSES•
/COUNTRIES VISITED .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 19 -
COUNTRIES VISITED BY HONG KONG FISHERMEN IN PREVIOUS STUDY TOURS INCLUDED SOUTH KOREA, JAPAN, CHINA, SINGAPORE, THE UNITED KINGDOM, NORWAY, EASTERN AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED STATES, HOLLAND, GERMANY AND DENMARK.
TO MARK THE DEPARTURE OF THE GROUP, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR HAROLD KWOK, PRESENTED A BANNER TO A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DELEGATION, MR KWOK SO, THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT THIS STUDY TOUR GROUP WAS ONE WHICH HAD THE BIGGEST NUMBER OF SELF-FINANCED PARTICIPANTS SO FAR.
"THIS REFLECTS THAT LOCAL FISHERMEN ARE PLACING MORE AND MORE EMPHASIS ON MODERN FISHING TECHNOLOGY IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR OPERATIONS.
"IT ALSO SHOWS THAT LOCAL FISHERMEN ARE BETTER OFF," MR KWOK SAID.
MR KWOK HOPED THAT THE FISHERMEN WOULD MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN UP-TO-DATE KNOWLEDGE AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY ON THEIR RETURN TO HONG KONG.
THE GROUP, LED BY AFD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES), DR THOMAS YIP, WILL VISIT WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS, FISHING PORTS, BOATYARDS, FISH PROCESSING PLANTS, AND MARICULTURE FARMS IN AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE.
THEY WILL ALSO VISIT FISHERMEN ORGANISATIONS AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE FISHING FLEET, FISHERIES SERVICE INDUSTRIES AND FISHERMEN TRAINING FACILITIES IN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
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CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE BUILDING MANAGEMENT
*****
A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL BE HELD AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND, SHAM SHUI PO ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) AFTERNOON.
IT IS ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE POP SINGING, A MAGIC SHOW, A POLICE DOG PERFORMANCE, STALL GAMES AND CHILDREN’S GAMES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXHIBITION OF ANTI-BURGLARY MEASURES AS WELL AS THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, POLICE AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 20 -
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR CHENG WAI-DAT.
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT
MR CHUNG PUI-LAM; AND
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO BUILDING MANAGEMENT CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND. IT WILL BEGIN AT 3.30 PM.
------0--------
MOST OUTSTANDING HKCEE STUDENT RECEIVES AWARD *****
THE HONG KONG SINO-BRITISH FELLOWSHIP TRUST SCHOLARS’ ASSOCIATION SINCE 1982 HAS HELPED MANY SCHOLARS WHO ARE NOW OCCUPYING POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY IN VARIOUS FIELDS.
AND THROUGH ORGANISING THE CHARLES FRANKLAND MOORE AWARD, THE ASSOCIATION HAS RENEWED THE SPIRIT OF THE TRUST AND ITS COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AWARD THIS YEAR WAS WON BY MR CHAN TUNG OF WAH YAN COLLEGE, HONG KONG, FOR BEING THE MOST OUTSTANDING CANDIDATE IN THE 1990 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
IN PRESENTING THE AWARD, MR LI CONGRATULATED THE STUDENT AS WELL AS HIS PRINCIPAL, TEACHERS AND PARENTS WHOSE ENCOURAGEMENT MUST HAVE BEEN SO CRUCIAL.
HE ADDED THAT THE CHARLES FRANKLAND MOORE AWARD WOULD NOT ONLY GIVE DUE RECOGNITION TO THOSE WHO DESERVED IT BUT ALSO WOULD INSPIRE OTHER STUDENTS TO FOLLOW THEIR FOOTSTEPS.
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/21 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 21 -
FIGHT CRIME SEMINAR FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES DURING AN EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE TOMORROW (SATURDAY), FROM 7 PM TO 10.30 PM.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE TO APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
A 40-STRONG JUNIOR POLICE CALL TEAM WILL PRESENT A DRAGON DANCE. TELEVISION PERSONALITY MS MARY CHEUNG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY.
THE SEMINAR WILL FOCUS ON FOUR THEMES, NAMELY, CAR THEFTS, HOME SECURITY, TRIAD PROBLEMS AND JUVENILE CRIME.
SPEAKERS WJLL INCLUDE POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER (EASTERN), MRS WONG LEUNG KAM-SHAN, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DFCC’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHOW FUNG-CHEUNG.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, AND THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN BING-WOON.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR TOMORROW (SATURDAY), FROM 7 PM TO 10.30 PM AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 230 CHAI WAN ROAD.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 8 PM.
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FIGHT-CRIME BUS PARADE IN KOWLOON CITY ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
A BUS PARADE TO DRIVE HOME THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 20) IN KOWLOON CITY.
THE PARADE IS ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF THE SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE LAUNCHED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
/STARTING AT .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 22 -
STARTING AT 2 PM, THE BUS WILL TOUR AROUND THE DISTRICT AND STOP AT SEVEN LOCATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO GIVE OUT SOUVENIRS AND FIGHT CRIME INFORMATION PACKS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE LOCATIONS ARE AT THE WYLER GARDEN, GOLDEN GATE THEATRE, WHAMPOA GARDEN, 01 MAN ESTATE, KOWLOON TONG MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION, INTERNATIONAL THEATRE AND MA TAU WAI ESTATE.
--------0.----------
STUDENTS HAVE CHANCE TO SHOW THEIR PAINTING TALENTS
*****
PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO LOVE PAINTING SHOULD NOT MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THEIR TALENTS BY TAKING PART IN THE "1991 INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PAINTING COMPETITION".
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH -TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED STUDENTS THAT ENTRY FOR THE COMPETITION WOULD CLOSE NEXT FRIDAY (JANUARY 25).
THE COMPETITION AIMED TO ENHANCE THE AWARENESS OF PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN, HE ADDED.
THE CONTEST, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
ALL ENTRIES MUST EXPRESS A GIVEN THEME THROUGH A COLOUR PAINTING ON A WHITE PAPER MEASURING 420 MILLIMETRES BY 594 MILLIMETRES.
IN ADDITION TO TROPHIES, THE TOP FIVE WINNERS IN THE CONTEST WILL ALSO BE AWARDED BOOK COUPONS.
ALL PRIZE-WINNING PAINTINGS WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY AT A JOINT EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE RETURNED THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOL TO THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EIGHTH FLOOR, UC FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX, 123A FA YUEN STREET, KOWLOON.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CONTEST MAY BE MADE ON 723 6234.
- - 0 - -
/23 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1991
- 23 -
MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION ON MOVE *****
THE MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE TO ROOM 3402 WANCHAI TOWER 2, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI ON MONDAY (JANUARY 21).
THE NEW ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE DIVISION IS 829 5466.
THE DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING ANNUAL RE-LICENSING INSPECTIONS OF ALL PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES, GOODS VEHICLES OVER 10 YEARS OLD AND VEHICLES USED TO CARRY DANGEROUS GOODS AT ITS VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES.
IT ALSO CARRIES OUT PRE-REGISTRATION AND TYPE APPROVAL INSPECTIONS FOR NEW GOODS VEHICLES AND PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES AND PRE-REGISTRATION INSPECTIONS OF ALL TYPES OF SECOND-HAND IMPORTED VEHICLES.
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UNAUTHORISED BUILDING TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING AT THE ROOF OVER FIFTH FLOOR, 308 UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 19 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
WORKING PARTY ON REHABILITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES ..................... 1
RETAILERS URGED TO STOP PROVISION OF FREE PLASTIC BAGS .................... 2
NEW TEACHING AND RESOURCE CENTRE TO OPEN IN HUNG HOM ...................... 3
MORE EVENTS OFFERED IN 1991 HK ARTS FESTIVAL .............................. 3
ACTING RS PAYS TRIBUTE TO FESTIVAL ORGANISERS ............................. 4
DISTRIBUTION OF FIGHT CRIME SOUVENIRS ..................................... 5
FIGHT CRIME RALLY IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT TOMORROW ........................... 5
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1991
1
WORKING PARTY ON REHABILITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES ******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF A WORKING PARTY TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF REHABILITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES.
THE DECISION TO CONDUCT SUCH A REVIEW WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE 1990-91 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE IS TO TAKE STOCK OF THE PROGRESS MADE IN DEVELOPING REHABILITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE 1977 WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION - INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY : A UNITED EFFORT," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE REVIEW WILL START NEXT MONTH AND THE AIM IS TO PUBLISH IN AUGUST THIS YEAR A GREEN PAPER SETTING OUT PROPOSALS FOR THE WAY AHEAD TO MEET THE REHABILITATION NEEDS OF HONG KONG INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.”
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE WORKING PARTY WILL BE CttAtRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY ARE MR JOHN BUDGE, MR PETER CHAN FUK-SING, MISS VIRGINIA CHAN CHOI-YING, DR FANNY CHEUNG MUI-CHING, MR CHONG CHAN-YAU, DR YORK CHOW YAT-NGOK, MR NICHOLAS CRAWFORD, MISS MARION FANG SUM-SHUK, PROFESSOR RANCE LEE PUI-LEUNG, MR SIMON LEE KWOK-YIN, MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, DR RAYMOND WU WAI-YUNG, DR DICKEN YUNG TAK-KUN, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SERVICES) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (YOUTH AND REHABILITATION) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT) OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FINANCE BRANCH.
THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY (REHABILITATION) OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH WILL BE THE SECRETARY.
AS REQUIRED BY ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE, THE WORKING PARTY WILL FORMULATE PROPOSALS IN THE FORM OF A GREEN PAPER ON THE OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES DISABLED PERSONS, INCLUDING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS AND TIME-FRAME FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSALS.
IT WILL ALSO REVIEW EXISTING LEGISLATION RELATING SPECIFICALLY TO DISABLED PERSONS AND CONSIDER HOW IT CAN STRENGTHEN THE PROTECTION OF THEIR RIGHTS.
IN UNDERTAKING ITS TASK, THE WORKING PARTY WILL REVIEW THE OVERALL AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF REHABILITATION POLICIES; EXAMINE THE SCOPE OF THE VARIOUS REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR DISABLED PERSONS; AND ENUNCIATE THE PRINCIPLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
"IT WILL ALSO HAVE REGARD TO PAST EXPERIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL TRENDS.
/"IN ADDITION.........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1991
- 2 -
"IN ADDITION, IT WILL REALISTICALLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LIKELY MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AND THE INEVITABLE NEED TO DETERMINE PRIORITIES.
"ALSO TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT EXISTING OR PROPOSED NEW SERVICES PROVIDE THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY."
THE FIRST MEETING WILL BE HELD EARLY NEXT MONTH.
- - 0----------
RETAILERS URGED TO STOP PROVISION OF FREE PLASTIC BAGS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED MAJOR RETAILERS TO STOP ALTOGETHER PROVIDING FREE PLASTIC BAGS FOR THEIR MERCHANDISE TO HELP REDUCE THE EXCESSIVE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS.
OFFICIATING AT THE BODY SHOP PAPER-MAKING PROJECT, DR REED SAID: ’’INSTEAD, RETAILERS COULD OFFER RATHER LARGER AND MUCH MORE ROBUST PLASTIC BAGS AT SAY $2 A TIME, SIDE BY SIDE WITH MORE PERMANENT REUSABLE BAGS, SUCH AS ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE AT ABOUT $8 FROM AT LEAST ONE OF THE MAJOR SUPERMARKET CHAINS."
DR REED SAID THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE BY ORGANISING A MASS PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REDUCE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS.
EACH DAY, 15 MILLION PLASTIC BAGS ARE USED IN HONG KONG.
"A SCHEME LIKE THIS WILL NOT OF COURSE RID HONG KONG OF ALL PLASTIC BAGS," DR REED SAID, "BUT THE SCHEME I HAVE IN MIND COULD DRAMATICALLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PLASTIC BAGS IN CIRCULATION, PERHAPS BY AS MUCH AS 50 TO 75 PER CENT.
"THOSE THAT ARE LEFT IN CIRCULATION WILL BE MUCH MORE VALUED AND THEREFORE LESS LIKELY TO BE CAST CARELESSLY UPON A DEFENCELESS ENVIRONMENT."
FOR THE SCHEME TO WORK, DR REED SAID MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT DIFFERENT HABITS IN SMALL WAYS, AND TO CHANGE ATTITUDES.
"BUT I FEEL THAT THE GENERAL CHANGE IN ATTITUDE TO THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS IN HONG KONG INDICATES THAT MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WOULD BE PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS CUTTING DOWN OUR EXCESSIVE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS, WITH ALL THE BENEFITS THAT WOULD MEAN FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT," DR REED CONCLUDED.
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/3 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1991
3
NEW TEACHING AND RESOURCE CENTRE TO OPEN IN HUNG HOM
A NEW ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING AND RESOURCE CENTRE FOR TEACHERS WILL, BE OPEN IN HUNG HOM, STARTING FROM MARCH 1.
THIS CENTRE, AT HOK YUEN STREET, WILL HOUSE THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE (KOWLOON) AND THE RELIGIOUS, ETHICAL AND SEX EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE.
OTHER CENTRES SUCH AS THE ACTIVITY APPROACH CENTRE, THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHING CENTRE, THE PRIMARY SOCIAL STUDIES AND HEALTH EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE AND THE SOCIAL SUBJECTS TEACHING CENTRE, CURRENTLY AT PAK FUK ROAD IN NORTH POINT, WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 21) AND MOVED TO THE NEW HUNG HOM PREMISES.
TO FACILITATE THE SETTING UP OF THE KOWLOON CENTRE, THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, THE RELIGIOUS AND ETHICAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE AND THE SEX EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE WHICH ARE CURRENTLY AT PAK FUK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY TO FEBRUARY 28.
- - 0 - -
MORE EVENTS OFFERED ♦
IN 1991 HK ARTS FESTIVAL ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE 1991 HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL OFFERS AUDIENCES WITH MORE EVENTS, HELD AT MORE PLACES THAN EVER BEFORE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TONIGHT (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING PERFORMANCE OF THE FESTIVAL, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG THRIVED ON THE CREATIVITY AND INITIATIVE OF ITS PEOPLE AND THE ARTS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN NURTURING THAT CREATIVITY, AS WELL AS IN PROVIDING PURE ENTERTAINMENT.
"THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL PROGRAMME PROMISES TO DO BOTH IN ABUNDANCE - FROM DRAMA TO JAZZ - FROM FLAMENCO TO CHAMBER MUSIC," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE QUALITY AND VARIETY OF HONG KONG’S CULTURAL LIFE HAD IMPROVED EVERY YEAR DURING THE PAST DECADE, WITH THE VUILDING OF IMPRESSIVE NEW THEATRES AND CONCERT HALLS AS WELL AS GROWING PUBLIC ENTHUSIASM FOR THE ARTS.
"ALL THIS NOW SUPPORTS A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMME OF EVENTS," HE SAID, "BUT THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL REMAINS THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR CULTURAL CALENDAR."
SIR DAVID SAID MANY ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS HAD HELPED MAKE THE ARTS FESTIVAL POSSIBLE AND THAT HE PARTICULARLY WELCOME THE STEADY GROWTH IN BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP.
"THIS SHOWS THAT MORE AND MORE BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG RECOGNISE THE VALUE OF ENRICHING THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY OF WHICH THEY ARE PART," HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1991
4
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE FESTIVAL BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER A THOUSAND PERFORMERS BOTH FROM HONG KONG AND FROM 14 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
"ABOVE ALL, WE HAVE THE ARTISTS TO THANK," HE SAID. "THEIR ART AND THEIR TALENT WILL MAKE THIS A FESTIVAL TO REMEMBER."
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ACTING RS PAYS TRIBUTE TO FESTIVAL ORGANISERS * * * * *
THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SPONSORS AND ORGANISERS OF THE 1990 YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
AT A DINNER RECEPTION TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE FESTIVAL, MR FUNG ALSO PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO THE REPRESENTATIVES.
IN A BRIEF SPEECH, MR FUNG STRESSED THAT LOCAL GROUPS HAD SPARED NO EFFORTS IN PROMOTING RECREATIONAL, ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES OVER THE YEARS.
"TAKE THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR EXAMPLE. A WIDE VARIETY OF VERY MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES WERE ARRANGED WITH" THE THEME ’BUILDING YAU TSIM FOR A BETTER HONG KONG’.
"THESE INCLUDED A LARGE-SCALE POP CONCERT WHICH WAS BOTH EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING; THE ’GOOD CITIZEN IMPLEMENTATION FORUM’ WHICH PROMOTED CIVIC EDUCATION; THE FAMILY DAY AT WU KAI SHA WHICH PREACHED HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE; AND THE ’TOMORROW YAU TSIM EXHIBITION’ WHICH INTRODUCED THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THESE EVENTS HAD, ON ONE HAND, PROVIDED A CHANCE FOR MASS PARTICIPATION, AND ON THE OTHER, AROUSED RESIDENTS’ CONCERN TOWARDS DISTRICT AFFAIRS, ENCOURAGING THEM TO EITHER PARTICIPATE IN OR IMPROVE ON ALL KINDS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
"IN COMMUNITY BUILDING THEY HAVE WORKED FOR A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND PARTICIPATED ACTIVELY IN OTHER AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG SO THAT THE DISTRICT AND THE TERRITORY WOULD GROW HAND IN HAND IN PROSPERITY AND STABILITY IN THE COMING DECADES;" MR FUNG CONCLUDED.
THE FESTIVAL, WHICH INCLUDED OVER 50 FUNCTIONS FROM LAST NOVEMBER, COST MORE THAN $1.4 MILLION OF WHICH $660,000 CAME FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REST FROM PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP.
ALSO PRESENT AT TONIGHT’S DINNER WERE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; AND THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHIU YU-HEI.
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/5........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1991
DISTRIBUTION OF FIGHT CRIME SOUVENIRS
*****
SOUVENIRS BEARING FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO MONG KOK RESIDENTS TOMORROW (SUNDAY) MORNING.
MEMBERS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND A MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR MARTIN LEE, WILL DISTRIBUTE THEM AT THREE BUSY AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE TOKENS WILL BE GIVEN AWAY OUTSIDE THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL IN NATHAN ROAD; AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND ARGYLE STREET; AND OUTSIDE THE BANK CENTRE IN NELSON STREET.
THIS IS IN SUPPORT OF THE SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE LAUNCHED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
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FIGHT CRIME RALLY IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT TOMORROW *****
A FIGHT CRIME RALLY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE SOCCER PITCHES NEAR THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND IN WONG CHUK HANG. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
THE RALLY IS ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) TO ENCOURAGE CIVILIAN SUPPORT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
THERE WILL BE A HOST OF ACTIVITIES WITH VARIOUS FIGHT CRIME THEMES, INCLUDING AN EXHIBITION, A QUIZ, STALL GAMES, TELEMATCHES AND A KARAOKE CORNER.
PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO BE TREATED TO A VARIETY SHOW THAT COMPRISES A DRAMA AS WELL AS PERFORMANCES BY A CHILDREN’S CHOIR, A SCHOOL ORCHESTRA AND A POPULAR DISC JOCKEY.
OFFICIATING AT THE RALLY’S OPENING WILL BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN; SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; WESTERN DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR R.C. TOAL; AND DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN YAU-YUE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIGHT CRIME RALLY IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE SOCCER PITCHES NEAR ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND IN WONG CHUK HANG. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA VITAL FOR HK ................................. 1
RISE IN WEIGHTS AND MEASURES COMPLAINTS ................................... 1
SAVE-WATER PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED .................................... 3
REMINDER ON FIREWORKS BAN ................................................. 4
FREE NEW YEAR POSTER ON WORK SAFETY ....................................... 5
BUS TOUR TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE .................................... 5
THREE WORKSHOPS, SEMINAR ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH ................ 6
REVISED OPENING TIME FOR SAI KUNG WSD CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRE ............. 6
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20,1991
1
GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA VITAL FOR HK *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF HIS VISIT TO CHINA WAS TO GO AND DEAL WITH ANY ISSUE THAT FACED HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE COMMUNITY CHEST WALK, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE BACKGROUND TO THAT WAS THAT A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WAS VITAL FOR THE TERRITORY.
"WE WANT A SENSIBLE RELATIONSHIP, WE WANT A GOOD RELATIONSHIP. THAT’S ENTIRELY THE BACKGROUND OF MY VISIT, AND THAT'S THE OBJECTIVE OF MY VISIT AS WELL," HE SAID.
ASKED HOW THE DIFFERENCE WITH THE CHINESE ON THE NEW AIRPORT ISSUE COULD BE IRONED OUT, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "HOW EXACTLY TO FIND A WAY THROUGH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SAY AT THE MOMENT, BUT I AM GOING TO GO AND TALK ABOUT IT,"
"I AM GOING IN ORDER TO DISCUSS IT AND TO SEE IF WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS ON IT WITH THE BACKGROUND IN MIND THAT IT’S VERY IMPORTANT INDEED FOR HONG KONG AND FOR THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG THAT WE SHOULD GO ON IN HONG KONG WITH THE BUILDING UP THE INFRASTRUCTURE, BUILDING UP THE THINGS HONG KONG NEEDS TO MAKE ITSELF A GENUINE COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD,"
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR HIM TO GO BECAUSE THERE WERE A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE.
"LET ME SAY THAT IT IS NOT SIMPLY CONFINED TO THE QUESTION OF THE AIRPORT. THERE ARE LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I SHOULD GO," HE SAID.
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RISE IN WEIGHTS AND MEASURES COMPLAINTS * * * *
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TRADERS USING INACCURATE WEIGHING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT IS ON THE RISE.
DURING 1989, WHEN THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT, THERE WERE 94 COMPLAINTS. LAST YEAR, THE FIGURE HAD INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY TO 238.
THE FIGURES WERE RELEASED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
THE PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE CUSTOMS TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID 231 OF LAST YEAR’S COMPLAINTS WERE LODGED BY INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPLAINTS HOTLINE, WHILE THE REMAINDER CAME THROUGH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
/MR WONG
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1991
2
MR WONG SAID MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE DIRECTED AGAINST RETAILERS OF VARIOUS FOOD ITEMS, AND THE REST WERE AGAINST PETROL STATIONS, SCRAP DEALERS AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS.
ON THE NATURE OF COMPLAINTS, HE SAID 204 WERE ABOUT INACCURATE WEIGHING EQUIPMENT, MAINLY THE "CHING" AND SLANTED SPRING BALANCES, 16 WERE ABOUT INACCURATE MEASURING EQUIPMENT AND 18 ABOUT SHORT WEIGHT OF GOODS.
DURING THE YEAR, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONDUCTED 279 SPOT CHECKS ON RETAILERS’ WEIGHING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT.
"MOST OF THE CHECKS WERE MADE AT SHOPS OR STALLS AT MARKETS FROM WHICH COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN MADE," MR WONG SAID.
AS A RESULT OF THESE SPOT CHECKS AND INVESTIGATIONS OF THE COMPLAINTS, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ISSUED WARNINGS TO 78 TRADERS AND PROSECUTED A FURTHER 43.
TOTAL FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS IN 1990 IN RESPECT OF OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE AMOUNTED TO $104,050, COMPARED WITH $17,000 THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
IN RECENT CASES A SEAFOOD RETAILER AND A MEAT RETAILER WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $3,500 AFTER TESTS BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY HAD SHOWN THAT THE READINGS OF THEIR WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS WERE 12.5 TO 18.75 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHTS.
A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE WAS LAUNCHED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
TO ENCOURAGE CONSUMERS TO REPORT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MALPRACTICES, POSTERS PUBLICISING A COMPLAINTS HOTLINE ARE DISPLAYED AT ALL MARKET PLACES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, MR WONG SAID.
HE SAID LEAFLETS, AND TELEVISION AND RADIO MESSAGES HAD ALSO BEEN USED IN THE CAMPAIGN.
CONSUMERS WHO SUSPECTED THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN SHORT WEIGHT OR MEASURE SHOULD TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT ON 714 6146 DURING OFFICE HOURS OR 852 3185 OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS.
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/3 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1991
3
SAVE-WATER PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS MOUNTING A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO URGE THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO SAVE WATER, AND TO PROMPTLY CHECK AND REPAIR CONCEALED OR UNDERGROUND LEAKAGE WHENEVER NECESSARY IN ORDER TO AVOID WATER WASTAGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY): "THE MESSAGE 'WATER IS PRECIOUS. DON’T WASTE IT' IS BEING DISSEMINATED THROUGH A TELEVISION API (ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST), POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND STICKERS.
"THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED OF VARIOUS WAYS TO SAVE WATER SUCH AS TAKING A SHOWER INSTEAD OF A BATH AND NOT RINSING HANDS OR VEGETABLES UNDER A RUNNING TAP," HE ADDED.
THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IS ALSO AIMED AT ALERTING THE PUBLIC THAT UNDERGROUND OR CONCEALED LEAKAGE, IF NOT PROMPTLY DETECTED AND RECTIFIED, WILL RESULT IN WATER WASTAGE AND ABNORMALLY HIGH WATER CHARGES ON THE PART OF THE CONSUMERS.
"A HIGH WATER BILL, SOMETIMES AMOUNTING TO SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A FOUR-MONTH PERIOD, IS OFTEN MISTAKEN BY CONSUMERS AS AN INDICATION OF A FAULTY METER REGISTERING THE WRONG CONSUMPTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"CONSUMERS THEN ASK FOR THE METER TO BE RE-READ AND TESTED WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF LEAKAGE.
"BY DOING THIS, THEY UNKNOWINGLY ALLOW THE LEAK TO CONTINUE, AND WILL RECEIVE A MUCH HIGHER WATER BILL. THIS COULD IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, EVEN RESULT IN DISCONNECTION OF THE WATER SUPPLY."
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED CONSUMERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR ALL THE WATER THAT HAD PASSED THROUGH THEIR METERS NO MATTER WHETHER THIS HAD TAKEN PLACE THROUGH NORMAL CONSUMPTION OR UNAWARE!) LEAKAGE.
"CONSUMERS SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER CHECKING THE PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS AND THEIR WATER-USING APPLIANCES, IF THEY SUSPECT ANY IRREGULARITIES OR THAT THE WATER METER IS RUNNING WITHOUT REASON. SHOULD ANY LEAK BE DISCOVERED, REPAIRS SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY," HE SAID.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO KEEP THE PLUMBER’S BILL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IF PROMPT ACTION HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DETECT AND REMEDY LEAKAGE, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT MAY CONSIDER THE HIGH WATER BILL CAUSED BY CONCEALED LEAKAGE WITH SYMPATHY,” HE ADDED.
IN 1990, A TOTAL OF 463 APPLICATIONS FOR WATER CHARGE WAIVERS OF THIS NATURE WAS RECEIVED.
AMONG THESE APPLICATIONS, 323 CASES INVOLVING 840,000 CUBIC METRES OF WATER AND TOTAL WATER CHARGES OF $2.24 MILLION WERE GIVEN COMPASSIONATE CONSIDERATION.
/COPIES OF .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1991
COPIES OF A LEAFLET ADVISING CONSUMERS ON HOW TO HANDLE A HIGH WATER BILL ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRES IN WAN CHAI, SHAU KEI WAN, MONG KOK, KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN, TAI PO AND SAI KUNG.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO TELEPHONE 829 4693 OR 829 4694 TO LISTEN TO A RECORDED TELEPHONE MESSAGE ON A SIMPLE DO-IT-YOURSELF METHOD TO CHECK LEAKAGE IN ORDINARY DOMESTIC SUPPLY PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS.
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REMINDER ON FIREWORKS BAN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO POSSESS OR DISCHARGE FIREWORKS OR FIRE-CRACKERS WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE.
"UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WHO POSSESSES OR DISCHARGES FIREWORKS WITHOUT A LICENCE IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT," THE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF EXPLOSIVES OFFICER, MR CHARLES ('HING, SAID.
MR CHING SAID OFFICERS FROM THE MINES DIVISION WERE CONDUCTING SPOT CHECKS ON SHOPS AND PREMISES SUSPECTED OF SELLING OR STORING SUCH GOODS.
"UNLICENSED FIREWORKS FOUND WILL BE SEIZED AND THE OFFENDER PROSECUTED," HE SAID.
MR CHING ALSO URGED PEOPLE POSSESSING FIREWORKS TO SURRENDER THEM IMMEDIATELY TO THE MINES DIVISION ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KOWLOON, OR TO ANY POLICE STATION.
"THEY MAY ALSO CONTACT THE DIVISION ON TEL. 733 2356 OR 733 2358 FOR SUCH GOODS TO BE COLLECTED," HE ADDED.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1991
- 5
FREE NEW YEAR POSTER ON WORK SAFETY * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PRINTED A LUNAR NEW YEAR POSTER TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE OF WORK SAFETY TO EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN INDUSTRY.
DEPICTING AN INDIGENOUS CHINESE GOD WHO BESTOWS FORTUNE AND GOOD LUCK ON PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE FULL-COLOUR POSTER REMINDS PEOPLE IN ALL TRADES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY IN ENSURING HAPPINESS FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
THE POSTER WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION, LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE RELATIONS SERVICE, AS WELL AS AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES.
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BUS TOUR TO SPREAD FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE
*****
A DECORATED BUS TOURED THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT TODAY (SUNDAY) TO HELP SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE.
THE TOUR WAS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) TO URGE RESIDENTS TO PREVENT AND REPORT CRIME AND TO COME FORWARD AS WITNESS WHEN REQUIRED.
DURING THE TOUR, LUNAR NEW YEAR SCROLLS WITH FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS.
A CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL BEFORE THE TOUR TO PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS OF A STUDENT SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITION HELD LAST MONTH.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, A FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR JUSTEIN WONG, URGED THE PUBLIC TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO THE POLICE IN " COMBATTING CRIME.
THIS WOULD HELP IMPROVE LAW AND ORDER AND MAKE HONG KONG A SAFER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE, HE SAID.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR GERALD FRITH; AND DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR FAN KAM-PING.
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/6 ........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1991
6
THREE WORKSHOPS, SEMINAR ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH * * * * *
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOLDING THREE ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS ON SELECTING, ADAPTING AND DESIGNING LANGUAGE EXERCISE FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 5, 6 AND 7 AT THE CENTRE AT 9A BONHAM ROAD, MID-LEVELS.
"PLANNING AND SELECTION OF WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE DISCUSSED AND TEACHERS WILL BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO PLAN, SELECT, ADAPT AND DESIGN EXERCISES FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES AND TO SUIT DIFFERENT ABILITIES," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENTRE ON TEL. 548 2537.
MEANWHILE, THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT LECTURER OF NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MR PETER KENNEDY, WILL BE GUEST SPEAKER AT A SEMINAR ON THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND/FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 9 AT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING CENTRE.
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REVISED OPENING TIME FOR SAI KUNG WSD CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRE
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRE IN SAI KUNG WILL ONLY BE OPEN ONE DAY A WEEK, STARTING FROM FEBRUARY 4, DUE TO LOW UTILISATION RATE.
THE OFFICE HOURS WILL BE FROM 8.30 AM TO 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM ON EACH MONDAY.
THE CENTRE IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG. IT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE SINCE 1986.
AT PRESENT, IT IS OPEN FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY FOR ANSWERING GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON WATER ACCOUNT MATTERS AND FOR DISTRIBUTING AND RECEIVING APPLICATION FORMS FOR SERVICES SUCH AS CONNECTION OF SUPPLY, METER TESTS AND CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP.
AN AVERAGE OF SEVEN CASES ARE DEALT WITH DAILY BY THE CENTRE.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1991
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID WITH THE REVISED OPENING HOURS, CUSTOMERS IN THE DISTRICT COULD OBTAIN GENERAL WATER WORKS FORMS AND LEAFLETS FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING.
THE CENTRE ALSO HANDLES GENERAL ENQUIRIES SERVICE ON WATER SUPPLY MATTERS.
APPLICATIONS FOR VARIOUS WATER WORKS SERVICE COULD ALSO BE MADE BY POST, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT A TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE AT THE WAN CHAI ENQUIRY CENTRE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT GLOUCESTER ROAD CAN HANDLE 25 INCOMING CALLS AT ONE TIME TO OFFER CONVENIENT SERVICE. ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 824 5000.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING DIALOGUE WITH CHINESE LEADERS 1
HK'S OIL STOCKS REMAIN SUFFICIENT ....................................... 2
POSTAL RESUMPTION TO U.S. AND CANADA .................................... 3
TWO-CENTURY-OLD CANNON TO GUARD FIRE STATION ............................ 3
NINE QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IN LEGCO...................................... 4
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1991
1
G NOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING DIALOGUE WITH CHINESE LEADERS *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THE PURPOSE OF HIS VISIT TO CHINA IS TO MAINTAIN THE DIALOGUE AT A VERY SENIOR LEVEL WITH CHINESE LEADERS.
"THAT IS SOMETHING TO WHICH I ATTACH A GREAT DEAL OF IMPORTANCE IN TRYING TO BUILD UP THE RIGHT SORT OF CO-OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OVERSELVES AND CHINA,' THE GOVERNOR SAID, WHEN SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FOR PEKING FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT.
SIR DAVID SAID WHILE IN PEKING, HE WOULD BE SEEING THE CHINESE PREMIER, MR LI PENG, THE FORMER AND PRESENT DIRECTORS OF HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE UNDER CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, MR JI PENGFEI AND MR LU PING, AND SOME OTHER CHINESE OFFICIALS.
SIR DAVID WILL HAVE DINNER THIS EVENING WITH THE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR TIAN ZENGPEI, WHO IS HIS HOST ON THIS VISIT.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE LEADERS ON THE NEW AIRPORT ISSUE, SIR DAVID SAID: "WHAT I WANT TO DO IS TO DISCUSS THE WHOLE ISSUE OF THE AIRPORT AND SEE IF WB CAN FIND A WAY OF GETTING FORWARD ON IT."
"ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS HOW IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG, TO THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF HONG KONG HAVING A GOOD, MODERN EFFICIENT AIRPORT IS”' HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID HE DID NOT NECESSARILY ANTICIPATE BEING ABLE TO RESOLVE EVERY ISSUE THAT FACED HONG KONG AT THE MOMENT. "BUT I REALLY DO HOPE THAT WE CAN MAKE SOME PROGRESS AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE AIRPORT WAS BY NO MEANS THE ONLY THING THAT HE WAS GOING TO DISCUSS IN CHINA.
"THERE ARE MANY OTHER MATTERS WHICH NEED CO-OPERATION BETWEEN OURSELVES AND THE CHINESE," HE SAID, CITING CROSS BORDER CO-OPERATION AS AN EXAMPLE.
"BUT FURTHER THAN THAT, IT’S NOT JUST A QUESTION OF DEALING WITH PROBLEMS, THE RELATIONSHIP IS ONE WHERE THERE ARE ENORMOUS BENEFITS TO BOTH SIDES,"
IN TERMS OF TRADE, FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, THE TWO-WAY TRADE LAST YEAR GREW BY 14 PER CENT.
"YOU CAN SEE WHAT IMMENSE ADVANTAGES THERE ARE IN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.
"AND IT’S TIME OF UNCERTAINTY AND UNREST OF THE WORLD IN THE GULF. HAVING THAT SOLID ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IS SOMETHING WHICH GIVES GREAT STRENGTH TO HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1991
- 2 -
SIR DAVID DISAGREED WITH ANY SUGGESTION THAT HONG KONG LACKED SINCERITY. HE SAID THAT WAS ONE THING THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR WHEN HE WAS IN PEKING.
’’AND IT'S A GOOD REASON FOR GOING IS THAT, WE DO WITH GREAT SINCERITY WANT TO HAVE THE PROPER SORT OF CO-OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA.”
"IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO US, I BELIEVE IT ALSO SERVES CHINESE INTERESTS, AND GOING AND TALKING DIRECTLY IS ONE WAY I HOPI OF SHOWING THAT WE DO LOOK AT THAT VERY SERIOUSLY AND WITH GREAT SINCERITY," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE PEKING PART OF HIS PROGRAMME HAD NOT IN ANY WAY BEEN SHORTENED.
HE SAID THE TIANJIN PART WAS SHORTENED BECAUSE HE WANTED TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF TIME HE WAS AWAY FROM HONG KONG IN VIEW OF THE UNCERTAINTY PRODUCED BY THE GULF SITUATION.
SIR DAVID WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN| SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE; AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY HONG KONG BRANCH, MR QIAO ZONGHUAI.
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HK’S OIL STOCKS REMAIN SUFFICIENT
♦ ♦ » ♦ »
HONG KONG’S OIL STOCKS REMAIN SUFFICIENT AND SHIPMENTS ARE CONTINUING TO ARRIVE ON SCHEDULE, THE DIRECTOR OF OIL SUPPLIES, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER A MEETING OF THE OIL DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE SUPPLY SITUATION FOLLOWING RECENT EVENTS IN THE GULF WAR.
HE SAID SUPPLIES FROM THE GULF REMAINED NORMAL AND TANKER TRAFFIC DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.
"AMPLE OIL STOCKS ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL THE MAJOR ECONOMIES.
"THIS ADEQUATE SUPPLY SITUATION IS SHOWN MOST CLEARLY IN THE FACT THAT OIL PRICES HAVE FALLEN QUICKLY TO BELOW US$20 A BARREL," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD AGREED TO CONTINUE MONITORING EVENTS.
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/3 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1981
POSTAL RESUMPTION TO U.S. AND CANADA *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THE RESUMPTION OF AIR PARCEL, SMALL PACKET AND SPBEDPOST MERCHANDISE SERVICES TO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND ALL CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES.
"I AM PLEASED THAT THIS IS NOW POSSIBLE DUE TO INCREASED SPACE PROVISION BY AIRLINES,” MR WONG SAID.
AS ANNOUNCED PREVIOUSLY, THE PUBLIC MAY EXPECT SOME DELAY IN AIR MAIL SERVICES, INCLUDING SPEEDPOST, TO ALL DESTINATIONS OUTSIDE THE MIDDLE EAST BECAUSE OF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN BY AIRLINES IN RESPONSE TO THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GULF AREA.
- - 0 - -
TWO-CENTURY-OLD CANNON TO GUARD FIRE STATION
*****
THE AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION IS TO HAVE A "FAITHFUL GUARDIAN" AT ITS THRESHOLD — A 200 YEAR-OLD CANNON.
DONATED BY THE AP LEI CHAU KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, THE CANNON IS TO STAND GUARD AT THE FRONT GATE OF THE FIRE STATION FROM TODAY (MONDAY).
THE CANNON, CAST IN THE LATE 1700’S, WAS GIVEN TO THE OLD AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION IN SAN SHI STREET WHEN IT OPENED IN 1976. EVER SINCE, THE CANNON WAS PUT AT THE FRONT OF THE STATION AS ITS "GUARDIAN".
TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT ON THE ISLAND, THE OLD STATION WAS REPLACED BY A NEW SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION, AT 300 AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD.
TO HELP RELOCATING THE CANNON TO THE NEW FIRE STATION, THE AP LEI CHAU KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION DONATED MORE THAN JI 1,000 TO COVER THE EXPENSES.
CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR RAYMOND JOHNSTON, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AP LEI CHAU KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, MR HO CHUN-TUNG, OFFICIATED AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TODAY TO MARK THE RELOCATION OF THE CANNON TO THE NEW FIRE STATION. MR HO ALSO ENSHRINED THE CANNON AFTERWARDS.
AT THE CEREMONY, REPRESENTATIVES FROM TWO LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS PRESENTED A TOTAL OF THREE BANNERS TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PUTTING OUT THREE FIRES LAST YEAR.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH DISTRICT SHIPBUILDING TRADE OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR CHU CHUN-YIN, PRESENTED A BANNER TO ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION, MR YU CHUNG-WAI, FOR PUTTING OUT A THIRD ALARM FIRE AT A SHIPYARD IN PAK SHA WAN, ON NOVEMBER 13.
/THE FIRE
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1991
4
THE FIRE BROKE OUT AT A JETTY, USED AS A SHIPYARD AND SPEED BOAT STORAGE, WHICH COVERED AN AREA OF ABOUT 50 METRES BY 20 METRES AT THE SEAFRONT.
DESPITE THE SEVERITY OF THE FIRE, THE FIREMEN WERE ABLE TO KEEP THE FIRE IN THE AFFECTED SHIPYARD AND THUS AVOIDED DAMAGES TO NEARBY SHIPYARDS. NO CASUALTY WAS REPORTED IN THE FIRE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ABERDEEN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, MR ALLAN SHEK KWOK-KEUNG, PRESENTED A BANNER TO ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF THE ABERDEEN FIRE STATION, MR CHAN CHAN-CHEUNG, FOR THE FIREMEN’S EFFORTS IN PUTTING OUT A FIRST ALARM FIRE AT 14-18 CHENGTU ROAD, ABERDEEN, ON NOVEMBER 22.
THE FIRE INVOLVED ELECTRIC WIRINGS AT THE FIRST FLOOR REAR STAIRCASE LANDINGS OF A 14-STOREY BUILDING.
DESPITE ALL SORTS OF DIFFICULTIES SUCH AS HEAVILY SMOKE-LOGGED STAIRCASES AND POWER FAILURE, THE FIREMEN WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND LED ALL THE PEOPLE TO SAFETY.
MR SHEK ALSO PRESENTED A BANNER TO ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF THE POK FU LAM FIRE STATION, MR WONG SAI-CHUEN, FOR RESCUING NINE PERSONS IN A FOURTH ALARM FIRE IN A TYRE SHOP AND TYRE STORAGE AT 1-3 YUE KO STREET, ABERDEEN ON DECEMBER 2.
- - 0 - -
NINE QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IN LEGCO ******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF NINE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER EIGHT BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 23).
OF THE EIGHT BILLS, FOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, AND PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
THE OTHER BILLS, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1990, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990, TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 ARE DUE FOR SECOND READING BEFORE GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
IN THE MEETING, THE HON MIRIAM LAU WILL SPEAK ON THE HONG IONG ACADEMIC FOR PERFORMING ARTS ANNUAL REPORT JULY 1989 TO JUNE 1990; AND THE HON JAMES TIEN WILL SPEAK ON THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1989/90.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TAC DISCUSSED CMB’S FIVE-YEAR PLAN ............................................... 1
EC IMPOSES PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON HK TV RECEIVERS .................... 2
THREE DB ELECTIONS CANDIDATES WITHDRAW NOMINATIONS ............................... 3
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ................................................... 4
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1991
1
TAC DISCUSSED CMB’S FIVE-YEAR PLAN
*»*»**
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS TODAY (TUESDAY) BRIEFED ON THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S 1991-1995 FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME (FPP), THE VIEWS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE 1991-92 ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND THE ADMINISTRATION’S ASSESSMENT OF THE FPP.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT IN THE ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RDP), THE CMB PROPOSED EIGHT NEW ROUTES, 22 ITEMS OF FREQUENCY IMPROVEMENT, CONVERSION TO AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES ON 12 ROUTES, A NUMBER OF FREQUENCY REDUCTIONS AND ROUTING CHANGES, AND THE WITHDRAWAL OF ONE ROUTE.
APART FROM IMPROVEMENTS TO CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICES, THE NEW ROUTES AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS WERE PROPOSED MAINLY TO MEET ANTICIPATED GROWTH IN DEMAND FROM NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS AT SHAU KEI WAN EAST, KELLET BAY AND AP LEI CHAU.
THE PROPOSED WIDER USE OF AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES WAS DESIGNED TO MEET DEMAND FOR HIGHER QUALITY SERVICE.
MEMBERS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE MORE AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES FOR THE CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES.
THE COMMITTEE LEARNED THAT THE SOUTHERN, EASTERN AND CENTRAL/ WESTERN DISTRICT BOARDS WERE PARTICULARLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROPOSALS TO ENHANCE SERVICES FOR THEIR DISTRICTS.
SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS STRESSED THAT THE FARES FOR THE PROPOSED AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES SHOULD NOT BE SET TOO HIGH AND THAT PARALLEL NO-AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, GIVING PASSENGERS CHOICE.
THE BOARDS HAD ALSO MADE A NUMBER OF SUGGESTIONS ON ROUTE DEVELOPMENT.
TAKING THE BOARD MEMBERS’ VIEWS INTO CONSIDERATION, THE CMB HAD ACCEPTED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S SUGGESTIONS TO MODIFY A NUMBER OF SERVICE PROPOSALS TO GIVE A MORE EVEN SPREAD OF AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES BETWEEN DISTRICTS, AS WELL AS A MORE BALANCED PROGRAMME FOR MEETING CHANGES IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION AND DEMAND.
THE TAC WAS ASSURED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE NOTE ON DISTRICT BOARDS’ VIEWS WHEN GUIDING THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE CMB’S AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES.
DUE REGARD WOULD BE GIVEN TO PASSENGER PREFERENCE AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE CHOICE FOR COMMUTERS WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE HIGHER FARES CHARGED FOR AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES.
ASSUMING FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CURRENT FPP, THE PROPORTION OF AIR-CONDITIONED VEHICLES IN CMB’S FLEET WOULD RISE GRADUALLY FROM 1.5 PER CENT IN 1990 TO ABOUT 25 PER CENT IN 1995.
/THE APPROPRIATENESS ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1991
- 2
THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE CURRENT FARE SCALE FOR AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES IS BEING REVIEWED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
ON THE CMB'S PROPOSED FLEET REQUIREMENT, THE TAC NOTED THAT THERE WAS A DAILY OPERATIONAL NEED FOR 790 BUSES AT DECEMBER 1991, RISING TO 829 AT DECEMBER 1995.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, THE CMB ENVISAGED THE PURCHASE OF 244 BUSES AND THE SCRAPPING OF 228 BUSES BETWEEN 1991 AND 1995.
THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE CMB PLANNED TO INVEST ABOUT $800 MILLION ON NEW BUSES OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THE TAC WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE CASE FOR FURTHER INVESTMENT IN NEW BUSES, HAVING REGARD TO CHANGES IN THE CMB’S INCOME AND EXPENDITURE POSITION.
ON DEPOT DEVELOPMENT, THE CMB DID NOT PLAN TO ACQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL PERMANENT DEPOT AS ITS FLEET SIZE WAS EXPECTED TO REMAIN STABLE WITHIN THE FPP PERIOD.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SUPPORTED THE CMB'S PROPOSAL TO OBTAIN, UNDER SHORT-TERM TENANCY, A PARKING SITE AT SIU SAI WAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF KEEPING DOWN THE NUMBER OF BUSES PARKED ON-STREET OR AT BUS TERMINI.
THE COMMITTEE WAS BRIEFED ON THE INFLATION ASSUMPTIONS USED TO DERIVE THE FINANCIAL FORECASTS IN THE FPP, INCLUDING THE CMB'S OWN PROJECTION ABOUT THE MOVEMENT OF FUEL COSTS.
AT THE MEETING, THE TAC MEMBERS WERE ALSO INFORMED OF PROGRESS MADE IN IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE CMB'S MANAGEMENT REVIEW.
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EC IMPOSES PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON HK TV RECEIVERS
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) DESCRIBED AS ’’REGRETTABLE” A DECISION BY THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY TO IMPOSE PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES OF 2.1 PER CENT TO 4.8 PER CENT ON SMALL SCREEN COLOUR TELEVISION RECEIVERS FROM HONG KONG.
THE DUTY, EFFECTIVE FROM SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, WILL BE VALID FOR FOUR MONTHS, ALTHOUGH THIS CAN BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE COMMISSION DECIDES TO IMPOSE A DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING DUTY.
SIX HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS PARTICIPATED IN THE INVESTIGATION WHICH WAS INITIATED ON NOVEMBER 12, 1988.
/THE ASSISTANT .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1991
" 3 -
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ALAN LAI, SAID THE NORMAL SCENARIO ASSOCIATED WITH DUMPING WAS THAT AN EXPORTER USED HIGH PRICES IN A PROTECTED DOMESTIC MARKET IN ORDER TO REDUCE PRICES OVERSEAS AND THUS UNDERMINE THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY OF IMPORTING COUNTRIES.
"HONG KONG HAS AN OPEN ECONOMY AND DOES NOT HAVE A PROTECTED MARKET.
"IT IS THUS UNLIKELY THAT HONG KONG COMPANIES, MOST OF WHICH ARE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE, WOULD DUMP," MR LAI SAID.
HE SAID THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WOULD DISCUSS WITH LOCAL MANUFACTURERS WHETHER FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO CHALLENGE ITS FINDINGS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID OF THE EIGHT CASES INITIATED BY THE EEC SINCE DECEMBER 1987, THE POSITION NOW WAS THAT FIVE CASES (CELLULAR MOBILE RADIO TELEPHONES, DENIM, PHOTO ALBUMS, SILICON METAL AND TUNGSTEN ORES) HAD BEEN TERMINATED WITHOUT IMPOSITION OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES; DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES UP TO 21.9 PER CENT HAD BEEN IMPOSED IN THE CASE OF VIDEO CASSETTE TAPES; AND PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES WERE NOW IN PLACE WITH RESPECT TO AUDIO TAPES (2.4 PER CENT) AND SMALL-SCREEN COLOUR TELEVISION RECEIVERS (UP TO 4.8 PER CENT).
"NO NEW CASES INVOLVING HONG KONG HAVE BEEN INITIATED BY THE COMMISSION FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS. BUT THIS IS NOT A REASON TO RELAX OUR VIGILANCE," MR LAI SAID.
"ALTHOUGH WE ARE GLAD NOT TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN NEW CASES FOR SOME TIME, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THERE WILL BE NO NEW CASES IN FUTURE," HE ADDED.
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THREE DB ELECTIONS CANDIDATES WITHDRAW NOMINATIONS »»****
THREE CANDIDATES FOR THE 1991 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON MARCH 3 HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR NOMINATIONS TODAY (TUESDAY), REDUCING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CANDIDATES TO 472.
THEY ARE MR SUNG TIN-HUNG WHO HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR YAU MA TEI EAST CONSTITUENCY IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT; MR PETER CHAN CHI-KWAN WHO HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR KOWLOON TONG CONSTITUENCY IN KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT; AND MR CHOW YUN-HUNG WHO HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR AP LEI CHAU NORTH CONSTITUENCY IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
/4 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1991
4
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS *»»»»»
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26) AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL. THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
A TOTAL OF 70 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING.
THEY ARE:
» FROM 10 AM TO 10.45 AM
AV486 EL9666 EK740 AH5456 CV427 EK531 EM7776 EL1081 DA2271 EN915 EL4006 EL448 DR1737 EL4098 EK9226 EL3884 EM8600 EP284 BM850 CV6908 AW486 EL6008 CN427 EM129 EL1011 EL3345 EM750 BX1916 BL3680 EP2523 EL8732 EM921 EL1227 EL486 BJ1112
♦ FROM 11 AM TO 11.45 AM
EM6200 EM408 EJ7080 EM7688 AW8348
EM590 BY912 EM1560 EM7891 EM7862
EL4383 CF6779 AG2788 BL1956 EN2343
AT501 EM2155 EM637 EN3555 AK2152
EL3208 AL486 EN129 EM9091 EP8494
EM449 EP8600 EN5768 EN608 EN240
EL9499 EM1500 EP1654 EN1120 BB621
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT ' DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE
VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLES REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 160TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
DISCLOSURE OF EXCHANGE FUND INFORMATION CONSTANTLY UNDER REVIEW: FS .... 1
REDOMICILED COMPANIES.REMAIN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME ............................ 1
BILL TO RELIEVE RATE PAYMENTS INTRODUCED ....................................... 2
TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PASSED ..................................... 4
TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE UNDER FULL REVIEW IN APRIL ............................. 6
FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS IN ESTATES ARE OPERATIONALLY SOUND: S FOR S . 8
BILLS ON ELECTION PRACTICES .................................................... 9
NEW LAW FOR SECURITY INDUSTRY IN THE PIPELINE ................................. 11
GOVT POLICY ON RELATIONS WITH VIETNAM ........;................................ 12
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT ZEBRA CROSSINGS ENSURED .................................. 12
SHA EXPLAINS RATIONALE ON PUBLIC HOUSING APPLICATIONS ......................... 13
PROCESSING TIME OF CNCC REASONABLE: S FOR S ................................... 14
BASIC PROFICIENCY TESTS PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATION FOR STUDENTS ... 15
FOUR BILLS PASSED ............................................................. 16
NO PLAN AT PRESENT TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO AIRPORT BUILDING ....................... 17
TAX RELIEF FOR UNIT TRUSTS AND MUTUAL FUND PROPOSED ............................. 17
MARINE LITTERING AN OFFENCE ..................................................... 18
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ........................................................ I9
OPEN DAYS ARE SIGNIFICANT TO STUDENTS ........................................... I9
ASD PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH HEADQUARTERS OPENS ................................. 20
TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL TO OPEN ON FRIDAY ....................................... 21
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY ......................................... 22
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ........................................ 22
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
1
DISCLOSURE OF EXCHANGE FUND INFORMATION CONSTANTLY UNDER REVIEW: FS *****
THE POSSIBILITY OF DISCLOSING FURTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE AFFAIRS OF THE EXCHANGE FUND IS KEPT CONSTANTLY UNDER REVIEW, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
BUT GIVEN A DEGREE OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS, SIR PIERS SAID THE PUBLICATION OF ADDITIONAL FIGURES AT PRESENT MIGHT WELL NOT BE TO THE ADVANTAGE OF THE COMMUNITY.
IN REPLY TO THE QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN, SIR PIERS SAID A BALANCE HAD TO BE STRUCK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S FUNDAMENTAL DESIRE FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND THE NEED TO ENSURE ITS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY WAS NOT IMPAIRED IN ANY WAY.
"OUR FIRST PRIORITY MUST BE THE MAINTENANCE OF A STABLE HONG KONG DOLLAR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
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REDOMICILED COMPANIES REMAIN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME
*****
REDOMICILING IS NOT NECESSARILY DAMAGING TO HONG KONG SINCE REDOMICILED COMPANIES REMAIN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THEY WERE BEFORE THE RELOCATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THEIR MANAGEMENT AND THE MAJORITY OF THEIR PUBLIC SHAREHOLDERS GENERALLY REMAIN IN HONG KONG.
"THEIR HONG KONG ASSETS ARE UNAFFECTED BY THE MOVE, AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO AND INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY ARE BASICALLY UNCHANGED," SIR PIERS SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI, SIR PIERS SAID WHETHER THE EFFECT OF SUCH A MOVE WAS POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE WAS LARGELY A MATTER OF PERCEPTION INVOLVING THE SUBJECTIVE JUDGEMENT OF THE VARIOUS PARTIES AFFECTED.
"IT MUST BE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND SHAREHOLDERS OF ANY COMPANY TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD RELOCATE THE COMPANY’S DOMICILE TO AN OVERSEAS JURISDICTION," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID REDOMICILED COMPANIES DID NOT ENJOY ANY SPECIFIC CONCESSIONS OR PRIVILEGES GRANTED EITHER BY THE HONG KONG LAW OR BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT, UPON REDOMICILING, THEY CEASE TO BE SUBJECT TO HONG KONG DOMESTIC COMPANY LAW.
/"THERE ARE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
2
"THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WHICH DO APPLY TO OVERSEAS-INCORPORATED COMPANIES WHICH HAVE A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
AS A GENERAL PRINCIPLE, THESE OVERSEAS INCORPORATED COMPANIES CONTINUED TO BE SUBJECT TO HONG KONG SECURITIES REGULATION, THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF WHICH WAS TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF INVESTORS IN THE HONG KONG MARKET, HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID SO LONG AS REDOMICILED COMPANIES ABIDED BY THE SAME RULES AS COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG IN TERMS OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO INVESTORS, THEY SHOULD BE FREE TO OPERATE IN THE WAY THAT SUITED THEIR CORPORATE OBJECTIVES BEST.
"THUS, WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT CONSIDER IT NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO INTERFERE IN THE COMMERCIAL DECISIONS OF COMPANIES, IT WILL ENDEAVOUR TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN THE INVESTOR PROTECTION FRAMEWORK FOR SHAREHOLDERS IN SUCH COMPANIES AS A RESULT OF THEIR CHANGE OF DOMICILE," HE ADDED.
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BILL TO RELIEVE RATE PAYMENTS INTRODUCED
*****
THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A RATE RELIEF SCHEME IN ORDER TO CUSHION THE IMPACT OF SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN RATES PAYMENTS IN ANY GIVEN YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID ONE EFFECT OF THE GENERAL REVALUATION WHICH WAS DUE TO TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR WAS THAT SOME PROPERTIES WOULD EXPERIENCE GREATER INCREASES IN RATEABLE VALUES THAN OTHERS.
HE SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE RENTAL VALUES, ON WHICH THE RATEABLE VALUES WERE BASED, WOULD INCREASE BY DIFFERENT AMOUNTS DEPENDING UPON THE CLASS OF THE PROPERTY CONCERNED AND ITS LOCATION.
SIR PIERS SAID ALTHOUGH THE RATES PAYABLE AFTER THE REVALUATION MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY INCREASE TO THE SAME EXTENT AS THE GENERAL INCREASE IN RATEABLE VALUES BECAUSE OF THE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PERCENTAGE RATES CHARGE, THOSE PROPERTIES EXPERIENCING INCREASES ABOVE THE OVERALL AVERAGE MIGHT STILL BE FACED WITH SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN RATES PAYMENTS.
"TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION, THE BILL PROPOSES TO CREATE A MECHANISM IN THE RATING ORDINANCE BY WHICH A RATE RELIEF SCHEME MAY BE INTRODUCED IN ANY FINANCIAL YEAR," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES WERE SUCH THAT A RATE RELIEF SCHEME WAS DEEMED NECESSARY, THE NEW SECTION 19(1) COULD BE INVOKED, HE SAID.
/"THIS SECTION
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
3
"THIS SECTION PROVIDES THAT THE AMOUNT OF RATES PAYABLE IN ANY PRESCRIBED YEAR WILL NOT BE GREATER THAN THE AGGREGATE OF THE AMOUNT PAYABLE IN THE PRECEDING YEAR PLUS A PRESCRIBED PERCENTAGE OF THAT AMOUNT.
"BOTH THE PRESCRIBED YEAR AND THE PRESCRIBED PERCENTAGE WILL BE DETERMINED BY A RESOLUTION OF THIS COUNCIL," SIR PIERS SAID.
IN DETERMINING THE PERCENTAGE TO BE CHARGED ON THE RATEABLE VALUES IN EACH FINANCIAL YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WOULD CONSIDER ALSO THE NEED FOR RATE RELIEF IN THAT YEAR, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE MAGNITUDE OF INCREASES IN RATES TO BE PAYABLE BY DIFFERENT RATEPAYERS AND THE FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SITUATION AT THE TIME.
IF THE NEED FOR RATE RELIEF COULD BE ESTABLISHED, SIR PIERS SAID HE WOULD SEEK TO BRING THE SCHEME INTO EFFECT BY AN APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THE PROCEDURE SUGGESTED IS A BETTER SYSTEM THAN THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE PAST.
"FIRST, THE NEW ARRANGEMENT PROVIDES GREATER FLEXIBILITY BY ENABLING RATE RELIEF TO BE INTRODUCED WITHOUT THE NEED FOR LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS.
"AND SECONDLY, THE MECHANISM WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR ONE YEAR AT A TIME. THIS WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE SITUATION ON A YEARLY BASIS," SIR PIERS SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE MAIN PROVISION LIMITING RATES PAYMENTS, SIR PIERS SAID SOME CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS WERE ALSO REQUIRED.
"THE NEW SECTION 19(2) PROVIDES THAT THE RATE RELIEF LIMIT WILL NOT APPLY WHERE RATES FIRST BECOME PAYABLE IN THE RELEVANT YEAR DUE TO AN INTERIM VALUATION.
"THIS WILL NORMALLY APPLY WHEN A NEW BUILDING IS FIRST ASSESSED TO RATES IN THE RELEVANT YEAR.
"SECTIONS 19(3), 19(4) AND 19(5) ARE TECHNICAL PROVISIONS WHICH DEAL WITH THE COMPUTATION OF THE RATE RELIEF AMOUNT WHERE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS APPLY,” HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
4
TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PASSED
* » » t «
THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH TWO OF ITS MAIN AREAS OF CONCERN REGARDING COMPENSATION AND APPEALS SYSTEM REMAINING OP^N FOR FURTHER DELIBERATIONS, AND TO BE ADDRESSED IN A FORTHCOMING FULL REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE LATER THIS YEAR.
IN WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT TO SEEK PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE FULL REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS VIEWED AS A MATTER OF REAL PRIORITY BY MEMBERS, WOULD BE PUBLISHED AROUND APRIL THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO SUBMIT ITS FINAL PROPOSALS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR AFTER ALLOWING SIX MONTHS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION, ASSURING THAT EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO COMPLETE THE REVIEW WITH EFFICIENCY AND THOROUGHNESS.
IN PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND THEIR HARD WORK ON THE PROCESSING OF THE BILL, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE AD HOC GROUP, UNDER THE CHARMANSHIP OF THE HON RITA FAN, HAD ACCEPTED THAT THERE WAS A PRESSING NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION NOW BEFORE WIDESPREAD ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND GROWTH OF INCOMPATIBLE LAND USES IN THE RURAL AREAS RENDERED FUTURE REMEDIAL PLANNING VERY DIFFICULT AND COSTLY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS, NEVERTHELESS, REQUIRED BEFORE DETAILS OF THE BILL WERE DISCUSSED, TO CONVINCE THE AD HOC GROUP THAT PLANNING CONTROLS ON THE RURAL AREAS WERE REQUIRED, THAT THE GENERAL APPROACH TO CONTROL THROUGH A MODIFIED PLANNING PERMISSION SYSTEM WAS A RIGHT AND NECESSARY ONE, AND THAT SUCH CONTROLS, INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVED IN THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA SYSTEM WERE NEEDED IMMEDIATELY.
HE NOTED THAT THE AD HOC GROUP, APART FROM THE SUBMISSIONS MADE TO IT DURING THE COURSE OF ITS DELIBERATIONS, WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE DIFFERENT VIEWS PUT TO THE ADMINISTRATION DURING THE COURSE OF THE FORMAL CONSULTATION TO THE BILL.
ON THE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION, MR BARNES SAID THE SUBJECT WAS A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE INVOLVING A DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN THE EXERCISE OF PROPERTY RIGHTS AND THE NEED TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY INTERESTS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS EXPLAINED TO THE AD HOC GROUP THE MANY FACETS OF THIS ISSUE WHICH REQUIRE SERIOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE DEBATE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE LEGAL BASIS IN THE COMMON LAW FOR COMPENSATION, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE VALUE OF LAND IS CREATED BY PUBLIC INVESTMENT, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE VALUE OF LAND IS DETERMINED BY PLANS AND PLANNING DECISIONS, AND THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT PLANNING REMAINS AFFORDABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, " HE NOTED.
/HE ATWTO........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
5
HE ADDED THAT THE GROUP HAD ACCEPTED THAT THERE COULD BE NO EARLY CONCLUSION TO THE DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE AND NOTED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO HAVE THE SUBJECT DELIBERATED IN THE FORTHCOMING FULL REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE DETAILS OF THE PROCEDURAL MEASURES ON HOW THE FULL REVIEW WOULD BE TAKEN FORWARD WOULD BE ANNOUNCED AFTER THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSULTED THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THE ISSUE.
REGARDING THE PRESENT APPEALS SYSTEM UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, MR BARNES SAID THE CURRENT LEGISLATION HAD BEEN CRITICISED BECAUSE IT PROVIDED FOR THE BOARD TO HEAR OBJECTIONS TO ITS OWN PLANS AND TO CONDUCT ITS OWN REVIEWS OF ITS REFUSALS OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION ACCEPTS AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE THE NEED FOR A HEARING WHICH IS NOT JUST FAIR BUT SEEN TO BE FAIR FOR PERSONS AGGRIEVED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S DECISIONS.
"WE RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF AN APPEALS BODY WHICH CAN SERVE AS AN ARBITER BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THOSE WHOSE INTERESTS ARE AFFECTED BY THOSE DECISIONS," HF SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO NOTED THAT CHANGES TO THE EXISTING SECTION 6 OBJECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE PREPARATION OF PLANS WOULD HOWEVER REQUIRE A RADICAL REAPPRAISAL OF THE ENTIRE PLAN-MAKING AND APPROVAL SYSTEM AND IT HAD BEEN AGREED WITH THE AD HOC GROUP THAT THIS SHOULD BEST BE ADDRESSED IN THE OVERALL REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT BODY TO REPLACE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL’S ROLE UNDER SECTION 17(7) AS THE FINAL APPEALS BODY TO DEAL WITH REFUSALS OF PLANNING PERMISSION IS PRACTICABLE.
"ACCORDINGLY THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO INTRODUCE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AHEAD OF THE OVERALL REVIEW, A SEPARATE AMENDMENT BILL TO PROVIDE FOR A NEW INDEPENDENT APPEALS BODY FOR SECTION 17(7) APPEALS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE POWERS, COMPOSITION, MEMBERSHIP AND PROCEDURES OF THE APPEAL BODY WOULD BE EXAMINED FURTHER IN THE DRAFTING OF THE SEPARATE BILL.
MR BARNES ALSO COMMENTED THAT THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL, LIKE ANY LEGISLATION, WOULD BE JUDGED ON ITS RESULTS -- THAT IS WHAT WOULD OR WOULD NOT HAPPEN IN CONSEQUENCE OF IT.
"IT IS OF COURSE PARTLY ABOUT WHAT WE HOPE WILL NOT HAPPEN, - THAT IS - INCOMPATIBLE USES LUMPED NEXT DOOR TO EACH OTHER AND THE GRADUAL DESECRATION OF BOTH THE RURAL LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND OF THE MORE SCENIC RURAL AREAS.
"BUT IT IS ALSO ABOUT WHAT WE HOPE WILL HAPPEN, THE PROPER PLANNING AND SERVICING OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES," HE SAID.
/HE STRESSED .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
6
HE STRESSED THAT BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FULLY UNDERSTOOD THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN THIS REGARD AND HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT LAND OWNERS AND DEVELOPERS WOULD SPEEDILY APPRECIATE THAT THIS WAS A BETTER AND MORE DECISIVE FRAMEWORK IN WHICH TO PLAN DEVELOPMENT.
MEANWHILE, MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY CONSIDERING HOW THE ADMINISTRATIVE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS COULD BE IMPROVED AS THEY WERE TURNED INTO THE DRAFT STATUTORY DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS.
HE SAID ON PRESENT PROJECTIONS, HE EXPECTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO INCLUDE UPWARDS OF 10 AREAS FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT; AND IN ADDITION AROUND FIVE OR SO AREAS WHERE APPLICATIONS FOR THE ZONING OF COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS, AGAIN PRIMARILY FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, COULD BE CONSIDERED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT IN ADDITION, THE 30 INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS PUBLISHED SO FAR HAD MADE PROVISIONS FOR 240 HECTARES FOR OPEN STORAGE USE, OF WHICH ONLY 28 HECTARES WERE BEING USED FOR SUCH PURPOSE.
IN OTHER WORDS, 220 HECTARES OF LAND WITHIN THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE FUTURE USE OF OPEN STORAGE, REPRESENTING AN EXPANSION ALLOWANCE OF 60 PER CENT ON EXISTING OPEN STORAGE AREAS.
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO PROCEED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO REPLACE THE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION PLANS WITH THE FULLY DETAILED OUTLINE ZONING PLANS, SO THAT THE STATUTORY PLANNING SYSTEM COULD INDEED GIVE THEM MAXIMUM GUIDANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
-----0------
TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE UNDER FULL REVIEW IN APRIL
*****
A FULL REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE IS TO BE CARRIED OUT LATER THIS YEAR AND UNDER WHICH CONTENTIOUS ISSUES SUCH AS COMPENSATION WILL BE FULLY EXAMINED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING. ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN, SPEAKING AFTER THE PASSING INTO LAW AT TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, ADDED THAT THE BILL WAS AIMED AT PREVENTING FURTHER DEGRADATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE RURAL AREAS PENDING THE FULL REVIEW LATER.
HE SAID: "FOR MANY YEARS AGRICULTURAL LAND HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO OPEN STORAGE AND ALLIED USES. MANY OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN A HAPHAZARD AND DISORDERLY MANNER, CREATING ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
/"THE TOWN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
7 -
"THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL WAS PROPOSED TO HALT THE GROWTH OF INCOMPATIBLE LAND USES BEFORE FUTURE REMEDIAL PLANNING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT PENDING AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE."
THE BILL HAD ATTRACTED MUCH PUBLIC ATTENTION AND DEBATE, HE SAID. SOME 190 PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS WERE MADE IN RESPONSE TO THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT PUBLISHED IN JULY 1990.
SPECIAL BRIEFINGS, MEETINGS AND SEMINARS WERE HELD BY THE ADMINISTRATION WITH MORE THAN 20 STATUTORY AND ADVISORY BODIES, PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES AND ORGANISATIONS.
AFTER DETAIL DELIBERATIONS BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE BILL, THE FOLLOWING MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL WERE PROPOSED:
(A) S.2(5) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW PROVISION SETTING OUT
MORE SPECIFICALLY WHICH POWERS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD CAN BE DELEGATED TO COMMITTEES AND WHICH TO THE AUTHORITY, THUS ALLAYING THE FEARS IN SOME QUARTERS THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING MIGHT BE GIVEN TOO MUCH AUTHORITY;
(B) THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO S.4(3) WILL BE DELETED. THERE HAS BEEN A MISCONCEPTION IN MANY QUARTERS THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WAS A MOVE BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO TRY TO REMOVE EXISTING RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO LITIGATE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR DAMAGES. WHILE THIS HAS NEVER BEEN THE ADMINISTRATION’S INTENTION, DELETION OF THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO S.4(3) WOULD HELP TO CLEAR THE DOUBTS;
(C) THE FINE FOR UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT UNDER S.20(6), 21(2) AND 23(6) IS LOWERED TO $100,000 AND THE PROPOSAL FOR IMPRISONMENT HAS BEEN DELETED; AND
(I) ) THE ADDITION UNDER S.23A THE RIGHT TO REVIEW OF ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY THE AUTHORITY’S DECISION ON ISSUE OF ENFORCEMENT NOTICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: ” ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN WAS THE LACK OF AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL CHANNEL AGAINST THE DECISION OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
"HOWEVER, THE ISSUE IS A COMPLICATED ONE AND SO THAT THE BILL SHOULD NOT BE FURTHER DELAYED, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE INTRODUCING FURTHER LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND AHEAD OF THE FULL REVIEW WITH A VIEW TO ESTABLISHING AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL BOARD TO DEAL WITH APPEALS UNDER S.17(7) OF THE ORDINANCE.
"HOWEVER, AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL CHANNEL TO DEAL WITH OBJECTIONS TO STATUTORY PLANS UNDER S.6 OF THE ORDINANCE WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FULL REVIEW."
IT IS INTENDED TO PUBLISH A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE FULL REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE IN APRIL THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE FULL REVIEW CONTENTIOUS ISSUES SUCH AS COMPENSATION WILL BE FULLY EXAMINED.
------0-----------
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 8 -
FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS IN ESTATES ARE OPERATIONALLY SOUND: S FOR S ♦ * * ♦ *
THERE HAS GENERALLY BEEN NO PROBLEM WITH THE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF ALL FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR ASPREY SAID REGULATION 8 OF THE FIRE SERVICE (INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT) REGULATIONS REQUIRED THE OWNERS OF ANY FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS OR EQUIPMENT TO KEEP THEM IN EFFICIENT WORKING ORDER AT ALL TIMES AND TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED BY REGISTERED CONTRACTORS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 12 MONTHS.
"AT PRESENT, ALL FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE INSPECTED AND TESTED BY REGISTERED FIRE SERVICES CONTRACTORS TWICE A YEAR," HE SAID.
FOLLOWING EACH INSPECTION, MR ASPREY SAID A MAINTENANCE CERTIFICATE WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONFIRMING THAT THE INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT WERE IN EFFICIENT WORKING ORDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CODE OF PRACTICE.
IN ADDITION, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF VISITED AND INSPECTED BUILDINGS WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE STATION AREAS ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE FOR TRAINING AND FAMILIARISATION, OR UPON RECEIPT OF COMPLAINTS, THE SECRETARY ADDED.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT AT PRESENT, A TOTAL OF 46 HOUSING ESTATES, CONTAINING 225 BUILDINGS, WERE FITTED WITH DRY RISER FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS SIMILAR TO THOSE IN HO MAN TIN ESTATE.
FIFTY-ONE OF THESE BUILDINGS WERE DUE TO BE DEMOLISHED WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FOR REDEVELOPMENT.
"FOR THE REMAINDER, AN IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IS UNDERWAY TO CONVERT THE EXISTING DRY RISER INSTALLATIONS INTO WET RISER SYSTEMS, WHICH IS THE STANDARD IN ALL NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES," HE SAID.
STATISTICS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE ON THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS FITTED WITH DRY RISER SYSTEMS, MR ASPREY SAID.
ON THE RECENT FIRE IN HO MAN TIN ESTATE IN WHICH FOUR CHILDREN WERE BURNT TO DEATH, MR ASPREY SAID THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS NOW CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.
THIS WAS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT ONE MONTH TO COMPLETE.
"THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE AND THE TRAGIC DEATHS WHICH RESULTED ARE LIKELY TO BE THE SUBJECT OF A SUBSEQUENT CORONER’S INQUIRY, AND SO I WOULD NOT WISH TO COMMENT FURTHER AT THIS STAGE," HE ADDED.
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
9
BILLS ON ELECTION PRACTICES
» » « « *
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SPOKE ON THREE AMENDMENT BILLS THAT DEALT WITH ELECTION PRACTICES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MR MATHEWS SAID THE OBJECTS OF THE BILL WERE THREE-FOLD.
FIRST, IT WAS TO AMEND THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE SO AS TO EXTEND THE PROVISIONS THAT RELATED TO THE DECLARATION OF ELECTION EXPENSES, TO COVER ALSO DECLARATIONS OF DONATIONS RECEIVED TOWARDS THOSE EXPENSES.
SECONDLY, IT WAS TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROPER DISPOSAL OF UNSPENT OR EXCESS DONATIONS.
THIRDLY, IT WAS TO ENABLE INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT TO DECLARE THE DONATIONS WHICH THEY HAD RECEIVED IN ADVANCE OF AN ELECTION.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE EVOLUTION OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, MARKED BY THE FIRST DIRECT ELECTION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS, SHOULD INEVITABLY CALL FOR CHANGE IN SOME OF THE ELECTION PRACTICES.
CANDIDATES WOULD INCREASINGLY BE DEPENDENT ON FUNDING, EITHER FROM INDIVIDUALS OR POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS, TO FINANCE THEIR ELECTION CAMPAIGNS.
THERE WAS A NEED FOR APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, AND TO ENSURE THAT DONATIONS FOR ELECTIONS WERE FULLY AND PUBLICLY ACCOUNTED FOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
HE SAID THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE CANDIDATES TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE DONORS OF THEIR ELECTION EXPENSES AS WELL AS TO THEIR ELECTORATE AS REGARDS THE SOURCES AND DISPOSAL OF THEIR ELECTION FUNDS.
"CANDIDATES ARE PRESENTLY REQUIRED, UNDER SECTION 29 OF THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE, TO DECLARE THEIR ELECTION EXPENSES, AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE. UNDER SECTION 29A SUCH RETURNS ARE OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION.
"FAILURE TO DECLARE THE SOURCE OF ELECTION EXPENSES WILL BE MADE AN OFFENCE WITH ATTENDANT PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS. THESE ARE PROVIDED FOR IN CLAUSES 7(A), 7(B) AND 8 OF THE BILL," HE SAID.
ON DISPOSAL OF UNSPENT OR EXCESS DONATIONS, MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 8B OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT NO CANDIDATE OR ELECTION AGENT, AND NO PERSON ON BEHALF OF A CANDIDATE, SHOULD USE MONEY RECEIVED FOR ELECTION EXPENSES FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE.
/"QUESTIONS COULD .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
10
"QUESTIONS COULD ARISE AS TO THE DISPOSAL OF ANY UNSPENT DONATIONS. THESE MAY ARISE ON THE DEATH OF A CANDIDATE; ON HIS OR HER WITHDRAWAL FROM AN ELECTION; WHEN THE TOTAL AMOUNT RECEIVED IS IN EXCESS OF THE PERMISSIBLE LIMIT; OR WHEN THERE ARE DONATIONS SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS.
"IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE SHOULD CONTAIN A PROVISION WHICH WOULD CLEARLY SET OUT THE ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF DISPOSAL OF ANY UNSPENT OR SURPLUS DONATIONS.
"CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL PROPOSES THAT SUCH DONATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DONOR IF THIS IS BOTH PRACTICABLE AND IS THE WISH OF THE DONOR; OTHERWISE THE DONATIONS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO CHARITY," HE SAID.
TURNING TO DECLARATION OF DONATIONS BY INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF THE THREE-TIER REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, MR MATHEWS SAID THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF "PUBLIC BODY" IN THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE.
A MEMBER OF THOSE BODIES FELL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "PUBLIC SERVANT" UNDER SECTION 2 OF THAT ORDINANCE.
BY REASON OF SECTION 4 OF THAT ORDINANCE, INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS MIGHT NOT ACCEPT OR SOLICIT DONATIONS FOR POLITICAL OR ELECTION PURPOSES.
ANY SUCH DONATION WOULD CONSTITUTE AN ADVANTAGE AND, AS SUCH, ITS OFFER OR ACCEPTANCE MIGHT CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
"IT IS CLEARLY UNSATISFACTORY THAT THE PAYMENT TO, OR RECEIPT BY, INCUMBENT MEMBERS OF ELECTION EXPENSE DONATIONS SHOULD AMOUNT TO A CRIMINAL OFFENCE," MR MATHEWS SAID.
"TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM THE BILL AMENDS THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE SO THAT AN INTENDING CANDIDATE MAY DECLARE THE SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF EACH DONATION MADE TOWARDS HIS, OR HER, ELECTION EXPENSES IN ADVANCE OF AN ELECTION.
"SUCH DECLARED DONATIONS WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE APPLICATION OF SECTION 4 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE. CLAUSES 7(C), 7(D), 7(E) AND 7(F) SET OUT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH ADVANCE DECLARATIONS," HE SAID.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS AMENDMENT, MR MATHEWS SAID CLAUSE 2 OF PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SOUGHT TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF ADVANTAGE SO AS TO EXCLUDE A DONATION WHICH WAS SOLICITED, OFFERED, OR ACCEPTED SPECIFICALLY FOR ELECTION EXPENSES, AS DEFINED IN THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE, AND WHICH WAS PROPERLY DECLARED UNDER THAT ORDINANCE.
SPEAKING ON THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MR MATHEWS SAID AT PRESENT NOT ALL ELECTORAL OFFENCES WERE CONSOLIDATED IN THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE.
/SECTION 12(1) .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
11
SECTION 12(1) OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ORDINANCE REQUIRED THE COMMISSIONER TO DEAL Willi COMPLAINTS WHICH, IN A GENERAL SENSE, ALLEGED CORRUPT PRACTICES, AND THIS ENABLED THE COMMISSIONER TO DEAL WITH ELECTORAL OFFENCES WHICH WERE NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED BY THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE POWERS GIVEN BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ORDINANCE NEEDED TO BE MORE CLEARLY SPELT OUT.
"CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL EXTENDS THE SCOPE OF SECTION 10 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE SO AS TO INCLUDE A POWER OF ARREST FOR CERTAIN SUSPECTED ELECTORAL OFFENCES DETECTED DURING THE COURSE OF AN INVESTIGATION OF A SUSPECTED OFFENCE UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE.
"CLAUSE 3 SEEKS TO EXTEND THE SCOPE FOR INVESTIGATION IN RELATION TO ELECTORAL OFFENCES, SO THAT ANY ALLEGED OR SUSPECTED CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT AN OFFENCE UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE MAY BE DEALT WITH BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
"FOR THE SAKE OF CONSISTENCY, THE PROPOSED SECTION 12(B)(VII) IS ADDED TO ENABLE THE COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE ANY ALLEGED OR SUSPECTED CONSPIRACY INVOLVING A CROWN SERVANT TO COMMIT THE OFFENCE OF BLACKMAIL BY OR THROUGH THE MISUSE OF HIS OR HER OFFICE," HE SAID.
DEBATES ON THE THREE AMENDMENT BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
----------------------0------- NEW LAW FOR SECURITY INDUSTRY IN THE PIPELINE *****
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS ESTABLISHED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER THE NEED FOR NEW LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE SECURITY INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AND TO IMPROVE STANDARDS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM, MR ASPREY SAID THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD DRAWN UP PROPOSALS FOR A NEW LICENSING SYSTEM BOTH FOR SECURITY COMPANIES AND FOR SECURITY OFFICERS (INCLUDING WATCHMEN) AND PERSONS DESIGNING, INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING SECURITY DEVICES.
"THE INTENTION IS THAT, FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS NEW LEGISLATION, THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE WILL BE REPEALED," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID DRAFTING OF THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION WAS NOW AT AN ADVANCED STAGE.
"I HOPE THAT IT WILL BE PUT BEFORE THIS COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
--------0----------
/12.........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 12 -
GOVT POLICY ON RELATIONS WITH VIETNAM ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO COMMENCE TALKS WITH VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES AT A MUTUALLY CONVENIENT TIME TO DISCUSS THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RESUMPTION OF AIR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VIETNAM.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
MR ASPREY SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO INDICATE WHEN SUCH SERVICES MIGHT RESUME AT THIS STAGE.
AS REGARDS VISAS, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY REVIEWED ITS POLICY.
"WE ARE NOW PREPARED TO GRANT VISAS TO ALL CATEGORIES OF VISITORS FROM VIETNAM; HITHERTO, WE HAVE GRANTED VISAS ONLY FOR BUSINESS VISITS.
"WE HAVE ALSO SIMPLIFIED THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ISSUE OF VISAS, WHICH SHOULD IN FUTURE BE GRANTED IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS, RATHER THAN THE PREVIOUS ONE MONTH," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT AT PRESENT CONSIDERING THE OPENING OF A VIETNAMESE CONSULATE IN HONG KONG.
"HOWEVER, VIETNAM DOES HAVE AN UNOFFICIAL TRADE OFFICE IN HONG KONG, AND WE HAVE INDICATED TO THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES THAT WE WOULD BE PREPARED FOR THIS OFFICE TO HAVE A VISA ISSUING FUNCTION, HE ADDED.
----------------------0------- PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT ZEBRA CROSSINGS ENSURED * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
VARIOUS MEASURES ARE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT ZEBRA CROSSINGS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG.
HE SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS GAVE PEDESTRIANS USING ZEBRA CROSSINGS PRECEDENCE OVER ANY VEHICLE.
"MOTORISTS CONTRAVENING THIS PROVISION COMMIT AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A FIXED PENALTY OF $280 AND THREE DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS.
"MOTORISTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OVERTAKE IN ZEBRA CONTROLLED AREAS: THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THIS OFFENCE IS A $10,000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT," HE SAID.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
13
MR LEUNG SAID THE LAW ALSO REQUIRED PEDESTRIANS NOT TO CROSS A ROAD OUTSIDE THE ZEBRA CROSSING PROPER.
HE ADDED THAT THE LOCATION OF EACH ZEBRA CROSSING WAS CAREFULLY CHOSEN TO ENSURE GOOD VISIBILITY FOR BOTH DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS.
’’FACTORS SUCH AS THE PHYSICAL ALIGNMENT OF THE ROAD, ADJACENT STRUCTURES, AND TRAFFIC FLOW CONDITIONS AT A PARTICULAR SPOT ARE ALL TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE A ZEBRA CROSSING IS INSTALLED.
’’WHITE STRIPE MARKINGS AND ROAD STUDS, TOGETHER WITH BLINKING BEACONS, MAKE ZEBRA CROSSINGS CONSPICUOUS TO DRIVERS AND EASIER FOR PEDESTRIANS TO USE.
’’FINALLY, RAILINGS INSTALLED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CROSSING PREVENT JAY-WALKING AND GUIDE PEDESTRIANS TO USE THE CROSSING PROPERLY,” HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT STRESSED THAT PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION WERE EQUALLY ESSENTIAL. HIGH PRIORITY WAS GIVEN EACH YEAR TO FUNDING ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNS.
’’TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST HAVE BEEN PRODUCED FOR TELEVISION TO PROMOTE THE PROPER USE OF ZEBRA CROSSINGS.
’’ROAD SAFETY OFFICERS FROM THE POLICE VISIT SCHOOLS REGULARLY TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY,” HE SAID.
’’THESE EFFORTS SUPPLEMENT THOSE ALREADY PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN PROMOTING PEDESTRIAN AND ROAD SAFETY THROUGHOUT THE CURRICULUM AND IN MANY EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES,” HE ADDED.
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SHA EXPLAINS RATIONALE ON PUBLIC HOUSING APPLICATIONS ♦ ♦ * » ♦
THE AVAILABLE SUPPLY OF FLATS IN URBAN DISTRICTS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WOULD BE BARELY ADEQUATE TO PROVIDE LOCAL REHOUSING FAMILIES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TSAO SAID THESE FAMILIES WERE PREVIOUSLY ACCOMMODATED IN OLDER URBAN ESTATES WHICH HAD BEEN REDEVELOPED, RESIDENTS IN KOWLOON WALLED CITY, SQUATTER AREAS AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS SCHEDULED FOR CLEARANCE.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MISS LEUNG WAI-TUNG, MR TSAO SAID THE DECISION TO EXCLUDE URBAN DISTRICTS FOR SELECTION BY NEW PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING WAITING LIST APPLICANTS WAS TAKEN BY THE AAUTHORITY'S MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE AT ITS MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 13, 1990.
/“THE BALANCE........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 14 -
"THE BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND IS SUCH, AND CAN BE EXPECTED TO REMAIN SO, THAT THERE IS NO HOPE OF PROVIDING FAMILIES REHOUSED THROUGH THE WAITING LIST WITH FLATS ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR URBAN KOWLOON.
"IF AND WHEN A SMALL NUMBER OF FLATS SHOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO WAITING LIST APPLICANTS, THESE WILL FIRST BE OFFERED TO THOSE ON THE LIST FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS AND CERTAINLY NOT TO NEW APPLICANTS," HE SAID.
MR TSAO STRESSED THAT IN ORDER NOT TO RAISE FALSE HOPES, THE COMMITTEE DECIDED THAT NEW APPLICANTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THEIR CHOICE FROM AMONG THE SIX OTHER DISTRICTS WHERE THERE WAS A REASONABLE PROSPECT OF FLATS BECOMING AVAILABLE.
THIS DECISION WOULD ALSO AVOID A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF ABORTIVE WORK IN PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FROM FAMILIES WHO WERE, AT THE TIME OF THE OFFER, UNWILLING TO ACCEPT REHOUSING IN THE DISTRICTS WHERE FLATS WERE IN FACT AVAILABLE, HE SAID.
"THE COMMITTEE IS WELL AWARE OF AN APPARENT 'INEQUITY’ IN NOT GIVING NEW APPLICANTS THE FULL RANGE OF CHOICES, BUT FEELS NONETHELESS THAT A PROVISION FOR THE APPLICANT TO STATE A PREFERENCE WITHOUT ANY PROSPECT OF SUCCESS HAS NO PRACTICAL MEANING TO THE APPLICANT.
"INDEED, IT MIGHT EVEN MISLEAD HIM INTO REMAINING INTO LONGER THAN WOULD BE NECESSARY IN INADEQUATE PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION," HE SAID.
MR TSAO ADDED THAT THE COMMITTEE WOULD REVIEW THIS DECISION IN THREE YEARS’ TIME IN THE LIGHT OF THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND SITUATION PREVAILING THEN.
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PROCESSING TIME OF CNCC REASONABLE: S FOR S
*****
THE PRESENT PROCESSING TIME FOR A CERTIFICATE OF NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION (CNCC) IS NOT UNREASONABLE, AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR FURTHER MEASURES TO REDUCE IT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR ASPREY SAID THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FROM REGISTERING AN APPLICATION FOR A CNCC TO BEING INTERVIEWED WAS ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS.
HE SAID A CERTIFICATE COULD NORMALLY BE ISSUED 21 WORKING DAYS AFTER AN INTERVIEW.
MR ASPREY SAID ADDITIONAL PART-TIME STAFF HAD BEEN RECRUITED TO THE CNCC OFFICE TO COPE WITH THE WORKLOAD.
/ALL APPLICANTS .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
ALL APPLICANTS FOR A CNCC WERE REQUIRED TO PAY A FEE OF SI 10.
HE SAID THIS COVERED PRESENT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, ALTHOUGH IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO RAISE THE FEE IN FUTURE.
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR ASPREY SAID, HAD COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF ISSUING CNCC’S IN RELATION TO CONVICTIONS SPENT UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
"THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED NO CHANGE IN THE PRESENT PRACTICE," HE SAID.
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BASIC PROFICIENCY TESTS PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATION FOR STUDENTS
* » » » *
BASIC PROFICIENCY TESTS (BPTS), WHICH ARE DEVISED AND ADMINISTERED BY THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY (HKEA), AIM TO PROVIDE AN EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATION FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT INTEND TO CONTINUE WITH FULL TIME ACADEMIC STUDIES AFTER SECONDARY 5.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM.
MR YEUNG SAID BPTS HOLDERS MIGHT BE APPOINTED TO CIVIL SERVICE GRADES WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE A FULL SCHOOL CERTIFICATE, SUCH AS THE RANK AND FILE OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES, AND POSTMEN AND CLERICAL ASSISTANTS IN THE CIVILIAN SERVICE.
HE SAID THE HKEA, WHICH RAN THE BPTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER 1990, HAD YET TO SEEK RECOGNITION OF THEIR RESULTS FOR EMPLOYMENT PURPOSES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"IT INTENDS TO DO SO, HOWEVER, AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE RESULTS IN FEBRUARY 1991.
"IT WILL WRITE TO MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ORGANISATIONS TO SEEK THE NECESSARY RECOGNITION," HE SAID.
"THE HKEA WILL CARRY OUT A REVIEW OF THE BPTS, AND OF THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE CONDUCT OF THE TESTS, ONCE THE PRESENT SERIES HAS BEEN CONCLUDED," HE ADDED.
/MR YEUNG
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 16 -
MR YEUNG SAID BPTS WERE INTENDED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR PROFICIENCY IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE, THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICS, AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION.
THE MATERIAL TESTED WAS DRAWN FROM THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION SYLLABUSES, BUT THE EMPHASIS WAS ON TESTING PRACTICAL SKILLS AND PERFORMING TASKS THAT RELATED TO THE NEEDS OF EVERYDAY LIFE AND A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SITUATIONS, HE SAID.
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FOUR BILLS PASSED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FOUR BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
THEY WERE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990 AND TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
SIXTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE DURING THE SECOND READING DEBATE OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
MEANWHILE, FOUR OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
TWO REPORTS WERE TABLED IN THE MEETING. THEY WERE THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ANNUAL REPORT JULY 1989 TO JUNE 1990' AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1989/90.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
17
NO PLAN AT PRESENT TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO AIRPORT BUILDING ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES CONCERNING PRESS REPORTS THAT ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT BUILDING WOULD BE RESTRICTED AS A SECURITY MEASURE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
”ALTHOUGH OBVIOUSLY SECURITY MEASURES AT THE AIRPORT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED IN THE LIGHT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GULF, THERE IS NO PLAN AT PRESENT TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT BUILDING TO ONLY THOSE HOLDING VALID AIR TICKETS OR PERMITS.
"AS HAD BEEN POINTED OUT, ALL THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS WHICH NEEDED TO BE TAKEN IN THE AIRPORT HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN.
"IF AND WHEN ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN FUTURE WHICH MIGHT AFFECT THE PUBLIC, OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO GIVE THE PUBLIC ADEQUATE NOTICE."
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TAX RELIEF FOR UNIT TRUSTS AND MUTUAL FUND PROPOSED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE FURTHER TAX RELIEF FOR AUTHORISED UNIT TRUSTS AND SIMILAR TAX RELIEF FOR AUTHORISED MUTUAL FUND, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991, IF PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL FURTHER EXEMPT AUTHORISED UNIT TRUSTS FROM PROFITS TAX ON THOSE PROFITS FROM BILLS OF EXCHANGE, FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS, AND EXEMPT AUTHORISED MUTUAL FUND CORPORATIONS ON THE SAME BASIS AS AUTHORISED UNIT TRUSTS.
UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, PROFITS ON THE DISPOSAL OF SECURITIES AND INTEREST RECEIVED BY TRUSTEES OF A UNIT TRUST ARB EXCLUDED FROM PROFITS TAX.
IN THE 1990/91 BUDGET SPEECH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN RESPONSE TO THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY AGREED TO WIDEN THE DEFINITION OF "SECURITIES" IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, AND TO EXEMPT AUTHORISED MUTUAL FUND CORPORATIONS IN A SIMILAR MANNER TO AUTHORISED UNIT TRUSTS.
"AUTHORISED MUTUAL FUND CORPORATIONS SHOULD BE ACCORDED THE SAME TREATMENT AS AUTHORISED UNIT TRUSTS BECAUSE BOTH ARE IDENTICAL IN SUBSTANCE, ALTHOUGH DIFFERING IN LEGAL FORM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT UNTIL RECENTLY, MUTUAL FUND CORPORATIONS WERE NOT WIDELY USED AS INVESTMENT VEHICLES AND THUS THEIR PROFITS TAX POSITION WAS NOT CONSIDERED.
/"THERE SHOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 18 -
"THERE SHOULD BE NO DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN NEGOTIABLE RECEIPTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS EVIDENCING DEPOSITS OF MONEY BOTH OF WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE EXISTING DEFINITION OF SECURITIES, AND BILLS OF EXCHANGE BECAUSE THEY ARE SIMILAR," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS AND FUTURES CONTRACTS, HE EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE USED TO HEDGE AGAINST ACTUAL PURCHASES OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND SHARES AND IF A PROFIT WAS MADE ON SUCH A CONTRACT, A CORRESPONDING LOSS WOULD GENERALLY HAVE BEEN SUFFERED ON THE ACTUAL CURRENCIES OR STOCKS HELD.
"HEDGING IS REGARDED AS AN ESSENTIAL AND INSEPARABLE PART OF MANAGING THESE TYPES OF INVESTMENT," HE ADDED.
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL WILL BE GAZETTTED NEXT FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 1) AND IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 27.
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MARINE LITTERING AN OFFENCE
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED OWNERS AND MASTERS OF VESSELS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MARINE LITTERING IS AN OFFENCE.
THE REMINDER WAS ISSUED AFTER THE HONG KONG FERRY (HOLDINGS) COMPANY LIMITED WAS FINED $25,000 BY WESTERN MAGISTRATE MR HUGH SINCLAIR YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) FOR DUMPING RUBBISH IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG.
THE MARINE OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR JIM HAYMAN, SAID: "THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR MARINE LITTERING IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG BY A COMPANY IS A FINE OF $50,000 AND 12 MONTHS" IMPRISONMENT FOR THE OWNER OR MASTER OF A VESSEL.
"FOR ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF THE OFFENCE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT."
THE CASE OCCURRED ON AUGUST 27, 1989. SAILORS OF THE HONG KONG FERRY "MAN SANG" DUMPED SOFT DRINK CONTAINERS, PLASTIC BAGS AND ASSORTED TRASH INTO THE WATER, WHEN THE FERRY WAS APPROACHING PENG CHAU.
THE DUMPING WAS WITNESSED BY A GROUP OF PEOPLE ON BOARD A YACHT INCLUDING AN OFFICER FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND REPORTS WERE MADE TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
/19 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 19 -
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
* * * * »
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF GOLDEN GATE FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
OPEN DAYS ARE SIGNIFICANT TO STUDENTS
*****
OPEN DAYS, IN EDUCATIONAL TERMS, PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THEY HAVE ACQUIRED INTO PRACTICE.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN OPENING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF CHONG GENE HANG COLLEGE.
MR LI SAID IT WAS MOST FITTING THAT THE COLLEGE HAD CHOSEN TO INCLUDE AN OPEN DAY IN THE CELEBRATION EVENTS.
OPEN DAYS, HE SAID, HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF SIGNIFICANCE IN EDUCATION TERMS AND, IN PUTTING INTO PRACTICE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, THE STUDENTS WOULD BE CARRYING OUT SUCH TASKS AS CHOOSING MEANINGFUL THEMES FOR THEIR EXHIBITION PROJECTS, SELECTING RELEVANT DATA AND MATERIAL AND MAKING INTERESTING PRESENTATIONS.
"THIS PROCESS OF PREPARATION CALLS FOR NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS BUT ALSO TEAM WORK AND CLOSE CO-OPERATION, THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHICH IS A VERY IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL GOAL,” MR LI SAID.
HE SAID HE CHOSE TO SPEAK ON THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN DAYS BECAUSE THEY HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOLS BEING ALWAYS MINDFUL OF THEIR NEED TO CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THEIR PAST PERFORMANCE, THEIR NEED TO LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE AND THEIR NEED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS, STAFF AND PARENTS TO PARTICIPATE FULLY.
"WE IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE VERY MINDFUL OF SIMILAR NEEDS IN OUR WORK OF DEVELOPING EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. WE TRY NEVER TO BE COMPLACENT AND ARE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING OUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, REGULARLY PLANNING IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE AND ALWAYS ENCOURAGING SCHOOLS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES AND PLANS," HE SAID.
/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 20 -
ASD PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH HEADQUARTERS OPENS * * * » *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH NOW HAS ITS PERMANENT HOME WITH THE OPENING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OF ITS HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN TO KWA WAN.
LOCATED ON A 5,950 SQUARE METRE SITE AT HOK YUEN STREET, THE BUILDING WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI.
FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE MAINTENANCE BRANCH, THE PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH PROVIDES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO MAJOR GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND DOMESTIC COMPLEXES, IT ALSO UNDERTAKES ALTERATION, ADDITION, REFURBISHMENT AND FITTING-OUT WORKS FOR ALL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
IT HAS A PORTFOLIO OF 6,000 PUBLIC BUILDINGS WITH A FLOOR AREA OF 14 MILLION SQUARE METRES, RANGING FROM PUBLIC PLAYGROUND TO HOSPITALS OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.
LAST YEAR, NINE CENTRES WERE CONSTRUCTED AND FITTED-OUT TO HOUSE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE OR REFUGEES.
THE BRANCH HAS ALSO COMPLETED 197 FITTING-OUT PROJECTS FOR 41,500 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR AREA AND. REFURBISHED 85 OLD BUILDINGS.
IN ADDITION TO MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIVES, THE BRANCH HAS MADE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL FIELDS.
IT HAS PROVIDED TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE IN FORMING THE ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT GROUP AND THE FORMULATION OF ITS STRATEGIES FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL, WHICH HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
THE USE OF INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY AS A TOOL FOR ROOFING WORKS IS THE LATEST TECHNICAL STEP FORWARD IN PINPOINTING FAILURE IN COVERINGS.
ON PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, THE ANTIQUITIES UNIT OF THE BRANCH HAS CARRIED OUT MAINTENANCE WORK FOR A TOTAL OF 28 DIFFERENT HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THESE RANGED FROM REBUILDING A SECTION OF A WALL OF THE CHING DYNASTY TUNG CHUNG FORT TO REINSTATING WORLD WAR II BOMB DAMAGES TO THE GRANITE FACADE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN CENTRAL.
A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF THE BRANCH WILL BE THE COMMISSIONING OF AN EXTENSIVE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEXT YEAR.
THE SYSTEM WILL BOOST EFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING UP-TO-THE-MINUTE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION ON ALL CURRENT AND PLANNED WORKS.
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/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 21 -
TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL TO OPEN ON FRIDAY * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE 13TH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL WILL OPEN ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 25) EVENING WITH A PERFORMANCE BY THE ORIENTAL SONG AND DANCE ENSEMBLE FROM CHINA.
THE ENSEMBLE IS A WORLD-RENOWNED NATIONAL ART TROUPE FOUNDED ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO.
OVER THE YEARS, IT HAS EITHER CREATED OR REVISED HUNDREDS OF SONGS FROM ASIAN, AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES AND ITS UNIQUE ARTISTIC STYLE CAN BE REFLECTED IN ITS EXOTIC AND SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCES.
THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING CEREMONY AT 8 PM ON FRIDAY IN THE AUDITORIUM OF TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT’S CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION.
IT WILL RUN FOR 37 DAYS AT ALL ESTIMATED COST OF ABOUT $2.5 MILLION. THE PROGRAMME OF OVER 50 PERFORMANCES WILL INCLUDE CANTONESE OPERA, DRAMA, MIME AND A HAKKA FOLK SONG CONCERT.
TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT AN URBTIX OUTLETS. TELEPHONE RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE ON 734 9009 AND ENQUIRIES ON 414 0144 OR 414 9662.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON FRIDAY (JANUARY 25) AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
A PREVIEW GIVEN BY THE ORIENTAL SONG AND DANCE ENSEMBLE FROM CHINA WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY), BEGINNING AT 3 PM AT THE AUDITORIUM OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER BOTH EVENTS.
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/22 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1991
- 22 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A SITE AT MEI LAI ROAD, LAI CHI KOK, KOWLOON.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 2,110 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR VEHICLES LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE BUT EXCLUDING LORRIES, TRUCKS AND CONTAINER VEHICLES.
HOWEVER, 10 PER CENT OF THE PARKING SPACES MUST BE RESERVED FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON FEBRUARY 8 THIS YEAR.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED » ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF OVER THE FIFTH FLOOR OF 326 PORTLAND STREET IN MONG KOK SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 8 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDING ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE DEMOLITION COULD BE CARRIED OUT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE AT AIRPORT ................... 1
HK PLAYS VITAL INTERMEDIARY ROLE ....................................... 8
EXPANSION OF HIGHWAY AND RAILWAY NETWORK NECESSARY ..................... 11
HK WELCOMES INT'L PARTICIPATION IN INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT ......... 13
METROPLAN HELPS MANUFACTURERS OPERATE AT MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY ............ 14
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1990 ............................ 15
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER PUBLISHED .......................... 18
DETAILS OF UNLEADED PETROL PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED ................ 20
123 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM .............................................. 22
'OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME EXHIBITION' ON SATURDAY ................ 22
'BUILD A CLEANER HK' CONTEST............................................ 23
LAISEE PACKETS FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ................................... 24
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ............................... 24
BUILDINGS IN TO KWA WAN AND TAI PO DECLARED DANGEROUS .................. 25
CENSUS MOBILE EXHIBITION IN TSIM SHA TSUI
26
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
1
TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR’S PRESS CONFERENCE AT AIRPPORT ♦ » » ♦ *
FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF WHAT THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID AT THE AIRPORT THIS MORNING (THURSDAY) ON HIS RETURN FROM A VISIT TO PEKING:
GOOD MORNING, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE MORE CONVENIENT FOR ALL OF YOU AND MORE CONVENIENT FOR ME IF I SAT DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES RATHER THAN JUST TALK TO YOU STANDING UP AS I CAME THROUGH.
LET ME FIRST OF ALL JUST SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING IN PEKING. YOU ALL KNOW WHO I HAVE BEEN SEEING, I’M SURE, THAT I SAW PREMIER LI PENG, THAT MY HOST WAS THE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER, TIAN ZENGPEI, THAT I SAW THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE, MR LI LANQING, THAT I HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE, MR LU PING. SO THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE I WAS SEEING. I DISCUSSED A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, A LOT OF THINGS WHICH ARE OF COMMON CONCERN WITH, ECONOMIC RELATIONS, QUITE A LOT OF TALK ON THAT, IT WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BACKGROUND, I’LL COME BACK TO THAT IN A MOMENT.
MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERNS TO BOTH OF US LIKE CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION, THE PROBLEMS WE FACE AT THE MOMENT WITH SMUGGLING AND SO ON, THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, SO I DISCUSSED ALL THOSE AS WELL AS THE QUESTION OF THE AIRPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
I SPENT A GOOD DEAL OF TIME, OF COURSE, DISCUSSING THE AIRPORT AND IT WAS A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THAT, AGAIN, I’LL COME BACK TO THAT IN A MOMENT.
ON ECONOMIC RELATIONS, AND I SAY THIS AFTER THE BEGINNING BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT TENDS TO BE LOST SIGHT OF, I POINTED OUT TO PEOPLE IN PEKING HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO US NOW THAT WE HAVE VERY CLOSE ECONOMIC LINKS WITH THE MAINLAND OF CHINA, PARTICULARLY, OF COURSE, WITH GUANGDONG. AND THAT THESE WERE CONTINUING TO DEVELOP REALLY VERY RAPIDLY, DESPITE WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE REST OF THE WORLD. ONE FIGURE BEING THAT IN THE FIRST OF ELEVEN MONTHS OF LAST YEAR, TWO-WAY TRADE WITH CHINA WENT UP BY 14 PERCENT AND THAT’S ALREADY ON A VERY STRONG BASE. AND I WAS POINTING OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN OF GREAT VALUE TO US IN A TIME WHEN IN THE REST OF THE WORLD THE ECONOMIC SITUATION HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT UNCERTAIN, AND THAT WAS THE BACKGROUND TO A LOT OF THE OTHER PRACTICAL THINGS I WAS TALKING ABOUT.
ON THE AIRPORT, WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THE AIRPORT, LAYING OUT ON MY SIDE WHY WE WERE SO KEEN TO GET ON WITH A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECT LIKE THIS, WHY WE SAW IT AS VERY IMPORTANT IF HONG KONG WAS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A PLACE WHICH IS PROSPEROUS NOW AND PROSPEROUS INTO THE FUTURE. BUT ALSO IT WAS GOING TO BE A CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND A CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCE AT A TIME WHEN THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER PLACES ROUND THE REGION WHICH WOULD BE ONLY TOO HAPPY TO TRY TO REPLACE HONG KONG IN THAT ROLE. SO I WAS EXPLAINING THAT OBJECTIVE.
/I WAS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
2
I WAS ALSO EXPLAINING THAT IT IS OUR WISH TO BUILD AN AIRPORT WHICH IS AS COST-EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY, THAT MUST BE OUR INTENTION. ALSO, VERY MUCH PART OF OUR CONCERN THAT WHEN THE SAR IS ESTABLISHED IN 1997 THAT IT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN AN ALL-ROUND HEALTHY WAY AND THAT MEANT NOT SIMPLY HAVING GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE BUT IT MEANT HAVING A GOOD FINANCIAL BASIS WHEN IT WAS SET UP, THAT WAS VERY MUCH PART OF OUR THINKING. AND I HOPE IT WAS HELPFUL TO EXPLAIN THAT.
I LISTENED TO POINTS OF CHINESE CONCERN AND THEY PUT FORWARD A NUMBER OF POINTS OF CONCERN, PARTICULARLY, THEY ARE INTERESTED IN, CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUESTION OF THE FINANCIAL BACKING FOR THE SAR WHEN IT IS ESTABLISHED IN JULY, 1997 AND I EXPLAINED A NUMBER OF OUR CALCULATIONS ABOUT WHAT THE SITUATION WAS LIKELY TO BE IN 1997.
THIS IS AN OVERALL IMPRESSION BEFORE I TAKE ANY QUESTION YOU’VE GOT. IT WAS, I BELIEVE, VERY WORTHWHILE BEING ABLE TO GO AND TALK DIRECTLY TO A NUMBER OF THE SENIOR PEOPLE IN PEKING WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH OUR AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE EVER FOR DIRECT CONTACT TO THAT SORT AND BEING ABLE TO LAY DOWN QUITE CLEARLY ON THE TABLE THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE AND TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY PEOPLE ON THE CHINESE SIDE.
I DON’T BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE SIMPLY BY ONE VISIT DEALT WITH EVERY ISSUE AND SOLVED EVERY PROBLEM. A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE INVOLVED IN ARE LIKELY TO BE ISSUES WHICH GO ON FOR SOMETIME. I WOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED TO HAVE WRAPPED THEM ALL UP IN ONE MEETING. BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT BY HAVING A MEETING OF THIS SORT, BY BEING ABLE TO TALK FACE-TO-FACE THAT IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS AND TO LAY A GOOD BASIS FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AND BETTER CO-OPERATION IN THE FUTURE. SO MUCH FOR A FEW WORDS FOR INTRODUCTION, NOW LET ME TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU’VE GOT AND I'LL DO IT VERY BRIEFLY, ALLOW ME.
Q. :
AFTER YOUR MEETINGS WITH THE CHINESE OFFICIALS, DID YOU DETECT ANY SAY, SOFTENING OF STAND, FROM THE CHINESE SIDE OVER THE SITE OR THE TIMETABLE OF THE AIRPORT SITE. ARE THEY SATISFIED THAT NOW THAT WE ARE NOT STICKING TO RIGID DEADLINE OF EARLY 1997 FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST RUNWAY?
GOVERNOR:
WELL, I DON’T WANT TO SPEND MY TIME EXPLAINING WHAT THE CHINESE SIDE THINK, BECAUSE IT MUST BE FOR THEM TO SAY. WHAT IS COMMON GROUND IS THAT HONG KONG NEEDS A NEW AIRPORT, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT. THE CHINESE SIDE ACCEPT THAT THAT’S NEEDED, WE OF COURSE BELIEVE THAT THAT IS NEEDED TOO. WHAT I HOPE I HAVE GOT IS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLANS THAT WE’VE GOT. I’VE ALSO SAID THAT WE ARE VERY WILLING TO LISTEN TO IDEAS PUT FORWARD BY THE CHINESE SIDE AND WE'VE ARRANGED FOR A FURTHER ROUND OF EXPERT DISCUSSIONS.
Q. :
SO THEY MADE NO INDICATION WHETHER THEY ACCEPT THE SITE OR THE TIMETABLE OF THE PLAN?
/GOVERNOR:
WELL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
GOVERNOR:
WELL, AS I SAY, THERE ARE GOING TO BE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON IT. THE THING WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR IS AN ACCEPTANCE THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR A NEW AIRPORT. I THINK IF I GO FURTHER AND TRY TO INTERPRET WHAT THEIR POSITION IS I AM PUTTING WORDS INTO THEIR MOUTHS AND THAT’S NOT FAIR TO THEM.
Q. :
SIR, THE VICE-FOREIGN MINISTER EARLIER THIS MORNING REITERATED THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WHICH STRADDLE 1997. THEY WANT THE BRITISH SIDE TO CONSULT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE TO FIND OUT A BETTER SOLUTION. SO WAS THAT REITERATED DURING THE TALKS OR HOW DID THEY EXPRESS THAT THEME DURING THE TALKS.
GOVERNOR:
WELL AGAIN, DON’T LET ME TRY TO PUT WORDS INTO THE MOUTHS OF THE CHINESE SIDE. I WILL GIVE IT FROM MY POINT OF VIEW. THE SITUATION THAT WE FACE AND IT’S ONE WHICH WE ARE GOING TO FACE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, IS THAT ON THE ONE HAND AS WE GET CLOSER TO 1997 THERE IS A NEED TO KEEP THE CHINESE SIDE BETTER INFORMED ABOUT THE THINGS WHICH WE ARE DOING HERE, TO GIVE THEM A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW HONG KONG IS RUN, AND TO GIVE THEM AN UNDERSTANDING OF MAJOR POLICIES WHICH WILL AFFECT THE LONGER TERM FUTURE OF HONG KONG. THAT’S ONE SIDE OF IT AND THAT IS SOMETHING WHICH I BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO BE DOING, I DEALT WITH THAT IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER; AND IN THAT PROCESS WE WOULD OF COURSE LISTEN TO VIEWS PUT TO US BY THE CHINESE SIDE. THERE IS THE OTHER SIDE OF IT, WHICH IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT AND WHICH I WAS EXPLAINING TO THE PEOPLE I SAW TN PEKING; AND THAT IS, IF HONG KONG IS GOING TO BE WELL ADMINISTERED OVER THE NEXT SIX-AND-A-HALF YEARS; IF THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG IS GOING TO BE MAINTAINED, THEN THERE MUST BE AN EFFECTIVE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG MUST BE SEEN TO BE EFFECTIVE AND TO TAKE DECISIONS; AND 1 BELIEVE THAT THE CHINESE SIDE UNDERSTAND THAT POINT.
Q. :
DID THE CHINESE ASK YOU TO DELAY ANY MORE PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT UNTIL THEY HAVE AGREED TO THE PLANS AND HOW DID YOU REACT TO THAT?
GOVERNOR:
Q. :
WHAT IS YOUR PLAN, ARE YOU PRESSING AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT PROGRAMME AS YOU HAD INTENDED TO?
/GOVERNOR:
WELL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
GOVERNOR:
WELL, WHERE WE ARE AT THE MOMENT IS THAT IT'S A VERY LONG PROGRAMME, AS YOU KNOW, IT GOES OVER MANY YEARS (INTERRUPTION)... JUST LET ME FINISH IF I MAY. IT'S A VERY LONG PROGRAMME AND WHERE WE ARE AT PRESENT IS AT SOME PRELIMINARY STAGES OF THAT, AND WE NEED TO GET AHEAD WITH THOSE PRELIMINARY STAGES IF THE AIRPORT IS GOING TO BE BUILT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SCALE.
Q. :
BUT WHAT SORT OF DIFFERENCES REMAIN ON THIS AIRPORT ISSUE AND WAS THIS QUESTION OF WHO REPRESENTS HONG KONG EVER BROUGHT UP DURING THE DISCUSSIONS?
GOVERNOR:
WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS QUESTION IN STARK TERMS, WHO REPRESENTS HONG KONG; I WOULDN’T HAVE EXPECTED TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT AND THAT WAS NOT AN ISSUE WHICH CAME UP. THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES ON THE AIRPORT: LET ME PUT IT IN TERMS OF THEIR, AS I UNDERSTANDING IT, THEIR GENERAL CONCERNS AND THAT IS NOT WHETHER HONG KONG NEEDS A NEW AIRPORT; TOTAL ACCEPTANCE THAT HONG KONG NEEDS A NEW AIRPORT, BUT CONCERNS ABOUT HOW EXPENSIVE IS IT GOING TO BE AND WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THAT ON THE STATE OF THE FINANCES OF THE SAR WHEN IT’S SET UP IN 1997. NOW, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT SORT OF CONCERN, IT'S A FAIR ENOUGH POINT AND IT'S SOMETHING WE WOULD WANT TO DEAL AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE SIDE HOW WE SEE THE FIGURES WORKING OUT FOR THE FUTURE. ON OUR SIDE, OF COURSE, WE SEE, AND YOU’VE ONLY GOT TO BE IN KAI TAK TO SEE IT, THAT HONG KONG NEEDS A NEW AIRPORT REALLY AS SOON AS WE CAN GET A NEW AIRPORT BECAUSE IF NOT, IT’S GOING TO BE A STRANGLING OF THE POTENTIAL FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. SO WE SEE A NEED TO GET ON WITH THE PREPARATIONS FOR A NEW AIRPORT AS SOON AS WE CAN, AND I HOPE I GOT THAT POINT ACROSS TOO IN PEKING.
Q. :
YOU SAID THAT YOU ARE VERY WILLING TO LISTEN TO IDEAS OF THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE AIRPORT, AND THAT IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN JUST SAYING THAT YOU'RE EXPLAINING WHAT YOU'RE DOING WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN THE PAST POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT ON PADS. SO DOES THIS SUGGEST THAT YOU'RE OPEN TO ALTERNATIVES ON PADS THAT IF THE CHINESE COME UP WITH OTHER IDEAS ON HOW TO PROCEED?
GOVERNOR:
WE'VE NEVER HAD A RIGID FIXED PICTURE IN OUR MINDS AND IT WOULD NOT BE SENSIBLE TO DO SO. WHEN YOU HAVE A VERY LARGE PROJECT LIKE THIS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT AN OVERALL PICTURE AND THEN YOU WANT TO SEE WITHIN THAT OVERALL PICTURE, WHICH ARE THE BITS YOU SHOULD ADJUST, WHICH ARE THE BITS YOU SHOULD PHASE, I DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE ANY POINT IN SIMPLY EXPLAINING SOMETHING TO SOMEBODY ELSE AND NOT BEING PREPARED TO LISTEN TO POINTS THAT THEY MAKE IN RETURN, THAT WOULD BE A ONE-WAY DIALOGUE.
/Q.: WAS THE ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 5 -
Q.:
WAS THE FIXED CROSSING OPEN FOR DISCUSSIONS?
GOVERNOR:
WELL, IF YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW AIRPORT ON LANTAU AT CHEK LAP KOK, YOU’VE GOT TO GET THERE SOMEHOW. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO POINT IN GETTING THERE BY BOAT, SO YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE A BRIDGE.
Q.:
I’D LIKE TO WITHDRAW THE QUESTION WHICH I GOT AN ANSWER "NO” AND I ASKED YOU WHETHER THE CHINESE HAD ASKED YOU, REQUESTED THAT YOU SHOULD HALT PROGRESS UNTIL THEY HAD AGREED, WAS THERE ANY SUGGESTION FROM THEM AND HOW DID YOU REACT, WAS THERE ANY SUGGESTION THAT YOU SHOULD SLOW DOWN OR DELAY OR IN SOME WAY, AS WE’VE BEEN HEARING IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, NOT GO AHEAD UNTIL YOU GOT THEIR AGREEMENT?
GOVERNOR:
THE STRAIGHT ANSWER TO YOUR STRAIGHT QUESTION WAS "NO".
Q.:
I WAS JUST CHECKING THAT IT WAS THAT SIMPLE. NO SUGGESTION?
GOVERNOR:
THERE WAS NO SUGGESTION TO ME THAT WE SHOULD HALT ALL OUR PROJECTS.
Q. :
OR DELAY, NOT HALT, DELAY?
GOVERNOR:
HALT OR DELAY ALL OUR PROJECTS.
Q.:
ONE MORE IF I MAY, IS THERE ANY QUESTION ABOUT SCALING THE PLAN DOWN?
GOVERNOR:
IN DISCUSSIONS, I’VE JUST BEEN SAYING THAT, I HOPE I’VE MADE IT CLEAR ENOUGH (INTERRUPTION: MAYBE NOT SCALING DOWN BUT CHANGING IT... ANOTHER QUESTION:- DID YOU EXPLAIN....)
/COULD I .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991 .
6
COULD I JUST ANSWER MR ELLIOTT FIRST WHO IS BEING A VERY CLOSE QUESTIONER. WHEN WE ARE DISCUSSING ANYTHING AT ALL WE ALWAYS ARE LOOKING AND WE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES AND THAT’S BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE. WE DON’T HAVE STET IN CONCRETE, ONE PLAN WHICH IS IMMUTABLE. THERE WILL BE NO SENSE IN DOING THAT; THERE IS ALWAYS A QUESTION IN A MAJOR PROJECT LIKE THIS OF LOOKING AT HOW SHOULD YOU BEST PHASE IT. IF YOU TAKE AN EXAMPLE, SIMILAR ONE, THE MTR WAS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT. THERE WAS NO SINGLE BLUEPRINT WHICH WAS THEN PUT INTO EFFECT WITHOUT ANY CHANGE. THE PLANS CHANGED WHILE IT WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED. I HOPE I’VE NOW ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION,(INTERRUPTION: SO SCALING DOWN IS POSSIBLE...) I MUST ANSWER SOMEBODY ELSE AS WELL OTHERWISE IT WILL BE A ONE-MAN PRESS CONFERENCE.
Q.:
DID YOU EXPLAIN THE MISCONCEPTION BETWEEN CONSIDERATION AND tit (EXAMINATION) WHICH IS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION?
GOVERNOR:
WE DID NOT HAVE ONE OF THOSE RATHER OBSCURE ARGUMENTS ABOUT INTERPRETATION OF WORDS. NO WE DIDN’T.
Q. :
YOU’VE MENTIONED THAT THERE IS BLUEPRINT FOR THE AIRPORT BUT DO YOU MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHELVE THE AIRPORT PLANS IN THE FUTURE?
GOVERNOR:
SORRY, COULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?
Q. :
DOES IT MEAN THAT THE AIRPORT PLAN WILL BE SMALLER THAN RIGHT NOW?
GOVERNOR:
WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY WAS THAT WITH A VERY BIG PROJECT OF THIS SORT WE ARE ALL THE TIME, AND WE HAVE BEEN ALL THE TIME, LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING IT, DIFFERENT WAYS OF PHASING IT. AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU’VE GOT TO FINISH UP WITH AN AIRPORT AND IT’S GOT TO BE AN AIRPORT WHICH EVENTUALLY HAS TWO RUNWAYS, IF IT’S GOING TO BE A WORTHWHILE, WORLD STANDARD AIRPORT. BUT ALL THE TIME WE ARE LOOKING AT THE QUESTION OF HOW SHOULD WE BEST PHASE IT; WHAT IS, IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY OF DOING IT. AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN DOING AND CERTAINLY WE WILL GO ON DOING IT. AND WE WILL GO ON EXPLAINING THESE IDEAS TO THE CHINESE SIDE AND DISCUSSING THEM.
/Q.: SIR, IS ............
rHURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
Q. :
SIR, IS IT PRACTICAL TO COMPLETE THE WHOLE AIRPORT PROJECT BEFORE 1997 AND TO COMPLETE THE REPAYMENT OF MONEY BEFORE 1997 AS WELL, AND WILL THAT BE AN IDEAL MEASURES TO AVOID ALL THOSE ARGUEMENTS FROM CHINA ON WHO REPRESENTS THE HONG KONG PEOPLE BEFORE AND AFTER 1997?
GOVERNOR:
IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A WHOLE AIRPORT, MEANING THE MAXIMUM AIRPORT, I JUST SAID AT SOME STAGE YOU NEED TO HAVE TWO COMPLETE RUNWAYS AND YOU WOULD NEED EVERYTHING IN PLACE; THEN TO FINISH THE WHOLE OF THAT BEFORE 1997 WAS NEVER SOMETHING WHICH WAS ON THE CARDS. THE INTENTION WAS TO TRY TO GET THE FIRST RUNWAY IN PLACE DURING 1997 BUT A LARGE PROJECT TO THAT SORT, TWO RUNWAYS AND EVERYTHING CONNECTED WITH IT, THAT COULDN’T AND NEVER COULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY 1997. THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS, OF COURSE, PROVIDING WE CAN GET ON WITH IT, THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE CAN COMPLETE BY 1997.
Q.:
SIR, YOU SAID IN BEIJING THAT YOU WILL ADJUST THE PHASES OF THE AIRPORT, BUT YOU TOLD THIS GENTLEMAN THAT IT’S NOT ASKED BY THE CHINESE OFFICIAL, WHY DO YOU ADJUST THE PHASES OF THE AIRPORT?
GOVERNOR:
I THINK YOU MAY HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT MR ELLIOTT SAID.
Q. :
OF THE PHASES? YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT...
GOVERNOR:
I’M GOING HAVE TO GIVE YOU TWO, TWO NEGATIVES. I DIDN'T SAY THAT NOBODY HAVE EVER ASKED ABOUT PHASING. WHAT I DID SAY JUST NOW WAS WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOOKING OURSELVES AT THE QUESTION OF HOW BEST TO
PHASE DIFFERENT COMPONENT PARTS OF THE AIRPORT, THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF
DIFFERENT COMPONENT PARTS, RAILWAYS, ROADS, RUNWAYS AND SO ON, AND
WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN LOOKING AT HOW SHOULD WE BEST PHASE THOSE, HOW
SHOULD WE DO IT MOST COST-EFFECTIVELY.
Q. :
YOU MEAN THAT ALL THE ADJUSTMENT IS TO DEPEND ON THE DECISION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IT’S NOT THE CHINESE PART?
GOVERNOR:
WHAT I SAID WAS THAT WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT HOW TO PHASE THE PROGRAMME, HOW WE CAN BEST PHASE IT, AND THAT’S SOMETHING WHICH WB WILL GO ON DOING.
/Q.: SIR, ARE ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 8 -
Q. :
SIR, ARE YOU LOOKING AT SOME MORE COST-EFFECTIVE PROGRAMMES NOW?
GOVERNOR:
IN PORT AND AIRPORT? OR OTHER THINGS?
Q. :
THE AIRPORT?
GOVERNOR:
I’LL GO BACK TO WHAT I WAS SAYING BEFORE. WE ARE ALL THE TIME TRYING TO LOOK AT WHAT IS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY OF DOING IT. BUT...
Q. :
MORE, YOU KNOW, COST-EFFECTIVE PROGRAMMES, YOU ALWAYS SAID THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT COST-EFFECTIVE PROGRAMMES BUT HAVE YOU LOOK...
GOVERNOR:
I THINK I HAVE TO REPEAT THE POINT BECAUSE IT'S ABSOLUTELY THE SIMPLE TRUTH THAT ALL THE TIME ONE IS LOOKING TO SEE WHAT IS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY OF DOING IT. IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF PULLING A RABBIT OUT OF A HAT. IT’S A QUESTION OF ALWAYS LOOKING HOW SHOULD YOU
BEST PHASE IT, WHAT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY OF DOING IT AND THAT’S
WE’VE BEEN DOING IT AND THAT’S WHAT WE’LL GO ON DOING IT. AND, I
WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO GET THIS POINT ACROSS BECAUSE WE TEND TO GET
OBSESSED WITH THE AIRPORT. ONE WOULD DO THE SAME THING IF YOU WERE DOING ANOTHER BIG PROJECT, I MENTIONED THE MTR, AS YOU KNOW I’M SURE THE MTR WAS PHASED AND AT DIFFERENT TIMES, THERE WERE PROBABLY DIFFERENT PLANS OF HOW THAT SHOULD BE PHASED.
--------0-----------
HK PLAYS VITAL INTERMEDIARY ROLE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG WILL PLAY A VITAL INTERMEDIARY ROLE AS THE VAST POTENTIAL OF THE CHINESE ECONOMY IS GRADUALLY REALISED, AS THE ECONOMIES OF THE ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION EXPAND, AND AS OTHER ECONOMIES IN ASIA BECOME MORE IMPORTANT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE THREE-DAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, PORT AND TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE - APEX ’91 - BEING STAGED AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
/HE TOLD .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 9 -
HE TOLD THE 440 LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES AND EXHIBITORS HONG KONG COULD NOT STAND STILL AND MUST CONTINUE TO GROW AND TO ADAPT.
HONG KONG’S PLANS FOR A SOPHISTICATED AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE ARE BASED ON A CLEAR AND PRAGMATIC VISION OF WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE TERRITORY TO POSITION ITSELF FOR THE NEXT CENTURY, HE SAID.
"IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO HAVE AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ROLE, AS AN ENTREPOT, A MAJOR FINANCIAL AND SERVICES CENTRE, ALSO THAT THAT IT SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE A MANUFACTURING CENTRE FOR SOPHISTICATED GOODS AND A BASE FROM WHICH TO MANAGE TRANS-NATIONAL OPERATIONS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE DECISION TO BUILD A NEW AIRPORT AND THE RELATED PORT AND ROAD FACILITIES WAS A STRATEGIC ONE, FIRSTLY IN INTERNAL PLANNING TERMS AS A WHOLE SERIES OF OTHER DEVELOPMENTS RESTED ON THE DECISION TO MOVE THE AIRPORT.
"SECONDLY THERE IS ALSO AN EXTERNAL DIMENSION: OUR LONG-TERM VIEW OF HONG KONG’S POSITION IN THE WORLD ECONOMY, WITHIN THE REGION AND IN RELATION TO CHINA," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT MAJOR TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE WERE HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT.
WITHIN THE LAST DECADE, HE NOTED, TRADE ACROSS THE PACIFIC HAD OVERTAKEN AND SURGED AHEAD OF TRADE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. A SMALL GROUP OF ASIAN ECONOMIES HAD FOLLOWED JAPAN’S EXAMPLE IN RAPIDLY ABSORBING THE TECHNICAL ADVANCES OF THE WEST AND REFINING PRODUCTION METHODS IN AN EXPORT LED DRIVE TOWARDS GREATER PROSPERITY.
LATTERLY, AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, PROSPERITY HAD LED TO THE EMERGENCE OF A REGIONAL MARKET WHICH IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING DEPENDENCE ON TRADITIONAL MARKETS IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA.
"ALL OF THESE INDICATORS SUGGEST THAT GROWTH IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD WILL CONTINUE TO OUTSTRIP OTHERS, AND THAT A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, WHICH HAVE PREVIOUSLY LAGGED BEHIND, ARE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH.
"ABOVE ALL DESPITE GLOOMY PREDICTIONS IN THE REST OF THE WORLD ECONOMIES, THIS REGION IS PROVING SURPRISINGLY RESILIENT.”
HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH ITS ASIAN NEIGHBOURS CONTINUED TO INCREASE RAPIDLY, WITH DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ASIAN COUNTRIES HAVING MULTIPLIED NINE TIMES SINCE 1979.
JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA WERE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT MARKETS. IMPORTS FROM THE SAME COUNTRIES HAVE SHOWN A SIMILARLY DRAMATIC RISE. STILL MORE SIGNIFICANT FROM A PLANNING POINT OF VIEW HAS BEEN THE SURGE IN RE-EXPORTS TO ASIAN COUNTRIES: UP 14 TIMES OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
10 -
SIR DAVID SAID THE SAME REGIONAL BIAS WAS EVIDENT IN AIR TRAVEL, WITH OVER 80 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S AIR TRAFFIC NOW BEING GENERATED FROM WITHIN THE REGION.
HE NOTED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION FORECAST THAT AIR TRAFFIC GROWTH IN THE ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION WOULD EXCEED THAT OF ALL OTHER REGIONS OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
NOT SURPRISING, HE SAID, THAT JAPAN, THAILAND, KOREA, SINGAPORE AND INDONESIA WERE ALL EITHER COMPLETING NEW FACILITIES OR PLANNING TO CONSTRUCT NEW AIRPORTS TO CAPTURE THE PREDICTED GROWTH. "THUS A NEW AIRPORT IS BEING BUILT AT OSAKA, WHILE SINGAPORE HAS JUST COMPLETED A SECOND AIR TERMINAL AND IS PLANNING TO CONSTRUCT A THIRD RUNWAY. IN SEOUL, THE AUTHORITIES ARE PLANNING TO BUILD A SECOND AIRPORT FOR COMMISSIONING WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS," HE SAID.
"IF WE WERE TO BE COMPLACENT WITH OUR EXISTING FACILITIES AND IGNORE THE EVIDENCE OF INCREASING CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS, WE WOULD STAND TO LOSE SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. BUSINESS VISITORS MAKE UP ABOUT 25 PER CENT OF ALL VISITORS TO HONG KONG, APPROXIMATELY 1.4 MILLION BUSINESS PEOPLE LAST YEAR. NOR SHOULD WE OVERLOOK THE IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM WHICH CONTRIBUTES OVER SEVEN PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S GDP. IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO TURN OUR BACKS ON THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN THIS AREA."
SIR DAVID SAID AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN HONG KONO'S TRANSFORMATION WAS ITS CHANGING ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IN PARTICULAR AS A GATEWAY FOR THOSE SEEKING TO DO BUSINESS WITH THAT VAST COUNTRY.
CHINA’S ADOPTION OF THE OPEN DOOR POLICY OVER 10 YEARS AGO, HE SAID, PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS TO EXPAND INTO OFF-SHORE PRODUCTION AND THE RESULTS HAD BEEN QUITE EXTRAORDINARY.
"THEIR INVESTMENT, ESTIMATED TO TOTAL 11.7 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS, ACCOUNTS FOR SOME TWO-THIRDS OF DIRECT EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA. THEY HAVE CREATED EMPLOYMENT FOR BETWEEN 1.5 AND TWO MILLION WORKERS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE ALONE."
HOWEVER, THE EQUATION WAS NOT SIMPLY A CASH ONE, HE SAID. ROUGHLY 50,000 TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL STAFF FROM HONG KONG WORK ROUTINELY IN CHINA AND THERE WAS A SPREADING OUTWARD FROM HONG KONG OF CAPITAL, OF TECHNICAL SKILLS, OF MANAGERIAL AND COMMERCIAL KNOW HOW.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD BECOME EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, EACH ACCOUNTING FOR MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE OTHER’S TOTAL TRADE. CHINA IS THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS AND THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS. MORE THAN 80 PER CENT OF THE GOODS RE-EXPORTED THROUGH HONG KONG ARE DESTINED FOR, OR ORIGINATED FROM, CHINA.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS TO SOUTH CHINA WHAT ROTTERDAM IS TO CONTINENTAL EUROPE, OR NEW YORK TO THE EAST COAST OF USA.
/"SINCE CHINA .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 11 -
’’SINCE CHINA REOPENED ITS DOOR, TlUCH HAS BEEN DONE TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS. ROAD CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED. AIR SERVICES NOW LINK HONG KONG WITH MANY CHINESE CITIES. AND A VARIETY OF FERRIES, HOVERCRAFT AND SEAGOING VESSELS PLY REGULAR ROUTES UP RIVER AND ALONG THE COAST TO MAJOR CITIES. BUT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE, PARTICULARLY IN HONG KONG TO COPE WITH THE EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH IN DEMAND.
"OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANS MUST BE DESIGNED TO CATER NOT SIMPLY FOR OUR OWN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, BUT ALSO RE-EXPORTS COMING FROM OR DESTINED FOR THE MAINLAND. WE BELIEVE THAT THE AVAILABILITY TO CHINA OF SUCH FACILITIES IN HONG KONG WILL BE OF MUTUAL BENEFIT TO HONG KONG AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA.”
SIR DAVID TOLD THE DELEGATES THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OFFERED EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION BY BOTH LOCAL FIRMS AND OTHERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
MANY ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT WOULD BE VERY ATTRACTIVE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE SAID, AND ’’TRUE TO OUR TRADITION OF FREE AND OPEN COMPETITION, THE PLAYING FIELD WILL BE A LEVEL ONE AND THE REFEREE INTERESTED ONLY IN THE QUALITY OF PLAY.”
-------------------------0------- EXPANSION OF HIGHWAY AND RAILWAY NETWORK NECESSARY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO UPGRADE AND EXPAND ITS TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TO BUILD THE FOUNDATION IT NEEDS . TO MAINTAIN ITS FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING ON "TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG" AT THE APEX ’91 CONFERENCE, MR LEUNG SAID: "WE MUST PLAN NOT ONLY FOR THE NEEDS OF TODAY, BUT ALSO FOR THE CONTINUED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE."
A BROAD STRATEGIC PLAN WAS CONTAINED IN THE GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY PUBLISHED IN 1990 AFTER WIDE PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
MR LEUNG SAID THE TRANSPORT LINKS THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED FOR THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT ON LANTAU FORMED AN INTEGRAL PART OF AN OVERALL TRANSPORT STRATEGY HONG KONG DEFINITELY NEEDED IN THE NEXT 10 TO 20 YEARS.
ONE OF THE KEY TRANSPORT LINKS WAS ROUTE 3 -- A 30 KILOMETRE-LONG NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY ON THE WESTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY. IT WOULD EXTEND FROM THE SAI YING PUN RECLAMATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND VIA THE THIRD CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, WEST KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES TO THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING.
/ITS STRATEGIC .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
12
ITS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE WAS NOT ONLY TO MEET THE INTERNAL TRAFFIC NEEDS OF HONG KONG, BUT ALSO IN MOVING GOODS AND PEOPLE TO AND FROM ACROSS THE HONG KONG/CHINA BORDER.
IN ADDITION TO THE NORTH-SOUTH ROUTE 3 LINK, AN EAST-WEST LINK WAS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE GOOD ACCESS TO AND FROM THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK ON LANTAU ISLAND, MR LEUNG SAID.
THIS LINK COMPRISED THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND A NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY - A 19 KILOMETRE BRIDGE-AND-ROAD SYSTEM EXTENDING FROM LANTAU TO KOWLOON.
TSING YI ISLAND PROVIDED A LOGICAL POINT FOR THE NORTH-SOUTH (ROUTE 3) ROUTE TO INTERCHANGE WITH THE EAST-WEST ROUTE.
"THUS, THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE ENTIRE TERRITORY AND THE NEED TO SERVE THE NEW AIRPORT AND PORT ON LANTAU COINCIDE, AND ARE WELDED INTO ONE.
"THE TWO ROUTES TOGETHER PROVIDE A FAST, EFFICIENT AND DIRECT ACCESS SOUTHWARDS TO CONNECT WITH URBAN KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND, AND NORTHWARDS TO CONNECT WITH THE CHINA BORDER, SHENZHEN AND OTHER PARTS OF GUANGDONG."
MR LEUNG SAID AN AIRPORT RAILWAY WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PRESENT PLAN FOR TWO REASONS -- FIRST, THE ROADS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LONGER TERM.
SECONDLY, THE EXISTING TSUEN WAN LINE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WAS HEAVILY CONGESTED IN THE KOWLOON CORRIDOR, AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE QUICKLY TO RELIEVE THIS CONGESTION ANYWAY, HE SAID.
THE RAILWAYS, NOW CARRYING ABOUT 29 PER CENT OF THE DAILY PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGER TRIPS, SERVED AN IMPORTANT POLICY OBJECTIVE BY PROVIDING OFF-ROAD MODE OF TRANSPORT WHICH GREATLY REDUCES ROAD CONGESTION.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO PLAN OTHER ROAD LINKS IN THE LONG TERM.
THESE INCLUDED THE GREEN ISLAND LINK BETWEEN THE FUTURE PORT PENINSULA ON LANTAU AND HONG KONG ISLAND, VIA AN UNDER-SEA TUNNEL AND THE PROPOSED GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION.
THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE REQUIRED BY 2004-6, BUT WOULD DEPEND VERY MUCH ON THE STATE OF PORT DEVELOPMENT THEN.
IN THE MORE DISTANT FUTURE, A SHAM TSENG LINK BETWEEN LANTAU AND THE WEST COAST OF THE NEW TERRITORIES MIGHT BE REQUIRED BY ABOUT 2011, WHEN THE CAPACITY OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WAS EXPECTED TO HAVE REACHED SATURATION.
/"WHEN ALL .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 13 -
"WHEN ALL THESE ARE PROVIDED, THERE WILL BE A COMPLETE CIRCULAR LOOP LINKING HONG KONG ISLAND, LANTAU AND THE NEW TERRITORIES MAINLAND," MR LEUNG SAID.
"THIS ROAD AND RAIL NETWORK HAS BEEN CAREFULLY PLANNED TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS, WHICH WILL CONCENTRATE IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, LANTAU, WEST KOWLOON AND WESTERN HONG KONG ISLAND, WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ADEQUATE ACCESS WELL INTO THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CENTURY," HE ADDED.
-----0------
HK WELCOMES INT’L PARTICIPATION IN INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
*****
HONG KONG WARMLY WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN ALL ASPECTS OF ITS INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT: AND THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WILL BE NO EXCEPTION, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
IN HER REMARKS MADE AT A DINNER GIVEN BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA FOR CANADIAN PARTICIPANTS AT THE APEX ’91 HONG KONG, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S PARAMOUNT CONCERN HAD BEEN, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE TO SELECT THOSE WHOM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED WOULD DO THE JOB BEST, ON TIME, AND WITHIN A REASONABLE BUDGET.
"IN THIS REGARD I THINK THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S TRACK-RECORD IN THE AWARD OF MAJOR CONTRACTS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY BENEFITTING FROM CANADIAN EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW AIRPORT FACILITIES.
A LEADING CANADIAN CONSULTANCY FIRM, MARSHALL MACKLIN MONAGHAN, WAS CURRENTLY ASSISTING FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, WARDLEY CAPITAL LIMITED, IN ADVISING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON WAYS OF OPTIMISING THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE NEW AIRPORT, MRS CHAN ADDED.
- - 0----------
/14 .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
14
METROPL II HELPS MANUFACTURERS OPERATE AT MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY
*****
METROPLAN HELPS REMOVE MANY INFRASTRUCTURAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND PROVIDES A FAR MORE FLEXIBLE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH MANUFACTURERS CAN OPERATE AT MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION’S CHINESE EXECUTIVES CLUB, MR BARMA SAID THE METROPLAN AREA COVERED HONG KONG ISLAND, THE KOWLOON PENINSULA AND KWUN TONG, AND THE TSUEN WAN AREA, INCLUDING KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI, WITHIN WHICH MUCH OF HONG KING'S MANUFACTURING CAPACITY WAS FOUND.
"ONE OF THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF METROPLAN IS THAT IT WILL INVOLVE A DRAMATIC RELOCATION OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES FROM WITHIN THE URBAN AREA TO THE NEW TOWNS AND TO AREAS CLOSE TO THE NEW AIRPORT AND WEST HARBOUR PORT FACILITIES.
"THE 700,000 OR SO MANUFACTURING JOBS WHICH NOW EXIST IN THE METRO AREA ARE EXPECTED TO FALL TO A FIGURE OF ' BETWEEN 290,000 AND HALF A MILLION BY 2011," HE SAID.
NOT ONLY WOULD THE NUMBER OF FACTORIES IN THE METRO AREA FALL, HE SAID, BUT THEIR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM NOW.
"ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE FEATURES OF METROPLAN IS THE OPPORTUNITY IT OFFERS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OF OLD INDUSTRIAL AREAS SUCH AS SAN PO KONG AND KWUN TONG.
"EXISTING INDUSTRIAL AREAS WILL BE THINNED OUT AND NEW LAND FOR INDUSTRY PROVIDED ON RECLAMATION AND ON WHAT IS NOW KAI TAK AIRPORT," HE SAID.
MR BARMA STRESSED THAT, WHILE METROPLAN ENVISAGED TRANSFORMATION OF EXISTING INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN THE METRO AREA, THE PLAN WAS IN NO SENSE AN ATTACK ON MANUFACTURING.
WHILE THE NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED IN THE SERVICE SECTOR WERE EXPECTED TO RISE SIGNIFICANTLY, METROPLAN ALSO FORECAST THAT THE NUMBER EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURING IN THE TERRITORY AS A WHOLE IN 2011 WOULD BE AROUND 800,000, ROUGHL¥( THE SAME NUMBER EMPLOYED TODAY. ■
"IN OTHER WORDS, A CONTINUING, VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IS FORECAST FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AS WE MOVE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
"INDEED, METROPLAN'S FIRST MAJOR OBJECTIVE IS TO 'ENHANCE HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL PORT AND AIRPORT; AS A CENTRE FOR A DIVERSE RANGE OF LIGHT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY; AND AS THE CENTRE OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE TERRITORY’," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD LONG BEEN AWARE THAT SMALL, INADEQUATELY-SERVICED MULTI-STOREY BUILDING PREMISES HAD BEEN A MAJOR CONSTRAINT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING, AND ON THE SCOPE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.
/"IT HAS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 15 -
"IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY EVIDENT THAT OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR IS POLARISING INTO A SMALL GROUP OF ABOUT 2,500 LARGE, MODERN COMPANIES OPERATING EFFICIENTLY OUT OF SENSIBLY-DESIGNED PREMISES IN OUR INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AND ELSEWHERE, AND ACCOUNTING FOR OVER HALF OUR MANUFACTURED EXPORTS; AND A RELATIVELY INEFFICIENT SWARM OF SMALL COMPANIES OPERATING MOSTLY IN INADEQUATE PREMISES IN THE OLD INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN KWAI CHUNG, KWUN TONG AND SAN PO KONG.
"METROPLAN RECOGNISES THE PROBLEM AND OFFERS THE SOLUTION WHICH CALLS FOR BETTER-DESIGNED, MORE SPACIOUS INDUSTRIAL AREAS AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AND 'THINNING OUT’ OF OUR OLDER, CONGESTED INDUSTRIAL ZONES.
"THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WELCOMES THE PROPOSALS NOT ONLY FOR THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY THEY PROVIDE FOR REMOVING A BASIC CONSTRAINT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BUT BECAUSE THEY WILL ALSO PROVIDE A FAR BETTER ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT DISLIKED FACTORIES . WHICH POLLUTED THE ENVIRONMENT EVERY BIT AS MUCH AS OTHER GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.
"WHERE WE DIFFER, IT IS NORMALLY ON THE PACE OF CHANGE TOWARDS A LESS-POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT.
"WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE, AS A DEPARTMENT, THAT THE ABILITY OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ECONOMY IS NOT SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED BY ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES WHICH, HOWEVER LAUDABLE IN PRINCIPLE, PLACE TOO SUDDEN OR TOO LARGE A BURDEN ON THE SHOULDERS OF MANUFACTURERS.
"WE WANT TO SEE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT; BUT WE ALSO WANT TO SEE THE TRANSITION SENSIBLY-MANAGED, AND WITHOUT AVOIDABLE CASUALTIES AMONG MANUFACTURERS.
"METROPLAN’S OBJECTIVE IN THIS RESPECT, TO ’SORT OUT LAND USE PATTERNS TO CREATE A MORE ACCEPTABLE URBAN ENVIRONMENT, BY RELOCATING ACTIVITIES WHICH CREATE SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS’, IS WHOLE-HEARTEDLY ENDORSED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
------0--------
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1990 «»»»»♦
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE SUBSTANTIALLY, ALTHOUGH THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED ONLY A SMALL INCREASE, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1990 RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MEANWHILE, THE FIGURES ALSO SHOWED IMPORTS AND RETAINED IMPORTS ROSE MARKEDLY IN VALUE TERMS.
/THE VALUE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
16
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN DECEMBER 1990, AT $20,212 MILLION, WAS $297 MILLION OR 1.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1989.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $7,174 MILLION OR 24.2 PER CENT TO $36,761 MILLION.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY $7,471 MILLION OR 15.1 PER CENT OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $56,973 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1990.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $11,918 MILLION OR 25.1 PER CENT OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $59,362 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1990.
AS THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $2,389 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.0 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN DECEMBER 1990.
THIS COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $2,058 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN DECEMBER 1989.
FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $639,874 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $225,875 MILLION AND RE-FXPORTS OF $413,999 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH 1989, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $69,365 MILLION OR 12.2 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, WITH DOMESTIC EXPORTS RISING BY $1,771 MILLION OR 0.8 PER CENT AND RE-EXPORTS BY $67,594 MILLION OR 19.5 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $79,753 MILLION OR 14.2 PER CENT, TO $642,534 MILLION.
FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE, THERE WAS A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $2,660 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
THIS COMPARES WITH A SURPLUS OF $7,728 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN 1989.
COMMENTING ON THE DECEMBER TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PERFORMANCE OF RE-EXPORTS IN DECEMBER, THOUGH NOT AS STRONG AS IN THE PREVIOUS’TWO MONTHS, WAS STILL HIGHLY ROBUST.
THIS WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO RAPID INCREASES IN BOTH RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW MORE SLOWLY IN DECEMBER THAN IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, PROBABLY REFLECTING THE EARLIER COMPLETION OF ORDERS FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SALES OVERSEAS.
AS REGARDS RETAINED IMPORTS, THE GROWTH RATE REMAINED SIGNIFICANT IN DECEMBER, AT AROUND 26 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS (AFTER ADJUSTING FOR THE RE-EXPORT MARGIN).
THE SUSTAINED INCREASES IN RETAINED IMPORTS IN RECENT MONTHS SHOULD HAVE FAVOURABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR BOTH LOCAL DEMAND AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
/PRESS RELEASE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 17 -
PRESS
RELEASE
TRADE FIGURES FOR DECEMBER, 1990
,, The Census and Statistics Department has released the
following provisional merchandise trade figures for December:-
MERCHANDISE:
Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance
$20,212 $36,761 $56,973 $59,362
$2,389
mill ion million million mi 1lion mi 1lion
[in deficit]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Latest 3 months
Domestic Exports
Re-exports
Total Exports
Imports
Trade balance
Same month last year
Domestic Exports
(% of Total Exports)
Re-exports
Total Exports
Imports
Trade balance
Last month
Domestic Exports
(% of Total Exports) Re-exports
Total Exports
Imports
Trade balance
Last 12 months
Domestic Exports
(% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports
Imports
T rade balance
Oct 90 to Dec 90 HK$ Mn. 64,275 121,305 185,580 186,666 -1,086 Oct 89 to Dec 89 HK$ Mn. 60.176 91,618 151,794 142,551 9,243 Increase
HK$ Mn. 4.099 29,687 33,786 44,115 -10,329 % 6.8 32.4 22.3 30.9
December 1990 December 1989 Increase
HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. %
20,212 (35.5%) 19,915 (40.2%) 297 1.5
36,761 29,587 7,174 24.2
56,973 49,502 7,471 15.1
59,362 -2,389 47,444 2,058 11,918 -4,447 25.1
December 1990 November 1990 Increase
HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. %
20,212 (35.5%) 21,878 (33.9%) -1,666 -7.6
36,761 42,705 -5,944 -13.9
56,973 64,583 -7,610 -11.8
59,362 -2,389 64,096 487 -4,734 -2,876 -7.4
Jan-Dec 1990 Jan-Dec 1989 Inc rease
HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. %
225,875 (35.3%) 224,104 (39.3%) 1,771 0.8
413,999 346,405 67,594 19.5
639,874 570,509 69,365 12.2
642,534 -2, e>60 562,781 7,728 79,753 -10,388 14.2
24th January, 1991
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT
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/18.........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
18
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER PUBLISHED « ♦ » » *
THE CPI(A) (OCT. 84 - SEP. 85 = 100) FOR DECEMBER 1990, AT 148.6 WAS 11.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1989 WHILE THE CPI(B), AT 148.2, WAS 11.1 PER CENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1990 PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER WERE 10.4 PER CENT AND 10.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FOR CPI(A) AND 10.4 PER CENT AND 10.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FOR CPI(B).
THE MORE RAPID INCREASES IN RECENT MONTHS REFLECTED THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT OF HIGHER OIL PRICES, HIGHER HOUSING RENTALS, TAXI FARES AND CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, AS WELL AS A RELATIVELY LOW BASE OF COMPARISON IN THE LATTER PART OF 1989.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990, AT 142.0 AND 141.5 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 9.8 PER CENT AND 9.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1989.
THE ANNUAL RATE OF INCREASE FOR CPI(A) IN 1990 AT 9.8 PER CENT WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THAT IN 1989 AT 10.1 PER CENT WHILE THE ANNUAL RATES OF INCREASE FOR CPI(B) IN BOTH 1990 AND 1989 WERE AT 9.7 PER CENT.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, FASTER RATES OF INCREASE IN CPI(A) IN DECEMBER 1990 WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR FUEL AND LIGHT (19.0 PER CENT), TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES (15.1 PER CENT), ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO [FOR HOME CONSUMPTION] (14.9 PER CENT), SERVICES (13.1 PER CENT) AND HOUSING (12.2 PER CENT).
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE FOR THE SAME COMPONENTS IN THE CPI(B) WERE 17.8 PER CENT, 15.8 PER CENT, 15.1 PER CENT, 12.3 PER CENT AND 11.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS, WHICH HAS THE LARGEST WEIGHTING IN THE INDEX, INCREASED BY 11.0 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 11.1 PER CENT IN CPI(B).
. THESE SIX COMPONENTS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 90 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AND 88 PER CENT OF THE INCREASE IN THE CPI(B).
COMPARING DECEMBER 1990 WITH NOVEMBER 1990, THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED BY 0.9 PER CENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS, HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, HIGHER TAXI FARES, AND HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT, OUTERCLOTHING AND CIGARETTES.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 1990, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.9 PER CENT PER MONTH.
/THE CPI(A) ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
19
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 DECEMBER 1990 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990 AND DECEMBER 1989, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
SECTION CPI(A) CPI(B)
INDEX FOR DEC. 90 % CHANGE OVER NOV. 90 % CHANGE OVER DEC. 89 INDEX FOR DEC. 90 % CHANGE OVER NOV. 90 X CHANGE OVER DEC. 89
FOODSTUFFS 148.5 + 0.7 + 11.0 150.7 +0.7 + 11.1
HOUSING 140.7 + 1.8 + 12.2 134.1 + 1 . 1 + 11.5
FUEL AND 116.8 + 1.0 + 19.0 115.6 + 1 . 1 + 17.8
LIGHT ALCOHOLIC 162.9 + 2.4 + 14.9 164.0 + 2.2 + 15.1
DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 158.0 + 2.4 + 9.7
CLOTHING AND 154.0 + 2.0 + 8.8
FOOTWEAR DURABLE GOODS 128.6 + 0.5 + 4.7 127.4 + 0.5 + 4.6
MISCELLANEOUS 145.7 + 0.1 + 7.0 144.8 -0.0» + 6.5
GOODS TRANSPORT AND 160.7 + 0.7 + 15.1 160.7 + 0.8 + 15.8
VEHICLES SERVICES 170.9 + 0.3 + 13.1 169.5 + 0.5 + 12.3
ALL ITEMS 148.6 + 0.9 + 11.3 148.2 +0.9 + 11.1
* LESS THAN 0.05 PER CENT
COMPARING DECEMBER 1990 WITH NOVEMBER 1990, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES AND IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT AND LIVE POULTRY.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 1.8 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.1 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS AND FOR SOME FLATS IN HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.1 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR ELECTRICITY AND TOWNGAS AS WELL AS THE EFFECT OF THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS.
/THE INDEX .........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
20
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 2.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 2.2 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 2.0 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 2.4 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF WINTER OUTBRCLOTHING.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(A) ANDi BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER TAXI FARES ARISING FROM $THE FUEL SURCHARGE AND THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE FERRY FARES OF THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO. LTD.
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 DECEMBER 1990, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $5 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6403.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 158.5 IN DECEMBER 1990, UP BY 0.3 PER CENT OVER NOVEMBER 1990 AND BY 11.5 PER CENT OVER DECEMBER 1989. THE AVERAGE HANG SENG CPI FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990, AT 150.9, WAS 11.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN 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.
--------0-----------
DETAILS OF UNLEADED PETROL PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS PUBLICITY PLANS CONCERNING THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL (ULP) TO HONG KONG ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR FRED TROMP, SAID THE AIM OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS TO MAKE ALL MOTORISTS AWARE OF ULP AND THE BENEFITS IT WOULD BRING TO HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT.
/"WE HAVE .
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 21 -
"WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING THE PROGRAMME FOR SOME MONTHS IN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE OIL INDUSTRY, MOTOR MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS,” HE SAID.
"WE CONSIDER THE RESULTING ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN TO BE INFORMATIVE AND WILL ENCOURAGE MOTORISTS TO TAKE OUR ULP MESSAGE LITERALLY AND ’JOIN THE DRIVE TOWARDS A CLEANER HONG KONG’."
THE TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN COMPRISES SEVERAL KEY ELEMENTS INCLUDING A MOTORISTS GUIDE TO ULP, POSTERS, WALLCHARTS, AN INQUIRY HOTLINE, PLUS TELEVISION, RADIO AND NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS.
THE BILINGUAL "MOTORISTS GUIDE TO UNLEADED PETROL” IS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE CAMPAIGN AND IS BEING MAILED TO MORE THAN 180,000 REGISTERED OWNERS OF PETROL-ENGINE-DRIVEN VEHICLES FROM TODAY THROUGH MID-FEBRUARY.
THE HANDBOOK CONTAINS A ULP COMPATIBILITY RATING OF MORE THAN 400 CAR MODELS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG, PLUS A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SECTION ON ULP AND ITS SUITABILITY FOR MOTORCYCLES AND OUTBOARD MOTORS.
CAMPAIGN POSTERS AND WALLCHARTS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT FILLING AND SERVICE STATIONS, MOTOR TRADER SHOWROOMS, GARAGES AND GOVERNMENT DISPLAY LOCATIONS FROM LATER THIS MONTH. .
AN INQUIRY HOTLINE - 183 8383 - ENABLING THE PUBLIC TO GAIN INFORMATION ON ULP, WILL COME INTO EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 1.
THE HOTLINE IS CO-SPONSORED AND OPERATED BY HONG KONG TELECOM WHICH RECENTLY INTRODUCED AN UP-MARKET TELEPHONE ANSWERING SYSTEM AT ITS PROFESSIONAL TELEMARKETING CENTRE IN SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, WAN CHAI .
THE SYSTEM WILL BE MANNED BY TEAMS OF PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED OPERATORS FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY. RECORDED MESSAGES WILL BE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE THESE HOURS, INCLUDING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE PRINTED MATERIALS AND ULP HOTLINE WILL BE FURTHER SUPPORTED BY A THREE-MONTH ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN TO BE RUN IN THE CHINESE AND ENGLISH-LANGUAGE MEDIA FROM NEXT MONTH.
"THE EXTENSIVE MEDIA CAMPAIGN, A JOIN EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OIL INDUSTRY, EFFECTIVELY GOES ’LIVE* ON FEBRUARY 1 WITH THE LAUNCHING OF A 30-SECOND TELEVISION API (ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST),” MR TROMP SAID.
"BY THAT STAGE, MOTORISTS WILL HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO RECEIVE THEIR ULP HANDBOOKS. THE POSTERS AND NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MUCH IN EVIDENCE", HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
/22 .......
THURSDAY, JANUA
1991
- 22 -
123 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM ♦ ♦ * * ♦
A GROUP OF 123 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 42 MEN, 38 WOMEN, 23 BOYS AND 20 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 48TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 6,633 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
---------0-----------
'OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME EXHIBITION’ ON SATURDAY »»»»«♦
AN OPPORTUNTIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME (OYS) EXHIBITION AND A BEST PROJECT AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT CITY PLAZA, TAIKOO SHING IN QUARRY BAY ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE OYS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MISS MAY CHUNG, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THE TERRITORY-WIDE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974 TO PROMOTE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
"IT ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN A BID TO PROMOTE SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY AND TO DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP AMONG RESIDENTS.
"THE SCHEME ENABLES YOUNG PEOPLE TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PLANNED PROJECTS WHICH ARE CONDUCIVE TO THEIR PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY," MISS CHUNG ADDED.
UNDER THE SCHEME, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GRANTED FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROJECTS THEY DESIGNED.
A TOTAL OF 19 BEST PROJECTS FROM VARIOUS DISTRICTS WILL COMPETE FOR THE HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD.
"THESE 19 BEST PROJECTS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM 125 INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, WHICH WERE GRANTED FUNDS TO A MAXIMUM OF $5,000 EACH FROM THE OYS SCHEME," MISS CHUNG EXPLAINED.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EVENT WILL BE THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR WANG GUNGWU; CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM; AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT.
IN ADDITION TO AN EXHIBITION OF THE BEST PROJECTS, A 20-MINUTE VIDEO EXPLAINING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE OYS WILL BE SHOWN. THERE WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYS AND GAMES TO PROMOTE THE OYS.
/A BUS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 23 -
A BUS WILL TRAVEL IN TAIKOO SHING AREA TO PUBLICISE THE EVENT ON SATURDAY MORNING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE OPPORTUNITES FOR YOUTH SCHEME EXHIBITION AND AN AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY, ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD AT CITY PLAZA, TAIKOO SHING, QUARRY BAY ON SATURDAY (JANUARY 26), BEGINNING AT 10.30 AM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT. SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
--------0-----------
'BUILD A CLEANER HK' CONTEST
♦ t » * »
AN OUTDOOR ACTIVITY TO PROMOTE THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN SPECTACULAR WILL BE HELD IN THE PIAZZA OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI NEAR THE CLOCK TOWER STARTING 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITY, ENTITLED "BUILD A CLEANER HONG KONG” CONTEST, WILL MARK THE JOINT PITCHING-IN EFFORTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
IT WILL COMPRISE GAMES BETWEEN ARTISTES OF ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM SIX COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, AS WELL AS A QUIZ AMONG SPECTATORS.
AMONG THOSE OFFICIATING AT THE CONTEST WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE TO BE LED BY ITS CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR TONG KAM-BIU AND DR PANG HOK-TUEN RESPECTIVELY.
THE SPECTACULAR IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE’S PUBLICITY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE YEAR 1990/91.
IT WILL BE PRODUCED BY ATV AND STAGED AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27) EVENING.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
------0-------
/24 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
24
LAISEE PACKETS FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS PREPARED LUNAR NEW YEAR LAISEE PACKETS FOR RESIDENTS TO HERALD THE YEAR OF THE RAM AND TO PUBLICISE THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
A TOTAL OF 80,000 LAISEE PACKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS AT SAI WAN HO, HENG FA CHUEN AND CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE RED PACKETS CARRY TWO PROMINENT CHINESE CHARACTERS MEANING GOOD LUCK, AS WELL AS THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S LOGO AND A SLOGAN REMINDING THE PUBLIC TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS.
ANOTHER ACTIVITY ORGANISED BY THE BOARD TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IS THE SETTING UP OF A GIANT LIGHTING SIGNBOARD AT VICTORIA PARK.
THE LIGHTS WILL BE TURNED ON DAILY FROM 6 PM TO 11 PM FROM FEBRUARY 12 TO MARCH 3. THEY WILL BE TURNED ON OVERNIGHT DURING THE THREE NIGHTS BEFORE LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ♦ ♦ » * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF OVER THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF 93 FUK WA STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIER AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 26 HAD BEEN POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY (THURSDAY).
MEANWHILE, A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 6 FOR THE CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE ROOF OVER NOS. 23-29 YEN CHOW STREET AND 219B YEE KUK STREET IN THE SAME DISTRICT WAS ALSO POSTED ON THE AFFECTED PREMISES TODAY.
UNDER THE BUILDING ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
- - 0 - -
/25
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
25
BUILDINGS IN TO KWA WAN AND TAI PO DECLARED DANGEROUS
» * ♦ » »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (THURSDAY) DECLARED THE BUILDINGS AT NOS. 99 AND 101 PAU CHUNG STREET, TO KWA WAN TO BE DANGEROUS AND THE BUILDINGS AT NOS. 103 AND 105 LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED IN 1955 WERE FIVE-STOREY REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES WITH BRICK INFILL PANEL WALLS.
THE BUILDINGS AT NOS. 99 AND 101 PAU CHUNG STREET WERE AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DETERIORATION WITH SEVERELY SPALLED AND CRACKED REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS AND WERE LIABLE TO COLLAPSE.
IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE BEYOND REASONABLE ECONOMIC REPAIR AND SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
THE PGBS POINTED OUT THAT NOS. 103 AND 105 OF PAU CHUNG STREET WERE ALSO IN A MARKED STATE OF DETERIORATION AND COULD NOT WITHSTAND THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDINGS AT NOS. 99 AND 101 OF THE SAME STREET.
THESE BUILDINGS SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED BECAUSE THEY WERE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS, HE SAID.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 21 WERE POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS.
MEANWHILE, THE AUTHORITY HAS ALSO DECLARED THE BUILDING AT NO. 10 YAN HING STREET IN TAI PO TO BE DANGEROUS AND NOS. 4 AND 6 OF THE SAME STREET LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE PGBS SAID THE VACANT STRUCTURES WERE TWO-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED OF LOADBEARING BRICK AND MASONRY WALLS, WITH TIMBER FLOORS AND TILTED PITCHED-ROOFS FOR THE MAIN BLOCKS, AND WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS AND ROOFS FOR THE REAR BLOCKS.
THE BUILDING AT NO. 10 YAN HING STREET WAS IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DILAPIDATION. THE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS FOR THE COCKLOFTS AND THE FIRST FLOOR HAD PARTIALLY COLLAPSED.
THE MASONRY WALL FACING THE REAR LANE WAS IN POOR CONDITION. IT WAS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
NOS. 4 AND 6 OF YAN HING STREET WERE ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF DETERIORATION. THE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS FOR THE COCKLOFTS AND ROOFS HAD PARTIALLY COLLAPSED.
THERE WERE AREAS OF EXTENSIVE SPALLED CONCRETE. THE BUILDINGS WERE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BF. CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
THE STRUCTURE AT NO. 8 YAN HING STREET HAD BEEN RENDERED DANGEROUS AS A RESULT OF A FIRE AND WAS CLOSED UNDER EMERGENCY POWERS IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
26
HE SAID DUE TO THE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION OF THESE BUILDINGS, THE STABILITY OF EACH BUILDING DEPENDED ON THE STRUCTURAL CONDITION OF THE NEIGHBOURING BUILDINGS, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS IN ONE OPERATION.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON FEBRUARY 21 WERE POSTED TODAY ON THE BUILDINGS.
---------0-----------
CENSUS MOBILE EXHIBITION IN TSIM SHA TSUI ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE ATRIUM, UPPER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CHINA HONG KONG CITY.
ORGANISED BY’ THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT REMINDING THE PUBLIC OF THE FORTHCOMING POPULATION CENSUS AND TO CALL FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION.
APART FROM SETTING OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT, THE EXHIBITION ELUCIDATES THROUGH ATTRACTIVE PHOTOGRAPHS AND DESIGN THE ENUMERATION METHODS TO BE USED IN THE CENSUS AND HOW THE DATA COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
’’THE SELF-ENUMERATION METHOD, IN PARTICULAR, IS THE FIRST TIME TO BE USED IN HONG KONG,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SIX OUT OF SEVEN HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE ENUMERATED THIS WAY WHILE THE OTHER ONE-SEVENTH HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE ENUMERATED BY THE TRADITIONAL INTERVIEWING METHOD.
THOSE SELECTED FOR SELF-ENUMERATION WOULD BE ENUMERATED ONLY ON A FEW BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR MEMBERS. THEY WOULD RECEIVE A SIMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE MAILED TO THEM BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CENSUS.
THE HOUSEHOLDS HAVE TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE ACCORDINGLY AND THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE WOULD BE COLLECTED BY THE CENSUS OFFICER PERSONALLY DURING THE CENSUS.
THE OTHER ONE-SEVENTH HOUSEHOLDS WOULD NOT RECEIVE A CENSUS QUESTIONNAIRE BUT WOULD BE ENUMERATED BY THE CENSUS OFFICER TO ANSWER MORE DETAILED QUESTIONS.
”IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO GAIN A FAIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIFFERENT METHODS THROUGH VISITING THE EXHIBITIONS,” HE ADDED.
/THE EXHIBITION .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1991
- 27 -
THE EXHIBITION AT CHINA HONG KONG CITY IS THE SIXTH IN A SERIES OF 11 MOBILE EXHIBITIONS TO BE HELD IN PROMINENT LOCATIONS SUCH AS SHOPPING ARCADES OF POPULATED TOWN AREAS AND MTR STATIONS WHERE THE MESSAGE CAN BE EFFECTIVELY CONVEYED TO THE LARGEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM DAILY UNTIL JANUARY 27. AFTER THAT, THE EXHIBITS WILL BE MOVED TO THE YUEN LONG PLAZA IN YUEN LONG ON JANUARY 30.
THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN MARCH 15 AND 24.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INVOLVE PRIVATE SECTOR IN AIRPORT PROJECT ............... 1
FAIR COMPETITION FOR AIRPORT TENDERS ........................................ 2
POLICE STUDYS IMPACT OF PADS ON LANTAU ..................................... 3
SALARY COMMISSION HAD DONE A THOROUGH REVIEW: S FOR CS ...................... 6
WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1990 ............................................... 7
UK SHIPPERS BRIEFED ON NEW HK REGISTER........................................ 10
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 GAZETTED ..................................... 11
HK CELEBRATES INT'L CUSTOMS DAY .............................................. 12
AGREEMENT SIGNED ON DEVELOPMENT OF TIN SHUI WAI PARK ......................... 13
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CARNIVAL ................................................ 14
SPECTACULAR TO HIGHLIGHT KEEP HK CLEAN CAMPAIGN .............................. 14
CHANCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO ATTEND MUSIC CAMP IN USA ....................... 15
$1.5M PILOT SCHEME ON USE OF DEFIBRILLATORS .................................. 16
WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS TO HAVE BETTER AMBULANCE SERVICE ...................... 17
LEASE GRANT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPYARD ..................................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CIVIL WORKS .............................. 18
LAND RESUMPTION FOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ...................................... 18
SECTIONS OF TWO PRIVATE STREETS IN EASTERN TO BE RESUMED ..................... 19
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BEACH BUILDING IN MA WAN ................. 20
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1929-34 ............................... 20
PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN ...................................... 21
TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS ............................................... 22
YAU TSIM PHOTO CONTEST PRIZE PRESENTATION .................................... 23
AMS PARADE INSPECTION AND RECRUITMENT DAY .................................... 23
FIRING PRACTICE IN FEBRUARY .................................................. 24
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
GOVERNMENT
INTENDS TO INVOLVE PRIVATE SECTOR TN AIRPORT PROJECT * ♦ * » *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INVOLVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT THE NEW AIRPORT ITSELF, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PLENARY SESSION ON PROJECT FINANCING AND PRIVATISATION AT THE APEX '91 HONG KONG CONFERENCE, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE WORK OF THE FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS ON THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, TO DATE, HAS CONCENTRATED ON THE RANGE OF POSSIBLE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ON-AIRPORT ACTIVITIES.
THEY INCLUDED THE SCOPE FOR PRIVATISING MAJOR FACILITIES SUCH AS AIR CARGO, AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE FACILITIES AND THE PASSENGER TERMINAL.
SHE NOTED THAT MANY SERVICES AT KAI TAK SUCH AS CARGO HANDLING, AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING, THE HANDLING OF BAGGAGE, APRON SERVICES AND AIRCRAFT CATERING WERE ALREADY PRIVATISED.
"THE MAIN SCOPE FOR INCREASING THE LEVEL OF PRIVATIZING AT CHEK LAP KOK OVER AND ABOVE THAT ALREADY FOLLOWED AT KAI TAK WAS IN RESPECT OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL, WHICH AT KAI TAK WAS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"THE MASTER PLANNERS ARE ENSURING THAT THEIR CONCEPTS FOR THE PASSENGER TERMINAL AT CHEK LAP KOK WILL BE SO DESIGNED AS TO MAKE THEM AMENDABLE TO PRIVATIZING," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE STRESSED THAI' A MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO KEEP THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC SECTOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO A LEVEL THAT IT WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE OPTIMAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT.
"OUR AIM IS TO BUILD A COST-EFFECTIVE AIRPORT THAT WOULD MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF SERVICE AND SAFETY.
"AS HIE ONLY SHAREHOLDER IN THE AUTHORITY, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO WISH TO ENSURE THAT THE AUTHORITY WILL OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY WITH A REASONABLE RATE OF RETURN ON ITS INVESTMENT," SHE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO PREPARE THE LEGISLATION REQUIRED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUTHORITY PROPER IN LATE 1991 OR EARLY 1992.
"THE AUTHORITY WILL BE A BODY CORPORATE WHOLLY-OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT - AN ARRANGEMENT NOT UNLIKE THAT OF THE SUCCESSFUL MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, FOR EXAMPLE.
"THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY ORDINANCE WILL ESTABLISH THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE AUTHORITY WILL OPERATE, INCLUDING POLICY AND FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES LAID DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
/"THE LEGISLATION ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
2
"THE LEGISLATION WILL SET OUT IN DETAIL THE AUTHORITY’S POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES TN OPERATING THE NEW AIRPORT," SHE SAID.
MRS <TIAN POINTED OUT THAT THE AUTHORITY WILL HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THE ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THE AIRPORT.
"AS WITH OTHER STATUTORY BODIES, WHICH OPERATE IN A COMMERCIAL WAY, WE WILL EXPECT THE AUTHORITY TO RAISE PART OF ITS FUNDING REQUIREMENTS THROUGH BORROWINGS IN THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
"THE AUTHORITY WILL, HOWEVER, BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS ACTIONS AND WILL BE EXPECT TO SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT ITS AUDITED ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR SCRUTINY.
"AS IS NORMAL PRACTICE, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO RETAIN POWERS TO DIRECT THE AUTHORITY SHOULD THE NEED ARISE, " SHE SAID.
"WE HAVE RECOGNISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST REMAIN DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY OF THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED AT THE AIRPORT.
"SUCH SERIVCES WILL INCLUDE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS, PUBLIC HEALTH, OVERALL SECURITY, METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES, THE HANDLING OF MAIL, AND SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONSIBILITIES.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO RETAIN FULL CONTROL OF ALL MATTERS RELATING To CIVIL AVIATION POLICY INCLUDING THE NEGOTIATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF BILATERAL AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS; AVIATION SAFETY; ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION; LICENSING OF AIR TRANSPORT OPERATORS; AND HONG KONG'S RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL BODIES INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION.
"BUT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF FACILITIES AT THE AIRPORT WILL BE THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY," SHE SAID.
------0--------
FAIR COMPETITION FOR AIRPORT TENDERS
THE TENDERING PROCEDURES AND AWARD OF CONTRACTS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS WILL BE DONE IN A FAIR AND PRESCRIBED MANNER BY COMPETENT PROFESSIONALS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR HUGH PHILLIPSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE APEX ’91 CONFERENCE, MR PHILLIPSON SAID HONG KONG’S OWN CONTRACTING INDUSTRY IS QU I 1E ABLE TO STAND ON ITS OWN FEET AND TO COMPETE ON EQUAL TERMS AND IS NOT GIVEN ANY SPECIAL PROTECTION.
”NOR ARE FAVOURS GIVEN TO ANY OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, BUT THEIR COMPETITION IS OF COURSE WELCOME, ESPECIALLY FOR THE VERY LARGE AND SOPHISTICATED PROJECTS WHICH REQUIRE UNUSUAL EXPERTISE OR VERA LARGE RESOURCES," HE SAID.
/MR PHILLIPSON ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
3
MR PHILLIPSON SAID CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED TO COMPANIES THAT HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY MANAGERIAL, FINANCIAL, AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES, TO DO A FIRST-CLASS JOB AND WHO SUBMIT THE LOWEST TENDER PRICE.
"OUR TENDERING PROCEDURES ENSURE THAT WE GET THE BEST VALUE-FOR-MONEY FOR THE HONG KONG TAXPAYERS.
"FREE, OPEN AND FAIR COMPETITION HAS BEEN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE A FUNDAMENTAL POLICY, AND IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR CONTINUING SUCCESS IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET," HE SAID.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR PHILLIPSON ALSO DESCRIBED THE ORGANISATION, ADMINISTRATION AND CONTRACTUAL SETUP FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS.
HE SAID THERE ARE THREE MAIN BODIES INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS.
THE AIRPORT ITSELF IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED ABOUT THE END OF THE YEAR GIVING IT FULL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY.
ANOTHER CORE PROJECT, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, WILL BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, HE SAID.
THE REMAINING CORE PROJECTS WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, WILL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, ROUTE 3, WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, THE WEST HARBOUR CROSSING AND LIAISON WITH THE MTRC ON THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEW TOWN OF TUNG CHUNG AND THE SMALLER COMMUNITY UP THE LANTAU COAST TAI HO, AND FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND THE CENTRAL AND WANCHAl RECLAMATION.
FOR ALL THESE PROJECTS, CONSULTANTS HAVE NOW BEEN WORKING FOR SOME TIME ON FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND DETAILED DESIGN.
-----0-----
POLICE STUDYS IMPACT OF PADS ON LANTAU
*****
THE IMPACT ON LANTAU ISLAND OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROPOSED NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND NORTH LANTAU AFTER ITS OPENING ARE BEING GIVEN (LOSE FORCE FORMATIONS INVOLVED IN POLICING THE VAST PROJECI.
OF HONG KONG’S
THE
GROWTH SCRUTINY
OF BY
THE LARGE SCALE EXPANSION IN POPULATION - WORKERS SERVICES THAT WILL ACCOMPANY THEM - THE DEMANDS OF HEAVY VEHICLES, ACCESS TO THE SITE BY SEA AND THE ACTIVITIES OF ELEMENTS WILL TRANSFORM NORTH LANTAU FROM A TRANQUIL ENVIRONMENT TO A BOOM TOWN.
AND THE TRANSPORT CRIMINAL VILLAGE
/A WORKING .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
4
A WORKING GROUP ON THE INTERIM POLICING OF NORTH LANTAU HAS ALREADY BEEN SET UP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS MR EDDIE HUI.
AT THE FOREFRONT OF POLICE CONSIDERATIONS IS THE NEED TO BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE OF CONSTRUCTION. BLASTING TO LEVEL CHEK LAP KOK IS DUE TO START THIS YEAR. THE ISLAND POPULATION, NOW 27 AND DROPPING WILL RISE TO 1,000 DURING BLASTING.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE WORKER POPULATION WILL CLIMB TO 2,000 BY THE END OF 1992 AS CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AND APPROXIMATELY 2,500 BY THE END OF 1993.
WORKER POPULATION IS FORECAST TO RISE SHARPLY TO AROUND 7,000 AS CONSTRUCTION INCREASES IN 1994 AND TO PEAK AT 10,000 AS CONSTRUCTION REACHES ITS CLIMAX AND FITTING OUT BEGINS IN 1995-96.
THE POPULATION OF THE AREA IS NOT EXPECTED TO DROP AFTER CONSTRUCTION AS NEW RESIDENTS EMPLOYED AT THE AIRPORT MOVE INTO THE AREA.
ALTHOUGH POLICE NEEDS ON THE LANTAU OF THE 21ST CENTURY ARE STILL UNCERTAIN, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT TWO DISTRICT FORMATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED AT THE AIRPORT AND AT TUNG CHUNG. AREAS TO THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO BE AFFECTED.
SAID MR PAUL GUEST, SENIOR STAFF OFFICER IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BRANCH PLANNING DIVISION: "WE ARE AT PRESENT REACTING TO BROAD CONCEPTS. THE FINE TUNING WILL FOLLOW."
HUB OF THE EXERCISE AT PRESENT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LINK ROAD AND FIXED CROSSING DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 1996, WHICH WILL CONNECT LANTAU WITH THE SOUTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
UNTIL THE ROAD OPENS THE AREA WILL CONTINUE TO BE POLICED BY RURAL AREA PATROLS OPERATING FROM TAI O AND TUNG CHUNG. IT IS PLANNED THAT THE AIRPORT SITE AND LANTAU ITSELF WILL THEN TRANSFER TO THE COMMAND OF SOUTH NEW TERRITORIES REGION.
SAID MR GUEST: ’LANTAU DISTRICT POLICE FACILITY MAY HAVE TO BE ENHANCED TO ACCOMMODATE TRAFFIC AND EMERGENCY UNIT ELEMENTS AT TUNG CHUNG AND WE ARE NEGOTIATING TO ESTABLISH A TEMPORARY POLICE BASE NEAR TUNG CHUNG UNTIL A NEW HEADQUARTERS IS COMPLETED."
WITH THE NEW AIRPORT DUE TO GO OPERATIONAL IN 1997, IT IS HOPED THAT AIRPORT POLICE STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY AT LEAST A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
’’WE ARE RELYING ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS) FOR THE FUNDING OF ALL THESE PROJECTS," MR GUEST SAID.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT NO PLANS TO MOVE ISLANDS DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS FROM ITS PRESENT BASE AT CHEUNG SHA.
ISLANDS DISTRICT COMMANDER MR DICK WORRALL HAD A DETAILED SCENARIO OF POLICE PROBLEMS THAT WILL BE FACED ON LANTAU AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT PROGRESSES.
/THESE INCLUDE .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
- 5
THESE INCLUDE DISPUTES BETWEEN VILLAGERS AND CONTRACTORS AND THEIR WORKERS, WHO ARE EXPECTED TO BE EMPLOYED FROM SEVERAL AREAS AROUND SOUTH-EAST ASIA; THEFTS FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES AND VESSELS; SABOTAGE OF MACHINERY BY TRIADS; GAMBLING, PROSTITUTION AND DANGEROUS DRUGS; TRAFFIC AND INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS BOTH ON LAND AND AT SEA; MOVEMENT OF LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE OVER TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ISLAND; AND LARGE SCALE INCREASES IN SEA TRAFFIC.
"THE SITUATION IS CHANGING ALL THE TIME," SAID MR WORRALL, "BUT THE SIGNS ARE ALREADY THERE OF WHAT IS TO COME.
"THE PROBLEMS WILL ARISE WHEN CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH LANTAU ROAD LINK COMMENCES."
MR WORRALL SAID IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT MOST OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WOULD LIVE ON THE ISLAND. THEIR PRESENCE WOULD HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES.
"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT AFFECT THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND," HE SAID. "THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON THE SOUTH SIDE WHICH IS NOW THE MOST POPULATED AREA WILL BE LIKE A HONEY POT FOR THE WORKERS. CAMP FOLLOWERS ARE BOUND TO FOLLOW."
PURPOSE BUILT BARRACK-TYPE ACCOMMODATION FOR THE SITE WORKERS WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY DWELLINGS FOR PERMANENT OCCUPATION.
"WHEN THE WORKERS START COMING IN, WE WILL NEED THE MANPOWER TO DEAL WITH THEM," MR WORRALL ADDED.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE POPULATION OF TUNG CHUNG WOULD BE 20,000 WHEN THE AIRPORT WAS COMPLETED. POPULATION OF SILVERMTNE BAY WOULD THEN BE 20,000 AND STILL GROWING.
BY 2011 ESTIMATED POPULATION OF NORTH LANTAU WILL BE 20,000.
ALREADY, SAID MR WORRALL, THERE WERE SIGNS OF THE LID COMING OFF THE LANTAU HONEYPOT.
"WE HAVE HAD EXTORTION AMONG BOAT PEOPLE AT TUNG CHUNG AND WE HAVE ARRESTED SIX ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO ARRIVED AT CHEK LAP KOK IN THE BELIEF THAT THERE WAS EMPLOYMENT THERE AND THAT THE AIRPORT WAS ALREADY UNDER CONSTRUCTION."
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/6........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
6
SALARY COMMISSION HAD DONE A THOROUGH REVIEW: S FOR CS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TODAY (FRIDAY) REPUDIATED THE ACCUSATION MADE YESTERDAY BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE CIVIL SERVANTS’ ASSOCIATION (HKCCSA) THAT THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WAS NOT IMPARTIAL.
DESCRIBING THE ACCUSATION AS UNFOUNDED, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE STANDING COMMISSION HAD DEVOTED AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT TO THE 1989 NON-DIRECTORATE SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW OVER A PERIOD OF SOME 20 MONTHS.
"THE STANDING COMMISSION IS AN INDEPENDENT ADVISORY BODY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND IS MADE UP OF RESPECTABLE INDIVIDUALS OF VARIOUS BACKGROUND AND WITH EXPERIENCE IN MANAGEMENT," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"IT IS DELIBERATELY SET UP IN THIS WAY TO AVOID THE SITUATION WHERE CIVIL SERVANTS COULD BE TAKING DECISIONS ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY," HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE STANDING COMMISSION HAD DONE A VERY THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW INDEED. IT HAD THE BENEFIT OF THE VIEWS OF STAFF AND DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT, BEFORE FINALISING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
"IT RECEIVED OVER 700 REPRESENTATIONS THROUGHOUT THE REVIEW. WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE COMMISSION ALSO HAD MEETINGS WITH STAFF REPRESENTATIVES; AND WITH DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND FOR CLARIFICATION OF THE VARIOUS SUBMISSIONS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS FULLY SATISFIED THAT THE STANDING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BALANCED THE INTERESTS OF STAFF, DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND THE PUBLIC," MR WIGGHAM ADDED.
MR WIGGHAM SAID IT WAS WRONG AND GROSSLY UNFAIR FOR HKCCSA TO SAY THAT STAFF GROUPS WHICH HAD MADE THE MOST NOISE HAD GAINED THE MOST OUT OF THE REVIEW.
"THE FACT IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE GRADES WHICH HAVE •BENEFITTED HAVE REMAINED PATIENT AND CALM THROUGHOUT THE REVIEW, AND MANY OF THEM HAVE RECEIVED ABOVE-AVERAGE PAY IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
THE HKCCSA ALSO DISTORTED THE FIGURES RELATING TO THE NUMBER OF CIVIL SERVANTS BENEFITTING FROM THE REVIEW, BY QUOTING RANKS INSTEAD OF THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF STAFF RECEIVING IMPROVEMENTS.
MR WIGGHAM CLARIFIED THAT, AS EXPLAINED EARLIER, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 107,000 CIVIL SERVANTS COVERED BY THE FINAL STAGE OF THE REVIEW, SOME 97,000 OR 90 PER CENT, WILL RECEIVE PAY IMPROVEMENTS AS A RESULT OF THE STANDING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
---------0---------. _
/7.........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
7 -
WAGE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER 1990 ******
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER 1990, AT 210.3, INCREASED BY 12.6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989 AND BY 5.6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 115.3 IN SEPTEMBER 1990, WAS 2.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1989 AND 0.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN MARCH 1990.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
IN SEPTEMBER 1990, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX RANGED FROM 11.0 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, TO 16.5 PER CENT FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
WHEN COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH MARCH 1990, THE RANGE OF INCREASE WAS 3.4 PER CENT IN THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND 10.3 PER CENT IN THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR.
THE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1 AND TABLE 2 RESPECTIVELY. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
THE WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM RESULTS OF THE HALF-YEARLY SURVEY. OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERS BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING EMPLOYEES AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN FIVE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS. THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEX IS MARCH 1982.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNING.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
/TOTAL PAYROLL .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
8
TOTAL PAYROLL IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENT THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS, AND THEREFORE ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCE.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGES RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT ON HALF-YEARLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, SEPTEMBER 1990 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN MID FEBRUARY 1991.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4744 OR 823 4747.
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS SEPT. 1989 MAR. 1990 SEPT. 1990 % CHANGE SEBT. 1990/ MAR. 1990 % CHANGE
SEPT. SEPT. 1990/ 1989
MANUFACTURING 180.6 192.2 202.8 + 5.5 + 12 .3
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, 181.0 194.3 200.9 + 3.4 + 11 .0
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES,
RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
TRANSPORT SERVICES 222.3 229.9 253.5 + 10.3 + 14 .0
BUSINESS SERVICES 217.0 235.4 252.7 + 7.3 + 16 .5
PERSONAL SERVICES 209.4 224.4 237.2 + 5.7 + 13 .3
ALL SfeCTORS ABOVE 186.7 199.1 210.3 + 5.6 + 12 .6
/TABLE 2 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
9
TABLE 2: REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
1 NDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100 )
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS SEPT. 1 1989 % MAR. SEPT. SEPT 1990 1990 MAR CHANGE . 1990/ . 1990 % ' SEPT SEPT CHANGE . 1990/ . 1989
MANUFACTURING 108.7 1.11 . 2 111.2 0 + 2.3
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, 108.9 112.5 110.2 -2.0 + 1.2
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
TRANSPORT SERVICES 133.8 133.0 139.1 + 4.6 + 4.0
BUSINESS SERVICES 130.6 136.2 138.6 + 1.8 + 6.1
PERSONAL SERVICES 126.1 129.9 130.1 + 0.2 + 3.2
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 112.4 115.2 115.3 + 0.1 + 2.6
TABLE 3: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR INDUSTRIES SEPT. MAR. SEPT. % CHANGE SEPT. 1990/ % CHANGE SEPT.' 1990/
1989 1990 1 990 MAR. 1990 SEPT. 1989
GARMENTS 153.1 160.9 171 .5 + 6.6 + 12.0
GLOVES 192.2 191.0 203.8 + 6.7 + 6.0
/HANDBAGS
180.5
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
- 10 -
HANDBAGS 180.5 192.2 205.5 + 6.9 + 13.9
COTTON SPINNING /WEAVING 193.0 210.7 216.9 + 2.9 + 12.4
KNITTING 168.3 175.0 182.4 + 4.2 + 8.4
BLEACHING AND DYEING 200.6 207.7 218.0 + 5.0 + 8.7
PRINTING 222.9 238.5 267.2 + 12.0 + 19.9
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 170.5 184 . 1 190.1 + 3.3 + 11.5
METAL PRODUCTS 193.9 201.7 212.8 + 5.5 + 9.7
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 227.7 24 4.4 256.4 + 4.9 + 12.6
ELECTRONICS 210.6 228.4 241.1 + 5.6 + 14.5
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 224.6 243.4 245.2 + 0.7 + 9.2
MANUFACTURING 180.6 192.2 202.8 + 5.5 + 12.3
- - 0 - -
UK SHIPPERS BRIEFED ON NEW HK REGISTER
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IN
INFLUENCE AT THE
KONG COMMISSIONER (THURSDAY!.
IN THE I'K, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAID YESTERDAY
A SPECIAL SEMINAR IN LONDON TO INTRODUCE THE
K!™*™ ?5!?E??NIirKo °W<.
TXn<>» TO Sv ‘XITwPEASINtll.V ACTIVE PART AT THE IMO.
SPEAKING AT
/"MACHINERY IS .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
11
’’MACHINERY IS BEING SET UP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTINCT SHIPPING POI I (’IES AND THOSE WITH SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS TO ASSIST IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICY.
’’THIS PROVIDES A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR SHIPOWNERS AND AGENTS OF HONG KONG-REGISTERED SHIPS TO INFLUENCE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING REGULATIONS AT A FORMATIVE STAGE AND WILL ALLOW GOVERNMENT TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. AT THE OUTSET, THE VIEWS OF THE INDUSTRY,” HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR A NEW REGISTER -- WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON DECEMBER 3 LAST YEAR -- MR YAXLEY SAID THE TERRITORY HAD ALWAYS BEEN A PORT OF BRITISH REGISTRY BUT THIS COULD NOT CONTINUE AFTER THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997.
’THERE HAD ALSO BEEN A LONG STANDING DEMAND BY HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS FOR THEIR OWN REGISTRY.
"THE NEED FOR SEPARATE AND AUTONOMOUS SHIPPING REGISTER WAS THEREFORE PROVIDED FOR IN THE SINO-BRIT1SH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, SIGNED IN 1984.”
HE SAID THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE SETTING UP OF THE REGISTER WHILE AN EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS OF DISCUSSION HAD BEEN HELD WITH EVERY SECTOR OF THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY SUCH AS SHIPOWNERS, MANAGERS, SEAFARERS UNIONS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES, LAWYERS AND BANKERS.
OUTLINING SOME OF THE PRINCIPLES ADOPTED IN THE REGISTER, MR YAXLEY EMPHASISED THAT THE REGISTER WOULD NOT BE A FLAG OF CONVENIENCE AMD THAT THERE SHOULD BE A GENUINE LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE SHIPS ON ITS REGISTER.
HE ALSO TOLD THE AUDIENCE THAT OCEAN-GOING SHIPS ON THE REGISTER WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM HONG KONG PROFITS TAX FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
THE SEMINAR WAS HELD AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON AND WAS HOSTED BY THE MARINE ADVISER MR DEREK HALL TOGETHER WITH MR S.Y. TSUI AND CAPTAIN TONY JESTICO FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
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COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 GAZETTED
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH SEEKS TO SET OUT IN GENERAL TERMS THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF DIRECTORS, ’ IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’THERE IS AT PRESENT NO PROVISION IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE REGARDING THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF DIRECTORS,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THE PRINCIPLES .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
12
"TUI? PRINCIPLES UNDERLINING THE RELATIONSHIP OF DIRECTORS TOWARDS THEIR COMPANIES COULD ONLY BE STUDIED BY REFERRING TO THE COMMON LAW AS SET OUT IN DECIDED CASES AND DISCUSSED IN LEGAL TEXTBOOKS," HE SAID.
"WE BELIEVE THAT REFERENCE TO THE GENERAL FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF DIRECTORS SHOULD BE MADE READILY AVAILABLE AND ACCESS IBLE TO ALL DIRECTORS, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO THEIR POSITIONS AND PERHAPS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE BASIC PRINCIPLES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS A SHORT STATUTORY STATEMENT WHICH REQUIRES THAT A DIRECTOR SHOULD ACT HONESTLY AND PERFORM HIS FUNCTIONS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY. IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SHOULD NOT PERFORM ANY FUNCTION FOR A PURPOSE NOT SPECIFIED IN NOR REASONABLY INFERRED FROM THE INSTRUMENT CONFERRING THAT FUNCTION.
"THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT A DIRECTOR SHALL NOT ALLOW A CONFLICT TO ARISE BETWEEN THE DUTIES OF HIS OFFICE AND HIS INTERESTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HE SHALL NOT, FOR INSTANCE, MAKE USE OF ANY MONEY OR OTHER PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY OR ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION OR OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAINING AN ADVANTAGE FOR HIMSELF," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT A DIRECTOR SHOULD BE LIABLE TO ACCOUNT TO THE COMPANY FOR ANY GAIN MADE RY HIM, AND COMPENSATE IT FOR ANY LOSS SUFFERED BY IT, AS A CONSEQUENCE OF HIS CONTRAVENING THESE PROVISIONS.
GIVEN THAT NO STATUTORY LIST OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES CAN BE EXHAUSTIVE, THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES EXPLICITLY THAT THE PROPOSED PROVISIONS SHALL HAVE EFFECT WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO ANY RULE OF LAW OR TO ANY OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
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HK CELEBRATES INT’L CUSTOMS DAY ♦ ♦ * * ♦
HONG KONG, AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL (CCC) SINCE 1987, CELEBRATED INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A COCKTAIL RECEPTION TO MARK THE OCCASION THIS EVENING, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, SAID INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CCC MEMBERS TO PROMOTE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN CUSTOMS SERVICES AND TO MAKE THEIR ROLES AND OBJECTIVES BETTER KNOWN.
MR OXLEY PAID TRIBUTE TO OVERSEAS CUSTOMS ORGANISATIONS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THAT DESPITE HIS SHORT TIME WITH THE DEPARTMENT HE HAD ALREADY COME TO APPRECIATE THAT NO CUSTOMS SERVICE COULD WORK TN ISOLATION.
/"CLEARLY, INTERNATIONAL .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
13
"CLEARLY, INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION, THROUGH THE EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE, IS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS TO FOSTER MUTUAL SUCCESS.
"SO HONG KONG IS MOST GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOUR HELP. MAY I ALSO ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH YOU AS WELL AS WITH THE OTHER MEMBER TERRITORIES OF THE CCC OF WHICH THERE ARE NOW 106," HE SAID.
MR OXLEY SAID HONG KONG WOULD ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE CCC’S MANY ENDEAVOURS AND, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, PARTICIPATE IN MAJOR CONFERENCES, TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND OTHER PROJECTS.
"IN THIS RESPECT, I SHOULD LIKE TO REAFFIRM HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT IN HELPING TO RUN THE REGIONAL LIAISON OFFICE FOR THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP).
"THROUGH THIS OFFICE, A REGULAR SUPPLY OF INFORMATION ABOUT DRUGS AND OTHER CUSTOMS MATTERS IS PROVIDED FOR THE CCC’S SECRETARIAT, INTERPOL AND FOR ESCAP’S 16 MEMBER COUNTRIES,” HE SAID.
THE RECEPTION WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 200 GUESTS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, OMELCO MEMBERS, CONSULS-GENERAL AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES OF NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS.
------0--------
AGREEMENT SIGNED ON DEVELOPMENT OF TIN SHUI WAI PARK
» * « * ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN, TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED AN AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WITH DAMEN LTD, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CHEUNG KONG (HOLDINGS) LTD, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT PARK IN TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROJECT, ESTIMATED TO COST $40 MILLION, WILL BE WHOLLY SPONSORED BY DAMEN LTD AS ONE OF A SERIES OF OPEN SPACES BEING DEVELOPED FOR RESIDENTS OF TIN SHUI WAI.
THE AREA TO BE DEVELOPED UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP COVERS 6.7 HECTARES ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE PARK.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS, A PALM GARDEN, A LOOKOUT PAVILION, FOUNTAIN PLAZAS AND EXTENSIVE GARDENS AND LAWNS IN A SUB-TROPICAL SETTING.
THE SITE FOR THE PARK WILL BE HANDED OVER TO DAMEN LTD BY THE END OF THIS MONTH WITH A VIEW TO COMPLETING THE PROJECT AT THE END OF 1992.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR H.H.T. BARMA; PROJECT MANAGER (NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES), MR Y.Y. NG; AND DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR, CHEUNG KONO (HOLDINGS) LTD, MR ALBERT CHOW.
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/14 ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
- 14 -
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CARNIVAL *****
A CARNIVAL TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT WILL BE HELD AT THE KO SHAN ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH IN HUNG HOM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27).
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AND AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
THERE WILL BE GAME STALLS, SINGING PERFORMANCES, A HANDICRAFT CORNER, MINI-TRAIN RIDES AND A LUCKY DRAW.
MEANWHILE, WINNERS OF THE DISTRICT'S "KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN BOOK-MARK DESIGN COMPETITION” AND THE "WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION" WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES AT THE GALA.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DUNCAN PESCOD; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR PAO PING-WING AND KOWLOON CITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG CHI-KEUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN GALA SHOW AT THE KO SHAN ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27). THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------0-------
SPECTACULAR TO HIGHLIGHT KEEP HK CLEAN CAMPAIGN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
A SPECTACULAR TO CALL ON THE PUBLIC FOR MORE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN KEEPING THE TERRITORY CLEAN WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27), STARTING AT 8 PM AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM.
THE SPECTACULAR IS ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE AS THE HIGHLIGHT ACTIVITY OF THE 1990/91 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
POPULAR ARTISTES AND SINGERS WILL PERFORM IN A NUMBER OF SEGMENTS TO DISSEMINATE THE KEEP-CLEAN MESSAGE.
THE ONE-AND-A-HALF-HOUR SHOW IS TO BE PRODUCED BY ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
15 -
OFFICIATING AT A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY OF THE SHOW WILL BE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN LAU; CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU AND DR PANG HOK-TUBN.
PRIOR TO THE SHOW, MR TONG AND DR PANG WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO SOME 15 SPONSORS AT 7.45 PM TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN SPECTACULAR, BEGINNING AT 8 PM ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27) AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS RECEPTION COUNTER OF THE COLISEUM (NEAR THE BROWN GATE ENTRANCE) AT 7.30 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
PLEASE NOTE THAT NO FLASH LIGHT WILL BE ALLOWED DURING THE SHOW AND PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE REMINDED TO USE TELEPHOTO LENSES.
---------0-----------
CHANCE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO ♦ ♦ * *
ATTEND MUSIC CAMP IN USA ♦
TALENTED
FOR A CHANCE IN A LIFE TIME TO MUSIC BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE 1991 NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP.
YOUNG STRING PLAYERS IN HONG KONG ARE INVITED TO VIE RECEIVE OVERSEAS TRAINING IN SYMPHONIC
THE WORLD YOUTH
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN
THE ANNUAL MUSIC CAMP AT INTERLOCHEN, STATES IS BEING RECOGNISED AS THE PREMIER FINE THE CAMP WILL BE HELD THIS SUMMER FROM JUNE 23
MICHIGAN, THE UNITED ARTS CAMP IN THE WORLD. TO AUGUST 19.
THE TWO-MONTH MUSIC CAMP WILL INCLUDE MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES BY SOME OF THE MOST WORLD-RENOWNED ARTISTS.
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS INVITING INTERESTED MUSICIANS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18, WHO HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS AND HAVE ATTAINED GRADE VIII (PRACTICAL) IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATIONS OR EQUIVALENT TO APPLY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE
CAMP.
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE AND A REASONABLE COMMAND OF ENGLISH.
APPLICANTS WILL HAVE TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ARRANGED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE IN MID-MARCH.
/THE SUCCESSFUL ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
16
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE RETURN AIR TICKETS DONATED BY AN AIRLINE COMPANY AND A LOCAL ORGANISATION. THE FEES FOR THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP WILL BE MET BY THE CAMP ORGANISER.
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR HIS PERSONAL INSURANCE ABROAD, AND TO PLACE A SUM OF US$300 IN HIS PERSONAL ACCOUNT WITH THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP TO MEET MINOR PERSONAL EXPENSES.
THE FINAL DECISION ON THE SELECTION OF A SUITABLE CANDIDATE RESTS WITH THE MUSIC OFFICE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TSUEN WAN MUSIC CENTRE AT CHEUNG YIU BUILDING, 167-173 CASTLE PEAK ROAD ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 21.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON THE TEL. 492 8127.
- - 0 - -
$1.5M PILOT SCHEME ON USE OF DEFIBRILLATORS *****
FROM MONDAY (JANUARY 28), THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE A $1.5 MILLION PILOT SCHEME ON THE USE OF DEFIBRILLATORS TO ATTEND UNCONSCIOUS OR CARDIAC PATIENTS WHO MAY NEED TREATMENT FOR VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION.
INITIALLY SIX AMBULANCE AID MOTORCYCLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC ADVISORY DEFIBRILLATORS. THE NUMBER OF AMBULANCE AID MOTORCYCLES WILL BE INCREASED TO 13 WHEN THE NEW MOTORCYCLES ARRIVE IN MID-1991.
BEFORE THE DELIVERY OF THE NEW MOTORCYCLES, SIX DEFIBRILLATORS WILL BE TEMPORARILY CARRIED ON AMBULANCES.
SPEAKING DURING A DEMONSTRATION OF THE EQUIPMENT, THE CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR PANG TAK-SUM, SAID THE PILOT SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE ADVISORY GROUP ON EXTENDED TRAINING IN AMBULANCE AID.
MR PANG SAID VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION WAS AN ABNORMAL, RAPID AND CHAOTIC RHYTHM OF THE HEART WITH NO ACTIVE MECHANICAL BLOOD PUMPING ACTION, AND EVENTUALLY COULD LEAD TO DEATH UNLESS TREATED PROMPTLY.
"DEFIBRILLATION IS THE PROCESS OF ABOLISHING SUCH FIBRILLATION RHYTHM TO RE-ESTABLISH NORMAL RHYTHM AND CONTRACTION OF THE HEART, ACHIEVED BY PASSING A CONTROLLED ELECTRIC CURRENT THROUGH THE HEART," HE SAID.
MR PANG SAID DEFIBRILLATORS WERE OPERATED BY SELECTED AMBULANCE PERSONNEL TRAINED IN DEFIBRILLATION AND EXAMINED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.
/"SO FAR
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
- 17 -
"SO FAR OVER 120 OFFICERS FROM THE AMBULANCE COMMAND HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN USING THE EQUIPMENT," HF. SAID.
MR PANG SAID THE USE OF DEFIBRILLATORS WOULD REQUIRE SOME TIME FOR APPLICATION OF ELECTRODES ON THE PATIENT'S CHEST, ANALYSIS OF CARDIAC RHYTHM AND CHECKING OF CONDITION.
"HOWEVER," HE SAID, "THE TIME SO SPENT IS WORTHWHILE."
MR. PANG CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CALLING FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE TO PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION AS THE CAUSE OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS, BREATHING, CHEST PAIN, AGE, AND HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE OF THE PATIENT, WHICH WOULD HELP THE STAFF OF THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATION CENTRE IN DECIDING WHETHER A DEFIBRILLATOR SHOULD BE DESPATCHED.
--------0-----------
WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS TO HAVE BETTER AMBULANCE SERVICE *****
WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) ASSURED OF BETTER EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES DURING FIRES, ACCIDENTS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE WONG TAI SIN AMBULANCE DEPOT, WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR LEE YUK-KWAN, SAID THE NEW AMBULANCE DEPOT WOULD PROVIDE EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES TO THE 400,000 RESIDENTS IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
DR LEE SAID WONG TAI SIN WAS A DENSELY POPULATED DISTRICT WITH A NUMBER OF LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SUCH AS WANG TAU HOM, LOK FU, TUNG TAU, UPPER WONG TAI SIN, LOWER WONG TAI SIN, TSZ WAN SHAN, CHUK YUEN, CHOI HUNG AND CHOI WAN ESTATES.
THE NEW DEPOT, LOCATED AT 5 YING FUNG LANE, HAS A FLEET OF EIGHT MODERN AND WELL-EQUIPPED AMBULANCES AND A STAFF OF OVER 80 AMBULANCE OFFICERS.
THE DEPOT, BUILT AT A COST OF $12.5 MILLION, WAS PUT INTO OPERATION IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN; CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR PANG TAK-SUM; CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HEADQUARTERS) MR PETER CHEUNG; AND OTHER LOCAL CELEBRITIES.
/IB ........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
18
LEASE GRANT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPYARD
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO GRANT A LEASE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 4.1 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT NORTH TSI NG YI FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHIPYARD LATER THIS YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED TN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
\NY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION BEFORE JANUARY 24 NEXT YEAR.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE KWAI TS1NG DISTRICT OFFICE, 1OTH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
- - 0----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CIVIL WORKS ♦ * * * *
INVITING
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CIVIL WORKS FOR TA KWU LING RURAI
IN NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES. AL
TENDERS CENTRE
TRACT WILL COVER EARTHWORKS, CONSTRUCTION OF REIA1NING WALLS, DRAINAGE, LANDSCAPING AND ELECTRICAL WORKS.
CARPARKS,
START INHAPR^LNTRACT PRRI0D IS R,GHT M°NTHS AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 22
------0--------
LAND RESUMPTION FOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME A TOTAL OF MORE METRES OF LAND IN YUEN LONG TO MAKE WAY FOR WORKS AND IMPROVEMENT OF TONG FONG VILLAGE IN APRIL THIS
SITUATED NEXT TO PING SHAN SAN TSUEN, THE PRIVATE LOTS, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 58.25 BUILDING LAND, 184 SQUARE METRES OF BUILDING AND 14,261.5 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.
THAN 14,000 SQUARE ON THE EXPANSION YEAR.
LAND COMPRISES 25
SQUARE METRES OF
GARDEN LAND, AND
gazette"™ YLS((FRI™y ). RESUMPTION WRRE PUBLISHED TN THE GOVERNMENT
/19 .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
19
SECTIONS OF TWO PRIVATE STREETS IN EASTERN TO BE RESUMED
* * * t »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR SECTIONS OF KIN WAH STREET AND NORTH VIEW STREET IN EASTERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE SECTION OF KIN WAH STREET BETWEEN CHEUNG HONG STREET AND NORTH VIEW STREET; AND THE SECTION OF NORTH VIEW STREET BETWEEN CHING WAH STREET AND FORT STREET WOULD BE AFFECTED.
"BOTH KIN WAH STREET AND NORTH VIEW STREET ARE PRIVATE STREETS UNDER MULTIPLE OWNERSHIPS AND HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED," HE SAID.
"AS A RESULT THEY ARE IN POOR REPAIR AND ARE PARTLY OCCUPIED BY STALLS THAT OBSTRUCT PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR MOVEMENT. THE SITUATION GIVES RISE TO CONSIDERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
"THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CLEAR THE OBSTRUCTING STALLS, AND REPAIR THE STREETS TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC."
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN AUGUST 1992, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF OR INCIDENTAL TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OBJECTS OR STRUCTURES ATTACHED TO OR PROJECTING FROM A NUMBER OF BUILDINGS IN CHING WAH STREET, KIN WAH STREET AND FORT STREET WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED, HE ADDED.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES :
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUBOFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, CENTRAL;
* HONG KONG EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 19TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI; AND
* EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 29 TAI ON STREET, GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, SAI WAN HO.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN MARCH 26 THIS YEAR.
------0--------
/20........
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
- 20 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BEACH BUILDING IN MA WAN *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BEACH BUILDING AT TUNG WAN IN MA WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE WORKS INVOLVE THE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING WATCH HOUSE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BEACH HOUSE WITH FACILITIES INCLUDING A MANAGEMENT OFFICE, CHANGING ROOMS, SHOWERS, A FAST FOOD KIOSK AND A FIRST AID ROOM, TWO LIFEGUARD LOOKOUTS AND A POLICE'REPORTING CENTRE.
WORKS FOR THE PROJECT WILL START IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON FEBRUARY 22.
------tf------
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1929-34
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WOMEN BORN IN 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933 AND 1934 WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM FEBRUARY 4 TO MARCH 28.
"WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS.
ALL OFFICES CLOSE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
APPLICANTS MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. NO. 755 3669
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 723 2424
/TSUEN WAN .......
FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 195.
- 21 -
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 498 0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY TELEPHONING 824 0303 TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED.
HE REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939 AND 1940 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW I.D. CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON FEBRUARY 2.
FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW I.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0--------
PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN » * « « «
A CREATIVE PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN — "PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES DAY” __ WILL BE HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27). •
THERE WILL BE ELEVEN GAME STALLS AND CHILDREN WILL EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF CREATIVE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ROCK PAINTING, PAPER DYEING, SANDWICH-MAKING AND PUZZLE GAMES.
THE FUNCTION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE CHUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, THE CARITAS GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK SERVICE, AND SPONSORED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT CULTURAL AND ART ASSOCIATION.
/"THROUGH GAMES .......
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
22
"THROUGH GAMES, CHILDREN WILL LEARN HOW TO ORGANISE THEIR WORK, MAKE DECISIONS ON THEIR OWN AND BUILD UP THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FUNCTION SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A CHANCE FOR THE PARENTS WHO ACCOMPANY THEIR KIDS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR OLE IN HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP THEIR CREATIVITY,” HE ADDED.
ALL CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SEVEN ARE WELCOME AND ADMISSION IS $5 EACH .
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 852 3487.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE "PAINT AND PLAY ACTIVITIES DAY” TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27) AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT, BEGINNING AT 12.30 PM.
t — - 0 - - - -
TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL OPENS * * ♦ ♦ t
THE 13TH TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL KICKED OFF THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ORIENTAL SONG AND DANCE ENSEMBLE FROM CHINA.
THE ENSEMBLE, A WORLD-RENOWNED NATIONAL ART TROUPE, WAS FOUNDED SOME 30 YEARS AGO.
OVER THE YEARS, THE ENSEMBLE HAS EITHER CREATED OR REVISED KINDREDS OF SONGS FROM ASIAN, AFRICAN AND LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES AND ITS UNIQUE ARTISTIC STYLE IS REFLECTED IN ITS EXOTIC AND SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TSUEN WAN ARTS FESTIVAL AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL WAS THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA.
THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL, WITH OVER 50 PERFORMANCES, IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT’S CULTURE AND RECREATION CO-ORDINATING ASSOCIATION.
THE ESTIMATED COST OF ABOUT $2.5 MILLION WAS FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL SPONSORSHIP.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY THE CHOR FUNG MING CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE, THE FUJIAN YOUTH ACROBATICS TROUPE AND FOSHAN TRADITIONAL ART TROUPE.
OTHER EVENTS WILL INCLUDE A DRAMA BY THE HONG KONG MOVIE AND TV THEATRICAL SOCIETY, A HAKKA FOLK SONG CONCERT, MIME PERFORMANCE, TRADITIONAL CHINESE MUSIC CONCERTS AND FILM SHOWS.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE URBTIX OUTLETS NOW. TELEPHONE RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE ON 734 9009 AND ENQUIRIES ON 414 0144 OR 414 9662.
0
/23 .......
BKWAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
- 23 -
YAU TSIM PHOTO CONTEST PRIZE PRESENTATION
*****
WINNERS OF THE "YAU TSIM IMPRESSIONS II" PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT A CEREMONY AT THE ACTIVITY CENTRE OF THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION (YTCAA).
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
ALL PRIZE-WINNING ENTRIES, TOTALLING 163, WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE ACTIVITY CENTRE AS WELL AS THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE TOMORROW AND ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27).
THE CONTEST WAS ORGANISED BY THE YTCAA AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AS PART OF THE ONGOING YAU TSIM CULTURE AND ARTS FESTIVAL.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE YAU TSIM PHOTO CONTEST TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE ACTIVITY CENTRE OF THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION AT 33 SALISBURY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
IT WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
-----0-----
AMS PARADE INSPECTION AND RECRUITMENT DAY
******
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) WILL HOLD ITS TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT PARADE INSPECTION AND RECRUITMENT DAY ON SUNDAY (JANUARY 27) AT THE TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
THE COMMISSIONER OF AMS, DR S.H. LEE, WILL INSPECT THE PARADE AND OFFICIATE AT THE RECRUITMENT CEREMONY.
PHOTOGRAPHS INTRODUCING THE ACTIVITIES OF AMS AND FIRST AIR EQUIPMENTS WILL BE DISPLAYED.
THE AMS WOULD RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS THAT DAY. RESIDENTS
INTERESTED IN FIRST AID SERVICES ARE WELCOME TO APPLY FOR ENROLMENT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
- - 0 - -
/24
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1991
- 24
FIRING PRACTICE IN FEBRUARY
» ♦ * ♦ *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE RANGE ON 21 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE TAKE PLACE:
PEAK
ARE
WILL
DATE TIME
FEBRUARY 1 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 2 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 4 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 5 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 6 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 7 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 PM
FEBRUARY 8 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 9 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 11 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 PM
FEBRUARY 12 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 13 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 18 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 19 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 20 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 21 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
FEBRUARY 22 (FRIDAY) 12.01 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 23 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM -.5 PM
FEBRUARY 25 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 26 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 27 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
FEBRUARY 28 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GUARDIANS OF HONG KONG HISTORY ........................................ 1
DUAL CHAMPIONS FOR BEST OYS PROJECT COMPETITION ....................... 3
AIR MAIL SERVICES TO MIDDLE EAST RESUMED .............................. 4
MEDIA PLAYS CRUCIAL ROLE IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION ................. 4
CRIME RATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O KEPT AT LOW LEVEL ......................... 5
FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES SPREAD THROUGHOUT NT ............................. 6
DISTRICT OFFICER SPOKE ON DANGERS OF DRUGS ............................ 6
WATER QUALITY AND MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR FACTORY OPERATORS ............ 7
SURVEY ON URBAN TAXI OPERATION ........................................ 8
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ................................... 8
PROPRIETORS URGED TO WATCH OUT FOR IMPOSTERS .......................... 9
POLICE REMINDER ON OVERLOADING ........................................ 10
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
GUARDIANS OF HONG KONG HISTORY
* » « ♦ »
THEY ARE FAITHFUL GUARDIANS OF HONG KONG HISTORY.
TO KEEP THE MULTIFARIOUS LIVES OF THE OLD HONG KONG ALIVE, THEY KEEP A CONSTANT FINGER ON THE PULSE OF GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ARCHIVES, JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY WILL NOT BE BURIED IN OBLIVION.
THEY ALSO HELP THE OVERSEAS INQUIRERS SEARCH FOR THEIR LOST ROOTS IN THE TERRITORY.
BY NAME, THEY ARE CALLED ARCHIVISTS.
BY JOB NATURE, THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO LOOK AFTER HISTORICAL RECORDS IN THE FORM OF REPORTS, LISTS, MAPS, PHOTOS, LETTERS, MICROFILMS, SOUND RECORDINGS AND FILMS.
THIS BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION MAY SOUND BORING TO MOST PEOPLE. BUT MR LEE YUK-LUN, ASSISTANT ARCHIVIST OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE (P.R.O.) THINKS DIFFERENTLY.
TO HIM, THE JOB DOES NOT SIMPLY ASSOCIATE WITH OLD DOCUMENTS. THEY ARE ALIVE WITH TOUCHING AND HUMANE STORIES.
"APART FROM ACADEMICS, CRITICS AND WRITERS, WE GOT QUITE A NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES FROM PEOPLE OVERSEAS.
"SOME OF THEM HAD KEEN INTERESTS IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG BECAUSE THEY HAD SOMEONE IN THEIR KINS WHO HAI) LIVED HERE DECADES BACK, SOME EVEN IN THE LAST CENTURY," MR LEE SAID.
IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR HIM TO RECEIVE ONE ENQUIRY LETTER A DAY. MOST OF THEM ASKED ABOUT THE ACCOUNTS OF THEIR ANCESTORS. THEY USUALLY CAME FROM BRITAIN, CANADA OR AUSTRALIA.
"BUT OCCASIONALLY, WE RECEIVED LETTERS FROM LESS KNOWN PLACES ASKING ALL KINDS OF STRANGE QUESTIONS TOO," HE SAID.
HE IS MORE THAN WILLING TO HELP PEOPLE TRACE THE LOST BITS AND PIECES OF OLD HONG KONG WHICH THEY WISH TO KNOW.
"IT WILL BE A LOT COMFORTABLE IF THE ’WANTED’ MAN HAD WORKED IN THE CIVIL SERVICE (THE THEN COLONIAL SERVICE). WHAT I NEED IS TO LOOK UP THE 'BLUE BOOK’ (THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STAFF LIST).
”1 CAN CHASE IT BACK AS EARLY AS 1870. I CAN GET THOSE DETAILS SUCH AS THE DATES FOR THEIR JOINING AND LEAVING THE SERVICE," MR LEE SAID.
HE MANAGES TO SNATCH THE OLDEST COPY OF THE BLUE BOOK WITHIN SECONDS.
"BUT IF THEY WEREN’T CIVIL SERVANT, THE SEARCHING JOB WOULD BE MORE CUMBERSOME.
/"I WOULD,
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991'
- 2 -
”1 WOULD, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE TO LOOK UP THE ’CHINA DIRECTORY’ -A DIRECTORY WITH A DETAILED LIST OF EXPATRIATE POPULATION IN HONG KONG, DATING BACK TO I860S,” HE SAID. DISPLAYING HIS UNFAILING SEARCHING SKILL, HE FETCHED THE DIRECTORY IN A LABYRINTH OF PACKED FILES.
’’THE SEARCH USUALLY ENDS HERE WITH NO FURTHER HICCUPS. BUT SOMETIMES, MORE WORKS HAD TO BE UNDERTAKEN. IF WE STILL FIND NO RECORD OF SUCH A PERSON, I MAY HAVE TO DIG IT OUT FROM THE PRIVATE RECORDS IN OUR STOCK,” HE SAID.
ONE OF THE PRIVATE RECORDS THE P.R.O. KEPT IS THE ARCHIVES OF ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL WHICH INCLUDED MARRIAGE, BIRTH AND BURIAL REGISTERS DATING BACK TO THE 1840S.
’’THERE ARE IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SOURCES ON LOCAL CHRISTIAN POPULATION,” MR LEE ADDED.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT RECORD - THE ’’COLONIAL CEMETERY” IS ALSO USEFUL FOR TRACING THE HISTORY OF ’’WANTED” MAN IF HE WAS BURIED IN HONG KONG.
PULLING OUT SOME OLD NEWSPAPERS FROM THE LIBRARY SHELVES, HE SAID: ”IF IT WAS A NAME OF EMINENCE IN OLD HONG KONG, I MAY BE ABLE TO GET SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION FROM OUR. NEWSPAPER STACKS.”
AT PRESENT, THE OFFICE HAS STOCK OF OLD COPIES OF 15 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, INCLUDING ONE OF THE OLDEST, THE FRIEND OF CHINA, DATING BACK TO 1842 AND A HANDFUL OF NOW DEFUNCT NEWSPAPERS SUCH AS CHINA MAIL, HONG KONG SUNDAY HERALD AND HONG KONG TELEGRAPH.
IN TOTAL, THE ARCHIVES HAVE SOME 8,600 METRES OF INCLUDING BOTH GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE DOCUMENTS. THEY
RECORDS, INCLUDE
MANUSCRIPTS COLLECTION LIKE LETTERS AND DIARIES OF VARIOUS
INDIVIDUALS, SOME 4,100 PHOTOGRAPHS AND 430 MAPS OF OLD HONG KONG AS EARLY AS 1845.
A LARGE PORTION OF THE P.R.O.’S HOLDINGS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. %
THE OFFICE RECEIVED SOME 1,394 READERS LAST YEAR.
”IN MOST CASES, WE WERF ABLE TO FIND SOME INFORMATION FOR THE INQUIRERS. WE SELDOM DISAPPOINT THEM. IF WE DID, WE WILL EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT WE GOT HERE AND WHAT SOURCES WE HAVE LOOKED UP FOR THEM SO THAT THEY MAY NOT NEED TO GO THROUGH THESE SOURCES AGAIN ELSEWHERE,” MR LEE SAID.
TRACING THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG FOR PEOPLE IS NOT HIS ONLY JOB IN THE P.R.O.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT JOB IS TO IDENTIFY GOVERNMENT RECORDS OF HISTORICAL VALUE TO BE KEPT TN THE P.R.O. THROUGH THE PROCESS OF RECORDS APPRAISAL.
/ON THIS, ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
3
ON THIS, THE ARCHIVIST SERVE ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THEIR RECORDS TO IDENTIFY THOSE THEM HERE FOR SAFE CUSTODY.
OF P.R.O., DR LAU YUN-WOO, SAID: "WE IN THIS ASPECT. WE HELP THEM EVALUATE WHICH ARE OF HISTORICAL VALUE AND KEEP
’’EQUIPPED WITH TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW INCLUDING THOSE OF RECORDS DISPOSAL, WE CAN REDUCE THEIR RECORDS STORES."
ON RECORDS
HELP THE
MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENTS
ROAD, WAS
IHE P.R.O. WAS SET UP IN 1972 WITH THE HEAD OFFICE
CENTRAL AND A SUB-OFFICE AT .37 WONG CHUK UNDER --------
ARCHIVISTS
THE DIRECTORSHIP OF DR LAU WITH THE AND 27 SUPPORTING STAFF.
HANG ROAD,
AT 2 MURRAY ABERDEEN. IT
HELP OF TWO ASSISTANT
------0-------
DUAL CHAMPIONS FOR BEST OYS PROJECT COMPETITION
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE YEAR 1990/1991 SAW THE KEENEST COMPETITION EVER AMONG YOUTH GROUPS FOR THE HONG KONG BEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME (OYS) PROJECT ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
A TOTAL OF 125 YOUTH GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY VIE FOR THE HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP WAS SHARED BETWEEN "CHING K1U GROUP" OF HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, KWONG FUK CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE AND "MODERN YOUTH" OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S GROUP WORK UNIT IN ON TING/YAU 01 COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE TWO PROJECTS, WHICH TARGETTED AT MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, SERVED ABOUT .3,000 RESIDENTS IN TAI PO AND TURN MUN DISTRICTS.
THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR WANG GUNGWU, SPOKE AT THE HONG KONG REST OYS AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT Cl TVPLAZA, TA I KOO SHING THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
HE NOTED THAT THE TERR I TORY-W1 DE SCHEME, INTRODUCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT 16 YEARS AGO, WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
"IT ALSO ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN A BID TO PROMOTE SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY AND TO DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP AMONG THEM," DR WANG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME WERE CORRECT DIRECTIONS TN FOSTERING THINKING OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
“THEY ARE ALSO VITAL INVESTMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WERE ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION OF YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM, AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT.
FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THERE WAS AN EXHIBITION OF THE BEST DISTRICT PROJECTS. IN ADDITION TO DISPLAYS AND GAMES TO PROMOTE OYS, A 20-MINUTE VIDEO EXPLAINING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE OYS WAS ALSO SHOWN.
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/4 .....
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
4
airmail services to middle east resumed
♦ ♦ t ♦ t
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THE RESUMPTION OF ALL AIR MAIL SERVICES INCLUDING SPEEDPOST TO THE FOLLOWING MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES:
BAHRAIN (STATE OF) GAZA AND KHAN YUN IS JORDAN LEBANON QATAR (DOHA AND UMM SAID) SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC UNITED ARAR EMIRATES
”1 AM GLAD THAT THIS IS NOW IN MAKING ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS PLACES RY AIR,” MR WONG SAID.
CYPRUS
IRAN
ISRAEL
OMAN, SULTANATE OF
SAUDI ARABIA
TURKEY
YEMEN (REPUBLIC OF)
POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCCEEDED
TO FORWARD MAIL ITEMS TO THESE
ALL AIR MAIL SERVICES INCLUDING SPEEDPOST TO IRAQ AND KUWAIT
REMAIN SUSPENDED.
--------0-----------
MEDIA PLAYS CRUCIAL ROLF IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE MEDIA CAN HELP PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ CIVIC AWARENESS, WHICH IS CRUCIAL TO COMMUNITY BUILDING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
DR TSE WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON THE ’’MASS MEDIA AND CIVIC EDUCATION” ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
"IN VIEW OF THE EXTENT OF ITS INFLUENCE ON AND CONTACT WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE MASS MEDIA IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE CHANNELS FOR PROMOTING (’I VIC EDUCATION, ” HE SAID.
DR TSE APPEALED TO THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO JOIN THE RANKS OF CIVIC EDUCATION FRONTLINE WORKERS IN CHAMPIONING THIS MEANINGFUL CAUSE.
THE OTHER SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDED THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (HKJA), MISS LEE YUET-WAH; HEAD OF RTIIK’S CHINESE NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS SECTION, MR SHIU LO-SIN; A LECTURER IN JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR JOSEPH CHAN TAO-MAN; AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR TAI HAY-LAP.
THEY SPOKE ABOUT THE INFLUENCE OF THE MEDIA ON PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CURRENT AFFAIRS AND THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF MEDIA REPORTS AND RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY TWO COMMENTATORS, COMMITTEE MEMBER MR CHENG KAI-NAM AND A CHINESE UNIVERSITY LECTURER DR LEUNG WAI-YIN.
THE DISCUSSION WAS THEN OPENED TO THE FLOOR WHICH COMPRISED «0 PARTICIPANTS FROM THE MASS MEDIA AND CIVIC EDUCATION ORGANISATIONS.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S SEMINAR WERE THE MISS EMILY LAU AND THE CONVENOR OF 'THE SEMINAR’S LEONARD CHU.
------0--------
CHAIRMAN OF HKJA, WORKING GROUP, DR
/5 ......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
- 5 -
CRIME RATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O KEPT AT LOW I. EV El ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
WITH IIIE CO-OPERATION ANU SUPPORT OF THE RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, THE CRIME RATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O NEW ’TOWN FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF LAST YEAR WAS KEPT AT A MUCH LOWER LEVEL THAN THAT IN OTHER POLK E DISTRICTS, THE KWUN TONG POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR AR'IIIHR II IGG INBOTTOM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME VARIETY SHOW AT TSUI LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN O, MR HIGGINBOTTOM SAID IN HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, THE NUMBER OF CRIMES PER 100,000 PEOPLE W\S 370 CASES IN THE SECOND QUARTER AND 393.4 CASES IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
WHEREAS IIIE FIGURES FOR TSEUNG KWAN O WERE 92 AND 138 CASES DURING THE SAME PERIODS.
"THIS MEANS THAT ON AVERAGE THE DISTRICT'S CRIME RATE STANDS AT ONLY 40 TO 45 PER CENT OF OTHER DISTRICTS,” HE STRESSED.
MR HIGGINBOTTOM SAID IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING POPULATION OF TSEUNG KWAN O, THE POLICE WILL STEP UP THEIR EFFORT IN POLICING THE COMMUNI TY.
APART FROM THE EXISTING TWO N EI GIIBOURHOOl) POLICE OFFICES IN TSUI LAM ESTATE AND PO LAM ESTATE, THE NEW TSEUNG KWAN O POLICE STATION WILL BE PUT INTO OPERATION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
MR HIGGINBOTTOM URGED THE RESIDENTS TO POLICE TO ENSURE THAT TSEUNG KWAN O MAINTAINS A LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
CO-OPERATE WITH THE PLEASANT AND PEACEFUL
"I WOULD ASK YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR CIV JC RESPONSIBILITIES AND CO-OPERATE WITH US IN REPORTING ANU PREVENTING CRIMES AND WHERE NECESSARY GO TO THE COURT TO GIVE EVIDENCE, SO THAT POLICING OF YOUR COMMUNITY CAN BE CARRIED OUT EFFIC1ENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY," HE SAID.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME STAR, A TV ARTIST, MISS LEE SEE-KEI, ALSO APPEALED TO THE RESIDENTS TO REPORT TRIAD ACTIVITIES TO THE POLICE.
’’COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN OUR. FIGHT AGAINST CRIMES,” SHE STRESSED.
TONIGHT’S VARIETY SHOW, FEATURING MORE THAN TWO HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENTS INCLUDING LION DANCE,MAG IC SHOW, KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION AND SINGING PERFORMANCE, WAS ATTENDED RY MORE THAN 1,000 RESIDENTS.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR PETER WONG; SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (’HAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG CHUN-HOI; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG.
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
6
FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES SPREAD THROUGHOUT NT
* * * * *
ABOUT 30 MEMBERS OF VARIOUS DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES TOOK PART in \ BUS TOUR TO NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TODAY (SATURDAY I'o PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES.
HIE GROUP STARTED THEIR TOUR IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON BY ATI END I NG THE OPENING CEREMONY OF' A HOME SECURITY SEMINAR AT THE REGAI, RIVERSIDE HOTEI, IN SHA TIN.
HIE SEMINAR ATTRACTED MORE THAN 100 RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
THE GROUP THEN PROCEEDED TO THE SHOPPING MALL OF TAI WO ESTATE IN TAT PO, WHERE A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL CUM HOME SECURITY DAY WAS Ill'Ll).
THE CARNIVAL INCLUDED A VARIETY SHOW, A DRAMA, POP SONGS, STALL GAMES, A QUIZ AND EXHIBITIONS.
THEY ALSO ATTENDED THE NORTH DISTRICT PARENT-CHILD FIGHT CRIME DAY WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE CENTRAL PLAYGROUND IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING.
THE OBJECTIVE OF TH IS EVENT WAS TO PREVENT CRIME THROUGH CLOSE FAMILY TIES AND PARENT-CHILD RELATIONS.
IO ACHIEVE THIS END, A PUBLIC FORUM ON PARENTAL CARE WAS ORGANISED AND COUNSELLING SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE POLICE.
THERE WERE ALSO A VARIETY SHOW AND EXHIBITIONS.
IN TURN MUN, A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WAS HELD AT YAN 01 TOWN SQUARE TO DISSEMINATE THE HOME SECURITY AND ANTI NARCOTICS MESSAGES.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, A SIMILAR EVENT WAS HELD AT THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND IN WAN CHAI.
------0--------
DISTRICT OFFICER SPOKE ON DANGERS OF DRUGS
*****
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD GET TO UNDERSTAND THE DANGER OF DRUGS AND SHOULD NEVER BE TEMPTED TO TRY THEM, THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE DISTRICT’S ANT I-NARCOTICS AND FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND, MR MANN TOLD YOUNG PEOPLE THAT NARCOTIC DRUGS WOULD RUIN THEIR LIVES.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), MR LESTER KWOK, REMINDED RESIDENTS TO BE ALERT ABOUT CRIME AND THE NARCOTIC PROBLEM AND To REPORT THEM TO THE POLICE.
/ORGANISED JOINTLY .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
7
ORGANISE) JOINTLY BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE l)F(’C, UH* CARNIVAL WAS AIMED AT SPREADING THE ANT I-NARCOTICS AND ANT I-(RIME MESSAGES TO RESIDENTS.
HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS ATTENDED THE CARNIVAL WHICH PROVIDED GAMES AND PERFORMANCES.
IN ADDITION, II CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS WERE PRESENTED THE DISTRICT FIGHT ('RIME AWARDS FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY ACTS IN HELPING THE POLICE.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL WERE THE DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR LIONEL LAM; A FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MRS MIRIAM LAU; WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD ('HAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND CHAIRMEN OF THE DISTRICT’S FIVE AREA COMMITTEES.
--------0-----------
WATER QUALITY AND MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR FACTORY OPERATORS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A SEMINAR ON WATER QUALITY CONTROL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGMENT ATTRACTED ABOUT 100 FACTORY OPERATORS AND MEMBERS OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN KWAI TSI NG TODAY (SATURDAY).
Till- SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TS 1 NG BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM AND THE BOARD, FOCUSED ON THE WATER QUALITY CONTROL RELATIONSHIP WITH INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT
DISTRICT INDUSTRIAL KWAI TSING DISTRICT
REGULATION AND ITS
AN OPERATOR OF A DYEING AND BLEACHING FACTORY IALKF.D ABOUT THE INDUSTRY’S DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLYING WITH THE REGULATIONS AND THE ASSISTANCE WHICH THE OPERATORS HOPED THE GOVERNMENT COULD PROVIDE.
IN RESPONSE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR (HUNG PUI-LAM, SENIOR ENVIR0NRMNTAL' PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR FANG KIN FAI
AND BUILDING SURVEYOR OF ADVISED THE OPERATORS ON
BUILDING ORDINANCE OFFICE, MR DAVY YUEN, WAY TO OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES.
THE
THE
THE SEMINAR WAS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD TO PROMOTE BUILDING MANAGEMENT. A BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE AND A SLOGAN COMPETITION WERE ORGANISED EARLIER THIS
FINANCIAL YEAR.
- - 0-----------
/8 ........
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
8
•SURVEY ON URBAN TAXI OPERATION
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A SURVEY ON THE OPERATION CHARACTERISTICS OF URBAN TAXIS OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO-PART SURVEY WOULD INCLUDE A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY AND A METER-READING SURVEY.
LETTERS, QUESTIONNAIRE FORMS AND SKETCHES SHOWING THE LOCATIONS OF THE METER-READING HAVE BEEN SENT TO SELECTED OPERATORS, SEEKING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
FOR THE METER-READING SURVEY, SELECTED TAXI OWNERS WILL BE REQUESTED TO PRESENT THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY OF THE 10 METER-READING CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
METER-READING WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM JANUARY 28 TO FEBRUARY 1 AND FROM FEBRUARY 4 TO 8 DURING 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM AND 2.00 PM TO 4.30 PM.
OWNERS OF THE SELECTED TAXIS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE A SHORT QUESTIONNAIRE ON THEIR OPERATION INCLUDING ITEMS SUCH AS OPERATING FORMAT,•INCOME AND FUEL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS.
'rilEY ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE DEPARTMENT BY FEBRUARY 4.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND ONLY BE USED FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD RY AUCTION ******
SEVENTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $288,100 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL’S RECITAL HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER BM850 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $134,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER. EN608 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $10,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $ 1,000 *EACH FOR/ EK74O, EL4098, AW486, ELI011, EP2523, EL4383, EL9499, <1'6779, EN5768, EM7891, EN2343, AH5456, EL3884, CN427, EL3345, EL486, AT501, EM408, AL486, EP1654, BL1956 AND AK2I52.
/FOLLOWING ARE
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
9
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
FROM IC • AM TO 10.45 AM
$ $ $ $ $
AV486 4,000 EL1081 2,000 EK9226 1,500 EL6008 3,500 EL3680 1,300
EL9666 4,000 DA2271 I ,200 EL3884 1 ,000 CN4 27 1,000 EP2523 1,000
EK74O 1 ,000 EN9 1 5 1 ,200 EM8600 6,000 EMI 29 6,000 EL8732 1,800
AH5456 1 ,000 EL4006 W/D EP284 2,200 EL1011 1 ,000 EM92 1 3,300
CV427 W/D EL4 4 8 2,400 BM850 134,000 EL3345 1,000 EL1227 2,600
EK531 5,500 DR1737 W/D CV6908 1 ,400 EM750 2,200 EL486 1,000
EM7776 1 , 500 EL4098 1 ,000 AW486 1 ,000 RX19 1 6 W/D B J 1 1 1 2 2,900
FROM 11 AM TO 11.45 AM
$ $ $ $ $
EM6200 3,000 EM 4 08 1 ,000 EJ7080 3,600 EM7688 4,000 AW8348 2,800
EM590 1 ,600 BV9I2 2,300 EM 1560 1 , 200 EM789I 1 ,000 EM7862 1 ,600
EL4383 1,000 CF6779 1 , 000 AG2788 7,000 BL1956 1 ,000 EN2343 1,000
AT501 1,000 EM2155 W/D EM6 3 7 1 , 200 EN3555 1 , 500 AK2152 1,000
EL3208 5,600 AL486 1,000 ENI 29 6,800 EM9091 1,800 EP8494 W/D
EM4 4 9 W/D EP8600 5,600 EN5768 1,000 EN608 10,000 EN240 1 ,200
EL9499 1,000 EM1500 3,200 EP1654 1 ,000 ENI 120 3,400 BB621 8,200
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING. CV427, EL4OO6, DR1737, EM449, EM2155, EP8494 AND BX1916 WERE WITHDRAWN AND DEPOSITS $7,000 WERE FOREFTETED TO THE TOTAL REALIZED.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE I BOTH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $114,018,605.
------0--------
PROPRIETORS URGED TO WATCH OUT FOR IMPOSTERS ♦ t t t ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON COMPANY PROPRIETORS TO BE ON THE ALERT FOR PEOPLE IMPERSONATING OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY RECEIVED REPORTS FROM A NUMBER OF COMPANIES SAYING THAT THEY WERE APPROACHED FOR INFORMATION BY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT OFFICERS MAKING TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES WOULD ALWAYS GIVE THEIR NAMES, AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OR OFFICE ADDRESSES, WHILE THOSE ON SITE VISITS WOULD PRODUCE VALID WARRANT CARDS.
/"PROPRIETORS SHOULD .......
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1991
4
10 -
PROPRIETORS SHOULD NOTE THAT ALL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE FREE OF CHARGE, AND THERE IS NO QUESTION OF INDIVIDUAL a "one™v to
IF PROPRIETORS HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT A CALLER’S IDENTITY THEY SHOULD ASK FOR THE FULL PARTICULARS OF HIS OFFICE AND CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OR REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION ” THE SPOKESMAN SAID. n cmauun, ihk
POLICE REMINDER ON OVERLOADING ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
DRIVERS OF OVERLOADED GOODS VEHICLES ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MIGHT BE ARRESTED AND FACE THE CHARGE OF RECKLESS DRIVING INSTEAD OF JUST RECEIVING A FIXED PENALTY TICKET FROM FEBRUARY, A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
IN VIEW OF THE DRASTIC INCREASE IN OVERLOADING OFFENCES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, POLICE HAVE DECIDED TO TIGHTEN THEIR ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
SI ARII NG FROM FEBRUARY 1, THE DRIVERS OF AN\ GOODS VEHICLES WHICH ARE OVERLOADED BY 41 PER CENT OR MORE OF THE PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WILL BE ARRESTED AND MAY FACE THE CHARGE OF RECKLESS DRIVING PENDING THE MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINER’S INSPECTION.
FOR THOSE VEHICLES OVERLOADED BY 26 PER CENT TO 40 PER CENT THE DRIVERS WILL BE SUMMONSED, WHILE FIXED PENALTY TICKETS WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES OVERLOADED BY II PER CENT TO 25 PER CENT OF THE PERMITTED WEIGHT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT DRIVING OVERLOADED OR IMPROPERLY LOADED VEHICLES NOT ONLY ENDANGERS THEMSELVES BUT ALSO OTHER ROAD USERS.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 199]
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CALI, FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS IN KEEPING UK CLEAN .......................... 1
GALA TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL, CLEAN!. J NESS ............................ 1
GROUP BRIEFING SESSIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS INCREASED ... 2
COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME .................................... 3
EMPLOYEES MUST BE GRANTED STATUTORY HOLIDAYS ............................. 4
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD A MUST ............................. 5
POLICE ANTI-VICE, DRUGS AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS .................. 5
CREDIT CARD FRAUD SUCCESS FULLY DETECTED ................................. 6
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1991 '
1
CALL FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS IN KEEPING HK CLEAN *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN URGED TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN KEEPING THE TERRITORY CLEAN.
THIS WAS THE MESSAGE DELIVERED IN A ONE-AND-A-HALF HOUR SPECTACULAR STAGED STAGED THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM.
THE SHOW, ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE THE PITCH-IN SPIRIT, WAS PRODUCED BY ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED.
"IF THE COMMUNITY HAD BEEN MORE AWARE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY IN KEEPING AREAS CLEAN AND BE MORE READY TO SHOULDER ITS PART IN CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS, THE PROBLEM OF INDISCRIMINATE LITTERING WOULD BE ALLEVIATED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID.
"KEEPING THE PLACES CLEAN IS NOT SOLELY THE GOVERNMENT’S
’’RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE, IN FACT, HELPING OURSELVES TO IMPROVE OUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT IF WE TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE TOWARDS MAINTAINING CLEANLINESS," HE SAID.
THE SPECTACULAR FEATURED POPULAR SINGERS AND ARTISTS IN AN ARRAY OF ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES WHICH INCLUDED KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN JINGLES COMPOSED BETWEEN THE I97O’S AND CURRENTLY, POPULAR SONGS, DANCES, MIME, COMEDY, AS WELL AS AN AMUSING "BATTLE" BETWEEN TRE NEW AND THE OLD CAMPAIGN CHARACTERS, THE DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS AND THE LAP SAP CHUNG.
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, OFFICIATED AT A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE SHOW.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; THE V ICE-CHA IRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN LAU; THE CHAIRMAN AND THE V ICE-CHAR I MAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, DR PANG HOK-TUEN.
THE SHOW WILL BE BROADCAST ON ATV'S HOME CHANNEL ON FEBRUARY 2, FROM 8.35 TO 10.05 PM.
- - 0 - -
GALA TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS * * * « »
MORE THAN 1,000 KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS TOOK PART IN THE DISTRICT’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY GALA AT THE KO SHAN ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE GALA WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE TO AROUSE LOCAL RESIDENTS' AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE.
/SPEAKING AT
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1991
- 2 -
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG, SAID ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT FROM THE RESIDENTS WAS ESSENTIAL IN STRIVING FOR A BETTER HOME AND A CLEANER COMMUNITY.
"THE SPIRIT OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE LIVING QUALITY," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ORGANISED DURING THE CAMPAIGN. THESE INCLUDED THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN DAY FILM SHOW, BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS, BOOK-MARK DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR PAO PINGWING POINTED OUT THAT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 2 AND 13 TO HELP RESIDENTS DISPOSE THE UNWANTED BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE OPERATIONS WAS ALSO HELD DURING THE GALA .
I’HE GALA FEATURED STALL GAMES, POP SI NG I Nt}, A HANDICRAFT CORNER, MINI-TRAIN RIDES AND A LUCKY DRAW.
PRIZES WERE PRESENTED TO WINNERS OF THE ’’KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN BOOK-MARK DESIGN COMPETITION” AND THE "WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION" AT THE GALA.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DUNCAN PESCOD AND THE KOWLOON CITY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG CHI-KEUNG.
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GROUP BRIEFING SESSIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS INCREASED
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF GROUP BRIEFING SESSIONS FOR APPLICANTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ADOPTING WARDS OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THE ADOPTION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT HAI) ORGANISED A SERIES OF GROUP BRIEFING SESSIONS TO REPLACE INDIVIDUAL INTAKE INTERVIEWS FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS, STARTING FROM LAST DECEMBER.
"THE PURPOSE OF GROUP BRIEFING SESSIONS IS TO ENABLE APPLICANTS TO ACQUIRE BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE OBJECTIVES OF ADOPTION SERVICE, THE GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS THE MEANING AND COMMITMENT OF ADOPTION,” HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, IT WILL GIVE APPLICANTS MORE CHANCES TO LEARN ABOUT ADOPTION THROUGH DISCUSSION WITH OTHER APPLICANTS, HE ADDED.
/"OWING TO .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1991
3
"OWING TO THE POSITIVE FEEDBACK AND GOOD RESPONSE TO THE BRIEFING SESSIONS HELD, WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE SESSIONS FROM TWICE TO THRICE A MONTH, STARTING FROM THIS MONTH," HE SAID.
THE SCHEDULE OF THE SESSIONS FOR THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE : 2/2/1991 9/2/1991 23/2/1991 (CHINESE (ENGLISH (CHINESE SESSION) SESSION) SESSION)
2/3/1991 9/3/1991 16/3/1991 (CHINESE (ENGLISH (CHINESE SESSION) SESSION) SESSION)
13/4/1991 20/4/1991 27/4/1991 (CHINESE (ENGLISH (CHINESE SESSION) SESSION) SESSION)
11/5/1991 18/5/1991 25/5/1991 (CHINESE (ENGLISH (CHINESE SESSION) SESSION) SESSION)
8/6/1991 22/6/1991 29/6/1991 (CHINESE (ENGLISH (CHINESE SESSION) SESSION) SESSION)
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED TO ATTEND THE GROUP BRIEFING SESSIONS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT THE ADOPTION UNIT ON TEL. 852 3107 FOR RESERVATION.
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COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME
*»»»«■'
A SERVICE PROJECT FOR HANDICAPPED YOUNG PEOPLE AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME.
THESE TWO PROJECTS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMME (CYP) SECRETARIAT TN INDIA FOR THE ADJUDICATION BY AN INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT PANEL.
WINNERS OF THE SCHEME, WHICH IS LAUNCHED BY THE CYP IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 1985 AS AN ENDURING COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, WILL BE ANNOUNCED TN APRIL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG CO-ORDINATING BODY, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE AIM OF THE SCHEME WAS TO FOSTER CO-OPERATION AND THE EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES AMONG THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
/"EACH YEAR.........
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1991
4
EACH YEAR, THE SCHEME OFFERS UP TO FIVE AWARDS WITH NOT MORE THAN TWO BEING PRESENTED TO ANY ONE COUNTRY OR TERRITORY IN THF REGION,” HE ADDED.
THE WINNING TEAMS WILL BE GIVEN A GRANT OF 1,000 POUND STERLING FOR THE TEAM’S FUTURE WORK. MEDALLIONS AND CERTIFICATES WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO EACH MEMBER OF THE TEAM.
HONG KONG'S TWO ENTRIES ARE: "SERVICE SHOWS OUR CONCERN, HAPPINESS BRINGS TO YOUR HOME" AND "GREEN OUT I NG-EhIV IRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECT".
THEY WERE SUBMITTED BY THE HONG KONG RED CROSS’ YOUTH AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE YAT CHUN VOLUNTEERS SERVICES GROUP RESPECTIVELY.
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EMPLOYEES MUST BE GRANTED STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
* * » » *
EMPLOYERS ARE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO GRANT 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES EVERY YEAR OR ELSE THEY WILL FACE PROSECUTION.
THE WARNING FOLLOWS A COURT CASE EARLIER THIS MONTH IN WHICH A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS OPERATOR WAS FINED $3,500 BY A NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT.
DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, LABOUR INSPECTORS FOUND THAT THE PROPRIETOR OF HONOR MOTORS COMPANY, LI PING-CHUNG, HAD NOT GRANTED STATUTORY HOLIDAYS TO THREE OF HIS EMPLOYEES AS REQUIRED UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
ACCORDING TO THE LAW, ALL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS, ARE ENTITLED TO 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGES AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE HOLIDAYS TAKEN IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER.
THE 11 HOLIDAYS ARE:
♦ THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY;
* LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY;
* THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR;
* THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR;
♦ CHING MING FESTIVAL;
♦ TUEN NG (DRAGON BOAT) FESTIVAL;
* THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL;
* CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL;
♦ CHINESE WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL OR CHRISTMAS DAY AT THE EMPLOYER’S OPTION; AND
♦ 2 FLOATING HOLIDAYS.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO BREACHES THIS PROVISION IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
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/5.......
5
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1991
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD A MUST * « * » *
FOOD MANUFACTURERS, RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS,WHO PLAN TO INTRODUCE PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, MUST ENSURE THAT THE FOOD ITEMS ARE PROPERLY LABELLED OR MARKED.
MAKING THE APPEAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STRESSED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT ALL FOOD ITEMS IN PREPACKAGED FORM, WHETHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY, MUST BE MARKED PROPERLY AS REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
"OFFENDERS, WHEN CONVICTED, MAY FACE A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $25,000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS' JAIL SENTENCE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN RECENT COURT CASES, HE ADDED, SEVEN FOOD RETAILERS WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $24,000 FOR NOT HAVING PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS PROPERLY LABELLED.
THOSE CONVICTED WERE A RESTAURANT, TWO BAKERIES, THREE SHOPS AND A DEPARTMENT STORE. THE FINES RANGED FROM $2,000 TO $6,000.
THE FOOD ITEMS WHICH HAD NOT BEEN MARKED PROPERLY INCLUDED SUKIYAKI THICK NOODLE,DRIED SPICY COD, DRIED SQUID SLICES, MINIVEGETARIAN MOONCAKES, FRITTER WITH TREACLE, EGG ROLLS,COOKIES, SMALL CAKES, PEANUT CANDIES AND PLUM TABLETS.
THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD, THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PACKER, THE INDICATION OF MINIMUM DURABILITY,THE NUMERICAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OF THE FOOD OR THE NET VOLUME OF THE FOOD, THE STATEMENT OF SPECIAL INSTRUCTION FOR USE AND THE STATEMENT OF SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR STORAGE, AS STIPULATED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
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POLICE ANTI-VICE, DRUGS AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS ******
POLICE ARRESTED A TOTAL OF 15,748 PEOPLE IN 46,401 OPERATIONS AGAINST VICE, DRUGS AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING ACTIVITIES LAST YEAR.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, NARCOTICS BUREAU AS WELL AS REGIONAL AND DISTRICT POLICE OFFICERS CONDUCTED 8,589 RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 6,651 PEOPLE.
/"APART FROM .......
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1991
6
"APART FROM A RECORD SEIZURE OF 1,400 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS IN OCTOBER, THE DRUG FIGHTERS ALSO SEIZED 145 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN, 59 KILOGRAMS OF OPIUM, 10 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS AND 21 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS RESIN IN OTHER RAIDS LAST YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE ANTI-GAMBLING FRONT, POLICE LAST YEAR. SEIZED ABOUT $2.7 MILLION TABLE MONEY AND RETTING SLIPS AMOUNTING TO $10.9 MILLION IN 1,205 RAIDS, AND ARRESTED 7,340 PEOPLE.
LN THEIR SUSTAINED EFFORTS AGAINST VICE ACTIVITIES, THE CRIME FIGHTERS MOUNTED 36,327 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 1,578 PEOPLE. A TOTAL OF 2,586 OBJECTIONABLE MAGAZINES AND 11,296 OBSCENE VIDEO TAPES WERE SEIZED.
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CREDIT CARD FRAUD SUCCESS FULLY DETECTED
A CREDIT (’ARD FRAUD INVOLVING THE LOSS OF NEARLY A MILLION DOLLARS AND 90 INNOCENT CARD HOLDERS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY DETECTED BY OFFICERS OF THE POLICE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU (CCB) AFTER A YEAR OF DETAILED INVESTIGATION.
THE SUCCESSFUL SMASHING OF THE CARD FRAUD SYNDICATE, WHICH USED HIGHLY ORGANISED AND SOPHISTICATED METHODS, WAS A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE DETECTION OF SUCH CASES AND THE METHODS USED ARE STILL CONFIDENTIAL.
CCB DETECTIVES ARE ENCOURAGED THAT THEIR SUCCESS IN THE CASE MIGHT DETER OTHER CRIMINALS FROM USING SIMILAR METHODS.
THREE MEN AND ONE WOMAN INVOLVED IN THE FRAUDS - ALL TAKING PLACE WITHIN ONE MONTH - ARE NOW BEHIND BARS.
"THE USERS OF THE CARDS WERE NOT BEING CARELESS AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON," OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THF CASE, SENIOR INSPECTOR IAN BARLOW, SAID.
"YET THE SYNDICATE SUCCEEDED IN RECEIVING PAYMENT FOR THE FRAUDULENT USE OF CARDS DURING THE BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. BY THE TIME THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT SOME OF THE CARD HOLDERS HAD LEFT HONG KONG AND ONE WAS TRACED AS FAR AWAY AS FRANCE.
"THE METHOD USED WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DETECT. THE SYNDICATE SPENT A GREAT AMOUNT OF TIME, MONEY AND EFFORT IN SETTING IT UP. THEY KNEW THEY STOOD TO MAKE A PHENOMENAL AMOUNT OF MONEY."
PAINSTAKING WORK BY CCB OFFICERS PAID OFF. SYNDICATE MEMBERS WERE IDENTIFIED AND PUT OUT OF ACTION.
SEVERAL BANKS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS TO DEFRAUD THEM, USING HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED METHODS AND THE CCB WAS SFT ON THE TRAIL.
/"IT'S VERY
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 1991
"IT’S VERY EASY TO GET A CREDIT CARD IN HONG KONG. YOU CAN GET ONE JUST BY HAVING A REGULAR JOB. IT’S A SOCIETY THAT IS USED TO HAVING CARDS; PEOPLE HAVE TWO OR THREE OF THEM. WITH THESE CONDITIONS FRAUD IS ALMOST INEVITABLE," MR BARLOW SAID.
"WE HAD A GREAT DEAL OF CO-OPERATION FROM THE BANKS IN BREAKING THIS CASE.
"YOU'RE EQUALLY AT RISK WHETHER YOU ARE A CARD HOLDER OR A BANK. "
MR BARLOW SAID THAT PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN THE INTRODUCTION OF CARDS THAT WERE FRAUD PROOF.
"THESE CRIMES HAVE TO BE COMMITTED QUICKLY, BEFORE THE VICTIM CAN KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON OR THE BANKS REALISE THINGS ARE STRANGE.
"THIS CASE TOOK A LOT OF HARD WORK TO GET A CONVICTION AND MY COLLEAGUES AND I GOT A LOT OF SATISFACTION IN GETTING THE CASE RECOGNISED."
THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY HAS WRITTEN OF ITS APPRECIATION FOR THE OFFICERS’ "PAINSTAKING ENQUIRIES AND UNREMITTING EFFORTS" TO COMMISSIONER OF POLICE MR LI KWAN-HA.
OTHER OFFICERS ON THE CASE WERE SENIOR INSPECTOR JEREMY DICKER, DETECTIVE SERGEANT WONG KIT-FAI, WOMAN INSPECTOR CHIU CHI-PING AND INSPECTOR HUNG TAI-WAI.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT TO PRESS FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF INT'L PLAN FOR VBP ................ 1
NEW VBP CENTRE GETS OFF THE GROUND.......................................... 2
HK FINANCIAL MARKETS STOOD UP TO CRISES .................................... 4
TENTATIVE LAW REFORM ON COPYRIGHT PROPOSED ................................. 4
THIRD QUARTER 1990 SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED ........... 11
HK CONTAINER THROUGHPUT EXCEEDS FIVE MILLION TEU'S ........................ 14
GOVT COMMISSIONS CONSULTANCY STUDY ON CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY ........ 16
LAB DISCUSSES NEW PAYMENT METHOD .......................................... 17
FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED TO FOUR SCHOLARS FOR LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT WORK ........ 18
LEGISLATORS TO ASK 10 QUESTIONS ON WEDNESDAY'S SITTING .................... 19
21 PASS PART I OF LICENTIATE EXAMINATION .................................. 20
BEWARE OF BOGUS SWD OFFICERS .............................................. 20
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ...................................... 21
1
JMMtt tWi
GOVT TO PRESS FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF INT’L PLAN FOR VBP
♦ » ♦ ♦ i
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) PROBLEM IS TO PRESS FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION AGREED INTERNATIONALLY IN 1989.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD), SIR DAVID SAID RESOLVING THE VBP PROBLEM WAS PROVING A PAINFULLY SLOW PROCESS, BUT IT WAS ONE THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO OVERCOME.
’’FOR IT IS OUR CONVICTION THAT ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR REFUGEE STATUS MUST RETURN TO VIETNAM,” HE STRESSED.
SIR DAVID SAID THIS WAS THE ONLY PRACTICAL SOLUTION IN TODAY'S WORLD IN WHICH DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT POOR MIGRANTS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
’’THOSE WHO SAY ANYTHING DIFFERENT TO ECONOMIC MIGRANTS FROM VIETNAM ARE MISLEADING THEM CRUELLY,” HE SAID.
NOTING THAT CARE AND WELFARE FOR THE BOAT PEOPLE HAD BEEN A DIFFICULT ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT, SIR DAVID PRAISED THE CSD OFFICERS FOR THEIR COMMENDABLE PATIENCE, DISCIPLINE AND PROFESSIONALISM IN LOOKING AFTER THE BOAT PEOPLE.
ON THE DEPARTMENT’S MANY OTHER IMPORTANT AND LESS WELL-PUBLICISED RESPONSIBILITIES ARISING FROM THE CARE OF OFFENDERS, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THESE DUTIES INVOLVED MAINTAINING A DIFFICULT BALANCE BETWEEN DISCIPLINE AND CORRECTION ON THE ONE HAND; AND TRAINING AND REHABILITATION ON THE OTHER.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD WORKED HARD TO MAINTAIN THE BALANCE, UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES AND WITH CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS, HE SAID.
’’HONG KONG'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE ORDERLY, SECURE AND DISCIPLINED.
’’THIS HAS BEEN MAINTAINED DESPITE OVER-CROWDING CAUSED BY THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA AT PRESENT IN CUSTODY,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HOPED THIS PROBLEM WOULD DECLINE NOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN FURTHER MEASURES TO DISCOURAGE THE EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT DESPITE THESE PROBLEMS, MORE AND MORE HAD BEEN DONE TO PREPARE INMATES FOR THEIR EVENTUAL RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY.
LAST YEAR, FOR EXAMPLE, OVER 300 INMATES TOOK PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS AND THE NUMBER WAS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.
/IN ADDITION.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
- 2 -
IN ADDITION, THE VALUE OF GOODS PRODUCED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES LAST YEAR ROSE BY OVER 20 PER CENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
DESCRIBING THESE AS ENCOURAGING TRENDS, SIR DAVID SAID THEY WERE THE SIGNS OF A WELL-MOTIVATED DEPARTMENT DETERMINED TO CARRY OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO SEARCH ALWAYS FOR WAYS TO PROVIDE A STILL BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
SIR DAVID PRESENTED COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDALS TO 47 STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAD GIVEN EXEMPLARY SERVICE OVER THE PAST 18 YEARS.
HE WISHED THOSE WHO HAD COMPLETED THE FIRST STAGE OF THEIR TRAINING TODAY EVERY SUCCESS IN THEIR FUTURE CAREER AND COMMENDED THOSE AWARDED WITH THE COLONIAL PRISON SERVICE MEDAL ON THEIR MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE.
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NEW VBP CENTRE GETS OFF THE GROUND
*****
THE FIRST VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TO LIVE IN THE NEW DETENTION CENTRE ON TAI A CHAU ISLAND WILL MOVE IN NEXT MONTH.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, DURING A MEDIA VISIT TO THE ISLAND TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE FIRST GROUP FORMS A NUCLEUS OF ABOUT 400 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO WILL HELP TO SET UP AND RUN THE CENTRE. THEY INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE TRAINED AS COOKS OR AS HELPERS IN THE MEDICAL CENTRE AND OTHERS WHO WILL BE WORKING WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES," MR LEEKS SAID.
"THE TRANSFER OF THE REST OF THE POPULATION OF TAI A CHAU FROM OTHER CENTRES WILL TAKE PLACE IN STAGES TO ALLOW TIME FOR EACH GROUP TO SETTLE IN, AND THIS SHOULD BE COMPLETED OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS," HE ADDED.
MR LEEKS SAID TO INFORM THE PEOPLE DUE TO BE TRANSFERRED ABOUT THEIR NEW HOME, PAMPHLETS CONTAINING DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED AT TAI A CHAU HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED IN THOSE CENTRES INVOLVED IN THE TRANSFERS.
IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 100 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BOAT PEOPLE HAD VISITED THE ISLAND AND BEEN SHOWN THE CENTRE.
THE CENTRE, WHICH OCCUPIES THE WHOLE OF THE LARGEST OF THE SOKO ISLANDS, HAS A NUMBER OF NOVEL FEATURES.
AS THE SEA AND REMOTENESS OF THE ISLAND PROVIDE A NATURAL BARRIER AGAINST ESCAPES, THE BOAT PEOPLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE FENCED AREA DURING THE DAY.
/AS A........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
3 -
AS A RESULT, THEY WILL ENJOY MORE OPEN SPACE AND BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A WIDER RANGE OF HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES, SUCE AS FARMING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, THAN IS THE CASE IN OTHER CENTRES.
THE PURPOSE-BUILT FACILITIES INCLUDE FAMILY DORMITORIES WITH DINING HALLS, TWO LARGE KITCHENS, A SCHOOL, A 24-HOUR SICK BAY AND CLINIC, SPORTS AREAS AND ACCOMMODATION FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES. THE CENTRE IS SELF-CONTAINED WITH ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLIES AND A SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM.
THE CENTRE WILL BE MANAGED BY A NON-PROFIT-MAKING AGENCY, HOMO KONG HOUSING SERVICES FOR REFUGEES, UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE POLICE.
THE AGENCY WILL HAVE A GOOD DEAL OF AUTONOMY IN INTRODUCING A NEW AND MORE LIBERAL APPROACH IN RUNNING THE CENTRE WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE VIETNAMESE THEMSELVES THROUGH CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES AS WELL AS THEIR DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN THE OPERATION OF THE CENTRE.
THE AGENCY WILL CARRY OUT ITS TASK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES AND OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
"THE AGENCIES WILL BE CLOSELY INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AT TAI A CHAU, WHERE THEY WILL HAVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND SCOPE IN ORGANISING EDUCATION AND SOCIAL PROGRAMMES AND ARRANGING WORK AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES," MR LEEKS SAID.
THE CENTRE WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $230 MILLION, FUNDED ON A 50-50 BASIS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE UK GOVERNMENT, TO ACCOMMODATE UP TO 10,000 PEOPLE.
MR LEEKS SAID ABOUT 8,000 BOAT PEOPLE WOULD BB TRANSFERRED TO TAI A CHAU FROM HIGH ISLAND, SEK KONG, ARGYLE AND WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRES.
A PLAN FOR FURTHER RESHUFFLES AMONG THE CENTRES WILL BB DRAWN UP WHEN THE TRANSFERS ARE WELL UNDERWAY, AND THE TIMING AND SIZE WILL DEPEND ON THE OVERALL SITUATION THEN PREVAILING HAVING REGARD TO THE DEMAND FOR AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SPACE.
"WE HAD ENVISAGED THAT THE OPENING OF THE NEW CENTRE AT TAI A CHAU WOULD ALLOW US TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION AND OVERCROWDEDNESS AT SOME CENTRES, AND CLOSE OTHERS," MR LEEKS SAID.
"IN VIEW OF THE RECENT RATE OF ARRIVALS, THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS IN DETENTION CENTRES AND THE LIMITED FLOW OF VOLUNTEERS RETURNING TO VIETNAM, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO DO THIS AS QUICKLY AS WE HAD HOPED," HE POINTED OUT.
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/4.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
4
HK FINANCIAL MARKETS STOOD UP TO CRISES *****
THE INVASION OF KUWAIT IN AUGUST LAST YEAR AND OUTBREAK OF WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST EARLIER THIS MONTH GIVE THE FINANCIAL MARKETS IN HONG KONG A PARTICULARLY SEVERE TESTING, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"IT IS MOST ENCOURAGING THAT THEY HAVE STOOD UP TO THESE CRISES SO WELL," MR NENDICK ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION OF THE MANAGEMENT STUDIES SOCIETY AT THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE STOCK MARKET IN HONG KONG WAB ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMING IN THE WORLD IN 1990.
"THE REFORMS WE CARRIED OUT TO OUR BANKING AND SfiCURItldS MARKETS IN THE 1980’S HAVE CLEARLY PROVED EFFECTIVE AND OUR COhftlUNITY RIGHTLY HAS CONFIDENCE IN THE SOUNDNESS OF OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT DESPITE PROGRESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST WAR SO FAR, UNCERTAINTIES WOULD CONTINUE TO DOMINATE MARKETS ACROSS THE WORLD FOR SOME TIME TO COME.
"MY ADVICE TO THE ORDINARY INVESTOR IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS THAT HE OR SHE SHOULD LEAVE THE MARKETS TO THE PROFESSIONALS," HE ADDED.
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TENTATIVE LAW REFORM ON COPYRIGHT PROPOSED
*****
A SUB-COMMITTEE UNDER THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED A SERIES OF CHANGES TO COPYRIGHT LAWS TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF CREATORS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ALLOW ACCESS TO CREATIVE IDEAS THAT STIMULATE COMPETITION.
AT PRESENT THE TYPES OF WORKS THAT ARB GOVERNED BY COPYRIGHT LAWS ARE CLASSIFIED AS LITERARY, DRAMATIC, MUSICAL AND ARTISTIC WORKS, SOUND RECORDINGS, CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS, SOUND BROADCASTS, TELEVISION BROADCASTS AND PUBLISHED EDITIONS OF LITERARY, DRAMATIC OR MUSICAL WORKS.
THE EXISTING COPYRIGHT LAW THAT IS APPLIED IN HONG KONG IS THE ENGLISH COPYRIGHT ACT 1956, SUPPLEMENTED BY THE HONG KONO COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE.
TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS IN VARIOUS FIELDS, SUCH AS MICROCOMPUTERS, SATELLITE BROADCASTING, CABLE DIFFUSION, REPROGRAPHIC COPYING, DOUBLE SPOOL AUDIO RECORDERS AND OTHER DIGITAL RECORDING EQUIPMENT, HAS CALLED FOR A NEED TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.
/THE LAW........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
5
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE NAZARETH, H..VING STUDIED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS THE MANY SUBJECTS AND ISSUES WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SEVEN WORKING GROUPS OF EXPERTS, HAS MADE TENTATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH ARE CONTAINED IN A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY). THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE AMENDED IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
THE MAJORITY OF SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT AN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN REGISTRY BE ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT ARTISTIC DESIGNS APPLIED INDUSTRIALLY. APART FROM FACILITATING THE SEARCH FOR NOVELTY LOCALLY, A HONG KONG BASED REGISTRY COULD ALSO REGISTER FOREIGN DESIGNS.
COMPUTER
AT PRESENT A COMPUTER PROGRAM IS PROTECTED AS A LITERARY COPYRIGHT WORK. THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE DURATION OF PROTECTION OF A COMPUTER PROGRAM SHOULD BE THE AUTHOR’S LIFE PLUS 50 YEARS. A 50-YEAR TERM SHOULD APPLY IF THERE IS NO HUMAN AUTHOR.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT WHEN THE COMPUTER PROGRAM IS FIXED INTO A MEDIUM WHICH CAN BE EASILY DESTROYED, THE MAKING OF BACK-UP COPIES SHOULD BE PERMITTED UNLESS THAT RIGHT HAD BEEN EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT OF SALE.
IT IS THE VIEW OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE THAT THE MERE POSSESSION OF INFRINGING COPIES OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS SHOULD NOT BE A CRIMINAL OFFENCE. THE USE OF AN INFRINGING COPY OF A COMPUTER PROGRAM IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT SHOULD ALSO NOT BE A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IF SUCH USE IS MERELY INCIDENTAL TO THE BUSINESS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SUB-COMMITTEE RBCOMMENDBD HEAVY PENALTIES AGAINST COMMERCIAL PIRACY AND DISTRIBUTION OF INFRINGING COPIES OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS.
BROADCASTING
THE SUB-COMMITTEE FELT THAT THE DEFINITION OF BROADCAST SHOULD ENCOMPASS LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION SERVICES AND SATELLITE BROADCASTING.
IN THE CASE OF SATELLITE BROADCASTING, THE PLACE FROM WHICH THE BROADCAST IS MADE IS THE PLACE FROM WHICH THE SIGNALS CARRYING THE BROADCAST ARE TRANSMITTED TO THE SATELLITE.
THE DEFINITION OF CABLE PROGRAMME SERVICE SHOULD INCLUDE A RANGE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLE DIFFUSION BUT EXCLUDE CLOSED CIRCUIT INTERNAL BUSINESS SERVICES, PERSONAL AND DOMESTIC CABLE SYSTEMS AND CABLE SYSTEMS WITHIN PREMISES IN SINGLE OCCUPATION.
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE COMPETITION, THE CABLE PROGRAMME SERVICE PROVIDER SHOULD BE OBLIGED TO RECEIVE AND IMMEDIATELY RE-TRAN8MIT WIRELESS TELEVISION BROADCASTS.
/BLANK_TAPE_LEVY .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
BLANK TAPE LEVY
THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAS STUDIED THE ISSUE OF PRIVATE COPYING OF AUDIO, VIDEO AND BROADCAST MATERIALS. MOST MEMBERS SUPPORTED THB INTRODUCTION OF A LEVY SCHEME WHEREBY COPYRIGHT OWNERS COULD COLLECT PAYMENT FOR THE USE OF THEIR COPYRIGHT WORKS BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT SUCH A LEVY BE FIRST IMPOSED ON BLANK AUDIO TAnES, AND THAT THE AMOUNT OF THE LEVY SHOULD VARY ACCORDING TO THE LF-IGTH OF THE TAPE.
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE
ON THE QUESTION OF INFRINGING PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OF COPYRIGHT WORKS, AN OCCUPIER OF PREMISES WHO GIVES PERMISSION FOR AN APPARATUS TO BE BROUGHT ONTO THE PREMISES SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE INFRINGEMENT IF THAT OWNER, WHEN GIVING THE PERMISSION, KNEW THAT THE APPARATUS WAS LIKELY TO BE USED TO INFRINGE COPYRIGHT.
RECORDS
THERE IS AT PRESENT A STATUTORY RECORDING LICENSING SYSTEM. ONCE RECORDS OF A MUSICAL WORK HAVE BEEN MADE OR IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETAIL SALE, THE COPYRIGHT OWNER LOSES HIS EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO AUTHORISE THE MANUFACTURE OF OTHER RECORDS OF THE WORK.
SUBJECT TO THE PAYMENT OF STATUTORY ROYALTIES AND GIVING OF NOTICE, ANYONE IS FREE TO MAKE RECORDING OF THAT MUSICAL WORK AND TO SELL SUCH RECORDS IN HONG KONG. THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE SYSTEM BE MAINTAINED. p PERFORMER
A PERFORMER SHOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST UNAUTHORISED RECORDING OF LIVE PERFORMANCES. THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THE CREATION OF A REGIME FOR THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS IN PERFORMANCES AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE.
FOLKLORE
FOLKLORE, WHICH IS A SPECIAL CATEGORY OF ANONYMOUS AND UNPUBLISHED WORKS, SHOULD ALSO BE PROTECTED.
MORAL RIGHT
THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THE PROVISION OF PROTECTION FOR AN AUTHOR’S MORAL RIGHTS. THESE ARE THE RIGHTS TO BE IDENTIFIED AS THE AUTHOR OR DIRECTOR, AND THE RIGHT TO OBJECT TO DEROGATORY TREATMENT OF ONE’S WORK.
/TYPEFACES .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
TYPEFACES
HONG KONG IS THE SECOND LARGEST EXPORTER OF QUALITY PRINTING WORK IN ASIA. LOCAL DESIGNERS AND PRINTERS SHOULD HAVE CLEAR AND EFFECTIVE PROTECTION FOR TYPEFACES. THE SUB-COMMITTEE WELCOMES VIEWS WHETHER TYPEFACES SHOULD BE PROTECTED AS ARTISTIC WORKS UNDER COPYRIGHT LAW.
GOVERNMENT
WORKS GENERATED UNDER THE DIRECTION AND CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT, LIKE ANY OTHER COPYRIGHT OWNERS, SHOULD BE PROTECTED. THE SUB-COMMITTEE FELT THAT THE DURATION OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION OF SUCH GOVERNMENT WORKS, ESPECIALLY UNPUBLISHED ONES, SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY LONG.
PARALLEL IMPORTATION
PARALLEL IMPORTATION OCCURS WHEN ARTICLES INTENDED FOR SALE IN ONE NATIONAL MARKET, NOT HONG KONG, ARE IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG FOR SALE.
COPYRIGHT IS INFRINGED BY THOSE WHO, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER, IMPORT ARTICLES INTO HONG KONG, IF TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE, THE MAKING OF THESE ARTICLES IN HONG KONG WOULD HAVE CONSTITUTED AN INFRINGEMENT.
THE MAJORITY OF SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS FAVOURED REMOVING ANY RESTRICTION ON PARALLEL IMPORTATION IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE COMPETITION.
RENTAL
MOST MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT, AS REGARDS TO COMPUTER PROGRAMS, SOUND RECORDINGS AND CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS, IT SHOULD BE A COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT FOR PURCHASERS OF THESE PRODUCTS, WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER, TO RENT THEM TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
REPROGRAPHY
UNDER EXISTING COPYRIGHT LAW, THERE IS COPYRIGHT IN THE PUBLISHED EDITION, THAT IS, COPYRIGHT IN THE PARTICULAR FORMAT OR LAYOUT OF THE PUBLISHER’S EDITION, QUITE DISTINCT FROM ANY PROTECTION WHICH THE AUTHOR MIGHT HAVE IN RESPECT OF THE CONTENT OF THE EDITION.
THE EFFECT OF THE COPYRIGHT IN PUBLISHED WORKS CAN BE USED TO PROHIBIT ANY PHOTOCOPYING, EVEN WHEN THE EXTENT OF THE COPYING IS LIMITED AND IT IS CARRIED OUT FOR LEGITIMATE RESEARCH, PRIVATE STUDY AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
/AT PRESENT.........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
- 8 -
AT PRESENT, IN ORDER TO AVOID BREACHING THE PUBLISHERS’ COPYRIGHT, REPRODUCTION OF COPYRIGHT WORK FOR FAIR DEALING PURPOSES CAN ONLY BE DONE BY HAND OR BY MEANS OF A TYPEWRITER, AN OPTION WHICH IS CLEARLY UNREALISTIC IN VIEW OF THE READY AVAILABILITY OF REPROGRAPHIC MACHINES.
THE MAJORITY OF SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO EXTEND THE FAIR DEALING EXCEPTION TO THE TYPOGRAPHICAL ARRANGEMENT OF A PUBLISHED EDITION.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE ALSO THOUGHT THAT SINCE REPRODUCTION BY REPROGRAPHIC MEANS WAS WIDESPREAD IN HONG KONG, COLLECTIVE REPROGRAPHIC LICENSING, BOTH FOR EDUCATION AND OTHER PURPOSES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.
EDUCATIONAL
THE SUB-COMMITTEE THOUGHT THAT SOMETIMES IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO OBTAIN AUTHORISATION FROM COPYRIGHT OWNERS TO RECORD BROADCASTS OR CABLE PROGRAMMES OF POTENTIAL EDUCATIONAL VALUE.
IT RECOMMENDED THAT RECORDINGS OF BROADCASTS AND CABLE PROGRAMMES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES SHOULD NOT INFRINGE COPYRIGHT IN THE BROADCASTS OR CABLE PROGRAMMES, OR IN ANY WORK INCLUDED IN THEM, UNTIL AND UNLESS THERE WAS A CERTIFIED LICENSING SCHEME TO FACILITATE SUCH AUTHORISATIONS.
COPYING BY LIBRARIANS AND ARCHIVISTS
THE MAJORITY OF SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT WHEN LIBRARIANS AND ARCHIVISTS WERE ASKED TO MAKE COPIES FOR PURPOSES OF RESEARCH OR PRIVATE STUDY, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUPPLY A COPY OF AN ARTICLE IN A PERIODICAL, AND A COPY OF PART OF A LITERARY, DRAMATIC OR MUSICAL WORK WITHOUT INFRINGING ANY COPYRIGHT, BY RELYING ON THE SIGNED DECLARATIONS OF PERSONS MAKING THE REQUEST, UNLESS THEY WERE AWARE THAT THE DECLARATIONS WERE FALSE.
PLAYING OF SOUND RECORDINGS IN HOTELS
THE SUB-COMMITTEE THOUGHT THAT THE EXISTING EXCEPTION PERMITTING THE PLAYING OF SOUND RECORDINGS IN HOTELS WITHOUT INFRINGING COPYRIGHT SHOULD BE REMOVED, AND THAT NO NEW EXCEPTIONS SHOULD BE CREATED TO ALLOW FOR THE PLAYING OF SOUND RECORDINGS IN SHOPPING MALLS, SHOPS AND FACTORIES.
PUBLIC ADMINSITRATION
THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT FOR PURPOSES OF PUBLIC ADMINSITRATION, ANY MATERIAL WHICH WAS OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION OR WAS ON AN OFFICIAL REGISTER MIGHT BE COPIED WITHOUT COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.
/SIMILARLY, ANY ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
9
SIMILARLY, ANY LITERARY, DRAMATIC, MUSICAL OR ARTISTIC WORK THAT HAS IN THE COURSE OF PUBLIC BUSINESS BEEN COMMUNICATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION MIGHT BE COPIED OR ISSUED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THI PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT WAS COMMUNICATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION, OR FOR ANY RELATED PURPOSE WHICH COULD REASONABLY HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATED BY THE COPYRIGHT OWNER.
COLLECTING SOCIETIES
THE ISSUES CONCERNING THE JOINT EXPLOITATION OF COPYRIGHT BY COPYRIGHT OWNERS THROUGH COLLECTING SOCIETIES, THE MECHANISM FOR COPYRIGHT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT, REMEDIES AND SPECIAL COURT PROCEDURES WERE ALSO REVIEWED.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE OBSERVED THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY TO INTERVENE IN PRIVATE COMMERCIAL MATTERS UNLESS THERE WERE GOOD REASONS FOR INTERVENTION.
IT RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A LIMITED STATUTORY FRAMEWORK UNDER SUITABLE CIRCUMSTANCES REGULATING COLLECTING SOCIETIES IN HONG KONG SO AS TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF BOTH COPYRIGHT OWNERS AND COPYRIGHT USERS.
COPYRIGHT TRIBUNAL
THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED AN EXTENSION OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE EXISTING PERFORMING RIGHT TRIBUNAL WHICH SHOULD BE RENAMED THE COPYRIGHT TRIBUNAL. IT SHOULD HAVE ADDITIONAL JURISDICTION TO MODIFY LICENCES WHERE THE TERMS ARE UNREASONABLE, AND OVER DISPUTES REGARDING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN COPYRIGHT.
PROVISIONS SHOULD BE ENACTED TO EMPOWER THE COPYRIGHT TRIBUNAL TO AWARD INTERIM PAYMENT IN FAVOUR OF THE LICENSING BODY AND TO RESTRICT THE LICENSING BODY’S LIBERTY TO APPLY FOR INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION AGAINST THE LICENSEE, PENDING FINAL DETERMINATION BY THE TRIBUNAL.
CIVIL REMEDIES
IN RELATION TO CIVIL REMEDIES, THE MAJORITY OF THB SUBCOMMITTEE THOUGHT CONVERSION DAMAGES WERE A HARSH REMEDY AND SHOULD BE REMOVED.
CONVERSION DAMAGES ARE ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF THE VALUE OF INFRINGING COPY WITHOUT ANY DEDUCTION FOR THE COST OF MANUFACTURE OR PURCHASE BY THE UNSUCCESSFUL DEFENDANT.
THE MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COURT SHOULD HAVE THB DISCRETION TO AWARD ADDITIONAL DAMAGES WHERE THE INFRINGEMENT WAS FLAGRANT, OR TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ANY BENEFIT ACCRUING TO THE WRONGDOER.
A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS ALSO RECOMMENDED THE CREATION OF A CIVIL REMEDY IN DAMAGES TO COUNTER GROUNDLESS THREATS OF PROCEEDINGS, ESPECIALLY AGAINST CUSTOMERS.
/CRIMINAL SANCTIONS .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
- 10 -
CRIMINAL SANCTIONS
ON CRIMINAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, A MAJORITY OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE FAVOURED AN INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF MAXIMUM FINES TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION. THEY SUGGESTED A SECOND TIER OF HIGHER PENALTIES FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES.
SPECIAL COURT PROCEDURE
THE SUB-COMMITTEE GAVE A LOT OF THOUGHT TO THE SPECIAL COURT PROCEDURE UNDER SECTION 9 OF THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE, CONCERNING THE FILING OF AFFIDAVIT EVIDENCE AND THE EFFECT AND IMPLICATION OF THE PRESUMPTION OF OWNERSHIP OF COPYRIGHT IT CREATED. IT RECOMMENDED THAT SECTION 9 SHOULD BE MODIFIED AND SHOULD AT LEAST CONTINUE TO APPLY TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR JUSTICE NAZARETH, HOPED THAT THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WOULD GENERATE PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL INTEREST, AND WOULD PROMOTE INFORMED COMMENTS ON THE TENTATIVE LAW REFORM PROPOSALS.
HE SAID THAT WHILE THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF COPYRIGHT WAS TO PROTECT CREATORS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BY ENSURING THEY WOULD RECEIVE A PROPER REWARD FOR THEIR LABOUR, SKILL AND INVESTMENT, THE LAW MUST ALSO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN HAVING ACCESS TO CREATIVE IDEAS THAT WOULD STIMULATE COMPETITION.
DURING DELIBERATIONS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAD LOOKED AT RECENT LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES IN THIS AREA IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
THE UNITED KINGDOM COPYRIGHT ACT 1956, WHICH IS STILL APPLIED IN HONG KONG, HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE COPYRIGHT, DESIGNS AND PATENTS ACT 1988. THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAS CONSIDERED THE ADVANTAGE OF REMAINING ASSOCIATED WITH A READY SOURCE OF PRECEDENT BY FOLLOWING THE 1988 ACT WHEREVER SUITABLE TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS.
MR JUSTICE NAZARETH POINTED OUT THAT NEW LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG HAD TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL LEGAL OBLIGATIONS ON COPYRIGHT STANDARDS IN ORDER TO ENABLE WORKS OF HONG KONG COPYRIGHT OWNERS OR WORKS PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG TO RECEIVE RECIPROCAL TREATMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
COMMENTS ON ISSUES DISCUSSED IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ARE WELCOME, AND SHOULD BE FORWARDED NO LATER THAN APRIL 30, 1991.
ALL ENQUIRIES AND COMMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO:
THE SECRETARY,
THE COPYRIGHT SUB-COMMITTEE,
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF HONG KONG, FIRST FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG
/Il ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
11
THIRD QUARTER 1990 SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED ******
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990, 4,982 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 29.5 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 377 (OR 8 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 1.1 MILLION NRT (OR 4 PER CENT) TN CAPACITY OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
THIS IS RELEASED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1990" PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+213), CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (+116) AND GAS CARRIERS/TANKERS (+36).
WHEN ANALYSED BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN PANAMA (+102), CHINA (+99), LIBERIA (+58), NORWAY (+20), SOUTH KOREA (+20) AND TAIWAN (+15), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN THE NETHERLANDS (-16) AND JAPAN (-11).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 216 WHILST THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 161.
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990, THERE WERE 4,947 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 29.1 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 349 (OR 8 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 1.0 MILLION NRT (OR 4 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 3 PER CENT. ABOUT 68 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 89 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 11 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 66 PER CENT WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 34 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SINGAPORE (16 PER CENT), JAPAN (13 PER CENT), CHINA (11 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (11 PER CENT), SOUTH AFRICA (10 PER CENT), TAIWAN (8 PER CENT) AND THE USA (7 PER CENT), WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE USA (21 PER CENT), CHINA (15 PER CENT), TAIWAN (12 PER CENT), JAPAN (6 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (5 PER CENT).
/TRANSHIPMENT CARGO
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
12 -
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (40 PER CENT) AND THE USA (14 PER CENT), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN THE USA (15 PER CENT) AND CHINA (12 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM INDONESIA (+215 PER CENT), THE USA (+48 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+38 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+16 PER CENT) AND THAILAND (+12 PER CENT); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA (-23 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (-15 PER CENT).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT. AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CORK AND WOOD MANUFACTURES (EXCLUDING FURNITURE) (+94 PER CENT), CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+49 PER CENT), ORGANIC CHEMICALS (+42 PER CENT), PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD (+39 PER CENT) AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+33 PER CENT); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKER (-26 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS REEXPORTS) INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO WEST GERMANY (+60 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+34 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+27 PER CENT), JAPAN (+25 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+20 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+15 PER CENT); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (-16 PER CENT).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PLASTIC MANUFACTURES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+42 PER CENT), TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS (+34 PER CENT), FOOTWEAR (+33 PER CENT), TOYS (+27 PER CENT) AND GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+25 PER CENT); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PULP AND WASTE PAPER (-23 PER CENT).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 35 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 80 PER CENT WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 30 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM WEST GERMANY (91 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (80 PER CENT), TAIWAN (80 PER CENT), THE USA (76 PER CENT) AND SOUTH KOREA (76 PER CENT).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 ROSE BY 23 PER CENT OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
/AMONG THE ......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
- 13 -
a
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 99 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 92 PER CENT OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES AND PARTS, 91 PER CENT OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD AND 88 PER CENT OF MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 73 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND ALMOST ALL TO THE USA, WEST GERMANY, AUSTRALIA, THE NETHERLANDS AND THE PHILIPPINES.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 ROSE BY 15 PER CENT OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED COTTON GARMENTS; FOOTWEAR; TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS; TOYS; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; PLASTIC MANUFACTURES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPMASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1990”, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRE, AT $26.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4887.
0
/14 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
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HK CONTAINER THROUGHPUT EXCEEDS FIVE MILLION TEU’S ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ANNUAL CONTAINERISED CARGO HANDLED IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG HAS FOR THE FIRST TIME PASSED THE LANDMARK OF FIVE MILLION TEU’S (20-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS), THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE TOTAL CONTAINER THROUGHPUT FOR THE YEAR 1990 WAS 5,100,637 TEU’S, WHICH REPRESENTS A 14.27 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE 4,463,709 TEU’S HANDLED IN 1989. IT WAS MADE UP OF:
♦ KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINALS
3,831,211 TEU’S - UP 15.5 PER CENT OVER 1989
♦ STREAM AND ELSEWHERE
1,212,897 TEU’S - UP 12.76 PER CENT OVER 1989
♦ RIVER TRADE VESSELS
70,941 TEU’S - DOWN 10.58 PER CENT OVER 1989
COMMENTING ON THE FIGURES, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, SAID: "AFTER A SLOW START AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR, THROUGHPUT GRADUALLY PICKED UP NOT ONLY TO REACH BUT EXCEED OUR FORECAST ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 14 PER CENT FOR THE KWAI CHUNG TERMINALS.
"THE FINAL THROUGHPUT FIGURES ARE THEREFORE MOST SATISFACTORY AND UNDERLINES HONG KONG’S POSITION AS ONE OF THE LEADING CONTAINER PORTS IN THE WORLD."
/15 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
15
CONTAINER STATISTICS
Comparative Throughput Statistics are as follows
Annual Total 1939 Annual Total 1990 Change Percent
KWAI CHUNG TERMINALS
Loaded Full (T.E.0.) co CD CJ CD CU CD •-4 1,359,472 4- 14.23%
Discharged Ful-1 (T.E.O.) 1, 124,037 1,239,399 + 14.75%
Loaded Empty (T.E.O.) 37,331 141,790 + 61.44%
Discharged Empty (T.E.O.) 476,908 540,050 * 13.24%
Throughput
a) T.E.O. 3,317,092 3,331,211 + 15.50%
b) Actual' c) Ratio Empty % T/'Ship % 2,202.132 1.51 17.03% 20.60% 2,522.624 1.53 17.30* 19.84% + 14.55%
Container Tonnage (Tonnes)
a) Loaded 10,847,556 12,363,904 * 14.32%
b) • Discharged 10,753.226 12,250,495 * 13.87%
c) ’ Total 21,605,732 24,618,499 + 13.94%
Average Weight (Tonnes)
a) T.E.O. Loaded b) T.E.O. Discharged c) T.E.O. Total 6.66 9.57 7.35 6.65 9.50 7.02 *
STREAM AND ELSEWHERE
L • G •,¥ p. G Q. 1 •* !-• H (•J 413.012 469,590 - 12.34%
Discharged Full (T.E.O.) 493.190 543,755 * 11.27%
Loaded Empty (T.E.O.) 79,424 71,905 - 9.47%
Discharged Empty (T.E.O.) 35.011 122.647 - 44.27%
Th roughput (T.E.O.; RIVER TRADE VESSELS (EXCLUDING EWA 1,075,637 I CHUNG TERMINALS) 1,212,39? + 12.76%
Loaded Full (T.E.O.) 24.693 21.409 - 13.32*
Discharged Full (T.E.O.) 23.967 26,424 * 10.25*
Loaded Empty (T.E.O.) 3,407 12.042 * 42.24?
Discharged Empty :T.E.O.) t > i > t > cn CM 11.066 - 50.30?
Throughput (T.E.O.) THROUGHPUT (KWAI CHONG TERMINALS, 79,337 70.941 STREAM i RIVER TRADE VESSELS) - 10.53?
Loaded Full (T.E.O.) 2.066.436 2.344.432 +• 13.45?
Discharged Full (T.E.O.) 1.633.133 1.359.845 * 13.53’
Loaded Empty (T.E.U.) 175.215 225.423 + 26.66?
Discharged Empty (T.E.O.) 533.375 670.832 + 14.90?
Throughput (T.E.O.) 4.463.709 5,100.637 + 14.27’
14,412 T.E.U. in 1990
Figures include a total of 3,357 respectively handled by terminal
T.E.U. in 1939 ana vessels contracted
to work in the stream.
To avoid double counting figures are adjusted downwards by 3,357 T.E.U- 1^ 1939 and 14.412 T.E.U. in 1990 respectively handled by terminal vessels contracted to work in the stream.
issued by Marine Department
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/16 .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
16
GOVT COMMISSIONS CONSULTANCY STUDY
♦ » » »
ON CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY »
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) COMMISSIONED A S7.3-MILLION CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SIGNED THE CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH THE MANAGING PARTNER OF ERNST AND YOUNG, MR BRIAN STEVENSON. ALSO PRESENT WAS MR ERIC TURNER OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES (ASIA) LIMITED.
SPEAKING AFTER THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MR BARMA SAID THE STUDY WAS TO ASSESS THE CURRENT STATE OF HONG KONG’S CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY, INCLUDING THE DEPENDENCE OF MANUFACTURING ON IMPORTS OF CHEMICALS.
"IT WILL ALSO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH OF THIS INDUSTRY, BOTH AS A SUPPLIER TO OTHER INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG AND THE REGION, AND AS AN EXPORT GENERATING INDUSTRY IN ITS OWN RIGHT," MR BARMA SAID.
"THE STUDY SHOULD IDENTIFY THE FACTORS OF PRODUCTION WHICH MAY CONSTITUTE DETERMINANTS OF AND CONSTRAINTS ON GROWTH AND, HAVING REGARD TO THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY, RECOMMEND WHAT APPROPRIATE ACTION IS NEEDED," HE ADDED.
MR BARMA SAID THE STUDY WAS PART OF REGULAR TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ON THE MAJOR GROUPS OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
"THE NEED FOR THE LATEST STUDY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD WHICH NOTES THAT HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING THOSE OWNED BY HONG KONG COMPANIES IN SOUTH CHINA, ARE HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON THE USE OF A WIDE RANGE OF CHEMICALS, MOST OF WHICH HAVE TO BE IMPORTED.
"THESE INCLUDE PLASTICS, DYESTUFFS, ACIDS AND ALKALIS, SOLVENTS AND DETERGENTS, PAINTS AND COATINGS," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE BOARD ALSO NOTED THAT THE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH OF THE REGION HAD LED TO A SITUATION WHERE VOLUMES OF CHEMICALS HAD NOW REACHED LEVELS WHERE MAJOR INVESTMENT BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN LOCAL PRODUCTION FACILITIES WAS PERHAPS JUSTIFIED.
"THE BOARD HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT, WHILE THERE IS NOT MUCH SCOPE FOR ESTABLISHING LOW VALUE-ADDED CHEMICAL PLANTS SUCH AS OIL REFINERIES, THERE MAY BE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN THE PROCESSING OF BASIC CHEMICALS INTO HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS, EITHER FOR EXPORTS <)R FOR USE IN HONG KONG’S OTHER INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE STUDY WOULD INCLUDE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THESE INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS THE RE-CYCLING OF CHEMICALS.
THE STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN NINE MONTHS.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
LAB DISCUSSES NEW PAYMENT METHOD * * * * *
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AT THE FIRST MEETING OF ITS CURRENT SESSION TODAY (MONDAY) DISCUSSED A PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE METHOD OF CALCULATING SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT FOR NON-MONTHLY RATED EMPLOYEES.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UNDER THE COVERAGE OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE BY THE NEW DEFINITION OF "CONTINUOUS CONTRACT" (THAT IS HAVING WORKED FOR AT LEAST 18 HOURS A WEEK DURING A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS) WOULD HAVE THEIR SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS CALCULATED AT THE RATE OF TWO-THIRDS OF A MONTH’S NORMAL WAGES FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE.
BUT FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE FULFILLED THE CONDITIONS OF THE OLD DEFINITION OF "CONTINUOUS CONTRACT" (THAT IS HAVING WORKED FOR AT LEAST THREE DAYS A WEEK AND AT LEAST SIX HOURS A DAY DURING A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS), SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE CALCULATED AT THE RATE OF 18 DAYS WAGES FOR EACH YFAR OF SERVICE.
IN BOTH CASES, AN EMPLOYEE MAY ELECT TO HAVE THE MONTH’S WAGES CALCULATED BY TAKING THE AVERAGE OF HIS LAST 12 MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT.
MEMBERS EXPRESSED DIVERSE VIEWS ON THE PROPOSAL. THE CHAIRMAN UNDERTOOK TO STUDY’ THESE VIEWS THOROUGHLY BEFORE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD WITH A REVISED PROPOSAL.
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED PAPERS ON THE TERMS OF REFERENCE AND COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD AND ITS FIVE COMMITTEES, AS WELL AS A PROGRESS REPORT ON ITEMS OF LABOUR LEGISLATION WHICH HAD BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS AND ARE LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED DURING THE COMING YEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD THANKED THE CHAIRMAN, MR TONY HAMMOND, WHO WILL BE RETIRING SOON AS COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, FOR HIS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPROVEMENTS IN LABOUR LEGISLATION AND RELATIONS. THE BOARD WISHED HIM A HAPPY RETIREMENT.
/IB .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
18
FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED TO FOUR SCHOLARS FOR LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT WORK *****
HONGKONGBANK FELLOWSHIPS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO FOUR SCHOLARS WHO WILL UNDERTAKE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WITH THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON SIX CORE LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
THE FELLOWSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO PROFESSOR JOHN BROWNELL, PRESIDENT-EMERITUS OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY; MS ANTONIA COOPER, WHO IS A LEADING MEMBER OF SEVERAL UK NATIONAL LANGUAGE COMMITTEES AND AN EXECUTIVE LANGUAGE TRAINING CONSULTANT; DR LI YING-CHE, FORMERLY PROFESSOR OF CHINESE, EAST ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES; AND MS ANGELA SCAR I NO, FORMERLY NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN LANGUAGE LEVELS PROJECT.
THEY WILL WORK WITH THE ILE ON THE PROJECTS WHICH WILL RANGE FROM DESIGNING SPECIFIC CURRICULUM TARGETS AND ASSESSMENTS IN ENGLISH FOR SCHOOLS AND GUIDELINES FOR PLANNERS OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES, TO THE LANGUAGE NEEDS OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION.
THE FELLOWSHIPS ARE FUNDED BY THE $20 MILLION HONGKONGBANK LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FUND WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED LAST MAY TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOCUSSED ON ISSUES OF PRACTICAL CONCERN TO EMPLOYERS, CURRICULUM PLANNERS AND TEACHERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FOLLOWING ARE BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF THE FOUR HONGKONGBANK FELLOWS:
PROF JOHN BROWNELL
PROF BROWNELL IS PRES I DENT-EMERITUS OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY. HE IS A LEADING MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS' PLANNING GROUP WHICH IS PREPARING FOR A MAJOR CONFERENCE ON "EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN THE PACIFIC BASIN". PROF BROWNELL'S WORK IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND LANGUAGE PEDAGOGY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED EXTENSIVELY.
MS ANTONIA COOPER
MS COPPER IS CHAIRPERSON OR A LEADING MEMBER OF SEVERAL UK NATIONAL LANGUAGE COMMITTEES. SHE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE OF LINKING BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC OBJECTIVES. MS COOPER HAS WORKED AS AN EXECUTIVE LANGUAGE TRAINING CONSULTANT AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN VOCATIONAL AS WELL AS GENERAL EXAMINATION FIELDS.
/PRQF.LI_ying=che .......
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
19
PROF LI YING-CHE
DR LI HAS BEEN PROFESSOR OF CHINESE, EAST ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SINCE 1980. IN ADDITION TO MANY ARTICLES ON THE LEARNING AND TEACHING OF CHINESE, IN PARTICULAR, MANDARIN, HE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF TESTS OF CHINESE PROFICIENCY AND SPEAKING DEVELOPED BY THE CENTRE OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES. DR LI HAS BEEN CONSULTANT TO THE SINGAPORE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE LANGUAGE MATERIALS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
MS ANGELA SCARING
MS SCARING HAS JUST COMPLETED AN ASSIGNMENT AS NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN LANGUAGE LEVELS PROJECT AND, IN THAT CAPACITY, CONTRIBUTED TO SEVERAL PROJECT PUBLICATIONS. SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES WHICH INCLUDED PROJECT DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION. PRIOR TO HER ASSIGNMENT IN AUSTRALIA MS SCARING WAS HEAD OF THE LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT OF ENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL IN AUSTRALIA.
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LEGISLATORS TO ASK 10 QUESTIONS ON WEDNESDAY'S SITTING *****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 10 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SEVEN BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JANUARY 30).
OF THE SEVEN BILLS, TWO WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
THE OTHER FIVE BILLS ARE TO BE GIVEN A SECOND READING, AND TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE COMMODITY EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990.
ALSO, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES RDINANCE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
/20 ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
20
21 PASS PART 1 OF LICENTIATE EXAMINATION * * * * »
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT 21 CANDIDATES HAD PASSED PART I OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS.
A TOTAL OF 190 CANDIDATES SAT FOR THE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTION PAPER ON PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE ON JANUARY 4.
PART II OF THE EXAMINATION, DESIGNED TO TEST THE CANDIDATES’ ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES, WILL TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 5 AND MAY 1 THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION TO THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FROM PART I, A FURTHER NINE CANDIDATES WHO FAILED PART II IN PREVIOUS YEARS WILL BE SITTING FOR THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION.
CANDIDATES MAY CHOOSE TO TAKE THE PART II LICENTIATE EXAMINATION ON EITHER DATE.
- - 0 - -
BEWARE OF BOGUS SWD OFFICERS *****
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) ADVISES THE PUBLIC TO BE WATCHFUL WHEN BEING APPROACHED BY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
LIKE OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVANTS, OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WERE ISSUED WITH A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE PUBLIC, WHEN IN DOUBT, SHOULD REQUEST THE VISITOR TO PRODUCE HIS IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT, OR RING UP SWD’S DISTRICT OFFICES, FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OR FIELD UNIT OFFICERS BEFORE PROVIDING THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION OR PROPERTY TO THE VISITOR," HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS PRODUCING A POSTER REMINDING THE PUBLIC TO BEWARE OF BOGUS SWD OFFICERS.
"THE POSTERS WILL SOON BE PUT UP AT THE DEPARTMENT’S BRANCH OFFICES," HE ADDED.
THE SWD OPERATES 31 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND 34 FIELD UNIT OFFICES FOR RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
/21
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED A DECREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES.
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) CONTAINED A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT AS FROM JANUARY 30, 1991, THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 6.60 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 7.08 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.55 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PLAY 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 JANUARY 30, 1991.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1991 WILL
CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS -
5.76 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER JULY 27, 1988 AND BEFORE AUGUST 17, 1988;
6.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 17, 1988 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 1988;
6.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 7, 1988 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 1989;
7.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 15, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 8, 1989; •
7.80 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 8, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 22, 1989;
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;
6.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 9, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 7, 1990;
/7.08 PER CENT ........
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991
- 22 -
7.08 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 7, 1990 AND BEFORE APRIL 4, 1990;
8.04 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 4, 1990 AND BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1990;
7.56 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 15, 1990 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 24, 1990;
AND
7.08 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 24, 1990 AND BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1991
BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX. FOR EXAMPLE:
$1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON FEBRUARY 2, 1991, MARCH 2, 1991 AND APRIL 2, 1991 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON MAY 1, 1991 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS
ON $1,000, FEBRUARY 2, 1991 TO MAY 1, 1991
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $5.50 PER MONTH = $16.50
ON $1,000, MARCH 2, 1991 TO MAY 1, 1991
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $5.50 PER MONTH = $11.00
ON $1,000, APRIL 2, 1991 TO MAY 1, 1991
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $5.50 PER MONTH = $5.50
$33.00
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW ANTI-II LEGISLATIVE MEASURES EFFECTIVE .............................. 1
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY CENTRE SET UP TO ASSIST INDUSTRY................. 2
CONTINUED SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION FROM INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS URGED .. 3
PMG ON CIVIL SERVICE STANDING COMMISSION'S REVIEW ....................... 5
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT DIRECT APPLICATIONS FROM PHILIPPINES FOR EMPLOYMENT .............................................................. 6
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED............................................. 7
$133M WORTH OF HEROIN SEIZED IN HK/US JOINT OPERATION ................... 9
ELECTORS REMINDED TO REPORT CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ............... 9
CENSUS EXHIBITIONS IN THE NT............................................. 10
NEW YEAR POSTER TO SPREAD PITCH-IN MESSAGE .............................. 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSING YI DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ....................... 12
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHAM SHUI PO............................. 12
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS .................................. 13
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
NEW ANTI-II LEGISLATIVE MEASURES EFFECTIVE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE NEW LEGISLATIVE MEASURES AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION INTRODUCED LAST NOVEMBER ARE HAVING THE DESIRED EFFECT, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990 ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, MR STRACHAN SAID THE MEASURES HAD RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, REVERSING THE TREND IN 1990 WHEN THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS SHOT UP BY 76 PER CENT TO 28,000.
’’THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR CAME TO 1,735, COMPARED WITH 2,734 IN MAY AND 3,430 IN JULY,” HE SAID.
SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE NEW LEGISLATION ON NOVEMBER 9, 158 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, 166 HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AT OTHER PLACES OF WORK, EIGHT CASES HAVE BEEN REFERRED FOR PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR, TWO CASES HAVE BEEN REFERRED FOR LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING TAKING PROSECUTION AGAINST CONSTRUCTION SUB-CONTRACTORS AND 45 PROSECUTION CASES HAVE BEEN TAKEN AGAINST OTHER EMPLOYERS.
’’THE NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDES AN EMPLOYER WITH A DEFENCE AGAINST PROSECUTION IF HE CAN SHOW THAT HE HAD TAKEN ALL PRACTICABLE STEPS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PERSON WAS LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE AND THAT IT WAS REASONABLE TO CONCLUDE THAT THE PERSON WAS LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE,” MR STRACHAN SAID.
HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND EMPLOYERS, AND THOSE IN CHARGE OF CONSTRUCTION SITES, OF THE MEASURES THEY SHOULD TAKE TO ENSURE THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE NOT EMPLOYED ON THEIR PREMISES.
HE ADDED THAT WHILE HE COULD ADVISE ON GUIDELINES, WHAT AMOUNTED TO "ALL PRACTICABLE STEPS” IN THE EYES OF THE LAW WOULD BE FOR THE COURTS TO DECIDE IN EACH CASE.
MR STRACHAN REITERATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION WAS TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO EMPLOYERS THAT IT DID NOT PAY TO EMPLOY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND ALSO TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO PROSPECTIVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THAT THERE WAS NO POINT COMING TO HONG KONG BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WORK AVAILABLE FOR THEM HERE.
"THIS IS IN THE INTEREST NOT ONLY OF HONG KONG BUT OF THE IMMIGRANTS THEMSELVES, WHO DESERVE PROTECTION FROM EXPLOITATION BY THOSE WHO ORGANISE ILLEGAL ENTRY AND BY THE SMALL NUMBER OF UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS," HE ADDED.
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/2 ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
2 -
QUALITY AND RELIABILITY CENTRE SET
» » t t *
UP TO ASSIST INDUSTRY
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, TODAY (TUESDAY) OPENED A CENTRE SPECIALLY CREATED TO ASSIST HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY OF ITS PRODUCTS.
THE CENTRE, CALLED THE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY CENTRE, HAS BEEN SET UP AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AS A CO-OPERATIVE VENTURE BETWEEN INDUSTRY, INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS, AND THE TERTIARY SECTOR REPRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE CENTRE'S OPENING, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT APPLAUDED THE FORWARD THINKING THAT HAD BEEN SHOWN IN SETTING UP THE CENTRE AND FULLY SUPPORTED IT.
"INDEED, THE SUPPORT IS IN THE VERY TANGIBLE FORM OF A CONTRIBUTION OF $600,000 FROM FUNDS CONTROLLED BY THE DEPARTMENT TOWARDS THE FACILITIES OF THE CENTRE," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THERE HAD BEEN GREATER DEMANDS BY HONG KONG’S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR BETTER QUALITY PRODUCTS AND CUSTOMERS WERE BECOMING EVER MORE DISCERNING REGARDING THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS THEY PURCHASED.
"IN SOME CASES, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO HEALTH AND SAFETY ASPECTS, MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING IMPOSED BEFORE PRODUCTS CAN GAIN ENTRY INTO MARKETS.
"THIS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY EVIDENT IN EUROPE AS THE COMMUNITY MOVES TOWARDS HARMONISATION OF STANDARDS BY 1992," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ACUTELY AWARE OF INCREASING PROBLEMS FACING MANUFACTURERS, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF THE QUALITY ISSUE. •
QUALITY CONSULTANTS WERE COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1987 TO MAKE AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES AND TO PROPOSE A QUALITY STRATEGY FOR HONG KONG AIMED AT PROMOTING MAXIMUM COMPETITIVENESS FOR LOCAL PRODUCTS AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES, ESPECIALLY IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT WERE FRAMED INTO A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN SUPPORT OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
"EXISTING QUALITY SERVICES WOULD BE ENHANCED, AN AGENCY WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO UNDERTAKE THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION OF COMPANIES UNDER A REGISTRATION SCHEME BASED ON THE INTERNATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARD ISO 9000, AND A SUSTAINED QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WAS TO BE TARGETTED PRIMARILY AT THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
"TO ENHANCE QUALITY SERVICES THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS COMMITTED OVER $30 MILLION ON CAPITAL EQUIPMENT IN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1989 TO 1991.
"AN INDEPENDENT .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
- 3 -
• "AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY, THE HONO KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY (HKQAA), HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, AND WILL BE COMMENCING THIRD-PARTY QUALITY AUDITS OF COMPANIES LATER IN THE YEAR," HE SAID.
MR BARma SAID THE QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WAS LAUNCHED BY THE GOVERNOR IN MARCH 1990.
"IT HAS BEEN PLANNED AS AN ONGOING CAMPAIGN, EXTENDING OVER SEVERAL YEARS. ITS PURPOSE IS TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF QUALITY AWARENESS AND COMMITMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THIS PURSUIT OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN MANUFACTURING MIGHT WELL PROVE TO BE ONE OF THE MORE IMPORTANT -CERTAINLY MORE DEMANDING - CHALLENGES FOR HONG KONG’S ENTREPRENEURS IN THE 1990’S.
THE CENTRE, WITH ITS SPECIFIC AIMS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN QUALITY FOR INDUSTRY, WOULD HAVE A MOST IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.
IT WOULD PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF COURSES AND FACILITIES TO ENABLE A DIVERSE RANGE OF NEEDS TO BE MET.
I •
"THE CENTRE’S FACILITIES WILL PROVIDE MANAGERS AND THEIR STAFF WITH A FOCUS ON QUALITY AND FULLY COMPLEMENT OTHER ACTIVITIES BEING ORGANISED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN," HE SAID.
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CONTINUED SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION FROM INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS URGED *****
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION FROM MAJOR INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE 1990'S.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, MR BARMA SAID THE RECENTLY-INTRODUCED GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED FROM THE FEDERATION’S GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR HONG KONG DESIGN, WAS AN APPROPRIATE SYMBOL OF THE APPROACH HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE 1990’S.
"WE HAVE THE FEDERATION, THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, AND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT CO-OPERATING IN PURSUIT OF A SINGLE AIM.
"EACH ORGANISATION HAS ITS OWN AREA OF SPECIAL EXPERTISE, BUT ALL TOGETHER ARE ACHIEVING MORE THAN ANY ONE COULD ACHIEVE SEPARATELY," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THAT BESIDES THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, HE ALSO EXPECTED THE 1990’S TO SEE INCREASING CONTACT BETWEEN MANUFACTURERS, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TERTIARY SECTOR.
/"JUST THIS........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
4
"JUST THIS MORNING I OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING OF THE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY CENTRE. THIS IS A NOTEWORTHY EXAMPLE OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, AND WAS SET UP IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
"THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, FOR ITS PART, HAS PROVIDED SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE.
"WE ARE ALSO HELPING THE POLYTECHNICS AND UNIVERSITIES TO WORK WITH MANUFACTURERS TO SOLVE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS FACED BY OUR INDUSTRIALISTS, THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION SERVICE.
"THIS CO-OPERATIVE TREND WILL, I AM SURE, GO FURTHER," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL POLICIES, MR BARMA SAID THEY WERE TO REMOVE, WHERE POSSIBLE, INFRASTRUCTURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, AND TO MAINTAIN THE FREEST POSSIBLE MARKET IN INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES AND THE FREEST POSSIBLE TRADING ENVIRONMENT.
AS FAR AS INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT WAS CONCERNED, MR BARMA SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS NOW CONDUCTING A SURVEY TO SEEK COMMENTS FROM MANUFACTURERS ON THE TYPES OF LAND AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE THEY FORESAW THEY WOULD NEED IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
HE SAID THE ANSWERS WOULD HELP THE GOVERNMENT ENORMOUSLY IN DEVELOPING THE PADS AND METROPLAN PROPOSALS.
"IN THE SHORT TERM THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW PRESSING AHEAD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TSEUNG KWAN O.
"THE EXISTING ESTATES AT TAI PO AND YUEN LONG ARE NEARLY FULL AND THIS THIRD ESTATE, WHICH WILL OPEN IN 1993, WILL PROVIDE A FURTHER 70 HECTARES OF LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
"WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT WAYS OF PROVIDING SITES FOR INDUSTRIES WHICH NEED WATERFRONT ACCESS.
"PADS WILL ENSURE THAT THE LONG-TERM REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH LAND ARE MET, BUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE A SITE IN TUEN MUN AREA 38 HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF 55 HECTARES OF LAND WITH WATERFRONT ACCESS," HE SAID.
ON DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT, MR BARMA SAID A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WOULD SOON BE ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT PRODUCT DESIGNERS AND ENABLE GOOD DESIGNS TO BE CARRIED THROUGH TO THE MANUFACTURING STAGE.
"THE ERA IN WHICH HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS PRODUCED MOSTLY TO OVERSEAS SPECIFICATIONS IS COMING TO AN END, AND I EXPECT HONG KONG TO BECOME KNOWN FOR ITS OWN CREATIVE DESIGNS IN THE 1990’S," HE SAID.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
- 5 -
PMG ON CIVIL SERVICE STANDING COMMISSION’S REVIEW
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE POINTS WHICH HE MADE TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE REGARDING THE SALARY SCALES AND HOURS OF WORK OF THE POSTAL OFFICER GRADE AND THE POSTMAN GRADE HAVE BEEN FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE STANDING COMMISSION’S OVERALL REVIEW OF CIVIL SERVICE GRADES.
"I AM PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME. THE REVISED AND IMPROVED SALARY SCALES OF THE POSTAL OFFICER GRADE AND THE POSTMAN GRADE . CONTINUE TO REFLECT THE HISTORICALLY MORE FAVOURABLE RELATIVITY OF THESE TWO GRADES VIS-A-VIS COMPARABLE GRADES.
"FURTHERMORE, AN EXTRA PAY POINT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE POSTMAN GRADE TO RECOGNISE THE FACT THAT THEY WORK LONGER HOURS," MR WONG SAID.
AS REGARDS PROSPECTS OF PROMOTION, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF WORK WHERE THE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY JUSTIFIED THE CREATION OF MORE PROMOTION POSTS.
"IT SHOULD BE RECALLED THAT SINCE THE CREATION OF THE RANK OF SENIOR POSTMAN IN 1988, 165 SENIOR POSTMAN POSTS HAVE BEEN
ESTABLISHED.
"IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR I EXPECT OVER 100 SENIOR POSTMAN POSTS TO BE CREATED," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID CAPABLE STAFF IN THE POST OFFICE WHO DID NOT POSSESS THE REQUISITE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS WERE ALSO CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT TO MIDDLE MANAGEMENT GRADES ON THE BASIS OF EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY.
IN THE PAST THREE YEARS 85 POSTMEN AND SENIOR POSTMEN WERE APPOINTED TO THE POSTAL OFFICER GRADE, AND FOUR POSTAL OFFICERS AND SENIOR POSTAL OFFICERS WERE APPOINTED TO THE CONTROLLER OF t>OSTS GRADE.
"SUCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT WILL CONTINUE IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
"NOW THAT A FINAL DECISION ON THE SALARY STRUCTURE AND WORKING HOURS OF POST OFFICE GRADES HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION, I HOPE THAT STAFF WILL ACCEPT THIS DECISION AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A LOYAL AND EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC," MR WONG SAID.
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/6........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
6
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT DIRECT APPLICATIONS FROM PHILIPPINES FOR EMPLOYMENT t * * * * *
APPLICANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR HONG KONG EMPLOYMENT VISAS ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THEIR HONG KONG EMPLOYERS TO THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID FOR SECURITY REASONS, THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN MANILA HAS DECIDED TO RESTRICT THE NUMBER OF CALLERS AT THE EMBASSY.
"WE ARE AWARE THAT THE EMBASSY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL BUT WITH CONTROLLED ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC AREAS," HE SAID.
EFFECTIVE TOMORROW, EMPLOYMENT VISA APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN THE FORM OF LETTERS BY POST DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THEIR HONG KONG SPONSORS TO THE ENTRY VISA SECTION OF HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON 7TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THE APPLICANTS SHOULD ALSO SUBMIT THREE PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS, COPIES OF THEIR PASSPORTS OR IDENTITY PAPERS, AND IN THE CASE OF DOMESTIC HELPERS AND WORKERS UNDER THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME, A COPY OF THE NOTARIZED CONTRACT AND DETAILED ADDRESS OF THEIR HONG KONG SPONSORS.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN VISA PROMISSORY LETTERS FOR PRESENTATION UPON ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG.
"THOSE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED THEIR VISA APPLICATIONS TO THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN MANILA WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROCESSED IN THE NORMAL WAY.
"THOSE WHOSE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE HONG KONO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE EMBASSY.
"THESE APPLICANTS MAY THEN TRAVEL TO HONG KONG AND PRESENT THE EMBASSY LETTER TO THE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON ARRIVAL. VISA WILL BE ENDORSED IN THEIR PASSPORTS IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID OTHER VISA AND CONSULAR SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE EMBASSY WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AND APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN THE NORMAL WAY.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED THAT APPLICANTS SHOULD NOT EMBARK FOR HONG KONG UNTIL THEIR VISAS HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
"A PERSON SEEKING TO ENTER HONG KONG FOR THE PURPOSE OF EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE VISA WILL BE REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND," HE WARNED.
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CALL THE INFORMATION OFFICE ON TEL. 824 6111 OR 829 3200 OF THE ENTRY VISA SECTION DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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/7......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
- 7
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 45.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THE NEW AIDS PATIENT DIED SOON AFTER HE WAS FOUND TO BE INFECTED IN DECEMBER.
HIS DEATH BROUGHT TO 31 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS WHO HAD PASSED AWAY. THE OTHER 14 PATIENTS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT HONG KONG.
RELEASING THE STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR DECEMBER 1990, THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOUR OTHER PEOPLE WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST, BRINGING TO 161 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED AIDS.
OF THESE, 55 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 86 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, FOUR WERE DRUG ABUSERS, THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION, AND THE INFORMATION FOR OTHER THE 13 WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 181,193 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, 826,656 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 14 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
- 8 -
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
t.
Virus-unit, Department of Health
Anr 85-Nov 90 Dec 90 Total
No. ■ tested* NO. No. +ve tested* NO. +ve NO. tested* NO. +ve
Referrals from Govt, hospitals,.and clinics 4j £aMW 12399 71 i$60 3 14259 74
Referrals from private
practitioners and subvented hospitals e 2098 42 15 1 2113 43
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 158444 27 1946 0 153390 27
<H ft. ft? i Ja’ Haemophiliacs . IV drug abusers _ „ & 432 4331 59 1 ‘ 3 35 1' 0 485 4916 60 1
Referrals from Family Planning Association 216 0 2 0 213 a •z
& !1< < $ Health cart personnel 806 0 6- 0 312 0
„ 177276 200 , 3917' 5 131193 20
* This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as teste
*re repeated for certain individuals.
Aug 85-Nov 90 Dec 90 Total
No. No. tested *ve No. tested No. +ve No. No. tested +ve
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Service 313044. 14 13612' 0 * 826656 14
Department of Health January 1991
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/9 .........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
9
$133M WORTH OF HEROIN SEIZED IN HK/US JOINT OPERATION *****
ANTI-DRUG FIGHTERS IN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE ARRESTED NINE MEN AND SEIZED ABOUT $133 MILLION WORTH OF SUSPECTED NO. 4 HEROIN IN A JOINT OPERATION WHICH WAS COMPLETED TODAY (TUESDAY).
MOUNTED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN BOTH PLACES SINCE YESTERDAY (MONDAY), POLICE BELIEVED THE OPERATION HAD NEUTRALISED A SUSPECTED SYNDICATE ALLEGEDLY SPECIALISED IN EXPORTING DRUGS TO THE AMERICAN MARKETS.
FOLLOWING TWO MONTHS OF INVESTIGATION AND CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE TWO FORCES, THE U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION (DEA) OFFICERS YESTERDAY ARRESTED TWO HONG KONG MEN, AGED 28 AND 32, WHEN THEY WERE ABOUT TO DELIVER 17 KILOGRAMS OF SUSPECTED NO. 4 HEROIN TO DEA UNDERCOVER AGENTS POSED AS BUYERS INSIDE A HOtEL IN MANHATTAN.
ONE OF THE ARRESTED MEN WAS A 28-YEAR-OLD SAILOR ARRIVED FROM A CONTAINER VESSEL COMING FROM THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION.
DEA OFFICIALS LATER ALSO TOOK IN TWO MORE MEN, A HONG KONG CHINESE AND AN AMERICAN CHINESE AGED 29 AND 43 RESPECTIVELY, IN NEW YORK.
AT THE SAME TIME IN HONG KONG, OFFICERS FROM THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU (NB) RAIDED A HOTEL ROOM IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AND ARRESTED FIVE LOCAL MEN, AGED BETWEEN 38 AND 45.
DURING THE OPERATION, NB OFFICIERS INCLUDING THOSE FROM THE BUREAU’S FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION GROUP HAD UNCOVERED ABOUT $3 MILLION WORTH OF ALLEGED DRUG-RELATED ASSET.
POLICE INVESTIGATIONS ARE CONTINUING.
------0-------
ELECTORS REMINDED TO REPORT CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS * * * » »
REGISTERED ELECTORS ARE REMINDED TO KEEP THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE INFORMED OF ANY CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR K.T. LAI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"OVER 30,000 ELECTORS HAD THEIR NAMES REMOVED FROM THE ELECTORAL REGISTER FOR LOSS OF CONTACT DURING 1990," HE SAID.
THESE ELECTORS WERE REPORTED TO HAVE MOVED OUT OF THEIR RECORDED ADDRESSES OR THEIR PREMISES HAD BECOME UNOCCUPIED OR DEMOLISHED DURING THE HOUSEHOLD VISITS CONDUCTED BETWEEN AUGUST AND OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
/ENQUIRY LETTERS ........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
- 10 -
’’ENQUIRY LETTERS ARE BEING SENT OUT TO THESE ELECTORS AND THEY ARE REQUESTED TO REPLY WITHIN A MONTH," MR LAI SAID.
’’HOWEVER, IT IS LIKELY THAT MOST OF THESE LETTERS WILL BE UNDELIVERED. ELECTORS ARE THEREFORE URGED TO REPORT ON THEIR CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS AS SOON AS IT OCCURS," HE ADDED.
REPORTS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING GIVING THE ELECTOR’S IDENTITY CARD NUMBER, NAME, NEW RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS AND CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AT HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ELECTORS MAY ALSO MAKE THEIR REPORT ON A REGISTRATION FORM, OBTAINABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES AND HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES.
------0--------
CENSUS EXHIBITIONS IN THE NT
♦ ♦ * » ♦
NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING POPULATION CENSUS WITH THE TOURING OF THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS EXHIBITION IN VARIOUS NEW TOWNS.
SINCE MID-DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE MOBILE EXHIBITION HAD BEEN STAGED IN MAJOR MTR STATIONS AND SHOPPING ARCADES IN THE URBAN AREAS AND HAD RECEIVED FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC.
THE NEXT ROUND OF EXHIBITIONS, IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WILL COMMENCE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT YUEN LONG PLAZA. THE EXHIBITION IN YUEN LONG IS ALSO THE SEVENTH IN A SERIES OF 11 EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, THE MOBILE EXHIBITION AIMS TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE CENSUS TO BE CONDUCTED IN MARCH AND TO CALL FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION.
APART FROM SETTING OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT, THU EXHIBITION ELUCIDATES THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS AND GRAPHICS THE ENUMERATION METHODS TO BE USED IN THE CENSUS AND HOW THE DATA COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
"THE SELF-ENUMERATION METHOD, IN PARTICULAR, WILL BE USED IN HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID SIX OUT OF SEVEN HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED FOR SELFENUMERATION WOULD RECEIVE A SIMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE MAILED TO THEM BY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE CENSUS PERIOD.
"THE HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE ENUMERATED ON ONLY A FEW BASIC CHARACTERISTICS. THE SELF-COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE COLLECTED BY A CENSUS OFFICER PERSONALLY DURING THE CENSUS PERIOD.
/"THE OTHER .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
"THE OTHER ONE-SEVENTH HOUSEHOLDS WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY QUESTIONNAIRE BUT WILL BE ENUMERATED BY A CENSUS OFFICER. THEY WILL BE INTERVIEWED AND WILL HAVE TO ANSWER MORE DETAILED QUESTIONS, HE SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO GAIN A FAIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIFFERENT METHODS THROUGH VISITING THE EXHIBITION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
DATE VENUE
JANUARY 30 TO FEBRUARY 1
FEBRUARY 8 TO 10
FEBRUARY 22 TO 24
MARCH 1 TO 3
MARCH 8 TO 10
ATRIUM, YUEN LONG PLAZA
ATRIUM, TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA
FOOTBRIDGE GALLERY, NEW TOWN
PLAZA, SHA TIN
SHOPPING ARCADE, CHOI YUEN
ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI
SHOPPING ARCADE, TAI WO ESTATE,
TAI PO
THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM MARCH 15 TO ‘ 24 .
------0-------
NEW YEAR POSTER TO SPREAD PITCH-IN MESSAGE ♦ ***»»
AN ATTRACTIVE CHINESE NEW YEAR GREETING POSTER TO TIE IN WITH THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATION OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS STARTING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE POSTER ALSO SERVES TO HERALD THE YEAR OF THE RAM.
PRODUCED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, THE POSTER FEATURES A PAPER SCULPTURE SHOWING THE GOD OF WEALTH ACCOMPANIED BY FIVE KIDS AND THREE RAMS, SIGNIFYING "GOOD FORTUNE BESTOWS UPON EVERY HOUSEHOLD".
THE GOD OF WEALTH IS HOLDING A SCROLL WITH THE STEERING COMMITTEE’S LOGO, CALLING ON EVERY FAMILY TO "PITCH-IN" AND KEEP THEIR HOMES CLEAN.
THE POSTER WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES.
/12 .......
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
- 12 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSING YI DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF OPEN SPACES ON TSING YI.
THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A PARK, RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE FACILITIES IN THE VICINITY OF FUNG SHUE WO AND CHUNG MEI ROAD.
FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE TENNIS AND SOCCER/HANDBALL COURTS, PLAY AREAS, WALKWAYS, LIGHTING, SITTING AREAS, EXTENSIVE PLANTING, LANDSCAPE WORK AND A SERVICE BUILDING.
THE WORKS WILL START IN APRIL AND ARE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 1992.
MEANWHILE, THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF VILLAGE RESITE HOUSING UNITS IN FUNG SHUE WO.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES 22 THREE-STOREY STANDARD VILLAGE RESITE HOUSING UNITS, ONE PAI LAU AND EXTERNAL PAVING WORK.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND TAKES ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR BOTH PROJECTS IS FEBRUARY 22.
--------0-----------
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHAM SHUI PO
* * ♦ * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT FLAT A, SIXTH FLOOR, WING LUEN MANSION, 78-86 YEN CHOW STREET AND 177A-177C, FUK WA STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 14 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
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/13........
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1991
- 13 -
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSICIANS AND DANCERS
» ♦ » « *
LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND FOR THE YEAR 1991-92.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS IS TO ENABLE EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN POST-DIPLOMA STUDIES AT INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS.
THE SCOPE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS IS NOT CONFINED TO STUDIES IN INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OR BALLET. IT ALSO COVERS RELATED STUDIES IN MUSIC OR DANCE, PRACTICAL OR ACADEMIC, SUCH AS MUSICOLOGY, CHOREOGRAPHY, AND DANCE NOTATION.
SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE SELECTED BY AN AUDITION TO BE HELD IN APRIL OR MAY. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS, INCLUDING THOSE CURRENTLY STUDYING ABROAD, ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE AUDITION IN PERSON.
OVERSEAS APPLICANTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE AUDITION MAY ASK FOR EXEMPTION. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT CERTIFIED UNEDITED VIDEO OR AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES RECORDING THEIR PERFORMANCES TOGETHER WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THEIR SCHOOL HEADS TO THE MUSIC FUND FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL COVER TUITION FEES, A TECHNICAL ALLOWANCE AND A RETURN PASSAGE TO THE INTENDED COUNTRY OF STUDY. A SUBSISTANCE ALLOWANCE MAY BE GRANTED ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO CHOOSE ONE-YEAR COURSES AS THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NORMALLY FOR ONLY A YEAR.
APPLICANTS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSIC RELATED STUDIES SHOULD PREFERABLY BE UNDER THE AGE OF 23 ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR WHILE THOSE APPLYING FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DANCE OR DANCE RELATED STUDIES SHOULD PREFERABLY BE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 23 ON THAT DATE.
THEY SHOULD HAVE STUDIED MUSIC OR DANCE UP TO THE LEVEL OF DIPLOMA GRANTED BY THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND SECRETARIAT, MUSIC OFFICE, 25TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS BY MARCH 1.
FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED ON TEL. 823 5343.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
BILL TO GIVE POWER OF SUSPENSION AND REVIVAL OF TRS INTRODUCED .... 1
BILL TO REPLACE FAULTY PRESUMPTIONS ON DRUG OFFENCES .............. 2
MOTION TO EFFECT TRANSFER OF MINES DIVISION FROM LD TO CESD PASSED .... 4
SALE OF PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS INVOLVES 'NEW LAND' ................... 5
THREE APPROACHES IDENTIFIED TO TACKLE UNATTENDED CHILDREN PROBLEM . 6
DRAFTING OF AMENDMENTS TO MULTI-STOREY BUILDING (OWNER'S INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE IN FINAL STAGE ......................................... 7
NO PLAN TO BAN TOBACCO ADS ALTOGETHER ............................. 8
GOVT SPONSORS A SPEAKERS PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE HK OVERSEAS ......... 9
GOVT'S CAMPAIGN FOR ORGAN DONATIONS IN FULL SWING ................. 10
COMPENSATION TERMS TO PNEUMOCONIOTIC PATIENTS IS UNDER REVIEW ..... 11
NO DOUBLE STANDARD IN COMMUNITY FACILITY ALLOCATION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOS ESTATES .................................................. 13
PART-TIME NURSE SCHEME IS WORKING WELL ............................ 14
WATER TO MA ON SHAN PURE AND CLEAN ................................ 14
FIVE BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO TODAY .................................. 15
BORDER LIAISON MEETING IN ZHONGSHAN ................................. 16
FRANCHISED BUS ROUTES TO BE TENDERED................................. 16
IMPORTANCE OF CAI TECHNOLOGY STRESSED................................ 17
DB CANDIDATES' FORUMS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT .......................... 18
ELECTION FORUM IN YAU TSIM .......................................... 19
GOVT CONCERNED ABOUT VILLAGERS' WELFARE ............................. 20
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ............................................ 21
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN QUARRY BAY .......................... 21
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
BILL TO GIVE POWER OF SUSPENSION AND *****
REVIVAL OF TRS INTRODUCED
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME (TRS) SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR ASPREY SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THE POWER TO ORDER THE SUSPENSION AND SUBSEQUENT REVIVAL OF THE TRS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SCHEME, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON DECEMBER 8, 1988, PROVIDED A MEANS WHEREBY A PERSON COULD RENOUNCE HIS MEMBERSHIP OF A TRIAD SOCIETY IN RETURN FOR A STAY OF PROSECUTION FOR OFFENCES RELATED TO TRIAD MEMBERSHIP UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE REVIEWED THE SCHEME LAST YEAR AND RECOMMENDED THAT IT SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FROM APRIL 1, 1991.
"THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WAS LONG ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THE DESIRE TO RELINQUISH THEIR TRIAD INVOLVEMENT TO MAKE USE OF THE SCHEME.
"FURTHERMORE, REGULAR EXTENSION OF THE SCHEME WOULD RUN THE RISK OF SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE TO EXISTING AND POTENTIAL TRIAD MEMBERS THAT THEY WOULD ALWAYS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF RENOUNCING AT A LATER STAGE," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE SAID SUSPENSION, AS OPPOSED TO REPEAL, OF THE SCHEME WOULD ALLOW IT TO BE REACTIVATED WITHOUT THE NEED FOR NEW LEGISLATION, IF THIS WAS FELT NECESSARY IN FUTURE.
"HOWEVER, 1 WOULD EMPHASISE THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO PLANS TO REACTIVATE THE SCHEME ONCE IT IS SUSPENDED," MR ASPREY ADDED.
FIGURES RELEASED BY THE SECRETARY SHOWED THAT UP TO THE END OF LAST MONTH, A TOTAL OF 959 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
OF THESE, 549 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL, EIGHT UNSUCCESSFUL, 92 HAD BEEN WITHDRAWN AND 237 WERE HELD IN ABEYANCE AS IT HAD NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO CONTACT THE APPLICANTS.
"AS IT IS LIKELY THAT SOME APPLICATIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED CLOSE TO THE DATE OF SUSPENSION, THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION TRIBUNAL WILL NEED TO CONTINUE ITS OPERATIONS UNTIL ALL OUTSTANDING APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN CLEARED.
"AFTER ALL APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN CLEARED, THE TRIBUNAL WILL BE
Dissolved," the secretary said.
MR ASPREY SAID CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRIAD RENUNCIATION SECRETARIAT TO TAKE OVER THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE TRIBUNAL WHEN THE LATTER CEASED TO EXIST.
/THE TRIAD .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
2
THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SECRETARIAT WOULD TAKE OVER THE CUSTODY OF RENUNCIATION RECORDS AND THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES TO COURTS, MAGISTRATES, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.
’’ALL RECORDS WILL BE KEPT IN CONFIDENCE AND THE SECRETARIAT WILL BE INDEPENDENT OF ANY OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE WORKLOAD OF THE TRIBUNAL SECRETARIAT WAS EXPECTED TO BE VERY LIGHT, THE DUTIES WOULD BE ASSUMED BY THE SECRETARIATS OF OTHER STATUTORY BOARDS IN ADDITION TO THEIR CURRENT DUTIES AND THE EXISTING EIGHT POSTS CREATED TO SERVICE THE TRIBUNAL WOULD BE DELETED.
MEANWHILE, CLAUSE 4 ENABLED THE TRIBUNAL TO TERMINATE FURTHER PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS WHICH HAD BEEN ABANDONED BY THE APPLICANTS.
THESE INCLUDED APPLICATIONS NOW HELD IN ABEYANCE AND WHICH WERE NOT REACTIVATED BEFORE THE SUSPENSION OF THE SCHEME, MR ASPREY SAID.
CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SECRETARIAT WERE MADE IN CLAUSES 5 TO 10.
AT THE SAME TIME, CLAUSE 11 ADDED A NEW SECTION 26N TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THE POWER TO SUSPEND AND REVIVE THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, AND THE GOVERNOR THE POWER TO SUSPEND THE PROVISIONS ESTABLISHING THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION TRIBUNAL AFTER ALL OUTSTANDING APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN DETERMINED.
HE ALSO SAID A SPECIAL CAMPAIGN IS BEING LAUNCHED TO PUBLICISE THE SUSPENSION OF THE SCHEME WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1991 AND TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY POTENTIAL RENOUNCERS AS POSSIBLE TO COME FORWARD BEFORE THAT DEADLINE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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BILL TO REPLACE FAULTY PRESUMPTIONS ON DRUG OFFENCES ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE PURPOSE OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 IS TO REPLACE UNRELIABLE AND INADEQUATE PRESUMPTIONS RELATING TO THE POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR ASPREY SAID SECTION 46 OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT ANY PERSON FOUND IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN A SPECIFIED QUANTITY OF A DANGEROUS DRUG WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN IN POSSESSION OF THE DRUG FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
HE SAID THE QUANTITIES SPECIFIED FOR VARIOUS DRUGS HAD HISTORICALLY BEEN SET ON THE BASIS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE DRUG FORMING A SINGLE DOSE; 10 DOSES FOR THE LESS ADDICTIVE DRUGS, AND FIVE DOSES FOR THE MORE ADDICTIVE ONES.
"TWO OF THE PRESUMPTIVE LEVELS REFER .RESPECTIVELY TO THE NUMBER OF PACKETS AND TO THE WEIGHT OF A MIXTURE CONTAINING HEROIN," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THESE LEVELS WERE SET BASED ON THE DRUG SITUATION IN THE EARLY 1970'S, WHEN HIGH PURITY "NO. 4" HEROIN WAS VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT IN HONG KONG, THE HEROIN CONSUMED LOCALLY BEING THE "NO. 3" MIXTURE, WITH A STABLE HEROIN CONTENT OF ABOUT 30 PER CENT. "NO. 3" HEROIN WAS NORMALLY SOLD IN SINGLE DOSE PACKETS EACH WEIGHING BETWEEN 0.3 AND 0.4 OF A GRAM, AND THE AVERAGE ADDICT WOULD USE ABOUT FIVE PACKETS A DAY.
HENCE, THE PRESUMPTIVE LEVELS WERE SET AT "FIVE PACKETS" AND "TWO AND A HALF GRAMS OF MIXTURE", BOTH EQUATING TO A DAILY CONSUMPTION OF ABOUT HALF A GRAM OF PURE HEROIN, HE SAID.
HE SAID THE SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN THE PURITY OF "NO. 3” HEROIN SINCE THE EARLY 1980’S (TO ABOUT THREE PER CENT TODAY), AND THE EMERGENCE OF NO. 4 HEROIN, OF ABOUT 75 PER CENT PURITY, AT STREET LEVEL IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, HAD CHANGED THE LOCAL DRUG ABUSE PATTERN.
"MOST LOCAL ADDICTS NOW CONSUME EITHER ’NO. 4’ HEROIN OR A MIXTURE OF 'NO. 3’ AND ’NO. 4'.
"THOSE WHO CONSUME 'NO. 3’ HEROIN WILL NORMALLY USE IN ONE DAY MORE THAN THE TWO AND A HALF GRAMS OF MIXTURE REQUIRED TO TRIGGER THE PRESUMPTION THAT THEY ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE DRUG FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING.
MR ASPREY SAID THERE HAD ALSO BEEN CHANGES IN RETAIL PRACTICE.
IN ADDITION TO PACKETS, HEROIN WAS NOW OFTEN SOLD TN SEALED DRINKING STRAWS OR IN SYRINGES.
THE SECRETARY SAID CLAUSE 2(A) OF THE BILL AMENDED SECTION 46(C) OF THE ORDINANCE BY RAISING THE PRESUMPTION OF POSSESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING WHERE A PERSON WAS IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN FIVE CONTAINERS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS.
"THE REFERENCE TO ‘CONTAINERS' IS TO RECOGNISE THE CHANGES IN RETAIL PRACTICE," HE SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID CLAUSE 2(B) AMENDED SECTION 46(D) BY RAISING THE PRESUMPTION WHERE MORE THAN ONE OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS LISTED WERE POSSESSED AND THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS WAS HALF A GRAM OR MORE.
THE SECTION AS PRESENTLY WORDED WOULD APPEAR NOT TO COVER HALF A GRAM OF A MIXTURE CONTAINING, FOR EXAMPLE, A QUARTER GRAM OF DIACETYL MORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND A QUARTER GRAM OF MONOCETYL MORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE, BOTH OF WHICH WERE DANGEROUS DRUGS.
/IN LINE .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
IN LINE WITH THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 46(D), MR ASPREY SAID CLAUSES 2(D) TO (H) AMEND SECTION 46(F), (I), (J), (K), AND (L) RESPECTIVELY, TO RAISE THE PRESUMPTION THAT POSSESSION WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING ON THE MORE RELIABLE BASIS OF SPECIFIED AMOUNTS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS POSSESSED, WHETHER THEY WERE ALONE OR IN A PREPARATION OR OTHER MATERIAL.
"IN EACH CASE, THE PRESUMPTION IS ALSO RAISED WHERE THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF MORE THAN ONE OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS LISTED REACHES THE PRESCRIBED LEVEL."
FINALLY, HE SAID CLAUSE 2(C) REPEALED SECTION 46(E), SINCE IT WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE TO USE THE WEIGHT OF A MIXTURE TO RAISE THE PRESUMPTION THAT POSSESSION WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING.
"THE WEIGHT OF THE MIXTURE HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE A CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATING FACTOR.
"THIS PROVISION HAS BECOME OBSOLETE SINCE THE MIXTURE IS OFTEN SO WEAK THAT LARGE QUANTITIES ARE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT AN ADDICT’S PERSONAL CONSUMPTION," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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MOTION TO EFFECT TRANSFER OF MINES DIVISION FROM LD TO CESD PASSED *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT IT APPROVES THE TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS FROM OFFICERS OF THE MINES DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT (LD) TO OFFICERS OF THE MINES DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CESD).
MOVING A MOTION TO EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF STATUTORY POWERS UNDER SECTION 12(1) OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THE MINES DIVISION OF THE LD AND THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE CESD HAD A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP.
THEY WORKED CLOSELY IN THE REGULATION OF QUARRY OPERATIONS, THE EXTRACTION OF QUARRY PRODUCTS AND THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES IN QUARRYING, SITE FORMATION AND OTHER CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS.
"A REVIEW IN 1989 CONCLUDED THAT THE MINES DIVISION SHOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE CESD.
"THIS WOULD IMPROVE THE CO-ORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES, ALLOW BETTER USE OF RESOURCES AND RENDER MORE EFFICIENT THE DELIVERY OF RELATED SERVICES," HE SAID.
AS A RESULT, MR YEUNG SAID THE MINES DIVISION WAS ADMINISTRATIVELY PLACED UNDER THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE AS FROM APRIL 1 LAST YEAR.
/HE ADDED.......»
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 5 -
HE ADDED THAT REFERENCES TO THE MINES DIVISION IN THE MINES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS AND THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) REGULATIONS WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE AMENDED FROM THE MINES DIVISION OF THE LD TO THE MINES DIVISION OF THE CESD.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TRANSFER OF STATUTORY POWERS WOULD TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 1 THIS YEAR.
"ON THAT DAY, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES AND THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER WILL BE APPOINTED AS THE COMMISSIONER OF MINES AND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF MINES RESPECTIVELY.
"ON THE SAME DAY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL ALSO TRANSFER HIS POWERS UNDER THE QUARRIES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS TO THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES AND HIS STAFF, BY WAY OF A DELEGATION UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE," MR YEUNG SAID.
-----0-----
SALE OF PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS INVOLVES 'NEW LAND'
******
THE LAND TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROPOSALS BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ON SELLING SELECTED PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS WOULD BE CONSIDERED "NEW LAND" IN THE SENSE OF ANNEX III TO THE JOINT DECLARATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, IN . THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHI WAH.
HE SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD YET TO SUBMIT FORMAL PROPOSALS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"IF THE SCHEME DOES PROCEED ON THE BASIS OF THE PUBLISHED PROPOSALS THE LAND ON WHICH THE CONCERNED HOUSING BLOCKS NOW STAND WILL BE ’NEW LAND’ IN THE SENSE OF ANNEX III TO THE JOINT DECLARATION," MR BARNES SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE LAND WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME WHICH DID, OF COURSE, AND REQUIRED REFERENCE TO THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION.
- - 0---------
/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 6 -
THREE APPROACHES IDENTIFIED TO TACKLE UNATTENDED CHILDREN PROBLEM *****
THREE POSSIBLE APPROACHES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF PARENTS LEAVING YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON MICHAEL CARTLAND, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR CARTLAND SAID THE APPROACHES WERE LEGISLATION, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE PROVISION OF CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
"ACTION MAY BE CONTEMPLATED UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION.
"PROSECUTION FOR WILFUL NEGLECT MAY BE TAKEN UNDER THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSONS ORDINANCE (CAP. 212) IN THE CASE OF CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME IF THE ACT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE UNNECESSARY SUFFERING OR INJURY TO HEALTH," HE SAID.
THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE (CAP. 213) ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE CARE OR PROTECTION OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID.
"WHETHER OR NOT LEGISLATION MAKING IT A SPECIFIC OFFENCE TO LEAVE YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED ON ANY OCCASION SHOULD ALSO BE INTRODUCED IS PRESENTLY BEING RE-EXAMINED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE," HE ADDED.
MR CARTLAND SAID PUBLICITY TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF HOME SAFETY AND TO WARN OF THE DANGERS OF LEAVING YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME WAS UNDERTAKEN THROUGH TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSPAPERS, POSTERS AND PAMPHLETS.
HE NOTED THAT FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES WERE PROVIDED TO FOCUS ON PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDING THAT OF ARRANGING FOR PROPER SUPERVISION OF THEIR CHILDREN.
HOME SAFETY PROGRAMMES WERE ALSO ORGANISED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING PARENTS, ON THE DANGERS OF LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME, HE ADDED.
"THESE EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE AND WILL BE STRENGTHENED," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND SAID FOR FAMILIES WHO FACED DIFFICULTIES IN CARING, AT ALL TIMES, FOR THEIR CHILDREN A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORT FACILITIES WERE PROVIDED AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE EXPANDED.
"FAMILY MAY MAKE USE OF DAY NURSERIES AND CRECHES, AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS MAY RECEIVE HELP UNDER THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
"A NUMBER OF NURSERIES, UNDER THE EXPERIMENTAL OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SCHEME, OFFER FLEXIBLE FULL DAY OR HALF DAY CARE FOR CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE AN URGENT OR SUDDEN NEED TO BE AWAY FROM HOME," HE SAID.
/ADDITIONALLY, HOME ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
ADDITIONALLY, HOME HELP AND FAMILY AIDE SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, HE ADDED.
"WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTARY MUTUAL-HELP PROGRAMMES WHEREBY NEIGHBOURS LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER’S CHILDREN ON A TEMPORARY BASIS," HE SAID.
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DRAFTING OF AMENDMENTS TO MULTI-STOREY BUILDING (OWNER’S INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE IN FINAL STAGE *»»»♦*
DRAFTING OF THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE IS NOW IN ITS FINAL STAGE AND AN AMENDMENT BILL WILL BF. SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION VERY SOON, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG, MR TSAO SAID CERTAIN CLAUSES IN THE AMENDMENT BILL WOULD BE CONTROVERSIAL, PARTICULARLY AS THEY WOULD APPLY TO EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT ( DMC) .
"THIS WAS REFLECTED IN SOME HIGHLY DIVIDED COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY TO MAY 1989 ON THOSE PROPOSED CHANGES.
"IN VIEW OF THIS, IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE THAT FURTHER PUBLIC CONSULTATION BE UNDERTAKEN ON THE CONTENTS OF THE LEGISLATION BEFORE IT IS PUT BEFORE THIS COUNCIL," MR TSAO SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE AMENDMENT BILL WOULD THEREFORE BE PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND TO PROVIDE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO THE AFFECTED PARTIES TO GIVE THEIR COMMENTS.
MR TSAO SAID A MAJOR PART OF THE EXERCISE TO STREAMLINE THE LEGISLATION ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WAS TO ENACT A CODE OF CLAUSES TO REDRESS CERTAIN UNFAIRNESS IN DMC’S.
"THE INTENTION IS TO MAKE RETROSPECTIVE AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING DMC'S.
"IT WOULD BE PROVIDED THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT EXISTING DMC PROVISIONS CONTRAVENE THE CODE, THEY WOULD BE SUPERSEDED, AND THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY OMIT OBLIGATIONS INCLUDED IN THE CODE, THEY WOULD BE SUPPLEMENTED ACCORDINGLY," HE ADDED.
- - 0---------
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
8
NO PLAN TO BAN TOBACCO ADS ALTOGETHER *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN, FOR THE TIME BEING, TO BAN ALL TOBACCO ADVERTISING EVENTUALLY.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THIS WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IT HAS BEEN GOVERNMENT’S POLICY SINCE 1975 TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING, TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC (PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG) ON THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF SMOKING AND TO REDUCE THE INFLUENCE OF TOBACCO PROMOTION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE," MR CARTLAND SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS A LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT THAT A PRESCRIBED HEALTH WARNING SHOULD BE PROPERLY DISPLAYED IN ALL CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO INTRODUCED MEASURES PROGRESSIVELY TO REDUCE THE SCOPE FOR CIGARETTE ADVERTISING, ESPECIALLY THOSE FORMS TO WHICH THE YOUNG WERE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE.
"ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO HAS BEEN BANNED SINCE DECEMBER 1, 1990. WE AIM TO IMPOSE A SIMILAR BAN IN CINEMAS BY DECEMBER 1991," THE SECRETARY SAID.
FURTHERMORE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROHIBITED, BY WAY OF LICENSING CONDITIONS, CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS ON TAXI ROOFS, BUS STOP SHELTERS, HULLS OF FERRY VESSELS, AND IN THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSES, HE ADDED.
"WE WILL BE TAKING EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW LICENSING CONDITIONS TO EXTEND SUCH PROHIBITIONS," MR CARTLAND SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE APPROACH HAD BEEN, AND WOULD REMAIN, ONE OF STEADILY REDUCING THE INFLUENCE OF CIGARETTE PROMOTION.
THE MEASURES ADOPTED WERE REGULARLY REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF COMMUNITY REACTIONS, HE ADDED.
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/9........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 9 -
GOVT SPONSORS A SPEAKERS PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE HK OVERSEAS
THE GOVERNMENT HAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS RUN A SPONSORED SPEAKERS PROGRAMME AS PART OF ITS OVERALL OVERSEAS PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION RY THE HON HUI YIN-FAI, SIR DAVID SAID UNDER THE PROGRAMME, SENIOR OFFICIALS AND LEADING HONG KONG PERSONALITIES WERE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE TIME ON THEIR OVERSEAS TRIPS TO TALK TO INFLUENTIAL GROUPS ABOUT HONG KONG AND THE OPPORTUNITIES IT OFFERED.
THE PROGRAMME IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE INFORMATION WING OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S OFFICE AND COMPLEMENTS THE EFFORTS OF THE MANY OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S INTERESTS OVERSEAS.
SIR DAVID SAID ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE, HIS OFFICE KEPT TRACK OF SENIOR OFFICERS’ TRAVEL PLANS - BOTH DUTY VISITS AND HOLIDAYS -AND ENDEAVOURED TO MATCH THESE WITH INVITATIONS AND SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES IDENTIFIED BY THE OVERSEAS OFFICES.
"MY OFFICE ALSO LIASES CLOSELY WITH THE OMELCO SECRETARIAT, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND THE VARIOUS CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE SO THAT WHEREVER POSSIBLE, PROMINENT PRIVATE SECTOR PERSONALITIES CAN BE FIELDED TO SPEAK ABROAD," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE NEED FOR A SPEAKER COULD COME ABOUT IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
"OUR OVERSEAS OFFICES CULTIVATE THE MORE INFLUENTIAL PLATFORMS. SOMETIMES ORGANISATIONS COME TO THEM, OR TO THEIR COUNTERPARTS AT THE HKTDC AND HKTA.
"NOT INFREQUENTLY THEY APPROACH MY OFFICE, OMELCO’S SECRETARIAT OR THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE DIRECT, EITHER FOR A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL TO ADDRESS THEM, OR FOR A PARTICULAR EXPERTISE,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT IT WAS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO FIELD THE SPEAKER OF THEIR CHOICE, BUT THE BEST WAS DONE TO PLEASE.
OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO HELP IN PROMOTING HONG KONG OVERSEAS, SIR DAVID SAID, AND WITH SOME SUCCESS.
"OVER THE PERIOD ROUGHLY DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF PREVIOUS YEARS," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE STATUS OF SPEAKERS, SIR DAVID SAID IT DEPENDED LARGELY ON THE OCCASION.
"OFFICIALS SPEAKING AT MEETINGS OF INTERNATIONAL BODIES DO SO IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY.
/"OFTEN, NON-OFFICIALS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 10 -
’’OFTEN, NON-OFFICIALS HAVE A STANDING OF THEIR OWN IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
"GENERALLY SPEAKING, HOWEVER, THOSE WHO SPEAK AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT SPONSORED SPEAKERS PROGRAMME HAVE NO OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE STATUS. THEY SPEAK IN THEIR OWN CAPACITY AND THEIR AUDIENCES ACCEPT THEM IN THIS CAPACITY," HE SAID.
"THAT BEING SAID, ALL FROM HONG KONG WHO SPEAK FOR HONG KONG ARE, IN THE BROADEST SENSE OF THE WORD, ’AMBASSADORS* FOR HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO HAD GIVEN THEIR TIME AND THEIR ENERGY TO PROMOTING HONG KONG.
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GOVT’S CAMPAIGN FOR ORGAN DONATIONS IN FULL SWING * ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS STEPPING UP CAMPAIGNS TO GENERATE PUBLIC INTEREST AND TO ENCOURAGE MORE ORGAN DONATIONS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR CARTLAND SAID THESE MEASURES INCLUDED ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA, ARTICLES IN NEWSPAPERS AND MEDICAL JOURNALS, TALKS AND APPEARANCES ON TELEVISION AND RADIO AND TALKS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS.
THEY ALSO INCLUDED DISPLAY OF POSTERS AND DISTRIBUTION OF ORGAN DONATION CARDS AND EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLETS IN MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC PLACES, AND INSTALLATION OF A 24-HOUR TELEPHONE HOTLINE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT.
HE SAID A GREATER SUPPLY OF KIDNEYS WOULD HELP TO SHORTEN THE WAITING TIME FOR TRANSPLANT.
IN 1988, THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED TWO TRANSPLANT CO-ORDINATORS WHOSE MISSION WAS TO APPROACH THE NEXT-OF-KIN OF POTENTIAL DONORS AND LIAISE BETWEEN RENAL CENTRES AND TRANSPLANT HOSPITALS.
"THESE CONCERTED EFFORTS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DONATED CADAVERIC KIDNEYS FROM 12 IN 1986 TO 17 IN 1988 AND 32 IN 1990," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF KIDNEYS AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPLANT STILL FELL FAR SHORT OF DEMAND AND ADDITIONAL MEASURES WERE BEING CONSIDERED, WITH A VIEW TO PROGRESSING TOWARDS AN "OPTING-OUT" SCHEME FOR ORGAN DONATION IN THE LONG TERM.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 11
ON THE NUMBER OF RENAL FAILURE PATIENTS WHO HAD UNDERGONE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT IN HONG KONG, HE SAID THEY WERE 59 FOR 1988, 51 FOR 1989 AND 57 FOR 1990.
THEY CONSTITUTED ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LOCAL PATIENTS CONSIDERED TO BE SUITABLE FOR THIS OPERATION, MR CARTLAND ADDED.
"THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR PATIENTS WHO HAD TRANSPLANTATION FROM CADAVERIC KIDNEYS WAS 3.8 YEARS.
"FOR PATIENTS WHO HAD RECEIVED KIDNEYS FROM LIVING-RELATED DONORS, THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME WAS 1.4 YEARS," HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF FOLLOW-UP MEDICAL CARE FOR PATIENTS WHO HAD UNDERGONE THEIR KIDNEYS TRANSPLANTATION IN CHINA, MR CARTLAND SAID THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE ADVICE OF THE CENTRAL RENAL COMMITTEE NOT TO ENCOURAGE PATIENTS TO SEEK TRANSPLANTATION OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"THIS IS BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS AND RISKS TO THE HEALTH OF THE PATIENTS.
"PRIORITY TREATMENT IS GIVEN TO THOSE PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE TRANSPLANTS LOCALLY. PATIENTS AWAITING TRANSPLANT ARE FULLY APPRISED OF THIS," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND SAID ANY PATIENT WHO HAD OBTAINED A TRANSPLANT OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND WHO SOUGHT FOLLOW-UP AT A PUBLIC HOSPITAL WOULD NOT BE DENIED TREATMENT.
"IT IS NOT THE POLICY TO ’PENALISE’ SUCH PATIENTS.
"HOWEVER, THOSE THAT CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT WILL BE REQUIRED TO DO SO," HE SAID.
--------U----------
COMPENSATION TERMS
TO PNEUMOCONIOTIC PATIENTS IS UNDER REVIEW
*******
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR HAS WORKING PARTY TO REVIEW THE EXISTING PNEUMOCON1OTIC PATENTS, WITH A VIEW TO FORMULATING IMPROVEMENTS.
APPOINTED AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS TO IDENTIFYING AND, IF NECESSARY,
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG SAID THIS WHEM REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"I EXPECT THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR VlLL BE REPORTING TO ME WITH PROPOSALS BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR,’ MR YEUNG SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 12 -
HE SAID THERE WAS ON THE FACE OF IT A CASE FOR THE 50 PER CENT
SUPPLEMENT TO BE RE-CONSIDERED.
UNDER THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT, MR YEUNG SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MADE AN OFFER OF COMPENSATION TO PNEUMOCONIOTIC PATENTS WHOSE DISABILITY HAS BEEN DETERMINED.
THIS OFFER ALLOWED THE PATIENT TO ELECT TO RECEIVE EITHER
* A ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION BASED ON THE ASSESSED LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY, WHICH MIGHT BE AND WAS USUALLY INCREASED BY UP TO 50 PER CENT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE FACT THAT THE CONDITION OF PNEUMOCONIOTIC PATIENTS USUALLY DETERIORATED OVER TIME, OR
♦ A FIRST PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION ON THE INITIALLY ASSESSED
LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY, WHIHC WAS THEN INCREASED HAVING REGARD TO THE CONDITION OF THE PATIENT AS ASSESSED A SECOND TIME SEVEN TO EIGHT YEARS LATER.
HE SAID IT DEPENDED ON WHETHER A PATIENT WHO SETTLED FOR A ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION PLUS THE 50 PER CENT SUPPLEMENT WOULD HAVE LOST OUT, HAD THEY ELECTED TO GO FOR AN INITIAL PAYMENT FOLLOWED SEVERAL YEARS LATER BY A SECOND ASSESSMENT.
TO DATE, ONLY 67 OUT OF 2,095 PATIENTS HAD OPTED FOR TWO ASSESSMENTS AND ONLY 18 HAD BEEN FULLY COMPENSATED.
AMONG THESE 18, EIGHT HAD CHANGED THEIR OCCUPATIONS, HE SAID.
THE AVERAGE DEGREE OF DISABILITY DETERMINED THE SECOND TIME AMOUNTED TO 22.5 PER CENT, WHICH COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE DEGREE OF EXPECTED DISABILITY OF 16.7 PER CENT HAD THEY SETTLED FOR THE ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL PAYMENT PLUS THE SUPPLEMENT, HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE REMAINING 10 PATIENTS WHO CONTINUED WITH THEIR ORGINIAL OCCUPATIONS, THE AVERAGE DEGREE OF DISABILITY DETERMINED THE SECOND TIME AMOUNTED TO 44.5 PER CENT, WHICH COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE DEGREE OF EXPECTED DISABILITY OF 18.5 PER CENT HAD THEY SETTLED FOR THE ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL PAYMENT PLUS THE SUPPLEMENT.
"ON THE BASIS OF THESE COMPARISONS, I AM BOUND TO SAY THAT HAVING TWO ASSESSMENTS RESULTS IN LARGER AMOUNTS OF COMPENSATION BEING PAID, AND TO THIS EXTEND PROVIDES A BETTER DEAL FOR PATIENTS INVOLVED.
"THAT SAID IT MUST BE EMPHASISED THAT PATIENTS WERE AND ARE FREE TO CHOOSE EITHER METHOD OF COMPUTING COMPENSATION," HE SAID.
/13 ........
I
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 13 -
NO DOUBLE STANDARD IN COMMUNITY FACILITY ALLOCATION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOS ESTATES »♦***»
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATING PREMISES FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN PUBLIC RENTAL ESTATES AND THOSE FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME COURTS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON MICHAEL CARTLAND, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR CARTLAND SAID THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES REQUIRED IN BOTH TYPES OF HOUSING WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT A NUMBER OF FACTORS WHEN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS TO OPERATE COMMUNITY SERVICE FACILITIES IN PUBLIC RENTAL ESTATES AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME COURTS.
MR CARTLAND SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SEE IF THE APPLICANT ORGANISATION WAS NON-PROFIT-MAKING; IF IT PROVIDED A USEFUL SERVICE FOR THE DIRECT BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS; AND IF THE PROPOSED FACILITY WAS LIKELY TO BE OBJECTED TO BY RESIDENTS.
"TO QUALIFY FOR CONCESSIONARY RENT, THE APPLICATION ITSELF WILL ALSO NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
UNDER THE CURRENT DESIGN, MR CARTLAND SAID HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME DEVELOPMENTS WERE NORMALLY BUILT IN THE VICINITY OF OR ADJACENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. I
"AS A GENERAL PRACTICE, THE WELFARE OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF BOTH PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME RESIDENTS ARE ACCOMMODATED IN THE RENTAL PORTION.
"IN THE CASE OF ISOLATED HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROJECTS, ONLY BASIC FACILITIES SUCH AS NURSERIES AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES ARE ALLOWED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT EXPERIENCE IN HOUSING AUTHORITY DEVELOPMENTS HAD SHOWN THAT SOME HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME OWNERS HAD RESISTED THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES WITHIN THEIR BOUNDARY FOR FEAR OF INTRUSION BY OUTSIDERS AND THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE PROPERTY VALUE.
"THEREFORE, IN APPLYING THE CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATING PREMISES FOR WELFARE OR COMMUNITY SERVICE, PARTICULARLY FACILITIES WHICH MAY NOT BE WELL RECEIVED, CARE HAS TO BE TAKEN IN STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN COMMUNITY NEEDS AND RESIDENTS’ REACTION," HE SAID.
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/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30,
1991
- 14 -
PART-TIME NURSE SCHEME IS WORKING WELL *****
THE PART-TIME NURSE SCHEME HAD CONTRIBUTED POSITIVELY TO RELIEVING THE PRESSURE ON FULL-TIME NURSES AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON MICHAEL CARTLAND, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD CHOW MEI-TAK, MR CARTLAND SAID THIS CONCLUSION WAS BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF MONTHLY REVIEWS UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE SCHEME IN TERMS OF BOTH OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND STANDARD OF SERVICE.
HE SAID THE PRESENT SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN MARCH 1990 AS ONE OF THE MEASURES TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF NURSES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
AT PRESENT, THERE WERE 231 PART-TIME FULLY-QUALIFIED REGISTERED NURSES EMPLOYED IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
THEY, TOGETHER, PROVIDED SOME 19,000 MAN-HOURS OF SERVICE EACH MONTH, WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO 105 FULL-TIME NURSES.
"THE SCHEME IS WORKING SATISFACTORILY," MR CARTLAND SAID.
------0-----------
WATER .TO MA ON SHAN PURE AND CLEAN * * * * *
THE WATER DELIVERED TO KAM HAY COURT IN MA ON SHAN IS PURE AND CLEAN AND POSES NO HEALTH RISK, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BARNES SAID: "IN SEPTEMBER 1990, THE HOUSING ESTATE MANAGEMENT OF KAM HAY COURT IN MA ON SHAN, WHICH IS A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROJECT, INFORMED WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT THAT SOME FLAT OWNERS WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT YELLOW STAINED TAP WATER.
"TESTS SHOWED THAT THE WATER QUALITY DELIVERED TO THE PROPERTY WAS PURE AND CLEAR, THAT IS, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE AREA SUPPLY. THE PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE INTERNAL WATER MAINS IN THE BUILDING WHICH RESULTED IN IRON RUST STAINING THE WATER.
HE SAID TESTS OF THE WATER COMING FROM THE TAPS SHOWED THAT THE WATER, ALTHOUGH UNSIGHTLY, POSED NO HEALTH RISK.
/MR BARNES .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 15 -
mr ^“Barnes pointed out that the responsibility for plumbing WITHIN A BUILDING IS THAT OF THE REGISTERED CONSUMERS, NOT THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
THE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE HOUSING ESTATE MANAGEMENT TO ARRANGE FOR A LICENSED PLUMBER TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY INVESTIGATION AND TO TAKE NECESSARY REMEDIAL MEASURES.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THE WATER PIPES FOR HAVE NOW BEEN REPLACED, AND THE SITUATION HAS
THE WORST AFFECTED FLATS IMPROVED," HE ADDED.
------0--------
FIVE BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO TODAY » « » » «
FIVE BILLS AND ONE MOTION WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY(WEDNESDAY).
THE FIVE BILLS WERE LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, COMMODITY EXCHANGES (PROHIBITION) (AMRENDMBNT) BILL 1990 AND COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990.
MEANWHILE, A MOTION UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE, MOVED BY THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, WAS ALSO PASSED.
TWO OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY WERE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
---------0-----------
/16 .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
- 16 -
BORDER LIAISON MEETING IN ZHONGSHAN ♦ * ♦ ♦ »
AT THE INVITATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE GUANGDONG FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE, MR HUANG QUN, A GROUP OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS LED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR WILLIAM EHRMAN, WILL VISIT ZHONGSHAN FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FOR THE 11TH ANNUAL BORDER REVIEW.
THEY WILL RETURN ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2).
THE BORDER LIAISON SYSTEM, ESTABLISHED IN 1981, PROVIDES FOR REGULAR CHANNELS OF EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE, IMMIGRATION. DEPARTMENT AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR GUANGDONG COUNTERPARTS. /.
ANNUAL REVIEWS ARE HELD ALTERNATELY IN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG.
---------0-----------
FRANCHISED BUS ROUTES TO BE TENDERED » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
I
THE WAY IN WHICH FRANCHISED BUS ROUTES ARE AWARDED TO OPERATORS WILL BE CHANGED TO ALLOW FOR COMPETITIVE TENDERING, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNMENT GRANTS FRANCHISED ROUTES THROUGH A FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD NORMALLY EARMARK A NEW ROUTE TO THE FRANCHISEE ALREADY ESTABLISHED IN THE AREA BEING SERVED.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, THIS PRACTICE WILL CONTINUE BUT SOME NEW BUS ROUTES WILL BE RELEASED TO THE iMARKET THROUGH OPEN TENDER.
/THIS IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE QUALITY, EFFICIENCY, INNOVATION AND VARIETY IN PUBLIC BUS SERVICES THROUGH HEALTHY COMPETITION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE 1980’S SAW A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE TOTAL CAPACITY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS. WITH IT CAME A SHIFT IN PUBLIC DEMAND FOR BETTER QUALITY AND VARIETY RATHER THAN QUANTITY OF BUS SERVICES.
"IF THE GROWING DEMAND FOR BETTER QUALITY SERVICES IS NOT SATISFIED, THE RESULTANT SWITCH OF SOME BUS PASSENGERS TO RAIL OR PRIVATE TRANSPORT MAY ADD TO THE STRAIN ON THE RAIL SYSTEM AND ROAD CONGESTION.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE PUBLIC BUS INDUSTRY IS FACING INCREASING PRESSURE ON FARES, CAUSED BY A LEVELLING OFF IN RIDERSHIP AND RAPIDLY RISING OPERATING COSTS.
/"IF PRODUCTIVITY .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
"IF PRODUCTIVITY IS NOT IMPROVED TO MINIMISE COSTS, THE EXISTING FRANCHISED COMPANIES MAY HAVE INCREASING DIFFICULTIES IN GAINING PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF THE FUTURE FARE RISES NECESSARY FOR SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE KEY TO SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY AND SERVICE PERFORMANCE LIES IN HEALTHY COMPETITION FROM OUTSIDE, RATHER THAN TIGHTER GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THE DAILY MANAGEMENT OF THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE PROPOSED TENDERING OUT OF BUS ROUTES WILL INITIALLY BE GEARED TOWARDS PROMOTING HIGH QUALITY SERVICES FOR COMMUTERS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE USE TAXIS OR PRIVATE CARS.
"AS AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR SOME COMMUTERS, THEY COULD HELP ALLEVIATE ROAD CONGESTION, TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL ROAD-USERS.
"THOSE BUS PASSENGERS WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR BETTER SERVICES WILL BE GIVEN A WIDER CHOICE, AN OBJECTIVE STRESSED IN THE 1990 WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN 1990, CITYBUS LIMITED APPLIED TO OPERATE, UNDER FRANCHISE, A BUS SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND MACDONNELL ROAD. THE FRANCHISED SERVICE SOUGHT BY CITYBUS WILL BE THE FIRST BUS ROUTE TO BE TENDERED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS BUS ROUTE IS EXPECTED TO BE OFFERED TO THE MARKET IN MAY THIS YEAR. THE TERMS OF FRANCHISE AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION WILL BE SPECIFIED IN THE TENDER INVITATIONS TO BE ISSUED TN DUE COURSE.
HE STRESSED THAT THE PRESENT POLICY OF REGULATING BUS SERVICES BY FRANCHISES WILL REMAIN GENERALLY UNCHANGED.
"THE OPERATING RIGHTS HELD BY INCUMBENT FRANCHISEES OVER EXISTING FRANCHISED ROUTES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. CHEAPER MODES OF TRANSPORT WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED FOR THOSE WHO PREFER SUCH SERVICES."
- - 0 - -
IMPORTANCE OF CAI TECHNOLOGY STRESSED
» » * * »
THE CONTROL, AUTOMATION AND INSTRUMENTATION (CAI) SYSTEM, A TECHNOLOGY APPLIED IN A WIDE RANGE OF GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES, HELPED OPTIMISE THE OPERATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND IMPROVE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY, ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR MIAO CHI.
IN AN OPENING ADDRESS TO THE CAI SYMPOSIUM '91 ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MR MIAO SAID THE TECHNOLOGY HAD PLAYED AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN ALL FIELDS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR LIVELIHOOD.
/ITS APPLICATION
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
ITS APPLICATION RANGES FROM THE MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM IN THE GENERAL POST OFFICE TO THE CONTROL OF SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS.
"MORE RECENTLY, TO FACILITATE SAFE OPERATION OF ROUTE 5 AND TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNELS, WE HAVE INSTALLED IN BOTH TUNNELS CONTROL AND MONITORING SYSTEMS ON ELECTRONIC, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT," MR MIAO SAID.
THESE INCLUDE THE USE OF EMBEDDED MICROPROCESSOR SENSING DEVICES TO MEASURE AND RECORD THE LEVEL OF CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT, VISIBILITY LEVEL AND WIND VELOCITY INSIDE THE TUNNEL.
IN THE OPTIMISATION OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT, MR MIAO SAID BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS, WHICH HAD ENCOMPASSED MODERN COMPUTERISED INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL TECHNIQUE, WERE INCORPORATED AS A STANDARD REQUIREMENT IN MAJOR GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS SINCE THE 80’S.
HE ADDED THAT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS WERE ANOTHER EXAMPLE IN WHICH SOPHISTICATED INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS WERE USED.
THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WAS INSTALLED WITH A REAL TIME COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING VALUABLE DATA VIA DIFFERENT TYPES OF SENSORS.
FROM THE DATA, STATISTICAL INFORMATION COULD BE DERIVED FOR EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF THE TREATMENT PROCESS.
SIMILARLY, THE NORTHWEST KOWLOON SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WILL ALSO BE EXTENSIVELY EQUIPPED WITH COMPUTERS FOR DATA ACQUISITION AND CONTROL OF THE PLANT PERFORMANCE.
"LOOKING AHEAD, THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAI, BOTH IN TECHNOLOGY AND IN THEORY, WILL NO DOUBT CONTINUE TO BRING TREMENDOUS BENEFITS TO MANKIND," MR MIAO SAID.
- - 0 - -
DB CANDIDATES
FORUMS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ******
A SERIES OF DISTRICT BOARD CANDIDATES’ FORUMS WILL BE HELD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT IN THE COMING FORTNIGHT FOR RESIDENTS TO MEET THE CANDIDATES IN THEIR CONSTITUENCY AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR PLATFORMS.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE FORUMS WILL ALSO PROVIDE CANDIDATES A CHANCE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE EXPECTATIONS OF ELECTORS.
"AT EACH FORUM, CANDIDATES WILL INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND THEIR PLATFORMS WHILE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE FREE TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS,” A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/THE FORUMS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
19
THE FORUMS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM FEBRUARY 1 TO 11, AND THE DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CONSTITUENCY DATE TIME VENUE
POK FU LAM FEBRUARY 1 8 PM YU CHUN KEUNG MEMORIAL COLLEGE NO. 2, CHI FU CLOSE
TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN FEBRUARY 2 3 PM PUI TAK CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, PEEL RISE, ABERDEEN
AP LEI CHAU NORTH FEBRUARY 4 8 PM AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE
LEI TUNG FEBRUARY 5 8 PM LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL, LEI TUNG ESTATE
ABERDEEN AND HARBOUR FEBRUARY 9 3 PM PUI TAK CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, PEEL RISE, ABERDEEN
WAH FU FEBRUARY 9 8 PM WAH FU COMMUNITY HALL, WAH FU ESTATE
STANLEY, SHEK 0 AND BAYS FEBRUARY 11 8 PM ST STEPHEN’S COLLEGE, STANLEY
"NO FORUM WILL BE HELD IN THE SINGLE-SEAT WONG CHUK HANG CONSTITUENCY WHERE THE ONLY CANDIDATE HAS BEEN ELECTED IPSO FACTO," THE DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE DB CANDIDATES’ FORUMS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
--------0-----------
ELECTION FORUM IN YAU TSIM ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD AN ELECTION FORUM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2) FOR CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE DISTRICT BOARD SEAT FOR THE YAU MA TEI EAST CONSTITUENCY.
IT WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM IN THE HALL OF THE HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED RESIDENTS TO ATTEND THE FORUM WHICH IS ORGANISED TO HELP ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CANDIDATES BEFORE THEY CAST THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 3.
THE CANDIDATES -- MR HO TAK-WAH, MS WOO YAN-YUE AND MR YU HON-BIU -- WILL PRESENT THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU MA TEI EAST CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATES’ FORUM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 2} IN THE HALL OF HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET. THE FORUM WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
GOVT CONCERNED ABOUT VILLAGERS’ WELFARE
♦ » ♦ * *
WHILE CONTINUING ITS EFFORTS TO DEVELOP NEW TOWNS, THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN REMOTE VILLAGES, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A NEW PIER AT LEUNG SHUEN WAN, MR TONG SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICE ALLOCATED FUNDS TO CARRY OUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT REMOTE VILLAGE, IN ORDER TO IMPROVE RESIDENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE.
’’THE NEW PIER WILL PROVIDE A SAFER AND MORE CONVENIENT BOARDING PLACE FOR THE RESIDENTS, WHO HAVE BEEN RELYING ON SMALL BOATS FOR THEIR TRANSPORTATION TO OTHER AREAS," HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT WOULD NOT BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT THE ACTIVE SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION OF THE RESIDENTS, AND URGED THEM TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS BY CASTING THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 3.
"I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL EXERCISE YOUR CIVIC RIGHTS ON ELECTION DAY TO SELECT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY,” MR TONG SAID.
THE NEW PIER, CONSTRUCTED AT A COST OF $490,000, IS LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERN TIP OF LEUNG SHUEN WAN.
/21
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1991
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF BBL FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN QUARRY BAY
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN TAIKOO SHING, QUARRY BAY, ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED ON THE ROOF OVER FLAT H, 28TH FLOOR, AND THE ADJACENT PENTHOUSE OF MAPLE MANSION AND ON THE ROOF OVER FLAT G, 30TH FLOOR AND THE ADJACENT PENTHOUSE OF BANYAN MANSION.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 1 WERE POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE GRANTED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS COMMERCIAL RADIO ........................................ 1
CHIEF SECRETARY LEAVES FOR WORLD FORUM .................................. 1
HK'S LINKS WITH CANADA WELL ESTABLISHED ................................. 2
99 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM ................................................ 3
WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES BEFORE COOKING ............................... 3
ELECTION FORUMS IN SHAM SHUI PO.......................................... 4
GIAhFT SIGNBOARD TO PROMOTE ELECTIONS ................................... 6
ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT FIGHT CRIME SPECIAL .............................. 6
CRIME RATE LOW IN TAI PO................................................. 7
DISTRICT OFFICE DISTRIBUTES 'LAISEE' .................................... 8
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN TYPHOON SHELTERS ............................ 8
YEAR-END CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME STARTS ...................................... 9
EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR .............................. 9
MARINE WATER QUALITY REPORT ON SALE ..................................... 10
DIVISION RENAMED TO REFLECT LABOUR INSPECTORS' WORK ..................... 11
EYE CARE TEACHING KIT PRESENTATION CEREMONY ............................. 12
KOWLOON CITY POST-WAR BUILDING TO CLOSE ................................. 13
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
GOVERNOR VISITS COMMERCIAL RADIO » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, VISITED THE COMMERCIAL RADIO PREMISES IN BROADCAST DRIVE TODAY (THURSDAY) WHERE HE MET THE MANAGEMENT, STAFF AND PROGRAMME PRESENTERS.
THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR A.K. CHUI, TOURED COMMERCIAL RADIO'S FACILITIES AND WATCHED SEVERAL LIVE RADIO SHOWS GOING OUT ON AIR.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE STATION'S DEVELOPMENT BY MR GEORGE HO, COMMERCIAL RADIO'S MANAGING DIRECTOR, AND MISS WINNIE YU, THE GENERAL MANAGER.
DURING THE VISIT SIR DAVID PERFORMED A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY FOR THE NEWS AND WEATHER SERVICE WHICH COMMERCIAL RADIO IS STARTING FOR MTR COMMUTERS.
CHIEF SECRETARY LEAVES FOR WORLD FORUM ♦ ♦ » * »
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, LEAVES TODAY (THURSDAY) AS THE HEAD OF A HIGH-POWERED DELEGATION TO PROMOTE HONG KONG AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AT DAVOS IN SWITZERLAND.
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM BRINGS TOGETHER SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST OUTSTANDING CHIEF EXECUTIVES AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO DISCUSS ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND THE STRENGTHENING OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DYNAMISM.
HONG KONG WILL HAVE 10 REPRESENTATIVES - SIR DAVID FORD, AND THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, WHO MAKE UP THE OFFICIAL DELEGATION, AND DR VICTOR K.K. FUNG (CHAIRMAN OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA CAPITAL), MR MICHAEL GALE (CHIEF EXECUTIVE HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS), MR DAVID K.P. LI (DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, BANK OF EAST ASIA), MR VINCENT H.S. LO (CHAIRMAN OF SHUI ON GROUP), MR WILLIAM PURVES (CHAIRMAN OF HONGKONG BANK), MR PETER D.A. SUTCH (CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING CO), MR DAVID S.Y. WONG (CHAIRMAN OF DAH SING FINANCIAL HOLDINGS) AND MR JUSTIN YUE KWOK-HUNG (DIRECTOR OF WINNER CO), WHO ARE ALL MEMBERS OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL DELEGATION.
HONG KONG HAS CHOSEN THE THEME "HONG KONG: THE GLOBAL ASSET" TO SPEARHEAD THE PROMOTION AT THE SIX-DAY ANNUAL MEETING WHICH BEGINS ON JANUARY 31 AND ENDS FEBRUARY 6.
DURING THE CONFERENCE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL HOST A "MINIPLENARY” SESSION ON HONG KONG WHICH WILL FEATURE A PANEL OF SPEAKERS -DR FUNG, MR LI, MR GALE, AND MR LO - WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ON HAND FOR INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
- 2 -
SIR DAVID SAID THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM WAS AN IMPORTANT WORLD STAGE WHERE HONG KONG COULD GAIN INVALUABLE EXPOSURE.
”OUR CONSISTENT POLICIES OF FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE LARGELY MIRROR THE GOALS OF THE WEF TO ENHANCE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STIMULATE ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION,” HE SAID.
AS A LEAD UP TO THIS YEAR'S MEETING, HONG KONG WAS FEATURED IN THE PRESTIGIOUS ’’WORLD LINK” MAGAZINE, WHICH IS PUBLISHED BY THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AND DISTRIBUTED TO BUSINESS LEADERS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN 170 COUNTRIES.
SOME 1,200 DELEGATES FROM MORE THAN 60 COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S MEETING.
--------0-----------
HK’S LINKS WITH CANADA WELL ESTABLISHED
» * * » »
LINKS BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG ARE MANY AND LONG STANDING AND INCREASING ALL THE TIME, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR PETER JOHNSON, SAID YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
ADDRESSING THE EDMONTON CHAPTER OF THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN ALBERTA, CANADA, MR JOHNSON SAID THESE LINKS BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES DATED BACK OVER 100 YEARS.
’’TODAY THE CANADIAN POPULATION IN HONG KONG IS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER 30,000, AND THERE ARE OVER 150,000 VISITORS FROM CANADA TO HONG KONG EACH YEAR.
”IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, OVER 66,000 CANADIAN IMMIGRANT VISAS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO HONG KONG PEOPLE DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS AND ONE IN SEVEN NEW CANADIANS COMES FROM HONG KONG,” MR JOHNSON SAID.
REGARDING THE SPECIFIC AREAS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR CANADIAN COMPANIES WISHING TO EXPORT TO HONG KONG, MR JOHNSON SAID PAST PERFORMANCE SHOULD BE THE BEST GUIDE.
’’THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREAS FEATURING IN PRESENT TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA, SUCH AS PAPER PRODUCTS, PLASTIC MATERIALS AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
’’HONG KONG ALSO REMAINS THE LOCATION OF CHOICE FOR MOST COMPANIES WISHING TO DO BUSINESS WITH CHINA, OR SET UP A REGIONAL OPERATION.
’’ONE AREA WHERE THERE ARE LIKELY TO BE NEW OPPORTUNITIES, HOWEVER, OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS IS OUR NEW AIRPORT.
/"ONE CANADIAN .......
- 3 -
■ X -■*
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
"ONE CANADIAN FIRM- - MARSHALL, MACKLIN AND MONAGHAN - IS ALREADY PROMINENTLY INVOLVED IN HELPING WITH THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY STUDY OF THE AIRPORT.”
MR JOHNSON ADDED THAT AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF OTHER PUBLIC WORKS, RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, HIGHWAYS AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSING, WAS ALSO OPEN TO ALL COMERS.
TURNING TO THE ECONOMY, MR JOHNSON NOTED THAT THE CLIMATE WAS GOOD FOR INVESTMENT IN AND TRADE WITH HONG KONG.
"IN 1990, THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET OUT-PBRFORMBD ALL OTH1R MAJOR STOCK MARKETS, WITH A 6.63 PER CENT RISE IN THE HANG SENO INDBX. THIS COMPARES WITH DECLINES IN ALL OTHER MAJOR MARKETS RANGING FROM 4.34 PER CENT IN NEW YORK TO 38.72 PER CENT IN JAPAN.
"AS FOR NEXT YEAR, THE HONGKONG BANK HAS FORECAST REAL GROWTH OF 3.6 PER CENT, BASED ON INCREASED CONSUMER SPENDING, A BOOST IN THE CHINA TRADE, A STRONG CONSTRUCTION SECTION AND A CONTINUING REVIVAL IN TOURISM," MR JOHNSON SAID.
-----0-----
99 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM
*****
A GROUP OF 99 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
I
COMPRISING 35 MEN, 21 WOMEN, 20 BOYS AND 23 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 49TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 6,732 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESB BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
--------0-----------
WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES BEFORE COOKING ******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED TO WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES BEFORE COOKING.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR MAHOMMED BIN ALI, FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF FOOD-POISONING CASES IN WHICH A TOTAL OF 28 PEOPLE FROM 15 FAMILIES IN TURN MUN AND YUEN LONG WERE TAKEN ILL AFTER CONSUMING CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE OR CHINESB WHITE CABBAGE IN THEIR MEALS SINCE EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.
/FOUR WERE........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
4
FOUR WERE ADMITTED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION; SIX WERE DISCHARGED AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE WHILE THE REMAINING 18 WERE TREATED AND DISCHARGED.
DR ALI SAID FOOD REMNANT TAKEN FROM ONE CASE HAD BEEN TESTED POSITIVE FOR METHAMIDOPHOS, A TOXIC AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE THAT WAS BANNED FROM USE ON VEGETABLES.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS ON FULL ALERT FOLLOWING THE RECEIPT OF THE REPORTS.
"A TOTAL OF NINE SAMPLES OF VEGETABLES FROM IMPLICATED STALLS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN SENT FOR PESTICIDE ANALYSIS. STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE ALREADY STEPPED UP THE SCREENING AND SAMPLING OF VEGETABLES AT VARIOUS OUTLETS," HE ADDED.
TO PREVENT FOOD POISONING CAUSED BY THE INTAKE OF PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
» DON'T BUY VEGETABLES WITH AN OBVIOUS STRANGE SMELL;
» TEAR OFF AND DISCARD THE LEAVES AT THE PERIPHERY;
» WASH WELL BEFORE COOKING;
» DIP VEGETABLES INTO CLEAN WATER FOR SOME TIME TO ALLOW PESTICIDES TO LEACH OUT;
* BLANCH IN BOILING WATER AND POUR AWAY THE WATER USED FOR BLANCHING AS IT MAY CONTAIN DISSOLVED PESTICIDES; AND
* COOK THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
--------0-----------
ELECTION FORUMS IN SHAM SHUI PO
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD A SERIES OF ELECTION FORUMS FOR DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION CANDIDATES IN THE DISTRICT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
EACH CONSTITUENCY WILL HAVE A FORUM AT WHICH CANDIDATES WILL EXPLAIN THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
- 5 -
FOLLOWING ARE DETAILS OF THE FORUMS:
DATE TIME VENUE CONSTITUENCY
FEBRUARY 1 8.30 PM CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY HALL LEI CHINO UK AND 80 UK
FEBRUARY 2 8.30 PM LAI KOK COMMUNITY HALL cheuno Sha wan
FEBRUARY 7 8 PM PODIUM, BLOCK 19, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE SHEK KIP MEI
FEBRUARY 8 8 PM COMMUNITY HALL, MEI FOO SUN CHUEN LAI WAN
FEBRUARY 24 8 PM SITTING OUT AREA OUTSIDE BLOCKS 12 AND 13, PAK TIN .ESTATE PAK TIN
FEBRUARY 25 8 PM BASKETBALL COURT, NAM SHAN ESTATE NAM BRAN AND YAU CHU1N YAT
FEBRUARY 26 8 PM CARPARK PODIUM, NAM CHEONG ESTATE NAM CHEONG WEST
FEBRUARY 27 8 PM MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND NAM CHEONG EAST
8.30 PM BASKETBALL COURT OUTSIDE BLOCK 6, UN CHAU STREET ESTATE LAI CHI KOK AND UN CHAU
NO FORUM WILL BE HELD FOR THE NAM CHEONG CENTRAL AND THE NAM CHEONG NORTH CONSTITUENCIES AS THE CANDIDATES ARB UNOPPOSED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUMS IN SHAM SHUI PO.
- - 0 -
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
- 6 -
GIANT SIGNBOARD TO PROMOTE ELECTIONS
*****
A GIANT SIGNBOARD TO PUBLICISB THE 1991 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE PUT UP IN AN OPEN AREA ADJACENT TO THE SPACE MUSEUM IN TSIM SHA TSUI TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SIGNBOARD, MEASURING 7.2 METRES BY NINE METRES, WILL INCLUDE A COUNTDOWN DEVICE TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON MARCH 3.
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG, WILL UNVEIL THE SIGNBOARD AT A CEREMONY TOMORROW.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE UNVEILING CEREMONY TOMORROW AT THE OPEN AREA ADJACENT TO THE SPACE MUSEUM. THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0------
ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT FIGHT CRIME SPECIAL
*****
MEMBERS OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC) WILL APPEAR IN A LIVE TELEVISION PROGRAMME TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO RELAY THE LATEST FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES TO THE HOME AUDIENCE.
JOINTLY PRODUCED BY THE FCC AND THE TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED, THE PROGRAMME - ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT (EYT) FIGHT CRIME SPECIAL - IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF A SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE LAUNCHED ON JANUARY 18 TO CALL FOR PUBLIC CO-OPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
"BY USING THE FORMAT OF A POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME, WE HOPE THAT OUR CAMPAIGN MESSAGES CAN REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FCC PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE SAID.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, IN HIS CAPACITY AS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE FCC, WILL REVIEW A GUARD OF HONOUR FORMED BY MEMBERS OF THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL AT THE START OF THE PROGRAMME.
SIX FCC MEMBERS, NAMELY, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS MR PETER TSAO, MRS ROSANNA TAM, MR MARTIN LEE, MRS MIRIAM LAU, MR LEUNG SAU-CHI AND MR JUSTEIN WONG, WILL TAKE PART IN A QUIZ SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO BRING OUT THE THREE CAMPAIGN THEMES - PREVENT CRIME, REPORT CRIME AND PROVE CRIME.
/"A NUMBER .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
7
"A NUMBER OF POLICE GROUPS WILL ALSO BE PERFORMING IN TOMORROW NIGHT’S PROGRAMME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
» "THERE WILL BE AN EXCITING POLICE DOG SHOW AND A DEMONSTRATION
OF SELF DEFENCE TECHNIQUES BY 20 WOMAN POLICE OFFICERS."
THE POLICE FIGHT CRIME AMBASSADOR, THE ROBOTCOP, WILL ALSO APPEAR IN THE SHOW TO GIVE ADVICE ON CRIME PREVENTION AND TO FURTHER PROMOTE THE CAMPAIGN SLOGAN "JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME".
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT A NEWLY-PRODUCED MUSIC VIDEO ON THE FIGHT CRIME THEME SONG BY MR ANDY LAU TAK-WAH WILL MAKE ITS DEBUT SCREENING IN THE PROGRAMME.
THE EYT FIGHT CRIME SPECIAL WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE FROM tO.20 PM TO 11 PM ON TVB JADE.
--------0-----------
CRIME RATE LOW IN TAI PO * * * *
POLICE STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE CRIME RATE IN TAI PO WAS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE TERRITORY LAST YEAR, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), MR TANG PUI-TAT, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AND CONCERT, MR TANG SAID THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CRIMES IN THE DISTRICT IN 1990 BECAUSE OF THE GROWING POPULATION, BUT THIS RATE WAS STILL LOW WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER DISTRICTS.
"THE COMMITTEE WILL NOT BE COMPLACENT WITH THIS AND WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME," HE SAID.
THE TAI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AND CONCERT, ORGANISED BY THE DFCC, WILL TAKE PLACE AT FU SHIN ESTATE ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 3), STARTING AT 2 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE FUNCTION WILL CONCLUDE A SERIES OF PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES FOCUSSING ON JUVENILE CRIME, PARENTAL CARB, HOME SECURITY AND DRUG ABUSE ORGANISED BY THE DFCC. THE CONCERT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
THE CO-ORGANISERS OF THE EVENT ARE THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE A MEMBER OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR JUSTEIN WONG; CHAIRMAN OF ACAN, DR GERALD CHOA; ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MISS WINDY KWOK; TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR THOMAS YIU; TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG; AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER OF TAI PO, MR LEUNG FUNG-SHUN.
/8 ........
THURSDAY, JANUARY 81, 1991
- 8 -
DISTRICT OFFICE DISTRIBUTES 'LAISEE'
«»»«»♦
STAFF MEMBERS OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING DISTRIBUTED "LAISEE" (LUCKY MONEY) TO ELDERLY PEOPLE AT FOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
LED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DUNCAN PE8COD, THE VISITORS ALSO WISHED THEM A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS LUNAR NEW YEAR.
THE ACTIVITY IS AN ANNUAL CHARITY EVENT IN THE DISTRICT FUNDED BY THE SING TAO FOUNDATION.
"LAISEE" WERE ALSO’ DISTRIBUTED TO NEEDY RESIDENTS AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE MAIN OFFICE AND ITS HUNG HOM SUB-OFFICE.
-----0-----
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN TYPHOON SHELTERS
******
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED A FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN IN TYPHOON SHELTERS TARGETTED AT MEMBERS OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY WHO WILL BE RETURNING TO HONG KONG DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD.
FROM TODAY (THURSDAY), OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S MARINE DIVISION WILL VISIT TYPHOON SHELTERS TO CONVEY THE FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES TO FISHERMEN AND BOAT DWELLERS.
THE OFFICERS, ON FIREBOATS, WILL VISIT THE TYPHOON SHELTERS IN ABERDEEN, SHAU KEI WAN, YAU MA TEI, CAUSEWAY BAY, CHEUNG CHAU, CHAI WAN AND TUEN MUN.
THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL FEBRUARY 18, IS AIMED AT AROUSING THE AWARENESS OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY AND BOAT PEOPLE TOWARDS FIRE PREVENTION AND THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR AN OUTBREAK OF FIRE.
THE FIRE BOATS WILL BROADCAST FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES WHILE OFFICERS WILL DISTRIBUTE PAMPHLETS ADVISING ON THE PREVENTION MEASURES WHICH INCLUDE:
* DO NOT LEAVE COOKING UNATTENDED;
* TAKE CARE WHEN HANDLING JOSS STICKS, PAPERS AND CANDLES;
* CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES SHOULD BE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE DISPOSING OF;
* NEVER SMOKE IN BED; AND
« KEEP MATCHES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF CHILDREN’S REACH.
DURING THE VISITS, THE FIREBOATS WILL PATROL THE TYPHOON SHELTERS TO ENSURE THAT THE FAIRWAY AND FIRE-LANES ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
------0------- /9 ................
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
- 9 -
YEAR-END CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME STARTS
******
A TERRITORY-WIDE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME TO TIE IN WITH THE TRADITIONAL PRACTICE OF "SPRING CLEANING" IN THE CHINESE COMMUNITY HAS BEGUN AND WILL BE IN FULL SWING IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
THE PROGRAMME, ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, WILL END ON FEBRUARY 14 (THURSDAY) BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR STARTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY): "TO FACILITATE THE DISPOSAL OF UNWANTED FURNITURE AND BULKY WASTE TO HAIL THE NEW YEAR, TEMPORARY JUNK COLLECTION POINTS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN ALL URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS.
"ADDITIONAL LORRIES AND STAFF ARE BEING DEPLOYED TO CLEAN UP LITTER BLACK SPOTS BY REMOVING REFUSE AND UNCLAIMED ARTICLES FROM THE STREETS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT DURING THE 10 DAYS BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR LAST YEAR, A DAILY AVERAGE OF 5,519 TONNES OF REFUSE WAS COLLECTED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, WHICH WAS 20 PER CENT MORE THAN THE USUAL DAILY AVERAGE YIELD OF 4,599 TONNES.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO ENSURE THAT THEY DISCARD REFUSE IN NEARBY COLLECTION POINTS BEFORE THEY ARE CLOSED.
"ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CLOSING TIME OF VARIOUS REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS DURING THE YEAR-END AND DETAILS OF THE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 868 0000 OR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 414 5555, AND RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF BOTH DEPARTMENTS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF REFUSE IN PUBLIC PLACES OTHER THAN COLLECTION POINTS IS A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
- - 0---------
EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR
*****
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOK MAY RECEIVE EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT IF THEIR PAY DAYS FALL ON THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS FROM FEBRUARY 14 TO 17.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THEY MAY CASH THEIR CASH ORDER BOOK COUPONS ON FEBRUARY 8 IF THEIR PAY DAY FALLS ON FEBRUARY 14; ON FEBRUARY 11 IF THEIR PAY DAY FALLS ON FEBRUARY 15; ON FEBRUARY 12 IF THEIR PAY DAY FALLS ON FEBRUARY 16; AND ON FEBRUARY 13 IF THEIR PAY DAY FALLS ON FEBRUARY 17.
/SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
10 -
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THEM TO COLLECT PAYMENT AT THEIR DESIGNATED POST OFFICE OR TREASURY SUB-OFFICES, HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE PAY DAY FOR RECIPIENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE PAID UNDER THE BANK PAYMENT SYSTEM ON FEBRUARY 15 WOULD ALSO BE ADVANCED TO FEBRUARY 13.
-----0-----
MARINE WATER QUALITY REPORT ON SALE
*****
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT SUMMARISING THE RESULTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S (EPD) MARINE WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME IN 1989, IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE.
THE 106-PAGE "MARINE WATER QUALITY IN HONG KONG 1990", COMPILED IN ENGLISH, REVIEWS THE CURRENT STATE OF MARINE WATER QUALITY AND SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS IN THE TERRITORY’S COASTAL WATERS.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CONDUCTING THE GOVERNMENT’S MARINE WATER AND SEDIMENT MONITORING PROGRAMME SINCE APRIL 1986.
IN 1989, THE MARINE WATER QUALITY PROGRAMME COVERED 66 WATER QUALITY STATIONS, 14 TYPHOON SHELTERS AND 40 SEDIMENT MONITORING STATIONS.
AT EACH OF THE MONITORING STATIONS, A WIDE RANGE OF PHYSIO-CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND BACTERIAL PARAMETERS WERE MEASURED TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON MARINE WATER QUALITY AND SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE WATER QUALITY IN OPEN MARINE WATERS INCLUDING THE EASTERN WATERS, THE NORTHWESTERN WATERS AND THE SOUTHERN WATERS WAS STILL GOOD DURING 1989 DUE TO FASTER WATER
MOVEMENT IN THESE AREAS AND SMALL AMOUNT OF POLLUTION LOADS
DISCHARGING INTO THEM.
HOWEVER, THE WATER QUALITY IN VICTORIA HARBOUR AND THE INNER PARTS OF ENCLOSED BAYS SUCH AS TOLO HARBOUR, PORT SHELTER, HEBE HAVEN, JUNK BAY AND DEEP BAY WAS UNSATISFACTORY.
THE POLLUTION PROBLEM IN TOLO HARBOUR, VICTORIA HARBOUR AND DEEP BAY HAD EXEMPLIFIED IN THE FORM OF SEVERE DISSOLVED OXYGEN DEPLETION AND ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE FORM OF RED TIDES.
FURTHERMORE, INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION HAD ALSO BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THESE AREAS AS INDICATED BY THE HIGH CONTENTS OF MICRO-POLLUTANTS IN THE SEDIMENTS.
/THE REPORT .......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
- 11 -•
THE REPORT SAID IT WAS ALSO WORRYING THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASING TREND OF POLLUTION IN THESE AREAS. ™B HELAMVELY UNPOLLUTED WATERS ALSO HAD FAIRLY HIGH NUTRIENT CONTENTS EUTROPHIC POTENTIAL INDICATING IMMINENT WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT HOWEVER, DURING 1989, THERE WERE SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WATER QUALITY IN TOLO HARBOUR WHEN COMPARED TO 1988, LARGELY DUE TO THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL, ORDINANCE IN 1987 AND OF THE TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PL \N.
THE MARINE WATER QUALITY REPORT CONTAINS USEFUL INFORMATION FOR PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS AND TOWN PLANNERS WHOSE WORK RELATES TO THE SUBJECT.
IT ALSO SERVES AS A REFERENCE BOOK FOR RESEARCHERS, TEACHERS, UNDERGRADUATES AND HIGHER FORM SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. AS THE REPORT IS PRESENTED IN A COMPREHENSIVE WAY, IT IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS.
THE REPORT, AT $54 A COPY, IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF GPO BUILDING, ■ CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
------0--------
DIVISION RENAMED TO REFLECT LABOUR INSPECTORS’ WORK
*****
PERSONS DIVISION
(WYPD) DIVISION
OF THE LABOUR FROM TOMORROW
THE WOMEN AND YOUNG DEPARTMENT WILL BE RENAMED LABOUR INSPECTION ,mTr,o
(FRIDAY) TO FULLY REFLECT ITS WORK AND EXPANDED RESPONSIBILI I IES.
THE WYPD WAS ORIGINALLY SET UP TO REGULATE THE HOURS AND REST PERIODS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15.
OF WORK AND THE
BUT THE DIVISION HAS TAKEN ON MORE DUTIES OVBR THE ENSURE THAT EMPLOYERS KEEP RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR LIABILITIES TO COMPENSATE
YEARS TO TAKB OUT EMPLOYEES
INJURED AT WORK.
IT ALSO ENFORCES PROVISIONS IN STATUTORY BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES AND ON WAGE AND EMPLOYMENT RECORDS.
THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE ON THE MAINTENANCE OF EMPLOYEES’
/SINCE 1989 ......
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
SINCE 1989, THE DIVISION HAS BEEN OPERATING A GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH TAPED INFORMATION ON LABOUR LEGISLATION AND THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK.
LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM THE DIVISION CARRY OUT SPOT CHECKS ON PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH RELEVANT STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS BY EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AND TO PROSECUTE OFFENDERS.
IN ADDITION, THE DIVISION OFFERS FREE ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC ON THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE LABOUR LAW.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION ON TEL. 815 5066 OR 852 4191.
- - 0 - -
EYE CARE TEACHING KIT PRESENTATION CEREMONY * » ♦ » ♦
AN EYE CARE TEACHING KIT PRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH FOR THE USE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
THE KIT, COMPRISING A TEACHER’S HANDBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY TEACHING MATERIALS, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO ENSURE THAT THE MESSAGE OF EYE CARE IS CONVEYED TO SCHOOL CHILDREN.
PRODUCTION OF THE KIT WAS SPONSORED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR LEE CHUNG-KEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE TEACHING KIT TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE PROMENADE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, LEE GARDENS HOTEL, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1991
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KOWLOON CITY POST-WAR BUILDING TO CLOSE
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THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE BUILDING AT 93 LION ROCK ROAD IN KOWLOON REQUIRED FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE REAR STAIRCASE, DEMOLITION OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AND GENERAL REPAIRS TO THE BUILDING.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE BUILDING WAS A FIVE-STOREY POSTWAR REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMED BUILDING SERVED BY TWO STAIRCASES.
INSPECTION SUBSEQUENT TO EMERGENCY ACTION TO REMOVE LOOSE EXTERNAL RENDERING IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR INDICATED THAT THE BUILDING IS SHOWING MARKED SIGNS OF DETERIORATION, WITH SPALLED REINFORCED CONCRETE, ADDITIONAL AREAS OF LOOSE/CRACKED RENDERING AND DEFLECTIVE WINDOWS AND GLAZING.
THE REAR STAIRCASE FROM THE SECOND TO FOURTH FLOORS HAD BEEN DEMOLISHED AND THE STAIRWELL HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION AT EACH FLOOR LEVEL FROM THE FIRST FLOOR UPWARDS, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THERE WERE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ON THE ROOFTOP AND OTHER PARTS OF THE BUILDING.
HE NOTED THAT THE DEMOLITION OF THE STAIRS AND THE PRESENCE OF THE STRUCTURES ON THE ROOFTOP HAD RENDERED THE BUILDING DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE.
THEREFORE THE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH FLOORS AND THE ROOF SHOULD BE CLOSED.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ADVISED THAT UNTIL ALL THE REQUIRED WORKS TO MAKE THE BUILDING SAFE HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED, THE BUILDING SHOULD REMAIN CLOSED.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 14 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY.
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