DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS UPDATES ON PROGRESS OF AIRPORT ROAD LINKS ............:............... 1
FOREIGN COMPANIES URGED TO CONTRIBUTE TN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ......... 1
FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92 A SHOWCASE TO CANADA AND THE WORLD ............... 2
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO CATAMARAN ACCIDENT ............................. 4
U.S. ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ORDER ON HK SWEATERS ............................. 4
CONSUMER COUNCIL'S WORK PRAISED ......................................... 5
NEW SALARY COMMISSION MEMBER APPOINTED .................................. 6
BOOKMARK DESIGN CONTEST FOR EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO '92 .............. 7
SWD TO HOLD SEMINAR ON WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRE ...................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ...................................... 8
HONG kONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 9
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
1
FS UPDATES ON PROGRESS OF AIRPORT ROAD LINKS *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, CONTINUED H1S ROUND OF VISITS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH A CALL AT THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR MACLEOD WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR kWEI SEE-KAN, ON THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE TOURING VARIOUS DIVISIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.
AT THE STRUCTURES DIVISION, HE WAS SHOWN THE APPLICATION Ok COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN FACILITIES IN THE DESIGN OF HIGHWAY STRUCTURES.
THE PROJECT MANAGERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ROUTE 3 AM LAktAt) FIXED CROSSING PROJECTS EACH GAVE MR MACLEOD AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECTS WHEN HE VISITED THE AIRPORT AND PORT ACCESS PROJECT OFFICE AND THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING PROJECT OFFICE.
MR MACLEOD THEN MET THE CHIEF LAND SURVEYOR, MR LAU cMUHd-tlMj WHO EXPLAINED TO HIM THE USE OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR HIGHWAYS ALIGNMENT DESIGN.
THE CHIEF HIGHWAY ENGINEER (RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT), ME FRED TEAGUE, BRIEFED MR MACLEOD ON THE CURRENT STUDIES ON WAYS TO OPTIMISE THE COST OF ROAD MAINTENANCE AND THE LANE RENTAL SCHEME.
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FOREIGN COMPANIES URGED TO CONTRIBUTE IN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT *****
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, HAS bRGfeb FOREIGN COMPANIES TO CONTRIBUTE IN DEVELOPING MORE SOPHIStlCATED TECHNOLOGIES IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE LONG ISLAND FORUM FOR TECHNOLOGY IN NEW YORK TODAY (TUESDAY), MR BARMA SAID BY bolNG SO, SUCH COMPANIES WOULD ALSO HAVE MUCH TO GAIN.
OUTLINING THE MARKET POTENTIAL OF HONG KONG As THE GATfewAY tO CHINA, HE SAID DEVELOPING HONG KONG’S GROWING TECHNOLOGICAL RXEERttSE AND COMBINING IT WITH THE TERRITORY’S NATURAL BUSINESS ACUMEN WOULD MAKE HONG KONG THE HUB OF WHAT MIGHT WELL BE ASIA’S NEXT MAJOR INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMY - SOUTHERN CHINA.
MR BARMA SAID HE COULD NOT SEE ANY DIMINISHED ROLE FOR OVERSEAS BUSINESSES IN THIS SCENARIO.
"THEY WILL ALWAYS BE WELCOME, FOR THEY CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO THfc COSMOPOLITAN AND INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER OF HONG KONG.
/"IT IS .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
2
"it IS THIS MIX OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES WHICH WILL fed MUCH TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S UNIQUE IDENTITY, AND ITS POSITION AS THE CENTRE FOR BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE ASIA PACIFIC IN THE YEARS AHEAD," HE SAID.
oN DEGRADING Hong kong’s industry, MR BARMA SAiD HoNd ftbM. NAS VERY AWARE THAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND INCREASE ITS GROWTH; AND DEVELOP ITS INDUSTRIAL SECTOR FOR THE YEARS AHEAD, it HAD TO UPGRADE ITS INDUSTRY, BOTH IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY LfevEL AND tHE VALUE ADDED OF ITS PRODUCTS.
"WE RECOGNISE THAt WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE LbW-bost LABoUft OF NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND CHINA.
"to MOVE INTO tHE 21St CENtURY WltH CONTINUED VIGOUR, BE MfefeB TO UPGRADE OUR TECHNOLOGY BASE," HE SAID.
RECENTLY, MR BARMA SAID, SIX UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN kONG KONG JOINED TOGETHER TO UNDERTAKE A THREE-PART STUDY ON HOW TECHNOLOGY COULD BE DEVELOPED iN HONG EoNd.
"THE FIRST TWO PARTS WERE COMPLETED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND CONCLUDED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GROWTH OF NEW TECHNOLOGY-BASED INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
"THE STUDY ALSO IDENTIFIED PROMISING BUSINESS OPPoRTUNttiES FOR HONG KONG IN THE FOUR AREAS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY J BIOTECHNOLOGY; MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY; AND ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY;" HE SAID.
TURNING TO HONG KONG-CHINA RELATIONS, MR BARMA SAID tHE ECONOMIC INTER-DEPENDENCE BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED BY THE EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE IN CHINA IN JUNE 1989.
"AS YOU ARE AWARE, CHINA HAS SINCE REPEATEDLY RE-AFFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE OPEN DOOR POLICY. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THIS.
"HONG KONG’S LEVERAGE OF CHINA’S SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL BASE, AND CHINA’S ABILITY TO TAP HONG KONG’S TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS, ARE MAJOR REASONS WHY FOREIGN COMPANIES, PARTICULARLY FROM THE US AND JAPAN, ARE INCREASING THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE TERRITORY," HE SAID.
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FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 - A SHOWCASE TO CANADA AND THE WORLD ***♦♦♦»♦
HONG KONG WILL BE STAGING A FESTIVAL IN FIVE CANADIAN CITIES NEXT YEAR TO FEATURE THE CITY AS A VIBRANT AND DYNAMIC COMMUNITY AND A KEY OF CANADA TO THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
THE FESTIVAL AIMS TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG BY INCREASING THE CULTURAL, BUSINESS AND FRIENDLY TIES BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES.
/SPEAKING AT .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
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SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB OF MONG KONG TODAY (TUESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID THE THEME OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92 IS "HONG KONG AND CANADA - BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC".
"IN VIEW OF THE GROWING TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE BUILD UP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER.
"THIS UNDERSTANDING SHOULD NOT JUST REST ON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS OR FAMILY LINKS. IT SHOULD BE BASED ON A WIDER AND DEEPER APPRECIATION OF THE DIFFERENT CULTURES AND WAYS OF LIFE OF OUR TWO COMMUNITIES," MR SO SAID.
"THIS RELATIONSHIP WILL LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR A BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A PROSPEROUS AND BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE TWO TERRITORIES," HE ADDED.
THE MULTI-FACETED EVENT, INCORPORATING CULTURAL, TRADE, BUSINESS, SPORTING AND SOCIAL OCCASIONS, WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE MOST POPULOUS AND COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT CITIES OF TORONTO, VANCOUVER, OTTAWA, CALGARY AND MONTREAL IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER NEXT YEAR.
PLANNED PROGRAMMES INCLUDE PRESENTATIONS BY HONG koNG’S LEADING PERFORMING GROUPS, ART AND FOLK HISTORY EXHIBITIONS, DEPARTMENT STORE PROMOTIONS, TRADE SEMINARS, AND TELEVISION SPECTACU1.ARS .
PLANNING FOR THE FESTIVAL IS ALREADY UNDERWAY UNDER THE OVERALL GUIDANCE OF A STEERING GROUP CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.
A FESTIVAL OFFICE IS SET UP WITHIN THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH TO HANDLE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS AT THE HONG KONG END.
FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES IN CANADA WILL BE CO-ORDINATED BY THE NEWLY SET UP ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TORONTO, AS WELL AS LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEES IN TORONTO, VANCOUVER AND ELSEWHERE.
MR SO SAID HE WAS MOST ENCOURAGED BY THE SUPPORT OFFERED BY THE CANADIAN COMMISSIONER, AND BY VISITING BUSINESSMEN, LEGISLATORS AND OFFICIALS AT BOTH THE MUNICIPAL AND PROVINCIAL LEVELS FROM CANADA.
"WE VIEW THIS FESTIVAL AS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR IN PARTICULAR WILL BE A KEY COMPONENT OF THE FESTIVAL’S SUCCESS," MR SO SAID.
THE CORE PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $40 MILLION, OF WHICH THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION.
BUT HE SAID HE HOPED THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD GIVE THE FESTIVAL FULL SUPPORT, AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR WAS ENCOURAGED TO JOIN THE FESTIVAL AS SPONSORS.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY HERE AND FRIENDS IN CANADA, WE SHALL DO JUSTICE TO HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A DYNAMIC, INTERNATIONALLY-MINDED CITY WHICH CAN BE CANADA’S KEY PARTNER IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION," MR SO SAID.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
4
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO CATAMARAN ACCIDENT
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, TODAY (TUESDAY) APPOINTED TWO SURVEYORS OF SHIPS TO CARRY OUT A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE HONG KONG-REGISTERED CATAMARAN ’’SANTA CRUZ WHICH WAS INVOLVED TN AN ACCIDENT IN MACAU.
THE TWO SURVEYORS ARE MR MICHAEL LEE KWOK-FAI AND CAPTAIN JOltN MCPARTLAND.
THE PURPOSE OF THE INQUIRY IS TO FIND OUT THE CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT AND RECOMMEND (IF ANY) ACTIONS REQUIRED TO BE TAKEN SO AS TO AVOID SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN FUTURE.
THE FINDINGS OF THE INQUIRY WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRfectok OF MARINE WITHIN ONF MONTH.
AT ABOUT 4.35 PM YESTERDAY (MONDAY) THE VESSEL STRUCK ONE OE THE TERMINALS IN MACAU. NO INJURY WAS REPORTED.
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U.S. ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ORDER ON HK SWEATERS
**♦♦♦*♦
TWENTY-NINE HONG KONG COMPANIES HAVE BEEN NAMEb tOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW IN RELATION TO THE U.S. ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ORDER ON MAN-MADE FIBRE SWEATERS FROM HONG KONG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
’’THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS IDENTIFYING THE COMPANIES NAMED WITH A VIEW TO CONTACTING THEM AND BRIEFING THEM ON U.S. LAW AND PRACTICE RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW.
"THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO KEEPING TN CLOSE TOUCH With THE KNITWEAR TRADE ASSOCIATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY ALL THE COMPANIES CONCERNED FROM THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REQUEST FOR REVIEW.
"ANY COMPANY WHICH BELIEVES IT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE REVIEW, AND WHICH IS NOT CONTACTED BY US, SHOULD PLEASE ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH US," HE SAID.
UNDER THE RELEVANT U.S. REGULATIONS, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WILL PUBLISH BY OCTOBER 15 A NOTICE OF INITIATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW.
THEREAFTER, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WILL DECIDE WHETHER ALL OR A SAMPLE OF THOSE NOMINATED SHOULD BE SELECTED FOR REVIEW. IT IS EXPECTED THAT COMPANIES SELECTED FOR REVIEW WILL RECEIVE QUESTIONNAIRES WITHIN 30 TO 90 DAYS.
/APART FROM .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
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APART FROM HONG KONG, 69 SOUTH KOREAN COMPANIES AND 25 COMPANIES FROM TAIWAN HAVE BEEN NAMED BY THE NATIONAL KNITWEAR AND SPORTSWEAR ASSOCIATION FOR REVIEW UNDER THE RELEVANT U.S. ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ORDERS.
THE 29 HONG KONG COMPANIES NAMED FOR REVIEW ARE:
AFASIA KNITTING FACTORY (HK) LTD APACE KNITTING FACTORY BOND MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD CHUNG CHEUNG KNITTING FACTORY COMITEX KNITTERS LTD ESQUEL ENTERPRISES LTD EVEREST KNITWEAR LTD FANG BROTHERS KNITTING LTD FORTUNA KNITS GEE CHEUNG KNITTING GREAT WIND HAYWARD KNITTERS JUST FASHIONS INTERNATIONAL KEN SHING KNITTING FACTORY KENT PHONE KING AH KNITTING FACTORY KO TANG KNITTING FACTORY LAMAGWA LIAONING KNITWEAR MAURICE KNITTERS PENINSULA KNITTERS LTD SHUI LUNG INDUSTRIES CO LTD SIMEE KNITTING FACTORY SUN HING KNITTING FACTORY LTD TAI WAH GARMENT AND KNITTING FACTORY UNION KNITTING FACTORY CO LTD WAI TAI KNITWEAR WING YICK KNITTING FACTORY WISEKNIT FACTORY -------------------------0-------
CONSUMER COUNCIL’S WORK PRAISED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED THE CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR HAVING GRADUALLY BUILT UP A REPUTATION FOR HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND STRAIGHT DEALING ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE COUNCIL’S 16TH CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI, MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE COUNCIL HAD SERVED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BY PROTECTING AND PROMOTING THE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN 1974.
MR CHAU SAID CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRES PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN DISCHARGING THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL.
/"APART FROM .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
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’’APART FROM TENDERING ADVICE, RECEIVING CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, COLLECTING AND DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON GOODS AND SERVICES, STAFF OF THE CENTRE ALSO ORGANISE TALKS, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS TO SAFEGUARD CONSUMER INTERESTS,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT 16 YEARS AGO, THERE WERE ONLY TWO CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRES IN HONG KONG WHERE SERVICE PROVIDED WAS SOMEHOW RESTRICTED.
’’NOW THERE ARE 16 CENTRES WHICH FORM A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK IN THE TERRITORY OFFERING A CONVENIENT SERVICE AND MAKING AN EFFICIENT RESPONSE TO DISTRICT NEEDS,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID TSIM SHA TSUI WAS A HIGHLY COMMERCIAL AREA AND FAVOURITE SPOT FOR SHOPPING WHICH ATTRACTED A LARGE NUMBER OF VISITORS EACH YEAR.
"THE DISTRICT IS THEREFORE PARTICULARLY IN NEED OF A CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRE TO SERVE THE CONSUMERS.
’’WITH THE OPENING OF THIS CENTRE, CONSUMERS, NO MATTER LOCAL OR FOREIGN, WILL HAVE A CONVENIENT PLACE TO SEEK PRE-SHOPPING ADVICE AND TO LODGE POST-SHOPPING COMPLAINTS.
"THIS WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS A SHOPPER’S PARADISE," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE ADVANCE OF TECHNOLOGY HAD MEANT A CONSTANT STREAM OF NEW PRODUCTS COMING ON THE MARKET EVERY DAY.
"THIS PRODUCES NEW PROBLEMS FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE CHARGED WITH LOOKING AFTER THE CONSUMERS’ INTERESTS.
"THE CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRES ARE ONE OF OUR ESSENTIAL LINKS WITH CONSUMERS, AND I AM SURE THAT THROUGH THIS LINK THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WILL REMAIN VIGILANT IN THE FACE OF NEW CHALLENGES," HE SAID.
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NEW SALARY COMMISSION MEMBER APPOINTED
******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MISS LILY CHIANG TO BE A MEMBER OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
MISS CHIANG IS AN ENGINEER BY PROFESSION. SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE. SHE IS ALSO AN ADJUDICATOR OF THE IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL.
MISS CHIANG’S TERM OF APPOINTMENT WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY.
THE STANDING COMMISSION ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE NON-D1RECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE OTHER THAN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
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/7......*
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
BOOKMARK DESIGN CONTEST FOR ♦ *
EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO '92 ♦ it*
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS INVITING ENTRIES TO A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION WHICH AIMS TO IMPRESS UPON STUDENTS THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING A SUITABLE CAREER.
"THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE), MRS CLARE SIU, SAID toDAY (TUESDAY).
"THE EXPOSITION, ORGANISED JOINTLY FOR THE FIRST TIME BY TtlE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, WILL BE HELD FROM FEBRUARY 20 TO 23 NEXT YEAR," MRS SIU SAID.
"THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND EVER HELD IN HONG KONG, tttfe EXPOSITION WILL FEATURE 100 EXHIBITORS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES, INCLUDING BANKING, COMMERCE, HOTEL, MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE INDUSTRIES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES," SHE ADDED.
"THE BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION HAS BEEN A POPULAR EVENT Ik THE DEPARTMENT’S PREVIOUS ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITIONS, ATTRACTING 408 ENTRIES FROM 374 STUDENTS IN 44 SCHOOLS LAST YEAR,” MRS SIU SAID.
"THESE ENTRIES ARE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD AND 80,000 COPlfes OF LAST YEAR’S CHAMPION DESIGN WERE PRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO VISITORS AT THE CAREERS EXHIBITION AND AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES.
STUDENTS TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION SHOULD Osfe WORDS AND GRAPHICS IN THEIR DESIGN TO DEPICT THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAREER.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE IN COLOUR AND MOUNTED ON CARDBOARDS, AND SHOULD MEASURE 36.8 CM BY 11.4 CM.
COMPLETED DESIGNS, TOGETHER WITH PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF ENTRANTS INCLUDING NAME, IDENTITY CARD NUMBER, SCHOOL, CLASS, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, MUST REACH THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE AT MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, BY OCTOBER 28.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS WILL EACH BE AWARDED A CAMERA. PRIZES WILL ALSO BE PRESENTED TO THE DESIGNERS OF 30 OTHER SELECTED ENTRIES.
THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL ALSO BE PRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION AT THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92.
FURTHER ENQUIRES ON THE COMPETITION CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 399 2241.
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/8 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
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SWD TO HOLD SEMINAR ON WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRE ♦ * i i * i
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS TO HOLD A SEMINAR ON WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRE FOR ABOUT 100 EMPLOYERS IN THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 3).
THE SEMINAR WILL FOCUS ON THE CONCEPT AND SERVICES PoP WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRE, WHICH IS A NEW DIRECTION Op CHILD bAH6 PROGRAMME SERVING BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL cHlLb RESOURCE INSTITUTE IN BERKELEY, THE UNITED STATES, MR KENNETH JAPFE, WltL SPEAK ON THE ADVANTAGES OF SETTING UP WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRES.
ALSO, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE WILL SPEAK ON MANAGEMENT OF THE FIRST WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRE IN THE TERRITORY.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTAbtj WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SEMINAR’S OPENING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON WORKBASED CHILD CAPE CENTRE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 3) AT GLOUCESTER ROOM 2 ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF EXCELSIOR HOTEL, 281 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAV BAY. IT WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HkfeG
i i i * i
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS — TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q140 11174
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,430 MN HKD794 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HkD 20(1 Mn
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 4.09 PCT 4.50 Pct
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 4.10 PCT 4.50 Def
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 37 PCT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.18 PCT 4.75 Pct
/HCNG KONG .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1991
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS — TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER
ISSUE DATE
MATURITY DATE
TENOR
AMOUNT OF OFFER
Q141
9 OCT 1991
8 JAN 1992
91 DAYS
HKD 500 + 100MN
Y195
9 OCT 1991
7 OCT 1992
182 DAYS
HKD 200 4 6O14n
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 30.9.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 1 . 10.91 -138
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 138
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.1
♦+0.2* 1.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
30.9. 91 1.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4 . 16 PCT 3.65 PCT
1 MONTH 4 . 14 PCT 3.61 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.35 PCT 3.87 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.78 PCT 4.30 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.51 PCT 4.97 Pct
TOTAL TURNOVER 8,056 MN 8,120 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES CHTNESF YMCA OF HK -5N ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY . . 1
REHOUSING RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN TOP PRIORITY BY LDC 1
STATEMENT ON VM'S...................................................... 3
IMPACT OF AIRPORT PROJECT ON LANTAU ISLAND ............................ 3
EXPERT TALKS ON BOUNDARIES OF ADMINISTRATION OF HK AND GUANGDONG ...... 5
REVIEW OF FSD'S WORK .................................................. 5
EXPRESSWAY DRIVING RULES FURTHER EXPLAINED ............................ 7
HONG KONG TO HOST THE WESTERN PACIFIC MISSION ......................... 1
TRADE DEPT ON MEXICAN GOVT'S IMPOSITION OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ........ 8
STATEMENT ON 'TAINTED GRAPES' ......................................... 9
PROPRIETOR FINED FOR UNSAFE WORK PRACTICE ............................. §
PREGNANT EMPLOYEES PROTECTED FROM DISMISSAL ........................... 10
LAND RESUMPTION IN WAN CHAI APPROVED .................................. 11
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ...................................... 12
CENTRAL AND WESTERN BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR ....................... 11
122 VM'S RETURN TO VIETNAM ........................................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 14
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
1
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES CHINESE YMCA OF HK ON ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING PRAISES THE CHINESE YMCA OF HONG KONG FOR SETTING AN EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN CARING.
"IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF GREAT VALUE IN TODAY’S HONG KONG. WE ARE LIVING THROUGH FASCINATING TIMES. THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES BEFORE US ARE EXHILARATING," THE GOVERNOR SAID, WHEN ADDRESSING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE ASSOCIATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IF WE WERE TO MAKE THE BEST OF THEM, WE NEEDED THE KIND OF COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND TO COMMUNITY VALUES WHICH THE ASSOCIATION ENCOURAGED IN ITS MEMBERS.
"FOR IT IS BY RESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF ALL IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND BY CARING FOR THE YOUNG AND THE LESS FORTUNATE, THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THEIR PREDECESSORS HAD SERVED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN MANY, MANY DIFFERENT WAYS OVER THE YEARS AND THAT THEY HAD REDIRECTED THEIR EFFORTS WHERE NECESSARY TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY MEMBERS INCLUDED PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION, RUNNING SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, DEVELOPING A NETWORK OF YOUTH CENTRES, AND BUILDING A MAJOR NEW EDUCATION CENTRE ON WATERLOO ROAD.
SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED MEMBERS, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT, ON THEIR MANY YEARS OF SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENT AND WISHED THEM ALL THE VERY BEST IN THEIR FUTURE SERVICE.
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REHOUSING RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN TOP PRIORITY BY LDC
*****
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAS GIVEN THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO ITS REHOUSING RESPONSIBILITY, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CORPORATION’S FIRST REHOUSING PROPERTY IN SAI YING PUN, MR BARNES SAID FROM THE OUTSET, THE CORPORATION APPRECIATED ITS RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY ITS REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES.
"ALL OVER THE WORLD YOU CAN SEE THE PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE WHOLESALE SHIPPING OUT OF THE EXISTING OWNERS AND TENANTS CLEARED FROM PROPERTIES," HE SAID.
/MR BARNES .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
- 2 -
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE CORPORATION WAS DOING ITS BEST TO PROVIDE THE MEANS TO REHOUSE THOSE WHO COULD NOT READILY LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES AND PARTICULARLY NEED TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN THE AREA WHERE THEY HAD LIVED SO LONG, IN PARTICULAR THE OLD AND INCAPACITATED.
"THE REHOUSING PROPERTY WHERE WE STAND AND WHERE WE SHALL BE OPENING FORMALLY SHORTLY BEARS WITNESS TO THIS," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES STRESSED THAT THE CORPORATION HAD RECOGNISED THAT ALTHOUGH MANY OF THE NEEDS OF THOSE INVOLVED WERE BETTER DEALT WITH BY PAYMENTS OF MONEY, THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE A RESIDUE OF HOUSEHOLDS FOR WHOM THE PROVISION OF HOUSING WAS THE ONLY PRACTICABLE HELP WHICH COULD BE OFFERED.
"SO THE SCHEME WHICH WE ARE OPENING TODAY IS CRITICAL TO THE CHAIN OF PROJECTS WHICH WILL FOLLOW IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.
"AT LEAST SIX PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO START BUILDING WORK IN 1992," HE SAID.
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT BACK IN 1985 WHEN THE GOVERNMENT WAS DRAFTING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ORDINANCE, IT HAD RECOGNISED THAT URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS OFFERED A VERY COMPLEX BALANCE OF THE INTERESTS OF THE SCHEME ON THE ONE HAND AND THE INTERESTS OF THE EXISTING RESIDENTS OF THE AREA ON THE OTHER.
"THIS IS WHY WE FELT IT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE A FAIRLY COMPLEX SERIES OF STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY THE CORPORATION TO DEAL WITH ACQUISITION AND CLEARANCE PROBLEMS BEFORE IT SEEKS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION.
"BUT THE POWER OF INTERVENTION MUST BE THERE, AND IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE CORPORATION’S HISTORY, IT IS LIKELY TO HAVE TO BE USED FROM TIME TO TIME.
"INDEED ONE RESUMPTION HAS ALREADY BEEN AUTHORISED," HE SAtb.
MR BARNES CONGRATULATED THE CORPORATION ON THE PROGRESS 1T HAD MADE SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.
HE NOTED THAT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ITS CHAIRMAN, MR Hu FA-KUANG, IT HAD DONE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK OF URBAN RENEWAL.
"NATURALLY THE FIRST MAJOR EFFORT WAS PUT INTO PLANNING AS TO WHERE IT COULD MOST EFFECTIVELY CONCENTRATE ITS ENDEAVOURS, AND TO THIS END, IN CO-OPERATION WITH AND WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT’S OWN PLANNERS, IT HAS PRODUCED A NUMBER OF MAJOR STUDIES HIGHLIGHTING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR URBAN RENEWAL WITHIN COMPREHENSIVE PLANS.
"FROM THESE PLANS A NUMBER OF COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS HAVE BEEN DEFINED, SOME OF WHICH ARE NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED," HE SAID.
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/3.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
- 3 -
STATEMENT ON VM’S i * »
IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES ABOUT A PRESS REPORT REFERRING TO A CUT OFF DATE FOR THE REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
"THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION STATES THAT ALL VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO ARE SCREENED OUT MUST RETURN TO VIETNAM.
"IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND CONTINUES TO BE, THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT THE CPA SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN FULL.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION OF A CHANGE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY. THERE WILL BE NO NEW CUT OFF DATES, AS HAS BEEN MADE CLEAR REPEATEDLY IN ALL THE INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS ON VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS."
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IMPACT OF AIRPORT PROJECT ON LANTAU ISLAND i i i i i i
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DISCUSSED THE IMPACT THE MASSIVE AIRPORT PROJECT AT CHEK LAP KOK WOULD HAVE ON THE COMMUNITIES ON LANTAU ISLAND.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, MR TSAO SAID GREAT CHANGES TO TUNG CHUNG AND NORTH LANTAU WERE ANTICIPATED WHEN THOUSANDS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WENT THERE TO BUILD THE AIRPORT, THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND A NEW TOWN TO HOUSE 200,000 PEOPLE.
BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT SUCH GREAT CHANGES WERE NOT A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AS THERE HAD BEEN MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE RURAL AREA SINCE 1950.
THE PAST EXPERIENCE, TOGETHER WITH NEW TECHNIQUES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING OF PROJECTS AT THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION STAGES, WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE NORTH LANTAU DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.
NOTING THAT MOST OF THE EXISTING VILLAGES WOULD BE ABLE TO REMAIN IN PLACE, MR TSAO SAID THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS WOULD BE. BUILT ON RECLAIMED LAND OR ON ABANDONED AGRICULTURAL LAND.
"IN THE FEW CASES WHERE CLEARANCE WILL BE NEEDED, VILLAGE RESITE AREAS WILL BE PROVIDED CLOSE TO OTHER VILLAGES SO THAT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY CAN REMAIN INTACT," HE SAID.
TO RETAIN THE PRESENT PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE IN THE AREA, MR TSAO STRESSED THAT EVERY EFFORT WAS BEING MADE TO DEVISE CONSTRUCTION METHODS THAT WOULD MINIMISE THE NOISE NUISANCES.
/HF BELIEVED .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
4
HE BELIEVED THAT DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA WOULD OPEN UP OPPORTUNITIES TO THE PRESENT RESIDENTS THAT HAD NEVER EXISTED BEFORE.
"ALONG WITH SEWERS AND ROADS WILL COME BETTER ACCESS TO HOSPITALS, SUPERMARKETS, AND THE OTHER BENEFITS OF MODERN LIVING," HE ADDED.
FOR TAI O AND SOUTH LANTAU, MR TSAO BELIEVED THAT IMPROVED PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO NORTH LANTAU AND CAREFULLY CONTROLLED DEVELOPMENT, DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO ENHANCE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, WERE THE MOST LIKELY PATTERN FOR THE FUTURE.
HIGHLIGHTING THE POINTS TO CONSIDER IN PROVIDING FREE ACCESS INTO SOUTH LANTAU, HE SAID A MAIN ROAD FROM NORTH TO SOUTH LANTAU WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE.
HE ADDED THAT THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE AREA AS A RECREATIONAL RESORT WOULD RAPIDLY DIMINISH AS THE ENVIRONMENT WAS UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE PRESSURES OF PEOPLE, TRAFFIC AND SEWAGE BROUGHT ABOUT BY IMPROVED ACCESS AND THE RESULTANT DEVELOPMENT.
"ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT TO BEAR IN MIND WHEN CONSIDERING ACCESS BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH LANTAU IS THE FACT THAT THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING BETWEEN NORTH LANTAU AND THE URBAN AREA IS BEING DESIGNED TO SERVE THE PORT AND THE AIRPORT.
"THE COST OF PROVIDING THIS LINK IS SUBSTANTIAL AND ITS CAPACITY IS INEVITABLY LIMITED. IT IS DOUBTFUL WHETHER IT MAKES ANY ECONOMIC SENSE TO PROVIDE FREE ACCESS TO SOUTH LANTAU," MR TSAO SAID.
TURNING TO DISCOVERY BAY, MR TSAO SAID IN THE LONG TERM, PORT DEVELOPMENT WOULD HAVE A MORE DIRECT IMPACT THERE THAN SOUTH LANTAU.
HE NOTED THAT THE POPULATION THERE, MADE UP LARGELY OF PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE, WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND MANY JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE AIRPORT AND ITS ASSOCIATED BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY.
BUT, HE SAID, BEFORE THAT HAPPENED, A DECISION WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE BETWEEN LEAVING DISCOVERY BAY AS AN ATTRACTIVE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT OR INTEGRATING IT INTO THE NORTH LANTAU DEVELOPMENT AND ABSORBING IT INTO THE METROPOLITAN PLANS BY GIVING IT A ROAD LINK.
"IF THE LATTER COURSE IS CHOSEN, IT WILL BE A STIMULATING CHALLENGE TO SEE IF SUCH A CHANGE CAN BE PLANNED AND MANAGED IN A WAY THAT PRESERVES MOST OF THE QUALITIES OF THE EXISTING COMMUNITY.
"BUT THEN, STIMULATING CHALLENGES ARE WHAT THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT IS ALL ABOUT: PROVIDING NEW POTENTIAL FOR BUSINESS, FOR EMPLOYMENT, FOR HOUSING AND FOR URBAN IMPROVEMENT SO AS TO MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," MR TSAO SAID.
/5 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
5
EXPERT TALKS ON BOUNDARIES OF ADMINISTRATION OF HK AND GUANGDONG ♦ i i i ♦
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT DISCUSSIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE BOUNDARIES OF ADMINISTRATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG WILL TAKE PLACE IN CANTON ON OCTOBER 3-4 BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES.
MR S.E. BRADLEY, DEPUTY POLITICAL ADVISER, WILL LEAD THE HoMC KONG TEAM.
THE GUANGDONG TEAM WILL BE LED BY MR ZHANG QINGPING, bfebtlTY DIRECTOR OF GUANGDONG FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE.
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REVIEW OF FSD’S WORK i i i * i i
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ASSISTING THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN FORMULATING LEGISLATION REGARDING FIRE SAFETY AT BEDSPACE APARTMENTS AND PRIVATE CLUBS, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REVIEWING THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT AT A MEET-THE-MEDtA SESSION, MR MARCH SAID THE CNTA WAS NOW CONSIDERING NEW LEGISLATION TO CONTROL BEDSPACE APARTMENTS.
’’WHILST THE FSD IS STILL INSPECTING KNOWN LOCATIONS OF THESE APARTMENTS, THE CNTA IS TAKING PARALLEL ACTION TO ACQUIRE ACCOMMODATION TO HOUSE LODGERS IN OVERCROWDED PREMISES.
”SO FAR, A FOUR-STOREY DOMESTIC BUILDING IN WAN CHAI (lt3 THREE UPPER FLOORS) HAS BEEN PROPERLY RENOVATED FOR USE AND TWO HOUSING SOCIETY UNITS IN KWUN TONG ARE UNDER NEGOTIATION FOR ARE UNDER NEGOTIATION FOR THE PURPOSE,” MR MARCH SAID.
AS REGARDS PRIVATE CLUBS, MR MARCH SAID THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) ORDINANCE WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 5 THIS YEAR.
’’SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS ARE NOW UNDER PREPARATION BY THE CNTA FOR SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS MONTH.
’’THE IMPLEMENTATION WILL, HOPEFULLY, TAKE EFFECT IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE STUDY ON THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE INCIDENT^ MR MARCH SAID THE WORKING PARTY HAD COMPLETED A REPORT WHICI* WAS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND, IT WAS ANTICIPATED TO BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS TIME.
/•'MEANWHILE, THE..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
6
"MEANWHILE, THE HONG KONG OXYGEN COMPANY HAS AND IS TAKING ACTIVE MEASURES TO IMPROVE AND TIGHTEN ITS PROCEDURES ON MANUFACTURE, CYLINDER FILLING, LABELLING, QUALITY CONTROL AND DELIVERIES.
"FURTHERMORE, BOTH THE COMPANY AND HOSPITALS (BOTH PUbLlC AND PRIVATE) ARE TAKING ACTION TO REPLACE CYLINDER VALVES FOR MEDICAL GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM IN HOSPITALS," MR MARCH SAID.
REGARDING THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR MARCH SAID IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE FIRE SERVICES RESPONDED TO 304,074 CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE.
AMONG THESE, 17,102 WERE FIRE CALLS, 10,615 WERE SPfeClAL SERVICE CALLS, 153,491 WERE EMERGENCY AMBULANCE CALLS AND 122,866 WERE NON-EMERGENCY AMBULANCE CALLS.
IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 45 MAJOR FIRES AS COMPARED TO 27 DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. MAJOR FIRES ARE THOSE CLASSED AS NO.3 ALARM MAGNITUDE OR ABOVE.
"THERE WERE 24 FATALITIES AND 316 INJURIES DUE TO FIRES, AND 256 FATALITIES AND 867 INJURIES AT SPECIAL SERVICE INCIDENTS," HE SAID.
"WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIGURES OF THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD tN 1990, THE NUMBER OF FIRE CALLS HAVE INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT, THE SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS INCREASED BY THREE PER CENT AND THE AMBULANCE CALLS DECREASED BY SIX PER CENT.
"FATALITIES AT FIRES HAVE RISEN FROM 17 TO 24 WHICH REPRESENT AN INCREASE OF 41 PER CENT."
ON FIRE SERVICES EQUIPMENT, MR MARCH SAID AT PRESENT S1X AMBULANCE MOTORCYCLES AND SIX NORMAL AMBULANCES WERE EQUIPPED WITH DEFIBRILLATORS UNDER A PILOT SCHEME INTRODUCED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
"FROM JANUARY 1 TO AUGUST THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 79 PATIENTS RECEIVED ’DEFIBRILLATION’ AND 35 OF THEM HAD THEIR HEART BEAT RESTORED BEFORE ARRIVAL AND HANDOVER TO THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AT VARIOUS HOSPITALS.
"IN SPITE OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS A FULL REPORT COVERING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS HAS BEEN SENT TO THE MEDICAL DOCTOR CONCERNED FOR ANALYSIS.
"WHETHER OR NOT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD FURTHER EXPAND IN THIS AREA DEPENDS LARGELY ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION," HE SAID.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WERE ALSO TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE 4100 MILLION PROJECT - "SECOND GENERATION MOBILISING SYSTEM" - AT THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATION CENTRE AND WATCH A STATIC DISPLAY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LATEST FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT.
H....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
7
EXPRESSWAY DRIVING RULES FURTHER EXPLAINED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
OVERTAKING ON EXPRESSWAYS IS ALLOWED ONLY ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AHEAD AND IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO DO SO FROM THE LEFT.
THE CHIEF ENGINEER (ROAD SAFETY AND STANDARDS) OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR YEUNG YU-CHEONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT OVERTAKING MEANS A VEHICLE OVERTAKES THE OTHER VEHICLE AHEAD IN THE SAME LANE.
’’ONE COMPLETE OVERTAKING INVOLVES CHANGING TO THE NEXT LANE AND THEN PASS THE VEHICLE AHEAD BEFORE REJOINING THE ORIGINAL LANE.
”ON EXPRESSWAYS, MOTORISTS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO DO SO ON THE RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AHEAD,” HE SAID.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED NOT TO OVERTAKE UNLESS THE NEXT LANE IS CLEAR FAR ENOUGH AND BEHIND TO MAKE SURE THEY WILL NOT CAUSE DANGER TO OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL AS THEMSELVES.
ON THE USE OF THE EXTREME RIGHT LANE OF AN EXPRESSWAY WHERE THERE ARE THREE OR MORE TRAFFIC LANES, MR YEUNG SAID MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE THIS LANE WHERE THERE IS DIVERGING TRAFFIC ON THE EXPRESSWAY, WHEREAS THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO SO UNDER GENERAL TRAFFIC CONDITION OF AN EXPRESSWAY.
MR YEUNG ALSO REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT VEHICLES SHOULD KEEP TO THE LEFT-HAND LANE OF AN EXPRESSWAY UNLESS WHEN OVERTAKING ANOTHER VEHICLE.
HOWEVER, IF THE LEFT-HAND LANE IS FULL, VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO RUN ON THE CENTRAL LANE UNTIL THERE IS ENOUGH SPACE ON THE LEFT LANE FOR MOVING BACK.
MR YEUNG SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CLOSELY MONITOR THE GENERAL RESPONSE OF MOTORISTS TO THE EXPRESSWAY LEGISLATION.
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HONG KONG TO HOST THE WESTERN PACIFIC MISSION i * t i * i
HONG KONG IS TO HOST AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIMENT TO MEASURE ATMOSPHERIC GASES OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC WITH A VIEW TO UNDERSTANDING THE SOURCES AND SINKS OF THESE GASES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON OZONE AND CLIMATE CHANGE.
FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO OCTOBER 8, AN AIRCRAFT OF THE PACIFIC EXPLORATORY MISSION (PEM) WILL FLY OVER SECTORS OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC TO TAKE MEASUREMENTS OF OZONE, OXIDES OF SULPHUR AND NITROGEN AND OTHER TRACE GASES AS WELL AS PARTICULATE SUBSTANCES IN THE ATMOSPHERE.
/THE PEM
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
- 8 -
THE PEM IS AN ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT INVOLVING AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM OF MORE THAN 70 SCIENTISTS AND EMPLOYING A SPECIALLY EQUIPPED DC-8 AIRCRAFT FROM THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) OF USA.
IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIMENT WITH IMPORTANT GROUND-BASED OR AIRCRAFT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MOST PACIFIC RIM COUNTRIES. IT IS PART OF THE GLOBAL TROPOSPHERIC EXPERIMENT (GTE) WHICH HAS BEEN CONDUCTING AIRBORNE SCIENCE MISSIONS SINCE THE EARLY 80’S.
THE FIELD EXPERIMENT OVER THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION, PEM-WEST, BEGAN WITH THE DEPARTURE OF THE DC-8 AIRCRAFT FROM ITS BASE IN CALIFORNIA ON SEPTEMBER 16.
THE MISSION HAD GONE THROUGH JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 17-30). THE NEXT STOP AFTER HONG KONG IS GUAM (OCTOBER 9-17). IT WILL CONTINUE TO WAKE ISLAND AND HONOLULU BEFORE RETURNING TO CALIFORNIA.
PREPARATION FOR PEM-WEST IN HONG KONG FIRST BEGAN IN MAY 10-11, 1989 WHEN AN INTERNATIONAL PLANNING MEETING WAS CONVENED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
FOLLOWING THE AGREED PLAN, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HONG KONG WILL PROVIDE ALL THE NECESSARY METEOROLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR THE PLANNING AND OPERATION OF THE DC-8 FLIGHTS DURING THE WEEK-LONG EXPERIMENT, AND THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WILL FACILITATE THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG.
DATA COLLECTED BY THE AIRCRAFT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL SCIENTISTS IN GOVERNMENT AND TERTIARY INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH AND STUDIES IN THE FIELD OF ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES.
AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE EXPERIMENT, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WILL CONDUCT A SERIES OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS UNDER A SPECIAL COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMME.
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TRADE DEPT ON MEXICAN GOVT’S IMPOSITION OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES
*****
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT HAD ANNOUNCED IN A FINAL RESOLUTION IMPOSITION OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES OF US$1 PER KILOGRAMME ON IMPORTS OF DENIM (CONTAINING 85 PER CENT OR MORE OF COTTON) FROM HONG KONG WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THE FINAL RESOLUTION, HOWEVER, SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTS FROM THE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES 15 HONG KONG COMPANIES, ALL OF WHICH HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED BY THE MEXICAN AUTHORITIES.
THE ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING WAS INITIATED BY THE MEXICAN AUTHORITIES ON MAY 31 LAST YEAR.
/AN ASSISTANT .......
WENESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
9
AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR JOHN 1SANG, SAID: "IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT THE MEXICAN AUTHORITIES HAVE DECIDED TO IMPOSE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON HONG KONG DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEIR INVESTIGATION ON COMPANIES WHICH RESPONDED TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT THESE COMPANIES HAVE NOT ENGAGED IN DUMPING PRACTICES.
"THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WOULD EXAMINE THE FINAL RESOLUTION IN DETAIL AND DISCUSS WITH THE AFFECTED HONG KONG COMPANIES PRIOR TO DECIDING WHATEVER FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS WOULD BE MADE TO THE MEXICAN AUTHORITIES," HE SAID.
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STATEMENT ON ’TAINTED GRAPES’ * * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
"IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT REPORTS OF PESTICIDE-TAINTED CALIFORNIA GRAPES IN TAIWAN, THE DEPARTMENT HAS STEPPED UP THE EXAMINATION OF GRAPES FROM THE UNITED STATES.
"FIVE DIFFERENT BATCHES OF CALIFORNIA GRAPES HAVE BEEN TESTED AND NO RESIDUES OF THE PESTICIDES CAPTAN, CARBARYL AND CAPTAFOL HAVE BEEN FOUND.
"THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR M.B. ALl, SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY."
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PROPRIETOR FINED FOR UNSAFE WORK PRACTICE
* i * * *
INDUSTRIAL PROPRIETORS MAY HAVE TO PAY DEARLY FOR FAILURE TO MEET THEIR GENERAL DUTY IN ENSURING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THEIR WORKERS.
THE REMINDER CAME IN THE WAKE OF A RECENT, FIRST-EVER CONVICTION OF AN EMPLOYER PROSECUTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR NEGLECTING HIS GENERAL DUTY FOR SAFETY AT WORK UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (F & IU) ORDINANCE.
IN A FATAL ACCIDENT LAST FEBRUARY, TWO PERSONS WERE HIT AND KILLED BY COLLAPSING TIMBER BATTENS STACKED UP AT THE WING SING TIMBER COMPANY IN SHEUNG SHUI.
AS THE COMPANY’S PROPRIETOR HAD NOT ADOPTED ANY SAFE METHOD IN STACKING TIMBER IN HIS SAWMILL, HE WAS PROSECUTED UNDER THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS OF THE F & IU ORDINANCE AND WAS FINED $20,000 BY A FANLING MAGISTRATE.
/ACCORDING TO
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
10
ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS, THE PROPRIETOR Ofr AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING HAS THE DUTY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SAFE PLANT AND SYSTEM OF WORK, A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND A SAFE WORKPLACE INCLUDING ALL MEANS OF ACCESS TO AND EGRESS FRoM THE WORKPLACE.
HE MUST ALSO ENSURE SAFETY IN THE USE, HANDLING, STORAGE ANb TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES AND SUBSTANCES, AND PROVIDE HIS EMPLOYEES WITH ALL NECESSARY SAFETY INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION, TRANINING AND SUPERVISION.
ANY PROPRIETOR WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE GENERAL bUftfes PROVISIONS WILFULLY AND WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
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PREGNANT EMPLOYEES PROTECTED FROM DISMISSAL i i t i i
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT A PREGNANT EMPLOYEE WITH NO LESS THAN 12 WEEKS’ SERVICE IS PROTECTED BY LAW FROM DISMISSAL AFTER SERVING NOTICE TO HER EMPLOYER OF HER INTENTION TO TAKE MATERNITY LEAVE.
"TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROTECTION, THE EMPLOYEE MUST, HOWEVERj HAVE NO LESS THAN 26 WEEKS’ SERVICE WITH THE EMPLOYER WHEN HER MATERNITY LEAVE BEGINS," THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, MR JAMES YEUNG, EXPLAINED.
"ACCORDING TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, A FEMALE EMPLOYEE WHO HAS WORKED FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER UNDER A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT FOR NO FEWER THAN 26 WEEKS IS ENTITLED TO MATERNITY LEAVE WHICH NORMALLY BEGINS FOUR WEEKS BEFORE THE EXPECTED DATE OF CONFINEMENT ANb ENDS SIX WEEKS AFTER THE ACTUAL DATE OF CONFINEMENT," MR YEUNG ADDED.
HE SAID THE NOTICE SERVED BY THE EMPLOYEE SHOULD STATE THE EXPECTED DATE OF CONFINEMENT AND THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF MATERNITY LEAVE AND SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY A RELEVANT MEbtCAL CERTIFICATE.
"HOWEVER, TO BE ENTITLED TO PAY DURING MATERNITY LeAvEJ AN EMPLOYEE MUST HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE EMPLOYER FOR NO FEWER THAN 40 WEEKS PRIOR TO TAKING THE LEAVE," MR YEUNG NOTED.
"IN ADDITION, THE EMPLOYEE MUST HAVE NOT MORE THAN TWO SURVIVING CHILDREN AND MUST PRODUCE TO HER EMPLOYER A STATUTORY DECLARATION VERIFYING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHE HAS," HE SAID.
THE STATUTORY DECLARATION, WHICH IS REQUIRED ONLY FOR SUPPORTING A CLAIM FOR THE PAY, MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ANY LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
/"IT MAY .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
"IT MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE EMPLOYER TOGETHER WITH THE NOTICE OF TAKING MATERNITY LEAVE OR AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LEAVE," MR YEUNG STRESSED.
MATERNITY LEAVE PAY IS CALCULATED AT A RATE OF TWO-THIRDS OF THE EMPLOYEE’S MONTHLY SALARY. WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, THE RATE SHOULD BE TWO-THIRDS OF THE EMPLOYEE’S AVERAGE DAILY WAGE DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH MAY BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE LEAVE.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE PROVISIONS ON MATERNITY PROTECTION MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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LAND RESUMPTION IN WAN CHAI APPROVED ******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE RESUMPTION OF FOUR BUILDINGS IN WAN CHAI UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
THE PROPERTIES INVOLVED INCLUDE NOS. 7, 14 (EXCLUDING FIRST AND THIRD FLOORS), 16 AND 18 AT LI CHIT STREET, WAN CHAI.
ALTOGETHER, NINE HOUSEHOLDS COMPRISING 25 PERSONS ARE INVOLVED IN THE RESUMPTION.
EARLIER, THE CORPORATION HAS SECURED BY AGREEMENT OWNERSHIP OF TWO PRIVATELY OWNED LOTS IN THE AREA REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT ITS PROPOSALS.
THE CORPORATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REHOUSING ELIGIBLE DOMESTIC OCCUPIERS AFFECTED BY THE RESUMPTION.
THEY WILL BE GIVEN EX-GRATIA CASH ALLOWANCES IN LIEU OF REHOUSING WHERE ELIGIBLE. DOMESTIC TENANTS NOT ACCEPTING CASH COMPENSATION WILL BE OFFERED REHOUSING AT CONCESSIONARY RENTALS WHERE ELIGIBLE IN PROPERTIES ALREADY PURCHASED BY THE CORPORATION IN HONG KONG OR KOWLOON.
ELDERLY SINGLETONS AND DOUBLETONS WILL BE OFFERED ACCOMMODATION IN ELDERLY CENTRES PROVIDED BY THE CORPORATION WHILE NON-ELDERLY SINGLETONS AND DOUBLETONS NOT ACCEPTING CASH COMPENSATION WILL BE OFFERED SPACE IN DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION, ALSO TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CORPORATION.
OWNERS OF DOMESTIC PROPERTY MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A "HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCE" FROM THE GOVERNMENT IF THEY DO NOT OPT FOR REHOUSING OR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW FLAT FROM THE CORPORATION At A CONCESSIONARY PRICE.
/UNDER THE .......
WENESDAY, OCTOEER 2, 1991
UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE, AFFECTED OWNERS AND TENANTS OF PRIVATE LAND MAY MAKE STATUTORY CLAIMS AND, IF THE CLAIMS CANNOT BE SETTLED BY AGREEMENT, MAY APPLY TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR DETERMINATION.
IN RECOMMENDING TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THE RESUMPTION OF THE PROPERTIES AT LI CHIT STREET, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS IS SATISFIED THAT THE CORPORATION HAS TAKEN ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THESE INTERESTS ON TERMS THAT ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE.
UNDER THE REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL, THE CORPORATION WILL CONSTRUCT A 34-STOREY BUILDING ON THE SITE WITH SOME 1,100 SQUARE METRES OF GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE LOWER FOUR FLOORS.
THE UPPER 30 STOREYS WILL BE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE OF 250 SQUARE METRES WILL BE PROVIDED AT GROUND LEVEL WHILE A SECTION OF LI CHIT STREET WITHIN THE SITE WILL BE MADE A PEDESTRIAN AREA.
----------------0------- GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT AP LEI CHAU PRAYA ROAD. IT MEASURES ABOUT 50 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR A RETAILING SHOP FOR SELLING SHIPBUILDING MATERIALS ONLY.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED AT WESTERN PARK ROAD, WESTERN RECLAMATION.
WITH AN AREA ABOUT 5,050 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF TENANTS’ GOODS (EXCLUDING VEHICLE PARKING).
THE TENANCY IS UP TO DECEMBER 31, NEXT YEAR AND MONTHLY THEREAFTER.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON OCTOBER 18.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, HONG KONG SOUTH OR THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
/13 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1991
13 -
CENTRAL AND WESTERN BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR
******
CENTRAL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUILDING MANAGEMENT BY SPARING AN HOUR OR SO TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 4) EVENING.
BEGINNING AT 8 PM, THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT A CONVENIENTLY LOCATED VENUE IN THE DISTRICT — THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE’S LECTURE HALL, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE ANNUAL FORUM, NOW IN ITS FOURTH YEAR, HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR AMONG RESIDENTS.
THIS YEAR A NUMBER OF EXPERTS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK AT THE SEMINAR. THEY INCLUDE MR FAN SAI-YEE, AN ACCOUNTANT; MR MA KUT-CHUNG, A BUILDING SURVEYOR; AND THE HEAD OF THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM, MR LEE CHI-SHING.
"THEY WILL SPEAK ON 'FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT’, ’ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND DANGEROUS BUILDINGS’ AND 'CASE STUDIES ON BUILDING REPAIRS' RESPECTIVELY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE A SESSION FOR THE AUDIENCE TO SEEK ADVtCE AND ANSWERS FROM THE SPEAKERS ON DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
"LOCAL RESIDENTS CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE IF THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPROVING, AND UPGRADING THE VALUE OF, THEIR MULTI-STOREY BLOCKS," HE ADDED.
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDING OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION OF THE WESTERN DISTRICT, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 852 3462.
------0-------
122 VM’S RETURN TO VIETNAM
******
A GROUP OF 122 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 56 MEN, 28 WOMEN, 18 BOYS AND 20 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 69TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 3,945 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 10,241 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
--------0
/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 199.1
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
DATS i
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 1.10.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 2.10.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
* LATE O/N ASSISTANCE,
TO BE REVERSED ON 3.10.91
MILLION
boo
-26
+ 26
+ 293*
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.0 *-0.1* 2.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
2.10.91 1.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 3.86 PCT 3.65 PCT
1 MONTH 3.60 PCT 3.61 PCT
3 MONTHS 3.76 PCT 3.87 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.19 PCT 4.30 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.80 PCT 4.97 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 10,710 MN* 8,120 MN
♦RECORD HIGH
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS BORDER ................................................... 1
TDC PRAISED FOR ITS EXCELLENT JOB......................................... 1
STALLED TRADE TALKS AFFECT MULTILATERAL SYSTEM ........................... 2
HK - NEW ENGLAND NETWORK TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS .......................... 3
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR JULY RELEASED ............. 5
STATEMENT ON 'HALCION' ................................................... 8
EMPLOYERS URGED TO OFFER WELFARE SERVICES TO STAFF ....................... 8
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS 1992-93 ...................... 9
MARINE DEPT HANDBOOK FOR SHIPPING COMMUNITY ............................. 10
JUSTICE OF APPEAL DAVID STRONACH HUNTER DIES ............................ 11
HK STUDENTS JOIN INT'L COMPUTER CONTESTS ................................ 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 12
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
1
GOVERNOR VISITS BORDER
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, PAID A VISIT TODAY (THURSDAY) TO THE POLICE FIELD PATROL DETACHMENT MANNING THE EASTERN AND CENTRAL SECTORS OF THE LAND BORDER.
SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA AND THE REGIONAL COMMANDER, NEW TERRITORIES, MR TOBY EMMET.
SIR DAVID BEGAN HIS VISIT AT THE KONG SHAN POLICE POST WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE WORK OF THE DETACHMENT.
" I AM DELIGHTED BY THE ENTHUSIASM WITH WHICH THE POLICE ARE ONCE AGAIN TAKING OVER RESPONSBILITY FOR BORDER SECURITY," SAID SIR DAVID. " THESE DUTIES ARE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FORCE TO DISPLAY ITS PROFESSIONALISM."
SIR DAVID TRAVELLED ALONG THE BORDER FENCE AND STOPPED AT SOME OF THE OBSERVATION TOWERS WHERE HE CHATTED INFORMALLY WITH OFFICERS ON DUTY. HE CONCLUDED HIS TOUR AT THE COMMAND OPERATIONS ROOM AT THE MAN KAM TO POLICE POST.
------0-----------
TDC PRAISED FOR ITS EXCELLENT JOB ♦ i * * *
THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT WITH FURTHER LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TDC) WILL CONTINUE TO DO AN EXCELLENT JOB OF PROMOTING TWO-WAY TRADE FOR HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TDC OPEN DAY TO CELEBRATE THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNCIL, MR BARNES SAID THE TDC HAD SPARED NO EFFORTS TO BRING ABOUT IMPRESSIVE RESULTS IN PROMOTING AND DIVERSIFYING HK’S EXPORTS.
HE SAID OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, HONG KONG’S ANNUAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS HAD GROWN BY NEARLY 40 TIMES TO OVER $226 BILLION TODAY.
"OUR EXPORTS HAVE ALSO BEEN DIVERSIFIED FROM LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURES FOR A FEW MAJOR MARKETS TO TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR A WIDER VARIETY OF OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"THE NUMBER OF PROMOTION EVENTS HAS INCREASED BY 17 TIMES," ME ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID THE TDC HAD ALSO MADE GOOD EFFORTS IN UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS.
THE TDC-LEXUS AWARD FOR DESIGN INNOVATION PRESENTED TODAY WAS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY EXAMPLES WHICH DEMONSTRATED THE COUNCIL’S EFFORTS IN THIS ASPECT, HE SAID.
ON THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
- 2 -
ON THE OVERSEAS FRONT, MR BARNES SAID THE TDC HAD ESTABLISHED ITS PRESENCE.
APART FROM BEING REPRESENTED AT 34 LOCATIONS IN MAJOR BUSINESS CENTRES IN THE WORLD, THE COUNCIL HAD ALSO ORGANISED MANY AND VARIOUS KINDS OF PROJECTS TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S IMAGE ABROAD.
"THE TDC AND ITS STAFF ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON ALL THESE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS," MR BARNES SAID.
- - 0 - -
STALLED TRADE TALKS AFFECT MULTILATERAL SYSTEM * * i i i *
A STALLED URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS HELD UNDER THE GATT COULD ENGENDER PROTECTIONIST INWARD-LOOKING MEASURES OR MOVES TOWARDS TRADING BLOCS.
THIS REMARK WAS MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, WHEN HE OPENED THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COALITIONS OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
MR CHAU SAID THESE MEASURES COULD ONLY BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM WHICH HAD BEEN A POWERFUL ENGINE FOR GROWTH SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
"I HOPE THAT THE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS WHICH HAS BEEN MADE SO FAR IN MANY AREAS UNDER NEGOTIATION WILL HELP TO FOSTER FURTHER PROGRESS IN GENEVA SO THAT THE ROUND CAN BE BROUGHT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION IN THE COMING MONTHS," HE SAID.
TALKING ABOUT THE UNCERTAINTIES FACING THE URUGUAY ROUND AT THIS TIME, MR CHAU SAID THE DIFFICULTIES WERE WELL-KNOWN, AND HARD DECISIONS FACED ALL PARTICIPANTS.
"I REMAIN HOPEFUL THAT SUCH DECISIONS WILL BE TAKEN SO THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY THE URUGUAY ROUND CAN BE REALISED.
"BUT I AM CONSCIOUS THAT SOME MAY FEEL THAT THEY CANNOT TAkE THE NECESSARY ACTION TO ENABLE THE ROUND TO MOVE AHEAD. SUCH A DEVELOPMENT WOULD SERVE NOBODY’S INTERESTS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG MADE CLEAR AT BRUSSELS LAST YEAR THAT HONG KONG REMAINED READY TO NEGOTIATE A BALANCED URUGUAY ROUND PACKAGE, INCLUDING AN AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES.
"WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS TO BE IN OUR OWN INTEREST, AND IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL, AND WE WILL WORK TOWARDS THIS END IN GENEVA," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS TRADE IN SERVICES IN HONG KONG, MR CHAU SAID SERVICES ACCOUNTED FOR AROUND 70 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S GDP, AND PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT FOR OVER 60 PER CENT OF ITS WORKFORCE.
/MR CHAU ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
- 3 -
MR CHAU SAID SERVICES HAD PLAYED AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY SINCE THE 1970'S.
"IN JUST FIVE YEARS FROM 1985 TO 1990, WORLD EXPORTS OF SERVICES INCREASED MORE THAN 60 PER CENT.
"IN 1990, EXPORTS OF WORLD COMMERCIAL SERVICES WERE VALUED AT U.S.$650 BILLION.
"TRADE IN SERVICES NOW ACCOUNTS FOR ONE QUARTER OF WORLD TRADE, AND IS IMPORTANT TO DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ALIKE," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
HK - NEW ENGLAND NETWORK TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS * i * * * *
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, HAS ANNOUNCED THE SETTING UP OF THE HONG KONG-NEW ENGLAND NETWORK TO FOSTER BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MASSACHUSETTS.
SPEAKING AT A RECEPTION IN BOSTON YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AS PART OF A ONE-WEEK VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA, MR BARMA SAID HE HOPED SUCH A LINK WOULD HELP NURTURE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS BENEFICIAL TO BOTH PLACES.
THIS WORKING ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MASSACHUSETTS FOLLOWED AN AGREEMENT IN HONG KONG LAST AUGUST WHEN GOVERNOR WELD AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONCLUDED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE OBJECT OF PROMOTING INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT.
MR BARMA SAID THE ASIA PACIFIC RESOURCE GROUP, A MASSACHUSETTS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY, HAD BEEN ENGAGED TO PROMOTE THE NETWORK.
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR SUCH A WORKING ARRANGEMENT, MR BARMA SAID IN THE YEARS AHEAD, BOTH MASSACHUSETTS AND HONG KONG COMPANIES MUST FACE THE CHALLENGE OF WORLD-WIDE COMPETITION AND THAT STRATEGIC, WELL-BALANCED PARTNERSHIPS WOULD BE A PARTICULARLY USEFUL WAY TO BUILD A GLOBAL BUSINESS.
"OUR GOAL IN SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT IS SIMPLE: WE WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR BUSINESSMEN IN HONG KONG AND MASSACHUSETTS TO WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD THEIR COMPANIES.
"WE WOULD LIKE THE NETWORK TO BE RECOGNISED, AND REGARDED AS AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR EXECUTIVES AND ENTREPRENEURS, TO EXCHANGE PRODUCTIVE INFORMATION AMONG THEMSELVES," ME SAID.
MR BARMA SAID HONG KONG AND MASSACHUSETTS HAD MUCH TO OFFER EACH OTHER.
/"MASSACHUSETTS HAS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
4
"MASSACHUSETTS HAS AN INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR INNOVATIVE COMPANIES WITH LEADING POSITIONS IN A WIDE RANGE OF TECHNOLOGIES.
"YOU HAVE A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH, LED BY YOUR FOREMOST ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
"ALL OF THIS CAN PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH ACCESS TO IMPORTANT NEW TECHNOLOGIES," HE SAID.
ON OUR SIDE, MR BARMA SAID HONG KONG COULD PROVIDE MASSACHUSETTS COMPANIES WITH AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL BASE, AND A WINDOW WITH AN EXCELLENT VIEW ON THE FAST GROWTH MARKETS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
"INDEED, HONG KONG OCCUPIES A PIVOTAL POSITION AS A MAJOR FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE FOR THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
"WE ARE ALSO THE GATEWAY TO CHINA, AND THE NATURAL CONNECTION FOR ANY OVERSEAS COMPANY WANTING TO DO BUSINESS IN OUR PART OF THE WORLD.
"WE HAVE BECOME NOT ONLY A PLACE TO INVEST IN OFF-SHORE ASSEMBLY, BUT ALSO A PLACE WHICH HAS GROWING CAPABILITY FOR HI-TECH MANUFACTURING AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
"WE ARE ALSO SERVING AS A CONTROL, SUPPORT AND SERVICE BASE FOR MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS NOT ONLY IN CHINA, BUT THROUGHOUT THE REGION," HE SAID.
MR BARMA ADDED THAT THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS HAb A TRADITION OF INNOVATION AND BRINGING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO THE MARKET PLACE.
"YOUR EXPERTISE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, BIOTECHNOLOGY OR IM THE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD IS OF GREAT VALUE TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY." TJT? O A T r»
MR EDWARD MORRISON, PRESIDENT OF THE ASIA PACIFIC RESOURCE GROUP, SAID THE NETWORK RESTED ON THE NOTION THAT - IN THE 1990S -THE FORMATION OF STRATEGIC ALLIANCES WAS A KEY TO BUILDING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN GLOBAL MARKETS.
"BOTH NEW ENGLAND AND HONG KONG COMPANIES NEED WELL-DESIGNED BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS IN ORDER TO SURVIVE AND GROW.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE NETWORK IS TO FACILITATE THESE ALLIANCES. THEY CAN TAKE THE FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS, LICENSING AGREEMENTS, R&D COLLABORATIONS OR JOINT VENURES," HE SAID.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 19§ 1
5
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR JULY hELEASEt)
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JULY 1991, ESTIMATED AT $11,842.6 MILLION, INCREASED BY 20.7% WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1990j WHILE THEIR VOLUME INCREASED BY 13.1%, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS EoE CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 41.6% IN VALUE AND 33.0% IN VOLUME IN JULY 1991 COMPARED WITH JULY 1990.
SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS ROSE §Y 29.9% IN VALUE AND 23.4% IN VOLUME. WITHIN THIS GROUP, SALES OF
DEALERS IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 29.6% IN VALUE AND
18.0% IN VOLUME, WHILE SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR OTHER CONSUMER
DURABLE GOODS ROSE BY 30.1% IN VALUE AND 27.4% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY 15.7% IN VALUE AND 9.9% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR FUELS WENT UP BY 14.5% IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 3.8% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF SUPERMARKETS INCREASED BY 10.4% IN VALUE AND 0.1% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS (OTHER THAN SUPERMARKETS) FOR FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 10.2% IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2.4% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND VALUABLE GIFT, WENT UP BY 7.6% IN VALUE AND 7.4% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR OTHER CONSUMER GOODS NOT ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED WENT UP BY 36.9% IN VALUE AND 27.8% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO JULY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 12.9% IN VALUE AND 5.7% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH JUNE 1991, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JULY 1991 INCREASED BY 9.8% IN VALUE AND 10.2% IN VOLUME.
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES ARE DERIVED FROM FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES AFTER HAVING ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES. THE INDICATORS OF PRICE CHANGES USED FOR THE PURPOSE ARE THE RESPECTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE BROAD CATEGORY OF GOODS IN QUESTION.
/TABLE 1 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
- 6 -
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JONE 1991 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR JULY 1991.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF REtAlL SALES tM JUNE AND JULY 1991 FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS AND BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF JULY 1991 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JUNE 1991 AND WITH THOSE FOR JULY 1990, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO JULY OF 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE JULY 1991 RESULTS tS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $1.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY RE DIRECTED tO Ttift WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1258).
/TABLE 1 : .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for July 1991 (Provisional Figure) = HKSll,842.6 aillion
for June 1991 (Revised Figure) = HK$10,786.7 dillion
TABLE 2 : VALVE ANO VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR JUNE 1991 MD JULY 1991
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
1 1 Itei 1 Index of Retail Sales June 1991 1 July 1 1991 1 July colpared June 1991 1 with 1 1991 1 July colpared July 1991 1 dth 1 1990 1 Jao.-Jil. i$9i 1 colpared u’th 1
Jan.-Jil. 1994 1
1 1 1 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS (Revised figures) (Provisional 1 figures) 1 1 । Points * 1 1 1 । Points 4 hiott 1 1 1 1 |
1 | Value 111.9 126.1 "1 ♦11.2 *9.4 1 +21.6 ♦20.7 1 ♦13.1 414.9 1
1 1 I (B) BY TYPE OP RETAIL OUTLET Voluie 105.4 116.2 1 1 1 j ♦10.8 ♦10.2 1 1 1 । ♦13. ( ♦13.1 1 ♦5.7 *5.1 1
1 1 Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 116.1 117.6 1 ♦ 1.2 +1.0 I ♦ 10.9 ♦10.2 1 ♦14.6 415.1 1 ♦4.6 +4.9 1 1 1 I
1 drinks and tobacco 1 (other than I superiarkets) Voluie 102.5 102.5 1 1 1 ; 1 1 1 1 1 I -2.5 -2.4 1
1 I Superiarkets 1 Value Voluie 123.8 109.9 120.8 1 106.4 1 3.0 3.5 -2.5 1 -3.2 1 ♦11.1 *0.1 *10.1 I *0.1 1 *12.1 *12.4 1 *2.1 +2.0 1 j
1 1 Fuels 1 Value 121.1 1 125.1 1 ♦ 4.1 1 ♦3.4 1 ♦15.* +14.5 1 *24.1 *16.4 1
Voluie 102.3 102.7 1 ♦0.4 ♦0.4 1 -4.1 -3.8 I *5.1 *5.5 1 1
1 1 Clothing, footwear and Value 108.0 129.8 1 ♦21.* 1 ♦20.2 I ♦38.2 ♦41.6 1 Hl.l 411.1 1 *9.4 *4.9 I 1
1 allied products Voluie 95.7 119.1 1 । ♦23.4 ♦24.4 1 । . +29.6 ♦33.0 1
1 I Consuier durable goods* 1 Value 121.9 144.1 1 +22.2 ♦18.2 1 ♦33.2 ♦29.9 1 ♦14.1 *13.1 1 ♦1.5 +1.4 1 1
Voluie 113.4 134.4 1 ♦21.0 ♦18.5 1 ♦25.4 ♦23.4 1
1 1 - Motor vehicles Value 120.) 1 1(6.6 1 ♦26.3 ♦21.8 1 ♦33.5 ♦29.6 1 ♦Li *5.1 1 -1.1 -3.4 1 |
I and parts Voluie 107.5 130.8 1 ♦ 23.4 ♦21.7 1 । ♦ 19.9 ♦18.0 I
1 I - Consuier durable Value 123.0 142.2 1 ♦ 19.2 ♦15.6 1 ♦ 32.9 *30.1 1 ♦ii.l *19.4 1 ♦15.6 *15.4 1 1 1 |
I goods other than I lotor vehicles I and parts Voluie 117.7 137.0 1 1 1 । ♦ 19.3 ♦16.4 1 1 1 । +29.4 *21.4 I
1 I Departient stores 1 Value Voluie 104.2 94.0 118.7 1 110.6 1 ♦ 14.5 ♦ 16.7 ♦13.9 1 +17.7 1 ♦16.1 +10.0 *15.1 I ♦9.9 I ♦4.1 *4.4 I *2.) +2.3 I |
1 1 Jewellery, watches Value 115.7 124.4 1 ♦8.7 ♦7.5 1 ♦4.4 *7.6 I ♦1.1 1 ♦1.4 (1.5 I *5.6 *5.5 I I
1 and clocks, and 1 valuable gift Voluie 115.4 123.4 1 1 +8.0 ♦6.9 1 1 । +8.5
1 1 Other consuier goods Value 110.9 120.6 1 +9.8 ♦ 8.8 1 ♦ 32.5 *36.9 1 *12.4 *12.1 1 ♦1.6 *1.2 I I
1 not elsewhere I classified Voluie 104.0 111.9 1 1 ♦7.9 ♦ 7.6 1 1 ♦ 24.3 ♦27.8 1
HOTE : 1 This covers both 'Kotor vehicles and parts’ and 'Consuier durable goods other than lotor vehicles and parts’.
I Denotes a figure within £0.05
- - 0 - -
/8 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
- 8 -
STATEMENT ON ’HALCION’ *****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY) IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES:
"THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY CONTACTED THE HEALTH AUTHORITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE DRUG UNDER THE TRADE NAME ’HALCION’.
"THE ACTION FOLLOWED REPORTS THAT THE BRITISH HEALTH AUTMoHiTV HAS ORDERED THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE DRUG WHICH CONTAINS TRIAZOLAM.
"THE INFORMATION, WHEN RECEIVED, WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COURSE OF ACTION.
"THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM AS THE DRUG IS UNDER STRICT CONTROL OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE AND CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED BY PRESCRIPTION AND UNDER CLOSE SUPERVISION AT AUTHORISED SELLERS PREMISES ONLY.”
EMPLOYERS URGED TO OFFER WELFARE SERVICES TO STAFF ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
LOCAL EMPLOYERS WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) ENCOURAGED TO STRENGTHEN THEIR WELFARE SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN A BID TO RETAIN STAFFj ATTRACT NEW RECRUITS AND FURTHER IMPROVE EMPLOYER AND STAFF RELATIONSHIPS.
THE PLEA WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, AT THE OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SEMINAR TO INTRODUCE THE CONCEPT OF SETTING UP WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRE.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRES IS A GOOb WAY FOR EMPLOYERS TO BENEFIT THEIR EMPLOYEES," MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT IT WAS QUITE A USUAL PRACTICE IN SOME ADVANCED COUNTRIES IN ASIA AND EUROPE FOR EMPLOYERS TO TAKE PART IN OFFERING SOCIAL SERVICES, PARTICULARLY CHILD CARE SERVICES.
"THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING THE SEMINAR TODAY IS TO INTRODUCE THE CONCEPT AND SERVICES FOR WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRE - A NEW DIRECTION OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMME," SHE ADDED.
ATTENDING THE SEMINAR WERE ABOUT 100 EMPLOYERS FROM THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR, AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHILD RESOURCE INSTITUTE IN BERKELEY, THE UNITED STATES, MR KENNETH JAFFE, BRIEFED THE PARTICIPANTS ON THE ADVANTAGES OF SETTING UP WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRES.
/ALSO, REPRESENTATIVES .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
- 9 -
ALSO, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE SPOKE ON THEIR EXPERIENCES IN MANAGING THE FIRST WORKBASED CHILD CARE CENTRE IN THE TERRITORY.
MEANWHILE, UNDER THE ARRANGEMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR KENNETH JAFFE WILL HOLD A HALF-DAY SEMINAR FOR ABOUT 70 PERSONNEL FROM LOCAL CHILD CARE ORGANISATIONS TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
HE WILL SPEAK ON THE NEW DIRECTIONS OF CHILD CARE SERVICES.
--------0-----------
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS 1992-93 *****
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED THOSE WHO INTEND TO APPLY FOR THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1992-93 THAT THEY SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ON OR BEFORE SATURDAY (OCTOBER 5).
THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OFFERED BY THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A FIRST DEGREE OR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A HIGHER DEGREE EITHER BY RESEARCH OR BY COURSEWORK.
APPLICANTS MAY CHOOSE ANY SUBJECT OF STUDY OR RESEARCH AT ANY LEADING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE AND SHOULD BE OFFERED A PLACE SUBSEQUENTLY.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO POSSESS HIGH ACADEMIC PROWESS AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES. THEY SHOULD ALSO DEMONSTRATE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG.
UPON GRADUATION, SCHOLARS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS.
THE VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP NORMALLY COVERS UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEE, A MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE AND AN ALLOWANCE FOR AIR TRAVEL.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
* STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY.
/★ STUDENT FINANCIAL ........
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 3, 1991
10
♦ STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, FIFTH FLOOR, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING, 16 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL.
* EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION, ROOM 206, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK.
♦ YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
» THE BRITISH COUNCIL, EASEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 255 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 867 2735.
------0--------
MARINE DEPT HANDBOOK FOR SHIPPING COMMUNITY
* * * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A HANDBOOK FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE SHIPPING COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO FACILITATE THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IT WAS HOPED THAT THE HANDBOOK WOULD SERVE AS A USEFUL GUIDE TO THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND HENCE RENDER THEM MORE "USER FRIENDLY".
"IT SHOULD ALSO HELP TO PROMOTE BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT AMONG OVERSEAS MARITIME ORGANISATIONS," HE SAID.
THE 100-PAGE HANDBOOK INTRODUCES THE FUNCTIONS AND ORGANISATION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE FEES CHARGED FOR ITS SERVICES.
IT ALSO CONTAINS A CHAPTER ON THE AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER TOGETHER WITH INFORMATION ON THE REGISTRATION AND SURVEY FEES AND THE ANNUAL CHARGE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF A SHIP.
COPIES OF THE HANDBOOK ARE DISTRIBUTED FREE OF CHARGE TO BOTH THE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS SHIPPING COMMUNITY.
/COPIES WILL .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
- 11 -
COPIES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE IN ALL URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL PUBLIC LIBRARIES FROM WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 9).
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY WRITING TO THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, HARBOUR BUILDING, 21ST FLOOR, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR BY TELEPHONING 852 4423 OR 852 4425.
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JUSTICE OF APPEAL DAVID STRONACH HUNTER DIES
******
THE REGISTRAR OF SUPREME COURT, ON BEHALF OF THE JUbIClARYj ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE DAVID STRONACH HUNTER, CBE, DIED YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON AT HlS HOME IN LONDON AFTER A LONG ILLNESS.
THE JUDGE WAS BORN IN OCTOBER 1926 AND WAS EDUCATED At HARROW SCHOOL AND HERTFORD COLLEGE OXFORD. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR, MIDDLE TEMPLE, IN 1951 AND WAS MADE QUEEN’S COUNSEL IN 1971. IN 1979 HE WAS APPOINTED BENCHER OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE.
FROM 1975 TO 1981, THE JUDGE SAT AS A RECORDER OF THE CROWk COURT AND IN 1982 WAS APPOINTED A HIGH COURT JUDGE IN HONG KONG. Ik 1987 HE WAS APPOINTED JUSTICE OF APPEAL. HE WAS AWARDED CBE IN tHE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 1991.
THE JUDGE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE JANET AND THREE CHILDREN.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE HUNTER AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 7) IN COURT NO. 1 OF THE SUPREME COURT.
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HK STUDENTS JOIN INT’L COMPUTER CONTESTS
******
A TEAM OF THREE STUDENTS WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG IN TWO INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER COMPETITIONS TO BE HELD IN JAKARTA AND SINGAPORE NEXT MONTH AND IN DECEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
THEY WILL BE CHOSEN FROM 68 STUDENTS, NOMINATED BY 28 SCHOOLS। WHO WILL ATTEND A SELECTION TEST TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE IN HUNG HOM.
THE SELECTION BOARD WILL COMPRISE REPRESENTATIVES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG COMPUTER SOCIETY AND THE KONG ASSOCIATION FOR COMPUTER EDUCATION.
THE HONG
/THE TWO
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1991
- 12 -
THE TWO INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLfe YOUNG COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS TO EXPLOIT THEIR PROGRAMMING SKILLS AND TO PROMOTE THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER Ttifc
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S FLOOR, HUNG HOM
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A SELECTION TEST WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE, 19 HOK YUEN STREET,
SECOND
AT 2 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
------0 - -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 2.10.91 893
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 3.10.91 -183*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -110
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NfcUTRAL
*O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -293MN OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +110MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *-0.2* 3.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEE
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
2.10.91 3. 10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 3.86 PCT 3.99 PCT
1 MONTH 3.60 PCT 3.75 PCT
3 MONTHS 3.76 PCT 3.87 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.19 PCT 4.31 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.80 PCT 4.95 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 10,710 MN 12,375 MN*
* RECORD HIGH
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOOD PROGRESS IN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR BEDSPACE TENANTS ................. 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1991 ...................................... 2
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFLUENTIAL TO HK'S TRANSFORMATION ................ 5
INDUSTRIALISTS MUST WORK UP FOR EDGES .................................... 6
HK POSSESSES QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE ..................................... 8-
HK DELEGATION TO ATTEND INT'L WELFARE CONFERENCE ......................... 9
ISSUE OF DOCUMENTS OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES AND RE-ENTRY VISAS TO IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA ................................................. 10
SOCIAL NETWORKS ESSENTIAL TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ...................... 10
PRIVATE GARAGES TO TEST SMOKY VEHICLES .................................. 11
CSD OFFICERS BID FAREWELL TO HYDES ...................................... 12
PLEA ON EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PEOPLE ................................... 13
FUKUI BANK GRANTED HK BANKING LICENCE ................................... 14
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE ...................... 14
DREDGING OFF TUEN MUN PROPOSED .......................................... 15
TIN HA WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE DEGAZETTED ................................. 16
TENDERS INVITED FOR PLAYGROUNDS, COOKED FOOD CENTRE IMPROVEMENT WORKS 16
IMPROVEMENTS TO HING FONG ROAD .......................................... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 18
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4,
1991
GOOD PROGRESS IN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR BEDSPACE TENANTS
GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF BEDSPACE APARTMENT TENANTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ TAK NGA HOUSE SINGLETON HOSTEL IN WAN CHAI, HE SAID THE GROUP HAD RESPONDED TO GOVERNMENT’S APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE TO SOLVE THE BEDSPACE APARTMENT PROBLEM BY CONVERTING ONE OF ITS PROPERTIES INTO A HOSTEL FOR THESE PEOPLE.
THE TAK NGA HOUSE, LOCATED AT 197 LOCKHART ROAD, IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE SET UP UNDER A GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO HOUSE EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENT TENANTS AND IS GOING TO BE MANAGED BY THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
MR TSAO RECALLED THAT AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MOTION DEBATE ON BEDSPACE APARTMENTS ON FEBRUARY 27 THIS YEAR HE HAD SAID THAT A COMPONENT OF THE IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE WOULD BE TO PROVIDE OTHER SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION TO ABOUT 1,000 SINGLE LODGERS IN SUCH APARTMENTS.
IN.THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD OBTAINED THE SUPPORT OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITIES FUND AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT APART FROM THE CURRENT TUNG WAH PROJECT WHICH PROVIDES 80 BEDS, THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY HAD ALSO REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) TO PROVIDE TWO LARGE FLATS IN KWUN TONG GARDEN FOR CONVERSION INTO A SINGLETON HOSTEL.
"RENOVATION IS UNDERWAY AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FLATS WILL BE FORMALLY HANDED OVER TO THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS’ TIME.
"IN ADDITION, CNTA HAS IDENTIFIED TWO RESIDENTIAL FLATS IN KOWLOON AS SUITABLE HOSTEL PREMISES.
"IF EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY, THE TWO FLATS WILL BE PURCHASED WITH A PORTION OF THE $40 MILLION WHICH HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BY THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITIES FUND AND BY THEN, THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF BEDSPACE LODGERS WILL BE FURTHER IMPROVED," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT GOOD MANAGEMENT WAS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ENSURING FULL UTILISATION OF A SINGLETON HOSTEL, MR TSAO SAID HE WAS GLAD THAT THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE HAD AGREED TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE MANAGEMENT OF TAK NGA HOUSE AND OTHER SINGLETON HOSTELS TO BE OPENED IN FUTURE.
"IN FACT, THE AGENCY HAS GIVEN INVALUABLE ADVICE ON THE FACILITIES OF TAK NGA HOUSE AT ITS PLANNING STAGE," HE SAID.
/EARLIER, MR ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
EARLIER, MR TSAO SAID UNDER THE IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE, ANOTHER 1,000 LODGERS WOULD BE REHOUSED UNDER THE EXISTING SOCIAL WELFARE REHOUSING POLICY.
THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE, HE SAID, WAS TO REHOUSE HALF OF THE EXISTING 4,000 BEDSPACE TENANTS IN SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION SO AS TO REDUCE THE CROWDED CONDITION, THE FIRE RISKS OF THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS AS WELL AS TO FACILITATE BETTER MANAGEMENT.
AS FOR LONG TERM MEASURES, MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER A LICENSING SYSTEM FOR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS.
HE STRESSED THAT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF EXISTING BEDSPACE TENANTS COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED OVERNIGHT.
"HOWEVER, WITH THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERAI1ON OF THE VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS, I AM FULLY CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL SUCCEED," MR TSAO SAID.
HE ALSO PRAISED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR SETTING A LEADING EXAMPLE IN HELPING THE GOVERNMENT TO SOLVE THE BEDSPACE APARTMENT PROBLEM.
"I HOPE THAT MORE PUBLIC-MINDED INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WILL FOLLOW SUIT AND MAKE AN ACTIVE RESPONSE," MR TSAO ADDED.
------0-------
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR AUGUST 1991 * ♦ ♦ * ♦
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED DURING AUGUST, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE DURING THE MONTH. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO RECORDED AN INCREASE IN AUGUST.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, GREW BY 2.4% IN AUGUST FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.2% AND 1.7% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS ROSE BY 2.2% AND 8.6% RESPECTIVELY WHILE TIME DEPOSITS FELL BY 1.1% IN AUGUST. COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 8.7%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 0.6% IN AUGUST, FOLLOWING DECREASES OF 0.6% AND 0.7% RESPECTIVELY IN JUNE AND JULY.
/AMONG THESE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
- 1 3 -
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, US DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.6% MIU NON-US DOLLAR DEPOSITS RECORDED NO CHANGE IN AUGUST. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 13.5%.
DURING AUGUST, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS ROSE BY 1.6% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 1.2% AND 4.3% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY 13.1% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 8.5% AND 20.7% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 3.2%, 2.8% AND 2.6%
RESPECTIVELY IN AUGUST, COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATfiS OF 7.2%, 1.8% AND 1.6% IN JULY.
OVER THE YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES ROSE BY 19.0%, 10.4%
AND 9.0% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BV 3.0&, 1.7& Akb IR-
RESPECTIVELY IN AUGUST.
THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN JULY WERE 5.1%, 0.2% AND 0.3%. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 18.9%, 12.8% AND 11.3% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 2.4% IN AUGUST, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.8% AND 2.0% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS AND THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY GREW BY 1.4% AND 3.0% RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 17.4% AND 29.5% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE EXTERNAL TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 1.3% IN AUGUST, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.8% AND 2.0% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 22.9%. OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 1.3% IN AUGUST, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.3% AND 1.5% RESPECTIVELY IN THE PREVIOUS TWO MONTHS.
OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 16.6%. LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG ROSE BY 3.4% IN AUGUST, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.5% AND 2.9% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 46.0%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED At 163. THE NUMBER OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 49 WHILE THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 162.
/TABLE 1 : .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
- 4 -
TABLE I : MONETARY STATISTICS - AUGUST 1991
(HKSmn)
Aug 1991 Earlier months (% change to Aug 1991)
Jul 1991 May 1991 Aug 1990
Money Supply
Mi -HKS 102,932 99.773 ( 3.2 ) 93,813 ( 9.7 ) 86,527 ( 19.0 )
Foreign currency 14,492 14.177 ( 2.2 ) 13,834 ( 4.8 ) 12,257 ( 18.2 )
Total 117.424 113.951 ( 3.0 ) 107,647 ( 9.1 ) 98,784 ( 18.9 )
M2 - HKS4 590.926 574.701 ( 2.8 ) 553,090 ( 6.8 ) 535,082 ( 10.4 )
Foreign currency4 692.871 687.406 ( 0.8 ) 698,951 ( -0.9 ) 602,630 ( 15.0 12.i )
Total 1,283.797 1,262.107 ( 1.7 ) 1,252.041 ( 2.5 ) 1,137,711 ( )
M3 - HKS4 617.890 602.407 ( 2.6 ) 581,080 ( 6.3 ) 566,928 ( 9.0 )
Foreign currency4 733.971 729.219 ( 0.7 ) 738.211 ( -0.6 ) 647,518 ( 13.4 j
Total 1.351,861 1,331,627 ( 1.5 ) 1,319,291 ( 2.5 ) 1.214.447 ( 11.3 )
Notes and coins in circulation 46.836 44,564 ( 5.1 ) 43,806 ( 6.9 ) 40.064 ( 16.9 )
of which held by public 40,240 38,450 ( 4,7 .) 37,655 ( 6.9 ) .34.4 80 ( 16.7 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 77.184 75,501 ( 2.2 ) 69,992 ( 10.3 ) 64.304 ( 20.0 ) )
Total Savings deposits 269.661 253.897 ( 6.2 ) 240,794 ( 12.0 ) 223.200 ( 20.§
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 879.800 877.790 ( 0.2 ) 886,240 ( -0.7 ) 797.236 ( 10.4 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 38,451 38,905 ( -12 ) 38,095 ( 0.9 ) 42,009 ( -8.5 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 26,321 27.500 ( -4-3 ) 27,597 ( 4.6 ) 33,205 ( -20.7 )
HKS deposits* 563.909 550.663 ( 2.4 ) 530,167 ( 6.4 ) 518,864 ( 8.7 )
USS deposits4 293.395 288.738 ( 16 ) 292,760 ( 0.2 ) 289,995 ( 12 )
Other foreign currency deposits4 434.112 434.193 ( 0.0 ) <•39.789 ( -13 ) 351.096 ( 23.6 I
All deposits 1.291.417 1.273.594 ( 1-4 ) 1,262,717 ( 2.3 ) 1,159,954 ( 11.3 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 47.852 61,156 ( -21.8 ) 55.922 ( -14.4 ) 70,088 ( -31.7 )
Total Loans and advances
To Finance H.K.'s visible trade 82.995 81,903 ( 13 ) 77,387 ( 7.2 ) 67,518 ( 22.9 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11.263 9,828 ( 14.6 ) 9,938 ( 13.3 ) 10,046 ( 12.1 )
Other loans for use in H.K 767,935 757.808 ( 13 ) 736,512 ( 4.3 ) 658,325 ( 16.6 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,095,380 1,059,148 ( 3.4 ) 1,024.252 ( 6.9 ) 750.445 ( 46.0 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 40,115 41,584 ( -35 ) 48.421 ( -17.2 ) 110.852 ( -63.8 )
Loans in HKS 680.924 671,257 ( 14 ) 658,395 ( 3.4 ) 580,108 ( 17.4 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,316.763 1,279.015 ( 3.0 ) 1,238,116 ( 6.4 ) 1.017.078 ( 29.5 )
Total loans and advances 1.997,687 1,950,272 ( 2.4 ) 1,896,511 ( 5.3 ) 1.597.186 ( 25.1 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : 'Restricted licence banks' and 'deposit-taking companies’ were known as 'licensed deposit-taking companies and registered deposit-taking companies' respectively before I February 1990.
- - 0 - -
/5 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4,
5
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFLUENTIAL TO HE’S TRANSFORMATION ♦ * i i i i
THE RAPID ABSORPTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES HAS HELPED TRANSFORM HONG KONG FROM AN ENTREPOT TO A MAJOR CENTRE OF INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND FINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF CENIT ASIA ’91 AT THE HONG KoNG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR CHAU SAID INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) HAD BEEN ESPECIALLY INFLUENTIAL IN BRINGING ABOUT THIS TRANSFORMATION.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WAS COMPLETELY OUTWARD-LOOK±N0j HE SAID SOPHISTICATED COMMUNICATIONS LINKS WITH THE TERRITORY’S TRADING AND INVESTMENT PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD WERE A MUST.
"THE TERRITORY NOW HAS ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WAS ALSO HEAVILY SLANTED TOWARDS SERVICES WHICH NOW ACCOUNTED FOR AROUND 70 PER CENT OF MoNd KONG’S GDP.
"MANY SERVICE BUSINESSES ARE HEAVY USERS OF INFORMATION - Afob OF IT.
"HONG KONG COULD NOT HAVE ACHIEVED ITS STATUS As A WORLb FINANCIAL CENTRE IF THE COMPANIES INVOLVED WERE NOT TECHNOLOGICALLY COMPETITIVE," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WAD Not TRADITIONALLY BEEN TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE.
"THAT IS NOW CHANGING. AND MANY OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES WUtcH INDUSTRY IS ADOPTING ARE INFORMATION-RELATED,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID IN HONG KONG AS ELSEWHERE, COMPANIES ADOPTED tt FOR REASONS OF SOUND COMMERCIAL LOGIC.
"THEY ARE LOOKING TO IT TO HELP SOLVE SPECIFIC BUSINESS PROBLEMS.
"TO OBTAIN THE BEST RETURN ON THEIR IT INVESTMENTS, THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES FROM THE RANGE OF SOLUTIONS ON OFFER FROM SUPPLIERS - A RANGE THAT IS EXPANDING ALL THE TIME AS TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO DEVELOP APACE," HE SAID.
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/6.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1951
6
INDUSTRIALISTS MUST WORK UP FOR EDGES ♦ * i i ♦
the Acting director-general of industry, MR wilfrRd bONtij TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WHOSE PRODUCTIVITY HAS MADE HONG KONG THE WORLD’S 11TH LARGEST EXPORTER BUT CAUTIONED INDUSTRIALISTS THAT THEY MUST FACE NEW CHALLENGES SQUARELY IF THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF AUTOTECH ASIA '91, MR WoRG CALLED ON INDUSTRIALISTS TO BE MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO INTRODUCE AUTOMATION IN THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
MR WONG NOTED THAT 90 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WAS EVENTUALLY EXPORTED AND THAT ITS DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1990 HAD AMOUNTED TO US$29 BILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED 41.4 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GPD) AT CURRENT PRICES.
HONG KONG'S DOMESTIC EXPORTS HAD GROWN BY 74 PER CENT IN VALUE BETWEEN 1985 AND 1990.
"DESPITE THE REMARKABLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ObR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, WE OUGHT TO BE ALIVE TO CHANGES WHtcM WILL LIKELY AFFECT ITS COMPETITIVENESS IN THE LONGER TERM.
"WE ALREADY SEE LOW-COST ECONOMIES IN THE REGION GEARING UP THEIR PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES.
"AT THE SAME TIME, OUR OVERSEAS MARKETS ARE DEMANDING BETTER QUALITY AND DESIGN, GREATER VARIETY OF PRODUCTS AND FASTER RESPONSE TIME.
IN RESPONSE TO THESE REQUIREMENTS, MR WONG SAID OUR COMPETITORS WERE PULLING UP THEIR SOCKS TO IMPROVE THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL COMPETENCE, AND HENCE MARKET SHARE.
"AT HOME, MANUFACTURERS ARE FACING GROWING COMPETITION FOR LIMITED MANPOWER RESOURCES FROM OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
"THESE ARE ALL FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES WHICli INDUSTRIALISTS MUST FACE SQUARELY IF THEY WISH TO CONTINUE TO PROSPER IN MANUFACTURINGj" HE SAID.
WITHIN HONG KONG ITSELF, HE SAID RISING LABOUR COSTS HAD MADE IT ESSENTIAL FOR MANUFACTURERS TO INCREASE THE VALUE-ADDED CONTENT OF THEIR PRODUCTS TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE PROFIT MARGIN OF THEIR INVESTMENT.
"THIS UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR MORE AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING METHODS," MR WONG SAID, WHEN ADDRESSING THE CONFERENCE WHICH ADOPTED THE THEME OF "COMPETITIVE MANUFACTURING THROUGH AUTOMATION".
HE ALSO SAID WHILE IT WAS TRUE THAT SOME OF HONG KONC’S MANUFACTURERS HAD RESPONDED TO THESE CHALLENGES BY SHIFTING
LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES OUTSIDE HONG KONG, THE TREND WITHIN HONG KONG WOULD BE TOWARDS CAPITAL-INTENSIVE, HIGHLY AUTOMATED FACTORIES PRODUCING HIGH QUALITY AND HIGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS.
/AUTOMATION WAS .......
FRIDAY. OCTOBER 4, 1991
AUTOMATION WAS A KEY ELEMENT FOR SPEED, PRECISION AND RELIABILITY, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTOMATION IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
HE SAID A STUDY ON INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN COMPLETED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
"THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY IS TO IDENTIFY THE BENEFITS OF AND OBSTACLES TO AUTOMATION IN HONG KONG, AND TO RECOMMEND WAYS TO REMOVE THE OBSTACLES,” HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE FINDINGS WOULD BE EXAMINED BY THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD WITH A VIEW TO RECOMMENDING WAYS AND MEANS TO FURTHER PROMOTE AUTOMATION IN HONG KONG.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT AND VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE MORE FACILITIES TO AID INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE HKPC HAS STRENGTHENED ITS CONSULTANCY CAPABILITY IN SUPPORT OF AUTOMATION IN DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING. THIS INCLUDES A CAD SERVICE CENTRE, A CAD/CAM WORKSHOP, A MICROPROCESSOR APPLICATION LABORATORY, A SURFACE MOUNTING TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY AND A PHOTO-CHEMICAL MILLING LABORATORY.
"THE HKPC, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, HAS ESTABLISHED A CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING CENTRE IN KOWLOON BAY.
"THIS IS TO DISSEMINATE THE LATEST GARMENT PRODUCT SYSTEMS CONDUCIVE TO GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND MECHANISATION.
HE ALSO SAID THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL PROVIDED TRAINING TO WORKERS AT VARIOUS LEVELS IN OPERATING A RANGE OF COMPUTER-CONTROLLED MACHINES.
THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS, IN ADDITION TO EDUCATING TOMORROW’S MANAGERS AND TECHNOLOGISTS, WERE TAKING A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION CONSULTANCIES AND DEVELOPMENT.
"FOR INSTANCE, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG HAVE UNDERTAKEN A PROJECT TO DEVELOP JOINTLY A CAD/CAM SYSTEM FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING.
MOREOVER, HE ADDED THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ACTIVELY SOUGHT TO TRANSFER ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY FROM ABROAD THROUGH ITS INWARD INVESTMENT PROMOTION PROGRAMME.
"WE ARE WITNESSING A TREND TOWARDS PRODUCT DOWNSIZING, SHORT PRODUCT LIFE-CYCLES, SMALL PRODUCTION RUNS, FAST DELIVERY AND GREAT EMPHASIS ON PRODUCT QUALITY AND RELIABILITY.
"TO MEET THESE EXACTING DEMANDS, THERE SHOULD BE SCOPE FOR WIDER INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION," HE SAID.
/MR WONG .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
- 8 -
MR WONG SAID THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT THE DECISION TO AUTOMATE IS A DIFFICULT ONE TO TAKE.
"HOWEVER, AUTOMATION IS NOT ALWAYS COSTLY IF ONE HAS A SOUND STRATEGY TO IMPLEMENT AN AUTOMATION PLAN SENSIBLY AND INCREMENTALLY. AFTER ALL, INVESTMENT OF THIS NATURE SHOULD GENERATE BETTER RETURN IN THE LONG RUN," MR WONG SAID.
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HK POSSESSES QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE
******
THE LAST DECADE HAS ENDED WITH HONG KONG POSSESSING A QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE EQUAL TO THE BEST AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY (QUALITY SERVICES), MR ERNEST EVANS, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR EVANS, WHO WILL SOON RETIRE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE, MADE THE REMARKS WHEN HE OPENED THE INTERNATIONAL TOY SAFETY SEMINAR AT THE HONG KONG EXHIBITION CENTRE.
HE NOTED THAT THE LAST 10 YEARS, DURING WHICH HE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN QUALITY SERVICES, STARTED WITH A TASK TO IMPLEMENT QUALITY-RELATED PROPOSALS FIRST PUT BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION.
HOWEVER, MR EVANS SAID THE FACT THAT HONG KONG HAD ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED MEASUREMENT STANDARDS CAPABILITIES, A MAJOR LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME BY WORLD STANDARDS AND A CERTIFICATION ORGANISATION AVAILABLE TO ACCREDIT COMPANIES TO ISO 9000, DID NOT MEAN THAT ALL OUR GOODS WERE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY STANDARDS.
"WHILE IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT QUALITY STANDARDS GENERALLY HAVE RISEN DRAMATICALLY OVER RECENT YEARS, THERE IS STILL SCOPE FOR CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
MR EVANS SAID FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS HONG KONG HAD BEEN RUNNING A SAMPLE TESTING SCHEME FOR TOYS AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS DESTINED FOR THE EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN MARKETS.
"A SURVEY OF OUR TEST RESULTS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAS SHOWN THAT THE OVERALL DEFECT RATE HAS INCREASED STEADILY," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE SURVEY ALSO SHOWED THAT FOR THOSE PRODUCTS ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED IN THE TERRITORY, THE DEFECT RATE HAD REDUCED DRAMATICALLY.
"THIS MEANS THAT THOSE GOODS MANUFACTURED OUTSIDE OF HONG KONG AND BROUGHT HERE FOR RE-EXPORTING CONTAIN THE BULK OF THE DEFECTS.
"I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT THIS REFLECTS POORLY ON HONG KONG’S QUALITY IMAGE TO OUR OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS, WHEN REALISTICALLY WE DON’T DESERVE IT.
/"THE QUALITY .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1951
- 9 -
"THE QUALITY MESSAGE HAS THEREFORE TO BE EMPHASISED TO ALL OUR SUPPLIERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE MANUFACTURING FOR US OUTSIDE OF MoNG KONG," HE SAID.
TURNING TO TOY SAFETY AND SAFETY IN THE HOMEi MR EVANS SAID THESE AREAS WERE RECEIVING ATTENTION IN HONG KONG WITH THE IMPENDING INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION COVERING BOTH TOY SAFETY AND ALSO PRODUCT SAFETY.
HE SAID ISO WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ISSUING AN INTERNATIONAL TOY SAFETY STANDARD.
"FORTUNATELY, MUCH OF THE WORDING IN ALL THESE NEW STANDARDS AND DIRECTIVES ARE VIRTUALLY COPIED FROM OTHER WELL ESTABLISHED DOCUMENTS.
"WE ARE FULLY CONVERSANT WITH THE ESTABLISHED ONES, SO OUR MANUFACTURERS AND TESTERS SHOULD HAVE NO INSURMOUNTABLE DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLYING WITH THE NEW STANDARDS," HE SAID.
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HK DELEGATION TO ATTEND INT’L WELFARE CONFERENCE
******
A HONG KONG DELEGATION, LED BY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE( Mft M.D. CARTLAND, WILL DEPART FOR MANILA ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 6) TO ATTEND THE FOURTH ASIAN AND PACIFIC MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE DELEGATION WILL ALSO INCLUDE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS LOUISE WONG AND SENIOR SOCIAL WORK OFFICER, MISS AU KIM-BIK.
THE FIVE-DAY CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC. IT WILL BE HELD IN A MANILA HOTEL, PHILIPPINES, STARTING FROM OCTOBER 7.
OVER 30 DELEGATES FROM THE REGION WILL PARTICIPATE lU THE CONFERENCE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE ON SOCIAL SERVICES AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
MR CARTLAND WILL ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE ON HONG RONG'S SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1985 AND ITS FUTURE DIRECTIONS.
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/10 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
10
ISSUE OF DOCUMENTS OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES AND RE-ENTRY VISAS TO IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA * * * * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 7 (MONDAY)j A PERSOM WHO ENTERED HONG KONG FROM CHINA ON STRENGTH OF ONE-WAY EXIT PERMIT AND WHO HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD, MAY APPLY FOR THE ISSUE OF A HONG KONG DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES.
UPON APPLICATION, A RE-ENTRY VISA WILL ALSO BE tSSOEb tO ENABLE THE HOLDER TO RETURN TO HONG KONG WITHIN HIS LIMITATION OF STAY.
"APPLICATIONS FOR DOCUMENTS OF IDENTITY AND RE-ENTRY VISAS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CHINESE EXTENSION SECTION SITUATED AT THE MA TAU KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111 FOR ENQUIRIES.
---------0 - -
SOCIAL NETWORKS ESSENTIAL TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT i i i i i ♦
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS IS ESSENTIAL tO TtiE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY OF LOVE AND CARE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MRS GOODSTADT, SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SAI KUNG FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE AND SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, POINTED OUT THAT EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY WAS RESIDENTS’ ACTIVE PARTICIPATION.
"THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYONbj PUBLISHED EARLY THIS YEAR, HAS RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING SOCIAL NETWORKS," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEM WAS A NEW DIRECTION OF WELFARE SERVICES.
NOTING THAT SAI KUNG IS NOW A PROSPEROUS AND DENSELY-POPULATEb TOWN, SHE STRESSED THAT BOTH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS WOULD WORK CLOSELY TO STEP UP VAEtOUS WELFARE SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS.
"STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE AND SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD WILL STRIVE TO COME INTO ASSISTANCE OF THE NEEDY FAMILIES IN THE NEW TOWN, THROUGH VARIOUS SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING COUNSELLING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE," MRS GOODSTADT ADDED.
MEANWHILE, SHE APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ACTIVELY SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON MEASURES TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM BEING LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME, ADDING THAT THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE WOULD EXPIRE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
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/H .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
11
PRIVATE GARAGES TO TEST SMOKY VEHICLES
* i i * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED NEW MEASURES IN ITS SMOKY VEHICLE CONTROL PROGRAMME WHICH ENLISTS PRIVATE GARAGES TO CONDUCT TESTS ON SMOKY VEHICLES.
STARTING FROM OCTOBER 14, 18 DESIGNATED PRIVATE GARAGES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT VEHICLE EMISSION TESTS AT A PEE OF $140.
THE LIST OF THE DESIGNATED GARAGES IS PUBLISHED IN' THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR FRED TROMP, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AIR AND NOISE) OF THE EPD SAID THESE GARAGES, SERVING AS DESIGNATED TESTING CENTRES, WOULD INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE CONTROL PROGRAMME BY 200 PERCENT TO 50,000 EMISSION TESTS A YEAR.
"THE EPD CENTRE AT HO MAN TIN WILL HANDLE LARGE VEHICLES WHICH ARE TOO BIG TO GET INTO MOST OF THE PRIVATE CENTRES," MR TROMP SAlD.
UNDER THE NEW PROGRAMME, OWNERS OF VEHICLES WHICH HAVE BfeEN SPOTTED EMITTING SMOKE WILL BE GIVEN A PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO HAVE THE SMOKE DEFECT RECTIFIED AND ARRANGE TO HAVE A TEST AT A DESIGNATED CENTRE.
THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF, ITS ACCREDITED SPOTTERS AND THE POLICE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SPOTTING SMOKY VEHICLES.
"THE OWNER OF SMALLER VEHICLES CAN CHOOSE ANY ONE OF THE 18 DESIGNATED CENTRES TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO RUN THE TEST," MR TROMP SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO CHARGE AT THE EPD TESTING CENTRE, BUT VEHICLES ARE CALLED IN AT A FIXED TIME ON A FIXED DATE TO TAKE THE TEST.
WITH THESE ARRANGEMENTS AND THE LIMITED CAPACITY OF THE EPD CENTRES, VEHICLES SPOTTED FOR EXCESSIVE SMOKE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO GET TESTED IN ABOUT EIGHT TO 10 WEEKS.
"WHAT HASN’T BEEN CHANGED IN THE CONTROL PROGRAMME IS THAT THE LICENCE OF A VEHICLE WILL BE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION IF THE VEHICLE FAILS TO PASS THE TESTING REQUIREMENTS OR IF ITS OWNER FAILS TO TURN IT IN FOR EMISSION TEST.
"THE LICENCE WILL BE RE-ISSUED ONLY AFTER SATISFACTORY EXAMINATION BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING A TEST ON ITS EMISSION," MR TROMP SAID.
LAST YEAR, 617 VEHICLE LICENCES WERE CANCELLED FOR NOT ATTENDING AN EMISSION TEST AT THE EPD CENTRE, 44 FOR MULTIPLE FAILURES IN THE TESTS.
"ONE OBVIOUS IMPROVEMENT OF THE NEW PROGRAMME IS THAT THE DURATION OF SMOKY VEHICLES REMAIN RUNNING ON THE STREET WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTENED," MR TROMP SAID.
/ACCORDING TO .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
12 -
ACCORDING TO EPD STATISTICS, NEARLY 100 PERCENT OF VEHICLES EMITTING EXCESSIVE SMOKE RUN ON DIESEL ENGINES.
TO HELP VEHICLE OWNERS UNDERSTAND THE EMISSION PROBLEM AND HOW TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE SMOKE, AN EXPLANATORY LEAFLET IS BEING SENT TO ALL OWNERS OF DIESEL ENGINE-DRIVEN VEHICLES.
MEANWHILE, THE EPD WILL LAUNCH A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AMONG VEHICLE OWNERS AND DRIVERS.
APART FROM THE EXPLANATORY LEAFLET, THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDES POSTERS, PRESS ADVERTISEMENTS, SPECIAL PROGRAMMES ON RADIO, AND A DRIVE - IN CONCERT TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 13 AT THE HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTORING IN TAI WAI.
THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE EPD.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONCERT WILL BE BROADCAST IN THE MORNING SUITE PROGRAMME OF RADIO II BETWEEN 9:30 AM AND 10 AM FROM OCTOBER 14 TO OCTOBER 16.
THE PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE OIL COMPANIES AND THE MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION WHILE THE VENUE FOR THE CONCERT IS PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTORING.
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CSD OFFICERS BID FAREWELL TO HYDES
******
OFFICERS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON BADE FAREWELL TO THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR GARTH HYDES, IN A PARADE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
MR HYDES WILL BE RETIRING NEXT MONTH AFTER 34 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
IN AN ADDRESS, MR HYDES SAID CSD OFFICERS SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE SERVICE AS IT IS ONE OF THE FINEST IN THE WORLD.
"OUR SYSTEMS, PROGRAMMES AND THE INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT OF PRISONERS, INCLUDING THE PROTECTION OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS, STAND OUT AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CSD HAD EXPANDED RAPIDLY IN THE PAST FEW DECADES.
"IN THE EARLY DAYS OF MY CAREER, WE ONLY HAD FIVE INSTITUTIONS HOLDING 3,500 INMATES BUT NOW THERE ARE 26 INSTITUTIONS HOLDING OVER 47,000 PEOPLE IN TRAINING AND DETENTION CENTRES FOR YOUNG MEN AND GIRLS, TREATMENT CENTRES FOR YOUNG AND ADULT DRUG ADDICTS, PRISONS, CAMPS FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS AND AN EXTENSIVE AFTERCARE SERVICE."
/ALSO, THE ........
FRIDAY, OTTOPER 4, 1991
13
ALSO, THE DEPARTMENT HAD SOPHISTICATED AND PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRIAL WORKSHOPS, PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME, HE ADDED.
MR HYDES SAID HE BELIEVED THAT WITH THE HIGH STANDARD OF STAFF TRAINING AVAILABLE TODAY, COMBINED WITH GOOD MANAGEMENT, THE CSD WAS NOW BETTER EQUIPPED THAN EVER TO CARRY OUT ITS TASK.
MR HYDES JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1958 AS A PRISON OFFICER CLASS ONE IN THE THEN PRISONS DEPARTMENT AND WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN 1985.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 13 OFFICERS AND 168 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
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PLEA ON EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PEOPLE
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED EMPLOYERS IN THE MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE SECTORS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR DISABLED PEOPLE BY OFFERING THEM JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
MR CARTLAND, ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK’S KWUN TONG WORKSHOP AND KWUN TONG HOSTEL, NOTED THAT SHELTERED WORKSHOPS WERE IN FACT ONE OF THE EARLIEST REHABILITATION SERVICES DEVELOPED FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
"THEY PROVIDE SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT FOR WORKERS, WHO, BECAUSE OF THEIR DISABILITY, CANNOT NORMALLY ENTER INTO OPEN AND COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND ADDED THAT WITH THE AIM OF FOSTERING SELF-RESPECT AND INDEPENDENCE, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS PROVIDED THE DISABLED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ADJUSTMENT TO THE WORK PLACE AND FOR ADVANCEMENT WITHIN IT.
TURNING TO THE WORK OF PO LEUNG KUK, HE COMMENDED THE ORGANISATION FOR ITS UNFAILING EFFORTS IN PROVIDING REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED.
"THE KUK HAS A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED HISTORY OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY. ITS WELFARE SERVICES, WHICH ORIGINALLY CATERED FOR CHILDREN AND WOMEN, HAVE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE A VARIETY OF WELFARE SERVICES TO ELDERLY AND DISABLED PERSONS," MR CARTLAND NOTED.
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/14 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOP I R 1, 1991
14
FUKUI BANK GRANTED HK BANKING LICENCE ******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE FUKUI BANK, LTD HAS BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
THE FUKUI BANK, LTD IS THE 68TH LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN, AND RANKS 288TH IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF CAPITAL.
PRIOR TO THE GRANTING OF THE BANKING LICENCE, THE BANK OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG. THE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE WILL BE UPGRADED TO A BRANCH.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG’S CONTINUED IMPORTANCE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE LICENCE FOR FUKUI BANK IS THE THIRD BANKING LICENCE GRANTED THIS YEAR.
THERE ARE NOW 166 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 136 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
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MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING INTERESTED PARTIES TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION TO TENDER FOR A CONTRACT TO MANAGE, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPUTERISED VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AT KOWLOON BAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTIFYING, AT THIS CENTRE, THE ROADWORTHINESS OF TWO AXLED GOODS VEHICLES WITH PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHTS EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES BUT NOT EXCEEDING 16 TONNES.
THE CONTRACT ALSO REQUIRES THE TENDERER TO MAINTAIN THE INTERIOR AND ALL EQUIPMENT AND BUILDING SERVICE INSTALLATIONS AT THE CENTRE.
"THE CONTRACT WILL BE FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD OF THREE YEARS WITH PROVISIONS FOR EXTENSION. THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMMENCE THE CONTRACT ON MAY 1, 1992 OR SUCH LATER DATE AS SPECIFIED BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
INTERESTED PARTIES INCLUDING JOINT VENTURES MAY OBTAIN THE PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENT DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT RECEPTION COUNTER ON 41ST FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 2, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
/PREOUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1931
- 15 -
PREQUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS MUST BE PLACED IN THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TENDER BOX AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS BEFORE NOON ON NOVEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO TENDER FOR THE CONTRACT IN DECEMBER.
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DREDGING OFF TUEN MUN PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO DREDGE A FAIRWAY LEADING FROM YUNG LONG TO NIM WAN IN TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE A MARINE ACCESS TO THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL FOR THE ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION PROJECT.
DREDGING FOR THE 90-METRE WIDE FAIRWAY WILL BE CARRIED OUT tN AN AREA OF ABOUT 26.6 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IN TUEN MUN.
WORK WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF THE SAME.YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOttCE 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 DECEMBER 3 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LARDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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/16
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
- 16 -
TIN HA WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE DEGAZETTED i * ♦ i i
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE REMOVAL OF HA WAN FROM THE LIST OF DESIGNATED FISH CULTURE ZONES WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 7).
The fish culture zone (designation) (amendment) (no. 3) ordHr 1991 WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
THE TIN HA WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3.3 HECTARES IN TSUENG KWAN O, IS DESIGNATED AS ONE OF THE 28 FISH CULTURE ZONES IN HONG KONG IN 1982 UNDER THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED.
SIXTY-THREE MARICULTURISTS WERE LICENSED TO PRACTICE FISH CULTURE IN THE AREA.
THE WHOLE TIN HA WAN AREA, INCLUDING THE FISH CULTURE ZONE, HAS BEEN AUTHORISED FOR THE SOUTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL PROJECT UNDER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED (RECLAMATION) ORDINANCE IN EARLY JUNE THIS YEAR.
RECLAMATION WORK, WHICH WILL FORM PART OF THE TSEUNG KWAN O RECLAMATION, IS SCHEDULED TO START IN EARLY OCTOBER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"TO RELOCATE THE AFFECTED MARICULTURISTS, A NEW FISH CULTURE ZONE WITH AN AREA OF EIGHT HECTARES HAS ALREADY BEEN DESIGNATED AT TUNG LUNG CHAU WATERS IN APRIL THIS YEAR," HE POINTED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID 49 MARICULTURISTS HAD OPTED TO RELOCATE THEIR RAFTS TO TUNG LUNG CHAU, WHILE THE REST PREFERRED TO WIND bt> THEIR BUSINESS.
RELOCATION AND EXTINGUISHMENT EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WOULD BE PAID TO THE MARICULTURISTS.
SO FAR, 31 MARICULTURISTS HAD ALREADY MOVED TO TUNG LUNG cHAU AND THE RELOCATION EXERCISE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MONDAY; HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR PLAYGROUNDS, COOKED FOOD * ♦ i i i i t
CENTRE IMPROVEMENT WORKS
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS to UNDERTAKE IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE TSZ WAN SHAN SERVICE RESERVOIR PLAYGROUND IN KOWLOON.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A JOGGING TRACK; FITNESS STATIONS, FOOTPATHS AND A PAVILION, AS WELL AS CONVERSION AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE EXISTING MINI-SOCCER PITCHES.
/THE DEPARTMENT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
- 17 -
THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR MINOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CHOI HUNG ROAD COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND MARKET WHICH WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-STOREY BUILDING FOR USE AS OFFICES, WORKSHOP AND STORE.
THE BUILDING WILL HAVE A GOODS LIFT AND A CONNECTING BRIDGE TO THE ADJOINING CHOI HUNG ROAD URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS FOR MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY.
THE TWO PROJECTS DEPARTMENT, 34TH
MEANWHILE, TENDERS ARE ALSO INVITED FOR THE RESURFACING OF tfife PLAYGROUND AT KING’S COLLEGE ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE FROM PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FIFTH FLOOR, MAIN BLOCK, APB CENTRE, 9 SUNG PING STREET,
DEPARTMENT TO KWA WAN.
THE AT
--------0-----------
IMPROVEMENTS TO HING FONG ROAD
*****
IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO HING FONG ROAD IN WIDENING AND RECONSTRUCTING A SECTION OF THE ROAD JUNCTION WITH KWAI FOO ROAD.
TSUEN WAN BY south of Its
THIS WILL BE CARRIED OUT AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM ALONG THE SAME SECTION OF THE ROAD.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, DETAILS OF WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN DECEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ACER CONSULTANTS (FAR EAST) LIMITED, 16TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER IS NOON ON OCTOBER 25 THIS YEAR.
0----------
/18 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
- 18 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 3.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 4.10.91 -20
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +20
♦
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *+0.0* 4.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS 4.10.91 3.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.04 PCT 3.99 PCT
1 MONTH 3.86 PCT 3.75 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.00 PCT 3.87 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.45 PCT 4.31 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.14 PCT 4.95 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 9,200 MN 12,375 MN*
♦ RECORD HIGH
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE fc>.
STATEMENT ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT ....................................... 1
FS COMMENTS ON SFC AND SEHK ANNOUNCEMENT ................................. 2
PUBLIC REMINDED AGAINST ILLEGAL CAMPING IN COUNTRY PARKS ................. 2
1,459 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN SEPTEMBER ..................................... 3
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO IRELAND SUSPENDED ................................... j
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 4
’RDAY, OCTOPER 5, 1991
1
STATEMENT ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JUDICIARY SAID TODAY (SATURDAY):
"THERE IS A FIRM POLICY OF ENCOURAGING LAWYERS IN HONG KONG TO JOIN THE JUDICIARY. TO THIS END, THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS IN FREQUENT TOUCH WITH HEADS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS, AND HIS VIEWS ARE WELL-KNOWN.
"THE THREE CRITERIA FOR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT, ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY IN THE PAST, ARE: FIRST, COMPETENCE IN LAW, SECOND, JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT, AND THIRD, PROPRIETY OF CONDUCT.
"APART FROM PROMOTIONS WITHIN THE JUDICIARY, AND APPOINTMENTS OF LAWYERS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO JUDICIAL POSTS, THERE ARE LAWYERS FROM PRIVATE PRACTICE WHO JOIN THE BENCH. ALL JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE WITH THE THREE CRITERIA IN MIND.
"A LOCAL LAWYER IS PREFERRED TO AN EXPATRIATE FOR HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGE, CUSTOMS, CONDITIONS, ETC.
"THE NUMBER OF THOSE FOUND SUITABLE FOR ELEVATION TO THE . SUPREME COURT ARE NECESSARILY SMALL, AND LIMITED TO QUEEN’S COUNSEL OF EXPERIENCE.
"THE DISTRICT COURT AND MAGISTRATES’ COURTS ARE OPEN TO ALL BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS OF EXPERIENCE, AND THE PROFESSIONS ARE INVITED TO APPLY WHENEVER VACANCIES OCCUR.
"SUITABLE LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE ARE SOMETIMES APPOINTED TEMPORARY JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES, PRINCIPALLY FOR THREE REASONS: FIRST, FOR THE JUDICIARY TO SEE HOW THEY PERFORM AS JUDGES WITH A VIEW TO FUTURE APPOINTMENT, SECOND, FOR THE INDIVIDUAL LAWYERS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY LIKE JUDICIAL WORK IN THE HOPE THEY WOULD JOIN THE JUDICIARY, AND THIRD, FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE BENCH AND THE BAR.
"AS TO LISTING, EXPERIENCE, OVER MANY YEARS, HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT IN ORDER TO ASSIST LISTING IN THE HIGH COURT TO ANY APPRECIABLE EXTENT, A GREATER NUMBER OF QUEEN’S COUNSEL IN PRIVATE PRACTICE SHOULD MAKE AN ANNUAL COMMITMENT OF SITTING AS TEMPORARY JUDGES FOR NOT LESS THAN THREE MONTHS.
"AT THE MOMENT, A FEW ARE WILLING TO BE APPOINTED TEMPORARY JUDGES AND THEY SIT FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH.
"THE DIARIES IN THE OTHER COURTS CAUSE NO PROBLEM AT PRESENT.”
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/2 ........
a
SATURDAY, OCTOBER r, 1991
- 2 -
FS COMMENTS ON SFC AND SEHK ANNOUNCEMENT i t ♦ ♦ *
COMMENTING TODAY (SATURDAY) ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD (SEHK), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, CONFIRMED THAT THE SFC HAD CONSULTED HIM BEFORE ISSUING RESTRICTION NOTICES TO THE SEHK UNDER SECTION 50 OF THE SFC ORDINANCE.
HE WENT ON TO WELCOME THE FACT THAT EFFORTS WERE CONTINUING BY THE SEHK TO SECURE MEMBERSHIP APPROVAL OF A REVISED VOLUNTARY PACKAGE WHICH WOULD HAVE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SFC.
--------0-----------
PUBLIC REMINDED AGAINST ILLEGAL CAMPING IN COUNTRY PARKS
******
HOLIDAY-MAKERS WHO WISH TO CAMP IN COUNTRY PARKS HAVE BEEN REMINDED THAT THEY CAN DO SO ONLY IN DESIGNATED CAMP SITES WITHIN THE COUNTRY PARKS AREA.
"ALTOGETHER, THERE ARE 36 DESIGNATED CAMP SITES IN HONG KONG’S 21 COUNTRY PARKS AND MOST OF THESE SITES ARE LOCATED NEAR THE POPULAR HIKING ROUTES.
"THEY CAN BE EASILY IDENTIFIED BY SIGNBOARDS PUT UP BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY," SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR C.C. LAY, SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DESIGNATED CAMP SITES WERE PROVIDED WITH BASIC FACILITIES SUCH AS LEVEL GROUND, WOODEN BENCHES, BARBECUE PITS, DRY PIT TOILETS AND LITTER BINS.
"THESE SITES HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CHOSEN FOR PLEASANT AND SAFE CAMPING AND TO PREVENT CAMPERS FROM POLLUTING WATER SOURCES OR STARTING A HILLFIRE, THESE SITES ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE DIRECT WATER CATCHMENT AREAS AND FAR AWAY FROM DENSE WOODS," MR LAY EXPLAINED.
"APART FROM SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONSIDERATIONS, THE DESIGNATION OF CAMP SITES IN COUNTRY PARKS WILL MAKE MANAGEMENT EASIER AND ENSURE THAT CAMPERS WILL NOT GET IN THE WAY OF COUNTRY PARK VISITORS ENGAGED IN OTHER FORMS OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES," HE CONTINUED.
MR LAY REMINDED THAT UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREA REGULATIONS, CAMPING IN COUNTRY PARKS OTHER THAN IN A DESIGNATED CAMP SITE IS AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.
/IN THE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
3 -
IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, 34 CAMPERS WERE PROSECUTED AND FINED A TOTAL OF $7,000 FOR ILLEGAL CAMPING IN COUNTRY PARKS. THE FINES RANGED FROM $300 TO $400.
NOTING THAT COMPLAINTS ABOUT NOISY CAMPERS WERE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT NOW AND THEN, MR LAY APPEALED TO CAMPERS TO BE MORE CONSIDERATE.
"THEY SHOULD KEEP THEIR VOICES DOWN AND TURN DOWN THE VOLUME OF THEIR RADIO CASSETTE RECORDERS, PARTICULARLY AT NIGHT, SO AS NOT TO DISTURB THOSE CAMPING NEXT TO THEM," HE URGED.
HE REMINDED CAMPERS THAT CAUSING NOISE NUISANCE IN A COUNTRY PARK IS ALSO AN OFFENCE AND OFFENDERS ARE AGAIN LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.
------0--------
1,459 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN SEPTEMBER »♦♦♦**
A TOTAL OF 1,791 CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED IN 1,459 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST MONTH.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT 302 OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 392 IN KOWLOON EAST, 425 IN KOWLOON WEST AND 340 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER SHOWED THAT 24 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, 388 SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 1,379 SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES HAVE INCREASED BY 15.9 PER CENT AND 12.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
------0----------
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO IRELAND SUSPENDED
******
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT OWING TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY POSTAL WORKERS IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC, THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE THERE IS UNABLE TO OPERATE. AS A RESULT, SPEEDPOST SERVICE FROM HONG KONG TO IRELAND HAS BEEN SUSPENDED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE AS AND WHEN SERVICE CAN BE RESUMED.
- - 0----------
/4 .........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
4 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
DATE i MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 4.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 5.10.91 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFERS FREE CAREERS SERVICE TO STUDENTS ............... 1
STUDENTS INVITED TO READ AND WRITE BOOK REVIEWS ......................... 2
ENTRIES INVITED FOR CHILDREN STORY-TELLING CONTEST ...................... 3
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6( 1991
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFERS FREE CAREERS SERVICE TO STUDENTS
ARE YOU PONDERING UPON THE CHOICE OF A CAREER AFTER GRADUATION? ARE YOU WONDERING WHETHER A PARTICULAR JOB OFFERS GOOD PROSPECTS AND SATISFACTION?
THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS CAN EASILY BE FOUND AT AllY CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
EVERY YEAR, THOUSANDS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS ENTER THE JOB MARKET IN SEARCH OF A REWARDING AND SUITABLE CAREER, BE IT NURSING, ACCOUNTING, CATERING, ELECTRONIC, BUILDING OR OTHERS.
"THE CAREER ADVISORY SERVICE (CAS) OFFERS FREE ASSISTANCE TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE IN CHOOSING A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTERESTS AND ABILITIES," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER, MRS CLARE SIU, SAID.
"DURING THE COMING MONTHS, WE WILL ORGANISE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES, RANGING FROM A CAREERS BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION TO A CAREERS QUIZ, TO IMPRESS ON THEM THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING A SUITABLE CAREER,” MRS STU SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE CAS WILL STAGE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO, THE BIGGEST-EVER EXHIBITION OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, FROM FEBRUARY 20 TO 23 NEXT YEAR," SHE SAID.
"WE WILL ALSO HOLD SEVERAL CAREERS DAYS AND INVITE STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE REAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT BEFORE EMBARKING ON A CAREER," MRS SIU ADDED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE CAS ARRANGED REGULAR CAREERS TALKS FOR SCHOOLS AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS TO HELP KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE LOCAL JOB MARKET.
THE CAS PROVIDES A LARGE VARIETY OF SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CAREERS GUIDANCE THROUGH ITS FOUR INFORMATION CENTRES IN WAN CHAI, MONG KOK, SHA TIN AND TUF.N MUN.
"EACH CENTRE HAS A REFERENCE LIBRARY CONTAINING PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCE MATERIALS ON CAREERS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION, WHICH ARE OF PARTICULAR USE TO FORM 5 AND FORM 7 STUDENTS," MRS SIU SAID.
"OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE INCLUDE AN AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT WITH SLIDE PRESENTATIONS, CASSETTE RECORDINGS AND VIDEO TAPES ON CAREERS, AS WELL AS A FREE ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING ADVICE ON CAREERS AND TRAINING," SHE SAID.
/THE FOUR .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
- 2 -
THE FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES ARE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAY (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAY).
THEIR ADDRESSES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- SOUTHORN CENTRE, 16TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. 835 2043 AND 835 2044
- MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK TEL. 399 2241 AND 399 2242
- CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN TEL. 601 5091 AND 601 5101
- TAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR,
16 TSUN WEN ROAD, TUEN MUN
(NEXT TO TUEN MUN SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC AT CHOY YEE BRIDGE LRT STATION)
TEL. 463 6851 AND 463 6855
------0--------
STUDENTS INVITED TO READ AND WRITE BOOK REVIEWS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
SEVENTY THOUSAND PRIMARY 5 TO 6 AND SECONDARY 1 TO 5 STUDENTS EACH READ AT LEAST 10 BOOKS IN A READING COMPETITION WHICH REQUIRED EITHER WRITING REVIEWS OR DESIGNING A BOOK COVER LAST YEAR.
STUDENTS ARE AGAIN INVITED TO JOIN THE OCTOBER-APRIL 1992 READING AWARD SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE LIBRARY SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE SHUN HING EDUCATION AND CHARITY FUND.
"THE SCHEME HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP GOOD READING HABITS, IMPROVE THEIR LANGUAGE SKILLS AND PROMOTE THE USE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
HF EXPLAINED THAT THE PRIMARY STUDENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO READ NO LESS THAN 10 LIBRARY BOOKS WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE CHINESE AND ONE ENGLISH BOOK.
SECONDARY STUDENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO READ, OUT OF AT LEAST 10 BOOKS, AT LEAST THREE CHINESE AND THREE ENGLISH BOOKS.
THEY CAN EITHER WRITE AN ESSAY-TYPE REPORT OR DESIGN A NEW BOOK COVER ON ONE OF THE CHINESE BOOKS READ, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
3 -
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS SHOULD SECTION BEFORE APRIL 10 NEXT YEAR. TROPHIES AND CERTIFICATES OR MERIT.
enquiries may be made At the
839 2505 AND 839 2506.
SUBMIT ENTRIES TO THE LIBRARY PRIZES WILL INCLUDE BOOK COUPONS,
LIBRARY SECTION ON TfeL. 839 2259)
--------o-----------
ENTRIES INVITED
FOR CHILDREN STORY-TELLING CONTEST
*»»♦**
PARENTS AND TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CHILDREN OR STUDENTS WITH TALENT IN STORY WRITING AND PUBLIC SPEAKING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT STORY-TELLING COMPETITION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE ANNUAL CONTEST, NOW IN ITS SIXTH YEAR, HAD BECOME A POPULAR TERRITORY-WIDE EVENT ATTRACTING QUITE A NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS EACH YEAR.
IT HAD ALSO PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN TO BOOST THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE, IMAGINATION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS, HE ADDED.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS WITH ONE FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FIVE AND EIGHT AND THE OTHER FOR NINE TO 1 2 .
THE CONTESTANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPOSE OR RE-WRITE A THREE-MINUTE STORY ON A SUBJECT OF THEIR OWN CHOICE FOR PUBLIC PRESENTATION. THE PRELIMINARIES WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 12 AND THE FINALS WILL BE STAGED ON NOVEMBER 17.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS IN BOTH SECTIONS WILL EACH BE AWARDED A TROPHY AND A BOOK COUPON.
THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE KENNEDY TOWN EAST AREA COMMITTEE AND THE KENNEDY TOWN CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT’S ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD AND THE CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE AT 27 POKFIELD ROAD.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS OCTOBER 18. FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 855 9372.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
IMMENSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HK CAPITAL MARKETS: GOVERNOR ................ 1
GOVERNOR PRESENTS 1991/92 POLICY ADDRESS .............................. 2
TODAY'S LAWYER - A PERSON OF MANY SKILLS: AG .......................... 3
CLOSE HK/CHINA CO-OPERATION AGAINST MAJOR CRIMES IMPORTANT ............ 4
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY ..................... 5
TODD MEETS DB CHAIRMEN ................................................ 6
STATEMENT ON ALGAE IN RESERVOIR ....................................... 7
MORE IMPORTED WORKERS FOUND UNDERPAID ................................. 8
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ......................................................... 9
CLEAN WASHROOM COMPETITION FOR WAN CHAI FOOD SHOPS .................... 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ..................................................
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG........................................... U
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 12
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
- 1 -
IMMENSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HK CAPITAL MARKETS: GOVERNOR t i t ♦ t
WITH THE OPENING UP OF CHINA AND THE INCREASING PROSPERITY OF ITS SOUTHERN PROVINCES, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG’S CAPITAL MARKETS ARE TRULY IMMENSE, THE GOVERNOR, STR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING THE FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DES VALEURS GENERAL ASSEMBLY DINNER, SIR DAVID SAID AS THE CHINESE ECONOMY CONTINUED TO GROW, MAINLAND INDUSTRIES WOULD HAVE AN INCREASING APPETITE FOR DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL.
"INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN CHINA WILL ALSO NEED FINANCING. HONG KONG, WITH ITS LIQUID CAPITAL MARKET, ITS CONTACTS AND SOPHISTICATED KNOWLEDGE OF THE MAINLAND, IS THE NATURAL CENTRE FOR ORGANISING THE NECESSARY FUNDING,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S STOCK MARKET WAS NOW AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF CAPITAL FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL COMPANIES AND IT WAS ATTRACTING GROWING INTERNATIONAL INVESTOR INTEREST.
"MOST MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES HOUSES NOW HAVE A PRESENCE HERE. HONG KONG IS ALSO THE REGIONAL CENTRE FOR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT BUSINESS.
"THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL FUND MANAGERS HAVE THEIR PRINCIPAL BASE FOR ASIA IN HONG KONG SPEAKS FOR ITSELF," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THE NUMBER OF COMPANIES LISTED ON THE LOCAL EXCHANGE HAD JUMPED FROM 250 TO WELL OVER 300 AND THE TOTAL TURNOVER LAST YEAR WAS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE FIGURE IN 1986, SIR DAVID NOTED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG COULD NOT AFFORD TO REST ON ITS LAURELS AS SECURITIES MARKETS WERE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE.
"AND AS INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS IN NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE AND JAPAN SEEK TO DIVERSIFY, HONG KONG MUST OFFER ATTRACTIVE SERVICES.
"WE MUST ENSURE THAT OUR PRUDENTIAL FRAMEWORK IS BROADLY COMPATIBLE WITH THAT OF MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES ELSEWHERE, AND OUR SYSTEMS AT LEAST AS GOOD IF NOT BETTER," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY IMPORTANT CHANGES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO KEEP HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVE EDGE.
UNIFICATION OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE IN 1986 BROUGHT WITH IT UNIFORM LISTING AND TRADING REQUIREMENTS AND THIS HELPED THE GROWTH OF THE MARKET.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO CAPITALISED ON THE TRAUMATIC INTERNATIONAL PROBLEMS OF 1987 BY HASTENING OTHER REFORMS WHICH INCLUDED:
- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AS AN AUTONOMOUS STATUTORY BODY;
/- LEGISLATION, SOME
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, ]991
- 2 -
- LEGISLATION, SOME NEW, SOME REVISED, I J iJti o THE MARKET REGULATION UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS;
- THE INITIATION OF A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE SECURITIES LEGISLATION.
"ON THE SYSTEMS SIDE, A NEW AUTOMATED CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING SYSTEM WILL SOON BE INSTALLED. LATER IT WILL BE MATCHED BY AN AUTOMATED TRANSACTION SYSTEM BEING DEVELOPED BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
"ALL OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE HONG KONG MARKET IS PROPERLY EQUIPPED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AHEAD," SAID SIR DAVID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO SIR Q W LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG, WHO WOULD BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"WITH HIS PATIENCE SKILL AND INTEGRITY HE HAS DONE AN IMMENSE AMOUNT TO HELP BUILD THE SORT OF STOCK EXCHANGE WE WILL NEED FOR THE FUTURE,” HE SAID.
------0--------
GOVERNOR PRESENTS 1991/92 POLICY ADDRESS
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL PRESENT HIS POLICY ADDRESS AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 9) WHEN HE OPENS THE 1991-92 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON TVB (PEARL AND JADE); ATV (WORLD AND HOME); AND RTHK’S RADIO 1 AND 5 (CHINESE), AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH). COMMERCIAL RADIO’S AM 864 WILL ALSO BROADCAST THE SPEECH LIVE IN CHINESE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A SPECIAL CLOSED WORKING SESSION WILL BE ARRANGED ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 9) IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE TO ENABLE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO WORK ON ADVANCE COPIES OF THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS. THE SESSION WILL START AT 12 NOON .
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WORKING ON ADVANCE COPIES OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM WITH THEIR COPIES BEFORE 2.30 PM.
EDITORS ARE REMINDED THAT CONTENTS OF THE POLICY ADDRESS ARE EMBARGOED UNTIL THE GOVERNOR HAS DELIVERED HIS SPEECH.
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/3 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
3
TODAY’S LAWYER - A PERSON OF MANY SKILLS: AG
*****
TODAY’S LAWYER MUST BE MORE THAN A MERE REPOSITORY FOR LEGAL KNOWLEDGE BUT BE PART SOCIAL WORKER, A GOOD COMMUNICATOR, BUSINESS-MINDED, A GOOD BOSS, SOCIALLY AWARE, AND A LEADER, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY MARKING THE LAUNCH OF THE TERRITORY’S SECOND POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LAWS PROGRAMME (PCLL) IN THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, MR MATHEWS SAID TODAY’S LAWYER MUST BE A PERSON OF MANY PARTS, OF MANY SKILLS.
"THE PCLL COURSE OFFERS A VITAL INTRODUCTION TO MANY OF THESE SKILLS AND QUALITIES.
"MANY OF THE ELEMENTS TO BE TAUGHT IN THE CITY POLYTECHNIC’S PCLL COURSE, AS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S SIMILAR COURSE, ARE DESIGNED TO EQUIP OUR YOUNG LAWYERS WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO PRACTISE LAW IN A HIGHLY COMPLEX AND SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY AND ALSO TO PLAY THEIR PART TO THE FULL IN THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ON THE QUALITIES THAT MADE TODAY’S LAWYER, MR MATHEWS SAID: "THE LAWYER MUST, NATURALLY, HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW -NOT JUST THE LAW OF THE TEXTBOOK AND THE LECTURE HALL, BUT THE LAW AS IT IS IN SOCIETY - IN ACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY.
"THE LAWYER MUST BE ASTUTE ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF CLIENTS AND TO SEEK FOR A SOLUTION TO CLIENTS’ PROBLEMS IN THE LAW.
"THE LAWYER MUST BE SOMETHING OF A SOCIAL WORKER - HAVING THE ABILITY AND THE SYMPATHY TO DEAL WITH THE WORRIES AND ANXIETIES OF CLIENTS."
MR MATHEWS SAID THE LAWYER SHOULD BE A GOOD COMMUNICATOR WHO WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO CLIENTS HOW THE LAW WORKED, ITS LIMITATIONS, AND HOW THE LAW COULD HELP THEM.
"THE LAWYER SHOULD HAVE GOOD BUSINESS SKILLS, KNOWING HOW TO RUN WHOSE BUSINESSES EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY AS WELL AS WHAT MADE BUSINESS TICK IN HONG KONG, AND ELSEWHERE.
"THE LAWYER SHOULD BE SKILLED IN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT WITH AN ABILITY TO ATTRACT, MOTIVATE AND ENCOURAGE STAFF AND MAKE THEM GIVE THEIR BEST," HE SAID.
TO THIS LONG LIST OF QUALITIES, MR MATHEWS ADDED THAT TODAY’S MODERN LAWYER SHOULD HAVE AN AWARENESS OF, AND INTEREST IN, LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
"THOSE OF US WHO PRACTISE LAW IN HONG KONG CANNOT IGNORE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD.
"TODAY’S LAWYER CAN ALSO PLAY A VITAL PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LAW IN HONG KONG AND IN THE STRENGTHENING OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION," HE SAID.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
4
CLOSE HK/CHINA CO-OPERATION » t
AGAINST MAJOR CRIMES IMPORTANT * t * *
BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY OF THE TERRITORIES, HONG KONG SHOULD CLOSELY CO-OPERATE WITH CHINA IN ITS EFFORTS AGAINST MAJOR CRIMES, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) AT A DINNER RECEPTION HOSTED BY A GROUP OF BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS.
MR LI SAID THAT APART FROM THE REGULAR TWICE-A-YEAR HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, FREQUENT CONTACTS WERE MAINTAINED THROUGH THE INTERPOL AND THE BORDER LIAISON GROUP OVER MAJOR ISSUES THAT CONCERNED THE TWO TERRITORIES.
HE SAID THAT HE HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS PARTICIPATED IN MEETINGS IN CHINA WHICH WERE ATTENDED BY SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS, AND THAT HE WAS ASSURED THAT THROUGH THE NUMEROUS CONTACTS, THE EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCE AND THE CLOSEST CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, MANY CRIMES WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY CONTAINED.
REVIEWING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLICE FORCE OVER THE YEARS, MR LI SAID HONG KONG HAD GRADUALLY EVOLVED FROM A BASIC MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE-ORIENTED CENTRE TO A WORLD TRADE AND FINANCE CENTRE IN THE PAST 30 YEARS.
"THIS CHANGE IN ROLE, COUPLED WITH THE ' INCREASING DEMAND OF THE GROWING POPULATION, HAS NECESSITATED THE FORCE TO ADAPT TO CIRCUMSTANCES AND IMPROVE IN RESPECT OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, MANPOWER STRUCTURE, RESOURCES PLANNING, AND POLICING TECHNIQUES," HE SAID.
AN EXAMPLE IS THE INCREASE IN THE RATIO OF POLICE OFFICERS TO THE POPULATION, WHICH TN 1957 WAS 2.3 TO 1,000 AND NOWADAYS 4.5 TO 1,000.
MR LI SAID THE FORCE HAD ACHIEVED GOOD RESULTS IN ITS TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID THE WIDESPREAD USE OF THE COMPUTERS HAD GREATLY ENHANCED EFFICIENCY IN THE FORCE.
"THE ACQUISITION OF NEW SYSTEMS HAS GREATLY FACILITATED POLICE IN' THEIR OPERATIONS AND BROUGHT ABOUT A MORE SYSTEMETIC APPROACH TOWARD MANPOWER PLANNING AND PERSONNEL TRAINING.
"THE INTERFACE OF A NEW COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN ALL CONTROL CENTRES WILL BRING THE FORCE INTO A NEW ERA, AND THERE ARE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEMS TO FACILITATE THE IDENTIFICATION OF FINGERPRINTS, VICTIMS, ECT AS WELL AS FOR THE FAST AND EASY RETRIEVAL OF CRIMINAL DATA," MR LI ADDED.
HOWEVER, MR LI SAID DEVELOPMENT IN TECHNOLOGY HAD TO GO HAND tN HAND WITH EFFECTIVE RESOURCES PLANNING AND UP-TO-DATE POLICING TECHNIQUES.
/HE POINTED .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
5
HE POINTED OUT THAT SOME HONG KONG CRIMINALS WERE INVOLVED IN INTERNATIONAL CRIME AND THAT IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT LOCAL POLICE STEP UP CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER POLICE FORCES WORLDWIDE.
"THE INTERPOL BUREAU HEREWITH WITHIN OUR CRIME WING IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST AND MOST ACTIVE IN THE ASIAN REGION, DEALING WITH 6,500 ENQUIRIES A YEAR.
"WE CURRENTLY HAVE TWO OFFICERS SECONDED TO THE INTERPOL GENERAL SECRETARIAT AND ANOTHER STATIONED IN BANGKOK.
"THE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU AND THE NARCOTICS BUREAU ARE ALSO VERY ACTIVE AS BOTH BUREAUX REGULARLY HAVE OFFICERS JETTING OFF TO ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD TO LIAISE ON MAJOR INVESTIGATIONS," MR LI SAID.
MR LI SAID THE FORCE WOULD FACE MORE CHALLENGES IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
HE SAID: "THE NEARER IT IS TO 1997, THE BIGGER THE COMMUNITY’S REQUIREMENT OF A COMPETENT POLICE FORCE AND WE SHALL TAKE WITH US THIS CHALLENGE BY CONTINUING IN THE BEST OF OUR TRADITION AS A PROFESSIONAL AND EFFICIENT POLICE FORCE OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE."
MR LI SAID PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN RESPECT OF THE FORCE’S STRUCTURE, OFFICE QUARTERS, EQUIPMENT AND MANPOWER WOULD REMAIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH AND IN ANTICIPATION OF FUTURE DEMANDS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE KOWLOON REGION WOULD BE SPLIT INTO KOWLOON EAST AND KOWLOON WEST AS FROM JANUARY AND THAT THERE WAS ALSO A PLAN TO DIVIDE THE NEW TERRITORIES INTO TWO REGIONS.
MR LI CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO RENDER THE BIGGEST OF THEIR SUPPORT TO THE POLICE TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO REMAIN ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES.
--------0-----------
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S 24TH MEETING WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 9, 1991.
THE MEETING WILL REVIEW THE 1991/92 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME.
--------0-----------
/6 ........
"9NDAY
nrp 7 19°1
- 6
TODD MEETS DB CHAIRMEN
*****
AS PART OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS ON PLANNING REFORMS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON COMPENSATION AND BETTERMENT, MR JOHN TODD, TODAY (MONDAY) HELD A DISCUSSION SESSION WITH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN.
THE MEETING, CONVENED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AT ITS HEADQUARTERS, WAS ATTENDED BY THE CHAIRMEN OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES OF 10 DISTRICT BOARDS.
MR TODD MADE CLEAR SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST PLANNING COMPENSATION PAYMENTS AND A PLANNING BETTERMENT LEVY, AND LISTENED TO VIEWS ON RELATED ISSUES.
HE STRESSED THAT THE TWO ISSUES COULD BE QUITE INDEPENDENT OF EACH OTHER.
"IT IS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, IN A GENERAL SENSE, THE COMMITTEE OBVIOUSLY HAD TO LOOK AT THE AFFORDABILITY TO THE TAXPAYERS AS WELL AS THE PROPERTY OWNER AND DEVELOPER, AND PROPOSE A FA IR SYSTEM.
MR TODD ALSO EMPHASISED THAT THE ARGUMENTS BOTH ON COMPENSATION AND BETTERMENT WERE FINELY BALANCED.
WHILE THE LEGAL POSITION SEEMED GENERALLY CLEAR, THAT FOR EXAMPLE COMPENSATION ONLY HAD TO BE GIVEN WHEN PROPERTY RIGHTS WERE TOTALLY REMOVED, AND THAT EXISTING AND PROPOSED LEGISLATION OVERRODE PROVISIONS IN LEASES EVEN IF THEY WERE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT AS LANDLORD, NEVERTHELESS THE MORAL AND POLITICAL QUESTIONS WERE NOT SO CLEAR.
THIS WAS WHY IT WAS VERY USEFUL TO HEAR FROM GROUPS SUCH AS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN.
SIMILARLY, ON THE BETTERMENT SIDE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS CLEAR THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY TAKING IN VARIOUS FORMS OF QUASI-BETTERMENT, SUCH AS LEASE MODIFICATION FEES, THERE WAS STILL A GAP BETWEEN TAXPAYERS' EXPENDITURE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BETTER-PLANNED AND MORE LIVABLE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE UNTAXED WINDFALL ELEMENT OF PROFIT GAINED BY SOME FROM SUCH EXPENDITURE.
"THERE MIGHT BE A NEED TO TRY TO EVEN OUT THE BURDEN AS WELL AS RATIONALISE THE SYSTEM," MR TODD SAID, "ALTHOUGH OF COURSE NO ARRANGEMENTS WITH RESPECT TO TAX CAN EVER BE COMPLETELY FAIR AS WELL AS PRACTICABLE, LET ALONE POPULAR."
HE SAID THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WOULD BE HAPPY IF THEY COULD COME UP WITH A SYSTEM WHICH WAS CLEAR AND EFFECTIVE AS WELL AS FAIR AND AFFORDABLE BY ALL SIDES.
/PARTICIPANTS FROM .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
- 7 -
PARTICIPANTS FROM DISTRICT BOARDS WERE INTERESTED IM TRE ISSUES, AND MADE A NUMBER OF VERY USEFUL COMMENTS WHICH MR TODD WOULb TAKE UP WITH THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE HAS COMPLETED tfiE FIRST STAGE OF ITS WORK, MR TODD EXPLAINED, WITH PRELIMINARY RESEARCH ON THE LATEST AND HISTORICAL SITUATION OVERSEAS AND IN HONG KONG.
AS WELL AS ARRANGING FOR FORMAL SUBMISSIONS AND blSCUSSlONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES ON THE PANEL OF EXPERT ADVISERS, IN THE SECOND STAGE, IT EXPECTS VARIOUS OTHER PROFESSIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER ORGANISATIONS TO PUT IN SUBMISSIONS WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERED AND FOLLOWED UP.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE’S REPORT IS DUE TO BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE FIRST PART OF NEXT YEAR ALONG WITH THE ADMINISTRATION’S FINALISED PROPOSALS ON THE REST OF THE NEW PLANNING ORDINANCE.
THEREAFTER, IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
MR TODD SAID HE WAS EXPECTING MOST OF THE MAJOR SUBMISSIONS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THE SECRETARY OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, DR SIMON VICKERS, WILL ALSO ATTEND MEETINGS OF THOSE INTERESTED DISTRICT BOARDS TO SAMPLE VIEWS AND EXPLAIN ISSUES FURTHER.
"DISTRICT BOARDS’ VIEWS SHOULD BE PARTICULARLY HELPFUL ON PLANNING MATTERS AS PLANNING IS ESSENTIALLY A LOCAL AFFAIR," MR TODD EXPLAINED.
HE ALSO URGED THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE VIEWS ON PLANNING COMPENSATION AND BETTERMENT INCLUDING WIDER RELATED ISSUES SUCH AS RATES, LAND TAXES, THE ENVIRONMENT AND OPEN STORAGE PROBLEMS, PLANNING BLIGHT ETC. TO WRITE TO OR VISIT THE SECRETARY OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON SEVENTH FLOOR, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING, ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
- - 0--------
STATEMENT ON ALGAE IN RESERVOIR
*****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
"ALGAE CAN SURVIVE IN ALL TYPES OF WATER, THEY ARE FOUND MAINLY ON THE WATER SURFACE. GENERALLY SPEAKING, ALGAE CAN GROW ALL YEAR ROUND, ALTHOUGH THEY USUALLY PROLIFERATE IN SPRING AND AUTUMN.
"THE OCCURRENCE OF ALGAL GROWTH IN PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR IS NOT UNCOMMON. HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT AFFECT THE DRINKING WATER QUALITY AS THEY CAN BE REMOVED COMPLETELY BY WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES.
/"THIS YEAR .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
8
"THIS YEAR, MORE ALGAE IS FOUND NEAR THE MAIN DAM OF THE RESERVOIR. THE MAIN CAUSE WAS DUE TO THE TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN LATE SEPTEMBER, LEADING TO OVERTURN OF THE RESERVOIR AND BRINGING MINERALS RELEASED FROM THE BOTTOM MUD, THEREBY ACCELERATING ALGAL GROWTH.
"THE EFFECT HAS BEEN INTENSIFIED BY THE RELATIVELY LOWER WATER LEVEL IN THE RESERVOIR DUE TO DRY RAINY SEASON WITH LOW DILUTION FACTOR THIS YEAR. HOWEVER, THE ALGAL ACTIVITIES IS EXPECTED TO DROP DRASTICALLY IN COOLER CLIMATES.
"AT PLOVER COVE, WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS SEVERAL DRAW-OFF LEVELS AT VARIOUS DEPTHS OF THE RESERVOIR FOR DRAWING WATER TO WATER TREATMENT WORKS. CLOSE MONITORING IS MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ABSTRACT WATER FROM THE MOST SUITABLE LEVEL FOR TREATMENT.
"AT WATER TREATMENT WORKS, THE TREATMENT PROCESSES SUCH AS FLOCCULATION, SEDIMENTATION AND FILTRATION ARE CAPABLE OF REMOVING ALGAE COMPLETELY. THE QUALITY OF SUPPLY TO CONSUMERS CONFORMS TO THE INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR DRINKING WATER AND IS ABSOLUTELY SAFE TO. DRINK.
"ANOTHER MEASURE TAKEN BY WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS THE STOCKING OF FISH SUCH AS SILVER CARP INTO PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR TO CONTROL ALGAL GROWTH, WHICH HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR MAINTAINING ECOLOGICAL BALANCE IN THE RESERVOIR.
"SIMILAR FINDINGS OF USING SILVER CARP TO CONTROL ALGAL GROWTH SUCCESSFULLY HAS ALSO BEEN OBSERVED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, FOR EXAMPLE NETOFA RESERVOIRS IN ISRAEL."
--------0 - -
MORE IMPORTED WORKERS FOUND UNDERPAID *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS DISCOVERED MORE CASES OF WAGE UNDERPAYMENT TO IMPORTED WORKERS DURING A SPECIAL CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT IMPORTED WORKERS RECEIVE THEIR WAGES IN FULL.
"DURING THEIR VISITS TO 670 ESTABLISHMENTS LAST MONTH, LABOUR INSPECTORS FOUND 87 EMPLOYERS PAYING IMPORTED WORKERS WAGES LESS THAN THE AMOUNT STATED IN THEIR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION), MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN, SAID.
"THESE CASES WILL BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND, WHERE THERE IS EVIDENCE, PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST THE EMPLOYERS CONCERNED," HE STRESSED.
"WE HAVE ALSO FOUND 131 EMPLOYERS PAYING WAGES THROUGH BANKS INTO THE IMPORTED WORKERS’ ACCOUNTS," HE ADDED, NOTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY ADVISED ALL EMPLOYERS OF IMPORTED WORKERS TO CMlV.u- r.? AUTO-PAY TO AVOID POSSIBLE ILLEGAL WAGE DEDUCTION.
/•'OUR INSPECTORS ....__
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
- 9 -
"OUR INSPECTORS WILL CALL ON THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO DO NOT TAKE OUR ADVICE AND WILL WITNESS PAYMENT OF WAGES TO ENSURE THAT THE IMPORTED WORKERS RECEIVE THEIR WAGES IN FULL," HE ADDED.
UNDER A CURRENT CAMPAIGN, LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM THE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAMS WILL VISIT ALL ESTABLISHMENTS IMPORTING FOREIGN LABOUR TO CHECK THE WAGE RECORDS KEPT BY THE EMPLOYERS.
’’LABOUR INSPECTORS WILL ALSO INTERVIEW INDIVIDUAL IMPORTED WORKERS ON THEIR WAGES, OTHER BENEFITS AND GENERAL WORKING CONDITIONS," MR CHAN SAID.
"WORKERS WILL BE GIVEN LEAFLETS IN SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS SETTING OUT THEIR STATUTORY AND CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS AND THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THEM TO LODGE COMPLAINTS," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN REMINDED THAT ILLEGAL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES UNDERPAYMENT OF WAGES TO AN IMPORTED WORKER CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE UNDER THF EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000.
HE CALLED ON IMPORTED WORKERS TO REPORT ANY MALPRACTICES OR UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS AND ASSURED THEM OF ASSISTANCE RE-EMPLOYMENT SHOULD THEY BE DISMISSED BY EMPLOYERS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
”WE WILL ALSO ASSIST WORKERS IN THEIR APPLICATION TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR AN EXTENSION OF STAY IN THE TERRI TORY FOR THE BALANCE OF THEIR CONTRACT PERIOD," HE SAID.
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR
AND ♦
SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
FELLOWSHIPS
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL TODAY REMINDED THOSE WHO INTEND TO APPLY FOR THE SLR EDWARD YOUDE FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES FOR THE YEAR 1992-93 TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ON OR BEFORE
(MONDAY) MEMORIAL ACADEMIC SATURDAY
(OCTOBER 12).
THE FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AIMED AT ENCOURAGING THE BEST STUDENTS TO PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION IN REPUTABLE INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FOR THE AWARDS ARE STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND BE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE COMMUNITY UPON RETURN STUDIES.
EXPECTED TO HAVE A READY TO CONTRIBUTE FROM THEIR OVERSEAS
THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO SERVE IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE
YEARS UPON GRADUATION.
THE FELLOWSHIPS ARE FOR STUDIES LEADING TO POSTGRADUATE DEGREES EITHER BY RESEARCH OR BY COURSEWORK; THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO FIRST DEGREES.
/THE APPLICANTS
Monday, October 7, 1991
- 10 -
THE APPLICANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE, AND BE OFFERED A PLACE SUBSEQUENTLY.
THE VALUE FOR THE FELLOWSHIP IS ABOUT $160,000 PER YEAR FOR bP TO TWO YEARS; THE VALUE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IS ABOUT $145,000 PER YEAR UP TO THREE YEARS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
i STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY.
♦ STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, FIFTH FLOOR, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING, 16 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL.
♦ EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION, ROOM 206, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK.
♦ YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE,
GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
♦ THE BRITISH COUNCIL, EASEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 255 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 867 2735.
------0-------
CLEAN WASHROOM COMPETITION FOR WAN CHAI FOOD SHOPS
WAN CHAI FOOD SHOP OPERATORS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE DISTRICT’S CLEAN WASHROOM COMPETITION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED SHOP OPERATORS THAT THEY STILL HAD ONE MORE WEEK TO JOIN BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON OCTOBER 15.
HE SAID THE CONTEST, HELD IN THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING, WAS AIMED AT INCREASING FOOD SHOP OPERATORS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THEIR BUSINESS PREMISES CLEAN.
/"BY PARTICIPATING .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
11
"BY PARTICIPATING IN THE COMPETITION, OPERATORS CAN TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAN UP THEIR PREMISES AND AT THE SAME TIME WIN COMMENDATION MEDALS," HE SAID.
AFTER ALL, THEY ARE REQUIRED UNDER EXISTING REGULATIONS TO KEEP EVERY PLACE OF BUSINESS OPERATION, INCLUDING WASHROOMS, IN TIDY AND HYGIENIC CONDITION, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS FOR CHINESE/SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS, WESTERN STYLE/FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, AND SMALL-SCALE FOOD SHOPS.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS IN EACH SECTION WILL BE AWARDED MEDALS AND PRIZES AT A CEREMONY IN DECEMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL BE THE COMPETITION’S ADJUDICATORS WHO WILL MAKE ASSESSMENT DURING THEIR VISITS TO THE PARTICIPATING SHOPS NEXT MONTH.
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 835 1994.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 45.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 267.608 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 337.520 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 57.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWUN TONG
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN KWUN TONG, KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 9) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT KWUN TONG ROAD, HONG NING ROAD, KUNG LOK ROAD, LUEN ON STREET AND INCLUDING 301-375 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD AND LOTUS TOWER BLOCKS 1-4.
------0 - -
/12........
12
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 5.10.91
600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 7.10.91 + 266
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -266
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
111.7 * + 0.0* 7. 10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
4.10.91 7.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.04 PCT 4.04 PCT
1 MONTH 3.86 PCT 3.83 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.00 PCT 3.92 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.45 PCT 4.26 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.14 PCT 4.94 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 9,200 MN 6,920 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY ................. 1
BROADCASTING OF GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS ............................ 5
TAI CHIN-WAH RESIGNED FROM LEGCO ..................................... 6
ROLES OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OUTLINED .................. 6
SECRETARY FOR WORKS INSPECTS EFFLUENT TUNNEL PROJECT ................. 8
GOVT RESPONSE TO 98 OCTANE UNLEADED PETROL ........................... 9
STATEMENT ON INTRA-COCOM TRADE LICENSING BENEFITS EXTENSION .......... 10
SOCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT DEPENDS ON CONTINUED AFFLUENCE AND PROSPERITY ........................................................... 11
CASH ASSISTANCE TO DEPENDANTS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM ............. 13
DONATION TO HELP HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN ........................... 14
NEW TEACHING KIT TO REINFORCE DRUG EDUCATION ......................... 15
MINI-EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO PROFESSIONALS .............. 17
NO MAIL SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG ....................................... 17
GARDEN TO BE BUILT OVERNIGHT IN CENTRAL .............................. 18
AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AND THREE OVERSTAYERS ARRESTED .................. 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ................................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 20
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
1
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF * * » * ♦
EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY i
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 2%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 26% IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS.
THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 17% IMPORTS INCREASED BY 20% IN VOLUME.
IN
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH ROSE BY 2%, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 3%. THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF JULY 1991 WITH JULY 1990, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 2%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 30%. TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE.VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 19%. THF VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 24%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 2% WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3%. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 2%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR JULY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF SOME COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN JULY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+51%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+14%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+13%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+8%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+7%); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+3%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN FOOTWEAR (-39%); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-24%); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-22%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-13%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-6%); AND CLOTHING (-1%).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN JULY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990. THESE INCLUDED TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+6%); FOOTWEAR (+5%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+4%); CLOTHING (+4%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+4%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+4%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+3%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+2%); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+2%).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES ........
TUESDAY OCTOBER 8, 1991
- 2 -
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-4%); AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-2%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS RY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JULY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 12% IN JULY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990. IN PARTICULAR, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS; SUGAR; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; AND SWINE, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; AND RICE.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 20%. COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED FOOTWEAR; PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; AND MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS. ON THE OTHER HAND, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WATCHES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 26% IN JULY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES; PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS; AND YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE; RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SILK FABRICS; AND RAW COTTON.
IMPORTS OF FUELS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990.
INCREASED BY 28% IN VOLUME IN JULY
1991 AS
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 34% IN JULY 1991 OVER JULY 1990. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WRRE RECORDED IN TEXTILE MACHINERY; ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; AND OFFICE MACHINES.
COMPARING JULY 1991 WITH JULY 1990, THE IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: FUELS (+8%); CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); FOODSTUFFS (+2%); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+2%); AND CAPITAL GOODS (+1%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPoRTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JULY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JULY 1991 WITH JULY 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES: FUELS (+66%); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+38%); CAPITAL GOODS (+32%); CONSUMER GOODS (+26%); AND FOODSTUFFS (+14%).
THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN JULY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1990: FUELS ( + 17%); FOODSTUFFS (4-614); CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+2%); AND CAPITAL GOODS (+2%).
/FURTHER DETAILS .......
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 8, 1991
3
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE JULY 1991 ISSUE OF IDE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND OCTOBER 14 AT $4 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 823 4918) .
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
’ i1' ' COMPARING WITH JUL 1991 JUL 1990 COMPARING JAN-JUL WITH JAN-JUL 1991 1990
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
CLOTHING 3 4 -1 4 3 1
TEXTILE FABRICS 11 4 7 4 3 1
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 16 2 13 5 3 2
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES 18 4 14 -17 2 -18
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS 5 2 3 -6 4 -9
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 50 ♦ 51 30 -1 31
FOOTWEAR -36 5 -39 -29 5 -32
METAL MANUFACTURES 12 3 8 10 4 5
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -28 -4 -24 2 * 2
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -23 -2 -22 -3 ♦ -3
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES ♦ 6 -6 -6 4 -9
/DOMESTIC .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
4
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL
APPLIANCES -10 4 -13 1 2
ALL COMMODITIES 42242
♦W' i*' vu ' ■ ' •
♦ LESS THAN 0.5%
’ "■ TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
in ; ■ • COMPARING WITH JUL JUL 1991 1990 COMPARING JAN-JUL WITH JAN-JUL 1991 1990
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % X
FOODSTUFFS 14 2 12 14 3 11
CONSUMER GOODS 24 3 20 24 3 20
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 28 2 26 24 2 22
FUELS 39 8 28 34 19 13
CAPITAL GOODS 36 1 34 26 3 22
ALL COMMODITIES 27 2 24 24 3 20
/TABLE 3: .......
5
TABLE 3: CHANGES TN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH JUL JUL 1991 1990 COMPARING JAN-JUL WITH JAN-JUL 1991 1990
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
FOODSTUFFS 21 6 14 23 4 19
CONSUMER GOODS 30 3 26 32 3 28
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 41 2 38 24 1 22
FUELS 95 17 66 19 21 -1
CAPITAL GOODS 34 2 32 29 2 27
ALL COMMODITIES 34 3 30 28 2 26
0
BROADCASTING OF GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL PRESENT HIS POLICY ADDRESS AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE OPENS THE 1991-92 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON TVB (PEARL AND JADE); ATV (WORLD AND HOME); AND RTHK’S RADIO 1 AND 5 (CHINESE), AND. RADIO 3 (ENGLISH). COMMERCIAL RADIO’S AM 864 WILL ALSO BROADCAST THE SPEECH LIVE IN CHINESE.
IN THE EVENING,- SIR DAVID WILL APPEAR ON TELEVISION TO GIVE A SUMMARY OF HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS DELIVERED EARLIER IN THE DAY.
THE PROGRAMME, PRODUCED BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST BY THE RADIO SECTION OF RTHK AND COMMERCIAL RADIO.
/ATV-HOME .......
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 8, 1991
ATV-HOME WILL BROADCAST THE PROGRAMME AT 6.55 PM, TVB-JADE AT 6.20 PM AND AGAIN AT 11.55 PM, TVB-PEARL AT 8.15 PM, AND ATV-WORLD AT 11 PM.
RTHK RADIO, BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE CHANNELS, AND COMMERCIAL RADIO (ENGLISH), WILL BROADCAST THE SUMARY AFTER THEIR 5 PM NEWSCAST. COMMERCIAL RADIO I (CHINESE) WILL BROADCAST THE PROGRAMME FOLLOWING THE NEWSCAST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DELIVERY OF THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS.
------0 - -
TAI CHIN-WAH RESIGNED FROM LEGCO ******
THE CLERK OF COUNCILS TONIGHT (TUESDAY) SAID THAT MR TAI CHIN-WAH HAD TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR PERSONAL REASONS.
THE CLERK OF COUNCILS WENT ON TO SAY THAT AS A RESULT OF MR TAI’S RESIGNATION, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO CONDUCT A BY-ELECTION IN NEW TERITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY, WITHIN A PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO MONTHS, AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE (CAP 367).
---------0-----------
ROLES OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OUTLINED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
PUBLIC BUILDINGS MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATURE OF ITS GOVERNMENT AND THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (ASD) STRIVES TO PRODUCE BUILDINGS THAT ARE FUNCTIONAL, HAVE VALUE FOR MONEY AND ARE INTERESTING.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR PAUL CORSER, DURING A TALK TO THE LIONS CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
MR CORSER SAID TO THIS END, DESIGN BECAME THE KEY TASK AND WAS MONITORED CLOSELY AT ALL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS BY HIS DEPARTMENT.
GOOD DESIGN IS ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED THROUGH THE ASD ANNUAL AWARDS FOR BUILDING DESIGN.
HE SAID SUCH ROLES, TOGETHER WITH THE MORE FAMILIAR BUILDING DEVELOPMENT FUNCTIONS, WERE AMONG THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNIQUENESS OF THE ASD WHEN COMPARED WITH ITS COUNTERPARTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
/MR CORSER .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
MR CORSER SAID APART FROM BEING AN AGENCY TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE BRITISH FORCES, THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO REQUIRED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON ALL TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL MATTERS AFFECTING ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES.
THE DEPARTMENT ALSO PERFORMS THE ROLE OF FINANCIAL CONTROLLER IN MONITORING EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC MONEY ON CONSTRUCTION WORK UNDERTAKEN BY SUBVENTED CHARTTIES.
IT ALSO OVERSEES WORK BY JOINT VENTURES AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PROVIDES MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, EXCLUDING PUBLIC HOUSING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN OTHER COUNTRIES THESE TASKS FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES WOULD BE PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUAL WORKS ORGANISATIONS.
WHILE IN HONG KONG, THE PROVISION OF BUILDING SERVICES TO A . WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC BODIES HAD BEEN CENTRALISED UNDER THE ASD, THllS SAVING TAXPAYERS’ MONEY BY REDUCING OVERHEAD COSTS AND DUPLICATION OF SERVICES.
MR CORSER SAID OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, HIS DEPARTMENT’S CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS HAD AVERAGED $4,426 MILLION EVERY YEAR WITH THE TOTAL PROGRAMME IN THE VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT VALUED ABOUT $39 BILLION AT CURRENT PRICES.
MR CORSER EXPLAINED THAT ONCE THE NEED FOR A PARTICULAR BUILDING WAS ESTABLISHED, IT ENTERED THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND FUNDS FOR PROJECTS WERE ALLOCATED ON A PRIORITY BASIS.
"AT THIS STAGE THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ENGAGED AND A PROJECT TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS IS CHOSEN, NORMALLY COMPRISING AN ARCHITECT, STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEER AND A QUANTITY SURVEYOR.
"THIS TEAM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT FROM INCEPTION TO COMPLETION AND THE PROJECT TEAM LEADER IS RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT IT IS ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET," HE SAID.
MR CORSER ALSO NOTED THAT APART FROM THE OBVIOUS PROFESSIONAL INPUT OF THE VARIOUS DISCIPLINES ON BUILDING PROJECTS, OTHER SERVICES RENDERED INCLUDED PREPARATION OF THE TENDER PRICE INDEX (TPI), PREPARED BY THE QUANTITY SURVEYING BRANCH OF HIS DEPARTMENT.
THE TPI IS A COMPOSITE INDEX SHOWING THE RISE AND FALL OF PRICES TENDERED FOR PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECTS.
ON OTHER DEVELOPMENTS, MR CORSER EXTOLLED THE VIRTUES OF ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR) AS A QUICK AND INEXPENSIVE WAY OF RESOLVING CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT DISPUTES WITH CONTRACTORS, WHICH HIS DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN UTILISING IN ITS PROJECTS.
/THE VARIOUS .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
- 8 -
THE VARIOUS FORMS OF ADR ALL INVOLVE A NEUTRAL PERSON WHO HELPS THE PARTIES REACH A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT AVOIDING COSTLY ARBITRATION OR COURT CASES.
MR CORSER STATED THAT AS PUBLIC BUILDING PROJECTS HAD BECOME LARGER AND MORE COMPLEX, THERE WOULD BE A GROWTH IN DISPUTES BETWEEN THE CONTRACTORS AND THE GOVERNMENT.
THE USE OF THESE RESOLUTION PROCESSES WOULD AVOID A DETERIORATION OF WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AND COST OVER-RUNS ON GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.
IN CONCLUSION, MR CORSER SAID ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY HIS DEPARTMENT WAS THE RESTORATION OF ANTIQUITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
THE BUILDINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN RESTORED BY THE BRANCH INCLUDE KUN TING STUDY HALL AND TAT FU TAI IN YUEN LONG; THE MAN MO TEMPLE IN TAI PO, AND THE LAW UK FOK MUSEUM IN CHAI WAN.
HE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION TO PROVIDE COMMUNITIES WITH A LINK TO THEIR PAST AND TO INSTIL A SENSE OF BELONGING AND CONTINUITY.
--------0-----------
SECRETARY FOR WORKS
INSPECTS EFFLUENT TUNNEL PROJECT
******
THE NEWLY-APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (TUESDAY) PAID HIS FIRST SITE VISIT TO AN IMPORTANT EFFLUENT TUNNEL BORING PROJECT UNDERNEATH TATE’S CAIRN AS PART OF HIS FAMILIARISATION PROGRAMME TO THE WORKS GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE LAST MONTH.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN, THE SECRETARY WAS BRIEFED INSIDE THE TUNNEL THAT THE PROJECT WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME UNDER THE TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PLAN.
THE SCHEME IS BEING IMPLEMENTED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $880 MILLION AS THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF TOLO HARBOUR.
AT PRESENT, TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT IS DISCHARGED FROM THE SHA TIN AND TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS INTO TOLO HARBOUR. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE NUTRIENT SOURCES TO THE NEARBY WATERS.
MR BLAKE LEARNT THAT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, THE SCHEME HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO INTERCEPT THE EFFLUENT AT THE TWO TREATMENT WORKS AND TO DIVERSE THE FLOW TO VICTORIA HARBOUR, WHICH IS MORE CAPABLE THAN TOLO HARBOUR IN RECEIVING THE NUTRIENT LOAD OF THE EFFLUENTS.
/THE SCHEME .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
9
THE SCHEME WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO STAGES, ENTAILS THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUMPING STATIONS AT TAI PO AND SHA TIN, A 6.5-KILOMETRE LONG SUBMARINE PIPELINE IN TOLO HARBOUR, A 215-METRE LONG BRIDGE ACROSS SHING MUN RIVER, OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS AS WELL AS THE 7.5-KILOMETRE TUNNEL.
MR BLAKE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE SCHEME IS THE USE OF A TUNNEL BORING MACHINE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL, WHICH ALSO PLACES A PRECAST TUNNEL LINING.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT SUCH A MECHANISED METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION, PROPOSED BY THE ITALIAN CONTRACTOR VIAN INI LAVORI SPA, HAS BEEN USED ON A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT IN HONG KONG.
THIS METHOD IS CHEAPER, ('AUSES LESS VIBRATION TO THE VICINITY AND REDUCES WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A TWO-AND-A-HALF-YEAR CONSTRUCTION PERIOD TO TWO YEARS THAN THE CONVENTIONAL DRILL AND BLAST MEANS OF TUNNELLING.
"THIS IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS RECEPTIVE TO ALTERNATE CONSTRUCTIVE METHOD FROM TENDERERS RESULTING IN SAVING IN COST AND CONSTRUCTION TIME," MR BLAKE SAID.
WHEN THE SCHEME IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED IN MID-1994, 1T WILL TOGETHER WITH OTHER MEASURES UNDERTAKEN AS PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PLAN, ELIMINATE MOST OF THE POLLUTION SOURCES OF TOLO HARBOUR.
------0-------
GOVT RESPONSE TO 98 OCTANE UNLEADED PETROL
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) RESPONDED TO SHELL’S ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE INTRODUCTION OF 98 OCTANE UNLEADED PETROL BY EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT THE REST OF THE OIL INDUSTRY MAY FOLLOW SUIT.
IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THEN THE 46 PERCENT OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC WHICH HAS ALREADY SWITCHED TO 95 OCTANE ULP WILL HAVE TO PAY 21 (ENTS \ LITRE MORE FOR THEIR PETROL THAN THEY NEED TO DO.
THE SPOKESMAN WENT ON To EXPRESS DEEP AGREEMENTS REACHED BETWEEN THE OIL COMPANIES
DISAPPOINTMENT THAT AND THE GOVERNMENT
IN THE FIRST PLACE,
THE
IN HAD ITS
THE INTERESTS OF INTRODUCING UNLEADED PETROL
BEEN BROKIN FIRST BY MOBIL IN INTRODUCING LEADED PETROL AT ALL STATIONS RATHER THAN AT THE 10 PER( I NT OF STATIONS ORIGINALLY AGREED AND NOW BY SHELL IN TAKING STEPS WHICH I'I* WOULD SEEM WILL INEVITABLY LEAD TO ALL THE OIL COMPANIES REPLACING 95 OCTANE ULP WITH 98 ULP.
/•’WHAT WE..........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
- 10 -
SEE OF COURSE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, "IS
AVAILABLE AT THE PETROL PUMPS, WITH 98
PRESENT EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF LEADED
"WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO THE FULL RANGE OF FUELS BEING OCTANE REPLACING SOME OF THE
PETROL OUTLETS,
"IN THIS EVENT LEADED PETROL AND AVAILABLE FOR THE VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF NEEDS THESE FUELS, AND THE LOWER COST AVAILABLE TO THE VAST MAJORITY OF MOTORISTS PERFECTLY WELL ON THIS FUEL," THE SPOKESMAN
98 OCTANE ULP WOULD BE
THE VEHICLE FLEET THAT
95 OCTANE ULP WOULD BE WHOSE VEHICLES CAN RUN
SAID.
"THIS WOULD SET THE SCENE ADMIRABLY FOR THE INTRODUCTION ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR OF VEHICLES WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTORS AND LOW POLLUTING EMISSIONS," HE SAID.
"THIS AFTERALL IS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE ULP EXERCISE," HE CONCLUDED.
---------0-----------
STATEMENT ON TNTRA-COCOM TRADE LICENSING BENEFITS EXTENSION
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE US. ADMINISTRATION’S INTENTION TO EXTEND INTRA-COCOM TRADE LICENSING BENEFITS TO HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY):
"THE GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY UJS. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT UNDER-SECRETARY, MS JOAN MCENTEE, OF THE U.S. ADMIN 1STRATION'S INTENTION.
"THE GOVERNMENT CERTAINLY WELCOMES THIS AS S1 GN IFI CANT DEVELOPMENT.
"THE UNITED STATES IS THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF TO HONG KONG AND SUCH A LIBERALISATION OF LICENSING LEAD TO THE FASTER AND EASIER FLOW OF HIGH-TECH GOODS STATES TO HONG KONG.
\ POSITIVE AND
HIGH-TECH GOODS PROCEDURES WILL FROM THE UNITED
"ONCE THE DETAILS HAVE BEEN FINALISED AND MADE KNOWN TO US, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BRIEF TRADERS ON THE REVISED PROCEDURES.”
- - 0----------
/Il ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 199 i
- 11 -
SOCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPMENT
DEPENDS ON CONTINUED AFFLUENCE AND PROSPERITY
******
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE ATTAINMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY, AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT 43 PER CENT OF ITS BUDGETTED EXPENDITURE FOR 1990-91 WENT TO SOCIAL SERVICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, TODAY (TUESDAY) IN MANILA, PHILIPPINES.
ADDRESSING THE FOURTH ASIAN AND PACIFIC MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP), MR CARTLAND SAID:
"FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY WILL DEPEND LARGELY ON THE CONTINUED AFFLUENCE AND PROSPERITY WHICH HONG KONG HAS ENJOYED IN ' THE PAST DECADE THROUGH THE HARD WORK AND INGENUITY OF ITS POPULATION.
"INDEED, MUCH OF THE VALUE OF PARTICIPATION IN A CONFERENCE OF THIS NATURE LIES IN THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND SHARING OF EXPERIENCE WITH EACH OTHER.
"I AM SURE THIS CONFERENCE WILL HELP US ALL FIND APPROPRIATE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS WHICH WE FACE, FOR THE GREATER BENEFITS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE ASIAN AND PACIFIC REGION."
SPEAKING AT THE FIVE-DAY ESCAP CONFERENCE, MR CARTLAND GAVE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION ON HONG KONG’S SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1985 AND ITS STRATEGY TOWARDS THE YEAR 2000.
ON THE SUBJECT OF HEALTH SERVICES, MR CARTLAND TOLD THE GATHERING THAT THERE WAS A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE AND CHILDREN UP TO FIVE YEARS THROUGH A NETWORK OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES.
"HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG - BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE - PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 25,286 BEDS, REPRESENTING 4.4 BEDS PER THOUSAND POPULATION IN 1990.
"THEY PROVIDE HOSPITAL SERVICES AT LOW COST WHICH ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. SEVERAL MAJOR HOSPITALS AND INFIRMARY PROJECTS ARE UNDER PLANNING OR CONSTRUCTION," HE SAID.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR CARTLAND TOLD HIS INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE THAT HONG KONO GOVERNMENT ACCORDED A HIGH PRIORITY TO THE EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
IN 1990, ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP WERE STUDYING FIRST DEGREE COURSES AND SIX PER CENT NON-DEGREE POST-SECONDARY STUD IES.
/THE NUMBER .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
- 12 -
THE NUMBER OF FIRST-YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES WAS AIMED TO BE INCREASED BY 76 PER CENT IN 1994-95. BY THAT TIME, ABOUT 18 PER CENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP WOULD BE ABLE TO ATTEND A FIRST DEGREE COURSE, HE CONTINUED.
MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT THE OUTPUTS OF THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG, AS MEASURED BY THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND TOTAL EXPORTS, HAD ACHIEVED AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 7.6 PER CENT AND 18.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN REAL TERMS IN THE PERIOD 1985-90.
"HONG KONG HAS ALSO CONTINUED TO DEVELOP AS A SERVICE CENTRE. THE SERVICE SECTOR CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN 1988 AND IN 1989 EMPLOYED ALMOST 60 PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE, AND HELPS TO MAINTAIN HIGH EMPLOYMENT.
"SINCE 1987, BOTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT HAVE REMAINED BELOW TWO PER CENT. THE CURRENT NEAR-FULL EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO PREVAIL THROUGH THE 1990S," MR CARTLAND NOTED.
ON THE ISSUE OF HOUSING, MR CARTLAND SAID: "THE HOUSING PROGRAMME IS BASED ON A LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WHICH NOW EXTENDS INTO 2011. NEARLY THREE MILLION PEOPLE, ABOUT HALF THE POPULATION, LIVED IN SUBSIDISED PUBLIC HOUSING LAST YEAR.
"ABOUT 131,000 PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS WERE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION BY THE END OF 1990," MR CARTLAND ADDED.
ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, MR CARTLAND TOLD MEMBERS OF THE CONFERENCE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED A WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE THIS YEAR.
IT REPRESENTED THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO ENSURE THAT SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND PROVISIONS CONTINUE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND.
SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG COMPRISED CASH BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES AND DIRECT WELFARE SERVICES PROVIDED EITHER BY THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF OR THROUGH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"SOCIAL SECURITY IN HONG KONG IS NON-CONTRIBUTORY. THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME PROVIDES A SAFETY NET FOR SOME 98,000 BENEFICIARIES BELOW A BASIC LEVEL OF INCOME, THE MAJORITY BEING THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED.
"OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, BOTH THE SCOPE AND QUALITY OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES HAVE EXPANDED SIGNIFICANTLY.
"CAPITAL AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE HAS RISEN FROM $2,469 MILLION IN 1985-86 TO $6,350 MILLION IN 1990-91, REPRESENTING SOME SIX PER CENT OF TOTAL CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE," HE STRESSED.
/MR CARTLAND .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
MR CARTLAND FURTHER ADDED THAT THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG USUALLY INVOLVED WORKING PARTIES, ADVISORY OR CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES WHICH ARE COMPRISED OF BOTH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS.
”HONG KONG’S POLICIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THESE AREAS WILL, I HOPE, BE SEEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THIS CONFERENCE S GOALS OF POVERTY ERADICATION, DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE, AND POPULAR PARTICIPATION," HE CONCLUDED.
- - 0 - -
CASH ASSISTANCE TO DEPENDANTS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED $46,630 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO THE DEPENDANTS OF A CONTAINER TRUCK DRIVER WHO WAS KILLED TN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 20 THIS YEAR.
NG SHING-FUNG, 33, WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT AT A CARPARK NEAR SAN UK LING HOLDING CENTRE, FANLING. HE WAS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND A CHILD.
THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDES QUICK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS WITHOUT TAKING REGARD OF THE MEANS OF A FAMILY OR THE ELEMENT OF FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.
BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES IN THE USUAL WAY.
HOWEVER, THOSE WHO RECEIVE OTHER DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE SAME ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE SCHEME. BUT IN ANY CASE, THE AMOUNT REPAID WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION AWARDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE SCHEME MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION AT 15 WATSON ROAD, VICTORIA CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY OR ON TEL. 570 2410.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
14
DONATION TO HELP HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN *******
A TWO-YEAR PILOT PROJECT DESIGNED TO HELP HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN WITH BACKWARD ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT IN ORDINARY PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL NOW BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR, THANKS TO A GENEROUS DONATION OF $400,000 FROM THE EPSON FOUNDATION.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, TODAY (TUESDAY) ACCEPTED A CHEQUE FOR THE AMOUNT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOUNDATION, MR MASAYUKI TAKAHASHI, AT A BRIEF CEREMONY HELD AT THE VICTORIA PARK SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF WHICH OPERATED THE SCHEME.
THE EPSON FOUNDATION WAS FORMED EARLY THIS YEAR WITH A SUM OF $6 MILLION FROM EPSON HONG KONG LTD AND EPSON PRECISION HONG KONG LTD WITH THE GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF PROMOTING AND ADVANCING EDUCATION IN HONG KONG THROUGH DONATIONS TO EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS.
PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE FOUNDATION INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 12 SCHOLARSHIPS IN SIX LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND A SERIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RESEARCHES.
IN ACCEPTING THE DONATION ON BEHALF OF THE SCHOOL, MR LI SAID HE WAS HEARTENED TO REPORT THAT PUPILS WHO JOINED THE PROGRAMME HAD BEEN FOUND TO HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS IN THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, LEARNING SKILLS AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS COMPARED WITH THOSE THAT HAD NOT.
MR LI ADDED THAT WITH THE DONATION FROM EPSON, THE TWO-YEAR PILOT SCHEME WHICH STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 1989 WAS NOW ABLE TO BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
UNDER THE SCHEME, THE VICTORIA PARK SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF OPERATES TWO UNITS WITH 20 PUPILS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT WHO ARE ATTENDING ORDINARY PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
EACH PUPIL ADMITTED ATTENDS TWICE A WEEK FOR TWO HOURS PER SESSION DURING WHICH INDIVIDUAL SPEECH AND AUDITORY TRAINING AS WELL AS GROUP REMEDIAL TEACHING ARE GIVEN IN THE BASIC SUBJECTS OF CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS.
IN ADDITION, RESOURCE TEACHERS ALSO VISIT PUPILS’ HOMES AND SCHOOLS TO OFFER ADVICE IN HELPING THESE CHILDREN.
------0----------
/15........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
15
NEW TEACHING KIT TO REINFORCE DRUG EDUCATION
******
A NEW COMPREHENSIVE DRUG EDUCATION TEACHING KIT WILL BE RELEASED LATER THIS MONTH TO PROVIDE LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRUGS.
THE TEACHING KIT WILL ALSO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE AND THUS DEVELOP APPROPRIATE ATTITUDES AND SKILLS TO FIGHT AGAINST IT.
THE PRINCIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, MR AUGUSTINE POON, TOLD A LARGE GROUP OF PARTICIPANTS AT THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION IN SCHOOLS HELD IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA THIS TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE CONFERENCE, WHICH IS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 300 PARTICIPANTS FROM 23 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES, BEGAN YESTERDAY (MONDAY) AND WILL LAST UNTIL FRIDAY.
MR POON SAID IN DEVELOPING THE KIT, EVERY EFFORT HAD BEEN MADE TO DRAW UPON RESEARCH INTO WHAT WOULD CONSTITUTE EFFECTIVE DRUG EDUCATION; AND WHAT WOULD RESULT IN POSITIVE GAINS IN KNOWLEDGE BY YOUNGSTERS, CHANGES IN THEIR ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR IN RESPECT OF DRUGS AND DRUG-TAKING.
"THE OLD METHOD OF DRUG EDUCATION, WHERE INFORMATION ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUGS WAS GIVEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN A PASSIVE MANNER, WAS AT BEST INEFFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY EVEN COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE I IT MAY HAVE ACTUALLY INCREASED DEMAND BY RAISING YOUNGSTERS’ CURIOSITY ABOUT DRUGS.
"THE MODEL DRUG EDUCATION UPON WHICH THE NEW TEACHING KIT IS BASED HAS THE PRINCIPAL FOCUS ON PEOPLE AND THEIR REASONS FOR TAKING DRUGS,” HE SAID.
BY EXAMINING THESE REASONS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO "LOOK OLDER" OR TO "FIT IT", MR POON SAID ONE COULD UNDERSTAND BETTER THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE ABUSER, THE SUBSTANCE(S) AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
"THE KIT IS DESIGNED TO DEAL IN A ROUNDED AND BALANCED WAY WITH. THE ISSUES SURROUNDING DRUG-TAKING, AND TO MAKE STUDENTS AWARE THAT IN ORDER TO PRODUCE CHANGES IN DRUG-RELATED BEHAVIOUR, THEY MAY HAVE TO BEGIN TO RE-THINK OTHER ASPECTS OF THEIR LIFESTYLE," MR POON SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS THEIR HOPE THAT THE KIT WOULD ACHIEVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT GOALS.
"WE HOPE THAT IT WILL RAISE THE YOUNGSTERS’ AWARENESS OF SOME OF THE DANGERS OF DRUGS AND HELP THEM REALISE THAT THEY SHOULD NEVER TRY DRUGS.
/"WE ALSO........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
- 16 -
"WE ALSO WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ILLEGAL DRUGS, LEGALLY-PRESCRIBED DRUGS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES THAT ARE ABUSED, AND LEGALLY-PRESCRIBED DRUGS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES THAT ARE TAKEN ACCORDING TO MEDICAL DIRECTIONS," HE SAID.
THE KIT WAS ALSO DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN PERSONAL STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH OFFERS TO TAKE DRUGS.
THESE INCLUDED LEARNING REFUSAL SKILLS, HOW TO RESIST PEER PRESSURE AND HOW TO STAND UP FOR ONE’S BELIEFS, HE SAID.
"ANOTHER MESSAGE WE HOPE TO PUT ACROSS TO THE STUDENTS IS THAT DRUG ABUSE HAS CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE FAR-REACHING.
"APART FROM DAMAGING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE INDIVIDUAL USERS, THEIR DRUG ABUSE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT FAMILY* FRIENDS, THE COMMUNITY, AND EVEN COMMUNITIES BEYOND THEIR BORDERS."
THE KIT, IN BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS, INCLUDES VIDEO PROGRAMMES TO ILLUSTRATE THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES TO REINFORCE THE THEMES FOR THE VIDEO PROGRAMMES AND TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING.
DIFFERENT VIDEOS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED FOR THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR LEVELS.
ALSO PROVIDED ARE 10 LESSON PLANS TO AID THE TEACHERS IN FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS FACT SHEETS ON THE MAIN SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE IN HONG KONG.
MR POON SAID A SAMPLE OF TEACHERS HAD BEEN INVITED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO INTRODUCE THE VIDEOS AND LESSONS ON A TRIAL BASTS TO THEIR CLASSES.
"ACCORDING TO THE REPORTS BY THE TEACHERS, THE TRIAL WAS SUCCESSFUL IN THAT IT ACTED AS AN EFFECTIVE CATALYST FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE STUDENTS ABOUT OTHER DRUG-RELATED TOPICS," HE ADDED.
IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE USE OF THE KIT, MR POON SAID THE NARCOTICS DIVISION WOULD CONDUCT SEMINARS TO INTRODUCE IT TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS LATER THIS MONTH.
HE SAID THE DIVISION WOULD ALSO ISSUE A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS, WHICH CONTAINED SOME BASIC FACTS ABOUT DRUGS AS WELL AS TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR DRUG PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES.
"WE HOPE THAT WITH THIS INFORMATION, PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS WILL BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE AND HELP STEER THEIR CHILDREN AND CLIENTS FROM THE DANGERS OF DRUGS," MR POON SAID.
COSTING A TOTAL OF $1.6 MILLION, THE PRODUCTION OF BOTH THE NEW TEACHING KIT AND THE GUIDE IS SPONSORED BY HANG SENG BANK, THE S.H. HO FOUNDATION AND THE WEI LUN FOUNDATION. .
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17
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 4991
MINI-EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO PROFESSIONALS
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL MOUNT AN EXHIBITION IN CENTRAL FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO INTRODUCE ITS WIDE-RANGING SERVICES TO JOB-SEEKERS WITH POST-SECONDARY OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
THE THREE-DAY MINI-EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF JARDINE HOUSE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM DAILY.
APART FROM JOB-SEEKERS, THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO BE OF INTEREST TO EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR PROFESSIONAL AND HIGH-CALIBRE STAFF.
IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE AND ATTRACTIVE GRAPHICS, THE EXHIBITION WILL INTRODUCE TO VISITORS THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (HEES), INCLUDING FREE RECRUITMENT ASSISTANCE TO EMPLOYERS AND FREE PLACEMENT SERVICE TO JOB-SEEKERS.
THE HEES ALSO PROVIDES COUNSELLING TO TERTIARY GRADUATES ON THE CURRENT JOB MARKET AND ON JOB-HUNTING SKILLS.
IN ADDITION, CAREERS SEMINARS ARE ORGANISED EVERY YEAR FOR JOBSEEKERS ON THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER PROSPECTS.
A PUBLICATION ENTITLED "CANDIDATE PROFILE” CONTAINING . ESSENTIAL PARTICULARS OF SELECTED JOB REGISTRANTS IS DISTRIBUTED TO SOME 1,000 PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS EVERY MONTH.
ANOTHER MONTHLY PUBLICATION CALLED "PRIME JOBS IN HONG KONG" IS SENT TO MORE THAN 630 UNIVERSITIES, TERTIARY INSTITUTES AND STUDENT BODIES OVER THE WORLD.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, EMPLOYERS AND GRADUATES MAY CALL AT THE HEES ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR CALL 852 3232 OR 852 3233.
- - 0 - -
NO MAIL SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG
******
THERE WILL BE NO LETTER DELIVERY DURING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 16), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
ALSO, ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED THAT DAY.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
18
GARDEN TO BE BUILT OVERNIGHT IN CENTRAL ♦ I i i *
THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO A GARDEN ON NOVEMBER 24 (SUNDAY) TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT CAN BE DONE IF EVERY CITIZEN PITCHES IN TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN.
CALL "THE GARDEN CELEBRATION", THIS LARGE-SCALE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FUNCTION OF THE 1991/92 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR GILBERT LEUNG, SAID "THE GARDEN CELEBRATION" WOULD BE A VISUAL AND SYMBOLIC ATTENTION-GRABBER, WITH THE THEME "’THANKS TO YOU, HONG KONG IS A BETTER PLACE"’.
"THE GARDEN WILL BE A LIVING-GREEN PARK WHERE THE DAY BEFORE WAS ONLY CONCRETE.
"THROUGH TEAMWORK AND SUPPORT FROM THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AMD RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, GREENERY AND FLOWERS WILL BE ASSEMBLED DURING THE NIGHT OF NOVEMBER 23 (SATURDAY) INTO A GARDEN COMPLETE WITH FLOWERS, TREES, PATHWAYS AND LANDSCAPES."
DESIGNED BY LANDSCAPING EXPERTS FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE GARDEN WILL FEATURE DIFFERENT PLOTS OF ATTRACTIVE LANDSCAPES AND OPEN TO ALL PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
MR LEUNG URGED THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THIS UNIQUE EXTRAVAGANZA TO PROMOTE THE MESSAGE "TAKE THE LEAD TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN".
HE SAID: "WE SEE CORPORATE SUPPORT AS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE 1991/92 CAMPAIGN AND, ALONG WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT, ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR ITS SUCCESS.
"WE WOULD APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THE MONETARY AND MORAL SUPPORT FROM OUR COMMUNITY-CONSCIOUS BUSINESS SECTOR. ,
"MAKING THIS DREAM COME TRUE WILL BE A COMBINED EFFORT OF THE COMMUNITY, COMMERCIAL ENTITIES AND GOVERNMENT."
A SPECIAL FLOWER PLANTING AND UNVEILING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 24, TO BE ATTENDED BY LEGISLATIVE, URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILLORS, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, CELEBRITIES AND THE CAMPAIGN MASCOTS, THE DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS FAMILY.
IN ADDITION TO THE GARDEN, PART OF THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING WILL BE MADE INTO AN EXHIBITION GALLERY FEATURING THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS’ YEAR-ROUND KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN ACTIVITIES.
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J
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
- 19 -
AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AND THREE OVERSTAYERS ARRESTED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
ACTING ON INFORMATION, IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AND THREE OVERSTAYERS FROM CHINA YESTERDAY (MONDAY). ALL THE FOUR WERE FEMALE.
THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, AGED 20, AND A 28-YEAR-OLD OVERSTAYER, WERE ARRESTED AT A FACTORY IN KWUN TONG.
THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IS A NATIVE OF CHIU CHOW AND CLAIMED TO HAVE SNEAKED INTO HONG KONG ON SEPTEMBER 30.
THE TWO OTHER OVERSTAYERS AGED 54 AND 58 WERE ARRESTED IN A RESIDENTIAL FLAT IN NORTH POINT.
ALL THREE OVERSTAYERS ARE NATIVES OF FUKIEN. THEY CAME TO HONG KONG ON A TWO-WAY PERMIT AND HAVE OVERSTAYED FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO NINE MONTHS.
THREE HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE ASSISTING WITH THE INVESTIGATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REITERATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY GRANTED TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
HE ALSO SAID THOSE WHO BREACH THEIR CONDITION OF STAY HERE ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND UPON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
THOSE WHO AID AND ABET OTHER PEOPLE TO COMMIT THE OFFENCES ARE ALSO LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND PENALTY, u
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG
♦ ♦ i i ♦
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS ----- TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER QI 4 1 Y195
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 702 MN HKD 733 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 4.12 PCT 5.18 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 4.25 PCT 5.25 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 68 PCT ABOUT 23 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.20 PCT 5.28 PCT
/HONG KONG........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
20
? ■ a £$+ ' • , , . . •,
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ----- TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q142 H175
ISSUE DATE 17 OCT 91 17 OCT 91
MATURITY DATE 15 JAN 92 15 APR 92
TENOR 90 DAYS* 181 DAYS**
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 500 + 100 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
♦ REPEAT 90 DAYS »♦ REPEAT 181 DAYS
-------0------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 7.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 8.10.91 -109
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +109
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *+0.1* 8.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
8.10.91 7.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.32 PCT 4.04 PCT
1 MONTH 3.97 PCT 3.83 PCT
3 MONTHS 4 . 19 PCT 3.92 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.44 PCT 4.26 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.22 PCT 4.94 PCT • .» •
TOTAL TURNOVER 7,525 MN 6,920 MN
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: HK GOING THROUGH THREE CRUCIAL CHANGES: GOVERNOR ....................... 1
CO-OPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ADMINISTRATION AND LEGCO NEEDED .... 2
HARMONIOUS AND EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HK AND CHINA IMPORTANT . 5
GOVERNOR OUTLINES PROGRAMMES FOR DEVELOPMENT ........................ 9
ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1992 LOOK GOOD ............................... 10
GOVT SPENDING MUST BE IN LINE WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE ............. 13
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT A MUST FOR HK .................................. 14
IMPROVING ENVIRONMENT REMAINS TOP PRIORITY .......................... 15
IMPROVING QUALITY OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS NOT A LUXURY ................ 17
TOP PRIORITY IN DISCOURAGING SMOKING ................................ 18
NO DETERIORATION IN CRIME FIGURES ................................... 19
HK WELCOMES GREATER RESOLVE BY INT'L COMMUNITY ON VM PROBLEM ........ 21
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT ........................... 22
GOVERNOR DELIVERS POLICY SUMMARY .................................... 24
GOVERNOR TO VISIT UK .................................................. 26
STNO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETS TODAY .............................. 26
LAND AUCTION FETCHES $1,269.5 MILLION ................................. 26
SECURITIES INDUSTRY MAKES GREAT STRIDES ............................... 22
GOV’T ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO LOCAL WORKFORCE'S WELFARE ................ 28
NEW BOOK GIVES HISTORY OF PADS ......................................’• 30
259 VM'S RETURN TO VIETNAM ............................................ 31
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ...................................... 31
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 32
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ............................................... 32
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 33
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
1
UK COING THROUGH THREE CRUCIAL CHANGES:
GOVERNOR
* » t t ♦
THE GOVERNOR, STR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON THAT HONG KONG IS GOING THROUGH THREE CRUCIAL CHANGES WHICH ARE SHAPING OUR FUTURE AND ALL OF THEM RAISE THE ISSUE OF HOW TO MANAGE THE TRANSITION TO 1997.
THESE THREE CHANGES WERE IN CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, RELATIONS WITH CHINA AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE SOCIETY BY THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMMES FOR DEVELOPING THE ECONOMY AND THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO OPEN THE 1991/92 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SAID: "FOR THE FIRST TIME, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN ELECTED. THIS IS A LANDMARK IN THE PROCESS OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE OVER HALF-WAY BETWEEN THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE REVERSION OF HONG KONG TO CHINfeSfe SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC HAD ENTERED A NEW, CLOSER AND MORE SIGNIFICANT STAGE.
SIR DAVID SAID THE HONG KONG SOCIETY WAS ITSELF UNDERGOING A PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION. INCREASED EDUCATION AND RISING PROSPERITY BROUGHT HIGHER EXPECTATIONS.
"WE HAVE ALREADY LAUNCHED MAJOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE TERRITORY ON WHICH THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE COMMUNITY DEPENDS," HE SAID.
THESE PROGRAMMES, HE ADDED, WERE DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE ONE OF ASIA’S LEADING CITIES OF THE NEXT CENTURY WHICH WAS PROSPEROUS; PEACEFUL; AND PROTECTIVE OF ITS DISADVANTAGED MEMBERS, ITS CHILDREN AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD REVIEW IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS HOW THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO MANAGE THESE THREE CHANGES.
SIR DAVID WELCOMED ALL MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL, BOTH THOSE WHO WERE NEW TO THIS CHAMBER AND THOSE WHO HAD RETURNED AFTER PREVIOUS SERVICE.
"TO ALL OF YOU, BECAUSE THE COUNCIL WORKS AS A WHOLE REGARDLESS OF WHICH DOOR MEMBERS HAVE ENTERED BY, I SHOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE A VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE IN ALL THE THREE AREAS OF CHANGE I HAVE JUST MENTIONED," HF SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE PUBLIC LOOKED TO MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION REMAINED IN THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY - WITH ITS ANXIETIES AS WELL AS ITS ASPIRATIONS.
/"THE ADMINISTRATION .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 2 -
"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL LOOK TO YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THE IMPORTANT TASK OF RUNNING HONG KONG IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
"WE ALL - TOGETHER - SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ENSURING THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES REFLECT THE PUBLIC’S BEST INTERESTS AND ENJOY THE COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT," SIR DAVID SAID.
------0-------
CO-OPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ADMINISTRATION AND LEGCO NEEDED *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
WITHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION IN . THE SMOOTH HANDLING OF THE LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE TERRITORY, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE QUALITY AND CHOICE OF SERVICE THAT THE PEOPLE EXPECTED AND DESERVED, SIR DAVID SAID, WHEN OPENING THE NEW SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"FOR ITS PART, THE ADMINISTRATION MUST ADAPT ITS OWN PROCEDURES TO THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE FORM OF GOVERNMENT WE NOW HAVE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT UNDER HONG KONG’S PRESENT CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM, THE ADMINISTRATION DID NOT NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION.
NEITHER COULD IT LAUNCH ITS OWN POLITICAL PARTY, SUPPORTED BY ITS OWN MEDIA AND CONSTITUENCY APPARATUS.
ON THE CONTRARY, HE SAID, AT A TIME OF ELECTIONS, THE ADMINISTRATION MUST REMAIN NEUTRAL.
"ITS TASK IS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE PART, BOTH AS CANDIDATES AND VOTERS, AND THEN TO SEE FAIR PLAY.
"THIS ROLE IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF A GOVERNING PARTY IN A WESTERN STYLE DEMOCRACY," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID TO PASS LEGISLATION AND OBTAIN FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR ITS PROGRAMMES, THEREFORE, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD HAVE TO WIN THE SUPPORT OF A MAJORITY OF LEGCO MEMBERS.
"THIS MEANS BUILDING UP A CO-OPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL.
"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL PLAY ITS PART BY PRESENTING THE COUNCIL WITH MEASURES WHICH WE BELIEVE TO BE PRACTICAL, PRUDENT AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
/"AND WE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
"AND WE WILL PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH ALL THE INFORMATION AND EXPLANATION THEY NEED TO ASSESS AND, I HOPE, SUPPORT OUR PROPOSALS."
SIR DAVID SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS DETERMINED TO MEET THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS AND, IN SO DOING, TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THE SUGGESTIONS AND CRITICISMS OF ALL LEGCO MEMBERS.
TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, HE SAID CIVIL SERVANTS WOULD HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH MEMBERS.
"FROM TODAY, ONLY THREE OFFICIALS WILL HOLD SEATS IN THIS COUNCIL. IN THE LAST SESSION, THERE WERE 10; SIX YEARS AGO, THERE WERE 22," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE SMALL NUMBER OF OFFICIALS NOW IN THE LEGCO COULD NOT POSSIBLY CARRY THE BURDEN OF EXPLAINING THE ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSALS IN EVERY AREA, LET ALONE PROVIDING ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS PUT FORWARD BY MEMBERS ON MATTERS OF DETAIL.
IN ORDER TO HELP THE LEGCO HAVE A FULL AND DIRECT VIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES IN THE GREAT RANGE OF AREAS THESE COVERED, AND TO HELP BUILD UP AN EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH MEMBERS, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD NOMINATE OTHER OFFICIALS TO ATTEND MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL AT APPROPRIATE TIMES.
"THESE OFFICIALS WILL HAVE THE TASK OF PRESENTING BILLS; EXPLAINING EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS; ANSWERING MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS; AND REPLYING TO DEBATES," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THEY WOULD PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN CREATING EFFECTIVE DAY-TO-DAY LINKS SO THAT MEMBERS COULD BEST DISCHARGE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PUBLIC.
"A NEW STRUCTURE REQUIRES NEW PROCEDURES. I AM SURE YOU WILL WELCOME THE CONTRIBUTION THESE OFFICIALS CAN MAKE, AND THAT YOU WILL HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE," HE SAID.
EQUALLY, IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT, WAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGCO AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
UNDER THE HONG KONG SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WAS, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE, THE KEY POLICY-MAKING BODY IN HONG KONG.
"ITS MEMBERS WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY - AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE - BOTH IN REFLECTING THE VIEWS AND CONCERNS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND IN EXPLAINING THE ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSALS TO YOU AND TO A WIDER PUBLIC.
"THIS WILL HELP US TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE WORKING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO GIVE EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS MORE TIME TO CONSIDER POLICY ISSUES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS, AND NOT ALLOW MEETINGS TO BECOME CLUTTERED WITH ROUTINE BUSINESS.
/"A THOROUGH .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
4
"A THOROUGH REVIEW HAS BEEN MADE OF HOW TO DO THIS.
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S PROCEDURES ARE BEING STREAMLINED TO ALLOW ITS MEMBERS TO CONCENTRATE MORE, AND EARLIER, ON THE ESSENTIAL ISSUES," HE SAID.
ON THE LEGCO MEMBERS’ WISH TO REVIEW THE WAY IN WHICH THE COUNCIL ITSELF WAS ORGANISED AND CONDUCTED ITS BUSINESS, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WOULD BE UP TO MEMBERS THEMSELVES TO DECIDE ON THE LEGCO’S STANDING ORDERS AND PROCEDURES.
"BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOU WILL HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION'S FULL CO-OPERATION IN THE SEARCH FOR NEW OR IMPROVED WAYS OF CARRYING OUT YOUR LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.
SIR DAVID SAID THESE CHANGES WHICH HE HAD OUTLINED WERE ONLY THE IMMEDIATE AGENDA.
FURTHER CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT WOULD TAKE PLACE IN 1995.
THE ENTIRE COUNCIL WOULD THEN BE ELECTED, AT LEAST ONE THIRD OF THEM BY DIRECT ELECTION.
"MEMBERS WILL CHOOSE THEIR OWN PRESIDENT. THE SYSTEM OF APPOINTED MEMBERS WILL CEASE. THERE WILL BE NO CIVIL SERVANT MEMBERS.
"THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS WILL BE INCREASED: SO WILL THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. SOME MEMBERS WILL BE RETURNED BY AN ELECTION COMMITTEE," HE CONTINUED.
TO PREPARE FOR 1995, THE GOVERNOR SAID A REVIEW OF THE ENttRE ELECTORAL SYSTEM WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN. IT SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
AMONG THE MAIN ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED WOULD BE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
"A COMMISSION OF THIS SORT COULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR REGULATING ELECTORAL PROCEDURES INCLUDING CANVASSING RULES, THE ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN ELECTIONS AND THE QUESTION OF ELECTION EXPENSES," HE SAID.
THERE WERE OTHER KEY QUESTIONS TO BE TACKLED.
"OUR ELECTORAL RULES ARE NOW SCATTERED THROUGHOUT A VARIETY OF ORDINANCES., WE NEED A COHESIVE FRAMEWORK OF ELECTORAL LEGISLATION," SIR DAVID SAID.
DECISIONS WERE ALSO NEEDED ON SUCH IMPORTANT ISSUES AS FIXING ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES AND THE AGE AT WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
"LATER, WHEN WE HAVE BUILT UP EXPERIENCE OF HOW THE COUNCIL IN ITS NEW FORM OPERATES, WE SHOULD CONSIDER WHETHER TO DISCUSS FURTHER WITH CHINA THE PRECISE COMPOSITION OF THE DIFFERENT ELECTED ELEMENTS IN 1995," THF GOVERNOR SAID.
/FURTHER, HF ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 5 -
FURTHER, HE SAID THAT MOST OF THE MEETINGS OF THE LEGCO OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WOULD TAKE PLACE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR JOHN SWAINE, THE FIRST DEPUTY PRESIDENT EVER TO BE APPOINTED.
"MR SWAINE WOULD HAVE THE IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY OF ENSURING THAT THE COUNCIL’S BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED IMPARTIALLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
"HIS APPOINTMENT IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN OUR EVOLUTION TOWARDS A WHOLLY-ELECTED COUNCIL IN 1995," HE SAID, ADDING THAT IT UNDERLINED THE DISTINCT AND INDEPENDENT ROLE WHICH THE COUNCIL WOULD PLAY IN THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
"MR SWAINE’S DISTINGUISHED RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE, COUPLED WITH HIS EXPERIENCE AS A MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, MAKE HIM PARTICULARLY WELL-SUITED TO BE YOUR FIRST DEPUTY PRESIDENT.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE WORK OF THE LEGCO HAD IN THE PAST BEEN CHARACTERISED BY A SPIRIT OF PRAGMATISM AND A RESPECT FOR THE VIEWS OF OTHERS.
"WE MUST RETAIN THESE TRADITIONS OF TOLERANCE, COMMON SENSE Afab HONEST DEBATE.
"THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL BEST BE SERVED BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH FOCUSES ON ISSUES, DECISIONS AND, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, CONSENSUS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
------0-----------
HARMONIOUS AND EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HK AND CHINA IMPORTANT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE TO ESTABLISH A HARMONIOUS AND EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS AT ALL LEVELS IN CHINA, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE SUBJECT OF RELATIONS WITH CHINA IN HIS POLICY SPEECH, SIR DAVID SAID IN LESS THAN SIX YEARS, CHINA WOULD RESUME SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG AND THIS SIMPLE NUMBER DEMONSTRATED WHY MANAGEMENT OF THE TRANSITION TO 1997 WAS OF THE GREATEST SIGNIFICANCE.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD DEVELOPED SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF CHINA.
’’PARTLY FOR THIS REASON, RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN AS SMOOTH AS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED,” HE SAID.
“BECAUSE HISTORY HAS GIVEN HONG KONG A DIFFERENT STYLE OF RUNNING ITS AFFAIRS, POLITICAL AS WELL AS ECONOMIC, WE CANNOT ASSUME THAT OUR WAY OF DOING THINGS WILL IMMEDIATELY BE UNDERSTOOD OR APPRECIATED IN PEKING,” HE ADDED.
/HOWEVER, SIR ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 19^
- 6 -
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID SAID THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT AFTER 1997 THE HONG KONG WAY OF DOING THINGS WOULD HAVE TO BE BROUGHT IN LINE WITH THE SYSTEMS IN PEKING.
"HONG KONG’S WAY OF DOING THINGS, AND OUR OWN SYSTEMS, WILL CONTINUE. THAT IS WHAT "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" MEANS.
"BUT IF WE ARE TO BUILD THE SORT OF PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA THAT WE NEED, IT IS VITAL THAT ALL OF US, MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, STRIVE TO PRESENT OUR HONG KONG POINT OF VIEW PATIENTLY AND CAREFULLY - AND BE PREPARED TO LISTEN WITH EQUAL CARE AND PATIENCE."
THE GOVERNOR SAID OUR AIM AND EXPECTATION SHOULD BE THAT THE GOOD SENSE AND GOODWILL WHICH HAD RESOLVED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES SINCE THE JOINT DECLARATION WOULD CONTINUE TO PREVAIL.
THIS EXPECTATION HAD BEEN GIVEN FRESH LIFE BY THE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO PEKING LAST MONTH AND THE SIGNING OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE NEW AIRPORT.
"THANKS TO THE MEMORANDUM, WE ARE NOW MOVING AHEAD WITH WORK ON BUILDING THE AIRPORT AND PORT FACILITIES WHICH ARE SO IMPORTANT IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO BE A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE, AS WELL AS A KEY COMPONENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA."
SIR DAVID SAID THESE PROJECTS WOULD ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON, BY RIDDING THEM OF THE NOISE AND OTHER HAZARDS CREATED BY KAI TAK.
THE PRESENT SITE OF KAI TAK AIRPORT AND THE WHOLE WESTERN HALF OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE OPENED UP FOR DEVELOPMENT.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING HAD BEEN RECOGNISED WIDELY, BOTH HERE AND OVERSEAS, AS EVIDENCE THAT A PARTNERSHIP WAS EVOLVING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, BASED ON A WILLINGNESS TO SETTLE DIFFERENCES IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SHOWED THAT WITH PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND GOODWILL, EVEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEMS IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA COULD BE OVERCOME, HE ADDED.
THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO PEKING SYMBOLISED THE BEGINNING OF THIS NEW PHASE OF CLOSER CO-OPERATION.
"J BELIEVE IT DEMONSTRATED ONCE AGAIN THE UNITED KINGDOM’S COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG.
"THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS PLEDGED TO DISCHARGE ITS RESPONSI BI LITY FOR THE TERRITORY UP TO 1997 AND TO ENSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG AND EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION.
"IT IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO US ALL THAT IN VISITING PEKING AND IN COMING HERE TO HONG KONG, BOTH THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY HAVE POSITIVELY UNDERLINED, IN WORD AND DEED, BRITAIN’S DETERMINATION TO STAND BY ITS OBLIGATIONS," SIR DAVID SAID.
/HUE GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE EXPECTED THAT THE YEAR AHEAD WOULD SEE THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP FUNCTIONING WITH A NEW IMPETUS AND SENSE OF PURPOSE.
DURING THE PRIME MINISTER’S TALKS IN PEKING, IT WAS AGREED THAT THE GROUP’S WORK SHOULD BE SPEEDED UP AND ALL NECESSARY RESOURCES GIVEN TO IT, SO THAT THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE POST-1997 SYSTEM ARE FIRMLY IN PLACE BY THAT YEAR.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GROUP SHOULD NOW BE IN A POSITION TO FUNCTION MORE EFFICIENTLY AND MORE QUICKLY THAN HAD BEEN POSSIBLE IN THE RECENT PAST.
"I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THIS WILL ENABLE IT TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES WHICH ARE STILL OUTSTANDING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES,” HE SAID.
WITH THE APPROACH OF 1997, THE NEED FOR CLOSER CONSULTATION AND CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA WOULD INCREASE.
FROM NOW ON, SIR DAVID SAID THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WOULD MEET WITH THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER ON A REGULAR SIX-MONTHLY BASIS.
THESE MEETINGS WOULD GIVE ADDITIONAL IMPETUS TO THE WORK THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE BEFORE 1997.
"I MYSELF LOOK FORWARD TO REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
HE HOPED THAT THESE FREQUENT, DIRECT CONTACTS WITH SENIOR CHINESE LEADERS WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH IMPORTANT ISSUES IN A MORE SPEEDY WAY THAN HAD SOMETIMES BEEN THE CASE IN THE PAST.
"I INTEND TO ENSURE THAT THIS CLOSER AND MORE PRACTICAL RELATIONSHIP IS REFLECTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT, SO THAT MORE AND MORE DEPARTMENTS DEVELOP WORKING LEVEL CONTACTS WITH THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS," HE NOTED.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID BOTH THE QUALITY AND THE QUANTITY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S WORKING CONTACTS WITH CHINA WERE ALREADY CHANGING FOR THE BETTER.
SO FAR THIS YEAR, ALMOST 100 GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS FROM HONG KONG HAD VISITED CHINA, ON A WIDE RANGE OF OFFICIAL BUSINESS. OVER 60 HAD COME IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED A NUMBER OF SENIOR CHINESE VISITORS, INCLUDING MR JI PENGFE1 AND MR LU PING, THE MINISTERS OF FINANCE AND ENERGY, AND THE GOVERNORS OF THE PROVINCES OF HUBEI AND JIANGSU.
"THIS TREND WILL, I HOPE, CONTINUE," HE SAID.
IT WAS NOT JUST THESE HIGH LEVEL VISITS THAT MATTER, SIR DAVID ADDED THAT CONTACTS ACROSS THE BOARD - NATURAL CONTACTS WITH THE NEIGHBOUR - WERE VITAL.
/UP TO
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 8 -
UP TO THE END OF AUGUST, HONG KONG’S LAND BORDER WITH CHINA HAD BEEN CROSSED OVER 23 MILLION TIMES BY PEOPLE MAKING VISITS OF VARIOUS SORTS TO CHINA OR TO HONG KONG.
THIS FIGURE SHOWED THAT A VAST NETWORK OF PERSONAL CONTACTS ALREADY EXISTS BETWEEN THIS TERRITORY AND THE MAINLAND OF CHINA.
"IT IS A NATURAL GROWTH. WE WILL ENCOURAGE IT,” HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THESE HUMAN CONTACTS, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS WERE ALREADY EXTENSIVE.
OVER THE PAST DECADE, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAD SEEN THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY ECONOMIC REFORM IN CHINA.
HONG KONG INVESTMENT IN NEW MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING CAPACITY IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE AND ELSEWHERE IN CHINA HAD HELPED SUSTAIN THE TERRITORY’S OWN ECONOMIC GROWTH.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, IT HAD CONTRIBUTED TO SOUTHERN CHINA’S OVERALL DEVELOPMENT.
AS MANY AS THREE MILLION WORKERS IN GUANGDONG WERE EMPLOYED BY HONG KONG FACTORIES: FOUR TIMES HONG KONG’S OWN MANUFACTURING' WORKFORCE.
OVER 80 PER CENT OF THE EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN GUANGDONG CAME FROM HONG KONG.
"WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THAT GUANGDONG PROVINCE ALONE HAS A POPULATION GREATER THAN THAT OF BRITAIN OR FRANCE. THERE REMAINS ENORMOUS POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER GROWTH IN THE COMING YEARS," HE EXPLAINED.
INDEED, SIR DAVID SAID, THE SOUTHERN AREA OF CHINA WAS POTENTIALLY ONE OF ASIA’S MOST SIGNIFICANT CENTRES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER THE NEXT FEW DECADES.
"ACHIEVING THE SMOOTH AND SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 IS A GOAL WORTH EVERY OUNCE OF OUR ABILITY AND EFFORT.
"MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WILL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS PROCESS AS THEY WILL IN OTHER AREAS OF GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
"IT WILL NOT BE AN EASY TASK. BUT MEETING THIS CHALLENGE IS PERHAPS OUR GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. I AM SURE I CAN COUNT ON THIS COUNCIL TO PLAY ITS PART," HE SAID.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 9 -
GOVERNOR OUTLINES PROGRAMMES FOR DEVELOPMENT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OUTLINED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMMES FOR DEVELOPING THE ECONOMY AND THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF HONG KONG.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAKING MAJOR NEW INVESTMENTS NOT ONLY IN THE AIRPORT, NEW PORT FACILITIES AND MEASURES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT ALSO IN AN UNPRECEDENTED EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
"FOR EXAMPLE," HE SAID, "BETWEEN NOW AND 1995, THE NUMBER OF FIRST YEAR PLACES AVAILABLE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG WILL RISE FROM UNDER 14,000 TO OVER 20,000.
"THIS WILL BE NO MEAN ACHIEVEMENT, ESPECIALLY AS WE ARE DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS.
"IT WILL REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK FROM ALL CONCERNED. BUT IT SHOWS, IN ONE AREA, JUST HOW LARGE AND SIGNIFICANT ARE THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMMES FOR IMPROVING THE LIFE, AND THE LIVELIHOOD OF THIS COMMUNITY."
IN SOCIAL WELFARE, THE GOVERNOR SAID, THIS YEAR’S WHITE PAPER SET OUT THOSE AREAS WHERE FURTHER EFFORTS WERE NEEDED TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY FOR THE DISADVANTAGED, THE ELDERLY AND CHILDREN AT RISK.
"WE WILL HAVE IMPORTANT NEW PROPOSALS COMING FORWARD IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE; AND A COMPREHENSIVE GREEN PAPER WILL SOON BE PUBLISHED ON SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THESE MAJOR COMMITMENTS AND NEW INITIATIVES WERE IN ADDITION TO THE MORE TRADITIONAL PROGRAMMES, MANY OF THESE WE TENDED TO TAKE FOR GRANTED.
"WE ARE, FOR EXAMPLE, CONSTANTLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY Ol OUR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
'OUR HOUSING PROGRAMME REMAINS ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPRESSIVE IN THE WORLD," HE SAID, ADDING THAT SOME THREE MILLION PEOPLE - OVER HALF OUR POPULATION - NOW LIVE IN HOUSING AUTHORITY HOMES.
SIR DAVID SAID NEARLY 400,000 NEW FLATS WOULD BE BUILT BY THE AUTHOR 111 BETWEEN NOW AND 2001 - A MAJOR AREA OF CONTINUING GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY.
"ALL THESE PROGRAMMES MAKE USE OF OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S QUALITY OF LIFE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WERE INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE PROGRAMMES BY PROVIDING ADVICE, APPROVING FUNDS, DEBATING AND PASSING THE LEGISLATION WHICH FORMED THE ESSENTIAL FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSLATING POLICY INTO ACTION.
/HE REMINDED .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 10 -
HE REMINDED MEMBERS THAT INCREASED FUNDING COULD ONLY COME FROM FURTHER ECONOMIC GROWTH.
”IN THIS SESSION ALONE, THE ADMINISTRATION EXPECTS TO BRING MORE THAN A HUNDRED ITEMS OF LEGISLATION BEFORE THE COUNCIL," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME WOULD MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO TACKLING HONG KONG’S MAJOR PROBLEMS AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE CITED THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES:
- MEMBERS WOULD BE PRESENTED WITH IMPORTANT PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO COMBAT TRIADS AND TO HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING.
" - THERE WOULD BE AT LEAST SIX BILLS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS OF ORDINARY WORKERS.
- THERE WOULD BE BILLS TO PROTECT WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM ABUSE IN THE HOME.
- SEVERAL BILLS WOULD AIM TO BRING HONG KONG’S EXISTING LEGISLATION INTO LINE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
- A SERIES OF MEASURES WOULD INCREASE THE CONTROLS ON POLLUTION.
SIR DAVID SAID HE DID NOT INTEND IN HIS SPEECH TO DEAL IN DETAIL WITH ALL THESE IMPORTANT POLICY INITIATIVES AND LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.
"MEMBERS WILL, I AM SURE, MAKE FULL USE OF THIS DEBATE TO RAISE THOSE AREAS WITH WHICH THEY ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED," HE SAID.
"THE ADMINISTRATION LOOKS FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR VIEWS," HE ADDED.
------0-------
ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1992 LOOK GOOD ♦ » » ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR 1992 LOOK GOOD, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO REVISE UPWARDS ITS EARLIER FORECAST OF ECONOMIC GROWTH THIS YEAR TO ABOUT FOUR PER CENT.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WERE GOOD GROUNDS FOR BEING REASONABLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN THE MEDIUM TERM.
HE NOTED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHEN HE LAST ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL.
/"IN OCTOBER .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
11
"IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, THE WORLD FACED A CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORLD ECONOMIES WERE IN RECESSION.
"LOCALLY, WE WERE SOME WAY OFF AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA OVER OUR NEW AIRPORT. ALL THIS HAD CAST A SHADOW OVER OUR ECONOMIC PROSPECTS."
SIR DAVID SAID NOW, A YEAR ON, THE SUCCESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORCES IN THE GULF HAD REMOVED A MAJOR THREAT TO WORLD PEACE AND THE AGREEMENT WITH CHINA ON THE NEW AIRPORT HAD CLEARED THE WAY FOR ANOTHER DECADE OF ECONOMIC EXPANSION IN HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR INCREASED BY TWO PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
THIS COMPARED WITH A DECLINE OF THREE PER CENT FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. RE-EXPORTS HAD BOOMED - UP 26 PER CENT.
OTHER INDICATORS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WERE ALSO MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, HE SAID, ADDING THAT LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND EQUIPMENT HAD PICKED UP SHARPLY.
"IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, SUCH INVESTMENT WAS 18 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR AGO.
"WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO REVISE UPWARDS OUR EARLIER FORECAST OF ECONOMIC GROWTH. WE NOW EXPECT GROWTH THIS YEAR TO BE ABOUT 4 PER CENT," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS WAS TIED CLOSELY TO ITS TRADITIONAL ROLE AS THE GATEWAY TO SOUTHERN CHINA, SIR DAVID SAID THE TERRITORY'S TRADE WITH CHINA CONTINUED TO EXPAND AT GREAT SPEED, GROWING BY 15 PER CENT LAST YEAR, AND BY AN ASTONISHING 27 PER CENT IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
"AS A RESULT, INTENSIVE BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS ARE GROWING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE FAST-DEVELOPING ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN CHINA.
"CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES WHO ARE PLANNING EXPANSION IN ASIA WOULD DO WELL TO THINK OF THIS, AND OF THE ROLE THAT HONG KONG WILL PLAY IN THIS KEY AREA OF GROWTH," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID DESPITE HONG KONG’S IMPRESSIVE RECORD OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND EXPANDING WORLD-WIDE TRADE, THE TERRITORY CONTINUED TO FACE PROBLEMS.
HE SAID SOME WERE THE RESULT OF TROUBLES WHICH BEGAN OVERSEAS AND WERE BEYOND HONG KONG’S CONTROL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, THE INVASION OF KUWAIT WAS A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE TERRITORY’S PROSPECTS. IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, THE ATTEMPTED COUP IN THE SOVIET UNION POSED A SIMILAR THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT CONFIDENCE.
ALTHOUGH THE IMMEDIATE POLITICAL CRISIS IN MOSCOW PASSED OFF QUICKLY, HONG KONG WAS REMINDED ONCE AGAIN OF HOW FRAGILE WORLD BUSINESS SENTIMENTS WERE AND OF THE VOLATILITY OF WORLD MARKETS» HE SAID .
/AS HONG ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 12 -
AS HONG KONG WAS NO LONGER PRIMARILY AN EXPORTER OF LIGHT MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS BUT WAS FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE WORLD’S FINANCIAL MARKETS, THE TERRITORY MUST EXPECT TO BE MORE VULNERABLE THAN SOME OTHER PLACES TO THE GUSTY WINDS OF CRISES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD, HE ADDED.
"WE MUST KEEP OURSELVES INCREASINGLY ALERT TO WHAT IS HAPPENING ELSEWHERE IN OUR GLOBAL MARKET," HE SAID.
ON INFLATION, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THIS CONTINUED TO BE A MAJOR CONCERN AND THAT THERE WAS NO EASY CURE.
WHILE CONCEDING THAT THE MEASURES INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT -- FREEZING FEES AND CHARGES AND CUTTING BACK ON INCREASES IN TOBACCO DUTY IN MAY, CIVIL SERVANTS ACCEPTING A NON-INFLATIONARY PAY INCREASE, AND RESTRAINTS IN OTHER AREAS OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE — HAD HAD SOME IMPACT, SIR DAVID SAID INFLATION, WHICH DECLINED FROM A PEAK OF 13.9 PER CENT IN APRIL TO 12.7 PER CENT IN AUGUST, WAS STILL FAR TOO HIGH.
"WE MUST CONSIDER URGENTLY WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO TO REDUCE INFLATION," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE REAL DANGER WAS THAT INFLATION WOULD REMAIN AT TOO HIGH A LEVEL IF WE DID NOT TACKLE SOME OF THE STRUCTURAL OBSTACLES TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, ONE OF THE MAIN ONES BEING THE ACUTE. SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IN SOME SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
"INFLATION IS ONLY PART OF THE PRICE WE MUST PAY FOR OUR CHRONIC SHORTAGE OF LABOUR," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THIS SHORTAGE IMPOSES A SEVERE CONSTRAINT ON THE ECONOMY’S CAPACITY TO EXPAND AND CREATE ADDITIONAL WEALTH.
"AND THE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS WILL INCREASE AS OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS GET UNDERWAY.”
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG FACED A CHOICE BETWEEN ACCEPTING THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN ITS LABOUR FORCE WITH A CAREFULLY CONTROLLED SCHEME TO IMPORT LABOUR, OR ACCEPTING INFLATION, AGGRAVATED BY THE SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH CAUSED BY THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR.
"I BELIEVE WE MUST GO FOR GROWTH. BUT IT MUST BE GROWTH WITH THE RIGHT SAFEGUARDS," HE SAID.
"WE ARE THEREFORE CONSIDERING AN EXPANSION OF OUR CONTROLLED . SCHEME TO IMPORT WORKERS FROM OVERSEAS - BUT ONLY IN THOSE SECTORS OF. THE ECONOMY WHERE THE LABOUR SHORTAGE IS MOST ACUTE.
"THERE IS, OF COURSE, NO QUESTION OF EXPANDING THE SCHEME TO THE POINT WHERE THE LIVING STANDARDS OF LOCAL WORKERS WOULD BE DAMAGED.
"THE OBJECTIVE MUST BE TO INCREASE THE PROSPERITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE BY REMOVING A MAJOR OBSTACLE TO ECONOMIC GROWTH," HE STRESSED.
/SIR DAVID .
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 13 -
SIR DAVID ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO THE WORKFORCE WENT BEYOND ENSURING THAT THEIR INTERESTS WERE PROTECTED WHEN IT BECAME NECESSARY TO IMPORT FOREIGN LABOUR.
IT ALSO MEANT PROVIDING STATUTORY PROTECTION IN RESPECT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY, EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND COMPENSATION, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID MEMBERS WOULD BE ASKED, DURING THE 1991/92 SESSION, TO CONSIDER:
- TIGHTER CONTROLS OVER CARGO HANDLING AND RELATED OPERATIONS;
- LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION FOR HEARING LOSS INDUCED BY NOISE;
- A SCHEME FOR THE DIRECT SETTLEMENT OF MINOR COMPENSATION CLAIMS;
- IMPROVED REGULATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES; AND
- IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME TO MAKE EMPLOYEES BELOW THE AGE OF 45 ELIGIBLE FOR. PAYMENT IF THEY WERE DISMISSED AFTER FIVE YEARS’ SERVICE.
THE GOVERNOR SAID A VITAL ASPECT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC POLICY WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT RESPONDED TO THE RAPIDLY CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT.
A NEW INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WOULD BE ESTABLISHED ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON HOW HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY SHOULD RESPOND TO TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AROUND THE WORLD SO AS TO MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE, HE ANNOUNCED.
"ONE OF THE COUNCIL’S MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE TO RECOMMEND GRANTS TO SELECTED BUSINESSES FOR APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT," HE ADDED.
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GOVT SPENDING MUST BE IN LINE WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE *****
THE GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE THAT THE OVERALL GROWTH OF ITS EXPENDITURE MUST BE KEPT IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY, IF THE ADMINISTRATION’S STRATEGY IS TO SUCCEED, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE MANAGEMENT OP THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, SIR DAVID SAID THIS MEANT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION MUST CONTINUOUSLY RE-EXAMINE SPENDING PLANS AND EXISTING COMMITMENTS.
"WE MUST BE PREPARED TO TRANSFER RESOURCES FROM ONE PROGRAMME AREA TO ANOTHER TO REFLECT CHANGING PRIORITIES," HE SAID.
/IN CO-OPERATION .......
WEDNESDAY, 'CTOPER 9, 1991
14
IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S FINANCE COMMITTEE, SIR DAVID SAID THE ADMINISTRATION T ! LOG! FOR WAYS TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH BETTER VALUE IN THI PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICES - IN PARTICULAR, THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"THE COMMUNITY HAS A RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT HIGHER QUALITY SERVICES SHOULD BE COMBINED WITH PRUDENT FINANCIAL PLANNING," HE NOTED.
------0-------
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT A MUST FOR HE
4*4*4
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID HONG KONG BOTH CAN AND MUST AFFORD MASSIVE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.
SPEAKING ON THE TERRITORY’S PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT, OF COURSE, NEEDED TO PLAN ITS FINANCING OF THESE AND OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS PRUDENTLY.
HE STRESSED THAT COSTS MUST BE CONTROLLED, AND BUDGETS' RIGOROUSLY MONITORED.
"BUT IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT OUR CURRENT EXPECTATION IS THAT THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME WILL ABSORB ONLY ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF OUR TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE DURING THE SIX YEARS NEEDED FOR CONSTRUCTION," SIR DAVID SAID.
THIS LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF ANNUAL GDP OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
"THIS IS ONLY A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR THE MTR DURING THE PERIOD OF ITS CONSTRUCTION," HE NOTED.
ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT, HE SAID THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED WITH CHINA LAST MONTH MEANT HONG KONG COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE TO THE NEXT STAGE OF THE PROJECT.
HE SAID THE NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN AND THE CRUCIAL FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY FOR THE AIRPORT WOULD BOTH BE FINISHED WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
THE AIRPORT ITSELF, AND THE RAILWAY, MAJOR ROADS AND BRIDGES THAT WOULD LINK IT TO THE URBAN AREAS, TOGETHER MAKE UP WHAT WAS CALLED THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
SIR DAVID SAID A GOOD DEAL OF PROGRESS HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE WITH THIS CORE PROGRAMME.
TENDERS WOULD SOON BE INVITED FOR THE CONTRACT TO RECLAIM THE AIRPORT SITE ITSELF. THE SITE WOULD COVER AN AREA OF OVER 1,200 HECTARES. THIS WAS LARGER THAN THE WHOLE OF KOWLOON SOUTH OF BOUNDARY STREET.
/MEANWHILE, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 15 -
MEANWHILE, THE 300-PLUS HECTARE RECLAMATION ALONG THE SHORELINE OF WEST KOWLOON WAS WELL UNDERWAY. HE SAID IT WAS ALREADY POSSIBLE TO SEE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WITH THE NEW BREAKWATER AND TYPHOON SHELTER.
"BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE," SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING THAT THIS WOULD BE ONE OF THE LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGES IN THE WORLD.
IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME, TENDERS WOULD ALSO BE INVITED FOR THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE, WHICH WOULD FORM THE OTHER MAJOR SECTION OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, HE SAID.
FURTHER, PROPOSALS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BUILD THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING - A SIX-LANE TUNNEL, 1.5 KM LONG - WOULD BE INVITED EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, TENDERS WOULD ALSO BE INVITED FOR OTHER IMPORTANT TRANSPORT PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY.
TENDERS FOR PREPARATORY WORKS FOR THE NEW TOWN OF TUNG CHUNG WOULD BE INVITED BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.
FINALLY, THE GOVERNOR SAID DESIGN WORK WAS WELL ADVANCED FOR-THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
------0--------
IMPROVING ENVIRONMENT REMAINS TOP PRIORITY
* * * * »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REITERATED THAT IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT REMAINS AN URGENT PRIORITY AND IT IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR THE 1990S.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT SOME PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THE ENORMOUS INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN WOULD HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WAS A GOOD DEAL OF RELIEF THAT REMOVING THE AIRPORT FROM KAI TAK WOULD MAKE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF THE SORELY-TRIED INHABITANTS OF KOWLOON.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE OUTLINED LAST YEAR A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT ECONOMIC PROGRESS WAS NOT ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF A DETERIORATION IN THE AIR WE BREATHE AND THE WATER WE DRINK.
"ONE MAJOR PRIORITY MUST BE TO DEAL WITH THE MORE THAN 22-THOUSAND TONNES OF RUBBISH WHICH HONG KONG PRODUCES EVERY DAY," HE SAID.
/HE POINTED .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 16 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT WE MUST STOP TREATING THE WATERS AROUND HONG KONG AS A DUMPING GROUND FOR SEWAGE AND CHEMICAL WASTE.
"EVERY YEAR WE DISCHARGE OVER 700 MILLION TONNES OF UNTREATED SEWAGE AND CHEMICAL WASTE INTO OUR STREAMS AND COASTAL WATERS. MUCH OF THIS GOES STRAIGHT INTO THE HARBOUR," HE SAID.
TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS, A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME HAD BEEN LAUNCHED TO UPGRADE CHEMICAL WASTE, SEWAGE AND REFUSE DISPOSAL FACILITIES, SIR DAVID SAID.
"SOLVING LONG-STANDING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IS VERY EXPENSIVE; BUT, DESPITE OUR SEVERE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, WE MUST AND WILL PRESS AHEAD.
"OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ALONE, WE HAVE COMMITTED SOME $8 BILLION TO THIS CRUCIAL PROGRAMME," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID NEW LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS WERE ALSO NEEDED.
THIS SESSION, THE COUNCIL WOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER MEASURES TO TIGHTEN THE LEGISLATION ON AIR AND WATER POLLUTION AND TO CONSIDER NEW PROPOSALS FOR CONTROLLING TOXIC WASTE.
NOTING THAT POLLUTION WAS NO RESPECTER OF BOUNDARIES, SIR DAVID SAID IF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS WERE TO SUCCEED, WE NEEDED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE NEIGHBOURS IN GUANGDONG.
"GRADUALLY WE ARE BUILDING UP THE HABIT AND THE MECHANISMS FOR DOING THIS. THE HONG KONG - GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP HAS A FULL AGENDA IN THE YEAR AHEAD," HE SAID.
"FOR EXAMPLE, OUR PLANS TO IMPROVE THE TREATMENT OF SEWAGE DEPEND ON CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 10 KILOMETRE SUBMARINE PIPELINE.
"AND THE LIAISON GROUP HAS SET UP A JOINT TEAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS TO RECOMMEND CONTROL MEASURES TO STOP THE GROWING POLLUTION OF DEEP BAY," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT WAS Not ONLY A MATTER OF GOVERNMENT OR EVEN PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
"SOMETIMES, SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE AT RELATIVELY LITTLE COST. MORE EMPHASIS CAN BE GIVEN IN OUR SCHOOLS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, WITHOUT ANY RADICAL CHANGES TO THE CURRICULUM.
"MAKING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE CONSCIOUS OF THE ENVIRONMENT THEY LIVE IN IS VITAL IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE A "GREENER" HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IN ADDITION, MORE PRIVATE COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS COULD INTRODUCE INITIATIVES TO SAVE ENERGY AND PAPER. AND MORE TREEPLANTING COULD BE ENCOURAGED BY DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE URBAN AREAS.
/"SOME DISTRICTS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
17 -
’’SOME DISTRICTS HAVE ALREADY DONE A GREAT DEAL TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT BY PLANTING NEW TREES IN THEIR STREETS,” HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID A CLEAN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT REQUIRED A PERSONAL COMMITMENT FROM ALL HONG KONG PEOPLE. THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG DEPENDED ON ALL WHO TOOK THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY.
’’FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT REMAINS A PRIORITY - A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR THE 1990S," SIR DAVID SAID.
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IMPROVING QUALITY OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS NOT A LUXURY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT REGARD IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND VARIETY OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES AS A LUXURY.
"IT IS NO LESS IMPORTANT THAN OUR INVESTMENTS IN PORT FACILITIES OR NEW ROAD SYSTEMS," SIR DAVID SAID, WHEN DELIVERING HIS POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD MADE GREAT SACRIFICES IN THE PAST TO BUILD THE ECONOMY AND DEVELOP THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
"WE ARE UNDERTAKING NEW AND LARGER INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE COMING DECADE. BUT ECONOMIC GROWTH IS NOT BEING PURSUED SIMPLY FOR ITS OWN SAKE.
"OUR GOAL MUST BE TO USE THE ADDITIONAL WEALTH CREATED TO IMPROVE THE LIVING STANDARDS OF ALL OUR FAMILIES AND TO CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE AND SECURE LIFE-STYLE FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG TODAY WAS AS SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY MATURE AS MANY DEVELOPED NATIONS.
"IN SUCH A COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE NO LESS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING SOCIAL SERVICES AND TO PROTECTING THE DISADVANTAGED THAN IT IS TO UPGRADING THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
"THAT IS WHY WE HAVE PAID SO MUCH ATTENTION TO SOCIAL SERVICES IN RECENT DECADES. MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THERE WERE STILL AREAS OF SOCIAL PROVISION WHERE HONG KONG LAGGED BEHIND THE STANDARDS THAT OUGHT TO ACHIEVE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE BRINGING FORWARD PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO MAKE GOOD EXISTING DEFICIENCIES, AND TO STRENGTHEN ITS COMMITMENT TO THE DISADVANTAGED AND THOSE AT RISK.
------0----------
/18 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
18
TOP PRIORITY IN DISCOURAGING SMOKING
*****
ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITIES IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH CARE IS THE CONTROL AND DISCOURAGEMENT OF SMOKING, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"NEW LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED TO RESTRICT FURTHER THE USE, SALE AND PROMOTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
"THIS WILL INVOLVE THE IMPOSITION OF A MAXIMUM TAR LIMIT; STRONGER HEALTH WARNINGS; THE GREATER USE OF NO-SMOKING AREAS; AND A CLEARER DEFINITION OF WHAT CONSTITUTES TOBACCO SPONSORSHIP," SIR DAVID SAID IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS.
HE SAID THIS LEGISLATION WAS AMONG A SERIES OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN THE HEALTH AND WELFARE FIELD THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PRESENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND HE HOPED THEY WOULD WIN FULL SUPPORT FROM MEMBERS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS WERE UNDERWAY IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SECTORS.
"THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED ON DECEMBER 1 LAST YEAR. IT WILL TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF ALL GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED HOSPITALS ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
"THIS IMPORTANT REFORM WILL ENABLE US TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"WITHIN A YEAR, ROWS OF CAMP BEDS IN OVERCROWDED WARDS WILL, I HOPE, BE A THING OF THE PAST," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT A MAJOR POLICY REVIEW HAD CONCLUDED THAT, IN THE PAST, NOT ENOUGH ATTENTION HAD BEEN PAID TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, SIR DAVID SAID IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS AREA COULD WELL REDUCE OTHER MEDICAL EXPENDITURE IN THE LONGER TERM.
THE REVIEW’S MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED:- INTRODUCING A NEW STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE; IMPROVING SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE; DEVELOPING A COMPUTERISED HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM; STRENGTHENING HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES; AND INTRODUCING NEW SCREENING SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND FOR THE ELDERLY.
IN THE WELFARE FIELD, SIR DAVID SAID THE COUNCIL WOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE CHILD PROTECTION LEGISLATION.
"THESE WILL REDEFINE THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH CHILDREN REQUIRE THE PROTECTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE COURTS, AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL POWERS OF INVESTIGATION.
"THEY WILL PREVENT PEOPLE WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY UNSUITABLE FROM TAKING ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHILD-MINDING," HE SAID.
THIS YEAR BEING THE FINAL YEAR OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WOULD MARK THIS OCCASION WITH A GREEN PAPER SETTING OUT A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO HELP THE DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
/"OUR GOAL .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 19 -
"OUR GOAL MUST BE NOT JUST TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE DISABLED, BUT TO GIVE THEM EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, WITH ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE MEASURES TO BE CONSIDERED INCLUDED:
- INCREASED INTEGRATION OF DISABLED CHILDREN INTO MAINSTREAM EDUCATION;
- MORE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS FOR THOSE UNABLE TO COMPETE FULLY IN THE OPEN MARKET, COMBINED WITH VIGOROUS ENCOURAGEMENT OF OPEN EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED;
- MORE DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED;
- RENEWED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED IN USING BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES;
- A REHABILITATION SERVICES STRATEGY WHICH TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY; AND
- AN EDUCATION PROGRAMME TO TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC’S ATTITUDE TO THE DISABLED.
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NO DETERIORATION IN CRIME FIGURES ♦ » * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERIORATION IN THE CRIME FIGURES IN OVERALL TERMS, CONTRARY TO THE IMPRESSION GIVEN BY A FEW DRAMATIC AND MUCH PUBLICISED CRIMINAL INCIDENTS.
"OUR (’RIME RATES REMAIN WELL BELOW THE LEVELS WHICH PLAGUE SO MANY OTHER MAJOR CITIES," HE SAID.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHARED THE CONCERN OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HONG KONG SHOULD REMAIN A SAFE CITY IN WHICH TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.
"WE WILL NOT LET STANDARDS SLIP," HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS REAL CAUSE FOR CONCERN AT THE RECENT INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME.
"ROBBERIES INVOLVING FIREARMS OR IMITATION FIREARMS HAVE INCREASED THREEFOLD TN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
"THE GOVERNMENT SHARES THE COMMUNITY’S OUTRAGE AT SUCH CRIME.
"IT CANNOT BE TOLERATED. WE MUST, AND WILL, TAKE DETERMINED MEASURES TO PREVENT IT," SIR DAVID STRESSED.
/POINTING OUT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 20 -
POINTING OUT THAT'THERE WAS ALREADY A STRONGER POLICE PRESENCE ON THE STREETS, SIR DAVID SAID THIS HAD MEANT MOVING SOME POLICE OFFICERS FROM SUPPORT TO OPERATIONAL DUTIES; REDEPLOYING THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT; AND MAKING GREATER USE OF THE AUXILIARY POLICE.
"RELIEVING THE POLICE FROM MANAGING THE HIGH ISLAND DETENTION CENTRE HAS ALSO HELPED," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THERE WERE NOW 200 MORE POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREETS OF THE CITY EVERY DAY THAN THERE WERE THREE MONTHS AGO.
"IN ADDITION, WE HAVE FOUR REGIONAL POLICE EMERGENCY UNITSj WHICH HAVE AVAILABLE MORE POWERFUL AND SOPHISTICATED ARMS AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
"THESE UNITS ARE THERE TO RESPOND TO ’999 ’ CALLS AND( IN EMERGENCIES, TO MOVE QUICKLY TO SUPPORT OFFICERS ON PATROL,” SIR DAVID SAID.
OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, THE POLICE HAD CARRIED OUT A SERIES OF. SUCCESSFUL, LARGE-SCALE OPERATIONS DIRECTED AT PREVENTING SERIOUS CRIME.
"THESE OPERATIONS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY INTELLIGENCE REPORTS ON THE SOURCES OF FIREARMS AND THE IDENTITY OF CRIMINALS AND CRIMINAL GANGS.
"GATHERING INFORMATION HAS BEEN HELPED’ BY INCREXsEb COOPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
"OUR POLICE ARE DEVELOPING A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS ACROSS THE BORDER, NOT ONLY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CROSS-BORDER CRIME, BUT ALSO IN THE RAPID EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
ON SMUGGLING, PARTICULARLY OF CARS AND ELECTRICAL GOODS INTO CHINA, SIR DAVID SAID IT HAD BEEN A PARTICULAR CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
"BUT THE ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE WHICH WAS SET UP IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.
"IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 167 THEFTS OF LUXURY CARS; IN SEPTEMBER, ONLY 27.
"GANGS WHICH HAD BEEN SMUGGLING THOUSANDS OF ELECTRICAL GOODS TO CHINA EVERY DAY FIND IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO PLY THEIR TRADE: THE LAW NOW MAKES THOSE WHO HELP THEM HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO DETECTION AND PROSECUTION," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IN THIS AREA SHOWED THAT EVEN APPARENTLY INTRACTABLE LAW-AND-ORDER PROBLEMS COULD BE OVERCOME, GIVEN DETERMINATION, CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA, IMPROVED CO-ORDINATION OF THE TERRITORY’S OWN SECURITY EFFORTS AND TIGHT LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS.
/PUTTING AN .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 21 -
PUTTING AN END TO ORGANISED CRIME MUST ALSO REMAIN A MAJOR PRIORITY, SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING THAT THE SUCCESS OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN DESTROYING THE POWER OF ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES SHOWED WHAT COULD BE ACHIEVED.
"SINCE MY LAST ADDRESS, THE POLICE FORCE HAS BEEN LOOKING INTENSIVELY AT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TRIAD ORGANISATION AND ACTIVITY IN THE TERRITORY.
idj..
"ANTI-TRIAD OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN REINFORCED AT STREET LEVEL Afib ANTI-TRIAD INTELLIGENCE IS BEING STEPPED UP. *
"TRIAD ACTIVITY WILL BE HIT HARD IN THE COMING MONTHS. ।
"WE MUST COMBINE NEW POLICE INITIATIVES WITH TOUGH LEGISLATtObl IF WE ARE TO COMBAT THE POTENTIAL THREAT TO ORDER AND STABILITY POSED BY ORGANISED CRIME," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID A WHITE BILL HAD RECENTLY BEEN PUBLISHED Td SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL WOULD IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO PROSECUTE AND PUNISH THOSE INVOLVED IN ORGANISED CRIME.
"THEY WOULD DETER ORGANISED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THROUGH HEAVIER PENALTIES. AND THEY WOULD CRIPPLE THE POWER OF CRIMINAL SYNDICATES BY ALLOWING THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME TO BE CONFISCATED.
"THIS MAJOR NEW INITIATIVE HAS THE FULL BACKING OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE."
THE GOVERNOR HOPED THAT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD SUPPORT THE BILL WHEN IT CAME BEFORE THEM IN THE NEW YEAR.
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HK WELCOMES GREATER RESOLVE BY INT'L COMMUNITY ON VM PROBLEM t » * * *
THE GOVERNMENT LOOKS FORWARD TO DISCUSSING WITH THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS THE DETAILS OF AN ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME FOR THE SCREENED-OUT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR SAID AFTER SO MANY YEARS OF EFFORT, IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT WE WERE NOW SEEING WELCOME SIGNS OF GREATER RESOLVE BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING VIETNAM, TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.
"FOR OUR PART, WE WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT OURSELVES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONALLY-AGREED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION," HE SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 22 -
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING PROGRAMMES FOR RETURNING VOLUNTEERS TO THEIR HOMES IN VIETNAM, AND RESETTLING OVERSEAS THOSE FOUND TO BE GENUINE REFUGEES, WOULD CONTINUE.
"SINCE MY LAST ADDRESS A YEAR AGO, SOME 6,000 VOLUNTEERS HAVE GONE BACK TO VIETNAM. IN ADDITION, SOME 7,000 REFUGEES HAVE LEFT HONG KONG FOR A NEW LIFE OVERSEAS.
"THIS IS PARTLY DUE TO OUR SUCCESSFUL USE OF THE NEW REFUGEE TRANSIT CENTRE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
"A MONTH AGO WE WERE ABLE TO CLOSE THE TUEN MUN OPEN CENTRE. WE ARE AIMING TO CLOSE THE KAI TAK CENTRE NEXT MONTH. VERY SOON THE' PILLAR POINT CENTRE WILL BE THE ONLY CAMP FOR REFUGEES IN HONG KONG(" THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR A SENSIBLE, FAIR AND HUMANE WAY TO BEGIN TO SOLVE THE HUMAN TRAGEDY OF THOSE WHO HAD COME IN THEIR THOUSANDS TO HONG KONG FROM VIETNAM TRYING - WITH NO REAL HOPE OF BEING ACCEPTED - TO SEEK A NEW LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST YEAR, HONG KONG HAD CONTINUED TO FACE MAJOR DIFFICULTIES IN COPING WITH THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
HE SAID THIS WAS AN ISSUE WHICH REMAINED A MATTER OF DEEP CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE ADMINISTRATION.
SO FAR THIS YEAR, OVER 20,000 VIETNAMESE HAD ARRIVED ON OUR SHORES AND THE CAMP POPULATION IN HONG KONG WAS NOW OVER 64,000, HE SAID; ,
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SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID WITH THE HELP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMENT CAN, AND WILL, DEAL SUCCESSFULLY WITH THE CHANGES WHICH THE TERRITORY IS GOING THROUGH AND WHICH ARE TRANSFORMING THE TERRITORY’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, ITS POLITICAL SYSTEM AND ITS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
"HONG KONG HAS A RECORD OF MEETING CHALLENGES SUCCESSFULLY. THAT IS THE STANDARD WE MUST SET OURSELVES. THAT IS OUR SOURCE OF CONFIDENCE IN FACING THE FUTURE," THE GOVERNOR SAID, WHEN CONCLUDING HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE GOVERNOR ASSURED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS COMMITTED TO DOING ALL IT COULD TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"INEVITABLY, IN REACHING FOR THIS OBJECTIVE, THERE WILL BE DEBATE OVER THE SELECTION OF PRIORITIES AND HOW BEST TO USE LIMITED RESOURCES.
/"SOME OF .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
23 -
"SOME OF THE CHOICES WILL BE COMPLEX. SOME WILL NO DOUBT BE PAINFUL.
"BUT I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE CONSISTENT PRINCIPLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS BEST IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IN TRYING TO CHART THE RIGHT COURSE FOR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD RELY HEAVILY ON THE ADVICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ON BUILDING UP A CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH ITS MEMBERS. '
"OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING MAJOR FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS IN THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE TERRITORY.
"THESE PROJECTS - THE AIRPORT, EXPANDING THE PORT, PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT, BUILDING ROADS AND TUNNELS - ARE ALL PART OF BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE.
"THEY ARE ALL PART OF MAKING SURE THAT, IN THE NEXT 10 AND TWENTY YEARS, HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY WITH OTHER CENTRES IN THE REGION AND, BY COMPETING SUCCESSFULLY, PROVIDE A LIFE OF OPPORTUNITY AND PROSPERITY FOR ITS PEOPLE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE PROJECTS WOULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY'S LIFE.
"BETTER QUALITY AND A WIDER CHOICE IN EDUCATION; MAINTAINING A HIGH STANDARD OF LAW AND ORDER; IMPROVING HEALTH CARE; STRENGTHENING SOCIAL WELFARE; AND MORE EFFICIENT TRANSPORT SERVICES ARE ALL EQUALLY IMPORTANT AND WILL BE MAJOR PARTS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S' FUTURE PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT TO ACHIEVE ALL THE GOALS WOULD NOT BE EASY, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE WILL NEED TO DEVELOP A PRACTICAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA.
"WE WILL NEED AN EFFICIENT AND DEDICATED CIVIL SERVICE.
"WE WILL NEED, IN THIS COUNCIL, THE COMMITMENT OF ALL MEMBERS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD.
"TOGETHER, WE HAVE A TASK OF GREAT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. MUCH IS EXPECTED OF US ALL. TOGETHER, MUCH CAN BE ACHIEVED," HE SAID.
"WITH THE HELP OF THIS COUNCIL I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL MEET SUCCESSFULLY THE CHALLENGES AND THE CHANGES WHICH CONFRONT US," THE GOVERNOR CONCLUDED.
0
/24
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 24 -
GOVERNOR DELIVERS POLICY SUMMARY *******
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SUMMARY OF THE ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS OF THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR BROADCAST ON RADIO AND TELEVISION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS AFTERNOON, I GAVE MY ANNUAL ADDRESS TO HONG KONG*8 NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THIS WAS AN HISTORIC OCCASION - THE FIRST TIME THAT THE COUNCIL HAS MET WITH AN ELECTED MAJORITY. IT’S A SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE IN THE WAY THE TERRITORY IS GOVERNED.
WE HAVE SEEN SOME VIGOROUS CAMPAIGNING AND WELL-CONDUCTED ELECTIONS. NOW, WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH IS MORE OBVIOUSLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY. SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT WE SHOULD GO FURTHER AND FASTER. OTHERS THAT WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO GO /TOO FAST. THE IMPORTANT POINT IS TO MAKE SURE THE NEW SYSTEM WORKS. THIS MEANS ALL INVOLVED ADAPTING TO NEW CIRCUMSTANCES. AS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, I TOLD THE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE LISTENING CAREFULLY TO THE VIEWS OF MEMBERS AND THAT WILL WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM - ALL OF THEM.
IN ADDRESSING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I SPOKE OF THE IMPORTANCE, IN THESE NEXT SIX YEARS, OF GETTING RIGHT OUR DEALINGS WITH CHINA. LAST MONTH, THE PRIME MINISTER WENT TO PEKING TO SIGN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HONG KONG’S NEW AIRPORT. WE MUST NOW WORK TO BUILD UP A SENSIBLE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. THIS MEANS CONTINUING TO BE PATIENT AND PERSISTENT IN PUTTING FORWARD THE HONG KONG POINT OF VIEW. IT ALSO MEANS BEING EQUALLY READY TO LISTEN THE VIEWS AND CONCERNS OF CHINA.
HERE AT HOME, ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRST PRIORITIES IS OUR ECONOMY. IT’S GOT TO BE. IT IS ECONOMIC GROWTH ON WHICH THR LIVING STANDARDS OF HONG KONG FAMILIES DEPEND. ONLY WITH CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY CAN WE IMPROVE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. LUCKILY, PROSPECTS HAVE IMPROVED IN RECENT MONTHS.
THE AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT HAS HELPED TO PRODUCE THIS BRIGHTER ECONOMIC PICTURE. THE KEY PLANS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHBK LAP KOK ARE NEARLY FINISHED. WE ARE ABOUT TO ASK FOR BIDS FOR PREPARING THE AIRPORT SITE - AND THAT’S GOING TO BE AN AREA EQUAL IN SIZE TO THE WHOLE OF KOWLOON SOUTH OF BOUNDARY STREET. THIS IS AN EXCITING PROJECT WITH GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF HONG KONG.
AS WE MOVE AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT AND OTHER BIG INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THE NEED FOR SPECIAL MEASURES TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. ALL OF US, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE, NEED TO BECOME MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE A "GREENER" HONG KONG - A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.
/MAINTAINING I,AW.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 25 -
MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER IS ALSO A HIGH PRIORITY. WB AM PUTTING MORE POLICE ON THE STREETS TO DEAL WITH THE RECENT INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME. WE ARE CHALLENGING THE CROSS-BORDER CRIMINALS IN COOPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. AND NEXT YEAR WILL SEB RADICAL NEW MEASURES TO DRIVE ORGANISED GANGS OFF OUR STREETS.
IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG’S FAMILIES, WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO NEGLECT THE DISADVANTAGED AND THE VULNERABLE. THIS YEAR WE HAVE ALREADY HAD A WHITE PAPER TO LAY DOWN POLICY ON SOCIAL WELFARE. NOW WE WILL BE LOOKING AT SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED. THERE WILL BE A GREEN PAPER SO THAT THE ISSUES CAN BE THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED BY THE PUBLIC. x
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY HAS TRANSFORMED HONG KONG IN THE PAST THREE DECADES. BUT, ALTHOUGH ECONOMIC GROWTH IS THE KEY TO EVERYTHING ELSE WE DO, WB DON’T PURSUE IT SIMPLY AS AN END IN ITSELF. WE MUST USE THE WEALTH CREATED BY OUH FACTORIES AND BUSINESSES TO PRODUCE A BETTER AND SAFER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD PLACE TO MAKE MONEY AND NOW INCREASINGLY, IT’S A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE IN. THAT MUST BE OUR ULTIMATE GOAL: TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS
- A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE PREPARED TO WORK ' HARD;
- A PLACE WHICH WILL CARE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY CARINO FOR THEMSELVES; AND
- A PLACE DETERMINED TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF ITS FUTURE.
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/26........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
- 26 -
GOVERNOR TO VISIT UK * ♦ *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT THE UK FROM OCTOBER 12 - 17.
DURING HIS VISIT, THE GOVERNOR WILL CALL ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS AND LORD CAITHNESS, AND HAVE MEETINGS WITH FCO OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG MATTERS.
HE WILL ALSO CALL ON MR ARCHIE HAMILTON MP, THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE ARMED FORCES.
THE GOVERNOR WILL GIVE A SPEECH AT THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT. COUNCIL’S ANNUAL BERKELEY DINNER ON OCTOBER 15.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT WAS ONE OF HIS REGULAR TRIPS TO LONDON TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF COMMON CONCERN WITH BRITISH MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS.
THE TIMING OF IT WAS DICTATED BY HIS ACCEPTANCE OF AN-INVITATION TO ATTEND THE TDC DINNER.
---------0-----------
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETS TODAY
********
THE 24TH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THIS YEAR’S LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME, THE TWO SIDES AGREED TO ADD 5.9 HECTARES OF RESIDENTIAL LAND TO THE 1991/92 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME.
THE TWO SIDES HAVE AGREED TO FURTHER ADJUST THE 1991/92 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE 0.65 HECTARE OF LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FUTURE BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL.
-----0------
LAND AUCTION FETCHES 11,269.5 MILLION
*****
z
TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IN A PUBLIC AUCTION THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF 41,269.5 MILLION.
THE FIRST LOT, WHICH IS LOCATED AT AREA 3OA, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES, WAS SOLD TO THE DRAMSTAR COMPANY LTD FOR 41,250 MILLION* BIDDING OPENED AT «860 MILLION.
/WITH AN .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 21,350 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 38,430 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1995.
THE SECOND LOT IS LOCATED AT 137 WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON. IT WAS BOUGHT BY THE CITY PROPERTIES LTD FOR $19.5 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $12 MILLION.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 941 SQUARE METRES AND IS ALSO EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 340 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1993.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE AND WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR ROGER NISSIM.
_ _ 0 - -
SECURITIES INDUSTRY MAKES GREAT STRIDES * » * * *
EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENHANCE THE SOPHISTICATION OF HONG KONG’S SECURITIES MARKET, IMPROVE STANDARDS OF INVESTOR PROTECTION, AND MODERNISE TRADING, SETTLEMENT AND OTHER SYSTEMS TO KEEP ABREAST OF WORLD DEVELOPMENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD WHEN SPEAKING AT THE 31ST FIBV (INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF EXCHANGES) GENERAL ASSEMBLY DINNER THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S SECURITIES INDUSTRY HAS MADE GREAT STRIDES IN RECENT DECADES.
ON THE MORE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, HE SAID THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG (SEHK) WAS SUBSTANTIALLY REORGANISED IN 1988 IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE.
IN 1989, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED AS AN AUTONOMOUS STATUTORY BODY TO STRENGTHEN THE MARKET REGULATORY STRUCTURE IN HONG KONO AND TO ENSURE THAT IT KEEPS IN STEP WITH, AND ASSISTS, MARKET DEVELOPMENT.
"A CURRENT ISSUE IS THE FUTURE RESTRUCTURING OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE SEHK TO MAKE IT MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF MARKET USERS (INCLUDING INVESTORS), AND OF THE BROKERS WHO GENERATE THE BULK OF ITS BUSINESS.
/"THE DEBATE
V-rnriESpAVf rvr*T'r)RER 9, 1991
28
’’THE DEBATE CENTRES ON THE BEST BALANCE BETWEEN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MARKET USERS, INCLUDING LARGE AUD SMALL SECURITIES DEALERS, LISTED COMPANIES, INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS, INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS, FUND MANAGERS, AND EXECUTIVES OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND CLEARING COMPANY.
"THE INTENTION IS TO HAVE NEW ARRANGEMENTS IN EFFECT IN TIME FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NEXT COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR," HR SAID.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, A NEW CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR OPERATION.
"THE NEW SYSTEM, UNDER DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1989, IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE SETTLEMENT EFFICIENCY, REDUCE RISK, EXPAND TRADING -OPPORTUNITIES AND LOWER COSTS."
HE ALSO MENTIONED THE CONSIDERATION BEING GIVEN TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED TRANSACTION EXECUTION SYSTEM AND THE RECENT LAUNCHING OF A CHINA STUDY BY THE SEHK TO EXAMINE THE VIABILITY OF LISTING MAINLAND-BASED COMPANIES IN HONG KONG, WHILE PRESERVING STANDARDS OF INVESTOR PROTECTION.
"LAST APRIL, THE GOVERNMENT REDUCED THE STAMP DUTY ON STOCK MARKET DEALS, FOLLOWING THE WORLDWIDE TREND TOWARDS THE REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF TRANSFER TAXES ON SHARE TRANSACTIONS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE NEED FOR FURTHER REDUCTION UNDER REVIEW.
"ALL THESE STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN WITH ONE OBJECTIVE IN MIND, AND THAT IS, TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVE EDGE, AND TO SECURE ITS PLACE AMONG THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES OF THE WORLD.
"NO DOUBT THERE IS STILL MUCH THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM MARKETS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, SUCH AS THOSE IN NORTH AMERICA, WESTERN EUROPE AND JAPAN," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE FIBV GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT FORUM FOR HONG KONG TO BENEFIT FROM PARTICIPANTS’ EXPERIENCE AND ADVICE.
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GOVT ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO LOCAL WORKFORCE’S WELFARE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ v
HONG KONG HAS EXPERIENCED A PROGRESS TIGHTENING OF THE LABOUR MARKET SINCE THE MID-1980’S, NOTWITHSTANDING THE EFFORTS DEVOTED TO INCREASING TRAINED MANPOWER, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THIS TREND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN THE 1990’S. IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND THE EMIGRATION OF PROFESSIONALS AND EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL ARE AMONG THE MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE DECLINING LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE," HE SAID.
/SPEAKING AT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
29
SPEAKING AT THE 12TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TRIED TO STRENGTHEN ITS EXISTING SERVICES TO HELP EMPLOYERS OVERCOME RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION DIFFICULTIES.
"IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO RELIEVE LABOUR SHORTAGES IN BOTTLENECK AREAS, THE GOVERNMENT IN 1989 AND 1990 APPROVED LIMITED SCHEMES FOR THE IMPORTATION OF WORKERS, INCLUDING A SPECIAL SCHEME TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS.
"IN IMPORTING LABOUR, WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE 'TO ENSURING THAT THE INTERESTS AND WELFARE OF LOCAL WORKERS ARE NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED," HE STRESSED.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THE OBJECTIVES OF HONG KONG’S HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES WERE TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF ITS HUMAN RESOURCES AND TO ENSURE ITS WORKFORCE WAS GIVEN AN APPROPRIATE SHARE OF THE PROSPERITY TO WHICH IT HAD CONTRIBUTION.
HE SAID THAT BY AND LARGE, WE COULD LEAVE IT TO MARKET FORCES TO ENSURE THAT THESE OBJECTIVES WERE MET.
"BUT WE ALSO NEED TO LAY DOWN CERTAIN MINIMUM STANDARD OF WELFARE FOR OUR WORKFORCE AND TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE THEM THROUGH LEGISLATIVE SANCTIONS," HE SAID.
"AS OUR ECONOMY GROWS IN SOPHISTICATION AND AS OUR LABOUR FORCE BECOMES MORE EDUCATED, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION DOES NOT LAG BEHIND THE LEGITIMATE ASPIRATIONS OF THE LOCAL WORKFORCE.
"THE WELL-BEING OF THE WORKFORCE IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO MAXIMISE MOTIVATION, PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY WHICH IS IN THE INTERESTS OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN IS TO PROVIDE OUR WORKFORCE WITH BETTER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT IN A SAFER AND HEALTHIER WORKING ENVIRONMENT," HE STRESSED.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS, OVER 100 PIECES OF LABOUR LEGISLATION WERE ENACTED UNDER A POLICY OF ACHIEVING A LEVEL OF SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE BROADLY EQUIVALENT TO THAT OF HONG KONG’S NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AT A SIMILAR STAGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID IN FUTURE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S LABOUR LEGISLATION HAVING CAREFUL REGARD TO THE INTERESTS OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, SOCIAL COSTS AND BENEFITS, AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC EFFECT AND IMPLICATIONS.
TURNING TO TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN RESOURCES, MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT RELIED HEAVILY ON PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION, CO-pPERATION AND ADVICE.
"THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT, AND DOES NOT, ACT ALONE IN DEVISING AND IMPLEMENTING OUR HUMAN RESOURCES POLICIES," HE SAID.
/HE POINTED .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
30
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES WHICH STARTED SOME 20 YEARS AGO AND THE MORE RECENT ENGINEERING GRADUATE TRAINING SCHEME WERE EXAMPLES OF PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS AREA.
IN THE FUTURE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE EXPLORING EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR JOINT VENTURES WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL AS WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS IN ADVANCING ITS OBJECTIVES IN HUMAN RESOURCES TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, MR CHAN SAID.
A JOINT PROJECT WITH THE JAPAN INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AGENCY (JICA) FOR SETTING UP PRECISION SHEET METAL PROCESSING TRAINING FACILITIES IN THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S (VTC) PRECISION TOOLING TRAINING CENTRE IS ONE SUCH EXAMPLE.
THE JICA CONTRIBUTES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF SOME OF THE MACHINE TOOLS AND SOFTWARE FOR THE COMPUTER-AIDED TOOL DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE SYSTEM OF A NEW TRAINING UNIT AT THE VTC.
THE AGENCY ALSO PROVIDES AT ITS OWN EXPENSE EXPERTS TO HELP SET UP THE TRAINING UNIT AND TRAIN UP LOCAL INSTRUCTORS TO CONDUCT COURSES IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF PRECISION SHEET METAL PROCESSING TECHNIQUES.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S INPUT INTO THE PROJECT INCLUDES OTHER MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE WORKSHOPS WHICH BEGAN TO OFFER. COURSES IN APRIL 1990,” MR CHAN SAID.
"THE JICA CO-OPERATION PROJECT CAN BE SEEN AS A MILESTONE FOR INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
NEW BOOK GIVES HISTORY OF PADS
A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE HISTORY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS), CULMINATING TN THE DECISION TO BUILD A NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, IS GIVEN IN A NEWLY PUBLISHED BOOK.
CALLED "HONG KONG'S PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - A FOUNDATION FOR GROWTH", THE 143-PAGE BOOK HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER, DR TED PRYOR.
IT EXAMINES THE REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SETTINGS OF HONG KONG’S E^ORT AND AIRPORT, AND HOW THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PLANS NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN ARE THE FRUIT OF LONG AND THOROUGH STUDIES.
WITH CHAPTER HEADINGS SUCH AS REGIONAL SETTING, HISTORICAL REVIEW, STRATEGIC PLANNING CONTEXT, FINAL CHOICE, GETTING ON WITH THE JOB, THE BOOK EXPLAINS WHY THE STRATEGY IS NECESSARY TO MEET THE EVERGROWING DEMANDS BEING PLACED UPON HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE.
/PRINTED tM Hili
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
31
PRINTED IN FULL COLOUR, THE BOOK CONTAINS NUMEROUS PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS, PLANS AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS.
IN A FOREWORD, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, NOTING THAT THE WAY HAS BEEN CLEARED FOR WORK TO GO AHEAD ON THE AIRPORT AND RELATED CORE PROJECTS, WRITES: "WHILST ATTENTION MUST NOW BE FIRMLY DIRECTED TOWARDS GETTING ON WITH THE JOB, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS RESOLVE SHOULD BE BASED UPON A PROPER APPRECIATION OF THE UNIQUENESS FROM WHICH PADS EMERGED AND THE HUMAN EFFORTS THAT PRODUCED A RECOMMENDED STRATEGY AND A FINAL CONSENSUS".
PRICED AT $132, THE BOOK WILL GO ON SALE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
IT IS INITIALLY AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH ONLY, BUT A CHINESE EDITION WILL BE PRINTED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
- - 0 - -
259 VM'S RETURN TO VIETNAM ******
A GROUP OF 259 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 102 MEN, 59 WOMEN, 60 BOYS AND 38 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 70TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 4,204 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 10,500 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND AT THE JUNCTION OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND FUNG SHING STREET, IN KOWLOON.
1<ITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,291 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS, EXCLUDING STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS, CONTAINERS AND VEHICLES LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
/THE DEADLINE .......
WEDNESDAY, <'<TOBER 9, 1991
- 32 -
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS moon ON OCTOBER 25.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 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 THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT A BUILDING IN KOWLOON CITY, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS ARE LOCATED ON THE ROOF OF 181B KOWLOON CITY ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 11 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
------0--------
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ♦ ♦ ♦ t t
SUPPLY OF FRESH AND FLUSHING WATER TO SOME PREMISES IN POK FU LAM ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 11) TO FACILITATE MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT POK FU LAM ROAD FROM MOUNT DAVIS ROAD TO CHI FU FA YUEN, WAH CHEUNG HOUSE AND WAH HING HOUSE IN WAH FU ESTATE, POK FU LAM VILLAGE, NOS. 1-23 MOUNT DAVIS ROAD, SASSOON ROAD, TELEGRAPH BAY VILLAGE AND NORTHCOTE CLOSE.
MEANWHILE, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON THE SAME DAY TO FACILITATE MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
IT WILL AFFECT THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD FROM YEN CHOW STREET TO WONG CHUK STREET AND INCLUDING SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET NORTH, SAI YEUNG CHOI LANE, WONG CHUK STREET AND YIU TUNG STREET.
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/33 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1991
33
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 8.10.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 9.10.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.1 *+0.3» 9.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MILLION
600
-250
+ 250
NEUTRAL
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
8.10.91 9.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.32 PCT 4.53 PCT
1 MONTH 3.97 PCT 4.26 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.19 PCT 4.29 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.44 PCT 4.52 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.22 PCT 5.25 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 7,525 MN 8,784 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, l$9i
CONTENTS PAGE fo.
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A PRIDE OF HK: GOVERNOR ............ 1
COMMUNITY'S HELP IN JOB PLACEMENTS URGED .............................. 2
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VENTURE CAPITAL SECTOR ................... 1
ASIAN CONFERENCE FOR RADIOGRAPHERS AND RADIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS OPENS 4
REVISED LAND SALES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED ................................ §
HK'S POPULATION STANDS AT 5.75M ....................................... 5
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL IS STATUTORY HOLIDAY ............................. 6
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN STARTS ....................... 7
ANTI-BURGLARY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION IN SHAM SHUI PO ............... 7
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ........................................ &
MORE EFFORTS TO CONSERVE HERITAGE ..................................... H
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 12
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1991
1
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A PRIDE OF HK: GOVERNOR * * i * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID HONG KONG CAN TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE IN THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE ACHIEVEMENT THAT IT REPRESENTS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE UNIVERSITY, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE CAMPUS WHICH WAS DEVELOPED WITH SKILL AND IMAGINATION ON A GOOD SITE AND A DRAMATIC SETTING, MUST SURELY RANK AS ONE OF THE REGION’S FINEST.
HE SAID THE HUGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF THE CAMPUS HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN AT IMPRESSIVE SPEED TO MEET HONG KONG’S URGENT NEED FOR MORE UNIVERSITY PLACES.
SIR DAVID ALSO NOTED THAT A MAJOR RECRUITMENT EXERCISE, BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS, HAD SUCCEEDED IN ATTRACTING AN OUTSTANDING TEAM OF ACADEMICS AND ADMINISTRATORS.
HE OUTLINED THE SPLENDID FACILITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY WHICH INCLUDED A LARGE, WELL-STOCKED LIBRARY, A FIBRE OPTIC BASED COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND EXTENSIVE, WELL-EQUIPPED TEACHING AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS SIGNIFICANT THAT THE BUILDING MOUSING THESE RESEARCH FACILITIES RAN ALONG THE CENTRAL SPINE OF THE CAMPUS.
"THEY WILL BE A FOCUS OF THE UNIVERSITY’S ACTIVITIES. EQUALLY IMPORTANT, MUCH OF THE RESEARCH CARRIED OUT HERE WILL HAVE PRACTICAL BENEFITS. "
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT PARTNERSHIPS WERE BEING SET UP WITH COMMERCIAL INTERESTS WHICH HAD ALREADY COMMITTED SUBSTANTIAL RESEARCH FUNDS.
"HONG KONG NOW HAS THE EXCITING PROSPECTS OF SHOWING MOW ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE CAN WORK TOGETHER.
"THAT WILL BENEFIT BOTH. IT WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY TOO," HE SAID.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO HAD INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT, SIR DAVID SAID WHILE HE WAS USUALLY RELUCTANT TO SINGLE OUT NAMES FOR PARTICULAR MENTION ON SUCH OCCASIONS, NEVERTHELESS HE BELIEVED THAT ON THIS IMPORTANT OCCASION, HE SHOULD MAKE AN EXCEPTION AND MENTION FOUR WHO HAD MADE A VERY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION.
THE GOVERNOR REFERRED TO SIR EDWARD YOUDE, THE FORMER LATE GOVERNOR; THE STEWARDS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB} THE VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT, PROFESSOR WOO CHIA-WEI, AND SIR S.Y. CHUNG* CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.
THE GOVERNOR SAID SIR EDWARD YOUDE HAD FORESEEN ALMOST A DECADE AGO THE NEED FOR AN INSTITUTION OF THIS KIND IN HONG KONG AND tT WAS HIS FORESIGHT AND INSPIRATION THAT GAVE THE EARLY PLANNING ITS IMPETUS.
/THE STEWARDS .......
THURSDAV, OCTOBER 10, 1991
2
THE STEWARDS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG J- KEY CLUB, SIR DAVID SAID, HAD PROVIDED VERY SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE WHICH HAD MADE POSSIBLE THE AMBITIOUS SCOPE OF THE UNIVERSITY, THE MOST OUTSTANDING FACILITY THAT THE CLUB HAD YET BROUGHT TO FRUITION.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO THANKED PROFESSOR WOO CHIA-WEI FOR HIS TREMENDOUS ENTHUSIASM, DRIVE AND VISION OF A NEW UNIVERSITY WITH A MISSION TO BECOME THE BEST IN SOUTHEAST ASIA WHICH HAD HELPED ATTRACT MANY DISTINGUISHED ACADEMICS TO THE NEW VENTURE.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO PRAISED SIR S.Y. CHUNG FOR HIS DETERMINATION AND EXPERIENCE WHICH HAD HELPED OVERCOME THE VERY MANY PRACTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS INEVITABLE IN UNDERTAKING A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE.
"HE HAS THE UNIQUE DISTINCTION OF BEING CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH SETTING UP THREE MAJOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG OVER AS MANY DECADES. I DOUBT IF ANYONE, ANYWHERE, CAN MATCH THIS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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COMMUNITY’S HELP IN JOB PLACEMENTS URGED
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES NEED THE SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, TRADE UNIONS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE TO HELP PEOPLE FROM SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT tN THE OPEN MARKET.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE IN WONG TAI SIN, HE SAID THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HAD BEEN PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPLEMENTING THE EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THIS AREA FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
IT HAD ALSO MADE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS RE-INTEGRATING THE LESS PRIVILEGED MEMBERS INTO THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
IN EACH OF THE LAST TWO YEARS, ABOUT 400 JOB SEEKERS WERE PLACED, REPRESENTING A SUCCESS RATE OF WELL OVER 60 PER CENT.
HE NOTED THAT THE SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENTS COVERED A WIDE VARIETY OF OCCUPATIONS, WITH THE SERVICE INDUSTRY BEING THE BIGGEST EMPLOYER OF THE CLIENTS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY PAID TRIBUTE TO THE PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION OF THE PLACEMENT OFFICERS, AND TO THE SUPPORT OF MANY LOCAL EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THE LESS PRIVILEGED PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR WORK ABILITIES AND DETERMINATION TO LEAD A GAINFUL LIFE.
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/3 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1991
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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VENTURE CAPITAL SECTOR * * ♦ * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, TObAY (THURSDAY) URGED THE VENTURE CAPITAL SECTOR TO WATCH FOR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN MANUFACTURING AS THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROCEEDS.
SPEAKING AT THE ASIAN VENTURE FORUM ’91, MR CHAU SAID tHR REDEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON WOULD HELP TO SPEED UP TRANSFORMATION OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR WHICH WAS ALREADY IN PROGRESS.
MR CHAU SAID THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT ALSO IkVOLVEb A SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF HONG KONG’S PORT; AND WOULD PROVIDE tHB GOVERNMENT WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETELY REDEVELOP MUCH OF THE KOWLOON PENINSULA.
"AT PRESENT, KOWLOON IS DOMINATED BY OLD INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WHICH CANNOT BE THINNEb OUT BECAUSE OF AlRpoRt HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS AND SCARCE LAND RESOURCES.
"THE REMOVAL OF KAI TAK AIRPORT AND THE CREATION OF LARGE NEW LAND AREAS ON THE OLD KAI TAK SITE AND AROUND THE NEW CHEK LAP Bofc AIRPORT WILL GIVE US ELBOW-ROOM TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES.
"THE AIRPORT PROJECT WILL GIVE US A NEvER-TO-BB-HEPBAtEb OPPORTUNITY TO SWEEP AWAY CROWDED FLATS AND POLLUTING FACTORIES IN KOWLOON, AND REPLACE THEM WITH A LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT WHlcM TOWN PLANNERS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS WILL BE PROUD OF," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID MANY MANUFACTURERS WOULD LEAVE THEtR CHAMFER EXISTING PREMISES IN KOWLOON FOR MORE SPACIOUS SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PROVIDED WITH SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE OF A VERY WtOH STANDARD.
"THEY WILL MAKE THIS MOVE AT A TIME WHEN EXTERNAL DEMAND IN OUR MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS IS IN ANY CASE FORCING MANUFACTURERS TO ACHIEVE HIGHER LEVELS OF PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCT QUALITY, AND TO PIONEER ORIGINAL PRODUCT DESIGNS.
"SO, AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, THE INTERACTION Op THESE TWIN PRESSURES WILL, 1 BELIEVE, RESULT IN A DECISIVE MOVE AWAY FROM LABOUR-INTENSIVE INTO CAPITAL-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING.
"THE LONG-TERM FUTURE WILL LIE WITH COMPANIES cAPAHLfe Op MANUFACTURING HIGH-VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS, IN CLEAN FACTORIES, WttH SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANTICIPATED tfltS TRANSFORMATION BY PLANNING THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE.
"THIS DOES NOT ONLY MEAN LAND, A GOOD TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, AND TRAINED MANPOWER, THOUGH ALL THREE ARE OF COURSE VITAL; IT ALSO MEANS PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IbfeAS AND FINANCING CAN MEET.
/"WE ARE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1991
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"WE ARE THEREFORE BUILDING AN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, AND ARE ALSO PLANNING TO ENCOURAGE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR WORTHWHILE PROJECTS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG COMPLIED WITH THE EXPORT RESTRICTIONS APPLIED BY THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR MULTILATERAL EXPORT CONTROLS (COCOM) - AND THEREFORE ENJOYED ACCESS TO THE HIOM TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS WHICH OUR NEW-STYLE INDUSTRIES NEEDED.
"AS SOME OF YOU MAY BE AWARE, THE U.S. ANNOUNCED TRIS WEEK THAT IT INTENDS TO EXTEND INTRA-COCOM TRADE LICENSING BENEFITS TO HONG KONG.
"THIS IS A VERY POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT: THE U.S. IS THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY GOODS TO HONG KONG AND THIS LIBERALISATION SHOULD ALLOW A FASTER AND EASIER FLOW OF THESE GOODS TO COMPANIES HERE," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE DEMAND FROM MANUFACTURERS FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FOR RESTRUCTURING AND FOR EXPANSION WOULD CERTAINLY GROW SIGNIFICANTLY.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THERE WILL BE BOTH EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXCITING PROFITS FOR THE ASIAN VENTURE CAPITAL INDUSTRY IN SUPPORTING THE NEXT STAGE OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT," RE SAID.
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ASIAN CONFERENCE FOR RADIOGRAPHERS AND RADIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS OPENS ******
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT RADIOGRAPHERS AND RADIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTli CARE IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TRE EIOHtM ASIAN CONFERENCE FOR RADIOGRAPHERS AND RADIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS, bfe LEE SAID THIS IS THE MOST OPPORTUNE TIME TO HOST THE MEETING IN HONG KONG AS THE TERRITORY IS ABOUT TO ENTER A NEW ERA OF HEALTH CARE REFORM.
DR LEE ALSO BRIEFED THE PARTICIPANTS ON THE EXISTING MEALtH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM IN HONG KONG AND THE REFORMS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
"FOR HOSPITAL CARE, THE PRIVATE HOSPITALS PROVIDE 11.5 EEK CENT OF A TOTAL OF 24,200 BEDS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"FOR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CARE, THE DOCTORS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE PROVIDE SOME 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OUT-PATIENT CONSULTATIONS, WHILE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES 15 PER CENT AND THE REMAINING BEING PROVIDED BY PRACTITIONERS OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND CHARITY CLINICS."
/THE DIRECTOR .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1991
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THE DIRECTOR ADDED THAT THE PER CAPITA EXPENDITURE ON HEALTH WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $3,070 IN 1989 WHILE THE PERCENTAGE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT SPENT ON HEALTH WAS ABOUT 3.6 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEARS, DR LEE SAID THERE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL LEVEL OF HEALTH IN HONG kONG.
"THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE HIGHLY SATISFACTORY HEALTH INbiCEB WITH THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE AT 6.9 PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS AND THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF 80 FOR FEMALES AND 74 FOR MALES," HE sAlb.
DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HAS BEEN VERY MUCH HOSPITAL-ORIENTED, ADDING THAT THE CONCEPT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AS THE BASE OF A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND THE GATE-kEEPER OF THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN FULLY APPRECIATED.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING RRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND PROVIDING QUALITY HEALTH SERVICES.
DR LEE HAS HIGH HOPE THAT THE DISTRICT HEALTH SYSTEM, A MAJOR RECOMMENDATION IN THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE REPORT, TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON A PILOT BASIS IN KWUN TONG LATER THIS YEAR, COULD t’ROVlDB A SOLUTION TO THIS.
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REVISED LAND SALES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED
*****
FURTHER TO WEDNESDAY’S LAND COMMISSION MEETING APPROVING THE RELEASE OF AN ADDITIONAL 5.9 HECTARES OF RESIDENTIAL LAND, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR ROBERT POPE, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE REVISED LAND SALES PROGRAMME.
MR POPE POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRST SITE, LOCATED IN TAT DHeE AVENUE, WILL BE AUCTIONED IN DECEMBER.
THE REMAINING SITES, SITUATED IN TAI PO AND SHA TIN, WOULD BE SOLD TOWARDS THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR.
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UK’S POPULATION STANDS AT 5.75M *****
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF HONG KONG AT THE END OF JUNE 1991 WAS 5,754,800, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).
THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 50,300 PERSONS OR 0.9 PER CENT OVER Mtb-1990. IN MID-1990, THE ESTIMATED POPULATION WAS 5,704,500.
/THERE WERE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1991
6 -
THERE WERE 69,600 BIRTHS AND 28,000 DEATHS DURING THS PERIOD FROM MID-1990 TO MID-1991. NATURAL INCREASE, THAT IS THE SURPLUS OF BIRTHS OVER DEATHS IN THIS PERIOD, AMOUNTED TO 41,600, ACCOUNTING FOK 83 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION GROWTH.
THE BALANCE OF TOTAL ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES SHOWED A MEt INFLOW OF 8,700 PERSONS DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
THE ABOVE ESTIMATES OF THE POPULATION ARE BASED oM THE HNAL COUNT FROM THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS CONDUCTED IN MARCI1 THIS YEAR.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO REVISED THE POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR THE PERIOD MID-1986 TO END-1990 IN THE LIGHT OF A NEW BASE POPULATION OBTAINED FROM THE 1991 CENSUS.
THE REVISION HAS INCORPORATED MORE ACCURATE FIGURES FOR THE COMPONENTS OF POPULATION CHANGE THAT WERE NOT AVAILABLE At I'HE TIME WHEN THE PREVIOUS ESTIMATES WERE PREPARED.
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL IS STATUTORY HOLIDAY ♦ ♦ ♦ * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS tHAT CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON OCTOBER 16 (WEDNESDAY), IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
ALL EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGE LEVELS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE SAME EMPLOYERS FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A FULL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD) WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AEtER THAT DAY.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MAbE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
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/7........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1091
7
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN STARTS ******
SEPARATE CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD ON THE TWO SIDES OF THE HARBOUR ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 13) TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THIS YEAR’S FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
THE TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WHICH COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE (HKCSS) AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS.
THIS YEAR IT AIMS TO BRING HOME THE MESSAGE OF RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND HAPPY MARRIAGE.
THE FIRST CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 10 AM AT EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL. OFFICIATING WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG; DIRECTOR OF HKCSS, MR HUI YIN-FAT; AND THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER OF CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY, MR KWAN CHUR-FAI.
ANOTHER EVENT AND SLOGAN COMPETITION PRIZE PRESfiNtAttoN CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 11.45 AM AT NEW WORLD PLAZA, NEW WORLD CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.fi, CARTLAND; MANAGER OF THE ORIENTAL PRESS GROUP, MR MA CHING-FAT J AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HKCSS, MISS VIRGINIA CHAN.
AFTER THE CEREMONIES, DECORATED BUSES WILL TOUR THE TERRITORY TO PUBLICISE THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION MESSAGE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TWO CEREMONIES.
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ANTI-BURGLARY POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION IN SHAM SHUt PO ******
AN "ANTI-BURGLARY" POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION IS NOW OPEN TO STUDENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED CONTEST IS PART W mill HWHIT CRIME CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS TO BURGLARY ACTIVITIES.
/THE COMPETITION ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1991
- 8 -
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ScROoL STUDENTS SECTIONS.
THE ENTRIES SHOULD REACH THE SHAM SHU1 PO DISTRICT OFFICE ON GROUND FLOOR, 37-39 TONKIN STREET BY NOVEMBER 25.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 720 4251.
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GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) toDAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AMD THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING IRE RATliiNti SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST
RECENT E. COLt DATA OBTAINED
BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME. AS WITH LAST YEAR* THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT
A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WAI ER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID: "BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
"BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE."
/THE SYSTEM .......
THUR^-y -TOPER 10, 1991
9
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALF ¥ IS AS FOLLOWS:
GRADE ”1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MP'OR tr.neSS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "4" GRADE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "3" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THE WATER AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
/BEACH .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1991
BEACH
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY CHUNG HOM KOK DEEP WATER BAY HAIRPIN MIDDLE BAY REPULSE BAY SHEK O SOUTH BAY ST STEPHEN’S TURTLE COVE STANLEY MAIN ROCKY BAY TO TEI WAN*
- 10 -
PREVIOUS GRADING
(AS AT 26.9.91)
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1 1
1
X
1
PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 10.10.91)
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
X
1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA NEW CAFETERIA CASTLE PEAK KADOORIE BUTTERFLY
X 3 X
2 3
X 2 X
1 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH HAP MUN BAY KIU TSUI
PAK SHA CHAU SILVERSTRAND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN)
1
2 2
1 1
1
3
2
1
2 2
1 1
1
2
2
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER CHEUNG SHA LOWER DISCOVERY BAY* HUNG SHING YEH KWUN YAM WAN TONG FUK LO SO SHING PUI O SILVERMINE BAY TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU TUNG O»
1
2
1 1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1 1
1
1
1
1 1
1
/TSUEN
WAN DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1W1
- 11 -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS' APPROACH CASAM GEMINI HOI MEI WAN LIDO TING KAU TUNG WAN, MA WAN
4
2
3
2
2
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
1
NOTE: "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCAStoM!
SILVERMINE BAY, KADOORIE AND TUNG WAN ON MA WAN, FROM "2" Td "1"; SILVERSTRAND, CASAM, LIDO, NEW CAFETERIA AND BUTTERFLY, FROM "3" TO "2"; ANGLERS’ FROM ”4" TO "3".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, MR P.R. HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
------0--------
MORE EFFORTS TO CONSERVE HERITAGE
* i ♦ * i i t
MORE EFFORTS MUST BE PUT INTO THE CONSERVATION OF WHAT REMAINED OF HONG KONG'S HERITAGE, IN VIEW OF ITS RAPID DEVELOPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING SESSION OF A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ENTITLED "THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG’S PAST", MR SO SAID ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS MUST DEAL WITH THE INHERENT CONTRADICTIONS OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
"THE KEY CONSIDERATION IS HOW TO MAINTAIN A SENSIBLE BALANbE,** HE SAID.
MR SO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD FOR THEIR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT AND TO THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE EXTENSIVE RESTORATION PROGRAMME CARRIED OUT BY THEIR STAFF.
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1991
- 12 -
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE, THE CHAIRMAN OF ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, MR EDWARD HO, SAID THERE WAS ROOM FOR A MORE SYMPATHETIC APPROACH TO PRESERVING HONG KONG S
HERITAGE.
MR HO BELIEVED THAT THE TIME HAD COME FOR A DIFFERENT BALANCE TO BE STRUCK BETWEEN THE COMPETING DEMANDS OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
NOTING THAT MUCH OF HONG KONG’S HERITAGE HAD ALREADY BEEN SWAMPED BY DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE CONCEPT OF "SPECIAL DESIGN AREAS AROUND HISTORIC BUILDINGS TO PROTECT THEIR ENVIRONS.
FEATURING TALKS BY SOME 13 OVERSEAS AND LOCAL SPEAKERS, TEE CONFERENCE WAS FULLY SUBSCRIBED.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 9.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 10.10.91 -139
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 1^9
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 ♦-0.3* 10.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
10.10.91 9.10. 91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.64 PCT 4.53 PCT
1 MONTH 4.27 PCT 4.26 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.29 PCT 4.29 Pct
6 MONTHS 4.55 PCT 4.52 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.22 PCT 5.25 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 6,340 MN 8,784 MN
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, .1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST RELEASED .......................... 1
WELCOME SIGNS FROM VIETNAM: GOVERNOR ................................... 7
MARKET DEVELOPMENT A KEY POLICY OBJECTIVE .............................. 8
CJ ON INVESTIGATION OF SOLICITOR ....................................... 9
NEW CONSUMER COUNCIL CHAIRMAN APPOINTED ................................ 10
BILL CREATES FRESH OFFENCES OF FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING .............. 10
NEW BILL TO STRENGTHEN RABIES CONTROL GAZETTED ......................... 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL ................... 13
DRIVING OFFENCES ON EXPRESSWAYS CLOSELY MONITORED ...................... 13
COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS ............................ 14
DRIVE-IN CONCERT OF CAMPAIGN ON VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL ............... 16
ART COMPETITION TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL CARE .......................... 17
HEALTH CARE CARNIVAL FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS ............................ 18
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ............................... 18
POLICE BANDS CONCERT TOMORROW .......................................... 19
AMS RECRUITMENT DAY ON SUNDAY .......................................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 20
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST RELEASED
******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN AUGUST 1991, AT $134,324 MILLION) GREW BY 17% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN AUGUST 1991 RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 4% TO $20,364 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 23% TO $47,205 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 14% TO $67,569 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 20% TO $66,755 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO AUGUST 1991, AT $970,351 MILLION, INCREASED BY 21% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3% TO $146,467 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 28% TO $328,825 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 19% TO $475,292 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 23% TO $495,058 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING AUGUST 1991 WITH AUGUST 1990, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO FRANCE, CHINA, SINGAPORE AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED BY 8%, 7%, 6% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, THE NETHERLANDS, THE USA AND CANADA DECREASED BY 23%, 12%, 10% AND 9% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE TO JAPAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM DECREASED BY 6% AND .3% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, BY 24% AND 23% RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, TAIWAN AND JAPAN INCREASED BY 13%, 12%, 12%, 10%, 5% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA AND THE USA DECREASED BY 12% AND 11% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
2
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1,936 MILLION OR 19%); CLOTHING (BY $ 1,566 MILLION OR 4%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,439 MILLION OR 13%); AND TEXTILES (BY $312 MILLION OR 3%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1,463 MILLION OR 9%), AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $468 MILLION OR 4%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING AUGUST 1991 WITH AUGUST 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE USA, TAIWAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, CHINA AND JAPAN, BY 39%) 24%, 23%, 20% AND 20% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC
OF GERMANY, SINGAPORE, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ITALY INCREASED BY 10%; 8%, 7% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
14%.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND DECREASED
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE, TAIWAN, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 34%, 31%, 28%, 27%, 24% AND 23% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE USA AND ITALY INCREASED BY 15%, 13% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND DECREASED BY 2£.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $10,684 MILLION OR 26%); TEXTILES (BY $10,322 MILLION OR 21%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $7,664 MILLION OR 25%); AND CLOTHING (BY $7,164 MILLION OR 22%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CORK AND WOOD MANUFACTURES (BY $129 MILLION OR 5%), AND ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS AND FATS, PROCESSED, AND WAXES OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE ORIGIN (BY $36 MILLION OR 49%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
/COMPARING AUGUST .......
FI'TDAY, OCT HER II . 1991
3
COMPARING AUGUST 1991 WITH AUGUST 1990, THE VALUE Ol RE ’ . V'l’TS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, FRANCE, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND CANADA, PY 34%, 26%, 24% AND 20% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO JAPAN, TAIWAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, THE USA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SINGAPORE INCREASED BY 16%, 16%, 14%, 14%, 8% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1991 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE, CHINA, CANADA, JAPAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY 63%, 46%, 37%, 22%, 21% AND 20% RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE USA, TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED BY 16%, 15% AND 13% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE DECREASED BY 8%.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO AUGUST 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $8,976 MILLION OR 30%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $7,418 MILLION OR 21%); TEXTILES (BY $7,219 MILLION OR 25%); AND FOOTWEAR (BY $5,906 MILLION OR 70%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $115 MILLION OR 5%), AND METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $102 MILLION OR 21%).
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 AUGUST 1991 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY NOVEMBER 1991.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE AUGUST 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN AUGUST 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND OCTOBER 18 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $33.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 842 8te02) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 823 4915).
/TABLE 1: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1], 1991
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET AUG 1991 (HKD MN.) AUG 91 OVER AUG 90 ( % ) JAN-AUG 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG 91 OVER JAN-AUG 90 ( % )
USA 5,557 - 10 37,266 - 11
CHINA 4,799 + 7 34,082 + 13
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,733 + 1 13,293 + 23
UK 1,229 - 3 9,025 + 12
JAPAN 1,093 - 6 7,587 + 2
SINGAPORE 799 + 6 5,785 + 24
TAIWAN 372 - 23 3,898 4- 5
NETHERLANDS 420 - 12 3,584 + 12
CANADA 478 - 9 3,160 - 12
FRANCE 307 + 8 2,502 + 10
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
AUG AUG 91 JAN-AUG JAN-AUG 91
COMMODITY 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
DIVISION AUG 90 JAN-AUG 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL
AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 7,098 - 1 46,301 + 4
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED
ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY,
GOLDSMITHS’ AND
SILVERSMITHS' WARES) 2,115 - 16 15,388 - 9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY,
APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES,
AND ELECTRICAL PARTS
THEREOF 1,667 + 6 12,471 + 13
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS,
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES,
OPTICAL GOODS,
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,666 - 10 12,405 - 3
/OFFICE MACHINES .......
12 1 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991 19 9
TV OFFICE MACHINES AND •*' AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS X > 5 - • •• 1,671 1,406 +
11,898 11,240 4-+
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER AUG 1991 AUG 91 OVER JAN-AUG 1991 JAN-AUG OVER 91
AUG 90 jAn-aug 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 26,298 20 181,764 4- 24
JAPAN 10,464 + 20 81,190 1 29
TAIWAN 6,185 + 24 47,272 4- 31
USA 5,667 4 39 38,729 4 19
REP OF KOREA 2,742 4 23 22,928 4 27
SINGAPORE 2,407 + 8 20,722 4 34
UK 1,428 7 10,987 4 23
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,460 4 10 10,639 4 15
ITALY 1,011 + 2 7,471 4- &
SWITZERLAND 745 - 14 7,018 - 2
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY AUG 1991 AUG 91 OVER JAN-AUG 1991 jAn-Aug 91 OVER
DIVISION AUG 90 JAN-AUG 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS,
MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 7,766 + 19 60,398 4 21
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
6
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 6,942 4- 23 51,166 4- 26
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,934 4- 14 40,476 + 22
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 5,179 4- 18 38,171 25
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 5,272 + 10 34,101 17
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,293 4- 8 24,273 4- 16
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET AUG 1991 (HKD MN.) AUG 91 OVER AUG 90 ( % ) JAN-AUG 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG 91 OVER JAN-AUG 90 ( % )
CHINA 12,878 + 34 94,830 + 37
USA 10,617 4- 14 64,799 4 16
F.R. OF GERMANY 2,637 + 24 21,164 4 63
JAPAN 2,420 4- 16 17,630 4 21
TAIWAN 1,921 4 16 16,631 4 18
REP OF KOREA 1 , 189 + 14 9,677 4 13
UK 1,404 + 8 8,825 4 fib
SINGAPORE 1,092 4- 5 7,665 - fi
FRANCE 819 4- 26 5,841 4 46
CANADA 858 4- 20 5,285 4 22
/TABLE 6
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
AUG COMMODITY 1991 DIVISION fl (HKD MN. ) AUG 91 OVER AUG 90 ( % ) JAN-AUG 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG OVER JAN-AUG ( x 91 90 ’ )
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 7,575 + 14 41,956 21
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,726 + 20 38,810 + 30
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4,832 + 20 36,597 + 25
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,713 + 22 27,333 4- 14
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,997 + 16 27,323 + 25
FOOTWEAR 2,126 + 60 14,351 4 70
- - 0----------
WELCOME SIGNS FROM VIETNAM: GOVERNOR *****
THERE HAVE BEEN VERY WELCOME SIGNS RECENTLY THAT THE VIETNAMESE ARE CHANGING THEIR POSITION ON THE QUESTION OF REPATRIATION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TONIGHT (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE DEPARTING FOR AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO LONDON, SIR DAVID SAID: "WHAT WE’RE STILL HOPING IS TO TRY TO MOVE FORWARD ON ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE VIETNAMESE.
/"WE WANT .......
FRIDAY. (>/!■ 151’. I 1 , >991
8
"WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THAT AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. IT’S NOT YET CERTAIN EXACTLY WHEN THAT IS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
"INDEED, IT’S NOT YET ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN WHETHER WE'LL BE ABLE TO TIE DOWN THE FINAL DETAILS, BUT FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW IN HONG KONG WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESETTLING GENUINE REFUGEES AND RETURN TO VIETNAM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED OUT AS NOT BEING GENUINE REFUGEES," SIR DAVID ADDED.
ASKED ABOUT THE UNITED STATES ATTITUDE ON THE ISSUE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THERE HAVE BEEN EXCHANGES WITH THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT EXPLAINING WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO DO; THE SORT OF AGREEMENTS WE’RE TRYING TO REACH WITH VIETNAM.
"I DON’T KNOW IN DETAIL WHAT THE AMERICAN REACTION HAS BEEN. I HOPE THAT THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WILL BE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS ONLY IF WE GET ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE FOR RETURNING NON-REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES, THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER ASYLUM SEEKERS. THAT’S A SIMPLE, PLAIN TRUTH. THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION MUST BE IMPLEMENTED AS A WHOLE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD ALSO BE GIVING GENERAL BACKGROUND ON THE DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG TO SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE. "AMONGST THE THINGS THE BACKGROUND THAT I’LL TALK ABOUT IS THE QUESTION OF DEFENSE LANDS HERE."
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ABOUT A DECISION BY THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO CLAIMS OF DISCRIMINATION IN US-CHINA TRADE, SIR DAVID SAID: "FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW HERE IN HONG KONG WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MAXIMUM OF TRADE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS; OPEN TRADE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA, BECAUSE A LOT OF THAT TRADE COMES THROUGH HONG KONG.
"WHAT WE DO IS EXPLAIN TO THE AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION AND PEOPLE ON THE HILL WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE FOR HONG KONG OF CERTAIN MEASURES THAT THE AMERICANS MIGHT TAKE. BUT, IT’S FREE FLOW OF TRADE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS THAT WE REALLY WANT TO SEE," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
MARKET DEVELOPMENT A KEY POLICY OBJECTIVE ♦ t i t i
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MARKET DEVELOPMENT IS ALWAYS A KEY OBJECTIVE ON THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY AGENDA.
SPEAKING TV SERIES, ’’MONEY TO PUT EMPHASIS FINANCIAL MARKETS ENSURE INTEGRITY.
AT A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG’S PROGRAMME”, MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE ON DEVELOPING THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF HONG KONG’S TOGETHER WITH ADEQUATE CONTROLS TO PREVENT ABUSE AND
/••IT REMAINS.......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
9
"IT REMAINS OUR GOAL TO MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT) FAIR AND ORDERLY MARKET WITH A LEVEL OF INVESTOR PROTECTION COMPARABLE TO THAT IN OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES," HE SAID.
ON RECENT MARKET DEVELOPMENTS, MR NENDICK SAID ONE OF THEM WAS THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS.
"A CONSULTATION PAPER IS BEING CIRCULATED SEEKING THE VIEWS OF MARKET PARTICIPANTS ON THE PROPOSED TERMS AND ARRANGEMENTS OF THE BOND PROGRAMME.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE TWO-YEAR BONDS WILL TAKE PLACE IN EITHER NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND THAT THERE WILL NORMALLY BE FOUR SUCH ISSUES EACH 12 MONTHS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE SECURITIES MARKETS, MR NENDICK SAlD LEGISLATION ENABLING COMPANIES TO BUY BACK THEIR OWN SHARES AND THAT TO BRING MORE EFFECTIVE SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER TRADING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS HAD BEEN ENACTED.
"WORK IS WELL IN HAND IN INTRODUCING AN AUTOMATED CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM INTO THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THIS IS PLANNED TO BE FOLLOWED BY AN AUTOMATED TRADING SYSTEM," HE SAID.
"AS FAR AS THE FUTURES EXCHANGE IS CONCERNED THERE ARE PLANS TO INTRODUCE NEW FINANCIAL PRODUCTS INCLUDING CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS AND AN OPTIONS CONTRACT.” HE ADDED.
------0--------
CJ ON INVESTIGATION OF SOLICITOR * * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JUDICIARY SAID TODAY (FRIDAY):
"THIS IS A SUMMARY GIVEN BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF HIS RADIO INTERVIEW YESTERDAY AS HE RECALLS IT:
’THE DOCUMENTS (EARLIER SIGNED BY A SOLICITOR WHO WAS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE) MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT BE VALID, DEPENDING ON THEIR NATURE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GENERALISE. IF IN DOUDT) IT 1S BEST THAT LEGAL ADVICE BE OBTAINED.
THE COURT DOES NOT ISSUE A GENERAL RULING ON ALL THE DOCUMENTS AFFECTED. IF THERE IS LITIGATION, WITH PLAINTIFF AND DEFENDANT) THE COURT WILL RULE ON THE ISSUE OF VALIDITY OF DOCUMENTS IF NECESSARY.’"
--------0-----------
/10 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11> 1091
- 10 -
NEW CONSUMER COUNCIL CHAIRMAN APPOINTED ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦ i
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN KwAN-YIU AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, TO SUCCEED MR MARTIN LEE WHOSE TERM EXPIRED ON OCTOBER 6, 1991.
THE APPOINTMENT NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID MR LEE HAD INDICATED TO THE GOVERNOR THAT, IN VIEW OF HIS OTHER IMPORTANT COMMITMENTS, HE WOULD NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM.
"PROFESSOR CHEN IS VERY WELL QUALIFIED TO HEAD THE COUMctL. life HAS A GOOD TRACK RECORD IN THE FIELD OF CONSUMER PROTECTION," HE SAID.
PROFESSOR CHEN WAS FIRST APPOINTED A MEMBER OE THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN 1987 AND LATER BECAME VICE-CHAIRMAN IN 1989.
OVER THESE YEARS, PROFESSOR CHEN HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS OF THE COUNCIL.
HE IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL'S INFORMATION MONITORING COMMITTEE, CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, COMMITTEE ON MONOPOLISTIC TENDENCIES AND WORKING GROUP ON OIL PRICES.
--------0-----------
BILL CREATES FRESH OFFENCES OF FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING
******
NEW OFFENCES OF FORGERY, COUNTERFEITING OF NOTES AND COINS AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES ARE PROPOSED IN THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991. '
THE BILL, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY)i SEEKS TO MODERNISE PROVISIONS ON FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING CONTAINED IN THE CRIMES ORDINANCE.
THE BILL IS BASED SUBSTANTIALLY ON COUNTERFEITING ACT 1981, WHICH REPLACED THE THE EXISTING HONG KONG LEGISLATION IS BASED.
THE ENGLISH FORGERY AND FORGERY ACT 1913 ON WHICH
THE EXISTING LAW CONSISTS OF A LARGE NUMBER OF OFFENCES» ARE DIFFERENTIATED ONLY BY THE NATURE OF THE DOCUMENT FORGED WHICH CARRY A VARIETY OF MAXIMUM SENTENCES.
WHICH AND
THE BILL AIMS TO REPLACE THIS MULTIPLICITY OF OFFENCES WITH THREE BASIC FORMS OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT. THESE ARE: MAKING A FALSE INSTRUMENT, MAKING A COPY OF A FALSE INSTRUMENT AND USING A FALSE
/FORGERY IS .......
FRIDAY OCTOBER 11, 1991
11
FORGERY IS DEFINED AS THE MAKING OF A F U; INSTRUMENT WITH THE INTENTION THAT IT BE ACCEPTED AS GENUINE THEREBY CAUSING SOMEBODY WHO SO ACCEPTS IT TO ACT TO HIS OR ANOTHER’S PREJUDICE.
AN ’’INSTRUMENT” IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE ANY DOCUMENT, STAMP, SEAL OR DIE, AND ANY DEVICE INCLUDING DISC, CARD, TAPE, MICROCHIP, SOUND TRACK ON OR IN WHICH INFORMATION IS RECORDED OR STORED BY ANY MEANS.
THERE ARE OFFENCES OF POSSESSING FALSE INSTRUMENTS, AND HAVING EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING FALSE INSTRUMENTS.
THE BILL CREATES A SINGLE OFFENCE OF COUNTERFEITING A CURRENCY NOTE OR PROTECTED COIN.
THERE ARE ALSO OFFENCES OF USING A COUNTERFEIT NOTE OR COIN AS GENUINE; HAVING CUSTODY OR CONTROL OF A COUNTERFEIT NOTE AND COIN; HAVING CUSTODY OR CONTROL OF A COUNTERFEITING IMPLEMENT; AND IMPORTING AND EXPORTING A COUNTERFEIT NOTE OR COIN.
THE BILL WILL EMPOWER THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS TO DESIGNATE PROTECTED COINS. HE WILL HAVE POWER TO CONSENT TO THE USE OR POSSESSION OF IMITATION NOTES AND COINS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE EXISTING SENTENCES FOR FORGERY OFFENCES RANGE FROM THREE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
THE BILL RATIONALISES THE SYSTEM OF PENALTIES BY PRESCRIBING A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 14 YEARS FOR THE MAIN OFFENCES WHERE THERE IS AN INTENT TO USE THE FORGED OR COUNTERFEITED ITEMS; AND THREE YEARS FOR POSSESSION WITHOUT ULTERIOR INTENT.
PENALTIES OF SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR MAKING AN IMITATION COIN AND 10 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR IMPORTING OR EXPORTING A COUNTERFEIT NOTE OR COIN ARE PRESCRIBED.
EXISTING POWERS OF SEARCH AND FORFEITURE IN RESPECT OF BOTH FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING OFFENCES ARE RETAINED IN A MODERNISED FORM.
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NEW BILL TO STRENGTHEN RABIES CONTROL GAZETTED
»*♦♦♦♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED A NEW BILL TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFECTIVE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF RABIES IN HONG KONG.
CURRENTLY, THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTROLLING POWER OVER RABIES, THE DEADLY DISEASE WHICH CAN AFFECT ANY SPECIES OF MAMMAL, IS SPLIT BETWEEN THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE (CAP 167) AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE (CAP 139).
/"HOWEVER, THE ........
FRIDAY. C/'TOBER 11, 1991
- 12 -
"HOWEVER, THE PROVISIONS UNDER THESE TWO ORDINANCES ARE NOT COMPREHENSIVE ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT THE THREAT POSED BY RABIES CAN BE DEALT WITH EFFECTIVELY OR EFFICIENTLY", AN AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE RABIES BILL, GAZETTED TODAY, CONSOLIDATES IN A SINGLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION ALL THE ANTI-RABIES PROVISIONS NECESSARY FOR THE EFFECTIVE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF RABIES IN THE TERRITORY," HE EXPLAINED.
THE BILL PROPOSES THAT, IN ADDITION TO DOGS AND CATS, ALL OTHER MAMMALS, APART FROM HUMAN BEINGS, SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO CONTROL.
PROVISIONS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE CONCERNING INFECTED PLACES ARE NOW REPLACED BY MORE COMPREHENSIVE PROVISIONS CONCERNING PLACES WHICH MAY BE DECLARED AS RABIES CONTROL AREA.
PROVISIONS FOR THE REGULATION OF PRIVATE QUARANTINE CENTRES HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE NEW BILL.
"THE BILL EMPOWERS THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES TO DECLARE A RABIES CONTROL AREA, TO IMPOSE CONTROL ON MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS WITHIN SUCH AN AREA, AND TO DECLARE PLACES TO BE QUARANTINE OR OBSERVATION CENTRES.
"ADDITIONAL POWER ENABLING AUTHORISED OFFICERS TO REQUIRE PREVENTIVE MEASURES, TO REQUEST INFORMATION, TO DETAIN ARTICLES ASSOCIATED WITH ANIMALS AND TO ARREST WHEN NECESSARY ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN THE NEW BILL," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE NEW PROPOSALS, ABANDONING ANIMALS, FEEDING STRAY ANIMALS IN SPECIFIED PLACES, OR ALLOWING ANIMALS INTO PLACES PROHIBITED TO ANIMALS WILL CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE.
THE BILL ALSO MAKES IT A DUTY FOR ANY PERSON TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED RABID ANIMAL, NOT ONLY DOGS AND CATS, TO AN AUTHORISED OFFICER.
THE IMPORT AND KEEPING OF VAMPIRE BATS, MAMMALS WHICH CAN BECOME LIFE-LONG RABIES CARRIERS WITHOUT SHOWING ANY SYMPTOM THEMSELVES, WILL BE PROHIBITED.
PENALTIES FOR MOST OFFENCES RELATING TO ANIMAL CONTROL NAVE BEEN RAISED BY 100 PER CENT TO $10,000, AS COMPARED WITH THE OLD PROVISIONS.
STIFFER PENALTIES, I.E. $50,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT, ARE PROPOSED FOR ILLEGAL IMPORTATION, KEEPING PROHIBITED ANIMALS AND VIOLATING ANY MOVEMENT BAN IN RESPECT OF ANIMALS IN RABIES CONTROL AREAS.
ON THE IMPACT OF THE NEW BILL ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, THE SPOKESMAN SAID:
"THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC AND LAW-ABIDING PET OWNERS AND ANIMAL TRADERS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE BILL.
/"HOWEVER, ANIMAL ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
13
"HOWEVER, ANIMAL KEEPERS AND IMPORTERS ARE MADE MORE RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CONTROL OF ANIMALS IN THEIR CARE."
HE SAID ALL LICENSED ANIMAL TRADERS, THE HONG KONG VETERINARY ASSOCIATION, THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES HAVE BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSED BILL AND NO ADVERSE COMMENTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
THE BILL, ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, IS SCHEDULED TO BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT THURSDAY (OCTOBER 17).
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN AREA 40, FANLING.
THE SCHOOL, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1993j WILL HAVE A MAIN TEACHING BLOCK WITH 26 CLASSROOMS, A LIBRARY, AND COMPUTER AND STAFF ROOMS.
OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS AN ASSEMBLY HALL, AND SPECIAL ROOMS FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED IN SEPARATE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STORE TO TUEN MUN FIRE STATION IN TUEN MUN.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS FOR THE TWO PROJECTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 1.
------------------------0-------- DRIVING OFFENCES ON EXPRESSWAYS CLOSELY MONITORED ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS MONITORING THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS IN THE NEWLY IMPLEMENTED EXPRESSWAY LEGISLATION TO SEE IF ANY DRIVING OFFENCES CONSIDERED TO BE CAUSING A PROBLEM SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE DRIVING OFFENCE POINT (DOP) SYSTEM.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE DOP SYSTEM IS APPLICABLE TO ALL ROADS IN HONG KONG INCLUDING EXPRESSWAYS.
"UPON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXPRESSWAY LEGISLATION AT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER THIS YEAR, THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS IN IT WHICH INCLUDE KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING AND OVERTAKING ON THE RIGHT ONLY WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED.
/"IF ANV .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
14
"IF ANY SUCH DRIVING OFFENCE IS CONSIDERED TO BE CAUSING A PROBLEM, IT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE DOP SYSTEM," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE DOP SYSTEM IS ONE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW FROM TIME TO TIME. IF ANY DRIVING OFFENCE IS IDENTIFIED TO BE CAUSING A PROBLEM, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO INCLUDING IT IN THE SYSTEM.
HE SAID THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THE DEPARTMENT APPLYING DOUBLE STANDARD IN ENFORCING DRIVING OFFENCES ON EXPRESSWAYS VIS-A-VIS ORDINARY ROADS AS IMPLIED BY SOME MEDIA REPORTS.
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COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS ******
HONG KONG’S FIGHTERS OF COUNTRYSIDE FIRES MAY HAVE A TOUGH JOB IN THE FORTHCOMING DRY SEASON BECAUSE THE RAINFALL SO FAR THIS YEAR IS JUST ABOUT 66 PER CENT OF THE AVERAGE RECORD, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR S.P. LAU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1991/92 COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN AT THE SHING MUN COUNTRY PARK, MR LAU APPEALED TO ALL COUNTRYSIDE VISITORS TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO PREVENT FIRE FROM DESTROYING OUR COUNTRYSIDE.
"THE COUNTRYSIDE OF HONG KONG IS FOR US TO ENJOY, NOt TO DESTROY," MR LAU STRESSED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN THE LAST DRY SEASON, 184 HILL FIRES BROKE OUT IN OR NEAR THE COUNTRY PARKS, DAMAGING NEARLY 90,000 TREES.
"THE DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY HILL FIRES DOES NOT RESTRICT TO COUNTRYSIDE VEGETATION. OUR COUNTRYSIDE LANDSCAPE QUALITY, WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SOIL STABILITY ARE ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
"AND, WORSE STILL, HILL FIRE COULD ENDANGER HUMAN LIFE AND PROPERTIES."
HE RECALLED THAT DURING THE LAST CHING MING FESTIVAL, FIVE GRAVE-WORSHIPPERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY A HILL FIRE ON TSING Y1 ISLAND AND ONE OF THEM DIED SUBSEQUENTLY.
"THIS INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR MORE PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION IN THE PREVENTION OF HILL FIRES," HE SAID.
MR LAU NOTED THAT OVER THE PAST YEARS, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD DEVELOPED AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM IN PREVENTING, DETECTING AND FIGHTING HILL FIRES.
"WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES VOLUNTEERS ON PATROL DUTIES AND FIRE-FIGHTING DUTIES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
/"TOGETHER WITH .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
- 15 -
"TOGETHER WITH THE UNFAILING SUPPORT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF) WHO HAS PERFECTED THE TECHNIQUES OF WATER BOMBING AND LIFTING FIRE FIGHTERS TO FIRE SCENES, PARTICULARLY IN REMOTE AREAS, WE HAVE MANAGED TO REDUCE THE LOSS AND DAMAGE CAUSED BY HILL FIRES CONSIDERABLY," MR LAU SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, HE STRESSED THAT NO MATTER WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT TOOK, THE FINAL SOLUTION MUST DEPEND ON THE CO-OPERATION AND GOOD SENSE OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE URGED COUNTRYSIDE VISITORS TO TAKE EXTRA CARE THROUGHOUT THE DRY SEASON NOT TO LIGHT FIRES WHERE TREES AND UNDERGROWTH COULD EASILY CATCH FIRE AND SPREAD OUT OF CONTROL.
HE CONTINUED TO OUTLINE SIMPLE MEASURES WHICH WOULD HELP REDUCE FIRE RISK. THESE INCLUDE:
* VISITORS SHOULD LIGHT BARBECUE FIRES ONLY IN DESIGNATED BARBECUE PITS;
* PEOPLE SHOULD NOT DISCARD BURNING CIGARETTE ENDS J
» VILLAGERS SHOULD NOT LEAVE A BURNING RUBBISH OR STACK OF HAY UNATTENDED; AND
» GRAVE-WORSHIPPERS SHOULD LIGHT JOSS PAPER IN PROPER CONTAINERS AND SHOULD NEVER LEAVE BURNING JOSS STICKS AND PAPER UNATTENDED.
"ANY PERSON WHO IGNORES THESE SIMPLE RULES MAY EASILY LEAD TO A HILL FIRE DAMAGING OUR VALUABLE COUNTRYSIDE AND IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT," MR LAU SAID.
ON THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO PROMULGATE THE FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE, HE SAID THE PUBLIC WOULD BE REMINDED OF THESE MEASURES THROUGH PRINTED MATERIALS SUCH AS POSTER, YEAR PLANNER AND LEAFLETS FOR DISTRIBUTION.
FURTHERMORE, DISPLAY PANELS WOULD BE PUT UP AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF COUNTRY PARKS ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS. TELEVISION AND RADIO API’S (ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST) WOULD APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION IN PREVENTING HILL FIRES WHILE PARK WARDENS WOULD ALSO VISIT LOCAL VILLAGERS TO ENLIST THEIR SUPPORT.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE USE OF OTHER CAMPAIGNS SUCH AS THE COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME TO PUBLICISE THE HILL FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES AND SPECIAL REMINDERS WOULD BE GIVEN TO GRAVE-WORSHIPPERS AS WE APPROACH THE CHUNG YEUNG AND CHING MING FESTIVALS.
"IF EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY HILL FIRES AND IS WILLING TO TAKE PROPER CARE WHEN HANDLING FIRE OUT OF DOORS, THE VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO SURVIVE," MR LAU CONCLUDED.
/OTHER OFFICIATING ......
FIRDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
- 16 -
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS OF THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY TODAY WERE THE ACTING CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR K.P. HSU; SENIOR PILOT OF THE RHKAAF, MR BRIAN BUTT; AND STAFF OFFICER OF CIVIL AID SERVICES, MR S.F. LAM.
AS PART OF THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY, A HELICOPTER FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATION WAS JOINTLY CONDUCTED BY THE RHKAAF AND THE AFD GROUND CREW.
- - 0 -
DRIVE-IN CONCERT OF CAMPAIGN ON VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL *♦♦♦♦**
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (Alft & NOISE), MR FRED TROMP, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE KICK-OFF EVENT OF THE ’’DRIVE-IN CONCERT” OF THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTORING (HKSM) IN TAI WAI, SHA TIN FROM 3 PM TO 4.30 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 13).
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, MRS PEGGY LAM; HEAD OF RADIO II, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK), MR CHEUNG MAN-SUN; DEPUTY DIRECTOR/TRAFFIC, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, MR K.H. CHING,* ASSISTANT TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER, MR ERNEST LEE; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR C.T. LEUNG.
THE CONCERT IS A JOINT PROJECT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE RTHK.
ABOUT 200 DIESEL-ENGINE-DRIVEN VEHICLES OF VARIOUS TYPES AND ABOUT 1,000 AUDIENCE ARE EXPECTED.
THE PROGRAMME AIMS AT EDUCATING AND ENCOURAGING VEHICLE OWNERS AND DRIVERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF THE DIESEL-ENGINE-DRIVEN VEHICLESt TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE BLACK SMOKE EMISSION AND PROMOTE REGULAR MAINTENANCE.
APART FROM TRANSMUTING A SMOKY VEHICLE INTO A CLEAN ONE BY ’’ENVIRONMENTAL MAGIC STICKS”, THERE WILL BE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES WITH FOCUS ON THE THEME OF ’’STOP BLACK SMOKE".
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE THREE "CLEANEST VEHICLE AWARDS” AND DIESEL-COUPONS VALUED AT $2,000 EACH WILL BE GIVEN TO THE MOST OUTSTANDING DIESEL VEHICLES ON THE SPOT.
POPULAR TELEVISION AND MOVIE ARTISTES AND SINGERS INCLUDING MS LAU KA-LING, MS VIVIEN CHOW AND MS SHIRLEY KWAN AS WELL AS THE FOUR-MEMBER P P GAL BAND WILL BE PRESENT.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONCERT WILL BE BROADCAST IN THE MORNING SUITE PROGRAMME OF RADIO II BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 10 AM FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 14) TO WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 16).
/APART FROM .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
- 17 -
APART FROM EXPLANATORY LEAFLETS ON BLACK SMOKE EMISSION DISTRIBUTED TO OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF DIESEL VEHICLES THROUGH DIRECT MAIL, THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO INCLUDE POSTERS, PRESS ADVERTISEMENTS, AND RADIO ADVERTISEMENTS, OF PUBLIC INTEREST.
SPECIAL RADIO PROGRAMMES IN THE FORMATS OF INTERVIEWS AND QUIZES WITH TIPS AND ADVICE ON PROPER AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF DIESEL VEHICLES WERE BROADCAST AT THE MORNING SUITE.
THE PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES OF THE CAMPAIGN ARE JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE OIL COMPANIES AND THE MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION WHILE THE VENUE FOR THE CONCERT IS PROVIDED BY THE HKSM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONCERT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT THE HKSM AT 3 PM ON SUNDAY.
PARKING FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE AND THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITIES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE HKSM BEFORE 2.30 PM.
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ART COMPETITION TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL CARE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
AN ART COMPETITION TO CONVEY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CARE MESSAGE IS BEING ORGANISED FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
"GREEN LIFE STARTS AT HOME" HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE THEME OF THE COMPETITION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND ZONTA CLUB OF KOWLOON, AND SPONSORED BY THE FUJIFILM CHARITY FOUNDATION.
STUDENTS MAY ENTER AS A GROUP OR AN INDIVIDUAL AND TO SUBMIT A VISUAL PRESENTATION OF PLANS TO PROMOTE HAPPY, HEALTHY, CLEAN AND POLLUTION-FREE LIFE AT HOME, SUCH AS WATER SAVING, WASTE PAPER RECYCLING, USE OF PAPER BAGS, AND ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES SAVING.
EACH ENTRY SHOULD INCLUDE FOUR TO SIX PICTURES, CARTOONS> PHOTOGRAPHS OR MIXED MEDIA, SHOWING HOW GREEN LIFE CAN START AT HOME.
THIRTY WINNERS IN EACH PRIMARY 1-3 AND PRIMARY 4-6 GROUPS WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AND A $400 BOOK COUPON.
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ART AND CRAFT SECTION BEFORE TUESDAY (OCTOBER 15).
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/18 ........
FRIDAY, OCTODER 11, 1991
18
HEALTH CARE CARNIVAL FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS
******
A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH CARE WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI TOMORROW (SATURDAY), BEGINNING AT 12 NOON. ADMISSION IS FREE.
ORGANISED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI AREA COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE AN EXHIBITION PROVIDING INFORMATION ON GENERAL HEALTH CARE AND A DISPLAY OF REHABILITATION EQUIPMENT.
FREE OPTICAL AND GENERAL HEALTH CHECK-UPS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED.
THE ASSISTANT YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CLARA TANG, AND POLICE TSIM SHA TSUI DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR GILBERT JORGE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CARNIVAL’S OPENING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM HEALTH CARE CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
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UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT A BUILDING IN SHAM SHUI PO, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE LOCATED ON THE SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH FLOORS OF 333 PO ON ROAD.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 4 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS.ARE ISSUED.
/19 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
- 19 -
POLICE BANDS CONCERT TOMORROW
THE BANDS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE WILL STAGE A FREE CONCERT TOMORROW (SATURDAY), BEGINNING AT 2 PM AT THE PALM COURT OF CITYPLAZA 1, TAIKOO SHING TO PUBLICISE THIS YEAR’S BEATING RETREAT.
THE BEATING RETREAT 1991, TO BE HELD IN THE EVENINGS OF NOVEMBER 9 AND 10 AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG, WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE MASSED BANDS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE, AND THE WESTERN AUSTRALIA POLICE PIPE BAND.
THE TWO NIGHTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH TICKETS PRICED AT $30, $80, $120 AND $250.
ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE PERFORMANCES, AFTER EXPENSES, WILL BE DONATED TO THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL CHILD CARE CENTRES.
THE TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE TOMORROW AT TAIKOO SHING DURING THE CONCERT. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
♦ POLICE WELFARE BRANCH (TEL. NO. 804 1111)
FIRST FLOOR, DOMINION CENTRE, 43 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI
♦ POLICE SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB (TEL. NO. 778 0258) 430 SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, KOWLOON
♦ NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL WELFARE OFFICE (TEL. NO. 487 2270) FIFTH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
♦ POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICES IN ALL DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS
AMS RECRUITMENT DAY ON SUNDAY
AN AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) RECRUITMENT DAY WILL BE HELD IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 13), FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, AT THE ABERDEEN CENTRE SHOPPING ARCADE NEAR MEI FUNG COURT AND KWUN HOT COURT.
RESIDENTS AGED 16 TO 35 WHO ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE AMS CAN PICK UP APPLICATION FORMS OR APPLY FOR ENROLMENT ON THE SPOT.
BESIDES THE RECRUITMENT STALL, THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION INTRODUCING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE AMS.
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/20 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1991
- 20 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
DATE J MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 10.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 11.10.91 +69
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -69
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.0 *+0.2* 11.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
10.10.91 11.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.64 PCT 4.87 PCT
1 MONTH 4.27 PCT 4.58 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.29 PCT 4.63 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.55 PCT 4.80 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.22 PCT 5.46 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 6,340 MN 8,613 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MAJOR REFORM WILL BRING ABOUT MUCH IMPROVED HOSPITAL SERVICE ............ 1
SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS ............................. 2
A MAN WITH A MISSION IN THE SKY ......................................... 2
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR NEW JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS .................... 4
AFD’S WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET IN WESTERN .................................. 5
FIGHT CRIME FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN MONG KOK ............................. 6
SATURDAY, OCTOfFO 12, 1991
MAJOR REFORM WILL BRING ABOUT MUCH
» » » * *
IMPROVED HOSPITAL SERVICE *
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT HONG KONG IS ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A MAJOR REFORM OF THE ENTIRE HOSPITAL SERVICE WHICH WILL BRING ABOUT A MUCH IMPROVED AND COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE FOR ITS PEOPLE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 17TH CONGRESS OF THE CONFEDERATION OF MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS IN ASIA AND OCEANIA, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS CENTRALISING AND REFORMING THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS UNDER AN INDEPENDENT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"SUCH MAJOR CHANGES ARE NEVER EASY BUT WE ARE MOST ENCOURAGED BY PROGRESS SO FAR AND ALREADY IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS 44 PER CENT OF THE 33,000 STAFF INVOLVED HAVE ELECTED TO TRANSFER TO THE TERMS OFFERED BY THE NEW HOSPITAL AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO BUILD TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY FOR TREATMENT CLOSE TO WHERE THEY LIVE.
"THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE NEW; TOWN OF SHA TIN, WAS OPENED IN 1984 AND TWO MAJOR NEW HOSPITALS WILL OPEN IN TWO YEARS.
"THE NEWEST HOSPITAL AT TUEN MUN WAS COMMISSIONED IN MARCH LAST YEAR. AND THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL AT THE EASTERN END OF HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE OPENED IN MID-1993," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG HAD MADE TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN ITS MEDICAL CARE OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES, SIR DAVID SAID HERE THE LIFE EXPECTANCY WAS AMONG THE HIGHEST AND THE INFANT MORTALITY AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE WORLD.
AND, MANY CHILDHOOD COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SUCH AS DIPHTHERIA AND POLIOMYELITIS, COMMON IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, HAD BEEN COMPLETELY ERADICATED HERE, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID PRAISED THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOR HOSTING THE CONGRESS WHICH PROVIDED AN IDEAL FORUM FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.
---------0-----------
Z2 ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12,
1931
2
SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUNG MUSICIANS ANn i>'»ir<rp<:
SIX TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS WHO ACQUIRED SCHOLARSHIPS SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND HAVE RECENTLY FLOWN TO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND BRITAIN TO FURTHER THEIR TRAINING IN MUSIC AND DANCE.
THE SIX PROTEGES ARE MISSES WONG KAR YEE, YIP CHING AND KONG WAN-YI AND MESSRS CHAN NGAT-CHAU, MA CONG AND YONG HON-YUEN.
THEY WERE SELECTED FROM AMONG 36 CANDIDATES WHO HAD APPLIED FOR THE OVERSEAS.SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED BY THE MUSIC FUND FOR 1991-92 AFTER AN AUDITION TEST HELD EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP IS TO ENABLE EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN POST DIPLOMA STUDIES AT FOREIGN INSTITUTES.
MISSES WONG KAR-YEE, YIP CHING AND MESSRS CHAN NGAT-CHAU AND MA CONG ARE NOW PURSUING THEIR MUSIC TRAINING COURSES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA RESPECTIVELY WHILE MISS KONG WAN-YI AND MR YONG HON-YUEN ARE ATTENDING MODERN DANCE COURSES IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
ESTABLISHED IN 1980 WITH A DONATION OF $10 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND IS A NON-STATUTORY TRUST FUND FOUNDED FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MUSIC, DANCE AND RELATED ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORY BY WAY OF GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
THE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS IS NOW THE CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE OF THE FUND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE KEEPING OF THE FUND’S ASSETS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEE.
SINCE 1980, THE MUSIC FUND HAS AWARDED 52 MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND 18 DANCE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENABLE 32 YOUNG MUSICIANS AND 13 DANCERS TO FURTHER THEIR TRAINING OVERSEAS.
--------0-----------
A MAN WITH A MISSION IN THE SKY » ♦ ♦ ♦ *
CERI HARRIS IS NO STRANGER TO FLYING AN AIRCRAFT. WHAT STRIKES HIM EACH TIME HE WORKS IN THE SKY IS THE SPECIFIC KIND OF MISSION THE FLIGHT IS TASKED TO FULFIL.
THE 49-YEAR-OLD SENIOR PILOT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF) DOES NOT SEE HIS DUTY AS MERELY MASTERING A BEECH SUPER KING AIR FIXED WING AIRCRAFT OR A BRITTEN-NORMAN ISLANDER.
FOR HIM, FLYING IS A MEANS TO AN END. SINCE HE JOINED RHKAAF NINE YEARS AGO, HE HAS EXPERIENCED A REAL SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT THE MULTIFARIOUS JOB BRINGS TO HIM.
/"I HAVE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1991
"I HAVE BEEN FLYING ROUND THE WORLD SINCE 1965 WHEN I JOINED THE ROYAL AIR FORCE. THEN I CAME TO HONG KONG. AS 1 LOOK BACK, I HAVE NO REGRET AT ALL FOR MAKING THIS DECISION," MR HARRIS SAID.
TALKING ABOUT THE VARIETY OF HIS JOB, HE SAID IT TOUCHES ON MANY ASPECTS OF HUMAN LIFE, FROM TOWN PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY RESCUE WORK.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, HE AND FOUR OTHER PILOTS REGULARLY CARRY OUT AERIAL SURVEYS TO PROVIDE REFERENCE DATA TO HELP GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS MAKE THEIR DECISIONS.
"WE TAKE THREE-DIMENSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF LAND BOUNDARIES, DIFFERENT LANDSCAPES, ROADS AND BUILDINGS FOR ENGINEERING DESIGN, WEATHER FORECAST AND PLANNING OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT," MR HARRIS SAID.
INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ALSO TAKEN TO HELP DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF POLLUTION ON LAND AND ALONG COASTAL WATER, AS WELL AS FOR GEOLOGICAL AND FORESTRY STUDIES.
ANOTHER PURPOSE OF THE SURVEYS IS THE PRODUCTION OF THE POPULAR GUIDE BOOK, "HONG KONG GUIDE - STREETS AND PLACES", AND OTHER TOURIST GUIDES.
DESCRIBING THE SURVEY FLIGHT AS AN EXTREMELY TIRING JOB, HE SAID: "I CANNOT AFFORD TO RELAX FOR A MOMENT SO AS TO FLY EXACTLY ON THE SURVEY LINE. THIS MUST BE SO TO ENABLE THE LAND SURVEYOR TO TAKE 100 PER CENT ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS.
"I SOMETIMES FEEL EXHAUSTED AFTER THREE TO FIVE HOURS OF INTENSIVE CONCENTRATION ON THE FLIGHT, BUT ALL MY EFFORTS ARE WORTHWHILE IF IT IS A JOB WELL DONE," HE SAID.
WHILE THE AERIAL SURVEY CAN ONLY BE DONE IN A CLEAR BLUE SKY, THE PILOT CAN BE PUT TO TEST IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT KIND OF WEATHER.
AS HONG KONG IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CO-ORDINATION OF ALL MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS WITHIN 400,000 SQUARE MILES OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, RHKAAF HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS AREA.
IN AN EMERGENCY RESCUE OPERATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD, THE PILOTS MAY HAVE TO BATTLE AGAINST STRONG WINDS AND MAKE DO WITH LOW VISIBILITY TO SAVE LIVES.
THIS WAS SO IN THE OPERATION TO RESCUE CREWMEN FROM AN OIL BARGE WHICH SANK IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA LAST AUGUST.
"THAT IS THE LARGEST SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION EVER MOUNTED IN HONG KONG. THE VERY BAD WEATHER MADE OUR WORK EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT.
"IT CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS TO FLY IN SUCH WEATHER. BUT IN THE END WHEN WE SUCCESSFULLY RESCUED THE SURVIVORS, IT WAS HARD TO DESCRIBE THE SENSE OF SATISFACTION AND ACHIEVEMENT," HE SAID.
/OTHER REGULAR .......
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 12, 1991
4
OTHER REGULAR TASKS OF THE PILOT INCLUDE OFFSHORE PATROLS TO DETECT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND A CARRIER SERVICE OFFERED TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FOR DIFFERENT DUTIES.
AS THE LONGEST SERVING PILOT AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES IN RHKAAF, MR HARRIS IS NOW PASSING ON HIS EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE TO 15 CADET PILOTS UNDER A TRAINING PROGRAMME STARTED A YEAR AGO.
IT IS HOPED THAT A TOTAL OF 30 CADET PILOTS WILL BE TRAINED TO STRENGTHEN THE FLYING CREW OF THE SQUADRON.
"IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING IN NEW BLOOD TO THE FORCE TO PLACE IT IN A BETTER POSITION TO ADAPT TO HONG KONG’S CHANGING AND EXPANDING NEEDS," HE SAID.
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APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR NEW JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS
******
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR JUVENILES BORN IN 1975 OR 1976 WHO ARE STILL HOLDING OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 IS OCTOBER 19, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN THIS AGE GROUP ARE REMINDED THAT THEY HAVE ONLY ONE MORE WEEK TO MAKE APPLICATIONS AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY.
"APPLICANTS MAY BOOK AN APPOINTMENT IN ADVANCE BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DIALLING 824 0303 TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ADULTS WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR SPECIFIED CARD RENEWAL PERIODS DUE TO ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER REASONS SHOULD ALSO APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY.
"THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS," HE SAID.
HE REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/5.........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1991
AFD’S WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET IN WESTERN
THE WESTERN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), WHICH IS DUE TO COME INTO OPERATION SOON* IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IM THE TERRITORY INTEGRATING FIVE DIFFERENT TRADES WITHIN A SINGLE MULTI-LEVEL COMPLEX.
THE MARKET IS DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES. PHASE I INCLUDES A TWO-STOREY BUILDING PROVIDING TRADING FACILITIES FOR FRUIT, EGG AND FRESHWATER FISH WHILE PHASE II WILL PROVIDE STALL FACILITIES FOR THE WHOLESALE OF IMPORTED VEGETABLES AND POULTRY.
CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR PHASE I WAS COMPLETED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR WITH A BUILDING COST OF $350 MILLION.
IT HAS A SITE AREA OF 4.2 HECTARES COMPRISING 254 MARKET STALLS, 191 LORRY PARKS AND 13 CONTAINER VEHICLE PARKS.
IN ADDITION, THE NEW MARKET HAS ALSO INCORPORATED SOME VERY MODERN AND EFFICIENT FACILITIES, INCLUDING AN OVERHEAD CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING FISH WHICH IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PRRSS TOUR WILL BE ORGANISED ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 14) AT 10.30 AM TO THE WESTERN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET WHICH IS LOCATED AT THE WESTERN RECLAMATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO JOIN THE TOUR.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS> CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ON HONG KONG ISLAND CAN ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE LOWER BLOCK OF THE CITY HALL (OPPOSITE QUEEN’S PIER) AT 10 AM.
THOSE WHO WISH TO USE THEIR OWN TRANSPORT SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE TEMPORARY WHOLESALE FRUIT MARKET AT 10.30 AM.
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/6 ...
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1991
- 6 -
FIGHT CRIME FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT IN MONG KOK ♦ * ♦ * ♦
A MINIATURE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT TO DRIVE HOME THE ANTI-JUVENILE CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE HELD AT THE ANCHOR STREET PLAYGROUND IN TAI KOK TSUI TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AND ON OCTOBER 20.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
SIXTEEN LOCAL TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN MATCHES TO BE HELD ON THE TWO SUNDAYS.
A KICK-OFF CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9 AM TOMORROW. THE OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE POLICE MONG KOK DISTRICT COMMANDERj MR JOHN HUI) AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR YIM KWOK-ON; ASSISTANT MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VINCENT FUNG; AND MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MRS TAM CHEUNG KIT-YING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE ANCHOR STREET PLAYGROUND, TAI KOK TSUI.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
• SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS TO ATTEND WORLD BANK/IMF MEETINGS ..................................... 1
HK RECOGNISES WORLD STANDARDS DAY ........................................ 1
HAPPY MARRIAGE AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD ESSENTIAL TO GOOD FAMILY LIFE 3
SEPTEMBER RELATIVELY WARM AND DRY......................................... 3
STOPPING BLACK SMOKE NEEDS ACTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ................ 6
RENT OFFICERS HANDLE OVER 11,000 CASES ................................... 7
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN'S SINGING CONTEST .................. 8
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE ................................................... 9
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991
FS TO ATTEND WORLD BANK/IMF MEETINGS ******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, LEFT HONG KONG LATE THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON FOR BANGKOK TO ATTEND THE 46TH ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE BOARDS OF GOVERNORS OF THE WORLD BANK AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF).
THE THREE-DAY MEETINGS, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR PABLO BETTER, MINISTER OF FINANCE AND PUBLIC CREDIT OF ECUADOR, WILL COMMENCE ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 15).
PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETINGS, MR MACLEOD WILL ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE GROUP OF THIRTY INTERNATIONAL BANKING SEMINAR TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BANK, MR LEWIS PRESTON, AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE IMF, MR MICHEL CAMDESSUS, WILL ADDRESS THE GOVERNORS AND PRESENT THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ■ ORGANISATIONS.
TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE PLENARY SESSIONS THAT FOLLOW WILL INCLUDE PROSPECTS OF THE WORLD ECONOMY, THE ADEQUACY OF GLOBAL SAVINGS, ADDITIONAL DEMANDS FOR CAPITAL ASSOCIATED WITH GERMAN UNIFICATION, ECONOMIC REFORMS IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE USSR, AND THE RECONSTRUCTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
MR MACLEOD WILL RETURN ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 18).
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HK RECOGNISES WORLD STANDARDS DAY
*****
HONG KONG WILL BE JOINING MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN RECOGNISING WORLD STANDARDS DAY WHICH MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDISATION.
THE EVENT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ISO) AND THE INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (I EC).
THE TWO ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT STANDARDS AND WORKING TOWARDS COMPATIBILITY OF SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH MANUFACTURERS AND CONSUMERS.
HONG KONG MONITORS CLOSELY THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH STANDARDS IN THE ISO/I EC.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY (QUALITY SERVICES), MR ERNEST EVANS, SAID HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS HAD BEEN PLACING INCREASING EMPHASIS ON QUALITY AND CONSUMER SAFETY IN RECENT YEARS.
/"TO PROMOTE .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991
2
"TO PROMOTE STANDARDISATION AND THE AWARENESS OF QUALITY IN HONG KONG, THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS SET UP SEVEN YEARS AGO TO COLLECT AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ON STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS IN HONG KONG'S OVERSEAS MARKETS TO THE INDUSTRY.
"THE BUREAU'S PRODUCT STANDARDS LIBRARY MAINTAINS THE NATIONAL STANDARDS OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ISSUED BY THE ISO AND IEC.
"TO GAIN EFFICIENT ACCESS TO THE EXTENSIVE DATABASE OF OVERSEAS STANDARDS INSTITUTIONS, THE BUREAU HAS SET UP DIRECT ON-LINE COMPUTER LINKS WITH THESE INSTITUTIONS SINCE 1989, AND HAS ALSO INSTALLED COMPUTER-ASSISTED INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM IN THE BUREAU," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR EVANS SAID, THE BUREAU OPERATED A SALES AGENCY SERVICE THROUGH WHICH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS COULD BE PURCHASED.
"IT IS ALSO AUTHORISED TO REPRODUCE AND SELL PHOTOCOPIES OF : AUSTRALIAN, BRITISH, EUROPEAN, ISO AND IEC STANDARDS TO FACILITATE USERS OF STANDARDS," HE SAID.
APART FROM ANSWERING ENQUIRIES ON STANDARDS, THE BUREAU ALSO PROVIDES A TECHNICAL ENQUIRY SERVICE TO EXPLAIN THE PARTICULAR FEATURES OF OVERSEAS REQUIREMENTS AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, OFFERS SUGGESTIONS ON WAYS TO ENABLE A PRODUCT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
THE SERVICE HAS BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS WITH THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HANDLED BY THE BUREAU GROWING FROM 25 IN 1984 TO 1,700 LAST YEAR.
TO FURTHER ASSIST THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVENESS BY SECURING A PERMANENT INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION FOR QUALITY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO SUPPORT MANUFACTURERS' OWN EFFORTS TO UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTION.
THE PROGRAMME INCUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO HONG KONG'S EXISTING QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE, THE LAUNCHING OF A THREE-YEAR CAMPAIGN IN MARCH LAST YEAR TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF QUALITY AWARENESS AMONG LOCAL MANUFACTURERS, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A VOLUNTARY QUALITY CERTIFICATION SCHEME.
SO FAR, TWO LOCAL COMPANIES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED TO THE ISO 9000 INTERNATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS, AND SOME 30 COMPANIES ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF PREPARATION FOR THE ISO 9000 AUDIT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT WELL OVER 100 COMPANIES WILL BE CERTIFIED TO THE ISO 9000 STANDARDS WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL ASSIST AND ENABLE THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO MEET THE INCREASINGLY STRINGENT PRODUCT STANDARDS IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS.
/3 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991
HAPPY MARRIAGE AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD ESSENTIAL TO GOOD FAMILY LIFE
t * » ♦ ♦
THERE IS A PRESSING NEED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY FUNCTIONING AND TO ENHANCE THE PRESERVATION OF THE FAMILY AS A UNIT, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE 1991-93 FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION (FLE) PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, MR CARTLAND SAID ONE WAY OF DOING THAT WAS BY PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A STABLE AND HARMONIOUS MARITAL RELATIONSHIP AND A RESPONSIBLE API’ROACH TO EFFECTIVE PARENTHOOD.
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE ON THE FLE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN HAD THEREFORE ADOPTED "HAPPY MARRIAGE AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD' AS THE MAIN THEME FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
IN THE COMING MONTHS, A VARIETY OF PROMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES WILL BE ORGANISED TO PUBLICISE THIS THEME.
"ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE A 13-EPISODE TELEVISION DttAMA SERIES PRODUCED JOINTLY WITH RTHK, COVERING SUCH TOPICS AS MARIIAL PROBLEMS, SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES, PROPER PARENTHOOD AND CHILD CARE, MR CARTLAND SAID.
"THE CLIMAX OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE A MASS PROGRAMME, FAMILY PORTRAIT OF LOVE, TO BE HELD EARLY NEXT YEAR AT VICTORIA PARK.
"PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN WILL JOIN HANDS IN ASSEMBLING A HUGE FLE POSTER MEASURING ABOUT 30,000 SQUARE FEET," HE SAID.
"THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EVENT IS TO PROMOTE THE MESSAGE OF COMMUNICATION AND CO-OPERATION AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS TOWARDS ACHIEVING A HARMONIOUS FAMILY," HE ADDED.
HONG KONG
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE EVENT, THE DIRECTOR OF THE
COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, MR HUI YIN-FAT, SAID FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION COULD HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FAMILIES, IMPROVE THE R-------------
THE
RELATIONSHIP
AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS AND PREVENT SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
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SEPTEMBER RELATIVELY WARM AND DRY * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SEPTEMBER 1991 WAS RELATIVELY WARM AND DRY, MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT RELEASED BY THE ROYAL (SUNDAY).
THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 28.1 DEGREES AND TEMPERATURE OF 25.8 DEGREES WERE RESPECTIVELY THE HIGHEST EVER FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.
ACCORDING TO THE OBSERVATORY TODAY
THE MEAN MINIMUM
FOURTH AND EIGHTH
/THE MONTHLY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991
4
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 178.7 MILLIMETRES FELL SHORT OF THE NORMAL OF 299.7 MILLIMETRES BY 40 PER CENT.
OVER HALF OF THE MONTH’S RAIN OCCURRED ON THE NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 14 IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ARRIVAL OF A FRESH EASTERLY AIRSTREAM. IN CONTRAST, THE TWO PASSING TROPICAL CYCLONES, JOEL AND NAT, WERE MOST DISAPPOINTING AND BROUGHT RELATIVELY LITTLE RAIN.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 AMOUNTED TO 1(330.3 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS 34 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 2,007.1 MILLIMETRES AND THE EIGHTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE MONTH BEGAN WITH FINE AND HOT WEATHER. THE DEVELOPMENT OF JOEL OVER THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA LED TO CLOUDIER WEATHER WITH INTERMITTENT LIGHT RAIN AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS ON SEPTEMBER 4. *
AS JOEL TURNED NORTH TOWARDS THE COAST OF EASTERN GUANGDONG, FRESH NORTHEASTERLY WINDS GRADUALLY TURNED NORTHWESTERLY AND STRENGTHENED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
RAIN ALSO BECAME MORE FREQUENT, PARTICULARLY ON SEPTEMBER B. JOEL WEAKENED AFTER LANDFALL EARLY ON SEPTEMBER 7 AND WINDS BEGAN TO MODERATE. LIGHT RAIN CONTINUED INTO THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CLOUbS DISPERSED THE NEXT DAY.
AFTER SOME MORNING RAIN AND A CLOUDY DAY ON SEPTEMBER 9, WINDS TURNED LIGHT AND HEAT GRADUALLY BUILT UP OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
VISIBILITY WAS DOWN TO FOUR KILOMETRES INSIDE THE HARBOUR AS HAZE THICKENED ON SEPTEMBER 12. THE OPPRESSIVE HEAT LED TO THE MONTH’S HIGHEST TEMPERATURE OF 33.7 DEGREES THAT AFTERNOON AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING.
THE WEATHER REMAINED GENERALLY FINE BEFORE TURNING ABRUP; ,Y FOR CLOUDY CONDITIONS IN THE LATTER PART OF SEPTEMBER 14.
THE ONSET OF A FRESH EASTERLY AIRSTREAM PRODUCED AN OUTBREAK OF THUNDERSTORMS THAT EVENING, FOLLOWED BY HEAVY RAIN WHICH LASTED TILL THE NEXT MORNING.
THE MONTH’S LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 21.8 DEGREES OCCURRED IN RAIN ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 15.
OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY, MORE THAN 200 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN WERE RECORDED IN 12 HOURS.
FOLLOWING THE MODERATION OF THE EASTERLIES ON SEPTEMBER 15, GENERALLY FINE WEATHER PREVAILED WITH LONG PERIODS OF SUNSHINE.
DURING THE SECOND HALF OF SEPTEMBER, NOT ONLY DID THE TENACIOUS AND MEANDERING NAT FAIL TO BRING ANY SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION, ITS PROLONGED PRESENCE OVER THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA BROUGHT DRY CONTINENTAL AIR TO THE COASTAL AREAS OF GUANGDONG.
/THE FINE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991
- 5 -
THE FINE THEME WAS ONLY MOMENTARILY INTERRUPTED BY SOME CLOUDY INTERLUDES AND OCCASIONAL RAIN CHURNED UP BY SHORT BURST OF WEAK NORTHEAST MONSOON SURGES,
AMONG SUCH RAINY EPISODES, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OCCURRED ON THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 25.
A FURTHER REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON ARRIVED LATER ON SEPTEMBER 27 AND BROUGHT.CLOUDIER WEATHER FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
HOWEVER, WHILE THE WINDS CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND BECAME STRONG BY SEPTEMBER 29, THE RAIN WAS MOSTLY LIGHT DURING THE PERIOD. ONCE THE WINDS SUBSIDED, SUNNY PERIODS RETURNED ON THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH.
THERE WERE SEVEN AIRCRAFT DIVERSIONS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER IN SEPTEMBER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON SEPTEMBER 4, 12, 14 AND 15. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 12, 14 AND 15.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
JOEL 1 SEPT 3 9.45 PM SEPT 4 10.30 PM
3 SEPT 4 10.30 PM SEPT 7 9.30 AM
NAT 1 SEPT 16 7.30 PM SEPT 18 11.15 AM
NAT 1 SEPT 23 1.30 PM SEPT 25 2.30 PM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON SEPT 29 3.15 AM SEPT 29 1.45 PM
NAT 1 SEPT 29 9.45 PM SEPT 30 10.40 PM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
160.3 HOURS ;
21.4 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
14.34 MJ/SQ M ;
2.15 MJ/SQ M BELOW NORMAL
178.7 MM ;
121.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
58 PER CENT ;
5 PER CENT LESS THAN NORMAL
75 PER CENT ;
3 PER CENT LOWER THAN NORMAL
/MEAN DAILY .......
SUNDAY, OCTODES 13, 1991
- 6 -
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
30.8 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
28.1 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
25.8 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
0.3 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
23.1 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
0.2 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
128.8 MM ;
21.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
-----0------
STOPPING BLACK SMOKE NEEDS ACTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
*»*»»»
THE SUCCESS IN STOPPING BLACK SMOKE AND CREATING A CLEANER AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT DEPENDS HEAVILY ON THE COMMUNITY’S ACTIVE SUPPORT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, MRS PEGGY LAM, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE "DRIVE-IN CONCERT" OF THE CAMPAIGN ON VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL WHICH WAS HELD AT THE HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTORING IN TAI WAI, SHA TIN.
MRS LAM POINTED OUT THAT "IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT ONLY A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IT IS HEAVILY RELIANT ON ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"TODAY'S EVENT HAS GAINED LARGE-SCALE SUPPORT FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS IN THE TRADE WHICH SETS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION."
SHE URGED DRIVERS AND OWNERS OF DIESEL-ENGINE-DRIVEN VEHICLES TO MAINTAIN THEIR VEHICLES PROPERLY AND MIND THEIR DRIVING HABITS IN AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE BLACK SMOKE.
ALSO ADDRESSING THE CEREMONY WAS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AIR AND NOISE) OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR FRED TROMP.
HE SAID THE CAMPAIGN WAS AIMED AT EDUCATING AND ENCOURAGING VEHICLE DRIVERS AND OWNERS TO PAY GREATER ATTENTION TO MAINTAINING THEIR VEHICLES AND USING THE CORRECT GEAR FOR THE PREVAILING ROAD CONDITIONS, AND TO FORM THE HABIT OF CHECKING THE SMOKE LEVEL DURING THEIR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION.
MR TROMP ESTIMATED THAT THERE COULD BE AS MANY AS 13,000 SMOKY VEHICLES RUNNING ON THE ROAD AT ANY TIME DURING THE DAYTIME EMITTING HARMFUL TONNES OF PARTICULATES EACH DAY AND CAUSING A MAJOR THREAT TO THE QUALITY OF THE AIR WE BREATHE AND THEREFORE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.
/"TO MAINTAIN .......
SUNDAY. OCTOBER 13, 1991
"TO MAINTAIN AIR QUALITY AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEE, WE MUST THEREFORE ATTACK THE SMOKY VEHICLE PROBLEM," HE SAW.
EIGHTEEN DESIGNATED VEHICLE EMISSION TESTING CENTRES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WOULD CARRY OUT SMOKE TEST FOR VEHICLES NEXT WEEK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
MR TROMP SAID WITH THE ENLISTING OF THE HELP OF THESE TESTING CENTRES, THE CAPACITY OF THE CONTROL SCHEME WOULD BE BOOSTED FROM 15,000 TO 50,000 PER YEAR.
"THE SMOKY VEHICLES WILL THEN BE TESTED PROMPTLY TO REDUCE THE TIME THEY ARE ON THE ROAD BELCHING BLACK SMOKE," HE ADDED.
HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY’S CONCERT INCLUDED TRANSMUTING A SMOKY VEHICLE INTO A CLEAN ONE BY "ENVIRONMENTAL MAGIC STICKS". THE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME ALSO FOCUSED ON THE THEME OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND "STOP BLACK SMOKE".
THREE "CLEANEST VEHICLE AWARDS" AND DIESEL-COUPONS VALUED AT $2,000 EACH WERE PRESENTED TO THE MOST OUTSTANDING DIESEL VEHICLES ON THE SPOT BY ACTRESS MS LAU KA-LING.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONCERT WILL BE BROADCAST ON RTHK RADIO 2’3 MORNING SUITE PROGRAMME FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 14) TO WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 16), BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 10 AM.
IN ADDITION TO MAILING EXPLANATORY LEAFLETS ON BLACK SMOKE EMISSION TO OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF DIESEL VEHICLES, THE CAMPAIGN PACKAGE INCLUDES POSTERS, NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS, RADIO ADVERTISEMENTS AND A SPECIAL RADIO PROGRAMME.
THE CAMPAIGN ON VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE OIL COMPANIES AND THE MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION WHILE THE VENUE FOR TODAY’S CONCERT IS PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTOR I NG.
OTHER SPONSORS OF THE CONCERT INCLUDED DU PONT ASIA PACIFIC LTD AND SWIRE BOTTLERS WHICH PROVIDED TYVEK MATERIAL SUN-SHIELDS AND SOFT DRINKS RESPECTIVELY.
------0------------
RENT OFFICERS HANDLE OVER 11,000 CASES *****
MORE THAN 11,000 PUBLIC ENQUIRIES ON TENANCY PROBLEMS WERE HANDLED UNDER THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME DURING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT MOST OF THE ENQUIRIES, WHICH TOTALS 11,299, WERE RELATED TO LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OF TENANCY DISPUTES, THE RECOVERY OR EVICTION OF PREMISES, AND THE USE OR COMPLETION OF SPECIFIED FORMS.
/UNDER THE .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991
- 8 -
UNDER THE SCHEME, RENT OFFICERS FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT ARE ON DUTY AT SET TIME EACH WEEK DURING OFFICE HOURS AT 15 DISTRICT OFFICES TO ADVISE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON TENANCY MATTERS.
THEY ALSO DEAL DIRECTLY WITH CASES REFERRED BY STAFF OF ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES (PESO’S) OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE DISTRICT OFFICES PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES ARE CENTRAL AND WESTERN, EASTERN, SOUTHERN AND WAN CHAI ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KOWLOON CITY, KWUN TONG, MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO, WONG TAI SIN AND YAU TSIM IN KOWLOON; AND KWAI TSING, SHA TIN, TSUEN WAN, TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THOSE WHO WISH TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE 20 PESC’S AND THE PES SECTION OF THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS AT 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI .
THEY MAY ALSO tALL THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE ON 835 1501.
--------0-----------
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S SINGING CONTEST ♦ ♦ * * ♦
CENTRAL AND WESTERN STUDENTS WITH SINGING TALENT WILL BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILL BY ENTERING THE DISTRICT’S CHILDREN’S SINGING CONTEST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE ANNUAL FOLK SONG COMPETITION, HELD IN THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING, IS OPEN TO THOSE AGED 15 OR UNDER WHO LIVE OR STUDY IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SECONDARY SECTIONS AND COVERS SOLOS AND ENSEMBLES IN FOLK SINGING.
THE AUDITION AND SEMI-FINALS WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 2 AND THE FINALS WILL BE HELD IN THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE ON NOVEMBER 23.
THE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES AND ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE COMPETITION ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE CARITAS’ SOCIAL CENTRES IN CAINE ROAD AND SHEK TONG TSUI, AND VARIOUS BRANCHES OF THE TOM LEE MUSIC COMPANY.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WESTERN DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS OCTOBER 30. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 546 3024 OR 549 5141.
0---------
/9 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1991
9
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICE
******
THAT BidMT
AND 1 PM
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN BETWEEN 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 16), WHICH IS THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.
THE EIGHT CLINICS ARE: THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAD KET WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; THE KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEt JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLIN1C, SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. *
ALL OTHER GENERAL OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
I
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
i
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COURT OF FINAL APPEAL EXPLAINED..................•.................. 1
STI VISITS CHINA ................................................... 3
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1991 ... 3
TIGHTENED BORDER CHECKING AND SAMPLING ON VEGETABLES ............... 5
NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO PAA BOARD.................................. 6
STATEMENT ON WATER MAIN BURST....................................... 6
ACTION TAKEN TO HELP SOLVE ROAD OPENING PROBLEMS ................... 7
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER RELEASED .......................... 9
NEW REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) .................... 12
GOVT REFUTES 'NO SMOKING AREAS IN RESTAURANTS' REPORTS ............ 12
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF SECOND QUARTER SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES ..................................................... 13
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO LOSS OF 'MINERAL DIAMOND' COMPLETED....... 16
SLOGAN DESIGN CONTEST TO PROMOTE AIDS MESSAGE ..................... 18
STUDENTS TO SEE WORLD OF WORK ..................................... 19
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SCHEME OPENS FOR NOMINATION ............... 19
11 QUESTIONS, THREE BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ......................... 20
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .............................................. 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 21
MfWAY OCTOPr.R 1 1991
- 1 -COURT OF FINAL APPEAL EXPLAINED * * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) DISMISSED AS MISGUIDED AND UNTRUE RECENT SUGGESTIONS THAT THE AGREEMENT REACHED AT THE LAST JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT \ND COMPOSITION OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL (CFA) WAS CONTRARY TO THE JOINT DECLARATION (JD) AND THE BASIC LAW (BL).
"UNDER THE PRINCIPLED AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE CHINESE, THE CFA SHALL CONSIST OF FIVE JUDGES IN ANY SITTING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE FIVE JUDGES WILL INCLUDE THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE CFA, THREE PERMANENT HONG KONG JUDGES, WHO MAY BE LOCAL OR EXPATRIATE, AND A REMAINING ONE WHO MAY, DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF EACH PARTICULAR CASE, BE DRAWN FROM A LIST OF NON-PERMANENT HONG KONG JUDGES OR FROM A LIST OF DISTINGUISHED JUDGES FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS.
"THUS THE PROPOSED COMPOSITION OF THE CFA WILL PERMIT JUDGES FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS TO SIT ON THE CFA IF THERE IS A NEED, AS PROVIDED FOR IN JD 68 AND BL82."
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE JD AND BL MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE CFA MAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH NEED, INVITE JUDGES FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS TO SIT ON THE CFA.
MOREOVER, THE JD AND THE BL DOES NOT SPECIFY ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SUCH JUDGES TO BE INVITED TO SIT ON THE CFA. THUS THE COMPOSITION OF THE CFA AS AGREED TN PRINCIPLE WITH THE CHINESE IS WHOLLY CONSISTENT WITH THE JD AND THE BL.
"MOREOVER," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, "THE JD AND BL PROVIDE FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY TO BE MAINTAINED THROUGH A NUMBER OF WAYS.
"THEY EXPRESSLY PROVIDE THAT JUDGES OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (HKSAR) SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HKSAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION.
"THEY SHALL BE CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR JUDICIAL QUALITIES AND -MAY BE RECRUITED FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS.
"THUS JUDGES FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS MAY SERVE IN THE COURTS OF THE HKSAR AT ALL LEVELS, INCLUDING THE CFA, (EXCEPT AS THE CJ OF THE CFA AND THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT OF THE HONG KONG SAR WHO ARE REQUIRED BY THE JD AND BL TO BE CHINESE CITIZENS WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE HK SAR WITH NO RIGHT OF ABODE IN ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY).
"THE THREE PERMANENT HONG KONG JUDGES WHO MAKE UP THE CFA MAY INCLUDE JUDGES WHO HAVE SERVED TN OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS AND WHO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO SERVE IN THE COURTS OF HONG KONG."
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
2
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SUCCESS OF THE CFA WILL HINGE ON THE QUALITY OF JUDGES APPOINTED, BE THEY HONG KONG JUDGES OR THOSE DRAWN FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS, RATHER THAN ON THE PROPORTION OF HONG KONG TO SUCH JUDGES.
"WHILE THE APPOINTMENT OF EMINENT JUDGES FROM OTHER COMMON LAW JURISDICTIONS TO SIT ON THE CFA WHERE NECESSARY WILL NO DOUBT ENHANCE THE REPUTATION AND CREDIBILITY OF HONG KONG'S CFA, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONFIDENT THAT THERE IS NO LACK OF CAPABLE JUDGES OF INTEGRITY LOCALLY TO SIT ON THE CFA.
"THERE ARE SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS IN THE JD AND THE BL TO ENSURE THE INDEPENDENCE OF FlONG KONG’S JUDGES IN ADJUDICATING CASES BEFORE THEM AT ALL LEVELS."
"A LOT OF DETAILED WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE, INCLUDING THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION IN UK AND IN HK TO REPLACE THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL WITH THE CFA IN HONG KONG IN HEARING APPEALS FROM HONG KONG, AND TO SET OUT THE PRECISE CONSTITUTION, JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF THE CFA.
"THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION WILL BE DRAFTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLED AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE CHINESE," THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED, "FULL DETAILS WILL BE SET OUT IN THE DRAFT HONG KONG BILL ESTABLISHING THE CFA, WHICH WILL BE A PUBLIC DOCUMENT.
"THE HONG KONG PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE FULLEST OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE AND DEBATE THE DETAILS BEFORE THE BILL PASSES INTO LAW.”
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AS PART OF THE PRINCIPLE OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS", THE SINO-BRITISH JD ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG AND THE BASIC LAW PROVIDE FOR THE HKSAR TO BE VESTED WITH INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL POWER, INCLUDING THAT OF FINAL ADJUDICATION.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CFA IS ONE OF THE KEY MEASURES CONTRIBUTING TO THIS. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CFA TO THE CONTINUATION OF THE PRESENT JUDICIAL SYSTEM AFTER 1997 AND TO THE VESTING OF THE POWER OF FINAL ADJUDICATION IN HONG KONG CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED.
THE SMOOTH ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF THE CFA BEFORE 1997 WILL DO MUCH TO BOOST CONFIDENCE IN THE CONTINUITY AND STABILITY OF THE EXISTING JUDICIAL AND LEGAL SYSTEMS IN THE RUN UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND.
IT IS AGAINST THESE CONSIDERATIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE REACHED ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CFA AT JLG XX LAST MONTH.
0 - -
/3 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
3 -
STI VISITS CHINA ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, LEFT TODAY (MONDAY) FOR A FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO CHINA AT THE INVITATION OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
THE WEEK-LONG VISIT COVERS SHENZHEN, CANTON AND FUZHOU.
DURING THE VISIT, MR CHAU WILL MEET CHINESE PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS DEALING WITH ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE ISSUES.
HE WILL ALSO VISIT YANTIAN PORT AND HUANGTlAN AIRPORT AT SHENZHEN, THE ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE AT CANTONj AND THE ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE AT FUZHOU.
MR CHAU WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 19).
--------0-----------
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1991 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1991 WAS 2.2%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.5%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FOR THE PERIOD JULY - SEPTEMBER 1991, THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.0%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.5%.
THUS, THE EARLIER RISE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND IN THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE HAD STABILISED IN RECENT MONTHS, IF NOT TRENDING DOWNWARD SLIGHTLY.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1991 WAS 2.2%, COMPARED WITH 2.4% FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1991 AND 1.8% FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASE OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE INCREASE OF 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A • YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN JUNE -AUGUST 1991 WAS ESTIMATED AT 62,400, COMPARED WITH 67,500 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1991 AND 48,600 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1991 WAS 1.5%, COMPARED WITH 1.9% FOR MARCH - MAY 1991 AND 0.9% FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
/THE DECREASE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1391
THE DECREASE OF 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND THE INCREASE OF 0.6 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN JUNE - AUGUST 4991 WAS 41,000, COMPARED WITH 54,100 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 991 AND 26,200 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
| 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.
AS THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1991 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,700 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG. »
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS 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 SEPTEMBER 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR। GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND DECEMBER 20 AT $13.50 PER COPY.
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/5.........
MONDAY, O TOBER 11, 1991
5
TIGHTENED BORDER CHECKING AND SAMPLING ON
VEGETABLES
» » » » *
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS TIGHTENED UP BORDER-CHECKING AND SAMPLING ON IMPORTED VEGETABLES, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR M.B. ALI, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THIS FOLLOWED THE- DETECTION OF ISOLATED CASES OF VEGETABLE-POISONING OVER THE PAST WEEK THROUGH THE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
DR ALI SAID INVESTIGATIONS ARE UNDERWAY AND THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE INCIDENTS FOR THEIR APPROPRIATE ACTION.
DR ALI SAID A TOTAL OF 22 PEOPLE FROM 14 FAMILIES LIVING IN SHAM SHUI PO, MONG KOK AND TSUEN WAN WERE FOUND TO HAVE SYMPTOMS OF FOOD POISONING AFTER CONSUMING CHOI SUM TN THEIR MEALS.
ONLY FIVE - FOUR WOMEN AND A MAN - REMAIN IN HOSPITAL WHILE THE OTHERS WERE TREATED AND DISCHARGED.
OVER THE WEEKEND, A TOTAL OF 137 SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FROM STREET HAWKERS, MARKET STALLS AND MAN KAM TO FOR EXAMINATION.
OF THESE, 15 WERE SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED BY PESTICIDE.
TO PREVENT FOOD POISONING CAUSED BY THE INTAKE OF PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
- DO NOT BUY VEGETABLES WITH AN OBVIOUS STRANGE SMELL;
- WASH VEGETABLES WELL BEFORE COOKING;
- DIP VEGETABLES INTO CLEAN WATER FOR SOME TIME TO ALLOW PESTICIDES TO LEACH OUT;
- BLANCH VEGETABLES IN BOILING WATER AND POUR AWAY THE WATER USED FOR BLANCHING AS IT MAY CONTAIN DISSOLVED PESTICIDES; AND
- COOK VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS ARE ASSISTING IN DISPLAYING AND HANDING OUT POSTERS ON "PREVENTING PESTICIDE-TAINTED VEGETABLES POISONING" IN VARIOUS MARKETS.
/6 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
6
NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO PAA BOARD ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THREE NEW MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
THE NEW MEMBERS WHO BRING WITH THEM FINANCIAL AND REAL. ESTATE EXPERTISE ARE - MR THOMAS CHEN, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE HANG LUNG DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD; MR SHU TSE-WONG, WHO IS CHAIRMAN AND GENERAL MANAGER OF NANYANG COMMERCIAL BANK; AND MR JOHN GRAY, WHO IS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION.
IN ADDITION TO THE CHAIRMAN AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BOARD MEMBERSHIP NOW COMPRISES FIVE EX-OFFICIO CIVIL SERVANTS AND SEVEN MEMBERS DRAWN FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
--------0-----------
STATEMENT ON WATER MAIN BURST
*****
IN REPLY TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WATER MAIN BURST IN KOWLOON YESTERDAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO TRUTH IN SOME PRESS REPORTS TODAY (MONDAY) THAT WATERWORKS STAFF DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE SCENE UNTIL THREE HOURS AFTER THE BURST.
HE SAID THE TECHNICAL COMPLAINT CENTRE OF THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A REPORT OF MAIN BURST AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD NEAR HAMMER HILL ROAD AT 1.45 PM YESTERDAY.
AT THE TIME OF CALL, ALL EMERGENCY GANGS WERE ENGAGED IN VARIOUS EMERGENCY WORK AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN KOWLOON.
THE DUTY OFFICER THEREFORE IMMEDIATELY DIVERTED AN EMERGENCY GANG WHICH WAS THEN WORKING ON ANOTHER SITE IN THE EASTERN PART OF KOWLOON TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
IT ARRIVED AT THE SITE AT 2.30 PM AND FOUND THAT THE BURST MAIN.INVOLVED WAS AN 18-INCH-DIAMETER FRESH WATER MAIN HAVING BEEN DAMAGED BY AN EXCAVATOR.
THEY ALSO FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY THOSE CONTROL VALVES NEAR THE BURST AS THEY WERE ALL IMMERSED IN THE FLOOD WATER. IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO TRY TO ISOLATE THOSE VALVES WHICH WERE LOCATED AT A GREATER DISTANCE FROM THE BURST.
A SECOND EMERGENCY TEAM WAS ALSO DISPATCHED FROM ANOTHER IN KOWLOON TO ASSIST.
/BOTH EMERGENCY .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
BOTH EMERGENCY GANGS CONTINUED WITH THE EMERGENCY VALVE OPERATION UNTIL ABOUT 4.40 PM WHEN ALL VALVES INVOLVED WERE FULLY CLOSED AND THE SITUATION WAS PUT UNDER CONTROL.
THE GANGS THEN MOVED ON TO OTHER SITES TO OPERATE ANOTHER SERIES OF VALVES SO AS TO RESUME WATER SUPPLY TO THE AFFECTED CONSUMERS, AND THIS WAS COMPLETED AROUND 9.50 PM.
THE DAMAGED WATER MAIN WAS EVENTUALLY REPAIRED AT 4.30 AM THIS
MORNING.
- - 0
ACTION TAKEN TO HELP SOLVE ROAD OPENING PROBLEMS
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS LONG BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ROAD OPENINGS AND HAS MADE IMPROVEMENTS AIMED AT ACHIEVING HIGHER STANDARDS OF TRENCH WORKS AND BETTER CO-ORDINATION AMONG GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE UTILITY UNDERTAKERS ON ROAD EXCAVATION, THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING ON ’’ROAD OPENINGS IN HONG KONG” AT A LUNCHEON OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, MR KWEI SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS PROMOTING THE USE OF THE ’’NO-DIG*’ TECHNOLOGY FOR INSTALLING UTILITY SERVICES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR MAJOR TRENCHING OPERATIONS.
HE SAID THE TECHNIQUE REQUIRED EXCAVATIONS ON THE TWO SIDES OF A ROAD FROM WHICH A UTILITY PIPE OR DUCT WAS JACKED THROUGH THE SUBGRADE UNDER THE CARRIAGEWAY.
THE JACKING PROCESS HAD TO BE CARRIED OUT AT A SUFFICIENT DEPTH TO CLEAR OTHER UTILITIES.
IN SPITE OF ITS LIMITATIONS, THIS TECHNIQUE HAD PROVED TO BE USEFUL APPLICATIONS IN SPECIFIC AREAS AND THE DEPARTMENT WAS KEEPING ABREAST OF EXPERIENCES IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
MR KWEI SAID NEW MATERIALS HAD BEEN ADOPTED FOR UTILITY WORKS. AN EXAMPLE WAS FOAMED CONCRETE WHICH OFFERED A QUICK AND EASY WAY FOR BACKFILLING OF UTILITY TRENCHES ESPECIALLY THOSE CONGESTED WITH EXISTING UTILITIES WHERE COMPACTION OF NORMAL GRANULAR BACKFILL WOULI BE DIFFICULT.
MR KWEI SAID IN A BID TO ELIMINATE THE DISRUPTION TO ROAD USERS CAUSED BY THE USUAL ARRANGEMENT IN WHICH A PERMITTEE OF A ROAD OPENING ONLY PROVIDED A TEMPORARY ROAD REINSTATEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED our PILOT SCHEMES IN WHICH SELECTED UTILITY COMPANIES UNDERTOOK PERMANENT REINSTATEMENT OF TRENCHES ON FOOTWAYS. THE RESULT OF THESE SCHEMES WAS POSITIVE.
HF SAID CURRENTLY THE UTILITY COMPANIES CARRIED OUT PERMANENT REINSTATEMENT IN MORE THAN HALF OF ALL UTILITY OPENINGS. IT WAS HOPED THAT THEY WOULD PROGRESSIVELY TAKE UP ALL PERMANENT REINSTATEMENT IN CARR I AGEWAYS.
/IN ADDITION
MONDAY. OCTOBER 14, 1991
- 8 -
IN ADDITION TO THE LONG ESTABLISHED ROAD OPENING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IN EACH OF THE THREE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT REGIONAL OFFICES, RESPECTIVELY FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, TWO COMMITTEES HAD BEEN FORMED BY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE UTILITY UNDERTAKERS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS TO ENHANCE CO-ORDINATION AMONG THEM.
HE SAID THE JOINT UTILITIES POLICY GROUP FORMED AT TOP MANAGEMENT LEVEL PROVIDED A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION ON UTILITY POLICIES. THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WAS REPRESENTED AT THIS GROUP BY MR KWBI HIMSELF.
A UTILITIES TECHNICAL LIAISON COMMITTEE FORMED BY REPRESENTATIVES AT SENIOR MANAGEMENT LEVEL, STRENGTHENED THE CO-ORDINATION AND CO-OPERATION OF UTILITY UNDERTAKERS TO IMPROVE PROCEDURAL AS WELL AS TECHNICAL MATTERS SO THAT DISRUPTION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN BE MINIMISED.
ON THE REGIONAL ROAD OPENING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, HE SAID IT COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL UTILITY COMPANIES, RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE POLICE AND THE TRANSPORT . DEPARTMENT AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
EACH UTILITY COMPANY OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT WHICH PROPOSED TO CARRY OUT EXCAVATION WORK PREPARED A PROGRAMME EVERY MONTH DETAILING WORKS IN HAND AND ALSO THOSE IN THE PLANNING STAGE.
MR KWEI SAID THESE PROGRAMMES WERE FORWARDED TO THE HIGHWAYS REGIONAL OFFICE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE REGION FOR COLLATION INTO AN OVERALL PROGRAMME WHICH WAS TO BE DISCUSSED BY THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS EXERCISE WAS TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY DISTURBANCE TO THE PUBLIC AND KEEP DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS TO A MINIMUM. WHERE POSSIBLE, OPENINGS WERE SO PROGRAMMED THAT A SINGLE TRENCH SERVED MORE THAN ONE UTILITY SERVICE.
MR KWEI SAID ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT IN MONITORING ROAD OPENING WAS THAT THE STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF DATA ASSOCIATED WITH UTILITY OPENINGS AND PERMIT CONDITIONS HAD RECENTLY BEEN COMPUTERISED. INFRINGEMENTS TO THE PERMIT CONDITIONS COULD BE RAPIDLY DETECTED.
HE ADDED THAT A FURTHER STEP WAS NOW BEING TAKEN TO COMPUTERISE THE MONTHLY PROGRAMME OF TRENCH WORKS.
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS STRESSED THAT AS A MATTER OF POLICY, ROAD OPENINGS WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED IN A CARRIAGEWAY CONSTRUCTED OR RECONSTRUCTED WITHIN FIVE YEARS AND IN A CARRIAGEWAY RESURFACED WITHIN ONE YEAR.
HOWEVER, EMERGENCY OPENINGS WERE PERMITTED TO RECTIFY FAULTS, RESTORE SERVICES OR INSTALLING ADDITIONAL SERVICES THAT COULD NOT HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED PROVIDED NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE EXISTED.
IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC CRITICISM REGARDING REPEATED ROAD OPENINGS IN THE SAME PLACE, MR KWEI SAID ONE EXPLANATION WAS THAT SOME EMERGENCY OPENINGS MIGHT HAPPEN IN THE VICINITY OR SOON AFTER SOME PLANNED ROAD OPENINGS.
/OR SOMETIMES, .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
OR SOMETIMES, BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC ON MOST ROADS, ROAD OPENING WORKS HAD TO BE CARRIED OUT IN PHASES TO MAINTAIN TRAFFIC AND TO MINIMISE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
HE SAID UTILITY COMPANIES CARRIED OUT PERFORMANCE TESTS ON THE NEWLY LAID SERVICES. THESE TESTS SUCH AS LEAKAGE TEST MIGHT TAKE A FEW DAYS.
TO MINIMISE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, THE TRENCHES WERE OFTEN BACKFILLED AND REINSTATED BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THESE TESTS. IF THE PERFORMANCE TESTS FAILED, THE PERMITTEE MIGHT HAVE TO RE-OPEN THE TRENCH FOR REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR.
MR KWET SAID USUALLY THE PERMITTEE CARRIED OUT ONLY TEMPORARY REINSTATEMENT OF TRENCHES. THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT A FINAL REINSTATEMENT AT A LATER DATE. HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT UTILITY COMPANIES WERE NOW BEING ENCOURAGED TO TAKE UP PERMANENT REINSTATEMENT.
------0--------
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER RELEASED
HIE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR SEPTEMBER OBTAINED AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS.
, -> ■ *%• .-J*.... •
THIS IS THE THIRD MONTHLY ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT. SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGULARLY.
HIE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2 ) WHICH ARE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY CLOCK, AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP) AND SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) WHICH ARE SAMPLED FOR 24 HOURS
(SO2) AND round the RESPIRABLE EVERY SIX
DAYS .
IN SEPTEMBER, HONG KONG SUFFERED SLIGHTLY HIGHER AVERAGE LEVELS OF NO2 AND TSP THAN IN AUGUST.
I II IS PHENOMENON OF GENERALLY INCREASING LEVELS OF POLLUTION AS HONG KONG APPROACHES OR GEIS INTO THE WINTER MONTHS IS CONSIDERED NORMAL.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE LESS EFFICIENT VERTICAL DISPERSION CAPABILITY OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN WINTER GENERALLY CAUSE HIGHER AIR POLLUTION LEVELS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE GENERAL AIR QUALITY LEVELS TO WHICH THEY Ml GU I' BE EXPOSED, AND THE ATMOSPHERIC AND OTHER FACTORS THAT AFFECT AIR QUALITY.
/THE AIR .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
10
THE AIR POLLUTANTS MAINLY COME FROM COMBUSTION OF FUEL IN INDUSTRIAL PLANTS AND MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINES. TSP AND RSP ARE ALSO GENERATED BY CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND SOME MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
HONG KONG’S DAILY AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES OF SO2, NO2, TSP AND RSP ARE 350, 150, 260 AND 180 MICROGRAMS PER CUBIC METER RESPECTIVELY. THESE WERE NOT EXCEEDED IN SEPTEMBER.
THESE OBJECTIVES ARE COMPARABLE TO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AIR QUALITY STANDARDS RECOMMENDED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE GENERAL HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC.
HIGH LEVELS OF SO2 CAUSE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCES LUNG FUNCTION AND INCREASE MORTALITY RATE.
NO2 CAUSES RESPIRATORY IRRITATION, INCREASES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND IMPAIRS LUNG DEVELOPMENT.
TSP ACTS SYNERGISTICALLY WITH OTHER GASEOUS POLLUTANTS AND RSP CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCES LUNG FUNCTION AND SOME FORMS OF ■ RSP MAY CAUSE CANCER.
THE MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG STATIONS BROADLY REPRESENT AIR QUALITY RESPECTIVELY AT: LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICTS; COMBINED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS; AND DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
THE MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS AT THE MONG KOK STATION ARE RELATIVELY HIGHER THAN THOSE RECORDED AT OTHER STATIONS, REFLECTING THE FACT THAT AIR QUALITY AT LOCATIONS CLOSE TO THE TRAFFIC IS GENERALLY POORER.
CURRENTLY THE EPl) OPERATES A TOTAL OF 11 FIXED MONITORING STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE.
THE OTHER EIGHT STATIONS ARE AT KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO, TSIM SHA .TSUI, TSEUNG KWAN O, TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG SOUTH, TAI PO AND SHA TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR RAYMOND LEUNG, ON TEL. 835 1048.
- - 0
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
11
tu +u — 1~u T S
Hong Kong Air Quality Report for September 1991
’ptember 1991
Kwai Chung
September 1991
hjf}
--------o-----------
/12 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
- 12 -
NEW REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON)
******
MR PAUL WONG KAM-CHIU HAS OFFICIALLY TAKEN UP THE POST OF REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (MONDAY).
MR WONG WAS COMMISSIONER OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION BEFORE JOINING THE CNTA.
-----0------
GOVT REFUTES 'NO SMOKING AREAS IN RESTAURANTS' REPORTS
******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH MADE THE . FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY (MONDAY) IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES CONCERNING PRESS REPORTS THAT RESTAURANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO DESIGNATE "NO SMOKING AREAS" AS A MEANS TO FURTHER THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICY:
"THE GOVERNMENT AT. PRESENT HAS NO INTENTION OF REQUIRING RESTAURANTS TO DESIGNATE PART OF THEIR PREMISES AS NO SMOKING AREAS, ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS TO DO SO IN THE INTEREST OF THE NON-SMOKING PUBLIC.
"THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE LAST FRIDAY (OCTOBER 11) PROPOSES FURTHER MEASURES TO PROTECT NON-SMOKERS AND TO RESTRICT THE USE, SALE AND PROMOTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS. THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO LIMIT THE TAR CONTENT IN CIGARETTES. NO REFERENCE IS MADE TO RESTAURANTS.
"DETAILS OF THE MEASURES PROPOSED IN THE BILL HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED IN A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON SEPTEMBER 11, 1991."
------0----------
/13........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14» 1991
- 13 -
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF SECOND QUARTER SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, ESTIMATED AT $9,116.7 MILLION, WAS 8.3% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 4.2% LOWER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).
THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, ESTIMATED AT $3,430.1 MILLION, WAS 3.6% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
AS FROM THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, INDEXES OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS HAVE ADOPTED THE NEW BASE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 (QUARTERLY AVERAGE INDEX IN THE PERIOD BEING TAKEN AS 100).
THE REBASED VOLUME INDEXES ARE DERIVED USING UPDATED PRICE DEFLATORS, WHICH HAVE ALSO ADOPTED THE SAME NEW BASE PERIOD.
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR FAST-FOOD SHOPS, "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" (COMPRISING HEftB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEANCURD JELLY) AND SO ON), BARS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WENT UP BY 29.3%, 27.5%, 9.5%, 6.2% AND 4.4% RESPECTIVELY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING* PLACES" INCREASED BY 16.0% AND 14.3% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE FOR BARS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND NONCHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 4.3%, 6.5% AND 7.1% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990) TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 7.8% IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 4.9% IN VOLUME; AND THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 4.4%.
IN VALUE TERMS, INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES", FAST-FOOD SHOPS, BARS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND NONCHINESE RESTAURANTS AT 24.8%, 23.5%, 7.5%, 6.1% AND 5.6% RESPECTIVELY.'
IN VOLUME TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND FAST FOOD SHOPS ROSE BY 12.2%, AND 10.4% RESPECTIVELY; WHILE THOSE OF BARS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND CHINESE RESTAURANTS DROPPED BY 4.4%, 6.3% AND 6.8% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS DECREASED BY 1.8% IN VALUE AND 4.5% IN VOLUME, WHILE THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS FELL BY 5.6%.
/IN VALUE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1931
- 14 -
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD-SHOPS, "OtHER EATING AND DRINklNG PLACES", BARS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 20.0%, 17.5%, 3.9% AND 2.0% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 6.2%.
in Volume Terms, total receipts of fast-FooD sMoPs AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" INCREASED BY 16.8%, AND 11.7t RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, BARS AND CHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 0.8%, 1.7% AND 8.8% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL.RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE NEW VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES oE TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE FIRST QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 AND THOSE FoR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990; COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR TRE FIRST HALF OF 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 RESULTS, A TABLE PRESENTING THE TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND THE NEW RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INDEX SERIES FROM 1986 TO SECOND QUARTER 1991J IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR; GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $1.50 PER COPY.
Enquiries on the survey results may be DIRECTED to THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND StATISttCS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1258).
/TABLE 1 ! .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
- 15 -
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
1st qtr. 1991 2nd qtr. 1991
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HRS Billion) 9 282.1 9 116.7
Total purchases by restaurants (in HAS Billion) 3 633.6 3 430.1
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OP TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 1st QUARTER 1991 AND 2nd QUARTER 1991
(Quarterly average of Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
1 1 1 Type of restaurant 1 1 Index of 1 total 1 restaurant 1 receipts 1 1 1st 1 quarter 1 1991 1 1 2nd 1 quarter 1 1991 1 1 2nd qtr. 1991 1 coipared with 1 1st qtr. 1991 1 1 2nd qtr. 1991 1 coipared with 1 2nd qtr. 1990 1 1 llst-2nd qtr. 19911 1 coipared with 1 llst-2nd qtr. 19901
।
1 1 1 (Revised 1(Provisiona 1 Points \ 1 Points \ 1 Points I 1
1 1 i 1 figures) (figures) I 1 । 1 । 1 1 1 1
1 1 Chinese restaurants । 1 Value 1 109.0 i 1 102.2 1 -6.8 -6.2 I 1 46.0 46.2 । 1 9L1 K.l 1 1
। 1 1 1 1 Voluie 1 I 1 96.9 1 1 1 88.3 1 i 1 -8.6 -8.8 1 1 -6.2 -6.5 1 1 -6.8 -6.8 1 1 1
1 1 Non-Chinese restaurants 1 1 Value 1 1 104.2 1 1 106.3 1 1 i2.1 *2.0 I 1 1 44.5 44.4 ■ 1 ' 1 1 45.6 45.6 1 । ।
I I 1 l 1 Voluie 1 1 * 92.9 1 I 1 92.1 1 1 -0.8 -0.8 1 1 -7.1 -7.1 1 1 -6.3 -6.3 1 1 1
1 1 Past food shops 1 1 Value 1 1 109.8 1 I 131.8 I 1 1 +22.0 120.0 । 1 1 429.8 429.3 I 1 1 1 423.0 423.5 1
I 1 1 ( ( Voluie 1 । 1 99.6 1 1 116.3 1 1 416.7 416.8 1 1 416.1 416.0 1 । । 1 410.2 410.4 1 1 1
1 1 Baes 1 1 Value 1 1 102.0 1 1 106.0 1 1 43.9 43.9 1 1 49.2 49.5 I 1 1 1 47.3 47.5 1 । ।
1 1 1 1 1 Voluie 1 1 1 93.6 1 I 1 92.0 1 I 1 -1.6 -1.7 1 1 -4.1 -4.3 1 1 -4.3 -4.4 1 1 1
(Other eating and drinking places 1 1 Value i 1 1 113.1 । 1 1 132.9 । 1 1 419.8 417.5 । 1 1 428.7 427.5 । 1 1 1 424.4 424.8 1 | ।
1 1 i 1 Voluie । 1 104.8 1 117.1 1 412.3 411.7 1 414.6 414.3 ( 412.1 412.2 1
1 । । ।
1 1 Entire restaurant sector 1 1 Value 1 1 108.0 1 1 106.1 1 -1.9 -1.! 1 48.1 48.3 1 47.7 47.8 1 । |
1 1 1 1 1 Voluie 1 1 1 96.3 1 1 1 92.0 1 1 -4.3 -4.5 1 1 -4.1 -4.2 I 1 -1.9 -9.9 1 1 1
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/16........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
- 16 -
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO LOSS OF ’MINERAL DIAMOND’ COMPLETED
******
THE PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF THE HONG KONG REGISTERED BULK CARRIER "MINERAL DIAMOND" HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THE FINDINGS ARE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
THE INQUIRY WAS ORDERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN APRIL THIS (1991) YEAR WHEN THE VESSEL DISAPPEARED WITH ALL HER CREW OF 26 IN THE SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN, SOME 1,200 MILES WEST OF AUSTRALIA, WHILST LADEN WITH IRON ORE LOADED AT DAMPIER IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND BOUND FOR IJMUIDEN IN HOLLAND.
THE "MINERAL DIAMOND" WAS A NINE-YEAR OLD SHIP OF SOME 170,000 TONNES DISPLACEMENT. SHE WAS OWNED BY DIAMOND SHIPPING LTD AND MANAGED BY ANGLO-EASTERN SHIP MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG.
THE SHIP WAS MAKING ROUTINE DAILY POSITIONAL REPORTS TO AUSREP, THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT REPORTING SYSTEM FOR SHIPS WITHIN THEIR SEARCH AND RESCUE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.
AT NOON ON APRIL 17 THIS YEAR THE SHIP GAVE A ROUTINE REPORT THAT SHE WAS HEADING INTO A GALE AND WAS STEAMING AT SIX-AND-A-HALF ■ KNOTS (HALF SPEED) DUE TO THE VERY ROUGH SEAS. SINCE THAT REPORT NOTHING MORE WAS HEARD OF HER.
THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT INITIATED SEARCH AND RESCUE PROCEDURES WITHIN HOURS WHEN SHE FAILED TO REPORT AS EXPECTED ON APRIL 18.
AN AIR SEARCH WAS COMMENCED ON APRIL 19 BY THE COMBINED FORCES OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIRFORCE AND THE UNITED STATES NAVY.
DAY AND NIGHT FLIGHTS WERE FLOWN HAMPERED PARTLY BY THE LACK OF INFORMATION AS TO EXACTLY WHERE SHE DISAPPEARED BUT ALSO BY THE REMOTENESS OF THE AREA FROM LAND.
A TOTAL OF 15 SORTIES WERE FLOWN TOTALLING MORE THAN FIVE DAYS FLYING TIME DURING THE COURSE OF WHICH A SEARCH AREA OF 6,400 SQUARE NAUTICAL MILES WAS COVERED. NOTHING WAS EVER SIGHTED THAT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE COME FROM THE SHIP.
DURING THE COURSE OF THE SEARCH, ONE OF THE AUSTRALIAN AIRFORCE PLANES CRASHED SHORTLY AFTFR TAKE-OFF FROM COCOS ISLANDS KILLING THE PILOT.
SOME 21 BULK CARRIERS OF WHICH EIGHT VESSELS WERE OVER 100,000 TONNES DEADWEIGHT HAVE BEEN LOST SINCE JANUARY LAST (1990) YEAR, SOME IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND IN BAD WEATHER IN THIS REMOTE PART OF THE SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN.
/CONSEQUENTLY THE .
' ONDAY, I )BER 14, 1991
CONSEQUENTLY THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS INSTIGATED A RESEARCH STUDY INTO THE WAVES SHE WOULD LIKELY TO HAVE ENCOUNTERED DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE GALE. THIS STUDY SHOWS MAXIMUM WAVE HEIGHTS OF ABOUT 18 METRES (59 FEET).
DUE TO THE FAILURE TO FIND THE WRECKAGE OR SURVIVORS, THE PRECISE CAUSE OF HER LOSS REMAINS UNCERTAIN. THE DEPTH OF WATER AROUND HER LAST REPORTED POSITION IS OVER 3,000 METRES.
IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY OTHER PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION, IT SEEMS MOST LIKELY THAT A MAJOR STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF HER HULL WHICH RESULTED IN HER BREAKING TN TWO IS THE CAUSE OF HER SINKING.
THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS CONSIDER THAT A FORMAL INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED GIVEN:
(I) ALL AVAILABLE EVIDENCE HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED BY SURVEYORS OF THE HONG KONG MARINE DEPARTMENT. THESE INCLUDE:
- THE MINERAL DIAMOND’S STRUCTURAL HISTORY AND THAT OF HER SISTERSHIPS;
- THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING UP TO HER FINAL DEPARTURE FROM THE LOADING PORT OF DAMPIER, AUSTRALIA;
- THE WEATHER WHICH SHE ENCOUNTERED AFTER LEAVING DAMPIER; AND
- THE STANDARD‘OF HER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION;
(II) AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT BY THE AUSTRALIAN INSPECTOR OF MARINE ACCIDENTS, WHICH ALSO FAILED TO FIND DIRECT EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS. THAT INVESTIGATION COVERED THE SHIP’S STAY IN DAMPIER;
(III) THE GENERAL TOPIC OF LOSSES OF BULK CARRIERS SUCH AS MINERAL DIAMOND IS THE SUBJECT OF INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND CO-OPERATION AT THE PRESENT TIME, AND THE LOSS OF THIS SHIP IS NOT AN ISOLATED INSTANCE;
(IV) THIS INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH WHICH IS EXAMINING THE EVIDENCE FROM ALL SUCH CASUALTIES IS A BETTER FORUM TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSES OF SUCH LOSSES AND TO FIND METHODS TO PREVENT SIMILAR LOSSES.
THESE VIEWS ARE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS HAVE EXAMINED VARIOUS TECHNICAL ASPECTS AS PART OF THE PRELIMINARY INQUIRY. THESE COVER TOPICS SUCH AS HULL CONSTRUCTION, SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS. THEIR VIEWS ON THESE MATTERS ARE BEING CONSIDERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
/THE MARINE .......
M 'JDAY, (V ■ SR 14, 1991
18
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER ITS APPRECIATION OF THE CO-OPERATION RECEIVED FROM INTER ALIA: MINERAL DIAMOND’S OWNERS AND MANAGERS; OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF HER SISTERSHIPS; CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES AND VARIOUS SOURCES OF INFORMATION IN AUSTRALIA.
A PAPER ENTITLED "THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION’S VIEW ON BULK CARRIER CASUALTIES AND LOSSES" BY THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS OF THE "MINERAL DIAMOND" INQUIRY, MESSRS JEREMY PETER CARO AND HUGH EDWARD SPINK, WILL BE PRESENTED TO A SEMINAR JOINTLY ORGANISED BY INTERCARGO AND INTERNATIONAL BULK JOURNAL IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY). THE SPEAKERS WILL BE DISCUSSING SOME OF THE ASPECTS OF MINERAL DIAMOND’S LOSS.
--------0-----------
SLOGAN DESIGN CONTEST TO PROMOTE AIDS MESSAGE
* * * * *
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS INVITING ENTRIES TO AN AIDS SLOGAN COMPETITION WHICH AIMS TO RAISE THE HEALTH AWARENESS AND CONCERN FOR AIDS AMONG YOUTHS IN HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE COMPETITION, HELD IN SUPPORT OF THIS YEAR’S WORLD AIDS DAY, IS OPEN TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
JOINTLY ORGANISED WI^H THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE CONTEST IS SPONSORED BY YOUNG POST, SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST’S DAILY EDITION FOR STUDENTS.
THE COMPETITION WILL COMPRISE TWO SECTIONS : ENGLISH AND CHINESE WITH EACH SUB-DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS NAMELY JUNIOR AND SENIOR.
PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO DESIGN A SLOGAN WITH NOT MORE THAN 20 WORDS ON ONE OF THE THREE GIVEN THEMES. THEY ARE : "THE IMPACT OF AIDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COMMUNITY", "PREVENTION OF AIDS", AND ."CARE AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE WITH AIDS OR HIV INFECTION".
THE TOP THREE WINNERS OF EACH GROUP WILL EACH RECEIVE BOOK/STAT1ONERY COUPONS WORTH BETWEEN $800 TO $1,200. THERE WILL BE FOUR CONSOLATION PRIZES IN EACH GROUP.
THOSE WISHING TO TAKE PART SHOULD CONTACT THEIR OWN SCHOOL FOR DETAILS AND TO OBTAIN ENTRY FORMS.
COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE ORGANISING BODY THROUGH PARTICIPANTS’ OWN SCHOOL BEFORE NOVEMBER 16.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 839 2496.
- - 0----------
/19 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
- 19 -
STUDENTS TO SEE WORLD OF WORK
*****
MORE THAN 800 STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE REAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT UND^R THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR’S WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE.
THE YEAR-LONG ACTIVITY IS AIMED AT HELPING FORMS 3 TO 7 STUDENTS TO GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD OF WORK SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE BETTER PLANS FOR THEIR FUTURE.
"THROUGH A SERIES OF VISITS TO VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS, STUDENTS CAN OBTAIN FIRST-HAND AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON DIFFERENT CAREERS," A LABOUR OFFICER, MR WILLIAM AU, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS IN TAI PO, SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, YUEN LONG, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING Y1 DISTRICTS WILL VISIT 30 DIFFERENT ESTABLISHMENTS BETWEEN NOW AND DECEMBER 6," MR AU SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDE HOTELS, MASS MEDIA ORGANISATIONS, DEPARTMENT STORES, TRAINING INSTITUTES, PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES, FACTORIES, BANKS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
DURING THE VISITS, STUDENTS WILL BE TAKEN ON A GUIDED TOUR OF THE FACILITIES AND WILL BE BRIEFED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF THE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND PROSPECTS OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES.
"MORE VISITS OF THIS KIND WILL BE ARRANGED FOR STUDENTS IN OTHER DISTRICTS FROM APRIL TO .JULY NEXT YEAR,” MR AU SAID.
"THESE VISITS WERE WELCOME BY BOTH STUDENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS, WITH SOME 1,600 STUDENTS FROM 65 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAMME IN THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR," HE NOTED.
APART FROM THIS ANNUAL CAREERS EDUCATION PROJECT, MR AU SAID, FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES IN WAN CHAI, MONG KOK, SHA TIN AND TURN MUN ARE ALSO IN OPERATION.
"THESE CENTRES PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CAREERS GUIDANCE," HE SAID.
------0------- ’•I I
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SCHEME OPENS
*****
FOR NOMINATION
THE WAN CHAI’S "OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SCHEME" IS
NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SCHEME’S WORKING GROUP SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE SCHEME IS TO DULY RECOGNISE LOCAL RESIDENTS’ CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.
/"THE NATURE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
20 -
’’THE NATURE OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE IN THE FORM OF VOLUNTEERS’ WORK, ORGANISATION OF ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOLS, BUILDING MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT OR ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL COMMUNITY AGENCIES.
"ANYONE LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN THE DISTRICT IS ELIGIBLE FOR NOMINATION," HE SAID.
ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES AGED UNDER 25 AND STUDYING FULL-TIME CAN APPLY UNDER THE "STUDENT SECTION" WHILE THOSE UNDER 30, THE "YOUTH SECTION".
THE "OPEN SECTION" IS FOR ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 30.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 2 O’BRIEN ROAD. THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOMINATION IS NOVEMBER 30.
SHORTLISTED NOMINEES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE SELECTION COMMITTEE IN MID DECEMBER.
THE SELECTION COMMITTEE OF THE STUDENT AND YOUTH SECTIONS IS MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE OPEN SECTION COMPRISES MEMBERS FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, HONG KONG PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
A MAXIMUM OF FIVE NOMINEES WILL BE CHOSEN FROM EACH SECTION. THEY WILL EACH BE PRESENTED WITH AN AWARD AT A CEREMONY IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE WORKING GROUP ON CONCERN FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 835 1994.
------0-------
Al '
11 QUESTIONS, THREE BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 11 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER THREE BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 17).
THE THREE BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS ARE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND RABIES BILL. DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
/IN ADDITION, .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1991
21
____ IN ADDITION, THE HON MARTIN BARROW WILL SPEAK ON THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 1990/91.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
--------0----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 45.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 267.139 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 335.290 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 57.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ FUND
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING l BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 12.10. 91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TC • BE SETTLED ON 14.10. 91 + 97
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -97
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *-0.1* 14.10.91
• HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
14.10.91 11.10 .91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.68 PCT 4.87 PCT
1 MONTH 4.48 PCT 4.58 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.61 PCT 4.63 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.72 PCT 4.80 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.40 PCT 5.46 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 6,490 MN 8,613 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE fo.
HK A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY: GOVERNOR .................................... 1
BUSINESS COMPLETELY FREE TO TAKE DECISIONS ............................. 2
PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES ...................................... 4
LARGEST NEW SHIP TO JOIN HK REGISTER ................................... 5
$11M SHIPBUILDING CONTRACT SIGNED ...................................... 6
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ............................. 6
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE FOR GRAVE-$WEEPERS .................................. 14
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO IRISH REPUBLIC RESUMES ............................ 14
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ......................................... 15
ARCHITECT'S EFFORTS REWARDED ........................................... 15
SIX CIVIL SERVANTS AWARDED FOR SUGGESTIONS ............................. 16
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON FOURTH QUARTER PAYMENT .................... 17
LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE ON MOVE ........................................ 18
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ................................................ 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND...................................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 19
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
1
HK A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY: GOVERNOR * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, CALLED ON BRITISH BUSINESS TO COME, TAKE PART AND BENEFIT FROM HONG KONG, WHICH IS A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY, AT THE HEART OF ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND RAPIDLY GROWING AREAS OF THE WORLD.
ADDRESSING THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL’S ANNUAL DINNER IN LONDON ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 15), SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT HONG KONG WAS PLANNING AND WORKING FOR THE LONG-TERM FUTURE, AND THAT DESPITE ITS OWN DIFFICULTIES -- ITS OWN UNIQUE UNCERTAINTIES -- THE TERRITORY WAS NOT DOWNHEARTED IN FACING THEM.
THE GOVERNOR ANALYSED HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS AND EXPLAINED TO THE BRITISH AUDIENCE THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE TERRITORY’S EFFORTS IN BUILDING FOR ITS LONG-TERM FUTURE.
ON THE ECONOMY, SIR DAVID SAID THE NORTH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN MARKETS, WHICH TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 46 PER CENT OF HONG KONG S EXPORTS, REMAINED IMPORTANT.
HE SAID THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE U.S. OF ITS DECISION to UPGRADE HONG KONG’S COCOM STATUS WAS GOING TO IMPROVE THE TERRITORY S ACCESS TO HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND WOULD STRENGTHEN THESE TRADITIONAL TRADING TIES. *
HOWEVER, IT WAS TRADE WITH HONG KONG'S NEIGHBOURS IN ASIA WHICH WAS NOW GIVING THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMY ITS DYNAMISM, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO BENEFIT FROM THE CONTINUED FAST GROWTH OF THE DEVELOPING ECONOMIES OF ASIA, WHICH DURING THE 1990’S, HAD AVERAGE GROWTH RATES ABOUT DOUBLE THOSE OF NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE AND EVEN JAPAN.
HE NOTED THAT AS ONE AFTER ANOTHER OF THE COUNTRIES OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION REACHED THE POINT OF ECONOMIC TAKE-OFF, HONG KONG’S REGIONAL TRADE HAD GROWN, SO FAR THIS YEAR, BY MORE THAN 25 PER CENT.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA HAD GROWN BY 37 PER CENT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, SIR DAVID CITED THE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC HINTERLAND IN SOUTHERN CHINA, IN PARTICULAR THE DEVELOPING ECONOMY OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
SIR DAVID SAID IN 10 YEARS, THE PEARL RIVER DELTA WOULD QUITE POSSIBLY HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST MANUFACTURING CENTRES.
WITH MOST OF THE EXTERNAL TRADE FROM THIS EMERGING ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG, TRAFFIC VOLUME THROUGH THE TERRITORY'S PORT WAS EXPECTED TO GROW AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF SEVEN PER CENT OVER THE NEXT DECADE, AND CARGO VOLUME THROUGH THE AIRPORT TO GROW AT SIX PER CENT PER YEAR.
/STR DAVID .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
- 2 -
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE BUOYANCY OF HONG KONG’S REGIONAL MARKETS HAD CUSHIONED THE TERRITORY FROM THE IMPACT OF THE RECESSION IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE.
"OUR ECONOMY TURNED THE CORNER IN THE FINAL QUARTER OF LAST YEAR. AND THE RECOVERY HAS CONTINUED THIS YEAR," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE ESTIMATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR 1991 HAD BEEN REVISED UPWARDS FROM THREE TO FOUR PER CENT, AND THAT FOR 1992 WAS AT SOMETHING OVER FIVE PER CENT.
ON THE NEW LEGCO, THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED TO DEVELOP A CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THIS MORE DIRECTLY REPRESENTATIVE LEGCO.
"THIS SORT OF PARTNERSHIP WILL BE VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF ThE TRANSITION TO 1997 AND TO HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS THEREAFTER," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT WITH THE NEW LEGCO, THERE WOULD BE SPIRITED DEBATE AND DISAGREEMENTS PUBLICLY AIRED, BUT IT WOULD BE WRONG TO ASSUME THAT THIS REFLECTED DEEP SPLITS IN THE COMMUNITY.
"IT DOES NOT. HONG KONG IS NOT A POLARISED SOCIETY. IT 1S A COMMUNITY WHICH VALUES PRAGMATISM AND CONSENSUS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
------0-------
BUSINESS COMPLETELY FREE TO TAKE DECISIONS ♦ ♦ i * i
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IF HONG KONG SHOULD GET TO THE STAGE WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEN TO BE SPENDING OR INVESTING SIGNIFICANT SUMS IN INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND ON THE COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION OF INDUSTRIAL IDEAS, PRESSURES WILL MOUNT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BECOME MORE SELECTIVE AND MORE INTERVENTIONIST.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS FAIR, MR YEUNG STRESSED THIS WOULD NOT BE GOOD NEWS FOR HONG KONG’S ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, OR FOR ANY INDUSTRY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WORKED EXTREMELY WELL BECAUSE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHO MADE IT WORK WERE FREE, ABSOLUTELY FREE, TO TAKE BUSINESS DECISIONS.
"WE IN THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SELF-EVIDENT TRUTH AND 1 WOULD HAZARD THE GUESS THAT THE MAJORITY OF BUSINESSMEN WOULD HAVE IT NO OTHER WAY,”.MR YEUNG SAID.
"AS WE PROGRESS STEADILY TOWARDS CULTIVATING A MORE TECHNOLOGY CONSCIOUS INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY - FOR WHICH SOME UP-FRONT INVESTMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT IS NECESSARY IF ONLY TO SPARK OFF THIS PROCESS - WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO AVOID OVER-DOING IT.
/"IN A .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
3 -
"IN A FREE ENTERPRISE ECONOMY SUCH AS OURS - WHERE THE GOVERNMENT TAKES GREAT CARE TO LEAVE BUSINESS DECISIONS TO BUSINESSMEN - IT WOULD BE QUITE UNCHARACTERISTIC OF THE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN TO ENSURE THAT IT IS ADEQUATELY SUPPLIED BY THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION, AND TO STEP IN WITH SPECIFIC SUPPORT FACILITIES ONLY WHERE THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS UNABLE TO HELP ITSELF," HE SAID.
ON THE GOVERNMENT'S WORK IN SUPPORT OF THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD THROUGH THE PROVISION OF LAND TO MEET THE SPECIAL LAND REQUIREMENTS, THROUGH THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF ITS WORKFORCE, THE PROVISION OF ADVISORY, CONSULTANCY AND BUREAU SERVICES AND, IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FACILITIES THAT WOULD HELP THOSE WITH BRIGHT IDEAS TO BRING THEM TO FRUITION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TOWARDS THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WAS A CAREFUL, REGULAR SERIES OF TECHNO-ECONOMIC STUDIES ABOUT THE INDUSTRY’S PERFORMANCE.
"TWO SUCH STUDIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE AND A THIRD WILL . START NEXT YEAR. THESE STUDIES AIM AT IDENTIFYING THE STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE OBSTACLES THAT STAND IN THE WAY OF ITS GROWTH AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS.
"IT IS ON THE BASIS OF THESE STUDIES THAT THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB), HELPS THE GOVERNMENT TO FORMULATE NEW DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES," HE SAID.
ON THE PROVISION OF LAND, MR YEUNG SAID THE HONG KONG INDUSTRY ESTATES CORPORATION STOOD READY TO ASSIST.
"ACCORDINGLY, WE NOW HAVE AT THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE THE LARGEST DESIGN CENTRE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF APPLICATIONS SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS, A BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT ON THE PART OF MOTOROLA," HE SAID.
TURNING TO MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT, MR YEUNG SAID BOTH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) AND THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE TOOK GREAT CARE TO ENSURE THAT THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WAS ADEQUATELY SUPPLIED WITH WELL EDUCATED AND COMPETENTLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS AND ENGINEERS.
AS REGARDS TRAINING, THE VTC HAD ESTABLISHED AN APPLICATION SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DESIGN TRAINING CENTRE AND ANOTHER FOR TRAINING IN THE APPLICATION OF SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY, HE SAID.
"INDEED, ONCE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY TRAINING FUND IS SET UP, IT WILL PROVIDE A SCHEME OF LOANS AND POSSIBLY GRANTS TO THOSE COMPANIES WHICH HAVE IDENTIFIED TECHNOLOGIES THAT CAN BEST BE PICKED UP BY WAY OF A LEARNING AND WORKING ATTACHMENT.IN AN OVERSEAS COMPANY," MR YEUNG SAID.
MR YEUNG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAI) CHOSEN THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE AS THE PRINCIPAL DELIVERY AGENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF ADVISORY, CONSULTANCY, BUSINESS AND TRAINING SERVICES.
/TURNING TO
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
TURNING TO THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND FACILITIES THAT WOULD HELP THOSE WITH BRIGHT IDEAS TO BRING THEM TO FRUITION, HE SAID THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WERE NOW ACTIVELY CONSIDERING A SCHEME OF INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH GRANTS TO BE FUNDED FROM THE GOVERNMENT'S CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND.
"COMPLEMENTING THIS SCHEME IS THE PROPOSAL TO BUILD AN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, MAINLY FOR USE BY COMPANIES WHO REQUIRE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONVERTING THEIR IDEAS INTO WORTHWHILE MARKETABLE PRODUCTS.
"A SITE IN KOWLOON TONG HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THIS PROJECT AND $438 MILLION FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION," MR YEUNG SAID.
------0-------
PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES
TWO WOMEN IN KOWLOON BECAME ILL TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER EATING PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED CHOI SUM (CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE).
THEY WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL WHERE THEIR CONDITION WAS DESCRIBED AS SATISFACTORY.
THE TWO WOMEN BOUGHT THE VEGETABLES AT MARKETS IN MONG KOK AND HUNG HOM SEPARATELY.
SINCE THE FIRST CASE OF VEGETABLE-POISONING WAS REPORTED LAST WEEK, A TOTAL OF 26 PEOPLE FROM 17 FAMILIES HAD BEEN INVOLVED.
THE CONDITION OF TWO OTHER MEN AND A WOMAN WHO WERE ADMITTED TO"HOSPITAL EARLIER WAS REPORTED TO BE SATISFACTORY.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONTINUES TO TIGHTEN UP BORDER-CHECKING AND SAMPLING.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR M.B. ALI, SAID UP TO THIS AFTERNOON A TOTAL OF 287 SAMPLES HAD BEEN TAKEN FROM STREET HAWKERS, MARKET STALLS AND MAN KAM TO FOR EXAMINATION.
OF THE 226 SAMPLES TESTED SO FAR, ONLY TWO FOOD RAMNANTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE CONTAINED METHAMIDOPHOS. THE RESULTS OF THE 61 OTHER SAMPLES ARE STILL PENDING.
DR ALI REMINDED THE PUBLIC TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING.
------0--------
/5 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
5
LARGEST NEW SHIP TO JOIN HK REGISTER
******
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ANTHONY MILLER, TODAY (TUESDAY) ATTENDED THE NAMING CEREMONY OF M.T. "NEW WORLD" -- SO FAR THE LARGEST NEW SHIP TO JOIN THE AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER --IN OKPO, KOREA.
"THE REGISTRATION OF THE 151,000 DEADWEIGHT TONNE 'NEW WORLD’ IS BEING FINALISED AND THE NEW TANKER WILL JOIN THE HONG KONG REGISTER LATER THIS MONTH (OCTOBER)," MR MILLER SAID.
"THIS BRINGS TO A TOTAL OF 705 SHIPS ON THE HONG KONG REGISTER WITH ANOTHER 14 SHIPS WHOSE APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED."
THE SPONSOR FOR TODAY’S NAMING CEREMONY WAS MRS CHRISTEL BRIONj WIFE OF MR ALAIN BRION, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF TOTAL TRADING ET MOYEN-ORTENT, WHICH IS THE CHARTERER OF THE NEW SHIP.
MR FERDINAND TSIEN, PRESIDENT OF WORLD TANKER CARRIERS CORPORATION AND MRS TSIEN, AND MR PHILIP NIU, VICE-PRESIDENT AND MRS NIU WERE PRESENT AS HOSTS.
OTHER GUESTS WERE FROM THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, TANKER SYSTEMS CORPORATION, CONSOLIDATED MARITIME SERVICE LTD AND EXPEDO AND CO. (LONDON) LTD.
THE US$60 MILLION "NEW WORLD" IS BUILT BY DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING AND HEAVY MACHINERY LTD OF KOREA AND IS THE FIRST SHIP OF WORLD TANKER CARRIERS CORPORATION’S FLEET TO JOIN THE HONG KONG REGISTER. EXPEDO MARINE MANAGEMENT LIMITED OF HONG KONG IS THE MANAGING AGENT OF THE NEW TANKER.
IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC FUNCTION AS DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MILLER PRESENTED A MEMENTO TO MR TSIEN AT THE DAEWOO OKPO SHIPYARD TO WELCOME THE NEW TANKER TO THE HONG KONG REGISTRY.
MR MILLER DESCRIBED AS "MOST ENCOURAGING" THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF OPERATION OF THE AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER, ADDING THAT "THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER REINFORCES HONG KONG’S POSITION AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING MARITIME CENTRES”.
MR MILLER SAID: "IT HAS BEEN AGREED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THAT HONG KONG REGISTERED OCEAN-GOING SHIPS WILL BE EXEMPT FROM PROFITS TAX ON THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS AND CARGO, INCLUDING LIVESTOCK AND MAIL.
"EXEMPTION FROM PROFITS TAX ARISING FROM CHARTER HIRE OF ALL OCEAN-GOING SHIPS WILL ALSO BE GRANTED.
"LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED tN THE CURRENT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO EFFECT THESE CHANGES."
- - 0---------
/6........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
6
SUM SHIPBUILDING CONTRACT SIGNED ******
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) SIGNED AN $U-MILLION CONTRACT WITH THE CHEOY LEE SHIPYARDS LTD FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MARINE POLLUTION INVESTIGATION VESSEL.
SIGNING THE CONTRACT .WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (GOVERNMENT FLEET), MR PETER CRISP, AND A DIRECTOR OF CHEOY LEE SHIPYARDS LTD, MR LO NGOK-YANG. ANOTHER DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, MR LO KING-YING, AND A SENIOR SURVEYOR OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR CHEUNG SIK-WOON, WERE THE WITNESSES.
THE PURPOSE-BUILT VESSEL WILL BE DELIVERED ON OCTOBER 30 NEXT YEAR FOR THE USE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE 26-METRE-LONG VESSEL WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH A MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDES AN ON-LINE REAL TIME ACQUISITION AND LOGGING OF MONITORING DATA FROM SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS TO BE INSTALLED.
THE SYSTEM ALSO ALLOWS SCREEN DISPLAY AND PRINTING OF GRAPHS OF WATER QUALITY AND HYDROLOGICAL DATA AGAINST TIME OR VESSEL POSITION.
THE VESSEL WILL ALSO BE FITTED WITH SOPHISTICATED ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENTS FOR SURVEY WORK INCLUDING AN UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY . SYSTEM, POSITION FIXING SYSTEM, MARINE RADAR AND VHF RADIO TELEPHONE.
IT IS CAPABLE OF 12 KNOTS AND CAN ACCOMMODATE SIX STAFF FOR SURVEY WORK AND SIX CREW MEMBERS.
------o-------
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS, DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGULARLY ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR:
/NAME .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1391
NAME RECORD
(COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE OF FINEST) OFFENCE COURT
1.TACHIT INVESTMENT CO LTD SOY ST, MONGKOK 1.7.90 - 27.2.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 2,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
2.KOONYOND LTD MODY RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 27.7.90 - 14.9.90 APCO : " 2,000 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
3.CHEER BOAT INVESTMENT LTD CARNARVON RD,TSIM SHA TSUI 1.10.90 - 1.11.90 APCO : " 1,000 1ST If
4.CAMERON PRINTING CO LTD KA YIP ST, CHAI WAN 12.10.90- 15.1.91 APCO : ” 2,500 1ST eastern '■
5.SUPER TASTES FAST FOOD CO TAI YAU ST, SAN PO KONG 20.11.90- 15.1.91 APCO : 2,000 1ST SAN PO kONG
6.BO FAT LAUNDRY CO LTD FUI YIU KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 23.11.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 15,000 3RD TSUEN WAN
7.LUCKY GATE DEVELOPMENT LTD KA WO ST, TIN WAN 8.1.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 2,000 1ST EASTERN
8.FULL BY FULL LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, TSUEN WAN 24.1.91- 7.2.91 APCO : FAILURE TO FURNISH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION TO THE AUTHORITY 500 1ST TSUEN WAN
9.DIAMOND FABRIC PRINTERS WANG WO TSAI ST, TSUEN WAN 25.1.91 APCO . FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 3,000 1ST .I
10.SHUI CHEUNG STEAM LAUNDRY TEXACO RD, TSUEN WAN 12.2.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 7,500 5TH • •
i
otckson
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
- 8 -
11 .DICKSON CONSTRUCTION CO LTD (LICENSEE) LOCKHART RD, WAN CHAI 6.3.91 • / ' V, DASO : 3,000 PERMIT LOADING OF ABOUT 350 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL ONTO A BARGE FOR DUMPING AT SEA NEAR LEI YU MUN NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 4TH EASTERN
AND FANTA MACHINERY CO LTD (SHIPPING SUBCONTRACTOR) WAI CHING ST YAU MA TEI 6.3.91 DASO : 3,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 350 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NEAR LEI YU MUN NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 3RD It
12.GREENROLL LTD PACIFIC PLACE, QUEENSWAY 7.3.91 APCO : 3,000 UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1ST EASTERN
13.FAT KEE BEAN CURD FTY KWU TUNG, SHEUNG SHU I 14.3.91 APCO : 5,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3RD FANLING
14.HONG KONG PAPER MILLS LTD TSIU KENG, 15.3.91 SHEUNG SHUI NCO : 15,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST FANLtNG
15.MAK KAM-MUK (TUG BOAT MASTER) KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG 19.3.91 DASO : 350 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA ABOUT 500 METRES FROM THE PFA LAGOON AT TSANG TSUI NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
/16. UNIVERSAL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
- 9 -
16.UNIVERSAL KO FAI RD, 19.3.91 DASO : 5,000 7TH EASTERN
DOCKYARD YAU TONG LTD BAY (LICENSEE) PERMIT DUMPING OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA BETWEEN LAMMA ISLAND AND CHEUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
17.WEALTH- FU NING 20.3.91- APCO : 1,500 1ST KWUN
CODE LTD GARDEN, JUNK BAY 25.5.91 UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES TONG
18.MA KING LANDALE KEE DIAZO ST, PRINTING & WANCHAI CO LTD 27.3.91 APCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 1ST EASTERN
19.CHINESE TO KWA WAN KING’S RD, DEVELOPMENT TO KWA WAN CO LTD 27.3.91 NCO : 6,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST SAN PO KONG
20.SHAM CHUNG ON TSENG CHAN ST, KEE ROASTED TSUEN WAN GOOSE CO LTD 2.4.91 NCO : ” 5,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
21.CHAN CASTLE TING-CHOW PEAK RD, TUEN MUN 8.4.91 NCO : ” 5,000 1ST TUEN MUN
22.CONTAI ABERDEEN ENGINEERING MAIN RD, CO LTD ABERDEEN (LICENSEE) 9.4.91 DASO : 3,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF 2ND EASTERN
EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NEAR THE EAST COAST OF CHEUNG CHAU NOT TN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
/23. SUNG .........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
- 10 -
23.SUNG FOOK GARDEN RD, 14.4.91 NCO ! 10,000 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT 1ST EASTERN
KEE LTD CENTRAL
24.CHAN SUT-WAH GARDEN RD, CENTRAL 14.4.91 NCO ! 5,000 PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT 1ST EASTERN
25.LEIGHTON QUEEN’S CONTRACTORS RD EAST, (ASIA) LTD WAN CHAI (LICENSEE) AND UNIVERSAL KO FAI RD, DOCKYARD YAU TONG LIMITED BAY (SHIPPING SUB-CONTRACTOR) 16.4.91 16.4.91 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF TUNG LUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION DASO : ’’ 5,000 1ST 8TH EASTERN EASTERN
AND CHAN KEE (TUG BOAT MASTER) AND YUENG CHING-KUN (BARGE OPERATOR) SHUN LEE ESTATE, CLEAR WATER BAY RD WU CHUI RD, TUEN MUN 16.4.91 16.4.91 DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF TUNG LUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION DASO : " 5,000 1ST 1ST EASTERN EASTERN
26.WING CHEONG CHENG LANE HA CHUEN* SAI KUNG 18.4.91 WPCO : 5,000 DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO WATERS OF HONG KONG IN JUNK BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST KWUN TONG
/27. FANTA .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
11
27.FANTA WAI CHING 19.4.91 DASO : 5,000 5 TH EASTERN
CONSTRUCTION CO LTD (SHIPPING CONTRACTOR) AND STREET, YAU MA TEI • PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NEAR KENNEDY TOWN WITHOUT A LICENCE •
CHAN AH-SHUI (TUG BOAT MASTER) AND SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE, TSUEN WAN 19.4.91 DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NEAR KENNEDY TOWN WITHOUT A LICENCE 3RD EASTERN
CHOW FOK-YAO (BARGE OPERATOR) WAI CHING ST, YAU MA TEI 19.4.91 DASO: ” 5,000 1ST EASTERN
28.LEE FUNG DYEING FTY KIN KWAN ST, TUEN MUN 24.4.91 APCO : 4,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3RD TUEN MUN
29.SEE HING DYEING FTY LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 2.5.91 APCO : ” 3,000 3RD TSUEN WAN
30.WAH RICH INDUSTRIES LTD TONG YAU SAN TSUEN, YUEN LONG 7.5.91 APCO : " 2,000 1ST FANLING
31.MILICOM DEVELOPMENT LTD KAU YUK RD, YUEN LONG 7.5.91 NCO : 3,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST FANLING
32.WONG MING-KEE KAU YUK RD, YUEN LONG 8.5.91 NCO : 15,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND FANLING
/33. HEAVEN .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
12
33.HEAVEN KINGDOM DYEING WORKS LTD YEUNG UK RD, TSUEN WAN 16.5.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
34.GOLDEN KEY MFG CO (HK) LTD HOI BUN RD, KWUN TONG 21.5.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
35.YEUNG YUK-LUN HING LUNG 30.5.91 BACK ST, CHEUNG CHAU NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 8,000 3RD WESTERN
36.COUNTRY CROWN CO LTD NAM CHEONG ST, SHAM SHUI PO 4.6.91 NCO : ” 3,500 2ND NORTH KOWLOON
37.CAFE DE CORAL GROUP LTD HARBOUR CITY, CANTON RD 19.6.91- 26.6.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST EASTERN •
38.GUANGDONG WATER CONSERVANCY & HYDROPOWER ENGRG DEVELOPMENT CO LTD PO KONG VILLAGE RD, TSZ WAN SHAN 20.6.91 APCO : 1 CONTRAVENING TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE 0,000 6TH SAN PO KONG
39.WING HING TEA HOUSE CASTLE PEAK RD, SHAM SHUI PO 21.6.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
40.HIP FUNG BEANS PRODUCT MFY SHING MUN RD, TSUEN WAN 2.7.91 APCO : FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 1,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
41 .HANG FUNG MARBLE ENGINEERING CO TAI PA ST, TSUEN WAN 5.7.91 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE 5,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
UNNECESSARY
AIR POLLUTANT
/42. CHIP
13
42.CHIP TAK WEAVING FTY LTD TA CHUEN PING ST, KWAI CHUNG 9.7.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION i-i ,000 4 TH TSL’EN WAN
43.LUBRICO (HONG KONG) LTD YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, YUEN LONG 11.7.91 APCO : 10,000 CONTRAVENING TERMS OR CONDITIQNS OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE 3RD FANLTNG
44.HANG TAI TONG 25.7.91 APCO : 10,000 2ND FANLING
HEUNG CAKE RD, EXCESSIVE DARK
SHOP CO LTD YUEN LONG SMOKE EMISSION
NOTE :
APCO : AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
NCO : NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO : DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
WPCO : WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
ON THE PROVISION OF NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING- TO CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT, ONE COMPANY WAS PROSECUTED BY POLICE AND FINED $600. ANOTHER PERSON WAS PROSECUTED FOR CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT AND FINED $3,000.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID IN CASE 11, 15, 16, 22, 25 AND 27, A TOTAL OF 12 PARTIES WERE CONVICTED, EIGHT OF WHICH WERE EACH FINED $5,000, THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR THE OFFENCE. IN CASE 16 AND 25, THE COMPANY UNIVERSAL DOCKYARD LTD HAD 6 PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS AND WAS CONVICTED OF TWO SEPARATE OFFENCES IN SEPTEMBER AND FOR EACH OFFENCE, HAD TO PAY THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASE CAN BE ADDRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL. NO. 835 1046
NCO MR STEVEN HO TEL. NO. 835 1123
DASO MR PATRICK LEI TEL. NO. 782 7280
WPCO DR DANIEL LAU TEL. NO. 782 7282
CASE 26
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUE SHOULD CONTINUE BE DIRECTED TO EPD’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION.
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/14 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
- 14 -
FIRE SAFETY ADVICE FOR GRAVE-SWEEPERS ******
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ADVISED GRAVE-SWEEPERS TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTION TO ENSURE FIRE SAFETY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE DURING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL PERIOD.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER, MR RAYMOND LAY, SAID AS THE DRY SEASON HAD SET TN, ANY CARELESS HANDLING OF WORSHIPPING ITEMS COULD EASILY SET THE COUNTRYSIDE ABLAZE.
"ON THE LAST CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY, A TOTAL OF 115 .HILL FIRE REPORTS WERE RECEIVED. AMONG THEM, 20 OCCURRED IN COUNTRY PARKS, DAMAGING 171 HECTARES OF PLANTATION AND 15,100 TREES," HE SAID.
MR LAY FURTHER CAUTIONED THAT HILL FIRE COULD ENDANGER HUMAN LIFE AND PROPERTIES.
HE SAID DURING THE LAST CHING MING FESTIVAL, FIVE GRAVE-SWEEPERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY A HILL FIRE ON TSING YI ISLAND AND ONE OF THEM DIED SUBSEQUENTLY.
"THIS INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR MORE EDUCATION IN THE PREVENTION OF HILL FIRES," HE ADDED.
MR LAY SAID MOST OF THE HILL FIRES WERE CAUSED BY HUMAN NEGLIGENCE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF PEOPLE OBSERVED A FEW SIMPLE RULES.
THESE RULES ARE:
* BURN WORSHIPPING ITEMS IN METAL CONTAINERS ONLY;
* DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTED CANDLES, JOSS STICKS AND PAPERS UNATTENDED;
* MAKE SURE ALL WORSHIPPING ITEMS ARE EXTINGUISHED BEFORE LEAVING THE GRAVE SITES.
MR LAY ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD, IN FACT, PROVIDED METAL CONTAINERS IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS INSIDE COUNTRY PARK AREA FOR THEIR USE..
------0-------
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO IRISH REPUBLIC RESUMES
*****
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE FROM HONG KONG TO THE IRISH REPUBLIC HAS NOW RESUMED FOLLOWING THE CESSATION OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY POSTAL WORKERS THERE, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SERVICE WAS SUSPENDED ON OCTOBER 5.
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/15 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
- 15 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER , AUCTION OF SPECIAL
VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 19) AT THE CITY
HALL RECITAL HALL. IT WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
BIDDING. THEY ARE:
ET668 ET3228 AC1 17 ET8828
BY132 AT38 EK11 BB229
ET1128 ET133 ET882 ET9616
DD81 CB7115 ES168 BG313
ET4025 DN8008 AA252 ET980
AU921 ETHO ET2811 AH4183
ET3345 AD863 ES268 ET1672
ER101 BY87 AL707 DD26
BB3513 ET9998 ET132 XX115
ET8116 ES688 DF557 ET823
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF .INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 169TH ORGANISED BY ThE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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ARCHITECT’S EFFORTS REWARDED
******
FOUR PROJECTS OF ARCHITECTURAL MERIT WERE RECENTLY SELECTED AS WINNERS IN THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL AWARDS.
THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 11 ENTRIES.
THIS YEAR’S AWARD WENT TO THE TAI PO SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX.
/THREE PROJECTS .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
16
THREE PROJECTS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES OF MERIT. THESE WERE THE RESTORATION OF KUN TING STUDY HALL AT PING SHAN, TUEN MUN GIRL’S HOME AND THE MUSEUM OF ART IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES CHAIRED BY DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR PAUL CORSER, COMPRISED CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG, MR ANTHONY NG OF KNW ARCHITECTS LTD, AND DEAN OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR BARRY WILL.
MR CORSER SAID: ’’THE AWARD OF THREE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT IS UNUSUAL BUT THIS YEAR THE PANEL CONSIDERED THE STANDARD OF DESIGN. DISPLAYED WAS PARTICULARLY HIGH”.
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SIX CIVIL SERVANTS AWARDED FOR SUGGESTIONS
SIX CIVIL SERVANTS WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED WITH AWARDS BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, FOR THEIR SUGGESTIONS MADE UNDER THE STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.
.TWO OF THEM, MR CHAN CHI-WAH AND MR PO CHI-WING, RECEIVED -THE HIGHEST AWARD UNDER THE SCHEME - A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION, PLUS A CASH AWARD OF $12,500.
MR CHAN, A SENIOR TRANSPORT CONTROLLER OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, PROPOSED AN ECONOMIC WAY OF PLACING TRAFFIC CONES TO EFFECT THE TIDAL FLOW SCHEME AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL AND HAS HELPED HIS DEPARTMENT ACHIEVE AN ANNUAL SAVING OF OVER ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
THE SECOND WINNER, MR PO, A FIREMAN IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HAS DESIGNED A NEW METHOD FOR WINDING THE BREATHING APPARATUS GUIDELINE. IT HAS NOT ONLY IMPROVED THE EFFICIENCY OF FIRE-FIGHTING OPERATIONS BUT ALSO ENHANCED THE SAFETY OF FIREMEN AT FIRE SCENES.
THE OTHER FOUR RECIPIENTS WHO WERE EACH AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION WERE MR CHOY KIM-LEUNG, A SENIOR SURVEY OFFICER OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT; MR LEUNG KAM-TAI, A CHIEF PRINTING OFFICER OF THE PRINTING DEPARTMENT; MR CHAN KAM-HUNG, A CLERICAL OFFICER 1 IN THE .ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND MR LEE KAN-HAN, A POSTAL OFFICER IN THE POST OFFICE.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR WIGGHAM PRAISED THE WINNERS FOR THEIR INITIATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVENESS IN DEVELOPING SUGGESTIONS USEFUL TO THE CIVIL SERVICE. HE ALSO CALI.ED ON ALL CIVIL SERVANT.S TO CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE SCHEME.
THE STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1975 TO ENCOURAGE CIVIL SERVANTS TO COME UP WITH SUGGESTIONS TO BOOST EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS OF THE AWARD RECIPIENTS, OFFICERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND MEMBERS OF THE STAFF SUGGESTIONS COMMITTEE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING THE SCHEME.
------0 - -
/17........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
- 17 -
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON FOURTH QUARTER PAYMENT * * * * *
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR THE RATES FOR THE QUARTER OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1991 WHICH ARE
DEMANDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
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)
* THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, (SIDE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING IN ICE HOUSE STREET);
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, NORTH POINT;
* THE SAI WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, EASTERN DISTRICT;
* THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE);
* THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 34^-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD).
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 OCTOBER 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 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 OCTOBER 31, 1991. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
/RATES ARE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
18
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
•UNDER SECTIONS 3O(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-----------
LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE ON MOVE * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS OFFICE AT YU YUET LAI BUILDING IN CENTRAL WILL BE MOVED TO NEW PREMISES AT THE THIRD FLQOR, WESTERN MAGISTRACY BUILDING AT 2A POKFULAM ROAD, HONG KONG TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE OPENING HOURS OF THE NEW OFFICE ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM BETWEEN MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 857 2095.
THE OFFICE WILL PROVIDE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE TO EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN CENTRAL, WESTERN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS.
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES IN CONCILIATION IN LABOUR DISPUTES, CONSULTATION ON LABOUR RELATIONS MATTERS AND ADVICE ON THE DRAFTING AND REVISION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, AND PERSONNEL MATTERS.
------0-----------
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION
******
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 17) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT NOS. 301-341 NATHAN ROAD, NOS. 66-135 PARKES STREET, NOS. 54-112 WOOSUNG STREET, NOS. 186-236 TEMPLE STREET, NOS. 95-150 SHANGHAI. STREET, NOS. 6-30 NANKING STREET AND NOS. 21-37D JORDAN ROAD.
/19 .......
TUESDAY, ((’TOBER 15, 199 1
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE ******* FUND HKEG
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS' - - - TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q142 Hl 75
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,360 MN HKD 708 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 4.77 PCT 4.91 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 4.80 PCT 4.93 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 16 PCT 20 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.82 PCT 4.99 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS - - - - TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q143
ISSUE DATE 23 OCT 91
MATURITY DATE 22 JAN 92
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT OF OFFER HKD 500 + 100 MN
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * t ♦ ♦ ♦
• DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 14. 10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 15.10.91 + 58
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -58
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
112.0 *+0.2* 15.10.91
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1991
- 20 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
14.10.91 15.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.68 PCT 4.86 PCT
1 MONTH 4.48 PCT 4.72 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.61 PCT 4.88 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.72 PCT 5.03 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.40 PCT 5.81 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 6,490 MN 5,955 MN
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SWD ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO MEDIA REPORTS .................................. 1
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SCHEME IN TAI PO.................................. 2
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ................................................... 2
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHILDREN .......................... 3
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1991
1
SWI) ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO MEDIA I I ’RTS
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) CI'rO.LY MONITORS PRESS REPORTS ON HARDSHIP CASES EVERYDAY.
A SWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THIS JOB IS DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT AND OFFICERS OF SERVICE UNITS.
THEY PAY ATTENTION TO REPORTS ON BOTH MAJOR AND MINOR HARDSHIP INCIDENTS.
“INFORMATION OFFICERS OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT BEGIN THEIR DAILY WORK BY GOI’NG THROUGH MAJOR NEWSPAPERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATION NETWORK, THEY WILL PROMPTLY INFORM SUBJECT OFFICERS OF THE RELEVANT SUB-OFFICES IF FOLLOW-UP WORK IS REQUIRED.
OVER THE YEARS, THE SWD HAD COME TO THE RESCUE OF A BIG NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFTER THEIR CASES WERE EXPOSED BY NEWSPAPERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DAILY NEWSPAPER SCANNING, COUPLED WITH THE WELL-ESTABLISHED SOCIAL WELFARE NETWORK, ENABLED SWD SOCIAL WORKERS TO RENDER TIMELY SERVICES TO THE NEEDY.
THE SWD HAS 34 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS AND 30 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES STRATEGICALLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
“WHILE THE MAJORITY OF SWD SERVICE RECIPIENTS APPROACH THESE OFFICES FOR ASSISTANCE, SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICIALS ALSO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO LOCATE, APPROACH AND OUT-REACH THE NEEDY TO RENDER APPROPRIATE SERVICES,” HE NOTED.
REFERRALS FROM THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA REPORTS ALSO RESULTED IN TIMELY PROVISION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES TO THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE KNOWN TO THE SWD FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, HE ADDED.
THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION HANDLES AN AVERAGE OF 800 PRESS AND PUBLIC ENQUIRIES PER MONTH.
THE SPOKESMAN COMMENDED THE MASS MEDIA AND THE CIVIC-MINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR REFERRING CASES WHICH THEY CONSIDER SWD ACTION OR ASSISTANCE MAY REQUIRE.
"WE HAVE BEEN ATTACHING GREAT IMPORTANCE TO MEDIA REPORTS AS IT ENABLES SWD SOCIAL WORKERS TO RENDER SERVICES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF TRAGEDIES AND DISASTERS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SWD, WITH AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 4,000 STAFF, COMPRISES SOCIAL WORKERS, SOCIAL SECURITY STAFF, INFORMATION OFFICERS, GENERAL GRADE AND SUPPORTING STAFF.
IT PROVIDES A TOTAL OF 64 TYPES OF SERVICES, INCLUDING FAMILY WELFARE, CHILD CARE, SOCIAL SECURITY AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.
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/2 .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBI 1 16, 1991
2
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SCHEME IN TAI PO
********
PEOPLE WHO STUDY, LIVE OR WORK IN TAI PO ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SCHEME COMPRISING A COLOURING COMPETITION AND A QUIZ.
THE ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED BY THE 1991 WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY TAI PO DISTRICT WORKI’NG GROUP AND SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, WITH AN AIM TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE DISTRICT.
THE COLOURING COMPETITION IS OPEN FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TAI PO WHILE THE QUIZ IS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT, AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE OF TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE WORKING GROUP AT ROOM 228 ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO BY OCTOBER 25.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 657 7111 EXT 247.
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WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION
*****
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO SOME PREMISES IN TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 18) TO FACILITATE MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM MILESTONE 16-1/2 TO 19-1/2 INCLUDING TAI LAM CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE, TAI LAM CHUNG TSUEN, WONG UK, WU UK, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL, SIU LAM HOSPITAL, SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE, LUEN ON SAN TSUEN, KIU ON TSUEN, SEAMAN’S TRAINING CENTRE, TAI LAM MARINE POLICE BASE, SIU LAM SAN TSUEN, LOK CHUI STREET, LOK YI STREET, LOK TO STREET, TSING TAI STREET, BEAULIEU, PEARL ISLAND, PEROWNE CAMP AND TSING YUNG STREET.
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/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1991
- 3 -
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHILDREN
******
CHILDREN LIVING OR STUDYING IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE ANNUAL DRAWING CONTEST TO BE HELD AT THE ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDEN NEXT MONTH (NOVEMBER).
NOTING THAT ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE WAS DRAWN TO LAST YEAR’S EVENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO APPLY BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON OCTOBER 24. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
HE SAID THE COMPETITION, TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS. THE "JUNIOR SECTION" IS FOR CHILDREN AGED FOUR TO NINE. THE "SENIOR SECTION" IS FOR THOSE BETWEEN 10 AND 15.
PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PRESENT THEIR DRAWINGS ON 1HEMES RELATING TO NATURAL LANDSCAPE, THE PRESENT OR THE FUTURE OUTLOOK OF THE DISTRICT.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS IN BOTH SECTIONS WILL EACH BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES INCLUDING A TROPHY,. A BOOK COUPON AND GIFTS WHILE OTHER OUTSTANDING ENTRANTS WILL ALSO RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT’S ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS, MID-LEVELS EAST AREA COMMITTEE AND YWCA, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM PENTEL (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 852 3485.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 19$1
CONTENTS PAGlB Mo.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
GOVT CONFIDENT OVER LAND SUPPLY ..................................... 1
EFFECTS OF DREDGING ON ENVIRONMENT FULLY CONSIDERED ................. 2
TASK FORCE FORMED TO TACKLE INFLATION ............................... $
GOVT REGULARLY REVIEWS VISA REQUIREMENTS ............................ 5
GOVT'S RESERVATIONS ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND ....................... 5
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO IMPROVE .............................. 6
SIX SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS IN FORCE ........................... 6
NEW BULLET-PROOF VESTS IN USE ....................................... 9
STEPPED-UP EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD INTERESTS OF IMPORTED WORKERS ....... 10
RECRUITMENT OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS DIFFICULT ..................... 11
HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED ............................ 12
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL MANAGER ................................. 12
BILL MODERNISES FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING LAWS ..................... 13
RABIES BILL INTRODUCED .............................................. 15
THREE BILLS INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO ................................... 16
14 MORE TAKEN ILL EATING TAINTED VEGETABLES ........................... 17
STATEMENT ON GOLF COURSE PROPOSAL ..................................... I7
/JUNE EMPLOYMENT .......
CONTENTS
PAGE to
JUNE EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED ............... 19
150 000 PUBLIC FLATS UNDER CONSTRUCTION .................................. 24
NO NEED FOR TAX INCENTIVES ............................................... 25
PROHIBITION ON TRADE IN PRISON-MADE GOODS REMINDER ....................... 27
CHINESE OFFICIALS TO VISIT HK ............................................ 28
OPENING OF LOK MA CHAU WEST BRIDGE ....................................... 28
CHAIRMAN OF PEC HK COMMITTEE APPOINTED ................................... 28
DB APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ................................................ 2$
<
BILL TO GIVE PEAK TRAMWAY MORE FLEXIBILITY ENDORSED ...................... 30
AIDS EDUCATION CAMP FOR YOUTH ............................................ 30
31 INMATES PASSED PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS .................................... 31
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 32
■ i
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
GOVT CONFIDENT OVER LAND SUPPLY t i i t i
THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONFIDENT THAT ENOUGH LAND WITH APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT DENSITY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PRODUCE AROUND 70,000 RESIDENTIAL FLATS PER YEAR FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO SATISFY PUBLIC DEMAND.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THESE SHOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT IN STABILISING THE PRICES OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
WHEN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF LAND SUPPLY AND RESIDENTIAL UNITS TO BE PRODUCED, HE SAID THE AREA OF LAND TO BE MADE AVAILABLE WAS NOT THE ONLY CONSIDERATION, AND THAT DUE ACCOUNT MUST BE GIVEN TO THE DEVELOPMENT DENSITY PERMITTED ON THE SITES.
MR LEUNG WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUt-CHUN. HE SAID HOWEVER IT WAS NOT THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY TO CONTROL THE PRICE OF PRIVATELY DEVELOPED PROPERTIES.
"HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS ARE VERY MUCH BASED ON ITS BEING A FREE MARKET ECONOMY. THE PRICES OF OUR GOODS AND COMMODITIES, INCLUDING THAT OF PROPERTY, ARE PRINCIPALLY SET BY MARKET FORCES.
HOWEVER, MR LEUNG SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD FOR SOME TIME BEEN DETERMINED TO DEJER THE UNSCRUPULOUS TRADING IN, AND PREVENT PUBLIC DISORDER AT, THE SALE OF UNCOMPLETED RESIDENTIAL FLATS, AS WELL AS PROTECTING THE INTEREST OF GENUINE HOME BUYERS.
"WE AIM TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES THROUGH BETTER REGULATING THE SALE PROCEDURES, MORE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, AND ENSURING AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LAND TO MEET DEMAND," HE SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR LEUNG SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION INTRODUCED TWO BATCHES OF MEASURES IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AND AUGUST THIS YEAR AFTER A SERIES OF CONSULTATION WITH VARIOUS PARTIES CONCERNED, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF OMELCO.
"THEY INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS ON THE DEVELOPERS TO MAKE AVAILABLE EARLY INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER AND PRICES OF FLATS FOR SALE, REGISTER POTENTIAL FLAT PURCHASERS, INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF DEPOSITS AND FORFEITURES, BALLOT THE ORDER OF SELECTING FLATS FOR PURCHASE, ETC.
"FURTHER MEASURES, SUCH AS DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ON CONFIRMOR SALE AND RESTRICTION ON RE-SALE OF FLATS ALLOCATED PRIVATELY BY THE DEVELOPERS, ARE BEING CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO THE SUPPLY OF LAND, ON AVERAGE 100 HECTARES WERE MADE AVAILABLE FOR BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING EACH YEAR OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
/"THIS YEAR .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
2
"THIS YEAR, ABOUT 90 HECTARES OF LAND ARE BEING SUPpLlfcD FOR THE PURPOSE," HE SAID.
RESPONDING TO RECENT PUBLIC CONCERN, THE LAND COMMISSION ALSO AGREED LAST WEEK THAT AN ADDITIONAL 5.9 HECTARES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR’S LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE, MR LEUNG SAID.
REPLYING TO DR LAM’S OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME OF THE MIDDLE AND LOWER INCOME GROUPS AND THE AVERAGE MONTHLY MORTGAGE REPAYMENT FOR AN AVERAGE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLAT, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE A GENERALLY AGREED DEFINITION ON THE LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS IN HONG KONG.
"FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPLY I HAVE ASSUMED THAT THE TOP 10 PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS IN TERMS OF INCOME DISTRIBUTION BELONGS TO THE HIGHER INCOME GROUP; THE NEXT 30 PER CENT THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP; AND THE REMAINING 60 PER CENT THE LOWER INCOME GROUP.
"THESE GROUPINGS ARE BROADLY COMPATIBLE WITH THOSE USEb IN COMPILING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES.
"ON THE BASIS OF THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE MEDIAN MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP AND LOWER INCOME GROUP WAS 117,800 AND $7,200 RESPECTIVELY.
"THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLAT UNDER BllASES 13B, WHERE SALES ARE IN PROGRESS, IS $680,000. ASSUMING A DOWNPAYMENT AT 10 PER CENT OF THE FLAT PRICE, AND REPAYMENT SPREAD OVER 20 YEARS AT THE CURRENT MORTGAGE RATE OF 10 PER CENT PER ANNUM, THE MONTHLY MORTGAGE REPAYMENT IS AfeoUT $5,900.
"DIFFERENT DOWNPAYMENT AND REPAYMENT PERIODS WILL OF COURSE PRODUCE A DIFFERENT RESULT," MR LEUNG SAID.
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EFFECTS OF DREDGING ON ENVIRONMENT FULLY CONSIDERED
* * i i i
A FILL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (FMC), SET UP IN 1989 WITH ALL INTERESTED POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED, INVESTIGATES AND MANAGES FILL SOURCES SO AS TO ALLOCATE THEM As NEEDED TO INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS.
THE FMC ALSO RECEIVED SUBMISSIONS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOfc AND AUTHORITIES SUCH AS THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, INCORPORATING THESE INTO A TOTAL FILL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY).
/MR BLAKE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
3 -
MR BLAKE SAID CONSULTANTS APPOINTED BY FMC WER$, PART WAY ' THROUGH A MAJOR DRILLING INVESTIGATION TO FIND THE BEST PLACES TO DREDGE SAND.
"DREDGED SAND HAS PROVED NOT ONLY TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPfcft THAN THE TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE OF CUTTING INTO HILLSIDES TO PROVIDE FILL, BUT ALSO HAS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT) PARTICULARLY WITH THE NEW TECHNIQUES OF DREDGING THAT ARE BfctMO INSISTED ON BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID SEVERAL PROMISING AREAS HAb BEEN IbfeWTtFIfeb। Ofr WHICH MIRS BAY OFFERED THE BEST POTENTIAL.
OTHER AREAS WHICH HAD BEEN GAZETTED DURING TMfc PAST TWO YfeARS AS POSSIBLE DREDGING AREAS, INCLUDE THE SEABED BETWEEN LANTAU AMD THE MAINLAND, SOUTH OF TSING Yl, AROUND THE SOKO ISLANDS AND THE PO Tot ISLANDS, THE TATHONG CHANNEL AREA EAST OF HONG KONG ISLAND, ANb AN AREA TOWARDS THE NINE PINS, HE SAID.
"THE AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EtA) At THE FEASIBILITY PLANNING STAGE ENABLES THE FMC TO GIVE DETAtLEb CONSIbERATION TO THE EFFECTS OF POSSIBLE bREDGlNG ACTIVITIES ON RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ANb ON THE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE ALLOCATING THE SITE IN QUESTION," MR BLAKE SAIb.
"IN THE CASE OF MIRS BAY, A FULL EIA IS UNbERWAY WHICH WILL TAKE DUE ACCOUNT OF THE EXISTING CORAL REEFS AND SEA FLOOR FAUNA,” HR ADDED.
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TASK FORCE FORMED TO TACKLE INFLATION ♦ * * ♦ *
AN INTERNAL TASK FORCE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS BEEN FORMED TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEM OF INFLATION IN DEPTH, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICk, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD IN TMR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR NENDICK SAID IT WOULD ALSO CONSIDER WHAT .WERE THE MOST APPROPRIATE RESPONSES WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SITUATION.
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IT COULb TO BRING DOWN INFLATION, HE SAID THE ISSUE WAS A COMPLEX ONE INVOLVING A NUMBER OF FACTORS SUCH AS AN OVERHEATED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET AND CONSTRAINTS IN THE SUPPLY OF LABOUR.
TO DEAL WITH HIGH PROPERTY PRICES AND SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY IM THE PROPERTY MARKET, MR NENDICK SAID THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION AGREED LAST WEEK TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF RESIDENTIAL LAND BY 5.9 HECTARES IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
/"THIS SHOULD .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
"THIS"SHOULD ASSIST THE SITUATION," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN AUGUST A SERIES OF MEASURES HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED TO DETER SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY AND UNRULY BEHAVIOUR IN THE PURCHASING OF UNCOMPLETED FLATS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS FULLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO DISCOURAGE PROPERTY SPECULATION WHILST PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF GENUINE HOME BUYERS,” HE SAID.
ON MANPOWER SHORTAGES, MR NENDICK SAID SHORTAGES OF MANPOWER IN SOME CRUCIAL SECTORS HAD CREATED BOTTLENECKS IN THE ECONOMY AND THUS IMPEDED ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND HAD ADDED ALSO TO INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING AN EXPANSION OF THE CURRENt SCHEME TO IMPORT WORKERS FOR THOSE SECTORS WHERE LABOUR CONSTRAINTS WERE MOST ACUTE, THE SECRETARY SAID.
"THERE IS, THOUGH, NO QUESTION OF MASSIVE IMPORTATION. THE INTEREST OF LOCAL WORKERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROTECTED.
"FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS, A SPECIAL LAfeoUft IMPORTATION SCHEME IS ALSO IN HAND," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THERE COULD BE NO EASY OR QUICK CURE TO THIS COMPLEX PROBLEM.
"ALTHOUGH THE PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO CURB INFLATIONARY EXPECTATIONS ANNOUNCED IN MAY HAS HAD SOME IMPACT, AND THE RATE FELL FROM A HIGH OF 13.9 PEli CENT IN APRIL TO 12.7 PER CENT IN AUGUST, WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING UNCOMFORTABLY HIGH INFLATION," HE NOTED.
REGARDING THE LEVEL OF PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND THE PROFITS TAX RATE, THE SECRETARY SAID THEY WERE AMONG THE TAXATION MATTERS REVIEWED EACH YEAR IN THE PREPARATION OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET.
STRESSING THAT BOTH ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS HAD tO BE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT, HE SAID ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LEVELS OF CONCESSIONS OR ANY PARTICULAR TAX RATE COULD NOT THEREFORE BE CONSIDERED IN ISOLATION.
"WE HAVE TO ASSESS CAREFULLY THE EFFECT SUCH A CHANGE WOULD HAVE ON TAXATION REVENUE, AS THIS WILL IN TURN AFFECT THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE CAN FUND IMPORTANT POLICY PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
AS AN ASIDE TAKING IN ISOLATION, MR NENDICK SAID, INCREASING THE LEVEL OF PERSONAL ALLOWANCE FOR SALARIES TAX MIGHT, PARADOXICALLY, ITSELF BE INFLATIONARY.
MORE DISPOSABLE INCOME IN THE HANDS OF TAX-PAYERS COULD INCREASE CONSUMPTION LEVELS, HE ADDED.
/5 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOREP 17, 1991
5
GOVT REGULARLY REVIEWS VISA REQUIREMENTS ♦ ♦ i t i
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT REVIEWS ITS VISA REQUIREMNTS REGULARLY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MR MARTIN BARROW, MR ASPREY SAID IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD RELAXED RESTRICTIONS ON VISITORS FROM THE FORMER ’SOVIET BLOC’.
"THE EFFECT HAS BEEN BOTH TO REDUCE THE VISA PROCESSING TIME AND TO PERMIT TOURIST VISITS BY THE NATIONALS OF MOST SUCH COUNTRIES.
"WE ARE ALSO AT PRESENT NEGOTIATING VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENTS WITH CZECHOSLOVAKIA, HUNGARY, AND POLAND," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW REVIEWING ITS VISA REQUIREMENTS WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER RELAXATION, AND WITH THE SPECIFIC AIM OF STREAMLINING PROCEDURES AND REDUCING THE PROCESSING TIME FOR THE ISSUE OF VISAS.
- 0 - -
GOVT’S RESERVATIONS ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND ♦ i i t *
THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO HAVE MAJOR RESERVATIONS ABOUT A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND. t
AT THE SAME TIME, IT RECOGNISED, AND HAD DONE SO FOR SOME TIME, THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE IN RETIREMENT OR IN THEIR OLD AGE SHOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT FINANCIAL MEANS TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR THEMSELVES.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK.
MR CHAN SAID THE QUESTION OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WAS LAST DEBATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 10, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION WAS EXPLAINED IN DETAIL.
THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION WAS THAT IT DID NOT FAVOUR A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND OR SIMILAR COMPULSORY RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"OUR MAJOR RESERVATION WAS THAT, WHILE SUCH SCHEMES WOULD BENEFIT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN STEADY EMPLOYMENT WITH A REASONABLE INCOME, THEY WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO BE OF MUCH ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEED FOR RETIREMENT PROTECTION.
"WE WERE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND OR SIMILAR COMPULSORY SCHEMES ON THE FINANCIAL MARKET AND ON THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
/THE SECRETARY
THURSDAY, hctobeR 17, 1991
- 6
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD SINCE 1987 INTRODUCED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO ENHANCE SERV1 US FOR THE ELDERLY, TO IMPROVE THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME, TO E' COURAGE THE VOLUNTARY ESTABLISHMENT OF PROVIDENT FUNDS OR RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND TO INSTITUTE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PRUDENTIAL REGULATION OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"THESE EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE," HE STRESSED.
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MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO IMPROVE ♦ * * * *
THE REFORMS TO BE INTRODUCED IN HOSPITALS AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES SHOULD FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY, INCLUDING TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIE CHI-YUEN, MRS WONG SAID THREE NEW HOSPITALS WERE BEING PLANNED TO COPE WITH THE ANTICIPATING DEMANDS FROM POPULATION GROWTH IN TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT.
THE PRESENT POPULATION IN THE TWO DISTRICTS TOGETHER WAS 0.38 MILLION. THIS WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 0.52 MILLION BY 1998.
THE THREE NEW HOSPITALS BEING PLANNED WERE THE TAI PO NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL, THE TAI PO INFIRMARY AND CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL AND THE NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL.
IN ADDITION, MRS WONG SAID THE FACILITIES IN TAI PO JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC WOULD BE IMPROVED AND THE FANLING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE WOULD BE REPROVISIONED.
"SITES HAVE ALSO BEEN RESERVED FOR TWO NEW CLINICS, ONE IN TAI PO AND THE OTHER IN NORTH DISTRICT," SHE SAID.
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SIX SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS IN FORCE ♦ i i i i
AT PRESENT THERE ARE SIX SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS (SCA’S) IN FORCE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MRS CHAN SAID THE COMPANIES CONCERNED AND THE RELEVANT EXPIRY DATES OF THE AGREEMENTS WERE :
* CHINA MOTOR BUS CO. LTD, AUGUST 31, 1993;
/* CHINA LIGHT ........
THURSDAY, ' * 1 'BER 17, 1991
* CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD AND EXXON ENERGY LTD, TOGETHER WITH THEIR THREE WHOLLY OWNED GENERATING COMPANIES, SEPTEMBER 30, 1993;
* THE HONGKONG ELECTRIC CO. LTD, DECEMBER 31, 1993;
* HONG KONG AIR TERMINAL SERVICES LTD, DECEMBER 31, 1996;
* HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINALS LTD, JUNE 27, 1997; AND
* KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (1933) LTD, AUGUST 31, 1997.
SHE SAID WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE WITH THE POWER COMPANIES, THE ABOVE SCA’S FORMED PART OF THE COMPANY’S FRANCHISE WHICH EXPIRED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE AGREEMENT WHEREAS THE POWER COMPANIES DID NOT HOLD ANY FRANCHISE.
MRS CHAN ADDED THAT THE SCA WITH HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO. LTD LAPSED ON MARCH 31 THIS YEAR AND ALTERNATIVE REGULATORY ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE FORMULATED IN THE COURSE OF THE CURRENT REVIEW OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE BASIC PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF SCA’S WERE TWO-FOLD.
FIRST, THEY WERE INTENDED TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN ENSURING THAT CONSUMERS OF UTILITY SERVICES PROVIDED BY PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES RECEIVED AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE SERVICE AT REASONABLE COST.
SECONDLY, THEY WERE INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT THE INVESTORS IN THE COMPANY RECEIVED A REASONABLE RETURN AND WERE THUS ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS NECESSARY TO MEET GROWING DEMAND AND IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICE STANDARDS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE REVIEWED THE BASIC PRINCIPLES AND CONSIDER THAT, IN THE MAIN, THE CURRENT SCA’S HAVE FULFILLED THESE OBJECTIVES," MRS CHAN SAID.
"WE KEEP UNDER CLOSE SCRUTINY THE PERFORMANCE AND EFFICACY OF INDIVIDUAL AGREEMENTS.
"MOST SCA’S CONTAIN PROVISIONS FOR REGULAR INTERIM REVIEWS OF THEIR OPERATION, WHEN MUTUALLY AGREED MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGREEMENT MAY BE MADE."
ON THE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN NEGOTIATING SCA’S, THE SECRETARY SAID THEY DEPENDED IN PART ON THE NATURE OF THE COMPANY’S SERVICES AND OBLIGATIONS.
"WHERE A UTILITY COMPANY HAS BEEN GRANTED EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS BY GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE A SERVICE IT WOULD FIRST BE NECESSARY TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT TO GRANT OR EXTEND THE FRANCHISE BEFORE DETERMINING THE NEED FOR A SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENT," MRS CHAN SAID.
/SHE ALSO .......
THURSDAY, Cx TOBER 17, 1991
8
SHE ALSO POINTED OUT TO MEMBERS THAT IN CONSIDERING THE NEED FOR A FRANCHISE THE FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED WOULD INCLINE :
* THE DESIRABILITY OF ENCOURAGING GREATER COMPETITION IN ORDER TO MEET CONSUMERS’ ASPIRATIONS;
♦ THE OPERATING PERFORMANCE DURING THE CURRENT FRANCHISE;
♦ THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT FACING THE FRANCHISEES, SUCH AS THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH AND THE PROSPECTS FOR COMPETITION; AND
♦ THE NEED TO ATTRACT MORE INVESTMENT TO MEET GROWTH IN DEMAND AND IMPROVE SERVICES.
MEANWHILE, MRS CHAN SAID THE SPECIFIC CRITERIA ADOPTED IN NEGOTIATION OF AN SCA MIGHT INCLUDE :
♦ WHETHER IT WAS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR THE SERVICE IN QUESTION TO BE MONITORED THROUGH SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT (GENERALLY SPEAKING THIS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE ONLY IF THE COMPANY WAS ENJOYING EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS OR A DE FACTO MONOPOLY IN THE PROVISION OF A PARTICULAR SERVICE); WHERE A COMPETITIVE MARKET EXISTED THE GOVERNMENT GENERALLY PREFERRED TO LET MARKET FORCES DICTATE PRICING AND PROFIT LEVELS;
* WHAT SPECIFIC FEATURES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE AGREEMENT TO ENSURE THAT IT WAS TAILORED TO SUIT THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE COMPANY AND THE SERVICE THAT IT WAS PROVIDING; t
♦ WHAT SAFEGUARDS IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL MONITORING PROCEDURES SHOULD BE INCORPORATED TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS OF CONSUMERS WERE PROTECTED; AND
* WHAT RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS WOULD BE REASONABLE AND NECESSARY TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUING INVESTMENT.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THESE CRITERIA THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE COMPANY CONCERNED WITH A VIEW TO REACHING AGREEMENT IN DETAIL ON THE TERMS OF THE SCA,” THE SECRETARY SAID.
"SUCH NEGOTIATIONS ARE NORMALLY CONDUCTED IN CONFIDENCE AS MATTERS OF COMMERCIAL SENSITIVITY MUST BE DISCUSSED," SHE SAID.
ALL AGREEMENTSi MRS CHAN SAID, WERE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOLLOWING WHICH THEY WERE PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH AND IN CHINESE.
SHE ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO GENERAL RULE ON THE QUESTION OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION DURING THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATION OF SCA’S.
"IN PRACTICE EACH CASE IS AND WILL BE CONSIDERED ON ITS MERITS," SHE SAID.
/AS REGARDS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
9
AS REGARDS FRANCHISES, MRS CHAN SAID THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS CONSULTED ON ALL FRANCHISES RELATED TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND SPECIFIC CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO THE NEED FOR CONSULTING THE PUBLIC MORE WIDELY ON THE BROAD PRINCIPLES GOVERNING RENEWAL OF THE BUS COMPANIES’ FRANCHISES.
SHE ADDED THAT ON A MORE GENERAL POINT LEGCO MEMBERS WRRE ALWAYS ABLE TO DEBATE THE POLICY ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE COUNCIL.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THAT ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN AGREED IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO KEEP THE CHINESE SIDE INFORMED OF MAJOR FRANCHISES EXTENDING BEYOND 1997 AND TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THEM.
THESE ENCOMPASSED THE VARIOUS FRANCHISES AND SCA’S APPLlCADLfe TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES.
------0-----------
NEW BULLET-PROOF VESTS IN USE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
ABOUT 400 NEW BULLET-RESISTANT VESTS, OF A DESIGN WHICH OFFERS ADEQUATE PROTECTION AGAINST THE 7.62 MM BULLET, HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED AND ARE NOW IN USE BY THE POLICE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR ASPREY SAIb THESE NEW VESTS ARE ALSO MORE COMFORTABLE TO WEAR. <
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE OLD-STYLE VESTS WERE ABLE TO STOP AMMUNITION FROM ALL TYPES OF HANDGUNS USED BY CRIMINALS IN HONG KONG AT THE TIME THEY WERE PURCHASED.
’’THE VESTS HAVE, HOWEVER, PROVEN LESS EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE STEEL JACKETED 7.62 MM BULLET NOW USED BY SOME VIOLENT CRIMINALS IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE SELF-DEFENCE AND FIGHT-CRIME CAPACITY OF THE POLICE IN CASE OF IMMINENT DANGER, THE SECRETARY SAID ABOUT 1,200 OFFICERS HAD BEEN ISSUED WITH AMMUNITION ADDITIONAL TO THE SIX ROUNDS LOADED IN THEIR REVOLVERS. MOST HAD ALSO BEEN ISSUED WITH A BULLET LOADING DEVICE TO ASSIST THEM IN SPEED RELOADING.
’’THIS IS A TRIAL SCHEME, DURING WHICH DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPEED LOADING EQUIPMENT WILL BE TRIED AND VALUATED, AS WILL BE THE NEED TO ISSUE ADDITIONAL AMMUNITION TO THE REMAINDER OF THE POLICE FORCE,” HE ADDED.
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/10 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17;
10
STEPPED-UP EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD INTERESTS OF IMPORTED WORKERS * t i i i
THE GOVERNMENT HAS STEPPED UP ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEMES AND SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF IMPORTED WORKERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANboWfeft; THE HON JOHN CHAN, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, MR CHAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY SET UP AN ADDITIONAL SREcIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF INSPECTIONS.
LABOUR INSPECTORS OF THE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAMS VtSITfeD IMPORTED WORKERS NOT ONLY AT THEIR PLACES OF WORK BUT ALSO AT THEIR PLACES OF RESIDENCE TO VERIFY WAGE RECORDS, CHECK ACCOMMODATION STANDARDS AND ENSURE THAT EMPLOYERS MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS, HE SAID.
NOTING THAT PARTICULAR EMPHASIS HAD BEEN PLACED ON MEASURES TO PREVENT THE UNDERPAYMENT OR UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION OF WAGES, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING STRENGTHENING THE SANCTIONS AGAINST SUCH MALPRACTICES.
TO ENSURE THAT ALL IMPORTED WORKERS WERE FULLY AWARE OF THEIR CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS, COPIES OF ACTUAL EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS WERE fcElNG DISTRIBUTED TO INDIVIDUAL WORKERS, TOGETHER WITH A LEAFLET SETTING OUT THEIR RIGHTS.
BESIDES, THERE WERE TWO 24-HOUR TELEPHONE HOT-LINES THROUGH WHICH THEY COULD LODGE COMPLAINTS.
MR CHAN REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING AN EXPANSION OF THE CONTROLLED SCHEME TO INPUT OVERSEAS WORKERS IN THOSE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY WHERE THE LABOUR SHORTAGE WAS MOST ACUTE, AS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST WEEK IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
"NO CONCLUSIONS HAVE YET BEEN REACHED ON HOW THIS MIGHT BE DONE," HE SAID.
A TOTAL OF ABOUT 13,700 WORKERS HAD BEEN IMPORTED SINCE 1989. OF THESE, $.15 l|AD HAD THEIR CONTRACTS TERMINATED PREMATURELY BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.
UP TO NOW, 52 IMPORTED WORKERS HAD BEEN REPORTED MISSING: SIX OF THEM HAD SINCE BEEN FOUND AND REPATRIATED AND EFFORTS TO LOCATE THE REMAINING 46 WERE CONTINUING, MR CHAN SAID.
- - 0-----------
/Il ........
THURSDAY, OCtOhEk M| 1951
11
RECRUITMENT OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS DIFFICULT
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING SUFFICIENT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TODAY (THURSDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MRS WONG SAID CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS WERE DEPLOYED IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ROYAL tIONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
SHE SAID THE PRESENT QUALIFICATIONS FOR THEIR APPOtNTMENt WERE EtTHEk A RECOGNISED HONOURS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY, PLUS AT LEAST TWO YEARS' POST-GRADUATE EXPERIENCE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, ok A RECOGNISED MASTER’S DEGREE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY.
HOWEVER, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF THE APPOINTEES IN RECENT YEARS WERE HOLDERS OF A MASTER’S DEGREE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY.
SHE SAID IN THE PAST ACADEMIC YEAR (1990-91), MASTEN’S DEGREE COURSES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY WERE PROVIDED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HoNG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE FORMER, HOWEVER, HAD RECENTLY DECIDED TO SUSPEND THE INTAKE TO ITS COURSE FOR ONE YEAR IN 1991-92 BECAUSE OF A LACK OF QUALIFIED AND INTERESTED CANDIDATES.
IN VIEW OF THIS, THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE HAD RECENTLY SUPPORTED THE CONTINUATION OF THE MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND WOULD PROVIDE FUNDING FOR IT AT LEAST UNTIL 1994-95.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS FACING THE MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMMES AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES WAS THAT THERE WERE INSUFFICIENT QUALIFIED STUDENTS ENROLLING FOR THE PROGRAMMES.
SHE SAID MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO PUBLICISE THE CAREER PROSPECTS OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS IN GOVERNMENT AND THE SUBVERTED SECTOR.
MRS WONG TOLD MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES WITH AN HONOURS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY TO GAIN WORKING EXPERIENCE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY SO AS TO QUALIFY FOR APPOINTMENT AS CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
SHE SAID ONE POSSIBILITY WAS TO CREATE A NEW HANK TO TRAIN GRADUATES WITH AN HONOURS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST RANK.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 19^1
12
HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED ♦ i i t i 4
THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS INTRODUCED IkTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE AcTIHG SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, SAID UNDER SECTION 17AA(1) OF THE HOUSING ORDINANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING MAY STIPULATE, BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE, THAT DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME FLATS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS, COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS MENTIONED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE HOUSING ORDINANCE.
"THE INTENTION IS THAT SUCH NOTICE IS ADMINISTRATIVE RAtMER THAN LEGISLATIVE IN NATURE," MR LEUNG SAID.
"TO REMOVE ANY DOUBT AS TO THE STATUS OF A NOTICE OF A STIPULATION MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, THE BILL ADDS A SUB-SECTION TO THE ORDINANCE TO CLEARLY PROVIDE THAT THE NOTICES IN THE GAZETTE RELATING TO THE STIPULATIONS ARE NOT SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION," HE EXPLAINED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL MANAGER * * i i i
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, ACTING AS THE PROVISIONAL LtQblbATOR, WILL CONSIDER A SPECIAL MANAGER’S QUALIFICATIONS, HIS EXPERIENCE AND HIS TRACK RECORD IN PREVIOUS INSOLVENCY CASES WHEN MAKING THE APPOINTMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE WON DAVID NENDICK, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN REPLY TO A WRITTEN QUESTION BY THE HON WONG HONG-YUEN, HE SAID THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WOULD ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ABILITY OF THE SPECIAL MANAGER’S FIRM TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY STAFF AND RESOURCES, INCLUDING IF NECESSARY INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES, TO DEAL WITH THE PARTICULAR LIQUIDATION.
ALSO UNDER CONSIDERATION WAS THE POTENTIAL CONFLICT OE INTEREST, HE ADDED.
THE ORDER OF APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL MANAGER FIXED THE LEVEL OF HIS AND HIS STAFF’S REMUNERATION, WHICH WAS USUALLY ON A TIME-COST BASIS.
/A SPECIAL .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, l^i
- 13 -
A SPECIAL MANAGER WOULD PRESENT HIS BILLS TO THE oEPICIAL RECEIVER ON A PERIODIC BASIS, AND IF APPROVED BY THE OPPlClAL RECEIVER, THEY WERE SENT TO THE COURT FOR TAXATION OF HtS FEER.
IF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WAS NOT SATISFIED WitH THE PERFORMANCE OF A SPECIAL MANAGER AND THE STAFF HE WAS EMPLOYING ON AN INDIVIDUAL COMPANY LIQUIDATION, HE MIGHT TELL THE COURT THAT Hfi WAS REFUSING TO PAY THE BILL AND MIGHT APPLY TO WITHDRAW THE APPOINTMENT AND APPOINT ANOTHER SPECIAL MANAGER TO ACT IN HIS PLACE.
AS REGARDS THE PERFORMANCE OF SPECIAL MANAGERS 1N TERMS OP value for Money, he said this could be properly assessed only in RELATION TO THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL LIQUIDATIONS.
However, Relevant factors MigHt INCLUDE NHEtHEft fHfi REALISATION AND COLLECTION OF ASSETS FOR DISTRIBUTION to CREDITORS WAS CARRIED OUT EXPEDITIOUSLY; WHETHER A TIMELY AND THOROUGH ASSESSMENT WAS MADE OF THE EXTENT OF THE LIABILITIES OF THE COMPANY CONCERNEDi AND THE HANDLING OF ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THE CONDUCT OF DIRECTORS) HE SAID.
A SPECIAL MANAGER IS REQUIRED TO PILE ACCOUNTS OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS WITH THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND WOULD REPORT TO AND MEET THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER ON A REGULAR BASIS. ‘
IN THE COURSE OF CARRYING OUT HIS WoRk, A SPECIAL MANAGER UNDERTOOK SIMILAR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THOSE OF A LIQUIDATOR ANt) HAD A SIMILAR GENERAL DUTY OF CARE TO THE LIQUIDATOR, THE COMPANY) IRE CREDITORS AND THE’ CONTRIBUTORIES.
THE NETED THAT SECTION 276 OF THE COMPANIES oRbtNANcfi PROTECTED THE INTEREST6 OF CREDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORIES BY PROVIDING FOR THEM TO SEEK REDRESS THROUGH THE COURT FOR ANY MISFEASANCE OR BREACH OF DUTY BY A LIQUIDATOR OR RECEIVER IN RELATION TO THE COMPANY BEING WOUND UP.
THE TERM ’LIQUIDATOR* IN THIS CONTEXT WAS WIDE ENOUGH tO COVER A SPECIAL MANAGER EMPLOYED BY A PROVISIONAL LIQUIDAToRj MR NENDICK SAID.
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BILL MODERNISES FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING LAWS i i i i i
THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1531 WAS DESIGNED 10 MODERNISE AND SIMPLIFY THE LAW RELATING TO FORGERY, COUNTERFEITING OF BANK NOTES AND COINS, AND RELATED CRIMINAL OFFENCES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE Hon JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
Moving the second Reading of the Bill IN THE LEGiSLAtivfe COUNCIL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL WAS MODELLED SUBSTANTIALLY ON THE ENGLISH FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING ACT 1981, WHICH REPEALED THE FORGERY ACT 1913 ON WHICH THE CURRENT FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING LAWS IN HONG KONG WERE BASED.
/•■Under the...........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
- 14 -
"UNDER THE EXISTING LAW THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF OFFENCES CARRYING DIFFERENT MAXIMUM PENALTIES, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE DOCUMENT FORGED. THIS MULTIPLICITY OF OFFENCES IS NOT WARRANTED," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE BILL WOULD REPLACE THE NUMEROUS FoRgERY PROVISIONS WITH THREE BASIC FORMS OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT! MAKING A FALSE INSTRUMENT; MAKING A COPY OF A FALSE INSTRUMENT; AND USING A FALSE INSTRUMENT.
THE BILL WOULD ABOLISH THE OLD COMMON LAW OFFENCE OF FORGERY WHICH HAD FALLEN INTO DISUSE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ADDED.
THE NEW STATUTORY OFFENCE OF FORGERY WAS DEFINED As THE MAktMG OF A FALSE INSTRUMENT WITH THE INTENTION THAT IT BE ACCEPTED AS GENUINE TO CAUSE SOMEBODY WHO SO ACCEPTED IT TO ACT TO HIS OR ANOTHER’S PREJUDICE.
THE BILL DEFINED "INSTRUMENT" SO As TO INCLUDE NOT ONLY DOCUMENTS, BUT ANY DEVICE ON WHICH INFORMATION WAS RECORDED OR STORED BY MECHANICAL, ELECTRONIC, OPTICAL OR OTHER MEANS.
"THE LAW WILL THUS NOT ONLY EMBRACE SUCH ITEMS AS CHEQUES LETTERS OF CREDIT, BUT WILL BE APT TO INCLUDE MODERN FORMS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
ON COUNTERFEITING CURRENCY NOTES AND COINS, MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL BROUGHT TOGETHER THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS INTO A SINGLE OFFENCE.
THERE WERE CORRESPONDING OFFENCES OF PASSING A CoUMTERFEIT NOTE OR COIN, POSSESSING'A COUNTERFEIT NOTE OR COIN, AND POSSESSING AN IMPLEMENT FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH COUNTERFEIT, HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT THE BILL WOULD GIVE THE SECRETARY FoR MONETARY AFFAIRS A DISCRETION TO PERMIT THE REPRODUCTION OF HONG KONG CURRENCY NOTES AND COINS.
"THIS WILL, FOR EXAMPLE, ENABLE THE LEGITIMATE PRODUCTION Ui? IMITATION OR THEATRICAL MONEY, WHICH MAY BE MADE WITHOUT ANY CRIMINAL INTENT," HE SAID.
IN LINE WITH THE SIMPLIFICATION OF OFFENCES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE BILL RATIONALISED THE SYSTEM OF PENALTIES.
"IN GENERAL TERMS, A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 14 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT IS PRESCRIBED WHEP.E THERE IS AN INTENT TO USE AS GENUINE THE FORGED INSTRUMENT OR COUNTERFEIT NOTE OR COIN; AND THREE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT WHERE SUCK INTENT IS NOT PROVEN," HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID SOME FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING oFfENcES CURRENTLY CARRIED A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
"IN ABANDONING THIS PENALTY, THE BILL RECOGNISES THAT CURRENT SENTENCING PRINCIPLES RENDER THE IMPOSITION OF SUCH SENTENCE EXTREMELY UNLIKELY. THERE IS NO KNOWN EXAMPLE IN MODERN TIMES," HE SAID.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1531
- 15 -
MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT EXISTING POWERS OF SEARCH AND FORFEItUBE WERE RETAINED IN A MODERNISED FORM IN THE BILL.
"THERE IS A SAVING PROVISION FOR POWERS OF SEARCH AND FORFEITURE IN RESPECT OF OFFENCES OR ' SUSPECTED OFFENCES COMMITTED BEFORE THE NEW PROVISIONS COME INTO FORCE," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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RABIES BILL INTRODUCED
*****
THE RABIES BILL SEEKS TO CONSOLIDATE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF RABIES INTO A SINGLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND INTRODUCES SUCH ADDITIONAL MEASURES AS ARE NECESSARY TO DEAL COMPREHENSIVELY WITH THE THREAT OF RABIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT RABIES WAS A VIRAL DISEASE WHICH COULD AFFECT ANY SPECIES OF MAMMAL. IT COULD BE SPREAD WIDELY AND RAPIDLY FROM ANIMAL TO ANIMAL AND FROM ANIMAL TO MAN AND WAS FATAL ONCE SYMPTOMS DEVELOP.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PREVENT THE DISEASE FROM BEING ’INTRODUCED INTO HONG KONG AND, IN THE EVENT OF AN OUTBREAK, TO REACT SWIFTLY WITH FIRM MEASURES TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE AND ERADICATE IT," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE EXISTING PROVISIONS FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF RABIES WERE FOUND UNDER TWO ORDINANCES, NAMELY, THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE.
A REVIEW HAD FOUND THAT THESE PROVISIONS WERE INADEQUATE TO ENSURE THAT THE THREAT POSED BY RABIES COULD BE DEALT WITH EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY, SHE NOTED.
THE ADDITIONAL MEASURES WHICH THE BILL INTRODUCED FELL INTO THREE MAIN CATEGORIES, MRS CHAN SAID.
FIRST, CONTROLS WERE TO BE MADE MORE UNIFORM AND SPECIFIC, SHE SAID, NOTING THAT THE RABIES CONTROL PROVISIONS OF THE DOGS AND CATS ORDINANCE DID NOT APPLY TO OTHER MAMMALS.
"ALTHOUGH THE PREVENTION OF RABIES AMONG DOGS, CATS AND MOST OTHER MAMMALS IS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE, THE PROVISIONS ARE TOO GENERAL TO ALLOW SPECIFIC SITUATIONS TO BE DEALT WITH EFFECTIVELY DURING A RABIES OUTBREAK.
"THE BILL THEREFORE PROVIDES FOR ALL THESE MAMMALS TO BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME SET OF MORE SPECIFIC CONTROLS," SHE EXPLAINED.
/IT WAS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
16
IT REGULATIONS
SYSTEM
WAS INTENDED THAT THESE CONTROLS SHOULD INCLUDE, tN
AUTHORISED TO BE MADE BY THE BILL, AN IMPORT PERMIT APPLICABLE TO ALL MAMMALS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR PLACE OF
ORIGIN, MRS CHAN SAID.
ONE CONSEQUENCE FROM CHINA UNDER THE COUNTRIES, SHE ADDED.
WOULD BE TO BRING THE IMPORTATION OF AMlMALS SAME DEGREE OF CONTROL AS APPLIED TO OTHER
SECONDLY, ADDITIONAL POWERS WERE TO BE GIVEN TO THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND OFFICERS AUTHORISED BY HIM TO FACILITATE THE SUPPRESSION OF A RABIES OUTBREAK.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE DIRECTOR IS TO BE EMPOWERED TO DECLARE RAfelfeS CONTROL AREAS AND TO CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS WITHIN, TO AND FROM SUCH AREAS,” SHE SAID.
AUTHORISED OFFICERS WERE TO BE EMPOWERED TO ISSUE DIRECTIONS IN THE INTERESTS OF RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL, TO REQUEST INFORMATION, TO SEIZE, DETAIN AND DESTROY ANIMALS AND ARTICLES ASSOCIATED WITH THEM AND TO ARREST WHEN NECESSARY, MRS CHAN SAID.
THIRDLY, SAID MRS PREVENTION AND CONTROL WAS THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
CHAN, GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR RABIES TO BE PLACED UPON KEEPERS OF ANIMALS AND
"STIFFER PENALTIES MEASURES," SHE SAID.
ARE PROPOSED FOR VIOLATIONS OF CONTROL
"CERTAIN ACTS WHICH MIGHT FACILITATE THE SPREAD OF RABIES AND WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY NOT OFFENCES, SUCH AS THE ABANDONMENT OF AN ANIMAL AND THE FEEDING OF ANIMALS BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT THEIR KEEPERS IN SUCH PLACES AS MAY BE SPECIFIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, ARE NOW MADE OFFENCES."
MRS CHAN STRESSED THAT THESE MEASURES WERE PROPOSED IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WOULD NOT AFFECT THOSE WHO KEPT ANIMALS UNDER PROPER CARE AND CONTROL.
THE ANY SHE
THEY WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC WAS BETTER PROTECTED AGAINST THREAT OF RABIES AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO REACT TO DEADLY DISEASE MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY,
OUTBREAK OF THIS ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE
BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
THREE BILLS INTRODUCED INTO *****
LEGCO
THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY WERE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND RABIES BILL.
DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1990/91 WAS TABLED BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1931
- 17 -
14 MORE TAKEN ILL EATING TAINTED VEGETABLES
*****
FOURTEEN MORE PEOPLE - EIGHT WOMEN AND SIX MEN - BECAME tLL TODAY (THURSDAY) AFTER EATING PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED CHOI SUM (CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE).
ELEVEN OF THEM - SIX WOMEN AND FIVE MEN - WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT AND OBSERVATION. THEY ARE ALL IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION. THE OTHER THREE WERE TREATED AND DISCHARGED.
THEY BOUGHT THE VEGETABLES FROM MARKETS AND STREET HAWKERS KOWLOON AND TSUEN WAN.
SINCE THE FIRST CASE OF VEGETABLE-POISONING WAS REPORTED LAST WEEK, 40 PEOPLE FROM 27 FAMILIES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.
OF THE THREE WHO WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL EARLIER THIS WEEKj ONE HAD BEEN DISCHARGED. THE CONDITION OF THE OTHER TWO MEH WAS DESCRIBED AS SATISFACTORY.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE)j DR M.B. ALI, AgAIH URGED THE PUBLIC TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING.
HE ADDED THAT BORDER-CHECKING AND SAMPLING HAD BEEN INTENSIFIED.
UP TO THIS MORNING, A TOTAL OF 583 VEGETABLE SAMPLES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM STREET HAWKERS, MARKET STALLS AND MAN KAM TO FOR EXAMINATION.
OF THE 539 SAMPLES TESTED SO EAR* SEVEN, tNcLUDtNO TWO ROOD RAMNANTS, WERE FOUND TO' HAVE CONTAINED METHAMIDOPHOS. RESULTS OF THE OTHER 44 SAMPLES ARE STILL PENDING.
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STATEMENT ON GOLF COURSE PROPOSAL * * * * i
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT A PROPOSAL TO BUILD A GOLE COURSE IN SHA LO TUNG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT PUBLIC INTEREST WAS FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD’S DELIBERATION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNMENT.
the board Attached great importance in ensuring that sHA Lo TUNG WILL REMAIN OPEN AND GREEN WITH MORE RECREATIONAL FAclLtTlES AND BETTER ACCESS FOR PUBLIC USE.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THOUGH ABOUT HALE OF THE PROPOSED GOLF COURSE AREA WILL FALL WITHIN THE COUNTRY PARK BOUNDARIES, ONLY A VERY SMALL AREA OF 0.75 HECTARE WtLL BE REQUIRED FOR BUILDING OF VILLAGE HOUSES. IN FACT, MOST OF THE PROPOSED LOW-DENSITY BUILDING DEVELOPMENT WILL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE Developer’s private land.
/IN ENDORSING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
18
IN ENDORSING THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD INCORPORATED THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC INTEREST:
♦ THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY SHOULD NOT BE DISRUPTED,
* THE DEVELOPER SHOULD ENTER INTO A COMMITMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE GOLF COURSE MUST ALSO BE OPENED FOR PUBLIC USE IN TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE LICENCE,
♦ PUBLIC ACCESS AND PARKING FACILITIES SHOULD BE IMPROVED)
* THE DEVELOPER SHOULD PROVIDE MORE PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, SUCH AS FOOTPATHS, TOILETS, SHELTERS, PICNIC SITES AND A VISITOR CENTRE,
i THE TRADITIONAL HAKKA VILLAGE AT SHA LO TUNG tttTH SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL VALUE SHOULD BE PRESERVED,
* BEFORE WORKS BEGIN, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF tHE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE FULLY ASSESSED,
* THE VILLAGE WOODLAND SHOULD BE PRESERVED AND THERE SHOULD BE A COMPREHENSIVE LANDSCAPING SCHEME, AND
* TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE ABOVE. CONDITIONS) A PERFORMANCE BOND WILL BE REQUIRED FROM THE DEVELOPER.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF KEEPING THE PROPOSAL SECRETIVE.
"THE VILLAGERS TO BE AFFECTED ARE WELL AWARE OF THE DETAILS AND HAVE GENERALLY SUPPORTED IT. THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WAS REPORTED IN THE PRESS AS EARLY AS 1987.
"APART FROM THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD’S INVOLVEMENT, ADVtCE WAS ALSO SOUGHT FROM THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD IN RESPECT OF PRESERVATION OF THE HAKKA VILLAGE. BOTH OF THESE ADVISORY BOARDS HAVE WIDE PUBLIC REPRESENTATION.
"THE RURAL COMMITTEE CONCERNED IS SOON TO BE CONSULTED ON THE VILLAGE RELOCATION PROPOSAL AND THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED IN DETAIL," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/19 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
- 19 -
✓
JUNE EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED
* * * * *
IN JUNE 1991, LABOUR RESOURCES CONTINUED TO SHIFT FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES. THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN MOST SECTORS FELL. EARNINGS IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS RECORDED FURTHER INCREASES IN MONEY TERMS OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE RATE OF INCREASE IN SEVERAL SECTORS WAS, HOWEVER, SLOWER THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE STATISTICS REFER TO THE JUNE POSITION ONLY. THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FIGURES SHOW THAT THE LABOUR MARKET HAS TIGHTENED UP IN THE MOST RECENT MONTHS.
THERE WERE 681,100 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN JUNE 199), REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 9.8 PER CENT FROM JUNE 1990.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 874,300 IN JUNE 1991, WAS 8.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1990.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 283,600, WAS UP BY 5.3 PER CENT.
PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT 63,500, WAS 9.8 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN JUNE 1990.
THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR JUNE 1991 IN THE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISONS WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1990 AND MARCH 1994, ARE AS FOLLOWS :
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN @ JUN 90 MAR 91 JUN 91 PERCENTAGE JUN 91 OVER JUN 90 CHANGE 1 JUN 91 OVER MAR 91
MANUFACTURING 755,000 696,800 681,100 -8.8 -2.3
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 70,400 66,700 63,500* -9.8 -4.3
WHOLESALE, RETAIL** AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 804,300 1 852,700 874,300 + 8*7 4-2.6
/FINANCING.........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
20
FINANCING, 269,300 276,700 283,600 +5.3 +2.5
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* PROVISIONAL FIGURE.
® FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HUNDRED.
# BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
* * EXCLUDING HAWKERS, STREET VENDORS, RETAIL PITCHES (OTHER THAN MARKET STALLS)
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN JUNE 1991 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
BEGINNING FROM THE 1ST QUARTER 1991j THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ADOPTED THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC) CODES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF ECONOMIC SECTORS.
FIGURES FOR JUNE 1990 HAVE ALSO BEEN REVISED TO CONFORM TO THE HSIC CODES FOR COMPARISON PURPOSE.
THUS, THE FIGURES CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE MAY llOT EE FULLY COMPARABLE WITH THOSE IN THE PREVIOUS REPORTS DUE TO THE CHARGE IN CLASSIFICATION.
THE TWO SURVEYS1 ALSO PROVIDE VACANCY STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS. THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1990 AND MARCH 1991 ARE AS FOLLOWS !
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE 1
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN 90 MAR 91 JUN 91 JUN 91 OVER JUN 90 JUN 91 MAR OVER 91
MANUFACTURING 37,410 31,760 25,250 -32.5 -20. 6
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 2,160 1,150 940* -56.5 -18. 2
WHOLESALE, 27,550 RETAIL** AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 33,240 24,910 -9.6 -25. 1
/FINANCING .....
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 17, 1991
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
♦
# ♦ ♦
9,530 9,150 8,730 -8.4 -4.6
PROVISIONAL FIGURE.
FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY EXCLUDING HAWKERS, STREET (OTHER THAN MARKET STALLS)
NEAREST TEN.
FIGURES.
VENDORS AND RETAIL PITCHES
COMPARING JUNE 1991 WITH JUNE 1990, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES DECLINED IN THESE MAJOR SECTORS, IN LINE WITH THE EARLIER ^SING OF THF 1ABOUR MARKET IN THE SECOND QUARTER. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED JacANC?ES? AT AROUND 79,560, DECREASED BY 19.0 PER CENT IN JUNE 1991
OVER JUNE 1990.
THE
SITES, BY WHOLESALE,
SECTOR;
SERVICES
AND
MOST SIGNIFICANT DECLINE WAS -RECORDED ON CONSTRUCTION 56.5 PER CENT, FOLLOWED BY THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; 1HE RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS I THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS 32.5 PER CENT, 9.6 PER CENT AND 8.4 PER CENT
SECTOR; BY
RESPECTIVELY.
FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND ON THE MONTHLY TOTAL PAYROLL. QUARTERLY TOTALS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE :
ALSO AVAILABLE PAYROLL ARE STATISTICS FOR THE MAJOR SECTORS
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 2ND QTR 1990 2ND QTR 1991 2ND QTR 1991 OVER 2ND QTR 1990
HK$ MN HK$ MN *
MANUFACTURING 11,398 11,508 + 1.0
WHOLESALE, RETAIL** AND.IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 12,678 15,477 + 22.1
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 6,881 8,075 + 17.4
* BASED ' ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES
** EXCLUDING HAWKERS, (OTHER THAN MARKET STREET VENDORS STALLS) AND RETAIL PITCHES
/COMPARED-WITH........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
- 22
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE MANUFACTURING, THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES^ RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS, AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT, 22.1 PER CENT AND 17.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991.
after Adjustment for variations in total monthly PAYROLL BETWEEN JUNE 1990 AND JUNE 1991, 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 DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) (OCTOBER 84 - SEPTEMBER 85 =
100) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. THESE TWO INDICES FOR JUNE 1990 AND JUNE 1991 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW t
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (MARCH 1991 = 100) X CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN 90 JUN 91 JUN 91 OVER JUN 90
MANUFACTURING < 94.6 104.9 + 10.9
WHOLESALE, RETAIL** AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 91.9 103.2 + 12.3
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 92.5 101.4 + 9.6
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (MARCH 1991 =100) % CHANGE
JUN 90 JUN 91 JUN 91 OVER JUN 90
MANUFACTURING 104.0 102.6 -1.3
WHOLESALE, RETAIL*.* AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 101.0 101.0 0
/FINANCING .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
23
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
101.6
99.2
-2.4
** EXCLUDING HAWKERS, STREET VENDORS AND RETAIL (OTHER THAN MARKET STALLS)
PITCHES
BETWEEN JUNE 1990 AND JUNE 1991, AVERAGE EARNINGS ALL SECTORS, AS MEASURED BY PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED, RECORDED FURtHER INCREASES IN MONEY TERMS. AN INCREASE OF 10.9 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURAHtH AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 12.3 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 9.6 PER CENT.
AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES BETWEEN JUNE 1990 AND JUNE 1991, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN JUNE 1991, AS COMPARED WITH THAT IN JUNE 1990, DECREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, BUT REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR.
FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE REAL INDEX DECREASED BY 2.4 PER CENT.
4
WHILE THESE DECLINES IN REAL EARNINGS WERE IN LINE WITH THE EARLIER EASING IN LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS, A RELATIVELY HIGH BASE OF COMPARISON IN JUNE 1990 AND THE LEVEL OF INFLATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 ALSO CONTRIBUTED.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS( JUNE 1991 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, JUNE 1991.
THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT $L3.50 PER COPY AND $8.50 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.
- - 0 - -
Z24
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
24
150 000 PUBLIC FLATS UNDER CONSTRUCTION i * i * i *
AT ANY ONE TIME, SOME 150 000 FLATS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION Fob THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY.
WORKING AT THIS PACE, AT WHICH SOME 50 000 FLATS HAVfc PEEN COMPLETED IN EACH OF THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE AUTHORITY AIMS TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING HOMES FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN NEED BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING IN MARCH 1991, THE AUTHORITY SPENT $6.5 BILLION ON NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK, AND NEARLY $1 BILLION ON MAINTENANCE JOBS.
WITH THE LATEST OUTPUT OF FLATS, THE AUTHORITY NOW MANAGES 143 RENTAL ESTATES, 85 OWNERSHIP ESTATES, AND 79 TEMPORARY HOUSING ANb COTTAGE AREAS WHICH, IN ALL, HOUSE SOME THREE MILLION PEOPLE.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE DETAILS ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING CONTAtNEb IN THE 1990-91 REPORT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WHICH HAS BEEN TABLED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL FROM OCTOBER 18 (FRIDAY), AT $30 A COPY.
IN HIS REVIEW FOR THE YEAR, THE AUTHORITY’S CHAIRMAN, SlR DAvtb AKERS-JONES POINTS OUT THAT SOME 400 000 MORE PUBLIC FLATS WILL BE BUILT UP TO THE TURN OF THE CENTURY TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE GOVERNMENT'S LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE ABOUT 270 000 FLATS.
SIR DAVID POINTS OUT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY EXTENDS TO ALL ASPECTS OF HOUSING IN THE CITY.
THUS IT VALUES GREATLY ITS CLOSE LINKS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT THESE BONDS ARE MAINTAINED.
"THE PRIVATE SECTOR ROLE IN THE HOUSING STRATEGY IS ESSfeNttAL FOR ITS SUCCESS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO."
ANOTHER MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT DURING THE YEAR WAS THE COMPLETION Ofr A PHASE OF A REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN WHICH OVER HALF A MILLION PEOPLE WERE MOVED INTO NEW HOUSING OVER A 19-YEAR PERIOD, AT A CONSTRUCTION COST OF SOME $11 BILLION AT TODAY’S PRICES.
THE REPORT, PRINTED IN COLOUR, IS WELL iLLUSTRATfeb HITti PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND STATISTICS. IT CONTAINS INFORMATION ON PUBLIC HOUSING WHICH WILL APPEAL TO BOTH THE GENERAL READER AND PROFESSIONAL.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF COMPLIMENTARY CORIES IS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION. ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO OBTAIN THE REPORT SHOULD WRITE TO THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION, HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY, FOURTH FLOOR, BLOCK 1, 33 FAT KWONG STREET, HOMANTIN, KOWLOON.
------0 -
/25 .......
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 17, 1991
25
NO NEED FOR TAX INCENTIVEG *****
THERE IS NOT AT PRESENT ANY NEED TO INTRODUCE SPECIFIC TAX INCENTIVES FOR DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN BUSINESSES, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, MR ANTHONY AU-YEUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR AU-YEUNG SAID THE PRESENT TAX REGIME OF HONG KONG DID HAVE A NUMBER OF ATTRACTIVE FEATURES AND THAT IT WAS NOT PARTICULARLY ONEROUS BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS SO FAR AS DETERMINING INVESTMENT DECISIONS WAS CONCERNED.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON "TAX INCENTIVES - DO WE NEED THEM?", THE COMMISSIONER SAID:
"WE DON’T HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF SPECIFIC CONCESSIONS, BUT OUR TAX RATES ARE CERTAINLY LOW."
HE POINTED OUT THAT TAX INCENTIVES MIGHT BE PROVIDED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF WAYS.
GENERALLY, HE SAID, THEY CONSISTED OF COMPLETE OR PARTIAL EXEMPTION FROM TAX, RAPID OR ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION, SPECIAL ALLOWANCES AND DEDUCTIONS, AND CONCESSIONARY RATES OF TAX.
MR AU-YEUNG SAID IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE FOR VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS TO URGE FOR FURTHER TAX INCENTIVES TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
"TYPICALLY, THE CALL FOR INCENTIVES GOES ALONG THE LINES THAT ’BUSINESS TAX BREAKS’ ARE NECESSARY IF HONG KONG IS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN FOREIGN INVESTORS IN COMPETITION WITH OTHER ECONOMIES IN THE REGION," HE SAID. «
HE SAID ONE OF THE MORE FREQUENT SUGGESTIONS WAS THAT REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OPERATIONS LOCATED IN HONG KONG SHOULD EITHER BE EXEMPTED FROM TAX OR TAXED AT A REDUCED RATE IN RESPECT OF ANY PROFITS MADE FROM THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO AFFILIATES OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"SO THE COMMON THEME UNDERLYING THE LOBBYING IS REGIONAL COMPETITION - THE DANGER THAT MINIMAL SPECIFIC INCENTIVES IN HONG KONG WILL LEAD TO BUSINESSES BY-PASSING THE TERRITORY IN FAVOUR OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
MR AU-YEUNG SAID THE CASE FOR INCENTIVES WAS BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT THEY INDUCED INVESTORS TO BEHAVE IN A MANNER DESIRED BY GOVERNMENT AND THAT IN THEIR ABSENCE SUCH BEHAVIOUR WOULD NOT BE FORTHCOMING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE OTHER MAIN ARGUMENT PUT FORWARD FOR TAX INCENTIVES WAS THAT THEY REPRESENTED THE SIMPLEST MEANS OF ENCOURAGING GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES.
"IN MY OPINION THESE ARGUMENTS ARE OF DUBIOUS MERIT," THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
THE FIRST, HE ARGUED, ASSUMED THAT TAXATION WAS OF PARAMOUNT CONCERN TO A FIRM WHEN IT WAS DECIDING WHERE TO INVEST.
/26 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1951
- 26 -
"BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT ONLY RARELY WILL AN INVESTMENT DECISION BE DETERMINED BY THE POTENTIAL SIZE OF A TAX BILL WHERE THE RULING RATES OF TAX ARE LOW," HE SAID.
MR AU-YEUNG SAID OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS THE NATURE OF POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, EXISTENCE OF A WELL-DEVELOPED INFRASTRUCTUREj AVAILABILITY OF A SKILLED WORKFORCE, SECURITY OF RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIES, AND PROXIMITY TO THE PROPOSED MARKET MIGHT WELL HAVE EQUAL OR GREATER WEIGHT WHEN COMPARED TO THE TAXATION FACTOR.
"EVEN IF IT IS ASSUMED THAT TAX INCENTIVES DO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT, IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THAT THEY REPRESENT THE BEST MEANS OF ENCOURAGEMENT," HE SAID.
HE CAUTIONED THAT SUCH INCENTIVES MIGHT REPRESENT A COST TO THE REVENUE WHICH WAS NOT COMPENSATED FOR BY ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT.
"OF COURSE, TO MAKE SURE THAT TAX INCENTIVES GO TO THE HiQHt RECIPIENTS THEY CAN BE OFFERED ON CONDITIONS THAT ARE JUST AS COMPLICATED AND DISCRETIONARY AS SUBSIDIES OR GRANTS," HE SAID.
MR AU-YEUNG SAID ANOTHER MAJOR DISADVANTAGE OF TAX INCENTIVESj AT LEAST FROM THE TAX ADMINISTRATOR’S POINT OF VIEW, WAS THAT THEY COMPLICATED LEGISLATION AND PROVIDED AVENUES FOR AVOIDANCE ARRANGEMENTS.
ON THE SUBJECT OF TAX INCENTIVES BEING EXPLOITED, NE SAID THEHE WERE RECENTLY DIFFICULTIES IN HONG KONG.
FOR THIS REASON, HE SAID, LEGISLATION WOULD SHORTLY EE INTRODUCED TO TIGHTEN UP THE TERMS OF SECTION IBS OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
<
"WE WANT TO MORE CLEARLY SPELL OUT - IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED BY SOME - THAT THE SECTION WAS INTENDED TO PROMOTE THE UPGRADING OF TECHNOLOGY IN LOCAL INDUSTRY," HE EXPLAINED.
FROM THE TAXPAYERS’ POINT OF VIEW, TAX INCENTIVES HAD A NuMfeEfc
of Negative aspects.
MR AU-YEUNG SAID TAX INCENTIVES ALSO OFFENDED THE FfttNctPLE THAT TAX SHOULD BE LEVIED EQUITABLY.
OTHER INEQUITIES MIGHT ALSO BE DIFFICULT TO AVOID.
"BUSINESSES MAKING LOSSES WILL GENERALLY NOT RfecEtVfe ANY IMMEDIATE BENEFIT IN RESPECT OF TAX EXEMPTIONS EVEN THOUGH THEIR NEED WILL OFTEN BE GREATER THAN THAT OF PROFITABLE CONCERNS," HE SAID;
HE SAID TAX INCENTIVES MIGHT ALSO BE CRITICISED ON THE GROUND THAT THEY COULD INFLUENCE INVESTMENT PRIORITIES TOWARDS ASSETS Yielding higher tax benefits, but lower real Productivity.
"THIS CAN HAVE THE CONSEQUENCE THAT THE INCENTIVES ADVERSELY Affect Resource allocation and the structure of the economy," HE said.
/ONE FINAL .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
- 27 -
ONE FINAL NEGATIVE ASPECT, HE SAID, WAS THE POSSIBILITY THAT A TAXATION EXEMPTION OR REDUCTION GRANTED TO A FOREIGN INVESTOR MIGHT END UP ONLY BEING OF BENEFIT TO THE INVESTOR’S HOME COUNTRY.
HE SAID THIS SITUATION COULD ARISE WHERE THE TAX SAVING PROVIDED BY AN INCENTIVE WAS SIMPLY MATCHED BY A REDUCTION IN THE TAX CREDIT ALLOWED BY THE HOME COUNTRY IN RESPECT OF THE FOREIGN INCOME.
THE PROBLEM COULD BE OVERCOME BY A TAX SPARING CLAUSE IN AH APPLICABLE DOUBLE TREATY - IF ONE HAD BEEN NEGOTIATED.
"YOU WILL APPRECIATE, HOWEVER, THAT THIS POSSIBILITY IS HARbLY RELEVANT IN HONG KONG TODAY - WE HAVE NO SUCH TREATIES," THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
HE ALSO SPELLED OUT A NUMBER OF ATTRACTIVE FEATURES OF rtGHG KONG’S TAX REGIME WHICH WOULD ATTRACT INVESTMENTS.
THEY WERE: SIMPLICITY AND NEUTRALITY OF TAX LAW, CONSISTENCY IN TAXATION POLICIES, LOW RATES OF TAXATION, INCOME TAXED ON A TERRITORIAL SOURCE BASIS, NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND NONRESIDENTS, DIVIDENDS NOT SUBJECT TO TAXATION, NO INTEREST TAX AND RESTRICTED TAX ON FRINGE BENEFITS.
-----------0-------- <
PROHIBITION ON TRADE IN PRISON-MADE GOODS REMINDER ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED HONG KONG COMPANIES THAT TRADE IN PRISON-MADE GOODS IS PROHIBITED UNDER BOTH CHINESE AND U.S. REGULATIONS AND THAT SUCH TRADE IS LIABLE TO BE DETAINED OR CONFISCATED BY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES.
’’THE U.S. CUSTOMS HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO HOLD UP SHIPMENTS OF CERTAIN WRENCHES AND STEEL PIPES IMPORTED FROM CHINA SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN PRODUCED BY PRISON LABOUR.
’’ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CUSTOMS NEWS RELEASE, IMPORTATION OF PRISON-MADE GOODS INTO THE U.S. IS IN VIOLATION OF U.S. FEDERAL LAW.
’’THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO MADE KNOWN THAT IT IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ALLOW EXPORT OF PRISON-MADE GOODS AND THAT VIOLATION MAY BE PENALISED ACCORDINGLY,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WOULD ISSUE A COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR TO DRAW THE ABOVE TO THE ATTENTION OF THE TRADING COMMUNITY.
’’HONG KONG COMPANIES MUST CONFORM TO THE LAW AND REGULATIONS OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS WHEN DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM,” HE STRESSED.
--------0-----------
/2 8........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
28
CHINESE OFFICIALS TO VISIT HK
******
AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, A GROUP OF SIX OFFICIALS FROM THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM OCTOBER 21 TO 31 FOR A 11-DAY PROGRAMME OF VISITS AND BRIEFINGS.
THE GROUP WILL BE LED BY AMBASSADOR CUI MINGTANG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE, THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
THE VISIT IS ONE OF A SERIES WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS TO GIVE CHINESE OFFICIALS A FIRST-HAND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW HONG KONG WORKS.
THE VISITORS WILL BE BRIEFED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, ECONOMIC, MONETARY AND FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL POLICIES AND INFRA-STRUCTURAL. FACILITIES.
- - 0 - -
OPENING OF LOK MA CHAU WEST BRIDGE »♦♦♦♦*
THE SECOND (WEST), TWO-LANE ROAD BRIDGE OVER THE SHENZHEN RIVER AT THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC TOMORROW (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE EXISTING BRIDGE (EAST BRIDGE) HAS BEEN PROVIDING THE ROAD LINK SINCE THE CROSSING WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC ON DECEMBER 29, 1989. THERE ARE ABOUT 5,700 VEHICLES CROSSING AT LOK MA CHAU DAILY.
"WITH THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC, THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND BRIDGE WILL ALLOW A DUAL TWO-LANE OPERATION AT THE CROSSING, THEREBY FACILITATING VEHICLE MOVEMENTS AND ENHANCING ROAD SAFETY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
CHAIRMAN OF PEC HK COMMITTEE APPOINTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF DR RAYMOND CH’IEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LAM SOON HONG KONG GROUP, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION.
THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE, STRUCTURED ON A TRIPARTITE BASIS, IS APPOINTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD. IT COMPRISES LEADING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC SECTORS AND ALSO FROM WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT.
/THE HONG
THURSDAY, (XTOBER 3 7, 1991
29
THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION WAS SET UP IN MARCH 1990 TO ADVISE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC) AND TO CO-ORDINATE HONG KONG’S INPUT TO THE CONFERENCE.
PECC IS A NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION SET UP IN 1980 COMPRISING 19 MEMBER COMMITTEES FROM AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI, CANADA, CHILE, CHINA, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, PERU, NEW ZEALAND, THE PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN (STYLED AS CHINESE-TAIPEI), THAILAND AND THE USA. HONG KONG BECAME A MEMBER IN MAY THIS YEAR.
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DB APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT-TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE SEVEN VACANT DISTRICT BOARD SEATS.
THE APPOINTEES ARE: KOWLOON CITY
DR TSE CHI-WAI, DANIEL, CBE, JP SOUTHERN
MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING KWUN TONG
MR LUK HING-TOO KWAI TSING
MR CHEUNG YIU-TAK, PETER NORTH
MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, CBE, JP SHA TIN
MR WONG WANG-FAT, ANDREW, OBE, JP
/TUEN MUN
Tir’RSDAY. ? :ER 17, 1771
TUEN MUN
MR CHAU LIK-KAI, RICKY.
THEY WILL SERVE ON THE BOARDS FROM TOMOPROW (OCTOBER 18) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.
THEIR APPOINTMENTS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW.
- - 0 - -
BILL TO GIVE PEAK TRAMWAY MORE FLEXIBILITY ENDORSED * * ♦ i t
THE GOVERNMENT IN CONCIL HAD ENDORSED THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A MAJOR PROVISION .OF THE BILL IU TO ENABLE THE COMPANY TO ENTER LANDS ADJOINING THE TRAMWAY FOR REPAIR OR ACCIDENT PREVENTION WORKS WITH THE RIGHT FOR COMPENSATION PROVIDED TO ANY AFFECTED PARTY.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR A MORE GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORKS TO BE CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED BY THE COMPANY TO AVOID OMISSIONS.
IT ALSO ENABLES THE COMPANY TO APPLY FOR RENEWAL OF ITS OPERATING RIGHT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE AMENDMENT BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE GAZETTED ON OCTOBER 25 AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 6.
- - 0 - -
AIDS EDUCATION CAMP FOR YOUTH ♦ * i ♦ i
ABOUT 200 PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 30 WILL TAKE PART IN A TWO-DAY AIDS EDUCATION CAMP FOR YOUTH AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (OCTOBER 19 AND 20).
WITH "SHARING THE CHALLENGE" AS ITS THEME, THE CAMP IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS.
IT IS SUPPORTED BY THE CARITAS GROUP AND COMMUNITY WORK SERVICE, THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, THE HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES.
/AN OPEN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1991
31 -
AN OPEN CAMP PROGRAMME WILL START AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY. ATTENDING WILL BE THE CONVENOR OF THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS, REV ALFRED J. DEIGNAN; AND THE PRINCIPAL MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DR P.Y. LAM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AIDS EDUCATION CAMP’S OPEN CAMP PROGRAMME ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 20).
TRANSPORT HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE CAMP SITE AT SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, AND RETURN. THE VEHICLE WILL LEAVE SUNNING PLAZA, 10 HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY AT 9 AM.
THOSE WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITY SHOULD CONTACT MISS IRIS TANG ON TEL. 890 0575/6. RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
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31 INMATES PASSED PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS * * * * * i
THIRTY-ONE INMATES AT PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON RECEIVED CERTIFICATES FOR PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
THEY OBTAINED A TOTAL OF 20 DISTINCTIONS, 11 CREDITS AND 40 PASSES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY EXAMINATIONS AND PITMAN EXAMINATIONS.
THE HONORARY SECRETARY OF THE DUTY FREE SHOPPERS CHARITABLE TRUST COMMITTEE, MR J. ROGER THOMAS, PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO THE INMATES AT A CERTIFICATE PESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE INSTITUTION.
SINCE 1979, 1,531 YOUNG INMATES HAD SAT FOR A TOTAL OF 2,064 PAPERS IN VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS. TOTALLY, THEY ACHIEVED 402 DISTINCTIONS, 210 CREDITS AND 1,114 PASSES. THE AVERAGE PASSING RATE IS 83.6 PER CENT.
/32........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, J991
32
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FIR’D MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 15.10.91 * 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 17.10.91 + 157
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -157
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.9 *-0.1* 17 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT .10.91 EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
17.10.91 15.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.59 PCT 4.86 PCT
1 MONTH 4.49 PCT 4.72 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.55 PCT 4.88 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.84 PCT 5.03 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.68 PCT 5.81 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 8,330 MN 5,955 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TALKS ON VM ISSUE ON HIS RETURN .............................. 1
BRINGING TMF/WORLD BANK MEETING TO HK A GOOD IDEA: FS.................. 1
STATEMENT ON VM'S ................................;.................... 2
YAU MA TEI REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME ENTERS NEW STAGE ...................... 4
LORRY OF TAINTED VEGETABLES INTERCEPTED ............................... 5
THREE TAINTED VEGETABLE SAMPLES CAME FROM SHENZHEN .................... 6
DREDGING IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS PROPOSED ................................ 6
ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR AUGUST RELEASED ............................................................... 8
NEW DRUG EDUCATION TEACHING KIT RELEASED .............................. 12
L
CONSULTANCY STUDY ON BACTERIAL FOAMING ................................ 13
32 BENZODIAZEPINES LISTED AS DANGEROUS DRUGS ........................... 13 -
BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON DECLARED DANGEROUS ............................... 14
GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER .................................... 15
TIN SHUI WAI ROAD WORKS TO BE AMENDED . . .......................... 16
APPEALS PROCEDURES AGAINST PLANNING PERMISSION REFUSAL ................ 18
YAU TSIM BUILDING MANAGEMENT CAMPAIGN STARTS SUNDAY ................... 18
FIGHT CRIME SOUVENIRS FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS .......................... 19
LEADERSHIP TRAINING SEMINAR IN SAI KUNG................................ 28
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS NEAR YUEN LONG LO UK TSUEN................... 21
AMS RECRUITMENT DAY ON SUNDAY ........
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
22 1
FRIDAY. OCTOBER 18, 1991
GOVERNOR TALKS ON VM ISSUE ON HIS RETURN
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID IT IS VERY WELCOME THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL RECOGNITION ON THE VIETNAMESE SIDE THAT THOSE WHO ARE NOT FOUND-TO BE REFUGEES SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM LONDON, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE’RE STILL WORKING AWAY AT TRYING TO GET INtO PLACE ALL THE AGREEMENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR RETURNING TO THElR HOMES IN VIETNAM PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES."
"WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IT AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN," ME ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE DISCUSSIONS ARE WITH TRE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM, NOT WITH THE UNITED STATES. HOWEVER, HE SAtD: "WE ALSO HOPE THOUGH, THAT THE UNITED STATES WHICH IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE UNHCR FUNDING, WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE DOtNG,"
"AND ABOVE ALL THAT THEY WILL UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY tF YOU CAN RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, NON-REFUGEES, CAN YOU LOOK AFTER PEOPLE WHO MAY BE GENUINE REFUGEES.
"THAT IS THE POINT WE HAVE BEEN EXPLAINING TO THEM FoR SoMfe TIME AND I HOPE THEY UNDERSTAND IT," SIR DAVID SAID.
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BRINGING IMF/RORLD BANK MEETING TO HK A GOOD IDEA: FS * * * * *
IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA IF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF tHE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)/WORLD BANK COULD BE HELD IN HoNG KONG IN 1997, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN FROM THE IMF/WoELD BANE MEETING HELD IN BANGKOK, MR MACLEOD CONFIRMED THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA HAD INDICATED AN INTEREST IN THAT POSSIBILITY.
"THE PRESENT 1MF/WORLD BANK MEETINGS ARE HELD EVERY THIRD YEAR OUTSIDE WASHINGTON. SO 1997 WILL INDEED BE A YEAR WHEN A MEETING WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE WASHINGTON," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE IDEA WAS STILL IN AN EARLY STAGE, ADDING THAT THERE WAS NO FORMAL APPLICATION OR DECISION YET.
"I AM SURE THAT THERE WILL BE OTHER PLACES THAT WOULD HAVE AN INTEREST IN HOLDING THAT MEETING. IT IS A VERY PRESTIGIOUS MEETING. IT WOULD BE QUITE AN ACHIEVEMENT IF WE GOT IT TO HONG KONG," MR MACLfcoD SAID.
/TURNING TO
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
TURNING TO THE TRENDS IN WORLD ECONOMY, MR MACLEOD SAID TRE GENERAL VIEWS EMERGING AT THE IMF/WORLD BANK 1991 ANNUAL MEETING WERE THAT THE WORLD ECONOMY AND TRADE WOULD PICK UP IN 1992.
THESE TRENDS ARE HELPFUL FOR HONG KONG," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"LATIN AMERICA IS COMING BACK AND IT IS EMERGING FROM THE CREDIT CRISIS. PLACES LIKE MEXICO, CHILE AND VENEZUELA ARE NOW QUITE STRONG ECONOMIES. THEY ARE MOVING IN A LIBERAL DIRECTION AND ARE OPENING UP THEIR MARKETS. THEY DESERVE SOME ATTENTION FROM US," MR MACLEOD SAID.
AS REGARDS THE SOVIET UNION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IT WAS IN A VERY BAD STAGE ECONOMICALLY AND FINANCIALLY. "THERE MAY BE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES THERE BUT INVESTMENT IS RATHER DIFFICULT," HE ADDED.
ON THE ’CREDIT CRUNCH' THE SHORTAGE Of' MONEY FOR COMMERCIAL BANKS TO LEND, MR MACLEOD SAID THE MESSAGE HE GOT WAS THAT AS LONG AS A BORROWER REMAINED COMPETENT AND CREDIT-WORTHY, EFFICIENT AND WITH A GOOD PROJECT THERE WERE CERTAINLY FUNDS AVAILABLE.
TURNING TO INFLATION, MR MACLEOD SAID HIGH PROPERTY PRICE WAS CLEARLY A KEY AREA OF CONCERN
HE POINTED OUT 'HAI THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING IF ANYTHING FURTHER COULD BE DONF RELIEVE THE SITUATION_
MR MACLEOD SA11 HE WOULD BE COVERING THE SI H J ECT OF INFLATION IN SOME DEPTH AT THE’MFFT.ING OF CHF LEGISLATIVE ''UNCIL ON NOVEMBER 6.
HOWEVER, HE S A 11) ONE SHOULD NOT EXPECT IHF GOVERNMENT TO COME UP WITH A WHOLE PACKAGE «OF PROPOSALS AT THAT MEETING.
HE POINTED GUI THAT SOME OF THE PRESSURES I HAT LED TO INFLATION WERE BEYOND HUMAN INTERVENTION
"BUT 1 AM NOT SAYING CHAT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. CLEARLY THERE ARE QUITE SEVERE LIMITATIONS ON HOW MUCH WF CAN BRING INFLATION DOWN IN THE SHORT AND MEDIUM TERMS. MR MACLEOD SAID.
STATEMENT ON VM’S
*****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WAS MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (FRIDAY):
"WHAT WE ARE SEEKING IS THE REINSTATEMENT OF NORMAL IMMIGRATION ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VIETNAM. THIS MEANS ARRANGEMENTS FOK THE RETURN OF ALL NON-REFUOEE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG TO VIETNAM. PUT ANOTHER WAY, IT MEANS THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION.
"I WANT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
3
"I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE IN POLICY, NOR WILL THERE BE A CHANGE IN POLICY. THAT HAS BEEN OUR OBJECTIVE AT LEAST SINCE 1988, AND REMAINS OUR OBJECTIVE.
"IT FOLLOWS THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION OF ANY NEW CUT-OFF DATE AND THE CREATION OF ANY NEW CATEGORY OF PEOPLE. WE ARE SEEKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN OF ALL - AND 1 EMPHASISE ALL - NON-REFUGEE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"WE HAVE NOT SIGNED AN OVERALL AGREEMENT ON THIS YET WITH VIETNAM. WE HAVE NOT IN THE PAST GIVEN ANY DATE WHEN SUCH AN AGREEMENT WOULD BE SIGNED, AND I AM NOT GIVING A DATE TODAY WHEN IT WILL BE SIGNED. I HOPE IT WILL BE SOON.
"THE VIETNAMESE HAVE SAID, I THINK YESTERDAY, THAT WHAT CONCERNED THEM WERE ARRANGEMENTS FOR REINTEGRATING THE RETURNEES INTO THE PROVINCES, VILLAGES, AND COMMUNITIES IN VIETNAM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE CASE.
"I BELIEVE THAT WHEN THE VIETNAMESE TALK ABOUT ORDERLY RETURN, WHAT THEY MEAN, OR CERTAINLY AT LEAST A GOOD PART OF WHAT THEY MEAN BY THAT, IS THAT THEY WANT THE FLOW OF PEOPLE RETURNING TO BE REGULATED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH ALL AT ONCE, THAT THE PROGRAMME OF RETURN IS PHASED AND ENABLES THEM TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS TO REINTEGRATE THESE PEOPLE BACK INTO VIETNAMESE SOCIETY.
"1 AM SURE WE WILL BE HAVING MORE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS WITH THE VIETNAMESE IN THE VERY.NEAR FUTURE.
"IF AND WHEN WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CERTAIN POINTS. FIRST OF ALL IT WOULD OF COURSE REMAIN OUR OBJECTIVE TO MAXIMISE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO RETURN VOLUNTARILY.
"WE HAVE NEVER SAID OR CONSIDERED THAT VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY RETURN ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. WE HAVE ALWAYS SAID AND BELIEVED THAT THEY ARE COMPLEMENTARY: THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN OF ALL WILL MAKE MOST PEOPLE FACE THE FACTS OF LIFE AND MAKE MOST PEOPLE RETURN VOLUNTARILY.
"IF WE CAN IMPLEMENT A PROGRAMME FOR RETURN AND IF AND WHEN THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE THEN REMAIN IN HONG KONG IS REDUCED, 1 HERE ARE TWO OBJECTIVES WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION: FIRST OF ALL TO RELIEVE THE POLICE FROM ANY INVOLVEMENT IN MANAGING THE DETENTION CENTRES AND TO ALLOW THE POLICE MANPOWER TO RETURN TO THE STREETS; AND SECONDLY, TO ALLOW THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO GET BACK SOME OF THE ACCOMMODATION NOW USED BY VIETNAMESE WHICH SHOULD BE USED AS PRISON ACCOMMODATION AND WHICH CAN EASE PRISON OVERCROWDING."
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/4 ........
FRWAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
4
YAU MA TEI REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME ENTERS NEW STAGE
THE YAU MA TEI SIX STREETS REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME ENTERED A NEW STAGE TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH THE CLEARANCE OPERATION CARRIED OUT AT DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS EARMARKED FOR PHASE II OF THE SCHEME.
OF THE 1,212 HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE, 685 WERE ELIGIBLE FOR REHOUSING, AND MANY OF THEM HAVE MOVED INTO THE NEW FLATS BUILT UNDER THE PHASE I REDEVELOPMENT COMPLETED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
OF THE REMAINING 527 HOUSEHOLDS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REHOUSING, 479 VACATED THEIR PREMISES BEFORE THE CLEARANCE.
MANY OF THEM MOVED INTO THE AFFECTED BUILDINGS AFTER THE INITIAL REGISTRATION OF OCCUPANTS WHEN THE AREA WAS EARMARKED FOR REDEVELOPMENT WHILE SOME OTHERS WERE FOUND TO BE EITHER PROPERTY OWNERS OR HAVING ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION.
HOWEVER, THEY WERE OFFERED EX-GRAT1A ALLOWANCE TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR REMOVAL.
LEASES OF MOST OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE AREA COVERED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME EXPIRED IN 1971. EX-GRAT1A ALLOWANCES WERE PAID TO FORMER OWNERS. THE OCCUPIERS HAD BEEN PAYING CROWN RENT SINCE 1980 WHEN THE GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER DIRECT MANAGEMENT OF THE BUILDINGS.
MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE OCCUPIERS HAVE VACATED THEIR PREMISES BEFORE THE CROWN LAND NOTICE EXPIRED TODAY. THE REST MOVED OUT THIS MORNING.
THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME IS ONE OF THE URBAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE AREA AND ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF URBAN RENEWAL BY CONSTRUCTING DOMESTIC UNITS AND PROVIDING THE MUCH NEEDED COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
IMPLEMENTED BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY, THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME COMPRISES FIVE DOMESTIC TOWER BLOCKS PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 896 SALE FLATS AND 669 RENTAL FLATS INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE ELDERLY.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME ARE 4,300 SQUARE METRES OF COMMERCIAL FLOOR SPACE AND 2,160 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR SPACE DESIGNATED FOR SOCIAL WELFARE AND COMMUNITY FACILITY USES, INCLUDING A DAY CARE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, NURSERY, KINDERGARTEN AND DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
IN ADDITION, SOME 8,380 SQUARE METRES OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AND 4,200 SQUARE METRES OF LANDSCAPED GARDEN FOR THE RESIDENTS WILL BE PROVIDED.
THE SCHEME IS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN TWO PHASES IN AN EFFORT TO REHOUSE THE ELIGIBLE OCCUPANTS AFFECTED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT IN THE DOMESTIC UNITS IN THE PHASE 1 BUILDINGS. THE NEW FLATS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM PRIOR TO THE CLEARANCE OPERATION.
/PHASE I .......
5
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
PHASE I OF THE PROJECT COMPRISING THREE TOWER BLOCKS WAS COMPLETED IN AUGUST. IT COMPRISES 448 SALE FLATS AND 669 RENTAL FLATS INCLUDING 170 RENTAL UNITS DESIGNED FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
SO FAR, 176 ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS HAVE MOVED INTO THESE NEW FLATS - 39 OF THEM PURCHASED SALE FLATS AT A DISCOUNT WHILE THE OTHER 137, INCLUDING 119 ELDERLY, TOOK UP RENTAL FLATS.
ANOTHER 372 ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS CHOSE TO MOVE INTO FLATS OF OTHER ESTATES OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY - EIGHT OF THEM PURCHASED SALE FLATS WHILE 364 MOVED INTO RENTAL FLATS.
OF THE REMAINING ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS, 79 WERE REHOUSED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT - 14 IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND 65 IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
SINGLETON ALLOWANCES WERE GRANTED TO 48 PERSONS, AND ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO REHOUSE THE REMAINING 10 FAMILIES.
IN ADDITION TO THE REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS, ELIGIBLE OCCVRifeRS WERE ALSO GIVEN AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST THEIR REMOVAL,
THE CLEARANCE ALSO AFFECTED SOME 91 COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AND THREE LICENSED HAWKER STALLS FOR WHICH ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE BY THE HOUSING SOCIETY FOR PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND RESITE OF THE HAWKER STALLS THROUGH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
TODAY'S OPERATION WAS CONDUCTED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, ASSISTED BY THE POLICE AND STAFF FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT OFFICE, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY.
LORRY OF TAINTED VEGETABLES INTERCEPTED
*****
FOOD INSPECTORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON INTERCEPTED AT MAN KAM TO A LORRY LOADED WITH 310 KILOGRAMMES OF VEGETABLES.
QUICK SCREENING TESTS CONDUCTED ON THE VEGETABLES SHOWED POSITIVE SIGNS OF THE PRESENCE OF PESTICIDE.
THE IMPORTER, WHEN INFORMED, VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED THE VEGETABLES FOR DESTRUCTION.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
- 6 -
THREE TAINTED VEGETABLE SAMPLES CAME FROM SHENZHEN i ♦ i i i i
IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED THAT THREE OF THE FIVE SAMPLES OF CHOI SUM, WHICH WERE FOUND TO HAVE CONTAINED METHAMIDOPHOS YESTERDAY, CAME FROM SHENZHEN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES WERE INFORMED TODAY OF tHfi LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE RECENT FOOD POISONING CASES.
THE SOURCE OF THE OTHER TWO SAMPLES OF CHOI SUM IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID NO NEW CASES OF FOOD POISONING FRoM VEGETABLES HAVE BEEN REPORTED SO FAR TODAY.
OF THE 13 PEOPLE DETAINED IN HOSPITAL AFTER EATING PESTICIDE CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, SEVEN HAD BEEN DISCHARGED. THE CONDITION OF THE REMAINING SIX -- THREE MEN AND THREE WOMEN -- WAS DESCRIBED AS SATISFACTORY. :
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY BORDERCHECKING AND SAMPLING OF VEGETABLES.
UP TO THIS MORNING, A TOTAL OF 711 VEGETABLE SAMPLES HAVE SEEN TAKEN FROM STREET HAWKERS, MARKET STALLS AND MAN KAM TO FOR EXAMINATION.
OF THE 667 SAMPLES TESTED SO FAR, SEVEN OF THEM, INCLUDING TWO FOOD RAMNANTS, WERE FOUND TO HAVE CONTAINED METHAMIDOPHOS. RESULTS OF THE OTHER 44 SAMPLES ARE STILL PENDING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A HEALTH EDUCATION HOTLINE -- 367 5135 --HAS BEEN SET UP TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO PREVENT POISONING FROM PESTICIDE-TAINTED VEGETABLES.
LEAFLETS ON THE SUBJECT CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED IN VARIOUS MARKETS WHERE THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS HAVE DISPLAYED POSTERS INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF THE NEED TO WASH AND COOK VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE EATING.
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DREDGING IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS PROPOSED » » * i » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT DREDGING IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE TERRITORY TO FACILITATE A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
DREDGING IN TSEUNG KWAN O TOWN CENTRE WILL BE CONDUCTED WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 97 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
/7........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
7 —
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALLS AND RECLAMATION IN THE AREA.
THIS IS PART OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF TSEUNG KWAN O TO PROVIDE LAND FOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY PURPOSES.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PROJECT WILL COMMENCE IN MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 24 MONTHS.
THE SECOND STAGE OF THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE REMAINING SEAWALL AND RECLAMATION WILL CONTINUE IN MID 1994.
ON LANTAU, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 105 HECTARES OF SEABED BETWEEN SHAM SHU1 KOK AND KEI TAU KOK TO FACILITATE RECLAMATION AND SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY PHASE I AND THE TUNG CHUNG DEVELOPMENT PHASE I ENGINEERING WORKS.
THE WORK WILL COMMENCE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 270 HECTARES OF SEABED WEST OF TSING YI TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WERE DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
<
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 17.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICEBOARDS NEAR THE RESPECTIVE SITES.
THE PLANS CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HOtfG KONG WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER, AND THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
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/8 ........
FRIDAY, ''(’TOBER IB, 1991
ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR AUGUST RELEASED *****
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST AS REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY, BUT INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH JULY 1991, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN AUGUST 1991 INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL, AND THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES, AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, THE ORDERS POSITION IN AUGUST 1991 IMPROVED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE RECORDED IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, FOLLOWED BY THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS; WEARING APPAREL; FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS; AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN AUGUST 1991 DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1991, AND BY ,10 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990.
COMPARED WITH JULY 1991, EMPLOYMENT IN AUGUST 1991 DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, DUE TO THE DEPARTURE OF SUMMER WORKERS. ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, EMPLOYMENT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN ALL THE OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN AUGUST 1991 DECREASED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS; ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS; AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
IN AUGUST 1991, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1991. PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED MODERATELY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES; WEARING APPAREL; AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCES INDUSTRIES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, BY 15 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS IN AUGUST 1991. INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
/IN THE .......
FRIDAY, OCIOBER J8, 1991
9 -
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN AUGUST 1991 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1991 AND DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN AUGUST 1991 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1991, BUT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER AUGUST 1990.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN AUGUST 1991 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH JULY 1991, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN AUGUST 1991 FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER JULY 1991 AND SIGNIFICANTLY OVER AUGUST 1990.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 198f.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERS ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE SECTORS IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR AUGUST 1991 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 $4.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6441.
/TABLE 1 .......
10
:UDAY, OCTOBER 18,1991
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS -ON-HAND
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF AUGUST 1991 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
JULY 91 AUGUST 90
(MONTHS) (%) (%>
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.36 -1 + 3
— — — — —
WEARING APPAREL 4.78 + 1 4-3
TEXTILES 2.35 -2 4-12
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.70 -12 + 5
FABRICATED METAL 4.20 + 1 + 3
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.33 -1 + 1
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 4.07 -1 -1
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF AUGUST 1991
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES t JULY 91 AUGUST 90
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -2 -10
FOOD AND DRINKS -1 -2
WEARING APPAREL -1 -4
TEXTILES -1 -15
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -7 -19
FABRICATED METAL -3 -6
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND -3 -16
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS -1 -3
CONSTRUCTION # ♦ -9
SERVICES ♦ -1
BANKS * 41
HOTELS -1 -7
PUBLIC UTILITIES ♦ -3
OTHERS -1 ♦
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED
BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/TABLE 3 .....I.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
11
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
NOTE: DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.Gi BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN AUGUST 1991 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
JULY 91 AUGUST 90
(HK$) (%) («>
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 6,887 + 1 + 15 — —
FOOD AND DRINKS 7,603 -2 +11
WEARING APPAREL 5,420 + 2 + 8
TEXTILES 6,356 + 3 + 15
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 6,482 -1 4-13
FABRICATED METAL 6,804 + 2 4-15
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 7,124 + 4 + 23
ELECTRONIC PRODUCT^
OTHERS 8,578 -2 + 13
CONSTRUCTION # 9,590 -1 +13
SERVICES 11,605 + 3 + 12
BANKS 10,380 +io
HOTELS 7,203 -8 + 13
PUBLIC UTILITIES 11,387 -1 + 12
OTHERS 13,973 + 12 + 15
♦ CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE
ONLY) SITE WORKERS NOT INCLUDED.
NOTE TO TABLES 1 - 3 :
UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS") WHtCH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED .19 NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
- - 0 - -
/12
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18,' 1991
12
NEW DRUG EDUCATION TEACHING KIT RELEASED i i i i i i
THE SUCCESS IN DRUG EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN COULD ONLY BE ATTAINED WITH THE FULL SUPPORT AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF . THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHoA» WHEN ADDRESSING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE RELEASE OF A NEW DRUG EDUCATION TEACHING KIT AT A SEMINAR IN THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHlBllION CENTRE.
WITH A PRICE TAG OF $1.6 MILLION, THE KIT, TOGETHER Wttti A GUIDEBOOK ON DRUG ABUSE WAS SPONSORED BY THE HANG SENG BANE, THE SiH. HO FOUNDATION AND THE WEI LUN FOUNDATION.
DR CHOA SAID 11E WAS DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION OF THE THREE ORGANISATIONS, WHICH MADE POSSIBLE THE PRODUCTION OF THE KIT AND THE GUIDEBOOK.
"THE KIT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH AccUftATE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRUGS AND TO HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE AND THUS DEVELOP APPROPRIATE ATTITUDES AND SKILLS TO FlQHt AGAINST IT," HE ADDED.
WITH BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS, THfe tEAchlNG kit CONSISTS OF VIDEO PROGRAMMES TO ILLUSTRATE THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES TO REINFORCE THE THEMES FOR THE VIDEO PROGRAMMES AND TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING.
DIFFERENT VIDEOS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES HAVE SEEN PRODUCED FOR THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR LEVELS.
ALSO PROVIDED ARE 10 LESSON PLANS TO AID THE TEAcHeRS tN FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS FACT SHEETS ON THE MAIN SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE IN HONG KONG.
THE ACAN CHAIRMAN HOPED THAT ALL TEACHING PROFESSIONALS RoULB USE THE TEACHING KIT TO EDUCATE THE YOUNGSTERS TO SAY NO TO DRUGS.
SOME 500 SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, STUDENT COUNSELLORS AND DISCIPLINE MASTERS ATTENDED THE SEMINAR WHICH INTRODUCED THE USE OF THE KIT.
THEY WERE ALSO INFORMED OF THE LATEST SITUATION OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNGSTERS AND THE COUNSELLING TECHNIQUE TO DRUG-DEPENDENT YOUTHS.
/13.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
13 -
CONSULTANCY STUDY ON BACTERIAL FOAMING
******
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A TEAM OF CONSULTANTS LED BY CES CONSULTANTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES TO UNDERTAKE A MAJOR RESEARCH STUDY INTO THE PROBLEM OF BACTERIAL FOAMING AT THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO.
IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT LOCAL CONSULTANTS AND ACADEMICS WILL BRING TOGETHER MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY EXPERIENCE IN A GOVERNMENT STUDY OF THIS NATURE.
THE FOAM IS CAUSED BY UNDESIRABLE BACTERIA WHICH CAN GROW VERY RAPIDLY AND PRODUCE A THICK, GLUTINOUS BROWN FOAM KNOWN AS "CHOCOLATE MOUSSE".
THE FOAM COLLECTS ON TOP OF TANKS AT THE SEWAGE WORKS AND CAUSES OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS AND DETERIORATION IN EFFLUENT QUALITY, IN ADDITION TO LOOKING VERY UNSIGHTLY.
THE STUDY, AT A COST OF #2.3 MILLION, WILL LOOK At KActOftS WHICH STIMULATE FOAMING AND METHODS FOR ITS PREVENTION OR CONTROL.
VARIOUS FOAM CONTROL METHODS HAVE BEEN USED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD AND THESE, TOGETHER WITH SOME NEW TECHNIQUES, WILL BE TESTED IN LABORATORY AND AT THE SEWAGE WORKS TO TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION TO HONG KONG’S FOAMING PROBLEM.
THE STUDY HAS GENERATED CONSIDERABLE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTEREST, ATTRACTING 19 CONSULTANCY GROUPS FROM WHICH THREE WERE SHORTLISTED TO BID COMPETITIVELY FOR THE PROJECT UNDER THE GOVERNMENT'S NEW "FIXED FEE" CONSULTANCY SYSTEM.
THE SUCCESSFUL TEAM, LED BY DR T. RUDD, INCLUDES DR HERBERT FANG OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR DAVID JENKINS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, AND BALFOURS INTERNATIONAL ASIA CONSULTING ENGINEERS.
- - _ o---------------------
32 BENZODIAZEPINES LISTED AS DANGEROUS DRUGS
*****
A
STRINGENT PUBLISHED
TOTAL OF 32 BENZODIAZEPINES ARE TO BE PUT CONTROL OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE BY IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE AN ORDER
THEY ARF TO BE ADDED TO PART I OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE npniNANrF THFRFBY SUBJECTING THEM TO THE SAME STRICT CONTROLS AS OTHER DANGEROUS DRUGS SUCH AS HEROIN, OPIUM, COCAINE, AMPHETAMINES
AND CANNABIS.
/A GOVERNMENT........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
- 14
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "SINCE THE SCHEDULING LAST SEPTEMBER OF THE THREE MOST COMMONLY ABUSED TRANQUILLIZERS, NAMELY BROTIZOLAM (LENDORMIN), FLUNITRAZEPAM (ROHYPNOL) AND TRIAZOLAM (HALCION), WHICH ARE ALL BENZODIAZEPINES, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE EXTENT OF ABUSE OF THE THREE DRUGS.
HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN AN APPARENT SWITCH TO THE ABUSE OF OTHER BENZODIAZEPINES.
"ON THE ADVICE OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, ACTION IS THEREFORE BEING TAKEN TO TIGHTEN THE CONTROL OF ANOTHER 32 BENZODIAZEPINES, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND LIABLE TO ABUSE," HE ADDED.
ANYONE FOUND GUILTY OF TRAFFICKING IN DANGEROUS DRUGS FACES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION.
PEOPLE WHO ARE FOUND IN POSSESSION OF EVEN SMALL QUANTITIES OF DANGEROUS DRUGS ARE ALSO LIABLE TO THREE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $10,000, IF THE DRUGS WERE NOT SUPPLIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW. ‘
"TO GIVE PHARMACEUTICAL DEALERS AND MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE ADDITIONAL CONTROL REQUIREMENTS, THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT TO FIRST SCHEDULE) ORDER 1991 WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JANUARY 18 NEXT YEAR,” THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON DECLARED DANGEROUS ♦ * t * t ♦
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE BUILDINGS AT NOS. 5 AND 6 ARTHUR STREET, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON TO BE DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) TODAY (FRIDAY) IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE STRUCTURES WHICH HAVE BEEN UNDER OBSERVATION FOR SOME TIME ARE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WITH COCKLOFT CONSTRUCTED OF LOADBEARING BRICK AND MASONRY WALLS.
THEY HAVE TIMBER ROOFS AND PARTLY TIMBER AND REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS SHARING A COMMON STAIRCASE.
RECENT INSPECTIONS SHOWED THAT MOVEMENTS OF THE BUILDINGS HAD TAKEN PLACE, SOME QUITE RECENTLY AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND THE LOADBEARING BRICKWALLS IN THE REAR KITCHEN PORTIONS OF THE BUILDINGS ARE BADLY FRACTURED AND SEVERELY DILAPIDATED.
THE REAR WALLS AND STAIRCASE ENCLOSURE WALLS TO THE MAIN BUILDINGS ARE ALSO BADLY FRACTURED, AND ALSO, HALF OF THE ROOF JOISTS AT NO. 5 ARE FOUND TO BE IN BADLY DETERIORATED CONDITION.
/THE PGBS ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18♦ 1391
- 15
THE PGBS SAID THE BUILDINGS WERE NOW CONSIDERED TO Bfe DANGEROUS AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIVES AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE MONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON NOVEMBER 18 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
MEANWHILE, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ALSO DECLARED NO. 636 SHANGHAI STREET, MONG KOK, TO BE DANGEROUS AND NO. 634 OF THE SAME STREET LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE STRUCTURES ARE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDIMGS WtTtt COCKLOFTS SHARING A COMMON STAIRCASE OF COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION,AND HAVING LOADBEARING BRICK AND MASONRY WALLS WITH PROJECTING VERANDAHS ON THE UPPER FLOORS.
THE BUILDING AT NO. 636 IS CONSTRUCTED OF TIMBER ROOfr ANb FLOORS AND NO. 634 OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS, FLOORS AND ROOF.
THE BUILDINGS AT NOS. 634 AND 636 UNDERWENT REPAIRS IN 1987 AND 1988 RESPECTIVELY AND HAVE BEEN PLACED UNDER PERIODIC SURVEILLANCE BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SINCE THEN.
RECENT INSPECTIONS SHOWED THAT MOVEMENTS OF THE DblLblNGS HAD OCCURRED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND APPEARED TO BE CONTINUING. FURTHERMORE, DETERIORATION IN THE CONCRETE BEAMS AND FLOOR SLABS AND TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOF ’IS EVIDENT.
THE PGBS SAID NO. 636 HAD DETERIORATED TO SUCH Abt EXTENT THAT IT WAS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIVES AND PUBLIC SAFETY, WHILE NO. 634, WHICH WAS ALSO SUBJECT TO MINOR MOVEMENT COULD NOT SAFELY WITHSTAND THE DEMOLITION OF NO. 636 AND SHOULD THEREFORE ALSO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON NOVEMBER 18 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
0----------
GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND LOCATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 47B, FANLING.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,463 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR PETROL FILLING STATION EXCLUDING ANY LUBRICATING OR SERVICING FACILITIES.
/THE FILLING
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
16
THE FILLING STATION SHOULD COMMENCE OPERATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1994.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 15.
THE OTHER SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 44, TUEN MUN.
WITH AN AREA ABOUT 3.8 HECTARES, IT IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWNj CINEMA AND HOTEL) PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 226,550 SQUARE METRES AND THE GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 1(724 SQUARE METRES.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 29.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING* 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
- - 0 - -
TIN SHUI WAI ROAD WORKS TO BE AMENDED ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE APPROVED PLAN OF THE NEW ROADS AND FOOTPATHS TO BE BUILT AT THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE TIN SHUt WAI NEW TOWN, YUEN LONG.
THE AUTHORISED WORKS WERE ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED IN GAZETTE NOTICES 256 AND 524 PUBLISHED IN JANUARY 1989 AND FEBRUARY 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS INCLUDE:
t OMISSION OF SECTIONS OF NEW ROADS 1403 AND 1404 TOGETHER WITH THE ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS;
* CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL SECTION TO THE NEW ROAD 1403 TO REPLACE THE OMITTED SECTION OF NEW ROAD 1404;
* WIDENING OF THE NEW ROAD 1404 FROM 7.3 METRES TO 10.3
METRES;
/* NARROWING OF
FRIDAY,OCTOBER 18, 1991
17 -
* NARROWING OF THE SECTION OF NEW FOOTPATH BETWEEN NEW ROADS 1401 AND 1403 TO 3.5 METRES;
* NARROWING OF A SECTION OF THE NEW ROAD 1401 NORTH Of ITS JUNCTION WITH THE NEW ROAD 1402 FROM 10.3 METRES TO 7.3 METRES AND LENGTHENING OF IT AT ITS NORTHERN END;
* RELOCATION OF THE LAY-BY IN THE NEW ROAD 1401 SOUTHWARDS;
♦ WIDENING OF A SECTION OF THE NEW ROAD 1402 FROM 10.3-METRE SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY TO A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY WITH PLANTING STRIPS;
* CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL SECTION TO THE NEW ROAD 1402 WITH ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE NEW ROAD 1401;
* ASSOCIATED REVISION OF THE LIMIT OF THE WORKS AREA.
TWO NOTICES ON THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND THESE NOTICES CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITES OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLAN AND 6CHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES-
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, 9-11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE DECEMBER 10 THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
/18 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
- 18 -
APPEALS PROCEDURES AGAINST PLANNING PERMISSION REFUSAL
*******
THE TOWN PLANNING (APPEALS) REGULATIONS 1991 WHICH SET OUT THE PROCEDURES FOR APPEALS UNDER SECTION 17 OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS FOLLOWS THE ENACTMENT OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) ORDINANCE 1991 IN JULY THIS YEAR WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN APPEAL BOARD TO DEAL WITH APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD (TPB) ON PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
THE BASIC APPROACH IS TO SUBSTITUTE THE APPEAL BOARD FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AS THE INDEPENDENT CHANNEL OF APPEAL AGAINST THE TPB’S DECISION ON PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
THIS ADDRESSES MUCH OF THE CONCERN ON THE INADEQUACIES OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF APPEALS. THE APPEAL BOARD’S DECISION ON ANY APPEAL SHALL BE FINAL.
THE REGULATIONS COVER MATTERS THAT AN APPELLANT MUST INCLUDE IN THE NOTICE OF APPEAL, SPECIFY RIGHTS OF WITNESSES, REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO NOTICE OF HEARING AND PARTICULARS TO BE FILED BEFORE HEARING.
THEY ALSO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR AN APPELLANT TO ABANDON THE WHOLE OR PART OF HIS APPEAL BEFORE THE HEARING, SPECIFY THE EFFECT OF FAILURE TO APPEAR BEFOftE THE APPEAL BOARD, AND REQUIRE THE SECRETARY TO THE APPEAL BOARD TO KEEP A WRITTEN RECORD FOR EACH APPEAL.
THE REGULATIONS WILL BE TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON OCTOBER 23 AND, SUBJECT TO ANY AMENDMENTS MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE, BECOME EFFECTIVE ON NOVEMBER 18 THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
YAU TSIM BUILDING MANAGEMENT CAMPAIGN STARTS SUNDAY *♦»»*»**
THE 1991-92 YAU TSIM DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROMOTION CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN WITH A SEMINAR IN THE HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE, TSIM SHA TSUI ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 20).
SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY A COMMITTEE COMPRISING DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS, BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS, AND THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM.
A LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM PRIOR TO THE SEMINAR.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG, AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH.
MORE THAN 120 OFFICE-BEARERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS WILL ATTEND THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL DISCUSS COMMON PROBLEMS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
AN EXHIBITION ON BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS WILL ALSO BE HELD AT THE VENUE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1991-92 YAU TSIM DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROMOTION CAMPAIGN ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 20), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM IN THE HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE, 50 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
- - 0 - -
FIGHT CRIME SOUVENIRS FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND AREA COMMITTEES WILL TAKE PART IN A ’’BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS” PUBLICITY DRIVE IN THE DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY WILL DISTRIBUTE SOUVENIRS CARRYING THE "BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS” MESSAGE AT BUSY SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE ACTIVITY IS ORGANISED BY THE DFCC. FIGHT CRIME POSTERS AND BANNERS HAVE ALSO BEEN PUT UP IN THE DISTRICT TO ALERT PEOPLE OF THE CRIME.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DISTRIBUTION OF "BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS" SOUVENIRS BY MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
/THE FOLLOWING
rr [DAY, OCT 'P’ R 18, 1991
20
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SCHEDULE OF THE ACTIVITY:
TIME VENUE
2.20 PM KEI WING PRIMARY SCHOOL, 23 LAI CHI KOK ROAD
2.50 PM 30 FUK TSUN STREET
3.20 PM GRAND TOWER PLAZA, 627 NATHAN ROAD
3.40 PM BANK CENTRE, 636 NATHAN ROAD
4 PM SINCERE DEPARTMENT STORE, 83 ARGYLE STREET
4.20 PM FA YUEN STREET URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX, 123A FA YUEN STREET
4.40 PM NULLAH ROAD GARDEN
------0--------•
LEADERSHIP TRAINING SEMINAR IN SAI KUNG ♦ * * * *
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TRAINING SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3 (SUNDAY) AT THE CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY CLUB.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES UNDER A COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TRAINING SCHEME TO TRAIN MORE COMMUNITY LEADERS TO SERVE THE DISTRICT.
A LECTURER FROM THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCE WILL SPEAK AT THE SEMINAR.
THE DISCUSSION TOPICS INCLUDE THE OPERATION OF RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS, THE COLLECTION OF PUBLIC OPINION, CHANNELS OF LODGING COMPLAINTS IN HONG KONG, AND THE TECHNIQUES OF ORGANISING DISTRICT ACTIVITIES.
ANOTHER SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN MID DECEMBER AND A VISIT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR MARCH NEXT YEAR.
ENROLMENT FORMS FOR THE SEMINAR CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE ENROLMENT DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 21.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 792 4455 EXT. 36.
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/21 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
21
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS NEAR YUEN LONG LO UK TSUEN
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORKS TO PROVIDE A VILLAGE EXTENSION AREA FOR SMALL HOUSE DEVELOPMENT NEAR LO UK TSUEN, YUEN LONG.
THE PROJECT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES. PHASE 1 COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS LINKING ROAD Bll, ROAD B16 AND PING HA ROAD, AND THE FORMATION OF PART OF THE PLATFORM. NO LAND RESUMPTION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PART OF THE PROJECT.
PHASE 2 COMPRISES SITE FORMATION AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS FOR THE VILLAGE EXTENSION AREA AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS AND A CARPARK TO SERVE THE EXTENSION AREA.
ABOUT 900 SQUARE METRES OF LAND IN DEMARCATION DISTRICT 125 WILL HAVE TO BE RESUMED.
SEPARATE NOTICES ON THE PHASE 1' AND PHASE 2 WORKS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN SHOWING THE EXTENT OF THE PROPOSED WORKS TOGETHER WITH A SCHEME DESCRIPTION CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, NINTH-11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
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 DECEMBER 17, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
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/22 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1991
22
AMS RECRUITMENT DAY ON SUNDAY ******
AN AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) RECRUITMENT DAY WILL BE HELD IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 20), FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, AT THE AMS SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT LEE MUN HOUSE ON AP LEI CHAU.
RESIDENTS AGED 16 TO 35 WHO ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE AMS CAN PICK UP APPLICATION FORMS OR APPLY FOR ENROLMENT ON THE SPOT.
BESIDES THE RECRUITMENT STALL, THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION INTRODUCING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE AMS.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 17.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 18.10.91 -140
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +140
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *-0.1* 18.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
17.10.91 18.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.59 PCT 4.41 PCT
1 MONTH 4.49 PCT 4.42 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.55 PCT 4.61 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.84 PCT 5.14 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.68 PCT 6.00 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 8,330 MN 8,255 MN
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 19, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD RY AUCTION 1
CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL. TN KOWLOON rTTY 2
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1991
- 1
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION
******
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOft AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,243,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER AT38 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $100,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER ES168 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $95,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 FOR ET4025.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ 1
ET668 38,000 ET3228 30,000 AC117 19,000 ET8828 30,000
BY132 42,000 AT38 100,000 EK11 87,000 BB229 30,000
ET1128 16,000 ET133 22,000 ET882 37,000 ET9616 4,000
DD81 60,000 CB7115 2,000 ES168 95,000 BG313 20,000
ET4025 1,000 DN8008 25,000 AA252 41,000 ET980 18,000
AU921 10,000 ,ET110 14,000 ET2811 11,000 AH4183 2,000
ET3345 3,000 AD863 21,000 ES268 85,000 ET1672 2,000
ER101 38,000 BY87 55,000 AL707 31,000 DD26 70,000
BB3513 6,000 ET9998 25,000 ET132 25,000 XX115 36,000
ET8116 6,000 ES688 35,000 DF557 8,000 ET823 43,000
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 169TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $124,512,105.
/? ............
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1991
- 2 -
CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL IN KOWLOON CITY
********
A CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION WILL BE HELD At tHfe ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND ON OCTOBER 27 (SUNDAY).
THE ORGANISED COMMITTEE, RESIDENTS ELECTIONS.
KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IS JOINTLY BY THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, TO ENCOURAGE TO PARTICIPATE MORE ACTIVELY IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE GAMES STALLS, BAND PERFORMANCE, foLK DANCES, A KARAOKE SESSION AND PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR LOCAL SINGERS.
THE PROGRAMME WILL START AT 2 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE. COUPON^ FOR STALL GAMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT. OFFICE, 141-143 KAU PU1 LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIDS MAY CAUSE SOCIAL PROBLEMS TO HK....................... 1
INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY CELEBRATED ................ 2
SPECIAL COURSE FOR PEOPLE IN LIVESTOCK TRADE .............. 3
EMPLOYERS PROSECUTED DURING MACHINE SAFETY CAMPAIGN ....... 4
CLOSED CIRCUIT TV SYSTEM FOR AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL ......... 4
YAU TSIM BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROMOTION CAMPAIGN STARTS .. 5
SOCIAL SERVICE AWARDS FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS .. 6
ISLANDS WELCOME SIGN DESIGN CONTEST ....................... 7
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1991
AIDS MAY CAUSE SOCIAL PROBLEMS TO HK
*******
AIDS CAN BRING ABOUT SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBLEMS TO HONG KONG, IF THE LOCAL SITUATION RUNS OUT OF CONTROL.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CONVENOR OF THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH UNDER THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS, REV ALFRED J. DEIGNAN. I
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE TWO-DAY AIDS EDUCATION CAMP ON YOUTH IN SAI KUNG.
REV DEIGNAN STRESSED THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF A CURE OF EFFECTIVE VACCINE FOR THE DISEASE, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUE STILL REMAINED THE ONLY EFFECTIVE MEASURE TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
TO THIS END, HE ADDED, JOINT EFFORTS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
HE SAID THAT A SURVEY CARRIED OUT LAST YEAR SHOWED THAT THE HEALTH MESSAGE ON AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME) HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CONVEYED TO PARTICIPANTS IN EDUCATION CAMP.
"THE AIDS MESSAGE IS PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL TO YOUNG MEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITHOUT RELIGION.
"THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE CAMP, THEY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE RISK OF HIV (HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS) INFECTION AND ITS RELATION TO SEXUAL PRACTICES," HE CONTINUED.
"THE CAMP ALSO HELPS THEM TO FOSTER A SYMPATHETIC AND SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE AMONG THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS AIDS PATIENTS AND CARRIERS.”
REVIEWING THE WORLDWIDE AIDS SITUATION, REV DEIGNAN CAUTIONED THAT BY THE END OF THE DECADE, IT IS ESTIMATED THERE WILL BE 10 MILLION AIDS PATIENTS AND AN ADDITIONAL 40 MILLION INFECTED WITH HIV.
THE TWO-DAY AIDS EDUCATION CAMP FOR YOUTH HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
THIS YEAR, THE CAMP BEARING THE THEME ’’SHARING THE CHALLENGE" DREW MORE THAN 200 YOUTHS, AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 30.
REV DEIGNAN CALLED ON THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE CAMP, TO DISSEMINATE THE KNOWLEDGE THEY HAD LEARNT IN THE PAST TWO DAYS.
ACTIVITIES OF THE CAMP, HELD AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, INCLUDED TALKS ON AIDS, DRAMA, SLOGAN AND LYRIC COMPETITIONS.
THE PRINCIPAL MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DR P.Y. LAM, PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE COMPETITIONS.
/2 ..............
SUNDAY Of’TORFP >0, 1991
- 2 -
INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY CELEBRATED
THE SUCCESS OF CREDIT UNIONS IN HONG KONG IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF THE CONTINUING BELIEF, PRACTICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CO-OPERATION AND THE VISION OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED TO CREATE THEM, THE REGISTRAR OF CREDIT UNIONS, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER PARTY TO CELEBRATE THE 1991 INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY, DR LEE, WHO IS ALSO DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE GROWTH OF THE CREDIT UNIONS GENERALLY AND THE WAY IN WHICH THEY HAD RESPONDED TO THEIR MEMBERS’ NEEDS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THEY HAVE INCUBATED PRINCIPLES OF THRIFT, SELF-RELIANCE, DEMOCRACY, SOCIAL CONCERN, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILL," HE CONTINUED.
THE THEME CHOSEN BY THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CREDIT UNIONS, FOR THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATION IS: "CREDIT UNIONS: PASSPORTS TO OPPORTUNITY".
DR LEE SAID: "THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY CREDIT UNIONS ARE TWO-FOLD.
"ON THE ONE HAND, CREDIT UNIONS PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE, ,T0 BORROW AT FAIR INTEREST RATES AND THE CHANCE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH CO-OPERATION WITH OTHERS."
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID MEMBERS WERE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATIC CONTROL AND MEMBER OWNERSHIP; TO VOLUNTEER THEIR PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT; TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO ELECT THEIR OWN LEADERS; AND FOR OPEN AND VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP REGARDLESS OF RACE, SEX, CREED, SOCIAL STANDING OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE CREDIT UNIONS ARE ’PASSPORT’ BY WHICH MEMBERS ARE PROVIDED WITH THESE OPPORTUNITIES," HE SAID.
DR LEE NOTED THAT THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG HAD BORNE FRUIT SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN THE MID 1960’8.
ACCORDING TO OUR RECORDS, 37 CREDIT UNIONS WERE REGISTERED SOON AFTER THE CREDIT UNION ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1970. MEMBERSHIP AT MARCH 31, 1971 WAS LESS THAN 5,500 AND THE TOTAL SAVINGS WERE $860,000.
"TWENTY YEARS LATER, ON MARCH 31, 1991, THERE WERE 66 REGISTERED CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP AND SAVINGS OF 38,000 AND $217 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, DEMONSTRATING A VERY HEALTHY GROWTH OF THE MOVEMENT," HE SAID.
/DR LEE ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1991
3 -
DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT TIIB-WVERAGE SAVINGS PER MEMBER TODAY WERE 36 TIMES GREATER THAN THOSE OF 20 YEARS AGO.
’’SUCH GROWTH IS STILL VERY SIGNIFICANT EVEN AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DEPRECIATION OF THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR,” HE SAID.
LATER, DR LEE PRESENTED OUTSTANDING SERVICE CERTIFICATES AND LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES TO LEADERS NOMINATED BY THEIR CREDIT UNIONS FOR THEIR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MOVEMENT.
"SUCH PEOPLE SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO» ALL OF US WHO SHOULD STRIVE TO SERVE OUR CREDIT UNIONS UNSELFISHLY IN ORDER TO BRING ABOUT HUMAN, SOCIAL AND COMMON GOOD FOR ALL,” HE SAID.
0
SPECIAL COURSE FOR PEOPLE IN LIVESTOCK TRADE
A SPECIAL COURSE HAS BEEN DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FOR PEOPLE IN THE LIVESTOCK TRADE AND OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE HUSBANDRY TECHNIQUES OF PIG AND POULTRY.
THE COURSE - NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT OF PIG AND POULTRY AND FEED FORMULATION - WI^L SPREAD OVER SIX SESSIONS STARTING FROM NOVEMBER 5.
THE COURSE SEEKS TO EXPLAIN IN SIMPLE TERMS THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS OF PIG AND POULTRY AS WELL AS THE PRINCIPLE OF ASSIMILATION OF NUTRIENTS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE COURSE WILL ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO KNOW ABOUT VARIOUS TYPES OF NUTRIENTS, THE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF PIG AND POULTRY, THE CALCULATION AND APPLICATION OF FEED FORMULATION AND THE EXAMINATION OF THE QUALITY OF RAW MATERIALS OF THE FEED.
THE COURSE FEE IS $280. PEOPLE WHO ENROL IN THIS COURSE CAN APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE FEE FROM THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND BY CONTACTING THE SECRETARY OF THE FUND ON TEL 733 2249.
THE COURSE WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S EXTENSION OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EVERY TUESDAY FROM 6 PM TO 7.30 PM.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND APPLICATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA MURAL STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON TEL 547 2225 OR 859 2791.
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/4 .......
SUN’
TOBER 20, 1991
- 4 -
EMPLOYERS PROSECUTED DURING MACHINE SAFETY CAMPAIGN
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST 624 INDUSTRIAL PROPRIETORS DURING A RECENT MACHINE SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR FAILURE TO RENDER THEIR MACHINES SAFE FOR USE BY WORKERS.
THIS FIGURE REPRESENTS AN 89 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE 330 PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS AND RELATED REGULATIONS TAKEN OUT DURING A SIMILAR CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR. •
’’THE INCREASE WAS DUE MAINLY TO NEGLIGENCE OF EMPLOYERS IN THE PROVISION AND MAINTENANCE OF SAFETY GUARDS ON MACHINES AS WELL AS INSUFFICIENT SUPERVISION IN THEIR OPERATION,” THE ACTING DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR KAN NOTED THAT 197 OF THE PROSECUTIONS RELATED TO INEFFECTIVE GUARDING OF POWER PRESSES, WHILE OTHERS INVOLVED PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES, CIRCULAR SAWS, PRINTING MACHINES AND GENERAL ENGINEERING MACHINES.
"THE THREE-MONTH CAMPAIGN, WHICH ENDED IN AUGUST, WAS PART OF OUR ONGOING EFFORT IN PROMOTING MACHINE SAFETY," HE SAID, ADDING THAT 2,504 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE USE OF MACHINERY WERE RECORDED IN’ THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, FACTORY INSPECTORS VISITED 15,460 FACTORIES AND CONSTRUCTION SITES TO EXPLAIN TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WAYS TO KEEP THEIR MACHINES SAFE, AND DISTRIBUTED SOME 17,600 SAFETY LEAFLETS,, BOOKLETS AND POSTERS.
"OUR INSPECTORS ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPRESS ON THE EMPLOYERS THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER MAINTENANCE OF MACHINERY AND SAFETY TRAINING FOR MACHINE OPERATORS," MR KAN ADDED.
HE URGED EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE MACHINE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE LAW AND TO CO-OPERATE CLOSELY IN ENSURING SAFETY AT WORK.
- - 0-------------
CLOSED CIRCUIT TV SYSTEM FOR AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL ♦ * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED AN $8.1 MILLION CIVIL WORKS CONTRACT TO SET UP THE HONG KONG AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE WORKS IN LATE NEXT YEAR, THE TELEVISION SYSTEM WILL FACILITATE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL BY PROVIDING VISUAL SURVEILLANCE OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
/"PROMPT' RESPONSE ...
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1991
- 5 -
"PROMPT RESPONSE TO CONGESTION SITUATIONS CAN BE MADE* THUS IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW AND OPTIMISING UTILISATION OF LIMITED ROAD CAPACITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CIVIL WORKS WILL COMPRISE THE PUTTING UP OF 29 STEEL HIGH MASTS AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS-OF THE STREET NETWORK ALONG THE NORTHERN SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
THIS WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR A COMPLEMENTARY ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORKS PROJECT COVERING THE SUBSEQUENT INSTALLATION OF CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAMERAS ON TOP OF THE MASTS AND ASSOCIATED CABLE NETWORK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
----------0--------------
YAU TSIM BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROMOTION CAMPAIGN STARTS
******
MORE THAN 120 OFFICE-BEARERS OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS (OC’S) AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC’S), AS WELL AS RESIDENTS ATTENDED A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN A TSIM SHA TSUI HOTEL TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE SEMINAR, WHICH FOCUSED ON THE COMMON PROBLEMS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, MARKED THE OPENING OF THE 1991-92 YAU TSIM BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROMOTION CAMPAIGN.
SPONSORED BY THE,YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN WAS ORGANISED BY A COMMITTEE COMPRISING DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS, BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS AND THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM.
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE CAMPAIGN, THE YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG, SAID THE CAMPAIGN AIMED AT PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD BUILDING MANAGEMENT AMONG RESIDENTS.
IN ADDITION TO THE SEMINAR, SHE SAID, A SERIES OF TRAILING COURSES AND A VISIT WOULD BE HELD DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD.
"TWO TRAINING COURSES WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 30 AND NOVEMBER 7 FOR OFFICE-BEARERS OF OC’S AND MAC’S.
"BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LEGAL SECTOR WILL TALK ON THE FINANCIAL BUDGETING FOR EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF BUILDINGS.
"A VISIT TO THE CHUN MAN COURT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATE HAS BEEN SET FOR NOVEMBER 9," MISS TANG ADDED.
AN EXHIBITION ON BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS WAS ALSO HELD AT THE VENUE OF THE SEMINAR TODAY.
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/6 ............
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1Q91
- 6 -
SOCIAL, SERVICE AWARDS FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS
*****
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S SOUTHERN DISTRICT SOCIAL SERVICE AWARD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE AWARD SCHEME, HELD IN THE EIGHTH YEAR RUNNING, IS AIMED AT GIVING DUE RECOGNITION TO VOLUNTEERS WHO HAD MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY. '
HE SAID IT WAS ALSO HOPED THAT THE SCHEME WOULD ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO BECOME VOLUNTEERS.
THE SCHEME IS DIVIDED INTO SIX SECTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUPS.
THE INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS COVER CHILDREN, YOUTH, WORKING PEOPLE, NON-WORKING RESIDENTS AND ELDERLY CITIZENS.
THE GROUP SECTION IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE JOINED HAND’S TO OFFER GROUP VOLUNTARY SERVICE.
THE NOMINEES, WHO MUST EITHER LIVE, STUDY OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT, MUST HAVE PROVIDED SERVICES TO LOCAL PEOPLE LIKE THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED, THE HANDICAPPED, YOUTH AND CHILDREN.
THOSE WHO HAVE OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO SUCH ORGANISATIONS AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, •KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, OR THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE.
THREE NOMINEES WILL BE CHOSEN FROM EACH OF THE SIX SECTIONS BY AN ADJUDICATING PANEL FOR COMMENDATION. THEY WILL EACH BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION AND A BOOK COUPON. OTHER NOMINEES WILL ALSO RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SECRETARY OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, MISS KAREN CHEUNG, AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT* 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
COMPLETED FORMS, PREFERABLY ACCOMPANIED WITH PROPER DOCUMENTATION TO FACILITATE ADJUDICATION, SHOULD BE RETURNED BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON NOVEMBER 30.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT DETAILS OF THE AWARD SCHEME CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 554 0271.
H....
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1991
ISLANDS WELCOME SIGN DESIGN CONTEST ♦ ♦ ♦ * i i
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR A "WELCOME SIGN" DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.
THE WINNING ENTRY WILL BE PUT UP AT EIGHT CONSPICUOUS SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO ALL HONG KONG PEOPLE. ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE ON 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AT 22 SAN HING STREET, CHEUNG CHAU AND 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, MUI WO.
COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS TOGETHER WITH THE DESIGNS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE OR ITS SUB-OFFICES IN PERSON OR BY POST BY NOVEMBER 30.
I
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE DESIGN SHOULD REFLECT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRICT WHICH COMPRISES THE ISLANDS OF LANTAU, CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND LAMMA.
"DETAILS SUCH AS<THE SIZE, COLOUR AND MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THE WELCOME SIGN SHOULD BE MARKED ON THE DRAFT DESIGN AND ITS CONSTRUCTION COST SHOULD NOT EXCEED $50,000 EACH," HE SAID.
"EACH PERSON CAN SUBMIT NO MORE THAN THREE ENTRIES. THE LIST OF FINALISTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY END OF DECEMBER AFTER A PRELIMINARY SCREENING," HE SAID.
"THE FINALISTS WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT MODELS OF THEIR DESIGNS AND THE WINNING ENTRY WILL BE SELECTED BY EARLY MARCH," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE A $10,000 GIFT COUPON, WHILE THE DESIGNERS OF FOUR OTHER OUTSTANDING ENTRIES WILL EACH RECEIVE GIFT COUPONS OF $2,000. CONSOLATION PRIZES WILL ALSO BE GIVEN.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON TEL. 852 4325.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TUNG WAR GROUP OF HOSPITALS PRAISED ......................................... 1
GOOD TRADE AND INVESTMENT POTENTIAL IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: FS .... 1
HONG KONG COMMITTED TO FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING: AG ................... 3
REPATRIATION TO START WITH DOUBLE BACKERS ................................... 6
STATEMENT ON BCCHK ........................................................ 6
LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY .................................................. 7
EXTENSIVE READING SCHEME TO BOOST ENGLISH LANGUAGE CURRICULUM ............... 7
<
CERAMIC PLATES TO COMMEMORATE POST OFFICE'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY ............... 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................................ 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .................. 9
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
- 1 -TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS PRAISED *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) PRAISED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR SETTING STANDARDS OF COMMUNITY CARE THAT OTHERS STRIVE TO EMULATE.
"THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO INDICATE ITS READINESS TO JOIN THE NEW HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, AND TO TAKE A LEAD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM," SIR DAVID SAID, WHEN ADDRESSING THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CHAIRMEN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
"THE CHANGE MAY NOT BE EASY; BUT IT WILL OFFER OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE OUR HOSPITALS MORE EFFICIENT, MORE FLEXIBLE AND MORE RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC NEEDS.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT TUNG WAH WILL MAKE THE BEST OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT TUNG WAH HAD SUCCESSFULLY ADAPTED TO CHANGE IN THE PAST 120 YEARS DUE TO ITS LEADERSHIP.
"THE PAST AND PRESENT CHAIRMEN OF' THE TUNG WAH BOARD ARE WORTHY SUCCESSORS TO A VERY IMPRESSIVE TRADITION; A TRADITION THAT HAS DRAWN ON CHINESE VALUES AND HAS WON THE RESPECT OF THE COMMUNITY; A TRADITION OF CARING FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE AND THE SICK THROUGH PRACTICAL GOOD WORKS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WOULD NEED TO DRAW ON SUCH TRADITIONS AS IT MET THE CHALLENGES OF THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
"AND IT WILL BENEFIT FROM THE STEADY LEADERSHIP PROVIDED BY PEOPLE LIKE THE PAST AND PRESENT CHAIRMEN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
GOOD TRADE AND INVESTMENT POTENTIAL IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: FS • *****
WITH A POPULATION OF OVER 400 MILLION, CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE SHOULD BE A MARKET OF GOOD POTENTIAL FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT,' THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON OF THE HONG KONG AUSTRIAN ASSOCIATION, MR MACLEOD SAID THE UNIFICATION OF GERMANY IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR WAS LIKELY TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS ON HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH THE REGION.
"AS THESE MARKETS MOVE INCREASINGLY TOWARDS MARKET ECONOMY, THERE WOULD BE A GROWING DEMAND FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
/“THERE ARE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
2
"THERE ARE THEREFORE GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG EXPORTERS AND ENTREPRENEURS," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT TOTAL TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CENTRAL -EASTERN EUROPE HAS ALREADY BEEN GROWING ENCOURAGINGLY, HE SAID.
"IN 1990, TOTAL TRADE ROSE BY 32 PER CENT OVER 1989, TO OVER $4.4 BILLION. IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, THERE WAS A 35 PER CENT INCREASE TO REACH $2.5 BILLION.
"ALTHOUGH THE INCREASES WERE ON A RELATIVELY SMALL BASE, THE UPWARD TREND REFLECTS THE GOOD POTENTIAL OF THESE MARKETS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S EFFORT IN DEVELOPING THESE MARKETS, MR MACLEOD SAID THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAD BEEN MONITORING AND DEVELOPING THE MARKETS IN AUSTRIA AND EASTERN EUROPE.
"IT HAS PLAYED AN ACTIVE AND USEFUL ROLE IN SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A HONG KONG PRESENCE THERE. A NUMBER OF EXHIBITIONS HAVE BEEN HELD AND TRADE MISSIONS ORGANISED TO POLAND, HUNGARYt CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND USSR.
"IN PARTICULAR, EXHIBITIONS OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS ARE REGULARLY HELD IN WARSAW, BUDAPEST AND PRAGUE. MOST RECENTLY, A HONG KONG PRODUCTS EXHIBITION BY ABOUT 40 COMPANIES HELD IN WARSAW LAST MONTH ACHIEVED GOOD RESULTS.
"SOME $28 MILLION WORTH OF BUSINESS ORDERS WERE MADE ON THE SPOT AND ANOTHER $73 MILLION OF ORDERS ARE UNDER NEGOTIATION," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR MACLEOD CAUTIONED THAT PENETRATING THE CENTRALEASTERN EUROPEAN MARKETS WAS BY NO MEANS EASY.
"THERE ARE PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY, INADEQUATE COMMERCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, LOW PRODUCTIVITY, LOW PURCHASING POWER AND GOVERNMENT RED-TAPE," HE SAID.
"THESE ARE OBSTACLES TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT. FURTHERMORE, ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE REGION IS FAR FROM ASSURED," HE NOTED.
"THAT SAID, DEVELOPMENTS IN EASTERN EUROPE UNDOUBTEDLY PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE IMAGINATIVE ENTREPRENEUR. AND ALL THE SIGNS ARE THAT THESE COUNTRIES ARE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT ESTABLISHING A WORKING MARKET ECONOMY," HE ADDED.
ON AUSTRIA’S RELATIONS WITH EASTERN EUROPE AND HONG KONG, MR MACLEOD SAID GIVEN ITS GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION AND EXPERIENCE, AUSTRIA WAS WELL PLACED TO ACT AS A CONVENIENT SPRINGBOARD FOR HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A FOOTHOLD IN THE REGION.
"HONG KONG TO CHINA IS IN SOME RESPECTS WHAT AUSTRIA IS TO EASTERN EUROPE. BOTH ARE MAJOR GATEWAY TO THE HINTERLAND," HE SAID.
"FOR MANY YEARS, AUSTRIA HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT CONDUIT FOR TRADE WITH EASTERN EUROPE. PRESUMABLY REFLECTING THIS ROLE, THE REEXPORT TRADE BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND HONG KONG ROSE BY AN AMAZING 15 TIMES BETWEEN 1986 AND 1990.
/"AND THE .
• • •
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
3
"AND THE TREND CONTINUES - IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, REEXPORTS INCREASED BY A FURTHER 50 PER CENT," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE YEARS HONG KONG HAD DEVELOPED EXCELLENT COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH AUSTRIA.
"TWO-WAY TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRIA HAS BEEN ON TltE INCREASE AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF OVER 30 PER CENT FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
"IN 1990, OUR TOTAL TRADE WITH AUSTRIA, VALUED AT $5 BILLION, WAS 3.3 TIMES THAT OF 1986.
"OUR EXPORTS TO AUSTRIA AND IMPORTS FROM AUSTRIA MORE THAN DOUBLED IN VALUE DURING THE PERIOD. PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY PRODUCTS ARE GLASSWARE AND OPTICAL GOODS FROM AUSTRIA AND GARMENTS FROM HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE DIRECT AIR LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VIENNA, INTRODUCED NOT LONG AGO, IS SYMBOLIC OF THE INCREASING COMMERCIAL TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRIA, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
HONG KONG COMMITTED TO FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING: AG * * * * *
HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT TO THE FIGHT AGAINST THE PERNICIOUS AND EVIL BUSINESS OF ' DRUGS TRAFFICKING, WAS REPRESENTED NOT BY RHETORIC, NOT JUST BY PIECES OF PAPER, BUT BY SOLID HARD WORK AND SOLID ACHIEVEMENT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
MR MATHEWS SAID THIS REPRESENTED THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF MARY PEOPLE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AT ALL LEVELS BOTH WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND OUTSIDE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A FOUR-DAY ECONOMIC CRIME WORKSHOP ON MONEY LAUNDERING ORGANISED BY THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT AND THE CROWN AGENTS, MR MATHEWS SAID HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT IN TERMS OF RESOURCES WAS BOTH SUBSTANTIAL AND WIDESPREAD.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD A HIGHLY EFFICIENT POLICE FORCE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, WHOSE TECHNIQUES IN TRACING DRUGS, AND WHOSE SUCCESSES IN SEIZING DRUGS, WERE IMPRESSIVE BY ANY STANDARD.
LAST YEAR, OVER 5,000 KILOGRAMS OF VARIOUS KINDS OF DRUtJS, INCLUDING 71 KILOGRAMS OF NO. 3 HEROIN AND 91 KILOGRAMS OF NO. 4 HEROIN, WERE SEIZED.
HE SAID THE COURTS WERE SEVERE ON THOSE WHO WERE PROVED TO BE DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
TRAFFICKERS WHO WERE CAUGHT WITH HALF A KILOGRAM OF HEROtN, FOR EXAMPLE, WOULD FACE SENTENCES IN EXCESS OF 15 YEARS.
/A WIDE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 19§i
4
A WIDE RANGE OF OPTIONS TO TREAT AND REHABILITATE DRUG ADDICTS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED.
THERE WERE 25 METHADONE CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY OPERATING UNDER CONDITIONS OF STRICT CONFIDENTIALITY, WITH AN AIM OF HELPING TO KEEP DRUG ADDICTS AWAY FROM DRUGS AND REDUCE DRUG-RELAtED CRIMES.
THERE WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES DEVOTED TO THE TASK OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION, PROVIDING AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF SERVICES RANGING FROM THE OPERATION OF VOLUNTARY IN-PATIENT TREATMENT CENTRES TO FREE COUNSELLING AND PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE IN CAREER PLACEMENT.
EVERY YEAR A VARIETY OF PREVENTIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMER INCLUDING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, ANTI-NARCOTICS PUBLICITY THROUGH THE MEDIA, AND EDUCATIONAL TALKS TO STUDENTS AT SCHOOLS; WERE ORGANISED.
SINCE FEBRUARY 1984, A SCHOOL TALKS TEAM OF OFFICERS OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION HAD BEEN VISITING ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO EXPLAIN TO STUDENTS IN FORMS I TO VII THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUGS, SO AS TO DISSUADE THEM FROM ABUSING OR EXPERIMENTING WITH ILLICIT DRUGS,
HE ALSO DESCRIBED HONG KONG’S EFFORTS TO ATTACK THE UNDERLYING, ECONOMIC CAUSES OF THIS TRADE, RECOGNISING THAT ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF ATTACKING THE PROBLEM WAS TO IDENTIFY AND TO DESTROY THE FINANCIAL STRUCTURES AND MACHINERY SET UP BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
IN 1989, HONG KONG INTRODUCED ITS DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDED FOR THE FREEZING AND THE CONFISCATION OF DRUG TRAFFICKING PROCEEDS. THE ORDINANCE ALSO MADE IT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO LAUNDER THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING.
SO FAR, SOME $312 MILLION HAD BEEN FROZEN AND OVER HAtR A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF DRUG ASSETS HAD BEEN CONFISCATED.
IN ADDITION, CONFISCATION ORDERS HAD BEEN GRANTED FOR ANOTHER $4.4 MILLION OF DRUGS ASSETS.
"ALTHOUGH IT IS PERHAPS A LITTLE EARLY TO SAY JUST HOW EFFECTIVE THE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN IN ATTACKING THE PROFIT ELEMENT IN THE DRUGS TRADE, THE RESULTS SO FAR ARE ENCOURAGING.
"WE ARE NOW REVIEWING THE ORDINANCE WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO ENHANCE ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND ITS CAPABILITIES iN ATTACKING THE ASSETS OF DRUGS TRAFFICKING," MR MATHEWS SAID.
NOTING THAT BANKS PLAYED A VITAL PART IN COMBATTING MONEY LAUNDERING, HE SAID AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE REQUIRED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG TO GIVE NOTICE WHENEVER THERE WAS A SUSPECT TRANSACTION WHICH MIGHT INVOLVE THE PROCEEDS OF DRUGS TRAFFICKING.
HE SAID THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS HAD ISSUED COMPREHENSIVE GUIDELINES IN THIS AREA.
/BY IMPLEMENTING .......
MONDAY, (X IWER 21, 1991
- 5 -
"BY IMPLEMENTING PROPER CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION AND RECORD KEEPING SYSTEMS, AND BY CO-OPERATING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, BANKS CAN GIVE ASSISTANCE THAT IS OF ENORMOUS VALUE TO INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTIONS WORK," HE SAID.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO ENABLED ORDERS OF FOREIGN COURTS CONFISCATING DRUGS ASSETS TO BE ENFORCED HERE AND FOR HONG KONG’S CONFISCATION ORDERS TO BE ENFORCED OVERSEAS IF THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT TO DO SO.
"HONG KONG HAD ENTERED INTO RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ORDINANCE WITH AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES, AND SIX UK JURISDICTIONS (ENGLAND AND WALES, SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, ISLE OF MAN, JERSEY AND GUERNSEY) AND WE ARE CONTINUING TALKS WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO THE SAME END.
"THESE AGREEMENTS ARE A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG IS PLAYING ITS PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT TO COMBAT DRUG RELATED MONEY LAUNDERING."
SINCE DECEMBER 1990, HONG KONG HAD ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE WORK OF THE G7 (SEVEN MAJOR INDUSTRIAL NATIONS) FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE, AND MEMBERSHIP WAS CONFIRMED IN MARCH THIS YEAR UPON ENDORSEMENT OF THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE INVOLVED HONG KONG IN TAKING A LEAD ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEASURES TO COUNTER MONEY LAUNDERING THROUGH BOTH THE FORMAL AND INFORMAL FINANCIAL SECTORS, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE ASIA AND PACIFIC REGION. <
MR MATHEWS ALSO TALKED ABOUT OTHER ASPECTS OF MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE.
IN THE FIELD OF EXTRADITION, HONG KONG HAD PLAYED ITS PART CO-OPERATING WITH JURISDICTIONS OVERSEAS IN THE APPREHENSION AND RETURN OF FUGITIVE CRIMINALS.
"IT IS A SAD COMMENTARY ON THE SCALE OF THE DRUGS TRADE THAT THE BULK OF OUR EXTRADITION WORK IS INDEED CONCERNED WITH DRUG OFFENCES.
"LAST YEAR, HONG KONG HANDLED NO FEWER THAN 30 EXTRADITION CASES WITH 10 COUNTRIES.
"LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, WE ARE NOW EMBARKING ON A SERIES OF BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WITH WHOM WE HAVE EXTRADITION TRAFFIC WITH A VIEW TO PRODUCING BILATERAL EXTRADITION AGREEMENTS THAT WILL ENDURE BEYOND 1997."
IN THE WIDER FIELD OF MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, HE SAID FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP IN LONDON LAST MONTH, DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE HELD WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE TEXT OF A MODEL MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE- AUTHORISED TO NEGOTIATE WITH FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS.
- - 0
/6.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
- 6 -
REPATRIATION TO START WITH DOUBLE PACKERS *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT DISCUSSIONS WERE CONTINUING BETWEEN THE BRITISH, HONG KONG AND VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENTS ON WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION IN FULL AND IN PARTICULAR THE PROVISION THAT ALL NON-REFUGEES SHOULD" RETURN TO VIETNAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICES.
"AS A FIRST STEP, AGREEMENT HAS NOW BEEN REACHED ON THE RETURN TO VIETNAM OF THE SO-CALLED DOUBLE BACKERS (l.E. THOSE WHO, HAVING RETURNED TO VIETNAM ONCE AND BENEFITTED FROM UNHCR REPATRIATION ASSISTANCE, HAVE ENTERED HONG KONG ILLEGALLY FOR A SECOND TIME) AND THOSE OF THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY WHO HAVE COME WITH THEM.
"DISCUSSION OF THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPATRIATING NEW ARRIVALS AND OTHER NON-REFUGEES ALREADY IN HONG KONG CONTINUES," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAVE REPEATED THEIR UNDERTAKINGS THAT NO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO RETURNS TO VIETNAM WILL FACE PERSECUTION AND THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO FACILITATE THE . MONITORI NG OF RETURNEES BY UNHCR, AND OTHERS, TO ENSURE THAT THESE GUARANTEES ARE FULLY RESPECTED.
"iN THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS ALMOST 11,000 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY TO VIETNAM FROM HONG KONG WITHOUT A SINGLE SUBSTANTIATED CASE OF PERSECUTION," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT NO DATE HAD BEEN FIXED FOR THE RETURN OF THE DOUBL& BACKERS AND REPATRIATION WOULD THEREFORE NOT TAKE PLACE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.
REPATRIATION WOULD TAKE PLACE IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL INTERNATIONAL PRACTICES AND WITHIN TERMS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION, ADOPTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES CONVENED BY THE UNITED NATIONS IN JUNE 1989.
- - - - 0-----
STATEMENT ON BCCHK
******
IN A STATEMENT TODAY (MONDAY) THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, CONFIRMED THAT PROPOSALS FOR THE TAKEOVER OF THE BANKING BUSINESS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK), INCLUDING ITS SUBSIDIARY, BCCFI, HAVE NOW BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE HONGKONG CHINESE BANK LIMITED, A MEMBER OF THE LIPPO GROUP OF COMPANIES.
MR GLEESON SAID AS THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONFIDENTIAL HE COULD NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS AT THIS STAGE.
/THE PROPOSALS .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
THE PROPOSALS WERE NOW UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION AND HE WOULD HE IN TOUCH WITH THE HONGKONG CHINESE BANK AND LIPPO DURING THE WEEK.
THE ADJOURNED HEARING OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PETITION FOR THE WINDING-UP OF BCCHK WAS FIXED FOR NEXT MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, AND MR GLEESON, AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, WOULD BE REPORTING TO THE HIGH COURT AGAIN ON THAT DATE.
IN THE MEANTIME HE DECLINED TO SPECULATE ON THE CHANCES OF THESE PROPOSALS BEING ACCEPTED OR HOW MUCH LONGER THE NEGOTIATIONS MIGHT TAKE. ANY TERMS THAT MIGHT BE PROVISIONALLY AGREED BY HIM WOULD REQUIRE THE SANCTION OF THE COURT, AND THE DEPOSITORS AND OTHER CREDITORS WOULD ALSO BE CONSULTED.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY ♦ ♦ * ♦ t
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 13 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER THREE BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 23).
THE THREE BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS ARE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (LONG SERVICE PAYMENT) BILL 1991.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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EXTENSIVE READING SCHEME TO » »
BOOST ENGLISH LANGUAGE CURRICULUM ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HONG KONG EXTENSIVE READING SCHEME IN ENGLISH (HKERS), A PROJECT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH IN LOCAL SCHOOLS, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN 200 PUBLIC,SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE), DR VERNER BICKLEY, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
NINETEEN SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE JOINED THE SCHEME IN THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR AND ANOTHER 25 ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE NEXT SEPTEMBER.
THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE SCHEME WILL INVOLVE SECONDARY 1 STUDENTS ONLY AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THE VARIOUS READING LEVELS AS THEY MOVE UP TO SECONDARY 2 AND 3.
/DR BICKLEY .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
- 8 -
DR BICKLEY EXPLAINED THAT THE SCHEME WAS THE RESULT OF A PILOT PROJECT IMPLEMENTED IN NINE PUBLIC-SECTOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM SEPTEMBER 1986 TO AUGUST 1988 AS ONE OF THE MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE CURRICULUM AND THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH IN SCHOOLS.
"THE GREATER EXPOSURE TO ENGLISH THROUGH EXTENSIVE READING HAD RESULTED IN BOTH LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT AND DESIRABLE ATTITUDINAL CHANGES IN STUDENTS TOWARDS THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN GENERAL AND READING IN PARTICULAR," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE SCHEME, DR BICKLEY SAID THE 90 SECONDARY 1 CLASSES FROM THE 19 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS THIS YEAR ARE GIVEN RESOURCE PACKAGES EACH CONTAINING 400 BOOKS, BOTH FICTION AND NON-FICTION, GRADED INTO EIGHT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND ACCOMPANIED WITH QUESTION CARDS, ANSWER CARDS, READING CHARTS AND RECORDS TO HELP TEACHERS AND STUDENTS MONITOR PROGRESS.
EACH RESOURCE PACKAGE COSTING OVER $16,000 WILL BE USED AND SHARED BY THREE CLASSES UP TO SECONDARY 3 AND WILL PROVIDE EVERY STUDENT AN INDIVIDUALISED PROGRAMME TO DEVELOP INDEPENDENT READING.
DR BICKLEY SAID APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN PHASE 1 WAS OVERWHELMING WITH 140 SECONDARY SCHOOLS APPLYING TO JOIN BUT ONLY 19 SELECTED.
ABOUT 110 TEACHERS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS STAGE OF THE SCHEME. ALL OF WHOM HAVE ATTENDED A SERIES OF SEMINARS ON THE HKERS ORGANISED BY THE 1LE, WHICH IS ALSO PROVIDING CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS THROUGH VISITS AND CONSULTATIONS.
SCHOOLS HAVE REPORTED SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME AS PART OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE CURRICULUM.
AS A FURTHER INCENTIVE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG EAST HAVE SET UP AN AWARD FOR THE SCHEME.
CERTIFICATES AND BOOK COUPONS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BEST READERS OF THE SCHOOLS AND WINNERS OF AN INTER-SCHOOL COMPETITION ON BOOK REPORTS IN JULY NEXT YEAR, ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAUNCHING OF THE SCHEME.
- - 0-------
CERAMIC PLATES TO COMMEMORATE POST OFFICE’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY * * * * *
CERAMIC PLATES COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT PHILATELIC COUNTERS OF SEVEN OFFICES FROM WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 23), THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SEVEN OFFICES ARE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE, PEAK POST OFFICE, TSTM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE, AIRPORT POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE.
/EIGHT CAREFULLY .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
9
EIGHT CAREFULLY CHOSEN STAMPS, REFLECTING HONG KONG’S HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT, ARE REPRODUCED ON THE PLATE WHICH IS DECORATED AND INDIVIDUALLY HAND-NUMBERED IN 22 CARAT GOLD.
THESE PLATES ARE PRICED AT $388 EACH AND MAY ALSO BE ORDERED BY MAIL AT ALL POST OFFICES. MAIL ORDER FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES.
THE PLATES ARE LICENSED BY THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE, MANUFACTURED IN AUSTRALIA AND MARKETED BY K.G. ASIA PACIFIC (HK) COMPANY.
---------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 47.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 279.135 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 331.957 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 56.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING ; BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 19.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 21.10.91 + 49
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -49
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.9 *+0.1* 21.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
21.10.91 18.10.91
MATURING IN I WEEK 4.36 PCT 4.41 PCT
1 MONTH 4.35 PCT 4.42 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.43 PCT 4.61 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.85 PCT 5.14 PC I’
12 MONTHS 5.83 PCT 6.00 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 8,195 MN 8,255 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW INSTALLATION DEMONSTRATES SHELL'S CONFIDENCE IN HK'S FUTURE ....... 1
AMENDMENTS TO SATELLITE TV LICENCE APPROVED ........................... 1
THREE NEW TAC MEMBERS APPOINTED ....................................... 2
TAC RECOMMENDS 200 URBAN TAXI LICENCES ................................ 3
FULL WATER SUPPLY TO BE MAINTAINED .................................... 4
HK TO IMPLEMENT HARMONISED SYSTEM IN FULL ............................. 5
PRIVATE SECTOR'S CONTRIBUTION TO MEDICAL CARE RECOGNISED .............. 8
KWAI TSING FESTIVAL STARTS ON SATURDAY ................................ 9
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ............................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND .................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 11
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
1
NEW INSTALLATION DEMONSTRATES SHELL’S CONFIDENCE IN UK’S FUTURE ♦ * t * » t
SHELL’S INVESTMENT IN THE MAJOR, SOPHISTICATED NEW INSTALLATION AT TSING YI IS A VERY PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF THE COMPANY’S CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG'S FUTURE, WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW INSTALLATION, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT ALSO REFLECTED THE IMPORTANCE SHELL ATTACHED TO MEETING MODERN SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.
"THE BELOW-GROUND STORAGE HERE OF LPG IS A FIRST FOR HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THESE FACILITIES WOULD SERVE NOT ONLY HONG KONG, BUT ALSO SOUTHERN CHINA.
"SHELL SHARES WITH MANY OF US THE BELIEF THAT THE PEARL RIVER DELTA HAS TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC POTENTIAL, AND THAT HONG KONG HAS A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING TO REALISE THAT POTENTIAL," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID COMMENDED SHELL ON COMPLETING THIS OUTSTANDING NEW ADDITION TO HONG KONG’S ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE.
HE SAID THE REGULAR IMPORTATION, SAFE STORAGE AND EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTION OF FUEL WERE ALL ESSENTIAL TO OUR WELL-BEING.
"THE QUANTITIES INVOLVED ARE ENORMOUS. THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ARE DEMANDING. SUBSTANTIAL CONTINGENCY RESERVES ARE ESSENTIAL," HE SAID.
"FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK WELL IT NEEDS HEALTHY COMMERCIAL Competition; close co-operation with government; and companies PREPARED TO MAKE VERY LARGE, LONG-TERM FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS.
"HONG KONG IS FORTUNATE IN HAVING A NUMBER OF SUCH COMPANIES. SHELL IS ONE OF THEM," HE ADDED.
AMENDMENTS TO SATELLITE TV LICENCE APPROVED
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE SATELLITE TELEVISION UPLINE AND DOWNLINK LICENCE GRANTED TO HUTCHVISION HONG KONG LIMITED ON DECEMBER 18 LAST YEAR.
THE AMENDMENTS WILL ALLOW HUTCHVISION TO CARRY RADIO CHANNELS AS PART OF ITS SERVICE, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (TA) AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID THE LICENCE AMENDMENTS WOULD ENABLE THE RECEPTION THROUGHOUT ASIA OF HIGH QUALITY SATELLITE-DELIVERED FM RADIO CHANNELS.
’’CURRENTLY, HUTCHVISION WISHES TO CARRY TWO BBC WORLD SERVICE RADIO CHANNELS, COMPRISING ONE SERVICE IN ENGLISH AND ANOTHER SERVICE IN 15 ASIAN LANGUAGES, INCLUDING SOME CANTONESE,’’ HE SAID.
"AN AMENDMENT WILL ALSO GIVE THE TA THE DISCRETION TO ALLOW AN INCREASE IN THE TIME ALLOWED FOR STATION OR PROGRAMME PROMOTION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0--------
THREE NEW TAC MEMBERS APPOINTED *****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THREE NEW MEMBERS TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) FOR TWO YEARS FROM OCTOBER 1, 1991.
THEY ARE PROFESSOR TENNY N. LAM, MR NG SHUI-LAI AND MR CLEMENT TAO KWOK-LAU.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO RE-APPOINTED MR CHUNG PUI-LAM AS A TAC MEMBER FOR ONE YEAR ALSO FROM OCTOBER 1.
PROF TENNY N. LAM, AGED 50, IS THE SECOND CHAIR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE HAS SPENT OVER 25 YEARS IN TEACHING, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING.
MR NG SHUI-LAI, AGED 44, IS THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE. HE HAS BEEN SERVING ON THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL AND THE SUBVENTIONS AND LOTTERIES FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
MR CLEMENT TAO KWOK-LAU, AGED 43, IS THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT OF THE ASSOCIATED ADVISERS LIMITED. HE HAS SERVED ON THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND THE TRANSPORT TRIBUNAL AND IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
------0-----------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
3
TAC RECOMMENDS 200 URBAN TAXI LICENCES ******
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) RECOMMENDED THE ISSUE OF 200 NEW URBAN TAXI LICENCES FOR THIS YEAR, BUT NONE FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES FOR THIS YEAR.
THE TAC ALSO DECIDED TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE FUTURE ISSUING OF TAXI LICENCES SHORTLY.
IN MAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE TAC HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE AVAILABILITY OF TAXI SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TRADE, THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS AND THE LEVEL OF TAXI LICENCES PREMIUM.
WITH REFERENCE TO TAXI DEMAND SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, TAC MEMBERS NOTED THAT SINCE LAST YEAR, BOTH THE PERCENTAGE OF OCCUPIED TAXIS AND THE AVERAGE PASSENGER WAITING TIME HAD DROPPED, SIGNIFYING AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE AVAILABILITY OF URBAN TAXI SERVICES.
FROM THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE, THERE WAS LITTLE JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY DRASTIC INCREASE IN URBAN TAXI LICENCES BECAUSE TAXIS ACCOUNTED FOR AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 30’ PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TRAFFIC IN URBAN AREAS AND MORE THAN HALF OF THE TRAFFIC IN THE MORNING PEAK HOURS AT CERTAIN BUSY LOCATIONS.
HOWEVER, HAVING REGARD TO THE RISING PREMIUM OF URBAN TAXI LICENCES, THE TAC CONSIDERED THAT RELATIVELY MORE SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH 150 LICENCES ISSUED LAST YEAR.
ON NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS, THE TAC NOTED THAT DESPITE THE FREEZE OF NT TAXI LICENCES LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF UNLICENSED NT TAXIS HAD REMA1NDED AT ABOUT 280 IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND THESE UNLICENSED TAXIS COULD BE PUT INTO OPERATION IMMEDIATELY IF DEMAND EXISTED.
AS SURVEYS HAD SHOWN THAT THE CURRENT NUMBER OF NT TAXIS APPEARED TO BE MEETING EXISTING MARKET DEMAND, THE TAC RECOMMENDED NOT TO ISSUE ANY NT TAXI LICENCE THIS YEAR.
AT THE MEETING, THE TAC ALSO RECEIVED A REPORT ON THE FIRST-MONTH OPERATIONS OF CITYBUS' FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE BETWEEN CENTRAL AND MACDONNELL ROAD.
THE NEW SERVICE, ROUTE 12A, COMMENCED ON SEPTEMBER 11, HAD NINE DOUBLE-DECK AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES PLYING AT A FREQUENCY BETWEEN FIVE AND 10 MINUTES.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S SURVEYS SHOWED THAT THE QUALITY OF THE NEW SERVICE HAD BEEN REASONABLY WELL RECEIVED BY PASSENGERS.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE AVERAGE DAILY PATRONAGE ON A WORKING DAY REACHED 1,700 PASSENGERS IN EARLY OCTOBER, FOLLOWING A STEADY INCREASE SINCE MID SEPTEMBER.
/SINCE THE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
4
SINCE THE SERVICE HAI) OPERATED FOR ONLY ONE MONTH, TRAVE! PATTERNS WERE YET TO BE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED.
THE TAC WAS TOLD THAT ONCE THE TRAVEL PATTERNS WERE SETTLED DOWN, FURTHER SURVEYS WOULD BE CONDUCTED TO ASSESS HOW FAR ROUTE 12A HAD SUCCEEDED JN ATTRACTING PASSENGERS WHO USED TO TRAVEL BY TAXIS OR PRIVATE CARS.
MEMBERS ALSO DISCUSSED A WRITTEN REPRESENTATION FROM THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ABOUT THE MONITORING OF PUBLIC UTIL.ITY AND TRANSPORT COMPANIES.
VIEWS WERE EXCHANGED ON THE ADEQUACY OF THE CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT HAD BEEN BUILT INTO THE EXISTING BUS FRANCHISING ARRANGEMENTS TO PROTECT PUBLIC INTEREST. •
MEMBERS EXAMINED EXISTING CHANNELS FOR CONSUMER REPRESENTATION.
THESE INCLUDED ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS TN SCRUTINISING THE SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PLANS OF INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS, ATTENDANCE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT DISTRICT BOARDS AND OMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL MEETINGS TO RECEIVE ADV ICES/SUGGESTIONS, THE CONSIDERATION OF TRANSPORT POLICIES BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE MANY COMPLAINTS OUTLETS ALREADY AVAILABLE, RANGING FROM THE INDEPENDENT TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT OF THE TAC, THE HOTLINES ESTABLISHED BY TRANSPORT COMPANIES AND THE MEDIA.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO DEVELOP MORE INTERACTIVE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS, SUCH AS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CUSTOMER CONSULTATIVE BODIES.
MEMBERS LEARNED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD REVIEW WHETHER CONTINUED APPLICATION OF THE* PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME REMAINED APPROPRIATE IN PRESENT DAY CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE ANY NEW FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WAS ENTERED INTO WITH THE BUS COMPANIES.
------0-------
FULL WATER SUPPLY TO BE MAINTAINED
i * ♦ i ♦
THERE WILL BE NO WATER RESTRICTION IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE ALTHOUGH THE CURRENT WATER STORAGE LEVEL IS STILL LOW.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR K.L. WONG, FOLLOWING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S ENDORSEMENT TO MAINTAIN FULL WATER SUPPLY FOR THE TIME BEING AT ITS MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
MR WONG SAID THE RAINFALL LAST WEEK HAD RESULTED IN ONLY A SMALL IMPROVEMENT IN THE STORAGE LEVEL SINCE THE WATER CATCHMENT AREAS HAD RECEIVED MUCH LESS RAIN THAN THE URBAN ARRAS.
/•'TO IMPROVE.......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
5
"TO IMPROVE THE STORAGE LEVEL, WE ARE APPROACHING CHINA FOR AN INCREASE IN SUPPLY FOR NEXT YEAR," MR WONG SAID.
"UNDER THE CURRENT AGREEMENT, CHINA WILL SUPPLY 600 MILLION CUBIC METRES (MCM) OF WATER BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1992 AND FEBRUARY 28*
1993.
"WE PROPOSE TO REQUEST CHINA TO SUPPLY AN ADDITIONAL 105 McM IN THAT PERIOD.
"IF CHINA CANNOT PROVIDE THE EXTRA WATER, THEN CONSIDERATION WILL HAVE TO BE GIVEN TO IMPOSE WATER RESTRICTIONS BEFORE THE NEXT WET SEASON," HE SAID.
"THE.THREAT WILL ONLY BE REMOVED IF THERE IS EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE COMING DRY SEASON," HE ADDED.
IN THE MEANTIME, HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
AS AT 9 AM TODAY, THE STORAGE LEVEL STOOD AT 279.22 McM OR 47.6 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY.
THIS COMPARED WITH 331.70 MCM OR 56.6 PER CENT AT THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.
---------0-----------
HK TO IMPLEMENT HARMONISED SYSTEM IN FULL * t * * »
HONG KONG IS TO IMPLEMENT IN FULL THE HARMONISED SYSTEM FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATION AS FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
AS FROM THAT DATE, THE THIRD REVISION OF THE STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (SITC R3) FOR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTING WHICH HAS BEEN SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A NEAT CORRELATION WITH THE FULL HARMONISED SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE ADOPTED.
ANNOUNCING THE DETAILS OF THE 1992 EDITION OF THE HONG KONG HARMONISED SYSTEM (HK HS) IN A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR BENJAMIN MOK, SAID THIS WOULD MAKE HONG KONG’S COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION TOTALLY COMPATIBLE WITH THOSEOF HONG KONG'S TRADING PARTNERS ADOPTING THE FULL HS.
THIS WOULD FURTHER REDUCE THE WORK OF RECLASSIFYING GOODS IN TRADE DOCUMENTS AND FACILITATE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, MR MOK SAID.
THE HK HS WAS BASED ON THE HARMONISED COMMODITY DESCRIPTION AND CODING SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL BASED IN BRUSSELS TO FACILITATE INTERNATIONAL TRADE DOCUMENTATION.
/"THE WORLD .......
TUESDAY, OCTO—' 22, 1991
- 6
"THE WORLD-WIDE ADOPTION OF THE HS CAN REDUCE THE EXPENSES INCURRED IN REDESCRIBING, RECLASSIFYING AND RECODING GOODS AS THEY MOVE FROM ONE COUNTRY TO ANOTHER," MR MOK SAID.
HE SAID IT ALSO FACILITATED THE COMPARISON AND ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE STATISTICS; AND REDUCED UNCERTAINTY IN THE NEGOTIATION AND INTERPRETATION OF TRADE AGREEMENTS.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID MANY OF HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS HAD ADOPTED THE US SINCE 1988.
HONG KONG HAD ALSO ADOPTED THE HS SINCE JANUARY 1988 FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATION PURPOSE, BUT ON A PARTIAL BASIS ONLY, HE ADDED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION WAS CONSIDERED AS A MORE PRACTICABLE APPROACH FOR HONG KONG WHICH, UNLIKE MOST OTHER COUNTRIES, HAD NO EXPERIENCE OF USING A CUSTOMS NOMENCLATURE SIMILAR TO THE HS.
BEFORE 1988, HONG KONG HAD LONG BEEN USING THE STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (STTC) SYSTEM FOR BOTH TRADE DECLARATION AND STATISTICAL REPORTING.
MR MOK EXPLAINED THAT BY ADOPTING THE HS ON A PARTIAL BASIS WITH MOST OF THE COMMODITY ITEM CODES CLOSELY CORRELATED TO THE SITC COMMODITY CODES FAMILIAR TO TRADERS, THE BURDEN OF ADAPTING TO A NEW CLASSIFICATION COULD BE REDUCED TO BOTH TRADERS AND GOVERNMENT STAFF Involved in processing the tradF documents.
"BY NOW, AFTER HAVING IMPLEMENTED THE HS ON A PARTIAL BASIS FOR FOUR YEARS, SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN GAINED BY HONG KONG IN APPLYING THE HS.
"MOREOVER, THE NEED FOR FULL ADOPTION OF THE HS IS KEENLY FELT AS MOST OF HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE HS IN FULL," HE SAID.
MR MOK SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN PREPARING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE HARMONISED SYSTEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
A COMMITTEE HAD BEEN SET UP TO OVERSEE THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.
APART FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE COMMITTEE ALSO CONSISTED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS* ASSOCIATION AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSIONER SAID, INCLUDED REVISING THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST, MODIFYING THE COMPUTERISED TRADE STATISTICS SYSTEM AND AMENDING THE RELEVANT LAW.
/ALSO INCLUDED .
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
ALSO INCLUDED WAS PLANNING VARIOUS PUBLICITY AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES TO HELP IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS AND GOVERNMENT STAFF PREPARE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.
"WHAT REMAINS - AND THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT - IS TO INTRODUCE THE NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM TO IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS SO THAT THEY CAN USE IT CORRECTLY," MR MOK SAID.
AT PRESENT, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ENFORCED THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS WHEREAS THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DESIGNED THE COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AND PROCESSES TRADE DATA REPORTED ON DECLARATIONS TO PRODUCE TRADE STATISTICS.
ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMS DECLARATIONS! THE HEAD OF TRADE CONTROLS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, MR Y.Y. LEUNG, SAID THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST WOULD BE REVISED tO REFLECT THE FULL ADOPTION OF THE HARMONISED COMMODITY DESCRIPTION AND CODING SYSTEM, OR HS.
MR LEUNG SAID THE NEW LIST, WHICH WAS TITLED THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST (HARMONISED SYSTEM), 1992 EDITION, WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO USE ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
AS FROM THAT DATE, IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS SHOULD PROVIDE COMMODITY ITEM CODE NUMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW CLASSIFICATION LIST IN THEIR. IMPORT OR EXPORT DECLARATIONS.
MR LEUNG SAID THERE WOULD ALSO BE SOME CHANGES TO THE EXISTING IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATION FORMS TO FACILITATE THE PROCESSING OF DECLARATIONS AND REDUCE INCONVENIENCE WHICH MIGHT BE CAUSED TO TRADERS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE CALLED UPON TO CLARIFY UNCLEAR PARTICULARS IN THE DECLARATIONS.
HE SAID THE REVISED DECLARATION FORMS WOULD BE GAZETTED SHORTLY AND BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN DECEMBER.
HE ALSO REMINDED IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS THE NEED TO LODGE ACCURATE AND COMPLETE DECLARATIONS AND OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBMITTING THEM WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF 14 DAYS.
"THE CO-OPERATION OF IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS IS ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN THE ACCURACY OF HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS WHICH IS ONE OF OUR MAJOR ECONOMIC INDICATORS," MR LEUNG SAID.
AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR H.W. FUNG, ALSO SAID DETAILED STATISTICS CLASSIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WtTH THE NEW HONG KONG HARMONISED SYSTEM WOULD ALSO BE AVAILABLE ON COMPUTER PRINTOUTS AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR USERS’ REFERENCE.
MR FUNG SAID THE DESCRIPTIONS AND CODES OF THE HONG KONG HARMONISED SYSTEM WERE SPECIFIED IN THE 1992 EDITION OF THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST, WHICH WAS NOW ON SALE.
/A CHINESE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
8
A CHINESE TRANSLATION OE THIS CLASSIFICATION LIST WAS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR TRADERS' REFERENCE.
HE ADDED THAT A HARMONISED SYSTEM HANDBOOK WHICH EXPLAINED THE NEW SYSTEM, DESCRIBED METHODS OF FINDING THE CORRECT CLASSIFICATION, AND CONTAINED MANY EXAMPLES AMD EXERCISES HAD BEEN PREPARED.
BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THE HANDBOOK WERE NOW AVAILABLE ON SALE.
FOR IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS WHO WERE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH THE HARMONISED SYSTEM, A PUBLICATION TITLED "SUMMARY OF CHANGES IN THE HONG KONG IMPORTS AND EXPORTS CLASSIFICATION LIST (HARMONISED SYSTEM)” WHICH SUMMARISED ALL THE CHANGES OF THE HONG KONG HARMONISED SYSTEM FROM THE 1988 EDITION TO THE 1992 EDITION, WAS ALSO ON SALE.
FOR USERS OF TRADE STATISTICS, A PUBLICATION TITLED "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS CLASSIFICATION, (SITC REV 3) WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE NEXT MONTH.
MR FUNG SAID A NUMBER OF SEMINARS TO HELP IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE THE NEW CLASSIFICATION LIST AND THE HS HANDBOOK HAD ALSO BEEN ORGANISED.
HE URGED IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS TO PURCHASE THE NEW CLASSIFICATION LIST AND THE HS HANDBOOK BEFORE ATTENDING THE SEMINARS.
TRADERS WHO HAD NOT YET APPLIED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEMINARS MIGHT STILL OBTAIN TICKETS FOR THE SEMINARS AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
------0--------
PRIVATE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO MEDICAL CARE RECOGNISED * t t * * I
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ARE CLOSELY RELATED AS BOTH ARE COMPLEMENTING ONE ANOTHER, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"ALTHOUGH IN COMMON UNDERSTANDING A ’HOSPITAL’ DENOTES AN INSTITUTE CATERING TO THE SICK AND INJURED, ALL THE OBVIOUS EFFORTS ARE TO BRING THE PATIENT BACK TO ’HEALTH’ AND TO LEAD A PRODUCTIVE LIFE," DR LEE SAID.
OFFICIATING AT THE GOLDEN JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF ST TERESA’S HOSPITAL AND THE OPENING OF ITS NEW EAST WING, DR LEE SAID THE PRIVATE SECTOR PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES JN HONG KONG.
/HE SAID .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
9 -
HE SAID THE ADDITION OE THE NEW WING MARKED THE HOSPITAL'S ANOTHER IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT IN ITS CONTINUED CONTRIBUTION TO MEDICAL CARE IN HONG KONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT 11.5 PER CENT OF A TOTAL OF 24,200 HOSPITAL BEDS ARE IN THE PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND THAT 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OUT-PATIENT CONSULTATIONS ARE PROVIDED BY PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS.
THE DIRECTOR WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO SEE THE CONTINUED EFFORT OF THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT TO UPDATE ITS FACILITIES AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE A MORE PLEASANT, CONGENIAL AND ATTRACTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR PATIENTS.
DR LEE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE LONG-SERVING AND DEDICATED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE PERFORMED SO EFFICIENTLY IN KEEPING AN OUTSTANDING RECORD OF TREATING THE SICK IN THE PAST 50 YEARS.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE HOSPITAL WILL KEEP UP THE HIGH STANDARD OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG IN THE YEARS TO COME," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
KWAI TSI NG FESTIVAL STARTS ON SATURDAY
THE KWAI TS1NG FESTIVAL ’91, WHICH IS THE BIGGEST ANNUAL TO PROMOTE SPORTS AND ARTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT, START ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 26). IT WILL LAST FOR THREE MONTHS.
EVENT
WILL
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE KWAI
DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG, SAID THE FESTIVAL AIMED 10
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT, AND PARTICIPATION.
FOSTER AMONG ENCOURAGE
TSI NG PROVIDE THEM A
COMMUNITY
"SEPARATE FESTIVALS FOR ARTS AND SPORTS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED IN KWAI TSING ANNUALLY SINCE 1986.
"LAST YEAR, THE TWO FESTIVALS WERE COMBINED INTO ONE LARGE-SCALE DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR BETTER UTILISATION OF RESOURCES AND IT PROVED TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS,” MR TANG SAID.
’’THIS YEAR, APART FROM SPORTS AND ARTS ACTIVITIES, EIGHT FUN DAYS WILL BE ORGANISED IN DIFFERENT AREAS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
/MOREOVER, ROTH
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
- 10 -
"MOREOVER, BOTH OVERSEAS AND LOCAL PERFORMERS AND ATHLETES HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE TO ADD MORE SPARKLE TO THE EVENT,” HE ADDED.
THE FESTIVAL’S SPORTS PROGRAMME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHUI HONG-SHEUNG, SAID 11 SPORTS ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED, COVERING SOCCER, SWIMMING, TRACK AND FIELD, ATHLETICS, TENNIS, BADMINTON, VOLLEY BALL, AN ISLAND MARATHON RUN AND MARTIAL ARTS.
THE KWAI TSING FESTIVAL ’91 IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT'S ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE $1.6 MILLION EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
IT WILL START OFF WITH A WOMEN’S SOCCER MATCH ON SATURDAY BETWEEN THE CHINESE MU-LAN ASSOCIATION FROM TAIWAN AND THE KWAI TSING INVITATION TEAM AT THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND.
------o--------
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ♦ ♦ t t t
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADV1CE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON MA ON ON DECEMBER 1, 1989 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
MA WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF A SCHOOL GIRL HO PU1-WAH.
------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG
♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
EXCHANGE FUND HILLS TENDER RESULTS TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q143
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,880 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 4.67 PCT
/HIGHEST ACCEPTED
»
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1991
- 11 -
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 4.72 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO 20 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.76 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ---- TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q144 H176
ISSUE DATE 30 OCT 91 30 OCT 91
MATURITY DATE 29 JAN 92 29 APR 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OEEER HKD 500 + 100 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN 0
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » ♦ * » *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 21.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 22.10.91 -48
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +48
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.1 ++0.2* 22.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS 21.10.91 22.10 .91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.36 PCT 4.26 PCT
1 MONTH 4.35 PCT 4.34 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.43 PCT 4.57 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.85 PCT 5.12 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.83 PCT 6.08 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 8,195 MN 0 8,150 MN
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
BILL TO STRENGTHEN MONITORING OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT STANDARDS INTRODUCED ........................................................ 1
BILL TO FURTHER DISCOURAGE SMOKING INTRODUCED ..................... 2
BILL TO FURTHER IMPROVE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME INTRODUCED ..,. 4
RESULTS OF PUBLIC RENTAL FLAT SALES EXERCISE TO BE REVIEWED ....... 5
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SUBJECT TO BUILDING, PLANNING, LEASE CONTROLS. 6 $1.8 BILLION EARMARKED FOR RPIS PROJECTS ............................. 7
MEASURES TO RELIEVE TSING Yl TRAFFIC CONGESTION ................... 8
MANPOWER SHORTAGE HAMPERS FULL OPERATION OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL ..... 9
3,100 Il'S FROM CHINA IN HK PRISONS .................’............. 10
TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS CLOSELY MONITORED ..................... 11
FREE GOODS TRADING IN HK .......................................... 12
NO SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN PROSECUTION OF CHIT-FUND OFFENDERS ...... 12
TAXI SERVICES IN HK GENERALLY ADEQUATE ............................ 14
CENTRAL RENAL COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REVISION OF TREATMENT GUIDELINES 15
POLICY FOR CHEUNG CHAU DEVELOPMENT EXPLAINED ...................... 15
CT 9 INTENDS ON TSING YI .......................................... 16
THREE BILLS INTRODUCED ............................................. 17
STATEMENT ON VIETNAMESE 'DOUBLE BACKERS' ............................ 18
263 VM'S RETURN TO VIETNAM .......................................... 19
CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR REVIEW OF TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE EXTENDED .. 20
KAIFONGS URGED TO CONTINUE MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS ..................... 20
NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION SCHEME ............................... 21
SELF CARE EXHIBITION AT CITY HALL ................................... 21
GOV'T LAND TO LET BY TENDER ......................................... 22’
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ............................................ 23
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ..................................... 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 24
1
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
BILL TO STRENGTHEN MONITORING OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT • STANDARDS INTRODUCED » t * * *
THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO MAKE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR YEUNG KAI-YIN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR YEUNG SAID THE AMENDMENTS, WHICH WERE PROPOSED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, WERE DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN THE SOCIETY’S ABILITY TO MONITOR THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF ITS PRACTISING MEMBERS.
"AT PRESENT, THE SOCIETY REGULATES THE ACTIVITIES OF ITS MEMBERS THROUGH A REACTIVE SYSTEM," HE SAID.
"UNDER THIS SYSTEM THE WORK AND CONDUCT OF A PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT CAN ONLY BE EXAMINED AFTER A FORMAL COMPLAINT."
HOWEVER, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT GIVEN RISING PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, THE SOCIETY NOW BELIEVED THAT IT WAS DESIRABLE TO ENHANCE ITS REGULATORY ACTIVITIES.
HE NOTED THAT THE BILL PROVIDED THE SOCIETY WITH ADDITIONAL POWERS THAT WOULD ENABLE IT TO REVIEW, OR EXAMINE, THE METHODS AND PROCEDURES OF PRACTISING MEMBERS RELATING TO THEIR AUDIT WORK TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY COMPLIED WITH THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS THAT HAD BEEN LAID DOWN BY THE SOCIETY.
THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERED THE SOCIETY TO INSTIGATE DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY MEMBER WHO REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF A REVIEW, OR WHO WAS FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF THE SOCIETY.
MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BILL, AS THEY REPRESENTED A FURTHER POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS ENSURING THAT HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN ACCOUNTANCY WERE MAINTAINED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
"TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS OF. MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY AND THEIR CLIENTS ARE PROTECTED, THE BILL ALSO MAKES SPECIFIC PROVISIONS CONCERNING IMMUNITY AND SECRECY," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL, WHICH WAS GAZETTED ON OCTOBER 11, WAS ADJOURNED.
/2 .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
2
BI bl, TO FURTHER DISCOURAGE SMOKING INTRODUCED ♦ * * * *
A BILL TO INTRODUCE MORE MEASURES TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING AND TO MINIMISE THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF SMOKING WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IT WAS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRESSIVE MEASURES TO TIGHTEN UP CONTROL ON SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES AND TO DISSUADE PEOPLE FROM PICKING UP OR CONTINUING WITH THE HABIT OF SMOKING.
"IT COMPLEMENTS OUR OTHER MEASURES IN RESPECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION," SHE ADDED.
EXPLAINING THE PROPOSED MAJOR AREAS OF CHANGE, MRS WONG SAID THE FIRST AREA INVOLVED THE DESIGNATION OF "NO SMOKING" AREAS.
THE BILL SOUGHT TO IMPOSE A TOTAL BAN OF SMOKING IN CINEMAS, THEATRES, CONCERT HALLS, AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT. CARRIERS INCLUDING TAXIS WHEN CARRYING PASSENGERS.
UNDER THE EXISTING LAW, SMOKING WAS PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC LIFTS, HALF OF THE SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN CINEMAS AND CONCERT HALLS, ALL SINGLE DECK PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES AND THE LOWER DECK OF MULTI-DECK PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES.
THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO REVISE THE CONTENTS OF THE "NO SMOKING" SIGNS SUCH THAT THEY WOULD INCLUDE A STATEMENT OF THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR COMMITTING THE OFFENCE OF SMOKING IN A "NO SMOKING" AREA.
ON CHANGES TO TAR CONTENT, MRS WONG SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO IMPOSE A MAXIMUM TAR CONTENT OF 20 MILLIGRAMS PER CIGARETTE.
"I ALSO INTEND TO REVISE THE TAR GROUP DESIGNATION TN THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) REGULATIONS.
"CIGARETTES WITH A TAR CONTENT OF ZERO TO NINE MILLIGRAMS ARE TO FALL WITHIN THE LOW TAR GROUP, THOSE OF 10 TO 14 MILLIGRAMS TO BE WITHIN THE LOW TO MIDDLE TAR GROUP, 15 TO 17 MILLIGRAMS THE MIDDLE TAR GROUP, AND 18 TO 20 THE HIGH TAR GROUP," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO CIGARETTE ADVERTISING, MRS WONG SAID THE BILL PROPOSED TO IMPOSE A TOTAL BAN IN CINEMAS.
OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN TO PROVIDE FOR A SIMILAR BAN ON SUCH ADVERTISING ON RADIO AND TELEVISION, WHICH BAN HAD ALREADY BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE DECEMBER 1 LAST YEAR BY CONDITIONS OF LICENCE ISSUED BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, SHF. ADDED.
REGARDING CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP, SHE SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO DISTINGUISH CLEARLY BETWEEN ADVERTISEMENT OF TOBACCO SPONSORSHIP PER SE FROM THAT OF CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP BY COMPANIES WHOSE LINE OF BUSINESS HAPPENED TO INCLUDE CIGARETTES.
/WHILST HEALTH
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23 j 1^11
3
WHILST HEALTH WARNING WOULD BE REQUIRED OF TOBACCO SPONSORSHIP, MRS WONG NOTED THAT CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM CARRYING A HEALTH WARNING PROVIDED THAT THE WORDS ’’SMOKING” OR ’’CIGARETTE” OR "TOBACCO” DO NOT APPEAR.
TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE RISK OF SMOKING AND TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ABOUT ITS HARMFUL EFFECTS, SHE SAID: ”1 INTEND TO MAKE AN ORDER UNDER SECTIONS 8 AND 9 OF THE ORDINANCE SUCH THAT THE EXISTING HEALTH WARNING BE REPLACED BY FOUR STRONGER MESSAGES TO BE USED IN ROTATION.”
THESE INCLUDE ’’SMOKING CAN KILL", ’’SMOKING CAN CAUSE CANCER”, ’’SMOKING CAN CAUSE HEART DISEASE” AND "SMOKING HARMS YOURSELF AND OTHERS”.
THE ORDER WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THE HEALTH WARNING MESSAGE TO APPEAR ON THE TWO LARGEST FACES OF CIGARETTE PACKETS AND THE WARNING PANEL SHOULD OCCUPY NOT LESS THAN 20 PER CENT OF THE SURFACE.
THE HEALTH WARNING PANEL ON CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS SHOULD BE ENLARGED TO TWICE THE PRESENT SIZE.
FOR OUTDOOR CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENTS, THE HEALTH WARNING MESSAGE MUST BE PROPERLY LIT AND UNOBSTRUCTED.
TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE DETERRENT, MRS WONG SAID THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR INDIVIDUAL OFFENDERS WAS PROPOSED TO INCREASE BY 100 PER CENT AND THOSE FOR CORPORATE OFFENDERS BY 200 PER CENT.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING LEVELS OF FINE HAD BEEN SET IN THE EARLY 1980’S AND HAD NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE THEN.
REGARDING THE TIMING OF IMPLEMENTATION, MRS WONG SAID: ”1 PROPOSED TO ALLOW A REASONABLE LEAD TIME IN ORDER THAT AFFECTED PARTIES MAY CARRY OUT PREPARATORY WORK TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW MEASURES.”
AS DIFFERENT GRACE PERIODS WOULD BE NEEDED FOR DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS, DIFFERENT PROVISIONS SHOULD COME INTO OPERATION ON DIFFERENT DATES, SHE ADDED.
"WHERE PREPARATORY WORK IS REQUIRED, WE WILL ALLOW A LEAD TIME OF SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR," SHE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0---------
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY , OC’IOBER 23,1991
4
BILL TO FURTHER IMPROVE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEM1 INTRODUCED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (LONG SERVICE PAYMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH SEEKS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME BY REDUCING THE DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT BASED ON AGE, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SCHEME, WHICH WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1985 AND AMENDED IN 1988, PROVIDED FOR A LUMP SUM PAYMENT TO AN EMPLOYEE WHOSE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT HAD BEEN TERMINATED AFTER WORKING WITH AN EMPLOYER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THE BILL PROPOSED THE EXISTING DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF PAYMENT BASED ON AGE SHOULD BE REMOVED OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD.
DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER THE COMMENi’EMENT OF THE BILL, AN EMPLOYEE AGED BELOW 36 WOULD BECOME ENTITLED TO 75 PER CENT OF THE PAYMENT. FROM THE SECOND YEAR ONWARDS, ALL ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES WOULD BE ENTITLED TO FULL PAYMENT IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR AGE.
’SECONDLY, WE PROPOSE THAI' THE QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES AGED BELOW 45 SHOULD BE REDUCED TO FIVE YEARS SO THAT, IN EFFECT, THE QUALIFYING SERVICE WILL BECOME STANDARDISED TO FIVE YEARS IRRESPECTIVE OF AN EMPLOYEE’S AGE.
’’HOWEVER, AN EMPLOYEE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE QUALIFYING SERVICE UNDER THE EXISTING SCHEME BUT BECOMES QUALIFIED UNDER THIS BILL WILL ONLY BE ENTITLED TO A PERCENTAGE OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT, DEPENDING ON HIS LENGTH OF SERVICE,” HE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, MR (’HAN SAID AN EMPLOYEE AGED 40 OR BELOW WOULD BE ENTITLED TO 50 PER (’ENT OF THE PAYMENT IF HE HAD FIVE YEARS’ SERVICE, HIS ENTITLEMENT WOULD BE INCREASED TO 60 PER CENT IF HE HAD SIX YEARS’ SERVICE.
HIS PERCENTAGE OF ENT 1TLEMENT WOULD KEEP ON INCREASING AS HIS LENGTH OF SERVICE INCREASES UNTIL HE WAS ENTITLED TO FULL PAYMENT WHEN HE HAI) CLOCKED UP 10 YEARS’ SERVICE.
NOTING THAT THE PROPOSAL WOULD ENABLE YOUNGER EMPLOYEES TO BECOME ENTITLED TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT EARLIER, MR CHAN SAID EMPLOYEES AGED 45 OR ABOVE WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED.
"ALTHOUGH THERE MAY STILL BE A DIFFERENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT RECEIVABLE BY TWO EMPLOYEES OF THE SAME LENGTH OF SERVICE BUT OF DIFFERENT AGES, THE DIFFERENCE WILL BE VERY MUCH REDU(’EI) AS COMPARED WITH THAT UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS," HE POINTED OUT.
NOTING THAT THE VIEWS OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES DIFFERED ON THE WAYS TO IMPROVE THE SCHEME, MR CHAN SAID PROPOSALS IN THE BILL HAD BEEN REACHED AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
/"THE SCHEME ......
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 23, 1091
"THE SCHEME WILL BE REVIEWED AFTER THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED FOR SOME TIME. FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE IF THERE IS SUCH A NEED,” HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF SERVICE QUALIFYING FOR THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT VARIED DEPENDING ON THE AGE OF THE EMPLOYEE. THE YOUNGER THE EMPLOYEE, THE LONGER THE QUALIFYING SERVICE.
FOR RETIREMENT ON GROUNDS OF OLD AGE, THE QUALIFYING SERVICE WAS 10 YEARS. FOR OTHER GROUNDS OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, THE QUALIFYING SERVICE WAS FIVE YEARS FOR AN EMPLOYEE AGED 15 OR ABOVE, SIX YEARS FOR ONE AGED 44, SEVEN YEARS FOR ONE AGED 43, AND SO ON UP TO A QUALIFYING SERVICE OF 10 YEARS FOR AN EMPLOYEE AGED 40 OR BELOW,
THE AMOUNT OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT DEPENDED MAINLY ON AN EMPLOYEE’S WAGES AND LENGTH OF SERVICE. FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE AN EMPLOYEE IS ELIGIBLE FOR TWO-THIRDS OF A MONTH'S WAGES AS AT THE TIME OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, OR TWO-THIRDS OF $15,000, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
REDUCED PAYMENTS WERE SPECIFIED FOR YOUNGER WORKERS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THOSE AGED BELOW 36 WERE ENTITLED TO 50 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE AGED 36 OR MORE BUT LESS THAN 10 WERE ENTITLED TO 75 PER CENT OF THE PAYMENT.
WHILE THESE DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF PAYMENT AND QUALIFYING PERIODS OF SERVICE BASED ON AGE WERE ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO GIVE GREATER PROTECTION TO THE OLDER WORKERS, THEY HAD BECOME A SOURCE OF DISCONTENT BECAUSE THEY WERE CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST YOUNGER WORKERS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0--------
RESULTS OF PUBLIC RENTAL FLAT SALES EXERCISE TO BE REVIEWED * * * * »
THE HOUSING
OF THE EXERCISE TO INCLUDING THE REASONS ON THE WAY FORWARD.
AUTHORITY WILL SHORTLY BE REVIEWING THE RESULTS SELL PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS, FOR THE DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE, AND WILL DECIDE
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT MR BOWEN LEUNG, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND LANDS, HON SELINA
MR LEUNG SAID AT THE CLOSE OF THE TWO-MONTH APPLICATION PERIOD OF THE SALES SCHEME TWO DAYS AGO, ONLY 510 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED.
/UNDER THE .
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 23, 1991
- 6 -
UNDER THE SCHEME THE SALE OF FLATS IN A SELECTED BLOCK WOULD ONLY PROCEED IF THE TENANTS OF MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF Fl,ATS IN THAT BLOCK HAD OPTED TO BUY, HE SAID.
IN NONE OF THE BLOCKS WAS THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS SUFFICIENT TO REACH THE REQUIRED 50 PER CENT TAKE-UP RATE FOR THE SALE TO PROCEED, HE ADDED.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME INVOLVES SOME 6,900 FLATS IN 11 SELECTED BLOCKS IN SEVEN ESTATES.
---_0-------
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SUBJECT TO BUILDING, PLANNING, LEASE CONTROLS «»»«»»
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT IS SUBJECT TO BUILDING, PLANNING AND LEASE CONTROLS WHICH REQUIRE THE APPROVAL AND CONSENT OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY FOR BUILDING WORKS AND THE COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTORY TOWN PLANS AND CONDITIONS OF LAND DISPOSAL.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, PERSONS WISHING TO UNDERTAKE BUILDING WORKS MUST FIRST OBTAIN FROM THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HIS APPROVAL OF PLANS AND CONSENT TO COMMENCE WORKS THROUGH SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO).
THE BOO THEN PLAYED A CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING ROLE UNDER A CENTRALISED PROCESSING SYSTEM IN OBTAINING THE COMMENTS OR APPROVALS OF OTHER INTERESTED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR OFFICES IN ADDITION TO PROCESSING PLAINS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
THE PERIODS AFTER WHICH THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN HIS APPROVAL OR CONSENT WFRE LAID DOWN IN THE BUILDING (ADM IN ISTRATION) REGULAT IONS.
SUCH PERIODS RANGE FROM 60 DAYS IN RELATION TO PLANS SUBMITTED FOR THE FIRST TIME TO 30 DAVS FOR OTHER PLANS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED.
ON PLANNING CONTROL, MR LEUNG SAID PLANNING PERMISSION WAS REQUIRED FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD IF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WAS NOT A USE PERMITTED AS OF RIGHT UNDER THE RELEVANT STATUTORY TOWN PLAN, BUT WAS ONE OF THE USES WHICH MIGHT BE PERMITTED UPON APPLICATION TO THE BOARD.
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991 - 7 -
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE BOARD MUST CONSIDER PLANNING
APPLICATIONS WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF THE DATE OF APPLICATION.
TURNING TO LEASE CONTROL, MR LEUNG NOTED THAT ALL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LEASE CONDITIONS, OTHERWISE MODIFICATION OF THE LEASE MUST BE SOUGHT- FROM THE LAND ADMINISTRATION OFFICE.
"IN STRAIGHT FORWARD CASES, THE APPLICATION WOULD USUALLY TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO PROCESS.
"IN SOME CASES, APPROVAL OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IS SPE( IFICALLY REQUIRED UNDER THE LEASE CONDITIONS,” HE SAID.
THE PROCEDURES WOULD TAKE ABOUT 10 WEEKS To PROCESS.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THE PROCESSING OF THE VARIOUS AUTHORISATIONS COULD BE CARRIED OUT CONCURRENTLY.
--------0-----------
$1.8 BILLION EARMARKED FOR RPIS PROJECTS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO DATE SPENT ABOUT $300 MILLION FOR PROJECTS UNDER THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY (RPIS) WITH A SUM OF $1.8 BILLTON EARMARKED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, SAID THIS WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON GILBERT LEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT NINE MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDING RIVER TRAINING, DRAINAGE CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT, FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES, SITE FORMATION AND SERVICING FOR THE EXPANSION OF VILLAGES AND PROVISION OF SITES FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES HAD BEEN COMPLETED UNDER THE RPIS.
IN ADDITION, AROUND 240 PROJECTS UNDER THE URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME AND THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WHICH FORMED PART OF THE STRATEGY HAD BEEN COMPLETED.
"GIVEN THAT THE RPIS IS AIMED AT TACKLING MANY PROBLEMS TN THE RURAL AREAS WHICH ARE LONG-TERM ISSUES, SUCH AS FLOODING, POLLUTION AND UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT, IT WILL TAKE TIME TO ACHIEVE ITS OVERALL OBJECTIVES," HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRESS SO FAR, AND WITH THE MECHANISM FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING GAINING OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE, WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO A FASTER PACE OF PROGRESS IN THE COMING YEARS.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, I 9'.i I
R
MEASURES TO REI,I EVE TSING Yl TRAFFIC CONGES T ION :<> **♦*♦»
THE GOVERNMENT HAS A NUMBER 01 CONSTRI ICC I ON I’RO.I F.CTS AND IS IMPLEMENTING TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO TACKLE IIIE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEMS AT THE TS1 NG YJ NORTH AND SOUTH BRIDGES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD HIE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY I.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE lloN ALBERT CHAN, MR LEUNG SAID TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE TSING Yl NORTH AND SOUTH BRIDGES WAS CAUSED MAINLY BY THE RESTRICTED CAPACITY OF INTERCHANGES LOCATED AT THE TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG EXITS TO THE BRIDGES.
HE SAID FOR TSING Yl NORTH BRIDGE, PLANS WERE IN HAND TO INSTITUTE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TEXACO ROAD/TSUEN WAN BYPASS INTERCHANGE.
' "THESE WILL EFFECTIVELY RELIEVE HIE CONGESTION. WORK WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 1994," MR LEUNG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE INTERIM, VARIOUS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES HAD ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE JUNCTION.
"AS A RESULT, AVERAGE TRAVEL TIME FOR CROSSING THE BRIDGE IN PEAK HOURS HAS RECENTLY BEEN REDUCED FROM 20 MINUTES TO FIVE MINUTES. FURTHER INTERIM IMPROVEMENTS WERE BEING CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
ON WORKS TO EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT TSI NG Yl SOUTH BRIDGE, THE SECRETARY SA ID WORK ON MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HING FONG ROAD/KWAI TSING ROAD JUNCTION WOULD START AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1994.
"THIS PROJECT WILL DOUBLE THE CAPACITY OF THE KWAI TSING INTERCHANGE AND WILL ALLEVIATE CONGESTION," HE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES ALREADY INTRODUCED AT THE TSING Yl NORTH BRIDGE HAD ALSO BENEF1TTED THE SOUTHERN BRIDGE, MR LEUNG SAID.
ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES WOULD BE THE END OF THIS YEAR TO FURTHER IMPROVE CONDITIONS AT SOUTH BRIDGE.
INTRODUCED BY THE TSING Yl
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE CAPACITY OF THE INTERNAL ROAD NETWORK AND THE TWO BRIDGES AT TSING Yl WERE KEY ELEMENTS IN ALL TRANSPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES FOR THE AREA.
IN THE LONGER TERM, WITH THE COMPLETION OF AIRPORT RELATED PROJECTS, TSING Yl RESIDENTS WOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT OF A RAIL LINK AND DIRECT ROAD ACCESS TO WEST KOWLOON AND IIONG KONG ISLAND.
ON PLANNING OF LAND USE AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, MR LEUNG SAID THAT WAd AN ONGOING INTERACTIVE PROCESS.
"WHERE LAND USE PROPOSALS ARE LIKELY TO GENERATE MORE TRAFFIC, AN ASSESSMENT IS MADE OF THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ROAD SYSTEM.
/"'PHIS REVEALED.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
9
"THIS REVEALED WHETHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROAD NETWORK ARE REQUIRED OR WHETHER THE SCALE OE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO BE RECONSIDERED," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID WHERE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS WERE NEEDED, THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM WAS TO COMPLETE THEM TO TIE IN WITH CONSTRUCTION OF HIE NEW DEVELOPMENT.
"HOWEVER, THIS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE POSSIBLE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, INCLUDING LAND RESUMPTION PROBLEMS AND THE NEED TO COMPETE I <>R RESOURCES," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
MANPOWER SHORTAGE HAMPERS FULL OPERATION OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
MANPOWER SHORTAGE, PARTICULARLY OF NURSES, HAS BEEN THE MAIN. CO NTRAINT IN BRINGING THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL INTO FULL OPERATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NG MING-YUM, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID INTENSIVE EFFORTS HAD BEEN MADE TO INTRODUCE INCENTIVES FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF STAFF AND IN RE-DEPLOYING EXISTING RESOURCES.
SHE SAID THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WAS A MAJOR ACUTE HOSPITAL COMPRISING 1,606 BEDS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF PATIENT SERVICES IN MANY CLINICAL SPECIALTIES.
THESE SERVICES AND SPECIALTIES INCLUDED SURGERY, MEDICINE, PAEDIATRICS, GERIATRICS, OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, PSYCHIATRY, ORTHOPAEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY, ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY, RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY.
THE SECRETARY SAID IT HAD BEEN THE PLAN THAT A HOSPITAL OF
SUCH MAGNITUDE AND COMPLEXITY SHOULD BE COMMISSIONED IN PHASES, HAVING REGARD TO THE EXIGENCIES OF SERVICE AND ANTICIPATED PATIENT
NEEDS.
SHE TOLD MEMBERS THAT THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WAS OPENED IN MARCH LAST YEAR BRINGING 366 BEDS INTO IMMEDIATE USE.
AN EIGHT-HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE WAS INTRODUCED IN JULY LAST YEAR AND THIS WAS EXTENDED TO A 12-HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE THIS JANUARY.
AS OF TODAY, THE NUMBER OF BEDS IN USE IN THE HOSPITAL STANDS AT 753, WITH A STAFFING COMPLEMENT OF 1,807.
/MRS WONG
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
- 10 -
MRS WONG ADDED THAT THE HOSPITAL AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ROUND-THE-CLOCK JANUARY NEXT YEAR. AT THE SAME TIME, 100
WOULD OPERATE ITS ACCIDENT IN TWO MONTHS’ TIME, FROM ADDITIONAL BEDS WOULD BE
BROUGHT INTO SERVICE.
ACCORDING TO PRESENT SCHEDULE, WOULD BE IN FULL OPERATION BY MID-1993 WOULD INCLUDE DOCTORS JN DIFFERENT SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, AND
THE SECRETARY SAID THE HOSPITAL WITH OVER 3,000 STAFF. THEY ' SPECIALTIES, NURSES, VARIOUS OTHER SUPPORTING STAFF.
"THIS REPRESENTS A DEFERMENT OF EARLIER TARGET DATE OF END-1992, WHICH 1 JULY LAST YEAR," THE SECRETARY SAID.
ABOUT SIX MONTHS FROM THE REPORTED TO THIS COUNCIL IN
--------0-----------
3,100 Il’S FROM CHINA IN HK PRISONS
*****
ABOUT 3,100 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA ARE SERVING PRISON TERMS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR ASPREY SAID SOME 2,600 OF THESE HAD BEEN CONVICTED OF IMMIGRATION-RELATED OFFENCES AND THE REST CONVICTED OF OTHER CRIMINAL OFFENCES.
HE ADDED THAT ABOUT 2,500 WERE FIRST OFFENDERS; 489 CLAIMED TO BE BETWEEN 14 AND 21 YEARS OLD.
"OF THESE 489, 25 ARE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 15, 271 BETWEEN 16
AND 18, AND 193 BETWEEN 19 AND 21," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT SEND ANYONE UNDER 14 TO PRISON.
"IF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS UNDER 14 ARE CONVICTED, THEY WILL BE KEPT IN BOYS’ OR GIRLS’ HOMES.
"AT PRESENT, THERE IS ONE SUCH OFFENDER, AGED 13, IN THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME," HE SAID.
------0-------
/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
- 11 -TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS CLOSELY MONITORED
THE POLICE CLOSELY MONITOR TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS AS PART OF ANTI-TRIAD OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG, MR ASPREY SAID THEY DID THAT THROUGH THE SCHOOL LIAISON SYSTEM.
"POLICE LIAISON OFFICERS VISIT SCHOOLS REGULARLY TO GIVE TALKS TO STUDENTS TO EXPLAIN THE DANGERS OF INVOLVEMENT WITH TRIADS AND THE PROPER ACTION TO BE TAKEN IF THEY ARE APPROACHED BY TRIAD MEMBERS," HE SAID.
A TEACHING PACKAGE ON THE DANGERS OF TRIAD INVOLVEMENT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED IN ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"WITHIN SCHOOLS, THE APPROACH IS TO ENSURE THAT THE EDUCATION PROVIDED IS AS POSITIVE AND REWARDING AS POSSIBLE SO THAT SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE LESS VULNERABLE TO TRIAD INFLUENCE," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE NOTED THAT A PRIORITY AREA WAS TO GIVE GUIDANCE TO STUDENTS AT RISK. GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING WORK IN SCHOOLS HAD BEEN STRENGTHENED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE FIGHT AGAINST TRIADS WAS TAKEN TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL FILMS, PAMPHLETS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF PUBLIC INTEREST.
A PRIMARY TARGET OF THIS PUBLICITY WAS SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS.
MEANWHILE, MR ASPREY SAID POLICE OFFICERS ALSO VISITED AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES AND OTHER LOCATIONS WHICH MIGHT BE FREQUENTED BY STUDENTS OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS, AND INFILTRATED BY TRIADS IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER. THIS HAD RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF A NUMBER OF TRIAD MEMBERS.
"THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS SET UP A WORKING GROUP, WHICH INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POLICE AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, TO IMPROVE THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND PREVENTION OF DELINQUENCY," MR ASPREY ADDED.
"AMONG OTHER THINGS, A 60-HOUR COURSE ON THIS SUBJECT HAS BEEN DEVISED AND PROVIDED TO STAFF IN THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION."
THE SECRETARY URGED THE PUBLIC, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS THEMSELVES TO REPORT CRIME, PROVIDE EVIDENCE AND BE WILLING TO TESTIFY AGAINST CULPRITS.
"WE NEED THE CO-OPERATION OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE TRIADS," HE SAID.
"WITH SUCH ASSISTANCE WE CAN AND WILL MAKE PROGRESS TO PROTECT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS- FROM HARASSMENT."
------0-------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
12 -
FREE GOODS TRADING IN HK ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE ADMINISTRATION’S GENERAL POLICY ON THE EXPORT OR RE-EXPORT OF GOODS IS THAT, PROVIDED THAT THIS DOES NOT INFRINGE ANY HONG KONG LAW OR ANY OF OUR INTERNATIONA! OBLIGATIONS, GOODS CAN BE TRADED FREELY•
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE I . II. ( HAU, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON UH' LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND INDUSTRY, MR
J.D. MCGREGOR IN
"THERE IS CURRENTLY NO HONG KONG LAW OR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT THE EXPORT OR RE-EXPORT OF GOODS PROCESSED OR MANUFACTURED IN HONG KONG OR ELSEWHERE BY PRISON LABOUR,”
HE SAID.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAD POLICY OF KEEPING ITS IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS INFORMED OF POLICIES AND REGULATIONS OF CI’S TRADING PARTNERS.
A GENERAL
THE TRADE
"IN THIS CONNECTION, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY ISSUED AN ADVISORY CIRCULAR INFORMING OUR TRADING COMMUNITY THAT IT UNDERSTANDS THAT U.S. LAWS PROHIBIT THE IMPORT OF PRISON-MADE GOODS AND THAT IT IS CHINA’S POLICY TO PROHIBIT THE EXPORT OF SUCH GOODS,” HE SAID.
"THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE HAS ALSO BRIEFED REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS ON- THE ISSUE," HE ADDED.
------0--------
NO SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN PROSECUTION OF CHIT-FUND OFFENDERS ♦ ♦ ♦ t t
THE COMMISSIONER OE POLICE CONSIDERS THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN THE PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS UNDER THE CHIT-FUND BUSINESS (PROHIBITION) ORDINANCE AND BELIEVES THE LEGISLATION TO BE ADEQUATE FOR ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES.
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NEND1CK, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A . WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NG MING-YUM.
HE SAJI) CONTROL OF CHIT-FUND BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG WAS CARRIED OUT UNDER THE SAID ORDINANCE. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF WHICH WAS TO PROHIBIT RATHER THAN REGULATE THE OPERATION OF CHIT-FUNDS.
"UNDER SECTION 3 OF THE ORDINANCE, SUBJECT TO THE EXEMPTION UNDER SECTION 5, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO OPERATE A CHIT-FUND," THE SECRETARY SAID.
/HE EXPLAINED
13
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TERM "OPERATE" WAS DEFINED TO INCLUDE "MANACE, FORM, CONDUCT, ORGANISE, ADVERTISE AND AID, ASSIST OR TAKE I ART IN OPERATING" AND THAT AN OFFENDER WAS LIABLE TO A FINE AND IMPRISONMENT.
"ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POLICE," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE NUMBER OF FRAUDULENT CHIT-FUNDS CASES REPORTED FROM 1987 TO 1990 WERE 10, 15, FIVE AND SIX RESPECTIVELY AND THERE WERE NINE CASKS REPORTED UP TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
STATISTICS OF PENALTIES IMPOSED ON OFFENDERS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SENTENCING OF PERSONS CHARGED WITH OPERATING A
CHIT-FUND BUSINESS 1989-1991
NO. OF CASES ACQUITTED CONVICTED SENTENCE - BOUND OVER/ CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE - IMMEDIATE IMPRISONMENT T FINE (HK$) - 500 - 501-1,000 - 1,001-2,000 - ABOVE 2,000 NOTE: PERSONS CHARGED 1989 1990 9 2 1 8 2 2 1 (2 MTHS) 2 2 2 1 IN A PARTICULAR 1991 (UP TO MARCH) 2 1 1 1 YEAR MIGHT BE ARRESTED IN
PREVIOUS YEARS. "ALTHOUGH THE FIGURES DO NOT INDICATE THAT THERE IS A
SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH CHIT-FUND ASSOCIATIONS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO
MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND REVIEW THE LEGISLATION AND POLICY ON CHIT-FUNDS IF THE SITUATION SO REQUIRES," THE SECRETARY ADDED.
0---------
/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
- 14 -
TAXI SERVICES IN HK GENERALLY ADEQUATE
SURVEYS CARRIED OUT BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAVE SHOWN THAT THE AVAILABILITY OF TAXI SERVICES IN HONG KONG IS GENERALLY ADEQUATE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN, MR LEUNG SAID THE AVAILABILITY OF URBAN TAXI SERVICES HAD IMPROVED SINCE LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S ROADSIDE AND TAXI STAND SURVEYS WHICH WERE CARRIED OUT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY EACH YEAR.
THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF OCCUPIED TAXIS DROPPED FROM 83 PER CENT TO 80 PER CENT, THE AVERAGE VACANT TAXI HEADWAY REDUCED FROM 1.8 TO 1.4 MINUTES, AND THE AVERAGE PASSENGER WAITING TIME AT TAXI STANDS LOWERED FROM 1.2 TO 0.6 MINUTE.
HE SAID SIMILARLY, SURVEYS ON NEW TERRITORIES TAXI SERVICES • INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER WAITING TIME AT TAXI STANDS AVERAGED 0.2 MINUTE FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDING 1990 AND HAD SINCE IMPROVED TO 0.1 MINUTE.
LIKEWISE, THE LEVEL OF LANTAU TAXI SERVICES HAD BEEN SHOWN TO BE ADEQUATE ON THE WHOLE.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT SAID TO MEET PUBLIC DEMAND FOR TAXI SERVICES, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ASSESSED THE NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL TAXI LICENCES TO BE ISSUED EACH YEAR WITH REFERENCE TO THE FINDINGS OF THOSE SURVEYS.
HOWEVER, SUCH DEMAND NEEDED TO BE BALANCED AGAINST THE LIMITED CAPACITY OF ROADS. ACCOUNT HAD ALSO TO BE TAKEN OF THE IMPACT OF ADDITIONAL LICENCES ON THE VIABILITY OF TAXI OPERATION, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE CURRENT POLICY WAS TO ISSUE NO MORE THAN 400 URBAN TAXI LICENCES EVERY TWO YEARS AND UP TO 100 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES TN 1991 AND 1992.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES AND PROPOSALS WOULD BE PUT TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR ADVICE AS NECESSARY, HE ADDED.
/15 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 199 J
- 15 -
CENTRAL RENAL COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REVISION OF TREATMENT GUIDELINES
REVISION OF THE GUIDELINES IN THE TREATMENT OF KIDNEY PATIENTS IN RESPECT OF THE AGE FACTOR WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE CENTRAL RENAL COMMITTEE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HO MUN-KA, MRS WONG SAID SHE STOOD TO BE ADVISED OF ITS DELIBERATION.
ACCORDING TO THE GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED ON THE ADVICE OF THE CENTRAL RENAL COMMITTEE, A PATIENT FOR MAINTENANCE THERAPY (HAEMODIALYSIS OR CAPD, THAT IS CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL DIALYSIS) SHOULD PREFERABLY BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 55 AND NOT SUFFERING FROM UNRELATED DISEASES WITH POOR PROGNOSIS OR FROM SEVERE PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESSES.
MRS WONG SAID CURRENTLY, 1,212 PATIENTS WERE RECEIVING VARIOUS FORMS OF MAINTENANCE THERAPY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
"OF THIS TOTAL, 889 ARE ON CAPD PROGRAMME AND 384 OF WHICH DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE ABOVE GUIDELINES, SHE SAID.
"THESE 384 PATIENTS ARE, HOWEVER, ALSO UNDER TREATMENT. THEY EITHER BUY THEIR OWN FLUID FOR DIALYSIS OR GET THE FLUID FROM VARIOUS CHARITABLE AGENCIES, WITH GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING OTHER NECESSARY DRUGS, MEDICAL ATTENTION AND TRAINING.
MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED AND APPRECIATED THE CONTRIBUTION OF AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY.
"IF WE WERE TO TAKE OVER THEIR ROLE, THE ADDITIONAL ANNUAL COST TO THE PUBLIC PURSE COULD BE IN THE REGION OF $14 MILLION," SHE SAID.
- - 0 - -
POLICY FOR CHEUNG CHAU DEVELOPMENT EXPLAINED ♦ t t * t
THE OVERALL POLICY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHEUNG CHAU IS TO MAINTAIN THE RURAL CHARACTER OF THE ISLAND IN RELATION TO DENSITY OF DEVELOPMENT, BUILDING BULK AND BUILDING HEIGHT WHILE PROVIDING A FRAMEWORK FOR VARIOUS LAND USES IN APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS.
ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING,
LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY . TO A
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN IN
(WEDNESDAY).
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
- 16 -
MR LEUNG SAID THIS POLICY WAS TRANSLATED ONTO THE CHEUNG CHAI OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, WHICH WAS ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC, AND IN THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT, WHICH WAS ALSO AVAILABLE EOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.
"IN ADDITION, LAYOUT PLANS FOR CHEUNG CHAU CENTRAL, NORTH, SOUTH AND WEST ARE AVAILABLE, WHICH PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ISLAND IN MORE DETAILED TERMS," HE SAID.
Till ACTING SECRETARY EX PLA 1 NED THAT WHILE THE PLANNING INTENTION WAS TO MAINTAIN AN OVERALL RURAL CHARACTER FOR THE ISLAND THROUGH LOW-RISE, LOW DENSITY DEVELOPMENTS, SPATIAL VARIATION IN DENS I IT WAS ALLOWED FOR A MORE DENSELY POPULATED CENTRAL CHEUNG CHAU, KEEPING THE NORTH, SOUTH AND EASTERN PARTS MORE "OPEN" AND LESS DENSELY POPULATED.
AS FOR THE PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE AND GOVERNMENT/ I NS'IT TUT 1ON/COMMUN 1TY FACILITIES IN CHEUNG CHAU, HE SAID Till' PLANNING PROCESS WAS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARD AND GUIDELINES.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT TRADITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND (HAU INCLUDED THE PRESERVATION LANES, AND THE PRESENT POLICY MOTORISED VEHICLES.
OTHER MEASURES TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THE PEACEFUL LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF CHEUNG OF MONUMENTS, THE ZONING OF FUNG SHUI OF ONLY ALLOWING THE USE OF VILLAGE
--------0-----------
CT9 INTENDS ON TSI NG YI »*♦»»»
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT IS PRESENTLY INTENDED THAT ADDITIONAL CONTAINER FACILITIES, WHICH WILL FORM CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 (CT9), SHOULD BE SITED AT SOUTH EAST TSING YI.
REPLYING TO THE QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MRS CHAN SAID SHOULD THAT BE CONFIRMED, WORKS WOULD COMMENCE IN EARLY 1993.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT BEFORE AN IRREVERSIBLE DECISION WAS TAKEN, HOWEVER, IT WAS PRUDENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW ALL OPTIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL HANDLING CAPACITY IN THE PORT.
MRS (TIAN ALSO NOTED THAT THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL CONTAINER TERMINALS WAS KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW.
BASED ON FORECASTS OF GROWTH IN CONTAINER THROUGHPUT, THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED THAT ALL EXISTING TERMINALS PLUS TERMINAL 8 ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND WOULD BE FULLY UTILISED DURING 1995, MRS CHAN SAID.
/"THIS WILL .......
WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 23. 199 1
17
’’THIS WILL MEAN STREAM AT THAT TIME OR WE THE PORI’ AND CONSEQUENTIAL
THAT ADDITIONAL PAC I LIT!ES WILL SUFFER FROM IN(’REASLN<
ECONOMIC’ 1)1 S BENE F ITS , " THE
SHOULD COME ON ; CONGESTION H SECRETARY SAID.
ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER NORTH. MRS ('HAN SAID AN EXERCISE SPEC! FI CALM AND INCLUDING THE NEED FOR THE TSI NG VI CONSIDERATIONS WAS NOW IN HAND.
LOCATING CT9 AT LANTAU ADDRESS I NG THE ISSUE SITE AND THE OTHER
”1 EXPECT A CONCLUSION BEFORE THE END OF THE
YEAR.” MRS CHAN
SAID.
MRS CHAN CAUTIONED, HOWEVER, THAI' AG AI NS I I HE SUSTAINED STRONG GROWTH IN CONTAINER ’I HROUGIII '' I I 111 S REQUIREMENT TO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL I.ONIAINE STREAM SOME TWO YEARS AHEAD OE I HI ODEN I NG .........
CROSSING, THE SCOPE EOR MANOEUVRE WAS LIMIIED
BACKGROUND 1
YEAR, AND
OF
FACJLIT!ES
A THE ON
OF
THE
IF HONG
LANTAU KONG
FIXED
WAS
TO
CONTINUE TO MEET DEMAND.
------0------------
THREE BILLS INTRODUCED
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND SECOND READINGS
IN
THEY WERE HIE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS
SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) BILL (AMENDMENT) (LONG SERVICE PAYMENT) BILL 1991.
(AMENDMENT) BILL 1991,
1991 AND EMPLOYMENT
DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
/IB........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 199 1
18 -
STATEMENT ON VIETNAMESE ’DOUBLE BACKERS’ ******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS REPORTS THAT VIETNAMESE DOUBLE BACKERS ARE LIKELY TO EACE PUNITIVE TREATMENT ON THEIR RETURN TO VIETNAM, THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
"THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN GUARANTEES ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THAT ANY OF THEIR CITIZENS WHO HAVE LEFT VIETNAM CLANDESTINELY AND WHO SUBSEQUENTLY RETURN WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO PUNITIVE OR DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT.
"THESE GUARANTEES ARE SET OUT FIRST IN THE DECEMBER 1988 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN VIETNAM AND THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR).
"THEY WERE REITERATED IN THE DECLARATION MADE BY ALL COUNTRIES PRESENT AT THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDOCHINESE REFUGEES STEERING COMMITTEE ON APRIL 30/MAY I 1991 IN GENEVA, AT WHICH VIETNAM CONFIRMED THAT ’IN ACCORDANCE WITH ACCEPTED INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDINGS, NO ASYLUM SEEKER WHO RETURNS WOULD FACE PERSECUTION’.
"UPON SIGNING THE AGREEMENT ON DOUBLE BACKERS EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAD ONCE AGAIN REPEATED THEIR UNDERTAKINGS THAT NO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO RETURNS TO VIETNAM WILL FACE PERSECUTION AND THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO FACILITATE THE MONITORING OF RETURNEES BY UNHCR AND OTHERS TO ENSURE THAT THESE GUARANTEES ARE FULLY RESPECTED.
"IN MAY 1991, A TEAM OF SIX REPRESENTATIVES FROM NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS (NGO'S) FROM THE USA, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA - INDOCHINESE RESOURCE ACTION CENTRE (WASHINGTON), EPISCOPAL MIGRATION MINISTRIES (NEW YORK), IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROGRAM OF THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE (NEW YORK), LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICE (NEW YORK), INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES (TORONTO), AND THE AUSTRALIAN COUNCII, FOR OVERSEAS AID (CANBERRA) - VISITED VIETNAM TO ASSESS THE SITUATION OF THOSE WHO HAD RETURNED. THEY CONCLUDED INTER ALTA THAT:
’IN OUR INTERVIEWS WITH RETURNEES AND DISCUSSIONS WITH A VARIETY OF SOURCES (INTERNATIONAL NGO STAFF, DIPLOMATS, JOURNALISTS, EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND UNHCR OFFICIALS), WE HEARD NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT RETURNEES SUFFER HARASSMENT, MALTREATMENT OR DISCRIMINATION ON RETURN.’
’WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT UNHCR AND VIETNAM ARE IN GOOD FAITH COMPLYING WITH THE TERMS OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN VIETNAM AND UNHCR (13 DECEMBER 1988) WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE VOLUNTARY RETURN FROM COUNTRIES OF FIRST ASYLUM IN CONDITIONS OF SAFETY AND DIGNITY.’ AND:
’IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE IS AN INFORMAL AND EFFECTIVE NETWORK FOR COMMUNICATION IN VIETNAM AND WITH THE INTERNATIONAL VIETNAMESE REFUGEE COMMUNITY. NEWS TRAVELS FAST AND TRAVELS WITH EASE TO ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD.’
/'MONITORING OCCURS .......
WKPNKSPAY, OCTOBER 23, I’JBI
19 -
'MONITORING OCCURS IN THIS CONTEXT ANP MUST Bl* SKIN IN THIS CONTEXT. NOT ALL RETURNEES ARI- V1SITEP ON A SYSTEMATIC ANP REGULAR BASIS BUT RATHER ON Y RANDOM BASIS.’
'THE INCREASING PRESENCE Ol* INTERNATIONAL NGO SIAM* IN BOTH URBAN ANP RURAL AREAS CONTRIBUTES I’O HIE INCREASED FLOW Ol* INFORMATION AND THUS ENHANCES THE CONFIDENCE IN HIE MONITORING RESPONSIBILITIES IN VIETNAM.' •i
'GIVEN AVAILABLE RESOURCES, WE ARE SATISFIED THAT' UNHCR IS ADEQUATELY FULFl LLI NG CI’S MON ITORTNG RESI’OMS I BI LIT! ES 1 N VIETNAM.’ - •
(’OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE NGO VISIT TO VIETNAM, II-21 MAY’).
"TO COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF UNHCR IL MONITORING, VISITS ARE PERIODICALLY MADE TO RETURNEES BY MEMBERS OF HIE BRITISH EMBASSY IL HANOI, BY NGO’S AND BY VISITING DIGNITARIES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM OVERSEAS. ‘NONE HAS EVER FOUND ANY INDICATION OF PERSECUTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL RETURNEE.
1 J *
"IN ADDITION TO UNHCR ACTIVITIES, THE WORK OF NGO’S, WHICH PROVIDES A FORM OF DE FACTO MONITORING, IS EXPANDING FAST. ALREADY AT WORK IN VIETNAM PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AREAS WHERE MOST VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS COME FROM ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, THE JAPAN INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER CENTRE, THE NORWEGIAN AND DANISH REFUGEE COUNCILS, AUSTCARE AND THE SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND.
"IN ADDITION, AMONG THOSE WITH PLANS FOR FUTURE ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM ARE ACTION AID, WORLD RELIEF COUNCIL, OXFAM, THE U.S. CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICE, WORLD VISION, A GROUP OF SCANDINAVIAN NGO’S, L’ORGANISATION CANADIENNE POUR LA SOLIDAR1TE ET LE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING OF THE NETHERLANDS."
- - 0----------
263 VM’S RETURN TO VIETNAM
A GROUP OF 263 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR'S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 105 MEN, 62 WOMEN, 41 BOYS AND 55 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 72ND BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 4,729 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 11,025 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
--------0-----------
/20........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
20
CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR REVIEW OF TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE EXTENDED
IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS FOR V EXTENSION TO THE CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR THE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE, Will i'll WAS 1’0 HAVE ENDED ON NOVEMBER 30 THIS YEAR, WILL NOW END ON .JANUARY 11 NEXT YEAR.
THIS SIX-WEEK EXTENSION ALSO APPLIES 1’0 THE SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON COMPENSATION AND BETTERMENT.
”1N VIEW OF THE STRONG INTEREST LN THE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, PARTICULARLY FROM THE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS, AN EXTENSION IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID.
"A SIX-WEEK EXTENSION WILL MAKE THIS A CONSULTATION PERIOD OF MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AND SHOULD ALLOW CONCERNED PARTIES TO BE ABLE TO GIVE DUE CONSIDERATION 1’0 THE REVIEWS, WITHOUT DELAYING THE WHOLE REVISION EXERCISE TOO MUCH,” HE ADDED.
THE PUBLIC IS URGED TO SEND IN THEIR COMMENTS ON THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AS WEI I AS THEIR VIEWS ON COMPENSATION AND BETTERMENT TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
--------0-----------
KA I FONGS URGED TO CONTINUE MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS
KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN, AND SUPPORT, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN THE 1990’S.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL WONG KAM-CHIU, MADE THE APPEAL WHEN HE ADDRESSED Till' 42ND ANNIVERSARY 01 THE KAIFONG FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WONG NOTED THAI' KAIFONG GRASSROOT BODIES, HAD BEEN ABLE RESIDENTS.
ASSOCIATIONS, AS WELL-ESTABLISHED TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACTS WITH
’’THROUGH THESE CONTACTS, RESIDENTS’ LIVELIHOOD, HOUSING PROBLEMS AND THFIR VIEWS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ADMINISTRATION CAN BE FULLY REFLECTED TO' THF AUTHORITIES,” HE SAID.
THIS WOULD ENABLE THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT VARIOUS POLICIES, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE FUNCTIONS AND IMPORTANCE OF KAIFONG ASSOCI AT IONS WOULD BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY ALSO COMMENDED KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS FOR BEING FORERUNNERS IN ORGANISING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND FOR HELPING TO LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION ON WHICH THE TERRITORY’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY WAS BUILT.
/21 .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
- 21 -
NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION SCHEME ******
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED EOR THE NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCES PRODUCTION SCHEME.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISER, THE NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE., SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE ENTRIES SHOULD BE PROJECTS WITH "PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT, DUTY OF A CITIZEN" AS THEIR THEME, OR TEACHING MATERIALS RELATED TO CIVIC EDUCATION.
"THERE IS NO RESTRICTIONS ON ITS FORMAT. IT CAN BE AN ACTIVITY, AN AUDIO-VISUAL PRODUCTION, A MODEL, AN EXHIBITION, A BOOKLET OR A SET OF TEACHING MATERIALS," HE SAID.
THE SELECTED PROJECTS WILL BE DISPLAYED ON THE NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION DAY TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 1, AND WILL THEN BE KEPT AT THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCES CENTRE FOR REFERENCE.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE FANL1NG PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, AS WELL AS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE ORGANISER ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING BEFORE NOVEMBER 15.
ALSO, THE ORGANISER MAY GRANT UP TO $300 IN CASH ASSISTANCE FOR EACH PROJECT, AFTER PRELIMINARY VETTING, PRODUCED BY AN INDIVIDUAL, AN ORGANISATION OR A TEAM.
APPLICATIONS FOR SPONSORSHIP, IF REQUIRED, SHOULD BE MADE TO THE ORGANISER BY FRIDAY (OCTOBER 25).
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 675 1584.
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SELF CARE EXHIBITION AT CITY HALL
A FOUR-DAY HEALTH EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF SELF CARE WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 25) AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, CITY HALL LOW BLOCK, CENTRAL.’
ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT, THE EXHIBITION AIMS TO DISSEMINATE MEDICAL AND HEALTH MESSAGES AMONG RESIDENTS, FOSTER THEIR CONFIDENCE IN TACKLING HEALTH PROBLEMS AND ENCOURAGE MORE EFFICIENT UTILISATION OF HEALTH RESOURCES.
THE EMPHASIS OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE ON COMMON AILMENTS INCLUDING UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION, LOW BACK PAIN AND OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES SUCH AS HYPERTENSION, DIABETES MELLITUS AND SKIN PROBLEMS.
/APART FROM .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
- 22 -
APART FROM STATIC DISPLAYS, THERE WILL BE AUDIO-VISUAL SHOW, VIVID ANATOMICAL MODELS AND COMPUTER GAMES.
WINNING ENTRIES IN A RECENTLY-HELD DESIGN CONTEST FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY.
IN ADDITION, OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR VISITORS TO HAVE THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE MEASURED AND LUNG FUNCTION TESTED.
THROUGH THE EXHIBITION, VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN MEASURES, PRINCIPLES AND SKILLS OF PATIENT CARE AT HOME AND TAKE HEED OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS’ ADVICE, THUS LEADING TO A HEALTHY LIFE-STYLE.
THE "SELF CARE" EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 3 PM TO 6.30 PM ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 AND FROM 10.30 AM TO 6.30 PM BETWEEN OCTOBER 26 AND 28.
STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE PRESENT TO GIVE ADVICE AND ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
FREE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
---------0-----------
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST ONE IS A 510 SQUARE METRE SITE IN SHAM TSENG, TSUEN WAN .
IT IS INTENDED FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING GOODS VEHICLES, CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS) CURRENTLY LICENSED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT FOR USE ON PUBLIC STREETS AND ROADS UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY I.S FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE SECOND LOT, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 750 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT TAM RON SHAN ROAD, AREA 9, TSI NG Y1.
IT IS EARMARKED FOR A FEE-PAYING CARPARK FOR PARKING OF PRIVATE CARS AND GOODS VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS) CURRENTLY LICENSED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT FOR USE ON PUBLIC STREETS AND ROADS UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
/THE TENANCY .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1991
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER R.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDIHONS MA\ BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT HIE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, I4TII FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL; AND KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, I 0 I'll FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET; AS WELL AS THE TSUEN WAN AND KWAI ’TSENG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
- - 0
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF ROBINA CREDIT LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS YESTERDAY AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SUPPLY OF FLUSHING WATER TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 25) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT TSUEN KING CIRCUIT, ON YAT STREET AND ON YUK ROAD AND INCLUDING ALLWAY GARDENS, TSUEN WAN ADVENTIST HOSPITAL AND QUARTERS, LIM POR YEN SECONDARY SCHOOL, KEI WAI PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE WU (’HUNG PUBLIC’ SWIMMING POOL.
- - 0 -
/24
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, I 99 J
24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE I UNI) MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS t * t ♦ ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 22.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 23.10.91 +49
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING "49
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.2 *+0.1* 23.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS 23.10.91 22.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.08 PCT 4.26 PCT
1 MONTH 4.25 PCT 1.34 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.57 PCT 4.57 PCT
6 MONTHS 5.12 PCT 5.12 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.13 PCT 6.08 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 8,870 MN 8,150 MN
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT ANNOUNCES EXCO APPOINTMENTS ...................................... 1
EXCO IS NOW GOOD DECISION-TAKING BODY: GOVERNOR ....................... 2
GOVERNOR TO OPEN WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ................................. 3
CS COMMENTS ON RETURN OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS .......................... 4
BUILDING COMMUNITIES KEY TO HK'S HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: CS .............. 5
CS OBSERVES LANGUAGE TEACHING ......................................... 6
HKUST KEY TO TECHNOLOGY-BASED ECONOMY ................................. 7
WATER SUPPLY WORKS FOR NEW AIRPORT AND NORTH LANTAU ................... 8
NOMINATIONS FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION ..................................... 9
LADY WILSON COMMENDS HARD WORK ON DEAF CHILDREN EDUCATION ............. 9
ILLEGAL IMPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES WILL BE PROSECUTED ............... 10
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR CROSS BORDER BUS AND HIRE CAR SERVICES ....... 11
SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL TO BE LAUNCHED .................................. 12
HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN SHAM SHUI PO................................... 12
LUNCH-TIME CONCERT TO PROMOTE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ..................... 13
LAST REPORT ON BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADING THIS YEAR .................. 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 17
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
1
GOVT ANNOUNCES EXCO APPOINTMENTS *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAD REAPPOINTED THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
BARONESS DUNN DBE JP MR ALLEN LEE CBE JP MR WILLIAM PURVES CBE DSO JP MRS RITA FAN OBE JP MR E B WIGGHAM CBE JP PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU CBE
HE ALSO ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING NEW APPOINTMENTS:
MRS SELINA CHOW OBE JP
MR EDWARD HO JP
MR HUI YIN-FAT OBE JP MR ANDREW WONG OBE JP ALL THESE APPOINTMENTS WILL RUN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30 1993.
IN ANNOUNCING HIS APPOINTMENTS, SIR DAVID SAID:
"MY AIM HAS BEEN TO FORM AN EXPERIENCED TEAM THAT HAS STRONG LINKS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT REFLECTS AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OF THE MAIN STRANDS OF POLITICAL OPINION IN HONG KONG. I HAVE THEREFORE CHOSEN PEOPLE FROM A WIDE RANGE OF BACKGROUNDS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE IN LEGCO."
THE GOVERNOR ADDED THAT IN MAKING HIS APPOINTMENTS, HE HAD ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE NEED FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
"IF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ARE TO GIVE THEIR BEST ADVICE ON THE WIDE RANGE OF DIFFICULT ISSUES PUT BEFORE THEM, THEY MUST KNOW THAT THIS ADVICE AND THEIR DISCUSSIONS WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL, AND ALSO THAT THE DECISIONS TAKEN COLLECTIVELY BY THE COUNCIL WILL NOT AFTERWARDS BE CRITICISED PUBLICLY BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL." SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO PAID A WARM TRIBUTE TO THE RETIRING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, MISS MARIA TAM, MR CHENG HON-KWAN AND DR DANIEL TSE, AND THANKED THEM FOR THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEY HAD MADE TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL DURING THEIR MEMBERSHIP.
DETAILS OF THE FOUR NEW MEMBERS OF EXCO ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MRS SELINA CHOW LIANG SHUK-YEE OBE JP
AGED 46. DIRECTOR AND CONSULTANT OF ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED. AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE 1981. MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION. FORMERLY CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL FOR PERFORMING ARTS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD.
/MR EDWARD .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
- 2 -
MR EDWARD HO SING-TIN JP
AGED 52. MANAGING DIRECTOR OF WONG TUNG AND PARTNERS LIMITED AND A PRACTISING ARCHITECT. ELECTED* MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE ARCHITECTS, SURVEYORS AND PLANNERS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY. CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD AND MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION BOARD, THE HONG KONG PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
MR HUI YIN-FAT OBE JP
AGED 55. DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE. ELECTED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE SOCIAL SERVICE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY. MEMBER OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE PO LEUNG KUK ADVISORY BOARD.
MR ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT OBE JP
AGED 47. ELECTED MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES (EAST) CONSTITUENCY. LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1981. MEMBER OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER AND ADVISER TO THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
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EXCO IS NOW GOOD DECISION-TAKING BODY: GOVERNOR
THE NEW EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS NOW A GOOD DECISION-TAKING BODY WITH THE ABILITY TO GO FURTHER AND BUILD UP THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL PARTS AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG CONGREGATION, SIR DAVID SAID: "THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL NOW HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH ALL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IF WE’RE GOING TO GET GOVERNMENT POLICIES THROUGH; AND IF WE’RE GOING TO GET THE RIGHT SORT OF LEGISLATION PASSED.
"I’M ALSO KEEN TO BUILD UP THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCO AND LEGCO. SO ALL THE NEW APPOINTMENTS COME FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED WHY LIBERALS WERE NOT APPOINTED, SIR DAVID SAID: "THE UNITED DEMOCRATS HAVE MADE THEIR OWN POSITION ABOUT MEMBERSHIP OF EXCO QUITE PLAIN; AND SO THAT IS THERE ON THE RECORD, THAT THEY FIND IT DIFFICULT AT THE MOMENT TO ACCEPT THE RULES UNDER WHICH EXCO OPERATES AND THAT OF COURSE, THEN NATURALLY LIMITS THE AREA FROM WHICH I CAN LOOK FOR PEOPLE TO SELECT FOR EXCO.”
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/3 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
3
GOVERNOR TO OPEN WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM * * ♦ ♦ »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER TO TOMORROW’S (FRIDAY) OPENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM MEETING IN HONG KONG.
DELEGATES REPRESENTING BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY INTERESTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WILL BE ATTENDING THE ONE DAY FORUM AFTER ATTENDING SIMILAR TYPE OF GATHERING IN CHINA.
THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, WELL KNOWN FOR ITS ANNUAL MEETING IN DAVOS, SWITZERLAND, IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION WITH A MANDATE TO CONTRIBUTE TO WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRESS THROUGH EFFECTIVE GLOBAL CO-OPERATION AND THE STRENGTHENING OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DYNAMISM.
ESTABLISHED IN GENEVA IN 1971 IT COMES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE SWISS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NO POLITICAL, PARTISAN OR REGIONAL INTERESTS.
THE DAY’S PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF SEVEN WORKING SESSIONS AS WELL AS BREAKFAST AND LUNCH-TIME SESSIONS.
SESSION CHAIRMEN WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR VINCENT LO; CHAIRMAN OF THE CHAMBER’S HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, MR IAN MCCALLUM; EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER OF WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’S WORLD LINK MAGAZINE, MR CLAUDE SMADJA; CHAIRMAN OF THE HANG SENG BANK, SIR QUO-WEI LEE; CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, MR WILLIAM PURVES; AND VICE-CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR WANG GUNGWU.
AREAS OF DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE HONG KONG’S RELATIONS WITH CHINA: THE VITAL DYNAMIC CROSS BORDER INVESTMENT; THE ROLE OF HONG KONG IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC STRATEGY AND MODERNISATION DEVELOPMENT PLANS; HONG KONG, THE GATEWAY TO CHINA; HOW CAN HONG KONG MAINTAIN ITS ROLE AS A FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CENTRE IN EAST ASIA; THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL OUTLOOK OF HONG KONG; AND HONG KONG AND ITS RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS.
SENIOR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THE SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD; SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK; SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN; SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU; AND SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN.
PARTICIPANTS FROM CHINA ENTERPRISES WILL INCLUDE CHAIRMAN OF CHINA RESOURCES (HOLDINGS) CO. LTD, MR SHEN JUEREN; GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BANK OF CHINA (HONG KONG BRANCH), MR ZHOU ZHENX1NG; AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE SHENZHEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUREAU, MR ZHU TAINPEI.
ON SATURDAY DELEGATES WILL BE BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENTS IN SHENZHEN AT A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN, MR ZHENG LIANGYU, DURING A ONE-DAY TOUR OF THE CITY.
/THE PROGRAMME .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A VISIT TO THE SHENZHEN INDUSTRY EXHIBITION CENTRE, SEG-NATIONAL JOINT VENTURE, SEG ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND THE SHENZHEN STOCK EXCHANGE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING REMARKS BY THE GOVERNOR AT THE GRAND HYATT BALLROOM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING.
MEDIA WILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE BALLROOM AT 8.30 AM AND WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE PRESS POSITION NEXT TO THE PODIUM AT 8.45 AM. A SOUNDBOX WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA. AFTER THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH THE FORUM SESSIONS WILL BE IN CAMERA AND THEREFORE CLOSED TO THE MEDIA.
HOWEVER, THE MEDIA ARE INVITED TO A DEBRIEFING BY WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM DIRECTOR MRS COLETTE MATHUR, WHO COMPLETED THE FORUM SESSIONS IN PEKING YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE DEBRIEFING WILL BE IN ROOM 403, LEVEL 4 OF THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI NORTH TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 5 PM.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT BEATRICE LANZLINGER AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM OFFICE IN THE GRAND HYATT HOTEL (TELEPHONE 588 1234) OR MARK PINKSTONE AT GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES (TELEPHONE 842 8606).
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CS COMMENTS ON RETURN OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS
******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE WORKING TOWARDS RETURNING THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN AN ORDERLY WAY, NOW THAT THE REALISATION IS THERE THAT THERE IS NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE INSTITUTE OF HOUSING CONFERENCE AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, SIR DAVID SAID THE NEWS THIS MORNING OF THE NORMALISATION OF RELATION BETWEEN AMERICA AND VIETNAM WOULD BE HELPFUL.
"IT POINTS TO AN IMPROVING ECONOMY IN VIETNAM, MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THE AGREEMENT THAT WE ALREADY HAVE, MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THEY ARE ALL GOING TO RETURN AND I THINK THAT REALISATION WILL BE ALLOWED TO SINK IN.
/"I HOPE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
"I HOPE THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE CAMPS AND WE WILL HAVE AN ORDERLY RETURN OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE DUE TO GO BACK," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE OPERATION WOULD BE- AN OPEN ONE IN WHICH PEOPLE KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN ADVANCE AND WERE GIVEN DUE WARNING.
"SO I THINK THE ATMOSPHERE NOW IS VERY DIFFERENT,” HE SAID, WHILE CONCEDING THAT A GREAT DEAL OF COUNSELLING WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE TO PERSUADE PEOPLE THAT THERE WAS NOW CLEARLY NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE.
ON THE TREATMENT OF THE RETURNEES BY THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THERE WAS A CLEAR UNDERTAKING FROM THE HANOI GOVERNMENT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO PERSECUTION OF THE PEOPLE WHO RETURN.
"THE UNHCR ARE GOING TO BE MONITORING THE SITUATION WITHIN VIETNAM.
"WE HAVE HAD NO REPORT WHATSOEVER OF ANYBODY BEING ILL TREATED OR PERSECUTED ON RETURN.
"OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOW UP TO THE HANOI GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT IN ALL THE REGIONS THOSE UNDERTAKINGS ARE KEPT TO AND I AM SURE THEY WILL," HE SAID.
- -0 - -
BUILDING COMMUNITIES KEY TO HK’S HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: CS
*««*»»
THE KEY TO HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IN.HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS THAT COMMUNITIES, NOT DORMITORIES, ARE BEING BUILT IN THE TERRITORY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE INSTITUTE OF HOUSING, SIR DAVID SAID IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHICH HOUSED' NEARLY HALF OF THE POPULATION, THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO ESTABLISH LARGELY SELF-CONTAINED COMMUNITIES, WITH GOOD SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN AT THE KINDERGARTEN, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STAGE.
THE COMMUNITIES ALSO PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS OR TO RELAX IN PLEASANT GARDENS, A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE YOUNG, THE HANDICAPPED AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND A WIDE RANGE OF SHOPPING AND DINING FACILITIES TOGETHER WITH A SYSTEM OF AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE CONCEPT, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SELF-CONTAINED RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX WAS NOT RESTRICTED TO PUBLIC HOUSING.
/"THE IMPORTANCE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
"THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY BUILDING AND GOOD HOUSING MANAGEMENT IS ALSO WELL ACCEPTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"IN RECENT YEARS, WE HAVE WITNESSED THE SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL ESTATES, WHICH CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF BOTH THE MORE BETTER-OFF AND THE SMALL FLAT OWNERS AND TENANTS," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM AND TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT AGAINST CONSTRAINTS CAUSED BY SCARCITY OF LAND AND THE GROWING POPULATION REQUIRED A GREAT DEAL OF CREATIVITY AND CONSIDERABLE HARD WORK.
"HAPPILY, THESE QUALITIES ARE VERY EVIDENT IN HONG KONG," HE
ADDED.
"OUR SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO BUILD HIGH RISE," SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING THAT HONG KONG HAD SUCCEEDED IN ESTABLISHING THRIVING AND CONTENTED FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WITHIN HIGH-RISE HOUSING BLOCKS.
"THE NEED FOR HIGH RISE IS WELL UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPTED BY LOCAL PEOPLE, BUT HAS SURPRISED OUR MANY OVERSEAS VISITORS FROM COUNTRIES WHERE THERE ARE OFTEN STRONG RESISTENCE TO HIGH-RISE LIVING.
"MANY VISITORS COMMENT FAVOURABLY ON THE ABSENCE OF VANDALISM IN OUR DENSELY POPULATED PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY ENJOY LIVING ON THE 30TH FLOOR," THE CHIEF SECRETARY REMARKED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY CONGRATULATED THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE OF HOUSING ON ITS SILVER ANNIVERSARY.
"OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, THE INSTITUTE HAS SPARED NO EFFORT IN WORKING TOWARDS THE PROVISION OF A BETTER HOUSING ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG.
"THE INSTITUTE HAS* ALSO BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN PROMOTING THE PROFESSIONALISM OF HOUSING MANAGEMENT WHICH IS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE TO A SECURE AND PLEASANT LIVING ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
CS OBSERVES LANGUAGE TEACHING *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON OBSERVED LANGUAGE TEACHING IN AN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL AND LATER VISITED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE).
HE ALSO TALKED TO IN-SERVICE TEACHERS UNDERGOING COURSES IN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION.
/ACCOMPAINED BY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
- 7 -
ACCOMPAINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SIR DAVID FIRST VISITED RAIMONDI COLLEGE IN ROBINSON ROAD WHERE HE OBSERVED LANGUAGE CLASSES IN SESSION AND TALKED TO TEACHERS.
HE SPEND ABOUT AN HOUR AT THE COLLEGE BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE ILE.
0
HKUST KEY TO TECHNOLOGY-BASED ECONOMY *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (HKUST) WOULD BE A KEY TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE IN A TECHNOLOGY-BASED ECONOMY.
SPEAKING AT THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY OF THE UNIVERSITY’S PHASE II ACADEMIC BUILDING, MR MACLEOD SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THIS MAMMOTH PROJECT COMING TO FRUITION AND FARING SO WELL.
"FROM THE VERY OUTSET, THE HKUST PROJECT HAS HAD THE FULLEST POSSIBLE BACKING OF THE GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF THE HIGH PRIORITY GIVEN TO THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION IN WHICH THIS UNIVERSITY PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE,” HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUED IN LINE WITH ITS TARGET OF EXPANSION TO 7,000 FULL-TIME-EQUIVALENT STUDENTS, FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF PHASE I AND INTAKE OF THE FIRST BATCH OF STUDENTS EARLIER THIS MONTH.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN PHASE II IS COMPLETED, THIS ACADEMIC BUILDING WILL HAVE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 170,000 SQUARE METRES AND THAT 160,000 CUBIC METRES OF CONCRETE WILL HAVE BEEN POURED, USING 27,000 TONNES OF REINFORCING STEEL. EVEN THE NUMBER OF DOORS IS A STAGGERING 5,300," MR MACLEOD SAID.
THE MAIN PHASE II CONTRACTOR STARTED WORK ON THE ACADEMIC COMPLEX IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR AND THE BUILDING WAS TOPPED OUT TODAY.
"EVEN BY HONG KONG STANDARDS, FOR A BUILDING OF THIS SIZE AND COMPLEXITY TO HAVE REACHED THIS STAGE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME IS A CONSIDERABLE ACHIEVEMENT. IT REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT ON ALL CONCERNED," HE SAID.
IN PARTICULAR, MR MACLEOD CONGRATULATED SIR S. Y. CHUNG, PROFESSOR C. W. WOO, AND THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP, AND MR GORDON MACWHINNIE AND THE STEWARDS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT.
"WITHOUT THEIR STERLING EFFORTS SO MUCH COULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED SO QUICKLY," HE SAID.
------0-------
/8 .....
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
8
WATER SUPPLY WORKS FOR NEW AIRPORT AND NORTH LANTAU t * t t » *
WORKS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN NORTH LANTAU TO PROVIDE PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH LANTAU.
THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WONG KWOK-LAI, TODAY (THURSDAY) SIGNED A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF PHH/SWK WATER CONSULTANTS FOR INVESTIGATION, DESIGN AND CONTRACT SUPERVISION FOR THE MAJOR PORTION OF WORKS FOR A PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY SCHEME TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN NORTH LANTAU.
AFTER SIGNING THE AGREEMENT, MR WONG SAID:
"AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO MAINS WATER SUPPLY IN NORTH LANTAU. AS A MUCH LONGER LEAD TIME IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, A TEMPORARY SYSTEM IS BEING IMPLEMENTED TO MEET THE WATER REQUIREMENT DUE TO CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS."
THE TEMPORARY SYSTEM IS SCHEDULED FOR COMMISSIONING IN THE SECOND HALF OF NEXT YEAR AT A COST OF $60 MILLION.
THE PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM WITH AN ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF 300,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES WITH THE FIRST STAGE TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED BY 1996 AT A COST OF $1,700 MILLION.
"THE FIRST STAGE COMPRISES NEW TREATMENT WORKS, PUMPING STATIONS, A SERVICE RESERVOIR, A TUNNEL AND PIPELINES TO PROVIDE A CAPACITY OF 150,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
"THE REMAINING STAGE, VALUED AT $1,500 MILLION, IS PROGRAMMED TO SOME TIME IN THE 2000’S," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE PRESENT CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT IS THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE STAGE I WORK TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH LANTAU.
THE WORKS INCLUDED IN THIS AGREEMENT ARE ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $900 MILLION AND SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MID 1996, PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT.
- 0----------
/9 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
9
NOMINATIONS FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION
A FORMAL DECLARATION OF THE VACANCY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CAUSED BY THE RESIGNATION OF MR TAI CHIN-WAH WILL BE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
NOMINATIONS FOR THIS VACANCY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY WILL BE CALLED FOR BETWEEN NOVEMBER 4 AND 18 BY SEPARATE NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE.
NOMINATION FORMS WILL BE OBTAINABLE FROM MONDAY (OCTOBER 28) AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
INTENDING CANDIDATES MUST BE REGISTERED ELECTORS AND HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING NOMINATION.
A CANDIDATE CAN BE A RESIDENT ANYWHERE IN HONG KONG, BUT HIS NOMINATION MAY ONLY BE SUBSCRIBED BY REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE TURN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS.
EACH NOMINATION REQUIRES 10 SUBSCRIBERS AND EACH SUBSCRIBER MAY GIVE SUPPORT TO ONE CANDIDATE ONLY.
THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY COMPRISES THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS AND HAS A REGISTERED ELECTORATE OF 198,817. UNLESS THE BY-ELECTION IS UNCONTESTED, A BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8.
GENERAL ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE WITH THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON TEL. 827 9564.
------0-------
LADY WILSON COMMENDS HARD WORK ON DEAF CHILDREN EDUCATION ******
TEACHING HEARING-IMPAIRED CHILDREN IS A VERY CHALLENGING AND DEMANDING TASK, LADY WILSON SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF TODAY (THURSDAY).
”IT REQUIRES PATIENCE AND RESOURCEFULNESS IN TEACHING, FOR THESE CHILDREN NEED HELP, NOT ONLY IN ACADEMIC WORK, BUT ALSO IN THEIR SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS,” SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID THEY ALSO NEEDED WELL-PLANNED ACTIVITIES TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICES TO FACILITATE THEIR INTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY.
/SHE SAID .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
- 10 -
SHE SAID THE OPENING OF THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING MARKED THE CULMINATION OF A GREAT DEAL OF HARD WORK AND CONCERTED EFFORT ON THE PART OF MANY PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION FOR HEARING-IMPAIRED CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY.
SHE NOTED THAT THE SCHOOL FOUNDED IN 1935 WITH ONLY SIX PUPILS WAS THE FIRST SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.
”IT IS NOW RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE PIONEERING SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF IN THE REGION. THE NEW SCHOOL WILL OFFER 270 PLACES FOR CHILDREN FROM PREPARATORY TO SECONDARY FIVE LEVELS WITH SEVERE TO PROFOUND HEARING PROBLEMS,” SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID SHE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT MANY OF THE SCHOOL LEAVERS WENT ON TO UNDERTAKE VOCATIONAL TRAINING AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR SKILLS CENTRES, WHILE SOME PROCEEDED TO FURTHER STUDIES ABROAD.
’’THE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE OF THE GRADUATES OF THE SCHOOL IS AN EXAMPLE TO US ALL, AND INDICATES CLEARLY THAT HEARING-IMPAIRED PERSONS ARE WELL ABLE TO TAKE THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE AS EQUAL AND FULLY PARTICIPATING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY,” SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON PRAISED THE UNTIRING EFFORT OF THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE JOINT EFFORT OF TEACHERS, SPECIALIST STAFF AND PARENTS WHICH HAD RESULTED IN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS.
SHE SAID WHILE THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE CAPITAL COST, SPECIAL THANKS SHOULD ALSO GO TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE LOTTERIES FUND AND SEVERAL OTHER PRIVATE FUNDS FOR PROVIDING THE BALANCE OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING.
0
ILLEGAL IMPORT OF ENDANGERED SPECIES WILL BE PROSECUTED ♦ »»»»»
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THEY WILL BE PROSECUTED IF THEY BRING BACK TO HONG KONG ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY): "IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.”
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
11
HE SAID IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 227 SEIZURES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ILLEGAL IMPORT AND POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES. ALSO, 111 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT.
IN AUGUST, A MAN WAS FINED $20,000 FOR ILLEGALLY IMPORTING 90 PIECES OF MONITOR LIZARD SKIN WHILE ANOTHER PERSON WAS FINED $18,000 FOR BRINGING IN NINE PIECES OF PYTHON SKIN.
THIS MONTH A MAN WAS FINED $3,000 FOR BRINGING IN A CORAL SKELETON FOR HOME DECORATION PURPOSE AND ANOTHER PERSON WAS FINED $4,000 FOR BRINGING IN TWO BIRDWING BUTTERFLIES.
MR CHEUNG SAID: "ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ILLEGALLY BRING IN ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES INCLUDING LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS AS WELL AS THEIR PARTS IN WHATEVER QUANTITY WILL BE PROSECUTED."
THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE.
THE ENDANGERED SPECIES SEIZED WERE MAINLY PARROTS, STUFFED SEA TURTLES, CROCODILE STUFFED SPECIMENS, MONITOR LIZARD, PANGOLIN, BIRDS OF PREY, SLOW LORIS, GIANT SALAMANDER, WILD ORCHIDS AND YELLOW TURTOISE.
--------0-----------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR CROSS BORDER BUS AND HIRE CAR SERVICES »»»»*»
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED OPERATORS WISHING PROVIDE CROSS BORDER BUS AND HIRE CAR SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA ™Sg2 Sk MA CHAU CONTROL PO!NT THAT THE DEADLINE FOR
APPLICATION IS OCTOBER 31.
(THURSDAY) SAID THE APPLICANT’S OF THE SERVICE, AND CHINA AND
AUTHORITIES FOR
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING CONTAnilNO PERSONAL PARTICULARS, DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURE PROPOSED SCHEDULES OF CROSSINGS BETWEEN HONG KONG documentary evidence of approval from the Chinese
PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES.
THE APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE PUBLIC THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 28, MEZZ MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 2 MURRAY ROAD, CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 801 5991.
VEHICLES SECTION OF FLOOR, MURRAY ROAD HONG KONG. ENQUIRIES
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/12 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
12
SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL TO BE LAUNCHED ♦ *»♦♦»
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, WILL INAUGURATE THE FIRST HONG KONG SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FESTIVAL WAS LAUNCHED FOLLOWING ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FROM SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS TO DRAMA PROJECTS ORGANISED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
MORE THAN 110 SCHOOLS HAVE APPLIED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL WHICH AIMS AT DEVELOPING STUDENTS’ CREATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE EXPRESSION AND LANGUAGE SKILLS.
THE FESTIVAL, TO BE HELD IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, HAS THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY WHICH HAS PLEDGED AN ANNUAL DONATION OF $500,000.
AT TOMORROW’S INAUGURATION CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY, MR CHEUNG NIM-PING, WILL PRESENT A CHEQUE FOR THE SUM TO MR LI .
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
COVER THE INAUGURATION AT THE LECTURE HALL,
AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, QUEEN’S ROAD WEST,
(FRIDAY).
- - 0----------
HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN SHAM SHUI PO ******
SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH OFFICE AND GROUP WORK UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME SAFETY.
ACTIVITIES OF ’’THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT 1991 HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN’’ WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM LATE OCTOBER TO FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR INCLUDE SLOGAN COMPETITION, SINGING CONTEST, DAY CAMPS, FAMILY PICNICS AND EXHIBITIONS.
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY, AT WONG TAI SHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE, 250 NAM CHEONG STREET, KOWLOON STARTING FROM 2 PM.
OFFICIATING THE CEREMONY WILL BE REGIONAL OFFICER (WEST KOWLOON), MRS PUN LEE WAI-CHUN.
/IT WILL .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1991
IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A CARNIVAL WHICH INCLUDES GAMES STALLS, DRAWING CONTEST AND EXHIBITIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CARNIVAL OR OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE WELCOME TO CALL 777 8455 OR 777 9121 FOR MORE DETAILS.
- - 0 - -
LUNCH-TIME CONCERT TO PROMOTE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
A LUNCH-TIME CONCERT TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WILL BE HELD AT THE HOI BUN ROAD PARK IN KWUN TONG ON SATURDAY, FROM 12.30 PM TO 2.30 PM.
THE CONCERT IS PART OF THE PROGRAMME OF THE KWUN TONG OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DAY JOINTLY ORGANISED BY KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCE ASSOCIATION.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL POPULAR SINGERS, AN EXHIBITION AND A QUIZ CONTEST FOCUSING ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND THE FIRST 300 VISITORS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE LUNCH BOXES.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 1 PM. OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE ASSISTANT KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ELLEN CHOY; CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, MR MA YAT-CHEUNG AND PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCE ASSOCIATION, MR SZE SIU-MAN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER '24, 1991
14
LAST REPORT ON BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADING THIS YEAR »♦♦*♦*
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THIS IS THE LAST REPORT THIS YEAR ON BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADING, AS THE BATHING SEASON IS COMING TO AN END.
AN ANNUAL REVIEW ON THE WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BATHING BEACHES DURING THIS YEAR'S BATHING SEASON WILL BE PREPARED BY THE EPD BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME. AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID: "BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
"BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE."
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
GRADE "1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
/GRADE "3“
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
15
GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT BACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "4" GRADE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "3" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THE WATER AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
BEACH
PREVIOUS GRADING PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 10.10.91) (AS AT 24.10.91)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 2
CHUNG HOM KOK 1
DEEP WATER BAY 1
HAIRPIN 1
MIDDLE BAY 2
REPULSE BAY 1
SHEK O 2
SOUTH BAY 1
ST STEPHEN’S 1
TURTLE COVE 1
STANLEY MAIN 1
ROCKY BAY X
TO TEI WAN* 1
2 1 1
1 2
1 2
1 1
1 1 X
1
/TUF.N MUN...........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1991
- 16 -
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 2
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 1
BUTTERFLY 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2
CLEAR' WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1
SILVERSTRAND 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 1
HUNG SHING YEH 1
KWUN YAM WAN 1
TONG FUK 1
LO SO SHING 1
PUI O 1
SILVERMINE BAY 1
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 1
TUNG O* 1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 3
APPROACH 2
CASAM 2
GEMINI 2
HOI MEI WAN 2
LIDO 2
TING KAU 3
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 1
tJN to WMM W to to X to X
1
/NOTE: "X" ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24,
1991
- 17 -
NOTE: "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
CHEUNG SHA LOWER, CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND AND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) FROM "2" TO "1"; TING KAU FROM "3" TO "2"; KADOORIE FROM "1” TO "2".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF THE EPD, MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * « * t »
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 23.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 24.10.91 +88
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -88
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.2 »+0.0» 24.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
23.10.91 24.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 4.08 PCT 3.95 PCT
1 MONTH 4.25 PCT 4.27 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.57 PCT 4.55 PCT
6 MONTHS 5.12 PCT 5.16 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.13 PCT 6.10 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 8,870 MN 4,185 MN
---0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK IMPORTANT FOR ASIA-PACIFIC GROWTH: GOVERNOR ............................ 1
GOVT TACKLES CRIME ON THREE FRONTS ........................................ 2
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR HK TRANSPORT POLICY ................................. 4
SHIFTS IN RESPONSIBILITIES IN BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT .............. 6
'SELF CARE' APPROACH TO HEALTH PROBLEMS ADVOCATED ......................... 9
MARINE DEPT ALERTS MASTERS AND COXSWAINS ON YACHT RACES .................. 10
SEPTEMBER PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED ............................. 10
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED .................................................. 13
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF CONSUMER COUNCIL APPOINTED .............................. 13
TWO POLICE REGIONS TO SERVE KOWLOON ...................................... 14
TWO GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ........................................ 15
FLYOVER SYSTEM TO RELIEVE CONGESTION AT TSUEN TSING INTERCHANGE .......... 16
TENDERS INVITED FOR CHOI HA ROAD NORTHERN EXTENSION ...................... 17
RECLAMATION AT TSING CHAU WAN, LANTAU .................................... 17
TENDERS INVITED FOR PORT WORKS ........................................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CLINIC, OPEN SPACE ................... 18
EMPLOYER FINED FOR NOT PAYING COMPENSATION ............................... 19
ANTI-DRUG DISPLAYS AT EXHIBITION FOR WORKERS ............................. 19
ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT TO FIRST SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL ...................... 20
TUEN MUN TO HOLD FIRST SPORTS FESTIVAL ................................... 21
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN VARIETY SHOW IN TSUEN WAN ........................... 21
HOME SAFETY SEMINAR FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS ............................... 22
EASTERN CLEAN HK FORTNIGHT TO START ...................................... 23
NEW PLB (SCHEDULED) ROUTE ON HK ISLAND ................................... 23
FIRING PRACTICE IN NOVEMBER .............................................. 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 25
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
1
HK IMPORTANT FOR ASIA-PACIFIC GROWTH: GOVERNOR
*****
HONG KONG’S ECONOMY HAS ACHIEVED A SUCCESSFUL AND RAPID RESTRUCTURING DESPITE SOMETIMES ALARMIST STORIES ABOUT THE UNCERTAINTIES OF ITS FUTURE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’S HONG KONG FORUM, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG HAD AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY IN SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, THE FASTEST DEVELOPING REGION IN THE WORLD.
"THE SUSTAINED PACE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THIS REGION HAS MEANT THAT THE VALUE OF TRANS-PACIFIC TRADE IS NOW GREATER THAN THAT OF TRANS-ATLANTIC TRADE.
"IT HAS MEANT THE EMERGENCE OF AN ASIA-PACIFIC MARKET TO COMPLEMENT THE MAJOR MARKETS OF NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE; AND IT HAS MEANT A SUCCESSION OF COUNTRIES IN THE REGION REACHING THE POINT OF ECONOMIC TAKE-OFF," HE ADDED.
THE REGIONAL ECONOMIES - EXCLUDING JAPAN, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND WERF FORECAST TO GROW AT AN AVERAGE COMBINED RATE OF MORE THAN SIX PER CENT A YEAR IN THE 1990’8 : MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT FORECAST FOR THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT OR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
HE SAID HONG KONG GIVEN AN ADVANTAGEOUS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION IN THE REGION, HAD BECOME A REGTONAI BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE AS WELL AS A REGIONAL ENTREPOT.
IT HAD ALSO BECOME THE PREFERRED LOCATION FOR MULTINATIONALS LOOKING FOR A REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FROM WHICH TO MANAGE THEIR ASIAN BUSINESSES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN FIRMS BASED IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN INCREASING BY ABOUT 100 A YEAR.
REGARDING THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE HAD BEEN CLEARLY SET OUT IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
"OUR FUTURE IS NOT AS UNCERTAIN AS SOME WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE. FAR FROM IT," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY, A FREE MARKET ECONOMY, A FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY AND ITS PRESENT LEGAL SYSTEM.
"IT WILL ALSO HAVE ITS OWN LEGISLATURE AND ITS OWN LOCAL HONG KONG CHINESE CHIEF EXECUTIVE," HE ADDED.
STRESSING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAKING EVERY POSSIBLE PREPARATION TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, HE SAID: "A KEY ELEMENT WILL BE TO DEVELOP THE ALREADY GOOD PRACTICAL WORKING RELATIONS THAT WE HAVE ACROSS OUR NORTHERN BORDER."
/NOTING 1'HAT.......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 2 -
NOTING THAT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA WAS CLOSE AND GROWING, SIR DAVID SAID THE COMBINATION OF HONG KONG EXPERTISE AND CHINESE MANPOWER WAS A POWERFUL ONE BENEFITTING BOTH SIDES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN 10 YEARS’ TIME, THE QUIET TOWN OF SHENZHEN HAD TRANSFERRED INTO A CITY OF OVER A MILLION PEOPLE AND, A BUSTLING COMMUNITY WITH MUCH OF THE ENERGY AND ENTERPRISE OF HONG KONG.
THE REGION BETWEEN SHENZHEN AND GUANGZHOU, SIR DAVID SAID, WAS AN EXAMPLE OF A COUNTRYSIDE BEING TRANSFORMED BY DEVELOPMENT. HE SAID: "WITH ONLY SIX PER CENT OF CHINA’S POPULATION, THE PROVINCE OF GUANGDONG ALREADY ACCOUNTS FOR 20 PER CENT OF ITS EXPORTS.
"TEN YEARS FROM NOW, IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE PEARL RIVER DELTA WILL HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST MANUFACTURING CENTRES," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG’S FUTURE WAS CLOSELY BOUND UP WITH THESE EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS.
"IT IS A FUTURE FULL OF CHALLENGES. THEY WILL MAKE DEMANDS ON US ALL. BUT HONG KONG IS USED TO THAT. IT RESPONDS WELL TO CHALLENGES," HE SAID.
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GOVT TACKLES CRIME ON THREE FRONTS
******
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARED POLICY TO TACKLE CRIME ON THREE FRONTS, NAMELY, THROUGH EFFECTIVE LEGISLATION, VIGOROUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SUSTAINED FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC) AT THE 1991 FIGHT CRIME RECEPTION.
"WE ACCORD HIGH PRIORITY IN DRAFTING AND UPDATING OUR LAW AGAINST CRIME," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE ORGANISED CRIME BILL HAD BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR THREE MONTHS AND THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAD ALREADY SENT IN THEIR COMMENTS.
"THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE HAS ABOUT ONE MORE MONTH TO GO," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE DRAFTING OF THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES BILL TO REGULATE THE SECURITY INDUSTRY THROUGH A LICENSING SYSTEM WAS NEARING COMPLETION.
"THIS BILL WILL HAVE FAR-FETCHING EFFECT ON THE SECURITY INDUSTRY. WE HOPE THE PUBLIC WILL GIVE US THEIR VIEWS ON IT WHEN IT IS PUBLISHED EARLY NEXT YEAR," SIR DAVID SAID.
/TURNING TO
FRIDAY. OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 3 -
TURNING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH THE OVERALL CRIME FIGURES SHOWED A DOWNWARD TREND IN 1991, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VIOLENT CRIME IN THE LAST QUARTER.
"WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE," HE SAID.
"THE POLICE HAVE STEPPED UP THEIR OPERATIONS. THEY MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND THIS HAS HELPED TO REDUCE ACROSS THE BORDER CRIMES.
"WITH THE TAKING OVER OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HIGH ISLAND DETENTION CENTRE BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MORE THAN 200 POLICE OFFICERS ARE RE-DEPLOYED BACK TO CONSTABULARY DUTIES," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE CONCERN THAT CUTBACKS IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING MIGHT AFFECT THE ABILITY OF THE POLICE TO COMBAT CRIME, SIR DAVID SAID, "AS FAR AS THE POLICE ARE CONCERNED, THE EMPHASIS WILL BE VERY MUCH ON ACHIEVING MORE EFFECTIVE STAFF DEPLOYMENT.
"LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CUTBACK OR SLOWDOWN IN POLICE RECRUITMENT. AND ALL OUR POLICEMEN WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROPERLY TRAINED AND WELL EQUIPPED," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT PUBLICITY WAS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS TO GET THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE ACROSS AND THAT AN ALERT AND INFORMED PUBLIC COULD HELP A GREAT DEAL TO KEEP CRIME DOWN.
"I AM GLAD TO TELL YOU THAT IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING PUBLICITY MATERIALS, THE PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS PRODUCING A FIGHT CRIME GUIDE BOOK FOR DISTRIBUTION TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS."
THIS COLOURFUL BOOKLET, WHICH WOULD COME OUT IN DECEMBER, WOULD TELL THE PUBLIC HOW TO PREVENT CRIME AND HOW TO PROTECT THEIR HOME AND PROPERTY.
SIR DAVID CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME WOULD NOT BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC.
"THE PUBLIC HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN PREVENTING CRIME THROUGH LOOKING AFTER THEIR PROPERTY; REPORTING CRIME AND FINALLY, PROVING CRIME BY COMING FORWARD AS WITNESS.
"THROUGH CONCERTED EFFORT FROM ALL, HONG KONG WILL BECOME AN EVEN SAFER PLACE TO LIVE IN," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE 1991 FIGHT CRIME RECEPTION WAS ATTENDED BY FCC MEMBERS AND SOME 400 MEMBERS FROM THE 19 DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES.
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/4 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
4
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR HK TRANSPORT POLICY * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A FREIGHT LINE CONNECTING THE CONTAINER PORT WITH CHINA CAN RANK HIGH IN THE LIST OF PRIORITIES FOR NEW RAILWAY CONNECTIONS IN THE FUTURE.
MR LEUNG SAID CONSIDERATION WOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE NEED FOR A RAIL LINK BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE URBAN AREA.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG, MR LEUNG SAID THAT A RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY WAS ABOUT TO BE LAUNCHED AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
’’DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE INVESTED SOME $15 BILLIONS IN OUR ROADS, AND NEXT YEAR WE WILL BE SPENDING SOME $4.5 BILLIONS ON NEW ROADS, COMPARED WITH $3 BILLIONS THIS YEAR.
"HOWEVER, THIS IS UNLIKELY TO SATISFY DEMAND OR REDUCE CONGESTION, EXCEPT FOR A SHORT WHILE.
"AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME OF MAJOR INVESTMENT IS NECESSARY IF WE ARE TO PREVENT HONG KONG FROM BEING COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY TRAFFIC JAMS DURING THE PEAK HOURS.
"THUS OUR FIRST PRIORITY MUST BE TO CONTINUE TO SEEK ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE ROAD NETWORK TO MEET RISING DEMAND, AND TO EXPLORE OTHER MEANS OF REDUCING ROAD CONGESTION," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID TRANSPORT LINKS WERE ESSENTIAL TO FACILITATE THE GROWTH IN ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
IT WAS FORECAST THAT CROSS BORDER PASSENGER AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE AT A RATE OF SIX PER CENT AND 14 PER CENT PER ANNUM RESPECTIVELY.
MR LEUNG SAID INTERNALLY, HONG KONG’S VEHICULAR TRAFFIC HAD ALSO INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED VEHICLES AT PRESENT WAS 377,000 AND WAS FORECAST TO RISE TO 470,000 BY 1996 AND TO 750,000 BY 2011.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT SAID THE DEMAND FOR MORE ROAD SPACE WAS PUTTING A GREAT STRAIN ON THE ROAD NETWORK.
NO MATTER HOW FAST THE GOVERNMENT BUILT AND HOW MUCH WAS INVESTED, NEW ROADS WERE SOON TAKEN UP BY VEHICLES AS SUPPRESSED DEMAND WAS RELEASED.
THEREFORE, HE STRESSED THAT WHILE DEVELOPING THE ROAD NETWORKS TO MEET RISING DEMAND, THERE WAS ALSO A NEED TO EXPLORE OTHER MEANS OF REDUCING ROAD CONGESTION, FOR EXAMPLE BY DEVELOPING NEW RAILWAY LINES.
/WHEN THE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 5 -
WHEN THE RAIL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY WAS COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO JUDGE WHERE AND HOW THE NEW RAILWAYS SHOULD BE BUILT AND WHEN.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM WAS TO CONTINUE EXPANDING AND IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO MEET DEMAND.
A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES OFFERING DIFFERENT DEGREES OF COMFORT, CONVENIENCE AND FARES SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, AND EACH MODE SHOULD BE ALLOWED, IN A CO-ORDINATED MANNER, TO COMPETE WITH THE OTHERS FOR PATRONAGE.
MORE CHOICES AND MORE COMPETITION WERE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE, PARTICULARLY TO ATTRACT THOSE WHO NOW TRAVEL IN THEIR OWN CARS OR TAXIS WHICH WERE INEFFICIENT USERS OF ROAD SPACE.
HE SAID IN THE LONGER TERM, RAILWAYS AND BUSES WOULD REMAIN THE BACKBONE OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM, TAKING OVER 60 PER CENT OF TOTAL PATRONAGE, WHICH WAS FORECAST TO INCREASE FROM 9.7 MILLION PASSENGER TRIPS PER DAY AT PRESENT TO 11.1 MILLION BY 1996 AND TO 15 MILLION BY 2011.
MR LEUNG SAID TRAFFIC CONGESTION WAS TACKLED NOT JUST BY BUILDING MORE ROADS BUT ALSO BY BETTER UTILISATION OF THE ROAD SPACE.
HE SAID A WIDE RANGE OF MEASURES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO REGULATE TRAFFIC BY PHYSICAL AND FISCAL METHODS, AND TO GIVE PRIORITY TO THE MORE EFFICIENT MASS CARRIERS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT STOPPED SHORT OF ADOPTING A ROAD PRICING POLICY BECAUSE IT WAS FOUND PUBLICLY UNACCEPTABLE A FEW YEARS BACK, BUT ALLOCATION OF ROAD SPACE THROUGH PRICING STILL REMAINED IN THEORY THE FAIREST METHOD.
HE SAID: "IT IS THE CAR USERS WHO PAY, NOT THOSE WHO OWN A CAR, BUT THOSE WHO ACTUALLY USED IT ON THE ROAD."
"TUNNEL TOLLS ARE ALREADY A FORM OF ROAD PRICING," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID TUNNEL TOLLS WERE PUBLICLY ACCEPTABLE FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT TUNNELS WERE EXPENSIVE TO BUILD AND THEREFORE THE COST HAD TO BE RECOVERED, AND BECAUSE THOSE WHO DID NOT WANT TO USE THEM CAN USE OTHER ROADS WHICH WERE FREE OR WATERBORNE TRANSPORT WHICH WAS CHEAPER BUT SLOWER.
"THUS IT WAS CLEARLY A MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION WHETHER THE PRINCIPLE OF ROAD PRICING SHOULD BE TAKEN FURTHER, ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE KEPT ALTERNATIVE ROUTES AVAILABLE AND THAT TOLLED ROUTES OFFER FACILITIES FOR WHICH THE PUBLIC WERE WILLING TO PAY," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSTANTLY IN TOUCH WITH OTHER MAJOR CITIES TO SEE HOW THE GOVERNMENT COULD BETTER MANAGE THEIR TRAFFIC BY MODERN METHODS.
AUTOMATIC TOLL COLLECTION AT TUNNELS, ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS WHICH COULD ACCEPT CARDS AND INSTALLATION OF MORE COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS WERE AMONG SOME OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD OR WOULD ADOPT TO IMPROVE ROAD MANAGEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ADDED.
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/6 ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 6 -
SHIFTS IN RESPONSIBILITIES IN BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ♦ * ♦ ♦ t
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNDERGOING A NUMBER OF SHIFTS IN RESPONSIBILITIES OF ITS ACTIVITIES TO THE PRIVATE SECTORS AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF TRYING TO RATIONALISE THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (FRIDAY).
DESCRIBING THE MOVE AS NOTHING ACCIDENTAL OR SPONTANEOUS, MR EASON SAID THE SHIFTS IN RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN AREAS WITHIN HIS DEPARTMENT’S AMBIT RECENTLY WERE IN FACT A MANIFESTATION OF OVERALL ECONOMIC POLICY WHICH WAS AIMED, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, AT HOLDING DOWN INFLATION.
DURING A LUNCHEON TALK TO THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS, MR EASON SAID:
"IT IS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF TRYING TO RATIONALISE THE USE OF PUBLIC SECTOR OR DEPARTMENTAL RESOURCES SO THAT PRIORITY . IS GIVEN TO THE PERFORMANCE OF ESSENTIAL EXECUTIVE OR REGULATORY FUNCTION, GROWTH IN TERMS OF BOTH EXPENDITURE AND MANPOWER IS KEPT UNDER CONTROL, AND SERVICES WHICH CAN AND SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE SO PROVIDED."
HE NOTED THAT THE SHIFTS IN RESPONSIBILITIES INVOLVED THE ACTIVITIES OF ALL THREE OFFICES UNDER HIS DEPARTMENT, NAMELY, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO), THE LANDS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE (LAO) AND THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE (SMO).
FOR THE BOO, HE SAID THE SYSTEM UNDER WHICH NEW BUILDING PLANS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL WHICH WERE SUBJECT TO CHECKING IN DIFFERENT PARTICULAR ASPECTS WAS "AN ALMOST PRE-HISTORIC EXAMPLE OF THE SORT OF SHIFTS IN RESPONSIBILITIES.
"IT IS A PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE EXAMPLE, RESPONSIBILITY BEING RETURNED TO THE SUBMITTERS OF PLANS, THE AUTHORISED PERSONS," HE ADDED.
MR EASON CITED A MORE CURRENT EXAMPLE OF THE SHIFT IN RESPONSIBILITIES BEING PROPOSED FOR BOO, INVOLVING NOT NEW BUILDINGS BUT OLD ONES.
THE INTENTION IS TO PROPOSE LEGISLATION WHICH WILL ENABLE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO ORDER OWNERS TO HAVE CARRIED OUT NOT JUST THE WORKS BUT \LSO THE INSPECTIONS OR SURVEYS TO ESTABLISH WHAT WORKS ARE REQUIRED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CLEARLY THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE BY QUALIFIED PEOPLE OF WHOM HE BELIEVED THERE WAS A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY IN HONG KONG WHICH WAS IN ANY CASE ALSO CAPABLE OF BEING BOOSTED.
"THIS CHANGE, IF IT IS SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED, WILL BRING ABOUT A USEFUL SHIFT AWAY FROM DEPENDENCE ON MANPOWER RESOURCES FUNDED BY THE TAXPAYER TO THOSE WHICH BUILDINGS OWNERS THEMSELVES WILL PAY FOR," HE EXPLAINED.
/AT PRESENT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
AT PRESENT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ORDERS OWNERS OF BUILDINGS WHICH ARE DANGEROUS OR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO CARRY OUT WORKS (INCLUDING DEMOLITION IF NECESSARY) TO RENDER THEM SAFE.
HOWEVER, THE INSPECTION OR SURVEY OF A BUILDING REQUIRED TO DETERMINE ITS CONDITIONS HAS GENERALLY BEEN ACCEPTED UP TO NOW AS BEING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY, ACTING THROUGH THE BOO.
WITH REGARD TO THE LAO, MR EASON SAID MODEST EFFORTS HAD BEEN DIRECTED AT HAVING CERTAIN PREPARATORY WORK IN RELATION TO URBAN LAND RESUMPTION IN PARTICULAR CARRIED OUT BY PRIVATE SECTOR AGENCIES.
AT PRESENT, THIS SERVICE IS STILL BEING PAID FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT, THAT IS THE TAXPAYER, AT LEAST IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.
MR EASON NOTED THAT THE OFFICE HAD ALSO PUT IN PLACE A MONITORING SYSTEM TO CHECK THE TIME TAKEN TO COMPLETE LEASE MODIFICATION AND LAND EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS WHICH HAD ACHIEVED STEADY IMPROVEMENT.
REGARDING THE SMO, MR EASON SAID THE OFFICE EARLIER THIS YEAR CONDUCTED CONSULTANCY STUDY TO HELP IDENTIFY CORE AND NON-CORE SERVICES IN THE LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEY AND MAPPING FIELDS.
HE SAID THIS WOULD ENABLE THE OFFICE TO RE-EXAMINE PRIORITIES TO DETERMINE WHAT WORK MUST REMAIN TO BE DONE AND WHAT COULD BE PASSED ON TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHICH IN THE CASE OF LAND SURVEYS MIGHT BOTH NEED AND WELCOME SCOPE FOR EXPANSION THROUGH THE PROCESS.
HE SAID SMALL START HAD BEEN MADE ALREADY IN THE FIELD OF SURVEYS FOR CERTAIN SMALL AND STANDARD SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WOULD BECOME A PERMANENT FEATURE AND AN EXAMPLE WHICH MIGHT BE CAPABLE OF APPLICATION ELSEWHERE.
"IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, WE ARE REFERRING TO A SERVICE WHICH IS NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO COST-RECOVERY; BUT FOR OTHER SURVEYS THE SAME WOULD NOT APPLY - THE USER WOULD PAY THE PRIVATE SURVEYOR," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE OVERALL PROCESS OF THE SHIFTS IN RESPONSIBILITIES, MR EASON SAID HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE LOOKING FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESS PRIVATE SECTOR RESOURCES INTO GREATER USE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
HE CONCEDED THAT IT WAS AN ACTIVITY NOT WITHOUT ITS PITFALLS WITH REGARD TO THE STAFF MANAGEMENT AND STAFF RELATIONS IMPLICATIONS OF DOING ANYTHING ALONG THESE LINES. •
HE SAID PEOPLE NATURALLY TENDED TO BE SUSPICIOUS OF CHANGE AND TO FEAR THE UNKNOWN ESPECIALLY.
THERE WAS A GHASTLY SPECTRE LABELLED ’PRIVATISATION* AT LARGE - WHICH CIVIL SERVANTS TENDED TO TRANSLATE AS ’DOING IT WITHOUT US’, HE SAID.
/"AND I ..
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 8 -
"AND I AND MY CONTEMPORARIES IN QUITE A FEW DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BRANCHES, MUST BY NOW HAVE LEARNT THE LESSON THAT CHANGE IF IT IS TO BE INTRODUCED SUCCESSFULLY MUST BE FULLY JUSTIFIED, THOROUGHLY PLANNED, CAREFULLY EXPLAINED AND DISCUSSED, AND SENSITIVELY INTRODUCED.
"STAFF ARE NATURALLY CONCERNED AS TO WHETHER THEIR PRESENT JOBS AND THEIR FUTURE PROSPECTS WILL BE AFFECTED, AND IN MANY CASES AS TO WHETHER ADEQUATE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ARE GOING TO BE MAINTAINED.
"IF THE CHANGE IS PROPERLY MANAGED, ADEQUATE ASSURANCES CAN BE GIVEN AND A TRUE PICTURE OF THE BENEFITS TO ALL CONCERNED CAN BE PAINTED," HE STRESSED.
ON BUILDING SAFETY, MR EASON SAID CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS HAD BEEN MADE TO RE-DIRECT BOO RESOURCES AND PRIORITIES TO THE TWIN PROBLEMS OF DECAYING BUILDINGS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS APPENDAGES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THEIR INTENTION WAS TO TRY AND AUGMENT AVAILABLE MANPOWER BY BRINGING MORE PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERTISE TO BEAR ON THE INSPECTION OR SURVEY OF BUILDINGS IN SUSPECT CONDITION.
HE ADDED THAT SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE IN THE CAMPAIGN TO REMOVE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS APPENDAGES FROM THE OUTSIDE OF BUILDINGS, PARTICULARLY WHERE THESE OVERHUNG BUSY PEDESTRIAN PAVEMENTS.
"THE MOST NOTABLE AND HEARTENING FEATURE WHICH EMERGED IN THE INITIAL PHASE COVERING. 30 BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREAS WAS THE HIGH LEVEL OF VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH ORDERS TO REMOVE THINGS.
"OVER 4,000 UNAUTHORISED PROJECTIONS HAVE BEEN REMOVED, AND MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THEM VOLUNTARILY," HE NOTED.
HE SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE EXERCISE HIS DEPARTMENT PROPOSED TO USE A NON-STATUTORY ADVISORY APPROACH RATHER THAN THE MORE CUMBERSOME AND TIME AND RESOURCE-CONSUMING STATUTORY PROCESSES.
"WITHOUT WISHING TO OVERSTATE IT, J BELIEVE THE PUBLIC MOOD HAS CHANGED TO THE EXTENT THAT ACTION ON BOTH FRONTS IS WANTED AND WELCOMED AND IT IS OUR INTENTION TO MATCH THIS," HE SAID.
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/9 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
9
’SELF CARE’ APPROACH TO HEALTH PROBLEMS ADVOCATED
******
MANY PREVAILING HEALTH PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG CAN BE PREVENTED AND AVOIDED THROUGH SELF CARE, SUCH AS ADOPTING A HEALTHY LIFFSTYLE AND AVOIDING HEALTH RISKS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND THE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH-MAK.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A "SELF CARE" EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL, SHE SAID SELF CARE, AS THE NAME IMPLIED, POINTS TO TAKING CARE OF OUR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH.
PROF LIEH-MAK SAID SELF CARE DID NOT LIMIT ITSELF TO THE TIME OF ILLNESS BUT RATHER BEFORE THE PROBLEM AROSE.
"IT IS GOOD SELF-CARE PRINCIPLE TO POSITIVELY PRACTISE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AND TO ABSTAIN FROM HABITS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE DAMAGING TO OUR HEALTH, SUCH AS SMOKING, DRUG ABUSE AND SEXUAL PROMISCUITY."
SHE EMPHASISED THAT HEALTH CARE RESOURCES COULD BE BETTER UTILISED IF PEOPLE POSSESSED THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF SELF CARE, WHICH ENABLED THEM TO DEAL WITH COMMON AILMENTS AT HOME.
EARLIER, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID PROMOTION OF GOOD HEALTH AND PREVENTION OF DISEASES FORMED THE BASIS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S AIM TO ACHIEVE "HEALTH FOR ALL" IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
HE SAID "SELF CARE" IS AMONG THE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
DR LEE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT EVERYONE COULD PRACTISE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, LEARN SKILLS OF PATIENT CARE AT HOME AND FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
TO PROMOTE SELF CARE, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT (CHEU) HAD EMBARKED ON VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTION OF NEW INFORMATIVE LITERATURES AND AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS, AND THE SETTING UP OF A 24-HOUR PRE-RECORDED TELEPHONE SERVICE.
OTHER EFFORTS INCLUDED THE STAGING OF EXHIBITIONS ON CHRONIC DISEASES AT GOVERNMENT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND THE ORGANISATION OF HEALTH TALKS FOR PATIENTS ATTENDING THESE CLINICS.
ORGANISED BY THE CHEU AS A CLIMAX TO THIS YEAR’S MAJOR CAMPAIGN ON SELF CARE, THE "SELF CARE" EXHIBITION CENTRES ON COMMON SICKNESS, SUCH AS RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION, LOW BACK PAIN AND OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES SUCH AS HYPERTENSION, DIABETES MELLITUS AND SKIN PROBLEMS.
/IT ALSO .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
10
IT ALSO FEATURES AUDIO-VISUAL SHOWS, VIVID ANATOMICAL MODELS AND COMPUTER GAMES.
WINNING ENTRIES IN A RECENTLY-HELD DESIGN CONTEST FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY.
IN ADDITION, OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDED FOR VISITORS TO HAVE THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE MEASURED AND LUNG FUNCTION TESTED.
THE "SELF CARE" EXHIBITION WILL CONTINUE TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10.30 AM TO 6.30 PM DAILY FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) UNTIL MONDAY (OCTOBER 28).
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MARINE DEPT ALERTS MASTERS AND COXSWAINS ON YACHT RACES
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT YACHT RACES WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE SOUTHWEST OF REPULSE BAY AND SOUTHEAST OF LAMMA ISLAND DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) TO NOVEMBER 3.
SIXTY YACHTS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE.
MASTERS, COXSWAINS AND PERSONS-IN-CHARGE OF VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THE VICINITY ARE REQUESTED TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION, GIVING PRACTICAL CONSIDERATION TO THE CONTESTANTS.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972 IS MANDATORY.
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SEPTEMBER PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED ♦ * » ♦ *
RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW SUBSTANTIALLY IN SEPTEMBER, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS ALSO SHOWED SOME INCREASE. SUPPORTED BY THE RAPID GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS, IMPORTS ROSE MARKEDLY.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER ROSE BY $15,031 MILLION OR 42.8% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $50,131 MILLION. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC-EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER, AT $20,526 MILLION, WAS $1,001 MILLION OR 5.1% HIGHER.
/TAKING RE-EXPORTS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $16,032 MILLION OR 29.3% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $70,657 MILLION TN SEPTEMBER. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $13,101 MILLION OR 24.3% TO $66,953 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $3,704 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN SEPTEMBER 1991. THE SURPLUS RECORDED IN SEPTEMBER 1990 WAS $773 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.4% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
PUTTING THESE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1991, AT $378,956 MILLION, ROSE BY $86,262 MILLION OR 29.5% OVER THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW BY $5,393 MILLION OR 3.3% TO $166,993 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, AT $545,949 MILLION, WAS THUS $91,655 MILLION OR 20.2% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF LAST YEAR.
MEANWHILE, IMPORTS GREW BY $106,142 MILLION OR 23.3% TO $562,011 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $16,062 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.9% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1991. THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $1,575 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1990.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN COMMENTED THAT THE GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER WAS A REVERSAL OF THE DECLINE RECORDED IN AUGUST.
RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST, LARGELY SUPPORTED BY THE SUSTAINED MARKED INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS INVOLVING CHINA IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
AS RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW FASTER THAN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THEIR SHARE IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED FROM 64% IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1990 TO 69% IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1991.
MEANWHILE, IMPORTS RETAINED FOR VARIOUS DOMESTIC USES DECLINED MARGINALLY BY 0.6% IN VALUE TERMS IN SEPTEMBER 1991 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
HOWEVER, FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1991 TAKEN TOGETHER, THERE WAS STILL A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 15.2% IN RETAINED IMPORTS OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1991.
/MERCHANDISE: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 12 -
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE
$20,526 MILLION
$50,131 MILLION
$70,657 MILLION
$66,953 MILLION
$3,704 MILLION [IN SURPLUS]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
JUL 91 TO
LATEST 3 MONTHS SEP 91
HK$ MN.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 62,068
RE-EXPORTS 145,843
TOTAL EXPORTS 207,911
IMPORTS 202,790
TRADE BALANCE 5,121
JUL 90 TO SEP 90 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
61,062 1,006 1.6
109,597 36,246 33.1
170,659 37,252 21.8
164,036 38,754 23.6
6,623 -1,502
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR SEPTEMBER 1991 HK$ MN. SEPTEMBER 1990 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 20,526 19,525 1,001 5.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (29.1%) (35.7%)
RE-EXPORTS 50,131 35,100 15,031 42.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 70,657 54,625 16,032 29.3
IMPORTS 66,953 53,852 13,101 24.3
TRADE BALANCE 3,704 773 2,931
SEPTEMBER AUGUST INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1991 1991
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 20,526 20,364 162 0.8
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (29.1%) (30.1%)
RE-EXPORTS 50,131 47,205 2,926 6.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 70,657 67,569 3,088 4.6
IMPORTS 66,953 66,755 198 0.3
TRADE BALANCE 3,704 814 2,890
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-SEP 1991 HK$ MN. JAN-SEP 1990 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 166,993 161,600 5,393 3.3
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (30.6%) (35.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 378,956 292,694 86,262 29.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 545,949 454,294 91,655 20.2
IMPORTS 562,011 455,869 106,142 23.3
TRADE BALANCE -16,062 -1,575 -14,487
/LAST 12 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
13
LAST 12 MONTHS
DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE
OCT 90 TO SEP 91 HK$ MN. OCT 89 TO SEP 90 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
231,269 221,776 9,493 4.3
500,261 384,311 115,950 30.2
731,530 606,087 125,443 20.7
748,673 598,419 150,254 25.1
-17,143 7,668 -24,811
------0--------
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED * * *
THE BANKING LICENCE OF AMSTERDAM - ROTTERDAM BANK N.V. (AMRO) HAS BEEN REVOKED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AT THE REQUEST OF THE BANK, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’AMRO MERGED WITH ALGEMENE BANK NEDERLAND N.V. (ABN) ON SEPTEMBER 22. THE NEW ENTITY CREATED BY THE MERGER IS NAMED ABN AMRO BANK N.V. (ABN AMRO) AND IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PRIOR DEBTS AND OTHER LIABILITIES OF AMRO AND ABN,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AMRO AND ABN WERE GRANTED BANKING LICENCES TO OPERATE IN HONG KONG IN 1981 AND 1965 RESPECTIVELY.
"AFTER THE REVOCATION OF AMRO'S BANKING LICENCE, ABN AMRO WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY ON BANKING BUSINESS UNDER THE LICENCE PREVIOUSLY HEID BY ABN,” HE SAID.
AFTER THE REVOCATION, THERE ARE 165 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 135 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
---------0-----------
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF CONSUMER COUNCIL APPOINTED ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR JUSTEIN WONG CHUN AS VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 7 THIS YEAR TO OCTOBER 6, 1993.
MR WONG WAS FIRST APPOINTED A MEMBER OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN 1987, SINCE THEN HE HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COUNCIL'S VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS.
HE IS CURRENTLY CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER EDUCATION COMMITTEE, CONSUMER ADVICE CENTRE STEERING COMMITTEE, AND HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE.
THE APPOINTMENT NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
------0--------
/14 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
14
TWO POLICE REGIONS TO SERVE KOWLOON
THE DIVISION OF KOWLOON INTO TWO POLICE REGIONS SERVING EAST AND WEST OF THE AREA WILL TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR WHEN THE NEW KOWLOON EAST REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS GOES OPERATIONAL AT ITS NEW HEADQUARTERS AT TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE NEWLY CREATED EASTERN KOWLOON REGION WILL SHARE ITS HEADQUARTERS WITH THE NEW TSEUNG KWAN O DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS WHICH WILL GO INTO ACTION AT THE SAME TIME.
ORIGINALLY PLANNED AS A SEPARATE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS BUILDING JN SAU MAU PING, THE SHARING OF THE DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS AT TSEUNG KWAN O HAS BEEN ACHIEVED WITH THE SAVING OF $200 MILLION.
THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS WILL OCCUPY FOUR FLOORS OF THE NEW BUILDING AT TSEUNG KWAN O AT AN ADDITIONAL COST OF LESS THAN $5 MILLION.
THE NEW REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS WELL ACCOMMODATE THE REGIONAL COMMANDER AND HIS STAFF, OPERATIONS WING, ADMINISTRATION WING AND CRIME HEADQUARTERS. OTHER UNITS WILL BE LOCATED ELSEWHERE.
THE SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT OF TSEUNG KWAN O DIVISION AS A DISTRICT WILL BE CONSIDERED TN THE LIGHT OF THE EXPANSION OF TSEUNG KWAN O AS A NEW TOWN.
IN THE MEANTIME THE NEW DIVISION WILL FORM PART OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT.
MR ALAN NEWTON, STAFF OFFICER, SPECIAL DUTIES, IN CHARGE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION TEAM FOR THE NEW HEADQUARTERS, SAID: ’’THE GEOGRAPHICAL SPLIT OF KOWLOON EAST AND WEST HAS BEEN COMPLICATED BY THE SHIFT OF POPULATION TOWARDS THE EAST, WHILE CRIME REMAINS THE BIGGER PROBLEM IN THE WEST.
’’AND RESITING THE NEW EAST REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS GAVE US A RACE AGAINST TIME TO ACHIEVE THE JANUARY 1 DEADLINE.”
POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWN NOW, MR NEWTON SAID, WAS 100,000 AND WITH PART OF CLEARWATER BAY BEING ABSORBED BY TSEUNG KWAN O DIVISION THE POPULATION WOULD RISE TO 130,000. WHEN THE NEW TOWN WAS FULLY DEVELOPED POPULATION WOULD BE IN THE REGION OF HALF A MILLION.
’’ALTHOUGH THE NEW BUILDING IS BUILT TO THE STANDARD DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS DESIGN IT IS UNIQUE IN HAVING THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS ALSO ACCOMMODATED," MR NEWTON SAID.
"THE EXTERNAL APPEARANCE IS QUITE DIFFERENT. THE STANDARD OF FINISH IS VERY GOOD AND A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN PUT INTO IT BY THE ARCHITECT KELVIN BURNS.”
MR BOB SONES, CHIEF STAFF INSPECTOR, BUILDINGS, IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BRANCH, SAID: ’’THE BUILDING HAS A NUMBER OF INTERESTING FEATURES WHICH HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED WITHIN THE LIMITATIONS OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND THE ARCHITECT HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB.
/"THE AREA .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
"THE AREA NOW BEING ALLOCATED FOR THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS HAD BEEN PLANNED AS BARRACK ACCOMMODATION.
"WHEN WE WERE FACED WITH THE PROBLEM OF RELOCATING THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS STAFF AT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WERE ABLE TO COME UP WITH THE IDEA OF SHARING IT WITH THE NEW BUILDING AT TSEUNG KWAN O.
"THE SITING OF THE NEW BUILDING IS VERY GOOD. THERE IS A GOOD ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE LINKING KOWLOON EAST WITH THE REST OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.
- - 0 - -
TWO GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION » * « t *
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF HOTEL FURAMA KEMPINSKI IN CENTRAL. NEXT MONTH.
THF AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON NOVEMBER 19.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT 19 HO MAN TIN HILL ROAD, KOWLOON.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,893 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 10,510 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1995.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 11, ON SUM STREET, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,220 SQUARE METRES, IT IS EARMARKED FOR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN) AND PUBLIC LORRY PARK PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 46,854 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1995.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALES PLANS INSPECTED AT, 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.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
- - 0 - -
/16
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 16 -
FLYOVER SYSTEM TO RELIEVE CONGESTION AT TSUEN TSING INTERCHANGE ******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A FLYOVER SYSTEM OVER THE TSUEN TSING INTERCHANGE TO PROVIDE A LINK BETWEEN TEXACO ROAD AND TSING TSUEN ROAD; AND BETWEEN TEXACO ROAD AND TSUEN WAN ROAD IN A BID TO HELP RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE INTERCHANGE,
AT PRESENT, VEHICLES FROM TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN WAN ROAD AND TSING TSUEN ROAD AT THE INTERCHANGE HAVE TO MAKE USE OF THE AT-GRADE ROUNDABOUT TO GO TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DESTINATION.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE FLYOVER SYSTEM, VEHICLES TRAVELLING WESTBOUND FROM TSUEN WAN ROAD TO TEXACO ROAD; AND TRAVELLING BETWEEN TSING TSUEN ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED AWAY FROM THE ROUNDABOUT VIA THE FLYOVER SYSTEM.
TWO AT-GRADE SLIP ROADS ARE ALSO PROPOSED TO BE BUILT AT THE INTERCHANGE TO PROVIDE EXCLUSIVE LINKS BETWEEN TEXACO RAOD AND TSUEN WAN ROAD; AND BETWEEN TSING TSUEN ROAD AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
THE PROPOSED WORKS ALSO INCLUDE THE WIDENING OF A SECTION OF THE EXISTING TEXACO ROAD NEAR TSUEN TSING INTERCHANGE; AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAYS WITHIN THE INTERCHANGE AREA.
THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLANS AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; AND
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
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 DECEMBER 17, 1991, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
---------0-----------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
17 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR CHOI HA ROAD NORTHERN EXTENSION ********
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF CHOI HA ROAD NORTHERN EXTENSION IN NGAU TAU KOK.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT CHOI HA ROAD IS A CUL-DE-SAC, AND ITS ONLY EXIT IS TO JORDAN VALLEY NORTH ROAD AND THENCE TO NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
THE PROPOSED NORTHERN EXTENSION OF CHOI HA ROAD WILL LINK CHOI WAN ROAD TO JORDAN VALLEY NORTH ROAD.
IT WILL SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE PARALLEL ROUTE TO THE HEAVILY CONGESTED NAGU TAU KOK ROAD THEREBY IMPROVING THE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN THE AREA.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 1993.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE ROADWORKS AND RETAINING WALLS. THE PROJECT IS JOINTLY DESIGNED BY THE HIGHWAYS AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS, AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A TENDER NOTICE ON THE PROJECT WAS PUBLISHED GAZETTE.
IN TODAY’S
- 0-----------
RECLAMATION AT TSING CHAU WAN, LANTAU ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO UNDERTAKE DREDGING OF SEABED, CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALLS, PILING AND RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 10.05 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TSING CHAU WAN LANTAU ISLAND. ’
THIS IS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHIPYARD.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 2'1 NEXT YEAR.
--------0----------
/18 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
18 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR PORT WORKS ♦ * » t *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO SEAWALLS, PIERS AND OTHER PORT WORKS FOR 1992 TO 1993.
THE WORKS INCLUDE DREDGING AND MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF SEAWALLS, PIERS AND OTHER MARINE STRUCTURES TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW MINOR MARINE WORKS.
THE WORKS WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
THE CONTRACT PERIOD COVERS 24 MONTHS STARTING FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 15.
FORM OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER, PORT WORKS DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.
---------0-----------
FENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CLINIC, OPEN SPACE
********
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TFNDERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN URBAN CLINIC AT AREA 44, TUEN MUN TERRITORIES WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN APRIL 1993. *
FOR
NEW
THE PROJECT INVOLVES BUILDING WHICH COMPRISES A HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE-STOREY
GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC, A FAMILY A REGIONAL STORE TO BE USED BY THE
FACILITIES TREATMENT ROOMS, DEMONSTRATION AND
TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE CONSULTATION MINOR SURGERY, COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION EXHIBITION ROOMS.
ROOMS, ROOM,
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR THF C°NsTRUCTION OF AN OPEN SPACE AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD AND LAI bnl KOK ROAD, KOHLOON.
^ORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS OF MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY,
THE TWO PROJECTS DEPARTMENT, 34TH HONG KONG.
1 HE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 15.
------0-----------
Z19 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 19 -
EMPLOYER FINED FOR NOT PAYING COMPENSATION
♦ ♦ * ♦ »
EMPLOYERS MAY FACE HEAVY FINES FOR NOT MAKING PERIODICAL PAYMENT WITHIN A TIME LIMIT TO EMPLOYEES INJURED AT WORK.
THE REMINDER BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CAME IN THE WAKE OF A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH AN EMPLOYER WAS CONVICTED OF FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THF REQUIREMENT UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
THE NIN HING ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING LTD WAS FINED $6,000 BY A WESTERN MAGISTRATE FOR NOT PAYING AN INJURED EMPLOYEE HIS ENTITLED COMPENSATION FOR TEMPORARY INCAPACITY CAUSED BY A WORK ACCIDENT WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD AFTER THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE OF REVIEW OF COMPENSATION ASSESSMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT.
ACCORDING TO THE ORDINANCE, AN INJURED EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO PERIODICAL PAYMENT DURING HIS PERIOD OF TEMPORARY INCAPACITY AT A RATE OF TWO-THIRDS OF HIS MONTHLY EARNINGS, AND THE PAYMENTS ARE PAYABLE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE EMPLOYEES’ NORMAL PAY DAYS.
WHERE AN EMPLOYER OBJECTS TO THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE A CERTIFICATE TO BOTH THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE STATING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION AND REQUIRING PAYMENT TO BE MADE WITHIN 21 DAYS.
ANY EMPLOYER FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
---------0-----------
ANTI-DRUG DISPLAYS AT EXHIBITION FOR WORKERS
DISPLAYS TO ADVISE WORKERS ON THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE WILL BE SET UP AT THE THREE-DAY OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK EXHIBITION WHICH BEGINS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, WHICH PUT UP THE DISPLAYS, SAID: ’’THROUGH A SET OF SPECIALLY ADOPTED PANELS, WE HOPE TO ALERT WORKERS OF THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO SAY ’YES’ TO LIFE.
”WE WANT THEN TO KNOW THAT ABUSE OF DRUGS WILL DAMPEN THEIR WORK INTEREST WHICH WILL GRADUALLY LEAD TO FREQUENT ABSENCE FROM WORK.
’’THEY WILL PROBABLY LOSE THEIR JOB IF THEIR EMPLOYERS KNOW ABOUT THE HABIT.
/"TO THOSE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
20 -
"TO THOSE WORKERS WHO OFTEN NEED TO OPERATE MACHINERY, THE CONSEQUENCE CAN EVEN HE FATAL AN DRUG ABUSE CAUSES DISORIENTED BEHAVIOUR AND IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGEMENT AND ONE’S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ATTENTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APART FROM THE PANEL DISPLAYS, A NEWLY-PUBLISHED COMIC BOOK WHICH IS ALSO TARUETTED AT WORKERS WILL HE DISTRIBUTED AT THE EXHIBITION TO DISSEMINATE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES.
ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT TO FIRST SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL
»«*♦*»»
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONO SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE PROMOTION OF DRAMA IN SCHOOLS AS AN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL, MR LI DESCRIBED DRAMA AS "A GOOD TEACHING TOOL AND A VALUABLE ARTISTIC . EVENT IN SCHOOLS" TO DEVELOP STUDENTS' CREATIVE AND IMAGINATIVE EXPRESSION AND LANGUAGE SKILLS.
HE SAID THE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS, THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE PROFESSIONALS AND THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM SPONSORS HAD ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL DRAMA.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, HAD BEEN ACTIVELY PROMOTING DRAMA ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS SINCE 19S6 AND PROJECTS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WERE HELD IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
A TOTAL OF 112 SCHOOLS HAVE APPLIED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WILL EACH BE GIVEN A PRODUCTION SUBSIDY RANGING FROM #800 TO $1,000.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, MR CHEUNG NIM-PINO, PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR #500,000 TO MR LI AS A DONATION TO THE FESTIVAL.
--------o - - - -
Z21 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 21 -
TUEN MUN TO HOLD FIRST SPORTS FESTIVAL
******
TUEN MUN DISTRICT WILL HOLD ITS FIRST SPORTS FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE $1 MILLION FESTIVAL WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON NOVEMBER 3 AT THE TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND. THE 40-DAY FESTIVAL WILL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER 7.
"I HOPE THAT THROUGH THE SERIES OF EXCITING SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, SPORTS COULD BE FURTHER PROMOTED IN THE DISTRICT, AND THROUGH PARTICIPATION, OUR YOUTHS WILL BE WELL TRAINED BOTH IN BODY AND IN MIND,” HE SAID.
THERE WILL BE 14 ACTIVITIES IN THIS YEAR’S TUEN MUN SPORTS FESTIVAL WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
BESIDES BALL GAMES AND TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS, ACTIVITIES SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS WILL ALSO BE HELD. THESE INCLUDE A TENNIS AND SQUASH FUN DAY FOR CHILDREN, AN AEROBIC DANCE COMPETITION FOR THE ELDERLY, AND A TELEMATCH FOR THE DISABLED.
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE THE HONG KONG BADMINTON TOURNAMENT AND THE SICHUAN SKILL CALLISTHENICS, AND HARD GIGONG SHOW.
THOSE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD CONTACT THE TUEN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION ON TEL. 459 6336.
---------0-----------
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN VARIETY SHOW IN TSUEN WAN
******
A VARIETY SHOW TO LAUNCH THIS YEAR’S TSUEN WAN KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 27) AFTERNOON AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
AT THE VENUE, A HUGE INFLATABLE PENGUIN TRAMPOLINE AND "FUN BUS" RIDES WILL BE ARRANGED FOR CHILDREN.
A BRAND-NEW REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE WILL ALSO BE A FEATURE OF THE SHOW.
MEANWHILE, THE "DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS" WILL DISTRIBUTE SOUVENIRS TO PARTICIPANTS.
ALL RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN. ADMISSION IS FREE.
/TSUEN WAN .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 22 -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, AND REGIONAL COUNCIL TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU CHUN-WING, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 2 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 27) AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND, TSUEN WAN.
------0----------
HOME SAFETY SEMINAR FOR MONG KOK RESIDENTS *******
MONG KOK RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON HOME SAFETY ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 27).
THE SEMINAR, ADMISSION TO WHICH IS FREE, WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT THE MONG KOK KAIFONG ASSOCIATION CHAN HING SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE AT 45 FUK TSUN STREET, TAI KOK TSUI.
IT IS ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
"THE AIM OF THE SEMINAR IS TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME SAFETY.
"THE TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED WILL INCLUDE FIRST AID, AND CRIME AND FIRE PREVENTIVE MEASURES," A DFCC SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE POLICE KOWLOON REGIONAL CRIME PREVENTION UNIT (MONG KOK), MR LEUNG HAK-WUN; A SENIOR STATION OFFICER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, MR WONG KWONG-CHI; AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION AND BRIGADE, MR YEUNG TZE-CHEONG.
OFFICIATING AT THE SEMINAR’S OPENING WILL BE THE ASSISTANT MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VINCENT FUNG; POLICE MONG KOK ASSISTANT DISTRICT COMMANDER (OPERATIONS), MR CHUNG H1U-PANG; AND THE MONG KOK DFCC CHAIRMAN, MRS TAM ('HEUNG KIT-YING.
- - 0 ----------
/23 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
23
EASTERN CLEAN HK FORTNIGHT TO START *♦♦»»»
THE EASTERN DISTRICT’S CLEAN HONG KONG FORTNIGHT WILL START WITH A PROMOTION EXERCISE IN THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 27).
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL TOUR THE TYPHOON SHELTER ON BOARD MOTORISED SAMPANS AND DISTRIBUTE SOUVENIRS TO BOAT DWELLERS TO REMIND THEM TO KEEP THE HARBOUR CLEAN.
THEY WILL ALSO VISIT THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND THE CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN.
TAKING PART IN THE TOUR WILL BE THE DB CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, AND MEMBERS MR MAN SAI-CHEONG, MS CHRISTINA TING, MR ALEXANDER FU AND MR HO SIU-CHAM.
THEY WILL BE JOINED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, AND OFFICIALS OF THE URBAN SERVICES, MARINE, HOUSING, AND AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENTS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS’
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE SAMPAN TOUR ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 27) SHOULD ASSEMBLE BEFORE 10.30 AM AT THE SHAU KEI WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET LOCATED AT THE END OF SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST.
------0--------
NEW PLB (SCHEDULED) ROUTE ON HK ISLAND *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTE 39M ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL COMMENCE OPERATION FROM SUNDAY (OCTOBER 27) TO SERVE BETWEEN YUE ON COURT (AP LEI CHAU) AND TIN HAU MTR STATION.
ITS OPERATING HOURS WILL BE FROM 6.30 AM TO 11.45 PM. THE FARE WILL BE $5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
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•/24 .........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
- 24 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN NOVEMBER ♦ »**»» 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: DATE TIME NOVEMBER 1 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 4 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 5 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 6 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 7 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 8 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 11 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 12 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 13 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 14 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 15 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 18 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 19 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 20 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 21 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 22 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 25 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 26 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 27 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM NOVEMBER 28 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 10 PM NOVEMBER 29 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
o
/25
PEAK
ARE
WILL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1991
25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS t * ♦ * ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 24.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 25.10.91 + 10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.1 »-0.1* 25.10.91
CLOSING YIELDS HONG KONG OF EXCHANGE GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND BILLS 25.10.91 FUND 24.10 .91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 3.96 PCT 3.95 PCT
1 MONTH 4.23 PCT 4.27 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.47 PCT 4.55 PCT
6 MONTHS 5.03 PCT 5.16 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.95 PCT 6.10 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 3,430 MN 4, 185 MN
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LAWN BOWLS IS GROWING IN POPULARITY: GOVERNOR .......................... 1
MAIN ISSUE TO COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IS IMPROVEMENT TO FLEXIBILITY: CHIEF SECRETARY ....................................................... 2
CS STRESSES THE NEED TO PROMOTE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ......... 3
RUN ON A DRUG-FREE ROAD ................................................ 5
FIGHT CRIME AMBASSADORS WANTED ......................................... 6
134,000 STUDENTS COMPETE IN CAREERS QUIZ ............................... 6
Waterfront race in yau tsim ............................................ 7
CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL FOR KOWLOON CTTY RESIDENTS .................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 9
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
LAWN BOWLS IS GROWING IN POPULARITY: GOVERNOR
**«**«
THE POPULARITY OF LAWN BOWLS IN HONG KONG IS STEADILY GROWING, AND SO IS THE SCOPE OF ITS FACILITIES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FOURTH PACIFIC BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 1991, SIR DAVID SAID THE FIRST ARTIFICIAL-GRASS BOWLING GREEN HAD JUST BEEN OPENED FOR PUBLIC USE. MORE WOULD FOLLOW SOON.
"THIS WILL PROVIDE GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE PEOPLE TO TAKE PART," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID LAWN BOWLS WHICH USED TO BE A SPORT MAINLY FOR EXPATRIATES WAS NOW MORE WIDELY BASED. ,.p
"YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH IT HAS CHANGED FROM THE STRONG LOCAL ELEMENT IN THE HONG KONG TEAM FOR THESE CHAMPIONSHIPS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID LAWN BOWLS WAS A SPORT ENJOYED BY MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, BOTH AS PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS.
"IT IS SOMETHING WE DO QUITE WELL," HE ADDED.
HE PRAISED THE HONG KONG LAWN BOWLING TEAM FOR THE VARIOUS TROPHIES IT CAME BACK WITH FROM INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS DURING THE LAST 20 YEARS.
"GOLD AND BRONZE MEDALS BROUGHT BACK FROM THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES LAST YEAR WERE ONLY THE LATEST OF A SERIES OF AWARDS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID BOWLING ON THE PACIFIC RIM HAD REACHED VERY HIGH STANDARDS.
"WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO AN EXCITING DISPLAY OF BOWLING SKILLS," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
- 2 -
MAIN ISSUE TO COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IS IMPROVEMENT TO FLEXIBILITY: CHIEF SECRETARY
THE MAIN ISSUE INVOLVING THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IS THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WANT TO SEE AN IMPROVEMENT IN FLEXIBILITY AND THAT’S WHAT WE’VE GOT TO SEE WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT CAN FIND A WAY FORWARD ON THAT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK, SIR DAVID SAID: ’’CLEARLY, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE PROPOSAL WHICH HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD, AND WE NOW HAVE TO CONSIDER HOW WE CAN MEET THEIR OTHER REQUIREMENT, WHICH IS, AND I THINK IT’S EVERYBODY’S REQUIREMENT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.”
"IT’S TOO EARLY TO SAY, I THINK, HOW WE MIGHT PROCEED. WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO FIND SOME COMPROMISE, SOME WAY FORWARD AND NOW WE WILL BE THINKING OF HOW WE CAN MADE PROGRESS ON THIS SUBJECT,” HE ADDED.
”WE WOULD LIKE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT THE COURT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE IN OPERATION UNTIL LATER, NEARER 1997 AND SO THERE IS NO GREAT RUSH TO GET IT DONE.
”1 DON’T THINK INCIDENTALLY, THAT WE ARE IN A SITUATION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS, WHICH SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS MADE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN, WE AS THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NOW TRY AND FIND A WAY. THERE IS NO CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS INVOLVED IN THAT,” SIR DAVID SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON REPORTS THAT SOME LEGCO MEMBERS FELT THE PROPOSALS ON THE FINAL COURT OF APPEAL WAS IN CONFLICT WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID: "WELL, OUR POSITION IS ALSO VERY CLEAR, THAT WE DON’T BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE BEEN AGREED BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, IS INCONSISTENT.”
’’NOW, CLEARLY THERE ARE LEGAL ARGUMENTS BETWEEN LAWYERS WITH DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW. WE ARE QUITE CLEAR IT ISN’T INCONSISTENT,” HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, SIR DAVID SAID
THERE WAS NO OTHER PRACTICAL SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO RETURN THOSE WHO ARE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BACK TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
’’AND I THINK THERE IS GROWING UNDERSTANDING AROUND THE WORLD OF THIS SITUATION, AND I THINK THAT INCLUDES THE UNITED STATES,” HE SAID.
’’NOW, CLEARLY, THEY AS A MATTER OF POLICY, THEY ARE BEING VERY CAREFUL HOW THEY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS, BUT I THINK THERE IS MORE UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFICULTY AND I THINK THAT WILL HELP US FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM,” HE ADDED.
/"WE MUST .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
"WE MUST KEEP TRYING TO WORK ON A WIDER AGREEMENT WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO FIND A WAY OUT OF THE PROBLEM," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO STRESSED THAT THE PROBLEM OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WAS A SERIOUS ONE: "WE HAVE 100,000 PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL EVERY YEAR AS A RESULT OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS. TWO-HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR PEOPLE DIED LAST YEAR AS A RESULT OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS."
"WE SIMPLY HAVE GOT TO IMPROVE THAT SITUATION IN HONG KONG WHICH IS A SOPHISTICATED PLACE, WE CANNOT GO ON WITH THAT LEVEL, HIGH LEVEL OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS," HE ADDED.
"WE Al.I. HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY; THE GOVERNMENT, THE EMPLOYERS AND THE EMPLOYEES. TOGETHER WE’VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND I THINK THE MEDIA HAS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLF. FO BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC GENERALLY,” SIR DAVID SAID.
- - - - 0------------
CS STRESSES THE NFED TO PROMOTE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH * * t ♦
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, STR DAVID FORD, TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID MUCH MORE WILL NEED TO BE DONE TO PROMOTE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK 1991, SIR DAVID SAID DESPITE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS HAD BEEN MADE IN RECENT YEARS IN LEGISLATIVE CONTROL AND PUBLICITY EFFORTS AIMED AT FOSTERING A GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS IN THESE MATTERS, IT SfcfeMED THAT WE HAD NOT DONE ENOUGH.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FIGURE FOR WORKER INJURY LAST YEAR WAS DAUNTING.
"OVER 100,000 WORKERS WERE ADMITTED TO THE CASUALTY WARDS OF HOSPITALS IN CONNECTION WITH INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING WORK, OF WHICH 244 CASES HAD RESULTED IN FATALITY," HE SAID.
LOOKED AT THE FIGURE FROM PERSPECTIVE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID ONE WAS TEMPTED TO SAY THAT THE FIGURE WAS ALREADY LOWER THAN THE FIGURE OF 124,000 INJURY CASES RECORDED FOR 1988.
"NO DOUBT, THE PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS IN THE INTERVENING YEARS HAVE HAD SOME SALUTARY EFFECT. BUT THERE CAN BE NO CAUSE FOR COMPLACENCY.
"MUCH MORE WILL NEED TO BE DONE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WHICH ALONE ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 25 PER CENT OF ALL OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS," HE STRESSED.
/SIR DAVID .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
4
SIR DAVID SAID THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY EOR HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE RESTED WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CREATED THE RISKS AND PEOPLE WHO WORKED WITH THEM.
THIS WAS THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND GOVERNMENT’S LEGISLATION WHICH IMPOSED A DUTY ON EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE A WORKPLACE THAT WAS SAFE AND HEALTHY, HE EXPLAINED.
"EQUALLY, EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO ADOPT SAFE WORKING PRACTICES SO AS NOT TO PUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FELLOW WORKERS AT UNNECESSARY RISK," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID APPEALED TO THE INDUSTRY TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO BECOME SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSCIOUS.
HE SAID LEGISLATION ALONE WAS NOT ENOUGH AND THAT SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE MUST BE ACHIEVED THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND CO-OPERATION OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
THE BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT ACHIEVING THIS, SAID SIR DAVID, WAS THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORT OF THE TRIPARTITE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL IN 1988 WAS A MANIFESTATION OF THIS APPROACH, HE SAID.
"I AM INDEED IMPRESSED BY THE SENSE OF COMMITMENT OF ITS MEMBERS AND ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN THF PAST THREE YEARS HAVE LAID A SOLID FOUNDATION I OR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
LOOKING AHEAD, THF CH I EE SECRETARY SAID THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH WAS PASSED ABOUT 11 MONTHS AGO, WOULD COME INTO EFFECT AT THE END OF THF. YEAR BRINGING THE 180,000 EMPLOYEES IN THE CATERING TRADE UNDER THE COVERAGE OF THE SAFETY LEGISLATION.
"OTHER LEGISLATIONS IN THE PIPELINE WILL AIM AT IMPROVING THE SAFETY PROVISIONS IN CONTAINER YARDS, IN NOISY INDUSTRIES AND IN THE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND GEARS IN CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.
"WE MUST BRING THE WORK ACC I DENT RATES DOWN. TOGETHER, WF SHALL BE ABLE TO DO IT," HE SAID.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
5
RUN ON A DRUG-FREE ROAD
♦ » ♦ * ♦
MORE THAN 500 RUNNERS WILL TAKE PART IN A (SUNDAY) ALONG SAI KUNG SAI WAN ROAD IN PAK PARK, SAI KUNG TO PROMOTE THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE.
LONG RUN TOMORROW
TAM CHUNG COUNTRY
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE TN THE RUN.
ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP, THE "RUN FOR A HEALTHY PURSUIT" RACE IS PART OF A SERIES OF PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S ANTI-nRUG FORTNIGHT NOW WELL UNDERWAY.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH TAKING PART IN SUCH HEALTHY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY YOUNGSTERS, WILL STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS.
THE RACE IS DIVIDED INTO THE MEN’S, WOMEN’S AND TEAM DIVISIONS. IT WILL START AT 9.30 AM.
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE A DISTANCE RANGING FROM SIX KILOMETRES TO 20 KILOMETRES. THE FIRST THREE WINNERS IN EACH DIVISION WILL RE AWARDED A TROPHY AND GIFT COUPONS.
ALL RUNNERS WILL BE GIVEN A T-SHIRT AND A SOUVENIR.
OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE ANTI-DRUG FORTNIGHT INCLUDE A RADIO DRAMA COMPETITION FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS, SEMINARS FOR TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS, A QUIZ AND A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ABUSING PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES.
THE NEWLY-PRODUCED DRUG EDUCATION TEACHING KIT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, A GUIDEBOOK FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS AND A COMIC BOOK FOR BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS HAVE ALSO BEEN RELEASED THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE RUN WILL START AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE ENTRANCE OF THP SAI KUNG SAI WXN ROAD IN PAK TAM CHUNG COUNTRY PARK, SAI KUNG. MEDIA COVERAGE IS INVITED.
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
6
FIGHT CRIME AMBASSADORS WANTED *****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IS INVITING FORM THREE TO FORM SIX STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO JOIN ITS ELITE FIGHT CRIME AMBASSADOR TEAM.
A FIGHT CRIME AMBASSADOR WILL BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DISSEMINATING ANTI-CRIME MESSAGES TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION, AND ORGANISING FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.
HE WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE PART IN A SERIES OF TRAINING SEMINARS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE AND TO HELP PRODUCE A FIGHT CRIME BOOKLET AND EXHIBITION PANELS.
IN ORDER TO BECOME AN AMBASSADOR, ONE MUST HAVE SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC BACKGROUND AND POSSESSES GOOD LEADERSHIP. IN ADDITION, HE MUST BE CONVERSANT WITH CURRENT AFFAIRS AND BE ENTHUSIASTIC IN SERVING SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY.
ALL APPLICANTS WILL GO THROUGH A RIGID SCREENING PROCESS FOR THE 10 AMBASSADOR VACANCIES.
THEY WILL BE REQUIRED FIRSTLY TO SIT FOR A WRITTEN EXAMINATION ON CURRENT AFFAIRS AND FIGHT CRIME KNOWLEDGE. THEN THEY NEED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW TO ASSESS THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND ABILITY OF EXPRESSION.
THE 10 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL EACH BE AWARDED A TROPHY AND BOOK COUPONS.
INTERESTED PARTIES CAN CONTACT THEIR SCHOOL OFFICES OR CALL 604 8078 EXT 34 FOR APPLICATION DETAILS. THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 11.
-----0------
134,000 STUDENTS COMPETE IN CAREERS QUIZ
*****
A RECORD NUMBER OF 134,000 STUDENTS FROM 284 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL COMPETE IN THE 10TH CAREERS QUIZ ORGANISED BY THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FROM NOVEMBER 1 TO 8.
"THE QUIZ IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE AMONG STUDENTS IN FORM 3 TO FORM 5 THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING SUITABLE CAREERS," A SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER, MRS CLARE SIU, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MRS SIU SAID IT WAS ALSO INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON CAREERS AND FURTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
"THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS TO THE QUIZ IS A GOOD INDICATION THAT MUCH IMPORTANCE IS ATTACHED TO CAREERS EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE," SHE ADDED.
/THE QUIZ .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
7
THE QUIZ IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92 WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM FEBRUARY 20 TO 23 NEXT YEAR.
ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE EXPOSITION WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 200 EXHIBITORS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AS WELL AS LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING INSTITUTES.
MRS SIU SAID STUDENTS TAKING PART IN THE QUIZ WOULD HAVE TO ANSWER 50 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS RELATING TO CAREERS INFORMATION, TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING LOCAL EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION.
•'ATTRACTIVE PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNING SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS,” SHE NOTED.
THE THREE SCHOOLS WITH THE HIGHEST AVERAGE MARKS IN EACH FORM WILL BE PRESENTED WITH TROPHIES, WHILE THE THREE HIGHEST-SCORING STUDENTS IN EACH FORM ARE EACH TO RECEIVE A PERSONAL COMPUTER.
THE PRIZES WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PRIZES AND SOUVENIRS FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENTS.
THE ANSWER SHEETS OF THE QUIZ WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE PRIZES ARE SPONSORED BY THE PHILIPS CHINA HONG KONG GROUP.
--------0-----------
WATERFRONT RACE IN YAU TSIM
MORE THAN 340 RUNNERS WILL COMPETE IN THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT PROMENADE RACE TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE 4,200-METRE RACE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE PARK, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE RUNNERS WILL START NEAR THE NEW WORLD HOTEL AND PROCEED ALONG THE PROMENADE TO THE HONG KONG COLISEUM BEFORE RETURNING TO THE STARTING POINT.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD PRIOR TO THE RACE.
/OFFICIATING GUESTS .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
8
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER FERRY; AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR WONG KWOK-TUNG; A YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR YANG TZE-KIANG; AND PRESIDENT OF THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR CHAN YUM-TONG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT PROMENADE RACE AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE PARK TOMORROW (SUNDAY) BEGINNING AT 9 AM.
THE RACE WILL START AT THE PARK BEHIND THE NEW WORLD HOTEL.
--------0-----------
CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL FOR KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS
ABOUT 6,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN A CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE. THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE, TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE PART IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND ELECTIONS.
THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE GAMES STALLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED WITH THE THEME OF CIVIC EDUCATION, BAND PERFORMANCES, FOLK DANCES, A KARAOKE SESSION AND PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS.
THE CARNIVAL WILL START AT 2 PM AND LAST UNTIL 5.30 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MR LAU CHIN-SHEK AND MR LAM KUI-SHING, KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN MR WONG SIK-KONG, AND DISTRICT OFFICER MR WILLIAM YAP WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CARNIVAL’S OPENING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION DAY AT THE ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 2 PM TO 5.30 PM. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM.
/9 ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1991
9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
DATE $ MILLION
25.10.91 600
26.10.91 NEUTRAL
NEUTRAL
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
CONTENTS ' PAGE NO.
$135M PROJECT TO IMPROVE YUEN LONG NULLAH ............................. 1
RAT PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS NEXT MONTH .............'................ 1
LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE DRAWS KEEN RESPONSE ......................... 2
53 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN AUGUST .............................. 3
CHILD SUPPLEMENT FOR FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE .............;........ 4
NOMINATION INVITED FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH AWARDS SCHEME ................. 5
EASTERN CLEAN HK FORTNIGHT STARTS ....................................... 6
YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH .................................. 7
SEMINAR ON ADOPTION SERVICES FOR CHIDLREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ............ 8
WATER CUT IN EAST KOWLOON ............................................... 9
BARGAINS AT CSD AUTUMN FAIR ............................................. 9
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
S135M PROJECT TO IMPROVE YUEN LONG NULLAH ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EMBARKED ON A $135 MILLION PROJECT T TACKLE THE POLLUTION PROBLEM OF THE YUEN LONG NULLAH, THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN AT THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL, MR IP SAID THE PROJECT WOULD INCLUDE DESILTING THE WATERWAY, AND BUILDING LOW FLOW CHANNELS AND INFLATABLE DAMS.
"THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
ON OTHER MATTERS, MR IP STRESSED THAT THE RIGHT TO VOTE LN ELECTIONS WAS AN IMPORTANT RIGHT ENJOYED BY HONG KONG CITIZENS.
"THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY, WHICH INCLUDES YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICTS, HAS BEEN FIXED FOR DECEMBER 8 (SUNDAY)," HE SAID.
HE CALLED ON REGISTERED VOTERS NOT TO MISS THIS CHANCE TO ELECT THEIR IDEAL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE COUNCIL.
THE HONG KONG TOURISM CARNIVAL WAS HELD AT THE TOWN HALL AFTER THE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN OPENING CEREMONY.
BESIDES STALL GAMES, THERE WAS AN EXHIBITION ON TOCHIS'1' ATTRACTIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM UNTIL OCTOBER 30. ADMISSION IS FREE.
- - 0 - -
RAT PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS NEXT MONTH *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE LAUNCHING A TERRITORY-WIDE RAT PREVENTION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS (NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER) TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAN AND HYGIENIC ENVIRONMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY' (SUNDAY) THAT THE CAMPAIGN, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, AIMS TO HIGHLIGHT THE HAZARDS TO HEALTH THAT RATS BRING.
HE CALLED FOR THE PUBLIC’S FULL CO-OPERATION IN CARRYING OUT RODENT CONTROL MEASURES, POINTING OUT THAT RATS CREATE NUISANCE AND DAMAGE HOME FURNITURE AND FITTINGS.
RATS ARE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
■
2 -
"RATS ARE NOT ONLY CARRIERS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES SUCH AS PLAQUE AND TYPHUS, THEY ALSO INDIRECTLY TRANSMIT GASTRO-INTESTINA’ DISEASES SUCH AS CHOLERA, TYPHOID FEVER AND FOOD POISONING," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, EDUCATIONAL LITERATURES ON RAT PREVENTION SUCH AS POSTERS, ADVISORY LETTERS AND LEAFLETS WILL HI-. DISTRIBUTED TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT BODIES, OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, FOOD PREMISES, MARKETS, HOUSING ESTATES AND SCHOOLS.
A 24-HOUR TELEPHONE SERVICE (723 0013) WILL ALSO BE IN OPERATION TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC A PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE IN CANTONESE O' RAT PREVENTION.
AS FOR THE ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE ON RAT PREVENTION, THIS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT PEST CONTROL UNITS OF THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE HEED OF THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO PREVENT RAT INFESTATION:
* IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION TO DEPRIVE RATS OF FOOD SUPPLIES;
* KEEP BUILDINGS IN GOOD REPAIR AND FILL UP CRACKED PAVINGS AND HOLES IN WALLS TO DEPRIVE RATS OF HARBOURAGE;
* KEEP PREMISES AND COMMON PARTS OF BUILDINGS CLEAN AND FREE FROM DISUSED FURNITURE AND JUNK;
* STORE FOOD PROPERLY IN COVERED CONTAINERS; AND
* STORE FOOD WASTE AND REFUSE IN TIGHTLY COVERED DUSTBINS PENDING DISPOSAL.
- - 0 - -
LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE DRAWS KEEN RESPONSE ******
THE HONG KONG LABOUR RELATIONS 91 CONFERENCE TO BE HELD EARLY NEXT MONTH IS SET TO HELP EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES MEET BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES IN A FAST CHANGING ECONOMY SUCH AS HONG KONG, A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SENIOR OFFICIAL SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS THE LARGEST AND THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND HELD IN HONG KONG WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS IN OUR NEW POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMJ
ENVIRONMENT," THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, MR JAMES YEUNG, SAID.
/"THE FACT
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
3
"THE FACT THAT THE EVENT WAS WELL-SUBSCRIBED BY MANY LEADING COMPANIES IN THE PAST YEARS IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF ITS SUCCESS AND POPULARITY WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS," MR YEUNG STRESSED.
"WE HAVE SO FAR RECEIVED ABOUT 500 APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT FROM EMPLOYERS, SENIOR MANAGERS, TRADE UNION LEADERS, SCHOLARS AND PROFESSIONALS.
"APPLICATION IS STILL OPEN AND THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENROL IMMEDIATELY," HE ADDED.
THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE, WHICH CARRIES THE THEME "LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG’S CHANGING ECONOMIC SCENE", WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
IT IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
EXPERTS IN THE FIELD FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE INVITED TO TALK ON SUCH TOPICS AS CORPORATE STRATEGIES IN THE PURSUIT OF TOTAL QUALITY IN TIMES OF RAPID CHANGES, LABOUR SHORTAGE AND DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE UNION MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG IN THE 90’S.
OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE CONSULTATION AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS FOR FORMULATING LEGISLATION IN THE NEW POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE STATE OF LABOUR RELATIONS IN THE RAPIDLY CHANGING ECONOMIES OF SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN.
THERE WILL ALSO BE WORKSHOPS ON VARIOUS OTHER SUBJECTS, RANGING FROM CASE STUDIES OF EMPLOYERS’ MEASURES TO TACKLE LABOUR SHORTAGE TO LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC REALITIES IN THE 90'S AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO SHARE EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE CONDUCTED MAINLY IN CANTONESE, WITH SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION SERVICE IN MOST PARTS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM ALL LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 834 9311, 834 9307 OR 834 9335.
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53 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN AUGUST
******
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE. OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 53 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN AUGUST.
OF THESE, 23 WERE FOR KOWLOON AND 15 EACH FOR HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/THE APPROVED........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 34 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/ COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, FIVE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND THREE FOK EITHER FACTORY, WORKSHOP OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 48 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 29,179.4 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 282,113.1 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA .
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $2,270 MILLION. USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 112,766.5 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 168,852.6 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 49 OCCUPATION PERMITS; 17 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND AND 16 EACH FOR KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 28 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 56 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 592 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,171 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 229 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 604 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED THREE EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
_ _ 0 - -
CHILD SUPPLEMENT FOR FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
*******
CHILDREN OF FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WILL BE ENTITLED TO A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT OF $185 PER MONTH, STARTING NEXT MONTH, TO COPE WITH NEEDS FOR THEIR FULL DEVELOPMENT, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE CHILD SUPPLEMENT IS A PROPOSAL IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND PUBLISHED IN MARCH.
"AN ESTIMATED 20,000 CHILDREN ARE EXPECTED TO BE BENEFITTED FROM THE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT WHICH WILL BE PAID TO CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15 AND THOSE UP TO 18 IF THEY ARE RECEIVING FULL-TIME EDUCATION AND NOT RECEIVING EDUCATIONAL GRANTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT PRESENT, APART FROM A BASIC RATE FOR A CHILD’S MAINTENANCE, FAMILIES MAY RECEIVE ADDITIONAL GRANTS TO COVER THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN ON AN ITEM-BY-ITEM BASTS.
/FOR INSTANCE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
- 5
FOR INSTANCE, ALLOWANCES TO MEET SCHOOL FEES, COSTS OF SCHOO!. UNIFORMS AND TEXTBOOKS, FARES TO SCHOOL, AND FEES FOR NURSERIES OR CRECHES ARE ALSO PAID.
’’HOWEVER, IT WAS AGREED THAT IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC RATE AH WELL AS THE SPECIAL GRANTS TO MEET ACTUAL EXPENSES INCURRED, A CHILD SUPPLEMENT SHOULD BE PAID FOR THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS LIKE THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
THE CHILD SUPPLEMENT, PAID AT A FLAT RATE OF SI 85 BASED ON ONE-QUARTER OF THE PREVAILING BASIC RATE TO A SINGLE PFRSON, IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED TO CHILDREN ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN FOR EXTRA FOOD, CLOTHING AND EXPENSES RELATED TO SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES COULD BE MET BY THE SUPPLEMENT, HE ADDED.
SWD’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS WILL ARRANGE TO MAKE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR EXISTING CASES.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS CAN CONTACT SW! FIELD UNITS BY PHONE OR IN PERSON.
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NOMINATION INVITED FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH AWARDS SCHEME
******
THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME FOR OPEN FOR NOMINATION.
1992
IS NOW
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND VOLUNTARY BODIES COULD NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE SCHEME.
"YOUNG PEOPLE CAN ALSO NOMINATE THEMSELVES IF THE1 THINK THEIR YOUTH PROJECTS HAVE MET THE CRITERIA UNDER THE SCHEME, HE SAID.
CREATED IN 1985 TO COMMEMORATE THE SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO RECOGNISE MADE BY YOUNG PEOPLE AGED UNDER 30 SOCIETIES, HE SAID.
THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR, AND REWARD THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR
ACHIEVEMENTS OF YOUTH WORKING MAY SERVE AS AN
"IT IS ALSO MEANT TO RECOGNISE
IN SMALL GROUPS, NORMALLY 20 OR FEWER, WHICH INSPIRATION TO OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER.
"ANOTHER OBJECTIVE IS TO FOSTER CO-OPERATION AND IDEAS AND EXPERIENCE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE," HE SAID.
EXCHANGE OF
/THIS YEAR .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, TWO PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS BY LOCAL YOUTHS WILL BE SELECTED TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE SCHEME.
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, HONG KONG HAS WON THE AWARD TWICE, IN 1986 AND LAST YEAR BY THE CHEUNG WAH CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE’S "GREEN MOVEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN” PROJECT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UP TO FIVE AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN EACH YEAR WITH NO MORE THAN TWO FOR A SINGLE COUNTRY OR TERRITORY REPRESENTED UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
AWARDS WILL TAKE THE FORM OF A GRANT OF $1,000 TO THE WINNING PROJECT TEAM TO ENABLE THEM TO FURTHER THEIR TEAM’S WORK, HE SAID, ADDING THAT LETTERS OF COMMENDATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO TWO OTHER OUTSTANDING TEAMS EACH YEAR.
NOMINATIONS, TO BE SUPPORTED BY PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS, SHOULD REACH THE YOUTH DIVISION, CNTA, 31ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
HONG KONG’S TWO SELECTED PROJECTS WILL BE SENT TO MALE, REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES, FOR ADJUDICATION BY THE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS PANEL IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 835 1371.
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EASTERN CLEAN HK FORTNIGHT STARTS * * * * »
THE EASTERN DISTRICT’S CLEAN HONG KONG FORTNIGHT STARTS TODAY (SUNDAY).
MORE THAN 30 PEOPLE, INCLUDING SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, TOURED THE HARBOUR TODAY ON BOARD SIX SAMPANS TO PUT ACROSS THE "CLEAN HONG KONG" MESSAGE.
LED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, AND THE DB CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, THEY DISTRIBUTED COLOURFUL PENNANTS AND UMBRELLAS TO BOAT DWELLERS.
A POPULAR THEME SONG WAS ALSO BROADCAST TO ENHANCE THE FLOATING POPULATION’S AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE HARBOUR CLEAN.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DB’S CLEAN HONG KONG WORKING GROUP, MR KONG TZE-WING, SAID AT THE FUNCTION’S LAUNCHING THAT THE TWO-WEEK PROGRAMME WOULD NOT ONLY BE TARGETTED AT BOAT DWELLERS, BUT RESIDENTS ON LAND AS WELL.
/"WITH ASSISTANCE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
7
’’WITH ASSISTANCE FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS, POSTERS ON ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE WILL BE DISPLAYED AT PROMINENT LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT’S RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
"IN ADDITION, A LIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL BLACK SPOTS IDENTIFIED BY AREA COMMITTEES HAS ALREADY BEEN REFERRED TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS,” HE SAID.
ALSO TAKING PART IN TODAY’S PUBLICITY TOUR WERE DB MEMBERS MR MAN SAI-CHEONG, MS CHRISTINA TING, MR ALEXANDER FU AND MR HO SIU-CHAM.
IT STARTED AT ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, WHERE THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY WAS HELD, AND ALSO COVERED CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND THF CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS PROGRAMME HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE "CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGN”.
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YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH
YOUNG STRING PLAYERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TOGETHER TO DEVELOP THEIR MUSICAL TALENTS THROUGH A SERIES OF CONCERTS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND MASTERCLASSES IN THE 1991 HONG KONG YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 10 TO 16.
THE FESTIVAL IS THE THIRD OF ITS KIND ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST AND UNDERSTANDING IN STRING MUSIC.
THE FESTIVAL WILL START WITH AN INTERFLOW CONCERT AT SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON NOVEMBER 10 DURING WHICH ABOUT 800 TEENAGE MUSICIANS WILL PERFORM A NUMBER OF FAMOUS CLASSICAL PIECES. ADMISSION IS FREE.
APART FROM THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL YOUNG MUSICIANS, TWO ACCLAIMED ASIAN ARTISTS, NAMELY KOREAN VIOLINIST MISS KIM NAM-YUN AND AMERICAN CHINESE CELLIST MISS ANGELA LEE, WILL BE INVITED TO GIVE LECTURES AND MASTERCLASSES DURING THE FESTIVAL.
THE TWO WILL ALSO PERFORM AT THE CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT AND THE FINALE CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS ON NOVEMBER 15 AND 16 RESPECTIVELY. BOTH CONCERTS WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
/PIECES TO .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
- 8
PIECES TO BE PERFORMED IN THE TWO CONCERTS INCLUDE BRITTEN’S SIMPLE SYMPHONY FOR STRING ORCHESTRA (FOURTH MOVEMENT), MENDELSSOHN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO, ELGAR’S CELLO CONCERTO AND BRAHMS’S DOUBLE CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN AND CELLO.
TO ADD COLOUR TO THE FESTIVAL, A VIOLIN SOLI CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL ON NOVEMBER 12. A NUMBER OF STRING ENSEMBLES FROM VARIOUS SCHOOLS AND AMATEUR GROUPS WILL BE COMPETING..
TICKETS FOR THE CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT AT $20 AND $40 EACH AND FOR THE FINALE CONCERT AT $30 AND S50 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBT1X OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 802 0657.
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SEMINAR ON ADOPTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
******
TO ENHANCE
A ONE-DAY SEMINAR IS TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH
AND SERVICE-PROVIDERS’ AWARENESS AND SUPPORT OF CHILDREN WITH NEEDS AWAITING ADOPTION, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD)
PUBLIC SPECIAL
SPOKESMAN
SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MORE THAN 120 PEOPLE, INCLUDING ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND FRONT-LINE WORKERS IN CHILD WELFARE SERVICE, WILL ATTEND THE SEMINAR WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY SWD’S ADOPTION UNIT, THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE (HONG KONG BRANCH), MOTHER’S CHOICE AND THE ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND.
GUEST SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG) OF SWD, MRS PATRICIA CHU, AND SUPERINTENDENT OF PINE HILL VILLAGE, MS NORA WONG.
EXPERTS IN THE ADOPTION FIELD FROM THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA WILL ALSO GIVE TALKS ON THE SERVICES ABROAD.
THE OCCASION WILL SURELY BE A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR SHARING AND EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ON NOVEMBER 1 (FRIDAY), BEGINNING AT 9.30 AM.
/9 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1991
9
WATER CUT IN EAST KOWLOON *****
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO SOME AREAS IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BISUSPENDED ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 29) FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, CHOI HUNG ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, PING SHEK ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN’ TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT, SHUN LEE TSUEN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, NGAU TAU KOK, JORDAN VALLEY, KOWLOON BAY, KWUN TONG, LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING AND CHA KWO LING.
- - 0 - -
BARGAINS AT CSD AUTUMN FAIR
*****
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) WILL HOLD A BARGAIN SALE OF STUFFED TOYS AND HANDICRAFT ITEMS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT ITS AUTUMN FAIR ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS. •
THE FAIR MARKS THE ANNUAL SALE OF ARTS AND HANDICRAFT PRODUCTS MADE BY INMATES DURING THEIR DETENTION IN VARIOUS PENAL INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT.
’’THE PURPOSE OF THE FAIR IS TO MOTIVATE THE INMATES TO ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THEIR FUTURE AS WELL AS TO ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY," A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE FAIR HAD BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY BARGAIN HUNTERS.
"LAST YEAR, OUR FAIR ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF VISITORS WHO WERE GENERALLY HAPPY WITH THE WIDE RANGE OF GOOD-QUALITY AND LOW-PRICE PRODUCTS ON SALE THERE," HE ADDED.
PRODUCTS OFFERED AT THE FAIR THIS YEAR WILL INCLUDE STUFFED TOYS, HANDICRAFTS, RATTAN AND WOODEN FURNITURE. THEY WILL BE ON SALE AT SOME 30 STALLS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE GAME STALLS FOR CHILDREN.
IN ADDITION, THE TAI TAM GIRL PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM AND CAPE COLLINSON BAND WILL PERFORM AT THE FAIR.
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD BETWEEN NOON AND 5 PM AT THE FOOTBALL FIELD NEXT TO STANLEY PRISON. ADMISSION IS FREE.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NCL
POPULATION INCREASES BY 11 PER CENT IN 10 YEARS ...................... 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER RELEASED ........................
O
'UNTAGGED’ VEGETABLES FROM CHINA DESTROYED ...........................
INSURERS URGED TO DEVELOP CODE OF SUPERVISION FOR AGENTS .............
CIVIL SERVANTS EXCHANGE PROGRAMME WITH CANADA ........................
PAPER RECYCLING SCHEME IN NORTH DISTRICT ............................. 11
12
HISTORICAL ALBUM FOR HK TO BE ON SALE ................................
SECOND COLUMBARIUM TO OPEN AT CAPE COLLINSON .........................
........... 13
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .....................................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
1
POPULATION INCREASES BY 11 PER CENT IN 10 YEARS ♦ * » ♦ »
THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG HAS INCREASED BY 11 PER CENT OR 564,000 IN NUMBER OVER THE LAST DECADE TO 5,674,000, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS.
THE RESULTS ALSO SHOWED THAT SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED IN EDUCATION, HOUSING AND THE INCOME OF THE POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN THE GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION AND THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE WORKING POPULATION.
ANNOUNCING THE CENSUS RESULTS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR BENJAMIN MOK, SAID THE POPULATION GROWTH WAS SLOWER IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE DECADE THAN IN THE FIRST HALF.
HE SAID THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE AVERAGED 1.5 PER CENT OVER THE PERIOD 1981-1986, BUT ONLY 0.6 PER CENT OVER THE PERIOD 1986-1991.
MR MOK SAID THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS SHOWED A TOTAL OF 5,674,000 LOCAL RESIDENTS, 36,000 TRANSIENTS AND 52,000 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN THE TERRITORY ON THE CENSUS REFERENCE DATE, MARCH 15 THIS YEAR.
THE 5.7 MILLION LOCAL RESIDENTS INCLUDED 5,522,000 RESIDENTS PRESENT IN HONG KONG AND 152,000 RESIDENTS TEMPORARILY AWAY FROM HONG KONG ON THAT DATE.
THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL REDISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS.
THE RESIDENT POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES INCREASED MARKEDLY FROM 1.3 MILLION IN 1981 TO 2.4 MILLION THIS YEAR.
IN KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON, THE POPULATION DROPPED FROM 2.5 MILLION TO 2 MILLION IN THE PERIOD.
THE POPULATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND STABILISED AT ABOUT 1.2 MILLION.
"THE NEW TOWNS RECORDED THE LARGEST POPULATION GROWTH: SHA TIN QUADRUPLED ITS POPULATION SIZE WHILE BOTH TUEN MUN AND SAI KUNG TRIPLED THEIRS," MR MOK SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE OLD URBAN AREAS SUCH AS YAU TSIM, MONG KOK, WAN CHAI AND WONG TAI SIN EXPERIENCED A SUBSTANTIAL POPULATION DECREASE, RESULTING IN A DECLINE IN POPULATION DENSITY.
MEANWHILE, THE POPULATION BECAME OLDER DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS WITH THE MEDIAN AGE RISING FROM 26 YEARS IN 1981 TO 32 YEARS THIS YEAR.
"THIS IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO A CONTINUAL FERTILITY DECLINE AND A MARKED MORTALITY IMPROVEMENT EXPERIENCED BY THE POPULATION," MR MOK SAID.
/COMPARING THE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
- 2 -
COMPARING THE 1981 AND 1991 POPULATION PYRAMIDS, THE BASE OF THE 1991 PYRAMID SHRUNK OWING TO A REDUCTION IN THE PROPORTION OP CHILDREN UNDER AGE 15.
HOWEVER, THE APEX OF THE PYRAMID GREW BIGGER BECAUSE OF AN INCREASE IN THE PROPORTION OF THE ELDERLY AGED 65 AND OVER, HE EXPLAINED.
MR MOK ALSO SAID THE LABOUR FORCE INCREASED FROM 2.5 MILLION IN 1981 TO 2. 8 MILLION THIS YEAR DESPITE A DROP IN THE OVERALL LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE FROM 67 PER CENT IN 1981 TO 64 PER CENT THIS YEAR.
"AS A RESULT OF AGING OF THE POPULATION, THE LABOUR FORCE HAD BECOME OLDER, WITH ITS MEDIAN AGE INCREASING FROM 32 YEARS TO 34 YEARS IN THE PERIOD," HE SAID.
ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF THE WORKING POPULATION WERE MANAGERS, ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONALS AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS, WHEREAS WORKERS IN ELEMENTARY OCCUPATIONS SUCH AS CLEANERS, MESSENGERS, WATCHMEN AND FREIGHT HANDLERS MADE UI' ONE-FIFTH OF THE WORKING POPULATION.
MEANWHILE, THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE WORKING POPULATION HAD ALSO CHANGED WITH A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKERS IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS AND SERVICES INDUSTRIES HAD SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THEIR NUMBER OF WORKERS.
MR MOK ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE INCOME OF WORKERS FROM MAIN EMPLOYMENT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS.
THIS YEAR, THE MEDIAN PERSONAL EARNINGS WAS $5,170 PER MONTH, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 241 PER CENT OVER THAT IN 1981.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE INFLATION RATE AS MEASURED BY THE INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) WAS 116 PER CENT.
"THIS SUGGESTS THAT THERE* WAS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE EARNINGS OF WORKERS IN REAL .TERMS," HE SAID.
ON EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF THE POPULATION, THE COMMISSIONER SAID THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT.
HE SAID THE PROPORTION OF POPULATION WITH SECONDARY OR HIGHER EDUCATION INCREASED FROM 50 PER CENT IN 1981 TO 62 PER CENT THIS YEAR.
FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION THE PROPORTION INCREASED FROM SEVEN PER CENT TO ELEVEN PER CENT. FOR DEGREE COURSES, IN PARTICULAR, THE INCREASE WAS FROM THREE PER CENT TO SIX PER CENT.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO SAID THE HOUSING CONDITIONS ALSO IMPROVED MARKEDLY DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS.
/OVER THE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
3
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF ’COMPARISON, THE MEDIAN MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME ROSE FROM $2,960 TO $9,960, OR A 237 PER CEN'l INCREASE.
HOUSEHOLDS OWNING THEIR PREMISES INCREASED FROM 28 PER CENT IN 1981 TO 43 PER CENT THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
"THOSE WHO DID NOT LIVE IN THEIR OWN PREMISES PAID A MEDIAN RENT OF $3,600 A MONTH FOR A PRIVATE FLAT IN 1991. THIS COMPARES WITH A MEDIAN RENT OF $700 PAID FOR A UNIT IN PUBLIC AND AIDED HOUSING,"HE SAID.
ABOUT 37 PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS LIVED IN PUBLIC AND AIDED HOUSING, WHICH WAS HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING SHARE OE 33 PER CENT IN 1981.
FOR HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN ESTATES OF THE HOME OWNERS’ IP SCHEME, THE PROPORTION INCREASED FROM ONE PER CENT IN 1981 TO SEVEN PER CENT THIS YEAR.
THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING (FROM NINE PER CENT IN 1981 TO FOUR PER CENT THIS YEAR) AND IN ROOMS/BEDSPACES IN PRIVATE HOUSING BLOCKS (FROM 21 PER CENT IN 1981 TO EIGHT PER CENT IN 1991).
HE SAID THE AVERAGE DEGREE OF SHARING ALSO DROPPED FROM 1.2 HOUSEHOLDS PER LIVING QUARTERS TO 1.1.
THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE DECREASED FROM 3.9 PERSONS PER HOUSEHOLD IN 1981 TO 3.4 THIS YEAR.
"HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION ALSO CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY," HE SAID.
"THERE WERE MORE HOUSEHOLDS CONSISTING OF ONE UNEXTENDED NUCLEAR FAMILY, THAT IS, A MARRIED COUPLE WITH OR WITHOUT UNMARRIED CHILDREN OR A SINGLE PARENT WITH ONE OR MORE UNMARRIED CHILDREN," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE THE PROPORTION OF SUCH HOUSEHOLDS INCREASED FROM 54 PER CENT IN 1981 TO 62 PER CENT THIS YEAR.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS CONSISTING OF ONE EXTENDED NUCLEAR FAMILY OR MULTIPLE NUCLEAR FAMILIES DROPPED SUBSTANTIALLY.
ON LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME, MR MOK SAID CANTONESE WAS THE MOST COMMON ONE BEING USED BY 89 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION.
ANOTHER SEVEN PER CENT OF THE POPULATION CLAIMED THAT THEY COULD SPEAK THE DIALECT.
ENGLISH WAS SPOKEN AT HOME BY ONLY TWO PER CENT OF THE POPULATION, HOWEVER, ANOTHER 29 PER CENT REPORTED THAT THEY COULD SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID THESE AND OTHER SUMMARY FINDINGS OF THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WERE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT "HONG KONG 1991 POPULATION CENSUS SUMMARY RESULTS".
/MORE DETAILED .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON‘ THE POPULATION WOULD BE PUBLISHED NEXT YEAR IN ANOTHER SERIES OF REPORTS, INCLUDING THE MAIN REPORT ON THE CENSUS.
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT "SUMMARY RESULTS" WOULD AVAILABLE FOR SALE TOMORROW (TUESDAY). THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE REPORT AND THE OTHER STATISTICAL REPORTS AND MAP PACKS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE SOMETIME AFTER THE MIDDLE OF NFXT MONTH.
------0--------
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR SEPTEMBER RELEASED *****
1984/85-BASED CPI’S (SEE TABLE 1)
THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) FOR SEPTEMBER 1991 WAS 11.5% HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1990, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY).
THIS WAS CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THE RATES OF INCREASE OF 12.6% IN JULY AND 12.7% IN AUGUST, AND WAS THE LOWEST RATE RECORDED SINCE FEBRUARY 1991.
THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(B) FOR SEPTEMBER 1991 WAS 11.2% HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1990. THIS WAS ALSO LOWER THAN THE RATES OI-INCREASE OF 11.9% IN JULY AND 12.0% IN AUGUST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID THERE HAD IN FACT BEEN A GRADUAL EASING IN INFLATIONARY PRESSURES SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR.
"THE PICK-UP IN THE INFLATION RATE IN JULY AND AUGUST WAS LARGELY DUE TO A TEMPORARY UPSURGE IN THE PRICES OF CERTAIN ESSENTIAL FOODSTUFFS," HE SAID.
"AS THESE TEMPORARY EFFECTS SUBSIDED, THE INFLATION RATE HAS RESUMED ITS EARLIER TREND OF EASING, MODERATING CONSIDERABLY TO 11.5 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, FROM 12.7 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH."
COMMENTING ON THE INDIVIDUAL PRICE COMPONENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES IN SEPTEMBER 1991 WERE LOWER THAN A YEAR EARLIER AND THE INCREASE IN SCHOOL FEES WAS MORE MODERATE THIS TIME.
"IN ADDITION, AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COUNTER-INFLATION MEASURES ANNOUNCED EARLIER, RENTALS IN SOME PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, WHICH ARE NORMALLY RAISED IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, ARE FROZEN AT THE CURRENT LEVEL FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR," HE ADDED.
"A HIGH BASE OF COMPARISON IN SEPTEMBER 1990,- LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER OIL PRODUCT PRICES DUE TO THE GULF CRISIS, ALSO CONTRIBUTED IN PART TO THE SLOW-DOWN IN THE INFLATION RATE IN SEPTEMBER."
/THE FINANCIAL .......
MONDAY. OCTOBER 28, 1991
5
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WELCOMED THESE LATEST FIGURES .S "ENCOURAGING" BUT ADDED THAT INFLATION WAS STILL A SERIOUS PROBLEM A..D WAS LIKELY TO MODERATE ONLY SLOWLY.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, MORE MODERATE INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE FUEL AND LIGHT COMPONENT (3.2%», FOLLOWED BY DURABLE GOODS (3.9%); CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (6.1%); AND FOODSTUFFS, EXCLUDING MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME (9.6%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, FASTER INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO FOR HOME CONSUMPTION (41.4%); SERVICES (13.9%); MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME (13.2%); AND TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES (12.4%).
FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1991, THE "'ER.'GE CPI ( '.) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) INCREASED BY 12.4% AND 11.9% RESPECTIVELY OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1990.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1991, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE 12.1% AND 11.7% RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1990.
FOR SEPTEMBER 1991, THE 1984/85-BASED HANG SENG CPI WAS 10.1% HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1990. FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1991, THE AVERAGE HANG SENG CPI INCREASED BY 11.4% OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1990. FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1991, THE HANG SENG CPI WAS UP BY 11.5% COMPARED WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1990.
1989/90-BASED CPI’S (SEE TABLE 2)
THE 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) FOR SEPTEMBER 1991 BOTH INCREASED BY 0.7% COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1991. THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO PRICE INCREASES IN THE SERVICES COMPONENT. SPECIFICALLY, THERE WERE INCREASES IN THE PRICES OF TEXTBOOKS, NURSERY CHARGES AND SCHOOL FEES.
WITHIN THE HOUSING COMPONENT, PUBLIC HOUSING RENTALS SHOWED VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER 1991 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1991, WHILE PRIVATE HOUSING RENTALS RECORDED AN INCREASE.
AS FOR THE FOODSTUFFS COMPONENT, FOODSTUFFS (EXCLUDING MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME) REGISTERED A DECLINE IN SEPTEMBER 1991 OVER AUGUST 1991, LARGELY DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES. CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS, HOWEVER, CONTINUED TO INCREASE.
THE 1989/90-BASED HANG SENG CPI FOR SEPTEMBER 1991 INCREASED BY 1.0% COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1991.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RELEASE THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CP1(B) IN PARALLEL WITH THE NEW SERIES OF 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) UNTIL MARCH 1992, AFTER WHICH THE FORMER SERIES WILL BE DISCONTINUED.
/MORE DETAILS .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR SEPTEMBER 1991, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $7 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAJ 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 TEL. 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
TABLE 1 CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B) (OCT. 84 - SEP. 85 = 100) FOR SEPTEMBER 1991 COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1990
(OCTOBER 1984 TO CPI(A) SEPTEMBER 1985 = 100) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR SEP. 91 % CHANGE OVER SEP. 90 INDEX FOR SEP. 91 % CHANGE OVER SEP. 90
FOODSTUFFS 164.1 + 11.4 166.4 + 11.7
MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME 183.9 + 13.2 184.5 + 13.1
FOODSTUFFS, EXCLUDING MEALS 147.2 + 9.6 148.6 + 10.1
BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME
HOUSING 152.0 + 11.3 146.0 + 11.6
FUEL AND LIGHT 111.9 + 3.2 111.2 + 3.3
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 223.3 + 41.4 220.9 + 38.9
(FOR HOME CONSUMPTION)
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 154.4 + 6.1 158.8 + 6.8
DURABLE GOODS 131.3 + 3.9 130.3 + 3.9
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 149.6 + 7.6 149.8 + 7.2
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 176.4 + 12.4 174.8 + 11.4
SERVICES 191.9 + 13.9 189.2 + 13.5
ALL ITEMS 162.3 + 11.5 161.2 + 11.2
THE 1984/85-BASED CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF ABOUT 50% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $2,000-$6,499 A MONTH IN 1984/85.
THE CPl(B) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE NEXT 30% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $6,500-$9,999 IN THE SAME PERIOD.
/(THE 1984 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
7
(THE 1984/85-BASED HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF ABOUT 10% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $ 10,000-424,999 IN 1984/85.)
TABLE 2 CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B) (OCT. 89 - SEP. 90 = 100) FOR SEPTEMBER 1991 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1991
(OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 = 100)
CPI(A) CP1(B)
SECTION INDEX % CHANGE INDEX % CHANGE
FOR OVER FOR OVER
SEP. 91 AUG. 91 SEP. 91 AUG. 91
FOODSTUFFS 116.9' +0.1 117.4 +0.3 MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME 119.4 +0.5 119.4 +0.5 FOODSTUFFS, EXCLUDING MEALS 114.5 -0.3 114.5 -01 BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME HOUSING 119.0 +0.6 118.5 +0.5 FUEL AND LIGHT 108.8 +0.3 108.4 +0.3 ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO 145.1 -0.3 138.3 0.4 (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 107.3 +0.2 108.3 +0.1 DURABLE GOODS 104.7 +0.3 104.2 +0*9 MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 108.2 +0.3 107.6 +03 TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 118.7 +0.1 118.1 +0^1 SERVICES 121.0 +4.7 119.2 +3.6 ALL ITEMS 116.8 +0.7 116.1 +0.7 THE 1989/90-BASED CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE BASED ON THE
EXPENDITURE PATTERNS DERIVED FROM THE 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE
SURVEY. THE CPI(A) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF ABOUT 50% OF
URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY
EXPENDITURE OF $2,500-$9,999 A MONTH IN 1989/90.
THE CPI(B) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE NEXT 30% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF 410,000-417,499 TN THE SAME PERIOD.
(THE 1989/90-BASED HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF ABOUT 10% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $17,500-437,499 IN 1989/90.)
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/8 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
’UNTAGGED’ VEGETABLES FROM CHINA DESTROYED
******
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S STAFF AT THE MAN KAM TO BORDER CHECKPOINT THIS (MONDAY) MORNING INTERCEPTED A LORRY-LOAD (TOTALLING 1,402 KILOGRAMS) OF LETTUCE AND SPINACH IMPORTED FROM CHINA WHICH WAS NOT TAGGED FOR IDENTIFICATION.
ALL THESE VEGETABLES WERE SURRENDERED TO THE DEPARTMENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED.
ANNOUNCING THIS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR M.B. AL1, SAID SAMPLES HAD ALSO BEEN SENT TO THE LABORATORY FOR TESTING TO SEE IF ANY LEGAL ACTION WAS REQUIRED.
THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE INCIDENT FOR THEIR NECESSARY ACTION.
DR AL1 STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH THIS INCIDENT WAS AN ISOLATED ONE, INSPECTORATE STAFF AT THE BORDER WOULD ALWAYS BE ON FULL ALERT AND TAKE PROMPT AND APPROPRIATE ACTIONS AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS IMPORTERS.
HE ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE PRECAUTION TO WASH AND COOK VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
- - 0 - -
INSURERS URGED TO DEVELOP CODE OF SUPERVISION FOR AGENTS
******
THE OPERATION, CONDUCT AND CONTROL OF WHAT ARE GENERALLY CALLED "INSURANCE AGENTS" IS ONE OF THE TWO MAJOR CONCERNS THAT THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE IS ADDRESSING, THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, MR DEREK SULLIVAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON OF THE INSURERS CLUB, MR SULLIVAN SAID THE OTHER IMMEDIATE CONCERN OF HIS OFFICE RELATED TO GENERAL UNDERRESERVING BY INSURERS IN THE COMPULSORY LINES OF BUSINESS, THAT IS MOTOR AND EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION; PARTICULARLY WITH EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION.
REGARDING THE "INSURANCE AGENTS," MR SULLIVAN SAID THE AGENTS WERE ESSENTIALLY SALES PERSONNEL, WHO, IN A MAJORITY OF CASES, REPRESENTED THE ONLY CONTACT THAT THE INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL LINE INSURANCE CONSUMER HAD WITH THE INSURANCE MARKET.
"ALTHOUGH UNDOUBTEDLY THERE ARE MANY HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE AGENTS IN THE MARKET PROVIDING A FIRST CLASS SERVICE, THERE ARE NEVERTHELESS ALSO VERY MANY WHO DO NOT FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY.
"THE INCIDENTS OF VARIOUS PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM THE ACTIVITIES OF INSURANCE AGENTS APPEAR TO BE RISING," MR SULLIVAN SAID.
/MR SULLIVAN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
9
MR SULLIVAN NOTED THAT OF THE SIX LIQUIDATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS, AT LEAST THREE CASES WERE AGENCY-RELATED.
HE URGED THE INSURERS TO ESTABLISH THE INSURERS CODE OF SUPERVISION FOR AGENTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REGISTER OF AGENTS.
MR SULLIVAN POINTED OUT THAT SELF-REGULATION COULD OF COURSE GO SOME CONSIDERABLE WAY IN AVOIDING THE DANGERS OF OVER-REGULATION.
"MY OFFICE HAS GIVEN ITS SUPPORT TO THE INDUSTRY FOR THESE SELF-REGULATORY MOVES. IT IS NOW VERY TIMELY FOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS AREA TO TAKE PLACE," HE SAID.
" ■ ■ 5 • ;
HE NOTED THAT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED AND THE HONG KONG INSURANCE BROKERS ASSOCIATION MERGED TO FORM THE HONG KONG CONFEDERATION OF INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED, A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF QUALIFIED EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT INTERMEDIARIES.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WARMLY SUPPORTED THE FORMATION OF THE CONFEDERATION.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PLACING THEIR INSURANCE THROUGH A MEMBER OF The CONFEDERATION will be assured OF getting expert advice supplied BY INDEPENDENT INTERMEDIARIES WHO ARE PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED TO GtVfi THAT ADVICE, HAVE OBTAINED PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE, HAVE GUARANTEED PROFESSIONAL LEVELS OF SERVICE AND COMPLY WITH STRICT RULES REGARDING THE HANDLING OF THEIR CLIENTS’ MONEY," HE SAID.
ON UNDER-RESERVING, MR SULLIVAN SAID THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE GENERAL UNDER-RESERVING BY INSURERS IN THE COMPULSORY LINES OF BUSINESS WAS, IN MANY CASES, EXACERBATED BY THE LIMITED CAPITAL BASES OF THE INSURERS CONCERNED.
"THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IS NOW INCREASINGLY REQUIRING THOSE INSURERS WHERE IT IS CONSIDERED THAT UNDER-RESERVING IS A PROBLEM TO UNDERTAKE INDEPENDENT ACTUARIAL INVESTIGATIONS AS TO THE ADEQUACY OF THE OUTSTANDING CLAIMS AND UNEXPIRED RISKS RESERVES.
"IN EACH CASE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT ACTUARIAL INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN REQUIRED, SIGNIFICANT UNDER-RESERVING HAS BEEN REVEALED, IN SOME CASES TO AN EXTENT WHICH SERIOUSLY THREATENS THE FINANCIAL SECURITY OFFERED TO THE POLICY HOLDERS BY THE INSURERS CONCERNED.
"REMEDIAL MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN BUT THERE IS, I BELIEVED, A NEED FOR GREATER PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE BY INSURERS WHICH TRANSACT SIGNIFICANT VOLUMES OF BUSINESS IN THE MORE DIFFICULT TO UNDERWRITE and MANAGE !,TW Ok BUBIUess i • •. ■: :■ #
"THE REQUIREMENT FOR AN INDEPENDENT ACTUARIAL VALUATION OF THfc ADEQUACY OF GENERAL BUSINESS RESERVES WILL BE AN ONGOING FEATURE OF T!IE SUPERVISORY SYSTEM TN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH SUCH REQUIREMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE ON A SELECTIVE BASES," HE SAID.
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, MR SULLIVAN SAID THE HONG KONG MARKET WAS ONE OF THE FEW REGIONAL MARKETS THAT HAD ENJOYED CONSISTENT OVERALL PROFITABILITY OVER THE PAST YEARS.
/"THE FUTURE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
’’THE FUTURE OF THE HONG KONG INSURANCE MARKET, MUST OF COURSE, BE LOOKING AT NOT JUST FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF IMMEDIATE PROFITABILITY, BUT ALSO FROM THAT TO LONG TERM PROFITABILITY.
’’OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, IT IS LIKELY THAT THERE WILL BE AT LEAST THREE MAJOR INTERNATIONAL INSURERS JOINING THE MARKET.
”TO OBTAIN AUTHORISATION LN HONG KONG TODAY, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE APPLICANT INSURERS TO DEMONSTRATE, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THAT IT WILL DEVELOP, AND MAINTAIN, A SUBSTANTIAL APPROPRIATE LOCAL OPERATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT.
’’THIS ESTABLISHMENT WILL INVOLVE INITIAL SETUP AND ONGOING OPERATIONAL COST, THAT IS AN INITIAL INVESTMENT WHICH IN TURN REQUIRES THE POTENTIAL APPLICANTS TO TAKE A LONG TERM VIEW OF ITS POSITION IN THE MARKET,” HF. SAID.
MR SULLIVAN SAID THOSE THREE MAJOR INSURERS HAD TAKEN A LONG TERM VIEW OF HONG KONG AND SAW IT AS A GOOD AND PROFITABLE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS IN FUTURE YEARS.
”1 AM IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THEIR JUDGEMENT,” HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
CIVIL SERVANTS EXCHANGE PROGRAMME WITH CANADA *****
CIVIL SERVANTS IN HONG KONG WILL SOON HAVE A CHANCE TO BROADEN THEIR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE AND TO SHARE EXPERTISE WITH THEIR CANADIAN COUNTERPARTS UNDER A STAFF EXCHANGE PROGRAMME BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENTS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE. MR BARRIE W1GGHAM, SAID THE AIM OF THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME WAS TO ENRICH AND BROADEN THE EXPOSURE OF PERSONNEL EMPLOYED IN THE HONG KONG AND THE CANADIAN CIVIL SERVICES.
’’THE PROGRAMME WILL BRING A NEW DIMENSION TO THE EXISTING RANGE OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR CIVIL SERVANTS IN HONG KONG,” MR W1GGHAM SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME, THE TWO SIDES WILL ALSO UNDERTAKE AND ENCOURAGE CO-OPERATION IN OTHER AREAS OF CIVIL SERVICE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING.
UNDER THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME, EACH SIDE WILL PROVIDE A LIST OF PRIORITY AREAS FOR INCOMING AND-OUTGOING ASSIGNMENTS.
THE DURATION OF EACH ASSIGNMENT WILL NORMALLY BE BETWEEN SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR, BUT THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE FLEXIBLE TO ALLOW FOR EXTENSION OR ABBREVIATION BY MUTUAL CONSENT.
/HE SAID
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
11
HE SAID THE ASSIGNEES WOULD BE REGARDED AS BEING ON LOAN FROM THE SENDING PARTY TO THE RECEIVING PARTY FOR TRAINING. THE ASSIGNEES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL OFFICE RULES AND PRACTICES OF RECEIVING SIDE.
THE PROGRAMME IS EXPECTED TO START TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR. THE INTENTION IS THAT INITIALLY, TWO DIRECTORATE OFFICIALS WILL BE SELECTED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE TO TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAMME.
"THROUGH THE SHARING OF EXPERTISE AND THE I ROADENING OF EXPOSURE, NEW INSIGHTS WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE WAY THE C. IV FL SERVI J)'F; IN HONG KONG IS RUN SO THAT CIVIL SERVANTS WILL BE BE I ;'.R FQL I
MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS AND THE NEW CHALLENGES AHEAD, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
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PAPER RECYCLING SCHEME » * * *
IN NORTH DISTRICT * *
THE NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE WILL START A PAPER RECYCLING SCHEME NEXT MONTH TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO SAVE WASTEPAPER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE PROJECT WAS PART OF THE NORTH DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION DAY ACTIVITIES AIMED AT PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES.
"CAGES WILL BE PLACED IN THESE ESTATES DURING SPECIFIC HOURS BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2 AND 24 TO COLLECT OUTDATED NEWSPAPERS FROM RESIDENTS," HE SAID.
"THESE PAPERS WILL BE RECYCLED TO HELP REDUCE WASTAGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD WRITTEN TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS IN TH~E DISTRICT TO SEEK THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SCHEME.
THE COLLECTION HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE TIME VENUE
NOVEMBER 2 (SATURDAY) 9 AM - 12.30 PM 2 PM - 5.30 PM CHOI YUEN ESTATE TAI PING ESTATE
NOVEMBER 3 (SUNDAY) 9 AM - 12.30 PM 2 PM - 5.30 PM CHOI PO COURT YUK PO COURT
NOVEMBER 10 (SUNDAY) 9 AM - 12.30 PM 2 PM - 5.30 PM TIN PING ESTATE ON SHING COURT
/NOVEMBER 17 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
- 12 -
NOVEMBER 17 (SUNDAY) 9 AM - 2 PM - 12.30 PM TSUI LAL GARDEN WAH MING ESTATE
5.30 PM
NOVEMBER 23 (SATURDAY) 9 AM - 12.30 PM SHEK WU HUI
2 PM - 5.30 PM LUEN WO HUI
NOVEMBER 24 (SUNDAY) 9 AM - 12.30 PM CHEUNG WAH ESTATE
2 PM - 5.30 PM 1ANLING CENTRE
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 675 1584 .
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HISTORICAL ALBUM FOR HK TO BE ON SALE
******
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A 150TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORICAL ALBUM WILL BE ON SALE ON NOVEMBER 8.
BARONESS LYDIA DUNN WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY ON THAT DAY TO LAUNCH THE SALES OF THE ALBUM AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 2 CONNAUGHT PLACE AT 10 AM.
THE HISTORICAL ALBUM OUT),INES THE HISTORY OF THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE AND POSTAL SERVICES IN THE PAST ONE-AND-A-HALF CENTURIES, AND PROVIDES SPACE FOR THE INSERTION OF SPECIAL STAMPS ISSUED SINCE SEPTEMBER 1987.
THESE STAMPS ARE SOLD TOGETHER WITH THE ALBUM.
THE HIGH QUALITY PUBLICATION IS SUPERBLY PRESENTED IN HARD COVER WITH GOLD BLOCKING AND PROTECTED BY A FULL CLOTH BOUND SLIP-CASE. THE SELLING PRICE IS $340.
"WHILE THIS IS ANOTHER PRODUCT TO COMMEMORATE OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY, THE PRESTIGE PUBLICATION WILL BE A VALUABLE ITEM FOR BOTH I 11 I L A I I , L I STS AND HISTORY COLLECTORS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HONG KONG. 1 l-M'l-'i I GREAT DEMAND FOR IT," MR WONG SAID.
SALFS WILL COMMENCE AFTER THE CEREMONY (AROUND 10.30 AM) AND 'T THE PHILATELIC ('’INTERS OF THE FOLLOWING POST OFFICES:
AIRPORT POSC OFF K F
BEA(ONSFIELI) HOUSE POST OFFICE
GENERAL POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE R<’AD POST OFFICE
/PEAK POST .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
- 13 -
PEAK POST OFFICE
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE
TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
IN VIEW OF THE EXPECTfeD STRONG DEMAND, MEMBERS OF TkE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED TO NOTE THAT A RESTRICTION OF THREE ALBUMS PER CUSTOMER WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE FIRST DAY OF SALES.
------0-----------
SECOND COLUMBARIUM TO OPEN AT CAPE COLLINSON »*.»**♦
A NEW MULTI-STOREY COLUMBARIUM AT PERMANENT CEMETERY WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED
THE CHAI WAN CHtMESE TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
DEVELOPED BY THE CEMETERIES, THIS IS THE
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CHINESE SECOND REPOSITORY iti THE CEMETERY.
PERMANENT
CONSTRUCTED ON A SLOPE, THE 12-STOREY BUILDING IS TRADITIONAL CHINESE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE.
FINISHED IN
THE COLUMBARIUM COMPRISES NINE LEVELS OF ORDINARY NtCHE
CHAMBERS, ONE LEVEL OF FAMILY NICHES AND TWO LEVELS OF A
NEWLY-DESIGNED INDOOR OSSUARY NICHE CHAMBER. •
AN ELEVATOR AND A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TOILET FOR THE AGED AND DISABLED HAVE ALSO BEEN INCLUDED IN THE DESIGN.
THE CHAI WAN SECOND COLUMBARIUM WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MORNING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ^CMBARIUM AT CAPB COLLINSON ROAD, CHAI WAN ( AT 11 AM (TUESDAY)*
THE NEW TOMORROW
---------o-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ t *
IN H0NG K0NG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 47.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 279.310 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 329 657 CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 56.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
MILLION
- - 0---------
/14 ......♦
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1991
- ]4 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 26.10.9!
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 28.10.91 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.3 *+0.2* 28.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
MILLION
600
- 185
+ 185
NEUTRAL
25.10.91 28.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 3.96 PCT 4.01 PCT
1 MONTH 4.23 PCT 4.21 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.47 PCT 4.47 PCT
6 MONTHS 5.03 PCT 5.10 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.95 PCT 6.13 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 3,430 MN 7,515 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR WELCOMES AGREEMENT ON RETURN OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS .......................................................... 1
GOVERNOR THANKS OUTGOING EXCO MEMBERS ............................... 1
AGREEMENT ON RETURN OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ................ 2
TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON THE RETURN OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS 3
FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT PROTECTED ......................... 18
CLOSER TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION IN ASIA CALLED ........................ 20
SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 .................................................... 21
EASY TRAVEL SCHEME TO BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE ........................... 24
TWO-DAY POLICY DEBATE IN LEGCO....................................... 25
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS CONFIRMED...................................... 26
BLOOD DONATION IN SAI KUNG........................................... 28
RISING DEMAND FOR NICHES ENVISAGED .................................. 29
NEW AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION OFFICIALLY OPENED ...................... 29
PARCELS BETWEEN UK AND HK TO BE DELAYED ............................. 30
FORUM OF SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS ................................. 30
CHECK-IN BAGGAGE LIMITATION INTRODUCED AT CHINA FERRY TERMINAL ...... 31
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG ............................. 32
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 32
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
GOVERNOR WELCOMES AGREEMENT ON RETURN OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (TUESDAY) WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM ON THE RETURN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID: "THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS INDEED. HONG KONG HAS WORKED HARD FOR MANY YEARS TO FIND A HUMANE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
"THE FUTURE OF THOSE SCREENED OUT MUST LIE IN VIETNAM. IT IS NO SOLUTION TO KEEP IN CAMPS FOR YEAR AFTER YEAR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, MANY OF THEM YOUNG CHILDREN.
"WE NOW HAVE ARRANGEMENTS AND GUARANTEES WHICH ENABLE US TO RETURN NON-REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES WITHOUT FEAR OF PERSECUTION.
"IT IS ONLY BY RETURNING TO VIETNAM THOSE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO PLAY OUR FULL PART UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION AND LOOK AFTER THOSE WHO ARE GENUINE REFUGEES."
- - 0 - -
GOVERNOR THANKS OUTGOING EXCO MEMBERS
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR. SIR DAVID WILSON. TODAY (TUESDAY) THANKED THREE OUTGOING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERES FOR THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF WORK THEY HAD DONE ON THE COUNCIL OVER THE YEARS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID: "THIS HAS BEEN THE LAST MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AS IT IS AT PRESENT COMPOSED."
"I'VE BEEN SAYING "THANK YOU" TO THREE OF OUR MEMBERS; MARIA TAM. DANIEL TSE AND CHENG HON-KWAN. AND THANKING THEM FOR THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF WORK THEY'VE DONE ON THE COUNCIL. FROM EIGHT YEARS; FIVE YEARS; THREE YEARS," HE SAID.
"ALL OF THEM HAVE SERVED THROUGH A PERIOD WHEN A LOT OF EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ISSUES HAVE BEEN TACKLED. AND I'VE JUST BEEN TELLING THEM HOW MUCH I VALUE THEIR ADVICE AND HOW MUCH I HOPE THEY WILL GO ON SERVING HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS ISSUE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "ON THINGS TO DO WITH VIETNAMESE I HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY SOMETHING ON THAT VERY SOON. I CAN’T CARRY IT FURTHER FORWARD AT THE MOMENT, BUT I HOPE VERY SOON WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ON IT."
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
2
AGREEMENT ON RETURN OF
VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
* * * t t
ON BEHALF OF THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS, THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN HANOI TODAY (TUESDAY) SIGNED A STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON THE RETURN OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN HONG KONG.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THAT FOLLOWING SCREENING WHICH WILL BE MONITORED BY■THE UNHCR, ALL VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO WERE FOUND UNDER NORMAL INTERNATIONAL RULES TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WOULD BE RETURNED TO VIETNAM.
"THIS UNDERSTANDING BRINGS INTO EFFECT AN ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME WHICH WILL APPLY INITIALLY TO ALL NEW ARRIVALS FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY TO ALL OTHER VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ALREADY IN DETENTION CENTRES," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT REPATRIATION WOULD TAKE PLACE IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WERE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA), ADOPTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDOCHINESE REFUGEES CONVENED BY THE UNITED NATIONS IN JUNE 1989.
MR ASPREY SAID THE UNHCR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME WOULD CONTINUE.
EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT WOULD BE GIVEN TO NON-REFUGF.ES TO RETURN HOME UNDER THIS PROGRAMME. THOSE WHO DID NOT OPT FOR THE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME WOULD BE REPATRIATED UNDER THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT OVER 11,000 PEOPLE HAD ALREADY RETURNED TO VIETNAM FROM HONG KONG ALONE UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION SCHEME.
THERE HAD BEEN NOT A SINGLE SUBSTANTIATED CASE OF PERSECUTION OF ANYONE WHO HAD RETURNED IN THAT TIME.
"THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAS GUARANTEED THAT NO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO RETURNS TO VIETNAM WILL FACE PERSECUTION AND THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO FACILITATE MONITORING OF RETURNEES BY THE UNHCR TO ENSURE THAT THESE GUARANTEES ARE FULLY RESPECTED,” HE POINTED OUT.
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, ALL NEW ARRIVALS WILL BE SCREENED AT GREEN ISLAND RECEPTION CENTRE. THEY WILL HAVE THE NORMAL RIGHT OF APPEAL AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
THOSE FOUND NOT TO BE GENUINE REFUGEES WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO HEI LING DETENTION CENTRE TO AWAIT REPATRIATION.
AN ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME FOR THOSE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ALREADY IN THE CAMPS WILL BEGIN ONCE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN FINALISED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERMENT.
/"TN CARRYING .......
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 3 -
"IN CARRYING OUT THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME WE WILL EXPLAIN TO THOSE IN THE DETENTION CENTRES WHAT THE AGREEMENT INVOLVES AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE EXISTING VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION SCHEME, "MR ASPREY SAID.
MR ASPREY EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT RETURN TO VIETNAM ANY ASYLUM SEEKER WHO WAS DETERMINED UNDER HONG KONG LAW, OR BY THE UNHCR, TO BE A GENUINE REFUGEE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
PLEASE NOTE THAT IT SHOULD BE "ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME", NOT " ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME" AS STATED IN PARAGRAPH 5 OF THE PRESS RELEASE COLLECTED AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON.
---------0------------
TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON THE RETURN OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS *****
MR ASPREY: GOOD AFTERNOON. LAST WEEK WE ANNOUNCED THAT WE HAD REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON THE RETURN OF THE DOUBLE-BACKERS. TODAY, THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN HANOI HAS SIGNED A STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF BOTH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON THE RETURN OF ALL VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN HONG KONG. I EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT COVERING THE RETURN OF ALL NONREFUGEES. IT SUBSUMES THE AGREEMENT WE ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK ON THE RETURN OF THE DOUBLE-BACKERS. IT ALSO COVERS ALL NEW ARRIVALS, THAT IS ALL PEOPLE WHO ARRIVE ANY TIME AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY. THEY WILL BE SCREENED AND GO THROUGH THE APPEAL PROCESS IN THE NORMAL WAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER ARRIVAL; THEY WILL BE KEPT SEPARATELY FROM OTHER VIETNAMESE, AND THEN THEY WILL BE RETURNED TO V1ETMAM. WE EXPECT THAT IT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO SIX WEEKS FOR ANY NEW ARRIVAL TO GO THROUGH THE SCREENING PROCESS, AND THEN IF HE IS SCREENED-OUT, TO BE RETURNED TO VIETNAM. IT WILL ALSO APPLY SUBSEQUENTLY TO ALL THOSE AMONGST THE EXISTING POPULATION WHO ARE SCREENED-OUT.
THE EXACT DETAILS OF TIMING AND NUMBERS FOR THE RETURN OF THE EXISTING POPULATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH THE VIETNAMESE, BUT THERE IS CLEAR AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE AGREEMENT APPLIES TO ALL THE VIETNAMESE IN HONG KONG, BOTH NEW ARRIVALS AND THE EXISTING POPULATION.
/THERE ARE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
THERE ARE CERTAIN POINTS I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE ABOUT THE AGREEMENT. FIRST OF ALL, AND IN PARTICULAR WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE NEW ARRIVALS, THE NORMAL SCREENING PROCEDURE WILL APPLY. THERE IS NO QUESTION OF A SHORT-CUT SCREENING. THE NORMAL SCREENING PROCEDURE WILL APPLY; PEOPLE WILL BE ADVISED OF THE PROCEDURE; UNHCR WILL HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THE SCREENING INTERVIEWS; PEOPLE WILL BE GIVEN LEGAL ASSISTANCE BY AVS, AS THEY ARE NOW.
SECONDLY, IT IS OF COURSE OUR INTENTION TO ENCOURAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, VOLUNTARY RETURN, AND WE SHALL BE WORKING IN THE CAMPS AND TOGETHER WITH THE UNHCR AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO THIS END. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR POSITION, AND I HAVE REPEATED IT MANY TIMES, THAT VOLUNTARY AND MANDATORY REPATRIATION ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. WE BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE IN FACT COMPLIMENTARY AND IT CERTAINLY WILL BE OUR INTENTION TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE, PREFERABLY ALL OF THEM, TO RETURN VOLUNTARILY.
THIRDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT WE HAVE ONCE AGAIN RECEIVED - AND THIS IS ENSHRINED IN THE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING - THE VIETNAMESE GUARANTEES THAT PERSONS RETURNING WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO PERSECUTION OR HARASSMENT, AND WILL NOT BE PROSECUTED FOR HAVING LEFT VIETNAM ILLEGALLY.
AND FOURTHLY, I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT UNHCR WILL BE MONITORING AND RENDERING ASSISTANCE TO ALL THOSE WHO RETURN UNDER THIS ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME IN THE SAME WAY AS THEY MONITOR AND ASSIST THOSE WHO RETURN UNDER THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME.
THE AGREEMENT WHICH WE HAVE REACHED AMOUNTS, IN MY VIEW, TO THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPA. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEKING FOR THE PAST THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS. WE BELIEVE THAT THE FUTURE OF THE NON-REFUGEFS MUST BE IN VIETNAM AND WE THINK IT IS IN THEIR INTERESTS, OUR INTERESTS, AND EVERYBODY’S INTERESTS THAT THE PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED SHOULD NOW COME TO AN END. WE BELIEVE IT WILL BE IN THEIR INTERESTS AND IT IS THE HUMANITARIAN SOLUTION TO PUT THEM OUT OF THE UNCERTAINTY THEY HAVE BEEN IN AND TO ENABLE THEM TO FACE THE FACTS OF THEIR FUTURE AND COME TO TERMS WITH IT.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WE HAVE NEGOTIATED ALLOW PEOPLE TO RETURN TO VIETNAM WITHOUT ANY FEAR THAT THEY WILL BE PERSECUTED THFRE. THANK YOU.
QUESTION: CAN YOU TELL ME WHEN THE FIRST RETURNEES ARE LIKELY TO BE SENT BACK TO VIETNAM?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WE HAVE SAID THAT THE FIRST PEOPLE TO BE RETURNED WILL PROBABLY BE THE DOUBLE-BACKERS AND THAT WE EXPECT THAT THEY WILL BE RETURNED IN NOVEMBER; THAT REMAINS THE POSITION. AS REGARDS THE NEW ARRIVALS, THAT DEPENDS VERY MUCH OF COURSE WHEN WE GET THE FIRST NEW ARRIVALS, WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY NOW FOR OVER A WEEK. AS 1 SAID, I WOULD EXPECT THAT IT WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX WEEKS FROM DATE OF ARRIVAL TO GO THROUGH THE SCREENING PROCESS BEFORE RETURN TO VIETNAM.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 5 -
QUESTION: HAVE THE AMERICANS BEEN PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND IF SO WHAT IS THEIR STANCE ON IT? AND IF NOT, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE THEIR STANCE ON IT WILL BE?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: THE AMERICANS HAVE NOT BEEN PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT. THE AMERICANS HAVE BEEN BRIEFED ON THE AGREEMENT; ' THEIR REACTION, I THINK YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK THEM AND WAIT FOR THEM TO GIVE IT TO YOU.
QUESTION: SO JUST TO FOLLOW UP, WOULD YOU CARRY ON WITH THIS REPATRIATION SCHEME EVEN IF THE AMERICANS ARE AGAINST IT?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: THIS IS A BILATERAL AGREEMENT; IT IS WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE CPA; WE INTEND TO IMPLEMENT IT.
QUESTION: IF WE HAVEN’T HAD ANY NEW ARRIVALS RECENTLY, WHY ARE WE STARTING OFF WITH THEM?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WE HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT ONE OF THE FIRST OBJECTIVES IN TRYING TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE TO MAKE THE PROBLEM FINITE. REALLY, ONE OF THE WORST ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS HAS BEEN THE FACT THAT IT HAS BEEN AN EVER INCREASING PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH BECAUSE OF THAT. ONCE WE CAN MAKE THE PROBLEM FINITE THAT WE CAN RETURN ALL NEW ARRIVALS AND THEREFORE MAKE FINITE THE CAMP POPULATION, THEN WE CAN DEAL WITH IT. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH IT, TO RETURN THE NEW ARRIVALS FIRST AND THEN, AND I HOPE SHORTLY, TO MOVE ON TO THE RETURN OF THOSE WITHIN THE EXISTING CAMP POPULATION.
QUESTION: I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT. YOU SAY, SHORTLY, BUT HOW SOON DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO RETURN ALL THE 21,000 WHO ARE ALREADY SCREENED-OUT?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: AS I SAID, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO ENCOURAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION AND WE WILL BE WORKING TO THAT END. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO GIVE A DEFINITE DATE, EITHER FOR STARTING TO RETURN THE EXISTING CAMP POPULATION OR FOR WHEN WE WILL COMPLETE IT, THOUGH CLEARLY IT WILL TAKE SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME GIVEN THE NUMBERS INVOLVED AND GIVEN THE UNDOUBTED WISH OF THE VIETNAMESE TO PHASE THE RETURN OF ALL THESE PEOPLE. THAT IS SOMETHING WHICH WE HAVE TO DISCUSS FURTHER WITH THE VIETNAMESE.
QUESTION: HAVE YOU LEASED MILITARY-STYLE AIRCRAFT TO GET THE RETURNEES BACK TO VIETNAM? IF YOU HAVEN’T, DO YOU INTEND TO?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: NO, WE HAVE NOT AT THIS STAGE LEASED ANY AIRCRAFT. WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH A NUMBER OF AIRLINES BUT WE HAVE NOT CONCLUDED ANY AGREEMENT OR ARRANGEMENTS YET.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 6 -
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE VIETNAMESE REQUEST FOR AID TO HELP THEM HANDLE THESE RETURNING (slON-REFUGEES? ARE THEY STILL HOLDING OUT FOR MONEY, AND HAVE YOU MADE A DECIS ION. =®NS HOVj TO TREAT THAT?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: NO, THE AGREEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN REACHED WITH THE UNHCR, WHO HAVE BEEN KEPT FULLY INFORMED OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS, IS THAT THE UNHCR WILL PROVIDE THE SAME ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO RETURN UNDER THIS ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME AS THEY DO FOR THE VQ^UNTEERS. WE ARE NOT PAYING ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE, THAT HAS NOT BEEN A MATTER OF DISCUSSION IN OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE VIETNAMESE. THERE IS ALSO OF COURSE THE EC PROGRAMME IN VIETNAM WHICH IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF RETURNEES.
QUESTION: CAN I FOLLOW THAT UP? I WAS REFERRING ALSO THOUGH TO THE VIETNAMESE DEMAND FOR MONEY TO HELP BUILD RECEPTION CENTRES TO HELP THEM REINTEGRATE THE RETURNEES, NOT THE PAYMENTS TO RETURNING VIETNAMESE.
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WELL I MEANT TO COVER THAT. THE UNHCR ASSISTANCE WITH REINTEGRATION COVERS BOTH PAYMENTS DIRECT TO RETURNEES AND IT COVERS PAYMENTS TO THE VIETNAMESE THEMSELVES, THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT AND AUTHORITIES, TO ENABLE THEM TO IMPLEMENT REINTEGRATION, AND THOSE WILL APPLY TO THESE RETURNS IN THE SAME WAY AS THE VOLUNTARY RETURNS.
QUESTION: YOU MENTIONED THAT THIS MEMORANDUM IS IN PRINCIPLE TO PAVE SOME WAY FOR THE SOLUTION TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS. NOW IF YOU SEE THAT THERE WILL BE ANY PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, THEN CAN YOU SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS IN VIETNAM? FOR EXAMPLE, THE UNITED STATES MAY, IN THE INTERIM PERIOD, DISAGREE WITH THIS MEMORANDUM?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I HESITATE TO TRY TO FORECAST THE FUTURE. I DARESAY WE WILL GET A FEW PROBLEMS BUT I DON’T EXPECT THAT THEY WILL IN ANY WAY UNDERMINE THIS AGREEMENT. LET ME JUST CLARIFY WHAT I WAS INTENDING TO SAY. THE AGREEMENT COVERS THE RETURN OF THE DOUBLEBACKERS AND THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THAT WE HAVE ALREADY AGREED. IT ALSO COVERS THE RETURN OF \LI. PEOPLE ARRIVING FROM TODAY ONWARDS AND THE DETAILS OF THAT WE HAVE ALSO AGREED WITH THE VIETNAMESE. IT ALSO COVERS THE RETURN OF ALL THE EXISTING CAMP POPULATION, BUT THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THAT - BY WHICH 1 MEAN THE TIMING AND THE PHASING OF THE RETURN BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A VERY .LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHOM VIETNAM WOULD NOT WISH TO RECEIVE BACK ALL IN ONE DAY -THOSE WILL STILL NEED TO BE THE SUBJECT OF FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE VIETNAMESE. BUT THE PRINCIPLE THAT ALL THE EXISTING CAMP POPULATION WHO ARE NON-REFUGEES MUST RETURN HAS BEEN AGREED, IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FURTHER NEGOTIATED.
QUESTION: WHAT IF THERE IS SOME TECHNICAL PROBLEM? FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE SOME VIOLENCE HAPPENING IN HONG KONG CAMPS AND THEN THIS REACTION WILL MAKE THE US POLITICIANS HAVE CERTAIN FEELINGS; HOW DO YOU EVALUATE THIS?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I DON’T THINK I CAN REALLY SPECULATE ON A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION LIKE THAT. THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, THIS IS AGREEMENT BETWEEN OURSELVES AND VIETNAM. THE ISSUE OF FORCE HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. WE HAVE AGREED THAT RETURNS WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE IN THE SAME WAY AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE RETURNED TO OTHER COUNTRIES EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
QUESTION: YOU MENTIONED THE EC PROGRAMME, HAS THAT BEEN THE DECISIVE FACTOR IN GETTING VIETNAM TO YIELD FINALLY? AND CAN YOU SAY A FEW THINGS ON THE CONTENTS OF THIS PROGRAMME?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I DON’T KNOW WHETHER IT HAS BEEN A DECISIVE FACTOR. I SUSPECT PROBABLY NOT A DECISIVE FACTOR BUT I THINK IT HAS UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN A FACTOR IN PERSUADING THE VIETNAMESE THAT THEY SHOULD CONCLUDE AN AGREEMENT TO TRY TO BRING THIS PROBLEM NOW TO AN FND. THE EC PROGRAMME, AS I SAID, EXPENDITURE UNDER THAT PROGRAMME IN VIETNAM IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE RETURNING TO VIETNAM AND IT INCLUDES, I THINK, TWO MAIN ELEMENTS. FIRST, IT INCLUDES LOANS TO PEOPLE RETURNING TO VIETNAM WHICH ENABLE THEM TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN BUSINESS AND TO SET UP IN EMPLOYMENT. AND IT ALSO INCLUDES SMALL SCALE PROJECTS - SMALL SCALE INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER PROJECTS - IN THE AREAS IN VIETNAM WHICH HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM WHICH THE BOAT PEOPLE HAVE LEFT.
QUESTION: WOULD YOU EXPECT SOME SEVERE UNREST IN THE CLOSED-CAMPS
AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT, AND HOW WILL THE FORCE REACT TO THE SITUATION?
ALLISTAIR ASPREY: I DON’T EXPECT VIOLENCE IN THE CAMPS BUT NOR DO I EXCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY. WE WILL REALLY APPROACH THIS SUBJECT IN TWO WAYS. FIRST, WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO EXPLAIN TO THE PEOPLE IN THE CAMPS WHAT THE AGREEMENT ENTAILS. WE WILL CO-OPERATE WITH THE UNHCR AND THE NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS IN THE CAMPS TO COUNSEL PEOPLE AND REALLY EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THEM AND WHAT THEY MUST FACE UP TO AND TAKE A DECISION ON. SO IT WILL BE OUR AIM AND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PREVENT ANY KIND OF DISORDER IM THE CAMPS. OF COURSE, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS WE WILL BE DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER IN THE CAMPS. IF THERE IS ANY DISORDER THERE, IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT IT WILL BE INSTIGATED BY ONLY A VERY SMALL MINORITY AND REALLY IT IS THE, IF YOU LIKE, THE SILENT MAJORITY IN THE CAMPS THAT SUFFERS MOST FROM THIS SORT OF DISORDER AND IT IS THOSE PEOPLE WHOM WE WILL CERTAINLY PROTECT FROM DISORDER.
QUESTION: MR ASPREY, DO YOU STATE CATEGORICALLY THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE U.S. RESPONSE MAY BE, IT WILL NOT AFFECT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY MATERIAL WAY?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT WF CERTAINLY INTEND TO IMPLEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, AND 1 AN SURE THAT VIETNAM ALSO INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT IT, BECAUSE THAT IS WHY WE HAVE BOTH SIGNED THE AGREEMENT. WE WOULD NOT HAVE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WHICH WE DO NOT INTEND TO IMPLEMENT.
QUESTION: BUT MR ASPREY, VIETNAM HAS SIGNED AGREEMENTS BEFORE AND THEN RENEGED ON THEM, ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO GET THE WHOLE CAMP POPULATION BACK? ARE THEY NOT JUST WAITING TO SEE HOW THESE FIRS.T FLIGHTS GO INITIALLY AND IF THEY ARE UNSATISFACTORY THEN THEY WILL JUST BACK OUT AGAIN?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE NOW HAVE AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AND TO RESOLVE IT.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 29, 1991
8 -
QUESTION: CAN YOU GIVE US A FEW MORE DETAILS ABOUT EXACTLY HOW THE REPATRIATIONS WILL GO AHEAD? AND EVEN THOUGH THE QUESTION OF FORCE WAS NOT DISCUSSED IN VIETNAM, OBVIOUSLY THE UNITED STATES IS VERY INTERESTED IN WHETHER FORCE WILL OR WILL NOT BE USED. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I THINK IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO EXPECT ME TO GO INTO ALL THE OPERATIONAL DETAILS. WE WILL NOT DO THIS TODAY, OR IN \DVANCE, ALTHOUGH AS WE HAVE SAID, WE WILL KEEP THE PRESS INFORMED AS AND WHEN WE HAVE A REPATRIATION OPERATION TAKING PLACE. WHAT I THINK I WILL SAY IS THIS, TO REPEAT THAT IT IS OUR AIM TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO RETURN VOLUNTARILY AND I AM ENCOURAGED THAT IN RECENT MONTHS, AND PARTICULARLY IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS HAS INCREASED VERY SUBSTANTIALLY. SECONDLY, THAT WE SHARE WITH THE VIETNAMESE, AND I AM SURE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE, THE WISH THAT REPATRIATIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN AN ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED FASHION. WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ENCOURAGE AND ENABLE PEOPLE TO RETURN IN DIGNITY. WHETHER THEY DO SO IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS DEPENDS OF COURSE ON THEIR OWN BEHAVIOUR WHICH WE CANNOT CONTROL.
QUESTION: HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND TO WAIT FOR NEW ARRIVALS BEFORE TURNING YOURSELF TO THE LARGER MASS OF BOAT-PEOPLE IN THE CAMPS? ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE NO MORE NEW ARRIVALS BEFORE THINKING ABOUT IT?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ANSWER THAT BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE PATTERN OF ARRIVALS WILL BE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, FEW WEEKS, OR FEW MONTHS. I WOULD CERTAINLY EXPECT AND HOPE THAT WE WILL QUITE SOON REACH THE POSITION WHERE NEW ARRIVALS WILL HAVE DWINDLED, IF NOT TO NOTHING AT LEAST TO FAIRLY NEGLIGIBLE NUMBERS OF A HANDFUL OR SO A WEEK. WE WILL INTEND TO MOVE ON FAIRLY QUICKLY TO THE EXISTING CAMP POPULATION ONCE WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THE PROBLEM OF NEW ARRIVALS HAS BEEN SOLVED. I DON’T MEAN BY THAT UNTIL THERE ARE NO NEW ARRIVALS AT ALL, BUT UNTIL WE HAVE GOTTEN DOWN TO VERY INSIGNIFICANT NUMBERS.
QUESTION: CAN I JUST CLARIFY? YOU WON’T BE TURNING TO THOSE ALREADY IN THE CAMPS UNTIL THERE ARE ALMOST NO NEW ARRIVALS? I MEAN THE SECOND STAGE WILL NOT OCCUR UNTIL THE FIRST IS OUT OF THE WAY
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WE HAVE SAID THAT THE PROGRAMME WILL CONCENTRATE INITIALLY ON NEW ARRIVALS. NEW ARRIVALS ARE IN FACT, IF ONE TAKES THE LAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS, ALREADY NEGLIGIBLE. IF THEY CONTINUE LIKE THAT THEN I WOULD EXPECT TO MOVE FAIRLY QUICKLY ON TO THE REMAINING CAMP POPULATION. CERTAINLY IT WILL BE OUR INTENTION IN THE REASONABLY NEAR FUTURE TO MOVE ON TO THE REMAINING CAMP POPULATION BUT I CANNOT PUT ANY SPECIFIC TIMING ON THAT.
QUESTION: YOU SAID IN YOUR OPENING REMARKS ON THAT PARTICULAR POINT - THOSE IN THE CAMPS - THAT THERE ARE STILL DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT; WHAT ARE THOSE?
/ALTSTA’” ......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
9
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WHAT I MEANT WAS THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING APPROACHING 60,000 IN THE DETENTION CENTRES NOW. I EXPECT THAT OVER 50,000 OF THOSE PROBABLY WILL BE NON-REFUGEES WHO WILL NEED TO RETURN TO VIETNAM. AS 1 SAID, WE CANNOT REASONABLY EXPECT THAT THE VIETNAMESE ARE LIKELY TO AGREE TO RECEIVE THOSE 50,000 ALL AT ONCE. WE NEED TO DISCUSS FURTHER WITH THEM THE PHASING AND TIMING OF THE RETURNS OF SUCH A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
QUESTION: DO YOU HAVE ANY CAMP IN MIND FROM WHICH YOU WOULD BE
STARTING?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: THE NEW ARRIVALS WILL GO INITIALLY, AS ALL NEW
ARRIVALS DO, TO GREEN ISLAND.
QUESTION:
THE ESTABLISHED CAMPS?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: NO, WE DO NOT, NOT AT THIS STAGE. I CAN TALK ABOUT THE NEW’ ARRIVALS; THEY WILL GO INITIALLY TO GREEN ISLAND, THEY WILL BE SCREENED AT GREEN ISLAND, WITHIN A FEW DAYS THEY WILL MOVE TO HEI LING CHAU WHICH WILL BE EMPTIED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS; THEY WILL THEN REMAIN AT HEI LING CHAU PENDING THE CONSIDERATION OF THEIR APPEALS AND THEN THEY WOULD RETURN TO VIETNAM FROM HEI LING CHAU.
QUESTION: I’M CONFUSED, I THINK. I THOUGHT THAT PEOPLE WHO
ARRIVED FROM TODAY WlOULD NOT BE SCREENED.
ALISTAIR ASPREY: NO, NO, I WILL MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR —
QUESTION:
THEY WILL BE SCREENED?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: -- PEOPLE WILL ALL BE SCREENED, YES. THEY WILL BE SCREENED IN THE NORMAL WAY BUT WE WILL GIVE PRIORITY TO THEIR SCREENING.
QUESTION: COULD YOU TELL US, WHAT HAS CHANGED BETWEEN LAST WEEK AND THIS WEEK THAT WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT NOW BUT WE DIDN’T HAVE ONE LAST- WEEK?
ALISTAIR ASPREA:
I’M NOT SURE THAT 1 QUITE FOLLOW THE QUESTION BUT -
QUESTION: WHAT HAPPENED? WAS THERE A BREAKTHROUGH? I MEAN YOU HAD A SORT OF MORE LIMITED AGREEMENT LAST WEEK, NOW YOU HAVE A FULL AGREEMENT. WHAT CHANGED, WHAT HAPPENED IN VIETNAM?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WHAT HAPPENED WAS WE HAD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH LED TO THE FULL AGREEMENT. I SAID LAST WEEK THAT WE SAW THE AGREEMENT ON THE DOUBLE-BACKERS AS PART OF WHAT WE HOPED WOULD BE AN OVERALL AGREEMENT AND I HOPED THAT THAT WOULD BE REACHED FAIRLY SOON, AND THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
QUESTION: CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THE STICKING POINT WAS? YOU SAID YOU HAD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS.
/ALISTAIR ASPREY: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 10 -
ALISTAIR ASPREY: THERE WAS NO STICKING POINT, WE SIMPLY HAD TO
DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ISSUES RELATING TO THE DETAILS OF THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME WITH FURTHER POINTS WITH THE VIETNAMESE; THOSE WERE DISCUSSED AND WERE RESOLVED TO EVERYBODY’S SATISFACTION.
QUESTION: HAVE YOU APPROACHED THE UNHCR TO ASK THEM TO MONITOR
THE RETURN OF THE VIETNAMESE FROM HONG KONG, AND IF NOT WHY NOT?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: YES, AS I HAVE SAID, THE UNHCR WILL BE --
QUESTION: HERE, NOT IN VIETNAM, HERE IN HONG KONG. THE ACTUAL
PHYSICAL RETURNS FROM HERE.
ALISTAIR ASPREY: THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH WE HAVE STILL TO DISCUSS WITH THE UNHCR.
QUESTION: BUT SURELY, IF YOU HAVE GOT AN AGREEMENT YOU WOULD WANT
TO HAVE THAT SORT OF SIDE OF THINGS IN PLACE ALREADY?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: YES, WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THAT FURTHER WITH THE UNHCR. WE HAVE NOT YET DISCUSSED AND AGREED WHAT ROLE UNHCR WILL PLAY. IN HONG KONG BUT THEY HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR, AND WE HAVE UNDERSTOOD THIS ALL ALONG, THAT IN THE CASE OF NON-VOLUNTARY RETURNS THAT IS A MATTER FOR GOVERNMENTS, IT IS A MATTER FOR BILATERAL ACTION, IT IS NOT SOMETHING IN WHICH UNHCR WOULD BE INVOLVED. THEY HAVE MADE THAT VERY CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING, WE HAVE UNDERSTOOD AND WE ACCEPT THAT.
QUESTION: SO IN NON-DIPLOMATIC-SPEAK, THEY HAVE SAID THEY DON’T
WANT TO MONITOR THE RETURN OF THE PEOPLE ACTUALLY FROM HONG KONG?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: NO, NOT NECESSARILY. WHAT 1 AM SAYING IS THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS CERTAINLY WILL BE MADE BY US NOT BY THE UNHCR; IT IS A DIFFERENT PROGRAMME TO THE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME.
QUESTION: I'M JUST WONDERING HOW YOU’RE GOING -- IF YOU’VE GOT TO PHASE THE NUMBERS WHO ARE GOING BACK, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH HAVING A THOUSAND A MONTH VOLUNTEERS AND ALSO X-NUMBER OF MANDATORY REPATRIATES? IS ONE GOING TO BE COMPLIMENTARY OR ARE YOU GOING TO REPLACE THE VOLUNTARY FLIGHTS WITH MANDATORY FLIGHTS?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: THAT, CLEARLY, IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK OUT WITH, (A) THE VIETNAMESE, AND (B) UNHCR. BUT THERE IS NO QUESTION, I THINK, OF OUR REPLACING VOLUNTARY FLIGHTS WITH MANDATORY FLIGHTS. AS I HAVE SAID SEVERAL TIMES, WE INTEND TO ENCOURAGE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE. SO WE WILL BE DOING ALL WE CAN TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN BACK VOLUNTARILY.
QUESTION: WHAT MADE YOU MOVE NOW, BECAUSE THE VIETNAMESE BOATPEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY INCONVENIENT FOR A LONG TIME. IS IT THE MOOD IN EUROPE AT THE MOMENT - AN ANTI-FOREIGNER MOOD - WHICH YOU DECIDED ALSO TO APPLY HERE IN HONG KONG? AND SAY THE ATMOSPHERE IS VERY GOOD IN EUROPE NOW, AND TO GET RID OF THEM AS WELL AT THAT MOMENT. WHY DO YOU MOVE NOW? YOU HAVE FACILITATED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES FROM THIS PLACE - VERY INCONVENIENT FOR HONG KONG - BUT YOU HAVE DONE IT; WHY ARE YOU BEING SO TOUGH AT THIS MOMENT?
/ALISTAIR ASPREY: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I THINK I HAVE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE" IS NO REAL QUESTION OF US DECIDING TO MOVE NOW, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THESE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE SINCE WE INTRODUCED SCREENING IN 1988. WE HAVE TRIED CONTINUOUSLY OVER ALMOST THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS TO OBTAIN AGREEMENT ON THESE SORTS OF ARRANGEMENTS, EITHER MULT I-LATERALLY THROUGH THE CPA, OR BI-LATERALLY BETWEEN OURSELVES AND THE VIETNAMESE, AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE NOW SUCCEEDED IN DOING. THE TIME IS NOT REALLY OF OUR MAKING, IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO ALL ALONG. I THINK I SHOULD ALSO SAY - YOU DO REFER TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES HAVING BEEN RE-SETTLED FROM HONG KONG; YES, THAT IS TRUE AND THOSE WHO ARE REFUGEES WILL STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR RESETTLEMENT FROM HONG KONG. THERE IS NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER TO CHANGE THAT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SCREENING; THOSE WHO ARE REFUGEES WILL CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR RE-SETTLEMENT. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE REPATRIATION OF THOSE WHO ARE NON-REFUGEES AND I DON’T REALLY, I THINK, TAKE THE POINT - IF THIS WAS YOUR SUGGESTION - THAT WE ARE ACTING IN A NON-HUMANITARI AN WAY TN RETURNING NON-REFUGEES TO VIETNAM. INDEED, I THINK THAT IT IS NON-HUMANITARIAN WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS, TO GIVE THESE PEOPLE A FALSE HOPE THAT THEY WILL ACTUALLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR RE-SETTLEMENT. THAT HOPE IS BOUND TO BE DASHED AND IT HAS REALLY DONE NEITHER THEM NOR ANYBODY ELSE A SERVICE BY LEAVING THEM IN THIS STATE OF UNCERTAINTY AND WITH THIS FALSE HOPE. WE THINK IT IS FAR MORE HUMANITARIAN TO PUT PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR UNCERTAINTY AND TO ENABLE THEM TO FACE AND COME TO GRIPS WITH THEIR FUTURE, WHICH MUST LIE BACK IN VIETNAM.
QUESTION: CURRENTLY FOR THOSE IN THE CAMPS IT TAKES ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS FOR THE SCREENING PROCESS. DO YOU FEEL THAT FIVE OR SIX WEEKS FOR NEW ARRIVALS IS A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE REFUGEES OR NON-REFUGEES?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: YES, THE SCREENING PROCESS IS THE SAME, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. ALL IT MEANS IS THAT PEOPLE WIL1 BE SCREENED WITHIN TWO OR THREE DAYS OF ARRIVAL RATHER THAN WAITING IN TH! CAMPS FOP \ LONG PERIOD BEFORE BEING SCREENED. AFTER SCREENING, THE TIME ALLOWED FOR APPEAL AND REVIEW WILL BE THE SAME. THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE SAME ACCESS TO UNHCR COUNSELLING, THE SAME ACCESS TO AVS LAWYERS, THE UNHCR WILL CONSIDER THEIR CASE IN THE SAME WAY AS THEY DO FOR ANY OTHERS. SO IT IS THE SAME PROCEDURE, THERE IS NOTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT IT.
BETTY LIU (TVB NEWS): WHAT IS THE REALISTIC TIME FRAME FOR YOU TO REPATRIATE MOST OF THE CAMP POPULATION? 3 YEARS, 5 YEARS--
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I WOULD HESITATE TO PUT A FIRM TIME ON IT BUT REALISTICALLY I THINK WE ARE TALKING OF AT LEAST TWO YEARS, PROBABLY MORE LIKELY THREE YEARS FOR THE EXISTING CAMP POPULATION. IT DOES DEPEND TO SOME EXTENT ON OUR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE VIETNAMESE ON HOW THEY WILL SEE THE PHASING AND THE RE-INTEGRATION OF THIS LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INTO VIETNAM BUT I SFF IT IN SOMETHING LIKE THAT TIMF SCALE.
/Q:(CANTONESE) .......
TUESDAY, OCTOPER 29, 1991
- 12 -
Q:(CANTONESE) I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY YOU ARE REPATRIATING THESE NEW ARRIVALS INSTEAD AND NOT REPATRIATE PEOPLE WHO HAVE STAYED HERE FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, CAN I HAVE THE ANSWER IN CANTONESE PLEASE?
A;(CANTONESE) THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT WE WILL BE REPATRIATING ALL NON-REFUGEES, ALL OF THEM WILL BE REPATRIATED. THE FIRST STEP, AS WE EXPLAINED LAST WEEK AFTER WE OBTAINED THE AGREEMENT, THE FIRST BATCH WILL BE THE DOUBLE BACKERS. THEY WILL BE THE FIRST BATCH TO BE REPATRIATED AND, AS I SAID, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE PHASED OUT, WE WILL BE WORKING STEP BY STEP. THE FIRST STEP HAS ALREADY BEEN STRIDED. WE WILL BE SENDING BACK THE DOUBLE BACKERS FIRST. THE SECOND STEP WILL BE THE NEW ARRIVALS; THESE PEOPLE WHO ARRIVED AFTER MIDNIGHT, THEY WILL BE REPATRIATED AND THEN THE THIRD STEP WILL BE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW IN THE CAMPS - THE NON REFUGEES.
Q: DO YOU SEE THE CLIMATE BEING RIGHT NOW IN VIETNAM THAT WE WOULD SEE THIS TYPE OF AGREEMENT SPREADING OVER OTHER PARTS OF ASIA AND SEEING THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES SAY FROM MALAYSIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES?
CLINTON LEEKS: HAVING MYSELF BEEN IN THE TALKS WITH THE VIETNAMESE OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE IMPRESSION THAT WE’VE HAD I THINK SINCE THE END OF SEPTEMBER, WHICH I THINK IS REFLECTED IN THIS AGREEMENT WE NOW HAVE, IS A GREATER WILLINGNESS, A GREATER UNDERSTANDING BY THE VIETNAMESE OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT FOR THEM IS OBVIOUSLY CLANDESTINE EMIGRATION AND THE BURDENS THAT IT PLACES ON OTHER PLACES, PARTICULARLY OBVIOUSLY AT THE MOMENT IN THE CASE OF HONG KONG. NOW WHAT WE ARE WORKING AT OBVIOUSLY IS A BI-LATERAL ARRANGEMENT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE CPA BUT PARTICULARLY IF WE SHOW THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK AND OBVIOUSLY HAVING SIGNED IT WE BELIEVE THAT WE WILL MAKE IT WORK, I CAN’T SEE ANY REASON WHY IT SHOULDN'T ACT AS A MODEL FOR OTHER PLACES IN THE REGION, ALTHOUGH OF COURSE, THEIR BURDENS ARE MUCH SMALLER AT THE MOMENT THAN OURS IS.
Q; I WAS WONDERING - IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO PLACE A LOT OF WEIGHT ON PEOPLE VOLUNTEERING TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM AND LEAD THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION FOR THE VERY RESISTANT SORT OF PEOPLE. DO YOU HAVE ANY (DEA WHAT PROPORTION YOU ARE HOPING WILL ACTUALLY VOLUNTEER TO GO BACK AND SAVE YOU THE TROUBLE?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I THINK AS A GOVERNMENT, AND I GUESS PROBABLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG GENERALLY WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED IF EVERY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN HONG KONG VOLUNTEERS TO GO HOME. I CAN’T SEE ON WHAT OTHER BASIS ONE COULD CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN TRYING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. SADLY, I GUESS, THAT HISTORY SHOWS US THAT THAT’S NOT LIKELY TO BE TRUE WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE THIS AGREEMENT AND WHY WE ARE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD AND SHOWING THAT IF PEOPLE DON’T OPT OVER A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, AND WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH THEM OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND IN PARALLEL, WE ARE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THE DETAILS OF IMPLEMENTATION WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT; BUT IF PEOPLE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME DON’T AGREE TO GO HOME VOLUNTARILY THEN WE WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO REMOVE THEM AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. BUT THE MORE PEOPLE THAT VOLUNTEER TO GO HOME THE BETTER IT IS FOR THEM AND THE BETTER IT IS FOR HONG KONG QUITE HONESTLY.
/O: YOU .........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 13 -
Q: YOU HAVEN’T GIVEN AN IDEA OF THE PROPORTION THAT YOU WOULD HOPE OR EXPECT WILL VOLUNTEER.
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WELL, I HOPE AND EXPECT FOR DIFFERENT THINGS. 1 HOPE A 100 PERCENT, I EXPECT SADLY LESS.
Q: FIFTY? TWENTY?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: LET’S WAIT AND SEE.
Q: WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ACTUALLY TELL THE PEOPLE IN THF CAMPS, TONIGHT, TOMORROW MORNING? WHEN WILL THEY ACTUALLY GET THF NEWS FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FURTHER AGREEMENT.
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WHAT WE’VE DONE IS OBVIOUSLY, YOU’VE SEEN THIS PRESS RELEASE, WE HAVE GIVEN IT TO THE CAMP MANAGEMENTS; UNHCR A'.S< HAVE IT, WE ARE STARTING A PROCESS THEREFORE AT THE MOMENT, AS THE NEWS BECOMES PUBLIC IN HONG KONG. WHAT WE WILL ALSO BE DOING IS TRANSLATING MORE INFORMATION INTO VIETNAMESE - IN FACT IT IS BEING TRANSLATED TODAY -MORE BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON WHAT THE AGREEMENT MEANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTARY RETURN, ON THE GUARANTEES, ON THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO HOME BUT THAT WE WANT THEM OBVIOUSLY TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS THAT’S HAPPENING AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THINGS LIKE THE GUARANTEES AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY SCHEME. THAT’S WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY AND THAT I SEE HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WHERE WE ARE TELLING THE PEOPLE IN THE CAMPS THAT IN PUBLISHING THIS TODAY WE ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO THE CAMPS TONIGHT AND START REMOVING THE FIRST GROUP. IT WILL TAKE SOME WEEKS TO BEGIN TO ARRANGE THAT. WE ALSO WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT HOW THIS AGREEMENT CHANGES THE SITUATION THEY ARE IN. FOR THREE YEARS THEY SAT IN THF CAMPS AND HOPED FALSELY THAT THEY WERE GOING TO AMERICA. YOU HAVE SEEN THE STATEMENT THE AMERICANS MADE ON THE DOUBLE BACKERS LAST WEEK, WHICH RE-UNDERLINES THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES ARE NOT GOING TO AMERICA. THIS NOW MAKES CLEAR THAT NOT ONLY ARE THEY NOT GOING TO AMERICA, THEY ARE GOING BACK TO VIETNAM.
Q- MR. ASPREY, BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE, MR. JAMES BAKER, JUST RECENTLY MADE A STATEMENT ON THE NORMALISATION BETWEEN VIETNAM AND UNITED STATES, GIVEN SUCH AND SUCH CONDITIONS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IN THE WHOLE PRESS CONFERENCE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ANTICIPATE ANY INFLUENCE FROM THE UNITED STATES BUT CAN YOU SAY THAT THE NORMALISATION BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND VIETNAM IS ONE OF THE MOTIVATING FORCE TOWARDS THIS AGREEMENT?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I DON’T KNOW, YOU’D REALLY HAVE TO YSK THF VIETNAMESE THAT AND 1 CAN’T SPEAK FOR THEM. I DO THOUGH THINK THAT THF PROSPECT OF NORMALISATION WITH THE UNITED STATES MUST BE SOMETHING THAT IS VERY WELCOME TO THE VIETNAMESE; I THINK THAT THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAS CLEARLY DECIDED I THINK THIS AGREEMENT IS EVIDENCE OF THIS, THAT IT WANTS TO NORMALISE ITS RELATIONS NOT ONLY WITH THE UNITED STATES BUT WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, ITS NEIGHBOURS AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD AS WELL. I THINK ALL THAT IS VERY GOOD NEWS. I THINK THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE I BELIEVE THE NORMAI TSATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN VIETNAM AND THF UNITED STATES IS A VERY HELPFUL FACTOR IN BRINGING THIS PROBLEM TO AN END.
/Q: IN OTHER .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
14
Q: IN OTHER WORDS, YOU ANTICIPATE THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER OBJECTIO’ FROM THE UNITED STATES.
ALISTAIR ASPREY: YOU WILL HAVE TO .REALLY WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE UNITED STATES SAYS. 1 EXPECT THAT THEY WILL PUT OUT A STATEMENT \S THEY DID WITH THE DOUBLE BACKERS. I AM NOT GOING TO ANTICIPATE THAT. WE’VE’ EXPLAINED THE POSITION TO THEM AND I HOPE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND IT.
Q: (CANTONESE) MR. CHAN, IF THE BOAT PEOPLE IN THE ( AMI'S REFLSL TO BE REPATRIATED WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND HOW CAN YOU ASSURE SECURITY IN THE CAMPS?
A:(SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETER): WE HAVE SAID ALL ALONG TH IT WE WOULD LIKE TO TRY AND AVOID ANY VIOLENT INCIDENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE CAMPS. THE FIRST STEP THAT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IS THAT WE WOULD PROVIDE AS MUCH COUNSELLING TO THE NON-REFUGEES AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THEY WOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE PART JN THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME. WE WOULD DO IT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNHCR AND ALSO THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS THAT ARE PROVIDING SERVICES IN Till CAMPS. WE HOPE THAT THROUGH CONCERTED EFFORTS ON THE PART OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, WE WOULD MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE PROGRAMME AND WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THFTR FUTURE ITES TN VIETNAM.
Q:(CANTONESE) WHAT ABOUT THE SECURITY IN THE CAMPS?
A:(SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETER): WF HAVE TOLD THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CAMPS THAT THERE WILL BE SUC H A STATEMENT AND J \M SURE TH \T THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CAMPS WILL TAKE WHATEVER ACTIONS THEY THINK ARI NECESSARY IN RESPONSE TO THE SITUATIONS.
Q:(CANTONESE) ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE SECURITY IN THE CAMPS HAVE BEEN STEPPED UP?
A:(SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETER): WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT ’ INSIDE THE CAMPS THE MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SECURITY AND THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MOOD AND FEELINGS OF THE BOAT PEOPLE.
Q: WITH LAST WEEK’S AGREEMENT, PARTIAL AGREEMENT, COVERING ONLY THE DOUBLE BACKERS, WAS THIS SORT OF PUTTING A TOE IN THE WATERS OF INTERNATIONAL OPINION -AND IF THERE WASN’T TOO MUCH OF A STIR, THIS IS WHAT LED TO THE COMPLETE AGREEMENT?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: NO, IT WAS NOT THAT. -I THINK PROBABLY I CAN BEST PUT IT BY SAYING THAT WE GOT SO FAR TN OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE VIETNAMESE AND DECIDED THAT WE SHOULD ANNOUNCE AND GO AHEAD WITH THE RETURN OF THE DOUBLE BACKERS; MEANWHILE, CONTINUING TO TALK ABOUT A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT ON WHICH WE HAD ALREADY’ REACHED A GOOD MEASURE OF AGREEMENT BY THAT TIME, BUT ON WHICH WE KNEW THAT SOME FURTHER DISCUSSIONS OF THE DETAILS WERE NECESSARY. MR. LEEKS THEN WENT TO VIETNAM TO TAKE PART IN THOSE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS LAST WEEK AND REALLY IT’S FOLLOWING THAT THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY’ FINALISED THE COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ALL ALONG.
/0: YOU SAID .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 15 -
Q: YOU SAID THAT IN THE PAST WEEK THERE HAVE BEEN NO NEW ARRIVALS. WOULD YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO NEWS STARTING FROM LAST’S WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENT AND IS A PART OF YOUR STRATEGY OR YOUR HOPE THAT THIS WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO HEADING OFF VIETNAMESE FROM EVEN LEAVING FOR HONG KONG?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: IT’S ALWAYS RATHER DANGEROUS TO MAKE PREDICTIONS ABOUT ARRIVALS AS I FOUND IN THE PAST. 1 DON’T THINK THAT LAST WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENT CAN BE THE MAIN, OR CERTAINLY NOT THE SOLE REASON FOR THE DROP OFF IN ARRIVALS WHICH HAS BEEN VERY VERY MARKED FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. I THINK CERTAINLY SINCE THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER WE'VE HAD TWO BOATS WITH A TOTAL OF 30 PEOPLE ARRIVING. EQUALLY, I DO NOT THINK THAT THE REASON FOR THE DROP OFF CAN POSSIBLY BE ATTRIBUTED JUST TO THE WINTER WEATHER, ALTHOUGH WE DO USUALLY SEE A DROP OFF AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, BUT CERTAINLY NOT AS SUDDEN A DROP OFF AS WE’VE SEEN IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I THINK ONE HAS TO GO BACK A LITTLE BIT TO TOWARDS THE END OF SEPTEMBER'WHEN THE UNHCR ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WERE CUTTING THEIR RE-INTEGRATION ASSITANCE FOR ALL NEW ARRIVALS. I THINK THAT WAS THE FACTOR WHICH REALLY STARTED THE MAJOR DROP IN NEW ARRIVALS. CERTAINLY WE’VE HAD VERY VERY FEW ARRIVALS WHO LEFT VIETNAM SINCE THAT DATE. WE’VE HAD A FEW BUT NOT VERY MANY. THAT I THINK WAS PROBABLY THE FIRST AND THE MAJOR FACTOR. CERTAINLY I THINK THE PROSPECT OF A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT SUCH AS WE’VE GOT TODAY ON MANDATORY REPATRIATION AND THE AGREEMENT WHICH WE ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK ON THE DOUBLE BACKERS WILL THEN HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THAT AND I HOPE THAT CERTAINLY THAT TODAY’S AGREEMENT WILL FURTHER REINFORCE THAT.
Q: ARE THERE GOING TO BE MATERIAL INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEER? 1 REMEMBER I THINK IN LATE ’89 PEOPLE GOT US$60Q AND A SUITCASE FULL OF CLOTHES. I HEARD THE FIGURE MENTIONED THAT NOW EACH RETURNEE WILL GET US$1,000 PAID FOR BY EC. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THIS?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: RE-INTEGRATION ASSISTANCE I THINK COMES IN TWO PARTS; FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS WHAT UNHCR WILL GIVE TO PEOPLE WHO RETURN. THAT REALLY IS A MATTER FOR THE UNHCR. THE AMOUNTS THAT. THEY ARE GIVEN NOW - THIS IS TALKING ABOUT THE NORMAL VOLUNTARY REPATRIATES, NOT TALKING ABOUT THE DOUBLE BACKERS OR THE PEOPLE WHO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG AFTER SEPTEMBER. THAT AMOUNT HAS BEEN FIXED ACTUALLY FOR SOME TIME AND I DON’T BELIEVE THAT THE UNHCR HAVE ANY IMMEDIATE INTENTION CERTAINLY OF CHANGING OF IT; CERTAINLY NOT OF INCREASING IT TO THE AMOUNTS THAT YOU’VE OBVIOUSLY HEARD FROM SOMEWHERE. I DON’T THINK THAT IS THE CASE.
Q; HOW MUCH IS IT? 600 DOLLARS?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: IT AMOUNTS TO US$50 I THINK BEFORE DEPARTURE IN HONG KONG AND THEN US$30 A MONTH FOR TWELVE MONTHS. THE EC PROGRAMME IN VIETNAM IS NOT DIRECTED PRIMARILY AT INDIVIDUALS. CERTAINLY THERE IS NO AUTOMATIC HANDOUT TO INDIVIDUALS AND I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY INTENTION THAT THERE SHOULD BE. IT IS DIRECTED AT TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL. AT INCREASING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN VIETNAM PARTICULARLY AMONGST THOSE WHO HAVE RETURNED FROM ABROAD AND IN THE AREAS IN "WHICH MOST OF THE DEPARTURES HAVE COME FROM AND IT’S PRIMARILY A LOAN AND LOANS FOR- SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT CREATION SCHEMES. AND THEN, ANOTHER PART OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE SMALL PROJECTS, SMALL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN THE'AREAS FROM WHICH MOST OF THE PEOPLE HAVE LEFT VIETNAM. SO, THERE IS NO QUESTION I THINK UNDER THE EC PROGRAMME OF AN AUTOMATIC HANDOUT TO INDIVIDUALS.
/Q: MR. ASPREY .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 16 -
Q: MR. ASPREY, WILL YOU BE WORKING BACKWARDS IN REPATRIATING THE EXISTING CAMP POPULATION SO THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE THE LEAST TIME WILL BE GOING BACK FIRST?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: CLEARLY WE’VE GOT TO START WITH THE SCREENED OUT. WE WILL ONLY BE REPATRIATING THE SCREENED OUT AND CLEARLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED SO FAR, IT’S BEEN DONE ROUGHLY IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, NOT ENTIRELY IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER BUT ROUGHLY IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER; SO IT WILL BE APPLYING INITIALLY, AND AFTER WE MOVE ON TO THE EXISTING CAMP POPULATIONS AND THE NEW ARRIVALS, PRIMARILY TO THE LONG STAYERS, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED OUT.
Q: ARE YOU FOCUSING ON NEW ARRIVALS BECAUSE YOU THINK THEY WILL BE LESS RESISTANT TO RETURN THEM FORCIBLY TO VIETNAM?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: NO, WE ARE FOCUSING ON NEW ARRIVALS, AS I SAID BEFORE, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT ONE OF THE FIRST OBJECTIVES IN A REPATRIATION PROGRAMME, AND THE FIRST THING WE MUST AIM.FOR IS TO MAKE THE PRESENT PROBLEM FINITE; TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM GETTING EVER BIGGER BY CONTINUING LARGE NUMBERS OF ARRIVALS. THIS HAS MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH IN EVERY WAY, IN TERMS OF ACCOMMODATION, IN TERMS OF SCREENING, IN EVERY WAY. SO OUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE, AND WE HAD THIS IN MIND FOR A VERY LONG TIME, IS TO STOP NEW ARRIVALS BY CONCENTRATING ON THEM INITIALLY, AND MAKING THE RESIDUAL PROBLEM FINITE. WE WILL THEN PROPOSE TO GO ON TO DEAL WITH THAT RESIDUAL PROBLEM.
Q: BUT IF THIS DOESN’T WORK, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: • I’M NOT AT THIS STAGE THINKING OF THIS NOT WORKING. WE HAVE GOT AN AGREEMENT WHICH COVERS THE RETURN OF ALL NON-REFUGEES TO VIETNAM; WE ARE DETERMINED THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT WORK.
Q: WHAT ARRANGEMENTS WILL THERE BE FOR UNACCOMPANIED MINORS?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: THERE IS OF COURSE A SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR STATUS DETERMINATION FOR UNACCOMPANIED MINORS. THAT WILL CONTINUE AND WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION WITH UNHCR AND THEY ARE IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH US THAT THAT PROCEDURE MUST BE SPEEDED-UP, AND CERTAINLY IN THE CASE OF NEW ARRIVALS OF UNACCOMPANIED MINORS, THAT PROCEDURE MUST BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THEIR FUTURE TN A VERY SHORT TIMESCALE, IN THE SAME WAY AS WE ARE DEALING WITH THE OTHER NEW ARRIVALS.
Q: AND SENDING THEM BACK - HOW WILL YOU DEAL WITH THEM?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: THEY WILL GO BACK EITHER VOLUNTARILY OR THROUGH THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THEIR BEST INTERESTS AND THEIR FUTURE SHOULD LIE IN VIETNAM.
/Q: WILL THEY .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 17
Q. WILL THEY GO BACK FIRST HAVING BEEN DETERMINED -- I MEAN YOU'VE SCREENED SOME, YOU HAVEN’T SCREENED OTHERS - IT’S SLOW BUT SOME HAVE BEEN SCREENED NOW; ARE THOSE ONES GOING TO BE AMONGST THE FIRST TO GO BACK?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I MEAN BASICALLY WE WILL DEAL WITH THEM IN THE SAME WAY AS WE DEAL WITH ALL THE OTHERS. THE NEW ARRIVALS WILL COME UNDER THE AGREEMENT AND THE ARRANGEMENTS I’VE ANNOUNCED TODAY FOR NEW ARRIVALS. THE EXISTING POPULATION WILL THEN BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHERS, ONCE THEIR STATUS AND THEIR FUTURE IS DETERMINED.
Q- IF YOU OPT FOR THE LONG-STAYERS, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR THE LONGEST TIME, YOU’RE GOING TO BE TRYING TO REPATRIATE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEAST LIKELY TO WANT TO GO BACK. THEY AKE GOING TO 01 FER THE MOST RESISTANCE AND POSSIBLY YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO USE FORCE TO GET THEM TO RETURN. WHY DON’T YOU REPATRIATE THE ONES WHO’VE BEEN SCREENED-OUT MOST RECENTLY?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WE HAVE NOT AT THIS STAGE TAKEN ANY DECISION ON PRECISELY HOW WE WILL START WITH THE PROGRAMME IN TERMS OF CHOOSING BETWEEN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN SCREENED-OUT. ALL 1 SAID WAS THAT CLEARLY WE WILL HAVE TO REPATRIATE ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED-OUT. BY AND LARGE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED-OI 'T FROM THE EXISTING POPULATION ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE LONGEST.
Q: UNDER THE NEW AGREEMENT, ARE THL BRITISH GOING TO SHARE HALF OF THE COST OF REPATRIATION?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: I BELIEVE SO, YES. PERHAPS I SHOULD JUST MAKE
CLEAR THAT, AS I’VE SAID THE REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE IS A MATTER FOR UNHCR. WE WILL OF COURSE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE AIRLINE, THE TRANSPORTATION COSTS OF THOSE WHO GO BACK UNDER THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME; NOT OF COURSE FOR THOSE WHO GO BACK UNDER THE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME. IT IS THE INTENTION THAT THOSE COSTS WOULD BE SPLIT FIFTYFIFTY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Q: HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK WILL BE NEEDED TO CLEAR OUT ALL THE CAMPS?
ALISTAIR ASPREY: WELL I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WILL BE NEEDED, THAI
DEPENDS OF COURSE ON THE PROPORTION WHO GO BACK VOLUNTARILY AS OPPOSED TO’ THE PROPORTION WHO GO UNDER THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THE COST OF RETURNING SOMEONE TO VIETNAM WILL BE VERY MUCH LESS THAN THE COST IT TAKES TO KEEP SOMEONE IN HONG KONG. PURELY THE COST OF MAINTENANCE IS SOMETHING LIKE $16,000 A YEAR, AND OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE OTHER COSTS THERE, STAFF COSTS, COST OF ACCOMMODATION AND SO FORTH, SO IT IS CERTAINLY A LOT LESS THAN THAT.
Q: I WAS WONDERING, ARE YOU GOING TO ALLOW THE PRESS TO VISIT THE CAMPS IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
/CLINTON LEEKS: .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 18 -
CLINTON LEEKS: I THINK YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT WE DO ALLOW PEOPLE b VISIT THE CAMPS, NOT AS OFTEN, I KNOW YOU’LL TELL ME, AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO, BUT I’M AFRAID THAT IS PART AND PARCEL OF HAVING 10 KUN DETENTION CENTRES, YOU CAN’T ALLOW PEOPLE TO GO IN WHENEVER THEY WANT. YOU’RE AWARE, I THINK EQUALLY, THAT OVER THE LAST FEW WEENS THERE II \S BEEN HEIGHTENED TENSION AND THAT IS SIMPLY A FACT OF Illi- \NI» IT REVOLVES AROUND THE VARIOUS RUMOURS AND SO <»N TH \ I' HAVE BEEN CIRCULATING. OBVIOUSLY, AT TIMES OF HEIGHTENED TENSION 1'1 IS NOT AS EASY TO LET VISITORS IN AS AT OTHER TIMES, BUT WE Do HAVE \ PRINCIPLE THAT IN CONSONANT WITH ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO MANAGE HIE ( AMI’S PROPERLY, WE DO ALLOW VISITORS IN FROM TIME TO TIME, INCLUDING PRESSMEN, TO VISIT VARIOUS CAMPS, USUALLY ON A GROUP PASIS BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOU SIMPLY CAN’T REALLY ORGANISE IT AT ALL, AND WE INTEND TO CONTINUE WITH THAT PRINCIPLE.
Q: SO WILL YOU ORGANISE ONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE \FTER THIS DECISION IS SORT OF DIGESTED?
CLINTON LEEKS: WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS FIRST TO SEE, OBVIOUSLY, HOW THIS ALL GOES DOWN IN THE CAMPS, TO SEE HOU THE SITUATION DEVELOPS THERE, BUT IN PRINCIPLE, YES, I THINK WE SHOULD MAINTAIN THE PRINCIPLE OF PERIODIC AND HONESTLY ORGANISED, BUT PERIODIC REGULAR PRESS ACCESS TO THE CAMPS.
Q: CAN YOU TELL US HOW MUCH ACCESS THE PRESS WILL HAVE TO THE FIRST, OR THE FIRST FEW REPATRIATIONS?
CLINTON LEEKS: NO, I CAN’T TELL " )U THAT NOW BUT THERE WILL BE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PRESS. YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND WE WILL TELL YOU THE DETAILS NEARER THE TIME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
---------0-----------
FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT PROTECTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TOWARDS MAINTAINING MACROECONOMIC STABILITY AND INVESTING IN THE PHYSICAL AND HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURES WHICH ENABLE MANUFACTURERS TO OPERATE IN A FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A DINNER ORGANISED BY THE HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, MR BARMA SAID HE BELIEVED THIS APPROACH HAD WORKED WELL IN THE PAST, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE RIGHT -APPROACH IN THE FUTURE.
/DURING THE .......
TUESDAY, OCTORER 29. 1991
19
DURING THE 1970’S, MR BARMA SAID THE TERM ’POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTIONISM’ WAS USED TO CHARACTERISE THIS APPROACH.
’’UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PHRASE IS TOO OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD.
”IT CAN GIVE THE IMPRESSION, PERHAPS ESPECIALLY TO INDUSTRIALISTS SEEKING A MORE ACTIVE INDUSTRIAL POLICY, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SIMPLY SITS THERE AND DOES NOTHING, AND CONCEALS THE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS MADE IN ORDER TO CREATE THE GENERALLY FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT WHICH HONG KONG ENJOYS,” HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE ROLE OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, MR BARMA SAID PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE THE DEPARTMENT PLAYED WAS TO ACT AS INDUSTRY’S LOBBYIST WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT.
”A LARGE PART OF OUR WORK INVOLVES MAKING SURF THAT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING LAND, ACCOMMODATION, PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND MANPOWER TRAINING FOR INDUSTRY DO SO AT THE RIGHT TIME, IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AND IN THE RIGHT QUANTITIES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT MOST OF THE TIME THIS WAS A STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCESS, IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT’S ROLE WAS TO GATHER Accurate information on what was going on in the manufacturing sector AND TO MAKE INFORMED FORECASTS OF MANUFACTURING TRENDS AS AN INPUT tNTO THE PLANNING PROCESS.
’’BOTH WITH LAND AND WITH TRAINED MANPOWER FOR INDUSTRY, WE TRY TO LOOK ONLY FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AHEAD, SO THAT OUR FORECASTS ARE REALISTIC EXTRAPOLATIONS FROM EXISTING TRENDS, AND NOT FANCIFUL PROJECTIONS.
’’OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOT OFTEN, WE HAVE TO ALERT THE ADMINISTRATION TO POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, SO THAT THEY CAN BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THEY BECOME. SERIOUS,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ENDEAVOURED TO ENSURE THAT RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY WERE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG FOR COMPANIES WHICH WISHED TO UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTION TO DO SO, AND THE DEPARTMENT HELPED MANUFACTURERS TO MAKE USE OF DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH A SMALL INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION SERVICE.
’’ANOTHER ASPECT OF OUR WORK IS TO ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO ACHIEVE HIGH STANDARDS OF QUALITY IN MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
’’PUT AT ITS SIMPLEST, WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS KNOW WHAT PRODUCT STANDARDS HAVE TO BE‘COMPLIED WITH IN THEIR EXPORT MARKETS AND TO ENSURE THAT THE TECHNOLOGY EXISTS LOCALLY TO ENABLE THEM TO MEET THESE STANDARDS.
”WE HAVE THEREFORE ESTABLISHED A RANGE OF QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES WHICH CAN BE USED BY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS," HE SAID.
/FINALLY, MR ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
20
FINALLY, MR BARMA SAID, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR. PROMOTING INWARD INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT INTO HONG KONG.
"WE ENCOURAGE IT BECAUSE MOST INWARD INVESTMENTS BRING MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND MODERN MANAGEMENT METHODS.
"WHERE THE INVESTMENT IS IN THE FORM OF A JOINT VENTURE WITH A LOCAL PARTNER THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART THINKING IS OFTEN TRANSFERRED TO THE LOCAL PARTNER," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID WHILE THE DEPARTMENT PROMOTED OVERSEAS INVESTMENT, IN THE SENSE OF SELLING HONG KONG VIGOROUSLY ABROAD AND HELPING POTENTIAL INVESTORS SET UP IN HONG KONG, IT DID NOT PROVIDE INDUCEMENTS, SUCH AS TAX HOLIDAYS, TO POTENTIAL OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
"WE CONSIDER OUR OVERALL INVESTMENT CLIMATE IS SUFFICIENTLY FAVOURABLE IN ITS OWN RIGHT AND SEE NO REASON WHY AN OVERSEAS COMPANY, NO MATTER HOW EXCITING ITS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER POTENTIAL, SHOULD BE GIVEN MORE FAVOURED TREATMENT THAN A LOCAL COMPANY," HE SAID.
CLOSER TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION IN ASIA CALLED
******
A CALL FOR CLOSER TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION IN THE REGION HAS BEEN MADE BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG.
SPEAKING TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE "THINK ASIA" TECHNO-BUSINESS FORUM TN HIROSHIMA, MR WONG SAID HONG KONG WAS FULLY AWARE THAT IT WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM FOREIGN CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IF IT COULD IMPROVE THE TECHNOLOGICAL ABSORPTION CAPACITY OF ITS INDUSTRY THROUGH BETTER INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING AND MANPOWER TRAINING.
"TO THIS END, WE HAVE, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, AN UNDERSTANDING WITH THE JAPAN INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AGENCY TO PROMOTE TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION IN MANPOWER TRAINING IN ADVANCED PRECISION SHEET METAL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY.
"SUCH CO-OPERATION HAS PROVED OF GREAT VALUE TO US. I AM SURE MORE OF THESE SCHEMES CAN BE ARRANGED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE REGION," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID JAPAN HAD LONG BEEN A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFER TO HONG KONG.
"THE CUMULATIVE VALUE OF JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AT THE END OF 1989 STOOD AT US$1.1 BILLION.
/"THE INDUSTRIES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 21 -
'THE INDUSTRIES WHICH ATTRACT MOST JAPANESE INVESTMENT INCLUDE ELECTRONICS, ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS," HE SAID.
ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, MR WONG SAID AS ASIAN ECONOMIES WERE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ABUNDANT ’ OPPORTUNITIES EXISTED FOR REGIONAL DIVISION OF LABOUR.
"THE MORE INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES WILL PROMOTE HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION BY TECHNOLOGICAL AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, AND RELOCATE LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROCESSES TO OTHER AREAS IN THE REGION WHICH OFFER COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF LOWER LABOUR COSTS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID A NOTABLE EXAMPLE WAS THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
"OUR MANUFACTURERS ARE CAPITALISING ON THE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SOPHISTICATION OF HONG KONG TO DO PRODUCT DESIGN AND HIGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION, AND THE LOW-COST AND HIGH-VOLUME PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES OF CHINA TO PERFORM THE MORE LABOUR-INTENSIVE OPERATIONS," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 *****
FIVE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 30.3 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED HONG KONG IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 657 (OR 14%) IN NUMBER AND OF 2.3 MILLION NRT (OR 8%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
THE FINDINGS WERE CONTAINED IN THE ’HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT APRIL - JUNE 1991’ PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) INCREASED BY 18%.
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+376), OIL TANKERS (+126) AND CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (+116); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SEMI-CONTAINER VESSELS (-71).
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+214), PANAMA (+98), LIBERIA (+26), SINGAPORE (+25), NORWAY (+25) AND THE PHILIPPINES (+23); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN JAPAN (-25).
/THE NUMBER .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 22 -
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 508 WHILST THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 149.
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, THERE WERE 5,396 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 30.0 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 613 (OR 13%) IN NUMBER AND OF 2.0 MILLION NRT (OR 7%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 19%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF OUTGOING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, FLAG, AND CAPACITY ARE LARGELY THE SAME AS THOSE OBSERVED IN INCOMING SHIPS, AS ABOUT 69% OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 85% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 15% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 64% WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 36% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SINGAPORE (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 15%), JAPAN (14%), CHINA (12%), TAIWAN (10%), AUSTRALIA (9%), THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (8%) AND THE U.S.A. (8%); WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE I.S.A. (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 19%), CHINA (18%), TAIWAN (14%), JAPAN (5%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (5%), SINGAPORE (4%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (3%).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (32%) AND THE U.S.A. (18%), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED ALSO IN CHINA (20%) AND THE U.S.A. (12%).
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+82%), INDONESIA (+72%), THE U.S.A. (+59%), TAIWAN (+44%) AND THAILAND (+30%). AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 15%.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+55%), TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD, ALL KINDS (+55%), PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD (+25%), AND COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (+17%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKER (-36%).
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS REEXPORTS) INCREASED BY 21%.
/MAJOR INCREASES .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 23 -
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+39%), JAPAN (+36%), TAIWAN (+35%), THE NETHERLANDS (+34%) ANUCHINA (+25%); WHILE A M.AJO1 DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO INDONESIA (-30%).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES LN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF FOOTWEAR (+61%), CRlDI ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+37%), TOYS (+29%), AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+24%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (-9%).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 42% IN TERMS OF I'ONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 78% WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 35% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (93%), TAIWAN (83%), THE U.S.A. (75%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (73%).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS TN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 ROSE BY 30% OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 98% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 96% OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES AND PARTS, 93% OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD, 90% OF TEXTILE FIBRES, AND 86% OF TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD, ALL KINDS.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 70% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS, AND ALMOST ALL TO THE U.S.A. AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 ROSE BY 20% OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED COTTON GARMENTS; TOYS; FOOTWEAR; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; AND PLASTIC MANUFACTURES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIP MASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
/CARGO STATISTICS .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 24 -
CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCES CONSTRAINT, A SAMPLE OF ML CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING CARGO STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES Oi- 1’HE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 ARE CONTAINED LN THE ’HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT APRIL - JUNE 1991’, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $34.50 PIR COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT MAY BF DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 582 4887.
------0----------
EASY TRAVEL
SCHEME TO BENEFIT MORE PEOPLE *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT AS FROM NOVEMBER 1, HOLDERS OF VALID ADULT HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS WITH THE ’R’ SYMBOL CAN TRAVEL ON THEIR IDENTITY CARDS THROUGH HONG KONG IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS WITHOUT THE NEED OF PRODUCING TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
THE ’R’ SYMBOL. MEANS THE RIGHT TO LAND IN HONG KONG. UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, A BRITISH CITIZEN WHO HAS LIVED HERE FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS HAS SUCH A RIGHT.
"UNDER THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS, WHEN USING THEIR IDENTITY CARDS TO TRAVEL, HOLDERS OF ADULT HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS WITH THE ’R’ SYMBOL ARE NOT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE CARDS BUT THEY NEED TO PRODUCE THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
a "THE REVISED ARRANGEMENTS FURTHER EXTEND THE FULL FACILITIES
OF THE EASY TRAVEL SCHEME TO COVER THESE TRAVELLERS BY EXEMPTING THE REQUIREMENT OF PRODUCTION OF THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS," HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, TRAVELLERS IN THIS CATEGORY ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHOULD BE PROPERLY DOCUMENTED FOR THEIR DESTINATIONS INCLUDING CHINA AND MACAU.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE FULL FACILITIES OF THE SCHEME ARE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS WITH THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, THAT IS, HOLDERS OF HONG KONG PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD. AND NOW THE SCHEME IS EXTENDED TO THOSE WITH THE RIGHT TO LAND IN HONG KONG.
/RESIDENTS WHO .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 25 -
RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE EITHER OF SUCH RIGHTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE SCHEME BY NOT REQUIRING TO COMPLETE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE CARDS IF THEY USE THEIR IDENTITY CARDS TO TRAVEL.
THOSE WHOSE IDENTITY CARDS BEARING THE "»»»" SYMBOL WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS FOR VISIT TO CHINA AND MACAU.
THE REVISED ARRANGEMENTS WILL NOT AFFECT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THE HONG KONG POPULATION CURRENTLY ENJOYING THE SCHEME.
HE ADDED THAT ALL RESIDENT CHILDREN WHO ARI- UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND HONG KONG JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS WHEN PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS.
IN THE EVENT THAT JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THE PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO COMPLETE ARRIVAL OR DEPARTURE CARDS ON BEHALF OF THEIR CHILDREN.
IN ADDITION, ALL PERSONS WHOSE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS HAVE BEEN INVALIDATED, LOST, DEFACED, OR THOSE WHO ARE HOLDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORMS FOR THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION/REPLACEMENT OF IDENTITY CARDS AND THOSE WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM OBTAINING IDENTITY CARDS SHOULD TRAVEL ON PROPER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND COMPLETE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE CARDS.
--------0-----------
TWO-DAY POLICY DEBATE IN LEGCO
«»»»»»
FIFTY-FIVE LEGISLATORS ARE TO SPEAK IN THE TWO-DAY ’MOTION OF THANKS’ DEBATE FOR THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BEGINNING TOMORROW (WEDNESAY).
THE MOTION, TO BE MOVED BY THE SENIOR LEGCO MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, WILL READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS". THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE ON THURSDAY.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 10 QUESTIONS AT TOMORROW’S MEETING WHICH WILL BE ANSWERED BY OFFICIALS IN WRITING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGCO MEETINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES TOMORROW AND ON THURSDAY AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 8699492.
- - 0 - -
Z26 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2'J . 199 1
26
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS CONFIRMED
*****
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 57, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 38 AIDS PATIENTS HAD DIED AND 19 OTHERS WERE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAD LEFT THE TERRITORY.
RELEASING THE STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR SEPTEMBER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THREE MORE MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST, BRINGING TO 191 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAD NOT YET DEX ELOPED AIDS.
OF THESE, 51 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 118 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, FOUR WERE DRUG ABUSERS, THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND THE INFORMATION FOR THE OTHER 15 WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, \
TOTAL OF 206,891 BLOOD SPECIMEN HAD BEEN TESTED FOR I’HE MDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAD ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 956,194 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 17 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 27 -
< i?5 A »
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing fa & i %
Virus Unit, Department of Health
Referrals from Govt, hospitals and clinics d) Referrals from private practitioners and subvented hospitals , M.$) t 4- Attendances at social hygiene clinics Haemophiliacs IV drug abusers „ & 4) Referrals from Family Planning Association < $ Health care personnel Apr 85- No. tested* 17884 2272 176292 533 5919 231 970 ■Aug 91 Sep 91 No. No. No. +ve tested* +ve 94 281 2 47 30 2 41 2326 0 60 5 0 1 133 0 0 10 0 14 0 Total No. No. tested* +ve 18165 96 2302 49 178618 41 538 60 6052 1 232 0 984 0
TOTAL .. . t . 204101 243 2790 . 4 & 1& * This indicates the number of specimens and not persons are repeated foi' certain individuals. 206891 • as tests 247
Aug 35- ■Aug 91 Sep 91 Total
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Service No. tested 942947 No. +ve 17 No. No. tested +ve 13247 0 No. tested 956194 No. +ve 17
Department of Health October 1991
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/28........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
28
BLOOD DONATION IN SAI KUNG
******
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION COMMITTEE WILL
BE SEEKING BLOOD FOLLOWING DAYS. DONATIONS FROM RESIDENTS IN SAI KUNG ON THE
THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE VENUE TIME
WEDNESDAY, SUNG TSUN SECONDARY SCHOOL 9.30 AM -
OCTOBER 30 CHENG CHEK CHEE SECONDARY SCHOOL 12 NOON
RENNIE’S MILL MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 PM -6 PM
THURSDAY, TSEUNG KWAN 0 GOVERNMENT 9.30 AM -
OCTOBER 31 SECONDARY SCHOOL 12 NOON
TSUI LAM COMMUNITY TSUI LAM ESTATE HALL, 3 PM - 9.30 PM
FRIDAY, SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL 5 PM -
NOVEMBER 1 8.30 PM
MONDAY, CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION 9.30 AM -
NOVEMBER 4 SECONDARY SCHOOL, PO LAM ESTATE 12 NOON
A LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 31) AT
THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL, BEGINNING AT 3 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PARRISH NG; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE, DR LIN CHE-KIT; AND WINNER OF MISS HONG KONG PAGEANT, MISS AMY KWOK.
A FREE SHUTTLE BUS WILL DEPART FROM THE CARPARK OF SAI KUNG TANG SIU KIN SPORTS GROUND AT 2 PM THAT DAY TO TAKE RESIDENTS LIVING IN OTHER SAI KUNG AREAS TO THE BLOOD DONATION VENUE.
ANOTHER FREE SHUTTLE BUS WILL ALSO BE TRAVELLING BETWEEN THE VENUE AND THE VARIOUS HOUSING ESTATES IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 BETWEEN 2 PM AND 9.30.PM.
DETAILS OF THE TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND THE BLOOD DONATION TIMETABLES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE OR BY CALLING 792 4455 EXT. 41.
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/29 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
29
RISING DEMAND FOR NICHES ENVISAGED
*****
THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR BURIAL NICHES A : CREMATION BECOMES MORE COMMON NOWADAYS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SECOND ASH REPOSITORY AT THE CHAI WAN PERMANENT CEMETERY.
IN ADDITION TO THIS NEW REPOSITORY, THE BOARD Oi MANAGEMENT OF THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERIES WOULD BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF A COLUMBARIUM EARLY NEXT YEAR AT JUNK BAY PERMANENT CEMETERY WHICH WOULD PROVIDE 80,000 NICHES, MR TSAO ADDED.
THE SECOND REPOSITORY AT CHAI WAN WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $55.7 MILLION.
THE 12-STOREY BUILDING COMPRISES TWO LEVELS OF OSS' ARY NICHES, ONE LEVEL OF FAMILY NICHES AND NINE LEVELS OF ORDINARY NICHES.
- - 0 - - - -
NEW AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION OFFICIALLY OPINED ******
RESIDENTS OF AP LEI CHAU WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) ASSURED THAT THEY WILL HAVE A WELL PROTECTED LIVING ENVIRONMENT WITH THE OPENING OF THE AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FIRE STATION AT AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD, THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (PROTECTION), MR CHOW WING-CHEONG, SAID THE NEW STATION WAS FIRST PLANNED IN 1977 TO REPLACE THE OLD AP LEI CHAI FIRE STATION IN SAN SHI STREET.
"AP LEI CHAU HAS UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT SO( 1 XL CHANGES IN RECENT YEARS WHICH, IN TURN, INDICATED THE NEED FOR A REPLACEMENT FIRE STATION.
"TO COPE WITH ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENTS, IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO THE STANDARD OF A SUB-DIVISIONAL STATION WITH SIMILIAR MANPOWER AND EQUIPMENT TO THOSE PROVIDED IN BUILT-UP AREAS," MR CHOW SAID.
HE SAID 35 YEARS AGO, AP LEI CHAU WAS BUT A PLACE WITH MOSTLY VILLAGE HOUSES AND SCATTERED SLIPWAYS.
TODAY, THE ISLAND HAD AN AREA OF ABOUT ONE SQUARE KILOMETRE AND A POPULATION OF OVER 100,000 WITH TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, ONE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATE AND TWO INDUSTRIAL BLOCKS.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION INCLUDED A MAJOR RESIDENTIAL PROJECT AND A LARGE-SCALI RECLAMATION TO PROVIDE 6.5 HECTARES OF GREEN LAND FOR COMMUNITY USES AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS.
THE NEW AP LEI CHAU FIRE STATION, BUILT AT A COST OF $11.7 MILLION, OCCUPIED AN AREA OF 1,673 SQUARE METRES AND WAS COMMISSIONED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR. SINCE ITS COMMISSIONING THE STATION HAD ATTENDED 395 EMERGENCY CALLS.
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/30 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 199 I
30 -
PARCELS BETWEEN UK AND HK TO BE DELAYED
******
THE (TUESDAY) PRINCIPAL
POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED 1'ODAY THAT THE BRITISH POST OFFICE HAS INDICATED THAT ITS PARCEL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE IN LONDON IS UNDERGOING NT AND THAT AS A RESULT, PARCELS POSTED TO OR SENT IRON THE^UNITED KINGDOM WILL BE DELAYED DURING THIS PERIOD.
A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE WHEN THE SITUATION RETURNS TO NORMAL.
---------0------------
FORUM ON SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS
*******
SOME 300 INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISORS AND SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICERS WILL GATHER TOGETHER TO DISCUSS THE LEGAL AND SAFETi REQUIREMENTS IN HANDLING CHEMICALS AT A SYMPOSIUM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 31).
THE SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT - SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS IS ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH A FORUM TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES IN PROMOTING SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK.
DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR CHAN K1NG-CHUEN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES ARE WIDELY USED IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES AND BY NATURE MANY OF’ THEM ARE DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THEIR INFLAMMABILITY, TOXICITY OR CORROSITY.
’’IMPROPER USE, HANDLING OR LABELLING OF CHEMICALS IS VERY LIKELY TO EXPOSE WORKERS TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM,” HE NOTED.
SPEAKERS AT THE SYMPOSIUM WILL HIGHLIGHT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS.
SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER (PROTECTION) OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT MR LOO WING-LAM WILL TALK ON ’’SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND RELEVANT REGULATIONS ON DANGEROUS GOODS BULK STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION.”
CHIEF HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISER OF SHELL HONG KONG LIMITED MR LEE HUNG-KWONG AND THE COMPANY’S PRODUCT MANAGER -SOLVENTS MS SALLY LAM WILL SPEAK ON 'HAZARDOUS PROPERTIES AND SAFE HANDLING OF SOLVENTS.”
DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR MR WONG CHING-KWOK ^WILL ADDRESS ON ’’LEGAL OBLIGATIONS ON THE USE OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES”.
/THE SYMPOSIUM .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 31 -
— -
CHEMICALS DIRECTOR OF SHELL hShg kS ^MiS™
MR KWAN
CLARENCE ENG.
OF TEXTILE KON-WAH AND
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
;^TnSWAT!.‘“H,“5U', cs£S“ 0P H0™' VICT0K''. ™™ floor
COVER THE OPENING (OCTOBER 31) AT THE 200 CONNAUGHT ROAD
---------0-----------
CHECK-IN BAGGAGE LIMITATION INTRODUCED AT CHINA FERRY TERMINAL
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT A CHECK-IN BAGGAGE LIMITATION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED AT THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE MARINE OFFICER (CHINA FERRY TERMINAL) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR YEUNG CHUNG-KWONG, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID PASSENGERS USING THE TERMINAL ARE EACH PERMITTED A MAXIMUM OF 60 KILOGRAMS OF CHECK-IN BAGGAGE COMPRISING NO MORE THAN THREE PIECES.
MR YEUNG SAID EACH PIECE OF BAGGAGE SHOULD MEASURE NO MORE THAN 65 CENTIMETRES BY 55 CENTIMETRES BY 30 CENTIMETRES.
’’THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS BECOME NECESSARY IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE TRANSIT TIME OF PASSENGERS WITHIN THE TERMINAL,” HE EXPLAINED.
MR YEUNG REMINDED PASSENGERS BRINGING EXCESSIVE CHECK-IN LUGGAGE MIGHT EXPERIENCE DELAYS BECAUSE THEIR LUGGAGE WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEARED SEPARATELY FROM OTHER PASSENGERS.
NOTICES CONTAINING DETAILS ON THE CHECK-IN BAGGAGE LIMITATION ARE POSTED AT THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL. FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE MARINE OFFICER (CHINA FERRY TERMINAL) ON TEL. 738 2900.
HE SAID LONG DELAYS HAD PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED AT THE BAGGAGE CLAIM CAROUSELS WHILE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CHECK-IN BAGGAGE WERE BEING CLEARED.
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/32........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
32
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKF.G
*******
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS - - - TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q144 Hl 76
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,130 MN HKD 66 1 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 4.60 PCT 5.0f» PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 4.60 PCT 5.08 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 7 7 PCT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.66 PCT 5.2! PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXChANGf FUND 1IKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS - - - - TUESDAY 5 NOVEMBER 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q145 Y 196
ISSUE DATE 6 NOV 91 6 NOV 9.1
MATURITY DATE 7 FEB 92 4 NOV 92
TENOR 93 DAYS* 364 DAYS
AMOUNT OF OFFER HKD 500 + 100 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
* REPEAT 93 DAYS
o
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 28.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 29.10.91 + 190
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -190
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112. 2 *-0.1* 29.10.91
/33......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1991
- 33 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
29.10.91 28.10.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 3.99 PCT 4.01 PCT
1 MONTH 4.21 PCT 4.21 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.59 PCT 4.47 PCT
6 MONTHS 5.08 PCT 5.10 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.07 PCT 6.13 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 6,170 MN 7,515 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: GOVT MONITORS EFFECT OF ULP WITH 98 OCTANE LEVEL ....................... 1
GOVT SATISFIES WITH PROCEDURES IN CHECKING DOUBLE BACKERS ........... 2
CURRENT GAMBLING POLICY EFFECTIVE ................................... 3
LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE MAY BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES ........ 4
SPEED LIMITS FOR GOODS VEHICLES UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW ............... 5
OFFICIAL RECEIVER'S SERVICES SHOULD BE FUNDED BY USERS .............. 6
ROAD SAFETY GIVEN HIGHEST PRIORITY IN DESIGNING ROAD JUNCTIONS ...... 8
ACTION AGAINST GOODS VEHICLE OVERLOADING TO BE STEPPED UP ........... 8
OPERATING-HOUR ADJUSTMENT OF TUNNEL RESTS WITH DEMAND ............... 9
CAREER PLANNING SYSTEM FOR SENIOR OFFICERS WELL ESTABLISHED ......... 10
WALLED CITY CLEARANCE TO GO AHEAD AS SCHEDULED ........................ 12
VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION HITS 1,000 MARK AGAIN .......................... 13
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ...................................... 14
SPORTS FESTIVAL FOR TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS ............................... 15
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPT HAS MOVED ...................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 16
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
GOVT MONITORS EFFECT OF ULP WITH 98 OCTANE LEVEL
*****
UNLEADED PETROL (ULP) WITH OCTANE LEVEL OF 98 WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE FOR SUPPLY TO HONG KONG WHEN PREPARATIONS WERE MADE FOR THE FIRST INTRODUCTION OF ULP AND THEREFORE WAS NOT A PRACTICAL OPTION AT THAT MOMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MOSES CHENG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT SOME 77 PER CENT OF ALL EXISTING PETROL CARS COULD RUN PROPERLY ON ULP WITH OCTANE LEVEL OF 95 AND VIRTUALLY ALL NEW CARS WERE DESIGNED TO BE ABLE TO RUN SMOOTHLY ON IT.
"IT WAS, THEREFORE, FELT MORE APPROPRIATE TO INTRODUCE FROM THE BEGINNING THIS GRADE OF PETROL WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FOR THE OPTIMUM LONG-TERM FUEL REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG.
"DISCUSSIONS WERE ALSO HELD WITH THE OIL COMPANIES AND THEY AGREED THAT THE GRADE OF ULP WHICH SHOULD BE PROVIDED OUGHT TO BE 95," MR LEUNG SAID.
ON THE PRICE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN LEADED AND UNLEADED PETROL, MR LEUNG SAID THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY FORMAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE OIL COMPANIES AND THE GOVERNMENT.
"HOWEVER, THE UNDERSTANDING REACHED AT A MEETING SHORTLY BEFORE THE LAUNCHING OF ULP WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD APPLY A REVENUE-NEUTRAL DUTY DIFFERENTIAL OF 45 CENTS AS BETWEEN LEADED AND UNLEADED PETROL, TO ENCOURAGE USAGE OF UNLEADED, AND THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD CHARGE 56 CENTS MORE ON LEADED PETROL, BRINGING ABOUT A COMBINED EFFECT OF MAKING LEADED PETROL $1.01 MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ULP.
"THE OIL COMPANIES ALSO AGREED THAT THEY WOULD DROP THE 56 CENTS ON LEADED PETROL WHEN THE TOTAL INVESTMENT ON INTRODUCING ULP WAS RECOVERED," HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AS ULP WITH OCTANE LEVEL OF 98 WAS NOT CONSIDERED AS AN OPTION WHEN THE UNDERSTANDING WAS REACHED, THE PROVISIONS WERE NOT APPLICABLE TO IT.
HOWEVER, THE 45 CENTS DUTY DIFFERENTIAL AS BETWEEN UNLEADED AND LEADED PETROL WAS APPLICABLE TO BOTH GRADES OF THE UNLEADED PRODUCT, MR LEUNG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED WITH CURRENT USAGE OF ULP, WHICH WAS AT ABOUT 46 PER CENT.
"THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT 98 ULP IS INCREASING ULP USAGE SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CLOSELY MONITOR THE EFFECT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF 98 ULP AND TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION, AMONG OTHER FACTORS, IN REVIEWING THE PRICE DIFFERENTIAL IN DUE COURSE," HE SAID.
- - 0----------
/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
- 2 -
GOVT SATISFIES WITH PROCEDURES IN CHECKING DOUBLE BACKERS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT THE PRESENT PROCEDURES ARE EFFECTIVE IN IDENTIFYING AND DETECTING THE SO-CALLED DOUBLE BACKERS FROM THE NEWLY ARRIVED VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, STATED THAT THERE WERE WELL ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR THE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SO-CALLED DOUBLE BACKERS.
FIRST, MR ASPREY SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAD A CENTRAL REGISTER CONTAINING THE DETAILS, INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS, OF ALL VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAD ENTERED HONG KONG ILLEGALLY.
THE CENTRAL REGISTER WAS REGULARLY UPDATED TO REFLECT THE LATEST CHANGES IN THE VIETNAMESE POPULATION, INCLUDING DETAILS OF THOSE WHO HAD BEEN REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM.
SECONDLY, MR ASPREY SAID UPON DISEMBARKATION AT GREEN ISLAND, ALL VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WERE SUBJECT TO A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS BY IMMIGRATION AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICERS WELL EXPERIENCED IN IDENTIFYING DOUBLE BACKERS THROUGH CAREFUL QUESTIONING.
IN THE COURSE OF THESE INTERVIEWS, A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF DOUBLE BACKERS WERE IDENTIFIED THROUGH SELF-ADMISSION, DISCLOSURE BY OTHER VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS OR DETECTION BY THE INTERVIEWERS, HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT WHERE THE INTERVIEWERS HAD DOUBTS OVER THE IDENTITY OF ANY VIETNAMESE MIGRANT, AN EXTENSIVE RECORD CHECK WAS CARRIED OUT TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER A PARTICULAR VIETNAMESE MIGRANT HAD PREVIOUSLY RETURNED TO VIETNAM THROUGH THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION SCHEME.
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT THE PRESENT PROCEDURES WERE EFFECTIVE, MR ASPREY SAID IT RECOGNISED THAT A FEW MIGHT HAVE ESCAPED DETECTION THROUGH THE USE OF DIFFERENT OR FICTITIOUS NAMES.
"HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THAT THESE WILL BE SUBSEQUENTLY DETECTED IN THE SCREENING PROCESS," HE SAID.
--------o-----------
/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30,
1991
3 -
CURRENT GAMBLING POLICY EFFECTIVE ********
THE GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT GAMBLING POLICY IS EFFECTIVE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). I \
5 ‘ >■ *
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NG MING-YUM, MR TSAO SAID, HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMPLACENT. ,
b' > * . • i
"NEW FORMS OF GAMBLING ARE DETECTED FROM TIME TO TIME; STEPS ARE TAKEN TO MODIFY THE POLICY OR AMEND THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE POLICE HAVE THE POWER THEY NEED TO TACKLE ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN ALL ITS FORMS," HE SAID.
THE MOST RECENT AMENDMENT TO THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR WHEN IT WAS AMENDED TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE SENTENCES FOR OFFENCES RELATED TO ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND TO TIGHTEN CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THE LAW TO BE ENFORCED MORE EFFECTIVELY.
"WITH THESE AMENDMENTS, THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR OPERATING ILLEGAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENT, FOR BOOKMAKING AND FOR OPERATING ILLEGAL LOTTERIES WAS RAISED FROM $500,000 TO $5 MILLION," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY HAD ALWAYS BEEN TO RESTRICT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GAMBLING BUT TO ALLOW FOR CONTROLLED OUTLETS TO COUNTER ILLEGAL GAMBLING.
"IN PRACTICE, THIS MEANS STRICT L£WS AND FIRM ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING ACTIVITIES, SUPPORTED BY THE PROVISION OF CONTROLLED ALTERNATIVES WHERE A COGENT NEED FOR SUCH ALTERNATIVES HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.
"OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES (OCBC) ARE ONE OF THE MAIN WEAPONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING," HE SAID.
ON THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF OCBC’S, MR TSAO SAID THEY WERE BEING CLOSELY MONITORED.
BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE FIRST OCBC IN APRIL 1974, OFF-COURSE BETTING WAS 1,'HE MOST POPULAR FORM OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE ESTIMATED COMBINED TURNOVER OF BETTING ON HORSE AND GREYHOUND RACING EXCEEDED $7,000 MILLION A YEAR.
"IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT TN OCTOBER 1973, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE LEGALISATION OF OFF-COURSE BETTING.
"SINCE 1974, THE INCIDENCE OF ILLEGAL OFF-COURSE BETTING HAS DECLINED, AND RELATED SOCIAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LOANSHARKING AND TRIAD INTIMIDATION HAVE BEEN ALLEVIATED," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, WITH THE SHIFT OF POPULATION FROM URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS, THE POLICE HAD DETECTED AN UPSURGE IN ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN THESE AREAS FROM TIME TO TIME, HE SAID.
/"WHERE OCBC'S .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
"WHERE OCBC’S HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED, THE INCIDENCE OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING HAS ONCE AGAIN DECLINED," HE STRESSED.
TURNING TO THE CRITERIA BEING USED WHEN APPROVING APPLICATIONS FOR THE SETTING UP OF A NEW OCBC, MR TSAO NOTED THAT EACH WOULD BE CONSIDERED ON ITS INDIVIDUAL MERITS, WITH REFERENCE TO THE FOLLOWING FACTORS AS WELL:
* AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC VIEWS MADE BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER AS
A RESULT OF HIS CONTACT WITH MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE, AREA COMMITTEE, DISTRICT BOARD AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, AS APPROPRIATE;
* AN ASSESSMENT BY THE POLICE ON POTENTIAL OR EXISTING ILLEGAL GAMBLING ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA;
* AN ASSESSMENT BY THE POLICE OF THE SUITABILITY OF THE PREMISES ON OPERATIONAL GROUNDS, INCLUDING SUCH MATTERS AS SECURITY, ACCESSIBILITY, OBSTRUCTION AND NUISANCE;
* WHERE PRACTICABLE, OCBC SHOULD GENERALLY BE LOCATED IN PURPOSE BUILT BUILDINGS OR COMMERCIAL PREMISES INCLUDING THE
COMMERCIAL AREAS OF COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, MTR
STATION COMPLEXES OR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES; AND
» AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, WHERE POSSIBLE, A REASONABLE PHYSICAL
SEPARATION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN AN OCBC AND SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CATERING PRIMARILY TO CHILDREN AND YOUTHS, IN ADDITION, OCBC SHOULD NOT BE SITUATED ON POPULAR ROUTES BETWEEN SUCH SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
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LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE MAY BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES
******
THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991 HAS NOT BEEN BROUGHT INTO EFFECT BECAUSE FUNDS ORIGINALLY EARMARKED FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION HAVE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE EXPANSION OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT AS SOON AS ADDITIONAL FUNDS WERE OBTAINED FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
/"CONSIDERATION IS .......
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 30, 1991
- 5 -
"CONSIDERATION IS ALSO BEING GIVEN TO PHASING THE IMPLEMENTATION SO THAT SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED IN THE ORDINANCE CAN BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT EARLIER," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS HAD NECESSITATED'A REVIEW OF THE PRIORITIES OF PROVIDING LEGAL AID IN THE VARIOUS COURTS OF HONG KONG.
"HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED TO RESTRAIN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND THE GOVERNMENT’S OBLIGATION UNDER ARTICLE 11 (2) (D) OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO PEOPLE OF INSUFFICIENT MEANS IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO GIVE PRIORITY TO EXPANDING THE SUBVERTED DUTY LAWYER SCHEME JOINTLY ADMINISTERED BY THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE BAR ASSOCIATION IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.
"THE NECESSARY FUNDS ($30 MILLION) WOULD BE PROVIDED BY DEFERRING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE," SIR DAVID EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE EXPANDED DUTY LAWYER SCHEME APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON JULY 12 THIS YEAR CAME INTO FULL OPERATION ON OCTOBER 14 THIS YEAR.
"PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE EXPANSION SO FAR HAS BEEN HIGHLY POSITIVE.
"IT HAS ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO COMPLY FULLY WITH ITS STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
IT WAS EXPECTED TO BENEFIT AN ADDITIONAL 17,0Q0 PEOPLE A YEAR COMPARED WITH AN ESTIMATED 1,600 PEOPLE THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RELAXATION OF THE FINANCIAL CRITERIA FOR LEGAL AID UNDER THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE.
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SPEED LIMITS FOR GOODS VEHICLES UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW ******
CURRENT SPEED LIMITS FOR MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES ARE ADEQUATE, BUT THEY WILL BE KEPT ’UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR LEUNG SAID UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, THERE WAS A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ON ALL ROADS FOR ALL CLASSES OF VEHICLES, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.
ON EXPRESSWAYS WHERE HIGHER SPEEDS WERE ALLOWED, FOR EXAMPLE UP TO 100 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ON CERTAIN SECTIONS OF TOLO HIGHWAY, THE UPPER SPEED LIMIT FOR MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES WAS RESTRICTED TO 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
- 6
MR LEUNG SAID THERE WERE AT PRESENT 377,024 LICENSED VEHICLES IN HONG KONG. AMONG THEM, 824 WERE GOODS VEHICLES WITH PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 24 TONNES AND BEING CLASSIFIED AS HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES; AND 1,212 WERE CONCRETE MIXERS BEING NORMALLY CLASSIFIED AS MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES.
ON THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS, MR LEUNG SAID THERE WERE 40 CASES RESULTING IN TWO DEATHS AND 49 INJURIES.
IN 1990, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS WAS 79 INVOLVING FIVE DEATHS AND 106 INJURIES, COMPARED WITH 44 ACCIDENTS, TWO DEATHS AND 74 INJURIES IN 1989.
ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CONCRETE MIXERS IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS, THERE WERE 28 CASES RESULTING IN THREE DEATHS AND 39 INJURIES.
IN 1990, THERE WAS A TOTAL OF 33 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING TWO DEATHS AND 43 INJURIES, AND IN 1989, THERE WERE 41 ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN TWO DEATHS AND 55 INJURIES.
ON THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING VEHICLES OTHER THAN HEAVY VEHICLES AND CONCRETE MIXERS, MR LEUNG SAID BETWEEN JANUARY AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 11,272 ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN 226 DEATHS AND 14,904 INJURIES.
IN 1990, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS WAS 15,255 INVOLVING 321 DEATHS AND 20,028 INJURIES. IN 1989, THERE WERE 16,214 ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN 346 DEATHS AND 21,251 INJURIES.
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OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S SERVICES SHOULD BE FUNDED BY USERS
*****
THE BASIS ON WHICH THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER IMPOSES CHARGES ON THE DEPOSITS OF BANKRUPTS AND INSOLVENT COMPANIES UNDER HIS CARE IS THAT THE COST OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER SHOULD, AS FAR AS IS REASONABLE, BE FUNDED BY THOSE WHO USE SUCH SERVICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT UNDER SECTION 128A OF THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE, THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WAS REQUIRED TO PLACE ON BANK DEPOSIT MONIES WHICH WERE IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT WHICH, IN HIS OPINION, WAS REQUIRED FOR THE TIME BEING TO ANSWER DEMANDS OF DEBTORS’ ESTATES.
INTEREST ACCRUING ON THOSE DEPOSITS WAS THEN REQUIRED TO BE PAID INTO THE GENERAL REVENUE AT THE END OF EACH FINANCIAL YEAR.
/AS TO........
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 30, 1991
AS TO INSOLVENT COMPANIES, THE SECRETARY SAID UNDER SECTION 285 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, LIQUIDATORS OF INSOLVENT COMPANIES WERE REQUIRED TO PAY INTO THE COMPANIES LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER MONIES WHICH HAD REMAINED UNCLAIMED OR UNDISTRIBUTED FOR SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THEIR RECEIPT.
UNDER SECTION 294 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WAS REQUIRED, IN RESPECT OF INSOLVENT COMPANIES, TO PLACE ON BANK DEPOSIT ALL MONIES IN HIS HANDS AS LIQUIDATOR WHICH WERE IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT WHICH, IN HIS OPINION, WAS REQUIRED FOR THE TIME BEING TO ANSWER DEMANDS IN RESPECT OF THE COMPANY’S ESTATE, HE ADDED.
INTEREST ACCRUING ON .THOSE DEPOSITS WAS THEN REQUIRED TO RE PAID INTO THE GENERAL REVENUE AT THE END OF EACH FTNANCTM YEAR.
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS APPLIED WHEN THE CASH BALANCE STANDING TO THE CREDIT OF THE ACCOUNT OF ANY COMPANY EXCEEDED BY $100,000 OR MORE THE AMOUNT WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION, OR, WHERE THERE WAS NO COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION, IN THE OPINION OF THE LIQUIDATOR, WAS REQUIRED FOR THE TIME BEING TO ANSWER DEMANDS IN RESPECT OF THE COMPANY’S ESTATE.
IN SUCH CASES, THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WAS REQUIRED ON THE REQUEST OF THE COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION, OR WHERE THERE WAS NO COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION ON THE REQUEST OF THE LIQUIDATOR, TO INVEST THE AMOUNT OF SUCH EXCESS ON BANK DEPOSIT.
OUT OF THE INTEREST PAID ON SUCH DEPOSITS, AN AMOUNT EQUALLED TO 1.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM (OR SUCH OTHER RATE AS MIGHT BE FIXED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY) OF THE MONEY INVESTED WAS REQUIRED TO BE PAID TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER.
AGAIN, MR NENDICK NOTED, SUCH INTEREST WAS THEN PAID INTO THE GENERAL REVENUE AT THE END OF EACH FINANCIAL YEAR WHILE THE BALANCE OF THE INTEREST WAS PAID TO THE CREDIT OF THE COMPANY.
ON WHAT EXTENT THESE CHARGES HAD RESULTED IN RECOVERING THE COST OF PROVIDING THE PARTICULAR SERVICES, MR NENDICK STATED THAT THE COST OF OPERATING THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, 1990-91, WAS $103 MILLION AND THE INTEREST PAID TO THE GENERAL REVENUE ON BANK DEPOSITS TOTALLED $25.5 MILLION.
"THUS THIS INTEREST CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 25 PER CENT TO THE OVERALL OPERATING COSTS OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE DURING THE YEAR," HE SAID.
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/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
ROAD SAFETY GIVEN HIGHEST PRIORITY IN DESIGNING ROAD JUNCTIONS ******
THE SAFETY OF VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IS GIVEN THE HIGHEST PRIORITY IN DESIGNING ROAD JUNCTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN, MK LEUNG SAID IN EACH CASE, THE DESIGN TOOK ACCOUNT OF THE TYPE OF ROAD, THE PROJECTED TRAFFIC VOLUME, PEDESTRIAN NEEDS AND SIGHT DISTANCE.
HE STRESSED THAT THE STANDARDS ADOPTED ACCORD WITH THE BEST INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE SAFETY OF ROAD JUNCTIONS WAS KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW, HAVING REGARD TO CHANGING TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THESE REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC INCLUDING DISTRICT BOARDS, IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE AS NECESSARY, HE ADDED.
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ACTION AGAINST GOODS VEHICLE OVERLOADING TO BE STEPPED UP *******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN ACTION AGAINST THE OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THESE PROPOSALS INCLUDED RAISING THE AMOUNT OF THE FIXED PENALTY, MAKING THE OVERLOADING OF INDIVIDUAL AXLES AN OFFENCE, INCLUDING OVERLOADING AS A SCHEDULED OFFENCE UNDER THE DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS SYSTEM, AND TIGHTENING OWNERS’ LIABILITY FOR OVERLOADING OFFENCES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ALBERT CHAN, MR LEUNG SAID IN ADDITION TO THE PRESENT 18 WEIGH STATIONS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THREE MORE WOULD BE INSTALLED BY STAGES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.
THESE STATIONS WOULD BE LOCATED IN CHAI WAN NEAR THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, TAI LAM CHUNG NEAR TUEN MUN ROAD AND THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION NEAR THE FUTURE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT SAID SUSPECTED OVERLOADED VEHICLES WERE CHECKED AT POLICE WEIGH STATIONS AND WERE REQUIRED TO OFF-LOAD ANY GOODS IN EXCESS.
/DEPENDING ON .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
- 9 -
DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF OVERLOADING, THE DRIVERS WERE WARNED, SUBJECTED TO FIXED PENALTY FINE OR PROSECUTED AS APPROPRIATE.
IN ADDITION, ENFORCEMENT ACTION WAS ALSO TAKEN AGAINST THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES IF THERE WAS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.
LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO MR LEUNG, POLICE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WAS TAKEN IN 33,340 CASES.
ON THE 18 EXISTING WEIGH STATIONS, MR LEUNG SAID FIVE WERE PERMANENT AND 13 WERE PORTABLE WEIGH PADS.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAD INSTALLED FIVE DYNAMIC WEIGHBRIDGES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO COLLECT STATISTICAL DATA ON THE EXTENT OF OVERLOADING, FOR MONITORING AND PLANNING PURPOSES, MR LEUNG ADDED.
- - 0 - -
OPERATING-HOUR ADJUSTMENT OF TUNNEL RESTS WITH DEMAND
******
THE EXISTING OPERATING HOURS OF TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL MAY BE ADJUSTED SHOULD FUTURE DEMAND SO WARRANTS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WAH-SUM, MR LEUNG SAID BECAUSE OF LOW PATRONAGE AND THE AVAILABILITY OF AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE, THE TUNNEL WAS OPENED TO TRAFFIC INITIALLY FOR 16 HOURS EACH DAY FROM 6.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
AS AT SEPTEMBER, AN AVERAGE OF 11,500 VEHICLES USED THE TUNNEL EACH DAY, WHICH WAS WELL BELOW THE DESIGN CAPACITY OF 80,000 VEHICLES.
MR LEUNG SAID THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES LIKELY TO USE THE TUNNEL DURING THE HOURS OF CLOSURE WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY THE DEPLOYMENT OF MORE STAFF THAN THE 66 CURRENTLY WORKING IN TWO SHIFTS.
BESIDES, DURING THE HOURS OF CLOSURE, VEHICLES COULD STILL USE THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA PO LAM ROAD.
HOWEVER, MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THE SITUATION WAS BEING KEPT UNDER REVIEW.
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/10 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
10 CAREER PLANNING SYSTEM FOR SENIOR OFFICERS WELL ESTABLISHED * ♦ t ♦ * ♦
A WIDE RANGE OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS TO EQUIP SENIOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS FOR HIGHER LEVEL MANAGEMENT POSITIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WIGGHAM SAID THERE WAS ALSO AN ESTABLISHED SYSTEM OF CAREER PLANNING DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY THOSE WITH POTENTIAL TO ASSUME DIRECTORATE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH POSTINGS, TRAINING AND EXPOSURE WHICH WOULD HELP THEM TO REALISE THAT POTENTIAL.
IT REMAINS THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY TO PROVIDE OFFICERS WITH THE TRAINING AND CAREEi' DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES REQUIRED TO ASSUME HIGHER RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED PROVISION OF EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, HE STRESSED.
"CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, IN CONSULTATION WITH POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, FORMULATES AND REASSESSES DIRECTORATE SUCCESSION PLANS FOR EACH DEPARTMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS, USUALLY ANNUALLY," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE ORGANISED A VARIETY OF COURSES OF DIFFERENT DURATION FOR THE WHOLE CIVIL SERVICE.
COURSES PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO SENIOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS COVERED MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT, PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING; LEADERSHIP SKILL AND TEAM BUILDING; STAFF MANAGEMENT AND STAFF RELATIONS TECHNIQUES; ORGANISATION SKILLS; PRESENTATION SKILLS; MANAGEMENT OF WORK STRESS.
IN ADDITION, THE CENTRE OFFERS COURSES ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING THE USE OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS, AND IN LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
REGARDING IN-HOUSE TRAINING, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE TRAINING CENTRE ALSO PROVIDED SUPPORT AND ADVICE TO DEPARTMENTS.
HE SAID $26.3 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED TO THE CENTRE THIS YEAR FOR THIS PURPOSE, AN INCREASE OVER THE $18.36 MILLION PROVIDED IN 1988/89.
THE CENTRE ALSO HAS A RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTRE PROVIDING READING MATERIAL FOR OFFICERS WHO WISH TO ENHANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SUBJECTS.
MEANWHILE, MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT THE SENIOR STAFF COURSE CENTRE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1984 TO PROVIDE OFFICERS AT THE SENIOR PROFESSIONAL LEVEL WITH MANAGEMENT TRAINING SPECIALLY TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
/THE CENTRE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
- 11 -
THE CENTRE RUNS A THREE-MONTH FULL-TIME SENIOR MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME TWICE A YEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A TOTAL OF 500 OFFICERS, MOSTLY PROFESSIONAL STAFF, HAD BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAMME SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
A SUM OF $5.67 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE CENTRE FOR TRAINING DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
NOTING THAT OFFICERS WERE ALSO SPONSORED TO ATTEND COURSES ORGANISED BY LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, HE SAID LAST FINANCIAL YEAR MORE THAN 9,000 OFFICERS WERE SO BENEFITED, INCLUDING NEARLY 450 WHO BENEFITED FROM TRAINING OVERSEAS.
AS REGARDS CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, THE SECRETARY SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH CALLED FOR AND EXAMINED DIRECTORATE SUCCESSION PLANS FOR EACH DEPARTMENT.
"PART OF THE PROCESS OF GROOMING OFFICERS FOR HIGHER MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES INVOLVES IDENTIFYING THOSE WITH POTENTIAL AND PROVIDING FOR THEM, WHERE NECESSARY, TO ATTEND APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSES EITHER LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS.
"ON-THE-JOB TRAINING IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPARTMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AS MUCH EXPOSURE AS POSSIBLE THROUGH INTER OR INTRA-DEPARTMENTAL POSTINGS," HE ADDED.
TO ENABLE SENIOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS TO ACQUIRE WORK EXPERIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OPERATIONS AT THE CENTRAL LEVEL, HE SAID THE BRANCH HAD AN ESTABLISHED ARRANGEMENT FOR SECONDING SELECTED PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS TO POLICY OR RESOURCE BRANCHES IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
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/12
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
- 12 -
WALLED CITY CLEARANCE TO GO AHEAD AS SCHEDULED * ♦ » » »
THE WALLED CITY CLEARANCE WILL GO AHEAD AS SCHEDULED AND ALL PHASE I CLEAREES WHO FAIL TO MOVE OUT BY NOVEMEBER 27 WILL BE EVICTED, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE CLEARANCE OPERATION WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN FOUR PHASES. THE DEADLINE FOR THE FIRST PHASE HAS BEEN SET FOR NOVEMBER 27, 1991 AND THE REMAINING THREE PHASES WILL BE CLEARED BY MARCH, APRIL AND JUNE 1992 RESPECTIVELY.
THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY IS BEING CLEARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 1987 AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.
MR TSAO STRESSED THAT FIRM ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE CLEAREES WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE DEADLINE FOR THE RESPECTIVE PHASES.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALL THE POWER NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE CLEARANCE AND ALL DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED INCLUDING THE POLICE WILL TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE THE TARGETS ARE MET,” HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE CLEARANCE HAD PROGRESSED OVER FOUR YEARS AND THE MAJORITY OF CLEAREES TO DATE HAD ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING OFFERS AND HAD EITHER LEFT OR WOULD LEAVE THE WALLED CITY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
’’ONLY 457 HOUSEHOLDS OR 4.2 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OF THE 10,782 HOUSEHOLDS TO BE CLEARED UNDER ALL FOUR PHASES HAVE NOT AS YET ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT’S OFFERS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR TSAO POINTED OUT. THAT THERE WAS A SMALL GROUP OF DIFFICULT CLEAREES WHO CONSIDERED THAT THE COMPENSATION WAS INADEQUATE.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION TERMS ARE VERY REASONABLE," HE STRESSED.
IN THE CASE OF OWNERS OF PROPERTY, THEY ARE OFFERED COMPENSATION SUFFICIENT TO PURCHASE THE CHEAPEST HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) FLAT IN URBAN KOWLOON AREA AT THE TIME OF OFFER.
CALCULATION IS BASED ON A MODE FLAT OF 23.44 SQUARE METRES IN SIZE, GIVING A COMPENSATION RATE OF ABOUT $390,000. THIS RATE IS FOR THE LAST PHASE. RATES FOR EACH PHASE HAVE BEEN REVIEWED HAVING REGARD TO THE SALE PRICES OF THE HOS FLATS AT THE TIME OF THE OFFER.
BUSINESS OPERATORS ARE PAID COMPENSATION TO COVER THE LOSSES AND COSTS INCURRED IN RELOCATING THEIR OPERATIONS OUTSIDE THE WALLED CITY OR THEIR TOTAL EXTINGUISHMENT.
THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION WHERE A BUSINESS IS EXTINGUISHED BUT THE CLAIMANT HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF PROFITABILITY IS GENERALLY IN THE REGION OF $340,000 TO $450,000.
/HOWEVER, IE ........
• •7: xv-r
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
- 13 -
HOWEVER, IF THE BUSINESS OPERATORS ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY PROOF TO SUBSTANTIATE THEIR CLAIMS, HIGHER LEVELS OF COMPENSATION MAY BE OFFERED.
MR TSAO NOTED THAT THERE WAS ONE CASE IN WHICH THE OPERATOR HAD BEEN AWARDED COMPENSATION IN EXCESS OF $2 MILLION.
FOR DENTISTS AND DOCTORS, THE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP UNDER THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE CLEARANCE OF WALLED CITY HAS RULED THAT IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICAL FOR THESE CLINIC OPERATORS TO CONTINUE PRACTICE OUTSIDE THE WALLED CITY.
THEY ARE THEREFORE OFFERED COMPENSATION OF $342,000 EXCEPT IN CASES WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO SUBSTANTIATE THEIR CLAIMS FOR HIGHER COMPENSATION.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT EVEN AFTER EVICTION, CLEAREES WHO WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE COMPENSATION OFFERS WOULD BE GIVEN A TWO-MONTH PERIOD TO EITHER SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO SUBSTANTIATE A CLAIM FOR HIGHER COMPENSATION OR APPEAL TO THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD.
’’THE CLEARANCE IS CARRIED OUT IN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"IT WILL PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE LONG-STANDING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE WALLED CITY SUCH AS UNSAFE STRUCTURES, POOR STANDARD OF HYGIENE AND FIRE HAZARDS,” HE SAID.
THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST OVER $3.1 BILLION. SO FAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PAID OUT $2.27 BILLION.
MR TSAO ALSO TOURED THE WALLED CITY THIS AFTERNOON. HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR PHILIP CHOK; THE POLICE KOWLOON REGIONAL COMMANDER, MR PETER LEE; AND THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR JOHN CORRIGALL.
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VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION HITS 1,000 MARK AGAIN
******
THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WELCOMED THE UNHCR’S SUCCESS IN AGAIN ACHIEVING THE TARGET OF RETURNING MORE THAN 1,000 VOLUNTEERS TO VIETNAM IN A MONTH.
’’THE INCREASING NUMBER OF RETURNEES SUGGESTS THAT MORE ’ AND MORE VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE NOW COME TO REALISE THAT THEIR FUTURE LIES IN VIETNAM AND THAT IT IS NOT IN THEIR INTEREST FOR THEM TO CHOOSE TO CONTINUE THEIR MEANINGLESS STAY IN DETENTION CENTRES," MR LEEKS SAID.
MR LEEKS ALSO NOTED THAT OF THE RECENT VOLUNTARY RETURNEES, ABOUT 12 PER CENT WERE SCREENED-OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/THIS REPRESENTED ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOPER 30, 1991
- 14 -
THIS REPRESENTED A MARKED INCREASE WHEN COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF SCREENED-OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AMONG ALL THOSE WHO HAD RETURNED.
"THE GROWING NUMBER OF SCREENED-OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RETURNING VOLUNTARILY INDICATES THAT THE MESSAGE THAT ALL NON-REFUGEES WILL HAVE TO RETURN IS NOW GETTING THROUGH TO THOSE IN THE CAMPS," HE SAID.
HE HOPED THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY ON THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME FOR ALL VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WOULD FURTHER UNDERLINE THIS MESSAGE, THEREBY ENCOURAGING MORE TO GO HOME VOLUNTARILY.
TODAY'S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF 267 RETURNEES BROUGHT TO 1,173 THE NUMBER WHO HAVE RETURNED THIS MONTH.
THIS IS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF RETURNEES IN A MONTH SINCE THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME STARTED MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN THREE MONTHS THAT THE TARGET OF 1,000 RETURNEES PER MONTH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.
PREVIOUSLY, THE MONTHLY TARGET OF 1,000 RETURNEES WAS ACHIEVED IN AUGUST, WHEN 1,009 VIETNAMESE VOLUNTEERED TO GO HOME.
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GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER » ♦ * » ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND LOCATED IN THE NKW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT ON LAI STREET, AREA 11, SHA TIN.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,700 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR STORAGE OF GOODS INCLUDING MOTOR VEHICLES BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS AND DANGEROUS GOODS AS DEFINED IN THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.
. THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER#
THE SECOND LOT IS LOCATED AT SAI TSO WAN ROAD, AREA 16, TSING YI.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 23,410 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF EMPTY CONTAINERS (EXCLUDING STUFFING AND DESTUFFING ACTIVITIES).
THE TENANCY IS FOR 18 MONTHS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
/THE THIRD ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
- 15 -
THE THIRD LOT IS ALSO LOCATED AT SAI TSO WAN ROAD, AREA 16, TSING YI.
THE SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 13,300 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR THE PARKING OF CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS ONLY, ALL OF WHICH MUST BE CURRENTLY LICENSED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT FOR USE ON PUBLIC STREETS AND ROADS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 15.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, SHA TIN AND KWAI TSING; 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.
--------0-----------
SPORTS FESTIVAL FOR TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS ******
TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN A SPATE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS EVENTS ORGANISED UNDER THE 13TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL, BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG DAI-HEI, SAID THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL WILL START WITH A JOINT PERFORMANCE BY THE JIANGSU MARTIAL ARTS TEAM AND THE HONG KONG MARTIAL ARTS FEDERATION AT SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
OTHER EVENTS ON STREAM WILL INCLUDE ARCHERY, MINI-SOCCER, FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER, BADMINTON, SQUASH, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, TENNIS, TABLE TENNIS, AEROBIC DANCES, CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON, LONG-DISTANCE SWIMMING AND A GO-KART RACE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY AND THE HIGHLIGHT WILL BE THE PERFORMANCES BY THE SICHUAN HARD QIGONG AND SKILL CALLISTHENICS TEAM.
THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN ORGANISED SINCE 1979 BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE FEDERATION OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATIONS, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE TSUEN WAN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATION OFFICE.
THE GROWING SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY HAD MADE IT POSSIBLE TO ORGANISE THE EVENT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
/THIS YEAR'S .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1991
16 -
THIS YEAR’S EVENTS ARE ESTIMATED TO COST $1.3 MILLION. $250,000 WILL COME FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, $570,000 FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE REST FROM LOCAL DONATIONS.
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, RECEIVED CHEQUES FROM FOUR MAJOR DONARS ON BEHALF OF THE FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
----------------0------- CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPT HAS MOVED *****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAS MOVED FROM TSIM SHA TSUI TO PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN.
THE NEW ADDRESS IS CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
WITH THE REMOVAL, ITS ENQUIRIES TELEPHONE NUMBER HAS CHANGED TO 762 5111.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 29.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 30.10.91 -203
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 203
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *-0.4* 30.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
29.10.91 30.10.
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 3.99 PCT 4.06 PCT
1 MONTH 4.21 PCT 4.09 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.59 PCT 4.35 PCT
6 MONTHS 5.08 PCT 4.65 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.07 PCT 5.46 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 6,170 MN 8,432 MN
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE VMS TO GO HOME VOLUNTARILY: GOVERNOR 1
GOVERNOR VISITS TWO ISLANDS ............................................ 2
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO PAY TV.......................................... 3
KEY ROLE OF APPOINTED ACTUARY TO BE REINFORCED ......................... 5
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST BANK TO BE VIGOROUSLY CONTESTED..................... 7
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 2ND QUARTER OF 1991 ................. 8
55 LEGCO MEMBERS DEBATE POLICY ADDRESS ................................. 10
NEGLIGENCE BLAMED FOR CHEMICAL ACCIDENTS ............................... 10
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO START ON SUNDAY ............................ 11
SPECIAL PRODUCTS TO MARK INT'L STAMP EXHIBITION ........................ 12
TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL STARTS ON SATURDAY............................ 13
ARTS FESTIVAL FOR NORTH DISTRICT........................................ 14
DIAL-A-RIDE REHABUS SERVICE EXTENDED ................................... 14
EPD’S NOISE AND AIR CONTROL GROUPS ON MOVE ............................. 15
WSD'S SAI KUNG ENQUIRY CENTRE CLOSES ................................... 16
CSD AUTUMN FAIR IN STANLEY.............................................. 16
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN SAI KUNG............................... 17
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ............................... 18
CONVERSION OF POSTAGE LABLE ISSUING MACHINE ............................ 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
19
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE VMS
***.**
TO GO HOME VOLUNTARILY: GOVERNOR * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TO VOLUNTEER TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM.
"THAT MUST BE THE BEST THING, BOTH FOR THEM AND FOR EVERYBODY ELSE," SAID THE GOVERNOR WHEN HE SPOKE TO THE PRESS AFTER VISITING ISLANDS DISTRICT.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE NEW AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT, THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WOULD KNOW THAT IF THEY WERE NOT REFUGEES, THEY WERE NOT GOING TO BE RESETTLED, AND THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO THE UNITED STATES AS THEY HAD WISHED.
"SO WE MUST TRY AND PERSUADE THEM THAT THEY SHOULD VOLUNTEER TO GO BACK TO THEIR OWN HOMES," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE AN EXACT TIMETABLE FOR THE WHOLE PROCESS OF RETURNING VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, BUT IT WOULD START RELATIVELY SOON WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WERE DOUBLE BACKERS.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESS WOULD BE NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS, ADDING: "WE WILL BE DOING IT OPENLY AND THERE WILL BE PRESS FACILITIES."
COMMENTING ON THE CRITICISM REGARDING THE TIMING FOR SENDING BACK THE PEOPLE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I DON’T THINK THIS IS SIMPLY SOMETHING YOU CAN PUT OFF WAITING FOR A BETTER OCCASION; WAITING FOR THINGS TO CHANGE IN VIETNAM.
"BUT, I DO THINK IT’S VERY ENCOURAGING THAT IN INDO-CHINA AS A WHOLE, THINGS ARE CHANGING; THAT THERE IS ECONOMIC REFORM IN VIETNAM; THAT THE UNITED STATES ARE BEGINNING TO TALK ABOUT ESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR HOPED THAT THIS WOULD SOON LEAD TO AN ENDING OF THE UNITED STATES EMBARGO, AND THEREFORE TO AN IMPROVEMENT OF THE VIETNAMESE ECONOMY.
"BUT DON’T LET US BELIEVE THAT WE CAN SIMPLY LEAVE PEOPLE IN CAMPS FOR YEAR AFTER YEAR WAITING FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND TRY TO DEAL WITH IT NOW," HE ADDED.
ON THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL, SIR DAVID SAID WE NEED TIME TO REFLECT ON THIS AND WORK OUT THE BEST WAY FORWARD.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING WHICH HAD TO BE LOOKED AT VERY CAREFULLY AND IT WAS A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE.
"I THINK WE NOW NEED TIME, ALL OF US, TO REFLECT ON WHAT THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS; WE ALL WANT TO SET UP A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL HERE AS SOON AS WE CAN; GET IT GOING BEFORE BEFORE 1997; GET PEOPLE ACCUSTOMED TO IT. WE ALSO HAVE TO THINK OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE TO DO AS WELL AS WHAT IS THE MOST DESIRABLE THING TO DO," HE SAID.
/"IT'S NOT .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 2 -
"IT’S NOT SOMETHING WE’VE GOT TO DO IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS THOUGH. THE LEGISLATION DOESN’T GET PREPARED; IT DOESN’T GET PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW.
"IT HAS TO BE PUT THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUT THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON DRAFTING THE LEGISLATION. SO THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WHICH IS URGENT, IT IS SOMETHING WHICH WE CAN DO OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS THE ADMINISTRATION WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHAT WAS THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD.
"AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL HERE, THERE HAS TO BE LEGISLATION THAT HAS TO BE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SO LET US DISCUSS IT WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; SEE WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE," HE SAID.
ON THE RECENT LAW AND ORDER SITUATION, THE GOVERNOR SAID PEOPLE WERE QUITE NATURALLY CONCERNED WHEN THERE WERE DRAMATIC INCIDENTS, PARTICULARLY WHEN WEAPONS WERE USED.
"WE MUST GET ON TOP OF THOSE PROBLEMS, AND THE POLICE WILL CERTAINLY DO SO AND THEY WILL HAVE THE FULL BACKING OF THE ADMINISTRATION," HE SAID.
HE SAID WITHOUT IN ANY WAY SEEKING TO DOWNGRADE THE PROBLEM, HONG KONG WAS STILL A VERY SAFE TERRITORY, IN COMPARISON WITH MOST OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD.
"WE’VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP IT AS GOOD AS WE POSSIBLY CAN, AND THE POLICE WILL BE DOING EVERYTHING THEY POSSIBLY CAN TO ACHIEVE THAT," HE SAID.
ON ROBBERY CASES INVOLVING WEAPONS BEING SMUGGLED INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE POLICE HAD BEEN HAVING TALKS AND WOULD GO ON HAVING TALKS WITH THE SECURITY OFFICIALS IN GUANGDONG.
"AND THAT’S SOMETHING WE’VE GOT TO BUILD UP OVER THE YEARS, WE ARE NOT ISOLATED FROM GUANGDONG; THAT MEANS THAT WE MUST CONTINUE TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SECURITY AUTHORITIES IN GUANGDONG. WE HAVE SOME COMMON PROBLEMS SO WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THEM TOGETHER," HE SAID.
------0-----------
GOVERNOR VISITS TWO ISLANDS
*******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, VISITED TWO OUTLYING ISLANDS TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR FRED TING, AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 3 -
SIR DAVID FIRST WENT TO PENG CHAU WHERE HE SAW THE PREPARATORY WORK FOR A NEW RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON THE ISLAND.
HE WALKED THROUGH THE MARKET AND VISITED A FAMOUS PORCELAIN SHOP WHERE HE SAW PORCELAIN PAINTERS AT WORK.
HE ALSO VISITED THE TIN HAU TEMPLE, BUILT IN THE 1790’S AND THE LUNG MO TEMPLE WITH ITS FAMOUS "DRAGON MOTHER BED'.'.
SIR DAVID THEN VISITED CHEUNG CHAU, THE MOST DENSELY-POPULATED OUTLYING ISLAND.
HE WALKED THROUGH THE TOWN CENTRE AND CALLED ON THE PAK SHE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION AND AN ADJACENT BAKERY WHICH PREPARES BUNS AND FLOATS FOR THE ANNUAL BUN FESTIVAL HELD ON THE ISLAND.
HE THEN CALLED ON THE WAN HO KAN CENTRE FOR THE AGED WHERE HE CHATTED WITH SOME ELDERLY PEOPLE.
"IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING TO SEE HOW THE OUTLYING ISLANDS ARE DEVELOPING, AND YET ARE STILL MANAGING TO RETAIN THEIR SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE ISLANDS ARE ADAPTING WELL TO CHANGE; BUT WHAT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT IS THAT THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY REMAINS STRONG," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID CONCLUDED HIS VISIT BY MEETING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AT A TEA RECEPTION.
--------0-----------
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO PAY TV
*******
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE PAY TELEVISION SERVICES SHOULD BE ASSESSED ON THEIR MERITS PURELY FROM A BROADCASTING POINT OF VIEW.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, MR SO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AT THE FINAL STAGE OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR PAY TV.
"OUR CURRENT THINKING IS NOT TO REQUIRE OPERATORS OF THE FUTURE PAY TV SYSTEM TO PROVIDE A SECOND TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.
"ANY DESIRE ON THEIR PART TO EXTEND THEIR SYSTEM TO PROVIDE FOR OTHER FACILITIES, SUCH AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, WILL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY.
"THAT IS TO SAY PROVIDERS OF PAY TV SHOULD CONSIDER THE VIABILITY OF THEIR SYSTEM ENTIRELY FROM A BROADCASTING ANGLE," HE SAID.
/MR SO ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
MR SO SAID IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF THE LAST CABLE TV EXERCISE AND THE ADVANCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIELD OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING, THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING A MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO THE FORM OF DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY TO BE USED.
"WHILST WE BELIEVE THAT CABLE IS STILL THE IDEAL MEDIUM FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF PAY TV, THE HIGH COST OF INSTALLATION AND THE LONG LEAD TIME REQUIRED TO PENETRATE HOMES DO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT DRAWBACKS.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY HAVE OFFERED CHEAPER AND QUICKER OPTIONS.
"THESE TECHNOLOGIES ARE MMDS (MULTI-CHANNEL MULTI-POINT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM) AND SMATV (SATELLITE MASTER ANTENNA TELEVISION)," HE SAID.
MR SO BELIEVED THAT IN THE FIELD OF DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY, MARKET FORCES SHOULD PREVAIL, AND THEREFORE IT WOULD NOT BE WISE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SPECIFY A CABLE SYSTEM.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONSIDERATION UNDER THE CURRENT REVIEW WAS THE COVERAGE AND NUMBER OF PAY TV SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
"WE ARE INCLINED TO FAVOUR THE SINGLE TERRITORY-WIDE SERVICE AREA APPROACH, BUT IT IS STILL FOR CONSIDERATION WHETHER WE SHOULD GRANT ONE LICENCE OR OPEN THE MARKET TO COMPETITION.
"WITH CHEAPER DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS AVAILABLE AND FASTER PENETRATION TO HOUSEHOLDS, AND SOME 1.5 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS TO SERVE, THERE MAY BE ROOM FOR MORE THAN ONE OPERATOR IN THE MARKET," HE EXPLAINED.
HE SAID OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PAY TV LICENSING FRAMEWORK INCLUDING PROGRAMMING, CHANNEL NUMBERS, LEVEL OF SUBSCRIPTION, SCALE AND TYPES OF ADVERTISING TO BE ALLOWED, LICENCE FEES AND CROSS-MEDIA OWNERSHIP WERE BEING FINALISED.
"WE ARE FINALISING WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE A FAIR AND VIABLE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE INVESTMENTS IN THIS FORM OF BROADCASTING AND WOULD PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH THE WIDEST POSSIBLE CHOICE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.
"OUR AIM IS TO INVITE PROPOSALS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF PAY TV SERVICES IN HONG KONG EARLY NEXT YEAR, AND TO GRANT LICENCES TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS BY THE SUMMER OF 1992," HE SAID.
MR SO SAID PAY TV, TOGETHER WITH THE TWO EXISTING FORMS OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING, WOULD HAVE THEIR ROLE TO PLAY IN PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION AND BETTER QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT TO THE HONG KONG TV VIEWING PUBLIC.
/"THE TERRESTRIAL ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 5 -
"THE TERRESTRIAL TV BROADCASTERS, NAMELY TVB AND ATV, WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MASS ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATION PROGRAMMES THAT APPEAL TO A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, WHILE SATELLITE AND PAY TV WILL BRING IN PROGRAMMES FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD OR OF A MINORITY NATURE, TO CATER TO SPECIAL INTEREST AND TASTE.
"AS EACH FORM OF TV BROADCASTING IS DRAWING ITS REVENUE FROM DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT SOURCES, THERE SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT RETURNS TO MAKE THEIR OPERATION VIABLE.
"OUR OVERALL POLICY OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE FOR A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK THAT WOULD ENABLE ALL THREE FORMS OF TV BROADCASTERS TO CO-EXIST IN A HEALTHY COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT," MR SO ADDED.
--------0-----------
KEY ROLE OF APPOINTED * *
ACTUARY TO BE REINFORCED * * t
THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IS CURRENTLY TAKING MEASURES TO REINFORCE THE KEY ROLE OF THE APPOINTED ACTUARY AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL FROM THE POINTS OF VIEW OF BOTH THE CUSTOMER AND THE SUPPLIER, THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, MR DEREK SULLIVAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE LIFE OFFICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, MR SULLIVAN, WHO IS ALSO THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, SAID THE KEY FEATURE OF HONG KONG’S SUPERVISORY SYSTEM WAS THE REQUIREMENT FOR A LIFE INSURER TO APPOINT AN APPROVED ACTUARY, THE APPOINTED ACTUARY (AA).
THE AA HAS AN ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE, EXAMINE AND COUNSEL AN INSURER ON ITS CURRENT AND FUTURE OPERATION.
"UNDER THE AA SYSTEM, GREATER FLEXIBILITY OF SUPERVISION IS POSSIBLE THAN THAT AVAILABLE UNDER A SYSTEM WHERE ALL MATTERS, INCLUDING RESERVES AND POLICY CONDITION, ARE PRESCRIBED BY REGULATION," MR SULLIVAN SAID.
THE AA, ALTHOUGH PERHAPS AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT OR AN EMPLOYEE OF THE INSURER, BECOMES ON APPOINTMENT A STATUTORY PERSON WITH STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES IN ADDITION TO ANY RESPONSIBILITIES HE MAY HAVE T.0 HIS PROFESSION AND IN PARTICULAR HIS PROFESSIONAL BODY.
"THE BOTTOM LINE IN TERMS OF THE AA’S RESPONSIBILITIES IS OF COURSE ENSURING THAT THE ONGOING COUNSELLING AND ADVICE GIVEN TO THE INSURER IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT INSURER’S CONTINUED FINANCIAL HEALTH," MR SULLIVAN SAID.
ON THE MEASURES IN REINFORCING THE AA’S KEY ROLE, MR SULLIVAN SAID CURRENT DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY AND THE ACTUARIAL ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG SHOULD RESULT IN THE ASSOCIATION PRODUCING FIRM GUIDELINES TO ACTUARIES ON THE AA’S ROLE.
/"THESE GUIDELINES .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
"THESE GUIDELINES WILL SET OUT CLEARLY WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE AA IN HIS STATUTORY CAPACITY. SUCH GUIDELINES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE MARKETS AND SHOULD BE PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
"THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WILL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PRODUCTION OF THE ASSOCIATION’S GUIDELINES, BE ISSUING GUIDANCE NOTES TO LIFE INSURERS CLARIFYING ANY MISUNDERSTANDING THERE MIGHT BE ON THE PART OF SUCH INSURERS REGARDING THE KEY ROLE OF THE AA IN THE INSURER’S OPERATION.
"TO FURTHER REINFORCE THE AA’S POSITION THERE WILL BE AMENDMENTS TO THE INSURANCE LEGISLATIONS ENABLING AND REQUIRING THE AA TO CONTACT AND REPORT DIRECT TO THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCE," MR SULLIVAN SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT ALL THESE MEASURES WERE CONCERNED WITH ENSURING THAT THE INSURER WAS AT ALL TIMES ABLE TO MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL LIABILITIES AND THE REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS OF POLICY HOLDERS.
TURNING TO THE QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE INSURERS, MR SULLIVAN SAID INSURANCE CONSUMERS WOULD BE LOOKING FOR MORE FROM AN INSURER THAN SIMPLY ITS ABILITY TO MEET CONTRACTUAL LIABILITIES.
"AS A REGULATOR I WOULD CERTAINLY HOPE THAT QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND A CONTINUING PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENT IN SUCH SERVICE IS SEEN AS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF ANY PRODUCT PACKAGE AND BECOMES IN HONG KONG AN IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT FOR AN INSURER’S SURVIVAL IN THE MARKETPLACE," HE SAID.
MR SULLIVAN POINTED OUT THAT A MAJOR AREA OF INTEREST FOR THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WAS THE QUALITY OF THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, WHICH IN HONG KONG MEANT LIFE INSURANCE AGENTS.
"IT IS, I THINK, ESSENTIAL FOR THE LONG TERM PROSPERITY OF ANY LIFE INSURANCE MARKET THAT THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM REPRESENTS A REAL PRODUCT VALUE-ADDED TO THE CUSTOMER - NOT SIMPLY A VALUETRANSFER.
"THIS VALUE-ADDED CAN ONLY BE GIVEN BY, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THE'DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPERLY RECRUITED, PROPERLY TRAINED AND PROPERLY MANAGED FIELD FORCE OF INSURANCE AGENTS WHOSE QUALITY IS SUCH AS TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE INDUSTRY AND WHOSE END RESULT IS A SATISFIED CUSTOMER.
"QUALITY OF PRODUCT AND SERVICES, AS OPPOSED TO UNDERLYING FINANCIAL SECURITY OF THE INSURERS, IS AN AREA WHERE, SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE IN MY FORMAL LIFE AS A MEMBER OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO GIVE AN EXCUSE FOR ENTRY TO THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY.
/"SUCH ENTRY.........
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 31, 1991
"SUCH ENTRY, IF ALLOWED, COULD RESULT IN A WHOLE RANGE OF DETAILED REGULATORY PRESCRIPTIONS REGARDING PRODUCT AND MARKETING, WHICH DETAILED REGULATIONS COULD PROVE INSENSITIVE IN THE PARTICULAR, AND SOPORIFIC OVERALL," HE SAID.
MR SULLIVAN SAID IN HONG KONG THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY WAS INTENT ON DEVELOPING A SELF-REGULATORY PROGRAMME FOR THE OVERALL CONTROL OF THE QUALITY, AND THE QUALITY OF ACTIVITIES, OF ITS AGENCY FIELD FORCE WHICH WOULD HAVE THE RESULT OF MAKING ANY ATTEMPT BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO FIND ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT AS A REGULATOR IN THIS PARTICULAR FIELD ENTIRELY UNSUCCESSFUL.
-------------------------0------- PROCEEDINGS AGAINST BANK TO BE VIGOROUSLY CONTESTED » » * « *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY PNC INTERNATIONAL FINANCE (ASIA) LTD AND THE ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (THE BANKS) AGAINST DAO HENG BANK ("DHB") PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS HANG LUNG BANK ("HLB") IN HONG KONG TO RECOVER LOSSES INCURRED IN LOANS TO DOLLAR CREDIT AND FINANCING LTD ("DOLLAR CREDIT") AS A RESULT OF AN ALLEGED CONSPIRACY BETWEEN HLB AND DOLLAR CREDIT BEFORE GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER HLB IN 1983.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF HLB IN SEPTEMBER 1989, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INCORPORATED HAS GIVEN AN INDEMNITY AGAINST ANY ACTUAL LOSSES OR COSTS INCURRED BY DHB (PREVIOUSLY HLB) AS A RESULT OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
PURSUANT TO THIS INDEMNITY, THE GOVERNMENT IS ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE ACTION WITH THE CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE OF DHB (PREVIOUSLY HLB). IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE VIGOROUSLY CONTESTED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CLARIFIED THAT THIS WAS NOT A NEW CLAIM. "A SIMILAR CLAIM WAS FILED IN NEW YORK IN OCTOBER 1990," HE SAID.
"THE CLAIM WAS DISMISSED BY THE NEW YORK COURT AND THE BANKS HAVE FILED A NOTICE OF APPEAL."
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON OCTOBER 31 LAST YEAR IN RELATION TO THE NEW YORK ACTION WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DISMISSED IS REPEATED BELOW FOR YOUR EASE OF REFERENCE:
"THE GOVERNMENT WAS ADVISED THAT PROCEEDINGS HAD BEEN ISSUED BY PNC INTERNATIONAL FINANCE (ASIA) LTD AND THE ROYAL BANK OF CANADA AGAINST THE HANG LUNG BANK ("HLB") (NOW KNOWN AS DAO HENG BANK) IN THE USA TO RECOVER LOSSES INCURRED IN LOANS TO DOLLAR CREDIT AND FINANCING LTD ("DOLLAR CREDIT") AS A RESULT OF AN ALLEGED CONSPIRACY BETWEEN HLB AND DOLLAR CREDIT BEFORE GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER HLB IN 1983.
/"IN CONNECTION ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 8 -
"IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF HLB IN .SEPTEMBER 1989, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY INCORPORATED HAS GIVEN AN INDEMNITY AGAINST ANY ACTUAL LOSSES OR COSTS INCURRED BY HLB (NOW DAO HENG BANK) AS A RESULT OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
"PURSUANT TO THIS INDEMNITY, GOVERNMENT IS ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE ACTION WITH THE CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE OF HLB (NOW DAO HENG BANK). IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE VIGOROUSLY CONTESTED.”
------0--------
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 2ND QUARTER OF 1991 ♦ ♦ » » »
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 AMOUNTED TO $15,813 MILLION, WHICH WAS 6.0% HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, IT INCREASED BY 1.0%.
MAIN CONTRACTORS MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS. GENERAL CONTRACTORS ARE ENGAGED IN NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AND RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE. SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS ARE ENGAGED IN SPECIALISED JOB AREAS SUCH AS CONCRETING, SCAFFOLDING, CARPENTRY, PLUMBING AND GAS WORK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT PART OF THE INCREASE OF 6.0% IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE COST INCREASES, THERE WAS PROBABLY A DECREASE IN THE VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
THE INDEX OF GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WAS 240.0, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FOR 1982 BEING TAKEN AS 100.
THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 WERE 237.6 AND 226.5 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, $14,667 MILLION WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS.
THIS WAS 0.5% AND 6.5% RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 9
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK 1'ERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS WAS $1,146 MILLION, WHICH WAS 8.4% HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT REMAINED THE SAME AS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
01' THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, $7,924 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PRIVATE SECTOR CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THIS WAS HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 BY 4.5% AND 14.2% RESPECTIVELY.
SOME $3,824 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PUBLIC SECTOR (INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION) CONSTRUCTION SITES, REPRESENTING DECREASES OF 1.8% AND 2.0% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
THE REMAINING $2,919 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT MINOR WORK LOCATIONS, AND RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.
THIS WAS 6.4% AND 0.5% RESPECTIVELY LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
WHEN ANALYSED BY END-USE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, THE.GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING COMBINED RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS) IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WAS $4,786 MILLION.
THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 2.5% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT A DECREASE OF 0.9% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WAS $2,162 MILLION, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 2.1% AND 13.3% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
THE GROSS ' VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WAS $1,505 MILLION, WHICH WAS 3.9% AND 1.5% HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS (WHICH MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS) REFERS TO THE OUTPUT OF THOSE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY TAKE THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT OF PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY PLAY THE ROLE OF SUB-CONTRACTORS.
/HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS'
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
.* •
- 10 -
HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS’ CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THE MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR WHOM THEY WORKED.
MORE DETAILED STATISTICS ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 2ND QUARTER 1991”.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $3 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, C JNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, WANCHAI TOWER I, 19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3265.
------0--------
55 LEGCO MEMBERS DEBATE POLICY ADDRESS
A TOTAL OF 55 LEGISLATORS SPOKE IN THE TWO-DAY DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, BEGINNING YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
TWENTY-SIX LEGISLATORS SPOKE YESTERDAY AND 29 TODAY ON THE MOTION MOVED BY THE SENIOR LEGCO MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, WHICH READ: ’’THAT THIS COUNCIL THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS”.
OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED WHEN THE DEBATE RESUMES NEXT WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 6).
-----0-------
NEGLIGENCE BLAMED FOR CHEMICAL ACCIDENTS
*******
THE NEGLIGENCE OF CHEMICAL RISKS AMONG PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES.
OTHER CAUSES INCLUDED THE LACK OF GOOD VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN WORKPLACES AND UNSOUND SAFETY MANAGEMENT.
ADDRESSING SOME 300 PARTICIPANTS IN THE SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT - SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY), DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR WONG CHING-KWOK SAID: "MANY CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES ARE DANGEROUS AND MAY AFFECT USERS’ HEALTH."
/"THERE ARE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
"THERE ARE 231 CLASSIFIED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES COMMONLY USED AND HANDLED IN INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND THEY ARE EITHER TOXIC, HARMFUL, CORROSIVE, IRRITANT, EXPLOSIVE, OXIDISING OR FLAMMABLE," MR WONG SAID.
TO ENSURE WORKERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK, MR WONG SAID THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE CAME INTO OPERATION LAST DECEMBER TO IMPOSE GENERAL DUTIES ON BOTH PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES FOR WORK SAFETY.
"PROPRIETORS ARE REQUIRED TO CLEARLY AND CORRECTLY LABEL EVERY CONTAINER OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE IN THE PRESCRIBED FORM," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THEY SHOULD ALSO ADOPT OTHER MEASURES, SUCH AS PROVIDING ADEQUATE INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING AS WELL AS A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT TO WORKERS LIKELY TO BE EXPOSED TO DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYEES HAVE A DUTY TO CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYERS AND OTHER WORKERS BY FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND WEARING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT," HE SAID.
"ON ITS PART, THE GOVERNMENT DRAWS UP LEGISLATION AND MOUNTS PUBLICITY TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY," HE WENT ON.
MR WONG SAID THIS TRIPARTITE CO-OPERATION IS AN EFFECTIVE FRAMEWORK WITH WHICH INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COULD BE ACHIEVED.
THE SYMPOSIUM WAS OPENED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF TEXTILE BLEACHERS, DYERS, PRINTERS AND FINISHERS LIMITED, MR KWAN KON-WAH AND CHEMICALS DIRECTOR OF SHELL HONG KONG LIMITED, MR CLARENCE ENG.
- - 0 - -
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO START ON SUNDAY ******
THE 1991/92 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 3) AT THE EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL.
ORGANISED BY THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP, THE FUNCTION IS TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF A SERIES OF PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR ON THE THEME OF "DISPOSE OF CIGARETTE ENDS SAFETY".
A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING LION DANCE, PIPERS BAND PERFORMANCE, FIRE-FIGHTING DEMONSTRATION, DRAMA, STATIC DISPLAY AND VIDEO SHOW WILL BE STAGED FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM ON THE DAY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO BOARD A FIRE BOAT TO BE BERTHED AT THE QUEEN’S PIER. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE THE CHANCE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT VARIOUS TYPES OF FIRE ENGINES PARKED AT THE VENUE.
/THE DIRECTOR
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 12 -
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, WILL PERFORM THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR THE LION DANCE AROUND 2.15 PM.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR LAU SIN-PANG; PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HK & KLN) OF CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR C.C. WAN; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION) OF EDUCATION, CHAN KWOK-HEI; SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER (TENANT’S SERVICES AND PROMOTIONS) OF HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR LAI IP-CHEUNG; AND DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR MAK HUNG-KAE.
SOUVENIRS AND BOOKLETS CONVEYING FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE TO THE PUBLIC ON SPOT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1991/92 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING CEREMONY AT 2 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
------0--------
SPECIAL PRODUCTS TO MARK INT’L STAMP EXHIBITION
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE WILL PARTICIPATE IN PHILANIPPON’91.
THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 16 TO 24 IN TOKYO.
TO MARK THE OCCASION A $10 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLET (NO. 2) AND A SOUVENIR COVER AT $0.7 WILL BE PLACED ON SALE.
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED ON NOVEMBER 16 WITH A SPECIAL PICTORIAL DATESTAMP ON ANY OFFICIAL OR PRIVATELY MADE SOUVENIR COVER COMMEMORATING HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE EXHIBITION.
IN ADDITION, A CACHET WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED FOR GENERAL CANCELLATION PURPOSES.
THE ABOVE PRODUCTS AND HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE PHILATELIC COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING SEVEN OFFICES:
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
/GENERAL POST .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 13 -
GENERAL POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE
TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE --------------------------0--------
TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL STARTS ON SATURDAY
THE 13TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL WILL BEGIN WITH A JOINT PERFORMANCE BY THE JIANGSU MARTIAL ART TEAM AND THE HONG KONG MARTIAL ART ASSOCIATION ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
ABOUT 50 MARTIAL ART ATHLETES WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILLS IN THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND. THE PERFORMANCE WILL START AT 8 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WILL BE THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR FRED TING.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE MONTH-LONG TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL INCLUDES PERFORMANCES BY THE SICHUAN HARD QIGONG AND SKILL CALLISTHENICS TEAM, FIVE-A-SIDE SOCCER, ARCHERY, WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL MATCHES AND A GO-KART RACE.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS AND PROGRAMME LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTER OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE. ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE ON TEL. 492 5096.
THE 13TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED WAN- DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE FEDERATION OF THE TSUEN SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE AND SPONSORSHIP FROM BOARD AND REGIONAL COUNCIL.
BY THE TSUEN
WAN DISTRICT
THE TSUEN WAN THE DISTRICT
THE COST OF THE FESTIVAL IS ESTIMATED AT $1.3 MILLION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER OE THE 13TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL AND THE PERFORMANCE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY
THE GRAND OPENING JOINT MARTIAL ARTS (NOVEMBER 2) AT THE
SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
- - 0----------
/14 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
ARTS FESTIVAL FOR NORTH DISTRICT
******
THE FIRST NORTH DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2 AND 10.
THE FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD TO PROMOTE ART ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NINE-DAY FESTIVAL WILL INCLUDE A FOLK ARTS BAZZAR, AN EXHIBITION OF CHILDREN’S DRAWINGS, A SEMINAR ON CHINESE CULTURE, A CANTONESE OPERA SHOW, A PERFORMANCE BY THE LOWU ARTS TROUPE, A YOUTH DRAWING COMPETITION AND A VISIT TO A HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY EVENING. GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE FIRST VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR LIU CHING-LEUNG; THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR HUI CH1-WAI AND THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR PANG HANG-YIN.
ADMISSION IS FREE FOR MOST OF THESE ACTIVITIES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 671 4813 OR 673 8306.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 2) AT THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL AT 7.30 PM.
- 0 - -
DIAL-A-RIDE REHABUS SERVICE EXTENDED
******
THE FULL-DAY DIAL-A-RIDE REHABUS SERVICE FOR THE DISABLED OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION (HKSR) WILL BE EXTENDED FOR 12 MONTHS FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO OCTOBER 31 NEXT YEAR.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXTENTION WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A DONATION OF $1 MILLION BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE PILOT SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED A YEAR AGO THROUGH A SUBVENTION BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
IT HAD PROVEN TO BE A SUCCESS AS IT HAD HELPED TO IMPROVE THE MOBILITY OF DISABLED PERSONS AND ENHANCED THE OBJECTIVE OF INTEGRATING THEM INTO THE COMMUNITY.
/FOUR 12-SEATED
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
15 -
FOUR 12-SEATED REHABUSES ARE PRESENTLY DEPLOYED FROM HKSR'S EXISTING FLEET TO OPERATE THE SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FROM 7 AM TO 10 PM IN TWO SHIFTS DAILY.
DEPENDING ON DEMAND, THE LEVEL OF SERVICE MAY BE FURTHER STEPPED UP.
THE CHARGING RATES FOR EACH JOURNEY ARE $1.5 PER KILOMETRE PLUS $30 PER HOURS FOR GROUP FARES (THREE OR MORE DISABLED PERSONS), AND $1 PER KILOMETRE PLUS $20 PER HOUR FOR INDIVIDUAL FARES (ONE OR TWO DISABLED PERSONS).
HKSR IS CURRENTLY OPERATING 34 SCHEDULED ROUTES TO PROVIDE TRANSPORT SERVICES TO DISABLED PERSONS WHO NEED TO TRAVEL TO THEIR PLACE OF WORK, STUDY OR RECREATION.
ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS FOR THE DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE MAY BE MADE TO HKSR ON TEL. 817 8154 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
--------------------0-------- EPD’S NOISE AND AIR CONTROL GROUPS ON MOVE
THE NOISE AND AIR CONTROL GROUPS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) WILL MOVE TO THE WEST WING OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN ICE HOUSE STREET FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 4).
THE NOISE CONTROL GROUP, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS, WILL BE LOCATED ON THE FIFTH FLOOR.
FROM MONDAY, ALL APPLICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMITS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE GROUP AT ITS NEW ADDRESS EITHER BY HAND OR BY POST. APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION BOOKLETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE THERE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO LODGE AN APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION OR REQUIREMENT RELATING TO A CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT FOR CARRYING OUT PERCUSSIVE PILING, OR THE SERVICE OF A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE, SHOULD OBTAIN THE RELEVANT FORM FROM THE NEW ADDRESS. THEY NEED TO RETURN A COPY OF THE COMPLETED FORM TO THE NOISE CONTROL GROUP.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE ENQUIRY DESK OF THE NOISE CONTROL . GROUP IS 810 2811.
THE AIR CONTROL GROUP, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF AIR CONTROL LEGISLATION, WILL BE LOCATED ON THE 13TH FLOOR.
APPLICATIONS FOR CHIMNEY/FURNACES INSTALLATION AND SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE APPLICATION UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC INSPECTION OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE GROUP’S NEW ADDRESS.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS UNDER THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE SHOULD ALSO BE DIRECTED TO THE AIR CONTROL GROUP AT NEW ADDRESS. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 810 2910.
------0-------
/16 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
WSD’S SAI KUNG ENQUIRY CENTRE CLOSES
******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT’S CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRE IN SAI KUNG WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 4) IN VIEW OF THE EXTREMELY LOW LEVEL OF UTILISATION OF ITS SERVICES.
THE CENTRE, AT SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG MARKET, STARTED OPERATION IN APRIL 1986.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, IN VIEW OF THE LOW PATRONAGE, THE OPENING OF THE CENTRE WAS REDUCED TO MONDAYS ONLY ON A TRIAL BASIS.
AT THAT TIME, THE SERVICES OFFERED BY THE CENTRE WERE PUBLICISED THROUGH THE PRESS AND CONSUMERS HAD BEEN FURTHER REMINDED BY NOTICES DISPATCHED WITH WATER BILLS.
DESPITE THESE EFFORTS, THE LEVEL OF UTILISATION REMAINED EXTREMELY LOW AND THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES DURING THE TRIAL PERIOD HAS BEEN INSUFFICIENT TO JUSTIFY CONTINUED OPERATION.
AFTER THE CLOSURE OF THE CENTRE, SAI KUNG RESIDENTS MAY CONTINUE TO OBTAIN COMMON WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT APPLICATION FORMS (CHANGE OF CONSUMERSHIP, APPLICATION FOR WATER SUPPLY, AND SO ON) AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES.
APPLICATIONS FOR CHANGE OF CONSUMERSHIP, INSTALLATION OF WATER METER AND SEPARATE METERING, FOR EXAMPLE, MAY BE FORWARDED BY POST.
CONSUMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE WATER AUTHORITY’S TELEPHONE ENQUIRY UNIT (TEL. NO. 824 5000) IF THEY HAVE ANY QUERIES IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR ACCOUNTS.
- - 0 - -
CSD AUTUMN FAIR IN STANLEY *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THERE WILL BE A BARGAIN SALE AT THE AUTUMN FAIR ORGANISED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) IN STANLEY ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING STUFFED TOYS, HANDICRAFT, RATTAN AND WOODEN FURNITURE, WILL BE ON SALE AT THE FAIR.
THE PRODUCTS ARE MADE BY INMATES OF VARIOUS PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN THEIR SPARE TIME.
/"THE FAIR
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
*
- 17 -
"THE FAIR IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSE AND IS AN ESTABLISHED PART OF OUR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FAIR AND OVER $500,000 WERE RAISED LAST YEAR.
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 11 AM AND 5 PM AT THE FOOTBALL FIELD NEXT TO STANLEY PRISON. ADMISSION IS FREE.
AS PARKING PLACES ARE LIMITED, VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THEY CAN TAKE BUS NOS. 6 OR 260 (FROM CENTRAL), NO. 73 (FROM WAH FU ESTATE), NO. 63 (FROM NORTH POINT) OR NO. 14 (FROM SAI WAN HO).
--------0-----------
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN SAI KUNG
*******
AN EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN SAI KUNG WILL BE HELD AT THE WATERFRONT OF SAI KUNG TOWN ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 1 AND 2).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE EXHIBITION WILL NOT ONLY FOCUS ON SAI KUNG’S HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES, BUT WILL ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE MORE ATTRACTIVE AND IDYLLIC FEATURES OF THE DISTRICT.
AN OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT NOON ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 2) AT THE EXHIBITION VENUE.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PARRISH NG; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, MR EUGENE SULLIVAN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION.
--------0-----------
/18 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 18 -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT A BUILDING IN NORTH POINT, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE LOCATED ON THE FLAT ROOF OF 19TH FLOOR, NAM TIN BUILDING, AT 275 KING’S ROAD.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON NOVEMBER 28 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
MEANWHILE, THE AUTHORITY ALSO SEEKS TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ABOVE THE STAIRCASE LEADING TO THE BASEMENT FROM BOWRINGTON ROAD TO YAU KWONG BUILDING, AT 418-430 HENNESSY ROAD AND 9 CANAL ROAD WEST IN WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 6 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
--------0-----------
CONVERSION OF POSTAGE LABEL ISSUING MACHINE
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY! THAT THE ELECTRONIC POSTAGE LABEL ISSUING (FRAMA) MACHINE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A 10-KEY CONFIGURATION ON NOVEMBER 6.
FOLLOWING THE CONVERSION, CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF CHOOSING FIFTY DENOMINATIONS FROM 10 CENTS TO $5, AT 10 CENTS INTERVALS, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT FOUR PRE-SET VALUES.
CHANGE WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FORM OF POSTAGE LABELS BEARING THE VALUES OF $1, 50 CENTS AND 10 CENTS.
MR WONG ADDED THAT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, PRE-PACKAGED SETS OF FRAMA LABELS BEARING THE NUMERAL ’01’ AND DENOMINATIONS FROM 10 CENTS TO $2.30 AND $2.40 TO $5 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON NOVEMBER 6 AT $27.60 AND $99.90 PER PACKAGE RESPECTIVELY.
TO MARK THE OCCASION A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE TO PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING A "FIRST DAY" INDICATION.
/IN SPITE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1991
- 19 -
IN SPITE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF PRE-PACKAGED LABELS, IT IS EXPECTED THAT PHILATELISTS WILL STILL PREFER TO BUY FRAMA LABELS BEARING THE VALUES THEY LIKE DIRECTLY FROM THE MACHINE ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
IN ORDER TO ALLOW MORE CUSTOMERS TO USE THE MACHINE, A RESTRICTION OF $5 PER TRANSACTION FOR EACH CUSTOMER QUEUING IN FRONT OF THE MACHINE WILL BE IMPOSED ON NOVEMBER 6.
------0------------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 30.10.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 31.10.91 -126
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +126
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.7 »-0.1*
31.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS 31.10.91 30.10 .91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 3.93 PCT 4.06 PCT
1 MONTH 3.97 PCT 4.09 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.25 PCT 4.35 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.52 PCT 4.65 PCT
12 MONTHS 5.38 PCT 5.46 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER 7,570 I MN 8,432 : MN
- - 0 - -