DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT FLEET JOINS THE DRIVE TO ULP ....................................... 1
VOTER REGISTRATION STARTS TOMORROW ......................................
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1923 - 28 ................................ 4
SPECIAL EDUCATION FEATURED TN SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECT’S .........
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1991
- 1
GOVERNMENT FLEET JOINS THE DRIVE TO ULP *♦»»»*
THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL (ULP) TO HONG KONG MARKS A NEW ERA WHICH WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS TO THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNNG, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
MR BARNES WAS SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF ULP AT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT DEPOT IN CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, WHERE GOVERNMENT FLEET VEHICLES JOINING THE "GREEN DRIVE" WERE ON DISPLAY.
MR BARNES SAID: "THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION, PUBLISHED IN 1989, CALLED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL - THE CORNER-STONE WITHOUT WHICH HONG KONG COULD NEVER HOPE TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF MODERN EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGY.
"LAST TUESDAY (MARCH 26), EXCO APPROVED REGULATIONS WHICH REQUIRE THAT ALL VEHICLES IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG - WHETHER PETROL OR DIESEL-POWERED - COMPLY WITH CURRENT INTERNATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS, AS FROM JANUARY 1, 1992.
"IN PRACTICE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MOTORBIKES AND MOTOR-TRICYCLES, ALL PETROL-DRIVEN VEHICLES FROM THAT DATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO RUN EXCLUSIVELY ON UNLEADED PETROL," MR BARNES SAID.
FROM TODAY, ULP WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL OF THE TERRITORY’S SERVICE STATIONS, AT LEAST HK$1 A LITRE LESS THAN LEADED PETROL. MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S PETROL-DRIVEN VEHICLES CAN USE THE FUEL IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT ADJUSTMENT, OR ANY RISK OF DAMAGE OR REDUCED PERFORMANCE.
ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF VEHICLES WILL NEED A MINOR ADJUSTMENT TO RUN ON ULP; 14 PER CENT CAN USE ULP, BUT WILL NEED PERIODIC FILL-UPS OF LEADED PETROL TO LUBRICATE SOFT VALVE SEATS. THE REMAINING SIX PER CENT ARE UNSUITABLE FOR ULP.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A FIRM "GREEN" STAND ON THE USE OF ULP.
ITS 4,669 PETROL-DRIVEN FLEET OF VANS, MOTORCYCLES AND CARS CAN RUN ON ULP. SIXTY-EIGHT VEHICLES WHICH NEEDED ENGINE TUNING HAVE ALREADY BEEN ADJUSTED.
TO SIGNIFY THE SWITCH, EACH VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY A STICKER STATING "WE’VE JOINED THE DRIVE" IN THE CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNMENT RUNS APPROXIMATELY 7,200 EUROPEAN AND JAPANESE-MANUFACTURED VEHICLES, OF WHICH 2,500 ARE DIESEL-ENGINED. THE ULP FLEET COMPRISES 2,455 PANEL AND GLASS-SIDED VANS, 1,316 MOTORCYCLES AND 898 SALOON CARS.
/THE GOVERNOR'S .......
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1991
- 2 -
THE GOVERNOR’S OWN FLEET OF 12 VEHICLES WILL ALSO RUN ON ULP.
THE ROLLS ROYCE AND DAIMLER CARS USED BY SIR DAVID WILSON RECEIVED A SIMPLE "TUNE-UP" AT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WORKSHOPS IN CAROLINE HILL ROAD IN PREPARATION FOR THE LAUNCH.
COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS ARE ALSO SUPPORTING THE ULP CAMPAIGN.
THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY (HKCG) OPERATES A FLEET OF 610 VEHICLES, OF WHICH 38 ARE DIESEL-ENGINED. A TOTAL OF 569 PETROL-DRIVEN VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES WILL RUN ON ULP DIRECTLY, WITHOUT ANY ENGINE ADJUSTMENT.
THE HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTORING OPERATES A FLEET OF NEARLY 500 DRIVING 1NSTRUCTOR/STUDENT VEHICLES, ALL OF WHICH ARE BEING FUELED WITH ULP.
THE ULP PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE UNLEADED PETROL STEERING COMMITTEE, WHICH COMPRISES THE OIL INDUSTRY, MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, WILL RUN TO THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
TELEVISION COMMERCIALS WILL CONTINUE TO BE AIRED UNTIL SATURDAY, APRIL 13, WHILE THE HONG KONG TELECOM/MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION-SPONSORED HOTLINE CONTINUES TO THE END OF THE MONTH.
TO DATE, MORE THAN 4,000 CALLS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SINCE THE HOTLINE WAS INTRODUCED ON FEBRUARY 1.
MOST INQUIRIES FOCUSED ON INFORMATION IN THE COMPREHENSIVE "MOTORISTS GUIDE TO UNLEADED PETROL" WHICH WAS MAILED TO MORE THAN 180,000 CAR OWNERS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNLEADED PETROL STEERING COMMITTEE, MR RAYMOND LEUNG, SAID: "THE INTRODUCTION OF ULP IS A VALUABLE BOOST TO OUR 'AIR QUALITY’ PROGRAMME AND MARKS A NEW ERA IN MOTORING.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT DRIVERS WILL SWITCH TO UNLEADED PETROL IN SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS. WE REALISE WE ARE ASKING MOTORISTS TO CHANGE THEIR DRIVING HABITS, BUT FILLING-UP WITH ULP WILL SOON BECOME SECOND NATURE," HE ADDED.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN DURING THE CEREMONY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT GIS RECEPTION DESK..
------0--------
/3 ........
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1991
- 3 -
VOTER REGISTRATION STARTS TOMORROW t » * t »
VOTER REGISTRATION FOR THE SEPTEMBER LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS COVERING BOTH FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES (INDIRECT ELECTIONS) AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES (DIRECT ELECTIONS) COMMENCES TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND WILL LAST UNTIL JULY I.
THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DIRECT ELECTIONS IS THE SAME AS THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
IT IS OPEN TO ANY PERSON WHO HOLDS A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD, IS 21 YEARS OLD BY JUNE 30 THIS YEAR AND IS A HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT OR HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.
"FOR THE SEPTEMBER DIRECT ELECTIONS, ELECTORS ALREADY ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL NEED NOT RE-APPLY. THEY SHOULD HOWEVER REPORT PROMPTLY IF THEY HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE PRESENT EXERCISE DOES NOT AFFECT VOTING AT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY.
"ONLY THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN THE CURRENT GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL CAN VOTE IN THE COMING URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS," HE ADDED.
COPIES OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION FORM FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATE OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG BANK, THE HANG SENG BANK, THE STANDARD CHARTERED BANK AND THE BANK OF CHINA GROUP.
THE ELECTORAL FRANCHISE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IS BASED ON MEMBERSHIP OF SPECIFIED REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS AND PROFESSIONS.
IT IS HOWEVER STILL A REQUIREMENT FOR AN ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL TO BE ALREADY REGISTERED OR TO HAVE SOUGHT OR TO SEEK REGISTRATION ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL AT THE TIME HE APPLIES FOR REGISTRATION ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
"AN ELIGIBLE PERSON MAY APPLY FOR REGISTRATION AS AN ELECTOR FOR BOTH FUNCTIONAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS AT THE SAME TIME BY USING ONE REGISTRATION FORM ONLY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REGISTRATION FORMS FOR THE INDIRECT ELECTIONS (FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES) WILL BE ISSUED TO PROSPECTIVE ELECTORS TOGETHER WITH AN INVITATION AND AN EXPLANATORY LEAFLET BY DIRECT MAILING, AND ALSO THROUGH DISTRIBUTION RY THE REPRESENTATIVE BODIES.
THESE FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE.
ALL ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON TEL. R27 1122.
------0--------
/4 .....
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1991
- 4 -
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1923 - 28
*****
WOMEN BORN IN 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 AND 1928 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO MAY 18.
WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY.
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 BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. NO. 755 3669
WEST KOWLOON CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 498 0117
SHA TIN SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
YUEN LONG • HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN • CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHU I TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
’’APPLICANTS 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 FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
/"HOWEVER, IF ........
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1991
5
"HOWEVER, IF THE APPLICANT’S IDENTITY CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE »»» SYMBOL, SHE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MOI'I' PERSONAL PROOFS.
"IN ADDITION TO PRODUCING HER EXISTING IDENTITY CARD, SHE MUST PRODUCE HER TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING (IF ANY) -HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION 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.
"AS THE APPLICANTS IN THE COMING PHASE ARE OVER 60 YEARS OLD, SOME MAY, DUE TO HEALTH REASONS, FIND IT INCONVENIENT TO GO TO THE ISSUE OFFICES AND WISH TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REGISTRATION OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS. THEY MAY APPLY IN WRITING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 824 6111.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. .
- - 0----------
SPECIAL EDUCATION FEATURED IN SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS ♦ * * * *
FIVE OUT OF THE 58 SCHOOL-BASED UNDERTAKEN DURING THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR
CURRICULUM PROJECTS BEING ARE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION.
tmprovf’ THE ABILITY OF MOTOR CO-ORDINATION M1LD-GRADE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED CHILDREN FOR
AND
PROGRAMMES PREPARATION
ENTERING
TRAINING CENTRES.
"qrHOOIS INCLUDING KINDERGARTENS, ARE NOW BEING TAKE PAR?™S THE IrSI-SE SCHOOl.-BASBP CURR.CULUH PBO^CT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SCHEME, WHICH STARTED IN 1988, IS TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOP APPROPRIATE SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM TO.
JUN
TO
OF
VOCATIONAL
INVITED SCHEME,"
SCHOOLS
TO AN
TO
* MEET THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF PUPILS IN LEARNING
/* MOTIVATE TEACHERS ........
I
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1991
6
♦ MOTIVATE TEACHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPECIFIC INNOVATIONS IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND TO MAXIMISE THEIR POTENTIAL TO IDENTIFY THEIR OWN NEEDS IN SOLVING PROBLEMS AND IN MAKING DECISIONS IN THE PROCESS OF TEACHING;
* ENCOURAGE SCHOOL HEADS TO MAKE APPROPRIATE ADAPTATIONS TO THE CENTRALLY-DEVIS.ED CURRICULUM TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF THEIR OWN SCHOOLS, AND
* PROVIDE A MORE FLEXIBLE DEVICE FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SOCIETY AND SUBSEQUENTLY TO EQUIP THEIR PUPILS WITH ALL THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR LIFE.
”A SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECT CAN BE DEVELOPED BY A TEACHER OR A GROUP OF TEACHERS IN A SCHOOL OR A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS TO SUIT THE PARTICULAR CURRICULUM NEEDS IDENTIFIED IN THEIR SCHOOLS,” THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE SAID IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROJECTS TO COMPLEMENT THE REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, CONCEPTS AND SKILLS OFFERED TO PUPILS IN THE CENTRALLY-DEVISED CORE CURRICULUM.
’’THE DESIGN OF THE PROJECTS SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE PRACTICAL NEEDS OF PUPILS AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF EDUCATION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
GRANTS, INCLUDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRODUCTION EXPENSES, RANGING FROM $7,200 TO $24,000 WILL BE AWARDED FOR KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY SCHOOL PROJECTS AND FROM $9,200 TO $30,900 FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PROJECTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THOSE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME INCLUDED PRACTISING TECAHERS, TEACHING STAFF OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, AND THE SCHOOL OR FACULTY OF EDUCATION OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES.
APPLICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS BY APRIL 15.
I (
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
- ’(INTENTS PAGE NO.
UK CONTRIBUTES TO DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAI AND GLOBAL ECONOMY ...................... 1
IIK DELEGATION MAKES SUBSTANT1AI PROGRESS IN UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE HEARING.............. ... • • • ................................ 3
GAS INSTALLERS MUST REGISTER NOW ................................ 4
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED . . • - - • ■ • • .......................
SIX NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR SHUN LEE RY El,ECTION ..........................
EXPERIMENT ON NEW ON-STREET PARKING DEVICES .................................
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR APRIL JUNE ........................................... 8
PARTIAL SERVICE AT THEN MUN NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE ON THURSDAY ............
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .......................................... 9
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
I
HK CONTRIBUTES TO DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL AND GLOBAL ECONOMY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC', CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGIONAL AS WELL AS THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, OMELCO MEMBER DR DANIEL TSE SAID IN SEOUL TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO THE 47TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR THE ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP), DR TSE SAID ONE NOTABLE EXAMPLE WAS OBVIOUSLY HONG KONG’S PART I C I PAT I ON IN THE ESCAP.
"WE ALSO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, (ADB), THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) AND THE ASIA PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (APDC), CONTR1 BUT I NG TO THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGIONAL AS WELL AS THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.
"WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC), A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION SET UP IN 1980 WITH THE AIM OF DEVELOPING CLOSER CO-OPERATION IN REGIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICY ISSUES.
. "WE WILL JOIN AS A FULL MEMBER WHEN THE PECC MEETS FOR ITS EIGHTH GENERAL MEETING IN SINGAPORE NEXT MONTH.
"IT IS ALSO OUR WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CONFERENCE (APEC) SHORTLY," HE SAID.
DR TSE SAID THE PAC IFIc REGION WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE A PRIVOTAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE WORLD ECONOMY HAVING REGARD TO THE GROWTH POTENTIAL OF ASIAN COUNTRIES.
"HONG KONG SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC' CO-OPERATION IN THE* PACIFIC RIM TO BRING ABOUT TRADE LIBERALISATION, TO SUPPORT THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM BASED ON THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND TO FOSTER THE* ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION," HE SAID.
DR ISE SAID HONG KONG SAW THE I 99(1’S AS A DECADE IN WHICH THE CONTINUED SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY OF ITS ECONOMY WOULD INCREASINGLY DEPEND ON ITS TECHNOLOG I CAL CAPABILITY, THE AVAILABILITY OF A POOL OF ENGINEERING EXPERTISE AND A WELL TRAINED LABOUR FORCE.
HE SAID HIE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING POSITIVE MEASURES BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY PLACES, IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TERTIARY EDUCATION AND PROVIDING MORE TECHNICAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SKILLS REQUIRED.
"TO FURTHER FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO ESTABLISH AN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE. THE CENTRE WILL PROVIDE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION TO STIMULATE THE GROWTH OF NEWLY ESTABLISHED TECHNOLOGY-BASED BUSINESSES, TO ASSIST THEM WITH PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT AND TO FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY RELEVANT TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY.
/"IN ADDITION .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
2
"IN ADDITION, WE ARE STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTING UP A SCIENCE PARK.
"THEY BOTH SERVE THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS,” HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG-CHINA ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP, DR TSE SAID AS A MANUFACTURING CENTRE, HONG KONG HAD DEVELOPED A "SYMBIOTIC” RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SOUTHERN REGION OF (’HINA, SPEC IFI(’ALLY WITH THE GUANGDONG, GUANGX I AND FUJIAN PROVINCES.
"OUR MANUFACTURERS ARE USING HONG KONG TO DO PRODUCT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING WHILE PART OF THE LABOUR INTENSIVE OPERATIONS ARE PERFORMED ACROSS THE BORDER.
"THEY NOW EMPLOY OVER TWO MILLION WORKERS IN (’HINA WHICH IS THREE TIMES HONG KONG’S OWN INDUSTRI At, LABOUR FORCE," HE SAID.
DR TSE SAID GIVEN HONG KONG’S UNIQUE GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, THE TERRITORY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE GATEWAY TO CHINA.
"CHINA IS NOW THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS AND THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
"CHINA, IN TURN, SENDS OVER ONE-THIRD OF ITS MERCHANDISE EXPORTS TO HONG KONG OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO OTHER DESTINATIONS," UE SAID.
DR TSE SAID (’ll I N/^ AND HONG KONG WERE ALSO CLOSE INVESTMENT PARTNERS.
"ON THE ONE HAND, (HINA IS THE THIRD LARGEST NON-LOCAL INVESTOR |N HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES AFTER THE UNITED STATES’ AND JAPAN.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, HONG KONG ACCOUNTS FOR TWO-THIRDS OF DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA, ESTIMATED AT US$11 BILLION, MOST OF WHICH ARE IN SOUTHERN CH I NA.
"THIS ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE (’OMI NG YEARS,” HE ADDED
------0 -------
/3.........
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
3 -
HE DELEGATION MAKES SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE HEARING ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS WAS MADE YESTERDAY (APRIL 1 IN NEW YORK) DURING THE FIRST OF A THREE-DAY HEARING BY THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE IN EXPLAINING THE SIGNIFICANT STEPS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN TO ENSURE HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE TERRITORY, ACCORDING TO THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR FRANK STOCK.
MR STOCK, WHO LED A FIVE-MEMBER SENIOR LEVEL DELEGATION TO NEW YORK, SAID A NUMBER OF MISCONCEPTIONS WERE CLEARED UP AS THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION WAS PRESENTED TO THE 18-MEMBER COMMITTEE.
MR STOCK REPORTED THAT THERE WAS INTENSE INTEREST IN HONG KONG BY THE COMMITTEE, ALTHOUGH THE HEARING IS BEING HELD TO REVIEW HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES.
HE SAID THE OPPORTUNITY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO MAKE TWO POINTS IN PARTICULAR TO THE COMMITTEE IN ANSWER TO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. THESE WERE:
♦ EXTREME CARE HAD BEEN TAKEN IN DRAFTING THE BILL OF RIGHTS TO ENSURE ITS COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BASIC LAW SO THAT HONG KONG HAD A BILL OF RIGHTS THAT NOT ONLY LASTED UNTIL 1997, BUT SURVIVED 1997.
* THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS A LEGALLY BINDING TREATY WHICH ENSURED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS (1CCPR) -- INCLUDING REPORTING OBLIGATIONS — WOULD REMAIN IN FORCE POST-1997. THE PRECISE MECHANICS OF HOW IT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED WOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN THE I NTERNATIONAL RI GUI’S AND OBLIGATIONS SUB-GROUP OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
MR STOCK SAID THESE TWO POINTS ADDRESSED QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS RAISED BY MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, WHICH COMPRISED LAWYERS AND INTERNATI ONAL HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIALISTS FROM COUNTRIES WHICH ARE PARTIES TO THE ICCPR. THE ('OVENANT HAS BEEN APPLIED TO HONG KONG SINCE 1976.
MR STOCK EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO THE COMMITTEE FOR THE PARTICULAR CONCERN FOR HONG KONG IT DEMONSTRATED THROUGH ITS QUESTIONS.
HE SAID HE WOULD CONVEY TO THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION THE COMMENTS BY THE COMMITTEE AND STRESSED: "THE HONG KONG
ADMINISTRATION VIEWS THE WORK OF THIS COMMITTEE SERIOUSLY AND WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT."
IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, MR STOCK EXPLAINED WHY THE DRAFT BILL OF RIGHTS WOULD NOT BE ENTRENCHED IN HONG KONG LAW.
/"WHAT WILL .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
4
”WHAT WILL BE ENTRENCHED, WILL BE THE ICCPR AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG BY AMENDING THE LETTERS PATENT, WHICH IS HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT," MR STOCK SAID.
"WE HAVE TO ENSURE THE BILL OF RIGHTS IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE BASIC LAW, WHICH HAS PROVISIONS TO STRIKE DOWN INCOMPATIBLE LAWS.
"WE HAVE TO HAVE REGARD TO THE FACT THAT UNDER HONG KONG LAWS, NONE HAS BEEN ENTRENCHED.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE COURSE WE HAVE ADOPTED WILL HAVE THE DESIRED EFFECT BECAUSE IT .WILL BE TRUE TO THE JOINT DECLARATION AND WILL NOT CONTRAVENE THE BASK’ LAW,” HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF THE SO-CALLED FREEZE ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS, MR STOCK ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE HAD BEEN REPRESENTATIONS IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSAL.
THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THESE REPRESENTATIONS WAS EXPECTED TO BE REVEALED. HE NOTED THE SUGGESTION THAT HAD BEEN MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT TO FREEZE ONLY A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF ORDINANCES.
IN RESPONSE TO OTHER QUESTIONS, MR STOCK ALSO OUTLINED THE STEPS THAT HAD BEEN TAKEN IN RECENT YEARS TO DEVELOP REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND THE STEPS THAT ARE PLANNED DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD AS WELL AS THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN THE BASIC LAW.
---------0-----------
GAS INSTALLERS MUST REGISTER NOW
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
GAS INSTALLERS IN HONG KONG HAVE TO REGISTER WITH THE GOVERNMENT NOW UNDER NEW REGULATIONS AIMED AT ENSURING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF GAS-USERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE GAS SAFETY (REGISTRATION OF GAS INSTALLERS
AND
GAS
CONTRACTORS) REGULATIONS 1990, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION YESTERDAY (MONDAY), STATED THAT ALL GAS INSTALLERS MUST REGISTER WITH THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) BY MARCH 31 NEXT
YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EMSD SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION IS TO ENSURE THAT ONLY COMPETENT OPERATIVES, WHO HAVE COMPLETED APPROVED TRAINING AND GAINED NECESSARY WORK EXPERIENCE, UNDERTAKE GAS INSTALLATION WORK.
THERE ARE EIGHT (’LASSES OF REGISTRATION. THEY INCLUDE WORK ASSOCIATED DIRECTLY WITH GAS SERVICE PIPES, ALL DOWNSTREAM PIPEWORK AND APPLIANCE INSTALLATIONS.
"TO BE AWARDED A CLASS OF REGISTRATION, THE APPLICANT MUST POSSESS THE PRESCRIBED LEVELS OF FORMAL TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"AS FROM .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
5
"AS FROM APRIL 1, 1992, ONLY GAS INSTALLERS WHO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED BY THE GOVERNMENT MAY CARRY OUT GAS INSTALLATION WORK, AND CONSUMERS WILL BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO ONLY EMPLOY REGISTERED GAS INSTALLERS FOR SUCH work," HE SAID.
"ANY UNREGISTERED PERSON WHO UNDERTAKES GAS INSTALLATION WORK FROM THAT DATE COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
"IN THE CASE OF A CONTINUING OFFENCE, HE IS SUBJECT TO A DAILY PENALTY OF $2,000," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A LEAFLET ON HOW TO APPLY AS A REGISTERED GAS INSTALLER IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE EMSD’S REGISTRATION AND COLLECTION OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
IT OUTLINES THE PROCEDURES AND PRESCRIBED QUALIFICATIONS FOR VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF GAS INSTALLATION WORK.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE EMSD’S REGISTRATION AND COLLECTION OFFICE.
ENQUIRIES on THE REGISTRATION SCHEME CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 895 8683.
-----------0-------- D'l’C REGISTRATION REVOKED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE COMMISSIONER OK BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF KB INTERNATIONAL. (HONG KONG) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT T’lIE (’LOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
-----0-------r
SIX NOMINATIONS RECEIVED FOR SHUN LEE BY-ELEU I I ON
******
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF SIX NOMINATIONS FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SHUN LEE CONST ITUENCY BY-ELECTION ON APRIL 21.
NO NOMINATION WAS RECEIVED ON THE LAST DAY OF THE NOMINATION PERIOD TODAY (TUESDAY).
/THE PERSONAL .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
6
THE PERSONAL NAME PARTICULARS OF THE SIX CANDIDATES ARE AS FOLLOWS: CONTACT TEL. NO.
SEX AGE OCCUPATION
LAW LA1-KUEN F 39 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER 754 6644
CHEUNG KWOK-KUEN M 43 MERCHANT 342 1 1 2 6891 8663 OR
(ALIAS CHEUNG KUEN) A/C 3426
TAM YIU-WANG M 28 SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER 116 A/C 8922 3301
HO SHUK-YI F 26 COUNSELLOR 342 527 4474 9121 AND EXT 46
HAU CHI-CHIU M 36 ROOM ATTENDANT 344 1 11 1140 0088 OR
A/C 7888
I,AU HON-MAN M 46 ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER 386 344 1 16 4231 6621 8238
A/C 125
■ - 0 - .
EXPERIMENT ON NEW ON-STREET PARKING DEVICES
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A SIX-MONTH SCHEME TO aIsJS THE APPLICABILITY <>K T«O _HEH_ ONSTREET
EXPERIMENTAL
PARKING
DEVICES AFTER AUGUST MADE.
THIS YEAR WHEN LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS
HAVE BEEN
AS THE EXISTING STOCK OF COIN-OPERATED PARKING BECOMING OBSOLETE AND DUE FOR REPLACEMENT, THE DEPARTMENT INTRODUCE NEW PARKING TECHNOLOGY FOR APPLICATION IN ON-STREET PARKING SPACES.
METERS ARE INTENDS TO TERRITORY’S
THE NEW EQUIPMENTS PARKING METERS" AND THE "PAY
INCLUDE THE "CARD-OPERATED AND DISPLAY MACHINES".
ELECTRONIC
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE
TODAY (TUESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE
THF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (MANAGEMENT MR^FRNEST LEE SHU-WING, SAID THE 14,200 COIN-OPERATED THE END OF THEIR WORKING LIFE
AND
THE SCHEME, LICENSING),
USE ARE APPROACHING REPLACED.
METERS NOW AND NEED TO
IN
BE
"THROUGH THE EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME, DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODELS OF NEW PARKING RELIABILITY, MAINTENANCE, REVENUE C
THE DEPARTMENT WILL TEST THE DEVICES, AND OBSERVE THEIR OLLECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
IMPLICATIONS,” MR LEE SAID.
/•'THEIR PUBLIC..........
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
7
’’THEIR PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY IS ALSO ANOTHER IMPORTANT EACTOR FOR CONSIDERATION AS WE SET OUT TO IDENTIFY THE MOST EFFICIENT AND SUITABLE MAKES AND MODELS GIVEN THE LOCAL CLIMATIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
'THE NEW DEVICES CAN OFFER A NUMBER OF ADVANTAGES INCLUDING CONVEN IENCE TO MOTORISTS, (’ASH COLLECTION AND REDUCED SECURITY RISKS.
’’FLEXIBILITY IN ADJUSTING TO DIFFERENT PARKING RATES TO REGULATE AN AVAILABILITY OF PARKING SPACES CAN BE ADOPTED EASILY IN ACCORDANCE WITH PREVAILING CONDITION AND THE DEMAND IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.”
IN EXPLAINING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE TWO DEVICES, MR LEE SAID THE ('ARDS USED IN THE ELECTRONIC' PARKING METERS ARE PRE-ENCODED WITH A NUMBER OF PARKING UNITS WHICH MOTORISTS CAN PURCHASE IN ADVANCE.
AFTER INSERTING THE CARD INTO THE METER, THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF UNITS WILL BE DEDUCTED AND THE CARD WILL BE RETURNED. THE METER THEN SHOWS THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR WHICH PARKING IS ALLOWED.
HE SAID THE PAY AND DISPLAY MACHINES ARE BASED ON THE AUTOMATIC TICKET VENDING CONCEPT WHICH CAN BE COIN-OPERATED, BANK NOTE OPERATED OR CARD-OPERATED.
ONE MACHINE (’AN SERVE A NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES WHERE IT IS LOCATED NEARBY AND MOTORISTS ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY A TICKET BEHIND THE WINDSCREEN AFTER PURCHASING IT FROM THE MACHINE.
THE TICKET SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE PARKING SPACE AND I HE PARKING TIME ALLOWED FOR INSPECTION BY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
TSUEN WAN, CAUSEWAY BAY AND TSIM SHA TSUI HAVE BEEN TENTATIVELY SELECTED AS AREAS FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME AND THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE SCHEME TO GO AHEAD AND ENDORSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO BE MADE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW ON-STREET PARKING TECHNOLOGY AND TO REGULATE THE IIS£ OF NEW DEVICES.
TO ALLOW GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN ADJUSTING PARKING FEES ACCORDING TO DEMAND, REGULATIONS WOULD ALSO BE MADE TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO DETERMINE THE FEES WITHIN A MAXIMUM CEILING SET BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
THE DEPARTMENT PROPOSES AUGUST I THIS YEAR FOR COMING INTO OPERATION OF THE AMENDED LEG ISLATI ON AND THE LAUNCHING OF THE SCHEME UPON BEING PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/8 ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
8
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR APRIL - JUNE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DURING THE QUARTER FROM APRIL TO JUNE 1991.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTER I ST I OS OF THE POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS' EXPENDITURE ABROAD, INSTALLATION AND USE OF ANTI-THEFT DEVICES IN MOTOR VEHICLES, MED I (’AL BENEFITS PROVIDED BY EMPLOYER/COMPANY AND MEDICAL INSURANCE, HONG KONG RESIDENTS MARRIED IN CHINA AND THEIR FERTILITY, AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS QUARTER'S
SURVEY.
SOME 4,000 -HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAI’ HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLE HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR VOLUNTARY (’O-OPERAT ION I N PART IC I PAT I NG .
CENSUS OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH CARRYING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER PART IIIA OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE GAZETTED ON JANUARY 19, 1990.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, DATA RELATING* TO INDIVIDUAL PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, ANY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/9 ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1991
- 9 -
PARTIAL SERVICE AT TUEN MUN NEW ID CARD ISSUE OFFICE ON THURSDAY ♦ * t t t
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT DUE TO SUSPENSION OF POWER SUPPLY, THE TUEN MUN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE AT SHOP 69-74, CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS ON THURSDAY (APRIL 4).
NEVERTHELESS, RESIDENTS MAY STILL COLLECT THE IDENTITY CARDS THAT THEY HAD APPLIED FOR AND MAKE APPOINTMENTS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
NORMAL SERVICE WILL RESUME ON SATURDAY (APRIL 6).
------0--------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT FLAT B ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND PORTIONS OF THE FLAT ROOF OF PEARL COURT AT 183 BOUNDARY STREET, KOWLOON CITY SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 26 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW BANKING COMMISSIONER APPOINTED ............................................. 1
INVITATION TO OPERATE INT'L RADIO PAGING SERVICE ........................
DEATH PENALTY POLICY EXPLAINED TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE .............
2 HK OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHINA .............................................
PROPOSED ROADWORKS FOR MUI WO DEVELOPMENT ...............................
FINAL REPORT ON MARINE INQUIRY COMPLETED ................................
HONG KONG YEARBOOK TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW ..............................
476 HSD STAFF RECOGNISED FOR LONG AND GOOD SERVICES .....................
CLINIC SERVICE ON CHING MING ............................................
'TENDERS INVITED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY .................................
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1991
1
NEW BANKING COMM I SS I ON El? APPOINTED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MR DAVID CARSE WILL BE SECONDED FROM THE BANK OF ENGLAND TO SUCCEED MR TONY NICOLLE AS COMMISSIONER OF BANKING.
MR NICOLLE WILL PROCEED ON LEAVE AT THE END OF MAY PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF II IS AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT. HE HAS BEEN SECONDED FROM THE BANK OF ENGLAND SINCE 1987.
AGED 44, MR (’ARSE FIRST JOINED HIE BANK OF ENGLAND IN 1969 AND HAS WORKED IN VARIOUS FIELDS INCLUDING ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL MARKETS AND A IWO YEAR SECONDMENT TO THE CABINET OFFICE.
SINCE 1986, HE HAS BEEN MANAGER, MAJOR ENGLISH CLEARING BANKS, IN THE BANKING SUPERVISION DIVISION RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF MAJOR ENGLISH CLEARING BANKS.
--------0 - -
INVITATION TO OPERATE I NT’L RADIO PAGING SERVICE
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, WILL ISSUE A PUBLIC NOTICE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO INVITE INTERESTED PARTIES TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO OPERATE AN INTERNATIONAL RADIO PAGING SERVICE ON FREQUENCY 931.9375 MHZ.
THIS FREQUENCY HAS BEEN ADOPTED RECENTLY AS A COMMON ONE FOR INTERNATIONAL RADIO PAGING IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA.
'HONG KONG INTENDS TO PROVIDE A SIMILAR SERVICE LATER THIS YEAR 3’0 MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL FREQUENTLY TO OR FROM HONG KONG,” MR WONG SAID.
"THIS SERVICE WILL FURTHER BROADEN THE RANGE OF COMMUNICATION FACILITIES WE PROVIDE."
A SUBSCRIBER TO I’ll IS SERVICE IN HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE PAGING MESSAGES COMING FROM THE TERR ll’OR I ES COVERED BY THE SERVICE.
WHEN OVERSEAS, HE MAY BE CONTACTED BY ANYONE IN HONG KONG WHO ONLY NEEDS TO DIAL A LOCAL TELEPHONE NUMBER, AND THE PAGING MESSAGE WILL REACH HIM ALMOS1’ IMMEDIATELY. SIMILARLY A FOREIGN VISITOR TO HONG KONG MAY ENJOY THESE FACILITIES.
GUI DANCE NOTES FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TELECOMMUNICAT IONS BRANCH OF THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE AT SINCERE BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ALL PROPOSALS SHOULD BF SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE JUNE 7 THIS YEAR.
- 0----------
/2........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1991
DEATH PENALTY POLICY EXPLAINED TO ON HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ♦ t t t »
IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS PROM THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE, THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR PRANK STOCK, SAID <>N TUESDAY THAI' EVEN THOUGH NO ONE HAS KEEN EXECUTED IN HONG KONG SINCE NOVEMBER 1966, THERE WERE NO IMMEDIATE PROSPECTS OF ABOLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY OR CHANGING THE POLICY OF COMMUTING DEATH SENTENCES.
DURING THE SECOND OF A THREE-DAY HEARING BY THE UN COMMITTEE, MR STOCK SAID WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS BY LEGISLATORS AND SOME SECTIONS OF THE MEDIA TO CARRY OUT THE DEATH PENALTY BECAUSE OF LOCAL CONCERNS OVER THE HIGH LEVEL OF ('RIMES, THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN CALLS FOR ABOLISHING THE PENALTY IN CAPITAL CRIMES.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, WHICH IS REVIEWING THE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES, MR STOCK NOTED THAT SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN THAT A MAJORITY OF HONG KONG’S ADULT POPULATION IS IN FAVOR OF RETAINING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS A DETERRENT AGAINST SERIOUS CRIMES.
ADDRESSING CONCERNS RAISED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE OVER THE POSSIBILITY THE RANGE OF CAPITAL CRIMES MIGHT BE EXTENDED AFTER 1997, MR STOCK SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDED FOR A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY FOR HONG KONG’S LEGISLATURE, AND THAT PENAL POLICY, INCLUDING THE DEATH PENALTY, WAS A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION ITSELF.
MR STOCK, NEVERTHELESS, SAID HE WOULD BRING BACK TO THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION THE COMMITTEE’S STRONG CONCERNS OVER THIS ISSUE.
- - 0 -
UK OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHINA ♦ * * * * t
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, WILL VISIT PEKING AND SHANGHAI FROM APRIL 7 TO 17 AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCI I, OF CHINA.
MR TSAO WILL BE ACCOMPANI ED BY SIX OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
- 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1991
- 3 -
PROPOSED ROADWORKS FOR MUI WO DEVELOPMENT t » » ♦ «
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO MUI wo RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD AND STREET AT THE OLD TOWN ARFA OF MUI WO.
CARRY OUT
CHUNG HAU
IT ALSO PURPOSES TO CONSTRUCT NEW ROADS TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR ACCESS TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MUI WO.
ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE ANCILLARY WORKS CYCLE TRACKS, BICYCLE HIRING AND PARKING AREAS, AREAS.
SUCH AS FOOTPATHS, CARPARK AND AMENITY
TO FACILITATE THE WORKS, THE EXISTING ACCESS ROAD TO THE CARPARK IN THE OLD TOWN WILL BE CLOSED WHILE EXISTING SERVICES AND UTILITIES MAY REQUIRE ALTERATION AND REPOSITIONING.
IN ADDITION, THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE LAND RESUMPTION AND RECLAMATION OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE
INSPECTED AT
THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
♦ ISLANDS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, HARBOUR BUILDING,'38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; AND
» ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, MUI WO SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MUI WO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, LANTAU ISLAND.
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
JUNE 3.
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1991
FINAL REPORT ON MARINE INQUIRY COMPLETED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, HAS ACCEPTED THE FINDINGS OF THE LOCAL MARINE INQUIRY INTO A COLLISION INVOLVING THE MOTOR FERRY ’’MAN LOY” AND PLEASURE VESSEL ’’LONG BOAT” 1-N VICTORIA HARBOUR IN FEBRUARY.
THE FINAL REPORT ON THE INQUIRY WAS SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) BY THE INQUIRING OFFICER, CAPTAIN JOHN MCPARTLAND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID: "AFTER THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAI) CONSIDERED THE FINAL REPORT, A COPY WAS GIVEN TO THE MARINE POLICE FOR THE COMPILATION OF A DEATH REPORT TO THE CORONER.
’’ANOTHER COPY WAS SENT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR ADVICE ON POSSIBLE FOLLOW-UP LEGAL ACTION.”
THE INQUIRY WAS ORDERED UNDER THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE (CAP. 313) ON FEBRUARY IB THIS YEAR.
THE FINAL REPORT CONTAINED DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 16 THIS YEAR, THE CAUSES OF THE COLLISION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON ACTION TO BE TAKEN TO PREVENT A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE IS CONSIDERING THE INQUIRING OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
ONE OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS IS THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE CONTROL OF MARINE TRAFFIC BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER FUTURE FIREWORKS DISPLAYS. THIS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE TO DISCLOSE DETAILS OF THE FINDINGS AS THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT WAS LIKELY TO BE THE SUBJECT OF A DEATH INQUEST AND/OR LEGAL ACTION.
’’HOWEVER, SUCH DETAILS WILL BECOME PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE IN THE COURSE OF ANY DEATH INQUEST AND/OR COURT ACTION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0--------
HONG KONG YEARBOOK TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW t ♦ * ♦ ♦
HONG KONG 1991, THE OFFICIAL YEARBOOK, WILL HIT THE STREET TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED TO BE WELCOMED BY ALL WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG, AND BY STUDENTS, WRITERS AND BUSINESS PEOPLE, AS A DEFINITIVE REFERENCE BOOK.
/STILL AT .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1991
- 5 -
STILL AT $45 A COPY, IT REPRESENTS OUTSTANDING VALUE-FOR-MONEY.
THE YEARBOOK, WITHIN ITS 389 PAGES OF INFORMATION, 65 PAGES OF STATISTICS AND 10 SECTIONS OF COLOUR PICTURES, GIVES EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF HONG KONG EVENTS IN 1990.
THE REVIEW CHAPTER "SHAPING UP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY" IS AN INSPIRING PERSONAL VIEW OF HONG KONG TODAY AND TOMORROW BY DENIS BRAY, WHO RETIRED AS SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS IN 1985. HIS WIDE EXPERIENCE AND LOVE OF HONG KONG MAKE THIS A MEMORABLE OPENING CHAPTER.
THE COLOURFUL, EASY-TO-READ END-PAPER MAP THIS YEAR FEATURES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN HONG KONG, HIGHLIGHTING PROBLEM AREAS AND SOME OF THE PROTECTIVE MEASURES ALREADY TAKEN OR IN THE PIPELINE.
THERE IS ALSO A CALENDAR OF EVENTS, PROVIDING A CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE MAJOR LANDMARKS OF 1990.
A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON HONG KONG, COMPLEMENTED BY NUMEROUS COLOUR PRESENTATIONS ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF ITS LIFE AND EVENTS, MAKES THE YEARBOOK A CONSISTENT BESTSELLER.
HONG KONG 1991, PUBLISHED IN SEPARATE ENGLISH AND CHINESE EDITIONS, IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, DISTRICT OFFICES AND LEADING BOOKSTORES.
-----0------
476 HSD STAFF RECOGNISED FOR LONG AND GOOD SERVICES
*****
A TOTAL OF 476 STAFF MEMBERS OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON AWARDED LONG AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE CERTIFICATES IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR LONG AND GOOD SERVICES IN THE GOVERNMENT.
AMONG THE RECIPIENTS, WHO INCLUDED DOCTORS, NURSES, PARAMEDICS AND SUPPORTING STAFF, 121 HAVE SERVED IN THE GOVERNMENT FOR 30 YEARS, WHILE THE REMAINING EACH HAVE 20YEARS OF SERVICE.
APART FROM A CERTIFICATE, THOSE WHO HAVE A 30-YEAR SERVICE WERE AWARDED A GOLD PIN.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, DR T.Y. CHAU, COMMENDED THE RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR DEDICATED SERVICES AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE MEDICAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
"OVER THESE YEARS, OUR STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING AS A CO-OPERATIVE AND HARDWORKING TEAM TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT AND HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," DR CHAU SAID.
/WITH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1991
6
WITH THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, DR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT ALL GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WILL BE BROUGHT TOGETHER UNDER AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM TO ENSURE MORE EFFECTIVE DISTRIBUTION AND UTILISATION OF FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES.
"I SINCERELY HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU WILL, ON THE FACE OF THESE NEW DEVELOPMENTS, CONTINUE TO EXERT YOUR EFFORTS AS IN THE PAST AND MEET NEW CHALLENGES, SO THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AND ENSURE FURTHER ADVANCEMENT OF OUR MEDICAL SERVICE UNDER THE NEW STRUCTURE.”
------0--------
CLINIC SERVICE ON CHING MING ♦ * * * *
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN BETWEEN 9 AM AND 1 PM ON FRIDAY, THE CHING MING FESTIVAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE EIGHT CLINICS ARE: THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB ON HONG KONG ISLAND; THE KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; AND THE LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
------0--------
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND LOCATED AT SHEUNG FUNG STREET, TSZ WAN SHAN, KOWLOON.
MEASURING ABOUT 1,120 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES. )
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 19.
FORM OF TENDER, TEND R NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSF CTED AT THE KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA .EI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS .ND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
---------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NO CHANGE TO SIZE CRITERIA FOR BANK LICENSING ................................... 1
RULE OF LAW ALIVE IN HONG KONG .................................................. 1
GOVT TAKES INITIATIVES TO HELP LINKAGE INDUSTRY ................................. 3
PUBLIC REMINDED TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY ................................... 4
INCREASE IN SEVERANCE PAYMENT UNDER INSOLVENCY FUND PROPOSED .................... 5
GIRL GUIDE MOVEMENT COMMENDED ................................................... 5
DREDGING AND RECLAMATION OFF TSING YI ........................................... 6
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1992 ....................................................... 7
BULK OF GURKHAS TO RETURN FROM GULF ............................................. 8
WELFARE FOUNDATION TO HAVE MORE MEMBERS ......................................... 8
TENDERS INVITED FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN TAI PO ......................... 9
TENDERS INVITED FOR WEST NT LANDFILL RELATED WORKS ............................. 9
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ..................................... 10
PARTICIPATION IN SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE INVITED.............................. 11
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
1
NO CHANGE TO SIZE CRITERIA FOR BANK LICENSING t * ♦ ♦ ♦
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THE SIZE CRITERIA FOR THE GRANT OF BANKING LICENCE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
the size Criteria for bank licensing is subject to annual
REVIEW.
"THE 1990 REVIEW HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND THAT NO CHANGE TO THE CRITERIA FOR BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN APPLICANTS IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY," HE SAID.
THE EXISTING (’RITERI A INCLUDED A REQUIREMENT ON THE TOTAL ASSETS (LESS CONTRA ITEMS) OF THE APPLICANT TO BE AT LEAST HK$2,500 MILLION IN THE CASE OF LOCAL APPLICANTS AND US$14 BILLION IN THE CASE OF FOREIGN APPLICANTS.
----0------
RULE OF LAW ALIVE IN HONG KONG
*****
THE SOL IC I TOR GENERAL, MR FRANK STOCK, ISSUED A STRONG DEFENCE ON WEDNESDAY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD ON THE LAST OF THE THREE-DAY HEARING BY THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE.
HE FIRMLY REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THAT THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES WERE MOVING AWAY FROM HUMAN FREEDOMS TO REPRESSION.
FACTS," MR REVIEWING DEPENDENT THE HONG
"CONSIDER THAT ACCUSATION AGAINST THE OBJECTIVE STOCK TOLD THE 18-MEMBER COMMITTEE OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD OF THE UNITED KINGDOM TERRITORIES AS HE LISTED THE SUBSTANTIAL RANGE OF ACTIONS KONG GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
MR STOCK CITED THE DRAFT BILL OF RIGHTS, THE PROPOSED DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS, THE ABOLITION OF JUDICIAL CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, THE LIBERALISATION OF EDUCATIONAL REGULATIONS, AN ONGOING REVIEW OF LEG I SLATION, AND THE ' LAW REFORM COMMISSION REVIEW OF SUCH ISSUES AS PRIVACY, ILLEGITIMACY AND POLICE POWER.
"THE RULE OF LAW IS ALIVE IN HONG KONG IN THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY," HE ADDED.
"I DON’T THINK IT FOLLOWS THAT HONG KONG IS MOVING AWAY FROM HUMAN RIGHTS AND TOWARD REPRESSION. THE AUTHORITIES OF HONG KONG ARE INCREASINGLY ACTIVE IN AND AWARE OF THIS FIELD."
/IN RESPONSE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
2 -
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION RAISED BY A MEMBER OF THE COMMMITTEE WHETHER HONG KONG ACTED AS AGENTS FOR OTHERS IN THE NON-PURSUANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS, MR STOCK REPLIED: "IT IS, I SUPPOSE, INEVITABLE THAT FROM TIME TO TIME IN ANY SOCIETY, THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO FEEL AGGRIEVED AT DECISIONS TAKEN FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE ARE THE WRONG REASONS.
"ONE ALSO HEARS, FROM TIME TO TIME, CLAIMS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED THIS OR THAT PROSECUTION. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT BRING PROSECUTIONS. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT DECIDE PROSECUTIONS. THAT IS DONE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR THOSE AUTHORISED BY HIM, AND THOSE DECISIONS ARE MADE INDEPENDENTLY. PROSECUTIONS LODGED FOR POLITICAL REASONS DO NOT FIT THE FACTS IN HONG KONG."
RESPONDING TO A QUESTION FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS, MR STOCK DESCRIBED IT AS A "MAMMOUTH PROBLEM" FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND ITS PEOPLE. REFERRING TO THE SCREENING SYSTEM, HE SAID, "WE’VE MADE OUR SYSTEM AS FAIR AS WE CAN."
HE EMPHASISED THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE SCREENING PROCEDURES, INCLUDING MONITORING.
MR STOCK ALSO OUTLINED THE LEGAL ACCESS AND LEGAL ADVICE AVAILABLE TO THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, POINTING TO THE RECENT COURT CASES INVOLVING VIETNAMESE IN HONG KONG THAT DEMONSTRATED THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
AFTER THE HEARING, MR STOCK SAID THE THREE-DAY HEARING HAD BEEN A DETAILED, IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON A WHOLE RANGE OF SUBJECTS, WHICH HE HAD FOUND HELPFUL.
HE STRESSED THAT THE POINTS RAISED BY THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE BROUGHT BACK TO HONG KONG WHERE "THEY WOULD BE STUDIED WITH GREAT CARE AND REFERRED TO THOSE POLICY BRANCHES WITH JURISDICTION IN THE MATTERS RAISED".
OVERALL, HE SAID, THE HEARING HAD PRODUCED A CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE FROM WHICH THE FIVE-MEMBER HONG KONG DELEGATION HAD LEARNED A GREAT DEAL, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THE SUBSTANTIAL AND SIGNIFICANT ADVANCES BEING MADE IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS FIELD IN HONG KONG IN THEIR PROPER PERSPECTIVE.
MR STOCK LED A SENIOR-LEVEL DELEGATION TO THE THREE-DAY UN HEARING IN NEW YORK. THE OTHER MEMBERS WERE: ASSISTANT SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR PHILIP DYKES; PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR FRANCIS HO; TWO PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARIES FOR SECURITY, MR ALEX FONG AND MRS MARION LAI.
MR STOCK AND MR DYKES WERE SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL TO OTTAWA TODAY (THURSDAY) TO MEET WI TH CANADIAN CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE SOLICITOR GENERAL.
------0
3
GOVT TAKES INITIATIVES TO HELP LINKAGE INDUSTRY
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN MANY INITIATIVES TO HELP THE LINKAGE INDUSTRY ACHIEVE GREATER PRODUCTIVITY AND HIGHER VALUE OUTPUT, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG LINKAGE INDUSTRY INTERNATIONAL MACHINE TOOL EXHIBITION '91, MR BARMA SAID THIS WAS IN RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES DEPENDED TO A LARGE EXTENT ON THE SUPPORT OF THE LINKAGE INDUSTRY FOR THE SUPPLY OF SOPHISTICATED AND PRECISION COMPONENTS, PARTS AND PRODUCTION TOOLINGS.
’’THIS SUPPORT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS HONG KONG UPGRADES INTO THE MANUFACTURE OF BETTER QUALITY AND HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD COMMISSIONED VARIOUS STUDIES FROM TIME TO TIME TO IDENTIFY THE TECHNOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF ENHANCING THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR'S PERFORMANCE AND COMPETITIVE STRENGTH.
"OF PARTICULAR RELEVANCE TO THE LINKAGE INDUSTRY IS THE INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION STUDY LAUNCHED IN LATE 1990. ONE OF THE PRIMARY AIMS OF THIS STUDY IS TO IDENTIFY WAYS IN OPTIMISING THE USE OF AUTOMATION IN INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THERE WAS ANOTHER STUDY ON METALS AND LIGHT ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES BEING PLANNED FOR 1991.
"IN THIS STUDY, MANY KEY LINKAGE INDUSTRY SECTORS SUCH AS ELECTROPLATING, MOULD MAKING AND HEAT TREATMENT, WOULD BE COVERED.
"THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THESE STUDIES WILL BE WIDELY DISSEMINATED TO MANUFACTURERS. IT WILL ALSO BE CAREFULLY ANALYSED WITHIN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE A BASIS FOR FURTHER STRENGTHENING SUPPORT SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO THE INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
MR BARMA ALSO SAID THAT PLANNING WORK ON BOTH THE THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TSEUNG KWAN O AND THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AT YAU YAT TSUEN HAD BERN COMPLETED AND THAT DEVELOPMENT WORK OF THESE PROJECTS WOULD START SOON.
"UPON COMPLETION OF THE FACILITIES, MORE CUSTOM-BUILT OR TECHNOLOGY-BASED ACCOMMODATION WILL BECOME AVAILABLE TO MEET THE SPECIAL DEMANDS OF THE LINKAGE INDUSTRY.
"IN ADDITION, THE INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE HAS PLANS TO LAUNCH SERVICES IN PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER LATER THIS YEAR.
"THESE SERVICES WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE SUPPORT CURRENTLY PROVIDED TO THE LINKAGE INDUSTRY BY THE MANY PUBLIC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE STANDARD AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY," MR BARMA SAID.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
- 4
PUBLIC REMINDED TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED TO WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR M.B. ALI, FOLLOWING THE DETECTION OF FRESH AND ISOLATED CASES OF VEGETABLE-POISONING OVER THE PAST WEEK THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MAINTAINS A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR THE DETECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF VEGETABLE-POISONING CASES AND THE APPLICATION OF PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL MEASURES.
THROUGH THIS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM, A TOTAL OF 14 PEOPLE FROM FIVE FAMILIES LIVING IN NORTH POINT, SHAM SHUI PO AND WONG TAI SIN HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE SYMPTOMS OF FOOD POISONING AFTER CONSUMING WATER SPINACH IN THEIR MEALS.
AT THE SAME TIME, HEALTH INSPECTORS HAVE DETECTED TWO LORRY-LOADS, TOTALLING 1,000 KILOGRAMS, OF WATER SPINACH IMPORTED FROM SHENZHEN WHICH HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED WITH PESTICIDE. ALL THESE VEGETABLES HAVE BEEN SURRENDERED TO THE DEPARTMENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED.
ALL THE DETECTED CASES WERE MILD. ONLY EIGHT PEOPLE WERE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL WHILE THE OTHERS WERE TREATED AND DISCHARGED. ALL THOSE ADMITTED HAVE ALSO BEEN SUBSEQUENTLY DISCHARGED.
THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE RECENT INCIDENTS AND THE NAME OF THE FARM IMPLICATED FOR THEIR NECESSARY ACTION.
DR ALI STRESSED THAT THESE RECENT CASES WERE ISOLATED ONES.
’'THEY WERE DETECTED AS A RESULT OF OUR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM.
"AS A GOOD PRACTICE IN FOOD HYGIENE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD ALWAYS WASH AND COOK VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/5 ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
INCREASE IN SEVERANCE PAYMENT UNDER INSOLVENCY FUND PROPOSED *******
TWO BILLS ARE GAZETTED TODAY (THURSDAY) SEEKING TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE COVER FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENT UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND.
THE BILLS ARE THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID FOLLOWING A REVIEW LAST YEAR, IT WAS DECIDED THAT SUCH SEVERANCE PAYMENT COVERAGE SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM THE CURRENT MAXIMUM OF $4,000 PER APPLICANT TO $8,000 AND 50 PER CENT OF THE AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF $8,000.
IT WAS ALSO DECIDED THAT THE COST OF SUCH IMPROVEMENT SHOULD
BE FINANCED BY AN ADDITIONAL LEVY OF $150 ON EACH BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE AND BRANCH REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.
"TWO AMENDMENT BILLS ARE NECESSARY. WHILE THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO RAISE THE LIMIT OF EMPLOYEES’ SEVERANCE PAYMENT COVERAGE UNDER THE FUND, THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE LEVY ON EACH BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE AND BRANCH REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE FROM $100 TO $250 PER ANNUM,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND BOARD AND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS WERE MET WITH GENERAL SUPPORT.
THE TWO BILLS ARE EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 8.
_ _ 0 - -
GIRL GUIDE MOVEMENT COMMENDED *****
LADY WILSON THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING COMMENDED THE GIRL GUIDE MOVEMENT FOR UP-BRINGING THOUSANDS OF YOUNG GIRLS THROUGH VARIOUS TRAINING AND CAMARADERIE OFFERED.
ADDRESSING THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION (HKGGA) CANTONESE OPERA CHARITY SHOW, LADY WILSON SAID HKGGA HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT AND HIGHLY-RESPECTED ORGANISATION AND VERY MUCH DESERVED THE COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT GIRL GUIDING HAD COME A LONG WAY SINCE IT FIRST STARTED IN HONG KONG 75 YEARS AGO.
/"I AM
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
6
"I AM SO PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH YOU, AND TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EVENT WHICH COMBINES SOME THOROUGHLY ADMIRABLE ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE : THE CATCHING ENTHUSIASM OF THE GIRL GUIDES, THE PLEASURE TAKEN IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE CULTURE, AND THE GENEROSITY INVOLVED IN GIVING TIME AND MONEY TO SUPPORT A FUND-RAISING EVENT OF THIS KIND,” SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON ALSO THANKED THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF HKGGA, ESPECIALLY TO ITS CHAIRMAN, MR LUK HING-TOO, AND TO ITS HONOURARY PATRON, MR RODERICK YU, FOR CONTRIBUTING MUCH TIME AND EXPERTISE IN ORGANISING THE CHARITY SHOW TO SUCH GOOD EFFECT.
------0--------
DREDGING AND RECLAMATION OFF TSING YI ♦ t t t *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT PERMISSION TO A POWER COMPANY TO DREDGE THE SEABED AND LAY A SUBMARINE CABLE IN THE FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN TSING Yl AND MA WAN.
CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED INTENDS TO USE AN AREA OF ABOUT 34.10 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED BETWEEN THE TWO ISLANDS AS WORKS AREA IN CONNECTION WITH THE DIVERSION OF THE EXISTING SUBMARINE CABLE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
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 JUNE 3.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
MEANWHILE, AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALL WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 5.47 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED ALONG THE NORTH COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND FOR THE RELOCATION OF EXISTING SHIPYARDS IN NORTH TSING YI.
THE WORKS WILL BEGIN IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER NEXT YEAR.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT AFTER RELOCATION OF THESE SHIPYARDS, THE NOISE NUISANCE TO RESIDENTS OF CHEUNG ON ESTATE, CHING TAI COURT AND THE NEARBY QUEEN’S COLLEGE OLD BOY’S ASSOCIATION SECONDARY SCHOOL COULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
/ANY PERSON .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
7
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THIS UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE APRIL 3, 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--------
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1992
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1992 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY):
EVERY SUNDAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1
LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4
THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 5
THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 6
CHING MING FESTIVAL SATURDAY APRIL 4
GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY APRIL 17
THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY SATURDAY APRIL 18
EASTER MONDAY MONDAY APRIL 20
TUEN NG FESTIVAL FRIDAY JUNE 5
THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN SATURDAY JUNE 13
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY MONDAY JUNE 15
THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST SATURDAY AUGUST 29
LIBERATION DAY, BEING THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST MONDAY AUGUST 31
THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12
THE DAY FOLLOWING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL MONDAY OCTOBER 5
CHRISTMAS DAV FR1 DAY DECEMBER 25
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY SATURDAY DECEMBER 26
--------0 - -
/8........
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
8
BULK OF GURKHAS TO RETURN FROM GULF ******
THE BULK OF THE GURKHA TROOPS FROM HONG KONG WHO SERVED IN MEDICAL SUPPORT UNITS IN THE GULF WAR ARE TO RETURN OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
LAST WEEK, 29 MARRIED MEN FROM THE GURKHA TRANSPORT REGIMENT BASED IN GUN CLUB HILL BARRACKS IN KOWLOON RETURNED TO AN EMOTIONAL WELCOME BY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
THE REMAINDER OF THE 200-STRONG CONTINGENT, MAINLY SINGLE MEN FROM THE GURKHA TRANSPORT REGIMENT AND THE GURKHA SIGNAL REGIMENT, WILL ARRIVE ON TWO ROYAL AIR FORCE FLIGHTS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND SATURDAY. THERE WILL BE 85 MEN IN EACH PARTY.
AT GUN CLUB HILL BARRACKS TOMORROW THE GURKHAS WILL BE MET BY THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG, MAJOR GENERAL PETER DUFFELL, AND THE COMMANDANT OF GURKHA TRANSPORT REGIMENT, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PAUL GTLHAM.
A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SAFE BASED DRIVERS AND SIGNALLERS WHO WERE SENT TO AT ST MARTIN’S CHURCH, SEK KONG, ON MONDAY.
RETURN OF THE HONG KONG-THE GULF WILL BE HELD
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO PHOTOGRAPH THE GURKHAS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE MAIN GATE OF GUN CLUB HILL BARRACKS AT JORDAN PATH, KOWLOON BY 12.30 PM TOMORROW.
THERE WILL BE NO PRESS FACILITY FOR THE CHURCH SERVICE AT SEK KONG ON MONDAY.
--------0-----------
WELFARE FOUNDATION TO HAVE MORE MEMBERS ******
THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION (QEF) FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WILL GET TWO ADDITIONAL OFFICIAL MEMBERS TO BETTER ITS LIAISON TN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY) PROVIDED FOR THE INCLUSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, AS QEF COUNCIL MEMBERS.
"A RECENT REVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1988 FOUND THAT MOST OF THESE ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO SERVICES PROVIDED OR SUBVENTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
/"IT WOULD .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
9
"IT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR THESE TWO DEPARTMENTS TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE COUNCIL TO ENSURE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, BETTER CO-ORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES OR PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL AND BY THE TWO DEPARTMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF NON-OFFIC1AL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FROM FIVE TO SEVEN, IN ADDITION TO THE CHAIRMAN AND THE MEMBER NOMINATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THIS WOULD MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF UNOFFICIAL PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS TO FOUR.
THE TWO OFFICIAL MEMBERS CURRENTLY ON THE COUNCIL ARE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE QEF COUNCIL, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS IN TAI PO t » * * * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINS IN TAI PO.
THE PROJECTS IN AREAS 1,2, 4, 8 AND 27 ARE PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TAI PO NEW TOWN.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY, ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND WILL TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 26.
------0--------
TENDERS INVITED FOR WEST NT LANDFILL RELATED WORKS t t t t t *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WASTE RECEPTION AREA AND NTM WAN IN WEST NEW TERRITORIES.
INVITING TENDERS A RISING MAIN AT
TMF CONTRACT WILL COVER THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RISING MAIN ALONG TH^SOUTHERN ACCESS ROAD TO THE WEST TERRITORIES LANDFILL, A PUMPING STATION AND WASTE RECEPTION PACILITIES AI N1M WAN.
IS EXPECTED TO START IS NOON ON APRIL 26.
THE CONTRACT PERIOD IS 23 MONTHS AND WORK TN JUNE. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS
/ON COMPLETION .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
10
ON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL WILL START ACCEPTING REFUSE.
THE LEACHATE GENERATED FROM THE LANDFILL WILL BE COLLECTED BY A SOPHISTICATED CONTAINMENT AND COLLECTION SYSTEM, AND CONVEYED BY THE RISING MAIN TO THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES TRUNK SEWER FOR DISPOSAL TO AVOID POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
------0--------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR YOUTH MUSIC CAMP
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN A HOLIDAY PROGRAMME WHICH WILL PROVIDE INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING IN A SUMMER CAMP ATMOSPHERE.
THE 1991 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP, ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WILL BE HELD AT THE LEI YUE MUN PARK FROM JULY 20 TO AUGUST 3.
PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL BE RECRUITED BOTH LOCALLY AND FROM OVERSEAS TO TAKE PART IN THE CAMP TO HELP FOSTER INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MUSIC.
RENOWNED MUSICIANS WILL BE INVITED TO CONDUCT MASTERCLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING FILM SHOWS, MUSIC QUIZ, ARCHERY AND BILLIARD WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED.
INTENSIVE REHEARSALS AND A NUMBER OF CONCERTS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR THE CAMPERS.
ALTOGETHER EIGHT ORCHESTRAS, BANDS AND CHOIR WILL BE ORGANISED. APPLICANTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY AT LEAST ONE CHINESE OR WESTERN ORCHESTRAL OR BAND INSTRUMENT. ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE WILL BE AN ADVANTAGE.
FEES INCLUSIVE OF TUITION, THREE MEALS A DAY AND ACCOMMODATION ARE $780 FOR MEMBERS OF THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WHO WILL STAY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CAMP PERIOD.
THE FEES FOR MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE ORCHESTRA, THE TWO STRING ORCHESTRAS, THE SENIOR BAND AND THE CHOIR, WHO STAY FOR EIGHT DAYS ONLY, ARE $390.
APPLICANTS FOR THE TWO JUNIOR BANDS, WHO STAY FOR FOUR DAYS ONLY, ARE REQUIRED TO PAY $170 AND $160 RESPECTIVELY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 22. ENQUIRIES CAN BE OBTAINED ON TEL. 823 5314 OR 528 3257.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1991
11
PARTICIPATION IN SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE INVITED
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED EOR TAKING PART IN THE 1991 SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE WHICH WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 16.
ORGANISED BY THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RACE WILL BE HELD ALONG THE SECTION OF SHING MUN RIVER BETWEEN SAND MARTIN BRIDGE AND BANYAN BRIDGE.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, MEN’S OPEN MINI-DRAGON, AND LADIES’ OPEN MINI-PHOENIX DIVISIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SHA TIN SPORTS ASSOCIATION ON THE GROUND FLOOR, SAU CHUEN HOUSE, LEK YUEN ESTATE. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 27.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 691 5657.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF JANUARY RETAIL SALES SURVEY RELEASED ............. 1
FINALS OF SCHOOLS DRAMA COMPETITIONS .................................... 4
SWD FOSTER CARE UNIT ON MOVE ............................................ 5
SAI KUNG DB REPORT PUBLISHED............................................. 5
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1991
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF JANUARY RETAIL SALES SURVEY RELEASED
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY 1991, ESTIMATED AT $10,541 MILLION, REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990 WHILE THEIR VOLUME DECREASED BY 7%, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE DROP IN SALES VOLUME WAS, HOWEVER, MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR BUT IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.
SIMILAR PHENOMENON DUE TO THE TIMING OF*THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WAS ALSO OBSERVED IN PAST YEARS.
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES REFER TO CHANGES LN THE VALUES OF RETAIL SALES AFTER DISCOUNTING ESTIMATED CHANGES IN PRICES.
THE INDICATORS OF PRICE CHANGES USED FOR THE PURPOSE ARE I HE RESPECTIVE COMPONENTS Ob THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE BROAD CATEGORY OF GOODS IN QUESTION.
COMPARING WITH JANI ARY 1990, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS ROSE BY 32% IN VALUE AND 1% IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO DROPPED BY 7% IN VALUE AND 13% IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 3% IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 3% IN VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS DROPPED BY 5% IN SALES VALUE AND 13% IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 5% TN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 6% IN VALUE BUI REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HANI), RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 2% IN VALUE AND 9% IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE OF DEPARTMENT STORES DROPPED BY 10% IN VALUE AND 17% IN VOLUME. SUPERMARKET SALES DECREASED BY 13% IN VALUE AND 22% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH DECEMBER 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR JANUARY 1991 DROPPED BY 1% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME. FUELS DECREASED BY 3% IN SALES VALUE AND 1% IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT DOWN BY 10% TN VALUE AND 11% IN VOLUME.
/ON THE ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1991
- 2 -
ON THE SAME BASIS OE COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES WENT UP BY 3% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME. CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VALUE BUT ROSE BY 4% IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS DROPPED BY 5% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 7% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 1% IN SALES VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME.
SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES DECREASED BY 10% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME WHILE SUPERMARKET SALES DROPPED BY 12% IN VALUE AND 13% IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1990 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR JANUARY 1991.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1990 AND JANUARY 1991 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF JANUARY 1991 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1990 AND WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY 1990 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF JANUARY 1991 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON 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).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLES 1 AND 2 WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE. COPIES CAN ALSO BE COLLECTED FROM THE GIS NEWSROOM.
/TABLE 1 .......
3 FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1991
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for January 1991 (Provisional Figure) - HK$10,541 Billion
for Deceiber 1990 (Revised Figure) = HK$10,974 Billion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AUD VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES
FOR DECEMBER 1990 AND JANUARY 1991
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 = 100)
1 1 Item ' Index of ' 1 Retail 1 1 Sales 1 December 1990 1 1 January 1 1991 1 January ! compared ! December 1991 1 with 1 1990 1 January compared January 1991 1 with 1 1990 1
l 1 1 1 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES 1 1 1 1 1 (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS i __________ — 1 1 1 1 I t i 1 1 Value 1 1 Volume 1 1 1 1 1 (Revised figures) 196 138 1 (Provisional 1 figures) 1 1 1 188 1 133 1 1 । 1 Points 1 1 1 1 -8 1 -4 1 1 i k I 1 1 1 -4 1 -3 1 1 1 i Points -1 -10 1 * 1 1 1 1 4 1 -7 1 1 1 i
1 1 Foodstuffs, alcoholic i 1 1 Value 1 180 । 1 162 1 -18 -10 1 -13 l -7 1
1 drinks and tobacco 1 Volume 1 । । 130 1 116 । 1 -14 i -11 1 i -17 -13 I i
l 1 Fuels 1 । i 1 Value ! 1 Volume 1 । । 166 118 l 1 160 1 116 i I 1 -6 1 -2 । 1 -3 1 -1 I ♦39 ♦2 I ♦32 1 ♦1 1 i
I 1 Clothing, footwear I । 1 Value 1 230 । 1 230 । 1 1 I 1 1 -12 • -5 1
1 and allied products । 1 Volume 1 145 1 151 । 1 *6 i ♦4 1 i -22 -13 1 i
l 1 Consumer durables 1 i I 1 Value 1 1 Volume 1 I । 172 123 1 177 1 126 1 *5 1 *2 i ♦3 1 ♦2 1 i ♦6 -3 ♦3 1 -3 1 i
। 1 Other consumer goods 1 1 1 (0 BY SELECTED TRADES । 1 (see note 1 below) 1 Value 1 1 Volume 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 213 150 1 203 1 145 1 1 1 । । 1 -10 1 -5 1 1 1 1 I -5 1 -3 1 1 1 1 1 1 -8 I 1 1 -5 1 1 1 1 1
1 Supermarkets 1 1 Value 1 1 Volume 1 235 160 1 207 1 139 । 1 -28 1 -20 i -12 1 -13 1 i -31 -39 -13 1 -22 1 ।
1 1 Motor vehicles l l 1 Value 1 241 1 1 257 1 1 *16 i ♦7 1 -4 i -2 1
1 and parts 1 Volume 1 143 1 152 i 1 *9 i ♦6 ! i -16 -9 1 l
1 1 Consumer durables 1 1 1 Value I 150 I 1 152 1 *2 ♦1 1 ♦8 ♦6 1
1 other than motor 1 vehicles and parts 1 Volume 1 1 1 117 1 117 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 Department stores 1 i I 1 Value 1 1 Volume 1 320 208 1 289 1 195 1 -31 1 -13 -10 1 -6 1 -32 -39 -10 1 -17 1
NOTES : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN lajor trade groups, the value and voluie indexes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(a) 'Supermarkets' - a trade in the 'Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco’ group.
(b) 'Motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consuier durables' group.
(c) 'Consumer durables other than motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consumer durables' groupm
(d) 'Department stores' - a trade in the 'Other consumer goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
3. 'I' denotes a figure within t0.5. ______
/4 ...........
♦
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1991
4
FINALS OF SCHOOLS DRAMA COMPETITIONS
******
STUDENTS COMPETING IN THE FINALS OF THE SCHOOLS CHINESE DRAMA PROJECT WILL BE PERFORMING INDER THE CRITICAL EYE OF VETERAN ACTRESS, MS FUNG BO-BO, AND ANOTHER VETERAN OF THE THEATRE, MR CHUNG KING-FEI.
FORTY-TWO SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE SCHOOLS CHINESE DRAMA PROJECT WHICH MADE ITS DEBUT THIS YEAR FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHING OF THE SCHOOLS ENGLISH DRAMA PROJECT LAST YEAR.
ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE TWO PROJECTS THIS YEAR RECEIVED ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
FINALISTS WILL COMPETE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR ENGLISH DRAMAS AND NEXT SATURDAY (APRIL 13) FOR CHINESE DRAMAS AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.
TWENTY-SIX SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE ENGLISH PROJECT COMPARED WITH 12 LAST YEAR. THE THREE SCHOOLS IN THE FINALS ARE ST JOAN OF ARC SECONDARY SCHOOL, KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL AND BUDDHIST KOK KWONG SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THE FIVE FINALISTS IN THE CHINESE PROJECT ARE QUEEN’S COLLEGE, HO LAP COLLEGE, KOWLOON TRUE LIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL, TURN MUN CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL AND Till- TAOIST ASSOCIATION YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE NO. 2 SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THE ENGLISH DRAMA JUDGES WILL COMPRISE MR BRIAN BLOMFIELD, MR TONY O’BRIEN, MISS CHRIS JOHNSON AND MR LAM LAP-SAM. JUDGING THE CHINESE DRAMAS WILL BE MR CHUNG KING-FEI, MS FUNG BO-BO, MR YUEN LUP-FUN, MR HARDY TSOI, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, THE SPONSORS OF THE CHINESE PROJECT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED I’o SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FINALS OF THE SCHOOLS ENGLISH DR VIA PROJECT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WHICH WILL START AT 2 PM AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE IN HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
- - 0----------
/5 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1991
SWD FOSTER CARE UNIT ON MOVE ♦ * ♦ *
THE CENTRAL FOSTER CARE UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL OPERATE FROM ITS NEW OFFICE AT FOURTH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN FOSTERING CHILDREN ARE WELCOME TO MAKE ENQUIRIES AT THE UNIT OR CALL 852 3113 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
- - 0 - -
SAI KUNG DB REPORT PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD REPORT, WHICH DETAILS THE BOARD’S WORK IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
IN THE PREFACE OF THE 72-l'AGE REPORT, THE DISTRICT OFFICER MR FREDERICK TONG SAID SAI KUNG HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR ITS TRANQUILITY AND SCENIC BEAUTY.
MOST OF THE AREAS LN THE DISTRICT STILL RETAIN THEIR NATURAL LANDSCAPE AND RURAL CHARACTERISTICS, WHICH IS VITAL TO THE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.
MR TONG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT SAI KUNG IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS IN THE TERRITORY.
"TSEUNG KWAN O, AT THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE DISTRICT, HAS NOW BECOME A NEW TOWN WITH OVER 80,000 RESIDENTS, TRIPLING THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE DISTRICT TO ABOUT 125,000 IN JUST A FEW YEARS.
“FACING SUCH CHANGES, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD HAS WORKED HARD TO HELP NEWCOMERS SETTLE DOWN, AS WELL AS TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF THE OLD AND NEW COMMUNITIES SO THAT THE TRADITIONAL HARMONIOUS RELATIONS IN THE DISTRICT ARE MAINTAINED AND STRENGTHENED,' HE SAID.
THE REPORT IS DIVIDED INTO EIGHT CHAPTERS, WITH A GENERAL INTRODUCTION ON THE SAJ KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S MEMBERSHIP, TERMS OF REFERENCE, SCOPE OF WORK, AND A DETAILED STUDY ON THE WORK OF THE BOARD’S SIX WORKING COMMITTEES.
THE REPORT IS ALSO ILLUSTRATED BY MORE THAN 80 COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, INCLUDING A SERIES OF AERIAL PICTURES CAPTURING THE MOST SCENIC SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT.
“THE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INDEED A RARE COLLECTION, MAKING THE REPORT NOT ONLY A WORKING RECORD, BUT ALSO A VIVID ILLUSTRATION ON THE VARIOUS FACETS OF THE DISTRICT," MR TONG SAID.
THE REPORT IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC’S REFERENCE AT THE SAI KUNG PUBLIC LIBRARY ON THE FIFTH FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, SAI KUNG TOWN; AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KVAN O.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED .................................... 1
ROVING EXHIBITION ON CHANGEABLE SPRING ........................................ 5
REVISION OF PARKING CHARGES IN YUEN LONG ...................................... 6
AUXILIARY POLICE PASSING OUT PARADE ........................................... 6
1,185 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN MARCH ..................................... 7
SECONDARY SCHOOL TO BE BUILT IN FANLING ....................................... 7
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
- 1 -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY PUBLISHED
HONG KON»: DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED MARGINALLY DURING FEBRUARY, FOLLOWING INCREASES IN THE PRECEDING TWO MONTHS, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY Till'; MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
ALL DEFINITIONS (I- HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY INCREASED DURING THE MONTH NOTWITHSTANDING THE DECREASE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS BECAUSE THE LATTER WAS MORE THAN OFFSET BY THE INCREASE IN THE NOTES AND (’Ol ’ S HELD BY IHE PUBLIC AROUND THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO REGISTERED SLOWER GROWTH IN FEBRUARY.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, DECREASED BY 0.6% IN FEBRUARY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.1% ANi 2.1% IN DECEMBER 1990 AND JANUARY 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.0% AND 1.8% RESPECTIVELY WHILE SAVINGS DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.7% IN FEBRUARY. COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 16.1%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS FELL BY 0.4% IN FEBRUARY, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.5% AND 1.9% IN DECEMBER 1990 AND JANUARY 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG TH ESI DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS I ELI, BY 3.3% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.8% IN FEBRUARY. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 21.5%.
DURING FEBRUARY, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS, RESTR I (’TED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 0.2%, 5.6% AND 3.4% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH \ I \R EARLIER, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS \ND RESTR I (’TED LICENCE BYNKS INCREASED RESPECTIVELY BY 20..!. AND 10.3% WHILE THAT WITH DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 6.1%.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HKSM2 \ND IIK$M3 INCREASED BY 3.2%, 0.1% \ND ’ LESS THAN 0.1% RESPECTIVELY I FEBRUARY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN JANUARY WERE 5.7%, 2.3% AND 1.9%.
/OVER THE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
- 2 -
OVER THE YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES ROSE BY 18.1%, 17,5%
AND 16.0% RESPECTIVE!Y.
TOTAL Ml AND M2 ROSE BY 5.4% AND 0.1% RESPECTIVELY WHILE TOTAL M3 FELL BY 0.2% IN FEBRUARY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN JANUARY WERE 3.2%, 2.2% AND 2.0%.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 21.2%, 20.0% AND
18.9% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 0.9% IN FEBRUARY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.2% AND 3.0% IN DECEMBER 1990 A .1) JANUARY 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 1.1% DURING I IRUARY, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES ROSE BY 0.8%. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 13.9% AND 53.9% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 0.4% IN FEBRUARY, FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 0.3% IN DECEMBER 1990 AND AN INCREASE OF 3.1% IN JANUARY 1991. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 14.8%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 1.2% IN FEBRUARY FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.5% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY IN THE PRECEDING TWO MONTHS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 16.4%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG ROSE BY 2.1% IN FEBRUARY, AFTER INCREASES OF 2.1% AND 4.6% IN DECEMBER 1990 AND JANUARY 1991 RESPECTIVELY. OVER Till' YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 65.5%.
LOANS TO FINANCE MERCHANDISING TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG FELL BY 8.1% IN FEBRUARY, YF'I'ER DECLINES OF 2.2% AND 3.9% RESPECTIVELY IN THE PRECEDING TWO MONTHS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 4.8%, BUT ITS ABSOlI IF AMOUNT WAS INSIGNIFICANT IN COMPARISON TO OTHER CATEGORIES OF LOANS.
NUMBER OF REPORTING I .S T I TUT IONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS DECLINED BY' ONE TO 165 WHILE THAT OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 45 AND THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKI,.. COMPANIES DECLINED BY THREE TO 184.
/NOTES : .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
leei
"o » V'
NOTES
(1)
(2)
BEFORE FEBRUARY ’’DEPOSIT-TAKING
1, 1990, ’’RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS” AND COMPANIES” WERE KNOWN AS ’’LICENSED DEPOSIT-
TAKING COMPANIES” AND "REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES” RESPECTIVELY.
J! 0 **” ■? Ji ” ‘ Vr * ’c -« ’ *• o
IN THE TEXT ABOVE, TOTAL HK$ DEPOSITS, HK$ TIME DEPOSITS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS. TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS AND US$ DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS.
’’SWAP DEPOSITS” ARE DEPOSITS INVOLVING CUSTOMERS BUYING FOREIGN CURRENCIES (MOSTLY U.S. DOLLARS) TN THE SPOT MARKET AND PLACING THEM AS DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT TO SELL SUCH FOREIGN CURRENCIES (PRINCIPAL PLUS INTEREST) FORWARD IN UNE WITH THE MATURITY OF SUCH DEPOSITS. FOR MOS! ANALYTICAL PURPOSES, THEY SHOULD BE REGARDED AS HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.
*7 ! .. •» m*•«,■»-vt- i ■*> ».•
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - FEBRUARY 1991 -------------------------------------------- . (HKSmn)
Feb 1991 Earlier months (X change to 1 February 1991)
Money Supply • Jan 1991 Nov 1990 Feb 1990
Ml - HKS •—— — — ——— ———_
100.167 97.062 ( 3.2 X) 92.411 ( 8.4 X) 84.842 ( 18.1 X)
Foreign currency 16.723 13.880 ( 20.5 X) 13,756 ( 21.6 X) •11.598 ( 44.2 XI
Total 116.889 110,942 ( 5.4 X) 106,167 ( 10.1 X) 96.441 ( 21.2 X)
M2 - HKS* 554.099 552,058 ( 0.4 X) • 530,550 ( 4.4 X) 471.636 ( 17.5 X)
Foreign currency* 684.084 684.895 ( -0.1 X) 660.141 ( 3.6 X) 560.27? ( 22.1 X'
Total 1.238.183 1 ,236,952 ( 0.1 X) 1.190.692 ( 4.0 X) 1,031.908 ( 20.0 XI
M3 - HKS* 582.632 582.345 ( 0.0 X) 562.414 ( 3.6 X) 502.477 ( 16.0 x>
Foreign currency* 728.194 730.851 ( -0.4 X) 706.245 ( 3.1 X) 600.156 ( 21.3 XI
Total 1.310,826 1 .313.195 ( -0.2 X) 1.268.660 ( 3.3 X) 1.102.633 I 18.9 X)
Notes and coins in circulation 47.559 45.802 ( 3.8 X) 41.566 ( 14.4 X) 40,537 ( 17.3 X)
of which held by public 41.739 38.070 ( 9.6 X) 36.338 ( 14.9 X) 35.598 ( 17.3 X)
Total Deposits 1
1 Total Demand deposits 75,151 72.871 ( 3.1 X) 69.829 ( 7.6 X) 60.843 ( 23.5 X) 1 1
Total Savings deposits 246.640 242.123 ( 1.9 X) 226,240 ( 9.0 X) 192,478 ( 28.1 X)
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 857.197 866,072 ( -1.0 X) 840,892 ( 1.9 X) 726.387 ( 18.0 XI 1
vr Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 40.672 43.069 ( -5.6 X) 43,505 ( -6.5 X) 36.871 ( 10.3 X) o
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 30fc335 31.417 ( -3.4 X) 33,011 ( -8.1 X) 32.419 ( -6.4 X) 1
1 HKS deposits* 527.925 ’530,884 ( -0.6 X) 512,981 ( 2.9 X) 454.645 ( 16.1 X)
USS deposits* 293,976 304.014 ( -3.3 X) 289,291 ( 1.6 X) 261,143 ( 12.6 X) 1
Other foreign currency deposits 428.094 420,655 ( 1.8 X) 411,203 ( 4.1 X) 333.209 ( 28.5 X) 1
All deposits 1,249.995 1 ,255,553 ( -0.4 X) 1,213,476 ( 3.0 X) 1,048,997 ( 19.2 X) 1
Foreign currency swap deposits 59.744 65,278 ( -8.5 X) 67,633 (-11.7 X) 61,734 ( -3.2 X)
Total Loans and advances •
To finance U.K.'s visible trade To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 73.604 8.513 73.28T 9.265 ( ( 0.4 -8.1 X) X) 71,336 . 9,858 ( 3.2 (-13.6 X) X) 64,089 8,126 ( ( 14.8 4.8 X) X)
Other loans for use in H.K, 706,401 698.148 ( 1.2 X) 686,089 ( 3.0 X) 606,886 ( 16.4 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K, 942.529 923,020 ( 2.1 X) 864.710 ( 9.0 X) 569,594 ( 65.5 X)
Other loans where the place of use is not known 127.353 138.028 ( -7.7 X) 134.874 ( -5.6 X) 101.382 (. 25.6 X)
Loans in HKS 623.255 616,665 ( 1.1 X) 600,278 ( 3.8 X) 547.319 ( 13.9 X)
Loans in foreign currencies 1.235.145 1 ,225.082 ( 0.8 X) 1.166.588 ( 5.9 X) 802.758. ( 53.9 XI
Total loans and advances 1.858.400 1 .841,747 ( 0.9 X) 1.766,866 ( 5.2 X) 1,350,077 ( 37.7 X)
* Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits
Note : ’Restricted licence banks’ and ’deposit-taking companies’ were known as 'licensed deposit-taking companies’ and 'registered deposit-taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
- 5 -
ROVING EXHIBITION ON CHANGEABLE SPRING »*«»»«
A SERIES OF ROVING EXHIBITIONS ON THE WEATHER IN HONG KONG IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PROMOTE A BETTER APPRECIATION OF THE PHYSICAL PROCESSES OF WEATHER AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS IT BRINGS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SATURDAY), A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HOPED TO HELP STUDENTS REALISE THAT WHAT THEY STUDY IN SCHOOL IN CONNECTION WITH WEATHER HAS REAL-LIFE RELEVANCE.
THE FIRST OF THE SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS, HOSTED BY A TOTAL OF 36 SCHOOLS, HAS STARTED LAST MONTH AND WILL LAST THROUGH APRIL.
THE SCHOOLS INVOLVED ARE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, FROM AS FAR SOUTH AS STANLEY TO THE NORTHERN DISTRICTS OF FANLING AND YUEN LONG.
AS A CO-OPERATIVE PROJECT WITH THE SCHOOLS, SELECTED STUDENTS FROM EACH SCHOOL HAVE BEEN GIVEN A DETAILED BRIEFING ON THE EXHIBITION TO ENABLE THEM TO EXPLAIN IT TO THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS WHEN THE EXHIBITION IS HELD AT THEIR SCHOOL.
THE CURRENT EXHIBITION IS ON SPRING, THE SEASON WITH HIGHLY VARIABLE WEATHER WHEN COLD AIR FROM THE NORTH STARTS TO LOSE ITS GRIP OVER THIS REGION WHILE WARM AIR FROM THE SOUTH INVADES THE REGION WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY.
IT IS THIS INTERACTION BETWEEN THE WARM AIR AND THE COLD AIR WHICH BRINGS THE CHANGEABLE WEATHER.
THE EXHIBITION HAS SO FAR BEEN STAGED IN MORE THAN HALF OF THE SCHOOLS, WITH FAVOURABLE RESPONSES FROM BOTH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.
THE NEXT EXHIBITION IN THE SERIES WILL BE ON THE WEATHER IN SUMMER AND AUTUMN AND WILL BE STAGED IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR.
- - 0---------
/6 ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
- 6 -
REVISION OF PARKING CHARGES IN YUEN LONG
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE HALF-HOURLY FEES FOR USING METER PARKING SPACES IN YUEN LONG WILL BE INCREASED FROM $0.5 AND $1 TO $1 AND $2 RESPECTIVELY. THIS CHARGE REVISION PROGRAMME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO PHASES AS FROM MONDAY (APRIL 8):
NEW FEE FOR PHASE I (I.E. $2 PER 30 MINUTES) WILL BE CHARGED FROM MONDAY IN SHUI PIN WAI ROAD, PING SHUN STREET, KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG TUNG TAI STREET, WANG CHAU ROAD, YUEN LONG TAI YUK ROAD CARPARK, FUNG NIN ROAD, FUNG SHING COURT, YAN LOK SQUARE, ON HONG ROAD, HUNG MIN SQUARE, KAM CHEUNG SQUARE, HOP CHOI STREET, KIN TAK STREET CARPARK II, KIN TAK STREET CARPARK I, KIN TAK STREET, FUNG CHEUNG ROAD, SAI YU STREET, SAI CHING STREET, FUNG YAU NORTH STREET CARPARK, FUNG KWAN STREET CARPARK I, FUNG KWAN STREET CARPARK II.
PHASE II CHARGES (I.E. $1 PER 30 MINUTES) WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 15 TO COVER ALL GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES ON SHUI PIN WAI ROAD, PO LOK SQUARE, TAI FUNG STREET, YUEN LONG TUNG TAI STREET, FUNG SHING COURT, SAI YU STREET, KAM CHEUNG SQUARE, KIN TAK STREET CARPARK II, KIN TAK STREET CARPARK I, KIN TAK STREET, KIN YIP STREET, SAI CHING STREET, FUNG YAU NORTH STREET CARPARK, FUNG KWAN STREET CARPARK II.
------0--------
AUXILIARY POLICE PASSING OUT PARADE
EVERYDAY SOME 800 AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS REPORT FOR DUTY, AND PATROL THE STREETS OF HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SUPPORT, OF THE POLICE FORCE, MR LAU TO-YEE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY, MR LAU SAID THE AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE HAD A LONG AND PROUD HISTORY, ADDING THAT WITH AN ESTABLISHMENT OF OVER 5,700 MEN AND WOMEN IT WAS THE LARGEST AUXILIARY OR PART-TIME POLICE FORCE IN THE WORLD.
THE GRADUATES, AS VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, WERE TOLD THAT "WHAT YOU HAVE IN COMMON IS A DESIRE TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY, TO ENSURE THE PEACE OF HONG KONG AND THAT IT REMAINS A PLACE IN WHICH ALL OF US CAN LIVE AND PROSPER".
MR LAU SAID THEIR TRAINING HAD BEEN VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH THE REGULAR FORCE AND WAS DESIGNED TO GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES EFFICIENTLY.
/HE ALSO ......
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
HE ALSO TOLD THE AUXILIARY OFFICERS TO CONFORM TO THE SAME HIGH STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE BECAUSE THEY HAD THE SAME POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS THEIR REGULAR COUNTERPARTS.
IN CONCLUSION, MR LAU URGED ALL THE GRADUATES TO LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF THEIR OLDER COLLEAGUES, TO REMEMBER THEIR OATH OF OFFICE AND TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES ’’HONESTLY AND FAITHFULLY, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR TO ANY PERSON AND WITH MALICE OR ILL-WILL TOWARDS NONE”.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 16 AUXILIARY INSPECTORS AND 142 CONSTABLES WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED THEIR BASIC TRAINING.
- - 0 - -
1,185 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN MARCH ♦ *»*♦♦
A TOTAL OF 1,575 CASUAL! E3 WERE REPORTED IN 1,185 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST MONTH.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT 322 OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 600 IN KOWLOON AND 263 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR MARCH SHOWED THAT 24 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, 301 PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 1,250 SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES REPRESENTED AN DECREASE OF 11.9 PER CENT AND 4.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
- - 0 - -
SECONDARY SCHOOL TO BE BUILT IN FANLING
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF \ ECONDARV SCHOOL ON A 5,700-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN AREA 47, FANLING.
THE SCHOOL WILL INCLUDE A 26-CLASSROOM TEACHING BLOCK, A BLOCK TO HOUSE FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS, A COVERED PLAY AREA, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, A BASKETBALL COURT AND PLANTING AREAS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED IN 17 MONTHS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON APRIL 26.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER APPOINTED ............................. 1
SESSIONS ON SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE SCHEME TO START SOON .................. 1
SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 1991
1
NEW CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER APPOINTED
******
MR HERMAN < HO CHUN-WAH HAS BEEN APPOINTED DISTRICT OFFICER OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR CHO SI" "EEDS Ml? STEPHEN FISHER, WHO WILL TAKE UP THE POST OF PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH' AND WELFARE AFTER SERVING AS DISTRICT OF Fl ER FOR THREE: YEARS.
MR CHO JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN JUNE 1979 AND BECAME AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER THREE MONTHS LATER.
HE HAS SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO.
MR CHO WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN APRIL 1988.
HIS LATEST POSTING WAS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (SPECIAL DUTIES) IN THE CNTA WHERE HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CO-ORDINATING THE KOWLOON WALLED CITS CLEARANCE MATTERS.
MEANWHILE, THE CNTA ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT MISS ANNIE TANG HAS TAKEN UP THE POST OF THE YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK IIISTRKT OFFICER FROM APRIL 1.
--------0-----------
SESSIONS ON SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE .SCHEME TO START SOON
******
A SERIES OR BRIEFING SESSIONS ON THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE (SMI) REPORT FOR SCHOOL SPONSORS, SUPERVISORS, MANAGERS, PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE HELD FROM APRIL 11 (THURSDAY).
THE OBJECTIVE IS TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF IHF SMI SCHEME.
"THE SMI REPORT, COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 1990, IS THE RESULT OF PART OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM EXERCISE TO REVIEW THE ROLES AND RELATIONSHIP OF THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND SCHOOLS IN THE DELIVERY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE I’D. I \RTMENT SAID.
/THE SMI .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 1991
2
THE SMI IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING SCHOOLS TO DEVELOP A MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK MORE APPROPRIATE TO PRESENT DAY CONDITIONS SO THAT THEY WILL H.W I THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS WHICH CAN BEST BE MADE AT THEIR HVEL, AND CAN USE RESOURCES MORE FLEXIBLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SCHOOLS WILL BE INVITED TO JOIN THE SMI SCHEME LATER THIS MONTH.
’’INITIALLY, IT IS INTENDED THAT UP TO 50 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PART IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME THIS SEPTEMBER," HE SAID.
THE FIRST IWO BRIEFING SESSIONS, FOR PRINCIPALS, WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 11 AND 12 AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, TO BE FOLLOWED BY TWO SESSIONS FOR SPONSORS, SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE IN NORTH POINT ON APRIL 13 AND AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ON APRIL 17.
THE SESSIONS FOR TEACHERS WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 18 AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND ON APRIL 27 AT NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN SASSOON ROAD.
ONE SESSION WILL BE HELD FOR MEMBERS OF PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS ON APRIL 20 AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AND ANOTHER FOR SUPERVISORS OF AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON \PRIL 24, ALSO AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POST-ENUMERATION CHECK FOR 1991 POPULATION CENSUS .............................. 1
ANALYSIS OF HK'S RE-EXPORT TRADE IN 1990 ....................................... 1
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED............................................ 5
WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG............................... 5
ATLA’S PRELIMINARY DECISIONS ON AHK'S APPLICATIONS ANNOUNCED ................... 6
INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF $2.IM MARINE DEPT LAUNCH ................................. 7
SEMINAR ON SAFETY FOR CATERING WORKERS ......................................... 7
NEW DESIGN AEROGRAMMES ON SALE FROM APRIL 18 ................................... 8
MONDAY, APRIL 8,
1891
1
POST-ENUMERATION CHECK FOR 1991 POPULATION CENSUS * * * * *
A SMALL SAMPLE OF 5,000 HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE RE-ENUMERATED DURING THE PERIOD FROM WEDNESDAY (APRIL 10) TO APRIL 30 TO EVALUATE THE COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY OF THE RESULTS OF THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WHICH WAS COMPLETED ON MARCH 24, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE FOR EVALUATING CENSUS INFORMATION," HE SAID.
THE POST-ENUMERATION CHECK WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S PERMANENT FIELD STAFF.
THE SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE NOTIFIED BEFOREHAND BY A LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL GIVE THE NAME OF THE CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICER WHO WILL MAKE THE VISIT.
THEY WILL BE REQUESTED TO SUPPLY SOME BASIC INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS AND THE NUMBER OF PERSONS IN THE LIVING QUARTERS TO THE VISITING OFFICER WHO WILL CARRY WITH HIM A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD BEARING HIS NAME AND PHOTOGRAPH.
SHOULD THERE BE ANY DOUBT CONCERNING THE IDENTITY OF THE VISITING OFFICER, THE HOUSEHOLDERS CAN CALL THE CENSUS HOTLINE, 827 1234, WHICH WILL BE IN OPERATION THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF THE POST-ENUMERATION CHECK.
"THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS POST-ENUMERATION CHECK IS A VOLUNTARY STATISTICAL SURVEY TAKEN UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND GAZETTED ON MARCH 28, 1991," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------0---------
ANALYSIS OF HK’S RE-EXPORT TRADE IN 1990 ******
HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $413,999 MILLION IN 1990, WHICH REPRESENTED A GROWTH OF 20% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH 1989.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED THE SUMMARY STATISTICS ON HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORTS IN 1990 ANALYSED BY MARKET AND BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
RE-EXPORTS BY MARKET
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1.
/CHINA AND .......
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
- 2 -
CHINA AND THE USA, THE TWO LARGEST MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S REEXPORTS, ACCOUNTED FOR 27% AND 21% RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN 1990. THE SHARES OF JAPAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND TAIWAN WERE 6%, 6% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING 1990 WITH 1989, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED, WITH THE MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES RECORDED IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+73%), FRANCE (+41%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+36%), TAIWAN (+29%), THE USA (+22%), CANADA (+21%), AND SINGAPORE (+14%).
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN AND CHINA ALSO INCREASED, BY 9% AND 7% RESPECTIVELY WHEREAS THAT TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASED BY 2%.
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA INCREASED BY $7,416 MILLION OR 7% IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989. ANALYSED BY COMMODITY FOR THIS MARKET, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $4,710 MILLION OR 20%); PAPER, PAPERBOARD, AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD (BY $1,158 MILLION OR 66%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $929 MILLION OR 35%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $1,263 MILLION OR 21%); AND GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $1,016 MILLION OR 26%).
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF HONG KONO’S EXPORTS TO CHINA (INCLUDING RE-EXPORTS AS WELL AS DOMESTIC EXPORTS) ARE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, AS RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURED GOODS WERE EXPORTED TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING AND SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED TO HONG KONG.
RE-EXPORTS TO THE USA IN 1990 INCREASED BY $15,720 MILLION OR 22% OVER 1989.
COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE TO THIS MARKET INCLUDED MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $4,534 MILLION OR 23%); FOOTWEAR (BY $4,127 MILLION OR 84%); AND CLOTHING (BY $2,311 MILLION OR 18%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $279 MILLION OR 41%) AND FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATION THEREOF (BY $208 MILLION OR 19%).
RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN INCREASED BY $2,108 MILLION OR 9%.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WERE RECORDED IN NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $689 MILLION OR 46%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $665 MILLION OR 34%). A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $479 MILLION OR 32%).
/RE-EXPORTS TO........
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
3
RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF $9,905 MILLION OR 73%. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $2,972 MILLION OR 88%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,808 MILLION OR 139%). HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $322 MILLION OR 87%).
RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN GREW BY $4,770 MILLION OR 29%. THE REEXPORT VALUE OF TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES INCREASED DRASTICALLY BY $2,669 MILLION OR 313% IN 1990 AS COMPARED WITH 1989 WHEREAS THAT OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF ALSO RECORDED AN INCREASE OF $792 MILLION OR 14%.
A DECREASE WAS HOWEVER REGISTERED FOR CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $161 MILLION OR 13%).
RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
RE-EXPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
GOODS FROM CHINA, JAPAN, TAIWAN, THE USA AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA CONTRIBUTED 58%, 10%, 7%, 6% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS THROUGH HONG KONG IN 1990.
COMPARING 1990 WITH 1989, RE-EXPORTS FROM MOST OF THE MAJOR ORIGIN COUNTRIES REGISTERED INCREASES IN VALUE, PARTICULARLY FOR CHINA (+28%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+25%) AND FRANCE (+22%).
CHINA CONTINUED TO BE THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S REEXPORTS IN 1990. A GROWTH OF 28% IN VALUE OR $52,139 MILLION OVER 1989 WAS RECORDED IN THE RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN CHINA.
AMONGST GOODS ORIGINATING IN CHINA, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $12,702 MILLION OR 34%); CLOTHING (BY $10,563 MILLION OR 29%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $7,919 MILLION OR 44%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1,642 MILLION OR 49%); AND METALLIFEROUS ORES AND METAL SCRAP (BY $557 MILLION OR 58%).
JAPAN REMAINED THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S REEXPORTS IN 1990. COMPARED WITH 1989, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF $3,282 MILLION OR 8% IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN JAPAN.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WERE REGISTERED IN OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $713 MILLION OR 31%); ROAD VEHICLES INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $507 MILLION OR 23%); AND TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $473 MILLION OR 183%).
/DECREASES IN .......
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
4
DECREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WERE RECORDED IN GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $243 MILLION OR 137); AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $143 MILLION OR 6%).
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN TAIWAN INCREASED BY $3,322 MILLION OR 12% IN VALUE TERMS IN 1990 OVER 1989, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF TEXTILES (BY $2,381 MILLION OR 28%); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $571 MILLION OR 78%).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WAS RECORDED IN MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $964 MILLION OR 37%) .
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN THE USA INCREASED BY $2,165 MILLION OR 10%. COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RE-EXPORT VALUE INCLUDED TOBACCO AND TOBACOO MANUFACTURES (BY $1,128 MILLION OR 41%); AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $359 MILLION OR 52%).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WAS RECORDED IN INORGANIC CHEMICALS (BY $147 MILLION OR 47%).
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED BY $333 MILLION OR 3%, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF TEXTILES (BY $351 MILLION OR 9%); AND LEATHER, LEATHER MANUFACTURES AND DRESSED FURSKINS (BY $150 MILLION OR 82%).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN RE-EXPORT VALUE WAS RECORDED IN GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $241 MILLION OR 61%).
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THE ABOVE RE-EXPORT STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1990" NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $27 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4915.
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-DEC JAN-DEC INCREASE/ PERCENTAGE
1990 1989 DECREASE CHANGE
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 110,908 103,492 + 7,416 + 7
USA 87,753 72,033 + 15,720 + 22
JAPAN 24,376 22,268 + 2,108 + 9
F.R.OF GERMANY 23,406 13,502 + 9,905 + 73
TAIWAN 21,248 16,478 + 4,770 + 29
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 13,011 13,279 — 268 - 2
SINGAPORE 12,573 11,029 ♦ 1,544 + 14
UNITED KINGDOM 12,107 8,918 + 3, 188 + 36
CANADA 6,527 5,413 + 1, 114 + 21
FRANCE 6,415 4,543 + 1,872 + 41
/TABLE 2 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
5
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN JAN-DEC JAN-DEC INCREASE/ PERCENTAGE
1990 1989 DECREASE CHANGE
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 240,410 188,271 52,139 ♦ 28
JAPAN 42,280 38,998 + 3,282 + 8
TAIWAN 30,283 26,960 3,322 ♦ 12
USA 24,490 22,325 + 2,165 + 10
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 11,610 11,278 333 ♦ 3
F.R. OF GERMANY 5,511 4,961 + 550 + 11
SINGAPORE 4,711 5,040 — 329 - 7
SWITZERLAND 4,668 4,090 + 578 + 14
UNITED KINGDOM 4,645 3,707 + 938 + 25
FRANCE 4,531 3,721 + 810 + 22
------- 0------
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES TO BE CLOSED » » t « »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT CERTAIN PARTS OF WING CHEUNG INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, 58-70 KWAI CHEONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE ON THE FLAT ROOF ADJACENT TO WORK SPACE A ON THE FOURTH FLOOR, AND ON THE ROOFS OVER WORK SPACES A AND B ON THE 18TII FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 23 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
------0--------
WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI, TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG
* * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 10) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, CANTON ROAD, NING PO STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET, INCLUDING NANKING STREET, BATTERY STREET AND RECLAMATION STREET.
/ALSO ON .......
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
6
ALSO ON WEDNESDAY, SALT WATfcR SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM DUE TO SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.
THE AREAS TO BE AFFECTED ARE TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG INCLUDING SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, HA KWAI CHUNG AND THE CONTAINER TERMINALS.
--------0-----------
ATLA’S PRELIMINARY DECISIONS ON AHK’S APPLICATIONS ANNOUNCED
* * * * *
THE AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY (ATLA) TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS PRELIMINARY DECISIONS ON AIR HONG KONG’S (AHK’S) APPLICATIONS OF AUGUST 20 LAST YEAR FOR LICENCES TO OPERATE SCHEDULED ALL-CARGO SERVICES TO 80 DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE.
AHK’S APPLICATIONS, WHICH WERE OBJECTED TO BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND HONG KONG DRAGON AIRLINES BUT SUPPORTED BY 17 REPRESENTORS, WERE THE SUBJECT OF A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY HELD BETWEEN MARCH 11 AND 14 TO CONSIDER EVIDENCE FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED AS TO THE ABILITY OF AHK TO MOUNT A SERVICE TO ALL 80 DESTINATIONS APPLIED FOR AND AS TO THE NEED FOR AN ALL-CARGO AIR SERVICE BASED IN HONG KONG.
FURTHER TO THIS INQUIRY, ATLA HAS DECIDED THAT IT COULD NOT CONSIDER LICENSING AIR CARGO SERVICES TO 25 (OF THE 80) DESTINATIONS WHICH AHK ONLY PROPOSED TO SERVE BY TRUCKS RATHER THAN AIR SERVICES.
AS FOR THE REMAINING 55 OUTSTANDING DESTINATIONS, ATLA HAS DECIDED THAT MORE EVIDENCE SHOULD BE PRODUCED EITHER BY THE APPLICANT (AHK) OR THE OBJECTORS (CATHAY AND/OR DRAGONAIR) AT THE NEXT PHASE OF THE INQUIRY TO BE RESUMED IN DUE COURSE, AND THAT RELEVANT INFORMATION TO BE PRODUCED BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH IN RELATION TO REGULATION 11 OF THE AIR TRANSPORT (LICENSING OF AIR SERVICES) REGULATIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BEFORE ATLA WOULD DECIDE ON THE LICENSING OR OTHERWISE OF SCHEDULED ALL-CARGO SERVICES FOR AHK FOR THESE POINTS.
THE SECOND PHASE OF THE INQUIRY TO CONSIDER FURTHER EVIDENCE FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED WOULD BE HELD IN DUE COURSE. AIRLINES AND THE REPRESENTORS CONCERNED HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF ATLA’S DECISIONS.
0----------
/7........
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF $2.IM MARINE DEPT LAUNCH
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, TODAY (MONDAY) OFFICIATED AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE $2.1 MILLION MARINE DEPARTMENT LAUNCH NUMBER 20 (MD 20) AT JOSS HOUSE BAY.
MR SZE AND THE CREW OF THE NEW LAUNCH PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SEA GODDESS "TIN HAU" DURING THE CEREMONY.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF* MARINE (PORT SERVICES), MR NG SHEUNG-YING, SAID: "THE NEW MD 20 IS ONE OF THREE LAUNCHES TO PROVIDE ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE IN THE HARBOUR FOR PATROL DUTIES SO AS TO ENHANCE MARINE SAFETY.
"TOGETHER WITH A SISTER LAUNCH MD 21 AND THE EXISTING MD 45, THE NEW LAUNCH WILL WATCH SHIPPING ACTIVITIES IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG INCLUDING INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL LEGISLATION AND INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CONVENT! 1 ARE COMPLIED WITH."
WITH A LENGTH OF 13.5 Ml . ES, A DEPTH OF 1.3 METRES AND A GLASS REINFORCED PLASTIC HULL, ; 20 WILL BE USED TO AUGMENT THE HARBOUR SERVICES PATROL. SHE IS E "LPPED WITH A RADAR SYSTEM AND TWIN DIESEL ENGINES AND IS CAPABLE OF 16 KNOTS.
THE SISTER LAUNCH MD 21 IS SCHEDULED TO BE DELIVERED NEXT MONTH.
TODAY'S CEREMONY WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKB.
-----0-----
SEMINAR ON SAFETY FOR CATERING WORKERS
******
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION (FID) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF SEMINARS TO PROMOTE WORK SAFETY AND HEALTH AMONG CATERING WORKERS.
SOME 300 STAFF MEMBERS OF MAXIM'S CATERERS LIMITED ATTENDED A CATERING SAFETY SEMINAR JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FID AND THE COMPANY THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR LEUNG CHUN-HO TOLD THE PARTICIPANTS THAT WHEN THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990 CAME INTO EFFECT IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR, ALL RESTAURANTS AND EATING ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER THE DEFINITION OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
/INSPECTOR LEUNG .......
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
8
INSPECTOR LEUNG URGED CATERING WORKERS TO TAKE 1CESSARY PRECAUTIONS AGAINST VARIOUS HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE, SUCH AS MACHINERY, CUTS AND ABRASIONS, BURNS, FALLS, NOISE NUISANCE, CHEMICALS, ELECTRIC SHOCKS, FIRE AND MANUAL LIFTING AND HEAVY GOODS HANDLING.
A NEW VIDEO TAPE PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON CATERING SAFETY WAS ALSO SHOWN IN THE SEMINAR TO ILLUSTRATE THE COMMON HAZARDS IN THE TRADE.
EARLIER AT THE SEMINAR, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, Ml? DARWIN CHEN, EXCHANGED SOUVENIRS WITH THE DEPUTY MANAGING DIR.CTOR OF MAXIM’S CATERERS LIMITED, MR JAMES T. WU.
------0--------
NEW DESIGN AEROGRAMMES ON SALE FROM APRIL 18 »!»»**
NEW DESIGN AEROGRAMMES DEARING THE POSTAGE OF $1.80 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FROM APRIL 18, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE NEW PICTORIAL AND PLAIN AEROGRAMMES WILL BEAR THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE 15OTH ANNIVERSARY LOGO AS PART OF THE CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES FOR THE OCCASION.
A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS ON HONG KONG EDUCATION WILL ALSO BE ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY.
THE STAMPS ARE CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY FOR THE ADVANCE INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 70-CENT EACH ARE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES. THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT ADVANCE ORDERS FOR FIRST DAY TREATMENT OF FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 11 AT ALL POST OFFICES.
THE MINIMUM QUANTITY PER ORDER IS FIVE COVERS. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISE!
MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS PRE AF IT WITH A SET OF STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE PHILATELII DATESTAMP WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $12.10 EACH AT THE DESIGNATED COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING 21 POST OFFICES ON APRIL 18:
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1991
- 9 -
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE
GENERAL POST OFFICE
KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
SAI YING PUN POST OFFICE TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE
KOWLOON
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE KOWLOON BAY POST OFFICE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE KWUN TONG POST OFFICE MONG KOK POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
NEW TERRITORIES
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TAI PO POST OFFICE SHEK WU HUI POST OFFICE TSUEN WING STREET POST OFFICE TUEN MUN SAN HUI POST OFFICE YUEN LONG POST OFFICE
AND SEALED RECEIVING
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WIBL BE GIVEN TO ALL COVERS AEROGRAMMES BEARING THE "FIRST DAY" INDICATION. ITEMS HAND-BACK SERVICE SHOULD BE LOCALLY ADDRESSED.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOREIGN SECRETARY GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE ...................................... 1
STATEMENT ON PROPOSED KCRC FARE-CHARGING RESIDENTS' COACH SERVICES ........... 17
STATEMENT ON OPERATION OF PASSENGER SHIPS ON EXCURSION VOYAGES ............... 18
PLEASE VOTE: RS .............................................................. 18
RC STAGES EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE COUNCIL ELECTIONS ............................ 19
NORTH AND SOUTH KOWLOON SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY COMMISSIONED .............. 20
MOTORISTS SWITCHING TO ULP ................................................... 20
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE SCHEME EXPLAINED ................................ 22
SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS DEPEND ON PUBLIC'S CO-OPERATION ...................... 23
LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION OFFICE ON MOVE .................................... 24
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ..................................... 25
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ....................................................... 25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ........................................... 25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ................... 26
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
- 1 -
FOREIGN SECRETARY GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE *****
THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, TODAY (TUESDAY):
MR HURD: 1 THINK IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IF I MADE A FAIRLY SHORT STATEMENT MAINLY ON THE- CENTRAL ISSUE AT THE MOMENT, BUT OF COURSE I WILL BE GLAD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON ANY OTHER ISSUES ON THE BOAT PEOPLE AND THE OTHER THINGS 1 HAVE BEEN DOING, OR TALKING ABOUT.
I’VE NOW HAD THOROUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND WITH EXCO THIS MORNING ABOUT MY TALKS IN PEKING AND THOSE OF MY OFFICIALS ABOUT HONG KONG.
OF COURSE, WHEN I WAS IN CHINA I HAD DISCUSSIONS WHICH WERE IN THE MAIN VERY PRODUCTIVE ON MANY INTERNATIONAL AND A GOOD MANY BILATERAL MATTERS.
THE MAIN SUBJECT WAS CERTAINLY HONG KONG. DURING THESE DISCUSSIONS ON HONG KONG THE CHINESE MADE A NUMBER OF STATEMENTS TO ME WHICH WERE CLEARLY POSITIVE: THAT THEY STAND BY THE JOINT DECLARATION, THAT THEY INT .D TO STRENGTHEN THE WORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, THAT THEY THIN IT NECESSARY TO BUILD A NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG; THAT CHINA’S OBJECTIVE IS TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY AND THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY JIANG ZEMIN LISTENED CAREFULLY TO WHAT I SAID AND SAID PLAINLY ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS AND THIS INCLUDED A REFERENCE TO FOUR PEOPLE WHO NORMALLY LIVE IN HONG KONG BUT ARE NOW DETAINED IN CHINA AND ALSO TO THE SITUATION IN TIBET.
ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, WE AGREED TO ACCELERATE THE PRACTICAL WORK OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND I HOPE THIS WILL NOW WORK OUT IN PRACTICE.
ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT, AND ON CHINESE WORRIES ABOUT THE FINANCES OF HONG KONG IN 1997, I THINK THE BEST WAY OF DESCRIBING IT IS THAT THE DISCUSSIONS EBBED AND FLOWED. IT’S NOT YET BEEN POSSIBLE TO REACH A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION. WE DISCUSSED ALL THESE MATTERS AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. IF 1 COULD JUST SAY A WORD ABOUT MY OWN APPROACH TO THIS: IT SEEMS TO ME CLEAR THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION IS BASED ON TWO PRINCIPLES NEITHER OF WHICH CAN BE NEGLECTED.
THE FIRST IS CO-OPERATION BETWEEN BRITAIN, CHINA AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THERE DO STILL SEEM TO BE SOME ESPECIALLY IN LONDON WHO THINK THAT ANY CONSULTATI ON, ALMOST ANY CONTACT, BETWEEN AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG AND PEKING IS SOME FORM OF SURRENDER BY HONG KONG. THEY SEEM TO ASSUME THAI HONG KONG SHOULD KEEP ITSELF AS REMOTE AS POSSIBLE FROM CHINA UNTIL THE HOUR WHEN IT RETURNS TO CHINA IN MID-1997. THAT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SEEMS TO ME LIGHTHEADED NONSENSE. THE AIM ON THE CONTRARY SHOULD BE TO PREVENT A ROUGH JOLT TN 1997, TO MAKE TRANSITION AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE. THAT IS WHY, QUITE APART FROM GOVERNMENT, PEOPLE IN HONG KONG IN MANY PROFESSIONS, MANY WALKS OF LIFE ARE THEMSELV li.' MAKING, MULTIPLYING, THEIR OWN CONTACTS IN CHINA; AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR PRIVATE PEOPLE, WHAT IS GOOD FOR PRIVATE BUSINESS PEOPLE, CAN BE GOOD FOR GOVERNMENT AS WELL.
/Bin' THE...........
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
2
BUT THE SECOND PRINCIPLE IS EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. THAT PRINCIPLE IS CLEARLY COMPATIBLE WITH SEEKING THE VIEWS OF CHINA ON IMPORTANT MATTERS WHICH STRADDLE 1997. IT’S COMPATIBLE WITH PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THOSE VIEWS WHEN EXPRESSED BUT THE TASK OF TAKING DECISIONS DURING THIS PERIOD RESTS WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THOSE ARE THE PRINCIPLES. THE ARRANGEMENTS ON PRACTICAL MATTERS WITH CHINA NEED TO RESPECT THESE TWO PRINCIPLES WHICH UNDERLINE THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE NEW AIRPORT IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT SUCH MATTER AT THE MOMENT. IT’S AT THE CENTRE OF CHINESE CONCERNS BECAUSE IT’S A MAJOR PROJECT AND THEREFORE AN EXPENSIVE PROJECT, AND THIS LEADS STRAIGHT INTO THEIR WORRIES ABOUT THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF HONG KONG WHEN IT BECOMES A S.A.R. HONG KONG NEEDS A NEW AIRPORT. KAI TAK IS BECOMING SATURATED AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN INTO THIS PROJECT IN GREAT DETAIL. IT IS CERTAINLY EXPENSIVE BUT THEY ARE SATISFIED THAT ITS EXPENSE WHICH HONG KONG CAN BEAR WITHOUT UNDERMINING ITS FINANCIAL HEALTH; AND SHOULD BEAR BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE COMPETITIVENESS IN A REGION WHICH IS DEVELOPING SO RAPIDLY. THE PROJECT WOULD BE ;\ TREMENDOUS BOOST TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN ITS FUTURE. BUT IN DISCUSSING THESE MATTERS WITH THE CHINESE IT CANNOT I A QUESTION OF THE AIRPORT AT ANY PRICE IN TERMS EITHER OF FINANCES o OF CHINESE INVOLVEMENT.
NOW, THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WHICH HAVE EBBED AND FLOWED, AS I SAID, IN THE TALKS IN PEKING. OBVIOUSLY, I HAD HOPED TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS THAN I ('AN REPORT TO YOU THIS AFTERNOON, BUT AS YOU KNOW, MY EXPECTATIONS WERE TEMPERED FROM THE OUTSET. I REMEMBER YOU ASKING THEM WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT A WEEK AGO, I WARNED YOU AGAINST EXPECTING A BREAKTHROUGH.
THROUGHOUT THE TALKS IT’S BEEN ENTIRELY CLEAR TO ME AND TO THE GOVERNOR THAT ON CONSTRUCTING THE AIRPORT, INDEED WITH OTHER MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RETAIN THE AUTHORITY AND THE CAPABILITY TO TAKE DECISIONS, BECAUSE ONLY IN THAT WAY CAN PROJECTS LIKE THE AIRPORT BE CARRIED OUT EFFECTIVELY, EFFICIENTLY, ECONOMICALLY, AND THERE IS NO QUESTION OF DEPARTING FROM THESE CRUCIAL POINTS.
SO AT THE MOMENT WE FACE OBSTACLES BUT THE TEAM OF OFFICIALS WILL REMAIN FOR A FEW DAYS IN PEKING AND WE SHALL CONTINUE, WE ARE CONTINUING, TO PRESS FOR MOVEMENT. SO WE HAVE (’HOSEN THE ROAD, IN ACCORDANCE WITH Till’ JOINT DECLARATION, OF WELCOMING CO-OPERATION AND CONSULTATION WITH (’ll I NA WHILE MAINTAINING THE EFFECTIVE AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
IN PRACTICE, THIS WILL FROM TIME TO TIME PROVE A STONY AND AN UPHILL ROAD BUT IN FACT IT IS THE ONLY ROAD WHICH CAN LEAD HONG KONG TO THE DESTINATION OF TWO SYSTEMS IN ONE COUNTRY.
I NOTE THE RESILIENCE WHICH DESPITE MANY PROPHESIES TO THE CONTRARY, HONG KONG HAS SHOWN IN RECOVERING FROM THE SHOCK OF 1989, AND YOU’LL KNOW HOW BRITAIN CONTRIBUTED TO THAT RECOVERY. I AM OPTIMISTIC IN MY OWN MIND THAT OVER TIME WE SHALL TOGETHER FIND THE RIGHT PATH THROUGH PRESENT, OR INDEED THROUGH ANY FUTURE OBSTACLES. THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED TO SAY BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION AND NOW I WILL TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
/MARK AUSTIN .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
3
MARK AUSTIN (ITN): HOW DISAPPOINTED ARE YOU NOT TO HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT, YET, OVER THE AIRPORT PROJECT?
MR HURD: WELL I SET MY EXPECTATIONS OF A BREAKTHROUGH PRETTY LOW AND TOLD YOU THAT MY EXPECTATIONS WERE FAIRLY LOW AND THEREFORE MY DISAPPOINTMENT IS TEMPERED. OBVIOUSLY, I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO MOVE FASTER, FURTHER, DURING THE TIME WHEN I WAS HERE BUT THE WORK WILL CONTINUE.
SALLY BLYTH (RTHKI: HOW LONG WILL THE TALKS IN PEKING CONTINUE? WHAT IS THE MOOD OF THE TALKS? PREMIER LI PENG HAS JUST SAID A SHORT WHILE AGO THAT THE MOOD IS GOOD, WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT? AND THIRDLY, ARE THE TALKS CONTINUING BECAUSE YOU ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THERE WILL BE A BREAK THROUGH?
MR HURD: THEY WILL CONTINUE SO LONG AS WE THINK IT IS LIKELY TO BE USEFUL TO CONTINUE THE TALKS, AND I HOPE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO A GOOD RESULT. I’VE JUST HAD A BRIEF OUTLINE OF WHAT PREMIER LI PENG SAID A FEW MINUTES AGO IN PEKING AND YOU WON’T EXPECT ME TO COMMENT ON IT IN DETAIL, BUT 1 NOTE THE POSITIVE TONE WHICH HE USED.
BRIAN BARRON (BBC TV): MR HURD, A LABOUR PARTY SPOKESMAN IN LONDON HAS DESCRIBED YOUR VISIT AS "ILL-TIMED AND PREMATURE” AND HE HAS ALSO SEVERELY CRITICISED THE GOVERNOR; WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?
MR HURD: WELL THAT IS WHAT OPPOSITIONS ARE PAID TO DO, AND IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GEORGE FOULKES IT’S SOMETHING HE SPECIALISES IN. I DON’T THINK THE SPRAYING OF ADJECTIVES ABOUT LIKE THAT REALLY ADDS VERY MUCH. I’VE ANSWERED A QUESTION ABOUT THE GOVERNOR WHEN 1 FIRST ARRIVED; SIR DAVID WILSON HAS THE FULL CONFIDENCE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG.
BRIAN BARRON (BBC TV): COULD I HAVE ONE FOLLOW-UP ON THAT?
MR HURD: YES, OF COURSE.
BRIAN BARRON (BBC TV): WOULD IT HAVE BEEN WISER TO HAVE INITIATED CONSULTATIONS WITH CHINA ABOUT THE AIRPORT AT AN EARLIER STAGE? A
MR HURD: THFY WERE OF COURSE INITIATED A LONG TIME AGO AND (’HINA HAS HAD A STEADILY INCREASING FLOW OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE AIRPORT PROJECT. THERE WAS NO COMPLAINT TO ME DURING THIS VISIT TO PEKING THAT THEY HAI) BEEN STARVED OF INFORMATION.
HARVEY PONG (WAH KIU YAT PO): MR DOUGLAS HURD, I SHOULD LIKE YOU TO CONFIRM THAT DURING YOUR TALKS WITH THE LEADERS OF (HINA, CONCESSIONS WERE MADE ON BOTH SIDES, AND DID YOU GIVE THEM A DEADLINE AFTER WHICH THERE WOULD BE NO MORE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT?
/MR HURD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
1
4
MR HURD: I’M NOT GOING TO GIVE DETAILS OF THE DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL GOING ON AND OBVIOUSLY IT WOULDN’T BE SENSIBLE TO DO SO. I THINK ONE CAN ONLY TALK OF CONCESSIONS WHEN THERE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN SOME SORT OF AGREEMENT AND WE HAVE NOT YET REACHED AGREEMENT. NO, I HAVE NEVER SET A DEADLINE OR ISSUED AN ULTIMATUM, 1 SIMPLY STATED A FACT THAT FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECT TO PROCEED ACCORDING TO THE TIMETABLE WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PLANNED, THERE WILL NEED TO BE A MEASURE OF SUPPORT FROM CHINA. THAT IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT, THAT IS NOT A THREAT OR AN ULTIMATUM, IT IS A STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC FACT, AND I HAVEN’T MET ANYONE IN HONG KONG, EITHER YESTERDAY OR TODAY OR WHEN I WAS HERE LAST WEEK WHO QUESTIONED THAT FACT, THAT IS A STATEMENT OF FACT, IT’S PART OF THE BACKGROUND.
JOHN ELLIOTT (FINANCIAL TIMES): COULD YOU SAY A BIT MORE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FACED IN THE TALKS IN PEKING? IS THE BASIC PROBLEM TO DO WITH THE AIRPORT AS A TOTAL PLAN AS TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE SPENT ON IT, THE DESIGN OF IT? OR IS IT TO DO WITH CHINA’S CONTINUING CONTROL AND INFLUENCE ON THAT PROJECT IN THE COMING YEARS?
MR HURD: THE DIFFERENCES HAVE NOT BEEN ENTIRELY ABOUT SUMS OF MONEY. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENCES AND WHEN I SAID THEY HAD EBBED AND FLOWED WHAT I MEANT BY THAT WAS THAT IN SOME DISCUSSIONS IT LOOKED AS IF THE DIFFERENCES WERE BECOMING RESOLVED AND IN OTHERS IT DID NOT; THAT IS WHAT I MEANT BY THE EBB AND FLOW OF DISCUSSION, AND THE DISCUSSION COVERED CERTAIN FINANCIAL MATTERS AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS. WE WERE GUIDED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE GUIDED BY THE TWO PRINCIPLES WHICH I HAVE JUST SET OUT WHICH SEEM TO ME CRUCIAL.
JOHN ELLIOTT (FINANCIAL TIMES): CAN I JUST FOLLOW UP? DOES THAT INDICATE THEN THAT THE BASIC PROBLEM IS THAT CHINA WANTS A CONTINUING SAY IN THE FINANCES AND THE RUNNING OF THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG WHICH YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO FACE? AND HOW DO YOU SEE THAT IN TERMS OF THE PRICE OF POLITICAL CONTROL - THE PHRASE YOU USED YOURSELF LAST WEEK?
MR HURD: I’M NOT GOING TO GO INTO THE SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS MADE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE OR THE SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS MADE FROM OUR SIDE. I THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR TO SAY THAT THE CHINESE ARE NOT SEEKING WHAT YOU CALL A CONTINUING CONTROL. WE HAVEN’T YET REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON POINTS WHICH 1 REGARD AS ESSENTIAL UNDER THE TWO PRINCIPLES I’VE MENTIONED.
KAREN CHENG (COMMERCIAL RADIO): YOU HAVE SAID THAT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES HAVE BEEN NARROWED, SO WHAT SORT OF DIFFERENCES HAVE BEEN NARROWED AND ALSO WILL THERE BE ANY CHANCE THAT THE AIRPORT PROJECT MAY BE SCRAPPED?
MR HURD: I’M SORRY TO HAVE TO STONEWALL BUT I AM NOT IN FACT, BECAUSE DISCUSSIONS ARE CONTINUING, TO GIVE DETAILS OF WHERE THE POINTS OF DIFFERENCE HAVE BEEN OR WHERE THE POINTS OF DIFFERENCE REMAIN. NO, THE AIRPORT PROJECT HAS OF COURSE NOT BEEN SCRAPPED; WE HOPE THAT AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED, THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CONTINUING THE DISCUSSIONS. IF IT IS NOT REACHED THEN IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT TO PROCEED ACCORDING TO THE TIMETABLE WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PLANNED.
/HUMPHREY HAWSLEY .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
HUMPHREY HAWKSLEY (BBC): MR HURD, IT SEEMS AS WE APPROACH 1991 THERE ARE GOING TO BE A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES WHICH ARE GOING T( STRADDLE THE TRANSITION PERIOD: EDUCATION, BUILDING OF HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, THE APPOINTMENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND THAT SORT OF THING. WILL YOU BE CONSULTING CHINA ON ALL OF THOSE ISSUES AND IF SO, HOW WILL YOU BE ABLE TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE RUNNING OF HONG KONG?
MR HURD: ON THE IMPORTANT ONES, THE ANSWER IS, YES. THIS IS NOT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OF COURSE, IT IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ON THE IMPORTANT ONES, ON IMPORTANT MATTERS WHICH STRADDLE 1997, THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS, YES, BUT CONSULTATION ' IS VERY CLEARLY DEFINED BY US, INDEED I DEFINED IT IN MY OPENING STATEMENT. CONSULTATION MEANS, IN ALL OUR LIVES, ASKING SOMEONE OR WELCOMING AN EXPRESSION OF SOMEONE’S OPINIONS, AND THEN HAVING RECEIVED AND LISTENED TO THOSE OPINIONS, MAKING UP ONE’S OWN MIND. THIS IS WHAT 1 MEAN WHEN I TALK OF THE EFFECTIVE AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BETWEEN NOW AND THE MIDDLE OF 1997. SO THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE CONSULTATION WHICH WE BELIEVE IS NOT ONLY JUSTIFIED BUT IS ACTUALLY COMMON SENSE IF THE TRANSITION IN 1997 IS TO BE AS SMOOTH AS WE CAN MAKE IT AND NOT A ROUGH JOLT.
HUMPHREY HAWKSLEY (BBC): DO YOU SPECIFY WHICH THE IMPORTANT ONES WOULD BE? FOR INSTANCE, A BIG HOSPITAL PROJECT, A MAJOR ROAD PROJECT, EDUCATION FACILITIES?
MR HURD: NO, THAT WILL BE A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): MR HURD, FOLLOWING UP THE QUESTION JUST NOW, DID YOU DETECT ANY DIFFERENCES IN INTERPRETATION OF THE TERM "CONSULTATION" DURING YOUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE LEADERS?
MR HURD: YES, I THINK THERE IS A CONTINUING DIFFICULTY HERE ON THIS POINT OF WHAT CONSULTATION MEANS IN PRACTICE, AND I THINK THERE IS SOME MERIT IN HAVING BROUGHT THIS OUT INTO THE OPEN. ONE THING T WAS VERY ANXIOUS TO DO - I MAY HAVE SAID IT TO YOU, I CAN’T REMEMBER -IS TO AVOID COMING AWAY AND SAYING, HOORAY WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT, WHEN IN FACT WE HAVEN’T, WHEN SOME IMPORTANT POINT HAS BEEN FUDGED. NOW THIS POINT ABOUT THE ACTUAL NATURE OF CONSULTATION - WHAT HAPPENS - IS A CRUCIAL ONE, AND WE HAVE EMPHASISED AT EVERY TURN THAT OUR INTENTION IS TO CONSULT WHERE MAJOR MATTERS STRADDLE 1997, BUT CONSULTATION MEANS PROVIDING THE CHINESE WITH INFORMATION, WELCOMING AN EXPRESSION OF THEIR VIEWS, BUT THEN PROCEEDING TO USE THE AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE DECISIONS AS PROVIDED FOR, AS ENVISAGED, IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): CAN I JUST FOLLOW UP?
MR HURD: OF COURSE.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION - DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE CHINESE HAVE TOLD YOU THAT OR THEY HAVE INDICATED IN ANY WAY THAT BY CONSULTATION THEY MEAN THAT WHATEVER NEXT STEP YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE CHINESE AND ASK THEM WHETHER THAT IS ACCEPTABLE?
/MR HURD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
- 6
MR HURD: NO. WELL, I THINK YOU MUST ASK THEM THAT, BUT I NOTICE AND RECALL - I CAN’T IMMEDIATELY LAY MY HAND ON - THE STATEMENTS OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER WHICH WERE PUBLIC STATEMENTS THAT -- HERE WE ARE — JUST BEFORE I SAW HIM IN PEKING - THIS IS A PUBLIC STATEMENT - HE TOLD JOURNALISTS THAT CHINA HAD NO INTENTION OF INTERFERRING IN THE DAY-TO-DAY ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG AND HE THEN UTTERED THREE NO’S: NO CONDOMINIUM, NO CONTROL, NO VETO.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): BUT WOULD THEY SEE THAT AS DAY-TO-DAY MATTERS OF HONG KONG - BUILDING THE AIRPORT, THE PROCEEDING OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT PROJECT?
MR HURD: WELL I THINK YOU MUST ASK THEM THAT. AS I SAY, WE HAVEN'T REACHED FULL AGREEMENT. IF WE HAD REACHED FULL AGREEMENT I MIGHT TAKE IT ON MYSELF TO INTERPRET THEIR VIEWS. AS WB ARE STILL TALKING TO THEM, AND AS YOUR QUESTION BEARS ON SOME OF THE POINTS AT ISSUE, I THINK MY BEST THING IS TO REFER YOU BACK TO WHAT THE FOREIGN MINISTER SAID AND THE THREE NO’S WHICH HE STATED: NO CONDOMINIUM, NO CONTROL, NO VETO.
DANIELA DEANE (WASHINGTON POST): YOU SAY THAT HONG KONG HAS TO RETAIN THE AUTHORITY AND CAPABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS BUT DOESN’T THIS RIGHT NOW SHOW THAT IT NO LONGER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT GO AHEAD WITH THIS AIRPORT WITHOUT CHINA SAYING, YES?
MR HURD: THAT, AS I HAVE SAID, IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT, IT’S NOT A POLICY STATEMENT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OR OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IT IS A STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC FACT THAT IF YOU HAVE A MAJOR PROJECT WHICH ON ANY FIGURES REQUIRES ABOUT ONE-QUARTER, ABOUT 25 PERCENT, PRIVATE INVESTMENT; AND IF YOU WERE AN INVESTOR INVESTING YOUR OWN RESOURCES OR THOSE OF THE WASHINGTON POST YOU WOULD WANT TO FIND OUT A BIT MORE OF WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER 1997 AND YOU WOULD WANT TO FIND OUT THE VIEWS OF THE SOVEREIGN POWER AFTER THAT TIME. AND SO THAT IS WHAT I MEAN BY A STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC FACT.
DANIELA DEANE (WASHINGTON POST): EXCUSE ME, ONE FOLLOW-UP ON THAT. THEY ALREADY KNOW ALL THE DETAILS OF THIS SPENDING AND THEY STILL ARE NOT SAYING, YES, SO NOTHING CAN HAPPEN UNTIL THEY SAY, YES. SO HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS RETAINED THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS?
MR HURD: I’M NOT -- YOU’RE MIXING-UP, IF I MAY SAY SO, TWO THINGS. YOU’RE MIXING-UP A POLITICAL QUESTION WHICH IS THE MEANING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE MEANING OF CONSULTATION, WITH AN ECONOMIC FACT. ECONOMIC FACTS TEND TO STRADDLE DATES SET BY POLITICIANS AND THAT IS SO IN THIS CASE, AND I DON’T SEE ANY POINT IN TRYING TO FUDGE THE POINT. I MEAN IT IS REALLY MUCH BETTER THAT THESE MATTERS ARE DEALT WITH IN TERMS OF REALITY.
/PHILIP BOWRING ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
PHILIP BOWRING (FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW): YOU MENTION THE QUESTION OF ECONOMIC FACTS. IS IT NOT AN ECONOMIC FACT THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT BELIEVE THIS AIRPORT IS NECESSARY FOR THE CONTINUED ROLE OF HONG KONG IN THIS REGION? (2) THAT THIS AIRPORT PROJECT IS COMMERCIALLY VIABLE? (3) THAT THERE ARE SOMETHING IN THE REGION OF 75 BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS WORTH OF RESERVES SITTING IN THE EXCHANGE FUND UNUSED? AND (D) THAT IF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT TRULY BELIEVES THAT THE AIRPORT PROJECT IS NECESSARY AND COMMERCIALLY VIABLE, WHY DOES IT NOT LEND THE MONEY ITSELF, GUARANTEED AGAINST THE PRE-RESERVES OF THE EXCHANGE FUND?
MR HURD: BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE POLICY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO LEND MONEY TO FINANCE HONG KONG - IT HAS NOT BEEN AND IT WILL NOT BE. THIS IS ONE OF THE COMMON POINTS - IF YOU CAN PUT IT THIS WAY -BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA. WE DON’T, NOW, SUPPORT HONG KONG FINANCIALLY, AND PEKING HAS NO INTENTION OF SUPPORTING THE S.A.R. FINANCIALLY.
PHILIP BOWRING: ...A LOAN TO'A GOVERNMENT IS A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT ANIMAL FROM A GRANT, NO DOUBT YOU ARE WELL AWARE OF THAT; THE ECGD FOR EXAMPLE IS IN A POSITION TO GUARANTEE CERTAIN LOANS FROM SUPPORTING ANY CONTRIBUTIONS THAT BRITAIN MIGHT MAKE TO THE AIRPORT PROJECT, LIKEWISE - IF I MAY REFER YOU BACK TO MY QUESTION RELATING TO THE FREE RESERVES OF THE EXCHANGE FUND - HERE ARE ALL THESE FINANCIAL RESOURCES, CAN THEY NOT BE PUT TO SEEING THAT WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A COMMERCIALLY VIABLE PROJECT WHICH IS NECESSARY FOR HONG KONG CAN BE CARRIED OUT BY INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS UNDER NORMAL RULES OF INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTING.
MR HURD: SUPPOSING SOME FORM OF SUPPORT FROM BRITAIN WHETHER IN THE FORM OF A SOFT LOAN OR...
PHILIP BOWRING: ...BRITISH GOVERNMENT LOAN I MADE IT VERY CLEAR.
MR HURD: I AM TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF WHAT YOU DID SAY. YOU ARE SAYING YOU ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A GRANT AND SO YOU ARE PRESUMABLY TALKING ABOUT A LOAN WHICH IS GUARANTEED IN SOME WAY. OF COURSE ECGD COVER IS ECGD COVER AND IT DOES COVER IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY BRITISH FIRMS. BUT I REPEAT MY MAIN POINTS WHICH YOUR QUESTION ASKS; THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN AND IT IS NOT THE POLICY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO GIVE BRITISH FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THIS OR TO ANY HONG KONG PROJECT. IT WOULD BE THOUGHT VERY ODD IF WE DID.
PHILIP BOWRING: CAN YOU ... TO THE RESERVES QUESTION?
MR HURD: THE USE WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MAKES OF ITS RESERVES IS A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
PHILIP BOWRING : I AM SORRY BUT THE EXCHANGE FUND RESERVES ARE TN FACT ENTIRELY IN YOUR CONTROL.
MR HURD: THE USE WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MAKES OF ITS RESERVES IS A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ALL THE FIGURES WHICH I HAVE SEEN FOR THE POSSIBLE VARIATIONS OF THE AIRPORT PROJECT INVOLVE ABOUT 25 PER CENT, ABOUT 1/4 OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND THAT’S WHY I FOCUSED ON THAT POINT IN MY EARLIER REPLY.
/S.Y. YUE ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
- 8 -
S.Y. YUE (HONG KONG STANDARD): HAVE YOU MADE THE PROMISE THAT HONG KONG WOULD PUT ASIDE A SUM OF MONEY IN THE FINANCIAL RESERVE TO THE S.A.R. GOVERNMENT? IF YOU DID, DO YOU CONSIDER PUTTING ASIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF RESERVE AS A KIND OF SACRIFICE OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL AUTONOMY ?
MR HURD: 1 DON’T WANT TO, AS I SAID, GO INTO THE DETAILS OF THE DISCUSSION AND THEREFORE I DON’T WANT TO GO INTO THE QUESTION OF WHAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED UNDER THE CONCERN WHICH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE ABOUT THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF HONG KONG IN 1997. COULD I JUST SAY THIS THOUGH IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. THE JOINT DECLARATION DOES PROVIDE FOR DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG. NOW, IT’S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF HONG KONG UP TO MID-1997 JUST AS IT’S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE S.A.R. TO KEEP HONG KONG’S FINANCES HEALTHY THEREAFTER. CHINESE WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE S.A.R. WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO CARRY OUT THIS DUTY FROM ITS FIRST DAYS.
S.Y. YUE: THE INTERPRETATION OF THAT CLAUSE, THAT IT MEANS TO PUT ASIDE A CERTAIN SUM OF MONEY FOR THE S.A.R. GOVERNMENT, IS THAT YOUR INTERPRETATION OR THEIRS ?
MR HURD: NO. I’VE TRIED TO DEAL WITH THE PRINCIPLE WHICH UNDERLAY YOUR QUESTION BUT I DON’T WANT TO GO INTO THE DETAILS OF DISCUSSIONS WHICH ARE STILL GOING ON ON THAT, AS WELL AS ON OTHER POINTS.
S.Y. YUE: I AM PUTTING ONE MORE HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION. IF WE DO PUT ASIDE A CERTAIN SUM OF MONEY DO YOU CONSIDER THAT AS A SACRIFICE OF THE FINANCIAL AUTONOMY OF HONG KONG ?
MR HURD: I BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE RESPONDING TO A CONCERN WHICH THE CHINESE HAVE, WHICH THEY BELIEVE IS JUSTIFIED UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION; BUT, AS I SAY, WE’VE NOT REACHED AGREEMENT ON HOW, ON IF, ON WHETHER OR HOW THAT MIGHT BE DONE. THAT IS ONE OF THE OUTSTANDING POINTS. THIS IS I THINK FAIRLY GENERALLY KNOWN.
STEVE VINES (OBSERVER): YOU WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT CHINESE ACQUIESCENCE IN THE AIRPORT PROJECT BUT CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHERE THE NEED FOR CHINESE ACQUIESCENCE IN MAJOR PROJECTS IN HONG KONG? WHERE THAT CROPS UP IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
MR HURD: I THINK 1 HAVE USED THE WORD TODAY; AND I SAID IT WASN’T A POLITICAL POINT BUT AN ECONOMIC POINT; THAT WHERE YOU HAVE A PROJECT WHICH REQUIRES, DESPITE THE QUESTIONER FROM THE FAR EAST ECONOMIC REVIEW, WHICH REQUIRES UNDER ANY VARIATION ABOUT 25 PER CENT PRIVATE INVESTMENT THEN IN PRACTICE THAT ACQUIESCENCE IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY; AND I HAVEN'T MET ANYBODY HERE, ALTHOUGH I HAVE ASKED THE QUESTION SEVERAL TIMES OF A GOOD MANY PEOPLE WHO QUESTIONED THAT AS AN ECONOMIC FACT.
STEVE VINES (OBSERVER): SO, CAN PROJECTS GO AHEAD WITHOUT CHINESE ACQUIESCENCE?
/MR HURD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
9
MR HURD: THAT WILL DEPEND ON THE PROJECT. WHAT WE HAVE SAID POLITICALLY UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION IS THAT WE ARE WILLING TO CONSULT ON MAJOR MATTERS WHICH STRADDLE 1997 AND I AM GLAD THE QUESTIONING EARLIER BROUGHT OUT WHAT THE MEANING OF CONSULT IS. THAT DOES NOT IMPAIR THE EFFECTIVE AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ECONOMIC FACTS, AS THIS DISCUSSION HAS ILLUSTRATED, ARE A DIFFERENT MATTER. BUT THEY CAN’T BE. YOU KNOW, THEY CAN’T BE IGNORED OR FUDGED OR REGARDED AS A POLITICAL DECISION, THEY ARE ECONOMIC FACTS.
PETER MAIZE (TVB): A CHINESE OFFICIAL THIS MORNING TOOK THE ISSUE OF INTERFERING IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS TO A NEW LEVEL BY SAYING THAT HONG KONG WAS INTERFERING IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF THE S.A.R. WHICH DOES NOT EXIST YET BECAUSE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS WITHHOLDING INFORMATION, FINANCIAL INFORMATION, DURING THE DISCUSSIONS. THIS CAME FROM A DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE. IS THAT TRUE THAT BRITAIN HAS NOT, AND THE HONG KONG NEGOTIATORS HAVE NOT GIVEN THE CHINESE SIDE ALL OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION THAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR?
MR HURD: NO SUCH COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO ME IN ANY OF THE MEETINGS I HAD. IT’S A COMPLAINT WHICH I THINK WAS QUITE FAMILIAR SOME TIME AGO BUT I CERTAINLY HAVE RECEIVED NO IMPRESSION IN PEKING THAT THE CHINESE WERE COMPLAINING OF LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
CLAUDIA MO (AFP): YOUR CHINESE COUNTERPART, QIAN QICHEN SAID IN PEKING YESTERDAY THAT IN HIS VIEW, THIS AIRPORT BUSINESS SHOULD BE SETTLED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. DO YOU SHARE THIS OPTIMISM?
MR HURD: WELL, HE SAID, 1 THINK, HE HOPED IT WOULD BE AND I HOPE IT WOULD BE. I AM NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING PROPHECIES.
CLAUDIA MO (AFP): DID YOU HAVE TO SCALE DOWN THE PROJECT IN ANY WAY TO PLEASE THE CHINESE?
MR HURD: CHINESE DID NOT PRESS ME TO SCALE DOWN THE PROJECT. THEY SAID THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THEIR CONCERN IS WHETHER THAT WOULD LEAVE THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF HONG KONG, AT THE MOMENT WHEN SOVEREIGNTY PASSES TO CHINA, AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCES PASSES TO THE S.A.R., WHICH IS NOT YET IN EXISTENCE. THIS WAS THE POINT THAT THEY CONTINUOUSLY RETURNED TO AND WHICH I THINK PREMIER LI PENG RETURNED TO A SHORT TIME AGO IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCE.
STEVE DOUGHERTY (DAILY MAIL): I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG THIS STALEMATE CAN CONTINUE YOU THINK BEFORE IT BEGINS TO HAVE A SERIOUS EFFECT ON CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG ? AND I’D ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF BRITAIN CAN BRING ANY SANCTIONS TO BEAR ON CHINA TO TRY AND ENCOURAGE AGREEMENT.
/MR HURD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
10
MR HURD: WE WILL CONTINUE THIS IMMEDIATE ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS AS LONG AS WE THINK IT’S USEFUL AND THE SAME IS NO DOUBT TRUE ON THE CHINESE SIDE. I USE THE WORD EBB AND FLOW AND I HAVE TRIED TO DESCRIBE WHY I USE IT, BECAUSE IT HAS FROM TIME TO TIME IN THESE LAST FEW DAYS BEEN OUR IMPRESSION THAT THE DIFFERENCES WERE NARROWING QUITE SUBSTANTIALLY AND QUICKLY. AT OTHER TIMES WE HAVE HAD THE OTHER IMPRESSION. THAT’S WHY I HAVE AUTHORISED THE OFFICIALS TO STAY IN PEKING FOR A FEW DAVS IN ORDER TO TRY AND ESTABLISH WHETHER THERE IS ROOM FOR A QUICK AGREEMENT. I HOPE THAT THERE IS AND WE WILL USE -IT’S NOT A QUESTION OF SANCTIONS ON EITHER SIDE - IT’S A QUESTION OF CLEARLY PERCEIVED INTERESTS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS. THIS AS I SAY, IS GOING TO BE BETWEEN NOW AND ’97 AND NOT JUST ON THE AIRPORT BUT MAY BE ON OTHER THINGS. IT’S GOING TO BE AN UPHILL BUSINESS BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE A DIFFICULT CONCEPT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION WORK. I HAVEN’T HEARD ANYBODY PRODUCE A DIFFERENT CONCEPT. I HAVEN’T HEARD ANYONE PRODUCE A DIFFERENT ANSWER TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. IF PEOPLE DO PRODUCE A DIFFERENT ANSWER, THEN WE WILL HAVE TO SAY WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE JOINT DECLARATION. BUT I AM STRENGTHENED IN SUPPORTING THE JOINT DECLARATION BY THE FACT THAT IN FIFTEEN MONTHS OR WHATEVER, I REALLY HAVE NOT HEARD ANYONE, HOWEVER FIERCE THEIR CRITICISMS, SUGGESTING A DIFFERENT ROAD FOR HONG KONG. SO LONG AS THAT IS SO WE HAVE TO TRAVEL THIS ROAD; PICK OUR WAY THROUGH THE OBSTACLES; SOMETIMES THIS MAY TAKE SOME TIME. I THINK THAT IS A FAMILIAR THOUGHT TO MANY BUSINESSMEN IN HONG KONG. IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME AND THE THING IS TO PERSEVERE AND THAT IS WHAT WE INTEND TO DO BASING OURSELVES ON THE TWO PRINCIPLES WHICH I DEFINED AT THE BEGINNING, BOTH OF WHICH SEEM TO BE CRUCIAL, WHICH DO NOT CONTRADICT EACH OTHER AND IT’S IN THE RECONCILING OF THOSE TWO PRINCIPLES - CO-OPERATION AND CONSULTATION WITH CHINA AND THE EFFECTIVE AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT - THAT THE WAY FORWARD LIES.
FOO CHOY PENG (STRAITS TIMES SINGAPORE): YOU KEEP REFERRING TO IMPORTANT MATTERS THAT NEED CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, BUT THERE WILL BE MANY OCCASIONS IN THE FUTURE ON WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FEELS IT DOES NOT HAVE TO CONSULT CHINA AND CHINA FEELS THESE MATTERS NEED TO BE CONSULTED. SO IS THERE A FINAL ARBITER OR A GUIDING PRINCIPLE ON THIS TO PREVENT FUTURE CONFRONTATION?
MR HURD: NO, BUT THERE IS MACHINERY OF COURSE. ONE OF MY CONCERNS HAS BEEN TO REACTIVATE THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. THERE IT IS. IT IS THE MACHINERY SET UP UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION PRECISELY TO DEAL WITH THESE SORTS OF MATTERS AND IT’S GOT A PILE OF PROBLEMS WAITING TO BE SOLVED AND I HOPE THAT IT MAY NOW MAKE BETTER SPEED.
JOHN ELLIOTT (FINANCIAL TIMES): COULD J FIRST MAKE THE POINT THAT VERY FEW OF US IF ANYBODY HAS HEARD OF THIS 25 PER CENT PRIVATE SECTOR FIGURE BEFORE YOU BEGAN TO PRODUCE IT AFTER YOUR MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNMENT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD IT AND I HAVE FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT IN ’PHONE CALLS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS TO FIND ANY OFFICIAL WHO CAN EXPLAIN IT TO ME. COULD I ASK YOU THE QUESTION. GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE ARE $73 BILLION IN THE MAIN FISCAL RESERVES, AND ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT AGAIN IN THE EXCHANGE FUND, PLUS THE LAND FUNDS BEING BUILT UP, GIVEN THE FACT PLUS THE S.A.R. LAND FUND WHICH HAS BEEN BUILT UP, AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE U.K. GOVERNMENT HAS CONTROL OVER PART OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AND WHAT HAPPENS TO IT, WHY DON’T YOU CLEAR UP THIS DIPLOMATIC HASSLE BY GIVING THE AUTHORITY JOINTLY WITH THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE FUNDS TO BE USED AND FOR THE AIRPORT TO BE BUILT?
/MR HURD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
11 -
MR HURD: WELL I SIMPLY REPEAT MY ANSWER. I HAVE SEEN VARIOUS FIGURES AND 1 HAVE HAD VARIOUS PRESENTATIONS AND THEY HAVE ALL INCLUDED ABOUT A QUARTER PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT AND I HAVE CHECKED THE POINT WITH THE RELEVANT OFFICERS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THEY HAVE REPEATED THAT POINT. THAT IS THE BASIS ON WHICH THE PROJECT IS BEING PREPARED, OBVIOUSLY IT’S NOT IN FINAL FORM AND THERE ARE VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR IT. BUT ONE COMMON FACTOR IN THOSE OPTIONS AND IN THE PREPARATIONS WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS MADE IS THAT SIZEABLE ABOUT A QUARTER PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT.
JOHN ELLIOTT (FINANCIAL TIMES): WHAT ABOUT THE USE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND BECAUSE IF YOU PRODUCE ANOTHER 75 BILLION FROM THE EXCHANGE FUND THEN YOU HAVE GOT MORE THAN THAT MONEY. THEN YOU DON’T NEED PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT AT ALL. WHY DON’T YOU AS THE FOREIGN SECRETARY CLEAR THE PROBLEM BY SAYING THAT THE U.K. GOVERNMENT WILL AUTHORISE THE USE OF PART OF THE EXCHANGE FUND?
MR HURD: BUT THAT IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AND I THINK IT WILL BE VERY STRANGE AND WRONG TO ATTEMPT TO USE IT IN THAT WAY. SO FAR AS I KNOW- YOURS IS THE FIRST SUGGESTION I’VE HEARD OF THIS- I REPEAT WHAT I’VE BEEN TOLD ABOUT A PROJECT WHICH IS NOT A BRITISH GOVERNMENT PROJECT BUT A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PROJECT; I REPEAT WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT ITS NATURE AND ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH IT CAN PROCEED.
FRANCIS YIP (RTHK): WHAT WILL BE THE EFFECT TO HONG KONG SOCIETY AND TO SINO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIP IF THE TALKS ON THE AIRPORT BREAK DOWN?
MR HURD: IF THE PRESENT EFFORT TO REACH AGREEMENT IS NOT COMPLETED, THEN OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE A GOOD DEAL OF DISAPPOINTMENT HERE AND INDEED AT HOME AND IT WILL THEN RE A QUESTION OF TIMING, JUDGMENT, AS TO WHEN THE ATTEMPT CAN BE RENEWED. BUT THE WHOLE EMPHASIS L WANT TO GIVE TODAY IS ON PERSEVERING IN ATTEMPTS, SO THAT TN THE IMMEDIATE CASE HONG KONG WILL GET A NEW AIRPORT, BUT THERE WILL BE OTHER CASES WHERE THE SAME PRINCIPLE WILL HAVE TO BE APPLIED.
CHRISTINE MCGEE (HK STANDARD): COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US WHAT ROLE THE CHINESE ARE SEEKING ON THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY? AND (2) IF IT IS TRUE, ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR RIGHT OF VETO ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT?
MR HURD: WELL, I’M NOT GOING TO - I’M STONEWALLING AGAIN - I’M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU THE DETAILS OF WHAT’S BEEN DISCUSSED BUT I REFER YOU BACK TO WHAT THE FOREIGN MINISTER SAID ABOUT NO VETO.
YUEN KEE WONG (WEN WEI PO): JUST NOW YOU SAID THAT DIFFERENCES IN THE TALKS ARE NARROWING SUBSTANTIALLY, BUT AGAIN IN BEIJING CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE SAYING THAT THEY ARE GIVING IN TOO MANY CONCESSIONS AND THERE WILL BE NO UNLIMITED CONCESSIONS. AND THEN YOU SAID THAT YOU HOPED FOR QUICK AGREEMENT. WOULD YOU GO ON PRESSING FOR MORE CONCESSIONS FROM CHINA, OR WOULD YOU SETTLE FOR AN AGREEMENT WITHOUT PRESSING FOR ANY MORE CONCESSIONS FROM CHINA?
/MR HURD .......
12
MR HURD: I SAID I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN AGREEMENT. I DELIBERATELY SAID I WASN’T GOING TO PROPHESY THE OUTCOME. I ALSO SAID THAT ON SOME OCCASIONS IT LOOKED AS IF THE DIFFERENCES WERE NARROWING, ON OTHER OCCASIONS IT DID NOT, AND THAT IS WHY I USED THIS PHRASE ’’THE EBB AND FLOW OF DISCUSSION”. BUT THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE TAKEN' A FORM WHICH SEEM TO ME TO JUSTIFY CONTINUING THE EFFORT. OBVIOUSLY I HOPE THE EFFORT WILL SUCCEED - I CANNOT BE SURE OF THAT. AND IN ANY SUCH EFFORT OF COURSE THERE IS DISCUSSION AND COUNTER-DISCUSSION, SUGGESTION AND COUNTER-SUGGESTION, AND NO ONE IS EXPECTING ANYBODY TO MAKE UNLIMITED CONCESSIONS, THAT’S NOT THE WAY THESE DISCUSSIONS WORK.
HANS VRIENS (RADIO NETHERLANDS); MR HURD, COULD YOU PLEASE SAY ON HOW MANY POINTS YOU STILL HAVE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE?
MR HURD: NO, I CAN’T SAY THAT I’M AFRAID, BUT IT IS MORE THAN ONE, IT’S MORE THAN JUST THE FIGURES AND THE QUESTION OF FINANCIAL STABILITY, THERE ARE OTHER POINTS.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): CAN YOU GIVE AN UNDERTAKING THAT IF IN THE END YOU DID REACH A DEAL WITH THE CHINESE THE FULL DETAILS WOULD BE REVEALED TO HONG KONG? AND ALSO, JUDGING FROM WHAT YOU SAID JUST NOW, IS IT TRUE THAT THE AIRPORT PROJECT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO GO AHEAD -IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIMING? THAT WE MAY NEED TO DELAY IT IF, SAY, NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CHINESE IS NOT THAT SUCCESSFUL IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
MR HURD: I KNOW THE GOVERNOR, AND THIS IS REALLY A MATTER FOR HIM, IS VERY ANXIOUS IN ALL THESE MATTERS TO DEAL OPENLY WITH THOSE WHO ADVISE HIM AND THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE IN HONG KONG. ON THE SECOND POINT I REPEAT WHAT 1 SAID: WE HOPE THAT AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED, IF IT ISN’T THEN - AND THIS IS A MATTER OF JUDGMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT - IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECT TO PROCEED ACCORDING TO THE TIMETABLE WHICH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PLAN. THAT DOES NOT REMOVE THE NEED FOR A NEW AIRPORT ON WHICH ALL SIDES ARE AGREED. I THINK THAT IS ALL ONE CAN REASONABLY SAY BY WAY OF PREDICTION AT THE PRESENT TIME.
FANNY WONG (SCMP): DEFINITELY GOING TO GO AHEAD AT CHEK LAP KOK?
MR HURD: THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A REAL PROBLEM ABOUT THE SITE. NO ONE SUGGESTED TO ME, IN PEKING, THAT THE SITE SHOULD BE CHANGED.
ROBINA GIBB (NEWSWEEK): YOU TALK ABOUT HOW CRUCIAL IT IS TO GET AN AGREEMENT FOR THE PROGRESS OF CONSULTATION TO HAPPEN, YET THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. CAN YOU SAY THEN WHY IN RETROSPECT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DIDN’T GET STARTED SOONER WITH THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION? WE’RE VERY LATE IN THE DAY NOW.
MR HURD: THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. WELL THAT REALLY IS k MATTER FOR THEM; THEY HAVE INCREASINGLY IN RECENT TIMES PROVIDED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WITH THE INFORMATION WHICH THEY WANTED AND GONE INTO VERY DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM WHICH MY TEAM OF OFFICIALS AND 1 HAVE CARRIED FORWARD. AND I REPEAT, ONE CAN HARK BACK IN THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE, BUI' IT WASN’T A POINT PRESSED ON ME IN PEKING. THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON OTHER MATTERS BUT THERE WASN’T A CRITICISM OF LACK OF INFORMATION. THERE WAS THAT CRITICISM EARLIER BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT’S BEEN MET. I THINK IF IT HADN’T BEEN MET I WOULD HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT.
/HUMPHREY HAWSLEY .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
- 13 -
HUMPHREY HAWKSLEY (BBC): MR HURD, IT’S NEARLY TWO YEARS SINCE THE SUPPRESSION OF THE STUDENT PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN PEKING, COULD YOU PERHAPS LOOK BACK A BIT - YOU’RE DEALING WITH THE SAME GOVERNMENT NOW - AND TELL US HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NATURE OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE YOU’RE NEGOTIATING WITH?
MR HURD: THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT RUN A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH PRODUCED IN 1989 A TRAGEDY ABOUT WHICH EVERYBODY, AND CERTAINLY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND MANY, MANY PEOPLE HERE, EXPRESSED VERY STRONG VIEWS. THEY RUN A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH PRODUCES A CONTINUING ANXIETY ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS AND I MADE THE POINT IN PEKING TWICE TO LEADERS THAT IT WAS A MISTAKE TO SUPPOSE THAT PEOPLE WHO EXPRESSED THIS ANXIETY WERE IN SOME WAY ENEMIES OF CHINA, THAT IT WAS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE TO BE FRIENDLY TO CHINA AND TO EXPRESS THESE ANXIETIES, AND THAT THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY WAS NOT DOING HIS JOB IF HE DIDN’T EXPRESS THOSE ANXIETIES IN PEKING. AND I DID IT IN GENERAL TERMS AND WITH RELATION, AS I’VE SAID, TO TIBET AND TO SPECIFIC PEOPLE LIVING IN HONG KONG. SO THERE’S A CONTINUING PROBLEM WHICH DIDN'T START IN JUNE 4, 1989 AND HASN’T FINISHED SINCE THEN, IT IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM. IT’S A PROBLEM AS AN ANXIETY WHICH CAN BE AND IN MY VIEW SHOULD BE STATED TO THE CHINESE LEADERS, MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THIS ISN’T AN ATTACK UPON CHINA, IT ISN’T DONE BY PEOPLE WHO WISH CHINA ILL, BUT THE CONTRARY. THAT, I THINK CAN BE ACHIEVED.
CLAUDIA MO: AREN’T YOU INTERFERING IN CHINA’S INTERNAL AFFAIRS?
MR HURD: WELL DO YOU KNOW, I EXPECTED TO BE TOLD THAT AND WASN’T.
C.K. CHEUNG (TVB NEWS): MR HURD, YOU DID EXPLAIN TO US VERY CLEARLY ABOUT HOW TO CO-OPERATE WITH CHINA, AND YOUR POSITION, YOUR PRINCIPLE, TO CONSULT AND TO CO-OPERATE. CAN YOU GIVE US THE SAME GUIDELINE ABOUT HOW WILL YOU ACCEPT - SAY LIKE WILL YOU ACCEPT IN PRINCIPLE TO PUT ASIDE A LUMP-SUM NOW, OR YOU JUST PROMISE AN AMOUNT IN 1997?
MR HURD: NO, THAT COMES CLEARLY UNDER THE HEADING OF ONE OF THE POINTS THAT IS BEING DISCUSSED AND HAS NOT BEEN AGREED, AND ON WHICH THEREFORE I WOULDN’T PREFER TO COMMENT FURTHER THAN I HAVE, BUT I HAVE DEALT, IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION FROM ONE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, WITH THE PRINCIPLE WHICH I THINK IS INVOLVED HERE.
HARVEY PONG (WAH KIU YAT PO): THE DALAI LAMA, THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF TIBET, VISITED LONDON AND BOTH YOU AND THE PRIME MINISTER REFUSED TO MEET HIM. BY DOING SO, DO YOU MEAN TO SEND A STRONG SIGNAL TO PEKING THAT THE UK HAS NO INTENTION TO INTERFERE IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF CHINA?
/MR HURD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
14
MR HURD: THE DALAI LAMA, ON THIS VERY RECENT VISIT TO BRITAIN, WAS RECEIVED IN RATHER A DIFFERENT WAY THAN ON HIS PREVIOUS VISIT. HE WAS RECEIVED BY RATHER MORE PEOPLE, INCLUDING BY THE THE LORD IELLOR WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS THE PRESIDING ' ?cy ; OF ONE’ OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, SO THERE WAS A CHANGfe. IT A CHANGE AGAINST WHICH THE CHINESE PROTESTED BEFORE I WENT TO ‘NG, THEY BELIEVED THAT THIS CHANGE IN THE WAY THE DALAI LLAMA HAD J RECEIVED WAS OPEN TO CRITICISM. THIS PARTICULAR POINT WAS NOT RAISED IN PEKING - THE QUESTION OF THE DALAI LAMA -- NO, THAT’S NOT QUITE TRUE - IT WAS RAISED, I BEG YOUR PARDON, IT WAS RAISED BY THE CHINESE SIDE. BUT THE QUESTION OF TIBET WAS RAISED BY ME BOTH WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER AND WITH JIANG ZEMIN WHO TALKED TO ME ABOUT A VISIT WHICH HE’D MADE TO TIBET NOT VERY LONG AGO, AND AGAIN I EXPRESSED THE FACT THAT THERE WAS STRONG ANXIETY AND EMOTION ON THIS IN BRITAIN AND THAT THIS HAD BEEN INCREASED, FOCUSED BY THE RECENT VISIT OF THE DALAI LAMA.
CHRIS CHEUNG (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF THE EXCO AND LEGCO OVER THE S1NO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT? AND HOW CAN YOU ASSURE US THAT HONG KONG INTERESTS WILL BE PROTECTED?
MR HURD: IN THE WHAT? - I MISSED THE FIRST PART OF YOUR QUESTION.
CHRIS CHEUNG (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF THE EXCO AND LEGCO OVER THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT?
MR HURD: WELL AS I UNDERSTAND IT, BUT I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON THIS, THERE IS LEGISLATION EITHER THROUGH OR GOING THROUGH - I THINK THROUGH - THE LEGCO ABOUT THE ROLE AND POWERS OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, BUT THAT IS A POINT YOU MUST PRESS WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BUT I BELIEVE THAT IS RIGHT.
A.T. REYES (ASIAWEEK): CONSIDERING THAT THE AIRPORT ISSUE HAS GONE TO SUCH A HIGH LEVEL, DOES THAT INDICATE THAT IN FUTURE CONSULTATIONS THAT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT -THAT IN FACT THE CHINESE WOULD PREFER TO DEAL DIRECTLY WITH LONDON?
MR HURD: NO, INDEED NOT. TO COIN A PHRASE, I’M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION, IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE. I HAD TO TAKE PAINS OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO MAKE IT CLEAR IN PEKING THAT ON A GOOD MANY OF THESE POINTS THE DECISIONS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY LAY NOT IN LONDON BUT HERE IN HONG KONG. I HAD A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GOVERNOR WITH ME AND HE IS STILL THERE IN THE TEAM, AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, SO IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT. I HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO MAKE SURE THE WORDS I USED EMPHASISED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG RATHER THAN HMG IN LONDON.
CHRIS LOCKWOOD (DAILY TELEGRAPH): YOU HAVE TOLD US THAT YOU RAISED THE QUESTIONS OF TIBET AND OF FOUR PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG WHO ARE NOW SERVING - OR THREE OF THEM SERVING LONG JAIL SENTENCES IN CHINA, BUT YOU HAVEN’T TOLD US WHAT THE CHINESE SAID IN REPLY TO THOSE CONCERNS.
/MR HURD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
15
MR HURD: THEY, AS REGARDS THE FOUR - THERE WERE FOUR ACTUALLY -NOW IN PRISON IN CHINA FROM HONG KONG, THEY SIMPLY ASKED FOR DETAILS OF THE NAMES AND CASES, WHICH WE’VE SUPPLIED. AS REGARDS TIBET, THEY PRODUCED THE EXPLANATION WHICH I THINK YOU WOULD PROBABLY EXPECT, ABOUT THE CHANGES FOR THE BETTER WHICH THEY SAID HAD OCCURRED IN TIBET, AND THE BELIEF THAT THESE ARGUMENTS AND CRITICISMS ABOUT TIBET WERE PRODUCED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE HOSTILE TO CHINA, AND THAT GAVE MB THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE POINT WHICH I HAVE JUST MADE AND WON’T REPEAT TO YOU, THAT THIS WAS EMPHATICALLY NOT SO.
CHRIS LOCKWOOD (DAILY TELEGRAPH): NOW THE PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG, YOU GAVE THEM THE NAMES, ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE EXTREMELY HEAVY SENTENCES THAT HAVE BEEN HANDED DOWN TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE CROWN?
MR HURD: WELL, I DON’T WANT TO GO INTO THE LEGAL ARGUMENT BECAUSE THAT IS ONE, CERTAINLY, WHICH THE CHINESE WOULD STRONGLY DISPUTE. WE WILL SEE. WE WILL SEE WHAT ALLEVIATION THERE MAY BE. THEY DIDN’T, CERTAINLY, UNDERTAKE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN LOOK AT THE CASES WHEN I PROVIDED THE DETAILS.
WONG SAU YING (AP): MR HURD, MINUTES AGO YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW TIANANMEN SQUARE, AND ALSO HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES, AND TO WHAT EXTENT YOU FEEL THAT SORT OF POST-JUNE 4 SENTIMENT IS STILL HANGING AROUND IN CHINA, AND WHEN IT COMES TO AFFAIRS, WHEN IT COMES TO NEGOTIATIONS OR WHATEVER AFFAIRS THAT IS LINKED TO HONG KONG. TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU THINK THAT THE POST-TIANANMEN SQUARE SENTIMENT IS STILL HANGING AROUND WITHIN THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND WITH THE CHINESE OFFICIALS, WHEN IT COMES TO AFFAIRS IN HONG KONG?
MR HURD: I THINK - SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU BUT I GRASPED YOUR QUESTION - I THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENED IN TIANANMEN SQUARE HAS HAD A POWERFUL EFFECT ON THE WORKING OUT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION - BOTH WAYS! IT SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ANXIETY HERE IN HONG KONG, THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN, AS I SAID, RESILIENCE SINCE THEN. 1 THINK, ALSO, THE WESTERN REACTION TO WHAT HAPPENED IN TIANANMEN SQUARE, INCREASED THE SUSPICION OF HONG KONG IN SOME PEOPLE’S MINDS IN PEKING. SO I DON’T DOUBT THAT THAT DISASTER, THAT TRAGEDY, HAS HAD AN EFFECT BOTH WAYS ON THE QUESTION WHICH WE’VE SPENT MOST OF THE LAST HOUR OR SO DISCUSSING.
WONG SAU YING: HAVE YOU BEEN IN ANY WAY HELPED TO CLEAR THAT SORT OF SUSPICION TOWARDS HONG KONG AND BRITAIN?
MR HURD: TIME WILL SHOW. OBVIOUSLY IF THERE HAD BEEN AN IMMEDIATE AGREEMENT I COULD HAVE ANSWERED THAT QUESTION, YES. AS IT IS I CAN ONLY SAY, TIME WILL SHOW.
WONG SAU YING: SO DOES THAT MEAN THAT’S, NO?
MR HURD: NO, IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT.
PETER MAIZE (TVB): MR HURD, JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. ARE YOU SAYING THAT WHEN AN AGREEMENT IS FINALLY REACHED ON THE AIRPORT THAT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL BE TOLD HOW MUCH MONEY IS GOING TO BE SET ASIDE FOR THE FUTURE S.A.R. GOVERNMENT, THE MECHANISM FOR WHICH THAT MONEY WILL BE SET ASIDE, AND OTHER CONCESSIONS AND AGREEMENTS THAT WERE MADE?
/MR HURD .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
16
MR HURD: WELL I THINK THAT IS A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNOR, THEREFORE I CHOSE MY WORDS RATHER GENERALLY IN ANSWERING THE EARLIER QUESTION, AND I KNOW FROM WHAT HE SAID TO ME, THE GOVERNOR IS VERY ANXIOUS TO DEAL OPENLY ON THESE MATTERS.
PETER MAIZE: 1 ' I ¥<" THINK, FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW, THAT THE HONG KONG I I T'l.l- HA'. I. \ RIGHT Ti KNOW, BECAUSE THEY WILL BE CERTAINLY HIE MEMBERS OF THE P<>PULACE OF THE S.A.R. GOVERNMENT? ISN’T IT THEIR RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT DEALS ARE BEING MADE AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAT AFFECT THEM?
MR HURD: THERE WILL BE, FROM SEPTEMBER, A DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT IN LEGCO AND WE HOPE THAT THAT WILL RUN RIGHT THROUGH 1995, 1997, AND THERE WILL BE THEREFORE A DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT TO ENQUIRE AND LOOK INTO PRECISELY THESE THINGS. AND I THINK THAT I WILL REST ON WHAT I’VE SAID, THAT THE GOVERNOR SIR DAVID WILSON IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR QUESTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DEALING IN THE WAY I HAVE DESCRIBED. I DON’T THINK I’D BETTER GO BEYOND THAT.
Y.C. LEUNG (HK ECONOMIC JOURNAL): MR HURD, CAN YOU ASSURE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT ANY DECISION OR AGREEMENT WHICH INCLUDES PEKING WOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG?
MR HURD: WE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE NO INTERESTS IN OUR DEALINGS WITH CHINA WHICH IN ANY WAY MATCH IN IMPORTANCE TO THE INTERESTS OF PROTECTING HONG KONG. ALL THE OTHER THINGS I DISCUSSED WITH THE PEKING LEADERS - THERE WERE QUITE A FEW AS I TOLD YOU -INTERNATIONAL MATTERS, MIDDLE EAST, BI-LATERAL MATTERS BUT NONE OF THEM HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THE SAME SIGNIFICANCE AS THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND THE MATTERS WE DISCUSSED ABOUT THAT. SO THE IDEA WHICH I HAVE COME ACROSS HERE BEFORE THAT THERE ARE SOME SUBTLE BUT SUBSTANTIAL PURELY BRITISH INTERESTS TO WHICH HONG KONG IS SACRIFICED, ARE NONSENSE. NO ONE CAN IDENTIFY SUCH INTERESTS BECAUSE THEY DON’T EXIST. OBVIOUSLY, WE’D LIKE TO HAVE A FRIENDLY AND REASONABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AS WE WOULD WITH ANY COUNTRY. BUT THE ISSUE WHICH IS OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE IN DEALINGS BETWEEN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND CHINA IS THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. I HOPE THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.
JOHN ELLIOTT (FINANCIAL TIMES): IF IT PROVES IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AGREEMENT WITH CHINA ON THE AIRPORT WOULD YOU THEN CONSIDER OR BE PREPARED TO ENCOURAGE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER BUILDING THE AIRPORT USING OTHER FINANCES WITHOUT USING THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THEREFORE WITHOUT NEEDING CHINA’S APPROVAL ?
MR HURD: NO SUCH PROJECT HAS BEEN PREPARED. 1 DON’T WANT TO SAY NEVER TO ANYTHING, BUT ALL I CAN TELL YOU AT THIS TIME IS THAT THE PROJECT WHICH HAS BEEN PREPARED IN SUBSTANTIAL DETAIL ON WHICH THE INFORMATION HAS BEEN PASSED TO THE CHINESE IN VARIOUS FORMS, A PROJECT’ WHICH HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO ME NOW AND ON TWO VISITS IN 1990 AND AGAIN THIS YEAR, THE PROJECT WHICH WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS A PROJECT WHICH HAS THIS VERY SUBSTANTIAL PRIVATE SECTOR INPUT. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PROJECT. I DON’T THINK YOU CAN EXPECT ME TO GO BEYOND THAT.
/DANIELA DEANE ......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
17
DANIELA DEANE (WASHINGTON POST): DOES WORK NOW STOP ON THE AIRPORT UNTIL WE WAIT FOR CHINESE BLESSING?
MR. HURD: NO, | DON’T THINK THERE’S BEEN ANY CHANGE IN WHAT IS
ING ON \T IHl- MOMENT. THAI IS EMPHATICALLY A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. 1 WON’T READ IT OUT AGAIN BUT I USED A FORM OF WORDS OBVIOUSLY WHICH CAME FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN ANSWERING THAT POI NT.
- 0---------
STATEMENT ON PROPOSED KCRC FARE-CHARGING RESIDENTS’ COACH SERVICES
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE PROPOSED PROVISION BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION OF FARE-CHARGING RESIDENTS’ COACH SERVICES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WOULD NOT NORMALLY LICENSE A RESIDENTS’ SERVICE WITHOUT PROOF THAT THE SERVICE WAS DEMANDED AND SUPPORTED BY THE RESIDENTS TO BE SERVED.
"THE RESIDENTS ARE FREE TO CHOOSE THE PREFERRED BUS OPERATOR AND THE LEVEL OF FARES THEY WILL ACCEPT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AS AND WHEN THE KCRC PUTS IN AN APPLICATION TO RUN A RESIDENTS’ SERVICE, IT WILL BE PROCESSED IN THE SAME MANNER AND UNDER THE SAME CRITERIA AS CURRENTLY APPLIED TO OTHER NON-FRANCHISED PUBLIC BUS OPERATORS," HE ADDED.
THE KCRC AS A NON-FRANCHISED BUS OPERATOR IS PREVENTED FROM OPERATING A FARE-CHARGING FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, IT IS FREE TO OFFER TO OPERATE A FARE-CHARGING RESIDENTS’ SERVICE TN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER NON-FRANCHISED OPERATORS.
THE PROVISION OF THE EXISTING FREE FEEDER BUS SERVICES IN TAI PO AND SHA TIN WAS A COMMERCIAL DECISION OF THE KCRC, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS IS DIFFERENT IN NATURE FROM AN AUTHORISED RESIDENTS’ SERVICE, HE ADDED.
- - 0----------
/18 .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
STATEMENT ON OPERATION OF PASSENGER SHIPS ON EXCURSION VOYAGES
******
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES CONCERNING PASSENGER SHIPS OPERATING ON EXCURSION VOYAGES FROM HONG KONG WITHOUT CALLING AT ANY OTHER PORT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT OPERATORS OF SUCH SHIPS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A TWO-WEEKS EXTENSION UNTIL APRIL 28 THIS YEAR TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY AND MANNING REQUIREMENTS.
HE SAID THE EXTENSION WAS GRANTED AT THE REQUEST OF ONE OF THE OPERATORS IN ORDER TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE OPERATOR’S LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE TO SEEK FURTHER LEGAL ADVICE AND FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPERATOR’S LAWYERS.
THE MARINE ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH THESE SHIPS ARE REGISTERED HAVE ALSO BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE EXTENSION.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S MAIN CONCERN WAS THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS WHO GO ON SUCH EXCURSIONS, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM WERE HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
- - 0 - -
PLEASE VOTE: RS ♦ ♦ ♦
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THE FORTHCOMING MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS ELECTIONS.
MR LAN MADE THE APPEAL WHEN ADDRESSING A DINNER RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF ISLAND SOUTH AT THE HONG KONG COUNTRY CLUB.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THOSE WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED AS ELECTORS TO DO SO BEFORE THE CURRENT REGISTRATION EXERCISE CLOSES ON JULY 1.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT VOTERS REGISTERED FROM NOW TO JULY 1 WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE FIRST DIRECT POLLS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER.
"THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER AND EXERCISE YOUR CIVIC RIGHTS," HE SAID.
ON SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, HE URGED LOCAL RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT MORE PEOPLE CAN BE BENEFITTED.
MR LAN ALSO PRAISED THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN YOUTH SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY.
0 - -
/19
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
19
RC STAGES EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE COUNCIL ELECTIONS
A ROVING EXHIBITION AIMED AT INTRODUCING AND PROMOTING THE ’ THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WILL BE STAGED FROM THURSDAY (APRIL 11) TI IN WITH THE FORTHCOMING MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE EXHIBITION, ENTITLED ’’REGIONAL COUNCIL AND YOU: HAPPY MOMENTS TOGETHER", DEPICTS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL WITH THE AID OF SOME 60 VIVID PHOTOGRAPHS.
THESE SERVICES COVER PUBLIC HEALTH, SANITATION AND HYGIENE, AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES.
IN ADDITION, A VIDEO FILM CAPTURING THE COLOURFUL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR DURING THE COUNCIL’S BIENNIAL FESTIVAL, REGCO ’90, WILL ALSO BE SHOWN.
"THE EXHIBITION IS PART OF THE COUNCIL'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF THE COMING ELECTIONS AND TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS' AWARENESS OF THE COUNCIL AND ITS SERVICES AND FACILITIES WHICH ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO THEIR DAILY LIVES," A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS HOPED THAT BY KNOWING MORE ABOUT THE COUNCIL’S WORK, RESIDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE MORE ACTIVELY IN ITS ACTIVITIES. AND TAKE MORE INTEREST TN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS SERVICES AND FACILITIES.”
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON VOTERS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MAY 5.
"THIS IS ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH RESIDENTS CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN PARTICIPATING IN THE PROVISION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES," HE ADDED.
THE ROVING EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED AT THE TAIKOO SHING CITY PLAZA FROM THURSDAY TO SUNDAY (APRIL 11 TO 14), AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL FROM APRIL 15 TO 29 AND AT THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL FROM APRIL 30 TO MAY 9.
IT WILL THEN BE HELD AT THE MONG KOK MTR STATION FROM MAY 10 TO 14, AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL FROM MAY 15 TO 23 AND AT THE KWUN TONG MTR STATION FROM MAY 24 TO 28.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM DAILY.
/20........
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
20
NORTH AND SOUTH KOWLOON SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY COMMISSIONED *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM THE IMPROPER DISCHARGE OF SEWAGE GENERATED WITHIN TSIM SHA TSUI, HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY AND WONG TAI SIN.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FOUL SEWAGE GENERATED FROM THE AREAS IS BEING DISCHARGED UNTREATED INTO VICTORIA HARBOUR.
EXPEDIENT CONNECTIONS TO STORMWATER DRAINS BY FACTORIES, AND BY INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL AND CATERING ACTIVITIES ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN MADE ON A LARGE SCALE. THIS MAY BE AS A RESULT OF THE INADEQUATE CAPACITY OF THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
CONSEQUENTLY, WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS IN THE LOCAL WATERS ARE SERIOUS. THE PROBLEMS ARE PARTICULARLY BAD IN HUNG HOM BAY AND KOWLOON BAY DUE TO GEOGRAPHIC AND HYDRAULIC CONSTRAINTS.
THIS NORTH AND SOUTH KOWLOON SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY WILL ASSESS THE ADEQUACIES AND PERFORMANCE OF THE EXISTING SEWERAGE, SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS IN THE AREAS.
SCHEMES FOR REMEDIAL WORKS WILL BE FORMULATED TO ENSURE THAT THE SEWAGE HILL BE PROPERLY COLLECTED, TREATED AND DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
A SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN WITH A PRIORITISED IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME WILL THEN BE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE SHORT AND LONG TERM STRATEGIES TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN STAGES.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BETWEEN EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY), MR MIKE J. STOKOE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF WATSON HAWKSLEY (HK) LIMITED, MR H.K. CHAN.
AT A TOTAL COST OF $18 MILLION, THE STUDY WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES AND COMPLETED IN 21 MONTHS.
--------0-----------
MOTORISTS SWITCHING TO ULP
*****
MORE THAN HALF OF THE MOTORISTS WITH PETROL-ENGINED VEHICLES WHO VISITED LOCAL PETROL FILLING STATIONS LAST WEEK HAD OPTED FOR THE NEW UNLEADED PETROL (ULP).
FIGURES OBTAINED FROM THE OIL COMPANIES SHOWED THAT ULP ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 55 PER CENT OF PETROL SALES IN THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL.
/COMMENTING ON .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
- 21 -
COMMENTING ON THIS, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR FRED TROMP, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY): "WE ARE MOST PLEASED WITH THIS ENCOURAGING START TO THE INTRODUCTION OF ULP TO HONG KONG.
"THIS MEANS THAT IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF APRIL, SEVEN OUT OF 10 MOTORISTS WHOSE CARS CAN USE ULP ALL OF THE TIME HAVE ALREADY MADE THE SWITCH.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT MANY MORE WILL JOIN OUR ’GREEN DRIVE’ SOON," HE SAID.
SELLING AT $6.67 PER LITRE, ULP HAS A DISTINCT PRICE ADVANTAGE OVER LEADED PETROL AS IT IS $1.01 PER LITRE CHEAPER. DEPENDING ON THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED, ULP USERS STAND TO SAVE BETWEEN $1,000 AND $2,000 PER YEAR.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE INTRODUCTION OF ULP IS A MILESTONE MARKING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AS THIS WOULD ENABLE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MOST STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR PETROL-ENGINED VEHICLES," MR TROMP SAID.
MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S PETROL-ENGINED VEHICLES CAN USE ULP WITHOUT HAVING TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENT, AND WITH NO LOSS IN PERFORMANCE OR FUEL ECONOMY. A FURTHER 10 PER CENT CAN USE ULP AFTER MAKING A SMALL TIMING ADJUSTMENT TO THE ENGINE.
AS FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, ALL VEHICLES, BE THEY PETROL OR DIESEL-DRIVEN, IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE CURRENT JAPANESE OR AMERICAN EMISSION STANDARDS UNDER NEW REGULATIONS RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
MR TROMP SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO EXAMINING MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING THE RELIANCE ON DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES AND TO INTRODUCE NEW REGULATIONS WHICH WOULD ENABLE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES.
HE URGED THOSE MOTORISTS WHO HAD NOT SWITCHED TO ULP TO CONSULT THE COMPREHENSIVE "MOTORISTS GUIDE TO UNLEADED PETROL", WHICH HAD BEEN MAILED TO MORE THAN IfiO.OOO REGISTERED CAR OWNERS, TO CHECK WHETHER THEIR VEHICLES COULD USE THE NEW "GREEN" PETROL.
MOTORISTS WHO HAVE ANY FURTHER DOUBTS OR NEED MORE INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT THEIR CAR DEALER OR CALL THE MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION/ HONG KONG TELECOM SPONSORED ULP HOTLINE, 183 8383, WHICH WILL BE IN OPERATION UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH.
- - 0----------
/22 ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
- 22 -
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE SCHEME EXPLAINED
**♦»♦♦*
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR A SCHOOL TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES - THE STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES -ABOUT ITSELF, ROTARIANS WERE TOLD AT A LUNCH MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, IN A TALK ON THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE SCHEME, TOLD MEMBERS OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTHWEST THAT THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED BY DEVELOPING A ’’SCHOOL PROFILE" CONTAINING USEFUL INFORMATION AND STATISTICS ABOUT THE SCHOOL.
THE SCHOOL PLAN AND PROFILE TOGETHER WOULD REFLECT HOW BEST THE SCHOOL HAD DEVISED. ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND UTILISED ITS RESOURCES, HE SAID.
"AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE COMMUNITY WILL BE CAPABLE OF GIVING DUE RECOGNITION TO WHATEVER EFFORTS PUT IN BY THE SCHOOL IN IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND TH1A ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS STUDENTS THROUGH SUCCESSFUL PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A GOOD SCHOOL PROGRAMME," THE DIRECTOR POINTED OUT.
SUCCESS, HE ADDED, WOULD NOT BE MEASURED ON A NORM-REFERENCED BASIS AS A SCHOOL WOULD NOT BE COMPARED WITH ANOTHER.
"I CANNOT EMPHASISE MORE THE MERIT OF THE NEW APPROACH, FOR WITHOUT WHICH THE EFFORTS AND ACHIEVEMENT OF THOSE WORKING IN SCHOOLS WITH INTAKE OF LOW QUALITY STUDENTS WILL NOT BE RECOGNISED,’’ HE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THAT IN THE COMMITMENT TO LEARNING, AND AN EXPECTATION THAT STUDENTS WOULD DO WELL, MANY SCHOOLS WERE UNHAPPY DEALING WITH LOWER ABILITY STUDENTS BECAUSE THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION WAS CURRENTLY THE MAIN PERFORMANCE INDICATOR.
THE PUBLIC EXAMINATION SYSTEM BASICALLY ADOPTED A SELECTION AND COMPETITIVE APPROACH WHICH WAS LARGELY BASED ON NORM-REFERENCED PRINCIPLES IN WHICH THE PERFORMANCES OF CANDIDATES WERE COMPARED ONE WITH ANOTHER TO SELECT THOSE WHO SHOULD PROCEED TO THE NEXT STAGE.
"THIS PRACTICE HAS RESULTED IN SOME STUDENTS BEING CONTINUALLY DISCOURAGED BY FINDING THEMSELVES TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THEIR CLASS EACH YEAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE MADE PROGRESS," MR LI SAID.
CONVERSELY, HE CONTINUED, SOME STUDENTS MIGHT CONTINUALLY ACHIEVE HIGH GRADES WITH REFERENCE TO THE NORM EVEN THOUGH THEIR KNOWLEDGE WAS QUITE LIMITED AND, TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDED IN ITS FOURTH REPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENTS (TRA).
THE TRA, HE SAID, WAS A POSITIVE WAY TO ASSESS PUPILS' INDIVIDUAL PROGRESS AGAINST A FRAMEWORK OF CLEARLY DEFINED ATTAINMENT TARGETS.
MR LI ADDED: "I AM SURE THAT THE TRA WHEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED WILL GIVE PROPER RECOGNITION TO STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS.
/"IT WILL .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
23
"IT WILL ALSO HEAR WITNESS TO TEACHERS’ UNFAILING EFFORTS IN THE CLASSROOM. AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, IT WILL. PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WI TH A MORE RELIABLE AND FAIR TOOL TO MEASURE THE PERFORMANCE OF SCHOOLS."
MR LI SAID ABOUT 50 SCHOOLS WOULD BE INVOLVED IN MODERNISING SCHOOL MANAGEMEh PROCEDURES IN SEPTEMBER.
ON THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE SCHEME, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THOSE SCHOOLS, BOTH TO HELP THEM IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSALS, AND TO LEARN HOW I’O EXTEND THE SCHEME AS EFFECTIVELY AND QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO A NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND TO Mold SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS.
"DURING Till-. FIRST YEAR, THE 50 SCHOOLS WILL BE HELPED TO ADAPT THEIR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES, IN PREPARATION FOR CHANGING THE BLOCK GRANT SYSTEM IN SEPTEMBER 1992.
"UNDER THE NEW FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS, ALL GRANTS EXCEPT THOSE RELATING TO TEACHER SALARIES AND MAJOR REPAIRS WILL BE PROVIDED AS A BLOCK GRANT, WITH FEW RES IK•CT10NS ON HOW IT IS SPENT,” MR LI EXPLAINED.
"SCHOOLS WILL HENCE HAVE MORE FREEDOM TO DECIDE HOW TO USE THEIR RESOURCES," HF ADDED.
------0--------
SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS DEPEND ON PUBLIC’S CO-OPERATION
* » » ♦ ♦
SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS OF CRIMINALS WHO PREY ON DECENT BUSINESSMEN AND BLACKMAIL THEIR HARD-EARNED PROFITS CAN ONLY COME WITH FULL CO-OPERATION FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN MADE THE COMMENTS FOLLOWING THE CONVICTIONS OF FIVE MEN RECENTLY ON BLACKMAIL CHARGES.
"THE ACTIVITIES OF THIS GROUP OF PERSONS WHO HAD BEEN HARASSING DECORATION CONTRACTORS IN KWUN TONG FOR MONTHS COULD NOT HAVE COME TO OUR ATTENTION WITHOUT THE VICTIMS MAKING A REPORT TO US.
"AND THE COURT TRIAL OF THESE CRIMINALS WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFICULT WITHOUT THE TESTIMONY OF TWO BRAVE CITIZENS," THE SPOKE.' MAN SAID.
THE FIVE MEN, WHO WERE KNOWN TO BE ACTIVE IN KWUN TONG AREA, HAD BEEN EXTORTING PROTECTION MONEY FROM AUTHORISED DECORATION CONTRACTORS WORKING IN TSUI PING ROAD ESTATE BETWEEN DECEMBER 1989 AND MAY 1990.
ACCORDING TO COURT EVIDENCE THE CONTRACTORS HAD PAID THE GANG $40,000 IN DECEMBER 1989 WHEN APPROACHED IN THE HOPE THAT THIS WOULD BUY PEACE.
/HOWEVER, THEIR ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
24
HOWEVER, THEIR OFFICES WERE VANDALISED BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WHEN THEY REFUSED TO BUY SIX POTS OF TANGERINE OFFERED BY THE DEFENDANTS AT A COST OF $18,000.
THE CONTRACTORS DECIDED TO SEEK HELP FROM THE POLICE WHEN THEY WERE AGAIN APPROACHED IN MARCH THIS YEAR FOR $120,000 IN PROTECTION FEE.
INTENSIVE INVESTIGATIONS BY OFFICERS OF THE REGIONAL CRIME UNIT 6, KOWLOON EAST, LED TO THE ARREST OF THE DEFENDANTS WHO WERE INDICTED WITH VARIOUS BLACKMAIL (’BARGES.
A WAN CHAI DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, WHO CONVICTED ALL THE DEFENDANTS, PRAISED THE TWO CITIZENS WHO TESTIFIED AGAINST THE DEFENDANTS IN COURT.
CONDEMNED THE DEFENDANTS AS ’’EVIL BLOOD SUCKERS”, THE JUDGE IMPOSED A JAIL SENTENCE RANGING FROM FOUR AND A HALF YEAR TO FOUR YEARS AND NINE MONTHS ON APRIL 2.
WHILE WELCOMING THE HEAVY JAIL SENTENCES FOR THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT ON CRIMINALS, THE POLICE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT POLICE OFFICERS WOULD CONTINUE TO WAGE AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST TRIAD ELEMENTS.
"NO MATTER HOW MUCH EFFORTS POLICE OFFICERS HAVE PUT IN TO ARREST THESE TRIAD ELEMENTS, THE JOB WOULD ONLY BE HALF-DONE WITHOUT THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC.
"MANY CRIMINALS ARE DEFYING THE LAW SIMPLY BECAUSE SOME CITIZENS ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND TO TESTIFY AGAINST THEM IN COURTS," HE NOTED.
"THE RECENT CONVICTIONS ARE A CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF HOW TRIAD MEMBERS CAN BE APPREHENDED AND JAILED THROUGH THE CO-OPERATION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION OFFICE ON MOVE
*****
THE TO KWA WAN AND HUNG HOM DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF THE TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE 760 0974.
THE DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULATING THE HOURS OF WORK AND REST PERIODS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN THE INDUSTRY AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15.
IT ALSO ENFORCES PROVISIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYEES’ STATUTORY BENEFITS AND KEEPING OF EMPLOYMENT RECORDS, AS WELL AS ENSURING EMPLOYERS TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR LIABILITY TO COMPENSATE EMPLOYEES INJURED AT WORK.
- - 0 - -
/25
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
25
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF 14 WESTERN STREET ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SO THAT THEY CAN RE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 11 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
------0--------
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ♦ * » » »
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 11) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES ’1’0 BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY FU YUNG STREET, YUEN TUN CIRCUIT, TAI HO ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD.
- - 0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG
♦ *♦»♦*
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS -- TUESDAY 9 APRIL 1991
ISSUE NUMBER QI 15
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,255 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 400 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 5.59 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 5.60 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO 100 PCT
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 4.4.91 WAS 8,026 MN
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
26
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ---- TUESDAY 16 APRIL 1991
ISSUE NUMBER
ISSUE DATE
MATURITY DATE
TENOR
AMOUNT ON OFFER
Q116
17 APR 91
17 JUL 91
91 DAYS
HKD 400 + 80 MN
H162
17 APR 91
17 OCT 91
183 DAYS
HKD 200 + 60 MN
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
♦ * * ♦ »
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 8.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 9.4.91 +30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.7 *+0.3*
9.4.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Q102 10.4.91 630 -150
Q103 17.4.91 578 -98
Q104 24.4.91 675 -195
Q105 1.5.91 650 -170
Q106 8.5.91 463.5 + 16.5
Q107 15.5.91 581 -101
Q108 22.5.91 490 -10
Q109 29.5.91 420 + 60
QI 10 5.6.91 360 + 120
QI 1 1 12.6.91 530 -50
QI 12 19.6.91 540 -60
QI 13 26.6.91 550 -70
QI 14 3.7.91 470 + 10
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1991
ISSUE NUMBER - 27 - HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS < HKEJ
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 181 +79
H002 15.5.91 240 +20
H003 29.5.91 240 +20
H004 12.6.91 250 +10
H005 26.6.91 230 +30
H1 0 1 10.7.91 143 +117
H156 24.7.91 130 +130
H157 7.8.91 198 +62
Hl 58 21.8.91 80 +180
H159 4.9.91 40 +220
Hl 60 18.9.91 200 +60
H161 2.10.91 210 +50
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND •
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 180 +80
Y188 25.3.92 200 +60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSEER FOR WEEK ENDING 4.4.91 WAS 8,026 MN
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPEAL BOARD PROPOSED IN TOWN PLANNING BILL..................................... 1
VOTERS TO RECEIVE POLL CARDS FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ................... 1
CUSTOMS SEIZURES, ARRESTS AND SUMMONSES CONCERNING DUTY-NOT-PAID CIGARETTES .............................................................
JAPANESE DELEGATION VISITS SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ........................... 3
GOVT LAND FOR LET BY TENDER ..............................................
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN YAU MA TEI .............................
CYC MEMBERS JOIN ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN ......................................... 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...............
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1991
- 1 -APPEAL BOARD PROPOSED IN TOWN PLANNING BILL ♦ » » ♦ ♦
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THAT THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 8, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL BOARD WHICH SUBSTITUTES THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WITH REGARD TO APPEALS AGAINST THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S DECISION ON PLANNING APPLICATIONS UNDER SECTION 17(7) OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
IT FOLLOWED THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON THE LAST TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WHERE COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THE EXISTING PROCEDURES FOR APPEALS AGAINST THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S DECISIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER EXPLAINED: "THE BILL ALLOWS THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A PANEL OF PERSONS WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE APPEAL BOARD.
"WHILE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PANEL IS NOT FIXED SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR FLEXIBILITY, AN ADEQUATE NUMBER WILL BE APPOINTED TO ENSURE THAT NO MEMBER WHO MAY HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE APPEAL CASE WILL BE APPOINTED TO THE APPEAL BOARD HEARING THE CASE.
"ON RECEIPT OF A NOTICE OF APPEAL, THE CHAIRMAN, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WILL NOMINATE AN APPEAL BOARD WHICH WILL CONSTITUTE THE CHAIRMAN HIMSELF AND FOUR OTHER MEMBERS FROM THE PANEL, TO HEAR THE APPEAL.
"ON COMPLETION OF A HEARING, THE APPEAL BOARD WILL CONFIRM, REVERSE OR VARY THE DECISION APPEALED AGAINST AND MAY MAKE AN ORDER FOR COSTS INCURRED IN RELATION TO THE APPEAL."
THE DECISION OF THE APPEAL BOARD ON ANY APPEAL SHALL BE FINAL.
--------0-----------
VOTERS TO RECEIVE POLL CARDS FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
*****
ELECTORS WILL BE RECEIVING THEIR POLL CARD IN THE COMING WEEK FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MAY 5.
"A TOTAL OF 1.7 MILLION POLL CARDS WILL BE SENT OUT IN BATCHES BETWEEN TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND APRIL 18," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"EACH POLL CARD INDICATES WHERE AND WHEN A POLL TAKES PLACE AND IS DISPATCHED TO ONLY THOSE ELECTORS IN THE CONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES."
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1991
- 2 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ELECTORS IN THE CONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES WILL ALSO BE RECEIVING IN THE COMING WEEK A GUIDE ON VOTING TOGETHER WITH AN INTRODUCTORY LEAFLET ON THE CANDIDATES.
ELECTORS IN THE UNCONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE ISSUED WITH AN INTRODUCTORY LEAFLET ON THE CANDIDATES ONLY.
ELECTORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARD TO THE POLL. ’’ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTION OF THE POLL CARD IS NOT MANDATORY, IT CERTAINLY HELPS TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’FOR ENQUIRIES, ELECTORS MAY CONTACT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON TEL. 827 1122 WELL BEFORE POLLING DAY," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
CUSTOMS SEIZURES, ARRESTS AND SUMMONSES CONCERNING DUTY-NOT-PAID CIGARETTES * * * * *
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT SINCE MARCH 6, 120 ARRESTS AND SUMMONSES HAD RESULTED FROM PEOPLE BRINGING INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA CIGARETTES ON WHICH DUTY HAD NOT BEEN PAID.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID 89 OF THE CASES OCCURRED AT CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS AND INVOLVED PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS RETURNING FROM CHINA WHO HAD CONCEALED CIGARETTES IN THEIR CLOTHINGS AND BAGGAGES, OR INSIDE THEIR VEHICLES.
THE OTHER CASES RESULTED FROM CUSTOMS OPERATIONS AT VARIOUS BLACK SPOTS ON LAND, SUCH AS STORES, MOBILE HAWKERS AND RESTAURANTS, AND ON BOARD VESSELS.
IN ADDITION, CUSTOMS OFFICERS ALSO INSPECTED 157 STORES AND EIGHT PREMISES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A TOTAL OF 370,000 CIGARETTES WERE SEIZED, WITH A DUTY POTENTIAL OF OVER $260,000.
HE STRESSED THAT PEOPLE FOUND TO POSSESS CIGARETTES ON WHICH DUTY HAD NOT BEEN PAID WITH THE INTENT TO AVOID PAYING DUTY WOULD BE LIABLE TO ARREST AND PROSECUTION.
"THE POSSESSION OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES IS AN OFFENCE CARRYING A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $100,000 IN FINE AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED RESIDENTS RETURNING FROM CHINA THAT THE DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE WAS 100 CIGARETTES WHICH MIGHT BE BROUGHT IN FOR THEIR OWN USE ONLY.
/"ANY PERSON .......
WEDNESDAY, ARPIL 10, 1991
3 -
’’ANY PERSON POUND IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN THE ALLOWED QUANTITY COMMITS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE,” HE SAID.
NOTICES STATING THE CONCESSION RIGHTS OF TRAVELLERS, ARTICLES REQUIRIED TO BE DECLARED TO CUSTOMS OFFICERS, AND ARTICLES REQUIRING IMPORT LICENCES ARE DISPLAYED AT THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTI RE HALLS OF ALL CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS.
A LEAFLET, ’’ADVICE TO TRAVELLERS - PROHIBITED ITEMS”, WHICH INFORMS INCOMING PASSENGERS WHAT THEY CAN OR CANNOT BRING INTO HONG KONG, IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE CONTROL POINTS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO TELEPHONE THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON 852 3185 FOR INFORMATION.
--------0-----------
JAPANESE DELEGATION VISITS SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
*****
A SEVEN-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM JAPAN VISITED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
MEETING THE VISITORS, A CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT, MRS AMELIA TO, OUTLINED THE DEVELOPMENT MADE IN LOCAL SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
THE DELEGATION INCLUDED DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CITIZEN’S AFFAIRS BUREAU, FUKUOKA PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT, MR SEIICHIRO NABETA AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM 'HIE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT’S YOUTH GUIDANCE AND PLANNING DIVISION.
THEY ALSO EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH SWD OFFICIALS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.
---------0-----------
GOVT LAND FOR LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN TAT CHEE ROAD, YAU YAT TSUEN IN KOWLOON.
THE SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 4,950 SQUARE METRES, IS EITHER FOR THE STORAGE OF UNLICENSED NEW VEHICLES OR FOR OPEN STORAGE AND/OR PARKING OF THE TENANT’S BUSES, COACHES AND MINIBUSES BUT EXCLUDING PRIVATE CARS AND GOODS VEHICLES.
/THE TENANCY .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1991
4
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE MONTHS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 26.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN YAU MA TEI ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT PARKING METERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN MAN WU1 STREET, BETWEEN MAN SING STREET AND FERRY STREET, IN YAU MA TEI.
THESE METERS WILL COMMENCE OPERATION FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 12).
THE METERED PARKING SPACES THERE ARE TWO-HOUR ONES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, BUSES, MOTORCYCLES AND PEDAL CYCLES.
THE PARKING METERS WILL OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY, EXCEPT ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE CHARGE IS $2 FOR EVERY 30 MINUTES.
-------------------0------- CYC MEMBERS JOIN ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN *****
THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE HAZARDS OF SMOKING.
AN INAUGURAL CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY). OFFICIATING WILL BE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MRS RITA FAN; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, DR RONALD LEUNG; INFORMATION SECRETARY OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MR DAVID YAU; AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR WONG SIK-WAH.
THE CYC PROGRAMME, TO BE HELD BETWEEN THIS MONTH AND FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR, IS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
/IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1991
5 -
IT WILL INCLUDE PAINTING AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITIONS, A SINGING CONTEST, VARIETY SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS, DRAMA, SEMINARS AND A CARNIVAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE CYC (THURSDAY) TSIM SHA
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER ANTI-SMOKING PROGRAMME INAUGURAL CEREMONY AT 3 PM TOMORROW IN BALLROOM EAST, NIKKO HOTEL INTERNATIONAL, 72 MODY ROAD,
TSUI EAST.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * » » » »
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 9.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 10.4.91 4-225
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -225
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.0 »-0.7« 10.4.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEI
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 400 +80
Q103 17.4.91 688 -208
Q104 24.4.91 645 -165
Q105 1.5.91 650 -170
Q106 8.5.91 483.5 -3.5
Q107 15.5.91 581 -101
Q108 22.5.91 490 -10
Q109 29.5.91 430 + 50
QUO 5.6.91 350 + 130
QI 11 12.6.91 530 -50
Q112 19.6.91 540 -60
Q113 26.6.91 550 -70
QI 14 3.7.91 470 + 10
/HONG KONG
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1991
- 6 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEJ
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H001 H002 H003 H004 H005 H101 H156 H157 H158 H159 H160 H161 1.5.91 15.5.91 29.5.91 12.6.91 26.6.91 10.7.91 24.7.91 7.8.91 21.8.91 4.9.91 18.9.91 2.10.91 181 240 240 250 230 133 130 208 80 40 190 140 + 79 + 20 + 20 + 10 + 30 + 127 + 130 + 52 + 180 + 220 + 70 + 120
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 Y188 26.2.92 25.3.92 180 200 +80 +60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 4 .4.91 WAS 8,026 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS GENERAL POST OFFICE ..................................... 1
AIRPORT TALKS ARE CONTINUING : CS ....................................... 1
HK SPORTS INSTITUTE VITAL FOR SPORT: CS ................................. 2
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY ................. 2
BILLS TO REMOVE ANOMALIES IN ELECTION PROCEDURES ........................ 7
NEW OFFICE TO PROTECT LEGALLY DISABLED PROPOSED ......................... 8
EDWARD HO REAPPOINTED TO DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD COUNCIL .............. 9
NEW APPROACHES FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES REQUIRED ......................... 9
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SPONSORING FIREWORKS DISPLAY ................... 10
BUSINESS COMMUNITY'S VIEWS TO BE SOUGHT ON ARTS SPONSORSHIP ............. 11
FILM CENSORSHIP FEES TO BE REVISED ...................................... 11
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ANNOUNCED ................................ 12
CYC MEMBERS ASK TO HELP CONVEY ANTI-SMOKING MESSAGE ..................... 15
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ................................................ 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 16
THURSDAY, APRIL 11,
1991
GOVERNOR VISITS GENERAL POST OFFICE ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) TOURED THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CENTRAL AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF THE POST OFFICE.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, AND HIS SENIOR STAFF ON THE VISIT.
SIR DAVID NOTED WITH INTEREST THE OPERATION OF THE NEWLY COMMISSIONED MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM, WHICH IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD TO USE OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION AND VIDEO CODING TECHNOLOGY TO SORT MAIL ITEMS DIRECTLY WITHOUT USING POSTCODES. THE EQUIPMENT CAN HANDLE 30,000 ITEMS AN HOUR.
’’THE POST OFFICE IS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OLDEST DEPARTMENTS BUT IT IS RIGHT UP TO DATE WITH ITS USE OF THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE ALSO MET MEMBERS OF THE POST OFFICE STAFF AND COMMENDED THEM ON THE RELIABILITY OF THE POSTAL SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
AIRPORT TALKS ARE CONTINUING: CS
♦ * » ♦ ♦
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE TALKS ON THE NEW AIRPORT IN PEKING WERE CONTINUING, AND THEY WERE EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE IN SHA TIN, SIR DAVID SAID: "IT’S OBVIOUSLY TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE, SOME IS BEING MADE.
"THERE IS STILL SOME MAJOR ISSUES ON THE TABLE. WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE ARE REMAINED TO BE SEEN. WE ARE, OBVIOUSLY, KEEN TO GET CHINESE SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT AND WE WILL KEEP WORKING THROUGH THE TALKS TO TRY AND ACHIEVE THAT.
"BUT IN THE PERIOD UP TO 1997, IN THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, IT’S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG HAS AN EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT. CLEARLY, THAT IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE GOING TO BUILD THE AIRPORT IN AN ECONOMICAL AND EFFICIENT WAY," SIR DAVID SAID.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, APRIL 11,
1991
- 2 -
HK SPORTS INSTITUTE VITAL FOR SPORT: CS
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD,TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP FOR SPORT IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS THE TECHNICAL ARM FOR LOCAL SPORT.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP ATHLETES AND COACHES IN PLANNING TRAINING PROGRAMS IN A MORE CO-ORDINATED AND SOPHISTICATED WAY.
"I AM CONFIDENT THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SPORTS SERVICES TO ASSIST HIGH-PERFORMANCE ATHLETES, COACHES AND TECHNICAL OFFICIALS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE.
"THERE ARE OF COURSE NO GUARANTEES OF SUCCESS, BUT WITH BETTER ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL COACHING, HIGH STANDARD FACILITIES, SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL SUPPORT, THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS ARE MUCH ENHANCED," HE SAID.
WHILE THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE SERVED HONG KONG WELL IN THE 1980’S, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WOULD HELP THE TERRITORY GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH IN FUTURE.
"AS THE SPORTS INSTITUTE CONTINUES TO DEVELOP IN THE AREAS OF ATHLETE TRAINING, COACH EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE, SPORTS MEDICINE SUPPORT, I AM SURE IT WILL BECOME AN INSTITUTE OF WHICH HONG KONG WILL BE PROUD," SIR DAVID ADDED.
------0--------
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY *****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 13%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 36% IN JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 27% IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 43% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
AS REGARDS 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
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
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.
CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IN ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH.
IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY THIS YEAR ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, BUT IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1991 WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1990, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS INCREASED BY 8% AND 32% RESPECTIVELY.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 22%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 32%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 3%.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1991 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1990, THE VOLUME OF domestic Exports and re-exports increased by i% and 19% respectively, SO THAT THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 11%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 14%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 2%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990.
THESE INCLUDED ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+85%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+27%); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+23%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+16%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+12%); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+10%); AND METAL MANUFACTURES (+7%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-37%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-25%); FOOTWEAR (-16%); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-10%).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990.
/THESE INCLUDED .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
4
THESE INCLUDED FOOTWEAR (+5%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+5%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+3%); CLOTHING (+3%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+2%).
THOSE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS; DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES ALL INCREASED BY 1%.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-3%); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-2%); AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-1%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 12% IN VOLUME IN JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990.
IN PARTICULAR, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS; AND CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR). DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF LIVE POULTRY; SWINE; FRUIT; AND VEGETABLES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 40%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; FOOTWEAR; AND RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 47% IN JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990. THE MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES; AND IRON AND STEEL.
DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; AND CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, AND SO ON, EXCEPT GLASS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 61% IN VOLUME IN JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 53% IN JANUARY 1991 OVER JANUARY 1990.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; AND OFFICE MACHINES.
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.
COMPARING JANUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1990, THE IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: FUELS (+34%); CAPITAL GOODS (+4%); FOODSTUFFS (+4%); CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+1%).
/THE CHANGES .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11^19,91
5
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JANUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1990, THE VOLUME OF REEXPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; CONSUMER GOODS; AND FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 41%, 40%, 35% AND 15% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 5%.
THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN JANUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1990: FUELS (+47%)J CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); FOODSTUFFS (+3%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+1%).
THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE JANUARY 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 APRIL 15 AT $4 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 823 4918).
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING JANUARY 1991
WITH JANUARY 1990
COMMODITY GROUP
VALUE %
UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% %
CLOTHING 3 3 ♦
TEXTILE FABRICS 15 2 12
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 16 * 16
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -38 -1 -37
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -23 3 -25
/ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
- 6 -
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 82 -2 85
FOOTWEAR -11 5 -16
METAL MANUFACTURES 12 5 7
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 19 -3 23
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 11 1 10
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -9 1 -10
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 28 1 27
ALL COMMODITIES 15 2 13
» LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING JANUARY 1991
WITH JANUARY 1990
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 17 4 12
CONSUMER GOODS 45 3 40
RAW MATERIALS AND 47
SEMI-MANUFACTURES 48 1
FUELS 115 34 61
CAPITAL GOODS 59 4 53
ALL COMMODITIES 48 3 43
/TABLE 3 .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH JANUARY 1991 JANUARY 1990
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 18 3 15
CONSUMER GOODS 39 3 35
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 42 1 40
FUELS 39 47 -5
CAPITAL GOODS 41 * 41
ALL COMMODITIES 40 2 36
» LESS THAN 0.5%
-----0------
BILLS TO REMOVE ANOMALIES IN ELECTION PROCEDURES
*****
TWO BILLS SEEKING TO REMOVE ANOMALIES IN THE PROCEDURE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE ELECTION OF A DISTRICT BOARD’S REPRESENTATIVE TO EITHER OF THE TWO COUNCILS WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT SECTION 19 OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE BARRED A MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL FROM VOTING ON ANY MATTER IN WHICH HE OR SHE HAD A PECUNIARY INTEREST.
"IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, THIS PROVISION EFFECTIVELY PROHIBITS THE CANDIDATES FROM VOTING IN THE ELECTION BECAUSE BOTH POSITIONS ATTRACT A SPECIAL HONORARIUM,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SECTION 21 OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE HAS THE SAME EFFECT.
/THE URBAN .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
8
THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH WOULD BE GAZETTED TOMORROW, SOUGHT TO REMOVE THE ABOVE ANOMALIES BY PROVIDING THAT THE RECEIPT OF, THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE OR THE POSSIBILITY OF RECEIVING AN ALLOWANCE, SPECIAL ALLOWANCE, OR HONORARIUM SHALL NOT BE TREATED AS A PECUNIARY INTEREST.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO NOTED THAT THE VOTING PROCEDURE PRESCRIBED IN THE FIFTH SCHEDULE TO THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE AND THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE REQUIRED A SECRET BALLOT TO BE CONDUCTED EVEN WHEN THERE WAS ONLY ONE CANDIDATE.
THIS PROCEDURE APPLIED TO THE ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AS WELL AS THE ELECTION BY A DISTRICT BOARD OF A REPRESENTATIVE MEMBER TO SIT ON EITHER OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
THE TWO BILLS PROVIDED THAT WHERE THERE WAS ONLY ONE CANDIDATE NOMINATED FOR ELECTION AS CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN OR REPRESENTATIVE MEMBER, THAT CANDIDATE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE ELECTED WITHOUT HAVING TO HOLD A SECRET BALLOT.
THE BILLS ARE EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 24.
-----------------------0------- NEW OFFICE TO PROTECT LEGALLY DISABLED PROPOSED *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CREATE AN OFFICE OF OFFICIAL SOLICITOR TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS IN LITIGATION OF PERSONS UNDER LEGAL DISABILITY. THEY INCLUDE PEOPLE SUCH AS MINORS AND THOSE OF UNSOUND MIND WHO ARE UNABLE TO GIVE INSTRUCTIONS TO LAWYERS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT SOME OF THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE OFFICE OF OFFICIAL SOLICITOR WERE UNDERTAKEN AT PRESENT BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, AS WELL AS BY THE CROWN SOLICITOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
’’THE INTENTION IS TO RATIONALISE THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS SO THAT THE WORK WILL BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A SINGLE PUBLIC OFFICER, MAKING THE OFFICE CLEARLY IDENTIFIABLE AND MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC,” HE SAID.
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR BILL 1991 WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 24.
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO BE APPOINTED AS THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR.
/•'THE LEGAL...........
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
- 9 -
"THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT OFFERS A SUITABLE HOME FOR A NUMBER OF THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR WHICH HAVE A LEGAL WELFARE NATURE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AS SOME OF THE WORK IS ALREADY HANDLED AND PAID FOR BY THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, PARTICULARLY IN MATRIMONIAL CASES WHERE SEPARATE REPRESENTATION OF THE CHILDREN MAY BE REQUIRED, IT HAS THE EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS EXISTING RESOURCES TO TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR," HE EXPLAINED.
IN ADDITION TO TAKING OVER THE WORK OF OFFICIAL SOLICITOR CURRENTLY UNDERTAKEN BY A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS, THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WILL ALSO ASSUME THE DUTIES OF JUDICIAL TRUSTEE AND OFFICIAL TRUSTEE WHICH ARE AT PRESENT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
"THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR ACTS WHERE THERE IS NO ONE ELSE AVAILABLE OR WILLING TO ACT, AND ONLY WHEN APPOINTED BY THE COURT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, HE WILL NOT BE PRECLUDED FROM DRAWING A CASE TO THE COURT’S ATTENTION OR SEEKING THE COURT’S DIRECTION IF HE THINKS IT NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE," HE ADDED.
- - - - 0---------
EDWARD HO REAPPOINTED TO DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD COUNCIL ******
THE GOVERNOR HAS REAPPOINTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR EDWARD HO SING-TIN AS A MEMBER OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD COUNCIL.
MR HO, WHOSE TERM OF SERVICE WILL LAST FROM APRIL 1, 1991 TO MARCH 31, 1992, WAS FIRST APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL IN 1989.
- - - - 0------
NEW APPROACHES FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES REQUIRED ******
CHILD CARE SERVICES WILL HAVE TO BE EXPANDED AND NEW APPROACHES ADOPTED TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
DURING HIS VISIT TO A NUMBER OF NON-GOVERNMENT CHILD CARE SERVICES ORGANISATIONS IN KOWLOON THIS MORNING, MR CARTLAND SAID WITH THE PREVALENCE OF NUCLEAR FAMILIES AND AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MOTHERS IN EMPLOYMENT, THERE WAS A BIGGER DEMAND FOR DAY CARE FACILITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WHO COULD NOT BE CARED FOR BY THEIR PARENTS DURING THE DAY.
/"ONE OF .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
- 10 -
"ONE OF THE OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF CHILD WELFARE SERVICES IS TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES SO THAT THEY MAY PROVIDE A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN.
"ANOTHER OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE DISADVANTAGE® AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT ADEQUATELY LOOKED AFTER BY THEIR FAMILIES," MR CARTLAND SAID.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SWD’S DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER FOR YAU MA TEI/TSIM SHA TSUI AND MONG KOK, MRS CECILIA TONG, THE DIRECTOR STARTED HIS VISIT BY TOURING DAY NURSERIES, A DAY CRECHE AND RESIDENTIAL CRECHE OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN PORTLAND STREET.
THE PARTY THEN WENT TO KWAN FONG CHILD CARE CENTRE WHICH WAS SET UP IN KWONG WAH HOSPITAL.
THE CENTRE IS OPERATED BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE SERVICE ON AN HOURLY BASIS FOR THE HOSPITAL’S PATIENTS.
MR CARTLAND ALSO TOURED AN EARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE AND A SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRE OPERATED BY HEEP HONG SOCIETY FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN. HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE SERIES OF PROGRAMMES DESIGNED TO TRAIN DISABLED CHILDREN.
-----0------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SPONSORING FIREWORKS DISPLAY
******
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO SPONSOR THE 1992 LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO SUBMIT EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE MAY 8.
SINCE 1982, FIREWORKS DISPLAYS HAVE BEEN HELD OVER THE VICTORIA HARBOUR IN THE EVENING OF THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AS THE FOCAL POINT OF SPRING FESTIVAL CELEBRATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE AT LEAST NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE PROPOSED FOR THE DISPLAY.
ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE RCB HEADQUARTERS AT ELEVENTH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 574 0409 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
------0-------
/Il ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
BUSINESS COMMUNITY’S VIEWS TO BE SOUGHT ON ARTS SPONSORSHIP »♦»»»»
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, DR WANG GUNGWU, TODAY (THURSDAY) WELCOMED THE PUBLICATION OF A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR PROMOTING BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS.
THE STRATEGY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR A.K. CHUT, AND UNDERTAKEN BY DIRECTOR OF BRITAIN’S ASSOCIATION FOR BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS, MR COLIN TWEEDY.
DR WANG SAID THE DRAFT STRATEGY CALLED FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNCIL TO JOIN WITH BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS AND ARTS GROUPS IN A CO-ORDINATED EFFORT TO INCREASE ARTS SPONSORSHIP.
MEASURES PROPOSED INCLUDED CHANGES TO THE COUNCIL’S MATCHING GRANT SCHEME, TRAINING FOR ARTS GROUPS IN SPONSORSHIP AND FUND-RAISING TECHNIQUES AND MARKET RESEARCH ON THE SIZE AND NATURE OF THE AUDIENCE FOR ARTS EVENTS.
DR WANG SAID IF SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS WAS TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY, IT WOULD BE CRUCIAL TO PERSUADE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT ARTS SPONSORSHIP COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A COMPANY’S MARKETING AND CORPORATE RELATIONS OBJECTIVES.
THE RECENTLY FORMED FOUNDATION OF BUSINESSES IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS COULD PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THIS PROCESS.
THE COUNCIL DECIDED AT ITS MEETING TODAY TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF BUSINESS AND THE ARTS ON THE PROPOSED STRATEGY, BEFORE CONSIDERING WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AT ITS NEXT MEETING IN JUNE.
- - 0 - -
FILM CENSORSHIP FEES TO BE REVISED » » » » »
FILM CENSORSHIP FEES WILL BE REVISED FROM JULY 1.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE NEW RATE OF $50 PER MINUTE OF RUNNING TIME OR PART THEREOF IN ORDER TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF FILM CENSORSHIP.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE CURRENT RATE OF $35 PER MINUTE OF RUNNING TIME OR PART THEREOF WAS FIXED IN NOVEMBER, 1988 WHEN THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE CAME INTO OPERATION.
"IT WAS THEN INTENDED THAT THE FULL COST OF FILM CENSORSHIP WOULD BE RECOVERED AT A LATER STAGE.
"A RECENT COSTING EXERCISE REVEALED THAT, TO RECOVER THE FULL COST, THE FEE SHOULD BE REVISED TO $50 PER MINUTE OF RUNNING TIME OR PART THEREOF," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THE REVISION
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
12 -
"THE REVISION WOULD MEAN, IN DOLLAR TERMS, AN INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT $3,150 TO $4,500 FOR A 90-MINUTE FEATURE FILM. THE AMOUNT IS RELATIVELY SMALL COMPARED WITH THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE FILM INDUSTRY," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EMPHASISED THAT CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS AND FILM CLUBS WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED AS THERE WERE PROVISIONS UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS FOR THEM TO SEEK FEE EXEMPTION.
"IN PRACTICE, FILMS PRESENTED DURING FILM FESTIVALS AND BY CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE PAYMENT OF A CENSORSHIP FEE," HE ADDED.
- - 0----------
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ANNOUNCED
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.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID STARTING THIS WEEK, 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. 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 SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
/GRADE "1" .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
13
GRADE ”1” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
GRADE ”2” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE ”3” 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. 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 COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "4” GRADE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "3” GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THE WATER AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X” IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
/BEACH .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
14
BEACH
PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 11.4.91)
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*
2 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
2 X
1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 3
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 2
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 3
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 O 1
SILVERMINE BAY 1
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 1
TUNG O» 1
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
15 -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ ;
APPROACH
CASAM 1
GEMINI !?
HOI MEI WAN *
LIDO 4
TING KAU
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 1
NOTE: ”X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
♦ NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
IN ADDITION TO THIS REGULAR REPORTING SYSTEM, AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL THE BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE PREPARED BY THE EPD AFTER EACH BATHING SEASON.
THIS WILL ADVISE THE BEACH MANAGEMENT AUTHORITIES ON THE SUITABILITY OF INDIVIDUAL BEACHES FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
THE ANNUAL REPORT ENTITLED "BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG, 1990", FOR THE BATHING SEASON OF 1990, IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $30 PER COPY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
------0--------
CYC MEMBERS ASK TO HELP CONVEY ANTI-SMOKING MESSAGE ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS (CYC) WERE ASKED TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY NOT SMOKING AND TO ENCOURAGE THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS TO KICK THE SMOKING HABIT.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR WONG SIK-WAH, MADE THIS APPEAL AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF CYC ANTI-SMOKING PROGRAMMES TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID A RANGE OF ANTI-SMOKING ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY IN THE COMING MONTHS.
/THESE WILL .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
- 16 -
THESE WILL INCLUDE PAINTING, SINGING AND POSTER DESIGN CONTESTS, AN EDUCATIONAL CAMP, EXHIBITIONS, A PROCESSION, A CARNIVAL AND A SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS.
OVER THE YEARS, MR WONG SAID, CYC MEMBERS HAVE HELPED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PROMOTE A NUMBER OF MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES.
THE CURRENT ANTI-SMOKING PROGRAMMES ARE ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH COMMITTEE, AND SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MRS RITA FAN, HK COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DR RONALD LEUNG, AND ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB INFORMATION SECRETARY MR DAVID YAU.
-----0------
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF CHASE MANHATTAN FINANCIAL SERVICES (HONG KONG) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING
- - 0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 10.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 11.4.91 + 78
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -78
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.5 *+0.5* 11.4.91
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1991
- 17 -
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 390 + 90
Q103 17.4.91 689.5 -209.5
Q104 24.4.91 685 -205
Q105 1.5.91 670 -190
Q106 8.5.91 523.5 -43.5
Q107 15.5.91 591 -111
Q108 22.5.91 500 -20
Q109 29.5.91 440 + 40
QI 10 5.6.91 350 + 130
Qlll 12.6.91 510 -30
Q112 19.6.91 540 -60
Q113 26.6.91 550 -70
Q114 3.7.91 470 + 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 181 + 79
H002 15.5.91 240 + 20
H003 29.5.91 240 + 20
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 133 + 127
H156 24.7.91 130 + 130
Hl 57 7.8.91 198 + 62
H158 21.8.91 100 + 160
H159 4.9.91 10 + 250
H160 18.9.91 160 + 100
H161 2.10.91 110 + 150
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 180 + 80
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 4.4.91 WAS 8,026 MN
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR FOURTH QUARTER RELEASED .................................................. 1
BILL REMOVES ARCHAIC DISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONY AND MISDEMEANOUR ....... 4
LABOUR LAWS HELP IMPROVE WORKERS' LOT................................... 4
ILE ENROLS 1,500-PLUS TEACHERS A YEAR FOR RETRAINING.................... 6
'DON'T LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED' PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN STARTS ............
YUEN LONG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN GAZETTED.................................. 8
LAND RESUMPTION IN KWAI TSING........................................... 10
TENDERS INVITED FOR ROADS AND DRAINS IN SHEK WU HUI .................... H
PROPOSED ROADWORKS TO CONNECT WITH NEW INTERCHANGE IN TOEN MUN ......... 11
IMPROVEMENT TO SHEUNG SZE WAN ROAD PROPOSED ............................ 12
POLICE ADVICE ON PREVENTION OF THEFTS FROM VEHICLES .................... 12
SAI KUNG DB TO NAME CHAIRMAN TOMORROW .................................. 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 15
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
PROVISIONAL SURVEY RESULTS OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR FOURTH QUARTER RELEASED » * * * »
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, ESTIMATED AT $9,401 MILLION, WAS 11% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1989, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 2% LOWER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $3,745 MILLION, WHICH WAS 7% HIGHER THAN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989.
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, AT 17%, WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY FAST-FOOD SHOPS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS, BARS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, AT 14%, 11%, 9% AND 9% RESPECTIVELY.
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF "OTHER DRINKING PLACES", FAST-FOOD SHOPS AND BARS ROSE BY 10%, RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND RESTAURANTS DROPPED BY 2% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
EATING AND 1% AND 1% NON-CHINESE
COMPARING 1990 WITH 1989, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 12% IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 2% IN VOLUME; AND THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 7%. IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BOTH BARS AND FAST-FOOD SHOPS WENT UP BY 18%, WHILE THOSE OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" INCREASED BY 15%, 10% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
IN VOLUME TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS, FAST-FOOD SHOPS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS GREW BY 10%, 4% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" BOTH DROPPED BY 4%.
COMPARING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER - AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS - TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 6% IN VALUE AND 4% IN VOLUME, WHILE THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 8%.
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" WENT UP BY 12%, 9% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY, THAT OF FAST-FOOD SHOPS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED, AND THAT OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 1%.
/IN VOLUME .......
2
IN VOLUME TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS AND CHINESE RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 9% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY, THAT OF "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" DROPPED BY 1%, WHILE THOSE OF FAST-FOOD SHOPS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS BOTH DECREASED BY 2%.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETA1L TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 802 1258).
TABLE ONE IS ON TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.TABLE TWO IS ON THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1990, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 AND FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989. COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 WITH THOSE FOR 1989 ARE ALSO GIVEN IN THE LATTER TABLE.
/3 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
3
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCEASES
3rd qtr. 1990 4th qtr. 1990
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts lin HAS Billion) 8 838 9 401
Total purchases by restaurants (in EKS Billion) 3 477 3 745
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 3RD QUARTER 1990 AND 4TH QUARTER 1990
(Quarterly average of October 84 - SPpteiber 85 = 100)
1 1 ! 1 Index of 1 total 1 3rd । 1 4th 1 ! 4th qtr. 1990 4th qtr. 1990 st-4th qtr. 1 19901
1 Type of restaurant 1 1 1 restaurant 1 quarter 1 quarter 1 coipared with coipared with coipared vith 1
receipts 1 1990 ! 1990 1 3rd qtr. 1990 4th qtr. 1989 lst-4th qtr. 19891 |
I 1 I 1 1 । । (Revised figures) 1(Provisional! Points •figures) ! । i * Points * Points. A 1 1 |
1 । ! Chinese restaurants 1 । Value 1 । 181 1 198 । 1 *17 । ♦9 420 411 417 410 | |
I 1 1 1 । Voluie 1 1 110 ! 117 1 1 *7 1 *6 -3 -2 -5 -4 1 1
1 1 1 Non-Chinese restaurants I Value 1 201 1 1 200 । 1 5 -1 -1 417 ♦9 426 1 415 1 |
। । ■ । । • । Voluie 1 1 125 : 122 1 1 -3 1 -2 -6 -4 41 41 1 1
I 1 I Fast food shops 1 1 Value 1 269 1 1 269 । 1 1 • । » 434 414 439 1 418 1 1
1 I 1 1 I 1 । Voluie 1 1 180 1 177 1 । 1 -4 1 -2 42 41 47 44 1 1
I 1 ! Bars 1 1 Value 1 159 1 1 179 1 1 420 412 415 49 424 1 418 1 1
1 1 I 1 I 1 • Voluie 1 1 121 । 1 132 1 । 1 Hl 1 49 41 41 411 410 I 1
I 1 (Other eating and drinking places J 1 Value ! 169 1 1 170 • 1 1 41 ! 41 425 417 48 1 45 1 1
I l । । । Voluie 1 112 1 111 1 -1 -1 410 410 -5 -4 1 1
I 1 1 Entire restaurant sector ! । । Value 1 । 190 1 1 202 l i 1 412 • 46 420 411 420 1 412 1 1
| । I 1 j 1 । Voluie 1 1 118 1 123 S 1 *4 1 44 -3 -2 -3 -2 1 1
Notes: 1. Figures denoting changes are derived froi unrounded figures.
2. 1 denotes a figure within f0.5.
------0-----------
/4 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
BILL REMOVES ARCHAIC DISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONY AND MISDEMEANOUR
* * * * *
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS) BILL 1991, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), SEEKS TO ABOLISH AN ARCHAIC DIVISION OF OFFENCES INTO FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS.
IN ENGLAND, THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS BECAME LESS PRONOUNCED AS A RESULT OF CRIMINAL LAW REFORM IN THE 19TH CENTURY. THE FORMAL DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO CLASSES OF OFFENCE WAS REMOVED WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ACT 1967.
THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCES IN HONG KONG NOWADAYS WAS BETWEEN OFFENCES TRIABLE SUMMARILY BY A MAGISTRATE AND OFFENCES TRIABLE BY A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE OR WITH A JURY IN THE HIGH COURT.
IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THE DISTINCTION OF FELONIES AND
MISDEMEANOURS NO LONGER SERVED ANY USEFUL PURPOSE, AND THAT ABOLITION OF THE DISTINCTION WOULD SIMPLIFY AND MODERNISE THE
CRIMINAL LAW.
CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL EFFECTS THE ABOLITION OF THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONY AND MISDEMEANOUR AND PROVIDES THAT THE LAW AND PRACTICE APPLICABLE TO MISDEMEANOUR SHALL APPLY IN THE CASE OF EVERY OFFENCE.
CLAUSE 3 REPLACES THE CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCES AS FELONY AND MISDEMEANOUR IN LEGISLATION WITH THE SINGLE TERM "OFFENCE".
CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ORDINANCES AND TO ACTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM PARLIAMENT IN FORCE IN HONG KONG WERE ALSO PROVIDED IN SCHEDULES 1 TO 4 OF THE BILL.
- - 0 - -
LABOUR LAWS HELP IMPROVE WORKERS’ LOT *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO BRING ABOUT STEADY IMPROVEMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG’S WORKFORCE IN THE PAST 20 YEARS BY BUILDING UP A COMPREHENSIVE BODY OF LABOUR LEGISLATION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT CLUB, MR CHEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO ACHIEVE A LEVEL OF LEGISLATION ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT BROADLY EQUIVALENT TO THE BEST IN OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WHOSE STAGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND WERE SIMILAR TO OURS.
"THIS POLICY ALSO ENABLES HONG KONG TO MEASURE UP TO INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS,” MR CHEN SAID.
/HE NOTED
FRIDAY, APRIL, 12, 1991
5 -
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG NOW APPLIED 47 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS, A "PROUD RECORD" SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN MANY OF OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
"THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS, WE ARE ABLE TO FEND OFF UNFAIR CRITICISM AGAINST HONG KONG ON ACCOUNT OF SUB-STANDARD EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND SAFETY AND HEALTH PROVISIONS," MR CHEN SAID.
CITING THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AS AN EXAMPLE, MR CHEN SAID SOME 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING REST DAYS, STATUTORY HOLIDAYS, PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, SICK LEAVE AND SICKNESS ALLOWANCE, MATERNITY LEAVE WITH PAY, SEVERANCE PAYMENT ON REDUNDANCY, END OF YEAR PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
IN THE FIELD OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING ORDINANCE IMPOSED GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES ON BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN RESPECT OF WORK SAFETY.
"THERE ARE NOW 25 SETS OF REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EACH DEALING WITH SAFETY IN SPECIFIC TRADES AND PROCESSES," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION FOR INJURY OR DEATH AT WORK AND FOR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, MR CHEN SAID SUCH COMPENSATION IN HONG KONG DID NOT REQUIRE CONTRIBUTION FROM EMPLOYERS BUT WAS BASED ON A SYSTEM OF COMPULSORY INSURANCE WHICH ALL EMPLOYERS WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT.
HE ADDED THAT THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE APPLIED TO EVERY EMPLOYEE IRRESPECTIVE OF THE NATURE OF HIS EMPLOYMENT OR LEVEL OF EARNINGS.
"IN THE PAST 20 YEARS OR SO, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO THREE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT AS A RESULT, SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT TO THE SYSTEM OF EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION HAD BEEN MADE.
MR CHEN ALSO NOTED THAT FURTHER IMPROVEMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY ORDINANCE WAS LIKELY TO BE MADE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE SO THAT EMPLOYEES MIGHT CLAIM $8,000 AND 50 PER CENT OF THE BALANCE IN SEVERANCE PAYMENT SHOULD THEIR EMPLOYERS BECOME INSOLVENT OR BANKRUPT.
ON THE ROLE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN INTRODUCING ANY LABOUR LEGISLATION, MR CHEN SAID THE DEPARTMENT’S POLICY WAS TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INTEREST OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AND TO ACHIEVE A FAIR BALANCE IN THE "SOMETIMES CONFLICTING CONSEQUENCES IN ECONOMIC COST, SOCIAL COSTS AND GENERAL ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS."
"OUR PRACTICE IS TO SEEK A WIDE SPECTRUM OF PUBLIC VIEWS AND WE FIND PARTICULARLY VALUABLE THE ADVICE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD WHICH COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT,” MR CHEN SAID.
/HE RECALLED .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
6 -
HE RECALLED THAT IN 1989 AND 1990, THE BOARD GAVE ADVICE ON NO FEWER THAN 31 ITEMS OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR CHEN BELIEVED OUR COMMUNITY WOULD BE EVEN BETTER EQUIPPED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES IN THE 90’S.
HE NOTED THAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION LATER THIS YEAR, 18 CANDIDATES WOULD BE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY A POTENTIAL ELECTORATE OF 1.8 MILLION VOTERS AND THAT MOST OF THE PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS AND OTHER SECTORS WOULD BE REPRESENTED THROUGH AN INCREASED NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, TAKING UP A TOTAL OF 21 SEATS.
"THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL CERTAINLY RESULT IN THE GOVERNMENT BEING ABLE TO RELY ON A MUCH WIDER COMMUNITY VIEW ON ALL MATTERS OF CONCERN TO HONG KONG AND LABOUR ISSUES ARE NO EXCEPTION," HE ADDED.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR LABOUR STANDARDS IN A MANNER WHICH IS COMMENSURATE WITH HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVE POSITION, MR CHEN SAID.
------0--------
ILE ENROLS 1,500-PLUS TEACHERS A YEAR FOR RETRAINING ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE) ENROLS MORE THAN 1,500 NON-GRADUATE AND GRADUATE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS A YEAR IN ITS FULL-TIME, IN-SERVICE RETRAINING COURSES, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW PREMISES FOR THE INSTITUTE IN HOSPITAL ROAD, MID-LEVELS, MR LI SAID 199 TEACHERS ATTENDED THE FIRST COURSES WHEN IT BEGAN OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER 1982 IN A COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON.
IN THESE NEW PREMISES, HE SAID, THE ILE WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHING FORCE AS IT PROVIDED RETRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIALIST TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AND CHINESE, INCLUDING PUTONGHUA.
"IT MUST ALSO OFFER INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS WHO USE THESE LANGUAGES AS MEDIA OF INSTRUCTION AND A START HAS, OF COURSE, BEEN MADE WITH ITS CHINESE DIVISION’S PART-TIME COURSE IN CHINESE COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS," MR LI SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE TRAINING OF A TEACHER WAS A COMPLEX UNDERTAKING AND ONE THAT SHOULD BE SEEN AS A COMPLEX PROCESS OCCUPYING THE FULL SPAN OF PROFESSIONAL LIFE.
/BUILDING ON .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
BUILDING ON WHAT STUDENTS BROUGHT WITH THEM, HE EXPLAINED THAT GOOD INITIAL TRAINING WOULD LAY FIRM FOUNDATION FOR, IN MANY CASES, A LIFETIME AS A TEACHER THAT WOULD STRETCH INTO A FUTURE AT BEST ONLY DIMLY PERCEIVED, AND BE CARRIED OUT IN A 1,001 DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.
"INITIAL TRAINING CANNOT, HOWEVER, GIVE THE TEACHER EVERYTHING THAT HE OR SHE WILL NEED AS THE YEARS UNFOLD, NOR CAN IT BE EXPECTED TO - THE TEACHER IS ONLY AT THE BEGINNING OF WHAT SHOULD BE A PROCESS OF CONTINUAL PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND RENEWAL, WITH INDUCTION INTO THE PROFESSION FOLLOWED BY A PATTERN OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING AND EDUCATION ACROSS THE YEARS," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
’DON’T LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED’ PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN STARTS »♦»»»#
PARENTS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED NOT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
EVEN IF THE PERIOD OF UNATTENDANCE EXCEEDED NO MORE THAN THREE MINUTES, IT COULD BE LETHAL TO THE CHILDREN CONCERNED, THE CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MRS KATHERINE SHIN, SAID.
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF A PUBLICITY PACKAGE TO REMIND ADULTS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
MRS SHIN SAID THE PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES, BEING JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS (NGO’S), STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED.
THE DIVISION CHAIRMAN OF THE FAMILY AND CHILD CARE DIVISION, HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, MRS KITTY TANG, SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND NGO’S HAD ADOPTED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO PREVENT TRAGEDIES INVOLVING CHILDREN BEING LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME.
ON THE PUBLICITY PACKAGE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, MRS PRISCILLA LUI, SAID TELEVISION API’S (ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST), POSTERS AND PAMPHLETS HAD BEEN PRODUCED TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD BE MORE WARY OF THE HAZARDS OF LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME," SHE SAID.
MRS SHIN AND MRS TANG ALSO ENCOURAGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF EXISTING COMMUNITY RESOURCES, INCLUDING DAY NURSERIES, CRECHES, OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE SERVICES AS WELL AS VARIOUS FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES, WHEN THEY WERE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE.
MRS TANG ADDED THAT ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WOULD ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MUTUAL AID GROUPS BY WOMEN’S ORGANISATIONS OR NGO’S.
--------0---------
/8.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
8 -
YUEN LONG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN GAZETTED *****
AN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR YUEN LONG COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 562 HECTARES HAS BEEN GAZETTED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE TODAY (FRIDAY).
AS PART OF THE EXERCISE TO COVER ALL THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH STATUTORY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS, THE YUEN LONG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN NO. S/YL/1 HAS BEEN PREPARED SO THAT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WITHIN THE PLAN AREA CAN BE BROUGHT UNDER STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROL.
WHILE THIS PLAN WILL PROVIDE A STATUTORY LAND USE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH MORE DETAILED PLANNING MAY PROCEED, THE MAIN PLANNING INTENTION IS TO CONSOLIDATE THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF YUEN LONG AS A REGIONAL CENTRE OF THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES.
THE AREA IN THE PLAN IS BOUNDED BY THE EXISTING YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN THE NORTH, YUEN LONG KAU HUI GROUP OF VILLAGES IN THE EAST AND THE PROPOSED YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS AND YUEN LONG WEST LINK ROAD IN THE SOUTH AND WEST RESPECTIVELY.
THE EXISTING POPULATION OF THE AREA IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 130,000. UPON FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA, THE TOTAL POPULATION WILL BE IN THE REGION OF 221,000.
A MAJORITY OF THE LAND USE ZONING SHOWN ON THE PLAN ARE BASED ON EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS WITH A VIEW TO STRENGTHENING THE EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS OF YUEN LONG TOWN.
THE PLAN ALSO COVERS THE EXTENSION AREAS LOCATED TO THE SOUTH AND THE EAST OF THE EXISTING BUILT-UP AREAS OF YUEN LONG TOWN WHICH ARE RESERVED PRIMARILY FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AND VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENTS.
TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BUILDING PROJECTS, VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE EXTENSION AREAS WILL BE IMPROVED AND THE LEVEL OF ANCILLARY FACILITY PROVISION WILL BE CONSOLIDATED.
SINCE THERE ARE 23 RECOGNISED VILLAGES WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF ABOUT 17,000 LOCATED WITHIN THE AREA, IT IS THE PLANNING INTENTION TO ENHANCE AND PRESERVE THE EXISTING VILLAGE CHARACTERISTICS IN YUEN LONG.
ABOUT 97 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT AND VILLAGE EXTENSION PURPOSES.
A SITE TO THE SOUTH OF MA TIN TSUEN HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND A PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME TO MEET THE LONG-TERM HOUSING NEEDS OF THE LOCAL POPULATION.
SOME 34 HA OF AREAS ARE DESIGNATED AS RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B). THESE AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO THE CONTROL OF A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 3, A MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT OF 12 STOREYS AND A MAXIMUM SITE COVERAGE OF 30 PER CENT.
/BY MEANS .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
9
BY MEANS OF THIS ZONING, IT IS AIMED TO CREATE A GOOD TOWNSCAPE SO THAT THE BUILDING HEIGHT DESCENDS SMOOTHLY FROM THE CORE OF THE TOWN TO THE EDGE AREAS AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF RESIDENTIAL TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT.
FOUR SITES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED 'COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS’. THEY INCLUDE THE TAI KIU TSUEN, THE INDUSTRIAL AREA LOCATED TO THE EAST OF YUEN LONG PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AND THE TWO SITES LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE FUTURE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TERMINUS IN THE EASTERN END OF YUEN LONG TOWN.
UNDER THIS ZONING, DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IN THE FORM OF MASTER LAYOUT PLAN SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR APPROVAL.
FOR THE TWO SITES CLOSE TO THE FUTURE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TERMINUS, GIVEN THEIR STRATEGIC LOCATION, THERE WILL BE POTENTIALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW LARGE SHOPPING AND AMUSEMENT COMPLEX PROVIDING A HIGH ORDER OF RETAIL GOODS IN THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES.
ADEQUATE AREAS HAVE BEEN RESERVED ON THE PLAN FOR THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL POPULATION.
AS THE CORE AREAS OF YUEN LONG- TOWN HAVE ALREADY BEEN FULLY DEVELOPED, THESE PLANNED FACILITIES WILL MAINLY BE PROVIDED IN THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN EXTENSION AREAS.
ABOUT 58 HA OF LAND ARE ZONED ’OPEN SPACE’ TO PROVIDE LAND FOR BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL USES. THESE INCLUDE THE NEWLY OPENED YUEN LONG TOWN PARK IN THE WEST, THE SPORTS GROUND NEAR YUEN LONG KAU HUI AND THE TOWN SQUARES IN THE CORE AREAS OF YUEN LONG TOWN.
A STRIP OF OPEN SPACE WITH A WIDTH OF ABOUT 80 METRES HAS BEEN RESERVED TO THE NORTH OF YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS SO AS TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT OF THE ROAD ON THE ADJOINING DEVELOPMENT.
IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE EXISTING NATURAL SETTING OF THREE WELL-VEGETATED KNOLLS, ’GREEN BELT’ ZONING IS DESIGNATED TO CHU WONG LING, WHICH IS AT THE SOUTH OF YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE; TO THE KNOLL NORTH OF YUEN LONG KAU HUI AND THE ONE NORTHEAST OF CHUN HING SAN TSUEN.
LAND AREAS HAVE BEEN RESERVED ON THE PLAN FOR MAJOR HIGHWAY AND FUTURE RAIL PROJECTS.
THE ALIGNMENT OF THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS IS SHOWN ON THE PLAN.
THIS PROPOSED HIGHWAY WILL FORM PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD SYSTEM AND WILL PROVIDE A NEW ROUTE FOR THROUGH VEHICULAR TRAFFIC BYPASSING YUEN LONG TOWN.
/IT IS .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
- 10 -
IT IS DESIGNED AS A DUAL-TWO CARRIAGEWAY AND SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1993.
APART FROM THE RESERVATION OF LAND FOR THE FUTURE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT EXTENSIONS, LAND AREAS ARE RESERVED AT THE EASTERN END OF YUEN LONG, FOR RAIL INTERCHANGE AND RAIL RESERVE PURPOSES TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES RAIL LINK.
THIS NEW DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN) PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (YUEN LONG), AT YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
COPIES OF THE NEW PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, AT $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $120 EACH COLOURED.
ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE DRAFT PLAN SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD ON OR BEFORE JUNE 12.
--------------0------- LAND RESUMPTION IN KWAI TSING *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND IN KWAI TSING FOR THE RELOCATION OF SHIPYARDS AND ROADWORKS.
THE LAND TO BE RESUMED COMPRISES 37 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 8,767 SQUARE METRES IN YAU KOM TAU AND CHEUNG SHUE TAU.
THE LAND WILL BE REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING OF NOTICES ON THE LOTS.
DETAILS OF RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY ( FRIDAY I .
- - 0----------
/Il ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
- 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR ROADS AND DRAINS IN SHEK WU HUI «»»***
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND DRAINS IN SHEK WU HUI.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN IN FANLING.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN AREA 30A.
THE WORKS ALSO COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR ROAD LIO AND A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY ACROSS DISTRIBUTOR ROAD D4; IMPROVEMENT TO EXISTING ROADS; CONSTRUCTION OF A BUS TERMINUS AND A GREEN MINIBUS TERMINUS; AND RELATED ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS, STREET FURNITURES AND PARKING FACILITIES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 3.
--------0----------
PROPOSED ROADWORKS TO CONNECT WITH NEW INTERCHANGE IN TUEN MUN
♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT A SERIES OE ROADWORKS AT FU TEI IN TUEN MUN AS PART OF A NEW INTERCHANGE NETWORK IN THE AREA.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE EXTENDING A SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (SAN HUI) INTO FU TEI AREA. ANOTHER SECTION OF THE SAME ROAD WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED TO REMOVE THE FU TEI ROUNDABOUT.
THE NEW INTERCHANGE NETWORK IS BEING CONSTRUCTED UNDER THE TUEN MUN-YUEN LONG EASTERN CORRIDOR PROJECT.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AND AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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 JUNE 11 THIS YEAR.
/12 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
IMPROVEMENT TO SHEUNG SZE WAN ROAD PROPOSED
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO SHEUNG SZE WAN ROAD IN SAI KUNG.
THE ROADWORKS ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE PROPER ACCESS ROAD AND FOOTPATH TO THE VILLAGE OF SHEUNG SZE WAN UNDER THE URBAN FRINGE AREA IMPROVEMENT SCHEME IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND A NOTICE IS POSTED NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AND AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
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 JUNE 11 THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
POLICE ADVICE ON PREVENTION OF THEFTS FROM VEHICLES
» « ♦
IN VIEW OF THE DRAMATIC INCREASE OF THEFTS FROM GOODS VEHICLES RECENTLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, A POLICE SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES AND THEIR DRIVERS TO BE MORE ALERT IN HANDLING THEIR PROPERTY IN TRANSIT.
IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS LAST YEAR THERE WERE ONLY EIGHT CASES INVOLVING THEFTS FROM GOODS VEHICLES AND THE AMOUNT LOST WAS ABOUT $1.7 MILLION.
HOWEVER, IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, 30 SUCH CASES WERE REPORTED WITH THE PROPERTY CLAIMED STOLEN WORTH ABOUT $10 MILLION.
"THE CULPRITS USUALLY PREY ON VEHICLES CARRYING GOODS SUCH AS CLOTH, GARMENT, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND PHOTOCOPIERS, WHICH ARE PARKED IN THE SIDE STREETS OVERNIGHT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEREFORE, DRIVERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK THEIR VEHICLES IN CARPARKS WITH SOUND SECURITY MEASURES IF THEY ARE CARRYING EXPENSIVE GOODS.
/"OR BETTER
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
- 13 -
I
"OR BETTER STILL THE GOODS IN TRANSIT SHOULD BE CLEARED EVERYDAY SO AS NOT TO GIVE THE THIEVES ANY CHANCE TO EXPLOIT.
"IT IS ALSO ADVISABLE TO HAVE ALL THE VALUABLES IN TRANSIT INSURED TO HELP MINIMISE LOSSES."
------0--------
SAI KUNG DB TO NAME CHAIRMAN TOMORROW *****
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR THE 1991-94 TERM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) DURING WHICH MEMBERS WILL ELECT THE BOARD’S CHAIRMAN.
MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG WAS THE ONLY NOMINEE FOR THE CHAIRMANSHIP WHEN NOMINATION CLOSED ON APRIL 4.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT 34 CHAN MAN STREET IN SAI KUNG TOWN.
MEANWHILE, THE OTHER 18 DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE ALSO DRAWN UP A SCHEDULE FOR THEIR FIRST MEETING FOR THIS TERM. THE DATE AND VENUE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
/
HONG KONG ISLAND
DATE AND TIME DISTRICT
VENUE
APRIL 19 EASTERN
2.30 PM
APRIL 19 2.30 PM
WAN CHAI
APRIL 24 2.30 PM
APRIL 24 3 PM
CENTRAL AND WESTERN
SOUTHERN
EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 11TH FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO.
DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD.
ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
DB CONFERENCE ROOM,
SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
/KOWLOON .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
14
KOWLOON
DATE AND TIME DISTRICT VENUE J®
APRIL 17 2.30 PM YAU TSIM YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
APRIL 18 2 PM SHAM SHUT PO DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SEVENTH FLOOR CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAZA, TOWER I, 833 CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
APRIL 18 4 PM MONG KOK DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET.
APRIL 25 2.15 PM KOWLOON CITY KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
APRIL 25 2.30 PM WONG TAI SIN FUNG MING HALL, WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
APRIL 30 2.30 PM KWUN TONG KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
NEW TERRITORIES
DATE AND TIME DISTRICT
VENUE
APRIL 15 2 PM APRIL 15 2 PM ISLANDS NORTH
APRIL 16 TAI PO
9.30 AM
APRIL 16 KWAI TSING
2.30 PM
ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING
38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING,
3 P1K FUNG ROAD, FANLING
DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152-172 KWONG FUK ROAD.
DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI TSING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
/APRIL 17 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
— 15 —
APRIL 17 2.30 PM TSUEN WAN REGIONAL COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN MTR STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
APRIL 19 9.30 AM SHA TIN DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
APRIL 22 9.30 AM TUEN MUN DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD.
APRIL 29 9.30 AM YUEN LONG DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
_ _ — - 0 ** «■»
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 11.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 12.4.91 -20
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +20
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.3 *-0.2» 12.4.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEI
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 400 + 80
Q103 17.4.91 730.5 -250.5
Q104 24.4.91 705 -225
Q105 1.5.91 710 -230
Q106 8.5.91 563.5 -83.5
Q107 15.5.91 591 -111
Q108 22.5.91 510 -30
Q109 29.5.91 460 + 20
QUO 5.6.91 350 + 130
QI 11 12.6.91 510 -30
Q112 19.6.91 540 -60
Q113 26.6.91 550 -70
Q114 3.7.91 470 + 10
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1991
1 - 16 -
j HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEJ
i 1 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 181 +79
H002 15.5.91 230 +30
H003 29.5.91 240 +20
H004 12.6.91 250 +10
H005 26.6.91 230 +30
H101 10.7.91 133 +127
H156 24.7.91 130 +130
H157 7.8.91 198 +62
H158 21.8.91 100 +160
H159 4.9.91 10 +250
H160 18.9.91 170 +90
H161 2.10.91 100 +160
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 180 + 80
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 12.4.91 WAS 3,201 MN
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED ................................. 1
DECEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED .................. 8
AIRPORT TALKS ADJOURNED......................................................... 13
GOVT WORKS IN SUPPORT OF TRADE AND SERVICES .................................... 13
MARCH WARMER AND MORE HUMID THAN NORMAL......................................... 15
38 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN DECEMBER ..................................... 17
SAI KUNG DB CHAIRMAN ELECTED.................................................... 18
AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN YAU TSIM .................................... 18
STUDENTS TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF WORKPLACES ............................ 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..................... 20
REMINDER ON PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD .............................. 20
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
1
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED
*****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN FEBRUARY 1991, AT $90,816 MILLION, GREW BY 16% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN FEBRUARY 1991 RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 8% TO $14,346 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 29% TO $31,462 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 21% TO $45,807 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 11% TO $45,009 MILLION.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE TRADE FIGURES FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH.
IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY THIS YEAR ARE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, BUT IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1991, AT $209,673 MILLION, INCREASED BY 28% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 12% TO $33,522 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 34% TO $70,482 MILLION. THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 26% TO $104,004 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 30% TO $105,669 MILLION.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1990, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3% TO $229,449 MILLION WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS WAS UP BY 23% TO $432,075 MILLION.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY 15%. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 18% TO $666,636 MILLION. THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, AS A WHOLE, INCREASED BY 17%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1990, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE NETHERLANDS, FRANCE, TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE RECORDED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OF 68%, 41%, 35%, 33%, 26% AND 24% RESPECTIVELY. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN ALSO RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 5% IN VALUE.
/HOWEVER, THE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
2
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, CANADA AND THE USA DECREASED BY 18%, 6% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 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 AND TAIWAN, BY 55%, 53%, 33%, 32% AND 26% RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, FRANCE AND JAPAN ALSO INCREASED BY 18%, 13% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA AND THE USA DECREASED BY 12% AND 7% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,666 MILLION OR 17%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $835 MILLION OR 40%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $572 MILLION OR 25%); AND TEXTILES (BY $23 MILLION OR 1%). HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $333 MILLION OR 9%), AND FOOTWEAR (BY $32 MILLION OR 19%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1990, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, SINGAPORE, CHINA, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND JAPAN, BY 29%, 24%, 22%, 16% AND 13% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM SWITZERLAND, TAIWAN AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED BY 4%, 3% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE USA AND FRANCE DECREASED BY 5% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, CHINA, TAIWAN AND JAPAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 58%, 44%, 38%, 34%, 32% AND 31% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM THE USA, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE INCREASED RY 22%, 18%, 18% AND 10% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $3,529 MILLION OR 45%); CLOTHING (BY $2,618 MILLION OR 40%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,165 MILLION OR 36%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,464 MILLION OR 15%).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
- 3 -
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OE IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $191 MILLION OR 6%), AND CORK AND WOOD MANUFACTURES (BY $96 MILLION OR 16%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1990, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, ITALY, FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY 148%, 86%, 68% AND 66% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE TO JAPAN, THE USA, TAIWAN AND CHINA INCREASED BY 32%, 28%, 24% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASED BY 16% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 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, ITALY, FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY 118%, 75%, 56% AND 54% RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, CHINA, JAPAN AND THE USA INCREASED BY 38%, 32%, 31% AND 25% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALSO RECORDED A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 2% IN VALUE. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE DECREASED BY 6%.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $3,375 MILLION OR 53%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $2,213 MILLION OR 37%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,670 MILLION OR 41%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,068 MILLION OR 18%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $109 MILLION OR 16%), AND PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS (BY $51 MILLION OR 10%).
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 FEBRUARY 1991 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY MAY 1991.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS. THE FEBRUARY 1991 ISSUE OF THE ”HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE” WITH DETAI LED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND APRIL 18, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $33.50 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING .......
SATURDAY, ARPIL 13, 1991
4
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BR 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: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET FEB 1991 (HKD MN.) FEO 91 OVER FEB 90 ( % ) JAN-FEB 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB 91 OVER JAN-FEB 90 ( % )
USA 3,572 - 3 8,284 - 7
CHINA 2,399 - 18 6,662 + 18
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,657 + 68 3,587 + 55
UK 1,018 + 41 2,220 + 32
JAPAN 728 + 5 1,666 + 5
SINGAPORE 584 + 24 1,445 + 53
TAIWAN 442 + 26 1,001 4- 26
NETHERLANDS 465 + 35 968 + 33
CANADA 327 - 6 767 - 12
FRANCE 274 ♦ 33 608 + 13
TABLE 2: POMEST1C EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
FEB FEB 91 JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 91
COMMODITY 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
DIVISION FEB 90 JAN-FEB 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 5,121
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND
SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,365
+ 41 11,261
- 17 3,262
- 9
/OFFICE MACHINES .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
- 5 -
OFFICE MACHINES AND
AUTOMATIC DATA
PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 1 ,243 + 16 2,935 F 40
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY,
APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES,
AND ELECTRICAL PARTS
THEREOF 1,199 + 7 2,836 F 25
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS,
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES,
OPTICAL GOODS,
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,161 - 5 2,814 F 3
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS,
MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 970 - 12 2,346 F 1
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
FEB FEB 91 JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 91
MAJOR SUPPLIER 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
FEB 90 JAN-FEB 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 15,165 + 22 38,046 F 34
JAPAN 8,211 + 13 17,028 F 31
TAIWAN 3,620 + 3 9,255 + 32
USA 3,461 - 5 8,741 F 22
SINGAPORE 2,325 + 24 5,424 F 58
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,064 + 16 4,879 + 44
UK 1 ,394 + 29 2,704 F 38
F.R. OF GERMANY 952 F 2 2,228 F 18
SWITZERLAND 934 F 4 1,783 F 18
FRANCE 723 - 2 1,528 F 10
/TABLE 4 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
6
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS 91 90 > )
COMMODITY DIVISION G FEB 1991 IKD MN.) FEB 91 OVER FEB 90 JAN-FEB 1991 (HKD MN.) • '3 JAN-FEB OVER JAN-FEB ( *
( 1 * )
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,994 + 25 11,354 ♦ 45
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4,461 - 8 11 ,048 f 15
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,739 + 37 9,112 + 40
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,574 + 18 8,110 + 36
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,876 + 10 6,860 + 27
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,424 + 5 5,292 + 16
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET FEB 1991 (HKD MN.) FEB 91 OVER FEB 90 JAN-FEB 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB 91 OVER JAN-FEB 90
( % ) ( X )
CHINA 7,404 + 5 18,494 ♦ 32
USA 5,931 + 28 13,557 ♦ 25
F.R. OF GERMANY 2,773 + 148 5,721 + 118
JAPAN 2,026 + 32 4,288 ♦ 31
TAIWAN 1 , 792 + 24 3,808 + 38
/REPUBLIC OF ......
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
7
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 894 - 6 1,990 + 2
UK 896 ♦ 66 1,957 + 64
SINGAPORE 746 - 16 1,700 - 6
FRANCE 607 + 68 1,248 ♦ 56
ITALY 574 + 86 1,220 + 75
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
FEB COMMODITY 1991 DIVISION (HKD MN.) FEB 91 OVER FEB 90 ( % ) JAN-FEB 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB OVER JAN-FEB ( * 91 90 I )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,54 5 + 80 9,768 ♦ 53
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,574 + 44 8,167 + 37
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS- 2,782 - 3 6,882 + 18
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,696 + 9 6,185 23
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,555 + 40 5,740 ♦ 41
FOOTWEAR 1,464 + 91 3,308 4- 92
- - 0 - -
/8
- 8 -
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
DECEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED
*****
IN DECEMBER 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989, WHILE EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING SI •.( FOR DECREASED, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) B'i THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THUS THE SHIFT IN EMPLOYMENT FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES CONTINUED.
THERE WERE 715,600 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN DECEMBER 1990, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 9.6 PER CEN1 IN COMPARISON WITH DECEMBER 1989.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPOR I TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 829,600 IN DECEMBER 1990, WAS 7.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1989.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 276,600, WAS UP BY 8.6 PER CENT.
EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT 69,100, WAS 0.5 PER (ENT LOWER THAN IN DECEMBER 1989.
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1990 IN THE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1989 AND SEPTEMBER 1990, ARE AS FOLLOWS :
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN* PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC 89 SEPT 90 DEC 90 DEC 90 ON DEC 89 DEC 90 ON SEPT 90
MANUFACTURING 791,500 730,200 715,600 -9.6 -2.0
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 69,500 70,700 69,100 -0.5 -2.2
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 774,000 814,800 829,600 + 7.2 + 1.8
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 254,800 273,200 276,600 + 8.6 + 1.2
/* FIGURES ARE ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
9
* FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST HUNDRED.
*« BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1990 WITH SEPTEMBER 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED BY 2.0 PER CENT AND 2.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR SHOWED INCREASES OF 1.8 PER CENT AND 1.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN DECEMBER 1990 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE CONSTRUCTION SITES; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES ALSO PROVIDE VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS. THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1989 AND SEPTEMBER 1990 ARE AS FOLLOWS :
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN ♦ PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY * DEC 89 SEPT 90 DEC 90 DEC 90 ON DEC 89 DEC 90 ON SEPT 90
MANUFACTURING 36,170 36,160 28,970 -19.9 -19.9
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) N. A. 1,860 1,330 N. A. -28.3
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT 27,050 30,000 27,670 + 2.3 - 7.8
AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS •
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 10,520 9,150 8,870 -15.6 - 3.0
/* FIGURES ARE
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
- 10 -
* FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST TEN.
* * BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
N.A. FIGURES ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989, THE VACANCY SITUATION IMPROVED IN MOST MAJOR SECTORS, SUGGESTING THAT THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR HAD BECOME LESS INTENSE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR DECREASED BY 11.5 PER CENT IN DECEMBER 1990 OVER DECEMBER 1989.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF- VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS FELL BY 19.9 PER CENT AND 15.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTORS EXPERIENCED A SMALL INCREASE OF 2.3 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THE INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL FACTORS, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS FELL BY 7.8 PER CENT AMD 3.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER 1990.
THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES DECREASED CONSIDERABLY BY 19.9 PER CENT AND 28.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN % CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR 4TH QTR. 1990
SECTORS OF THE 4TH QTR. 4TH QTR. ON
ECONOMY 1989 1990 4TH QTR. 1989
HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING 11,236 11,435 + 1.8
WHOLESALE AND 11,614 14,477 + 24.7
RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
/FINANCING, INSURANCE,........
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
6,547
8,210
+ 25.4
♦ BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 1.8 PER CENT, 24.7 PER CENT AND 25.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN DECEMBER 1989 AND DECEMBER 1990, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED.
TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THESE TWO INDICES FOR DECEMBER 1989 AND DECEMBER 1990 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED
(JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC 89 DEC 90 DEC 90 ON *DEC 89
MANUFACTURING 355.0 389.4 + 9.7
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 371.2 426.2 + 14.8
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 405.1 464.8 + 14.7
/REAL INDEX .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
12
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY
MANUFACTURING
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100)
DEC 89
170.0
177.5
193.7
DEC 90
167.3
183.2
199.7
% CHANGE
DEC 90 ON
DEC 89
-1.6
+ 3.2
+ 3.1
BETWEEN DECEMBER 1989 AND DECEMBER 1990, AN INCREASE OF 9.7 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 14.8 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 14.7 PER CENT.
SALARY REVISION WAS REPORTED AS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE INCREASE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED OVER THIS PERIOD.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 3.2 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND 3.1 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SMALL DECREASE OF 1.6 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, DECEMBER 1990 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, DECEMBER, 1990.
THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT $ 11 PER COPY AND $7.5 PER COPY RESPECTIVELY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 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.
713 ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
- 13 -
AIRPORT TALKS ADJOURNED * ♦ ♦
IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) CONFIRMED THAT THE LATEST ROUND OF TALKS WITH THE CHINESE IN PEKING ON HONG KONG’S AIRPORT PLANS HAD BEEN ADJOURNED.
"SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE DURING THE DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING. THE POSITION OF THE TWO SIDES IS NOW CLOSER. BUT SOME IMPORTANT ISSUES REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED. IT IS TIME FOR BOTH SIDES TO TAKE STOCK OF WHERE WE HAVE REACHED BEFORE RESUMING TALKS. BRITISH AND HONG KONG OFFICIALS WILL THEREFORE BE LEAVING PEKING TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN ORDER TO REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE GOVERNOR."
----0------
GOVT WORKS IN SUPPORT OF TRADE AND SERVICES
******
THE GOVERNMENT WORKS INCESSANTLY TO SECURE AND MAINTAIN FOR HONG KONG’S GOODS AND SERVICES THE GREATEST AND FREEST POSSIBLE ACCESS TO WORLD MARKETS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE 23RD DISTINGUISHED SALESMAN AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
"WE DO THIS THROUGH OUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL FORUMS SUCH AS THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE AND THROUGH BILATERAL CONTACTS WITH OUR TRADING PARTNERS," MR CHAN SAID.
"WE ALSO PROVIDE, THROUGH THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TO HELP OUR EXPORTERS MARKET THEIR WARES, FIND NEW CUSTOMERS AND TACKLE NEW MARKETS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO PROVIDING VARIOUS SUPPORTING SERVICES TO INDUSTRY TO HELP IT MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE.
"I WILL NOT BORE YOU WITH THE DETAILS, BUT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THESE SERVICES EVEN FURTHER," MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY WOULD DEPEND A GREAT DEAL ON ITS ABILITY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN WORLD MARKETS.
"THE SALES MARKETING EXECUTIVES CLUB CAN MAKE A REAL CONTRIBUTION IN THIS VITAL AREA BY HELPING TO UPGRADE THE SKILLS AND PROFESSIONALISM OF OUR SALES AND MARKETING WORKFORCE," HE SAID.
IT WOULD BE NO EXAGGERATION TO SAY THAT, WITHOUT SALES AND MARKETING, THERE WOULD BE NO INTERNATIONAL TRADE, MR CHAN SAID.
"INTERNATIONAL TRADE IS NOT LIMITED TO MERCHANDISE ALONE.
"TRADE IN SERVICES IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT FOR MANY, INCLUDING HONG KONG." HE SAID.
/ACCORDING TO
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
14
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS COMPILED BY THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, HONG KONG WAS THE WORLD'S 13TH LARGEST EXPORTER AND 17TH LARGEST IMPORTER OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES IN 1989. THE RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SERVICES SECTOR TO OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAD BEEN INCREASING STEADILY OVER THE YEARS AND NOW STOOD AT ALMOST 70 PER CENT.
"IN THE AREA OF TRADE IN SERVICES, WHERE MEASURES OF QUALITY AND VALUE FOR MONEY ARE OFTEN LESS TANGIBLE THAN FOR TRADE IN GOODS. SALES AND MARKETING PLAY AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT PART IN DETERMINING SUCCESS IN WINNING CUSTOMERS," MR CHAN SAID.
"OF COURSE, ALL OF YOU KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF SALES AND MARKETING WITHOUT MY TELLING YOU ABOUT IT.
"YOU MUST ALSO KNOW THAT, ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION, MARKETS ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE COMPETITIVE, AND POTENTIAL BUYERS MORE AND MORE DISCERNING.
"IRONICALLY ENOUGH, THIS PHENOMENON IS AT LEAST PARTLY THE RESULT OF MORE SUCCESSFUL SALES AND MARKETING EFFORTS BY OTHER SELLERS IN THE SAME MARKETS," HE SAID.
IT WOULD TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT TO STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.
MANUFACTURERS OF GOODS AND PROVIDERS OF SERVICES WOULD CONSTANTLY HAVE TO SEEK TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS WHILE KEEPING THEIR COSTS AND PRICES AT COMPETITIVE LEVELS.
"THIS WILL REQUIRE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ADOPTION OF NEWER TECHNOLOGIES AND OTHER MEASURES TO ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY, AS WELL AS SUSTAINED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT," MR CHAN SAID.
"SALES AND MARKETING PEOPLE WILL CONSTANTLY HAVE TO SHARPEN THE QUALITY OF THEIR SERVICE, INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFY AND GRASP NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO DEVISE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO NEW MARKETING SITUATIONS.
"THEY WILL HAVE TO REACH OUT MORE INTO THEIR MARKETS AND TRY TO ANTICIPATE, OR BETTER STILL CREATE, CUSTOMER DEMAND AND NOT WAIT FOR THE DEMAND TO MAKE ITSELF FELT.
"THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN PROVIDING APPROPRIATE SUPPORT TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHERE SUCH IS NEEDED.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY. MANY OF OUR POLICIES ARE AIMED AT CREATING AND MAINTAINING THE SORT OF ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE CAN OPERATE FREELY AND PROFITABLY.
"OUR RECORD HAS SHOWN THAT, HAVING PROVIDED THAT SORT OF ENVIRONMENT, THE BEST AND WISEST THING THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO IN MANY CASES IS TO LEAVE THE REST TO PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND STAY OUT OF THEIR HAIR.
"BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE MORE EFFECTIVELY. OR PERHAPS EVEN ONLY, BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"ON THESE, THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO DOING ITS BEST," MR CHAN SAID.
------0-------- /15 .............
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
15 MARCH WARMER AND MORE HUMID THAN NORMAL ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
MARCH 1991 WAS WARMER AND MORE HUMID THAN NORMAL, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT RELEASED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE MONTHLY MEAN DEW POINT OF 17.9 DEGREES, MONTHLY MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 18.6 DEGREES AND MONTHLY MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 20.3 DEGREES WERE RESPECTIVELY THE THIRD, FIFTH AND SIXTH HIGHEST EVER.
RAIN THAT FELL WAS MOSTLY ASSOCIATED WITH LATE-SEASON SURGES OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON. THE FIRST MAJOR DOWNPOUR AND THUNDERSTORM OF THE YEAR OCCURRED ON MARCH 22. THE RAINFALL ON THAT DAY REPRESENTED A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE MONTHLY TOTAL OF 51.5 MILLIMETRES WHICH WAS 23 PER CENT BELOW THE MARCH NORMAL OF 66.9 MILLIMETRES.
THE TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1, 1991 AMOUNTED TO 88.4 MILLIMETRES, 36 PER ('ENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 138.3 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE WEATHER ON MARCH 1 WAS MAINLY MISTY WITH SEA FOG OFFSHORE.
THERE WAS ALSO MORNING AND EVENING DRIZZLE. THE EASTERLIES FRESHENED
THAT EVENING AND LED TO CLOUDY AND COOLER WEATHER OVER THE NEXT
COUPLE OF DAYS.
RAIN, THOUGH LIGHT, WAS QUITE PERSISTENT ON MARCH 2 BUT BECAME LESS FREQUENT THE NEXT DAY.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE STILL SOME PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN ON MARCH 4, THE WEATHER TURNED BRIGHTER AND WARMER AS THE NORTHEAST MONSOON MODERATED.
WITH A MOIST MARITIME AIRSTREAM BECOMING ESTABLISHED, MIST AND FOG ENCROACHED UPON THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS. VISIBILITY INSIDE THE HARBOUR DROPPED BELOW 1,000 METRES IN THE MORNINGS OF MARCH 6 AND 7.
TEMPERATURES, MEANWHILE, WERE ON THE RISE, PEAKING AT A MAXIMUM OF 27.7 DEGREES ON MARCH 9. THIS WAS THE HIGHEST OF THE MONTH AND ALSO SO FAR THIS YEAR.
THE ARRIVAL OF COOLER AIR EARLY ON MARCH 10 BROUGHT A CLOUDY DAY WITH FRESH EASTERLY WINDS, BUT THE CLOUDS SOON CLEARED THE NEXT DAY.
THE WEATHER FROM MARCH 12 TO 19 WAS DOMINATED BY WEAK SURGES OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON. THE WEATHER WAS A MIXTURE OF SUNSHINE, CLOUDS, AND LIGHT RAIN.
THE HIGHLIGHTS DURING THIS PERIOD WERE THE STRONG EASTERLIES ON MARCH 14 AND PERSISTENT LIGHT RAIN ON MARCH 18.
/AS THE ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
16
AS THE NORTHEAST MONSOON WENT INTO A LULL, CONDITIONS BECAME WARM AND HUMID ON MARCH 20 AND 21. DENSE FOG AFFECTED THE HARBOUR AREA IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 21 BEFORE LIFTING DURING THE DAY.
HOWEVER, THE NEXT MORNING, THE HARBOUR AREA WAS RELATIVELY FREE OF FOG WHILE RAIN CLOUDS ASSOCIATED WITH A COLD FRONT OVER GUANGDONG EDGED TOWARDS THE COAST.
THE SKY TURNED OVERCAST LATER THAT MORNING, FOLLOWED BY AN OUTBREAK OF HEAVY RAIN SHORTLY AFTER MIDDAY. THE RAIN WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME THUNDERSTORMS WHICH MAINLY AFFECTED THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
AS A RESULT OF THE INCLEMENT WEATHER AND POOR VISIBILITY, SOME HYDROFOIL SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS WERE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED, AND AIR TRAFFIC WAS ALSO AFFECTED.
THE WEATHER STAYED CLOUDY ON MARCH 23 AND 24, BUT THE RAIN BECAME LIGHT AND LESS FREQUENT. THE RETURN OF A MOIST MARITIME AIRSTREAM BROUGHT BACK THE WARM AND MISTY WEATHER WITH SOME SUNSHINE FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS. FOG INSIDE THE HARBOUR WAS CONFINED TO THE MORNING PERIODS, BUT WAS MORE PERSISTENT OFFSHORE.
THE APPROACH OF ANOTHER COLD FRONT ON MARCH 28 CAUSED THE WEATHER TO TURN CLOUDY AGAIN WITH PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN. RAIN BECAME HEAVIER IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 30 AND WAS FOLLOWED BY A NORTHERLY SURGE OF THE MONSOON.
WINDS BECAME STRONG ON MARCH 31 WITH TEMPERATURE DROPPING TO A MINIMUM OF 11.9 DEGREES, THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH.
TWO TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC DURING THE MONTH. SIX AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT ON MARCH 22 AND 31. THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON MARCH 10 AND 17.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM S[GNAL DATE & TIME OF HOISTING DATE & TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER STRONG MARCH 14 MARCH 15
MONSOON MONSOON 3.30 PM 7.30 AM
WINTER STRONG MARCH 31 APRIL 1
MONSOON MONSOON 4.05 PM 7.30 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 75.6 HOURS ; 20.8 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL 8.91 MJ/SQ. METRE ; 2.33 MJ/SQ. METRE BELOW
SOLAR RADIATION NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 51.5 MM ; 15.4 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 81 PER CENT ; FIVE PER CENT MORE THAN
NORMAL
/MEAN RELATIVE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
17
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
86 PER CENT ;
22.4 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
20.3 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
18.6 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
17.9 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
54.7 MM ;
FIVE PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
1.1 DEGREES CELSIUS
ABOVE NORMAL
1.8 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
2.1 DEGREES CELSIUS
ABOVE NORMAL
2.9 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
37.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
------0--------
38 NEW BUILDING PLAN APPROVED IN DECEMBER ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED A TOTAL Ob 38 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
OF THESE, 14 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, AND 12 EACH FOR KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 14 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCI AL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, SIX FOR COMMERCIAL AND SHOP/OFFICE DEVELOPMENTS AND THREE FOR WORKSHOP PURPOSE.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 37 PROJECTS INVOLVING 95,606.5 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 84,431 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED TURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $2,099 MILLION. USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 258,527.1 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 66,53
SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, 11 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, TERRITORIES.
THE OFFICE ISSUED 35 OCCUPATION PERMITS;
11 FOR KOWLOON AND 13 FOR THE NEW
IN ADDITION, 40 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 70
BUILDINGS
WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,153 347 REMOVAL ORDERS.
RECEIVED 597 COMPLAINTS INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED
THE DANGEROUS BUILDING SECTION
INSPECTED 540 BUILDINGS AND
OBTAINED TWO EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
/18 ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
- 18 -
SAI KUNG DB CHAIRMAN ELECTED ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD HELD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR THE NEW TERM THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
AT THE MEETING, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, ANNOUNCED THAT MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG WAS RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR THE TERM APRIL 1991 TO SEPTEMBER 1994.
MR WAN, AN APPOINTED MEMBER, IS THE ONLY NOMINEE FOR THE CHAIRMANSHIP.
CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD’S SIX WORKING COMMITTEES WERE ALSO ELECTED AT TODAY’S MEETING. THEY ARE:
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE : MRS CHAN FOK PO-CHUN,
ANITA
CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE : MR CHOW YIN-MING, FRANCIS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE : MR WAN YUET-KAU
FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMiTTEE : MR LAU WAN-HEI
LIAISON AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE : MR NG SZE-FUK
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE : MR WONG KWOK-YEE
- - 0-----------
AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN YAU TSIM **»♦*♦
TEN DISTRICT’S MORNING IN
STUDENTS IN THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT WERE PRESENTED THE OUTSTANDING STUDENTS AWARDS AT A CEREMONY THIS (SATURDAY) RECOGNITION OF THEIR GOOD ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS, CONDUCT
AND KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT AFFAIRS.
AGED 10 TO 18, THE STUDENTS WERE SELECTED FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN TSIM DISTRICT 10 OUTSTANDING STUDENTS CONTEST.
FROM 45 NOMINEES
THE 1990-91 YAU
THE CONTEST IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE WINNERS, COMPRISING FIVE SECONDARY AND FIVE £RJ*JARY STUDENTS, EACH RECEIVED A TROPHY, A CERTIFICATE AND A $200 BOOK COUPON.
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION, THE ASSISTANT YAU DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CLARA WONG, PRAISED THE COMMITTEE ORGANISING THE CONTEST TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ CONCERN FOR SOCIEIY TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
TSIM
FOR
AND
/"THE COMMITTEE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
19
"THE COMMITTEE HAS ALSO ORGANISED OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SEMINARS, TALKS, VISITS AND EXHIBITIONS FOR STUDENTS," SHE NOTED.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE CEREMONY INCLUDED A SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MISS ROSE LAU; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON PRIVATE CHINESE AND ENGLISH SCHOOLS FEDERATION, MR YIP WAH.
- - 0 - -
STUDENTS TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF WORKPLACES
» » * » «
MORE THAN 600 SECONDARY STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO GAIN A FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD OF WORK UNDER AN ONGOING WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE (CAS).
"THE YEAR-LONG CAREERS EDUCATION PROJECT HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY BOTH STUDENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS, WITH SOME 1,200 STUDENTS FROM 46 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE FIRST TWO PHASES BETWEEN OCTOBER 1990 AND FEBRUARY THIS YEAR," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (CAREERS ADVISORY AND EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES), MRS CLARA SIU, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THE PROGRAMME AIMS TO HELP STUDENTS GAIN A REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE REAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE BETTER PLANS FOR THEIR FUTURE," SHE SAID.
UNDER THE THIRD AND LAST PHASE OF THE PROGRAMME, FORMS 3 TO 7 STUDENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO, TUEN MUN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS WILL BE VISITING 20 ESTABLISHMENTS OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
"THESE ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED TO COVER A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES AND PROFESSIONS INCLUDING THE MASS MEDIA, HOTELS, BANKS, FACTORIES, AIRLINES, TRANSPORT COMPANIES, ADVERTISING AND TRADING FIRMS, LABORATORIES, PUBLIC UTILITIES, TRAINING INSTITUTES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS," MRS SIU SAID.
"STUDENTS WILL BE SHOWN AROUND THE FACILITIES AND BRIEFED BY COMPANY STAFF ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE COMPANIES’ OPERATION," SHE ADDED.
THE CAS PROVIDES A LARGE VARIETY OF SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CAREER GUIDANCE THROUGH ITS FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
EACH CENTRE HAS A REFERENCE LIBRARY EQUIPPED WITH AN AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT WITH SOUND-ON-SLIDES, VIDEO AND AUDIO TAPE RECORDINGS, AND PUBLICATIONS ON EQUIPMENT TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
"STUDENTS, CAREERS TEACHERS AND OTHER PEOPLE INTERESTED ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THESE FACILITIES AND SEEK CAREERS ADVICE OR INFORMATION FROM THESE CENTRES,” MRS SIU SAID.
/THE CENTRES
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
20
THE CENTRES ARE SITUATED AT:
♦ TAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 16 TSUN WAN ROAD, TUEN MUN.
TEL. NO.: 463 6855
* CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR SHOP 8B, 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN.
TEL. NO.: 601 5101
♦ MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET
KOWLOON.
TEL. NO.: 399 2241
* SOUTHORN CENTRE, 16TH FLOOR,
130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TEL. NO.: 835 2044
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * ★ ★ *
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 12.4.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 13.4.91 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
HKEF
$ MILLION
480
NEUTRAL
NEUTRAL
------0--------
REMINDER ON PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD * * ♦ » *
FOOD FORM,
REMINDED
TODAY (SATURDAY)
FOOD ITEMS IN PREPACKAGED
WHETHER*COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY PACKED, MUST BE PROPERLY MARKED REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS
THE DEPARTMENT OF
MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS
HEALTH THAT
(COMPOSITION
AS AND
LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $25,000 IN FINE AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH FOUR RETAILERS WERE FINED.
/IN THE ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1991
- 21 -
IN THE FIRST TWO CASES, A FOOD AND WINE COMPANY IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND A BAKERY IN KOWLOON CITY WERE FINED $4,000 AND $2,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR SELLING PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS -- NAMELY MUSTARD WITH HORSE-RADISH, MIXED PICKLES AND TUNA FISH SANDWICHES -- WITHOUT PROPER MARKING OR LABELLING.
THE FOOD ITEMS DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD, THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS, AN 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.
IN THE OTHER TWO CASES, TWO SHOPS IN SHEUNG SHUI AND SHA TIN WERE FINED $400 AND $850 RESPECTIVELY FOR SELLING IMPROPERLY MARKED PREPACKAGED WHITE LOTUS SEED PASTE MOONCAKES AND PRESERVED PLUMS.
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HIGH PRIORITY SET FOR SLOPE SAFETY ....................................... 1
URBAN COUNCIL BACKS MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ......................... 3
INMATES HELP IN HANDLING ELECTION MAIL ................................... 4
FINANCIAL AID FOR NEEDY STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ................ 5
APPOINTMENT TO CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED ....................... 7
YIN NGAI SOCIETY PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES .......................... 8
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS ............................ 8
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CHILDREN ............................................. 9
CHANGE OF PARTICULARS MUST BE REPORTED TO TRANSPORT DEPT.................. 10
ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT INVITES RECRUITS ................................ 11
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR PMH ............................................ 12
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
HIGH PRIORITY SET FOR SLOPE SAFETY *****
THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO GIVE HIGH PRIORITY TO SLOPE SAFETY IN HONG KONG IN TERMS OF RESOURCES BEING EXPENDED AND POSITIVE ACTIONS BEING TAKEN.
ROUTINE CONTROL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CHECKING THE GEOTECHNICAL DESIGNS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK, CONTINUE TO BE AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE (GCO) OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL IS NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT UNSAFE SLOPES, RETAINING WALLS AND SITE FORMATION WORKS ARE NOT CONSTRUCTED, AND THAT EXISTING UNSAFE SLOPES AND WALLS ARE MADE SAFE.
ABOUT HALF OF THE GCO’S PROFESSIONAL STAFF ARE COMMITTED TO THESE DUTIES.
THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE IS CONTINUING TO PURSUE VIGOROUSLY THE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME WHICH WAS INITIATED IN 1976.
THIS PROGRAMME PROVIDES FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS AND THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF STABILISATION MEASURES TO UNSAFE GOVERNMENT SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS.
THE INVESTIGATIONS, DESIGNS AND CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION ARE CARRIED OUT ENTIRELY IN-HOUSE BY THE GCO, AND AN ANNUAL ALLOCATION OF FUNDS IS PROVIDED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
SINCE 1976, ALMOST $865 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON STUDIES AND WORKS TO STABILISE NEARLY 600 SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS.
EXPENDITURE ON THE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME IS CONTINUING AT A RATE OF ABOUT $70 MILLION PER YEAR, AND ANNUAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON SLOPE MAINTENANCE IS ADDITIONALLY ABOUT $40 MILLION.
DURING THE 1990/91 FINANCIAL YEAR, STABILISATION WERE COMPLETED ON 39 SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS, AND WORKS COMMENCED ON 25 OTHERS.
OF THESE 64 SLOPES AND WALLS, 35 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 IN KOWLOON AND 17 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE EXPENDITURE DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR WAS ABOUT $65 MILLION.
IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1991/92, WORKS WILL BE IN PROGRESS ON A TOTAL OF 56 SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS, OF WHICH 27 ARE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 IN KOWLOON AND 17 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THESE COMPRISE 41 SOIL AND ROCK SLOPES, THREE LOOSE FILL SLOPES AND 12 RETAINING WALLS.
/THE EXPENDITURE .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
- 2 -
THE EXPENDITURE ON THE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME DURING THIS FINANCIAL YEAR IS EXPECTED TO BE $87 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, EXPENDITURE ON STABILISATION AND IMPROVEMENT WORK TO THE LARGE SANITARY LANDFILL AT SAI TSO WAN IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE ORDER OF $15 MILLION THIS YEAR.
UNTIL RECENTLY, THE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME WAS CONCERNED ENTIRELY WITH SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE.
HOWEVER, THE PROGRAMME NOW INCLUDES THE STABILISATION OF SOME UNSATISFACTORY SLOPES AND WALLS WHICH COULD INDIRECTLY CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE BY MAJOR DISRUPTION TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES, OR WHICH COULD CAUSE MAJOR ECONOMIC DISRUPTION.
THIS CATEGORY INCLUDES SLOPES ALONG MAJOR ROADS, AND SLOPES ALONG OTHER ROADS WHICH PROVIDE THE SOLE ACCESS TO HOSPITALS, WATER SUPPLY RESERVOIRS, RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
IN ADDITION TO THE STABILISATION WORKS INITIATED AND EXECUTED BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE, A GREAT DEAL OF SLOPE STABILISATION WORK, AT A COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR, IS CARRIED OUT IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN ASSOCIATION WITH CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS.
THERE CONTINUES TO BE THE PROBLEM OF UNSAFE SLOPES OCCUPIED BY SQUATTERS. THESE SLOPES CANNOT BE RECTIFIED UNDER THE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME BECAUSE CLEARANCES ARE INVARIABLY NEEDED BEFORE LARGE-SCALE WORK CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS NOW CLEARED ABOUT 53,000 OF THE 57,000 PEOPLE ESTIMATED TO BE OCCUPYING STEEP SLOPES ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO LANDSLIPS IN 1984.
THE GCO IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPPLY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, GROUND INVESTIGATIONS AND LABORATORY TESTING FOR PUBLIC WORKS, AND PROVIDING GEOTECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/3.........
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
3
URBAN COUNCIL BACKS MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ♦ ♦♦*♦*
THE URBAN COUNCIL HAS GIVEN ITS FULLEST SUPPORT TO THE COMING MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS BY HELPING REGISTERED VOTERS TO BETTER.UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO THE DAILY LIFE OF HONG KONG'S POPULATION OF 5.6 MILLION PEOPLE.
AS PART OF THE OVERALL EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS, A TAILOR-MADE BILINGUAL LEAFLET HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO EXPLAIN, IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE, THE WORK OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
"WITH A PRINT RUN OF 1.8 MILLION COPIES, THE LEAFLET IS A JOINT EFFORT OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES AND IS FUNDED BY THE TWO COUNCILS," A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"DISTRIBUTION IS BEING ARRANGED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AND DISTRICT OFFICES TO ENSURE THAT EVERY REGISTERED VOTER WILL RECEIVE THE LEAFLET TOGETHER WITH THE VOTING CARD,” HE SAID.
THE LEAFLET INTRODUCES THE FUNCTIONS OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THEIR ROLES IN THE THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THEIR LINKS WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE MULTI-FACETED ROLES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL IN SERVING THE EVERYDAY NEEDS OF THE URBAN COMMUNITY, A SERIES OF SPECIAL MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ARE BEING STAGED AT CENTRES OF POPULATION THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREAS THIS MONTH AND UNTIL THE ELECTION DAY ON MAY 5," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APART FROM INTRODUCING THE COUNCIL'S THREE MAIN AREAS OF WORK __ PUBLIC HEALTH, LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES, THE EXHIBITIONS ALSO DETAIL THE MANY MAJOR PROJECTS THAT WOULD COME ON STREAM THIS YEAR TO BETTER SERVE THE PUBLIC.
"THE COUNCIL HAS ARRANGED SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS IN DISTRICT NEWSPAPERS AND PRODUCED A FOUR-MINUTE VIDEO PRESENTATION FOR SHOWING AS PART OF THE MOBILE EXHIBITION AND AT ALL UC VENUES EQUIPPED WITH AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE COUNCIL'S WORK.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE INCREASED KNOWLEDGE WILL ENCOURAGE MORE REGISTERED VOTERS TO COME FORWARD TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON THE ELECTION DAY TO (’HOOSE THE SUITABLE PERSONS AS URBAN COUNCILLORS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COUNCIL HAS MADE AVAILABLE A LARGE NUMBER OF COUNCIL VENUES FOR REGISTERED CANDIDATES STANDING FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS TO DISPLAY ELECTIONEERING MATERIALS, INCLUDING BANNERS, BOARDS AND POSTERS.
"IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL IS GIVING EVERY ASSISTANCE TO GOVERNMENT IN PUBLICISING THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS BY PUTTING UP PROMOTIONAL POSTERS AT COUNCIL VENUES AND BY SHOWING PROMOTIONAL FILMS BEFORE DAILY PROGRAMMES AT MAJOR CULTURAL VENUES MANAGED BY THE COUNCIL," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0-------
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
4
INMATES HELP IN HANDLING ELECTION MAIL *****
THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH CONCERN NOT ONLY ELECTORS AND CANDIDATES, BUT ALSO SOME INMATES OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED IN TO ASSIST THE MAILING OF PUBLICITY LEAFLETS TO VOTERS.
ABOUT 150 INMATES FROM THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN AND VICTORIA PRISON ARE NOW UNDERTAKING THE WORK OF INSERTING THE LEAFLETS ON "SIMPLE GUIDE ON VOTING" AND "INTRODUCTION TO CANDIDATES" INTO SOME 760,000 ENVELOPES AND STICKING MAILING LABELS ON THESE ENVELOPES.
THE MAILING WORK WILL TAKE ABOUT A WEEK TO COMPLETE.
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES (CSI), MR HERBERT HUI, SAID THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE INMATES HELPED IN. THE MAILING OF ELECTION PUBLICITY MATERIALS.
"IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MARCH, THE INMATES ALSO HANDLED OVER 600,000 PUBLICITY LETTERS AND MANAGED TO MEET THE TIGHT SCHEDULE AND FINISHED THE JOB PROPERLY.
"THEIR WORK HAD PROVED TO BE VALUABLE IN ALLEVIATING THE WORKLOAD OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE RUN-UP TO THE DB ELECTIONS.
"IT ALSO SAVES THE GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR EMPLOYING TEMPORARY STAFF OR CONTRACTORS TO DO THE JOB," HE SAID.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE MAILING WORK FOR THE DB AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS WOULD HAVE COSTED THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT $300,000," HE ADDED.
MR NG SAID HE HOPED THE MAILING WORK WOULD ALSO BENEFIT THE INMATES.
"THROUGH THEIR CONTACTS WITH THESE PUBLICITY MATERIALS, IT IS HOPED THAT THE INMATES WOULD GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT VOTING AND WOULD BE MORE WILLING TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC DUTY UPON RELEASE," HE SAID.
APART FROM HANDLING ELECTION MAIL, CSI HAS ALSO UNDERTAKEN MAILING WORK FOR OTHER ORGANISATIONS BEFORE.
MR NG SAID CSI WELCOMED SUCH ORDERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHICH NOT ONLY BOOSTED GOVERNMENT REVENUES BUT ALSO HELPED KEEP THE INMATES OCCUPIED FOR CONSTRUCTIVE PURPOSES.
------0-----------
/5........
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
- 5 -
FINANCIAL AID FOR NEEDY STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS * ♦ t * *
THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON STUDENT FINANCE, WHICH ADMINISTERS THE GOVERNMENT’S SCHEME OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE 1991-92 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE SCHEME PROVIDES FINANCIAL AID IN THE FORM OF A COMBINATION OF GRANTS AND LOANS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FULL-TIME COURSES AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE L1NGNAN COLLEGE, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT COMMITTEE SAID THAT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AN APPLICANT MUST HAVE RESIDED OR BEEN DOMICILED IN HONG KONG CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS COURSE.
“CURRENT STUDENTS MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS AS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) FROM THEIR INSTITUTIONS,” HE SAID.
“PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WHO SATISFY THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS OF, AND HAVE APPLIED FOR ADMISSION TO, THE LINGNAN COLLEGE, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS FROM THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED, ON PRODUCTION OF THE RESULT SLIPS OF THEIR ADVANCED/HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION OR NOTIFICATION OF PROVISIONAL OFFER IN RESPECT OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
"THEY SHOULD, HOWEVER, SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ONLY AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED ADMISSION BY THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED.
“NEW STUDENTS ADMITTED BY THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS AND STUDENTS TAKING HIGHER DEGREE OR DIPLOMA COURSES, WHO WILL NOT HAVE EXCEEDED THEIR MINIMUM PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF REGISTRATION BY SEPTEMBER 30, 1991, ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
"THE MINIMUM PERIOD OF REGISTRATION FOR A MASTER DEGREE IS NORMALLY TWO YEARS AND FOR A DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE, THREE YEARS," HE SAID.
/THE CLOSING .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
6
THE ( LOS I N(J DATES FOR APPLICATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CURRENT STUDENTS : MAY 15, 1991
NEW STUDENTS:
CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG : AUGUST 31, 1991
HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND 'TECHNOLOGY : SEPTEMBER 2, 1991
CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG : OCTOBER 12, 1991
HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE : OCTOBER 12, 1991
HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC : OCTOBER 12, 1991
LINGNAN COLLEGE : OCTOBER 12, 1991
UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG : 21 DAYS FROM DATE OF OFFER
OF ADMISSION
Till* SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE SUBJECT TO MEANS TEST, WHICH TAKES I N'l’O \CCOUNT A STUDENT’S FAMILY INCOME AND ASSETS LESS PERMITTED DEDUCTIONS TO ARRIVE AT THE STUDENT’S ANNUAL DISPOSABLE INCOME FOR SETTING AGAINST HIS GRANT/LOAN REQUIREMENTS.
"FOR EVERY FRESH APPL I CAT I ON, THE APPLICANT AND/OR AN ADULT MEMBER OF HIS HOUSEHOLD WHO IS FULLY AWARE OF THE FAMILY’S CIRCUMSTANCES, WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW AT THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY TO CLARIFY THE INFORMATION REPORTED IN THE APPLICATION," HE SAID.
"AFTER 'HIE FIRST YEAR OF APPLI ( AT I ON, INTERVIEWS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN ALTERNATE YEARS."
APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY SHOULD DO SO BY COMPLETING THE APPROPRIATE SECTION IN THE SAME APPLICATION FORM.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT INCORRECT OR INACCURATE INFORMATION NOT ONIA WILL LEAD TO REJECTION OF AN APPLICATION RUT MAY ALSO GIVE RISE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE APPLICANT.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 867 2738).
--------0-----------
/7........
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
APPOINTMENT TO CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED
THE CHIEF SECRETARY HAS APPOINTED 15 PERSONS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM STARTING FROM APRIL 1, 1991 TO MARCH 31, 1993, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
ELEVEN OF THEM, INCLUDING THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, DR DANIEL TSE, ARE RE-APPOINTEES.
THE FOUR NEW MEMBERS ARE MR CHAN KAR-LOK, A SOLICITOR; MR LAI CHI-TONG, A SOCIAL WORKER; DR LO CHI-KIN, A PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR; AND MR LO KWOK-CHIM, A LYRIC WRITER.
THE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN 1986 TO STUDY, DISCUSS AND MAKE PROPOSALS ON THE OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND ITS WAYS OF IMPLEMENTATION.
IT ALSO HELPS VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AND ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN. ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES.
IN ADDITION TO APPOINTED MEMBERS, THE COMMITTEE ALSO COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF THE APPOINTED MEMBERS:
CHAIRMAN DR DANIEL TSE
MEMBERS
MR CHAN CHUN-FAT MR CHAN KAR-LOK MR CHAN WING-TAI MR CHENG KAI-NAM DR LEONARD L. CHU MISS JUN I A HO MR LAI CH I-TONG DR LO CHI-KIN MR LO KWOK-CHIM MR MAK HOI-WAH MR POON KA I-TIK MR TAM MAN-KWAN MR JUSTEIN C. WONG MS NORA YAU
- - 0-----------
/8.........
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
8
YIN NGAI SOCIETY PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES * t ♦ * *
THE YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG, TODAY (SUNDAY) PRAISED THE YAU MA TEI (NORTH AND SOUTH AREAS) YIN NGAI SOCIETY FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE SOCIETY’S FIFTH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MISS TANG NOTED THAT THE SOCIETY HAD MADE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS IN ORGANISING A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
"IT HAS ALSO SUCCESSFULLY MOTIVATED WOMEN IN THE DISTRICT TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY WORK,” SHE ADDED.
WHILE PRAISING THE MEMBERS FOR DEVOTING THEIR VALUABLE TIME TO ORGANISE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS, MISS TANG ENCOURAGED THEM TO MAINTAIN THE SAME MAGNANIMOUS ATTITUDE AND CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DISTRICT.
THE YAU MA TEI (NORTH AND SOUTH AREAS) YIN NGAI SOCIETY WAS SET UP SEVEN YEARS AGO AND NOW BOASTS A MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 900.
---------0-----------
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR YOUTH PROJECT GRANTS
******
LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS WISHING TO APPLY FOR GRANTS UNDER THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME" (OYS) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) ARE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 30.
"YOUTH GROUPS WISHING TO APPLY FOR GRANTS MAY SUBMIT THEIR PROJECT PROPOSALS THROUGH THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH) OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OYS ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MISS CHUNG WOON-CHEUNG, SAID.
THE PLANNED PROJECTS SHOULD BE INNOVATIVE AND MEANINGFUL. THEY MAY BE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, RURAL AREAS AND DEPRIVED AREA SERVICE, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS, REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY SERVICE OR COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
EACH APPROVED PROJECT WILL BE GRANTED A SUBSIDY UP TO $6,000.
THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1974 TO PROMOTE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE; ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY; AND DEVELOP THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL HELP.
/"EACH PARTICIPATING .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
9
"EACH PARTICIPATING GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS AGED 13 TO 25, AND SHOULD BE SPONSORED BY A SCHOOL, YOUTH AGENCY, OR AN INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION," MISS CHUNG SAID.
"GROUPS WITHOUT SPONSORS MAY ALSO APPLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SWO (YOUTH) OF THEIR DISTRICT," SHE ADDED.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECTS, EACH DISTRICT WILL SELECT ITS MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT WHICH WILL RECEIVE A DISTRICT BEST OYS AWARD. THE DISTRICT WINNERS WILL THEN COMPETE FOR THE HONG KONG BEST OYS AWARD.
MISS CHUNG SAID THE PROJECTS WOULD BE ASSESSED BY THE EXTENT OF YOUTH INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, FEASIBILITY, THE EXTENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS, OPTIMUM USE OF RESOURCES AND INNOVATION.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHEME AND APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE- OBTAINED FROM THE VARIOUS YOUTH OFFICES OF THE SWD.
-----0------
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CHILDREN
*****
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 13 ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE 1991 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN DRAWING CONTEST TO BE HELD ON APRIL 28, FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM, AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE CONTEST IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL, HARBOUR JAYCEES AND SING TAO LIMITED WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM HONG KONG TELECOM.
IT AIMS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN ART ACTIVITIES SO AS TO ENHANCE THEIR CREATIVITY.
THE THEMES OF THE CONTEST ARE "1 LOVE HONG KONG”, ’’PICNICKING" AND ’’MY WORLD”.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: JUNIOR FOR THOSE AGED FOUR TO SIX, INTERMEDIATE FOR THOSE AGED SEVEN TO NINE, AND SENIOR FOR THOSE AGED 10 TO 13.
THERE WILL BE 10 OUTSTANDING AWARDS AND 120 CONSOLATION PRIZES FOR EACH SECTION. THE PRIZES INCLUDE PLAQUES AND GAME SETS.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 343 8111.
------0--------
/10........
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
- 10
CHANGE OF PARTICULARS MUST BE REPORTED TO TRANSPORT DEPT
*****
VEHICLE OWNERS AND DRIVING LICENCE HOLDERS ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IN WRITING ANY CHANGE IN THE NAME, ADDRESS OR IDENTITY DOCUMENT SPECIFIED IN THE DRIVING LICENCE WITHIN 72 HOURS AFTER SUCH CHANGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID VEHICLE OWNERS WERE ALSO REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER IN WRITING THE CHANGES OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION PARTICULARS ENTERED IN A REGISTRATION DOCUMENT.
"ANY PERSON WHO WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE CONTRAVENES THE REGULATIONS COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $2,000," HE SAID.
FORMS FOR NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE OF PERSONAL PARTICULARS AND CHANGE OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION PARTICULARS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON TO THE HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE AT 2 MURRAY ROAD, HONG KONG; THE KOWLOON LICENSING OFFICE AT NINTH FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, KOWLOON; THE KWUN TONG LICENSING OFFICE AT FIFTH FLOOR, KOWLOON EAST GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 12 LEI YUE MUN ROAD; AND THE SHA TIN LICENSING OFFICE AT FIFTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FORMS CAN ALSO BE SENT BY REGISTERED POST TO P.O. BOX 69511, KWUN TONG POST OFFICE, KOWLOON.
"NO FEES ARE REQUIRED FOR MAKING CHANGES TO PERSONAL PARTICULARS. RECORDING A CHANGE OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION PARTICULARS IS ALSO FREE OF CHARGE, BUT ADJUSTMENT OF LICENCE FEES MAY BE REQUIRED WHEN CHANGES AFFECT CLASS, ENGINE POWER, SEATING CAPACITY AND PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE SAID PROSECUTION ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THOSE WHO FAILED TO OBSERVE THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT.
---------0-----------
/Il ........
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT INVITES RECRUITS
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WILL START ITS ANNUAL RECRUITMENT EXERCISE TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE REGIMENT IS LOOKING FOR ABOUT 200 MALE RECRUITS AND 25 FEMALE RECRUITS THIS YEAR.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED SHOULD BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD, HAVE COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION AND HAVE A REASONABLE KNOWLEDGE OF SPOKEN ENGLISH. THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT AND SHOULD HAVE OBTAINED THEIR EMPLOYERS’ CONSENT FOR JOINING THE FORCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VOLUNTEERS SAID: "SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING IN BASIC MILITARY SKILLS, INCLUDING DRILLS, HANDLING RIFLES AND SUB-MACHINE GUNS, AND USE OF VEHICLES AND ASSAULT BOATS.
"TRAINING IN OPERATING RADIO EQUIPMENT, AND IN MAP READING AND FIRST AID IS ALSO GIVEN."
HE SAID THE TRAINING NO DOUBT HELPED IN BUILDING UP ONE’S PHYSIQUE AS WELL AS CULTIVATING A MORE MATURE AND CAPABLE PERSONALITY.
"VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO GAIN VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN SUPERVISORY SKILLS, JUDGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TRAINING FOR THE RECRUITS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN FOUR EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND PER MONTH FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO ATTEND TWO NINE-DAY TRAINING CAMPS BEFORE PASSING OUT.
THE MAJORITY OF TRAINING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE SCENIC COUNTRY PARKS OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ON COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING, THE VOLUNTEERS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING ON TWO EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND A MONTH. THERE ARE TWO CAMP PERIODS, ONE OF WHICH IS SPENT ON MANNING THE HONG KONG-CHINA BORDER.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE VOLUNTEERS’ HEADQUARTERS ON TEL. 576 1371.
---------0-----------
/12 .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 1991
12
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR PMH »**»**
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WILL BE CHANGED FROM TUESDAY (APRIL 16) FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW PABX TELEPHONE SYSTEM, THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE NEW NUMBERS ARE:
MAIN EXCHANGE: 310 3111
ENQUIRY OFFICE: 310 3200
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: 310 3253
AS THE HOSPITAL’S OLD TELEPHONE SYSTEM WILL BE DISCONNECTED ON TUESDAY, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO DIAL THE OLD TELEPHONE NUMBERS ANY MORE FROM THAT DAY.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LAB AGREES TO LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ................... 1
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR DEC-FEB................... 2
UK RAILWAY INSPECTOR REVIEWS MTR SERVICE DISRUPTION ...................... 3
12 BILLS MOTION DEBATE ON PADS ON LEGCO AGENDA ........................... 4
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON SECOND QUARTER PAYMENT ...................... 5
SHOUSON HILL AND REPULSE BAY OZP APPROVED................................. 6
DISPENSARIES LOSE LICENCES ............................................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 8
GERMAN EXPERT PRAISES HK'S METHADONE PROGRAMME ........................... 9
ISLANDS AND NORTH DB CHAIRMEN RE-ELECTED................................. 11
MARICULTURE LIAISON GROUP MEMBERS VISIT FISH CULTURE ZONES .............. 11
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS FORUMS ..................................... 12
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
LAB AGREES TO LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
*****
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TODAY (MONDAY) AGREED TO A PROPOSAL TO REMOVE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON CHARGES TO EMPLOYERS FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
AT ITS MEETING TODAY, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ACCEPTED THAT THE RESTRICTIONS WERE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE MODE OF OPERATION OF MODERN EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
SINCE THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED IN JUNE LAST YEAR TO REMOVE THE WAGE CEILING OF NON-MANUAL LABOUR COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE, MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS AND HEAD-HUNTING FIRMS HANDLING RECRUITMENTS OF SENIOR STAFF HAVE HAD TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY LICENCES AND TO COMPLY WITH THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING THEIR OPERATION.
IT IS A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THESE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO RECOVER FROM EMPLOYERS BEFORE PROCURING AN EMPLOYEE THE AGREED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYMENTS INCURRED IN CARRYING OUT SUCH ASSIGNMENTS AS ADVERTISING AND TRADE TEST, AND TO CHARGE PROFESSIONAL FEES AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
THIS TRADE PRACTICE IS ACCEPTABLE TO EMPLOYERS. HOWEVER, THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE ONLY ALLOWS AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY TO CHARGE AN EMPLOYER NOT MORE THAN $35 ON FIRST REGISTRATION, AND $20 ON RENEWAL OF SUCH REGISTRATION, PLUS A COMMISSION UPON SUCCESSFUL PROCUREMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE.
OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT EMPLOYERS ARE WELL CAPABLE OF NEGOTIATING A FAIR DEAL WITH EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES IN THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE TRADE.
REFERRING TO A SUGGESTION BY EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES TO UPGRADE THE STATUS OF THE LAB, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR DARWIN CHEN, WHO IS ALSO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO INTRODUCE ANY CHANGES AT PRESENT TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD WHOSE CURRENT MEMBERS WERE APPOINTED ONLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
MR (’HEN AflDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO REVIEW BOTH THE COMPOSITION AND THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE LAB AFTER THE CURRENT BOARD HAD BEEN IN SESSION FOR ABOUT A YEAR.
--------0-----------
/2 ........
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
- 2 -
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR DEC-FEB ******
BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED AT A LOW LEVEL DURING THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1990 -FEBRUARY 1991 WAS 1.4%, WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1990. THE RATE FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER WAS 1.5%.
THE DECREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 WAS ESTIMATED AT 40,500, COMPARED WITH 40,000 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1990 AND 40,800 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 WAS 1.1%, COMPARED WITH 0.9% FOR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1990 AND 0.6% FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASE OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE INCREASE OF 0.5 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 WAS 30,600, COMPARED WITH 25,100 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1990 AND 17,500 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR AGO.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREEMONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
/THE PROVISIONAL .......
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
- 3 -
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1991 WAS 1.7% AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.5%.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,200 HOUSEHOLDS OR 40,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG. PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE TLO.
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 MARCH 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND JUNE 20 AT $13.50 PER COPY.
--------0-----------
UK RAILWAY INSPECTOR REVIEWS MTR SERVICE DISRUPTION *****
THE UK DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTING OFFICER OF RAILWAYS, MR ALAN COOKSEY, HAS CARRIED OUT INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SERVICE DISRUPTION OF MARCH 11, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
MR COOKSEY WAS INVITED BY THE GOVERNMENT, UNDER A STANDING AGENCY AGREEMENT WITH THE UK RAILWAY INSPECTORATE, TO VISIT HONG KONG TO REVIEW THE INCIDENT.
IN HIS INITIAL FINDINGS, MR COOKSEY REPORTED THAT THE MTR SYSTEM WAS SAFE AND THAT HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORA'!’ION’S EQUIPMENT AND STANDARDS OF MAINTENANCE.
HAVING REVIEWED THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS SURROUNDING THE INCIDENT, MR COOKSEY HAS IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE MEASURES WHICH COULD LEAD TO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HANDLING OF LARGE-SCALE EMERGENCIES IN FUTURE.
THESE MEASURES ARE BEING FURTHER EXAMINED TN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MTRC.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MR COOKSEY WILL SUBMIT A FINAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
------0--------
/4 ......
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
4
12 BILLS, MOTION DEBATE ON PADS ON LEGCO AGENDA ******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER 12 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 17).
ONE OF THE BILLS IS THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1991 WHICH WILL BE GIVEN A SECOND READING WHEN REPLIES ARE SCHEDULED TO BE GIVEN ON VARIOUS POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS IN THE PREVIOUS BUDGET DEBATE. IT WILL THEN GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
SEVEN BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATE ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, FEES INCREASE (1991 BUDGET) BILL 1991, BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 AND CRIMES (AMENDMENT) RILL 1991.
IN ADDITION TO THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1991, SECOND READING DEBATES WILL ALSO BE RESUMED ON FOUR OTHER- BILLS AND EACH IS LATER DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE BILLS ARE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE ORDINANCE.
THE HON MARTIN LEE WILL MOVE A MOTION CONCERNING THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. THE MOTION READS:
"THAT THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE PUBLIC ALL THE DETAILS OF ANY AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE PRC GOVERNMENT CONCERNING THE PROPOSED PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY; AND FURTHER URGES THE GOVERNMENT:
(A) TO PROTECT THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY PRESENTLY ENJOYED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND WHICH OUGHT TO BE ENJOYED BY THE SAR GOVERNMENT AFTER 1997 AND REFUSE TO ALLOW PRC GOVERNMENT-NOMINATED REPRESENTATIVES TO SIT ON ANY EXECUTIVE OR ADVISORY BODY IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY;
(B) TO RESPECT HONG KONG'S FINANCIAL AUTONOMY AND NOT AGREE TO SET ASIDE ANY PORTION OF HONG KONG’S FISCAL RESERVES IN TRUST FOR THE POST-1997 SAR GOVERNMENT, EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED FOR IN ANNEX III OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IN RELATION TO THE "LAND FUND"; AND
(C) TO ENSURE THAT CONSULTATION WITH THE PRC GOVERNMENT DOES NOT MEAN GIVING THE POWER OF VETO TO THE PRC GOVERNMENT ON ANY MATTER RELATING TO THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG."
/MR LEE ........
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
- 5 -
MR LEE WILL ALSO SPEAK ON THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1989-1990.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
---------0-----------
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON SECOND QUARTER PAYMENT » * ♦ ♦ ♦
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR RATES FOR THE QUARTER APRIL 1 TO JUNE 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, HONG KONG;
♦ THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, (SIDE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING IN ICE HOUSE STREET), HONG KONG;
» THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG;
» THE SAI WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG;
♦ THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
♦ THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
AN\ RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE AND CANNOI PRODUCE A RATES DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER SHOULD INQUIRE 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 APRIL 30, 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 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
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 APRIL 30, 1991. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTIONS 3O(1A) AND (2A), HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
- - 0 - -
SHOUSON HILL AND REPULSE BAY OZP APPROVED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS PUBLISHED AN APPROVED OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE SHOUSON HILL AND REPULSE BAY AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE PLAN WAS TO ESTABLISH A STATUTORY LAND USE FRAMEWORK WHEREBY THE VARIOUS USES OF LAND IN THE PLANNING AREA COULD BE DEVELOPED OR REDEVELOPED IN AN ORDERLY MANNER.
THE PLAN WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 4 LAST YEAR.
THE PLAN COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 438 HECTARES IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
IT IS BOUNDED BY THE CATCHWATER SOUTH OF MOUNT NICHOLSON, DEEP WATER BAY ROAD AND TAI TAM RESERVOIR ROAD TO THE NORTH; THE BOUNDARY OF TAI TAM COUNTRY PARK UP TO CHUNG HOM KOK ROAD TO THE EAST; MIDDLE ISLAND, DEEP WATER RAY, REPULSE BAY, SOUTH BAY AND CHUNG HOM WAN TO THE SOUTH; AND WONG CHUK HANG ROAD AND SOUTHERN APPROACH TO ABERDEEN TUNNEL TO THE WEST.
/THE PLANNING
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
7 -
THE PLANNING AREA IS GENERALLY HILLY WITH STEEP RAVINES COVERED BY RICH VEGETATION.
THE PROMINENT LAND USE IS GREEN BELT WHICH COVERS MAINLY HILLSLOPES THAT ARE UNSUITABLE EOR INTENSIVE URBAN-TYPE DEVELOPMENT.
IN THE PLAN, 0.2 PER CENT (0.63 HECTARES) OF THE AREA IS ZONED FOR COMMERCIAL USES, 22.8 PER CENT (99.79 HECTARES) FOR RESIDENTIAL USES INCLUDING BOTH HIGH-RISE AND LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 1.5 PER CENT (6.63 HECTARES) FOR GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/ COMMUNITY USES, 4.1 PER CENT (18.12 HECTARES) FOR OPEN SPACE USES, 2.3 PER CENT (10.1 HECTARES) FOR OTHER SPECIFIED USES INCLUDING SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUBS, PETROL FILLING STATIONS AND BEACH FRONT SITES, AND 63.4 PER CENT (277.67 HECTARES) FOR GREEN BELT. THE REST OF THE AREA (24.95 HECTARES) IS ZONED FOR ROADS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE APPROVED PLAN WAS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
♦ PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND
» THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE APPROVED PLAN IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AT A COST OF $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $50 EACH COLOURED COPY.
--------0-----------
DISPENSARIES LOSE LICENCES
* * *
TWO DISPENSARIES HAVE LOST THEIR APPEALS AGAINST A DECISION OF TH! PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD NOT TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES AS AUTHORISED SELLERS OF POISONS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PHARMACY AND POISONS APPEAL TRIBUNAL SAID THEY ARE THE CHIU CHOW DISPENSARY IN KWUN TONG AND THE TAT ON DISPENSARY IN NGAU TAU KOK.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN THE COURSE OF ROUTINE INSPECTIONS BY PHARMACY INSPECTORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN OCTOBER AND . NOVEMBER 1989, BOTH DISPENSARIES WERE FOUND TO HAVE FAILED TO LOCK UP PRESCRIBED DRUGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PHARMACY REGULATIONS.
THE INSPECTORS ALSO DISCOVERED LARGE QUANTITIES OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WHICH HAD NOT BEEN RECORDED OR STORED AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
/THE TWO .......
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
- 8 -
THE TWO DISPENSARIES WERE THE FIRST TO BE REFUSED RENEWAL OF THEIR LICENCES SINCE THE REGULATIONS CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1988.
’’THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL ABUSE OF SCHEDULED POSIONS, ESPECIALLY PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK OUT FOR SUCH OFFENDERS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------0 - -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
* * * * * t
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 13.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 15.4.91 + 30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.3 *-0.1*
15.4.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 400 + 80
Q103 17.4.91 740.5 -260.5
Q104 24.4.91 725 -245
Q105 1.5.91 720 -240
Q106 8.5.91 593.5 -113.5
Q107 15.5.91 541 -61
Q108 22.5.91 480 + 0
Q109 29.5.91 450 + 30
QUO 5.6.91 340 + 140
QI 11 12.6.91 510 -30
QI 1 2 19.6.91 540 -60
QI 13 26.6.91 550 -70
QI 14 3.7.91 470 + 10
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EX< RANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 181 +79
H002 15.5.91 230 +30
H003 29.5.91 240 +20
H004 12.6.91 250 +10
H005 26.6.91 230 +30
H1 0 1 10.7.91 133 +127
11156 24.7.91 130 +130
H1 57 7.8.91 198 +62
H158 21.8.91 100 +160
H159 4.9.91 10 +250
H160 18.9.91 170 +90
H161 2.10.91 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 90 +170 EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 180 +80
Y188 25.3.92 190 +70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 12.4.91 WAS 3,201 MN
-----------------------0------- GERMAN EXPERT PRAISES UK’S METHADONE PROGRAMME » » » » «
A GERMAN MEDICAL EXPERT TODAY (MONDAY) PRAISED THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE VOLUNTARY OUT-PATIENT METHADONE PROGRAMME FOR HEROIN ADDICTS IN HONG KONG.
PROFESSOR FRIEDRICH HSCHOR, FORMER HEAD OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE AT THE UN J VERS III OF BERLIN, IS HERE ON A TWO-DAY VISIT TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAMME OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR DAVID WEEKS, HE VISITED THE ROBERT BLACK METHADONE CLINIC IN KOWLOON THIS MORNING.
/BEING A .......
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
10
BEING’ A KEEN ADVOCATE OF METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT PROGRAMME IN GERMANY, PROF BSCHOR SAID: "HONG KONG HAS SET AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE IN PROVIDING TREATMENT FACILITIES TO EVERY DRUG ABUSER. THIS IS A GOAL FOR GERMANY IN THE FUTURE."
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE LOCAL METHADONE CLINICS LAST YEAR CATERED FOR ABOUT THREE MILLION PAT1 ENT-ATTENDANCES, WITH AN AVERAGE OF SOME 8,000 ADDICTS DAILY.
THIS REPRESENTS AROUND 60 PER CENT OF ABOUT 14,000 ABUSERS UNDERGOING SOME FORM OF TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND AFTERCARE EACH DAY.
THE USE OF METHADONE FOR TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS ON AN OUT-PATIENT BASIS WAS STARTED IN HONG KONG IN LATE 1972. SINCE THEN THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND AND IS NOW THE LARGEST TREATMENT PROGRAMME IN HONG KONG.
PROF BSCHOR WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE METHADONE PROGRAMME PERMITS THE PATIENT TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL STABILITY AS A CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE FAILED REPEATEDLY IN OTHER FORMS OF TREATMENT.
"HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD THAT CAN PROVIDE EVERY ADDICT WITH A READILY ACCESSIBLE, LEGAL, MEDICALLY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO CONTINUED ILLICIT SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF HEROIN," HE ADDED.
HE WAS ALSO IMPRESSED WITH THE VERY SMALL NUMBER OF DRUG ABUSERS FOUND TO BE AJDS/HIV CARRIERS TN HONG KONG, IN CONTRAST TO THE SITUATION IN HIS COUNTRY WHERE THE HIV-SPREAD TN THE DRUG USER POPULATION HAS REACHED AROUND 20 PER CENT POSITIVE.
OF THE 214 REPORTED CASES OF AIDS/HIV UP TO FEBRUARY THIS YEAR ONLY FIVE WERE RELATED TO DRUG ADDICTS.
RESEARCH ELSEWHERE HAS SHOWN THAT METHADONE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT IS ONE OF THE EFFECTIVE MEASURES OF REDUCING INTRAVENOUS USE AND NEEDLE-SHARING BY HEROIN ADDICTS.
PROF BSCHOR ALSO PRAISED THE LONG-TERM, IN-DEPTH MONITORING OF ’ THE OVERALL SITUATION RELATING TO DRUG ABUSE AND AIDS, WITH REFERENCE TO FACTORS SUCH AS CRIMINALITY, AGE DISTRIBUTION AND TRENDS LN DRUG ABUSE.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THE IMPORTANCE OF UPDATING THE RESEARCH ON A CONTINUING BASIS, AND OF HAVING THE RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO'STATISTICAL INDICATORS.
IN ADDITION, PROF BSCHOR COMMENDED HONG KONG'S PHILOSOPHY OF-ACCEPTING AND PROMOTING EVERY KIND OF TREATMENT OF DRUG ABUSERS, AS OPPOSED TO THE SITUATION IN GERMANY, WHERE THE POLICY TENDS TO FAVOUR AND FINANCE ONE OR IWO TREATMENT MODALITIES ONLY.
"HONG KONG’S EXPERIENCE IN METHADONE TREATMENT DESERVES THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY’S APPRECIATION AS IT HAS NOT ONLY MET THE NEED OF HEROIN ADDICTS BUT ALSO HELP HALT THE WIDE SPREAD OF AIDS," HE CONCLUDED.
------0--------
/Il ......
- 11 -
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
ISLANDS AND NORTH DB CHAIRMEN RE-ELECTED
MR LAM WAl-KEUNG OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AND MR PANG HANG-YIN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WERE RE-ELECTED CHAIRMEN OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OB’S AT SEPARATE MEETINGS TODAY (MONDAY).
AS BOTH MR LAM AND MR PANG WERE UNCONTESTED, THEIR (’HAIRMANSHIP WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICERS AT THE MEETINGS WHICH WERE THE FIRST OF THE 1991-94 TERM.
THE (’HAIRMEN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S FOUR WORKING COMMITTEES WERE ALSO ELECTED AT TODAY’S MEETING. THEY ARE:
TRAFFIC’ AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE:
RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE:
SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE:
DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE:
MR TANG KUN-NIN
MISS NG WAT-FUN
MR TIK CH I-YUEN
MR LAW CHAK-TONG
--------0-----------
MARICULTURE LIAISON
GROUP MEMBERS VISIT ♦ ♦ » * *
FISH CULTURE ZONES
SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE LIAISON GROUP ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAR I CULTURE CONSULTANCY RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY (MONDAY) TOURED SEVERAL FISH CULTURE ZONES IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TO SEE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ON FISH RAFTS.
THE LIAISON GROUP WAS FORMED LAST DECEMBER FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF A GOVERNMENT-COMMISSIONED CONSULTANCY REPORT ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF MARINE FISH CULTURE IN HONG KONG.
IT COMPRISED FIVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM FISH CULTURE ZONES OF DIFFERENT REGIONS AND TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFI)).
THE GROUP IS CHAIRED BY MR ANDREW WONG, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE AQUACULTURE SUB-COMMITTEE UNDER THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (ACAF). IT HAS SO FAR MET THREE TIMES.
THE LIAISON GROUP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LIAISING WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S WORKING GROUP ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARICULTURE CONSULTANCY RECOMMENDATIONS AS WELL AS THE MARICULTURE INDUSTRY TO COLLATE OPINIONS AND COMMENTS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
/IT IS .......
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
IT IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING TO ACAF ON ITS WORK AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS AS APPROPRIATE REGARDING THE SUBJECT.
LED BY MR WONG AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES), DR THOMAS YIP, THE GROUP FIRST WENT TO THE SHAM WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE.
THE VISITORS WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF AFD’S ENFORCEMENT WORK ON DWELLING AND OVERSIZED STRUCTURES ON FISH RAFTS, IN PARTICULAR THE SITUATION AT SHAM WAN WHERE THESE PROBLEMS WERE MORE PROMINENT.
IN THE AFTERNOON, MEMBERS VISITED THE KAU SAI FISH CULTURE ZONE, WHICH IN CONTRAST WITH THE SHAM WAN ZONE, HAS NO PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES.
AT THE MA NAM WAT FISH CULTURE ZONE, THE GROUP INSPECTED THE OPEN SEA CAGE SYSTEM IMPORTED FROM JAPAN FOR THE TRIAL OF FISH CULTURE AT EXPOSED LOCATION.
THEY THEN VISITED A SITE OFF CLEAR WATER BAY IN OUTER PORT SHELTER WHICH HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS THE LOCATION FOR THE TRIAL. MEMBERS LEARNT THAT THE TRIAL, WHICH WOULD BE CONDUCTED IN COLLABORATION WITH A FISH FARMER, IS EXPECTED. TO START EARLY NEXT MONTH.
IN VIEW OF THE LACK OF SUITABLE SHELTERED NEAR-SHORE SITES FOR FURTHER DESIGNATION AS FISH CULTURE ZONES, MARICULTURE IN THE OPEN SEA, IF PROVED SUCCESSFUL AND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE, WOULD BE A BREAKTHROUGH FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY.
- - 0 - -
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS FORUMS
AN ELECTION FORUM FOR CANDIDATES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S SHAM SHUI PO (WEST) CONSTITUENCY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE FORUM WILL BEGIN AT 8.15 PM AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT CHEUNG STREET.
SIMILAR FORUMS WILL BE HELD IN 18 OTHER CONSTITUENCIES OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. THE DA'I’ES AND VENUES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
/HONG KONG ISLAND
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
13
HONG KONG ISLAND DATE AND TIME CONSTITUENCY VENUE
APRIL 27 2.30 PM WAN CHAI ENTRANCE TO HOPEWELL CENTRE, WAN CHAI
APRIL 28 3 PM EASTERN (SHAU KEI WAN CONSTITUENCY) HENG FA CHUEN MTR STATION ROOF SQUARE
APRIL 28 3 PM EASTERN (NORTH POINT CONSTITUENCY) PARK OF PROVIDENT GARDEN
APRIL 28 3 PM SOUTHERN ABERDEEN CENTRE PLAZA, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN
KOWLOON
DATE AND TIME CONSTITUENCY VENUE
APRIL 18 8.30 PM / MONG KOK T.S. LO HALL, QUEEN ELIZABETH II YOUTH CENTRE, 10 YIM PO FONG STREET
APRIL 26 7.30 PM YAU TSIM HENRY G. LEONG YAUMATEI COMMUNITY CENTRE HALL, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET
APRIL 28 2.30 PM KOWLOON CITY (EAST) THE SOCIETY OF NATIVES OF CHIU LIN CHEUNG CHUK SHAN MEMORIAL SCHOOL, 22 SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN
APRIL 28 4.15 PM KOWLOON CITY (WEST) PUI CHING PRIMARY SCHOOL, 80 WATERLOO ROAD
APRIL 29 8.30 PM SHAM SHU I PO (EAST) SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE
APRIL 29 8.30 PM KWUN TONG (EAST) KWUN TONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSUI PING ROAD
APRIL 30 8.30 PM KWUN TONG (WEST) NGAU TAU KOK COMMUNITY CENTRE
/NEW TERRITORIES .......
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1991
- 14 -
NEW TERUITOW IES
DATE AND TIME CONSTITUENCY VENUE
APRIL 24 R PM KWAI CHUNG (WEST) AND TSI NG Y1 (FIRST FORUM) TAI WO HAU ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE
APRIL 25 7.30 PM SHA TIN (WEST) AND SHA TIN (EAST) (TWO CONSTITUENCIES) EXHIBITION HALL, NEW TOWN PLAZA
APRIL 25 8 PM KWAI CHUNG (EAST) KWAI FONG COMMUNITY HALL
APRIL 26 R PM • KWAI CHUNG (WEST) AND THING yi (SECOND FORUM) CHEUNG CHING ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE
APRIL 26 R . 1 5 PM TAI PO AUDITORIUM, TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE
APRIL 2R 2.30 PM TURN MUN (EAST) AND TUEN MUN (WEST) (TWO CONST 1TUENC1ES) YAN 01 SQUARE
ATTENTion NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CANDIDATES’ EORUMS OF THE MUN IC11’A 11 COUNCILS ELECT IONS*
--------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW AIRPORT IMPORTANT FOR HK: GOVERNOR .......................................... 1
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 88 ................................................. 1
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ............................................ 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...................... 5
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ....................................... 6
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO ATTEND’CONFERENCE IN PEKING .......................... 13
DANGEROUS OPENINGS ON SITES MUST BE GUARDED ..................................... 13
TAI PO AND KWAI TSING DB CHAIRMEN ELECTED ....................................... 14
14-SEATER VAN DONATED TO MOBILE CLEANSING TEAM .................................. 14
SWAC MEMBERS VISIT PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY ................................ 15
UPDATED CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLES AVAILABLE ......................................... 15
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS .................................................. 16
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ........................................ 16
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991 - 1
NEW AIRPORT IMPORTANT FOR HK: GOVERNOR * ♦ » » *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) HE BELIEVED IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE A NEW AIRPORT, WHICH WAS SOMETHING WHICH HONG KONG NEEDED.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE’VE BEEN AWARE OF CERTAIN CHINESE CONCERNS AND AT THE END OF LAST WEEK, HAVE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS IN PEKING, WHICH, I BELIEVE, SHOULD MEET THOSE CONCERNS.
’’BUT ALSO, AND THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT, ENABLE US TO GET AHEAD WITH BUILDING THE AIRPORT IN AN EFFECTIVE, PRACTICAL MANNER, AND ENABLE US TO CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE FOR THE CONTINUED EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID. ♦
--------0 - -
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 88
INSIGNIA FOR 88 PEOPLE WERE PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT A CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
SIXTY-EIGHT RECIPIENTS WERE DECORATED OR COMMENDED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, WHILE ONE WAS AWARDED THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION.
IN ADDITION, 19 MEMBERS OF THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION AND BRIGADE WHOSE COMMUNITY WORK HAS BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE QUEEN, THE SOVEREIGN HEAD OF THE MOST VENERABLE ORDER OF THE HOSPITAL OF ST JOHN OF JERUSALEM, WERE PRESENTED THEIR ST JOHN INSIGNIA BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF INSIGNIA RECIPIENTS:
CBE
THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG YAN-LUNG
CBE (HON)
DR THE HONOURABLE DANIEL TSE CHI-WAI
OBE
THE HONOURABLE LAU WAH-SUM THE HONOURABLE DAVID LI KWOK-PO MR JAMES SO YIU-CHO
/OBE (HON) .........
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
2
OBE (HON)
PROFESSOR BAYSUNG HSU DR HELMUT SOHMEN
ISO
MR HAIDER HAT1M TYEBJEE BARMA MR BENJAMIN MOK NI-HUNG MR MICHAEL SZE CHO-CHEUNG
MBE
MR CHOW KWAN-SING
MR FU KAM-HUNG MR LO KING-MAN MR NG KAI-KAI
MBE (HON)
MR CARLOS CHEUNG HON-KAU MR KO KING-FAI MR KULBAHADUR RAI
BEM
MR CHAN CHI-CHOI
MISS AMY CHAN LIM-CHEE MR CHAN TAK-MING MR CHIA KIAN-KOK MR FAN TAK-CHEUNG MR FOK YAT-SANG MR HO KOON-KWAN MRS HO LEUNG LAI-LAN MR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG MR LING CHUN-SHING MR HENRY LOKE KUI-KUEN MR MA WING-WOON MR MAK MAN-CHIK MR ALI MOHAMED MR SZETO MING-CHIU MR WONG KING-CHIU
BEM (MILITARY DIVISION)
LIEUTENANT KRISHNA GURUNG COLOUR SERGEANT HITPARSAD THAKALI MR LEUNG MAK-SHUN
QPM
MR PETER CHAU CHAM-CHIU
QFSM
MR PANG TAK-SUM
/ISM........
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
3
ISM
MR TAM SO MR TANG HOK-NIN MR TSANG KAI-MAN
CPM
MR WILLIAM HENRY KIRKHOPE MR LEONARD BRITON HILL MR ANGUS JOHN DELANO STEVENSON-HAMILTON MR RICHARD JOHN TUDOR MR MICHAEL JOHN BENSON MR JAMES CLEMENTS MR GERALD VIANNEY LOVELL WILLY-FURTH MR YEUNG KWING MR YUEN YUK-KWAN MR FONG HUNG-KWAN MR YAU TONG MR YEUNG KWOK-FAI MR LI SING-KWONG MR CHAN HUNG MR TAM SHE-SANG
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAN CHIN-HUNG
MR PATRICK CHOI WAN-HOE
MR CHU CHUNG-SHING
MR CHUI HONG-SHEUNG
MR FAN SAI-YEE
MR LAI CHI-TONG
MR LEUNG SAU-CHI
MRS FRANCES LEUNG WONG CHUI-MEI
MR POON KAM-KWONG
MRS TAM CHEUNG KIT-YING MR JUSTEIN WONG CHUN MR YUEN WAT-SUM
GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION
MR LAU CHIU-KWONG
ORDER OF ST JOHN
COMMANDER BROTHER
DR HENRY LI FOOK-KUEN
OFFICER BROTHER
MR LAM MING-HO
OFFICER SISTER
MISS LAM SAU-KTNG
/SERVING BROTHERS .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
4
SERVING BROTHERS
DR LEUNG KEI-YAN DR TANG SIU-TONG MR LIU SAU-SANG MR LEE CHEUNG-SHUE MR HO HON-WING MR YAM CHUNG-KIN MR CHIU MAN-POK DR CHUNG YAT-KI DR KAM HING-WAH DR TAW JIN-LIAM MR LAM HOO-TAK
MR SUNNY LAI SHUN-HING
SERVING SISTERS
DR NATALIE LEE NGAR-YEE MISS MAZIE CHOI MEI-SEE MISS SIU WO-YING MISS LAW MAY-LIN
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG
* ♦ t ♦ »
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS TUESDAY 16 APRIL 1991 H162
ISSUE NUMBER QI 16
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 885 MN HKD 890 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 400 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 5.74 PCT 5.90 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 5.75 PCT 5.90 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO 100 PCT ABOUT 83 PCT
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 12.4.91 WAS 3,201 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ---- TUESDAY 23 APRIL 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q117 Y189
ISSUE DATE 24 APR 91 24 APR 91
MATURITY DATE 24 JUL 91 22 APR 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400 + 80 MN HKD 200 ♦ 60 MN
0
/5 ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
- 5 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKBF
♦ »*»»»
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 15.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 16.4.91 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.1 *-0.2»
16.4.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 400 + 80
Q103 17.4.91 658 -178
Q104 24.4.91 725 -245
Q105 1.5.91 730 -250
Q106 8.5.91 663. 5 -183.5
Q107 15.5.91 511 -31
Q108 22.5.91 500 -20
Q109 29.5.91 470 + 10
quo 5.6.91 340 + 140
Qlll 12.6.91 510 -30
Q112 19.6.91 540 -60
Ql 13 26.6.91 550 -70
QI 14 3.7.91 470 + 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE : FUND
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKK J
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 181 + 79
H002 15.5.91 230 + 30
H003 29.5.91 240 + 20
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 133 + 127
H156 24.7.91 130 + 130
H157 7.8.91 198 + 62
H158 21.8.91 100 + 160
H159 4.9.91 10 + 250
H160 18.9.91 170 + 90
H161 2.10.91 60 + 200
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 180 +80
Y188 25.3.92 190 +70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 12.4.91 WAS 3,201 MN
------0--------
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 MARCH, OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE 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 LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING MARCH WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
ON THE PROVISION OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE, EIGHT PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE FOR CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PLACES, WITH FINES RANGING FROM $300 TO $500.
ONE PERSON WAS PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE AND FINED $5,000 FOR CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK IN A CONSTRUCTION SITE WITHOUT A PERMIT.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE UNIVERSAL DOCKYARD LIMITED IN CASE 45 AND 46 CONVICTED FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING, WAS SENTENCED WITH THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 FOR EACH OFFENCE COMMITTED ON TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS.
IN CASE 44, DICKSON CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD, THE MAIN CONTRACTOR IN CHARGE OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, WAS CONVICTED FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING AND SENTENCED WITH A FINE OF $3,000. ITS SUBCONTRACTOR, FANTA CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD, WAS SENTENCED WITH A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000. THIS IS THE FIRST CASE WHERE BOTH THE MAIN CONTRACTOR AND ITS SUBCONTRACTOR WERE CONVICTED.
/ANTI-POLLUTION .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
7
Anti-pollution prosecution figure released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Tuesday) released a list of companies that have been found guilty in the courts, during the month of March, of breaching anti-pollution legislation currently enforced by the department.
The following is the list of prosecution cases and the associated fines imposed by the courts; i
- Name Date of Offence Nature of Offence Fines($) Record
-. (Company/ Person) Address of Offence Court
1.Seaview Needle Weaving Factory Ltd Ma Tau Wai Rd, Hunghom 15.11.89 8.2.90 APCO: 1,000 Unauthorized installation or alteration furnaces 1st San Po Kong
2.Hop Shing Loong Can Maufactur-ing Chai Wan Kok St, Tsuen Wan 1.1.90 APCO: 3,000 Unauthorized installation or alteration of furnaces 1st Tsuen Wan
3.Bloomcheer Ltd Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui 12.4.90-15/6.90 APCO: 3,000 Unauthorized installation or alteration of furnaces 1st Central
4.Come Koon Investments Ltd Kwai Chung Plaza, Kwai Chung 17.4.90- 2.6.90 APCO: 3,000 Unauthorized installation or alteration of furnaces 1st Tsuen Wan
5.Central Cheers Ltd Tai Ming Lane Tai Po 17.5.90- 26.6.90 APCO: 750 Unauthorized installation or alteration of furnaces 1st Sha Tin
6.Pollux B&D Co Ltd Ho Chung, Sai Kung 14.6.90 WPCO: 1,000 Discharging polluting matter into water control zone 1st Kwun Tong
7.Hsin Chong (Foundations) Ltd Hennessy Road, Wan Chai 2.7.90- 30.8.90 APCO: 2,400 Failure to abate an air pollutant nuisance(General) 1st Eastern
8.Wing Hing Lard Shop Wing Lap St, Kwai Chung 24.7.90 APCO: 5,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 14th Tsuen Wan
9.International Dyeing & Bleaching Factory Ltd Pun Shan St, Tsuen Wan 27.7.90 APCO: 4,000 3rd Excessive dark smoke emissione /10.CHINKI-ANG .. Tsuen Wan
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
- 8 -
10.Chinki-ang Enterprise Ltd Pat Tat 31.7.90 St, San Po Kong APCO: 2, Using prohibited fuel in the Territory 000 1st San Po Kong
11.Ko Bo Co Shan Mei 1.8.90 St, Shatin APCO: Using prohibited fuel in the Territory 350 1st Sha Tin
12.Krohn Investment Ltd Ngau Tau 1.8.90 Kok Road, Ngau Tau Kok NCO: 4, Failure to comply with the requirement in a Noise Abatement Notice 000 1st Kwun Tong
13.Chi Shing Alloy Foundry Shan Mei 1.8.90 St, Shatin APCO: Using prohibited fuel in the Territory 650 1st Sha Tin
14.Ming Kee Metal Foundry Au Pui Wan 1.8.90 St, Shatin APCO: Using prohibited fuel in the Territory 350 1st Sha Tin
15.Mi ng Lee Metal Products Manufacturing Shan Mei 1.8.901 St Shatin APCO: Using prohibited fuel in the Territory 650 1st Sha Tin
16.New Asia College Canteen Chinese 3.8.90 University, Shatin APCO: Using prohibited fuel in the Territory 650 1st Sha Tin
17.YUCCA De Lac Ma Liu 3.8.90 Shui , Shatin APCO: Using prohibited fuel in the Territory 350 1ST Sha Tin
18.Three Six Nine Chinese 3.8.90 University, Shatin APCO: Using prohibited fuel in the Terri tory 350 1st Sha Tin
19.Ken Fortuna Co Ltd Wai Yip 7.8.90 St, Kwun Tong APCO: 2, Excessive dark smoke emission ,000 2nd Kwun Tong
/20.SHUI CHEUNG .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
9
20.Shui Cheung Steam Laundry Ltd Texaco Rd, Tsuen Wan 8.8.90 APCO: 3,000 3rd Tsuen Wan
Excessive dark
smoke emission
21.Wai Tak Printing Co Co. Ltd Sha Tsui Rd, Tsuen Wan 13.8.90 APCO: 3,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 1st Tsuen Wan
22.Konwall Construction & Engrg Co. Ltd Wan Chai Rd, Wan Chai 20.8.90 APCO: 2,000 Failure to abate an air pollutant nuisance (General) 2nd Fanling
23.Everfit Dyeing Factory Tai Yip St Kwun Tong ,20.8.90 APCO: 1,200 Excessive dark smoke emission 1st Kwun Tong
24.Transworld Bleaching and Dyeing Fty Ltd Wai Yip St, Kwun Tong 21.8.90 APCO: 4,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 2nd Kwun Tong
25.Gold Fai Marble Engineering Co Tong Yau San Tsuen, Yuen Long 22.8.90 APCO: 1,200 Failure to take measures to eliminate unnecessary air pollutant 1st Fanling
26.Wearbest Garment Mfg Co. Ltd Tokwawan Rd, Tokwawan 23.8.90 APCO: 1,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 1st San Po Kong
27.Shui Cheung Steam Laundry Ltd Texaco Rd, Tsuen Wan 24.8.90 APCO: 3,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 4 th Tsuen Wan
28.Wing Hing Lily-white Foam Factory Hung To Rd, Kwun Tong 29.8.90 APCO: 2,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 1st Kwun Tong
29.Wi ng Hing Lily-white Foam Fty Hung To Rd, Kwun Tong 29.8.90 APCO: 3,500 Failure to take measures to eliminate unnecessary air pollutant 1st Kwun Tong
30.Hong Kong Shui Sang Steel Ping Che Rd, Fanli ng 31.8.90 APCO: 3,500 Excessive dark smoke emission 1st Fanling
Works Ltd
/31.LICK SANG .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
10
31.Lick Sang Knitting & Dyeing Factory Wang Lung St, Tsuen Wan 5.9.90 APCO: 5,000 5th Tsuen Wan
Excessive dark
smoke emission
32.Wai Kee Sizing & & Dyeing Fty Ltd Hung To Rd, Kwun Tong 13.9.90 APCO: 2,500 Excessive dark smoke emission 1st Kwun Tong
33.Po Hing Laundry Ltd Hung To Rd, Kwun Tong 17.9.90 APCO: 2,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 1st Kwung Tong
34.Man Fa Hung Restaurant Lyndhust Terrace, Central 20.9.90 APCO: 2,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 1st Western
35.Sun Fat Roasted Pig Stove Portland St, Yaumatei 28.9.90 APCO: 3,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 4th South Kowloon
36.Konwall Construction & Engrg Co. Ltd Wan Chai Rd, Wan Chai 3.10.90 • APCO: 2,000 Failure to abate an air pollutant nuisance (General) 3rd Fanli ng
37.Simon & Sons Engerg Ltd Mody Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui 3.10.90 APCO: 2,000 Failure to abate an air pollutant nuisance (General) 5th Eastern
38.Country Crown Co Ltd Nam Cheong St, Shamshuipo 8.10.90 NCO: 2,000 Failure to comply with the requirement in a Noise Abatement Notice 1st North Kowloon
39.Heraeus Ltd Wai Yip St, Kwun Tong 25.10.90 APCO: 6,000 Excessive dark smoke emission 11th Kwun Tong
40.Mak Siu-man Kik Yeung Road, Yuenlong 23.10.90 NCO: 1,000 Failure to comply with the requirement in a Noise Abatement Notice 1st Fanling
/41.TVB BROADCASTING .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
41.TVB Broadcasting litd Sai Kung 1.11.90 WPCO: 5,000 Discharging unacceptable sewage treatment plant effluent to Government stormwater drain 1st Kwun Tong
42.Fullway Garden BlocJS C & D Si 1 ver-strand Sai Kung 19.11.90 WPCO: 10,000 Dischargeing polluting matter into Water Control Zone 3rd Kwun Tong
43.Wong Ming-kee Kau Yuk Rd, Yuen Long 27.11.90 NCO: 1,500 Failure to comply with the requirement in a Noise Abatement Noti ce 1st Fanling
44.Dickson Construction Co Ltd (main Contractor) • Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai 21.12.90 DASO: 3,000 Dumping one barge load of excavated material at sea South of Cheung Chau without a licence 1st Eastern
and
Fanta Construction Co Ltd (subcontractor) Wai Ching St, Yau Ma Tei 21.12.90 ” 5,000 4th Eastern
and
Wong Chuck Ming (Project Manager of Fanta Construction Ltd) Wai Ching St, Yau Ma Tei i 21.12.90 ” 3,000 1st
and
Cheung Chi Ming (tug boat master) Wang Tau Hom, Kowloon 21.12.90 " 3,000 1st ii
/AND CHAN
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
12
and Chan Hee (Barge Sailor) Wong Chuk Hang Estate Aberdeen 21.12.90 it 3,000 1st it
45.Univer- Yau Tong sal Dock- Bay yard Ltd and Cho Yu Fun Yau Tong (Contract Bay Manager of Universal Dockyard Ltd) 15.1.90 15.1.90 DASO: 5,000 Dumping of 750 cubic metres of excavated material at sea south of Cheung Chau without a 1icence " 3,000 3rd 1st Eastern ti
and Wong Kam Yau (Barge Sailor) H 15.1.90 it 3,000 1st it
46.Universal Dockyard Ltd Yau Tong Bay 16.1.90 • DASO: 5,000 Dumping of 750 cubic metres of excavated material at sea South of Cheung Chau without a 1icence 4th Eastern
and Cho Yu Fun (Contract Manager of Universal Dockyard Ltd} Yau Tong Bay 16.1.90 it 3,000 2nd tt
and Bo Kou (Barge Sailor) Yau Tong Bay 16.1.90 it 3,000 1st •t
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
---------0-----------
/13........
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
- 13 -
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO ATTEND CONFERENCE IN PEKING
******
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, WILL ATTEND THE 12TH CONFERENCE OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC LABOUR MINISTERS IN PEKING FROM APRIL 23 TO 26.
THE CONFERENCE IS HOSTED BY THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
THE HONG KONG TEAM, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS ANGELA HO, WILL ATTEND THE CONFERENCE IN THE CAPACITY OF OBSERVERS.
THE CONFERENCE WILL DISCUSS THE QUESTION OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING, INCLUDING SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN URBAN AREAS, NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT IN RURAL AREAS, AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.
IT WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION'S TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION ACTIVITIES AND THEIR ROLE IN THE REGION AS WELL AS TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION AMONG COUNTRIES IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC.
------0-------
DANGEROUS OPENINGS ON SITES MUST BE GUARDED « » » » ♦
BUILDING CONTRACTORS MUST ENSURE PROPER COVERINGS ARB INSTALLED AT ALL DANGEROUS
THAT SUITABLE GUARDRAILS
OR
PLACES IN THEIR SITES
TO PREVENT THE FALL OF PERSONS.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS A RECENT COURT CASE CONTRACTOR, SUNG FOO KEE LTD, WAS FINED ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST THE FALL OF PERSONS CHAI .
IN FOR
ON
WHICH A BUILDING
FAILING TO TAKE A WORK SITE IN WAN
DURING A VISIT TO THE
CONTRACTOR'S SITE,
FOUND THAT NINE LIFTSHAFT OPENINGS OF A GUARDED.
BUILDING
FACTORY INSPECTORS
WERE NOT PROPERLY
REGULATIONS, EVERY A PERSON IS LIABLE
(SAFETY)
"UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES
OPENING, EDGE OR OTHER DANGEROUS PLACES FROM WHICH rnv.pTMnq "
TO FALL MUST BE PROVIDED WITH SUITABLE G^RDRAILS OR FIXED COVERINGS^ THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MR TSANG KIN-WOO, SAID
TODAY (TUESDAY).
"ANYONE BREACHING THESE SAFETY PROVISIONS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $50,000 IN FINE AND 12 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT, TSANG ADDED.
- - 0 - -
/14 ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
14
TAI PO AND KWAI TSING DB CHAIRMEN ELECTED «*«***
MR HO YUNG-SANG AND MR LEUNG KWONG-CHEONG WERE ELECTED CHAIRMEN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD RESPECTIVELY AT SEPARATE MEETINGS TODAY (TUESDAY).
AS BOTH MR HO AND MR LEUNG WERE UNCONTESTED, THEIR CHAIRMANSHIP WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICERS AT THE MEETINGS WHICH WERE THE FIRST OF THE TWO DB’S FOR THE 1991-94 TERM.
MR HO WAS RE-ELECTED WHILE MR LEUNG WAS ELECTED DB CHAIRMAN FOR THE FIRST TIME.
------0--------
14-SEATER VAN DONATED TO MOBILE CLEANSING TEAM »»»»«»
THE SEVEN-MEMBER MOBILE CLEANSING TEAM OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT UNIT WILL BE ABLE TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES, THANKS TO THE DONATION OF A 14-SEATER VAN BY THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FUND FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR FUNG WAS SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY IN WHICH HE RECEIVED, ON BEHALF OF THE TEAM, THE KEY OF THE VAN FROM LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FOUNDATION FUND, DR HENRIETTA IP.
MR FUNG SAID: "WE ARE PARTICULARLY IN NEED OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SEVEN NEW MEMBERS WILL BE JOINING THE TEAM FOLLOWING A YEAR’S TRAINING ON CLEANSING SERVICE AT THE KWUN TONG SKILLS CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED.
"THEY WERE SELECTED FROM SHELTERED WORKSHOPS TO JOIN THE TEAM WHICH STARTED OPERATION IN MAY LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE CLEANSING SERVICE ON CONTRACT BASIS TO VARIOUS SECTORS."
AT PRESENT, THE TEAM UNDERTAKES MORE THAN EIGHT REGULAR CONTRACTS EACH MONTH IN ADDITION TO OTHER ONE-TIME ORDERS.
"THESE INCLUDE CONTRACTS FROM COMMUNITY CENTRES, HOSTELS, TRAINING CENTRES AND FACTORIES," MR FUNG SAID, ADDING THAT EACH MEMBER EARNED AN AVERAGE OF $1,000 PER MONTH.
APART FROM ENJOYING A HIGHER INCOME, THEY COULD ALSO WIDEN THEIR SOCIAL CIRCLE, MR FUNG SAID.
------0--------
/15........
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
15
SWAC MEMBERS VISIT PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY » » » » »
SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) CHAIRMAN, MRS ROSANNA TAM, AND A COMMITTEE MEMBER, MRS PEGGY LAM, THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THREE PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO SEE THE SERVICES AND OPERATIONS THERE.
APART FROM MRS TAM AND MRS LAM, THE VISITING GROUP ALSO INCLUDED THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MR M.D. CARTLAND AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE MR RICKY FUNG.
OF THE THREE ELDERLY HOMES THEY VISITED, ONE OF THEM IS A REGISTERED HOME.
THE CAPACITY OF THE HOMES RANGED FROM 22 TO 112, AND THEIR MONTHLY FEES FROM $1,700 TO $4,200.
MRS TAM SAID THE VISIT ENABLED THEM TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOMES, WHICH WOULD, TOGETHER WITH ALL CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, BE PUT UNDER LEGISLATIVE CONTROL LATER THIS YEAR.
"WE ALSO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THE HOMES, WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL WHEN CONSIDERING THE STANDARDS TO BE SET IN THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION," SHE SAID.
THE SWAC WILL PUT UNDER MICROSCOPE THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY 313 PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE TERRITORY - 30 OF THEM ARE VOLUNTARILY REGISTERED WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WHICH PROVIDES ADVICE AND GUIDANCE.
--------0-----------
UPDATED CLIMATOLOGICAL TABLES AVAILABLE ♦ » * * ♦
AN UPDATED SET OF TWO TABLES, IN BOTH CHINESE GIVING INFORMATION ON CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN HONG AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
AND ENGLISH, KONG IS NOW
THE TABLES GIVE EXTREME VALUES ON RECORD AND MEAN 1961-90 FOR VARIOUS METEOROLOGICAL
VALUES OVER
THE 30-YEAR PERIOD OF
INCLUDING
PRESSURE,
PRESSURE,
TEMPERATURE, WIND, RELATIVE HUMIDITY,
CLOUD AMOUNT,RA INFALL AND SUNSHINE.
ELEMENTS
VAPOUR
INFORMATION ON THUNDERSTORMS, FOG, SOIL TEMPERATURE, SOLAR RADIATION, EVAPORATION, POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION, SEA SUREACE TEMPERATURE AND TROPICAL CYCLONE AND STRONG MONSOON SIGNALS IS ALSO GIVEN.
OBSERVATORY'S
YET CONCISE
FOR SHIPPING, PLANNING OF
THE TABLES ARE PUBLISHED AS PART OF THE ROYAL CLIMATOLOGICAL INFORMATION SERVICES. THE VARIED INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE TABLES WILL BE USEFUL AVIATION, ENGINEERING DESIGN, JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
OBTAINED FROM THE LIBRARY OF THE ROYAL 134A NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, EITHER IN EST WITH SELF-ADDRESSED AND STAMPED ENVELOPE.
THE TABLES MAY BE OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS, PERSON OR BY WRITTEN REQU
--------0----------
/16 ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1991
- 16 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (APRIL 20) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF BIDDING. THEY ARE: 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
EP1398 EP221 DD6688 AA180
EP1283 317 CT557 RR102
ER568 EP2986 EP318 EE1010
EP1101 AW1127 2208 CG311
8181 ER8441 ER990 EP248
HK421 DD96 AA1962 AF3223
EP310 EP50I1 BX779 EK8828
AA280 ER2338 EP132 CW9904
EP1118 EP3 BM1313 AS7983
CC200 CH286 EN91 1 ER4828
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WIIL BE THE 163RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
-----0-T--
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED » ♦ » * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT FLAT C ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CHEUNG LEE BUILDING, 153 CHA KWO LING ROAD IN KWUN TONG SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 21 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
CS EXPLAINS GOVERNMENT'S POSITION ON AIRPORT TALKS ...................... 1
CS EXPLAINS GOVT POLICY ON EXPENDITURE .......................,2
GOVT CONSTANTLY SEEKS WAYS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE : CS............... 4
INCENTIVE PROVISION FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIES TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY
SOUGHT: FS ........................................................... 6
PRINCIPLE SET IN ESTIMATES FORMULATION: FS .............................. 8
NEED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM RECOGNISED: FS .......................... 10
FS CLEARS CLOUDS OVER TAX BASE BROADENING.............................. 11
PROPOSED DUTY RATE OF CHINESE TOBACCO TO BE REDUCED: FS ................ 14
BUDGET NOT INFLATIONARY: FS ............................................ 17
GOVT'S FISCAL POLICY A SOUND BASE FOR HK ECONOMY: FS ................... 20
FUTURE EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION AND PROMOTION OF HEALTHY LIFE-STYLES .. 22
BIG IMPROVEMENTS IN WELFARE MADE IN RECENT YEARS ....................... 25
HK IS A VERY SAFE CITY BY COMPARISON: S FOR S .......................... 26
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS COST-EFFECTIVE .................... 29
NO INTENTION OF ERODING AUTONOMY OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS .............. 30
IMPORTANCE OF PORT DEVELOPMENT STRESSED : SPEL ......................... 34
$10 BILLION COMMITTED TO HOUSING AUTHORITY: SHA ........................ 37
BILL TO EFFECT ON TAX RISE FOR VEHICLES INTRODUCED ..................... 39
BILL TO EFFECT TRANSPORTATION FEES INCREASE INTRODUCED ................. 40
CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED ................................ 41
BILL TO EFFECT TAX CONCESSIONS INTRODUCED .............................. 43
POLICE FORCE AND ICAC AMENDMENT BILLS PASSED ........................... 44
INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991 PASSED ..................... 44
BILL TO PLUG LOOPHOLE IN SECURITIES ORDINANCE INTRODUCED ............... 45
BILL TO EFFECT TAX CONCESSIONS IN STAMP DUTY....../..................... 45
/BILL TO ......
t
BILL TO EFFECT FEE RISE FOR BANKS AND DTC'S ................................ 46
MOTION UNDER MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE PASSED .................................. 46
JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE RENAMED ................................................ 47
BILL TO EFFECT FEE RISE FOR BANKS AND DTC'S .................................. 47
APPROPRIATION BILL 1991 PASSED IN LEGCO ...................................... 48
GOVT MOVES TO COUNTER TAX AVOIDANCE ............................................ 49
RELAXATION OF FUND-RAISING RULES ............................................... 49
ETC REGISTRATION REVOKED ....................................................... 51
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TAKE PLACE IN LANGUAGE ROLES IN FORMAL EDUCATION SYSTEM 51
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..................... 53
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ................................................. 54
YAU TSIM AND TSUEN WAN DB CHAIRMEN ELECTED ................................. 55
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
1
CS EXPLAINS GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON AIRPORT TALKS * » « » ♦
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REASSURED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION THAT IF AN UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT CAN BE REACHED WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WISH TO TELL THE COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG EXACTLY WHAT IT CONTAI NS.
A GOOD DEAL HAD BEEN SAID IN THE DEBATE ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THE TALKS BEING MADE PUBLIC, SAID THE CHIEF SECRETARY WHEN CONCLUDING THE MOTION DEBATE PROPOSED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE.
"WE, FOR OUR PART ARE NOT IN ANY WAY FRIGHTENED BY THAT PROSPECT. BUT AS WITH MOST DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED WHILST THE TALKS ARE IN PROGRESS THE CONTENTS SHOULD BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
"THIS IS FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT, IF AT EACH STAGE THE DIFFERENCES STILL OUTSTANDING BETWEEN THE IWO SIDES WERE TO BE PUBLICISED IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY MAKE THE PROSPECT OF REACHING A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT MANY MEMBERS HAD REFERRED TO A LACK OF INFORMATION ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD, OF COURSE, MADE AVAILABLE A LARGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION INCLUDING A NUMBER OF CONSULTANCY REPORTS FOR THE LEGCO GROUP CHAIRED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG.
"WE HAVE FULLY BRIEFED THAT GROUP ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
"WE’VE HAD A FULL-SCALE DEBATE IN THIS CHAMBER WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
"WE PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS PUBLIC SEMINARS FOR BUSINESSMEN, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, ENGINEERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS," STR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO EXPAND ITS INFORMATION PROGRAMME ON THE PROJECT, AND ALREADY IT HAD IN PREPARATION A LIBRARY OF PADS INFORMATION WHICH WOULD BE OPEN TO ANYONE IN HONG KONG.
ON THE SUGGESTION BY SOME MEMBERS THAT HONG KONG HAD HAD LITTLE OR NO INFLUENCE ON THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE AIRPORT WHICH HAD BEEN TAKING PLACE IN PEKING, SIR DAVID SAID: "I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IN FACT, THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN FULLY CONSULTED AND INVOLVED AT EACH STAGE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS."
TURNING TO THE PRINCIPLE THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ADOPTING IN THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE AIRPORT ISSUE, SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO REFER TO REMARKS MADE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE DURING HIS RECENT VISIT TO PEKING.
/"HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 2 -
"HE SAID THAT IT IS REASONABLE AND RIGHT THAT WE PROVIDE CHINA WITH FULL INFORMATION ON IMPORTANT MATTERS STRADDLING 1997. WE WELCOME CHINESE VIEWS AND SHALL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THEM WHERE WE CAN,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT.
BUT THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALSO STRESSED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REMAINED IN FULL AND EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF DECISION TAKING OVER THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997, SIR DAVID ADDED.
"I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE GUIDED BY THESE PRINCIPLES IN REACHING ANY UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
RESPONDING TO THE ACCUSATION MADE BY A FEW MEMBERS THAT DECISIONS MADE BY SO-CALLED COLONIAL OFFICIALS COULD IN NO WAY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, SIR DAVID SAID: "THOSE OF US WHO HAVE DEVOTED OUR LIVES TO HONG KONG AND WHOSE ONLY LOYALTY IS TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR WHOM WE WORK LONG AND HARD, STRONGLY RESENT THE INSINUATION THAT WE DO NOT HAVE HONG KONG PEOPLE’S INTERESTS AT HEART.
"SECONDLY, IT IS DEMEANING TO SUGGEST THAT MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAVE NO INFLUENCE OVER DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID QUESTIONED COULD ANYONE REALLY BELIEVE THAT OFFICIALS WOULD IGNORE THE ADVICE OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OR THE MAJORITY VIEW OF THE' LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT COMMENTS MADE BY THOSE FEW MEMBERS COULD ONLY SERVE TO TRY AND DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"I ASK THEM TO CONSIDER VERY CAREFULLY WHETHER THIS WOULD BE IN THE LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG WHICH WE ARE ALL TRYING SO HARI) TO MAINTAIN IN THE DIFFICULT YEARS AHEAD," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SUPPORTED THE AMENDED MOTION MOVED BY THE HON SELINA CHOW.
----0------
CS EXPLAINS GOVT POLICY ON EXPENDITURE
*******
THE IDEA THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SOMEHOW TURNING ITS BACKS ON THE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES IN ORDER TO BUILD AN AIRPORT IS ( LEARLY NONSENSE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE 1991-92 BUDGET, SIR DAVID DEALT WITH THE MYTH THAT INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT EQUALED AIRPORT AND ROADS AND THAT SOCIAL PROGRAMMES WERE SOMETHING ELSE.
/HE POINTED .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
3
HE POINTED OUT THAT PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR WHICH MONEY HAD BEEN COMMITTED AMOUNT TO A MASSIVE $65 BILLION AND OF THIS AMOUNT NO LESS THAN $31 BILLION OR ABOUT 50 PER CENT WOULD BE SPENT ON CAPITAL PROJECTS IN SUPPORT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMMES.
OF COURSE ASPIRATIONS WOULD ALWAYS RUN AHEAD OF RESOURCES, SIR DAVID SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE A DEMAND TO SPEND MORE, PARTICULARLY ON SOCIAL SERVICES.
"BUT THAT DESIRE TO SPEND MORE MUST BE TEMPERED BY THE KNOWLEDGE THAT MORE CAN ONLY BE SPENT EITHER BY A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO RAISE NEW REVENUE OR TO TRIM OR REDIRECT PRIORITIES ALREADY AGREED," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
TURNING TO THE WAY THE ADMINISTRATION TACKLED THE RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTING DEMANDS FOR EXPENDITURE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THIS WAS DONE IN WHAT HAD COME TO BE KNOWN AS "THE STAR CHAMBER".
HE STRESSED THAT CONTRARY TO ONE MEMBER’S UNDERSTANDING, THE STAR CHAMBER HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH REVENUE PROPOSALS WHICH WERE THE EXCLUSIVE PRESERVE OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
"THE STAR CHAMBER IS SOLELY CONCERNED WITH EXPENDITURE.
"AS PART OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGETARY EXERCISE ALL POLICY SECRETARIES ARE REQUIRED, WITH THE HELP OF FINANCE BRANCH, TO ASSESS THE COST OF CONTINUING CURRENT PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS THE COST OF NEW PROJECTS, WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO OR ARE BEING URGED TO UNDERTAKE.
"THE AGGREGATE SUMS PRODUCE A SIMPLE EQUATION WHICH TELLS US HOW MUCH IS NEEDED TO PURSUE PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS ALREADY IN HAND AND HOW MUCH CAN BE ALLOCATED IN THE COMING YEAR TO FUND NEW IDEAS.
"EACH SECRETARY’S "WISH LIST" OF NEW PROJECTS MUST COMPETE WITH HIS PEERS’ FOR PRIORITY IN THE ALLOCATION OF NEW MONEY," SIR DAVID SAID.
AS PART OF THIS EXERCISE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE BRANCH SECRETARIES WERE ALSO REQUIRED TO EXAMINE EXISTING PROGRAMMES TO SEE WHETHER THEY WERE STILL JUSTIFIED AND TO SEEK SAVINGS WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENTS UNDER THEIR CONTROL.
"THIS IS A USEFUL DISCIPLINE. IN EFFECT IT FORCES SECRETARIES TO RE-EXAMINE ALL THEIR PRIORITIES AND TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO RE-FOCUS EXPENDITURE TO MEET NEW DEMAND.
"ONE OF THE BEST CURRENT EXAMPLES IS THE WAY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER IS WORKING TO FUND NEW SERVICES FROM SAVINGS ON OLD.
"INDEED HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD AT IT THAT WE ARE MAKING HIM SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY," SIR DAVID SAID.
ON A POINT MADE BY THE HON ALLEN LEE CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CIVIL SERVANTS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID IT WAS A PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE MOMENT TO PICK UP THIS POINT SINCE THIS WAS THE LAST OCCASION IN A BUDGET DEBATE WHEN HE WOULD HAVE THE COMFORT AND COMPANIONSHIP OF NINE OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
/"WE IN .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
4
"WE IN THE SERVICE ARE ONLY TOO CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG.
"WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MEMBERS OF THIS CHAMBER WE CANNOT PASS LEGISLATION AND/OR HAVE FUNDS WITH WHICH TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES.
"ALREADY A SIZEABLE PROPORTION OF OUR TIME IS SPENT WITH AD HOC GROUPS, OMELCO PANELS AND ON THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF LEGCO DISCUSSING BOTH POLICIES AND LEGISLATION WITH MEMBERS.
"WE VALUE THAT DIMENSION TO OUR WORK BECAUSE IT MAKES US MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF IT, AND THE NEED TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT IF WE ARE TO RETAIN PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT, IN THE COMING SESSION OF LEGCO, OFFICIALS WOULD NEED TO WORK EVEN MORE CLOSELY WITH EXCO AND LEGCO COLLEAGUES.
"THAT IS ONE OF THE INEVITABLE AND, I BELIEVE, HIGHLY DESIRABLE CONSEQUENCES OF THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS WHICH WE HAVE SET IN TRAIN.
"THE CIVIL SERVICE IS KEEN TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THAT PROCESS AND TO DO ALL IT CAN TO HELP MAKE IT WORK FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
------0-------
GOVT CONSTANTLY SEEKS WAYS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE : CS
*******
THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL PROGRAMMES IS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE 1991-92 BUDGET, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS OF COURSE MORE TO BE DONE BUT IN MOST AREAS OF SOCIAL NEED WE HAD BROKEN THE BACK OF THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOW CONCENTRATE ON EXTENDING THE RANGE AND QUALITY OF SERVICES AVAILABLE.
HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO DO JUST THAT, POINTING OUT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE REPORT ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE REVIEW OF REHABILITATION SERVICES, FOUR EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORTS AND THE HOUSING STRATEGY, WOULD ALL RESULT IN SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
"WE ARE CONSTANTLY SEEKING WAYS TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE. THAT HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE MAIN PRIORITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT IN BROAD TERMS, TWO OF THE MAJOR THEMES WHICH HAD BEEN REFERRED TO BY MANY MEMBERS IN THEIR SPEECHES IN THE DEBATE WERE : FIRSTLY, THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT DONE ENOUGH TO MEET THE SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
/SECONDLY, THIS ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
5
SECONDLY, THIS POINT FOLLOWED ON FROM THE FIRST, THAT THE BALANCE OF EXPENDITURE IN FUTURE WOULD BE TOO HEAVILY WEIGHTED IN FAVOUR OF INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS TO THE DETRIMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
'THESE ARE VERY BROAD GENERALISATIONS AND 1 AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THEY SEEM To BE ILL FOUNDED," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT BEFORE TACKLING THE CRITICISM OF WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING ENOUGH IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ASK THE QUESTION HOW MUCH SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT DO.
"IN CONTRAST TO MOST OTHERS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS DEDICATED TO RESTRICTING THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR. THIS IS FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR PHILOSOPHY.
’’AND THE RECORD SHOWS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN LIMITING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE TO WELL W|THIN 20 PER CENT OF GDP. THIS PRINCIPLE SEEMS TO BE WELL ACCEPTED BY EVERYONE, EVEN BY THOSE WHO SEEM TO HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH SQUARING THE CONCEPT OF A SMALLER PUBLIC SERVICE WITH DEMAND FOR MORE PUBLIC SERVICES,” HE SAJI).
THE SECOND POINT TO MAKE WAS THAT THIS RESTRICTIVE PHILOSOPHY HAD INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCES IN THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO TARGET EXPENDITURE WITH EXTREME CARE AND IT COULD NOT DO EVERYTHING THAT PEOPLE WOULD LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO DO.
"THAT MAY SEEM TO BE AN OBVIOUS POINT BUT IF SENSIBLE SUGGESTIONS ARE TO BE MADE AS TO HOW GOVERNMENT IS TO DO BETTER THEY NEED TO BE COUPLED WITH IDEAS AS TO HOW THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED.
"THAT SAID, WE ARE FORTUNATE IN HONG KONG IN HAVING A BROAD CONSENSUS OVER THE WAY HONG KONG MANAGES ITS AFFAIRS. THERE ARE NO POLITICAL PARTIES CLAMOURING FOR HIGHER TAXES AND A WESTERN STYLE WELFARE STATE,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED IN A BROADLY LAISSEZ-FAIRE POLICY TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY, BUT THAT WAS NOT ITS ATTITUDE TOWARDS SOCIAL SERVICES.
"THE REMARKABLE GROWTH IN OUR ECONOMY OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES HAS ENABLED US TO BUILD UP HEAVILY SUBSIDISED AND SUPPORTIVE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES WHILST MAINTAINING A LOW TAX BASE.
"AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE PROGRAMMES HAS BEEN A MASSIVE CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME OF HOUSING, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS,” HE SAID.
SINCE THE HUGE INFLUX IN HONG KONG TN THE 1950S AND 1960S, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITY HAD BEEN TO MEET ESSENTIAL NERDS IN THE CRITICAL AREAS OF HOUSING, HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE.
”IN ALL OF THESE AREAS WE HAVE WORKED FIRST TO PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ALL AND THEN GONE ON TO IMPROVE STANDARDS AS THE ABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE TO CONTRIBUTE MORE TOWARDS THEM HAS INCREASED,” HE SAID.
/THE COMBINATION ......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
6
THE COMBINATION OE HEAVILY SUBSIDISED SERVICES AND A RELATIVELY HIGH THRESHOLD OE DIRECT TAXATION HAD ENSURED THAT MORE PEOPLE HERE HAD GREATER FREEDOM OF CHOICE OVER A LARGER SHARE OF THEIR DISPOSABLE INCOME THAN PERHAPS ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, SIR DAVID NOTED.
"WE HAVE ALSO BERN CAREFUL TO LEAVE OPENINGS FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO BUY BETTER SERVICES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR DO BETTER THAN THE PROVISION OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WAS DEVISED TO PROVIDE A RUNG UP THE LADDER TO PRIVATE HOUSING FOR THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD IT AND AT THE SAME TIME TO FREE RENTAL FLATS FOR THOSE WHO WERE MORE IN NEED.
’’THIS HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT SOME 40 PER CENT OF OUR FAMILIES NOW OWN THEIR OWN HOMES; 20 YEARS AGO THE FIGURE WAS LESS THAN HALF THIS.
”SO THE RESULT OF OUR POLICIES HAS BEEN GREATER UPWARD SOCIAL MOBILITY. THAT IS WHAT LIES AT THE ROOT OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS.
’’NOT A LEVELLING DOWN TO THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR BUT AN OPENING UP OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR Aid,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
- - 0 - -
INCENTIVE PROVISION FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIES TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY SOUGHT: FS * » ♦ ♦ *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID HE IS PROPOSING TO SEEK AMENDMENT TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO PREVENT EXPLOITATION OF /X PROVISION - SECTION 16E - WHICH ALLOWS A DEDUCTION IN RESPECT OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON THE PURCHASE OF PATENT RIGHTS, OR RIGHTS TO ANY TRADE MARK OR DESIGN, FOR USE IN HONG KONG.
IN HIS SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CONCLUDING THE RESUMED BUDGET, DEBATE SIR PIERS SAID THIS PROVISION WAS A CONCESSION INTRODUCED IN I9R3 AS AN INCENTIVE FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIES TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY.
”1 AM AWARE, HOWEVER, OF ARRANGEMENTS DESIGNED TO OBTAIN SUBSTANTIAL TAX BENEFITS IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT DO NOT INVOLVE, IN ANY REAL SENSE, AN UPGRADING OF TECHNOLOGY,” HE SAID, WHEN COMMENTING ON THE QUESTION OE TAX \VO|DANCE RAISED IN THE DEBATE.
SIR PIERS SAID SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AMENDMENTS WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR TO DEFINE MORE STRINGENTLY HIE TYPE OF EXPENDITURE WHICH WOULD QUALIFY UNDER THE PROVISION HE HAD MENTIONED.
”IN ESSENCE, SUCH EXPENDITURE WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THAT ON PATENT RIGHTS AND ON INDUSTRIAL INFORMATION AND TECHNIQUES LIKELY TO ASSIST IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PROCESSING OF GOODS AND MATERIALS.
/'•DEDUCTIONS WILL
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
7
"DEDUCTIONS WILL BE DENIED IN RESPECT OF TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ASSOCIATED PARTIES," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
PROVIDED THE LEGISLATION WAS PASSED IN THIS COUNCIL, SIR PIERS SAID IT WOULD APPLY TO CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO ON OR AFTER APRIL 18 1991, THAT WAS, TOMORROW.
ON THE TOPIC OF TAX AVOIDANCE GENERALLY, HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS HAD BECOME, UNFORTUNATELY, A FAST GROWING INDUSTRY SERVED BY A LARGE NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS.
"SECTIONS 6 1 AND 61A OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE ARE INTENDED TO BE A VISIBLE DETERRENT TO THOSE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE CONTEMPLATE ENTERING INTO TAX AVOIDANCE ARRANGEMENTS.
"TAXPAYERS AND THEIR ADVISERS SHOULD NOT DOUBT THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S RESOLVE TO STUDY VERY CAREFULLY ANY SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WHICH COME TO NOTICE IN CASE REMEDIAL ACTION IS REQUIRED," SIR PIERS SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE MANY POINTS MADE RY MEMBERS IN THE COURSE OF THE BUDGET DEBATE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE SENIOR MEMBER AND SOME OTHERS COMPLAINED OF A CONTINUING LACK OF RESPONSE ON THE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL MADE IN PREVIOUS BUDGET DERATES.
"I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THIS BECAUSE THIS YEAR I QUITE DELIBERATELY RESTRUCTURED MY SPEECH TO GIVE PRIORITY TO THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, WHICH WAS ONE (>!• THE MAIN THEMES OF THE DEBATE LAST YEAR.
"MANY MEMBERS THEN EXPRESSED ( ONCERN ABOUT THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, AND I FELT IT NECESSARY THIS YEAR TO GIVE SOME PROMINENCE NOT ONLY TO THE FIGURES BUT TO HOW WE ACTUALLY EXERCISE CONTROL," HE EXPLAINED.
TURNING TO THE SUBSTANCE OF THE DEBATE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FIRST REVERTED TO HIS BUDGET STRATEGY AND THE JUST 1FICATIONS FOR THE VARIOUS TAX MEASURES. ’
I
IN RELATION TO EXPENDITURE, SIR PIERS SAID THE STARTING POINT MUST BE WHAT THE ECONOMY COULD AFFORD.
"IN MY BUDGET SPEECH I SPOKE ABOUT TREND GROWTH RATES AND THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST.
"I EXPLAINED HOW OUR VARIOUS BUDGETARY PLANNING MECHANISMS WORK AND HOW WE PROJECT BASELINE EXPENDITURE AND FIND SCOPE FOR NEW OR IMPROVED SERVICES.
"I WENT ON AT SOME LENGTH TO DESCRIBE HOW WE SET PRIORITIES.
"OUR PRIME AIM REMAINS THAT, TAKING ONE YEAR WITH ANOTHER, PUBLIC EXPENDITURE SHOULD NOT EXCEED THE GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY AS MEASURED BY THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP),” HE SAID.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
8
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE IN RELATION TO RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, AND EXPLAINED HOW THE GOVERNMENT WAS, IN FACT, NOW SUCCEEDING IN KEEPING RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WITHIN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY OVER THE PERIOD OF THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST.
THE EXCESS IS IN RELATION TO CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, THAT IS TO SAY, INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE,” HE SAID.
NOTING THAT SOME MEMBERS HAD FROM TIME TO TIME WARNED AGAINST ALLOWING THE BUDGET TO BE REVENUE DRIVEN, SIR PIERS SAID: 'FRANKLY, I HAVE NEVER LIKED THE EXPRESSIONS ’EXPENDITURE DRIVEN’ OR ’REVENUE DRIVEN’. THEY ARE Too SIMPLISTIC.
THE CORRECT APPROACH IN MY VIEW IS THE ONE THAT WE HAVE ADOPTED AND THAT IS, FIRST, TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE GUIDELINES IN RELATION TO OUR PROGRAMME OF EXPENDITURE; SECONDLY, THAT WE HAVE THE MECHANISMS NECESSARY TO ENABLE US TO ADHERE TO THOSE GUIDELINES; AND LASTLY, THAT IN FACT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WE DO ADHERE TO THEM," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
PRINCIPLE SET IN ESTIMATES FORMULATION: FS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE Fl NANI’1 AL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THAT A BASIC PRINCIPLE IN THE FORMULATION OF THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE IS THAT THEY SHOULD BE BASED ON CURRENT PRICES AND, FOR CAPITAL WORKS, ON CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RESUME BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT DJI) NO I ANIIC1PATE COST CHANGES AND BUILT THEM INTO THE ESTIMATES.
"THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE A PUBLIC STANCE ON SUCH SENSITIVE ISSUES AS INFLATION TRENDS OVER TOO LONG A PERIOD OF TIME THF FUTURE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE OUTCOME OF FUTURE WAGE AND SALARY NEGOTIATIONS, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT WOULD ALSO LOCK INTO THE ESTIMATES THE (’ASH VALUE OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S VIEWS IN THESE AREAS.
’’THIS COULD BE DIFFICULT TO RETRIEVE OR TO ADJUST IN THE EVENT THAT THE ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS PROVED TO BE WRONG, SINCE EXPENDITURE WOULD HAVE BEEN PLANNED AND TAILORED WITHIN I HE ESTIMATES PROVISION," HE SAID.
WHILE THE ESTIMATE MADE FOR EACH HEAD OF EXPENDITURE UNDER THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WAS DELIBERATELY CALCULATED AT CURRENT PRICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID SOME PROVISION WAS MADE BY WAY OF THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS FOR POSSIBLE COST INCREASES.
"SO THE TOTAL APPROPRIATION SOUGHT UNDER THE APPROPRIATION BILL DOES INDEED GIVE THE WIDER PICTURE. AND SO THE BUDGET IS A BUDGET," HE SAID.
/WHERE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
9
WHERE THE PROVISION FOR AN INDIVIDUAL HEAD OF EXPENDITURE REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTING DURING THE YEAR, THIS COULD BE ARRANGED ONLY WITH THE PRIOR SPECIFIC APPROVAL OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.
AS REGARDS VARIATIONS IN THE COST OF CAPITAL PROJECTS UNDER THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND - WHETHER AS A RESULT OF COST INCREASES OR, AS IN MANY CASES, CHANGES TO SPECIFICATIONS - EACH OF THESE ALSO REQUIRED FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPLAINED.
SIR PIERS SAID FAR FROM SEEING THIS ARRANGEMENT AS A FLAW IN THE SYSTEM, AS SOME MEMBERS SUGGESTED, HE COMMENDED IT TO THE COUNCIL AS AN IMPORTANT AND SENSIBLE PART OF THE MACHINERY OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.
"IT PLACES THE INDIVIDUAL HEADS OF ESTIMATES SECURELY ON A FACTUAL BASIS OF CURRENT PRICES AND ENABLES THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO EXERCISE FIRM AND COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OVER EXPENDITURE.
"THE ALTERNATIVE METHOD PROPOSED IN THE DEBATE BY AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS WOULD TO SOME EXTENT DIMINISH FINANCE COMMITTEE’S POWERS IN THIS REGARD," HE SAID.
ON THIS YEAR’S BUDGET PROCESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE INITIAL POSITION SHOWN IN THE CALCULATIONS WAS A MARGINAL DEFICIT.
"GIVEN THE MAJOR PROGRAMMES OF EXPENDITURE CONTEMPLATED OR ALREADY IN HAND, I CONSIDERED THAT I SHOULD AIM TO CONVERT THAT DEFICIT INTO A MODEST SURPLUS BY RAISING ADDITIONAL REVENUE," HE SAID.
THE CHOICE INSOFAR AS REVENUE RAISING MEASURES WAS CONCERNED WAS THEN BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION, SIR PIERS SAID.
"I DECIDED AGAINST INCREASING DIRECT TAXES.
"THIS YEAR, AND IN OUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, AN INCREASE IN DIRECT TAX RATES WOULD HAVE SET A NEW HIGHER PLATEAU; IT WOULD ALSO HAVE SENT THE WRONG MESSAGE TO INVESTORS LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS - THOSE WHO CREATE WEALTH AND JOBS - AND MIGHT HAVE SLOWED DOWN OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
"ANY DEFLATIONARY EFFECT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FELT FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT DURING HIS TERM OF OFFICE, HIS POLICY HAD BEEN TO BRING DIRECT TAX RATES DOWN AND HE WOULD NOT REVERSE THIS POLICY UNLESS IT WERE REALLY NECESSARY.
"THE SITUATION THIS YEAR DID NOT IN MY VIEW JUSTIFY SUCH A SERIOUS STEP," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID HE THEREFORE DECIDED TO GO FOR INCREASES IN A NUMBER OF INDIRECT TAXES AND WAS HELPED BY A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE SHARPLY THE TAX ON TOBACCO FOR HEALTH REASONS.
HE NOTED THAT SOME HAD ACCUSED HIM OF CYNICISM AND HYPOCRISY, SAYING THAT HE WAS ONLY INTERESTED IN THE REVENUE.
/"NO SO........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
10
"NOT SO. MV COLLEAGUE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE HAS ALREADY SPOKEN CONVINCINGLY ON THE HEALTH ASPECTS.
"IN VIEW OF THE SIZE OF THE REVENUE YIELD IT WOULD INDEED HAVE BEEN CYNICAL OF ME TO HAVE DEALT WITH THIS MEASURE OUTSIDE THE CONTEXT OF MY BUDGET," HE SAID.
AS TO THE OTHER MEASURES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE LOOKED FOR TAXES WHICH WOULD SPREAD THE BURDEN WIDELY, SO MINIMIZING THE INDIVIDUAL IMPACT.
"IN PARTICULAR, I LOOKED FOR MEASURES WHICH WOULD MOST READILY ALLOW AN ELEMENT OF CHOICE.
"I WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO WATCH THE INFLATIONARY EFFECT OF WHAT WAS BEING PROPOSED," HE SAID.
AS FAR AS THE 1991-92 BUDGET WAS CONCERNED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID SUFFICE IT TO SAY AT THIS POINT THAT ITS OVERALL EFFECT FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE SHOULD NOT BE INFLATIONARY, ALTHOUGH CLEARLY TN THE SHORT TERM IT WOULD INCREASE SOMF CONSUMER PRICES.
"THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THE BUDGET POSITIONS US CORRECTLY FOR THE FUTURE,” HE SAID.
- - 0---------
NEED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM RECOGNISED: FS *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS LONG RECOGNISED THE NEED FOR ORGANISATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT REFORM THROUGHOUT THE PUBLIC SERVICE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON Sih’ PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RESUME BUDGET DEBATE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SOME RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT IN THE AREA OF THE PRIVATISATION OR REMOVAL FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION OF CERTAIN SERVICES OR ENTERPRISES AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND OF RAISING FUNDS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS MANY YEARS SINCE THE GOVERNMENT TRANSFERRED RESPONS I BI L I'l'Y FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES TO AUTHORITIES WHICH WERE LARGELY AUTONOMOUS.
’’WE HAVE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, AND NOW THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG IS SET TO BECOME A SEPARATE ORGANISATION. WE HAVE CONTRACTED OUT THE MANAGEMENT OF CARPARKS AND ARE ABOUT TO DO THE SAME FOR THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
"WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING CONTRACTING OUT CERTAIN OPERATIONS OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
/HE NOTED........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
11
HE NOTED THAT MEMBERS IDENTIFIED VARIOUS LIKELY CANDIDATES FOR REFORM OR FOR SOME FORM OF PRIVATISATION INCLUDING THE POST OFFICE, WATER SUPPLY, LEGAL AID AND PARKING METERS.
SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE LIKELY ADVANTAGES IN TERMS OF OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY OF LIFTING SOME OF THESE ENTERPRISES OUT OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM, BUT THERE WERE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES TO BE CONSIDERED, NOT LEAST THE PROBLEM AND COST OF STAFF REDUNDANCIES. "AND THERE MAY BE POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS," HE ADDED.
APART FROM THE BENEFITS OF IMPROVED OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE, SIR PIERS SAID SOME MEMBERS PROPOUNDED THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISPOSAL OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"THERE WOULD INDEED BE BENEFITS TN TERMS OF CASH RECEIPTS FROM SALES, BUT THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER," HE SAID.
THE DISPOSAL OF A REVENUE-EARNI NG ORGANISATION SUCH AS THE POST OFFICE WOULD BRING A ONE-OFF CASH RETURN BUT THIS WOULD NEED TO BE MEASURED AGAINST THE LOSS OF FUTURE REVENUE.
THE TWO RAILWAY CORPORATIONS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SALEABLE UNDERTAKINGS. BUT THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION WAS NOW PAYING THE GOVERNMENT A DIVIDEND WHICH WOULD BE LOST IF THE CORPORATION WERE SOLD.
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION COULD NOT BE DISPOSED OF UNTIL ITS ACCUMULATED OPERATING LOSSES WERE WRITTEN OFF AND THIS WAS NOT YET THE CASE. THEREAFTER, THE CORPORATION WAS LIKELY TO BECOME A VERITABLE 'CASH COW’ AND WE WOULD NEED TO THINK VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE FORGOING THE BENEFITS TO THE PUBLIC REVENUE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO SEEK WAYS OF IMPROVING THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC INCLUDING PRIVATIZATION AND OTHER REFORMS. "BUT THE MATTER IS NOT ALWAYS AS SIMPLE AS IT MIGHT APPEAR," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
FS CLEARS CLOUDS OVER TAX BASE BROADEN IN( *****
THE PURPOSE OF BROADENING THE TAX BASE IS NOT SIMPLY TO RAISE MORE AND MORE TAX, BUT ALSO TO SPREAD THE LOAD AND SO HELP IN STABILISING THE GOVERNMENT’S REVENUE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE DEBATE ON THE BUDGET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD SENSED IN THE DEBATE SOME CONFUSION AS TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT MEANT BY BROADENING THE TAX BASE.
/"IN CONNECTION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
12
"IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SUBJECT, A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE MENTIONED THE INTRODUCTION OF A CAPITAL GAINS TAX AND HAVE SUGGESTED INCREASING THE RATE OF BUSINESS PROFITS TAX.
”1 DO NOT SEE THIS IN ANY WAY AS A BROADENING OF THE TAX BASE. ALSO, IN MY VIEW IT WOULD BE QUITE THE WRONG WAY FORWARD," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT IF THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO INCREASE THE BUSINESS PROFITS TAX RATES SIGNIFICANTLY AND ALSO INTRODUCE A CAPITAL GAINS TAX, THERE WAS NOT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT HONG KONG WOULD CHASE TRANSACTIONS OFFSHORE AND INTO THE HANDS OF THE TERRITORY’S REGIONAL COMPETITORS.
"IN ADDITION, AS I HAVE STRESSED SO MANY TIMES IN THE PAST, IT WOULD GREATLY INCREASE OUR RELIANCE ON THE MOST VOLATILE OF OUR TAX SOURCES.
"IF, INSTEAD OF THE MEASURES I HAVE PROPOSED, WE WERE TO SEEK TO ACHIEVE THE SAME EFFECT BY RAISING CORPORATE PROFITS TAX BY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT TO PRODUCE AN ADDITIONAL $730 MILLION AND BY INTRODUCING A CAPITAL GAINS TAX TO PRODUCE $2.2 BILLION, WE WOULD HAVE SWUNG OUR RELIANCE ON DIRECT TAXATION FROM A RATIO OF 60:40 TO ABOUT 64:36.
"THIS WOULD LEAVE US MORE VULNERABLE TO THE EFFECTS OF A RECESSION ELSEWHERE, OVER WHICH WE HAVE NO CONTROL AT ALL.
"THIS COULD SEVERELY HANDICAP OUR ABILITY TO MEET OUR RECURRENT REVENUE NEEDS," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT AFTER HEARING SOME OF THE COMMENTS MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE WAS LESS CONFIDENT THAN HE WAS THAT THIS POINT HAD BEEN FULLY UNDERSTOOD.
HE NOTED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE SOME ALARM ABOUT THE POSSIBLE IMMINENT INTRODUCTION OF A SALES TAX, FOLLOWING THE COMMENTS HE MADE AT HIS PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE BUDGET SPEECH.
"AT THAT CONFERENCE, I WAS AT PAINS TO AVOID SETTING OUT A TIMETABLE BUT CERTAIN REPORTERS DECIDED, IMAGINATIVELY, TO GIVE A TIMETABLE OF THEIR OWN.
"IF IT WERE INTRODUCED, 1 ACCEPT THAT A SALES TAX WOULD ADD SOMETHING TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES (CPI), ALTHOUGH THIS WOULD BE A ONE-OFF ADDITION, SINCE THERE SHOULD BE NO NEED FOR ANY IMMEDIATE UPWARD REVISIONS OF THE RATE OF TAX.
"THIS IS WHY I HAVE INDICATED THAT WHILE INFLATION IS RUNNING HIGH IT WOULD NOT BE TIMELY TO INTRODUCE A SALES TAX," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT WHETHER OR NOT A SALES TAX WOULD BE REGRESSIVE, AS SOME HAD SUGGESTED, WOULD DEPEND VERY MUCH ON HOW THE TAX WAS STRUCTURED.
"THERE ARE ARGUMENTS AGAINST A COMPLEX STRUCTURE DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE EQUITY, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE SHALL HAVE TO SEE WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
13
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HOPED THAT DURING THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR, HIS SUCCESSOR WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO DISCUSS WITH MEMBERS, INFORMALLY BUT IN MORE DEPTH, THE QUESTION OF BROADENING THE TAX BASE.
"IT IS IN THE HANDS OF THIS COUNCIL, AFTER ALL, THAT THE FINAL DECISION ON THE MATTER RESTS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS NOTED THAT THERE WERE SOME REFERENCES TO HIS HAVING BROADENED THE TAX BASE WHILE NOT INCREASING THE RATES OF SALARIES AND PROFITS TAX, AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT HE HAD NOT HAD ANY REGARD FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF USING TAXATION FOR THE RE-DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH.
"BEFORE WE RE-DISTRIBUTE ANY WEALTH, WE HAVE TO CREATE IT," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE BASICALLY TWO MAJOR RESOURCES IN HONG KONG - OUR EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE, AND OUR TALENTED AND HARDWORKING WORKFORCE.
"WE HAVE OUR EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM INVESTING HEAVILY IN IT.
"OUR LABOUR FORCE THRIVES ON HAVING A HIGH LEVEL OF DISPOSABLE INCOME TO SPEND ON CREATING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.
"IN GENERAL, OUR STANDARD OF LIVING HERE IS HIGH, AND YET IN COMPARISON WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS IN THE REGION, HONG KONG REPRESENTS EXCELLENT VALUE FOR MONEY BOTH AS \ PLACE IN WHICH TO INVEST AND AS A TRADING BASE," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE COULD NOT HIDE THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID SOMETIMES ROB THE RICH, IN A QUIET AND GENTLEMANLY FASHION.
"TO A LIMITED EXTENT, WE CATCH THEM AS THEY EARN, BUT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO RIDE ON THROUGH THE FOREST WITH ENOUGH INTACT SO THAT THEY DO NOT FEEL INHIBITED FROM MAKING EXTRA INVESTMENTS THUS CREATING MORE JOBS.
"ALSO, WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY SOME OF THE MOST GENEROUS SUPPORTERS OF CHARITIES AND GOOD CAUSES IN THE WORLD," HE SAID ADDING THAT THE RICH PEOPLE WERE AGAIN CAUGHT WHEN THEY SPENT.
"IF THEY BUY EXPENSIVE CARS, THEY PAY A TAX OF 120 PER CENT ON THE IMPORT VALUE. SO A $500,000 CAR BRINGS IN ABOUT $200,000 IN TAX AND A FURTHER $10,000 A YEAR IN LICENCE FEES.
"IF IT IS A REALLY SOUPED-UP MODEL, THERE WILL BE A FURTHER 45 CENTS EXTRA IN DUTY PER LITRE TO PAY FOR THE LEADED PETROL TO RUN THE CAR.
"A $300 BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE BRINGS IN TAX OF $77 AND A $200 BOTTLE OF BRANDY, $79. FOR THE LADIES, A $100 BOTTLE OF PERFUME WILL ATTRACT A LITTLE OVER $45 IN TAX," HE CITED.
ON A SOMEWHAT MORE MUNDANE LEVEL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID SALARIES TAXPAYERS WITH HIGHER INCOMES PAYING TAX AT THE STANDARD RATE OF 15 PER CENT CONTRIBUTED 56 PER CENT OF ALL SALARIES TAX REVENUE, ALTHOUGH THEY REPRESENTED ONLY 8.3 PER CENT OF TAXPAYERS.
/"IN THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
14
"IN THE PAST YEAR, DUTY ON CHAMPAGNE, SPIRITS AND HIGH-VALUE CARS BROUGHT TN $1.6 BILLION.
"THE TOP 140 BUSINESSES, THAT IS, 0.1 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER IN HONG KONG, BROUGHT TN OVER A THIRD OF ALL PROFITS TAX PAID BY CORPORATIONS," HE SAID.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROVISION MADE FOR THE LESS WELL-OFF MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY SUBSIDISED PUBLIC HOUSING, MEDICAL CARE AND EDUCATION, FOR EXAMPLE - AND OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THERE COULD BE NO DOUBT THAT THERE WAS IN PRACTICE A SUBSTANTIAL REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH FROM RICH TO POOR.
PROPOSED DUTY RATE OF CHINESE TOBACCO TO BE REDUCED: FS * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, Till' HON SIL' PIERS JACOBS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT WHILE HE WOULD NOT COMPROMISE ON HEALTH GROUNDS, HE IS PREPARED TO AGAIN RESPOND TO THE APPEALS OF CERTAIN LEGCO MEMBERS AND FOR THE TIME BEING TO RESIST THE POSSIBLE TRADE OBJECTIONS TO THE CONTINUED PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT GIVEN TO CHINESE TOBACCO.
ACCORDINGLY, HE INTENDED TO REDUCE HIS ORIGINAL PROPOSAL BY APPLYING THE SAME INCREASE IN DUTY RATE AS THAT FOR CIGARETTES, THAT WAS, 200 PER CENT.
THE DUTY WOULD BE ADJUSTED FROM $870 TO $180 PER KILOGRAM.
SPEAKING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RESUMED BUDGET, DEBATE SIR PIERS SAID THE CHANGE WOULD TAKE EFFECT UNDER A REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.
SOME LEGCO MEMBERS HAD ARGUED THAT THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THE BUDGET DECISION, ON TRADE-RELATED GROUNDS, TO RFMOVE THE PRESENT CONCESSION IN FAVOUR OF CHINESE MANUFACTURED TOBACCO AFFECTED A VERY SMALL GROUP OF OLD PEOPLE.
"AS I REACH RETIREMENT AGE, I WOULD BE THE LAST PERSON TO WISH THAT THE ELDERLY SHOULD SUFFER PARTICULAR HARDSHIP FROM THIS TAX INCREASE.
"BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I AM CONCERNED THAT OLD PEOPLE, I IIO ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO SMOKING-RELATFD DISEASES, SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO BE ENCOURAGED TO USE THIS PARTICULAR PRODUCT," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE COST OF A PACKET OF CIGARETTES HAD NOW BEEN PUSHED UP TO AROUND $20 - THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER THE GOVERNMENT WAS TRYING TO BREAK.
"THE FACT THAT SOME COST $22 TO $24 A PACKET JUST MAKES THIS BLUNT WEAPON AGAINST SMOKING-RELATED DISEASES THAT MUCH SHARPER.
/"IF PEOPLE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
15
"IF PEOPLE DO NOT WISH TO SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY THEN THE REMEDY IS IN THEIR OWN HANDS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO VEHICLE TAXES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT HIS PACKAGE Ob REVENUE MEASURES INVOLVING VEHICLE FEES AND TAXES HAD CAUSED SOME ALARM AMONG DISABLED DRIVERS.
HOWEVER, SIR PIERS ASSURED THEM THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE HAD LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN HAND TO GRANT THEM RELIEF FROM THE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP TRANSFER FEE AND DUTIES ON PETROL AND DIESEL.
HE POINTED OUl THAT THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO THE WIDE RANGE OF CONCESSIONS ALREADY AVAILABLE TO THE DISABLED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND MOTOR VEHICLE (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) ORDINANCE.
HE SAID AFTER THE INCREASE IN FIRST REGISTRATION TAXES, A NEW CAR WHICH WOULD HAVE COST $100,000 ON THE ROAD BEFORE THE BUDGET WOULD NOW COST $107,900.
AS A RESULT OF THE TAX ON TRANSFERS OF SECOND-HAND CARS, A $50,000 SECOND-HAND CAR WOULD NOW BE ABOUT TWO PER CENT MORE EXPENSIVE.
"AGAIN, IS THIS A TAX ON THE POOR?". HE ASKED.
ON PERSONAL TAX ALLOWANCES, SIR PIERS SAID THOSE ALLOWANCES HE PROPOSED LN THE BUDGET WOULD RESULT IN JUST OVER ONE MILLION SALARIES TAXPAYERS, THAT WAS 89 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, PAYING LESS DIRECT TAX THAN BEFORE.
HE SAID TAKING HIS PROPOSALS FOR INCREASED ALLOWANCES AND THE RESTRUCTURING OF MARGINAL RATES TOGETHER, SOME 300,000 TAXPAYERS IN THE LOWER INCOME BRACKETS WOULD FIND THEIR TAX LIABILITIES REDUCED BY SUMS EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST A 10 PER CENT INCREASE IN ALLOWANCES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A FURTHER 30,000 LOW INCOME EARNERS WOULD PAY NO SALARIES TAX AT ALL.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE REMAINING 100,000 TAXPAYERS AT THE TOP END OF THE SCALE WILL PAY AT THE SAME RATE AS BEFORE," HE STRESSED.
HE WAS ELABORATING FURTHER THE INDIVIDUAL TAX MEASURES HE PROPOSED TN THE BUDGET.
HE SAID THE DUTY ON HYDROCARBON OILS HAD INCREASED BY FIVE PER CENT. THIS, COMBINED WITH UNLEADED PETROL MEASURES AND CHANGES TN OIL IMPORT PRICES, MEANT THAT \ LITRE OF LEADED PETROL COST 90 CENTS MORE, A LITRE OF DIESEL 26 CENTS LESS AND UNLEADED PETROL 11 CENTS LESS.
"THIS WAS THE ONE DUTY WHICH AFFECTED JUST ABOUT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THAT REASON I (’HOSE, QUITE DELIBERATELY, NOT TO INCREASE THE DUTY TO THE FULL EXTENT REQUIRED TO COVER. INFLATION," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE ALSO SAID HE PUT THE SPECIFIC DUTY RATE ON ALCOHOL UP BY 15 PER CENT.
/"MEMBERS WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
16
’’MEMBERS WILL HAVE NOTED THAT THE AD-VALOREM RATE HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED. THE DUTY ON A CAN OF ONE OF THE POPULAR BRANDS OF BEER SOLD IN THE SUPERMARKETS HAS INCREASED RY JUST 10 CENTS.”
HE SAID HE HAD PUT UP THE DUTY ON COSMETICS FROM 25 PER CENT TO 30 PER CENT.
THUS ON A BOTTLE OF HAIR CONDITIONER WHICH USED TO COST $37.50, THE DUTY HAD INCREASED BY $1.50, A FOUR PER CENT INCREASE.
’’EVEN IF ONE REGARDS THESE ITEMS AS NECESSITIES, IT IS HARD TO ACCEPT THAT SUCH INCREASES HAVE A SERIOUS IMPACT ON PEOPLE’S STANDARD OF LIVING,” HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE INCREASE IN THE AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX, SIR PIERS SAID A FOUR-DAY AIR AND HOTEL HOLIDAY PACKAGE FOR TWO TO PHUKET WHICH COSTS $3,000 PER PERSON HAD GONE UP RY $50 OR 1.6 PER CENT AS A RESULT.
’’FOR THOSE WHO TAKE THEIR TWO CHILDREN WITH THEM, IT HAS NOT GONE UP AT ALL,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE AVERAGE TOURIST COMING HERE SPENT ABOUT $5,000 NOT INCLUDING HIS AIR FARE.
HIS STAY WAS MADE ONE PER CENT MORE EXPENSIVE BY THE INCREASED TAX.
’’BUT IS THIS REALLY AN INCREASE THAT HITS THE POOR?,” HE ASKED.
SIR PIERS SAID THERE HAD BEEN DIRE WARNINGS ABOUT THE EFFECTS ON HONG KONG’S TOURIST INDUSTRY OF INCREASES IN AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX.
”1 HAVE ALREADY POINTED OUT WHAT A MINISCULE PROPORTION OF SPENDING COSTS THIS REPRESENTS FOR LOCAL TRAVELLERS, AND EVEN MORE MINISCULE FOR OVERSEAS TOURISTS.
”1 MIGHT BE MORE ALARMED RY THESE WARNINGS IF LT COULD BE SHOWN THAT PREVIOUS INCREASES IN THE TAX PUSHED PASSENGER ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES DOWN AND REDUCTIONS SENT THEM UP AGAIN,” HE SAID.
BUT THE ACTUAL FIGURES SHOWED NOTHING OF THE SORT. IN FACT, PASSENGER MOVEMENTS WENT UP AND UP WHATEVER WE DID WITH THE TAX, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT.
AS TO PROPERTY RATES, SIR PIERS SAID THE REVALUATION OF PROPERTIES WOULD MEAN THAT THE OWNER OF A SMALL FLAT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $38 PER MONTH MORE.
THE PERIODIC REVISION OF RATEABLE VALUES WAS PROVIDED FOR IN THE RATING ORDINANCE.
"AS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY EXPLAINED, THE PRIME PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE IS NOT TO RAISE REVENUE BUT TO ENSURE THAT THE BURDEN OF CHARGE IS SPREAD ACCORDING TO CURRENT MARKET RENTAL VALUES.
"RATES, I MIGHT ADD, ARE A RELATIVELY PROGRESSIVE TAX; THE MORE LUXURIOUS THE PROPERTY, THE HIGHER THE RATES PAID.
/"BUT BECAUSE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
17
"BUT BECAUSE RATES AFFECT MOST PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE LESS WELL TO DO MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, I REDUCED THE RATES PERCENTAGE AND PLACED A 25 PER CENT CAP ON THE INCREASE PAYABLE.”
ON FEES AND CHARGES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD AIMED GENERALLY TO ADJUST THEM IN LINE WITH INFLATION, ALTHOUGH CERTAIN FEES HAD BEEN INCREASED FURTHER LN ORDER TO RECOVER COSTS.
HE SAID THE EFFECT ON THE COST OF LIVING WAS MINIMAL.
-----0------
BUDGET NOT INFLATIONARY: FS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT TOBACCO DUTY APART, THE IMPACT ON THE CPI OF ALL OTHER INCREASES IN INDIRECT TAXES TAKEN TOGETHER SHOULD BE MODERATE, LESS THAN ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENTAGE POINT.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.
IN RESPONSE TO SOME MEMBERS’ CONCERNS THAT THE BUDGET ITSELF MUST BE INFLATIONARY, SIR PIERS SAID THIS VIEW NEEDED TO BE PUT IN CONTEXT.
FIRST, IN NATIONAL ACCOUNTS OR RESOURCE CONSUMPTION TERMS, THE PUBLIC SECTOR AS A WHOLE REPRESENTED ONLY ABOUT 12 PER CENT OF THE GDP.
SECONDLY, FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN BUDGETING FOR, AND ACHIEVING, A SURPLUS EACH YEAR.
"ALTHOUGH THE SURPLUS BUDGETED FOR 1991-92 IS IN SOME YEARS IT STILL REPRESENTS A NET WITHDRAWAL OF FROM THE ECONOMY, AND IN THAT SENSE THE EFFECT OF THE IS NOT INFLATIONARY,” HE SAID.
NOT AS LARGE AS PURCHASING POWER BUDGET THIS YEAR
"I AM AWARE THAT, AMONGST ALL THE ITEMS OF INCREASED INDIRECT TAXES, TOBACCO DUTY WILL HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT ON THE CPI; ABOUT ONE AND A HALF PERCENTAGE POINTS.
"BUT IT WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ONLY ON SMOKERS, WHO REPRESENT MERELY ONE-SIXTH OF THE ADULT POPULATION, AND EVEN THEIR BURDEN WOULD BE REDUCED IF THEY SMOKED LESS. IT REMAINS A MATTER OF PERSONAL
CHOICE," SIR PIERS SAID.
”1 SHOULD MENTION THAT, IN THE CALENDAR YEAR 1990, WAGES FOR MANUFACTURING WORKERS, FOR EXAMPLE, WENT UP BY AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 12 PER CENT. INFLATION RAN AT 9.8 PER CENT," HE SAID.
ACTIVITY CONTINUED TO REVIVE, SOME RESOURCES COULD BE EXPECTED. THUS, LOCAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURE WOULD BE
HE SAID AS ECONOMIC
TIGHTENING UP IN LOCAL
REGRETTABLY, MUCH OF THE
SUSTAINED.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
18
ON THE OTHER HAND, SIR PIERS BELIEVED THAT LOWER OIL PRODUCT PRICES AND GENERALLY STABLE COMMODITY PRICES IN THE WORLD MARKET, COUPLED WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE US DOLLAR, WOULD HELP TO LESSEN INFLATIONARY PRESSURES FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES.
"LOCAL WAGES AND SALARIES ARE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN RISING LESS RAPIDLY IN RECENT MONTHS. I BELIEVE THAT MORE MODEST PAY INCREASES COULD HELP THE PROCESS OF CURBING INFLATION," HE SAID.
UP-DATING MEMBERS ON THE ECONOMY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WITH THE ENDING OF THE GULF WAR, THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CLIMATE HAD TURNED BRIGHTER.
"THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER PERFORMANCE OF OUR ECONOMY THIS YEAR. THE LATEST TREND TN OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IS ENCOURAGING," HE SAID.
IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1991, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE TN REAL TERMS OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ACCELERATED TO AROUND NINE PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST AT NEARLY 30 PER CENT.
STR PIERS NOTED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A PICK-UP IN LOCAL DEMAND, PARTICULARLY IN THE ACQUISITION OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, WHICH SIGNIFIED IMPROVED INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND THE DESIRE OF PRODUCERS TO EXPAND CAPACITY.
MEANWHILE, THE LOCAL WORKFORCE HAD REMAINED FULLY EMPLOYED.
"MEMBERS WILL NO DOUBT AGREE THAT REAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IS THE SOURCE OF IMPROVEMENT IN INCOME AND STANDARDS OF LIVING.
"OUR ECONOMY IS POISED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BETTER BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT THAT LIES AHEAD," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID A KEEN SENSE OF FISCAL FRUGALITY AND DISCIPLINE WAS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT WHEN THE INFLATION RATE WAS HIGH.
"I HOPE I HAVE REASSURED MEMBERS THAT OUR BUDGETARY POSITION IS WELL UNDER CONTROL, AND THAT OUR EFFORTS IN THIS REGARD WILL CONTINUE UNABATED.
"I HAVE STRESSED THE PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN CHECK. AS 1 MENTIONED IN MY BUDGET SPEECH, THE GROWTH RATE OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OVER THE PERIOD OF THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, WILL BE KEPT BELOW THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THE PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP A GOVERNMENT BORROWING PROGRAMME, STARTING WITH THE ISSUE OF TWO OR THREE-YEAR BONDS LATER THIS CALENDAR YEAR, DEPENDING ON SATISFACTORY PROGRESS WITH THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION.
AS ANY MONEY BORROWED WOULD BE PUT ASIDE AND WOULD NOT BE SPENT IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, THE EFFECT WOULD BE TO RUN A LARGER SURPLUS.
THE ANTI-INFLATIONARY EFFECT OF THE PUBLIC FINANCES IN RECENT YEARS WOULD THEREFORE CONTINUE TO BE BROADLY MAINTAINED, HE SAID.
/TO THE........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
19
TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BONDS TO BE ISSUED WOULD BE HELD BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, SIR PIERS SAID THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE SAVINGS AND DISCOURAGE CONSUMER SPENDING.
WHEN THE BONDS WERE HELD BY BANKS AND OTHER AUTHORIZED INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG, THEY WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE AVAILABLE FOR CREDIT EXPANSION.
"THE ACTUAL IMPACT WILL, OF COURSE, DEPEND ON HOW THE PROCEEDS OF THE BOND PROGRAMME ARE MANAGED.
"THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND HAS THE NECESSARY MONETARY MANAGEMENT SKILLS TO DISCHARGE THIS RESPONSIBILITY EFFECTIVELY, OPERATING WITHIN OUR STABLE MONETARY FRAMEWORK TO PRODUCE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, AN ANTI-INFLATIONARY MONETARY ENVIRONMENT,” SIR PIERS SAID.
THE ISSUE OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HAD THE SAME IMPACT. '
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF BILLS OUTSTANDING WAS NOW JUST SHORT OF HK$10 BILLION.
THE BILLS WERE HELD MOSTLY BY BANKS WHO ARGUABLY WOULD OTHERWISE BE LENDING MORE TO CUSTOMERS.
"THIS IS ONE REASON WHY THE GROWTH RATE OF HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS HAS SLOWED DOWN FROM OVER 30 PER CENT IN 1989 TO AROUND 15 PER CENT IN 1990.
"LAST WEEK, AFTER CONSULTING THE EXCHANGE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE, I INCREASED THE MAXIMUM ISSUE SIZES OF THE 91-DAY, 182-DAY AND 364-DAY BILLS TO HK$500 MILLION, HK$-100 MILLION AND HK$300 MILLION RESPECTIVELY," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND HAD BEEN GIVEN THE DISCRETION TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL SIZE OF EACH ISSUE IN THE LIGHT OF MARKET CONDITIONS, SUBJECT TO THOSE MAXIMA.
"I SHOULD, HOWEVER, EMPHASIZE AGAIN THAT THE OVERRIDING OBJECTIVE OF MONETARY MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG CONTINUES TO BE THE MAINTENANCE OF EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY UNDER THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, WHICH HAS SERVED HONG KONG EXTREMELY WELL AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF NOT INFREQUENT SHOCKS.
"THE ROOM FOR USING MONETARY MEANS SPECIFICALLY TO CURB INFLATION IS THEREFORE LIMITED," HE SAID.
AS FAR AS THE EFFECT ON INFLATION RATE WAS CONCERNED, SIR PIERS SAID HE TOOK SOME COMFORT FROM THE RECENT STRENGTHENING OF THE US DOLLAR.
THE MOVEMENT OF THE US DOLLAR HAD A CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE ON THE PRICES OF OUR IMPORTS IN HONG KONG DOLLAR TERMS.
FROM APRIL TO DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE US DOLLAR DEPRECIATED BY ABOUT 15 PER CENT AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, THE CURRENCY OF THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF HONG KONG’S RETAINED IMPORTS, HE SAID.
/THE CONCURRENT ......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
20
THE CONCURRENT WEAKENING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR CAUSED THE PRICES OF LOCAL RETAINED IMPORTS TO INCREASE MORE RAPIDLY, PARTICULARLY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, AND THIS LED TO A GREATER AMOUNT OF IMPORTED INFLATION FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
SIR PIERS SAID THE US DOLLAR HAD, HOWEVER, REBOUNDED STRONGLY SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR.
BETWEEN MID-FEBRUARY AND END-MARCH THIS YEAR THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE US DOLLAR AGAINST THE YEN APPRECIATED BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT.
"THIS SHOULD HELP TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT OF IMPORTED INFLATION IN DUE COURSE," HE SAID.
------0---------
GOVT’S FISCAL POLICY A SOUND BASE FOR HK ECONOMY: FS * t t t t
THE GOVERNMENT'S FISCAL POLICY HAS PROVIDED A SOUND BASE ON WHICH TO BUILD AND DEVELOP THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG OVER THE YEARS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR PIERS SAID, AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RESUMED BUDGET, DEBATE THIS YEAR'S BUDGET HAD BEEN DESIGNED To MAINTAIN THAT PROGRESS, ALBEIT IN A MORE COMPLEX ENVIRONMENT.
SUMMING UP HIS FIFTH AND FINAL BUDGET HE HAD PILOTED THROUGH THE LEGCO, SIR PIERS SAID HE WAS STRUCK BY THE PROGRESS HONG KONG HAD MADE AS A COMMUNITY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY HAD CONTINUED TO PROSPER IN THE FIVE YEARS SINCE 1985-86, EVEN ALLOWING FOR THE RECENT RECESSION.
GDP HAD GROWN BY AN AVERAGE EIGHT PER CENT, MUCH BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE OF THREE PER CENT IN THE OECD COUNTRIES.
"THIS HAS ENABLED US TO SPEND SUBSTANTIALLY MORE IN MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS AND IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
"WE HAVE ACHIEVED THIS WITHOUT HARSH TAX MEASURES AND WITHOUT EATING INTO OUR RESERVES,” STR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD WITHIN ITS MEANS, INCREASED EXPENDITURE IN REAL TERMS BI 52 PER CENT ON SOCIAL SERVICES OVER THE FIVE YEAR PERIOD, 12 PER CENT ON EDUCATION, AND 48 PER CENT ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
"STARTING FROM A MUCH LOWER BASE, WE HAVE INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON THE ENVIRONMENT BY OVER 400 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
/"OUR PER .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 21 -
"OUR PER CAPITA GDP HAS TOPPED US$13,000, PUTTING US JUST BEHIND BRITAIN IN EUROPE AND AMONG THE TOP COUNTRIES IN THE ASIAN REGION.
"WE HAVE THUS MADE GREAT STRIDES IN MAKING HONG KONG A BETTER AND MORE REWARDING PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK, AND WE HAVE ALSO ADVANCED HONG KONG'S STATUS INTERNATIONALLY," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
TAXES HAD BEEN KEPT LOW SO THAT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ALIKE WERE ABLE TO RETAIN AND ENJOY WHAT THEY EARNED AND THIS HAD ENCOURAGED FURTHER THE ENTREPRENEURIAL WEALTH CREATION ON WHICH HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEPENDED.
HE SAID OVER THE FIVE YEAR PERIOD, HONG KONG’S FISCAL RESERVES HAD DOUBLED TO $73 BILLION, EXCLUDING THE SARG FUND.
POINTING OUT THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO RESPONSE TO EVERY POINTS MADE IN THE DEBATE, SIR PIERS ASSURED MEMBERS THAT WHAT THEY HAD SAID WOULD INDEED BE EXAMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
"I HAVE ASKED MY SUCCESSOR TO GIVE PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THIS POINT. ONE EXAMPLE OF MATTERS THAT WILL REQUIRE ATTENTION IS THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A TAXATION REVIEW COMMITTEE.
"PERSONALLY, I HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS, BUT IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT A NUMBER OF MEMBERS HAVE PRESSED THE POINT I SHALL LEAVE IT TO MY SUCCESSOR TO CONSIDER," SIR PIERS SAID.
OBVIOUSLY, HE SAID, THERE WERE SOME OTHER SUGGESTIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FOLLOW SIMPLY BECAUSE IT DID NOT FIND THEM FEASIBLE.
"NEVERTHELESS THE TONE AND CONTENT OF THE BUDGET DEBATE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE OF HELP IN FRAMING FUTURE BUDGETARY PROPOSALS. I HOPE THAT I HAVE SHOWN THIS AFTERNOON THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN WHOLLY INSENSITIVE TO WHAT HAS BEEN SAID THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
LASTLY, SIR PIERS WISHED THE NEXT FINANCIAL SECRETARY EVERY SUCCESS.
"BE KIND TO HIM. I KNOW THAT HE WILL VALUE THE GUIDANCE AND INDEED THE FRIENDSHIP OF MEMBERS AS MUCH AS I HAVE," HE ADDED.
0
/22 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 22 -
FUTURE EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION AND PROMOTION OF HEALTHY LIFE-STYLES
*****
THE FUTURE WILL SEE THE GOVERNMENT EMPHASISING PREVENTION AND PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIFE-STYLES, WHICH MEANS MORE EFFICIENT CO-ORDINATION OF LOCAL HEALTH SERVICES, BETTER INTERFACE BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SYSTEMS, AND CLOSER COLLABORATION BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THIS IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, TO BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY FOR CONSULTATION, POINTED THE WAY FORWARD, SHE SAID.
WHILE MAINTAINING THAT EFFICIENT DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES MUST ALSO DEPEND ON VIABLE PREVENTION STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY, MRS WONG FURTHER EXPLAINED THE TOBACCO TAX PROPOSALS AND REITERATED THAT ’’TOBACCO SMOKING IS A LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH”.
SHE SAID BOTH STUDIES ELSEWHERE AND LOCAL STATISTICS DEMONSTRATED AND SUPPORTED THAT TAX WAS AN FFECTIVE TOOL TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNG.
"WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCE HAS PROVEN IT TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN TRYING TO PREVENT SALE OF CIGARETTES TO YOUTHS OR TO PROHIBIT THEM FROM SMOKING.
"WHEN WE INCREASED TOBACCO TAX BY 300 PER CENT WAY BACK IN 1983, THE NUMBER OF DAILY SMOKERS FELL BY 20 PER CENT AND THE PREVALENCE OF YOUNG SMOKERS, AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 19, DROPPED BY 40 PER CENT," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, HOWEVER, THE TREND FOR SMOKING AMONGST HONG KONG’S YOUNG WAS AGAIN ON THE RISE.
IN RESPONSE TO CRITICISMS TO THE TOBACCO TAX PROPOSALS, MRS WONG QUOTED A TIME HONOURED CHINESE AXIOM WHICH SAYS "GOOD MEDICINE IS BITTER AND GOOD ADVICE RESENTED".
MRS WONG SAID PERHAPS SHE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED AT ALL THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S TOBACCO TAX PROPOSALS ATTRACTED UNITED HOSTILITY FROM TOBACCO BARONS, SOME SMOKERS, AND EVEN SOME LEGCO MEMBERS.
SHE SAID : "I HAVE LITTLE DOUBT THAT OBJECTIONS TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S TOBACCO TAX PROPOSALS ARE WELL MEANING, ALL CLAIMING TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"HOWEVER, WE RUN THE RISK OF DELUDING OURSELVES AND DECEIVING OTHERS IN CLAIMING, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT HIGHER TAX DEPRIVES SMOKERS OF THEIR ’PLEASURE’ IN LIFE. PLEASURE IN LIFE? SMOKING CAN KILL! DEATH FROM SMOKING IS A REALITY!"
/MRS WONG .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
23
MRS WONG SAID ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, SMOKING ACCOUNTED FOR 90 PER CENT OF ALL LUNG CANCER DEATHS, 25 PER CENT OF ALL CORONARY HEART DISEASE DEATHS AND 75 PER CENT OF ALL CHRONIC BRONCHITIS AND EMPHYSEMA CASES.
"THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN MAJOR STUDIES INTERNATIONALLY ON THE ADVERSE EFFECTS ' >1 PASSJVF SMOKING ON HEALTH. THESE HAVE FOUND THAT PASSIVE SMOKING CAUSES HEALTH PROBLEMS IN NON-SMOKERS.
"HONOURABLE MEMBERS CAN SEE HERE REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES OF ROTTEN LUNGS AND CARCINOMA OF THE LUNGS PROTRUDING FROM THE BACK," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT I’HAT THE TOBACCO TAX PROPOSAL THOUGH NO DOUBT CONTROVERSIAL, WAS LESS SO THAN ITS DETRACTORS WOULD LIKE US BELIEVE, AND THAT NEVER BEFORE HAD A HONG KONG TAX PROPOSAL GAINED SUCH INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT.
SHE SAID CONGRATULATIONS ON HONG KONG’S COURAGEOUS, EXEMPLARY AND VISIONARY STAND POURED IN FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH, INCLUDING MAJOR HEALTH ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION; THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, LONDON; THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, EDINBURGH; THE INTERNATIONAL UNION AGAINST CANCER, SWITZERLAND; THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, SINGAPORE; AND FROM FAR AWAY PLACES LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF CANCER PREVENTION, KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE, SWEDEN.
MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO ACHIEVE HEALTH FOR ALL AND MAKE HONG KONG A "HEALTHY CITY".
"AS WE SEE THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE AND MOVE A STEP AT A TIME, WE NOW LOOK FORWARD TO THE 1990’S AS A DECADE FOR HONEST APPRAISAL OF WHERE WE STAND AND WHERE WE WISH TO GO.
"NEXT YEAR, WE WILL BE HOSTING THE WORLD REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC.
HEALTH ORGANISATION
"WE MUST CONTINUE TO SHOW THAT WE ARE WORTHY OF THIS STATUS," SHE SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE AREA OF HEALTH IN RECENT YEARS, MRS WONG SAID THE TERRITORY HAD SEEN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS AND REMARKABLE INCREASES BOTH IN EXPENDITURE AND IN EXPECTATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY.
MAINTAINING THAT HEALTH FOR ALL UNDERPINNED SOCIAL EQUITY. AND THAT GOOD HEALTH OF ANY COMMUNITY WAS IMPORTANT BOTH TO ITS PRODUCTIVITY AND SOCIAL STABILITY, SHE SAID HONG KONG’S HEALTH SYSTEM MUST BE ACCEPTABLE -BOTH TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND TO THE COMMUNITY, AND MUST BE ACCESSIBLE, EQUITABLE, EFFECTIVE AND AT A COST THAT THE COMMUNITY COULD AFFORD.
"IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE OVERALL EXPENDITURE ROSE FROM $5 BILLION TO $12.2 BILLION, REPRESENTING A COMPOUND RATE OF INCREASE OF ABOUT 25 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
"THERE HAVE BEEN DRAMATIC TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND EXTENSIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN SERVICES, AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH, ESPECIALLY RESEARCH IN CANCER.
/"TO QUOTE........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
24 -
"TO QUOTE JUST A FEW: ENDOSCOPIC SERVICES; DNA PROFILING, LITHOTRIPSY, BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANT AND MANY MANY MORE - ALL SIGNIFICANT LANDMARKS IN OUR MEDICAL FIELD.
"NEW TECHNOLOGY FACILITATES BETTER INVESTIGATION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT," SHE SAID.
"AS WE ENTER A NEW DECADE, WE HOPE TO USHER IN MAJOR REFORMS," SHE ADDED.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINED PROFESSIONALS, MRS WONG SAID THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, WHICH WOULD SERVE AS THE TERRITORY’S CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION, WAS SOON TO BE ESTABLISHED.
"WE ARE ALSO CONTINUING TO UPGRADE TRAINING FOR NURSES AND SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, ALL VITAL TO THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY PATIENT CARE," SHE SAID.
ON THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, MRS WONG SAID SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ORDINANCE LAST DECEMBER, THE AUTHORITY HAD BEEN PREPARING TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
"ITS PROPOSALS HAVE JUST COME TO HAND AND ARE BEING CONSIDERED HAVING REGARD TO THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF THE AUTHORITY, THE STAFF AND, ABOVE ALL, OUR DUTY TO THE PUBLIC.
"THE TASK AHEAD IS ARDUOUS BUT THE MISSION, IMPORTANT," SHE SAI D.
SHE ADDED THAT HONG KONG TODAY HAD SOME OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE HEALTH INDICES IN THE WORLD.
"THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE IS A LOW 5.9 PER THOUSAND LIVE BIRTHS IN 1990 COMPARED WITH 7.7 PER THOUSAND IN 1986.
"LIFE EXPECTANCY IS AN EXCEPTIONAL 75 FOR MEN AND 80 FOR WOMEN.
"WE ARE NOW FREE OF EPIDEMIC DISEASES AND OUR IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME HAS PRACTICALLY BROUGHT ALL COMMUNICABLE CHILDHOOD DISEASES UNDER CONTROL."
IN CONCLUSION, MRS WONG SAID HONG KONG HAD MUCH TO BE PROUD OF BOTH ON THE HEALTH AND WELFARE SIDE.
SHE ALSO PRAISED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WHOSE BUDGET THIS YEAR SHE DESCRIBED AS "AN UNFORGETTABLE ONE", ADDING THAT "THERE ARE SOME OF US WHO WILL NOT LET HIM FORGET IT".
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 25 -
BIG IMPROVEMENTS IN WELFARE MADE IN RECENT YEARS ♦ » ♦ * *
HONG KONG HAS TAKEN BIG STRIDES IN RECENT YEARS IN PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY NET TO HELP THOSE IN NEED WHILST MAINTAINING ITS SIMPLE TAX STRUCTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OUTLINING THE IMPROVEMENTS IN WELFARE TN RECENT YEARS IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MRS WONG SAID OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS ALONE, THE TERRITORY’S ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SECURITY HAD INCREASED BY 90 PER CENT TO JUST OVER $3.1 BILLION.
’’MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME. A HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.
’’THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY LOWERED TO 65. THE ALLOWANCE NOW BENEFITS 368,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE OF THE AGE 65 AND ABOVE AT AN ANNUAL COST OF $1.6 BILLION.
"AN ADDITIONAL CHILD SUPPLEMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED THIS YEAR TO COVER THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN FAMILIES RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. IT IS ESTIMATED TH \T NEARLY 22,000 CHILDREN WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS SUPPLEMENT,” SHE SAID.
ON SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID THESE TOO HAD IMPROVED ACROSS THE BOARD.
’’THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES HAS INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT TO 416 UNITS.
"SUBVENTED PLACES IN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND HOMES FOR THE AGED HAVE DOUBLED TO JUST OVER 8,200 PLACES. THE NUMBER OF MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY HAS INCREASED FROM 10 AND 76 RESPECTIVELY TO 17 AND 121.
"ADDITIONAL \1DED DAY NURSERIES WITH 6,200 PLACES HAVE OPENED, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 178 NURSERIES WITH NEARLY 20,000 PLACES," SHE SAID.
"NEW EFFECTIVE MODES OF SERVICE ARE BEING DEVELOPED THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENTS AND EXTENDED OR FLEXIBLE NURSERY HOURS,” SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG SAID THE FOCUS ON THE FAMILY AS THE KEY ELEMENT IN SOCIETY PREDESTINED THE STEPPING UP OF SERVICES TO HELP AND REACH OUT TO FAMILIES INCLUDING SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES, AS WELL AS THE STRENGTHENING OF SUPPORT SERVICES SUCH AS HOME HELP AND DAY CARE FOR CHILDREN.
"THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE INDICATORS NOT ONLY OF THE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BUT ALSO PROVIDE A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS," SHE SAID.
/MRS WONG .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL. 17, 1991
26
uong pointed out that hong kong’s social welfare policies AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE WERE STATED IN THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE I99O’S WHICH STOOD AS A STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE TN HONG KONG.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PUBLISH A GREEN PAPER ON REIIABI LITATION POLICIES AND SERVICES TO CHART THE WAY AHEAD TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF THE DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, SHE SAID.
A WORKING PARTY, COMPRISING MAINLY NON-OFFICIALS, HAD BEEN FORMED AND WAS HARD AT WORK IN DRAFTING THE GREEN PAPER AND IT WAS HOPED THAT THE GREEN PAPER COULD BE FINALISED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION LATER IN THE YEAR, MRS WONG ADDED.
- - 0 - -
HK IS A VERY SAFE CITY BY COMPARISON: S FOR S » t » * » « »
HONG KONG IS A VERY SAFE CITY BY ANY COMPARISON WITH CITIES OF A SIMILAR SIZE IN THE REGION OR ELSEWHERE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1991, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN IT AS SUCH, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY, AND BECAUSE A SAFE AND STABLE ENVIRONMENT WAS A MAJOR FACTOR IN HONG KONG’S SUCCESS AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE AND TOURIST DESTINATION.
"THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING HONG KONG’S SECURITY. WE HAVE DEVOTED VERY CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES TO EQUIPPING THEM FOR THIS ROLE, AND THIS WILL CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO ILLUSTRATE THIS WITH REFERENCE TO THE EXPENDITURE ON THE MAJOR AREAS OF SECURITY POLICY.
"OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON THE POLICE HAS DOUBLED IN CASH TERMS; AN INCREASE IN REAL TERMS OF 30 PER CENT. THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THIS EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN DIRECTED AT MAINTAINING A STRONG POLICE PRESENCE ON THE STREETS," HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FORCE HAS INCREASED PROGRESSIVELY FROM 31,000 FIVE YEARS AGO TO 34,000 TODAY.
"DESPITE RECENT PROBLEMS OF RECRUITMENT, COMMON TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, THE FORCE HAS MAINTAINED ITS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS AS A RESULT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY, THE BENEFITS OF NEW AND UPGRADED TECHNOLOGY, AND THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OF ITS STAFF AT ALL LEVELS," MR ASPREY SAID.
/"IN LINE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
27
"IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN THE POLICE ESTABLISHMENT, THERE HAS BEEN A PARALLEL INVESTMENT IN EQUIPMENT TO ENHANCE THE CAPABILITIES OF THE FORCE,” HE ADDED.
"SINCE 1986, NEARLY $230 MILLION HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO EXPAND AND MODERNISE THE MARINE POLICE FLEET, INVOLVING THE PURCHASE OF 19 ADDITIONAL AND REPLACEMENT VESSELS.
"DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 19 NEW POLICE BUILDINGS WERE COMPLETED AND COMMISSIONED AT A COST OF OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS; AND NEARLY $900 MILLION WAS SPENT ON THE PROVISION OF QUARTERS FOR MARRIED JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS, A MAJOR INCENTIVE FOR RETENTION OF TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED STAFF," THE SECRETARY SAID.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD AN OUTSTANDING FIRE SAFETY RECORD FOR A PREDOMINANTLY HIGH-RISE CITY.
"THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS CONTINUED TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIME TO FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCY CALLS; LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 85 PER CENT OF FIRE ALARM CALLS WITHIN SIX MINUTES, AND TO OVER 90 PER CENT OF AMBULANCE CALLS WITHIN 10 MINUTES.
"THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF SUBSTANTIAL NEW INVESTMENT; SINCE 1988, 18 NEW FIRE STATIONS AND EIGHT AMBULANCE DEPOTS HAVE BEEN BUILT," HE SAID.
"THIS YEAR, FOUR NEW FIRE STATIONS AND FOUR AMBULANCE DEPOTS WILL OPEN; AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW COMPUTERISED COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE MOBILISATION OF FIRE VEHICLES AND AMBULANCES WILL FURTHER IMPROVE THE RESPONSE TIMES OF OUR FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE DEMAND FOR IMMIGRATION SERVICES HAD RISEN SUBSTANTIALLY IN RECENT YEARS.
"PASSENGER TRAFFIC HAS INCREASED BY NEARLY 46 PER CENT AND CROSS BORDER VEHICLE TRAFFIC BY ABOUT 116 PER CENT IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS," HE SAID.
"THE DEMAND FOR DOCUMENTS OF VARIOUS KINDS HAS SEEN A GROWTH OF 35 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS RISEN BY 22 PER CENT.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO COPE WITH THIS INCREASED WORKLOAD AND OTHER MAJOR NEW COMMITMENTS, AND AT THE SAME TIME TO SHORTEN WAITING TIME, WITH ONLY MODEST INCREASES IN STAFF, AS A RESULT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATION AND COMPUTER ISAT I ON, AND SIMPLIFICATION IN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES," MR ASPREY ADDED.
DURING THIS PERIOD, ABOUT $160 MILLION HAD BEEN INVESTED IN COMPUTERISATION AND THERE WAS SCOPE FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS I N PRODUCT I V ITY.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WOULD SOON BE ASKED TO APPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW INFORMATION SYSTEM STRATEGY FOR THE DEPARTMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY NOTED.
MR ASPREY SAID THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAD SIMILARLY HAD TO UNDERTAKE SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
/"THIS WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 28 -
"THIS WILL CONTINUE THIS YEAR WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIR CARGO TERMINAL. EXPENDITURE ON THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR WAS TWICE AS HIGH AS FIVE YEARS AGO, AND MORE THAN HALF OF ITS BUDGET CONTINUES TO BE DEVOTED TO THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF SMUGGLING," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS, IN RECENT YEARS, PLACED GREATER EMPHASIS AND COMMITTED SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES TO THE PROGRAMMES FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS.
THIS HAD BEEN REFLECTED IN THE IMPROVED SUCCESS RATES OF THESE PROGRAMMES, THE SECRETARY NOTED.
"THE SUCCESS RATES OF OUR DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES ARE ALMOST 70 PER ('ENT, FOR TRAINING CENTRES THE RATE IS ALSO 70 PER CENT, FOR YOUNG PRISONERS’ PROGRAMMES IT IS OVER 80 PER CENT AND FOR DETENTION CENTRES WELL OVER 90 PER CENT.
THE SECRETARY SAID RECENT YEARS HAD ALSO SEEN MAJOR NEW INVESTMENT IN THE AUXILIARY AIR FORCE, WHICH WAS BEING RE-EQUIPPED AND EXPANDED TO IMPROVE ITS CAPABILITY FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE, AND TO ENABLE IT TO ASSUME NEW RESPONSIBILITIES, PARTICULARLY IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE ON THE BORDER.
"OVER THE SIX YEARS TO 1992, SOME $550 MILLION WILL HAVE BEEN SPENT ON NEW AIRCRAFT AND EQUIPMENT. THIS INCLUDES TWO ADDITIONAL HELICOPTERS WHICH WILL BE ENTERING SERVICE THIS YEAR.
"THERE IS LIKELY TO BE FURTHER MODEST EXPANSION IN THE FUTURE, BUT IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN THE SCALE OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OF RECENT YEARS," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY REASSURED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF THE POLICE AND THE OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAD THE RESOURCES TO DO THEIR JOB.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUST ENSURE THAT THEIR RESOURCES ARE USED COST-EFFECTIVELY AND PRODUCTIVELY. AT A TIME WHEN BOTH THE LABOUR MARKET AND THE PURSE STRINGS ARE TIGHT, THIS WILL BE A MAJOR CHALLENGE IF THE PRESENT HIGH STANDARDS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY ARE TO BE MAINTAINED AND IMPROVED," HE SAID.
IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION, MR ASPREY ADDED: "IT IS A CHALLENGE WHICH I AM SURE THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES ARE EQUAL TO."
- - 0----------
/29 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 29 -
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS COST-EFFECTIVE
******
HONG KONG’S INVESTMENTS IN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE ARE COST EFFECTIVE AND PRUDENTLY SPENT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR LEUNG QUOTED FACTS AND FIGURES TO SHOW THAT ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, TOTALLING $11 BILLION, WERE NOW BENEFITT1NG THE COMMUNITY.
DESPITE A SUBSTANTIAL 17 PER CENT INCREASE OF VEHICLES BETWEEN 1988 AND 1990, THE AVERAGE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE URBAN AREAS HAD BEEN MAINTAINED AT 24 KILOMETRES PER HOUR, THANKS TO A FOUR PER CENT INCREASE IN TOTAL LANE LENGTH ON HONG KONG ROADS.
"EVEN MORE ENCOURAGING IS THE DECLINE IN ROAD ACCIDENTS FROM 2.3 ACCIDENTS FOR EVERY MILLION VEHICLE-KILOMETRE IN 1988 TO 1.9 ACCIDENTS IN 1990,” MR LEUNG SAID.
ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS CARRIED OUT BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, 18 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID TRANSPORT WAS THEIR MAJOR CONCERN IN 1988. HOWEVER, THIS FIGURE DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THREE PER CENT WHEN PEOPLE WERE ASKED THE SAME QUESTION IN 1990.
IN 1988, 11 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE INADEQUACY OF ROAD NETWORK. THIS FIGURE DROPPED TO EIGHT PER CENT IN 1990.
’’THIS SUGGESTS A GENERAL PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF LESSER CONGESTION AND SPEEDIER TRAVEL, A PERCEPTION BORNE OUT BY STATISTICS ON THE DECLINE OF TRANSPORT-RELATED COMPLAINTS, FROM 3,163 IN 1988 TO 1,924 IN 1990, A DROP OF 39 PER CENT,” MR LEUNG SAID.
A BUDGET OF ABOUT $3.2 BILLION HAD BEEN EARMARKED FOR HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES THIS YEAR. AMONG THE MAJOR PROJECTS ARE THE YUEN LONG-TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR, THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD CONNECTING AU TAU WITH FAN KAM ROAD, THE SECOND LOK MA CHAU BRIDGE, AND THE MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR LINK.
COMMENTING ON THE IMPROVEMENT TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WOULD BE RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THAT IS WHY WE HAVE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED THE INTRODUCTION OF AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES AND FERRIES, AND UP-MARKET SERVICES TO MEET NEW DEMANDS.
”WE BELIEVE THAT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE AS REGARDS QUALITY AND PRICE, AND THAT IT IS ONLY THROUGH HEALTHY COMPETITION WITHIN A WELL-REGULATED FRAMEWORK THAT IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICE QUALITY AND STANDARDS CAN BE SPURRED,” HE SAID.
/IMPROVEMENTS AT .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
30
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL HAD NOT BEEN NEGLECTED, AND MR LEUNG DREW ATTENTION TO THE 180 FOOTBRIDGES AND PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS WHICH HAD BEEN BUILT IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
LAST YEAR, 1,600 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES WERE INTRODUCED TO HELP VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS MOVE EFFICIENTLY AND SAFELY.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ADDED THAT THE COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS WHICH HAD EFFECTIVELY MANAGED TRAFFIC FLOW ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON, WOULD BE EXTENDED TO TSUEN WAN BY 1993. THE SYSTEMS HAD IMPROVED JOURNEY TIME BY ABOUT 30 PER CENT.
IN AN EFFORT TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND SAVE PUBLIC RESOURCES, MR LEUNG SAID A MAJOR INITIATIVE WOULD BE TAKEN THIS SUMMER TO CONTRACT OUT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
OTHER POSSIBLE AREAS FOR PRIVATISATION WITH THE AIM OF ACHIEVING BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY WERE BEING LOOKED INTO, SUCH AS THE MANAGEMENT OF PARKING METERS, VEHICLE EXAMINATION AND LICENSING.
"WE ARE ALSO KEEPING ABREAST OF THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN TRANSPORT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD TO SEE WHETHER THEY CAN BE USEFULLY APPLIED HERE TO HELP US BETTER MANAGE OUR LIMITED ROAD SPACE," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT CONCLUDED THAT IN THE LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SUSTAIN OUR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH BY CONTINUING TO INVEST TN THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, BETTER MANAGEMENT OF ROADS, GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AND GREATER APPLICATION OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY.
-----0------
NO INTENTION OF ERODING AUTONOMY OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, STRESSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION OF ERODING THE AUTONOMY OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS NOR OF ASSUMING A RESPONSIBILITY THAT RIGHTLY BELONGED TO THEM.
SPEAKING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE RESUME BUDGET DEBATE, MR YEUNG SAID HE WAS VER\ CONCERNED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD GAIN THE IMPRESSION THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF QUALITY AND STANDARDS AT OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WERE WHOLLY, NECESSARILY AND EXCLUSIVELY DEPENDENT UPON MONEY.
"IT SHOULD RE SAID THAT THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR UPHOLDING STANDARDS AT OUR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THE AUTONOMY TO DECIDE HOW THIS SHOULD BE DONE, LIES WITH THE INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES.
"IT IS UP TO THEM TO CREATE AND FOSTER THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL MOTIVATE THEIR STUDENTS AND ACADEMICS IN THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE. I WAS THEREFORE AMAZED TO HEAR ONE MEMBER CALLING UPON THE GOVERNMENT TO INDICATE TO THE INSTITUTIONS WHAT AREAS COULD BE CUT WITHOUT HURTING THE QUALITY OF TERTIARY EDUCATION," MR YEUNG SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 31 -
HE NOTED THAT THE POINTS RAISED ON TERTIARY EDUCATION HAD FOCUSED, FIRST, ON THE FUNDING OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND, SECONDLY, ON THE QUALITY OF THE EDUCATION THEY PROVIDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE MEMBER HAD ARGUED THAT BY IMPOSING A CASH LIMIT ON EXPENDITURE FOR THE TERTIARY SECTOR AT THE OUTSET, THE GOVERNMENT SEVERELY LIMITED THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) AND FAILED TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE OF ITS MEMBERS.
"I MUST TAKE ISSUE WITH THIS ARGUMENT,” HE SAID.
THE EXISTING PROCEDURES WORKED WELL, PRECISELY BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT STARTED OFF BY SEEKING THE ADVICE OF THE UPGC ON THE LEVEL OF PROVISION REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE APPROVED TARGETS AND STANDARDS.
MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT AFTER TELLING THE GOVERNMENT WHAT IT CONSIDERED THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS REQUIRED, THE UPGC’S REQUEST WAS CONSIDERED IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF COMPETING DEMANDS FOR RESOURCES.
"IT IS ONLY THEN THAT WE INDICATE A PROVISIONAL CASH LIMIT AND CONSULT THE UPGC ON WHETHER OUR AIMS CAN BE ACHIEVED WITHIN THAT LIMIT.
"IN THE EVENT, AFTER CAREFUL DELIBERATION, THE UPGC CONFIRMED THAT THE CASH LIMIT FOR 1991-92, ALTHOUGH NOT IDEAL, WOULD ENABLE OUR AIMS TO BE MET IN RESPECT OF BOTH QUANTITY AND QUALITY, HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID DESPITE THE VARIOUS REFERENCES TO "CUTS" AND "REDUCTIONS” BY SEVERAL LEGCO MEMBERS, THE PROVISION SOUGHT IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR RECURRENT GRANTS ALLOWED FOR SOME INCREASES IN UNIT COSTS PER PLACE AT ALL THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
AND THE LARGER DEGREE-AWARDING INSTITUTIONS WOULD RECEIVE IN RECURRENT GRANTS BETWEEN 87 PER CENT AND 99 PER CENT OF WHAT THEY HAD ASKED FOR, HE CONTINUED.
LOOKING BEYOND 1991-92 INTO THE CRITICAL TRIENNIUM AHEAD, MR YEUNG SAID THE BUDGETARY SITUATION WOULD REMAIN TIGHT AND AS ONE MEMBER QUITE RIGHTLY POINTED OUT THAT WE COULD EXPECT A CERTAIN DEGREE OF BELT-TIGHTENING.
"BUT WE WOULD NOT WISH THIS TO BE DONE AT THE EXPENSE OF QUALITY. WE HAVE ALREADY MADE A SIGNIFICANT START BY ESTABLISHING THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONDUCTING DEGREE VALIDATION AND REVIEWS OF THE NON-UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONS.
"WE ALSO RECOGNISED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT THE INSTITUTIONS ARE ABLE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN GOOD QUALITY ACADEMIC STAFF, IF THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS.
"TO THIS END, WE WILL BE PROPOSING TO FINANCE COMMITTEE A DOUBLING OF THE PROVISION SOUGHT IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR RESEARCH GRANTS," HE SAID.
/RESPONDING TO........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
32
RESPONDING TO SOME MEMBERS’ CALL FOR PARITY IN SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR THE STAFF OF THE POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES WITH THOSE OF THE UNIVERSITIES, MR YEUNG SAID AS PART OF THE SUPPORTING PROPOSALS FOR ACHIEVING THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION, THE UPGC HAD ALREADY ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE THAT A COMMON SALARY STRUCTURE SHOULD BE INTRODUCED, AT LEAST FOR ACADEMIC STAFF IN ALL THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS.
"WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE COMMITTEE’S DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS IN TIME FOR THEM TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE COMING RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT DURING THE DEBATE ON LAST YEAR’S BUDGET, HE REMINDED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING EDUCATION IN THE 1990S AND THAT IT BORE REPETITION.
"WE ARE AIMING TO EXPAND THE PROVISION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION WHILE MAINTAINING ITS QUALITY, AND TO UPGRADE THE EDUCATION WE PROVIDE IN SCHOOLS.
"GIVEN THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, IIFFICULT CHOICES HAVE TO BE MADE, AND WE HAVE MADE THEM," HE SAID.
HAVING REGARD TO THE URGENCY INVOLVED IN SUPPLYING THE NEEDS FOR BETTER EDUCATED MANPOWER, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD CHOSEN TO DEVOTE THE LARGER PART OF THE NEW RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO HIS PROGRAMME AREAS TO INCREASING THE PROVISION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
"THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE REFLECT THIS DECISION.
"THAT SAID, IT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE THAT WE HAVE STARVED OUR KINDERGARTENS AND SCHOOLS," HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT AS HE MADE CLEAR TO FINANCE COMMITTEE ON MARCH 21, THE INCREASE OF $304 MILLION, OR 2.9 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR 1990-91, WAS NOT THE ONLY ADDITIONAL PROVISION THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAKING AVAILABLE FOR NEW AND IMPROVED SERVICES IN THE KINDERGARTEN AND SCHOOL SECTORS.
"FOLLOWING A RIGOROUS EXAMINATION OF ACTIVITIES AND SPENDING IN THESE AREAS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND I HAVE IDENTIFIED ANNUALLY RECURRENT SAVINGS RANGING FROM OVER $200 MILLION THIS YEAR TO OVER $600 MILLION THREE YEARS FROM NOW.
"MUCH OF THIS IS BEING PLOUGHED BACK INTO KINDERGARTEN AND SCHOOL EDUCATION BUT IT IS PERHAPS UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS DECISION WAS NOT MADE IN TIME FOR THE PROPOSED EXPENDITURE TO BE REFLECTED IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES," HE SAID.
HE RECALLED THAT DURING THE DEBATE ON LAST YEAR’S BUDGET, HE SAID : "WITHIN THE VERY LIMITED AMOUNT OF .... RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO ME EACH YEAR FOR SERVICES WITHIN MY PROGRAMME AREAS, I SHALL TRY NOT TO FORGET OUR KINDERGARTENS ....".
MR YEUNG SAID HE HAD KEPT HIS WORD.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
33
"IT IS CLEAR THAT, AS A RESULT OF THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME INTRODUCED IN 1990, KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION HAS IMPROVED.
"THE AVERAGE SALARY FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS HAS RISEN BY 46 PER CENT. THE NUMBER OF NEW TEACHERS HAS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT AND APPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING HAVE GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY," HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE THE PACE OF THIS IMPROVEMENT, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SOON BE PUTTING TO FINANCE COMMITTEE PROPOSALS FOR DOUBLING THE PROVISION SOUGHT IN THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR FEE REMISSIONS.
"AS A FURTHER EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE INTEND TO ACHIEVE WITH OUR SAVINGS, WE WILL BE PUTTING TO FINANCE COMMITTEE PROPOSALS FOR INCREASING CLASSROOMS AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES AT SIXTH FORM LEVEL, FOR PROVIDING SCHOOLS WITH MORE TEACHERS AS THEY DEVELOP SECONDARY 7 CLASSES, AND FOR THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS TO COPE WITH THE TEACHING OF ADVANCE SUPPLEMENTARY-LEVEL SUBJECTS AND ADVANCE-LEVEL SUBJECTS IN CHINESE.
"WE WILL ALSO BE MAKING A START ON SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE FOURTH REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION," HE SAID.
RESPONDING TO THE GENERAL MESSAGE CONVEYED BY THE MEMBERS IN THE DEBATE, MR YEUNG NOTED THAT THEY WERE IN FACT SAYING THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT DONE ENOUGH FOR EDUCATION OVERALL BY COMPLAINING THE LION’S SHARE OF FUNDING WAS BEING DEVOTED TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND BY COMPLAINING THAT THE TERTIARY SECTOR WAS NOT RECEIVING SUFFICIENT FUNDS.
I CANNOT LET THIS PASS," HE SAID
HE POINTED OUT THAT 20 YEARS AGO, THERE WERE NOT EVEN ENOUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES TO GIVE EVERY CHILD IN HONG KONG A BASIC EDUCATION. ONLY ONE IN SIX COULD FIND A SUBSIDISED SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE.
"TODAY-, WE PROVIDE NINE YEARS OF FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN.
"UPWARDS OF 80 PER CENT OF ALL FORM 3 LEAVERS GO ON FOR TWO MORE YEARS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, WHILE A FURTHER 15 PER CENT ENROL IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AT EQUIVALENT LEVELS.
"ONE FORM 5 LEAVER IN THREE CAN OBTAIN A SUBSIDISED SIXTH FORM
PLACE.
"BY THE MID-1990S, THREE OUT OF FIVE SIXTH FORMERS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A FIRST DEGREE COURSE," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THIS MASSIVE QUANTUM OF EDUCATION WAS READILY ACCESSIBLE BECAUSE IT WAS EITHER FREE OR OVER 80 PER CENT SUBSIDISED ADDING THAT NO CHILD WAS BARRED FROM EDUCATION THROUGH LACK OF MEANS.
"HAVING RETURNED RECENTLY WITH THE EDUCATION COMMISSION FROM A VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN, 1 CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT WE HAVE BUILT UP IN HONG KONG AN EDUCATION SYSTEM OF WHICH WE CAN ALL BE PROUD," HE CONCLUDED.
- - 0 - -
/34
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
34 IMPORTANCE OF PORT DEVELOPMENT STRESSED : SPEL *****
HONG KONG’S STRONG TRADE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND THE CONTINUED GROWTH IN ITS ECONOMY ARE VERY MUCH DEPENDENT ON THE PROVISION OF SUFFICIENT AND EFFICIENT PORT FACILITIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON. GRAHAM BARNES, AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY SOME MEMBERS ON THE SUBJECT OF PORT DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG’S POSITION IN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF CHINA AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT IN THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, IT HAD RECOGNISED THAT THE INDUSTRIAL PICTURE IN SOUTH CHINA AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA HAD CHANGED DRAMATICALLY, NOT LEAST' BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE INVESTMENT BY HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS IN THESE AREAS.
"OUR PORT DEVELOPMENT POLICY IS A POSITIVE POLICY WHICH RECOGNISED THAT THE PORT HAD RETURNED TO ITS NATURAL FUNCTION OF SERVING THE WHOLE OF SOUTH CHINA AFTER MANY YEARS OF MORE LIMITED SERVICE TO OUR OWN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PORT AND AIRPORT STRATEGY WAS PRODUCED AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF EXCEPTIONAL AND SPECTACULAR INCREASES IN THROUGHPUT GROWTH RATES, WHICH RESULTED IN HONG KONG HAVING TO ACCELERATE THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME DURING THE COURSE OF ITS PREPARATION.
HE SAID MORE RECENT STATISTICS SHOWED BOTH CHANGING PATTERNS IN THE CONTAINER TRADE, AS EVER GREATER QUANTITIES OF GOODS WERE BEING BROUGHT TO THE PORT IN FULL CONTAINERS RATHER THAN BREAK-BULK, AND GENERALLY A VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OVER ALL.
THERE HAS BEEN AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 14.27 PER CENT IN THROUGHPUT IN THE PORT AND OF 15.50 PER CENT THROUGH THE CONTAINER TERMINALS BETWEEN 1989 AND LAST YEAR.
HE NO’I'ED THAT 'THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE IN THE SHORTER TERM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TWO NEW FOURBERTH CONTAINER TERMINALS - CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 (CT8) AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND; AND TERMINAL 9, PROBABLY AT TSING YI.
THE FIRST BERTH OF CT8 IS EXPECTED TO BE IN OPERATION RY THE END OF 1993 AND WHOSE OPERATORS WILL INCLUDE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, SIGNIFICANT PARTICIPATION FROM CHINESE INTERESTS, "REFLECTING THE INCREASING VOLUME OF CHINESE CARGOES USING HONG KONG’S PORT".
MR BARNES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT BY THE END OF 1995, HONG KONG WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE FIRST BERTH OF TERMINAL 9 READY IE CARGO CONTINUED TO GROW AT ITS PRESENT AND FORECAST RATE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY WELL ADVANCED ON THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND WAS EXAMINING THE MOST EFFECTIVE LAYOUT OF THE TERMINAL AND ITS ADJACENT AREA.
/ON DEVELOPMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
35
ON DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS BEYOND TERMINAL 9, MR BARNES SAID IT WOULD DEPEND ON GROWTH IN PORT THROUGHPUT, TRENDS IN WORLD SHIPPING AND THE TRADING NEEDS OF THE PORT WHICH WAS AN AREA WHERE THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD WOULD PLAY A SIGNIFICANT PART.
MR BARNES SAID THE PORT OF HONG KONG WAS SIGNIFICANT IN WORLD TERMS. IT IS A MAJOR CARGO CENTRE AND ATTRACTS MAINLINE SHIPPING OPERATIONS FROM ALL ITS PRINCIPAL MARKETS.
"AS OUR DOMESTIC ECONOMY MATURES, SOUTHERN CHINA CONTINUES TO INDUSTRIALISE, AND THE DEMANDS OF LOCAL AND CHINESE ('ARGO ON OUR PORT INCREASE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE STAND READY TO MEET THOSE DEMANDS BY CONTINUING TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE PORT FACILITIES OF THE RIGHT TYPE, IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AND AT THE RIGHT TIME,” HE STRESSED.
ON OTHER ISSUES, MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO PUBLISH THE COMPLETED METROPLAN, THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR THE METROPOLITAN AREAS, AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE.
MR BARNES SAID THE PUBLICATION OF THE DOCUMENT HAD BEEN A VERY REWARDING EXERCISE AS BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR DEVELOPERS WERE GRADUALLY ACCEPTING THE Ml *IROPLAN AND ITS PRINCIPLES AS A BROAD FRAMEWORK ON WHICH TO PLAN DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES.
HE SAID LIKE OTHER MAJOR CITIES, SUCH A FRAMEWORK WAS VITALLY NECESSARY FOR DECISIONS TO BE MADE ON THE LOCAL PLANNING OF NEW RECLAMATIONS, LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SCHEMES AND HOUSING AUTHOR ITY REDEVELOPMENTS.
"AND TO MAKE SENSE THIS MUST BE PART OF A COHERENT WHOLE AND A FRAMEWORK IS ALSO NECESSARY FOR DETERMINATION OF HEIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS ON DENSITIES OF NEW BUILDINGS, WHEN AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS HAVE MOVED AWA\ AND ALSO IN REALISING THE ENORMOUS ASSET REPRESENTED BY THE LAND AT KAI TAK AIRPORT AND ADJOINING RECLAMATIONS WHEN THESE BECOME AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT," HE ADDED.
ON THE SUBJECT OF ENVIRONMENT, MR BARNES SAID AMONG THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF LAST YEAR, THE FOREMOST ONE WAS THE MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN AIR QUALITY ACHIEVED BY THE REDUCTION OF SULPHUR CONTENT IN FUEL OIL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MEASURE WAS TO RESOLVE THE WORST AIR POLLUTION AFFECTING PEOPLE’S HOMES AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW MOVING SYSTEMATICALLY TO THE NEXT WORST FORM OF POLLUTION WHICH WAS POLLUTION BY VEHICLE EXHAUSTS AT STREET LEVEL.
"UNLEADED PETROL HAS NOW BEEN ON SALE FOR 16 DAYS AND THE ESTIMATE IS THAT SOME 51 PER (’ENT OF PETROL DRIVEN CARS ARE USING IT SO FAR AND THE NUMBER IS INCREASING, THANKS AT LEAST PARTLY TO THE DUTY DIFFERENTIAL.
"DURING THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR WE WILL ALSO BE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SMOKY VEHICLES SENT FOR INSPECTIONS AND ADJUSTMENT, AND LAYING DOWN MUCH HIGHER EXHAUST EMISSION DESIGN STANDARDS FOR NEW CARS, BOTH PETROL AND DIESEI FUELLED.
"WE WILL ALSO BE REVIEWING THE LONG-TERM ACCEPTABILITY OF DIESEL FUELLING IN DIFFERENT CLASSES OF VEHICLES," HE SAID. .
/ON WATER .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
36
ON WATER POLLUTION CONTROL, MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE ENACTMENT OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE REMOVING THE EXEMPTION FOR LICENSING OF THE DISCHARGES OF EXISTING FACTORIES AND ABOLISHING THE 30 PER (’ENT PERMITTED INCREASE OF DISCHARGES WAS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT, BUT IT WAS MADE MORE SO BY THE EXTREMELY CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH INDUSTRY WHICH PRECEDED IT.
HE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THESE DISCUSSIONS WERE A GOOD LESSON FOR BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE INDUSTRIAL SIDE AND AUGUR WELL FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
HE REPORTED GOOD PROGRESS WAS ALSO MADE IN PLANNING THE SEWAGE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME.
"THE SITUATION IS THAT THE REGIONAL SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDIES ARE BEING COMPLETED ON TIME AND FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARISING THEREFROM. "SITE INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SEWAGE STRATEGY DISPOSAL SCHEME ARE ALSO WELL UNDER WAY AND DETAILED DESIGN FOR THE KOWLOON SYSTEM WILL START LATER THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT RELATING TO INVESTIGATION OF THE DEEP WATER OUTFALL IN GUANGDONG THIS WEEK AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES FOR THE LATTER STAGES OF THE SEWAGE STRATEGY DISPOSAL SCHEME WOULD BE FINALISED IN DECEMBER NEXT YEAR AFTER THE RESULTS OF THE CONSULTANCY STUDIES WERE KNOWN.
TURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF FLAT SPECULATION, MR BARNES SAID SPECULATION AND BUYING FOR APPRECIATION OF THE INVESTMENT HAD ALWAYS BEEN A FEATURE OF HONG KONG’S BUOYANT PROPERTY MARKET.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RECENT INTEREST IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET SEEMED TO BE MAINLY CONCENTRATED ON PRE-SALES OF NEW LARGE-SCALE, WELL PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS IN WHICH THE PROSPECT FOR PRICE APPRECIATION WAS LIKELY TO BE GREATER THAN IN SMALL DEVELOPMENTS.
HE SAID IT WAS DOUBTFUL WHETHER THE PRESENT LEVEL OF PROPERTY SPECULATION WAS EQUALLY WIDESPREAD IN ALL SECTORS AND IN ALL TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTS.
HE ADDED THAT THESE PROPERTIES WERE ALSO THOSE FOR WHICH THE LAND OFFICERS CONSENT SCHEME AFFORDED THE MOST OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTROL, AND.CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED PROCEDURES FOR NEW SALES HAD BEEN INTRODUCED RECENTLY WI TH THE AGREEMENT AND ASSISTANCE OF THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION.
ALTHOUGH THESE HAD BEEN PRIMARILY AIMED AT PRESERVING PUBLIC ORDER, THEY ALSO INVOLVED THE RAISING OF THE LOW INITIAL DEPOSIT, WHICH HAD HITHERTO ALLOWED MORE WIDESPREAD SPECULATION AT A MINIMUM RISK TO THE SPECULATORS.
"IN A SITUATION WHERE THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF ALL TYPES OF PROPERTY FOR HOME-BUYERS TO (’HOOSE FROM, AND IN WHICH LARGE NUMBERS OF HOME-BUYERS ARE SEEKING TO UPGRADE THEIR HOMES RATHER THAN TO BUY THEIR FIRST FLAT, I AM AFRAID THAT I AM STILL NOT PERSUADED THAT THE OVERALL PUBLIC INTEREST WOULD BE SERVED BY MORE EXPENSIVE BUREAUCRATIC INTERVENTION BEYOND THAT WHICH HAS BEEN AGREED," HE EXPLAINED.
/IN RESPONSE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
37
(N RESPONSE TO CONCERNS RY SONE SECTORS OE THE COMMUNITY OVER THE ACTIVITIES OF PROPERTY AGENCIES, MR BARNES SAID THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION HAD ALREADY DONE SOME STUDIES ON THE SUBJECT AND HAD PASSED THE FINDINGS TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
"THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS EXAMINING THE ISSUE, NOT ONLY IN THE CONTEXT OF PROPERTY AGENCIES’ INVOLVEMENT IN SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES, BUT ALSO IN RELATION TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALPRACTICE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL STUDY THE COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATIONS VERY CAREFULLY WHEN WE RECEIVE THEM,” HE SAID.
---------0-----------
$10 BILLION COMMITTED TO HOUSING AUTHORITY: SHA t * * t t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED $10 BILLION, IN THE FORM OF CAPITAL INJECTION, TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, Till- SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN ADDITION TO THIS, MR TSAO SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING BY MAKING SITES AVAILABLE AND PROVIDING THE SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE.
HE SAID UP TO 1990-91, A TOTAL OF ABOUT $8 BILLION OF THE COMMITMENT HAD BEEN SPENT AND HE EXPECTED THE BALANCE TO BE FULLY DRAWN DOWN THIS YEAR.
IN ANOTHER TWO YEARS OR SO, MR TSAO NOTED, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD BE FULLY SEFL-FINANCING.
HE SAID HE HOPED THIS DEMONSTRATED PRUDENT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT WHILST ALLOWING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO MAKE A VERY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WELFARE OF A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
MR TSAO SAID IN Till7 LAST FIVE YEARS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD PRODUCED WELL OVER 153,000 RENTAL FLATS AND INCURRED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OF OVER $21 BILLION.
’’OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME PROGRAMME HAS PRODUCED ABOUT 10,000 FLATS AND INCURRED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OF OVER $6.9 BILLION.
’’THIS IS ALL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN THE BROAD SENSE OF THE WORD, AND IS A SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT RY ANY STANDARD,” HE SAID.
TN THE NEXT FI\E YEARS, MR TSAO SAID, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 59,000 HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS AND 27,000 PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME FLATS WOULD BE PRODUCED.
/’’THE HOME...........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
38
’’THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME, WHICH TAPS PRIVATE SECTOR RESOURCES, HAS ALSO PROVED TO BE A VERY USEFUL SUPPLEMENT TO THE HOUSING PROGRAMME.
”IN ADDITION, THERE IS THE PROPOSED SALE OF PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS, WHICH WILL HELP INCREASE HOME OWNERSHIP WITHOUT RECOURSE TO NEW PRODUCTION.
’’ALL THESE COMBINED EFFORTS WILL ENHANCE HONG KONG’S HOME OWNERSHIP GROWTH IN THE NEXT DECADE,” MR TSAO SAID.
LN THIS CONNECTION, HE FELT CONFIDENT THAT COUNCILLORS WOULD AGREE THAT ’’RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO THIS SOCIAL PROGRAMME CONSTITUTE MONEY WELL SPENT, AND THE REHOUSING OF NEARLY HALF A MILLION PEOPLE, SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAMME IN 1978, WAS NO MEAN ACHIEVEMENT.
TURNING TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR TSAO SAID AMENDMENTS WERE BEING PROPOSED TO THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE.
’’THE MAJOR ONES INCLUDE NEW PROVISIONS TO SUPERSEDE UNFAIR CLAUSES IN DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
”IT IS INTENDED TO PUBLISH THE AMENDMENT BILL IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL, AND GIVE THE PUBLIC A THREE-MONTH PERIOD TO COMMENT ON THESE NEW PROVISIONS,” HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, MR TSAO SAID, THERE WERE 10 DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS WORKING ON A TOTAL OF 270 TARGET BUILDINGS.
’’CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO BETTER SYNCHRONISE THE WORK OF THESE TEAMS WITH THOSE OF THE HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE LICENSING OFFICE, IN ORDER TO MAKE CO-ORDINATED IMPROVEMENTS TO BUILDINGS WITH GUESTHOUSES, PRIVATE CLUBS AND ALSO BEDSPACE APARTMENTS.
"A SUM OF $500,000 HAS ALSO BEEN EARMARKED IN 1991-92 TO ORGANISE PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, SEMINARS, TRAINING COURSES AND THE PUBLICATION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS," MR TSAO SAID.
AS TO BEDSPACE APARTMENT TENANTS OR THE . SO-CALLED ’’CAGED-MEN”, MR TSAO SAID LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS ON FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY WERE NOW BEING DRAFTED AND THAT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAD SECURED $60 MILLION IN DONATIONS TOWARDS A PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECT TO PROVIDE SINGLETON HOSTELS TO BE MANAGED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
HE ADDED THAT A BEDSPACE LICENSING SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED, BUT ONLY WHEN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS OF LODGERS HAD BEEN SUITABLY REHOUSED.
TO FURTHER PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC, TWO CONTROL SCHEMES UNDER THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION BILL AND THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) BILL, WOULD BE ENFORCED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF SECONDED TO THE CNTA TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER DEGREE OF COMMUNAL SAFETY.
/MR TSAO ......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
39
MR TSAO ALSO SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROLS.
"SINCE 1981, AMENDING LEGISLATION HAS BEEN PASSED BY THIS COUNCIL, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, TO RAISE CONTROLLED RENTS PROGRESSIVELY, TO BRING THEM CLOSER TO PREVAILING MARKET LEVELS AND EVENTUALLY TO PERMIT COMPLETE DECONTROL WITHOUT CAUSING SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.
"THE ANNUAL REVISION EXERCISE IS AGAIN UNDERWAY AND I SHALL BE INTRODUCING LATER THIS YEAR FURTHER AMENDING LEGISLATION TO ADJUST THE LEVEL OF RENT CONTROLS.
"I HOPE THEN TO BE IN A POSITION TO GIVE SOME INDICATION OF WHEN TOTAL DECONTROL UNDER PART TWO OF THE ORDINANCE CAN BE ACHIEVED," MR TSAO SAID.
TURNING TO THE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS, MR TSAO PLEDGED THE GOVERNMENT'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
"ALTHOUGH FUNDING FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS HAS BEEN FROZEN AT $35 MILLION THIS YEAR, THIS SHOULD BE SEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF A 100 PER CENT INCREASE SINCE 1987-88, AND THE FACT THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL, RATHER THAN THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, NOW FUNDS THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.
"AS A RESULT, DURING THIS SAME PERIOD, SUBVENTION FOR GROUPS SUPPORTED BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS INCREASED BY OVER 300 PER CENT AND THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS SUPPORTED INCREASED BY OVER 200 PER CENT.
"THIS RAPID RATE OF INCREASE CANNOT OF COURSE BE SUSTAINED INDEFINITELY," MR TSAO STRESSED.
IN THIS CONTEXT, HE SAID THE ESTABLISHED GROUPS WOULD NEED TO EARN MORE INCOME THROUGH BOX-OFFICE RECEIPTS AND SPONSORSHIP, SO THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT COULD BE EXTENDED TO NEW PERFORMING GROUPS.
-----0-----
BILL TO EFFECT ON TAX RISE FOR VEHICLES INTRODUCED
******
THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE PROPOSALS IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET TO INCREASE THE TAX RATES FOR PRIVATE CARS, GOODS VEHICLES, AND MOTOR CYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES TO SERVE FISCAL PURPOSES, AND IN RESPECT OF GOODS VEHICLES, IN ADDITION TO SERVE TRAFFIC RESTRAINT PURPOSES.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLA I IVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR PIERS SAID LIGHT VANS NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES HAD OFTEN BEEN PURCHASED FOR BOTH PRIVATE PASSENGER AND GOODS USE FOR SOME YEARS.
/OWNERS OF .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
40
OWNERS OF LIGHT VANS WHICH HAD BEEN USED FOR PRIVATE PASSENGER PURPOSES HAD BEEN ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOWER RATE OF FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND ANNUAL LICENCE FEES INTENDED FOR GOODS VEHICLES.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING TRANSPORT MEASURES TO DISCOURAGE PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP WAS THUS UNDERMINED.
”TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, IT IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE TAX ON VAN-TYPE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES IN WEIGHT 3.6 TIMES, TO THE SAME RATE AS THAT FOR PRIVATE CARS, AND TO DOUBLE THE TAX ON VANS WEIGHING MORE THAN 1.9 TONNES.
”A SIMILAR INCREASE IN LICENCE FEES FOR VANS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED LATER IN THE FEES INCREASE (1991 BUDGET) BILL 1991,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID AFTER THESE MEASURES, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENCED GOODS VEHICLES WAS ESTIMATED TO FALL TO 22 PER CENT LESS THAN THE UNRESTRAINED PROJECTED NUMBER.
THE COST IMPACT ON BUSINESSES USING THESE VEHICLES FOR GOODS TRANSPORT WAS NOT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE OF THE SMALL PROPORTION OF TRANSPORT SERVICES TO TOTAL BUSINESS COSTS.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED RATES OF MOTOR VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX WERE 90 PER CENT FOR BASIC CAR, 105 PER CENT FOR A SEMI-LUXURY CAR, 120 PER CENT FOR A LUXURY CAR, 35 PER CENT FOR A GOODS VEHICLE OTHER THAN A VAN, 90 PER CENT FOR A VAN NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES, 50 PER CENT FOR A VAN EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES, AND 35 PER CENT FOR MOTOR CYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES.
"THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROPOSALS WILL RESULT IN AN ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL $460 MILLION IN 1991/92. THERE ARE NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS,” HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
BILL TO EFFECT TRANSPORTATION FEES INCREASE INTRODUCED
******
A BILL TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE PROPOSALS IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET TO INCREASE MARINE BERTHING AND PASSENGER EMBARKATION FEES, THE TOLLS FOR THE ABERDEEN AND SHING MUN TUNNELS, DRIVING AND ANNUAL LICENCE FEES AND TO TAX-LOAD THE TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP FEE IS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FEES INCREASE (1991 BUDGET) BILL 1991, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID: "EXCEPT FOR THE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP TRANSFER FEE, THE PROPOSED INCREASES SERVE MAINLY TO MAINTAIN REVENUE YIELDS IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
/"THE INCREASE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
41
"THE INCREASE IN THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEES FOR VANS NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES IN WEIGHT AND VANS WEIGHING MORE THAN 1.9 TONNES IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PROPOSED RESTRUCTURING OF THE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX ON GOODS VEHICLES IN THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991."
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THESE MEASURES WAS $492 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AND THERE WERE No STAFFING IMPLICATIONS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED ******
A BILL WHICH GIVES EFFECT TO A MOTION ON DECRIMINAL1SATION OF PRIVATE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BY CONSENTING ADULT MALES APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JULY LAST YEAR WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL FOLLOWED CLOSELY THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 1983 LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT ON LAWS GOVERNING HOMOSEXUAL CONDUCT.
HE SAID THE ESSENTIAL PURPOSES OF THE BILL WERE TO DECRIMINALISE CONSENSUAL HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE BY ADULT MALES; BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, TO SAFEGUARD 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 MOTION ON DECRIMINALI SAT TON OF PRIVATE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BY CONSENTING ADULT MALES WHICH WAS PASSED LAST YEAR PROVIDED 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 TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS PER SE WAS EFFECTED BY CLAUSE 26, WHICH WOULD REPEAL SECTIONS 49 TO 53 OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE, AND BY CLAUSE 3 WHICH WOULD ABOLISH THE COMMON LAW OFFENCE OF BUGGERY.
HE ADDED THAT CLAUSE 3 WOULD ALSO ADD NEW SECTIONS TO THE CRIMES ORDINANCE DEFINING THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A HOMOSEXUAL ACT WOULD REMAIN A CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE:
* WHERE THE ACT WAS NON-CONSENSUAL;
/* WHERE THE ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
42
* WHERE THE ACT WAS COMMITTED WITH OR BY A MAN UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ;
* WHERE THE ACT WAS COMMITTED WITH A DEFECTIVE; AND
* WHERE THE ACT WAS COMMITTED OTHERWISE THAN IN PRIVATE.
MR ASPREV SAID THE BILL WOULD ALSO EXTEND TO MFN AND BOYS MOST OF THE PRESENT PROVISIONS OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO OFFER WOMEN AND GIRLS PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.
"A NUMBER OF EXISTING OFFENCES DESIGNED FOR THE PROTECTION OF FEMALES REFER TO 'UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE’, WHICH MEANS, ESSENTIALLY, INTERCOURSE OTHERWISE THAN BETWEEN A MAN AND HIS WIFE.
"A PERSON WHO HAS UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE DOES NOT NECESSARILY COMMIT AN OFFENCE.
"HOWEVER, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AN ACT WILL AMOUNT TO AN OFFENCE; FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE ACT IS PROCURED BY THREATS, OR FALSE PRETENCES, OR OBTAINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY ADDED THAT CLAUSE 2 INTRODUCED THE TERM "UNLAWFUL SEXUAL ACT" TO REPLACE "UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE” IN THOSE OFFENCES WHICH WOULD BE EXTENDED TO PROTECT MALES AND FEMALES EQUALLY FROM SEXUAL ABUSE.
"AN 'UNLAWFUL SEXUAL ACT’ WILL INCLUDE UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND ALSO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
"BY DESCRIBING SUCH ACTS AS 'UNLAWFUL SEXUAL ACTS’ AND DESIGNATING THEM AS IMMORAL FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 147 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH RELATES TO SOLICITING FOR IMMORAL PURPOSES, IT IS MADE CLEAR THAT THEY ARE NOT ACTS WHICH THE LAW CONDONES OR WILL SUPPORT," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WOULD ALSO EXTEND TO MEN AND BOYS THE PROTECTION CURRENTLY AFFORDED TO WOMEN AND GIRLS IN RELATION TO PROSTITUTION.
THIS WAS ACHIEVED BY DELETING REFERENCE TO THE SEX OF THE PROSTITUTE OR PERSON LIVING ON THE EARNINGS OF PROSTITUTION.
"CLAUSE 7 EXTENDS THE OFFENCE OF INDECENT ASSAULT IN SECTION 122 OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE TO PROTECT MALES AS WELL AS FEMALES.
"IT ALSO INCREASES THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR SUCH AN OFFENCE FROM FIVE TO 10 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THE PENALTY FOR INDECENT ASSAULT ON A MAN UNDER SECTION 50(B) OF THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE, A SECTION WHICH WAS REPEALED BY THE BILL.
"THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA INFLICTED BY THE WORST CASE OF INDECENT ASSAULT CAN BE LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THAT INFLICTED BY RAPE, AND IT IS CONSIDERED MORE APPROPRIATE TO INCREASE THE PROTECTION GIVEN TO WOMEN THAN TO DECREASE THE PROTECTION GIVEN TO MEN."
/CLAUSE 20 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 43 -
CLAUSE 20 AMENDED SECTION 146 OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE, WHICH DEALT WITH INDECENT CONDUCT TOWARDS A CHILD UNDER 14, TO BRING CHILDREN BETWEEN 11 AND 16 WITHIN ITS PROTECTION.
’’THIS BRINGS THE SECTION INTO LINE WITH SECTION 122 OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES THAT A CHILD UNDER 16 CANNOT GIVE CONSENT TO AN INDECENT ASSAULT WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE ASSAULT BEING AN OFFENCE,” HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
BILL TO EFFECT TAX CONCESSIONS INTRODUCED
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE TAXATION CONCESSIONS PROPOSED IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID THE BILL PROVIDED FOR A SIMPLIFIED FOUR-BAND SCALE AT THE NEW MARGINAL RATES OF TWO PER CENT FOR THE FIRST $20,000 OF NET CHARGEABLE INCOME, NINE PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD $20,000 AND 25 PER CENT FOR THE REMAINDER.
’’TAXPAYERS WITH LOWER INCOME STAND TO BENEFIT MOST.
’’FURTHERMORE, THE BASIC AND MARRIED PERSON’S ALLOWANCES ARE INCREASED FROM $32,000 AND $66,000 TO $34,000 AND $68,000 RESPECTIVELY,” HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE COST TO GENERAL REVENUE OF IMPLEMENTING THESE PROPOSALS WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $340 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, AND $480 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
’’THERE ARE NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS,” HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
---------0-----------
/44 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
44
POLICE FORCE AND ICAC AMENDMENT BILLS PASSED
THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS TO THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENTS WAS TO:
* MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE TAKING OF IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS UNDER NEW SECTION 59(1) MUST BE DONE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A POLICE OFFICER;
* REQUIRE THAT THE DESTRUCTION OR RETURN OF THE IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF ANY PERSON UNDER NEW SECTION 59(2) MUST BE DONE AS SOON AS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE; AND THAT THE PERSON CONCERNED SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DECIDE WHETHER THE PARTICULARS ARE TO BE DESTROYED OR RETURNED TO HIM; AND
* CLARIFY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF A CAUTION BY POLICE OFFICERS OF THE RANK OF SUPERINTENDENT OR ABOVE, UNDER NEW SECTION 59(4), IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GUIDELINES APPROVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
AS FOR THE AMENDMENTS TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL HE MOVED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MR ASPREY SAID THEIR PURPOSE WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE AMENDMENTS HE HAD PROPOSED TO THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL.
------0--------
INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 199! PASSED
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE BILL, IF ENACTED, WOULD EXEMPT, INTER ALIA, PROFITS MADE BY AUTHOURISED UNIT TRUSTS OR MUTUAL FUND CORPORATIONS ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS INVOLVING DIFFERENT CURRENCIES.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE BILL SEEKS TO SUBSTITUTE THE DEFINITION OF "FOREIGN EXCHANGE" WITH A DEFINITION WHICH IS CONSIDERED MORE APPROPRIATE IN THIS CONTEXT, HE SAID.
/45 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 45 -
BILL TO PLUG LOOPHOLE IN SECURITIES ORDINANCE INTRODUCED *****
THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL SEEKS TO CURB THE ACTIVITIES OF RUNNERS AND UNREGISTERED DEALERS IN SECURITIES BY BRINGING THEM UNDER THE REGULATORY CONTROL OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE WAS, AT PRESENT, A LOOPHOLE IN THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE WHICH ALLOWED UNREGISTERED INTERMEDIARIES TO HANDLE INVESTORS’ MONEY AND SECURITIES, SIR PIERS NOTED.
"THE BILL SEEKS TO PLUG THIS LOOPHOLE BY PROVIDING THAT A PERSON WHO ACTS FOR REMUNERATION AS AN INTERMEDIARY BETWEEN AN INVESTOR AND A REGISTERED DEALER IS REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION.
"THROUGH THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM, THE COMMISSION CAN ACCESS AND MONITOR WHETHER SUCH INTERMEDIARIES ARE FIT AND PROPER," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0-----
BILL TO EFFECT TAX CONCESSIONS IN STAMP DUTY
******
THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE TAXATION CONCESSIONS PROPOSED IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID THE TAXATION CONCESSIONS INCLUDED A REDUCTION IN THE OVERALL CONTRACT NOTE DUTY FROM 0.6 PER CENT TO 0.5 PER CENT, EXEMPTION OF REGISTERED DEBT INSTRUMENTS FROM STAMP DUTY AND RELIEF OF CORPORATE GROUPS FROM DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS UPON RESTRUCTURING OF THEIR INTRA-GROUP SHAREHOLDINGS.
"THIS RELIEF IS ON THE SAME BASIS AS THE EXISTING EXEMPTION FROM ASSIGNMENT DUTY UPON THE REORGANISATION OF INTRA-GROUP PROPERTY HOLDINGS.
"TO GUARD AGAINST ABUSE OF THE RELIEF AFFORDED TO CORPORATE GROUPS, COMPANIES MUST REMAIN ASSOCIATED FOR TWO YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF THE TRANSFER OF THE PROPERTY OR SHARES," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECP.ETARY SAID THE COST TO GENERAL REVENUE OF IMPLEMENTING THESE PROPOSALS WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $501 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
"THERE ARE NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
46
BILL TO EFFECT FEE RISE FOR BANKS AND DTC’S ♦ » ♦ ♦ *
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE PROPOSALS IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TO INCREASE THE LICENCE AND REGISTRATION FEES OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BY 40 PER CENT.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN 1989-90, THE COST OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE LICENCES WAS UNDER-RECOVERED BY 30 PER CENT.
’’THE PROPOSED 40 PER CENT INCREASE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE INFLATION RATE IN 1990,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE INCREASES WOULD YIELD AN ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL $13 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AND THERE WERE NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
MOTION UNDER MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE PASSED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION UNDER THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE TO REMOVE LIPPO CAPITAL CORPORATION LIMITED FROM THE LIST OF EXEMPTED PERSONS IN SCHEDULE 1 TO THE ORDINANCE.
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, POINTED OUT THAT PART 1 OF SCHEDULE 1 TO THE ORDINANCE SPECIFIED PERSONS WHO WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFINITION OF MONEY LENDERS.
’’THE PURPOSE IS TO EXEMPT INSTITUTIONS THE BUSINESS OF WHICH IS LENDING IF THOSE INSTITUTIONS ARE ALREADY ADEQUATELY SUPERVISED," HE EXPLAINED.
HE NOTED THAT ITEM 6 OF THE SCHEDULE SPECIFIED THE HONG KONG BUILDING AND LOAN AGENCY LIMITED AS ONE OF THE EXEMPTED PERSONS.
’’THE SHARES OF THE AGENCY WERE PREVIOUSLY HELD BY FOUR LICENSED BANKS, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMONWEALTH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
"THE SHARES WFRE SOLD TO LIPPO CAPITAL CORPORATION LIMITED IN FEBRUARY 1991.
"SINCE LIPPO IS NEITHER A GOVERNMENT BODY NOR A SUPERVISED INSTITUTION, THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR CONTINUED EXEMPTION OF THE AGENCY," SIR PIERS SAID.
- - 0----------
/47........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
47 -
JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE RENAMED ******
THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE WAS RENAMED THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, WHEN HE INTRODUCED THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE (AMENDMENT) BY-LAWS 1991 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 24 OF THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE ORDINANCE (CAP. 309) PROVIDED THAT THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE BOARD MIGHT, UNDER ITS COMMON SEAL, MAKE BY-LAWS CONSISTENT WITH THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE ORDINANCE, AND THAT SUCH BY-LAWS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS PASSED BY THIS COUNCIL ON MARCH 13, 1991, AS A RESULT OF WHICH THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE HAS BEEN RENAMED THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1991," HE SAID.
MR TSAO ADDED THAT CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE BY-LAWS WERE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO REFLECT THE CHANGE OF NAME.
HE ALSO SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN TO UPDATE THE POST TITLE OF "GENERAL MANAGER” OF THE CENTRE TO "CHIEF EXECUTIVE".
------0--------
BILL TO EFFECT FEE RISE FOR BANKS AND DTC'S *****
TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE INCREASE THE LICENCE AND DEPOSIT-TAKING
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS EFFECT TO THE PROPOSALS IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TO AND REGISTRATION FEES OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS
COMPANIES BY 40 PER CENT.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE COUNCIL, TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN 1989-90, THE COST OF LICENCES WAS UNDER-RECOVERED BY 30 PER CENT.
BILL IN THE SECRETARY.
LEGISLATIVE
THE HON
ADMINISTRATION OF
SIR THE
"THE PROPOSED 40 PER CENT INCREASE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE INFLATION RATE IN 1990,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE INCREASES WOULD YIELD ADDITIONAL $13 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS.
AN ESTIMATED
AND THERE WERE
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0---------
/48 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
48
APPROPRIATION BILL 1991 PASSED IN LEGCO * ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1991 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE OTHER BILLS PASSED INCLUDED THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL .1991 AND IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
SEVEN BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY WERE THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, FEES INCREASE (1991 BUDGET) BILL 1991, BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SECURITIES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1991 AND CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, TWO MOTIONS WERE PASSED. ONE WAS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS UNDER THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE ORDINANCE.
AN AMENDED MOTION MOVED BY THE HON SELINA CHOW ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WAS ALSO PASSED.
------0-----------
/49 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
49
GOVT MOVES TO COUNTER TAX AVOIDANCE * * * * »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, ANNOUNCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE PROPOSES TO SEEK AMENDMENT TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO PREVENT EXPLOITATION OF SECTION 16E.
THIS PROVISION CURRENTLY ALLOWS A DEDUCTION IN RESPECT OF EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON THE PURCHASE OF PATENT RIGHTS, OR RIGHTS TO ANY TRADE MARK OR DESIGN FOR USE IN HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PROVISION WAS INTRODUCED AS A CONCESSION IN 1983 WITH THE INTENTION THAT IT WOULD ACT AS AN INCENTIVE FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIES TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY.
HOWEVER, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE EMERGED SEEKING TO USE THE PROVISION TO OBTAIN SUBSTANTIAL TAX BENEFITS WITHOUT INVOLVING IN ANY REAL SENSE AN UPGRADING OF TECHNOLOGY.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, WOULD DEFINE MORE STRINGENTLY THE TYPES OF EXPENDITURE WHICH WOULD QUALIFY FOR DEDUCTION.
"IN ESSENCE, DEDUCTION WOULD BE RESTRICTED TO EXPENDITURE ON PATENT RIGHTS AND ON INDUSTRIAL INFORMATION AND TECHNIQUES LIKELY TO ASSIST IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PROCESSING OF GOODS OR MATERIALS.
"AS A FURTHER MEASURE TO COUNTER EXPLOITATION, DEDUCTIONS WOULD BE DENIED IN RESPECT OF TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ASSOCIATED PARTIES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SUBJECT TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS BEING PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE NEW CRITERIA WOULD APPLY IN RELATION TO CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO ON OR AFTER TOMORROW, APRIL 18, 1991 .
ON THE TOPIC OF TAX AVOIDANCE GENERALLY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND, WHERE IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY, WILL SEEK THE INTRODUCTION OF FURTHER MEASURES TO PROTECT THE REVENUE.
------0-------
RELAXATION OF FUND-RAISING RULES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED NEW PROPOSALS AIMED AT RELAXING EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COLLECTION OF DONATIONS IN PUBLIC PLACES.
AT PRESENT, ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE DO NOT PROVIDE FOR FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES IN PUBLIC PLACES.
/THE SUMMARY .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 50 -
THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (APRIL 24), WILL ENABLE SUCH ACTIVITIES TO TAKE PLACE IN CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSALS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TERRITORY'S SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HAD STIMULATED THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL GROUPS AND GIVEN RISE TO ORGANISED ELECTION CAMPAIGNS, LEADING TO THE NEED FOR FUNDS WHICH HAD TO COME MAINLY FROM DONATIONS.
SEEN FROM THIS PERSPECTIVE, PUBLIC FUND-RAISING FOR THESE PURPOSES WAS A LEGITIMATE AND INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG AND ACCEPTABLE OUTLETS HAD TO BE PROVIDED FOR THEM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"A WIDE VARIETY OF SUCH OUTLETS ALREADY EXIST," THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.
"POLITICAL GROUPS ARE FREE, FOR INSTANCE, TO RAISE FUNDS IN PRIVATELY OWNED PREMISES AND THROUGH THE MAIL AND NEWSPAPERS. THE PROPOSALS SEEK TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OUTLETS IN SUITABLE PUBLIC PLACES FOR FUND-RAISING FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.
"IN SO DOING, HOWEVER, REGARD MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CROWDED CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG’S STREETS AND THOROUGHFARES, AND TO THE NEED TO AVOID COMPETITION WITH CHARITABLE FUND-RAISING WHICH HAS STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT AND IS HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON INCOME FROM STREET COLLECTION SUCH AS ON FLAG DAYS," HE SAID.
IN THIS CONTEXT, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT THE BEST ARRANGEMENT IS FOR POLITICAL FUND-RAISING TO BE ALLOWED IN SUCH PLACES AS STADIA, CIVIC CENTRES, AND COMMUNITY CENTRES, WHERE ATTENDANCE WOULD NOT BE INCIDENTAL BUT WOULD BE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE AMENDMENT BILL CREATES A NEW AUTHORITY IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS FOR THE ISSUE OF PERMITS RELATING TO THE COLLECTION OF MONEY IN PUBLIC PLACES FOR NON-CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR CHARITY WOULD REMAIN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A NEW SET OF GUIDELINES GOVERNING FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR NON-CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A PERMIT WOULD ONLY BE ISSUED UNDER NORMAL CONDITION IF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WAS SATISFIED THAT THE FUNDS RAISED WOULD BE USED IN WAYS WHICH CONTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, AND THAT THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES WERE TO BE HELD IN SUCH PLACES AS STADIA, CIVIC CENTRES AND COMMUNITY CENTRES.
/"THE PERMIT ......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
THB PERMIT WILL INCLUDE SUITABLE CONDITIONS SUCH AS THE REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICANTS TO SUBMIT AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF THE MONEY COLLECTED AND HOW IT WAS USED, AND FOR THE ACCOUNTS TO BE OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION.
"THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL HAVE THE DISCRETION TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS WHERE APPROPRIATE OR, EXCEPTIONALLY WHERE IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, TO WAIVE CERTAIN CONDITIONS,” HE L7VDT A I MVn
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE GUIDELINES GOVERNING FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR NON-CHARITABLE PURPOSES WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
- - 0 - -
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF TAI SANG FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TAKE PLACE IN LANGUAGE ROLES IN FORMAL EDUCATION SYSTEM ******
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES ARE NOW TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG IN THE ROLES OF LANGUAGES IN THE FORMAL EDUCATION SYSTEM AND ALSO IN THE WIDER SOCIETY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LI SAID THE CHANGES THAT WERE PERTINENT TO EACH OF THEM WOULD ALSO AFFECT THE OTHERS.
SPEAKING AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TEACHER EDUCATION IN SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, CITY POLYTECHNIC, HE SAID: "AS MANY OF YOU ARE WELL AWARE, CHINESE (CANTONESE AND THE WRITTEN FORM OF MODERN STANDARD CHINESE) IS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN MOST OF OUR PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND, IN FUTURE, WE ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL BE USED MORE WIDELY AS THE MEDIUM IN OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS."
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
52
HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT SCHOOLS WOULD STILL CONTINUE O MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS AS TO WHICH MEDIUM TO EMPLOY, WHETHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE.
"BUT THE TEACHING AND THE LEARNING REALLY MUST BE IN ENGLISH OR REALLY MUST BE IN CHINESE. WE WANT TO REDUCE THE USE OF SO-CALLED 'MIXED CODE’ IN FAVOUR OF THE CLEAR AND CONSISTENT USE IN EACH CLASS OF CHINESE OR ENGLISH, IN RESPECT OF TEACHING, TEXTBOOKS AND EXAMINATIONS."
THOUGH THE WIDER USE OF CHINESE WAS BEING ENCOURAGED AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MR LI STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO PROPOSAL TO DOWNGRADE ENGLISH.
THE AIM, HE SAID, WAS NOT TO CAUSE ONE LANGUAGE TO PROSPER AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OTHER.
"WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, ALBEIT WITH SOME DIFFICULTY PERHAPS, IS TO BUILD A BILINGUAL SOCIETY IN WHICH THERE IS RESPECT FOK THE MOTHER TONGUE, CHINESE, AS WELL AS THE SECOND OR FOREIC LANGUAGE, ENGLISH, AND IN WHICH, INCREASINGLY, THERE WILL BE COMPETENT USERS OF BOTH LANGUAGES," THE DIRECTOR SAID.
MR LI SAID THE PLACE OF CHINESE WAS OBVIOUS - CANTONESE IS USED WIDELY IN DAILY LIFE AS THE LANGUAGE OF EVERYDAY COMMUNICATION OF THE GREAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, AND AS THE LINGUA FRANCA OF MEMBEI OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY, WHO MAY ALSO SPEAK OTHER DIALECTS.
BUT, HE ADDED, ENGLISH ALSO HAD A MOST IMPORTANT ROLE TO 11.AY IN MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL POSITION AND IN THE ECONOMIC LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING ON TEACHER EDUCATION, MR LI SAID: "TEACHER EDUCATci-'S ARE, OF COURSE TEACHERS THEMSELVES.
"EACH WILL, FIRST AND FOREMOST, BE AN INDIVIDUAL, WITH PARTICULAR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AND PERSONAL QUIRKS ENTHUSIASMS THAT AT ONE LEVEL DEFY GENERALISATION. EACH WILL NEED TO HAVE ASPECTS OF PERSONALITY WHICH ARE NEEDED TO GAIN THE RESPECT OP THE STUDENTS."
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SUCCESSFUL TEACHER EDUCATOR, AS THE SUCCESSFUL TEACHER, WOULD BE ABLE TO:
» ESTABLISH A QUIET BUT PURPOSEFUL WORKING ATMOSPHERE;
* ORGANISE THE TEACHING AND LEARNING SO THAT THE WORK MATCHES THE DIFFERENT APTITUDES AND ABILITIES OF THE STUDENTS; AND
* RELATE AND ADAPT HIS OR HER METHODS TO THE NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE MOMENT.
THIS, HE ADDED, WOULD ENTAIL SETTING HIGH EXPECTATIONS, WITH STUDENTS EXTENDED TO THEIR FULL CAPACITY.
/THE BEST .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
53
THE BEST TEACHER EDUCATORS, AND THE BEST SCHOOL TEACHERS, WOULD BE WELL INFORMED ABOUT INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND DISCERNING IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF THEIR NEEDS, MR LI SAID.
’’THEY WILL USE A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSESS PROGRESS, INCLUDING CAREFUL AND INFORMED OBSERVATION, PERCEPTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT, AND A VARIETY OF MORE FORMAL MEASURES," HE ADDED.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 16.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 17.4.91 +110
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -110
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.1 t+0.0* 17.4.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEI
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 390 + 90
QI 16 17.7.91 400 + 80
Q104 24.4.91 675 -195
Q105 1.5.91 700 -220
Q106 8.5.91 643.5 -163.5
Q107 15.5.91 541 -61
Q108 22.5.91 440 + 40
Q109 29.5.91 470 + 10
QI 10 5.6.91 340 + 140
QI 1 1 12.6.91 500 -20
QI 12 19.6.91 530 -50
QI 1 3 26.6.91 550 -70
QI 1 4 3.7.91 470 t + 10
/HONG KONG........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
54
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 180 + 80
H002 15.5.91 237.5 + 22.5
H003 29.5.91 240 + 20
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 133 + 127
H156 24.7.91 140 + 120
H157 7.8.91 191 + 69
H158 21.8.91 110 + 150
Hl 59 4.9.91 10 + 250
H160 18.9.91 170 + 90
H161 2.10.91 60 + 200
H162 17.10.91 200 + 60
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEK
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 180 + 80
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 12.4.91
WAS 3,201 MN
------0--------
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER » » * * ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND LOCATED AT SIU SAI WAN RECLAMATION IN CHAI WAN.
BOTH SITES HAVE AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,000 SQUARE METRES EACH.
THEY ARE INTENDED FOR:
» CONCRETE BATCHING AND/OR ASPHALT BATCHING INCLUDING THE STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF SAND, AGGREGATE, CEMENT AND STEEL REINFORCEMENT BARS BUT EXCLUDING ROCK-CRUSHING; AND/OR
/* OPEN STORAGE ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1991
- 55 -
* OPEN STORAGE, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS; AND/OR
♦ CARGO HANDLING; AND/OR
» BARGE LOADING AND UNLOADING POINTS; AND/OR
» WASTE PAPER COLLECTING AND SORTING; AND/OR
* PUBLIC FEE-PAYING VEHICLE PARK FOR LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES.
THE TENANCIES ARE FOR FIVE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 3.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
------0--------
YAU TSIM AND TSUEN WAN DB CHAIRMEN ELECTED
MR YIP WAH AND MR CHAU HOW-CHEN WERE RE-ELECTED CHAIRMEN OF THE NEW TERM YAU TSIM AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARDS RESPECTIVELY AT SEPARATE MEETINGS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
BOTH OF THEM WERE RETURNED UNCONTESTED.
MEANWHILE, THE CHAIRMEN OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S 1HREE WORKING COMMITTEES WERE ALSO ELECTED AT TODAY’S MEETING. THEY ARE.
COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE : MR NG KIN-SUN
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE : MR LAI WING-TAK
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE : MR IP KWOK-CHUNG
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MERCHANDISE TRADE BY AIR IN 1990 ....................................... 1
GOVERNOR OPENS SCIENCE MUSEUM .......................................... 8
OPENING OF SCIENCE MUSEUM HERALDS RAPID EXPANSION OF MUSEUM SERVICES IN HONG KONG ...........................................................
SCHOOL PRAISED FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION ............... 11
SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 TO BE PUBLISHED ............................................................... 12
BILL TO FACILITATE SFC'S CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER REGULATORS ............ 13
MORE TIME FOR POLICE TRUSTS ACCOUNTS SUBMISSION ........................ 14
NEW LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE PRIVATE CLUBS' SAFETY ....................... 15
MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON TIDAL MONITORING EXERCISE ......................... 16
SURVEY ON AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES COMMISSIONED ......................... I7
SDTFR RECEIVES DONATION FROM RHKJC ..................................... . i7
SHAM SHUI PO AND MONG KOK DB CHAIRMEN ELECTED .......................... 18
REMINDER ON 24-MONTH PROHIBITION PERIOD FOR REPOSSESSED PREMISES ....... 19
SAFE USE OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES URGED ................................. 19
OMELCO MEMBERS VISIT FSD................................................ 20
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ............................... 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 22
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
MERCHANDISE TRADE RY AIR IN 1990 ♦ t ♦ t ♦
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE BY AIR WAS $259,864 MILLION IN 1990, 11% HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1989, ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY STATISTICS ON AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE IN 1990 RELEASED BY THE ( ENSl’.q AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN RE-EXPORTS
1990, THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS, INCREASED BY 2%, 13% AND 18% RESPECTIVELY OVER
IMPORTS AND 1989. THEIR
SHARES IN THE TOTAL VALUES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, WERE 30%, 20% AND 16% RESPECTIVELY.
IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS
IN TERMS OF WEIGHT, AIRBORNE IMPORTS AMOUNTED TO 352,887 TONNES, WHILE TOTAL AIRBORNE EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AMOUNTED TO 149,052 TONNES, WHICH WERE 15%- AND 6% RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THOSE IN 1989.
AIRBORNE DOMESTIC
TABLE 1.
EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
ARE SHOWN
1 N
•OMPARING 1990 WITH 1989, AIRBORNE SINGAPORE, TAIWAN AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC
SUBSTANTIALLY BY 53%, 22% AND 16% RESPECTIVELY
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO OF GERMANY INCREASED IN VALUE.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE DOMESTIC' EXPORTS TO CANADA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE USA AND JAPAN DECREASED BY 16%, 7%, 6% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1,299 MILLION OR 16%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND (LOCKS (BY $1,134 MILLION OR 8%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $748 MILLION OR 11%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS” WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECI OUS MATERIALS (BY $162 MILLION OR 2%) .
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $1,720 MILLION OR 7%); FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSC'S, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $92 MILLION OR 21%); AND FOOTWEAR (BY $44 MILLION OR 28%).
/DETAILED FIGURES
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
2
DETAILED FIGURES ANALYSED BY COMMODITY BY COUNTRY SHOWED THAT NOTABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATH’ DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT TO SINGAPORE (BY $970 MILLION OR 63%) AND 'I’O THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $240 MILLION OR 34%); PHOTOGRAPH IC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS TO PARAGUAY (BY $334 MILLION OR 101%) AND To THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $285 MILLION OR 25%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF TO SINGAPORE (BY $312 MILLION OR 56%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS TO SINGAPORE (BY $68 MILLION OR 53%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN (’LOTH I NG TO THE USA (BY $1,226 MILLION OR 10%) AND TO JAPAN (BY $360 MILLION OR 12%); FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSES, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF TO JAPAN (BY $93 MILLION OR 26%); AND FOOTWEAR TO THE USA (BY $46 MILLION OR 38%).
AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 3.
IMPORTS CARRIED BY AIR FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE IN 1990 OVER 1989. SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM MALAYSIA (+24%), SINGAPORE (+23%), SWITZERLAND (+23%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+20%) AND JAPAN (+15%). AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM THE USA, ITALY, TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALSO INCREASED BY 11%, 11%, 9% AND 9% RESPECTIVELY.
AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 4.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, NOTABLE INCREASES IN VALUE WERE REGISTERED FOR AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,981 MILLION OR 10%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND (’LOCKS (BY $2,888 MILLION OR 16%); TELECOMMUNI CAT IONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,399 MILLION OR 26%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI - PREC1 OUS MATERIAL (BY $1,191 MILLION OR 20%) .
HOWEVER DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $227 MILLION OR 65%); RAW HIDES, SKINS AND I’URSK I NS (BY $199 MILLION OR 17%); AND POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (BY $141 MILLION OR 15%).
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY BY COUNTRY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS Ol* ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARIS THEREOF FROM THE USA (BY $9 16 MILLION OR 14%) AND MALAYSIA (BY $706 MILLION OR 20%); PHOTOGRAPH I (’ APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPT I (’AL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND (’LOCKS FROM JAPAN (BY $1,211 MILLION OR 16%) AND FROM SWITZERLAND (BY $1,111 MILLION OR 21%); TEI ^COMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT I’ROM JAPAN (BY $921 MILLION OR 12%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS* AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ART I (’LES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRE( IOIIS MATERIALS FROM THE USA (BY $397 MILLION OR 33%) .
/ON THE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES FROM THE USA (BY $229 MILLION OR 69%); RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS FROM FINLAND (BY $106 MILLION OR •12%); AND POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FROM THE USA (BY $204 MILLION OR 48%).
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE DEPICTED IN TABLE 5.
HONG KONG'S AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE IN 1990 OVER 1989. THE GROWTH WAS PARTICULARLY STRONG FOR THAILAND (+86%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+80%), SWITZERLAND (+39%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+34%). AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO THE USA, TAIWAN AND JAPAN ALSO INCREASED BY 14%, 11% AND 10% RESPECTIVELY.
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 6.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, NOTABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $2,575 MILLION OR 33%); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $2,327 MILLION OR 35%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1,420 MILLION OR 40%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $741 MILLION OR 19%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $157 MILLION OR 28%); GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND MACHINE PARTS (BY $11 MILLION OR 15%); AND LEATHER AND LEATHER MANUFACTURES AND DRESSED FURSKINS (BY $33 MILLION OR 15%).
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY. Bl COUNTRY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF CLOTHING TO THE FEDERAL REPUBIIC OF GERMANY (Bl $1,096 MILLION OR 131%) AND THE USA (Bl $805 MILLION OR 19%); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES TO THAILAND (BY $1,170 MILLION OR 125%) AND TO JAPAN (BY $669 MILLION OR 49%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $327 MILLION OR 175%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS TO THE USA (BY $169 MILLION OR 15%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS To JAPAN (BY $86 MILLION OR 63%) AND TO CHINA (BY $37 MILLION OR 73%); GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND MACHINE PARTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $39 MILLION OR 63%); AND LEATHER AND LEATHER MANUFACTURES AND DRESSED FURSKINS TO THE USA (BY $33 MILLION OR 58%).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1990" NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GO!ERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, Gpo BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $27 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4915.
/TABLE 1: .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
4
TABLE 1: AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
1990 1989 INCREASE/ PERCENTAGE
MAJOR MARKET DECREASE CHANGE
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) ( % I
USA 25,70 1 27,417 - 1,715 - 6
F.R. OF GERMANY 6,969 5,984 + 985 4- 16
JAPAN 6,94 5 7,35 1 - 4 06 - 6
SINGAPORE 4,302 2,818 + 1 ,484 + 53
UK 3,509 3,779 - 269 - 7
TAIWAN 2,316 1 ,896 4* 4 20 + 22
CANADY 1 , 722 2,015 22 3 - 16
SWITZERLAND 1 ,632 1 ,652 — 19 - 1
FRANCE 1,631 1,14 4 + 186 + 13
NETHERLANDS 1 , 534 I , 506 4- 28 4- 2
TABLE 2:
AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF
THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION
1990 1989 INCREASE/
DECREASE
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.)
PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
ARTICLES OE \PPAREI AND (’LOTH ING ACCESSORIES 22,496 24,216 - 1 , 720 7
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 14,706 13,572 4- 1,13 4 4- 8
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESS 1 NG EQU 1PMENT 9,622 8,22 3 4- 1 , 299 4- 16
ELECTRI (’AL MACHINERY , APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 7 , 4 4 6 6,698 4- 7 18 4- 1 1
/MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
5 -
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED 162 + 2
ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS* AND SILVERSMITHS* WARES) 6,999 6,837 +
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,542 2,496 + 46 + 2
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES \ND RELATED PRODUCTS 666 558 + 108 + 19
PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS 519 519 # • *
NON-METALL1C MINERAL MANUFACTURES 3 99 310 + 90 + 29
FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF 3 18 4 40 — 92 — 21
# DENOTES LESS THAN HK$ 0.5 MILLION ♦ DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 3: AIRBORNE IMPORTS EROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER 1990 (HKD MN.) 1989 (HKD MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
JAPAN 27,000 23,477 + 3,523 + 15
USA 23,933 21,551 + 2,382 + 1 1
SWITZERLAND 9,086 7,415 + 1,671 + 23
SINGAPORE 6,383 5 , 190 + 1 , 193 + 23
TAIWAN 5,83 1 5,327 + 504 + 9
ITALY 5,753 5,184 + 570 + 11
MALAYSIA 5,004 4,050 + 954 + 24
F.R. OF GERMANY 4,647 3,883 + 764 + 20
UK 4 ,193 4,379 + 115 + 3
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 4,34 2 3,975 + 36 7 + 9
/TABLE 4: .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 6 -
TABLE 4': AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY 1 990 1989 INCREASE/ PRECENTAGE
DIVISION (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) DECREASE (HKD MN.) CHANGE ( % )
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 31,898 28,917 + 2,981 + to
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 20,963 18,075 + 2,888 + 16
NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES 11,921 1 4,333 + 591 + 4
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 8,723 7,713 + 591 + 13
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) » 7,110 5,919 + 1,191 + 20
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 6,809 5,410 + 1 , 299 + 26
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,876 1,229 + 647 + 15
TEXTILE YARN, FABRIC’S, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,09 1 3,419 + 672 + 20
OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT 3,414 2,729 + * 714 + 26
PROFESSIONAL, SCI ENT 11 IC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS 2,192 2 , 186 4- 307 + 14
/TABLE_5j. ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
TABLE 5: AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET 1990 (HKD MN.) 1989 (HKD MN.) INCREASE/ DECREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
USA 13,202 11,558 + 1,643 + 14
TAIWAN 8,804 7,967 + 837 + 1 1
JAPAN 7,412 6,740 + 702 + 10
SINGAPORE 5,398 4,939 + 460 4- 9
REPUBLIC OE KOREA 4,676 4,349 + 327 + 8
F.R. OF GERMANY 4,228 2,343 + 1,885 + 80
CHINA 3,442 3,178 + 264 + 8
THAILAND 2,930 1 ,574 + 1,356 + 86
UK 1 ,929 1 , 437 + 492 34
SWITZERLAND 1 ,404 1,011 + 393 + 39
TABLE 6: AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION 1990 1989 (HKD MN.) (HKD MN. INCREASE/ DECREASE ) (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE CHANGE ( % )
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES,
AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1 5,867 15,418 + 449 + 3
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 10,477 7,902 + 2,575 + 33
NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES 8,990 6,664 + 2,327 + 35
PHOTOGRAPH IC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 7,142 6,714 + 4 27 + 6
/OFFICE MACHINES .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 8
OFFICE MACHINES AND 40
AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 4,941 3,521 + 1,420 +
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 1 , 555 3.81 4 + 7 11 + 19
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCI NG APP AR ATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,945 2,740 + 205 + 7
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2,366 1,892 + 473 + 25
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 , 558 1,108 + 4 50 + 41
PROFESSIONAL, SCIENT1FIC AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS 1 ,270 928 + 342 + 37
------0--------
GOVERNOR OPENS SCIENCE MUSEUM
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE HONG KONG
(THURSDAY) THAT THE
CO-OPERATION OF
PROJECT SETS AN
SCIENCE
ENCOURAGING EXAMPLE THAT HE HOPES
MANY
OTHERS
MUSEUM WILL
FOLLOW.
SPEAK I NG
AT
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE
MUSEUM, DONATED,
SIR
AND
DAV
ID SAID MANY OF THE EXHIBITS HAI)
HONG BEEN
MANY EXPERTS AND SCIENTISTS HAI) GIVEN
ADVICE IN DEVELOPING THE DISPLAYS.
HE
POINTED
INSTRUCTIVE, AND EXHIBITS AND MAKE
OUT THAT THE MUSEUM WOULD BE VISITORS WOULD BE ABLE 'I’O OPERATE
THINGS WORK FOR THEMSELVES.
KONG SCIENCE
SPONSORED
THEIR TIME
FUN AS WELL
OVER 300 OF
OR AND
AS THE
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG AS A MODERN SOCIETY HAD BENEFI1 IED GREATLY FROM SCIENCE BY MAKING WIDESPREAD USE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 9 -
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG RELIED HEAVILY ON THEM WHETHER IN THE FORM OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS WHICH ENABLED THE TERRITORY TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE; OR THE NEW TECHNOLOGY USED IN THE BUILDINGS AND ENGINEERING PROJECTS; OR THE TELEVISION, HI-FI, AND EVEN KARAOKE EQUIPMENT, THAT GAVE PLEASURE AND ENTERTAINMENT TO SO MANY HERE.
SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED ALL THOSE WHO HAD HELPED BRING THE HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM INTO FRUITION AND WISHED ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN RUNNING IT EVERY SUCCESS.
”1 ALSO HOPE THAT ALL THOSE WHO VISIT IT LN THE YEARS TO COME WILL FIND IT AN INTERESTING AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE,” HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
OPENING OF SCIENCE MUSEUM HERALDS RAPID EXPANSION OF MUSEUM SERVICES IN HONG KONG ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE OPENING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S NEW WORLD-CLASS HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM TODAY (THURSDAY) MARKS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE RAPID EXPANSION OF MUSEUM FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE $340 MILLION NEW FACILITY AT TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WAS OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MUSEUM, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE SAID THE COUNCIL HAD INVESTED OVER $420 MILLION IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS ON CAPITAL WORKS ON MUSEUM SERVICES.
’’LATER IN THE YEAR, WE WILL BE OPENING THE NEW MUSEUM OF ART IN TSIM SHA TSUI, THE HONG KONG VISUAL ARTS CENTRE IN HONG KONG PARK AND TWO PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS AT THE SPACE MUSEUM AND THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY,” MR FORSGATE SAID.
MR FORSGATE SAID THE SCIENCE MUSEUM AIMED TO PROVIDE VISITORS WITH AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE IN EXPLORING THE MYSTERY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"WE WANT VISITORS TO PARTICIPATE, BE AMAZED, AMUSED AND EDUCATED BY THE PRINCIPLE HIGHLIGHTED BY THE EXHIBITS. WE ALSO WISH TO SEE THE MUSEUM AS A TOOL OF INFORMAL CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,” HE SAID.
MR FORSGATE ALSO PRAISED THE EXTENT OF PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN PROVIDING DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS TO THE MUSEUM.
THE HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM OCCUPIES A SITE AREA OF 27,000 SQUARE METRES. THE FOUR-STOREY PURPOSE-BUILT MUSEUM BUILDING HAS A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 13,500 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 7,500 SQUARE METRES ARE EXHIBITION GALLERIES.
/ABOUT 60 .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
10
ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE 500 EXHIBITS WILL BE "HANDS-ON", ALLOWING VISITORS TO MAKE THINGS WORK FOR THEMSELVES.
THE EXHIBITS COVER 4 MAJOR AREAS -- SCIENCE, LIFE SCIENCES, TECHNOLOGY AND A CHILDREN’S ZONE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE THREE TO SEVEN AGE GROUP. THE TECHNOLOGY AREA IS FURTHER SUB-DIVIDED INTO SECTIONS COVERING COMPUTERS AND ROBOTICS, ENERGY, COMMUNICATION, CONSTRUCTION, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD SCIENCE AND HOME TECHNOLOGY.
THE SCIENCE MUSEUM CHARGES AN ADMISSION FEE OF $25 FOR ADULTS AND $15 FOR CHILDREN, STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 60 OR OVER. CHILDREN UNDER THREE ACCOMPANIED BY ADULTS ARE ADMITTED FREE OF CHARGE.
EXPLAINING THE IMPOSITION OF AN ADMISSION FEE TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM AND THREE OTHER MAIN MUSEUMS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, NAMELY HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ART, HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM, MR FORSGATE SAID THIS WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY OF MUSEUM SERVICE WAS MAINTAINED IN A PERIOD OF RISING COSTS, WITH ANNUAL RECURRENT COSTS OF OPERATING MUSEUM SERVICES RISING FROM $53 MILLION IN 1989 TO OVER $100 MILLION THIS YEAR.
"IT IS, THEREFORE, NOT WITHOUT RELUCTANCE, THAT WE ARE FORCED TO CHARGE A MODEST FEE FOR ADMISSION TO THE FOUR MAIN MUSEUMS. HOWEVER, A CONCESSIONARY SCHEME WILL OPERATE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND STUDENTS, WHILST ADMISSION TO BRANCH MUSEUMS AT LEI CHENG UK, LAW UK, AND THE MUSEUM OF TEA WARE WILL REMAIN FREE,” MR FORSGATE ADDED.
THE MUSEUM ALSO HAS AN OPEN-AIR PIAZZA, A 295-SEAT LECTURE HALL, A CLASSROOM, A LABORATORY, A WORKSHOP, A BOOKSHOP AND A FASTFOOD RESTAURANT.
THE URBAN COUNCIL IS ORGANISING A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING MONTH TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE MUSEUM, INCLUDING MAGIC BUBBLE SHOWS, SCIENCE LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS, EGG DROP CONTEST AND MICROMOUSE MAZE CONTEST.
THE OPENING HOURS OF THE MUSEUM WILL BE 1 PM TO 9 PM ON WEEKDAYS (EXCEPT MONDAYS WHEN THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED) AND 10 AM TO 9 PM ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ENQUIRIES FOR ADMISSION AND BOOKING OF TICKETS OR HIRE OF MUSEUM FACILITIES CAN BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM, 2 SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST OR BY CALLING 732 3232.
/Il ........
THURSDAY, APRIL IS, 1991
11
SCHOOL PRAISED FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
LADY WILSON TODAY (THURSDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO ST STEPHEN’S GIRLS COLLEGE FOR ITS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE
CELEBRATION HONG KONG EXCELLENCE,
OF THE SCHOOL, SHE SAID AS ONE OF THE
85TH OLDEST
AND WITH ONE OF THE FINEST TRADITIONS ST STEPHEN’S HAD A LOT TO BE PROUD OF.
ANNIVERSARY
SCHOOLS IN
OF ACADEMIC
WILSON SAID BEING A TEACHER BY
LADY ------ ----- t mtf„
DELIGHTED TO NOTE THE EMPHASIS THE SCHOOL PLACED ON THE
PROFESSION,• SHE
PROVISION
WAS
OF
GOOD LIBRARY FACILITIES FOR ITS STUDENTS.
I FULLY AGREE WITH DR (KAY) BARKER
THAT INDEPENDENT STUDY
AND
RESEARCH SHOULD PLAY A
CENTRAL PART IN THE
EDUCATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
"EVEN
KNOWLEDGE AND
AS A
LEISURE ACTIVITY,
READING INCREASES OUR
DEVELOPS OUR MINDS 1NTELLECTUALLY.
"LT IS SHE ADDED.
ALSO AN EFFECTIVE WAY OF IMPROVING LANGUAGE SKILLS,
THAT
GENERATIONS OF YOUNG GIRLS
LADY WILSON NOTED
PROGRESSED THROUGH THE SCHOOL IN THE COURSE OF 85 YEARS.
HAD
"THOUSANDS HAVE GROWN UP HAVE MADE THEIR MARK ON SOCIETY,
INTO ACCOMPLISHED YOUNG WOMEN
SHE SAID, CITING THREE
PAST STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT GENERATIONS: HOGEI AND MRS RITA FAN.
DR ELLEN
EXAMPLES PROFESSOR
WHO
OF
MA
LADY WILSON SAID THE OCCASSION ALSO MARKED THE BEGINNING WITH THE LAYING
FOR THE SCHOOL
NEW PERIOD OF EXPANSION FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE NEW ASSEMBLY HALL WOULD BE NAMED AFTER MRS RITA FAN’S FATHER.
OF
OF
A THE
AND SCIENCE BLOCK WHICH
’’ST STEPHEN’S BUILDINGS IN WHICH
GIRLS COLLEGE CAN
TO
TRADITION OF PROV I DING STUDENTS,” SHE SAID.
OPERATE, ; A BROAD
AND
AND
LOOK TO BUI
FORWARD TO MODERN NEW LD UPON ITS EXCELLENT
BALANCED EDUCATION FOR
ITS
LAD\ WILSON THANKED MRS RITA THEIR GENEROSITY TO THE SCHOOL AND BOTH PAST AND PRESENT, FOR THEIR DEI)
FAN, HER FAMILY AND CONGRATULATED ALL THE • ICATION.
OTHERS
FOR
TEACHERS,
"IN PARTICULAR, I WOULD LIKE TO PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO DR KAY BARKER, WHO CELEBRATES HER 30TH ANNIVERSARY AS PRINCIPAL THIS YEAR," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT DR BARKER’S ENTHUSIASM, DEDICATION AND INTEGRITY WERE WELL KNOWN TO ALL.
SHE ALSO CONGRATULATED ALL OF THE GIRLS, FOR HELPING TO MAKE THE SCHOOL SUCH A FINE AND HAPPY ONE, WHICH THE\ COULD BE RIGHTLY PROUD OF.
- - 0 - -
/12
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 12 -
SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 TO BE PUBLISHED t ♦ ♦ t *
THE GOVERNMENT WILI PUBLISH T< >M' H?R< ‘W (FRIDAY) HIE SF< URI Ills (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG.
"AT PRESENT, THE ORDINANCE APPLIES ONLY TO LOCAL COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR INTENTION THAT THE DISCLOSURE OBI.IGATIOCS UNDER THE ORDINANCE SHOULD ALSO APPLV TO OFFICERS AND SI RST V.’T । Al SHAREHOLDERS of- OVERSEAS C<MPANIFS LISTED IN HONG K'.'N-; ORDER !'• PRoiEd LO’AL INVESTORS.
"WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN NOT TO BRING THE ORDINANCE INTO FORCE UNTIL TH IS IS DONE," HE SA ID.
AS A CONSEQUENCE OF EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE TO EMBRACE OVERSEAS COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG, THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO AMEND THE FREEZING ORDER PROVISIONS TO RECOGNISE THE NEED FOR EQUAL TREATMENT OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN COMPANIES, AND TO GIVE THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION POWER TO EXEMPT CERTAIN COMPANIES FROM THE ORDINANCE.
"IF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE OWNERSHIP OF A COMPANY’S SHARES MEETS WITH OBSTRUCTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OR THE HIGH COURT MAY ORDER THAT THE SHARES IN QUESTION BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS, COMMONLY KNOWN AS A ’FREEZING ORDER’," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THESE RESTRICTIONS OPERATE TO FREEZE THE TRANSFER, EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS, PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND BONUS ISSUES IN RESPECT OF THE SHARES OF A DEFAULTING SHAREHOLDER.
"HOWEVER, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RESTRICTION ON TRANSFERS IN HONG KONG, THESE PROVISIONS CANNOT BE ENFORCED IN PRACTICE AGAINST A FOREIGN COMPANY. WE THINK IT UNNECESSARY AND UNDESIRABLE TO RETAIN THEM FOR LOCAL COMPANIES ONLY.
"WE BELIEVE THAT A RESTRICTION ON THE TRANSFER OF SHARES REGISTERED IN HONG KONG SHOULD, BY ITSELF, BE ADEQUATE AND EFFECTIVE IN MOST CASES TO AUHI EVE THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE. BUT ABOVE ALL, WE MUST AIM TO PROVIDE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
"THE BILL PROPOSES, THEREFORE, TO APPLY ONLY A RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER OF SHARES REGISTERED IN HONG KONG, TO ALL COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG.
"WE BELIEVE THAT, AS A GENERAL RULE, THE ORDINANCE SHOULD APPLY TO ALL COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG. HOWEVER, WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT RELIEF MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN CERTAIN CASES, FOR EXAMPLE TO EASE THE BURDEN OF DUPLICATE FILING REQUIREMENTS. MUCH WILL DEPEND UPON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH CASE.
/"THE BILL .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
13
’Till* BILL PROPOSES THEREFORE III AT HIE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION SHOULD BE LIVEN A GENERAI POWER TO EXEMPT COMPANIES EROM SOME OR ALL OF Illi- PROVISIONS OP THE ORDINANCE.'’
THIS DISCRETION KILL NEED TO BE EXERCISED IN Till- LIGHT OE GUIDELINES TO BE PUBLISHED BY HIE COMMISSION AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
"WE WILL ENSURE THAT THESE GUIDELINES REFLECT THE PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED TO PROTECT LOCAI INVESTORS AND THE NEED TO ENCOURAGE FOREIGN ISSUERS TO LIST AND RAISE CAPITAL IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO HIE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 1.
--------0-----------
BILL To FACILITATE SEC’S co OPERATION WITH OTHER REGULATORS
THE SECUR I I IFS AND FUTURES COMM ISS ION (AMENDMENF) WHICH SEEKS TO FACILITATE THE COMMISSION’S co OPERATION FINANCIAL MARKET REGULATORS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE ( ()UN< IL ON JUNE 5 .
BILL 1991
WITH OTHER
LEGISLATIVE
’’HIE BILL AIMS TO RELAX THE SECRECA REQUIREMENTS IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (Sl( ) ORDINANCE W I TIIOUT PREJUDICING HIE GENERAL CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION OBTAINED IH THE COMMISSION FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES,” Till SECRETARY F< »R MONET ARV AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NINDICh, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER Till* SH ord I NAN<’I , Till- Sl<’ CAN ONI Y DISCLOSE INFORMATION To OTHER REGULATORS IF HUS IS DESIRABLE OR EXPEDIENT IN HIE I NTERES I' of HIE INVESTING PUBLIC Oh’ PUBLIC INTEREST. IT CANNOT DISCLOSE INFORMATION To f'THFR REGULATOR'S Fol? 'fill PURPOSES o|* CO-OPERATION OR ASSISTANCE.
THIS HAS CREATED DIFFICULTIES FOR HONG KONG SECURITIES COMPANIES CONDUCTING BUSINESS OVERSEAS AND HAMPERED HIE EFFECTIVE REGULATION »>F FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN lloNG KoNG .
THE BILL INCLUDES A NEW FUNCTION FOR THE SF'u To CC'-OPERATE WITH AND ASSIST OTHER REGULATORS, BOTH DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS.
IT ALLOWS THE SEC TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION T<» OTHER REGULATORS IN ORDER TO ENABLE HIFM TO PERFORM THEIR FUNCTIONS, PROVIDED THEY ARE SUBJECT TO ADEQUATE .SECRECY PROVISIONS AND PROVIDED I'll IS IS NOT CONTRARY TO HIE INTEREST OF THE INVESTING PUBLIC OR TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO INCLUDE A FEW REFINEMENTS TO THE EXISTING SECRECY REQUIREMENTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE CERTAIN OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES BEING EXPERIENCED BY THE SFC. THEY ARF:
/* SECRECY PROVISIONS ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 14 -
♦ SECRECY PROVISIONS NOT TO APPLY TO DISCLOSURE INFORMATION WITH CONSENT OF PERSON TO WHOM INFORMATION RELATES;
* SECRECY PROVISIONS NOT TO APPLY TO INFORMATION WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE PUBLIC LEGITIMATELY;
♦ PRIOR CONSENT BY THE SFC NOT TO BE REQUIRED FOR ONWARD DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN A SUMMARY FORM BY RECIPIENTS OF SUCH INFORMATION, FOR EXAMPLE, THE MEDIA;
♦ SFC TO GAZETTE THE NAMES OF OVERSEAS REGULATORS TO WHOM IT DISCLOSES INFORMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT NOT
NECESSARILY PRIOR TO DISCLOSURE.
”IN FORMULATING THESE AMENDMENTS, WE HAVE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION TO THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS TO GUARD AGAINST IMPROPER DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY THE SFC OR RECIPIENTS OF SUCH INFORMATION,” MR NENDICK SAID.
THE BILL WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
--------0-----------
MORE TIME FOR POLICE TRUSTS ACCOUNTS SUBMISSION
TWO BILLS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) PROVIDING FOR AN EXTENSION BY THREE MONTHS OF THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH THE ANNUAL AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE UNDER THE POLICE CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST ORDINANCE AND THE POLICE EDUCATION AND WELFARE TRUST ORDINANCE MUST BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE TRUSTS WERE ESTABLISHED IN 1967 AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WAS APPOINTED THE PERMANENT TRUSTEE OF THE FUNDS WHILE TWO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES WERE FORMED TO ASSIST HIM.
UNDER THE ORDINANCES, THE TRUSTEE IS REQUIRED TO PREPARE ACCOUNTS OF ALL TRANSACTIONS OF THE FUNDS FOR EACH YEAR ENDING MARCH 31 .
A STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS SIGNED BY THE TRUSTEE MUST BE AUDITED BY AN AUDITOR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
A COPY OF THE SIGNED AND AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS, TOGETHER WITH THE AUDITOR’S REPORT AND A REPORT BY THE TRUSTEE ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FUNDS, MUST THEN BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY SEPTEMBER 30.
THE TRUSTS HAVE GROWN CONSIDERABLY SINCE THEIR INCEPTION. IN 1989/90, A TOTAL OF 1,700 STUDENTS AND OFFICERS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THEM.
/A GOVERNMENT .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
15
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT SIZE OF THE TRUSTS AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE TRANSACTIONS INVOLVED, IT WAS NO LONGER POSSIBLE FOR THE AUDITING AND PREPARATION OF THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND REPORTS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION.
"IT IS PROPOSED, THEREFORE, TO EXTEND THE STATUTORY DEADLINE TO ALLOW THE TRUSTEE A REASONABLE PERIOD TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY FORMALITIES AND TO AVOID LATE SUBMISSIONS,” HE SAID.
---------0------------
NEW LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE PRIVATE CLUBS’
SAFETY
NEW LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A SCHEME FOR THE REGULATION AND CONTROL OF CLUB-HOUSES WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLAIIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) BILL WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE Il’S FIRST READING ON MAY 8.
AT PRESENT, FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY IN CLUB-HOUSES, JUST AS IN OTHER PREMISES, ARE REGULATED BY THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
ENFORCEMENT ACTION, HOWEVER, IS CURRENTLY BEING TAKEN ON AN AD HOC BASIS OR IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS.
TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPOSE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS REGULATING THEIR FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS AGREED I’ll AT A "CERT IFI CATION SCHEME , FO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
ONCE THE BILL IS ENACTED, IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO OPERATE, KEEP, MANAGE OR CONTROL A CLUB-HOUSE WITHOUT A VALID "CERT IFI CATE OF COMPLIANCE” OR "CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION".
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WILL BE A FINE OF $200,000 AND IWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADM INISI RA I I ON SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT OWIN'! TO RESOURCE (X)NSTRA I NTS , IT WOl LD BE IMPRACTICAL TO ENFORCE CONTROLS ON ALL CLUBS Will! CLUB HOUSES IMMEDIATELY. .
"THE CERT IFI CAT I ON SCHEME WILL FIRST TARGET AT ’PROPRIETARY CLUBS WHICH USE THEIR CLUB-HOUSES AS ORDINARY BUSINESS PREMISES, HF SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL THEREFORE BE EMPOWERED IO ISSUE, RENEW OR RFVOEI CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION SO THAT THE CERTIFYING AUTHORITY MAY PHASE ITS CONTROL PRIORITIES.
/"CLUB OPERATORS .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 16 -
’’CLUB OPERATORS MAY USE THE EXEMPTION PERIOD TO UPGRADE THE SAFETY MEASURES IN THEIR CLUB HOUSES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS FOR THE ISSUE OF A (’ El’’| I F I CATE OF COMPLIANCE, THE APPLICANT HAS TO SATISFY Illi* SECRFTAR'i H>R He MF AFFAIRS THAT ’HIE SUBJECT CLUBHOUSE HAS COMPLIED WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND Till* ’ IRF SERVICES ORDINANCE.
A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE MAY BE ENDORSED WITH CONDITIONS TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.
"AND BEFORE A ( ERTIFICATE IS RENEWED, THE PREMISES WILL BE RE-INSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY STANDARDS HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF CLUB-HOUSES WILL BE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND CERTIFICATION CONDITIONS ARE COMPLIED WITH.
FURTHERMORE, THE DISTRICT COURT WILL BE EMPOWERED TO ORDER ANY PREMISES USED AS A CLUB-HOUSE TO BE CLOSED AND TO CEASE TO BE USED AS A CLUB-HOUSE IF THERE IS ANY DANGER OR RISK OF DANGER TO ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR APPEALS ARISING FROM ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION '1’0 BE DETERMINED BY AN APPEAL BOARD CHAIRED BY A PERSON WHO IS QUALIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT AS A DISTRICT JUDGE.
THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PANEL WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT FEES WILL BE PAYABLE TO THE CERTIFYING AUTHORITY FOR THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION OR COMPLIANCE AS IT IS THE INTENTION TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF OPERATING THE CERTIFICATION SCHEME FROM THE TRADE.
--------0-----------
MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON TIDAL MONITORING EXERCISE I ♦ t * *
HONG KONG AND CHINESE AUTHORITIES FORMALLY SIGNED OF UNDERSTANDING IN ( ANTON \FSTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) ON A MONITORING EXERCISE WHICH IS PARI’ OF THE OCEANOGRAPHIC' FOR HONG KONG’S STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME.
A MEMORANDUM
JOINT TIDAL
SURVEY WORK
THE MEMORANDUM WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE PEARL RIVER WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION (PRWRC) OF (’HINA’S MINISTRY Oh WAI ER RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD).
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS LED BY EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,
MR MIKE STOKOE.
/UNDER THE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL IB, I I
- 17 -
UNDER THE TERMS OE THE MEMORANDUM, THE PRWIK! WILL MEASURE TIDAL LEVELS AT DANGAN ISLAND, WANSIIAN ISLAND AND SIIA.I I AO 1N GUANGDONG PROVINCE, WHILE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT W!Lb UNDERIAKK SIMULTANEOUS TIDAL OBSERVATIONS AT WAGLAN, LOK ON PAI AND QUARRY BAY TN HONG KONG FOR TWO ONE-MQNTH PERIODS WITHIN THIS YEAR.
THF TIDAL INFORMATION WILL BE USED TO CALIBRATE A SEI’ OK COMPUTER MODELS WHICH WILL ENABLE THE EPI) TO IDENTIFY A SHE DISCHARGE (H TREATED SEWAGE WITHOUT ADVERSE ENV I RONME’J I AL IMPA< I.
--------0-----------
SURVEY ON AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES COMMISSIONED t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A SURVEY ON THE BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORY.
THE SURVEY, TO BE CARRIED OUT BY A PRIVATE MARKET RESEARCH FIRM, SURVEY RESEARCH HONG KONG LIMITED, WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT PLAN FOR THE RURAL AREAS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THE SURVEY, ENTITLED ’’SURVEY OF AGRICULTURAL LAND USES AND DEVELOPMENT”, IS TO BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN APRIL AND AUGUST THIS YEAR, WITH A RANDOM SAMPLE OF 5,000 AGRICULTURAL DEMARCATION DISTRICT LOTS.
INTERVIEWERS FROM THE MARKET RESEARCH FIRM WILL VISIT THE SELECTED RESPONDENTS DURING THE SURVEY PERIOD AND THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
SELECTED RESPONDENTS WILL SOON RECEIVE A LETTER ASKING FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION IN THE SURVEY.
THE SURVEY REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF
THIS YEAR.
-----------------0------- SDTFR RECEIVES DONATION FROM RHKJC ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION (SDTFR) HAS RECEIVED A GENEROUS GRANT OF $5 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO ENLARGE THF CAPITAL BASF OF THF FUND.
THE GRANT WILL INCREASE THE CAPITAL BASE OF THE FUND FROM $18.2 MILLION TO $23.2 MILLION.
ESTABLISHED IN 1970 UNDER THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION ORDINANCE, THE FUND IS USED TO PROVIDE OR ASSIST IN PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR RECREATIONAL, SPORTING, CULTURAL OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
/THE AIM .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 18 -
THE AIM IS TO PROMOTE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, PURPOSEFUL USE OF LEISURE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, PARTICULARLY OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE FUND IS DISBURSED ON THE ADVICE OF THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE FOR CAPITAL AND NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS.
IN THE PAST TWO DECADES, THE FUND HAS FINANCED MORE THAN 170 CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS AND 3,200 NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS VALUED AT A TOTAL OF $44 MILLION.
THE RHKJC HAS BEEN A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTOR TOWARDS THE PROMOTION OF RECREATION AND SPORTS IN HONG KONG. THROUGH THE JOCKEY CLUB (CHARITIES) LTD, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS GRANTED ANNUALLY SINCE 1979 TO VARIOUS VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUTH. A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $26 MILLION HAS BEEN GIVEN OUT SINCE 1979.
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TO MEET THE COST OF CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS UNDER THE SDTFR AND THE JOCKEY CLUB GRANTS FOR PERMANENT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUTH ARE BEING INVITED.
THE CLOSING DATE IS MAY 20. ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE FUND’S SECRETARIAT 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR. CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TO MEET THE COST OF NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS ARE ACCEPTED ALL YEAR ROUND.
THE INJECTION OF $5 MILLION BY THE RHKJC WILL ENABLE THE SDTFR TO PROVIDE MORE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO MEET ITS OBJECTIVES.
-----0-------
SHAM SHU I PO AND MONG KOK DB CHAIRMEN ELECTED
******
MR CHOY WAI-SHEK WAS ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE SHAM SHU1 PO DISTRICT BOARD AT THE BOARD’S FIRST MEETING FOR THIS TERM TODAY (THURSDAY). HE WAS RETURNED UNCONTESTED.
MEANWHILE, TWO CANDIDATES WERE NOMINATED FOR THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S CHAIRMANSHIP, WITH MR CHOW CHUN-FAI ELECTED AT THE BOARD’S MEETING TODAY, WHICH WAS ALSO ITS FIRST FOR THE 1991-94 TERM.
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SHAM SHU1 PO DISTRICT BOARD’S FOUR COMMITTEES WERE ALSO ELECTED AT TODAY’S MEETING. THEY ARE:
COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE : MR CHAU MUN
COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE : MR TAM KWOK-KIU
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE : MR CHEUNG WING-SUM
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE : MR CHAN CHEE-SING
--------0---------
/19 .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
19
REMINDER ON 24-MONTH PROHIBITION PERIOD * * * * *
FOR REPOSSESSED PREMISES
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED LANDLORDS WHO HAVE OBTAINED AN ORDER FOR POSSESSION OF PREMISES ON THE GROUND OF SELF-OCCUPATION THAT THEY SHALL NOT, UNLESS 1'RIOR AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS TRIBUNAL, LET, SELL OR PART WITH POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES FOR A PERIOD OF 24 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE ORDER.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS A RECENT CASE IN THE DISTRICT COURT IN WHICH A WOMAN WAS ORDERED TO PAY A FINE OF $20,000, A FORFEITURE OF $70,000 AND A COMPENSATION TO THE FORMER TENANT IN THE SUM OF $9,900 AFTER SHE PI/EADED GUILTY TO THE OFFENCE OF ASSIGNING HER REPOSSESSED PREMISES WITHIN 24 MONTHS OF AN ORDER FOR POSSESSION AND WITHOUT THE PRIOR CONSENT OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.
THE WOMAN WAS THE FORMER LANDLADY OF A FLAT AT FIRST FLOOR, 257 TO KWA WAN ROAD, HUNG HOM.
SHE SUCCESSFULLY RECOVERED POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES FROM THE FORMER TENANT ON THE GROUND OF SELF-OCCUPATI ON UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE BY \N ORDER OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL ON MARCH 12, 1990.
ON AUGUST 10 THE SAME YEAR, SHE SOLD THE REPOSSESSED. PREMISES WITHOUT ANY PRIOR AUTHORISATION OF THE TRIBUNAL.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED LANDLORDS WHO HAVE OBTAINED AN ORDER FOR POSSESSION OF PREMISES ON THE GROUND OF SELF-OCCUPATION THAT THE REPOSSESSED PREMISES SHOULD RE WHOLLY OCCUPIED DURING THE 24-MONTH PROHIBITION PERIOD AS A RESIDENCE BI THE PERSON SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER FOR POSSESSION FOR WHOSE OCCUPATION THE PREMISES ARE REQUIRED.
"THE ABOVE PROHIBITIONS ALSO APPLY TO A LANDLORD WHO HAS RECOVERED POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES BY WAY OF A CONSENT ORDER IN TERMS OF A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE LANDLORD AND TENANT, OR EVEN IN A CASE WHERE AN APPLICATION FOR POSSESSION ON THE ABOVE GROUND DOES NOT PROCEED OR IS DISCONTINUED AND THE TENANT CONSENTS TO DELIVER UP VACANT POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0------
SAFE USE OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES URGED
*****
CONTRACTORS AND FACTORY PROPRIETORS WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED TO TAKE ADEQUATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON THE USE OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES IN THEIR PREMISES.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED A COURT CASE IN WHICH THE CONTRACTOR OF A WATER-PROOFING PROJECT IN A RESTAURANT AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN 1989 WAS GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000 ON EACH OF THE THREE SUMMONSES TAKEN OUT UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUS I RIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS.
/THE CASE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 20 -
THE ('ASF INVOLVED THF DEATH OF TWO WORKERS IN A FIRE CAUSED BY WELDING WORK SPARKS SETTING ALIGHT A LARGE QUANTITY OF HIGHLY INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES NEARBY.
"THE INCIDENT WAS A HARD LESSON ON THE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF NEGLECTING SAFETY,” THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID.
’’THE TRAGEDY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THF CONTRACTOR HAD SUPERVISED THE WORK PROPERLY AND HAD TRAINED HIS WORKERS TO TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON THE USE OF CHEMICALS AND DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES,” MR CHAN ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT UNDER Till- REGULATIONS, PROPRIETORS WERE REQUIRED TO LABEL THE CONTAINERS OF THE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES, PUT WARNING SYMBOLS ON THEM, AND STATE THEIR RISKS AND THE APPROPRIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
--------0-----------
cMELCO MEMBERS VISIT FSD ♦ t * ♦ r
SIX OMELCO MEMBERS VISITED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS PART OF A SERIES OF VI SITS ORGANISED BY THE OMELCO OFFICE FOR ITS MEMBERS TO ENABLE THEM TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE MEMBERS WERE DR HENRIETTA IP, MR ('HAN YING-LUN, MR POON (’HI-FAI, MR TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR EDWARD HO AND MR KINGSLEY SIT.
THEY WERE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH; DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR LAM « HEK-YUEN; AND CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HEADQUARTERS), MR PETER ('HEUNG.
THE MEMBERS FIRST ATTENDED \ BRIEFING AND WATCHED A SLIDE SHOW INTRODUCING THE DEPARTMENT.
THE SERVICE HAS OVER 7,000 UNIFORMED FIRE SERVICES AND AMBULANCE STAFF, SUPPORTED BY ABOUT 700 NON-UN I FORMED MEMBERS, TO OPERTATE 64 FIRE STATIONS, 24 AMBULANCE DEPOTS, SIX FIRE BOATS AND THE AIRPORT FIRE CONTINGENT AT THE AIRPORT.
THE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 23,299 FIRE CALLS IN 1990.
APAR’I FROM FIGHTING FIRES, OMELCO MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE SERVICE ALSO PROVIDES EMERGENCY SERVICES IN A WIDE RANGE OF SITUATIONS WHERE LIEF IS IN PERIL.
/THE TOTAL.......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 21 -
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CALLS FOR SPECIAL SERVICES IN 1990 WAS 15,637.
THE MAJORITY OF SUCH CALLS INVOLVED TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, PEOPLE TRAPPED BY MACHINERY OR THREATENING TO JUMP, LIFT INCIDENTS AND LOCK-IN CASES.
AFTER THE BRIEFING, MEMBERS WENT TO THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATION CENTRE (FSCC) ON THE i 1 TH FLOOR OF THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING WHERE THEY SAW THE $100 MILLION 'SECOND GENERATION MOBILISING SYSTEM" WIIICII WAS PUT INTO USE LAST NOVEMBER.
THE HANDLING OF FIRE, SPECIAL SERVICE AND AMBULANCE CALLS OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON COMMANDS HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM THE FSCC AT TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION COMPLEX TO THIS NEW CENTRE.
THE NEW TERRITORIES COMMAND IS EXPECTED TO TRANSFER TO THIS CENTRE NEXT MONTH. THE OPERATION OF THE "SECOND GENERATION MOBILISING SYSTEM" HAS PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
THE MEMBERS THEN VISITED THE FIRE PROTECTION BUREAU WHERE THEY WERE MET BY THE CHIEF FIRE OFIIMR (FIRE PROTECTION), MR CHAN HOI, AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE BUREAU.
MR CHAN TOLD THE MEMBERS THAT ONE MAJOR ASPECT OF THE BUREAU’S WORK IS THE VETTING OF BUILDING PLANS OF ALL NEW BUILDINGS SO THAT REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE PROTECTION INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT CAN BE STIPULATED.
THE BUREAU ALSO CONDUCTS INSPECTIONS OF RESTAURANTS, GUESTHOUSES, PRIVATE CLUBS AND OTHER PLACES OF ASSEMBLY, SCHOOLS, CHILDREN CENTRES, DANGEROUS GOODS STORES AND VEHICLES, AND VENTILATION SYSTEM IN VARIOUS BUILDINGS.
A TOTAL OF 67,150 INSPECTIONS WERE MADE IN 1990.
THE MEMBERS THEN MET THE CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR PANG TAK-SUM, AND HIS SENIOR STAFF.
THEY WERE SHOWN A DEMONSTRATION OF THE NEWLY ACQUIRED HEART RESUSCITATION "DEFIBRILLATOR" WHICH WAS INTRODUCED TO SIX AMBULANCE AID MOTORCYCLES AND SIX AMBULANCES IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THE AMBULANCE COMMAND RESPONDED TO A TOTAL OF 432,940 CALLS AND HANDLED 535,905 PATIENTS IN 1990.
BEFORE CONCLUDING Till VISIT, THE OMELCO MEMBERS WENT TO THE TSIM TUNG FIRE STATION WHERE THEY MET THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (KOWLOON), MR CHEUNG SHU-SHING, AND VIEWED FIRE AND AMBULANCE DEMONSTRATIONS.
---------0-----------
/22 ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991
- 22 -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED » » » » *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT THE SIDE LANE OF 2-16A BOWRINGTON ROAD, WAN CHAI, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE OE INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 6 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN ADDITION, THE AUTHORITY SEEKS TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT FLAT A ON THE THIRD FLOOR, AND ON THE ROOF OVER FLAT B ON THE 21ST FLOOR OF FAI HON BUILDING, 13-17 NGAN MOK STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 2 WERE ALSO POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
--------0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » » * » *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 17.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 18.4.91 -50
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +50
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.4 *+0.3* 18.4.91
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 390 +90
Q116 17.7.91 400 +80
/QI04 .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, I'M
- 23 -
Q104 24.4.91 635 -155
Q105 1.5.91 700 -220
Q106 8.5.91 613.5 -133.5
Q107 15.5.91 581 -101
Q108 22.5.91 420 + 60
Q109 29.5.91 470 + 10
quo 5.6.91 340 + 140
QIU 12.6.91 500 -20
Ql 12 19.6.91 550 -70
Q113 26.6.91 550 -70
Ql 14 3.7.91 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE 470 +10 EXCHANGE FUND . FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
HOO1 1.5.91 180 + 80
H002 15.5.91 237.5 + 22.5
HOO3 29.5.91 240 + 20
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 133 + 127
11156 24.7.91 140 + 120
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 110 + 150
Hl 59 4.9.91 10 + 250
H160 18.9.91 170 + 90
H161 2.10.91 50 + 210
H162 17.10.91 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE 200 +60 EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 180 + 80
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 12.4.91 WAS 3,201 MN
HKEJ
HKEK
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FEBRUARY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES RELEASED ....................................................................... 1
POST OFFICE PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES ............... 5
BILL TO REINFORCE GOVT'S RIGHT TO DETAIN VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS ............. 6
EMPLOYEES TO BE BETTER PROTECTED FOR COMPENSATION .............................. 7
TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 GAZETTED ...................................... 8
BILL TO CLARIFY VALIDALITY OF LOAN SECURITY .................................... 9
AMENDMENT BILL ON VALIDITY PERIOD OF PRACTISING CERTIFICATES FOR PARAMEDICS .................................................................... 10
PROPOSED RECLAMATION IN TSEUNG KWAN O, TSING CHAU TSAI ........................ 10
SUBMARINE CABLE BETWEEN KENNEDY TOWN AND OUTLYING ISLANDS ..................... 11
TENDERS FOR REPLACEMENT FIRE STATION AT KAI TAK ............................... 12
PROJECTS AT HOSPITALS GAZETTED ................................................ 13
APPLICATION FEES FOR UNDERTAKING AERIAL ROPEWAYS DUTIES REVISED ............... 13
VALUATION WORK ON NEWLY CONSTRUCTED PROPERTIES ................................ 14
FURTHER ACTION AGAINST UBW'S .................................................. 14
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ............................ 15
ACTIVITIES IN WAN CHAI TO PROMOTE UC ELECTIONS ................................ 16
BUS TO PROMOTE UC ELECTIONS ................................................... 16
PMH INSTALLS NEW ANGIOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT ....................................... 17
1991 FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN TO START IN JUNE ................................... 18
SHA TIN, EASTERN AND WAN CHAI DB CHAIRMEN ELECTED.............................. 18
POK OI HOSPITAL PRAISED FOR PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES ........................ 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .................... 19
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
FEBRUARY ORDERS*ON-HA^D, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNING*? FIGURES RELEASED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ k
IN FEBRUARY 1991, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 2% WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN FEBRUARY 1991 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY. THESE INCREASES WERE TO A LARGE EXTENT DUE TO SEASONAL EFFECTS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ORDERS INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990, THE ORDERS POSITION IN FEBRUARY 1991 DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE TEXTILES AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY AND SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN FEBRUARY 1991 DECREASED BY 2% WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991, AND BY 10% WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990.
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991, EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1991 DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN ALL THE OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED. AS REPORTED BY SOME MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED, THESE DECREASES WERE PARTLY CAUSED BY THE HIGHER TURNOVER OF WORKERS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1991 DECREASED IN ALL THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
ON PER CAPITA EARNINGS, COMPARISON OF FEBRUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1991 AND FEBRUARY 1990 WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
WHILE MOST COMPANIES SURVEYED ISSUED THEIR DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN DECEMBER 1989 AND JANUARY 1990 AHEAD OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, THEY DID SO IN JANUARY 1991 AND FEBRUARY 1991 AS THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FELL IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
/THUS IT
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
- 2 -
THUS IT IS MORE MEANINGFUL TO COMPARE THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1989 - FEBRUARY 1990.
FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 TAKEN TOGETHER, THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 19%, IN MONEY TERMS, OVER THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1989 - FEBRUARY 1990.
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED REPORTED SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1991 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1991 AND MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990. THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER DECEMBER 1989 - FEBRUARY 1990.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1991 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS THAT IN JANUARY 1991, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER FEBRUARY 1990.
THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR DECEMBER 1990 - FEBRUARY 1991 TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER DECEMBER 1989 -FEBRUARY 1990 IN ALL THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY IS NOT BASED ON A SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE, THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE MERELY A REFLECTION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMPANIES SURVEYED.
HOWEVER, GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 1991 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $4.50 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES ABOUT .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
3
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3222.
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS INDUSTRY AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1991 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
JAN 91 FEB 90
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.32 + 2 *
— — — —
WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES 4.71 2.36 + 2 +8 + 1 -5 -15
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.85 + 10
FABRICATED METAL 4.21 ♦ - Z
PRODUCTS + 1
ELECTRICAL AND 5.25 ♦
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS 4.09 * -1
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED
AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 1991
• CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES JAN 91 (%) FEB 90 (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -2 -10
FOOD AND DRINKS -2 - c
WEARING APPAREL -2 -9
TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS -3 -6 -19 -28 o
FABRICATED METAL •-1
PRODUCTS o -11
ELECTRICAL AND - Cj
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS -2 -5
/CONSTRUCTION # ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
4
CONSTRUCTION #
-1 -8
SERVICES
+ 2
♦
BANKS
HOTELS
-1
-2
+ 4
-4
PUBLIC UTILITIES OTHERS
♦
*
*
+ 5
♦ CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
WORKERS
EMPLOYED
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
*♦ CHANGE IN AVERAGE
1NDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN FEB 91 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH PER DEC DEC CAPITA EARNINGS
FOR 1990-FEB OVER 1989-FEB 1991 1990
JAN 91 FEB 90
AI L MANUFACTURING (HK$) (%) (%) (%)
INDUSTRIES 7,413 -23 + 40 + 19
FOOD AND DRINKS 7, 173 -28 + 19 + 14
WEARING APPAREL 5,372 -17 + 31 + 13
TEXTILES 6,545 -28 + 44 + 20
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 7,566 -30 + 52 + 21
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 7 , 126 -33 + 25 + 17
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 7,824 -15 + 49 + 22
OTHERS 9,992 -28 + 38 + 17
CONSTRUCTION # 11,137 + 12 + 58 + 18
SERVICES 11,330 -23 + 19 + 13
BANKS 9,816 -32 + 9 + 11
HOTELS PUBLIC 14,861 + 7 + 132 + 1 2
UTILITIES 10,620 -26 + 18 + 13
OTHERS 13,071 -17 + 15 + 12
/# PER CAPITA ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
5
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
*♦ DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN 1990 AND 1991 (I.E. LATE JANUARY IN 1990 BUT MID-FEBRUARY IN 1991), THE TIMING OF ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN THE TWO YEARS DIFFERS IN SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED. THIS AFFECTS THE COMPARISON OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1990. A FURTHER COMPARISON IS THUS PROVIDED TO SHOW CHANGES IN THE AVERAGE PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR DEC 90 - FEB 91 OVER DEC 89 -
FEB 90.
NOTE : DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.G. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), ’’PER CAPITA EARNINGS” FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
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-------
POST OFFICE PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
WHILE THE BACKBONE OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE POST OFFICE REMAINS THE DELIVERY OF DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MAIL, IT HAS IN RECENT YEARS PLAYED AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN OVERSEEING THE PHENOMENAL GROWTH OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THIS TONIGHT (FRIDAY) WHEN OFFICIATING AT A LIGHTING CEREMONY OF A BILLBOARD PUT UP OUTSIDE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING TO CELEBRATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE POST OFFICE NOW LICENSES PUBLIC SERVICES RANGING FROM RADIO PAGING TO MOBILE DATA SERVICES, AS WELL AS PRIVATE MOBILE RADIO SERVICES, FOR WHICH SOME 70,000 SEPARATE LICENCES WERE ISSUED LAST YEAR.
"OVER 700,000 PAGER CUSTOMERS AND 130,000 PORTABLE ’PHONE USERS’ NOW ENJOY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.
"WITH NEW SERVICES DUE TO BE LAUNCHED IN THE NEAR FUTURE THE GROWTH IN THIS AREA SHOWS NO SIGN OF LETTING UP,” SHE SAID.
/MRS CHAN .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
6
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT THE POST OFFICE IS A MAJOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT EMPLOYING OVER 5,000 STAFF AND PROVIDING POSTAL SERVICES THROUGH 117 BRANCH OFFICES LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
”WE STILL RELY HEAVILY ON THE DEDICATION AND EFFICIENCY OF THE POSTAL WORKERS TO SORT AND DELIVER MAIL TO OUR DOORS ON A DAILY BASIS.
’’HOWEVER, RECENT TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS ARE MAKING A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO HANDLING THE EVER-INCREASING VOLUME OF MAIL PASSING THROUGH THE POST OFFICE SYSTEM.
”IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NUMBER OF ITEMS HANDLED BY THE POST OFFICE HAS GROWN FROM 405 MILLION TO 870 MILLION PER YEAR," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN JULY LAST YEAR, THE POST OFFICE INSTALLED THE MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM WHICH USES THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO READ ADDRESSES WITHOUT THE ACCESS TO POSTCODES OR ZIPCODES, AND WHICH CAN SORT OVER ONE AND A HALF MILLION ITEMS EVERY DAY.
"THIS HAS IN TURN RESULTED IN SAVINGS OF SOME 200 POSTS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION AND HAS HELPED THE DEPARTMENT TO MAINTAIN ITS RENOWNED EFFICIENCY," SHE SAID.
IN ANOTHER CEREMONY TONIGHT, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, AND MRS WONG SWITCHED ON ANOTHER HONG KONG POST OFFICE 150TH ANNIVERSARY BILLBOARD OUTSIDE THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
------0--------
BILL TO REINFORCE GOVT’S RIGHT TO DETAIN VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS * * ♦ * ♦
PROPOSALS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO REINFORCE THE LEGISLATION EMPOWERING THE GOVERNMENT TO DETAIN VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS IN HONG KONG.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID AS A RESULT OF CLOSE SCRUTTINY OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE IN RECENT COURT CASES, QUESTIONS HAD BEEN RAISED AS TO THE ADEQUACY OF THE PROVISIONS GIVING LEGAL BACKING TO THE DETENTION POLICY.
"IT IS NECESSARY, THEREFORE, TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE POWERS TO IMPLEMENT THE SCREENING AND REPATRIATION OF THOSE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION," HE EXPLAINED.
THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH WAS GAZETTED TODAY, PROVIDES A CLEAR STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POWERS TO DETAIN ILLEGAL ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM PENDING DETERMINATION OF THEIR STATUS AND, IN THE CASE OF THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES, PENDING THEIR REPATRIATION.
/IT ALSO .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
7
IT ALSO MAKES CLEAR THAT A PERSON WHO ENTERS HONG KONG UNLAWFULLY FROM VIETNAM MAY BE DETAINED WHETHER OR NOT HE EXPRESSES A WISH TO SEEK ASYLUM OR APPLY FOR REFUGEE STATUS HERE.
THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR SCREENING IS NOW ABOUT TWO YEARS.
"GIVEN THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT THIS TASK, AND IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUING INFLOW OF NEW ARRIVALS, IT WILL BE HARD TO REDUCE THIS WAITING TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"BUT WE SHALL AIM TO SCREEN ALL NEW ARRIVALS WITHIN ABOUT 18 MONTHS OF ARRIVAL, WHEN RESOURCES ALLOW,” HE ADDED.
IN KEEPING WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S PRACTICE OF DETERMINING EACH INDIVIDUAL’S STATUS AS SOON AS PRACTICABLY POSSIBLE, THE BILL ALLOWS FOR DETENTION FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
AN "AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT" CLAUSE WILL BE ADDED TO THE ORDINANCE IN RELATION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S POWER TO TRANSFER DETAINEES BETWEEN DETENTION CENTRES. PROVISION WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR APPEALS WHERE SUCH A TRANSFER IS MADE ON THE GROUNDS OF ORDER OR GOOD MANAGEMENT IN A DETENTION CENTRE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE POWERS WERE ESSENTIAL FROM A MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY POINT OF VIEW IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND ORDER IN THE CENTRES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CENTRE POPULATIONS THEMSELVES.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO MAKE MINOR AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS PROVISIONS. THEY INCLUDE A SECTION WHICH STATES CLEARLY THAT ALL DECISIONS OF THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD AND NOT JUST ITS ULTIMATE DECISIONS ARE EXEMPT FROM REVIEW.
"THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENTION OF THE SECTION AND THE REVISED WORDING WILL REMOVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT THIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
---------0-----------
EMPLOYEES TO BE BETTER PROTECTED FOR COMPENSATION t ♦ ♦ ♦ t
WORKERS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS 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.
UNDER THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE BILL 1991 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), EMPLOYERS MAY ALSO BE INDEMNIFIED IN RESPECT OF THEIR LIABILITY FOR SUCH COMPENSATION SHOULD THEIR INSURER BECOME INSOLVENT.
/"EMPLOYEES OR .......
FRIDAY, APRIL, 19, 1991
8
"EMPLOYEES OR DEPENDANTS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES WHO ARE UNABLE TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION OF? DAMAGES AWARDED FOR A WORK INJURY SUSTAINED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984 MAY APPLY FOR PAYMENT FROM THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND BOARD WHICH WILL SOON BE SET UP," THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN, SAID.
"APPLICANTS MUST PROVE THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY EXHAUSTED ALL LEGAL AND FINANCIALLY VIABLE CHANNELS OF RECOVERY BEFORE THEIR APPLICATIONS CAN BE APPROVED," HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FUNDING FOR THE PROPOSED SCHEME CAME FROM A LEVY UNDER THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES ORDINANCE.
"SINCE JULY 1, 1990, EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO PAY A LEVY OF ONE PER CENT OF EACH EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR THIS SCHEME," MR CHAN SAID.
"EMPLOYERS MUST HAVE PAID THE LEVY IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR PROTECTION UNDER THIS SCHEME.
"THEREFORE EMPLOYERS WHOSE INSURANCE POLICIES WERE ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1990 BUT WHO WISH TO BE PROTECTED BY THE SCHEME SHOULD CONSIDER RENEWING THEIR POLICIES OR TAKING OUT NEW ONES WITH EFFECT FROM A CURRENT DATE AND PAY THE LEVY."
EMPLOYEES HAVING A VALID CLAIM ARE ENTITLED TO RECOVER THE LEGAL COSTS THEY HAVE INCURRED LN MAKING AN APPLICATION WHILE COSTS INCURRED BY EMPLOYERS WILL ONLY BE REIMBURSED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE FUND BOARD.
MR CHAN SAID SHOULD THERE BE INSUFFICIENT MONEY TO PAY ALL APPLICATIONS, THE FUND BOARD WOULD OPERATE A QUEUEING SYSTEM, WITH PRIORITY FOR PAYMENT BEING DETERMINED BY THE NATURE OF THE CLAIM AND THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT.
------0--------
TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 GAZETTED *****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE BILL
WAS
GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE IN THE
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID BILL WOULD PROVIDE A STATUTORY FRAMEWORK THAT WOULD PERMIT SHARES TFIRVTSION LICENSEE COMPANIES TO BE TRANSFERRED TO AND HELD TA.
NAMES OF NOMINEES WHILST AT THE SAME TIME ENSURING THAI' THE POTENTIAL ?O COH?ROL“iSS.S sSlAINW PERSONS AND COMPANIES ORDINARILY
RESIDENT IN HONG KONG.
"THE BILL IS THE RESULT OF LONG AND COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
"THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 24,” HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
/9 .............................................
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
- 9 -
BILL TO CLARIFY VALIDALITY OF LOAN SECURITY
THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMON PRACTICE OF BANKS AND OTHER LENDING INSTITUTIONS TO SEEK TO SECURE LOANS AND CREDIT FACILITIES BY TAKING CHARGES OVER CASH DEPOSITS HELD WITH THEM BY BORROWERS OR THIRD PARTIES HAD BEEN THROWN INTO DOUBT BY A COURT DECISION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 1986.
’’THE BILL IS INTENDED TO PUT IT BEYOND DOUBT THAT THE PRACTICE IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN VALID,” HE SAID.
IN RE. CHARGE CARD SERVICES LTD (1986) 3 WLR697, IT WAS HELD THAT, WHEREAS A PERSON MIGHT TAKE A VALID SECURITY OVER A DEBT DUE BY ANOTHER, HE COULD NOT TAKE SUCH A SECURITY OVER A DEBT DUE FROM HIMSELF.
”A BANK DEPOSIT IS A DEBT DUE BY A BANK,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE DECISION IMPLIES THAT A BANK MIGHT TAKE A VALID SECURITY OVER A DEPOSIT HELD BY A THIRD PARTY, SAY ANOTHER BANK OR A SUBSIDIARY DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANY, BUT IT COULD NOT TAKE A MORTGAGE OR CHARGE OVER A DEPOSIT LODGED BY THE BORROWER OR A THIRD PARTY WITH ITSELF,” HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CHARGE CARD DECISION HAD GENERATED CONSIDERABLE CONTROVERSY AND CONFUSION WITHIN THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL COMMUNITIES BOTH IN ENGLAND AND HONG KONG, AND HAD LED TO CONSIDERABLE DISRUPTION TO BANKING PRACTICE TN HONG KONG.
”A REVIEW OF THE CHARGE CARD DECISION BY AN ENGLISH SUPERIOR COURT APPEARS UNLIKELY SINCE THIS PARTICULAR POINT WAS NOT CONSIDERED ON APPEAL ON THE CASE, AND ENGLISH INSOLVENCY LEGISLATION HAS BEEN AMENDED SUBSEQUENTLY," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE STATE OF UNCERTAINTY WAS HIGHLY UNSATISFACTORY.
’’AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE LEGAL AND BANKING COMMUNITY IN AUGUST 1990 ON HOW THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE DEALT WITH, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY WAY OF LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT,” HE SAID.
THE BILL SEEKS TO ADD A NEW SECTION TO THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE TO PUT IT BEYOND DOUBT THAT THE PRACTICE OF A LENDING INSTITUTION SECURING A LOAN MADE BY IT BY TAKING A CHARGE OR MORTGAGE OVER AN ACTION AT LAW ENFORCEABLE LEVEL AGAINST IT BY THE BORROWER OR BY A THIRD PARTY IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN VALID.
THE BILL IS EXPECTD T,O BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 29.
---------0-----------
/10 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
10
AMENDMENT BILL ON VALIDITY PERIOD OF PRACTISING CERTIFICATES FOR PARAMEDICS *****
A BILL WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REGARDING THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF PRACTISING CERTIFICATES FOR MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SOUGHT TO PROVIDE THAT ALL THESE PRACTISING CERTIFICATES SHOULD END ON JUNE 30 OF EACH YEAR.
"THIS IS A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF THE PRACTISING CERTIFICATES IS IN LINE WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF THE ORDINANCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON APRIL 26 AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 29.
--------0-----------
PROPOSED RECLAMATION IN TSEUNG KWAN O, TSING CHAU TSAI
******
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DESIGNATE AN AREA OF ABOUT 20 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IN TSEUNG KWAN O FOR RECLAMATION TO PROVIDE LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION.
THE WORK IN AREA 87 OF TSEUNG KWAN O WILL BEGIN IN JUNE AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT FOUR YEARS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE 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 THIS UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE APRIL 18 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.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAT KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG.
/MEANWHILE, THE ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
11
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO USE THE SEABED WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 54.4 HECTARES NEAR FA PENG, TSING CHAU TSAI, LANTAU FOR THE PURPOSES OF TEMPORARY STOCKPILING OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL FROM AN ADJACENT ROCK BORROW AREA, TO BE DEVELOPED ON TSING CHAU TSAI PENINSULA, AND FOR THE MOORING OF BARGES FOR LOADING AND TRANSPORT OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY.
THIS AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IS SCHEDULED FOR EVENTUAL INCORPORATION INTO THE PROPOSED LANTAU PORT PENINSULA DEVELOPMENT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS ALSO DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
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 JUNE 18 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE OF OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL; AND AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
----------------------------0------- SUBMARINE CABLE BETWEEN KENNEDY TOWN AND OUTLYING ISLANDS * t t t »
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT PERMISSION 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 WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 189.6 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IN THE AREA.
THE CABLE LINK WILL PERMIT THE TELEPHONE COMPANY TO EXPAND AND UPGRADE ITS SERVICES TO CATER FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ON HEI LING CHAU, LANTAU AND CHEUNG CHAU.
THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED BY ABOUT SEPTEMBER.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
12
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 JUNE 18 THIS YEAR.
THE LETTER OF OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE NOTICE OF THE PROSECT 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, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES (JAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL; THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE’S MUI WO SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MUI WO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND; AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE’S CHEUNG CHAU SUB-OFFICE, 22 SAN HING STREET, GROUND FLOOR, CHEUNG CHAU.
-----0----’-
TENDERS FOR REPLACEMENT FIRE STATION AT KAI TAK
******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FIRE STATION AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE, WHICH HAS TO BE RELOCATED TO MAKE WAY FOR WORKS ON AN ADDITIONAL APRON AREA.
THE NEW APRON AREA, PLANNED TO BE OPENED IN 1993 TO THE NORTH OF KOWLOON BAY, IS PART OF THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENT WORKS WHICH ARE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE OPERATION OF THE AIRPORT AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY.
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE FIRE STATION IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-JUNE THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN MID-MAY 1992.
THE STATION WILL BE LOCATED AT THE WESTERN END OF KOWLOON BAY AND ADJACENT TO THE AIRPORT RUNWAY.
WORKS ON THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF A COVERED PARKING AREA FOR FIRE SERVICE VEHICLES; A TWO-STOREY BUILDING ON EACH SIDE OF THE PARKING AREA FOR OFFICES, EXERCISE ROOMS, LECTURE ROOMS AND STOREROOMS; A VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP; AND 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 TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 10.
---------0 - -
/13 .......
V
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
- 13 -
PROJECTS AT HOSPITALS GAZETTED » t » * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN A PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS EXERCISE FOR AN EXTENSION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO BE CARRIED OUT AT BLOCK B OF QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE UPGRADING OF FINISHES, FITTINGS AND BUILDING SERVICES OF THE EIGHT-STOREY HOSPITAL BLOCK WHICH HAS A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 36,000 SQUARE METRES.
THE HOSPITAL’S OPERATION MUST BE MAINTAINED WHILE CONSTRUCTION WORK IS IN PROGRESS.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO START TN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 34 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I GROUP "C" OR THOSE ON LIST II MAY APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD WRITE TO THE CHIEF PROPERTY SERVICES MANAGER/3 OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SEVENTH FLOOR, APB CENTRE, 9 SUNG PING STREET, TO KWA WAN, BEFORE NOON ON APRIL 30.
MEANWHILE, TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF MINOR OPERATING THEATRE LAMPS AND CEILING MOUNTED EXAMINATION LAMPS AT THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL.
THE PROJECT, DUE TO BEGIN IN JULY THIS YEAR, IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 1992.
TENDERS FOR THIS PROJECT MUST BE PLACED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOX ON THE 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY BEFORE NOON ON MAY 10.
BOTH THE NOTICE ON THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE AND THE TENDER NOTICE WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
------0-------
APPLICATION FEES FOR UNDERTAKING AERIAL ROPEWAYS DUTIES REVISED
******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) GAZETTED AN AMENDMENT TO THE AERIAL ROPEWAYS (OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE) REGULATIONS TO REVISE THE PRESCRIBED FEES.
THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE REGULATIONS SETS OU I' THE FEES PAYABLE FOR APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF ANY PERSON AS A SURVEYOR, COMPETENT PERSON, CONTROLLER OR OPERATOR IN CONNECTION WITH AERIAL ROPEWAYS DUTIES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FEES HAD BEEN IN FORCE SINCE 1981 AND A REVISION WAS NECESSARY TO OFFSET THE INCREASE IN ADMINISTRATION COSTS OVER THE YEARS.
THE NEW FEES UNDER THE AERIAL ROPEWAYS (OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991 TOOK EFFECT TODAY.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
14
VALUATION WORK ON NEWLY CONSTRUCTED PROPERTIES
*»♦»»»
IN RESPONSE TO A REPORT PUBLISHED IN A NUMBER OF NEWSPAPERS TODAY (FRIDAY) CONCERNING THE OUTSTANDING VALUATION WORK ON NEWLY CONSTRUCTED PROPERTIES AND THE EFFECT OF SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES ON SUCH WORK, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT CLARIFIED THAT IN RESPECT OF NEWLY ASSESSED PREMISES, THE MAXIMUM BACK-DATING OF RATES LIABILITY IS TWO YEARS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT FOR NEWLY CONSTRUCTED OR ALTERED PREMISES, RATES WERE PAYABLE FROM THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE DATE OF OCCUPATION, OR IF THE PREMISES WERE VACANT, THREE MONTHS AFTER THE ISSUE OF THE OCCUPATION PERMIT IN THE CASE OF DOMESTIC PREMISES AND SIX MONTHS IN THE CASE OF NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES.
"HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT CAN ONLY CHARGE RATES 24 MONTHS RETROSPECTIVELY FROM THE ISSUE OF THE FIRST RATES DEMAND, EVEN THOUGH THE PROPERTY MAY HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED OR CERTIFIED FOR OCCUPATION FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.
"NORMALLY, THE DEPARTMENT WILL ASSESS NEW PREMISES LESS THAN TWO YEARS AFTER THEY ARE COMPLETED," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
----0----
FURTHER ACTION AGAINST UBW’S * * * * *
STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) POSTED 124 ORDERS TO REMOVE PROJECTING UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS (UBW’S) IN A TO KWA WAN BUILDING AS PART OF THE "OPERATION APPENDAGES" - A GOVERNMENT OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS.
THE ORDERS REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF UBW’S PROJECTING FROM THE EXTERNAL WALLS OF BLOCK A OF I-FENG MANSION AT 237 TO KWA WAN ROAD AND 24-40 CHI KIANG STREET, KOWLOON.
THE BUILDING IS ONE OF THE 30 BLOCKS OF BUILDINGS IDENTIFIED AS TARGETS FOR CLEARANCE OF PROJECTING UBW’S IN "OPERATION APPENDAGES".
THE ACTING GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR CHEUNG HAU-WAI, SAID: "THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROJECTIONS INCLUDING METAL CAGES, CANOPIES AND METAL FLOWER RACKS IN THE BUILDING.
"THEY ALL LACK MAINTENANCE AND SOME ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. THEY ARE ALSO ENVIRONMENTALLY AND AESTHETICALLY UNDESIRABLE," MR CHEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THE PROJECTIONS CONSTITUTE A RISK TO PEOPLE USING THE PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES IN TO KWA WAN ROAD AND CHI KIANG STREET AND THE CENTRAL OPEN YARDS WHICH SERVE AS THE ENTRANCES TO THIS LARGE ESTATE.
"THESE ARE THE REASONS WHY THE BUILDING HAS BEEN SELECTED," MR CHEUNG SAID.
/THE 124 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
15
THE 124 REMOVAL ORDERS POSTED TODAY WERE ONLY PHASE 1 OF THE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMME AGAINST I-FENG MANSION.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT 356 MORE ORDERS WILL BE ISSUED IN SUBSEQUENT PHASES, RESULTING IN A TOTAL OF 480 ORDERS REQUIRING DEMOLITION OF 500 UBW’S IN THE BUILDING.
’’OPERATION APPENDAGES” IS A LARGE-SCALE OPERATION LAUNCHED IN MARCH TO REMOVE THE DANGER OF UBW’S FALLING ONTO BUSY PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES.
SO FAR, 1,850 ORDERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO REQUIRE DEMOLITION OF SOME 2,400 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN 18 BUILDINGS.
ANOTHER 1,650 ORDERS REQUIRING REMOVAL OF ABOUT 2,100 UBW’S WILL BE ISSUED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
SO FAR, THE OPERATION HAS BEEN FAVOURABLY RECEIVED BY MANY OF THE OWNERS, WHO RECEIVED REMOVAL ORDERS.
OWNERS HAVE STARTED REMOVAL WORKS ON SOME 270 UNAUTHORISED PROJECTIONS IN 15 OF THE BUILDINGS TARGETTED IN THE OPERATION.
”1 AM PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE,” MR CHEUNG SAID, ADDING THAT HE BELIEVED MOST OWNERS WILL REMOVE THE UBW’S THEMSELVES.
MR CHEUNG ASKED OWNERS TO APPOINT RESPONSIBLE AND EXPERIENCED CONTRACTORS TO CARRY OUT THE REMOVAL WORKS TO ENSURE THE WORKS CAN BE CARRIED OUT IN A SAFE MANNER.
”IF THEY WISH TO SEEK ANY ADVICE ON THE METHOD OF REMOVAL, THEY SHOULD CONTACT THE OFFICERS OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, WHOSE NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE GIVEN IN THE DEPARTMENT’S LETTER ISSUED WITH THE REMOVAL ORDERS,” HE ADDED.
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT REMOVE THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN 60 DAYS AND IN A SAFE MANNER, GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS WILL CARRY OUT THE WORK, WITH ITS COST TO BE MET BY THE OWNERS, PLUS SUPERVISION CHARGE.
------u-------
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A ROVING EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED THIS WEEKEND TO HELP THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IN TSTM SHA TSUI AND QUARRY BAY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE WORK OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND TO PROMOTE THE 1991 MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ON MAY 5.
’’DUE TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THIS EXHIBITION HELD DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS IN VARIOUS DENSELY-POPULATED DISTRICTS IN THE URBAN AREAS, WE ARE STAGING Till EXHIBITION TN A FEW MORE PLACES IN THE COMING WEEKENDS UNTIL THE ELECTION DAY ON MAY 5," AN URBAN COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THE EXHIBITION .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
16
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI TOMORROW AND AT KORNHILL, QUARRY BAY ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. OPENING HOURS OF THE EXHIBITION ON BOTH DAYS ARE FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM.
TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE COUNCIL'S MULTIFARIOUS ROLES IN SERVING THE URBAN COMMUNITY, THE EXHIBITIONS WILL FEATURE THE COUNCIL'S THREE MAIN AREAS OF WORK - PULBIC HEALTH, LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES.
’’APART FROM PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS, A TAILOR-MADE FOUR-MINUTE VIDEO ON THE WIDE-RANGING SERVICES OF THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO BE SHOWN, AND A LEAFLET DETAILING THE WORK OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC AT THE EXHIBITIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----------------------0------- ACTIVITIES IN WAN CHAI TO PROMOTE UC ELECTIONS * * * * ♦
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ORGANISE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES TO PUBLICISE THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MAY 5.
AN EXHIBITION ON THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE STAGED AT THE ENTRANCE TO HOPEWELL CENTRE IN THE AFTERNOONS OF TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND SUNDAY (APRIL 21). THE EXHIBITION WILL BE MOVED TO TAI YAU ARCADE FROM APRIL 27 TO MAY 5.
AN ELECTION FORUM WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 27 AT THE ENTRANCE TO HOPEWELL CENTRE FOR THE DISTRICT’S CANDIDATES, MR STEPHEN WONG AND MS SUSANNA YEUNG, TO INTRODUCE THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
THERE WILL ALSO BE BUS AND TRAM TOURS, DISPLAY OF CAMPAIGN MATERIALS AT PRIME LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTION SOUVENIRS TO RESIDENTS.
-----0------
BUS TO PROMOTE UC ELECTIONS
*****
AN OPEN-TOP DOUBLE-DECKER BUS WILL TOUR AROUND THE SHOPPING AREAS AND BUSY STREETS IN EASTERN DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (APRIL 21) TO PUBLICISE THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MAY 5.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, AND HIS TEAM OF ABOUT 20 DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF WILL DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND SOUVENIRS DURING THE TOUR WHICH WILL START AT THE NEW JADE SHOPPING ARCADE IN CHAI WAN AT 10.45 AM.
/FROM THERE .......
17
FROM THERE, THE BUS WILL MOVE ON TO SIU SAI WAN ESTATE, HENG FA CHUEN, KORNHILL AND MAXI MALL IN NORTH POINT. THE TOUR WILL END AT THE TIN HAU MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION, ABOUT 4.30 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS PUBLICITY BUS TOUR IN EASTERN DISTRICT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE BY 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 21) AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO.
- - 0 - -
PMH INSTALLS NEW ANGIOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
»»**»*
THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL HAS RECENTLY ACQUIRED THE MOST SOPHISTICATED ANGIOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT IN HONG KONG WHICH PROVIDES IMMEDIATE AND OPTIMAL VIEWING OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM.
THE NEW EQUIPMENT, WHICH WAS PUT INTO SERVICE LAST MONTH, IS INSTALLED IN THE HOSPITAL’S X-RAY DEPARTMENT. IT REPLACES THE OLD ANGIOGRAPHIC MACHINE WHICH HAS BEEN IN USE SINCE 1975.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE EQUIPMENT IS USED IN DIAGNOSTIC AND REMEDIAL PROCEDURES OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM.
HE EXPLAINED THAT ANGIOGRAPHY IS THE RADIOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM. THE EQUIPMENT PRODUCES COMPUTERISED DIGITAL IMAGES OF BLOOD VESSELS THROUGHOUT THE BODY.
NO LONGER IS IT NECESSARY TO WAIT FOR FILMS TO BE DEVELOPED IN THE DARK ROOM BEFORE A DOCTOR CAN DECIDE ON FURTHER MANAGEMENT OF A PROCEDURE, THUS SAVING VALUABLE EXAMINATION TIME.
"THE SYSTEM INSTALLED IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL FEATURES LIVE VIEWING OF BLOOD VESSEL IMAGES, PROVIDING PHYSICIANS WITH AN IMMEDIATE AND OPTIMAL DIAGNOSTIC TOOL.
"THIS EQUIPMENT IS THE MOST VERSATILE MODEL AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG AND FEATURES THE HIGHEST GRAPHIC IMAGE RESOLUTION."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE SYSTEM IS SO DESIGNED THAT IT OFFERS FLEXIBILITY IN RADIOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS WITH OPTIMAL PATIENT ACCESS FROM ALL SIDES AND WITHOUT REPOSITIONING THE PATIENT.
APART FROM PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, THE OTHER FOUR REGIONAL HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG - QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND TUEN MUN HOSPITAL - ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH ANGIOGRAPHIC FACILITIES.
- - 0 - -
/18
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
J?
R
M
K
1991 FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN TO START IN JUNE **♦♦♦*
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S ANNUAL TERRITORY-WIDE FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR WILL BEGIN IN JUNE AND WILL LAST FOR THREE MONTHS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE CAMPAIGN, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, AIMS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF GOOD FOOD AND PERSONAL HYGIENE PRACTICES SO AS TO MINIMISE THE CHANCES OF FOOD-BORNE DISEASES.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, 24 FOOD HYGIENE SEMINARS ON ’’FOOD SAFETY IS IN YOUR HANDS” WILL BE HELD AT CONVENIENTLY-LOCATED VENUES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOOD TRADE, INCLUDING LICENSEES AND STAFF OF LICENSED PREMISES, COOKED FOOD STALLS AND z-. a kimnnkizi
THE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS WILL EACH COMPRISE A TALK, A SLIDE SHOW AND A FILM ON FOOD HYGIENE FOLLOWED BY AN OPEN DISCUSSION.
INFORMATION MATERIALS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AND EACH PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE AT THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN
THE SPOKESMAN URGED PEOPLE IN THE FOOD TRADE TO SIGN UP FOR THE SEMINARS ADMISSION TO WHICH IS FREE.
INVITATIONS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE TARGET GROUPS. THOSE WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE SHOULD RETURN THE COMPLETED ENTRY FORM BY APRIL 30.
THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE INVITATION MAY CONTACT THE ORGANISER ON TEL. 787 1230.
- - 0 - -
SHA TIN
EASTERN AND WAN CHAI DB CHAIRMEN ELECTED
MR CHOY KAN-PUI, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG AND MRS PEGGY LAM WERE ELECTED CHAIRMEN OF THE SHA TIN, EASTERN AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARDS RESPECTIVELY AT SEPARATE MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS TODAY (FRIDAY).
ALL OF THE CHAIRMEN WERE RETURNED UNCONTESTED. BOTH MR SHUM AND MRS LAM WERE RE-ELECTED WHILE MR CHOY WAS ELECTED DB CHAIRMAN FOR THE FIRST TIME.
- - 0 - -
/19
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1991
- 19 -
POK 01 HOSPITAL PRAISED FOR PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES
*****
DEMANDS FOR HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES WILL REQUIRE GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES TO BE BORNE BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE POK 01 HOSPITAL, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE MADE THE REMARKS DURING A COURTESY VISIT BY THE HOSPITAL’S NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION THIS MORNING.
"THE EXPANSION OF THE HOSPITAL, WITH THE OPENING OF A CLINIC AND EMERGENCY WARD, WILL MEAN HAVING TO COPE WITH MORE PEOPLE," MR HSU SAID.
"PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN FURTHER ENHANCED BY THE AVAILABILITY OF BETTER MEDICAL EQUIPMENT," HE ADDED.
MR HSU BELIEVED THAT THERE WOULD BE A BIGGER GROWTH IN THE HOSPITAL’S SERVICES AFTER IT JOINED THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
HE ALSO COMMENDED POK 01 FOR THE HIGH STANDARD OF TEACHING AT ITS SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS AND FOR OFFERING CHILD CARE AND ELDERLY SERVICES.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
***** DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 18.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 19.4.91 + 80
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -80
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.1 *+0.7* 19.4.91
/HONG KONG........
CKlDrtl, APKlLi ±y, iyyi
20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEI
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER * ON $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 390 + 90
Q116 17.7.91 390 + 90
Q104 24.4.91 569.5 -89.5
Q105 1.5.91 720 -240 •
Q106 8.5.91 583.5 -103.5
Q107 15.5.91 551 -71
Q108 22.5.91 400 + 80
Q109 29.5.91 470 + 10
QI 10 5.6.91 340 + 140
QI 1 1 12.6.91 500 -20
Q112 19.6.91 540 -60
QI 13 26.6.91 550 -70
QI 1 4 3.7.91 460 + 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEJ
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 180 + 80
11002 15.5.91 237.5 + 22.5
11003 29.5.91 240 + 20
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
11005 26.6.91 230 + 30
Hl 01 10.7.91 133 + 127
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
11158 21.8.91 110 + 150
H159 4.9.91 50 + 210
Hl 60 18.9.91 190 + 70
H161 2.10.91 0 + 260
H162 17.10.91 140 + 120
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEK
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 180 + 80
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 19.4.91
WAS 3,922 MN
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
CONTENTS .PAGE NO.
FS TO ATTEND ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK ANNUAL MEETING.....................♦ 1
GOVT CONTINUES CONSULTATION WITH EC ON ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING............. 1
HK TO HOST SYMPOSIUM ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT.......................... 2
CONSTRUCTION OF JETTY AND DREDGING WORKS GAZETTED ......................
RESIDENTS URGED TO VOTE IN BY-ELECTION .................................
AREA COMMITTEES PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION............. 4
ENTRY TO SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES INVITED ............................
POLICE REMINDER ON SERIOUSNESS OF LETTING OBJECTS FALL FROM HEIGHT .....
SPONSORED LITTER BINS FOR TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS ..........................
ECC RECEIVES $2M DONATION FROM JOCKEY CLUB .............................
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ....................................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
FS TO ATTEND ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK ANNUAL MEETING
t t t t t t
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO ATTEND THE 24TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN VANCOUVER, CANADA FROM APRIL 24 TO 26. SIR PIERS IS EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE MEETING AT A GOVERNOR’S SESSION ON APRIL 26.
OTHER MEMBERS IN THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ARE THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND, MR JOSEPH YAM; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR JAMES LAU, JR AND SENIOR MANAGER, MR THOMAS CHOW.
- - 0 - -
GOVT CONTINUES CONSULTATION WITH EC ON ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING
THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONTINUED TO CONSULT WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WITH A VIEW TO SEEKING TERMINATION OF THE ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING AGAINST HONG KONG IN RESPECT OF AUDIO-CASSETTE TAPES, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
’’THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE THE FINAL DETERMINATION ON THE DEFINITIVE DUTY ON IMPORTS OF AUDIO-CASSETTE TAPES INTO THE EEC FROM JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND HONG KONG IN MID-MAY,H HE SAID.
THIS PROCEEDING WAS INITIATED IN JANUARY 1989. A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPANIES ARE INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATIONS, INCLUDING SOUTH KOREA’S GOLD STAR, SUNKYONG, SACHAN MEDIA, SUNGNAM AND NAKAYAMA; AND JAPAN’S SONY, MAXELL, FUJI AND DENON.
IN THE CASE OF HONG KONG, FIVE COMPANIES PARTICIPATED IN THE PROCEEDING. THEY ARE SWIRE MAGNETICS, MAGNETIC ENTERPRISES, FORWARD ELECTRONICS, TOMEI MAGNETIC PRODUCTS AND YEE KEUNG.
THE COMMISSION ANNOUNCED THE PROVISIONAL DUTIES IN NOVEMBER 1990. THE RATES OF THE PROVISIONAL RESIDUAL DUTY ON IMPORTS FROM JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA ARE 22.3 PER CENT AND 19.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG, NO DUTIES WERE IMPOSED IN RESPECT OF FOUR OF THE FIVE COMPANIES AND THE REMAINING ONE AND OTHER HONG KONG COMPANIES NOT INVESTIGATED WERE SUBJECT TO A 2.4 PER CENT PROVISIONAL DUTY.
"WE DO NOT BELIEVE A PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON HONG KONG,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"IN THIS
SATURDAY, APRIL. 20, 1991
- 2 -
"IN THIS PROCEEDING, THE IMPORTS OF AUDIO-CASSETTE TAPES FROM HONG KONG INTO THE EEC TOOK UP ONLY ABOUT 1.5 PER CENT OF THE EEC MARKET SHARE.
"IN ADDITION, THE COMMISSION'S INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT FOUR OF THE FIVE COMPANIES INVESTIGATED ARE EXONERATED.
"AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG COULD HAVE CAUSED ANY SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO THE EEC INDUSTRY.
"WE HAVE DRAWN THE COMMISSION’S ATTENTION TO THESE FACTS AND HOPE THAT THE COMMISSION WILL TAKE THEM INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DECIDING THE IMPOSITION OF DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES."
--------0----------
HK TO HOST SYMPOSIUM ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT
*****
HONG KONG WILL PLAY HOST TO AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON "MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTES" NEXT MONTH.
THE SYMPOSIUM, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HKU), THE JOINT FEDERATION OF THE HONG KONG AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SOCIETIES, AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), WILL BE ATTENDED BY ABOUT 80 DELEGATES FROM HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS.
THE EXPERTS ARE FROM JAPAN, CHINA, TAIWAN, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UK, ITALY, SWITZERLAND, THE USA, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
"THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SYMPOSIUM ARE TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE ACCUMULATED OVER RECENT YEARS IN THE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTE, IN PARTICULAR THE PIG-ON-LITTER METHOD (POL), AMONG PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES, AND TO IDENTIFY FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS," THE AFD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AGRICULTURE), MR RICHARD YIP, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTENSE INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN FINDING OUT NON-POLLUTING WAYS OF KEEPING LIVESTOCK AND COUNTRIES SUCH AS JAPAN AND THE NETHERLANDS, WHERE LAND IS SCARCE, ARE PARTICULARLY KEEN ON THE POL METHOD.
"THE SUCCESSFUL ADAPTATION OF THIS METHOD IN HONG KONG PROVIDES AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TERRITORY TO HOST A SYMPOSIUM AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL ON THE SUBJECT," MR YIP SAID.
THE EVENT CONSISTS OF A SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM WHERE THE INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS WILL EXCHANGE WITH THEIR HONG KONG COUNTERPARTS THE LATEST TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON THE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF PIG WASTES AND ASSESS ITS IMPACT ON INTEGRATED FARMING.
/APART FROM .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
3
APART FROM THE POL SYSTEM, OTHER METHODS OF TREATING AND RECYCLING LIVESTOCK WASTES WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
AN EXHIBITION TO COINCIDE WITH THE
WILL INCLUDE THE POL SYSTEM ON PIG WASTE TREATMENT METHODS AND BACTERIAL ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN THE POL SYSTEM.
THERE WILL ALSO BE SYMPOSIUM. ITEMS ON DISPLAY FARMING, OTHER LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS WHICH CONSTITUTE AN
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE AIMED AT PROMOTING THE POL SYSTEM.
THE SYMPOSIUM PROGRAMME WILL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE AND WILL MAY 13 TO 17.
TRAINING COURSES FOR FARMERS
BE HELD AT HKU’S KADOORIE SPREAD OVER FIVE DAYS, FROM
INTERESTED PARTIES OR INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH THE SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM SHOULD REGISTER WITH SECRETARIAT ON OR BEFORE' MAY 4. ENQUIRIES CAN
TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE ORGANISER’S
BE MADE ON TEL.
488 5000.
--------0-----------
CONSTRUCTION OF JETTY AND DREDGING WORKS GAZETTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT A JETTY AT YUNG LONG IN TUEN MUN TO FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF REFUSE TO THE ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION.
THE JETTY IS TO BE BUILT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,750 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT YUNG LONG.
CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN LATE NEXT YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1993.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,318 HECTARES OF SEABED AT SOKO ISLANDS TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IN THE TWO PROJECTS WAS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABEDS 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 APRIL 18 NEXT YEAR.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE
IS AND HIS
CLAIM.
/4 ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
4
RESIDENTS URGED TO VOTE IN BY-ELECTION * * * *
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO, TODAY (SATU.(DAY) CALLED ON VOTERS IN SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE AND SHUN CHI COURT TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THE DB SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
HE ALSO REMINDED VOTERS THAT THE TWO POLLING STATIONS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE SHUN LEE ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE GCE PAST STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION KWUN TONG SCHOOL IN SHUN ON ESTATE, WITH POLLING BEGINNING AT 7.30 AM AND CLOSING AT 10.30 PM.
VOTERS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AND POLL CARDS.
THERE ARE 15,030 VOTERS IN THE CONSTITUENCY.
THE SIX CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE TWO SEATS ARE MISS LAW LAI-KUEN, MR CHEUNG KWOK-KUEN, MR TAM YIU-WANG, MISS HO SHUK-YI, MR HAU CHI-CHIU AND MR LAU HON-MAN.
- - 0---------
AREA COMMITTEES PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
******
AREA COMMITTEES (AC'S) HAVE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, THE YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT AN ORIENTATION SEMINAR FOR MEMBERS OF MONG KOK DISTRICT’S SIX AREA COMMITTEES, MISS TANG SAID THEIR MEMBERS HAD DEVOTED THEIR TIME AND EFFORTS TO IMPROVING THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER FACILITIES BY REFLECTING THE VIEWS OF RESIDENTS-
MORE THAN 100 AC MEMBERS ATTENDED THE SEMINAR WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROMOTE THE ROLE AND WORK OF THE COMMITTEES.
THERE WERE ALSO GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND AN EXHIBITION ON THE WORK OF AC’S.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
- 5
ENTRY TO SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES INVITED ******
INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ENTER THE 1991 SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES WHICH WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 16 ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF SAI KUNG TOWN.
ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACING ASSOCIATION AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE RACES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, MEN’S MINI-DRAGON, LADIES’ PHOENIX, AND COMMERCIAL FIRMS SECTIONS.-
THE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND PENNANTS. THE CHAMPION OF THE MEN’S OPEN SECTION WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT INVITATION RACES ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE IN SHA HA AND AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE’S SUB-OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF PO NING HOUSE, PO LAM ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS MAY 1. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 792 1762.
--------0-----------
POLICE REMINDER ON SERIOUSNESS OF LETTING OBJECTS FALL FROM HEIGHT *****
POLICE ARRESTED A TOTAL OF 246 PERSONS OUT OF 462 REPORTS OF OBJECT FELL FROM HEIGHT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST YEAR.
THESE ARRESTED PERSONS, MOST OF WHOM HAD BEEN CHARGED AND CONVICTED OF "ALLOWING OBJECTS TO FALL FROM HEIGHT", HAD CAUSED INJURIES TO 230 PEDESTRIANS.
THE NUMBER OF CASES OF OBJECTS FALLING FROM HEIGHT REPORTED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WAS 57, WITH SOME 32 PEOPLE INJURED, SOME OF THEM SERIOUSLY.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF THE OFFENCE COULD FACE A PENALTY OF UP TO $50,000 IN FINE AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MANY "OBJECT FELL FROM HEIGHT" INCIDENTS WERE A RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE OFFENDERS AND COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THOSE INVOLVED HAD EXERCISED A LITTLE CAUTION AND CONSIDERATION.
/"AS FOR ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
- 6 -
"AS FOR THOSE WHO DELIBERATELY ALLOW OBJECTS TO FALL FROM HEIGHT, THEY CAN BE ASSURED OF PROSECUTION BY THE POLICE WHEN CAUGHT," HE STRESSED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID DREADFUL CONSEQUENCE COULD BE RESULTED EVEN IF THE FALLING OBJECT WAS JUST A TINY PIECE OF ARTICLE BECAUSE OF THE LAWS OF GRAVITY.
"OF THE REPORTED INCIDENTS, THE OBJECTS FOUND RANGED FROM LITTER, GLASS BOTTLES, PIECES OF CONCRETE, STONES, TILES, TOYS, BATTERY CELLS TO BEER CANS.
"IN SOME OF THE MORE BLATANT CASES, IRON RODS, BAMBOO POLES, WINDOW FRAMES AND EVEN GAS CYLINDERS WERE DROPPED," HE SAID.
AMONG THE 222 DETECTED CASES REGISTERED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST YEAR AND THE 18 CASES IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COURT HAD SEEN FIT TO IMPOSE STIFF PENALTIES TO THE MORE SERIOUS INCIDENTS.
IN ONE CASE, A SUB-CONTRACTOR OF A DEMOLITION PROJECT IN WESTERN DISTRICT WAS FINED $10,000 BY THE COURT IN JUNE LAST YEAR FOR HAVING ALLOWED A STONE TO FALL FROM HEIGHT.
THE SAME HEAVY FINE WAS ALSO IMPOSED ON A PERSON CONVICTED OF ALLOWING AN IRON ROD TO FALL FROM HEIGHT IN YUEN LONG, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO A PEDESTRIAN.
------0--------
SPONSORED LITTER BINS FOR TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS
THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECENTLY RECEIVED 100 LITTER BINS FROM A DEPARTMENT STORE IN TSUEN WAN AS A TOKEN OF THE COMPANY’S SUPPORT FOR THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
THE LITTER BINS, DONATED BY JUSCO STORES (HONG KONG) COMPANY LIMITED, ARE PLACED IN CONSPICUOUS SPOTS ALONG STREETS AND IN HOUSING ESTATES IN TSUEN WAN.
AT A DONATION CEREMONY AT TSUEN WAN PLAZA TODAY (SATURDAY), A MEMBER OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REG1ONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR CHAN LAU-FONG, RECEIVED A CRYSTAL PLAQUE FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE AEON GROUP, MR TAKUYA OKADA, AS A SYMBOL OF THE COMPANY’S CONTRIBUTION.
THE DEPARTMENT STORE ALSO SPONSORED 110 PAIRS OF LAMPPOST BUNTING BEARING THE CAMPAIGN SLOGAN "BE A SPORT ... PITCH IN" WHICH ARE NOW DISPLAYED IN TSUEN WAN AND QUARRY BAY TO REMIND RESIDENTS OF THE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID: "WE ARE MOST APPRECIATIVE OF THE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT GIVEN BY JUSCO TO THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SCHEME OPERATED BY THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE.
"WE HOPE OTHER ORGANISATIONS OR CORPORATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN THIS SCHEME WHICH HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE 1988."
THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT WIDENING THE LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT OF ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY IN PROMOTING A CLEANER HONG KONG.
"THE COMMITTEE WELCOMES SPONSORSHIP FROM THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR. SPONSORSHIP MAY TAKE THE FORM OF SPONSORED EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES, OR SIMPLY BY PRINTING PITCH-IN MESSAGES, DISTRIBUTING SOUVENIRS OR ANY OTHER IDEAS THAT ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARIAT OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
------0-------
ECC RECEIVES $2M DONATION FROM JOCKEY CLUB
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (ECC) RECENTLY RECEIVED A SECOND DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $2 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
LAST YEAR, THE JOCKEY CLUB DONATED $4 MILLION TO THE ECC TO FINANCE VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL HELD IN NOVEMBER.
THE ECC CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE JOCKEY CLUB FOR ITS GENEROUS DONATIONS.
"WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE JOCKEY CLUB’S CONTINUOUS SUPPORT TO THE VERY WORTHWHILE TASK WE ARE UNDERTAKING TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
MRS LAM ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL ON THE PUBLIC AND THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS TO SUPPORT THE ECC CAUSE.
THE ECC WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST YEAR TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ISSUES AND TO ENCOURAGE AND MOBILISE PEOPLE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A BETTER ENVIRONMENT.
A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN HELD, INCLUDING ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL WHICH PROMOTED THE SLOGAN "ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STARTS WITH ME".
/WITH THE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
- 8
WITH THE JOCKEY CLUB FUNDS, THE ECC ENGAGED IN A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS AND PUBLISHED SEVERAL PAMPHLETS. AMONG THESE WERE TWO SETS OF GUIDELINES ON PAPER RECYCLING SCHEME FOR RESIDENTIAL AND OFFICE BUILDINGS, AND A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, "CAMPAIGN ENVIRONMENT", FIRST PUBLISHED LAST NOVEMBER.
THE NEWSLETTER WAS CIRCULATED TO LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN GROUPS AND SCHOOLS. THE FIRST TWO ISSUES WERE ALSO PUBLISHED IN THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST AND WAH KIU YAT PO AS SUPPLEMENTS IN ORDER TO REACH A WIDER READERSHIP.
OF THE JOCKEY CLUB’S $2 MILLION DONATION THIS YEAR, ABOUT $1 MILLION WILL BE USED TO PRODUCE TEACHING KITS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR USE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
"WITH THE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND INCREASING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS OF THE PUBLIC, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A MORE FRUITFUL YEAR AHEAD," MRS LAM SAID.
--------- 0----------
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,091,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
S
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER EP3 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $160,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER 8181 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $110,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 FOR EP5011.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
EP1398 $ 23,000 EP221 $ 18,000 DD6688 $ 65,000 AA180 $ 30,000
EP1283 18,000 317 60,000 CT557 3,000 ER102 18,000
ER568 6,000 EP2986 3,000 EP318 12,000 EE1010 32,000
EP1101 6,000 AW1127 11,000 2208 42,000 CG31 1 12,000
8181 110,000 ER8441 WITHDRAWN ER990 14,000 EP248 9,000
HK421 23,000 DD9611 50,000 AA1962 20,000 AF3223 20,000
EP310 5,000 EP5011 1,000 BX779 6,000 EK8828 28,000
AA280 80,000 ER2338 20,000 EP132 18,000 CW9904 WITHDRAWN
EP1118 20,000 EP3 160,000 BM1313 22,000 AS7983 5,000
CC200 38,000 CH286 14,000 EN91 1 60,000 ER4828 7,000
SUCCESSFUL , BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATE
AFTER THE BIDDING.
/THERE WERE
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1991
9
THERE WERE NO BIDDERS FOR ER8-14 1 AND CW9904 AND THESE NUMBERS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANTS.
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 163RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $116,898,605.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF $ MILLION
t * t ♦ * DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 19.4.91 480
EFFECT OF EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON OPERATIONS THIS MORNING 20.4.91 NEUTRAL NEUTRAL
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MALPRACTICES ON THE RISE........ 1
RESIDENTS URGED TO VOTE IN UC ELECTIONS ................................... 2
FILM SHOW TO PROMOTE UC ELECTIONS ......................................... 2
FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER *1991 ENJOY COUNTRYSIDE SCHEME' ..................... 3
CALL TO MINIMISE WASTE .................................................... 3
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 1991
COMPLAINTS AGAINST WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
»*»»»*
MALPRACTICES ON THE RISE
THERE HAS BEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MALPRACTICES IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) SHOWED THAT 57 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WHILE THERE WERE ONLY 32 IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE PRINICPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID CONSUMERS WERE BECOMING MORE WILLING TO COMPLAIN WHEN THEY SUSPECTED THAT THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN SHORT WEIGHTS OR MEASURES.
"POSTERS PUBLICISING A COMPLAINTS HOTLINE, WHICH ARE DISPLAYED AT MARKETS OR OTHER PUBLIC PLACES, ALSO REMIND CONSUMERS OF THEIR RIGHT TO REPORT SUCH MALPRACTICES," HE SAID.
"SINCE THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1989, THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED 389 COMPLAINTS, OF WHICH 327 CONCERNED THE USE OF INACCURATE WEIGHING EQUIPMENT AND 25 CONCERNED THE USE OF INACCURATE MEASURING EQUIPMENT.
"THE OTHERS ARE AGAINST THE USE OF UNAUTHORISED UNIT OF MEASUREMENT, IMPROPER WEIGHING METHOD OR SHORT WEIGHT OF GOODS," MR WONG SAID.
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 65 TRADERS HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO COURT FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND THE FINES AMOUNTED TO $158,550.
THE LATEST CASES INVOLVED FOUR FRUIT RETAILERS, A FISH RETAILER AND A GROCER WHO WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $13,500 FOR USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS.
IN ALL THESE CASES, TESTS CONDUCTED BY THE LABORATORY SHOWED THAT THE READINGS OF THEIR WEIGHING WERE FROM 2.52 PER CENT TO 23.44 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF WEIGHTS.
GOVERNMENT INSTRUMENTS THE ACTUAL
ANY PERSON WISHING TO MAKE COMPLAINTS IN RESPECT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MAY CONTACT THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU ON TEL. 714 6146 OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
COMPLAINTS MAY ALSO BE REPORTED TO THE DUTY OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 852 3185 AFTER OFFICE HOURS.
--------0----------
/2 ........
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 1991
2
RESIDENTS URGED TO VOTE IN UC ELECTIONS
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, TODAY (SUNDAY)
URGED RESIDENTS TO CAST THEIR VOTES ON MAY 5 TO ELECT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE URBAN COUNCIL.
HE MADE THE CALL DURING A PROMOTIONAL TOUR WITH A GROUP OF ABOUT 20 DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF ON A BUS CARRYING A BANNER WITH THE SLOGAN - ’’VOTE. IT’S POWER TN YOUR HANDS”.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL HOLD TWO FORUMS ON APRIL 28 FA CHUEN SQUARE AND PROVIDENT GARDEN RESPECTIVELY TO ENABLE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES AND THEIR PLATFORMS.
AT HENG ELECTORS
TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ INTERESTS IN THE ELECTIONS, PLACARDS HAVE BEEN PUT UP ON TRAMS AND COLOURFUL BANNERS ARE BEING DISPLAYED AT PROMINENT LOCATIONS.
ON MAY 5, A BROADCASTING VAN WILL TOUR THE DISTRICT’S MAIN STREETS AND LARGE HOUSING ESTATES TO REMIND VOTERS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.
--------0----------
FILM SHOW TO PROMOTE UC ELECTIONS
VIEWERS ATTENDING A FILM SHOW ON MAY 2 AT THE KO SHAN THEATRE IN HUNG HOM WILL BE REMINDED TO VOTE IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MAY 5.
ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, THE FILM TO BE SHOWN IS ’’THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS”.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASTS AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 141 KAU PU1 LUNG ROAD.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 711 0171.
- 0----------
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 1991
- 3 -
FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER ’1991 ENJOY COUNTRYSIDE SCHEME’ * * ♦ ♦ ♦
SCHOOLS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS MAY APPLY FOR SUBSIDIES FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION UNDER THE NEW ”1991 ENJOY COUNTRYSIDE SCHEME” FOR ORGANISING CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES OR BUILDING FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE HAS SET ASIDE FUNDS FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS REGISTERED UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE OR COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO INITIATE COUNTRYSIDE ACTIVITIES — WHICH CAN BE HIKING, CAMPING, EXPEDITION, ORIENTEERING, CROSS COUNTRY RUN, RESTORATION OF FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, AND SO ON — PLANNED TO BE HELD BEFORE MARCH 31 NEXT YEAR.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME IS TO ENCOURAGE YOUNGSTERS AND THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN COUNTRYSIDE ACTIVITIES AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING TN ORGANISING AND PLANNING SUCH ACTIVITIES.
UNDER THE SCHEME, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BETWEEN $10,000 AND $50,000 MAY BE GRANTED TO MEET THE COST OR PART OF THE COST OF A PROJECT.
ORGANISATIONS MAY APPLY FOR AN ADVANCE PAYMENT OF 50 PER CENT OF THE GRANT APPROVED.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE GIVEN FOR PURCHASING EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING PRIZES, AND PRINTING PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE COST ON PERSONAL ITEMS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARIAT OF THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE, 10TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, BY JUNE 30.
--------0----------
CALL TO MINIMISE WASTE
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED NOT ONLY TO DISPOSE OF LITTER PROPERLY BUT ALSO TO MINIMISE WASTE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
THE CALL WAS MADE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, DURING THE ”JOG FOR THE EARTH” EVENT TODAY (SUNDAY).
1
/ORGANISED BY .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 1991
ORGANISED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH IN SUPPORT OF THE EARTH DAY 1991, THE EVENT WAS HELD AT CAUSEWAY BAY SPORTS GROUND AND THE ADJACENT MORETON TERRACE.
DR PANG SAID: "NOT TO LITTER, IN FACT, IS ITSELF AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE MUST EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE AS WELL AS LESSEN THE OPPORTUNITIES OF CREATING WASTE.
"TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, THE STEERING COMMITTEE WILL STEP UP PUBLICITY ON THE ADVANTAGES OF WASTE MINIMISATION AND REUSE IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LITTERBUGS.
"THIS CAN ALSO INDIRECTLY RELIEVE THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BURDEN OF WASTE COLLECTJON AND DISPOSAL," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO VISIT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ............................. 1
TIME TO REDRESS BALANCE OF BUILDINGS AND TREES: GOVERNOR ................ 2
URBCO'S GREENING PROGRAMME RECEIVES COMMUNITY SUPPORT ................... 2
UPDATED HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE PATTERNS USED IN REBASING CPI SERIES ...... 3
STUDY ON RESTORATION OF URBAN LANDFILLS COMMISSIONED .................... 7
SEVEN QUESTIONS, 12 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ............................... 7
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR AIR-CONDITIONER USERS ............................ 8
TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL REGULATIONS GAZETTED ................................ 10
TUEN MUN DB CHAIRMAN ELECTED ............................................ 10
TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACES ................................................ 10
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO.......................................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 11
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
- 1 -
GOVRENOR TO VISIT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND FROM MAY 9 TO 18 AS A GUEST OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THESE TWO COUNTRIES.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON, HIS DEPUTY PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BEGIN HIS TRIP BY VISITING MELBOURNE, WHERE HE WILL CALL ON THE PREMIER OF VICTORIA STATE AND MEET PROMINENT AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSMEN.
HE WILL GIVE A SPEECH AT A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIA AND ATTEND A DINNER HOSTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA.
HIS NEXT STOP WILL BE CANBERRA, WHERE HE WILL CALL ON GOVERNMENT MINISTERS AND MEET MEMBERS OF THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE COMMITTEE. THE GOVERNOR WILL ATTEND A DINNER AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
SIR DAVID WILL THEN TRAVEL TO SYDNEY, WHERE HE WILL CALL ON THE PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES AND ATTEND A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE HONG KUNG/AUSTRAL1A BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT .COUNCIL.
HE WILL ALSO GIVE A SPEECH TO THE SYDNEY INSTITUTE AND ATTEND A DINNER HOSTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
SIR DAVID WILL.FLY FROM SYDNEY TO WELLINGTON ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 15.
THE FOLLOWING DAY HE WILL CALL ON THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND, THE RT HON JAMES BOLGER, MP, AND ATTEND A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE MINISTER FOR TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, MR PHILIP BURDON.
SIR DAVID WILL CALL ON THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE MAYOR OF WELLINGTON AND GIVE A SPEECH AT A FUNCTION ORGANISED BY THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
HE WILL THEN TRAVEL TO AUCKLAND TO MEET BUSINESS LEADERS AND THE MAYOR OF AUCKLAND. THE GOVERNOR WILL GIVE A SPEECH AT A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG/NEW ZEALAND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SATURDAY, MAY 18.
------0--------
/2 ........
IONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
- 2 -
TIME TO REDRESS BALANCE OF BUILDING; ID TREES: GOVERNOR
’’PLANT OUR CITY GREEN EARTH, SIR DAVID SAID IT WOULD SET OUT TO
UP TO NOW HONG KONG HAS BEEN A GRE DEAL BETTER AT PLANTING BUILDINGS THAN TREES AND IT IS TIME TO RE ESS THE BALANCE A LITTLE AND TO SHOW THAT WE CAN HAVE BOTH, THE G ERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE
CAMPAIGN 1991” ORGANISED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE THE CAMPAIGN WOULD DO JUST THAT, NOTING THAT PLANT AS MANY TREES AND SHRUBS AS POSSIBLE.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IF WE WANTED THE PLEASURE AND BENEFIT OF TREES WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE TREES WOULD NOT GROW BY THEMSELVES IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT WE LIVED IN.
HE NOTED THAT PICTURES OF EARLY HONG KONG SHOWED SURPRISINGLY FEW TREES.
THE BANYAN TREES BEHIND CENTRAL DISTRICT AND ALONG NATHAN ROAD; THE CASUARINA TREES AROUND REPULSE BAY; THE MIMOSA TREES BESIDE THE ROADS OF LANTAU; AND THE WOODED HILLSIDES ON HONG KONG ISLAND WERE ALL THE RESULT OF EARLY TREE-PLANTING EFFORTS, SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH HAD MADE A GOOD START ON TREE PLANTING AND IT HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE URBAN SERVICES* DEPARTMENT, WHILE THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WAS HELPING TO PLANT TREES ALONG ROADS.
’’PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT TOO WAS GROWING,” HE SAID.
”1 COMMEND THOSE COMPANIES THAT ARE ALREADY INVOLVED; THEY HAVE SET AN EXAMPLE OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WHICH I HOPE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW,” SIR DAVID SAID.
---------0-----------
URBCO’S GREENING PROGRAMME RECEIVES COMMUNITY SUPPORT
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S CONTINUING GREEN AND PLEASANT CITY WAS GIVEN A "PLANT OUR CITY GREEN PROGRAMME” CONCERN GROUP.
EFFORT TO MAKE HONG KONG A BOOST TODAY (MONDAY) WHEN A WAS LAUNCHED BY AN ENVIRONMENTAL
THE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME WAS INITIATED BY THE "FRIENDS OF THE EARTH" WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING MORE TREE PLANTINGS BY SCHOOLS, YOUTH GROUPS AND SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS THROUGHOUT THE URBAN AREAS.
/AT A........
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
3
AT A TREE PLANTING CEREMONY HELD IN THE TUNNEL APPROACH REST GARDEN IN WAN CHAI, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON PLANTED TWO WASHINGTON PALMS TO LAUNCH THE COMMUNITY EFFORT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, MR PETER CHAN, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO, EACH PLANTED A ROYAL PALM TO SIGNIFY THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE "FRIENDS OF THE EARTH", AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION WHICH PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, IS ORGANISING THIS TREE PLANTING DRIVE To ENHANCE THE URBAN LANDSCAPE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND GUIDELINES.
------0--------
UPDATED HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE PATTERNS USED IN REBASING CPI SERIES *****
THE EXPENDITURE SHARE OF HOUSEHOLD SPENDING ON HOUSING, HAD INCREASED WHILE THAT ON BASIC FOODSTUFFS HAD DECREASED IN 1 HE RECENT FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, THAT IS FROM 1984/85 TO 1989/90, ACCORDING IO THE RESULTS OF THE 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY (HES).
THE HES COLLECTED UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG. DATA ON EXPENDITURE PATTERNS ARE REQUIRED IN COMPILING CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (CPI’S). A NEW ROUND OF HES PROVIDES DATA FOR REBASING THE CPI SERIES.
THE HES WAS CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE HANG SENG BANK.
THE EXISTING SERIES OF CPI’S ARE BASED ON 'I HE SPENDING PATTERNS OBTAINED FROM AN HES CONDUCTED IN 1984/85. BASED ON RESULTS OF THE 1989/90 HES, THE EXPENDITURE BRACKETS AND WEIGHTING PATTERNS OF THE CURRENT CPI SERIES HAVE BEEN UPDATED.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD TODAY (MONDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR BENJAMIN MOK, EXPLAINED THAT THE PRACTICE ADOPTED IN HONG KONG IS TO REBASE THE CPI’S EVERY FIVE YEARS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE INDEXES WOULD NOT BE BASED ON OUTDATED PATTERNS OF EXPENDITURE.
SUCH PRACTICE CONFORMS TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARD IN I HE COMPILATION OF CPI’S.
THE REBASED SERIES OF CPI(A) CONTINUES TO RELATE TO ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH BELONG TO THE LOW EX PEN DI I URE BRACKET. THEIR AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE DURING THE BASE PERIOD OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 WAS BETWEEN $2,500 AND $9,999.
/THE REBASED .......
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
4
THE REBASED SERIES OF CPI(B) COVERS ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH BELONG TO THE MEDIUM EXPENDITURE BRACKET. THESE HOUSEHOLDS SPENT BETWEEN $10,000 AND $17,499 A MONTH IN THE SAME BASE PERIOD.
MR MOK INTRODUCED THE WEIGHTING PATTERNS OF THE 1989/90-BASED SERIES OF CPI(A) AND (B) AND COMPARED THEM WITH THOSE FOR THE 1984/85-BASED SERIES.
THE EXPENDITURE SHARE OF THE "FOODSTUFFS” SECTION HAS DECLINED. OUT OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE SPENT ON FOODSTUFFS, AN INCREASING PROPORTION IS SPENT ON MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME WHILE THE PROPORTION SPENT ON BASIC FOOD ITEMS HAS DECREASED.
’’THIS REFLECTS THE INCREASING POPULARITY AND PREFERENCE OF HOUSEHOLDS FOR EATING OUT,” MR MOK SAID.
A RELATIVELY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE TN THE EXPENDITURE SHARE OF ’’HOUSING” WAS RECORDED. THIS COULD PARTLY BE EXPLAINED BY THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE QUALITY OF HOUSING. THE PROPORTION OF HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE OWNER-OCCUPIERS HAS RISEN OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. MOREOVER, THE AVERAGE LIVING AREA OCCUPIED PER PERSON HAS INCREASED.
"APART FROM COLLECTING INFORMATION ON EXPENDITURE WEIGHTS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CARRIES OUT SEPARATELY A CONTINUOUS PRICING SURVEY TO COLLECT PRICE DATA ON A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMODITIES AND SERVICES FROM NUMEROUS RETAIL OUTLETS AND SERVICES PROVIDERS," MR MOK SAID IN EXPLAINING THE METHOD OF COMPILING CPI’S.
THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF HANG SENG BANK, MR ROGER LUK, WHO WAS ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE, SAID THE HANG SENG CPI, WHICH RELATES TO HOUSEHOLDS IN THE HIGH EXPENDITURE BRACKET, HAS ALSO BEEN REBASED.
THE HANG SENG CPI COVERS ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, WHOSE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE IN THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 WAS BETWEEN $17,500 AND $37,499.
THE MORE NOTABLE CHANGES IN THE WEIGHTING PATTERN OF THE HANG SENG CPI ARE ALSO THE DECREASE IN THE EXPENDITURE SHARE OF FOODSTUFFS AND THE INCREASE IN THE SHARE OF HOUSING.
THE REBASED CPI SERIES, WHICH STARTS FROM OCTOBER 1990, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE MARCH 1991 ISSUE OF THE CPI MONTHLY REPORT. THE 1984/85-BASED CPI’S WILL CONTINUE TO BE COMPILED AND PUBLISHED CONCURRENTLY UNTIL MARCH 1992.
"MEANWHILE, A DETAILED REPORT ON THE 1989/90 HES AND AN INTRODUCTORY PAMPHLET ON THE REBASED SERIES OF CPI’S ARE BEING PREPARED, AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS’ TIME," MR MOK ADDED.
/EXPENDITURE WEIGHTS .......
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
EXPENDITURE WEIGHTS OF THE 1984/85 AND 1989/90 BASED CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES
% % % H % %
Services Transport & Vebides Miscellaneous Goods Dura Ne Goods Clothing & Footwear 1 AJcoboSc Drinks & Tobacco Fuel & Light m Housing 1 Foodstuffs 9.64 10.05 • 11.02 11.08 • 13.96 13.73 £ fit » £ » ft X Hi 51 3 fi Si » is $ S . & 8° y
6.79 7.20 • 6.83 7.57
7.10 7.89
5.84 5.88 6.06 5.69
5.72 5.89 5.64
4.92 5.60 5.12
5.24 4.56 5.82 5.86
6.98 ~ 1767* 7.23 “l-W-
2.57 2.45 I 7.93 8.81 —0:88-T 76
3.41 _ 2.18
15.31 45.48 20.56 41.20 2.76 2.36
20.16 38.92 23.77 35.34
_ 2.35
25.77 29.98 29.48 25.95
84/85 89/90 84/85 89/90 84/85 89/90
/THE 1989/90
CPI(A)
CPI(B)
Hang Seng CPI
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
The 1989/90 Based Consumer Price Indexes
-AAKi AJU ft » * ftflWt
Sectioa and group of c*woq ity/service ff&ZSUF AMAMA Consumer Price Index (A) TM1 t * « S t Coreraaer Price Index (8) Rang <eag Consumer Price Index
Oct + fl IW Itov. +-fl . ! 2 H 1 I * + ; 1991 Jan. Feb. -fl -A Oct. + A 1 <5 . ! 4 See. +-fl 199! Jan. Feb. -fl -A Oct. + fl 1990 ffov. + -fl 1991 Jan. Feb. -fl -fl
All Iteas IW.$ 106.5 107.4 106.5 110.5 135.9 106.7 107.6 108.4 110.1 106.7 107.8 108.1 108.6 110.2
Feedstuffs -At 104.9 105.1 106.0 107.2 111.2 105.3 W5.7 106.6 108.2 111.7 105.2 105.4 106.0 107.5 111.1
Reals bought avay froa home 107.3 108.4 108.9 110.$ 112.5 107.3 108.3 108.9 118.9 112.3 106.6 107.1 107.2 108.8 111.0 1 1
। Foodstuffs, excluding weals bought */ay froa irowe MM) 102.5 iet .9 IC3.0 105.6 110.1 102.6 102.1 105.5 104.3 110.8 102.9 102.5 104.0 105-3 111.1 1 1
KD Housing 107.5 108.1 109.5 110.7 111.6 107.0 108.1 >08.9 110.2 111.1 109.1 109.9 111.3 112.4 >15.3 O 1 1
I Fuel and light 106.9 111.5 1-2.8 115.5 112.9 iea. i HO.7 112.1 115.8 112.4 107.5 no.o 111.8 115.3 112.7 1 1
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco (for hoae consumption) «»<**!) 105.7 108.5 103.2 109.5 109.4 106.2 107.0 108.4 103.9 no.i 106.6 107.4 108.6 110.4 110.6
Clothing aad footwear ** 102.1 105.8 107.9 104.1 102.2 102.5 106.2 108.8 184.9 102.8 106.0 112.6 106.0 102.6 1C2.0
t Hrabie goods Oft* •01.9 102.5 105.1
,z / Miscellaneous goods 505.7 105.8 105.7
/ ' i Transport and vehicles 187.1 107.7 108.5
Services M 108.4 109.0 109.4.
103.6 103-6 101.9 102.4 102.9 102.8 103.0 102.5 103.2 102.2 101.9 102.7
105.9 106.1 104.8 105.0 184.9 105.1 105.5 104.7 105.0 184.8 104.9 105.5
109.1 110.3 107.9 108.3 109.1 118.2 111.4 108.8 109.2 110.3 111.8 115-7
110.9 113.8 107.7 108.2 108.7 109.6 111.9 106.5 106.7 187.7 188.2 110.t
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
7 STUDY ON RESTORATION OF URBAN LANDFILLS COMMISSIONED ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE DETAILS CONCERNING THE RESTORATION OF FIVE URBAN LANDFILLS.
THEY ARE THE JORDAN VALLEY LANDFILL, NGAU CHI WAN LANDFILL, MA YAU TONG WEST LANDFILL, MA YAI’ TONG CENTRAL LANDFILL, AND GIN DRINKERS BAY LANDFILL.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THESE FIVE LANDFILLS WERE ALL COMPLETED SITES AND OCCUPIED A TOTAL LAND AREA OF ABOUT 56 HECTARES.
"THESE LANDFILLS USED TO BE REMOTE FROM RESIDENTIAL AREAS BUT AS A RESULT OF EXPANSION OF URBAN AREAS, ARE NOW SURROUNDED BY DEVELOPMENTS.
"POTENTIAL HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH OFF-SITE MIGRATION OF LEACHATE AND LANDFILL GAS THEREFORE EXIST," HE SAID.
THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION IN HONG KONG, PUBLISHED TN 1989, STATED THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO RESTORE THE COMPLETED LANDFILL SITES TO AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE CONDITION SO THAT THESE PRESENTLY DERELICT SITES COULD BE BROUGHT INTO USE FOR RECREATIONAL OR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE STUDY ON RESTORATION OF URBAN LANDFILLS, AT A COST OF $7.7 MILLION, WILL TAKE 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY BETWEEN EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY), MR MIKE STOKOE, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF BINNIE CONSULTANTS LIMITED, MR G.R.A. ARMISTEAD.
------0------------
SEVEN QUESTIONS, 12 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ♦ ♦ * t t
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF SEVEN QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER II GOVERNMENT BILLS AND ONE PRIVATE BILL AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 21).
THE 12 BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
/THE 11 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
8
THE 11 GOVERNMENT BILLS ARE THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, OFFICIAL SOLICITOR BILL 1991, APPRENTICESHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDUSTRI AL TRAINI NG (CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 .
THE PRIVATE BILL IS THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS INCORPORATION BILL 1991.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL ORDINANCE WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE.
ALSO, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG WILL MOVE A MOTION ON SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS FOR LISTED COMPANIES.
THE MOTION READS: "THIS COUNCIL STRONGLY URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT WHEN REQUESTS BY GROUPS OF PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANIES FOR SPECIAL EXEMPTION FROM STATUTORY, REGULATORY OR LISTING REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING ALL LISTED COMPANIES IN HONG KONG ARE CONSIDERED, THE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF INVESTOR PROTECTION, FAIRNESS AND EQUITY BE UPHELD WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR".
MEANWHILE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1990, THE HON HO SAI-CHU WILL SPEAK ON THE 1989-90 REPORT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (DECEMBER 1990).
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 Bl TELEPHONING 844 0899.
- - 0 - -
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR AIR-CONDITIONER USERS ♦ t * * *
A TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH TO PROMOTE THE PROPER USE OF AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS SO AS TO AVOID CAUSING NUISANCE TO OTHERS.
THE "GET YOUR AIR-CONDITIONERS READY FOR THE SUMMER” CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT ALTHOUGH AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS BROUGHT COMFORT TO LIFE, THEY MIGHT AT TIMES CAUSE NUISANCE TO NEIGHBOURS AS A RESULT OF WATER DRIPPING AND EMISSION OF EXCESSIVE HEAT OR NOISE.
/"COMPLAINTS AGAINST
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
9 -
"COMPLAINTS AGAINST SUCH OF NUISANCES ARE PARTICULARLY COMMON DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS," HE SAID. "HOWEVER, THEY CAN BE AVOIDED BY TAKING PROPER PRECAUTIONS."
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, A 24-HOUR TELEPHONE HOTLINE, 723 0013, WILL PROVIDE ADVICE IN CANTONESE ON HOW SUCH NUISANCES COULD BE PREVENTED.
A TELEVISION API (ANNOUNCEMENT IN PUBLIC INTEREST) WILL ALSO BE SCREENED TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS.
EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE SUCH AS ADVISORY LETTERS, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AND LARGE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES, OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND SUPPLIERS OF AIR-CONDITIONERS.
PUBLICITY LEAFLETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE) OF THE URBAN SERVICES AND • REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
TO AVOID CAUSING NUISANCE TO NEIGHBOURS, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED AIR-CONDITIONER USERS TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:
* CHOOSE A SUITABLE AND QUIETTER TYPE OF AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT APART FROM CONSIDERING ITS THERMAL CAPACITY WHEN MAKING A PURCHASE;
» CHOOSE A SUITABLE POSITION WHICH SHOULD BE FARTHEST POSSIBLE FROM THE NEIGHBOURING RESIDENCE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT;
♦ IN CASE WATER DRIPS FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT, PROVIDE UNDERNEATH A COLLECTING BASIN WHICH SHOULD BE FITTED WITH A RUBBER HOSE TO CONVEY THE DRIP TO PROPER DRAINAGE; AND
» REGULARLY MAINTAIN THE AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS.
UNDER THE LAW, LETTING AN AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT DRIP OR EMIT EXCESSIVE HEAT IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO CAUSE NUISANCE IS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF UP TO $10,000.
THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS IN THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY AIR-CONDITIONERS.
--------0----------
/10 .......
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
- 10 -
TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL REGULATIONS GAZETTED ♦ * * * *
THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL REGULATIONS, WHICH SET OUT THE SAFE AND EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE TUNNEL BY THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL COMPANY, ARE GAZETTED TODAY (MONDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE REGULATIONS DEFINE THE DUTIES OF THE COMPANY AND POWERS OF THE COMPANY STAFF FOR PROVIDING ADEQUATE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE EFFICIENT AND SAFE PASSAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES THROUGH, AND THE SAFETY OF PERSONS IN, THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AREA.
-----0------
TUEN MUN DB CHAIRMAN ELECTED
*****
MR LAU WONG-FAT WAS RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD THIS (MONDAY) MORNING DURING THE BOARD’S FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW TERM.
MR LAU WAS THE ONLY NOMINEE FOR THE CHAIRMANSHIP.
---------0-----------
TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACES ♦ * * ♦
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE TO BE HELD ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF TAT PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN THE MORNING OF THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL ON JUNE 16.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND A BREWERY.
THERE WILL BE MEN’S OPEN, WOMEN’S OPEN, MIXED INVITATION AND INDUSTRIAL CUP SECTIONS.
COMPETING TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DRAGON BOATS FOR THE RACES AS WELL AS FOR PRACTICES.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE IN ON CHEUNG ROAD, THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE IN TING KOK ROAD.
THE ENTRY DEADLINE IS MAY 3. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 664 8661 OR 657 7111 EXT 255.
------0-------
/Il ........
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
11
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO *♦»♦*♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 24) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, TAI PO ROAD AND WONG CHUK STREET.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
HKEF
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT or. 20.4.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 22.4.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
112.6 *+0.2* 22.4.91
4 80
+ 177
-177
NEUTRAL
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND IIKEI
ISSUE NUMBER 91 -DA5! EXCHANGE MATURING ON FUND BILLS OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 390 + 90
QI 16 17.7.91 320 + 160
QI 04 24.4.91 630 -150
Q105 t.5.91 710 -230
Q106 8.5.91 503.5 -23.5
QI 07 15.5.91 49 1 -11
Q108 22.5.91 390 + 90
Q109 29.5.91 470 + 10
QI 10 5.6.91 320 + 160
Q1 I 1 12.6.91 480 + 0
QI 12 1 9 . 6 . 9 1 540 -60
QI I 3 26.6.91 550 -70
QI 14 3.7.91 450 + 30
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1991
- 12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 180 + 80
H002 15.5.91 237.5 + 22.5
H003 29.5.91 240 + 20
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 133 + 127
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 110 + 150
H159 4.9.91 90 + 170 •
H160 18.9.91 170 + 90
H161 2.10.91 0 + 260
H162 17.10.91 130 + 130
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEK
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
• ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 170 + 90
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 19.4.91 WAS 3,922 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
Q
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SPEAKS ON HK'S SUCCESS .......................................... 1
IMPORT AND EXPORT (CARRIAGE OF ARTICLES) REGULATIONS TO BE GAZETTED ...... 2
ALBERT LAM TO BECOME RSNT ................................................ 3
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO MISSING HK-REGISTERED SHIP ...................... 4
TAC BRIEFED ON BUS COMPANIES' PERFORMANCE ................................ 5
NEW CENTRE FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUS DRIVING TESTS ...................... 6
SEMINAR ON SAFETY IN DEMOLITION WORK ..................................... 7
SHA TIN AND TAI PO TO HOLD RC ELECTIONS FORUMS ........................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ....................................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 9 I
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
1 GOVERNOR SPEAKS ON HE’S SUCCESS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR. SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HONG KONG’S SUCCESS HAS BECOME POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT HAS AN EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT, A DEDICATED CIVIL SERVICE, AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, AN INDUSTRIOUS AND ENTERPRISING POPULATION.
SPEAKING AT THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE HONG KONG CHIU CHOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SIR DAVID SAID OVER THE PAST 70 YEARS, HONG KONG HAD EXPERIENCED STEADY DEVELOPMENT IN ITS INFRASTRUCTURE, ECONOMY AND SOCIO-POLITICAL SYSTEMS.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN THROUGH PEAKS AND TROUGHS, BUT ON EACH OCCASION IT HAD PROVED TO BE A MOST RESILIENT COMMUNITY, AND ITS RESOURCEFUL AND ADAPTABLE PEOPLE HAD THE INGENUITY TO SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CHANGES.
"WE ARE NOW THE WORLD’S I1TH TRADING ECONOMY, THE SECOND BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT; IN TERMS OF PER CAPITA GDP, WE ARE THE THIRD IN ASIA, AFTER JAPAN AND OIL RICH BRUNEI.
"HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN LOOK BACK WITH PRIDE THE RESULTS ACHIEVED AFTER YEARS OF TOIL AND SWEAT," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IN MANY WAYS HONG KONG’S SUCCESS WAS MIRRORED IN THE SUCCESS OF THE HONG KONG CHIU CHOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ADDING THAT THE GROWTH IN ITS STRENGTH AND MEMBERSHIP HAD REFLECTED THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE.
I
"THE EXCELLENT WORK DONE IN PROMOTING KINSHIP AND WELFARE OF THE COUNTRYMEN TYPIFIES THE STRONG SENSE OF SOLIDARITY AND UNITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THE EXTENSION OF CONTACT AND CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER CHIUCHOWESE OVERSEAS ALSO COINCIDES WITH THE EFFORTS OF MANY COMPANIES TN HONG KONG TO GO INTERNATIONAL.
"IT IS THEREFORE THE RESULT OF HARD WORK ON THE PART OF MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER TAUT THEY HAVE BECOME PROMINENT LEADERS IN THE FIELDS OF BANKING AND FINANCE, MANUFACTURING, TRADING AND CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED WHEN TALKING ABOUT HONG KONG’S SUCCESS, MUCH HAD BEE MADE OF THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, BUT THAT GENEROSITY AND COMMUNITY-SPIRIT HAD OFTEN BEEN OVERLOOKED.
"IT IS PLEASING TO NOTE THE WONDERFUL WORK THAT THE CHAMBER HAS DONE IN EDUCATION AND WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
"APART FROM THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE CHAMBER, ITS MEMBERS HAVE ALSO GIVEN GENEROUS DONATIONS AND VOLUNTARY SERVICE TO VARIOUS OTHER LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE TRACK RECORDS OF YOUR CHAMBER HAVE HELPED MUCH TO PROVE THAT WE ARE A FORWARD-LOOKING AND CARING SOCIETY," SIR DAVID ADDED.
------0--------
/2 .....
R
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
- 2 -
IMPORT AND EXPORT (CARRIAGE OF ARTICLES) REGULATIONS TO BE GAZETTED
FURTHER REGULATIONS AIMED AT COMBATTING THE SMUGGLING OF CERTAIN ELECTRICAL GOODS AND VEHICLES FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON FRIDAY (APRIL 26).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (CARRIAGE OF ARTICLES) REGULATIONS 1991, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED IN FRIDAY’S GAZETTE, CARRYING TELEVISION SETS, VIDEO-CASSETTE RECORDERS, VIDEO-CASSETTE PLAYERS, AIR-CONDITIONERS, REFRIGERATORS, VEHICLES AND VEHICLE PARTS ON BOARD A VESSEL IN HONG KONG WATERS WILL BE PROHIBITED, EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
EXAMPLES OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE:
R
» WHERE AN ARTICLE IS CARRIED UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A CARRIAGE LICENCE, OR AN EXPORT LICENCE ISSUED FOR THE EXPORT OF TELEVISION SETS, VIDEO-CASSETTE PLAYERS AND VIDEOCASSETTE RECORDERS;
♦ WHERE AN ARTICLE IS RECEIVED FROM, OR IS TO BE DELIVERED TO A VESSEL OF MORE THAN 250 GROSS TONS FOR A BONA FIDE IMPORT OR EXPORT PURPOSE AND IS ACCOMPANIED BY A SHIPPING DOCUMENT;
» WHERE AN ARTICLE IS CARRIED ON BOARD A PASSENGER FERRY PLYING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA OR MACAU;
E
* WHERE AN ARTICLE IS CARRIED ON BOARD A FRANCHISED PASSENGER FERRY OPERATING WITHIN HONG KONG HARBOUR;
» WHERE AN ARTICLE IS CARRIED ON BOARD A VESSEL FOR THE PERSONAL USE OF A CREW MEMBER OR PASSENGER; AND r
♦ WHERE AN ARTICLE IS CARRIED ON BOARD A VESSEL EXCEEDING 250 GROSS TONS AND FOR A BONA FIDE IMPORT OR EXPORT PURPOSE.
’’ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE IS EMPOWERED TO ISSUE A CARRIAGE LICENCE FOR THE CARRIAGE OF A PRESCRIBED ARTICLE ON BOARD A VESSEL.
APPLICATIONS FOR A CARRIAGE LICENCE MAY BE MADE TO THE CUSTOMS
AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
HONG KONG PERMIT OFFICE
SECOND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
/KOWLOON PERMIT .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
3
KOWLOON PERMIT OFFICE
10TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
ANYONE APPLYING FOR A CARRIAGE LICENCE MUST SUBMIT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SUCH AS A COPY OF HIS HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD, BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, THE LICENCE OF THE CONVEYING VESSEL, OR THE PURCHASE AND DELIVERY ORDER OF THE ARTICLE.
IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, A CARRIAGE LICENCE CAN BE ISSUED WITHIN 48 HOURS. APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE TWO PERMIT OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SUBJECT CAN BE MADE TO SENIOR INSPECTOR GRACE TSO OF THE HEADQUARTERS BRANCH, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, ON TEL. 852 3030 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
---------0----------
ALBERT LAM TO BECOME RSNT ******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALBERT LAM CHI-CHIU, WILL SUCCEED MR ADOLF HSU HSUNG AS REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION NEXT MONTH.
MR HSU HAS BEEN DESIGNATED DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES AS ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON MR ALBERT LAM CHI-CHIU AND MR ADOLF HSU HSUNG ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MR ALBERT LAM CHI-CHIU, JP
AGED 51, MR LAM JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1959 AND WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1966. HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN JANUARY 1991.
DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF HIS CAREER, MR LAM SERVED IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, COLONIAL SECRETARIAT, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, AND THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT FROM 1981 TO 1982 AND DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FROM 1982 TO 1985.
/MR LAM ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
4
OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS ON ATTACHMENT TO THE UK 1989, AND ON HIS RETURN TO
HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT OF THE TRANSPORT BRANCH OF THE
MR LAM WAS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OFFICE IN LONDON FROM 1985 TO 1988. HE CIVIL SERVICE FROM FEBRUARY TO OCTOBER HONG KONG IN NOVEMBER 1989, HE TOOK UP DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT IN
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
MR ADOLF HSU HSUNG, JP
AGED 52, MR HSU JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1958 AND ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN 1988.
DURING HIS EARLIER CAREER IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, MR HSU SERVED IN THE FINANCE BRANCH, THE FORMER NEW TERRI TORIES ADMINISTRATION, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE FORMER ADMINISTRATION BRANCH.
MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS COMMISSIONER, SURVEY OFFICE IN 1987 AND WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE FROM .DECEMBER 1987 TO 1989 WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES) IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADM 1NISI RAT I ON.
------0------------
PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO MISSING HK-REGISTERED SHIP
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, TODAY (TUESDAY) APPOINTED TWO SURVEYORS OF SHIPS TO CARRY OUT A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE HONG KONG-REGISTERED BULK CARRIER ’’MINERAL DIAMOND” WHICH WAS REPORTED MISSING.
THE TWO SURVEYORS ARE CAPTAIN JEREMY CARO, MASTER MARINER AND MR HUGH SPINK, NAVAL ARCHITECT.
THE FINDINGS OF THEIR INQUIRY WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR WHO WILL DECIDE WHETHER A MARINE COURT SHOULD BE HELD.
THE SHIP SAILED FROM DAMPIER, AUSTRALIA TO IJMUIDEN IN ROLLAND ON APRIL II THIS YEAR WITH A COMPLEMENT OF 27 INDIAN OFFICERS AND RATINGS AND WAS CARRYING 136,000 METRIC TONNES OF IRON ORE.
AT 4.10 PM ON APRIL 17 THIS YEAR THE SHIP'S MANAGER RECEIVED THE LAST MESSAGE SAYING SHE WAS IN SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN AND WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERE GALE FORCE WINDS.
SHE WAS REPORTED MISSING SINCE APRIL 18 THIS YEAR.
TO DATE NO TRACE OF THE SHIP HAS BEEN FOUND DESPITE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATED BY THE AUSTRALIAN MARITIME AUTHORITIES.
----------------------------------0-------- h
/5......
P
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
- 5 -
TAC BRIEFED ON BUS COMPANIES’ PERFORMANCE ******
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) WAS BRIEFED TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE PROGRESS MADE BY CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) IN IMPROVING ITS MANAGEMENT.
ACCORDING TO THE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS, ALL MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THEIR REPORT OF MAY 1990 HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
CMB HAD CREATED ADDITIONAL MIDDLE-MANAGEMENT POSTS AND STREAMLINED ITS MANAGERIAL ORGANISATION STRUCTURE AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS, TAC MEMBERS WERE TOLD.
THE CONSULTANTS WERE OF THE OPINION THAT CMB’S MANAGEMENT HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLY STRENGTHENED AND THIS HAD LED TO IMPROVEMENTS IN PASSENGER SERVICES, OPERATION EFFICIENCY, STAFF RELATIONS AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
THE CONSULTANTS WERE CONFIDENT THAT IMPROVEMENT IN CMB’S OVERALL PERFORMANCE WOULD BE SUSTAINED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE CONSULTANTS' FAVOURABLE REPORT, THE ADMINISTRATION CAUTIONED THAT THE CORRELATION BETWEEN MANAGEMENT REFORM AND BUS SERVICE PERFORMANCE WOULD TAKE A LONGER TIME TO ESTABLISH.
TAC AGREED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CONTINUE WITH ITS CLOSE MONITORING OF CMB’S PERFORMANCE.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT MEASURES OTHER THAN CLOSE GOVERNMENT MONITORING AND REGULATION WOULD BE PURSUED TO MAINTAIN SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES, INCLUDING THE GRANTING OF FRANCHISED BUS ROUTES THROUGH PUBLIC TENDER.
TAC WAS SEPARATELY BRIEFED ON A COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS BETWEEN CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1990 AS A REFERENCE TOOL TO MONITOR THEIR RESPECTIVE OPERATING PERFORMANCE OVER TIME.
THE ASSESSMENT SHOWED THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF BOTH COMPANIES WAS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY IN TERMS OF BUS AVAILABILITY AND FLEET UTILISATION.
ON MAINTENANCE STANDARDS, MEMBERS NOTED THAT CMB’S BUS FLEET WAS OLDER AND ITS MAINTENANCE COSTS WERE HIGHER.
TAC WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD EXAMINE MORE CLOSELY THE PERFORMANCE OF CMB IN BUS MAINTENANCE TO SEE WHETHER ANY IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME OF THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY (NLB) FOR THE FIVE YEARS ENDING 1995/96.
/TO MEET........
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
- 6 -
TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN VISITORS FOLLOWING THE PLANNED COMPLETION OF THE BUDDHA STATUE IN 1992, A SERIES OF SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL BUSES, HAVE BEEN PLANNED IN 1991 AND 1992.
A NEW SERVICE (KEUNG SHAN TURNING CIRCLE - SHA LO WAN) HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR DAILY OPERATION IN MID 1993 UPON THE COMPLETION OF SHA LO WAN ROAD.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS GENERALLY SATISFIED THAT NLB’S FUTURE INVESTMENT PLANS WOULD BE ADEQUATE TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR BETTER SERVICES, INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF OLD BUSES AND THE PROVISION OF BETTER MAINTENANCE FACILITIES.
ALSO AT TODAY’S MEETING, TAC MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT AS PART OF THE MEASURES TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE PEAK CONGESTION PROBLEM ALONG THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING CERTAIN ATTRACTIVELY PRICED AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES TARGETTED AT COMMUTERS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE TAKE THE MTR DURING THE MORNING PEAK.
---------0-----------
NEW CENTRE FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC’ BUS DRIVING TESTS *****
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUS DRIVING TESTS WILL ALSO BE CONDUCTED AT THE SOO KUN PO DRIVING TEST CENTRE ON HONG KONG ISLAND FROM NEXT MONTH (MAY), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUS DRIVING TESTS ARE AT PRESENT CONDUCTED ONLY AT THE TSUEN WAN DRIVING TEST CENTRE AT MA TAU PA ROAD.
HIT IS HOPED THAT THIS NEW ARRANGEMENT WILL MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR APPLICANTS WHO PREFER TO RECEIVE DRIVING INSTRUCTION AND TO TAKE THE DRIVING TEST ON HONG KONG SIDE,” HE SAID.
WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 1, APPLICATIONS FOR PRIVATE OR PUBLIC BUS DRIVING TEST SHOULD INDICATE PREFERENCE OF THE CENTRE WHERE THE TEST WOULD TAKE PLACE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATIONS, TOGETHER WITH COPIES OF RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND A CHEQUE FOR THE TEST FEE, SHOULD BE SENT TO P.O. BOX 73323, KOWLOON CENTRAL OFFICE FOR PROCESSING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE WAITING TIME FOR THE TEST WILL BE THE SAME IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE TEST WOULD BE CONDUCTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR IN TSUEN WAN.
------0-------
/7.........
TUESDAY, APRrL 23, 1991
- 7 -
SEMINAR ON SAFETY IN DEMOLITION WORK ♦ » ♦ * ♦
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SEMINAR ON SAFETY IN THE DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES FOR CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS ON FRIDAY (APRIL 26).
THE
SEMINAR IS AIMED AT PROVIDING TO BE ADOPTED BY CONTRACTORS AND
GUIDELINES ON SAFETY WORKERS WHEN CARRYING STEPPED-UP CONTROL ON
PRECAUTIONS _________
OUT DEMOLITION WORK FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT’S
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS,” THE SUPERINTENDENT INSPECTORS (TRAINING), MR MAK HUNG-KAE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
OF FACTORY
"WE WILL TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS OF EVERY NECESSARY PRECAUTION AGAINST ACCIDENTS AT SITES, PARTICULARLY THOSE INVOLVING WORKERS FALLING FROM HEIGHT AND BEING HIT BY FALLING OBJECTS," MR MAK ADDED.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON SUCH SUBJECTS AS WORKING AT HEIGHT, FALLING OBJECTS AND HANDLING OF BUILDING MATERIALS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM AT THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. ADMISSION IS FREE.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SEMINAR MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION ON 852 3564.
------0--------
SHA TIN AND TAI PO TO HOLD RC ELECTIONS FORUMS t * ♦ ♦ *
THREE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS FORUMS WILL BE HELD IN SHA TIN AND TAI PO ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (APRIL 25 AND 26) FOR CANDIDATES TO ELABORATE ON THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS.
THE FORUMS FOR THE SHA TIN EAST AND SHA TIN WEST CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY IN THE EXHIBITION HALL, THIRD FLOOR, NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN. THEY WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM AND 8.30 PM RESPECTIVELY.
CANDIDATES FOR THE SHA TIN EAST CONSTITUENCY ARE MR WONG HON-CHUNG, MR LEE YORK-FAI AND MR KAN CHUNG-NIN. CANDIDATES FOR THE SHA TIN WEST CONSTITUENCY ARE MR WAI HING-CHEUNG AND MR LAU KONG-WAH.
THE FORUM FOR THE TAI PO CONSTITUENCY WILL BE HELD IN THE AUDITORIUM OF THE TAI PO CIVIC CENTRE ON FRIDAY, BEGINNING AT 8.15 PM.
/THE CANDIDATES .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
- 8 -
THE CANDIDATES ARE MR FUNG CHI-WOOD AND MR CHENG CHUN-PING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
hbdia representatives are invited to cover the election forums
------o--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ HKEG
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS TUESDAY 23 ISSUE NUMBER Q117 AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,172 MN AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 400 MN APRIL 1991 Y189 HKD 988 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 5-98 PCT 6.80 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 6-00 PCT PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 66 PCT 6.80 PCT 100 PCT
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 19.4.91 WAS 3,922 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ---- TUESDAY 30 APRIL 1991
ISSUE NUMBER QI 18 H163
ISSUE DATE 1 MAY 91 1 MAY 91
MATURITY DATE 31 JUL 91 30 OCT 91
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400 + 80 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
/9.........
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 22.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 23.4.91 -199
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +199
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.7 *+0.1*
23.4.91
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 380 + 100
QI 16 17.7.91 360 + 120
Q104 24.4.91 685 -205
Q105 1.5.91 750 -270
Q106 8.5.91 613.5 -133.5
Q107 15.5.91 54 1 -61
Q108 22.5.91 360 + 120
Q109 29.5.91 490 -10
QI 10 5.6.91 340 + 140
QI 1 1 12.6.91 4 70 + 10
QI 12 19.6.91 590 -110
QI 13 26.6.91 590 -110
QI 14 3.7.91 450 + 30
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1991
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE FUND
FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE MATURING
NUMBER ON
H001 1.5.91
H002 15.5.91
H003 29.5.91
H004 12.6.91
H005 26.6.91
H101 10.7.91
H156 24.7.91
H157 7.8.91
H158 21.8.91
H159 4.9.91
H160 18.9.91
Hl 61 2.10.91
H162 17.10.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
364-DAY EXCHANGE
ISSUE MATURING
NUMBER ON
Y187 26.2.92
Y188 25.3.92
OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
180 +80
227.5 +32.5
240 +20
250 +10
230 +30
133 +127
150 +110
189.5 +70.5
110 +150
90 +170
190 +70
-10 +270
110 +150
EXCHANGE FUND
FUND BILLS HKEK
OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
170 +90
190 +70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 19.4.91 WAS 3,922 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
ACTING FS SPEAKS ON SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS MOTION ............................. 1
EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION FOR THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE REPORT ................. 2
MTRC ANNUAL REPORT 1990 TABLED............................................. 4
BILLS INTRODUCED TO REMOVE ANOMALIES IN ELECTION PROCEDURES ............... 5
HK ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED .................. 6
BILL A POSITIVE AND PRACTICAL LEGAL WELFARE MEASURE ....................... 9
FOUR BILLS INTRODUCED TO TRANSFER TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES TO VTC .... 10
MORE OUTLETS NEEDED FOR POLITICAL FUND RAISING............................ 13
TV COMPANIES TO BE CONTROLLED BY 'QUALIFIED' VOTING CONTROLLERS .......... 14
AMENDMENT BILL ENSURES GOVT'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS .......................................................... 15
INAPPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS DETAILS OF CHINESE POSITION ON AIRPORT: CS ... 18
GOVT TO REVIEW CONTROLS ON BILLBOARD-CARRYING VEHICLES ................... 19
REASONS FOR COUNTERMANDING AN ELECTION ON A CANDIDATE'S DEATH EXPLAINED 20
REMEDIAL WORKS FOR LEAKAGES IN LONG PING ESTATE COMPLETED ................ 20
NO REQUEST FOR AIRLINE TARIFFS ADJUSTMENT RECEIVED ....................... 21
COLLECTION OF DUTY ON CIGARETTES EXPLAINED ............................... 22
PILOT SCHEME PROMOTES USE OF COMMUNITY HALLS ............................. 24
CHARGES FOR NEW SERVICES ADDED TO TELEPHONE ORDINANCE'S SCHEDULE ......... 24
TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL BY-LAWS APPROVED ..................................... 26
THREE MOTIONS PASSED ..................................................... 26
REPORT ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PUBLISHED .................................... 27
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH RELEASED ............................... 29
INCREASING JAPANESE ACTIVITIES DEMONSTRATE HK'S ADVANTAGES ................. 31
ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION PRAISED FOR PROVIDING ALL-ROUND EDUCATION .... 33
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY ....................................................... 33
50 VM'S RETURN TO VIETNAM .................................................. 34
ISSUE OF MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS ......................................... 34
RE-OPENING OF COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY .......................... 34
THREE GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ........................................ 35
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ................. 36
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ............................................. 37
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
ACTING FS SPEAKS ON SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS MOTION
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS FOR LISTED COMPANIES:
I HAVE LISTENED WITH GREAT INTEREST TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS DEBATE. I BELIEVE THE PREDOMINANTLY THOUGHTFUL AND RATHER SOMBRE SPEECHES REFLECT THE IMPORTANCE AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUE. LET ME BEGIN BY ASSURING MEMBERS THAT OUR POLICIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL MARKETS ARE INDEED AS URGED IN THE MOTION UNDER DEBATE, FORMULATED AND EXECUTED WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE REGULATORS PLACE GREAT IMPORTANCE ON ENSURING THAT THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS ARE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET PRESERVED. THIS IS ESSENTIAL IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A LEADING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, AN AIM WE SHARE WITH MR STEPHEN CHEONG AND I BELIEVE ALL OTHER MEMBERS WHO HAD SPOKEN IN THIS DEBATE.
I HAVE TAKEN CAREFUL NOTE OF THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY MANY MEMBERS OVER THE CONCEPT OF CREATING A SPECIAL EXEMPT STATUS FOR CERTAIN COMPANIES. THESE COMMENTS WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AS THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG CONSIDER THE CONCEPT FURTHER. THE BASIC CONCEPT IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW SOME DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY IN REGULATORY MATTERS, THUS MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR COMPANIES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO REGULATION IN ANOTHER CENTRE WHICH HAS A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, NO LESS COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE THAN IN HONG KONG, TO BE LISTED HERE.
AS FAR AS WE ARE AWARE, THERE ARE NO PRECEDENTS IN THE FIELD OF SECURITIES REGULATION FOR COMPANIES WITH THEIR PRINCIPAL FOCUS OF ACTIVITY IN ONE CENTRE TO BE SUBJECT TO THE REGULATORY REGIME OF ANOTHER CENTRE, THOUGH THE CONCEPT CAN BE FOUND IN BANKING. THUS WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY, OBJECTIVELY AND COOLLY. NEVERTHELESS THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S SITUATION IS IN MANY WAYS UNIQUE MAY JUSTIFY BEING PREPARED TO LOOK AT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS, ALWAYS PROVIDED THESE DO NOT COMPROMISE INVESTOR PROTECTION, THE PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE REGULATORY SYSTEM.
AS MANY MEMBERS HAVE POINTED OUT, THE PARTICULAR ISSUE WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE ADRESSED, IS THE APPLICATION OF TAKE-OVER RULES. IT WOULD BE PREMATURE FOR ME AT THIS STAGE TO GO INTO DETAILS OF THE CONCEPT. THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE ARE STILL DEVELOPING THEIR THINKING AND MANY ASPECTS CLEARLY REMAIN TO BE WORKED OUT. BUT I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WHEN DETAILS HAVE BEEN FINALISED, THERE WILL BE EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN ADVANCE OF ANY DECISION BEING REACHED. THE PUBLIC AND INTERESTED PARTIES WILL THEN HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF ANY PROPOSALS AND THE EFFECT THEIR ADOPTION MIGHT HAVE ON THE INTEGRITY OF THE HONG KONG MARKET AND ON ITS INTERNATIONAL CREDIBILITY.
/FINALLY, I ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
FINALLY, I WOULD REITERATE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION FULLY ACCEPTS THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT PREJUDICING HONG KONG'S REGULATORY SYSTEM IN ORDER TO MEET THE WISHES OF ANY PARTICULAR PARTY OR PARTIES. AS I HAVE ALREADY INDICATED, WE WILL WISH TO BE FULLY SATISFIED THAT ANY PROPOSAL THAT EMERGES PROVIDES ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO INVESTORS, CONFERS NO UNFAIR ADVANTAGE AND MAINTAINS THE CREDIBILITY OF OUR REGULATORY SYSTEM. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT MUST THEN BE FOR THE COMPANIES CONCERNED TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WISH TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR LISTING IN HONG KONG ON THE BASIS IDENTIFIED AS ACCEPTABLE BY THE REGULATORS.
SIR, WITH THESE REMARKS, I SUPPORT THE MOTION.
- - 0 - -
EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION FOR THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE REPORT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO GIVE THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE COVERAGE THROUGH EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A CO-ORDINATING GROUP SPECIFICALLY FOR THE EXERCISE HAD BEEN SET UP JOINTLY BY THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO COLLATE PUBLIC OPINION UNTIL THE END OF JULY, SAID MRS WONG IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"WE WELCOME VIEWS FROM ALL," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF THE WORKING PARTY WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRST STEP TOWARDS REDRESSING THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND SPECIALISED MEDICAL SERVICES AND TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS THROUGH HEALTH PROMOTION AND EDUCATION.
NOTING THAT FOR YEARS HONG KONG’S HEALTH SYSTEM WAS HIGHLY HOSPITAL-ORIENTED, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WITH ITS STRONG EMPHASIS ON HEALTH PROMOTION, DISEASE PREVENTION, CONTINUITY OF CARE AND REHABILITATION IN THE COMMUNITY, WITH DUE INVOLVEMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, HAD NEITHER BEEN FULLY UNDERSTOOD, NOR APPRECIATED NOR DEVELOPED.
SHE SAID THAT THE CONCEPT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AS THE BASIS OF A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, DISTINGUISHED FROM THE MORE EXPENSIVE AND MORE SPECIALISED MEDICAL SERVICES, HAD NOT RECEIVED ADEQUATE APTENTLON.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY FELL BROADLY INTO TWO CATEGORIES : THOSE WHICH BUILT ON THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND EMPHASISED THE NEED TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF SERVICES; AND THOSE WHICH REQUIRED A MAJOR REVAMPING OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM OR INITIATED A NEW APPROACH ALTOGETHER.
/HIGHLIGHTING THE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
HIGHLIGHTING THh THEMES AND UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES OF THE WORKING PARTY'S MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS, MRS WONG SAID: "FIRST, THE WORKING PARTY REAFFIRMS GOVERNMENT’S BELIEF IN THE NEED TO REDRESS THE IMBALANCE BETWEEN HOSPITAL CARE AND PRIMARY HEALTH <ARE IN HONG KONG’S HEALTH POLICY.
"IT ALSO COMMENDS THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE CARDINAL PRINCIPLE OF EQUITY - THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM OBTAINING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT," SHE SAID.
THE NEED FOR COLLABORATION AND CO-ORDINATION, SAID MRS WONG, WAS ANOTHER RECURRING THEME. "THE WORKING PARTY HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, BETTER INTERFACE BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND CLOSER COORDINATION AMONG VARIOUS PROVIDERS OF SERVICES," SHE ADDED.
UNDERLINING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CONCEPT OF PARTICIPATORY CARE, MRS WONG SAID THIS CALLED FOR PARTICIPATION OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, PROFESSIONALS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, ALL HAVING AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE HEALTH CARE PROCESS.
"WE BELIEVE IN THE IMPORTANT- CENTRAL ROLE OF THE PEOPLE.
"PARTICIPATORY CARE IS A SYSTEM OF CARE WHICH STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION BY THE INDIVIDUAL : IT LOOKS FOR REALISTIC IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMMES; IT CALLS FOR THE UTMOST FLEXIBILITY OF AN INTEGRATED APPROACH AND IT REFLECTS THE NEED FOR CONTINUUM OF CARE," SHE SAID.
ON THE COST ELEMENT, MRS WONG SAID THE WORKING PARTY HAD NOT LOST SIGHT OF IT.
"IT DEFINES PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AS ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE MADE UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BUT AT A COST THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN BEAR. INDEED, THE WORKING PARTY, IN MAKING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, HAS ADOPTED A PRACTICAL APPROACH.
"ON THE ONE HAND, PRAGMATISM DICTATES THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT OUR RESOURCE SITUATION BEFORE WE DECIDE ON THE MODALITIES OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WE MUST HAVE REGARD TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COMMUNITY INVESTING IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SO AS TO BETTER RESPOND TO OUR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC NEEDS AND OPTIMISE AVAILABLE MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES," MRS WONG SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE WORKING PARTY CALLED FOR CHANGES TO THE EXISTING SYSTEM, BUT ON A CAUTIOUS AND GRADUAL BASIS.
"THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED BY THE INITIATION OF PILOT SCHEMES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS IN PHASES. THIS WILL LEAVE ROOM FOR EVALUATION, ADJUSTMENT AND CONSOLIDATION," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG ALSO REFERRED TO THE DENTAL SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH HAD IN PARALLEL REVIEWED ORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
/IN THANKING .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
4
IN THANKING THEM FOR THEIR REPORT, SHE SAID A SYNOPSIS OF THE RELEVANT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAD BEEN INCORPORATED INTO A SEPARATE DOCUMENT FOR CONSULTATION.
NOTING THAT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAD BEEN ADVOCATING THAT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WAS THE KEY TO HEALTH DEVELOPMENT AND THAT ITS TARGET WAS ’’HEALTH FOR ALL BY THE YEAR 2000", MRS WONG SAID: "FOR US, THE WAY AHEAD IS TO ACHIEVE HEALTH FOR ALL.
---------0-----------
MTRC ANNUAL REPORT 1990 TABLED ♦ t ♦ *
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S (MTRC) COMMITMENT TO FURTHER ENHANCING THE SAFETY, RELIABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF ITS SERVICES.
SPEAKING ON THE MTRC ANNUAL REPORT 1990 WHICH WAS TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR MACLEOD SAID THE CORPORATION HAI) MADE LONG TERM PLANS TO UPGRADE THE RUNNING OF THE RAILWAY AND TO INVEST FURTHER IN ASSETS TO INCREASE COST-EFFICIENCY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
HE NOTED THAT THE CORPORATION’S RESULTS IN 1990 WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE FORECASTS UNDERLYING ITS LONG TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY.
LAST YEAR, THE MTRC CARRIED SOME 719 MILLION PASSENGERS, AN INCREASE OF 4.6 PER CENT OVER 1989, AND ITS FARE REVENUE GREW BY 15 PER CENT TO $2.7 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH RECURRENT REVENUE FROM OTHER SOURCES SUCH AS ESTATE MANAGEMENT, SHOP RENTALS AND ADVERTISING, TOTAL REVENUE FOR 1990 WAS $3.2 BILLION, 15.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1989, MR MACLEOD SAID.
ITS TOTAL OPERATING COSTS WERE UP BY 20 PER CENT, MAINLY DUE TO RISING WAGES AND INCREASES IN RAILWAY MAINTENANCE COSTS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, ADDING THAT THE CORPORATION EARNED A PROFIT OF $1.27 BILLION BEFORE INTEREST CHARGES, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT OVER THAT IN 1989.
"HOWEVER, INTEREST CHARGES IN 1990 AMOUNTED TO $1.58 BILLION, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF $312 MILLION.
"WITH NON-RECURRENT PROFITS FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS AT $204 MILLION, THE CORPORATION INCURRED A NET LOSS OF $108 MILLION IN 1990, COMPARED WITH A PROFIT OF $56 MILLION IN 1989," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE CORPORATION’S LOANS AND FINANCE LIABILITIES AT THE END OF 1990 STOOD AT $18.5 BILLION AND THE YEAR-END DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO WAS 2.8 TO 1, COMPARED WITH 2.9 TO 1 IN 1989.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
5
HE SAID A PRUDENT FINANCING PROGRAMME WAS NECESSARY FOR REFINANCING MATURING DEBTS AT A REASONABLE COST.
”IN A PERIOD OF CONSIDERABLE FLUCTUATION IN THE WORLD CAPITAL MARKETS, I AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE MTRC REMAINS WELL RESPECTED IN THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY.
"THE RESPECTABLE CREDIT RATINGS ENJOYED BY THE CORPORATION DEMONSTRATE CONFIDENCE IN THE ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF THE CORPORATION AS A PRINCIPAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANY IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE CORPORATION’S CURRENT FINANCIAL STRATEGY WAS SOUND AND ITS REVENUE GROWTH SUFFICIENT TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS.
IN TWO TO THREE YEARS, THE CORPORATION WAS EXPECTED TO MAKE A PROFIT AFTER INTEREST CHARGES WITHOUT RECOURSE TO EARNINGS FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS, HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD ALSO NOTED THAT DURING 1990 THE CORPORATION HAD CONTINUED TO LIAISE WITH GOVERNMENT OVER POTENTIAL EXTENSIONS TO THE MTR SYSTEM.
"IT HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH GOVERNMENT ON THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY OF THE NEW AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"OTHER POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS WILL BE EXAMINED IN THE CONTEXT OF GOVERNMENT’S RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY TO BE UNDERTAKEN LATER THIS YEAR. NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN ON ANY OF THESE POTENTIAL EXTENSIONS," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
BILLS INTRODUCED TO REMOVE ANOMALIES IN ELECTION PROCEDURES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE OBJECT OF THE BILL WAS TO REMOVE THE EXISTING ANOMALY WHICH BARRED CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN OR VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL FROM VOTING IN THE ELECTION TO THOSE OFFICES.
IT ALSO SOUGHT TO REMOVE THE UNNECESSARY REQUIREMENT TO HOLD A SECRET BALLOT EVEN IF ONLY ONE CANDIDATE WAS NOMINATED FOR ELECTION TO THE OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN OR VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL. OR FOR ELECTION AS DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE ON THE URBAN COUNCIL.
SIR DAVID SAID THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WERE EACH ELIGIBLE FOR A SPECIAL ALLOWANCE BY VIRTUE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES.
/'•CANDIDATES FOR.........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
6
"CANDIDATES FOR THESE OFFICES WOULD THEREFORE BE DEEMED TO HAVE A PECUNIARY INTEREST AND WOULD ACCORDINGLY BE BARRED FROM VOTING IN THE ELECTION TO THOSE OFFICES BY SECTION 19 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
"TO REMOVE THIS ANOMALY, CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL SEEKS TO AMEND SECTION 19 TO PROVIDE THAT THE RECEIPT OF, THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE, OR THE POSSIBILITY OF RECEIVING AN ALLOWANCE, SPECIAL ALLOWANCE, OR HONORARIUM WILL NOT BE TREATED AS PECUNIARY INTERESTS," HE SAID.
ON THE ELECTION OF THE COUNCIL’S CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN AND DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS ON THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE PRESENT FIFTH SCHEDULE TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE PRESCRIBED THAT THEY SHOULD BE ELECTED BY SECRET BALLOT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES.
SIR DAVID SAID CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL SOUGHT TO ADD A PROVISION TO THE FIFTH SCHEDULE TO PROVIDE THAT, WHERE ONLY ONE CANDIDATE WAS NOMINATED IN SUCH AN ELECTION, THAT CANDIDATE SHOULD BE DEEMED TO BE ELECTED.
HE SAID THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN THE BILL HAD BEEN AGREED WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL.
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID ITS OBJECT WAS IDENTICAL TO THAT OF THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, AND SO WERE THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED TO THE CORRESPONDING SECTION AND SCHEDULE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE.
THEY HAD ALSO BEEN AGREED WITH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, HE SAID.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
---------0-----------
HK ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED * t t * * l
THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE CLEAR STATUTORY BACKING '1'0 THE RULES ON NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES MADE BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (HKAB), WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THESE RULES WERE MADE WITH THE INTENTION TO DETER CURRENCY SPECULATI ON WHICH COULD DISRUPT THE PROPER CONDUCT OF BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
"I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS III AT I HE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE PRECAUTIONARY IN NATURE.
/"GIVEN THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
’’GIVEN THAT THE MERE THREAT OF IMPOSING NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES HAS PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN DETERRING SPECULATION ON A REVALUATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THERE WILL BE A NEED TO IMPLEMENT THESE RULES,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD REFERRED TO A PERIOD IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1987 WHEN THERE WAS PERSISTENT SPECULATION ABOUT A REVALUATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR.
HE NOTED THAT DESPITE REPEATED STATEMENTS BY THE GOVERNMENT THAT THE EXCHANGE RATE LINK BETWEEN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE U.S. DOLLAR WOULD NOT BE CHANGED, SPECULATIVE BUYING OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR CONTINUED AND THERE WERE SIGNS OF INTENSIFICATION.
IN ORDER TO DISCOURAGE FURTHER INFLOW INTO THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, THE HKAB COMMITTEE SUCCESSIVELY CUT INTEREST RATES ON FIVE OCCASIONS BETWEEN OCTOBER 1987 AND JANUARY 1988, WIDENING CONSIDERABLY THE INTEREST RATE DIFFERENTIALS BETWEEN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND DEPOSITS IN A NUMBER Of FOREIGN CURRENCIES, INCLUDING THE U.S. DOLLAR.
MR MACLEOD SAID IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF EVENTS, THESE LARGE DIFFERENTIALS SHOULD, IN TIME, HAVE LED TO A CORRECTIVE OUTFLOW FROM THE HONG KONG DOLLAR. HOWEVER, RUMOURS OF AN IMMINENT REVALUATION WERE SO STRONG THAT SUCH AN OUTFLOW DID NOT OCCUR.
’’THE SPECULATION BECAME SEVERE ENOUGH TO EXERT PRESSURE ON OUR CURRENCY AND DISRUPT THE PROPER CONDUCT OF BANKING BUSINESS AND GENUINE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE REMEDY IDENTIFIED WAS TO PROVIDE THE POTENTIAL FOR A MUCH FURTHER WIDENING OF THE INTEREST RATE DIFFERENTIALS BY INTRODUCING THE CONCEPT OF NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES.
”IN THIS CONNECTION, THE SPECIFIED RATE RULE WAS MADE BY THE HKAB COMMITTEE ON DECEMBER 19, 19R7, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CHARGING OF INTEREST ON LARGE HONG KONG DOLLAR CLEARING BALANCES MAINTAINED BY BANKS LICENSED IN HONG KONG.
’’THE RULE ALSO PROVIDED THAT ALL FUNDS COLLECTED SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AS CONTROLLER OF THE EXCHANGE FUND.
"IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT BANKS ADOPTED A UNIFORM PRACTICE IN PASSING ON THIS INTEREST CHARGE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, THE HKAB COMMITTEE, AGAIN AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MADE CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES ON INTEREST RATES, LATER RETITLED RULES ON INTEREST RATES AND DEPOSIT CHARGES, ON JANUARY 14, 1988, TO EMPOWER THE COMMITTEE TO SPECIFY PRACTICES TO BE ADOPTED BY BANKS.
"THIS PROVIDED THAT DEPOSIT CHARGES MIGHT BE IMPOSED ON LARGE HONG KONG DOLLAR CREDIT BALANCES MAINTAINED BY THEIR CUSTOMERS, IF THERE WAS /X NEED TO DO SO."
/THE ACTING .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
8
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RULES, THE MERE THREAT OF THE IMPOSITION OF NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES HAD, AS EXPECTED, PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN DETERRING SPECULATION ON A REVALUATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, AND THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY NEED To INTRODUCE THESE RULES.
HOWEVER, DOUBTS WERE EXPRESSED AT THAT TIME-LAW SOCIETY, AMONGST OTHERS, AS TO THE LEGALITY OF IMPLEMENTING NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES.
B^ THE HONG KONG THE MECHANISM FOR
’’THESE DOUBTS CENTRED ON WHETHER THE HKAB COMMITTEE HAD THE NECESSARY POWERS TO MAKE THE RELEVANT RULES, BEARING IN MIND THAT NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES WERE INTENDED PRIMARILY TO INFLUENCE THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"QUERIES WERE ALSO RAISED AS TO WHETHER THE PASSING OF THE FUNDS COLLECTED BY HKAB TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE SPECIFIED RATE RULE CONSTITUTED AN INDIRECT TAX AND, THEREFORE, COULD NOT BE MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE."
NR MACLEOD SAID THE LEGAL OPINION OF HKAB’S OWN COUNSEL AT THAT TIME WAS THAT THE ORDINANCE AFFORDED SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY FOR HKAB TO ADOPT THE RULES CONCERNING NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES BECAUSE THEY DID RELATE TO "THE CONDUCT OF THE BUSINESS OF BANKING" AND WERE FOR THE GENUINE BANKING PURPOSE OF CURBING SPECULATION WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE CREATE CHAOS AND DISORDER IN THE BANKING SYSTEM.
THE LEGAL ADVICE THE GOVERNMENT OBTAINED CONCERNING THE PASSING OF FUNDS TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS THAT THE INTEREST CHARGES, IF IMPOSED, WOULD BE IMPOSED BY HKAB UNDER ITS OWN RULES AND IT WOULD BE HKAB’S DECISION TO PAY THE AMOUNT COLLECTED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY \S CONTROLLER OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AS A GIFT AND NOT AS A LEVY IMPOSED B'i GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE HKAB HAD INTENDED TO SEEK A JUDICIAL REVIEW ON WHETHER ITS ADOPTION OF THE RULES WAS VALID IN VIEW OF THE LAW SOCIETY’S DOUBTS.
"PROCEEDINGS WERE ISSUED BUT LATER DROPPED BECAUSE THE LAW SOCIETY DID NOT WISH TO PROCEED WITH DEFENDING THE CASE.
"WHILST WE THINK IT LIKELY THAT DECLARATIONS, IF MADE, WOULD BE IN FAVOUR OF THE VALIDITY OF THE TWO SETS OF RULES, A RENEWED CHALLENGE MAY UNDERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RULES.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO PUT MATTERS BEYOND DOUBT," MR MACLEOD SAID, ADDING THAT THIS WAS BEST DONE NOW, WHEN THERE WAS NO IMMINENT PROSPECT OF NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES HAVING TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
IN SUM, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SOUGHT TO AMEND THE HKAB ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE THE ASSOCIATION WITH EXPRESS POWERS TO MAKE RULES FOR THE IMPOSITION OF DEPOSIT CHARGES AND INTEREST CHARGES LN RESPECT OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND THE TRANSFER OF THE INTEREST CHARGES TO THE EXCHANGE FUND.
/TO ENSURE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL, 24, 1991
- 9
TO ENSURE THAT THE EXISTING RULES FELL WITHIN SUCH POWERS, MR MACLEOD SAID CLAUSE 8 SOUGHT TO PROVIDE THAT THE RULES HAD BEEN MADE UNDER THE HKAB ORDINANCE AS AMENDED BY THE BILL.
"IN ADDITION, THE OPPORTUNITY IS TAKEN TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENTS TO EMPOWER THE HKAB COMMITTEE TO GIVE NOTIFICATIONS TO MEMBERS OF NEW OR AMENDING RULES BY FACSIMILE, AND TO REINSTATE REFERENCES TO THE TERMS ’UNINCORPORATED BANKS’ AND ’PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS' IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE WHICH WERE INADVERTENTLY DELETED WHEN THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) ORDINANCE 1990 WAS ENACTED.
"THE PROPOSALS IN THIS BILL ARE SUPPORTED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS,” HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
BILL A POSITIVE AND PRACTICAL LEGAL WELFARE MEASURE
THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR BILL 1991 WAS COMMENDED AS A POSITIVE AND PRACTICAL LEGAL WELFARE MEASURE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IT RATIONALISED THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OFFICE OF OFFICIAL SOLICITOR.
EXPLAINING THE PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE AND PUBLIC BENEFIT OF THE OI-FICF OF OFFICIAL SOLICITOR, MR MATHEWS SAID: "ESSENTIALLY HF (OR SHE) IS AN OFFICER OF THE COURT AVAILABLE, IN APPROPRIATE ( I RI ■ INSTANCES, TO V'T FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AC T FOR THEMSELVES P.F< \l’SE OF some I EG AL OR MENTAL DISABILITY.
"P.\ 1W OF PRACTICAL I I I .USTR \T I ON , IN Till 'ASI- OF CHILDREN THE oi l-|( |,\l. sol.l' ITOR ACTS FOR III" .I Mio HAM- No olJF To REPRESENT THEM IN LI-GAI PROOF I-1) INGS, FOR EXAMPLE THE CHILD Mio HAS LOST BOTH I’XRENTS IN AN AM I DENI .
"IN THE CASE OF MENTAL PATIENTS THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR WILL REI Fl- :l NT THEIR INTERESTS IN A VARIETY OF, OFTEN COMPLEX , SITUATIONS INAolAIMG UH' ADMINISTRATION OF THEIR LEGAL AFFAIRS."
AT PRESENT, HIE REGISTRAR GEUI RAI WAS l-GPOM-RED UNDER SEI I’lON 3 O|. , \NU I HI SECOND SITIFDUI I TO, THI REGISTRAR GI-M-IMI ( FSTABI ISHMFNT) oRRINXN'I TO EXERCISE 'HIE POWERS XNI» Fl l.'l oRM Illi- III III •; CONI I-1,'RFH OR IMPOSED UPON THE HOLDER OF THE OFT ICE ol- o| I |i | Al. Sol.li I lull.
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT THE DUTIES OF OFFICIAL SOLICITOR DID NOT BLEND READILY WITH THE OTHER LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL FUNCTIONS OF' THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AND THIS HAD PROMPTED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW 'HIE I URRENT ARRANGEMENTS.
/"THAT REVIEW .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 10 -
"THAT REVIEW HAS IDENTIFIED TWO ASPECTS OF THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE NOT ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY.
"FIRST, THE AMBIT OF THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR’S DUTIES IS NOT DESCRIBED IN EXISTING LEGISLATION.
"SECONDLY, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SINGLE PUBLIC OFFICER WHO CAN BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AS THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE AT PRESENT: WHILE SOME OF THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE OFFICE ARE PROVIDED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, OTHERS ARE PROVIDED BY THE CROWN SOLICITOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL IMPROVED UPON THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS BY PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN OFFICIAL SOLICITOR, WHOSE DUTIES WERE SET OUT IN CLAUSE. 4 OF, AND THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO, THE BILL.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR WOUEL TAKE OVER THE WORK HITHERTO CARRIED OUT BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL AS OFFICIAL SOLICITOR, JUDICIAL TRUSTEE AND OFFICIAL TRUSTEE AND CERTAIN DUTIES PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE CROWN SOLICITOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL RELIEVE THE REGISTRAR GENERAL OF DUTIES INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF HIS DEPARTMENT AND WILL MAKE THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR AND HIS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CLEARLY IDENTIFIABLE," HE SAID.
CLAUSE 6 OF THE BILL EMPOWERED THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR TO CHARGE FOR HIS SERVICES AND RECOVER COSTS.
CLAUSE 7 PROVIDED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WAS TO BE APPOINTED THE FIRST OFFICIAL SOLICITOR.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
FOUR BILLS INTRODUCED TO TRANSFER TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES TO VTC *****
FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO GI’VE EFFECT TO THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO TRANSFER RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELIVERING APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED FROM THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC).
THEY WERE THE APPRENTICESHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
/MOVING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
11 -
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE APPRENTICESHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO REPLACE REFERENCES TO THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING WITH REFERENCES TO A DIRECTOR OF APPRENTICESHIP TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE INTENTION WAS TO APPOINT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VTC AS THE DIRECTOR OF APPRENTICESHIP, HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID WHEN THE VTC WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982, IT TOOK OVER MOST OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL, THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING BRANCH OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"TWO SERVICES, HOWEVER, REMAINED OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE VTC, NAMELY, APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED.
"IN ORDER FOR THESE SERVICES TO BE DELIVERED, A NEW DEPARTMENT, CALLED THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, WAS CREATED.
"THE DIRECTOR OF THAT DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO MADE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VTC," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE VTC WAS INITIALLY STAFFED BY CIVIL SERVANTS POSTED TO IT ON SECONDMENT, AND LATER ON BY STAFF DIRECTLY EMPLOYED ON THE COUNCIL’S TERMS.
AS THIS MIXED STAFF SITUATION HAD GIVEN RISE TO A NUMBER OF INTRACTABLE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED, FOLLOWING A RECENT REVIEW, TO INVITE THE CIVIL SERVANTS INVOLVED TO TRANSFER TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE VTC.
"ASSUMING THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE CIVIL SERVANTS INVOLVED WOULD TAKE UP THIS INVITATION AND CROSS OVER TO THE SERVICE OF THE VTC, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR THOSE SERVICES THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY VESTED TN THE VTC TO BE VESTED IN THE VTC," THE SECRETARY SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE VTC HAD AGREED TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING THESE SERVICES. HENCE THESE FOUR AMENDING BILLS.
"OF COURSE, THOSE CIVIL SERVANTS WHO DO NOT WISH TO TRANSFER TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE VTC MAY CHOOSE TO REMAIN AS CIVIL SERVANTS.
"ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT AT LEAST SOME WOULD ELECT TO REMAIN AS CIVIL SERVANTS, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO RETAIN THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT, BUT ONLY FOR RESIDUAL PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS," HF SAID.
WHEN THE VTC WAS FORMED IN 1982, ITS ENABLING ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SHOULD BE THE VTC’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR YEUNG NOTED.
/SINCE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 12 -
SINCE THE FUTURE DIRECTOR OF THAT DEPARTMENT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE ONLY FOR THE ROUTINE MANAGEMENT OF THE REMAINING CIVIL SERVANTS AND NOT FOR THE DELIVERY OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE VTC TO APPOINT ITS OWN CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTORATE TEAM, WHO SHOULD NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT.
ACCORDINGLY, SAID MR YEUNG, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SOUGHT TO CREATE POSTS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VTC, IN PLACE OF THE POSTS OF DIRECTOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.
"SECONDLY, GIVEN HIS PRESENT INVOLVEMENT IN POLICY FORMULATION, THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS TO BE MADE A MEMBER OF THE VTC.
"THIRDLY, THE BILL ENABLES THE VTC TO ESTABLISH, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN SKILLS CENTRES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING VOCATIONAL AND VOCATION-RELATED TRAINING FOR DISABLED PEOPLE AGED 15 AND OVER, AND TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING," HE SAID.
THE OPPORTUNITY HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO AMEND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THE VTC TO APPOINT ITS OWN AUDITOR AND TO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT TO CARRY OUT VALUE-FOR-MONEY EXAMINATIONS INTO ITS OPERATIONS, THE SECRETARY SAID.
TO PREPARE FOR THE TRANSFER OF SUB-DEGREE LEVEL COURSES FROM THE TWO POLYTECHNICS, THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF TECHNICAL COLLEGES BY THE VTC, MR YEUNG ADDED.
AT THE PRESENT TIME, THERE WERE FOUR PUBLIC OFFICERS ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND THREE PUBLIC OFFICERS ON THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY.
"IN EACH AUTHORITY, TWO OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS REPRESENT THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING WHO, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, ALSO SERVES THE VTC AS ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
"SINCE THE FUTURE DIRECTOR WILL BE RESPONSIBLE ONLY FOR ROUTINE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS, IT WILL NO LONGER BE APPROPRIATE TO APPOINT EITHER THE DIRECTOR OR HIS REPRESENTATIVES TO SIT ON THE TWO AUTHORITIES.
"IT WILL BE NECESSARY, HOWEVER, TO CONTINUE ALLOWING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VTC TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE AUTHORITIES IN HIS OWN RIGHT," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PROVIDED FOR THESE CHANGES.
SUBJECT TO THE BILLS BEING ENACTED, IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE VTC FOR DELIVERING APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING AND TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED BE EFFECTED IN JUNE, MR YEUNG ADDED.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
- - 0---------
/13 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 13 -
MORE OUTLETS NEEDED FOR POLITICAL FUND RAISING
POLITICAL FUND RAISING IS A LEGITIMATE AND INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACCEPTABLE OUTLETS NEED TO BE PROVIDED FOR THEM, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MR TSAO SAID AT PRESENT THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WAS THE LAWFUL AUTHORITY FOR ISSUING PERMITS FOR COLLECTION OF MONEY IN PUBLIC PLACES, BUT HE NORMALLY ONLY ISSUED PERMITS FOR COLLECTIONS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
THIS ARRANGEMENT, HE SAID, HAD WORKED WELL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
"HOWEVER, DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY' THE ADVENT OF DIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR CHANGE," MR TSAO SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID THE OBJECT OF THE BILL WAS TO PROVIDE A NEW ARRANGEMENT FOR THE ISSUE OF PERMITS FOR THE COLLECTION OF MONEY IN PUBLIC PLACES.
UNDER THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD CONTINUE TO ISSUE PERMITS FOR SUCH COLLECTIONS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WOULD ISSUE PERMITS FOR COLLECTIONS FOR "ANY OTHER PURPOSES".
NOTING THAT A WIDE VARIETY OF OUTLETS FOR POLITICAL FUND RAISING ALREADY EXISTED - THESE GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WERE FREE TO RAISE FUNDS IN PRIVATELY OWNED PREMISES AND THROUGH THE MAIL AND THE PRINTED MEDIA, MR TSAO SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS NEVERTHELESS MINDFUL OF THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL OUTLETS IN SUITABLE PUBLIC PLACES.
"IN SO DOING, HOWEVER, WE MUST TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CROWDED CONDITIONS OF OUR STREETS AND THOROUGHFARES, AND THE NEED TO AVOID COMPETITION WITH CHARITABLE FUND RAISING WHICH IS HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON INCOME FROM STREET COLLECTION.
"ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, THE BEST ARRANGEMENT IN OUR VIEW IS FOR POLITICAL FUND RAISING TO BE ALLOWED IN CONFINED PUBLIC PLACES SUCH 'AS STADIA, CIVIC CENTRES, AND COMMUNITY CENTRES WHERE ATTENDANCE WOULD NOT BE INCIDENTAL BUT WOULD BE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE," HE SAID.
A SET OF GUIDELINES HAD ALREADY BEEN PREPARED, MR TSAO SAID.
"AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE GUIDELINES SET OUT, FIRST, THAT NORMALLY THE SECRETARY WILL WISH TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE FUNDS RAISED WILL BE USED IN WAYS WHICH CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, AND SECONDLY, THAT THE FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES ARE TO BE HELD IN CONFINED PLACES," HE SAID.
/MR TSAO ......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 14 -
• MR TSAO ADDED THAT THE BILL SOUGHT TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE AS THERE HAD BEEN QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER IT COVERED THE EXCHANGE OF BADGES, TOKENS, AND SIMILAR ARTICLES FOR DONATIONS IN PUBLIC PLACES.
’’THE BILL MAKES CLEAR THAT IT IS APPLICABLE TO SUCH EXCHANGES," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0------------
TV COMPANIES TO BE CONTROLLED BY ’QUALIFIED’ VOTING CONTROLLERS t * * * t *
THE POTENTIAL TO CONTROL A TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANY WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE HANDS OF ’QUALIFIED" .VOTING CONTROLLERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MR TSAO EXPLAINED THAT ITS MAIN PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE A STATUTORY FRAMEWORK THAT WOULD PERMIT SHARES IN TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES TO BE TRANSFERRED TO AND HELD IN THE NAMES OF NOMINEES.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT WOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT INDIVIDUALS ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG OVER A SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD AND COMPANIES -- A MAJORITY OF WHOSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS SO RESIDENT IN HONG KONG -- RETAIN THE POTENTIAL TO CONTROL SUCH LICENSEES.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE FIRST HONG KONG LEGISLATION DEALING WITH TELEVISION IN 1964, ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S AIMS WAS TO ENSURE THAT TELEVISION SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE FIRMLY LINKED WITH HONG KONG, AND THAT THE INFLUENCE OF PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT LONG-STANDING LOCAL RESIDENTS SHOULD BE RESTRICTED.
SUCH RESTRICTIONS ON BROADCASTERS WERE COMMON IN MOST DEVELOPED ECONOMIES, HE SAID.
"UNTIL NOW WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESTRICT THE INFLUENCE OF 'UNQUALIFIED' PERSONS (ESSENTIALLY NON LOCAL RESIDENTS) BY RESTRICTING THEIR OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN LICENSEES.
"TO ENSURE EFFECTIVENESS, IT HAS ALSO BEEN NECESSARY TO PROHIBIT THE OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY NOMINEE COMPANIES LEST UNQUALIFIED PERSONS ATTEMPT CLANDESTINELY TO ACQUIRE SHARES IN EXCESS OF THAT PERMITTED."
HOWEVER, MR TSAO SAID THIS MEANS OF CONTROL HAD TWO MAJOR DRAWBACKS.
/"FIRST, FROM ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 15 -
"FIRST, FROM A REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE, IT IS NOT WHOLLY SATISFACTORY TO TARGET THE OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BECAUSE THE CONTROL OF A LICENSEE COMPANY (AND THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT WE SEEK TO RESTRICT) MAY NOT BE DEPENDENT ON THE OWNERSHIP OF SHARES ALONE, BUT MAY BE EXERCISED THROUGH LEGAL, FAMILY AND OTHER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ACTUAL SHAREHOLDER OR BENEFICIAL OWNER.
"SECONDLY, THE RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERS, INCLUDING NOMINEE SHAREHOLDERS, HAVE PROVED TO BE AN IMPEDIMENT TO THE TRADE IN SHARES OF LICENSEE COMPANIES," MR TSAO SAID.
AS SHAREHOLDINGS IN THE NAMES OF NOMINEES WAS A ROUTINE MEANS OF INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC COMPANIES IN HONG KONG, MR TSAO SAID IT WAS NOT THE WISH OF THE GOVERNMENT ARTIFICIALLY TO INHIBIT THE TRANSFER OF SHARES IN HONG KONG REGISTERED COMPANIES.
"THIS BILL REPEALS THE RESTRICTIONS ON THE OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY UNQUALIFIED PERSONS AND REMOVES THE PROHIBITION ON NOMINEE SHAREHOLDERS, BUT RETAINS RESTRICTIONS ON NON-LOCAL INFLUENCE IN TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES BY TARGETTING THE CONTROL EXERCISED BY UNQUALIFIED VOTING CONTROLLERS RATHER THAN THE OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY SUCH PERSONS.
"WE BELIEVE THIS HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF MORE EFFECTIVELY REGULATING WHAT OUR LEGISLATION HAS ALWAYS SOUGHT TO REGULATE, MR TSAO SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
AMENDMENT BILL ENSURES GOVT’S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS *****
THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WILL MAKE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT THE ARRANGEMENTS AGREED INTERNATIONALLY FOR THE TREATMENT OF ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM VIETNAM, AS SET DOWN IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
OUTLINING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL AIMS OF THE BILL, MR ASPREY SAID: "THE FIRST IS TO ENSURE THAT, WHERE A PERSON IS DETAINED PENDING DETERMINATION OF HIS STATUS AS \ REFUGEE OR NOT, THE REASONABLENESS OF THE LENGTH OF DETENTION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WAITING TO BE SCREENED, AND THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES.
/"THE SECOND .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
16
’’THE SECOND IS TO ENSURE THAT, WHERE A PERSON WHO IS NOT A REFUGEE IS DETAINED PENDING REMOVAL FROM HONG KONG, THE REASONABLENESS OF THE LENGTH OF DETENTION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED HAVING REGARD TO THE AVAILABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPATRIATION, AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH SUCH A PERSON HAS WAILED HIMSELF OF THOSE ARRANGEMENTS.
"THE THIRD IS TO ENSURE THAT ANY VIETNAMESE PERSON WHO ARRIVES IN HONG KONG WITHOUT A VISA AND THEREFORE REQUIRES PERMISSION TO REMAIN CANNOT AVOID DETENTION SIMPLY BY REFUSING TO CO-OPERATE WITH NORMAL IMMIGRATION EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS.
"THE FOURTH IS TO PUT BEYOND DOUBT OUR POWER TO TRANSFER PEOPLE BETWEEN CENTRES, INCLUDING FOR REASONS OF ORDER OR GOOD MANAGEMENT IN THE DETENTION CENTRES.
"FINALLY, THE BILL WILL MAKE CLEAR THAT ALL THE DECISIONS OF THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD, AND NOT ONLY ITS DECISION ON AN APPELLANT’S STATUS, ARE NOT IN THEMSELVES JUDICIALLY REVIEWABLE."
MR ASPREY ALSO EXPLAINED IN GREATER DETAIL THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE POWERS OF DETENTION, AND FOR THE TRANSFER OF PERSONS BETWEEN CENTRES IN THE INTEREST OF GOOD ORDER AND MANAGEMENT.
HE MADE LT CLEAR THAT DETENTION WAS NOT OF ITSELF THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE.
"QUITE THE CONTRARY, OUR OBJECTIVE IS RESETTLEMENT OR REPATRIATION AS APPROPRIATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY AGREED AND ACCEPTED ARRANGEMENTS.
"THIS OBJECTIVE WOULD BE FRUSTRATED IF PERSONS WHO HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED A CLAIM TO REFUGEE STATUS, OR WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES, WERE TO BE RELEASED TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
"WE WOULD IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE LOST CONTROL DE FACTO OVER IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG FROM VIETNAM," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THE FIRST REQUIREMENT OF IMMIGRATION CONTROL OVER UNDOCUMENTED ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM WAS TO DETERMINE STATUS, AND HENCE ELIGIBILITY FOR RESETTLEMENT OR NOT.
"IT IS OUR WISH TO COMPLETE SCREENING AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER ARRIVAL.
"WE DEVOTE VERY CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES TO THIS : OVER 300 STAFF ARE EMPLOYED FULL TIME ON THIS WORK, AND THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST IS SOME $64 MILLION.
"BUT OUR RESOURCES ARE NOT WITHOUT LIMIT; THE WORKLOAD IS VERY LARGE, WITH OVER 53,000 ASYLUM SEEKERS HAVING ARRIVED FROM VIETNAM SINCE STATUS DETERMINATION WAS INTRODUCED IN JUNE 1988; AND THE WISH FOR SPEED MUST BE BALANCED AGAINST THE NEED FOR A FAIR AND THOROUGH CONSIDERATION OF EACH CASE AND EACH CLAIM," HE SAID.
/MR ASPREY .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 17 -
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SO FAR COMPLETED SCREENING OF ABOUT 21,000 PERSONS, AND THERE WERE SOME 29,000 PERSONS AWAITING SCREENING AND THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME AT PRESENT WAS TWO YEARS FROM DATE OF ARRIVAL.
"IT IS, HOWEVER, OUR WISH TO REDUCE THIS TIME, IF POSSIBLE TO A MAXIMUM OF 18 MONTHS. WE ARE NOW ASSESSING THE RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS OF ACHIEVING THIS IMPROVEMENT, WHICH WILL OF COURSE ALSO BE DEPENDENT UPON THE NUMBERS ARRIVING FROM VIETNAM IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
FOR THOSE WHO WERE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES, MR ASPREY SAID THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE BUT RETURN TO VIETNAM.
"IT IS FRUSTRATING THAT THE NORMAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN OF PERSONS TO THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN DO NOT YET APPLY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VIETNAM. IF THEY DID, THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR SPECIAL PROVISIONS IN THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE DETENTION OF FORMER RESIDENTS OF VIETNAM PENDING REMOVAL," HE EXPLAINED.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PERSONS TO RETURN VOLUNTARILY TO VIETNAM, AND IT WAS GOVERNMENT'S WISH AND THAT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE THAT SUCH PERSONS SHOULD FACE THE REALITY OF THEIR SITUATION AND AGREED TO RETURN TO VIETNAM, RATHER THAN WASTING THEIR LIVES IN DETENTION IN HONG KONG.
AS REGARDS THE TRANSFER OF PERSONS BETWEEN DETENTION CENTRES, MR ASPREY SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT, FOR THE GOOD ORDER OF ALL IN THE DETENTION CENTRES, THERE SHOULD BE NO DOUBT AS TO GOVERNMENT'S POWER IN THIS REGARD.
"IT IS REGRETTABLY AN INEVITABLE PART OF HUMAN NATURE THAT IN THE DETENTION CENTRES THERE WILL BE FRICTIONS, DISPUTES, ATTEMPTS BY THE STRONG TO PREY ON THE WEAK, AND A MINORITY OF PERSONS WHO ARE SET ON BEING DISRUPTIVE.
"IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY THAT SUCH PERSONS SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED. THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, UNDER WHOSE AUTHORITY ALL VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS ARE DETAINED, NEED THEREFORE TO BE EMPOWERED TO ORDER SUCH TRANSFERS.
"A RIGHT OF APPEAL AGAINST TRANSFER IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE PROVIDED," HE ADDED.
SINCE THE POWER TO TRANSFER WAS IN PRACTICE DELEGATED TO, AND EXERCISED BY, THE SENIOR STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WHO MANAGED THE CENTRES, MR ASPREY SAID IT WAS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE THAT APPEAL SHOULD LIE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OR THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER/CIVIL AID SERVICES, WHO WERE THE AUTHORITIES APPOINTED FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DETENTION CENTRES.
MR ASPREY SAID EACH OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE BILL WAS IMPLICIT IN THE PRESENT LEGISLATION.
/"BUT WE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL. 24, 1991
18
"BUT WE NEED TO MAKE THEM EXPLICIT IN ORDER TO REINFORCE THE OPERATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION AND OUR POLICY ON 1 HE PERSISTENT AND INTRACTABLE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRAI1ON FROM VIETNAM," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
INAPPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS DETAILS OF CHINESE POSITION ON AIRPORT: CS *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THAT IT WOULD CLEARLY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AT THIS STAGE TO DISCUSS OR REVEAL DETAILS OF THE CHINESE POSITION CONVEYED TO IT IN CONFIDENCE DURING THE TALKS.
"THERE IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH SIDES THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE TALKS SHOULD BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THE PROSPECTS OF REACHING AGREEMENT IF WE WERE TO PUBLICISE THE POSITION NOW REACHED BY EACH SIDE," HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT IN BROAD TERMS, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CLEARLY SAW THE NEED FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN HONG KONG, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH A PROJECT.
THIS MUCH WAS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, SAID SIR DAVID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT SINCE OCTOBER 1989, CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, ADDING THAT HE HAD TABLED AN UP-TO-DATE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED KEY PROJECTS FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
ON THE BUILDING OF THE NEW AIRPORT, SIR DAVID SAID THE AIRPORT MASTER PLANNING WAS NQ.W WELL UNDER WAY AND ADVANCE SITE PREPARATORY-WORK HAD COMMENCED ON CHEK LAP KOK IN FEBRUARY 1991.
"PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS FOR THE MAIN SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT ARE CURRENTLY BEING CALLED FOR.
"MEANWHILE, DETAILED DESIGN WORK IS IN PROGRESS ON VARIOUS AIRPORT-RELATED KEY PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE LANTAU BRIDGE, WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE CENTRAL AND WANCHAI RECLAMATION," SAID SIR DAVID.
ONE INITIAL RECLAMATION CONTRACT HAD BEEN LET FOR THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND FURTHER CONTRACTS WOULD BE AWARDED IN THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, HE ADDED.
/AS REGARDS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 19 -
AS REGARDS PORT DEVELOPMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY DISPOSED OF CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 8 BY WAY OF A PRIVATE TREATY GRANT TO A CONSORTIUM COMPRISING EXISTING OPERATORS AND NEW INTERESTS, INCLUDING CHINESE INTERESTS.
"A SERIES OF STUDIES ON PORT DEVELOPMENT IN TSING YI, LANTAU, WESTERN HARBOUR, TUEN MUN AND TSEUNG KWAN 0 ARE IN PROGRESS," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY REASSURED THAT IF AN UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT COULD BE REACHED WITH THE CHINESE, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD TELL THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG EXACTLY WHAT IT CONTAINED.
--------0-----------
GOVT TO REVIEW CONTROLS ON BILLBOARD-CARRYING VEHICLES ♦ ♦ * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL ON THE NUMBER AND OPERATION OF VEHICLES CARRYING BILLBOARDS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WAH-SUM, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY OBJECTIVE WAS TO PREVENT A PROLIFERATION OF VEHICLES CARRYING LARGE BILLBOARD ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE ROADS.
HE SAID THAT UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, A VEHICLE OWNER COULD APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO CARRY ADVERTISEMENTS ON HIS VEHICLE.
"PROVIDED THAT THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS ARE MET, AN ADVERTISEMENT PERMIT MAY BE ISSUED ON PAYMENT OF A FEE," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE PERMIT MIGHT STIPULATE CERTAIN CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS RESTRICTING IT FROM ENTERING CERTAIN BUSY ROADS AND AT CERTAIN TIMES.
THE ADMINISTRATION WAS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL ROAD SAFETY AND TRANSPORT PROBLEMS CAUSED BY SUCH VEHICLES, AND WAS REVIEWING THE. CONDITIONS FOR ISSUING ADVERTISEMENT PERMITS TO MAKE THEM MORE STRINGENT, HE SAID.
------0-------
• i
/20...........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL. 24, 1991
- 20 -
REASONS FOR COUNTERMANDING AN ELECTION ON A CANDIDATE’S DEATH EXPLAINED *****
THERE ARE GOOD REASONS FOR COUNTERMANDING AN ELECTION ON THE DEATH OF A CANDIDATE, AS PRESCRIBED BY REGULATION 5 OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW ON THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE ELECTION OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A CANDIDATE, MR TSAO SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT IN AN ELECTION TO ENSURE THAT CANDIDATES REPRESENTING ALL VIEWPOINTS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND AND THAT THE ELECTORATE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE THAT REPRESENTED THEIR VIEWS AND PREFERENCE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE DEATH OF A CANDIDATE AFTER THE CLOSE OF NOMINATIONS COULD MEAN THAT THE VIEWPOINTS HELD PREVIOUSLY BY THE DECEASED CANDIDATE AND/OR THAT OF THE ORGANISATION SUPPORTING HIM WOULD BE DEPRIVED OF REPRESENTATION.
IN ADDITION, THERE WAS THE DANGER THAT THE DEATH OF A CANDIDATE CLOSE TO ELECTION DAY WOULD ENGENDER CONFUSION' AMONG THE VOTERS AND THUS CAST DOUBTS ON THE VALIDITY OF THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION, MR TSAO SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS NOT ALONE IN HAVING SUCH A REGULATION AS ELECTORAL LAWS IN WELL-DEVELOPED DEMOCRACIES SUCH AS THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CANADA ALSO REQUIRED THAT NOMINATIONS BE RE-OPENED AND THE ELECTION BE COUNTERMANDED ON THE DEATH OF A CANDIDATE AFTER THE CLOSE OF NOMINATIONS.
"IN COMMON WITH THESE COUNTRIES, THE GOVERNMENT HOLDS THE VIEW THAT SUCH A REGULATION IS NECESSARY TO SAFEGUARD THE FAIRNESS AND CREDIBILITY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
-----0------
REMEDIAL WORKS FOR LEAKAGES IN LONG PING ESTATE COMPLETED
*****
REMEDIAL WORKS FOR UNITS WITH WATER LEAKAGES IN LONG PING ESTATE WERE COMPLETED LAST MONTH AND THE TENANTS APPEARED SATISFIED WITH THESE MEASURES.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, STATED THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHTN-WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/"THERE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 21
"THERE ARE 8,483 FLATS IN LONG PING ESTATE. IN RESPONSE TO A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT BETWEEN APRIL AND JULY 1990, A TOTAL OF 778 REPORTS OF WATER LEAKAGE WERE RECEIVED," MR LEWIS SAID.
"SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS INDICATED THAT THE WATER LEAKAGES OCCURRED IN THE TOILETS, MAINLY AROUND THE PIPES PASSING THROUGH I HE SLABS, RESULTING IN DAMPNESS TO THE CEILINGS OF THE FLATS BELOW.
"THIS DEFECT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, SUCH AS POOR WORKMANSHIP IN POINTING THE PIPE SLEEVES, NO WATER PROOFING LAYER ON THE TOILET FLOOR AND NO PROVISION FOR A BATH-TUB OR SHOWER TRAY TO RECEIVE THE WATER."
MR LEWIS SAID REMEDIAL WORKS FOR THESE FLATS COMMENCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SURVEY AND THAT ALL SUCH WORKS, INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL WATER PROOFING LAYER AND SKIRTING TO THE TOI LET/BATH I NG AREA, WERE COMPLETED LAST MONTH.
"WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT WHEREVER SIMILAR DEFECTS ARE REPORTED," HE ADDED.
MR LEWIS SAID HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS CONSIDERING WHETHER LEGAL ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR OF LONG PING ESTATE.
--------0-----------
NO REQUEST FOR AIRLINE TARIFFS ADJUSTMENT RECEIVED
******
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT DID NOT RECEIVE, AND DID NOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE, ANY REQUEST FOR TARIFFS ADJUSTMENT FROM THE THREE AIRLINES WHICH OPERATED A SHORTER ALTERNATIVE FLIGHT ROUTEING FROM HONG KONG TO EUROPE VIA CHINA, MONGOLIA AND THE USSR ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS, 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 PETER WONG, MRS CHAN SAID DURING THE OUTBREAK OF MILITARY HOSTILITIES IN THE GULF, THREE AIRLINES OPERATING SERVICES FROM HONG KONG NAMELY, CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, BRITISH AIRWAYS AND LUFTHANSA, HAD BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION BY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES TO DIVERT THEIR FLIGHTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND EUROPE ALONG A NEW AIR ROUTE WHICH TRACKED OVER CHINA, MONGOLIA AND USSR.
"ACCESS TO THIS ROUTE, WHICH WAS MADE AVAILABLE ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS ONLY, HAS NOW BEEN WITHDRAWN AND THE AIRLINES CONCERNED REQUIRED TO REVERT TO THE FORMER LONGER ROUTEINGS SINCE APRIL 1," SHE SAID.
/THE SECRETARY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT APART FROM THE TEMPORARY NATURE OF THE RE-ROUTEING, CERTAIN FACTORS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR AIRLINES TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE USE OF THE ROUTE ON THEIR OPERATING COSTS.
THESE FACTORS ARE:
* VOLATILE FUEL PRICES AND A DRAMATIC DROP IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC , DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE GULF WAR, AFFECTED BOTH OPERATING COSTS AND REVENUES;
* THE THREE COUNTRIES OVERFLOWN HAD NOT YET DECIDED WHAT EN-ROUTE NAVIGATION CHARGES THEY WISH TO LEVY; AND
♦ EXTRA COSTS WERE INCURRED BY AIRLINES IN ESTABLISHING TEMPORARY STOPOVER STATIONS FOR SOME FLIGHTS.
NEVERTHELESS MRS CHAN SAID IN THE LONGER TERM THE GOVERNMENT HOPED IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO SECURE ACCESS FOR HONG KONG AIRLINES TO THE SHORTER ROUTE ING ON A PERMANENT BASIS.
’’THIS WILL REQUIRE ‘AGREEMENT TO BE REACHED AT INTER-GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL WITH THE SOVIET, MONGOLIAN AND CHINESE AUTHORITIES,” SHE SAID.
- - 0 - -
COLLECTION OF DUTY ON CIGARETTES EXPLAINED
******
DUTY ON CIGARETTES IMPORTED FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION IS PAID BEFORE THEY ARE REMOVED FROM WAREHOUSES, OR THE SHIP, AIRCRAFT, VEHICLE ON WHICH THEY WERE IMPORTED, OR AS THE CASE MAY BE, FROM RAILWAY PREMISES.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN.
A SIMILAR SYSTEM OPERATED WHERE IMPORTED TOBACCO WAS MADE INTO CIGARETTES LOCALLY, HE SAID, ADDING THAT NO DUTY WAS LEVIED ON CIGARETTES FOR RE-EXPORT.
MR MACLEOD ALSO PROVIDED A MONTHLY BREAKDOWN OF REVENUE COLLECTED FROM DUTY ON CIGARETTES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, AS GIVEN BELOW:
/REVENUE COLLECTION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
23
REVENUE COLLECTION
MONTH/YEAR (HK$ )
APR/1988 MAY- JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN/1989 FEB MAR 88/89 TOTAL 25,415,656.63 64,053,346.35 81,902,586.90 93,996,620.50 108,206,710.85 103,696,836.45 99,351,746.43 106,020,805.73 135,352,181.40 240,108,729.25 181,369,393.10 5,700,753.75 1,245,175,367.34
APR/1989 MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN/1990 FEB MAR 89/90 TOTAL 29,820,138.60 64,924,676.25 85,061,268.65 116,141,110.22 121,232,405.85 1 12, 1 18,496.75 1 15,221,576.50 133,870,165.80 158,508,370.45 176,757,493.10 254,303,094.45 40,044,220.56 1,402,003,017.18
APR/1990 MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN/1991 FEB MAR 90/91 TOTAL 15,455,798.20 52, 136,004.96 92,467,252.10 136,251, 14 1.60 145,230,541.50 140,368,653.40 147,913,603.70 188,148,957.80 153,872,323.40 317,836,906.02 216,467,807.54 53,825,471.28 1,659,974,461 .50
OF THE $53,825,471.28 COLLECTED FROM DUTY ON CIGARETTES IN MARCH THIS YEAR, MR MACLEOD SAID $51,926,470.50 WAS COLLECTED BEFORE THE BUDGET SPEECH WAS MADE.
--------0-----------
/24 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 24 -
PILOT SCHEME PROMOTES USE OE COMMUNITY HALLS
******
SELF-STANDING
OF RESOURCES
ADMINISTRATION,
INFORMED THE
A PILOT SCHEME TO PROMOTE GREATER USE OF COMMUNITY HALLS SO AS TO ACHIEVE THE MOST EFFECTIVE USE IS BEING IMPLEMENTED BI THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN X WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY' THE HON ELSIE TU, MR TSAO SAID THE SCHEME INVOLVED ALLOWING NON-GOVERNMENT CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF SOME OF THE NEWLY COMPLETED HALLS BY WAY OF A TENANCY AGREEMENT.
"THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO MANAGE THE FACILITY AND ACTIVELY PROMOTE ITS UTILISATION BY LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS," HE SAID.
"ONE NEW COMMUNITY HALL IN TSI NG Y1 HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE CHILDREN’S CLUB FOR MANAGEMENT UNDER A TENANCY AGREEMENT.
"TWO OTHER COMMUNITY HALLS, IN TUEN MUN AND KWAI TSI NG, ARE BEING CONSIDERED FOR SIMILAR MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS."
ON THE USAGE RATE OF THE 31 SELF-STANDING DISTRICT COMMUNITY HALLS AND THE HALLS WITHIN THE 33 DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRES, MR TSAO SAID THE AVERAGE UTILISATION RATE OF THE FORMER WAS 35 PER CENT WHILE THAI OF THE LATTER WAS 54 PER CENT.
BUT THE USAGE RATE OF SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY HALLS WAS BELOW 20 PER CENT, HE ADDED.
MR TSAO SAID IF THE PILOT SCHEME PROVED SUCCESSFUL, CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO EXTENDING IT TO OTHER SELF-STANDING COMMUNITY HALLS.
--------0-----------
CHARGES FOR NEW SERVICES ADDED TO TELEPHONE ORDINANCE'S SCHEDULE
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION WHICH SEEKS TO ADD TO THE SCHEDULE OF CHARGES TO THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE THE CHARGES FOR THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY’S (HKTC) TWO NEW SERVICES.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID UNDER SECTION 26(1) OF THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE HKTC MIGHT ONLY LEVY CHARGES NOT EXCEEDING THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE, AND SECTION 26(2) EMPOWERED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHEDULE OF CHARGES, INCLUDING ADDITIONS, BY MEANS OF A RESOLUTION.
/THE TWO .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 25 -
THE TWO NEW SERVICES HKTC WISHES TO ADD TO THE SCHEDULE OF CHARGES ARE CABLE DIVERSITY SERVICE AND AUTOMATIC CALLING CARD SERVICE (OUTBOUND).
MRS CHAN SAID THE CABLE DIVERSITY SERVICE WOULD ALLOW HKTC CUSTOMERS TO SPECIFY THAT THEIR TELEPHONE LINES BE ROUTED THROUGH DIFFERENT CABLES AND DUCTS CONNECTED TO THE BUILDING IN WHICH THEY WERE LOCATED.
’’THE BENEFIT OF THE SERVICE IS THAT IT PROVIDES CUSTOMERS WITH ADDITIONAL SECURITY OF SUPPLY,” SHE SAID.
’’THE CHARGE PROPOSED BY THE COMPANY FOR THIS SERVICE, TO BE ADDED TO THE NORMAL MONTHLY LINE RENTAL CHARGE, IS $9 PER MONTH PER LINE REQUIRING DIFFERENT ROUTE I NG.
’’THIS CHARGE WILL ONLY APPLY WHERE ALTERNATIVE CABLES AND DUCTS SERVING THE CUSTOMERS’ PREMISES ALREADY EXIST.”
FOR CUSTOMERS IN BUILDINGS WHICH DID NOT ALREADY HAVE ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES, MRS CHAN SAID HKTC PROPOSED TO LEVY CHARGES ACCORDING TO COSTS INCURRED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS AND THAT THE COSTING FORMULA WOULD BE AGREED WITH THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
AS FOR THE AUTOMATIC CALLING CARD SERVICE (OUTBOUND), MRS CHAN SAID HKTC WOULD INTRODUCE A PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SYSTEM FOR HOLDERS OF ITS CALLING CARDS WHICH WERE ISSUED FREE TO THE COMPANY’S CUSTOMERS AND THEIR RELATIVES ON REQUEST.
"BY KEYING IN THE ALLOCATED PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON ANY TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONE CONNECTED TO A DIGITAL EXCHANGE, A CALLING CARD HOLDER WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE AN IDD CALL, WHICH WILL THEN BE BILLED TO THE CALLING CARD HOLDER’S OWN ACCOUNT," SHE SAID.
"MOREOVER, THE TELEPHONE USED DOES NOT NEED TO BE REGISTERED FOR IDD CALLS," SHE ADDED.
mrs Chan said for this facility, the company proposed a SURCHARGE OF $2 PER IDD CALL MADE USING THE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, TO COVER THE COST OF THE EXTRA EQUIPMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE EFFORT INVOLVED.
SHE SAID THE PROPOSED CHARGES FOR THE TWO NEW SERVICES HAD BEEN THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND WERE CONSIDERED TO BE A REASONABLE REFLECTION OF THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.
--------0 - -
/26.........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 26 -
TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BY-LAWS APPROVED
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION MOVED UNDER THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL ORDINANCE WHICH SEEKS THE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL BY-LAWS GOVERNING THE TUNNEL’S DAILY OPERATION.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE BY-LAWS ARE TO ENABLE THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL COMPANY LTD TO CONTROL, OPERATE AND MANAGE THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL EFFECTIVELY, AND TO ENSURE THE EFFICIENT PASSAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES THROUGH THE TUNNEL WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC BY THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR.
THEY COVER THE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC, PAYMENT OF TOLLS, RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF VEHICLES IN THE TUNNEL AREA, AND OTHER OPERATIONAL MATTERS, MR LEUNG SAID.
MOTORISTS WHO CONTRAVENE CERTAIN OF THESE BY-LAWS, WHICH ARE REGULATORY IN NATURE, SHALL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $2,000, HE ADDED.
------.0-------
THREE MOTIONS PASSED * * * *
THREE MOTIONS WERE PASSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THEY WERE MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT UNDER THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE AND THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG ON SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS FOR LISTED COMPANIES, RESPECTIVELY.
EIGHTEEN MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SPOKE ON MR CHEONG’S MOTION WHICH READ: "THIS COUNCIL STRONGLY URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT WHEN REQUESTS BY GROUPS . OF PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANIES FOR SPECIAL EXEMPTION FROM STATUTORY, REGULATORY OR LISTING REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING ALL LISTED COMPANIES IN HONG KONG ARE CONSIDERED, THE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF INVESTOR PROTECTION, FAIRNESS AND EQUITY BE UPHELD WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR".
MEANWHILE, A TOTAL OF 12 BILLS INCLUDING ONE PRIVATE BILL WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
IN ADDITION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPOKE ON THE MASS’ TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1990, THE HON HO SAI-CHU ON THE 1989-90 REPORT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE ON THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
------0--------
/27........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
REPORT <>\ PRIMARY HEALTH PARE PUBLISHED * » » t »
THE GOVERNMENT I'ODAY (WEDNESDAY) PUBLISHED THE REPORT BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH < ARE FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
THE WORKING PARTY WAS SET UP IN AUGUST 1989 TO REVIEW THE DELIVERY OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG. IT SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IS ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE MADE UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY BY MEANS ACCEPTABLE TO THEM THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION AND AT A COST THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN AFFORD.
IT IS THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THE FAMILY WITH A CONTINUING HEALTH CARE PROCESS AND CONSTITUTES THE FIRST LEVEL OF A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
SPEAKING ON THE REPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID : "FOR YEARS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WITH ITS STRONG EMPHASIS ON HEALTH PROMOTION, DISEASE PREVENTION, CONTINUITY OF CARE AND REHABILITATION AND WITH FULL PARTICIPATION OF THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, HAS NEITHER BEEN FULLY UNDERSTOOD, APPRECIATED NOR DEVELOPED.
"THE INITIATION OF THE REVIEW IS OUR FIRST STEP TOWARDS REDRESSING THIS IMBALANCE."
SHE COMMENDED THE WORKING PARTY ON ITS PRACTICAL APPROACH AND THANKED IT FOR ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
IN ITS REPORT, THE WORKING PARTY STATES THAT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC HEALTH AND MINIMISE THE INCIDENCE OF PREVENTABLE DISEASE, INJURY AND DISABILITY THROUGH QUALITY AND EFFICIENT PREVENTIVE CARE SERVICES AND TO ENSURE THE PROVISION OF A FRAMEWORK FOR THE DELIVERY OF CONTINUING, COMPREHENSIVE AND WHOLE-PERSON MEDICAL CARE T<> INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR HOME OR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT GENERALLY ENDORSED THE OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPLES ADOPTED BY THE WORKING PARTY AND ACCEPTED ITS RESPONSIBILITY IN PUHI,IC HEALTH MATTERS.
"WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES AND TO THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM OBTAINING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT."
/ELABORATING ON
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 28 -
ELABORATING ON THE DETAILS OF THE REPORT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY, PROFESSOR ROSIE YOUNG, SAID THE WORKING PARTY HAD MADE A TOTAL OF 102 RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH WERE BROADLY DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS : THOSE WHICH BUILT ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND THOSE WHICH •REQUIRED A MAJOR REVAMPING OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM OR INITIATED A NEW APPROACH ALTOGETHER.
IN THE LATTER CASE, THE WORKING PARTY HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS :
* THE DIVISION OF HONG KONG INTO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DISTRICTS WITHIN WHICH CLINICS WOULD BE GROUPED TO PROVIDE A NETWORK OF PREVENTIVE, PROMOTIVE, CURATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES. DISTRICT COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION WOULD BE THROUGH A DISTRICT HEALTH COMMITTEE.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE SYSTEM BE INTRODUCED ON A TRIAL BASIS IN KWUN TONG AND TUEN MUN INITIALLY.
» ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATUTORY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE THE MACRO STRUCTURE FOR THE DELIVERY OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE AUTHORITY SHOULD HAVE SOME DEGREE OF FINANCIAL AUTONOMY, HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS ITS EXECUTIVE ARM AND INVOLVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
» REPLACEMENT IN PHASES OF THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BY A GOVERNMENT-RUN STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE, WHICH IS PREVENTION AND PROMOTION-ORIENTED AND WHICH WILL COVER MORE STUDENTS THAN AT PRESENT.
» WITH THE IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICES, INTRODUCTION IN PHASES OF A NEW POLICY OF FEE-CHARGING AT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AS SERVICES ARE IMPROVED.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF PATIENTS INCLUDING THE ELDERLY, YOUNG CHILDREN, AND RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES SHOULD BE ALLOWED REDUCED RATES OR EXEMPTED FROM PAYMENT AND THAT OTHER PATIENTS WHO CAN AFFORD IT SHOULD BE CHARGED, INITIALLY AT A MORE REALISTIC LEVEL AND EVENTUALLY AT COST.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE STRENGTHENING OF THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, ESTABLISHMENT OF A HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM AND IMPROVING SERVICES AT MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES BY PROVIDING ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION TO PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS ATTENDING THESE CENTRES, AND SO ON.
"IF IMPLEMENTED IN FULL, THE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD COST, AT 1990/91 PRICES, AN ADDITIONAL $187 MILLION PER YEAR IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND $18 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AND SOME 550 ADDITIONAL POSTS WOULD BE REQUIRED," PROF YOUNG SAID.
THE WORKING PARTY HOPES THAT ALL RECOMMENDATIONS COULD BE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS AFTER ACCEPTANCE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND EXPECTS SOME TO COMMENCE WITHIN 12 MONTHS.
/THE DIRECTOR........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
29
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY WOULD BE GIVEN THE WIDEST POSSIBLE COVERAGE TO MAKE THEM KNOWN GENERALLY TO GAUGE PUBLIC REACTION.
’’WHILST ORAL HEALTH CARE HAS NOT BEEN COVERED BY THE WORKING PARTY’S REPORT, THIS SUBJECT HAS, HOWEVER, BEEN SEPARATELY REVIEWED BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE’S DENTAL SUB-COMMITTEE.
”WE HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE THE LATTER’S RELEVANT RECOMMENDAT[ONS IN THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT,” DR LEE ADDED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT AND CONSULTATION DOCUMENT, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, ARE AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES, GOVERNMENT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES.
THE CONSULTATION PERIOD IS UNTIL THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR. ANYONE IS WELCOME TO SEND COMMENTS TO THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PUBLIC CONSULTATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, ( /O DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, NINTH FLOOR, SUNNING PLAZA, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
------0--------
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH RELEASED
TPE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED IN MARCH WHEN COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS REGISTERED A MORE MODERATE INCREASE, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, IMPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW STEADILY.
IN GENERAL, THE TRADE PERFORMANCE IN MARCH WAS MORE MODERATE THAN IN THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY COMBINED.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN MARCH, AT $14,980 MILLION, WAS $1,532 MILLION OR 9.3% LOWER THAN A YEAR EARLIER. THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS ROSE BY $3,122 MILLION OR 10.2% OVER LAST YEAR, TO $33,865 MILLION IN MARCH 1991.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN MARCH 1991, AT $48,845 MILLION, WAS $1,590 MILLION OR 3.4% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $5,889 MILLION OR 11.5% TO $57,006 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $8,161 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 14.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN MARCH 1991.
THE DEFICIT RECORDED IN MARCH LAST YEAR WAS $3,862 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 7.6% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
/PUTTING THESE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
30
PUTTING THESE FIGURES INTO PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $2,042 MILLION AND $21,198 MILLION, OR 4.4% AND 25.5% OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $48,502 MILLION AND $104,347 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $152,849 MILLION, WAS $23,240 MILLION OR 17.9% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $29,994 MILLION OR 22.6% TO $162,675 MILLION. IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $9,826 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.0% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $3,072 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE MARCH TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS, THOUGH LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING MONTHS, WAS STILL QUITE SIGNIFICANT.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SUSTAINED INCREASE IN RETAINED IMPORTS, WHICH REGISTERED YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES IN VALUE TERMS OF 13% IN MARCH AND 19.1% IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1991.
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $14,980 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS : TOTAL EXPORTS : IMPORTS : TRADE BALANCE : $33,865 $48,845 $57,006 $8,161 MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION [IN DEFICIT]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS JAN 91 TO MAR 91 HK$ MN. JAN 90 TO MAR 90 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 48,502 46,460 2,042 4.4
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (31.7%) (35.8%)
RE-EXPORTS 104,347 83,149 21,198 25.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 152,849 129,609 23,240 17.9
IMPORTS 162,675 132,681 29,994 22.6
TRADE BALANCE -9,826 -3,072 -6,754
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR MARCH 1991 HK$ MN. MARCH 1990 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14,980 16,512 -1,532 -9.3
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (30.7%) (34.9%)
RE-EXPORTS 33,865 30,743 3,122 10.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 48,845 47,255 1 , 590 3.4
IMPORTS 57,006 51,117 5,889 11.5
TRADE BALANCE -8,161 -3,862 -4,299
/LAST MONTH .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
31
LAST MONTH MARCH 1991 HK$ MN. FEBRUARY 1991 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14,980 14,346 634 4.4
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (30.7%) (31.3%)
RE-EXPORTS 33,865 31,461 2,404 7.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 48,845 45,807 3,038 6.6
IMPORTS 57,006 45,009 11,997 26.7
TRADE BALANCE -8,161 798 -8,959
LAST 12 MONTHS APR 90 TO MAR 91 HK$ MN. APR 89 TO MAR 90 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 227,918 222,637 5,281 2.4
RE-EXPORTS 435,197 354,433 80,764 22.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 663, 1 15 577,070 86,045 14.9
IMPORTS 672,524 565,431 107,093 18.9
TRADE BALANCE -9, 109 1 1,639 -21,048
--------0-----------
INCREASING JAPANESE ACTIVITIES DEMONSTRATE HK’S ADVANTAGES
THE INCREASING PRESENCE
OF JAPANESE BUSINESS
HONG KONG IN THE
ABSENCE OF
DIRECT SUBSIDIES
OF THE ADVANTAGES WHICH HONG
FORCEFUL TESTIMONY _ ,
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID
OR KONG
ACTIVITIES INCENTIVES OFFERS,
IN
IS
THE
YESTERDAY (TUESDAY,
NEW YORK TIME).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON "JAPANESE BUSINESS ORGANISED BY THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE I ALSO
ACTIVITIES IN HONG
KONG AND TAIWAN
RELATIONS IN NEW YORK, SERIOUSLY THE ABUNDANT
MR WONG URGED THE AMERICANS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ON ’
► TO
AVAILABLE
U.S.-CHINA > CONSIDER IN HONG
KONG.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH BUSINESS WILL BE AND PROSPER," HE SAID.
DEDICATED TO MAINTAINING AN ABLE TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY
MR WONG SAID HONG KONG WAS ON’ OF THE JAPANESE INVESTORS SINCE THE EAr ’70S.
MOST FAVOURED PLACES FOR
THE JAPAN MINISTRY
"ACCORDING TO FIGURES I LEASED BY
FINANCE, THE COUNTRY’S TOTAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO US$9 BILLION BY THE FIRST HALF OF FISCAL YEAR 1990, REPRESENTING - ------------------------------------ n * ri t MUDGTMCMT
OF OVER OVER
3.5 PER CENT
OF TOTAI
t JAPANESE DIRECT OVERSEAS INVESTMENT.
HONG
KONG CONTINUED TO BE JAPAN’S SECOND MOST IMPORTANT
INVESTMENT DESTINATION IN ASIA, AFTER INDONESIA.
/"COMPARED WITH .
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
32 -
"COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF FISCAL YEAR 1989, JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG GREW BY 28.7 PER CENT, WHILE THAT FOR THE WHOLE OF ASIA WAS 21.8 PER CENT," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT, MR WONG SAID THE LATEST SURVEY SHOWED THAT THE CUMULATIVE VALUE OF JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AT THE END OF 1989 STOOD AT US$1,108 MILLION, REPRESENTING 29.1 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, A CLOSE SECOND TO THE USA WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 31 PER CENT.
"JAPAN’S CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT IN 1989 WAS MORE THAN TWO TIMES THE AMOUNT RECORDED IN 1986 (US$513 MILLION).
"THE GROSS ADDITION TO FIXED ASSETS MADE BY JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS IN 1989 WAS US$80 MILLION, THE SECOND LARGEST ADDITION IN A YEAR AFTER THE RECORD HIGH OF US$132 MILLION IN 1988," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THERE WERE 180 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG WITH JAPANESE INVESTMENT, EMPLOYING MORE THAN 26,000 STAFF, OR SOME 3.6 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE.
IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, MAJOR JAPANESE BANKS HAD ALL ESTABLISHED BRANCHES OR REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN HONG KONG.
"CURRENTLY, 30 LICENSED BANKS, 11 RESTRICTED LICENSED BANKS, AND 37 DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES HAVE BEEN SET UP BY THE JAPANESE IN HONG KONG.
"IN ADDITION, THE NUMBER OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS SECURITY HOUSES AND INSURANCE COMPANIES HAS ALSO INCREASED RAPIDLY IN THE 1980’S.
"ALL THESE UNDERLINE THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG AS A REGIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE. LOCATED AT THE HUB OF THE RAPIDLY GROWING ASIA REGION, HONG KONG IS THE MOST EFFICIENT FINANCIAL CENTRE FOR SOPHISTICATED JAPANESE INVESTORS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE RAPID EXPANSION OF JAPANESE BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG HAD TAKEN THEIR ACTIVITIES FROM THE STAGE OF INDIVIDUAL TRADING TO THAT OF MULTI-NATIONAL BEHAVIOUR.
"HONG KONG, AS A NATURAL GATEWAY TO CHINA, IS BEING INCREASINGLY RELIED UPON FOR PROVIDING DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN (-HINA, FINANCING REGIONAL TRADING AND AS A CENTRE FOR PROVIDING ALL KINDS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES," HE SAID.
IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, MR WONG SAID, JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS HAD BROUGHT NEW DIMENSIONS TO THE LOCAL MANUFACTURI NG COMMUNITY.
"AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THEY HELP BROADEN AND UPGRADE THE PRODUCT RANGE OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES H:ROUGH SUB-CONTRACTING WHICH ALSO OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRANSFEI OF ADVANCED PRODUCTION AND QUALITY CONTROL PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGIES, AND NEW MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES INTO HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR WONG IS IN NEW YORK AS PART OF A TWO-WEEK VISIT TO THE U.S. MEETING BUSINESSMEN AS WELL AS VISITING COMPANIES AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICES.
--------0---------
/33 ............................................
>*•-------- "V ■■
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991 - 33 -
ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION PRAISED FOR PROVIDING ALL-ROUND EDUCATION ***♦♦♦♦
LADY WILSON TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRAISED THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ESF) FOR HAVING A LONG-ESTABLISHED REPUTATION FOR PROVIDING GOOD AND ALL-ROUND EDUCATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ESF’S FOURTH ART EXHIBITION, LAin WILSON SAID THAT THE FOUNDATION HAD ACHIEVED IMPRESSIVE ACADEMIC RESULTS, BUT HAD NOT DONE SO AT THE EXPENSE OF DEVELOPING CHARACTER.
"ON THE CONTRARY, IT HAS DONE SO BY ENCOURAGING SELF-EXPRESSION,’’ SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID CREATIVITY WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF LIFE, AND IT CERTAINLY WAS IN HONG KONG WHERE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS REQUIRED
IMAGINATIVE RESPONSES.
THE VISUAL ARTS WERE AN EXCELLENT MEANS OF EXPLORING AND ENCOURAGING THAT CREATIVITY, SHE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITIONS, SAID LADY WILSON, WAS A VIVID DEMONSTRATION OF THE CREATIVITY FLOURISHING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG TODAY.
"WE MAY DRAW ENCOURAGEMENT AS WELL AS ENJOYMENT FROM IT," SHE ADDED.
LADY WILSON PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ORGANISERS OF THE EXHIBITION AND THE TEACHERS WHO HAD WORKED SO HARD TO ENCOURAGE SUCH HIGH STANDARDS.
SHE ALSO CONGRATULATED THE YOUNG ARTISTS WHOSE WORK WERE ON DISPLAY.
"I HOPE THAT THE SATISFACTION WHICH THEY DERIVE FROM PARTICIPATING IN TODAY’S EVENT WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO STRIVE FOR STILL HIGHER STANDARDS, AND TO CONTINUE WHAT THEY ARE CLEARLY DOING SO WELL," SHE ADDED.
------0--------
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY * ♦ * ♦
IN THE
THE FINANCE LEGISLATIVE
COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY (APRIL COUNCIL CHAMBER. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
26)
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
THE COMMITTE’S THEY MAY MAKE
--------0----------
/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
50 VM’S RETURN TO VIETNAM ******
A GROUP OF 50 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 23 MEN, 12 WOMEN, EIGHT BOYS AND SEVEN GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 53RD BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 6,970 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
0 - -
ISSUE OF MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS OF FULL FIVE YEARS’ VALIDITY MAY BE ISSUED TO ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE, FROM MAY 1.
THIS IS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE TRAVEL FACILITIES FOR MINORS UNDER SEVEN YEARS OLD, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’RESTRICTED MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS VALID FOR TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED TO MINORS AGED BETWEEN THREE AND SIX MAY BE EXTENDED TO THE FULL VALIDITY AT ANY TIME UPON APPLICATION ON OR AFTER MAY 1 .
’’SINGLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 824 6111.
- - 0 - -
RE-OPENING OF COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY
******
THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY AT RAWLINSON HOUSE, VICTORIA BARRACK, CENTRAL, WILL BE RE-OPENED EOR SERVICE FROM MAY 27, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY ONLY PERFORMS
MARRIAGE CEREMONIES.
"THOSE WHO WISH TO CELEBRATE THEIR MARRIAGES AT THIS REGISTRY ON OR AFTER MAY 27 MAY, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, FILE THEIR NOTICES OF MARRIAGE AT THE MARRIAGE REGISTRATION AND RECORDS OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR, LOW BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE OFFICE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
- 35 -
ARE:
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8.45 2 PM AM TO TO 12.45 4.45 PM PM
SATURDAY 9 AM TO 11.30 AM
SUNDAY 9 AM 'I’O 12. 15 PM
2 PM TO 4.45 PM
THE REGISTRY IS CLOSED ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111 FOR ENQUIRIES.
-----------------0------- THREE GOVT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION t * t * ♦
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON FRIDAY (APRIL 26) AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE. THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 2,020 SQUARE METRES, IS AT LAM LOK STREET, KOWLOON BAY. IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
THE SECOND LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 6, MA WO, TAI PO. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 10,490 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE LAST LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 26, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING. THE SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,966 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR. INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE AND ANY GODOWN FOR DANGEROUS GOODS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
------n--------
/36 .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
36
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS $ HKEF MILLION
* ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦ DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 23.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 24.4.91 + 130
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -130
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.4 *-0.3* 24 .4 . 91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 1 5 QI 16 Q117 10.7.91 17.7.91 24.7.91 380 370 393.5 + 100 + 110 + 86.5
Q105 Q106 QI 07 Q108 Q109 QI 10 QI 11 QI 12 QI 13 QI 1 4 1.5.91 8.5.91 15.5.91 22.5.91 29.5.91 5.6.91 12.6.91 19.6.91 26.6.91 3.7.91 730 623.5 531 390 460 320 470 620 580 450 -250 -143.5 -51 + 90 + 20 + 160 + 10 -140 -100 + 30
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H001 H002 H003 H004 H005 H101 H156 H157 H l 58 H159 H160 H 1 6 1 H162 4 1.5.91 15.5.91 29.5.91 12.6.91 26.6.91 10.7.91 24.7.91 7.8.91 21.8.91 4.9.91 18.9.91 2.10.91 17.10.91 170 227.5 240 250 230 133 150 189.5 140 90 200 -10 110 + 90 + 32.5 + 20 + 10 + 30 + 127 + 110 + 70.5 + 120 + 170 + 60 + 270 + 150
/HONG KONG
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1991
37 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURI NG OUTSTANDING ON $ MILLION
Y187 Y188 Y189 26.2.92 170 +90 25.3.92 190 +70 22.4.92 200 +60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 19.4.91 WAS 3,922 MN
--------0----------
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ♦ * * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF TWO LAND LOTS OFF HOI YU STREET, QUARRY BAY, HONG KONG.
THE LOTS MEASURE ABOUT 2,940 AND 2,300 SQUARE DESIGNATED FOR PURPOSES INCLUDING OPEN STORAGE MATERIAL), WASTE PAPER COLLECTING AND SORTING, VEHICLES AND CARGO HANDLING.
METRES AND ARE (EXCLUDING DUSTY OPEN PARKING OF
THE TENANCY FOR BOTH LOTS IS THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 10.
OBTAINED
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE
FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE HONG KONG EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS °^^ES, 10 TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
_ _ 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPECIAL LICENSING SCHEME PROPOSED TO ENSURE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY'S COMPETITIVENESS .......................................................... 1
DUPLICATE CERTIFICATES TO COST MORE ...................................... 3
'HONG KONG REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE IN 1990' PUBLISHED ................... 3
FRUITFUL ACHIEVEMENT IN INTEGRATED EDUCATION ............................. 4
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TO FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ..................... 5
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ........................................... 5
HONG KONG ISLAND CONSTITUENCIES TO HOLD UC ELECTION FORUMS ............... 9
NEW VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE TO COME INTO OPERATION .................... 9
WALLCHARTS AND LEAFLETS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .............. 10
CSD DONATES TO CHARITIES ................................................. 10
ID CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1923 - 28 ............................. 11
CANDIDATES FOR HEUNG YEE KUK ELECTION ANNOUNCED .......................... 12
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES .............................. 13
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN SHAM SHUI PO .............................. 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 14
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
SPECIAL LICENSING SCHEME PROPOSED TO ENSURE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVENESS *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED A SPECIAL LICENSING SCHEME TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S KNITWEAR INDUSTRY CAN MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVE EDGE IN THE FACE OF ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS ARISING FROM A CHANGE IN U.S. ORIGIN RULES.
UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE WILL BE EMPOWERED TO ENABLE PRODUCTS UNDER THE SPECIAL LICENSING SCHEME TO BE LABELLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORIGIN REQUIREMENTS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OTHERWISE APPLICABLE IN HONG KONG.
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT SUCH A SCHEME WOULD BE NECESSARY ONLY IN CASES WHERE THE RULES OF AN IMPORTING COUNTRY DIFFERED FROM HONG KONG RULES, WITH CONSEQUENT ADVERSE EFFECTS ON OUR INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVENESS.
HE SAID SUCH A CASE HAD ARISEN IN THE U.S. WHICH CHANGED ITS ORIGIN RULES IN 1985 SO THAT MANDATORY ORIGIN LABELS FOR IMPORTS OF KNITWEAR MADE FROM KNIT-TO-SHAPE PARTS HAD TO REFLECT THE PLACE WHERE SUCH PARTS WERE KNITTED RATHER THAN WHERE THEY WERE MADE INTO FINISHED GARMENTS.
"UNDER HONG KONG’S ORIGIN RULES, THEN AND NOW, THE MAKING OF SUCH KNITWEAR FROM PARTS CONFERS ORIGIN," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAD NEGOTIATED LONG AND HARD WITH U.S. TRADE OFFICIALS BUT THE U.S. HAD STUCK" TO ITS POSITION.
"AS A RESULT, THE HONG KONG KNITWEAR INDUSTRY HAS SINCE 1985 HAD TO KNIT RELEVANT PARTS AND MAKE THEM INTO FINISHED GARMENTS IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH BOTH U.S. AND HONG KONG RULES.
"THE DOUBLE REQUIREMENT FOR KNITTING AND MAKING UP OF SUCH KNITWEAR HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVENESS IN TODAY’S U.S. MARKET, AS IT CANNOT RELOCATE EITHER PROCESS ELSEWHERE IN ORDER TO SAVE COSTS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL RESPONDED TO THE INDUSTRY’S REQUEST TO THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT IN PLACE ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET ONLY U.S. REQUIREMENTS FOR RELEVANT KNITWEAR.
"NEW ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE BILL WOULD GIVE THE INDUSTRY THE FLEXIBILITY TO RELOCATE THE MAKING-UP PROCESS FOR CERTAIN KNITWEAR EXPORTS TO THE U.S..
"FOR ALL OTHER KNITWEAR EXPORTS, THE MAKING-UP PROCESS WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE TO BE PERFORMED IN HONG KONG IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING ORIGIN RULES," HE SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
- 2
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE POSSIBLE RELOCATION OF THE MAKING-UP PROCESS OUTSIDE HONG KONG WOULD PROBABLY HAVE AN EFFECT ON LOCAL EMPLOYMENT.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE, HOWEVER, TO PREDICT ACCURATELY WHAT THAT EFFECT WILL BE PARTICULARLY IN THE SHORT TERM.
"THIS IS BECAUSE, ON THE ONE HAND, THE INDUSTRY WILL BE IN ITS PEAK PRODUCTION PERIOD IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WHEN THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR WILL BE MORE INTENSE, AND ON THE OTHER HAND, THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL NOT AFFECT EXPORTS TO THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND OTHER MARKETS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DISCUSSED THE SITUATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INDUSTRY WHO HAD ASSURED THAT THEY WOULD DO ALL THEY COULD TO REDUCE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE WORKFORCE, AND TO ASSIST THOSE WHO MIGHT BECOME UNDEREMPLOYED OR REDUNDANT AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE BY REDEPLOYING THEM WITHIN THE ENTERPRISE OR WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
"THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND WILL CONSIDER WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE.,
"THE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS WILL ALSO SET UP A SERVICE CENTRE TO HELP REDEPLOY ANY AFFECTED WORKERS, TO HANDLE HARDSHIP CASES AND TO DEAL WITH COMPLAINTS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE TARGET DATE FOR INTRODUCING THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WAS JULY 1. THIS WOULD GIVE TIME TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS ANY PROBLEMS WHICH MIGHT ARISE.
THfc SPOKESMAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD DO ALL IT COULD TO ASSIST WITH THE PLACEMENT OF ANY AFFECTED WORKERS IN SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE JOBS SHOULD THE NEED ARISE.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO HELP RESOLVE ANY REDEPLOYMENT AND REDUNDANCY PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE.
"THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND WILL HELP MEET ANY DEMAND FOR RETRAINING," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HONG KONG DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF KNITWEAR TO THE U.S. IN 1990 AMOUNTED TO $15.4 BILLION, REPRESENTING 45 PER CENT IN VALUE OF TEXTILE AND CLOTHING DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT’S BEST ESTIMATE IS THAT KNITWEAR OF THE TYPE COVERED BY THE PROPOSED SCHEME CONSTITUTES ABOUT ONE QUARTER BY VOLUME OF EXPORTS OF KNITWEAR TO THE U.S.
--------0-----------
/3 ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
3
DUPLICATE CERTIFICATES TO COST MORE » * t » »
THE FEES CHARGED FOR THE ISSUE OF A DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AS A SOCIETY OR A DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION AS A SOCIETY UNDER THE SOCIETIES RULES WILL BE INCREASED TO $75 FROM THE CURRENT RATE OF $65.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADJUSTMENT WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING FEE REVIEW EXERCISE TO ENSURE THAT THE FEES CHARGED WERE ADEQUATE TO COVER THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INVOLVED.
THE SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) RULES 1991, WHICH GIVE EFFECT TO THE INCREASE IN THE FEES, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW, AND THE INCREASE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON THE SAME DAY.
- - 0 - -
’HONG KONG REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE IN 1990’ PUBLISHED » * * » »
THE "HONG KONG REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE IN 1990", AN ANNUAL PUBLICATION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PROVIDING AN OVERALL PICTURE OF THE EXTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG IN 1990 WITH COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR EARLIER YEARS, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
THE REVIEW PRESENTS A SUMMARY ACCOUNT OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN 1990.
THE TOTAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE AMOUNTED TO $1,282 BILLION IN 1990, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 13% OVER 1989.
RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE RAPIDLY AND IN 1990 THEY TOTALLED $414 BILLION, CONSTITUTING ABOUT 65% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW ARE DOMESTIC EXPORT, RE-EXPORT AND IMPORT STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COUNTRY (AS MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OR AS SUPPLIER FOR HONG KONG’S IMPORTS) AND BY COMMODITY.
FOR IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS, STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND END-USE CATEGORY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. THE LATTER REFERS TO THE GROUPING OF COMMODITIES INTO BROAD CATEGORIES SUCH AS RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES, CONSUMER GOODS AND CAPITAL GOODS, WHICH IS USEFUL FOR MANY RESEARCH PURPOSES.
SEPARATE STATISTICS IN RESPECT OF AIRBORNE TRADE AND SEABORNE TRADE ARE PRESENTED TO FACILITATE ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE BY DIFFERENT MODES OF TRANSPORT.
/IN 1990
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
4
IN 1990, SEABORNE TRADE AND AIRBORNE TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 52% AND 20% IN VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE RESPECTIVELY AND RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 12% AND 11% RESPECTIVELY AS COMPARED WITH 1989.
BREAKDOWNS OF THESE BY COUNTRY AND BY COMMODITY ARE AVAILABLE IN THE REVIEW.
APART FROM EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS IN VALUE TERMS, THE REVIEW DESCRIBES MOVEMENTS IN THE PRICES AND VOLUME OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE AS REFLECTED BY THE UNIT VALUE INDEXES AND QUANTUM INDEXES.
IN ADDITION, THE REVIEW CONTAINS A SUMMARY OF THE EXCHANGE RATES OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST PRINCIPAL FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX.
THE REVIEW ALSO PRESENTS TABLES SHOWING HONG KONG’S POSITION AMONGST THE WORLD’S LEADING EXPORTERS.
IN 1989, HONG KONG WAS THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTER OF IMITATION JEWELLERY AND THE SECOND LARGEST EXPORTER OF CLOTHING (FOLLOWING ITALY) AND COMPLETE WATCHES (FOLLOWING SWITZERLAND).
HONG KONG RANKED THIRD IN THE EXPORTS OF TOYS AND GAMES (FOLLOWING TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA) AND PRECIOUS METAL JEWELLERY (FOLLOWING ITALY AND SWITZERLAND).
IN THE REVIEW, THERE IS A CONCISE TABLE SHOWING HONG KONG’S EXPORT AND IMPORT VALUES AS FAR BACK AS 1963, WHEREAS MOST OTHER TABLES SHOW STATISTICS FROM 1988 TO 1990.
THE REVIEW CONTAINS 13 GRAPHS AND 38 STATISTICAL TABLES. IT IS PRICED AT $25 PER COPY AND IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT WANCHAI TOWER 1, 17TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE PUBLICATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4915.
-----0-----
FRUITFUL ACHIEVEMENT IN INTEGRATED EDUCATION
******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INTEGRATED KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMME HAS PROVED TO BE A SUCCESS SINCE ITS COMMENCEMENT IN 1988, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPEN WEEK CEREMONY OF SUEN MEI SPEECH AND HEARING CENTRE FOR THE DEAF IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, MR LI SAID THE PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED TO INTEGRATE MILDLY DISABLED CHILDREN INTO AN ORDINARY KINDERGARTEN TO IMPROVE AND DEVELOP THEIR COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL SKILLS WHILE LEARNING WITH ORDINARY CHILDREN.
/"ON THE........
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
- 5 -
"ON THE OTHER HAND, IT WILL HELP ORDINARY CHILDREN TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR HANDICAPPED COUNTERPARTS," HE SAID.
MR LI CALLED FOR FULL CO-OPERATION AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE PROVISION OF A SUITABLE AND OVERALL SERVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN.
"EDUCATION IS A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT AND ANY EFFORT AND RESOURCES CONTRIBUTED BY THE COMMUNITY WILL BE REWARDED IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
MR LI PRAISED THE SUEN MEI CENTRE FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AND ITS VALUABLE SERVICE TO THE HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN.
--------0-----------
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TO FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION * * * * *
COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION (FLE) PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO ACHIEVE A BIGGER SUCCESS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUCKY DRAW OF AN FLE QUIZ ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON FLE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, MR FUNG SAID COMMUNITY SUPPORT WAS VITAL TO PROMOTING HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONS, WHICH WAS THE MAIN GOAL OF THE CAMPAIGN.
THE QUIZ HAD ATTRACTED MORE THAN 1,000 ENTRIES, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH SCORED GOOD RESULTS.
"THE HIGH PERCENTAGE OF CORRECT ENTRIES INDICATES THAT THE PUBLIC IS QUITE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONSHIP," MR FUNG ADDED.
FIFTY ENTRIES WERE DRAWN TO WIN SPECIAL PRIZES DONATED BY LEE KUM KEE COMPANY LTD. OTHERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE A PRESENT FROM THE COMPANY.
--------------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 .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
6
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. 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 SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
GRADE ”1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
GRADE ”2” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE ”3” 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. 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 THfe URBAN COUNCIL 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 .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
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
LAST GRADING
(AS AT 11.4.91)
PRESENT GRADING (AS AT 25.4.91)
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*
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2 X
1
2 1
1
1
1 1
2 1
1 1
2 X
1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA NEW CAFETERIA CASTLE PEAK KADOORIE BUTTERFLY
X 3 X 3 2
X 3 X 3 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 1
CLEAR WATER. BAY 2ND BEACH
HAP MUN BAY
KIU TSUI 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1
SILVERSTRAND 3
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
3 1
/ISLANDS DISTRICT........
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
- 8 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER CHEUNG SHA LOWER DISCOVERY BAY* HUNG SHING YEH KWUN YAM WAN TONG FUK LO SO SHING PUI O SILVERMINE BAY TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU TUNG O*
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ * 3
APPROACH 3 2
CASAM 2
GEMINI 3 3
HOI MEI WAN 3
LIDO 2 2
TING KAU * 2
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 1
NOTE: "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES. ♦ NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
SHEK O, SILVERMINE BAY, TUNG WAN ON CHEUNG CHAU AND TUNG WAN ON MA WAN, FROM "1" TO "2".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
/9 ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
9
HONG KONG ISLAND CONSTITUENCIES TO HOLD UC ELECTION FORUMS *****
FOUR URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION FORUMS WILL BE HELD IN THREE DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (APRIL 27 AND 28) FOR CANDIDATES TO INTRODUCE THEIR PLATFORMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS.
DETAILS OF THE FORUMS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE/TIME •CONSTITUENCY CANDIDATES VENUE
APRIL 27 2.30 PM WAN CHAI MR STEPHEN WONG MS SUSANNA YEUNG ENTRANCE TO HOPEWELL CENTRE
APRIL 28 SHAU KEI WAN MR JOSEPH LAI HENG FA CHUEN MTR
3 PM (EASTERN DISTRICT) MR CHIU KIN-MAN MR BROOK BERNACCHI STATION ROOF GARDEN
APRIL 28 3 PM NORTH POINT (EASTERN DISTRICT) MR AU YUK-LUN . MR WONG TAK-LUN MR MAN SAI-CHEONG PROVIDENT GARDEN
APRIL 28 3 PM SOUTHERN MR JOSEPH CHAN MS HARLANNA YEUNG MR HO CHUN-YAN ABERDEEN CENTRE PLAZA
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELECTION FORUMS.
---------0-----------
NEW VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE TO COME INTO OPERATION *****
NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR VEHICLE EXAMINATIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOLLOWING THE FULL OPERATION OF THE NEW KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE ON MAY 1, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF GOODS VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 16 TONNES AND THE ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES WOULD COMMENCE AT THE CENTRE ON MAY 1 AND MAY 15 RESPECTIVELY, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE ANNUAL .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
- 10 -
THE ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF URBAN TAXIS PREVIOUSLY CONDUCTED AT THE TO KWA WAN AND THE SO KON PO CENTRE WOULD MOVE TO THE KOWLOON BAY CENTRE FROM MAY 29 AND JUNE 12 RESPECTIVELY.
TAXIMETER CHECK FOR URBAN TAXIS WILL MOVE FROM THE SO KON PO CENTRE TO THE TO KWA WAN CENTRE FROM JUNE 12.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MOTORISTS WHO HAD MADE APPOINTMENTS FOR A VEHICLE EXAMINATION ON OR AFTER THE RELEVANT DATES MENTIONED ABOVE WOULD BE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY ABOUT THE CHANGE IN EXAMINATION CENTRE.
THE NEW KOWLOON BAY CENTRE IS LOCATED AT 8 TSUI HING STREET, KOWLOON BAY. ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 751 8862.
----------------------------0------- WALLCHARTS AND LEAFLETS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t
COPIES OF TWO USEFUL WALLCHARTS AND LEAFLETS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
THE WALLCHARTS AND LEAFLETS, ON THE TOPICS "SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT: USE FEWER PLASTIC BAGS" AND "IT’S UP TO YOU TO USE LESS PAPER", HIGHLIGHT THE DAMAGES THAT WOULD BE DONE TO THE ENVIRONMENT IF WE NEGLECT OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THE WALLCHARTS AND LEAFLETS ALSO SUGGEST PRACTICAL WAYS ON HOW WE CAN USE FEWER PLASTIC BAGS AND LESS PAPER.
THE WALLCHARTS AND LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RECEPTION COUNTER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON THE 28TH FLOOR OF SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, AND AT THE MARKETING OFFICE OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT ROOM G9, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
--------0 - -
CSD DONATES TO CHARITIES ♦ ♦ » ♦ »
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) TODAY (THURSDAY) DONATED $560,885 TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST AND 20 OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS.
THE COMMUNITY CHEST RECEIVED $48,063 RAISED BY CSD STAFF FOR THE CHEST’S EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION PROGRAMME 1990/91. THE DEPARTMENT’S OVERALL PARTICIPATION RATE IN THE PROGRAMME WAS 94 PER CENT.
/THE OTHER .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
- 11 -
THE OTHER PART OF THE DONATION, $512,822, WAS RECEIVED BY 20 CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS. THIS AMOUNT CAME FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE AUTUMN FAIR ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SPORTS ASSOCIATION AT STANLEY LAST NOVEMBER.
THE RECIPIENTS INCLUDED THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, THE PRISONERS’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES, THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND, CARITAS LOK HEEP CLUB, DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD AND THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN KUN SUN ASSOCIATION.
AT A CEREMONY HELD AT CSD HEADQUARTERS, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR ERIC MCCOSH, PRESENTED CHEQUES TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MR DENIS BRAY, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 20 ORGANISATIONS.
ID CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1923 - 28
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 AND 1928 TO APPLY FOR NEW
IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE MAY 18.
"TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000," HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO REPLACE THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY. 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 : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI
TEL. NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. NO. 755 3669
/WEST KOWLOON .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
K
12
WEST KOWLOON
: CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI
TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR,
29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 498 0117
SHA TIN
YUEN LONG
TUEN MUN
SHEUNG SHUI
: SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
: HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD
TEL. NO. 477 1543
: CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN
TEL. NO. 458 0646
: TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
THEY MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DIALLING 824 0303 TO ENQUIRE ABOUT DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS TO BRING ALONG.
THE SPOKESMAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD
BE NO AMNESTY FOR
- - 0---------
CANDIDATES FOR HEUNG YEE KUK ELECTION ANNOUNCED
******
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THE LIST OF CANDIDATES WHO WILL TAKE PART IN THE ELECTION OF SPECIAL COUNCILLORS FOR THE 28TH TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, AS FOLLOWS:
TAI PO ELECTORAL DISTRICT
MR WONG MUK-LIN, STEPHEN
MR MAK NAM
MR MOK KAM-KWAI
MR WAN AH-FAT
MR TO SHEK
MR WONG KAM-SANG
MR LEE WAI
/SOUTHERN ELECTORAL .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
13
SOUTHERN ELECTORAL DISTRICT
MR HO PING-CHIU MR CHEUNG FU MR LAW KAM-FAI MR LUNG KWOK-FAI MR LEUNG CHOY-FUK MR LAM SAI-CHEUNG MR YUEN WAI MR FU YUEN-HUNG MR LO CHUEN-SANG MR LAI KWAI-FONG
YUEN LONG ELECTORAL DISTRICT
MS LI YORK-LAN MR TANG NAM-SHING MR TANG PAK-HUNG MR TANG HOP-WAN MR TANG WAI-MING MR MAN CHIU-PUI MR KAN FONG
AS THERE ARE ONLY SEVEN CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR THE SEVEN SEATS IN EACH OF THE TAI PO AND YUEN LONG ELECTORAL DISTRICT, THE SPECIAL COUNCILLORS OF THESE TWO DISTRICTS WILL BE RETURNED UNOPPOSED.
AN ELECTION WILL BE HELD FOR THE SOUTHERN ELECTORAL DISTRICT ON MAY 2 WITH 10 CANDIDATES VYING FOR THE SEVEN SEATS.
THE ELECTION WILL BE CONDUCTED BY SECRET BALLOT AT THE HEUNG YEE KUK OFFICE.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL BE THE RETURNING OFFICER.
------0--------
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN WONG TAI SIN ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS FROM THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR HOLDING ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS THIS SUMMER.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE’S SOUTH SUB-OFFICE AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BEFORE MAY 6, A COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
/•'HOWEVER, APPLICATIONS.......
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
- 14 -
"HOWEVER, APPLICATIONS FROM AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED," HE ADDED.
A BRIEFING SESSION ON THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY (APRIL 30), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM IN ROOM 410 OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THOSE INTERESTED ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. ENQUIRIES AND RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 322 2261.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SYP AIMED AT ENCOURAGING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO HOLD RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ON THE THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY" FOR YOUTH.
"IT IS HOPED THAT YOUNGSTERS WILL DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMITMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY AND SHARE CHEERS AND FUN THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
------0-------
• ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN SHAM SHUI PO
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURE IS EXTENDED OUTSIDE FLAT K, SECOND FLOOR, KA WUI BUILDING, 1-11 FUK WING STREET.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 14 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 24.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 25.4.91 4-49
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -49
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 »+0.2* 25.4.91
/HONG KONG
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1991
- 15 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
HKEI
91-DAY EXCHANGE
FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 360 + 120
Q116 17.7.91 350 + 130
QI 1 7 24.7.91 353.5 +126.5
Q105 1.5.91 660 -180
Q106 8.5.91 593.5 -113.5
Q107 15.5.91 521 -41
Q108 22.5.91 420 + 60
Q109 29.5.91 450 + 30
QUO 5.6.91 300 + 180
QI 11 12.6.91 440 + 40
QI 12 19.6.91 640 -160
QI 13 26.6.91 560 -80
QI 14 3.7.91 460 + 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEJ
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 170 +90
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
H003 29.5.91 240 + 20
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 133 + 127
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 160 + 100
H159 4.9.91 130 + 130
H160 18.9.91 200 + 60
H161 2.10.91 -10 + 270
Hl 62 17.10.91 1 10 + 150
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 170 +90
Y188 25.3.92 190 +70
Y189 22.4.92 200 +60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 19.4.91 WAS 3,922 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH PUBLISHED ....................... 1
HK OFFICIALS TO ATTEND MEETING ON INDOCHINESE REFUGEES ........... 4
HK TO PLAY HOST TO ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MEETING................. 4
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED INTO PARTIAL COLLAPSE OF BUILDING . 5
THREE GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $492 MILLION ............................ 5
VARIOUS ISSUES DISCUSSED AT LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING ........................................................ 6
BENEFITS OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION BEING STUDIED .................. 7
MARINE DUMPING ACTION PLAN TO START ON MAY 1 ..................... 8
AMENDMENTS TO BANKING ORDINANCE GAZETTED ......................... 10
IMPROVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SHUE YAN COLLEGE STUDENTS ...... 12
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED .......................................... 13
PROPOSED LINKING OF BUS ONLY LANES AT HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE.... 13
PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS TAI WO HAU ROAD........................ 14
DREDGING AT SOUTH OF MA WAN ...................................... 15
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS ...................... 16
TENDERS INVITED FOR REFURBISHMENT OF RTHK STUDIO.................. 16
DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND OFF PO TOI .............................. 17
KANG YUNG STUDY HALL DECLARED A MONUMENT.......................... 17
MOBILE MISSION TO SPREAD UC MESSAGES ............................. 18
PARK'N SHOP FINED................................................. 19
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON 1990 CRIME VICTIMISATION SURVEY ........ 20
POLICE CLUB ORGANISES CAR RACE ON SUNDAY ......................... 20
TUEN MUN BONSAI SHOW OPENS TODAY ................................. 21
CHILDREN'S DRAWING CONTEST IN YAU TSIM ........................... 22
FIRING PRACTICE IN MAY ........................................... 22
FARE INCREASE ON NT GMB ROUTE 43 ................................. 23
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN KOWLOON CITY ...................... 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....... 24
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 1 -CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH PUBLISHED * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE NEW SERIES OF 1989/90-BASED CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (OCT. 89/SEP. 90 = 100) AS WELL AS THE 1984/85-BASED SERIES (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR MARCH 1991.
THE 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) HAVE BEEN COMPILED SINCE OCTOBER 1990 AND WILL BE RELEASED IN PARALLEL WITH THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) AS FROM THIS MONTH. THE LATTER SERIES WILL BE DISCONTINUED AFTER MARCH 1992.
THE 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) FOR MARCH 1991 WERE 111.9 AND 111.1 RESPECTIVELY. COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991, CPI(A) INCREASED BY 1.4% AND CPI(B) BY 0.9%, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES, HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH FRUITS AND HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS.
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 CPI’S FOR YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON OF PRICE MOVEMENTS.
THE 1984/85-BASED CP1(A) AND CPI(B) FOR MARCH 1991, AT 155.8 AND 153.9 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 12.9% AND 12.3% RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1990. THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1991 WERE 10.8% AND 11.9% RESPECTIVELY FOR BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B).
THE FASTER RATES OF INCREASE RECORDED IN MARCH WERE MAINLY DUE TO THE INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF TOBACCO. EXCLUDING THE HIGHER TOBACCO DUTY WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE PERCENTAGE POINT ON THE CPI(A) AND NEARLY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT ON THE CPI(B), AND THE CONCURRENT INCREASE IN TOBACCO PRICE OVER AND ABOVE THIS HIGHER DUTY, BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE 11.2% HIGHER IN MARCH 1991 THAN IN 1990.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CP1(B) OF THE 1984/85-BASED SERIES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 1991, AT 146.1 AND 145.5 RESPECTIVELY, WERE BOTH 10.4% HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 1990.
FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CP1(B) OF THE 1984/85-BASED SERIES INCREASED BY 11.9% AND 11.6% RESPECTIVELY OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, FASTER RATES OF INCREASE IN THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) IN MARCH 1991 WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO FOR HOME CONSUMPTION (69.8%), SERVICES (14.2%), TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES (13.6%) AND HOUSING (13.2%).
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE FOR THE SAME COMPONENTS IN THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(B) WERE 65.2%, 13.0%, 14.4% AND 12.3% RESPECTIVELY.
/THE INDEX .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 2 -
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS, WHICH HAS THE LARGEST WEIGHTING IN THE INDEX, INCREASED BY 11.2% IN CPI(A) AND BY 11.7% IN CPI(B). THESE FIVE COMPONENTS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 89% OF THE OVERALL INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AND 88% OF THE INCREASE IN THE CPI(B).
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 1991, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) OF THE 1989/90-BASED SERIES INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.3% AND 1.2% PER MONTH RESPECTIVELY.
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.
PRICE MOVEMENTS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE BASED ON THE 1989/90-BASED CPI SERIES.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1991 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991 ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
INDEX FOR % CHANGE OVER INDEX FOR % CHANGE OVER
SECTION MAR 91 FEB 91 MAR 91 FEB 91
FOODSTUFFS MEALS BOUGHT AWAY 111.6 114.2 + 0.3 + 1.7 112.2 114.1 + 0.5 + 1.5
FROM HOME FOODSTUFFS, EXCLUDING 109.0 -1.0 109.7 -0.9
MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME HOUSING 112.4 + 0.7 112.1 + 0.9
FUEL AND LIGHT 111.0 -1.7 110.4 -1.8
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS 165.9 + 51.7 151.6 + 37.7
AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) CLOTHING AND 102.4 + 0.2 102.6 -0.1
FOOTWEAR DURABLE GOODS 104.2 + 0.6 103.9 + 0.9
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 106.6 + 0.5 106.1 + 0.5
TRANSPORT AND 110.2 -0.1 111.7 + 0.2
VEHICLES SERVICES 112.0 -0.9 110.7 -1 . 1
ALL ITEMS 111.9 + 1 .4 111.1 + 0.9
/COMPARING MARCH .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 3 -
COMPARING MARCH 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1991, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 0.3% IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.5% IN CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE (BARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES AND IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE DECREASES IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE POULTRY AND SOME FRESH SEA PRODUCTS INCLUDING SHRIMPS AND CRABS.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 0.7% IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.9% IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY 1.7% IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.8% IN CP1(B) DUE TO LOWER PRICES OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS AS WELL AS THE DOWNWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT FOR TOWNGAS.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 51.7% IN CPI(A) AND BY 37.7% IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS ARISING FROM INCREASED DUTIES.
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY 0.6% IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.9% IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF TRAVEL GOODS, OPTICAL GOODS AND VIDEO AND SOUND EQUIPMENT.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES DECREASED BY 0.9% IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.1% IN CPI(B) AS CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AND PACKAGE TOURS RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPT FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR MARCH 1991, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $7 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6403.
THE 1989/90-BASED HANG SENG CPI WAS 110.7 IN MARCH 1991, UP BY 0.4% OVER FEBRUARY 1991 WHILE THE 1984/85-BASED HANG SENG CPI WAS 163.0 IN MARCH 1991, UP BY 12.2% OVER MARCH 1990.
THE 1989/90-BASED HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF ABOUT 10% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG WHICH SPENT $ 17,5OO-$37,499 A MONTH DURING 1989/90.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG (’PI REPORT ISSUED RY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 19.91
- 4 -
HK OFFICIALS TO ATTEND MEETING ON INDOCHINESE REFUGEES
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPRE1! , AND THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, WILL BE REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AT THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDOCHINESE REFUGEES.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN GENEVA ON APRIL 30 AND MAY 1.
-----0-----
HK TO PLAY HOST TO ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MEETING
*****
THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT- BANK (ADB) HAS PASSED A RESOLUTION TO HOLD ITS NEXT (25TH) ANNUAL MEETING IN HONG KONG FROM MAY 4 TO 6, 1992.
WELCOMING THE OPPORTUNITY OF HOSTING THE MEETING WHICH WILL BE ATTENDED BY 2,000 TO 3,000 ADB DELEGATES, TOP BANKERS AND FINANCIAL FIGURES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, HONG KONG IS AN APPROPRIATE VENUE FOR THIS IMPORTANT OCCASION.
"THIS IS THE FIRST EVER ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ADB IN HONG KONG AND A MILESTONE FOR THE ORGANISATION MARKING MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF HELPING TO DEVELOP ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CO-OPERATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HONG KONG JOINED THE ADB IN 1969, AND IS AMONG THE BANK’S EARLIEST MEMBERS. MEMBERSHIP OF THE ADB NOW STANDS AT 51.
A HONG KONG DELEGATION LED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, IS NOW LN VANCOUVER ATTENDING THE 24TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ADB.
---------0 - -
/5........
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
5 -
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED INTO PARTIAL COLLAPSE OF BUILDING
THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (FRIDAY) CONFIRMED THAT A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE PARTIAL COLLAPSE YESTERDAY OF A BUILDING UNDER DEMOLITION IN SHEUNG WAN HAD BEEN CONDUCTED AND ALI, ASPECTS OF SAFETY WOULD BE URGENTLY EXAMINED IN DETAIL.
"THESE INCLUDE THE ADEQUACY UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT AND SUPERVISING THE DEMOLITION IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE; THE ADEQUACY OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE PROVISIONS GOVERNING DEMOLITION GENERALLY; AND THE NEED TO INCREASE INSPECTION OF DEMOLITION SITES BY BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE STAFF," HE SAID.
"THE DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS ON AS MANY AS 100 SITES IS TAKING PLACE DAILY WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO WORKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN URGENT NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT WENT WRONG IN THIS CASE," HE ADDED.
------0--------
THREE GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $492 MILLION * * * * *
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $492 MILLION AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (FRIDAY) HELD BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST LOT, MEASURING ABOUT 10,490 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT AREA 6, MA WO, TAI PO. IT IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY PEACE SUCCESS DEVELOPMENT LTD AT $325 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $220 MILLION.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,600 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1995.
THE SECOND LOT WITH AN AREA OF 2,020 SQUARE METRES IS AT LAM LOK STREET, KOWLOON BAY, AND IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
THE LOT WAS SOLD TO THOUSAND GROWTH DEVELOPMENT LTD FOR $131 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENING AT $60 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 12,000 SQUARE METRES WITHIN 48 MONTHS.
/THE THIRD ......
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 6 -
THE THIRD LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 26, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING.
IT HAS AN AREA OF 1,966 SQUARE METRES AND IS TO BE USED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE AND ANY GODOWN FOR DANGEROUS GOODS.
BIDDING OPENED AT $20 MILLION, THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY HARVESTRADE INVESTMENT LTD FOR $36 MILLION.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 5,898 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1995.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR TIM MILLS.
MR MILLS SAID THE RESULTS WERE EXTREMELY GOOD.
------0-------
VARIOUS ISSUES DISCUSSED AT LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING ♦ * ♦ ♦ t *
AT A MEETING OF THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY), MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE AND NOTED THAT A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JULY THIS YEAR.
THEY WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS GAZETTED ON APRIL 19, 1991, REGARDING THE SETTING UP OF AN APPEAL BOARD TO REPLACE THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN THE CONSIDERATION OF OBJECTIONS TO THE DECISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD UNDER SECTION 17(7) OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO DISCUSSED THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED BUILDING (ADMINISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991 TO CHARGE FEES FOR THE PROCESSING OF BUILDING PLANS.
THE MEETING NOTED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AND THAT AN AD HOC GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO STUDY THE AMENDED REGULATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO DISCUSSED MATTERS RELATING TO THE EXTENSION OF NON-RENEWABLE LEASES IN THE URBAN AREA.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT SUCH LEASES WOULD NORMALLY BE EXTENDED UNLESS THE LAND WAS REQUIRED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, SUCH AS OPEN SPACE OR ROAD WIDENING, WHICH WAS INDICATED ON THE RELEVANT STATUTORY TOWN PLAN.
/A LESSEE .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
A LESSEE COULD APPROACH THE GOVERNMENT TO SEEK ADVICE IF HE HAD ANY DOUBT REGARDING THE STATUTORY ZONING OF HIS PROPERTY.
THE COMMITTEE BRIEFLY REVIEWED THE QUESTION OF SPECULATION IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, AND NOTED THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS CONSIDERING VARIOUS ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF CONSUMERS IN PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS.
- - 0 - -
BENEFITS OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION BEING STUDIED
*****
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS TO UNDERTAKE A STUDY TO ASSESS THE SHORT AND LONG TERM BENEFITS OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AND TO RECOMMEND HOW SUCH BENEFITS CAN BE ACHIEVED, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON MATERIAL HANDLING AND AUTOMATION IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY ORGANISED BY THE SWEDISH TRADE OFFICE IN HONG KONG, MR BARMA SAID THE CONSULTANTS WOULD ALSO ADVISE ON HOW MANUFACTURERS COULD BE HELPED TO MAKE OPTIMAL USE OF AUTOMATION.
"I AM SURE THE STUDY’S RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE OF PRACTICAL RELEVANCE TO INDUSTRY GENERALLY, INCLUDING THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
IN 1990, OVER 900 FOOD AND BEVERAGE FACTORIES WERE OPERATING IN HONG KONG, EMPLOYING MORE THAN 23,000 PEOPLE, OR 3.2 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING.
MR BARMA SAID AS IN OTHER INDUSTRIAL SECTORS THE USE OF ADVANCED MACHINERY AND TECHNOLOGY COULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEVELOPING OUR EXPORT MARKETS.
"ADVANCED AUTOMATION AND TECHNOLOGY ARE ESSENTIAL IN HELPING OUR EXPORTS TO MEET STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL HEALTH STANDARDS.
"ALTHOUGH THE INITIAL CAPITAL OUTLAY IS SIGNIFICANT, ADVANCED AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT IS BECOMING MORE COMMON IN THE LOCAL FOOD INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO REMAIN COST COMPETITIVE AND BREAK INTO OVERSEAS MARKETS," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID OVERSEAS INVESTMENT HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY.
IN 1989, THERE WERE 25 FOOD AND BEVERAGE UNDERTAKINGS EITHER WHOLLY OR PARTLY OWNED BY OVERSEAS INTERESTS.
"ALTOGETHER, THEY ACCOUNTED FOR TOTAL INVESTMENT OF $1.4 BILLION AT ORIGINAL COST.
/"THIRTY-ONE PER
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 8 -
’’THIRTY-ONE PER CENT OF SUCH INVESTMENT CAME FROM JAPAN AND 12 PER CENT FROM THE USA. THESE FACTORIES TEND TO BE RELATIVELY LARGE AND EMPLOY A TOTAL OF SOME 4,400 PEOPLE,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID OVERSEAS INVESTORS VALUED HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A MAJOR FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CENTRE FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AND AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA.
"THEY KNOW THAT WE HAVE A FIRST-RATE NATURAL HARBOUR, WHICH SERVES ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT PORTS. THEY KNOW THAT IN HONG KONG THERE ARE NO EXCHANGE CONTROLS OR RESTRICTIONS ON REMITTANCE OF PROFITS, WHILE MONEY IS FREELY CONVERTIBLE INTO ANY CURRENCY.
’’THEY KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOW AND SIMPLE TAX REGIME - NO TAXES ARE LEVIED ON OFFSHORE PROFITS, CAPITAL GAINS, DIVIDENDS OR INTEREST PAYMENTS - AND THE MAXIMUM RATE FOR PERSONAL SALARIES TAX IS 15 PER CENT AND FOR CORPORATE PROFITS TAX 16.5 PER CENT, WITH GENEROUS DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES.
’’THEY ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A HARDWORKING AND VERSATILE LABOUR FORCE,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WELCOMED OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO SET UP MANUFACTURING OR MANUFACTURING SUPPORT FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.
"IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHETHER AN INVESTOR IS LOCAL OR FROM OVERSEAS, THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE AND THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL PARTICIPATION OR EXPORT ORIENTATION IN PROJECTS.
"WE RECOGNISE THAT THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY FROM OVERSEAS COMPANIES IS HELPING TO UPGRADE THE CAPABILITIES OF OUR LOCAL INDUSTRIES,” HE SAID.
---------0-----------
MARINE DUMPING ACTION PLAN TO START ON MAY 1 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A MARINE DUMPING ACTION PLAN, WHICH AIMS AT DETERRING THE EXTENSIVE MALPRACTICES OF ILLEGAL AND SHORT DUMPING ACTIVITIES IN THE HARBOUR, WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) ON MAY 1.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER CONTROL) OF THE EPD, MR JOHN BOXALL, POINTED OUT THAT THE SERIOUS EXTENT OF MARINE DUMPING MALPRACTICES HAD CAUSED ENVIRNOMENTAL DAMAGE TO THE BENTHIC LAYERS OF THE SEABED; GENERATED FLOATING REFUSE PROBLEMS AND INTERFERED WITH SHIPPING, DREDGING AND RECLAMATION OPERATIONS.
’’THE EXTENSIVE SHORT DUMPING ALSO MAKES THE USE OF MARINE BORROW MATERIALS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE MATERIALS ARE COVERED BY A VARIETY OF BUILDING DEBRIS INCLUDING BOULDERS AND CONCRETE SLABS,” HE SAID.
/“THIS MAKES
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 9 -
"THIS MAKES FOR DIFFICULTIES WHEN EXCAVATING THESE MATERIALS.
"THE DUMPING OF CONTAMINATED MUD AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE DESIGNATED AREAS ALSO LEADS TO UNACCEPTABLE POLLUTION TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND POSES A THREAT TO THE MARINE LIFE."
MR BOXALL SAID THE MARINE DUMPING ACTION PLAN WAS DESIGNED TO STOP FURTHER MARINE DUMPING MALPRACTICES.
"STEPS INCLUDE MORE REGULAR INSPECTION OF THE BARGE LOADING POINTS, ADDITIONAL MARINE PATROLS AS WELL AS PUNITIVE MEASURES OF LICENCE REVOCATION AND REFUSAL," HE SAID.
MR BOXALL SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND MARINE POLICE WOULD CONTINUE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO THE EPD TO DETECT OFFENCES DURING THEIR ROUTINE PATROLS IN THE HARBOUR.
"THE EPD WILL INITIATE IMMEDIATE PROSECUTION OF SERIOUS OFFENCES AND NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS WITHOUT ANY WARNING.
"IF FLOATING REFUSE IS OBSERVED, THE EPD WILL NOTIFY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WHICH CAN TAKE OUT PROSECUTION FOR MARINE LITTERING UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE."
THE EPD TOOK OUT 17 PROSECUTION CASES IN 1990, WITH THE COURTS IMPOSING THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 ON NINE OCCASIONS.
TWO REPEAT OFFENDERS WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED WITH THE MAXIMUM FINE ON THREE OCCASIONS.
MR BOXALL SAID THE MAXIMUM FINE STIPULATED IN THE DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) 1975 WAS TOO LOW TO EXERT A DETERRENT EFFECT.
"THEREFORE, THE EPD HAS TO EXERCISE OTHER PUNITIVE MEASURES SUCH AS LICENCE REVOCATION AND REFUSAL," HE SAID.
"THE DECISION TO EXERCISE THOSE MEASURES WILL BE MAINLY BASED UPON PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS.
"CHECKS AND BALANCES WILL BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE APPEAL ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER ALL REPRESENTATIONS."
HE SAID GENERAL CONSENSUS HAD BEEN REACHED AMONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THAT ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE ILLEGAL ACT HAD TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.
"SUB-CONTRACTORS WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE DUMPING OPERATIONS WILL BE ISSUED WITH A NEW LICENCE ONLY IF THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF CONVICTION.
"THOSE BARGES AND TUG BOATS WHICH WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE OFFENCE WOULD BE DELISTED FROM THE LIST OF AUTHORISED VESSELS IN ANY NEW LICENCE ISSUED TO THE MAIN CONTRACTOR," MR BOXALL SAID.
"THE ACTION PLAN SETS OUT THE FRAMEWORK OF OUR ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY AND ALL PARTIES WILL BE TREATED ON A FAIR BASIS. WE NEED TO TAKE PROMPT ACTION TO STOP FURTHER MALPRACTICES," HE CONCLUDED.
------0--------
/10 .....
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 10 -
AMENDMENTS TO BANKING ORDINANCE GAZETTED
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENTS TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE REQUIRED FOR THE BETTER SUPERVISION OF THE INDUSTRY WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROVISIONS FOR REGULATING CHANGES OF CONTROL OF LOCALLY INCORPORATED AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND UPDATING THE REQUIREMENTS ON LARGE LOANS AND OTHER RISK CONCENTRATIONS.
"THERE WERE SHORTCOMINGS IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM FOR REGULATING CHANGES OF CONTROL OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FOR INSTANCE, THE PRESENT REGIME DOES NOT ENABLE CONSENT TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM A CONTROLLER WHEN THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT HE IS NO LONGER FIT AND PROPER.
"SECONDLY, THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER THE ACQUISITION OF SHAREHOLDINGS, WHICH STOP SHORT OF FULL CONTROL (THAT IS 10 PER CENT TO 49 PER CENT), IN AN INSTITUTION’S HOLDING COMPANY. INCREASINGLY INSTITUTIONS ARE BECOMING PART OF GROUPS, UNDER A HOLDING COMPANY.
"THIRDLY, IT IS ONLY AFTER AN OWNER HAS ACQUIRED AN INTEREST IN AN INSTITUTION THAT HE IS FORMALLY REQUIRED TO SEEK PERMISSION.
"THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING THEREFORE CANNOT PREVENT PERSONS WHO ARE NOT FIT AND PROPER FROM BECOMING CONTROLLERS OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CLAUSE 18 OF THE BILL DEALS WITH THESE PROBLEMS BY REPEALING SECTION 70 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND SUBSTITUTING NEW SECTIONS 70 TO 70D.
"UNDER THE NEW PROVISION, THE COMMISSIONER IS EMPOWERED TO OBJECT, ON CERTAIN SPECIFIED GROUNDS, TO PERSONS BECOMING OR REMAINING CONTROLLERS OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG. APPROPRIATE SANCTIONS ARE ALSO INTRODUCED,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO MADE BY REPEALING SECTION 72 UNDER CLAUSE 20 AND AMENDING SECTION 72A UNDER CLAUSE 21.
"THE PROPOSALS ARE LARGELY BASED ON PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANOTHER AREA WHERE MAJOR CHANGES ARE CONTEMPLATED IS PART XV OF THE ORDINANCE. THIS PART LIMITS THE SIZE OF INDIVIDUAL LOANS TO A SINGLE BORROWER, OR GROUP OF BORROWERS. CEILINGS ARE ALSO PLACED ON OTHER INVESTMENT INTERESTS OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS.
/PROPOSED AMENDMENTS .......
FRIDAY, APRIL. 26, 1991
- 11 -
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PART XV INCLUDE :
♦ RESTRICTING THE APPLICATION OF MANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ART TO AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG;
*
* CHANGING THE EXISTING METHOD FOR CALCULATING THE VARIOUS LIMITS UNDER PART XV BY REFERENCE TO THE "CAPITAL BASE" INSTEAD OF "CAPITAL AND RESERVES" OF INSTITUTIONS; AND
* EMPOWERING THE COMMISSIONER TO APPLY LARGE EXPOSURE LIMITS TO INSTITUTIONS ON A GROUP BASIS.
"THE PROPOSED CHANGES ALSO AIM TO BRING THE REGULATORY REGIME IN LINE WITH RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BASLE COMMITTEE ON BANKING SUPERVISION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE ORDINANCE CONTAINS CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON ADVERTISEMENTS BY OVERSEAS DEPOSIT-TAKERS WHICH ARE NOT AUTHORISED IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID SINCE THERE WAS NO EXCHANGE CONTROL BARRIERS TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS DEPOSITING WITH OVERSEAS DEPOSIT-TAKERS, IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW SUCH BANKS TO ADVERTISE, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN SAFEGUARDS.
UNDER SECTION 92 OF THE ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO ISSUE CERTAIN ADVERTISEMENTS IN RELATION TO DEPOSITS.
CLAUSE 36 AMENDS THE SECTION TO PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL NOT APPLY TO AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR DEPOSITS OUTSIDE HONG KONG IF THE ADVERTISEMENT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW FIFTH SCHEDULE AT CLAUSE 53.
THE SCHEDULE SPECIFIES THAT THE ADVERTISEMENT SHOULD CONTAIN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, KEY INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND A WARNING THAT IT IS NOT AUTHORISED UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE SUPERVISION OF THE COMMISSIONER.
"THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE CURRENTLY IN FORCE UNDER THE UK BANKING ACT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CERTAIN AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO MADE TO THE SECRECY PROVISIONS UNDER SECTIONS 120 AND 121 OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THE GLOBALISATION OF BANKING BUSINESS AND THE EMERGENCE OF FINANCIAL CONGLOMERATES CALL FOR CLOSER CONTACT BETWEEN BANKING AND OTHER FINANCIAL REGULATORS," HE SAID.
"THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE SECRECY PROVISIONS ARE IN LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BASLE COMMITTEE," HE ADDED.
CLAUSES 40 AND 41 RESPECTIVELY WIDEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE COMMISSIONER MAY DISCLOSE INFORMATION ON AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS.
"THESE INCLUDE PERMITTING DISCLOSURE TO OTHER DOMESTIC REGULATORS AND OVERSEAS BANKING REGULATORS ON THE GROUND OF ENABLING OR ASSISTING THEM TO PERFORM THEIR FUNCTIONS AND REMOVING THE RESTRICTION THAT AN OVERSEAS BANKING REGULATOR MUST HAVE A DIRECT SUPERVISORY ROLE OVER THE INSTITUTION CONCERNED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/A NUMBER .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
12
A NUMBER OF MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN PROPOSED. THESE INCLUDE THE ADDITION OF TWO FURTHER NEW GROUNDS IN SECTION 29 ON WHICH A BANKING LICENCE MAY BE REVOKED; THE PERMISSION OF THE USE OF THE NAME OF A BANK BY ITS LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE UNDER SECTION 97- AND THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 97A WHICH MAKES *IT AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON TO FALSELY INDICATE THAT HE IS AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION.
"THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED WITH AND ARE GENERALLY WELCOMED BY THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
"THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS AND THE HONG KONG DEPOSIT-FAKING COMPANIES ASSOCIATION HAVE BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSED ’■'RANGES TO PART XV," HE ADDED.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 8 THIS YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE COMMISSIONER?OF BANKING, MR TONY NICOLLE, WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ON THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 AT 4.30 PM TODAY (FRIDAY) AT.HIS OFFICE ON 28TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG.
------0--------
IMPROVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SHUE YAN COLLEGE STUDENTS
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW PACKAGE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SHUE YAN COLLEGE STUDENTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SUBJECT TO ENDORSEMENT BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE IMPROVED PACKAGE OF ASSISTANCE, WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO A MEANS TEST, WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE 1991-92 SCHOOL YEAR.
EXPLAINING DETAILS OF THE NEW PACKAGE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE WHO MEET THE EXISTING CRITERIA OF ELIGIBILITY WOULD RECEIVE GRANTS INaADDITION TO LOANS UNDER THE STUDENT FINANCE ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY INTEREST ON LOANS AT THE SAME RATE (AT 2.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM) AS THAT CHARGED TO STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND COLLEGES OF EDUCATION.
"THE GRANTS WILL IMPROVE THE PACKAGE‘OF ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS OF SHUE YAN COLLEGE, WHICH IS A PRIVATELY-RUN POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE.
"AT PRESENT, SHUE YAN COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR LOANS, BUT NOT GRANTS, FROM THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
UNDER THE NEW PACKAGE, AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT COULD RECEIVE A MAXIMUM GRANT OF $4,700 AND A MAXIMUM LOAN OF $10,300 PER YEAR.
------0--------
/13 .....
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 13 -
BANKING LICENCE REVOKED * * * * *
THE BANKING LICENCE OF THE KYOWA BANK, LTD HAS BEEN REVOKED AT ITS REQUEST WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"AFTER THE MERGER OF THE KYOWA BANK, LTD AND THE SAITAMA BANK, LTD IN JAPAN ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, KYOWA CEASED TO BE A SEPARATE INDEPENDENT ENTITY CARRYING ON BANKING BUSINESS IN ITS OWN RIGHT IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
KYOWA AND SAITAMA WERE GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO OPERATE IN HONG KONG IN 1984 AND 1982 RESPECTIVELY.
AFTER THE REVOCATION, THERE ARE 166 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 136 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
-----0-'----
PROPOSED LINKING OF BUS ONLY LANES AT HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT WORKS TO LINK UP THE EXISTING KOWLOON-BOUND BUS ONLY LANES ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD IN SHA TIN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY): "THERE IS A GAP OF ABOUT 300 METRES AT THE HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE BETWEEN THE EXISTING BUS ONLY LANE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND THAT ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD.
"BUSES ARE STILL REQUIRED TO MERGE WITH THE GENERAL TRAFFIC AND SUFFER THE SAME DELAY AS THE GENERAL TRAFFIC BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE BUS ONLY LANE ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO LINK THE TWO BUS ONLY LANES TO MAKE BUS JOURNEY TIME EVEN MORE RELIABLE AND TO IMPROVE MERGING AND SAFETY AT THE INTERCHANGE," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE MAINLY THE WIDENING OF THIS 300-METRE SECTION OF THE KOWLOON-BOUND LANE OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AT THE INTERCHANGE.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THE PLAN 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;
/* SHA TIN ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 14 -
* SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN; AND
* SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
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 JUNE 25 THIS YEAR.
-----0------
PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS TAI WO HAU ROAD
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS TAI WO HAU ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH HING FONG ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG TO PROVIDE A SEGREGATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FOR THE KWAI SHING CIRCUIT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) DEVELOPMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE KWAI SHING CIRCUIT HOS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, WHEN COMPLETED IN MAY 1993, WOULD PROVIDE ABOUT 700 DOMESTIC UNITS.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF REDEVELOPMENT OF KWAI SHING, KWAI FONG AND KWAI HING ESTATES IN THE DISTRICT, THE DEMAND FOR ROAD CROSSING FACILITIES OVER TAI WO HAU ROAD AND TO SUN KWAI HING GARDEN WOULD INCREASE.
THE PROPOSED COVERED FOOTBRIDGE, WHICH IS THREE-METRE WIDE WITH AN ACCESS STAIRCASE ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF TAI WO HAU ROAD, WILL BE LINKED TO THE EXISTING STAIRCASE OF SUN KWAI HING GARDEN.
CAISSON FOUNDATION AND BRIDGE SUPPORTS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON BOTH SIDES OF TAI WO HAU ROAD.
PEDESTRIANS USING THIS FOOTBRIDGE WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO THE SUN KWAI HING GARDEN PLAZA AND ADJOINING MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ENTRANCE DIRECTLY FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF TAI WO HAU ROAD.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN 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;
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TSUEN WAN STATION
MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH AND 11TH FLOORS,
174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; AND
/* KWAI TSING
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- ' 15 -
t KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICE’S BUILDING, 166- 1 74 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JUNE 25 THIS YEAR.
------0-----------
DREDGING AT SOUTH OF MA WAN ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF OF SEABED SOUTH OF MA WAN FOR MATERIALS FOR USE IN FUTURE RECLAMATION PROJECTS IN TH*E TERRITORY .
93.542 HECTARES
CONSTRUCTION
AND
HIGHER
THE AREA WILL BE BACKFILLED TO A LEVEL NOT ORIGINAL SEABED WITH THE SURPLUS DREDGED MATERIAL FROM THE OR DREDGED OR EXCAVATED MATERIAL FROM ELSEWHERE.
THAN SAME
THE
AREA
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
NOTICE OF
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHI IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED B\ THE PROJECT MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE
OR EASEMENT
INJURIOUSLY
COMPENSATION
APRIL 25 NEXT
YEAR.
THE SUBMISSION SHALL STATE THE SUM OF MONEY HE ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH IW< POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
IS WILLING TO SHOULD SUBMIT
THE GAZETTE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
SEEN
THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER);
LANDS (WHERE
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE IEAK
ROAD, TSUEN WAN;
THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE^ KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, CHUNG; AND
CENTRE,
HING KWAI
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE. 10TH ^°0R’ J^UEN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE
ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
WAN PEAK
t
♦
*
t
- - 0 - -
/16
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 16 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS ♦ ♦*♦♦*
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS FROM THE WINSLOW STREET PUMPING STATION TO HOK YUEN STREET AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME FOR IMPROVING THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN TO KWA WAN AND HUNG HOM.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE SCHEME, SEWAGE IN TO KWA WAN AND HUNG HOM WILL BE CONVEYED TO A NEW SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT NEAR BAILEY STREET.
WORKS UNDER THIS CONTRACT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRAVITY AND PRESSURE SEWERS OF UP TO 1,050 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER WITH A TOTAL LENGTH OF ABOUT 1,620 METRES ALONG CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, COOKE STREET, WALKER ROAD, STATION LANE, GILLIES AVENUE, TSING CHAU STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
THE .CONTRACT IS SCHEDULED TO START IN AUGUST AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S DESIGN DIVISION AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY ITS NEW WORKS DIVISION.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER, NEW WORKS DIVISION, DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 17.
---------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR REFURBISHMENT OF RTHK STUDIO
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF STUDIO ONE IN RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BROADCASTING HOUSE, KOWLOON.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MAIN BLOCK, APB CENTRE, 9 SUNG PING STREET, TO KWA WAN.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER IS NOON ON MAY 17.
0 - -
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 17 -
DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND OFF PO TOI
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PROCEED WITH DREDGING WORKS IN THE SEABED NEAR PO TOI WEST AND PO TOI EAST FOR MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THE DREDGING ARE WITHIN ABOUT 1,360 HECTARES AND 1,620 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED OF THE TWO ISLANDS RESPECTIVELY.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS 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 TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE JUNE 25 THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICES TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITES.
THE PLANS CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AND AT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
---------0-----------
KANG
YUNG STUDY HALL DECLARED ♦ ♦♦♦*♦
A MONUMENT
TODAY
THE KANG (FRIDAY)
YUNG STUDY HALL IN WO BANG
VILLAGE, SHA
ANTIQUITIES AND
GAZETTED AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
TAU KOK
UNDER
WAS
THE
THE AREA, DURING
QING DYNASTY, THE KANG YUNG STUDY HALL ORIGINATED PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR 20 TO 30 STUDENTS ESTABLISHED IN THE
BUILT BY
THE LI CLAN, HAKKAS OF
FROM
THE i A
EARLY
SMALL
VILLAGE.
IT WAS REBUILT AND RENAMED AS KANG YUNG SHU UK DURING THE REIGN OF QIAN LONG (1736 - 1795).
(STUDY
HALL)
THEN
EXPANDED
SPACES
ACCORDING TO LOCAL LEGEND, THE STUDY HALL WAS INTO A TWO-STOREY BUILDING WITH SIX CLASSROOMS AND BOARDING IccJmMODATING OVER 100 STUDENTS. AS IT IS CLOSE TO THE COUNTY SEAT JaXS? THE HALL BECAME A WELL-KNOWN BOARDING INSTITUTION ADVANCED STUDIES AND ATTRACTED STUDENTS FROM AS FAR AS TAI PO,
OF FOR SHA
TIN AND TSUEN WAN.
/SCHOLARS STUDIED .......
FRIDAY, APRIL, 26, 1991
- 18 -
SCHOLARS STUDIED AT THE SHU UK TO PREPARE FOR EXAMINATION HELD AT NAN TOU, STRIVING TO OBTAIN THE "SHENG-YUAN". THOSE WHO PASSED THIS PRELIMINARY KNOWN AS "XIU-CAI".
THE PRELIMINARY QUALIFICATION OF EXAMINATION WERE
FOLLOWING THE ABOLITION OF THE IMPERIAL EXAMINATION SYSTEM IN 1901 AND SUBSEQUENT TO THE BRITISH TAKEOVER, THE KANG YUNG STUDY HALL WAS TURNED INTO THE KANG YUNG SCHOOL WHICH SERVED AS AN IMPORTANT LOCAL INSTITUTION UNTIL THE SUMMER OF 1986 WHEN THE LAST GROUP OF PUPILS HAD DEPARTED.
SINCE THEN, THE BUILDING HAS BEEN LEFT UNOCCUPIED.
AS THE STUDY HALL WAS BUILT PURELY FOR TEACHING PURPOSE, ITS ARCHITECTURE IS.SIMPLE AND MAINLY FUNCTIONAL.
IT IS A TWO-HALL BUILDING WITH TWO STOREYS, PROVIDING CLASSROOMS AND LIVING QUARTERS FOR STUDENTS. IT IS A RECTANGULAR STRUCTURE OF GREEN BRICK CAVITY WALLS, WITH UNFIRED MUD-BRICKS FOR INTERNAL PARTITIONS.
ITS FRONT ELEVATION LOOKS UNUSUALLY HIGH, WHICH MIGHT BE THE RESULT OF A THOROUGH RENOVATION IN THE 11TH YEAR OF THE TONG ZHI REIGN (1872) AS INDICATED ON THE FASCIA ABOVE THE MAIN ENTRANCE.
THE STUDY HALL WILL BE FULLY RESTORED LATER THIS YEAR. THE RESTORATION COSTS OF ABOUT $2.9 MILLION WILL BE MET BY THE GOVERNMENT.
--------0-----------
MOBILE MISSION TO SPREAD UC MESSAGES
THE URBAN COUNCIL'S MOBILE PUBLICITY VAN WILL CONTINUE WITH ITS MISSION THIS WEEK TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE COUNCIL'S IMPORTANT ROLES AND FUNCTIONS AND TO ENCOURAGE REGISTERED VOTERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FORTHCOMING MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ON MAY 5.
SINCE APRIL I, Till-: MOBILE PUBLICITY VAN HAS BEEN STAGING A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS ON WHEELS AT CENTRES OF POPULATION IN THE URBAN AREAS \S PART OF ITS EFFORT TO PROMOTE THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS.
"THE EXHIBITIONS HAVE BEEN WARMLY RECEIVED, ATTRACTING THOUSANDS OF VISITORS ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS," A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN S/>II) TODAY (FRIDAY).
L ’■
AIMED TO INTRODUCE THE MULT I-FACETED SERVICES OF THE COUNCIL, THE ROVING EXHIBITION WILL MOVE TO VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY TOMORROW AND TO TELFORD GARDENS KOWOON BAY ON SUNDAY TO ENABLE LOCAL RESIDENTS To HAYE AN INSIGHT INTO THE COUNCIL’S EFFORTS IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
/OPENING HOURS .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 19 -
OPENING HOURS FOR THE EXHIBITIONS AT THESE TWO VENUES ARE FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM.
"THE EXHIBITION FEATURES THE COUNCIL’S WIDE-RANGING SERVICES INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH, FOOD HYGIENE, RECREATION AND LEISURE SERVICES, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTATIONS, AS WELL AS ART, MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES IN THE FORM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS AND VIDEO PRESENTATIONS.
"AN INFORMATION LEAFLET DETAILING THE WORK OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS DURING THE EXHIBITIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0--------
PARK’N SHOP FINED
PARK’N SHOP LIMITED WAS FINED $9,000 AT THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR SELLING PREPACKED SEAWEED BY WEIGHT SHORT OF THE QUANTITY PURPORTED TO BE SUPPLIED.
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT PROSECUTED THE COMPANY UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1989.
PACKETS OF SEAWEED SEIZED FROM TWO OF THE DEFENDANT COMPANY’S SUPERMARKETS WERE TESTED AT THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY AND THE DEFICIENCY IN NET WEIGHT WAS FOUND TO RANGE FROM 79.8 PER CENT TO 86 PER CENT.
THE COURT HEARD THAT OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, ACTING ON A COMPLAINT, PERFORMED PRELIMINARY WEIGHING TESTS ON NINE PACKETS OF SEAWEED DISPLAYED FOR SALE AT THE PARK.’N SHOP SUPERMARKET AT GUANGDONG MOUNTAIN BUILDING, 147-151 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, ON OCTOBER 29 LAST YEAR.
ALL WERE SEIZED FOR INVESTIGATION AFTER THEY WERE FOUND TO BE BELOW THE STATED NET WEIGHT.
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DEFENDANT COMPANY UNDERTOOK TO WITHDRAW THE SEAWEED FROM SALE. HOWEVER 27 PACKETS FOUND ON SALE AT ONE OF THE PARK’N SHOP SUPERMARKETS AT SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA DURING A CUSTOMS INSPECTION CARRIED OUT ON NOVEMBER 7 WERE FOUND TO BE SHORT OF THE PURPORTED NET WEIGHT.
THE PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT’S TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID RETAILERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT PREPACKED GOODS FOR SALE IN THEIR SHOPS WERE OF THE QUANTITY PURPORTED TO BE SUPPLIED.
HE SAID FROM TIME TO TIME THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT CHECKS ON THE ACCURACY OF THE STATED NET WEIGHT OF PREPACKED RICE, FROZEN MEAT AND OTHER FOOD ITEMS IN SUPERMARKETS AND RETAIL AND DEPARTMENT STORES.
--------0----------
/20.........
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
20
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON 1990 CRIME VICTIMISATION SURVEY
*****
THE JANUARY 1991 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE OUTLINING THE OBJECTIVES, THE DESIGN AND SUMMARY FINDINGS OF THE 1990 CRIME VICTIMISATION SURVEY.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN JANUARY 1990 BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
SUCH A SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED FOR THE FOURTH TIME AND IT COVERED CRIMINAL ACTS THAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR 1989. PUBLIC OPINIONS ON SOME ISSUES OF SENTENCING AND THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME WERE ALSO COLLECTED.
THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOWED THAT IN 1989 THERE WERE 293,400 CASES OF CRIME VICTIMISATION, REPRESENTING A DROP OF 30 PER CENT FROM 205,800 CASES IN 1986.
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, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
------0-------
POLICE CLUB ORGANISES CAR RACE ON SUNDAY
*****
THE POLICE MOTORING CLUB, ONE OF THE SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUBS IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, IS ORGANISING A CAR RACE IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (APRIL 28).
THE EVENT, KNOWN AS "PMC HILL CLIMB 91 SERIES I", WILL BE HELD FROM 8.30 AM TO 7 PM ALONG A TWO-KILOMETRE COURSE OPPOSITE TO THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL AREA.
ASIDE FROM THE POLICE MOTORING CLUB, CONTESTANTS WILL INCLUDE MEMBERS OF MOTOR SPORTS CLUB OF HONG KONG LIMITED, BRITISH ARMY MOTORING ASSOCIATION, FERRARRI OWNERS’ CLUB, PORCHE OWNERS’ CLUB, CLASSIC CAR CLUB AND GENTLEMEN RACERS’ CLUB.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FORCE SPORTS COUNCIL, SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE MR DONALD MCFARLANE WILL OFFICIATE AND PRESENT TROPHIES TO WINNERS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT
/REFRESHMENT AND .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 21 -
REFRESHMENT AND TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE GATHERING POINT IN TAI PO POLICE STATION AT 8.45 AM ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED AREAS ALONG THE RACECOURSE FOR THE PRESS TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS.
--------0----------
TUEN MUN BONSAI SHOW OPENS TODAY
THE ANNUAL TUEN MUN BONSAI SHOW IS A WELL ESTABLISHED AND A MAJOR EVENT IN THE HORTICULTURAL CALENDAR, THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THIS YEAR’S BONSAI SHOW, MR BARMA ADDED THAT IT WAS FITTING TO STAGE THE SHOW AT CHING CHUNG KOON.
"ITS TRANQUILITY, BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE ARCHITECTURE HELP TO BRING OUT ALL THE EXQUISITENESS OF BONSAI," HE SAID.
THIS YEAR’S MAIN ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE A FICUS RETUSA SHAPED IN THE LIKENESS OF A DRAGON AS WELL AS A LARGE COLLECTION OF FINELY-STYLED BUDDHIST PINES.
WINNING ENTRIES IN A BONSAI COMPETITION HELD TO PROMOTE THE ART OF BONSAI AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE ALSO DISPLAYED AMONG THE 300 POTTED PLANTS FEATURED IN THE SHOW.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM UNTIL MAY 5. ADMISSION IS FREE.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TAOIST CHING CHUNG KOON, THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE EXHIBITION IS SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (1933) LTD, THE HONG KONG FERRY (HOLDINGS) COMPANY LTD, AND THE LIGHT RAIL DIVISION OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
-----0-----------
/22........
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 22 -
CHILDREN’S DRAWING CONTEST IN YAU TSIM *****
OVER 2,000 CHILDREN AGED FOUR TO 13 ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE 1991 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN DRAWING CONTEST ON SUNDAY
(APRIL 28).
THE CONTEST WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 11.30 AM AT THE
PIAZZA OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
IT HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE,
THE URBAN COUNCIL, HARBOUR JAYCEES AND SING TAO LIMITED WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM HONG KONG TELECOM.
THE DRAWINGS WILL BE ON THE THEMES OF ”1 LOVE HONG KONG”, "PICNIQJ4ING" AND "MY WORLD".
PRIZES WILL INCLUDE SCHOLARSHIPS, PLAQUES, GAME SETS AND FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO A CHILDREN MAGAZINE.
THE CONTEST IS OPEN TO ALL CHILDREN IN THE RIGHT AGE GROUP AND REGISTRATION CAN BE MADE ON THE SPOT.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 9 AM WITH THE YAU TStM ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CLARA TANG, AND URBAN COUNCILLOR MR WU MAN-KEUNG OFFICIATING.
.ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1991 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN DRAWING CONTEST ON SUNDAY (APRIL 28). IT WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 11.30 AM AT THE PIAZZA OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM.
------0--------
FIRING PRACTICE IN MAY * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 23 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED. ,
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 23 -
following are the dates and times that firing practice will
TAKE PLACE: DATE TIME
MAY 1 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM q 30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 2 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 3 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 6 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 7 (TUESDAY) R 30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 8 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 9 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 10 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 13 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
MAY 14 (TUESDAY) 12 01 AM - 11.59 PM
MAY 15 (WEDNESDAY) 12.01 AM - 11.59 PM
MAY 16 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 17 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 20 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 21 (TUESDAY) 8 30 AM - 11.59 PM
MAY 22 (WEDNESDAY) 12 01 AM - 5 PM
MAY 23 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 24 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 27 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 28 (TUESDAY) R 30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 29 (WEDNESDAY) 8 30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 30 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 31 (FRIDAY)
fare increase on nt gmb route 43
*****
TllF TRANSPORT department announces that from
$3.30 TO $3.80 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
SUNDAY
(APRIL (TUEN
28) , MUN FROM
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FARE FOR I HE BETWEEN TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE (SAN TSI NG STREET) WILL BE INCREASED FROM $2 TO $2.50.
SHORT-WORKING JOURNEY AND TSI NG YUNG STREET
- - 0---------
/24 ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1991
- 24 -
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN KOWLOON CITY
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE AT THIRD ELOOR, 183B KOWLOON CITY ROAD SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 9 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURE TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
------o--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 25.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 26.4.91 +26
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -26
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.5 t-0.1* 26.4.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEI
9 I-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING NUMBER ON ■ Q115 10.7.91 QI 16 17.7.91 QI 17 24.7.91 1 OUTSTANDING $ MILLION 360 +120 350 +130 358.5 +121.5 /Q105
FRIDAY, APRIL 2b, 199
- 25
QI 05 1.5.91 650 -170
Q106 8.5.91 563.5 -83.5
Q107 15.5.91 501 -21
Q108 22.5.91 440 + 40
Q109 29.5.91 480 + 0
QI 10 5.6.91 300 + 180
QI 1 1 12.6.91 420 + 60
QI 12 19.6.91 660 -180
QI 13 26.6.91 560 -80
QI 14 3.7.91 460 + 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND HKEJ FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 170 + 90
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
H003 29.5.91 220 + 40
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
Hl 01 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 1 10
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 160 + 100
H159 4.9.91 140 + 120
H160 18.9.91 210 + 50
H161 2.10.91 -10 + 270
H162 17.10.91 120 + 140
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEK
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 170 + 90
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
Y189 22.4.92 200 + 60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 26.4.91 WAS 5,438 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOURTH QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED ..................... 1
ROBUST FINANCE STRATEGY PREPARES HK FOR FUTURE .................................. 4
ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1990 PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT ......................... 6
MARINE DEPT STATEMENT ON SHIPS OPERATING ON EXCURSION VOYAGES ................... 7
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON THE DECLINE ................................................ 7
RS APPEALS FOR SUPPORT IN ELECTIONS ............................................. 8
PILOT HOSPITAL INFORMATION SYSTEM PUTS INTO SERVICE ............................. 9
SERVICES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED TO IMPROVE ................................... 10
BRIEFING SESSIONS ON ADOPTION WELL RECEIVED .................................... 11
FRESH WATER CUT IN WESTERN DISTRICT ............................................ 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..................... 12
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
1
FOURTH QUARTER ^HIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, 4,670 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 28.7 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 64 (OR 1%) IN NUMBER AND OF 1.0 MILLION NRT (OR 4%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989.
THIS IS CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1990" PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) INCREASED BY 10% OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989.
WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+172), CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (+75) AND DRY BULK CARRIERS (+54).
WHEN ANALYSED BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN LIBERIA (+37), DENMARK AND GREENLAND (+29) AND SOUTH KOREA (+14), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN CHINA (-30), JAPAN (-28) AND PANAMA (-20).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS DECREASED BY 78 WHILST THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 142.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, THERE WERE 4,657 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 28.8 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 49 (OR 1%) IN NUMBER AND OF 0.9 MILLION NRT (OR 3%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 1%. ABOUT 69% OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 85% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 15% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 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 JAPAN (16%), CHINA (16%), SINGAPORE (15%), AUSTRALIA (9%), TAIWAN (9%), SOUTH AFRICA (8%) AND THE USA (6%), WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE USA (20%), TAIWAN (16%), CHINA (7%), SINGAPORE (6%), JAPAN (6%) AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (6%).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (34%) AND THE USA (13%), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED ALSO IN CHINA (14%) AND THE USA (12%).
/COMPARING THE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
2
COMPARING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA (+101%), INDONESIA (+34%), CHINA (+33%), JAPAN (+28%) AND TAIWAN (+13%); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA (-29%) AND SINGAPORE (-18%).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 10%. AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF IRON AND STEEL (+73%), COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (+34%) AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+25%); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKER (-24%) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (-23%).
COMPARING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS REEXPORTS) INCREASED BY 2%.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+63%), TAIWAN (+43%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+39%), SOUTH KOREA (+23%), JAPAN (+19%) AND THAILAND (+17%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA -59%) .
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF FOOTWEAR (+51%), CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+34%) AND TOYS (+20%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (-59%).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 39% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO. OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 82% WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 33% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM (95%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (90%), THE USA (88%), TAIWAN (83%), SOUTH KOREA (74%) AND THE NETHERLANDS (71%).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 ROSE BY 21% OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989. AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 98% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 94% OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERPOARD, 88% OF TEXTILES OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED AND 87% OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES AND PARTS.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 77% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS, ALMOST ALL TO THE USA, AND A LARGE PROPORTION TO AUSTRALIA (97%), JAPAN (93%) AND THE PHILIPPINES (92%).
/THE TOTAL ......
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
- 3 -
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 ROSE BY 16% OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED COTTON GARMENTS; FOOTWEAR; TOYS; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; COTTON TEXTILES; MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED AND PLASTIC MANUFACTURES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
AS FROM THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY REFER TO THE UNIFIED GERMANY WHICH CONSISTS OF THE PREVIOUS "FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY" AND "GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC".
IN THE ABOVE ANALYSIS, STATISTICS OF THE PREVIOUS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ARE ADDED TOGETHER TO ENSURE COMPARABILITY WITH THE CURRENT FIGURES.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPMASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING .YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 1990", WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRE, CENTRAL AT $26.50 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.
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
4
ROBUST FINANCE STRATEGY PREPARES HK FOR FUTURE
*****
HONG KONG CAN FACE THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) AT ITS 24TH ANNUAL MEETING IN VANCOUVER, CANADA YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG’S STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC FINANCE HAS BEEN FORMULATED TO ENSURE THAT IT IS ROBUST ENOUGH NOT ONLY TO ACCOMMODATE WORLD UNCERTAINTIES BUT ALSO TO MEET HONG KONG’S COMMITMENTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
"WITH A SMALL ECONOMY WHICH IS HIGHLY EXTERNALLY-ORIENTED AND THUS EXTREMELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE WORLD ECONOMY, AND WITH LITTLE WE CAN DO TO ALTER THE COURSE OF EXTERNAL EVENTS, WE ARE ACUTELY CONSCIOUS THAT THE PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF OUR FINANCES IS ALWAYS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE, PARTICULARLY DURING A PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY SUCH AS THE ONE WE ARE FACING AT THE PRESENT TIME," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT FUNDAMENTAL TO HONG KONG’S BUDGETARY STRATEGY IS THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE SHOULD HAVE REGARD TO THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY AS MEASURED BY THE GROWTH RATE OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP).
"IT IS, OF COURSE, NOT PRACTICABLE TO KEEP THE TWO GROWTH RATES PRECISELY IN LINE WITH EACH OTHER, NOR IS IT NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO DO SO.
"NEVERTHELESS, OUR AIM IS TO CONTROL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, PARTICULARLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, SO THAT, OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, THE GROWTH RATE OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND THE GROWTH RATE OF GDP REMAIN CLOSE TOGETHER.
"OUR EXPENDITURE PLANNING IS, THEREFORE, BASED ON TRENDS, AND NOT ON YEAR TO YEAR FLUCTUATIONS IN ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE. IN THIS WAY, OUR EXPENDITURE PROGRAMMES CAN BE SENSIBLY MANAGED WITHOUT SUFFERING UNDULY FROM A STOP-GO CYCLE,” HE SAID.
FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE, EXPENDITURE IS DETERMINED BY WHAT THE ECONOMY CAN AFFORD AND NOT SOLELY BY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE, SIR PIERS SAID.
"THEREFORE, SOMETIMES IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE TO ADD TO OUR RESERVES, AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN RECENT YEARS; AT OTHER TIMES, IT WILL BE APPROPRIATE TO DRAW ON THE RESERVES TO SOME EXTENT," HE ADDED.
ANOTHER BUDGETARY GUIDELINE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET FOR ITSELF IS THE NEED TO MAINTAIN FISCAL RESERVES AT ADEQUATE LEVELS.
"OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO ACHIEVE A REASONABLE SURPLUS TAKING A NUMBER OF YEARS TOGETHER. THIS IN TURN REQUIRES A CONSISTENT REVENUE POLICY.
/"GENERALLY, WE ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
5 -
"GENERALLY, WE AIM TO ADJUST RATES OF DUTY, FEES AND CHARGES TO MAINTAIN THEIR REAL YIELD, AND PERIODICALLY WE REVIEW TAX THRESHOLD IN THE LIGHT OF INFLATION.
"WE ALSO SEEK TO MAINTAIN RECURRENT REVENUE AT LEVELS WHICH WILL COVER OUR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, PRODUCE A SURPLUS SUFFICIENT TO FINANCE AT LEAST HALF OF OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AND ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN OUR RESERVES AT AN ADEQUATE LEVEL.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE WHICH CAPITAL MARKETS CAN PLAY IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN POSITIVE STEPS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS TO DEVELOP HONG KONG’S CAPITAL MARKET.
"FOLLOWING AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THE QUESTION OF WHETHER NON-RESIDENTS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO RAISE HONG KONG DOLLAR-DENOMINATED DEBT IN OUR CAPITAL MARKET, WE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY 1989 THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO OBJECTION IN PRINCIPLE TO SUCH ISSUES PROVIDED THAT THEY MET THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR INVESTOR PROTECTION LEGISLATION IN THE SAME WAY AS THOSE BY DOMESTIC BORROWERS," HE SAID.
INTEREST WITHHOLDING TAX ' ON HONG KONG DOLLAR-DENOMINATED CAPITAL MARKET INSTRUMENTS WAS COMPLETELY ABOLISHED WITH EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1989.
"A PROGRAMME FOR THE ISSUE OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS WAS LAUNCHED IN MARCH 1990, AND WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON A PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT BONDS, TO START HOPEFULLY IN AUTUMN THIS YEAR, WITH ISSUES OF TWO OR POSSIBLY THREE-YEAR MATURITIES.
"IT WOULD CERTAINLY ADD A FURTHER IMPETUS IF FURTHER HIGHLY-RATED BORROWERS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDING CAME TO BORROW IN OUR MARKET," SIR PIERS SAID.
THE INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (IBRD) LAUNCHED ITS FIRST ISSUE OF HONG KONG DOLLAR-DENOMINATED BONDS IN HONG KONG IN MAY 1989 AND HAS MADE TWO MORE ISSUES SINCE THEN.
THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION ALSO HAS PLANS TO MAKE AN ISSUE IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR.
"SUCH BOND ISSUES HAVE BEEN WELCOMED BY THE HONG KONG MARKET, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF COUNTERPARTIES TO SWAP THE LOCAL CURRENCY INTO A FOREIGN CURRENCY NEEDED BY THE ISSUER.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, I WOULD WELCOME THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK CONSIDERING EXTENDING ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE REGION’S CAPITAL MARKET BY ISSUING ITS TRIPLE-A RATED BONDS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ON THE ADB’S OPERATIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR, SIR PIERS SAID IT IS HEARTENING TO NOTE THAT THE BANK’S NET POSITIVE TRAl/SFEI? OF RESOURCES TO DEVELOPING MEMBER COUNTRIES ROSE BY 67 PER CENT TO SOME $1.5 BILLION.
/"I APPLAUD .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
6
"I APPLAUD THE EXCELLENT EFFORTS MADE BY THE BANK IN FACILITATING LOAN DISBURSEMENTS, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS PROJECT AND PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATION, CLOSER CO-ORDINATION WITH BORROWERS THROUGH ITS RESIDENT OFFICES, CONDUCT OF SEMINARS AIMED AT FAMILIARISING BORROWERS WITH PROCUREMENT AND DISBURSEMENT PROCEDURES AND MORE SYSTEMATIC ORGANISATION OF THE BANK’S PROJECT REVIEWS AND COUNTRY DISBURSEMENT MISSIONS," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THEN EXTENDED A WARM WELCOME TO ALL THE DELEGATIONS OF THE BANK MEMBERS AND FRIENDS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY TO THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ADB BOARD OF GOVERNORS WHICH WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG IN MAY 1992.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THOSE OF YOU ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FOR YOURSELVES THE DYNAMISM OF HONG KONG.
"YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THE GREAT EFFORTS MADE BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO DEVELOP THE TERRITORY INTO ONE OF TODAY’S LEADING INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES," HE SAID.
------0--------
ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1990 PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1990 TO PARLIAMENT WILL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 1) FOLLOWING ITS PRESENTATION TO PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY (APRIL 27 LONDON TIME).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT AGREED IN 1985 DURING THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ON THE HONG KONG BILL, TO PRODUCE ANNUAL REPORTS ON HONG KONG AND TO LAY THEM BEFORE PARLIAMENT.
"THE PURPOSE OF THIS SERIES OF REPORTS IS TO KEEP PARLIAMENT INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG."
HE SAID THE REPORT, THE SIXTH IN THE SERIES, CONTAINED A GENERAL SURVEY OF THE MAIN EVENTS IN HONG KONG DURING THE YEAR 1990.
IT COVERS VISITS TO HONG KONG BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AND GOVERNMENT MINISTERS, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND OTHER CONTACTS WITH CHINA, AND THE ISSUES OF EMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY.
IT ALSO COVERS MATTERS CONCERNING REFUGEES AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM VIETNAM, CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS, THE GENERAL ECONOMIC SITUATION, THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, GENERAL SOCIAL CONDITIONS, THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND LAW AND ORDER.
COPIES OF BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS OF THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC STARTING MONDAY (APRIL 29) FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES SECTION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
-----0-----------
/7.........
SATURDAY, Ai IL
1991
- 7 -
MAR INK DEPT STATEMENT ON SHIPS OPERATING ON EXCURSION VOYAGES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FOLLOWING IS ISSUED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES CONCERNING PASSENGER SHIPS OPERATING ON EXCURSION VOYAGES FROM HONG KONG WITHOUT CALLING AT ANY OTHER PORT:
THE OPERATOR OF M.V. "MACMOSA" HAS NOTIFIED THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE THAT THE SHIP WILL CEASE TO OPERATE SUCH EXCURSION VOYAGES.
HOWEVER, THE OPERATOR OF M.V. "ORIENT PRINCESS" HAS GIVEN FORMAL NOTIFICATION THAT HE WOULD SEEK A JUDICIAL REVIEW ON THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SURVEY OF THE VESSEL, BUT HAS AGREED TO ARRANGE FOR THE APPROPRIATE MANNING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID ALTHOUGH M.V. "ORIENT PRINCESS" HAS BEEN GIVEN UNTIL TOMORROW (APRIL 28) TO COMPLY WITH SURVEY AND MANNING REQUIREMENTS, NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THIS LEGAL ACTION. *
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS DISAPPOINTED THAT AN ACTION AIMED AT ASSURING THE SAFETY OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE THE MAJOR PATRONS OF SUCH EXCURSION VOYAGES HAS AGAIN BEEN DELAYED.
THE DEPARTMENT IS KEENLY AWARE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY TN THIS REGARD AND WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THIS MATTER.
------0-------
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON THE DECLINE
THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN RELATION TO VEHICLES ON THE ROADS HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION’S ROAD SAFETY PATROLS ANNUAL REVIEW AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STADIUM THIS MORNING, MR LAM SAID THERE WERE 43 ACCIDENTS PER 1,000 LICENSED VEHICLES IN 1990, COMPARED WITH 64 ACCIDENTS IN 1981.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE DECLINING AVERAGE ACCIDENT RATE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO MINIMISE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, HE STRESSED.
MR LAM SAID ROAD SAFETY HAD ALWAYS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TRANSPORT POLICY.
"EVERY YEAR, THROUGH IMPROVING ROAD DESIGN, AMENDING ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION, AND EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS, THE GOVERNMENT SEEKS NOT ONLY TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BUT ALSO TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ROAD SAFETY," HE SAID.
/MR LAM ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
- 8 -
MR LAM ADDED THAT A NEW PIECE OF LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE USE OF EXPRESSWAYS WAS UNDER PREPARATION.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION’S ENDEAVOURS IN PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY THROUGH THE SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROLS.
HE NOTED THAT THESE PATROLS WERE FIRST SET UP IN 1963 WITH 48 MEMBERS. THEY NOW HAVE 12,000 MEMBERS WITH SERVICES EXTENDING TO KINDERGARTENS AND THE ELDERLY.
--------0-----------
RS APPEALS FOR SUPPORT IN ELECTIONS
******
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON VOTERS Tb CAST THEIR VOTE IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH.
SPEAKING AT THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE’S MAINLAND AREA OFFICERS’ MESS BALL THIS EVENING, MR LAN SAID THE 32 PER CENT VOTER turnout RATF ACHIEVED IN THE RECENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WAS SATISFACTORY.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT WHETHER THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME COULD BE MORE EFFECTIVELY OPERATED LARGELY DEPENDED ON THE SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, WHICH FORMULATE THE TERRITORY’S MUNICIPAL POLICIES SUCH AS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, AND PROVIDE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, WERE CLOSELY RELATED WITH OUR DAILY LIVES.
"THEREFORE, IT IS NECESSARY FOR YOU TO CAST YOUR BALLOTS ON MAY 5 TO ELECT THE MOST SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
EARLIER, MR LAN PRAISED THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE FOR PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
"MEMBERS OF THE BRIGADE ARE ALWAYS READY TO SERVE THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IO SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS DURING EMERGENCIES SUCH AS FIRES AND LANDSLIPS," HE
SAID.
HE ENCOURAGED MEMBERS OF THE BRIGADE TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR GOOD WORK AND HOPED THAT OTHER ORGANISATIONS WOULD LOOK TO IT AS A ROLE MODEL.
------0--------
/9 ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
9
PILOT HOSPITAL INFORMATION SYSTEM PUTS INTO SERVICE ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
LIVE RUN OF THE PILOT HOSPITAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (HIS) STARTED IN PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL EARLIER THIS MONTH TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE AND SERVICE TO PATIENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE PILOT HIS IS TO PROVIDE BETTER PATIENT CARE THROUGH MORE RAPID ACCESS TO PATIENT INFORMATION FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, AND THROUGH MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF PROFESSIONAL TIME AND HOSPITAL RESOURCES.
THE PILOT HIS COMPRISES FOUR APPLICATION MODULES: AN IN-PATIENT ADMISSION, DISCHARGE AND TRANSFER SYSTEM (ADT); AN OUT-PATIENT REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULING SYSTEM FOR SPECIALIST CLINIC (OP); A LABORATORY INFORMATION SYSTEM (LAB); AND A NURSING WARD-LABORATORY RESULT-REPORTING SYSTEM (LRR).
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ADT SYSTEM CAPTURES AND STORES UPDATED CLINICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND PATIENT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR PATIENT ADMISSIONS, AND ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ATTENDANCES.
THE SYSTEM ALSO AUTOMATES AND STREAMLINES THE VARIOUS NURSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.
THE OP SYSTEM PROCESSES AND SCHEDULES PATIENT APPOINTMENTS AT THE SPECIALIST CLINIC, WITH A VIEW TO REDUCING PATIENT INCONVENIENCE.
THE LAB SYSTEM ALLOWS THE LABORATORY TO VALIDATE SPECIMENS, AUTOMATE WORKING SCHEDULING, REPORT TEST RESULTS AND PERFORM STATISTICAL ANALYSES. »
TEST RESULTS WILL BE REPORTED MORE QUICKLY TO ENABLE A DOCTOR TO DIAGNOSE A CASE EARLIER AND GIVE PROMPT TREATMENT, WITH' A POTENTIAL OF SHORTENING PATIENT STAY.
THE LRR SYSTEM ALLOWS MEDICAL AND NURSING STAFF AT THE WARDS TO MONITOR LABORATORY TESTS AND TO OBTAIN THE RESULTS OF THE TESTS. THE SAME FUNCTIONS CAN BE PERFORMED AT THE SPECIALIST CLINIC.
THE ADT STARTED LIVE RUN ON APRIL 1, AND THE OP WILL BE PUT INTO OPERATION IN AUGUST. THE LAB AND LRR WILL BE BROUGHT INTO SERVICE LATER THIS YEAR.
"THE ADT IS OPERATING SMOOTHLY AND HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE TIME REQUIRED FOR SEARCHING PATIENTS’ DATA AND LOCATION.
"AFTER THE LIVE RUN OF THE ADT ON APRIL 1, IT TAKES LESS THAN ONE MINUTE FOR AN ENQUIRER TO CHECK WHETHER A PATIENT HAS BEEN ADMITTED AND TO WHICH WARD A PATIENT HAS BEEN SENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/ POST- IMPLEMENTATION
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
POST-IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION WILL TAKE PLACE SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LIVE RUN OF THE TOTAL SYSTEM.
THE PILOT PROJECT COSTS OVER $30 MILLION AND MORE THAN 1,500 HOSPITAL STAFF, INCLUDING NURSES, WARD STEWARDS AND CLERICAL OFFICERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO USE THE SYSTEM.
- - 0 - -
SERVICES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED TO IMPROVE
*****
ABOUT 4,000 ADDITIONAL PLACES FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AS A RESULT OF SPECIAL ATTEMPTS BY THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE SERVICES FOR THEM, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON UNION CHURCH WAI JI PO LAM HOSTEL AND DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE AT PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN O, MRS GOODSTADT POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASED PROVISION WOULD GREATLY REDUCE THE CURRENT SHORTFALL.
"FURTHERMORE, TO ENSURE THAT THE SERVICES WILL MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE DISABLED, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A WORKING PARTY TO DRAW UP A GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION," SHE ADDED.
ON THE WORK OF DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES, MRS GOODSTADT SAID MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, EVEN THOSE OF THE SEVERE GRADE, COULD BENEFIT FROM TRAINING AND COULD MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING BETTER FUNCTIONING AND LEADING A MORE INDEPENDENT LIFE.
REHABILITATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE REQUIRED THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, SHE SAID, ADDING THAT BOTH GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS HAD TO WORK TOGETHER TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE OF PROVIDING THE DISABLED WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.
WHILE NOTING THAT THE KOWLOON UNION CHURCH WAS AMONG THE FIRST AGENCIES TO START SERVICE FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, MRS GOODSTADT COMMENDED THE CHURCH FOR BEING MOST RECEPTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED AND FOR ITS DEDICATION TOWARDS PROVIDING THEM CARE AND TRAINING.
- - 0 - -
/Il
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
11
BRIEFING SESSIONS ON ADOPTION WELL RECEIVED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MORE THAN 50 COUPLES WHO ARE KEEN ON KNOWING MORE ABOUT ADOPTION ATTENDED A BRIEFING SESSION AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS ARE INTERESTED IN ADOPTING WARDS OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE," A DISTRICT OFFICER OF THE SWD, MRS LESLIE HUNG, SAID.
SHE SAID IN VIEW OF THE GOOD RESPONSE FROM THE APPLICANTS, THE ADOPTION UNIT HAD TO HOLD MORE BRIEFING SESSIONS.
"THIS TIME, WE HAVE ALSO CHANGED THE VENUE TO OUR TRAINING CENTRE WHERE WE CAN BRIEF AS MANY AS 51 COUPLES ON THE GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS OF MEANING AND COMMITMENT OF ADOPTION," MRS HUNG ADDED.
THE APPLICANTS COULD ACQUIRE BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ADOPTION SERVICE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SERVICE THROUGH DISCUSSIONS, SHE NOTED.
"IT IS HOPED THAT OUR EFFORTS WOULD AUGUR WELL IN HELPING ABANDONED CHILDREN ON OUR ADOPTION LIST TO LEAD A NORMAL FAMILY LIFE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE," SHE SAID.
--------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN WESTERN DISTRICT
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO A NUMBER OF PREMISES IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 29) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE 2-54 AND 60 POK FU LAM ROAD, 5-131 AND 2-116 FIRST STREET, 1-121B AND 2-118 SECOND STREET, 1-127B AND 2-106 THIRD STREET, 3-119 AND 2B-126 HIGH STREET, 5-45 AND 24-36 WESTERN STREET, 46-50 AND 27-51 CENTRE STREET, 23A-43 AND 36-42 EASTERN STREET, AND 18-27 HING HON ROAD.
PREMISES IN SAI WA LANE, WESTERN GARDEN, YU PO LANE, NG FUK LANE, FUK SAU LANE, SHEUNG FUNG LANE, TAK SING LANE, DAVID LANE, UN FUK LANE, UI ON LANE, KWOK HING LANE, YU LOK LANE, CHEUNG ON LANE, LEUNG I FONG, UN SHING LANE, WEST END TERRACE AND WESTERN DENTAL CLINIC WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
------0--------
/12 .......
t
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1991
- 12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 26.4.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 27.4.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
HKEF
$ MILLION
480
NEUTRAL
NEUTRAL
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPLICATIONS FOR FLAG DAYS 1992 INVITED ........................................ 1
CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR GONDOLA WORKERS' SAFETY ............................ 2
VIDEO ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT AVAILABLE ......................................... 2
FUND SET UP FOR KWAI TSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT................................ 3
CAMPAIGN'S CLEAN ROAD/WORK SITE PHASE STARTS ................................... 4
DEADLINE FOR ENTERING ENVIRONMENTAL PAINTING COMPETITION ....................... 4
STATISTICS ON POLICE THREE-PRONGED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS IN MARCH ................ 5
YOUNGSTERS INVITED TO JOIN JPC ................................................. 6
MAINLAYING WORKS IN YUEN LONG................................................... 7
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO ................................................ 7
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991
1 APPLICATIONS FOR FLAG DAYS 1992 INVITED » * * * »
ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO HOLD FLAG DAYS IN 1992 TO RAISE FUNDS TO FINANCE SERVICES WHICH THEY PROVIDE ARE INVITED TO APPLY TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
ABOUT 40 FLAG DAYS WILL BE ALLOCATED IN 1992.
AN SWD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT APPLICANTS MUST BE BONA-FIDE NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
ALL APPLICANTS WOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE SUBVENTIONS AND LOTTERIES FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE MERITS OF THE SERVICE OR SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR WHICH FUND-RAISING THROUGH A FLAG DAY WAS PROPOSED, THE APPLICANT ORGANISATION’S FINANCIAL NEEDS, AND THE ORGANISATION’S ABILITY TO EXECUTE SUCH FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.
"IN THE EVENT THAT APPLICATIONS OUTNUMBER THE FLAG DAYS AVAILABLE, PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS WHICH PROVIDE DIRECT WELFARE SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND WHICH HAVE GREATER FINANCIAL NEEDS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED A FLAG DAY IN THE PAST MUST NOT ASSUME THAT A FLAG DAY WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE GRANTED IN 1992," HE ADDED.
EXPLAINING THE ALLOCATION CRITERIA, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT EACH APPLICATION WOULD BE CONSIDERED BASICALLY IN THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS:
* AN ASSESSMENT OF THE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY OF THE APPLICANT ORGANISATION. THIS IS IMPORTANT SINCE PUBLIC COLLECTION OF MONEY IS INVOLVED;
* THE NATURE OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISATION, AND THE DEMAND FOR SUCH FROM THE COMMUNITY;
* THE FINANCIAL NEED OF THE ORGANISATION BASED ON ITS ANNUAL BUDGET, OPERATING SURPLUS/DEFICITS, AVAILABILITY OF OTHER FUNDING RESOURCES, AND PLANNED PROJECTS; AND
* THE ORGANISATION'S ABILITY TO ORGANISE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES AND TO MAXIMISE THE BENEFITS OF A FLAG DAY.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH A FLAG DAY SHOULD NOT EXCEED 10 PER CENT OF THE GROSS RECEIPTS, AND THAT SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS NEED TO OBSERVE THE CONDITIONS FOR HOLDING FLAG DAYS LAID DOWN BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SWD, 19TH FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG FROM MAY 1, IN PERSON OR BY WRITING.
/THE COMPLETED .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991
- 2 -
THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM, TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF THE ORGANISATION’S LATEST ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF AUDITED ACCOUNTS, MUST REACH THE DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE MAY 31 THIS YEAR. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR GONDOLA WORKERS’ SAFETY
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THAT ALL PERSONS WORKING AT A HEIGHT ON A GONDOLA TOOK ADEQUATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AS REQUIRED BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAWS.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED A RECENT CASE AT THE CENTRAL MAGISTRACY IN WHICH A PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR AND HIS SUB-CONTRACTOR WERE FINED $15,000 AND $35,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR FAILING TO ENSURE THAT THEIR WORKERS OBSERVED THE NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN WORKING ON A GONDOLA AND THAT THE GONDOLA WAS IN A GOOD WORKING CONDITION.
THE CASE INVOLVED THE DEATH OF TWO WORKERS WHO FELL FROM A GONDOLA DURING AN ACCIDENT AT A QUEENSWAY CONSTRUCTION SITE IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
"IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF A CONTRACTOR TO ENSURE THAT ALL PERSONS WORKING AT A HEIGHT ON A GONDOLA SHALL WEAR SUITABLE SAFETY BELTS WITH LANYARDS ATTACHED TO A SAFE ANCHORAGE OR TO AN INDEPENDENT LIFE-LINE," THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE GONDOLA AND ITS ATTACHMENTS SHALL BE OF GOOD CONSTRUCTION, SOUND MATERIAL, FREE FROM DEFECT AND REGULARLY MAINTAINED," MR CHAN SAID.
--------0-----------
VIDEO ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT AVAILABLE
******
A 17-MINUTE VIDEO ON THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) TO HELP FLAT OWNERS AND TENANTS TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
"IT IS PART OF THE CNTA’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PARTICIPATION AMONG FLAT OWNERS AND TENANTS IN IMPROVING BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE," A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
/THE VIDEO........
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991
- 3 -
THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS THE BASIC PROCEDURES IN FORMING OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND THE IMPORTANT POINTS FLAT OWNERS SHOULD NOTE IN THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
IN ADDITION, IT POINTS OUT THE VARIOUS MAJOR PROBLEMS AND STRUCTURAL DEFECTS WHICH COMMONLY OCCUR IN OLDER BUILDINGS AND INTERVIEWED BUILDING AND MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS ON THE WAYS TO RECTIFY THESE FLAWS.
"THE VIDEO IS IDEAL FOR SHOWING AS PART OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSES AND SEMINARS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
COPIES OF THE VIDEO ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, FREE OF CHARGE, AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES BY OWNERS CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND RESIDENTS GROUPS.
------0-----------
FUND SET UP FOR KWAI THING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
*»»»*»
A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND HAS BEEN SET UP WITH CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALLING $1.4 MILLION TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY WORK IN KWAI TSING TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND, INITIATED BY FOUR BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS, WILL SUPPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DISTRICT BOARD IN COMMUNITY BUILDING.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE FUND WOULD PUT SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON ENCOURAGING THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY WORK.
"THE FIRST PROJECT UNDERTAKEN BY THE FUND IS THE PUBLICATION OF AN ALBUM ON KWAI TSING’S HISTORY, TRACING THE DISTRICT’S ORIGINS AND ITS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE YEARS.
"THE KWAI TSING ARTS ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO CARRY OUT THE PROJECT," HE SAID.
THE FUND IS MANAGED BY A COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER MR PAUL TANG, APPOINTED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
THE FOUR FOUNDING DIRECTORS ARE MR DAVID CHAN, MR TAM WAH-CHING, MR FUNG SUN-KWAN AND MR SO HOI-PAN. TWO OTHER DIRECTORS OF THE BOARD ARE MR WONG KWOK-CHAN AND MISS MARIA WONG, A REPRESENTATIVE OF SHELL HONG KONG LTD, WHICH IS A CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF THE FUND.
------0-----------
/4 ........
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991
CAMPAIGN’S CLEAN ROAD/WORK SITE PHASE STARTS
******
PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORT COMPANIES, AS WELL AS ROADWORK AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE URGED TO MAINTAIN ROADS AND WORK SITES IN A CLEAN CONDITION IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
"THE 1991/92 CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO SEVEN CLEAN-UP PHASES, COVERS ROADS, BEACHES, SCHOOLS, THE COUNTRYSIDE, HOME, SQUATTER AREAS AND THE CITY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THE CLEAN ROAD/WORK SITE PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN IS THE FIRST OF THE SEVEN PHASES BEING CONDUCTED BY THE COMMITTEE UNTIL THE END OF JUNE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THESE COMPANIES AND CONTRACTORS ARE CALLED UPON TO HELP CLEAN UP BUS TERMINI, TAXI AND MINIBUS STANDS, AND ROADWORK AND BUILDING SITES.
"GOVERNMENT SITE SUPERVISORY AND CLEANSING STAFF WOULD PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE CLEANLINESS OF THESE AREAS TO ENSURE THAT NO LITTER OR DEBRIS ARE ACCUMULATED, AND NO HAWKER HANDCARTS OR TROLLEYS ARE CHAINED TO HOARDINGS AND RAILINGS CAUSING OBSTRUCTION TO SCAVENGING OPERATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANTI-LITTER BLITZ OPERATIONS AND STEPPED-UP ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WOULD BE TAKEN DURING THIS THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND LITTER OFFENDERS WOULD BE PROSECUTED, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CASES OF LITTERING FROM VEHICLES BY TELEPHONING 868 0000 OR 414 5555, THE LITTER HOTLINE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESPECTIVELY.
"IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY HONG KONG CITIZEN TO KEEP OUR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN," HE SAID.
— — — — 0 — — — —
DEADLINE FOR ENTERING ENVIRONMENTAL PAINTING COMPETITION
STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THE DEADLINE FOR ENTERING THE "WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1991 - STUDENT PAINTING COMPETITION" WILL BE DUE IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMPETITION URGED PARTICIPANTS TO SUBMIT THEIR WORK VIA SCHOOLS TO THE SECRETARIAT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (ECC), 27TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI ON OR BEFORE MAY 11.
/AS THE.........
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991
5
AS THE ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA SCHOOLS, PARTICIPANTS ARE REMINDED TO OBSERVE THE DEADLINES INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS MIGHT HAVE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE ECC AND ASSISTED BY THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IS PART OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES THE ECC ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON JUNE 5.
THE THEME "ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STARTS WITH ME" HAS BEEN CHOSEN FOR THE COMPETITION TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A BETTER ENVIRONMENT.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY SCHOOL SECTION AND SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION. EACH SCHOOL MAY SUBMIT UP TO 10 ENTRIES.
THE ENTRIES MAY BE A PAINTING, DRAWING, CARTOON OR
ILLUSTRATION IN MONOCHROME OR COLOUR OF ANY STYLE OR TREATMENT.
TEN OUTSTANDING ENTRIES FROM EACH SECTION WILL BE SELECTED BY AN ADJUDICATING PANEL COMPRISING MR WATER POON, A PHOTOGRAPHER AND MEMBER OF THE ECC; MR KAN TAI-KEUNG, A DESIGNER; MR MUI CHONG-KI, AN ARTIST; AND MR YEUNG WAI-FUNG, SENIOR INSPECTOR (ART) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY MAY 25.
THE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES AND EACH PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA IN THE AFTERNOON OF JUNE 1.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE COMPETITION MAY BE MADE TO THE ECC ON TEL. 835 1881. STUDENTS CAN ALSO CONTACT THEIR SCHOOLS FOR INFORMATION.
THE COMPETITION IS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MOBIL OIL HONG KONG LIMITED, ATLANTA SPORTSWEAR LTD, JUSCO STORES (HONG KONG) CO. LTD, SHUN HING JVC LTD, AND WING FUNG P & P CO.
------0-----------
STATISTICS ON POLICE THREE-PRONGED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS IN MARCH
*♦♦***♦
POLICE CONTINUED THEIR THREE-PRONGED ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST DRUGS, ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE LAST MONTH, ARRESTING 1,508 PEOPLE IN 3,481 RAIDS.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, NARCOTICS BUREAU AS WELL AS REGIONAL AND DISTRICT POLICE OFFICERS CONDUCTED 723 RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, ARRESTING 553 PEOPLE.
/THE DRUGS .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991
6 -
THE DRUGS SEIZED INCLUDED 6.4 KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN, 2.3 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS, 400 GRAMS OF COCAINE AND A QUANTITY OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES.
ON THE ANTI-GAMBLING FRONT, POLICE CONDUCTED 111 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 811 PEOPLE. SOME $270,000 IN TABLE MONEY AND BETTING SLIPS WORTH ABOUT $400,000 WERE SEIZED.
POLICE ALSO CARRIED OUT 2,647 ANTI-VICE RAIDS AND ARRESTED 144 PEOPLE. A TOTAL OF 40,764 OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS AND 655 PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO TAPES WERE SEIZED.
-----0-----
YOUNGSTERS INVITED TO JOIN JPC
******
YOUNG PEOPLE AGED NINE TO 16 ARE INVITED TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL (JPC), THE LARGEST YOUTH ORGANISATION IN HONG KONG.
CENTRALLY CO-ORDINATED BY THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH, THE JPC SCHEME HAS BEEN PROVIDING THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YOUNGSTERS INTO LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS.
"BESIDES BEING A CHANNEL FOR PROMOTING CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE YOUNG GENERATION, THE JPC SCHEME ALSO PROVIDES FACILITIES TO ITS MEMBERS ON A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS, RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES," A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1974, MORE THAN 540,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE JOINED THE SCHEME AND BENEFITED FROM IT.
"IN FACE OF THE PREVALENT MATERIALISM AND CONFUSED VALUE SYSTEM IN OUR SOCIETY, THE JPC SCHEME IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN GUIDING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ON TO THE RIGHT TRACK.
"TO BETTER SERVE THE NEED OF JPC MEMBERS, WE ARE ORGANISING ACTIVITIES ON A DISTRICT BASIS AND HAVE SET UP CLUBHOUSES IN ALL DISTRICTS FOR THIS PURPOSE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN SUPPORT OF THE JPC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE, RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS WILL BE ORGANISING THEIR OWN RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING MONTHS.
YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE JPC SCHEME ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THEIR LOCAL POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICES OR CALL THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH ON TEL. 528 4163 EXT. 266 AND 277 .
0
/7........
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1991
MA INLAY I NG WORKS IN YUEN LONG ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF FRESHWATER MAINS IN YUEN LONG TOWN.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE LAYING OF ABOUT 900 METRES OF WATER MAINS OF 1,400 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND TAKE ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
WHEN COMMISSIONED, THE NEW MAINS WILL CONVEY WATER FROM THE AU TAU TREATMENT WORKS TO TIN SHUI WAI TO COPE WITH THE DEMANDS GENERATED FROM PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 17.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO * * ♦ ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 30) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY CHEUNG FAT STREET, PO ON ROAD, PRATAS STREET, UN CHAU STREET, TONKIN STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BANKING INDUSTRY CONTINUES ITS SOLID PERFORMANCE ................................ 1
CONTRACT FOR ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION SIGNED ......................... 2
LABOUR DEPT STRIKES SENSIBLE BALANCE ........................................... 3
NO DECISION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION ON HOMES FOR ELDERLY ............... 4
FIVE QUESTIONS, 10 BILLS IN LEGCO AGENDA ........................................ 5
HK TOPS THE WORLD ON ULP LAUNCH ................................................. 6
YUEN LONG DB CHAIRMAN ELECTED.................................................. 7
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ........................................ 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...................... 8
MONDAY, APRIL 29,
1991
- 1 -BANKING INDUSTRY CONTINUES ITS SOLID PERFORMANCE
BANKS IN HONG KONG SAW ANOTHER YEAR OF SOLID PERFORMANCE IN 1990, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR TONY NICOLLE, NOTED IN HIS ANNUAL REPORT.
THE REPORT, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY), REVIEWS BANKING SUPERVISORY AND DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE PAST YEAR.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR NICOLLE POINTED OUT THAT MOST LOCAL BANKS SHOWED STRONG PROFIT GROWTH DURING THE YEAR.
"THERE WAS A HEALTHY INCREASE IN EARNINGS DESPITE THE SHOCKS CAUSED BY THE MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS AND THE DIFFICULTIES ARISING FROM GENERALLY DETERIORATING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS WORLDWIDE," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE BANKS IN HONG KONG WERE WELL CAPITALISED -ALL WERE ABLE TO MEET THE MINIMUM CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS SET FOR THEM.
"AS A WHOLE, THE INDUSTRY’S AGGREGATE CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIO WAS MORE THAN 14 PER CENT, WELL OVER THE EIGHT PER CENT MINIMUM SET BY THE BASLE COMMITTEE ON BANKING SUPERVISION," MR NICOLLE SAID.
THE REPORT NOTES THE CONTINUING ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"THE NUMBER OF BANKS AT YEAR-END WAS A RECORD - 168 (165 IN 1989); AND THE NEW CATEGORY OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANK ATTRACTED FURTHER ENTRANTS TO THE MARKET," MR NICOLLE POINTED OUT.
"THIRTEEN NEW RESTRICTED BANKING LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN FEBRUARY 1990," HE SAID.
THIS NEW AUTHORISATION CATEGORY PERMITS OVERSEAS BANKS TO BRANCH INTO HONG KONG RATHER THAN HAVING TO FORM SUBSIDIARIES. IT ALSO GIVES THEM LIMITED FREEDOM TO USE BANKING NAMES.
MR NICOLLE PREDICTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE NUMBER OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS WOULD FALL DURING 1991.
"A NUMBER OF FOREIGN BANKS ARE LIKELY TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR BUSINESSES BY MERGERS, AND A FEW DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN A GROUP WITH MULTIPLE AUTHORISATIONS, ARE LIKELY TO GIVE UP THEIR UNNECESSARY OR LITTLE USED REGISTRATIONS," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THIS REFLECTED A PROCESS OF RATIONALISATION, AND THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT ABOUT HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A WORLD FINANCIAL CENTRE.
TURNING TO THE TREND SEEN IN 1989 OF LENDING IN HONG KONG DOLLARS INCREASING MORE RAPIDLY THAN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, MR NICOLLE POINTED OUT THAT THE SITUATION HAD STABILISED IN 1990.
/ON THE .......
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
2 -
ON THE CONTINUING EFFORT OF THE BANK SUPERVISORS TO ENHANCE THEIR SUPERVISORY TECHNIQUES, HE SAID : "NEW STATISTICAL RETURNS AND AN ENHANCED COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH RECENTLY CAME INTO OPERATION SHOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE SPEED AND DEPTH WITH WHICH OUR WORK IS CONDUCTED."
THE REPORT ALSO PRESENTS THE BACKGROUND TO A NUMBER OF SUPERVISORY POLICY ISSUES CONSIDERED DURING 1990. SEVERAL OF THESE WERE REFLECTED IN THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 PUBLISHED LAST FRIDAY (APRIL 26). THESE INCLUDE CHANGES TO THE REGIME FOR LIMITING LARGE LOAN EXPOSURES, AND TO VETTING CHANGES OF OWNERSHIP OF HONG KONG BANKS.
THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $27 PER COPY.
-----0-----
CONTRACT FOR ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION SIGNED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED A CONTRACT TO THE ISLAND EAST TRANSFER STATION CO. LTD TO DESIGN, CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE FOR A PERIOD OF 15 YEARS, A REFUSE TRANSFER STATION AT CHAI WAN.
THE FACILITY, TO BE NAMED THE ISLAND EAST TRANSFER STATION (IETS), WILL BE THE SECOND REFUSE TRANSFER STATION TO BE COMMISSIONED BY THE EPD.
THE FIRST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION AT KOWLOON BAY HAS BEEN OPERATING SATISFACTORILY FOR ABOUT A YEAR. UNDER THE CURRENT PLANNING, THE EPD WILL DEVELOP SIX MORE REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
SPEAKING AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY, THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY), MR MIKE STOKOE, SAID REFUSE DELIVERED TO THE TRANSFER STATION BY URBAN COUNCIL REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES WOULD BE COMPACTED INTO SEALED CONTAINERS AND THEN TRANSPORTED BY SEA IN BULK TO ONE OF THE LARGE LANDFILLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES USING PURPOSE-BUILT CONTAINER SHIPS.
"THE TRANSFER STATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO OPERATE UNDER VERY HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND THE ADOPTION OF A MARINE TRANSPORT SYSTEM WILL FURTHER ENHANCE THE OPERATION BY ELIMINATING THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE CAUSED BY A ROAD TRANSPORT SYSTEM.
"OPERATION AT THE TRANSFER STATION, WHICH WILL HAVE A CAPACITY TO PROCESS 1,200 TONNES OF REFUSE DAILY, WILL BE TOTALLY ENCLOSED, AND ODOUR REMOVAL EQUIPMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO NUISANCE CAUSED TO NEIGHBOURING PROPERTIES," HE SAID.
/"THE TRANSFER .......
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
"THE TRANSFER STATION WILL COST ABOUT $400 MILLION TO BUILD AND $50 MILLION A YEAR TO RUN. THE TOTAL COST IS LESS AND THE OPERATION MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF DIRECT DELIVERY TO THE DISPOSAL SITES BY REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES," HE ADDED.
MR STOKOE SAID THE PROJECT WAS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ONGOING EFFORT TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER 1989.
"THE CHAI WAN COMPOSTING PLANT WILL BE DEMOLISHED IN JUNE THIS YEAR TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRANSFER STATION AND THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATION PLANT WILL BE CLOSED WHEN THE TRANSFER STATION IS COMMISSIONED LATE NEXT YEAR.
"THIS WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT TO BOTH THE EASTERN AND WESTERN DISTRICTS OF HONG KONG ISLAND," HE SAID.
THE ISLAND EAST TRANSFER STATION CO. LTD IS A SISTER COMPANY OF THE EXISTING KOWLOON BAY TRANSFER STATION OPERATOR - SWIRE BFI WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD. IT WON THE SECOND TRANSFER STATION CONTRACT AGAINST KEEN COMPETITION FROM OTHER INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED WASTE MANAGEMENT CONSORTIA WHO TENDERED FOR THE PROJECT.
- - 0 - -
LABOUR DEPT STRIKES SENSIBLE BALANCE *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TO STRIKE A SENSIBLE BALANCE WHEN EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FAIL TO REACH A GENERAL CONSENSUS ON A PROPOSED ITEM OF LEGISLATION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR DARWIN CHEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A DINNER PARTY COMMEMORATING THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY, MR CHEN POINTED OUT THAT FAVOURITISM TOWARDS ANY SECTOR WOULD NOT BENEFIT HONG KONG’S OVERALL DEVELOPMENT.
"FOR INSTANCE," MR CHEN SAID, "WORKERS WOULD NATURALLY WANT AS MUCH WELFARE AND PROTECTION AS POSSIBLE.
"BUT IF THEIR DEMANDS EXCEED THE LIMITS ACCEPTABLE TO EMPLOYERS AND REDUCE THE INCENTIVE TO INVESTORS OR THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THEIR EXPORTS, THE LABOUR WILL STAND TO SUFFER IN THE END," HE SAID.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, IT WOULD BE EQUALLY UNFAIR TO LOOK AFTER THE INTERESTS OF EMPLOYERS ALONE AND NOT TO ENHANCE WORKERS’ WELFARE AND PROTECTION TO KEEP PACE WITH SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC GROWTH," THE COMMISSIONER ADDED.
/MR CHAN
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
MR CHEN SAID LABOUR POLICY WOULD EASILY BECOME CONTROVERSIAL WHEN IT TOUCHED ON THE TERRITORY’S OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LABOUR INTERESTS, AS IN THE CASE OE THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR.
REFERRING TO THE WAV SOME MAJOR COMPANIES HANDLED LABOUR ISSUES RECENTLY, HE CALLED ON MANAGEMENTS TO CONSULT RELEVANT TRADE UNIONS ON ANY DECISION AFFECTING A LARGE NUMBER OF STAFF, WITH A VIEW TO WORKING OUT AN ARRANGEMENT THAT WOULD LOOK AFTER THE INTERESTS OF BOTH SIDES.
ON IMPROVEMENTS TO LABOUR LEGISLATION, MR CHEN NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS WERE BEING MADE.
"THEY INCLUDE A PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND FROM $4,000 TO $8,000 PLUS 50 PER CENT OF THE BALANCE, AS WELL AS REDUCING FROM 10 TO FIVE THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF SERVICE FOR A WORKER TO QUALIFY FOR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT AND REMOVING THE DIFFERENTIAL RATES FOR CALCULATING THE PAYMENT.
"IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP AN EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO HELP INJURED WORKERS OBTAIN COMPENSATION IN DEFAULT CASES AND WT LL STRENGTHEN CONTROL ON NOISE IN WORKPLACES TO PROTECT WORKERS’ HEARING," HE SAID.
"ALSO LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED TO STEP UP PROTECTION FOR WORKERS IN THE CARGO-HANDLING INDUSTRY," MR CHEN ADDED.
------0--------
NO DECISION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGISLATION ON HOMES FOR ELDERLY *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF PHASES THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
TODAY (MONDAY)
IMPLEMENTING IN
OPERATION OF
AT THE COMMITTEE’S DETAILED DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
MEETING THIS MORNING, THE ADVANTAGES AND
SWAC MEMBERS HAD A DISADVANTAGES OF THE
IN VIEW OF ITS COMPLEXITY, THEY UNANIMOUSLY AGREED REQUESTING THE GOVERNMENT TO STUDY THF FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING PHASES THE PROVISIONS IN THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
ON IN
THE SUBJECT WILL BE DISCUSSED AGAIN AT THE IN EARLY JUNE.
NEXT SWAC MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
- 5 -
FIVE QUESTIONS, 10 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA » * * t *
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF FIVE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 10 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL'S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 1).
OF THE 10 BILLS, SIX WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DERATES ON THEM WILL RE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES BILL 1991, SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER FOUR BILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE BILLS ARE THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, HOTEL ACCOMMODATION BILL 1990 AND LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990-91 PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE: SECTION 8.
DR THE HON C. H. LEONG WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE REVIEW OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY.
THE MOTION READS: "THIS COUNCIL URGES THE ADMINISTRATION ON THIS INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY THAT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY BE CONDUCTED WITH URGENCY. IN PARTICULAR THREE ASPECTS MUST BE EXPLORED: HAZARD PREVENTION; DISABILITY ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION; AND REHABILITATION.
ALSO, THE HON J. D. MCGREGOR WILL RAISE UNDER STANDING ORDER 9(5) THE MATTER OF "CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF PROVISION TO ENABLE A CONCESSIONARY FARES SYSTEM FOR ALL SENIOR CITIZENS OF 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER BY ALL MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES" FOR ADJOURNMENT DEBATE.
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 0R99.
--------0-----------
/6 ........
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
- 6 -
HK TOPS THE WORLD ON ULP LAUNCH * t * * *
THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE OF MOTORISTS IN HONG KONG TO UNLEADED PETROL (ULP) IN ITS FIRST MONTH OF INTRODUCTION HAS PUT HONG KONG ON TOP OF ALL DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AS FAR AS QUICK MARKET PENETRATION OF ULP IS CONCERNED.
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF ULP ON APRIL 1, ABOUT HALF OF TOTAL PETROL SALES IN HONG KONG’S 162 FILLING STATIONS ARE ULP, WHICH MEANS THAT SEVEN OUT OF 10 VEHICLES WHICH CAN RUN ON ULP WITHOUT ADJUSTMENT ARE DOING SO.
"THIS IS THE BEST RESULT OF ANY ULP LAUNCH WORLD-WIDE," AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR FRED TROMP, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"IN EUROPE, IT TOOK WEST GERMANY ABOUT SIX YEARS TO REACH 69 PER CENT. THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS JUST MANAGED 32 PER CENT AFTER FIVE YEARS, THE NETHERLANDS HAS REACHED 12 PER CENT AND FRANCE 11 PER CENT.
"THE ONLY OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE A HIGHER USAGE OF ULP ARE CANADA, USA AND JAPAN WHERE THE FUEL WAS INTRODUCED OVER 16 YEARS AGO, AND IT HAS BEEN MANDATORY FOR MANY YEARS FOR NEW VEHICLES TO USE ONLY ULP," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, THE HIGH PENETRATION OF ULP IN HONG KONG IS NOT TOTALLY UNEXPECTED, AS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TERRITORY’S MODERN FLEET IS HIGHLY ADAPTABLE TO ULP," HE ADDED.
ALSO IT IS BELIEVED THAT "THE MOTORISTS GUIDE TO UNLEADED PETROL" MAILED TO 190,000 REGISTERED OWNERS OF PETROL-ENGINED VEHICLES HAD PROVIDED MOTORISTS WITH THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AND HELPED ENCOURAGE MANY OF THEM TO SWITCH TO ULP.
"AND OF COURSE THE $1 PER LITRE PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEADED AND UNLEADED PETROL IS ANOTHER STRONG INCENTIVE FOR MOTORISTS TO SWITCH TO THE CHEAPER AND CLEANER FUEL," MR TROMP SAID.
"THE HONG KONG MOTOR TRADERS ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG TELECOM SPONSORED ULP HOTLINE ALSO HELPED MANY HESITANT MOTORISTS TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND," HE NOTED.
MR TROMP SAID SINCE THE OPERATION OF THE ULP HOTLINE - 183 8383 - ON FEBRUARY 1, ABOUT 7,000 CALLS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
"HALF OF THE CALLS WERE RELATED TO GENERAL INFORMATION ON ULP WHILE THE REMAINING WERE FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC CAR MODELS AND THEIR SUITABILITY TO USING ULP," HE SAID.
THE HOTLINE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNTIL TOMORROW (TUESDAY). FROM MAY 1, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE EPD ON 835 1609 SHOULD THERE BE FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON ULP.
/7........
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
- 7 -
YUEN LONG DB CHAIRMAN ELECTED *****
MR TAI KUEN WAS RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD AT THE BOARD'S MEETING THIS (MONDAY) MORNING. HE WAS RETURNED UNCONTESTED.
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD'S SIX COMMITTEES WERE ALSO ELECTED AT THE MEETING. THEY ARE:
CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE : MR CHOW KEE-WING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE : MR YEUNG YUK-CHIU
FINANCE COMMITTEE ! MR TAI KUEN
INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, AGRICULTURE AND ! MR TANG CHI-LEUNG
TOWN PLANNING COMMITTEE
SOCIAL SERVICE AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE : MR WONG WAI-YIN
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ! MR MAN FOR-TAI
-----0------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF WOON TIN BUILDING AT 68 KAI TAK ROAD, KOWLOON CITY, 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 MAY 28 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
---------0----------
/8.........
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 27.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 29.4.91 +99
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -99
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.9 *+0.3»
29.4.91
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 1 5 10.7.91 360 + 120
QI 16 17.7.91 360 + 120
QI 17 24.7.91 328.5 +151.5
Q105 1.5.91 683 -203
Q106 8.5.91 553.5 -73.5
Q107 15.5.91 501 -21
Q108 22.5.91 440 + 40
Q109 29.5.91 530 -50
Q110 5.6.91 300 + 180
QIU 12.6.91 430 + 50
QI 1 2 19.6.91 660 -180
QI 13 26.6.91 560 -80
Q114 3.7.91 470 + 10
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991
9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 150 + 110
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
H003 29.5.91 220 + 40
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
Hl 57 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 170 + 90
H159 4.9.91 140 + 120
H160 18.9.91 210 + 50
H16 1 2.10.91 -30 + 290
H162 17.10.91 100 + 160
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 170 + 90
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
Y189 22.4.92 200 + 60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 26.4.91 WAS 5,438 MN
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT ENCOURAGES SELF-REGULATION BY INSURANCE INDUSTRY ........................... 1
RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND LEGCO ELECTIONS ............... 2
FESTIVALS TO PROMOTE TWO-WAY EXCHANGE BETWEEN HK AND CANADA ..................... 3
HEUNG YEE KUK STATUS FULLY RECOGNISED: SHA ...................................... 5
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY UPGRADING ................... 5
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED .................................................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...................... 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND.............................................. 11
UK/HK GOVERNMENTS JOINT FUNDING SCHEME ......................................... 11
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR FIRE SERVICES DEPT ................................... 13
KWUN TONG DB CHAIRMAN ELECTED .................................................. 13
CHAIRMEN OF TAI PO DB COMMITTEES ELECTED ....................................... 14
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
1
GOVT ENCOURAGES SELF-REGULATION BY INSURANCE INDUSTRY ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ENCOURAGED SELF-REGULATION BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN ADDITION TO DIRECT SUPERVISION OF IT, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE MANULIFE TOWER IN NORTH POINT, MR NENDICK SAID ENCOURAGING SELF-REGULATION FOR THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY WAS THE RIGHT APPROACH AND IT HAD PROVED BOTH SUCCESSFUL AND COST EFFECTIVE.
"IT HAS RESULTED IN CODES OF PRACTICE ON LONG TERM AND GENERAL INSURANCE BEING ADOPTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, AND IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSURANCE CLAIMS COMPLAINTS BUREAU TO ADJUDICATE COMPLAINTS RELATING TO PERSONAL POLICIES," HE SAID.
"THESE ARE CLEAR SIGNS THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN READY AND WILLING TO TAKE ON A SELF-POLICING ROLE," HE ADDED.
APART FROM INSURERS, BROKERS AND AGENTS WERE ALSO SEEKING TO DRAW UP SELF-REGULATORY RULES, MR NENDICK SAID, ADDING THAT THE GROWTH OF THE INSURANCE MARKET HAD MEANT THAT GOVERNMENT HAD HAD TO ADOPT A MORE POSITIVE ROLE IN ENSURING THAT THE INTERESTS OF POLICY HOLDERS WERE PROTECTED.
TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPERVISION OF THE INDUSTRY, MR NENDICK SAID THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS DRAWN UP IN 1983 TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR REGULATING INSURANCE COMPANIES.
"THE ORDINANCE IS KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT ITS REQUIREMENTS MATCH MARKET DEVELOPMENTS.
"LAST JUNE, THE FORMER INSURANCE DIVISION UNDER THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT WAS EXPANDED AND TRANSFORMED INTO AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE, THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, UNDER THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
"THERE HAS ALSO BEEN AN EXPANSION IN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THE SUPERVISION OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID WITH THE GROWING AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INSURANCE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW INSURANCE PRODUCTS AND A SOUND REGULATORY REGIME, THERE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY TO THRIVE- AND PROSPER IN HONG KONG.
RECENT STATISTICS SHOWED THAT MORE THAN 18,000 PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE EMPLOYED IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. THIS REPRESENTED A THREE-FOLD INCREASE OVER THE NUMBER 10 YEARS AGO, HE SAID.
/"THERE ARE
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
- 2 -
’’THERE ARE AS OF TODAY A TOTAL OF 254 INSURANCE COMPANIES AUTHORISED IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE MANULIFE TOWER IS USED BY LEADING CANADIAN INSURANCE COMPANY, MANULIFE FINANCIAL, AS ITS NEW PACIFIC ASIA REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS.
------0-------
RESIDENTS URGED TO SUPPORT MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND LEGCO ELECTIONS ******
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED RESIDENTS TO FULFIL THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY BY TAKING PART IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY (MAY 5) AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON EAST, MR LAN SAID THE TWO ELECTIONS HAD AN IMPORTANT BEARING ON THE WELL-BEING OF OUR SOCIETY.
HE NOTED THAT THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMULATING MUNICIPAL POLICIES WHICH WERE CLOSELY RELATED WITH OUR DAILY LIVES.
AS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, MR LAN CALLED ON PERMANENT RESIDENTS AGED 21 AND ABOVE WHO HAD NOT REGISTERED AS ELECTORS TO DO SO BY JULY 1.
'THE ELECTIONS NOT ONLY SIGNIFY AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS AN OPEN ADMINISTRATION, THEY ALSO HELP LAY A SOUND FOUNDATION FOR ’HONG KONG PEOPLE RULING HONG KONG’,’’ HE SAID.
MR LAN ALSO CALLED ON VOTERS TO REPORT ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE SO AS NOT TO MISS THE CHANCE OF CASTING THEIR VOTES IN THE NEW CONSTITUENCY THEY NOW LIVED IN.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THE BUILDING OF A HARMONIOUS SOCIETY REQUIRED THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS PEOPLE.
HE NOTED THAT IF RESIDENTS WANTED THE SOCIETY TO CONTINUE TO BE PROSPEROUS AND TO SHARE THE FRUITS OF PROSPERITY, THEIR PARTICIPATION IN ITS AFFAIRS WAS INDISPENSABLE.
"THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD EXERCISE YOUR CIVIC HELP DEVELOP THE POLITICAL SYSTEM," HE SAID.
RESPONSIBILITY TO
EARLIER, MR LAN OUTLINED THE VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG IN THE PAST 20 YEARS AND THEIR LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
/HE SAID .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
- 3 -
HE SAID THE TERRITORY’S EDUCATION, HOUSING, AND MEDICAL SERVICES HAD ENABLED THOSE WHO WERE LESS WELL-OFF TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIFE.
’’SINCE SOCIETY HAS ENDOWED YOU WITH THE RIGHT TO ENJOY THE VARIOUS SERVICES, YOU HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO PAY BACK BY HELPING THOSE WHO ARE LESS WELL-OFF,” MR LAN SAID.
TO FULFIL THIS OBLIGATION, HE SAID, ONE COULD JOIN THE ORGANISATIONS WHICH PROVIDED SERVICES TO THE NEEDY SUCH AS THE ROTARY
CLUB.
’’RESIDENTS SHOULD ALSO PERFORM THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, SUCH AS BY ACTIVELY TAKING PART IN THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS,” HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
FESTIVALS TO PROMOTE TWO-WAY EXCHANGE BETWEEN HK AND CANADA ♦ ♦ * * ♦
A TWO-WAY EXCHANGE BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG IN THE FORM OF FESTIVALS FEATURING TRADE, CULTURE AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES WILL STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING RELATIONSHIP AND INCREASE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, MR JOHN CHAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE CANADA FESTIVAL IN HONG KONG 1991 AND THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL IN CANADA 1992, MR CHAN SAID THERE WERE INCREASINGLY CLOSE LINKS BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG.
’’NOT ONLY ARE WE EACH OTHER’S MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, BUT ALSO GOOD PARTNERS WITH GROWING TIES IN THE FIELDS OF CULTURE, RECREATION, AND EDUCATION.
’’THE CENTRAL THEME OF THE FESTIVAL, ’CANADA AND HONG KONG -FRIENDS YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW’ CAN BEST SPELL OUT OUR CLOSE AND CORDIAL RELATIONS.
"WE THEREFORE WELCOME THE CANADIAN COMMISSIONER’S INITIATIVE OF ORGANISING THE CANADA FESTIVAL IN HONG KONG WHICH WILL BE STAGED IN JUNE THIS YEAR,” HE SAID.
TO RECIPROCATE, MR CHAN SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND OTHER MAJOR ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CANADA WOULD JOINTLY ORGANISE THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL IN CANADA IN LATE SEPTEMBER/EARLY OCTOBER 1992.
’’THROUGH THIS TWO-WAY EXCHANGE OF FESTIVALS, WE HOPE TO REINFORCE AND IMPROVE BOTH THE ’BUSINESS LINKS AND PEOPLE’S LINKS’ BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND CANADIAN COMMUNITIES.
/•'HOLDING HONG.........
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
4
"HOLDING HONG KONG FESTIVALS IN MAJOR CITIES IN CANADA WOULD ALSO HELP PROMOTE HONG KONG’S IMAGE AND INTEGRATE THE HONG KONG IMMIGRANTS INTO THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS SHELLEY LAU, SAID AN EXPLORATORY VISIT TO OANADA WAS MADE LAST MONTH (MARCH) TO SOUND OUT THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY LEADERS THERE ON HOW BEST TO ORGANISE THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL IN CANADA.
MRS LAU SAID SHE AND TWO COLLEAGUES FROM THE TRADE AND industry branch and the urban council visited those provinces which HAD ALREADY SHOWN INTEREST IN ORGANISING THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL IN CANADA AND THEY INCLUDED BRITISH COLUMBIA, ONTARIO AND MANITOBA.
"WE ARE MOST ENCOURAGED BY THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM THE PROVINCIAL AND CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AS WELL AS CANADIAN, INCLUDING CANADIAN CHINESE, COMMUNITY LEADERS WE SAW ON OUR VISIT," SHE SAID.
"DURING THE EXPLORATORY VISIT, THE QUESTIONS OF POSSIBLE TIMING, PROGRAMME CONTENT, ORGANISATION MACHINERY, POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES AND PUBLICITY WERE ADDRESSED.
"WE EXPECT OTHER PROVINCES MAY ALSO EXPRESS INTEREST OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AND WILL DO OUR BEST TO SUPPORT ANY ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL THAT THE VARIOUS PROVINCES MAY WISH TO ORGANISE," SHE SAID.
MRS LAU SAID ALTHOUGH NO FINAL DECISIONS HAD BEEN MADE, IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE EVENTUAL PROGRAMMES FOR THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL IN VARIOUS CITIES IN CANADA MIGHT INCLUDE TRADE AND BUSINESS PROMOTIONS, CULTURE GALAS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL CANADIAN CHARITIES, FOOD FESTIVALS, FILM FESTIVALS, SPORTS AND RECREATION EVENTS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND EXHIBITIONS RELATED TO HONG KONG.
"CONSIDERABLE FUNDING AND SPONSORSHIPS WOULD NEED TO BE FOUND FOR ORGANISING THESE EVENTS, AND APART FROM GOVERNMENT FUNDING, WE HOPE TO ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, AND MAJOR CORPORATIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE," SHE AD.DED.
--------0 - -
TUESDAY, APRIL 30,
1991
HEUNG YEE KUK STATUS FULLY RECOGNISED: SHA *****
HEUNG YEE KUK’S STATUS IN HONG KONG IS FULLY RECOGNISED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING A COURTESY VISIT TO THE KUK THIS AFTERNOON, MR TSAO SAID THIS WAS CLEARLY INDICATED BY THE FACT THAT THE KUK HAD BEEN DESIGNATED AS A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE COMING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
HE PRAISED THE KUK FOR ITS CO-OPERATION WITH THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN PROMOTING RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOR ITS VALUABLE OPINIONS ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND RURAL ISSUES.
’’THE KUK’S INCREASING LIAISON WITH VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO SHOWS THAT IT IS PLAYING A SUCCESSFUL ROLE AS THE MAJOR CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,” HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE ELECTION OF SPECIAL COUNCILLORS FOR THE 28TH TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WOULD BE HELI) ON THURSDAY (MAY 2), MR TSAO SAID THE NEW COUNCILLORS WOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY OF MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY DURING THE RUN-UP TO 1997.
HE ALSO REAFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF LIVING AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
- - 0 - -
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY UPGRADING
*****
HONG KONG’S TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN PLAYING THEIR PART IN CONTRIBUTING TOWARDS THE PROCESS OF TECHNOLOGY UPGRADING, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (DESIGNATE), MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE $220 MILLION FACTORY OF CABOT PLASTICS HONG KONG LTD AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MR CHAN SAID THIS WAS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE RECENT STUDY ON THE TECHNOLOGY ROAD MAP FOR HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE PROJECT EVOLVED FROM A PRELIMINARY* PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF HONG KONG’S TECHNOLOGY POLICY AND WAS AIMED AT CONSTRUCTING A SERIES OF "ROAD MAPS" WHICH DELINEATED WHAT WAS ALREADY IN PLACE IN HONG KONG AND WHICH HELPED IDENTIFY THE MISSING LINKS.
"THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY WILL, I AM SURE, BE BENEFICIAL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN CONSIDERING INVESTMENT PLANS IN THE TERRITORY.
/"THE GOVERNMENT
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
- 6 -
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO TAKE THEM INTO ACCOUNT IN DEVELOPING ITS POLICIES CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF FURTHER TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID INTERNATIONALLY HONG KONG AIMED AT ATTRACTING AND FACILITATING DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE TERRITORY’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
HE SAID IN RECENT YEARS NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES HAD STEPPED UP THEIR EFFORTS IN PROMOTING INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AND HONG KONG MUST DO LIKEWISE.
"AS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING OUR OVERALL PERFORMANCE, WE ADDED A NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR TO OUR INVESTMENT PROMOTION TEAM LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE STRENGTHENED DIRECTION AND CO-ORDINATION OF OUR INWARD INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACTIVITIES IN NORTH AMERICA.
"THE RESULTS SO FAR HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING, SO MUCH SO THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING THE SAME CONCEPT TO EUROPE.
"THE POSTING OF A NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR TO EUROPE WILL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ENABLE US TO STRUCTURE OUR INVESTMENT PROMOTION EFFORTS WITH CLOSER REGARD TO DEVELOPMENTS TOWARDS THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET BY 1992," HE SAID.
MR CHAN ALSO SAID HONG KONG WAS ALIVE TO THE GOOD TRACK RECORDS OF THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN INVESTORS.
THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM RANKED FIRST AND FOURTH RESPECTIVELY IN TERMS OF CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, WHILE GERMANY, SWITZERLAND AND THE NETHERLANDS ALSO HAD SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT HERE.
"IN SUM, WE WELCOME OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, PARTICULAR THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES IT WILL BRING.
"IT IS NOT EXAGGERATING TO SAY THAT CABOT PLASTICS’ PRESENCE IN HONG KONG HAS VIVIDLY DEMONSTRATED THE MANY ATTRACTIONS OF HONG KONG AS A GOOD MANUFACTURING BASE.
"I HOPE THAT MANY OTHER OVERSEAS COMPANIES WILL FOLLOW CABOT PLASTICS’ EXAMPLE," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/7 .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
- 7 -
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 47.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID ONE OF THE AIDS PATIENTS WHO WAS CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE EARLIER DIED IN MARCH.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 33 AIDS PATIENTS HAD PASSED AWAY WHILE 14 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR MARCH, THE SPOKESMAN SAID FIVE MORE MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST, BRINGING TO 173 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED AIDS.
OF THESE, 55 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 97 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, FOUR WERE DRUG ABUSERS, THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND THE INFORMATION FOR THE OTHER 14 WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 189,570 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO MARCH, 870,554 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 15 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
- 8 -
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody
Virus Unit, Department of
Testing
Health
Apr 85-Feb 91 Mar 91 Total
No. tested* No. ♦ve No. tested* No. +ve No. tested* NO. *ve
Referrals from Govt.
hospitals and clinics ft Referrals from private 15768 79 276 2 16044 81
practitioners and subvented hospitals , 2140 43 24 2 2164 45
Attendances at social
hygiene clinics 162286 30 2249 1 .164535 31
Haemophiliacs , . 496 ’ 5062 60 A n 500 5234 60
v v 1 Tt 172 V 0 V V 1
Referrals from Family
Planning Association Health care personnel 219 0 0 0 219 0
849 0 25 0 874 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL w J , . 186820 213 2750 5 189570 218
* This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests are repeated for certain individuals.
Aug 85-Feb 91 Mar 91 Total
No. tested No. +ve No. tested No. +ve No. tested No. +ve
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Service 854834 15 15720 0 870554 15
Department of Health April 1991
-------0------------
/9.........
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 29.4.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 30.4.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
112.5 *-0.4* 30.4.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
HKEF
$ MILLION
480
-89
+ 89
NEUTRAL
HKEI
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 360 + 120
Q116 17.7.91 360 + 120
QI 1 7 24.7.91 318.5 +161.5
Q105 1.5.91 630 -150
Q106 8.5.91 593.5 -113.5
Q107 15.5.91 501 -21
Q108 22.5.91 450 + 30
Q109 29.5.91 570 -90
QUO 5.6.91 300 + 180
QI 11 12.6.91 360 + 120
Q112 19.6.91 640 -160
Q113 26.6.91 520 -40
Q114 3.7.91 440 + 40
/HONG KONG
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H001 1.5.91 130 + 130
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
H003 29.5.91 220 + 40
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 200 + 60
H159 4.9.91 140 + 120
H160 18.9.91 210 + 50
H161 2.10.91 -70 + 330
H162 17.10.91 110 + 150
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE
FUND
FUND BILLS
HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 170 + 90
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
Y189 22.4.92 200 + 60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 26.4.91 WAS 5,438 MN
--------0-----------
/Il........
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG
*****
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS TUESDAY 30 APRIL 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q118 H163
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,045 MN HKD 1,478 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 400 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 6.08 PCT 6.16 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 6.09 PCT 6.18 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 19 PCT ABOUT 13 PCT
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 26.4.91 WAS 5,438 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TUESDAY 7 MAY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q1 19
ISSUE DATE 8 MAY 91
MATURITY DATE 7 AUG 91
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400 + 80 MN
--------0-----------
UK/HK GOVERNMENTS JOINT FUNDING SCHEME ******
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE JOINT FUNDING SCHEME FOR THE 1991-92 ACADEMIC YEAR IS OPEN TO APPLICATION AS FROM TODAY (TUESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN OF THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY SAID THE SCHEME WAS JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG AND UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENTS TO HELP THOSE HONG KONG STUDENTS WHO ARE IN NEED TO PAY THE HIGHER TUITION FEES CHARGED ON OVERSEAS STUDENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
"IT IS OPEN TO HONG KONG STUDENTS PURSUING FULL-TIME FIRST DEGREE OR HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSES AT UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, SUBJECT TO THEIR HAVING RESIDED CONTINUOUSLY OR HAVE HAD THEIR HOME IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO COURSE COMMENCEMENT," HE SAID.
/"THE SCHEME .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
12
’’THE SCHEME IS MEANS-TESTED AND THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TUITION FEES PAYABLE BY AN OVERSEAS STUDENT AND A BRITISH HOME STUDENT STUDYING THE SAME COURSE.
’’THE BRITISH HOME STUDENT FEE HAS BEEN INCREASED CONSIDERABLY STARTING FROM THE YEAR 1990-91.
’’HAVING CONSIDERED THE NEED OF HONG KONG STUDENTS, A NOTIONAL ’HOME’ FEE IS ADOPTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING STUDENTS’ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
’’FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1991-92, THE NOTIONAL ’HOME FEE’ WILL BE 669 POUND STERLING,’’ HE SAID.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE IN THE FORM OF GRANTS, BUT IF THE TOTAL REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS THE JOINT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, THEN EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT’S SHARE OF GRANT WOULD BE PROPORTIONATELY REDUCED, WITH THE BALANCE MADE UP BY A LOAN SOLELY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
AN INTEREST ON THE LOAN BORROWED BY APPLICANTS IS CHARGEABLE AT THE RATE OF 2.5 PER CENT. PER ANNUM CALCULATED FROM THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OF THE LOAN REPAYMENT PERIOD.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED BY AN INSTITUTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR ONE OF THE COURSES COVERED BY THE SCHEME (PROOF OF CONDITIONAL OFFER WILL BE ACCEPTABLE).
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 867 3547.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY HAND TO THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ON-COURSE STUDENTS IS JULY 1, 1991 WHILE THAT FOR NEW STUDENTS IS OCTOBER 1, 1991.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE SPECIFIED ABOVE BUT ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 1991 MAY BE ACCEPTED BUT WILL BE PROCESSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOANS ONLY.
- - 0 - -
/13........
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
- 13 -
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR FIRE SERVICES DEPT
*****
THE FIRE HAZARD HOTLINE AND A NUMBER OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS AT THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNICATION CENTRE (FSCC) WILL BE CHANGED ON SATURDAY (MAY 4).
THE CHANGE OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS IS MADE FOLLOWING THE COMPLETE RELOCATION OF THE FSCC TO THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AT HONG CHONG ROAD FROM THE TSIM SHA TSUI FIRE STATION COMPLEX AT CANTON ROAD.
THE FOLLOWING NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS WILL BE IN USE FROM 8 AM ON SATURDAY:
FIRE HAZARD HOTLINE: 723 8787
FIRE SERVICES MAIN EXCHANGE: 723 2233
AMBULANCE SERVICES MAIN EXCHANGE: 735 3355
THE FIRE HAZARD HOTLINE IS FOR THE PUBLIC TO REPORT ANY ALLEGED FIRE HAZARD, AND TO ENQUIRE AND COMPLAIN ABOUT ANY BREACH OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS AND FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO NEED TO CONTACT THE AMBULANCE SERVICES TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN THE CONVEYING OF NON-EMERGENCY PATIENTS, ARE ADVISED TO NOTE THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE AMBULANCE SERVICES MAIN EXCHANGE.
--------0-----------
KWUN TONG DB CHAIRMAN ELECTED ******
MR LAM HANG-FAI WAS RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERM KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AT THE BOARD’S FIRST MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WON THE ELECTION WITH 18 VOTES TO 17 VOTES OF THE OTHER CANDIDATE, MR LAM KIN-KWOK.
--------0-----------
/14 ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1991
14
CHAIRMEN OF TAI PO * *
DB COMMITTEES ELECTED
* * » *
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SIX COMMITTEES OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WERE ELECTED AT THE BOARD’S MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THEY WERE ALL RETURNED UNCONTESTED.
THE SIX NEW CHAIRMEN ARE MR CHAN KOON-YAU FOR THE AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE; MR CHEUNG HOK-MING FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE; MR KWONG KAI-TO FOR THE PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE; MISS LAM WAI-LING FOR THE RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE; MR LEUNG WO-PING FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE; AND MR YAU CHUNG-WAN FOR THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE.
--------0 - -