DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL IS A KEY PART OF ROAD NETWORK: GOVERNOR ............ 1
HK HAS ENTERED AN EXCITING TIME IN BROADCASTING : CS ................... 1
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR APRIL RELEASED .......... 2
1991 VOTER REGISTRATION CLOSES ......................................... 5
LIMITATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE ..................... 8
LEGCO TO CONSIDER 11 BILLS ON WEDNESDAY ................................ 8
LAB ENDORSES PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE PERIPHERAL POLY-NEUROPATHY AS
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE ................................................ 9
CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED ELDERLY HOMES LAW BEGINS ...................... 10
FUTURE PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS DEPENDS ON YOUNGER GENERATION ........... 11
EXHIBITION ON HK'S HERITAGE ............................................ 11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 12
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IS A KEI PART OF ROAD NETWORK: GOVERNOR *****
THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, THE LONGEST ROAD TUNNEL IN HONG KONG, IS SET TO BECOME A KEY PART OF HONG KONG’S EXPANDING ROAD NETWORK, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, SIR DAVID SAID THE TUNNEL, COMPLETED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, WAS THE LAST LINK IN A CHAIN OF IMPRESSIVE PROJECTS, STRETCHING FROM HONG KONG ISLAND TO THE NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES.
THE CHAIN INCLUDED THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE KWUN TONG BY-PASS, THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, A NEW BRIDGE ACROSS THE SHING MUN RIVER, AND THE TOLO HIGHWAY, HE ADDED.
"TOGETHER, THEY FORM A MAJOR NEW ROUTE ACROSS THE TERRITORY," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE TUNNEL WAS A REMARKABLE PIECE OF ENGINEERING WHICH INVOLVED A GOOD DEAL OF FAITH IN THE PROCESS: FAITH IN MODERN ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, FAITH IN BEING ABLE TO MEET A TIGHT CONSTRUCTION TIMETABLE, AND FAITH IN THE TUNNEL’S LONG-TERM FINANCIAL VIABILITY.
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HK HAS ENTERED AN EXCITING TIME IN BROADCASTING : CS *****
THE INTRODUCTION OF NICAM HAS COME AT AN EXCITING TIME IN HONG KONG’S BROADCASTING INDUSTRY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF TVB’S NEW MULTICHANNEL SOUND TV BROADCAST SERVICE, SIR DAVID SAID LATER THIS MONTH, A SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO STATION WOULD JOIN THE FAMILY OF TV AND RADIO STATIONS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO LOCALLY ORIGINATED SATELLITE TV SERVICE WHICH WAS LAUNCHED IN APRIL THIS YEAR. THIS SERVICE, ACCORDING TO SIR DAVID, WOULD BE RECEIVABLE NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG BUT ALSO IN MANY PARTS OF ASIA.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE NEW NICAM SERVICE WOULD PROVIDE THE VIEWER WITH EXCELLENT, HIGH FIDELITY STEREO SOUND AND THE CHOICE OF UP TO THREE LANGUAGES ON A MULT I-L1NGUAL PROGRAMME.
"NICAM HERALDS A NEW ERA OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THIS SYSTEM OF STEREO SOUND TELEVISION BROADCASTING HAD BEEN IN USE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR JUST OVER A YEAR.
/HE CONGRATULATED ......
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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HE CONGRATULATED TVB FOR ADAPTING THE NICAM TECHNOLOGY FOR USE IN HONG KONG, ADDING* THAT THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT HAD BEEN DONE OVER SOME SIX YEARS.
"OUR BROAD POLICY OBJECTIVE REMAINS THAT HONG KONG SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO INTRODUCE NEW TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE THE STANDARD OF OUR BROADCASTING SERVICES AND TO PROVIDE VIEWERS AND LISTENERS WITH THE WIDEST POSSIBLE CHOICE OF HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMMES.
TODAY’S CEREMONY, SIR DAVID SAID, MARKED ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TELEVISION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
HE COMMENDED TVB FOR ITS EFFORTS IN THE PAST 24 YEARS TO STAY IN THE FOREFRONT IN THE PRODUCTION OF QUALITY PROGRAMMES WHICH MET THE INFORMATION, EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID TVB HAD DONE EQUALLY WELL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OR INTRODUCTION OF NEW BROADCASTING TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF RECEPTION OF THEIR PROGRAMMES.
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR APRIL RELEASED *****
ACCORDING TO PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY), THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN APRIL 1991, ESTIMATED AT $9,979.5 MILLION, INCREASED BY 13.6% WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990, WHILE THEIR VOLUME INCREASED BY 6.6%.
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES REFER TO CHANGES IN THE VALUES OF RETAIL SALES AFTER DISCOUNTING ESTIMATED CHANGES IN PRICES. 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.
FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, THE RETAIL SALES INDEX SERIES HAS BEEN REBASED STARTING FROM APRIL 1991. THE NEW BASE PERIOD IS OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 (MONTHLY AVERAGE IN THE PERIOD TAKEN AS 100). THE REBASING IS TO SYNCHRONISE WITH THE REBASING OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, WHICH HAS JUST TAKEN PLACE.
THE TRADE DESCRIPTION OF THE INDEXES HAS ALSO BEEN REVISED TO BETTER REFLECT THAT THE INDEX FIGURES ARE CLASSIFIED BY RETAIL OUTLETS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPAL LINE OF PRODUCTS SOLD (PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND SELECTED TRADES).
THE PRESENTATION HAS ALSO BEEN EXPANDED TO COVER INDEXES FOR OTHER RETAIL OUTLETS NOT SEPARATELY PUBLISHED PREVIOUSLY.
MOREOVER, THE CLASS IFI CAT I ON OF RETAIL OUTLETS HAS BEEN REVISED ACCORDING TO THE NEW HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC), BUT THE REVISED CLASSIFICATION HAS ONLY HAD A NEGLIGIBLE EFFECT ON THE COVERAGE OF THE RETAIL OUTLETS.
/ANALYSED BY .......
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, SALES OE RETAIL OUTLETS FOR FUELS INCREASED BY 28.5% IN VALUE AND 11.1% IN VOLUME IN APRIL 1991 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990.
SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS ROSE BY 24.6% IN VALUE AND 18.3% IN VOLUME. WITHIN THIS GROUP, SALES OF DEALERS IN MOTOR VEHICLES YND PARTS INCREASED BY 13.9% IN VALUE AND 5.0% IN VOLUME, WHILE SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR OTHER CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS ROSE BY 32.7% IN VALUE AND 28.1% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOK FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (OTHER THAN SUPERMARKETS I INCREASED BY 22.7% IN VALUE AND 10.2% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF RETAIL OUTLETS FOR JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND VALUABLE GIFT WENT UP BY I 4.3% IN VALUE AND 11.3% IN VOLUME.
SUPERMARKET SALES INCREASED BY 13.8% IN VALUE AND BY 3.3% IN VOLUME.
AS REGARDS RETAIL OUTLETS FOR CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS, SALES WENT UP BY 12.0% IN VALUE AND 5.5% IN VOLUME.
SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY 6.5% IN VALUE AND 1.1% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF THE RETAIL OUTLETS FOR OTHER CONSUMER GOODS NOT ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED, HOWEVER, DROPPED BY 2.7% IN VALUE AND 6.7% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING CHF PERIOD JANUARY TO APRIL 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, TOTAL RETAIL SALES I,'OSE BY 10.2% IN VALUE AND 3.1% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH MARCH 1991, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR APRIL 1991 DECREASED BY 0.4% IN YALUE AND 1.5% IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR MARCH 1991 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR APRIL 1991.
TABLE 2 SHOWS HIE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN MARCH AND APRIL 1991 FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS AND BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, WITH AVERAGE: RETAI I SALES FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF APRIL 1991 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR MARCH 1991 AND WITH THOSE FOR APRIL 1990, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 199 1 WITH THE SAME PERIOD l.N 1990 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OE THE APRIL 1991 RESULTS, A TABLE PRESENTING I HE TOTAL RETAIL SALES AND THE NEW RETAIL SALES INDEX SERIES FROM 1986 TO APRIL 1991, AND A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE REBASING AND OTHER CHANGES, IS NOW (>N SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. No. : 802 1258).
/TABLE 1 : .......
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for April for Karch
1991 (Provisional Figure) = HKS 9,979.5 lillion
1991 (Revised Figure) = HX$10,016.3 lillion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR MARCH 1991 AND APRIL 1991
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
1 1 Index of ! 1 April 1991 1 April 1991 1 Jan.-Apr. 1991 1
1 Itei 1 I 1 Retail Sales Karch 1991 April 1991 coipared with 1 Karch 1991 1 coipared with 1 April 1990 1 — i- coipared with 1 Jan.-Apr. 1990 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS 1 i । (Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points % 1 1 1 | Points * 1 1 1 | Points 1 1 1 1 I
। ■ i I । 1 1 । । Value Voluie 106.7 100.3 106.3 98.9 -0.4 -1.5 -0.4 1 -1.5 1 1 ♦12.8 ♦6.1 ♦13.6 1 ♦6.6 1 I ♦10.1 ♦2.7 *10.2 1 *3.1 1 |
I । 1 (B) BY TYPE OP RETAIL OUTLET! i । 1 | 1 | 1 I
1 i 1 Foodstuffs, alcoholic 1 1 drinks and tobacco 1 1 (other than 1 1 superiarkets) ! । । Value Voluie 107.3 97.9 106.1 95.2 -1.2 -2.7 -1.1 1 -2.8 1 1 1 | ♦19.6 ♦8.8 ♦22.7 1 ♦10.2 1 1 1 | ♦17.7 ♦4.5 *13.1 1 *4.b 1 1 1 1
1 । 1 Superiarkets 1 1 ! Value Voluie 113.4 102.3 105.6 94.7 -7.8 -7.6 -6.8 1 -7.4 1 ♦12.8 ♦3.1 ♦13.8 1 ♦3.3 1 । *13.3 ♦2.4 *13.8 1 *2.9 1
1 1 1 Fuels 1 1 1 Value Voluie 123.8 102.2 117.6 98.8 -6.2 -3.4 1 -5.0 1 -3.4 1 । ♦26.1 ♦9.8 ♦28.5 1 ♦11.1 1 j ♦IM ♦5.1 130.1 1 ♦11.3 1 |
1 1 1 Clothing, footwear and 1 1 allied products 1 । i Value Voluie 100.5 98.1 111.6 103.0 *11.2 ♦5.0 ♦11.1 S ♦5.1 1 । ♦ 12.0 ♦5.4 ♦12.0 1 ♦5.5 1 | ♦11.4 ♦2.9 *10.8 1 ♦3.3 1 |
। i 1 Consuier durable goods* 1 1 1 Value Voluie 107.8 101.9 111.0 104.9 ♦3.2 ♦3.0 ♦3.0 1 ♦2.9 1 ♦21.9 ♦ 16.2 ♦24.6 1 ♦18.3 1 *7.3 ♦2.6 ♦7.5 1 ♦3.1 1 1
। 1 - Kotor vehicles 1 1 and parts 1 Value Voluie 105.0 96.8 103.4 94.2 -1.6 -2.6 j -1.6 1 -2.6 1 । ♦ 12.6 ♦4.5 ♦13.9 1 ♦5.0 1 । -4.0 -7.3 -4.2 1 -9.3 1 |
1 1 1 - Consuier durable ! I goods other than 1 1 lotor vehicles ! 1 and parts 1 Value Voluie 109.9 105.6 116.6 112.6 ♦6.7 ♦7.0 ♦6.1 I ♦6.6 1 1 1 | ♦28.7 ♦24.7 ♦32.7 1 ♦28.1 1 1 1 | ♦ 15.5 ♦9.9 ♦15.8 1 ♦11.1 1 1 1 |
i i 1 Departient stores 5 1 1 Value Voluie 91.0 87.9 93.2 87.2 ♦2.2 -0.7 ♦2.4 1 -0.8 1 । ♦5.7 ♦1.0 ♦6.5 1 *1.1 1 । ♦3.7 -2.2 ♦3.6 1 -2.6 I ।
1 1 1 Jewellery, watches 1 1 and clocks, and ! ) valuable gift S । । Value Voluie 109.3 105.2 104.1 101.2 -5.1 -4.0 -4.7 S -3.8 1 1 | ♦ 13.0 ♦ 10.3 ♦14.3 1 ♦11.3 1 1 | ♦5.9 ♦4.4 *12.4 1 *9.3 1 1 |
I । 1 Other consuier goods ! 1 not elsewhere 1 1 classified 1 Value Voluie 112.6 108.4 108.7 104.0 -3.9 ■4.3 -3.5 1 -4.0 1 1 -3.1 -7.5 -2.7 1 -6.7 1 1 -2J -4.6 -1.4 1 -0.0 1 1
NOTE : 1 This covers both "Kotor vehicles and parts' and 'Consuier durable goods other than lotor vehicles and parts'.
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/5 ........
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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1991 VOTER REGISTRATION CLOSES
* ♦ ♦ ♦
AT THE CLOSE OF THE FINAL DAY OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION PERIOD FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS TODAY (MONDAY), THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE RELEASED THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION FIGURES
PERIOD GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY
UP TO MAY 6 * 19,800 5,333
BETWEEN MAY 7 ♦♦ AND JULY 1 82,273 8,949
* APPLICATIONS ALREADY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER PUBLISHED ON JUNE 21
♦ ♦ APPLICATIONS FOR INCORPORATION IN THE FINAL REGISTER TO BE PUBLISHED ON JULY 26
IN THE LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD, 82,273 APPLICATIONS FOR THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
ON THE BASIS THAT THERE WILL BE A NET INTAKE OF 60% WHILE THE OTHER APPLICATIONS BEING DUPLICATIONS OR CHANGES OF PARTICULARS, THE FINAL REGISTRATION FIGURE MAY REACH 1,870,000, REPRESENTING A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 15,000 OVER THE 1990 REGISTERED ELECTORATE AND A RETURN TO THE REGISTRATION RATE OF 50%.
A TOTAL OF 8,949 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR THE LEGCO ELECTORAL ROLL FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES DURING THE LATE REGISTRATION PERIOD. AFTER TAKING OUT LIKELY DUPLICATIONS, THE OVERALL REGISTRATION RATE FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES MAY REACH 65%.
THE REGISTRATION OF RESPONSE WAS REGISTERED FOR DURING THE LATE REGISTRATION Fl ('ER, MR K.T. THE SEVEN NEW PERIOD. LAI, SAID A HEALTHY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
POTENTIAL ELECTORATE TOTAL APPLICATIONS RECEJVED
FINANCIAL SERVICES 1 , 200 740
TOURISM 1,204 951
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION 579 391
/ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING & PLANNING 1 ,945 661 *
URBAN COUNCIL 40 40
REGIONAL COUNCIL 36 36
RURAL 146 108
* IN ADDITION TO THE 904 ELECTORS TRANSFERRED FROM THE EXISTING ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
Voter Registration Statistics
Functional Constituency Electoral Division Applications received up to 6 May Applications received between 7 May and 1 July —rs— Applications racalvid
Commercial First Commercial 105 521 708
Commercial Second Commercial 127 105 232
Industrial First Industrial 36 29 85
Industrial Second Industrial 33 73 106
Finance & Financial Finance . 37 69 126
Services Financial Services ' 230 510 740
Labour - 15 25 40
Social Services • 7 12 10
Tourism • 589 362 951
Real Estate & Construction • 104 287 391
Medical & Helath Care Medical 291 878
Medical & Health Care Health Care 262 697 949
Teaching • 2,417 4,120 8,537
Legal • 109 90 109
Engineering, Architectural Engineering 203 513 616
Surveying & Planning Architectural, Surveying & Planning 175 488 661
Accountancy • 502 108 6oo
Urban Council • 0 40 40
Regional Council 9 1 35 36
Rural • 0 108 106
Functional Constituency Total 5,333 8,949 U.282
Registration & Electoral Office Government Secretariat
1 July 1991
. /GENERAL ELECTORAL .......
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
General Electoral Roll Voter Registration Statistics
District r Applications received up to 6 May Applications received between 7 May and 1 July I Total Applications received
slands 1,1^5 "TToT 1,319
North 271 1,048
Sal Kung 1.161 2,959 4,120 6.757
Sha Tin 1.792 4,965
Tai Po 695 3,152 3,847
Tsuen Wan 736 2,837 3,573
Tuen Mun 1,066 7,519 8.585
Yuen Long 895 6.459 7,354
Kwai Tsing 1,067 , 6,376 7,443
RC Area Sub-total 7,912 36,490 44,402
Central & Western 1,339 2.3241 3,663
Wan Chai 501 1,528 2,020
Eastern 1.849 8,546 10,395
Southern 1,222 3,232 4,454
Kowloon City 1,144 3,365 4,529
Kwun Tong 1,939 7,753 9,692
Mong Kok 414 916 1,330
Sham Shul Po 1,073 5,978 7,051
Wong Tai Sin 2,048 3,335 5.383
Yau Tglm 359 419 778
UC Area Sub-total 11,888 37,416 49,304
+ 8,367* +8,387
Grand Total 19,800 82,273 102,073
* not yet entered by Districts
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/8 ........
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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LIMITATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE BECOMES EFFECTIVE
THE LIMITATION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991 WHICH CHANGES THE
TIME PERIODS WITHIN WHICH CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN RELATION TO
CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES CAN BE BROUGHT HAS COME INTO EFFECT TODAY (MONDAY).
THE ORDINANCE ALSO UPDATES THE LAW IN THAT AREA WHERE THERE
HAS BEEN FRAUD OR DELIBERATE CONCEALMENT OF FACTS BY A PARTY TO AN ACTION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINS THAT THE NEWLY EFFECTIvfe ORDINANCE:
♦ MAKES PROVISION FOR EXTENDING THE TIME LIMIT IN WHICH TO BRING AN ACTION FOR NEGLIGENCE NOT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURIES IN CASES WHERE THE DAMAGE DOES NOT BECOME APPARENT UNTIL SOMETIME AFTER IT OCCURS;
* REDUCES FROM 20 YEARS TO 12 YEARS, THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH IT IS POSSIBLE TO BRING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS TO RECOVER LAND AND OTHER INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY; AND
* MODERNISES STATUTORY PROVISIONS WHICH DISAPPLY TIME LIMITS FOR STARTING AN ACTION WHERE THERE HAS BEEN FRAUD, DELIBERATE CONCEALMENT OR MISTAKE.
THE ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY f< THIS YEAR.
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LEGCO TO CONSIDER II BILLS ON WEDNESDAY
I ♦ * * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF SEVEN QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 11 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 3).
OF THE 11 BILLS, TWO WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1990-91) BILL 1991 AND A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL, THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER NINE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND EACH IS D !• TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE PRIVATE BILLS BILL 1990, OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, ROAD TRAFFIC. (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1991, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) I'M 1991, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND PNBUMOCOLK !S (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
/IN ADDITON.........
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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IN ADDITION, THE HON I,AU WAH-SUM WILL MOVE A MOTION ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE. THE MOTION READS:
"THAT THIS COUNCIL SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG TO MEET THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S TARGET OF ’HEALTH FOR ALL BY THE YEAR 2000’, AND URGES GOVERNMENT TO TAKI- EARIA STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THOSE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, HAVING REGARD TO THE \ IEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON JULY 31, 1991.”
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON A NEW AIRPORT FOR HONG KONG.
THE HON J. I). MCGREGOR WILL RAISE UNDER STANDING ORDER 9(5) THE MATTER OF "THE POSSIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS, DETAILS OF THE LATEST PROPOSALS BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE SITING, DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCING OF A NEW AIRPORT FOR HONG KONG".
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE FINAL QUARTER OF 1990-91 PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE: SECTION 8.
DR THE HON DANIEL TSE WILL ALSO SPEAK ON THE 1990 ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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LAB ENDORSES PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE PERIPHERAL POLY-NEUROPATHY AS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE *****
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TODAY (MONDAY) ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE PERIPHERAL POLY-NEUROPATHY AS AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION FOR WORKERS.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT SO FAR THERE WERE 16 CONFIRMED CASES OF PERIPHERAL POLY-NEUROPATHY WHICH WERE CAUSED BY WORKING WITH A COMMON SOLVENT KNOWN AS "PETROLEUM SPIRIT” IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY.
SOME SUSPECTED CASES WERE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BY TMfe OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
/UNDER THE .......
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
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UNDER THE PROPOSAL, AN EMPLOYEE SUFFERS INCAPACITY OR DIES AS A RESULT OF THE DISEASE CONTRACTED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF ONE YEAR IMMEI) I A'l’ELY PRECEDING SUCH INCAPACITY OR DEATH, THE EMPLOYEE, OR HIS DEPENDANTS LN THE CASE OF DEATH, WILL BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION.
ANOTHER ITEM DISCUSSED AT TODAY’S MEETING WAS THE REVISED LEVELS OF COMPENSATION TO BE AWARDED UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION UNDER VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE TWO ORDINANCES BE RAISED, HAVING TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE OVERALL WAGE RATE INCREASES AND INFLATION RATE. THE PROPOSED INCREASES ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 1, 1992.
THE PRESENT LEVEL OF COMPENSATION HAS BEEN TN FORCE SINCE JANUARY 1, 1990.
MEMBERS GENERALLY ENDORSED THE PROPOSAL.
THE BOARD ALSO CONSIDERED SOME PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) REGULATIONS WHICH AIM TO ENHANCE SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES OPERATING LIFTING EQUIPMENT IN ALL INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, ESPECIALLY CONSTRUCTION SITES.
AFTER SOME DISCUSSIONS, MEMBERS AGREED TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
ALSO DISCUSSED BY THE BOARD WAS A PROPOSAL TO MAKE MINOR AMENDMENTS TO PROVISIONS ON MATERNITY PROTECTION UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO REMOVE SOME AMBIGUITIES AND CLARIFY SOME PROVISIONS.
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED A PROGRESS REPORT ON LABOUR LEGISLATION FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
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CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED ELDERLY HOMES LAW BEGINS * * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON PROPOSED LAW ON RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) BILL AND THE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) REGULATIONS, AIMED TO REGULATE RESIDENTIAL (’ARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT-MAKING AND SUBVENTED SECTORS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY): "WE HAVE’ SENT OUT COPIES OF CONSULTATION PAPER TO ALL THE OPERATORS IN THE FIELD TO POOL THEIR VIEWS."
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
Monday, july 1, 1991
- 11 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID COMMENTS SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT IN WRITTEN EORM ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 16.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A SPECIAL CONSULTATION SESSION LATER THIS MONTH FOR OPERATORS TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED PROVISIONS.
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FUTURE PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS DEPENDS
*****
ON YOUNGER GENERATION
THE FUTURE PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS OF HONG KONG DEPENDS ON THE YOUNGER GENERATION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (MONDAY). '
i t
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT PRIMARY PUPILS AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR LI SAID EDUCATION WOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN EQUIPPING THEM TO FACE THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
HE SAID A BALANCED EDUCATION WOULD NOT ONLY STRESS STUDENTS* INTELLECTUAL ATTAINMENT BUT WOULD ALSO HELP THEM DEVELOP POSITIVE MORAL ATTITUDES, HEALTHY HABITS, HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND AN APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY.
THIRTY PUPILS RECEIVED AWARDS AFTER BEING CHOSEN AS GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ OUTSTANDING STUDENTS.
THEY WERE SELECTED OUT OF 267 FOR THEIR. EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN ACADEMIC STUDIES, EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
MR LI ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE UNION OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADMASTERS AND HEADMISTRESSES AND THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS NON-GRADU A’l'E TEACHERS’ UNION FOR BUILDING UP AND PROMOTING THE REPUTATION OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
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EXHIBITION ON HK’S HERITAGE
*****
THE ACTING CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MR HO CHE-LEUNG, WILL OPEN A LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT EXHIBITION ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 3) AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE IN NORTH POINT.
ALSO OFFICIATING WILL BE THE RESOURCES OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY, DR ELIZABETH SINN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT 15 SCHOOLS TOOK PARI’ IN A PILOT PROJECT TO INTRODUCE LOCAL HISTORY INTO THE SECONDARY 1-3 HISTORY CURRICULUM.
/THE AIM
I
MONDAY, JULY 1, 1991
- 12 -
THE AIM WAS TO GENERATE AWARENESS AND INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S HERITAGE AND TO CULTIVATE AMONG STUDENTS A SENSE OF IDEN'I I IY IO THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
ON DISPLAY DURING THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING I- ROM WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY (JULY 3 TO 6), WILL BE EXHIBITS MOUNTED BY THE In SCHOOLS, THE MONUMENTS \ND ANTIQUITIES OFFICE, THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HISTORY SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORVTE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE LOCAL HISTORY PRO.) ECT EXHIBITION ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 3), AT 10 AM AT THE HONG KONG 'TEACHERS’ CENTRE IN I PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * ♦ » *
STORAGh IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 28.6 PER CENT Oh CAPACITY OR 167.623 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 281.269 MILLION ‘CUBIC METRES Oh WATER, REPRES ENT I NG 48 PER (’ENT OF CAPACITY.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET' OPERATIONS ♦ * * * ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCh IN THE ACCOUNT GN 29.6.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 1.7.91 +48
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -48
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114.0 *-O.I» 1.7.91
/HONG KONG .......
I
MONL?Vt JUL’
, 1991
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING FIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
28.6.91 1.7.91
MATURIN’’ IN 1 WEEK 7.35 PCT 7.53 PCT
1 MONTH 7.17 PCT 6.83 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.52 PCT 6.70 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.50 PCT 6.61 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.77 PCT 6.76 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 5,052 MN 7,705 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POSITION ON NEW AIRPORT JUST AS IT WAS: GOVERNOR ....................... 1
DISCIPLINE IN ALLOCATION OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES NEEDED ................ 1
MARINE DEPT FEES AND CHARGES UNDER REVIEW .............................. 3
SLIGHT DROP IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS .................................... 5
FOUR MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED ......................................... 6
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ................................... 8
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ............................................... 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ..................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 10
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
1 -
POSITION ON NEW AIRPORT JUST AS J'I' WAS: GOVERNOR *****
THE ACTUAL POSITION REGARDING THE AIRPORT PROJECT REMAINS EXACTLY AS IT WAS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DAVID SAID HE HAI) TALKED ABOUT THE PROJECT A GREAT DEAL HE WAS NOT GOING TO ADD TO IT .HIST AT THE MOMENT.
MEETING,. SIR
PUBLICLY AND
HE ADDED THAT HE WAS NOT PROPOSING TO MAKI- AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
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DISCIPLINE IN ALLOCATION OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES NEEDED * * * * *
IE THE GOVERNMENT IS TO AVOID THE EXPEDIENT OF SPENDING ITS WAY OUT OF SHORT-TERM HEADACHES AND INTO LONG-TERM STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS, THOSE WHO LEAD THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL NEED TO EXERT A GREATER DEGREE OF DISCIPLINE OVER THEMSELVES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, MR YEUNG SAID SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WOULD ALSO NEED TO THEIR PARTNERS IN Till1 NEW LEGISLATURE TO DO 'THE SAME.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL WAYS TO ACHIEVE THIS.
’’FIRST, WHILE THE EXISTING MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT IS REASONABLY EFFICIENT AND ADAPTABLE 'To CHANGE, THERE IS ROOM FOR CLARIFYING LINES O|« ACC ’OUNTABI LITY BETWEEN BRANCH AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND \GEN(’I ES .
’’THE SECRETARIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROGRAMME AREAS AND ARE RAP1DLS DEVELOPING A MINISTERIAL STYLE OF MANAGEMENT WHILE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES ARE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING SERVICES UNDER VARIOUS PROGRAMME ARRAS.
’’SECONDLY, THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF RESOURCES ALLOCATION MAY HAVE TO CHANGE.
O’ R PR AC Tl<l HAS I I I N FOR FINANCE BRANCH TO ADVISE OTHER BRANCHES EACH YEAR O‘. I lli- ABSOI l Tl1 ANNUAL SPENDING LIMITS THAT HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED OVER A GIVEN PERIOD IN THE FUTURE, AND TO DEDUCT FROM THESE LIMITS THE AMOUNTS REQUIRED TO SUSTAIN THE CURRENT IEVEI OF SERVICES.
/’’WHATEVER IS ... . . .
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
2
’’WHATEVER IS LEFT OVER, IF ANYTHING, BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION BY THE ’STAR CHAMBER’ - A COMMITTEE MADE UP OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND MYSELF - IN ORDER TO MEET GROWING DEMAND FOR SERVICES AND TO FUND NEW INITIATIVES," MR YEUNG SAID.
"WITH INCREASING PRESSURE TO FILL THIS GAP AT A TIME WHEN THE GAP IS NARROWING, IT WILL BECOME NECESSARY FOR US TO RE-THINK THIS PURELY 1NUREMENTAL APPROACH.
"WE WILL INCREASINGLY HAVE TO LOOK BELOW THE BASELINE OF EXISTING SERVICES, IN ORDER TO FIND SAVINGS FOR RE-DEPLOYMENT," HE SAID.
THESE MAY BE OBTAINED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, MR YEUNG NOTED.
"THEY INCLUDE MORE COST-EFFICIENT WAYS OF DOING THINGS; REPLACING LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROCESSES IN FAVOUR OF CAPITAL INTENSIVE ONES, AS IN COMPUTERISATION AND ELECTRONIC DATA LINKAGE; AND SCALING BACK OR CANCELLING SERVICES AND BENEFITS WHICH ARE NO LONGER AS BADLY NEEDED AS THEY USED TO BE.
"SUI II ( HOICKS ARE NOT ALWAYS PLEASANT BUT THEY HAVE TO BE MADE," HE STRESSED.
"AND IF THEY ARE MADE WISELY THEY COULD FREE VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR FUNDING NEW SERVICES OR FOR IMPROVING EXISTING ONES," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE RECALLED THAT WHEN HE WAS THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, HE DECIDED TO INCREASE TERTIARY TUITION FEES TO ASSIST TOWARDS THE ENORMOUS COST OF DOUBLING THE PROVISION OF FIRST DEGREE PLACES BY THE MID-1990S.
"I ALSO DECIDED TO SCALE BACK STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDIES IN ORDER BOTH TO EXPAND SIXTH FORM EDUCATION AND TO GET ON WITH THE VITAL EDUCATIONAL REFORMS RECOMMENDED IN THE FOURTH REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
"IN ALL, IN THE 1990 RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE, 1 REDUCED ANNUALLY RECURRENT SPENDING IN EDUCATION BY ALMOST $1.4 BILLION OVER THE FOUR YEARS 1991-92 TO 1994-95, BUT RE-DEPLOYED NEARLY THE SAME AMOUNT TOWARDS THE FUNDING OF REFORMS AND NEW INITIATIVES IN THE SAME PROGRAMME AREA.
"OTHER SECRETARIES HAVE BEEN EXPLORING SIMILAR OPPORTUNITIES BUT I BELIEVE MUCH MORE CAN BE DONE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO PUBLIC REVENUE, MR YEUNG SAID AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, HAD POINTED OUT IN SEVERAL OF HIS BUDGET SPEECHES, AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE HONG KONG WOULD NEED BOTH TO REDUCE CIS DEPENDENCE ON DIRECT TAXATION AND To "SHOCK PROOF" THE FISCAL SYSTEM.
"ONE WAY <)F ACHIEVING THIS WOULD Bl TO HAVE A BRoAD-RASEI) CONSUMPTION TAX WITH LOW RATES.
/"SUCH A .......
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
3 -
’’SUCH A TAX WOULD NOT, OF COURSE, PROTECT US ENTIRELY FROM FALLS IN CONSUMER SPENDING. BUT IT WOULD HAVE THE MERIT OF MAKING OUR REVENUE MUCH MORE RESISTANT TO CYCLICAL FLUCTUATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY.
"IT WOULD ALSO ENABI,E US TO PLAN OUR EXPENDITURE PROGRAMMES WITH A GREATER DEGREE OF (’ONEJ PENCE, THUS REDUCING THE RISK OF STOP-GO MEASURES,” HE SAID.
MR YEUNG STRESSED THAT THE DECISION HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE SUCH A TAX BUT THIS WAS NOT TO SAY THAT WE WOULD NEVER HAVE ONE.
"BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURE OF OUR EXISTING TAX SYSTEM, AT PRESENT WE RELY ON DIRECT TAXES FOR ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF OUR ANNUALLY RECURRENT REVENUE.
"SALARIES TAX RAISED ABOUT $13.1 BILLION IN 1990-91. HIGHER INCOME SALARY EARNERS WHO PAID TAX AT THE STANDARD RATE OF 15 PER CENT COMPRISED JUST 8.3 PER CENT OF ALL SALARY TAXPAYERS, BUT THIS 8.3 PER CENT CONTRIBUTED 55 PER CENT OF THE REVENUE.
"BUSINESS PROFITS TAX RAISED $21.2 BILLTON TN 1990-91. OVER A THIRD OF THIS YIELD CAME FROM JUST 110 BUSINESSES, WHICH TOGETHER ACCOUNT FOR 0.1 PER (ENT OF ALL REGISTERED BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG.
"THESE FACTS SERVE TO ILLUSTRATE HOW NARROWLY-BASED OUR TAX SYSTEM IS AT THE PRESENT TIME," HE POINTED OUT.
"A FISCAL SYSTEM WHICH IS SO HEAVILY RELIANT ON SUCH A NARROW BASE OF DIRECT TAXPAYERS IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO ANY SLOWDOWN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR ECONOMY, AND AS YOU ALL KNOW OUR ECONOMY IS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CY( Ll( AL CHANGE BECAUSE IT IS SO DEPENDENT ON EXTERNAL TRADE.
"THUS, IF AT ANY FUTURE TIME, WE WERE FACED WITH POOR EXTERNAL TRADE PROSPECTS, A SUSTAINED EROSION OF CONFIDENCE AND IRRESISTIBLE DEMAND TO SPEND MORE, WE COULD GET INTO SERIOUS TROUBLE," HE SAID.
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MARINE DEPT FEES AND CHARGES UNDER REVIEW ♦ t t ♦ *
THE FEES AND (’BARGES OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ARE GENERALLY LOW AND SOMETIMES I,YOKING IN LOGIC AND IS THEREFORE IN NEED OF A THOROUGH REVIEW, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG, MR SZE SAID RECENTLY THERE HAD BEEN MUCH DEBATE ON INFLATION AND CRITICISM THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS FUELING IT THROUGH INCREASES IN FEES AND (’BARGES FOR PUBLIC SERVICES.
/"THE FINANCIAL .......
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1^1
4
'THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS NOW DECLARED, AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO COMBAT INFLATION, A MORATORIUM FOR FEE INCREASES FOR NINE MONTHS.
"WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING OUR FEES WITH THE ATM OF INTRODUCING CHANGES IN OCTOBER 1991 WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MADE HTS PRONOUNCEMENT. THUS WHILE ANY FEE INCREASES WE HAVE IN MIND WtLL HAVE TO WAIT, UH REVIEW ITSELI MUST GO ON," HE SAID.
MR SZE SAID THE FULL COST OF RUNNING THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1,020 MILLION FOR 1991/92.
"OF THE FULL COS'! OF $1,020 MILLION A YEAR, $330 MILLION OR ABOUT 30 PER CENT IS SPENT ON SERVICES PROVIDED TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS SERVICING POLICE VESSELS AND ON PUBLIC SERVICES WHICH BY THEIR NATURE MUST BE FREE OF CHARGE.
"EXAMPLES OF SUCH PUBLIC SERVICES ARE SEARCH AND RESCUE, PROMOTING SEAFARING CAREERS AND HELPING IN COURT PROCEEDINGS ON MARINE ACCIDENTS," HE SAID.
"THE BALANCE, 70 PER CENT OR ALMOST $700 MILLION, GOES TO SERVICES AS DIVERSE AS OPERATING 'THE ’IWO MARINE 'TERMINALS AT TSIM SHA TSUI AND CENTRAL, PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, ENSURING THE SAFETY OF SHIPS, CARGOES AND PASSENGERS, CLEANING 'IHI HARBOUR AND ADMINISTERING THE AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER," HF \DDEI).
MR SZE SAID THE CLIENTELE OF THIS LATTER GROUP OF SERVICES WAS EASILY IDENTIFIED AND GIVEN THE COMMERCIAL NATURE OF MOST OF THESE ACTIVITIES THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THE COST OF PROVIDING THESE SERVICES SHOULD NOT BE RECOVERED IN FULL.
"HOWEVER, GIVEN THE HISTORICAL NATURE OF SOME OF THESE FEES FULL COST RECOVERY COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH A PHASED PROGRAMME OF MODERATE INCREASES AS A DRAMATIC INCREASE IS UNLIKELY TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OR THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
"THUS DESPITE THE FAIRLY SIZEABLE (IN PERCENTAGE TERMS) INCREASES IN FEES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, I EXPECT TO SEE A NET DEFICIT OF SOME $99 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR."
MR SZE SPOKE ON "UNREALISTIC’ FEES" FOR PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AND THE GENERALLY LOW LICENCE FEES FOR LOCAL CRAFT.
HE SAID THE FEW AREAS WHERE THE MARINE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAD AN OPERATIONAL SURPLUS WERE IHI MACAU AND CHINA FERRY TERMINALS AND HARBOUR MOORING BUOYS FOR OCEAN-GOING SHIPS.
MR SZE SAID THE AIM BEING THAT AS A FIRST STEP THE CURRENT SUBSIDY THAT THE MARITIME SECTOR CURRENTLY ENJOYED BY DEFAULT SHOULD BE QUICKLY REMOVED.
"THE SECOND STEP WOULD BE FOR SURPLUS MADE IN SOME ACTIVITIES, FOR EXAMPLE FERRY TERMINALS TO PAY FOK’ Till COST OF SFRVI C’ES THAT WILL CONTINUE TO RE PROVIDED FREE.
"THE HOPE IS THAT ONE DAY THE DEPARTMENT'S INCOME FROM ITS FEES AND CHARGES WOULD PAY FOR All CIS ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
/5.........
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
- 5 -
SLIGHT DROP IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS ******
THERE IS A SLIGHT DECREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY), 8,709 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WITH II FATALITIES WERE REPORTED BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH.
"THIS REPRESENTS AN OVERALL DROP OF 0.8 PER CENT FROM THE 8,78.3 ACCIDENTS WITH 12 FATALITIES RECORDED DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR," CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR YIP YUK-LUN SAID.
MR YIP SAID THE DECREASE WAS MAINLY IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, DOWN FROM .3,82 7 ACCIDENTS TO .3,567.
"THE GREATEST DECREASE WAS IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, DOWN FROM 737 TO 479 ACCIDENTS, FOLLOWED BY THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY FROM 190 TO 135 AND THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY FROM 226 TO 17.3," MR YIP SAID.
HOWEVER, MR YIP CAUTIONED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CONTINUED TO RECORD THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS DURING THE PERIOD.
"WITH AN INCREASE FROM 4,109 TO 4,143 ACCIDENTS, THE INDUSTRY ALONE ACCOUNTED FOR 10 OF Till- 11 FATALITIES IN ALL INDUSTRIES," HE NOTED.
"THESE INCLUDED THREE CONSTRUCT ION WORKERS KILLED IN FALLS FROM HEIGHT, TWO BY MACHINERY, ONE BY TRANSPORT, ONE BY FALLING OBJECTS, ONE BY EI.ECTR ICITY, ONE BY COLLAPSED SOIL, AND ONE AS A RESULT OF STEPPING OR STRIKING AGAINST OBJECTS," HE SAID.
MR YIP ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE SITUATION IN THE MINING AND QUARRYING, UTI 1.1TIES, TRANSPORT AND SERVICING INDUSTRIES, WHICH REGISTERED A 17.9 PER CENT INCREASE FROM 847 TO 999 ACCIDENTS.
ON THE MAJOR CAUSES OF THE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, HE SAID THEY WERE GENERALLY SIMILAR TO THOSE IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
"THEY’ INCLUDED STEPPING ON OR STRIKING AGAINST OBJECTS (2,848 CASES), MANUAL LIFTING OE WEIGHTS (1,581 (ASES), USE OF MACHINERY (1,268 CASES), FALL OF PERSONS (1,095 CASES), FALLING OBJECTS (585 CASES) AND USE OF HAND TOOLS (531 (ASES).
"THE OTHERS RELATED ’TO TRANSPORT, EXPLOSION OR FIRE, HOT OR CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES, ELECTRICITY, GAS POISONING AND OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES, AND COLLAPSED SOIL," HF ADDED.
TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS, MR YIP SAID PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS SHOULD JOIN HAND AND MAKE A BIGGER EFFORT IN ENSURING SAFE'I'Y AT WORK.
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
- 6 -
FOUR MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED * * * ♦ ♦
FOUR MORE MEN WERE CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 53. THREE OF THE NEW AIDS PATIENTS ACQUIRED THE DISEASE SEXUALLY WHILE THE OTHER IS A HAEMOPHILIA!'.
SO FAR, 36 AIDS PATIENTS HAVE PASSED AWAY WHILE 17 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT HONG KONG.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR MAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID NINE MORE MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR HIE HIV ANTIBODY TEST, BRINGING TO 180 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED AIDS.
OF THESE, 53 WERE HAEMOPHI LI ACS, 105 ACQUIRED SEXUALLY, FOUR WERE DRUG ABUSERS, THREE ACQUIRED THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND THE INFORMATION FOR THE INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
THE INFECTION THE INFECTION OTHER 15 WAS
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 195,606 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THF AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO MAY, 898,255 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED OF WHICH 16 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/7........
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
t m w *& ®.
AIDS Virus Virus Unit. (HIV) Antibody Testing J Department of Health s \ Total
Apr 85—Apr 91 May 91
Referrals from Govt. No, tested* No. +ve te« No. >ted* No. +ve No. tested* Ne. +ve
hospitals and clinics & d? i z Referrals from private 16264 81 261 6 16525 87
practitioners and
subvented hospitals til W tfj i £f j Attendances at social 7186 45 32 1 2218 46
hygiene clinics &. ^9 £ %T 167008 32 2 662 2 169670 34
Haemophi1 lacs 502 60 10 0 512 60
IV drug abusers Referrals irom Family 55371 1 174 0 5545 1
Planning Association 220 0 3 o 223 o
Health care personnel 891 0 22 0 913 0
—- jg --------------------~----------------------------
. Ti*’^.*f**5 228
* - is ^.)vjc«.tes the number of specimens end not persons tests
are repeated for certain individuals.
fj 4 9>t< $a Xtf Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Servi ce
Aug 85-Apr 91 May 9i Total
No. tested Ne. 4 ve No. tested No. f ve No • tested No. fve
864389 16 13866 0 898255 16
Department of Health June 1991
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/8.........
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
- 8 -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES * t ♦ * t *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED A DECREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES. A LEGAL NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
AS FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 6.60 PER CEN’I (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 7.56 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIF1 CATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.55 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PVRCHASF AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER TOMORROW.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE TOMORROW WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
6.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
DECEMBER 7, AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 1989}
7.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 15, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 8, 1989;
7.80 PER (’ENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR MARCH 8, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 22, 1989; APTER
8.28 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR MARCH 22, 1989 AND BEFORE JUNE 22, 1989; AFTER
7.80 PER (’ENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR JUNE 22, 1989 AND BEFORE JULY 12, 1989; AFTER
7.32 PER t EN I- PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR JULY 12, 1989 AND BEFORE AUGUST 9, 1989; AFTER
6.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AUGUST 9, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 7, 1990; AFTER
7.08 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR MARCH 7, 1990 AND BEFORE APRIL 4, 1990; AFTER
8.04 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR APRIL 1, 1990 AND BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1990 AFTER >
/7.56 PER CENT
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
9
7.56 PER CENT
7.0ft PER'CENT
PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFI ER AUGUST 15, 1990 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 24, 1990;
PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 24, 1990 AND BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1991;
6 60 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 30, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 29, 1991; AND
7 56 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 29, 1991 AND BEFORE JULY 3, 1991.
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE:
$1 000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON JULY 3, 1991, AUGUST 3, 1991 AND SEPTEMBER 3, 1991 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON OCTOBER 2, 1991 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1,000, JULY 3, 1991 TO OCTOBER 2, 1991
THREE COMPLETE MONTHS AT $5.50 PER MONTH =$16.50
ON $1,000, AUGUST .3, 1991 TO OCTOBER 2, 1991
TWO COMPLETE MONTHS AT $5.50 PER MONTH -$11.00
ON $1,000, SEPTEMBER 3, 1991 TO OCTOBER 2, 1991
ONE COMPLETE MONTH AT $5.50 PER MONTH =$ 5.50
$33.00
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DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED *****
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVtcE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON YEUNG KOO AND CHEUNG YAU-TOR ON MARCH 24, 1988 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO SENTENCES OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
YEUNG AND CHEUNG WERE FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF Mft ktlAN YANG-TCHE AND HIS WIFE MRS KUAN CHAN MAN-YEE.
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/10........
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG
*****
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS - TUESDAY 2 JUL\ 1991
ISSUE NUMBER QI 27
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,622 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 100 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 6.18 PCI’
HIGHEST ACCEPTED \ 1 ELD 6.19 P( T
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 53 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ---- TUESDAY 9 JULY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER QI 28 H168
ISSUE DATE 10 JUL 91 10 JUL 91
MATURITY DATE 9 OCT 91 8 JAN 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS'
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400 + 80 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
--------0------------
hong KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND M( >N I- \ MARK FT OPERA!’ I ONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON I . 7.9 I 4 80
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 2.7.91 NEUTRAL
EFFEC’I OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
EFFECT (IF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.2 * + (1.2* 2.7.91
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1991
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
2.7.91 1.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.87 PCT 7.53 PCT
1 MONTH 6.49 PCT 6.83 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.40 PCT 6.70 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.36 PCT 6.61 PCT
12 MONTHS • 6.63 PCT 6.76 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 3,965 MN 7,705 MN
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
GOVT TO RELEASE FULL DETAILS ON AIRPORT PROJECT IF UNDERSTANDING IS REACHED WITH CHINA ..................................................... 1
DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY HEALTH REQUIRES INVOLVEMENT OF EVERYONE .......... 1
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1990-91) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED .............. 4
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TABLED .......... 5
INFLATION ONLY ONE FACTOR IN FRAMING BUDGET............................. 6
WORKING GROUP ON URBAN TREES FORMED ..................................... 7
PHYSICAL FITNESS RECEIVES PROPER ATTENTION IN HONG KONG ................. 8
STATUTORY PROTECTION ADEQUATE FOR EMPLOYEES WHO REPORTED EMPLOYER'S BREACH OF LEGISLATION .................................................. 9
LANTAU FIXED CROSSING - A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF PADS .................... 9
STANDARD SPORTS GROUND BEING PLANNED FOR MUI WO ........................ 10
CO-OPERATION OF VIETNAMESE GOVT NEEDED TO TACKLE VM PROBLEM ............ 11
THIRTEEN LEGISLATORS SPOKE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MOTION DEBATE ........ 11
LANTAU THE BEST OVERALL SITE FOR PADS .................................... 13
STATEMENT ON VM'S ........................................................ 15
EXPANSION OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MAGISTRATES' COURTS ..................... 16
NEW FUTURES CONTRACTS ON HANG SENG SUB-INDICES ........................... 18
TELA MET FILM INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES ................................... 18
PRE-PAID TUNNEL TICKET GOES WITH EXACT TOLL .............................. 19
PROPOSALS TO ALTER NEW RATEABLE VALUES ................................... 20
LOCAL HISTORY PILOT PROJECT IN SCHOOLS ................................... 20
SIX FLY TO BRITAIN UNDER COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME ........... 21
OWNERS AND TENANTS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT ................. 22
GOVT LOT TO LET BY TENDER ................................................ 23
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ................................. 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 24
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 1 -
GOVT TO RELEASE FULL DETAILS ON AIRPORT PROJECT tF UNDERSTANDING IS REACHED WttH CHINA
* i i i i
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REITERATED THAT IF AN UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT COUtD BE REACHED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TELL THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG EXACTLY WHAT tT CONTAINS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNcll WHEN HE WOUND UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE MOVED BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT MR MCGREGOR’S MOTION REFfefifeED To LATEST PROPOSALS BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE SITING, DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCING OF A NEW AIRPORT FOR HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSAL WHICH HAD BEEN UNDER DISCUSSION WITH TEE ClliNEsfe SIDE, SIR DAVID SAID, WAS THE PADS PROJECT, THE DETAILS OF WHICH WEBE WELL KNOWN TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND TO THE PEOPLE OF MoNG kONG.
"BOTH SIDES AGREE THAT HONG KONG NEEDS A NEW, COSt-EFkEcTIVE AIRPORT AND EFFORTS ARE CONTINUING TO TRY TO ACHIEVE Ttlts," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID AS WITH MOST DtSCUSStoNS BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS, BOTH SIDES HAD AGREED THE DETAILS SHOULD BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
"THIS IS FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT, IF AT EACH STAGE, THE DIFFERENCES STILL OUTSTANDING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES WERE TO Bfi PUBLICISED, IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY MAKE THE PROSPECT OF REACHING A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT," HE EXPLAINED.
StR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS MINDFUL OF MEMBERS’ viEWS ON THE MATTER AND HE REASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE PUBLIC THE FULL CONTENTS OF ANY AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
------0--------
DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY HEALTH REQUIRES INVOLVEMENT OF EVERYONE ♦ * t ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REITERATED THAT IN ACHIEVING THE GOAL OF "HEALTH FOR ALL BY THE YEAR 2000", INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION OF EVERYONE IS NEEDED.
WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG NOTED THAT AMONGST THE WORKING PAftTY’S RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH HAD AROUSED MOST CONCERN AND CONTROVERSY WAS ABOUT FEES AND CHARGES.
/"THIS, I ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991'
2
"THIS, I THINK, IS QUITE UNDERSTANDABLE," SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFEGUARDING AND PROMOTING THE GENERAL HEALTH OE THE COMMUNITY AND ITS FEE-CHARGING POLICY ON HEALTH SERVICES HAD CONSISTENTLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THIS CARDINAL PRINCIPLE.
"THE FACT IS : MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN GENERAL ARE VERY HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED BY PUBLIC FUNDS AND MANY OF OUR PREVENTIVE AND PROMOTIVE SERVICES ARE ABSOLUTELY FREE," SHE SAID.
CITING A FEW EXAMPLES, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CARE, VACCINATION, IMMUNISATION, ATTENDANCE AT TB AND CHEST CLINICS, SOCIAL HYGIENE SERVICES, HEALTH EDUCATION WERE FREE AND FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES WERE CHARGED AT ONLY $1 PER VISIT.
"WE HAVE NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER TO WAVER IN OUE COMMITMENT TO
promote Health and to prevent disease," she said.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT PREVENTIVE AND PROMOTIVE SERVtCfeS APART, THE WORKING PARTY CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY TO REVIEW POLICY FoR FEE-CHARGING IN GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES.
"CLEARLY, THIS ISSUE MUST BE EXAMINED WITH GREAT CARE," SHE SAID.
TO TAKE THIS FURTHER, MRS WONG SAID SHE INTENDED TO INITIATE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE POLICY ON FEES AND CHARGES ACROSS HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES.
ON THE CONCERN OVER THE PROPOSAL FOR COLLABORATION AND INTERFACE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, MRS WONG NOTED THAT SOME HAD INTERPRETED THIS AS AN ATTEMPT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HIVE OFF ITS SERVICES OR TO SHED ITS RESPONSIBILITIES.
"NOT SO! THE CALL IS FOR MORE INVOLVEMENT OF PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
"THE INVOLVEMENT IS COLLABORATIVE. THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WILL BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. THE ASSURANCE OF GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT AND THE CALL FOR COLLABORATION ARE COMPATIBLE AND NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
"MORE OF THE ONE DOES NOT MEAN LESS OF THE OTHER! CLOSER COOPERATION MEANS A RECOGNITION OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, NOT OF SHEDDING OF RESPONSIBILITY," SHE SAtD.
TURNING TO CONCERN OVER THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATUTORY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY, MRS WONG NOTED THAT SOME QUESTIONED THE PROLIFERATION OF YET ANOTHER BODY OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT, MANY WORRIED ABOUT PROBLEMS OF CO-ORDINATION WHILE OTHERS SIMPLY WORRIED.
"A CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO THIS IS CLEARLY CALLED FOR," SHE SAID.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 3 -
ON THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH REPORT, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT SOME 40,000 CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENTS HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED, INCLUDING A SYNOPSIS ON DENTAL SERVICES, TELEVISION AND RADIO API’S HAD INVITED COMMENTS.
"BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH, ALL DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD HAVE BEEN CONSULTED, WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS APART, WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS AND COMMENTS VIA MANY CHANNELS INCLUDING COMMENTS FROM THE PRINTED AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA.
"SO WE HAVE HAD COMMENTS FROM ACROSS-THE-BOARD AND WE HAVE HAD A CROSS SECTION OF VIEWS EXPRESSED TO US.
MRS WONG SAID IT CAME AS A SURPRISE THAT SOME MEMBERS HAD ACTUALLY ASKED FOR THE CONSULTATION PERIOD TO BE EXTENDED.
"FOR HONG KONG HAS BEEN LAGGING BEHIND FOR MANY YEARS. FOR ONCE WE ARE POISED TO GO FORWARD, AND YET WE ARE ASKED TO DRAG OUR FEET. WE HAVE WAITED LONG, PERHAPS A BIT TOO LONG, FOR PRACTICABLE PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE OUR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND SERVICES.
MRS WONG SAID WHILST SHE HAD AN OPEN MIND OVER THE APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION PERIOD, HOWEVER, SHE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE TO SUBSTITUTE LETHARGY FOR STRATEGY, OR TO MISTAKE PROTRACTED CONSULTATION FOR THOROUGH DELIBERATION.
"NOW IS TIME FOR ACTION. NOT RUSHING, NOT FUSSING, NOT HURRIEDLY, BUT STEADILY, STEP-BY-STEP," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG CLARIFIED THAT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WAS PARTICIPATORY CARE, A SYSTEM WHICH REQUIRED THE INVOLVEMENT OF EVERYBODY, NOT JUST THE GOVERNMENT BUT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, THE POLITICIANS, SOCIAL WORKERS, EDUCATORS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, FAMILIES AND ABOVE ALL EACH AND EVERYONE OF US.
"IT IS NOT SIMPLY FREE SERVICES DELIVERED FROM THE TOP DOWN. PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, WITH ITS STRONG EMPHASIS ON DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION, IS INSEPARABLE FROM SELF-CARE, GOOD AND HEALTHY LIFE STYLE, FAMILY SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG TOLD MEMBERS THAT THEY MIGHT BE PLEASED TO NOTE THAT SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH REPORT, CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES HAD COME IN FROM A LOT OF PLACES, FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS.
"HONG KONG HAS IN FACT BEEN PRAISED FOR ITS VISION AND ITS COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE,” MRS WONG SAID.
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/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 4 -
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1990-91) BILL 1991 tNTRObUCfeD ******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO GIVE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY FOR Ttlfe AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED IN RESPECT OF PARTICULAR HEADS OF EXPENDITURE BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER POWERS DELEGATED BY IT WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1990-91) BILL 1991, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1990-91 HAD BEEN FINALISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES.
HE SAID THE EXPENDITURE CHARGED TO 64 HEADS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 75 HEADS WAS IN EXCESS OF THE SUM APPROPRIATED FOR THOSE HEADS BY THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1990.
HE ADDED THIS WAS BECAUSE SUFFICIENT OFFSETTING SAVINGS COULb NOT BE FOUND WITHIN THE HEADS CONCERNED.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 9 OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE STATED THAT "IF AT THE CLOSE OF ACCOUNT FOR ANY FINANCIAL YEAR IT IS FOUND THAT EXPENDITURE CHARGED TO ANY HEAD IS IN EXCESS OF THE SUM APPROPRIATED FOR THAT HEAD BY AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE, THE EXCESS SHALL BE INCLUDED IN A SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL WHICH SHALL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR TO WHICH THE EXCESS EXPENDITURE RELATES".
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECTION, THE EXCESS HAD BEEN INCLUDED ik THE BILL.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE TOTAL NET SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF THE 64 HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WAS $6,118.5 MILLION.
"THIS EXCESS IS LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1990 PAY ADJUSTMENT, THE RESTRUCTURING OF DIRECTORATE SALARY SCALES, THE SECOND AND THIRD REPORTS OF NON-DIRECTORATE SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN RESPECT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE ($3,224.9 MILLION) AND GOVERNMENT SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS ($2,163.8 MILLION)," HE SAID.
OTHER MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INCLUDED THE PAYMENT OF THE REVISED HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCE AND THE SPECIAL ALLOWANCE TO OFFICERS ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW HOME FINANCING SCHEME ($366.3 MILLION) AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY ON AUGUST 1 LAST YEAR ($349.3 MILLION), HE ADDED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE COST OF THE 1990 PAY ADJUSTMENT AND SALARY RESTRUCTURING HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED IN THE 1990-91 ESTIMATES UNDER THE "ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS" SUBHEAD.
/"SAVINGS WERE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 5 -
"SAVINGS WERE ALSO MADE IN OTHER SUBHEADS THROUGH CONTINUED TIGHT CONTROL OVER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE," HE SAID, WHILE THANKING THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND OTHERS WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO RESTRAINT.
SIR PIERS NOTED: "BECAUSE OF THESE SAVINGS AND THE PROVISION MADE FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS, TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR IS WITHIN THE SUM APPROPRIATED IN THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1990."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0-----------
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
TO APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TABLED *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES MADE TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE 1990-91 FINANCIAL YEAR.
SIR PIERS SAID DURING THE PERIOD, SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $6,672.9 MILLION WAS APPROVED.
"THIS INCLUDED $4,966.6 MILLION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1990 PAY ADJUSTMENT, THE RESTRUCTURING OF DIRECTORATE SALARY SCALES, THE SECOND AND THIRD REPORTS OF NON-DIRECTORATE SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN RESPECT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID OF THE $6,672.9 MILLION, $6,282.9 MILLION WAS OFFSET BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS, WHILE THE REMAINING $390 MILLION WAS NET SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION.
HE ADDED THAT APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $31.8 MILLION DURING THE PERIOD, AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $895 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED.
MEANWHILE, A NET DECREASE OF 206 POSTS WAS APPROVED IN THE SAME PERIOD.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
THE LATTER HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(8)(A) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
6 -
INFLATION ONLY ONE
FACTOR IN FRAMING BUDGET * * * ♦ *
THE FINANCE BRANCH CONSTANTLY REMINDS DEPARTMENTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NEED TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND SEEK COST SAVINGS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLt) THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NELLIE FONG, SIR PIERS SAID TOP DOWN REVIEWS AND VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES HAD BEEN EMPLOYED IN THE ADMINISTRATION FOR MUCH OF THE PAST DECADE.
HE SAID IN HIS 1991-92 BUDGET EARLIER THIS YEAR, HE HAD GIVEN SOME DETAILS OF A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO ACHtfeVE A REDUCTION IN THE OVERALL COST OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID INFLATION WAS ONLY ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN FRAMING BUDGETARY PROPOSALS.
"ANY BUDGET SHOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO THE OVERALL FISCAL AND ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DAY," SIR PIERS SAID, ADDING THAt HE WOULD NOT SEEK TO COMMIT HIS SUCCESSOR TO ANY SPECIFIC BUDGETARY POLICIES OR INITIATIVES.
"NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET IS FOR HIM, NOT FOR ME," SIR PIERS SAtt).
HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT His SUCCESSOR WOULD WISH TO KEEP A FIRM CONTROL ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
SIR PIERS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HIS LAST FIVE BUDGETS HAD CONSISTENTLY BEEN BASED ON THE STRATEGY OF RUNNING A BUDGET SURPLUS, AN ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE STRATEGY IN TIMES OF RISING INFLATION.
furthermore, he said, members might also recollect that in his LAST BUDGET HE INDICATED THE INTENTION TO INTRODUCE A PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT BORROWING, AGAIN AN APPROPRIATE MEASURE IN RELATION TO THE GOVERNMENT POLICY OF REDUCING INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
ON APPEAL TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO FREEZE FEES AND CHARGES FOR NINE MONTHS, SIR PIERS SAID MEMBERS WOULD BE AWARE THAT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE AUTONOMOUS IN THEIR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
"THEY ARE MORE RELIANT ON FEE INCOME THAN IS THE GOVERNMENT IN MEETING THEIR EXPENDITURE NEEDS," HE SAID.
"IT WOULD, IN MY VIEW, BE MORE MEANINGFUL, AS AN ANTI-INFLATIONARY MEASURE, TO CONSIDER WAYS OF REDUCING EXPENDITURE GROWTH."
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD LITTLE ROOM TO MANOEUVRE GIVEN THE NEED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE GROWING POPULATION IN THE NEW TOWNS.
HE SAID HE WAS SURE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FULLY RECOGNISED THE NEED TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT.
/"THE URBAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
"THE URBAN COUNCIL, TO ITS CREDIT, HAS UNDERTAKEN NOT TO INCREASE THE EXISTING STRENGTH OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS," SIR PIERS SAID.
"ANY FREEZE IN THE LEVELS OF FEES AND CHARGES SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE INDIVIDUAL MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO DECIDE," HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS TO APPEAL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SEEK WAYS TO INCREASE THEIR EFFICIENCY AND TO MAINTAIN FEES AND CHARGES AT THEIR EXISTING LEVELS, SIR PIERS REPEATED WHAT HE HAD SAID IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON MAY 29: "THE ADMINISTRATION THROUGH ITS RESTRAINT IS POINTING THE WAY. BUT IF WE ARE TO ATTACK INFLATION SUCCESSFULLY, THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE MUST PLAY ITS PART."
- - 0----------
WORKING GROUP ON URBAN TREES FORMED
A GOVERNMENT INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON URBAN TREES HAS BEEN FORMED, AND IS EXPECTED TO PROPOSE MORE DETAILED STANDARDS FOR TREE PROVISION, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE GROUP WAS FORMED AFTER THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED IN TREE PLANTING DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM RECENTLY AND AGREED THAT A MORE COMPREHENSIVE POLICY WOULD HELP THEM IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PLANT MORE TREES, PARTICULARLY WHERE THERE WAS COMPETITION FOR PAVEMENT SPACE WHICH WAS IN ALMOST ALL THE OLDER AREAS, HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY STATEMENT ABOUT TREE PLANTING IN STREETS WAS VERY SIMPLE.
THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES STATED THAT "WHEREVER POSSIBLE FOOTWAYS, MEDIAN STRIPS AND ROADSIDE AREAS SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE PLANTING", HE SAID.
"SIMPLE AND LIMITED IT MAY BE, BUT IT AND THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND SOME DISTRICT BOARDS, HAVE ENSURED THAT WE DO IN FACT HAVE TREES IN MOST FOOTWAYS, MEDIAN STRIPS AND ROADSIDE AREAS WHERE THEY ARE POSSIBLE AND IN WAN CHAI IN SOME PLACES WHERE THEY ARE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE," MR BARNES SAID.
HE SAID AS FAR AS HE KNEW, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD NEVER QUIBBLED ABOUT ANY FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR TREE AND AMENITY PLANTING. THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TOO PROVIDED GENEROUSLY FOR TREES ALL OVER THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS.
"WE MAY HAVE STARTED SYSTEMATIC PROVISION OF TREES LATER THAN SINGAPORE AND OUR STREETS ARE UNDOUBTEDLY MORE CROWDED THAN THEY ARE THERE, BUT WE ARE STILL DOING PRETTY WELL," MR BARNES SAID.
Z8 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 8 -
PHYSICAL FITNESS RECEIVES PROPER ATTENTION IN HONG KONG
******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT PHYSICAL FITNESS DID RECEIVE PROPER ATTENTION IN HONG KONG.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON ALBERT LAM, SAID A VARIED AND SUBSTANTIVE PROGRAMME OF COURSES AND ACTIVITIES WAS ORGANISED BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL FITNESS, RANGING FROM MULTI-GYM FITNESS COURSE, TAI CHI, AEROBIC DANCE, JUDO, ROLLER SKATING, TO CANOEING, FENCING, ATHLETIC TRAINING AND MANY OTHERS.
PHYSICAL FITNESS FACILITIES, INCLUDING SOME FIRST-CLASS GYMNASIA UNDER PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION, WERE ALSO READILY AVAILABLE AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN INDOOR GAMES HALLS, INDOOR RECREATION CENTRES AND SPORTS CENTRES OPERATED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, HE ADDED.
MR LAM WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP ON WHETHER CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO INTRODUCING A PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST SCHEME FOR ADULTS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID RECOMMENDATION FOR SUCH A SCHEME WAS MADE IN AUGUST 1989 BY THE THEN COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT BUT CONSIDERATION OF THIS RECOMMENDATION HAD BEEN DEFERRED PENDING THE FORMULATION OF AN OVERALL STRATEGY BY THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS AND PHYSICAL RECREATION IN HONG KONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAD NOW PRODUCED A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ACTION FOR THE PERIOD 1991-95 WITH THE MAIN EMPHASIS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTING EXCELLENCE TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, THE NURTURING AND TRAINING OF YOUNG ATHLETES, AND THE STRENGTHENING OF MAJOR SPORTS ORGANISATIONS.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THIS PLAN, AND GIVEN THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE, THERE IS NO PLAN IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE TO INTRODUCE A PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST SCHEME GENERALLY FOR ADULTS ON THE LINES SUGGESTED BY DR IP," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS CIVIL SERVANTS, MR LAM SAID PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS WERE CONDUCTED FOR STAFF OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES REGULARLY AND ANNUALLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE FIT TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES.
"SIMILAR TESTS DO NOT APPLY TO CIVILIAN GRADES FOR WHOM PHYSICAL STAMINA IS NOT A PRIMARY JOB REQUIREMENT.
"HOWEVER, CIVIL SERVANTS MAY ARRANGE MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS ON A NEED BASTS," HE ADDED.
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 9 -
STATUTORY PROTECTION ADEQUATE FOR EMPLOYEES WHO REPORTED EMPLOYER’S BREACH OF LEGISLATION
★ ★ ★ * *
THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE PRESENT STATUTORY PROTECTION TO BE ADEQUATE FOR ENSURING THAT EMPLOYEES WILL NOT BE DISMISSED FOR REPORTING THE EMPLOYER’S BREACH OF LEGISLATION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON JOHN CHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR CHAN SAID UNDER SECTION 72B OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, IT WAS AN OFFENCE FOR AN EMPLOYER TO TERMINATE, OR THREATEN TO TERMINATE, THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY OF HIS EMPLOYEES FOR GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT OR GIVING INFORMATION TO A PUBLIC OFFICER IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
’’THE PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE IS A FINE OF $20,000,” HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, SECTION 6 OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE PROVIDED SIMILAR PROTECTION TO EMPLOYEES IN RESPECT OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF THAT ORDINANCE.
MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THE PRESENT STATUTORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA TO BE ADEQUATE, EXCEPT THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO SANCTION FOR BREACHING SECTION 6 OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO INTRODUCE A PENALTY ALONG THE SAME LINES AS SECTION 72B OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND HOPED TO BRING THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION TO THE COUNCIL DURING THE NEXT SESSION.
AS FOR COMPLAINTS FROM EMPLOYEES THAT THEY HAD BEEN DISMISSED IN RETALIATION FOR REPORTING THE EMPLOYER’S BREACH OF LEGISLATION, MR CHAN SAID THESE WERE RARE.
’’THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECORDED ONLY ONE SUCH COMPLAINT IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS,” HE SAID.
------0--------
LANTAU FIXED CROSSING - A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF PADS ♦ » * * * *
THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING (LFC), COMPRISING THE TS1 NG MA BRIDGE AND THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE, IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE PADS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG, SIR DAVID SAID THE LFC SERVED AS THE INITIAL LINK TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND THE SUPPORTING COMMUNITY OF TUNG CHUNG AS WELL AS SERVING THE FUTURE PORT PENINSULA AT NORTH-EAST LANTAU.
/’’IT K-..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 10 -
’’IT IS CLEARLY IMPORTANT THAT THE LFC IS BUILT IN TIME TO MEET THESE NEEDS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
MR LAM WAS ASKING WHETHER IT WAS REALLY NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT THE TSING MA BRIDGE IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE CHEK LAP KOK NEW AIRPORT PROJECT HAD NOT YET BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
WITH REGARD TO OTHER PARTS OF MR LAM’S QUESTION ON ROUTE 3 AND THE THIRD CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID PLANNING AND DESIGN WORK FOR THOSE SECTIONS OF ROUTE 3 SERVING THE NEW AIRPORT, INCLUDING THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WERE IN PROGRESS AND WOULD CONTINUE.
SIR DAVID SAID ROUTE 3 STRETCHING FROM THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TO THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE BORDER HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED TN THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY AS THE MAJOR NORTH-SOUTH ROUTE FOR THE TERRITORY WHICH SHOULD BE IN PLACE BY THE LATE 1990’S TO CATER FOR THE ANTICIPATED GROWTH OF TRAFFIC.
”IT IS DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS: WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI SECTIONS AND THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION.
”TO SERVE THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI SECTIONS WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED JUST BEFORE AIRPORT OPENING DATE, LEAVING THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION TO BE SUBSEQUENTLY COMPLETED IN THE LATE 90’S DEPENDING ON FORECAST TRAFFIC DEMAND,” SIR DAVID SAID.
------0--------
STANDARD SPORTS GROUND BEING PLANNED FOR MUI WO
A STANDARD SPORTS GROUND IN MUI WO IS UNDER PLANNING BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON ALBERT LAM, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG, MR LAM SAID PART OF THE LAND FOR THE 2.5 HECTARE SITE HAD TO BE RESUMED AND SITE FORMATION WAS NECESSARY BEFORE CONSTRUCTION COULD START.
"DUE TO COMPETING PRIORITIES, SITE FORMATION FOR THE SPORTS GROUND IS SCHEDULED TO START IN 1995, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1996 SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
"CONSTRUCTION OF THE SPORTS GROUND WOULD PROBABLY START IN 1997 AND BE COMPLETED IN 1998-99," HE SAID.
/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 11 -
CO-OPERATION OF VIETNAMESE GOVT NEEDED TO TACKLE VM PROBLEM
*****
BOTH THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS ARE ENDEAVOURING TO FIND WAYS TO IMPLEMENT FULLY THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA) TO RETURN TO VIETNAM THOSE ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO HAVE BEEN DETERMINED NOT TO BE REFUGEES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPRBY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHJ-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPA REQUIRED THE AGREEMENT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT.
"IT IS VERY CLEAR FROM OUR DISCUSSIONS OF THIS SUBJECT OVER MORE THAN TWO YEARS THAT THE ATTITUDE OF THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT WILL BE INFLUENCED BY THAT OF OTHER COUNTRIES WHO ARE PARTIES TO THE CPA, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT," HE NOTED.
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS SEEKING ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE ACCEPTABLE TO ALL PARTIES TO THE CPA.
"THERE IS NO DEROGATION FROM THE AUTONOMY AND INTEGRITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
THIRTEEN LEGISLATORS
SPOKE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MOTION DEBATE *****
BY THE HON LAU WAH-SUM ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
A MOTION MOVED _______
WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
THIRTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE MOTION DEBATE, WITH THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
MR LAU’S MOTION READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG TO MEET THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION'S TARGET OF 'HEALTH FOR ALL BY THE YEAR 2000’, AND URGES GOVERNMENT TO TAKE EARLY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THOSF IMPROVEMENT MEASURES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, HAVING REGARD TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON JULY 31, 1991.
TWO AMENDMENT MOTIONS WHICH WERE PUT FORTH RESPECTIVELY BY THE HON RONALD CHOW AND THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG WERE DEFEATED.
/MEANWHILE,.10 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
12
MEANWHILE, 10 MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SPOKE IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON "THE POSSIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS, DETAILS OF THE LATEST PROPOSALS BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE SITING, DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCING OF A NEW AIRPORT FOR HONG KONG" RAISED BY THE HON J. D. MCGREGOR.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, NINE BILLS WERE PASSED BY THE COUNCIL. OF THEM, THE PRIVATE BILLS BILL 1991, COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
THE OTHER SIX BILLS, NAMELY THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1991, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WERE PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
MEANWHILE, THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1990-91) BILL 1991 WAS INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, AND DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0-----------
/13 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 13 -
LANTAU THE BEST OVERALL SITE FOR PADS *****
THE GOVERNMENT STILL MAINTAINS THAT THE PROPOSED PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT ON NORTH LANTAU UNDER PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS) REPRESENTS THE BEST OVERALL PACKAGE TO SUIT THE LONG TERM STRATEGIC NEEDS OF HONG KONG AND THE PEARL DELTA REGION AS A WHOLE.
SITING THE NEW AIRPORT AT EITHER TOLO HARBOUR OR CLEAR WATER BAY WILL NECESSITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TWO SEPARATE, AND EXPENSIVE, SETS OF SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE PORT AND AIRPORT. SUCH UNDUE DUPLICATION OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT IS CLEARLY NOT IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ISSUED AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE STUDY GROUP ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (SGID) ON "ALTERNATIVE SITES FOR HONG KONG’S REPLACEMENT AIRPORT - A PREFEASIBILITY STUDY" SUBMITTED TO GOVERNMENT EARLIER ON, WHICH SUGGESTS THAT TOLO HARBOUR AND CLEAR WATER BAY ARE SUITABLE FOR SITING THE NEW AIRPORT.
WHILST IT FULLY APPRECIATES THAT THE STUDY HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT WITH GOOD INTENTION WITHIN THE LIMITS OF RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND TIME AVAILABLE TO THE SGID, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THE REPORT LACKING IN DETAILED TECHNICAL ANALYSES IN RESPECT OF AERONAUTICS, TRAFFIC PROJECTIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, AND SO ON, WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO ENABLE A SCIENTIFIC AND SENSIBLE COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT TO BE MADE ON THE REPORT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "FROM THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT POINT OF VIEW, SITING THE AIRPORT AT EITHER TOLO HARBOUR OR CLEAR WATER BAY IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF THE TERRITORY, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO FUTURE PORT DEVELOPMENT.
"ONE OF THE BASIC PLANNING PRINCIPLES EMBRACED IN PADS HAS BEEN THAT THE PLANNING FOR PORT AND THAT FOR AIRPORT SHOULD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE ACCOMMODATE EACH OTHER.
"ON THE PORT SIDE, FOLLOWING THE COMMISSIONING OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 AND CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND AND SOUTHEAST TSING YI RESPECTIVELY, THE FUTURE EXPANSION OF CONTAINER PORT FACILITIES IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 1990’S AND BEYOND WOULD MAINLY BE PROVIDED FOR ON THE PROPOSED PORT PENINSULA ON NORTH LANTAU," HE SAID.
SITING THE NEW AIRPORT ON CHEK LAP KOK, APART FROM THE VARIOUS ADVANTAGES FOR AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT, WOULD ACHIEVE JOINT USAGE OF THE EXPENSIVE SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED FOR EFFICIENT OPERATION OF BOTH THE PORT AND AIRPORT, AND ENHANCE THE VIABILITY OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM AND THE PORT AND AIRPORT SCHEMES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HE ALSO........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 14 -
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT EVEN IF KAI TAK AIRPORT WAS NOT RELOCATED, A NUMBER OF INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS SUCH AS A BRIDGE TO LANTAU ISLAND WOULD STILL NEED TO BE BUILT FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S PORT FACILITIES.
THE PACKAGE OF DEVELOPMENT UNDER PADS ALSO OFFERS THE GREATEST SCOPE FOR INTEGRATION WITH THE PLANNED AND EXISTING TRANSPORT SYSTEM BY CONNECTION WITH THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND ROUTE 3, WHICH ARE ALL REQUIRED FOR ALLEVIATING THE CONGESTION ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR AND MEETING THE INCREASING CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC DEMAND INDEPENDENT OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT ON NORTH LANTAU.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THIS WESTWARD DEVELOPMENT OF PORT AND AIPPORT HAS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE ADOPTED PLANNING POLICY OF PRESERVING THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE TERRITORY FOR RECREATIONAL AND CONSERVATION PURPOSES, AS WELL AS FACILITATING THE PEARL RIVER TRADE ON THE WEST.
"EVEN JUDGING ON A STAND-ALONE BASIS, THE GOVERNMENT IS EXTREMELY SCEPTICAL ABOUT WHETHER TOLO HARBOUR OR CLEAR WATER BAY IS AN IDEAL SITE FOR RELOCATING THE AIRPORT.
"THE METHODOLOGY EMPLOYED BY THE SGID FOR COSTING THE TWO RESPECTIVE OPTIONS IS FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED BECAUSE THE ENGINEERING COSTS HAVE BEEN GROSSLY UNDER-ESTIMATED, AND THE COSTS REQUIRED FOR AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORT NETWORK AND ENVIRONMENTAL TREATMENT HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY NEGLECTED.
"THE COSTS REQUIRED FOR DEVELOPING A SEPARATE TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR THE PORT HAVE ALSO NOT BEEN ADDRESSED."
SOME IMPORTANT SITE-SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS ARE SET OUT BELOW:
I. TOLO HARBOUR
♦ BECAUSE OF TERRAIN OBSTRUCTIONS, WHICH PRECLUDES THE POSSIBILITY OF MEETING THE STANDARD "OBSTACLE CLEARANCE" CRITERIA LAID DOWN BY THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION (ICAO), SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTIES FOR AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS TO THE WEST ARE ENVISAGED;
♦ VERY LITTLE ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE SITE. NOISE IMPACT,
PARTICULARLY ON A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF SHA TIN, HAS BEEN GROSSLY UNDER-ESTIMATED IN THE REPORT AS A RESULT OF THE APPLICATION OF WRONG CRITERIA;
» A HUGE BODY OF DEAD WATER WOULD BE TRAPPED IN TOLO HARBOUR FOLLOWING THE RECLAMATION WORKS FOR THE AIRPORT SITE RESULTING IN SEVERE DRAINAGE AND WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS. THE COSTS FOR THE NECESSARY ENVIRONMENTAL TREATMENT WORKS WOULD BE COLOSSAL;
/* NO TRAFFIC ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
15
* NO TRAFFIC STUDY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED TO BACK UP THE RECOMMENDED TRANSPORT LINKS TO THE AIRPORT, WHICH INVOLVES SOLELY THE CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSION LINKS TO THE EXISTING MTR/KCR AND HIGHWAY SYSTEMS.
IT IS CONSIDERED EXTREMELY UNLIKELY THAT THE TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE AIRPORT COULD BE ADEQUATELY MET BY PLUGGING IT INTO THE PRESENT RAILWAY AND HIGHWAY NETWORKS WHICH HAVE ALREADY REACHED THEIR RESPECTIVE CAPACITIES.
SHOULD A DEDICATED NETWORK OF RAIL AND HIGHWAYS BE BUILT TO LINK THE TOLO HARBOUR SITE TO THE URBAN AREA, THE ORDER OF COSTS WOULD PROBABLY BE IN EXCESS OF THAT PROPOSED UNDER THE CHEK LAP KOK OPTION.
II. CLEAR WATER BAY
* SIMILAR, IF NOT MORE SEVERE, NOISE PROBLEM IS FOUND IN THE CLEAR WATER BAY SITE. THE NOISE IMPACT OF THE AIRPORT, PARTICULARLY THAT ARISING FROM AIRCRAFT TAKING OFF TOWARDS THE WEST, WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE TO JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, KWUN TONG AND HONG KONG ISLAND EAST, RESULTING IN A SITUATION WHICH WOULD LIKELY BE AS BAD AS THAT WITH THE CURRENT KAI TAK AIRPORT;
* ENVIRONMENTALLY SPEAKING, THE LOCATION OF AN AIRPORT AT CLEAR WATER BAY WOULD HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THIS SCENIC PART OF THE TERRITORY, AND GOES AGAINST GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL PLAN OF CONSERVING THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR RECREATIONAL USES;
* AGAIN, THE PROPOSAL FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT BY SIMPLY EXTENDING THE JUNK BAY MTR LINE (THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHICH IS NOT YET PROGRAMMED) AND CONSTRUCTING A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY TO THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL WILL BE UNABLE TO MEET THE AIRPORT TRAFFIC DEMAND.
------0--------
STATEMENT ON VM’S » * * »
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT ISSUED AT THE END OF THE TALKS IN GENEVA ON VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS:
"REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UK AND VIETNAMESE MISSIONS AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MET YESTERDAY (JULY 2) IN GENEVA, WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF UNHCR AND TOM (INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR MIGRATION) PRESENT AS OBSERVERS.
/"THE UK/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
16
"THE UK/HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES OUTLINED BRITISH PROPOSALS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONALLY MANAGED CENTRES IN VIETNAM, CONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS OF THE CPA.
"THERE WAS A USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS IN THE CONTEXT OF CONSULTATION ENVISAGED IN PARAGRAPHS 17 AND 18 OF THE DECLARATION OF THE FOURTH STEERING COMMITTEE.
"THE REPRESENTATIVES AGREED THAT THERE SHOULD BE FURTHER EARLY DISCUSSIONS IN GENEVA."
--------0-----------
EXPANSION OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO EXPAND THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS THROUGH THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME.
"THIS WILL ENABLE A SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER NUMBER OF PEOPLE CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENCES IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS TO BENEFIT FROM LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO MEET ITS OBLIGATION UNDER THE RECENTLY ENACTED BILL OF RIGHTS TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO INDIGENT PERSONS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENCES," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME JOINTLY OPERATED BY THE LAW SOCIETY AND BAR ASSOCIATION WILL INTRODUCE A NEW COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SCHEME BASED ON THE PROVISION OF FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS CHARGED WITH ANY OF NINE SPECIFIED OFFENCES.
UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE "INTERESTS OF JUSTICE" PRINCIPLE REFERRED TO IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
THE CURRENT DUTY LAWYER SCHEME WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1979 AND IS SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. IT PROVIDES FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO ANY PERSON CHARGED IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS WITH ANY OF THE NINE SPECIFIED OFFENCES.
THESE OFFENCES INCLUDE LOITERING, POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS, GOING EQUIPPED FOR STEALING AND OTHER SIMILAR VICTIMLESS OFFENCES.
SUBVENTION TO THE SCHEME IN 1991-92 AMOUNTS TO $26 MILLION. IN 1990 IT PROVIDED FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO OVER 13,000 PERSONS IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.
THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME HAS BEEN PROVIDING LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS FOR OVER 12 YEARS. IT ALREADY HAS A NETWORK OF COURT LIAISON OFFICERS IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCED IN PROVIDING LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL CASES.
/UNDER THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1^1
17 -
UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, ALL APPLICANTS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A MERITS TEST, WHEREBY THE MERITS OF EACH APPLICATION ARE ASSESSED AGAINST THE “INTERESTS OF-JUSTICE” PRINCIPLE.
IN APPLYING THIS TEST, THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE SCHEME AND HtS STAFF WILL HAVE REGARD TO THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCUSED PERSON, SUCH AS WHETHER THE OFFENCE IS LIKELY TO LEAD TO A PRISON SENTENCE AND A LOSS OF LIBERTY; WHETHER THE CASE INCLUDES A SUBSTANTIAL POINT OF LAW; WHETHER THE ACCUSED IS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL OR OTHER DISABILITY AND CANNOT REPRESENT HIMSELF; WHETHER THE DEFENCE INVOLVES CROSS-EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES; AND WHETHER IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF OTHER PERSONS THAT THE ACCUSED BE LEGALLY REPRESENTED.
A MEANS TEST WILL BE INTRODUCED TO PREVENT ABUSE BY APPLICANTS WHO CAN AFFORD THEIR OWN PRIVATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
PEOPLE WHOSE MEANS EXCEED A CERTAIN LIMIT WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE SCHEME. THE PRECISE LIMIT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME.
"IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF MINOR DEPARTMENTAL SUMMONSES AND REGULATORY OFFENCES DEALT WITH IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS, A SMALL HANDLING FEE WILL BE INTRODUCED TO HELP SCREEN OUT CASUAL APPLICATIONS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE, REDUCE UNNECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AND MEET PART OF THE COST OF EXPANDING THE SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME WILL HAVE DISCRETION TO REDUCE OR WAIVE THE FEE IN GENUINE HARDSHIP CASES, SO THAT NO ONE WILL BE DEPRIVED OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION SIMPLY BECAUSE HE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE FEE."
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE NEW SCHEME WILL BENEFIT 30,000 PEOPLE EACH YEAR, COMPARED WITH 13,000 UNDER THE PRESENT SCHEME. IT WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ADDITIONAL $21 MILLION EACH YEAR, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO DEFER THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW "FINANCIAL CAPACITY APPROACH" TO MEANS TESTING TO BE ADOPTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID IN PROVIDING LEGAL AID IN CIVIL CASES AND CRIMINAL CASES IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND THE HIGH COURT.
THE PROPOSED "FINANCIAL CAPACITY APPROACH" WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AND WOULD HAVE HAD THE EFFECT OF RAISING THE ELIGIBILITY LIMIT OF TOTAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES (DISPOSABLE ANNUAL INCOME AND CAPITAL) TO $120,000.
"HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED TO RESTRAIN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND THE GOVERNMENT’S OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO INDIGENT PERSONS CHARGED IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE EXPANSION OF THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"THE NEW FINANCIAL CAPACITY APPROACH WILL BE INTRODUCED AS SOON AS FUNDS CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION," HE ADDED.
- - 0---------
/18 ........
WEDNESDAY> JULY 3*
18
NEW FUTURES CONTRACTS ON t t i
HANG SENG SUB-tNDtCES t t
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL FROM THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (HKFE) TO INTRODUCE FOUR NEW FUTURES CONTRACTS BASED ON EACH OF THE HANG SENG SUB-INDICES, NAMELY FINANCE, UTILITIES, PROPERTIES, AND COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAlb AN ORDER HAD BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER S.115 OF THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE TO AMEND SCHEDULE 1 OF THE ORDINANCE TO • -able THE NEW FUTURES CONTRACTS TO BE TRADED ON THE HKFE.
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HKFE ON THE SUB-INDEX CONTRACT PROPOSAL TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE PROPER RISK MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS AND ADEQUATE MEASURES AGAINST POSSIBLE MANIPULATION OF THE LEVEL OF THE SUB-INDICES FOR THE PROTECTION OF MARKET USERS.
"WE RECOGNISE THE WISH OF THE HKFE TO INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS TO CONTINUE THE GROWTH OF THE TURNOVER VOLUME AND TO MEET THE CHANGING MARKET NEEDS, SUBJECT TO ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET AND AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF INVESTOR PROTECTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE SFC HAS CONFIRMED THAT A PROPER REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING RISK MANAGEMENT MEASURES, IS NOW IN PLACE," HE ADDED.
THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULE 1) ORDER 1991 WILL BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT ON JULY 12 THIS YEAR UPON PUBLICATION IN THE GAZETTE.
- - 0----------
TELA MET FILM INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES **»»»«
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (MPIA) AND THE HONG KONG THEATRES ASSOCIATION HELD A DISCUSSION ON MONDAY (JULY 1) WITH OFFICIALS OF THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE DISPLAY OF FILM STILLS IN CINEMAS, THE PUBLICATION OF FILM ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWSPAPERS AND THE GENERAL FILM STANDARDS APPLIED UNDER THE THREE-TIER FILM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.
AT THE MEETING, THE REPRESENTATIVES EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH TELA OFFICIALS ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE (COIAO) ON THE DISPLAY OF FILM STILLS AND OTHER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS IN CINEMAS, IN PARTICULAR THOSE CONCERNING CATEGORY III FILMS.
IN THIS RESPECT, TELA WELCOMED THE EFFORTS OF THE MPIA IN SETTING UP AN INTERNAL COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE FILM STILLS FOR THE FILM DISTRIBUTORS, THEREBY PROMOTING SELF-REGULATION WITHIN THE FILM INDUSTRY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE COIAO.
/TELA OFFICIALS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 19 -
TELA OFFICIALS ALSO ADVISED THAT IN CASE OF DOUBT, THE MPIA CAN SUBMIT THEIR MATERIALS TO THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL FOR A RULING OR THEY CAN DRAW REFERENCE FROM PREVIOUS RULINGS OF THE TRIBUNAL.
THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE ALSO REMINDED THAT THE PUBLICATION OF FILM ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWSPAPERS WAS ALSO SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COIAO AND THE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR CATEGORY III FILMS HAD BECOME A MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN.
THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE ADVISED THAT IF THEY HAD DOUBT ABOUT THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS, THEY COULD ALSO SEEK A RULING FROM THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL OR DRAW REFERENCE FROM ITS PREVIOUS RULINGS, IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO THAT FOR FILM STILLS.
AT THE MEETING, THE REPRESENTATIVES ALSO EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH TELA OFFICIALS ON THE APPLICATION OF FILM STANDARDS UNDER THE THREE-TIER FILM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.
---------------------0------- PRE-PAID TUNNEL TICKET GOES WITH EXACT TOLL *****
ALL USERS OF GOVERNMENT ROAD TUNNELS ARE REMINDED THAT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, NO CHANGES WILL BE GIVEN IF THEY USE PRE-PAID TUNNEL TICKETS TO PAY FOR TUNNEL TOLLS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF ISSUING PRE-PAID TUNNEL TICKETS WAS TO ENHANCE TUNNEL OPERATION TO THE BENEFITS OF MOTORISTS AND GENERAL TRAFFIC FLOW.
"SIMILAR TO PRIVATE TUNNELS, AT LEAST TWO EXACT TOLL BOOTHS ARE DESIGNATED IN EACH DIRECTION FOR ALL GOVERNMENT ROAD TUNNELS UNDER NORMAL OPERATIONS WHERE TOLLS ARE COLLECTED. •
"ONLY EXACT TOLLS OR PRE-PAID TUNNEL TICKETS WITH THE CORRESPONDING AMOUNT WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THESE BOOTHS," HE SAID.
"FOR THE SAME REASON, TOLL COLLECTORS WILL NOT ACCEPT A COMBINATION OF CASH AND PRE-PAID TUNNEL TICKETS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE TOLL AMOUNT," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS BECAUSE THE TUNNEL TICKET IS NOT A LEGAL TENDER.
- - 0---------
/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
20 PROPOSALS TO ALTER NEW RATEABLE VALUES t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OE RATING AND VALUATION HAS RECEIVED, DURING APRIL AND MAY, SLIGHTLY OVER 34,000 PROPOSALS TO ALTER THE RATEABLE VALUES IN THE NEW VALUATION LIST, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WHILST THIS NUMBER IS SOMEWHAT HIGHER THAN THOSE RECEIVED IN 1988 AFTER THE LAST REVALUATION, THE PERCENTAGE OF RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE OBJECTED, AT THREE PER CENT, IS ONLY SLIGHTLY HIGHER DESPITE THE GREATER INCREASES IN RATEABLE VALUES THIS TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL MATTERS AFFECTING THE RENTAL VALUE WHICH WERE RAISED BY RATEPAYERS IN THEIR PROPOSALS, WOULD BE GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BY SENIOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE DECISIONS WERE ISSUED.
’’WORK ON THE REVIEW IS NOW UNDERWAY, AND ALL CASES SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON NOVEMBER 30.
’’WRITTEN DECISIONS WILL BE ISSUED IN ALL CASES, ACCOMPANIED BY EXPLANATORY NOTES,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
RATEPAYERS MUST CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR QUARTERLY RATES DEMANDS, DESPITE HAVING LODGED A PROPOSAL.
IF RATES ARE REDUCED AS A RESULT OF THE REVIEW, THE REVISION WILL BE BACKDATED TO APRIL 1 THIS YEAR AND AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE AMOUNT ALREADY PAID WILL THEN BE MADE.
---------0-----------
LOCAL HISTORY PILOT PROJECT IN SCHOOLS
THE INTRODUCTION OF LOCAL HISTORY HERALDS A NEW AGE IN THE HISTORY CURRICULUM AND WILL BE A MAJOR STEP TOWARDS INSTILLING NEW INTERESTS IN THE SUBJECT.
THE ACTING CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MR HO CHE-LEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN OPENING THE LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE.
HERITAGE STUDIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE ENQUIRY APPROACH AND THE USE OF EVIDENCE, RENDERED THE STUDY OF HISTORY MORE LIVELY AND RELEVANT, HE SAID.
TO GENERATE AWARENESS AND INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S HERITAGE AND TO CULTIVATE AMONG STUDENTS A SENSE OF IDENTITY WITH THE COMMUNITY, A PILOT PROJECT TO INTRODUCE LOCAL HISTORY INTO THE SECONDARY 1-3 HISTORY CURRICULUM BEGAN THIS YEAR IN 15 SCHOOLS.
/THE LOCAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
THE LOCAL HISTORY PROJECT EXHIBITION IS NOW OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING UNTIL SATURDAY (JULY 6) AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
ON DISPLAY ARE EXHIBITS MOUNTED BY THE 15 SCHOOLS, THE MONUMENTS AND ANTIQUITIES OFFICE, THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HISTORY SECTION OF THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
--------0-----------
SIX FLY TO BRITAIN UNDER
COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE
******
PROGRAMME
SIX YOUTHS LEFT FOR LONDON TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN A THREE-WEEK PROJECT IN BRITAIN UNDER THIS YEAR’S COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
SPEAKING BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PROGRAMME’S SELECTION PANEL, MRS JOYCE TAI, WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF COMMISSION ON YOUTH, TOLD THE DELEGATES TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THE TRIP TO BROADEN THEIR OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE.
"SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FROM MORE THAN 40 NOMINEES FROM 28 LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTES, YOUTH OR YOUTH-RELATED ORGANISATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAMME, YOU SHOULD SET GOOD EXAMPLES FOR OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY AND SHARE WITH THEM VALUABLE EXPERIENCE ACQUIRED FROM THE SCHEME," SHE SAID.
ON THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (YOUTH), MR PARRISH NG, SAID IT WAS INITIATED IN 1977 WITH THE AIM OF ESTABLISHING TWO-WAY EXCHANGE LINKS BETWEEN LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITIES IN BRITAIN AND OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
"HONG KONG FIRST PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR WHEN SIX LOCAL YOUTH WORKERS WERE SELECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE THREE-WEEK PROGRAMME HOSTED BY BRITAIN AND HELD IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THAT COUNTRY," HE SAID.
SO FAR, 42 LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SENT TO BRITAIN UNDER THIS PROGRAMME. IN TURN, HONG KONG HAS RECEIVED 36 YOUNG BRITONS, HE ADDED.
MR NG SAID THIS YEAR’S THREE-WEEK ITINERARY WILL COVER A SERIES OF VISITS TO PLACES OF INTEREST IN LONDON AND IN CARDIFF, WALES, AS WELL AS OTHER YOUTH WORK PROGRAMMES.
THEY WILL VISIT YOUTH CENTRES, CITY COUNCILS, HIGH SCHOOLS, SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS, COMMUNITY THEATRE GROUPS, LEISURE AND PLAY RESOURCE CENTRES, WOMEN’S WORKSHOPS AND SCOUT ASSOCIATIONS.
/APART FROM ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 22 -
APART FROM ATTENDING A RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE LORD MAYOR OF CARDIFF, PARTICIPANTS MAY ALSO BE RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSIONER AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON AND A BRITISH GOVERNMENT MINISTER OR A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHADOW CABINET AT THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, HE ADDED.
DURING THEIR STAY IN BRITAIN , THE YOUTH DELEGATES WILL SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME IN HOST FAMILIES, WHERE THEY WILL EXPERIENCE THE BRITISH WAY OF LIVING AND LEARN HOW TO HELP OTHERS IN A DIFFERENT COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON AUGUST 1, AFTER THEIR EXTENDED STAY IN BRITAIN.
THE SIX YOUTH AMBASSADORS ARE: MISS DONNA CHU, MISS VIVIAN SUM, MR LEUNG PAK-WAI, MISS DIANA LEONG, MR LEUNG TAK-HING AND MISS WONG WAI-CHING.
------0-------
OWNERS AND TENANTS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT *****
PROPERTY OWNERS AND TENANTS ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO TAKE PART IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT AS THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY KNOW THE PROBLEMS AND FEATURES OF THEIR BUILDING.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF A BUILDING MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE FOR DISTRICT RESIDENTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARCLAY SAID ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY OWNERS AND RESIDENTS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT WOULD NOT ONLY PROVIDE A GOOD LIVING ENVIRONMENT BUT ALSO INCREASE THE BUILDING’S VALUE.
THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE WAS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT’S FEDERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS ORGANISATIONS (FMSBO) IN JUNE AND JULY, HE SAID.
"THE AIM OF THE COURSE WAS TO PROVIDE SOME BASIC KNOWLEDGE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO LOOK AFTER THEIR PROPERTIES EFFECTIVELY," MR BARCLAY ADDED.
A TOTAL OF 80 PARTICIPANTS, COMPRISING MEMBERS OF OWNERS INCORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, BUILDING MANAGERS, WATCHMEN AND RESIDENTS, WERE EACH AWARDED A CERTIFICATE FOR COMPLETING THE COURSE.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WERE THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FMSBO, MRS CHOW SUN FONG-CHUNG.
/23........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 23 -
GOVT LOT TO LET BY TENDER ******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A LAND LOT AT SAI NING STREET, KENNEDY TOWN« HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 1,030 SQUARE METRES, 1S FOR OPfeN STORAGE OR A FEE PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 19.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES AT HONG KONG WEST AND KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
-----0------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN TWO BUILDINGS 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 THfe FLAT ROOF OF FLAT A ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF 168 HAI TAN STREET AND ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF 172 YER KUK STREET.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 13 AND SEPTEMBER 3 RESPECTIVELY UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
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/24........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1991
- 24 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 2.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 3.7.91 + 201
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -201
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114.4 »+0.2» 3.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
2.7. 91 3.7. 91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.87 PCT 6.83 PCT
1 MONTH 6.49 PCT 6.43 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.40 PCT 6.27 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.36 PCT 6.27 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.63 PCT 6.63 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 3,965 MN 5,806 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON NEW AIRPORT ............................ 1
FULL TEXT OF MEMORANDUM ............................................... 2
GOVERNOR GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE ....................................... 7
CHAI WAN AND SHAU KEI WAN SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY .................. 26
GRADING OF REACH WATER QUALITY ........................................ 26
ELDERLY SERVICES UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW ................................ 30
FAN LAU FORT RESTORED ................................................. 30
SIX DISTRICTS TO START SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ......................... 31
NO ABNORMALITIES DETECTED IN ARGENTINIAN CORNED BEEF .................. 33
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 33
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON NEW AIRPORT » * t » » *
SIR PERCY CRADOCK, FOREIGN AFFAIRS ADVISER TO THE PRIME MINISTER, VISITED CHINA FROM 27 JUNE TO 1 JULY AS THE PRIME MINISTER’S REPRESENTATIVE AND HELD A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH CHINESE LEADERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS ON INTENSIFYING CO-OPERATION OVER HONG KONG, AND PARTICULARLY ON THE QUESTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG.
DURING THE VISIT, SIR PERCY CRADOCK WAS RECEIVED BY GENERAL SECRETARY JIANG ZEMIN AND PREMIER LI PENG AND BY STATE COUNSELLOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER QIAN QICHEN. THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE MEETINGS WAS FRIENDLY AND CORDIAL.
DURING SIR PERCY CRADOCK’S STAY IN PEKING, HE HAD THOROUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH MR LU PING, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO OFFICE UNDER THE STATE COUNCIL AND OTHER CHINESE OFFICIALS ON THE QUESTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG. THESE MEETINGS WERE THE CULMINATION OF THE INTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS ON THE SAME SUBJECT WHICH THE TWO SIDES HAD CONDUCTED FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS. AS A RESULT OF THESE DISCUSSIONS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED ON THE HONG KONG AIRPORT PROJECT. THE TWO SIDES INITIALLEt) A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG AND RELATED QUESTIONS, WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON SIGNATURE BY HEADS OF GOVERNMENT.
THIS UNDERSTANDING PROVIDES A FIRM BASIS FOR THE BUILDING OF A NEW MODERN AIRPORT TO SERVE THE EXPANDING NEEDS OF HONG KONG NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. THE MEMORANDUM EMBODIES THE WISH OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS TO DEEPEN THEIR CO-OPERATION OVER HONG KONG ON THE BASIS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE CONFIDENCE OF BOTH GOVERNMENTS IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND TRADING CENTRE.
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/2 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
2
FULL. TEXT OF MEMORANDUM *****
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG AND RELATED QUESTIONS
After friendly discussions in Beijing between representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China from 27 - 30 June 1991, the two Governments, bearing in mind
the urgent need for a new airport in Hong Kong in order to ensure and develop its prosperity and stability,
- the need for the airport project to be cost-effective and not to ihijjoSb a financial burden on the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China after 30 June 1997, and
the need for practical and workable arrangements to allow work connected with the new airport to be carried out speedily and efficiently,
have reached the following understandings:
A. Between now and 30 June 1997 the Hong Kong Government will complete the Airport Core Programme projects listed in the Annex to this Memorandum of Understanding to the maximum extent possible. The Hong Kong Government will be responsible for the construction of projects covered by this Memorandum up to 30 June 1997.
/B. The .............
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
3
B. I he Chinese Government will support the construction of the new
airport and related projects. It will indicate clearly to interested
potential investors in accordance with the principles enshrined in this Memorandum that obligations related to the airport projects entered into or guaranteed by the Hong Kong Government will continue to be valid and be recognised and protected by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government from 1 July 1997. The Chinese Government have accepted that the Bank of China will play an appropriate part, for example in the syndication of loans for the airport projects, and that Chinese construction firms may compete in the normal way for projects connected with the airport.
C. On important matters relating to the airport project that straddle 30 June 1997, the Chinese and British Governments will carry out consultations in a spirit of cooperation and in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration. An Airport Committee will be constituted for this purpose under the auspices of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, with membership drawn equally from both sides. Its tasks will be as follows:
(i) The British side will consult the Chinese side within the Airport Committee before the Hong Kong Government grants major airport-related franchises or contracts straddling 30 June 1997 or guarantees airport-related debt straddling 30 June 1997. The Chinese side will adopt a positive attitude to such grants, contracts and guarantees. Up to one month after the British side provide details of the proposals will be allowed for discussion between the two sides in each case. Any decision will give full weight to the Chinese Government's views. The governing criteria in the case of a decision on a franchise will be the profitability and efficiency of that franchise;
(ii) The British side will consult the Chinese side within the Airport Committee before the Hong Kong Government proceeds with any major airport project other than those in the Annex to this Memorandum and any of the current Airport Core Programme projects in the Annex for which the bulk of government expenditure will fall after 30 June 1997. Such projects will only be initiated if the two sides have reached a common view concerning them.
/D. The ............
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
4
D. The Chinese Government will adopt a positive attitude to necessary and reasonable borrowing by the Hong Kong Government to be repaid after 30 June 1997. If the total amount of debt to be repaid after 30 June 1997 will not exceed HK Dollars 5 billion, the Hong Kong Government will be free to borrow as necessary while informing the Chinese Government. If the total amount of such debt will exceed HK Dollars 5 billion such borrowing will only proceed if a common view has been reached concerning the proposal.
E. On the basis of the above understanding the Hong Kong Government will plan its finances with the firm objective that the fiscal reserves on 30 June 1997 to be left for the use of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will not be less than HK Dollars 25 billion.
F. In order to facilitate the construction of the new airport in Hong Kong there will be established an Airport Authority and a Consultative Committee.
(i) The Airport Authority Ordinance will be modelled as far as possible on the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Ordinance. The Hong Kong Government will retain power to direct the Authority and responsibility for key areas of policy up to 30 June 1997. The Hong Kong Government will be willing to consider and take into account views of the Chinese side when the Hong Kong Government is drawing up the draft Bill on the Authority.
(ii) The Hong Kong Government is willing to appoint a Hong Kong based individual from the Bank of China Group to sit as a full member on the board of the Airport Authority. This member will have equal rights with the other members. The Chinese side will no doubt give the Hong Kong Government some suggestions as to who this member should be.
(iii) The Hong Kong Government will set up a Consultative Committee on the new airport and related projects. The Committee may discuss any relevant matter but will have no decision-making power. It should not delay the progress of the projects.
/(iv) The ............
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
- 5 -
(iv) The Hong Kong Government will inform the Chinese side of the members of the Airport Authority and Consultative Committee whom it is proposed to appoint, and will be willing to listen to any views that the Chinese side might have, before deciding on the appointments. The Hong Kong Government is willing to consider the appointment of a vice-Chairniart of the Airport Authority about two years after its establishment.
G. Both Governments wish to intensify consultation and cooperatioH over Hong Kong issues in the approach to 30 June 1997. As part of this intensified consultation, the British Foreign Secretary and the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs will meet twice a year to discuss matters of mutual concern and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Office Under the State Council and the Governor of Hong Kong will also hold regular meetings.
This Memorandum of Understanding will come into operation on signature by Heads of Government.
The foregoing record represents the understanding reached between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China upon the matters referred to therein.
• /
Signed in duplicate at on in the
English and Chinese languages, both texts having equal validity.
For the Government of the For the Government of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain People's Republic of China
and Northern Ireland
/ANNEX
THURSDAY, JULY 4. 1991
- 6 -
ANNEX
i
airport core programme projects
The Airport (first runway and associated facilities)
North Lantau Expressway
West Kowloon Reclamation
West Kowloon Expressway
Western Harbour Crossing
Route 3 (part)
Airport Railway
That part of the Central and Wanchai Reclamation that relates to the Airport Railway
Lantau Fixed Crossing (including rail portion and Route 3 interchange)
Tung Chung Development Phase I
------o---------
/7.......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
7 GOVERNOR GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE A * A A *
THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY):
GOVERNOR: THANK YOU ALL FIRST OF ALL FOR COMING ALONG AT RATHER SHORT NOTICE THIS AFTERNOON. I WANTED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PERHAPS I SHOULD START BY SAYING THAT EARLIER THIS WEEK I WAS IN THE UNFORTUNATE POSITION THAT I HAD TO SAY TO THE PRESS THAT I HAD NO NEW STATEMENT TO MAKE; I AM GLAD THAT TODAY I HAVE GOT A CHANCE TO MAKE A NEW STATEMENT.
BEFORE I DEAL WITH ANY QUESTIONS LET ME JUST GIVE SOME OF THE BACKGROUND AND PICK OUT ONE OR TWO OF THE POINTS WHICH SEEM TO ME TO BE IMPORTANT. THE BACKGROUND, THE AIRPORT, IT'S BEEN AROUND WITH US FOR A LONG TIME, THIS QUESTION OF WHETHER TO BUILD A NEW AIRPORT, IT'S NOT JUST A RECENT MATTER. WAY BACK TN THE LATE 1970'S, EARLY 1980'S, HONG KONG WAS PLANNING FOR A NEW AIRPORT AND IT WAS ONLY IN 1983, BECAUSE OF VERY DIFFICULT FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AT THAT TIME, AN UNCERTAIN POLITICAL SITUATION, THAT THE AIRPORT PROJECT WAS THEN POSTPONED. AND IT WAS PICKED UP AGAIN TN 1986, LOOKED AT VERY THOROUGHLY INDEED FROM THEN ONWARDS - AND YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT BACK IN OCTOBER OF 1988, IN MY ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I SAID THAT WE WOULD BE TAKING A DECISION ON WHETHER TO GO AHEAD WITH A NEW AIRPORT BY THE END OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR. AND INDEED THAT WAS WHAT WE DTD, TN THE LEGCO ADDRESS OF OCTOBER 1989 I SAID THAT WE HAD CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS RIGHT TO GO AHEAD WITH A NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT DEAL OF WORK ON THE MATTER SINCE THEN.
ANOTHER BACKGROUND POINT IS THAT IT'S LONG BEEN APPARENT THAT UNLESS WE HAD SOME DEGREE OF CHINESE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PROJECT, WE WERE GOING TO HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH THE SORT OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT AND INVOLVEMENT THAT WE NEED, IF THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ECONOMIC PROJECT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE HONG KONG TAXPAYERS. SO WE NEEDED THAT SORT OF POSITIVE ATTITUDE. AND IN ORDER TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THAT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF SOME INITIAL CRITICISM FROM CHINA, WE HAVE HAD VERY DETAILED CLOSE DISCUSSIONS OVER A PERIOD NOW OF SOMETHING LIKE NINE MONTHS, SINCE OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. THOSE DISCUSSIONS HAVE INVOLVED DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE;’ THERE HAVE BEEN GROUPS OF HONG KONG EXPERTS ALONE, THERE HAVE BEEN JOINT GROUPS BETWEEN THE UK AND HONG KONG. THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, HIMSELF WAS INVOLVED; I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED MYSELF ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS; AND THEN IN THIS FINAL LAP IT HAS INVOLVED SIR PERCY CRADOCK, THE FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER TO THE PRIME MINISTER. BUT THERE IS ONE IMPORTANT POINT IN ALL OF THIS, THROUGHOUT THAT WHOLE PROCESS, WHOEVER THE PEOPLE INVOLVED HAVE BEEN, THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN VERY CLOSELY INVOLVED, VERY CLOSELY CONSULTED IN THAT WHOLE PROCESS.
/WF HAVE
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
8
WE HAVE NOW GOT THIS NEW AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN INITIALLED; IT IS DUE TO BE SIGNED BY THE TWO HEADS OF GOVERNMENT, THE TWO PRIME MINISTERS, AT A TIME WHEN MR JOHN MAJOR VISITS CHINA. HE HASN’T YET GIVEN A PRECISE DATE FOR THAT VISIT BUT HE HAS SAID, OR IS SAYING ABOUT NOW IN LONDON, THAT HE HOPES TO ACCEPT PRIME MINISTER LI PENG'S INVITATION TO VISIT CHINA SOON, AND HE WILL OF COURSE BE VISITING HONG KONG AT THE SAME TIME, BUT NO DATE PRECISELY FOR THAT YET.
YOU'VE HAD, I HOPE, A CHANCE NOW - AN HOUR OR SO - TO READ THE TEXT OF THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THAT OR ANY OTHER MATTERS — SORRY, JUST LET ME GO ON ONE MOMENT BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR HANDS UP — COULD I JUST TAKE OUT ONE OR TWO POINTS WHICH TO MY MIND ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN THIS. FIRST OF ALL IT IS CLEAR SUPPORT FROM CHINA FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECT. NEXT THERE IS THE CHINESE UNDERTAKING TO GIVE THE RIGHT SORT OF ASSURANCES TO INVESTORS AND POTENTIAL INVESTORS. THEN THERE IS ACCEPTANCE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THIS PROJECT - WHAT WE SOMETIMES CALL THE 'AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME' OR THE 'ACP' IN THIS WAY WE ALWAYS SEEM TO USE INITIALS.
THEN THERE ARE WHAT I WOULD CALL SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENTS ON GOVERNMENT BORROWING, ON GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED DEBT AND ON MAJOR FRANCHISES AND MAJOR CONTRACTS WHICH SPAN 1997. THE AGREEMENT ALSO DEALS WITH CHINESE CONCERNS - I WOULD SAY THEY ARE MORE WIDE THAN CHINESE CONCERNS BECAUSE THEY ARE OURS TOO - ABOUT THE STATE OF THE FISCAL RESERVES IN 1997. WITH THE OBJECTIVE LAID DOWN OF AIMING OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES SO THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST $25 BILLION IN THE FISCAL RESERVES IN 1997.
AND AS A FOOTNOTE ON THAT POINT I SHOULD ADD OF COURSE THAT THAT WON'T BE THE ONLY RESERVE THAT HONG KONG HAS IN JULY 1997 BECAUSE THERE WILL BE THE LAND FUND, WHATEVER IT HAS REACHED BY THAT POINT -IT IS ALREADY OVER HK$20 BILLION, IT WILL CLEARLY BE MUCH MORE BY 1997 - AND THERE IS THE EXCHANGE FUND WHICH IS ALSO VERY HEALTHY.
AND IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING TOO, I THINK, THAT THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT WILL GIVE THE FUTURE SAR THE TREMENDOUS ADVANTAGE OF LAND SALES IN KAI TAK, THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND ALL THE DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BE POSSIBLE ON NORTH LANTAU.
THEN THE AGREEMENT MAKES PROVISION FOR AN AIRPORT AUTHORITY, WHICH OF COURSE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING SET UP ANYHOW, WITH ON IT SOMEBODY LOCALLY WORKING IN THE BANK OF CHINA GROUP HERE, WHO I WILL BE PREPARED TO PUT ON TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY. AND THERE IS A CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WHICH WILL ACT AS A SOUNDING-BOARD FOR WIDER PUBLIC OPINION. IT WILL BE A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROJECT BUT IT IS NOT A DECISION TAKING BODY, AND IT IS LAID DOWN THAT IT IS NOT TO BE A DELAY-CAUSING BODY EITHER.
/SO IN ........
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
9
SO IN SUM, WHAT WE HAVE GOT IS AN AGREEMENT WHICH I BELIEVE ENABLES US TO GO AHEAD WITH THIS PROJECT WITH THE CONFIDENCE AND THE CERTAINTY THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR. I REMAIN CONVINCED, AS I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, THAT THIS PROJECT, A NEW AIRPORT, IS SOMETHING WHICH IS OF ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, ENABLING US TO EXPAND THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG, ENABLING US TO COMPETE IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE WORLD OF SOUTH-EAST ASIA, AND ENABLING US TO PAY THE RIGHT SORT OF ROLE - WHAT MOST OF US I THINK WOULD SEE AS THE RIGHT SORT OF ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA AS WELL.
NOW, IF I COULD TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
BERNARD FONG (SCMP): SIR, WHEN YOU ANNOUNCED THE AIRPORT PROJECT TWO YEARS AGO YOU SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE THE AUTONOMY TO MAKE MAJOR DECISIONS BUT I THINK THAT TO SOME OF US THE AGREEMENT REACHED IN BEIJING RECENTLY SEEMS TO BE A CAPITULATION OR RETRENCHMENT OF THAT AUTONOMY THAT YOU WERE SEEKING TWO YEARS AGO. COULD YOU EXPOUND ON THAT PLEASE?
THE GOVERNOR: WHAT'S IMPORTANT TN THIS IS IT ENABLES US TO GET AHEAD WITH THIS PROJECT AND PRECISELY DO THAT, TAKE THE SORT OF DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE AND TAKE THEM QUICKLY. THE WHOLE OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECT, THE .AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME IS THERE, IT'S ACCEPTED THAT THAT WILL GO AHEAD, WE GET AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME. THERE ARE, I THINK, SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL MATTERS, POINTS WHICH ARE NOT IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, SAY, FOR INSTANCE A VERY OBVIOUS ONE, IF WE THOUGHT IT RIGHT TO START BUILDING A SECOND RUNWAY BEFORE 1997, ARRANGEMENTS OF THAT WOULD THEN BE AGREED, AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISCUSSION OF THINGS LIKE FRANCHISES THAT SPAN 1997, I THINK THOSE ARE SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENTS.
ADRIAN BROWN (TVAM): WHEN WAS AGREEMENT FINALLY REACHED AND WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL RESPONSE WHEN YOU LEARNED THAT?
THE GOVERNOR: THE AGREEMENT WAS FINALLY REACHED AND INITIALLED ON 30 JUNE. BEFORE THAT OF COURSE I HAD SEEN WHAT WAS COMING AS A DRAFT FORM AND I WAS EXTREMELY PLEASED WHEN I SAW WHAT WAS COMING OUT. I HAVE BEEN HOPING FOR AN AGREEMENT WHICH WOULD GIVE US THE ABILITY TO GO AHEAD WITH THIS PROJECT AND NOW WE'VE GOT IT.
ADRIAN BROWN (TVAM): ONE OTHER POINT. WAS CHINA'S AGREEMENT CONDITIONAL ON MR MAJOR SAYING HE WOULD GO TO PEKING TO MEET LI PENG? DID THAT HELP SMOOTH THINGS ALONG?
THE GOVERNOR: I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT HELPED TO SMOOTH IT ALONG, IT CAME OUT AS PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT THERE WAS AN INVITATION FROM PRIME MINISTER LI PENG TO MR. JOHN MAJOR TO GO TO CHINA; WHAT SORT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT THAT HAD ON DISCUSSIONS I DON'T KNOW.
ADRIAN BROWN (TVAM): BUT DTD IT HELP DO YOU THINK?
/THE GOVERNOR
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
10
THE GOVERNOR: J HOPE IT HELPED. J AM VERY PLEASED THAT MR MAJOR IS WILLING TO GO TO CHINA, NOT JUST TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT; CLEARLY HE IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT MUCH WIDER THINGS THAN HONG KONG'S AIRPORT AND I THINK MUCH WIDER THINGS THAN JUST HONG KONG AND I AM PLEASED MYSELF THAT IT MEANS HE WILL BE COMING TO HONG KONG AS WELL.
REGGIE RATHOUR (RTHK): WHAT WERE THE MAJOR OBSTACLES IN REACHING THIS AGREEMENT? WHAT LED TO THIS DEADLOCK IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS?
THE GOVERNOR: I PREFER AS A GENERAL POINT TO LOOK FORWARD RATHER THAN BACKWARDS. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME LOOKING AT THINGS THAT WERE PROBLEMS UP TO NOW AND I THINK MANY OF THEM ARE VERY WELL KNOWN. THE MAIN CONCERN THAT I HAVE HAD ALL ALONG, I THINK THAT WE'VE HAD FROM HERE, IS THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT IT SHOULD ENABLE US TO GET AHEAD WITH THE PROJECT, TAKE THE SORT OF DECISIONS THAT WE NEEDED TO AND TAKE THEM QUICKLY. THAT WAS THE KEY POINT FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, WE WANTED TO KNOW THAT WE HAD THE AUTHORITY AND THE ABILITY TO GET AHEAD WITH THE AGREEMENT. NOW, I WON'T GO AND LIST ALL THE THINGS WHERE WE ORIGINALLY HAD DISAGREEMENTS AND WHICH WE'VE NOW MANAGED TO SOLVE BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE TURNING WHAT I THINK IS A POSITIVE PIECE OF NEWS INTO LOOKING AT .ALL THE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT ONE HAD HAD TO FACE ON THE WAY TO GETTING THERE.
REGGIE RATHOUR (RTHK): BUT SURELY YOU CAN TELL US WHAT WAS THE MAJOR PROBLEM, THE MAJOR OBSTACLE.
THE GOVERNOR: ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WAS TO GET EXACTLY THAT SORT OF AGREEMENT THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED; THAT GAVE US THE CONFIDENCE TO GET AHEAD WITH THIS SORT OF PROJECT. IF WE WERE GOING TO, IF WE ARE GOING TO LAUNCH HONG KONG ON A MASSIVE PROJECT OF THIS SIZE THEN WE NEED TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE CAN TAKE THE DECISIONS, TAKE THEM QUICKLY AND GET AHEAD WITH IT.
REGGIE RATHOUR (RTHK): SO DO YOU THINK WITH THIS AGREEMENT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED THAT DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE?
THE GOVERNOR: YES.
NGOK SHAN SHAN (WEN WEI PO) : HOW IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GOING TO IMPLEMENT THE MEMORANDUM REACHED BY THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS?
THE GOVERNOR: I AM SORRY I MISSED A BIT OF THAT. HOW IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GOING TO IMPLEMENT----
NGOK SHAN-SHAN (WEN WEI PO): -- THE MEMORANDUM, THIS MEMORANDUM REACTPD.
/THE GOVERN
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
11
THE GOVERNOR: THAT'S A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER. HOW ARE WE GOING TO IMPLEMENT IT. WE WILL SIMPLY IMPLEMENT IT AS IT IS WRITTEN DOWN THERE. WE WILL OF COURSE FULLY IMPLEMENT WHAT IS IN THE MEMORANDUM. WHAT IT DOES IS GIVE US THE ABILITY NOW TO GET AHEAD WITH THE PROJECT WHICH WE'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO ALL ALONG, BUT OF COURSE WE WILL FULLY IMPLEMENT THE MEMORANDUM.
CATHERINE LEUNG (BUSINESS TIMES): THE AGREEMENT STATES THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL CONSULT THE CHINESE ON MATTERS STRADDLING 1997. DOES THAT MEAN THAT CHINA WILL NOT HAVE VETO POWERS OVER THOSE ISSUES?
THE GOVERNOR: IT'S. THE POINT OF CONSULTATION I THINK, I REMEMBER IT CAME UP WHEN THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY WAS HERE. WE DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM ABOUT CONSULTATION, IT'S CLEARLY SOMETHING THAT IS VERY NECESSARY. ON THE VETO POWERS THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER HIMSELF, I REMEMBER QUITE RECENTLY, MADE THE POINT THAT CHINA IS NOT SEEKING, I THINK HE PUT IT, IS NOT SEEKING JOINT ADMINISTRATION, IS NOT SEEKING A CONDOMINIUM, IT'S NOT SEEKING A VETO. SO HE MADE THAT. VERY CLEAR AND THE WAY IN WHICH THIS AGREEMENT IS REACHED I THINK FOLLOWS WHAT THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER SAID.
DANNY GILLINGS (SUNDAY POST): COULD YOU SAY SOMETHING ABOUT HONG KONG'S PARTICIPATION OR THE LACK OF IT IN THE FINAL STAGE OF THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS? WERE YOU CONSULTED ABOUT SIR PERCY CRADOCK'S VISIT? HAS THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SEEN THE TEXT OF THIS ACCORD YET?
THE GOVERNOR: I WOULD MAKE THE POINT AS A GENERAL ONE. I DON'T EVER GO INTO DETAILS OF WHAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DOES, BUT THE GENERAL POINT I MADE RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING IS THAT WHOEVER HAVE BEEN THE ACTUAL PLAYERS AT ANY STAGE AT THIS PARTICULAR PROCESS, HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND EXCO, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAVE BEEN VERY FULLY INVOLVED, VERY FULLY CONSULTED AND YES, INDEED, I DID KNOW BEFORE SIR PERCY CRADOCK WENT TO PEKING.
DANNY GILLINGS (SUNDAY POST): WERE YOU ADVISED ASSUMING THERE IS NO DIRECT HONG KONG'S PARTICIPATION IN THE FINAL STAGES IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS?
THE GOVERNOR: I THINK YOU KNOW WHO WAS IN PEKING AND IN THE FINAL STAGES IT WAS SIR PERCY CRADDOCK AND THE NEW BRITISH AMBASSADOR IN PEKING, SIR ROBIN MCLAREN. THERE WAS NO INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM HONG KONG THERE BUT WE WERE VERY FULLY INVOLVED WITH WHAT WENT ON.
HUGO GURDON (DAILY TELEGRAPH): THE STICKING POINT SEEMED TO BE FOR A LONG TIME THE PRINCIPLE OF SOVEREIGNTY RATHER THAN THE DETAILS. IF THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT, WHY DID IT SEEM UNACCEPTABLE IN TERMS OF THIS POINT, THE PRINCIPLE OF SOVEREIGNTY; WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO ACHIEVE?
THE GOVERNOR: IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHY IT TOOK SO LONG TO ACHIEVE BUT IT DOES SOMETIMES TAKE A LONG TIME TO GET TO A PRACTICAL COMMON SENSE ANSWER.
/HUGO GURDON (DAILY TELEGRAPH):
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
12
HUGO GURDON (DAILY TELEGRAPH): DOES IT SATISFY THAT PRINCIPLE OF SOVEREIGNTY?
VIEW TOOK
TAKE
DRAW
THE GOVERNOR: I DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH IT FROM THE POINT OF OF SOVEREIGNTY ON EITHER SIDE. I MEAN IT SOMETIMES DOES. PEOPLE A LONG TIME TO INVENT THE WHEEL I THINK, BUT IT DOES SOMETIMES AN AWFUL LONG TIME TO GET TO THE RIGHT SORT OF CONCLUSION.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): TWO QUESTIONS PLEASE. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO YOUR ATTENTION TO CLAUSES (C) AND (D) IN THE MEMORANDUM.
THE THE CAN J LG
PADS
BASICALLY IT JUST SAYS THAT ALMOST ALL THE KEY ASPECTS OF PROJECT, THE GRANTING OF CONTRACTS, AND THE FRANCHISES AND GOVERNMENT BORROWINGS; YOU HAVE TO CONSULT THE CHINESE BEFORE IT GO AHEAD UNDER THE AIRPORT, SO-CALLED AIRPORT COMMITTEE UNDER THE AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THE OPERATION OF JLG IS THAT THE CHINESE SIDE AND APPROVAL IS NEEDED BEFORE ANY ISSUE IS ACCEPTED. SO NO WONDER CHINA WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON THIS PROJECT. IS IT TRUE TO SAY THAT, IN THAT CASE, THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AS PROMISED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION IS NOTHING BUT AN EMPTY PROMISE? ALSO A SECOND QUESTION THAT TIME AND AGAIN YOU AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE STRESSED THE NEED OF THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LINE OF AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. IN THIS MEMORANDUM THERE IS NO REFERENCE TO THIS MAINTENANCE OF THE LINE OF AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. DON'T YOU THINK THAT, GIVEN THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG HAS ACCEPTED SUCH A BAD DEAL FOR HONG KONG, DON'T YOU THINK THAT THE' TOP LEADERS IN THIS GOVERNMENT TOGETHER WITH THE EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL SHOULD RESIGN?
THE GOVERNOR: OH, DEAR, I DON'T THINK I ACCEPT THE PREMISES OF ANY PARTS OF THAT QUESTION AT ALL. LET ME TRY TO PICK UP SOME POINTS.
LOUISE TAM (COMMERCIAL RADIO): WHAT WAS THE QUESTION SIR DAVID?
THE GOVERNOR: YOU DIDN'T HEAR THE QUESTION. IT WAS A VERY VERY LONG QUESTION.
LOUISE TAM (COMMERCIAL RADIO): IT WAS LIKE A STATEMENT. WAS IT A QUESTION OR A STATEMENT? I COULDN'T HEAR IT.
/THE GOVERNOR .
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
1 3
THE GOVERNOR: LET ME TRY TO ANSWER SOME OF THE IMPORTANT POINTS OUT OF THAT QUESTION. AUTONOMY FOR HONG KONG, THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY IS SOMETHING WHICH I BELIEVE IS VERY IMPORTANT INDEED. IT'S WRITTEN DOWN VERY CLEARLY IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. IT'S THERE IN BLACK AND WHITE. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THAT SHOULD GO ON. THE PROVISIONS THAT ARE HERE IN, YOU ARE REFERRING TO (C)(I) I THINK. THE DEALING WITH MAJOR CONTRACTS, MAJOR FRANCHISES AND GOVERNMENT GUARANTEED DEBT WHICH STRADDLE 1997, I SEE AS VERY SENSIBLE, PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS. YOU WILL SEE WHAT IS WRITTEN DOWN THERE. IT'S VERY CAREFULLY WRITTEN DOWN, THAT THERE WILL BE CONSULTATION ON THESE THINGS. CHINA SAYS THAT THEY WILL TAKE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. THERE IS A TIME LIMIT; AND I THINK THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT BECAUSE ONE SHOULDN'T, ONE MUSN'T GET HELD UP ON ALL THESE PROJECTS. THERE IS A TIME LIMIT OF A MONTH FOR THAT AND THAT ANY DECISION WILL GIVE FULL WEIGHT TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S VIEWS. I THINK IT'S ALL VERY CAREFULLY WRITTEN AND IT ALSO SAYS WHAT THE GOVERNING CRITERIA WILL BE. I DON'T THINK THIS UNDERMINES THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY OF THE S.A.R. AT ALL.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): BUT DON'T YOU AGREE THAT IN THE BUSINESS OF THE JLG, FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU DISCUSS IN THE JLG WILL REQUIRE THE CHINESE APPROVAL BEFORE YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO AHEAD WITH THOSE THINGS?
THE GOVERNOR: THE JLG IS A BODY FOR DISCUSSING MATTERS. I MEAN IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY SPECIFICALLY LAY DOWN ANYWHERE IN THE JLG DOCUMENTS, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A COMMON VIEW ON ANYTHING. THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THAT PARTICULAR ANNEX OF THE JOINT DECLARATION OF WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO SIDES; BUT HERE WE HAVE SOMETHING REALLY VERY CLEARLY LAID DOWN ON HOW TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS A VERY OBVIOUS PROBLEM, ISN'T IT ? WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT MAJOR FRANCHISES WHICH STRADDLE 1997? HOW CAN THE FRANCHISEE HAVE, IF THAT'S THE RIGHT TERM, HOW CAN THE PERSON GETTING THE FRANCHISE HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THAT THE FRANCHISE IS GOING TO GO ON BEYOND 1 997, WHICH IS CRUCIAL TO HIM OR THAT ORGANISATION AS AN INVESTOR, AND HERE I THINK IS A SENSIBLE PRAGMATIC WAY OF DEALING WITH THAT PROBLEM.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): SO IT IS NO DIFFERENT FROM JOINT RULE IN THAT CASE.
THE GOVERNOR: I DON'T SEE THIS AS BEING JOINT RULE TN THE SLIGHTEST AND I'VE JUST QUOTED THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER ON SAYING THAT'S NOT WHAT CHINA IS SEEKING.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): WHAT ABOUT MY SECOND QUESTION? CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME A BRIEF REPLY?
THE GOVERNOR: I AM VERY SORRY, COULD YOU REPEAT WHAT YOUR SECOND QUESTION WAS?
/FANNY WONG (SCMP): ..........
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
FANNY WONG (SCMP): GIVEN THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG HAS ACCEPTED SUCH A BAD DEAL FOR HONG KONG AND GIVEN THAT TIMF AND AGAIN YOU AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAVE STRESSED THE NEED FOR I HE MAINTENANCE OF THE LINE OF AUTHORITY BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, DON'T YOU THINK THAT IT'S RIGHT FOR YOU - I MEAN TOP LEADERS TN THIS GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR PADS - AND EXCO MEMBERS TO RESIGN?
THE GOVERNOR: THE ANSWER IS 'NO', I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A BAD DEAL. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD DEAL FOR HONG KONG, THIS IS THE SORT OF ARRANGEMENT THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEKING OVER MANY MONTHS OF SOMETIMES VERY DIFFICULT DISCUSSION AND I AM PLEASED TO SEE THIS PARTICULAR RESULT.
JOHN ELLIOTT (FINANCIAL TIMES): THROUGHOUT MOST OF LAST YEAR, YOUR GOVERMENT WAS RESISTING APPROACHES FROM CHINA TO DISCUSS AND CONSULT ON THE AIRPORT AND GIVEN THE SORT OF DEAL THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN THIS WEEK. DO YOU REGRET THAT APPROACH? DO YOU THINK THAT THE AIRPORT COULD HAVE GONE AHEAD EARLIER AND MORE COMFORTABLY IF YOU HADN'T RESISTED THOSE APPROACHES? AND SECONDLY, SURELY IT IS JOINTGOVERNMENT, IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE HELD UP WHEN YOU TALK TO HIM ABOUT ALL THESE DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND FRANCHISES; THAT SURELY WILL BECOME JOINT-GOVERNMENT AS YOU APPROACH 1997.
GOVERNOR: I DON'T THINK THIS HOLDS US UP AT ALL, I THINK ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THIS - IT ENABLES US TO GET AHEAD AND TO GET AHEAD WITH THE SORT OF SPEED THAT IS NECESSARY, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL THE KEY BITS OF THE AIRPORT PROJECT WHICH ARE THERE, ACCEPTED BY BOTH SIDES AS BEING ESSENTIAL FOR THE AIRPORT AND TO GET AHEAD WITH IT, AND THOSE DON'T REQUIRE FURTHER CONSULTATION. THERE IS A PROVISION, AND THIS WILL APPLY LATER DOWN THE ROAD, TO WHAT YOU DO ABOUT MAJOR FRANCHISES, MAJOR CONTRACTS, IF THEY STRADDLE 1997, ALSO A PROVISION FOR DEALING WITH THOSE QUICKLY. SO I DON'T SEE THAT'S EITHER JOINT GOVERNMENT, JOINT-ADMINISTRATION, OR THAT IT IS GOING TO HOLD US UP. THE FIRST PART OF YOUR QUESTION - AND THE WORLD IS FULL OF 20/20 HINDSIGHT EXPERTS: IF ONLY YOU HADN'T STARTED FROM HERE YOU MIGHT BE IN A DIFFERENT POSITION. WE HIT PROBLEMS ON THIS AIRPORT PROJECT WHICH WE HAD NOT, FRANKLY, EXPECTED. WE HAVENT'T EXPECTED TO GET A CRITICAL STANCE FROM CHINA. IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENED, AS I WAS SAYING EARLIER, THAT IT CREATED A SITUATION WHERE IF WE DIDN'T GET A MORE POSITIVE VIEW FROM CHINA, IT WAS GOING TO AFFECT THE ATTITUDE OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTORS AND THEREFORE THE WHOLE FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROJECT. AND WE HAVE, AS A RESULT OF THAT, BEEN IN VERY CLOSE, DETAILED DISCUSSION - CONSULTATION IF YOU LIKE -WITH CHINA OVER MANY MONTHS NOW. IT HAS TAKEN US MANY MONTHS OF HARD WORK TO GET TO THE POINT WE’VE NOW GOT, A GOOD AGREEMENT TO GO AHEAD.
JOHN ELLIOTT (FINANCIAL TIMES): BUT THE INFERENCE OF THE WHOLE AGREEMENT, AND WITH THE PARAGRAPH AT THE END IS, THAT ALL THE THINGS IN HERE, WILL ALSO APPLY TO OTHER MAJOR DECISIONS WHICH STRADDLE 1997. COULD YOU ELABORATE ON WHAT RIGHT CHINA WILL HAVE AS A SPIN-OFF FROM THIS AGREEMENT TO GET THAT SORT OF CONSULTATION AND THAT SORT OF NEAR AGREEMENT, VETO POWER, ON OTHER ISSUES, AND SURELY THIS DOES BECOME JOINT-GOVERNMENT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
1 5
GOVERNOR: THERE IS NO VETO POWER WRITTEN INTO THIS PARTICULAR AGREEMENT. THIS PARTICULAR AGREEMENT ALSO RELATES SPECIFICALLY TO THE AIRPORT; I THINK THAT IS PUT THERE IN THE HEADING TO IT AND ALL THE DETAIL OF IT. THE ONE POINT, I SUPPOSE, WHICH IS NOT STRICTLY AIRPORT ALONE IS DIRECT GOVERNMENT DEBT, BECAUSE CLEARLY THAT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY AIRPORT-RELATED. IT DOESN'T DEAL WITH WIDER QUESTIONS. WE DO, I THINK, HAVE A LOT OF WIDER QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE GOT TO DEAL WITH NOW. WE'VE NOT JUST GOT THE AIRPORT AS A MAJOR PROJECT, WE'VE GOT OTHER THINGS WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT SORT OF DISCUSSIONS AND CONSULTATIONS WITH CHINA, AND WE WILL HAVE TO WORK OUT HOW TO DO THESE, HERE WE HAVE ONE VERY RIG PROJECT, A SENSIBLE AND PRAGMATIC WAY OF DEALING WITH THAT PROJECT. IF WE GET AHEAD WITH THIS AND IT WORKS SUCCESSFULLY, THEN THIS IS A BASIS FOR CO-OPERATION WHICH HELPS ON OTHER THINGS.
CLAUDIA MO (AFP): AFTER READING THE MEMORANDUM, I AM SURE MANY PEOPLE MAY CONCLUDE, OR WILL CONCLUDE, THAT THF BRITISH HAVE BOWED TO PRESSURE FROM CHINA. I MEAN PROVISIONS LIKE: "ANY DECISION WILL GIVE FULL WEIGHT TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S VIEWS", MANY PEOPLE WILL FIND THAT OFF-PUTTING. DO YOU THINK THAT IS BAD FOR CONFIDENCE?
GOVERNOR: I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THIS AGREEMENT WOULD BE VERY GOOD FOR CONFIDENCE, CERTAINLY IT OUGHT TO BE VERY GOOD FOR CONFIDENCE BECAUSE HERE IS A MAJOR PROJECT FOR THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF HONG KONG WHERE WE HAVE BEEN STALLED FOR SOME TIME, AND WE WERE CLOSE TO A SITUATION IN WHICH, AS I SAID WHEN I WAS IN LONDON - WHEN I CAME BACK - IF WE COULDN'T GET THE RIGHT SORT OF AGREEMENT, A WORKABLE, PRACTICAL AGREEMENT, THE PROJECT WAS GOING TO SLIP. WE ARE NOW OUT OF THAT SITUATION. WE HAVE WHAT I SEE AS A GOOD WORKABLE AGREEMENT WHICH ENABLES US TO GET AHEAD. I THINK THAT IS GOOD FOR CONFIDENCE.
WILSON WONG (TVB NEWS): THREE SHORT QUESTIONS. NUMBER ONE, ARE WE BEHIND SCHEDULE --
GOVERNOR: COULD I TAKE THEM SEPARATELY? IT IS SO MUCH EASTER IF I TAKE THEM SEPARATELY.
WILSON WONG: - THE FIRST ONE, NUMBER ONE, ARE WE BEHIND SCHEDULE OF JANUARY 1, 1 997 - ST.X MONTHS - ACCORDING TO THIS MEMORANDUM, SIX MONTHS BEHIND?
GOVERNOR: WE'RE NOT SIX MONTHS BEHIND. WE'VE HAD SOME SLIGHT SLIPPAGE, AS I SAID TO THE LAST QUESTION, TO CLAUDIA MO'S QUESTION, THAT IF WE DIDN'T GET THE RIGHT SORT OF AGREEMENT THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME SLIPPAGE. OUR ORIGINAL SCHEDULE FOR VARIOUS THINGS, AS I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS, WE HAD BEEN PLANNING TO GO OUT TO TENDER ON THE TSING MA BRIDGE, THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, BY THE END OF JUNE. WELL WE HAVEN'T QUITE MADE THAT SO THERE IS SOME VERY SLIGHT SLIPPAGE THERE. WE WILL NOW BE LOOKING AT THE OVERALL PROGRAMME TO SEE WHAT IS BEST, BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT TO BALANCE BETWEEN TRYING TO GET AHEAD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE NEED THE NEW AIRPORT AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN, AND DOING IT AS ECONOMICALLY AS POSSIBLE. YOU CAN SOMETIMES ACHIEVE SPEED, BUT AT A COST, AND SO WE HAVE TO BALANCE THOSE OUT AND TRY TO GET THE RIGHT SORT OF TIMETABLE. QUESTION TWO?
/WILSON WONG:
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
WILSON WONG: THE CORE PROJECTS, TN THIS ANNEX, THIS PROJECT WILL BE DECIDED BY THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE EACH BY WHICH IN THE COMING YEARS?
GOVERNOR: NO, THOSE CORE PROJECTS DON'T GET DECIDED BY THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. THOSE CORE PROJECTS ARE AGREED AS BEING PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRPORT WHICH SHOULD GO AHEAD WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION.
WILSON WONG: SO CHEK LAP KOK IS THE AGREED SITE FOR THE NEW AIRPORT?
GOVERNOR: I THINK IF YOU PUT IT - WHAT IS THE CHINESE ATTITUDE - THEY WOULD SAY THAT THAT IS A DECISION FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. BUT THOSE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS QUITE CLEARLY RELATE TO ONE PARTICULAR SITE.
WILSON WONG: SO THE FINAL ONE IS THAT, DO YOU FEEL EASY THAT THE FINAL PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WERE HELD BETWEEN ONLY THE BRITISH SIDE AND THE CHINESE SIDE WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM HONG KONG, AND THE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED DO YOU FEEL EASY?
GOVERNOR: WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME IS - IF I PUT IT LIKE THIS -IT IS THE MESSAGE NOT THE MESSENGER, AND IT IS WHAT IS INITIALLED AND NOT WHO HOLDS THE PEN DOING IT. I SAID EARLIER THAT WE WERE VERY CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE WHOLE PROCESS, SO I HAVE NO HESITATIONS ABOUT THAT AT ALL.
WILSON WONG: SO YOU DON'T THINK THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION IN FUTURE WILL BE TN ANY WAY UNDERMINED BY THE MEMORANDUM?
GOVERNOR: NO, I DON'T, NO.
HUMPHREY HAWKSLEY (BBC): STR DAVID, LOOKING BACK OVER THE PAST NINE MONTHS, AND INDEED YOUR WHOLE CAREER IN DEALING WITH CHINA, WHAT LESSONS WOULD YOU THINK YOU HAVE LEARNT ABOUT NEGOTIATING WITH CHINA?
GOVERNOR: MAYBE WHEN I'VE GOT THE ANSWER TO THAT I SHALL WRITE A BOOK ON IT - SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE. BEFORE I WRITE THE BOOK - AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE COPYRIGHT ON IT - I THINK ONE NEEDS A LOT OF PATIENCE; VERY, VERY CAREFUL EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS INVOLVED; AND I MEAN IT IS A GOOD QUESTION IN A WAY BECAUSE WE’VE GOT TO LEARN THAT PARTICULAR LESSON OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS BECAUSE WE'VE NOT JUST GOT THE AIRPORT PROJECT IN THE NEXT SIX YEARS. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE GOT TO ESTABLISH A PATTERN OF CO-OPERATION ON. AND I HOPE THAT NOW WE CAN EXPAND WAYS OF DEALING WITH CHINA - COOPERATION, MORE CONTACTS WITH CHINA - OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS; WE NEED TO DO THAT.
HUMPHREY HAWKSLEY: WHAT ABOUT THE MISTRUST THAT A LOT OF YOUR OFFICIALS AND PEOPLE IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, HOW DO YOU GET RID OF THE MISTRUST BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
GOVERNOR: I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS TALKING TO THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB RECENTLY, SAYING THAT I THOUGHT ONE OF OUR PROBLEMS WAS THAT; IT WAS MISTRUST AND MYTHOLOGY ON BOTH SIDES, I MEAN WE BOTH HAVE MYTHS ABOUT THE OTHER WHICH CREATE GREAT DIFFICULTIES - A HUGE HURDLE TO GET OVER. I THINK, AGAIN, ONE NEEDS PATIENCE, CONSISTENT EFFORT TO TRY TO ESTABLISH BETTER CONTACT, THAT WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN VERY CAREFULLY THE SORT OF THINGS WE ARE DOING, THE SORT OF SOCIETY HONG KONG IS, THE WAY IT OPERATES. SOMETIMES TO US IT IS SELF-EVIDENT, YOU KNOW YOU FACE A PROBLEM AND IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS WHAT THE SOLUTION IS, IT'S QUITE OBVIOUS YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE A DECISION NEXT WEEK. THOSE THINGS DON'T LOOK SO OBVIOUS IN PEKING. SIMILARLY, I THINK ON THE CHINESE SIDE, IF THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE THE SUCCESS OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, WHICH I AM SURE THEY WANT TO, THEY HAVE GOT TO DO A LOT OF THAT PATIENCE LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING; MORE PEOPLE COMING HERE AND UNDERSTANDING HOW THIS VERY UNIQUE SOCIETY OPERATES BECAUSE WE ARE NOT LIKE THE REST OF CHINA.
HUMPHREY HAWKSLEY: WHAT IS THE NEXT PROBLEM?
GOVERNOR: OH DEAR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEXT PROBLEM IS.
KEVIN LAU (HK ECONOMIC .JOURNAL): SIR DAVID, COULD YOU ASSUME US THERE IS NO SECRET DEAL OR UNDISCLOSED TERMS AND CONDITIONS, APART FROM WHAT IS STATED IN THIS MEMORANDUM, BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES?
GOVERNOR: YES, I CAN.
KEVIN LAU: WILL THIS MEMORANDUM BE THE MODEL FOR RESOLVING OTHER ISSUES WHICH STRADDLE 1997 IN THE COMING SIX YEARS?
GOVERNOR: THAT I DON'T KNOW. THERE MAY BE BITS OF THIS - THE WAY IN WHICH CONSULTATION IS TO OPERATE - THE QUICK RESPONSES THAT ARE REQUIRED - DECISIONS WHEN THEY ARE TAKEN HERE TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHINESE VIEWS; THOSE SORT OF THINGS MAY ACT AS A MODEL FOR OTHER MAJOR MATTERS WHICH STRADDLE 1997. BUT I WOULD DOUBT VERY MUCH MYSELF WHETHER WE WOULD GO THROUGH A WHOLE SERIES OF MEMORANDA ON DIFFERENT ITEMS, THAT WOULD BE A VERY TIME CONSUMING BUSINESS.
KEVIN LAU: DO YOU THINK THIS AN EXTENSION OF THE JOINTDECLARATION OF 1984?
GOVERNOR: AN EXTENSION OF THE JOINT-DECLARATION? NO, I DON'T THINK IT'S AN EXTENSION OF THE JOINT-DF.CLARATION, IT FITS WITHIN WHAT IS IN THE JOINT-DECLARATION.
MEGHAN COX (CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR RADIO): CAN YOU TELL US WHAT CAUSED THE BREAKTHROUGH? WHO GAVE-WAY ON WHAT ISSUES AT THE LAST MINUTE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN ?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4,
18
GOVERNOR: WELL, I THINK BOTH SIDES REALISED THAT UNLESS WE WEftE GOING TO GET AN AGREEMENT ON THIS, THE AIRPORT PROJECT WAS GOING TO SLIP, AND THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO TRY TO GET A SENSIBLE AGREEMENT. I'M NOT GOING TO LIST WHAT THE FINAL SORT OF POINTS AT ISSUE WERE, BUT I THINK THERE WAS A COMMON UNDERSTANDING THAT HONG KONG DOES NEED THIS NEW AIRPORT PROJECT AND WE NEEDED A SENSIBLE ARRANGEMENT TO GET AHEAD WITH IT.
MEGHAN COX: BUT ISN'T IT MORE IN HONG KONG'S AND Bk ItA tl4 ‘ S INTERESTS TO GET THE AIRPORT GOING THAN IT WAS IN CHINA'S?
GOVERNOR: IT DEPENDS HOW YOU CONCEIVE OF CHINA'S INTERESTS. I MEAN I, MYSELF, WOULD SAY THAT IT IS VERY MUCH IN CHINA'S INTERESTS THAT THIS AIRPORT SHOULD GO AHEAD. IF CHINA WANTS TO SEE A PROSPEROUS HONG KONG AFTER 1997, WHICH I’M SURE IT DOES, AND IF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA IS SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE TO THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP, AND 1 AM SURE IT IS, THEN THIS AIRPORT IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO CHINA AS WELL AS TO US. THE BENEFIT, I MEAN THE REAL BENEFIT OF THIS, COMES TO THE POST-1997 HONG KONG.
OSWALD KWAN (ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS): ITEM (E) OF THE MEMORANDUM 25 BILLION IS THE LEVEL OF THE FISCAL RESERVES HAS BEEN MENTIONED, AND SO WOULD THERE BE ANY CHANNEL, SAY SUBMITTING A FINANCIAL REPORT REGULARLY TO THE PRC GOVERNMENT, TO ENSURE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT OUR FISCAL RESERVES WILL NOT GO BELOW THAT LEVEL?
GOVERNOR: NO, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THAT PLANNED IN THE MEMORANDUM, NO.
STEVE GLAIN (ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL): I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS, DO YOU WANT THEM ONE AT A TIME, OR?
GOVERNOR: UNLESS THEY ARE CLOSELY LINKED AND SIMPLE, YES.
STEVE GLAIN: OKAY, I'LL GIVE THEM TO YOU ONE AT A TIME. NOW THAT AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN INITIALLED, ARE YOU AT LIBERTY TO SAY WHEN THE FIXED-CROSSING PROJECT WILL BE PUT OUT TO TENDER?
GOVERNOR: THE FIXED-BRIDGE? DO YOU MEAN THE TSING MA BRIDGE?
STEVE GLAIN: WHEN WILL THAT BE PUT OUT TO TENDER?
GOVERNOR: WE WILL BE GOING AHEAD WITH THAT AS SOON AS WE CAN. FOR THAT WE NEED FIRST OF ALL TO GO TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THE PLAN IS TO DO THAT I THINK WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS OR SO.
STEVE GLAIN: AND FORGIVE ME IF THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN ASKED BUt YOU MENTIONED TODAY THAT YOU HAD NO PROBLEM WITH CONSULTATION WITH CHINA. IF THAT IS THE CASE, WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE THIS UP WITH THEM BEFORE YOU MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN NOVEMBER OF 1989?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
19
GOVERNOR: WHEN WE FIRST ANNOUNCED THIS IN OCTOBER OF 1989, WE HAD BRIEFED THE CHINESE BEFORE THAT. AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME WE HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS GOING TO CREATE ANY PROBLEMS. IT HAS SINCE BECOME CLEAR - I SAID THIS TN ANSWER TO AN EARLIER QUESTION -THAT CHINESE CRITICISM OF THE PROJECT WAS GOING TO AFFECT THE WAY IN WHICH The private sector would or would not invest tn the project or THE SORT OF PREMIUM, IF YOU CAN PUT IT LIKE THAT, THE PREMIUM THAT THEY MIGHT PUT ON THEIR INVESTMENT IF THERE WAS UNCERTAINTY, AND THAT IS WHY IT HAS BEEN SO NECESSARY TO GET A POSITIVE ATTITUDE FROM CHINA.
STEVE GLA.TN: SO THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE MAGNITUDE AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE PROJECT BEFORE YOU MADE YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT?
GOVERNOR: THEY WERE BRIEFED ON WHAT WE WERE DOING IN DEVELOPING THE PROJECT. IT'S NOT JUST A QUESTION OF BRIEFING CHINA - I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE HERE AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME - BUT IT WAS MASSIVELY COVERED IN THE PRESS HERE FROM 1988 ONWARDS, WHAT WE WERE DOING, AND AS I SAY, WE HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS GOING TO CAUSE ANY PARTICULAR PROBLEMS.
LOUISA TAM (COMMERCIAL RADIO) : SIR DAVID, WE ALL KNOW THE MAIN STUMBLING BI.OCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT CHINA WANTS TO HAVE A SAY ON ALL MATTERS THAT GO BEYOND 1997, BUT IF WE READ PAGE 4, PARAGRAPH (G), IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A COMPROMISE BY THE UK GOVERNMENT TO GO AND INFORM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TWICE A YEAR ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN. DOES THAT MEAN DURING THOSE MEETINGS THE UK GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO GET APPROVAL ON ALL THOSE MATTERS THAT GO BEYOND 1997? HAS THERE BEEN A COMPROMISE ON THAT, THAT CHINA WILL HAVE A SAY ON ALL MATTERS THAT GO BEYOND 1997?
GOVERNOR: NO. I MEAN ALL THAT HAS BEEN AGREED IS HERE ON THAT PIECE OF PAPER IN FRONT OF YOU, NOTHING IN ADDITION TO THAT AT ALL. THE IDEA OF MEETING TWICE A YEAR WAS IN FACT PUT FORWARD BY THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, WHEN HE VISITED CHINA EARLIER THIS YEAR, AS A WAY OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT CO-OPERATION WAS INTENSIFIED DURING THIS PERIOD AS WE GO UP TO 1997, AND THAT THERE WAS A WAY OF DEALING WITH ISSUES AT A HIGH LEVEL IF THAT SEEMED TO BE NECESSARY. AND IN A SIMILAR SORT OF WAY, THE PROVISION THAT I SHOULD MEET REGULARLY WITH MR LU PING, IS SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO TRON-OUT ANY DIFFICULTIES, NOT JUST ON THE AIRPORT, AND ALSO HAVE A MEANS OF DISCUSSING THINGS ON A MORE REGULAR BASTS THAN PERHAPS WE HAVE HAD UP TO NOW.
LOUISA TAM: SO YOU CAN PROMISE AT THIS POINT THAT DURING THOSE MEETINGS TWICE A YEAR, THERE WON'T BE ANY SECRET DEALS OR ANYTHING THAT WILL GIVE CHINA A SAY IN ALL MATTERS THAT GO BEYOND 1997?
GOVERNOR: WHAT I CAN TELL YOU ABSOLUTELY IS THAT ALL THAT HAS BEEN AGREED IS HERE IN THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WHICH YOU HAVE GOT IN FRONT OF YOU, NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN AGREED TO THAT. I CAN'T TELL YOU, OBVIOUSLY, WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN EVERY MEETING BETWEEN HERE AND 1997.
/CHRISTINA CHOW (RTHK): .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
20
CHRISTINA CHOW (RTHK) : STR DAVTD, ALTHOUGH YOU SAY THAT THE MEMORANDUM DOESN'T GIVE ANY VETO POWER TO THE CHINESE SIDE, BUT THE MEMORANDUM DOES SAY THAT ANY DECISION WILL GIVE FULL WEIGHT TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE CANNOT REACH AN AGREEMENT WITHIN ONE MONTH'S TIME ON THE GRANTING OF CONTRACTS AND GUARANTEES, ETC?
GOVERNOR: WELL I HOPE THAT IT ALWAYS WILL, I MEAN I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK ON THE POSITIVE NOT THE NEGATIVE SIDE, THAT IT ALWAYS WILL MANAGE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT IN THAT SHORT TIME SCALE. IF IT DOESN'T, I MEAN IT'S WHAT IS WRITTEN DOWN IN THAT MEMORANDUM, THAT ANY DECISION TAKEN WILL GIVE FULL WEIGHT TO THE VIEWS OF THE CHINESE SIDE. AND THEN THERE IS THE NEXT SENTENCE AFTER THAT ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN A FRANCHISE.
CHRISTINA CHOW: DOES SAY IN THIS MATTER THEN?
IT MEAN THAT THE CHINESE HAVE THE FINAL
GOVERNOR: AS I SAID EARLIER, THERE IS NO VETO WRITTEN INTO THIS.
MICHELLE CHAN (MING PAO): SIR DAVID, WHEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FIRST PUT FORWARD THIS AIRPORT PROJECT, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED NOT TO CONSULT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, BUT UNTIL THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT VOICED OUT THEIR DISAGREEMENT - AND THEN WE ENCOUNTERED A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES IN THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. AND SO DO YOU CLAIM THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE COMMITTED SOME MISTAKES IN THE PROCEDURES IN FORMULATING THE AIRPORT PROJECTS?
GOVERNOR: WELL AS I SAID EARLIER, YOU KNOW THE WORLD IS FULL OF 20/20 HINDSIGHT EXPERTS AND PEOPLE WHO WOULD SAY: WELL YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE IT LIKE THIS, YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE IT A DIFFERENT WAY. I MEAN HAD WE ENGAGED IN A MASSIVE CONSULTATION PROCESS BEFORE OCTOBER 1989, I AM SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE SAID: YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT. IN OCTOBER 1989 WHEN WE TOOK THIS DECISION, THE CHINESE WERE AWARE OF WHAT WE WERE DOING. AS I'VE SAID, IT WAS WIDE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND WE HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS GOING TO CREATE DIFFICULTIES. WE HAVE SINCE THEN FACED VERY PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES AFFECTING THE WAY TN WHICH PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT WOULD TAKE PART OR WOULDN'T TAKE PART, AND WE HAVE HAD TO TRY TO MOVE TO SOLVE THOSE DIFFICULTIES. IT HAS TAKEN A LONGISH PERIOD OF TIME AND SOME VERY DIFFICULT DISCUSSIONS TO DO IT BUT NOW WE’VE DONE IT.
KAREN CHENG (COMMERCIAL RADIO) : I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS, THE FIRST ONE WILL BE: WHAT WILL BE THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BUDGET SINCE YOU HAVE TO LEAVE 250 MILLION RESERVE AFTER 1997 WILL THERE BE ANY RESTRICTION ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING FOR THE NEXT YEARS?
/GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
21
GOVERNOR: WE ARE AIMING TO LEAVE 25 BILLION BUT THAT IS SOMETHING WHICH IS MANAGEABLE. ONE DOES, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WANT TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE FISCAL RESERVES IN ADDITION TO WHAT IS IN THE LAND FUND AND THE FINANCIAL EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MANAGEABLE AND PRUDENT. NOW OF COURSE, YOU KNOW I CAN'T SAY THAT THERE WILL BE NO RESTRICTION ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING BECAUSE GOVERNMENT SPENDING ALWAYS HAS TO BE CAREFUL, IT ALWAYS HAS TO BE RESTRICTED, THERE IS NOT A LIMITLESS SUM OF MONEY. WHEN YOU GET TO A CERTAIN POINT YOU DON’T HAVE THE ADDITIONAL MONEY TO SPEND SO YOU HAVE ALWAYS GOT TO BE CAREFUL.
KAREN CHENG: SO WILL THE COST OF THE PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY THE CORE PROJECTS, GO UP SINCE WE HAVE JUST LESS THAN SIX YEARS TO GO?
GOVERNOR:
WILL THE COST OF THE
CORE PROJECTS GO UP?
KAREN CHENG: YES.
GOVERNOR: I SIMPLY DON’T KNOW. THERE IS ALWAYS THE INFLATIONARY PROCESS BUT THE COST OF ANY PROJECT DEPENDS NOT JUST ON INFLATION BUT THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT. AT THE MOMENT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS VERY COMPETITIVE AND THE SORT OF BIDS THAT YOU GET IN FOR SOME OF THESE SORT OF PROJECTS ACTUALLY SOMETIMES TURN OUT TO BE LESS THAN ANTICIPATED, NOT MORE.
VICKY MCLAUGHLIN (REUTERS): WHAT IS THE CURRENT DOLLAR ESTIMATE FOR THE TOTAL PROJECT AND SECONDLY, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
THE GOVERNOR: I AM SORRY, I DON'T HAVE THE PRECISE FIGURE IN MY HEAD AND I DON'T WANT TO CONFUSE PEOPLE BY GIVING YET MORE FIGURES BECAUSE WHAT WE SEEM TO HAVE IS A LOT OF FIGURES BUT THE ONE FIGURE I'LL TELL YOU THAT IS NOT RIGHT WHICH HAS ALWAYS CAUSED ME CONCERN IS THAT WHEN I FIRST ANNOUNCED THIS PROJECT AND PERHAPS I WOULD CONFESS TO THAT AS NOT BEING THE BEST WAY TO DO IT, I PUT TOGETHER THE COST BOTH OF THE AIRPORT AND THE PORT DEVELOPMENT AS 127 BILLION. EVER SINCE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING 'THE AIRPORT COSTS 127 BILLION' WHICH IS INACCURATE BECAUSE THAT INCLUDES.
VICKY MCLAUGHLIN (REUTERS): WE NEVER SAID THAT.
THE GOVERNOR: I AM SURE REUTERS NEVER WOULD HAVE SAID THAT, SOME OTHER LESSER AGENCIES HAVE SAID THAT. I AM SORRY, YOU HAD ANOTHER POINT.
VICKY MCLAUGHLIN (REUTERS): THE LEVEL OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, THAT YOU ARE HOPING FOR.
THE GOVERNOR: WE WOULD LIKE TO GET AS MUCH PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT AS WE CAN GET. THE FIGURE I THINK FOR THE WHOLE - HERE I AM AGAIN, LET ME BE CAREFUL, PUTTING TOGETHER THE AIRPORT AND THE PORT WAS A 40:60 SPLIT. NOW WHAT WE WANT AS A MINIMUM FOR THE AIRPORT WAS 25 PER CENT BUT THOSE ARE NOT PRECISE FIGURES. AGAIN, LET ME BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THAT, THEY ARE NOT PRECISE FIGURES. WE WILL BE AIMING FOR AS MUCH PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT AS WE CAN GET.
/VICKY MCLAUGHLIN (REUTERS):
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
22
VICKY MCLAUGHLIN (REUTERS) : SO TN YOUR DREAMS IT WOULD BE 100 PER CENT.
THE GOVERNOR: NO IN MY DREAMS IT WOULDN'T BE A HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN SIMPLY HANDING IT OVER TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. UNDER CERTAIN SCENARIOS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, BUT A PROJECT OF THIS SIZE COMPLEXITY HAVING TO MATCH INTO OTHER BIG GOVERNMENT PROJECTS LIKE ROADS THEN YOU'D PROBABLY NEED A DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT.
AL REYES (ASIAWEEK MAGAZINE) : SIR DAVID, BACK TO FINANCES, IS HONG KONG IN FOR A FEW YEARS OF DEFICIT SPENDING AS WE GET UP TO 1997?
THE GOVERNOR: NO, THE ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE, MEAN THAT AT SOME STAGES WE WILL BE DRAWING ON OUR RESERVES, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT IT AS MONEY WHICH HAS BEEN SAVED UP FOR A PARTICULAR PROJECT WHICH YOU THEN USE. NOW, SOMETIMES PEOPLE CAN PUT THAT AS DEFICIT SPENDING, AS THOUGH THAT WAS A BAD THING, BUT THAT WOULD BE REALLY THE SAME AS IF YOU PUT MONEY INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT TO SAVE UP FOR BUYING A NEW APARTMENT AND NEVER USED IT. YOU PUT IT THERE FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND YOU THEN USE IT. IN THE SAME WAY WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING UP OUR RESERVES AND WE WILL BE USING SOME OF THOSE RESERVES FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECT. THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE BEEN PUT THERE FOR.
AL REYES : SECOND QUESTION, WAS THERE ANY REASON WHY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT COULD NOT HAVE SENT A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE LAST STAGES OF THE TALKS ?
THE GOVERNOR: THAT WAS JUST THE WAY THAT IT WORKED OUT AT THE END. BUT IT DOESN’T CAUSE ME ANY PROBLEM BECAUSE, AS I SAID EARLIER, IT’S WHAT YOU GET AS A RESULT RATHER THAN WHO IS ACTUALLY DOING THE TALKING THAT'S IMPORTANT. ALSO, THE VERY CLOSE INVOLVEMENT OF HONG KONG WHICH TOOK PLACE THROUGHOUT THAT FI NAI, STAGE.
MAU CHI-WANG (HK ECONOMIC JOURNAL MONTHLY): I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. MY FIRST QUESTION IS, I HAVE AN INTERESTED IN THE ROLE OF BANK OF CHINA. CAN YOU ELABORATE MORE? WHAT'S THE ROLE OF BANK OF CHINA IN THE FUTURE WHEN COMPARED WITH HONG KONG BANK AND CHARTERED BANK IN TERMS OF BALANCE OF POWER ? THIS IS MY FIRST QUESTION.
THE GOVERNOR: TN THIS AGREEMENT, LET ME DEAL WITH THE AGREEMENT FIRST. THERE ARE TWO ELEMENTS WHICH INVOLVE THE BANK OF CHINA; ONE IS THAT I HAVE SAID THAT I AM WILLING TO APPOINT ONTO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY SOMEBODY FROM THE BANK OF CHINA GROUP EMPLOYED HERE LOCALLY IN HONG KONG, THAT'S THE BANK OF CHINA GROUP - EITHER THE BANK OF CHINA OR ONE OF THE WHAT IS SOMETIMES CALLED SISTER BANKS - AND THEN THERE IS THE PROVISION THAT THE BANK OF CHINA WILL BE WILLING TO TAKE PART IN SYNDICATING LOANS AND THAT SORT OF THING WHICH WILL GIVE I THINK A MEASURE OF CONFIDENCE TO OTHER BANKERS. YOUR BROADER QUESTION, MUCH MUCH HARDER TO ANSWER AND I DON'T THINK I CAN PRODUCE AN ANSWER FOR THAT - WE'VE GOT TWO BANKS THAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO -BANK OF CHINA, HONG KONG SHANGHAI BANK- BOTH VERY, VERY BIG IN HONG KONG, BOTH WILL I THINK GO ON PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN THE HONG KONG ECONOMY BUT THE ACTUAL BALANCE BETWEEN THEM, I COULDN'T GUESS AT THAT.
/MAU CHI-WANG : .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
MAU CHI-WANG : MY SECOND QUESTION. THIS AFTERNOON YOUR FACIAL EXPRESSION IS QUITE JOYFUL. DO YOU CONSIDER THIS MEMORANDUM IS ONE OF THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF YOUR FUTURE IN RELATION TO YOUR TERMS OF SERVICE ?
THE GOVERNOR: I THINK I RATHER LIKED THE EARLIER QUESTION. I DON'T SEE THIS IN PERSONAL TERMS AT ALL. I DO THINK THAT THIS IS A GOOD AGREEMENT FOR HONG KONG. I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUS THAT HONG KONG SHOULD GET ON WITH BUILDING AN AIRPORT SO THAT WE BUILD UP THE PLACE FOR THE LONG TERM FUTURE AND I SAID EARLIER I THINK THE BENEFITS FOR THIS ARE GOING TO COME AFTER 1997 MORE THAN BEFORE SO I HAVE BEEN KEEN THAT WE SHOULD GO AHEAD, I AM PLEASED THAT WE ARE NOW ABLE. WE'VE GOT A SENSIBLE, PRACTICAL AGREEMENT TO DO IT. IF THAT MAKES MY FACIAL EXPRESSION LOOK JOYFUL, GOOD. HAVE YOUR LAST POINT PLEASE.
MAU CHI-WANG: DO YOU CONSIDER THIS MEMORANDUM AS ONE OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY IN THE SENIOR STAFF ?
THE GOVERNOR: NO, I DON'T SEE IT IN PERSONAL TERMS AT ALL. I SEE IT AS SOMETHING WHICH MATTERS FOR HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, I DON'T SEE IT AS PERSONAL AS TO HOW IT AFFECTS ME IS NOT A MATTER OF CONCERN TO ME, IT'S HOW IT AFFECTS HONG KONG.
S.Y.YUE (HK STANDARD): I HAVE A RELATIVELY SIMPLE QUESTION FOR YOU. ONE IS THE CREDIT OF APPOINTING A VICE CHAIRMAN TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, WOULD IT BE A CANDIDATE THAT IS FAVOURED BY THE CHINESE SIDE ?
THE GOVERNOR: THERE IS NOTHING LAID DOWN ABOUT WHO THAT CANDIDATE SHOULD BE, NOTHING ABOUT THAT AT ALL. IT JUST HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF A VICE CHAIRMAN AT SOME POINT IN ABOUT TWO YEARS' TIME. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO HAVE A VICE CHAIRMAN, WE DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW AT THE MOMENT AND IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT THE VICE CHAIRMANSHIP WILL PROVIDE FOR CONTINUITY BUT THERE'S NOTHING LAID DOWN ABOUT WHO THAT PERSON SHOULD BE.
S.Y.YUE (HK STANDARD): WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF APPOINTING SUCH A PERSON?
THE GOVERNOR: IT JUST ALLOWS FOR A DIFFERENT STRUCTURE IN THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY. AT THE MOMENT, THE WAY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY IS SET UP, IT DOESN'T HAVE A VICE CHAIRMAN, IT MEANS THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY CAN HAVE A VICE CHAIRMAN. PRECISELY WHAT THE VICE CHAIRMAN WILL DO, THAT REMAINS TO BE LOOKED AT.
S.Y.YUE (HK STANDARD): IT'S THE POINT THAT CHINESE SIDE HAD INSISTED ALL ALONG THAT THIS VICE CHAIRMAN SHOULD TAKE A ROLE THAT BRING IN SOME KIND OF VETO POWER FROM THE CHINESE SIDE. IS THAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS?
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
24
THE GOVERNOR: 1 DID SAY EARLIER I WASN'T GOING TO GO THROUGH POINTS WHICH HAD BEEN DIFFERENCES AND WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN RESOLVED, BUT YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRITTEN DOWN THERE, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT A VETO POWER OR ANY PARTICULAR ROLE FOR A VICE CHAIRMAN OR INDEED WHO THAT VICE CHAIRMAN SHOULD BE.
LAI TING-YIU (NEXT MAGAZINE): WE ARE NOW HAVING A SUB COMMITTEE UNDER THE JLG DEALING WITH THE AIRPORT PROGRAMME. IT LETS ME THINK THAT WE MAY HAVE ANOTHER SUB COMMITTEE UNDER THE JLG TO DEAL WITH HOUSING PROGRAMME, OR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE OR ANY OTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. DO YOU THINK IT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, AND DO YOU AGREE THAT AIRPORT PROGRAMME IS A DOMESTIC PROGRAMME; IT'S SOMETHING CONCERNED WITH DOMESTIC AFFAIR, IT SHOULD NOT BE AN AFFAIR DEALING BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE, THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNEL ?
THE GOVERNOR: I DON'T EXPECT THERE WILL BE SUB COMMITTEES SET UP TO DEAL WITH A WHOLE RANGE OF THINGS. I SAID EARLIER THAT THE AIRPORT WAS A PARTICULAR SORT OF ANIMAL, WHICH THEREFORE NEEDED TO BE DEALT WITH IN A PARTICULAR SORT OF WAY, AND WE ALL KNOW HIT PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES ON THE AIRPORT. SO WE'VE GOT TO FIND WAYS OF DEALING WITH THOSE AND THIS IS A SENSIBLE WAY OF DEALING WITH IT. IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT ON EVERY MAJOR AREA OF POLICY THAT THERE WILL BE ANY NEED FOR SUB COMMITTEES. AND IT'S ALSO PERHAPS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IS SPECIFICALLY LAID DOWN AS BEING AN ORGAN FOR LIAISON, IT'S NOT, THE WORDING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, IT'S NOT AN ORGAN FOR POWER. IT'S AN ORGANISATION FOR LIAISON PURPOSES. SO YOUR OTHER POINT WAS, THAT SHOULD IT BE DEALT WITH THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS. WHEN WE HIT THE SORT OF PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE HIT ON THE AIRPORT, IT DID RAISE IT TO THE DIPLOMATIC LEVEL, INDEED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THIS WAS COVERING THINGS, SPREADING OVER TO THINGS, NOT SIMPLY RELATED TO THE AIRPORT. SO, ALL EFFORTS HAD TO BE MOBILISED TO DEAL WITH THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND THAT INCLUDED DEALING WITH IT ON A DIPLOMATIC LEVEL. I LOOK AT IT VERY PRAGMATICALLY, IF YOU FACE A PROBLEM, IF IT HAS GOT RAISED TO THAT SORT OF LEVEL, IF IT EXPANDS OUTWARDS BEYOND WHAT IS OUR IMMEDIATE SCOPE IN HONG KONG, THEN YOU'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY OF DEALING WITH IT AND WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT IT'S DEALT WITH.
FRANKIE YIP (WAH KIU YAT PO): IS THERE A CONSENSUS IN INTERPRETING THE WORDS OF CONSULTATIONS ? EXACTLY WHAT IS THE LINE OF CONSULTATION ?
THE GOVERNOR: SORRY, WHAT IS THE LAST POINT OF YOUR QUESTION ?
FRANKIE YIP (WAH KIU YAT PO): WHAT IS THE LINE OF CONSULTATION ? LIKE BETWEEN WHO HAS THE POWER TO CONSULT WITH, WHO IS BEING CONSULTED?
THE GOVERNOR: THE IDEA OF CONSULTATION I THINK I'VE SAID EARLIER, THERE'S NO PROBLEM WITH THE IDEA OF CONSULTATION, THERE IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM IF THAT IMPLIES SOME SORT OF A VETO POWER. I THINK THAT'S A POINT WHICH I REMEMBER THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY GOING INTO IT AT SOME LENGTH WHEN HE WAS HERE EARLIER IN THE YEAR.
/LOUIS TING (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): ........
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
25
LOUIS TING (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): TN THE MEMORANDUM THEY HAVE SAID THAT THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY ORDINANCE WILL BE MODELLED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE. WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR THAT ?
THE GOVERNOR: THAT WAS JUST TO EXPLAIN TO THF CHINESE SIDE WHAT SORT OF AN ORDINANCE IT WAS GOING TO BE, IT WILL BE VERY CLOSE TO THE MTR ORDINANCE, THAT'S THF ONLY REASON FOR IT.
LOUIS TING: WHY IS IT MODELLED AS THE MTR AND NOT ANY OTHER ORDINANCE ?
THE GOVERNOR: BECAUSE IT'S A VERY SIMILAR OPERATION TO THE MTR IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT. THE MTR BEING BUILT UNDER A BOARD AS IT WERE, SET UP SPECIALLY FOR THAT PURPOSE, THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY WILL BE VERY SIMILAR INDEED. IT'S GOT A MAJOR PROJECT TO MANAGE AND IT WILL BE SET UP IN VERY MUCH THE SAME WAY AS THE MTR WAS EVENTUALLY SET UP BECAUSE THERE WERE VARIOUS EARLY EXPERIMENTS WITH HOW TO RUN THE MTR AND EVENTUALLY THE PRESENT SYSTEM, THE MTR ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED AND WE WILL BE DOING A SIMILAR THING WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
LOUIS TING: SECONDLY, ABOUT THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE AIRPORT. THE MEMORANDUM SAID THERE IS NO DECISION MAKING POWER AND IT SHOULD NOT DELAY THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT. THEN WHAT'S THF. MEANING OF SETTING UP SUCH A CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ?
THE GOVERNOR: I WOULD CALL IT SOMETHING LIKE A SOUNDING BOARD FOR A WIDE SPREAD OF OPINION. IT WILL BE CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE AIRPORT AND PROJECTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE AIRPORT, BUT VERY IMPORTANT INDEED THAT THAT DOESN'T BECOME THE BODY WHICH TAKES DECISIONS, THAT'S THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY THAT TAKES DECISIONS. VERY IMPORTANT INDEED THAT THAT WHOLE PROCESS OF PEOPLE EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS SHOULDN'T JUST BE A BREAK ON SOMETHING WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T DELAY THE WHOLE PROCESS. IT WILL I THINK ALSO BE A VERY USEFUL WAY IN WHICH WE CAN GET OUT MORE INFORMATION ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CAI,LED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT. IN MANY WAYS WE'VE GOT BOTH TOO MUCH AND TOO LITTLE INFORMATION, THERE'S A GREAT MASS OF DOCUMENTATION ON THE AIRPORT, BUT IT'S NOT BOILED DOWN INTO A FORM WHICH IS EASILY ABSORBED BY ORDINARY PEOPLE AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE MORE EFFORT ON THAT. THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MAY WELL TURN OUT TO BE A GOOD WAY OF DISSEMINATING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE AIRPORT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
/26 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
- 26 -
CHAI WAN AND SHAU KEI WAN SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEM RESULTING FROM IMPROPER DISCHARGE OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS TO STORMWATER DRAINS AND WATER COURSES WITHIN THE CHAI WAN AND SHAU KEI WAN REGION.
THE STUDY WILL ASSESS THE INADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND SCHEMES FOR REMEDIAL WORKS WILL BE FORMULATED TO ENSURE THAT ALL SEWAGE WILL BE PROPERLY COLLECTED AND DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
A SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND A PRIORITISED PROGRAMME FOR PROGRESSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF NECESSARY ENGINEERING WORKS WILL BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE FOR SHORT- AND LONG-TERM MEASURES TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN STAGES. EMPHASIS WILL BE GIVEN TO ACHIEVING EARLY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN THE EPD’S ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY), MR PAUL R. HOLMES, AND THE JOINT VENTURE CONSULTANTS, MR P. PURNELL-EDWARDS, DIRECTOR OF PYPUN-HOWARD HUMPHREYS LTD AND MR A.J. MORRIS, DIRECTOR OF BALFOURS INTERNATIONAL (ASIA) CONSULTING ENGINEERS LTD.
THE STUDY, AT A COST OF $10.34 MILLION, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES AND BE COMPLETED IN 18 MONTHS.
------0--------
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E. COL I 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 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
27
THE ESTIMATE IS BASEDON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMfeR. TMtS 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. COL1 COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS 1S UNDETECTABLE.
GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLt 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 MILLILITRES 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. COLt 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 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
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 20.6.91 )
(AS AT 4.7.91)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY CHUNG HOM KOK DEEP WATER BAY HAIRPIN MIDDLE BAY REPULSE BAY SHEK 0 SOUTH BAY ST STEPHEN’S TURTLE COVE 1
STANLEY MAIN 2
ROCKY BAY x
TO TEI WAN* 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA x
NEW CAFETERIA 2
CASTLE PEAK x
KADOOR1E
BUTTERFLY 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
C/',MPERS
Cl EAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH
CLI R WATER BAY 2ND BEACH
HAP N BAY
K1U I SU I
PAK SHA CHAU
SILVERSTRAND
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 1
/ISLANDS DISTRICT
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
- 29 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER CHEUNG SHA LOWER DISCOVERY BAY* HUNG SHING YEH KWUN YAM WAN TONG FUK LO SO SHING PUI O SILVERM1NE BAY TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU TUNG O»
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ APPROACH CASAM GEMINI HOI MEI WAN LIDO TING KAU TUNG WAN, MA WAN
3
2
3
3
3
3
4
2
NOTE: "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES. » NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
BIG WAVE BAY, CHUNG HOM KOK, DEEP WATER BAY, ST STEPHEN’S AND TUNG WAN ON MA WAN, FROM "1" TO "2 BUTTERFLY, FROM "2" TO ”3"; SILVERMINE BAY, FROM 3 KAU, FROM "3" TO " 4 " .
HAIRPIN,
CASAM, ” TO "2”;
SHEK O, LIDO AND AND TING
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 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY), MR TEL. 1 234 .
EPD’S PRINCIPAL
P.R. HOLMES, ON
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/30
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
- 30 -
ELDERLY SERVICES UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN REGULARLY CONDUCTING REVIEWS ON ELDERLY SERVICES TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE AGEING POPULATION.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF A VARIETY SHOW FOR 1,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN CENTRAL. THE SHOW WAS ORGANISED BY SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION.
MRS GOODSTADT SAID THERE WAS A DIRE NEED TO UPGRADE VARIOUS ELDERLY SERVICES, BOTH IN QUALITY AND QUANTITY, TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE IN ELDERLY POPULATION.
’’THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 90S AND BEYOND, PUBLISHED IN MARCH THIS YEAR, HAS LAID DOWN CONCRETE DIRECTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELDERLY SERVICES,” SHE POINTED OUT.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXPAND COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES AS WELL AS RESPITE SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY, SHE SAID.
”IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REGULATE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
”IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE SELF-FINANCING HOMES BY NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS,” SHE SAID.
MRS GOODSTADT ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION FOR ITS ACTIVE ROLE IN ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS.
---------0-----------
FAN LAU FORT RESTORED ******
THE FAN LAU FORT ON LANTAU ISLAND HAS REGAINED ITS ORIGINAL SPLENDOUR WITH THE RECENT COMPLETION OF A $1.2 MILLION RESTORATION PROGRAMME.
A DISPLAY ON THE HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE OF THE FORT HAS BEEN PUT UP ON SITE TO HELP VISITORS APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THE MONUMENT.
LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWESTERN TIP OF LANTAU, THE FAN LAU FORT OVERLOCK I • AN IMPORTANT STRATEGIC SEA PASSAGE LEADING INTO THE PEARL RIVER ESTI J?Y.
/THE NAME .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
31
THE NAME ’’FAN LAU” WHICH LITERALLY MEANS ’’DIVISION OF FLOWS” DESCRIBES THE CHANGE OF COLOUR OF THE WATERS OFF THE POINT FROM A CLEAR GREEN TO MUDDY BROWN AS THE PACIFIC CURRENTS MEET THE PEARL RIVER WATER.
THE FORT IS BELIEVED TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE SEVENTH YEAR OF YONG ZHENG (1729) AND WAS A MAJOR COASTAL FORTIFICATION AT THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY. VESSELS GOING TO CANTON VIA THE PEARL RIVER WOULD USE THE FORT AS A LANDMARK.
THE FORT WAS UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE RIGHT WING OF DA PENG BATTALION. DURING THE REIGN OF JIA QING (1796-1821), THE FORT WAS GUARDED BY 48 SOLDIERS UNDER ONE LIEUTENANT. HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF SOLDIERS WAS LATER REDUCED TO 30.
RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE, MEASURING 21 METRES BY 46 METRES, THE FORT APPEARS TO BE BUILT ON A STONE BASE. ITS WALLS ARE CONSTRUCTED WITH SEMI-DRESSED STONES AND GREY BRICKS.
IT WAS BELIEVED THAT THE FORT WAS ONCE OCCUPIED BY PIRATES. WITH THE SURRENDER OF ALL MAJOR GANGS OF PIRATES TO THE QING GOVERNMENT BY 1810, THE FORT SHOULD BE TAKEN OVER BY GOVERNMENT TROOPS AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT WAS EVENTUALLY ABANDONED AFTER THE LEASE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO BRITAIN IN 1898.
IN VIEW OF ITS GREAT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, THE FORT WAS DECLARED A MONUMENT IN 1981 AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD.
INITIAL RESTORATION HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT IN 1985. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A LARGE-SCALE REPAIR PROJECT IN LATE LAST YEAR, WHICH ALSO INCLUDED IMPROVEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE FORT.
THE RESTORATION PROGRAMME WAS SUPERVISED BY THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENT OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH AND THE ANTIQUITIES SECTION OF THE ARCH ITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
------0--------
SIX DISTRICTS TO START SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
SIX DISTRICTS WILL START THEIR 1991 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME THIS WEEKEND (JULY 6 AND 7) WITH CARNIVALS AND VARIETY SHOWS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT OVER 1,700 ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN THE EASTERN, SHAM SHUI PO, KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN, MONG KOK AND WAN CHAI DISTRICTS FROM THIS WEEKEND THROUGH AUGUST.
WITH THE THEME "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", THE SYP WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE YOUNGSTERS, AGED SIX TO 25, WITH RECREATION BUT ALSO WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.
/THESE INCLUDE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
- 32 -
THESE INCLUDE VISITS, FORESTRY CAMPS, SINGING COMPETITIONS AND MANY OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS.
EACH DISTRICT HAS PRODUCED ITS OWN PROGRAMME BOOKLET, FREE COPIES OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICE.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICERS, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN AND OTHER GUESTS.
THE DATES, FOLLOWS: TIMES AND VENUES OF THE OPENING CEREMONIES ARE AS
DATE/TIME DISTRICT VENUE
SATURDAY (JULY 6)
3.30 PM EASTERN CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 230 CHAI WAN ROAD.
4 PM SHAM SHU1 PO TUNG CHAU STREET PARK
7 PM KWUN TONG HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND
SUNDAY (JULY 7)
NOON TSUEN WAN SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND
2 PM MONG KOK ANCHOR STREET PLAYGROUND, TAI KOK TSUI.
4 PM WAN CHAI SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND
THE SYP, ORGANISED BY COMMITTEE IN EACH DISTRICT, IS JOCKEY CLUB, DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE RESPECTIVE SYP CO-ORDINATING SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG ORGANISATIONS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IN THE SIX DISTRICTS THIS WEEKEND (JULY 6 AND 7).
--------0-----------
/33 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1991
- 33 -
NO ABNORMALITIES DETECTED IN ARGENTINIAN CORNED BEEF ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID:
"NO ABNORMALITIES HAVE BEEN DETECTED IN THE ARGENTINIAN CORNED BEEF SAMPLES RECENTLY TAKEN FOR EXAMINATION FOLLOWING THE RECALL OF THE PRODUCT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK.
"COUNTER-CHECKING BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT SHOWED THE AFFECTED PRODUCT WAS NOT FOUND IN THE LOCAL MARKET."
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 3.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 4.7.91 -99
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 99
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114.4 »+0.0* 4.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
4.7.91 3.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.27 PCT 6.83 PCT
1 MONTH 6.11 PCT 6.43 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.07 PCT 6.27 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.07 PCT 6.27 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.42 PCT 6.63 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 7,530 MN 5,806 MN
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT TO GO TO FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR AIRPORT PROJECT FUNDS ................... 1
FS - DESIGNATE CALLS ON UK OFFICIALS ........................................ 1
BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED ............................... 2
RENT CONTROL TO BE EXTENDED FOR THREE MORE YEARS ............................ 3
OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID .................................... 4
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION ON LEGCO ......................................... 5
TENDERS INVITED FOR CIVIL WORKS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL TV SYSTEM ................ 6
NEW FRANCHISE FOR HATS ...................................................... 6
APPEAL AGAINST TAX EVASION CONVICTION DISMISSED ............................. 7
REPORT ON 1989 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS NOW ON SALE ................................................................ 7
RE-APPOINTMENT TO FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ..................................... 8
SCHOOL DANCE TEAMS TO COMPETE IN SPAIN AND MACAU ............................ 9
NEW RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR SAI WAN HO................................... 9
TRANSPORT DEPT'S HK LICENSING OFFICE TO BE RENOVATED ....................... 10
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP TO START SOON ............................................. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ................. 11
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
GOVT TO GO TO FINANCE COMMITTEE
THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO THE WITHIN TWO WEEKS, TO SEEK FUNDS FOR THE AIRPORT PLATFORM, THE CHIEF SECRETARY (FRIDAY).
FOR AIRPORT PROJECT EUNbs
FINANCE COMMITTEE, HOPEFULLY LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND THE sir david Ford, sAib tobAY
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER AN AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STEERtMG COMMITTEE MEETING, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HOPED THAT THE TENDER FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WOULD BE ISSUED ABOUT THE ENb OF THIS MONTH.
THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN HOLDING MEETINGS WEEKLY StNCfe TliE AIRPORT PROJECT BEGAN.
"WE HAD ANOTHER USEFUL MEETING AND WE WILL BE CONTINUING Wltii ALL THE PREPARATORY WORK TO GET AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT IN GOOD TIME,” HE SAID.
ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID: "WE’RE ALWAYS REFINING THE PROGRAMME BOTH IN TERMS OF TIME, SCOPE AND COST. AND WE DID SOME MORE OF THAT TODAY.
"WE WILL REPORT THE LATEST STAGE AND LATEST VIEW ON THAT WHEN WE GO TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS’ TIME.”
------------------0------- FS - DESIGNATE CALLS ON UK OFFICIALS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (DESIGNATE), MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHO IS SPENDING THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY IN LONDON, HAS CALLED ON OFFICIALS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TREASURY INCLUDING THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, MR NORMAN LAMONT, AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY, MR FRANCIS MAUDE.
MR MACLEOD IS ON THE SECOND LEG OF HIS EUROPEAN TRIP AFTER THE VIENNA CONFERENCE. HIS PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES MEETINGS WITH THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, LORD CAITHNESS, AND OFFICIALS OF THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
HE WILL ALSO MEET LEADING MEMBERS OF THE BANKING AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
MR MACLEOD’S DUTY VISIT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ENDS With A TWO-DAY PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE BANK OF ENGLAND. HE WILL START H1S FOUR-WEEK VACATION LEAVE NEXT WEEK.
------0--------
/2........
FfciDAY, JOLt I,
- 2 -
BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED ******
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR DAVID CARSE, HAS TODAY (FRIDAY) MADE A STATEMENT ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LTD (BCCHK) OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE ARISEN ELSEWHERE IN THE BCC GROUP. HE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE ORIGIN OF THESE PROBLEMS LIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG. THEY CAST NO DOUBTS ON THE HONG KONG BANKING SYSTEM WHICH REMAINS HEALTHY AND SOUND.
BCCHK IS AN ENTIRELY SEPARATE ENTITY FROM THOSE PARTS OF THE BCC GROUP WHERE THE PROBLEMS HAVE ARISEN AND SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THESE PROBLEMS. THE COMMISSIONER HAS GIVEN HIS ASSURANCE THAT THE OPERATIONS OF BCCHK REMAIN SOUND AND VIABLE.
MR CARSE SAID: "THERE IS NO EVIDENCE HERE OF THE SUSPECTED FRAUD WHICH HAS LED TO THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE REST OF THE BCC GROUP. FOLLOWING THE AUDIT OF ITS 1990 ACCOUNTS, BCCHK HAS A SUBSTANTIAL CUSHION OF PROVISIONS AGAINST BAD AND DOUBTFUL DEBTS AND THESE ARE STILL REGARDED AS ADEQUATE."
"AT PRESENT, BCCHK IS MEETING ALL THE COMMISSiokfck’S PRUDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY. BCCHK HAS ONLY MINOR DEALINGS WITH THE REST OF THE BCC GROUP."
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING IS SEEKING TO MEfcT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ABU DHABI, WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE MAJORITY OWNER OF BCCHK, TO DISCUSS THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF ANY FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR BCCHK, IF ANY SHOULD BE REQUIRED. THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND HAS ALSO INDICATED ITS WILLINGNESS TO PLACE FUNDS WITH BCCHK, SHOULD THIS PROVE NECESSARY, ON NORMAL COMMERCIAL TERMS.
IN THE MEANTIME, TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSURANCE THAT TllE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS ARE FULLY PROTECTED, THE COMMISSIONER HAS APPOINTED MR ALBERT CHEOK, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, AND MR COLIN SELBY OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LTD TO ACT AS ADVISERS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF BCCHK IN THE PRUDENT CONDUCT OF ITS BUSINESS. THE COMMISSIONER HAS TAKEN THIS ACTION UNDER SECTION 52(1)(B) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED THAT THE SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES IN LUXEMBOURG AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS HAVE TAKEN ACTION TO SECURE CONTROL OF THE ASSETS OF, RESPECTIVELY, BCCI SA, A LUXEMBOURG-INCORPORATED BANK AND BCCI OVERSEAS LTD, A CAYMANS-INCORPORATED BANK. THESE BANKS ARE SISTER COMPANIES OF BCCHK, ALL THREE INSTITUTIONS BEING OWNED BY THE SAME LUXEMBOURG HOLDING COMPANY, BCCI HOLDINGS SA. THE BUSINESS OF BCCHK IS, HOWEVER, ENTIRELY SEPARATE FROM THAT OF ITS SISTER COMPANIES. BCCI HOLDINGS SA IS 77% OWNED BY THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT.
MR CHEOK IS ON SECONDMENT FROM THE RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA WHERE HE WAS THE CHIEF MANAGER, BANK SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT. MR SELBY IS CURRENTLY HEAD OF INTERNAL AUDIT AT THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LTD AND HAS BEEN WITH THE BANK FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS.
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
3
RENT CONTROL TO BE EXTENDED FOR THREE MORE YEARS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ENDORSED THE EXTENSION OF THE LIFE OF PART II OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE FOR THREE YEARS TO DECEMBER 31, 1994.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS PART OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES SECURITY OF TENURE AND CONTROLS INCREASES IN RENTS OF CERTAIN POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES.
IT IS DUE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 18, 1991 UNLESS EXTENDED BY A RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS AT JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 43,000 SUCH TENANCIES BUT ADDED THAT THEIR NUMBER WAS DIMINISHING AT THE RATE OF ABOUT 5,000 A YEAR DUE TO REPOSSESSION, FRESH LETTINGS AT MARKET RENTS AND DEMOLITION FOR REDEVELOPMENT.
HE STRESSED THAT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO IDENTIFYING A SUITABLE EXTENSION PERIOD FOR PART II.
"GIVEN THE CURRENT DISPARITY BETWEEN CONTROLLED AND MARKET RENTS AS WELL AS THE NEED TO AVOID ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES, IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED FEASIBLE TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROLS BEFORE 1994," HE ADDED.
HE SAID IT REMAINED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROLS ON A GRADATED BASIS AND PROPOSALS WERE BEING FORMULATED TO ALLOW THE CONTROLS TO BE PROGRESSIVELY ADJUSTED OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS '1'0 A POINT WHERE THEY MIGHT BE DISPENSED WITH.
TENTATIVELY, IT WAS PROPOSED TO ADJUST ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT (THE MINIMUM RENT TO BE REACHED BY CONTROLLED TENANCIES) BY SOME 7.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS, HE EXPLAINED.
"THIS SHOULD ALLOW THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT TO RISE TO WITHIN 10 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT BY THE END OF 1994.
"AT THIS STAGE THE CONTROLS SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF BEING DROPPED WIHTOUT CAUSING HARDSHIP TO AFFECTED TENANTS.
"THE EFFECT ON INFLATION WOULD BE INSIGNIFICANT IN VIEW OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS INVOLVED," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED TO PHASE OUT CONTROLS UNDER PART I OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH AFFECT ABOUT 940 PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES.
HE DREW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THOSE TENANCIES CEASING TO BE PROTECTED BY PARTS I AND II WOULD CONTINUE TO BE AFFORDED SECURITY OF TENURE UNDER PART IV OF THE ORDINANCE.
/"TN ADDITION .......
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
4
"IN ADDITION, IT IS PROPOSED TO REVISE AND ENHANCE THE STATUTORY COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO TENANTS IN AFFECTED PREMISES WHO ARE DISPOSSESSED ON GROUNDS OF REDEVELOPMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROPOSALS WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION EARLY NEXT SESSION.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHILOSOPHY THAT IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA, SOCIAL CONSIDERATION MAY OUTWEIGH ECONOMIC FORCES," HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF PART II IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 17.
------0--------
OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID ******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO WOMEN
BETWEEN 1929 AND 1950 WILL- BECOME INVALID FROM JULY 15.
ALL
BORN
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE FRIDAY (JULY 12).
GAZETTE NEXT
THIS IS THE 10TH BATCH OF IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THIS NEW IDENTITY CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME STARTED ON JULY 1, 1987.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "ONCE AN OLD CARD IS DECLARED INVALID, IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE ABROAD OR TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT."
HOLDING AN INVALID IT FOR TRAVELLING
PERIODS SHOULD ISSUE
REPLACEMENT
THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR SPECIFIED CARD
DUF TO THEIR ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER REASONS
immediately approach any c^e of the eight new identity card
OFFICES.
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS.
THE SIZE OF THE NEW TYPE IDENTITY CARDS IS THE SAME AS THE OLD ONES .
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES BE I WEEN I HE OLD CARDS AND THE NEW ONES.
/THE MAIN .......
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
THE MAIN DIFFERENCES ARE:
* THE IDENTITY CARD NUMBER IS PRINTED ON THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THE OLD CARD, BUT ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF THE NEW CARD; AND
♦ THE HONG KONG CREST AT THE BACK IS REPLACED BY THE MULTICOLOUR BACKGROUND PRINTING.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0 - -
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION ON LEGCO *****
RESIDENTS CAN GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY VISITING AN EXHIBITION WHICH BEGINS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, WILL BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID: "WITH THE THEME ’HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LEGCO?’, THE SHOW EXHIBITION TO ENHANCE PUBLIC INTEREST AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW-MAKING BODY.
"THIS, WE HOPE, WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE FIRST DIRECT ELECTIONS TO LEGCO IN SEPTEMBER, WHICH IS PART OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN A BROAD SENSE," HE ADDED.
ASIDE FROM INTRODUCING LEGCO’S SET-UP, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE DETAILS OF THE EIGHT WINNING PROJECTS UNDER THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION AWARDS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 3 PM TO 8 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY), FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 7), AND FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 8).
AN OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AND PRIZE PRESENTATION OF THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION AWARDS WILL BE HELD AT THE VENUE AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE SENIOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ALLEN LEE; THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, DR DANIEL TSE; AND THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR ALBERT LAM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
6
TENDERS INVITED FOR CIVIL WORKS OF TRAFFIC CONTROL TV SYSTEM
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CIVIL WORKS OF THE CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR THE HONG KONG AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SCHEME.
DETAILS OF THE TENDER ARE CONTAINED IN THE GAZETTE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE HONG KONG AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM, COMMISSIONED IN MID-1989, PRESENTLY CONTROLLED ABOUT 200 TRAFFIC SIGNAL JUNCTIONS ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
AS PART OF THE PROJECT, AS WELL AS TO ACHIEVE FULL BENEFITS OF THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM WAS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE VISUAL OBSERVATION OF TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AT STRATEGIC INTERSECTIONS OF THE STREET NETWORK FROM KENNEDY TOWN TO SHAU KEI WAN ALONG THE NORTH SHORE.
"THE SYSTEM WILL INITIALLY CATER FOR ABOUT 29 CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION CAMERAS AND COULD BE EXPANDED TO CONTROL UP TO 40 CAMERAS IN FUTURE.
"ACTUAL REAL TIME SURVEILLANCE OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE CONCERNED LOCATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE HONG KONG SYSTEM FOLLOWING ITS INSTALLATION WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW AND PEDESTRIAN ROAD CROSSING TIMES.
"THE OPERATION OF THE POLICE AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE IMPROVED TRAFFIC SITUATION," HE ADDED.
WORKS INVOLVING THE INSTALLATION OF HIGH MAST COLUMNS, THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAST FOUNDATIONS, AND THE ASSOCIATED DRAWPITS AND DUCTING WORKS, ARE EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 11 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
------0--------
NEW FRANCHISE FOR HATS * ♦ * *
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAS SIGNED A NEW FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH THE HONG KONG AIR TERMINAL SERVICES LTD (HATS) FOR THE PROVISION OF PASSENGER, BAGGAGE AND CARGO HANDLING AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CURRENT FRANCHISE WHICH HATS HOLDS FOR THE LOADING AND OFFLOADING OF PASSENGERS, BAGGAGE AND CARGO (EXCEPT IN THE AIR CARGO TERMINALS) EXPIRED ON JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
"THE NEW FRANCHISE, WHICH WILL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 1996, HAS BEEN AWARDED ON THE BASIS OF SATISFACTORY PAST PERFORMANCE BY THE COMPANY AND IT COVERS OPERATIONS AT KAI TAK ONLY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-------0----------
/7........
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
7
APPEAL AGAINST TAX EVASION CONVICTION DISMISSED
THE COURT OF APPEAL TODAY (FRIDAY) DISMISSED AN APPEAL BY A 51-YEAR-OLD BUSINESSMAN AGAINST CONVICTION OF TAX EVASION CHARGES.
ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE CONS, AND JUSTICES KEMPSTER AND POWER RULED THAT THE APPELLANT, KWOK HING-FOR KINGSFORD, HAD TO SERVE 30 DAYS MORE IN VIEW OF THE UNMERTTORIOUS GROUND OF THE APPEAL.
THE COURT OF APPEAL DIRECTED THAT THERE WERE NO MERITORIOUS GROUND FOR THIS APPEAL AND UNDER SECTION 83W OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, THE 30 DAYS OF PERIOD IN CUSTODY WHICH KWOK HAD SPENT SINCE FILING HIS APPEAL SHOULD NOT BE COUNTED TOWARDS THE SENTENCE.
KWOK WAS SENTENCED TO 12 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT AND FINED A TOTAL OF $3.3 MILLION FOR TAX EVASION IN WANCHAI DISTRICT COURT ON FEBRUARY 5, 1991.
THE FINE WAS EQUIVALENT TO 200 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TAX
EVADED.
REPRESENTING THE CROWN WAS ASSISTANT SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR MICHAEL BLANCHFLOWER. APPEARING FOR THE APPELLANT WERE MR JEFFREY WATSON AND ALEXANDER LAU.
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT TAX EVASION IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE. UPON CONVICTION, THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE IS THREE YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $20,000 ON EACH CHARGE, IN ADDITION TO A FURTHER FINE EQUIVALENT TO THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TAX UNDERCHARGED.
- - 0 - -
REPORT ON 1989 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS NOW ON SALE ******
A STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED ”1989 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS” HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND IS NOW ON SALE AT $26 PER COPY.
IT IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REPORTS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY ON THE
SURVEY.
THE REPORT CONTAINS A WIDE RANGE OF STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRIES FOR THE YEAR 1989, BASED ON THE DATA COLLECTED FROM ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THESE ACTIVITIES.
BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS REFER TO THE INDUSTRIES OF:
♦ BUILDING AND (’IV IL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION;
/* REAL ESTATE
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
8
» REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES;
* ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES.
EXAMPLES OF THE STATISTICAL ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ARE:
* NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES;
* GROSS OUTPUT, SERVICE INCOME AND OTHER INCOME;
* VALUE ADDED (A MEASURE OF CONTRIBUTION TO GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT);
* PURCHASE OF GOODS AND MATERIALS;
* OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES;
* GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS.
APART FROM STATISTICS RELATING TO THE YEAR 1989, THE REPORT
ALSO CONTAINS SOME SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE YEARS 1987 AND 1988 TO
SHOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE INDUSTRIES IN RECENT YEARS.
THE STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE
GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR POLICY FORMULATION, DECISION
MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
COPIES OF THE REPORT MAY BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO.BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3204.
RE-APPOINTMENT TO FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT MR PETER WONG MAN-KONG HAS BEEN RE-APPOINTED TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE UP TO MARCH 31, 1993.
MR WONG, AN INDUSTRIALIST, HAS SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE SINCE AUGUST 3, 1989.
---------0 -
/9........
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
- 9 -
SCHOOL DANCE TEAMS TO COMPETE IN SPAIN AND MACAU
*****
HONG KONG’S YOUNG DANCERS WILL BE COMPETING AGAINST THOSE FROM EUROPE, CANADA, ISRAEL, AND ASIA IN TWO INTERNATIONAL FESIIVALS.
FIFTY STUDENTS FROM 12 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PART IN THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DANCE FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN MACAU FROM JULY 10 TO JULY 17.
ANOTHER DELEGATION OF 16 SCHOOLGIRLS FROM 13 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL LEAVE FOR BARCELONA IN SPAIN ON JULY 17 TO VIE FOR HONOURS IN THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, TODA^ (FRIDAY) PRESENTED FLAGS TO THE TWO DELEGATIONS AT A CEREMONY HELD BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL.
THE YOUNG DANCERS WERE SELECTED AFTER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING TRAINING BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
-----0------
NEW RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR SAI WAN HO
******
NEW RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WILL SOON BE PROVIDED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN AN OPEN SPACE ON SAI WAN HO RECLAMATION.
THESE INCLUDE FOUR TENNIS COURTS, A SITTING-OUT AREA WITH ARBOURS, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND WITH PLAY-EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY MATS, AND PLANTING AREAS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE FACILITIES AS WELL AS A SINGLE-S I OR F.\ REINFORCED CONCRETE SERVICE BUILDING IN THE SAME AREA.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MON1HS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM I HE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMEN1 OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER IS NOON ON JULY 26.
- - 0 - -
/io .......
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
- 10 -
TRANSPORT DEPT’S IIK LICENSING OFFICE TO BE RENOVATED ♦ * * * ♦
RENOVATION WORK WILL BE DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG LICENSING CUSTOMISE ITS GENERAL LAYOUT AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
CARRIED OUT AT THE TRANSPORT OFFICE FROM MONDAY (JULY 8) TO TO IMPROVE OFFICE EFFICIENCY IN
DURING THE THREE-MONTH RENOVATION PERIOD LICENSING SERVICES WOULD BE MAINTAINED IN FULL, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’HOWEVER, AS THE NUMBER OF COUNTERS WILL BE REDUCED DURING THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF RENOVATION, PROCESSING TIME MIGHT BE LONGER THAN USUAL.
"IT IS THEREFORE ADVISABLE TO SEND RENEWAL APPLICATIONS FOR VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES BY POST UNLESS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PREFER TO APPLY IN PERSON AT THE DEPARTMENT’S OTHER LICENSING OFFICES IN KOWLOON, KWUN TONG AND SHA TIN," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID DRIVING TESTS SCHEDULED AT THE HONG KONG DRIVING TEST APPOINTMENT OFFICE WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BUT EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE '1’0 REDUCE NOISE GENERATED FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORK TO THE MINIMUM TO AVOID CAUSING TOO MUCH NUISANCE TO THE CANDIDATES.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE $0.88 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, THE LICENSING OFFICE’S LAYOUT WOULD BE IMPROVED, PARTICULARLY THE COUNTERS WHICH WERE DESIGNED IN THE EARLY 70’S.
"A MORE COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT AND MODERNISED COUNTER FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAKING APPLICATIONS AT THE OFFICE.
"A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED AND WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL IN LATE NOVEMBER TO FURTHER ENHANCE EFFICIENCY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0-------
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP TO START SOON
*****
THE HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WILL BE HELD THIS YEAR AT THE LEI YUE MUN PARK IN EASTERN DISTRICT FROM JULY 20 TO AUGUST 3.
ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE CAMP HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1980 TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE MUSK’ TRAINING TO YOUNG MUSICIANS.
OVER 400 YOUNG MUSICAL TALENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMP WB I I CO 'PRISES A SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, A CHINESE ORCHESTRA, THREE SYMb )NIO BANDS, TWO STRING ORCHESTRAS AND A CHOIR.
/DURING THE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1991
11
DURING THE CAMP PERIOD, THE CAMPERS, INCLUDING 18 OVERSEAS YOUNG MUSICIANS, WILL RECEIVE INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE FROM GUEST MUSICIANS FROM HONG KONG, THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA.
THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE A VARIETY OF MUSIC TRAINING BY TAKING PART IN ORCHESTRAL AND SECTIONAL REHEARSALS, MASTERCLASSES AND DEMONSTRATION CONCERTS.
BESIDES MUSIC TRAINING, A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING ARCHERI, SNOOKER, TENNIS, TELEMATCH, MUSIC QUIZ AS WELL AS FOLK DANCE WILL BE ARRANGED.
TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE CAMP, A FINALE CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE CONCERT HALL ON AUGUST 3, BEGINNING AT 3 PM.
THE CAMP’S SENIOR SYMPHONIC BAND, STRING ORCHESTRA, CHOIR, CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WILL PRESENT A SUPERB MUSIC PROGRAMME INCLUDING STRAUSS’ "BLUE DANUBE WALTZ, OP.314", BIZET’S "SELECTION FROM L’ARLESIENNE SUITE NO. 2", HANDEL’S "CORONATION ANTHEM NO. 3" AND LIU WENJIN’S "THE GREAT WALL CAPRICCIO".
TICKETS AT $20 AND $30 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 528 3257.
o HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
***** DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 4.7. 91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 5.7. EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114.4 *+0.0* 5.7.91 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS 4.7.91 MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.27 PCT 1 MONTH 6.11 PCT 3 MONTHS 6.07 PCT 6 MONTHS 6.07 PCT 12 MONTHS 6.42 PCT TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 7,530 MN 91 FUND 5.7.91 6.43 PCT 6.37 PCT 6.33 PCT 6.34 PCT 6.84 PCT 5,330 MN 4-126 -126 NEUTRAL
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK/US TEXTILES AGREEMENT EXTENSION REACHED .................................... 2
YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO VOTE .................................................... 2
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY PUBLISHED ......................................... j
IMPORTANCE OF GOOD PRESCRIPTION PRACTICE ...................................... 6
FCC SUPPORTIVE OF POLICE ACTIONS AGAINST SERIOUS CRIME: CS .................... 7
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES BEGIN ................................................. 7
STUDENTS URGED TO HEED SAFETY IN SUMMER JOBS .................................. 8
CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR LOCAL CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT ............................. 9
CANCELLATION OF TIDAL FLOW OPERATION AT LION ROCK TUNNEL ..................... 11
SIX MORE BUS ROUTES TO HELP RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION ........................... 12
FUNERAL FOR BRAVE FIREMAN .................................................... 23
SEMINAR ON CAREER PATH OF MERCHANT NAVY OFFICERS ............................. 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ................... 14
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
1
HK/US TEXTILES AGREEMENT EXTENSION REACHED
******
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED AD REFERENDUM IN WASHINGTON D.C. ON A FOUR YEAR EXTENSION OF THE HK/US TEXTILES AGREEMENT.
SPEAKING FROM WASHINGTON D.C., MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, ACttNG DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE AND LEADER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION> SAID THAT THE AGREEMENT CAME AFTER A WEEK OF INTENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES.
HE SAID: "THE EXTENSION IN ESSENCE REPRESENTS A ROLLOVER OF THE EXISTING AGREEMENT WITH SOME CHANGES. THE NEW PACKAGE IS A BALANCED ONE AND AT LEAST AS GOOD AS THE EXISTING ONE. THE IRADE CAN NOW PLAN AHEAD FOR 1992 AND BEYOND WITH CERTAINTY.
THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, CHAIRED SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, WAS ALSO IN ADVISE THE HONG KONG DELEGATION. THE BOARD FULLY OF THE NEGOTIATION.
BY MR T.H. CHAU, WASHINGTON D.C. TO.
ENDORSES THE RESULT
THE U.S. DELEGATION WAS LED BY AMBASSADOR RONALD SORINI, CHIEF TEXTILES NEGOTIATOR.
u’.s.
THE CURRENT HK/US TEXTILES AGREEMENT WILL 31 THIS YEAR.
EXPIRE ON DECEMBER
-----0-----
YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO VOTE
*****
YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD IN THE COMING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS BY CASTING THEIR VOTES ON SEPTEMBER 15, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TONIGHT (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING THE ISLAND JAYCEES’ SILVER JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY BALL, MR LAN SAID AS THE FIRST-EVER DIRECT ELECTIONS TO OUR LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ROLE TO PLAY IN HELPING TO SHAPE HONG KONG'S FUTURE, VOTERS THEREFORE WOULD HAVE IMPORTANT CHOICES TO MAKE.
’’BUT MOST IMPORTANT, THEY MUST FIRST REALISE THAT IT IS BOTH THEIR RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS BY CASTING THEIR VOTES ON ELECTION DAY," HE SAID.
APART FROM (’ALLING UPON THE JAYCEE MEMBERS TO VOTE, MR LAN ENCOURAGED THEM TO IMPRESS THEIR FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATES OF THE SI GN IFICANCE OF THE POLLS TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
/HE NOTED .......
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
- 2 -
HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A GROWING TREND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG TO BE INCREASINGLY ACTIVE IN THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM.
IN THE LATEST DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, THE NUMBER OF ELECTED (’AND I DATES AGED 21 TO 40 ACCOUNTED FOR 55 AND 59 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, MR LAN SAID.
”1T WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHETHER YOUNG CANDIDATES WOULD BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE RESULTS IN THE COMING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER,” HE ADDED.
------0--------
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY PUBLISHED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND THE BROADEST DEFINITION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY WERE LITTLE CHANGED IN MAY COMPARED WITH APRIL, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES RECORDED AN INCREASE IN MAY.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, REGISTERED A ZERO PER CENT GROWTH IN MAY, FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 0.8% IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 1.2% IN APRIL.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS FELL BY 6.7% AND 1.9% RESPECTIVELY WHILE TIME DEPOSITS ROSE BY 2.4% IN MAY.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 12.0%, BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DROPPED BY 0.6% IN MAY, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.5% AND 0.6% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECLINED BY 1.7% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 0.2% IN MAY.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 20.2%.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 0.1%, 5.6% AND 3.9% RESPECTIVELY TN MAY.
/COMPARED WITH ........
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991-
3
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANkS INCREASED BY 18.7% WHILE THOSE WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES PELL BY 5.2% AND 20.2% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 DECLINED BY 4.4%, WHILE HK$M2 GREW BY 0.1% AND HK$M3 RECORDED A ZERO GROWTH IN MAY. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING INCREASES OF 4.2%, 0.9% AND 0.8% IN APRIL.
OVER THE YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES ROSE BY 14.3%, 13.. 3%
AND 11.7% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 DECLINED BY 4.2%, 0.1% AND 0.4% RESPECTIVELY IN MAY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN APRIL WERE 4.2%, 1.0% AND 0.8%.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 15.8%, 18.2% ANb
16.2% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 1.8% IN MAY, FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 1.2% IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 1.4% IN APRIL.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 1.5% DURING MAY, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES ROSE BY 1.9%. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 15.3% AND 42.2% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 3.5% IN MAY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.2% AND 0.3% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 18.8%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 0.9% IN MAY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.9% AND 0.4% RESPECTIVELY IN THE PRECEDING TWO MONTHS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 16.0%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG ROSE BY 2.4% IN MAY, AFTER A DECREASE OF 2.3% IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 8.6% IN APRIL. OVER I HE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 61.6%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 165. THE NUMBER OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 45 WHILE THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY TWO TO 166.
NOTES:
BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 1990, "RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS” AND "DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES" WERE KNOWN AS "LICENSED DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES" AND "REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES” RESPECTIVELY.
(2) IN THE ............
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
4
(2)
IN THE TEXT ABOVE, TOTAL HK$ DEPOSITS, HK$ TIME DEPOSITS, AND HK$M3 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS. FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, US$ DEPOSITS AND NON-US$ HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS.
HK$M2
TOTAL
DEPOSITS
FOREIGN
PLACING
"SWAP DEPOSITS" ARE DEPOSITS INVOLVING CUSTOMERS BUYING CURRENCIES (MOSTLY U.S. DOLLARS) IN THE SPOT MARKET AND THEM AS DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, WHILE AT THE SAME ™ME ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT TO SELL SUCH FOREIGN CURRENCIES (PRINCIPAL PLUS INTEREST) FORWARD IN LINE WITH THE MATURITY OF SUcl DEPOSITS FOR MOST ANALYTICAL PURPOSES, THEY SHOULD DE
REGARDED AS HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.
/TABLE 1 .......
5
TABLE I : MONETARY STATISTICS - MAY 1991
(HKSmn)
May 1991
Earlier months (% change to May 1991)
Money Supply Apr 1991 Feb 1991 May 1990
Ml -HKS 93,813 98.123 ( -4.4 ) 100,167 ( -6.3 ) 82,103 ( 14.3 )
Foreign currency 13,834 14.234 ( -2.8 ) 16,723 ( -17.3 ) 10,823 ( 27.8 )
fotal 107,647 112,357 ( -4.2 ) 116,889 ( -7.9 ) 92,926 ( 15.8 )
M2 - HKS* 553,090 552,407 ( 0.1 ) 554,099 ( -0.2 ) 488,269 ( 13.3 )
Foreign currency* 698.951 700,313 ( -0.2 ) 684.084 ( 2.2 ) 571,225 ( 22.4 )
Total 1,252,041 1,252,720 ( -0.1 ) 1,238,183 ( 1.1 ) 1,059,495 ( 18.2 )
M3 - HKS* 581,080 581,035 ( 0.0 ) 582,632 ( -0.3 ) 520,003 ( 11.7 )
Foreign currency* 738.211 743,835 ( -0.8 ) 728,194 ( 1.4 ) 615.721 ( 19.9 )
Total 1,319,291 1,324,869 ( -0.4 ) 1,310,826 ( 0.6 ) 1,135,724 ( 16.2 )
Notes and coins in circulation 43.806 43.606 ( 0.5 ) 47,559 ( -7.9 ) 38,901 ( I2.A J
of which held by public 37,655 37,954 ( -0.8 ) 41,739 ( -9.8 ) 33,664 ( 11.9 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 69,992 74,403 ( -5 9 ) 75,151 ( -6.9 ) 59.261 ( 18.1 ( 26.9 ( 16.7 ( -5.1 ( -20.2
Total Savings deposits 240,794 239.595 ( 0.5 ) 246,640 ( -24 ) 189,748
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 886,240 883.742 ( 0.3 ) 857,197 ( 3.4 ) 759,273
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 38,095 40,350 ( -5.6 ) 40,672 ( -6.3 ) 40,183
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 27.597 28,717 ( -3.9 ) 30.335 ( -9.0 ) 34,568
HKS deposits* 530,167 530,077 ( 0.0 ) 527,925 ( 0.4 ) 473,481 ( 12.0 ( 9.7 ( 28.3 ( 16.6
USS deposits* 292,760 297,902 ( -17 ) 293,976 ( -0.4 ) 266,840
Other foreign currency deposits* 439,789 438.829 ( 0.2 ) 428.094 ( 2.7 ) 342,713
All deposits 1,262,717 1,266,807 ( -0.3 ) 1,249,995 ( io ) 1,083,034
Foreign currency swap deposits 55,922 57,680 ( -3.0 ) 59,744 ( -6.4 ) 68,578 ( -18.5
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.'s visible trade 77,387 74,764 ( 3.5 ) 73,604 ( 5.1 ) 65,152 ( 18.8 ( 2.8 ( 16.0 ( **61.6 ( -50.6. ) ) ) ) 4
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 9,938 8,254 ( 20.3 ) 8,513 ( 16.7 ) 9.672
Other loans for use in H.K. 736,512 729,807 ( 0.9 ) 706,401 ( 4.3 ) 635.100
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,024,252 999,793 ( 2.4 ) 942.529 ( 8.7 ) 633,982
Other loans where the place of use is not known 48,421 50.841 ( -4-8 ) 127,353 ( -62.0 ) 98,009
Loans in HKS 658,395 648,518 ( 15 ) 623,255 ( 5.6 ) 571.007 ( 15.3 ) )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,238,116 1.214,950 ( 19 ) 1,235,145 ( 0.2 ) 870,908 ( 42.2
Total loans and advances 1,896,511 1,863,468 ( 18 ) 1.858.400 ( 2.1 ) 1,441.915 ( 31.5 )
• Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-USS foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : 'Restricted licence banks' and 'deposit-taking companies' were known as 'licensed deposit-taking companies’ and 'registered deposit-taking companies respectively before 1 February 1990.
--------o-----------
/6.........
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
- 6 -
IMPORTANCE OF GOOD PRESCRIPTION PRACTICE ******
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN IMPROVING ITS GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS, HAS GIVEN DUE RECOGNITION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF PATIENT AND PROFESSION EDUCATION IN ITS OVERALL ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN HE OPENED THE SYMPOSIUM ON DRUG USE AND ABUSE IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN AND WESTERN PACIFIC REGION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
DR LEE SAID: "AS A RESULT OF CHANGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION AND DISEASE PATTERN, THE NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE POPULATION ON MEDICAL CARE HAVE ALSO CHANGED.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS, ACCORDINGLY, TAKEN STEPS TO RE-oktfeNtATE ITS SERVICES TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS.”
DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THESE COULD BE SEEN IN THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS (GOPD).
AMONG THEM IS A STRUCTURED AND COMPREHENSIVE INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEM, WHICH WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN FOUR GOPDS IN 1989, AND HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO 10 MORE CLINICS.
"THERE ARE PLANS TO FURTHER EXTEND THE SYSTEM TO ALL GOPDS IN PHASES,” DR LEE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, A PILOT SCHEME OF MANUAL DRUG LABELLING WILL BE IMPLEMENTED.”
TURNING TO DRUG PRESCRIPTION, DR LEE SAID A PILOT SCHEME ON MANUAL DRUG LABELLING WOULD BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR IN CLINICS IN THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT INITIALLY AND WOULD BE EXPANDED TO ALL OTHER CLINICS LATER.
THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF COMPUTERISED MEDICAL RECORDS AND DRUG LABELLING SYSTEM.
"GREAT EMPHASIS HAS ALSO BEEN ATTACHED TO THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF DOCTORS IN THE FORM OF REFRESHER LECTURES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS," DR LEE SAID.
"THE DEPARTMENT IS PROCEEDING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE PRACTICE IN THE GOPDS AND FORMAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES."
ALL THESE AND OTHER MEASURES SUCH AS INCREASE IN CONSULTATION TIME, PROVISION OF TREATMENT GUIDELINES AND ENHANCEMENT OF GOPD DRUG FORMULARY PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING A HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL CARE WHICH WOULD INCLUDE SOUND PRESCRIBING HABITS AS AN INTEGRAL ELEMENT.
/DR LEE ........
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
7
DR LEE THEN REMINDED THE PROFESSIONS OF THEIR ROLE AND CALLED UPON THEM TO ACTIVELY AND JOINTLY PARTICIPATE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE.
"WE HAVE TO BE MORE ALERT TO THE POTENTIAL OF ABUSE OF DRUGS, AND TO THE PHYSICAL AS WELL AS PSYCHO-SOGJ AL STATE OF OUR PATIENTS,” HE SAID.
”WE MUST RECOGNISE OUR ROLE IN COUNSELLING OUR PATIENTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD PRESCRIPTION PRACTICE AND STRIVE FOR A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN GENUINE TREATMENT AND MISUSE OR ABUSE IN PRESCRIBING SUCH DRUGS."
- - 0 - -
FCC SUPPORTIVE OF POLICE ACTIONS AGAINST SERIOUS CRIME: CS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC) IS SUPPORTIVE OF ALL THE POLICE WERE DOING IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF SERIOUS CRIME, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER CHAIRING A REGULAR FCC MEETING, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE HAI) A LONG DISCUSSION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND HE EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO US AND WHAT HE WAS DOING."
"WE WERE SATISFIED THAT HE WAS DOING HIS BEST IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. HE IS PUTTING A BIGGER COVERAGE ON THE GROUND; HE IS HAVING MORE UNIFORMED OFFICERS; HE IS MAKING USE OF THE PTU AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS TO INCREASE THE PRESENCE ON THE GROUND, AND HE BELIEVES THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID A NUMBER OF PAPERS, INCLUDING THE STATE OF CRIME, WAS DISCUSSED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, ADDING: "SOME PAPERS WHICH WE ARE CONSIDERING TAKING FORWARD, INCLUDING A REVISION OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME, AND A RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION ORDER.”
- - 0 - -
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES BEGIN
LOCAL CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 ARE URGED TO MAKE USE OF THE SUMMER MONTHS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR DISTRICTS SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES (SYP) SO AS TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS, POTENTIAL AND HEALTHY INTERESTS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR FUNG KWOK-KEUNG, WHEN HE LAUNCHED THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SYP AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND TODAY (SATURDAY).
/BY TAKING
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
8
BY TAKING PART IN THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES, PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO BE MOTIVATED TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, HE SAID, ADDING THAT IT WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO GET TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY BETTER AND ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
ON THE KWUN TONG SYP, MR FUNG NOTED THAT A TOTAL OF 500 ACTIVITIES, ALL WITH THE THEME "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", HAS BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE DISTRICT’S YOUNGSTERS AND CHILDREN DURING THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
ALSO ATTENDING THIS AFTERNOON’S KICK-OFF CEREMONY WERE THE ACTING KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS WONG CHIU-YING AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI.
EARLIER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE EASTERN DISTRICT SYP WAS ALSO DECLARED OPEN AT A CEREMONY CUM PERFORMANCES AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, SAID: "TODAY, AS HONG KONG ENTERS INTO AN IMPORTANT PHASE OF TRANSITION, IT IS AN URGENT TASK TO NURTURE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE CHALLENGING RESPONSIBILITIES THEY WILL FACE IN THE YEARS TO COME."
MR BARCLAY SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, THE CENTRAL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES WERE EVIDENCE OF THE IMPORTANCE THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE ATTACHED TO THE HEALTH} DEVELOPMENT OF OUR FUTURE LEADERS.
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG AND THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MRS CHOW SUN FONG-CHUNG, WERE ALSO PRESENT TO KICK OFF THE 200 SUMMER ACTIVITIES.
SHAM SHU1 PO, MEANWHILE, LAUNCHED ITS ANNUAL SYP IN THE AFTERNOON AT TUNG CHAU STREET PARK, WITH A YOUTH DRAWING CONTEST.
ONE OF THE OFFICIATING GUESTS OF THE SYP, MR CHOY WAI-SHEK, WHO IS ALSO THE SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, SAID THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 390 PROGRAMMES FOR YOUTHS AND CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT.
------0--------
STUDENTS URGED TO HEED SAFETY IN SUMMER JOBS ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
STUDENTS PLANNING TO TAKE UP SUMMER JOBS ARE URGED TO HEED INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND '1’0 BE AWARE OF POTENTIAL WORK HAZARDS.
”AS STUDENTS GENERALLY LACK INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND WORKING EXPERIENCE, THEY SHOULD CHOOSE EASY AND SIMPLE JOBS AND PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION 'I’O WORK SAFETY," THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OP THE LABOU DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
/HE ADVISED .......
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
- 9 -
HE ADVISED STUDENTS TO AVOID DOING THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF DANGEROUS JOBS:
* THOSE REQUIRING THE OPERATION OF HEAVY MACHINERY, POWER-DRIVEN MACHINERY, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND VIGOROUS MANUAL WORK;
* THOSE INVOLVING THE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS, TOXIC SUBSTANCES OR FIRE-RELATED PROCESSES;
* THOSE AT CONSTRUCTION SITES; AND
* THOSE INVOLVING WORKING AT A HEIGHT.
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT’S STATISTICS, 18 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SUMMER JOB WORKERS WERE REPORTED LAST SUMMER, COMPARED WITH 29 IN 1989 AND 35 IN 1988.
MOST OF THE ACCIDENTS WERE RELATED TO THE USE OF MACHINERY (13 CASES IN 1990, 18 IN 1989 AND 21 IN 1988), WHILE OTHER ACCIDENTS MAINLY INVOLVED STEPPING ON OR STRIKING AGAINST OBJECTS, HANDLING OF HOT OR CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES AND USE OF HAND TOOLS.
"TO INSTIL IN STUDENTS THE CONCEPT OF WORK SAFETY, FACTORY INSPECTORS FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE HAVE BEEN VISITING 56 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES BETWEEN MAY AND MID-JULY TO GIVE TALKS AND SHOW FILMS ON RELATED TOPICS," MR YIP SAID.
"LEAFLETS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ARE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO STUDENTS DURING THE VISITS," HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, TO COINCIDE WITH THE SUMMER JOB SAFETY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, FACTORY INSPECTORS CARRYING OUT ROUTINE INSPECTIONS TO FACTORIES ALSO GIVE SAFETY ADVICE TO EMPLOYERS AND SUMMER JOB WORKERS.
MR YIP URGED STUDENTS TO CONSULT THEIR PARENTS, CAREERS TEACHERS OR THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION ON TEL. 852 3564 FOR
ADVICE IF THEY HAD DOUBTS IN CHOOSING SUMMER JOBS.
------------------------0------- CONTINUED SUCCESS FOR LOCAL CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT »»*»*♦
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (SATURDAY) COMMENDED THE FARMERS’ AND FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG IN THE PAST YEAR.
DR LEE SAID THIS WHEN GIVING A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE LOCAL COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT AT A DINNER RECEPTION OF THE 69TH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE DAY IN HIS CAPACITY AS REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
/ON VEGETABLE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
10
ON VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, HE SAID THEY CONTINUED TO Pl.W AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE MARKETING OF VEGETABLES. LAST YEAR, Till- PRODUCTION OF LOCAL VEGETABLES WAS 1 12,000 TONNES AMOUNTING TO $294 MILLION.
"OF THE 58,000 TONNES OF LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES MARKETED THROUGH Till VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION LAST YEAR, 40 PER CENT CAME FROM THE 27 REGISTERED VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES WHICH, THROUGH THEIR FEDERATION, HAVE WORKED HARMONIOUSLY AND CO-OPERATIVELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND THE MARKET MANAGEMENT IN IMPROVING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SERVICES.
"LN THIS CONNECTION, I WISH TO PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE FEDERATION AND ITS MEMBER SOCIETIES FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE MEASURES IMPLEMENTED BY THE MARKET MANAGEMENT, IN PARTICULAR THE PESTICIDE-RESIDUE MONITORING SCHEME, THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF UP-MARKET EXOTIC VEGETABLES, IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THEIR OPERATIONAL AREAS," DR LEE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE FEDERATION ALSO MAKE FULL USE OF THE VOCATION TRAINING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID: "UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE FEDERATION AND THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION, 16 FARMERS VISITED CALIFORNIA IN EARLY JUNE THIS YEAR TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF VEGETABLE CULTIVATION AND MARKETING AND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION WITH THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS."
REFERRING TO THE 23 PIG RAISING AND AGRICULTURAL CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, DR LEE SAID THEY CONTINUED TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART LN PROMOTING LOCAL PIG PRODUCTION BY HELPING THEIR MEMBERS TO UPGRADE BREEDING STOCK AND TO OBTAIN THE LATEST TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON MODERN PIG PRODUCTION.
"THE FEDERATION OF PIG RAISING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, APART FROM BEING ACTIVE IN SOLICITING AND REFLECTING MEMBERS’ VIEWS TO GOVERNMENT ON THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE LOCAL PIG INDUSTRY, HAS MAINTAINED ITS MOMENTUM IN RUNNING THE BULK PURCHASE SCHEME OF PIG FEED AND QUALITY BREEDING STOCK FROM OVERSEAS," HE ADDED.
ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL CREDIT, HE POINTED OUT THAT IN 1990/91, 47 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OF $8.9 MILLION LENT TO FARMERS FROM VARIOUS LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT WERE CHANNELLED THROUGH THESE FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
DR LEE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE TWO AGRICULTURAL FEDERATIONS FOR THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESSFUL ORGANISATION OF THE "HONG KONG FARMERS’ FESTIVAL AND TAI LUNG FARM OPEN DAY" LAST DECEMBER AND THE "INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND TRAINING COURSE ON MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTE" EARLIER IN MAY.
TURNING TO THE FISHERIES SECTOR, HE SAID LAST YEAR, LANDINGS AT THE FISH MARKETS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION AMOUNTED TO 67,000 TONNES, AND THEIR VALUE AMOUNTED TO $585 MILLION.
/"TO DATE
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
11
"TO DATE, THERE ARE 66 FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OE 2,049 AND FOUR DISTRICT FEDERATIONS CONSISTING OF 45 MEMBERS’ SOCIETIES. THEY RECORDED A TOTAL SURPLUS OF SOME $585,00Q IN 1990 AND THE CUMULATIVE REVOLVING LOAN FUND CAPITAL BUILT UP FROM MEMBERS’ SAVINGS STOOD AT $6.6 MILLION.
"MEMBERS OBTAINED LOANS AMOUNTING TO $15.87 MILLION FROM THEIR OWN LOAN FUNDS AND ALSO FROM THE LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR MECHANISATION, BUILDING NEW VESSELS AND OTHER PRODUCTIVE PURPOSES," HE CONTINUED.
DR LEE NOTED THAT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, 18 MEMBERS OF THfe FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES PARTICIPATED IN A 10-DAY FISHERIES STUDY TOUR ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND SINGAPORE.
HE ADDED THAT THIS STUDY TOUR ENABLED THE PARTICIPANTS TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF MODERN FISHING TECHNOLOGY SUITABLE FOR APPLICATION IN THE HONG KONG FISHING INDUSTRY.
DR LEE ALSO REVEALED THAT AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR, Tlifekfe WERE A TOTAL OF 378 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES REGISTERED WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND AMONG THEM, 239 WERE CLASSIFIED AS "URBAN SOCIETIES" WHICH INCLUDED MAINLY THE BUILDING SOCIETIES AND THE CONSUMERS’ SOCIETIES.
DR LEE AND MRS LEE LATER PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO ^tVB CO-OPERATIVE WORKERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
CANCELLATION OF TIDAL FLOW OPERATION AT LION ROCK TUNNEL
******
THE TIDAL FLOW OPERATION TO HELP RELIEVE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE MORNING AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE CANCELLED FROM MONDAY (JULY 8), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
UNDER THE SCHEME, THREE OF THE FOUR TUNNEL LANES ARE USED BY SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC WHILE ONE LANE IS USED FOR THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM 6 AM TO 7.30 AM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID SINCE THE OPENING OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL ON JUNE 26, THE PEAK HOUR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH THE LION ROCK TUNNEL HAD DROPPED TO BELOW 2,800 VEHICLES PER HOUR, WHICH WAS LESS THAN THE SOUTHBOUND CAPACITY OF THE TUNNEL WITHOUT THE TIDAL FLOW OPERATION.
THERE WERE NO SEVERE TRAFFIC QUEUES AT THE TUNNEL DURING THE PEAK HOURS OR AT ANY OTHER TIME OF THE DAY, HE ADDED.
THE DEPARTMENT THUS CONSIDERED IT APPROPRIATE TO CANCEL THE TIDAL FLOW OPERATION WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN JANUARY 1988.
/12
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
12
SIX MORI' BUS ROUTES TO HELP RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION
* t * * *
THE THIRD PHASE OK AN ACTION PLAN TO HELP RELIEVE MORNING PEAK HOUR CONGESTION ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR WILL BE LAUNCHED THIS MONTH WHEN SIX MORE NEW BUS ROUTES ARE INTRODUCED.
THE SIX NEW ROUTES BEING APPROVED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL SERVE MAINLY BETWEEN THE EAST AND WEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE URBAN AREA WITH TWO CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THESE ROUTES ARE AIMED AT PROVIDING NEW TERRITORIES COMMUTERS WITH AN ALTERNATIVE OTHER THAN THE MTR NATHAN ROAD LINE WHEN GOING SOUTH TO KOWLOON OR HONG KONG DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOURS.
MEASURES FOR THE THIRD PHASE COMBINED BOTH RESIDENTIAL COACH AND FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES AND WOULD BOOST PUBLIC TRANSPORT CAPACITY OF THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR BY ANOTHER 3,000 PASSENGERS, HE SAID.
ON MONDAY (JULY 8), A NEW RESIDENT SERVICE 23R OPERATING BETWEEN MEI FOO AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AT A FARE OF $6 WILL BE INTRODUCED BY CITYBUS.
ANOTHER RESIDENTIAL COACH ROUTE 82R, SERVING HIN KENG IN SHA TIN, TSIM SHA TSUI AND HUNG HOM WILL BE OPERATED BY YAU FUNG TOUR AND TRANSPORTATION COMPANY IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH AT A FARE OF $6.
KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL JOINTLY PROVIDE FOUR NEW AIR-CONDITIONED BUS ROUTES LATER THIS MONTH.
ROUTE 259B WILL START FROM TUEN MUN PIERHEAD WHEREAS ROUTE 259C WILL START FROM SUN TUEN MUN CENTRE, BOTH WILL TERMINATE AT TSIM SHA TSUI AND AT A FARE OF $11.
THE TWO CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICES, ROUTE 302 FROM TSZ WAN SHAN AND ROUTE 303 FROM MA ON SHAN, WILL BOTH TAKE PASSENGERS TO CENTRAL VIA THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING. THE FARES ARE $7 AND $13 RESPECTIVELY.
MEASURES OF THE THREE PHASES TOGETHER WOULD PROVIDE A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 8,000 ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS.
- - 0----------
/13........
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 199i
13
FUNERAL FOR BRAVE FIREMAN
* * * * *
AN OFFICIAL FUNERAL SERVICE IN FULL HONOUR FOR THE LATE SENIOR FIREMAN, CHEUNG LOY, WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE THE LEI MUK SHUE FIRE STATION AT NOON ON THURSDAY (JULY 11).
AT THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY, THE GOVERNOR’S AIDE-DE-CAMP; THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH; REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES WILL LAY WREATHS AND PAY THE LAST RESPECT TO THE LATE SENIOR FIREMAN.
SENIOR FIREMAN CHEUNG DIED WHILE FIGHTING A THIRD ALARM FIRE AT AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AT 2-10 TAI YUEN STREET, LEI MUK SHUE ON JUNE 28.
THE FIRE BROKE OUT AT 9.48 PM AND WAS UPGRADED TO THIRD ALARM 14 MINUTES LATER. IT WAS PUT OUT AT 5.07 PM THE NEXT DAY.
A BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS CEREMONY WILL FIRST BE HELD AT THE UNIVERSAL FUNERAL PARLOUR, HUNG HOM, AT 10.30 AM ON THURSDAY.
FOLLOWING THE OFFICIAL FUNERAL SERVICE OUTSIDE THE LEI MUK SHUE FIRE STATION, WO Y1 HOP ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, THE CORTEGE WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE FIRE SCENE AT TAI YUEN STREET WHERE AN "ON SCENE" CEREMONY WILL BE HELD.
THE CORTEGE WILL THEN LEAVE FOR THE JUNK BAY CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY FOR BURIAL SERVICE. THE DECEASED’S FAMILY, DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES AND STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE CEREMONY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS DOING ALL IT COULD TO ASSIST THE FAMILY.
"THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES HAS EXERCISED HIS DISCRETION TO PROMOTE MR CHEUNG LOY TO SENIOR FIREMAN WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 28 AFTEk CONSIDERING HIS PERFORMANCE SINCE HIS ACTING APPOINTMENT FROM LAST AUGUST," HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT’S WELFARE SECTION IS ALSO ASSISTING MRS CHEUNG IN APPLYING FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING UNIT AND TAKING OUT AN EDUCATION FUND INSURANCE POLICY FOR HER SON.
AN ADVANCE PAYMENT OF $79,000 FROM DEATH GRATURITY AND A LOAN OF $20,000 FROM THE FIRE SERVICES WELFARE FUND HAD BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO MRS CHEUNG AS AN INTERIM RELIEF.
MEANWHILE, AT THE INVITATION OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIVE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS FROM THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON PROVIDED A STRESS COUNSELLING SEMINAR FOR ABOUT 30 STAFF OF THE LEI MUK SHUE FIRE STATION WHO TOOK PART IN FIGHTING THE BLAZE ON JUNE 28.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO RELIEVE THE OFFICERS’ GRIEF OVER THE DEATH OF THEIR COLLEAGUE.
/AT THE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1991
14
AT THE SEMINAR, THE OFFICERS WERE ADVISED ON HOW TO ELIMINATE THEIR UNEASY FEELINGS ABOUT THE TRAGEDY.
FOLLOWING THE SEMINAR, GROUP DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD TO ENABLE THE OFFICERS TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE THEY HAD TO FACE IN THEIR WORK AS WELL AS PRESSURE FROM THEIR FAMILIES. ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS PRESSURE WAS GIVEN BY THE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
---------0-----------
SEMINAR ON CAREER PATH OF MERCHANT NAVY OFFICERS
*****
MORE THAN 100 SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, CAREERS MASTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, SHIPPING INDUSTRY AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS TODAY (SATURDAY) ATTENDED A SEMINAR ON "CAREER PATH OF MERCHANT NAVY OFFICERS" IN THE VICTORIA HOTEL IN CENTRAL.
THE SEMINAR WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
PARTICIPANTS HAD A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE CAREER OPPORtUNttffes AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED MERCHANT NAVY OFFICERS BOTH AT SEA AND ASHORE IN THE MARINE FIELD AND TRAINING AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG FOR TRAINEE OFFICERS.
THEY DISCUSSED MEANS IN INTERESTING STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CHALLENGES OF A SEA-GOING CAREER.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR CHAN JOE-CHAK ADDRESSED THE GATHERING.
ALSO PRESENT WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG kONG SlIiPoWNEkS ASSOCIATION, MR DAVID KOO, AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES OF THE MERCHANT NAVY OFFICERS’ GUILD, HONG KONG SEAMEN'S UNION AND AMALGAMATED UNION OF SEAFARERS.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 5.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 6.7.91 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UNREPORTED OVERTIME WORK FOR WOMEN PROHIBITED ............................ 1
LEAVE NO CHILDREN AT HOME ALONE .......................................... 1
MONG KOK SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BEGINS ................................... 2
IMPROVEMENT AND PROTECTIVE WORKS TO SAI TSO WAN LANDFILL COMPLETED ....... 3
CONTESTS TO PROMOTE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS ........................ 5
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN OR BEFORE 1915 ...................... 5
IRD YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN SUB-OFFICES TO CLOSE ........................... 7
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991
1
UNREPORTED OVERTIME WORK FOR WOMEN PROHIBITED
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS NOT TO ILLEGALLY EMPLOY WOMEN TO WORK OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL, PERMITTED HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT.
"THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN WORKERS IN INDUSTRY FIXED BY THE EMPLOYER AND SET OUT IN A PRESCRIBED NOTICE POSTED AT THE WORKPLACE MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MR TSANG KIN-WOO, SAID.
"IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS FOR AN EMPLOYER TO CHANGE THE PRESCRIBED WORKING HOURS OF WOMEN WORKERS, OR TO ENGAGE THEM IN OVERTIME EMPLOYMENT, WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BEFOREHAND," HE SAID.
MR TSANG SAID FOUR MANUFACTURERS WERE FINED HEAVILY BY THE COURTS LAST MONTH FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT CONCERNING OVERTIME EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN.
THE HERMES TEXTILE INDUSTRY (HK) LIMITED IN TSUEN WAN, WHicfi WAS FOUND DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION TO HAVE EMPLOYED WOMEN WORKERS OUTSIDE THEIR PERMITTED WORKING HOURS, WAS FINED $8,400 BY A TSUEN WAN MAGISTRATE.
THE DO DO FASHION LTD AND TUNGTEX TRADING COMPANY LTD IN KWUN TONG WERE FINED $7,000 AND $8,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR THE OFFENCE, WHILE THE WINNERTEX FASHION LTD WAS GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 BY A KWUN TONG MAGISTRATE.
-----0------
LEAVE NO CHILDREN AT HOME ALONE
*****
A SOCIAL WELFARE
DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY
(SUNDAY)
TO PARENTS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
APPEALED SERVICE,
"FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN, THEY SHOULD NOT BE LEFT ALONE AT HOME, EVEN FOR A SHORT WHILE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A POSTER HOME THE MESSAGE AND COPIES OF IT ARE ON DISPLAY A DEPARTMENT’S SERVICE UNITS.
TO DRIVE
ALL THE
"THF DEPARTMENT HAS EXPANDED ITS OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE WHICH IS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT AIMING AT ELIMINATING THE HAVING YOUNG CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME, HE SAID.
SERVICE,
RISK OF
/A TOTAL .......
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991
- 2 -
A TOTAL OF 50 GOVERNMENT AIDED NURSERIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY IS TAKING PART IN THE PROJECT, OFFERING 150 PLACES TO CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SIX.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AN INFORMATION SHEET LISTING OUT THE CENTRES RUNNING THE SERVICE WAS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
"THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO PREPARING A LEAFLET FOCUSING ON THE OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE, WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE SERVICE," HE ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN THE SERVICE MAY CALL THE SWD HOTLINE ON TEL. 343 2255 OR THE DEPARTMENT’S CHILD CARE CfcNtRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ON TEL. 578 1892.
-----0------
MONG KOK SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BfeGINS
*****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) WHICH PROVIDES MORE THAN 140 ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTHS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 Was launched today (sunDay).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE ANCHOR STfefefit PLAYGROUND, A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL SYP COMMITTEE, MR CHlJ KWOK-CHING, SAID YOUND PEOPLE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY’S POLITICAL SYSTEM.
IT WAS HOPED THAT THE YOUTH, BY TAKING PART IN COMMUNITY, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, WOULD DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS, POTENTIAL AND CIVIC AWARENESS, HE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MONG kOK DISTRICT SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR WONG SHEUNG-HUNG, ENCOURAGED YOUNGSTERS TO SPEND A MEANINGFUL AND ENJOYABLE SUMMER VACATION BY TAKING PART IN THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
HE NOTED THAT THIS YEAR’S ACTIVITIES INCLUDED FILM SHOWS, VISITS, LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMPS, QUIZ COMPETITIONS, TALKS, PICNICS AND SPORTS.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MORE THAN 20,000 YOUNGSTERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES WHICH WERE SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE YAU TS1M AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (YAU TSIM/MONG KOK), MRS CECILIA TONG AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN KWOK-MING.
/MEANWHILE, SYP'S ........
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991
3 -
MEANWHILE, SYP’S WERE ALSO LAUNCHED IN WAN CHAI AND THIS AFTERNOON IN THE FORM OF CARNIVALS.
TSUEN WAN
HELD AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND, THE WAN CHAI PROGRAMME WAS KICKED OFF BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL SYP COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE: DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; ASSISTANT WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CECILIA YEN AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHIU WAI-SHING.
THOUSANDS OF YOUNGSTERS TOOK PART IN THE CARNIVAL WHICH FEATURED A KARAOKE CONTEST, A CHILDREN’S DRAWING CORNER, SINGING, TAEWOONDO DEMONSTRATION AND STALL GAMES.
THE TSUEN WAN SYP WAS LAUNCHED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER. MR RAYMOND YOUNG AT A CEREMONY IN SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
---------0-----------
IMPROVEMENT AND PROTECTIVE WORKS TO SAI TSO WAN LANDFILL COMPLETED
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED WORKS ON THE IMPROVEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF THE SAI TSO WAN LANDFILL ADJACENT TO THE LAM TIN MTR STATION.
THE COMPLETION OF THE $38 MILLION PROJECT HAS BROUGHT ABOUT AN OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, MAKING THE AREA SAFE FOR EXISTING AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
THIS PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES BOTH LANDFILL GAS CONTROL MEASURES AND REFUSE SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS, IS THE FIRST OF ITS TYPE IN HONG KONG.
THE COMPLETED RESTORATION WORKS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE HAZARDS TO ADJACENT DEVELOPMENTS POSED BY THE LANDFILL GAS GENERATED WITHIN THE REFUSE.
THE STABILITY OF THE LANDFILL SLOPE HAS ALSO BEEN UPGRADED TO CURRENT SAFETY STANDARDS.
SAI TSO WAN WAS A REFUSE DISPOSAL SITE IN THE 1970S.
THE LANDFILL WAS FORMED BY INFILLING AN OLD VALLEY WITH REFUSE. COMPLETED IN 1981, IT COVERS AN AREA OF 5.7 HECTARES.
ON THE WESTERN SIDE, THERE IS A 60-METRE HIGH SLOPE OF REFUSE COVERED WITH SOIL.
AS THE REFUSE DECOMPOSES LANDFILL GAS IS GENERATED, THE GROUND SETTLES AND THE SURFACE WATER CHANNELS CRACK.
THE MAJORITY OF THE GAS GENERATED IN THE PAST DISSIPATED THROUGH THE SOIL COVER AND VENT PIPES, BUT SOME MIGRATED THROUGH THE EXISTING SOIL AND ROCK INTO SURROUNDING AREAS.
/ALTHOUGH THE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991
- 4
ALTHOUGH THE EREE VENTING GAS HAD A STRONG ODOUR, IT DID NOT GIVE RISE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN AS THERE WAS LITTLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA DURING THE EARLY 1980S.
WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS WERE PLANNED IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE LANDFILL SITE WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A POPULATION OF AROUND 40,000 LIVING WITHIN 500 METRES OF THE LANDFILL.
IN 1987, THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT COMPLETED AN INITIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY WHICH SHOWED POTENTIAL RISKS TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS FROM REFUSE SLOPE INSTABILITY AND THE MIGRATION OF LANDFILL GAS.
IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THESE RISKS AND TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SURROUNDING DEVELOPMENTS, THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE IMPLEMENTED A PROGRAMME OF LANDFILL RESTORATION WORKS WHICH STARTED ON SITE IN JUNE 1989.
THE MAJOR WORKS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
* RECOMPACTION AND REGRADING OF THE SOIL COVER OVER THE ENTIRE LANDFILL AREA TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STABILITY AND ALLOW THE WHOLE AREA TO BE USED FOR PASSIVE RECREATION IN FUTURE.
* PROVISION OF A LANDFILL GAS EXTRACTION SYSTEM CONSISTING OF GAS WELLS, GAS PIPES AND AN ABSTRACTION PLANT TO EXTRACT AND DISPOSE OF THE GAS THROUGH CONTROLLED FLARING.
* PROVISION OF A GAS CUT OFF BARRIER AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE SITE.
* PROVISION OF ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE GAS MONITORING POINTS.
* PROVISION OF A SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF FLEXIBLE POLYETHYLENE PERFORATED PIPES CAPABLE OF TOLERATING THE ONGOING SETTLEMENT OF THE LANDFILL.
THE STUDY AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF LANDFILL GAS CONTROL MEASURES WERE UNDERTAKEN BY A SPECIALIST LANDFILL GAS CONSULTANT, EMPLOYED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE CIVIL AND GEOTECHNICAL WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAS CONTROL MEASURES AND SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS WERE DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE, AND THE INSTALLATION OF THE GAS EXTRACTION AND FLARING EQUIPMENT WAS SUPERVISED BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
--------0-----------
/5 ........
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991
- 5 -
CONTESTS TO PROMOTE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS * * ♦ * * *
SOUTHERN DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION HAS ORGANISED TWO COMPETITIONS TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER. •
THESE INCLUDE A QUIZ TO TEST PARTICIPANTS’ KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE COUNCIL AND ITS ELECTIONS, AND A COLOURING COMPETITION.
THE QUIZ, WHICH OFFERS 50 PRIZES TO WINNERS, IS OPEN TO THOSE AGED 12 OR ABOVE WHO LIVE, STUDV OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT.
STUDENTS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 12 ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART iM THE COLOURING COMPETITION. THERE WILL BE ATTRACTIVE PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE TWO CONTESTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE AS WELL AS FROM THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS AUGUST 16.
------0--------
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN OR BEFORE 1915 ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR
WOMEN BORN IN OR BEFORE 1915 ARE
IDENTITY CARDS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO SEPTEMBER 7.
WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF EIGHT NEW IDENTITY ('ARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5 MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY.
NEW
THE
PM,
ALL OFFICES CLOSE ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
APPLICANTS MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG
EAST KOWLOON
: BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 574 7070
: AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. NO. 755 3669
/WEST KOWLOON .......
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991
6
WEST KOWLOON : (’ANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR
29-37 TSUEN FU STREET
TEL. NO. 498 0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE
11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
YUEN LONG : HOP Y1CK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD
TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR
CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHUl ! TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
"APPLICATTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING IDENTITY CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE *** SYMBOL,” A SPOKESMAN FOk THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
’’HOWEVER, IF THE APPLICANT’S IDENTITY CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE Hi SYMBOL, SHE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE PERSONAL PROOFS.
"IN ADDITION TO PRODUCI NG HER EXISTING IDENTITY CARD, SHE MUST PRODUCE HER TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING (IF ANY) -HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATIONS CERTIFICATE OR HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.
"IN SOME CASES, APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIM TO HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG. IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY WILL BE ADVISED INDIVIDUALLY.”
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: "AS THE APPLICANTS IN THE COMING PHASE ARE OVER 75 YEARS OLD, SOME MAY, DUE TO HEALTH REASONS, FIND IT INCONVENIENT TO GO TO THE ISSUE OFFICES AND WISH TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REGISTRATION OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS.
’’THEY MAY APPLY IN WRITING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS.”
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO ' TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 824 6111.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOfc ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
--------0
/7.........
SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1991
7
(RD YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN SUB-OFFICES TO CLOSE
*****
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN SUB-OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED FROM AUGUST 1, THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE CLOSURE OF THESE TWO SUB-OFFICES WILL ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO CENTRALISE ITS OPERATIONS AND MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED THAT AFTER THE CLOSURE OF THE YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN SUB-OFFICES THERE WILL STILL BE THREE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT OFFICES AT WHICH THEY WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE SERVICE IN RESPECT OF PAYMENT OF TAXES, REGISTRATION OF BUSINESS, STAMPING OF DOCUMENTS, PURCHASE OF TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES AND GENERAL ENQUIRIES.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THESE IRD OFFICES ARE:
* HONG KONG HEADQUARTERS
THIRD FLOOR, WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
(TEL. NO.: 894 1111)
* KOWLOON SUB-OFFICE
FIRST FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK.
(TEL. NO.: 399 2222)
* TSUEN WAN SUB-OFFICE
GROUND FLOOR, FOU WAH CENTRE, 210 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
(TEL. NO.: 416 0854)
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REDUCE INT'L TRADE BARRIERS: GOVERNOR ............................. 1
CS CLARIFIES IMPORTED LABOUR NUMBERS .............................. 2
ACTIONS TAKEN IN THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS — FS .................. 3
BANK SUSPENDED TO PROTECT ASSETS .................................. 4
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL ............. 7
NEW TOWN PLANNING SYSTEM FAIR AND OPEN ........................... 12
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1989 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES . 15
MORE SUPPORT FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT NEEDED: STUDY FINDS ... 18
LATEST FIGURE OF WINDING-UPS AND PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES ........... 19
APPLICATION OPENS FOR EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME ... 20
AWARDS FOR HONG KONG AIRPORT FILM ................................ 20
LEGCO DEBATES ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, NEW AIRPORT.............. 21
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS APPLICATION REMINDER ........................... 22
CYC MEMBERS ON OVERSEAS TOURS .................................... 23
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .....................................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
23
24
MONDAY, JULY 8, l^Sl
REDUCE INT’L TRADE BARRIERS: GOVERNOR ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ORGANISATIONS TO PUT THEIR WEIGHT BEHIND THE IDEA OF REDUCING TRADING BARRIERS BENEFITTING THE CONSUMER AND GETTING A GOOD OUTCOME TO THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 13TH WORLD CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF CONSUMERS UNIONS (IOCU), SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT DECISIONS TAKEN IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS ON THE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD AFFECT THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM Bofe YfiAHS tO COME.
"THAT MEANS WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE CAN GET THE GOODS THEY WANT AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE OR WHETHER THE CONSUMER PAYS AN ARTIFICIALLY HIGH PRICE TO PROTECT THE SPECIAL INTERESTS OF ONE OR OTHER GROUP OF MANUFACTURERS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG BELIEVED IN FREE TRADE AND BELIEVfeD IT WAS GOOD FOR THE CONSUMER AND DID NO HARM EITHER TO THE ENERGETIC AND INNOVATIVE MANUFACTURER.
"IT IS HARD TO FIND A PLACE MORE COMPETITIVE THAN HONG kONG," SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING THAT BUSINESSES HERE HAD NO PROTECTION FROM IMPORTS.
"LOCAL GOODS AND SERVICES COMPETE ON AN EQUAL BASIS Wltk THOSE FROM OVERSEAS. BUSINESSES SUCCEED BY PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS AND WISHES OF THE CUSTOMER; BY RESPONDING QUICKLY TO CHANGES IN FASHION; BY OFFERING PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT IT, THE i)AY THEY WANT IT, AT A PRICE THEY ARE PREPARED TO PAY.
"THAT IS WHAT FREE TRADE HAS MEANT FOR THE HONG KONG CONSUMER," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG’S CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN 1974.
"MOST IMPORTANT, IT IS RESPECTED AND ACCESSIBLE. It MAS ESTABLISHED A NETWORK OF CONSUMER ADVISORY CENTRES.
"BUSINESSES TAKE THE COUNCIL’S CRITICISMS SERIOUSLY; CONSUMERS WELCOME ITS ADVICE; AND THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS ITS VIEWS WHEN PREPARING LEGISLATION ON CONSUMER PROTECTION," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR TOLD THE CONFERENCE THAT HONG KONG ALREADY HAD LEGISLATION DEALING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CONSUMER ISSUES AND MORE WOULD FOLLOW.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE LIMITS TO tMfe feXtfefot LEGISLATION ALONE COULD PROTECT THE CONSUMER.
D
/"PUBLIC EDUCATION .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 2 -
"PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT THE NEED TO SELECT CAREFULLY WHEN BUYING, AND ABOUT CONSUMER RIGHTS, IS IMPORTANT TOO.
"OUR CONSUMER COUNCIL WORKS HARD TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS IN HONG KONG. CONFERENCES LIKE THIS HELP TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
--------0---------
CS CLARIFIES IMPORTED LABOUR NUMBERS * * * * *
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF LABOUR THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT NEED TO IMPORT IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF THE AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION WOULD • BE ABOUT 2,000, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
TALKING ON THE RTHK RADIO-31S "HONG KONG TODAY” PROGRAMME, SIR DAVID SAID THERE HAD BEEN A BIT OF CONFUSION OVER THE WEEKEND AS TO THE NUMBERS OF IMPORTED LABOUR RELATED TO THE NEW AlRPOfcT CONSTRUCTION.
THE CHIEF SECRTARY EXPLAINED THAT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF Ttlfe AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION, AS THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF PLANT AND MACHINERY INVOLVED, EARTH MOVING AND DREDGING AND SO ON, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT MIGHT NEED TO IMPORT IN THOSE FIRST TWO YEARS WOULD BE ABOUT 2,000.
’’WHEN THE AIRPORT IS IN FULL SWING AND WE'RE CONSTRUCTING THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES AND SO ON, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER WE MIGHT NEED THEN WOULD BE AROUND ABOUT 20,000,” SIR DAVID SAID.
BUT HE SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT THREE TO FOUR YEARS DOWN THE TRACK AT THE VERY EARLIEST.
"WE HAVEN'T YET IN ANY CASE MADE A DECISION ABOUT HOW MANY WILL BE NEEDED IN EACH PARTICULAR YEAR," HE SAID, ADDING THAT IT WOULD BE A MATTER FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO DECIDE.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO MAKE A DECISION WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO ON THE NUMBER OF IMPORTED LABOUR NEEDED IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PART OF THE ASSESSMENT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING NOW WAS TO SEE WHETHER HONG KONG DID NEED TO BRING IN MORE LABOUR FROM ABROAD.
THERE WERE EARLY INDICATIONS THAT THERE WERE CONSIDERABLE SHORTAGES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PARTICULARLY, HE SAID.
WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AIRPORT, NOT ONLY WOULD THE AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION PICK UP, BUT ALSO CONSTRUCTION IN THE REST OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHICH HAD BEEN A BIT FLAT AWAITING A DECISION ON THE AIRPORT, AND THE WHOLE LABOUR SITUATION WAS LIKELY TO BE A BIT TIGHT, HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 3 -
SIR DAVID EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CAREFUL IN THE NUMBER OF IMPORTED LABOUR.
"WE ONLY BRING IN PEOPLE WHERE THERE ARE SHORTAGES IDENTIFIED. WE DO NOT BRING IN LARGE NUMBERS,” HE STRESSED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THOSE WHO CAME IN WERE UNDER VERY STRICT CONTROL IN TERMS OF THE WAGES PAID AND UNDER PROPER IMMIGRATION CONTROL ON TWO-YEAR CONTRACTS.
"THEY’RE PAID THE MEDIAN WAGE FOR THE JOB, WHICH IS A GOOb WAGE. THEY HAVE TO BE LOOKED AFTER IN TERMS OF HOUSING BENEFITS AND SO ON," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE REASSURED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF BRINGING IN CHEAP I.ABOUR WHICH WOULD UNDERCUT THE COST OF LABOUR IN HONG KONG.
NOR SHOULD THERE BE A WORRY ABOUT WHERE THESE IMPORTED LABOUR WOULD STAY BECAUSE THE EMPLOYERS HAD TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION AND HAD TO SATISFY THE GOVERNMENT THAT THEY COULD PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION, HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
ACTIONS TAKEN IN THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS --
FS
*******
THE ACTIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN IN RESPECT OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED ARE IN THE INTEREST OF THE DEPOSITORS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
"THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL. MY MAIN CONCERN OF COURSE HAS BEEN THE PROTECTION OF ASSETS. SO WE HAVE TO TAKE STEPS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE ASSETS OF THE BANK HERE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES LOBBY, SIR PIERS SAID HE HAS REVIEWED THE SITUATION AND WOULD BE REVIEWING IT FURTHER TOMORROW. "WE ARE GOING TO DECIDE WHAT ACTION WE SHOULD TAKE AND WE WILL ISSUE A FURTHER REPORT."
"BUT AS I SAY WE HAVE TAKEN FAIRLY SWIFT ACTION SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO PROTECT DEPOSITORS. IN OTHER WORDS, TO MAKE SURE THE ASSETS ARE THERE AND THEY DO NOT DISAPPEAR FROM OUT OF OUR JURISDICTION," HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNOUNCEMENTS HAD BfefcN INCONSISTENT, SIR PIERS SAID NOT AT ALL.
"THE FIRST POINT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IS YOU DON’T CLOSE A BANK UNLESS YOU FEEL IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. ON SATURDAY, WE D1D NOT CONSIDER IT WAS NECESSARY.
/"WE THEN .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 4 -
"WE THEN SOUGHT CERTAIN ASSURANCES FROM ABU DHARBI. THOSE ASSURANCES WERE NOT FORTHCOMING, AND SO WE FELT THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO STOP-THE BANK FROM OPENING TODAY."
ASKED IF MISLEADING MESSAGES HAD BEEN SENT TO DEPOSITORS, SIR PIERS SAID HE DID NOT THINK SO.
"WE HAD CERTAIN INFORMATION ON SATURDAY THAT SATISFIED US THAT THE BANK COULD OPEN QUITE SAFELY."
HE SAID THE BANK, A LOCAL SUBSIDIARY OF BCCI, HAD BEEN UNDER SUPERVISION HERE AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT COULD NOT MEET ITS LIABILITIES AND THERE WAS NO REASON FOR CLOSING IT ON SATURDAY.
"THE SITUATION OVER THE WEEKEND HAD CHANGED IN THAT WE WEtlE NOT GIVEN CERTAIN ASSURANCES THAT WE REQUIRED AND THEREFORE ON MONDAY (TODAY) WE FELT THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO PREVENT THE BANK FROM OPENING," HE SAID.
RECOGNISING THE PUBLIC’S WISH TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION, Sift PIERS SAID HOPEFULLY HE HIMSELF OR THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO GIVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER TOMORROW.
R
------0--------
BANK SUSPENDED TO PROTECT ASSETS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DECISION TO SUSPEND THE OPERATIONS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK) WAS TAKEN TO SAFEGUARD THE ASSETS OF THE BANK.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR. DAVID CARSE SAID THE DECISION TO DRAW THE LINE AT THIS POINT AND TO SUSPEND THE BANK'S OPERATIONS WAS ’’THE FAIREST THING TO ALL CONCERNED”.
"WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE HAVE ASKED THE BANK NOT TO OPEN ITS DOORS TODAY AND WE HAVE EFFECTIVELY FROZEN THE DEPOSITS WHICH ARE HELD WITHIN IT."
"IN DOING SO, WE FOLLOWED THE SORT OF ACTION WHICH HAS BEEN TAKEN BY OTHER SUPERVISORS AROUND THE WORLD," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING WHY THE DECISION HAD TO BE TAKEN AT THIS POINT, MR. CARSE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE BANK IS STILL BASICALLY SOUND, DOUBTS HAVE ARISEN OVER THE WEEKEND ABOUT ITS FUTURE VIABILITY FOR TWO REASONS.
"ONE IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A CLEAR ASSURANCE FROM THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT THAT IT STANDS BEHIND THE OPERATIONS OF THE BANK.
/"THE SECOND .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 5 -
"THE SECOND THING IS THAT IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT THE OPERATIONS OF THE BANK COULD BE AFFECTED BY UNCERTAINTIES ABOUT ITS FUTURE AND ABOUT ITS RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE REST OF THE BCC GROUP.
"TO QUOTE ONE EXAMPLE, WE ARE AWARE THAT THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY, VISA INTERNATIONAL, HAS BLOCKED CREDIT CARDS ISSUED BY BCCHK SO THAT THOSE CREDIT CARDS ARE NO LONGER VALID.
"WE ARE ALSO AWARE THAT FOR THE BANK’S BASIC TRADE-FlNANcfe BUSINESS IT IS HAVING DIFFICULTIES GETTING BANK COUNTER-PARTIES TO TAKE ITS NAME. AND THAT IS THE BASIC BUSINESS OF THE BANK.
"SO WE FACE THE SITUATION WHERE IF WE ALLOW THE SITUATION TO CONTINUE, THE BANK MIGHT RUN INTO LOSSES AND THE ASSETS OF THE DANK WOULD BE IMPAIRED," HE SAID.
MR. CARSE POINTED OUT THAT ANOTHER OBVIOUSLY RELEVANT FACTOR WAS THAT ALTHOUGH THE BANK HAD GOT THROUGH SATURDAY WITHOUT UNDUE DIFFICULTIES, THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF A DISORDERLY WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDS FROM THE MARKET WHEN THE BANK OPENED TODAY.
"SO IN THE LIGHT OF THAT, BOTH FROM THE PROSPECTS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A DISORDERLY WITHDRAWAL OF FUNDS, THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOME DEPOSITORS WILL GET THE MONEY BACK IN FULL WHEREAS THOSE WHO LEFT THE MONEY IN THE BANK WILL NOT, WE DECIDED THAT THE BEST THING, THE FAIREST THING TO ALL CONCERNED WAS TO DRAW THE LINE AT THIS POINT AND TO SUSPEND THE OPERATIONS OF THE BANK."
MR. CARSE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SET THE MATTER IN CONTEXT SO THAT THE PUBLIC WERE AWARE OF THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND THE TIME-TABLE OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS DECISION.
"I THINK THE FIRST THING TO BE AWARE OF IS THAT THE HONG KONG BANKING COMMISSION, ALONG WITH OTHER SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES, PARTICULARLY IN ENGLAND AND IN LUXEMBOURG AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS HAVE BEEN MEETING FOR SOME TIME TO CONSIDER THE AFFAIRS OF THE BCC GROUP IN WHAT HAS BEEN KNOWN AS A COLLEGE OF SUPERVISORS AND THAT COLLEGE HAS BEEN CONSIDERING PLANS FOR RESTRUCTURING THE BCCI GROUP IN A WAY WHICH WOULD LEAVE THREE SEPARATE BANKS, ONE BASED IN HONG KONG, ONE BASED IN ENGLAND AND ONE BASED IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS, EACH OF THEM BEING OWNED BY THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT.
"THOSE PLANS WERE WELL-ADVANCED AND WERE DUE TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE SUPERVISORS BY THE END OF JUNE. WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY IS THAT WE WERE SUMMONED TO AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE COLLEGE OF SUPERVISORS IN LONDON LAST WEEKEND AND MY CONSULTANT HERE JOHN ASPDEN WENT OFF TO LONDON LAST WEEKEND AND ATTENDED A MEETING ON TUESDAY.
"WE RECEIVED THE RESULTS OF THAT MEETING ON WEDNESDAY WrftcH INDICATED THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WHICH WE WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY. AWARE OF IN THE BCCI GROUP. BUT AS FAR AS WE KNEW AT THAT STAGE, THEY DID NOT AFFECT THE HONG KONG OPERATION.
"SO ON WEDNESDAY WE BEGAN PREPARING CONTINGENCY PLANS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE DID WAS TO PUT IN A TEAM OF BANK EXAMINERS TO LOOK AT THE BANK AND THEY BEGAN WORK ON THURSDAY.
/"BY FRIDAY.........
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
6
"BY FRIDAY, WE WERE EXPECTING AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN LONDON OVER THE WEEKEND WHICH WE THOUGHT WOULD AFFECT THE MARKETS IN HONG KONG AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES ON MONDAY, LATE ON FRIDAY AT 6 O’CLOCK IN THE EVENING (HK TIME) WE WERE TOLD THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT WAS GOING TO BE MADE IN LONDON AT 8 O’CLOCK THAT EVENING AND ALSO IN LUXEMBOURG.
"THIS MEANT THAT WE HAD TO BRING FORWARD OUR OWN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT BCCHK BEFORE WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT ABOUT WHAT OUR PLANS WERE IN RELATION TO THE HONG KONG OPERATIONS HERE.
"OUR CONCERN AT THAT TIME WAS TO TRY AND KEEP THE BANK OPEN IF WE COULD. OUR PERCEPTION WAS THAT WE WERE DEALING WITH A BANK WHICH WAS NOT INVOLVED THE SUSPECTED FRAUD WHICH HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED ELSEWHERE IN THE BCC GROUP. WE CONSIDERED IT TO BE A SOUND AND VIABLE BANK WHICH WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE PROBLEMS OF THE REST OF THE GROUP AND SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO SURVIVE. THAT WAS BECAUSE WE FELT IT WAS IN THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS. SO WE TOOK THE VIEW AT THAT STAGE THAT WE WOULD NOT CLOSE THE BANK ON SATURDAY AND WE ALLOWED IT TO OPEN.
ASKED ABOUT THE BANK’S FUTURE, MR. CARSE SAID: "WB ARE LOOKING AT VARIOUS OPTIONS. AS 1 SAY ONE OPTION IS TO TRY AND MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE ABU DHABI SHAREHOLDERS. BUT I DON’T WAkT TO UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTIES OF SECURING THAT AGREEMENT AND THEN REOPENING THE BANK. I DON’T WANT TO HOLD OUT ANY FALSE HOPES IN THAT RESPECT."
"ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS WHETHER A BUYER FOR THE BANK MIGPt EMERGE. WE ARE AWARE OF VARIOUS INTERESTED PARTIES, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. ANY BUYER HAS GOT TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THE BANK BEFORE BUYING IT. SO AGAIN I DON’T WANT TO HOLD OUT FALSE HOPES IN THAT AREA."
MR. CARSE ADDED THAT FOR THIS OPTION, THE COMMISSION WOULb ACT AS MIDDLEMAN. "PEOPLE HAVE COME TO US AND EXPRESSED INTEREST. WE HAVE TRIED TO PASS ON THAT INTEREST TO THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A SALE. BUT THAT DECISION RESTS WITH THEM AT THE MOMENT. TECHNICALLY THE POSITltON IS THAT THE HONG KONG OPERATIONS OF BCC ARE OWNED BY A HOLDING COMPANY IN LUXEMBOURG, BCC(HOLDINGS), WHICH IS 77 PER CENT OWNED BY THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT."
"AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE CANNOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE MIGHT BE OBLIGED TO PLACE THE BANK IN LIQUIDATION," MR. CARSE SAID OF THE THIRD OPTION.
ASKED WHEN WOULD A DECISION BE MADE, HE SAID: "WE WILL fefe EXAMINING THE SITUATION ON A DAY BY DAY BASIS. WE CAN’T REALLY SAY WHEN A DECISION WILL BE REACHED EXCEPT THAT WE WILL TRY TO DO SO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
MR. CARSE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE NO USE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND IN THIS CASE. "NO MONEY HAS BEEN LENT BY THE EXCHANGE FUND TO BCCHK. AND THERE ARE NO PLANS TO USE THE EXCHANGE FUND TO ACQUIRE BCCHK."
/ASKED ABOUT
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
ASKED ABOUT THE PLEDGE LAST FRIDAY, MR. CARSE SAID: "WHAT WE ACTUALLY SAID WAS THAT THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND INDICATED THAT IT WOULD, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FUNDS WITH THE BANK ON NORMAL COMMERCIAL TERMS. NOW THE NEED FOR THAT DID NOT ARISE ON SATURDAY. BUT YOU MUST DISTINGUISH BETWEEN LIQUIDITY SUPPORT AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL CAPITAL. THE STATEMENT IN THE PRESS RELEASE REFERRED TO THE PROVISION OF LIQUIDITY SUPPORT. WE STRESSED THAT IT WAS TO BE ON NORMAL COMMERCIAL TERMS. IN NO SENSE HAS THE EXCHANGE FUND GIVEN AN UNDERTAKING THAT IT WOULD PROP UP THE BANK."
HE ADDED THAT THE PROMISE NO LONGER APPLIED IN THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES SINCE THE BANK IS IN SUSPENSION AND NOT CONDUCTING ANY BUSINESS.
--------0-----------
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL *****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 4%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 25% IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 17% IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 21% IN VOLUME.
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%. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DECREASED BY 1%.
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 APRIL 1991 WITH APRIL 1990, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 8%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 33%. TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 24%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 27%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESttC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 2%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
/THE VOLUME .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 8 -
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+36%); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+24%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+21%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+18%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+10%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+8%); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+5%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN FOOTWEAR (-39%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-18%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-6%); CLOTHING (-1%); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-1%).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990. THESE INCLUDED FOOTWEAR (+5%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+4%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+4%); CLOTHING (+3%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+3%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+3%); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+3%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+2%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+2%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+2%); AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+1%).
HOWEVER, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS DECREASED BY 1%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990 ARE SHOWN ' IN TABLE 2.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 26% IN APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990. IN PARTICULAR, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; TEA AND COFFEE; FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; FRUIT; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS, OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR; MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS; VEGETABLES; AND SWINE.
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR; L1VE POULTRY; AND MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 29%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; FOOTWEAR; CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY; MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS; WATCHES; HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; AND CLOTHING.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ftOSE BY 23% IN APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES; COTTON YARN AND THREAD; CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS; PLASTIC MOULDING Materials; fabrics of wool and mixtures; wool and other animal hair; RAW COTTON; WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; WATCH AND CLOCK MOVEMENTS, CASES AND PARTS; AND IRON AND STEEL.
/HOWEVER, DECREASES ........
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
9
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, AND SO ON, EXCEPT GLASS; AND BASE METALS OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 23% IN VOLUME IN APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 41% IM APRIL 1991 OVER APRIL 1990. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; AND INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY.
HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED FOR CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.
COMPARING APRIL 1991 WITH APRIL 1990, THE IMPORT FfctCES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: FUELS (+4%); CAPITAL GOODS (+4%); CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); FOODSTUFFS (+2%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES (+2%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING APRIL 1991 WITH APRIL 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES: FOODSTUFFS (+50%); CAPITAL GOODS (+36%); CONSUMER GOODS (+34%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+30%). ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FUELS DECREASED BY 28%.
THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN APRIL 1991 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990: FUELS (+17%); FOODSTUFFS (+3%); CONSUMER GOODS (+2%); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+1%); AND CAPITAL GOODS (+1%).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE APRIL 1991 ISSUE OF THE ’’HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS” WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND JULY 15 AT $4 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY Bfe 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: .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 10 -
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % COMPARING APR 1991 WITH APR 1990 COMPARING JAN-APR 1991
VALUE % WITH JAN-APR 1990 UNIT VALUE VOLUME
UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
% %
CLOTHING 2 3 -1 6 3 3
TEXTILE FABRICS 1 1 3 8 2 3 -1
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 24 3 21 -1 3 -3
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -5 2 -6 -22 1 -23
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -15 4 -18 -15 4 -19
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 35 -1 36 39 -1 4d
FOOTWEAR -36 5 -39 -29 6 -33
METAL MANUFACTURES 23 4 18 7 4 3
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 2 3 -1 13 i 13
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 25 1 24 9 i 9
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 7 2 5 -15 2 -17
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 12 2 10 5 1 4
ALL COMMODITIES 11 2 8 6 2 4
* LESS THAN 0.5%
/TABLE 2:
MoNday, jULy 8, 1991
- 11 -
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH APR APR 1991 1990 COMPARING JAN-APR WITH JAN-APR 1991 1990
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % vALUfc % UN IT VALUE VOLUMfe % % '
FOODSTUFFS 29 2 26 16 3 a
CONSUMER GOODS 32 3 29 27 3 23
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 25 2 23 22 2 id
FUELS -20 4 -23 46 29 H
CAPITAL GOODS 47 4 41 27 4 21
ALL COMMODITIES 30 2 27 25 3 21
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH APR APR 1991 1990 COMPARING JAN-APR WITH JAN-APR 1991 1990
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
FOODSTUFFS 55 3 50 22 3 18
CONSUMER GOODS 36 2 34 35 3 31
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 31 1 30 20 1 18
FUELS -15 17 -28 -3 37 -29
CAPITAL GOODS 37 1 36 26 1 25
ALL COMMODITIES 35 1 33 28 2 25
- 0 -
/12 .......
Monday, JULY 8, i§9i
- 12 -
NEW TOWN PLANNING SYSTEM FAIR AND OPEN
*****
THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE INCREASING INVOLVEMENT IN A NEW TOWN PLANNING SYSTEM WHICH IS FAIR AND OPEN, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
MR BARNES INTRODUCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
SUCH COMMENTS SHOULD REACH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDS ON NOVEMBER 30 THIS YEAR.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE WERE THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, MR ROBERT UPTON, AND THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER (DISTRICT), DR K.S. PUN.
THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT CONTAINS A FULL DISCUSSION OF AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE TOWN PLANNING PROCESS.
"THE MAIN OBJECTIVES BEHIND OUR PROPOSALS ARE TO ESTABLISH MORE STREAMLINED AND FAIRER PROCEDURES FOR THE WHOLE PLANNING PROCESS, TO GET GREATER PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROCESS, TO GIVE GREATER WEIGHT TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AND TO ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL," MR BARNES SAID.
"VERY MUCH OF THE SYSTEM REMAINS AS BEFORE. IT IS STILL ESSENTIALLY A SYSTEM OF PREPARATION OF ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION PLANS AND A SYSTEM OF GRANTING AND REFUSING PERMISSIONS UNDER THEM.
"THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD NOW CALLED THE PLANNING BOARD, AS IT DEALS WITH RURAL PLANS TOO REMAINS CENTRAL IN THE PROCESS, WITH THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AS FINAL APPROVING AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS WOULD:
* PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON PLANS AND PLANNING CHARGES TO THE BOARD;
* ESTABLISH A SEPARATE APPEAL BOARD AND EXTEND ITS FUNCTION TO HEARING OBJECTIONS TO DRAFT PLANS REFERRED TO IT BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL; AND
* PROVIDE POWERS OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL, THAT IS THE CONTROL
OF THE CONTENT, RATHER THAN THE SAFE CONSTRUCTION, OF DEVELOPMENT ARE TRANSFERRED FROM THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO THE PLANNING ORDINANCE.
TO PROVIDE FOR GREATER DEVELOPMENT CONTROL, THE GOVERNMENT MAS PROPOSED THE ISSUE OF PLANNING CERTIFICATES, THE EXTENSION OF ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED DEVELOPMENTS TO AREAS COVERED BY OZPS AND A NEW CONCEPT KNOWN AS "AMORTISATION", TO DEAL WITH NON-CONFORMING USES.
/AMORTISATION IS .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 13 -
it fl
I
AMORTISATION IS THE COMPULSORY TERMINATION, WITHOUT COMPENSATION, OF NON-CONFORMI NG USES AT THE END OF A SPECIFIED PERIOD.
NON-CONFORMING USES ARE USES WHICH DO NOT CONFORM TO THE STATUTORY PLAN BUT ARE NEVERTHELESS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THE PLAN, SUCH AS INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND VEHICLE REPAIR GARAGES ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
IN ORDER TO MEET GROWING PUBLIC ASPIRATIONS FOR A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE AND BETTER ENVIRONMENT, SPECIAL CONTROL MEASURES IN THREE AREAS, NAMELY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPE, AND CIVIC DESIGN, HAVE ALSO BEEN PROPOSED.
TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF COMPENSATION, MR. BARNES NOTED THAT THIS WAS RECOGNISED AS THE MOST COMPLICATED AND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE IN THE WHOLE REVIEW. IT HAS ALSO ATTRACTED MUCH PUBLIC ATTENTION OVER THE PAST MONTHS.
"BECAUSE OF THE STRONG AND VARIED VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT, WE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ON THE ISSUE OF COMPENSATION AND BETTERMENT IN THE DOCUMENT.
"INSTEAD, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP A SPECIAL COMMITTEE WITH A PANEL OF EXPERT ADVISERS TO CONSIDER THE ISSUES AS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR JOHN TODD WITH JUDGE CRUDEN AS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN."
' MR. TODD WAS FORMERLY SECRETARY FOR HOUSING BEFORE MlS RETIREMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN 1986, WHILE JUDGE CRUDEN HAS BEEN PRESIDENT OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL SINCE 1981.
OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL; MR. H.M.G. FORSGATE, PROFESSOR ANTHONY WALKER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SURVEYING IN THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HKU); A SENIOR LECTURER IN THE LAW FACULTY OF THE HKU; MR. ALBERT CHEN HUNG-YEE, A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, MR. SELWYN MAR; QUEEN’S COUNSEL, MR. RONNY WONG; AND THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF WING LUNG BANK, MR. PATRICK WU PO-KONG.
THE TASK OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE IS TO EXAMINE BOTH THE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION FOR PLANNING RESTRICTIONS AND PLANNING BLIGHT CAUSED BY THE ZONING OF LAND AND THE QUESTION OF WHETHER AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD RECOUP BY WAY OF A BETTERMENT CHARGE FROM INCREASES IN VALUE CREATED BY PLANNING ENHANCEMENT.
IT WILL WORK CONCURRENTLY WITH THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE AND WILL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AT THE END OF ITS DELIBERATION.
ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO PUT SUBMISSIONS TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OR TO REQUEST HEARINGS SHOULD DIRECT THEM TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, SEVENTH FLOOR, CLUB LUSITANO, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
/MEANWHILE, TO .........
I
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
MEANWHILE, TO ASSIST THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE IN ITS DELIBERATION, A PANEL OF EXPERT ADVISERS HAS BEEN SET UP, WHOSE TASKS WILL BE TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS RAISED AND ADVISE ON MATTERS RELATING TO THEIR AREAS OF INTEREST AS INVITED BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
INVITATIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS, HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS, THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE BAR ASSOCIATION, TO JOIN THE PANEL OF EXPERT ADVISERS.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THESE ORGANISATIONS WILL HAVE READY ACCESS TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AND THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WILL BE ABLE TO INITIATE DISCUSSION ON SPECIFIC ISSUES WITH THE PANEL MEMBER ORGANISATIONS," MR. BARNES SAID.
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY THE PUBLIC AT THE VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICES OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, PLANNING DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF MURRAY BUILDING, AND THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, 20TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING.
MR BARNES URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR COMMENTS ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT TO THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE REVIEW UNIT, PLANNING DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE THE END OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD.
"ALL VIEWS SUBMITTED WILL BE CONSIDERED, TOGETHER WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, BEFORE DRAWING UP THE FINAL PROPOSALS.
"WE EXPECT TO PUT OUR FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN EARLY 1992, AFTER WHICH DRAFTING OF THE NEW LEGISLATION, WHICH WILL TAKE THE WHOLE OF 1992, WILL FOLLOW.
"I HOPE THE BILL WILL BE READY FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY EARLY 1993," MR BARNES SAID.
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/15 .......
MOKNDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 15 -
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1989 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES
A TOTAL OF 35,638 TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1989, VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS IN 1988, ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1989 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THEY ENGAGED, IN TOTAL, 160,195 PERSONS, AN INCREASE OF 5% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
IN 1989, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $114,578 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AND SPENT $14,115 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AND $87,814 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1988, BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME INCREASED BY 18%; COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES BY 24%; AND OPERATING EXPENSES BY 22%.
ALL VALUE FIGURES IN THIS PRESS RELEASE ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES.
THE SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED GREW BY 8% TO $30,882 MILLION IN 1989, FROM $28,535 MILLION IN 1988. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF AN ECONOMIC SECTOR TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRANSPORT GROUP, THE SURVEY INDICATED THAT, IN 1989, ’’SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT”, SUCH AS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN AIR FREIGHT/SHIPP1NG FORWARDING, PACKING AND CRATING GOODS FOR TRANSPORTATION, AND TRAVEL AGENTS AND SHIPBROKERS, HAD THE LARGEST SHARE OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AT $53,784 MILLION OR 47% OF THE SECTOR TOTAL.
"AIR TRANSPORT” TOOK UP 17%; ’’OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT" ACCOUNTED FOR ANOTHER 15%; "LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT” 9%; "LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT" 5%; "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT” 4%; ’’INLAND WATER TRANSPORT” 2%; AND "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT" 1%.
"AIR TRANSPORT" AND "LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT” CONTRIBUTED 28% ANT) 23%, RESPECTIVELY, OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE SECTOR.
THE SECTOR'S REMAINING VALUE-ADDED WAS CONTRIBUTED BY "OCfeAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT" (16%); "SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT” (11%); “LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT” (10%); "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT” (6%); "INLAND WATER TRANSPORT” (4%); AND ’’SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT” (2%).
/WHEN COMPARED
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 16 -
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1988, "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT" SHOWED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (25%); FOLLOWED BY "SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT" (24%); "INLAND WATER TRANSPORT" (20%); "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT" (20%); "AIRTRANSPORT" (17%); "OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT" (10%); "LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT" (9%) AND "LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT" (4%).
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, "INLAND WATER TRANSPORT" RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER 1988 (35%); FOLLOWED BY "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT" (27%); "SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT" (24%); "LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT" (15%); "SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT" (11%); "LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT" (4%); AND "AIR TRANSPORT" (2%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, "OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT" SHOWED VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE IN VALUE-ADDED OVER 1988.
THE 1989 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRANSPORT SECTOR, AND UPDATING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
DATA COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDED TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AND ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES SECTOR, CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR GROUP AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE "1989 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES" REPORT.
THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE NEXT MONTH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1266).
/COMPARISON OF .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 17 -
COMPARISON OF SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES SECTOR BET-EEN 1988 AND 1989
MAJOR GROUP NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED NUMBER OF EXPLC YESS COMPENSA- TION OF EMPLOYEES OPERATING EXPENSES BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS VALUE ADDED
$ Mn. $ Ma. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Ma.
LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT 1989 19 095 47 072 28 741 2.630 5.350 10,427 3.872 7,118
1988 19 664 46 748 28 026 2,186 4,774 9,524 2,735 6,170
% change -3 ♦ 1 ♦3 ♦ 20 ♦ 12 ♦9 ♦42 ♦ 15
LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT 1989 11 020 29 741 18 288 1,271 3,245 5,69* 538 3.079
1988 10 919 31 067 20 286 1.156 3.289 5.498 647 2,9^
% change ♦1 -4 -10 ♦ 10 -1 ♦4 -17 ♦4
SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT 1989 87 2 0J2 1 998 126 639 1.153 20 530
1988 78 1 594 1 548 92 486 923 13 419
change ♦12 ♦27 ♦ 29 ♦37 ♦32 ♦25 ♦54 ♦27
OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT 1989 402 16 549 16 536 2.235 12,627 17,618 2,104 5,039
1988 379 15 176 15 151 1.772 10.909 15.986 1,461 5,058
% change ♦6 ♦9 ♦9 ♦26 ♦ 16 ♦ 10 ♦44 •
INLAND VATER TRANSPORT 1989 666 6 747 5 902 492 1,154 2.227 195 1.110
1988 661 6 517 5 753 421 1,071 1,853 455 825
% change ♦1 ♦4 ♦3 ♦17 ♦8 -20 -57 ♦35
SUPPORTING SERVICES to water transport 1989 1 605 10 133 8 191 818 2,729 4,200 368 1,818
1988 1 376 8 517 7 068 613 2,382 3.514- 359 1,466
% change ♦17 ♦19 ♦16 ♦33 ♦ 15 ♦20 ♦2 ♦24
AIR TRANSPORT 1989 54 15 359 15 359 3.953 11,866 19, ‘.75 2,*>85 4.^2-i
1988 53 13 090 13 090 3,127 9,064 16,716 2,126 8,432
% change ♦2 ♦17 ♦17 ♦26 ♦31 ♦17 ♦17 ♦2
SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT 1989 2 710 32 563 31 551 2.589 50,203 53,78*1 547 J.568
1988 2 402 3C 023 28 730 2,049 39,989 43,201 923 3,219
% change ♦ 13 ♦8 ♦10 ♦26 ♦26 ♦24 -41 ♦11
ALL TRANSPORT GROUPS 1989 35 6?8 160 195 126 565 14,115 87.814 114,578 10,129 30,882
1988 35 531 152 733 119 652 11,4i6 71.963 97,215 8,720 28,535
% change • ♦5 ♦6 ♦24 ♦22 ♦ 18 ♦16 ♦8
GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT SERVICES 1989 3 1 175 1 175 249 363 1.985 150 1,605
1988 3 1 254 1 254 219 337 1.927 204 1,290
% change 0 -6 -6 ♦13 ♦8 ♦3 -26 ♦24
Notsu : (1) Figures denoting changes are derived froo unrounded figures.
(2; Individual iteas stay not add up to the corresponding total due to rounding.
(J) Value added is a coeasure of the contribution of an econooic sector to Hong Kong's Gross Doaestic Product# The definition can be found in the "1989 Survey of Transport and Related Services" report.
C4) ♦ denotes % change less than ♦ 0.5^«
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/18 ........
Monday, July 8, 199i
18 -
MORE SUPPORT FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT NEEDED: STUDY FINDS
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXPAND SUPPORT FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, BUILDING ON THE EXISTING FOUNDATION OF EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CAPABILITY IN THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SECTOR.
THIS WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BASED ON A CONSULTANCY STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE COMMITTEE AND ADVICE FROM THE TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, THE INSTITUTES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY) TO ANNOUNCE THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR C.K. POON, SAID THE COMMITTEE ALSO FELT THAT POLICY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF POLICY FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AS A WHOLE.
"THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT THE CO-ORDINATION OF EFFORTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED BUT NOT IMPOSED," HE SAID.
PROF POON SAID BIOTECHNOLOGY WAS PARTICULARLY SUITED TO HONG KONG BECAUSE IT DID NOT REQUIRED EXTENSIVE LAND USE OR LARGE CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
HE SAID FOOD, CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES, WASTE TREATMENT AND BIOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTATION WERE IDENTIFIED AS MARKET NICHES SUITED TO HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, PROF POON SAID ONE MAJOR HURDLE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CURRENTLY WAS THE LIMITED DEGREE OF ACTIVITY OR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL SECTORS OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID SEVERAL INITIATIVES WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE BIOTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, ONE OF WHICH WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY.
ELABORATING ON THIS PROPOSAL, PROF POON SAID: "THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WOULD ADVISE THE ADMINISTRATION ON A REGULAR BASIS AND OFFER ADVICE ON BIOTECHNOLOGY-RELATED ISSUES TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS ON REQUEST.
"THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHOULD FORM A PART OF THE OVERALL MACHINERY FOR ADVISING GOVERNMENT ON TECHNOLOGY MATTERS," HE SAID.
PROF POON SAID THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND THE BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTES SHOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER ENCOURAGING THE FORMATION OF A BIOTECHNOLOGY SOCIETY.
PROF POON SAID THE SOCIETY WOULD HELP TO FOSTER CO-OPERATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN SCIENTISTS AND INDUSTRIALISTS ENGAGED IN BIOTECHNOLOGY.
/IN ADDITION.........
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 19 -
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE HAD RECOMMENDED THA1, Whfefcfevfeh POSSIBLE, RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE THE WIDRR USE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY.
"THIS WOULD STIMULATE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND COULD PROVIDE SUCCESS STORIES WHICH WOULD ENCOURAGE INDUSTRY TO INVEST IN THIS FIELD,” PROF POON SAID.
THE COMMITTEE’S ADVICE HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CONSIDERATION.
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LATEST FIGURE OF WINDING-UPS AND PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THERE WERE 166 NEW COMPULSORY WINDING-UPS AND 139 NEW PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES OF 142 AND 93 LAST YEAR.
MR GLEESON SAID IT COULD BE SEEN, THEREFORE, THE RATE OF TOTAL NEW INSOLVENCIES HAD INCREASED BY 29.79 PER CENT WHICH WAS A CONTINUATION OF THE UPWARD TREND SINCE LAST YEAR.
BUT HE ADDED THAT IT IS STILL BELOW THE RECORD NUMBER OF 397 NEW INSOLVENCIES FOR THE JANUARY - JUNE PERIOD OF 1985.
THE BUSINESSES MAINLY AFFECTED BY BANKRUPTCIES AND COMPULSORY COMPANY LIQUIDATIONS INCLUDED GARMENT AND KNITTING MANUFACTURING, IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS, COMPANY DIRECTORS GIVING PERSONAL GUARANTEES, FINANCIAL INVESTMENT, RESTAURANTS AND CANTEENS, AS WELL AS DYEING AND WASHING.
PETITIONS WERE FILED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID (43 PER CENT), TRADE CREDITORS (36 PER CENT), BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (19 PER CENT) AND OTHERS (2 PER CENT).
MORE COMPLICATED OR SIGNIFICANT INSOLVENCIES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WERE WORLDS OF WONDER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, P.L. HONG TRADING LIMITED, PHILIPP & LION FAR EAST LIMITED, GRANT UNION INSURANCE LTD., MAGSEC INVESTMENT (FAR EAST) LTD. AND CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS (HK) LIMITED.
TOTAL DIVIDENDS DECLARED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR AMOUNTED TO $63.68 MILLION IN 122 INSOLVENCIES, AS AGAINST $38.99 MILLION IN 122 INSOLVENCIES FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE INSOLVENCY CASES BEING HANDLED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR WAS 1,670, BEING 936 COMPULSORY WINDING-UPS AND 734 PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES.
FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AT THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR TOTALLED $1,473 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 74.32 PER CENT AS AGAINST $845 MILLION AT THE END OF JUNE LAST YEAR. THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER ALSO ADMINISTERED A SUM OF US$8.2 MILLION TOGETHER WITH A JOINT OVERSEAS LIQUIDATOR.
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/20 ........
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
20
APPLICATION OPENS FOR EMPLOYEES * * *
COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME * * *
THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE ORDINANCE WHICH PROTECTS THE FULL ENTITLEMENT OF WORKERS INJURED OR KILLED AT WORK CAME INTO OPERATION ON JULY 1.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES AND DEPENDANTS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES MAY BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THEIR COMPENSATION ENTITLEMENT, INCLUDING COMMON LAW AWARDS, IN DEFAULT CASES ARISING OUT OF THE EMPLOYER’S FAILURE TO INSURE THEM OR FROM THE INSURER’S INSOLVENCY.
"PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE IN ALL SUCH CASES FROM THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND IN RESPECT OF WORK INJURIES SUSTAINED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"HOWEVER, APPLICANTS MUST PROVE THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY EXHAUSTED ALL LEGAL AND FINANCIALLY VIABLE CHANNELS OF RECOVERY BEFORE THEY APPLY FOR PAYMENT FROM THE FUND," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO PROTECTS EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE PAID A LEVY OF ONE PER CENT OF EACH EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIUM AS REQUIRED UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1 LAST YEAR.
"THEY MAY BE INDEMNIFIED BY THE FUND IN RESPECT OF THEIR LIABILITY FOR EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION SHOULD THEIR INSURER BECOME INSOLVENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANY PERSON WHO HAS A CLAIM UNDER THE ORDINANCE MAY NOW APPLY TO THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND BOARD THROUGH THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE TO THE DIVISION ON TEL. 852 4821.
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AWARDS FOR HONG KONG AIRPORT FILM * * * *
THE FILM "GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE", COMMISSIONED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE THE PROPOSED NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, HAS WON TOP AWARDS AT THREE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS.
THE LATEST TROPHY WAS THE KEIZAI KOHO CENTER PRIZE, AWARDED
FOR OUTSTANDING FOREIGN PRODUCTION AT THE FOURTH JAPAN INDUSTRIAL-CULTURAL FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHEN "GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE" COMPETED AGAINST 202 OTHER PRODUCTIONS.
/AN EARLIER .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
- 21 -
AN EARLIER AWARD WAS THE "GOLD CAMERA", ACHIEVED WHEN THE FILM WON FIRST PLACE FOR CORPORATE SPONSORED PUBLIC ISSUES AND CONCERNS AT THE 1991 U.S. INDUSTRIAL FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL HELD IN CHICAGO.
ANOTHER WAS THE SILVER AWARD GARNERED FROM AMONG 3,150 ENTRIES, SUBMITTED BY 17 COUNTRIES, FOR THE HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN MAY 1991.
THE FILM EXPLAINS WHY THE PRESENT KAI TAK AIRPORT IS UNABLE TO COPE WITH FURTHER EXPANSION AND MAKES USE OF SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER GRAPHICS TO ILLUSTRATE HOW THE CHEK LAP KOK PROJECT WILL CATER TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE NEEDS.
THE COMPUTER ANIMATION IS EMPLOYED TO DEPICT THE AlfcPokt CONSTRUCTION AND LAYOUT AND TO SHOW HOW HIGH-SPEED RAIL AND ROAD LINKS WILL CONVEY PASSENGERS VIA THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND THE THIRD HARBOUR CROSSING INTO THE HEART OF THE RECLAIMED CENTRAL WATERFRONT.
- - 0-----------
LEGCO DEBATES ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, NEW AIRPORT
******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK NINE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 12 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 10).
OF THE 12 BILLS, A PRIVATE BILL — THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 -- WILL BE INTRODUCED BY THE HON MARTIN I.EE FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON IT WILL BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER 11 BILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1991, WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, DENTISTS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, BREWIN TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE.
THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG WILL MOVE A MOTION ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND. THE MOTION READS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO RE-EXAMINE THE SETTING UP OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND OR OTHER FORMS OF COMPULSORY RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN ORDER THAT WORKERS IN HONG KONG ARE PROVIDED WITH COMPREHENSIVE RETIREMENT PROTECTION."
/THE HON .......
MONDAY, JULY 8. 1991
- 22 -
THE HON MARTIN LEE WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE NEW AIRPORT. THE MOTION READS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL WELCOMES THE DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH THE NEW AIRPORT; AND AT THE SAME TIME, REAFFIRMS THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO HAVE THE SOLE AND ENTIRE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL DECISIONS ON ALL AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG OTHER THAN DEFENCE OR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, WHETHER THEY STRADDLE 1997 OR NOT."
THE HON ALLEN LEE WILL MOVE A MOTION TO AMEND THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, PROFESSOR THE HON C.K. POON WILL SPEAK ON THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1990/91.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS APPLICATION REMINDER * * * ♦ ♦
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MoHDAy) REMINDED STUDENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MAINRE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO MAKE THEIR APPLICATIONS EARLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: "THERE IS ONLY ONE WEEK TO GO FOR THE APPLICATIONS OF TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDIES BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON JULY 15. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED."
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, AND FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES LIAISON OFFICES.
THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AIM AT HELPING PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES OR RELATED TRADES ON COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES, AND ALSO THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRIES WHO WISH TO PURSUE FURTHER TRAINING.
ANOTHER AIM OF THE FUNDS IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES TO COMPLETE THEIR TERTIARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLING.
THE AWARDS WILL BE TENABLE AT ANY UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG, THfe HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CITY POLYTECHNIC, BAPTIST COLLEGE, ANY ACCEPTABLE OVERSEAS INSTITUTION AND ANY SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HONG kONG.
APPLICANTS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION SHOULD BE HONG KONG RESIDENTS UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE. THEY SHOULD STUDY COURSES ON AGRICULTURE, VETERINARY SCIENCE, MARINE SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY OR ANY APPLIED SCIENCE DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE OR FISHERIES INDUSTRIES AND RELATED TRADES.
/MEANWHILE, APPLICATIONS .......
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1991
MEANWHILE, APPLICATIONS ARE ALSO OPEN TO CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES WHO ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPLETE FORM -1 TO 7.
"APPLICATIONS FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE WILL CLOSE ON AUGUST 14," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE FUNDS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 733 2249 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
- - 0 - -
CYC MEMBERS ON OVERSEAS TOURS ♦ * * * ♦
FORTY-THREE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) MEMBERS OF TtlE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL LEAVE FOR CALIFORNIA AND SINGAPORE ON SATURDAY (JULY 13) ON OVERSEAS TOURS, IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN THIS YEAR’S MERIT AWARD SCHEME.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, AND THfc CHAIRMAN OF THE LAW’S FOUNDATION, MR RAYMOND.LAW KA-KUl, WILL OFFtCiATfc AT A FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JULY 11).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE MARINA ROOM I, THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL, CAUSEWAY BAY, AT 3.30 PM ON THURSDAY.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 28.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 168.414 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 285.166 MlLttoN CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 48.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
/24
MONDAY, JULY 8, 1931
- 24 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
date $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 6.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 8.7.91 431
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -31
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114.2 *-0.1* 8.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
8.7. 91 5.7. 91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.32 PCT 6.43 PCT
1 MONTH 6.38 PCT 6.37 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.44 PCT 6.33 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.44 PCT 6.34 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.80 PCT 6.84 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 3,784 MN 5,330 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 9t 1991
CONTENTS PAGE tfc).
FS TO MAKE STATEMENT IN LEGCO ON BCCHK .................................... 1
1990 SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED ......................... 1
BUILDINGS IN TAI PO DECLARED DANGEROUS .................................... 4
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON OVERSEAS TRAINING ................................. 6
'DANCES WITH DRAGONS' CARNIVAL TO START KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN ............... 7
Hong Kong government exchange fund......................................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..............
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 19§1
1
FS TO MAKE STATEMENT IN LEGCO ON BCCHK
******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, WILL MAKE A STATEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO EXPLAIN FULLY THE CIRCUMSTANCES CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK).
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR DAVID CARSE, SAID HIS CONSULTANT, MR JOHN ASPDEN, HAD RETURNED FROM ABU DHABI BUT HAD NOT MANAGED TO OBTAIN ANY STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FROM THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT -- BCCHK’S ULTIMATE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER -- TO STAND BEHIND THE OPERATIONS OF THE BANK.
"HOWEVER, THERE REMAINS THE POSSIBILITY OF A SALE OF THE BANK AND THIS IS NOW BEING PURSUED WITH THE INTERESTED PARTIES," MR CARSE SAID.
"MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN ALL NECESSARY STEPS to SAFEGUARD THE ASSETS OF THE BANK IN THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS, PENDING FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON THE FUTURE OF THE BANK," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
1990 SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED ******
IN 1990, 18,847 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 112.3 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1,084 (OR 6%) IN NUMBER AND OF 4.7 MILLION NRT (OR 4%) IN CAPACITY OVER 1989.
THIS IS CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT 1990" PUBLISHED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN 1990, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) SLIGHTLY INCREASED BY 1% OVER 1989.
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERi RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+634), CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (+228) AND DRY BULK CARRIERS (+92), WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF OIL TANKERS (-49).
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASED WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+440), LIBERIA (+178), PANAMA (+82), DENMARK AND GREENLAND (+77) AND SOUTH KOREA (+67), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN JAPAN (-81) AND THE NETHERLANDS (-37).
/THE NUMBER
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991
- 2 -
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 523 WHILST THE NUMBER OF tHOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 561.
IN 1990, THERE WERE 18,824 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 112.2 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1,039 (OR fefc) IM NUMBER AND OF 4.3 MILLION NRT (OR 4%) IN CAPACITY OVER 1969.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 5%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, ANALYSES OF THE NUMBER OF OUTGOING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, FLAG, AND CAPACITY ARE LARGELY THE SAME AS THOSE OBSERVED IN INCOMING SHIPS. ABOUT 68% OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 87% 1N TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 13% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 63% WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 37% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SINGAPORE (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 16%), JAPAN (14%), CHINA (12%), SOUTH AFRICA (10%), AUSTRALIA (9%), TAIWAN (8%) AND THE USA (6%), WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE USA (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 20%), CHINA (14%), TAIWAN (13%), SINGAPORE (5%), JAPAN (5%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (4%) AND SOUTH KOREA (4%).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (36%) AND THE USA (15%), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED ALSO IN THE USA (14%) AND CHINA (13%).
COMPARING 1990 WITH 1989, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM INDONESIA (+108%), MALAYSIA (+26%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+25%), THE NETHERLANDS (+18%), THE USA (+17%) AND CHINA (+16%); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM BRAZIL (-23%) AND SOUTH AFRICA (-20%).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE 6Y 2%.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CAfeGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ORGANIC CHEMICALS (+34%), ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+23%) AND PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR ot' PAt’feRBOARD (+21%); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKER (-18%) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCtS ANt) RELATED MATERIALS (-5%).
COMPARING 1990 WITH 1989, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 8%.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+57%), MACAU (+35%), THE NETHERLANDS (+28%), CANADA (+21%), TAIWAN (+19%), SINGAPORE (+19%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+19%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (-14%).
/AMONG THE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991
- 3 -
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF FOOTWEAR (+40%), TOYS (+23%), AND CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+17%)J WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF bbLR AND WASTE PAPER (-19%) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (-7%).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEAEoftNfi IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 37% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 80% WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 31* OF SEABORNE IMPORTS.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM ITALY (98%), THE USA (83%), TAIWAN (81%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (80%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (79%) AND THE NETHERLANDS (71%).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN 1990 ROSE BY 15% OVER 1989.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 98% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 93% OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD, 91% OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES AND PARTS, 90% OF TEXTILES OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED, AND 88% OF TEXTILE FIBRES.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 73% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CANADA, AND ALMOST ALL TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE USA, FRANCE, THE NETHERLANDS, AUSTRALIA AND THE PHILIPPINES.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN 189(1 ROSE BY 14% OVER 1989.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED COTTON GARMENTS; TOYS; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; FOOTWEAR; COTTON TEXTILES; MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED AND PLASTIC MANUFACTURES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC CAME INTO UNIFICATION ON OCTOBER 3, 1990. THE UNIFIED NEW STATE IS KNOWN AS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY. AS FROM 1990, SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY REFER TO THE UNIFIED GERMANY.
/IN THE ........
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991
IN THE ABOVE ANALYSIS, WHERE COMPARISONS BETWEEN 1989 AND 1990 ARE MADE, STATISTICS OF THE PREVIOUS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC IN 1989 ARE ADDED TOGETHER TO ENSURE COMPARABILITY WITH THE 1990 FIGURES.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY EftoM OfcNfettAt DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPMASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTifitNG AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1990 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS Rfet>ORT 1990", WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRE, CENTRAL, AT $50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4887.
--------0----------
BUILDINGS IN TAI PO DECLARED DANGEROUS * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) DECLARED THE BUILDINGS AT NO. 11 PAK SHING STREET IN TAI PO TO BE DANGEROUS AND NOS. 9 AND 13 OF THE SAME STREET LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE STRUCTURES WERE TWO-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED OF LOADBEARING BRICK AND MASONRY WALLS, WITH TIMBER FLOORS AND MAINLY TIMBER ROOFS FOR THE FRONT BLOCKS, AND REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS AND ROOFS FOR THE REAR BLOCKS.
THE BUILDING AT NO. 11 UNDERWENT REPAIRS IN 1978 AND AGAIN IN 1985 TOGETHER WITH THE BUILDING AT NO. 13.
NOS. 11 AND 13 HAD BEEN UNDER SURVEILLANCE BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SINCE 1981 AND 1985 RESPECTIVELY WHILE AT NO. 9 THE SURVEILLANCE BEGAN LAST YEAR.
THE OWNER OF THE THREE BUILDINGS WAS ADVISED IN AUGUST LAST YEAR TO UNDERTAKE SUFFICIENT REPAIRS TO THE DEFECTS DETECTED IN ORDEfe TO RENDER THE BUILDINGS SAFE GENERALLY.
/FURTHER INSPECTIONS .......
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991
- 5 -
FURTHER INSPECTIONS IN JANUARY AND MAY THIS YEAR REVEALED THAT NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT AND THE BUILDINGS HAD FURTHER DETERIORATED.
THE BUILDING AT NO. 11 WAS IN AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DILAPIDATION BECAUSE THE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS WERE BADLY DECAYED AND PARTIAL COLLAPSES IN THE COCKLOFT AND ROOF HAD ALREADY OCCURRED.
THE COMMON STAIRCASE WITH NO. 13 WAS DEFECTIVE AND LARGE AREAS OF RENDERING HAD EITHER BECOME LOOSE OR DETACHED FROM THE MASONRY PARTY WALL COMMON WITH NO. 13.
FURTHERMORE, WITH THE EXPOSED MASONRY PARTY WALL SHOWING LOOSE, OPEN JOINTS AND CRACKS, THE RISK OF A FURTHER COLLAPSE OF THE BUILDING IS HIGH AND THEREFORE THE BUILDING AT NO. 11 SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING DANGEROUS.
THE BUILDING AT NO. 13 WAS IN A DILAPIDATED CONDITION. ITS TIMBER STAIRCASE AND PARTY WALL COMMON WITH NO. 11 WERE ALSO SHOWING DETERIORATION, AND THERE WERE LOOSE RENDERING AND DEFECTS IN THE MASONRY WALL TO THE REAR PORTION.
AS THE BUILDING WAS DEPENDENT UPON NO. 11 FOR STRUCTURAL SUPPORT AND MEANS OF ESCAPE, IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE DEMOLITION OF NO. 11. IT SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE BUILDING AT NO. 9 WAS IN A POOR CONDITION WITH EXTENSION AREAS OF DEFECTIVE RENDERING, SPALLED WINDOW HEADS, BROKEN TIMBER WINDOWS, CRACKED BRICK CORBELS SUPPORTING TIMBER JOISTS AND EXTENSIVELY BROKEN AND LOOSE ROOF TILES.
FURTHERMORE, THE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE FOR THE COCKLOFT OF FIRS'! FLOOR AND THE ROOF, WERE IN A DECAYING STATE AND THE ROOF OVER THE GROUND FLOOR YARD HAD PARTIALLY COLLAPSED.
THE PGBS SAID THE BUILDING AT NO. 9 WOULD BE UNABLE TO WITHSTAND THE DEMOLITION OF NOS. 11 AND 13 AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 20 WERE POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS TODAY.
------0-----------
/6 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991
6 IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON OVERSEAS TRAINING * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
NINE OFFICERS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL LEAVE FOR OVERSEAS TRAINING IN AUGUST AND OCTOBER TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON AND ACHIEVE SELF-ENRICHMENT.
ACTING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR HUI KUNG-SHUN AND CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, MRS PITT CHEUNG SAU-KWAI ANITA, MR LAM TUNG-KAN, MRS CHAN TAM KWOK-LAN AND ACTING CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR LAW YIU-TUNG, WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE AND ITALY ON AN EIGHT-WEEK STUDY OF THE IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES IN THOSE COUNTRIES.
CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, MESSRS PEH YUN-LU AND LEUNG KA-WAI, WILL SPEND 10 MONTHS IN THE STUDY OF PROGRAMME AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, USA.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER, CHAN CHI-KIN, WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM TO ATTEND A DRILL INSTRUCTORS COURSE FOR TWO WEEKS TO BE FOLLOWED BY A ONE-WEEK ATTACHMENT TO THE SCHOOL OF INFANTRY AT PIRBRIGHT, SURREY.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR HUNG CHEUNG-SIU WILL TAKE UP A FOUR-MONTH TRAINING COURSE ON INFORMATION PROCESSING PERSONNEL (PERSONAL COMPUTER NETWORK) IN JAPAN.
AT A BRIEFING BEFORE THE OFFICERS’ DEPARTURE, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR JOHN YEUNG, SAID HE ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVING OVERSEAS TRAINING AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING CONTACTS WITH AND LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF FOREIGN IMMIGRATION SERVICES.
THE STUDY TRIPS WOULD ASSIST OFFICERS IN SELF DEVELOPMENT AND ENABLE THEM TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFERENT CULTURAL AND SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF OVERSEAS VISITORS WHOM THEY WOULD MEET IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DUTIES.
MR YEUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE DEPARTMENT FULLY RECOGNISED THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS THAT COULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THESE STUDY TRIPS AND THAT EVERY EFFORT WAS MADE TO PROVIDE OFFICERS WITH SUCH OPPORTUNITIES.
HE URGED THE OFFICERS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON AND TO ACHIEVE SELF-ENRICHMENT.
/7........
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991
7
’DANCES WITH DRAGONS’ CARNIVAL TO START KEEP CLEAN CAMt’AtCtt *****
THE 1991/92 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL START WITH A LARGE-SCALE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECT, THE "DANCES WITH DEAGOES" CARNIVAL, TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE PIAZZA (NEAR THE CLOCK TOWER), TSIM SHA TSUI ON SUNDAY (JULY 14), BEtjlNNlNQ FROM 10.30 AM.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR ALBERT LAM, ftlLL OFFICIATE AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS ARE THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CEAIEMAE OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR GILBERT LEUNG AND MISS CHRISTINA TING; DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS IRENE YAU; DIRECTOR OF RfeCtoNAL SERVICES, MR ADOLF HSU; AND ACTING DIRECTOR OR URBAN SERVICES, MR PETER NG.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE A DANCE, A MIME SHOW AND A RHYMED RAP TALK, ALL DESIGNED TO CONVEY MESSAGES OF KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN.
THE CAMPAIGN MASCOTS, THE DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS AND ITS FAMILY MEMBERS, WILL JOIN HANDS WITH THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS, THE FRINGE CLUB AND THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR TO PERFORM THE tHRBfi PROGRAMMES. •
ARTISTES NG KWAN-YUE AND WONG YAT-SAN WILL BE THE MASTERS OF CEREMONY. OTHER CELEBRITIES, INCLUDING ANITA MUI, SIAO FONG-FONG, FLORA CHEONG-LEEN, ALEX TO AND LILY POON WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE RAP TALK.
ADMISSION TO THE CARNIVAL IS FREE. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Witt BE INVITED TO GO UP TO THE STAGE AND RAP AND THEY WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
FOLLOWING THE TSIM SHA TSUI CARNIVAL, THE DRAGONS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS WILL FORM CLEANING SQUADS AND HEAD FOR SHA TIN TOWN HALL SQUARE FOR A CLEAN-UP OPERATION WHICH WILL START AT 12.30 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ABE INVITED TO COVEE tRE EVENTS.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAEMEES FROM THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL SQUARE TO COVER THE CLEAN-UP OPERATION. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
--------0 -
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ******
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS ---- TUESDAY 9 JULY 1991
ISSUE NUMPER AMOUNT APPLIED AMOUNT ALLOTTED AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD Q128 HKD 1,215 MN HKD 400 MN 6.45 PCT H168 HKD 698 MN HK 200 MN 6.44 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 6.48 PCT 6.48 PCt
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 81 PCT 100 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TUESDAY 16 JULY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q129 Y192
ISSUE DATE 17 JULY 91 17 JULY 91
MATURITY DATE 17 OCT 91 15 JULY 92
TENOR 90 DAYS* 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400 + 80 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
* REPEAT 92 DAYS
0
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
DATE !$ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 8.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 9.7.91 + 85
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -85
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114. 2 *+0.0* 9.7.91
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1991
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
8.7.91 9.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.32 PCT 6.27 PCT
1 MONTH 6.38 PCT 6.31 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.44 PCT 6.44 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.44 PCT 6.45 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.80 PCT 6.80 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 3,784 MN 2,761 MN
- - 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON NEW AIRPORT......................................................... 1
FS EXPLAINS SUSPENSION OF BCCHK OPERATIONS .......................... 3
CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND NOT FEASIBLE: SEM ............................ 6
CRIMES BILL DOES NOT ADVOCATE HOMOSEXUALITY ......................... 9
CONTROL OVER CHEMICAL WASTE NOT TOO ONEROUS ......................... 10
MOTION TO ADD TWO FIXED PENALTY TRAFFIC OFFENCES .................... 11
MOTION TO EXCLUDE MID-LEVELS BUS ROUTE OPERATOR FROM PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME ............................................................... 11
GOVT AWARES CHILDREN OF BRITISH CITIZENS OF HK ORIGIN NOT GETTING PASSPORTS ............................................................ 12
MEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE .................... 13
EXTENSION OF SERVICE AFTER RETIREMENT DEPENDS ON SERVICE NEED: CS ... 34
SECONDARY ONE PLACES SUFFICIENT ..................................... 15
NON-REFUGEE CENTRES IN VIETNAM UNDER STUDY .......................... 16
MINIBUS PRICING MECHANISM APPROPRIATE ............................... 16
POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED OF PERJURY MAY FACE DISMISSAL............... 17
OVERTIME WORK OF GOVT DRIVERS EXPLAINED ............................. 18
/NO IMMEDIATE .......
NO IMMEDIATE INTENTION TO SET UP HK OFFICE IN PEKING .................. 19
ELEVEN BILLS PASSED AS DEBATES DOMINATE LEGCO ......................... 19
CLOSURE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMPS AND NEW MEASURES AT DETENTION CENTRES ................................................................. 20
BEST WISHES TO HONG KONG CONTINGENT TO SPECIAL OLYMPIC GAMES ............ 21
1989 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS .............................................................. 22
LOWERING OF SHARK WARNING FLAGS AT FOUR NT BEACHES ...................... 25
REMINDER ON DEADLINE FOR RETURNING SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ................ 25
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY .................................................... 27
SCHEME HELPS STUDENTS DEVELOP READING HABIT ............................. 27
THREE GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ........................................ 27
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 28
R h
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
1
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON NEW AIRPORT
SIR, I HOPE MEMBERS WILL FORGIVE ME IF I INDULGE IN WHAT OTtffeR
MEMBERS HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE COURSE OF AN EARLIER DEBATE, AND THAT
IS TO TELL A SMALL STORY TO START MY SPEECH, AND NOT THIS TIME ABOUT
MR WONG OR MR CHAN, BUT ABOUT A MR MARTIN LEE. AND I HOPE HE WILL ALSO
FORGIVE ME IF EVIDENCE WHICH I PRODUCE IS HEARSAY, AND NO DOUBT HE WILL CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG. IT DOES COME HOWEVER, FROM AN IMPECCABLE SOURCE. THE STORY GOES THAT ON THE DAY OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT, MR LEE APPROACHED ONE OF THE LADY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, EMBRACED HER WARMLY, KISSED AND SAID: "WELL DONE, THAT’S A GOOD AGREEMENT”. NOW, 1 FIND THAT A VERY FASCINATING STORY FOR TWO REASONS; FIRSTLY, THAT MR LEE CERTAINLY SEEMED ON THAT DAY TO THINK THAT THERE HAD BEEN A GOOD AGREEMENT SIGNED, EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY AND QUITE CORRECTLY, HE RECOGNISED THE ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN COMING TO THAT DECISION.
IT FALLS RATHER ODD WITH THE SUGGESTION TODAY THAT THIS DEAL HAS BEEN DONE BEHIND THE BACK pF HONG KONG WITH NO PARTICIPATION, EITHER OF THE ADMINISTRATION OR INDEED, OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. THE FACT OF THE MATTER, SIR, AS YOU HAVE SO CLEARLY PUT IT. THE HONG KONG . ADMINISTRATION AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WAS INVOLVED AT EACH STAGE. WE ARE NOT LIVING IN THE DAYS OF "STEAMED PACKETS AND COURIER PIGEONS" WE HAVE CONFIDENTIAL FAX, WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH BOTH WITH LONDON AND INDEED, WITH OUR NEGOTIATORS IN PEKING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF THESE DISCUSSIONS. AND CLEARLY WHAT WAS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THIS IS A PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENT, IS THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WERE ACCEPTABLE TO HONG KONG TO THE ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE AFTER ALL, WE ARE GOING TO BE THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD THE AIRPORT. AND I’LL COME BACK TO THAT AGAIN IN A MOMENT.
K
MUCH HAS BEEN MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE SO-CALLED CONSPIRACY IN THE DARK DAYS, BETWEEN THE DAY IN WHICH THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED, OR WAS ASSIGNED, INITIALED ON THE 30TH AND THE 4TH WHEN It WAS ANNOUNCED. IT WAS A DIFFICULT TIME CLEARLY. THERE WAS A SITUATION IN WHICH WE KNEW THE AGREEMENT WAS INITIALED, CERTAINLY WE DID BECAUSE WE WERE INVOLVED UNTIL 3 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING WITH THOSE NEGOTIATIONS. BUT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT CLEARLY TOOK SOME TIME. THERE WAS SOME CO-ORDINATION TO BE DONE. CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN PEKING AND LONDON, AND OF COURSE OURSELVES, AND THOSE-ARRANGEMENTS TOOK TIME. THERE WAS NO CONSPIRACY. WE WERE NOT IN THE DAfeK.
AND SIR, I THINK YOUR STATEMENT WHICH WAS MADE AT A DIFFICULT TIME, WHICH SAID THAT THE POSITION, THE PUBLIC POSITION ON THE AIRPORT REMAINS UNCHANGED, WAS SIMPLY A REFLECTION OF THE FACT THAT THE PUBLIC POSITION ON THE AIRPORT WAS INDEED UNCHANGED SINCE YOU LAST MADE THE COMMENT AT THE AIRPORT.
A N E /LET ME .........................................................
R
S
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
2
LET ME TURN BRIEFLY, SIR, TO THE AGREEMENT ITSELF. I THINK THE STRENGTH OF THE AGREEMENT IS, IT DOES PROVIDE PRACTICAL, WORKMANLIKE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ENABLE US TO GET ON WITH THE BUILDING OF THE AIRPORT. AND THE ANNEX TO THE UNDERSTANDING LISTS ALL THE MAJOR PROJECTS, AND THE UNDERSTANDING ITSELF MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BUILDING OF THOSE PROJECTS; CLEARLY A RECOGNITION OF THE ROLE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN THE BUILDING OF THIS AIRPORT.
YES, THERE WILL BE SOME MATTERS WHICH WILL BE DISCUSSED AND MANY MEMBERS HAVE REFERRED TO CLAUSE 3 OF THE AGREEMENT. THE MATTERS WHICH ARE TO BE DISCUSSED ARE MATTERS FOR WHICH THE SAR GOVERNMENT ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY IN 1997. WE HAVE ALWAYS ACCEPTED THE SITUATION THAT WE SHOULD DISCUSS WITH CHINA, MATTERS WHICH FALL TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SAR. WE BELIEVE THAT’S A REASONABLE POSITION TO BE IN AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE CLAUSE 3 WHICH IS IN THAT AGREEMENT PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK, A GOOD TIME-SCALE AND VERY GOOD ARRANGEMENTS FOR US TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ON THOSE MATTERS. THERE IS NO SUGGESTION IN THAT CLAUSE OF ANY VETO; THERE IS NO SUGGESTION IN THE WHOLE AGREEMENT INDEED, THAT HONG KONG IS BEING GIVEN DIRECTIONS AS TO HOW IT SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BUILD THIS AIRPORT. CLEARLY, THAT IS ABSURD.
NOR INDEED IS THE ROLE OF THIS COUNCIL, EITHER IN ITS LAWMAKING ROLE OR INDEED IN ITS ROLE IN APPROVING FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT, CALLED INTO QUESTION. THE AUTHORITY OF THIS COUNCIL IN PASSING THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL, IS UNQUESTIONED. THE AUTHORITY OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN PROVIDING THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT OR NOT DOING SO, IS UNQUESTIONED.
NOR SIR, YOUR AUTHORITY QUESTIONED. IN FACT, IT’S CLEARLY RECOGNISED THAT YOU WILL APPOINT MEMBERS OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND OF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE. I WAS QUITE SURPRISED TO HEAR MR LEE SUGGEST THAT BECAUSE THAT IT WAS YOU, SIR, WHO WAS GOING TO BE APPOINTING MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, WE WERE SOMEHOW GOING TO HAVE A SERIES OF LAP-DOGS. COULD J GENTLY REMIND MR LEE THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND I’M NOT AWARE THAT HE HAS FOUND HIMSELF INHIBITED IN ANY WAY BY SO BEING APPOINTED.
SIR, LET ME TURN FINALLY TO THE REFERENCE WHICH IS MADE IN THE FINAL CLAUSE OF THE AGREEMENT, CLAUSE G WHICH REFERS TO CONTINUING CONSULTATIONS IN THE PERIOD UP TO 1997, AND THE VISITS OF THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WITH HIS OPPOSITE NUMBER IN CHINA.
SIR, THIS IS A RECOGNITION OF SOMETHING WHICH I THINK MANY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND WHICH IN THE ADMINISTRATION HEAVE RECOGNISED FOR A LONG TIME, THAT IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997 THERE HAS TO BE CLOSE CO-OPERATION AND DISCUSSION WITH CHINA ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST. INDEED, IT WAS THE FOREIGN SECRETARY HIMSELF, MR DOUGLAS HURD, WHO MADE THAT SUGGESTION WHEN HE VISITED PEKING EARLIER IN THE YEAR. AND INDEED, HE DID DISCUSS THAT SUGGESTION BEFORE HE MADE IT IN HONG KONG. SO THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THIS IS PART OF ANOTHER CONSPIRACY THAT WE ARE SEEING AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF TRYING TO NEGOTIATE BEHIND OUR BACKS. THERE ARE MANY MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN OTHER THAN THE AIRPORT WHICH NO DOUBT THE FOREIGN SECRETARIES WILL WISH TO DISCUSS.
/SIR, WE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
3
SIR, WE BELIEVE THAT IN THIS AGREEMENT WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING WHICH MEETS OUR PRACTICAL NEED TO GET ON AND BUILD THIS AIRPORT. IT PROVIDES US WITH CHINESE SUPPORT IN AN UNEQUIVOCAL WAY AND THAT CHINESE SUPPORT WILL, IN TURN INDUCE A HIGH DEGREE OF PRIVATE PARTICIPATION WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEKING ALL ALONG; AND THAT PRIVATE PARTICIPATION WILL REDUCE THE COST OF THIS AIRPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND WE ARE DELIGHTED WITH THAT CLAUSE IN THE AGREEMENT. IT PROVIDES US WITH A CERTAINTY TO PROCEED IN A WORKMANLIKE WAY.
SIR, I THINK THE FEELING IN HONG KONG AS WE JUDGE IT AT THE MOMENT IS THAT A DARK CLOUD WHICH HAS HUNG OVER, NOT ONLY THE AIRPORT BUT ALSO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, HAS BEEN BLOWN AWAY. THERE IS AN UPLIFT IN THE MOOD OF THE PEOPLE HERE AND 1 THINK THAT’S RIGHT. I SUPPOSE IT’S TOO MUCH TO HOPE THAT THE SKIES WILL REMAIN TOTALLY BLUE OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS, AND THERE WON’T BE THE ODD CLOUD. BUT 1 THINK THAT WE WOULD ALL AGREE THAT THE WEATHER FORECAST IS MUCH BETTER NOW THAN IT WAS A WEEK AGO. I THINK WE CAN LOOK FORWARD, OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS, TO A DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND ABOVE ALL, GIVING HONG KONG THE AIRPORT IT RICHLY DESERVES.
SIR, I SUPPORT THE AMENDED MOTION.
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FS EXPLAINS SUSPENSION OF BCCHK OPERATIONS
* » * » *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EMPHASISED THAT THE DECISION TO KEEP THE BANK OF COMMERCE AND CREDIT HONG KONG LIMITED OPEN LAST SATURDAY (JULY 6) WAS TAKEN HAVING REGARD TO THE FACTS AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY (JULY 5) EVENING AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT CLOSURE OF A BANK IS A DRASTIC STEP NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
"CLOSURE AT THAT STAGE WOULD ALSO HAVE UNDERMINED THE ATTEMPT TO GAIN THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ABU DHABI," SAID SIR PIERS IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS OF THE BANK.
"HOWEVER, WHEN IT BECAME CLEAR THAT SUPPORT WOULD NOT BE FORTHCOMING, THERE SEEMED NO POINT IN RISKING A DRAINING OF CASH FROM THE BANK WHICH WOULD IMPAIR THE ASSETS OF THE BANK AND COULD WELL HAVE RESULTED IN SOME DEPOSITORS BEING REPAID IN FULL TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF THE REST," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS RESPONDING TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE DECISION MADE ON MONDAY (JULY 8) TO SUSPEND THE OPERATIONS OF THE BANK WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE EARLIER DECISION TO KEEP IT OPEN LAST SATURDAY (JULY 6).
1 I ( I / /SIR PIERS .....
? p /
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
SIR PIERS SAID ALTHOUGH THE EXCHANGE FUND HAD BEEN USED BEFORE IN RESCUING A NUMBER OF BANKS, THIS WAS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THEN HAD TAKEN THE VIEW, AND RIGHTLY SO, THAT THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE CURRENCY OF HONG KONG WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN UNACCEPTABLY AFFECTED.
"ON THIS PARTICULAR OCCASION, HAVING REGARD TO THE FACTS OF THE CASE, AS DESCRIBED TO ME BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, AND TO THE FACT THAT OUR MONETARY SYSTEM, AND OUR SKILLS IN MONETARY MANAGEMENT, HAVE OVER THE PAST FEW.YEARS BEEN CONSIDERABLY STRENGTHENED, I TOOK THE VIEW THAT THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE CURRENCY OF HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED EVEN IF THE BANK WERE TO BE CLOSED DOWN.
"INDEED, THE EXCHANGE RATE HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY EVENTS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. THERE IS THEREFORE NO CASE FOR USING THE FUND," HE SAID.
"THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE SUCH THAT, IN MY OPINION, THE EXCHANGE FUND HAS NO ROLE TO PLAY IN MATTERS DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH THE BANK. THIS POSITION WILL, OF COURSE, BE CONTINUOUSLY REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF THE CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT SOME CALLS HAD BEEN MADE FOR THE USE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND TO RESCUE THE BANK OR PAY OFF DEPOSITORS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DREW ATTENTION TO SECTION 3(1) OF THE EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE WHICH STATED THAT - "THE EXCHANGE FUND SHALL RE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND SHALL BE USED FOR SUCH PURPOSES AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THINKS FIT AFFECTING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE CURRENCY OF HONG KONG AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES INCIDENTAL THERETO".
SIR PIERS STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO SAFEGUARD THE ASSETS OF THE BANK IN THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS.
"WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ASSETS ARE THERE AND THAT THEY DO NOT DISAPPEAR FROM OUR JURISDICTION," HE SAID.
AS TO THE WAY AHEAD, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WAS CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ABU DHABI, BUT THESE HAD NOT YET PRODUCED ANY RESULT.
"THERE REMAINS, HOWEVER, THE POSSIBILITY OF A SALE OF THE BANK AND THIS IS BEING PURSUED WITH VARIOUS INTERESTED PARTIES.
"IT HAS JUST BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR NOTICE THAT A LIQUIDATOR HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BANK’S HOLDING COMPANY IN LUXEMBOURG. THE COMMISSIONER IS SENDING REPRESENTATIVES TO LUXEMBOURG TO DISCUSS ANY ARRANGEMENTS NECESSARY TO THE SALE OF THE BANK IN HONG KONG," SIR PIERS SAID.
RECAPITULATING THE CIRCUMSTANCE CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS OF THE BANK, SIR PIERS SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S OFFICE WAS ALERTED TO THE RECENT PROBLEMS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE GROUP AT A MEETING OF THE BC( COLLEGE OF SUPERVISORS AT THE BANK OF ENGLAND IN LONDON ON JULY 2. ;
(
/"THIS FOLLOWED .;..
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
- 5 -
’’THIS FOLLOWED THE DISCOVERY BY THE BANK OF ENGLAND OF SUSPECTED FRAUD IN PARTS OF THE GROUP OUTSIDE HONG KONG. THE RESULTS OF THAT MEETING WERE RECEIVED IN HONG KONG ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 3.
’’VARIOUS CONTINGENCY MEASURES WERE IMMEDIATELY PUT IN PLACE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S OFFICE, INCLUDING SENDING A TEAM OF BANK EXAMINERS INTO THE BANK TO EXAMINE ITS LOAN BOOK,” HE SAID.
"ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY, JULY 5, IT WAS ANNOUNCED IN LONDON THAT SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES TN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES HAD MOVED TO (’LOSE DOWN THE BUSINESS OF PARTS OF THE GROUP.
"A DECISION HAD TO BE MADE AT THAT POINT ON WHETHER TO ALLOW THE BANK TO OPEN THE FOLLOWING MORNING OR NOT. SINCE THE BANK IS A COMPLETELY SEPARATE ENTITY FROM THE REST OF THE GROUP AND SINCE ITS OPERATIONS HERE WERE CONSIDERED SOUND AND VIABLE, THE INITIAL CONCERN WAS TO TRY TO KEEP THE BANK OPEN," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE BANK MANAGED TO TRADE RELATIVELY NORMALLY ON SATURDAY, ALTHOUGH SOME WITHDRAWAL OF DEPOSITS WERE MADE.
"WE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ABU DHABI, WHICH THROUGH ITS SHAREHOLDING IN THE PARENT IS EFFECTIVELY THE ULTIMATE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER OF THE BANK, ON THE QUESTION OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE BANK.
’’THE GOVERNMENT OF ABU DHABI HAD, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE BANK’S 1990 ACCOUNTS, PROVIDED A LETTER OF COMFORT WHICH CONFIRMED THEIR INTENTION TO PROVIDE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT REQUIRED TO ENABLE THE BANK TO CONTINUE TRADING FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE,’’ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"THE COMMISSIONER WISHED TO HAVE THIS SUPPORT REAFFIRMED AND INDEED STRENGTHENED IN THE CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE FLEW TO ABU DHABI TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS OVER THE WEEKEND WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ABU DHABI.
p
"HOWEVER, IT BECAME CLEAR ON SUNDAY, JULY 7, THAT THE GOVERNMENT OE ABU DHABI WAS UNWILLING TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL BACKING TO THE BANK," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID DURING THE WEEKEND IT ALSO BECAME CLEAR THAT THE BANK’S ABILITY TO CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE IN THE GROUP.
"IN THE ABSENCE OF SUPPORT FROM THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER, AND GIVEN THAT A DISORDERLY WITHDRAWAL OF CASH COULD NOT BE RULED OUT, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING INSTRUCTED THE BANK NOT TO OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM MONDAY, JULY 8, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
"HE ALSO ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE BANK. RESTRICTIONS WERE PLACED ON THE BANK’S BUSINESS TO FREEZE DEPOSITS AND PREVENT THE MOVEMENT OF FUNDS OUT OF THE BANK IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS," SIR PIERS SAID.
THERE WERE AT PRESENT SOME 40,000 DEPOSITORS, WHOSE DEPOSITS TOTALLED $11 BILLION, OF WHICH $4 BILLION WAS PLEDGED AS COLLATERAL AGAINST LOANS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
H
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/6.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
<
- 6 -
CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND NOT FEASIBLE: SEM * * * » ♦
THE PRACTICE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REQUIRE ALL EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ENGAGED IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TO JOIN THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND OR OTHER FORMS OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES HAS MORE DISADVANTAGES THAN ADVANTAGES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON JOHN CHAN, WHEN WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HAVING SAID THIS, MR CHAN SAID HE DEFINITELY DID NOT INTEND TO NEGATE THE VALUE OF A PROVIDENT FUND.
"IN FACT, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WAS VIRTUALLY A GOOD WAY TO GET PREPARED FOR RAINY DAYS," MR CHAN SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD KEEP ON ENCOURAGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SET UP RETIREMENT SCHEMES OR PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES.
IT WOULD ALSO CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE LABOUR LEGISLATIONS, ESPECIALLY THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME, SO THAT THE EMPLOYEES, NO MATTER WHETHER THEY WERE DISMISSED OR RETIRE, COULD GET A LUMP SUM OF MONEY.
"I BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT ttlNt) AND THE RELATED ISSUES IN 19R7 WERE CORRECT.
"AFTER TODAY’S DEBATE, 1 CANNOT SEE ANY NEW ARGUMENTS THAT WOULD SUFFICE TO CHANGE THESE DECISIONS," MR CHAN SAID, n
THE SECRETARY SAID THE LEVEL OF PROVIDENT FUNDS AND PENSIONS SET UP BY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS HAD BEEN GOING UP DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS.
AT THE END OF 1987, THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT APPROVED 5,469 RETIREMENT SCHEMES. UP TO THE END OF APRIL THIS YEAR, THE NUMBER OF SUCH SCHEMES ROSE TO 10,370.
S
MOREOVER, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THERE WERE 8,351 PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS PROVIDING RETIREMENT SCHEMES FOR 468,000 EMPLOYEES, OR 26 PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE IN 1987.
IT TO LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS OPERATING SUCH sI'IIFMES ROSE TO I 9, ? I 1 , COVERING 707,000 EMPLOYEES (>R 33 PER CENT OF Uli- WORKFORCE.
WHEN DECIDING Nor To SEI UI' \ ( HiTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, MR CHAN SA1D THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO WELL AWARE Ob THE NEEDS OF THE RETIRED PEOPLE AND THE ELDERLY.
/THEREFORE, HF. .
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
THEREFORE, HE SAID, IN 1987, IT WAS DECIDED THAT A SERIES OF MEASURES, WHICH WERE CONSIDERED TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO HELP THE RETIREES AND OTHER ELDERLY PEOPLE RESOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS OF LIVELIHOOD.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO UNDERTAKEN IN 1987 TO KEEP IMPROVING THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME IN ORDER TO PROVIDE BETTER EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES DURING THEIR EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.
IN AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS TO ESTABLISH PROVIDENT FUND OR RETIREMENT SCHEMES, MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PLEDGED TO PROVIDE A STATUTORY SYSTEM TO REGULATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"IN BOTH RESPECTS, WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS,” THE SECRETARY SAID.
IN JULY 1988, THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO COVER THOSE WHO RETIRE OWING TO AGING OR HEALTH PROBLEMS.
WITH THE GAZETTING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 IN MAY THIS YEAR, THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME WAS FURTHER IMPROVED SO THAT YOUNGER WORKERS MIGHT ALSO RECEIVE A PART OF THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT AFTER FIVE YEARS’ SERVICE JF THEY WERE UNFORTUNATELY DISMISSED.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THE BILL WILL BE TABLED AT THIS COUNCIL IN OCTOBER,” HE NOTED.
IN ORDER TO PROTECT LONG SERVICE AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS FROM BEING AFFECTED BY EMPLOYERS’ INSOLVENCY, THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS ENACTED IN MAY THIS YEAR SO THAT AFFECTED EMPLOYEES MIGHT RECEIVE MORE PAYMENTS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WAGES INSOLVENCY FUND.
"AS FAR AS THE SUPERVISION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES IS CONCERNED, THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES BILL 1991 HAS BEEN TABLED AT THIS COUNCIL," HE SAID.
WHEN CONSIDERING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, MR CHAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALREADY LOOKED INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF USING IT AS A SOURCE OF CAPITAL TO FINANCE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN THE STUDY CONDUCTED IN 1987.
"OUR VIEW WAS THAT IT WOULD NOT BE OF ANY GREAT HELP UNLESS THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND PROVIDED LOAN CAPITAL BELOW THE MARKET RATE.
"BUT IF LOAN CAPITAL WERE RAISED FROM THE FUND ON FAVOURABLE TERMS TO FINANCE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, THE FUND MIGHT FAIL TO OBTAIN A REASONABLE RETURN FOR ITS INVESTMENT AND WAS THUS UNFAIR TO ITS CONTRIBUTORS.
"OUR VIEW HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY THE DECISION TO BUILD THE NEW AIRPORT," MR CHAN SAID.
i
HE SAID WHEN THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED NOT TO SET UP A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND IN 1987, IT HAD TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION TWO MAIN FACTORS.
i
/FIRSTLY, THE .....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
8
FIRSTLY, THE SETTING UP OF SUCH A FUND OR RETIREMENT SCHEMES TO SAFEGUARD THE LIVELIHOOD OF EMPLOYEES AFTER THEIR RETIREMENT WAS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THESE RETIREES, BEFORE THEIR RETIREMENT, HAD WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR A CONSIDERABLE LENGTH OF TIME AND HAD A STEADY AND MODERATE INCOME.
HE SAID ONLY UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES COULD A PROVIDENT FUND BE MOST EFFECTIVE.
"HOWEVER, EMPLOYEES MEETING THESE REQUIREMENTS GENERALLY REALISE THE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FUTURE AND ARE CAPABLE OF DOING SO THROUGH SAVING AND INVESTMENT EVEN WITHOUT RETIREMENT SCHEMES," HE SAID.
BESIDES, MR CHAN SAID A FAIR NUMBER OF THEM HAD ALREADY JOINED PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES ORGANISED BY PRIVATE FIRMS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND OR COMPULSORY RETIREMENT SCHEMES WERE OF NOT MUCH HELP TO THE LOW PAID OR THOSE WITHOUT REGULAR EMPLOYMENT IN SOLVING THEIR PROBLEMS AFTER RETIREMENT.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S OTHER MAIN CONSIDERATION WAS THAT THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND WAS ACTUALLY A COMPULSORY SAVING SCHEME WHICH, ONCE IMPLEMENTED, MIGHT HAVE QUITE SERIOUS EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT SINCE WORKERS WERE REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE PROVIDENT FUND, THEIR MONTHLY DISPOSABLE INCOME WOULD BE REDUCED CORRESPONDINGLY. MEANWHILE, COST FOR EMPLOYERS WOULD BE INCREASED AS THEY HAD TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUND.
"ALTHOUGH SUCH COST INCREASES MAY ULTIMATELY BE ABSORBED INTO THE EMPLOYEES’ WAGES OR OTHER FRINGE BENEFITS, BUSINESS LOSS CAUSED BY SUCH COST INCREASE MAY HAVE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON OUR OVERALL ECONOMY," HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, A LARGE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL PLACED UNDER THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND MUST ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE BEST YET NOT TOO VENTUROUS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, RESULTING IN MASSIVE CAPITAL FLOWING IN AND OUT OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM, THUS IMPOSING GREAT PRESSURE ON THE FINANCIAL MARKET AND THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
CRIMES BILL DOES NOT ADVOCATE HOMOSEXUALITY » t « t *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 DOES NOT ADVOCATE OR SEEK TO ENCOURAGE HOMOSEXUALITY.
SPEAKING IN THE SECOND READING DEBATE OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN STANDARDS OF PUBLIC DECENCY AND TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CORRUPTION OF OTHERS, PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG AND THOSE WHO WERE OTHERWISE VULNERABLE.
THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL PROHIBITING THE PUBLIC DISPLAY OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS, THE CORRUPTION OF YOUNG PERSONS AND HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED OTHER THAN IN PRIVATE, WOULD BE STRICTLY ENFORCED, HE SAID.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS ALMOST A YEAR SINCE THE COUNCIL APPROVED A MOTION PROPOSING THAT MEASURES BE TAKEN TO REMOVE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES RELATING TO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE BY CONSENTING MEN WHO HAD REACHED THE AGE OF 21 AND, TO EXTEND TO MEN AND BOYS, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AFFORDED BY THE CRIMES ORDINANCE TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.
"THIS WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION," HE SAID. 6
REFERRING TO THE POINT MADE BY THE HON SELINA CHOW THAT SOME OF THE EXISTING PROVISIONS IN THE LAW RELATING TO HETEROSEXUAL OFFENCES MIGHT BE CONSIDERED TO BE OUTDATED, TO DUPLICATE ONE ANOTHER OR TO BE OTHERWISE ANOMALIES, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN THE VIEW THAT THE RECTIFICATION OF THESE ANOMALIES, IF INDEED THEY WERE ANOMALIES, SHOULD NOT DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILL. 0
”1T IS ALREADY A COMPLEX PIECE OF LEGISLATION,” HE SAID, "AND CONSIDERABLE DELAY WOULD BE LIKELY IF WE WERE TO EXTEND THE EXERCISE TO ENCOMPASS A THOROUGH REVIEW OF ALL SEXUAL OFFENCES COVERED BY THE CRIMES ORDINANCE. ' >
"WE SHALL, HOWEVER, REVIEW SEPARATELY THE POINTS RAISED BY THE AD HOC GROUP AND MENTIONED BY MRS CHOW," HE ADDED.
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/IO .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
10
CONTROL OVER CHEMICAL WASTE NOT TOO ONEROUS
******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE EFFECT OF REGULATIONS PROPOSED UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICAL WASTE WILL NOT BE UNACCEPTABLY ONEROUS TO INDUSTRY, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES STATED THIS WHEN WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID: "POINTS CONCERNING THE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF SOME OF THE DETAILED CONTROLS HAVE BEEN RAISED AND WE ARE NOW ADDRESSING THEM WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT, WHILE MEETING OUR ENVIRONMENTAL TARGETS, THE EFFECT OF THE REGULATIONS WILL NOT BE UNACCEPTABLY ONEROUS TO INDUSTRY."
HE NOTED THAT OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE INDUSTRY OVER THE SCOPE AND THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS. GENERALLY, THE INTENT AND SCOPE OF THESE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN WELCOMED.
THE AIM OF THE BILL IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE NECESSARY POWERS, INCLUDING NEW REGULATION-MAKING POWERS, TO OPERATE AN EFFECTIVE SCHEME OF CONTROL OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICAL WASTE.
THE DETAILED CONTROLS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED PRIMARILY THROUGH REGULATIONS TO BE MADE SUBSEQUENTLY UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
MR BARNES SAID THE AMENDMENT BILL HAD NOT, IN ITSELF, DRAWN CRITICISM ALTHOUGH SOME CONCERN HAD BEEN EXPRESSED BY THE INDUSTRY ABOUT A RELATED BUT SEPARATE MATTER, NAMELY, THE PROPOSALS TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES THROUGH A LEVY ON IMPORTED AND LOCALLY-MANUFACTURED CHEMICALS.
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PASSAGE INTO LAW OF THE BILL WOULD NOT, NOR SHOULD PRE-EMPT, A FULL AND PROPER CONSIDERATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF OUR PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF CHEMICAL WASTE, AND OF THE LEGISLATION IN PARTICULAR WHICH WOULD BE NECESSARY TO GIVE EFFECT TO ANY CHARGING SCHEME FOR THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
"WE WILL NOT PROGRESS TO THAT STAGE, HOWEVER, UNTIL 1 AM ENTIRELY SATISFIED THAT THE AFFECTED PARTIES HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY CONSULTED AND THEIR CONCERNS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN GENERAL AND WIDE-RANGING SUPPORT EXPRESSED FOR THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND THIS BILL REGARDING THE NEED TO EXERCISF CONTROL OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICAL WASTE.
/"IT ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
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"IT ALSO EMPHASISES THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY MUST WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THE RECENT PROGRESS MADE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO AIR POLLUTION AND WATER POLLUTION, IS CONSOLIDATED AND BUILT UPON IN THE FUTURE.
"I AM OPTIMISTIC WE WILL BE ABLE TO CO-OPERATE IN THIS WAY TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE,’’ HE SAID.
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITHOUT ANY AMENDMENTS.
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MOTION TO ADD TWO FIXED PENALTY TRAFFIC OFFENCES
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO MAKE TWO TRAFFIC OFFENCES IN RELATION TO DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAYS PUNISHABLE BY FIXED PENALTY OF $280.
MR LEUNG SAID THE TWO OFFENCES TO BE ADDED WERE REQUIRED ON ROAD SAFETY GROUNDS TO ENSURE PROPER LANE DISCIPLINE ON EXPRESSWAYS.
THE FIRST ONE PROHIBITS, WHERE THERE ARE THREE OR MORE LANES, THE USE OF THE EXTREME RIGHT-HAND LANE BY VEHICLES SUCH AS MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES.
THE SECOND ONE PROHIBITS OVERTAKING ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BEING OVERTAKEN.
MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE TWO ITEMS, TOGETHER WITH THE ENABLING LEGISLATION, SHOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1, 1991 TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION FOR MOTORISTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
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MOTION TO EXCLUDE MID-LEVELS BUS ROUTE OPERATOR FROM PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO EXCLUDE THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER FOR A FRANCHISED BUS ROUTE OPERATING BETWEEN CENTRAL AND MACDONNELL ROAD QN HONG KONG ISLAND FROM THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME.
IN MOVING THE RESOLUTION, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS AIMED AT ALLOWING ALL CONTENDERS FOR THE FRANCHISED BUS ROUTE, INCLUDING EXISTING FRANCHISEES, TO COMPETE ON AN EQUAL FOOTING.
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE FRANCHISE FOR THE ROUTE WILL BE AWARDED SHORTLY.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
12
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED: "EARLY THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL DECIDED THAT THE MANNER IN WHICH FRANCHISED BUS ROUTES ARE AWARDED SHOULD BE CHANGED TO ALLOW FOR COMPETITIVE TENDERING.
"THE AIM IS TO PROMOTE QUALITY, EFFICIENCY AND INNOVATION IN BUS SERVICES THROUGH HEALTHY COMPETITION.”
THREE COMPANIES NOW HOLD A FRANCHISE UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE. THEY ARE THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY, KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY.
THE FIRST TWO ARE SUBJECT TO A PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME WHILE THE LAST ONE IS NOT BECAUSE OF ITS MUCH SMALI.ER OPERATION.
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GOVT AWARES CHILDREN OF BRITISH CITIZENS OF HK ORIGIN NOT GETTING PASSPORTS *»»»»»
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT SOME PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE ACQUIRED BRITISH CITIZENSHIP RUT THEIR CHILDREN, OR SOME OF THEIR •CHILDREN, BORN BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1983, ARE NOT GRANTED SIMILAR STATUS BECAUSE OF THE 1981 BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ACTED AS THE HANDLING AGENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT IN MATTERS RELATING TO IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY.
"IF THE FAMILIES CONCERNED APPROACH THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT THEY WILL BE GIVEN ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING FOR THE REGISTRATION OF THEIR MINOR CHILDREN AS BRITISH CITIZENS," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THERE WERE TWO AVENUES OPEN TO THOSE CONCERNED TO APPLY FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP.
THE SECRETARY SAID SECTION 4 OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 REQUIRED FIVE YEARS’ CONTINUOUS RESIDENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM; AND SECTION 3 OF THE ACT PROVIDED FOR THE CHILDREN UNDER 18 OF BRITISH CITIZENS THEMSELVES TO BE REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE HOME SECRETARY.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
13
MEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION READILY AVAILABLE
******
THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS A WHOLE RANGE OF HEALTH STATISTICS AND COST DATA ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WHICH ARE ACCURATE AND READILY AVAILABLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING ON A BROAD BASIS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID VITAL HEALTH STATISTICS SUCH AS INFANT MORTALITY RATE, LIFE EXPECTANCY, LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH, INCIDENCE OF INFECTIONS AND OTHER MAJOR DISEASES WERE COLLECTED, COMPILED AND UPDATED REGULARLY TO REFLECT THE HEALTH STATUS OF THE POPULATION AND TO COMPARE WITH INTERNATIONAL TRENDS.
APART FROM THIS, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO CONDUCTED SURVEYS AS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC SUBJECTS, MRS WONG ADDED.
HOWEVER, MRS WONG SAID THE PRESENT HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM HAD CERTAIN LIMITATIONS.
"IT IS ACCURATE BUT CRUDE. IT IS ADEQUATE BUT NOT SUFFICIENTLY SOPHISTICATED FOR PLANNING WHERE MORE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED OR DESIRABLE, E.G. ON TERRITORY-WIDE DISEASE PATTERNS, ON HEALTH NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS OR SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUPINGS AND ON THE CLINICAL HISTORY OF INDIVIDUALS.
"THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS AWARE OF THESE DEFICIENCIES; AND THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE HAS POINTED OUT THESE LIMITATIONS AND SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT MEASURES," SHE SAID.
THE REPORT WAS NOW UNDER CONSULTATION FOR VIEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY.
HAVING REGARD TO PUBLIC COMMENTS, MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CONSIDERING PRACTICABLE WAYS OF IMPROVING THE PRESENT HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM TO FACILITATE MORE EFFICIENT PLANNING OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND BETTER USE OF RESOURCES.
ON HEALTH COSTINGS, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT PLANS WERE NOW IN HAND TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH ACCOUNTING SYSTEM TO ENABLE BETTER, MORE SOPHISTICATED PLANNING.
AT PRESENT, INFORMATION ON THE EXPENDITURE OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WAS AVAILABLE FROM COMPUTERISED ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS.
SUCH INFORMATION INCLUDED THE COST PER BED-DAY IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOSPITALS, THE COST PER GENERAL OR SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT. CONSULTATION, THE COST FOR EACH DRESSING AND INJECTION AND THE COST PER VISIT BY A COMMUNITY NURSE.
/"CALCULATIONS ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
14
’’CALCULATIONS ARE MADE ACCORDING TO A FULL-COST PRINCIPLE, WHICH EMBRACES STAFF COSTS, DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSES, MAINTENANCE AND DEPRECIATION, ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEADS AND OTHER OPERATING COSTS; AND AN AVERAGE-COST APPROACH,” SHE EXPLAINED.
MRS WONG ADDED THAT SUCH INFORMATION WAS ACCURATE BUT DEFICIENT IN MANY RESPECTS, E.G., DATA ON COST OF SERVICES WHICH WERE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND DATA ON THE SUBVENTED SECTOR WERE LIMITED AND FRAGMENTED.
”WE CONSIDER THAT THERE IS A NEED TO IMPROVE THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES,” SHE SAID.
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EXTENSION OF SERVICE AFTER RETIREMENT DEPENDS ON SERVICE NEED: CS
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY ON THE CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS BEYOND THEIR RETIREMENT AGE IS THAT FURTHER EMPLOYMENT SHOULD BE PRIMARILY SUBJECT TO SERVICE NEED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN, SIR DAVID SAID THE CONDITIONS FOR RE-EMPLOYMENT DEPENDED ON WHETHER THE OFFICER WAS SERVING UNDER THE OLD PENSION SCHEME OR THE NEW PENSION SCHEME.
’’FOR OFFICERS WHO ARE UNDER THE OLD PENSION SCHEME, THE PRESENT POLICY, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS BEING MET, IS TO ALLOW THEM TO BE RE-EMPLOYED IN THE SERVICE WHEN THEY REACH THE NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE, UP TO THE AGE OF 60.
’’THE CONDITIONS ARE THAT AN OFFICER MUST BE PHYSICALLY FIT, FULLY EFFICIENT AND THAT HIS OR’HER FURTHER EMPLOYMENT WOULD NOT CAUSE PROMOTION BLOCKAGE.
"IF AN OFFICER FULLY SATISFIES ALL THOSE CRITERIA EXCEPT THAT CONCERNING PROMOTION BLOCKAGE, HE OR SHE MAY BE RE-EMPLOYED IN A LOWER RANK OF HIS GRADE,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT AN EXTENSION OF SERVICE BEYOND THE RETIREMENT AGE OF 60 UNDER THE NEW PENSION SCHEME WAS ALLOWED ONLY UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS THE NEED TO RETAIN THE EXPERTISE OF AN OFFICER, OR WHERE THERE WAS SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF STAFF OR WHERE THERE WAS COMPASSIONATE CONSIDERATION IN THE CASE OF MOD I STAFF.
"THE SAME PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO THE RE-EMPLOYMENT OF OFFICERS UNDER THE OLD PENSION SCHEME BEYOND THE AGE OF 60," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE 4,299 OFFICERS WHO SERVED UNDER THE OLD PENSION SCHEME WERE RE-EMPLOYED AS AT APRIL 1, 1989; 3,334 AND 2,680 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1990 AND 1991.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
15
HE SAID THAT THE NUMBER INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW PENSION OFFICERS WHO WISHED TO SERVE UNTIL THE NEW PENSION SCHEME.
ON HE EXTENSION OF SERVICE NEW PENSION SCHEME, SIR DAVID SAID AS AT APRIL 1, 1989, 1990 AND 1991.
HAD BEEN DECLINING AFTER THE SCHEME IN 1987 BECAUSE SERVING
THE AGE OF 60 COULD ELECT TO JOIN
OF OFFICERS WHO SERVED UNDER THE THERE WERE 32, 59 AND 98 OFFICERS
SECONDARY ONE * *
PLACES SUFFICIENT * * *
THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT SECONDARY ONE PLACES TO ACCOMMODATE ALL PRIMARY 6 PUPILS PARTICIPATING IN THE 1991 SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON JOHN CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR CHAN SAID DESPITE THIS OVERALL BALANCE, THERE WERE, AS IN PAST YEARS, IMBALANCES OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND WITHIN THE 19 ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRIMARY 6 PUPILS PARTICIPATING IN THE 1991 SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION WAS 84,273.
"THE SCHOOLS REPROVISIONING PROGRAMME WILL ADDRESS SOME OF THE MORE SERIOUS SHORTFALLS."
HOWEVER, THE SECRETARY SAID IT WAS NEITHER PRACTICAL NOR NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE A DISTRICT BY DISTRICT BALANCE BECAUSE THE REQUIREMENT FOR PLACES CHANGES AT A PACE WE COULD NOT HOPE TO MATCH WITH SCHOOL REPROVISIONING.
FOR DISTRICTS WITH AN IMMEDIATE SHORTFALL OF PLACES, MR CHAN SAID THAT THE SELECTION OF SCHOOLS AVAILABLE TO PARENTS HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE SCHOOLS IN NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS OR ALONG EASILY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT ROUTES.
"WHERE NEW SCHOOLS ARE BEING PROVIDED, MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITY IS TAKEN TO MEET ANY SHORTFALLS BY ACCELERATING THE BUILDING PROCESS; BY OPERATING MORE JUNIOR CLASSES FOR THE INITIAL PERIOD; OR BY ADVANCING THE OPENING OF NEW SCHOOLS THROUGH THE INITIAL USE OF SHARED PREMISES," MR CHAN SAID.
SINCE THERE WERE ENOUGH SECONDARY ONE PLACES FOR ALLOCATION PURPOSES FOR THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR, THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS PER CLASS FROM 40 TO 45, OR TO BUY MORE PLACES FROM PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR.
"AS I HAVE EXPLAINED, WE DO ADJUST THE NUMBER OF CLASSES IN SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS DISTRICT SHORTFALLS ON A TEMPORARY BASIS, WHENEVER IT IS NECESSARY AND POSSIBLE TO DO SO," HE ADDED.
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NON-REFUGEE CENTRES IN VIETNAM UNDER STUDY
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS DISCUSSING WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT THE POSSIBLE ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONALLY MANAGED CENTRES IN VIETNAM TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONTINUING ITS EFFORTS TO SECURE AGREEMENT TO ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REPATRIATION OF ALL THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
MR LAM WAS ASKING THE MEASURES THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD TAKE TO COPE WITH AND ACCOMMODATE THE FURTHER INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE.
"WE PLAN TO ACCOMMODATE NEW ARRIVALS IN WHATEVER SPACE IS AVAILABLE IN EXISTING DETENTION CENTRES.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE, IN CO-OPERATION WITH UNHCR, THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY GENERALLY ENDEAVOURING TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS TO PEOPLE IN VIETNAM THAT THERE IS NO POINT IN LEAVING VIETNAM CLANDESTINELY IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE OVERSEAS," MR ASPREY ADDED.
------------------0------- MINIBUS PRICING MECHANISM APPROPRIATE * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE RED MINIBUSES (RMB’S) PROVIDED A SUPPLEMENTARY SERVICE TO THE MASS CARRIERS WHOSE VIABILITY DEPENDED ON MARKET FORCES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON DAVID CHEUNG CHI-KONG’S QUESTION ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANY PLAN TO EXERCISE SOME CONTROL OVER THE PRICING OF RMB’S TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE PROFITEERING, MR LEUNG SAID THE EXISTING PRICING MECHANISM OF RMB’S WAS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE.
RMB’S OPERATE ON NON-SCHEDULED ROUTES. THEY PROVIDE A FLEXIBLE SERVICE FOR PASSENGERS WHO ARE PREPARED TO PAY HIGHER FARES IN RETURN FOR MORE CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT THAN IS GENERALLY PROVIDED BY BUSES.
THEIR VIABILITY IS SUBJECT TO MARKET FORCES AND THE COMPETITIVENESS OF INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS.
IF THEIR CHARGES ARE TOO HIGH, THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ATTRACT ENOUGH CUSTOMERS, WHEREAS, IF THEIR FARES WERE PRE-DETERMINED, THIS WOULD DETRACT FROM THEIR RESPONSIVENESS TO CHANGES IN LOCAL MARKET CONDITIONS.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
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MR LEUNG SAID SUBJECT TO OPERATING AREAS AND STOPPING RESTRICTIONS, THEY WERE THEREFORE ALLOWED TO UTILISE FULLY THEIR FLEXIBILITY TO OPERATE IN A MANNER SENSITIVE TO PASSENGER REQUIREMENTS.
GREEN MINIBUSES (GMB’S), HOWEVER, OPERATE ON SPECIFIED SCHEDULES ALONG DESIGNATED ROUTES. THEY PROVIDE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO AREAS WHERE LARGE BUSES ARE NOT ECONOMICAL OR CONSTRAINED BY ROAD TERRAIN.
’'GMB FARES ARE REGULATED AND APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT," MR LEUNG SAID.
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POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED OF PERJURY MAY FACE DISMISSAL * * * * »
A LIE GIVEN ON OATH BEFORE A COURT ON A MATTER WHICH IS MATERIAL IN THAT PROCEEDING AMOUNTS TO PERJURY, AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE ON CONVICTION UPON INDICTMENT BY A MAXIMUM OF SEVEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ELSIE TU.
MRS TU WAS ASKING WHAT ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS WHO WERE FOUND TO HAVE LIED ON OATH IN COURT IN THE COURSE OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
MR ASPREY SAID WHERE THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY POLICE OFFICER, HAD COMMITTED PERJURY, THE MATTER WOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND THEN REFERRED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO WOULD DECIDE WHETHER TO PROSECUTE OR NOT.
IF A POLICE OFFICER WAS CONVICTED OF PERJURY, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WOULD DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO EXERCISE HIS POWER TO DISMISS THE OFFICER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE, HE SAID.
0
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OVERTIME WORK OF GOVT DRIVERS EXPLAINED ******
GOVERNMENT DRIVERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK OVERTIME DEPENDING ON THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG, SIR PIERS SAID ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICERS, IRRESPECTIVE OF RANK, MIGHT USE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT TO CARRY OUT THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES DURING OR OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS.
BUT AS THE DRIVERS WERE DEPLOYED TO A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS, A GREAT DEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AND HENCE COSTS WOULD BE INVOLVED TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON ALL OVERTIME ASSIGNMENTS, HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID INFORMATION OF OVERTIME JOURNEYS CARRIED OUT BY 55 CHAUFFEURS AND 14 MOTOR DRIVERS FOR TOP SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT RANK DIRECTORATE D4 AND ABOVE FOR THE LAST 12-MONTH PERIOD (APRIL 1, 1990 - MARCH 31, 1991) WAS HOWEVER AVAILABLE.
THEY WORKED 111,370 HOURS OF OVERTIME, COSTING $5,116,000. THE AVERAGE MONTHLY OVERTIME HOURS WORKED PER DRIVER WERE 95.44.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IN GENERAL, THE NATURE OF THESE OVERTIME ASSIGNMENTS CONSISTED OF HOME-TO-OFF1CE RETURN JOURNEYS AND ATTENDANCE AT OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS AND/OR MEETINGS.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE '1’0 PROVIDE A BREAKDOWN ON THE PRECISE LOCATION OF THE OVERTIME ASSIGNMENTS WITHOUT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME, AND COSTS, BEING SPENT ON ANALYSING IN DETAIL THE RECORDS KEPT BY INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS," HF SAID.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY 2,900 DRIVER GRADE STAFF IN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
OF THESE, 780 ARE SPECIAL DRIVERS WHO ARE NORMALLY EMPLOYED FOR DRIVING SPECIALISED VEHICLES SUCH AS STREET WASHERS, REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES, HEAVY GOODS VEH I (’LES, ARTICULATED VEHICLES AND ROADSWEEPERS.
THE REMAINING 2,120 MOTOR DRIVERS AND CHAUFFEURS ARE DEPLOYED TO DRIVE VEHICLES RANGING FROM SMALL SALOON CARS TO (’CACHES.
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NO IMMEDIATE INTENTION TO SET UP HK OFFICE IN PEKING » » ♦ * ♦
THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE INTENTION BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A PERMANENT OFFICE IN PEKING.
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).
- 0 - -
ELEVEN BILLS PASSED AS DEBATES DOMINATE LEGCO *****
TWENTY-THREE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS DEBATED FOR NEARLY FOUR HOURS ON THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY1.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON JOHN CHAN AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THE MOTION ON CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, MOVED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, AND THE AMENDMENT MOTION TO IT, BY THE HON HENRIETTA IP WERE BOTH NOT CARRIED.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION ON THE NEW AIRPORT, MOVED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE, WAS NO’I CARRIED WHILE AN AMENDMENT MOTION BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG WAS PASSED. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, ALSO SPOKE IN THE DEBATE.
THREE OTHER MOTIONS WERE ALSO PASSED: TWO WERE MOVED BA THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE AND FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY AND ONE BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE.
MEANWHILE, Il BILLS WERE PASSED BY THE COUNCIL. THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENT WHILE THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1991 WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, DENTISTS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991, GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, BREWIN TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 199 1 AND LI PC) CHUN CHARI TABLE TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 199 1 WERE PASSED WI THOU I AMENDMENT.
A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL- ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS WITHDRAWN.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
20
CLOSURE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMPS AND NEW MEASURES AT DETENTION CENTRES ♦ »»***
TWO OF THE THREE REMAINING VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CAMPS WILL BE CLOSED DOWN IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE.REFUGEE COORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS ALSO GAVE DETAILS OF ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES REQUIRED AT DETENTION CENTRES TO DEAL WITH THE GROWING NUMBER OF NONREFUGEES .
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES HAS BEEN REDUCED TO LESS THAN 6,000, AND MR LEEKS SAID THEY NOW PRESENTED A DWINDLING PROBLEM FOR HONG KONG.
“ABOUT 3,600 REFUGEES HAVE BEEN RESETTLED FROM HONG KONG Sb FAR THIS YEAR. IN ADDITION, WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO ARE SCREENED IN AS REFUGEES ARE TRANSFERRED TO A DEPARTURE CENTRE IN BATAAN IN THE PHILIPPINES TO AWAIT RESETTLEMENT," HE EXPLAINED.
“AT THE PRESENT RATE OF RESETTLEMENT, THE CURRENT POPULATION OF REFUGEES WILL HAVE BEEN REDUCED FURTHER TO A MUCH SMALLER NUMBER BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. THE RESETTLEMENT PORTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA) HAS WORKED EXTREMELY WELL. AS AT 1 JULY 1989, WHEN THE CPA RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME BEGAN, THERE WERE OVER 14,000 REFUGEES IN HONG KONG COMPARED TO ONLY 5,800 TODAY. IN ADDITION ALMOST 5,000 REFUGEES HAVE BEEN SCREENED IN SINCE THAT DATE. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY IMPRESSIVE RESPONSE BY THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES."
REFUGEES LIVING IN THE TUEN MUN AND KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRES ARE BEING NOTIFIED THIS WEEK THAT THEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED IN PHASES EITHER TO THE BATAAN CENTRE OR TO PILLAR POINT VIETNAMESE REFUGEE CENTRE, WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 5,000 PEOPLE.
TUEN MUN IS MANAGED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND ITS EVENTUAL CLOSURE WILL RESULT IN GOVERNMENT SAVINGS OF ABOUT $8.4 MILLION A YEAR IN OPERATING COSTS. KAI TAK IS MANAGED BY HONG KONG CHRISTIAN AID TO REFUGEES ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
"WHILE THIS IS GOOD NEWS, THE SAME CANNOT BE SAID ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF NON-REFUGEES, WHOSE GROWING POPULATION HAS IMPOSED ADDITIONAL BURDENS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DETENTION CENTRES," MR LEEKS SAID.
HE SAID THE ARRIVAL OF MORE THAN 13,000 VIETNAMESE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR HAI) ALSO STRETCHED THE CAPACITIES OF THE DETENTION CENTRES, RISKING OVERCROWDING AND POSING GREATER POTENTIAL SECURITY PROBLEMS.
"THERE ARE NOW SOME 56,000 NON-REFUGEES IN THE DETENTION CENTRES, WHICH ARE VERY CROWDED, DESPITE THE OPENING OF TAI A CHAU IN FEBRUARY AND THE REOPENING OF SEK KWU CHAU LAST MONTH FOR TEMPORARY USE," HE POINTED OUT.
/'•PREVIOUS MEASURES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
21
’’PREVIOUS MEASURES TO ENHANCE SECURITY WERE EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING ESCAPES FROM CENTRES, AT A TIME WHEN THERE WAS A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS. NEW MEASURES ARE NOW REQUIRED TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF SECURITY IN VIEW OF THIS YEAR’S INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE, THE PRESSURES THIS HAS PUT ON MANAGEMENT AND THE PUBLIC CONCERN ABOU 1 I HE POSSIBILITY OF ESCAPES. BETTER CONTROL AND SECURITY OF THE CENTRES IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE VIETNAMESE POPULATION THEMSELVES AS WELL AS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY,” HE ADDED.
THE DETENTION CENTRES INVOLVED ARE WHITEHEAD, HIGH ISLAND, HEI LING CHAU, CHI MA WAN, NEI KWU CHAU AND GREEN ISLAND.
THE MEASURES PROPOSED INCLUDE THE STRENGTHENING OF FENCES AND GATES AND THE UPGRADING OF LIGHTING AND EMERGENCY ELEC1RICAL SUPPLIES, AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $75 MILLION. FUNDS FOR THESE WORKS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
------0--------
BEST WISHES TO HONG KONG CONTINGENT TO SPECIAL OLYMPIC GAMES *****
LADY WILSON THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON SENT HER VERY BEST WISHES FOR THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE HONG KONG CONTINGENT IN THE 1991 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SPECIAL OLYMPIC GAMES TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK IN MINNEAPOLIS, USA.
SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY, SHE SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE HONG KONG TEAM WOULD DO EQUALLY WELL AS THEIR PREDECESSORS.
’’THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME HONG KONG HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE SUMMER SPECIAL OLYMPIC GAMES," LADY WILSON SAID, "AND PAST RECORDS SHOW HOW WELL HONG KONG DID.”
IN THE LAST GAMES, HONG KONG HAD WON 49 GOLD, 24 SILVER AND FIVE BRONZE MEDALS.
NOTING THAT THE 25 ATHLETES OF THE HONG KONG TEAM HAD UNDERGONE SERIOUS TRAINING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, SHE SAID THE TEAM HAD BEEN I'REPARED WITH THE ENTHUSIASTIC ASSISTANCE OF RELATED GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORT.
SHE CONGRATULATED THE ORGANISERS, AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN PREPARING THE HONG KONG COMPETITORS, FOR THE EXCI I ING EVEN I.
"PLANNING AND ARRANGING SPORTS TRAINING SESSIONS AND COMPETITIONS FOR MORE THAN 28,000 HANDICAPPED PERSONS ON A REGULAR AND YEAR ROUND BASIS IS NO MEAN FEAT.
"1 AM FULL OF ADMIRATION FOR YOU, AND ALL THE PARTICIPANTS IN THESE EVENTS, FOR YOUR STAMINA AND DEDICATED HARD WORK. WHAT OU HAVE DONE AND ARE DOING COULD NOT BE MORE WORTHWHILE," SHE SAID.
/THE SPECIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
- 22 -
THE SPECIAL OLYMPIC GAMES, HELD EVERY FOUR YEARS, IS THE LARGEST SPORTS EVENT IN THE WORLD FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
SOME 6,000 ATHLETES FROM 80 COUNTRIES WILL COMPETE IN VARIOUS ATHLETICS, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING EVENTS AND BALL GAMES.
- 0----------
1989 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS *****
A TOTAL OF 135,090 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES WERE IN OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1989, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 8% OVER 1988.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1989 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN 1989, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $1,160,272 MILLION OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS; AND SPENT $55,172 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, $122,006 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES AND $932,399 MILLION ON PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1988, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 14%, WHILE COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, AND PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE ROSE BY 23%, 28% AND 11% RESPECTIVELY.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES.
THE SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED GREW BY 16% TO $120,610 MILLION IN 1989 FROM $104,359 MILLION IN 1988. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF AN ECONOMIC SECTOR TO HONG KONG'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
ANALYSED BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE HAD THE LARGEST SHARE OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AT $869,796 MILLION OR 75% OF THE SECTOR TOTAL.
RETAIL TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 12%, WHILE WHOLESALE TRADE TOOK UP 9%, RESTAURANTS 3% AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES 1%.
IN 1989, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE ALSO RECORDED THE LARGEST SHARE (60%) OF TOTAL VALUE ADDED IN THE SECTOR. THE REST WAS CONTRIBUTED BY RETAIL TRADE (16%), RESTAURANTS (12%), WHOLESALE TRADE (6%) AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (6%).
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1988, RESTAURANTS SHOWED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS (+20%), FOLLOWED BY HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (+17%), WHOLESALE TRADE (+14%), IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE (+14%) AND RETAIL TRADE (+10%).
/TN TERMS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
23 -
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, RESTAURANTS RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE (+28%), FOLLOWED BY IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE (+15%), WHOLESALE TRADE (+14%), HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (+12%) AND RETAIL TRADE (+11%).
THE 1989 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND ON I HE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
DATA COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDED TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE, STOCKS, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AND ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY ACTIVITY/MAJOR GROUP AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN IHE 1989 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS” REPORT. THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE NEXT MONTH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL* AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCIIAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1248).
/24 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
24
Comparison of Selected Principal Statistics for all establishments in
the Wholesale, Retail and Import'Expcrt Trades. Restaurants and Hotel s, Sector between 198?. and 1998
- t i v i t y Number of estab 1ish-ments Number of persons engaged Number of employees Compensations of employees Operating expenses Purchases of goods for sale Changes in stocks Sales and other receipts Value added
* Mn. S Mn. S Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. * Mn.
no1esale 1989 16 103 70 899 53 462 3,579 7,064 86,643 534 99.942 7,043
r ade 1988 14 917 68 229 51 359 3.029 5,530 7o,Q66 1 ,166 87,363 6,199
7. change +8 *4 +4 +18 +28 + 13 -54 + 14 + 14
etail trade 1989 51 102 192 358 134 032 9,209 17,779 107,170 3.187 140,587 19,393
1988 51 233 190 145 129 690 7,806 14,506 99,191 3,298 127,596 17,4a3
7. change # + 1 +3 + 18 +x-> +8 + 10 + 11
?port/export 1989 58 507 328 513 287 386 28,537 83,893 722,383 6,731 869,796 72,499
r ade 1983 50 195 295 141 2c4 007 23,29? 64,557 o43,963 11,939 762,401 63,032
7. change + 17 *11 +9 4- . +•>*.• +11 -44 + 14 + 15
estaurants 1989 7 835 177 959 ia7 959 11,018 8,799 15,108 32 38,749 15,016
1983 7 654 168 763 159 359 8,774 7,404 13,251 47 32,272 11,719
7. change +2 *5 4- ~| + J3 + 19 + 14 a. .
o t e 1 s / 1939 1 543 r« Cl 0 n 34 904 2,830 4,482 1,094 13 11,199 6.659
carding 1988 1 369 31 058 29 777 2,056 3,217 961 13 9,599 5.947
ouees 7. change +13 + 17 + 17 m 11 + +3° + 14 + 17
ota 1 1989 135 090 805 962 677 743 55,172 122,00s 932,399 10.497 Cl Cl 4) —4 120,610
1988 125 367 753 341 634 192 44,958 95,213 839,333 16,464 1,019,23V 104,359
7. change +8 4-7 +7 + ij •J +28 + 11 —36 + 14 + 16
otes : (1) Individual items may not add up to the corresponding total due to rounding. •
Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product.
(3) Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
(4) # denotes changes within + 0.5%.
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/25 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
- 25 -
LOWERING OF SHARK WARNING FLAGS AT FOUR NT BEACHES
*****
SHARK WARNING FLAGS WILL BE LOWERED TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT FOUR BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THEY ARE CLEARWATER BAY FIRST AND SECOND BEACHES IN SAI KUNG AND HUNG SHING YEH AND LO SO SHING AT LAMMA ISLAND.
FLAGS WILL STILL BE HOISTED AT SILVERSTRAND, HAP MUN, KIU TSUI, TRIO, CAMPERS’ AND PAK SHA CHAU BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THE LAST SHARK SIGHTING WITHIN PORT SHELTER IN SAI KUNG WAS MADE ON JUNE 20 AND A SHARK WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE AREA ON JUNE 24.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE FURTHER REPORTS OF SHARK SIGHTING TO THE SOUTH OF HONG KONG ISLAND, SOME TIME HAS ELAPSED SINCE THEN AND IT IS CONSIDERED THAT IT IS NOW REASONABLY SAFE TO LOWER THE FLAGS IN THE ABOVE BEACHES.
NEVERTHELESS, PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SWIMMERS. THERE WILL BE MORE FREQUENT PATROLS BY LIFEGUARDS ON CATAMARANS, AND MORE DEPLOYMENT OF LIFEGUARDS ON THE BEACHES WHERE FLAGS ARE LOWERED.
SHOULD THERE BE NO FURTHER INCIDENT, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO LOWERING THE FLAGS AT THE OTHER SIX NT BEACHES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED SWIMMERS THAT THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO HEED ANY ADVICE BY LIFEGUARDS.
THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSE SURVEILLANCE OF THE BEACH WATERS AND MONITORING OF ANY SIGHTINGS ELSEWHERE.
-----0-----
REMINDER ON DEADLINE FOR RETURNING SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES
*******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED CONCERNED ESTABLISHMENTS THAT THE CLOSING DATE IS DRAWING NEAR FOR THE RETURN OF A NUMBER OF SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES IN RESPECT OF 1990.
THEY ARE:
* THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION;
♦ THE SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS;
/★ THE SURVEY ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10. 1991
26
* THE SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS;
* THI SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES; AND
* THE SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES.
THESE SURVEYS ARE CONDUCTED ANNUALLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THESE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, AND TO EVALUATE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS WILL BE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED IN APRIL - MAY 1991 TO ABOUT 25,000 ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE 1990 SURVEYS. THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31 THIS YEAR.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALS TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES WITHOUT DELAY. THOSE WHO FAIL TO DO SO MAY BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE.
EACH QUESTIONNAIRE OF THESE ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS HAS BEEN SO DESIGNED THAT RESPONDENTS MAY COMPLETE IT THEMSELVES. IF NECESSARY, OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WHO CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE RESPECTIVE SURVEYS, CAN VISIT THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED TO ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION RELATING TO INCOME AND EXPENDITURE IN THESE ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS.
THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMITTING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED THEREFORE NEED NOT WAIT FOR THEIR AUDITED ACCOUNTS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THEIR QUESTIONNAIRES.
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE, AND THAT ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE RELEASED.
/27 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
- 27 -
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY (JULY 12) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
- - 0----------
SCHEME HELPS STUDENTS DEVELOP READING HABIT
*****
THE PRIMARY 5-6 READING AWARD SCHEME HELPS STUDENTS TO DEVELOP READING HABITS AND CULTIVATE A GENUINE INTEREST TOWARDS BOOKS, THE ACTING CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS, MR HO CHE-LEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR HO WAS OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY OF THIS YEAR’S READING AWARD SCHEME.
HE ALSO SAID: ’’DEVELOPING GOOD READING HABITS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND, IN FACT, IS THE KEY TO FURTHER EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE.”
------0-------
THREE GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER
******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR SHORT TERM TENANCY OF THREE LAND LOTS IN KOWLOON.
THE
TWO LOTS, MEASURING ABOUT 3,970 AND 1,320 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY, ARE NEAR FUNG SHING STREET, NGAU CHI WAN. THEY ARE DESIGNATED FOR OPEN STORAGE, EXCLUDING STORAGE OF CONTAINERS.
THE OTHER LOT IS A 730-SQUARE-METRE SITE KWUN TONG, FOR THE STORAGE OF UNLICENSED NEW FOR THE PARKING OF LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES LORRIES AND OTHER ARTICULATED VEHICLES.
AT TSUI PING ROAD, MOTOR VEHICLES AND/OR , EXCLUDING CONTAINER
THE TENANCY FOR THE LOTS IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 26.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT 1 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/28 .....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1991
28
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* ♦ * ♦ *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 9.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 10.7.91 -367
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +367
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114.3 *+0.1*
10.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
10.7.91 9.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.13 PCT 6.27 PCT
1 MONTH 6.16 PCT 6.31 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.37 PCT 6.44 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.38 PCT 6.45 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.64 PCT 6.80 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 4,749 MN 2,761 MN
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK NEEDS TO MAINTAIN REGION’S LEAD TN PRODUCTIVITY: GOVERNOR .......... 1
PESSIMISM OVER U.S. DISAPPROVAL RESOLUTION UNWARRANTED: STI ........... 1
COMMENCEMENT NOTICES OF TWO SECURITIES ORDINANCES TO RE GAZETTED ...... 2
ARRANGEMENTS FOR BCCHK CUSTOMERS . .............................. 3
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1989 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ............... 4
FUNERAL SERVICE FOR SENIOR FIREMAN CHEUNG ............................. 7
119 VM’S RETURN TO VIETNAM ............................................ 8
TERRITORY-WIDE ANTT-OVERSTAYERS OPERATION LAUNCHED .................... 8
CLOSURE OF ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE ....................................... 9
PUBLICATION ON LEGAL SYSTEM ON SALE ................................... 10
SUMMER FUN FOR 10 MORE DISTRICTS ...................................... 11
SUMMER CAREERS PROGRAMME FOR YOUTHS ................................... 12
HK'S YOUNG MUSICIANS TO TOUR SINGAPORE ................................ 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 15
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
1
HK NEEDS TO MAINTAIN REGION’S LEAD IN PRODUCTIVITY: GOVERNOR ******
|
HONG KONG NEEDS TO RETAIN DIRECT EXPERIENCE OF THE SKILLS AND DISCIPLINES OF PRODUCTION AND TO MAINTAIN THE LEAD THAT THE TERRITORY HAS LONG HAD IN THIS REGION IN PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY CONTROL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL BUILDING, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG HAD TO DO THIS IF IT WERE TO REMAIN A MAJOR SOURCING CENTRE; A HUB AROUND WHICH SUBSIDIARY MANUFACTURING TOOK PLACE AND A PLACE WHERE THE FINISHING TOUCHES WERE MADE AND QUALITY CONTROL WAS EXERCISED.
HE SAID THE TASK OF THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WAS TO HELP LOCAL MANUFACTURERS MAINTAIN THIS LEAD.
"IT CAN OFFER FIRMS A RANGE OF ASSISTANCE ON EVERYTHING FROM PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES TO COMPUTERISATION; FROM TRAINING SUPPORT TO ADVICE ON POLLUTION CONTROL," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS TWENTY THREE YEAR HISTORY, THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL COULD NOW OFFER ALL THE SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF.
"WITH THE WORKSHOPS, LABORATORIES, LECTURE ROOMS AND OFFICE SPACE THIS NEW BUILDING PROVIDES, THE COUNCIL HAS WHAT IT NEEDS TO hlVE MANUFACTURERS A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE NOW, AND IT HAS WHAT IT kEEDS FOR EXPANSION IN THE FUTURE," SIR DAVID SAID. (
THE GOVERNOR HOPED THE NEW BUILDING WOULD BE SEEN AS A PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF THE IMPORTANCE THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED TO hONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR; AND THE IMPORTANCE IT ATTACHED TO HELPING IT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF ITS PRODUCTS AND THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS PRODUCTION PROCESSES.
------------------------------------0------- f
PESSIMISM OVER U.S. DISAPPROVAL RESOLUTION UNWARRANTED: STI ******
THERE IS NO NEED TO BE PESSIMISTIC OR UNDULY ALARMED QVER THE RESULTS OF THE VOTES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE SOLOMAN RESOLUTION AND THE PELOSI BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE DISAPPROVAL RESOLUTION, INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE iSOLOMAN, WHICH WOULD DISAPPROVE MFN (MOST-FAVOURED-NATION) STATUS FOR CHINA IN 1991, WAS PASSED BY A MARGIN OF 19 VOTES.
"THIS FALLS FAR SHORT OF THE TWO-THIRD MAJORITY WHICH IS REQUIRED TO OVERRIDE AN EXPECTED PRESIDENTIAL VETO," MR CHAU SAID.
I ’ | W 1
i
/"ALTHOUGH THE ....
THURSDAY. JULY 11, 1991
2
"ALTHOUGH THE BILL INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PELOSI, WHICH WOULD IMPOSE CONDITIONS FOR RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN 1992, WAS PASSED BY A MARGIN OF 313-112, A SIMILAR BILL WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE BEFORE ANY ACTION CAN BE TAKEN.
"PRESIDENT BUSH HAS STATED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THAT HE WILL VETO ANY LEGISLATION WHICH PROPOSES TO ATTACH CONDITIONS TO THE EXTENSION OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS.
"WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN PURSUING THIS STRATEGY, U.S. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE DIRECTING THEIR EFFORTS PARTICULARLY TOWARDS LOBBYING SENATORS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE PRESIDENT’S VETO WILL BE SUSTAINED BY THE SENATE, IF NOT THE HOUSE.
"THE ANTICIPATED VETO OVERRIDE FIGHT IS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER.
"THE PRESIDENT’S VETO CAN ONLY BE OVERRIDEN BY A TWO-THIRD MAJORITY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. PRESIDENT BUSH WILL NEED ONLY 34 VOTES IN THE SENATE IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN HIS VETO. THE MARGIN OF MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE VOTE YESTERDAY IS THEREFORE IRRELEVANT.
"WE WILL CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS," MR CHAU SAID.
- - - - 0-----------
COMMENCEMENT NOTICES OF TWO SECURITIES ORDINANCES TO BE GAZETTED
******
THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE AND THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) ORDINANCE WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE (COMMENCEMENT) NOTICE 1991 AND THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) ORDINANCE (COMMENCEMENT) NOTICE 1991 WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
"INVESTORS AND LISTED COMPANIES SHOULD NOW MAKE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THESE ORDINANCES WHEN THEY COME INTO OPERATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN .JULY 1990. IT PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE DEFINITION OF INSIDER DEALING AND AUTHORISES THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON PERSONS OR COMPANIES IDENTIFIED AS INSIDER DEALERS.
SECTION 1(2) OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT IT SHALL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
"AT THE TIME OF ENACTMENT OF THE ORDINANCE, FEARS WERE EXPRESSED THAT THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET LIQUIDITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"WE AGREED .......
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
3
"WE AGREED THEREFORE NOT TO BRING THE ORDINANCE INTO OPERATION UNTIL THE PROPO .,S TO ALLOW BUYBACK OF SHARES BY LISTED COMPANIES AND STOCK BORROWING AND LENDING FREE OF STAMP DUTY HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
"MEA URES TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROPOSALS ARE NOW IN PLACE. THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991, WHICH CONTAINS PROVISIONS ALLOWING COMPANIES TO REPURCHASE THEIR OWN SHARES, HAS JUST BEEN ENACTED EARLY THIS MONTH."
ARRANGEMENTS TO REGULATE STOCK BORROWING AND LENDING HAVE BEEN AGREED BETWEEN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND WILL COME INTO FORCE NEXT MONTH.
THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN JULY 1988. IT REQUIRES SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF LISTED COMPANIES TO DISCLOSE THEIR SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE DEALINGS.
SECTION 1(2) OF THE ORDINANCE ALSO PROVIDES THAT IT SHALL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
SOME AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THE ORDINANCE IN JUNE 1990 TO IMPROVE THE PROCEDURES FOR NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS.
A FURTHER AMENDMENT HAS JUST BEEN MADE LAST MONTH TO ENSURE THAT THE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OVERSEAS INCORPORATED COMPANIES LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG.
"THE TIME IS NOW RIPE TO BRING THE TWO ORDINANCES INTO OPERATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AS THE TWO ORDINANCES ARE CLOSELY RELATED, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED THE SAME DAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1991, FOR BOTH TO COME INTO OPERATION," HE ADDED.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR BCCHK CUSTOMERS
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR CUSTOMERS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK) TO APPROACH THE BANK TO SEEK THE RELEASE OF THOSE IMPORT/EXPORT DOCUMENTS HELD WITH THE BANK WHICH MEET THE FOLLOWING TEST:
1. THE DOCUMENTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN PROCESSED; AND
2. THE DOCUMENTS ARE NOT EMC UMBERED.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), COMMISSIONER OF BANKING SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS ENQUIRIES RECEIVED DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS IMPORT/EXPORT DOCUMENTS LODGED WITH THE BANK.
THE OFFICE OF THE
WERE IN RESPONSE TO
ABOUT THE STATUS OF
/CUSTOMERS ARE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
4
CUSTOM!7 S ARE REQUESTED TO FIRST CONTACT THE RELEVANT BRANCHES OR OFFICES O» 1’HE BANK BY PHONE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.
’I E OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAS ALSO GIVEN GUIDANCE TO THE STAFF OF BCCHK FOR THE PROCESSING OF THE TRADE FINANCE TRANSACTIONS.
IN ORDER 1’0 !• \< I LI TATE THE COl NTERi'ARTY BANKS’ HANDLING OF THESE TRANSACTIONS, \ LETTER WILL BE ISSUED TO THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OE BANKS SETTING OUT THE RELEVANT GUIDANCE.
-----0-----
SUMMARY’ RESULTS OF 1989 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED THE SUMMARY STATISTICS COMPILED FROM THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION COVERING THE REFERENCE YEAR 1989. FIELD WORK FOR THE SURVEY WAS UNDERTAKEN BETWEEN MAY 1990 AND EARLY 1991.
THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATED THAT 52,475 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS HAD OPERATED FOR THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1989.
THE OUTPUT OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY SHOWED A MILD GROWTH IN 1989. THE VALUE OF GROSS OUTPUT IN 1989 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $325,411 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF THREE PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH 1988.
THE EXPENSES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS TOTALLED $294,381 MILLION IN 1989, CONSISTING OF $209,861 MILLION ON THE PURCHASES OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL WORK/SERVICES; $52,897 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES; AND $31,623 MILLION ON OTHER EXPENSES.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY STOOD AT $89,645 MILLION IN 1989, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 7.8 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS OVER 1988. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE NET OUTPUT OF THE INDUSTRY AND REFLECTS THE INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODI ’CT.
RANKED ACCORDING TO THE VALUE ADDED, THE TOP FIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG WERE : WEARING APPAREL ($19,194 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY); BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ($16,544 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT); TEXTILES ($14,297 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ($12,694 MILLION OR II PER CENT); AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING ($7,177 MILLION OR EIGHT PER CENT).
THESE FIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 78 PER CENT OF THF TOTAL VALI F ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
/AS REGARDS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
5
AS REGARDS THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS WERE "TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TSING YI" AND "NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG, LEI YUE MUN".
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE LOCATIONS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 48 PER CENT OF THE GROSS OUTPUT AND 45 PER CENT OF THE VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
WHEN ANALYSED BY THE EMPLOYMENT SIZES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE STATISTICS SHOWED THAT ABOUT 71 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS HAD ENGAGED LESS THAN 10 PERSONS.
HOWEVER, THESE SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR 10 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT AND 16 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE GROSS OUTPUT, VALUE ADDED AND TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
IN CONTRAST, ONLY ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS HAD ENGAGED 100 OR MORE PERSONS, BUT THEY ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 47 PER CENT OF THE GROSS OUTPUT, 47 PER CENT OF VALUE ADDED AND 39 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
THE 1989 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RELEVANT ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, AND FOR ESTIMATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
APART FROM THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING AND TN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1989 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE JUNE 1991 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS TOGETHER WITH THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN THE SURVEY REPORT ENTITLED "1989 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION", WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE NEXT MONTH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6441.
/Summary results .......
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
6
Summary results of the 1989 Survey of Industrial Production Analysis by brood manufacturing industry group
Broad industry group Number of establishments Number of persons engaged Purchases of Gross output (1 Hn) Value added (1 Hn)
Compensation of employees (1 Un) materials, supplies 6 industrial work/ services (I Hn) Other expenses (1 Hn)
Food, beverages 8 954 24 734 1,892 7,259 1.972 13,607 4,530
tobacco (-2.6) (-2.1) (17.7) (5.4) (17.9) (10.3) (*.*)
Textiles (including 5 118 126 098 8,754 36,556 5,290 54,907 14,297
knitting) (-1.5) (1.4) (14.5) (16.7) (31.7) (15.7) (10.*)
Wearing apparel, except 9 758 236 708 13,645 37,610 6,051 61,631 19,194
knitwear 1 footwear (2.4) (-6.3) (4.6) (-1.0) (10.1) (3.1) (7.5)
Leather, wood I 2 591 21 018 1,143 3,992 657 6,400 1,811
cork products (-4.2) (-13.9) (-5.9) (-1.1) (7.4) (1.7) (J.«)
Paper products, printing 6 679 58 613 4,035 10,776 2,541 20,230 7,477
and publishing (4.0) (0.4) (16.1) (-6.4) (14.8) (5.1) (14.6)
Chemicals, rubber 8 1 476 15 884 1,227 8,048 1,412 12,013 2,801
non-metallic mineral products (10.7) (0.2) (19.0) (3.8) (29.4) (11.1) (30.4)
Plastic products 5 281 63 999 3,765 15,869 2,330 24,795 6,931
(-5.1) (-14.1) (-2.1) (-3.2) (6.1) (-0.7)' (4.7)
Basic metals, fabricated 1 5 423 146 243 9,517 40,247 4,975 60,771 16,544
metal products, machinery • equipment (2.4) (-6.1) IS.5) (-3.4) (16.8) (1.1) (7.4)
Electrical 8 electronic 1 725 105 030 6,799 38,636 5,294 55,786 12,694
products (-12.7) (-13.9) (4.4) (-14.0) (13.0) (-7.3) (0.2)
Other manufacturing 3 472 31 395 2,120 10,868 1,100 15,271 3,367
industries (19.6) (-4.7) (10.4) (2.6) (26.3) (6.0) (7.0)
Total 52 475 829 723 52.897 209,861 31,623 325,411 89,645
(1.6) (-6.3) (7.8) (-1.5) (16.6) (3.0) (7.1)
Notes : : (1) Individual entries may not add up exactly to the respective
totals due to rounding.
(2) Figures in brackets represent percentage changes in 1989
compared with 1988.
(3) Volue added is a measure of the contribution of an industry to Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product.
(A) The ’Number of persons engaged* are 'full-year equivalent* figure*, l.e. for an establishment which operated for only part of 1989,the number of persons engaged as at the end of the quarters during which the establishment operated are summed up mnd divided by 4.-
/7........
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
7 FUNERAL SERVICE FOR SENIOR FIREMAN CHEUNG *****
AN OFFICIAL FUNERAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE SENIOR FIREMAN, CHEUNG LOY, WAS HELD WITH FULL HONOUR OUTSIDE THE LEI MUK SHUE FIRE STATION TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR CHEUNG, 37, DIED WHILE FIGHTING A NO. 3 ALARM FIRE IN AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AT 2-10 TAI YUEN STREET, KWAI CHUNG, ON JUNE 28.
THE SERVICE WAS HELD OUTSIDE THE LEI MUK SHUE FIRE STATION WHERE THE LATE SFNTOR FIREMAN CHEUNG WAS LAST POSTED.
A BUDDHIST RELIGIOUS CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE UNIVERSAL FUNERAL PARLOUR, HUNG HOM, EARLIER IN THE MORNING.
THE COFFIN, ON BOARD AN OLD-MODELED FIRE APPLIANCE AND DRAPED WITH THE UNION JACK, WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SIX PALL-BEARERS AND ARRIVED AT THE LEI MUK SHUE FIRE STATION AT NOON.
A FIRE SERVICE CONTINGENT OF 47 MEMBERS FROM VARIOUS FORMATIONS PARADED OUTSIDE THE FIRE STATION WHEN THE CORTEGE WAS APPROACHING.
THE HONORARY AIDE-DE-CAMP REPRESENTING THE GOVERNOR; THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH; REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY DIGNITARIES LAID WREATHS AND PAID THE LAST RESPECT TO THE LATE SENIOR FIREMAN.
ON COMPLETION OF THE WREATH LAYING IN FRONT OF THE HEARSE, THE FIRE STATION SOUNDED THE ’’LAST ALARM” BELL IN THE SEQUENCE OF FOUR DISTINCT RINGS — THREE THREE-SECOND AND ONE 30-SECOND.
AN ESCORT CONTINGENT OF TWO SENIOR STATION OFFICERS AND 20 FIREMEN FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES COMMAND MARCHED ALONGSIDE THE HEARSE IN TWO EQUAL FILES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PALL-BEARERS. EACH FILE WAS LED BY A SENIOR STATION OFFICER.
TWO PIPERS FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE PLAYED THE ’’FUNERAL MARCH" UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY.
THE CORTEGE THEN LEFT THE STATION FOR TAI YUEN STREET WHERE THE FIRE BROKF OUT, AND AN "ON SCENE" CEREMONY WAS HELD.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES PAID THE LAST RESPECT TO THE DECEASED AND RITUALS WERE PERFORMED.
THE CORTEGE THEN PROCEEDED TO THE JUNK BAY CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERY FOR BURIAL CEREMONY.
I
ON ARRIVAL AT THE CEMETERY, THE CORTEGE WAS MET BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, HIS AIDES AND THE POLICE BUGLER.
THE PALL-BEARERS STOOD TO ATTENTION AS THE UNDERTAKERS REMOVED THE COFFIN FROM THE HEARSE.
/THE ESCORT........
I
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
8
THE ESCORT CONTINGENT THEN DISMOUNTED AND EACH TOOK A WREATH TO STAND ATTENTION ALONG THE ROUTE LEADING TO THE GRAVEYARD.
THE POLICE BUGLER SOUND THE ’’THE LAST POST" UPON COMPLETION OF THE RELIGIOUS BURIAL SERVICE.
TO SHOW RESPECT TO THE DECEASED, ALL FIRE SERVICES FLAGS ON THE DEPARTMENT’S PREMISES AND FIRE BOATS ARE FLOWN AT HALF MAST FROM 8 AM UNTIL 6 PM TODAY.
MR CHEUNG JOINED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1977 AS A FIREMAN. ON AUGUST 9 LAST YEAR, HE WAS PUT ON ACTING APPOINTMENT AS SENIOR FIREMAN AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR FIREMAN ON JUNE 28 THIS YEAR.
DURING HIS SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT, MR CHEUNG HAD BEEN WELL RESPECTED FOR HIS DEVOTION TO DUTY, AND HIS SELFLESS COMMITMENT IN SAVING LIFE AND PROPERTY WAS EVIDENCED IN HIS FINAL DUTY AT THE TAI YUEN STREET FIRE.
MR CHEUNG WAS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND A FIVE-YEAR-OLD SON.
-----0-----
119 VM’S RETURN TO VIETNAM
*****
A GROUP OF 119 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 62 MEN, 22 WOMEN, 17 BOYS AND 18 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 58TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 7,679 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
---------0
TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-OVERSTAYERS OPERATION LAUNCHED
*****
IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) LAUNCHED A ‘TERRITORY-WIDE ANT I-OVERSTAYERS OPERATION, NETTING A TOTAL OF 11 OVERSTAYERS FROM CHINA.
DURING THE OPERATION, THE INVESTIGATORS CONDUCTED IDENTITY CHECKS ON 54 PERSONS AT 15 PLACES.
OF THE 11 OVERSTAYERS APPREHENDED, EIGHT WERE WOMEN AGED 19 TO 66 AND THREE WERE MEN AGED 36 TO 58.
/THEY ARE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
9
THEY ARE NATIVES FROM GUANGDONG OR FUJIAN.
THEY ARE TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS AND HAVE OVERSTAYED HERE BETWEEN TWO DAYS TO TWO YEARS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID THOSE WHO BREACH THEIR CONDITION OF STAY HERE ARE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND TWO-YEAR IMPRISONMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT ALL EMPLOYERS SHOULD CHECK THE IDENTITY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR NATIONALITY, AND THEY WILL BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION IF THEY DO NOT OBSERVE THIS LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT.
EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE COME ACROSS DOUBTFUL PROOF OF IDENTITY MAY CALL THE INVESTIGATION HOTLINE 824 1551 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
CLOSURE OF ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED DOWN WHEN THE CURRENT ID CARD RENEWAL EXERCISE ENDS IN DECEMBER.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1991 WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE CLOSING DOWN OF THESE OFFICES. THE REGULATIONS WOULD BE GAZETTED TOMORROW.
THESE OFFICES HAVE ISSUED ABOUT FOUR MILLION NEW ID CARDS SINCE THE ID CARD RENEWAL EXERCISE STARTED IN JULY 1987.
THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS WOULD COME INTO FORCE ON DECEMBER 2. WITH EFFECT FROM THAT DATE, APPLICATIONS FOR NEW ID CARDS WILL BE HANDLED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S REGULAR REGISTRATION OFFICES. FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEAR THE DATE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/10 .......
I
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
- 10 -
PUBLICATION ON LEGAL SYSTEM ON SALE
******
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’3 CHAMBERS HAS PUBLISHED A FULL-COLOUR PUBLICATION FEATURING DIFFERENT FACETS OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.
APART FROM GIVING A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON LAW AND RULES OF EQUITY AND THE SOURCES OF LAWS IN HONG KONG, THE BILINGUAL ’’LEGAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG" ALSO INCLUDES SEPARATE CHAPTERS ON THE JUDICIARY, THE JURY SYSTEM, THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, THE ROLE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION OF LEGAL AID, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, LEGAL EDUCATION, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND ARBITRATION.
IN THE PREFACE OF THE PUBLICATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID ITS AIM WAS TO HELP THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND HOW OUR LEGAL SYSTEM WORKED.
"MY COLLEAGUES AND I IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS ARE KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC’S UNDERSTANDING OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM.
"IF THIS BOOKLET HELPS THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM, IT WILL HAVE ACHIEVED ITS AIM," MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR T1 LIANG YANG, SAID IN THE FOREWORD THAT HE HAD ALWAYS FELT THAT PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM WAS VITAL TO ANY SOCIETY WHICH CHERISHED THE RULE OF LAW AND FREEDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
"A JUDICIARY MUST BE INDEPENDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE IF IT IS PROPERLY AND FULLY TO ADMINISTER JUSTICE AND, IN SO DOING, TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUAL FROM ANY ABUSE OF THE EXECUTIVE’S POWERS.
"AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, SUCH AS WE PRESENTLY ENJOY AND EXPECT TO MAINTAIN IN THE FUTURE, RELIES ON STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT. AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THAT SUPPORT IS THE PUBLIC’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND HOW IT OPERATES," SIR TI LIANG SAID.
"I AM SURE THAT THIS ILLUMINATING BOOKLET WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS IMPROVING AND SPREADING THAT UNDERSTANDING IN HONG KONG. I BELIEVE THAT WITH UNDERSTANDING COMES AN APPRECIATION OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE LAWS BY WHICH WE LIVE," HE ADDED.
THE 65-PAGE PUBLICATION, WHICH HAS MORE THAN 20 COLOUR PHOTOGRAPH INSERTIONS, IS NOW AVAILABLE AT $46 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
/Il ........
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
11
SUMMER FUN FOR IO MORE DISTRICTS
THE ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) WILL GATHER FURTHER MOMENTUM THIS WEEKEND (JULY 13 AND 14) WHEN YOUNGSTERS FROM 10 MORE DISTRICTS WILL Bl ’’OFFICIALLY* ASKED TO JOIN IN THE I UN.
THE LAUNCHING CEREMONIES WILL BE FOLLOWED BY CARNIVALS AND VARIETY SHOWS.
MORE THAN 4,000 ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD UNTIL LATE AUGUST IN TUEN MUN, YAU TS1M, TAI PO, KWAI TSI NG, SOUTHERN, SAI KUNG, KOWLOON CITY, WONG TAI SIN, CENTRAL AND WESTERN, AND SHA TIN, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NF'W TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES, Till ACT IV II’IES KILL PRO\ IDE AMPLE OPPOR1UNI3 IES FOR
PARTICIPANTS TO GAIN EX PER I ENI E IN COMMUNITY SERVII F. WHILE AT 1HE
SAME TIME ENJOYING THEMSELVES.
WITH THE THEME ’’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY , THE
ACTIVITIES, INTENDED FOR THOSE AGFD SIX TO 25, ARE MOSTLY FREE OF
CHARGE WHILE A NOMINAL IFF MAY BE LEVIED ON SOME EVENTS.
A TOTAL OF $4.45 MILLION HAS BEEN DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS TOWARDS THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES.
DISTRICT GROUPS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND GOVERNMEN1 DEPAR I MEN IS HAVE ALSO POOLED THEIR RESOURCES TO PROVIDE A SPECTRUM OF EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS.
THESE INCLUDE FIN FAIRS; CAMPS FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS; EXCURSION TOURS; AND KARAOKE CONTESTS.
FREE PROGRAMME PAMPHLETS I AN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE TIMES AND VENUES FOR THE OPENING CEREMONIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE/TIME DISTRICT \ ENUE
JULY 13
2.30 PM TUEN MUN TUEN MUN TOWN HALL
3.30 PM V AU TSIM NEW WORLD PLAZA
8 PM TAI PO TAI PO PLA\GROUND
/JULY 14 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
- 12 -
JULY 14
1 .45 2 PM 2 PM PM SOUTHERN KWAI TSING SAI KUNG ABERDEEN PROMENADE OR SADICK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SCHOOL, PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0
2.15 PM WONG TAI SIN OPEN PERFORMANCE DECK, LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE *
2.30 2.30 5 PM PM KOWLOON CITY ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND PM CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCI SHA TIN SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK DISTRICT OFFICERS, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN AND OTHER LOCAL
DIGNITARIES WIL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONIES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE SYP
TSING, WESTERN,
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER OPENING CEREMONIES IN TUEN MLN, YAU TSIM, TAI PO, KWAI SOUTHERN, SAI KUNG, KOWLOON CITY, WONG TAI SIN, CENTRAL AND AND SHA TIN ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (JULY 13 AND 14).
- - 0----------
SUMMER CAREERS PROGRAMME FOR YOUTHS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A SPECIAL SUMMER PROGRAMME ON CAREER EDUCATION FROM NOW THROUGH AUGUST FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE AIMS TO ENHANCE YOUNG PEOPLE’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE CAREERS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEM.
’’THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES M I N I - EXH I B1 T IONS , VIDEO SHOWS, SLIDE SHOWS AND DISPLAYS OF WRITTEN AND AUDIO-VISUAL CAREERS MATERIALS TO BE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES DURING THE SUMMER VACATION,” THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER, MRS CLARE SIU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"IT COVERS A NUMBER OF SELECTED TOPICS INCLUDING ACCOUNTING, NURSING, BANKING, SECRETARIAL WORK, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, TOURISM, HOTELS AND JOBS IN THE GOVERNMENT.
/"PUBLICATIONS ON .......
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
’’PUBLICATIONS ON THESE AND OTHER TOPICS, AS WELL AS A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS PAMPHLETS AND JOB SHEETS ARE OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE CENTRES," SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE CENTRES PROVIDE 12 CAREERS FILMS ON CAREERS OPPORTUNITIES IN DIFFERENT TRADES AND ON SKILLS IN JOB-HUNTING AND CHOICE OF CAREERS FOR FREE VIEWING BY VISITORS AND LOANING TO SCHOOLS AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS.
"THESE WOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHOOSE A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTERESTS AND ABILITIES," MRS SIU SAID.
THE CENTRES ARE ALSO EACH EQUIPPED
WITH A REFERENCE
CONTAINING PUBLICATIONS
AND OTHER RESOURCE
MATERIALS
VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION,
WHICH ARE
ON OF
LIBRARY CAREERS,
PARTICULAR
USE TO FORM 5 AND FORM 7 SCHOOL LEAVERS.
AN
AND YOUNG
’’OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN EACH CENTRE INCLUDE AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT WITH SLIDE PRESENTATIONS, CASSETTE RECORDINGS VIDEO TAPES ON CAREERS, AS WELL AS A FREE ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ADVICE ON CAREERS AND TRAINING," MRS SIU SAID.
THE FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES LOCATED IN WAN CHAI, ----------------------------------------__ FR0M 9 AM T0 5t30
KOK, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON
MONG PM
ON SATURDAY (EXCEPT
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS).
THEIR ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SOUTHORN CENTRE, 1 6TH FLOOR 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 835 2043 AND 835 2044
MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK TEL. NO. 399 2241 AND 399 2242
CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN TEL. NO. 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. NO. 463 6851 AND 463 6855
--------0 - -
/34 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1991
14
UK’S YOUNG MUS I (’I ANS TO TOUR SINGAPORE
FIFTY OUTSTANDING MUSICIANS FROM THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSH’ OFFICE WILL LEAVE FOR SINGAPORE ON JULY 18 ON A SEVEN-DAY CONCERT TOUR.
THE ORCHESTRA IS INVITED BY THE SINGAPORE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND THE ARI’S TO TAKE PART IN THE SINGAPORE YOUTH FESTIVAL WHICH IS HIE COUNTRY'S MOST IMPORTANT ANNUAL YOUTH CULTURAL EVENT.
UNDER THE BATON OF ITS MUSH’ DIRECTOR, MR LUI KI-LING, ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE FIVE CONCERTS, INCLUDING A PERFORMANCE IN THE MOZART MARATHON CONCERT AT THE VICTORIA CONCERT HALL.
“THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE MUSH’ OFFICE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL,” THE TOUR DIRECTOR, MR SAMSON CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE PURPOSE OF THIS TOUR IS PARTLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG MUS I (’I ANS TO PERFORM, AND
TO PROVIDE MORE PARTLY TO BROADEN
THEIR EXPERIENCE.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A YOUNG PERSON IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND THROUGH MUSICAL ACTIVITIES AS SUCH WE AIM TO EXPLORE THE FULL POTENTIAL OF OUR YOUTH.
"II WILL ALSO GIVE THEM THE (’HANCE TO ACT AS AMBASSADORS FOR HONG KONG, AND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE WITH PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES," HE SAID.
THE YOUNG MUSICIANS, AGED 13 TO 24, HAVE BEEN UNDERGOING INTENSIVE TRAINING AND REHEARSING SINCE EARLY JUNE.
THE MUSH’ DIRECTOR MR LUI Kl-LING SAID THE REPERTOIRE OF THE ORCHESTRA WOULD INCLUDE A NUMBER OF FAMOUS PIECES BY WESTERN, HONG KONG AND CHINESE COMPOSERS.
"ALL I’HI' ORCHESTRA MEMBERS ARE VERY EXCITED AT THE PROSPECT OF THE TOUR,” HE NOTED.
A SECOND VIOLIN PLAYER MISS LAM SZE-LOK SAID: I THINK I
WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MUS IC AND ABOUT OTHER CULTURES.
WILL BF VERY INTERESTING TO MEET PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES JOINING THE FESTIVAL.”
THE MUSICAL DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JULY 24.
0
/15 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 11
1991
15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
♦ t * » . »
DATE
$ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE TN THE ACCOUNT ON 10.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 11.7.91 -245
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 245
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114. 2 *-0.1* 11.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS 11.7.91 10.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 5.94 PCT 6.13 PCT
1 MONTH 6.04 PCT 6.16 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.18 PCT 6.37 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.22 PCT 6.38 PCT
12 ( MONTHS 6.60 PCT 6.64 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 6,653 MN 4„749 MN
------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MAY RELEASED ............................ 1
GOVERNMENT SEEKING SOLUTION TO BCCHK ISSUE ............................ 7
DIRECT LINES TO TAKE BCCHK CUSTOMERS' ENQUIRIES ....................... 8
S5OM FOR CHINA'S Fl DOD VICTIMS .................... 9
WATER RESTRICTIONS IMMINENT ........... 9
HK A POPULAR PLACE FOR FIRMS TO SET UP REGIONAL HOS.................... 10
GOVT COMMITTED TO INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT ........... ............... 11
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NOT HIST MINIMAL BASIC SERVICE ... ........... 13
CLEARANCE FOR PHASE IT YAU MA TEI REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME ................ 15
LICENSING SEPTIC TANKS HELPS IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT ...................... 16
DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS ANNOUNCED ........................... 17
NOTICES ON FORESHORE AND SEABED PROJECTS GAZETTED ..................... 20
LANDFILL PROPOSED FOR WEST NT .................................. 21
NTM WAN ROAD TO BE CLOSED TO FACILITATE LANDFILL ...................... 21
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR ABERDEEN TUNNEL, SIGNED ....................... 22
CHILD CARE CENTRES REMAIN OPEN DURING TYPHOON ......................... 22
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR WAN CHAT RESIDENTS .................... 23
WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG ................................................ 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 24
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
1
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MAY RELEASED
*****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN MAY 1991, AT $131,493 MILLION, GREW BY 19% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1990, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN MAY 1991 RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3% TO $19,431 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 29% TO $44,924 MILLION. THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20% TO $64,355 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 19% TO $67,138 MILLION. j
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO MAY 1991, AT $572,540 MILLION, INCREASED BY 22% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 5% TO $86,113 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 28% TO $190,798 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20% TO $276,911 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 23% TO $295,630 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING MAY 1991 WITH MAY 1990, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA AND THE NETHERLANDS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, BY 23%, 18%, AND 16% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, SINGAPORE AND FRANCE INCREASED BY 8%, 6%, 3% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA, THE USA AND TAIWAN DECREASED BY 18%, 12% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, SINGAPORE, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED KINGDOM, CHINA AND FRANCE, BY 35%, 30%, 26%, 18%, 16% AND 11% RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN AND JAPAN BOTH INCREASED BY 6%.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA AND THE USA DECREASED RY 15% AND 13% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 2 -
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990,
INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,247 MILLION OR 5%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1,217 MILLION OR 20%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $725
MILLION OR 11%); IND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $598 MILLION OR 8%). DOMESTIC
EXPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $138 MILLION Ob 2% IN VALUE.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN HIE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $927 MILLION OR 9%), AND FOOTWEAR (BY $103 MILLION OR 27%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM 10 M\JOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN l’ABLE 3.
COMPARING MAY 1991 WITH MAY 1990, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, TAIWAN, CHINA, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, SINGAPORE AND ITALY INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 31%, 31%, 21%, 23%, 22%, 18% AND 15% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM SWITZERLAND ALSO INCREASED BY 3% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, TIIF VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE USA AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY DECREASED BY 8% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUF OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPL 1ERS.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, TAIWAN, CHINA AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 38%, 30%, 30%, 29%, 28%, 26% AND 15% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM SWITZERLAND, THE USA AND ITALY INCREASED BY 7%, 7% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 4 SHOWS I'HE CHANGES IN HIE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $5,757 MILLION OR 19%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $5,729 MILLION OR 21%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $5,141 MILLION OR 29%); AND CLOTHING (BY $5,042 MILLION OR 27%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (BY $689 MILLION OR 22%), AND NON-METALLJC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $12 MILLION OR LESS THAN 0.5%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUF OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING MAY 1991 WITH MAY 1990, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED.
/SIGNIFICANT INCREASES .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
3
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA, FRANCE, ITALY AND JAPAN, BY 63%, 40%, 38%, 33% AND 33% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE TO THE USA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND TAIWAN INCREASED BY 19%, 19%, 19%
AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EX PORTS TO SINGAPORE DECREASED BY 8%.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 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, ITALY, CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN, B\ 82%, 45%, 43%, 35%, 29% AND 26% RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, THE USA AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED BY 19%, 16% AND 8% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE DECREASED BY 10%.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RF-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $6,300 MILLION OR 39%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $4,190 MILLION OR 24%); TEXTILES (BY $3,797 MILLION OR 22%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $3,460 MILLION OR .28%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $144 MILLION OR 8%), AND RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $59 MILLION OR 18%).
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 MAY 1991 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY AUGUST 1991.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE MAY 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN MAY 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND JULY 17, AT HIE 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 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 823 4915) .
/TABLE 1: .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
4
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET MAY 1991 (HKD MN.) MAY 91 OVER MAY 90 ( % ) JAN-MAY 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY OVER JAN-MAY ( ' 91 90 % )
USA 4,895 - 12 20,843 - 13
CHINA 5,034 4 18 20,020 4- 16
FR OF GERMANY 1 ,620 + 23 8,005 4- 35
UK 1,220 4- 8 5,329 4- 18
JAPAN 920 + 6 4,568 4- 6
SINGAPORE 658 4 3 3,442 4- 30
TAIWAN 506 — 5 2,502 4- 6
NETHERLANDS •129 4- 16 2,280 + 26
CANADA 364 - 18 I ,709 - 15
FRANCE 330 4 2 1 ,535 4- 11
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
MAY MAY 91 JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 91
COMMODITY 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
DIVISION MAY 90 JAN-MAY 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 5,6 58 4 3 25 , 164 4 5
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS* AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 2,089 4 9,111 9
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,711 4 2 7,829 4 8
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1 , 560 5 7,415 4 11
/OFFICE MACHINES .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
5
OFFICE MACHINES
AND AUTOMATIC
DATA PROCESSING
EQUIPMENT 1 , 1 4 8 + 4 7,231 + 20
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS,
MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 1,628 + 8 6,814 + 2
TABLE 3 : IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAY MAY 91 JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 91
MAJOR SUPPLIER 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
MAY 90 JAN-MAY 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( * i )
CHINA 25,040 + 23 105,877 + 26
JAPAN 10,605 + 31 48,283 + 30
TAIWAN 6,805 + 24 27,757 28
USA 5,039 - 8 23,700 + 7
REP OF KOREA 3,306 + 22 14,142 + 30
SINGAPORE 2,908 + 18 13,152 + 38
UK 1,411 + 31 6,957 + 29
FR OF GERMANY 1 ,332 - 2 6,356 + 15
SWITZERLAND 978 + 3 4,624 + 7
ITALY 999 + 15 4,547 + 4
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
MAY MAY 91 JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 91
COMMODITY 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
DIVISION MAY 90 JAN-MAY 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( x )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, 1
MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 9,001 + 21 36,157 + 19
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY,' »
APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES,
AND ELECTRICAL PARTS
THEREOF 6,266 + 9 29,806 + 24
/ARTICLES OF .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
6
ARTICLES OF APPAREL
AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,271 23,667 + 27
+ 21
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 5,163 + 24 22,854 + 29
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 4,562 + 17 19,151 + 19
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,28 1 + 18 14,844 + 23
TABLE 5: RE -EXPQRTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAY MAY 91 JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 91
MAJOR MARKET 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
(HKD MN. ) MAY 90 ( % ) (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 90 ( %. )
CHINA 13,650 + 40 55,091 4- 35
USA 8,581 + 19 34,926 + 16
FR OF GERMANY 2,754 + 63 13, 194 + 82
JAPAN 2,334 + 33 11,015 + 26
TAIWAN 2,182 + 4 9,990 + 19
REP OF KOREA 1 ,459 + 19 5,904 + 8
UK 1,095 + 19 4,831 + 29
SINGAPORE 1,097 - 8 4,651 - 10
FRANCE ’ 808 + 38 3,406 + 45
ITALY 697 + 33 3,100 + 43
/TABLE 6: .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
TABLE G: RI-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY MAY 1 99 I MAY 9 1 OVER MAY’ 90 J YN-MAY 199) JAN-MAY 91 OVER JAN-MAY 90
DIVISION (HKD MN.) I 11 \ 1 'Z ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 1,724 + 33 22,470 + 39
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAI NIA BABY CARR 1 AGES,TOYS,GANI S AND SPORTING GOODS) 5,3 50 + 17 2 1,932 + 24
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5,500 + 28 21,319 + 22
ELECTRI CAL MACH 1NERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3 , I9G - I 16,204 + 9
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,701 + 21 15,860 + 28
FOOTWEAR 1,910 + 85 7,963 + 72
------0--------
GOVERNMENT SEEKING SOLUTION TO BCCHK ISSUE ♦ t ♦ * »
THE GOVERNMENT IS LEW I NG NO STONE UNTURNED IN TRYING TO ARRIVE AT A PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LTD. (BCCHK) ISSUE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS AT A MEETING WITH A GROl I’ OF I I G I SI VI I VI COUNCIL MEMBERS TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN THEY II YD A USFFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE MATTER.
SIR PIERS RI ITERATED Till POINTS M\DE IN HIS STATEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE ' '■ )l N IE LAST WEDNESDAY (JULY 10) WHEN HE EXPLAINED THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS OF THE BANK.’
/'•SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS.......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 8 -
'•SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS ON A SALE OE THE BANK ARE CONTINUING. CONTACT HAS BEEN SADE BY STAFF OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S OFFICE WITH THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES IN LUXEMBOURG WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LIQUIDATION OF THE BANK’S HOLDING COMPANY, WHICH IS BASED THERE. FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON A SALE ARE TAKING PLACE IN LONDON TODAY AND MAY CONTINUE IN ABU DHABI ON SUNDAY. AT THIS TIME, IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL WHETHER THERE WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.”
SIR PIERS SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER’S STAFF HAVE BEEN IN PLACE IN BCCHK SINCE MONDAY, ACCOMPANIED BY ADVISERS FROM PRICE WATERHOUSE AND THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LTD. THE AIM HAS BEEN TO SAFEGUARD THE ASSETS OF THE BANK AND TO BRING BACK TO HONG KONG ASSETS HELI) OVERSEAS. SOME $750 MILLION OF SUCH ASSETS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RETURNED.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ENABLE CUSTOMERS OF THE BANK TO OBTAIN TRADE DOCUMENTS LODGED WITH THE BANK WHERE THE DOCUMENTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN PROCESSED AND ARE NOT ENCUMBERED. A HOT LINE HAS BEEN SET UP IN THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THOSE AFFECTED BY THE SUSPENSION OF THE BANK DURING OFFICE HOURS. THE NUMBERS ARE 867 2671, 867 2677 AND 867 3420.
DURING HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, STR PTFRS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR. JOSEPH YAM AND THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR. DAVID CARSE.
------0-------
DIRECT LINES TO TAKE BCCHK CUSTOMERS’ ENQUIRIES
TO ASSIST IN TAKING ENQUIRIES FROM CUSTOMERS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK), THREE DIRECT LINES HAVE BEEN SET UP IN THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING.
THE DIRECT LINES ARE MANNED DURING OFFICE HOURS. THE NUMBERS ARE 867 2674, 867 2677, AND 867 3420.
MEANWHILE, ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOW IN PLACE FOR CUSTOMERS TO APPROACH BCCHK FOR THE RELEASE OF IMPORT/EXPORT DOCUMENTS HELD WITH THE BANK, PROVIDED THAT THEY HAVE NOT YET BEEN PROCESSED AND ARE NOT ENCUMBERED.
CUSTOMERS WHO WISH TO HAVE THOSE DOCUMENTS RELEASED ARE REQUESTED TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS BY PHONE WITH THE RELEVANT BRANCHES OR OFFICES OF THE BANK.
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAS ALSO GIVEN GUIDANCE TO THE STAFF OF BCCHK FOR THE PROCESSING OF THE TRADE FINANCE TRANSACTIONS.
A LETTER SETTING OUT THE RELEVANT GUIDANCE WILL BE ISSUED TO THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS TO FACILITATE THE COUNTERPARTY BANKS’ HANDLING OF THESE TRANSACTIONS.
------0-------
/9 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
$50M FOR (’HINA’S FLOOD VICTIMS ♦ t * ♦ t
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED THE PROVISION OF $50 MILLION AS A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS DISASTER RELIEF FOR CHINA.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTRIBUTION WAS BEING MADE IN RESPONSE TO. A REQUEST FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR AID FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITV TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF FLOODS WHICH HAVE SO FAR KILLED OVER 1,000 PEOPLE, DAMAGED HUGE \REAS OF FARMLAND AND CAUSED ENORMOUS ECONOMIC LOSSES.
THE ASSISTANCE WILL BE IN THE FORM OF CASH DONATED THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGR \MMF.
- - 0 - -
WATER RESTRICTIONS IMMINENT * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN PREPARATORY MEASURES FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF WATER RESTRICTIONS, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR HU MAN-SHIU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’UNLESS THERE IS VERY SUBSTANTIAL RAINFALL DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, RESTRICTIONS MAY NEED TO BE INTRODUCED FROM MID-AUGUST,” HE SAID.
THE STATEMENT COMES AS THE LEVEL OF WATER STORAGE IN THE RESERVOIRS CONTINUES TO DIP IN THE FACE OF HIGH CONSUMPTION AND BELOW AVERAGE RAINFALL.
”1F THE PRESENT SITUATION CONTINUES, WE WILL.HAVE TO CONSIDER RESTRICTING WATER SUPPLY TO HOUSEHOLDS DURING NON-ESSENTIAL HOURS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE,” MR HU SAID.
’’AND DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION THEN, FURTHER RESTRICTIONS MAY HAVE TO BE INTRODUCED.
”WE WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION AND KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED."
AS AT 9 AM TODAY, THE RESERVOIR STORAGE STOOD AT 167.6 MILLION CUBIC METRES OR 28.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY, COMPARED WITH 285 MILLION CUBIC METRES OR 48.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY THIS TIME LAST YEAR.
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION HAS ALSO INCREASED ANNUALLY AND ASSUMING DEMAND CONTINUES TO GROW AT FOUR PER CENT, THE AVERAGE CONSUMPTION FOR THIS YEAR IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT 2.49 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
/MR HU
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
10
MR HU SAID ALTHOUGH CHINA HAI) AGREED TO SUPPLY 640 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER TO HONG KONG DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY 1992, THE SUPPLY SITUATION WOULD BECOME CRIT I CAL DURING THE ANNUAL SHUTDOWN OF CHINA WATER SUPPLY IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER THIS YEAR WHEN HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO DEPEND SOLELY ON THE WATER IN THE RESERVOIRS.
"THE DECISION TO IMPOSE WATER RESTRICTIONS WILL THEREFORE VERY MUCH DEPEND ON THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE YIELD FROM THE RAINFALL AS WELL AS DRAW-OFF FROM RESERVOIRS," MR HU SAID.
HE RENEWED HIS APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
MEANWHILE, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS DEVISED A SET OF CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE EVENT WATER RESTRICTIONS HAVE TO BE IMPOSED.
FUNDS WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT TO EMPLOY TEMPORARY WORKERS, CONSTRUCT TEMPORARY BARRACKS FOR THEM AND PURCHASE EQUIPMENT.
------0----------
HK A POPULAR PLACE FOR FIRMS TO SET UP REGIONAL HQS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A POPULAR LOCATION FOR FOREIGN MULTI-NATIONALS TO SET UP THEIR ASIAN REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BUSINESS ORIENTATION OF COMMERCE, MR CHAU SAID 572 FOREIGN FIRMS WERE IN HONG KONG, AND THAT
THF RATE OF ABOUT 60 A
SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE AMERICAN CHAMBER ACCORDING TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, FOUND TO HAVE SET UP REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS BETWEEN 1987 AND 1990 THEY WERE COMING IN AT
YEAR.
THE FIRMS INCLUDED MCDONNELL DOUGLAS, GGENERAL MOTORS, OF AMERICA, BRITISH AIRWAYS, OLIVETTI, AND YAOHAN, HE SAID.
BANK
"UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS IN THE NATURE OF OCCASIONAL DEPARTURES GET ALL THE MEDIA COVERAGE, CONTINUING INFLOW TENDS TO GO UNNOTICED.
THINGS THAT THE
WHILE THE QUIET
” 1T ADVANTAGES
IS QUITE TRUE THAT SOME OTHER PLACES IN THE AS A REGIONAL BASE WHICH HONG KONG HAS NOT.
REGION HAVE
"IT IS EQUALLY TRUE THAT WE ALSO HAVE ADVANTAGES WHICH THEY DO NOT HAVE.
"SO 1 EXPECT WE WILL SEE Y CONTINUING STRONG INTEREST IN HONG KONG AS A REGIONAL BASE," HE SAID. «>
/MR CHAU
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
11
MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMY SHOULD CONTINUE TO FLOURISH, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS INVESTING IN THE HUMAN AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED FOR THE TERRITORY’S CONTINUING PROSPERITY.
’’INVESTMENT IN A NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK. INVESTMENT ON OUR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUR PORT FACILITIES. INVESTMENT IN INDUSTRIAL LAND. INVESTMENT IN A (’LEANER ENVIRONMENT. INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY. INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION. INVESTMENT IN COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG NOW PLAYED MORE DIFFERENT ROLES.
”WE ARE AN ENTREPOT FOR THE CHINA TRADE, WHICH SHOWS NO SIGN OF SLACKENING.
”WE ARE ALSO AN ENTREPOT FOR RE-EXPORTS FOR OTHER PLACES IN THE ASIAN REGION. THESE HAVE ALSO INCREASED STEADILY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND IN 1990 WERE 24 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN 1989,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG MANUFACTURED HI-TECH, HIGH-VALUE-ADDED CONSUMER PRODUCTS, RANGING FROM GARMENTS TO CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, TO TOYS, TO JEWELLERY.
”WE ARE A SERVICE BASE FOR MANUFACTUR1 NG OPERATIONS NOT ONLY IN CHINA BUT THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND ALSO IN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE.
”WE ARE A POPULAR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR FOREIGN
MULTI-NATIONALS IN ROTH THE MANUFACTURING AND THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES.
’’AND WE ARE A REGIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, WHICH PLACES
PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON LOAN SYNDICATION,” HE SAID.
--------0-----------
GOVT COMMITTED TO INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TOWARDS MAINTAINING MACROECONOMIC STABILITY AND INVESTING IN THE PHYSICAL AND HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH ENABLES OUR MANUFACTURERS AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS TO OPERATE IN A FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT.
ADDRESSING THE SYMPOSIUM ON ’’INDUSTRIAL POLICY IN HONG KONG : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDY” TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS APPROACH HAD WORKED WELL IN THE PAST, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE RIGHT APPROACH IN THE FUTURE.
MR BARMA ALSO EXPLAINED THE ROLF OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IN THIS APPROACH, AS CARRIED OUT BY ITS VARIOUS DIVISIONS.
/"THE DATA .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 12
"THE DATA AND SERVICES DIVISION COLLECTS FACTUAL INFORMATION ON HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND ON HONG KONG MANUFACTURING INVESTMENTS IN CHINA, WITH THE AIM OF ENSURING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE DATA NECESSARY FOR INFORMED PLANNING AND POLICY-MAKING, AND IS KEPT AWARE OF THE MOOD OF MANUFACTURERS.
"THE DIVISION ALSO, THROUGH A SMALL BUT CAREFULLY TARGETTED INDUSTRIAL EXTENSION SERVICE (IES), KEEPS MANUFACTURERS AWARE OF THE RANGE OF SERVICES THEY CAN USE IN HONG KONG TO UPGRADE THEIR OPERATIONS.
"THE IES ACTS AS A CENTRAL MARKETING POINT FOR MANY DIFFERENT AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS," HE SAID.
MR BARMA CHARACTERISED THE INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE DIVISION AS "INDUSTRY’S LOBBYIST WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT".
"THE DIVISION SPENDS ITS TIME MAKING SURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING LAND, ACCOMMODATION, PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, AND MANPOWER TRAINING FOR INDUSTRY DO SO AT THE RIGHT TIME, THE RIGHT PLACE, AND IN THE RIGHT QUANTITIES," HE SAID.
THE DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT DIVISION IS CONCERNED WITH ENSURING THAT THE RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY ARE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG SO THAT COMPANIES WHICH WISH TO UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTION CAN DO SO.
"THIS DIVISION MANAGES REGULAR CONSULTANCY TO IDENTIFY TECHNOLOGY GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIES. IT ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE HONG COUNCIL, WHICH WAS SET UP IN 1967 WITH THE AIM OF TO BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE," MR BARMA SAID.
STUDIES WHICH AIM
FOR OUR MAJOR KONG PRODUCTIVITY HELPING COMPANIES
"THE DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT DIVISION HAS ALSO BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING FOR THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, WHICH WILL PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH LOCAL COMPANIES CAN UPGRADE THEIR. TECHNOLOGY LEVELS.
"IT IS ALSO STUDYING WAYS OF STIMULATING MORE ORIGINAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TN HONG KONG."
THE DEPARTMENT’S QUALITY SERVICES DIVISION IS TASKED WITH PROMOTING THE ATTAINMENT OF HIGH STANDARDS OF QUALITY IN MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS AND MANUFA' TUR I NG PROCESSES.
"PUT AT ITS SIMPLEST, ITS JOB IS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS KNOW WHAT PRODUCT STANDARDS HAVE TO BE COMPLIED WITH IN THEIR EXPORT MARKETS AND TO ENSURE THAT THE TECHNICAL CAPABILITY EXISTS LOCALLY TO ENABLE THEM TO MEET THESE STANDARDS. IT HAS ESTABLISHED A RANGE OF QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES WHICH CAN BE USED BY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS," MR BARMA SAID.
ON THE INVESTMENT PROMOTION DIVISION, MR BARMA SAID IT WAS DEVOTED TO ATTRACTING INWARD INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
/”WE HAVE -------
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 13 -
"WE HAVE ALWAYS STRESSED THE VALUE TO HONG KONG OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS WHICH BRING TN MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND MODERN MANAGEMENT METHODS," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT WHILE HONG KONG ENCOURAGED OVERSEAS INVESTMENT, IT DID NOT PROVIDE INDUCEMENTS TO POTENTIAL OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
"WE WILL. SELL HONG KONG VIGOROUSLY ABROAD, SO THAT PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS DON’T OVERLOOK US WHEN CONSIDERING AN INVESTMENT LOCATION IN THE ASIAN REGION.
"WE WILL GIVE A POTENTIAL OVERSEAS INVESTOR INFORMATION, AND WE WILL HELP HIM THROUGH THE MAZE OF RED TAPE WHICH ANY BUSINESS SETTING UP IN HONG KONG IS FACED WITH, AND WHICH CAN BE. DISCOURAGING TO A NEWCOMER.
"WE WILL MAKE INTRODUCTIONS TO LIKELY JOINT-VENTURE PARTNERS, AND SUGGEST A SUITABLE SITE FOR THE INVESTMENT.
"BUT WE WILL NOT OFFER HIM A TAX HOLIDAY, OR ANY OTHER OF THE FASHIONABLE INDUCEMENTS ON OFFER TO OVERSEAS INVESTORS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE REGION,” MR BARMA STRESSED.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S OVERALL INVESTMENT CLIMATE WAS SUFFICIENTLY FAVOURABLE IN ITS OWN RIGHT AND THERE WAS NO REASON WHY AN OVERSEAS COMPANY, NO MATTER HOW EXCITING ITS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER POTENTIAL, SHOULD BE GIVEN MORE FAVOURED TREATMENT THAN A LOCAL COMPANY.
"SO FAR, OUR EVEN-HANDED APPROACH TOWARDS INVESTMENT HAS SERVED US WELL," MR BARMA ADDED.
------o--------
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE NOT JUST MINIMAL BASIC SERVICE
SOME PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC) SERVICE, MISTAKENING IT AS A MINIMAL BASIC SERVICE, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
PHC COMPRISES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF PROMOTIVE, PREVENTIVE, CURATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES WHICH ARE PARTICIPATORY CARE INVOLVING THE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE 15TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SPASTICS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, DR LEE SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AT PRESENT OPERATED 45 MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES TO PROVIDE FREE CHILD CARE SERVICE, IMMUNISATION SERVICE, DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE.
"SPASTICS AND CHILDREN WITH OTHER HANDICAPS ARE DETECTED AND REFERRED TO CHILD ASSESSMENT SERVICE FOR DETAILED ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT," HE SAID.
/"DESPITE THE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
14
"DESPITE THE AV A I LAP. IL1TY OF THESE SERVICES, HONG KONG IS LAGGING BEHIND IN ADOPTING V MODERN CONCEPT OF HEALTH DELIVERY AS ADVOCATED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)."
ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, DR LEE SAW IT WAS VERY MUCH HOSPITAL-ORIENTED AND THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EMPHASIS ON QUALITY SERVICES, CONTINUITY OF ('ARE, PREVENTIVE AND PROMOTIVE SERVICES AND INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
’’NEW APPROACHES AND EMPHASIS ARE NECESSARY TO MEET THE PRESENTDAY HEALTH CARE NEEDS.
’’THE RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON ITS REPORT ARE BASED ON THE WHO’S CONCEPT OF ’HEALTH FOR ALL YEAR 2000’ WITH SPECIFIC EMPHASIS ON DISEASE PREVENTION AND PROMOTION," HF SAID.
PHC IN
BY THE
HEALTH
THE DIRECTOR THEN NOTED THAT ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS INITIATED BY THE WORKING PARTY WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES WHICH WERE PROVIDED TO PATIENTS IN THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENT.
THE SERVICES, INCLUDING COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE AND COMMUNITY REHABILITATIVE SERVICE, HELPED TO KEEP PATIENTS OUT OF HOSPITALS AND ENCOURAGE AMBULATORY CARE, HE SAID.
’’AN INTEGRATED APPROACH WOULD BE ADOPTED THROUGH CO-OPERATION OF ALL CONCERNED SECTORS INCLUDING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, HOSPITAL, SOCIAL WELFARE, HOUS I NG AND TRANSPORT," DR LEE SAID.
"AND THE PARTICIPATION OF COMMUMTV IS ESSENTIAL FOR PROVIDING WHOLE-PERSON CARE TO THE PATIENT.
"THIS CONCEPT OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITY IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED WHEREBY THE INPUT FROM FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY ARE ESSENTIAL IN RE-1NTEGRATI NG THEM BACK TO THE FAMIIA AND THE SOCIETY."
DR LEE XLSO HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANT ROLE NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PLAYED IN PROVIDING HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, NOTING THAT THEY WERE IN A BETTER POSITION THAN I’HE GOVERNMENT TO TRY AND INTRODUCE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN HEALTH CARE.
"OUR TOTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT THEIR PARTICIPATION," HE SAID.
"IN THE FUTURE DISTRICT HEALTH SYSTEM, STRONG EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON TEAM APPROACH, MULTI-SECTORAL CO-ORDINATION AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION."
OUR AIM, HE SAID, WAS TO ACHIEVE BETTER INTEGRATION AND CO-ORDINATION OF VARIOUS SECTORS TO PROVIDE QUALITY COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES AND REHAB 1L1 TAT IVE SERVICES ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT.
/15 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
15
CLEARANCE FOR PHASE 11 YAU MA TEI REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS TO SERVE CROWN LAND NOTICES IN MID-AUGUST ON ALL EXISTING PROPERTIES SITUATED WITHIN THE PROPOSED WORK SITE OF THE PHASE II YAU MA TEI REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME WITH A VIEW TO OBTAINING VACANT POSSESSION OF THE SITE IN MID-SEPTEMBER.
TO FACILITATE THE CLEARANCE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY SERVED NOTICES TO QUIT ON ALL EXISTING TENANTS IN THE AFFECTED AREA WHICH IS COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS "YAU MA TEI SIX STREETS”. THE NOTICES EXPIRED ON JANUARY 31 THIS YEAR.
THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME AT YAU MA TEI SIX STREETS IS ONE OF THE URBAN IMPROVEMENT SCIIEMF PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE LIVING 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.
COMPRISING FIVE DOMESTIC BLOCKS OVER A PODIUM STRUCTURE, THE SCHEME WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 896 SALE FLATS AND 669 RENTAL FLATS (INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE ELDERLY).
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME ARE 1,300 SQUARE METRES OF COMMERCIAL FLOOR SPACE AND 2,160 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR SPACE DESIGNATED AND DEVELOPED INTO SOCIAL WELFARE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, 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 PR IVATE LANDSCAPED GARDEN WILL BE PROVIDED.
THE SCHEME IS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN TWO PHASES IN AN EFFORT TO REHOUSE THE ELIGIBLE OCCUPANTS AFFECTED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IN THE DOMESTIC UNITS TO BE PROVIDED IN PHASE I.
PHASE I IS DUE FOR COMPLETION LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL PROVIDE 448 SALE FLATS AND 669 RENTAL FLATS WHICH INCLUDE 170 RENTAL UNITS DESIGNED FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
PHASE II OF THE SCHEME IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN MID-SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMING CLEARANCE AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS TO COMPLETE.
ABOUT 1,200 HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE AND REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELIGIBLE OCCUPANTS AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE FOR THE PHASE I 1 WORKS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY.
SOME 60 PER CENT OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE ALREADY VACATED THEIR PREMISES, THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAVING BEEN REHOUSED IN THE SOCIETY’S RENTAL ESTATES.
/THE RENTAL .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 16 -
THE RENTAL FLATS IN THE PHASE I SCHEME WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE REMAINING ELIGIBLE OCCUPIERS UPON COMPLETION AND PRIOR TO THE CLEARANCE OPERATION.
IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE FROM GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST THEIR REMOVAL, ELIGIBLE OCCUPIERS ARE ALSO GIVEN AN OPTION, IN LIEU OF REHOUSING, TO PURCHASE A FLAT IN THE PHASE I SCHEME AT A DISCOUNT.
ON THE BUSINESS SIDE, THE CLEARANCE WILL ALSO AFFECT SOME 91 COMMERCIAL OPERATORS (OF WHICH 15 HAVE ALREADY VACATED) AND THREE LICENSED HAWKERS STALLS FOR WHICH ARRANGEMENTS ARE ALSO BEING MADE BY THE SOCIETY FOR PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND RESITE OF THE LICENSED HAWKERS STALLS THROUGH THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IT IS HOPED THAT ALL REMAINING OCCUPIERS WILL CO-OPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND VACATE THEIR PREMISES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THE SITE MAY BE HANDED OVER TO THE DEVELOPER IN SEPTEMBER.
-----0-----
LICENSING SEPTIC TANKS HELPS IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT
******
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED ON THE HEUNG YEE LUK TO GIVE MORE SUPPORT TO THE LICENSING OF SEPTIC TANKS TN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN A LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KU1-. TODAY, MR BARNES REITERATED THE FOLLOWING POINTS WHICH HI- RAISED DURING A RECENT MEETING WITH KUK MEMBERS ON Till-: IMPLEMENTATION CF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE:
» SEPTIC TANKS CAN BE AND PRESENTLY ARE ONE OF THE MAJOR SOURCES OF POLLUTION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
* TO AVOID BECOMING A SOURCE OF POLLUTION THEY MUST BOTH BE BUILT PROPERLY AND MAINTAINED PROPERLY; HENCE A
"CERT I FI CATE OF COMPLIANCE” CERTIFYING THAT A SEPTIC TANK IS BUILT PROPERLY DOES NOT ON ITS OWN ENSURE THAT ITS EFFLUENT IS AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE.
* THE ACCEPTANCE BY RESIDENTS OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LIMITING POLLUTION IN THIS WAY SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS AN IMPOSITION OF A BURDEN, BUT AS A CONTRIBUTION WHICH EACH SHOULD MAKE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF HIS OWN ENVIRONMENT.
* THE MAINTENANCE OF EACH HOUSE’S SEPTIC TANK IS A CONTINUOUS RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT JUST THE KIND Ol- THING WHICH CAN BE DEALT WITH BY PERIODIC PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS; THERE MUST THEREFORE BE SOME MEANS OF LEGAL ENFORCEMENT.
/*IN THE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
17 -
♦ IN THE ' 1RCUMSTANCES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, A LICENSING SYSTEM iS THE MOST SUITABLE FORM OF ENFORCEMENT, AS IT DIM INES THE LICENSEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE F I ORCEMENT IS BASED ON THESE RESPONSIBILITIES.
* \NY OTHER SYSTEM MIST RELY ON COURT PROCEEDINGS, WHICH WOULD DELAY THE SOLUTION OF THE ISSUE FAR TOO LONG.
”1T IS FOR THESE REASONS PRINCIPALLY THAT 1 FEEL THAT LICENSING OF SEPTIC TANKS TOGETHER WITH THE LICENSING OF OTHER DISCHARGES AND Till BUILDING OF INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE BEST WAY, PERHAPS THE ONLY WAY, IN WHICH WE CAN LITTLE BY LITTLE MAKE ANY REAL PROGRESS IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES," MR BARNES SAID.
”SO ONCE AGAIN I WOULD ASK THE KUK TO LEND ITS SUPPORT ACTIVELY IN ENCOURAGING THE RESIDENTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN FULFILLING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN THIS REGARD," III SAID.
--------0-----------
DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS ANNOUNCED
******
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PUBLICATION OF 30 DRAFT DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA (DPA) PLANS FOR FIVE DISTRICTS IN THE RURAL NEV TERRITORIES.
THESE NEW DPA PLANS ARE KWlN YUM SHAN AND FA SAM HANG IN SHA TIN; KAU LUNG HANG, LAM TSUEN, TING KOK AND SHAP SZ HEUNG IN TAI PO; FU TEI AU AND SHA LENG, KWl TUNG NORTH, KWU TUNG SOUTH, LUK KENG AND WO HANG, LUNG YEUK TAU AND KWAN TEI SOUTH, MAN UK PIN, PING KONG, AND PING CHE AND TA KWU LENG IN NORTH DISTRICT.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PLANS ARE HO CHUNG, HEBE HAVEN, PAK KONG, SHA KOK MEI AND TSENG LAN SHUE IN SAI KUNG; AND HA TSUEN, KAM TIN NORTH, KAM TIN SOUTH, LAU FAI SHAN AND TSIM BET TSUI, MAI PO AND FAIRVIEW PARK, NAM SANG WAI, NGAU TAM MEI, PAT BEING, SHEUNG PAK NAI AND HA PAK NAI, SHEI KONG, SAN TIN AND T\1 TONG IN YUEN LONG.
THESE DPA PLANS ARE TO REPLACE Till 30 INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA (II'PA) PLANS PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING BETWEEN AUGUST AND OCTOBER LAST YEAR IN ORDER TO BRING THE AREAS COVERED BY THE I DPA PLANS UNDER STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROL.
THESE ILANS (OVER TOTAL LAND AREAS OF ABOUT 14,310 HECTARES IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR .INCLUDING THESE AREAS AS DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS IS THEREFORE TO PRE VEN I FURTHER UNPLANNED PROLIFERATION OF’ UNDI S IRABI.I DEVELOPMENTS AND USES WHICH HAVE CAUSED DEGRADATION OF THE RURAL I NV IKONMENT.
/MORE POSITIVELY.........
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 18 -
MORI POSlilVELY, IT IS ALSO INTENDED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DPA PLANS WILL ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:
♦ Tf PROTI ’ T \ND CONSERVE XREYS WITH HIGH NATURAL LANDSCAPE VALUE. AND SPECIAL ECOLOGICAL INTERESTS SI CH AS MAI PO, TSIM BE! I’SUI, NAM SANG WAI, PAK SHA WAN (HEBE HAVEN) AND LUK KI’.NG; AND
♦ TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR DEVELOPMENTS PENDING DETAILED STUDIES OF THE CONSTRAINTS AND POTENTIAL FOR THE AREA IN RELATION TO TERRITORY-WIDE AND SUB-REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES PRIOR TO THE PREPARATION OF OUTLINE ZONING PLANS.
ONE MAIN FEATURE OF THE DPA PLANS WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OUTLINE ZONING PLANS ADOPTED FOR THE URBAN AND NEW TOWNS IS THE DESIGNATION OF AREAS AS ’’UNSPECIFIED USES AREA" WITHIN WHICH ALL DEVELOPMENTS/USES, APART FROM AGRICULTURE, LIMITED GOVERNMENT/ INSTITUT1ON/COMMUNITY USES AND EXCEPTIONAL USES, WILL REQUIRE PERMISSION BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE PLANNING INTENTION FOR THE AREA IS GIVEN IN THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE PLAN TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THE APPROPRIATE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT/USE IN SUCH AREA.
THE PLANS ALSO RECOGNISE THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHT OF INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS.
WHERE APPROPRIATE, AREAS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF RECOGNISED VILLAGES ARE ZONED ’’VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT" WITHIN WHICH SMALL HOUSE DEVELOPMENT IS ALWAYS PERMITTED. REBUILDING OF NEW TERRITORIES EXEMPTED HOUSES ARE ALSO ALWAYS PERMITTED.
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS.
THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, THE DPA MAY BE SUBJECT TO
THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING COULD SERVE NOTICES TO LANDOWN’ER/OCCUPIER/PERSON’ RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT REQUIRING COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE DPA PLANS OR REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAND TO THE CONDITION IT WAS IN IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE GAZETTING OF THE RELEVANT INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS IN 1990 OR REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAND TO SUCH OTHER CONDITIONS, MORE FAVOURABLE TO THE PERSON SERVED, AS THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING CONSIDERS
SATISFACTORY.
DEVELOPMENT/USES
THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT
EXISTING IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE GAZETTING PERMISSION AREA PLANS WOULD BE TOLERATED.
OF
PERMISSION GRANTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING IN THE CONTEXT OF 1DPA PLANS WILL BE REGARDED AS PERMISSION GRANTED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE NEW DRAFT DPA PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
/(A) ALL DPA ..........
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 19 -
(A)
(B)
ALL DPA PLANS
PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
DPA PLANS BELONGING TO A PARTICULAR DISTRICT
* SHA TIN (I) SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN
(II) SHA TIN AND NORTH EAST DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, G/F, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6 TUNG 1.0 WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN
* TAI PO ( I ) TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO
(ID SHA TIN AND NORTH EAST DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, G/F, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN
NORTH (I) NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, G/F, FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING
• (II) SHA TIN AND NORTH EAST DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, G/F, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN
* SAI KUNG (I) SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, G/F, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG
( 11 ) SAI KUNG AND TSEUNG KWAN 0 DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 12/F CHINACHEM GOLDEN PLAZA, MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON
* YUEN LONG ( I ) YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG
(IT) TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT PLANNIG OFFICE, LEVEL 11, TOWER 1, METRO PLAZA, 223 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG
/COPIES OF .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 20 -
('OPIES OF 'HE NEW PLAN \I?E AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, Bl H.III'. AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD. HONG KONG, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWI.f ’ AT $10 EACH I " COLOURED AND $120 E A( II COLOURED.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE DR AlT PLANS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, c/o PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY' BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE SEI TEMPER 12, 1991 .
------0--------
NOTICES ON FORESHORE AND SEABED PROJECTS GAZETTED
******
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO. LTD TO LAY AN OPTICAL FIBRE SUBMARINE CABLE FROM HONG KONG ISLAND TO HEI LING CHAU, LANTAU ISLAND AND CHEUNG CHAU.
THE PROJECT IS TO BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 189.6 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEN THESE PLACES.
THE CABLE LINK WILL PERMIT THE TELEPHONE COMPANY TO EXPAND AND UPGRADE ITS SERVICES TO CATER FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ON THESE ISLANDS.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT A LEASE TO CALTEX OIL HONG KONG LIMITED WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,040 SQUARE METRES OF SEABED OFF THE WEST COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FURTHER EXTENSION TO THE TSUEN WAN PERMANENT PIER NO. 29.
WORK WILL START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY ABOUT MARCH NEXT YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IN THE TWO PROJECTS WAS DESCRIBED IN SEPARATE 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 OR A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS.
SUBMISSIONS CONCERNING THE LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLE SHOULD BE MADE ON OR BEFORE JULY 11 NEXT YEAR, WHILE THOSE CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF PIER EXTENSION SHOULD BE MADE ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 11 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICES OF THE PROJECTS TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITES; AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AND AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES CONCERNED.
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 21 -
LANDFILL PROPOSED FOR WEST NT *****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A STRATEGIC LANDFILL AT NIM WAN IN TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES FOR THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES UNTIL 2022.
WORK ON THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL PHASE II PROJECT, WHICH COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 44.4 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED, IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-1992.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 11.
THE NOTICE OF OBJECTION SHOULD DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE NOTICE OF THE PROJECT TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS 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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NIM WAN ROAD TO BE CLOSED TO FACILITATE LANDFILL
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY A SECTION OF NIM WAN ROAD IN TUEN MUN AS PART OF THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL, PHASE II.
THE WORK WILL START IN MID-1992 AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 2022.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
/* CENTRAL AND .......
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
♦ CEN'J L AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, ENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
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 SEPTEMBER 10, 1991, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS OR THE USE.
- - 0 - -
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR ABERDEEN TUNNEL SIGNED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED FROM SEPTEMBER 29 AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO PRIVATISE THE OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT TUNNELS.
THE THREE-YEAR MANAGEMENT CONTRACT WAS SIGNED THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR GORDON SIU, AND THE DIRECTOR OF CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED', MR GERRY HIGGINSON.
THE CONTRACT IS RENEWABLE AND INCLUDES PROVISIONS SETTING OUT THE CONTRACT’S OBLIGATIONS, MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, GOVERNMENT CONTROLS AND PROVISIONS FOR DAMAGES IN THE EVENT OF BREACH OF CONTRACT.
UPON THE HANDING OVER OF THE TUNNEL OPERATION, ALL THE STAFF WORKING AT THE TUNNEL WILL BE REDEPLOYED TO THE REMAINING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS OR OTHER DUTIES.
- - 0 - -
CHILD CARE CENTRES REMAIN OPEN DURING TYPHOON
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED OPERATORS OF CHILD CARE CENTRES TO KEEP THEIR CENTRES OPEN DURING TROPICAL CYCLONES WITH SUFFICIENT MANNING STAFF ON DUTY.
CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER,’ MRS KATHERINE SHIN, SAID CHILD CARE CENTRES SERVE TO HELP PARENTS BY PROVIDING FULL-DAY CARE TO THEIR CHILDREN THEY ARE UNABLE TO LOOK AFTER.
/"IT IS
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
- 23 -
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT THESE CENTRES REMAIN OPEN DURING THE HOISTING OF TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 3 AND THAT SERVICES ARE MADE AVAILABLE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES TO CHILDREN ATTENDING THE CENTRES,” SHE SAID.
MRS SHIN SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER AND THE HOISTING OF TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 3, WOULD ADVISE PARENTS OF THOSE CHILDREN ATTENDING CHILD CARE CENTRES THAT FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN, THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE THEM TO THE CENTRE THAT DAY.
"FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES LOOKING AFTER THEIR CHILDREN, THEY ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT SUPERVISOR OF THE CHILD CARE CENTRE FOR APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS,” SHE ADDED.
SHE ALSO ADVISED PARENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR DISCRETION IN DECIDING WHETHER TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO CHILD CARE CENTRE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.
- - 0 - -
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR WAN CHAI
*****
RESIDENTS
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
MORE THAN 100 REPRESENTATIVES FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS INCORPORATIONS AND AREA COMMITTEES, DISTRICT RESIDENTS INVOLVED IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ENROLLED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR.
THE SEMINAR WILL COVER ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE AND OPERATION OF PASSENGER LIFTS AND ESCALATORS, BUILDING REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS LEGAL PROCEDURES ON THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES.
THE SPEAKERS INCLUDE A SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR YIU KAI-HO; HONG YIP SERVICES LTD’S TECHNICAL MANAGER, MR KWAN SIU-KAI; AND A SOLICITOR, MR JAMES TO KUN-SUN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WAN CHAI BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM 7.30 PM TO 9.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
/24 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1991
24
WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG
SUPPLY OF BOTH FRESH AND FLUSHING WATER TO CERTAIN AREAS IN YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE TURNED OFF ON SUNDAY (JULY 14), FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM, TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA INCLUDING KWAN LOK SAN TSUEN, FUNG CHI TSUEN AND CHUN HING SAN TSUEN.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
♦ ♦ * t * DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 11.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 12.7.91 + 91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
♦LATE O/N ASSISTANCE
TO BE REVERSED ON 15 JULY
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 114.4 ♦+0.2» 12.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FIND BILLS
12.7. 91 11.7. 91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.07 PCT . 5.94 PCT
1 MONTH 6.16 PCT 6.04 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.29 PCT 6. 18 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.29 PCT 6.22 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.72 PCT 6.60 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 3,364 MN 6,653 MN
---------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JUNE RAINFALL NEAR NORMAL ................................................ 1
PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR GREEN BELT ZONE APPROVED ......................... 3
SPECIAL REVIEW ON 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND CPI REBASING 4
YOUTH CENTRES IMPORTANT FOR YOUTHS ....................................... 5
ALL 361 REDUNDANT TEACHERS FOUND JOBS .................................... 6
YOUTH AMBASSADORS TO VISIT SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA ........................ 6
CSD GIRL GUIDES CELEBRATE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY ............................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 8
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
1
JUNE RAINFALL NEAR NORMAL *****
JUNE 1991 WAS THE SEVENTH WARMEST JUNE ON RECORD CONSIDERING THE MONTH’S MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 28.4 DEGREES AND THE MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 26.4 DEGREES, ACCORDING TO THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THOUGH LESS SPECTACULAR BUT MORE SIGNIFICANT, HOWEVER, WAS ITS NEAR-NORMAL RAINFALL FOLLOWING A SUBSTANTIAL DEFICIT IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
THE MUCH NEEDED RAIN TOTALLED 371.7 MILLIMETRES IN THE MONTH AND REPRESENTED ABOUT 99 PER CENT OF THE JUNE NORMAL OF 376 MILLIMETRES.
NEVERTHELESS, THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR WAS STILL MUCH DRIER THAN NORMAL, RANKING THE FIFTH DRIEST ON RECORD. THE TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 AMOUNTED TO 555.7 MILLIMETRES, ONLY 56 PER CENT OF THE NORMAL OF 992.5 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WHICH EXTENDED OVER SOUTHERN CHINA FROM THE PACIFIC, THE FINE SPELL IN LATE MAY CONTINUED INTO JUNE AND PERSISTED FOR THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS IN THE MONTH.
WITH LONG PERIODS OF SUNSHINE, THE INTENSE HEAT REACHED A CLIMAX ON JUNE 4. NOT ONLY WAS IT THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR SO FAR, ITS DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 34.4 DEGREES ALSO RENDERED IT THE THIRD HOTTEST DAY ON RECORD FOR JUNE.
THE WEATHER DETERIORATED ON JUNE 8 WITH THE ONSET OF THE FIRST MAJOR RAINY EPISODE OF THE YEAR. CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT TRIGGERED BY ACTIVE SOUTHWEST MONSOON OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA KEPT SPREADING TOWARDS THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
RAINFALL RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY DURING THE FOUR-DAY PERIOD FROM JUNE 8 TO 11 AMOUNTED TO ABOUT 250 MILLIMETRES WHICH WAS 36 PER CENT MORE THAN THAT RECORDED OVER THE WHOLE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO MAY. THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOUR OCCURRED DURING THE DAY ON JUNE 9.
THERE WERE ALSO FREQUENT AND WIDESPREAD THUNDERSTORMS WITH LIGHTNING AND SQUALLS. THE SQUALLS WERE MOST SEVERE IN THE EARLY HOURS OF JUNE 10 WHEN GUSTS OF 72 AND 96 KILOMETRES PER HOUR WERE REPORTED INSHORE AND OFFSHORE RESPECTIVELY.
AS A RESULT OF THE STORMY WEATHER, TREES WERE TOPPLED, MINOR FLOODING OCCURRED OVER VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY AND A MUDSLIDE • WAS REPORTED IN HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE WEATHER BECAME MORE SETTLED ON JUNE 12. AS THE MONSOON SUBSIDED AND THE PACIFIC RIDGE BECAME RE-ESTABLISHED OVER SOUTHERN CHINA, MAINLY FINE CONDITIONS PREVAILED TILL JUNE 18.
/HOWEVER, UNLIKE ........
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
2 -
HOWEVER, UNLIKE THE FINE SPELL EARLIER IN THE MONTH, THERE WERE SOME SHOWERS AROUND. THE SHOWERS WERE MOSTLY BRIEF AND LOCALISED DURING THE PERIOD, EXCEPT ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 18 WHEN THUNDERSTORMS WERE REPORTED.
THE WEATHER TURNED FOR THE WORSE ON JUNE 19 AS A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPED OVER GUANGDONG. THE TROUGH SUBSEQUENTLY LINGERED FOR DAYS NEAR THE SOUTH CHINA COAST, MAINTAINING A PROLONGED PERIOD OF RAINY WEATHER WHICH LASTED TILL JUNE 27.
THUNDERY ACTIVITY WAS MOST RAMPANT FROM JUNE 19 TO 22. TORRENTIAL RAIN OVER THE WESTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY ON JUNE 21 CAUSED WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND PARALYSED ROAD TRAFFIC IN TSUEN WAN DURING THE EVENING RUSH HOURS.
ENHANCED CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE ALONG THE TROUGH TO THE EAST OF HONG KONG CAUSED A MOMENTARY STRENGTHENING OF THE NORTHEASTERLIES LATER ON JUNE 24.
AS A RESULT, COOLER AND DRIER AIR FROM INLAND AREAS WAS DRAWN IN, LEADING TO THE MONTH’S LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 22.8 DEGREES ON THE DAY AND A.CLEARANCE OF CLOUDS THE NEXT MORNING.
THE SUNNY SKY WAS, HOWEVER, SHORT-LIVED AS RAIN CLOUDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TROUGH SOON RETURNED. THE TROUGH, THOUGH WEAKENING AT THE TIME, BROUGHT A DAY OF NEARLY CONTINUOUS RAIN ON JUNE 26.
THE TROUGH EVENTUALLY DISSIPATED AND THE WEATHER BEGAN TO IMPROVE ON JUNE 28. SUNNY AND HOT CONDITIONS THEN PREVAILED FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH.
DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE, ONLY ONE TROPICAL CYCLONE, NAMELY TYPHOON YUNYA, OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
THERE WERE TWO AIRCRAFT DIVERSIONS DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER IN JUNE.
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JUNE 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, AND 23. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT ON JUNE 8, 9, 20, AND 22.
NO TROPICAL CYCLONE OR STRONG MONSOON SIGNALS WERE HOISTED DURING THE MONTH.
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 163.9 HOURS ; 2.8 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL 14.52 MJ/SQ.M. ; 2.03 MJ/SQ.M. BELOW
SOLAR RADIATION NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 371.7 MM ; 4.3 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 74 PER CENT ; ONE PER CENT LESS THAN
NORMAL
/MEAN RELATIVE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
3
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
81 PER CENT ; TWO PER CENT LOWER THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
31.0 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
28.4 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
26.4 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
24.6 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
107.4 MM ;
0.7 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
0.2 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
36.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR GREEN BELT ZONE APPROVED
******
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS APPROVED GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN AN AREA ZONED FOR GREEN BELT ON STATUTORY TOWN PLANS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE GREEN BELT ZONE WAS PRIMARILY INTENDED TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION OF THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE WHICH PROVIDES A BACKDROP AND A BUFFER TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
"THE MAIN PURPOSES OF THIS ZONE ON STATUTORY TOWN PLANS (OUTLINE ZONING PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS) ARE TO PRESERVE NATURAL LANDSCAPE FEATURES AND AREAS OF HIGH VISUAL AMENITY, AND TO MAINTAIN A BUFFER BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
"SOME GREEN BELT ZONES COMPLETE WITH EXTENSIVE WALKING TRAILS ARE ALSO POPULAR OUTLETS FOR PASSIVE RECREATION ACTIVITIES."
THE SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW GUIDELINES AS TIMELY, SINCE THE 30 DRAFT DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS PUBLISHED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) ADDED OVER 3,000 HECTARES OF GREEN BELT ZONE TO AREAS COVERED BY STATUTORY PLANS.
THERE IS A GENERAL PRESUMPTION AGAINST DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THIS ZONE. DEVELOPMENTS WHICH SERVE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS ARE, HOWEVER, PERMITTED PROVIDED THEY DO NOT CREATE AN ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT.
SOME DEVELOPMENTS PERMITTED WITHIN GREEN BELT ZONE SUCH AS TEMPLES AND SITTING-OUT AREAS HAVE PROVED TO BE POPULAR SPOTS FOR THE PUBLIC.
/THERE IS .......
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
THERE IS ALSO A TREMENDOUS PRESSURE FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN GREEN BELT ZONES BECAUSE OF THE SCARCITY OF LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY.
IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THERE WERE 46 APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN GREEN BELT AND SO FAR THIS YEAR THE BOARD HAS RECEIVED 32 APPLICATIONS. PROMULGATION OF THE GUIDELINES WILL PROVIDE A CLEAR GUIDE TO THE PLANNING INTENTION FOR THE GREEN BELT ZONE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS WITHIN GREEN BELT ZONE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SCALE AND INTENSITY OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS THAT SHOULD BE COMPATIBLE TO THE GENERAL SURROUNDING.
"THE IMPACT OF THE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE, TOPOGRAPHY AND MATURE TREES WILL BE A CRUCIAL FACTOR IN DETERMINING THE ACCEPTABILITY OF AN APPLICATION," HE SAID.
"THE DESIGN AND LAYOUT OF THE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME AND LANDSCAPE TREATMENT PROPOSALS ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION".
"USES SUCH AS PASSIVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, PUBLIC UTILITY AND COMMUNITY USES AND THE NEW TERRITORIES EXEMPTED HOUSES (SMALL HOUSES FOR INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS) MAY BE GIVEN SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION BY THE BOARD."
COPIES OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE GREEN BELT ZONE UNDER SECTION 16 OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE PLANNING INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATION UNIT OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 848 2402.
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SPECIAL REVIEW ON 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND CPI REBASING » » « » *
THE MAY 1991 ISSUE OF. THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON "THE 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND THE REBASING OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES".
THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY (HES) IS CONDUCTED ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG FOR REBASING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI).
THE 1989/90 HES WAS CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE HANG SENG BANK LTD FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990.
/DURING THE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
5 -
DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD, A HOUSEHOLD SPENT $5,260 A FORTNIGHT ON THE AVERAGE ON FOODSTUFFS, HOUSING AND OTHER CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES.
THIS REPRESENTED A 52 PER CENT INCREASE IN MONEY TERMS AND ABOUT NINE PER CENT INCREASE IN REAL TERMS COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE BIWEEKLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE IN 1984/85.
BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE 1989/90 HES, THE EXPENDITURE BRACKETS AND EXPENDITURE PATTERNS FOR CPI(A), CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI HAVE BEEN UPDATED. THE BASE PERIOD FOR THE INDEXES HAVE ALSO BEEN SHIFTED FROM 1984/85 TO 1989/90.
THE OBJECTIVES, SURVEY METHODS AND SUMMARY FINDINGS OF THE 1989/90 HES, AND SALIENT FEATURES OF THE REBASED CPI SERIES ARE GIVEN IN THE SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $48 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
-----0------
YOUTH CENTRES IMPORTANT FOR YOUTHS
*****
YOUTH CENTRES PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SERVING AND TRAINING YOUNG PEOPLE, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR FUNG, SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF DIOCESAN WELFARE COUNCIL’S SHEUNG SHUI SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE, SAID AN EQUALLY IMPORTANT JOB IS TO HELP YOUNGSTERS TO FACE THE CHALLENGES AND SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE 90’S.
HE SAID: "ON THIS FRONTIER, YOUTH CENTRES HAVE BEEN PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE. BEFORE THE YOUNGSTERS COULD FACE THE CHALLENGES AND TAKE UP MORE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY, THEY SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED TRAININGS AT THE CENTRES.”
THE YOUTH CENTRES COULD HELP THEM DEVELOP FURTHER THEIR ABILITIES, FOSTER THEIR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESTABLISH THEIR CONFIDENCE, MR FUNG EXPLAINED.
HE NOTED THAT DIOCESAN WELFARE COUNCIL WAS CURRENTLY LAUNCHING A COMMUNITY CARE CAMPAIGN, AIMING AT ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO ACTIVELY TAKE UP THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN A FAMILY AND IN A COMMUNITY.
"IT IS ALSO ENCOURAGING THAT SERVICES BEING OFFERED BY THE SHEUNG SHUI SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION IN 1989, HAVE BEEN WELL ACCEPTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS,” HE ADDED.
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
- 6 -
ALL 361 REDUNDANT TEACHERS FOUND JOBS
******
ALL 361 REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHO HAD REGISTERED WITH THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THE SPONSORING BODIES AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION IN ACCEPTING THE REDUNDANT TEACHERS REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO FILL THEIR VACANCIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, WRITTEN ADVICE IS BEING SENT TO ALL AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS INFORMING THEM THAT THEY CAN NOW EMPLOY TRAINED TEACHERS.
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1975 TO ASSIST REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS SEEKING ALTERNATIVE JOBS AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN THE POPULATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND A POPULATION SHIFT FROM URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS.
"ABOUT 6,300 TEACHERS HAVE BEEN HELPED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE POSTS BETWEEN 1975 AND THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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YOUTH AMBASSADORS TO VISIT SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA
******
A GROUP OF 20 YOUTH AMBASSADORS FROM KWAI TS1 NG WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO VISIT SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA.
LED BY THE PRINf I PAL Ol THE COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, MR WAN HING-YUEN, THE GROUP WILL VISIT THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE, THU PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION, AND A COMMUNITY CLUB.
THE YOUNGSTERS WERE SELECTED AFTER WINNING AN INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE COMPETITION AND ESSAY COMPETITIONS.
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SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
- 7 -
CSD GIRL GUIDES CELEBRATE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY * ♦ * ♦ »
GIRL GUIDE ACTIVITIES ARE WIDELY RECOGNISED AS INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING THE POTENTIALS OF YOUNGSTERS. BUT FOR AH MAY, AN 18-YEAR-OLD INMATE OF THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (TGCI), GUIDING MEANS SOMETHING MORE.
A MEMBER OF THE 141ST ISLAND RANGER GUIDE SERVICE UNIT ESTABLISHED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD), AH MAY SAID SHE FOUND GUIDING ACTIVITIES EXTREMELY ESSENTIAL TO HER ENDEAVOUR TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.
SHE SAID GUIDING NOT ONLY ENABLED HER TO ENJOY A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES BUT ALSO GAVE HER THE ’’RARE” OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
CURRENTLY, CSD’S GIRL GUIDES PROVIDE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE AGED AND CHILDREN ON SUNDAYS.
AH MAY NOTED THAT BEFORE BEING SENTENCED TO TGCI, SHE HAD NEVER THOUGHT OF CARING FOR ANYBODY EXCEPT HERSELF.
BUT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICES, SHE NOW HAS GREAT SYMPATHY FOR NEEDY PEOPLE AND IS ALWAYS PREPARED TO OFFER HELP.
"I AM PARTICULARLY SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS OLD PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM ARE SO LONELY AND HELPLESS," SHE SAID.
"SOMETIMES, I WOULD ASK MYSELF WHY I SHOULD HAVE WASTED SO MUCH TIME FOOLING AROUND INSTEAD OF DOING SOMETHING MORE MEANINGFUL AND BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY," SHE ADDED.
ANOTHER CSD GIRL GUIDE, 16-YEAR-OLD AH LING, SAID GUIDING ACTIVITIES HAD HELPED BUILD UP HER SELF-CONFIDENCE.
SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE GUIDE’S BAND UNIT AND HAS TAKEN PART IN A NUMBER OF PUBLIC PERFORMANCES, INCLUDING THE "BEATING RETREAT" SHOW IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.
AH LING SAID BEFORE JOINING THE GIRL GUIDE, SHE DID NOT KNOW OF HER POTENTIAL IN MUSIC AND NEITHER DID SHE BELIEVE SHE WOULD HAVE THE COURAGE TO PERFORM BEFORE SUCH A LARGE AUDIENCE.
"IT’S REALLY HARD TO DESCRIBE THE SENSE OF SATISFACTION AND ACHIEVEMENT WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE CLAP THEIR HANDS TO SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION OF YOUR EFFORT.
"SUCH APPRECIATION IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO ME AS WHAT I DID IN THE PAST OFTEN MET ONLY WITH SCOLDING AND REPRIMANDS FROM PEOPLE AROUND ME," SHE SAID.
NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD AH KUEN SAID GUIDING HAD MADE HER APPRECIATE THE MEANING OF DISCIPLINE AND TEAMWORK SPIRIT.
/"I NOW ........
SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1991
8
"I NOW REALLY ENJOY WORKING AND CO-OPBRATING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, AND THEREFORE I WOULD BE MOST UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING IN FUTURE WHICH WOULD TURN PEOPLE AWAY FROM ME," SHE SAID.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT SINCE GUIDING ACTIVITIES HAD ENRICHED HER LIFE, SHE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE A GIRL GUIDE AFTER RELEASE.
AH MAY, AH LING AND AH KUEN ARE AMONG THE 30 GIRL GUDIES WHO ATTENDED A CEREMONY IN TGCI THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 141ST ISLAND RANGER GUIDE SERVICE UNIT AND BAND.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WAS MRS DONNA HUI, A SPONSOR OF THE GIRL GUIDE UNIT SINCE ITS INAUGURATION IN 1987.
THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF TGCI, MISS CHUNG MEI-KUEN, WHO WAS ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY, SAID GIRL GUIDE ACTIVITIES FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE INSTITUTION’S CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG INMATES.
SHE SAID THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE GAINED THROUGH GUIDING WOULD HELP THEM COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED.
MISS CHUNG NOTED THAT AS COMPARED WITH OTHERS, GIRLS WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN GUIDING ACTIVITIES WERE GENERALLY LESS LIKELY TO COMMIT CRIMES AFTER RELEASE.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 10 TGCI STAFF WHO TAKE UP THE JOB AS GIRL GUIDE LEADERS DURING THEIR SPARE TIME TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR THE GIRLS.
THE STAFF HAVE UNDERGONE A TRAINING COURSE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION FOR GUIDERS.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » » » * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
12.7.91
13.7.91
530*
NEUTRAL
NEUTRAL
* INCLUDES 50 MN O/N ASSISTANCE
TO BE REVERSED ON JULY 15
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY- GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
84,251 PRIMARY 6 PUPILS ALLOCATED FREE SECONDARY 1 SCHOOL PLACES .... 1
'DANCES WITH DRAGONS' CARNIVAL IN TSIM SHA TSUI ......................... 3
OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS INVALID FROM TOMORROW ........................... 4
SAI KUNG SYP BEGINS ..................................................... 5
CALL TO HEED SAFETY TN DEMOLITION WORK .................................. 6
COMPULSORY SIDEGUARDS AND REARGUARDS FOR GOODS VEHICLES ................. 6
NEW PUBLIC WORKS CENTRAL LABORATORY SET UP .............................. 7
WATER CUTS TN SOUTHERN LANTAU, EAST KOWLOON ............................. 9
SEMINAR ON COMMUNITY CARE ............................................... ?
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991
1
84,251 PRIMARY 6 PUPILS
ALLOCATED FREE SECONDARY 1 SCHOOL PLACES
ALL 84,251 PUPILS PARTICIPATING IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES
ALLOCATION SYSTEM HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SECONDARY 1 PLACES IN GOVERNMENT, AIDED OR PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE NUMBER INCLUDES 3,056 PUPILS (3.63 PER CENT) WHO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING DISCRETIONARY PLACES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT 38,871 (46.14 PER CENT) WERE ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO THEIR FIRST CHOICE.
’’THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO WERE ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO THEIR FIRST THREE CHOICES IS 68.41 PER CENT, OR 57,638 PUPILS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALL PLACES ALLOCATED ARE FOR THREE YEARS DURING WHICH NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED.
"IN ADDITION TO 84,251 PUPILS, A TOTAL OF 22 PUPILS PARTICIPATING IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS JOINING THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME IN SEPTEMBER 1991," HE SAID.
ALLOCATION RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE PUPILS’ PRIMARY SCHOOLS ON TUESDAY (JULY 16).
PUPILS SHOULD FOLLOW THE ARRANGEMENTS SET DOWN BY THEIR SCHOOLS AND COLLECT THE ADMISSION SLIP AND ALLOCATION SLIP CONTAINED IN THEIR PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORM FROM THEIR SCHOOLS.
THERE IS ONLY ONE REGISTRATION PERIOD - JULY 22-23 (MONDAY AND TUESDAY).
ALL PUPILS MUST REPORT DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED.
"FAILING TO DO SO MAY MEAN THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE UP THE PLACES ALLOCATED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN CASE BOTH THE PUPIL AND THE PARENT/GUARDIAN ARE AWAY FROM HONG KONG DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, THEY SHOULD AUTHORISE IN WRITING REPRESENTATIVES TO COMPLY WITH THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES ON THEIR BEHALF.
COPIES OF LETTERS OF AUTHORISATION ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THEIR SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
IN CASE OF GENUINE DIFFICULTIES, THE PARENTS OR PUPILS SHOULD INFORM THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION BEFORE THE END OF THE REGISTRATION PERIOD SO THAT ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE MADE.
/"AFTER THE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991
- 2 -
"AFTER THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, VACANCIES ARISING FROM NON-REPORTEES WILL BE FILLED AT THE ENTIRE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOLS,” HE ADDED.
WHEN REPORTING TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR REGISTRATION, PUPILS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR THEIR SCHOOL UNIFORM AND MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING:
(A) PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORMS AND THEIR ALLOCATION SLIPS;
(B) THE ADMISSION SLIPS;
(C) BIRTH CERTIFICATES, HONG KONG JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS OR OTHER DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR DATE OF BIRTH AND THEIR STATUS AS PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG (NOTE: PUPILS SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IF THE SYMBOL ’C' (FOR CONDITIONAL STAY) IS FOUND AT LINE 7 OF THE NEW TYPE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD);
(D) LATEST SCHOOL REPORTS, IF ANY; AND
(E) TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS.
PARENTS SEEKING TRANSFERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN HAVE TO APPROACH THE SCHOOLS DIRECT FOR APPLICATION. ACCEPTANCE IS AT THE ENTIRE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOLS.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS HAVE TO RETRIEVE THE ADMISSION SLIPS FROM THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH THEY HAVE REGISTERED AND HAND THEM TO THE SCHOOLS OF TRANSFER.
”PARENTS/PUPILS ARE REMINDED THAT BY RETRIEVING THEIR ADMISSION SLIPS, THEIR REGISTRATION WITH THE SCHOOLS WILL AT THE SAME TIME BE CANCELLED," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"SHOULD THE TERRITORY BE AFFECTED BY TYPHOON OR PERSISTENT RAIN DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO PAY HEED TO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE MEDIA FOR ANY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION RESULTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 891 2200.
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SUNDAY. JULY 14, 1991
3
’DANCES I TH DRAGONS’ CARNIVAL IN TSIM SHA TSUI * » » » »
THE 1 TH KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED TODAY (SUNDAY) WITH A LARGE-SCALE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FUNCTION -THE "DANCES WITH DRAGONS" CARNIVAL - IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, THE CARNIVAL WAS ATTENDED BY A LARGE AUDIENCE COMPRISING URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILLORS, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, DISTRICT OFFICERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
SPEAKING AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO START THE CAMPAIGN, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN HAD BROUGHT ABOUT MAJOR STRIDES IN IMPROVING BOTH ACTUAL AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF CLEANLINESS OVER THE PA£T YEARS.
"APART FROM THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND RELEVANT pOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHO HAVE ENDEAVOURED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH DAY-TO-DAY CLEANSING WORK, DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS’ UNRESERVED SUPPORT ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT.
"THEIR PHYSICAL INVOLVEMENT IN VARIOUS DISTRICT ACTIVITIES HAS NOT ONLY HELPED TO DISSEMINATE THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN MESSAGE, BUT HAS ALSO SET A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE TOWARDS A HEALTHIER AND CLEANER ENVIRONMENT," MR LAM SAID.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL OF THE COMMUNITY TO "TAKE THE LEAD TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN", WHICH IS THE SLOGAN FOR THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN.
MR LAM NOTED THAT TO ADD FRESH IMPETUS AND TO BRQADEN THE SCOPE OF PUBLICITY, THE CAMPAIGN MASCOT, THE DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS, HAD SET UP A FAMILY OF FIVE DRAGONS WHICH INCLUDED THE COUNTRY pRAGON, THE BEACH DRAGON AND TWO KID DRAGONS.
"THEY WILL CERTAINLY GENERATE VERY IMPRESSIVE PUBLICITY AND HELP PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE," HE SAID.
THE FIVE DRAGONS ACTIVELY TOOK PART IN TODAY’S CARNIVAL, PLAYING KEY ROLES IN A SPECIALLY CHOREOGRAPHED DANCE BY THE STUDENTS OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND IN A MIME DESIGNED BY THE FRINGE CLUB, AS WELL AS DANCED TO A SPECIAL RAP TUNE COMPOSED TO PUBLICISE THE NEW CAMPAIGN SLOGAN.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR GILBERT LEUNG AND MISS CHRISTINA TING; DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS IRENE YAU; DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR ADOLF HSU; AND ACTING DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR PETER NG.
/TN HIS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991
IN HIS Al 'RI , MR GILBERT LEUNG SAID THE PURPOSE OF ORGANISING KEEP HONG KONG Cl’ COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES WAS TWO-FOLD.
"FIRSTLY, WE HOPE TO SOLICIT, THROUGH WIDE PUBLICITY, EXTENSIVE PI ' LIC PARTICIPATION TO KEEP THE TERRITORY CLEAN.
"SECOND, WE WISH TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC-SPIRITED ORGANISATIONS AND COMPANIES TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN," HE SAID.
TO REMIND THE PUBLIC NOT TO LITTER, MR LEUNG SAID TWO TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST FEATURING ARTISTES MISS NG KWAN-YUE AND MR WONG YAT-SHAN, AS WELL AS THE DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS, WERE BEING PRODUCED.
THESE TWO PERFORMING ARTISTES WERE ALSO THE MASTERS OF CEREMONY AT TODAY’S FUNCTION. OTHER CELEBRITIES PRESENT INCLUDED MISS ANITA MUI, MS SIAO FONG-FONG, MR ALEX TO, MISS LILY POON, MISS SAMMI CHENG, MR JACKEY TSUE AND MR LEE KAR-KEUNG.
FOLLOWING THE CARNIVAL, THE DRAGONS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS FORMED CLEANING SQUADS AND HEADED FOR SHA TIN TOWN HALL SQUARE FOR A CLEAN-UP OPERATION.
THE FIVE DRAGON CLEANING SQUADS PICKED UP LITTER AT THE SQUARE AND URGED MEMBERS OF THE.PUBLIC TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
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OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS INVALID FROM TOMORROW
* * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1929 AND 1950 THAT THEIR OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 WILL BECOME INVALID FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
"THIS IS THE 10TH BATCH OF IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID SINCE THIS NEW IDENTITY CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME STARTED ON JULY 1, 1987," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT ONCE AN OLD CARD WAS DECLARED INVALID, It WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD OR TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR SPECIFIED CARD REPLACEMENT PERIODS DUE TO THEIR ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES."
THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL MERITS.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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/5 .....
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991
SAI KUNG SYP BEGINS
MORE THAN 1,500 YOUNGSTERS TOOK PART IN A CARNIVAL IN PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN O THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
THE CARNIVAL FEATURED STALL GAMES AND A VARIETY SHOW PERFORMED BY STUDENTS AND VOLUNTARY WORKERS.
SPEAKING AT THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, SAID SAI KUNG, WITH ITS SCENIC BEAUTY AND NATURAL LANDSCAPE, WAS AN IDEAL PLACE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
NOTING THAT THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SYP WAS "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", HE URGED PARENTS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE YOUNGSTERS TO FULFIL THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES BY SUPPORTING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
ABOUT 100 EVENTS, INCLUDING FUN FAIRS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS, EXCURSIONS AND TRAINING COURSES, HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE SAI KUNG YOUTHS.
AT A COST OF MORE THAN $170,000, THE EVENTS ARE SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD.
PAMPHLETS WITH PROGRAMME DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
OFFICIATING GUESTS OF TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY ALSO INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR EDWARD PONG; THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WAN HON-CHEUNG; AND MEMBER OF THE SYP COMMITTEE, MR KWOK KA-MING.
MEANWHILE, THE SYP IN SHA TIN, SOUTHERN, KWAI TSING, WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON CITY, AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS WERE ALSO LAUNCHED TODAY.
- 0 - -
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991
- 6 -
CALI O HEED SAFETY IN DEMOLITION WORK *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO TAKE EXTRA CARE AND NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WORKERS EMPLOYED TO DEMOLISH ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
"THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT IS PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO SAFETY IN SUCH DEMOLITION WORK FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT’S STEPPED-UP CONTROL ON UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES,” THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID.
”WE HAVE RECENTLY FOUND A DEMOLITION WORKER WORKING AT A HEIGHT AT I-FENG MANSION, TO KWA WAN, WITHOUT WEARING A SUITABLE SAFETY BELT,” MR CHAN SAID.
“AS THIS HAS CONSTITUTED AN OFFENCE UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR CONCERNED WHO WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND 12 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT AS A STANDARD PRECAUTION, A SAFE WORKING PLATFORM SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, WHILE A SAFETY NET SHOULD ALSO BE INSTALLED WHERE PRACTICABLE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION.
’’OTHER MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WORKERS WORKING AT A HEIGHT INCLUDE THE USE OF LIFELINES AND SAFETY BELTS ATTACHED TO SUITABLE AND SECURE ANCHORAGES,” HE ADDED.
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COMPULSORY SIDEGUARDS AND REARGUARDS FOR GOODS VEHICLES
*****
OWNERS OF GOODS REMINDED THAT REARGUARDS VEHICLES.
VEHICLES, TRAILERS AND SEMI-TRAILERS ARE AND SIDEGUARDS MUST BE FITTED TO THESE
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THE NEW REQUIREMENTS TOOK EFFECT FROM JULY 1 LAST YEAR.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A THREE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED BEFORE THAT DATE.
THE INSTALLATION OF REARGUARDS APPLIES TO GOODS VEHICLES WHICH HAVE A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES AND TRAILERS AND SEMI-TRAILERS WHICH HAVE A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING TWO TONNES.
/"THIS WILL
SUNDAY, JULY 1.4, 1991
"THIS WILL PREVENT VEHICLES FROM UNDER-RUNNING INTO THE VEHICLES AT THE FRONT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"TO PREVENT MOTOR CYCLISTS OR PEDESTRIANS FROM BEING TRAPPED BETWEEN THE AXLES IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISON, IT IS COMPULSORY TO FIT SIDEGUARDS," HE ADDED.
THIS REQUIREMENT APPLIES TO GOODS VEHICLES WHICH HAVE A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES AND WHICH HAVE A DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTRES OF ANY TWO CONSECUTIVE AXLES EXCEEING THREE METRES.
TRAILERS WHICH HAVE A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING TWO TONNES AND A DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTRES OF ANY TWO CONSECUTIVE AXLES EXCEEDING THREE METRES; AND SEMI-TRAILERS WHICH HAVE A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING'TWO TONNES AND DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTRE OF ITS FIRST AXLE AND THE CENTRE OF THE KING-PIN EXCEEDING 4.5 METRES MUST ALSO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.
"CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF VEHICLES ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENTS ON GROUNDS OF THE SPACE CONSTRAINTS AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AND DETAILS OF WHICH ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- 0 - -
NEW PUBLIC WORKS CENTRAL LABORATORY SET UP ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
A NEW PURPOSE-BUILT PUBLIC WORKS CENTRAL LABORATORY HAS BEEN SET UP AT KOWLOON BAY TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF MATERIAL TESTING SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
’’THE NEW LABORATORY OCCUPIES A FLOOR AREA OF 3,500 SQUARE METRES AND COSTS ABOUT $50 MILLION TO SET UP,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CESD) SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE NEW LABORATORY WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THJ? SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR KENNETH KWOK WAI-KA I, ON FRIDAY (JULY 19) AND REPLACES FACILITIES PREVIOUSLY LOCATED AT JAVA ROAD IN NORTH POINT, FARM ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY, AND MOUNT BUTLER IN QUARRY BAY.
"IT HOUSES A LARGE NUMBER OF TECHNICALLY ADVANCED ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE TESTING OF SOILS, CONCRETE, STEEL, BITUMEN AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. •
"APART FROM PROVIDING TESTING SERVICES FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE NEW LABORATORY ALSO OFFERS TESTING SERVICES TO ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS FOR PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ON A NON-PROFIT MAKING BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/THE CENTRAL
SI WAY, JULY 14, 1991
THE CENTRAL LABORATORY, TOGETHER WITH FIVE REGIONAL LABORATORIES LOCATED IN SHA TIN, TAI PO, TSUEN WAN, TIN SHUI WAI AND TUEN MUN, FORM THE PUBLIC WORKS LABORATORIES UNDER THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE CESD.
OVER 330,000 TESTS ON VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS WERE CARRIED OUT IN THESE LABORATORIES LAST YEAR.
THE CENTRAL LABORATORY IS GENERALLY INVOLVED IN COMPLIANCE AND INVESTIGATIVE TESTING, BUT SOME RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORK IS ALSO CARRIED OUT. IT ALSO MAINTAINS A DATA BANK ON CEMENT WHICH IS OPEN TO ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
SINCE 1988, THE LABORATORIES HAVE BEEN ACCREDITED UNDER THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME TO CARRY OUT CALIBRATION SERVICES, AS WELL AS TESTS ON SUCH CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AS CONCRETE, STEEL, AGGREGATES, CEMENT AND PULVERISED FUEL ASH.
THIS ASSURES CLIENTS THAT THE TEST RESULTS ARE TOTALLY RELIABLE AND ARE VERIFIABLE TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
THE CENTRAL LABORATORY COMPRISES VARIOUS UNITS. THE SOIL AND ROCK UNIT PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF LABORATORY AND IN-SITU SOIL TESTING ON CLASSIFICATION, COMPACTION, CONSOLIDATION, DIRECT SHEAR AND EFFECTIVE STRESS TRIAXIAL.
THE CALIBRATION UNIT PROVIDES IN-HOUSE CALIBRATION SERVICES WHICH INCLUDE THE CALIBRATION OF COMPRESSION MACHINES, PROVING RINGS, LOAD CELLS, PRESSURE GAUGES, EXTENSOMETERS, DIAL GAUGES, TRANSDUCERS, SIEVES, VOLUMETRIC APPARATUS, THERMOMETERS, OVENS AND BALANCES.
THE GENERAL MATERIALS AND STEEL UNIT IS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN COMPLIANCE TESTING OF STEEL REINFORCING BARS, WITH ABOUT 20,000 SPECIMENS BEING TESTED EVERY YEAR. TESTS ON PIPES, ROPE, RUBBER AND TIMBER ARE ALSO CARRIED OUT.
THE CONCRETE UNIT CARRIES OUT COMPLIANCE TESTS ON OVER 160,000 CONCRETE CUBES AND CORE SAMPLES EACH YEAR. IT IS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING OLD MANUALLY OPERATED CONCRETE COMPRESSION MACHINES BY MODERN COMPUTER CONTROLLED MACHINES.
THE WORK OF THE CHEMICAL TESTING UNIT COMPRISES THE COMPLIANCE TESTING OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, ANALYSIS OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HARDENED CONCRETE, AND THE EXAMINATION OF MISCELLANEOUS SAMPLES FOR OBJECTIVES SUCH AS IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION OF QUALITY AND SUITABILITY FOR USE, AND CAUSE OF FAILURE TN PERFORMANCE.
THE BITUMINOUS MATERIALS AND AGGREGATES UNIT CARRIES OUT A FULL RANGE OF TESTS ON BITUMEN, MASTIC ASPHALT, BITUMINOUS MATERIALS AND AGGREGATES.
THE FIVE PUBLIC WORKS REGIONAL LABORATORIES ARE ESTABLISHED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SERVE THE REGIONS AROUND THE NEW TOWNS.
A NEW REGIONAL LABORATORY IS PLANNED TN THE SOUTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES TO PROVIDE DEDICATED MATERIAL TESTING SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH HONG KONG’S NEW PORT AND A 1RPORT DEVELOPMENTS.
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SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991
9
WATER CUTS IN SOUTHERN LANTAU, EAST KOWLOON » ♦ » » ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN AREAS IN SOUTHERN LANTAU WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 16) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE AREA TO BF. AFFECTED IS ALONG SOUTH LANTAU ROAD FROM PUI O KAU TSUEN TO SHUI HAU INCLUDING PUI O KAU TSUEN, PUJ O SAN ISUEN, HAM TIN, SAN SHEK WAN., CHEUNG SHA, TONG FUK AND SHUI HAU.
MEANWHILE, FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9.30 AM TO 5.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 16) FOR MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, CHOI HUNG ESTATE, PING SHEK ESTATE, CHOI WAN 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-----------
SEMINAR ON COMMUNITY CARE ♦ » * ♦ ♦
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST REGION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAYS TO BUILD A CARING SOCIETY.
THE ’’CARE AND SHARE FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING” SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 18 AT THE HILLTOP COUNTRY WAN.
SEMINAR IS
CLUB, TSUEN
THOSE WHO ARE AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 30 AND ARE LIVING IN KWAI CHUNG, TSI NG Yl, TUSEN WAN AND THEN MUN ARE WELCOME TO APPLY NOW.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) SEMINAR AIMED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE A BETTER SELF AND AWARENESS OF THEIR POTENTIAL AND ABILITY.
SAID THE EVALUATION
”IT IS HOPED THAT THEY WILL LEARN THE WAYS TO CONDUCT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMMES; THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAMME PLANNING.
/"THE SEMINAR .......
SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1991
10
"THE SEMINAR IS9NLY THE BEGINNING^ WE HOP® THA0ME ACTIVITIES
added.
A VETERAN SOCIAL WORKER, 'InSdE
MODERATOR OF THE SEM™AR- GUE. SOCIAL STUDIES OF
LECTURER OF THE,°^A™ MR CHAN WING-TAI AND A SENIOR STepS^T ^APPLIED S0CMAL STUDIES OF THE HONG KONG
BE THE PRINCIPAL
THE
LECTURER
CITY > OF
POLYTECHNIC,
MR CHENG CHI-HO.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM VARIOUS N(J
COMMUNITY CENTRES IN THE RELEVANT DISTRICTS.
APPLICATION IS JULY 31.
OFFICES
DATE
AND FOR
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY
CONTENTS
HK MUST PROVIDE INCREASING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND MAINTAIN ACADEMIC STANDARDS: GOVERNOR ...........................................
BCCHK — LEGAL SITUATION IN LUXEMBOURG CLARIFIED ........................
FOUR FUND-RAISING PERMITS ISSUED .......................................
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR MARCH - MAY 1991
RELEASED .............................................................
INCREASES OF ACTIVITY FOR COMPANY REGISTRY .............................
MARCH EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED ............
GOVT SEEKS VIEW ON LAW TO PREVENT CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME ..........
COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1990-91 REVIEW......................
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF FIRST QUARTER SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND
PURCHASES RELEASED ...................................................
THREE DEBATES IN LEGCO ON WEDNESDAY ....................................
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON THIRD QUARTER PAYMENT .....................
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS PROFESSIONAL STAFF ...............................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............
15, 1991
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MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
1
HK MUST PROVIDE INCREASING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND MAINTAIN ACADEMIC STANDARDS: GOVERNOR ♦ ♦ ♦ t * *
IF HONG KONG IS TO BUILD ON ITS ACHIEVEMENTS, IT MUST CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, ACADEMIC STANDARDS MUST CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED AND RECOGNISED INTERNATIONALLY, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "QUALITY ASSURANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION" INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING HAD BEEN AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN HONG KONG’S POST-WAR ECONOMIC SUCCESS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET THE AMBITIOUS TARGET OF NEARLY DOUBLING THE INTAKE OF FIRST DEGREE STUDENTS BY SEPTEMBER 1994.
"THIS IS NO EASY TASK. BUT IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT IF THE DEMAND IN HONG KONG FOR ARTICULATE, WELL-EDUCATED YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IS TO BE MET," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT SUCH DEMAND WAS GROWING RAPIDLY AS HONG KONG’S ECONOMY UNDERWENT A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE.
AS THE SERVICES SECTOR WAS BLOSSOMING, BANKS, RETAILERS, TRADING COMPANIES, HOTELS, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES ALL SAW OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH.
TO MAKE THE MOST OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES, THEY NEEDED A STEADY FLOW OF YOUNG RECRUITS, SIR DAVID SAID.
ON THE PARTICULAR CHALLENGE FOR HONG KONG’S HIGHER EDUCATION, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS TO COMBINE THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS GRADUATING FROM POLYTECHNICS AND UNIVERSITIES WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, MAINTAINING AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, RAISING ACADEMIC STANDARDS.
BUT OF COURSE EVALUATING AND MAINTAINING ACADEMIC STANDARDS WAS A CHALLENGE FOR ALL PLACES OF LEARNING, HE ADDED.
"THE HIGHER THE LEVELS AND STANDARDS OF LEARNING, THE MORE COMPLEX THE PROCESS OF EVALUATION AND COMPARISON," HE SAID.
STR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS ALSO FACING THE PROBLEM OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT HAD THE RIGHT INSTITUTIONS TO TEST AND KEEP ITS STANDARDS HIGH.
ON THIS, HE SAID, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION HAD JUST BEEN SET UP TO TAKE ON THE ROLE PREVIOUSLY PLAYED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS.
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/2 ........
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
- 2 -
BCCHK -- LEGAL SITUATION IN LUXEMBOURG CLARIFIED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ADMINISTRATOR•IN LUXEMBOURG HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO A SALE OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LTD. (BCCHK), THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR DAVID CARSE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HOWEVER, THAT WAS ONLY ONE STAGE IN THE PROCESS OF SELLING THE BANK AND DISCUSSIONS ARE GOING ON WITH INTERESTED PARTIES IN THE HOPE OF IDENTIFYING A BUYER FOR THE BANK IN HONG KONG.
"WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IS TO CLARIFY THE LEGAL SITUATION IN LUXEMBOURG BUT WE CANNOT AS YET GUARANTEE THAT THERE WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME,” HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, EFFORTS ARE CONTINUING BY THE COMMISSIONER’S STAFF TO RECOVER THE BANK’S ASSETS FROM OVERSEAS.
"SO FAR, A TOTAL OF $2 BILLION WORTH OF ASSETS HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO HONG KONG FROM OVERSEAS,” HE SAID.
MEASURES TO SECURE AN EARLY PARTIAL CASH PAYMENT FOR
DEPOSITORS ARE BEING URGENTLY EXPLORED.
MR CARSE HELD A MEETING WITH A GROUP OF DEPOSITORS THIS MORNING AND THERE WAS A USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS.
------0-------
FOUR FUND-RAISING PERMITS ISSUED
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THIS (MONDAY) EVENING SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ISSUED FOUR PERMITS TO ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC PLACE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FLOOD VICTIMS IN CHINA.
”WE HAVE, SO FAR, RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 17 WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR A PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PERMIT AND WE ARE STILL PROCESSING THE REMAINING 13 APPLICATIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 100 ENQUIRIES REGARDING ORGANISATION OF ACTIVITIES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE VICTIMS IN CHINA.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT IS HANDLING, AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE, APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PERMITS FOR ANY FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC PLACES.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT MATTERS CONCERNING APPLICATIONS FOR A PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PERMIT CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 576 5922.
IN ORDER TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN APPLICANTS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS:
EXPEDITING INFORMATION
ITS WORKS, IN THEIR
/* THE PURPOSE ........
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
- 3 -
* THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY TOGETHER WITH THE PROPOSED DATE, TIME AND LOCATIONS.
* PERMISSION FROM THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES - IN THE CASE OF A FUND-RAISING EVENT IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, THE PERMISSION OF HOUSING DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE OBTAINED. IN PUBLIC STREETS, PRIOR APPROVAL SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, WHILE IN A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, THE MANAGEMENT'S PERMISSION SHOULD BE SOUGHT.
* AN AGREEMENT FROM THE ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE DONATION TO ITS DESTINATION SHOULD BE OBTAINED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UPON COMPLETION OF AN APPROVED FUND-RAISING OPERATION, THE ORGANISER SHOULD SUBMIT A CERTIFIED AUDIT REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WITHIN 90 DAYS.
"IF THE DONATION COLLECTED IS TO BE TRANSFERRED OUTSIDE HONG KONG, THE ORGANISER SHOULD PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT IN AT LEAST ONE LOCAL CHINESE AND ONE ENGLISH NEWSPAPER WITHIN 90 DAYS," HE ADDED.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR MARCH - MAY 1991 RELEASED *****
BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE DURING THE PERIOD MARCH - MAY 1991, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1991 WAS 2.4%, COMPARED WITH 1.4% FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1991 AND 1.6% FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASES OF 1% OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND 0.8 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN MARCH -MAY 1991 WAS ESTIMATED AT 67,500, COMPARED WITH 40,500 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1991 AND 44,200 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1991 WAS 1.9%, COMPARED WITH 1.1% FOR DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 AND 1.0% FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASES OF 0.8 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND 0.9 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
/THE ESTIMATED .......
MONDAV JULY 15, 1991
(
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN MARCH - MAY 1991 WAS 54,100, COMPARED WITH 30,600 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1991 AND 26,900 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 (FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR APRIL - JUNE 1991 WAS 2.4% AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.7% .
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR MARCH - MAY 1991 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 10,600 HOUSEHOLDS OR 37,000 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 JUNE 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND SEPTEMBER 20 AT $13.50 PER COPY.
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/5........
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
5
INCREASES OF ACTIVITY FOR COMPANY REGISTRY
******
THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASES OF ACTIVITY IN MOST AREAS FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1991 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD OF 1990, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, FOR THE COMPANIES REGISTRY TODAY (MONDAY).
THE COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES ON THE REGISTER AT THE END OF JUNE 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1990 HAD INCREASED BY 7% FROM 265,452 TO 284,045.
MEANWHILE, THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1991 HAD INCREASED 66% FROM 12,513 TO 20,797 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1990.
FOLLOWING THE DISCONTINUANCE OF THE NAME RESERVATION SYSTEM AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 1990 AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW NAME SYSTEM IN MARCH 1991, THE TIME TAKEN TO REGISTER A NEW COMPANY WAS REDUCED FROM AN AVERAGE OF 6 WEEKS TO 7 WORKING DAYS.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEA COMPANIES WHICH HAD ESTABLISHED A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AT THE END OF JUNE 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1990 INCREASED BY 3% FROM 2,635 TO 2,727.
THE NUMBER OF NEW OVERSEA COMPANIES ESTABLISHING A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI DURING THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1991 WAS 200, AN INCREASE OF 8% COMPARED WITH THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1990.
NO SEPARATE STATISTICS ARE MAINTAINED ON HOW MANY OVERSEA COMPANIES INCORPORATE LOCAL SUBSIDIARIES OR TAKE UP A MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN A HONG KONG COMPANY.
IN THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1991 EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY $13,898 MILLION, A DECREASE OF 15% COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD OF 1990, WHILE THE NOMINAL CAPITAL OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED DURING JANUARY - JUNE 1991 INCREASED BY 36% FROM $1,577 MILLION TO $2,139 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED BY CHARGES REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES INCREASED BY 40% FROM $32,637 MILLION TO $45,578 MILLION, AND THE NUMBER OF CHARGES FILED IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1991 HAD INCREASED BY 8% FROM 14,467 TO 15,643 OVER THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1990, WHILE THE AMOUNT REPAID ON CHARGES, AS EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, DECREASED BY 55% FROM $8,970 MILLION TO $4,057 MILLION, AND THE NUMBER OF CERTIFICATES HAD INCREASED BY 21% FROM 6,345 TO 7,656 IN THE SAME PERIOD.
DURING THE PERIOD, A TOTAL OF 93 PROSPECTUSES OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 55 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED AS AGAINST 72 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 51 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, DURING THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1990.
/THE NUMBER .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
6
THE NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECEIVED FOR FILING DURING THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THAT FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 INCREASED BY 16% FROM 416,120 TO 483,214 AND THE NUMBER OF SEARCHES MADE UNDER THE MICROFILM SYSTEM (INTRODUCED IN APRIL 1990) DURING THE FISRT 6 MONTHS OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THAT FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 INCREASED BY 62% FROM 428,238 TO 692,289.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUMMONSES ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS FOR BREACHES OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, MAINLY FOR FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH ACCOUNTS, IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1991 WAS 60, COMPARED WITH 70 DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
DURING THE PERIOD, 5 SUMMONSES WERE WITHDRAWN (E.G. BECAUSE OF NON-SEVICE), 40 RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS COMPARED WITH 78 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1990 AND 113 REMAIN TO BE HEARD BY THE COURT (66 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1990).
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED FOR CONVICTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1991 WAS $122,680, COMPARED WITH $172,160 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1990.
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MARCH EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED » ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICE SECTORS INCREASED IN MARCH 1991 OVER MARCH 1990. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED. THUS, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE SHIFT IN EMPLOYMENT FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES CONTINUED.
THERE WERE 696,800 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN MARCH 1991, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 8.9 PER CENT FROM MARCH 1990.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 852,700 IN MARCH 1991, WAS 10.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1990.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 276,700, WAS UP BY 5.1 PER CENT.
EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT 66,700, WAS 10 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN MARCH 1990.
THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR MARCH 1991 IN THE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISONS WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1990 AND DECEMBER 1990, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
/SELECTED MAJOR .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
7
• SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN © PERCENTAGE CHANGE #
MAR 90 DEC 90 MAR 91 MAR 91 OVER MAR 90 MAR 91 OVER DEC 90
MANUFACTURING 764,700 715,600 696,800 i 00 -2.6
CONSTRUCTION 74,200 69,100 66,700 -10.0 -3.5
(MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) WHOLESALE AND »» 773,300 829,400 852,700 + 10.3 + 2.8
RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS FINANCING, 263,300 276,600 276,700 + 5.1 *
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES ’ © FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HUNDRED.
# BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
* LESS THAN 0.05 PER CENT INCREASE
* * EXCLUDING HAWKERS, STREET VENDORS, RETAIL PITCHES (OTHER THAN MARKET STALLS)
COMPARING MARCH 1991 WITH DECEMBER 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED BY 2.6 PER CENT AND 3.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 2.8 PER CENT, WHILE EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FROM A YEAR EARLIER.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN MARCH 1991 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE CONSTRUCTION SITES; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
BEGINNING FROM THE FIRST QUARTER 1991, 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 MARCH AND DECEMBER 1990 HAVE ALSO BEEN REVISED TO CONFORM TO THE HSIC CODES FOR COMPARISON PURPOSE.
/THUS, THE .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
8
THUS, THE FIGURES CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE MAY NOT BE FULLY COMPARABLE WITH THOSE IN THE PREVIOUS REPORTS DUE TO THE CHANGE IN CLASSIFICATION.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES ALSO PROVIDE VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS. THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1990 AND DECEMBER 1990 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN @ MAR 90 DEC 90 MAR 91 PERCENTAGE CHANGE # MAR 91 OVER MAR 91 OVER MAR 90 DEC 90
MANUFACTURING 38,270 28,970 31,760 -17.0 + 9.6
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 3,050 1,330 1,150 -62.3 -13.9
WHOLESALE AND ** RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 34,900 27,660 33,240 -4.8 + 20.2
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 10,940 8,870 9,150 -16.3 + 3.1
® FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST TEN.
# BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
* * EXCLUDING HAWKERS, STREET VENDORS AND RETAIL PITCHES (OTHER THAN MARKET STALLS)
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, THE VACANCY SITUATION IMPROVED IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS, SUGGESTING THAT THE LABOUR MARKET SITUATION HAD BECOME LESS TIGHT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR DECREASED BY 14.2 PER CENT TN MARCH 1991 OVER MARCH 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES FELL SIGNIFICANTLY BY 62.3 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AND THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR FELL BY 17.0 PER CENT, 16.3 PER CENT AND 4.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/COMPARED WITH .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
9 -
COMPARED I’H DECEMBER 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THE INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL FACTORS, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 9.6 PER CENT, 20.2 PER CENT AND 3.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN MARCH 1991.
HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED CONSIDERABLY BY 13.9 PER CENT.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE:
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE 1ST QTR 1ST QTR 1ST QTR 1991 OVER
ECONOMY 1990 1991 . 1ST QTR 1990
MANUFACTURING HK$ MN 12,630 HK$ MN 13,370 + 5.9
WHOLESALE AND ** 14,085 17,487 424.2
RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS FINANCING, 7,358 8,785 + 19.4
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES
»* EXCLUDING HAWKERS, STREET VENDORS AND RETAIL PITCHES (OTHER THAN MARKET STALLS)
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, TOTAL PAYROLL IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 5.9 PER CENT, 24.2 PER CENT AND 19.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL BETWEEN MARCH 1990 AND MARCH 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 IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) (OCTOBER 89 - SEPTEMBER 90 = 100) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
/THESE TWO .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
- 10 -
THESE TWO J DICES FOR MARCH 1990 AND MARCH 1991 ARE THE TABLES BELOW
GIVEN IN
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED % CHANGE
(MARCH 1991 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 90 MAR 91 MAR 91 OVER MAR 90
MANUFACTURING 89.1 100.0 + 12.2
WHOLESALE AND ♦» RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 87.3 100.0 + 14.5
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 85.1 100.0 + 17.5 •
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED
(MARCH 1991 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 90 MAR 91 MAR 91 OVER MAR 90
MANUFACTURING 100.1 100.0 -0.1
WHOLESALE AND *t 98.1 100.0 + 1.9
RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 95.6 100.0 +4.6
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
*♦ EXCLUDING HAWKERS, STREET VENDORS AND RETAIL PITCHES (OTHER THAN MARKET STALLS)
BETWEEN MARCH 1990 AND MARCH 1991, AN INCREASE OF 12.2 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
/FOR THE .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
11 -
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 14.5 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 17.5 PER CENT.
SALARY REVISION WAS REPORTED AS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE INCREASE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED OVER THIS PERIOD.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 1.9 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND 4.6 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
HOWEVER, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR RECORDED VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, MARCH 1991 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, MARCH 1991.
THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT $13.50 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.
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GOVT SEEKS VIEW ON LAW TO PREVENT CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME ******
PUBLIC OPINION WILL BE SOUGHT AS TO WHETHER SPECIFIC LEGISLATION SHOULD BE ENACTED TO PROHIBIT PARENTS AND GUARDIANS FROM LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
DETAILS OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ARE BEING WORKED OUT. IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THE THREE-MONTH CONSULTATION WILL BE LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, LAW BODIES, SOCIAL WELFARE PERSONNEL, WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WILL BE INVITED TO AIR THEIR VIEWS.
SPEAKING AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) MEETING THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID: ’’UNDER THE EXISTING LAW - SECTION 27 OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSONS ORDINANCE - THE POLICE CAN TAKE ACTION AGAINST PARENTS FOR ’WILFUL NEGLECT’ OF THEIR CHILDREN.”
/IN VIEW .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
- 12 -
IN VIEW OF THE DIVERGENCE OF VIEWS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ISSUE, SWAC MEMBERS GENERALLY CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE DECIDING ON WHETHER SPECIFIC LEGISLATION AGAINST PARENTS LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
MR CHUI ADDED THAT IN LINE WITH SWAC MEMBERS’ RECOMMENDATIONS IN ITS PREVIOUS MEETINGS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD STRENGTHENED PUBLIC EDUCATION AND IMPROVED THE PROVISION OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING:
* A NEW PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON ’’DON’T LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED” WAS LAUNCHED IN APRIL 1991;
» HOME SAFETY PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN’ ORGANISED EXTENSIVELY AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL;
♦ AS AT JUNE 30, THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 31,266 NURSERY PLACES AND 1,181 DAY CRECHE PLACES WERE AVAILABLE; MORE NURSERY PLACES AND DAY CRECHES ARE PLANNED;
* THE PROVISION OF OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE ON A HALF-DAY OR FULL-DAY BASIS FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO 150 PLACES IN 50 NURSERIES AND ADMISSION CRITERIA HAVE BEEN RELAXED TO ALLOW CENTRE SUPERVISORS FLEXIBILITY IN ACCEPTING NEEDY CHILDREN; AND
♦ EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE PARENTS IN THE SAME NEIGHBOURHOOD TO TAKE TURNS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR CHILDREN WHEN THE NEED ARISES.
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COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1990-91 REVIEW
ONE MAJOR RECOMMENDATION BY THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN 1990-91 IS THAT A NEW ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO REVIEW THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE DURING THE PAST YEAR, PROF POON SAID THIS WOULD INVOLVE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ITSELF WITH A NEW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BOARD.
”WE ARE AWAITING THE ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION ON THIS RECOMMENDATION,” HE SAID.
PROF POON ALSO HIGHLIGHTED SOME OF THE MAIN FINDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE IN SUPERCOMPUTING, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) ENVIRONMENT AND MANPOWER, TOXIC SUBSTANCE CONTROLS, AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION.
/ON SUPERCOMPUTING .......
MONDAY, JULY lc., 1991
ON SUPERCOMPUTT NG, PROF POON SAID THERE WAS NO PRESSING NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER SUPERCOMPUTING FACILITIES SHOULD BE INSTALLED AND THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT. HE SAID THIS WOULD BE RESOLVED NATURALLY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
AS FOR THE IT ENVIRONMENT AND MANPOWER, PROF POON SAID IT WAS NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS WELL PLACED IN TERMS OF THE BASE ON WHICH COMPETITIVE IT USAGE COULD BE BUILT.
’’LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL MANPOWER SHORTAGE, THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF IT RELATED VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND HIGHER EDUCATION PLACES COULD MEET THE CONSULTANT’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXPANSION IN THESE AREAS.
"THE COMMITTEE ADVISES THAT A GROUP BE FORMED TO GIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO THE CHANNELLING OF INDUSTRY VIEWS INTO THE PLANNING OF IT-RELATED HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING," HE SAID.
MOVING ON TO TOXIC SUBSTANCE CONTROLS, PROF POON SAID IT WOULD BE UNREALISTIC TO INTRODUCE CONTROLS ON TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN ALL HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS AT THIS STAGE THOUGH CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO CONTROL SPECIFIED CATEGORIES OF HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS WHOSE TOXIC EFFECTS COULD BE ACUTE.
ON THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PROF POON SAID THAT FOLLOWING A SURVEY OF EXISTING ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN, THE COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT A GREAT DEAL OF ACTIVITY HAD BEEN UNDERTAKEN IN INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION, WITH THE NEW SCIENCE MUSEUM REPRESENTING ONE MAJOR INITIATIVE.
"CO-ORDINATION, HOWEVER, IS RELATIVELY LIMITED AND, WHILE FORMAL CO-ORDINATION WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE, THERE IS SCOPE TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF SUCH ACTIVITIES.
"ALONG THESE LINES, THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED THE INCLUSION OF A CALENDER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES IN THE SCIENCE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER AND THE EXTENSION OF HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL’S DATABASE OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO INCLUDE RELEVANT INFORMATION," HE SAID.
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF FIRST QUARTER SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES RELEASED t t ♦ * t
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, ESTIMATED AT $9,232 MILLION, WAS 7% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 6% LOWER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WAS $3,621 MILLION, REPRESENTING A 5% INCREASE IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
/ANALYSED BY
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
14
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" (COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEANCURD JELLY, AND SO ON) RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 (+22%) WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY FAST FOOD SHOPS (+17%), NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (+7%), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (+5%) AND BARS (+5%).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND FAST FOOD SHOPS INCREASED BY 9% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE FOR BARS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND CHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 3%, 6% AND 8% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RESTAURANTS RECEIPTS DECREASED BY 2% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME, AND THE VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS FELL BY 3%.
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND FAST FOOD SHOPS INCREASED BY 3% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY, THAT OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED, WHILE THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND BARS DECREASED BY 2% AND 10% RESPECTIVELY.
IN VOLUME TERMS, ALL RESTAURANT TYPES RECORDED A DECLINE IN TOTAL RECEIPTS, THE MAGNITUDE BEING 1% FOR "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES", 2% FOR FAST FOOD SHOPS, 5% FOR NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, 6% FOR CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND 12% FOR BARS.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 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 STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1258).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
/TABLE 1 .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, i;991 - 15 -
CABLE 1 * TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
4th qtr. 1990 1st qtr. 1991
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HKS Billion) 9 401 9 232
Total purchases by restaurants (in HKS Billion) 3 745 3 621
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OP TOTAL RESTAURANT
RECEIPTS POR 4TH QUARTER 1990 AND 1ST QUARTER 1991
(Quarterly average of October 84 - Septeiber 85 = 100)
1 1 1 Type of restaurant 1 । 1 Index of 1 1 total 1 1 restaurant 1 1 receipts 1 4th quarter 1990 1 1 1st 1 quarter 1 1991 1 1 1st qtr. 1991 ( coipared with 1 4th qtr. 1990 I 1 1 1st qtr. 1991 ( ! coipared with 1
1 1st qtr. 1990 1 i
! 1 1 1 1 1 1 (Revised figures) 1(Provisional! Points A (figures) 1 । । 1 Points I A 1 1 I
i 1 Chinese restaurants i i i 1 Value 1 i । 198 I 193 i I -5 -2 i I 410 1 45 1 i
I 1 1 I । 1 Voluie 1 117 1 i no ! । 1 -7 -6 1 1 I -9 1 I -8 1 (
1 1 Non-Chinese restaurants i 1 1 1 Value 1 200 i l 199 I 1 * * i 1 i 413 1 1 47 1 1
। 1 1 1 i 1 Voluie 1 1 1 122 1 116 1 1 -6 -5 1 1 1 -7 I 1 -6 I I
1 1 Past food shops i 1 1 1 Value 1 269 1 ! 271 i 1 1 *2 +1 i 1 1 440 । 1 417 1 1
i I i 1 Voluie 1 1 1 177 i ; 173 1 I -4 -2 1 I *7 1 45 1 1
1 1 Bars ■ 1 1 1 Value 1 178 I 159 1 1 -19 -10 1 ' 48 । 1 45 ! i
l 1 1 1 i i 1 Voluie 1 1 1 1 1 131 । 1 116 I 1 ( -15 -12 1 I- । 1 -4 1 1 i -3 ! 1 (
(Other eating and drinking places i 1 Value 1 i । 170 1 175 । ! 45 43 । 1 432 1 422 1 I
i 1 i 1 1 Voluie 1 111 1 110 1 -2 -1 1 49 49 1
I 1 Entire restaurant sector 1 1 1 Value 1 202 ( 199 1 1 -4 -2 । 1 1 412 1 1 47 1 1
i 1 1 i i 1 Voluie 1 1 1 123 ( 116 I 1 -7 -6 1 1 I -7 ( -6 1 1
Notes: 1. Pigures denoting changes are derived froi unrounded figures. 2. ‘ denotes a figure within t0.5.
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/16 .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
16 -
T .REE DEBATES IN LEGCO ON WEDNESDAY * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 17 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER NINE BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 17).
DEBATES ON NINE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1990-91) BILL 1991, OFFICIAL SOLICITOR BILL 1991, SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BILL 1991, PLANNERS REGISTRATION BILL 1991, TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991, TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL, THE ELECTORAL PROVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
THE HON MARTIN LEE WILL MOVE A MOTION ON CHILD CARE. THE MOTION READS: "IN LIGHT OF THE TRAGEDY EARLIER THIS YEAR IN HO MAN TIN AND THE INADEQUACY OF THE CURRENT CHILD-CARE SYSTEM IN HONG KONG, THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND WIDEN THE AVAILABILITY OF CHILD-CARE SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY."
THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO ADJOURNMENT DEBATES ON THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN AND THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR RESPECTIVELY.
THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG WILL RAISE THE MATTER OF "THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN” WHILE THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI WILL RAISE THE MATTER OF "IMPORTATION OF LABOUR".
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 1990.
THE THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
/17........
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
17
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON
* * * *
THIRD QUARTER PAYMENT *
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR RATES FOR THE QUARTER JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1991 WHICH ARE DEMANDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE MAY BRING A RATES DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER AND MAKE PAYMENT AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, WANCHAI TOWER II, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI;
* 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, 348-352 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 JULY 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 JULY 31, 1991. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
/RATES ARE .......
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTIONS 30(1A) AND (2A), HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
- - 0 - -
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS PROFESSIONAL STAFF
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS RECRUITING FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN AURAL, THEORY AND CHORAL TEACHING.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL ENTER AS AN ASSISTANT MUSIC OFFICER II WITH A PAY SCALE BETWEEN $9,975 AND $16,165 PER MONTH.
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE GRADUATES OF EITHER THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, OR HAVE A DEGREE IN MUSIC FROM A RECOGNISED UNIVERSITY, OR POSSESS EITHER LRSM, LRAM, GTCL, ARCM OR EQUIVALENT.
APPLICANTS MUST BE MAJOR IN EITHER PIANO OR SINGING. SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO TEACH AURAL AND THEORY TRAINING CLASSES; PROVIDE PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT; PLAN AND PREPARE TRAINING CURRICULUM; TRAIN CHORAL GROUPS AND PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC FUNCTION.
WORKING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND AT IRREGULAR HOURS MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE ON G.F. 340 AND FORWARDED TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER (PERSONNEL AND GENERAL), MUSIC OFFICE, 25TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI NOT LATER THAN JULY 22.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 823 5340.
0 - -
/19
MONDAY, JULY 15, 1991
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 13.7.91 530
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 15.7.91 + 97*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -147
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
*O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -50 MN
OTHER FOWARDS +147 MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.7 ♦-0.2* 15.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS •
12.7.91 15.7 .91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.07 PCT 5.87 PCT
1 MONTH 6.16 PCT 6.02 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.29 PCT 6.16 PCT
‘ 6 MONTHS 6.29 PCT 6.18 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.72 PCT 6.51 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 3,364 MN 5,550 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COLLECTION OF FUNDS FROM FOREIGN RANKS ............................. 1
SIX MORE FUND-RAISING PERMITS ISSUED ............................... 1
EXERCISE FREEDOM WITHIN THE LAW .................................... 1
TWO-DAY JLG EXPERT TALKS BEGINS TOMORROW ........................... 2
HONG KONG’S NEW TOWN PROGRAMME WORLD'S LARGEST ..................... 2
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ......................... 4
YOUNGSTERS URGED TO TAKE UP CHALLENGES ............................. 11
OVER 200 OVERSEAS DELEGATES TO ATTEND ASIAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE ......................................................... 11
CAREERS SEMINAR FOR TERTIARY GRADUATES ............................. 12
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ..................................... 13
NEW POST OFFICE OPENS .............................................. 13
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ........................... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND.................................. 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.......... 15
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
COLLECTION OF FUNDS FROM FOREIGN BANKS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
AT A MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH A GROUP OF DEPOSITORS OF BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK), THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WAS ASKED ABOUT A PURPORTED WITHDRAWAL OF US$30 MILLION FROM THE BANK’S ACCOUNT WITH A US BANK UNDER THE INSTRUCTION OF THE STAFF OF THE BANK.
THE COMMISSIONER CLARIFIED THAT THE WITHDRAWAL WAS PROPERLY AUTHORISED BY HIM AND THAT IT REPRESENTED THE TRANSFER OF MATURED DEPOSITS HELD BY BCCHK WITH THE BANK OF NEW YORK TO BCCHK’S ACCOUNT WITH THS HONGKONG BANK.
THE AMOUNT CONCERNED IS INCLUDED IN THE HKD 2 BILLION THAT HAS BEEN RETURNED TO HONG KONG.
------0-------
SIX MORE FUND-RAISING PERMITS ISSUED ♦ ♦♦♦»*
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING SAID SIX MORE PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PERMITS WERE ISSUED TODAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERMITS ISSUED TO 10.
RECEIVING THE PERMITS TODAY WFRE XIAO FENG SOCIETY OF ARTS LIMITED, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH CENTRE, CITY CHAIN LIMITED, ASIA TELEVISION LIMITED, OFFICE OF CHIANG SAI-CHEONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, AND OFFICE OF URBAN COUNCILLOR MR WONG SIU-YEE.
"WE HAVE, SO FAR, RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 27 WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR HOLDING ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC PLACE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHINA’S FLOOD VICTIMS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0-------
EXERCISE FREEDOM WITHIN THE LAW
RESPONDING TO PRESS COMMENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID:
"WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HONG KONG AND WE DEFEND THAT FREEDOM. WE ASK ONLY THAT PEOPLE EXERCISE THAT FREEDOM WITHIN THE LAW. BUT, AS THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE CLEAR ON MANY OCCASIONS IN THE PAST, WE DO NOT WANT HONG KONG TO BE USED AS A BATTLEFIELD FOR OTHER PEOPLE’S POLITICAL BATTLES. EVERYTHING WE DO IS CONSISTENT WITH THIS POLICY."
/2 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
2
TWO-DAY JLG EXPERT TALKS BEGINS TOMORROW
******
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL HOLD ITS EXPERT TALKS IN KONG TO DISCUSS DETAILED MATTERS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COURT OF FINAL APPEAL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND ON THURSDAY.
HONG THE
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE DEPUTY REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT, MR BRIAN SUTTILL.
THE CHINESE TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MR ZHENG WEIRONG.
THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY OTHER EXPERTS FROM THE TWO SIDES.
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HONG KONG’S NEW TOWN PROGRAMME WORLD’S LARGEST
*****
HONG KONG SHOULD BE PROUD OF ITS NEW WHICH IS THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD, DIRECTOR DR NIP KAM-FAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
TOWN BUILDING PROGRAMME OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT,
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING KONG, HE SAID THIS PROGRAMME HAD HAD CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
OF THE A HUGE
CITY LIONS CLUB OF HONG INFLUENCE ON HONG KONG’S
DR NIP SAID THE POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWNS NOW MILLION, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE FIGURE A DECADE AGO.
STOOD AT
2.3
HE SAID FIVE MORE NEW TOWNS HAD BEEN ADDED LIST OF THREE, AND BY THE TIME THEY WERE COMPLETED, HOMES FOR 3.3 MILLION PEOPLE.
TO THE ORIGINAL
THERE WOULD BE
"I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE REASON TO TRANSFORMATION WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST NEW TERRITORIES WITH THE LARGEST NEW TOWN BUILDING WORLD," DR NIP ADDED.
BE PROUD
18 YEARS PROGRAMME
OF IN IN
THE THE THE
NEW
1972
THE IN
IN A SPEECH ENTITLED "HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN rOWNS", DR NIP SAID A BOLD NEW HOUSING PLAN WAS ANNOUNCED WITH AN AIM OF PROVIDING ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE.
TOWNS
DR NIP
HE SAID THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES WERE THAT IF STANDARDS WERE TO IMPROVE, THE BULK OF THE NEW PROVIDED IN THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. •
THE ENVIRONMENTAL
HOUSING MUST BE
/AND FOR .......
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
- 3 -
AND FOR SUCH A PROGRAMME TO SUCCEED, THE THREE ESSENTIAL THINGS WERE GOOD COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE OLD URBAN AREAS, A FULL RATION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SITES FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE WORK OPPORTUNITIES, HE ADDED.
DR NIP SAID THE VAST SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME AND SCALE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION REQUIRED THE CREATION OF A NEW MULTI-DISCIPLINARY DEPARTMENT HAVING THE NECESSARY RANGE OF SKILLS TO MEET THE CHALLENGE.
"AS A RESULT, THE NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WAS CREATED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS RE-NAMED THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WHEN IT TOOK OVER DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE METROPOLITAN AREA.
APART FROM SIMPLY PROVIDING HOMES, DR NIP SAID, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO HAD TO ENSURE QUALITY OF LIFE.
"IN DEVELOPING NEW TOWNS, WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING DEVELOPMENT PRESSURES," HE SAID.
CITING A RELATIVELY RECENT NEW TOWN, TSEUNG KWAN 0, AS AN EXAMPLE, DR NIP SAID ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS WERE IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR NEW TOWNS.
THESE INCLUDED CONSIDERATIONS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE AIR MOVEMENT, PREVENT DETERIORATION OF WATER AND MINIMISE NOISE LEVEL FROM ROAD TRAFFIC.
"THE SITE FOR THE NEW TOWN IS SURROUNDED ON THREE SIDES BY MOUNTAINS AND ON ONE SIDE BY THE SEA. THE DISPOSITION OF BUILDING SITES HAS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE AIR MOVEMENT TO PROVIDE VENTILATION ON A LARGE SCALE.
"THE BAY ON WHICH THE TOWN IS BEING BUILT IS FAIRLY ENCLOSED, THUS IN DESIGNING A SUITABLE SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM, CAREFUL CONSIDERATION HAD TO BE GIVEN TO NOT CAUSING ANY DETERIORATION OF WATERS IN THE BAY.
"THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO NOISE IS ROAD TRAFFIC. HOWEVER, WITH MEASURES SUCH AS SETTING BUILDING BACK FROM ROADS, ADJUSTING THEIR ORIENTATION, THE USE OF LOW NOISE ROAD SURFACING AND ROAD BARRIERS AND CANOPIES, THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS HAVE, BY AND LARGE, BEEN MITIGATED," HE SAID.
THERE WERE MANY THINGS WHICH HAD TO BE LOOKED AT IN DEVISING A TOWN PLAN, FOR INSTANCE, TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT, DR NIP SAID.
"SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER MODELS ARE DEVELOPED AND USED TO PREDICT TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS FOR PRIVATE CARS, BUSES AND GOODS VEHICLES AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT.
/"THIS ALLOWS .......
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
’’THIS ALLOWS US TO PRODUCE THE BEST LAYOUT OF ROADS AND ROAD JUNCTIONS FOR THE ULTIMATE LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS AT VARIOUS INTERMEDIATE STAGES SO THAT ROAD CONSTRUCTIONS MAY MATCH POPULATION BUILD-UP.
”WE CAN ALSO PLAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT ROUTES AND OPTIMISE THE LOCATION OF TRANSPORT TERMINI AND INTERCHANGES,” HE SAID.
IN DRAWING UP THE MORE DETAILED PLANS, DR NIP SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT PLANNERS TO IDENTIFY THE BEST SITES FOR A WHOLE RANGE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES -SCHOOLS, MARKETS, PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS, CLINICS, POLICE, FIRE AND AMBULANCE STATIONS.
"WE LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE WITHIN THE TOWN AND THE PROXIMITY OF SHOPPING CENTRES. PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS ARE KEPT WELL AWAY FROM MAIN ROADS," HE SAID.
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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 JUNE, 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 ASSOCIATED YEAR: NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) FOLLOWING IS THE FINES IMPOSED BY THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE COURTS DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE THIS
ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE COURT
1.BILLION POWER DEVE- LOPMENT LTD LO TAK COURT, TSUEN WAN 1.11.89- 15.3.90 APCO : 2,800 UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1ST TSUEN WAN
2.ULTRAFORM METAL WORKS CO KIN FAT ST, TUEN MUN 3.1.90 - 26.2.90 ” 1,000 1ST TUEN MUN
/3. CHINA TRAVEL
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
- 5 -
3.CHINA TRAVEL HOTEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES HK LTD LAI CHI KOK RD, MONG KOK 1,4.3.90- 20.7.90 •f 1,500 2ND SOUTH KOWLOON
4.SKY FOX INVESTMENT LTD TIN HAU RD, TUEN MUN 15.3.BO- 17.5.90 If 3,000 1ST TUEN MUN
5.FASTCHEER DYEING FACTORY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 1.4.BO- 12.5.90 • 1 1,000 1ST KWUN TONG
6.YORKPOOL DEVELOPMENT LTD PRINCE EDWARD RD, MONG KOK 2.8.90- 25.8.90 If 2,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
7.NEW ASIA COLLEGE CANTEEN CHINESE UNIVERSITY, SHA TIN 3.8.90 APCO : USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN THE TERRITORY 1,500 1ST SHA TIN
8.YUCCA DE LAC MA LIU SHUI, SHA TIN 3.8.90 1,500 1ST SHA TIN
9.THREE SIX NINE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, SHA TIN 3.8.90 i 1,500 1ST SHA TIN
10.URBAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD GREENWOOD TERRACE, CHAI WAN 9.10.90 NCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND EASTERN
11.MASSKIND INVESTMENTS LTD TSUI PING ESTATE, KWUN TONG 15.10.90 -6.11.90 APCO : 1,000 UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1ST KWUN TONG
12.HONG KONG EVER PEACE DYEING FTY LTD WING LAP ST KWAI CHUNG 8.11.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
13.BRILLIANT DYEING WORKS LTD CHONG YIP ST, KWUN TONG 9.11.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 2ND KWUN TONG
/14. MAEDA CORPORATION
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
6
14.MAEDA CORPORATION TUNNEL EXCAVATION AT LEUNG TIN, TUEN MUN 9.11.90 NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 5,000 1ST TUEN MUN
15.LAU FAI-SANG •• 9.11.90 ^CO : PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 5,000 1ST it
16.WA FUNG CLEANING & DYEING FTY WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 13.11.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 3RD KWUN TONG
17.YEE TAI INDUSTRIAL CO LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 19.11.90 H 3,000 2ND it
18.FULL CAN FINISHING FTY LTD WANG LUNG ST, TSUEN WAN 19.11.90 It 8,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
19.LUBRICO (HONG KONG) LTD YUEN LONG IND ESTATE YUEN LONG 28.11.90 9 APCO : 2,000 CONTRAVENING TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE 1ST FANLING
20.TINIC HUNG CO LTD YEE KUK ST SAI KUNG 28.11.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 2ND KWUN TONG
21.HOP SUN DYEING FTY LTD WING LAP ST KWAI CHUNG 3.12.90 it 2,000 3RD TSUEN WAN
22.WIDA CORDUROY FTY LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, TSUEN WAN 7.12.90 it 5,000 5TH it
23.LEIGHTON SHING ON CONTRACTORS ST, PTY LTD SHAU KEI WAN 9.12.90 NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT 3,000 1ST EASTERN
/24. LEUNG MOON .......
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
24.LEUNG MOON-HUNG »• NCO : PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT 3,000 1ST it
25.LUEN TAK WEAVING & DYEING FTY LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, TSUEN WAN 10.12.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 5,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
26.WIDA CORDUROY FTY LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, TSUEN WAN 10.12.90 5,000 6TH tt
27.SUN FAT LAUNDRY LTD WING KEI RD, KWAI CHUNG 11.12.90 •i 4,000 4TH tt
28.LUCKY DRAGON RESTAURANT LTD CHOI WAN EST, NGAU CHI WAN 11.12.90 it 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
29.KAR LAI WAH RESTAURANT LTD MAIN RD, YUEN LONG 14.12.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 1ST FANLING
30.KING PUI (HK) LTD KAT TING VILLAGE, SHA TIN 20.12.90 APCO : 4,000 USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN THE TERRITORY 2ND SHA TIN
31.CANADA SPRINGFIELD (HK) LTD CHIK CHUEN ST, SHA TIN 20.12.90 ft 3,500 2ND tt
32.TRANIBEST LTD FU UK RD, TSUEN WAN 7.1.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1,000 3RD TSUEN WAN
33.JONES AIM LTD LEIGHTON RD, CAUSEWAY BAY 8.1.91 NCO : 4,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST EASTERN
34.PROS- •i 8.1.91 ft 5,000 1ST tt
34.PROSPEROUS OCEAN LTD
/35. QUALI-HOME ......
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
8
35.QUALI-HOME INDUSTRIES LTD 36.KILOHARVEST COMPANY LTD HOI YUEN RD, KWUN TONG TEXACO RD, TSUEN WAN 10.1.91 10.1.91- 24.1.91 APCO : 3,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION APCO : 500 FAILURE TO FURNISH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION TO THE AUTHORITY 1ST 1ST KWUN TONG TSUEN WAN
37.WAH LEE DYEING FTY WING YIP ST KWAI CHUNG 14.1.91 APCO : 4,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST
38.YUE FUNG DYEING & FINISHING FTY 39.LEE HING INVESTMENT COMPANY LTD, MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF SCENIC VIEW VILLA CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN THE LANDMARK, CENTRAL 14.1.91 14.1.91 " 4,500 WPCO : 15,000 DISCHARGE WITHOUT A WPCO LICENCE IMPROPERLY TREATED DOMESTIC SEWAGE FROM SCENIC VIEW VILLA, SAI KUNG INTO A STREAM IN PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONE, CONTRARY TO SEC. 8(1) (A) AND 11 OF THE WPCO 5TH 1ST ii KWUN TONG
40.AOKI KING’S RD, CORP QUARRY BAY (KABUSHIKI KAISHA AOKI KENSETSU) 21.1.91 APCO : 3,000 FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 1ST EASTERN
41.SHUN FO TAN, HING SHA TIN FOUNDRY FTY 24.1.91 APCO t 2,000 USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN THE TERRITORY 2ND SHA TIN
42.CHI FO TAN, SHING SHA TIN FOUNDRY FTY 24.1.91 " 2,000 2ND ii
/43. WING CHEUNG ......
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
9
43.WING CHEUNG METAL FO TAN, SHA TIN 24.1.91 " 7 50 1ST »»
44.FULLY DYEING FTY LTD PUN SHAN ST, TSUEN WAN 29.1.91 APCO : 5,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND TSUEN WAN
45.MING KEE METAL FOUNDRY AU PUT WAN ST SHA TIN 29.1.91 APCO : 750 USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN THE TERRITORY 2ND SHA TIN
46.EAST COUNTRY CO LTD TSUEN KAM CENTRE, TSUEN WAN 29.1.91- 12.2.91 APCO : 500 FAILURE TO FURNISH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION TO THE AUTHORITY 1ST TSUEN WAN
47.HONG KONG STONE WASH FTY WAI YIP ST KWUN TONG 30.1.91 APCO : 2,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST- KWUN TONG
48.THE INCORPORATED OWNERS OF WAH LAI MANSION MARBLE RD, 31.1.91 NORTH POINT NCO : 20,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST EASTERN
49.HON YICK' CONSTRUCTION LTD PRAT AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI 5.2.91 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT SHORT DUMPING OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA 60M FROM THE NORTH POINT FIRE STATION WITHOUT LICENCE 4TH EASTERN
50.PO HING LAUNDRY LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 8.2.91 APCO : 3,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND KWUN TONG
51.SHUNING SHING LTD AMOY PLAZA, NGAU TAU KOK 6.3.91 " 2,500 1ST it
52.WOO LEE NOODLE FACTORY SHUN NING RD, SHAM SHUT PO 13.3.91 " 5,000 3RD NORTH
/53. SUN TAK .........
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
10
53.SUN TAK PO RESTAURANT CO HENNESSY RD, WAN CHAI 15.3.91 ” 5,000 1ST EASTERN
54.LUBRICO (HONG KONG) LTD YUEN LONG IND ESTATE, YUEN LONG 25.3.91 APCO : 2,000 CONTRAVENING TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF A SPECIFIED PROCESS LICENCE 2ND FANLING
55.WEI YIT VACUUM FLASK MFY LTD WANG KEE ST KOWLOON BAY 12.4.91 APCO : 2,500 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST KWUN TONG
56.TAI YIP DYEING FTY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 16.4.91 " 12,000 9TH tt
57.YUE YI STEAM LAUNDRY FTY SAN SHAN •RD, TO KWA WAN 8.5.91 " 5,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
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
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID CASES 7, 8, 9 WERE THE SUCCESSFUL REVIEW CASES PUT UP BY EPD AGAINST EXCESSIVELY LOW FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURT. THE COMPANIES WERE FINED $650, $350 AND $350 RESPECTIVELY IN MARCH, BUT AFTER THE REVIEW, A HIGHER FINE OF $1,500 WAS IMPOSED FOR ALL THE THREE CASES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES 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 39
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD CONTINUE BE DIRECTED TO EPD'S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION.
- 0----------
/Il ........
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
YOUNGSTERS URGED TO TAKE UP CHALLENGES
******
YOUNGSTERS WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED NOT TO GIVE IN TO SETBACK.
THEY SHOULD CONTINUE WORKING HARD IN ORDER TO MEET CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD.
THE PLEA WAS MADE BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, WHEN ADDRESSING A GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG JUVENILES CARE CENTRE (HKJCC).
’’ALL OF US RELY ON A PEACEFUL AND PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY, WHICH IN TURN NEEDS OUR CONTRIBUTION,” MRS GOODSTADT SAID, WHILE APPEALING TO THE GRADUATES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AS VOLUNTEERS.
"THROUGH THIS SERVICE YOU CAN, NOT ONLY HELP OTHERS, BUT ALSO WIDEN YOUR SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE. THIS WILL HELP YOU BECOME A MATURE AND TRUSTWORTHY CITIZEN," SHE CONTINUED.
TURNING TO THE WORK OF HKJCC, MRS GOODSTADT NOTED THAT THE ORGANISATION PLANNED TO OPEN ANOTHER CENTRE FOR 50 STUDENTS IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO BRING THE CENTRE’S TOTAL CAPACITY TO 120.
AT THE SAME TIME, SHE POINTED OUT THAT FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF FORM 3 CLASSES, THE CENTRE COULD PROVIDE MORE AND BETTER SERVICES FOR CHILDREN. ---------------------------------0-------
OVER 200 OVERSEAS DELEGATES TO ATTEND ASIAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE *****
MORE THAN 200 DELEGATES FROM ASIA, AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE ATTENDING THE SIXTH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASIAN REGIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HOME ECONOMICS WHICH WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED ON THURSDAY (JULY 18).
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, WILL OPEN THE CONFERENCE.
THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: EVOLUTION TO REVOLUTION.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS WILL BE THE COUNTY ADVISER FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, UK, MRS DODIE HODGKINSON AND THE HONORARY SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR EDUCATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, MRS CAMIE YOUNG.
/MRS YOUNG .......
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
MRS YOUNG WILL SPEAK ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND HONG KONG FAMILIES. *
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN EXHIBITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ITEMS ON HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION WHICH WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.
THE CONFERENCE IS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG HOME ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG TEACHERS' CENTRE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE OPENING
OF THE CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY AT 9 AM AT THE HOTEL FURAMA KEMPINSKI, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
CAREERS SEMINAR FOR TERTIARY GRADUATES
*****
JOB-SEEKERS WITH POST-SECONDARY OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE LOCAL JOB MARKET AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT NEXT MONTH.
THE ANNUAL CAREERS SEMINAR IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT MORE THAN 400 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS TERTIARY GRADUATES IN NEED OF EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.
IT WILL COMPRISE TALKS ON CAREERS IN BANKING, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS AND AIRLINE INDUSTRY TO BE GIVEN BY SPEGIALISTS IN THE RELATED FIELDS.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 17 (SATURDAY) AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, IS ADMISSION FREE.
APPLICATION FOR ENROLMENT IS NOW OPEN AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (HEES) ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR BY TELEPHONING 852 3232 OR 852 3234.
THE HEES PROVIDES FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS WITH POST-SECONDARY OR RECOGNISED PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
BOTH LOCAL GRADUATES AND HONG KONG STUDENTS OVERSEAS WHO WISH TO RETURN AND WORK IN THE TERRITORY MAY REGISTER WITH THE HEES FOR EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE IN PERSON OR IN WRITING.
- - 0 - -
/13
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
- 13 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (JULY 20) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
U
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
ER3328 ER6388 BC1956 ER1328
AL783 8218 DD8833 DY8325
ER148 AA8288 ES601 ET139
DD63 ER428 AT133 ER2266
ES7800 AT2 EE800 BD541
BB8660 BT3999 CS7854 ES780
ET486 ER321 ESI 19 ET5673
AR838 DM8 ET1 ER747
ER3307 ES317 XX2988 CM8827
ES326 ER2028 ES902 ER2948
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 GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 166TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
- - 0 - -
NEW POST OFFICE OPENS * * * *
THE FO TAN POST OFFICE, A NEW BRANCH POST OFFICE LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SHATIN GALLERIA, 18-24 SHAN MEI STREET, FO TAN, SHA TIN, OPENED FOR BUSINESS AT 12.30 PM TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS POST OFFICE PROVIDES THE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES AND ALSO ACCEPTS SPEEDPOST POSTINGS. THERE ARE 500 P.O. BOXES IN THE NEW OFFICE.
/THE BUSINESS .......
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
14
THE BUSINESS HOURS ARE: -
MONDAY TO FRIDAY : 9.30 AM TO 5 PM
SATURDAY : 9.30 AM TO 1 PM
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 691 8013.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOY KAN-PUI, AND THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER (SHA TIN), MISS VICTORIA C.M. TANG, OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY THIS MORNING.
WITH THE OPENING OF THIS NEW OFFICE, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BRANCH POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG IS NOW 118.
-----0-------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDJNG WORKS AT A BUILDING IN WAN CHAI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE AT THE ROOF OVER THE FIFTH FLOOR, 9 LANDALE STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 17 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG
*.****
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS - TUESDAY 16 JULY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q129 Y192
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,155 MN HKD 538 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 400 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 6.16 PCT 6.58 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 6.18 PCT 6.60 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 70 PCT ABOUT 85 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1991
15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ---- TUESDAY 23 JULY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER QI 30 H169
ISSUE DATE 24 JUL 91 24 JUL 91
MATURITY DATE 23 OCT 91 22 JAN 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400 + 80 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
- - 0 - -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 15.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 16.7.91 + 60
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -60
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.8 *+0.1*
16.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
16.7.91 15.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 5.85 PCT 5.87 PCT
1 MONTH 5.99 PCT 6.02 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.13 PCT 6.16 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.19 PCT 6.18 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.61 PCT 6.51 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 4,652 MN 5,550 MN
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
( WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
CONTENTS * PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEI-TING:
GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO SIR PIERS ................................ 1
PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT TABLED ................ 2
BCCHK TO WIND UP .................................................. 3
SHW ON CHILD CARE ................................................. 5
IMPORTANT JOB POSITIONS OCCUPIED BY WOMEN: SHA .................... 8
SEM ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR ...................................... 9
RENT CONTROL TO REMAIN UNTIL 1994: SHA ............................ 12
RESOLUTION TO RAISE LIMIT OF INDEBTEDNESS ......................... 13
BILL TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE EDGE OF KNITWEAR INDUSTRY PASSED ..... 14
TELEVISION AMENDMENT BILL PASSED .................................. 17
OFFICIAL SOLICITOR BILL AMENDED ................................... 18
PETROL DUTY WAIVED FOR DISABLED MOTORISTS ......................... 18
NO 'CLOSED SHOP' SITUATION DUE TO REGISTRATION .................... 19
APPEAL BOARD TO BE CHAIRED BY MEMBER OF LEGAL PROFESSION .......... 20
NEW AIRPORT FULLY COMPLIES WITH INT’L SAFETY STANDARD ............. 21
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION UNDER STUDY ....................... 21
LAND RESUMPTION ONLY AFTER ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE ................... 22
GOVT SETS EXAMPLE TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS BY IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ......................................................... 23
/CONTINGENCY PLANS .......
CONTINGENCY PLANS EXIST FOR TRANSPORT BREAKDOWNS
24
LICENSING SYSTEM FOR EFFECTIVE CONTROL ON POLLUTION................... 25
PROVISION OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY .......... 26
EuDERLY NEEDS UNDER CONTINUOUS REVIEW ................................ 28
GOVT'S PROGRAMMES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED EXPLAINED ................. 29
SUFFICIENT LEGAL POWERS FOR DEMOLITION OF DANGEROUS SIGNBOARDS ....... 30
VISUAL EQUIPMENT TRADE CONSULTED ON NTCAM ............................ 30
GOVT FORMULATES PROPOSALS ON PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION ................ 31
TRANSPORT POLICY APPLIED WITH FLEXIBILITY ............................ 32
CONTRACT OUT OF CIVIL SERVANTS' HEALTH CARE SERVICES UNLIKELY....... 33
EPD ACTED TO REDUCE CONFUSION ........................................ 34
SETTLEMENT ALLOWED FOR IN BUILDINGS ON RECLAIMED LAND................. 35
GOVT TO ADD FAX MACHINE TO SCHOOL EQUIPMENT LIST...................... 36
NINE-HOUR LEGCO SESSION ENDS ......................................... 36
LIQUIDATION HELPS TO PRESERVE BANK ASSETS .............................. 37
BARONESS DUNN ON BCCHK ................................................. 37
WINDING UP IS BEST SOLUTION FOR BCCHK .................................. 38
PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF BCCHK, BCCI FINANCE APPOINTED ................ 39
INTERNATIONAL BANK OF ASIA LIMITED (IBA) ............................... 40
STATEMENT ON DAO HENG BANK LTD.......................................... 41
TWO GOVERNMENT LOTS FETCH $1,031 MILLION ............................... 41
DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REGISTRATION REVOKED ................................. 42
TWO ROUNDS OF FREE MAILING FOR LEGCO CANDIDATES ........................ 42
SIX LOTS TO LET BY TENDER .............................................. 43
127 VM'S RETURNED TODAY ................................................ 44
SIX FILIPINOS ARRESTED FOR UNAPPROVED EMPIjOYMENT....................... 44
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE ON MOVE ............................ 45
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY ................................................... 45
ANNUAL SEMINAR FOR CAREERS TEACHERS ................................ ‘ 45
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 46
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
1 GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO SIR PIERS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THIS EVENING (WEDNESDAY) PAID TRIBUTE. 1'0 THE OUTGOING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, FOR HIS 29 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
SPEAKING BEFORE CLOSING OF THE LAST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION BEFORE THE SUMMER RECESS, SIR DAVID SAID:
"WITH THIS MEETING (LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING) HE 29 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE HAVING STARTED IN THE GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AND HAVING BECOME FINANCIAL SECRETARI THIS COUNCIL IN 1986."
COMPLETES REGISTRAR AND JOIN
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS NO EASY JOB FOR BEING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF HONG KONG AT TIMES LIKE THIS.
"AND TODAY HAS BEEN NO EASY DAY FOR THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. BUT WHEN HE LOOKS BACK ON HIS TIME IN HONG KONG, WHEN THE COUNCIL LOOKS BACK ON HIS TIME IN HONG KONG, I HOPE THAT THEY WILL REMEMBER A GREAT MANI NOTABLE \( III FITMENTS .
"THERE CANNOT BE MANY FINANCIAL SECRETARIES OR MINISTERS OF FINANCES AROUND THE WORLD WHO CAN LOOK BACK ON FIVE CONSECUTIVE SURPLUS BUDGETS. SOMETIMES THE SURPLUSES HAVE BEEN LARGER THAN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS EXPECTED," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THIS COUNCIL HAS BENEFITTED GREATLY FROM THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S CAREFUL WORK, HIS PATIENCE, HIS PERSEVERANCE AND HIS HUMOUR. AND I III INK WE OWE HIM A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR THAT," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE DEEP COMMITMENT OF SIR PIERS TO HONG KONG WAS SHOWN BY THE FACT THAT HE WOULD BE STAYING ON IN HONG KONG AFTER HIS RETIREMENT.
"AND I AM SURE THAT MEMBERS WOULD WISH TO JOIN WITH ME IN WISHING BOTH SIR PIERS AND LADY JACOBS A VERY LONG AND A VERY HAPPY RETIREMENT," HE SAID.
SENIOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON ALLEN LEE, SAID FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SIR PIERS HAD HELPED STEER HONG KONG THROUGH A VERY SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
"HE HAS ALSO WORKED HARD TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES IN THE WORLD.
"I WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON RECORD OUR APPRECIATION OF HIS CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG. HIS WISDOM, HIS WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN, HIS SENSE OF HUMOUR AND ENORMOUS PATIENCE."
NOTING THAT IT WAS THE FINAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION BEFORE ITS DISSOLUTION ON AUGUST 22, THE GOVERNOR TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LEGISLATORS FOR THE GREAT DEAL OF HARD WORK THEY HAD DONE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
/"EACH TIME .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
- 2 -
’’EACH TV’ . I MADE ONE OF THESE FINAL ADDRRESSES, I HAVE TO NOTE RECORDS WHICH HAVE BEEN SET BY THIS COUNCIL,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE 1990/91 SESSION HAD RECORDED A RECORD AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT IN THE LEGCO CHAMBER - A TOTAL OF 156 HOURS - WHICH WAS ABOUT 40 HOURS LONGER THAN ANY PREVIOUS RECORD.
"AND 1 WILL LEAVE IT TO MEMBERS HOW THEY EVALUATE THAT SORT OF RECORD.
BUT THERE WAS ONE OTHER SORT OF RECORD WHICH MEMBERS COULD LOOK AT WITH UNALLOYED PRIDE, SIR DAVID SAID, AND THAT WAS A RECORD NUMBER OF BILLS PASSED - 123 BILLS - INCLUDING A NUMBER 01 COMPLEX BILLS AND IMPORTANT PIECES OF REFORMING LEGISLATION.
HE ALSO WISHED THE HON JOHN SWAINE WHOM HE APPOINTED AS DEPUTY PRESIDENT FOR THE NEXT LEGCO SESSION, EVERY GOOD FORTUNE SITTING IN THE CHAIRMAN’S CHAIR.
"I SHALL SIT HERE OCCASIONALLY MYSELF AND ALTHOUGH I SHALL MISS THE LATE NIGHT NOODLES I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT WHETHER I AM HERE PERSONALLY OR NOT, I SHALL CONTINUE TO PAY A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON IN THIS COUNCIL," SIR DAVID SAID.
-----0------
PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT TABLED
*****
DESPITE EARLIER UNCERTAINTIES, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) HAD HAD A PRODUCTIVE YEAR AND COULD LOOK FORWARD TO A FAR MORE ACTIVE SECOND YEAR.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN TABLING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE PAA FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1991 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
COVERING THE PERIOD FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PAA IN APRIL LAST YEAR TO THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR, THE REPORT NOTED THAT THE PAA HAD TAKEN FUNDAMENTAL DECISIONS DETERMINING THE SHAPE OF THE AIRPORT IN THE PAST YEAR.
"IT HAS DETERMINED THE OVERALL ENGINEERING APPROACH TO THE FORMATION OF THE AIRPORT PLATFORM WHICH, AT 1,270 HECTARES, IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE KOWLOON PENINSULA," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"IT HAS ALSO DETERMINED THE LENGTH AND DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO PARALLEL RUNWAYS," HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, WORK HAD COMMENCED ON SITE SINCE FEBRUARY THIS YEAR WITH THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY’S FIRST CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO FORM 30 HECTARES OF LANI) FOR AN \DVANCE WORKS AREA ON NORTH CHEK LAP KOK.
/SUBJECT TO .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
SUBJE' ■’ TO THE APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING CURRENTLY BEING SOUGHT FOR THE AUTHORITY, THE NEXT 12 MONTHS SHOULD SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ORGANISATION AND STAFFING, TOGETHER WITH AN INTENSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, AS THE MAIN CONTRACT FOR FORMATION OF THE AIRPORT SITE GOT UNDERWAY, HE NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT WORK ON DRAFTING THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL WAS IN FULL SWING AND THE BILL WOULD BE PUT TO THE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE COMING SESSION.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PAA, SAID GIVEN THE EARLIER UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE FUTURE OF THE AIRPORT PROJECT, ESPECIALLY TOWARDS THE END OF THAT PERIOD, THE AUTHORITY DID NOT HAVE AN EASY START IN LIFE.
DURING ITS FIRST YEAR, THE AUTHORITY HAD RELIED HEAVILY ON GOVERNMENT STAFF SECONDED TO IT AND ON THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN CONSULTANTS WHO WERE STEERED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, SIR PIERS SAID.
HOWEVER, ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MR RICHARD ALLEN, WHO ARRIVED IN MARCH THIS YEAR, HAD BEGUN RAPIDLY TO CREATE A SEPARATE IDENTITY FOR THE AUTHORITY WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY THE UNCERTAINTY PREVAILING PRIOR TO THE INITIALLING OF THE MEMORANDOM OF UNDERSTANDING SINCE HIS ARRIVAL.
"NOTWITHSTANDING THE EARLIER PROBLEMS NOW HAPPILY BEHIND US, I AM HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO ASSURE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL THAT THE BOARD OF THE PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND \LL OTHERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRPORT PROJECT HAVF SHOWN GREAT DEDICATION AND ENTHUSIASM," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED.
"I AM CONVINCED THAT THE AUTHORITY WILL SUCCEED IN DEVELOPING A NEW AIRPORT IDEALLY SUITED TO OUR LONG-TERM STRATEGIC NEEDS AND ONE THAT WILL PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SECURING OUR CONTINUED PROSPERITY," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
BCCHK TO WIND UP * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL BE APPROACHING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON FRIDAY (JULY 19) FOR THE AUTHORITY TO DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE LIQUIDATOR TO PAY OFF DEPOSITORS UP TO 25 PER CENT OF THEIR DEPOSITS, SUBJECT TO A LIMIT, FOLLOWING A DECISION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO WIND UP THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED.
SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE GOVERNMENT ARRANGEMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSAL.
WOULD ANNOUNCE
DETAILED
/THE FINANCIAL
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
4
THE FINAH |AL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS IN A STATEMENT HE MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY REGARDING THE BANK OF CRED AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED.
SIR PIERS EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT RELIEF SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLF IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID AFTER CONSIDERING THE REPORT MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING THIS MORNING TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND TAKING THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD DIRECTED HIM TO PETITION THE HIGH COURT FOR THE WINDING UP OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, BCCI FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LTD (WHICH WOULD BE REFERRED TO HEREAFTER TOGETHER AS ’’THE INSTITUTIONS").
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING SUCH STEP BECAUSE IT BELIEVED IT TO BE IN THE ULTIMATE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS, SIR PIERS EXPLAINED.
"THEIR INTERESTS REMAIN OUR PRIME CONCERN.
"WE HAD HOPED THAT, OVER THE PERIOD SINCE THE BCCI GROUP’S PROBLEMS FIRST BECAME KNOWN, A SUITABLE PURCHASER WOULD BE FOUND," HE SAID.
REGRETTABLY, SIR PIERS SAID DESPITE CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO, THIS HAD NOT HAPPENED.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT PETITIONING FOR LIQUIDATION DID NOT PRECLUDE THE EVENTUAL SALE OF THE INSTITUTIONS, BUT HE DID NOT SEE ANY IMMEDIATE PROSPECT OF THAT.
SIR PIERS SAID IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THIS UNHAPPY AFFAIR AND AFTER THE MOST CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THIS WAS NOT A SUITABLE CASE FOR USE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND TO RESCUE THE BANK.
FURTHERMORE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT A DECISION TO OPEN THE BANK WITHOUT SATISFACTORY FINANCIAL SUPPORT WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED.
"THOSE DEPOSITORS FIRST IN THE QUEUE TO GET THEIR MONEY WOULD HAVE BENEFITTED AT THE COST OF THE LESS FORTUNATE WHO MIGHT HAVE GOT NOTHING.
"ONLY AN ORDERLY LIQUIDATION WILL ENSURE FAIRNESS TO ALL," SIR PIERS SAID.
SIR PIERS ALSO SAID IT WAS A MATTER OF THE GREATEST REGRET THAT THESE INSTITUTIONS, DESPITE PERFECTLY ADEQUATE SUPERVISION IN HONG KONG, SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN JEOPARDY BY EVENTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG OVER WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO CONTROL.
ELSEWHERE BRANCHES AND SUBSIDIARIES HAD CLOSED AND PROCEEDINGS HAD BEEN TAKEN OR WERE IN CONTEMPLATION LEADING TO LIQUIDATION, SIR PIERS NOTED.
"ALTHOUGH THIS PROVIDES SCANT CONSOLATION, WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THE PROBLEMS FROM WHICH WE ARE SUFFERING,” THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED.
------0--------
/5......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
- 5 -
SHW ON CHILD CARE * * * ♦
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON CHILD CARE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (WEDNESDAY) TONIGHT:
SIR,
TODAY'S MOTION DEBATE STARTED WITH THE REFERENCE TO THE HO MAN TIN TRAGEDY. THE SAI) AND SHOCKING TRAGEDY OF THE MAK FAMILY IN JANUARY THIS YEAR FILLED US ALL WITH A TREMENDOUS FEELING OF LOSS, OF OUTRAGE AND A WHOLE MYRIAD OF EMOTIONS. TRAGEDIES LIKE THIS AND OTHERS AS MENTIONED SO LURIDLY BY SOME MEMBERS HAVE UNFORTUNATELY HAPPENED ALL TOO OFTEN BUT ONCE IS ONCE TOO MANY!
WHILST ONE'S REACTION TO ANY HORRENDOUS ACCIDENT IS ALWAYS INSTINCTIVE AND EMOTIONAL, THIS REACTION NEVERTHELESS IMPLIES A JUDGMENT AND A SENSIBILITY. TODAY'S DEBATE GIVES US A CHANCE TO CHECK OUR JUDGMENT AGAINST THAT OF OTHERS AND PROVIDES SAFEGUARD TO A REASONED VIEW. HOWEVER, OUR CAPACITY TO RECOGNISE THE PROBLEM, AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO RESOLVE IT WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY IMPAIRED WOULD IT NOT IF WE WERE TO LOSE SIGHT OF OUR OBJECTIVES ON CHILD CARE.
1 WOULD LIKE THEREFORE TO EVINCE SOME FACTS AND FIGURES; TO EXPLAIN POLICY DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE, AND TO SHARE WITH THIS COUNCIL WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING AND PLANS TO DO; SO THAT WE CAN ALL BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND, TABLED IN THIS COUNCIL ON 13 MARCH THIS YEAR, CLEARLY CONFIRMS THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND CHILD CARE SERVICES AND TO ADOPT NEW APPROACHES TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS.
THE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO PARENTS TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE HOME ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD UNDERLINES OUR SOCIAL WELFARE CHILD CARE POLICY. WE BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN ARE BEST CARED FOR -XT HOME BY THEIR PARENTS. MY FIRM BELIEF IS THAT STEREOTYPES ARE BEST AVOIDED AND THAT PARENTHOOD SHOULD INVOLVE BOTH THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER. AND I HEAR NOTHING BUT WOMEN SHOULD GO OUT TO WORK WHILE MEN STAY AT HOME. SO THERE IS A STEREOTYPING PROBLEM HERE WHICH NEEDS TO BE OVERCOME. A FAMILY COULD BECOME TOTALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL IF CHILDREN WERE NEGLECTED WHILE PARENTS WERE OUT THERE CHASING THE BUCK OR PASSING IT, OR BOTH. PARENTING IS A 24 HOUR RESPONSIBILITY. HERE I MUST ECHO AGREEMENT WITH THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MANY MEMBERS BEFORE ME ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTAL CARE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
/THE CURRENT.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
- 6
THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT POLICY IS THAT CHILD CARE SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO PRESERVE THE HARMONY AND INTEGRITY OF THE FAMILY SO THAT PARENTS CAN CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN. AS SO ELOQUENTLY EXPRESSED BY MY HONOURABLE FRIEND MRS ELSIE TU, IT IS CLEAR THAT TRADITIONAL FAMILY TIES ARE WEAKENED IN HONG KONG AS A RESULT OF MODERNISATION, AND THE SHARING OF THE BURDEN OF TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN BY GRANDMOTHERS AND AUNTS IS NOW NO LONGER AVAILABLE. FURTHERMORE, SOCIAL ISOLATION, IGNORANCE ON THE PART OF PARENTS, NUCLEAR FAMILIES UPROOTED FROM THEIR FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT, ALL COULD RESULT IN INADEQUATE NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT AND OTHER SOCIAL REINFORCEMENTS. THU GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THIS AND INNOVATIVE SERVICES ARE DEVELOPED AND CONSTANTLY MONITORED TO CATER TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SOCIETY. SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE TO PARENTS WHO CANNOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE DAY INCLUDE DAY CRECHES, DAY NURSERIES, HOME HELI’, FAMILY AIDE SERVICES, OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE SERVICE.
MEMBERS WILL BE INTERESTED TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE AT PRESENT 1,000 SUBVENTED AND NON-PROFIT MAKING DAY CRECHE PLACES AND 20,650 AIDED AND NON-PROFIT MAKING NURSERY PLACES. WE PLAN TO EXPAND THE DAY CRECHE SERVICE, PARTICULARLY TN THE NEW TOWNS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE PLAN TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 1,400 AIDED NURSERY PLACES EVERY YEAR UNTIL THE DEMAND IS MET IN FULL. FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES WITH SOCIAL NEEDS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FEE, A FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME IS IN PLACE TO HELP THEM. SEPARATELY, THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS NOW PROVIDING SOME 10,600 NURSERY PLACES, NOT TO MENTION OTHER KINDERGARTEN PLACES WHICH DON’T COME UNDER MY PURVIEW.
ADDITIONALLY, 150 OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE PLACES ARE PROVIDED IN 50 EXISTING DAY NURSERIES FOR CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM HOME OCCASIONALLY DUE TO URGENT COMMITMENTS. PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES WITH SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL NEEDS ARE PROVIDED WITH AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMMES WHICH INCLUDE HOMEWORK GUIDANCE, MEALS, GROUP ACTIVITIES, PLAY ACTIVITIES AND COUNSELLING SERVICES. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ARE NOW RUNNING ABOUT 30 SUCH PROGRAMMES, AND FIVE OF THEM ARE RECEIVING GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS. THESE PROGRAMMES HELP TO MINIMISE THE RISK TO YOUNG CHILDREN BEING LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME.
SIR, WHILE WE BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN ARE BEST TAKEN CARE OF BY THEIR PARENTS, THERE MIGHT BE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A CHILD HAS TO BE TEMPORARILY PUT INTO A RESIDENTIAL CARE HONE. AT PRESENT, WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 2,386 PLACES OF RESIDENTIA1 CARE, INCLUDING FOSTER CARE, SMALL GROUP HOMES, CHILDREN’S HOMES, BOYS’ HOMES, GIRLS’ HOMES AND HOSTELS. ADDITIONAL FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOME PLACES ARE BEING PLANNED.
FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED NOBODY MENTIONED DISABLED CHILDREN, SPECIAL.CHI LI) CARE CENTRES ARE PROVIDED. THE PROGRAMMES OFFERED THERE AIM TO DEVELOP THE CHILDREN’S PERCEPTUAL MOTOR COMMUNICATION AND PERSONAL SKILLS AND GENERAL WELL-BEING. AGAIN, THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THESE SERVICES IS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WHO NEED THEM.
/AS REGARDS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
AS R ,RDS TRAINING TO ENSURE QUALITY, IT IS A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT ALL CHILD CARE WORKERS MUST HAVE RECEIVED SPECIAL CHILD CARE TRAINING BEFORE THE END OF THEIR FIRST YEAR OF SERVICE. EXCEPT THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED PRE-SERVICE CHILD CARE TRAINING, ALL CHILD CARE WORKERS ARE PROVIDED WITH AN 8-WEEK IN-SERVICE TRAINING BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC. EIGHT SUCH COURSES ARE PROVIDED THIS YEAR. AT PRESENT, ABOUT 80% OF ALL OUR CHILD CARE WORKERS ARE TRAINED. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, IN 1992/93, ALL CHILD CARE WORKERS WILL HAVE HAD SPECIAL TRAINING BEFORE THE END OF THEIR FIRST YEAR OF SERVICE THEREBY GUARANTEEING A STANDARD’OF SERVICE LAID DOWN BY LAW. MOREOVER, THE CHILD CARE CENTRE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES ADVICE AND GUIDANCE TO THESE CENTRES THROUGH REGULAR VISITS AND CONSULTATIONS.
IN ORDER TO ATTRACT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE CHILD CARE FIELD, THEIR SALARY STRUCTURE HAS RECENTLY BEEN REVIEWED. I AM SORRY TO SAY MY HONOURABLE FRIEND MR PETER WONG’S FIGURE WAS SLIGHTLY OUT OF DATE. BOTH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND SWAC HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND AN IMPROVED SCALE, COMPARABLE TO OTHER GRADES WITH SIMILAR QUALIFICATIONS WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, HAS BEEN ADOPTED. FUNDS ARE ALREADY MADE AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT THEM FROM OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR. THIS, I HOPE, WILL HELP TO RETAIN EXPERIENCED STAFF AS WELL AS IMPROVE RECRUITMENT.
I THINK IT IS ALSO APPROPRIATE HERE, SIR, TO EXPRESS RECOGNITION OF THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY ALL WORKERS, MOSTLY WOMEN, I MIGHT ADD, WHO HAVE WORKED SILENTLY BEHIND THE SCENE LOOKING AFTER CHILDREN IN THE CHILD CARE CENTRES DEVOTING THEIR LIVES AND THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE TO BRING UP CHILDREN IN A GOOD ENVIRONMENT. IT IS OUR HONG KONG CHILDREN, OUR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FUTURE. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THE CHILDREN WILL REAP THE BENEFIT OF THE CARE WE GIVE AND GIVEN BY THE WORKERS. THEREFORE 1 THINK WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN ARE BROUGHT UP IN SAFE, HEALTHY AND CARING CONDITIONS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE FAMILY SURROUNDINGS BY THEIR PARENTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
TO PROVIDE MORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ENABLE LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO MAKE USE OF CHILD CARE CENTRE FACILITIES, THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS IMPROVED IN LAST SEPTEMBER, ONLY NINE MONTHS AGO, Bl RELAXING THE INCOME CRITERIA BY ABOUT 33%. A FAMILY OF FOUR WITH INCOME NET OF RENT BELOW $3,000 WILL BE ASSISTED WITH FULL FEE ASSISTANCE. THOSE WITH NET INCOME AT ABOUT $6,100 WILL RECEIVE HALF FEE ASSISTANCE. THIS ENSURES THAT NO FAMILY WITH SOCIAL NEEDS WILL BE PREVENTED FROM MAKING USE OF CHILD CARE CENTRE FACILITIES BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL DIFFI CULT IES.
PUBLIC EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR CHILD CARE POLICY. "RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD" HAS BEEN THE MAIN THEME OF OUR FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN SINCE 1989. A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ON PARENTING ARE ALSO CONDUCTED REGULARLY AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL. I MUST CONFESS THAT I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY INNOVATIVE IDEAS GIVEN BY MEMBERS IN THIS DEBATE WHICH MY COLLEAGUES AND I WILL TAKE REFERENCE FROM.
/DURING THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
8
DURING i’HIS DEBATE, ALSO, THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS FOR LEGISLATION, )R SOMETHING TO BE DONE, AGAINST LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED i HOME. I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY HONOURABLE FRIEND MRS
ROSANNA TAM’S, AND ALSO MRS PEGGY LAM’S, ADMIRABLE ANALYSES OF THE
’PROS AND CONS OF A LEGISLATIVE APPROACH. SOCIAL ATTITUDES GUIDE OUR POLICY. SOCIAL VALUES GOVERN OUR BEHAVIOUR. WHETHER WE NEED LEGISLATION, I SHALL DEFER TO THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY. AS
MENTIONED BY MRS TAM, A CONSULTATIVE PAPER WILL BE ISSUED SHORTLY FOR
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
SIR, AS EVERY WOMAN WELL KNOWNS, AND I AM SURE SOME MEN TOO, CHILD CARE IS TOO IMPORTANT A SUBJECT .TO BE TACKLED WITH SPORADIC ATTENTION OR AT EVERY LEAP YEAR OR ONLY AFTER EVERY TRAGEDY. A DEEP COMMITMENT IS CALLED FOR; SO IS A SUSTAINED EFFORT, FROM THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
IN THANKING MR MARTIN LEE.FOR THIS TIMELY MOTION, I AM GRATEFUL TO THIS COUNCIL, SIR, FOR TAKING THE LEAD. I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS COUNCIL, SIR, FOR FURTHER INITIATIVES. WITH THESE REMARKS, SIR, I SUPPORT THE MOTION.
------0 -------
IMPORTANT JOB POSITIONS OCCUPIED BY WOMEN: SHA
*****
MANY IMPORTANT POSITIONS AT ALL RANKS OF THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS ARE OCCUPIED BY WOMEN, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON ALBERT LAM, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST (WEDNESDAY) NIGHT.
"IN ALL SPHERES OF ACTIVITY, BE IT EDUCATION OR EMPLOYMENT, RECREATION OR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE OPPORTUNITIES ARV EQUAL FOR MEN AND WOMEN,” HE STRESSED.
WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE "ENHANCEMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN", MR LAM CITED EVIDENCE AND STATISTICS TO SUPPORT HIS ARGUMENT.
CITING HEALTH AS AN EXAMPLE, MR LAM POINTED OUT THAT WOMEN IN THE TERRITORY ACTUALLY ENJOYED A HIGHER LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN MEN: 80.3 FOR WOMEN, 74.7 FOR MEN.
AS TO EDUCATION, MR LAM NOTED THAT IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FEMALE STUDENTS DOMINATED IN CERTAIN AREAS OF STUDY, SUCH AS MASS COMMUNICATION (77 PER CENT), ARTS (68 PER CENT) AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (54 PER CENT).
ON WOMEN’S STANDING IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR LAM EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S EMPLOYMENT POLICY DID NOT DISCRIMINATE ON GROUNDS OF SEX.
AS TO MEMBERS’ CONCERN OXER THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR LAM AGREED THAT THERE WERE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS THERE WHICH TENDED TO PERPETUATE THE INHERITANCE OF ANCESTRAL LAND ALONG THE MALE LINE.
/HOWEVER, HE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
- 9 -
HOWEVER, HE SAID ENSHRINED AND WERE "IN TERRITORIES ORDINANCE (CAP
THESE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS LINE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF 97) APPROVED BY THIS COUNCIL”.
WERE WELL
THE NEW
THE GOVERNMENT, HE ADDED, WOULD OF COURSE WELCOME SUGGESTIONS FROM THE RURAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE WOMEN, AS TO HOW THE SITUATION MAY BE IMPROVED.
AS REGARDS THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN, MR LAM SAID '‘HE LEGAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE ANTI-D1SCR^INATION LAWS WERE COMPLEX AND, FOR THIS REASON, A CAREFUL STUDY WAS RE^IRED EEF0RE A CONCLUSION COULD BE REACHED AS TO ITS APPLICATION TO HONG KONG.
VIEW OF
IN CONCLUSION, MR LAM STATED THAT IN „TZTKir, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS ENJOYED BY HONG KONG WOMEN, A WORKING CONSULTATIVE BODY TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF WOMEN ’DOES NO I SEEM SELF-EVIDENT, AND CAN ONLY BE CONSIDERED AS A LONG-1 ERM POLICY
THE PARTY
TO
HIGH OR BE
SEM ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TRANSLATION OF THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON JOHN CHAN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST (WEDNESDAY) NIGHT IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR:
TODAY’S DEBATE PROVIDES ME WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPOUND THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON THIS ISSUE AND TO EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE BEHIND IT.
HONG KONG HAS EXPERIENCED A GENERAL SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER IN RECENT YEARS. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS REMAINED BELOW 3% FOR A LONG TIME. VACANCY ADVERTISEMENTS, NORMALLY CONSISTING OF SOME 80-90 OR EVEN OVER HUNDRED PAGES, REGULARLY APPEAR IN CERTAIN NEWSPAPERS. THERE ARE THREE MAIN REASONS FOR SUCH A SITUATION.
FIRSTLY, AS HONG KONG HAS SEEN RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE DEMAND FOR LABOLR IN VARIOUS TRADES AND INDUSTRIES HAS INCREASED. WITH INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF LABOUR TO FILL THESE VACANCIES, MANY EMPLOYERS HAVE INPRODUCED ADVANCED SYSTEM OF AUTOMATION OR PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE 1 HE PRODUCTIVITY OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND TO REDUCE Till DEMAND ON MANPOWER. IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, MANY MANUFACTURERS HAVE, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, EITHER MOVED THEIR LABOUR INTENSIVE PRODUCTION PROCESSES IO MAINLAND (’HINA AND OTHER NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, OR EXTENDED THEIR PRODUCTION LINES IN THESE AREAS. MOREOVER, RAPID EXPANSION OF THE LOCAL SERVICE SECTOR HAS IID TO A GREATER DEMAND FOR MANPOWER.
/SECONDLY, THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
10
SECONDLY, THE SUPPLY OF MANPOWER A DOWNWARD TREND RATHER THAN ON THE
IN RECENT YEARS HAS FOLLOWED
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THE GROWTH OF \
RISE. SUCCESSFUL CONTROL
SMALLER FAM 1LY STRUCTURE
SOCIETY HAVE RESULTED IN ONLY A SLIGHT GROWTH OF POPULATION PAST YEARS. FURTHERMORE, THE POPULARISATION OF EDUCATIONAL HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A GRADUAL EXTENSION OF THE AVERAGE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. HENCE, THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT BUT IN THE NUMBER OF LOCAL, RESIDENTS JOINING THE WORKFORCE.
STUDY GRADUAL
IN
OF
IN
THE
SERVICE
YEARS OF
DECLINE
THIRDLY, THERE HAS BEEN A’ CONS IDERABLE GROWTH DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS IN Till NUMBER OF PEOPLE LEAVING ’HIE TERRITORY TO SETTLE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. \MONG THOSE LEAVING HONG KONG EACH YEAR, ABOUT 12,000 TO 15,000 ARE PROFESSIONALS, MANAGERS AND TECHNICIANS. THEY ARE ALL IN THE PRIME OF LIFE. THE LOSS OF THESE TALENTS HAS INTENSIFIED OUR LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM.
THERE BEING SCARCELY ANY NATURAL RESOURCES IN HONG KONG, WE HAVE TO RELY MAINLY ON OUR LABOUR FORCE TO GIVE IMPETUS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND SUSTAINED SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER WILL LIMIT THE POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH. ON THE 0’1 HER HAND, THE SCRAMBLE FOR TALENTS BY OFFERING HIGHER WAGES IN CERTAIN TRADES AND INDUSTRIES CONFRONTED WITH SERIOUS MANPOWER SHORTAGE HAS ALSO FUELLED OUR INTERNAL INFLATION IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. IF WE DO NOT THINK OF A WAY 1’0 RECTIFY Till IMBALANCE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN THE LABOUR MARKET, THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG WILL BE IMPEDED, AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN NFW INVESTMENT AS WELL AS REINVESTMENT WILL ALSO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
IN ORDER I’o I NSPIRE Till' CONTINUOUS GROWTH OF ’1'0 STI MULAT! ANI’ CO- )RDINATE NEW INVESTMENT AND
OUR
ECONOMY,
REINVESTMENT,
AND
THE
ALLOWING
EMPLOYERS TECHNICIANS DECIDED TO
GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ADOPT A NEW POLICY IN 1989,
TO IMPORT WITH RESTRAINTS UP TO 3,000 FOREIGN CRAFTSMEN, \ SYSTEMATIC MANNER. IN 1990, IT WAS LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME BY APPROVING FURTHER MOREOVER, IN PROJECTS, THE
AND SUPERVISORS IN
FURTHER EXPAND THE
ADMISSION OF 2,700 CRAFTSMEN AND 10,000 SKILLED WORKERS. ORDER TO COPE WITH THE NEW AIRPORT AND AIRPORT-RELATED
GOV ERNMFNT API’ROV ED I N
1990 A SEPARATI QUOTA OF
2,000 FOREIGN
I N IT I Al I Y TO FACILITATE I’ll! I AL LY
STAGES Ol IHI LEU AIRPORT
WORKERS PROJECTS.
IN VI IK OF CHI
AND UNIQUE
Ol THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS, THE
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT THE
SHOULD
BE HANDLED SEPARATELY
PROVISION
FROM Till
OF LABOUR GENERAL
FOR THESE PROJECTS
LABOUR
IMPORTATION
ISSUE.
S( 11 EMI-
I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THAT THE
EXISTING
IS BEING CARRIED OUT SYSTEMATICALLY’
AND
LABOUR
IMPORTATION
GOY ERNMIC T HAS NO I NTENTHP. WHATSOEVER
WIT H ALLOW WHO II
I'll \T
RESTRAINT. THE
MASSIVE ANI)
UNRESTRAINI P IMPORTATION OF Foi l IGL' WORKERS, UNDERMINE HIE INTEREST OF LOCAL WORKERS. I TRPS’I IN THE WORLD WOULD HOPE TO SEE A LARGE NUMBER WORKERS, LI I’ ALONE TAKING POSITIVE ACTIONS TO DEPRIVE WORKERS OPPORTUNITIES’. THIS IS BECAUSE: SUCH AC TIONS WILL NOT IN ANY BENEFICIAL To ECONOMIC GROWTH BUT WOULD INSTEAD CAUSE INSTABILITY, BRINGING GREAT TROIBLES TO THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF.
Wl LI. SEVERELY NO GOVERNMENT
OF UNEMPLOYED
LOCAL OF JOB WAY BE SOCIAL
/ACTUALLY, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
11
ACTUALLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO SAFEGUARDING THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS, BECAUSE WE RECOGNISE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE WORK FORCE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND STRONGLY BELIEVE THAI' WORKERS HAVE A RIGHT TO SHARE IN Till FRUITS OF SUCH DEVELOPMENT. THEREFORE, IN REGARD TO THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY IMPORTID WORKERS A SALARY NOT LESS THAN THE MEDIAN WAGE OF LOCAL WORKERS OF THE SAME LEVEL SO AS TO ENSURE THAT WAGES OF LOCAL WORKERS ARI NOT CURBED. MOREOVER, IT IS STIPULATED THAT IF THERE IS A NEED TO CUT STAFF, IMPORTED WORKERS SHOULD IIRST BE DISMISSED.
FURTHERMORE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN POSITIVE MEASURES OVER THE YEARS TO SAFEGUARD THE WELFARE OF LOCAL WORKERS AND BETTER THEIR REMUNERATION. LET US HAVE A LOOK AT SOME RECENT EXAMPLES. ON THE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN 1988 TO THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1986. A BILL TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN MAY THIS YEAR. WITH THESE AMENDMENTS, THE SCHEME GUARANTEES A REWARD IN CASH TO WORKERS WITH FIVE YEAR’S SERVICE WHO ARE DISMISSED, OR ARE RETIRED EITHER BECAUSE OF OLD AGE OR ON MEDICAL GROUNDS. TWO MAJOR AMENDMENT WERE MADE TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE IN 1990. FIRSTLY, EMPLOYEES’ STATUTORY ENTITLEMENT TO ANNUAL PAID LEAVE HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM SEVEN DAYS TO 14 DAYS; SECONDLY, THE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO COVER ALL EMPLOYEES, WHILE THE DEFINITION OF "LAY-OFF” HAS ALSO BEEN AMENDED. THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND SET UP TO PROTECT THE EMPLOYEES FROM BEING AFFECTED BY EMPLOYERS’ INSOLVENCY WAS EXTENDED IN 1989 TO INCLUDE SEVERANCE PAYMENT. THE AMOUNT OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT GUARANTEED BY THE FUND HAS BEEN INCREASED CONSIDERABLY SINCE MAY ’III IS YEAR. REGARDING TIIF SAFETY OF WORKERS, THE GOVERNMENT AMENDED THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING ORDINANCE IN 1989 TO STRENGTHEN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES. IN 1990, THE ORDINANCE WAS FURTHER EXTENDED TO THE FOOD BUSINESS. IN REGARD TO COMPENSATION TO WORKERS WHO HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES ARISING FROM WORK, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES SCHEME IN 1990, REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO A FUND ESTABLISHED TO MAKE PAYMENT TO WORKERS WHO MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPENSATION DUE TO THE EMPLOYERS HAVING BECOME INSOLVENT OR DISAPPEARED, OR DUE TO SOME OTHER REASONS, OR DUF TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONCERNED. HAVING GONE INTO INSOLVENCY. THE ORDINANCE INTRODUCING THE COMPENSATION SCHEME WAS PASSED BY THIS COUNCIL IN THIS YEAR. IN THE YEARS TO COME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE RELEVANT LABOUR LEGISLATIONS AND UPHOLD THE RIGHTS OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
BACK TO THE LABOUR IMPORTATION ISSUE. JUST .NOW, 1 MENTIONED FOUR SCHEMES INTRODUCED IN 1989 AND 1990. APART FROM THE AIRPORT-RELATED SCHEME, ALL 1’IIE OTHER THREE SCHEMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN 1MPLEMENTED, AND MOST OF THE FOREIGN WORKERS IMPORTED FOR THESE PURPOSE HAVE STARTED TO WORK, WHILE OTHERS ARE IN THE COURSE OF APPLYING TO COME TO HONG KONG. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW REVIEWING THE OPERATION OF THESE SCHEMES. WE WILL INVESTIGATE ALI COMPLAINTS I HAT THE SALARIES BEING PAID WERE BELOW STANDARD, AND ARE CLOSELY MONITORING ANY CHANGES IN IDE LOCAL LABOUR MARKET. OUR ATTENTION FOCUSES NOT ONLY ON THE CHANGES IN TIIF OVERALI SI TUATION, BUT ALSO ON THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR LABOUR IN INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES AND POSTS. AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF ALL RELEVANT FACTORS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL, IF NECESSARY, (’ONT 1 NUE ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR IN A SYSTEMATIC MANNER AND WITH RESTRAINT.
/12.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
- 12 -
RENT CONTROL TO REMAIN UNTIL 1994: SHA
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON ALBERT LAM, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF PART II OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE BY THREE YEARS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PART II OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH CONTROLLED RENT INCREASES OF CERTAIN POST-WAR PREMISES WAS DUE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 18 THIS YEAR.
ALTHOUGH RENTS WERE REVIEWED EVERY TWO YEARS, MR LAM SAID IF PART II CONTROLS WERE ALLOWED TO LAPSE ON THAT DAY, TENANTS OF AFFECTED PREMISES COULD BE FACED WITH AVERAGE INCREASE OF OVER 60 PER CENT IN 1992 AND 1993.
"SUCH INCREASES ARE CONSIDERED EXCESSIVE AND SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE," HE EMPHASISED.
AND FOR THIS REASON, MR LAM PROPOSED EXTENDING RENT CONTROL UNDER PART II TO UNTIL DECEMBER 1994.
HOWEVER, HE ALSO STRESSED THAT GOVERNMENT REMAINED COMMITTED TO PHASING OUT RENT CONTROLS PROVIDED THAT THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.
EARLIER, MR LAM EXPLAINED THAT AMENDING LEGISLATION HAD BEEN PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EACH YEAR SINCE 1981 WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING CONTROLLED RENTS PROGRESSIVELY CLOSER TO PREVAILING MARKET RATES AND EVENTUALLY TO ALLOW FOR DECONTROL.
HE SAID IN PURSUIT OF GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO EVENTUAL DECONTROL, GREAT (’ARE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DETERMINE AN APPROPRIATE PERIOD FOR EXTENDING PART II.
"TENTATIVELY, PROPOSALS ARE BEING FORMULATED TO ADJUST THE RELEVANT CONTROL MECHANISM TO ALLOW PART II RENTS TO RISE TO WITHIN 10 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENTS BY THE END OF 1994," MR LAM SAID.
PART II OF-THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR SECURITY OF TENURE AND CONTROLS INCREASES IN RENT IN RESPECT OF DOMESTIC PREMISES COMPLETED BEFORE JUNE 19, 1981, TENANCIES CREATED BEFORE JUNE 10, 1983, AND TENANCIES OF PREMISES WITH A RATEABLE VALUE OF LESS THAN $30,000 IN 1983.
MR LAM SAID AS AT JANUARY 1, 1991, THERE WERE ABOUT 43,000 UNITS PROTECTED BY PART II BUT THAT THIS NUMBER WAS DIMINISHING AT THE RATE OF 5,000 UNITS A YEAR THROUGH REPOSSESSION BY THEIR OWNERS, LET OUT AT MARKET RENTAL RATES, OR DEMOLISHED FOR REDEVELOPMENT.
/13.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
13
RESOLUTION TO RAISE LIMIT OF INDEBTEDNESS
******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO RAISE THE STATUTORY LIMIT OF INDEBTEDNESS FOR THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT FROM $40 MILLION TO $80 MILLION, WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1.
SIR PIERS SAID THE INCREASE TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION INFLATION SINCE 1986 WHEN THE PRESENT LEVEL OF INDEBTEDNESS WAS SET, AND THE 100 PER CENT INCREASE IN BUSINESS VOLUME OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE REVISED STATUTORY LIMIT WAS BASED ON THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S PROJECTED NEEDS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
A PRUDENT ADMINISTRATIVE LIMIT, WITHIN THE REVISED STATUTORY LIMIT, WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SET FROM TIME TO TIME, HE ADDED.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OPERATED A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIES TO KEEP INMATES POURPOSEFULLY OCCUPIED.
THE GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED WERE SUPPLIED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AT THE COST OF MATERIALS USED AND TO QUASI-GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS AT MARKET PRICES DECIDED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, HE SAID.
ON JANUARY 29, 1986, BY A RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT WAS ESTABLISHED UNDER SECTION 30(1) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES.
"UNDER THE ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS, ALL PAYMENTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS FOR THE INDUSTRIES ARE DEBITED TO THE ACCOUNT, AND ALL.PAYMENTS MADE BY CLIENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS FOR THE GOODS AND SERVICES SUPPLIED BY THE INDUSTRIES ARE CREDITED TO THE ACCOUNT, EXCEPT RECOVERIES ABOVE THE COST OF MATERIALS USED WHICH ARE CREDITED TO GENERAL REVENUE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED.
"THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DEBIT AND CREDIT ENTRIES REPRESENTS THE STOCK BALANCE, OR THE LEVEL OF INDEBTEDNESS, HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION WHICH ESTABLISHED THE ACCOUNT, THE MAXIMUM CEILING (THE STATUTORY LIMIT) OF INDEBTEDNESS MIGHT NOT EXCEED $40 MILLION OR SUCH LESSER SUM AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MIGHT DETERMINE (THE ADMINISTRATIVE LIMIT).
HF NOTED THAT OWING TO THE STEADY GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF BUSINESS CONDUCTED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES 1DUSTRIES OVER THE YEARS, THE LEVEL OF INDEBTEDNESS HAD REACHED $36.5 MILLION AS AT OCTOBER 1 LAST YEAR.
AS BUSINESS CONTINUED TO INCREASE, A REVISION OF THE LIMIT WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO PERMIT THE GROWTH TO CONTINUE IN ORDERLY FASHION, SIR PIERS SAID.
/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
14
BILL TO MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE EDGE OE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY PASSED
* * * * *
NO SECTOR OE HONG KONG’S ECONOMY SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO REGULATION BEYOND WHAT IS NECESSARY.
THIS PRINCIPLE WAS, INDEED, THE BEDROCK OE HONG KONG’S SUCCESS BECAUSE IT ENSURED THAT HONG KONG ECONOMY WAS COMPETITTVE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, WHEN WINDING UI’ THE SECOND READING DEBATE OF THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) Bl LI 199 1 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT HAS ALLOWED US TO MAXIMISE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF OUR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, SO THAT WE CAN CONCENTRATE OUR LIMITED RESOURCES ON WHATEVER WE DO BEST IN HONG KONG, WHILE OTHER ACTIVITIES CAN MOVE ELSEWHERE,” SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE BILL FELL SQUARELY WITHIN THIS PRINCIPLE.
’’THEY ADDRESS A PRACTICAL PROBLEM.
’OUR KNITWEAR INDUSTRY CURRENTLY HAS TO MEET BOTH THE UNITED STATES REQUIREMENTS FOR KNITTING AND THE HONG KONG REQUIREMENTS FOR LINKING AND LOOPING IN ORDER TO EXPORT RELEVANT KNITWEAR TO THE UNITED STATES WITH A HONG KONG ORIGIN LABEL.
"EACH OF THESE REQUIREMENTS IS SUBSTANTIAL,” THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
TAKEN TOGETHER, HE SAID, THEY CONSTITUTED AN UNNECESSARY REGULATORY BURDEN ON THE INDUSTRY.
”OUR EXPORTS MUST COMPLY WITH U.S. RULES IN ORDER TO GAIN ENTRY INTO THE U.S. BECAUSE THE U.S. CAN DETERMINE ORIGIN REQUIREMENTS FOR GOODS IMPORTED INTO ITS TERRITORY.
"WE HAVE THEREFORE CONCLUDED THAT IT IS BOTH UNNECESSARY AND UNFAIR TO CONTINUE TO REQUIRE THE INDUSTRY TO MEET OUR RULE AS WELL," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS KNITWEAR MARKET WAS AN EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE ONE.
"THE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY, LIKE ANY OTHER SECTOR IN HONG KONG, SHOULD BE ALLOWED AND REQUIRED TO ADJUST TO MARKET FORCES, OTHERWISE IT WILL’ LOSE OUT FOR WANT OF MAINTAINING ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE,” HE SAID.
HE WARNED THAI IN Till LONG RUN, IT COULD ONLY LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE INDUSTRY, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE TO ITS WORKFORCE AND LOSS OF JOBS ..
/HE ASSURED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
15
HE ASSURED THAT THE BILL WOULD ENSURE THAT THE INDUSTRY WAS NOT UNDULY FETTERED AS IT COMPETED IN THE U.S. MARKET.
HE SAID THE BILL WAS INTENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO IMPLEMENT A SPECIAL LICENSING SCHEME TO REMOVE AN UNNECESSARY DOUBLE REQUIREMENT ON THE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY.
THAT WAS TO SAY, HE ADDED, IN RESPECT OF CJERTAIN PIECE KNITTED GARMENTS FOR EXPORT TO THE U.S., ONLY THE PANEL-KNITTING PROCESS, AS AGAINST LINK I NG-AND-LOOPING AS WELL, MUST BE DONE IN HONG KONG.
IN RESPONSE TO MEMBERS QUERIES AS TO WHY IT WAS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE CHANGE NOW, SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THAT HONG KONG FACED SEVERE COMPETITION FROM CHINA, SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN AS WELL AS FROM OTHER EMERGING SUPPLIERS.
"AT A TIME WHEN THE UNITED STATES MARKET IS FACING UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS, AVERAGE HONG KONG PRICES OF SWEATERS ARE 10 TO 20 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THOSE OF OUR MAJOR COMPETITORS," HE NOTED.
EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES IN VOLUME OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS DECLINED BY MORE THAN 10 PER CENT, ALTHOUGH IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT HALF OF THAT DECLINE MIGHT BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE UNITED STATES ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON MAN-MADE FIBRE SWEATERS.
"TAKING ALL THESE FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONCLUDED THAT WE SHOULD ACT NOW TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS," SIR PIERS SAID.
IN REACHING THIS CONCLUSION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD TAKEN CAREFUL ACCOUNT OF THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF THESE PROPOSALS ON LOCAL EMPLOYMENT.
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE PRECISELY THE NUMBERS INVOLVED, HE SAID, BUT THE ADMINISTRATION’S BEST ESTIMATE WAS THAT ABOUT 2,500 LINKERS MIGHT BE AFFECTED.
"THAT IS WHY WE HAVE EMPHASISED IN OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INDUSTRY THE IMPORTANCE OF DEALING FAIRLY WITH ANY PROBLEMS WHICH MIGHT ARISE FROM THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
"WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO CONSIDER REDEPLOYMENT AND SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT ANY PROBLEMS, INCLUDING ALLEGATIONS OF UNFAIR TREATMENT, CAN BE DEALT WITH," SIR PIERS SAID.
"I BELIEVE THE INDUSTRY IS FULLY APPRISED OF THE NEED TO DEAL REASONABLY WITH THIS ISSUE, AND IN PARTICULAR WITH ANY HARDSHIP CASES WHICH MAY ARISE," HE ADDED.
HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE TWO MAIN KNITWEAR ASSOCIATIONS HAD UNDERTAKEN TO MEMBERS NOT TO RETRENCH ANY LINKING WORKERS IF THE BILL WAS PASSED.
HE ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT THE ASSOCIATIONS HAD ALSO DECIDED TO SET UP A SERVICE CENTRE TO HELP RESOLVE ANY LABOUR PROBLEMS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
16
HE SAID THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY WOULD HELP MEET ANY TRAINING DEMANDS, AND THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD ALSO CONTACT THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL FOR ASSISTANCE IF THE NEED AROSE. ALSO, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TOO STOOD READY TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO WOPKERs.
SOME LEGISLATORS HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT WORKERS WHO WERE ENGAGED IN MANUFACTURING PROCESSES THAT CAME AFTER LINKING AND LOOPING MIGHT ALSO BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED CHANGES.
SIR PIERS SAID SUCH MANUFACTURING PROCESSES COULD OF COURSE ALREADY BE PERFORMED ELSEWHERE. HE SAID SOME MANUFACTURERS WERE ALREADY FOLLOWING THIS OPTION.
SIR PIERS BELIEVED THAT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF WORK, MOST WORKERS WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A NEW JOB WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY, GIVEN THAT THERE WERE SOME 14,000 REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY.
RESPONDING TO SOME LEGISLATORS’ DEMANDS TO PRESS THE U.S. TO REVERT TO THE OLD RULES, HE SAID: "BUT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PERSUADE THEM TO REVERT TO THE OLD RULES.
"IN THE END, WE HAVE TO TURN TO THE PRESENT PROPOSALS TO REDRESS THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL."
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD RECOGNISED THAT THE CHANGES INTRODUCED BY THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE SPECIAL CONTROL OF ARRANGEMENTS TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE TEXTILE EXPORT CONTROL SCHEME, WHICH HAD BEEN WIDELY RECOGNISED BY HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS AS ONE .OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE IN THE WORLD.
"WE INTEND TO INTRODUCE A SPECIAL LICENSING AND CONTROL SCHEME DESIGNED TO ENFORCE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO DIFFERENT MARKETS," HE SAID.
THE NEW SCHEME WOULD BE MODELLED ON EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS WHILE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THIS SPECIAL CONTROL SCHEME AND INTRODUCE IMPROVEMENTS IF NECESSARY.
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
- - - - 0---------------
/17 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
17 TELEVISION AMENDMENT BILL PASSED »»»»*»
THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH PROPOSES A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR NOMINEE SHAREHOLDINGS IN TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES, WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON ALBERT LAM, SAID IT WAS, BROADLY SPEAKING, TO PERMIT SHARES IN TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES TO BE TRANSFERRED TO, AND HELD IN THE NAMES OF NOMINEES.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE ADDED, IT WOULD ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG OVER A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS, AND COMPANIES ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, RETAIN THE POTENTIAL TO CONTROL THESE LICENSEES.
"IN THE BILL WE SEEK TO DO THIS BY CONFERRING POWERS ON THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE VOTING CONTROL AND TO MAKE DIRECTIONS WHERE NECESSARY.
"IN INVESTIGATING SUSPECTED BREACHES OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON UNQUALIFIED VOTING CONTROLLERS, THE AUTHORITY MAY, IN THE PROPOSED SECTION 17G, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CONTROL BY ASSOCIATES AND, IF NECESSARY, DIRECT SUCH ASSOCIATED VOTING CONTROLLERS TO TERMINATE THEIR CONTROL.
"WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO EMPOWER THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO MAKE SUCH A DIRECTION TO ANY VOTING CONTROLLER, WHETHER QUALIFIED OR UNQUALIFIED," MR LAM SAID.
MR LAM SAID HE WAS AWARE OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP’S CONCERN THAT THE POWERS GIVEN TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON SHARES, EFFECTIVELY TO "FREEZE" SUCH SHARES, SHOULD NOT CAUSE INNOCENT THIRD PARTIES TO RE PREJUDICED.
"THE ADMINISTRATION UNDERSTANDS THIS CONCERN AND, HAS EXPLORED VARIOUS WAYS OF INCREASING THE PROTECTION OFFERED TO INVESTORS IN TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES," MR LAM SAID.
IN VIEW OF THE POSSIBLE INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE BY UNSCRUPULOUS INVESTORS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONCLUDED THAT ANY FURTHER MODIFICATION TO THE BILL WOULD BE INADVISABLE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A MINOR AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSED SECTION 17-0 MOVED AT COMMITTEE STAGE.
0
/IB
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
18 OFFICIAL SOLICITOR BILL AMENDED *****
THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR BILL 1991 WAS AMENDED DURING COMMITTEE STAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), DELETING THE REFERENCES TO "BARRISTER” AND "SOLICITOR” AND SUBSTITUTING "LEGAL PRACTITIONER" IN CLAUSES 2 AND 7.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, ALSO MOVED AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 3 AND 6.
ON CLAUSE 3, MR MATHEWS SAID THE CLAUSE REQUIRED THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR TO KEEP PROPER ACCOUNTS AND TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS TO THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT EVERY YEAR FOR AUDITING AND CERTIFICATION.
"THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 3 IS TO FOLLOW THE GENERAL PRACTICE THAT AN AUDITOR’S CERTIFICATION IS SUBJECT TO ANY REPORT OR VIEWS THAT HE MAY HAVE ON THE AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO CLAUSE 6, MR MATHEWS SAID IT EMPOWERED THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR TO CHARGE FOR HIS SERVICES AND TO RECOVER COSTS WHICH MIGHT BE ASSESSED BY THE COURT IN A TAXATION PROCESS.
"WITH THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 2 AND 7, IT WOULD BE MEANINGLESS TO RETAIN CLAUSE 6(2) INASMUCH AS THE REFERENCE TO HER MAJESTY’S COUNSEL IS CONCERNED," HE EXPLAINED.
THE DELETION OF CLAUSE G(2) HAD THE LEGAL EFFECT OF REINSTATING THE TAXATION OF THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR’S ENTITLEMENT TO COSTS ON THE NORMAL BASIS, MR MATHEWS SAID.
----------0--------------
PETROL DUTY WAIVED FOR DISABLED MOTORISTS ♦ » ♦ » »
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE DUTY ON FUEL FOR USE IN PRIVATE CARS OWNED AND DRIVEN BY DISABLED PERSONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE WAIVER WOULD COST THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT $8 MILLION IN REVENUE A YEAR. THE NEW MEASURE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1.
THE MOTION, MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, WAS AIMED AT REDUCING THE BURDEN OF FUEL COST ON DISABLED MOTORISTS SO THAT THEIR MOBILITY WOULD BE ENHANCED.
THIS WOULD IN TURN FACILITATE THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
19
HE SAID TH SPECIAL NEEDS OF DISABLED PERSONS HAD NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY MET ’ PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE NEW MEASURE WILL ENCOURAGE MORE DISABLED PEOPLE TO USE PRIVATE CARS AS A MEANS TO RESOLVE THEIR TRANSPORT PROBLEM.
"CURRENTLY, ABOUT 1,100 DISABLED PERSONS ARE HOLDING A VALID DRIVING LICENCE. OF THESE, 600 OWN A PRIVATE CAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AFTER THE NEW MEASURE COMES INTO EFFECT, MOTORISTS LISTED AS DISABLED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT CAN APPLY TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT FOR A WAIVER OF THE PETROL DUTY.
THE WAIVER IS SUBJECT TO THE LIMIT OF 200 LITRES OF PETROL PER MONTH FOR EACH DISABLED PERSON. THIS LIMIT IS CALCULATED ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND IS NOT CUMULATIVE. THE GOING MARKET RATE WILL BE CHARGED ON ANY AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF THE MONTHLY LIMIT OF 200 LITRES.
APPLICANTS FOR THE WAIVER WILL HAVE TO OPEN A PETROL CARD ACCOUNT WITH ANY ONE OF THE OIL COMPANIES TAKING PART IN THIS SCHEME.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER THE SUSPENSION OF THE WAIVER TO ANY RECIPIENTS WHO . BREACH THE CONDITIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE WAIVING OF THE PETROL DUTY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE LICENSING OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AND THE DISABLED DRIVERS CLUB.
---- _ 0 - - - -
NO ’CLOSED SHOP’ SITUATION DUE TO REGISTRATION
******
THE REGISTERED
PROPOSALS RESTRICTING PERSONS
PROFESSIONAL" WILL NOT LEAD TO A
FROM USING THE TITLE "CLOSED SHOP" SITUATION
TO THE PROFESSIONS OF SURVEYORS AND PLANNERS INTRODUCTION OF REGISTRATION UNDER TWO RELATED BILLS.
BECAUSE OF THE
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND I AMDS THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, WHEN WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND SnG OF niE SURVEYOR REGISTRATION BILL 1991 AND THE PLANNERS REGISTRATION BILL 1991 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE INITIATIVE FOR THE
TO THE TWO BILLS CAME FROM THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OE SURVEYORS AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS.
THE PROFESSIONAL INDIVIDUAL
TWO
INSTITUTES FELT THAT THE STATUS OF
WOULD MISUSING
BE
THE
THE
ENHANCED IF THE POTENTIAL
TO
"REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL" TITLE
COMPANIES MISUSING THE
PERSONS WHO IN ANY WAY MISLED THEIR CLIENTS ' BELIEVING THAT THEY WERE "REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL
EXTENDED TO FIRMS AND
TITLE, OR THE
REGISTERED
RESTRAIN
AND
WAS ALSO
PUBLIC
ALSO
TO INTO
WHEN THEY ACTUALLY
WERE NOT.
/MR BARNES .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
20
MR BARN'S EXPLAINED THAT THE AMENDMENT, ALTHOUGH RESTRICTING PERSONS FROM SING THE TITLE "REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL' IF THEY WERE NOT SO ENTITLED, IN NO WAY BREACHED ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPELS BEHIND THE BILLS THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO "CLOSED SHOP" BECAUSE OF REGISTRATION.
"ANY PERSON, PROVIDED THAT THEY DO NOT CLAIM TO BE A ’REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR’ WHEN THEY ARE NOT, CAN STILL PRACTISE IN HONG KONG WITHOUT HINDRANCE, AND THE REGISTER IS OPEN TO ALL APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED, PRACTISING PROFESSIONALS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT REGISTRATION OF THOSE QUALIFIED WOULD NOT BE COMPULSORY, BUT THERE WOULD BE OBVIOUS BENEFITS ACCRUING FROM THE USE OF THE TITLE "REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR" OR "REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL PLANNER".
THE SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BILL REQUIRED THAT A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR SHOULD SPECIFY THE DISCIPLINE IN WHICH HE OR SHE WAS QUALIFIED, SO THAT THERE WAS NO DOUBT AS TO THE ACTUAL FIELD OF EXPERTISE OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED.
THE BILLS WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
----0-------
APPEAL BOARD TO BE CHAIRED BY MEMBER OF LEGAL PROFESSION »»*»»*
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL SEEK TO APPOINT A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION TO ACT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE TOWN PLANNING APPEAL BOARD PANEL.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THF HON GRAHAM BARNES, WHEN HE WOUND UP THE DEBATE ON THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID THE ADMINISTRATION DID CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP’S PROPOSAL FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A JUDGE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE APPEAL BOARD PANEL AND ALSO CONSULTED THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT ON THE MATTER.
"THE ADVICE WAS THAT BECAUSE OF THE VERY CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE ON THE COURTS RELATING TO JUDICIAL WORK, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THIS REQUEST TO BE MET,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO GAVE ASSURANCE THAT THE APPEAL BOARD WOULD HAVE THE SAME POWERS AND TERMS OF REFERENCE AS THOSE OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER THE EXISTING SECTION 17(7) OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
0 - - - -
/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
21
NEW AIRPORT FULLY COMPLIES WITH INT’L SAFETY STANDARD
******
THE NEW AIRPORT IS BEING PLANNED TO OPERATE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED SAFETY STANDARDS.
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CH I-FAI.
MRS CHAN SAID NO FACTOR WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SAFETY IN PLANNING AND OPERATING AN AIRPORT, ADDING THAT IT WAS ON THIS FUNDAMENTAL PREMISE THAT THE PLANNING OF CHEK LAP KOK AND THE OPERATION OF KAI TAK WAS BASED.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE WORLD AUTHORITY ON AVIATION. SAFETY STANDARDS AND PRACTICES WAS THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (THE ICAO).
"UNDER THE RELEVANT ICAO TECHNICAL GUIDELINES, THE HILLS IMMEDIATELY TO THE SOUTH OF THE NEW AIRPORT COULD CONSTITUTE AN OBSTACLE IF FLIGHT OPERATIONS WERE TO TAKE PLACE IN THAT AREA.
"BUT WITH EXCELLENT ACCESS TO THE NORTH, EAST AND WEST OF THE AIRPORT THERE IS NO NEED FOR ANY FLIGHT OPERATIONS TO TAKE PLACE THERE; THE HIGH GROUND INVOLVED DOES NOT, THEREFORE, CONSTITUTE ANY THREAT TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE AIRPORT," MRS CHAN SAID.
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT SOME MINOR TERRAIN REMOVAL MIGHT BE NECESSARY FROM HIGH GROUND MUCH FURTHER AWAY AND TO THE EAST OF THE AIRPORT ON NORTH LANTAU AND IN THE TAI LAM CHUNG COUNTRY PARK.
"THIS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IF THE AIRPORT MASTER PLANNERS RECOMMEND THAT IT IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO COMPLY FULLY WITH THE RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL SAFETY GUIDELINES," MRS CHAN SAID.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION UNDER STUDY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WISH TO REACH AN INFORMED POLICY POSITION ON ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION ON THE BASIS OF DETAILED STUDIES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J.D. MCGREGOR, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD INFORMED THE COUNCIL WHEN CONCLUDING THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS BILL 1991 ON JUNE 5, 1991 THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALREADY STARTED CONSIDERATION OF THE QUESTION OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION FOR HONG KONG.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
22
HOWEVER, THE LEGAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF DETAILED ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION WERE COMPLEX, THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED.
HE ADDED THAI I'HEY NEEDED TO BE CAREFULLY STUDIED BEFORE A MATURE DECISION COULD BE TAKEN.
- - - - 0- - ----
LAND RESUMPTION ONLY AFTER ORDINANCE COMPLIANCE • * t * * t * t
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO RESUME LAND FOR THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) WILL ONLY BE MADE WHEN THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ORDINANCE ARE FULLY COMPLIED WITH.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, IN A WRITTEN REPLY AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON MARTIN LEE.
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 15 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS MIGHT RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL THE RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF THE LDC ’ S REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
THE SECTION ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE SECRETARY SHOULD NOT SO RECOMMEND UNLESS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE LDC HAD TAKEN ALL REASONABLE STEPS TO OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THE LAND, INCLUDING NEGOTIATING FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY ON TERMS THAT WERE FAIR AND REASONABLE, MR BARNES ADDED.
"IN PRACTICE, THE SECRETARY IS ADVISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, WHO WILL ASSESS IN DETAIL THE TERMS OFFERED BY THE CORPORATION TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTIES, HAVING REGARD TO THE MARKET VALUE OF THE PROPERTY INTEREST CONCERNED AND THE TOTAL PACKAGE OF COMPENSATION AND ALLOWANCES IN OTHER GOVERNMENT CLEARANCES.
"UPON RECEIVING THE DIRECTOR’S ADVICE, THE SECRETARY MAY ALSO CONSULT ANY PERSON NOT BEING A PUBLIC OFFICER WHOM HE CONSIDERS MAY ASSIST HIM IN FORMING AN OPINION ON WHETHER THE OFFER MADE BY THE CORPORATION WAS FAIR AND REASONABLE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD OFFER COMPENSATION TO THE OWNERS AND TENANTS AFFECTED BY SUCH RESUMPTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE, UNDER WHICH THERE WAS A RIGHT OF APPLICATION TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL IF THE OFFER WAS NOT AGREED.
IN ADDITION, EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES SUCH AS REMOVAL ALLOWANCES WOULD BE PAYABLE TO THOSE ELIGIBLE.
/REHOUSING WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
23
REHOUSING JULD BE OFFERED WHERE APPROPRIATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LDC’S ELIG' iLlTY CRITERIA AND TERMS AS AGREED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS.
REFERRING TO A CASE WHICH INVOLVED PREMISES ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF 189 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE OWNER HAD AGREED TO SURRENDER THE PREMISES AND SOME OTHERS AT 187-193 QUEEN’S ROAD TO THE GOVERNMENT WITH VACANT POSSESSION AS PART OF AN AGREED LAND EXCHANGE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"NO RESUMPTION IS INVOLVED AND HENCE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TENANTS OF THESE PREMISES.
’’ANY ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMPENSATION ARE MATTERS BETWEEN THE TENANTS AND THE PRESENT OWNER OF THE PREMISES," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE OWNER AND TENANTS OF THE CASE WAS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE AND NORMAL COMMERCIAL PRACTICE, OF WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAD LITTLE CAUSE TO INTERVENE.
----0 - - - -
GOVT SETS EXAMPLE TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS BY IMPOSING A MORATORIUM
IT IS CLEAR THAT BY IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON FEE REVISIONS UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY 1992, A CLEAR EXAMPLE HAS BEEN SET BY THE GOVERNMENT TO BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO TAKE STEPS TO CURB INFLATIONARY EXPECTATIONS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS WHEN GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CH1N-WAH.
IN THAT CONNECTION, SIR PIERS SAID HE WAS GRATIFIED TO SEE THAT THE LEAD HAD ALREADY GAINED THE SUPPORT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WHILE IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S NORMAL POLICY TO REVISE FEES AND CHARGES ANNUALLY, HE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 29 THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PLACE A MORATORIUM ON FEE REVISIONS UNTIL THE END OF FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
"AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THAT WAS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A LEAD THUS ALTERING THE PERCEPTION THAT THE RISE IN THE RATE OF INFLATION WAS INEXORABLE," HE SAID.
SO FAR, THE PROPOSED REVISION OF 2,249 FEES AND CHARGES HAD BEEN HELD UP, SIR PIERS NOTED.
"WHILE THE INFLATIONARY IMPACT OF THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GREAT EVEN IF THEY HAD GONE AHEAD, IT IS CLEAR THAT BY IMPOSING THE MORATORIUM A CLEAR EXAMPLE HAS BEEN SET TO BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS," SIR PIERS SAID.
/SIR PIERS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
24
SIR PIERS SAID CLEARLY IT WAS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE IF THOSE IN A POSITION TO DO SO COULD RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO RAISE PRICES IN THE EXPECTATION OF FURTHER INFLATION.
ON HOW THE UPWARD REVISION OF INTEREST RATE BY ONE PERCENT HAD AFFECTED THE PUBLIC COFFER, SIR PIERS SAID THE INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES BY ONE PER CENT HAD BENEFITTED THE GOVERNMENT’S GENERAL REVENUE DEPOSITS IN THE EXCHANGE FUND BY A MARGINAL INCREASE IN INTEREST EARNINGS.
----------0-------------
CONTINGENCY PLANS EXIST FOR TRANSPORT BREAKDOWNS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS CONTINGENCY MEASURES TO COPE WITH MASS TRANSIT BREAKDOWNS AND ACCIDENTS IN ORDER TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AND IS CLOSELY MONITORING AND REVIEWING CONTINGENCY PROCEDURES IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE.
THIS WAS THE ASSURANCE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CONTINGENCY MEASURES INCLUDE PROCEDURES FOR RAPID DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION DURING EMERGENCIES, STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH DIFFERENT EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, AND CO-ORDINATION OF ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT TO RELIEVE PASSENGER CONGESTION AT POTENTIAL PROBLEM LOCATIONS.
HOWEVER, MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT WHILE CONTINGENCY MEASURES HELPED MINIMISE THE ADVERSE IMPACT OF TRANSPORT EMERGENCIES ON THE PUBLIC, SOME DELAYS AND INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BY BREAKDOWNS AND ACCIDENTS IN THE MASS TRANSIT SERVICES WERE INEVITABLE.
“HONG KONG’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS ARE FULLY UTILISED DURING THE PEAK PERIODS. PEAK HOUR FLOWS ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ARE ABOUT 50,000 AND ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY 72,000 IN ONE DIRECTION.
"IT WOULD THEREFORE NOT BE REALISTIC TO EXPECT PASSENGERS DISPLACED FROM A MASS TRANSIT SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED WITH IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE RELIEF BY OTHER TRANSPORT MODES," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE SECRETARY ADDED THAT ANY INCIDENT AFFECTING A BREAKDOWN OF A MASS TRANSIT SERVICE USUALLY INVOLVED A RAPID BUILD-UP OF PASSENGERS AT POINTS OF DISRUPTION.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM LOCATIONS, INCLUDING RAILWAY STATIONS AND WAS DEVELOPING DETAILED PLANS FOR PASSENGERS MANAGEMENT AT THOSE LOCATIONS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE POLICE AND THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS.
/THE DEPARTMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
25
THE DEPARTI :NT HAD ALSO DEVELOPED A VARIETY OF CONTINGENCY STRATEGIES TO Ml'. A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, SUCH AS RAILWAY BREAKDOWNS AND TUNNEL CLOSURES, AND WAS NOW REFINING THEM.
’’BECAUSE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF TRANSPORT EMERGENCIES ARE COMPLEX, VARIED AND RAPIDLY CHANGING, THESE PLANS ARE MEANT TO PROVIDE ONLY THE BROAD FRAMEWORK FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.
’’DECISIONS AS TO THE EXACT CONTINGENCY MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON THE SPOT WILL HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE IN THE LIGHT OF CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH PARTICULAR INCIDENT,” HE SAID.
LICENSING SYSTEM FOR EFFECTIVE CONTROL ON POLLUTION
THE PROPOSED LIVESTOCK KEEPING LICENSING SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL ON POLLUTION CAUSED BY INDISCRIMINATE DISCHARGE OF LIVESTOCK WASTES TO THE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS ALLOW FOR A MORE SYSTEMATIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE LIVESTOCK KEEPING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON. GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ANDREW WONG, MR. BARNES SAID THE PROPOSED LICENSING SYSTEM WOULD CONTAIN CONDITIONS WHICH REQUIRED THE LICENSEE TO OBSERVE ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ANIMALS AND BIRDS ORDINANCE, THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE, AND THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WOULD BE THE LICENSING AUTHORITY, HE SAID. •
"THE LICENCE WOULD BE ISSUED TO ANY PIG OR POULTRY FARM WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH A WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD ACCEPTABLE UNDER A CODE OF PRACTICE OR CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN A CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION," HE SAID.
"METHODS INVOLVING DISCHARGES WOULD REQUIRE TWO LICENCES: THE LIVESTOCK KEEPING LICENCE AND A DISCHARGE LICENCE UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, MR. BARNES SAID.
"FARMS OPERATING WITHOUT A PROPER SYSTEM COULD BE PROSECUTED FOR OPERATING WITHOUT A LICENCE AND PERSISTENT BREACHES OF THE LICENSING CONDITIONS WOULD RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF THE LICENCE," HE SAID.
MR. BARNES POINTED OUT THAT LIVESTOCK KEEPING HAD FOR MANY YEARS BEEN ONE OF THE MAIN SOURCES OF POLLUTION OF THE BEACHES AND STREAMS OF THE TERRITORY, BUT UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO, LITTLE WAS DONE OFFICIALLY EITHER TO DISCOURAGE THE POLLUTING DISCHARGE OF WASTE OR TO ENCOURAGE WASTE TREATMENT TO DISCHARGES FROM LIVESTOCK FARMS.
/IN 1988 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
26
IN 1988, A SCHEME WAS ESTABLISHED WHICH INVOLVED BANNING LIVESTOCK KEEPERS WITH COMPENSATION FROM SOME AREAS AND BUYING OUT THOSE WHO WISHED TO ABANDON IT VOLUNTARILY IN OTHERS. WHERE LIVESTOCK BREEDERS REMAINED THEY WERE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
"THIS HAS RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE NUMBERS OF PIG AND POULTRY BREEDERS LEAVING THE INDUSTRY AND SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER QUALITY IN THE WATER CATCHMENTS AND BEACHES AFFECTED BY THEM.
"THIS POLICY WITH SOME MODIFICATION WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ALL AREAS OF THE TERRITORY HAVE BEEN BROUGHT WITHIN THE CONTROL NET.
"NEVERTHELESS, PIG AND POULTRY FARMING IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE, AND IT IS IMPORTANT IN THE INTERESTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN ADEQUATE SYSTEM OF CONTROL.
"THE GOVERNMENT FEELS THAT THIS CAN BEST BE DONE BY A LICENSING SYSTEM UNDER WHICH PROPER WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES ARE REQUIRED AND CONSISTENTLY MONITORED, HE SAID.
0 - - - -
PROVISION OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY
*******
THERE IS STILL NOT ENOUGH SPECIALIST TECHNICAL STAFF AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE WATER CONTROL ZONES AS FAST AS WAS EARLIER PLANNED, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A yUESTIONS BY THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN, MR BARNES SAID THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION AND THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL MUST GO HAND-IN-HAND.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, IT WAS NOT THE TIMING OF THE PROVISION OF FUNDS FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES WHICH DETERMINED THE PACE OF IMPLEMENTING WATER CONTROL ZONES.
RATHER, IT WAS THE SUFFICIENCY OF ENFORCEMENT STAFF IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE DIFFICULTY IN ESTIMATING HOW LONG EACH PROGRAMME OF ENFORCEMENT WOULD TAKE, MR BARNES SAID.
"ENFORCEMENT IS AN ACTIVITY THAT NEEDS A GREAT DEAL OF LABOUR, BECAUSE EVERY FACTORY MUST BE VISITED, SAMPLES MUST BE TAKEN AND ANALYSED, AND ADVICE AND WARNINGS GIVEN.
"THESE ARE ALL JOBS THAI' CAN BE DONE ONLY BY SPECIALIST TECHNICAL STAFF," HF SAID.
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
27
MR BARNES SAID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WAS BEING DONE TC ?IND WAYS TO REDUCE THE LABOUR DEMAND AND THE SIMPLIFICATIONS IN THE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT WERE INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 1990 HAD HELPED.
’’THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS HAD AN INCREASE IN STAFF THAT IS GENEROUS IN RELATIVE TERMS - BUT IT IS STILL NOT ENOUGH TO IMPLEMENT THE CONTROLS AS FAST AS WAS EARLIER PLANNED.
’’NEVERTHELESS, THE GOVERNMENT STILL GAVE VERY HIGH PRIORITY TO THE PROVISION OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES. APPROXIMATELY $1.7 BILLION WAS NOW ALLOCATED FOR SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
THIS YEAR, MR BARNES SAID, A FURTHER COMMITMENT OF FUNDS WOULD BE SOUGHT FOR REPAIR AND REFURBISHMENT OF SEWERS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME.
"WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MAINTAIN THE PROGRAMME AS SET OUT IN THE 1991 REVIEW OF THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION." HE SAID.
REFERRING TO ANOTHER PART OF THE QUESTION BY MR WONG CONCERNING THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE (CWTC), MR BARNES SAID THE CAPITAL COST WOULD BE $1.3 BILLION AND THE OPERATING COSTS WERE EXPECTED TO AVERAGE ABOUT $313 MILLION ANNUALLY OVER 15 YEARS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO RECOVER THE FULL COSTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE NEW FACILITIES AND IS SEEKING TO GENERATE AROUND $340 MILLION PER ANNUM IN REVENUE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"THE SUM IS CALCULATED ON THE BASTS OF RECOVERING THE FULL CAPITAL COST OF THE TREATMENT FACILITIES OVER A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS TOGETHER WITH ESTIMATED OPERATING COSTS OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
"THE METHOD THAT GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RECOVER THESE COSTS IS A BROAD BASED AD VALOREM LEVY OF APPROXIMATELY 0.75 PER CENT ON CHEMICAL IMPORTS, A CHARGE ON LOCALLY MANUFACTURED CHEMICALS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH GATT REQUIREMENTS, AND A CHARGE ON MARPOL WASTES. THESE LATTER TWO (’BARGES HAVE NOT YET BEEN ESTIMATED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID FULL DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF THE CWTC WERE INCLUDED IN A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT RELEASED TO INDUSTRY LAST MONTH.
AS PART OF THE CONSULTATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, STAFF FROM THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH AND THE EPD HAD NOW COMPLETED BRIEFING KEY INDUSTRIAL GROUPS ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, HE SAID.
"I CANNOT PRESENTLY SAY THAT OUR PROPOSED METHOD OF RECOVERING COSTS IS ACCEPTABLE TO INDUSTRY, BECAUSE ADDITIONAL COSTS ARE NEVER EASY TO ACCEPT, BUT WE ARE EXPECTING INDUSTRY TO SUBMIT THEIR WRITTEN VIEWS BY AUGUST I.
"ON THE BASIS OF THESE VIEWS, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER ACTION, IF ANY, IT NEEDS TO TAKE ON ITS PROPOSALS FOR THE RECOVERY OF COSTS BEFORE MAKING \ SUBMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE SAID.
/28 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
28
ELDERLY NEEDS UNDER CONTINUOUS REVIEW *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUOUSLY REVIEW THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR, MRS WONG SAID EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE CURRENT PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WITHIN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND GUIDED BY THE ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES DETAILED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
MRS WONG STRESSED THAT THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF SOCIAL SECURITY IN HONG KONG WAS TO PROVIDE FOR THE BASIC AND PARTICULAR NEEDS OF VULNERABLE GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY, WHO WERE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL ASSISTANCE.
THEREFORE, CONTRIBUTORY OLD AGE PENSION SCHEMES WOULD BE SIMILAR TO A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME OR OTHER COMPULSORY RETIREMENT SCHEMES: THE MOTION FOR WHICH HAD BEEN DEFEATED IN THE COUNCIL LAST WEEK.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WERE NON-CONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS.
THE FORMER PROVIDED A FLAT-RATE ALLOWANCE TO THOSE AGED 65 AND ABOVE TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS ARISING FROM OLD AGE, WHILE THE LATTER HELPED THOSE PERSONS, INCLUDING ELDERLY PERSONS, WHO DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN A BASIC STANDARD OF LIVING.
"IN OCTOBER 1987, PROPOSALS WERE ANNOUNCED IN THIS COUNCIL FOR A PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAIN SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES, INCLUDING THE PHASED EXTENSION OF THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO PERSONS IN THE 65-69 AGE GROUP.
"ONE ELEMENT OF THIS PROPOSED PACKAGE WAS THAT ALL NEW APPLICANTS FOR THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DECLARE THAT THEIR INCOME AND ASSETS DID NOT EXCEED SPECIFIED LEVELS," MRS WONG SAID.
HOWEVER, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC VIEWS, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO PROCEED WITH THE INCOME AND ASSET DECLARATION FOR NEW APPLICANTS AGED OVER 70, WHILE RETAINING IT FOR THOSE BETWEEN 65 AND 69.
"AT PRESENT, THERE IS STILL AN UNRESOLVED DEBATE AS TO WHETHER TO EXTEND THIS REQUIREMENT OF AN INCOME AND ASSET DECLARATION TO PERSONS AGED 70 AND OVER," SHE ADDED.
/29 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
29
GOVT’S PROGRAMMES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED EXPLAINED
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED HOME-BASED TRAINING PROGRAMMES AS AN INTERIM MEASURE FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS AWAITING PLACEMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD ARCULLI, MRS WONG SAID THE AIM WAS TO ENABLE THEM TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN SELF-CARE AND OTHER MAINTENANCE OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN THEIR OWN HOMES.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THE PROGRAMMES WERE TO MINIMISE THE ADVERSE EFFECT OF SCHOOL LEAVERS STAYING IDLY AT HOME AND TO MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP THE SKILLS WHICH THEY ACQUIRED FROM SPECIAL EDUCATION TO FACILITATE THEIR FUTURE PLACEMENT.
SHE ALSO SAID THERE WAS A SHORTFALL OF 2,176 DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES (DAC) PLACES.
’’PROVISION OF AN ADDITIONAL 1,000 PLACES BY 1994-95 IS PLANNED,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG STRESSED THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF DAC WAS TO HELP MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT IN THEIR DAILY LIVING AND PREPARED THEM FOR SHELTERED OR SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT WHERE POSSIBLE.
THE SECRETARY SAID ONE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR DAC’S WAS AS DAC’S CATERED FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, AGED 15 AND ABOVE, WHO LACKED THE ABILITY TO BENEFIT FROM VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND SHELTERED OR OPEN EMPLOYMENT, THE APPLICANT SHOULD HAVE POTENTIAL TO LEARN AND BE ABLE TO RECEIVE AND FOLLOW SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS.
HOWEVER, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT DAC’S DID NOT ACCEPT PEOPLE WHO WERE BED-RIDDEN OR REQUIRED INFIRMARY CARE OR OTHER FORMS OF MEDICAL CARE.
SHE SAID IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE CRITERIA DID NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
’’ALL APPLICANTS MEETING THE CRITERIA ARE TREATED EQUALLY WHEN THEY SEEK ADMISSION.
”TO FACILITATE THE PLACEMENT OF PUPILS, INCLUDING THE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED PUPILS, FROM SPECIAL SCHOOLS INTO VARIOUS POST-SCHOOL SERVICES FOR DISABLED ADULTS, THE PLACEMENT PROCEDURES HAVE RECENTLY BEEN REVIEWED AND STREAMLINED,” MRS WONG SAID.
IN ADDITION, A SET OF STANDARDISED ADMISSION CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES FOR ADULT SERVICES HAD BEEN ADOPTED BY ALL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, SHE ADDED.
0
/30
WEDNESDAY,JULY 17, 1991
<T 30
SUFFICIENT LEGAL POWERS FOR
DEMOLITION OF DANGEROUS SIGNBOARDS
*******
THE GOVERNMENT POLICY IS TO ENSURE THAT SIGNBOARDS WHICH MAY POSE A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY ARE REMOVED EITHER BY THE OWNERS THEMSELVES OR, WHERE NECESSARY, BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS TN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE WERE SUFFICIENT LEGAL POWERS FOR THE NECESSARY ACTION TO BE CARRIED OUT SPEEDILY, MR BARNES SAID.
HE SAID : "BY OCTOBER 1989, A DEDICATED TEAM IN THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT HAD COMPLETED THE TASKS OF SEEKING OUT DANGEROUS SIGNBOARDS AND CARRYING OUT SURVEYS ON SIGNBOARDS IN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN AREAS.
"SINCE THEN, THE WORK OF IDENTIFYING DANGEROUS SIGNBOARDS HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT AS PART OF THE SURVEY ON BUILD1NGS.
HE SAID DEMOLITION ORDERS WERE ISSUED WHEREVER DANGEROUS SIGNBOARDS WERE FOUND AND FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO JUNE 30 THIS YEAR, A . TOTAL OF 393 SUCH ORDERS WERE MADE.
-----0-------
VISUAL EQUIPMENT TRADE CONSULTED ON NICAM
******
ADEQUATE CONSULTATION HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE VISUAL EQUIPMENT TRADE BEFORE NICAM TECHNOLOGY WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE BROADCASTING SYSTEM, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON ALBERT LAM, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HO SAI-CHU, MR LAM SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT IT WAS REALLY . A MATTER OF "COMMERCIAL JUDGEMENT" FOR EACH TRADE TO DECIDE WHAT THE MARKET DEMAND FOR NEW EQUIPMENT MIGHT BE WHEN NEW TECHNOLOGY WAS INTRODUCED.
"IN A FREE ECONOMY, THESE MATTERS ARE BEST LEFT TO COMMERCIAL DECISIONS," HE STRESSED.
EARLIER, MR LAM SAID THE TIMING FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF NICAM BROADCAST WAS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
"THE QUESTION OF EQUIPMENT SUPPLY WAS GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION BEFORE A DECISION WAS TAKEN TO ALLOW FORMAL INTRODUCTION OF NICAM ON JULY 1 - MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE.
/"THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
31
"THIS IS A REASONABLE PERIOD FOR THE TRADE TO RESPOND TO ANY NEW DEMAND, AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY," MR LAM SAID.
CITING EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE THAT THE VISUAL TRADE HAD BEEN GIVEN AMPLE NOTICE OF NICAM'S INTRODUCTION, MR LAM SAID IN MAY 1985, A DEMONSTRATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY WAS GIVEN BY THE TWO TELEVISION BROADCASTERS FOR THE PRESS, SALES AGENTS AND MANUFACTURERS OF TELEVISION SETS.
IN DECEMBER 1986, THE SPECIFICATION FOR THE EQUIPMENT WAS DISTRIBUTED BY TVB TO SALES AGENTS AND MANUFACTURERS.
IN MAY 1987, A TECHNICAL SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY TVB AND THE RADIO ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
IN JUNE 1988, THE POST OFFICE CONTACTED THE RADIO ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG AND CONSULTED THEM ON THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF INTRODUCING NI CAM BROADCAST.
IN MAY 1989, THE POST OFFICE WROTE TO ALL KNOWN SUPPLIERS OF TELEVISION EQUIPMENT, AND CONSULTED THEM ABOUT THE PRICE AND AVAILABILITY OF NICAM-COMPATIBLE TELEVISION SETS.
IN FEBRUARY 1990, TVB HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE AND ANNOUNCED THEIR PLAN FOR TEST TRANSMISSIONS.
"WITH ALL THESE CONSULTATIONS AND PUBLICITY, IT CAN HARDLY BE SAID THAT THE TRADE WAS CAUGHT BY SURPRISE BY THE FEBRUARY 1991 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF N1CAM BROADCASTS," MR LAM SAID.
---------0 - - - -
GOVT FORMULATES PROPOSALS ON
* » »
PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION * »
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW FORMULATING PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING FOR UPPER PRIMARY CLASSES (MIXED MODE OPERATION) AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S FURTHER THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE CLASS-TEACHER RATIO TO 1'14 WAS PART OF THE PACKAGE OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS FOURTH REPORT TO ENCOURAGE THE MIXED MODE OPERATION.
UNTIL A DECISION WAS REACHED IN THIS REGARD, THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO REVISE THE CLASS-TEACHER RATIO FOR EXISTING WHOLE-DAY PRIMARY SCHOOLS, HE ADDED.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
32
HOWEVER, THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT UNDER EXISTING POLICY, ENCOURAGEMENT WAS GIVEN TO WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS IN I HE FORM OF AN ENHANCEMENT GRANT OF $950 PER CLASS PER ANNUM AND A ONE-OFF SUBSIDY, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $20,700 PER SCHOOL, FOR THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM FURNITURE.
’’THESE MEASURES WILL BE REVIEWED, AND OTHER FORMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT MAY BE ADDED, WHEN THE LONG-TERM POLICY FOR WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING IS DECIDED,” HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE SUGGESTION OF PROVIDING ONE ADDITIONAL CLERICAL STAFF TO SCHOOLS, MR CHAN SAID THERE WAS NO'CLEAR CORRELATION BEIWEEN WHOLE-DAY OPERATION AND INCREASED CLERICAL WORK IN SCHOOLS.
"THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS, HOWEVER, THAT THE PRESENT WORKLOAD OF CLERICAL STAFF IN SCHOOLS IS TOO HEAVY.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS THEREFORE CONSIDERING MEANS OF ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM," HE SAID.
ONE POSSIBILITY UNDER EXAMINATION WAS THE PROVISION OF A MICRO-’ COMPUTER FOR EACH SCHOOL SO THAT SOME OF THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION WORK COULD BE COMPUTERISED.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL BE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE IN THE LONG RUN THAN PROVIDING ADDITIONAL MANPOWER.
"THIS STUDY ON ENHANCING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF CLERICAL STAFF COVERS ALL TYPES OF SCHOOLS AND IS NOT CONFINED TO WHOLE-DAY PRIMARY SCHOOLS," HE ADDED.
- - - 0 - -
TRANSPORT POLICY APPLIED WITH FLEXIBILITY
THE GOVERNMENT’S INTER-MODAL TRANSPORT * CO-ORDINATION POLICY HAS ALWAYS BEEN APPLIED FLEXIBLY TO MEET CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS SHIFTS IN PASSENGER DEMAND, THE UTILISATION AND FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF VARIOUS MODES, AS WELL AS TRAFFIC PATTERNS.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON CHAN YING-LUN’S QUESTION ON THE FLEXIBILITY OF SUCH A POLICY AS APPLIED TO THE TRANSPORT SERVICES BETWEEN SIU SAI WAN AND CHAI WAN MTR STATION.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT SIX FRANCHISED BUS ROUTES NOW SERVED SIU SAI WAN WHICH ALL PASS CLOSE TO THE CHAI WAN MTR STATION EN ROUTE, PROVIDING A CAPACITY FOR OVER 4,000 PASSENGERS AN HOUR.
THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME DURING THE MORNING PEAK IS SIX MINUTES.
/AS PA’RT ...........
*7
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
33
AS PART OF A PLANNED SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, MR LEUNG SAID A DEDICATED CMB SERVICE BETWEEN SIU SAI WAN AND THE CHAI WAN MTR STATION WOULD SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED DURING THE MORNING PEAK TO REDUCE THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME TO FIVE MINUTES.
THE NEED TO COMPLEMENT EXISTING CMB SERVICES WITH GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WAS ALSO BEING CONSIDERED.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT INTENDED TO INVITE TENDERS LATER THIS YEAR FOR A GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE LINKING SIU SAI WAN WITH THE CHAI WAN MTR STATION BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM.
THERE WERE PLANS ALSO TO ENHANCE SERVICES IN EARLY 1993 WHEN THE NEXT MAJOR INTAKE OF POPULATION WAS EXPECTED.
-----0------
CONTRACT OUT OF CIVIL SERVANTS’ HEALTH CARE SERVICES UNLIKELY
*****
IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS WILL BE CONTRACTED OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, SIR DAVID SAID THE ADMINISTRATION DID CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTRACTING OUT THE PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICES IN AN OVERALL REVIEW OF MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS CONDUCTED IN 1989.
"HOWEVER, THIS WOULD REQUIRE SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, WHICH WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME, NOR IS IT LIKELY THAT THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE MEDICAL INSURANCE STUDY GROUP HAD ADDED NEW DIMENSIONS TO THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD REVIEW ITS POSITION IN RESPECT OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN THE LIGHT OF THESE NEW DEVELOPMENTS, HE ADDED.
/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
34
EPD ACTED TO REDUCE CONFUSION *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAD ACTED CORRENTLY IN TRYING TO REDUCE THE CONFUSION SURROUNDING A PRODUCT CLAIMED IN ADVERTISEMENT TO BE ABLE TO REDUCE POLLUTING EMISSION, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE HON MRS ELSIE TU ON A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT REFUTING THE PRODUCT’S CLAIMED ABILITY TO REDUCE EXHAUST EMISSIONS AND ENABLE ALL PETROL ENGINE-VEHICLES TO OPERATE ON UNLEADED PETROL.
MR BARNES SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT WAS, AND REMAINS CONCERNED THAT MOTORISTS, ALREADY PERHAPS A LITTLE ANXIOUS AND CONFUSED WHEN FACED WITH A CHANGE, WOULD BE MISLED INTO BELIEVING THAT THEIR VEHICLE NEEDED THIS SPECIAL DEVICE, WHEREAS IN REALITY 70 PER CENT OF VEHICLES NEED NO ADJUSTMENT TO RUN PERFECTLY WELL ON UNLEADED PATROL AND ANOTHER 17 PER CENT ONLY REQUIRE SOME SMALL ADJUSTMENT.
"THE PROMOTERS OF THE DEVICE, WHO SOUGHT TO LINK IT IN THE ADVERTISEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S UNLEADED PETROL PROGRAMME, WOULD LEAD TO MOTORISTS BEING UNJUSTIFIABLY CONSERVATIVE AND CONTINUING TO RUN LEADED PETROL FOR THE WRONG REASONS."
MR BARNES WAS REFERRING TO A TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT OF A PRODUCT WHICH APPEARED IN EARLY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT’S GREEN BOOKLET "THE MOTOR I SI'S GUIDE To UNLEADED PETROL" WAS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED.
THE ADVERTISEMENT MADE CLAIMS THAT THE PRODUCT COULD REDUCE POLLUTING EMISSIONS BY 60 PER CENT AND ENABLE ALL PETROL ENGINED VEHICLES TO SWITCH TO THE USE OF UNLEADED PETROL WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WAS NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF TESTING OR RECOMMENDING PRODUCTS.
"HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT MADE A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE PRODUCT BASED ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF ITS PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES INVOLVED IN PETROL ENGINE COMBUSTION, AND CONCLUDED THAT TO THE BEST OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE, THERE WAS NO HARD SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO BACK UP THE CLAIMS MADE FOR THIS PRODUCT.
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ALSO CHECKED THE STATUS OF A DOCUMENT BEARING THE LITTER-HEAD OF THE ROYAL AEROSPACE ESTABLISHMENT (RAE), FARNBOROUGH, UK, WHICH WAS OFFERED BY THE FIRM IN QUESTION TO SUBSTANTIATE ITS CLAIMS," HE SAID.
"ADVICE RECEIVED FROM THE UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE’S (MOD) RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT ON THE STATUS OF THIS DOCUMENT STATED THAI' THE ASSESSMENT DID NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFICIAL TRIAL AND WAS NOT CONDUCTED ON A SOUND SCIENTIFIC BASIS.
/"THE RESULTS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
35
’’THE RESULTS QUOTED
NON-SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL AND
RECOGNITION WITH RAE OR MOD.”
REPRESENT THE OBSERVATIONS OF
THEIR FINDINGS HAVE NO FORMAL
MR BARNES ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT COMMENT ON THE CLAIMS MADE FOR THIS SPECIFIC PRODUCT. RATHER THE COMMENTS WERE RELATED TO THE CLAIMS MADE FOR THIS TYPE OF PRODUCT GENERALLY.
SETTLEMENT ALLOWED FOR IN BUILDINGS ON RECLAIMED LAND »»»»»»
THE CRACKS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED IN SOME GROUND FLOOR SLABS AND PARTITIONS IN THREE BLOCKS IN ON NI NG GARDENS, A PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICI PATION SCHEME ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O, ARE NOT IN THE STRUCTURAL PARTS OF THE BUILDING.
’’THEY ARE DUE TO SLIGHTLY GREATER SETTLEMENT UNDER THE SLABS THAN ANTICIPATED,” THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON. GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG, MR. BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE BLOCKS AS A WHOLE SINCE IN THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN THE FOUNDATION RESTED ON PILES DRIVEN THROUGH TO THE BED ROCK.
HE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN A BUILDING WAS BUILT ON RECLAIMED LAND, THE DEVELOPER AND HIS ARCHITECT MUST DESIGN FOR A CERTAIN DEGREE OF SETTLEMENT, WHICH WAS LIKELY TO CONTINUE FOR SOME YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING.
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT REMEDIAL WORKS ON THE AFFECTED SLABS AND PARTITIONS WERE BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE DEVELOPER.
HE ALSO NOTED THAI’ THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY EXPERIENCED IN RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN HONG KONG AND STAFF OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MONITORED BOTH THE PLACING OF RECLAMATION FILL AND THE SUBSEQUENT SETTLEMENT VERY CAREFULLY AND WITH HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL METHODS.
/36 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
36
GOVT TO ADD FAX MACHINE TO SCHOOL EQUIPMENT LIST * » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED IN PRINCIPLE TO ADD A FAX MACHINE TO THE STANDARD EQUIPMENT LIST FOR GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON JOHN CHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG CHI-KONG, MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THIS DECISION IN SEPTEMBER 1992 THROUGH A REALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.
"IN THE MEANTIME, IF ANY SCHOOL IS ABLE TO IDENTIFY SAVINGS FROM WITHIN ITS SCHOOL AND CLASS GRANT, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL NOT OBJECT TO ITS PURCHASING A FAX MACHINE, THE LIMITATION OF THE STANDARD EQUIPMENT LIST NOTWITHSTANDING,” MR CHAN ADDED.
NINE-HOUR LEGCO SESSION ENDS ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE ON CHILD CARE WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
SEVENTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE TWO-HOUR MOTION DEBATE, WITH THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THREE OTHER MOTIONS WERE ALSO PASSED: ONF WAS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER Till PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, ANOTHER WAS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE AND THE LAST ONE BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
MEANWHILE, II MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, SPOKE IN IHE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON "THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN" RAISED BY THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT IN ANOTHER ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR RAISED BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOL. A TOTAL OF NINE MEMBERS TOOK TURN TO SPEAK.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, EIGHT BILLS WERE PASSED BY THE COUNCIL. . THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, OFFICIAL SOLICITOR Bill 1991, SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BILL 1991, PLANNERS REGISTRATION BILL 1991, TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 AND TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS WHILE THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1990-91) BILL 1991 WAS PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
A PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL ELECTORAl PROVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 - RAISED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE WAS NOT CARRIED.
/37 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
37
LIQUIDATION HELPS TO PRESERVE BANK ASSETS
IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT A LIQUIDATION ACTUALLY HELPS TO PRESERVE ASSETS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) AFTER A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF DEPOSITORS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED.
"IT’S VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. IT’S VERY WORRYING BUT WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO GET MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF THE DEPOSITORS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. AND BY THAT I MEAN WITHIN ABOUT A WEEK, IF WE POSSIBLY CAN.
’’BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS WE NOW HAVE A SITUATION IN WHICH WE ARE SAFEGUARDING, PRESERVING ASSETS,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS ALSO APPEALED TO DEPOSITORS TO REMAIN CALM AS DISTURBANCES WOULD NOT HELP MATTERS.
”1 AND MY COLLEAGUES ARE WORKING VERY HARD. TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE SOME MONEY BACK QUICKLY SO I DO HOPE PEOPLE COULD BE PATIENT HOWEVER WORRIED THEY ARE.
”1 HAVE JUST SEEN SOME REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEPOSITORS,” SIR PIERS SAID.
"THEY HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY HELPFUL, VERY UNDERSTANDING. WE SHALL BE KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THEM.”
_ 0 - - - -
BARONESS DUNN ON BCCIIK t l ♦ ♦ t
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING THAT THE DECISION TO LIQUIDATE THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED WAS THE BEST OPTION TAKEN TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEREST OF DEPOSITORS.
THE WINDING UP OF THE BANK DID NOT RULE OUT ITS POSSIBLE SALE, SHE ADDED.
IN ORDFR TO MAXIMISE THE DEPOSITORS’ RECOVERY WE MUST HAVE SOME TIME TO ESTABLISH THE VALUE OF THE BANK’S ASSETS AND REALISE THE VALUE OF THESE ASSETS, OR TO MAKE A SALE, SHE SAID.
"WHAT IS NEEDED NOW IS COOL HEADS," SHE STRESSED.
SHE ADDED THAT NO BUYER WAS GOING TO COME IN IN A MATTER OF DAYS TO CONCLUDE A DEAL ON AN INTERNATIONAL BANK, WHICH WAS SUSPECTED TO BE INVOLVED IN MASSIVE FRAUD.
/’’ALL OF ..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
38
"ALL OF THIS TAKES TIME AND WE THINK THAT THE BEST COURSE IS FOR THE LIQUIDATOR TO GO TN AND ALL HE DOES IS TO FREEZE THE POSITION, AND HE’LL HAVE TIME TO STUDY THE ASSETS AND THE ACCOUNTS CAREFULLY, AND THIS DOESN’T PRECLUDE A SALE.
"AT THE SAME TIME WE REALISE THAT WE MUST PROVIDE SOME SHORTTERM RELIEF TO DEPOSITORS AND SO A SCHEME WAS DEVISED WITH A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE TO ALLOW DEPOSITORS TO DRAW UP TO 25 PER CENT OF THEIR DEPOSITS WITH A CEILING, WHAT THAT CEILING IS I THINK IS STILL BEING CONSIDERED," SHE SAID.
BARONESS DUNN ADDED THAT TWO HONG KONG BANKS, WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT Ol SOME CONCERN AMONG A NUMBER Ol DEPOSITORS TODAY, WERE TOTALLY UNRELATED TO THE BUC I .
SHE STRESSED THAT THE TWO BANKS WERE COMPLETELY VIABLE AND THAT MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS HAVE RFAFFIRMFD TUT IR FULL SUPPORT FOR THEIR OPERATIONS.
THE OFFICE ol THE EXCHANGE FUND HAS AGREED To PROVIDE LIQUIDITY Slppol'l Ol Till TWO BANKS ON NORMAI ('ONMIRCIAI TERMS, SHE ADDED.
()----
WINDING UP IS BEST SOLUTION FOR BCCIIK ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
COMMENTING ON THE DECISION TO PETITION THE HIGH COURT FOR WINDING UP THE BANK Ol CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED, MR WILLIAM PURVES, CHAIRMAN Ol Till HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING THAT IT WAS THE BEST
SOLUTION IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
MR PURVES POINTED OUT THAT REGULATORS ELSEWHERE HAD CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS SI GN I I I CAN’T FRAUD IN THE BANK AND HAD MOVED 'TO LIQUIDATE IT.
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IH ILF WAS GREVI UN< ERTAI NIA WHETHER OR NOT THE SUBSIDIARIES HERE MIGHT HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THEREFORE PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE WHAT HIE POSITION WAS, HE SAID.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE AUTHOR ITIES HERE HAVE MOVED TO H'polN’l A LIQUIDATOR, AND THE I I QU I DATOR WILL FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THI- POSITION IS," III ADDED.
/39 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
39
PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF BCCHK, BCCI FINANCE APPOINTED
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
”AS ANNOUNCED EARLIER BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HIGH COURT, ON A PETITION PRESENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE, TODAY APPOINTED ME, AS OFFICIAL RECEIVER, TO BE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK) AND ITS SUBSIDIARY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY, BCCI FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
’’HAVING REGARD TO THE NATURE AND SIZE OF BCCHK1S BUSINESS I WAS SATISFIED THAT THE SERVICES OF SPECIAL MANAGERS WITH EXTENSIVE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES WERE REQUIRED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF CREDITORS.
’’UPON MY APPLICATION THE COURT HAS THEREFORE APPOINTED MR MARVIN K.T. CHEUNG AND MR NICHOLAS P. ETCHES, BOTH OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK, TO BE SPECIAL MANAGERS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE TIME BEING UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
”AT THIS EARLY STAGE I CAN ONLY SAY THAT THE SPECIAL MANAGERS HAVE ALREADY MOVED TO SECURE THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY IN ALL OF ITS 25 BRANCHES IN HONG KONG.
’’THE SPECIAL MANAGERS WILL NOW CARRY OUT A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS OF THE COMPANY AND WILL LET ME HAVE THEIR OPINION OF ITS FINANCIAL STATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
”OUR PRIME OBJECTIVES WILL BE, IF POSSIBLE, TO SELL THE BANKING BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY AS A GOING CONCERN AND, IN ANY CASE, TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL PAYMENT TO THE CREDITORS AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE.
’’THE EARLY PAYMENT WILL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHATEVER ARRANGEMENTS ARE AGREED WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOLLOWING APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
”1T IS EXPECTED THAT A FURTHER STATEMENT REGARDING THE EARLY PAYMENT CAN BE MADE AT ABOUT THE END OF THIS WEEK.
”1T HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT I, AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, AND THE SPECIAL MANAGERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO DIRECTION FROM THE HOLDING COMPANY TN LUXEMBURG AND REGULATORS IN VARIOUS OVERSEA JURISDICTIONS, BUT THIS IS NOT SO.
”MY POWERS AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR AND THE POWERS OF THE SPECIAL MANAGERS COME FROM THE HIGH COURT IN HONG KONG, AND OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO THE COURT AND THE CREDITORS, INCLUDING THE DEPOSITORS, UNDER THE WINDING-UP PROVISIONS OF THE HONG KONG COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
/"THEY ARE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
40
"THEY ARE ASSURED THAT WE SHALL DO OUR BEST FOR THEM.
"A FURTHER GENERAL STATEMENT WILL BE MADE WHEN A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE OVERALL FINANCIAL STATE OF THE COMPANY IS AVAILABLE.
"IN THE MEANTIME, I WOULD ASK DEPOSITORS TO REFRAIN FROM PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS OR OTHER ACTION THAT MAY ONLY HINDER US IN PROTECTING THEIR BEST INTERESTS.
"PERSONS WISHING TO KNOW HOW A CLAIM CAN BE MADE SHOULD CALL ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS AT THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER S OFFICE:
877 6771
877 6775
877 6779"
INTERNATIONAL BANK OF ASIA LIMITED (IBA)
**♦♦♦*
INTERNATIONAL BANK OF ASIA LIMITED (IBA) HAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ISSUED A STATEMENT REFUTING ANY RUMOURS CONCERNING ITS LIQUIDITY POSITION.
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR DAVID CARSE, SEES NO REASON FOR A LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN IBA, IN THE WAY WHICH HAS AFFECTED BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LTD. THE POSITION OF THE TWO BANKS IS VERY DIFFERENT.
COMMENTING ON IBA’S FINANCIAL CONDITION, MR CARSE NOTED THAT THE BANK RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A STRONG PROFITS GROWTH FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1991, WITH FURTHER PROGRESS ANTICIPATED DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE BANK MEETS ALL EXISTING PRUDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS.
IBA’S SHAREHOLDER, ARAB BANKING CORPORATION (ABC), HAS TOTAL ASSETS OF US$21 BILLION AND CAPITAL RESOURCES OF US$1.4 BILLION.
MR CARSE WELCOMES ABC’S REAFFIRMATION OF FULL SUPPORT FOR IBA.
MOREOVER THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE LIQUIDITY SUPPORT TO IBA ON NORMAL COMMERCIAL TERMS.
0
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1WT
41
STATEMENT ON DAO HENG BANK LTD ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
IN RESPONSE TO THE CONCERN OF DEPOSITORS, DAO HENG BANK HAS ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE CLARIFYING ITS PRESENT POSITION.
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING SEES NO REASON FOR A LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN DAO HENG. THE BANK IS NOT IN ANY WAY CONNECTED TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LTD. THE COMMISSIONER NOTES THE BANK’S COMMENTARY ON ITS PRESENT FINANCIAL STANDING, ITS LIQUIDITY POSITION AND COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER BUSINESS.
THE BANK’S MAJORITY SHAREHOLDERS HAVE REAFFIRMED THEIR FULL SUPPORT FOR ITS OPERATIONS. THIS IS STRONGLY WELCOMED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING.
TO SUPPLEMENT THE BANK’S OWN RESOURCES, THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE LIQUIDITY SUPPORT TO DAO HENG ON NORMAL COMMERCIAL TERMS.
_ _ _ _ o--------
TWO GOVERNMENT LOTS FETCH $1,031 MILLION ♦ » * * *
TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $1,031 MILLION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A PUBLIC AUCTION HELD THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
BOTH LOTS ARE LOCATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 47A IN FANLING. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 13,530 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES, BUT RESIDENTIAL ONLY ABOVE LEVEL THREE.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY WORLD EMPIRE INVESTMENT LTD FOR $1,010 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $400 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 43,269 SQUARE METRES IS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.
THE OTHER LOT, LOCATED AT AREA 261), KWAI CHUNG, IS A 1,536-SQUARE-METRE SITE DESIGNATED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES.
BIDDING OPENED AT $15 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS SOLD TO GRAND MILLION INTERNATIONAL LTD FOR $21 MILLION.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS
THAN 4,608 SQUARE METRES WITHIN 36 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF AGREEMENT.
THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY
THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR NIGEL BURLEY.
MR BURLEY SAID HF WAS ASTOUNDED AT THE SPIRITED BIDDING AND ULTIMATE HIGH PRICES ACHIEVED.
0
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
42
DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REGISTRATION REVOKED ♦ * * * *
HIE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF NORD SECURITIES HONG KONG LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JULY 17 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- 0 -
TWO ROUNDS OF FREE MAILING FOR LEGCO CANDIDATES
*****
CANDIDATES STANDING FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER WILL BE ALLOWED TWO ROUNDS OF FREE MAILING OF THEIR ELECTION LETTERS TO VOTERS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE EXISTING POST OFFICE REGULATIONS, CANDIDATES IN ANY ELECTION TO A DISTRICT BOARD, THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE EACH ENTITLED TO SEND ONE ELECTION LETTER FREE OF POSTAGE TO EACH REGISTERED VOTER IN THE CANDIDATE’S CONSTITUENCY.
"A REVIEW CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1990 ON THE LEVEL OF ELECTION EXPENSES AND THE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS RECOMMENDED THAT CANDIDATES SHOULD BE GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL ROUND OF FREE MAILING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN LINE WITH THIS FINDING, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANNOUNCED IN JULY LAST YEAR THE INTENTION TO PROVIDE TWO ROUNDS OF FREE MAILING TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION CANDIDATES.
THIS HAS NOW BEEN PUT INTO EFFECT BY THE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1991, WHICH WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JULY 19).
THE PROVISION FOR A SECOND ROUND OF FREE MAILING WOULD APPLY TO BOTH CANDIDATES FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS WELL AS CANDIDATES FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS, BUT WILL NOT BE APPLIED TO ELECTIONS TO ANY OTHER BODY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
0
/43 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
43 SIX LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF SIX LOTS.
THE FIRST LOT IS A 1,250-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT KAI TIN ROAD, LAM TIN, FOR PLANT NURSERY.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE SECOND LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 8,000 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND HING WAH ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN.
IT IS FOR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR LICENSED LORRIES AND COACHES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR CHASSIS/TRAILERS ATTACHED).
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TWO OTHER LOTS, BOTH LOCATED OFF HOI YU STREET, QUARRY BAY, MEASURED ABOUT 2,940 AND 2,300 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH OF THEM ARE FOR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) AND/OR WASTE PAPER COLLECTING AND SORTING AND/OR OPEN PARKING OF VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS) AND/OR CARGO HANDLING (EXCLUDING THE USE OF CONTAINERS).
THE TENANCY FOR BOTH LOTS IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE REMAINING TWO LOTS, LOCATED AT ON LAI STREET AND ON YIU STREET, AREA 11, SHA TIN, MEASURED ABOUT 4,700 AND 4,900 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE FORMER ONE IS FOR STORAGE OF TENANT’S GOODS (EXCLUDING STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS AS DEFINED IN THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE AND CONTAINER VEHICLES, CONTAINERS AND CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS) ONLY.
THE LATTER ONE IS FOR PARKING OF TENANT’S MOTOR VEHICLES (INCLUDING LORRIES, BUSES, PRIME MOVERS, TRAILERS, TRACTORS AND CHASSIS) BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINERS AND CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY FOR BOTH LOTS IS FOR 30 MONTHS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 2.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN HONG KONG EAST, KOWLOON AND SHA TIN AND 'HIE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
144
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
44
127 VM’S RETURNED TODAY *****
A GROUP OF 127 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 56 MEN, 26 WOMEN, 21 BOYS AND 24 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 59TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 7,806 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
SIX FILIPINOS ARRESTED FOR UNAPPROVED EMPLOYMENT
*****
ACTING ON INFORMATION, IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED SIX FILIPINO DOMESTIC HELPERS WHO WERE SUSPECTED OF TAKING UP UNAPPROVED EMPLOYMENT IN A RESTAURANT IN QUEENSWAY YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
THE SIX FILIPINO DOMESTIC HELPERS INCLUDED A MALE AND FIVE FEMALES. THEY WERE FOUND WORKING AS CLEANSING WORKERS AT THE RESTAURANT. ONE OF THEM WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE AN OVERSTAYER.
THE PERSON-IN-CHARGE OF THE RESTAURANT IS ASSISTING WITH THE INVESTIGATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED THAT 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.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED THAT ALL EMPLOYERS SHOULD CHECK THE IDENTITY OF THEIR RECRUITS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR NATIONALITY AND THEY WILL BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION IF THEY DO ’NOT OBSERVE THIS LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT.
EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE COME ACROSS DOUBTFUL PROOF OF IDENTITY MAY CALL THE INVESTIGATION HOTLINE ON TEL. 824 1551 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
/45
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 1991
45
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE ON MOVE *****
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE WILL MOVE TO NEW ACCOMMODATION ON THE 21ST FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (JULY 20).
IN VIEW OF THE MOVE, ITS OFFICE ON 12TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WILL NOT BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC SEARCH ON THAT DAY.
FULL SERVICES WILL BE RESUMED AT THE NEW ACCOMMODATION AS FROM NEXT MONDAY (JULY 22).
THE ENQUIRY NUMBER WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED ON TEL. 867 2565.
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY
******
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY (JULY 19) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEES PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
ANNUAL SEMINAR FOR CAREERS TEACHERS ******
CAREERS TEACHERS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF CAREERS EDUCATION IN HONG KONG AT AN ANNUAL CAREERS SEMINAR ON FRIDAY (JULY 19).
ENTITLED "EXPLORATION OF APPROACHES IN CAREERS EDUCATION”, THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED JOINTLY FOR THE 13TH YEAR RUNNING BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
"MORE THAN 110 SECONDARY SCHOOL CAREERS TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED
'1’0 ATTEND THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN SILA TIN," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFF I (’ER (CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE), MRS CLARE SIU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/"THERE WILL
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 199J
.46
r
"THERE WILL BE TALKS BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD ON TOOLS IN CAREERS EDUCATION, PERSONAL AND FAMILY FACTORS LN CAREERS CHOICES AND APPROACHES IN CAREERS EDUCATION LN HONG KONG SECONDARY SCHOOLS, FOLLOWED BY PANEL DISCUSSIONS," MRS SIU SAID.
"THE SEMINAR ALSO PROVIDES A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND SHARE EXPERIENCE IN CAREERS GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING," SHE ADDED.
LT WILL BE OPENED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN, AND 'HIE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MRS GRACE YUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION AT 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 19) AT THE Y.C. LIANG HALL, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SHA TIN.
TRANSPORT HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO PICK UP MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT THE KCR UNIVERSITY STATION, SHA TIN, RETWEEN 9.15 AM AND 9.30 AM.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 16.7.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 17.7.91 -253
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +253
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +60
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.8 *+0.0* 17.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
16.7.91 17.7 .91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 5.85 PCT 5.56 PCT
1 MONTH 5.99 PCT 5.78 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.13 PCT 6.10 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.19 PCT. 6 . 10 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.61 PCT 6.60 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 4,652 MN 5,967 MN
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE MD.
GOVERNOR VISITS STANLEY PRISON ......................................... 1
HK BANKING SYSTEM IS SOUND: FS ......................................... 1
PUBLIC URGED TO SAVE WATER ............................................. 2
POLLING DAYS SET FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS ................................... 3
EXTENSION OF HONG KONG/EEC TEXTILES AGREEMENT .......................... 4
SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS FOR FIRST HALF OF 1991 ........... 5
DON'T FALL PREY TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS WHILE OVERSEAS ..................... 7
SIGNING OF DOCUMENT FOR DONATION TO CHINA .............................. 8
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991 ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMENCEMENT ...... 9
MAY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES RELEASED 10
PILOT PROJECT ON CLEANLINESS PARTICIPATION SCHEME ...................... 15
FSD'S RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN STARTS ...................................... 16
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ......................................... 18
CASH ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ............................ 21
TWO NEW MEMBERS APPOIhTTED TO LAW REFORM COMMISSION .................... 22
CARE AND SHARE OPERATION TO COMMENCE ON SATURDAY ....................... 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 23
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
1
GOVERNOR VISITS STANLEY PRISON ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE REHABILITATION OF ADULT OFFENDERS IS HELPED BY EOR THEM T° TAKE PART IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIoiJ TODAY ITHUPqniv^1 rUTl0NS’ THE G0VERN0R> SIR DAVID WILSON, ivUrti (Inl'noUAl).
PROVIDING while in was TOLD
SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF THE SERVICES INDUSTRIES DURING A VISIT TO STANLEY PRISON.
CORRECTIONAL
RISEN BY 80
n__ WAS TOLD THAT VALUE OF GOODS PRODUCED HAD
MILLION THiFyEAR LAST PIVE YEARS AND WAS EXPECTED T0 APPROACH 1300
SIR DAVID TOURED VARIOUS WORKSHOPS IN STANLEY PRISON AND <^AW a NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES INCLUDING PRINTINGI SHOE-MA^NG
CARPENTRY, SILK-SCREENING, SIGN-MAKING AND GARMENT MANUFACTURING. ’
HE ALSO VISITED THE TELEVISION AND RADIO REPAIR WORKSHOP.
THE WORK HELPS THE INMATES DEVELOP USEFUL BOREDOM, SIR DAVID WAS TOLD. HE LEARNT THAT OTHER LEARNING ARE PROVIDED; ABOUT 300 INMATES IN PARTICIPATING IN CORRESPONDENCE COURSES, 13 ARE DEGREE COURSES AND TWO ARE TAKING COURSES WITH INSTITUTE.
SKILLS AND COMBAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PRISON ARE PURSUING BACHELOR
THE OPEN LEARNING .
THE GOVERNOR WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR ERIC MCCOSH THROUGHOUT THE VISIT WITH SENIOR OFFICERS AT THE PRISON AND TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY WITH STAFF REPRESENTATIVES.
COMMISSIONER
HE
TO
OF
MET TALK
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HK BANKING SYSTEM IS SOUND: FS *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS FULL CONFIDENCE THAT THE BANKING SYSTEM REMAINS SOUND AND IS WELL ABLE TO WITHSTAND ANY PRESSURE PUT UPON IT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE HONG KONG BANKING SYSTEM IS- WELL CAPITALISED. THE HONG KONG DOLLAR REMAINS STABLE. THE BANKS ARE OPERATING IN A GROWING ECONOMY. FUTURE PROSPECTS ARE ENCOURAGING, AND HAVE RECENTLY BEEN BOOSTED FURTHER BY CONFIRMATION OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT."
SIR PIERS STRESSED THAT THE PROBLEMS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT ANb COMMERCE HONG KONG LTD. WHICH AROSE FROM EXTERNAL AND EXCEPTIONAL EVENTS ELSEWHERE IN THE BCC GROUP WERE CONFINED TO THAT INSTITUTION.
"THEY DO NOT AFFECT THE STABILITY OF ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL BANK IN THE TERRITORY. NOR DO THEY REFLECT ADVERSELY ON THE STRENGTH OF THE HONG KONG BANKING SYSTEM. IN THE EVENT THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BANK NEEDS LIQUIDITY ASSISTANCE, THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND STANDS READY TO PROVIDE IT," HE SAID.
/2 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
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PUBLIC URGED TO SAVE WATER
*****
EVERYONE MUST MAKE GREATER EFFORTS TO USE LESS WATER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT EMPHASISED THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) AS THE NEED FOR WATER RESTRICTIONS BECOMES MORE IMMINENT DUE TO THE CONTINUING UNSATISFACTORY WATER STORAGE SITUATION.
TO HELP SAVE WATER, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ASKED TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING DOS AND DON’TS:
DOS
* CLOSE TAPS TIGHTLY WHEN TURNING OFF SUPPLY.
♦ TAKE A SHOWER INSTEAD OF A BATH.
* SAVE USED WATER FOR ('LEANING FLOORS, WATERING POT PLANTS OR FLUSHING.
* USE WASHING MACHINE OR DISHWASHER ONLY FOR FULL LOADS.
* CHECK REGULARLY STORAGE TANKS, WORN TAP WASHERS AND PLUMBING PIPES FOR LEAKS OR OTHER POSSIBLE DEFECTS.
DON’TS
* DON’T STORE EXCESSIVE WATER.
» DON’T SHOWER TOO LONG.
* DON’T USE WATER FOR PLAYING GAMES.
* DON’T RINSE HANDS, CLOTHES OR VEGETABLES UNDER A RUNNING TAP.
* DON’T USE TOILET TO FLUSH AWAY CONTENTS OF ASHTRAYS AND LITTER BINS.
TO HELP ACHIEVE WATER CONSERVATION, THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS REQUESTED THE HOUSING, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, REGIONAL SERVICES AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS IN SOLICITING THEIR SUPPORT IN ECONOMISING WATER SUPPLIED ON A CONCESSIONARY BASIS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES, SUCH AS WATERING PLANTING AREAS; CLEANSING OF PLAYGROUNDS, RECREATIONAL AREAS, HAWKER BAZAARS, COOKED FOOD STALLS, MARKETS, STAIRWAYS, COMMON AREAS, REFUSE ('HUTES AND REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS.
IN THE CASE OF THE TWO MUNK I I \L DEPARTMENTS, WATER IS ALSO USED AT PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS, FOl ‘ I AINS, WATER FEATURES, ARTIFICIAL LAKES IN RECREATIONAL \REAS, MODEL BOAT POOLS AND STREET WASHING.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, JULU 18, 1991
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THE SPOKESMAN SAID AS A'l !{ AM TODA\ (THURSDAY), THE RESERVOIR STORAGE STOOD XT 170 MILLION CUBIC METRES REPRESENTING 29 PER CENT OF THE FULL CAPACITY, COMPARED WITH 2’33.6 MILLION CUBIC METRES )R 50.1 PER CENT AT Till SAME TIME LAST MAP.
’Illi DEPARTMENT ALNOCN‘1 D I ASI WEEK THAT UNLESS THERE IS VERY SUBSTANTIAL RAINFALL DURING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THERE WILL BE A NEED TO INTRODUCE W VI IT RESTRICTION’S IN MID-AVGUST.
------------------0-------- POLLING DAVS SFT FOR LEGCO FLECTIONS ♦ ♦ * * t t
THE POLLING DAYS FOR THE FORTHCOMING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN FORMALLY APPOINTED - SEPTEMBER 12 FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES (INDIRECT ELECTIONS) AND SEPTEMBER 15 FOR THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES (DIRECT ELECTIONS).
THE APPOINTMENTS OF THE POLLING DAYS WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRI DAY).
THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS KILL CONTINUE TO BE HELD ON A THURSDAY WHICH, ON THE ONE HAND, COULD BE MORE CONVENIENT TO MANY CORPORATE ELECTORS AND, ON Till OTHER, WOULD BE LESS CONFUSING TO THOSE INDIVIDUAL ELECTORS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN BOTH THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT FLECTIONS. •
THE FIRST DIRECT ELECTIONS TO Till- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON A SUNDAY IN LINE WITH THE PRACTICE INTRODUCED FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND THF. MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS CONDUCTED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMXN SAID THE HOLDING OF ELECTIONS ON A SUNDAY HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE OF CONVENIENC E TO THE ELECTORS.
ALSO ANNOUNCED IN TOMORROW’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ARE APPOINTMENTS OF RETURNING OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICERS FOR THF ELECTIONS.
THE RETURNING OFFICER FOR EACH OF THE NINE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES WILL COME FROM A DISTRICT OFFICER OF THE RESPECTIVE COMPONENT DISTRICTS, WITH THE REMAINING DISTRICT OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICERS IN THE COMPONENT DISTRICTS ASSUMING THE ROLE OF ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICERS FOR THE CONSTITUENCY.
OF THE 20 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, 17 WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR GROUPS, EACH UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OI Till RELEVANT POLICY BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY I-ROM THE SAME POLICY BRANCH WILL SERVE AS ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER.
/THE PRINCIPAL ..........
i
i
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL BE THE RETURNING OFFICER FOR THE RURAL FUNCTIONAL CONS'! Ill EXCY, WHILE THE SECRETARIES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND Till REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL SERVE AS RETURNING OFFICERS FOR THEIR II.SPE< TIVI COUNCIL.
THE RETURNING OFFICERS Will Bl (ALLING FOR NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES ON JI LY 29, VXD THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL LAST UNTIL AUGUST 12.
NOMINATION FORMS FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS WILL BE OBTAINABLE AT AL! DISTRICT OFFICES AS FROM JI I V 22.
CANDIDATES FOR THE I l NOTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS MAY OBTAIN HIE NOMINATION FORMS FROM THE SAME DATE FROM 111! REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OI F ICE AT HARBOUR CENTRE, 10'111 FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI AND Al Uli CENTRAL GOVERNMI XT OFFICES, WIST WING, EIGHTH FLOOR, II ICE HOUSE STREET, CFNTRVL.
FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM Till REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENT IES.
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EXTENSION OF HONG KONG/EIC TEXTILES AGREEMENT
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY ) THAT FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE COMMISSION Ol THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES IN BRUSSELS THIS WEIK, AGREEMENT II VS BLIX REACHED AD REFERENDUM ON A ONE YEAR EXTENS ION OF I lli HK/IIC : | x I 11 ES YGREEMFNT.
’’Till EXTENSION WILL APPLY TO ALL PROVISIONS OF TH! EXISTING AGREEMENT, INCH DING GROW III RATES AND FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS. IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS A ROLLOVER OF THE EXISTING AGREEMENT, WHICH EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31, 1991,” DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ALAN LAI SAID.
’’EARLY CONCLUSION OF VN VGREEMENT WITH THE COMMISSION MEANS THAT THE TRADE CAN NOW PI,AX AHEAD FOL’ 1992 WITH CERTAINTY , HE ADDED.
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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
5
SAKE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS FOR FIRST HALF OF 1991 *****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS, THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THEM IN UNCOMPLETED BUILDINGS, REGISTERED IN THE LAND OFFICE INCREASED BY 40.2 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND BY 22.1 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SECOND HALF OF 1990.
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN REPORTING ON HIS DEPARTMENT’S FIGURES (INCLUDING THE NEW TERRITORIES) FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1991.
THE LARGE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE COMING ON STREAM OF SEVERAL LARGE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING LAGUNA CITY IN KWUN TONG, SCENEWAY GARDEN IN LEI YUE MUN ROAD, SOUTH HORIZON IN AP LEI CHAU, HONG KONG GARDEN IN TSI NG LUNG TAU AND BELVEDERE GARDEN IN TING KAU.
IN ALL, 82,962 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1991.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE AGREEMENTS INCREASED BY 92.4 PER CENT FROM $62.17 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND BY 44.7 PER CENT FROM $82.69 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990 TO $119.62 BILLION IN THE CURRENT HALF YEAR.
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1991, 82,604 ASSIGNMENTS OF UNITS IN COMPLETED BUILDINGS, THE MAJORITY RESIDENTIAL, WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 84,463 AND 81,891 RESPECTIVELY DURING THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1990, SHOWING A DECREASE OF 2.2 PER CENT AND AN INCREASE OF 0.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS INCREASED BY 14.0 PER CENT FROM $78.62 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND BY 11.2 PER CENT FROM $80.58 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990 TO $89.63 BILLION.
A TOTAL OF 5,594 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE COMPLETED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S.DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, COMPARED WITH 4,372 AND 5,474 IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
THERE WERE 2,846 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS. THIS WAS 19.1 PER CENT AND 9.6 PER CENT MORE THAN IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE ASSIGNMENTS DECREASED BY 1.3 PER CENT FROM $17.48 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 BUT INCREASED BY 74.5 PER CENT FROM $9.89 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990 TO $17.25 BILLION.
SEVENTY-EIGHT BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 101,172 OTHER MORTGAGES WERE REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HAU OF 1991, COMPARED WITH 82 AND 95,382 RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND 73 AND 90,501 RESPECTIVELY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990.
/THE TOTA1..........
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
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THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 DROPPED BY 71.3 PER CENT FROM 17.31 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND BY 0.7 PER CENT FROM T2.12 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990 TO $2.10 BILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES ROSE BY 10.0 PER CENT FROM $39.54 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND BY 13.6 PER CENT FROM $38.29 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990 TO $43.49 BILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT ACTUALLY DRAWN DOWN ON THESE MORTGAGES AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, INCREASED BY 7.0 PER CENT FROM $16.53 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND BY 6.4 PER CENT FROM $16.63 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990 TO $17.69 BILLION.
SEARCHES BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 TOTALLED 1,449,448, UP BY 18.6 PER CENT AND 4.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1990.
THERE WERE 332 SURRENDERS AND RESUMPTIONS OF LAND WITH A TOTAL COMPENSATION OF $0.21 BILLION PAID IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, COMPARED WITH 721 AND $0.41 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 AND 495 AND $0.32 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
A TOTAL OF 561 GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS WERE COMPLETED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 COMPARED WITH 617 AND 664 IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1990 RESPECTIVELY.
THE MORE SIGNIFICANT GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS COMPLETED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 WERE THE FOLLOWING:
* THE SALE BY CASH TENDER ON JANUARY 15 OF A 32,800-SQUARE-METRE SITE (CHAI WAN INLAND LOT NO. 146) AT AREA 22, SIU SAI WAN, CHAI WAN TO CHASE LIGHT COMPANY LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $540,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING HOTEL, GODOWN AND CINEMA) PURPOSES.
♦ THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 18 OF A 12,090-SQUARE-METRE SITE (TAI PO TOWN LOT NO. 110) IN AREA 6, -MA WO, TAI PO TO BEST REWARD DEVELOPMENT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $280,000,000 FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
* THE GRANT ON FEBRUARY 25 OF A 4,033-SQUARE-METRE SITE (INLAND LOT NO. 8732) IN CENTRAL, HONG KONG AND BOUNDED BY HOLLYWOOD ROAD, SHING WONG STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY AT A PREMIUM OF $207,260,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
* THE GRANT ON MARCH 28 OF A 584,720-SQUARE-METRE SITE (TERMINAL NO. 8) IN STONE CUTTERS ISLAND TO MODERN
TERMINALS LIMITED AND COSCO-HIT TERMINALS (HONG KONG)
LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $2,000,000,000 FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL PURPOSES.
/* THE SALE ........
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
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* THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON MAY 3 OF A 1 1 , 400-SQUAFE METRE SITE (TAI PO TOWN LOT NO. Ill) LN AREA 6, MA WO, TAI PO TO PEACE SUCCESS DEVELOPMENT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $325,000,000 FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
* THE GRANT ON MAY 20 OF A 59,640-SQUARE METRE SITE (SHA TIN TOWN LOT NO. 367) IN AREA 111, SHA TIN TO LI PO CHUN UNITED WORLD COLLEGE (HONG KONG) LIMITED AT A NOMINAL PREMIUM OF $1,000 FOR A NON-PROFIT-MAKING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL \ND OTHER COURSES (THE ORGANISATION OF SUCH COURSES TO BE APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCAT1OI) FOR NOT LESS THAN 200 STUDENTS OF WHOM UP TO 42 PER CELT MUST BF RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS ROSE BY 3.9 PER CENT FROM 1,270,158 IN JUNE 1990 TO 1,320,271 IN DECEMBER 1990 AND AGAIN BY 4.7 PER CENT TO 1,382,264 IN JUNE 1991.
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DON’T FALL PREY TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS WHILE OVERSEAS t t ♦ * t
LOCAL RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT BE USED BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND ACT AS DRUG COURIERS WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD.
THE "DON'T-CARRY-DRUG” MESSAGE WAS ISSUED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION IN THE ADVENT OF THE SCHOOL SUMMER HOLIDAY, AS MANY PEOPLE WOULD EMBARK ON THEIR LEISURE TRIPS OVERSEAS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID COPIES OF A LEAFLET "HAVE A NICE TRIP, DON’T CARRY DRUGS" HAD BEEN SENT TO MAJOR TRAVEL AGENCIES TO ADVI IE TRAVELLERS ON WAYS TO AVOID INVOLVING IN DRUG TRAFFICKING WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD.
HE RECOMMENDED TRAVELLERS TO GET A COPY AND READ IT CAREFUL .Y WHEN THEY APPROACH THEIR AGENCIES FOR TRIP ARRANGEMENTS. THE LEAFLET IS ALSO OBTAINABLE AT \ NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "INNOCENT TRAVELLERS ARE ALWAYS LIKELY TO BE TARGETS OF DRUG SYNDICATES.
"NO MATTER WHAT THE REWARD IS, MAY BE ONLY A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS OR A FREE AIR TICKET, THE PRICE CAN BE BIG -- LOSS OF FREEDOM OR LIFE WHEN APPREHENDED.
"THE DEATH PENALTY IS MANDATORY FOR TRAFFICKING IN SOME COUNTRIES, AND LONG PRISON SENTENCES OF UP TO 25 YEARS ARE ALSO COMMON," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT WITH INCREASING WORLDWIDE CONCERN OVER DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING AND BETTER INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATIJN IN RECENT YEARS, MOST COUNTRIES WERE TAKING MORE STRINGENT 1 AW ENFORCEMENT AND IMPOSING TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR DRUG OFFENCE.
/THE SPOKESMAN
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
8
THE SPOKESMAN GAVE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE:
DON’T CARRY PACKAGES OR BAGGAGE FOR ABSOLUTELY SURE THEY CONTAIN NO ILLICIT PROHIBITED ITEMS.
ANYONE UNLESS
DRUGS OR OTHER
NEVER AGREE TO CHECK IN BAGGAGE ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE EXCESS BAGGAGE.
♦ DON’T RELIEVE PEOPLE WHO SAY ”IT IS ALRIGHT OR LEGAL TO USE DOPE OVER THERE". \LL COUNTRIES PROHIBIT ILLICIT DRUG USE.
♦ DON’T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT THE TYPE THE CUSTOMS GO FOR.
t DO REPORT TO THE POLICE OR THE CUSTOMS IF A POSSIBLE DRUG CARRYING DEAL IS PUT TO YOU. THE SYNDICATE WILL GET THE PROFIT; YOU WILL TAKE THE RISK.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT PENALTIES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES IN HONG KONG WERE VERY SEVERE : THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WAS LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION, AND THE ASSETS OF CONVICTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS COULD BE CONFISCATED.
EVEN PERSONS FOUND IN ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF SMALL QUANTITIES OF DRUGS ARE LIABLE TO THREE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $10,000.
THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO CALL THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAl ON TEL. 527 1231 OR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 545 6182 IF THF\ SUSPECTED THAT ANY PERSON WAS A DRUG TRAFFICKER OR PUSHER.
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SIGNING OF DOC UM EN'I FOR DONATION TO CHINA ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, LEFT FOR PEKING TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SIGN THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME’S PROJECT (UNDP) DOCUMENT FOR THE RELIEF OF CHINA’S FLOOD VICTIMS FOR WHICH HONG KONG HAS DONATED $50 MILLION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID MRS WONG WOULD BE ATTENDING THE JOINT SIGNING CEREMONY ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER DONORS WHO HAVE ALSO MADE THEIR DONATION THROUGH UNDP.
MRS WONG WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SATURDAY AFTER ATTENDING THE SIGNING CEREMONY, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE UNDP.
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/9 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
9
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991 ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMENCEMENT
*********
THE CURRENT PROHIBITION ON SHARE REPURCHASES BY LOCAL COMPANIES UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WILL BL' LIFTED WHEN THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991 COMES INTO OPERATION ON SEPTEMBER 1, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991 WAS RECENTLY PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 3. SECTION 1(2) OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT IT SHALL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE.
"WHILE LIFTING THE PROHIBITION ON SHARE REPURCHASES, THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF CREDITORS AND NON-SELLING SHAREHOLDERS," HE SAID.
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, THE MAIN SAFEGUARDS ARE THAT:
* THE PURCHASE MUST BE PERMITTED BY THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION;
* THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO ANY PURCHASE MUST BE OBTAINED;
» THE SHARES TO BE PURCHASED MUST BE FULLY PAID;
* THE SHARES MUST BE PURCHASED OUT OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS;
* THE SHARES PURCHASED MUST BE CANCELLED; AND
» THERE MUST RF PROMPT PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF ALL PURCHASES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PRIOR SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS VARY ACCORDING TO THE TYPE OF REPURCHASE PROPOSED AND WHETHER THE COMPANY IS LISTED OR UNLISTED.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE RECOGNISE THE NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY. THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) IS GIVEN A BROAD DISCRETION TO WAIVE THE SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LISTED COMPANIES IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS IN A MARKET CRISIS. IN EXERCISING THIS DISCRETION, THE COMMISSION WILL ALWAYS HAVE DUE REGARD TO THE INTERESTS OF NON-SELLING SHAREHOLDERS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE SFC WILL PUBLISH GUIDELINES IN THE GAZETTE ON THE EXERCISE OF THIS DISCRETION BEFORE THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION COMES INTO OPERATION.
"THE ORDINANCE ALSO COVERS THE RELATED SUBJECT OF THE PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY A COMPANY TO A THIRD PARTY FOR THE PURCHASE OF THAT COMPANY'S SHARES.
"IT CLARIFIES THE MEANING OF 'FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE’ AND IMPOSES A GENERAL PROHIBITION ON THE PROVISION OF IT.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
- 10 -
’’HOWEVER, THE PROHIBITION IS SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF EXCEPTIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF UNLISTED COMPANIES,” HE SAID.
LASTLY, THE ORDINANCE ADDRESSES THE SUBJECT OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS. WHILE THE SUBJECT IS CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH SHARE REPURCHASES, IT IS ALSO RELEVANT TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS AND ASSETS IN GENERAL BY A COMPANY.
’’UNTIL NOW THERE HAS BEEN NO STATUTORY PROVISION GOVERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF A COMPANY TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS ALTHOUGH THERE ARE ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNED BY COMMON LAW. THE ORDINANCE INTRODUCES PROVISIONS WHICH SERVE TO CODIFY EXISTING GOOD ACCOUNTING PRACTICE,” HE ADDED.
THE PROFITS IS CREDITORS SAFEGUARD,
SPOKESMAN SAID A STATUTORY DEFINITION DESIRABLE IN ITSELF AND WILL STRENGTHEN IN THE CONTEXT OF REPURCHASES SINCE
OF DISTRIBUTABLE
THE POSITION OC AS AN ESSENTIAL
THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT REPURCHASES CAN ONLY BE MADE
OUT OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS NOW APPOINTED SEPTEMBER 1, 1991 TO BE THE DAV ON WHICH THE ORDINANCE COMES INTO OPERATION.
THE RELEVANT LEGAL NOTICE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
’’LOCAL COMPANIES SHOULD NOW MAKE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE WHEN IT COMES INTO OPERATION ON SEPTEMBER 1,” HE SAID.
------0----------
MAY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES RELEASED ♦ t ♦ 1 t
IN MAY 199 1, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED B THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES.SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991, BUT INCREASED BY 2% WHEN COMPARED WITH MAY 1990, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MA\ 1991 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY RUT DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ORDERS SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH MAY 1990, TIIF ORDERS POSITION IN MAY 1991 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS 1NDUSTRV AND SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
- 11 -
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE IN ORDERS.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN MAY 1991 WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN APRIL 1991, BUT DECREASED BY 9% WHEN COMPARED WITH MAY 1990.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991, EMPLOYMENT IN MAY 1991 INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES. OVER THE SAME PERIOD^ EMPLOYMENT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH MAY 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN MAY 1991 DECREASED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED A MODERATE INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT.
IN MAY 1991, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 2% IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY AND MODERATELY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES, DUE TO THE ISSUE OF SPECIAL BONUSES AND PAYMENTS BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY AND SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
COMPARED WITH MAY 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 18% IN MONEY TERMS IN MAY 1991.
INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES RECORDED IN THE TEXTILES, THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPAN1ES'SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN MAY 1991 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991 AND MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH MAY 1990.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MAY 1991 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991, BUT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH MAY 1990.
/IT SHOULD .......
THRUSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
12
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT IM LUDED.
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN MAY 1991 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991 AND MAY 1990. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MAY 1991 FOR Till- SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991, FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF BONUSES AND SALARY REVISION IN APRIL 1991 Bl SOME COMPANIES SURVEY ED.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MAY 1991 INCREASED MODERATELY OVER MAY 1990 FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGES’! COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, (HOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERS ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SITUATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE MANUFACTURI NG, 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 MAY 1991 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $4.50 PFR COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6441.
/TABLE 1 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
- 13 -
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE END OF CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY MAY 1991 (MONTHS) APR. 91 (%) MAY 90 («)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.43 i + 2
WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4.74 2.33 3.91 ♦ -6 + 11 * + 3 -6 + 17 _9
FABRICATED METAL 4.22
PRODUCTS 5.36 *
ELECTRICAL AND ♦
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS 4.08 * -1
» CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF MAY 1991
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES APR. 91 MAY 90
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES ♦ -9
FOOD AND DRINKS WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND + 2 -3 » -4 -1 -17 * -26 + 1 +4 -2 -14
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS t -3 -1 -9
CONSTRUCTION # •
/SERVICES .......
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
- 14 -
SERVICES
BANKS
HOTELS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
OTHERS
♦
i
+ 1
-1
*
♦
+ 3
-6
-3 + 3
» CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
« PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
industry/services AVERAGE AS IN MAY 1991 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
APR. 91 MAY 90
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 6,878 + 2 + 18
FOOD AND DRINKS WEARING APPAREL 7,670 5,219 7,025 -2 + 4 + 20 + 21 + 12 + 24
TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS FABRICATED METAL 6,605 6,525 t + 5 + 21 414
PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND 6,929 ♦ 422
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 8,674 -2 413
OTHERS
CONSTRUCTION # 9,542 -I + 14
SERVICES 10,775 -20 + 8
+ 1
BANKS 10,546 + 9
7 . 105 ♦ + 10
HOTELS PUBLIC UTILITIES 10,463 12 111 ♦ -44 + 7 + 8
OTHERS
* CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE
ONLY; SITE WORKERS NOT INCLUDED.
/NOTE
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
15
NOTE
(E.G.
GIVEN FROM
DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER
TAKE A GIVEN
A LONGER PERIOD.
NOTE TO TABLES 1 - 3
UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND” AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS", WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
------0-------
PILOT PROJECT ON CLEANLINESS PARTICIPATION SCHEME ♦ * * * ♦
THE CLASSROOM CLEANLINESS PARTICIPATION SCHEME WILL BE IRIED OUT AS A PILOT PROJECT IN A NUMBER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER.
THE EIGHT-MONTH PILOT PROJECT WAS ENDORSED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT ITS REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING YESTERDAY.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH AN EVALUATION REPORT AT THE END OF THE TRIAL PERIOD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS), MR K.H. CHAN WHO WILL OVERSEE THE PILOT PROJECT, EXPLAINED THAT THE AIMS WERE TO EDUCATE STUDENTS TO:
t BE MORE AWARE OF THEIR SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT;
♦ BE MORE CIVIC-MINDED;
♦ DEVELOP A STRONGER SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE SCHOOL;
♦ REINFORCE THEIR COMMUNITY SPIRIT, AND
♦ DEVELOP A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
HE SAID STUDENTS WOULD ONLY BE ASKED TO CARRY OUT SIMPLE TASKS SUCH AS:
♦ CLEANING DESKS AND CHAIRS, THE FLOOR AND THE CHALKBOARD IN THEIR CLASSROOM;
♦ COLLECTING AND DISPOSING RUBBISH AND LITTER FROM THEIR OWN CLASSROOM, AND
/* LOCKING AND ....
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
- 16 -
♦ LOCKING AND UNLOCKING DOORS AND WINDOWS, SWITCHING ON OFF LIGHTING AND AIR CONDITIONING FACILITIES OF THEIR CLASSROOM.
AND
OWN
’’THIS PRACTICE IS ALREADY IN OPERATION IN A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG,” MR CHAN SAID.
HE FURTHER ADDED THAT JANITORS, WHO HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THEIR EMPLOYMENT AS A RESULT OF THE SCHEME, NEED NOT WORRY.
"NONE WILL BE MADE REDUNDANT OR FIRED," MR CHAN ASSURED.
---------0-----------
FSD’S RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN STARTS ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (FSD) LAUNCHED THIS YEAR’S RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN AT THE CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING TODAY (THURSDAY).
A RECRUITMENT COUNTER WITH EXHIBITION BOARDS DISPLAYING COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE WORK AND ORGANISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN SET UP AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 10.30 AM AND 6 PM DAILY UNTIL SUNDAY (JULY 21). A VIDEO ON THE WORK AND TRAINING IS ALSO SHOWN AT THE VENUE.
THE FOUR-DAY EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CITYPLAZA MANAGEMENT OFFICE WHICH PROVIDED THE VENUE FREE OF CHARGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID: "THE SERVICE IS PROMOTING THE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN THROUGH TELEVISION AND RADIO API’S (ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST) WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN BROADCAST RECENTLY."
OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES RECRUITMENT TEAM ARE ON DUTY TO DISTRIBUTE RECRUITMENT PUBLICITY PAMPHLETS AND APPLICATION FORMS AND TO ANSWER PUBLIC ENQUIRIES.
"THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN PLACES SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON RECRUITING STATION OFFICERS. IT IS AIMED AT RECRUITING ABOUT 241 STAFF INCLUDING 97 STATION OFFICERS, 91 FIREMEN, SIX AMBULANCE OFFICERS AND 47 AMBULANCEMEN,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MONTHLY SALARY OF A STATION OFFICER RANGES FROM $13,530 TO $16,815 DEPENDING ON ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND WORKING EXPERIENCE, AND RISES TO A MAXIMUM OF $31,740 PER MONTH.
THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR STATION OFFICER IS FIVE SUBJECTS, INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B), AT GRADE E IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE), OR EQUIVALENT.
/A SUITABLE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
- 17 -
A SUITABLE NEW RECRUIT MAY BE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SfcNIOR STATION OFFICER AFTER SERVING FOR FIVE YEARS WITH A SALARY OF $27,480 PER MONTH.
”IT IS A MEANINGFUL JOB TO JOIN THE DEPARTMENT WHOSE PRIMARY STATUTORY DUTIES ARE TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE CASE OF FIRE OR OTHER CALAMITY, TO EXTINGUISH FIRES, TO ASSIST ANY PERSON WHO APPEARS TO NEED PROMPT OR IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION, AND TO GIVE ADVICE ON FIRE PROTECTION MEASURES,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN THE FIRST DAY OF THE CAMPAIGN, A PROBATIONARY STATION OFFICER, LUI KAI-MING, WHO DID NOT MEET THE STANDARD PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS WHEN HE JOINED THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR, AND SUCCESSFULLY REACHED THE STANDARD WHEN COMPLETING HIS 26-WEEK TRAINING EARLY THIS MONTH, WAS ALSO PRESENT AND SHARED HIS TRAINING EXPERIENCES WITH PEOPLE VISITING THE COUNTER.
LUI’S CHEST MEASUREMENT HAS 85 CENTIMETRES (ONE CENTIMETRE LESS THAN THE STANDARD) WHEN HE APPLIED- FOR THE JOB AND THE MEASUREMENT WAS 89 CENTIMETRES WHEN HE GRADUATED FROM THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL EARLY THIS MONTH.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT RELAXED ITS PHYSICAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS LAST AUGUST FOR STATION OFFICER IN ORDER TO ATTRACT MORE SUITABLE YOUNG MEN TO JOIN THE SERVICE.
THE WEIGHT RANGE IS NOW 53 KILOGRAMS TO 89 KILOGRAMS (THE FORMER RANGE WAS 55 KILOGRAMS TO 87 KILOGRAMS) CORRESPONDING TO A HEIGHT-TO-WEIGHT SCALE OF 168 CENTIMETRES TO 191 CENTIMETRES.
ANOTHER RELAXATION IS THF REDUCTION OF CHEST MEASUREMENT FROM NOT LESS THAN 86 CENTIMETRES TO NOT LESS THAN 84 CENTIMETRES, DEFLATED WITH AN EXPANSION OF AT LEAST FIVE CENTIMETRES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PUBLIC COULD BE ASSURED THAT THE SLIGHT RELAXATION WOULD NOT AFFECT THE STANDARD OF FIRE-FIGHTING AND EMERGENCY SERVICES BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT HAD DESIGNED A SPECIAL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR THEM.
’’THE JOB OF A FIRE SERVICE STATION OFFICER REQUIRES A VERY HIGH STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY IN THE EXECUTION OF DUTIES IN THE EVENT OF FIRE, EMERGENCIES AND NATURAL DISASTERS.” HE SAID.
A PERMANENT RECRUITMENT CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 1 HONG CHONG ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, IS OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON AND FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM ON SATURDAYS.
THE STAFF AT THF CENTRE GIVE ON-THE-SPOT EXAMINATION TO POTENTIAL APPLICANTS TO TEST THEIR PHYSICAL FITNESS AND EYESIGHT AND ASSIST THEM TO FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORMS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 733 7519.
IN ADDITION, MOBILE RECRUITMENT COUNTERS WILL ALSO BE SET UP IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE SHOPPING CENTRES UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THEY WILL BE MANNED BY FSD STAFF FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
/18
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
18
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT BIWEEKLY INTERVALS DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER.
THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE 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. COLl 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 THF 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, JULY 18, 1991
19
GRADE ”3” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE E. C0L1 COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES 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 RE-OPENING 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 4.7.91)
(AS AT 18.7.91)
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*
1
2 X
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2 X
1
1
2
2
1
/TUEN MUN
THURSDAY, JULY IS, 1991
- 20 -
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 2
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 3
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 1
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI’ 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1
SILVERSTRAND 1
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 1
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 0 2
SILVERMINE BAY 2
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2
TUNG O* 1
•—h-‘ to h* i-* i-‘ W X W X
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 3
APPROACH 2
CASAM 3
GEMINI 3
HOI MEI WAN 3
LIDO 3
TING KAU 4
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2
NOTE: ”X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES. » NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
- 21 -
( .
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
DEEP WATER BAY AND SILVERSTRAND, FROM ”1” TO ”2”; APPROACH AND NEW CAFETERIA, FROM ,'2” TO "3".
THE CHANGE IS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
BUTTERFLY, FROM ”3” TO ”4”.
THE POOR GRADING OF BUTTERFLY IS DUE TO THE RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH HAS FLUSHED THE POLLUTANTS FROM THE BEACH HINTERLAND TO THE SEA WATER.
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------------
r
CASH ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) APPROVED TO ALLOCATE $48,390 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO THE FAMILY OF A DRIVER KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON JULY 2.
THE 32-YEAR-OLD DRIVER WAS KILLED WHEN HIS PRIVATE CAR RAN OUT OF CONTROL AND PLOUGHED INTO A ROAD-DIVIDER ON A FLYOVER OF KWUN TONG BYPASS. HE WAS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, THREE CHILDREN AND HIS MOTHER.
THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDES QUICK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENTS 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 tN RESPECT OF THE SAME ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE SCHEME. BUT IN ANY CASE, THE AMOUNT TO BE REPAID WOULD NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION AWARDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE SCHEME MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION AT 15 WATSON ROAD, VICTORIA CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY OR BY TELEPHONE 570 2410.
- - 0 - -
/22
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
22
TWO NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO LAW REFORM COMMISSION
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO NEW MEMBERS TO THE COMMISSION: MR ROBERT RIBEIRO QC AND PROFESSOR H.C. KUAN.
MR RIBEIRO IS A WIDELY RESPECTED ADVOCATE WITH A CONSIDERABLE BREADTH OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE.
PROFESSOR KUAN, OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, IS DEAN OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCE FACULTY AND A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL.
MR MATHEWS WELCOMED THE APPOINTMENTS AND SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THE NEW MEMBERS’ EXPERIENCE WOULD BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO THE COMMISSION.
MR RIBEIRO AND PROFESSOR KUAN REPLACE MR MARTIN LEE AND PROFESSOR BYRON WENG WHO ARE RETIRING AFTER SIX YEARS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.
MR MATHEWS PAID TRIBUTE TO THE WORK WHICH MR LEE AND PROFESSOR WENG HAD DEVOTED TO THE COMMISSION AND SAID IT HAD BEEN A PARTICULARLY PRODUCTIVE TIME.
MR MATHEWS ALSO ANNOUNCED THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF TWO MEMBERS TO THE COMMISSION: MR PETER RHODES AND MR LESLIE SUNG.
MR MATHEWS SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THESE TWO HAD AGREED TO CONTINUE WITH THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION.
"THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT OUR LAWS ARE IN TUNE WITH THE SOCIETY’S NEEDS HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER," SAID MR MATHEWS.
"THE COMMISSION’S PART IN THAT TASK IS AN IMPORTANT ONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO," HE ADDED.
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CARE AND SHARE OPERATION TO COMMENCE ON SATURDAY
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS TO LAUNCH A TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN THIS SUMMER TO PROMOTE CARE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MUTUAL HELP.
TO MARK THE KICK-OFF OF THE CAMPAIGN, ENTITLED "CARE AND SHARE OPERATION", A CEREMONY CUM WORKSHOP ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (WEST KOWLOON REGION) WILL BE HELD AT A TSIM SHA TSUI EAST HOTEL ON SATURDAY.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1991
23
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EVENT WILL BE OMELCO MEMBER, DR DANIEL TSE, AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S ’’CARE AND SHARE OPERATION” CUM WORKSHOP ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (WEST KOWLOON REGION) WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMY ROOM, HARBOUR VIEW HOLIDAY INN, MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST ON JULY 20 (SATURDAY), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER. SWD INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ t * ♦ 1
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
* LATE O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED ON 19.7.91
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.6 *-0.2* 18.7.91
DATE $ MILLION
17.7.91 540
18.7.91 NEUTRAL
NEUTRAL + 266*
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS 01 EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
18.7. 91 17.7. 91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 5.46 PCT 5.56 PCT
1 MONTH 5.85 PCT 5.78 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.28 PCT 6.10 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.32 PCT 6. 10 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.73 PCT 6.60 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 7,045 MN 5,967 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JOLY 19, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TOTAL COST OF AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS ESTIMATED AT $98.6 BILLION ..... 1
FC APPROVES $6.55 BILLION ADVANCE TO PAA ........................... 4
FC APPROVES FUNDS FOR WORK ON LANTAU FIXED CROSSING ................ 6
CONSTRUCTION OF PART OF ROUTE 3 PROPOSED ........................... 7
PROPOSED PURCHASE OF BCCHK EXPLAINED ............................... 8
FC APPROVES FAPLY REPAYMENT FOR BCCHK DEPOSITORS ................... 9
BANKING COMMISSIONER ON BCCHK ..................................... 11
HOSPICE CARE SERVICE DEPENDS ON CONTINUOUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT ...... 13
PLANNING COMMITTEES SET UP UNDER TOWN PLANNING BOARD .............. 14
S301-MILLION CONTRACT FOR BUILDING OF POLICE LAUNCHES SIGNED ...... 16
IMPOSITION OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON HK SMALL-SCREEN TV RECEIVERS . 17
REVOCATION OF BANKING LICENCE ..................................... 18
GOVERNMENT ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO CHILD SERVICES .................. 18
MORE VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED IN ELDERLY SERVICES ...................... 19
PUBLIC WORKS LABORATORY CONTINUES TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT, COMPETENT TESTING SERVICES ...............................................
GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER ................................ 21
GOVERNMENT LAND SALE BY AUCTION ................................... 21
FORMER KOWLOON BRITISH SCHOOL DECLARED MONUMENT ................... 22
SHA TIN OZP REFERRED BACK FOR AMENDMENTS .......................... 23
LATEST APPROACHES TO CAREERS EDUCATION EXPLORED ................... 24
/TWO NEW ....
TWO NEW AAB MEMBERS APPOINTED............................................
ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KOWLOON ............................. 25
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICE RESERVOIR AT NORTH LANTAU ............ 26
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 26
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
TOTAL COST OF AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS ESTIMATED AT $98.6 BILLION ♦ * * * * *
THE TOTAL COST OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS (ACP) IS ESTIMATED TO BE $98.6 BILLION AT MARCH 1991 PRICES AND THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCING STRATEGY AIMS TO KEEP OVERALL COSTS DOWN WHILE MAXIMISING PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION.
THIS WAS LAID OUT IN A PAPER PRESENTED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO A MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S FINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE PAPER GAVE A GRAND TOTAL OF $98.6 BILLION IN MARCH 1991 AS THE COST OF THE PROJECTS. THE BREAKDOWN OF COSTS SHOWS THAT.
♦ THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WILL COST $9 BILLION, FUNDED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
t THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY WILL COST $1.7 BILLION, FUNDED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
♦ THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WILL COST $3.9 BILLION, FUNDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
♦ PART OF ROUTE THREE WILL COST $5.6 BILLION, FUNDED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
♦ THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK WILL COST $43.6 BILLION, MADE UP OF $3.1 BILLION FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND, $13.8 BILLION OF GOVERNMENT EQUITY, $16.5 BILLION BORROWING BY THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, EXCLUDING FINANCING AND INTEREST CHARGES, AND S10.2 BILLION OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT.
♦ THE FIRST PHASE OF Till TUNG CHUNG DEVELOPMENT WILL COST $2.6 BILLION, FUNDED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
* THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WILL COST $4.3 BILLION, FUNDED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
t THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WILL COST $12.1 BILLION, FUNDED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
♦ UTILITIES WILL COST $1.5 BILLION, FUNDED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
THESE FIGURES GIVE TOTALS OF $39.9 BILLION TO BE FUNDED BY THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND AND $13.8 BILLION OF GOVERNMEN! EQUITY.
AUTHORITY WHEN WESTERN HARBOUR THE NEW AIRPORT
THE $16.5 BILLION OF BORROWING BY THE AIRPORT ADDED TO THE $3.9 BILLION PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THE CROSSING AND $10.2 BILLION PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN GIVES A TOTAL PRIVATE INVESTMENT OF $30.6 BILLION.
/IN ADDITION.......;
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 2 -
IN ADDITION, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WAS COSTED AT $12.5 BILLION. THE FIGURE EXCLUDES THE COST OF THE RAIL RESERVE IN THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ROUGH ORDER OF COSTS OF THESE TWO PROJECTS. THE COST WILL BE RECOVERED FROM THE OPERATOR OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY IN DUE COURSE.
TO SUPPORT THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, PART OF THE- CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI WATERFRONT WILL NEED TO BE RECLAIMED AT A COST OF $1.8 BILLION.
THE GRAND TOTAL OF $98. 6 BILLION EXCLUDES CONTINGENCY PROVISION FOR ANY ACCELERATION OF WORKS THAT MAY BECOME NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE PROPER INTERFACING AND INTEGRITY OF THE PROGRAMMING OF WORKS UNDER THE ACP.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCING STRATEGY FOR THE ACP AIMS TO KEEP OVERALL COSTS DOWN WHILE ACHIEVING AN EFFICIENT AIRPORT AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE MANNER; AND KEEP PUBLIC SECTOR COSTS TO THE MINIMUM BY ENCOURAGING PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION WHERE THIS MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE," THE PAPER SAID.
FOUR PROJECTS HAD PARTICULAR POTENTIAL FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION: THE NEW AIRPORT, THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
THE FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING HAD SHOWN THAT IT WOULD BE MORE RELIABLE, AND PROBABLY CHEAPER OVERALL,' TO BUILD THE CROSSING AS A GOVERNMENT PROJECT RATHER THAN A PRIVATISED ONE.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT MAY SELL A FRANCHISE TO OPERATE THE CROSSING, PARTLY OR WHOLLY, AT OR NEAR THE TIME OF COMPLETION OF THE WORKS.
THE FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, COMPLETED EARLY THIS YEAR, HAD SHOWN THAT THE PROSPECTIVE OPERATOR, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, WOULD REQUIRE SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT, SUCH AS ADDITIONAL EQUITY FROM THE GOVERNMENT, IF THE RAILWAY IS TO BE COMMISSIONED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE AIRPORT.
THE AMOUNT MIGHT BE MINIMISED IF COMPLETION WAS DELAYED FOR A FEW YEARS. FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT ROADS COULD HANDLE TRAFFIC.
HOWEVER, THIS WOULD INCREASE CONGESTION ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR, LAND PREMIA WOULD BE LESS IN LANTAU AND THE OPERATION OF THE AIRPORT AND BUSINESSES MIGHT BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE MTRC WILL START SOON, THE PAPER SAID.
THE FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY ON THE NEW AIRPORT ITSELF IS CONTINUING, WITH A DRAFT FINAL REPORT EXPECTED AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
RECENT WORK, IN WHICH THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY HAS BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED, HAS FOCUSED ON WAYS OF IMPROVING THE COMMERCIAL VIABILITY OF THE AIRPORT THROUGH A MODULAR AND PHASED APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTION AND A MORE COMMERCIAL APPROACH TO ENHANCING REVENUES.
/THE PRESENT .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
3
THE PRESENT PLAN ASSUMES THAT ALL MAJOR ON-AIRPORT FACILITIES, EXCEPT THE PASSENGER TERMINAL, WILL BE FUNDED AND OPERATED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITH SUCH PARTICIPATION ENCOURAGED IN THE PASSENGER TERMINAL AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED DIRECTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT, SUCH AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, Will BE FUNDED AS PUBLIC WORKS ITEMS.
THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY/A IRPORT AUTHORITY WILL FUND ALL OTHER WORKS, SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF GOVERNMENT EQUITY AND PARTLY FROM BORROWINGS.
IN A "WORST CASE" SCENARIO THE TOTAL EQUITY LIKELY TO BE REQUIRED FROM THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE IN THE REGION OF $13.8 BILLION BUT IN A MORE LIKELY SCENARIO, THE FIGURE WOULD BE LOWER.
A FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY STUDY WILL SOON START ON THE COMMERCIAL VIABILITY THE OF WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TO ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN DRAWING UP A PRIVATISATION PACKAGE FOR THE PROJECT ON A BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER ARRANGEMENT.
"IN PLANNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACP, THE GOVERNMENT IS OBVIOUSLY INSISTENT THAT IT SHOULD BE AFFORDABLE," SAID THE PAPER.
"ACCORDINGLY, A LONG-TERM PROJECTION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S FINANCIAL POSITION HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN ON THE BASIS OF THE PRELIMINARY FINANCING STRATEGY FOR THF ACP.
"FOR FINANCIAL PRUDENCE, THE PROJECTION HAS BEEN TESTED AGAINST VARIOUS POSSIBLE ADVERSE DEVIATIONS SUCH AS LOWER TREND GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY, REDUCED REVENUE, PRICE ESCALATION AND INCREASED COST OF THE ACP.
"THE RESULTS SHOW THAT THERE WOULD BE A FEW YEARS OF DEFICIT BUDGETTING BUT THAT BY 1996 AT THF LATEST, THE ANNUAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET WOULD BE BACK IN SURPLUS.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE FORECAST SHOWS THAT AFTER MEETING PROJECT DEFICITS, THE LEVEL OF FISCAL RESERVES (EXCLUDING RESERVES IN THE LAND FUND AND ASSUMING NO GOVERNMENT BORROWING) WOULD STILL BE MAINTAINED AT A PRUDENT LEVEL THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD UP TO 1997."
THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT (HKSARG) WOULD BE LEFT IN A VERY STRONG STARTING FINANCIAL POSITION. THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT HAD PROVIDED ADDED CERTAINTY TO THF FINANCING OF THE ACP.
"IN SUM," SAID THE PAPER, "WITH CHINESE SUPPORT OF THE ACP AND WITH CAREFUL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE LEVELS OF SPENDING ON THE \CP CAN BE RECOMMENDED.
"THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION WILL BE ROBUST. PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN OTHER AREAS WILL STILL ENJOY GROWTH AT A REASONABLE LEVEL, THE LOW TAXATION REGIME IN HONG KONG WILL STILL CONTINUE, AND THE HK SARG WILL START IN A HEALTHY FINANCIAL POSITION."
/4 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
4
FC APPROVES $6.55 BILLION ADVANCE TO PAA ♦ * * * ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL ADVANCE OF $6.55 BILLION TO THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) TO MEET EXPENSES RELATING TO THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT.
MEMBERS HEARD THAT THE PAA HAD RECEIVED IN JUNE 1990 A $20 MILLION ADVANCE FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND TO PAY FOR ITS INITIAL ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATING EXPENSES.
ON JULY 13, 1990 A FURTHER $760 MILLION HAI) BEEN APPROVED TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO COMMISSION A CONSULTANCY STUDY Obf THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN AND TO MAKE AVAILABLE A WORKS SITE AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE FINAL DRAFT REPORT ON THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN STUDY IS DUE IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, WORKS STARTED ON THE PREPARATION OF A 29-HECTARE ADVANCE WORKS SITE ON CHEK LAP KOK TO FACILITATE THE RAPID MOBILISATION OF THE MAIN SITE PREPARATION CONTRACTOR.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CALL FOR TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS WILL BE MADE IN NOVEMBER, WITH A VIEW TO WORK STARTING IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
THE PAA IS NOW GEARING UP AND HAS DRAWN UP A BUDGET UP TO THE END OF THE 1992/93 FINANCIAL YEAR. IT IS INTENDED TO ESTABLISH THE FULL AIRPORT AUTHORITY IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION.
THE FINANCING STRATEGY FOR THE NEW AIRPORT IS STILL EVOLVING BUT IT INVOLVES THE MAXIMISATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT AND PARTICIPATION WHENEVER IT IS COMMERCIALLY, FINANCIALLY AND OPERATIONALLY DES IRABLE.
THE BUSINESS AND FINANCING STRATEGY WILL BE REFINED FURTHER AS THE MASTER PLAN \ND THE AIRPORT FINANCIAL STUDY PROCEED TOWARDS COMPLETION AROUND THE END OF THIS YEAR.
IN VIEW OF GROWING CONGESTION AT KAI TAK, THERE IS NOW AN URGENT NEED TO TAKE THE PROJECT FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY.
THE MOST IMMEDIATE WORK REQUIRED IS TO INVITE TENDERS FOR THE AIRPORT SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT, I’O CONTINUE WITH DETAILED DESIGN OF THE REMAINING WORKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE PAA AND TO GEAR UP ITS ORGANISATION.
THE I \ \ 1ST! MATES TH \ I Illi ”OT\L (’OSTS OF Till SITE PREPARATION AND RELATED WORKS SUPERVISION IS LIKELY TO BE SOME $9.3 BILLION, AT END-1990 PRICES.
WHILE THE AUTHORITY WILL HAVE TO COMMIT THE FULL VALUE OF THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT AT THE TIME OF THE AWARD, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT IT WILL SPEND SOME $4.5 BILLION, XT END 1990 PRICES, OR $5.4 BILLION AT MONEY-OF - THE-DAY PRK’FS, IN THE PERIOD UP TO THE ENI) OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1992-93.
/BETWEEN NOW .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 5 -
BETWEEN NOW AND THE FND OF THAT YEAR, THE PAA ALSO ESTIMATES THAT IT WILL NEED SOME $800 MILLION AT MONEY-OF-THE-DAY PRICES FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS AND DETAILED DESIGN OF THOSE PARTS OF THE AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION WORKS (OTHER THAN THE FORMATION OF THE AIRPORT PLATFORM) WHICH TT WILL UNDERTAKE.
THE PAA HAS ALSO REQUESTED FOR AN ADVANCE OF $700 MILLION AT MONEY-OF-THE-DAY PRICES TO MEET ITS START UP AND OPERATING COSTS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF 1992/93.
AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LEGCO AD HOC GRUOP TO STUDY THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS, IT WAS AGREED THAT ONLY HALF THE AMOUNT SOUGHT SHOULD BE APPROVED -$350 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, THE PAA WILL SUBMIT ITS LONGER-TERM FUNDING REQUIREMENTS WHEN A MORE DETAILED BUSINESS PLAN IS AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR OR THE START OF NEXT.
UNDER THIS APPROACH, IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT THE AUTHORITY MAY ENTER INTO FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS IN EXCESS OF $350 MILLION TO ENABLE IT TO OFFER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND UNDERTAKE OTHER CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION SUCH AS THE LEASING OF OFFICES.
THE PROPOSALS AMOUNTED TO AN ADDITIONAL ADVANCE OF $6.55 BILLION TO THE PAA, WHICH WAS WELL WITHIN THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT ENVISAGED FOR THE AUTHORITY.
AS THE PAA IS NOT YET IN A POSITION TO BORROW FROM THE FINANCIAL MARKETS, THE ADVANCE WAS APPROVED, SUBJECT TO A DRAW DOWN SCHEDULE TO BE AGREED BETWEEN THE PAA AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
IT WAS ALSO AGREED THAT, IN RECOGNITION OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PAA AND THE NEED FOR IT TO HAVE SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY TO CARRY OUT ITS STATUTORY FUNCTIONS, THE ADVANCES APPROVED TO DATE ($780 MILLION AND THE $6.55 BILLION) BE USED FOR ALL AIRPORT-RELATED PURPOSES SUCH AS THE PAA SAW FIT.
ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FULL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, ALL THE ADVANCES MADE TO THE PROVISIONAL BODY WOULD BE CONVERTED INTO THE GOVERNMENT'S EQUITY.
ANY GOVERNMENT DIRECT EXPENDITURE INCURRED FROM OCTOBER 1989 ONWARDS, AND ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE NEW AIRPORT AND NOT REIMBURSED RY THE I’AA, WILL ALSO BE CONVERTED INTO GOVERNMENT EQUITY.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WERE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROCEDURES ADOPTED WHEN STARTING UP THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
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/6........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 6
FC APPROVES FUNDS FOR WORK ON LANTAU FIXED CROSSING
******
FUNDING APPROVAL WAS GIVEN Bl THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) IN ORDER THAT WORK MAY PROCEED ON THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING (LFC).
THE COMMITTEE APPROVED A NUMBER OF ITEMS.
FIRST, IT APPROVED AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT SET ASIDE FOR DESIGN WORK AND CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION FOR THE TS1NG MA BRIDGE AND THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE FROM $242 MILLION TO S270 MILLION.
SECOND, IT APPROVED THE UPGRADING OF THE CONTRACTS RELATING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE AND DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE AND THE VIADUCT ACROSS MA WAN TO CATEGORY A, AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $8.87 BILLION.
THIRD, IT APPROVED THE FINDING OF CONSULTANTS FEES FOR THE DESIGN AND PREPARATION OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR THE REMAINING ELEMENTS OF THE FIXED CROSSING AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $63 MILLION.
THE REMAINING ELEMENTS OF THE LFC, CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:
t A CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION FOR INTERCHANGE WITH ROUTE THREE ON ESTIMATED, AT MARCH 1991 PRICES, AT
REMAIN IN CATEGORY B,
THE EARTHWORKS OF NORTHWEST TSING $815 MILLION;
THE
YI,
* A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT I OR TIIF INTERCHANGE WITH ROUTE THREE, ESTIMATED AT $620 MILLION;
* A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE HIGHWAY AND TOLL PLAZA ON NORTHERN LANTAU, ESTIMATED AT $860 MILLION; AND
* A CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING OF A TOLL COLLECTION SI STEM IND TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM COVERING THE FIXED CROSSING AND APPROACHES, ESTIMATED AT $610 MILLION.
ALL THE CONTRACTS TOGETHER ARE ESTIMATED TO ADD UP TO $11,775 BILLION XT MARCH 91 PRICES.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS FOR THE TSING MA BRIDGE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH AND FOR THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE A MONTH LATER.
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/7........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 7 -
CONSTRUCTION OF PART OF ROUTE 3 PROPOSED ♦ * ♦ t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A SECTION OF ROUTE 3 BETWEEN NORTHWEST TSI NG YI AND MEI FOO, KOWLOON.
A NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ROUTE 3 WILL BE A NORTH-TO-SOUTH TRUNK ROAD LEADING FROM THE LOK MA CHAI BORDER CROSSING, THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES THROUGH WEST KOWLOON TO HONG KONG ISLAND.
AS ROUTE 3 AND THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WILL BE LINKED UP AT AN INTERCHANGE TO BE BUILT ON THE NORTHWEST COAST OF TSING .YI, IT WILL PROVIDE A MAJOR ROAD ACCESS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT IRAFFIC EAST OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
THE SECTION OF ROUTE 3 NOW PROPOSED TO BE BUILT IS A. SEVEN-KILOMETRE LONG EXPRESSWAY BETWEEN NORTHWEST TSI NG YI AND MEI FOO WHERE IT IS TO CONNECT WITH THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY SECTION OF ROUTE 3.
IT WILL BE A DUAL-THREE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY AT NORTHWEST TSI NG Yt WHERE IT JOINS THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
IT WILL TRAVERSE ALONG THE WESTERN SIDE OF TSI NG YI BEFORE ENTERING INTO A 1.5-KILOMETRE LONG BORED TUNNEL AT SAI TSAO WAN ON TSI NG YI.
EMERGING FROM THE PORTAL UNDERNEATH THE EXISTING ROUNDABOUT AT Illi WESTERN IT Ol TSING )I BRIDGE, IT WILL CROSS THE RAMBLER CHANNEL ON A BRIDGE AT A LEVEL SIMILAR TO THE EXISTING TSING YI BRIDGE.
MARINE ACCESS UNDERNEATH Till- BRIDGE DURING CONSTRUCTION WILL BF MAINTAINED. IRON PILLAR ISLAND TO MEI FOO, IT WILL BE AN ELEVATED DUAL IOUR-I VH ROAD.
THE PROPOSED ROUTE 3 WILL HAVE THREE MAJOR INTERCHANGES, ONE AT NORTHWEST TSI NG YI TO CONNECT THE PROPOSED LANTAU FIXED CROSSING (TSING MA BRIDGE), A SECOND AT LAI KING TO CONNECT WITH THE EXISTING KWAI CHUNG ROM) AND TSUFN WAN ROAD AT LAI KING, AND A THIRD INTERCHANGE WILL BE PROVIDED TO LINK ROUTE 3 WITH ROUTE 4 (CHING CHEUNG ROAD) IN LAI (‘HI KOK BAY.
THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN EARLY 1993 AND TO COMPLETE B\ MID 1996.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OEI ICES:
♦ IXIR'I VXD WESTERN DISTRICT o| F ! ( I , I’UBLK ENQUIRY SERVICE ( I • ll'l GROUND FLOOR. HARBOUR BL||.DING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
/* KWAI TSING .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 8 -
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES;
♦ SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON;
♦ KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
♦ KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 1 OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, kOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, IS REQUIRED TO WRITE 1’0 THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 17 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTERESTAND THE MANNER TN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS OR THE ISE.
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PROPOSED PURCHASE OF BCCHK EXPLAINED ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE NATURE OF A PROPOSAL BY THE BANK OF EAST ASIA TO PURCHASE THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK), WOULD HAVE EXPOSED PUBLIC’ FUNDS TO UNLIMITED LIABILITY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS TOLD THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN REPLY 1'0 A QUESTION, SIR PIERS SAID THE OFFER WAS I HA I BANK OF EAST ASIA SHOULD ACQUIRE UP TO 50 PI R CENT OF BCCHK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BEA AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, EITHER DIRECTLY OR IHROUGH OVERSEAS TRUST BANK, IN OTHER WORDS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A 50-50 JOINT VENTURE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE OFFER AS DESCRIBED IN PUBLIC WAS PERHAPS ONLY PARTIAL.
QUOTING A LETTER FROM BEA, SIR PIERS SAID: "IT MAY BE THAT AFTER THREE YEARS OR EVEN BEFORE, IT WILL BECOME APPARENT THAT BCC ’ S PROBLEMS ARE SO LARGE THAT UPON ANY FA IR ASSESSMENT OF ITS OPERATIONS IT CANNOT OR SHOULD NOT CONTINUE, IN WHICH CASE WE WOULD ANTICIPA1E THAT WE COULD PUT OUR EQUITY BACK TO OTB TOGETHER WITH ANY LIABILITIES IN RESPECT OF FINANCIAL COMFORT GIVEN IN RESPECT TO BCC. SO AS TO RELIEVE US, THAT *S BEA, OF OUR LIABILITIES CONCERNING BCC BOTH REGULATORY AND OTHERWISE, OR REQUIRE THAT BCC BE LIQUIDATED”.
/"THE RESULT .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
9
’’THE RESULT OF THE SHARES BE I N(1 PIT (I.E. SOLD) BACK WITH OVERSEAS TRUST BANI , WHK H IS FULLN OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT, WOULD HAVE MEANT CHAT HIE EXCHANGE FUND WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO UNLIMITED LIABILITY IN RELATION TO BCC; AND THE EXCHANGE FUND AFTER ALL IS PUBLIC FUNDS," SIR PIERS SAID.
"THE FULL RISK UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS OFFER WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE GOVERNMENT," HF ADDED.
THE COMM ISSI ONER OF BANKING, MR DAVID (ARSE, \DDFD THAT THE BEA PROPOSAL. E’TNILED TH VI AFTER ACQUISITION, IF THE BANK (BCCHK) TURNED OUT TO HAVE POSITIVE NET ASSET VYLUE, X PURCHASE PRICE WOULD HAVE, BEEN PAID, BUT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DELAYED OVER SOME PERIOD OF IIME.
"AN INITIAL INSTALMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AFTER THREE YEARS AND THEN THE FINAL INSTALMENT AFTER SIX YEARS.
•IF IT TURNED OUT, ON INVESTIGATION, THAT BCCHK HAD NEGATIVE NET ASSET VALUE WITH \SSOCI\TED LIABILITIES ON Till PART OF THE SHAREHOLDERS TO PCT MORE MONEY INTO THE BANK, THEN BANK OF EAST ASIA WOULD HAVE HAD THE RIGHT TO SELL ITS 50 PER CENT BACK TO THE GOVERNMENT OR TO OTB ALONG WITH THE ASSOCIATED LIABILITIES, HE SAID.
"IN OTHER WORDS, AT THAT POINT ’IHE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OR OTB WOULD HAVE ENDED UP OWNING 100 PER CENT OF THE BANK, MR (ARSE ADDED.
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FC APPROVES EARLY REPAYMENT FOR BCCHK DEPOSITORS * ♦ t ♦ ♦
DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS OF THE BANK 01 CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED AND BCCI FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (IHE INSTITUTIONS) WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE EARLY REPAYMENT OF UP TO 25 PER CENT OF THEIR NET CREDIT BALANCE WITH THE INSTITUTIONS, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM LIMIT OF $500,000.
SU( II EARLY REPAYMENT’, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS OF Till- INSTITUTIONS, PARTICULARLY THE SMALLER ONES, ARE EXITO H D TO Bl- MADE WITHIN A WEEK OR SO.
PROCEDURES ARE BE I NG WORKED Ol T AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, \ GO\ I h‘NTI NT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE GO-AHEAD FOR THE EARLY REPAYMENT SCHEME FOLLOWED THE AUTHORISATION BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS AND ENTER INTO ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE LIQUIDATOR AND SPECIAL MANAGERS OF THE INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PARTIAL EARLY DISTRIBUTION.
TUI SPOKESMAN SNIP Till MW I MUM I IMIT WAS SET AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT Till ’ IINRDSHH’ FACED BN DI POS HORS, MANY' Ol ITIEM SMAIJ COMPANIES NOW EX PERI ENC I NG SERIOUS L I QU 1 I) I TN PROBLEMS .
/THE EARLY .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
10
THE EARI.Y PARTIAL DISTRIBUTION WILL BE MADE OUT OR THE INSTITUTIONS’ LIQUID ASSETS, AND CREDITORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BCCI GROUP WOULD NOT BENEFIT FROM THIS EARI.Y REPAYMENT.
"WHILE THE INSTITUTIONS HAVE SUFFICIENT LIQUID ASSETS TO COVER PAYMENT, THE LIQUIDATOR AND SPECIAL MANAGERS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE EARLY REPAYMENT SCHEME CAN ONLY GO AHEAD IF AN INDEMNITY IS PROVIDED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS AGREED AT TODAY’S MEETING TO ACCEPT THE CONTINGENT LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE PROVISION OF SUCH AN INDEMNITY TO THE LIQUIDATOR \NI> SPECIAL .MANAGERS.
"BASED ON INFORMATION AVAILABLE, IT IS NOT EXPECTED THAT THERE WILL BE ANY SUBSTANTIAL LIABILITY ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, AS DEPOSITORS’ AND OTHER CREDITORS’ ULTIMATE ENTITLEMENT SHOULD BE MUCH HIGHER THAN THE AMOUNT OF THE EARLY PARTIAL DISTRIBUTION.
"THIS, HOWEVER, ILAS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ANA' HIDDEN LIABILITIES OF THE INSTITUTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SIGNIFICANT HIDDEN LIABILITIES ALTHOUGH THIS COULD NOT BE ENTIRELY RULED OUT.
THE INSTITUTIONS, AS FAR AS THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING CAN ASCERTAIN, WERE SOLVENT AS GOING COCERNS BEFORE THEIR. RESPECTIVE BUSINESSES WERE SUSPENDED ON JULY R, 1991.
"THERE IS ALSO NO EVIDENCE SUGGESTING THAT EITHER INSTITUTION IS IMPLICATED IN THE ALLEGED FRAUD INVOLVING THE BCCI GROUP.
"ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE INSTITUTIONS’ AUDITORS, PRICE WATERHOUSE, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ON LIQUIDATION, DEPOSITORS WILL ULTIMATELY RECEIVE A HIGH PROPORTION OF THE NET BALANCE OF THEIR DEPOSITS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
DISREGARDING HIDDEN LIABILITIES AND AS A ROUGH ESTIMATE, THE MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY, IN THEORY, SHOULD BE AROUND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE EARLY DISTRIBUTION, THAT IS, ABOUT $1.44 BILLION.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS INFORMED THAT AT THE TIME OF SUSPENSION, BCCHK HAD AND STILL HAS ABOUT 40,000 DEPOSITORS WITH 50,000 DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DEPOSITS IS ABOUT $10.6 BILLION, WITH ABOUT $3 BILLION PLEDGED AS COLLATERAL AGAINST LOANS.
BCCI FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED HAS ONLY SIX DEPOSITORS WITH LOCAL DEPOSITS OF $10.1 MILLION, $3 MILLION OF WHICH IS PLEDGED AS COLLATERAL AGAINST LOANS.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS TOLD THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATORS DID NOT PRECLUDE A SALE OF THE INSTITUTIONS AS GOING CONCERNS.
THE LIQUIDATORS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SELL THE INSTITUTIONS WITHOUT Till- CONSENT OF THE HOLDING COMPANY OF THE INSTITUTIONS.
HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF POTENTIAL BUYERS’ OVER THE HIDDEN LIABILITIES OF THE INSTITUTIONS, FORM OF GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY. INSTITUTIONS WILL HAVE TO BI- LIQUIDATED.
NATURAL APPREHENSION A SALE WITHOUT SOME CHANCES ARE THAT THE
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/Il .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 11 -
BANKING COMMISSIONER ON BCCHK
THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT MADE BY ’I III'. COMMISSIONER 01* BANKING, MR DAVID CARSE, AT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (ER I DAY):
I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO EXPLAIN MY DECISION TO ALLOW BCCHK TO OPEN ON SATURDAY, JULY 6 AND MY SUBSEQUENT DECISION TO ORDER IT TO CLOSE ITS DOORS ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY.
THE TIMETABLE OF EVENTS
I FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS CONCERNING THE BCC DURING THE DAYS PRECEDING FRIDAY, JULY 5. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE OF ENGLAND HAD RECEIVED A REPORT OF SUSPECTED FRAUD IN TWO BANKING SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BCC GROUP THAT DO NOT OPERATE IN
GROUP BANK
MAJOR HONG
KONG.
FOR
WAS
KNOWN
INITIALLY, IT APPEARED THAT ANY ACTION BY THE BANK OF ENGLAND AND OTHER SUPERVISORS IN RESPECT OF THIS REPORT WOULD BE DELAYED A WEEK OR MORE, THIS TIMETABLE SHORTENED DURING THE WEEK, BUT IT NOT UNTIL 6 PM HONG KONG TIME ON FRIDAY, JULY 5 THAI IT WAS THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN WAS 1O „ HADE AT » I'M HONCi KOHC T,«... TH« J™ rJ"«S
BE TAKEN AT THAT POINT AS TO WHETHER BCCHK ON SATURDAY MORNING.
THE BACKGROUND TO THE DECISION
AT THE TIME, THE FACTS AVAILABLE TO ME ABOUT BCCHK WERE AS FOLLOWS:
(I) ITS 1990 ACCOUNTS HAD JUST BEEN PUBLISHED SHOWING A
LARGE LOSS DUE TO INCREASED PROVISIONS;
(JI) \jy OFFIUF HAD BEIN' INVOLVED IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE
BANK AND ITS AUDITORS IM (LARDING THESE PROVISIONS AND WAS AWARE OF THE BACKGROUND TO THEM. IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE AUDITORS PRIOR TO FRIDAY, JULY 5, I CONFIRMED THAT THEY REGARDED THE BANK AS CONSERVATIVELY PROVISIONED;
(Ml) DESPITE HAVING TO MAKE THESE PROVISIONS, BCCHK WAS Sliowr IN Till 1’190 AN-.'UAL ACCOUNTS TO BE SOLVENT. MY OFFICE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY EVENTS AFTER THE 1990 YEAREND MIK II ALJERI I) THAT POSITION;
(TV) the BANK MET THE PRUDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE BANKING ORDINANCE, IN PARTICULAR THOSE RELATING TO CAPITAL ADEQUACY AND LIQUIDITY;
/(V) ........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 12 -
(V)
THE ULTIMATE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDERS RECENTLY DE< LAKI D IIUIR SUPPORT FOR PURPOSES OF IHF 1990 ACCOUNTS AND MILLION Ol CAPITAL IN I'HF FORM OF A
OF THE BANK HAD THE BANK FOR THE HAD INJECTED $125 SUBORDINATED LOAN;
(VI) Uli BANK HAD SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED ITS EXPOSURE TO THE REST OF THE BCC GROUP IN CONSULTATION WITH MY OFFICE;
(VII) THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT BCCHK WAS IMPLICATED IN THE SUSPECTED FRAUD IN THE OTHER PARTS OF THE BCC GROUP.
IN THE LIGHT OF' THIS, AND BEARING IN MIND THE SUBSTANTIAL' DEPOSITS WHICH BCCHK HAD TAKEN FROM NON-BANK CUSTOMERS, I WAS ANXIOUS TO KFEP Till BANK OPEN IF AT ALL. POSSIBLE. I WAS AWARE OF THE FACT THAT IF THE BANK WERE TO CLOSE ON SATURDAY, IT WOULD BE VERY DJFI1CUIT FOR IT TO BE RT'-OPL' ED WITHOUT PROVOKING A SERIOUS RUN ON DEPOSITS. 1 BELIEVE THAT IF I HAD ACTED TO CLOSE THE BANK ON SATURDAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN OPIN TO CRITICISM, AND POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION, FOR. HAI ING ACTED Too HASTILY.
ALLOWING THE BANK TO REMAIN OPEN \LS0 ENABLED ME, THROUGH MY REPRESENTATIVE, TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ABU DHABI TO ENSURE THAT IT STILL STOOD BEHIND BCCHK IN THE CHANGED SITUATION AND To TRY TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT STRENGTHENED. TO HAVE CLOSED THE BANK ON SATURDAY WOULD HAVE JEOPARDISED THIS ATTEMPT.
BCCHK DID MANAGE To TRADE RELATIVELY NORMALLY ON SATURDAY HIOUCHI SOME LARGER THAN NORMAL WITHDRAWALS WERE MADE FROM SOME IRANVHES. Till DECISION TO ALLOW Till BANK TO REMAIN OPEN THAT DAY DID NOT THEREFORE RESULT IN A MAJOR LOSS OF LIQUID ASSETS FROM THE BANK AND *T.HE POSITION OF DEPOSITORS AS A WHOLE WAS NOT THEREFORE MATERIALLY WORSENED.
DURING THE WEEKEND, HOWEVER, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE BANK’S ABILITY TO CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS COULD BE AFFECTED BY THE UNCERTAINTIES SURROUNDING THE REST OF THE BCC GROUP. A PARTICULAR INSTANCE or Till:; WAS VISA INTERNATIONAL’S DECISION TO BLOCK BCCHK CREDIT CARDS. THE POSSIBILITY Ol A RIN ON THE BANK ON MONDAY COULD NOT BE RULED OUT. PARTICULARLY IN I HL LIGHT OF GROWING PUBLICITY ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF THE REST OF THE BCC GROUP. THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BANK AGRFLD WITH THIS VIEW.
ON SUNDAY EVE'ING, I WAS INFORMED IHAT THE GOVERNMENT OF ABU DILABI I! LI I' All TO PROVIDE THE CLEAR WRITTEN STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE BANK WHKII I HAD REQUESTED. THIS LEFT THE BANK IN AN ISOLATED POSITION AND AT THAT POINT I FELT THAT IT WOULD BE FAIRER TO DEPOSITORS IN GENERAL TO DRAW Till LINE BEFORE BCCHK SUFFERED SERIOUS CASH WITHDRAWALS WHICH WOULD BENEFIT SOME DEPOSITORS AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS. ACCORDINGLY, I ORDERED THE BANK NOT TO OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON THE MORNING OF MONDAY, JULI' 8.
/SINCE THAT .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 13 -
SINCE THAT TIME, AND PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT OF PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATORS ON JULY 17, MY OFFICERS HAVE BEEN IN CONTROL OF THE BANK. A KEY CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN TO SAFEGUARD THE ASSETS IN THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS AND TO THIS END A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS HELD IN OVERSEAS BANKS HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO AN ACCOUNT HELD BY BCCHK WITH THE HONGKONGBANK GROUP.
MY OFFICE HAS ALSO BEEN OCCUPIED CONTINUOUSLY IN TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE PREPARED TO ACQUIRE BCCHK AS A GOING CONCERN. THIS WAS RECOGNISED AS THE BEST SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS NOT PROVED POSSIBLE TO FIND SOMEONE PREPARED TO ACQUIRE THE BANK WITHOUT GUARANTEES FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHICH IT FELT UNABLE TO PROVIDE.
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HOSPICE CARE SERVICE DEPENDS ON CONTINUOUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT ♦ **♦♦♦*
THE HOSPICE CARE SERVICE OF NAM LONG HOSPITAL DEPENDS HEAVILY ON PUBLIC DONATIONS AND CONTINUOUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT, LADY WILSON SAID TON1GNT (FRIDAY).
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SERVICES AT NAM LONG, AND KEEP THEM AT A HIGH STANDARD, FUNDS NEED TO BE FOUND, SHE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG-MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CHARITY CONCERT AT THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, LADY WILSON SAID THE PROCEEDS OF THE CONCERT WOULD BE DONATED TO THE HONG KONG ANTI-CANCER SOCIETY FOR THE HOSPICE CARE SERVICE OF NAM LONG HOSPITAL.
POINTING OUT THAT IT WAS A VERY SAD FACT OF LIFE THAT MORE THAN 8,000 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN DIED OF CANCER EACH YEAR IN THE TERRITORY, LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THEIR NEEDS HAD TENDED TO BE OVERLOOKED UNTIL VERY RECENTLY.
’’FOR SUCH PATIENTS, MEDICAL SCIENCE MAY OFFER NO CURE - RUT WE CAN HELP TN OTHER WAVS.
"IN FACT, HOSPICE CARE, AS MANY OF YOU ALREADY KNOW, ALLOWS PATIENTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES TO BE TOGETHER MORE QUIETLY, TO RECEIVE PAIN CONTROL BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE IDEALLY BEEN ESPECIALLY TRAINED, AND TO LIVE IN AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS CAN BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT," LADY WILSON SAID.
SHE SAID MUCH COULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE TIME THAT REMMNED, ADDING THAT SHE WAS VERY MOVED AND IMPRESSED RECENTLY TO VISIT NAM LONG HOSPITAL WHERE JUST SUCH NEEDS WERE BEING CATERED FOK.
/•'THE DIFFERENCE.......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
14
’’THE DIFFERENCE THIS MEANS FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS VISIBLE,” SHE SAID.
’’FACING THE FACT THAT A LOVED ONE WILL DIE, IS SOMETHING THAT TAKES A LOT OF COMING TO TERMS WITH, FOR THE FNTIRE FAMILY.
"IF WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN HELP PEOPLE TO FEEL THAT WHOEVER HAS BEEN SMITTEN IN THIS CRUEL WAY, CAN AT LEAST BE SURE TO HAVE THE CARE AND ATTENTION OF PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO HELP, AND IN CONDITIONS WHICH CATER ESPECIALLY FOR THEIR NEEDS, OUR WHOLE SOCIETY WILL BENEFIT," LADY WILSON SAID.
SHE SAID WE SHOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THIS SITUATION HIT US PERSONALLY AND THAT IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THERE WERE ALREADY MANY FAMILIES WHO NEEDED HELP.
"HAVING SFEN WHAT IS BEING DONE AT NAM LONG WHICH IS RUN BY THE HONG KONG ANTI-CANCER SOCIETY," LADY WILSON SAID, "I REALISE THAT IN ORDER TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE \ HOSPICE SHOULD NOT BE TOO LARGE, SHOULD BE HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL, AND EQUIPPED WITH UP TO DATE FACILITIES WITH DOCTORS AND NURSES WHO KNOW ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT PAIN CONTROL."
SHE ADDED THAT THE DEDICATION AND CARE OF ALL THE PEOPLE SHE MET AT NAM LONG WAS QUITE OVERWHELMING.
"IT WAS HEART WARMING TO FIND A GROUP OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS GIVING THEIR TIME AND ENERGY I’O SUCH A GOOD CAUSE, TAKING A LEADING ROLE IN HELPING AND GETTING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME," LADY WILSON SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
LADY WILSON’S SPEECH WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
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PLANNING COMMITTEES SET UP UNDER TOWN PLANNING BOARD * ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE SETTING UP OF TWO PLANNING COMMITTEES UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 18 AND THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THESE COMMITTEES.
THE TWO COMMITTEES ARE THE METRO PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THE RURAL AND NEW TOWN PLANNING COMMITTEE.
THE METRO PLANNING COMMITTEE WILL LOOK AFTER STATUTORY PLANNING MATTERS IN RELATION TO HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON, TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TS1NG YI AND TSUEN WAN WEST, WHILE THE RURAL AND NEW TOWN PLANNING COMMITTEE WILL LOOK AFTER STATUTORY PLANNING MATTERS IN RELATION TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY COVERED BY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZP) FOR NEW TOWNS AND DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS (DPA) FOR RURAL \REAS.
/"THE MAIN .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
15
’’THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF FORMING PLANNING COMMITTEES IS TO BETTER DISCHARGE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’•WITH THE GROWING CONCERN OF THE COMMUNITY IN BETTER PLANNING OF THE TERRITORY AND THE EXTENT OF PLANNING CONTROL TO COVER WIDER AREAS SUCH AS NEW TOWNS AND RURAL AREAS, IT IS EXPECTED THAI THE WORKLOAD FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WILL INCREASE TREMENDOUSLY.
"THE NEW STRUCTURE WILL ENABLE THE BOARD TO DELEGATE SOME OF ITS FUNCTIONS TO THE RESPECTIVE PLANNING COMMITTEES," HE ADDED.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNCTIONS BETWEEN THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND THE PLANNING COMMITTEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) TOWN PLANNING BOARD
♦ TO GIVE PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATION AND HEARING OF OBJECTIONS TO OZP AND DPA PLANS;
♦ TO REVIEW HEARING OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS REJECTED BY THE PLANNING COMMITTEES;
♦ TO SUBMIT PLANS TO GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL;
♦ TO ADOPT PERIODICAL REPORTS FROM THE TWO PLANNING COMMITTEES AND PUBLIC OFFICERS TO WHOM THE BOARD’S AUTHORITY HAVE BEEN DELEGATED; AND
* TO DEAL WITH TERRITORY-WIDE POLICY ISSUE SUCH AS DEVELOPMENT OF PLANNING GUIDELINES.
(B) PLANNING COMMITTEES (PC)
♦ TO CONSIDER NEW OUTLINE ZONING PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS PLANS;
♦ TO MAKE AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT PLANS; AND
* TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGNATE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS.
EACH PLANNING COMMITTEE COMPRISES NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS. THEY ARE APPOINTED BY CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
FIVE OFFICIAL AND 12
THE GOVERNOR FROM AMONG
PLANNING
OF
OF
THE TWO PLANNING COMMITTEES WIL! BE CHAIRED BY THE DOCTOR . DR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI HAS BEEN APPOINTED VICE-CHAIRMAN
CARLOS CHEUNG HON-KOU
THE METRO PLANNING COMMITTEE
WHILE
MR
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE RURAL AND NEW
TOWN
PLANNING COMMITTEE.
THE FULL MEMBERSHIP LIST 01 THE PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
TWO PLANNING COMMITTEES
ARE
THE PLANNING COMMITTEES WILL MEET TWICE A MONTH WHILE THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WILL MEET ONCE EVERY MONTH.
/16 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
16
$301-MILLION CONTRACT FOR BUILDING OF
******
POLICE LAUNCHES SIGNED
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED A $301-MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE BUILDING OF SIX MARINE POLICE COMMAND/PATROL LAUNCHES BY THE AUSTRALIAN SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES (WA) PTY. LTD.
MR PYRKE SAID: "THE SIGNING CEREMONY TODAY MARKS Tltfe COMMENCEMENT OF ONE OF THE LAST MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE POLICE VESSEL REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME AGREED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1980.
"THE CRAFT THAT WILL BE BUILT ARE FAST PATROL LAUNCHES WHtcH HAVE A DIVISIONAL COMMAND CAPABILITY AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE DELIVERED FOR SERVICE IN HONG KONG OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD COMMENCING IN FEBRUARY 1993."
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES (NA) PTY. LTD, MR JOHN GALLACHER OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S SIGNING CEREMONY.
ALSO OFFICIATED AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE AUSTRALIAN CONSUL-GENERAL IN HONG KONG, MR G . RN BENTLEY AND THE CfllEF STAFF OFFICER (ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT) OF THE MARINE POLICE, MR JOHN PETTENGELL.
MR PYRKE TOLD THE GATHERING THAT THE SIGNING CEREMONY ALSO MARKED ANOTHER IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE PROCUREMENT OF GOVERNMENT VESSELS.
A TEAM OF SIX GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS UNDERTOOK A MARKET SURVEY IN 1989 AND LAST (1990) YEAR DURING WHICH THEY VISITED EIGHT COUNTRIES AS WELL AS SURVEYING THE LOCAL MARKET.
MR PYRKE SAID: "THE PURPOSE OF THIS MARKET SURVEY WAS TO VISIT SHIPBUILDERS WHO ARE PRODUCING SIMILAR CRAFT TO THOSE NEEDED BY THE POLICE AND TO VISIT THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO WERE USING SUCH CRAFT.
"THIS ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO GAIN BENEFIT FROM OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCE, TO USE A BOAT OF PROVEN CAPABILITY AND AVOID THE PROBLEMS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ANY NEW DESIGN.
"IN OTHER WORDS WE ARE BUYING OFF THE SHELF AND NOT STARTING FROM SCRATCH AS WE HAVE DONE BEFORE WITH MAJOR VESSELS."
THIS SURVEY COVERED 30 SIMILAR PATROL CRAFT AND LED TO FIVE SHIPBUILDERS FROM AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG BEING INVITED TO TENDER.
MR PYRKE SAID: "THE CONTRACT WILL COST THE HONG KONG TAXPAYERS SOME $300 MILLION AND WE ARE CONFIDENT IT REPRESENTS THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY.
"1 KNOW MY STAFF, AS WELL AS THOSE OF OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING SHIPBUILDERS PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT THAT HAS SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE AND LOW MAINTENANCE AND RUNNING COSTS AND THUS BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG."
/17........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1931
- 17 -
IMPOSITION OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON * * * * *
HK SMALL-SCREEN TV RECEIVERS *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID IT HAD RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES HAD ANNOUNCED THE IMPOSITION OF DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING bUTlfcS ON SMALL-SCREEN COLOUR TELEVISION RECEIVERS (THOSE WITH A DIAGONAL SCREEN SIZE BETWEEN 15.5 CM AND 42 CM) ORIGINATED IN HONG KONG.
THE DUTY RATES RANGE FROM 2.1 PER CENT TO 4.8 PER CENT AND WILL BE VALID FOR FIVE YEARS.
THE PROCEEDING WAS INITIATED ON NOVEMBER 12, 1988.
A TOTAL OF SIX HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS PARTICIPATED IN THE INVESTIGATION.
PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTY OF THE SAME RATES (t.E. FROM 2.1 . PER CENT TO 4.8 PER CENT.) WAS IMPOSED BY THE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 19 THIS YEAR.
"IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC TRADE OFFICE IN BRUSSELS HAVE MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMISSION TO EXPLAIN THAT GIVEN HONG KONG’S OPEN ECONOMY AND THE SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE OF HONG KONG COMPANIES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW A HONG KONG COMPANY COULD DUMP,” DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ALAN LAI, SAID.
"IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE FREE TRADE NATURE OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, THE COMMISSION HAS STILL DECIDED TO IMPOSE DEFINITIVE DUTIES ON TELEVISION RECEIVERS ORIGINATING IN HONG KONG.
"TOGETHER WITH THE HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS CONCERNED, THE DEPARTMENT WILL EXAMINE THE COMMISSION’S REGULATIONS TO SEE WHETHER THERE ARE ANY NEW POINTS WORTH PURSUING FURTHER,” HE ADDED.
FOLLOWING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ON SMALL SCREEN-COLOUR TELEVISION RECEIVERS, THE COMMISSION HAS COMPLETED ITS INVESTIGATIONS ON ALL THE EIGHT ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST HONG KONG BETWEEN DECEMBER 1987 AND MARCH 1989.
OF THESE, SIX CASES (CELLULAR MOBILE RADIO TELEPHONES, DENIM CLOTH, PHOTO ALBUMS, SILICON METAL, TUNGSTEN ORES AND AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES) HAVE BEEN TERMINATED WITHOUT IMPOSITION OF ANY ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES WHILE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES HAVE BEEN IMPOSED IN TWO CASES (VIDEO CASSETTE TAPES AND SMALL SCREEN COLOUR TELEVISION RECEIVERS).
"ALTHOUGH WE ARE RELIEVED THAT NO NEW ANTI-DUMPING CASES INVOLVING HONG KONG HAVE BEEN INITIATED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SINCE MARCH 1989, WE WILL REMAIN ON GUARD AND CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY,” MR LAI SAID.
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/18.........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 18 -
REVOCATION OF BANKING LICENCE ♦ ♦♦♦**
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE BANKING LICENCE OF MELLON BANK HAS BEEN REVOKED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AT THE REQUEST OF THE BANK.
MELLON BANK WAS GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE IN 1978. AS PART OF THE RATIONALISATION OF ITS GLOBAL OPERATIONS, THE BANK HAS CEASED OPERATING IN HONG KONG SINCE APRIL 1991.
AFTER THE REVOCATION, THERE ARE 166 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 136 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
------0-------
GOVERNMENT ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO CHILD SERVICES ♦ * ♦ ♦ * *
WHILE STEPPING UP PUBLIC EDUCATION ON HAZARDS OF LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING PARENTS TO MAKE USE OF VARIOUS FACILITIES FOR THE GOOD OF THEIR CHILDREN, THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A CHILD CARE TRAINING COURSE GRADUATION CEREMONY AT LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, MR CHUI POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO ENCOURAGED OPERATORS OF CHILD CARE CENTRES TO ADOPT FLEXIBILITIES IN PROVIDING CHILD CARE SERVICES, INCLUDING THE SETTING UP OF OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE AND THE ARRANGEMENT OF FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO INCREASE A FURTHER 1,400 PLACES AT SUBVENTED DAY NURSERIES ANNUALLY IN THE COMING FIVE YEARS.
AT PRESENT, THERE WERE MORE THAN 260 GOVERNMENT-AIDED DAY NURSERIES OFFERING NOT LESS THAN 31,000 PLACES, HE ADDED.
AT THE SAME TIME, MR CHUI SAID NOT SO FEW EMPLOYERS BOOSTED THEIR STAFF WELFARE BY SETTING UP WORK-BASED CHILD CARE CENTRES.
THE PROVISION OF CHILD CARE SERVICE AT WORKPLACES COULD 11ELP EMPLOYEES MEET THEIR NEEDS IN TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN, HE NOTED.
"CHILD CARE SERVICE IS AN ESSENTIAL PART IN FAMILY AND CHILDREN WELFARE SERVICES," MR CHUI ADMITTED, STRESSING THAT THE EXPANSION, IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE MUCH DEPENDED ON THE ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF OUTSTANDING CHILD CARE WORKERS.
ON THE TRAINING OF THE WORKERS, MR CHUI COMMENDED THE INSTITUTE FOR RUNNING A WIDE VARIETY OF TRAINING COURSES FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS.
/19 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 19 -
MORE VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED IN ELDERLY SERVICES * * i * * * •
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN VOLUNTARY ELDERLY SERVICES TO SUPPLEMENT THOSE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHAN TSENG HS1 TSUEN WAN MULT I-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED TODAY (FRIDAY), THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID WHILE THE GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS WERE TRYING TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE ELDERLY SERVICES, THE DEMAND HAD YET TO Bl MET IN FAC1 OF THE HUGE ELDERLY POPULATION.
"THE ONLY SOLUTION IS EVERY HONG KONG RESIDENT TO USE HIS SPARE TIME TO HELP OUR SENIOR CITIZENS."
"VOLUNTARY ELDERLY SERVICE IS A SIMPLE AND EASY TASK. EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING STUDENTS, HOUSEWIVES AND WORKERS, CAN HANDLE IT EASILY," MRS GOODSTADT NOTED.
CITING AN EXAMPLE, MRS GOODSTADT ADDED THAT SERVICES SUCH AS HELPING OUR SENIOR CITIZENS IN DOMESTIC ROUTINE, ASSISTING THEM IN WRITING LETTERS 01? SHOPPING OR ACCOMPANYING THEM TO VISIT MEDICAL PARTITIONERS WERE MOST WELCOMED PARTICULARLY THE SINGLETONS.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT VOLUNTEERING HAS NO AGE LIMITED. SENIOR CITIZENS COULD TAKE PART IN VOLUNTARY ELDERLY SERVICES BY SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES THROUGH ORGANISING PROGRAMMES AND PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
MRS GOODSTADT ALSO COMMENDED THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED’S CONTRIBUTION IN ELDERLY SERVICES, ADDING THAT THE OPENING OF THE NEW MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE WOULD STRENGTHEN THE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
------0-------
PUBLIC WORKS LABORATORY CONTINUES TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT, COMPETENT TESTING SERVICES *****
THE PHENOMENAL GROWTH IN PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION IN HONG KONG OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES HAS RESULTED IN AN EVER-INCREASING DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. •
THIS WAS STATED BY THEfDIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, DR EDWARD BRAND, WHEN OPENING’THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS CENTRAL LABORATORY IN KOWLOON BAY TODAY (FRIDAY). *
DR BRAND NOTED THAT EXPECTATIONS AND STANDARDS HAD RISEN WITH TIME.
"IT IS RIGHT AND PROPER THAT OUR ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS WILL ONLY ACCEPT MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP WHICH MEET THE EXACTING REQUIREMENTS OF OUR LATEST SPECIFICATIONS," HE SAID.
/"WE IN .......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 20 -
"WE IN HONG kONG CAN HE PROUD OF OUR ACHtfeVEMENTS . Obk ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS HAVE EARNED WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION AND RESPECT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD FOR THEIR PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS DYNAMIC PLACE.
"THE PUBLIC WORKS LABORATORY, THROUGH THE PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION OF ITS MANAGEMENT AND STAFF, HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THIS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION.
"IN ITS NEW BUILDING, IT IS VERY WELL PLACED TO CONTINUE TO DO SO, PARTICULARLY BY PROVIDING EFFICIENT AND COMPETENT TESTING SERVICES FOR PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW AIRPORT, AND LATER, WITH THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT."
THE FIRST PUBLIC WORKS LABORATORY WAS FIRST ESTABLISHEb IN 1949 AS A SITE LABORATORY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF KAI TAK AIRPORT.
SINCE 1988, IT HAS BEEN ACCREDITED UNDER tHE HONd kONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME TO CARRY OUT TESTS ON AGGREGATES, CEMENT, CONCRETE, PULVERISED FUEL ASH AND STEEL, AS WELL AS CALIBRATION SERVICES.
THE NEW PURPOSE-BUILT PUBLIC WORKS CENTRAL LABORATORY COVERS . 3,500 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR AREA WHICH IS THREE TIMES AS LARGE AS ITS PREVIOUS PREMISES IN NORTH POINT.
THE TESTING EQUIPMENT TRANSFERRED FROM NORTH POINT INCLUDES MUCH THAT WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY THE LABORATORY’S OWN TALENTED STAFF. IN ADDITION, OVER $5 MILLION WORTH OF NEW EQUIPMENT llAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THIS NEW FACILITY.
THE PUBLIC WORKS CENTRAL LABORATORY AND FIVE OTHER REGIONAL LABORATORIES ARE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
TOGETHER THEY EMPLOY’ MORE THAN 160 STAFF MEMBERS, OF WHOM 10 ARE PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED ENGINEERS.
"IN THE YEARS TO COME, THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF OUR EVER-INCREASING PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME WILL RELY, IN PART, ON THEIR DEDICATION AND TECHNICAL SKJLLS.
"IT IS REASSURING FOR US TO KNOW THAT THE STAFF OF THE LABORATORIES CONTINUE TO BE COMMITTED TO RAISING THE STANDARDS OF BOTH MATERIALS TESTING AND STAFF TRAINING THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," DR BRAND ADDED.
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/21 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 21
GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE BY TENDER t t i t * t
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR TliE SALE OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND AT AREA 18 IN FANLING.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 19,470 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME AND NON-INDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THfe GROSS FLOOR AREA koR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 97,960 SQUARE METRES AND THE GROSS FLOOR AREA FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND GODOWN) PURPOSES SHOULD NOT EXCEED 1,030 SQUARE METRES.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON SEPTEMBER 13.
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, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
--------0-----------
GOVERNMENT LAND SALE BY AUCTION *****
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED Fok SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON AUGUST 15.
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
BOTH LOTS ARE LOCATED IN KOWLOON.
LOCATED IN AREA 2 OFF TAT CHEE AVENUE, YAU YAT TSUEN, THE SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,555 SQUARE METRES. IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 9,166 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.
/THE OTHER ......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
22
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED AT ARGYLE STREET. WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,678 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 15,330 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 14, 1995.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DlSTRICf LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUNt YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, SAI KUNG, kWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH AND ISLANDS.
------0------
FORMER KOWLOON BRITISH SCHOOL DECLARED MONUMENT
*****
THF FORMER KOWLOON BRITISH SCHOOL AT 136 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM TSUI. .Is TOMY ?™“a?T OAZETTHD AS HISTORICAL BUILDING UNDER ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
SHA
THE
tut; HUTT DING IS THE OLDEST SURVIVING SCHOOL BUILDING ^"mRRPC.Tl5eBFANOF?5bJ™H SD,?r7HE'?TTpKATLEBor0BJiLo”os’4CONS™CTEO IN THE VICTORIA ERA.
tn 1 ATF 19TII CENTURY, SOME BRITISH RESIDENTS IN
THE SHORTAGE OF FUNDS AND THE DIFFICULTY OF L----------------
TEACHERS.
OF
ENLISTING
KOWLOON
SHED AT DUE TO TRAINED
IN 1900, SIR ROBERT HO (THEN MR AMOUNT OF $15,000 TO CONSTRUCT A SCHOOL INITIAL TARGET FOR ALL NATIONALITIES. IT THAT THE SCHOOL SHOULD CATER FOR BRITISH NAMED THE KOWLOON BRITISH SCHOOL.
HO
AT
WAS
TUNG) HAD DONATED AN NATHAN ROAD WITH HlS
SUBSEQUENTLY
CHILDREN ONLY AND
DECIDED IT WAS
THE FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID ON JULY 10, 1900 BY SIR HENRY
BLAKE, THE THEN GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG.
MAJOR-GENERAL W.J. GASCOIGNE, ON APRIL 12, 1902, IN
MR HO TUNG AND A LARGE GATHERING.
THE school has intended mainly to be £e™XolSCaS provided FOR ABOUT 60 PUPILS. HOWEVER, IN 192 • ' THEN INCREASED TO
SECONDARY EDUCATION AND THE NUMBER OF PUPILS WAS IHW
OVER 200.
/IN ORDER ......
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
23 -
IN ORDER TO COPE WITH THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE SCHOOL, ANOTHER SCHOOL BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1936 AT TIN KWONG ROAD, HOMANTIN. THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL WAS RENAMED THE CENTRAL BRITISH SCHOOL. IT WAS DESIGNATED THE KING GEORGE V SCHOOL IN 1948.
ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT CLEAR WHEN THE BUILDING AT NATHAN ROAD WAS VACATED BY THE SCHOOL, RECORDS HAD SHOWN THAT THE BUILDING WAS PROBABLY USED BY THE FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY AFTER WORLD WAR II.
FROM 1957 UNTIL RECENTLY, IT WAS OCCUPIED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN RELOCATED TO A PURPOSE-BUILT MULTI-STOREY COMPLEX TO THE EAST OF THE BUILDING.
THE BUILDING HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE, RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, FOR USE AS ITS PERMANENT HOME. RESTORATION WORK IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE ANTIQUITIES SECTION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.
THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL HALL WILL BE USED TO MOUNT DISPLAY. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED THERE TO PROMOTE PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE IN THE TERRITORY.
------0-------
SHA TIN OZP REFERRED BACK FOR AMENDMENTS
******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS REFERRED THE SHA TIN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR AMENDMENTS IN ORDER TO KEEP ABREAST OF CHANGES IN LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IN THE AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE NEED FOR AMENDMENTS WAS MAINLY RELATED TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF A REFUSE TRANSFER STATION (RTS) AND DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWNS TO BE LOCATED AT THE TURRET HILL QUARRY IN,SHA TIN AREA 65B WHICH WAS CURRENTLY ZONED ’GREEN BELT’ ON THE APPROVED PLAN.
"IN VIEW OF THE SCALE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED RTS, IT IS CONSIDERED MORE APPROPRIATE TO REZONE THE SITE TO ’OTHER SPECIFIED USES' WITH APPROPRIATE ANNOTATION ON THE PLAN SO AS TO REFLECT THE PROPOSED RTS USE," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID ADJACENT TO THE RTS DEVELOPMENT, IN AREA 65B, TWO SITES HAD BEEN PROPOSED FOR DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWNS TO REPLACE THE INDUSTRIAL SITES CURRENTLY RESERVED IN SHA TIN AREAS 11 AND 14 FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PROPOSED AREA WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A BETTER LOCATION FOR DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWNS BECAUSE IT WOULD BE FURTHER AWAY FROM AREAS OF POPULATION CONCENTRATION. REZONING OF THE AREA FROM 'GREEN BELT' TO 'INDUSTRIAL' IS NECESSARY.
/MEANWHILE, IN ........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
24
MEANWHILE, IN ADDITION TO THESE CHANGES, THE APPROVED PLAN NEEDS TO BE AMENDED TO INCORPORATE OTHER CURRENT PLANNING PROPOSALS FOR SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THESE INCLUDE THE REZONING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PORTAL AREA FROM VARIOUS ZONED USES (SUCH AS ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/ COMMUNITY’) TO ’ROAD’ TO REFLECT THE ACTUAL USE OF THE AREA.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN WOULD BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND OBJECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
--------0-----------
LATEST APPROACHES TO CAREERS EDUCATION EXPLORED ******
PRACTITIONERS IN CAREERS EDUCATION SHOULD KEEP ABREAST OF THE TIMES AND EXPLORE THE LATEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACHES TO CAREERS EDUCATION IN TODAY’S CHANGING WORLD.
THIS WAS STRESSED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN, TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO UPDATE CAREERS TEACHERS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF CAREERS EDUCATION.
MR CHAN SAID: "THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ALWAYS PAYS CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE CHANGING REQUIREMENTS IN CAREERS EDUCATION AND IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.”
HE NOTED THAT THE ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE A NEW FORMAT NEXT FEBRUARY WHEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL JOINTLY STAGED THE "EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92".
"THE EXPO WILL BE PARTICIPATED BY AS MANY AS SEVERAL HUNDRED EXHIBITORS, INCLUDING EDUCATION INSTITUTES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHICH WILL PRESENT EDUCATION AND CAREERS INFORMATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE, PARENTS AND TEACHERS," HE SAID.
"MOREOVER, THE DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED 12 CAREERS EDUCATION FILMS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF CAREERS EDUCATION AND VARIOUS TRADES AND PROFESSIONS.
"THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES OF THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE AND CAN BE ON LOAN TO SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES," MR (HAN ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG, ALSO HIGHLIGHTED AT THE OPENING OF TODAY’S SEMINAR THE IMPORTANCE OF FURTHER EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN CAREER PLANNING.
/MRS YUNG ........
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
25
MRS YUNG POINTED OUT THAT MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, WITH PLACES FOR DEGREE PROGRAMMES FOR ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF ALL FORM 6 GRADUATES BY 1994.
"IN VIEW OF THIS NEW DEVELOPMENT, CAREERS TEACHERS SHOULD TAKE ON THE URGENT TASK OF ADVISING STUDENTS ON THE FUTURE COURSE OF EDUCATION TO TAKE WHICH BEST SUITED THEIR INTEREST, TALENT AND ABILITY.
’’THIS WILL, IN EFFECT, HELP THEM MAKE GOOD PREPARATIONS FOR THEIR FUTURE CAREERS,” SHE STRESSED.
MRS YUNG ALSO URGED CAREERS TEACHERS TO ENROL IN TRAINING COURSES RELATED TO EDUCATION AND CAREERS COUNSELLING, PARTICULARLY THE ONE-YEAR PART-TIME CERTIFICATE COURSE FOR CAREERS MASTERS OFFERED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
------0--------
TWO NEW AAB MEMBERS APPOINTED *****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR LEUNG KAM-HO AND MR PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG AS MEMBERS OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD (AAB) FOR A PERIOD OF ONE-AND-A-HALF YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, NEXT YEAR, IT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR LEUNG, A CHARTERED SURVEYOR, IS A MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
MR YOUNG, A COMPANY DIRECTOR, IS A MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
------0-------
ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KOWLOON *****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN YAU MA TEI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THEY ARE LOCATED AT FLAT A, THIRD FLOOR, 14-16 JORDAN ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 30 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
MEANWHILE, SIMILAR ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT THE THIRD FLOOR, 1 BERWICK STREET, SHEK KIP MEI.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 29 THIS YEAR HAS ALREADY BEEN POSTED ON THE PREMISES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE GRANTED.
FRIDAY, JULY 19,
1991
26
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICE RESERVOIR AT NORTH LANTAU
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TAT TUNG SHAN SERVICE RESERVOIR AT TUNG CHUNG ROAD ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE RESERVOIR OF 4,500 CUBIC METRES IN CAPACITY AND THE ASSOCIATED SITE FORMATION WORKS.
THIS IS THE FOURTH OF THE SIX CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED UNDER THE.TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY TO NORTH LANTAU PROJECT, WHICH IS REQUIRED TO SUPPLY WATER IN EARLY 1992 TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED DEMAND FOR THE NEW AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION.
THE WHOLE PROJECT COMPRISES A PUMPING STATION AT CHEUNG SHA, TREATMENT WORKS NEAR PAK KUNG AU, 7.3 KILOMETRES OF WATER MAINS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER TO TUNG CHUNG AREAS UP TO TAI PO, AND A SERVICE RESERVOIR AT THE FOOTHILL OF TAI TUNG SHAN.
WORKS ON THE SERVICE RESERVOIR ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND TAKE 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER AUTHORITY, 44TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 9.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 18.7.91 806
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 19.7.91 -30*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -236
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
* O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -266MN
OTHER FORWARDS ’ +236MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.5 *-0.1* 19.7.91
/HONG KONG .......
r
FRIDAY, JULY 19, 1991
- 27 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
18.7 .91 19.7 .91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 5.46 PCT 5.81 PCT
1 MONTH 5.85 PCT 5.93 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.28 PCT 6.28 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.32 PCT 6.35 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.73 PCT 6.75 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 7,045 MN 6,913 MN
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EARLY PARTIAL PAYMENTS TO BCCHK CREDITORS/DEPOSITORS ................. 1
TENDERS INVITED FOR PROJECTS AT EXISTING AIRPORT ..................... 2
SENSE OF BELONGING ESSENTIAL TO COMMUNITY ............................ 3
HK DELEGATION BEFORE GATT'S ANTI-DUMPING COMMITTEE ................... 3
PROPOSED DREDGING AT TSING CHAU WAN AND EAST LAMMA CHANNEL ........... 4
TENDERS INVITED FOR INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM ................ 4
PROJECT TO IMPROVE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CHA KWO LING ................ 5
REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA ...... 5
CLP'S SUBMARINE CABLE WORK PERMITTED ................................. 1
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION .................................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 8
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991
EARLY PARTIAL PAYMENTS TO BCCHK CREDITORS/DEPOSITORS
* i * ♦ i i
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS MADE BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, TODAY (SATURDAY):
’’THE HIGH COURT HAS TODAY EMPOWERED ME, AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, AND THE SPECIAL MANAGERS TO MAKE AN EARLY PARTIAL PAYMENT TO THE CREDITORS, INCLUDING THE DEPOSITORS, OF BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED.
’’THE EARLY PARTIAL PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE OUT OF THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY.
"THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ofr THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL INDEMNIFY THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR AND THE SPECIAL MANAGERS IN RESPECT OF THE EARLY PAYMENTS.
"THE PAYMENTS WILL BE IN AMOUNTS EQUAL TO 26 PER CENT OF CLAIMS SUBJECT TO AN UPPER LIMIT OF $500,000 IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.
"DEPOSITORS WILL RECEIVE THEIR EARLY PAYMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR NET POSITIONS AS SHOWN ON THE BOOKS OF THE COMPANY AND WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR CLAIMS AT THIS STAGE.
"DEPOSITORS WITH BALANCES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO ANY CHARGE OR LIEN WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY PARTIAL PAYMENT ONLY AFTER THE RELEVANT SET-OFFS HAVE BEEN EFFECTED.
"OTHER CREDITORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE SATISFACTORY EVIDENCE OF THEIR CLAIMS BEFORE THE PARTIAL PAYMENT CAN BE MADE.
"A SIMILAR SCHEME HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR BCC± FlNANCfc INTERNATIONAL LIMITED. HOWEVER, THE ASSET SITUATION OF THIS COMPANY IS STILL UNDER EXAMINATION BY THE SPECIAL MANAGERS, AND A FURTHER STATEMENT REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EARLY PAYMENT TO ITS CREDITORS WILL BE MADE AT A LATER DATE.
"CREDITORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TWO COMPANIES WILL NOT BENEFIT UNDER THE EARLY PARTIAL PAYMENT SCHEME.
"PARTIAL PAYMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO DEPOSITORS AT THIS EARLY STAGE TO ALLEVIATE HARDSHIP AND ARE NOT AN ADMISSION OF ANY CLAIM TO PROOF IN THE LIQUIDATION OF THE TWO COMPANIES.
"ARRANGEMENTS TO MAKE THE EARLY PARTIAL PAYMENTS ARE NOW feElMG MADE BY THE SPECIAL MANAGERS AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT PAYMENTS TO DEPOSITORS OF BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE LIMITED WILL COMMENCE THROUGH THE MAIL ON THURSDAY THE 25TH JULY 1991."
/2 ........
4
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991
TENDERS INVITED FOR PROJECTS AT EXISTING AIRPORT
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR PHASE I WORK OF THE SOUTH APRON DEVELOPMENT AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 130,000 SQUARE METRES OF AIRCRAFT PAVEMENT AT THE EXISTING KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION AREA AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE AIRCRAFT PARKING SPACE OF THE AIRPORT.
AN AIRCRAFT TAXIWAY BRIDGE \ND A VEHICULAR BRIDGE WILL ALSO BE BUILT OVER KAI TAK NULLAH TO CONNECT THE NEW PARKING BAYS WITH THE AIRPORT PROPER.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND WILL TAKE 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDERS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER, DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SEVENTH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 16.
MEANWHILE, THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FIRE STATION AT THE AIRPORT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE, WHICH HAS TO BE RELOCATED TO MAKE WAY FOR WORKS ON THE SOUTH APRON DEVELOPMENT.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE LIRE STATION IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-SEPTEMBER THIS M AR AND BE COMPLETED IN MID-AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
THE STATION WILL BE LOCATED AT THE WESTERN END OF THE KOWLOON BAY AND ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT RUNWAY.
WORKS ON THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISIONS OF COVERED PARKING ARE,Y FOR FIRE SERVICE VEHICLES; TWO-STOREY BUILDING ACCOMMODATION ON EACH SIDE OF THE PARKING AREA FOR OFFICES, EXERCISE AND LECTURE ROOMS AND STORE ROOMS; A VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP AS WELL AS FACILITIES FOR UNDERGROUND FUEL STORAGE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING II DIRS IS NOON ON AUGUST 9.
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SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991
SENSE OF BELONGING ESSENTIAL TO COMMUNITY
******
YOUNGSTERS’ SENSE OF BELONGING IS AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR IN ESTABLISHING A CARING COMMUNITY, OMELCO MEMBER, DR DANIEL TSE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
DR TSE, SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A "CARE AND SHArH OPERATION" CUM WORKSHOP ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT A TSlM SHA TSUI EAST HOTEL, POINTED OUT THAT YOUNGSTERS WOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE FOR HONG KONG IN THE COMING YEARS.
• THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT* AIMING AT PROMOTING CARE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MUTUAL HELP IN THE COMMUNITY.
DR TSE SAID CARE AND SHARE IS THE MAIN THEME OF THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE CURRENT YEAR AND PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN A CHANGING SOCIETY, LIKE HONG KONG.
HE, THEREFORE, URGED THE PUBLIC TO CONCERN ABOUT THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, TO TRY TO ACCEPT VIEWS OF OTHER PEOPLE, AND TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES PROPERLY.
EARLIER, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFAkfe* Mfi ALEXANDER FUNG, WHILE OUTLINING A SERIES OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO BE ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE YEAR, APPEALED TO PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO TAKE PART IN THE ACTIVITIES.
"THROUGH THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, IT IS HOPED THAT THE MESSAGE OF CARE AND SHARE WILL HELP STRENGTHEN THE SENSE OF BELONGING IN OUR COMMUNITY,” HE CONCLUDED.
- - 0 - -
HK DELEGATION BEFORE GATT’S ANTI-DUMPING COMMITTEE
******
A HONG KONG DELEGATION PRESENTED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ANTIDUMPING PRACTICES OF THE GATT YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) HONG KONG'S CONCERNS ON THE US ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES AGAINST MAN-MADE FIBRE SWEATERS FROM HONG KONG.
THE DELEGATION ALSO REQUESTED CONCILIATION UNDER ARTICLfe 16:3 OF THE AGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE VI OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (THE ANTI-DUMPING CODE).
/"THE MAIN
4
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991
4 -
"THE MAIN ISSUES WE RAISED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE CONCfeftM THE INITIATION OF THE INVESTIGATION, THE FINDING OF INJURY FROM HONG kONG IMPORTS, THE FINDING OF DUMPING AND THE ADVERSE EFFECTS ARISING FROM THE UNCERTAINTIES IN THE US ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW PROCEDURES," ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE AND LEADER OF Tttfe HONG kONG DELEGATION, MR CLEMENT MAK, SAID.
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN THE ANTI-DUMPING CODE, THE PARTIES CONCERNED WOULD HAVE THREE MONTHS IN WHICH TO TRY AND REACH A MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY SOLUTION. AFTER THAT EITHER PARTY CAN SEEK THE ESTABLISHMENT Op A PANEL UNDER THE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE THE CASE," MR MAK SAID.
---------0-----------
PROPOSED DREDGING AT TSING CHAU WAN AND EAST LAMMA CHANNEL
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS 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, TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHIPYARD.
THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY JUNE NEXT YEAR.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROPOSES TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 939 HECTARES OF SEABED AT EAST LAMMA CHANNEL TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE YESTERDAY (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 SEPTEMBER 18 THIS YEAR.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR INSTALLATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE REPROVISION J NG OF FACILITIES BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT CHA KWO LING I'E'LAMATJON GROUND, KOWLOON.
FORMS OF TENDER AND I I RTIU.R I ’- R I K ULAKS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT ON THE 34TII FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 9.
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/5 .......
SATURDAY. JULY 20, 1991
- 5 -
PROJECT TO IMPROVE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CHA KWO LING t ♦ * t *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A MAINLAYING PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING FRESH WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM TO CHA KWO LING.
A TENDER NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETIE YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE LAYING OF FRESH WATER MAINS IN WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG.
WHEN COMPLETED, THESE MAINS ARE EXPECTED TO ENABLE THE EXISTING SYSTEM TO COPE WITH Till- ANTICIPATED GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR FRESH WATER GENERATED WITHIN THE LOW LEVEL AREAS IN KOWLOON EASI.
WORK KILL START IN OCTOBER AND WILL LAST FOR EIGHT MONTHS.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, WANCIIA1 TOWER II, 44TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER IS NOON ON AUGUST 9.
--------0-----------
REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA
A FIVE-DAY REGIONAL CONFERENCE TO EXPLORE EFFECTIVE MEANS IN DEVELOPING FISHERIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG FROM JULY 22 TO 26.
THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA (CDMSCS), TO BE HELD AT OMNI THE HONG KONG HOTEL, IS THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FISHERIES HOSTED BY HONG KONG IN 12 YEARS.
THE COMMITTEE, SET UP IN MANILA IN 1981, IS ONE OF THE SEVEN SUBSIDIARY BODIES UNDER THE INDO-PACIFIC FISHERY COMMISSION (IPFC) WHICH IS ORGANISED AND RUN BY THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION (FAO) OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
THE IPFC WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE THE FULL AND PROPER UTILISATION OF LIVING AQUATIC RESOURCES BY THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF FISHING AND FISH CULTURE OPERATIONS AND BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATED PROCESSING AND MARKETING FACILITIES.
HONG KONG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE IPFC THROUGH UK’S PARTICIPATION SINCE 1949.
/CURRENTLY THE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991
6
CURRENTLY THE UK (HONG KONG) GOVERNMENT, REPRESENTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CDMSCS.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CDMSCS ARE THAILAND, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA AND THE PHILIPPINES.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE ATTENDED BY 14 DELEGATES FROM THE MEMBER COUNTRIES AND NINE OBSERVERS FROM FAO AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL BODIES.
IT WILL EXAMINE THE STATUS AND TRENDS OF FISHERIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND IDENTIFY MAJOR REGIONAL ISSUES AND PRIORITIES IN THE REGION.
THE CONFERENCE WILL ALSO DISCUSS INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
IN ADDITION, THE STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOTH THE IPFC AND THE CDMSCS WILL BE REVIEWED.
DURING THE CONFERENCE, DELEGATES WILL BE PRESENTING THEIR COUNTRY STATEMENTS PROVIDING FACTS OF FISHERIES IN THEIR DOMAINS FOR DISCUSSION.
HONG KONG’S STATEMENT WILL OUTLINE THE LOCAL FISHERIES PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION STATISTICS.
CONSTRAINTS FACED BY BOTH THE CAPTURE AND CULTURE FISHERIES IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING AND PROVIDING INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO THE FISHING INDUSTRY WILL ALSO BE HIGHLIGHTED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA ON MONDAY (JULY 22) AT 9 AM AT THE CENTENARY ROOM, GROUND FLOOR, OMNI THE HONG KONG HOTEL, HARBOUR CITY, KOWLOON.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE 'DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
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/7........
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991
CLP’S SUBMARINE CABLE WORK PERMITTED * * * * *
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED TO USE AN AREA OF ABOUT 34.10 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN TSI NG YI AND MA WAN AS WORKS AREA FOR DREDGING THE SEABED AND LAYING OF A SUBMARINE CABLE.
THE WORK WILL COMMENCE IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED WITHIN A MONTH.
MEANWHILE, AUTHORISATION HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DREDGE WITHIN TWO AREAS OF ABOUT 348.26 HECTARES OF SEABED AT NORTH OF LANTAU TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATION.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED ARE DESCRtBEb IM THE RESPECTIVE NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKINGS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JULY 18 NEXT YEAR.
THE NOTICES (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AND AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES CONCERNED.
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION *****
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT tit’ FO& AUCTION THIS SATURDAY MORNING AND FETCHED FOR A TOTAL OF 41,199*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 ET 1 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF 4-290,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER DM 8 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF 4100,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS 41,000 EACH FOR ER 3307, DY 8325, BD541 AND ET 5673.
- - 0 - -
/FOLLOWING ARE
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1991
- 8 -
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY 'S AUCTION:
$ i £ ER1328 $
ER3328 14,000 ER6388 12,000 BC1956 2,500 23,000
AL783 15,000 8218 80,000 DD8833 55,000 DY8325 1,000
ER148 13,000 AA8288 52,000 ES601 5,500 ET139 25,000
DD63 50,000 ER428 10,000 AT133 30,000 ER2266 5,000
ES7800 6,000 AT2 90,000 EE800 95,000 BD541 1,000
BB8660 10,000 BT3999 3,500 CS7854 WITHDRAWN ES780 6,000
ET486 10,000 ER321 38,000 ES119 21,000 ET5673 1,000
AR838 51,000 DM8 100,000 ET1 290,000 ER747 8,000
ER3307 1,000 ES317 3,000 XX2988 30,000 CM8827 5,000
ES326 11,000 ER2028 12,000 ES902 8,000 ER2948 4,500
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING. THERE WAS NO BIDDER FOR CS 7854 AND THIS NUMBER WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANT. .
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 166TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $120,368,605.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 19.7.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 20.7.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
$ MILLION
540 NEUTRAL
NEUTRAL
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 21, 19§1
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SURVEY ON HOTEL INDUSTRY ............................................. 1
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD ................................ 1
33 COURSES AND SEMINARS ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS LAST MONTH ............ 2
DB FUNDS FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ..................................... 3
NEW I.D. CARD VISITING SERVICE ....................................... 3
SUNDAY, JULY 21, 1991
SURVEY ON HOTEL INDUSTRY
i I i * i i
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A PRIVATE MARkET RESEARCH FIRM TO CONDUCT A SURVEY ON THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.
THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT PLAN Eok THE ALLOCATION OF LAND AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES FOR HOTEL AND TOURIST RELATED INDUSTRIES.
THE SURVEY WHICH WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN MID-JULY AND AUGUST, WILL COVER ALL HOTELS AND LARGE LAND DEVELOPING COMPANIES.
"THE RESPONDENTS ARE OF DIRECTORATE/MANAGERIAL LEVEL IN THE TARGET ESTABLISHMENTS WHO WILL RECEIVE A LETTER ASKING FOR CO-OPERATION IN THE SURVEY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"INTERVIEWERS FROM MARKET BEHAVIOUR (HONG KONG) LIMITED WILL VISIT THEM AND HELP THEM COMPLETE A PRE-DESIGNED QUESTIONNAIRE."
ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE fefiSPONbfeNTS WILL fefe kEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
ALL THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE REPORTED IN AGGREGATES ONLY SO THAT NO DATA OF ANY INDIVIDUAL PERSON/HOUSEHOLD CAN BE IDENTIFIED.
THE FINAL REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
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PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD * * * * *
FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS MUST PROPERLY LABEL Oft MARK PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS, WHETHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY PACKED, AS STIPULATED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT OFFENDERS, WHEN CONVICTED, MAY BE FINED A MAXIMUM OF $25,000 AND JAILED UP TO SIX MONTHS.
THE WARNING FOLLOWED THE RECENT CONVICTION OF EIGHT FOOD RETAILERS IN THE TERRITORY FOR SELLING IMPROPERLY LABELLED PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS. THEY WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $12,800.
/FOUR OF .......
SUNDAY, JULY 21,1991
2
FOUR OF THEM, THREE GINSENG HONGS AND A RETAIL SHOP IN TSUEN WAN, CONTRAVENED THE REGULATIONS BY SELLING IMPROPERLY MARKED DRIED PORK SLICES, DRIED SHRIMPS AND LIFE BUOY BISCUITS. THERE WERE EACH FINED $2,500 AND THE SHOP WAS PUNISHED $300.
IN THE REMAINING CASES INVOLVING A SUPERMARKET, A FOOD FACTORY IN SHA TIN AND TWO CHINESE HERBS AND PROVISION SHOPS IN CENTRAL, THEY WERE EITHER FINED $1,000 OR $2,000 FOR COMMITTING SIMILAR OFFENCES. THE FOOD ITEMS INVOLVED WERE CHINESE NEW YEAR PUDDING, FRIED POTATO CAKES, JAPANESE-STYLE DUMPLINGS, DRIED SHRIMPS, CASHEW NUTS AND DRIED SQUID.
THE FOOD ITEMS DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD, THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS, AND INDICATION OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PACKER OF THE FOOD AND THE NUMERICAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OF THE FOOD AS STIPULATED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
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33 COURSES AND SEMINARS ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS LAST MONTH
* * * * ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD CONDUCTED A TOTAL OF 33 COURSES, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, TALKS AND CONFERENCES FOR KINDERGARTEN, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS LAST MONTH.
WORKSHOPS HELD IN JUNE INCLUDED THOSE ON LIBRARY ACTIVITIES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, COMPUTER COURSE FOR SPECIAL SCHOOL TEACHERS, CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF TWO CRYSTAL MODEL KITS IN TEACHING A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STAGE 4 OF THE REVISED SECONDARY LANGUAGE SYLLABUS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AT THE SEMINARS INCLUDED THE REVISED BIOLOGY SYLLABUS FOR SECONDARY 4-5 TEACHERS, "KNOW MORE ABOUT ELECTION", FOOD HYGIENE, THE TEACHING OF AS-LEVEL CHINESE HISTORY AND THE SCHOOLS CREATIVE MUSIC SHOWCASE 1991.
COURSES INCLUDED TRAINING FOR TEACHERS LIBRARIANS, HOW. TO SET THE TEACHING POINTS IN TEACHING READING, ASSESSMENT OF SECONDARY AND PRIMARY STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN PUTONGHUA AND ADVANCED TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE.
A CONFERENCE ON SELF CONCEPT AND SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT WAS ORGANISED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND GUIDANCE TEACHERS.
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/3 ........
SUNDAY, JULY 21,
1991
- 3 -
DB FUNDS FOR LOCAL ORGANISATIONS
*****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD IS INVITING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES To APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO CARRY OUT DISTRICT-WIDE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SOCAIL SERVICES PROJECTS.
THE BOARD HAS SET ASIDE AN AMOUNT OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO SPONSOR NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS SERVING THE DISTRICT TO ORGANISE THESE ACTIVITIES, A SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE NOTED THAT THE SUBSIDY TO BE ALLOCATED FOR A PARTICULAR ORGANISATION WILL NOT EXCEED $10,000 WITHIN A FINANCIAL YEAR.
’’THE BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTER WltL MEET ON AUGUST 20 AND OCTOBER 8 TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATIONS.
’’APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE MEETINGS, THAT IS AUGUST 5 AND SEPTEMBER 23 RESPECTIVELY.
’’THE VETTING OF APPLICATIONS WILL FOLLOW THE CRITERIA AS SET DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE AT SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 323 5668.
-------0-------
NEW I.D. CARD VISITING SERVICE
♦ i t * ♦
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A VISITING SERVICE TO ASSIST IN THE APPLICATION FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS OF LAMMA, MUI WO, SAI KUNG. TAI O AND CHEUNG CHAU FROM AUGUST 5 TO 22.
"THIS WILL BE THE THIRD ROUND OF VISITING SERVICE PROVlbED VISITING TEAMS WILL HANDLE APPLICATIONS FROM WOMEN BORN IN 1916 OR BEFORE WHO LIVE IN THOSE AREAS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THS IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUCH A SERVICE IS TO FACILITATE APPLICATIONS FROM THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CURRENT PHASE OF THE NEW I.D. CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME, AND TO OFFER THOSE WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR TURN IN PREVIOUS PHASES A LAST OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY.
/"WOMAN LATE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 21, 1991
"WOMAN LATE-COMERS BORN BETWEEN 1916 AND 1928 ARE THEREFORE URGED TO MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE TO APPLY FOR THEIR NEW I.D. CARDS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"However, the visiting teams will only deal witH HoLbfeRS ofr VALID OLD TYPE I.D. CARDS.
"OTHER APPLICATIONS LIKE REGISTRATION OF AN t.D. CARD Fofe THE FIRST TIME OR REPLACEMENT OF AN I.D. CARD DUE TO LOSS, DAMAGE OR FOR AMENDMENT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO ONE OF THE REGULAR REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICES."
ON SOME OCCASIONS, APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICE IN THE URBAN AREAS FOR FURTHER FORMALITIES. FOR THESE CASES, THE APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS DURING THE SPECIFIED PERIODS, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS:
OPERATING PERIOD CENTRE OPENING HOURS
AUGUST 5 TO 9 NORTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, YUNG SHU WAN MAIN STREET, NORTH LAMMA. ISLAND DISTRICT OFFICE, MUI WO SUB-OFFICE, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND. 10 AM - 1 PM 2 PM - 4 PM 10 AM - 1 PM 2 PM - 4 PM
AUGUST 5 TO 20 SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, PO TUNG ROAD, SAI KUNG. 10 AM - 1 PM 2 PM - 4 PM
AUGUST 12 TO 19 TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, 29 MARKET STREET, TAI 0. 10.30 AM - 1 PM 2 PM - 3.30 PM
AUGUST 12 TO 22 CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, 2 CHURCH ROAD, CHEUNG CHAU. 10 AM - 1 PM 2 PM - 4 PM
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. BE NO AMNESTY FOR
_ _ 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MOU ON NEW AIRPORT A MAJOR STEP FORWARD: MINISTER ..................... 1
GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO GURKHA RIFLES ................................ 2
ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE REVIEW RELEASED .......................... 3
EFFECTIVE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA NEEDED .............. 4
NEW SHEUNG WAN POST OFFICE TO OPEN ON JULY 29 ......................... 6
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 7
MONDAY, JULY 22,
1
MOU ON NEW AIRPORT A MAJOR STEP FORWARD: MINISTER *******
THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT IS VERY GOOD FOR HONG KONG AND A MAJOR STEP FORWARD, THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT, LORD CAITHNESS SAID HE WAS VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE HELP THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THE OFFICIALS, AND THE GOVERNOR HAD GIVEN IN THE NEGOTIATIONS IN PEKING LAST MAY.
"NOW, THAT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING HAS BEEN SIGNED. I THINK THAT’S A GOOD STEP FORWARD. WE WANT TO BUILD ON THAT, BECAUSE THE ONE THING THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG IS STABILITY AND CONTINUITY, AND EVERYBODY HERE HAS SAID THAT GOOD HONG KONG-BRITAIN AND CHINESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE ESSENTIAL. NOW THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO BUILD ON," THE MINISTER ADDED.
LORD CAITHNESS SAID DURING HIS VISIT HE WOULD BE TALKING TO THE GOVERNOR AND SENIOR OFFICIALS, AND MEET AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, TO HEAR • CURRENT CONCERNS OF WHICH THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WAS CERTAINLY ONE.
THE MINISTER SAID PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN GENEVA DURING TALKS ON THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM: "WE’VE HAD GOOD SESSIONS OF TALKS AND WE WANT TO GET THOSE FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GET A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION, AND WE BELIEVE THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS THROUGH THE INTERNATIONALLY MANAGED CENTRES IN VIETNAM.”
IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON THE BCCHK ISSUE, LORD CAITHNESS SAID THAT WAS A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF TO DEPOSITORS.
LORD CAITHNESS WILL ALSO LEAD THE REGIONAL HEADS OF MISSION CONFERENCE BEING ATTENDED BY 14 HEADS OF MISSION IN THE PACIFIC AREA.
"WE’RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE REGION, FROM JAPAN AND KOREA IN THE NORTH RIGHT DOWN TO NEW ZEALAND IN THE SOUTH AND WHAT HAPPENS IN BETWEEN, WHAT ARE BRITISH INTERESTS, HOW CAN WE ENHANCE OUR ROLE IN THE COMMERCIAL FIELD," THE MINISTER SAID.
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/2 ........
MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991
2
GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO GURKHA RIFLES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SIXTH QUEEN ELIZABETH’S OWN GURKHA RIFLES FOR ITS PROUD HISTORY OF SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE PARADE OF THE REGIMENT AT CASSINO LINES, SAN TIN THIS MORNING, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE REGIMENT HAD SERVED REGULARLY IN THE TERRITORY AND THAT HONG KONG HAD MUCH TO THANK IT FOR.
"ONE OFFICER AND FOUR OTHER RANKS HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES wSlLfe ON ACTIVE DUTY HERE.
"THE REGIMENT SAW BORDER DUTIES DURING THE TROUBLED YEARS OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION. IT GAVE VALUABLE SUPPORT TO THE POLICE DURING THE RIOTS IN 1967.
"YOUR VIGILANCE AND PROFESSIONALISM SINCE THEN ON TRE BORDER HAVE HELPED KEEP THIS TERRITORY SECURE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID OVER THE YEARS THE REGIMENT HAt> ALSO WokkEfa CLOSELY WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, HELPING THEM IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DURING TYPHOONS, FLOODS AND LANDSLIPS AND IN MANY OTHER WAYS. :
"YOU HAVE WORKED WITH OUR DISABLED AND OUR SCHOOL CHILDREN.
"YOU HAVE BUILT PATHS AND WATER SUPPLIES FOR OUR REMOTE VILLAGES.
"AND YOUR BAND HAS ALWAYS BEEN READY TO ADD DISTINCTION TO OUR FESTIVALS AND CEREMONIES," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT TODAY WAS A PROUD AND MEMORABLE DAY FOR THE REGIMENT WHEN IT RECEIVED INTO ITS OWN KEEPING THE VICTORIA CROSS WON BY CAPTAIN MICHAEL ALLMAND.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CAPTAIN ALLMAND, WHO WAS KILLED IN BURMA IN 1944 DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, HAD GIVEN HIS LIFE FOR MIS COUNTRY, FIGHTING WITH REMARKABLE GALLANTRY.
"HIS HEROISM STANDS AS A REMINDER OF THE LOYAL SERVICE GtVfiM BY THIS REGIMENT SINCE IT WAS FIRST RAISED IN 1817 AS THE CUTTACK LEGION," HE SAID.
THE REGIMENT WILL DEPART HONG KONG FOR BRUNEI NEXT APRIL. "YOU WILL BE MISSED AND WE SHALL LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RETURN," SIR DAVID SAID.
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/3 ........
MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991
3
ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE REVIEW RELEASED
******
THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE HAVE ESTABLISHED WORKABLE PROCEDURES WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN CHINA FOR THE SPEEDY EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON CASES INVOLVING FIREARMS, DRUGS, SMUGGLING AND CAR THEFTS.
SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE DURING 1990 WHEN THE MAIN CONCERN OF THE HONG KONG PUBLIC WAS THE OCCURRENCE OF A NUMBER OF CASES INVOLVING THE USE OF FIREARMS, A SPATE OF THEFTS OF VEHICLES INCIDENTS AND AN UPSURGE IN SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES BY SEA.
THIS WAS STATED BY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, IN THE 1990 ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE REVIEW WHICH WAS OFFICIALLY RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY).
POINTING OUT THAT POLICE HAD DEVELOPED PROFESSIONAL LINKS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR SEVERAL YEARS, MR LI SAID THAT LIAISON MEETINGS HAD BEEN A REGULAR FEATURE AND WOULD CONTINUE AT NATIONAL, PROVINCIAL AND BORDER LEVEL.
TO TACKLE THE SMUGGLING PROBLEM, MR LI SAID THAT A TASK FORCE, FORMED WITH COMBINED RESOURCES OF SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WOULD IN CONSULTATION WITH OVERSEAS AUTHORITIES THROUGH ESTABLISHED LINKS SUCH AS INTERPOL AND LIAISON GROUPS SEEK TO DETERMINE THE BEST METHODS TO COMBAT THE SITUATION.
"GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY MADE CHANGES TO THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE AND IT IS OUR INTENTION TO TAKE STRONG ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON LAND AND SEA.
"INCREASED EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO EFFECT ARRESTS AND SEIZED CONTRABAND BEFORE THEY ARE LOADED ONTO SPEEDBOATS OR OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION OUT OF HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
ON LOCAL CRIME RATE, THE POLICE CHIEF SAID THAT IT WAS PLEASING TO NOTE THAT THE REPORTED CRIME RATE IN 1990 HAD REMAINED ABOUT THE SAME AS FOR 1980, WHICH WAS THE LOWEST IN THE EARLY EIGHTIES. THIS WAS OPPOSED TO AN INCREASED POPULATION AND THE FACT THAT THE POLICE HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME, MR LI SAID.
MR LI, HOWEVER, STRESSED THAT THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SERIES OF OPERATION ’LEVINGTON’, WHICH STRIKED AT TRIADS, GANG MEMBERS AND OTHER CRIMINALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY OPERATED WOULD CONTINUE.
IN THE FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTICS, THE COMMISSIONER NOTED THAT THE FORCE HAD CONSOLIDATED ITS CO-OPERATIVE APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING DURING 1990.
"HONG KONG HAS SIGNED BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH SEVERAL COUNTRIES TO FACILITATE CO-OPERATION IN INVESTIGATION AND IN THE SEIZURE OF DRUG-RELATED ASSETS.
/"SINCE THE .......
MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991
4
"SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE IN SEPTEMBER 1989 TO THE END OF 1990, CASH AND ASSETS AMOUNTING TO $261 MILLION WERE FROZEN, AND THE COURTS CONFISCATED ABOUT $500,000 FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS,"
ON TRAFFIC, MR LI SAID THAT 1990 EMERGED AS A YEAR OF CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS IN THE OVERALL EFFORT TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
"THE FORCE CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN ITS SPEED-DETECTION AND WEIGHT-CHECKING CAPABILITY BY ACQUIRING MORE ADVANCED EQUIPMENT AND WEIGHING FACILITIES TO MEET INCREASING OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND TO UPGRADE ENFORCEMENT LEVELS."
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT PART OF MODERN POLICING, MR LI DISCLOSED THAT MANY ADVANCED PROJECTS HAD BEEN COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR TO COPE WITH OPERATIONAL DEMANDS.
IN CONCLUSION, MR LI STRESSED THE NEED FOR THE PUBLIC TO PREVENT CRIME, REPORT CRIME AND PROVE CRIME, ADDING THAT THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME COULD NOT BE WON WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE COMMUNITY.
EFFECTIVE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA NEEDED *****
DWINDLING CATCHES BY LOCAL FISHING FLEET AND SHRINKING SIZE OF FISH CAUGHT HAS BROUGHT HOME THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA REGION, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
MRS CHAN WAS SPEAKtNG AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEVfeNTli SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA (CDMSCS) HELD AT OMNI THE HONG KONG HOTEL.
THE CDMSCS, SET UP IN 1981, IS ONE OF THE SEVEN SUBSIDIARY BODIES UNDER THE INDO-PACIFIC FISHERY COMMISSION (IPFC) WHICH IS ORGANISED AND RUN BY THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION (FAO) OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
THE SESSION IS ATTENDED BY DELEGATES OF THE COMMITTEE’S MEMBER COUNTRIES WHICH INCLUDE THAILAND, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, THE PHILIPPINES AND HONG KONG.
CURRENTLY, THE UK (HONG KONG) GOVERNMENT, REPRESENTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, IS CDMSCS’S CHAIRMAN.
MRS CHAN COMMENDED THE CDMSCS FOR ITS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION IN THE LAST DECADE TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES IN THE REGION THROUGH ITS CO-ORDINATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION SERVICES.
/NEVERTHELESS THE
MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991
5
NEVERTHELESS SHE STRESSED THAT MUCH WORK STILL LEFT TO BE DONE AND THAT THE COMMITTEE’S WORK WAS GETTING MORE COMPLEX AND CHALLENGING.
"AT THIS SESSION, THE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER EXPANDING ITS ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO INCLUDE NOT ONLY MARINE FISHERIES BUT ALSO INLAND FISHERIES, AQUACULTURE, FISH PROCESSING AND FISH MARKETING.
"YOU WILL NEED TO ADDRESS THE NOW VERY PRESSING PROBLEMS OF OVER-EXPLOITATION OF THE FISH RESOURCES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND THE DEGRADATION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGION.
"IN ADDITION, THERE ARE MANY COMPETING INTERESTS TO BE RECONCILED AND ANY PROPOSALS OR RECOMMENDATIONS YOU MAKE WILL NEED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE SHORTAGE OF FUNDS LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT THEM," MRS CHAN SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY, WHICH RELIED HEAVILY ON THE RESOURCES OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, HAS ENABLED HONG KONG TO COME FAIRLY CLOSE TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN MARINE FISH.
"WE RELY ON THE LOCAL FISHING FLEET FOR ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF OUR SUPPLIES. OUR CLOSE MONITORING OF FISH LANDINGS HAS INDICATED HOWEVER THAT CATCHES, AND THE SIZE OF THE FISH CAUGHT, ARE BECOMING SMALLER," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHARING THE SAME CONCERN, DR LAWRENCE LEE STRESSED IN A WELCOME SPEECH EARLIER AT THE FIVE-DAY SESSION THAT THERE IS A PRESSING NEED NOT ONLY FOR HONG KONG BUT ALSO FOR GOVERNMENTS IN THE REGION TO PROPERLY ADDRESS DEVELOPMENT AND ESPECIALLY MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN VIEW OF THE DECLINING LEVELS OF FISHERIES RESOURCES.
HE NOTED THAT DESPITE RAPID INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, FISHERIES REMAIN A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE A VITAL SOURCE OF CHEAP AND YET MUCH NEEDED ANIMAL PROTEIN.
"IN HONG KONG, FISHERIES SUPPLY THE 5.8-MILLION POPULATION WITH 31 PER CENT OF THE ANIMAL PROTEIN REQUIREMENT.
"THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECT IS OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE SINCE FISHERIES PROVIDE DIRECT AND INDIRECT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ESPECIALLY FOR COASTAL POPULATIONS IN THE REGION.
"IT IS PERHAPS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF FISHERIES IS NOT OFTEN TRULY REFLECTED BY THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT," DR LEE CONTINUED.
DR LEE DEEMED IT TIMELY TO HOLD THE CDMSCS’S SEVENTH SESSION IN HONG KONG BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN 12 YEARS SINCE THE TERRITORY LAST HOSTED AN INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES CONFERENCE.
"TODAY, THE COMMITTEE HAS A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY THAN A DECADE AGO IN VIEW OF THE MANY PREVAILING CONSTRAINTS FACED BY FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION, ESPECIALLY IN RESPECT OF INADEQUATE FUNDINGS AND DECLINING LEVELS OF MARINE RESOURCES.
/"NEVERTHELESS, I .......
MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991
- 6 -
"NEVERTHELESS, I AM STILL CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE DEDICATION OF THE COMMITTEE AND ITS MEMBERS, WE CAN STILL ACHIEVE THE COMMON OBJECTIVES OF BRINGING ABOUT RATIONAL AND COST-EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF OUR FISHERIES," HE CONCLUDED.
PRESENTING HK ’ S COUNTRY STATEMENT TO THE CONFERENCE IN THE AFTERNOON, THE SENIOR CAPTURE FISHERIES OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR PAUL MAK, CITED DWINDLING FISHING GROUNDS AND LABOUR SHORTAGE AS MAJOR CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE LOCAL CAPTURE FISHERIES INDUSTRY.
HE DESCRIBED MARINE CAPTURE AS THE BACKBONE OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AS IT ACCOUNTS FOR 96 PER CENT OF THE 233,840 TONNES OF FISHERIES PRODUCTION IN 1990.
"CONSIDERING THAT THE SCOPE FOR IDENTIFYING A NEW OR UNDER-UTILISED RESOURCE IS LIMITED, (HONG KONG’S) EFFORT IS NOW FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING THE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY OF THE FILING FLEET," HE SAID.
DR MAK ADDED THAT A TOTAL OF 255,360 TONNES OF FISHERY PRODUCTS WERE CONSUMED LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING A PER CAPUT CONSUMPTION OF 44 KILOGRAMS.
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NEW SHEUNG WAN POST OFFICE TO OPEN ON JULY 29 *****
THE NEW SHEUNG WAN POST OFFICE, LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF WEST EXCHANGE TOWER, 322-324 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, WILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY, JULY 29, THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MISS ELLE M.L. SHUM, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE EXISTING POST OFFICE AT KAI TAK COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 159-161 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS WITH EFFECT FROM 1 PM ON SATURDAY, JULY 27.
THE HOURS OF BUSINESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW POST OFFICE WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE EXISTING OFFICE.
THERE WILL BE 1,000 P.O. BOXES IN THE NEW BRANCH POST OFFtcE.
A SPECIAL HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL PHILATELISTS ON JULY 29.
UNREGISTERED FULL POSTAGE PREPAID FIRST DAY COVERS PREPARED PRIVATELY, AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS, WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
MONDAY, JULY 22, 1991
7 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOb AT 29.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 174.083 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 293.209 MlLttON cubic METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 50.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 20.7.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 22.7.91 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
540
+ 148
-148
NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.4 *+0.2* 22.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
22.7.91 19.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 5.91 PCT 5.81 PCT
1 MONTH 6.04 PCT 5.93 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.24 PCT 6.28 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.32 PCT 6.35 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.71 PCT 6.75 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 8,775 MN* 6,913 MN
♦ RECORD HIGH
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MINISTER ON VM'S ...................................................... 1
GURKHAS HAS AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO HK ......................... 1
THE FUTURE OF THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS .................................. 2
QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS IN CONSTRUCTION PRAISED ................... 3
YOUTH GIVE VIEWS ON FUTURE ............................................ 4
NEW DIRECTOR OF PLANNING APPOINTED .................................... 6
APPOINTMENTS TO THE DISTRICT COURT .................................... 6
APPOINTMENTS OF PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATES ................................. 7
DISPLAY OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS .................... 8
SIXTY-ONE PERMITS ISSUED FOR FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES .................. 8
1992 LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY APPROVED ........................ 9
CHILD CARE CENTRES REMAIN OPEN DURING TYPHOON ........................ 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ................................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 11
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
MINISTER ON VM’S
*****
KWO..1J04 :/•/- MJ8 JKK iq :>/<< pm- : -.;t
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, LORD CAITHNESS, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HE WAS PREPARED TO GO TO VIETNAM IF THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO IN ORDER TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANT PROBLEM.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE MINISTER SAID: "BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK STILL TO DO BECAUSE WE ARE IN NEW UN-CHARTED WATERS, AND THERE IS WHERE THE TECHNICAL DETAILS ARE.”
"WHAT THE PRESENT SITUATION IS THAT THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS GOING ON IN GENEVA AND THOSE DISCUSSIONS HAVE GOT TO TAKE A STAGE FURTHER BEFORE WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS," HE SAID.
"THERE ARE A LOT OF PROB1.EMS STILL TO BE RESOLVED, LEGAL TECHNICALITIES.
"BUT WHAT WE HAVE GOT IS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GOOD WILL ON BOTH SIDES, ON ALL SIDES IN FACT, BECAUSE THERE IS THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS; THE UNHCR, THE IOM AS WELL, AND WE NEED TO GET ALL THOSE AGREED AND TAKE THE MATTER A WHOLE STAGE FURTHER BECAUSE THAT IS THE BEST WAY OF TRYING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, LONG-TERM FOR HONG KONG," LORD CAITHNESS SAID.
"IT KEEPS IT WITHIN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION AND I THINK THAT’S VERY IMPORTANT," HE ADDED.
• /.' • ‘ V-v-a: A •* ■/; !. ■■■. .
4 ■ ! TA1’ LORD 1 CAITHNESS VSALP: THE E'XHftk PETAJLS ON. THE / INTERNATIONAL T HOLDING CENTRE WERE WORKED ON, ADDING;'. "OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO GET THE !/ DETAILS RIGHT BECAUSE THIS, IS A NEW AREA. IT IS AN INTERNATIONALLY MANAGED CENTRE."
WHEN ASKED IF BRITAIN AND CHINA HAD MADE ANY SECRET DEAL ON THE NEW AIRPORT AGREEMENT, LORD CAITHNESS SAID: "THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SECRET DEAL. NOW THAT HAS BEEN MADE PERFECTLY CLEAR. I AM HAPPY TO MAKE THAT CLEAR AGAIN."
_ _ _ _ 0
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GURKHAS HAS AN OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO HK
IN RESPONSE TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IT PLANS TO REDUCE THE ARMY ELEMENT OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON BY ONE BATTALION IN 1992, WHEN TWO GURKHA BATTALIONS WILL BE AMALGAMATED, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
"THE REDUCTION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PROGRESSIVE TAKEOVER BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE OF BORDER PATROL DUTIES PRESENTLY CARRIED OUT BY THE ARMY. THE POLICE WILL ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COUNTERING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ON THE BORDER IN APRIL 1992.
/THE AMALGATION .......
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
- 2 -
THE AMALGATION HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR SOME TIME, AND FOLLOWS CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS.
THERE WILL BE NO REDUCTION IN HONG KONG’S SECURITY OR IN ACTIVITIES TO COUNTER ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
THE AMALGAMATION OF THE TWO BATTALIONS IS IN LINE WITH PLANS TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE GARRISON BETWEEN NOW AND 1997."
THE SPOKESMAN PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION MADE BY THE GURKHAS TO MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF HONG KONG.
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THE FUTURE OF THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS ******
IN RESPONSE TO THE SECRETARY OF STATES’ STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TODAY (TUESDAY), THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES AND MAJOR GENERAL BRIGADE OF GURKHAS HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING COMMENT:
"I WELCOME THE NEWS OF THE CONTINUING PRESENCE OF A VIABLE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS IN THE MAINSTREAM OF THE BRITISH ARMY AFTER 1997. THE REDUCTIONS IN THE BRIGADE ARE VERY MUCH SUBJECT TO THE WITHDRAWAL PLANS OF THE BRITISH GARRISON FROM HONG KONG, ','HICH WILL BE EVENT LED. I CAN SAY HOWEVER THAT THEY WILL COMMENCE WITH THE AMALGAMATION OF THE FIRST BATTALION SECOND GURKHA RIFLES WITH THE SECOND BATTALION SECOND GURKHA RIFLES NEXT YEAR. THE FULL IMPLICATIONS OF THE STATEMENT ARE NOW BEING STUDIED AND I WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT HMS TAMAR AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW."
NOTE:
THERE WILL BE A PRESS CONFERENCE AT HMS TAMAR STARTING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IF THE TYPHOON SIGNAL WAS DOWN TO NO. 3 PRIOR TO THE PRESS CONFERENCE. REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE MAIN GATE, HMS TAMAR, NOT LATER THAN 2.15 PM WHERE THEY WILL BE MET BY A MEMBER OF THE JSPRS STAFF.
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/3.........
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
3 -
QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS IN CONSTRUCTION PRAISED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG HAS THE EXPERTISE AND THE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE TO CONSISTENTLY MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF WORK, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR KENNETH KWOK, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
MR KWOK SAID THE WORKS BRANCH AND THE WORKS DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER WITH THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION (HKCA) HAD BEEN STRIVING TO ACHIEVE INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS IN BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
"TO THIS END, WE HAVE PROMULGATED A RECENT POLICY STATEMENT TO COMMIT OURSELVES TO MOVE TOWARDS THIS OBJECTIVE," HE SAID.
"1 AM CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN DEPEND ON THE CO-OPERATION AND GOODWILL OF THE INDUSTRY TO ACHIEVE OUR TARGETS."
MR KWOK WAS SPEAKING AT A DINNER ORGANISED BY THE HKCA TO CELEBRATE LU PAN PATRON’S DAY.
HE SAID BEING A HONG KONG BELONGER AND HAVING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, HE WAS ALWAYS AMAZED AND EXCITED BY THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF ITS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
CITING EXAMPLES, HE SAID ONE PUBLIC SECTOR HOUSING UNIT WAS COMPLETED EVERY 13 MINUTES, OR OVER 40,000 UNITS A YEAR, WITH AN EQUIVALENT NUMBER ACHIEVED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE STOCK OF ALL BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG, EXCLUDING GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, IS ESTIMATED TO SURPASS 100 MILLION SQUARE METRES WITH THE TOTAL VALUE APPROACHING $1,300 BILLION.
FURTHERMORE, THE CONTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION TO GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAS AVERAGED OVER 24 PER CENT SINCE 1980 WHILE THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS IN 1989 AMOUNTED TO SOME $32 BILLION AND $18 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
"I AM NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE SHEER NUMBER OF FLATS OR BUILDINGS THAT ALWAYS IMPRESSES VISITORS, I AM ALSO TALKING ABOUT THOSE EYE-CATCHING HIGH-QUALITY BUILDINGS OR HIGHWAYS THAT WE CAN SEE IN THE URBAN AREAS, OR IN ANY NEW TOWNS," MR KWOK SAID.
"I AM INDEED REFERRING TO THE RAPID PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE AND ARE CONTINUING TO MAKE IN QUALITY CONTROL AS WELL AS IN DESIGN SOPHISTICATION, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES."
ALL THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN BY CHANCE BUT RATHER BY THE COMMITMENT OF THE INDUSTRY ALL THESE YEARS TO WORKING FOR HIGHER STANDARDS AND QUALITY.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE NEED TO ADOPT QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS AND IT WAS COMMON THESE DAYS THAT CONTRACTORS WORK TO A PROJECT QUALITY PLAN IN MAJOR PROJECTS.
/HE ASSUMED .......
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
4
HE ASSURED THAT WORK ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THESE QUALITY ASSURANCES.
MR KWOK ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HKCA FOR DOING STERLING WORK IN CO-ORDINATING AND ADVISING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS WELL AS FOR HAVING SERVED AS AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION CHANNEL WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
"IN CELEBRATING TONIGHT’S OCCASION, I PROPOSE THAT WE SHOULD ALL RECOMMIT OURSELVES IN STRIVING TO BUILD HONG KONG TO AN EVEN HIGHER STANDARD AND QUALITY FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS,” HE ADDED.
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YOUTH GIVE VIEWS ON FUTURE
*****
FORTY-TWO PER CENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE SAY THEY HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AFTER 1997 WHILE 48 PER CENT THINK OTHERWISE, ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY ON THE ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS OF YOUTH TOWARDS THEIR FUTURE.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS WERE RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, MR HOWARD YOUNG.
"THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED BY MARKETING DECISION RESEARCH (PACIFIC) LIMITED, WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE COMMISSION AND INVOLVED FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEWS WITH 1,003 PEOPLE AGED 15 TO 24,” MR YOUNG SAID. HE IS THE CONVENOR OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE SURVEY.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY, HE SAID, WERE TO GAUGE YOUNG PEOPLE’S ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS TOWARDS THEIR FUTURE, TO IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS AND PERCEIVED PROBLEMS IN THIS REGARD AND TO ASSESS HOW THEIR FUTURE PLANS WERE AFFECTED BY THE 1997 ISSUE.
THE SURVEY IS PART OF THE COMMISSION’S STUDY ON "YOUTH AND THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG" WHICH IS INTENDED TO ENABLE THE COMMISSION TO ASSIST YOUTH IN THEIR PREPARATION FOR MEETING THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
THE SURVEY FOUND THAT ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE POLLED BELIEVE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS WOULD HELP MAINTAIN THE TERRITORY’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AFTER 1997.
THE RESPONDENTS ALSO CONSIDERED THAT THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WOULD HELP AS WELL: DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (49 PER CENT), THE SELECTION OF THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE BY DIRECT POLLING (48 PER CENT) AND THE "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" CONCEPT (47 PER CENT).
THE FINDINGS UNDER "ATTITUDES TOWARDS HONG KONG’S FUTURE" ALSO REVEALED THAT ONLY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THOSE SURVEYED WERE AWARE OF THE BASIC LAW, WHEREAS 71 PER CENT HAD VERY LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IT.
/TURNING TO .......
I
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
- 5 -
TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF EMIGRATION, MR YOUNG SAID THE SURVEY HAD FOUND THAT 32 PER CENT OF RESPONDENTS INTENDED TO EMIGRATE OVERSEAS. BUT OUT OF THIS FIGURE, 76 PER CENT SAID THEY WOULD RETURN TO HONG KONG AFTER OBTAINING FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP.
"MORE THAN 80 PER CENT THAT ’STUDYING HARD’, ’WORKING AND ’RECEIVING MORE VOCATIONAL HONG KONG ECONOMY," HE ADDED.
OF THE INTERVIEWEES HAVE CONSIDERED HARD’, ’LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES’ TRAINING’ COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER
THE SURVEY, WHICH WAS CARRIED OUT BETWEEN JANUARY 4 AND 31 THIS YEAR, ALSO COVERED OTHER RELATED AREAS INCLUDING PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS, LIFE-STYLE AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHINESE CULTURE AND EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANS.
MR YOUNG NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH ABOUT HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS FELT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD -PARTICIPATE MORE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ONLY TWO TO 14 PER CENT HAD EVER TAKEN PART IN VOTER REGISTRATION, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY DISTRICT BOARDS AND IN THE DISCUSSION OF THE BASIC LAW.
ON LIFE-STYLE AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHINESE CULTURE, THE SURVEY INDICATED THAT OVER 80 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE AWARE OF THE TERMS OF "SOCIALISM" AND "CAPITALISM" AND EVENTS IN CHINA, ALTHOUGH THEIR EXTENT OF KNOWLEDGE IN EACH OF THESE IS LOW.
NINETY-SEVEN PER CENT OF THE YOUTH WERE MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONS WITH THEIR PARENTS, WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAD LONG BEEN ENJOYING A HIGH DEGREE OF FREEDOM IN STUDY, WORK AND SOCIAL LIFE.
ON EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANS, THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT STUDYING YOUTHS INTENDED TO ACQUIRE HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS BEFORE THEY SOUGHT EMPLOYMENT AS 60 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS HAD EXPRESSED THE WISH TO RECEIVE TERTIARY EDUCATION IN COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.
AS REGARDS WORKING YOUTHS, ABOUT 80 PER CENT WERE IN GENERAL SATISFIED WITH THEIR PRESENT JOBS. GENERALLY SPEAKING, YOUTH’S MAJOR CRITERIA IN CHOOSING A JOB WERE: PERSONAL INTEREST (93 PER CENT), POSSIBILITY TO DISPLAY ONE’S ABILITY (90 PER CENT), AND JOB STABILITY (83 PER CENT).
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (YOUTH) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR PARRISH NG, SAID THE SURVEY WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF RESEARCH PROJECTS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH.
HE SAID THE COMMISSION IS CURRENTLY CARRYING OUT AN IN-DEPTH STUDY ON THE FINDINGS OF THIS SURVEY.
IT HAS ALSO PLANNED TO ORGANISE A SEMINAR IN SEPTEMBER TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION AND OBTAIN VIEWS OF INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE AREAS COVERED IN THE SURVEY.
CONCLUSION REACHED BY THE COMMISSION AFTER THE SEMINAR AND ITS OWN STUDY WILL FORM THE BASIS OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT IN DUE COURSE.
ALSO ATTENDING THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE COMMISSION MEMBERS MRS TERESA LAM, MISS JUNIA HO AND MRS JOYCE TAI.
------0-------- /6 ...................
TUESDAY, JULY 23,
1991
6
NEW DIRECTOR OF PLANNING APPOINTED ******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER, DR PUN KWOK-SHING, WILL BE APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF PLANNING ON JULY 31, 1991 WHEN MR ROBERT UPTON LEAVES THE CIVIL SERVICE.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON DR PUN ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DR PUN KWOK-SHING, JP
AGED 53, DR PUN JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ASSISTANT PLANNING OFFICER IN 1964. HE WAS PROMOTED TO GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER IN 1985 AND TO PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER IN 1988. DR PUN HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF PLANNING ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
--------0-----------
APPOINTMENTS TO THE DISTRICT COURT ♦ »♦»♦*
THE JUDICIARY ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THE APPOINTMENTS OF FIVE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES.
TWO OF THESE APPOINTMENTS WERE FROM WITHIN THE JUDICIARY AND THE OTHER THREE WERE FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
THE TWO JUDGES APPOINTED FROM WITHIN THE JUDICIARY WERE MR RICHARD NEVILLE HAWKES AND MR IAN ROBERT BRITTON.
THE APPOINTEES FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WERE MR GARETH JOHN LUGAR-MAWSON, MR DUNCAN STEUART KILGOUR AND MR MICHAEL JOHN HARTMANN.
THE APPOINTMENT OF MR HAWKES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 2, 1991 AND OF THE OTHER APPOINTEES FROM LATER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE.
MR HAWKES WAS BORN IN NEW ZEALAND IN 1940. AFTER QUALIFYING THERE IN 1967, HE REMAINED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE UNTIL 1978 WHEN HE CAME TO HONG KONG AS CROWN COUNSEL. IN If 81 HE WAS APPOINTED MAGISTRATE, BEING PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE IN 1985 AND CHIEF MAGISTRATE IN 1987.
MR LUGAR-MAWSON WAS BORN IN ENGLAND IN 1948. HE WAS ADMITTED AS A SOLICITOR IN ENGLAND IN 1972 AND IN HONG KONG IN 1982. IN 1985 HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR BOTH IN ENGLAND AND IN HONG KONG.
MR LUGAR-MAWSON JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG AS CROWN COUNSEL IN 1981, BEING PROMOTED TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL THE FOLLOWING YEAR. AT PRESENT, HE IS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION.
/MR KILGOUR .......
TUESDAY. JULY 23, 1991
MR KILGOUR WAS BORN IN INDIA IN 1942. HE WAS ADMITTED AS A SOLICITOR IN 1968 AND REMAINED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE UNTIL 1981 WHEN HE JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AS CROWN COUNSEL. HE WAS PROMOTED SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN 1982 AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN 1987. AT PRESENT, HE IS SENIOR ASSISTANT CROWN PROSECUTOR.
MR HARTMANN WAS BORN IN INDIA IN 1944 AND WAS ADMITTED AS AN ATTORNEY IN ZIMBABWE IN 1971. IN 1983 HE JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AS CROWN COUNSEL. HE PRESENTLY HOLDS THE RANK OF DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL.
MR BRITTON WAS BORN IN ENGLAND IN 1943. HE WAS ADMITTED AS A SOLICITOR IN 1964 FOLLOWING WHICH HE WAS EMPLOYED BY LEEDS CORPORATION AS A PROSECUTING SOLICITOR. IN 1969 HE ENTERED PRIVATE PRACTICE WHERE HE REMAINED UNTI.L 1976 WHEN HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR. SINCE THEN HE CONTINUED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE UNTIL 1986 WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED MAGISTRATE IN HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
APPOINTMENTS OF PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATES
*****
THE JUDICIARY TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT FOUR MAGISTRATES HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATES.
THEY ARE MR DONALD ARTHUR CHRISTIE, MR MICHAEL COLLIER JENK1NS( MR IAN ST CLAIR CANDY AND MR FERGAL PETER SWEENEY. ALL FOUR APPOINTMENTS TOOK EFFECT FROM JULY 16, 1991.
MR CHRISTIE WAS BORN IN NEW ZEALAND IN 1939. HE PRACTISED LAW IN NEW ZEALAND UNTIL 1981 WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED MAGISTRATE IN HONG KONG. IN 1986 HE WAS APPOINTED CORONER.
MR JENKINS WAS BORN IN ENGLAND IN 1948. HE WAS ADMITTED AS A SOLICITOR IN ENGLAND IN 1973. IN 1974 HE CAME TO HONG KONG AND REMAINED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE UNTIL 1985 WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED MAGISTRATE.
MR CANDY WAS BORN IN DUBLIN IN 1946. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR IN DUBLIN IN 1969 AND REMAINED IN PRIVATE PRACTICE UNTIL 1978 WHEN HE JOINED THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS IN DUBLIN. IN 1985, HE WAS APPOINTED MAGISTRATE IN HONG KONG.
MR SWEENEY WAS BORN IN IRELAND IN 1950. HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR IN IRELAND IN 1974 AND IN ENGLAND IN 1985. IN THE SAME YEAR HE WAS APPOINTED MAGISTRATE IN HONG KONG.
- - 0---------
/8 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
- 8 -
DISPLAY OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS ******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE ARRANGEMENTS Fofc REGULATING THE DISPLAY OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID KEY SPOTS FOR DISPLAYING ELECTIONEERING MATERIALS WERE BEING IDENTIFIED AND WOULD BE CLEARED BEFORE THE START OF THE NOMINATION PERIOD, AND THEN APPORTIONED TO NOMINATED CANDIDATES AFTER THE CLOSE OF NOMINATIONS.
"THIS SCHEME WORKED WELL IN REGULATING THE DISPLAY OF ELECTION PUBLICITY MATERIALS DURING THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND IT WAS THEREFORE DECIDED THAT THE SAME SHOULD APPLY TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS," THE
SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR THE DISPLAY OF ELECTION MATERIALS AT LOCATIONS OUTSIDE KfcY SPOTS, THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE NOMINATION PERIOD. WOULD-BE CANDIDATES CAN APPLY TO USE THESE LOCATIONS NOW.
SUCH APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER FOR NON-KEY SPOTS ON GOVERNMENT LAND. FOR NON-KEY SPOTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND URBAN COUNCIL PREMISES, THE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESPECTIVELY.
THESE APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED AS SPEEDILY AS POSSIBLE.
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OPERATES ITS OWN SYSTEM OF ALLOCATING SPACE IN REGIONAL COUNCIL PREMISES FOR DISPLAY OF ELECTION MATERIALS. APPLICATIONS FROM WOULD-BE CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLICITY IN NON-KEY SPOTS IS AN ADDED FEATURE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND ARE INTRODUCED IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE TIME GAP BETWEEN THE CLOSE OF NOMINATION ON AUGUST 12 AND THE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER IS SHORTER THAN THOSE IN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0------
SIXTY-ONE PERMITS ISSUED FOR FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR ISSUED 61 ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC P^CE TO FOR FLOOD VICTIMS IN CHINA, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN
PERMITS TO
RAISE FUNDS
SAID TODAY
(TUESDAY).
UP TO TODAY, A TOTAL OF 95 WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR A PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PERMIT WERE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A ASSESSMENTS.
POINTED OUT THAT 20 OF THE APPLICATIONS WERE NOT PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PERMIT FOLLOWING INITIAL
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
9
"AS THE ACTIVITIES ARE SPONTANEOUS, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ASSESS THE APPLICATIONS AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE.
"DESPITE APPLICATIONS ARE FLOWING IN, WE MANAGE TO ISSUE A PFRMIT PROMPTLY WITHIN A WORKING DAY IN MANY CASES, THANKS FO THE ADEQUATE INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE APPLICANTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
IN ORDER TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN EXPEDITING ITS WORK, HE REITERATED THAT APPLICANTS SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
APPLICATIONS.
IN THEIR
♦
THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY TOGETHER WITH THE PROPOSED DATE, TIME AND LOCATIONS.
♦
PERMISSION FROM THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES - IN THE CASfe OF A FUND-RAISING EVENT IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, ^MISSION OF HOUSING DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE OBTAINED. IN PUBLIC STREETS, PRIOR APPROVAL SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, THE MANAGEMENT S SOUGHT.
♦
OFFICE, WHILE IN A PERMISSION SHOULD BE
AN AGREEMENT TRANSFER OF OBTAINED.
FROM THE
THE ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE DONATION TO ITS DESTINATION
FOR THE
SHOULD BE
ENQUIRIES ABOUT MATTERS CONCERNING APPLICATIONS SUBSCRIPTION PERMIT CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 576 5922.
FOR
A PUBLIC
LAST YEAR, THE SUBSCRIPTION PERMITS
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ISSUED
OUT
OF 99 APPLICATIONS.
71 PUBLIC
------0--------
1992 LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY APPROVED * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR
IN
APPLICATION
FROM
THE
COUNCIL CHINA TRAVEL
TODAY
(TUESDAY) APPROVED
SERVICE
(HOLDINGS) ON THE
^mited to sponsor a 23-minute_pireworks ?ISEPUAYECREATION
OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, A SPOKESMAN BRANCH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
FOR
THE
HONG SECOND
AN
KONG DAY
AND CULTURE
"THE DISPLAY WILL BE STAGED 8 PM ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, $3 MILLION.
OVER 1992,
THE AT
VICTORIA HARBOUR
AN ESTIMATED
COST
FROM OF
THE LUNAR
"IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, FEBRUARY 8. WHICH IS THE FIFTH DAY OF IHE SET AS A FALLBACK DATE FOR THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY,
FOLLOWING
NEW " HE
YEAR, SAID.
SATURDAY, HAS BEEN
"THE 1992 DISPLAY WILL BE THE 11TH LUNAR NEW DISPLAY SPONSORED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR SINCE 1982.
YEAR
FIREWORKS
/"THE URBAN
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
10 -
’’THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE INVITED TO CO-ORGANISE THE EVENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
”WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE (HOLDINGS) HONG KONG LIMITED WILL BE MAKING THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE ANNUAL EVENT TO ENTERTAIN MEMBERS OP THE PUBLIC DURING THE FESTIVE LUNAR NEW YEAR,” HE ADDED.
------0--------
CHILD CARE CENTRES REMAIN OPEN DURING TYPHOON * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OPERATORS OF CHILD CARE CENTRES TO KEEP TROPICAL CYCLONES WITH SUFFICIENT MANNING
TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED THEIR CENTRES OPEN DURING STAFF ON DUTY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID CHILD CARE CENTRES SERVE TO PROVIDING FULL-DAY CARE TO THEIR CHILDREN THEY ARE
HELP PARENTS BY
UNABLE TO LOOK
AFTER.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT DURING THE HOISTING OF TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. MADE AVAILABLE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES CENTRES,” HE SAID.
THESE CENTRES REMAIN OPEN 3 AND THAT SERVICES ARE TO CHILDREN ATTENDING THE
HE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND THE HOISTING OF TYPHOON SIGNAL ADVISE PARENTS OF THOSE CHILDREN ATTENDING CHILD CARE FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN, THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE
THE EVENT OF
NO. 3, WOULD
CENTRES THAT
THEM TO THE
CENTRE THAT DAY.
’’FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES LOOKING AFTER CHILDREN, THEY ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT SUPERVISOR OF THE CHILD CENTRE FOR APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS," HE ADDED.
THEIR
CARE
HE ALSO ADVISED PARENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR DECIDING WHETHER TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO CHILD CARE INCLEMENT WEATHER.
DISCRETION IN
CENTRE DURING
/Il ........
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MKEG
♦ * * ♦ ♦
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS ----- TUESDAY 23 JULY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER AMOUNT APPLIED Q130 HKD 1,624 MN H169 HKD 708 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED AVERAGE ACCEPTED HKD 400 MN YIELD 6.31 PCT HKD 200 MN 6.44 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 6.33 PCT 6.46 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 54 PCT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE 75 PCT FUND ttfcfeH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TUESDAY 30 JULY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q131
ISSUE DATE 31 JUL 91
MATURITY DATE 30 OCT 91
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400 + 80 MN
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
DATE t MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 22.7.91 23.7.91 540 + ioo
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -100
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTkAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
113.7 *+0.3* 23.7.91
/HONG KONG........
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1991
- 12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS MATURING IN 1 of Exchange fund bills 22.7.91 23.7.91 WEEK 5.91 PCT 5.93 PCT
1 MONTH 6.04 PCT 6. US pui 3 MONTHS 6.24 PCT 6.30 PCT 6 MONTHS 6.32 PCT 6.43 PCT 12 MONTHS 6.71 PCT 6.75 PCT TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 8,775 MN* 4,812 MN
♦ RECORD HIGH
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO VISIT SHENZHEN .............................................. 1
STI ON MFN .............................................................. 1
EARLY INTERIM PAYMENT TO BCCHK CREDITORS/DEPOSITORS ..................... 2
•HONG KONG ENERGY STATISTICS 1980 - 1990* REPORT ON SALE................. 3
LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROMOTES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ........................ 3
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER .......................................... 4
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................................... 5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 5
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1991
GOVERNOR TO VISIT SHENZHEN
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL MAKE A BRIEF VISIT TO SHENZHEN TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
HE WILL MEET MR LU PING, THE DIRECTOR OF THE MONG KONG ANb MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR WILLIAM EHRMAN, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE (NAPCO), MR RAPHAEL HUI, AND HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE GOVERNOR WILL MEET MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ON HIS RETURN AT MAN KAM TO AROUND 1.30 PM TOMORROW. TRANSPORT TO THE CLOSED FRONTIER AREA AND BACK WILL BE PROVIDED BY GIS.
A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (C.G.O) CARPARK AT LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, AT 11 AM SHARP.
A SECOND PRESS COACH WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE SHEK KONG VM DETENTION CENTRE FOR THOSE REPORTERS WHO WISH TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S RETURN AFTER THE VISIT TO THE SHEK KONG CAMP BY LORD CAITHNESS EARLIER IN THE MORNING.
--------0-----------
STI ON MFN * * *
COMMENTING ON THE
PASSAGE IN THE U.S.
IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON THE RENEWAL
SENATE YESTERDAY (JULY
23) OF A BILL SEEKING TO
MFN (MOST FAVOURED NATION) STATUS, THE SECRETARY INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT HAD BEEN EXPECTED THAT THE SENATE WOULD PASS THE BILL.
OF
CHINA’S
TRADE AND ALL ALONG
"WHAT HAD NOT BEEN FORSEEN WAS THAT THE MARGIN OF MAJORITY WOULD BE SO SMALL - 55 VOTES FOR THE BILL AND 44 VOTES AGAINST, MR CHAU SAID.
"OUR OWN FORECAST BEFORE THE AGAINST THE BILL WOULD BE MORE THAN PRESIDENT BUSH NEEDS TO SUSTAIN, IN THE BILL.
VOTING WAS THAT THE NUMBER VOTING 34, WHICH IS THE MINIMUM WHICH DUE COURSE, HIS EXPECTED VETO OF
/"THE PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1991
- 2 -
"THE PRESENT 44 VOTES AGAINST THE BILL 1HEREFORE REPRESENT A MORE FAVOURABLE OUTCOME THAN WE HAD EXPECTED.
"IT NOW LOOKS MOST LIKELY THAT EXTEND CHINA’S MFN STATUS FOR ANOTHER PREVAIL."
MR CHAU ADDED THAT HIS THEIR VIGILANCE IN MONITORING
COLLEAGUES IN WASHINGTON FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS.
WILL MAINTAIN
"HONG KONG AND ITS ALLIES IN IMPORTERS, RETAILERS AND OTHER MEMBERS WILL CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS IN SUPPORT
PRESIDENT BUSH’S DECISION TO YEAR WITHOUT CONDITIONS WILL
THE UNITED STATES, THAT IS OF THE U.S. BUSINESS COMMUNITY, OF PRESIDENT BUSH’S DECISION."
--------0-----------
EARLY INTERIM PAYMENT TO BCCHK CREDITORS/DEPOSITORS ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE SPECIAL MANAGERS OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (BCCHK), WITH THE APPROVAL FROM THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR AND THE HIGH COURT OF HONG KONG, WILL MAKE AN EARLY INTERIM DISTRIBUTION TO DEPOSITORS AND OTHER CREDITORS OF BCCHK.
IN A NOTICE TO DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS TO APPEAR IN THE NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW (THURSDAY), THE SPECIAL MANAGERS ANNOUNCED THAT CHEQUES, TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF STATEMENT SHOWING HOW THE AMOUNT OF DISTRIBUTION IS COMPUTED, WILL BE DESPATCHED TO DEPOSITORS BY ORDINARY MAIL BETWEEN TOMORROW AND AUGUST 1, 1991 . ALL CHEQUES SHOULD THEREFORE BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST 8, 1991.
ACCORDING TO THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE AMOUNT PAYABLE TO EACH DEPOSITOR OR CREDITOR IS BASED UPON 25 PER CENT OF THE NET BALANCE DUE TO DEPOSITORS AND CREDITORS AS AT JULY 17, 1991, THE DATE OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LIQUIDATION OF BCCHK IF A WINDING UP ORDER IS SUBSEQUENTLY MADE, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF HK$500,000 PER DEPOSITOR OR CREDITOR.
DEPOSITORS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THEIR CHEQUES BY AUGUST 8, 1991 OR WHO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS IN RELATION TO THE AMOUNT RECEIVED, MAY WRITE TO THE SPECIAL MANAGERS AT GPO BOX 50, HONG KONG GIVING THEIR NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, ACCOUNT NUMBER, BCCHK BRANCH AND NATURE OF QUERY.
AS FOR OTHER CREDITORS, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR CLAIMS TO THE SPECIAL MANAGERS ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 24, 1991.
CREDITORS MUST COMPLETE A CLAIM FORM WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT DECK FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG OR BY RINGING 877 6771.
DISTRIBUTION CHEQUES TO CREDITORS WILL BE DESPATCHED AS SOON AS THEIR CLAIMS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND ADMITTED.
- 0
/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1991
- 3 -
’HONG KONG ENERGY STATISTICS 1980 - 1990’ REPORT ON SALE t * * * *
A STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED "HONG KONG ENERGY STATISTICS 1980 - 1990", WHICH DEPICTS THE SITUATION OF ENERGY SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN HONG KONG, HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT CONTAINS COMPREHENSIVE STATISTICAL INFORMATION RELATING TO DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENERGY, INCLUDING OIL PRODUCTS, COAL PRODUCTS, ELECTRICITY AND TOWN GAS.
FOR VARIOUS OIL PRODUCTS, STATISTICS ON LIST PRICES, STORAGE CAPACITY, TANK STOCK, IMPORTS, RE-EXPORTS, RETAINED IMPORTS, AVERAGE UNIT VALUES OF IMPORTS, AND QUANTITY OF SALES BY TYPE OF USER ARE PRESENTED IN THE REPORT.
FOR SELECTED COAL PRODUCTS, FIGURES ON IMPORTS, RE-EXPORTS, RETAINED IMPORTS AND AVERAGE UNIT VALUES OF IMPORTS ARE GIVEN.
FOR ELECTRICITY AND TOWN GAS, THE REPORT SHOWS FIGURES ON TARIFF CHARGES, GENERATING CAPACITY, PRODUCTION, AND CONSUMPTION BY TYPE OF USER.
ANNUAL FIGURES FOR THE YEARS 1980 TO 1990 ARE PROVIDED WITH RESPECT TO MOST OF THESE STATISTICS. IN ADDITION, QUARTERLY FIGURES FOR 1989 AND 1990 ARE PRESENTED FOR SELECTED ITEMS.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE> CENTRAL AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $23.00 A COPY.
--------0----------
LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROMOTES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPARES NO EFFORT IN PROMOTING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, COMPROMISE AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR DARWIN CHEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY)»
MR CHEN STRESSED THAT IT WAS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO CO-OPERATE AND TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO WORK OUT MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF LABOUR RELATIONS TO HELP SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.
"BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES STAND TO GAIN FROM THEIR CO-OPERATION, WHICH IS CONDUCIVE TO GREATER PROSPERITY OF AN INDUSTRY," MR CHEN SAID.
/HE WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1991
- 4 -
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF A COLLECTIVE LABOUR RELATIONS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HONG KONG PRINTERS ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG PRINTING INDUSTRY WORKERS UNION.
"THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE AGREEMENT SETS A FINE EXAMPLE OF CO-OPERATION FOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND TRADE tlNtONS IN OTHER INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE AGREEMENT PROVIDED EVEN BETTER BENEFITS FOR WORKERS THAN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE REQUIRES IN SOME AREAS, MR CHEN POINTED OUT THAT LABOUR LEGISLATION SET OUT ONLY THE MOST BASIC STANDARDS FOR THE REFERENCE OF PEOPLE CONCERNED.
"EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND WORKERS’ UNIONS SHOULD, HOWEVER* DECIDE ON THE MOST APPROPRIATE EMPLOYMENT TERMS IN THE LIGHT OF THE ACTUAL SITUATION IN THEIR OWN INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
MR CHEN ALSO PRAISED THE PRINTING INDUSTRY FOR ITS GROWING CO-OPERATION WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, INCLUDING THE ORGANISATION OF HEARING PROTECTION CAMPAIGNS FOR WORKERS AND SEMINARS AND PUBLICITY ON THE SAFE USE OF CHEMICALS.
--------0-----------
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF TWO LOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED IN AREA 2B, SHEUNG SHUI, MEASURES ABOUT 13,400 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS AND/OR EQUIPMENT BUT NOT FOR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC VEHICLE PARKING AND CONTAINER STORAGE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
ANOTHER LOT, LOCATED IN AREA 16B, FO TAN, SHA TIN, tS A 6,200-SQUARE-METRE SITE DESIGNATED EITHER FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS, PLANT AND MACHINERY, VEHICLES AND BUILDING MATERIALS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) BELONGING TO THE .TENANT ONLY OR FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR LICENSED PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT VANS, LORRIES, BUSES AND TRACTORS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS AND TRAILERS).
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 9.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 19^1
5
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STOOD AT 30.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 180.753 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 294.322 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 50.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 23.7.91 540
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 24.7.91 + 72
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -72
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.5 *-0.2* 24.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
24.7 .91 23.7 .91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 5.89 PCT 5.93 PCT
1 MONTH 6.07 PCT 6.09 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.30 PCT 6.30 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.41 PCT 6.43 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.73 PCT 6.75 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 1,501 MN 4,812 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LORD CAITHNESS VISITS VM DETENTION CENTRE ............................. 1
FRIENDLY AND USEFUL MEETING ON AIRPORT WITH LU : GOVERNOR ............. 1
TALKS ON MFA EXTENSION ................................................ 3
NOMINATIONS FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS STARTS MONDAY ......................... 4
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE 1991 ............................... 6
WAGE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1991 ........................................... 8
METROPLAN BRINGS IMPROVEMENT TO ENVIRONMENT ........................... 11
PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF MOON ON SATURDAY ................................... 12
SHA HOSTS RECEPTION FOR VISITING CHINESE MAYORS ....................... 13
/
NEIGHBOURHOOD CHILD CARE SCHEME URGED ................................. 13
FIVE DISTRICT OFFICES CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ADVICE ........... 14
DOCTORS INVITED TO REGISTER FOR SMS ................................... 15
WRITTEN DRIVING TEST COMPUTERISED ..................................... 15
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 16
256 VM'S RETURNED TODAY ............................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 16
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
1
LORD CAITHNESS VISITS VM DETENTION CENTRE *****
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE SEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS (VM’S).
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, AND THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, LORD CAITHNESS TRAVELLED TO SEK KONG BY HELICOPTER.
ON ARRIVAL, HE WAS MET BY THE POLICE REGIONAL COMMANDER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES REGION, MR TOBY EMMET; POLICE SUPERINTENDENT OF SEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE, MR GRAEME SUTHERLAND; AND DEPUTY OF MISSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHcE)i MS CATHERINE BERTRAND.
LORD CAITHNESS THEN TOURED THE CENTRE. HE FIRST WENT TO THS ADMINISTRATION BLOCK WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE BACKGROUND OF THE CAMP AND LATEST DEVELOPMENTS THERE BY MR SUTHERLAND.
MANAGED BY THE POLICE, THE CENTRE IS PROVIDED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES BY NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNHCR.
LORD CAITHNESS LEARNT THAT CURRENTLY, SEK KONG ACCOMMODATES ABOUT 7,500 VM’S, MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF WHOM ARE CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OLD. ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION ARE SOUTH VIETNAMESE WHILE THE REST ARE NORTHERNERS.
LORD CAITHNESS LATER V.ISITED THE KINDERGARTEN, THE SCHOOL COMPOUND, THE FACTORY AND DORMITORIES OF THE CAMP.
HE WAS TOLD THAT ABOUT 400 VIETNAMESE ARE AT PRESENT EMPLOYED BY THE MANAGEMENT IN A VARIETY OF SERVICES WHILE SOME ARE EMPLOYED AS HELPERS BY VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE UNHCR.
------0--------
FRIENDLY AND USEFUL MEETING ON AIRPORT WITH LU : GOVERNOR *»♦♦♦♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID HIS VISIT TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SHENZHEN WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO MEET WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING, AND TO TALK WITH HIM ABOUT HOW TO CARRY FORWARD THE WORK CONNECTED WITH THE AIRPORT WHICH IS LAID OUT IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN FROM SHENZHEN, SIR DAVID SAID: ”1 WOULD DESCRIBE IT AS A FRIENDLY MEETING AND AS A USEFUL MEETING AND CERTAINLY ALL THE POINTS I WANTED TO GET ACROSS, I GOT ACROSS.”
/"SO WHAT .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
2
"SO WHAT WE DID WAS GO THROUGH SOME OF THE MATTERS IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND I EXPLAINED TO HIM, FOR INSTANCE, WHAT MY THINKING WAS ON THE SETTING UP OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE; WHAT MY THINKING WAS ON THE SETTING UP OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO REPLACE THE PRESENT PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE TIMING OF THAT; AND ALSO THE QUESTION OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WHICH COMES UNDER THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP," HE SAID.
"SO WE WERE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THOSE THINGS AND TOUCH ON ONE OR TWO OTHER SUBJECTS AND IT WAS A WAY OF DOING IT IN AN INFORMAL AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID ALTHOUGH TODAY’S MEETING WAS A ONE-OFF THINGt HE WOULD BE HAVING REGULAR MEETINGS WITH MR LU PING, AS SET OUT IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
"IT WAS A CHANCE FOR ME TO EXPLAIN THINKING ON, FOR INSTANCE, THE SORT OF GENERAL APPROACH TO THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, THAT IT SHOULD BE A BODY WHICH BROUGHT IN DIFFERENT SORTS OF EXPERTISE, AND BROUGHT IN DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW SO THAT PEOPLE COULD REFLECT THOSE POINTS OF VIEW," SIR DAVID SAID.
"BUT NOT TOO LARGE, YOU DON’T WANT SOMETHING WHICH IS SO LARGE THAT IT’S NOT EASY TO MANAGE AND IT SPENDS ITS WHOLE TIME TALKING WITH DIVERSE VIEWS, BECAUSE ONE POINT ABOUT THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE IS THAT IT IS TO DISCUSS ANY MATTERS CONNECTED TO THE AIRPORT, BUT NOT TO HOLD UP THE AIRPORT PROJECT. AND THAT’S A VERY IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT IT," HE ADDED.
ASKED IF CHINA SHOULD HAVE A MAJOR SAY IN PUTTING FORWARD ITS OWN NAMES FOR THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, HE SAID: "I WILL TELL THE CHINESE SIDE WHO I AM THINKING OF APPOINTING AND I WILL LISTEN TO IDEAS THAT THEY HAVE GOT BEFORE MAKING THE ACTUAL DECISION IN THE END. THE DECISION IN THE END ON WHO TO APPOINT IS MINE, BUT I’M QUITE PREPARED TO LISTEN TO IDEAS."
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HOPED THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WOULD BE SET UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS SIGNED.
"I HOPE, INCIDENTALLY THAT THAT COMMITTEE WILL ALSO GIVE US, YET ANOTHER CHANCE TO TRY TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE WHAT THE WHOLE PROJECT IS ABOUT.
"ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO DO NOW IS TO MAKE MORE EFFORTS TO GET OUT INFORMATION ABOUT THE WHOLE PROJECT. WE ARE GOING TO, FOR INSTANCE, BE SETTING UP A READING ROOM SO THAT ALL THE MASS OF DOCUMENTS, CONSULTATIVE REPORTS AND SO ON, ARE THERE AVAILABLE FOR ANYBODY TO READ," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE SETTING UP OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY WAS CRUCIAL BECAUSE IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE INVOLVED IN BUILDING THE AIRPORT.
"THAT’S WHAT WE WANT TO SET UP BY LET’S SAY, ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR. IT NEEDS LEGISLATION SO I CAN’T BE PRECISE, IT DEPENDS HOW LONG THE LEGISLATION TAKES TO GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
- 3 -
SIR DAVID SAID THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE UNDER THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HAD VERY SPECIFIC AND LIMITED TASKS AS LAID OUT IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
"THERE ARE ALREADY EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE TWO SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT WHAT SORT OF A GROUP IT SHOULD BE, AND I WAS EXPLAINING TO MR LU PING, OUR THINKING ABOUT THAT; THAT IT SHOULD BE A SMALLISH SIZE GROUP ON WHICH THERE WOULD BE PEOPLE FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHO HAD THE RIGHT SORT OF SPECIALIST EXPERTISE," HE SAID.
"BUT ALSO THAT IT SHOULD BE A FLEXIBLE SORT OF ORGANISATION, SO IF THEY NEEDED TO ADD EXPERTS ON TO IT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO JUST LIKE THE JLG DOES," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE CHINESE WERE SUPPORTIVE OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT: "THEY HAVE UNDERTAKEN THAT. NO CHANGE AT ALL IN THAT, QUITE THE CONTRARY; QUITE CLEAR THAT THEY DO SUPPORT IT; QUITE CLEAR THAT THEY WANT IT TO BE GOT ON WITH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE."
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE ALSO TOUCHED ON OTHER ISSUES WHEN HE MET WITH MR LU, SUCH AS VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS ARRIVING HERE; THE PROBLEM OF PEOPLE COMING THROUGH CHINA, THROUGH GUANGXI AND GUANGDONG; AND THE QUESTION OF CO-OPERATION ON POLICE MATTERS.
"I SAID THAT I WAS VERY KEEN TO ENCOURAGE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE SECURITY AUTHORITIES IN GUANGDONG TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF WHAT YOU MIGHT CALL, CROSS-BORDER CRIMES, SMUGGLING OF WEAPONS AND SO ON," SIR DAVID SAID.
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TALKS ON MFA EXTENSION ******
THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, WILL LEAVE FOR GENEVA THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING FOR THE MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE EXTENSION OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA).
THE MFA WILL EXPIRE ON JULY 31. SIGNATORIES NEED TO DECIDE BEFORE THEN ITS FUTURE.
AN EXTENSION OF THE ARRANGEMENT IS INTENDED TO SERVE AS A BRIDGING DEVICE PENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
"DESPITE CONTINUOUS DISCUSSIONS SINCE MAY, EXPORTING AND IMPORTING COUNTRIES HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE TERMS FOR EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT," MR FOOTMAN SAID.
"THERE WILL BE TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS IN THE DAYS AHEAD, BUT I AM REASONABLY OPTIMISTIC THAT A BALANCED DECISION CAN BE REACHED BY THE END OF JULY," HE ADDED.
/IN PARALLEL .......
THURSDAY, JUlY 25, 1991
- 4
IN PARALLEL TO THE TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS, PARTICIPANTS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN MEETING ON OTHER SUBJECTS IN PREPARATION FOR THE MEETING NEXT WEEK OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE (TNC) WHICH OVERSEES PROGRESS OF THE ROUND.
MR FOOTMAN SAID THE TNC MEETING, TO BE HELD ON JULY 30, WOULD BE THE FIRST GATHERING OF ALL THE URUGUAY ROUND PARTICIPANTS AFTER THE LONDON G-7 ECONOMIC SUMMIT.
"IT WILL TAKE STOCK OF DEVELOPMENTS AND CONSIDER THE WAY FORWARD.
"I WILL EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS TO SEE HOW THEY SEE TIMING OF THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS AND WHETHER THEY CAN BE CONCLUDED IN 1991," MR FOOTMAN SAID.
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NOMINATIONS FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS STARTS MONDAY
******
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (JULY 29) AND WILL LAST FOR TWO WEEKS UNTIL AUGUST 12, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS WILL BE HELb ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, AND THE DIRECT ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 15.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR SUEN SAID THE POLLING HOURS WILL BE FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM FOR ALL FUNCTIONAL OR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES, EXCEPT THE URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY, REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AND THE RURAL CONSTITUENCY IN VIEW OF THEIR SMALL SIZE.
MR SUEN SAID NOMINATION FORMS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, AND CANDIDATES OR THEIR PROPOSER OR SECONDER COULD HAND IN THE COMPLETED FORMS TO THE RETURNING OFFICER OR ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICERS EOR THE CONSTITUENCY DURING OFFICE HOURS ON ANY WORKING DAY, EXCLUDING SATURDAYS.
HE CALLED ON INTENDING CANDIDATES NOT TO LEAVE THEIR NOMINATIONS TO THE LAST MINUTE AS THERE MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH TIME LEFT TO MAKE ANY RECTIFICATION BEFORE THE CLOSE OF NOMINATION IF A MISTAKE WAS DISCOVERED.
ON PUBLICITY ARRANGEMENTS, THE SECRETARY SAID A MASSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN GEARED MAINLY TO MOTIVATING THE ELECTORATE TO TAKE PART IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS WAS BEING HELD.
/"THE PUBLICITY .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
5
"THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMME WILL COVER ALL STAGES OF THE ELECTIONS FROM NOW UP TO SEPTEMBER, USING A WIDE VARIETY OF FORMS OF PRESENTATION AS WELL AS ALL SOURCES OF MEDIA AS FAR AS IS PRACTICABLE," HE ADDED.
MR SUEN SAID MAJOR NEW ELECTORAL MEASURES WOULD ALSO BE ADOPTED FOR THE FAIR AND ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS. THESE WOULD COVER CANVASSING ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE POLLING STATIONS, BANNER CONTROL SCHEME, AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE DISABLED.
MR SUEN SAID CANVASSING ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE POLLING STATIONS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO STRICTER CONTROL, WITH THE CLEAR DELINEATION OF BUFFER ZONES AND PASSAGES FOR VOTERS OUTSIDE THE PROBLEMATIC POLLING STATIONS.
"INSIDE THESE BUFFER ZONES, ONLY A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CAMPAIGNING AIDES, OTHER THAN THE CANDIDATES AND THEIR ELECTION AGENTS, WILL BE ALLOWED TO CANVASS FOR VOTES," HE SAID.
"POLICE PRESENCE AT THESE STATIONS WILL ALSO BE INCREASED," HE ADDED.
ON THE DISPLAY OF BANNERS, MR SUEN SAID SPOTS IN KEY AREAS WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO CANDIDATES AFTER THE CLOSE OF NOMINATION. BEFORE THEN THERE WOULD BE A SANITISATION PERIOD, AND ALL DISPLAYS IN KEY AREAS WOULD BE REMOVED BEFORE MONDAY.
AS FOR ELECTION RELATED PUBLICITY MATERIALS IN NON KEY AREASj PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES COULD APPLY TO THE DISTRICT LAND OFFICfeRS FOR PERMISSION TO DISPLAY, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THOSE WITHOUT PERMISSION WOULD BE REMOVED.
MR SUEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE PHYSICALLY DISABLED ELECTORS TO CAST THEIR VOTES IN SEPTEMBER.
"PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED VOTERS WHO HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO A POLLING STATION WHICH PRESENTS THEM WITH AN ACCESS PROBLEM CAR CALL OUR HOTLINE, 827 1122 FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE MADE TO SWITCH THEM TO ANOTHER NEARBY POLLING STATION WHICH CAN BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THEM.
"VOTERS CONCERNED CAN CALL UP EITHER BEFORE THE ELECTION OR ON ELECTION DAY ITSELF TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS," HE SAID.
ON THE COUNTING OF VOTES, MR SUEN SAID COUNTING MACHINES WOULD BE USED TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE COUNTING PROCESS AND TO IMPROVE ITS RELIABILITY.
IMPROVEMENTS HAD ALSO BEEN MADE TO THE POLL CARD TO MAKE IT MORE USER FRIENDLY, MR SUEN SAID. IT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO HIGHLIGHT THE DESIGNATED POLLING STATION WHERE AN ELECTOR IS TO VOTE AND TO CARRY THE CLEAR MESSAGE THAT ANY I. S ED ELECTOR COULD ALSO VOTE AT THE DESIGNATED POLLING STATION ON Pl ION OF HIS/HER IDENTITY CARD.
STRESSING THAT THE FIRST DIRECT FLECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD A CONSTITUTIONAL AND ni,; AL SIGNIFICANCE, MR SUEN CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO <=>'• <IR ARDENT SUPPORT FOR THIS HISTORICAL EVENT.
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
6
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE 1991 ♦ * * * *
WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED A MARGINAL DECREASE IN JUNE, RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE MARKEDLY, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS ANb STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MEANWHILE, IMPORTS RECORDED AN EQUALLY SIGNIFICANT GROWTH.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $18,812 MILLION IN JUNE, UAs $33 MILLION OR 0.2% LOWER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE MARKEDLY> bY $8,119 MILLION OR 23.7% TO $42,315 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OB TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $8,086 MILLION OR 15.2% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $61,127 MILLION IN JUNE.
MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $11,571 MILLION OR 22.2% TO $63,592 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $2,465 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.9* OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN JUNE 1991.
THIS COMPARES WITH A SURPLUS OF $1,020 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.0% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN JUNE 1990.
PUTTING THESE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF DOMBSttC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991, AT $104,925 MILLION, INCREASED BY $4,387 MILLION OR 4.4% OVER THE FIRST HALF OF 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $50,016 MILLION OR 27.3% TO $233,113 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FltlST HALF OF THIS YEAR, AT $338,038 MILLION, WAS THUS $54,403 MILLION OR 19.2% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST HALF OF LAST YEAR.
MEANWHILE, IMPORTS GREW BY $67,388 MILLION OR 23.1% TO $359,221 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $21,183 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.9% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991.
THE DEFICIT RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 WAS $8,198 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW MUCH FASTER THAN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991.
AS A RESULT, THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED FURTHER, FROM 65% IN THE FIRST IIAJ F Of 19! TO 69% IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991.
/THERE WAS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
7
THERE WAS A SUSTAINED GROWTH IN RETAINED IMPORTS IN THE frlRST HALF OF 1991, AT 18% IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
ALTHOUGH THIS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A LARGER VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT, IT SHOULD LEAD TO A BETTER PERFORMANCE FOR THE ECONOMY IN TERMS OF DOMESTIC DEMAND AND POSSIBLY ALSO DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE 1991:
TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE, 1991
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : RE-EXPORTS : TOTAL EXPORTS : IMPORTS : TRADE BALANCE : $18,812 MILLION $42,315 MILLION $61,127 MILLION $63,592 MILLION $2,465 MILLION tIN DEFICIT J
COMPARATIVE FIGURES APR 91 TO APR 90 TO INCREASE/DEcUfeASfe
LATEST 3 MONTHS JUN 91 HK$ MN. JUN 90 HK$ MN. HKi MN. «
DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE 56,425 128,753 185,178 196,546 -11,368 54,078 99,948 154,026 159,152 -5,126 2,347 28,805 31,152 37,394 -6,242 4.3 36.6 20.2 23.5 •
JUNE JUNE INCREASE/DBCftfeASte
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1991 HK$ MN. 1990 HKt MN. HK* MN.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE 18,812 (30.8%) 42,315 61,127 63,592 -2,465 18,845 (35.5%) 34,196 53,041 52,021 1,020 -33 8,119 8,086 11,571 -3,485 -fl. i 23.7 15.2 22.2
JUNE MAY increasE/decrease
LAST MONTH 1991 HK$ MN. 1991 HKl MN. HKi MN. *
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE 18,812 (30.8%) 42,315 61,127 63,592 -2,465 19,431 (30.2%) 44,924 64,355 67,138 -2,783 -619 -2,609 -3,228 -3,546 318 -3.2 -5.8 -5.0 -5.3
/CALENDAR YEAR
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
8
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-JUN 1991 HK$ MN. JAN-JUN 1990 HKi MN. INCREASE/DECREASE
Uki MN. ft
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 104,925 100,538 4,387 4.4
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (31.0%) (35.4%) 50,016
RE-EXPORTS 233,113 183,097 27. 3
TOTAL EXPORTS 338,038 283,635 54,403 19.2
IMPORTS 359,221 291,833 67,388 23.1
TRADE BALANCE -21,183 -8,198 -12,985
JUL 90 TO JUL 89 TO INCREASE/DECRfeASE
LAST 12 MONTHS JUN 91 JUN 90
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. RKi MN. ft
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 230,262 222,585 7,677 3.4
RE-EXPORTS 464,015 368,406 95,609 26.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 694,277 590,991 103,286 17.5
IMPORTS 709,919 577,991 131,928 22.8
TRADE BALANCE -15,642 13,000 -28,642
- - 0-----------
WAGE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1991 ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR MARCH 1991 WAS 11. fe t>Etl CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1990 AND 5.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1990, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX FOR MARCH 1991 WAS 1.2 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN MARCH 1990 AND 1.3 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1990.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES tN WAGE RATES 1N MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX SHOWED THE FASTEST YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE TRANSPORT SERVICES (15.3%), FOLLOWED BY BUSINESS SERVICES (14.4%), MANUFACTURING (11.6%), PERSONAL SERVICES (10.8%), AND WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS (9.5%).
WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1990, THE LARGEST INCREASE IfAS RECORDED IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES (6.6%), FOLLOWED BY WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS (5.9%), MANUFACTURING (5.7%), PERSONAL SERVICES (4.8%) AND TRANSPORT SERVICES (4.5%).
/THE WAGE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
9
THE WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE RESULTS OF THE HALF-YEARLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERS BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING EMPLOYEES AT ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN FIVE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS. THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEX IS MARCH 1982.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
TOTAL PAYROLL IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENT THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS, AND THEREFORE ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCE.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGES RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT ON HALF-YEARLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, MARCH 1991 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN MID AUGUST 1991.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES, PLEASE CONTACT THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4744 OR 823 4747.
THE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1990 TO MARCH 1991 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1 AND TABLE 2 RESPECTIVELY.
/DETAILED BREAKDOWNS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
10
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR. 1990 SEPT. 1990 MAR. 1991 % CHANGE MAR. 1991/ SEPT. 1990 % CHANGE MAR. 1991/ MAR. 1990
MANUFACTURING 192.2 202.8 214.4 + 5.7 + 11.6
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 194.3 200.9 212.7 + 5.9 + 9.5
TRANSPORT SERVICES 229.9 253.5 265.0 + 4.5 + 15.3
BUSINESS SERVICES 235.4 252.7 269.3 + 6.6 +14.4
PERSONAL SERVICES 224.4 237.2 248.6 + 4.8 + 10.8
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 199.1 210.3 222.2 + 5.7 4-11.6
TABLE 2: REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR. 1990 SEPT. 1990 MAR. 1991 % CHANGE MAR. 1991/ SEPT. 1990 % CHANGE MAR. 1991/ MAR. 1990
MANUFACTURING 111.2 111.2 109.9 -1.2 -i.i
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 112.5 110.2 109.0 -1.1 -3.1
TRANSPORT SERVICES 133.0 139.1 135.8 -2.4 + 2.1
BUSINESS SERVICES 136.2 138.6 138.0 -0.4 + 1.3
PERSONAL SERVICES 129.9 130.1 127.4 -2.1 -1.9
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 115.2 115.3 113.8 -1.3 -1.2
/TABLE 3 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
11
TABLE 3: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
SELECTED MAJOR INDUSTRIES INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
MAR. 1990 SEPT. 1990 MAR. 1991 % CHANGE MAR. 1991/ SEPT. 1990 % CHANGE MAR. 1991/ MAR. 1990
GARMENTS 160.9 171.5 178.8 44.3 + 11.1
GLOVES 191.0 203.8 205.4 + 0.8 + 7.5
HANDBAGS 192.2 205.5 214.8 + 4.5 + 11.8
COTTON SPINNING/WEAVING 210.7 216.9 232.6 + 7.2 + 10.4
KNITTING 175.0 182.4 187.9 + 3.0 +7.4
BLEACHING AND DYEING 207.7 218.0 230.0 + 5.5 + 10.7
PRINTING 238.5 267.2 280.0 + 4.8 + 17.4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 184.1 190.1 208.6 + 9.7 + 13.3
METAL PRODUCTS 201.7 212.8 222.3 + 4.5 + 10.2
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 244.4 256.4 268.3 + 4.6 + 9.8
ELECTRONICS 228.4 241.1 261.6 + 8.5 + 14.6
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 243.4 245.2 256.8 + 4.7 + 5.5
MANUFACTURING 192.2 202.8 214.4 + 5.7 + 11.6
------0--------
METROPLAN BRINGS IMPROVEMENT TO ENVIRONMENT
t » « « »
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METROPLAN PROPOSALS WOULD RESULT IN GREAT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE METROPOLITAN ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THE DECENTRALISATION OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND THE REDUCTION OR BUFFERING OF INDUSTRIAL/RESIDENTIAL INTERFACES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE TOPPING OUT CEREMONY OF KWAI CHUNG INTERNATIONAL CARGO CENTRE, WHICH HAS LAID CLAIM AS BEING THE TALLEST WAREHOUSE IN THE WORLD AT 31 STOREYS, MR WONG SAID FUTURE INDUSTRIES WOULD BE DECENTRALISED CLOSE TO THE PORT AND AIRPORT IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE HARBOUR.
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
- 12 -
HE SAID THE CARGO CENTRE, WHOSE HEIGHT WILL EARN ITSELF AN ENTRY IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS, WAS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED NEAR THE NEW CONTAINER TERMINALS AT STONECUTTERS, TSING YI AND LANTAU ISLAND AND THE FUTURE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT.
"IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE INVESTORS OF THIS CARGO CENTRE DO NOT ONLY HAVE EYES ON THE PRESENT DEMANDS OF HONG KONG, BUT ALSO HAVE VERY GOOD FORESIGHT ABOUT WHAT THE CITY NEEDS AND WHERE THESE NEEDS LIE," HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO NOTED THAT HONG KONG IS THE WORLD’S 11TH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY.
"IT IS A GATEWAY TO CHINA AS WELL AS A REGIONAL CENTRE OF TRADE, MANUFACTURING, FINANCE AND COMMUNICATIONS. A RAPIDLY GROWING AMOUNT OF TRADE INCLUDING TRANSHIPMENT AND OUTWARD PROCESSING IS HANDLED HERE.
"THE PORT OF HONG KONG HANDLED 5.04 MILLION TEU’S (20-FEET EQUIVALENT UNITS) OF CONTAINERISED CARGO IN 1990.
"AS SUCH WELL-EQUIPPED WAREHOUSES WITH MODERN CARGO-HANDLING FACILITIES, LIKE THE KWAI CHUNG INTERNATIONAL CARGO CENTRE, WILL PROVIDE THE MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT TO HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS AS A WORLD TRADING ECONOMY," MR WONG ADDED.
-----0------
PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF MOON ON SATURDAY
*****
IF WEATHER PERMITS, A PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON WILL BE OBSERVABLE IN HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (JULY 27).
DETAILS OF THE ECLIPSE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
HONG KONG TIME AZIMUTH DIRECTION ELEVATION (DEGREES)
MOONRISE 6.48 PM (FRIDAY) EAST-SOUTHEAST 0
MOON ENTERS PENUMBRA 0.48 AM (SATURDAY) SOUTH 49
MIDDLE OF ECLIPSE 2.08 AM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST 43
MOON LEAVES PENUMBRA 3.28 AM SOUTHWEST 31
MOONSET 6.05 AM WEST-SOUTHWEST 0
THE ECLIPSE WOULD BEST BE OBSERVED IN PLACES WITH NO
OBSTRUCTION OF SIGHT TO THE SOUTH-SOUTHWEST.
THE NEXT LUNAR ECLIPSE OBSERVABLE IN HONG KONG WILL NOT OCCUR UNTIL DECEMBER 21 THIS YEAR.
---------0-----------
I
/13 ............................
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
- 13 -
SHA HOSTS RECEPTION FOR VISITING CHINESE MAYORS
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR ALBERT LAM, TODAY (THURSDAY) ASKED A DELEGATION OF CHINESE MAYORS TO PASS ON THE GOOD WISHES AND A MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO THE FLOOD VICTIMS IN CHINA.
HE NOTED THAT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN HONG KONG HAD, ON THEIR OWN INITIATIVE, BEEN ACTIVELY MOUNTING FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES TO HELP THE FLOOD VICTIMS.
MR LAM WAS HOSTING A COCKTAIL RECEPTION AT COLVIN HOUSE FOR A DELEGATION OF ABOUT 40 CHINESE MAYORS AND VICE MAYORS LED BY THE VICE MAYOR OF GUANGZHOU, MR WU LIANG.
THE VISITING DELEGATION IS IN HONG KONG TO ATTEND A SYMPOSIUM ON MODERN CITY CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT FROM JULY 21 TO 28.
DURING THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG, THE DELEGATION HAS feEBN VISITING PUBLIC CORPORATIONS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS MUNICIPAL FACILITIES.
TODAY’S RECEPTION WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND GUESTS FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL, HEUNG YEE KUK AND THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY.
----^0--------
NEIGHBOURHOOD CHILD CARE SCHEME URGED
*****
PARENTS IN THE SAME NEIGHBOURHOOD ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE TURNS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR NEEDY CHILDREN.
THE PLEA WAS MADE TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE ACTING ASSIStAkt DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ANTHONY CHAN, WHEN ADDRESSING A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF DAY NURSERIES OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AT SHA TIN CITY HALL.
"APART FROM MAKING USE OF THE SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE, PARfeNTS CONCERNED SHOULD CONSIDER RUNNING A NEIGHBOURHOOD CHILD CARE SCHEME, PARENTS IN THE SAME NEIGHBOURHOOD TO TAKE TURNS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR CHILDREN.
"I THINK ALL OF YOU WILL SHARE A VIEW THAT IT IS THE PARENTE‘ RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN CHILDREN," MR CHAN At)DED.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD EXPANDED ITS OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES BY INCREASING THE PLACES AT 50 GOVERNMENT-AIDED NURSERIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, AIMING AT ELIMINATING THE RISK OF HAVING YOUNG CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME.
/"FOR THE .......
THRUSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
14
"FOR T AFETY OF THE CHILDREN, I WOULD THEREFORE LIKE TO CALL ON PARENT: TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE SERVICES, INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEIR HILDREN ALONE AT HOME, EVEN FOR A SHORT WHILE," HE STRESSED.
HE NOTED THAT CHILD CARE SERVICES HAD TO BE EXPANDED CONTINUOUSLY TO COPE WITH THE NEEDS AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NUCLEAR AND SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES, AS WELL AS WORKING MOTHERS.
------0--------
FIVE DISTRICT OFFICES CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ADVICE ♦ ♦ * ♦ i
FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, JOINTLY RUN BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) AND THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY (HKLS), WILL ONLY BE PROVIDED IN FIVE DISTRICT OFFICE CENTRES AS FROM NEXT WEDNESDAY (JULY 31).
A CNTA SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A MORE EFFECTIVE ALLOCATION OF VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED TO REDUCE THE PRESENT NUMBER OF FREE LEGAL ADVICE CENTRES AT DISTRICT OFFICES, FROM EIGHT TO FIVE, AS REQUESTED BY THE HKLS.
"THE FIVE NEW CENTRES ARE AT WAN CHAI, SHA TIN, TSUEN WAN, YAU TSIM AND KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICES.
"THE OTHER CENTRES AT PRESENT PROVIDING THESE SERVICES IM EASTERN, WONG TAI SIN AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED," HE ADDED.
THE FIVE CENTRES WILL OPEN FROM 6.30 PM TO 8.30 PM ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
MONDAY SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE
TUESDAY WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE
WEDNESDAY YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE
KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE
PEOPLE WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE SCHEME MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE CNTA’S 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRES IN THE TERRITORY.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CNTA’S CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE ON TEL. 835 1501.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED PEOPLE THAT THE "TEL-LAW" SERVICE WHICH CONTAINS TAPED LEGAL INFORMATION ON 65 TOPICS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE ON TEL. 521 3333 (10 LINES).
THIS SERVICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, OPERATES FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM ON ALL WORKING DAYS, AND CLOSES ON1.Y DURING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
/15 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
15
DOCTORS INVITED TO REGISTER FOR SMS
*****
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD HAS SENT OUT LETTERS to ALL REGISTERED PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS CURRENTLY PRACTISING IN ttONG KONG, INVITING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1991/92.
THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE DOCTORS TO TAKE PART IN THIS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
DOCTORS PARTICIPATING IN THE CURRENT YEAR HAVE TO RENEW THEIR CONTRACT WITH THE BOARD IF THEY WISH TO CONTINUE DOING SO.
THE REMUNERATION TO PARTICIPATING DOCTORS IS $120 PER PUPIL t>ER YEAR.
IN ADDITION, A PER VISIT CHARGE OF $13 MAY BE LEVIED OM BACH PUPIL, WITH MEDICINE SUPPLIED FREE FOR TWO DAYS IF MEDICATION IS REQUIRED. NO OTHER CHARGES MUST BE LEVIED ON STUDENTS.
THOSE WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED OUR LETTER OF INVITATION MAY CONTACT THE BOARD’S SECRETARIAT ON TEL. 894 9603| 576 4765 OR 576 3545.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR JOINING THE SCHEME IS AUGUST 6.
--------0-----------
WRITTEN DRIVING TEST COMPUTERISED *****
CANDIDATES SITTING FOR THE WRITTEN DRIVING TEST AT THE KOWLOON DRIVING TEST CENTRE CAN CHOOSE TO TAKE THEIR TEST USING INTERACTIVE COMPUTERS INSTEAD OF PEN AND PAPER FROM NEXT MONTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID FOUR COMPUTER TEST TERMINALS WITH MONITORS HAD BEEN INSTALLED AT THE KOWLOON DRIVING TEST OFFICE, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR, DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON AND WOULD COME INTO OPERATION NEXT THURSDAY (AUGUST 1) AS PART OF A PILOT SCHEME TO COMPUTERISE THE WRITTEN PART OF THE DRIVING TEST.
"THE CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO ANSWER A SET OF 20 QUESTIONS RANDOMLY SELECTED BY THE COMPUTER BY TOUCHING THE APPROPRIATE AREAS ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN. WAITING TIME FOR TEST RESULTS WILL BE SHORTENED AS TIME WILL BE SAVED SIGNIFICANTLY FOR MARKING TEST PAPERS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE TEST FEE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS NUMBER OF QUESTIONS AND CONTENTS, AND PASSING CRITERIA WERE THE SAME FOR BOTH FORMS OF TESTS.
A QUESTIONAIRE SURVEY CONDUCTED IN MAY LAST YEAR FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN GOOD PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE COMPUTERISED TEST. THE PILOT SCHEME IS TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF THE COMPUTERISED TEST AND A REVIEW WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
------0--------
/16......
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 19§1
16
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTMORtSED BUILDING WORKS AT A BUILDING IN YAU YAT TSUEN, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE AUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE LOCATED ON FLAT B AND ITS ROOF ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF FOOK SUN VILLA, 16 FA PO STREET.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 19 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
--------0-----------
256 VM'S RETURNED TODAY *****
A GROUP OF 256 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 140 MEN, 50 WOMEN, 39 BOYS AND 27 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 60TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 8,062 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 24.7.91 540
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 25.7.91 -21
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +21
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.4 *-0.1* 25.7.91
/HONG KONG .
THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1991
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
24.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 5.89 PCT
1 MONTH 6.07 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.30 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.41 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.73 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 1,501 MN
---------0-----------
FUND
25.7.91
6.04 PCT
6.12 PCT
6.28 PCT
6.38 PCT
6.69 PCT
5,446 MN
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LORD CAITHNESS VISITS STANLEY SATELLITE EARTH STATION .................... 1
FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR 1990-91 PUBLISHED ..................................... 2
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JUNE 1991 ..................................... 2
NEW SECRETARY FOR WORKS APPOINTED ........................................ 6
CONTROL ON DOMESTIC PESTICIDES TO TAKE EFFECT NEXT MONTH ................. 7
BROADCASTING SURVEY 1990 ................................................. 8
LOCAL BODIES PLAY VITAL ROLE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING ! RS .................. 9
FUND BOARD SET UP TO PROTECT WORKERS' COMPENSATION ...................... 10
PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW APPOINTED SWAC CHAIRMAN .......................... 11
REGISTERED AIR LETTER MAIL SERVICE TO KUWAIT RESUMED .................... 12
RECLAMATION FOR CENTRALISED ROCK BORROW AREA ............................ 12
IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD TO BE AMENDED ............. 13
A SECTION OF SECOND STREET TO BE RECONSTRUCTED .......................... 14
INT’L LANGUAGE CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES TO INCLUDE PURSUIT OF QUALITY .... 14
FOUR PRIVATE STREETS IN CENTRAL & WESTERN TO BE RESUMED ................. 15
TENDERS FOR SLUDGE TRANSPORTATION INVITED ............................... 16
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF POLICE QUARTERS ..................... 17
PARRISH NG TO BECOME SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER .......................... 17
COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION 1991-92 .................................. 17
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ................................ 19
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ................................................. 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 20
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
LORD CAITHNESS VISITS STANLEY SATELLITE EARTH STATION
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, LORD CAITHNESS, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE QUESTION OF WHETHER TO OPEN TELECOMMUNICATIONS FRANCHISE TO COMPETITION WAS ENTIRELY UP TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE WAS DIFFERENT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A VISIT TO HONG KONG TELECOM’S SATELLITE EARTH STATION AT STANLEY, LORD CAITHNESS SAID: "IN HONG KONG, YOU HAVE A FAIR TENDER SYSTEM, EVERYBODY CAN COMPETE AND THE BEST MAN WINS."
"NOW, WE HAVE GOT A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT BRITIAN CAN DO HERE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR OUR MARKET AND I THINK THAT’S ABSOLUTELY FAIR. THERE SHOULDN’T BE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT," HE SAID.
"OF COURSE ONE BELIEVES IN COMPETITION, AS A FREE MARKET PERSON I BELIEVE IN COMPETITION, THAT’S PERFECTLY NATURAL. BUT AT THE SAME TIME WHAT ONE WANTS IS EXCELLENT SERVICE," HE ADDED.
"WHERE IT IS ALMOST A MONOPOLY SERVICE, THEN THAT SERVICE HAS GOT TO BE JUST AS GOOD, AND YOU DEMAND THAT QUALITY. THIS EXAMPLE PROVIDES THAT QUALITY," LORD CAITHNESS SAID.
"I THINK WHAT YOU’VE GOT HERE IS THE VERY BEST. IT IS BRITISH. IT IS STATE OF THE ART. IT IS PROVIDING SUPERB COMMUNICATIONS. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MUST DECIDE WHAT TO DO," HE SAID.
EARLIER, ACCOMPANIED BY SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR PETER HEAP, AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, HONGKONG TELEPHONE, MR GREG CREW, LORD CAITHNESS WAS SHOWN AROUND THE CONTROL ROOM OF THE STATION AND SAW A DISH ANTENNA.
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS WERE INTRODUCED TO HONG KONG IN 1969, AND THE COMBINATION OF SATELLITE AND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS GIVES THE TERRITORY THE CAPACITY AND SECURITY NECESSARY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE.
LORD CAITHNESS WAS BRIEFED ON HOW HONG KONG COMMUNICATES DIRECTLY TO EUROPE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM BY UTILISING SATELLITES POSITIONED OVER THE INDIAN OCEAN AND HOW THE TERRITORY ALSO COMMUNICATES DIRECTLY TO THE UNITED STATES AND THE PACIFIC BASIN VIA SATELLITES POSITIONED OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
HE NOTED THAT THERE ARE AT PRESENT SIX DISHES IN OPERATION AT STANLEY, WITH TWO MORE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR 1990-91 PUBLISHED ******
THE GOVERNMENT’S FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1990-91, WHICH ENDED ON MARCH 31, 1991 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FINANCE BRANCH SAID THE TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE YEAR WAS $89.5 BILLION, VERY CLOSE TO THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $89.9 BILLION GIVEN BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS 1991 BUDGET SPEECH.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT, THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND (WORKS ACCOUNT), THE LOAN FUND AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND WAS $85.5 BILLION COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $89.7 BILLION.
"THERE WAS THUS AN UNDER-SPENDING OF $4.2 BILLION OR ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF THE REVISED ESTIMATE,” HE SAID.
THERE WAS HARDLY ANY UNDER-SPENDING ON RECURRENT ACCOUNT: ACTUAL TOTAL EXPENDITURE WAS ABOUT ONE PER CENT LESS THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
"THE MAIN CAUSE OF UNDER-SPENDING CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO A SLIPPAGE IN EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL WORKS AND LAND ACQUISITION AND SOME OF THIS WILL FALL TO BE MET IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
"IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR PAYMENTS ON CAPITAL WORKS TO SLIP. DELAYS CAN OCCUR IN THE LETTING OF CONTRACTS AND PROGRESS ON WORKS, SOMETIMES SLIPS AS A RESULT OF FACTORS THAT CANNOT BE FORESEEN. THESE INCLUDE ADVERSE WEATHER, UNEXPECTED SITE DIFFICULTIES, UNEXPECTED BUT NECESSARY VARIATIONS TO PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS AND DELAYS IN THE NEGOTIATION OF LAND ACQUISITION SETTLEMENTS," HE ADDED.
AS A RESULT OF THE VARIATIONS IN REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, THE OVERALL SURPLUS FOR 1990-91 WAS ALMOST $4 BILLION, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $150 MILLION. THE TOTAL FISCAL RESERVES AS AT MARCH 31 STOOD AT $76.5 BILLION.
- 0 - -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JUNE 1991 ******
FOR JUNE 1991, THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE 12.3% AND 11.8% RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1990, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
THESE RATES OF INCREASE WERE SLOWER THAN THOSE RECORDED IN APRIL AND MAY 1991 (13.9% AND 13.0% RESPECTIVELY FOR APRIL 1991, AND 13.0% AND 12.4% RESPECTIVELY FOR MAY 1991), MAINLY DUE TO THE REDUCTION IN THE TOBACCO DUTY AND THE REMOVAL OF THE FUEL SURCHARGE FROM TAXI FARES.
/AS COMPILATION
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 3 -
AS COMPILATION OF THE 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) SERIES ONLY BEGAN FROM OCTOBER 1990, REFERENCE HAS TO BE MADE TO THE 1984/85-BASED CPIS FOR VEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON OF PRICE MOVEMENTS.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, FASTER RATES OF INCREASE IN CPI(A) IN JUNE 1991 WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO FOR HOME CONSUMPTION (41.7%), SERVICES (14.4%), HOUSING (13.6%), AND TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES (12.7%).
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE FOR THE SAME COMPONENTS IN CPI(B) WERE 39.4%, 13.2%, 12.7% AND 12.1% RESPECTIVELY.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS, WHICH HAS THE LARGEST WEIGHTING IN THE INDEX, INCREASED BY 11.7% IN CPI(A) AND BY 12.0% IN CPI(B).
THESE FIVE COMPONENTS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 89% OF THE OVERALL INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AND 87% OF THE INCREASE IN THE CPI(B).
FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1991, THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) INCREASED BY 12.5% AND 12.0% RESPECTIVELY OVER THE FIRST HALF OF 1990.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1991, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE 11.4% AND 11.2% RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1990.
FOR JUNE 1991, THE 1984/85-BASED HANG SENG CPI WAS 10.9% HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1990. FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1991, THE HANG SENG CPI WAS UP BY 11.7% COMPARED WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1990.
THE 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) FOR JUNE 1991 BOTH INCREASED BY 0.5% COMPARED WITH MAY 1991.
FOODSTUFFS ACCOUNTED FOR THE LARGEST PROPORTION OF THE INCREASES IN BOTH INDEXES. WITHIN THIS GROUP, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE POULTRY AND SALT-WATER FISH AS A RESULT OF INCREASED DEMAND AROUND THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL, AND FOR THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY HOUSING, IN WHICH HIGHER RENTS WERE RECORDED FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS, AND SERVICES, IN WHICH HIGHER CHARGES WERE RECORDED FOR MEDICAL CARE AND CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PACKAGE OF GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO CURB INFLATION HAD PROVIDED SOME OFFSETTING EFFECT ON THE INDEXES.
THE 1989/90-BASED HANG SENG CPI FOR JUNE 1991 INCREASED BY 0.4% COMPARED WITH MAY 1991.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RELEASE THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) IN PARALLEL WITH THE NEW SERIES OF 1989/90-BASEI) CPI(A) AND CPI(B) UNTIL MARCH 1992, AFTER WHICH THE FORMER SERIES WILL BE DISCONTINUED.
/MORE DETAILS ..
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 4 -
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR JUNE 1991, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $7.0 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES, PLEASE CALL THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
1984/85-BASED CPIS AND 1989/90-BASED CPIS ARE CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING TABLES:
TABLE 1: CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B) (OCT. 84 - SEP. 85 = 100) ------- FOR JUNE 1991 COMPARED WITH JUNE 1990
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 = 100)
SECTION FOODSTUFFS INDEX FOR JUNE 91 160.8 CPI(A) % CHANGE OVER JUNE 90 + 11.7 CPI(B) INDEX % CHANGE FOR OVER JUNE 91 JUNE 90 163.0 +12.0
MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME 179.6 + 13.7 180.1 + 13.6
FOODSTUFFS, EXCLUDING MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME 14 4.7 + 9.7 146.2 + 10.0
HOUSING 14 8.9 + 13.6 14 2.0 02.7
FUEL AND LIGHT 110.9 + 6.8 110.6 + 6.3
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 223.4 + 4 1.7 221.2 + 39.4
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 159.4 + 8.2 164.1 + 8.9
DURABLE GOODS 131.4 + 4.5 1 30.3 + 4.3
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 148.9 •» 8.4 149.0 + 8.2
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 17 4.8 + 12.7 173.2 + 12.1
SERVICES ; 179.8 + 14.4 178.1 + 13.2
ALL ITEMS 159.2 + 12.3 158.1 + 11.8
/ 1 i; /THE 1984/85- -
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
5
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 $2,000-16,499 A MONTH IN 1984/85.
THE CPI(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 1984/85-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-$24,999 IN 1984/85.)
TABLE 2: CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B) (OCT. 89 - SEP. 90 = 100) ------- FOR JUNE 1991 COMPARED WITH MAY 1991
(OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 = 100) CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR JUNE 91 % CHANGE OVER MAY 91 INDEX FOR JUNE 91 % CHANGE OVER MAY 91
FOODSTUFFS 114.6 + 1.8 115.0 + 1.4
MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME 116.7 + 0.5 116.6 + 0.5
FOODSTUFFS, EXCLUDING MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME 112.4 + 3.3 112.6 42.6
HOUSING 116.3 + 0.5 115.7 + 0.6
FUEL AND LIGHT 108.4 -0.4 108.2 -0.4
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 145.3 -10.6 138.1 -8.1
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 111.2 -0.2 112.4 -0.1
DURABLE GOODS 105.1 + 0.1 104.6 + 0.0*
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 107.7 + 0.2 107.1 + 0.3
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 117.2 -0.6 116.7 -0.7
SERVICES 114.1 + 0.7 113.2 + 0.8
ALL ITEMS 114.6 + 0.5 114.1 + 0.5
♦ LESS THAN 0.05% •
/THE 1989/90- .......
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
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 $ 10,000-$17,499 IN 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-$37,499 IN 1989/90.)
- - 0 - -
NEW SECRETARY FOR WORKS APPOINTED *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MR JAMES BLAKE WILL BE APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR WORKS TO SUCCEED MR KENNETH KWOK WAI-KAI, WHO WILL BE RETIRING AFTER 31 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHIC NOTES ON MR KWOK AND MR BLAKE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MR KENNETH KWOK WAI-KAI, OBE, .IP
AGED 59. MR KWOK JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ENGINEER IN APRIL 1960. HE WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT IN JUNE 1983, TO DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT IN JANUARY 1986 AND TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN MARCH 1990. HE WAS THE FIRST SECRETARY FOR WORKS WHEN THE WORKS BRANCH WAS ESTABLISHED TN 1990. ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR KWOK WILL HAVE COMPLETED 31 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
MR JAMES BLAKE
AGED 57. MR BLAKE IS CURRENTLY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF CROW MAUNSELL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS LTD AND PRESIDENT OF HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS. HF HAS HAD 40 YEARS CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE COVERING DESIGN, CONTRACTING, ADMINISTRATION AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND IS RECOGNISED AS AN OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL BY HIS PEERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
AFTER QUALIFYING AS A CIVIL ENGINEER, MR BLAKE WORKED FROM 1965 TO 1973 WITH SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK & PARTNERS ON A VARIETY OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN HONG KONG. ;
/BETWEEN 1973
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
7 -
BETWEEN 1973 AND 1989, MR BLAKE WAS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE WITH PAUL Y CONSTRUCTION, HANDLING LARGE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.
HE ALSO WORKED ON PROJECTS IN BOTH SINGAPORE AND CHINA, RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS THROUGH ALL STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION.
HE HAS UNDERTAKEN SENIOR EXECUTIVE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SOME OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, SUCH AS ISLAND AND KOWLOON APPROACHES TO CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, KAI TAK AIRPORT EXTENSION WORKS, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AND TUNNELS, EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACHES.
MR BLAKE IS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, WITH INVOLVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, VARIOUS ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT.
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CONTROL ON DOMESTIC PESTICIDES TO TAKE EFFECT NEXT MONTH i * ♦ * ♦
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED IMPORTERS, RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS OF DOMESTIC OR NON-AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES TO APPLY FOR LICENCES AND PERMITS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 24.
TRADERS OF SUCH PRODUCTS ARE ALSO REMINDED TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELLING AND BOTTLING REQUIREMENTS AS LAID DOWN IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE PESTICIDES ORDINANCE OR ELSE THEY WILL BE PROSECUTED AFTER FEBRUARY 24 NEXT YEAR.
ACCORDING TO AN AFD SPOKESMAN, DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT TO THE AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES ORDINANCE BRINGING THESE PRODUCTS UNDER PROPER CONTROL ARE LISTED IN THE PESTICIDES ORDINANCE WHICH TOOK EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 25 THIS YEAR.
"A GRACE PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR IMPORTERS AND DEALERS OF DOMESTIC AND NON-AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES REGARDING THE APPLICATION FOR LICENCES AND PERMITS WHEREAS A GRACE PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR TRADERS TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELLING AND BOTTLING REQUIREMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ALL PESTICIDE CONTAINERS SHOULD BE APPROVED BY THE AFD. INFORMATION SUCH AS THE REGISTRATION NUMBER OF THE PESTICIDE, THE TYPE OF PESTICIDE, FORMULATION, USAGE, PRECAUTIONS AND SUITABLE DISPOSAL STATEMENT FOR CONTAINERS AND RESIDUES SHOULD APPEAR ON THE LABEL.
CIRCULAR LETTERS REMINDING THE TERRITORY’S 3,300 DOMESTIC PESTICIDE DEALERS OF THE NEW REQUIREMENTS WERE SENT OUT EARLIER THIS MONTH.
/'•UNDER THE..........
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 8 -
’’UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE MEANING OF THE TERM ’PESTICIDE* MAS BEEN BROADENED TO COVER ALL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PESTICIDES IN WHATEVER FORMS AND USE.
’’OTHER THAN AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES, MOTH PROOFER, INSECTICIDE AEROSOL, ANT/FLY/ROACH DUST, RAT BAIT, MOSQUITO COIL/MAT, INSECTICIDE PAINT, INSECTICIDE IMPREGNATED CABINET PAPER AND AQUARIUM USE ALGICIDE ARE NOW SUBJECT TO CONTROL."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "IT IS INTENDED TO REDUCE POTENTIAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS TO THE PUBLIC, IN THEIR HOMES AS WELL AS OUTDOORS.”
THE ORDINANCE INCLUDES A SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION FOR ALL PESTICIDES. THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL EXERCISE CONTROL OVER THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORT, SALE AND SUPPLY OF REGISTERED AND UNREGISTERED PESTICIDES BY MEANS OF LICENCES AND PERMITS RESPECTIVELY.
AS FAR AS REGISTERED PESTICIDES ARE CONCERNED, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL MAINTAIN A REGISTER, PART I OF WHICH WILL CONTAIN READY-FOR-USE DOMESTIC PESTICIDES AND PART II OF WHICH WILL CONTAIN ALL OTHER PESTICIDES.
"SUCH A CLASSIFICATION WILL GIVE A CLEARER INDICATION OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD TO USERS, FACILITATE ENFORCEMENT CONTROL AND PROVIDE A BASIS FOR INTRODUCING DIFFERENT FEES, RANGING FROM $160 TO $525, FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF LICENCES," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR VIOLATING THE REGULATIONS REGARDING LICENCES AND PERMITS WILL BE A FINE OF $50,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE LABELLING AND BOTTLING REQUIREMENTS, THE MAXIMUM FINE WILL BE $2,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
TRADERS AND DEALERS OF DOMESTIC AND NON-AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES HAVE BEEN WELL INFORMED OF SUCH LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS BY AFD.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PLANT AND PESTICIDES REGULATORY UNIT OF THE AFD ON TEL. 733 2160 OR 733 2272.
------0-------
BROADCASTING SURVEY 1990 ♦ » * » ♦
ACCORDING TO A GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON TELEVISION BROADCASTING 1990, RESPONDENTS SPFND AN AVERAGE OF 4.2 HOURS A DAY ON TELEVISION.
VIRTUALLY ALL RESPONDENTS OWN TELEVISION SETS IN THEIR HOUSEHOLDS AND ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OWN TWO SETS.
/THE SURVEY.........
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
9
THE SURVEY. WHICH WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, WAS CONDUCTED BY AN INDEPENDENT FIRM BETWEEN JULY 16 AND AUGUST 27 LAST YEAR AND AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF ITS FINDINGS WILL BE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SURVEY ADOPTED THE METHOD OF RANDOM SAMPLING AND A SAMPLE OF 2,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN PROPORTION TO THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF DIFFERENT STRATA IN HONG KONG WAS SELECTED.
’’ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, MOST RESPONDENTS CONSIDERED THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMMES WAS AVERAGE. AS REGARDS PROGRAMME VARIETIES, THE TOP THREE TYPES THAT RESPONDENTS COMMENTED TO BE INSUFFICIENT ARE INFORMATIVE PROGRAMME, SPORTS PROGRAMME AND FILM,” CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE SURVEY, DR PAUL LEE WHO IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, SAID.
ON PROGRAMME STANDARDS, MORE THAN HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS PERCEIVED THAT THE STANDARDS ON HORROR, NUDITY, SEX, TRIAD RITUALS, VIOLENCE AND TRIAD EXPRESSION ARE JUST RIGHT. HOWEVER, LESS THAN HALF CONSIDERED THE STANDARDS ON DIALOGUE JUST RIGHT.
DR LEE SAID THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY ON PARENTAL GUIDANCE ON CHILDREN’S HABIT OF WATCHING TELEVISION ARE INTERESTING.
SIXTY PER CENT OF THE PARENTS INTERVIEWED CLAIMED THAT THEY CARED ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN’S HABIT OF WATCHING TELEVISION BUT 38 PER CENT OF THE CHILDREN AT THE AGE OF 12-17 PERCEIVED THAT THEIR PARENTS CARED ABOUT THEIR TELEVISION WATCHING HABITS.
THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED OTHER TOPICS SUCH AS THE PERCEPTION OF THE RESPONDENTS ON THE PORTRAYAL OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE ON TELEVISION, ACCEPTABILITY OF VARIOUS THEMES FOR SHOWING DURING FAMILY VIEWING HOURS, TENDENCY OF RESPONDENTS BELIEVING IN CLAIMS MADE IN TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENTS AND SO ON.
THIS IS PART OF A PERIODIC EXERCISE CARRIED OUT BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY. THE LAST ONE WAS CONDUCTED IN 1987.
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LOCAL BODIES PLAY VITAL ROLE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING : RS ******
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING SERVICES, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION, MR LAN SAID THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY THESE ORGANISATIONS HAD FOSTERED MUTUAL UNL ^STANDING AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD RELATIONS AMONG RESIDENTS AS WELI AS ENHANCING THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY.
/"THE OBJECTIVE ......
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 10 -
"THE OBJ! LIVE OF THESE ACTIVITIES COINCIDES WITH tHfe PRINCIPLE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, HE SAID.
EARLIFR, MR LAN PRAISED THE SHAM SHUT PO ARTS ASSOCIATION FOI* ITS CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY BUILDING SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
"THE ASSOCIATION HAS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS ORGANISED MORE THAN 50 ARTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR DISTRICT RESIDENTS.
"THE CHOIR OF THE ASSOCIATION HAS ALSO ACTIVELY NURTURED THE INTEREST IN MUSIC OF YOUNGSTERS IN THE DISTRICT.
’’THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE NOT ONLY ENHANCED RESIDENTS’ S1ANDARD IN ARTS, BUT HAVE ALSO ENABLED THEM TO LIVE A FULLER LIFE," MR LAN SAID.
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FUND BOARD SET UP TO PROTECT WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
WORKERS WHO FAIL TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR WORK INJURIES BECAUSE OF THEIR EMPLOYER’S FAILURE TO INSURE THEM OR THE INSURER’S INSOLVENCY, MAY APPLY FOR PAYMENT FROM THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND BOARD.
THE FUND BOARD, WHICH WAS SET UP ON JULY 1, COMPRISES EIGHT MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR ON A THREE-YEAR TERM, WITH QUEEN’S COUNSEL MR ANTHONY NEOH AS THE CHAIRMAN.
OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE DR LUI MING-WAH AND MR CHAN WING-KEF REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS, MISS LI FUNG-YING AND MR POON TO-CHUEM REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES, MR VALIANT CHEUNG, A CERTIFIED PUBLIC’ ACCOUNTANT, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE AND TH! DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE.
’’THE FUND BOARD WILL PROCESS APPLICATIONS AND WILL MAKI* PAYMENTS IN DEFAULT CASES FROM THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND IN RESPECT OF WORK INJURIES SUSTAINED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984," MR NEOH SAID.
’’HOWEVER, APPLICANTS MUST PROVE THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY EXHAUSTED ALL LEGAL AND FINANCIALLY VIABLE CHANNELS Ob RECOVERS BEFORE THEY APPLY FOR PAYMENT FROM THE FUND,” MR NEOH EXPLAINED.
THE FUND COMES FROM A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON EACH EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION PREMIUM AS REQUIRED UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1 LAST YEAR.
’’EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE PAID IHE LEVY WILL ALSO QUALIFY FOP PROTECTION AND WILL BE INDEMNIFIED L« THE FUND IN RESPECT OF THEIR LIABILITY FOR EMPLOYEES’ COMPENS "IO ' SHOULD THEIR INSURER BECOME INSOLVENT," MR NEOH NOTED.
/"EMPLOYEES HAVING .......
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 11 -
"EMPLOYEES HAVING A VALID CLAIM ARE ENTITLED TO RECOVER THE LEGAL COST THEY HAVE INCURRED IN MAKING AN APPLICATION, WHILE COSTS INCURRED BY EMPLOYERS WILL BE REIMBURSED ONLY AT THE FUND BOARD’S DISCRETION,” HE ADDED.
"SHOULD THERE BE INSUFFICIENT MONEY TO PAY ALL APPLICANTS, THE FUND BOARD WILL OPERATE A QUEUING SYSTEM, WITH PRIORITY FOR PAYMENT BEING DETERMINED BY THE NATURE OF THE CLAIM AND THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT," MR NEOH SAID.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED AN INFORMATION LEAFLET ON THE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR MAKING APPLICATION TO THE FUND BOARD. COPIES OF THE LEAFLET ARE OBTAINABLE FROM ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION.
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PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW APPOINTED SWAC CHAIRMAN
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, HAS APPOINTED PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW WING-SUM AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE APPOINTMENT, PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE, WILL TAKE EFFECT ON AUGUST 1, 1991 AND LAST UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 1992.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE SWAC ARE:
* TO KEEP SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES UNDER CONTINUOUS REVIEW, AND
* TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, ON ALL MATTERS OF SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY.
PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW, AGED 44, IS NOW PROFESSOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE HAS BEEN A SWAC MEMBER SINCE SEPTEMBER 1984.
HE WAS ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE THEN WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES WHICH FORMULATED THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND.
ON PROF CHOW’S APPOINTMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID:
"I WELCOME THE APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW, WHO IS A RESPECTED FIGURE IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD IN HONG KONG AND HAS LONG EXPERIENCE ON THE COMMITTEE."
HE SAID HE WAS SORRY TO SEE THE DEPARTURE OF MRS ROSANNA TAM FROM THE SWAC.
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/12 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
REGISTERED AIR LETTER MAIL SERVICE TO KUWAIT RESUMED
******
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MISS ELLE SHUM, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT FURTHER TO THE RESUMPTION OF ORDINARY AIR LETTER MAIL SERVICE TO KUWAIT ON JUNE 10, REGISTERED AIR LETTER MAIL SERVICE HAS NOW RESUMED.
OTHER SERVICES TO KUWAIT, INCLUDING SURFACE MAIL, PARCEL, SPEEDPOST, EXPRESS AND POSTFAX, REMAIN SUSPENDED.
- - 0 - -
RECLAMATION FOR CENTRALISED ROCK BORROW AREA
*****
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION NEAR FA PENG AT TSING CHAU TSAI IN LANTAU TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A CENTRALISED ROCK BORROW AREA.
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE AN AREA OF ABOUT 54.4 HECTARES OF SEABED NEAR FA PENG.
THE AREA WILL BE USED FOR TEMPORARY STOCKPILING OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL FROM AN ADJACENT ROCK BORROW AREA ON TSING CHAU PENINSULA AND FOR THE MOORING OF BARGES FOR THE LOADING AND TRANSPORT OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN LATE NEXT YEAR.
ALSO, AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 2.7 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED NEAR NORTH TSING YI AND NGAU KOK WAN.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A WORKS AREA FOR CONTRACTORS AND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BARGING POINT FOR REMOVING EXCAVATED MATERIAL TO BE USED AS FILL MATERIAL FOR THE NEW AIRPORT.
WORKS WILL BEGIN IN THE FIRST QUARTER NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN SIX MONTHS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WERE DESCRIBED IN NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION 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 BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKINGS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JULY 25 NEXT YEAR.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
- - 0 - -
/I3
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 13
IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD TO BE AMENDED
*******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE WORKS FOR IMPROVING A SECTION OF AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD BETWEEN LEI TUNG ESTATE AND LEE NAM ROAD, HONG KONG.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE.
THE NOTICE ON THE ORIGINAL WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON MARCH 22 AND 28, THIS YEAR.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS INCLUDE:-
* RECONSTRUCTION AND WIDENING OF A SECTION OF AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD, BETWEEN LEI TUNG ESTATE ROAD IN THE EAST AND THE BUS STATION AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE IN THE WEST, TO DUAL CARRIAGEWAY STANDARD;
* RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD JUNCTIONS OF AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD WITH LEI TUNG ESTATE ROAD AND LEE CHI ROAD;
* CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXTENSION TO AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE ROAD FROM THE BUS STATION AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE FOR ACCESS TO AP LEI CHAU INLAND LOT 121 DEVELOPMENT;
* RECONSTRUCTION AND WIDENING OF A SECTION OF LEE NAM ROAb, TO DUAL CARRIAGEWAY STANDARD;
* RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD LEADING TO THE BUS STATION AT AP LEI CHAU ESTATE;
* CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS AND STAIRCASES, AND CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS, CAISSON WALL, SLOPES AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE PLANS AND AMENDED SCHEME 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, HONG KONG;
* HONG KONG SOUTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG;
* AP LEI CHAU SUB-OFFICE, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL, LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT 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 NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 24, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND HOW HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS OR THE USE.
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/14 .....
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 14 -
A SECTION OF SECOND STREET TO BE RECONSTRUCTED
******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RECONSTRUCT A SECTION OF SECOND STREET BETWEEN WATER STREET AND POKFULAM ROAD, WESTERN.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 85-METRE LONG CARRIAGEWAY AND THE ASSOCIATED FOOTWAYS.
FOR THE PURPOSES OF OR INCIDENTAL TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, THE GOVERNMENT MAY REMOVE ANY OBJECT OR STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO OR PROJECTING FROM SOME BUILDINGS IN SECOND STREET AND WATER STREET.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE.
THE PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS 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, HONG KONG.
* HONG KONG WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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 NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 24 THIS YEAR DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND HOW HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS OR THE USE.
- - 0---------
INT’L LANGUAGE CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES TO INCLUDE PURSUIT OF QUALITY * * * * *
THE PURSUIT OF QUALITY WILL BE ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE SEVENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGE STUDIES AND TEACHER EDUCATION BEING ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION.
QUILT AND QUILL IS THE THEME OF WILL BE OPENED ON DECEMBER 17 AT
THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE WHICH
THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND
EXHIBITION CENTRE IN WAN CHAI.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE CONFERENCE WILL EXAMINE KEY ISSUES RELATING TO ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING QUALITY IN LANGUAGE TEACHING.
/IT WILL .......
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 15 -
IT WILL ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION ON:
* QUALITY IN SCHOOLS: THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS;
♦ RELATIONSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS;
♦ QUALITY IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC IMPERATIVES;
♦ LANGUAGE STANDARDS;
♦ AREAS IN THE PURSUIT OF QUALITY; AND
♦ ASSESSMENT, APPRAISAL AND MONITORING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ABOUT 100 PAPERS AND WORKSHOPS WILL BE PRESENTED IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE BY WORLD EXPERTS.
"IT WILL BE A PRIME OCCASION FOR ACADEMICS AND PRACTITIONERS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION, AS WELL AS FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE INTERESTD IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN THE 1990S," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THOSE WHO WISHED COULD STILL SUBMIT PAPERS NOT LATER THAN THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE SHOULD APPLY NOW AS THERE WILL NOT BE ON-SITE ENROLMENT AT THE CONVENTION VENUE.
HE SAID SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR REGISTERED TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE PARTIAL REFUND OF THE REGISTRATION FEES.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE AT THE INSTITUTE OF LANGuAcfe tN EDUCATION AT 2 HOSPITAL ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS OR BY TELEPHONING 803 2420.
--------0-----------
FOUR PRIVATE STREETS IN CENTRAL & WESTERN TO BE RESUMED *******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR SAM TO LANE, CHUNG WO LANE, WA IN FONG EAST AND WA IN FONG WEST IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
THE FOUR STREETS ARE UNDER PRIVATE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIPS AND ARE NOT PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED.
AS A RESULT, THEY ARE IN POOR REPAIR AND ARE PARTLY OCCUPIED BY STALLS THAT OBSTRUCT PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT. THE SITUATION GIVES RISE TO CONSIDERABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CLEAR THE OBSTRUCTING STALLS AND TO REPAIR THE STREETS TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
/THE PROPOSED .......
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 16 -
THE PROPOSED REPAIR WORKS INCLUDE REPAIRING THE DEFECTIVE FOOTWAYS AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE BY NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN 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, HONG KONG;
* HONG KONG WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT 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 NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 17.
-----o------
TENDERS FOR SLUDGE TRANSPORTATION INVITED
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF WATER TREATMENT SLUDGE FROM PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS IN SAI KUNG TO TSEUNG KWAN O SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IN TSEUNG KWAN O FOR DISPOSAL.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, THE OPERATOR IS REQUIRED INITIALLY TO EMPLOY THREE ROAD-TANKER VEHICLES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF SLUDGE.
THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE OF A CAPACITY OF NOT LESS THAN 7.5 CUBIC METRES AND MAY BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A 24-HOUR SERVICE ON A THREE-SHIFT BASIS.
THE CONTRACT PERIOD COVERS 12 MONTHS AND IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 16.
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
- 17 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF POLICE QUARTERS * * * I *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO BUILDINGS ON TSING YI ISLAND WHICH WILL BE USED AS MARRIED QUARTERS FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN NOVEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN JULY 1993.
UPON COMPLETION, THE TWO 19-STOREY BUILDINGS WILL CONSIST OF 288 QUARTERS.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMITTING OF TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 16.
- - 0----------
PARRISH NG TO BECOME SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER
******
MR PARRISH NG WILL TAKE UP THE POST OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 19, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN THE MEANTIME, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (COMMUNITY AFFAIRS), MISS BERNADETTE LINN, WILL DOUBLE UP AS DISTRICT OFFICER FROM AUGUST 1 WHEN THE POST IS VACATED BY MR FREDERICK TONG.
------0--------
COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION 1991-92 ♦ * t * ♦
THE ANNUAL COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION (CRE) FOR FIVE CIVIL SERVICE GRADES WILL BE HELD ON A SATURDAY IN EARLY-NOVEMBER THIS YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FIVE GRADES ARE: ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (AO), EXECUTIVE OFFICER II (EO II), ASSISTANT LABOUR OFFICER II (ALO II), MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICER II (MSO II) AND ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER II (ATO II).
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE WORK OI THESE POSTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
/* AO'S ARE ........
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
18
* AO’S ARE CONCERNED WITH THE FORMULATION, CO-ORDINAttoMj IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES AND THE CONTROL OF RESOURCES INVOLVED. THEY ARE GENERALIST MANAGERS WHOSE CAREERS SPAN A VARIETY OF POSTINGS AND WHO DEAL WITH PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.
* EO Il’S ARE MAINLY DEPLOYED ON ASSISTING IN THE DAY-TO-t)AY ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS IN SUPPORT OF DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES, RESOURCE PLANNING AND CONTROL, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS AS WELL AS DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION LIAISON FUNCTIONS.
* ALO It'S PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO STUDENTSj JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS; AND ENFORCE LABOUR LEGISLATION.
* MSO Il’S CARRY OUT MANAGEMENT SERVICES WORK SUcM AS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES, ORGANISATION REVlfews, VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES, OFFICE AUTOMATION STUDIES AND CONDUCTS ASSIGNMENTS ON OFFICE ACCOMMODATION PLANNING AND USE OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT.
* ATO Il’S WORK EITHER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE OR INDUSTRY AND ASSIST IN RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, LICENSING AND CONTROL MANAGEMENT, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION. THEY MAY HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND OVERSEAS CONFERENCES OR TO ASSIST IN OVERSEAS NEGOTIATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "IN GENERAL, GRADUATES WHO POSSESS A DEGREE FROM A HONG KONG OR BRITISH UNIVERSITY, OR EQUIVALENT, WILL LE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
"UNDERGRADUATES WHO ARE TAKING THEIR FINAL DEGREE EXAMINATIONS IN SUMMER 1992 MAY ALSO APPLY. DIPLOMA HOLDERS MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE MSO II POSTS, AND EXCEPTIONALLY FOR THE EO II POSTS."
THE CRE EXAMINATION WAS FIRST HELD IN 1984.
IT WAS INTRODUCED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SEPARATE EXAMINATIONS WHICH CANDIDATES HAD TO TAKE FOR DIFFERENT CIVIL SERVICE JOBS.
IT HAS ESPECIALLY RELIEVED THE BURDEN OF MULTIPLE EXAMINATIONS ON UNDERGRADUATES WHO PREPARE FOR THEIR FINAL UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS.
THIS YEAR, THE CRE WILL FOLLOW THE PATTERN OF PREVIOUS YEARS AND CONSIST OF 3 PAPERS.
PAPER 1 (A 2-HOUR PAPER) IS L ol ENGLISH". PAPER 2 (A 1.25-HOUR PAPER) IS "OBJECTIVE TESTS . ri (A 3-HOUR PAPER) IS "TASK PAPER".
THE WEIGHTINGS ARE 30 PER CENT, 20 I ENT AND
RESPECTIVELY.
50 PER CENT
/PAPERS 1 ..
FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1991
PAPERS 1 AND 2 ARE EXAMINED IN ENGLISH WHEREAS HALF OF PAPER 3 IS SET IN CHINESE AND MUST BE ANSWERED IN CHINESE. FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF CANDIDATES’ APPLICATIONS WILL BE BASED ON THEIR OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN THIS EXAMINATION.
CANDIDATES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE WORK OF THE FIVE GRADES MENTIONED ABOVE ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES TO BE ADVERTISED IN THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST AND SING TAO WAN PAO ON SATURDAYS IN LATE AUGUST AND EARLY SEPTEMBER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS WILL BE IN MID-SEPTEMBER.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF 301 YU CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 26, HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE PREMISES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE
ORDER IS ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION *****
SUPPLY OF BOTH FRESH AND SALT WATER TO CERTAIN AREAS IN YUEN LONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 8 AM TO 10 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 28) TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, FUNG CHI TSUEN, CHUNG HING SAN TSUEN, KWAN LOK SAN TSUEN, YEUNG UK TSUEN, FUK HING TSUEN, CHUNG HAU TSUEN, CHUNG HAU YU MAN SAN TSUEN, TAI TSENG WAI, SHING UK TSUEN, NG UK TSUEN AND LONG PING ESTATE.
- - 0 - -
/20
FRIDAY, JbLt 26,
20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 25.7,91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 26.7.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
* LATE 0/N ASSISTANCE
TO BE REVERSED ON 29.7.91
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.6 *+0.2* 26.7.91
$ MILLION
540
+ 190
-190
+ 300i
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
26.7. 91 25.7. 91
MATURING IN 1 1 3 6 12 WEEK MONTH MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS 6. 16 6.17 6.28 6.37 6.70 PCT PCT PCT PCT PCT 6.04 6.12 6.28 6.38 6.69 PCT PCT PCT PCT PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 5,360 MN 5,446 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LORD CAITHNESS IMPRESSED BY HK DONATIONS ............................... 1
SPECIAL EXPORT/IMPORT LICENSING (TEXTILES) SCHEME ANNOUNCED ............ 2
CALL FOR SUPPORT OF NEW ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE .......................... 3
LIFT ACCESS FOR DISABLED TO ELEVATED WALKWAY SYSTEM IN CENTRAL ......... 5
WAN CHAI LAUNCHES FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ................................. 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 7
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1991
1
LORD CAITHNESS IMPRESSED BY HK DONATIONS ******
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ENORMOUS SPONTANEITY OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE IN MAKING VOLUNTARY DONATIONS TO THE FLOOD VICTIMS IN CHINA.
"I THINK IT’S VERY IMPRESSIVE; I THINK IT’S VERY GOOD FOR THE FUTURE BECAUSE IT SHOWS JUST HOW GENEROUS HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AND THE AFFINITY THEY HAVE WITH MAINLAND CHINA," HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT, LORD CAITHNESS SAID: "IT’S JUST TO ME THAT IT HAS HAD A MARKED EFFECT ON A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD THAT HONG KONG HAVE RESPONDED IN THIS WAY."
"I THINK THAT WHEN YOU’VE GOT A HUMANITARIAN SITUATION LIKE THIS WHEREVER IT IS; WHETHER IT IS AN EARTHQUAKE OR VOLCANO IN THE PHILIPPINES, OR AN EARTHQUAKE IN RUSSIA OR FLOODS IN CHINA, IT IS QUITE RIGHT THAT THE WORLD RESPOND IN A GENEROUS MOOD," HE SAID.
"I THINK THAT IS ALL PART OF THE WORLD WORKING MUCH CLOSER TOGETHER THAN IT DID BEFORE. NOW THAT’S GOOD FOR ALL OF US," HE ADDED.
LORD CAITHNESS SAID BRITAIN HAD MADE AN INSTANTANEOUS AND A VERY GOOD FIRST DONATION (ABOUT 100,000 STERLING), WHICH WAS OFTEN THE WAY WHEN YOU HAVE A DISASTER.
"YOU MAKE AN INITIAL DONATION AND THEN YOU ASSESS THE SITUATION AND THE FULL CONSEQUENCES. AND QUITE OFTEN IF YOU LOOK BACK YOU’LL FIND THAT BRITAIN MAKES AN INITIAL PAYMENT AND THEN A FURTHER PAYMENT AFTER THAT," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT A QUERY RAISED BY A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CONCERNING SOME FAMILIES IN HONG KONG BEING SPLIT BY THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT, LORD CAITHNESS SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER WHEN HE RETURNED TO BRITAIN.
"THE ’81 ACT WAS A WORLDWIDE ACT. IT DIDN’T RELATE TO HONG KONG AND THERE WAS A CUT-OFF DATE THAT APPLIED WORLDWIDE. THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG I SAID I WOULD LOOK AT," HE SAID.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KOkG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU, THE MINISTER FIRST WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF KAM WAN HOUSE IN CHOI HUNG ESTATE FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF HONG KONG’S LONGEST TUNNEL, THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, AND THE FLYOVER NETWORK.
A CHIEF HIGHWAY ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, MR P.D. ORANGE, WAS PRESENT TO BRIEF THE MINISTER ON THE TUNNEL WHICH WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
/AFTER A .......
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1991
2
AFTER A SHORT TOUR OF THE WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE, LORD CAITHNESS THEN VISITED THE 30-YEAR-OLD UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE AND THE NEWER CHUK YUEN ESTATES.
THE MINISTER ALSO LEARNT FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER (ISLANDS AND KOWLOON CENTRAL), MR K.W. CHOY, THAT THE 20-BLOCKED UPPER WONG TAI SIN ESTATE WOULD UNDERGO REDEVELOPMENT IN TWO PHASES FOR COMPLETION BY 1998/99.
LORD CAITHNESS CONCLUDED HIS VISIT WITH A WALK THROUGH THE CHINESE-STYLE LANDSCAPED GARDENS AND THE COMMERCIAL AND MARKET COMPLEX OF THE CHUK YUEN NORTH AND SOUTH ESTATES.
--------0-----------
SPECIAL EXPORT/IMPORT LICENSING (TEXTILES) SCHEME ANNOUNCED ******
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A SPECIAL EXPORT AND IMPORT LICENSING (TEXTILES) SCHEME REGARDING CERTAIN PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS FOR EXPORT AND RE-EXPORT TO THE U.S.A. WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR.
UNDER THIS SCHEME, SUCH PRODUCTS COULD BE LABELLED, INSOFAR AS COUNTRY OF ORIGIN IS CONCERNED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHERE THE KNITTING OF SUCH GOODS TAKE PLACE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID: "THE SCHEME SHALL COVER THE IMPORT INTO AND/OR EXPORT FROM HONG KONG OF FINISHED AND SEMI-FINISHED PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS AND KNIT-TO-SHAPE PANELS, FOR EVENTUAL EXPORTATION TO THE U.S.A. IN THE FORM OF FINISHED AND SEMI-FINISHED PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS.
"THE SCHEME WILL NOT APPLY TO SILK BLEND/NON-COTTON VEGETABLfe FIBRE SWEATERS ASSEMBLED IN HONG KONG FROM PANELS KNITTED ELSEWHERE AND FOR EXPORTATION TO THE U.S.A. UNDER THE HK/US TEXTILES AGREEMENT."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AS PRE-REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS toR PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHEME, COMPANIES USING LOCALLY-KNITTED PANELS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FINISHED GARMENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT UNDER A SPECIAL FACTORY REGISTRATION ARRANGEMENT WHILE COMPANIES USING FOREIGN PANELS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE TEXTILES IMPORTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS INTRODUCING SIX NEW LICENCE FORMS FOR TEXTILE PRODUCTS TO BE EXPORTED AND IMPORTED UNDER THIS SCHEME.
THE PURPOSE OF EACH LICENCE AS WELL AS THE LICENSING CONDITIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES ARE CONTAINED IN NOTICE TO EXPORTERS (SERIES 1: U.S.A.) NO. 39/91 OF JULY 27 (IN RESPECT OF EXPORT LICENCE (TEXTILES) FORM 8) AND NOTICE TO EXPORTERS (SERIES 3: COUNTRIES OTHER THAN U.S.A AND EEC) NO. 86/91 CUM IMPORT LICENSING (TEXTILES) CIRCULAR NO. 4/91 OF JULY 27 (IN RESPECT OF SPECIAL EXPORT LICENCE FORMS 8A AND 8D AND SPECIAL IMPORT LICENCE FORMS 8B, 8C AND 8E).
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1991.
- 3 -
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE NEW LICENCES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE COLLECTION OFFICE, TRADE DEPARTMENT, ROOM 813, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD (IN RESPECT OF ALL NEW FORMS) AND GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL (IN RESPECT OF ALL NEW FORMS OTHER THAN EXPORT LICENCE (TEXTILES) FORM 8).
TRADERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME MAY ALSO WISH TO READ A JOINT CIRCULAR (NOTICE TO EXPORTERS, SERIES 1 NO. 45/91 AND SERIES 3 NO. 85/91; IMPORT LICENSING (TEXTILES) CIRCULAR NO. 3/91; CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN CIRCULAR NO. 10/91) WHICH PROVIDES A BROAD OUTLINE OF THE SCHEME.
TRADERS WHO REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION MAY CONTACT THE FOLLOWING:
* MR K.M. LEUNG (ON TEL. 398 5547 ) ON SPECIAL t’ACTORY REGISTRATION;
* MR C.H. HO (ON TEL. 398 5459) ON TEXTILES IMPORTER REGISTRATION; :
* MR S.K. YU (ON TEL. 398 5471) ON SPECIAL EXPORT LtcfeNCE FORMS 8A, 8D AND SPECIAL IMPORT LICENCE FORMS 8B, 8C AND 8E;
* MR Y.S. MAK (ON TEL. 398 5420) AND MR Y.P. LEUNG (ON TEL. 398 5421) ON EXPORT LICENCE FORM 8 FOR EXPORT TO THE U.S.A. OF PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS SUBJECT TO QUOTA RESTRICTION UNDER THIS SCHEME;
» MR C.L. LAI (ON TEL. 398 5427) ON EXPORT LICENCE FORM 4 'FOR EXPORT/RE-EXPORT TO THE U.S.A. OF OTHER PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS UNDER THIS SCHEME; AND
» MISS PEGGY LAW (ON TEL. 398 5503 FROM JULY 27 TO AUGUST 7 AND ON TEL. 398 5591 ON OR AFTER AUGUST 8) ON THE SCHEME IN GENERAL.
------0--------
CALL FOR SUPPORT OF NEW ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE *****
MR MIAO INDUSTRY
THE
CHI, TODAY
DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, (SATURDAY) CALLED ON THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING
AND USERS OF ELECTRICITY TO OBSERVE AND COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THE NEW ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.
HE ALSO URGED THE HONG KONG ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE SECOND PHASE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE WHEN HIS DEPARTMENT EMBARKS ON THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS IN NOVEMBER.
/THE APPEALS .......
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1991
4 -
THE APPEALS WERE MADE BY MR MIAO AT THE DINNER PARTY OF THE ASSOCIATION.
HE ALSO THANKED THE ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR SUPPORT TO THE FIRST PHASE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE WITH REGARD TO THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS.
SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED ABOUT 22,000 APPLICATIONS FROM ELECTRICAL WORKERS.
"EXCEPT FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE REQUIRING SUPPLEMENTARY DETAILS, OR FAILING TO MEET ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS, THE MAJORITY OF THESE APPLICANTS WERE SATISFACTORY FOR REGISTRATION," MR MIAO SAID.
"I WISH TO CONVEY MY SINCERE THANKS TO THE REGISTRATION VETTING GROUP OF THE ASSOCIATION WHO NOT ONLY PROVIDED INVALUABLE ADVICE TO HIS DEPARTMENT BUT ALSO UNDERTOOK TO PROVIDE SCREENING AND VETTING SERVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION SO THAT ’BULK’ APPLICATIONS WERE POSSIBLE.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT DEMONSTRATED THE CLOSE BOND AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN YOUR ASSOCIATION AND MY DEPARTMENT, WITHOUT WHICH THE REGISTRATION PROCESS WOULD BE PROLONGED."
THE NEW ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST YEAR AS A MOVE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE USE OF ELECTRICITY.
ONE OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE ORDINANCE IS THE SETTING UP OF A REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS.
BY MAY NEXT YEAR WHEN ALL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE REGISTER, THE PUBLIC IS REQUIRED TO ENGAGE REGISTERED CONTRACTORS COMPETENT TO INSTALL OR MODIFY THEIR FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, TO MAINTAIN OR TO CONDUCT THE STATUTORILY REQUIRED PERIODICAL TESTING OF CERTAIN INSTALLATIONS.
REGARDING THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, MR MIAO POINTED OUT THAT AS A BASIC RULE, FROM MAY NEXT YEAR ONLY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS MIGHT BE ENGAGED TO UNDERTAKE FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN BUILDINGS.
IN TURN, A REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR WILL EMPLOY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS OF THE SUITABLE GRADE TO EXECUTE ELECTRICAL WORK AND AT THE SAME TIME, TO SUPERVISE, TEST AND COMMISSION THE WORK, CERTIFYING THE INSTALLATION IS SAFE AND FIT FOR USE, IN EACH AND EVERY CASE.
LIKEWISE, ONLY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS MAY BE PERMITTED TO CARRY OUT MAINTENANCE, PERIODICAL TESTS OR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS ON EXISTING INSTALLATIONS.
/TO OPERATE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1991
- 5 -
TO OPERATE AS A CONTRACTOR, APART FROM EMPLOYING ELECTRICAL WORKERS OF SUITABLE GRADE AND CONSTANTLY UPDATING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL, ONE WOULD ALSO NEED OTHER ANCILLARY COMMERCIAL SUPPORTS SUCH AS SUITABLE PREMISES, TESTING EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, MATERIALS, AND PROPER WORK RECORDS AND SO ON, WITHOUT THOSE IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT, tF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THE EMPLOYED ELECTRICAL WORKERS TO DISCHARGE THfelft STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES.
HE SAID THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS WOULD BE VERY MUCH THE SAME WAY AS IN THE CASE OF REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION TO REGISTER THEtR COMPANIES EARLY AFTER NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
MR MIAO ALSO DISCLOSED THAT WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM 1’Mfi ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANIES AND THE INDUSTRY, THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD PREPARED A CODE OF PRACTICE ILLUSTRATING THE VARIOUS STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES WHICH REGISTERED CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS COULD REFER TO IN CASE OF DIFFICULTIES.
IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SUPPLY COMPANIES AND THE INDUSTRY, IS PLANNING TO SET UP A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO DETECT THOSE CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WHOSE PERFORMANCE DID Not MEET THE SAFETY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF A FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AS SPECIFIED IN THE NEW ORDINANCE AND THE CODE OF PRACTICE.
"THOSE CONTINUALLY NEGLECTING THEIR DUTIES AMD RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE SINGLED OUT FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION/' WE WARNED.
--------0-----------
LIFT ACCESS FOR DISABLED TO ELEVATED WALKWAY SYSTEM IN CENTRAL
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT TWO LIFTS FOR ACCESS OF THE DISABLED TO THE ELEVATED WALKWAY SYSTEM IN CENTRAL.
ONE LIFT WILL BE LOCATED AT PEDDER STREET OUTSIDE WORLD WIDE HOUSE AND THE OTHER AT THE STAR FERRY OUTSIDE CENTRAL POST OFFICE.
THE WORKS INCLUDE ALSO THE MODIFICATION OF PART OF THE
EXISTING STEPS ALONG THE WALKWAY INTO RAMPS FOR THE USE OF THE
DISABLED, AND THE DEMOLITION AND REPROVISION OF THE STAIRCASE AT THE
STAR FERRY OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL POST OFFICE.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN A NOltcE tN +Hfe
GAZETTE YESTERDAY.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT TWE FoLLoNINti GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
/* CENTRAL AND ......
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1991
6
*
*
HONG KONG WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, ' 1GE’
WAN CHAI.
19TH
FLOOR, SOUTHORN
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL fEG?ND FL00R> LOWER ALBERT ROAD, SEPTEMBER 17 THIS YEAR.
PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD
GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG NOT
WRITE TO
EAST WING
LATER
THAN
i
- - 0 - -
WAN CHAI LAUNCHES FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN
*****
Residen?s\SH^_^ST S™?heMRpS M^N’aHas cAllEd law-abiding COMMUNITY. POLICE so As to hel
J ON local-To HELP BbitD A
CRIME CA^S OuTeX^I^^
BEEN
rMp orHgEanS^?ngTHEanZalCH^amDJaSSsCT tTHrTemCSE <DECC> «AD
IMPORTANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION. REMIND LOCAL RESIDENTS THE
THE DISTRICT OFFICER AIqn
PAI I Ti( m.*—> > ._______ ERC1 SL THEIR
8^kl.OTStHTHE LEGISLATIVE,COUNCIL ELECTIONS
THE OPPORTUNITY TO URgR RIGHTS BY CASTING THEIR --—J IN SEPTEMBER.
r. 1RF DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR LESTER KWOK AD BEEN CO-ORDINATING DISTRICT EFFORTS TO D TO ENHANCE POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS.
NOTED that his committee HELP POLICE FIGHT CRIME
ON ITS ADMINISTRATIVE AND UNDERTAKEN TO DETER CRIME.
T0 THE FIGHT CRI»R COMMITTEE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION MEASURES BEING
HING-CHOW, CioSA?HAT I' SER H- o W0RKING GR0UP» MR CHAN
YEAR TO PUT ACROSS THE CRIME 1’ilEVI UtION' MESSAGE^ BEEN PLANNED TH1S
ADDED.
A COLOUBINGRTCoSpETITION,''’ kffllUlTlOH, THEM WILL Ek
OCTOBER AND DECEHrttl" * f rlrv CHAN
AT THE X?JgTSJCJ^ CAMPAIGN ' ' <•' ’ LAM ALS0 GFFIC1ATRD
HUNDREDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTSWHICH HAS
ATTRACTED
- - 0 - -
/7
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1091
7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * i ♦ i i *
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 26.7.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 27.7.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING t O/N ASSISTANCE OF HK$300 MN
TO BE REVERSED ON 29.7.91
$ MILLION
840*
NEUTRAL
NfeUTRAL
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MINISTER TO REPORT BACK ON HK .......................................... 1
HK HAS STRONG TRADITION OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE: CS ....................... i
WORLD BECOMING ONE GLOBAL COMMUNITY .................................... 2
CONTRACTORS MUST CONSTANTLY OBSERVE WORK SAFETY ........................ 3
44 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MAY .................................. 3
SHA TIN KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN BEGINS ..................................... 4
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME FOR CORRECTIONAL HOMES .............. 5
WU YORK YU MATERNITY HOME CLOSES IN AUGUST ............................. 6
SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1991
1
MINISTER TO REPORT BACK ON HK * * * * *
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AbFAlkS WltM SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS, SAlb TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT HE WOULD REPORT BACK TO THE PRIME MINISTER AFTER KIS VISIT TO HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT AFTER A WEEK-LONG VISIT, THE MINISTER SAID THAT THE PRIME MINISTER, MR JOHN MAJOR, WAS FULLY INFORMED OF HONG KONG AND WAS VERY INVOLVED THROUGHOUT THE AIRPORT NEGOTIATIONS.
"BUT I WILL BE REPORTING BACK AFTER THIS TRIP WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THE THINGS I HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH THE GOVERNOR AND WITH OMELCO," HE ADDED.
ON HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG, HE SAID HE HAD A CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSION WITH THE GOVERNOR AND WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE WAY THAT THINGS WERE GOING.
ASKED WHAT WAS THE MAJOR CONCERN TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WITH REGARD TO HONG KONG, THE MINISTER SAID: "WE WANT TO HAVE A SMOOTH TRANSITION RIGHT THE WAY THROUGH TO 1997.
"WHAT I WANT IS FOR PEOPLE TO WAKE UP ON JULY 1, 1997 FOR LIKE TO CONTINUE, HAVE THE AUTONOMOUS GOVERNMENT HERE, AND THAT THEY HAVE A HUGE POTENTIAL AND A HUGE FUTURE.
"WE MUST DO THAT. THAT IS GOING TO MEAN GOOD GOVERNMENT BY BRITAIN AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, LEADING TO THAT SMOOTH TRANSITION."
HE WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, Sit? DAVID WILSON; MR PETER HEAP, SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER AND MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY, BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
- - 0 - -
HK HAS STRONG TRADITION OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE: CS
*****
IT IS FORTUNATE FOR HONG KONG TO HAVE A STRONG TRADITION Oh VOLUNTARY SERVICE, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
ADDRESSING AT THE JUNIOR CORPS PASSING-OFF PARADE AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT HEADQUARTERS AS Till' REGIMENT’S HONORARY COLONEL, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO SEE THAT THIS WAS BEING CARRIED ON BY THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
/"YOU ARE
SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1991
2
"YOU ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS FOR J CORPS, AND IT IS A TRlBUtE PO YOt) THAT YOU HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE UP SOME OF YOUR FREE TIME TO SERVE HONG KONG IN THIS VERY MEANINGFUL WAY," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE PARADE MARKED THE CONCLUSION OF THE BASIC TRAINING IN THE JUNIOR CORPS.
"I KNOW YOU HAVE DONE EXTREMELY WELL ON THE COURSES YOU RAVE BEEN UNDERTAKING SINCE APRIL, AND I HOPE THE SKILLS YOU HAVE LEARNED SUCH AS CAMPING, MAP READING AND FIRST AID WILL BE USEFUL TO YOU, NOT ONLY IN YOUR TIME IN THE REGIMENT, BUT IN YOUR LIVES GENERALLY," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE WISHED ALL THE 113 RECRUITS EVERY SUCCESS IN THEIR TIME WITH THE REGIMENT AND IN THEIR FUTURE CAREERS.
------0-----------
WORLD BECOMING ONE GLOBAL COMMUNITY *****
THE WORLD IS BECOMING ONE GLOBAL COMMUNITY, WITH GLOBAL CONCERNS AND GLOBAL PROBLEMS TO BE DEALT WITH, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MANY OF THESE CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS, MR WINFIELD SAID, COULD NOT BE EFFECTIVELY TACKLED WITHOUT COMMON UNDERSTANDING, CONCERTED EFFORTS AND MUTUAL SUPPORT ON AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS.
SPEAKING AT THE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION HELD AT- THE CHINESE YMCA IN HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, TO 10 STUDENTS CHOSEN TO ATTEND THE THIRD ASIAN-PACIFIC CHILDREN’S CONVENTION IN FUKUOKA, JAPAk, HE SAtD:
"I AM SURE ACTIVITIES INVOLVING STUDENT PARTICIPATION FROM MANY COUNTRIES SUCH AS THIS CONVENTION ARE AN EXCELLENT WAY OF PUTTING INTO PRACTICE THE CONCEPT OF ’PASSPORT TO THE PEOPLE OF PHE EARTH’.”
HE TOLD THE STUDENTS THAT THEIR STAY IN JAPAN WOULD BE CENTRAL TO THE THEME BY GIVING THEM A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MANY FRIENDS, LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER, AND UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE CULTURES AND CUSTOMS WHICH THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH.
"I THINK WE WOULD ALL AGREE THAT AS WE MOVE INTO THE 1990’S, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE BETTER INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE OUR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1991
3
CONTRACTORS MUST CONSTANTLY OBSERVE WORK SAFETY
*****
BUILDING CONTRACTORS MUST TAKE EXTRA CARE OF WORK SAFETY AT NIGHT, WHEN THEIR WORKERS ARE LIKELY TO FACE GREATER HAZARDS IN CONSTRUCTION SITES.
DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CHAN TAT-KING TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THAT HIS STAFF WOULD CONDUCT SURPRISE VISITS TO WORK SITES IN OPERATION, DAY AND NIGHT.
’’CONTRACTORS SHOULD NOT TAKE CHANCE TO GAMBLE ON THE SAFETY OF WORKERS AND SHOULD ALWAYS COMPLY STRICTLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS,” INSPECTOR CHAN STRESSED.
DURING A RECENT NIGHT VISIT TO A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN CENTRAL, FACTORY INSPECTORS FOUND THAT THE CONTRACTOR HAD FAILED TO COVER OR PROVIDE RAILINGS TO A FLOOR OPENING AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
’’UNCOVERED OR UNFENCED OPENINGS ARE PARTICULARLY. DANGEROUS TO. WORKERS WHO MOVE AROUND IN THE SITE IN THE LATE HOURS," INSPECTOR CHAN NOTED.
’’THE CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN PROSECUTED FOR THE OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS,” HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD SET UP A SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO TAKE VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST "BLACK SPOT AREAS" IN CONSTRUCTION SITES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH.
“INSPECTORS HAVE VISITED 48 SITES DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE OPERATION AND HAVE TAKEN OUT 52 PROSECUTIONS AGAINST 26 SITES FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES, MANY OF WHICH RELATED TO UNFENCED FLOOR EDGES OR WORKING PLATFORMS,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
44 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MAY *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 44 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN MAY.
OF THESE, 17 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 FOR KOWLOON AND 15 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 22 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/ COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, NINE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND TWO FOR FACTORY PURPOSES.
/DURING THE
SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1991
- 4 -
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO STAfeT ON 54 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 144,224.8 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 194,771.9 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOfc AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUlLblMGS COMPLEtfeD bURtMd tHE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1,518 MILLION. USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 112,054.9 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 155,661.9 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 37 OCCUPATION PERMITS; 10 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 FOR KOWLOON AND 15 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 50 DEMOLITION CONSENTS APFEctlNU 182 6blLbflJG9 WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 846 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,330 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 495 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 799 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED FOUR EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
--------0-----------
SHA TIN KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN BEGINS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE SHA TIN KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN (KHKC) WAS KICKED OFF BY THE CAMPAIGN’S AMBASSADOR - THE DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS - AT THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE DRAGON, WHILE BRINGING A LOT OF FUN TO THE RESIDENTS, ALSO APPEALED TO THEM TO KEEP THEIR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY, CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT KHKC ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR SHUM YUK-BIU, SAID DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED IN THE COMING MONTHS SO THAT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN THE DISTRICT COULD TAKE PART IN THE CAMPAIGN.
THE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE A SEMINAR ON HOME CLEANLINESS FOR HOUSEWIVES, A LYRIC WRITING COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS, AND A DESIGN COMPETITION ON RE-CYCLING.
MR SHUM ALSO URGED ALL THE RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN SO THAT SHA TIN COULD BECOME AN EVEN BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING MAGIC SHOW, SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES.
/OTHER OFFICIATING ......
SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1991
- 5 -
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOY KAN-PUI; CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, MR LAU HON-KIT; AND THE ACTING SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS VICTORIA TANG.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 604 8078 EXT. 61.
------0-------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME FOR CORRECTIONAL HOMES
SOME 180 BOYS IN THREE CORRECTIONAL HOMES OF T«E SOCtAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE TO THROW THEMSELVES VIGOROUSLY INTO A SERIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS THIS SUMMER.
THE BOYS CAME FROM THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME, CASTLE FeAK BOYS’ HOME AND THE O PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME. ' .
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THESE PROJECTS FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THEIR TRAINING PROGRAMME.
THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME WAS RECENTLY AWARDED A SPONSORSHIP FROM THE SHELL BETTER ENVIRONMENT AWARDS SCHEME TO CARRY OUT A "GREEN SUMMER, GREEN LIFE" PROJECT.
THE PROJECT, STARTING THIS MONTH, INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL TALKS, EXHIBITIONS, TALENT QUIZ, HORTICULTURE, RECYCLE OF USED MATERIALS, ORGANIC FARMING, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SERVICES AND CONCERNED VISITS.
"MEMBERS FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH AND GREEN POWER ASSISTANCE IN DESIGNING THE PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN PROVIDING TECHNICAL ADVICE TO THE BOYS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME FOR RESIDENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CORRECTIONAL HOME TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH A LARGE-SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITH SPONSORSHIP, HE SAID.
"WE ENVISAGED THAT THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION, RESIDENTS IN THE HOME CAN IMPROVE THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT SURROUNDING THEM. IT WILL ALSO ENABLE THEM TO OBTAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICES.
"BOYS AND STAFF IN THE BEGONIA ROAD HOME HAVE SWUNG INTO FULL GEAR IN CARRYING OUT THE PROJECT. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMMES AND REHABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDED, RESIDENTS OF THE HOME WILL BECOME A GOOD CITIZEN AFTER THEY ARE DISCHARGED," HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, RESIDENTS OF THE CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME ARE ALSO BUSY IN TURNING A PLOT OF LAND ADJACENT TO THE HOME INTO AN ORGANIC FARM.
/THIS IS
SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1991
- 6 -
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FARMING THERAPY WAS INTRODUCED INTO SWD CORRECTIONAL HOMES.
"THE AIM OF THIS PILOT PROJECT IS TO EDUCATE RESIDENTS IN THE HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THROUGH ORGANIC FARMING, TO IMPROVE THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN STAFF AND RESIDENTS AND GROUP ORGANISING ABILITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BOYS FROM O PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME WILL CONDUCT THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECT IN CHEUNG HANG VILLAGE SITUATED NEXT TO THE HOME.
THEIR PROJECT INCLUDES SEVERAL PROGRAMMES, SUCH AS EENOVAtlOM OF THE HALL OF THE CHEUNG HANG VILLAGE WELFARE ASSOCIATION AND INSTALLATION OF COMMUNAL LETTER HOMES.
THE BOYS WILL ALSO FORM WORKING GROUPS TO PROVIDE DIRECT HOME SERVICE TO DEPRIVED FAMILIES IN THE VILLAGE. A CELEBRATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AS A HIGHLIGHT OF ALL THE PROGRAMMES.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THROUGH THESE PROGRAMMES, RESIDENTS OF THE HOME WILL LEARN ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
0
WU YORK YU MATERNITY HOME CLOSES IN AUGUST * i t ♦ ♦
THE WU YORK YU MATERNITY HOME IN WONG TAI StN WILL BE OFFICIALLY CLOSED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 12.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT ALL CLIENTS PREVIOUSLY REFERRED TO THE MATERNITY HOME FOR ANTE-NATAL CARE WILL BE DIRECTED TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL STARTING FROM AUGUST 5.
THE CLOSURE WILL NOT AFFECT THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE WU YORK YU MATERNAL AND HEALTH CENTRE WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE VARIOUS MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
48 NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS ........................... 1
STATEMENT ON VM'S FIRST ASYLUM POLICY ................................. 6
APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS ADVISER ................................. 6
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION .......................................... 7
UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS 1992-93 ............................................ 7
NEW ROADS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO KAM TIN RIVER DRAINAGE CHANNELS ..... 8
37 PASS FINAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION .................................. 9
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS TEACHING STAFF .................................. 10
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................................. 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 11
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
1
48 NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS ******
FORTY-EIGHT NOMINATIONS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER WERE RECEIVED ON THE FIRST DAY OF NOMINATION TODAY (MONDAY).
THIREEN NOMINATIONS WERE SUBMITTED FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, AND 35 FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15.
THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS WERE REGISTERED IN FOUR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WITH EACH RECEIVED TWO NOMINATIONS. THEY WERE LABOUR, TEACHING, ENGINEERING AND TOURISM.
THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS SEVEN FOR NEW TERRITORIES EAST.
THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL END ON AUGUST 12.
THERE ARE 21 SEATS IN THE 20 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WITH TWO SEATS FOR THE LABOUR CONSTITUENCY, AS FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS, ALL NINE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE DOUBLE SEAT.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY.
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY/ ELECTORAL DIVISION NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL. NO.
FINANCIAL SERVICES CHIM PUI-CHUNG M 45 COMPANY DIRECTOR 541 0810
LABOUR PANG CHUN-HOI M 70 RETIRED WORKER 782 3718
TAM YIU-CHUNG M 42 UNION OFFICER 544 2312
TEACHING HO KING-ON M 57 TEACHER 770 3918
CHEUNG MAN-KWONG M 36 TEACHER 780 742 7337 5523
ENGINEERING TANG KA-FAT M 48 CONSULTING ENGINEER 854 3686
WONG PING-WAI, SAMUEL M 53 CONSULTING ENGINEER 806 0288
ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING HO SING-TIN, EDWARD M 52 ARCHITECT 890 9333
ACCOUNTANCY WONG HONG- YUEN, PETER M 47 CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT 528 4111
/REAL ESTATE .......
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
2
REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION RONALD JOSEPH ARCULLI M 52 LAWYER/DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY COMPANY 526 6886
TOURISM HOWARD YOUNG M 43 TOURISM EXECUTIVE 747 525 5200 3355 (O) (R)
WU TAN, HAROLD M 64 TRAVEL AGENCY OWNER 525 1101
URBAN COUNCIL ELSIE TU F 78 SUPERVISOR OF SCHOOL 389 8599
GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL. NO.
HONG KONG ISLAND EAST CHOW KIT-BING, JENNIFER F 36 DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER 529 4293
CHAN YING-LUN M 41 CORPORATE AFFAIRS MANAGER 805 1016
CHENG KAI-NAM M 41 TEACHER 770 111 CALI 3918 0888 □ 1992
HONG KONG ISLAND WEST YEUNG SUM M 43 LECTURER 550 547 1382 4444
HUANG CHEN-YA M 51 DOCTOR 523 3322
KOWLOON EAST LI WAH-MING M 36 LECTURER 339 345 797 7143 0958 3259 (O) (R) (0)
HAU SHUI-PUI M 66 FULL-TIME DB MEMBER 341 750 6300 8350 (0) (R)
LI TING-KIT M 40 MANAGING DIRECTOR 347 775 346 112 CALL 5626 6379 1038 8078 ! 6989 (0) (R) (0)
SZETO WAH M 60 HEADMASTER 343 384 780 7343 0709 7337 (0) (R)
KOWLOON CENTRAL CHAN CHI-KWAN, PETER M 55 BARRISTER-AT-LAW 525 336 2105 0839
LAU CHIN-SHEK M 46 CHURCH WORKER 739 0836
/LAM KUI .......
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
- 3 —
LAM KUI-SHING M 55 MEDICAL PRACTITIONER 711 6677
DR JOHN D. M YOUNG 42 PROFESSOR OF HISTORY 761 3620
CHAN YUEN-HAN F 44 LABOUR & SOCIAL SERVICE 712 0231
KOWLOON WEST TO KUN-SUN, M JAMES 28 SOLICITOR 360 0161
LEE YU-TAI, M DESMOND 47 TRANSLATION OFFICER, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC 802 2055
LAW CHEUNG- M KWOK 41 RESEARCH DIRECTOR 820 6323
FUNG KIN-KEE, M FREDERICK 38 GRADUATE SCHOOL, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ADMIN. DEPARTMENT, CHINESE UNIVERSITY 777 4766
NG KIN-SUN M 43 SOCIAL WORKER 770 2218
NEW EAST TERRITORIES CHOI MAN-HING, M SUNNY 40 MERCHANT 723 9388
LEUNG KA-CHING M 45 CONSULTANT 684 1026 116 3787 CALL 1946
LAU KONG-WAH M 34 LECTURER 684 8333
KAN CHUNG-NIN, M TONY 41 SOLICITOR 606 1880
WONG HONG- M CHUNG, JOHNSTON 36 LECTURER 788 8746
WONG WANG-FAT, M ANDREW 47 UNIVERSITY LECTURER 699 7699 691 2165
LAU WAI-HING, F EMILY 39 FORMER JOURNALIST 491 1796 112 3076 CALL 171
NEW TERRITORIES CHAN WAI-YIP, M 36 SOCIAL WORKER 411 3107 416 2382
SOUTH ALBERT
/LEE WING
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
4
LEE WING-TAT M 35 TEACHER 429 2612 411 3107
LEUNG YIU- CHUNG M 37 TEACHER 410 0360
NEW WEST TERRITORIES NG MING-YUM 1 M 35 SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER 558 6678
WONG WAI-YIN, ZACHARY M 33 SOCIAL WORKER 474 4562
NEW TERRITORIES CHEUNG HON- NORTH CHUNG M 33 EXECUTIVE 673 4802 675 5277 (O)
FUNG Cltl-WOOD M 35 CLERGYMAN, 1EACHER 116 8383 CALL 456 650 4808
TIK CHI-YUEN M 33 SOCIAL WORKER 671 9616 465 8668
WONG CHI-KEUNG, JOHNNY M 33 SOLICITOR 525 1469 651 1953 94811239
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS
RECEIVED SO FAR:
NO. OF
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTORAL DIVISION NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1 . COMMERCIAL FIRST COMMERCIAL ’ 0
2. COMMERCIAL SECOND COMMERCIAL 0
3. INDUSTRIAL FIRST INDUSTRIAL 0
4. INDUSTRIAL SECOND INDUSTRIAL 0
5. FINANCE & FINANCIAL FINANCE 0
SERVICE
6. FINANCE & FINANCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES 1
SERVICE
7. . LABOUR 2
8. SOCIAL SERVICES 0
9. MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE MEDICAL 0
10. MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE HE ALT H CARE 0
/ll. TEACHING ......
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
- 5 -
11. TEACHING 2
12. LEGAL 0
13. ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, ENGINEERING SURVEYING AND PLANNING 2
14. ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING SURVEYING AND PLANNING AND PLANNING 1
15. ACCOUNTANCY 1
16. REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION 1
17. TOURISM 2
18. URBAN COUNCIL 1
19. REGIONAL COUNCIL 0
20. RURAL 0
SUB-TOTAL : 13
GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY
I HONG KONG ISLAND EAST
2. HONG KONG ISLAND WEST
KOWLOON EAST
4. KOWLOON CENTRAL
5. KOWLOON WEST
6. NEW TERRITORIES EAST
7. NEW TERRITORIES SOUTH
8. NEW TERRITORIES WEST
9. NEW TERRITORIES NORTH
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECElVfeD
3
2
4
5
5
7
3
2
4
SUB-TOTAL: 35
- 0 - -
/6 ........
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
STATEMENT ON VM’S FIRST ASYLUM POLICY *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS REPORTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL ABANDOhl THE POLICY OF FIRST ASYLUM FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY (MONDAY):
"WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA) REMAINS THE BEST MEANS OF RESOLVING THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
"BUT WE HAVE ALSO MADE CLEAR, INCLUDING AT THE FOURTH STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING IN GENEVA ON APRIL 30 AND MAY 1, THAT HONG KONG CANNOT CONTINUE TO BEAR THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE CPA ALONE.
"THE CPA IS UNDER-FUNDED INTERNATIONALLY. ALMOST ALL ARRIVALS ARE NOW COMING TO HONG KONG, AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WAVE FAILED TO FIND A DURABLE MEANS OF RETURNING NON-REFUGEES TO VIETNAM.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, OUR CAMPS ARE NOW SERIoOSLY OVERCROWDED AND THIS SITUATION IS LIKELY TO GET WORSE.
"IF IT DOES, WE WILL REACH A SITUATION WHERE WE CAN NO LONGER MAINTAIN THE PRINCIPLE OF FIRST ASYLUM UNDER THE CPA.
"HENCE IT IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO HAVE AN EARLY PROGRESS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT IN VIETNAM OF INTERNATIONALLY MANAGED CENTRES IN ORDER TO RELIEVE PART OF THE BURDEN ON HONG KONG AND TO ACHIEVfe A REAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AS A WHOLE."
- - 0 - -
APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS ADVISER
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF A CONSULTANT PUBLIC AFFAIRS ADVISER.
HE IS MR JOHN ELLIOTT, WHO IS RESIGNING FROM THE ElNANCtAt TIMES AT THE END OF HIS CURRENT POSTING IN HONG KONG.
MR ELLIOTT, AGED 51, WILL WORK IN THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S OFFICE AND WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON BROAD STRATEGIES AIMED AT PROMOTING HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FI NANO I A! AND BUSINESS CENTRE.
0
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
7
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION
*****
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S TWENTY-THIRD MEETING WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 31).
THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS THE AVERAGE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION FOR THE 1991/92 FINANCIAL YEAR AND THE LAND REQUIREMENT FOR HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY’S SCHEME TO SELL PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS.
- - 0 - -
UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS 1992-93 ♦ * * * ♦
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT APPLICATIONS FOR ITS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1992-93 WILL BE INVITED, STARTING FROM WEDNESDAY (JULY 31).
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 PUfeLtC 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
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
- 8 -
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
♦ STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, G/F, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
♦ STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, 5/F, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING, 16 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
* EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION, ROOM 206, MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.
♦ YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, G/F, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 867 2735.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS OCTOBER 5 THIS YEAR. SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE SELECTION INTERVIEW IN HONG KONG IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
AN INFORMATION NOTE SETTING OUT FURTHER DETAILS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
------0--------
NEW ROADS
FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO KAM TIN RIVER DRAINAGE CHANNELS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD THE PROPOSED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO INNER DEEP BAY,
NEW ROADS IN CONNECTION TO A SECTION OF KAM TIN YUEN LONG.
WITH RIVER
THE NEW ROADS SERVE TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE KAM DRAINAGE CHANNELS FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSE AND TO IMPROVE
TIN RIVER
ACCESS TO
THE SURROUNDING AREA.
/SOME EXISTING .......
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
9
SOME EXISTING TRACKS WOULD BE CLOSED. HOWEVER, ALTERNATIVE PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESSES WOULD BE MAINTAINED DURING CONSTRUCTION.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND SUCH NOTICES CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME 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, HONG KONG;
» YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9TH TO 11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES;
« YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
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 NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 17.
--------0 - -
37 PASS FINAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION
» t « * »
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT 37 OUT OF 68 CANDIDATES HAVE PASSED THE FINAL PART OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS.
THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION, HELD BETWEEN JULY 9 AND 11, WAS AN ORAL EXAMINATION TO TEST THE ABILITY OF CANDIDATES TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS.
CANDIDATES WERE EXAMINED BY TWO PANELS OF EXAMINERS IN EACH OF THE THREE DISCIPLINES — MEDICINE, SURGERY, AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN 18-MONTH PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING IN HOSPITALS APPROVED BY THE MEDICAL COUNCIL, STARTING IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
--------0----------
/10 ........
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
10
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS TEACHING STAFF i i i ♦ * *
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS RECRUITING FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN VIOLIN TEACHING.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL ENTER AS AN ASSISTANT MbStC OFFICER II WITH A PAY SCALE BETWEEN $9,975 ANb $16,165 PER MONTH.
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE GRADUATES OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: THE HONG KONG CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTSj THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, IN MUSIC FROM A RECOGNISED UNIVERSITY*, OR POSSESS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: LRSM, LRAM, GTCL, ARCM OR EQUIVALENT.
APPLICANTS MUST MAJOR IN VIOLIN. CANDIDATES WITH CHfMfeSE QUALIFICATIONS MAY ALSO APPLY.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO TEACH VIOLIN TkAiNiNd CLASSES; TRAIN DISTRICT ORCHESTRAS AND PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC FUNCTION.
WORKING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IRREGULAR HOURS MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE ON G.F. 340 AND FORWARDED TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER (PERSONNEL AND GENERAL), MUSIC OFFICE, 25TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 5.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 823 5340.
--------0-----------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
» * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT A BUILDING IN KWUN TONG SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IS LOCATED ON THE ROOF OVER FLAT C, EIGHTH FLOOR, CHUNG NAM HOUSE AT 79-91 HIP WO STREET AND 50-58 MUT WAH STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 29 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
--------0-----------
/Il ........
MONDAY, JULY 29, 1991
11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ ♦ *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 32.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 190.251 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 293.564 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 50.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0------------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * * * ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 27.7.91 840
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 29.7.91 -161 »
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -139
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
♦ O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -300MN
OTHER FORWARDS +139MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.6 *+0.1* 29.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
26.7.91 29.7.91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.16 PCT 6.16 PCT
1 MONTH 6.17 PCT 6.15 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.28 PCT 6.22 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.37 PCT 6.30 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.70 PCT 6.67 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 5,360 MN 2,780 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FULL REPORT ON BCCHK MADE PUBLIC: GOVERNOR ............................. 1
CROSS-BORDER TALK FOR MORE WATER SUPPLIES CONTINUING ................... 2
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 1ST QUARTER OF 1991 ................. 2
SEWERAGE SURVEY TN NORTH AND SOUTH KOWFXTON ............................ 5
REGULATIONS ON PORT CLEARANCE AND BRIGHT LIGHT FISHING ................. 5
CYCL.E-TRACK NETWORK EXPANDED .......................................... 7
DISTRICT OFFICES CONTINUE TO PROMOTE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ........... 8
SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. VII .......................................... 8
NEW RULES ON DUTY-FREE CONCESSION RATE FOR FUEL ........................ 10
TWO CITIZENS AWARDED FOR BRAVERY ....................................... 11
TWO NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS ..................... 12
PROVISIONAL DATES FOR 1991/92 LEGCO SESSION ............................ 14
ADDITIONAL RENTAL ADVISORY SERVICES .................................... 16
FIRING PRACTICE TN AUGUST .............................................. 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ..................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 17
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991-
(oc yjm. . 7Atip>nn
.r4HEULL REP.QRT. ON BCCHK MADE PUBLIC: GOVERNOR w. * u../U//| <Hn$rnH
♦ t t * t i
HBOiD
tZIi' A.jEUL.L ;^ REt’bR'T "ON ALL' THE EVENTS i-LEADING UP TO
•THP1}1lppSUKR QK THfe pA^K.OFJ'CREDIT1'AND--COMMERCE H0FKTKONGVI AND-,I• IT’8 GOING INTO LIQUIDATION WbtlLD 'bfe1 M'aW AVAILABLE TOMORROW TO: MEMBERS; i-QF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND TO THE PUHL'it! ,” THE'GOVERNOR1, >I-SIR 7 DAVID
m-rnia .car ahW, .wij„Aa
■■‘^AkVWg T'b'RE!pdkT^'.!AT;'¥WE!'AiRlPbRT >B0FbR!E’ HIS DEPARTURE TO: GO ON LEAVE, SIR DAVID SAI’D ’HE 'KK’D'1 ASHEb1 *THE' COMMISSIONER! -OFK,BANKING ) TO (MEPARE.-THF-.REPORT .SOME, DAYS AGO.
«wrr rfTAW «r .MAI111A1I -nit- hiap jj hi . •i.himwa.-im
"I’VE NOW REd'iYWWA’i,:Ki¥>dRT.'’,f’*Vte' STUDIED-IT. IT’S / A f. VERY
dRw vERY .,COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, AND I THINK IT SHOWS WHY THE ,99^11881,(^1 fIr Of, bankLng rfoo,K\yirE d,ec*i’S'iio^s"|He-tflD’ ^ND that-those were THE RIGHT- DECISIONS TO "t’A’KE(,IlV T‘n^,'cfRdUI^OTANCFS1 ’.AT' THE ’ TI1M0,'-'i . HE SAID. (SS CPU.)
"ri' lGl^^y A L<yi 6P'1dE¥A,liL,,l/ANt!> I1 'THINK'It'PS RHGHT-'( THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD SEE WHAT IS IN THAT REPORT. SO I INTENDITO.I MAKE THAT SO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO READ IN 5lq$E£T DETAIL MAT WRNT.’lQN' AN,d 'THe C'bNd I DERATIONS THAT "HERB INHTHE MIND OF THE COMMiSSrbNER OF-BAkKilNtf,,"',lHE''lA'DdED?>l .’>WIMO:> .||fj .] 3.1/ -im/.H . :■ >i toi ht;:-m
■!PT D/JI uA-r.WLIEVE T>J? DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMISSIONER; TW } ■^DECISIONS, ONE. 1’0 KEEP THE ,BA1W ‘On A'^ATUROAV MORNING TO TRY TO KEEP .ME BAi)K..bbEN.1.IN'iTfiE”l'N'f^EST,l6F THE DEPOSITORS I 'I !/ zoit. .
...rrt.Mrr . V,H. 1 A f f >> Mt .PMOIT . IHTH4H 5I?1TAW io ■„ ,, r,I(„.
"AND THEN WHEN THE SITUATION CHANGED AND’ • "IT' CHANGED VERY j^AR^EDLYn..p,VEB, THE WEEKEND, TO CLOSE THE BANK ON THE MONDAY MORNING, -.^Ai^^AlNp.TrtE; INTEREJsT OF. ,fHfe! DfepbS 1'roRSI-/ ThATI'BOTHI THOSE 'DECISIONS WERE CORRECT IN THE COND ITIbfas ' AT* THE TIME ,"• THE’ GOVERNOR-SAIDl I H/..:-. RZO! I / '.(/ !•>•.!•» 77iA> p.,■ ).!!/ SVjpigno.CWEMTINq, ON ..THE DECISION TO CLOSE THE BANK, SIR DAVID SAID:
"THE KEY THING THAT HAPPENED ' wAV THAT 'TllE MAJORITY1 SHAREHOLDER OF THE BANK, THAT IS, THE RULING FAMILY OF ABU DHABT-’REFUSED’ TO 'CONFIRM A LETTER OF COMFORT WHICH THEY HAD RECENTLY GIVEN TO THE BANK, AND THAT HAD CHANGED THE CIRCUMSTANCES., .THERE WAS ALSO WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO BCCI AROUND THE REST OF THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
(WHEN RASKflDi/.IJp Ijlji; qpy^RNMENT WQVJLD.. PROVIDE SUPPORT TO BCCHK, THE GOVERNOR SAID: ’’THE GO'vEHNHE^T ’IS 'p(5S rTl6N!’ *1S5' THERE IS A
PURCHASE OF THE BANK THAT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH THE LIQUIDATOR, AND
THAT IS PERFECTLY ALRIGHT IF THERE A GOOD OFFER COMES IN, THE
P- ik',tQUIDAnOR?!W.IiU|;ll|QOK >M’)yTT.,7,..,..,.
' > I‘IP ’.IO PHOT’U.-,UHO ) .IMIJ/-,;- .1()
. C.lll: !’BOT.’THE.,(K>MBWMKNT DQfJS NOT. I'HINK *T TAXPAYER’S . MONEY H >TQ. ff^YHoGYARAtfms TO TH SITUATION, IT REMAINS THE SITUATION'N^ft
•lUJA/
JH!
t,TT”tS,iKlGHT^TO jUSE
HAnk^A'nDi thatr was <
THE
THE
WaXPAMRRS’ yWQHEVATUAT INVOLVED, .IN^THIS .
»». 3,„ r|i,
T 'ffHDjrg RAFTER'-/ALL, iiiTHE SIR DAVID SAID.
■'io a । hhit
TUHTUO KOI T’IUHTRFJO ) ‘ . T.- ll'-l '.l/.'; -Id >| , .,
- - 0 - -
HTTW <TW4MCO\
/2 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
2
CROSS-BORDER TALK FOR MORE WATER SUPPLIES CONTINUING
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, MR Y.N. WU, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH CHINA FOR MORE ADDITIONAL WATER DURING THE CURRENT SUPPLY PERIOD ARE STILL CONTINUING.
EARLIER, CHINA HAD, DESPITE THEIR OWN DIFFICULTIES, AGREED TO SUPPLY AN EXTRA 70 MILLION CUBIC METRES (MCM) OUT OF THE ADDITIONAL 110 MCM REQUESTED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
MEANWHILE, MR WU SAID THE RAINFALL IN THE PAST FEW DAYS HAD SL1GHTIA IMPROVED THE RESERVOIR STORAGE SITUATION.
AS AT 9 AM TODAY, THE STORAGE LEVEL STOOD AT 191.05 MCM OR 32.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 174.08 MCM OR 29.7 PER CENT LAST MONDAY (JULY 22).
HOWEVER, THIS IS STILL A FAR CRY FROM THE 50 PER CENT CAPACITY THIS TIME LAST YEAR.
HE REITERATED THAT HONG KONG STILL NEEDED A VERY SUBSTANTIAL RAINFALL IN THE COMING WEEKS IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE THREAT OF WATER RESTRICTION.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION AND IS TAKING ALL THE PREPARATORY MEASURES FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF WATER RESTRICTIONS. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT A DECISION WILL BE MADE SHORTLY.
IN THE EVENT THAT WATER RESTRICTION IS TO BE IMPOSED, MR WU SAID THE PUBLIC WILL BE GIVEN AT LEAST TWO WEEKS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS.
HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC’ TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVfe WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
------0--------
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 1ST QUARTER OF 1991 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CONTRACTORS
GROSS VALUE
(WHICH MAY
CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE QUARTER OF 1991 AMOUNTED TO $15,653 MILLION, OF 1990.
Of-
CONTRACTORS) IN THE FIRST
WHICH WAS 13.5% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER
THIS IS ONE OF THE RESULTS CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND
/COMPARED WITH
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
3 -
COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, IT DECREASED BY 7.4%, MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPLETION OF A NUMBER OF LARGE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
MAIN CONTRACTORS MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS. WHEREAS 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 13.5% IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE COST INCREASES, THE REAL GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED SHOULD BE SLOWER.
THE INDEX OF GROSS VAI UE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WAS 237.6, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FOR 1982 BEING TAKEN AS 100.
THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 WERE 256.5 AND 209.4 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, $14,597 MILLION WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS. THIS WAS 5.4% LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 14.1% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS WAS $1,057 MILLION, WHICH WAS 28.0% LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 5.5% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, $7,584 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PRIVATE SECTOR CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THIS WAS 8.3% LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 19.8% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
SOME $3,895 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 AN INCREASE OF 0.1% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT A DECREASE OF 0.9% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
THE REMAINING $3,117 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT MINOR WORK LOCATIONS, AND RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. THIS WAS 4.8% LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT 23.1% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
/WHEN ANALYSED .......
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
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 FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WAS $4,671 MILLION.
THIS REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 11.9% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT AN INCREASE OF 12.9% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIRST 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 FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WAS $2,118 MILLION, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 2.6% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT AN INCREASE OF 14.9% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WAS $1,448 MILLION, WHICH WAS 6.8% AND 13.6% LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FIRST 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’ 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, 1ST QUARTER 1991". THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $3.00 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, WANCHA1 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.
/5.........
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
- 5 -
SEWERAGE SURVEY IN NORTH AND SOUTH KOWLOON *****
A FIVE-MONTH SURVEY TO IDENTIFY THE POLLUTION ASPECTS AND PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE EXISTING SEWERS IN NORTH AND SOUTH KOWLOON AREAS WILL START TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SURVEY IS PART OF THE NORTH AND SOUTH KOWLOON SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN CONSULTANCY STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TO ASSESS THE INADEQUACY IN THE SEWAGE COLLECTION TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH KOWLOON AREA.
THE NORTH AND SOUTH KOWLOON SEWERAGE CATCHMENT COVERS TSIM SHA TSUI, HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY AND WONG TAI SIN.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE SURVEY WILL MONITOR THE FLOW, RAINFALL, POLLUTION, GREASE AND THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE EXISTING SEWERS AND TREATMENT WORKS.
IT WILL IDENTIFY UNSEWERED AREAS AND DISCHARGES OF SEWAGE TO STORM DRAINS OR WATERCOURSES.
ALSO, IT WILL ESTABLISH THE CAUSES OF FREQUENT BLOCKAGES AND PRE-MATURE DETERIORATION OF SEWER PIPES.
APART FROM VISUAL INSPECTION, MODERN TECHNIQUE WILL BE USED IN THE SURVEY SUCH AS CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, SONAR, RADAR, FLOW LOGGERS, AUTOMATIC RAINGAUGES AND AUTOSAMPLERS.
TO AVOID UNACCEPTABLE DISRUPTION TO VERY HIGH TRAFFIC FLOWS IN THIS DENSELY DEVELOPED AREA, MANY OF THE SURVEYS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN AT NIGHT.
THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE SEWERAGE SURVEY WILL BE USED TO CONSTRUCT A COMPUTERISED HYDRAULIC MODEL AND ASSET DATABASE, FROM WHICH A PROGRAMME OF CONSTRUCTION AND REMEDIAL WORKS WILL BE DERIVED.
THE SURVEY WILL BE CO-ORDINATED BY WATSON HAWKSLEY (H.K.) LTD. LOCAL CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING FREYSSINET INSIGHT, HONG KONG TESTING, MATER1ALAB AND HK PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, WITH SPECIALIST INPUT FROM OVERSEAS, WILL BE SEEN WORKING ON KOWLOON’S ALREADY BUSY STREET, IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
------0--------
REGULATIONS ON PORT CLEARANCE AND BRIGHT LIGHT FISHING *****
THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991 CONCERNING PORT CLEARANCE AND BRIGHT LIGHT FISHING HAVE COME INTO OPERATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID: "THESE REGULATIONS WILL EXTEND THE PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF A PORT CLEARANCE FOR DEPARTING VESSELS FROM 48 HOURS TO 72 HOURS.
/"THIS MEANS .......
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
6
"THIS MEANS THAT A VESSEL REMAINING IN PORT FOR UP TO 72 HOURS AFTER OBTAINING A PORT CLEARANCE WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A FRESH PORT CLEARANCE."
A VESSEL WISHING TO DEPART FROM HONG KONG MUST FIRST OBTAIN A PORT CLEARANCE FROM THE PORT FORMALITIES OFFICE OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT LOCATED ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
THIS'PORT CLEARANCE ALSO FACILITATES ENTRY TO THE NEXT PORT OF CALL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE EXTENSION OF THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF PORT CLEARANCE WILL HELP TO REMOVE THE LARGE NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED ON MONDAI MORNINGS AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER LONG HOLIDAYS.
"THIS SHOULD ASSIST IN PROVIDING A BETTER SERVICE TO THE SHIPPING COMMUNITY."
THE PORT FORMALITIES OFFICE IS OPEN FROM 8.30 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AMON SATURDAYS.
IT IS ALSO OPEN AT SPECIFIED TIMES DURING LONG HOLIDAY PERIODS NOTIFICATION OF WHICH IS PROMULGATED BY MEANS OF A MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE REGULATIONS ALSO REMOVED THE LIMIT OF A NUMBER OF BRIGHT LIGHTS THAT COULD HE USED FOR FISHING PURPOSES IN HONG KONG WATERS AND IMPOSED CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON THE EXHIBITION OF SUCH LIGHTS.
A BRIGHT LIGHT SHALL HE EXHIBITED NOT LESS THAN TWO METRES BELOW ANY LIGHT EXHIBITED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA 1972 AND A BRIGHT LIGHT SHALL BE SO CONSTRUCTED, SHADED, INSTALLED AND USED THAT NO LIGHT EMITTED SHALL BE VISIBLE ABOVE A HORIZONTAL PLANE PASSING THROUGH THE LOWEST EDGE OF THE LIGHT SOURCE.
HOWEVER, EXISTING FISHING VESSELS OF 10 METRES OR LESS IN LENGTH MAY BE PERMITTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO EXHIBIT BRIGHT LIGHTS AT A LESSER DISTANCE, BUT IN ANY CASE NOT LESS THAN ONE METRE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID BRIGHT LIGHT FISHING WAS SUBJECT TO CONTROL TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH NAVIGATION OF OTHER VESSELS.
THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991 WAS GAZETTED LAST FRIDAY (JULY 26).
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/7........
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
CYCLE-TRACK NETWORK EXPANDED
*»»***
THE CYCLE-TRACK NETWORK IN NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH HAS BEEN A POPULAR RECREATIONAL FEATURE OF THE REGION, WAS FURTHER EXPANDED TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW SECTION OF TRACK BETWEEN TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND TAI MEI TUK IN TAI PO.
THE OPENING OF THE S1X-K1LOMETRE CYCLE-TRACK ALSO MARKED THE CONTINUING EFFORTS OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST 10 YEARS IN DEVELOPING THE FACILITY WHICH HAS NOW BUILT UP A 75-KM NETWORK IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO DISTRICTS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN SAID: "AFTER A DECADE OF CONTINUOUS EXPANSION OF THE CYCLE-TRACK NETWORKS IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO, IT IS NOW POSSIBLE TO RIDE ALONG A SEGREGATED CYCLE-TRACK FROM TAI WAI IN SHA TIN TO TAI MEI TUK, WITH THE PROVISION OF TRANSPORT FACILITIES, CYCLE AND BOAT HIRING STALLS, DISTRICT OPEN SPACE AND BARBECUE."
"THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CYCLE-TRACKS IN THIS DISTRICT SHOWS OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF TAI PO NEW TOWN AND TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY FOR THE ROAD USERS, IN PARTICULAR, THE CYCLIST AND THE PEDESTRIANS," HE ADDED.
THE FIRST CYCLE-TRACK IN THE REGION OPENED IN 1981 BETWEEN TAI WAI VILLAGE AND FO TAN INDUSTRIAL AREA IN SHA TIN.
BY VIRTUE OF OPENING THE LATEST SECTION OF CYCLE-TRACK, CYCLISTS CAN NOW RIDE THROUGH A TOTAL DISTANCE OF 22 KILOMETRES OF SEGREGATED CYCLE-TRACK.
AS TAI MEI TUK IS LOCATED ON THE FRINGE OF PAT SIN LENG COUNTRY PARK, THE CYCLE-TRACK WILL ALSO ALLOW READY ACCESS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR LARGE NUMBERS OF CYCLISTS FROM SHA TIN AND TAI PO NEW TOWNS AND TAKING IN THE FINE VIEWS OF TOLO HARBOUR ALONG THE WAY.
AT TAI MEI TUK, THERE IS ALSO A LARGE AMENITY AREA WHICH PROVIDES CYCLE AND BOAT HIRING FACILITIES, BARBECUE AND PICNIC AREAS, PARKING SPACES AND A BUS TERMINUS.
THE NEW CYCLE-TRACK WAS CONSTRUCTED AS PART OF THE TING KOK ROAD UPGRADING WORK WHICH COSTS ABOUT $105 MILLION.
APART FROM THE IMPROVEMENT WORK TO THE ROAD ITSELF, IT ALSO INCLUDED DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT, SLOPE STABL1SATION AND RECLAMATION WORK.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE NEW CYCLE-TRACK WILL IMPROVE THE SAFETY FOR THE ROAD USERS CONSIDERABLY.
/HITHERTO TING .......
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
8
HITHERTO TING KOK ROAD HAS BEEN KNOWN AS AN ACCIDENT-PRONE BLACKSPOT, INVOLVING A LOT OF CASUALTIES TO CYCLISTS.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG, HONG KONG CYCLtST ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN, MR LEUNG SIK-WAH, AND TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHUNG YICK-MING. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROJECT MANAGER OF NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR BERNARD LAM AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEUNG.
- - 0 - -
DISTRICT OFFICES CONTINUE TO PROMOTE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
*♦♦♦*»
DISTRICT OFFICES WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANISE MORE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR LAN STATED THIS WHEN HE AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM RECEIVED OFFICE BEARERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUB DISTRICT 303 - HONG KONG AND MACAU AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MR LAN NOTED THAT THE CLUB HAD LONG BEEN SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES AND ITS VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS.
HE SAID THE CLUB WAS THE FIRST COMMUNITY ORGANISATION WHICH PUBLICLY SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO RESETTLE NON-REFUGEES IN AN INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CENTRE IN VIETNAM.
HE ALSO PRAISED THE CLUB FOR JOINTLY ORGANISING CIVIC EDUCATION FUNCTIONS WITH THE CNTA IN THE PAST YEARS.
- - 0 - -
SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. VII * * * * *
SUPPLEMENTARY ENQUIRIES ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS ARE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS CONDUCTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE AIM OF THE ENQUIRIES IS TO COLLECT SOCIAL DATA REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR Pl.ANNING THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF SOCIETY.
THE JUST-PUBLISHED SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. VII COVERS NINE TOPICS BASED ON ENQUIRIES CONDUCTED DURING THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990.
/THESE TOPICS
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
9 -
THESE TOPICS ARE: HONG KONG RESIDENTS WORKING IN CHINA, EMPLOYED PERSONS ACTIVELY SEEKING OTHER EMPLOYMENT, SICK LEAVE PATTERN AND MATERNITY LEAVE PATTERN OF EMPLOYEES, HOSPITALISATION, DOCTOR CONSULTATION, CIGARETTE SMOKING PATTERN, TOY SAFETY, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE AND AWARENESS OF FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE FACTS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT:
THE PROPORTION OF SMOKERS CONTINUED TO SHOW A DOWNWARD TREND. ABOUT 18% (OR 811,100) OF THE POPULATION AGED 15 AND ABOVE WERE SMOKERS IN 1990, COMPARED WITH 20% IN 1988, 22% IN 1986 AND 24% IN 1984 .
SOME 29% OF MALES AND 3% OF FEMALES WERE DAILY SMOKERS IN 1990.
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF CIGARETTES CONSUMED BY DAILY SMOKERS DECREASED FROM 16 PER DAY IN 1982 TO 15 IN 1988 AND 13 IN 1990.
NINETY-TWO PER 1,000 PERSONS HAD CONSULTED A DOCTOR IN A TWO-WEEK PERIOD IN JULY 1990.
THE CONSULTATION RATE WAS HIGHEST FOR CHILDREN AGED BELOW FIVE, AT 214 PER 1,000, AND LOWEST FOR YOUNGSTERS IN THE 15-24 AGE GROUP, AT 57 PER 1,000. THE GREAT MAJORITY LAST CONSULTED A PRACTITIONER OF WESTERN MEDICINE RATHER THAN AN ACUPUNCTURIST, BONE-SETTER OR HERBALIST.
FOR EVERY 1,000 POPULATION, 21 HAD BEEN ADMITTED INTO HOSPITAL DURING A SIX-MONTH PERIOD IN 1989.
THE ELDERLY AGED 65 AND ABOVE HAD THE HIGHEST HOSPITALISATION RATE, FOLLOWED BY CHILDREN AGED UNDER FIVE AND THOSE AGED BETWEEN 55 AND 64.
THE HOSPITALISATION RATE FOR FEMALES WAS 1.4 TIMES THAT FOR MALES.
THE REPORT CONTAINS MANY MORE FINDINGS AND DETAILED TABLES ON THE SUBJECTS CONCERNED.
THE SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. VII IS NOW ON SALE AT $46 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL OR AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WANCHA1 TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
- - 0-----------
/10 .......
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
10
NEW RULES ON DUTY-FREE CONCESSION
******
RATE FOR FUEL
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMiHDfcD DRIVERS OF CROSS-BORDER GOODS VEHICLES THAT A NEW SET OF REGULATIONS SETTING OUT THE RATE OF DUTY-FREE CONCESSION FOR FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS OF GOODS VEHICLES ARRIVING FROM CHINA WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 1).
UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991, THE RATE OF DUTY-FREE CONCESSION FOR A GOODS VEHICLE WITH CYLINDER CAPACITY BELOW 3,000 CC IS SET AT 100 LITRES, THAT FOR VEHICLES WITH CYLINDER CAPACITY BETWEEN 3,000 CC AND 10,000 CC IS 200 LITRES AND THAT FOR GOODS VEHICLES WITH OVER 10,000 CC CYLINDER CAPACITY, 300 LITRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW REGULATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO PUT AN END TO AN ABUSE BY SOME DRIVERS OF GOODS VEHICLES WHO BROUGHT IN LARGE QUANTITIES OF DUTY-FREE FUEL FROM CHINA FOR RESALE IN HONG KONG.
AT PRESENT, FUEL IN WHATEVER QUANTITY IN THE FUEL TANKS OF ANY VEHICLES ARRIVING FROM CHINA IS EXEMPT FROM DUTY.
"AS THE RETAIL PRICE OF DIESEL IN HONG KONG IS SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN THAT IN CHINA, SOME CROSS-BORDER GOODS VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY DUMP TRUCKS, HAVE BEEN FITTED WITH ENLARGED FUEL TANKS SO AS TO BRING IN LARGE QUANTITIES OF DUTY-FREE DIESEL FOR RESALE IN HONG KONG,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT REVENUE LOSS TO THE GOVERNMENT IS $72 MILLION A YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN SETTING THE RATE OF DUTY-FREE CONCESSION, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY TO ASCERTAIN THE USUAL FUEL TANK CAPACITY OF GOODS VEHICLES.
"FUEL IN THE NORMAL-SIZE FUEL TANKS OF GOODS VEHICLES WILL CONTINUE TO BE EXEMPT FROM DUTY AS THE QUANTITY OF FUEL WILL NOT EXCEED THE DUTY-FREE CONCESSION.
"THE FUEL EXEMPT FROM DUTY IS FOR USE IN THAT VEHICLE ONLY. ANYONE FOUND TO SELL SUCH FUEL IN HONG KONG MAY BE PROSECUTED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
LEAFLETS EXPLAINING THE NEW MEASURES ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO-DRIVERS OF GOODS VEHICLES AT CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS AT MAN KAM TO, SHA TAU KOK AND LOK MA CHAU.
--------0-----------
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
11
TWO CITIZENS AWARDED FOR BRAVERY
THE BRAVE AND PUBLIC-SPIRITED ACTION OF TWO CITIZENS IN RESCUING A WOMAN IN A FIRE PAID OFF TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN THEY EACH RECEIVED THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER’S COMMENDATION AND A CASH AWARD OF $500.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT POKFULAM FIRE STATION, CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR RAYMOND JOHNSTON, PRAISED MR WONG KAM-KAU AND MR CHUNG KAM-PANG FOR THEIR BRAVERY, UNSELFISHNESS AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP WHICH LED TO THE RESCUE OF THEIR NEIGHBOUR IN A NO. 1 ALARM FIRE IN MAY THIS YEAR.
THE FIRE BROKE OUT ABOUT 11.36 AM ON MAY 21 WHEN MISS TANG PO-SHAN WAS ASLEEP IN THE BEDROOM OF HER FLAT AT YUEN FAIR COURT, ABERDEEN.
SHE WAS AWAKENED BY AN EXPLOSION CAUSED BY THE AIR-CONDITIONER IN HER ROOM AND A FIRE ENSUED. THE BURNING PLASTIC COVER FELL OFF AND SET FIRE TO ARTICLES ON THE BOOKSHELF UNDER THE AIR-CONDITIONER.
WHILE SHE WAS DIALLING 999 TO REPORT THE FIRE, MISS TANG HEARD HER DOOR BELL RINGING. SHE OPENED THE FRONT DOOR AND SAW TWO NEIGHBOURS, MR WONG AND MR CHUNG.
AT THIS TIME, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE METAL GATE WAS LOCKED FROM INSIDE. THE KEY OF' THE GATE WAS LEFT INSIDE THE BEDROOM WHICH WAS ON FIRE.
REALISING THE DANGER, MR WONG AND MR CHUNG FETCHED AN IRON BAR AND A HAMMER AND FORCED OPEN THE GATE AND RESCUED MISS TANG TOGETHER WITH TWO DOGS BEFORE THE FIREMEN ARRIVED.
MR JOHNSTON SAID: "ALTHOUGH THE FIREMEN ARRIVED AT THE SCENE SOON AFTER, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THEY MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN TOO LATE TO SAVE MISS TANG.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SHE OWES HER LIFE TO THE ACTIONS OF THESE TWO MEN," HE SAID.
AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MISS TANG PRESENTED A SILVER PLATE TO EACH OF HER RESCUERS, MR WONG AND MR CHUNG, IN EXPRESSING HER GRATEFULNESS TO THEM.
MISS TANG ALSO PRESENTED A BANNER TO THE FIRE SERVICES DIVISIONAL COMMANDER (WESTERN), MR LIU TIN-CHEE.
/12 .......
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
- 12 -
TWO NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS
TWO NOMINATIONS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER WERE RECEIVED TODAY (TUESDAY), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS SO FAR TO 50.
THEY WERE FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15. NO NOMINATION WAS SUBMITTED FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.
SO FAR, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WERE REGISTERED IN LABOUR, TEACHING, ENGINEERING AND TOURISM WITH EACH RECEIVING TWO NOMINATIONS.
THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS SEVEN FOR NEW TERRITORIES EAST.
THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL END ON AUGUST 12.
THERE ARE 21 SEATS IN THE 20 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WITH TWO SEATS FOR THE LABOUR CONSTITUENCY. AS FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS, ALL NINE GEOGRAPHICAL CONST ITUENCIES ARE DOUBLE SEAT.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY.
GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL. NO.
HONG KONG CHEUNG WAI- F 39 P.R. CONSULTANT 869 1180
xISLAND WEST SUN, WINNIE
WONG MAN-CHIU, M 39 COMPANY 727 6333
RONNIE DIRECTOR 340 5509
FOLLOWING IS A STATIST I (’AL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS RECEIVED SO FAR:
NO. OF
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTORAL DIVISION NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
1 . COMMERC1AL FIRST COMMERCIAL 0
2. COMMERCIAL SECOND COMMERCIAL 0
3 . INDUSTRI\L FIRST INDUSTRIAL 0
4 . INDUSTRIAL SECOND INDUSTRIAL 0
5 . FINANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICE FINANCE 0
/6. FINANCE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
- 13 -
6. FINANC E h F 1 NANC1AL SERVICE FINANCIAL SERVICES 1
7. LABOUR • 2
8. SOCIAL SERVICES 0
9. • MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE MEDICAL 0
10. MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE 0
11 . TEACHING 2
12. LEGAL 0
13. ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING ENGINEERING 2
14. ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING 1
15. ACCOUNTANCY 1
16. REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION 1
17. TOURISM * 2
18. URBAN COUNCIL 1
19. REGIONAL COUNCIL 0
20. RURAL 0
SUB-TOTAL : 13
GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY
1. HONG KONG ISLAND EAST
2. HONG KONG ISLAND WEST
3. KOWLOON EAST
4. KOWLOON CENTRAL
5. KOWLOON WEST
6. NEW TERRITORIES EAST
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
3
4
4
5
5
7
/I. NEW ..
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
14
*
7. NEW TERRITORIES SOUTH ' 3
8. NEW TERRITORIES WEST 2
9. NEW TERRITORIES NORTH 4
S’IB-TOTAL:
37
PROVISIONAL DATES FOR 1991/92 LEGCO SESSION *****
THE 1991/92 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER TO THE COUNCIL. SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE" COUNCIL WILL 9, WHEN THE GOVERNOR WILL GIVE HIS ANNUAL OPEN ON ADDRESS
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SITTINGS IN THE NEW SESSION: PROVIS 1ONAL DATES FOR THE COUNCIL’S
♦ WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER 1991 OPENING OF THE 1991/92 (GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS) SESSION
THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 1991 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER 1991 tt
* WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 30 OCTOBER 31 OCTOBER 199 1 1991 DEBATE ON MOTION OF THANKS (MEMBERS OTHER THAN EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS SPEAK)
WEDNESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 1991 DEBATE ON MOTION OF THANKS (RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION)
WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER 1991 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 1991 tt
WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 1991 tt
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER 1991 tt
WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 1991 tt
WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 1991 tt
(CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR RECESS)
WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 1992 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 1992 ••
/WEDNESDAY .......
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
- 15 -
WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY 1992
♦ (LUNAR NEW YEAR RECESS) WEDNESDAY 19 FEBRUARY 1992 REGULA) SITTING WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 1992 WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 1992 1ST BUDGET SITTING (FINANCIAL SECRETARY PRESENTS BUDGET) WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 1992 REGULAR SITTING (SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS DURING THE WEEK FROM 16 TO 21 MARCH 1992) * WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH 1992 2ND BUDGET SITTING THURSDAY 26 MARCH 1992 (MEMBERS OTHER THAN EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS SPEAK) WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 1992 3RD BUDGET SITTING (RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION AND FINAL STAGES OF APPROPRIATION BILL 1992) WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 1992 REGULAR SITTING (EASTER RECESS) WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL 1992 ‘ REGULAR SITTING WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 1992 WEDNESDAY 13 MAY 1992 WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 1992 WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 1992 WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 1992 (QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY RECESS) WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE 1992 REGULAR SITTING WEDNESDAY 1 JULY 1992 WEDNESDAY 8 JULY 1992 WEDNESDAY 15 JULY 1992 ORDINARY LEGCO BUSINESS WILL NOT BE TRANSACTED AT THESE SITTINGS.
/16 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
16 ADDITIONAL RENTAL ADVISORY SERVICES *****
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD AN ADDITIONAL FRIDAY MORNING SESSION AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, WITH EFFECT FROM FRIDAY (AUGUST 2), TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR ADVICE ON RENTAL MATTERS, A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
AT PRESENT, ONE SESSION, MANNED BY A RENT OFFICER, IS HELD EVERY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
-----0-----
FIRING PRACTICE IN AUGUST
******
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON EIGHT DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL
TAKE PLACE: DATE TIME
AUGUST 7 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 8 PM
AUGUST 8 (THURSDAY) 7.00 AM - 1 PM
AUGUST 13 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 15 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 22 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 23 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 29 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 30 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
--------0
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
*****
EXCHANGE FUND BI LLS TENDER RESULTS TUESDAY 30 JULY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q1 3 1
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,095 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 400 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 6.21 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 6.22 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 54 PCT
/Hong Kong .......
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1991
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q132 H170
ISSUE DATE 7 AUG 91 7 AUG 91
MATURITY DATE 6 NOV 91 7 FEB 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 184 DAYS*
AMOUNT ON OFFER ♦REPEAT 184 DAYS HKD 400 + 80 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 29.7.91 540
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 30.7.91 -174
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 234
EFFECTzOF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.4 *-0.2* 30.7.91
CLOSING YIELDS HONG KONG OF EXCHANGE GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND BILLS 30.7.91 FUND 29.7. 91
MATURING IN 1 WEEK 6.03 PCT 6.16 PCT
1 MONTH 6.04 PCT 6.15 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.17 PCT 6.22 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.27 PCT 6.30 PCT
12 MONTHS 6.55 PCT 6.67 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED 4,522 MN 2,780 MN
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TSING MA BRIDGE ................... 1
DECISION ON MFA EXTENSION WELCOMED .................................... 2
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION .......................................... 2
BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED ......................... 3
SUBSCRIPTION TV REVIEW UNDERWAY ....................................... 3
VISA WORK FOR HONG KONG RESUMED AT BRITISH EMBASSY, MANILA ............ 5
REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO SPEED UP .................... 5
EXCO APPROVES CESSATION OF FERRY SERVICES ............................. 7
1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND THE REBASING OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ........................................................... 8
244 VM'S RETURN TO VIETNAM ............................................ 9
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS CONFIRMED ....................................... 9
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 11
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED .................. 11
FOUR NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS ................... 12
CHINESE VERSION OF ENVIRONMENT HK 1991 ON SALE NOW .................... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 16
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TSING MA BRIDGE * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE, THE FIRST OF TWO CABLE SUPPORTED BRIDGES OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE TSING MA BRIDGE CONTRACT WAS THE FIRST MAJOR NEW AIRPORT-RELATED CONTRACT TO BE LET AFTER THE INITIALLING OF THE SINO-BRITISH MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING EARLY THIS MONTH.
J
"IT IS ONE OF THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE EXTENSIVE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT TO BE BUILT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND PORT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT ON LANTAU ISLAND," HE SAID.
MR KWEI SAID THE TSING MA BRIDGE WOULD CROSS THE SHIPPING CHANNEL BETWEEN THE ISLANDS OF TSING YI AND MA WAN IN THE FORM OF A SUSPENSION BRIDGE WITH A MAIN SPAN OF 1,377 METRES AND A VERTICAL NAVIGATION CLEARANCE OF 60 METRES.
IN THE BRIDGE DECK THERE WOULD BE ABOUT 40,000 TONNES OF STRUCTURAL STEEL WHICH WAS ABOUT ONE-AND-A-HALF TIMES THE STRUCTURAL STEEL USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HONG KONG BANK HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
HE SAID THE 36-METRE WIDE BRIDGE DECK WOULD ACCOMMODATE SIX-LANE CARRIAGEWAYS ON ITS UPPER DECK.
TWO SHELTERED TRAFFIC LANES FOR EMERGENCY USE AND TWO RAILWAY TRACKS WOULD BE PROVIDED AT A LOWER LEVEL INSIDE THE BRIDGE DECK.
THE BRIDGE TOWERS, 196 METRES HIGH, WOULD BE OF CONCRETE.
THE DIRECTOR SAID UPON COMPLETION, THE TSING MA BRIDGE WOULD BE THE WORLD’S LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGE CARRYING BOTH ROAD AND RAILWAY TRAFFIC.
TENDER DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY THE PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FROM TODAY. THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS DECEMBER 16 THIS YEAR.
THE AWARDING OF CONTRACT WILL BE MADE IN THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR. CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE FIVE YEARS.
THE TENDERS FOR THE SECOND CABLE SUPPORTED BRIDGE, THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE, AND THE MA WAN VIADUCT WILL BE INVITED SHORTLY.
THE BRIDGE AND THE VIADUCT WILL LINK THE TSING MA BRIDGE WITH THE TOLL PLAZA ON LANTAU ISLAND AND THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY LEADING TO THE NEW AIRPORT.
IT IS SCHEDULED THAT BOTH BRIDGES WILL BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT r'.ll-T LAP KOK.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 91, 1991
2
DECISION ON MFA EXTENSION WELCOMED
*****
THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WELCOMED THE DECISION TO EXTEND THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) FROM AUGUST 1, 1991 UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1992.
SPEAKING IN GENEVA, HE SAID: "THE MFA IS T«E MULTlLAtfifcAt UMBRELLA UNDER WHICH OUR BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENTS ARE MADE. THE DECISION TO EXTEND IT MEANS THAT OUR BUSINESSMEN CAN CONTINUE TO PLAN AHEAD WITH CERTAINTY."
HE ADDED: "THE EXTENSION OF 17 MONTHS TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED TO BRIDGE THE TIME BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN AN AGREEMENT ON TEXTILES IN THE URUGUAY ROUND CAN BE EXPECTED TO COME INTO EFFECT."
COMMENTING ON THE DECISION, MR FOOTMAN SAID "THE EXTENSION IS IN ESSENCE A ROLLOVER OF THE MFA AND THE 1986 PROTOCOL OF EXTENSION. THE DECISION ALSO REAFFIRMS PARTICIPANTS’ COMMITMENT TO ENDEAVOUR TO IMPROVE THE TRADE SITUATION PAVING THE WAY FOR THE INTEGRATION OF THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SECTOR INTO THE GATT UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS.
"THIS IS IMPORTANT, AS ALL PARTIES MUST Nok TURN THElfi ATTENTION TO NEGOTIATIONS ON TEXTILES IN THE URUGUAY ROUND. HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS WHEN THEY RESUME IN GENEVA IN SEPTEMBER."
THE DECISION TO EXTEND THE MFA WAS MADE BY THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE OF THE GATT. MEMBERSHIP OF THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PARTIES TO THE MFA, INCLUDING HONG KONG. MR ARTHUR DUNKEL, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF GATT, IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE.
--------0-----------
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION
*****
THE TWENTY-THIRD MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD ON 31 JULY 1991. THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE AVERAGE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION FOR THE 1991/92 FINANCIAL YEAR BE HK$3,330 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED THAT THE 1991/92 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME BE ADJUSTED TO PROVIDE 5.53 HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY’S SCHEME TO SELL PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS.
- 0
/3 ........
WEDNESDY, JULY 31,
1991
BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED
COMMENTING ON THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), ON THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE CLOSURE OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
"THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S REPORT IS A VERY FULL ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED, WHEN AND WHY. IT IS VERY CLEAR FROM THE REPORT THAT AT EACH STAGE THE COMMISSIONER TOOK THE RIGHT DECISIONS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS AND MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE BANKING SYSTEM, WHICH ARE HIS PRIME CONCERNS.”
MEANWHILE, ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO PRINT SOME 40,000 COPIES OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S REPORT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO DEPOSITORS THROUGH THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE. A SEPARATE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE WHEN THESE COPIES ARE AVAILABLE.
- - 0 - -
SUBSCRIPTION TV REVIEW UNDERWAY ******
IN RESPONSE TO A NUMBER OF PRESS INQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ISSUED A SATELLITE TELEVISION UPLINK AND DOWNLINK LICENCE TO HUTCHVISION HONG KONG LIMITED ON DECEMBER 18 LAST YEAR, JUST OVER ONE MONTH AFTER THE HONG KONG CABLE COMMUNICATIONS LTD (HKCC) RESOLVED TO GIVE UP THE CABLE TELEVISION PROJECT.
"THE LICENCE STIPULATES THAT THE LICENSEE SHALL NOT TRANSMIT ANY PROGRAMME IN CANTONESE LANGUAGE BEFORE OCTOBER 30, 1993, SAVE WITH THE \PPROVAL OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY WHICH MAY BE GRANTED IN SPECIFIC INSTANCES. |
"THEREAFTER, THE LICENSEE MAY BROADCAST RE-RUN CANTONESE PROGRAMMES, BUT PROGRAMMES NOT PREVIOUSLY SHOWN ON TELEVISION IN HONG KONG WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE LICENSING AUTHORITY IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, THE LICENCE ALSO PROVIDES THAT THIS RESTRICTION MAY BE REMOVED in THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCI I AT ANY TIME BEFORE OCTOBER 30, 1993," THE SPOKESMAN \DDED.
THE RESTRICTION ON CANTONESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING IMPOSED ON HUTCHVISION IS BASED ON ONE OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING THE SATELLITE TELEVISION REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AS LAID DOWN BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL LAST YEAR.
/THIS PRINCIPLE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
THIS PRINCIPLE IS THAT SATELLITE TELEVISION UPLINKED FROM HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE TARGETTED PRINCIPALLY AT THE HONG KONG AUDIENCE. HENCE THE RESTRICTION ON CANTONESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING.
HUTCHVISION CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THIS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR SATELLITE TELEVISION IN HONG KONG WHEN THEY APPLIED FOR THE SATELLITE TELEVISION LICENCE.
THEY STATED THAT THEY PLANNED TO LAUNCH A PAN-ASIAN SATELLITE TELEVISION PROGRAMM[NG SERVICE WHICH WOULD BE RECEIVABLE IN MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES IN THE REGION. HONG KONG VIEWERS WERE THEREFORE NOT THEIR PRINCIPAL TARGET AUDIENCE.
THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEIR SERVICE WOULD NOT COMPETE WITH THE EXISTING AND PLANNED BROADCASTERS, AND WOULD NOT IN ANY WAY JEOPARDISE THE ESSENTIAL BUSINESS OF, OR HAVE AN ADVERSE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON, LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS WHICH BROADCAST BOTH ENGLISH AND CANTONESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMMES.
’'HUTCHVISION ACCEPTED THE LICENCE IN FULL UNDERSTANDING OF , WHAT WAS ENTAILED, AND IN FACT THE LICENCE WAS GRANTED PARTLY ON THE BASIS OF THEIR STATEMENTS CONCERNING THE LARGE ENGLISH-SPEAKING TELEVISION AUDIENCE THROUGHOUT ASIA AND THE VIABILITY OF FUNDING THROUGH REGIONAL ADVERTISING REVENUE.
"THE RESTRICTIONS AIMED NOT ONLY TO PROTECT HKCC BUT ALSO ATV AND TVB WHO ACCEPTED THEIR CURRENT LICENCES AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF A SITUATION WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE A FOURTH CANTONESE LANGUAGE BROADCASTER, IN ADDITION TO CABLE TELEVISION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH RECEIVED HUTCHVISION1S APPLICATION LAST FRIDAY (JULY 25) FOR A REVIEW OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON CANTONESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING AND SUBSCRIPTION RESPECTIVELY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT INDICATED THAT IT WOULD BE PREPARED TO RELAX THE RESTRICTION ON CANTONESE LANGUAGE BROADCASTING THREE MONTHS AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF HKCC.
"FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF HKCC, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO REVIEW THE WHOLE QUESTION OF SUBSCRIPTION TV. THAT REVIEW IS NOW UNDERWAY AND WILL BE COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WHEN IT IS COMPLETED, WE WILL BE INVITING APPLICATIONS TO PROVIDE SUBSCRIPTION TV IN HONG KONG,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/5 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
5
VISA WORK FOR HONG KONG RESUMED AT BRITISH EMBASSY, MANILA
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 8, THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN • MANILA WILL RESUME ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT VISAS FOR HONG KONG, A SERVICE WHICH IT HAS SUSPENDED, SINCE JANUARY 30 THIS YEAR.
APPLICANTS FOR HONG KONG EMPLOYMENT VISAS IN THE PHILIPPINES ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN MANILA EFFECTIVE AUGUST 8 AS THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHtcM THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS SUCH APPLICATIONS SHALL CEASE ON THE SAME DAY.
FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS, THE VISA WILL BE ENDORSED IN THElR PASSPORTS BY THE EMBASSY IN MANILA AS BEFORE.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROCESS THOSE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BEFORE AUGUST 8 AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE ISSUED WITH VISA PROMISSORY LETTERS THROUGH TWEtR SPONSORS/EMPLOYERS IN HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CALL THE INFORMATION OFFICE ON TEL. 824- 6111 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
--------0-----------
REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO SPEED UP
******
OPERATION APPENDAGES WHICH IS THE CODE-NAME OF AN OPERAttON LAUNCHED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IN MARCH THIS YEAR AGAINST DANGEROUS PROJECTING ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, HAS ACHIEVED VERY ENCOURAGING RESULTS.
STATISTICS SHOW THAT A TOTAL OF 3,078 REMOVAL ORDERS WERE ISSUED AT 30 BUILDINGS IN THE FOUR-MONTH PERIOD ENDING JUNE.
TO DATE, MORE THAN 2,780 REMOVAL ORDERS, OR 90 PER CENT, HAVE BEEN VOLUNTARILY COMPLIED WITH BY OWNERS OR OCCUPIERS AND THE OTHERS ARE STILL BEING DEALT WITH.
THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON INSPECTED FOUR OF THE 30 BUILDINGS TO SEE THE PROGRESS THERE.
THEY INCLUDED TAK LEE BUILDING, 993 KING'S ROAD, QUARRY BAY; YAN OI BUILDING, 2-24 YAN OI STREET/4 FOO YUEN STREET, SAN PO KONG; I-FENG BUILDING, 24-40 CHI KIANG STREET/237-239A TO KWA WAN ROAD, TO KWA WAN; WING MING BUILDING, 34-42 YEN CHOW STREET/221A-221B YEE KUK STREET, SHAM SHUT PO.
/HE WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
- 6 -
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNMENT CHENG WEI-DART.
AFTER THE INSPECTION, MR EASON SAID HE ENCOURAGED BY THE RESULT OF THE OPERATION.
BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR
WAS VERY PLEASED AND
"IT HAS CLEARLY IMPROVED THE ENVIRONMENT AND REINSTATED STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE BUILDINGS TARGETTED IN THE OPERATION.
"THE HIGH PERCENTAGE OF VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH THE REMOVAL ORDERS ALSO INDICATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE BUILDING OWNERS AND RESIDENTS SUPPORT THE OPERATION AND WISH TO HAVE SAFE BUILDINGS," HE ADDED.
TODAY, BOO STAFF ALSO POSTED 514 ORDERS WHICH REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF 1,006 UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS (UBW’S) PROJECTING FROM THE EXTERNAL WALLS OF WAI LEE BUILDING AND PO LEE BUILDING AT NO. 995 AND 997 KING’S ROAD.
THE UBW’S INCLUDED METAL CAGES, CANOPIES AND METAL FLOWER RACKS WHICH ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND ENVIRONMENTALLY AND AESTHETICALLY UNDESIRABLE, IN THE BUILDINGS TARGETTED FOR THE OPERATION.
MR EASON ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT AS AN EXTENSION TO OPERATION APPENDAGES, ANOTHER OPERATION CODE-NAMED OPERATION CATHERINE WHEEL IS UNDER CONSIDERATION.
OPERATION CATHERINE WHEEL IS DESIGNED TO SPEED UP THE REMOVAL PROCESS BY TAKING ADI ANTAGE OF THE MOOD OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR IT, HE EXPLAINED.
"INSTEAD OF ISSUING REMOVAL ORDERS ON THE OWNERS CONCERNED AS AT PRESENT, ADVISORY LETTERS WILL BE SENT, IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, TO OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF BUILDINGS TARGETTED IN OPERATION CATHERINE WHEEL, REQUESTING THEM TO TAKE STEPS TO REMOVE PROJECTING UBWS IN THE BUILDING THEMSELVES," HE SAID.
"TALKS AND MEETINGS WILL ALSO BE HELD WITH OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF THESE BUILDINGS TO ASK FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION AND INVOLVEMENT IN ORDER TO MOBILISE THE OWNERS AND RESIDENTS TO REMOVE PROJECTING UBW’S VOLUNTARILY.
"BUILDINGS TARGETTED IN THIS SECOND OPERATION WILL BE SELECTED FROM BUILDINGS IN THE VICINITY OF THOSE TARGETTED IN THE FIRST OPERATION, HENCE THE NAME CATHERINE WHEEL."
MR EASON APPEALED TO THE OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IN THIS SECOND OPERATION BY TAKING PROMPT ACTION TO REMOVE THE PROJECTING UBW’S IN THEIR BUILDINGS BOTH FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT AS WELL AS FOR THE PUBLIC.
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT RESPOND TO THE ADVISORY LETTERS, REMOVAL ORDERS WILL BE ISSUED, AND THE UBW’S WILL BE REMOVED BY GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS IF NECESSARY.
------0-------
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
7 -
EXCO APPROVES CESSATION OF FERRY SERVICES *****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION FROM THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY (HYF) TO CEASE OPERATING FOUR FRANCHISED FERRY SERVICES LATER THIS YEAR.
THEY INCLUDED THE VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN SAI WAN tfo AND KWUN TONG; AND PASSENGER SERVICES BETWEEN SAI WAN HO AND KWUN TONG, BETWEEN SAI WAN HO AND SAM KA TSUEN, AND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUt AND TAP MUN.
SINCE THE HYF VESSEL PROVIDING DAILY SERVICE TO TAP MUN IS ALSO USED TO OPERATE A WEEKEND SERVICE FOR TUNG PING CHAU, HYF WILL RELINQUISH THE LICENSED SERVICE BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND TUNG PING CHAU SIMULTANEOUSLY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IN 1990, HYF LOST $13 MILLION IN THE OPERATION OF THESE SERVICES.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE WITHDRAWAL OF THESE LOSS-INCURRING ROUTES, FOR WHICH ADEQUATE ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ARE OR WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE, WAS CONTEMPLATED TO HELP PRESERVE THE COMPANY’S OVERALL FINANCIAL VIABILITY, AVOID EXCESSIVE CROSS-SUBSIDISATION, AND RELIEVE UPWARD PRESSURE ON HYF FARES.
COMMENTING ON THE AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR BUS AND MTR SERVICES ALREADY PROVIDED A REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR THE 3,400 PASSENGERS CURRENTLY USING THE FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN SAI WAN HO AND KWUN TONG DAILY.
"THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING CAN COMFORTABLY ABSORB THE 300 VEHICLES CURRENTLY USING THE VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN SAI WAN HO AND KWUN TONG DAILY," HE SAID.
REPLACEMENT BY A LICENSED OPERATOR USING SMALLER VESSELS IS PROPOSED FOR THE SAI WAN HO TO SAM KA TSUEN SERVICE.
SIMILARLY, THE MA LIU SHUI TO TAP MUN AND MA LIU SHUI TO TUNG PING CHAU PASSENGER FERRY SERVICES WILL GO TO LICENSED OPERATORS.
"A BETTER MATCH BETWEEN DEMAND AND VESSEL CAPACITY, RESULTING IN REDUCED OPERATING COSTS, IS EXPECTED TO ENABLE THE SERVICES TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL BREAKEVEN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SELECTION OF THE REPLACEMENT OPERATORS WOULD BE DONE THROUGH OPEN TENDER. HYF WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES UNTIL THE NEW OPERATORS ARE SELECTED AND READY TO PROVIDE SERVICE.
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/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
8
1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY
AND THE REBASING OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES
*****
A DETAILED REPORT ENTITLED "1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY AND THE REBASING OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES" WAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE HANG SENG BANK IN THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990.
BASED ON THE SURVEY RESULTS, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES WERE REBASED. THE NEW SERIES OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED SINCE APRIL 1991.
THE REPORT GIVES A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE OBJECTIVE, DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY OF THE 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
AN ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS AND DETAILED TABLES SHOWING THE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE OF VARIOUS TYPES 'OF HOUSEHOLDS TN HONG KONG ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS CONCEPTS AND METHODS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES AND THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE 1989/90-BASED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SERIES.
THE REPORT, WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE AT $56 PER COPY, CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE REPORT CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6420.
A CHINESE VERSION OF THE REPORT WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED SOON.
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/9.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
9
244 VM’S RETURN TO VIETNAM * ♦ * *
A GROUP OF 244 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 131 MEN, 52 WOMEN, 39 BOYS AND 22 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 61ST BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 8,306 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
--------------0------- ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS CONFIRMED t i t * t
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 54.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THE NEW AIDS PATIENT DIED SOON AFTER HE WAS DIAGNOSED TO HAVE THE DISEASE.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 37 AIDS PATIENTS DIED AND 17 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
RELEASING THE STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR JUNE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOUR MORE PERSONS INCLUDING A WOMAN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST, TOTALLING 180 THE NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED AIDS.
OF THESE, 52 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 106 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, A TOTAL OF 198,280 BLOOD SPECIMEN HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE MAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO JUNE, 910,077 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 16 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/IO ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
- 10 -
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
Virus "Unit, Department of Health
Apr 85-May 91 Jur i 91 Total
Referrals from Govt, hospitals and clinics , .. $ft4> M tfwt Referrals from private No. tested* No. No. +ve tested* No. +ve No. tested* No. +v*
16525 87 ' 595 3 17120 90
practitioners arid subvented hospitals , . *3 ft ft ft £$4# Attendances at social OO 1 o AD 1 D a 2234 A A
22 18 46 16 0 46
hygiene clinics 169670 34 1931 1 171601 35
A Haemophiliacs . 512. 60 4 0 516 ’ 60
Iv drug abusers Referrals from Family 5545 1 106 0 565jl. 1
Planning Association , M z. $ Health care personnel 223 913 0 ‘ 3 0 19 0 0 226 932 . 0 M. 6
-------MT'fe----------—' -----------------
H.™ & & V, H/jfc, <*4,
* This indicates the number of specimens and are repeated for certain individuals’.
..2674 4 198280 232
not persons as tests
Aug 85-May 91 Jun 91 Totll
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion No. No. No. No. tested +vt tested +ve No. No J tested 4-v©
Service 898255 16 11822 0 910077 16
Department of Health July 1991
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/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON AND OVER THE GROUND FLOOR YARD AT NO. 9 NEW EASTERN TERRACE IN CAUSEWAY BAY, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THfe BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 18 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MEANWHILE, THE AUTHORITY ALSO SEEKS TO. CLOSE FOR THfe SAME REASON, THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT THE ROOF A, B, C, Dl-3 AND F OF WING MING BUILDING AT 34-42 YEN CHOW STREET AND 212A-212B YEE KUK STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 9 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS TODAY.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON FLAT A, 16TH FLOOR, 117-123 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI AND THE ROOF ABOVE SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 1 HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE PREMISES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
/12
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31
9
1991
12 -
FOUR NOMINATIONS RECEIVED TODAY FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS
FOUR NOMINATIONS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER WERE RECEIVED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS SO FAR TO 54.
THREE NOMINATIONS WERE SUBMITTED FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. ONE NOMINATION WAS RECEIVED FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15.
SO FAR, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WERE REGISTERED IN LABOUR, TEACHING, ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING, AND TOURISM WITH EACH RECEIVING TWO NOMINATIONS.
THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS WAS SEVEN FOR NEW TERRITORIES EAST.
THE NOMINATION PERIOD WILL END ON AUGUST 12.
THERE ARE 21 SEATS IN THE 20 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WITH TWO SEATS FOR THE LABOUR CONSTITUENCY. AS FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS, ALL NINE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE DOUBLE SEAT.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATES WHOSE NOMINATION FORMS WERE RECEIVED TODAY.
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY/ ELECTORAL DIVISION NAME SEX AGE OCCUPATION CONTACT TEL. NO.
FINANCE LI KWOK-PO, M DAVID 52 BANKER 842 3206
MEDICAL LEONG CHE- M HUNG, EDWARD 52 MEDICAL PRACTITIONER 523 8562 524 9596
ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING LAU SHIU- M KWAN, FRANCIS 56 SURVEYOR 730 6212
GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY NAME SEX AGE OCX PUPATION CONTACT TEL. NO.
NEW TERRITORIES WEST TANG SIU-TONG M 48 DOCTOR 477 3552 443 2202 116 3311 CALL 123
/FOLLOWING IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
- 13 -
FOLLOWING IS A STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN OF THE NOMINATIONS
RECEIVED SO FAR: NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTORAL DIVISION
1 . COMMERCIAL FIRST COMMERCIAL 0
2. COMMERCIAL SECOND COMMERCIAL 0
3. INDUSTRIAL FIRST INDUSTRIAL 0
4. INDUSTRIAL SECOND INDUSTRIAL 0
5. FINANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICE FINANCE 1
6. FINANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICE FINANCIAL SERVICES 1
7. LABOUR 2
8. SOCIAL SERVICES 0
9. MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE MEDICAL 1
10. MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE 0
11 . TEACHING 2
12. LEGAL 0
13. ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING ENGINEERING 2
14 . ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PLANNING 2
15. ACCOUNTANCY 1
16. REAL ESTATE ft CONSTRUCTION 1
17. TOURISM 2
18 . URBAN COUNCIL 1
19. REGIONAL COUNCIL 0
20. RURAL 0
• SUB-TOTAL : 16
/GEOGR£PHICAL_CONSTITUENCY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
14
GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY
1. HONG KONG ISLAND EAST
2. HONG KONG ISLAND WEST
3. KOWLOON EAST
4. KOWLOON CENTRAL
5. KOWLOON WEST
6. NEW TERRITORIES EAST
7. NEW TERRITORIES SOUTH
8. NEW TERRITORIES WEST
9. NEW TERRITORIES NORTH
NO. OF NOMINATIONS RECEIVED
3
4
4
5
5
7
3
3
4
SUB-TOTAL: 38
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CHINESE VERSION OF ENVIRONMENT HK 1991 ON SALE NOW
*****
THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1991 IS ROW AVAILABLE FOR SALE.
THE ANNUAL REPORT, PUBLISHED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD), REVEALED THE GOVERNMENT’S ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS SO FAR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 10-YEAR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES.
THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE 181-PAGE REPORT, PACKED WITH DIAGRAMS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME COLOUR PICTURES, GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANY AND VARIED ACTIVITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DURING 1990.
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT WAS ALREADY PUT ON SALE IN JUNE.
AN EPI) SPOKESMAN SAID THE YEAR 1990,- COVERED BY THE REPORT, WAS A SPECIAL YEAR BECAUSE IT SAW THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE 10-YEAR PROGRAMME FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, AS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION PUBLISHED IN 1989.
/SUCH ACHIEVEMENTS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
15 . -
SUCH ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS WHICH HAVE REDUCED DRAMATICALLY THE AMOUNT OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE IN THE AIR IN MIXED RESIDENTIAL/1NDUSTRIAL AREAS.
ALSO, SEVERAL ELEMENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH AIR POLLUTION PRODUCED BY MOTOR VEHICLES WERE FINALISED.
THIS STRATEGY INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO SMOKE EMISSION CONTROLS, THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW AND MORE STRINGENT EMISSION CONTROL DESIGN STANDARDS FOR NEW CARS, AND ACTION TO RESTRAIN THE USE OF DIESEL.
THE YEAR 1990 ALSO SAW A VERY SATISFACTORY FIRST YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN.
THAT PLAN ENVISAGED THE CLOSURE OF OLD REFUSE INCINERATORS AND A NUMBER OF SMALL, INEFFICIENT, URBAN LANDFILLS AND THEIR REPLACEMENT BY A SERIES OF REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS FEEDING LARGE, ENVIRONMENTALLY WELL ENGINEERED AND OPERATED, LANDFILLS TN REMOTE LOCATIONS.
IMPROVED MEANS OF TACKLING WATER POLLUTION BECAME AVAILABLE WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990, WHICH REMOVED EXEMPTIONS FROM LICENSING OF DISCHARGES OF EXISTING FACTORIES WITHIN WATER CONTROL ZONES, AND ABOLISHED THE 30 PER CENT PERMITTED * INCREASE OF DISCHARGES WHICH THOSE EXEMPTED FACTORIES HAI) PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED.
ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1991, AT $30 A COPY, IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE AT GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE CONTENT OF THE REPORT CAN BE ADDRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING EPI) OFFICERS:
ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & ASSESSMENT NO. 835 1105
MR SIMON HUI TEL.
AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT MR C.W. TSE TEL. NO. 835 1088
NOISE MR RAYMOND CHAN TEL. NO. 835 1122
WATER & WASTES MR PAUL HOLMES DR DANIEL LAU TEL. TEL. NO. NO. 835 782 1003 7 300
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/16
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1991
- 16 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS t » * * ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 30.7.91 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 31.7.91 -98
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 98
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.4 *+0.0* 31.7.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
CLOSING YIELDS OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
30.7.91 31.7.91
MATURING IN 1 KEEK 6.03 PCT 5.80 PCT
1 MONTH 6.04 PCT • 5.90 PCT
3 MONTHS 6.17 PCT 6.01 PCT
6 MONTHS 6.27 PCT 6.21 PCT
12 MONTHS • 6.55 PCT 6.51 PCT
TOTAL BILLS TRANSFERRED I ,522 MN 5,715 MN
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