DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LUNAR NEW YEAR FLIGHT SITUATION AT KAI TAK EXPLAINED ................. 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1991 ................................ 1
MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON WATER QUALITY AND FLOW SURVEY ................... 5
NEW ROAD TO EASE TRAFFIC OF BUSY CORRIDOR OPEN ....................... 5
FREE BOOKMARKS FOR VISITORS TO CAREERS EXPO .......................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1992
- 1 -
LUNAR NEW YEAR FLIGHT SITUATION AT KAI TAK EXPLAINED
* t » t t ♦ *
A NO-WIN SITUATION HAS BEEN CREATED BY AIRLINES AND TRAVEL AGENTS BY SELLING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR EXTRA FLIGHTS BEFORE THEY HAD ASCERTAINED THAT THE: PARKING AND TRAFFIC SLOTS WERE AVAILABLE AT KAI TAK AT THE TIMES THEY REQUIRED, OVER AND ABOVE THE SLOTS ALREADY OCCUPIED BY THE SCHEDULED FLIGHTS WHICH MUST TAKE PRIORITY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHEN PERFORCE THEY WERE OFFERED SLOTS AT OTHER TIMES, THEY WERE UNABLE TO NOTIFY ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS IN TIME OF THE RESULTANT CHANGES.
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AIRLINE SCHEDULING CO-ORDINATOR NEVERTHELESS LEFT NO STONES UNTURNED THROUGHOUT THE PAST WEEK TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THE FAIT ACCOMPLI, WITHIN THE LIMIT OF THE STANDARDS OF SAFETY.
HOWEVER, RESOURCES ARE NOT UNLIMITED AT KAI TAK AND DESPITE THESE EFFORTS A SMALL NUMBER OF THESE EXTRA FLIGHTS COULD NOT BE ACCOMMODATED ON FEBRUARY 4 AT THE TIMES REQUIRED BY THE AIRLINES CONCERNED.
EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO CONTAIN THE PROBLEMS THUS CAUSED AND TO MINIMISE THE INCONVENIENCE TO THE AFFECTED TRAVELLERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR DECEMBER 1991 ♦ * » * »
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH ALL AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED DURING DECEMBER LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH,
THE STATISTICS ALSO SHOW THAT FOR THE WHOLE OF LAST YEAR, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 16.2%, BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN MONEY TERMS.
CONSISTENT WITH THE INCREASE IN DEPOSITS IN DECEMBER, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE DURING THE MONTH. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE.
/DEPOSITS .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1992
2
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, ROSE BY 1.2% IN DECEMBER FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.5% AND 2.4% IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS, SAVINGS DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS GREW BY 1.0%, 1.8% AND 0.9% RESPECTIVELY DURING DECEMBER. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 16.2%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 3.0% IN DECEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.8% AND 0.7% IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 2.9% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 3.1%. DURING 1991, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 8.3%.
DURING DECEMBER, DEPOSITS. OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY 2.5% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 3.5% AND 3.2% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 13.5% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 9.5% AND 27.3% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HKSM1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 1.8%, 1.6% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER, COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 1.6%, 2.4% AND 2.3% IN NOVEMBER. FOR THE WHOLE OF 1991, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 21.7%, 17.9% AND 15.6% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 1.7%, 2.6% AND 2.3% RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN NOVEMBER WERE 1.8%, 1.4% AND 1.4%. OVER THE YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES GREW BY 19.5%, 13.3% AND 11.6% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 3.5% IN DECEMBER, AFTER RISING BY 3.6% AND 2.9% IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR INCREASED BY 1.8% WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY ROSE BY 4.3%. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 19.2% AND 28.6% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DECREASED BY 0.2% IN DECEMBER, AFTER RISING BY 0.6% IN OCTOBER AND RECORDING NO GROWTH IN NOVEMBER. OVER THE YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 16.2%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.6% IN DECEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.7% AND 2.0% IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 18.5%.
/LOANS FOR .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1992
- 3 -
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG GREW BY 5.1% IN DECEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 3.8% AND 5.1% IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 46.5%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG ROSE BY 13.8%
DURING DECEMBER, AFTER FALLING BY 2.5% AND 5.9% IN OCTOBER AND
NOVEMBER RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 28.5%.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY
SECTOR
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG (EXCLUDING THOSE FOR TRADE FINANCING) INCREASED BY 4.4%.
OF THESE, LOANS FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING FELL BY 0.05%, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 5.8% AND A DECLINE OF 0.6% IN THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 10.6%.
LOANS TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT SECTOR ROSE BY 3.6% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 6.2% AND 3.7% IN THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 16.3%.
LOANS TO WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE RECORDED A QUARTERLY GROWTH OF 1.6%, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 4.9% AND 2.9% IN THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 7.8%.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (EXCLUDING AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS) ROSE BY 6.3% THIS QUARTER, AFTER A DECLINE OF 7.6% AND AN INCREASE OF 3.8% IN THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 8.6%.
THE RATE OF INCREASE IN LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) SLOWED DOWN TO 5.4% THIS QUARTER, FROM 9.4% AND 9.3% IN THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE, THESE LOANS GREW BY 34.9%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBERS OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE EACH TO 160 AND 157 RESPECTIVELY. THE NUMBER OF REPORTING RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 52.
/TABLE 1 .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1992
4
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - DECEMBER 1991
(HKSmn)
Dee 1991 Earlier months (% change to De =c 1991)
Nov 1991 Sep 1991 Dec 1990
Money Supply
Ml-HKS 111.769 109,822 ( 18 ) 108,539 ( 3.0 ) 91,826 ( 21.7 )
Foreign currency 16.728 16.488 ( 15 ) 17,221 ( -2.9 ) 15,683 ( 6.7 )
Total 128,497 126,309 ( 1-7 ) 125,761 ( 2.2 ) 107,509 ( 19.5 )
M2 - HKS4 636,042 625.891 ( I* ) 607,616 ( 4.7 ) 539,667 ( 17.9 )
Foreign currency* 734.948 710,842 ( 34 ) 693,450 ( 6.0 ) 670,383 ( 9.6 )
Total 1,370,990 1,336,733 ( 2.6 ) 1,301,066 ( 5.4 ) 1,210,050 ( 13.3 )
M3 - HKS* 660,117 651,596 ( 13 ) 634,385 ( 4.1 ) 571,215 ( 15.6 )
Foreign currency* 777,225 753.714 ( 3.1 ) 736,043 ( 5.6 ) 716,813 ( B.4 )
Total 1,437,342 1,405,310 ( 2.3 ) 1,370,428 ( 4.9 ) 1,288,028 ( 11.6 )
Notes and coins in circulation 49,177 47,512 ( 3.5 ) 46,638 ( 5.4 ) 43,261 ( 13.7 )
of which held by public 42,608 41.355 ( 3.0 ) 40,257 ( 5.8 ) 37,693 ( 13.0 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 85,889 84,955 ( LI ) 85,504 ( 0.5 ) 69,815 ( 23.0 )
Total Savings deposits 314.052 307,303 ( 2.2 ) 281,731 ( 11.5 ) 231,672 ( 35.6 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 911,491 887,089 ( 2.8 ) 877,155 ( 3.9 ) 853,632 ( 6.8 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 39,627 41,068 ( -3.5 ) 40,395 ( -1.9 ) 43,784 ( -9.5 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 23,547 24.331 ( -3.2 ) 25,668 ( -8.3 ) 32,368 ( -27.3 )
HKS deposits* 604.162 596.751 ( 1-2 ) 580,212 ( 4.1 ) 520,115 ( 16.2 )
USS deposits* 311,422 302,712 ( 2.9 ) 297.719 ( 4.6 ) 294,913 ( 5.6 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 459.023 445,283 ( 3.1 ) 432,522 ( 6.1 ) 416,243 ( 10.3 )
All deposits 1.374.606 1.344.746 ( 2.2 ) 1,310,453 ( 4.9 ) 1,231,271 ( 11.6 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 40.235 38,957 ( 3.3 ) 45.008 ( -10.6 ) 67,733 ( 40.6 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 82,637 82,837 ( -0.2 ) 82,297 ( 0.4 ) 71,087 ( 16.2 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 12,384 10,885 ( 13.8 ) 11,866 ( 4.4 ) 9,637 ( 28.5 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 816,767 803,683 ( 16 ) 782,172 ( 4.4 ) 689,368 ( 18.5 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,293,387 1.231.048 ( 5.1 ) 1,119,381 ( 15.5 ) 882,678 ( 46.5 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 38,598 39,696 ( -2.8 ) 39.016 ( -11 ) 135,839 ( -71.6 )
Loans in HK$ 723,832 711,178 ( 18 ) 690,896 ( 4.8 ) 607,018 ( 19.2 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,519,940 1,456,971 ( 4.3 ) 1,343,836 ( 13.1 ) 1,181,591 ( 28.6 )
Total loans and advances 2.243.773 2,168.149 ( 3.5 ) 2,034,732 ( 10.3 ) 1,788,609 ( 25.4 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : 'Restricted licence banks’ and 'deposit-taking companies’ were known as 'licensed deposit-taking companies' and 'registered deposit-taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
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/5 ........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1992
- 5
MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON WATER QUALITY AND FLOW SURVEY *******
AS PART OF THE ON-GOING LIAISON BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME, A DELEGATION FROM GUANGDONG VISITED THE TERRITORY THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS FOR MARINE AND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
DURING THEIR VISIT, AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON THE DETAILS OF A WATER QUALITY AND FLOW SURVEY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY MUTUAL CO-OPERATION. A FORMAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS SIGNED BY THE LEADER OF THE GUANGDONG DELEGATION, MR ZHANG LI-MIN AND BY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR WATER POLICY, MR MIKE STOKOE.
THE SURVEY WILL BE PART OF THE ON-GOING DATA GATHERING TO DEVELOP COMPUTER MODELS FOR ASSESSING EFFECTS ON MARINE WATERS OF DISCHARGES OF EFFLUENTS.
THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE STRATEGIC DISPOSAL SCHEME WHICH IS PROCEEDING AS PLANNED AND WHICH WILL SOON PROCEED TO THE DESIGN OF THE INITIAL KOWLOON SECTION.
SURVEY WORK HAS BEEN PROCEEDING WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS FOR THE PAST 18 MONTHS AND THE NEW SURVEY WILL COMPLEMENT THIS DATA. A CORRESPONDING GEOLOGICAL SITE INVESTIGATION IS ALSO BEING CARRIED OUT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER DETAILS OF THE SCHEME PLEASE CONTACT EPD’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER FOR WATER POLICY, MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
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NEW ROAD TO EASE TRAFFIC OF BUSY CORRIDOR OPEN ********
A NEW SLIP ROAD DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK FOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN CHING CHEUNG ROAD AND CONTAINER PORT ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG WAS OPENED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN.
THE NEW SLIP ROAD IS ONE IN A SERIES OF PROJECTS UNDER A $700 MILLION COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME UNDERTAKEN BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SINCE 1987 WITH THE AIM OF EASING THE TRAFFIC BURDEN OF THE KWAI CHUNG ROAD CORRIDOR.
/APART FROM........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1992
APART FROM BEING THE MAIN ARTERY OF THE KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT ROAD NETWORK, THE CORRIDOR ALSO SERVES AS ONE OF THE MAIN LINKS BETWEEN KOWLOON AND THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
THE OPENING OF THE CLING CHEUNG SLIP ROAD WOULD ENABLE CONTAINER TRUCKS, WHICH HAD BEEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE HEAVY TRAFFIC BURDEN IN THE AREA, TO ENTER AND LEAVE THE PORT AREA DIRECT VIA CHING CHEUNG ROAD WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH THE ALREADY BUSY KWAI CHUNG ROAD CORRIDOR, DR NIP SAID.
THE WHOLE COMPREHENSIVE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN TWO STAGES WITH WORKS AT THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE ROAD HAVING ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.
DR NIP SAID THE RESULTING OPENING OF THREE FLYOVERS, SEVERAL FOOTBRIDGES AND OTHER GROUND LEVEL WIDENING WORKS HAD ALREADY BROUGHT ABOUT SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
WORKS ON THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF THE MAIN ROUTE, WHICH FORMS THE LAST PHASE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, HAD ALSO BEEN PROGRESSING WELL WITH THE COMPLETION OF A COUPLE OF NEW ROAD LINKS AT THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL INTERCHANGE RECENTLY PLUS THE NEW SLIP ROAD TODAY, HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE WHOLE PROJECT WOULD BE COMPLETED BY MID 1993. BY THEN THE SOUTHERN SECTION OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD WOULD BE WIDENED TO A DUAL FIVE-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WHICH SHOULD REMOVE THE LAST TRAFFIC BOTTLENECK IN THE REGION.
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FREE BOOKMARKS FOR VISITORS TO CAREERS EXPO *****
VISITORS TO THE EDUCATION & CAREERS EXPO ’92 WILL RECEIVE FREE OF CHARGE A BOOKMARK, THE DESIGN OF WHICH OUTMATCHED 540 ENTRIES IN A .COMPETITION.
THE LAMINATED BOOKMARK FEATURES A BLOOMING PLANT ON ONE SIDE AND SEVERAL SEEDLINGS GROWING HEALTHILY IN THE "RIGHT SOIL" ON THE OTHER SIDE.
MORE THAN 65 SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THE CAREERS BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AS AN ASSOCIATED ACTIVITY OF THE EXPQS1TION.
"THE ENTRIES ARE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD AND THROUGH WORDS AND GRAPHICS THE DESIGNS VIVIDLY DEPICT THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAREERS," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS CLARE SIU SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
/THE WINNER .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1992
THE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION IS NG TSZ-SUN OF KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE, THE FIRST RUNNER-UP IS HO PUI-YEE OF ST CLARE’S GIRLS’ SCHOOL, AND THE SECOND RUNNER-UP IS NG HON-KEI OF KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE.
THEY WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXPOSITION ON FEBRUARY 20 (THURSDAY).
THE EXPOSITION, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WILL PROVIDE THE LATEST INFORMATION ON A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS AND EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, MRS SIU SAID.
’’MORE THAN 200 EXHIBITORS FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF TRADES, INDUSTRIES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AS WELL AS LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING INSTITUTES WILL TAKE PART.
’’THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAREERS SECTION OF THE EXPOSITION.
"A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME OF CAREERS TALKS AND VIDEO SHOWS ON VARIOUS CAREERS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR STUDENTS,” MRS SIU SAID.
THE EDUCATION & CAREERS EXPO ’92 WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM FEBRUARY 20 TO 23. ADMISSION IS FREE.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE
$ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON
31 .1.92
600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON
1.2.92
NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
NEUTRAL
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMPUTERISED SUMMONS SYSTEM INSTALLED ................................ 1
SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNAR NEWYEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY .............................................................
INJURED WORKERS TO GET $600,000 FROM FUND BOARD....................... 4
MUSIC OFFICE ANNUAL GALA .............................................
ALDAN KWOK TO HEAD WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE.......................
GOVERNOR TO SPEAK ON RADIO, TV .......................................
LUCKY CAR NUMBERS TO GO ON SALE ......................................
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1992
1
COMPUTERISED SUMMONS SYSTEM INSTALLED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
A NEW COMPUTERISED CASE AND SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CASEMAN) IS BEING INSTALLED BY THE JUDICIARY TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF ALL CASES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY PROSECUTED BY MEANS OF SUMMONS IN THE MAGISTRACIES.
THE SYSTEM WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE BASIS OF THE SYSTEM WILL BE A CENTRAL COMPUTER BASED ON THE MAIN COMPUTER OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
A SUB-SYSTEM, WHICH IS AT THE CORE OF CASEMAN AND KNOWN AS THE CENTRAL SUMMONS PROCESSING UNIT, IS LOCATED IN THE EASTERN LAW COURTS.
THE CENTRAL COMPUTER WILL BE ACCESSED BY TERMINALS AT THE CENTRAL SUMMONS PROCESSING UNIT, ALL MAGISTRACIES, AND MOST PROSECUTING DEPARTMENTS.
WHEN THE SYSTEM IS PUT INTO USE, FOR EVERY OFFENCE, A STANDARD OFFENCE DESCRIPTION IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE KEPT ON THE COMPUTER DATABASE.
THE PROSECUTING DEPARTMENTS WILL KEY IN THE DETAILS, SUCH AS THE NAME, ADDRESS AND I.D. NUMBER OF THE DEFENDANT, TIME AND PLACE OF THE OFFENCE, AND THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER IN THE EVENT OF A TRAFFIC CASE WHEN APPLYING FOR THE ISSUE OF SUMMONS.
THE COMPUTER WILL THEN ALLOCATE A RETURN DAY FOR THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE DEFENDANT AT THE APPROPRIATE COURT, AND THE SUMMONS WILL BE PRINTED AND SERVED FROM THE CENTRAL SUMMONS PROCESSING UNIT.
THE CENTRAL SUMMONS PROCESSING UNIT WILL ALSO PRODUCE SUMMONSES TO WITNESSES, ON APPLICATION BY THE PROSECUTION OR DEFENCE AT THE MAGISTRACIES CONCERNED.
AFTER THE HEARINGS, DETAILS OF THE OUTCOME WILL ALSO BE ENTERED INTO THE COMPUTER.
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CASEMAN, THE QUALITY OF SERVICE OF THE MAGISTRACIES TO THE PUBLIC WILL IMPROVE, AS SUMMONSES WILL BE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, THEY WILL BE MORE READILY COMPREHENSIBLE TO MOST DEFENDANTS.
MOREOVER, THE CENTRALISATION WILL ENABLE A DEFENDANT WHO HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY A FINE TO MAKE PAYMENT AT ANY MAGISTRACY, BUT NOT ONLY AT THE MAGISTRACY AT WHICH HIS CASE HAS BEEN HEARD.
THIS WILL BE MORE CONVENIENT TO MANY DEFENDANTS, ESPECIALLY IN CASES WHERE A PLEA OF GUILTY HAS BEEN ENTERED BY LETTER.
AS FOR THE JUDICIARY, THE PRIMARY IMPROVEMENT WILL BE THE ELIMINATION OF LABORIOUS MANUAL PROCESSING OF SUMMONSES AT THE INDIVIDUAL MAGISTRACIES AND TRACKING DOWN OF OUTSTANDING FINES MORE QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
/THERE WILL .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1992
2
THERE WILL ALSO BE AUTOMATIC CHECKING SO THAT NO SUMMONS CAN BE ISSUED OUTSIDE THE STATUTORY TIME LIMIT.
THE COST OF THE SYSTEM IS ABOUT $21 MILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND SOME $7 MILLION A YEAR IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE. HOWEVER, WITH THE SAVINGS IN STAFF AND TIME, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WILL BE RECOVERED BY 1995-1996.
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SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY ******
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN VICTORIA HARBOUR TO FACILITATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 5).
THE SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 5) ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* FROM 7.45 PM TO 9 PM ALL VESSELS NAVIGATING IN VICTORIA HARBOUR AREA BETWEEN GREEN ISLAND AND LEI YUE MUN SHALL PROCEED AT A SAFE SPEED WHICH SHOULD NOT GENERALLY EXCEED FIVE KNOTS. EVERY VESSEL SHALL AT ALL TIMES MAINTAIN A PROPER LOOK-OUT.
* FROM 7.45 PM TO 8.45 PM ALL SCHEDULED FERRY SERVICES USING THE CENTRAL HARBOUR WILL BE SUSPENDED.
* A CLOSED AREA ENCOMPASSING THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY BARGES IN CENTRAL HARBOUR WILL BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN 2 PM TO 9 PM. DURING THE PERIOD, THE AREA WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL MARINE TRAFFIC EXCEPT MARINE POLICE, MARINE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT PATROL LAUNCHES, CRAFT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND OTHER VESSELS APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
* MASTERS, OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF SMALL VESSELS, PARTICULARLY VESSELS WITH NO DECKING, ARE RECOMMENDED NOT TO PROCEED INTO OR REMAIN IN THE CENTRAL HARBOUR AREA BETWEEN 7 PM AND 9 PM. IN AREA OF HIGH TRAFFIC DENSITY SUCH VESSELS ARE VULNERABLE TO THE WASH FROM LARGER VESSELS AND ARE OFTEN NOT EASILY DETECTED FROM LARGER HIGHER FREEBOARD VESSELS.
’* PUBLIC PIERS AND LANDING STEPS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT AND WAN CHAI ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN TSIM SHA TSUI IN KOWLOON WILL BE CLOSED TO NORMAL MARINE TRAFFIC STARTING FROM 6 PM TO 8.30 PM TO .ASSIST IN LANDWARD CROWD CONTROL MEASURES.
* EXCURSION FERRIES PROVIDING FACILITIES FOR VIEWING THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY WILL BE POSITIONED IN THE AREA WELL TO THE EAST OF THE CLOSED AREA.
/* A TEMPORARY .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1992
- 3 -
* A TEMPORARY UNLIT MOORING BUOY WILL BE LAID ABOUT HALF A NAUTICAL MILE EAST NORTHEAST OF HMS TAMAR TO FACILITATE THE MOORING OF BARGES WHICH THE FIREWORKS WILL BE DISCHARGED. THE MOORING BUOY WILL BE LAID DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS TOMORROW (FEBRUARY 3). VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THIS AREA MUST PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (WEST REGION) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR FUNG KWOK-MING, TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID: "THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY IS FOR ALL TO ENJOY AND MASTERS, OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF ALL VESSELS NAVIGATING IN VICTORIA HARBOUR SHOULD PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO MARINE SAFETY AND NOT TO OVERLOAD THEIR BOATS.
"THEY SHOULD EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE AND BE CONSIDERATE TO OTHER BOAT USERS.
"THE MARINE POLICE, MARINE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE SPECIAL PATROLS IN THE CENTRAL HARBOUR AREA TO ASSIST MASTERS, OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF VESSELS DURING THE EVENING OF THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
"MASTERS, OWNERS AND OPERATORS SHOULD COMPLY AT ALL TIMES WITH ANY ADVICE OF OFFICER FROM THE PATROL LAUNCHES."
DETAILS OF THE SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ARE GIVEN IN A MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE NO. 13 OF 1992. COPIES OF THE NOTICE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT PORT FORMALITIES OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD IN CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
‘ ON FEBRUARY 18 LAST YEAR THE THEN DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL SZE, ORDERED A LOCAL MARINE INQUIRY INTO A COLLISION INVOLVING A FERRY VESSEL "MAN LOY" AND A PLEASURE VESSEL "LONG BOAT" IN VICTORIA HARBOUR. THE INQUIRY WAS ORDERED AFTER THF DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAD CONSIDERED A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT ON FEBRUARY 16.
THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS, ONE OF WHICH WAS TO SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO DRAW UP PROPOSALS FOR THE CONTROL OF VESSELS DURING FUTURE FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND ANY OTHER OCCASIONS WHEN THERE IS A CONCENTRATION OF PLEASURE VESSELS IN VICTORIA HARBOUR.
A WORKING GROUP KNOWN AS THE MARINE CONTROL WORKING GROUP ON LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY WAS SET UP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE PRINCIPAL MARINE OFFICER (LOCAL SERVICES) OF THE MARINE' DEPARTMENT, MR CHENG PAK-KWAN, AND INCLUDED MEMBERS FROM THE MARINE POLICE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE MARINE CONTROL WORKING GROUP MET IN JUNE AND NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AND SUBMITTED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF MARINE TRAFFIC BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER FUTURE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER, HAS ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE MARINE CONTROL WORKING GROUP.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1992
4
INJURED WORKERS TO GET $600,000 FROM FUND BOARD
*****
THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND BOARD WILL PAY OUT $600,000 FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO THE FIRST BATCH OF 16 APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN COMPENSATION FROM THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR WORK INJURIES.
"THE PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE FUND BOARD AS MOST OF THE APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN ASSISTED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN PURSUING THEIR CLAIMS," THE FUND BOARD’S CHAIRMAN, MR ANTHONY NEOH, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR NEOH NOTED THAT SOME 30 ADDITIONAL CASES WERE BEING PROCESSED BY THE FUND BOARD AND THAT THE COURTS HAD MADE RULINGS ON THE AMOUNTS OF COMPENSATION IN NINE OF THESE CASES.
"THE REMAINING 20-ODD CASES, IN WHICH COURT JUDGEMENT IS AWAITED, INVOLVE APPLICATIONS MADE UNDER A PROVISION OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE ORDINANCE, WHERE THE BOARD MAY MAKE ’PAYMENT IN ANTICIPATION OF ENTITLEMENT’,” HE ADDED.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES AND DEPENDANTS OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES MAY BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THEIR COMPENSATION ENTITLEMENT, INCLUDING COMMON LAW AWARDS, IN DEFAULT CASES ARISING OUT OF THE EMPLOYER’S FAILURE TO INSURE THEM OR FROM THE INSURER’S INSOLVENCY.
"THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT AT PRESENT ASSISTS WORKERS IN MAKING CLAIMS TO THE FUND BOARD IN CASES WHICH AWAIT COURT JUDGEMENT, OR IN WHICH THE EMPLOYER HAS DIED OR CANNOT BE LOCATED FOLLOWING WINDING-UP OF HIS BUSINESS," MR NEOH SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE FUND BOARD RECEIVED ABOUT $14 MILLION FROM A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN 1991/92.
ANY PERSON WHO HAS A CLAIM UNDER THE ORDINANCE MAY APPLY TO THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND BOARD THROUGH THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE TO THE DIVISION ON TEL. 852 4821.
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/5 ........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1992
5
MUSIC OFFICE ANNUAL GALA *****
MORE THAN 500 YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL PERFORM AT THE MUSIC OFFICE’S ANNUAL GALA TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE CONCERT HALL ON MARCH 1 (SUNDAY).
THE ANNUAL GALA IS THE FIRST MUSICAL ACTIVITY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE IN THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY DURING WHICH TRAINEES UNDER THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME IN THE PAST YEAR WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN PUBLIC BEFORE THEIR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND FRIENDS.
"PARENTS, WHEN WATCHING THEIR CHILDREN PERFORM ON STAGE AND PARTICULARLY BEFORE A LARGE AUDIENCE, WOULD FEEL PROUD OF THE YOUNGSTERS’ ACHIEVEMENT," A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SOME OF THE TRAINEES PARTICIPATING IN THE CONCERT WERE WINNERS IN THE SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL OR HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVES TO TAKE GOODWILL VISITS TO SINGAPORE, AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES IN THE PAST YEARS.
THEIR OUTSTANDING PLAYING TECHNIQUE WILL SURELY GIVE THE AUDIENCE AN AFTERNOON OF GOOD MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.
PERFORMING IN THE CONCERT WILL BE THE HONG KQNG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA, HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONIC BAND, HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND THE MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR.
THEY WILL PRESENT PIECES SUCH AS GIUSEPPE VERDI’S "LUISA MILLER OVERTURE", FRANZ LISZT’S "LES PRELUDES" AND LIU NIAN-QU’S "BEAUTIFUL SCENES OF THE SOUTHERN STOCKED VALLEY".
THERE WILL ALSO BE A JOINT PERFORMANCE BY ALL THE PARTICIPATING GROUPS OF JOSEPH KOO’S ’’MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS” AT ABOUT 3 PM.
THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU, WILL OFFICIATE AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY. OUTSTANDING TRAINEES; AND ORCHESTRAL, CHOIR AND BAND MEMBERS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES OF MERIT OR AWARDS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENT.
TICKETS FOR THE ANNUAL GALA, AT $30 AND $40 EACH, ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 734 9009 OR 399 2195.
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/6 ........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1992
6
ALDAN KWOK TO HEAD WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE * * * * *
MR ALDAN KWOK FOO-KAI WILL TOMORROW (MONDAY) TAKE OVER THE POST OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER FROM MR BRIAN LAU KIM-TIM.
MR KWOK, AGED 40, JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN 1976 AND BECAME AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1981.
HE WAS LAST POSTED TO THE WORKS BRANCH AS A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY, DEALING WITH PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMMES.
MR KWOK WAS ALSO FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF YUEN LONG.
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GOVERNOR TO SPEAK ON RADIO, TV
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL DELIVER HIS NEW YEAR MESSAGE ON LUNAR NEW YEAR'S EVE TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE TIMETABLE FOR BROADCASTS OF THE MESSAGE IS AS FOLLOWS:
DATE AND TIME
TELEVISION MONDAY • (FEB 3) TUESDAY (REPEAT) (FEB 4)
TVB (JADE) ABOUT 1820 ABOUT 1315
ATV (HOME) ABOUT 1855 ABOUT 1300
TVB (PEARL) ABOUT 2030 ABOUT 1145
ATV (WORLD) ABOUT 1850 ABOUT 1300
/RADIO .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1992
7
RADIO MONDAY (FEB 3) TUESDAY (REPEAT) (FEB 4)
RTHK 1, 2, 5 (CHINESE) 1900 1300
RTHK 3 (ENGLISH) 1830 0730
COMMERCIAL RADIO 1 (CHINESE) 1830 1215
COMMERCIAL RADIO 2 (CHINESE) 1805 1205
COMMERCIAL RADIO (ENGLISH) 1850 ABOUT 0800
METRO NEWS 1800 0900
FM SELECT 1800 —
HIT RADIO 1800
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LUCKY CAR NUMBERS TO GO ON SALE *****
SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS CONTAINING SINGLE, DOUBLE, TRIPLE AND QUADRUPLE EIGHTS ARE AMONG 20 SPECIAL NUMBERS TO BE PUT UP FOR SALE AT A LUNAR NEW YEAR LUCKY VEHICLE NUMBER AUCTION ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 8).
CAR OWNERS WHO WOULD WANT TO GRACE THEIR VEHICLES WITH SPECIAL LUCKY NUMBERS TO GREET THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY SHOULD NOT MISS THIS AUCTION ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THE NUMBERS ARE:
EW88 DE1122 BL8888 EZ1331
BC3 BB7 AD25 699
DM18 BW888 9998 CR888
3868 ED2 BL88 EY21
EW7878 6999 BC8 CS1818
ALL NUMBERS ARE NOT TRANSFERRABLE.
WITH AN EXPECTED LARGE TURNOUT, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD THE AUCTION AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE AT 10 AM.
PREVIOUS LUNAR NEW YEAR AUCTIONS SAW THE AUSPICIOUS NUMBER "8” FETCHED A RECORD HIGH OF $5 MILLION IN 1988, AND "7" WAS SOLD FOR $4.8 MILLION THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
SINCE MAY 1973, A TOTAL OF 170 AUCTIONS HAVE BEEN HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT, RAISING ABOUT $128 MILLION FOR THE LOTTERIES FUND.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE ...................................... 1
CONCERTED EFFORT TO BOOST FISHING INDUSTRY ..........................
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................... 5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ...................... 5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 6
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1992
1
GOVERNOR’S LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON:
"NEW YEAR IS A TIME FOR REMINDING OURSELVES OF SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE - IN PARTICULAR, ALL WE OWE TO OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. IT IS A FESTIVAL WHICH STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY. IT DRAWS US CLOSER TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO PLAY SUCH A LARGE PART IN OUR HAPPINESS, OUR COMFORT AND OUR WELL-BEING.
HONG KONG IS A COMMUNITY WHICH STRIVES TO PRESERVE THE BEST OF ITS CHINESE TRADITIONS. EACH YEAR, AT THIS TIME, EVEN THIS ENERGETIC TERRITORY SETS ASIDE THE BUSTLE OF BUSINESS AND TAKES TIME OFF TO CELEBRATE WITH PARENTS AND CHILDREN, TO VISIT RELATIVES AND TO ENJOY THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.
AT THE HEART OF THE TRADITIONS OF NEW YEAR IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE. HONG KONG IS A COMMUNITY WHICH CARES DEEPLY ABOUT PEOPLE. FAR MORE THAN OFTEN RECOGNISED, THIS IS A COMMUNITY WHICH IS WARM-HEARTED AND GENEROUS. IT CAN BE QUICK TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.
HONG KONG SHOWED THIS IN A REMARKABLE WAY LAST YEAR. DONATIONS POURED IN FROM EVERY PART OF THE TERRITORY TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE AND HELP TO THE VICTIMS OF FLOODING IN CHINA. THIS WAS A SPLENDID EFFORT. IT SAYS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE BASIC VALUES OF OUR SOCIETY.
WE HAVEN’T OVERLOOKED, AND WE MUSTN’T, THE HUMAN NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AS WE PRESS ON WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE SUCCESSFUL AND MORE REWARDING ECONOMY. AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, THE SPECIAL RESPECT PAID TO THE OLDER GENERATION IS A GOOD WAY OF RECOGNISING HOW MUCH WE OWE TO THEM FOR THE WAY THEY LAID THE FOUNDATIONS FOR OUR PROSPERITY.
THE NEW YEAR CUSTOMS ALSO REMIND US THAT OUR HOPES - AND FAITH - CENTRE ON THE CHILDREN OF HONG KONG. THE FAMILY IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT INSTITUTION IN OUR COMMUNITY. CHILDREN ARE AT THE HEART OF THE FAMILY. IT IS CHILDREN, AND OUR HOPES FOR THEM, THAT INSPIRE OUR EFFORTS TO CREATE A BETTER WORLD. IT IS THINKING AHEAD FOR THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN THAT JUSTIFIES THE EFFORT WE MAKE TO GO ON INVESTING IN NEW HOMES, BETTER SCHOOLS AND MODERN INDUSTRIES.
HERE, TOO, WE HAVE GOOD REASON FOR PRIDE. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE A GREAT CREDIT TO HONG KONG. THEY ARE IMPRESSIVE AMBASSADORS FOR HONG KONG AROUND THE WORLD. THEY CAN BE SEEN ACHIEVING OUTSTANDING RESULTS IN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OVERSEAS. INCREASINGLY THEY ARE BEING SEEN IN CULTURAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES TOO.
/NEW YEAR .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1992
- 2 -
NEW YEAR IS A TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT WE OWE TO THE PEOPLE ALL ROUND US. THE STRENGTH OF THIS COMMUNITY IS THE ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO BRING COMMITMENT, GREAT GOOD SENSE AND HARD WORK TO THEIR DAILY JOBS, NO MATTER HOW HUMBLE. THANKS TO THEIR PATIENCE AND THEIR RESILIENCE, HONG KONG CAN FACE THE FUTURE, AND THE CHALLENGES THIS WILL BRING, WITH DETERMINATION AND CONFIDENCE.
I SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAY A SPECIAL TRIBUTE THIS NEW YEAR TO THE THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK IN OUR PUBLIC SERVICE. THEY PROVIDE US WITH SCHOOLING AND HEALTH CARE, WITH DECENT HOUSING AND WELFARE SERVICES, WITH CLEAN STREETS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES. THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES MAKE A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION, ENSURING HIGH STANDARDS OF LAW AND ORDER AND SAFEGUARDING OUR SECURITY WITH EFFICIENCY AND TACT.
ALTHOUGH OUR ATTENTION AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS VERY MUCH ON OUR HOMES HERE IN HONG KONG. IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THE WIDENING CIRCLE OF THOSE FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHO TRADE WITH HONG KONG, INVEST IN HONG KONG AND THEN BECOME FRIENDS OF HONG KONG.
ON MY TRIPS OVERSEAS, I AM STRUCK MORE AND MORE BY THE NUMBER OF FRIENDS THAT HONG KONG HAS WON AROUND THE WORLD AND BY THE AMOUNT OF GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE NOW ENJOY. THESE ARE TREMENDOUS ASSETS IN WHAT WE ARE DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG BECOMES THE MAJOR FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN THIS REGION.
AS WE START THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY THERE IS MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR. WE HAVE A CITY TO BE PROUD OF - A TALENTED AND CARING COMMUNITY. AND WE ARE PRESSING AHEAD WITH BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS OF A SAFER, HEALTHIER AND MORE PROSPEROUS HONG KONG FOR OUR CHILDREN, AS WELL AS OURSELVES, TO ENJOY.
IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE FOR ANYBODY TO BE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND TO SHARE IN THE LIVES, THE HOPES AND THE ENDEAVOURS OF THIS REMARKABLE TERRITORY. WHEREVER WE ARE IN THE FUTURE, HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN THE HEARTS OF MYSELF, MY WIFE AND OUR TWO SONS.
AT THE START OF THIS NEW YEAR, MY WIFE AND MY FAMILY JOIN ME IN WISHING YOU ALL THE HEALTH, THE HAPPINESS AND THE SUCCESS THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SO THOROUGHLY DESERVE."
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1992
- 3 -
CONCERTED EFFORT TO BOOST FISHING INDUSTRY
******
LANDINGS SOLD THROUGH FISH MARKETS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO) LAST YEAR HAD RISEN TO 76,000 TONNES WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF $680 MILLION.
THIS WAS DESPITE LABOUR SUPPLY TENSION AND GRADUAL DECREASE IN THE RESOURCES OF CONVENTIONAL FISHING GROUNDS.
AT THE FMO’S ANNUAL PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET TODAY (MONDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE SAID:
"THIS WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE CONCERTED EFFORT OF THE FISHERMEN, THE FMO AND THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE FMO CONTINUED TO TAKE THE NECESSARY MEASURES TO MAINTAIN GOOD MARKET ORDER IN THE VARIOUS WHOLESALE MARKETS SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE TRADING OF FISH IS CONDUCTED IN AN EQUITABLE MANNER AND AT FAIR PRICES.
DR LEE SAID THE ORGANISATION AND THE POLICE HAD BEEN JOINING FORCES IN COMBATTING ILLEGAL MARKETING ACTIVITIES.
LAST YEAR, 52 CASES HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED WITH ALL THE OFFENDERS FINED AND THEIR CATCHES CONFISCATED.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF AMENDING LAW GOVERNING THE TRANSPORTATION OF MARINE FISH AT SEA IN ORDER TO FURTHER COMBAT ILLEGAL MARKETING ACTIVITIES," HE CONTINUED.
DR LEE URGED FISHERMEN TO CONTINUE THEIR CO-OPERATION BY MARKETING THEIR FUTURE CATCHES THROUGH THE FMO MARKETS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING) ORDINANCE.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FISHING GROUNDS, DR LEE SAID THE FMO AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) HAD CONTINUED TO CONDUCT TRIAL FISHING WITH THE JAPANESE-DESIGNED DEEP-SEA TRAPS AT ABOUT 200 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF HONG KONG TO ASSESS THE RESOURCES OF DEEP SEA PRAWNS IN THE AREA.
INFORMATION OBTAINED WOULD BE PASSED ON TO THE FISHERMEN TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR BUSINESS.
ON FISHING RIGHT, DR LEE SAID THE FMO HAD HELPED TO ORGANISE A STUDY TOUR TO THE PHILIPPINES AT THE END OF LAST YEAR TO DISCUSS THE FEASIBILITY OF OBTAINING LEGAL FISHING RIGHT IN PHILIPPINES WATERS FOR HONG KONG FISHERMEN.
HE SAID AN INITIAL PROPOSAL HAD BEEN SENT TO THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION AND IT WAS HOPED THAT FURTHER PROGRESS COULD BE ACHIEVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
/ON MARKETING .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1992
ON MARKETING SERVICES, DR LEE SAID MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO EXPAND VARIOUS FIELDS OF BUSINESS AND TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO FISHERMEN.
THESE INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF PLACES AND FACILITIES FOR THE SALE OF LIVE FISH AND TO ASSIST FISHERMEN IN SELLING THEIR CATCHES TO LARGE COMPANIES IN ORDER TO BROADEN THEIR SALE NETWORK AS WELL AS TO SECURE A REASONABLE PROFIT.
OTHER SERVICES HAD ALSO BEEN PROVIDED TO THE FISHERMEN TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG AND TO HELP FISHERMEN ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY.
DURING THE PAST YEAR, LOANS TOTALLING $14 MILLION WERE ISSUED FROM THE FMO LOAN FUND TO MEET THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS OF THE FISHERMEN.
"AS REGARDS TRAINING, THE AFD CONTINUES TO ORGANISE RADIO-TELEPHONE COURSES, TRAINING CLASSES FOR COXSWAINS AND ENGINEERS, AND DEEP-SEA FISHING ENDORSEMENT COURSES FOR THE FISHERMEN TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.
TO DATE, A TOTAL OF 6,493 FISHERMEN HAD ATTENDED THESE TRAINING COURSES.
MEANWHILE, THE MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUND HAD AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND LOANS TOTALLING $320,000 TO 11 FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN AND STUDENTS UNDERTAKING LOCAL OR OVERSEAS STUDIES AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS LAST YEAR.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, PRIZES WERE AWARDED TO 24 CHAMPION FISHERMEN OF THE YEAR.
COMMENDATIONS WERE ALSO GIVEN TO SIX FISHERMEN WHO HAD RISKED THEIR LIVES AT SEA TO SAVE OTHERS.
CERTIFICATES WERE AWARDED TO 15 GRADUATES OF THE LOCAL ENGINEER ENDORSEMENT COURSES.
TWO FMO STAFF WHO HAD COMPLETED 25 YEARS OF SERVICE WERE EACH PRESENTED WITH A LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATE.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1992
- 5 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 29.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 174.095 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 166.615 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 28.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS * * * * ★
TENDER DATE 3 FEB 92 3 FEB 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q206 H257
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,742MN HKD 920MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500MN HKD 200MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 4.07 PCT 4.11 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.09 PCT 4.15 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 40 PCT ABOUT 44 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.11 PCT 4.18 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 10 FEBRUARY 1992 -
TENDER DATE 11 FEB 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q207
ISSUE DATE 12 FEB 92
MATURITY DATE 13 MAY 92
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKS500 + 100MN
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/6 ........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1992
6
J HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 1.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 3.2.92 + 70
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -70
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 110.4 *-0.1* 3.2.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.02 PCT 22 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.22 5.59
1 MONTH 4.06 PCT
3 MONTHS 4.05 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.10 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.66 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 1,205 MN
CLOSED 3 FEBRUARY 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE N(X
GOVERNOR EXPRESSES SYMPATHY TO FAMILIES IN SHEK KONG INCIDENT .... 1
STATEMENT BY S FCR S ON INCIDENT IN SHEK KONG CENTRE ..............
INCIDENT AT SHEK KONG VIETNAMESE DETENTION CENTRE .................
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1992
GOVERNOR EXPRESSES SYMPATHY TO FAMILIES IN SHEK KONG INCIDENT
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING EXPRESSED HIS VERY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILIES OF ALL THOSE WHO DIED IN THE TRAGIC INCIDENT AT THE SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
SAYING THAT IT WAS AN INCIDENT OF REALLY SENSELESS VIOLENCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: ’’THIS IS A REAL TRAGEDY WHICH ALL OF US ARE DEEPLY DISTRESSED TO SEE AND DEEPLY DISTRESSED BOTH FOR THE APPALLING LOSS OF LIFE AND FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE INCIDENT.”
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING SHEK KONG CENTRE, SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD NOT LIKE TO ATTRIBUTE BLAME IN THE INCIDENT.
’’PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THAT MEANS THAT THERE HAS TO BE A VERY THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF WHY IT HAPPENED, WHY THAT HUT WAS BURNED,” HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE IN ALL THE OTHER VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CAMPS KNOW THE PRECISE FACTS OF WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SEK KONG CAMP,AND NOT JUST RELY ON RUMOURS.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THE INCIDENT SHOULD BE A SETBACK TO THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
’’THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION SCHEME STANDS ON ITS OWN MERITS; IT MAKES ABSOLUTE SENSE FOR PEOPLE TO GO BACK TO THEIR HOMES IN VIETNAM AND I HOPE THAT SCHEME WILL GO ON, INDEED I HOPE THAT IT WILL EXPAND,” HE SAID.
ASKED WHAT ACTION WAS BEING TAKEN TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION IN THE CAMP, SIR DAVID SAID: ”WE ARE SEPARATING THE TWO GROUPS: THERE HAVE BEEN GROUPS OF NORTHERNERS AND SOUTHERNERS WHO HAVE BEEN FIGHTING; THAT APPEARS TO BE AT THE ROOT OF THE WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT.
’’THOSE TWO GROUPS WILL BE SEPARATED, THERE WILL BE PEOPLE MOVED OUT OF THIS CAMP; WE HAVE A MINORITY IN THIS CAMP OF NORTHERNERS AND WE’LL BE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM TO MOVED OUT OF THIS CAMP,” HE SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, WHO ACCOMPANIED THE GOVERNOR THIS MORNING SAID TOTAL ORDER HAD BEEN RESTORED TO THE DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND THAT INVESTIGATION WAS IN PROGRESS.
"THE REGIONAL CRIME UNIT IS HANDLING THE CRIME INVESTIGATION SIDE OF IT, ASSISTED BY THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST IN GETTING THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE. THE FIRE SERVICES IS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE TO HELP AS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION,” HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1992
STATEMENT BY S FOR S ON INCIDENT IN SHEK KONG CENTRE
******
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE INCIDENT IN SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE:
"THIS IS A GREAT TRAGEDY. WE ARE ALL DISTRESSED BY IT AND OUR SYMPATHY GOES TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BEREAVED, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY. WE ARE WORKING' VERY CLOSELY WITH THE UNHCR AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE CAMPS TO HELP AND COMFORT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.
"THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS CRIMINAL ACT. IT WAS A DELIBERATE ATTACK UPON A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE HUT AND APPEARS TO BE A DELIBERATE CASE OF ARSON. IT IS THEREFORE BEING TREATED AS A SERIOUS CRIME AND BEING INVESTIGATED AS A SERIOUS CRIME. THIS IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY IN DEALING WITH THE INCIDENT.
"THE STAFFING LEVEL OF POLICE IN THE CENTRE AT THE OUTBREAK OF . THE INCIDENT WAS NORMAL. SHEK KONG HAS FOR A LONG TIME BEEN A VERY PEACEFUL CAMP. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY TROUBLE EXCEPT A RELATIVELY MINOR DISPUTE YESTERDAY EVENING OVER THE HOT WATER DISTRIBUTION. IT SEEMED THAT SOMEHOW THE MINOR INCIDENT WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RESOLVED DID LATER FLARE UP INTO A MAJOR AND TRAGIC INCIDENT.
"WE SHOULD NOT CONFUSE THE CAUSES OF THIS TRAGEDY WITH AN INCIDENT WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO IT. 1 DO NOT THINK THAT 21 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BURNT TO DEATH BECAUSE OF A LACK OF HOT WATER SUPPLY. IT IS A MUCH DEEPER PROBLEM WHICH WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DEAL WITH, WHICH IS THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE STUCK IN CAMPS WHO DO NOT WISH TO BE STUCK IN CAMPS. THEY DON’T INDEED WISH TO BE IN HONG KONG AT ALL.
"THIS TRAGEDY IS BOUND TO CAUSE CONCERN IN SOME OTHER DETENTION CENTRES. IT IS CLEARLY BETTER THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE TOLD VERY CLEARLY WHAT’ HAD HAPPENED RATHER THAN THAT RUMOURS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CIRCULATE. THEREFORE WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT THE FACTS ARE EXPLAINED CAREFULLY AND CLEARLY TO PEOPLE IN OTHER DETENTION CENTRES.
"THE MAJORITY OF VIETNAMESE IN DETENTION CENTRES ARE PEACE LOVING.
"THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE INCIDENT WAS A RESULT OF EMOTIONS IN THE CENTRE CAUSED BY THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME. ON THE CONTRARY, THE NEWS OF REPATRIATION HAD BEEN TAKEN VERY CALMLY IN THE CAMPS. I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY CONNECTION WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THIS TRAGIC INCIDENT AND REPATRIATION. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT TENSION IN DETENTION CENTRES HAD INCREASED AS A RESULT OF OUR AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM LAST OCTOBER ON ORDERLY REPATRIATION.
/"IT IS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1992
3 -
"IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE NORTH AND SOUTH VIETNAMESE WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO RETURN TO BE ACCOMMODATED TOGETHER. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE IN THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION CAMP IN LO WU. IN THE MAIN DETENTION CENTRES, VIETNAMESE FROM THE NORTH AND FROM THE SOUTH ARE LARGELY SEPARATED.
"SECURITY OF DETENTION CENTRES IS CONSTANTLY UNDER REVIEW. WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN OTHER CAMPS. WE CERTAINLY HOPE NOT. BUT CLEARLY WE WILL MAINTAIN OUR VIGILANCE IN OTHER CAMPS.
"OUR LATEST FIGURES ARE THAT THERE ARE 21 DEATHS AND 128 INJURIES. OF THE INJURED, 53 ARE STILL IN HOSPITAL, SEVEN ARE IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
--------0 - -
INCIDENT AT SHEK KONG VIETNAMESE DETENTION CENTRE
*****
THE SHFK KONrT NIGHT’ A FIGHT BR0KE 0UT AT SECTION
ink SHEK KONG VIETNAMESE DETENTION CENTRE. THIS LATER TED OCCUPANTS' OF SECTION I) OF THE CENTRE BREAKING DOWN TOE GATE THE TWO SECTIONS AND JOINING THE FIGHT.
C OF TO THE BETWEEN
THE FIGHT INVOLVED SEVERAL HUTS IN SECTION C CAUGHT FIRE.
HUNDRED VIETNAMESE AND ONE
OF
THE
POLICE REINFORCEMENTS WERE CALLED TO RESTORE ORDER ROUNDS WERE DISCHARGED. ORDER WAS THEN RESTORED
33 SMOKE
HoqpiTA^AMn INJURED VIETNAMESE WERE TRANSFERRED TO
HOSPITAL AND POK 01 HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.
TUEN MUN
FIRE
BODIES WERE
SERVICES EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE IN THE HUT AND FOUND INSIDE IN A VERY BADLY BURNT CONDITION.
17 DEAD
THE
rruTo SCENE HAS BEEN SEALED FOR FORENSIC EXAMINATION
cannot Ie ascerto?neJHE EXACT NUMBER OF DEATHS and cause of
AND
THE
UNTIL FIRE
TEMPORARY
E SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE IS A CLOSED CAMP WHICH PRFcjjtnjti v H<™ES °VER 9’°°° VIETNAMESE. SECTION C IS BEING S aI A tKI VTPTMf3^aC.CEN1RE F0R TH0SE WH0 HAVE VOLUNTEERED FOR REPATRIATION VIETNAMESE WERE IN THIS SECTION WHEN THE TROUBLE STARTED.
806
STATTONFr^AT^ruvVSL^ N°W CALM AND A STR0NG POLICE PRESENCE WILL BE STATIONED AT THE CENTRE TO MAINTAIN ORDER.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
92 VIETNAMESE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH SHEK KONG INCIDENT ......... 1
VIEWS INVITED ON MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES PROPOSALS ................. 2A
PUBLIC REMINDED TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON RENEWAL OF CMB'S FRANCHISE ....... 4
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WORKS ... 5
STUDENTS TO VISIT BEE FARM ........................................... 6
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1992
1
92 VIETNAMESE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH SHEK KONG INCIDENT *****
POLICE HAVE SO FAR ARRESTED 92 VIETNAMESE PEOPLE ALLEGEDLY CONNECTED WITH THE DISTURBANCES WHICH OCCURRED IN SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 3).
THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE CHARGED TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WITH RIOTING AND WILL APPEAR IN COURT ON FRIDAY.
INVESTIGATIONS INTO OTHER OFFENCES INCLUDING MURDER, ARSON AND WOUNDING ARE CONTINUING.
POLICE BELIEVE THREE OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS ARE ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING FIRE TO A HUT DURING THE INCIDENT WHICH LED TO THE DEATHS OF 21 VIETNAMESE PEOPLE.
ENQUIRIES REVEALED THAT MORE THAN 10 VIETNAMESE PEOPLE WERE SEEN BY EYE-WITNESSES ALLEGEDLY PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM LEAVING THE HUT.
AT PRESENT, APART FROM NORMAL POLICE DUTIES AT THE CENTRE, ONE COMPANY OF POLICE TACTICAL UNIT HAS BEEN DEPLOYED AT SHEK KONG AND WILL REMAIN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
TENSION WITHIN THE CENTRE DECREASED FOLLOWING THE DISTURBANCE AND AN INCIDENT LAST NIGHT (FEBRUARY 4) WAS QUICKLY DEFUSED AND QRDER RESTORED WITH PROMPT POLICE ACTION.
DURING YESTERDAY NIGHT’S INCIDENT, A LARGE CROWD GATHERED IN SECTION ’B’ OF THE CENTRE AND SET FIRE TO SOME BLANKETS WHILE PEOPLE FROM SECTION 'A’ ATTEMPTED TO BREAK OUT FROM THE SECTION.
POLICE FIRED THREE ROUNDS OF CS SHELLS AT ABOUT 8.45 PM AND THE CROWDS QUICKLY DISPERSED.
TODAY, POLICE CONTINUED TO RELOCATE ALL NORTHERNERS IN THE CENTRE TO HEI LING CHAU. A TOTAL OF 1,505 VIETNAMESE PEOPLE WERE MOVED IN THREE BATCHES AND THE REMAINING 500 WILL BE RELOCATED TOMORROW.
POLICE RELOCATED 419 PEOPLE YESTERDAY.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF POLICE TACTICAL UNIT, POLICE ALSO CONDUCTED A SEARCH OF SECTION ’A’ FOR WEAPONS BEGINNING AT ABOUT 2 PM AND LASTED UNTIL 6 PM.
PRIOR TO THE SEARCH, CENTRE MANAGEMENT HAD SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATED THE SURRENDER OF 153 HOME-MADE WEAPONS WITH VIETNAMESE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SECTION.
LATER, POLICE CONFISCATED 243 ITEMS CONSISTED OF MOSTLY WOODEN PLANKS AND OTHER ARTICLES WHICH OFFICERS BELIEVED COULD BE MADE INTO POTENTIAL WEAPONS DURING THE SUBSEQUENT SEARCH.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1992
2
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENTRE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID ALL VIETNAMESE PEOPLE IN THE CENTRE HAD BEEN WELL BRIEFED ABOUT THE SITUATION.
HE SAID STAFF MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) AND OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES’ WORKERS HAD BEEN VERY CO-OPERATIVE IN EASING TENSION WITHIN THE CENTRE.
SITUATION REMAINED STABLE IN THE CENTRE, HE SAID, THOUGH SOME PEOPLE FROM SECTION *D’ AND 'E' BEGAN TO GATHER AMIDST A SMALL FIRE BROKE OUT AT AN EMPTY HUT IN SECTION *B’ AT ABOUT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRE, WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CHILDREN, WAS QUICKLY PUT OUT AND THE CROWDS DISPERSED FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CENTRE MANAGEMENT.
--------0-----------
VIEWS INVITED ON MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES PROPOSALS ********
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON PROPOSALS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES IN HONG KONG ARE INVITED TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS BEFORE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDS ON FEBRUARY 29.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE PURPOSE OF SETTING UP MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES WAS TO CONSERVE SENSITIVE MARINE HABITATS OF ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE FOR THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE THREATS TO THE LOCAL MARINE ENVIRONMENT DUE TO POLLUTION, LAND RECLAMATION AND ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CORAL COLLECTION.
HE SAID THE OBJECTIVES OF SETTING UP MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES, WERE:
♦ TO CONTROL ACTIVITIES WHICH MIGHT CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT;
♦ TO ENHANCE THE WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS;
* TO PROVIDE WAYS AND MEANS FOR HUMAN ACTIVITIES TO BE INTERGRATED WITH THE CONSERVATION OF MARINE RESOURCES;
AND
* TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE LIFE.
/A MARINE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1992
3 -
A MARINE PARK WOULD BE A RELATIVELY LARGE PIECE OF SEA AREA WHICH WOULD BE USED FOR BOTH RECREATION AND CONSERVATION PURPOSES WHILE A MARINE RESERVE WOULD BE A RELATIVELY SMALL PIECE OF SEA AREA WITH HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE WHERE THE CONTROL OF INCOMPATIBLE HUMAN A(TIVITIES MIGHT BE NECESSARY.
TO SET UP MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES IN HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID NEW LEGISLATION WOULD BE REQUIRED AND IT HAD BEEN PROPOSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SHOULD BE THE MARINE PARKS AUTHORITY.
"THE MARINE PARKS AUTHORITY WILL BE GIVEN THE POWER TO CONTROL ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENT IN MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES IN ORDER TO MANAGE AND PROTECT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
FOUR BOARD MANAGEMENT METHODS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED. THEY ARE:
* ALLOWING - ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE LITTLE IMPACT UPON THE MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES SHOULD BE ALLOWED AND WHERE APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POSITIVE USE SUCH AS NATURE STUDIES OR EDUCATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED. ,
* MONITORING - ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT UPON MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES, OR EXISTING USES OF THE AREA WHICH CAN BE TOLERATED SHOULD BE MONITORED AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, CODES OF CONDUCT WITHIN MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR USERS TO OBSERVE, E.G. DIVING, RECREATIONAL USE.
* REGULATING/RESTRICTING - ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO CONTROL; FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES PRIOR PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE NECESSARY, E.G. SPECIMEN COLLECTION.
» PROHIBITING - ACTIVITIES WHICH MIGHT CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR ARE CONSIDERED TO BE INCOMPATIBLE TO THE MARINE PARKS OR RESERVES SHOULD BE PROHIBITED, E.G. TRAWLING OR SPEAR-FISHING.
"THE DEGREE OF CONTROL WILL VARY WITH THE DEGREE OF POTENTIAL DAMAGE BUT CONTROL WILL BE MORE STRINGENT IN MARINE RESERVES THAN IN MARINE PARKS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THESE CONTROLLING METHODS WOULD BE APPLIED MORE FLEXIBLY TO THE EXISTING USES OF SEA AREAS IN THE MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES SO THAT THE UNHARMFUL ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.
HOI HA WAN AND YAN CHAU TONG ARE RECOMMENDED FOR DESIGNATION AS MARINE PARKS AND CAPE D’AGULILAR AS MARINE RESERVES IN THE FIRST PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT.
"THE THREE SITES WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF THE MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG.
/THEY ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1992
4
THEY ARE RICH IN MARINE RESOURCES AND HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC INVESTIGATION,” HE SAID.
CONSULTATION WITH RELATED ADVISORY BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS IS IN THE PROCESS AND WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH.
ANYONE WHO WISH TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSALS CAN CONTACT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 733 2249.
VIEWS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, 12TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 29.
--------0-----------
PUBLIC REMINDED TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON RENEWAL OF CMB’S FRANCHISE *****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT BRANCH SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT TO ENSURE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF PUBLIC VIEWS COULD BE EXPRESSED, A PAPER GIVING A FACTUAL RECORD OF CMB’S PERFORMANCE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS HAD BEEN SENT TO THE VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARDS AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE PAPER ON CMB’S PERFORMANCE AND/OR A COPY OF THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME NOW APPLICABLE TO CMB MAY . CONTACT MISS SHIRLEY LAM OF THE TRANSPORT BRANCH DIRECT ON 810 2488 DURING OFFICE HOURS. THESE PAPERS ARE ALSO BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
THEY MAY ALSO WRITE TO THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TWO-YEAR FRANCHISE EXTENSION SOUGHT BY CMB WAS UNDER EXAMINATION AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEGOTIATE ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC WITH CMB ON THE TERMS OF THE NEW FRANCHISE AGREEMENT.
"VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC WILL BE CAREFULLY AND FULLY CONSIDERED BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID CONSULTATION NOW BEING CONDUCTED WOULD FOCUS MAINLY ON THE BROAD TERMS FOR FRANCHISE RENEWAL AND THE GENERAL DIRECTION IN WHICH BUS SERVICES ON HONG KONG ISLAND SHOULD FURTHER DEVELOP.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO GIVE VIEWS ON THE FOLLOWING KEY ISSUES:
* THE PUBLIC’S DESIRE FOR BETTER SERVICES;
/* CMB'S PERFORMANCE
WEDNESDAY,rFEBRUARY 5, 1992
- 5 -
* CMB’S PERFORMANCE AND ITS COMMITMENT TOWARDS FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES;
* WHETHER MORE BUS ROUTES SHOULD BE TENDERED OUT, TO PROMOTE HEALTHY COMPETITION;
* HOW TO MAKE THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS;
* THE NEED TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS, INCLUDING MORE ACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION;
* WHETHER THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME SHOULD BE ROLLED FORWARD IN ITS PRESENT FORM; AND
* WHETHER THE FRANCHISEES OUGHT TO BE GIVEN SOME ASSURANCE ON THE RATE OF RETURN, AS A MEANS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PLAN AHEAD AND CONTINUE INVESTING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS ESTABLISHED POLICY FOR THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TO BE CONSULTED ON ALL FRANCHISES RELATED TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT. .
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED TO WRITE TO THE SECRETARY, TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE DIRECT C/O TRANSPORT BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, OR EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS THROUGH THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 25," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------C-----------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WORKS ******
A SERIES OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTORISTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHAM SHUI PO FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 7) FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO FACILITATE WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT.
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE:
* LEFT-TURN TRAFFIC FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND INTO FAT TSEUNG STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED;
* LEFT-TURN TRAFFIC FROM FAT TSEUNG STREET NORTHBOUND INTO LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE BANNED;
* FAT TSEUNG STREET BETWEEN YEE KUK STREET AND TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND;
/* YEE KUK .........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1992
6
* YEE KUK STREET BETWEEN FAT TSEUNG STREET AND WANG CHEONG FACTORY ESTATE WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND;
* TUNG CHAU STREET BETWEEN FAT TSEUNG STREET AND WANG CHEONG FACTORY ESTATE WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND; AND
* THE SECTION OF CIRCULATION ROAD AROUND WANG CHEONG FACTORY ESTATE BETWEEN YEE KUK STREET AND TUNG CHAU STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
MEANWHILE, EXISTING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE EXTENDED FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS STARTING ON THE SAME DAY.
THEY ARE:
* TUNG CHAU STREET BETWEEN FAT TSEUNG STREET AND TONKIN STREET IS RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO TWO-WAY iKAllXU; :
* RIGHT-TURN TRAFFIC FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND INTO FAT TSEUNG STREET SOUTHBOUND IS BANNED;
* RIGHT-TURN TRAFFIC FROM FAT TSEUNG STREET NORTHBOUND INTO LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND IS BANNED;
* TRAFFIC USING FAT TSEUNG STREET IN BOTH DIRECTIONS IS PROHIBITED FROM MAKING STRAIGHT-AHEAD MOVEMENTS ACROSS LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0-----
STUDENTS TO VISIT BEE FARM
******
STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE GOING TO CLASS - AT A BEE FARM.
THIS OUT-OF-THE-CLASSROOM ADVENTURE ATTRACTED STUDENTS FROM 135 SCHOOLS LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS WILL BE HELD ON THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND LIFE OF BEES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH MANKIND.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE NOW BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE SERIES OF VISITS TO THE PO SANG YUEN BEE FARM IN FANLING FROM MARCH TO JUNE.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
92 CHARGED FOR SHEK KONG DISTURBANCES ................................. 1
BOCKKEEPING COURSES FOR SCHOOL CLERKS ................................. 1
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1992
92 CHARGED FOR SHEK KONG DISTURBANCES *****
POLICE HAVE TODAY (THURSDAY) CHARGED 92 VIETNAMESE MEN WITH RIOTING IN CONNECTION WITH MONDAY’S DISTURBANCES IN SEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE.
THE SUSPECTS, AGED FROM 15 TO 34, WILL APPEAR IN TUEN MUN COURT TOMORROW.
------0--------
BOOKKEEPING COURSES FOR SCHOOL CLERKS
*****
A SERIES OF SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN MARCH FOR ACCOUNTS CLERKS IN AIDED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHO MAY HAVE LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE REFRESHER COURSES IN THE SAME MONTH FOR THOSE CLERKS WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED BOOKKEEPING COURSES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE SEMINARS FOR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL ACCOUNTS CLERKS, EACH LASTING TWO DAYS, WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 9 AND MARCH 12 AND FOR THOSE WORKING IN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS, EACH OF WHICH WILL LAST TWO DAYS, WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 16 AND MARCH 19.
LECTURES, DISCUSSIONS AND EXERCISE WILL BE CONDUCTED MAINLY IN CANTONESE, SUPPLEMENTED BY THE USE OF ENGLISH TERMS.
PARTICIPANTS AT THE END OF THE SEMINARS WOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ACCOUNT BOOKS AND WOULD BE ACQUAINTED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CODES OF AID FOR AIDED SCHOOLS.
THE HALF-DAY REFRESHER COURSES WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 23 FOR THOSE IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS; AND MARCH 25 FOR THOSE IN AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY TO BE HELD INTO SHEK KONG DISTURBANCE... 1
GDP FOR THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 .............................. 1
PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED ..... 4
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS FOR NOVEMBER 1991 RELEASED . 5
FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE SAFE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE ....... 8
DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND EAST OF SHA CHAU .................. 9
TWO ANTI-DRUG ORDINANCES TO BE AMENDED ..................... 9
TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ................... 11
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ................................. 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS . 13
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY TO BE HELD INTO SHEK KONG DISTURBANCE * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, CONFIRMED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT AN INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY WOULD BE HELD INTO THE DISTURBANCE WHICH LED TO THE DEATH OF 22 PEOPLE AT THE SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE ON FEBRUARY 4.
THE ENQUIRY WILL BE SEPARATE FROM THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION ALREADY BEING CONDUCTED BY THE POLICE AND WILL FOCUS ON THE BROADER ASPECTS OF THE TRAGEDY.
SIR DAVID SAID: "WE ARE ALL APPALLED BY THE TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE AT SHEK KONG. OUR FIRST PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN TO CARE FOR THE INJURED AND BRING TO JUSTICE THOSE RESPONSIBLE. THE POLICE HAVE MADE RAPID PROGRESS WITH THEIR INVESTIGATIONS. WE ARE NOW TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO THE WIDER ISSUES.
"I HAVE DECIDED, IN VIEW OF THE SCALE OF THE TRAGEDY, THAT AN INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY WOULD BE RIGHT AND THAT IT MUST BE CONDUCTED QUICKLY. WE ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY LESSONS WHICH CAN BE LEARNED ARE LEARNED."
FULL DETAILS OF THE INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND WORK WILL THEN COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY. A REPORT WILL BE MADE DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR. THE FINDINGS WILL BE MADE PUBLIC.
- - 0 - -
GDP FOR THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 *****
HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) GREW BY 3.6% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF LAST YEAR OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990, ACCORDING TO THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
AMONG THE MAIN DOMESTIC COMPONENTS OF THE GDP ESTIMATES, GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION GREW SIGNIFICANTLY BY 11.5% IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
WITHIN THIS COMPONENT, INVESTMENT IN PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, IN PARTICULAR, SHOWED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 23.9%.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS FOR PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WAS 7.6%, WHILE THAT FOR GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE WAS 4.9%.
/REGARDING EXTERNAL
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
2
REGARDING EXTERNAL TRADE IN GOODS, TOTAL EXPORTS REGISTERED A REAL GROWTH RATE OF 18.2%, AMONG WHICH RE-EXPORTS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY ' BY 29.8% WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS DROPPED SLIGHTLY BY 0.5%. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE FOR IMPORTS OF GOODS WAS 21.5%.
AS REGARDS EXPORTS OF SERVICES, THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS WAS 4.9%. THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE FOR IMPORTS OF SERVICES WAS 6.9%.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT GOODS FOR BOTH DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION AND RE-EXPORTS ARE LARGELY SUPPLIED FROM IMPORTS.
' THE INCREASE IN GDP DUE TO THE FASTER GROWTH RECORDED FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION AND RE-EXPORTS IS THEREFORE LARGELY OFFSET BY THE CORRESPONDINGLY HIGH GROWTH RECORDED FOR IMPORTS.
AS A RESULT, OVERALL GDP RECORDS A SLOWER GROWTH THAN THESE COMPONENTS.
FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 1991, ESTIMATES OF INDIVIDUAL EXPENDITURE COMPONENTS OF GDP WERE UPDATED BASED ON LATEST DATA AVAILABLE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.
NEVERTHELESS, THE OVERALL GROWTH RATE FOR THE QUARTER WAS UNCHANGED AT 3.6% FROM THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES RELEASED IN NOVEMBER 1991 .
BASED ON THE LATEST ESTIMATES, GDP GREW BY 3.8% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1991 OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF 1990.
THE IMPLICIT PRICE DEFLATOR OF GDP, AS A BROAD MEASURE OF OVERALL INFLATION IN THE ECONOMY, ROSE BY 9.8% IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE IMPLICIT PRICE DEFLATOR OF GDP IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 WAS REVISED UPWARDS TO 10.1 %, FROM THE PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE OF 9.1 % RELEASED IN NOVEMBER, 1991.
FOR THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF 1991, THE IMPLICIT PRICE DEFLATOR OF GDP INCREASED BY 9.3% OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF 1990.
THE LATEST ESTIMATES OF QUARTERLY GDP FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 TO THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT ENTITLED "QUARTERLY ESTIMATES OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, THIRD QUARTER 1991".
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $2.0 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND AT THE PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12
HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.-
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 582 5077.
/GROSS DOMESTIC .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
3
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Estimates for the second (Q2) and third (Q3) quarters of 3991
Revised (February 92) Estimates for 02 1991 Pre! iminary Estimates for Q3 1991
at current market prices at constant (1980) market prices at current market prices at constant (1980) market prices
Expenditure HKSMn % Change over Q2 1990 HK$Mn % Change over Q2 1990 HK$Mn % Change over Q3 1990 HKSMn % Change over Q3 1990
Components of GDP
Private consumption expenditure 89,633 17.4 40,814 6.6 97,502 17.7 43,721 7.6
Government oonsunpticn expenditure 12,700 22.6 4,197 10.5 13,024 15.5 4,357 4.9
Gross danestic fixed capital formation 43,355 18.0 18,908 10.9 45,324 17.4 19,557 U.5
of which:
Buildings & constructioi 14,321 7.0 5,306 -1.3 15,662 4.6 5,766 -2.5
Plant, machinery and equipment 18,274 24.8 8,636 21.4 18,159 24.9 8,574 23.9
Change in stocks 5,895 • • 3,382 • • -611 • • 656 • •
Tbtal exports of goods : 185,178 20.2 106,612 17.4 207,911 21.8 118,412 18.2
Demes tics exports 56,425 4.3 34,723 2.1 62,068 1.6 38,102 -0.5
Re-exports 128,753 28.8 71,889 26.6 145,843 33.1 80,310 29.8
less Imports of goods 197,385 23.5 113,570 20.7 203,564 23.6 116,588 21.5
Exports of services 30,221 15.5 14,811 7.9 31,742 13.0 15,431 4.9
Less Imports of services 20,284 17.0 11,611 7.2 22,227 13.7 12,701 6.9
GDP 149,313 14.0 63,543 3.6 169,095 13.8 72,845 3.6
Implicit price deflator of GDP (1980=100) 235.0 232.1
% change over the same quarter of preceding year 10.1 9.8
.. Not applicable - 0 — — — — / 4
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
- 4 -
PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND DR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI, THE VICE-CHAIRMAN.
THE MEMBERS ARE:
FOUR EMPLOYERS1 REPRESENTATIVES:
MR R.A. ZALA
MR HENRY TANG YING-YEN
DR LUI MING-WAH
MR HO SAI-CHU
FOUR EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES:
MR LEUNG FU-WAH MS LI FUNG-YING MR LEUNG TSZ-LEUNG MR CHEUNG LUN
REPRESENTATIVES OF STATUTORY TRAINING AUTHORITIES;
MR HORACE KNIGHT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL MR TONG YAT-CHU OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY
MR HERBERT CHENG OF CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY
THE COMMISSION FOR LABOUR OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE BOARD ARE:
* TO ADVISE THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER ON THE PROVISION, ADMINISTRATION AND DELIVERY OF TRAINING AND RETRAINING PROGRAMMES TO ASSIST LOCAL WORKERS TO ADJUST TO CHANGES IN THE EMPLOYMENT MARKET;
* TO IDENTIFY OCCUPATIONS WHICH HAVE HIGH VACANCY RATES AND WHICH WILL' BENEFIT FROM TRAINING AND RETRAINING PROGRAMMES;
♦ TO LIAISE WITH VARIOUS TRAINING AUTHORITIES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS ON THE DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF TRAINING AND RETRAINING PROGRAMMES;
♦ TO RECOMMEND CRITERIA FOR AND LEVELS OF TRAINING ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO TRAINEES; AND
* TO OVERSEE THE MANAGEMENT AND USE OF THE RETRAINING FUND.
ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOW BEING MADE FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS TO MEET WITHIN 10 DAYS’ TIME.
------0-------
/5......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
- 5 -
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS FOR NOVEMBER 1991 RELEASED
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $11,700 MILLION, INCREASED BY 19.3% WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL FINDINGS OF THE NOVEMBER 1991 ROUND OF THE MONTHLY RETAIL SALES SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER ADJUSTING FOR PRICE INCREASES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 12.7% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE MARKED INCREASES WERE MAINLY DUE TO A HIGH LEVEL OF CONSUMER SPENDING ON CLOTHING, JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND MOTOR VEHICLES.
TOTAL SALES IN RETAIL OUTLETS SELLING JEWELLERY, WATCHES, CLOCKS AND VALUABLE GIFTS RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN NOVEMBER 1991 COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO.
SALES WERE UP BY 32% IN VALUE AND 39% IN VOLUME. THERE WAS A FALL IN PRICES OF THESE VALUABLE ITEMS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE MARKED INCREASE IN THE SPENDING ON SUCH COMMODITIES.
SALES IN RETAIL OUTLETS SELLING CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 32% IN VALUE AND 21% IN VOLUME.
SPENDING ON CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY SIMILAR MAGNITUDES, 25% IN VALUE AND 19% IN VOLUME. THE RAPID INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO AN INCREASE IN SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
SALES IN SUPERMARKETS AND DEPARTMENT STORES SHOWED LESS MARKED INCREASES, BY 9% AND 2% IN VOLUME RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A DECREASE IN SALES VOLUME WAS REGISTERED FOR FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO OUTLETS, OTHER THAN SUPERMARKETS, BY 5% IN NOVEMBER 1991 OVER NOVEMBER 1990.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO NOVEMBER 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 17% IN VALUE AND 10% IN VOLUME.
COMPARED WITH OCTOBER 1991, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER 1991 REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 1% IN VOLUME.
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES ARE DERIVED FROM FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES AFTER HAVING ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES.
THE INDICATORS OF PRICE CHANGES USED FOR THE PURPOSE ARE THE RESPECTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE BROAD CATEGORY OF GOODS IN QUESTION.
/THE REPORT .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
6 _
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEMBER 1991 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $1.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED .TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 802 1258.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TWO TABLES WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR OCTOBER 1991 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER 1991.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 1991 FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS AND BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF NOVEMBER 1991 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR OCTOBER 1991 AND WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1990, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO NOVEMBER OF 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
7
TABLE 1 : TOTAL BETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for Noveiber 1991 (Provisional Figure) 3 HK$11,672.7 lillion for October 1991 devised Figure) » 8I$11,689.7 lillion
TABLE 2 : VALOB AUD VOLUME INDEXES OP RETAIL SALES FOR OCTOBER 1991 AND NOVEMBER 1991
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 « 100)
! Ites Index of Retail Sales October 1991 ' Noveiber : 1991 ! Noveiber 1991 ' coipared with 1 October 1991 Noveiber 1991 coipared with Noveiber 1990 ) Jan.-Nov. 1991 | ! coipared with } 1 Jan.-Nov. 1990 J
(Revised ! (Provisional Points \ Points A ! Points h {
figures) figures)
1 (A) FOB ALL BETAIL OUTLETS 1 1
Value 124.5 124.3 -0.2 -0.1 ♦20.1 419.3 ♦16.9 416.7 !
Voluie 113.4 111.7 -1.6 -1.4 ♦12.6 412.7 ♦9.6 49.7 !
1 IB) BI TYPE OF BBTAIL OWLET 1 1
! Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 123.2 123.6 10.4 +0.3 ♦7.8 ♦6.7 ♦11.7 411.5 '
! drinks and tobacco Voluie 108.2 109.2 ♦1.0 10.9 -5.1 -4.5 40.7 40.7 I
! (other than
! superiarkets) i ।
! Superiarkets Value 115.3 109.8 -5.5 -4.8 ♦18.4 420.2 1 ♦14.0 413.8 1
Voluie 99.4 94.5 -4.9 -4.9 ♦8.0 49.3 43.0 43.0 I
J Fuels Value 132.6 118.9 -13.7 • -10.4 ♦0.5 40.4 1 416.7 415.8 '
Voluie 108.4 96.0 ■12.3 -11.4 ♦0.4 40.4 42.0 42.0 :
! Clothing, footwear and Value 123.1 136.1 ♦13.1 410.6 ♦32.8 431.7 422.1 422.4 !
! allied products Voluie 110.5 115.8 ♦5.3 +4.8 ♦20.1 ♦21.0 ♦13.7 414.1 1
! Consuier durable goods1 Value 137.1 132.7 -4.4 -3.2 ♦26.6 *25.0 ♦21.3 420.7 )
Voluie 126.4 122.0 -4.4 -3.5 ♦19.4 ♦18.9 ♦14.4 414.1 1
' - Motor vehicles Value 152.6 154.4 ♦1.9 41.2 ♦51.6 450.2 1 421.6 420.9 !
' and parts Voluie 134.6 135.8 ♦1.3 H.O ♦37.6 +38.3 410.4 410.2 I
1 - Consuier durable Value 125.8 116.9 -8.9 -7.1 ♦8.4 47.8 421.1 420.5 1
! goods other than Voluie 120.5 112.1 -8.4 -7.0 ♦6.2 45.8 417.2 416.9 !
J lotor vehicles i
J and parts 1
J Departient stores Value 116.5 124.4 ♦7.9 +6.8 ♦12.0 410.7 ♦11.3 4ii.3 :
Voluie 104.4 107.3 ♦3.0 42.8 ♦2.5 42.4 44.4 44.4 1 ।
! Jewellery, watches Value 118.3 112.4 -5.8 -4.9 ♦27.5 432.4 416.2 416.5 !
! and clocks, and Voluie 120.5 114.6 -6.0 -4.9 432.0 438.8 ♦16.6 +17.0 I
I valuable gift I i
1 Other consuier goods Value 129.5 130.1 ♦0.6 40.5 ♦21.1 419.4 ♦20.8 +20.5 1
! not elsewhere Voluie 117.1 117.2 ♦0.1 40.1 ♦11.2 410.6 ♦14.1 414.0 J
I classified i t
MOTE : 1 This covers both "Motor vehicles and parts' and 'Consuier durable goods other than lotor vehicles and parts'.
--------0-----------
/8 ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
8 -
FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE SAFE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE *******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THREE SETS OF REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR A FRAMEWORK OF CONTROL TO ENSURE THE SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE IN HONG KONG.
. THE THREE SETS OF REGULATIONS - THE WASTE DISPOSAL (CHEMICAL WASTE) (GENERAL) REGULATION, WASTE DISPOSAL (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATION AND WASTE DISPOSAL (FORMS AND FEES FOR LICENSES) REGULATION ARE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY (CWTF) IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT WILL PROVIDE A SAFE DISPOSAL FACILITY FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE 10,000 FACTORIES PRODUCING CHEMICAL WASTE.
"THE REGULATION WILL ENSURE THAT IN FUTURE SAFE PRACTICES ARE ADOPTED FOR THE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE," HE SAID.
THE CHEMICAL WASTE REGULATION PROVIDES FOR A COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OF CHEMICAL WASTE SO THAT ALL ASPECTS OF THE DISPOSAL ACTIVITY INCLUDING WASTE HANDLING, STORAGE, COLLECTION, TRANSPORT AND TREATMENT ARE CARRIED OUT IN A SAFE MANNER.
THE PRODUCERS OF CHEMICAL WASTE WILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND TO ARRANGE FOR DISPOSAL OF THEIR WASTES AT LICENSED DISPOSAL FACILITIES SUCH AS THE CWTF.
"THE MOVEMENT OF CHEMICAL WASTE, AFTER LEAVING THE INDUSTRIAL PREMISES IN WHICH IT IS PRODUCED WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED FROM THE POINT OF THEIR CREATION UNTIL DISPOSAL.
"THE REGULATION ALSO PROVIDES FOR CERTAIN WASTE PRODUCERS, WHO MEET THE CRITERIA LAID DOWN IN THE REGULATION, TO BE ABLE TO TREAT THEIR OWN WASTE," HE SAID
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OTHER TWO REGULATIONS PROVIDED FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN APPEAL MECHANISM AGAINST DECISIONS MADE UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE (CAP 354) AND TO PRESCRIBE THE FORMS AND FEES WHICH WOULD BE USED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM.
"IN ORDER TO ASSIST INDUSTRIES WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE REGULATION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ARE DRAWING UP A SERIES OF GUIDANCE BOOKLETS AND CODES OF PRACTICES TO EXPLAIN THE CONTROLS AND ASSIST INDUSTRY IN COMPLYING WITH THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS.
"CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY ON THESE CODES IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SHORTLY, AFTER WHICH THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) WILL BE INVITED TO ENDORSE THE CODES," HE SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MANY INDUSTRIALISTS HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE PROPOSED CHARGING SCHEME FOR THE RECOVERY OF THE COST OF THE CWTF.
HE SAID THE REGULATION WAS NOT CONNECTED WITH THE CHARGING SCHEME. IT WOULD BE NEEDED IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT FORM ANY CHARGING SCHEME MIGHT EVENTUALLY TAKE.
’’THE CWTF CANNOT OPERATE EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK PROVIDED BY THIS LEGISLATION. IT CAN OPERATE WITHOUT A CHARGING SCHEME.
"IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE REGULATION IS BEING BROUGHT IN NOW WHILE DISCUSSIONS WITH INDUSTRY ON THE CHARGING SCHEME ARE STILL CONTINUING," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND EAST OF SHA CHAU ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,956 HECTARES OF SEABED EAST OF SHA CHAU.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS INCLUDING THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT 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 FEBRUARY 6, 1993.
- - 0 - -
. TWO ANTI-DRUG ORDINANCES TO BE AMENDED ♦ * * ♦ t * t
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND TWO ANTI-DRUG ORDINANCES IN
ORDER TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPLY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
BOTH THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 AND THE ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THE COMMISSIONER
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
10 _
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, EXPLAINED THAT AMENDMENTS TO THE TWO ORDINANCES WERE NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF AN APPEAL COURT RULING LAST YEAR THAT CERTAIN PRESUMPTIONS IN THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE HAD BEEN REPEALED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
"THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE APPEAL COURT RULING IS THAT IT WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT TO BRING SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS FOR DANGEROUS DRUGS OFFENCES, UNLESS WE MAKE THESE AMENDMENTS", MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE POLICE, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST, HAD REVIEWED THE LEGISLATION WITH A VIEW TO LIMITING THE DAMAGE DONE TO DRUG ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS, WHILST ENSURING THAT HONG KONG CONTINUED TO MEET ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS.
"WE PROPOSE TO DELETE OR AMEND THE PROVISIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN REPEALED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS OTHER PROVISIONS WHICH MIGHT ALSO BE VULNERABLE TO BILL OF RIGHTS CHALLENGES IN FUTURE," HE ADDED.
THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 SEEKS TO -
* REMOVE THE SEPARATE OFFENCE OF POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS
FOR THE PURPOSES OF UNLAWFUL TRAFFICKING AND INCLUDE THIS OFFENCE AS A TRAFFICKING OFFENCE;
* INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION OFFENCES ON INDICTMENT TO SEVEN YEARS' IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $1 MILLION;
* AMEND AND REPEAL INCOMPATIBLE [’RESUMPTIONS CONCERNING
MANUFACTURING, THE PRESCRIBED MINIMUM AMOUNTS OF DRUGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF UNLAWFUL TRAFFICKING AND DIVANS; AND
* LIMIT PRESUMPTIONS TO CERTAIN PARTICULAR SITUATIONS WHERE THE PRESUMPTIONS WILL ONLY ARISE IF A PERSON HAS IN HIS PHYSICAL POSSESSION A THING CONTAINING SUCH A DRUG, OR THE KEYS OF CERTAIN TYPES OF CONTAINERS OR A MOTOR VEHICLE CONTAINING SUCH A DRUG.
MR WOODHOUSE EXPLAINED THAT THE INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION OFFENCES ON INDICTMENT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO DEAL WITH THOSE IN POSSESSION OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF DRUGS.
HE SAID THE PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION OF SMALL QUANTITIES OF DRUGS, USUALLY FOR AN ADDICT'S PERSONAL USE, WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED, AT A MAXIMUM OF THREE-YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $10,000.
"OUR POLICY IS TO ENCOURAGE DRUG ABUSERS TO SEEK TREATMENT, THEREFORE, THE PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION OF SMALL QUANTITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED," HE SAID.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
HE SAID THE NEW, HIGHER PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION SHOULD PROVIDE GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO THE COURTS AND TO THE PROSECUTION.
’’POSSESSION CASES CAN EITHER BE BROUGHT BEFORE A MAGISTRATE TO SEEK A SUMMARY CONVICTION, IN CASES OF SIMPLE POSSESSION FOR PERSONAL USE, OR BEFORE THE DISTRICT OR HIGH COURT TO SEEK AN INDICTMENT FOR MORE SERIOUS CASES OF POSSESSION", HE SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER EMPHASISED THAT THOSE CONVICTED OF TRAFFICKING OFFENCES WOULD STILL FACE A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEAL SEVERELY WITH TRAFFICKERS", MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
THE ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 SEEKS TO MAKE AMENDMENTS WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE.
THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST READING AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON FEBRUARY 26.
------0--------
TWO PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 48 GRAHAM STREET IN CENTRAL TO BE DANGEROUS AND THE BUILDING AT 50 OF THE SAME STREET LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (FRIDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE BUILDINGS WERE THREE-STOREY PRE-WAR STRUCTURES CONSTRUCTED OF LOADBEARING BRICK WALLS WITH TIMBER FLOORS,. STAIRCASES AND ROOF JOISTS AND HAD COCKLOFTS.
THE ORIGINAL ROOF COVERINGS ON BOTH BUILDINGS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH CORRUGATED METAL SHEET COVERED WITH CEMENT RENDERING AND THE BUILDINGS HAVE A COMMON PARTY WALL.
REPAIRS TO PARTS OF THE BUILDING AT 48 GRAHAM STREET HAD RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED IN RESPONSE TO AN ORDER BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
HOWEVER, FOLLOWING THE DEMOLITION OF THE . ADJOINING BUILDINGS AT 2 AND 3 TSUN WING LANE, WHICH WERE CLOSED UNDER EMERGENCY ORDERS LAST AUGUST SOME MAJOR DEFECTS AT 48 GRAHAM STREET BECAME APPARENT.
/SUBSEQUENT DETAILED .......
12 -
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
« •
SUBSEQUENT DETAILED INSPECTION OF 48 GRAHAM STREET REVEALED THE EXISTENCE OF A NUMBER OF SERIOUS DEFECTS TO THE LOADBEARING WALLS, SOME OF WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE OCCURRED VERY RECENTLY SUGGESTING THAT MOVEMENT OF THE REAR PORTION OF THE BUILDING WAS TAKING PLACE.
FURTHERMORE, MANY FLOOR JOISTS AND THE TIMBER STAIRCASE WERE ALSO IN DEFECTIVE CONDITION.
THE PGBS SAID THERE WAS A DANGER OF COLLAPSE OF THE REAR PORTION OF 48 GRAHAM STREET, AND COUPLED WITH THE EXTENT OF THE DEFECTIVE STRUCTURAL TIMBERS IN THE BUILDING, THE STRUCTURE SHOULD BE CLOSED AS BEING DANGEROUS AND SUBSEQUENTLY BE DEMOLISHED IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY.
HE CONSIDERED THAT 50 GRAHAM STREET, WHICH WAS ALSO IN DILAPIDATED CONDITION AND HAVING SIGNS OF MOVEMENT, COULD NOT SAFELY WITHSTAND THE DEMOLITION OF 48 AND SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS AND SUBSEQUENTLY BE DEMOLISHED IN A JOINT OPERATION.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 6 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
------0-------
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON FOUR PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
ALL THE FOUR SITES ARE LOCATED AT TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITES HAVE AREAS RANGING FROM 798 TO 846 SQUARE METRES AND ARE DESIGNATED FOR THE REPAIRS r AND/OR MAINTENCE (INCLUDING PAINT-SPRAYING) OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
THE TENANCIES ARE FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, FEBRUARY 21.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AT YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
- - 0-----------
/13 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1992
13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 3.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 7.2.92 -333
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 333
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 110.3 *-0.1* 7.2.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.83 PCT 22 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.29 5.54
1 MONTH 3.89 PCT
3 MONTHS 3.94 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.04 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.60 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS : AND BONDS - 4,548 MN
CLOSED 7 FEBRUARY 1992
- 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LARGEST SHOW ON CAREERS OPPORTUNITIES .................................... 1
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION ...................................... 2
SPECIAL METER SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR URBAN TAXIS ........................ 3
DISTRICT FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE SENSE OF BELONGING .......................... 3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 4
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION .................................................. 5
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1992
- 1 LARGEST SHOW ON CAREERS OPPORTUNITIES ♦ * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON CAREERS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE EDUCATION AID CAREERS EXPO ’92 LATER THIS MONTH.
THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND EVER HELD IN HONG KONG, THE EXPOSITION FEATURES MORE THAN 160 EXHIBITORS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING INSTITUTES.
THE EXPOSITION IS MADE UP OF AN EDUCATION EXHIBITION RUN BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TDC) AND A CAREERS EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
if "THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PRESENTING A CAREERS EXHIBITION IN THE PAST 19 YEARS AND WE THOUGHT A JOINT VENTURE WITH THE TDC WOULD ACHIEVE A LOT MORE IN PROMOTING CAREERS EDUCATION." SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS CLARE SIU SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THE 'CAREERS '92' EXHIBITION IS OF A MUCH LARGER SCALE THAN ITS PREDECESSORS, WITH 65 EXHIBITORS FROM COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, SOCIAL SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL BODIES, PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS," MRS SIU SAID.
THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND GRAPHS, MODELS, AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS, AND MICRO-COMPUTERS AND LEAFLETS, VISITORS WILL FIND THE LATEST INFORMATION ON A LARGE VARIETY OF JOBS, NATURE OF WORK, APPLICATION PROCEDURE, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND PROSPECTS.
"OUR OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM VISITORS," SHE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR MORE THAN 12,00(j STUDENTS FROM SOME 100 SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO VISIT THE EXPOSITION IN GROUPS.
DURING THE EXHIBITION, THERE WILL BE 18 CAREERS TALKS BY SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONALS.
"THESE TALKS HAVE MET WITH ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM SCHOOLS AND ALL OF THEM ARE OVERSUBSCRIBED," MRS SIU.SAID.
BUT VISITORS MAY COME AND SEE VIDEO SHOWS WHICH COVER A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES.
THESE VIDEO SHOWS WILL BE SCREENED EVERY HOUR THROUGHOUT THE EXPOSITION.
/THE EDUCATION........
2
THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92 WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE. ADMISSION IS FREE. OPENING HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FEBRUARY 20 (THURSDAY) 11.30 AM - 7 PM
FEBRUARY 21 (FRIDAY) 9.30 AM - 7 PM
FEBRUARY 22 (SATURDAY) 9.30 AM - 7 PM
FEBRUARY 23 (SUNDAY) 9.30 AM - 6 PM
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SALE BY AUCTION *****
A TOTAL OF $3,491,000 WAS FETCHED THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING AT AN AUCTION OF 20 SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL.
THE SUM WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS BB7 AND 9998 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $300,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER CR888 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $290,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $17,000 FOR EZ1331.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
EW88 130,000 DE1122 27,000 BL8888 200,000 EZ1331 17,000
BC3 230,000 BB7 300,000 AD25 90,000 699 190,000
DMi8 150,000 BW888 210,000 9998 300,000 CR888 290,000
3868 250,000 ED2 250,000 BL88 200,000 EY21 82,000
EW7878 40,000 6999 120,000 BC8 260,000 CS1818 155,000
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE
IMMEDIATELY AFTER' THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE IS THE 173RD TIME ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT
DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973. IT BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR
CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $132,618,105.
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» /3 ......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1992
- 3 -
SPECIAL METER SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR URBAN TAXIS * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL IMPLEMENT A SPECIAL METER SEALING EXERCISE AT THE KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE II FROM FEBRUARY 10 TO MARCH 22 FOR URBAN TAXI TRADERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID DURING THIS PERIOD THE CENTRE WOULD BE OPERATED FROM 5 PM TO 9 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 8.30 AM TO 5 PM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
TAXI OWNERS CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS ON TEL. 799 9819 DURING OFFICE HOURS FOR THIS SPECIAL SEALING ARRANGEMENT.
THE TAXI METERS SHOULD BE RECALIBRATED BEFORE THEY WERE TESTED AND SEALED BY STAFF AT THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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DISTRICT FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE SENSE OF BELONGING
*****
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL NOT ONLY BRING JOY TO THE RESIDENTS DURING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR PERIOD, BUT WILL ALSO ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE DISTRICT, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PARRISH NG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL, MR NG SAID THE THEME OF THE FESTIVAL WAS "LIVING IN SAI KUNG WITH JOY".
HE SAID SAI KUNG WAS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG WITH MORE THAN 110,000 PEOPLE MOVING TO TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
IN VIEW OF THIS, MORE THAN HALF OF THE PROGRAMMES WOULD BE HELD IN DIFFERENT HOUSING ESTATES AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME COURTS IN THE NEW TOWN SO THAT RESIDENTS THERE COULD SHARE THE FUN OF THE FESTIVAL AND ACQUIRE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY, MR NG ADDED.
"THE NEW TOWN FACILITIES IN TSEUNG KWAN O, TOGETHER WITH COUNTRY PARKS AND RECREATIONAL CENTRES, HAS MADE SAI KUNG AN IDEAL PLACE TO LIVE.
"I HOPE THE NEW RESIDENTS WILL SOON ADAPT THEMSELVES TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT AND ENJOY THEIR LIFE IN SAI KUNG," MR NG SAID.
/THERE WILL .
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1992
4
THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 20 ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE FESTIVAL. THESE INCLUDE VARIETY SHOWS, CANTONESE OPERAS, KARAOKE COMPETITIONS, FOOTBALL MATCHES AND A NEW YEAR MARATHON.
THE FESTIVAL, COSTING MORE THAN $510,000, IS JOINTLY SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND THE HONGKONG BANK FOUNDATION.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 7.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 8.2.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
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/5 ........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1992
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ♦ # # $ * *
SUPPLY OF FLUSHING TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 7 SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY AREA.
WATER TO ALL PREMISES IN TSING YI WILL BE PM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 11) BECAUSE OF SUPPLY 3'0 A WATER PUMPING STATION IN THE
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NC.
S FOR W SEES PROGRESS OK WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION ...................... 1
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FCR THIRD QUARTER 1991 .................. 2
SECOND ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ....................................... 4
COMMITTEE MEETS TO REVIEW FEES AND WAIVERS ............................ 5
GOVT TREASURES KUK'S CONSULTATIVE ROLE ................................. 6
TAI PC ELDERLY TREATED TO ' YAN YAT' PARTY ............................. 6
WATER STORAGE FIGURE.................................................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 7
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1992
-1
S FOR W SEES PROGRESS ON WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION *****
GOOD PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, A CORE PROJECT IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROVIDING THE LAND FOR A MAJOR LINK IN THE TRANSPORT CORRIDOR FROM HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE PROJECT WILL EVENTUALLY RECLAIM 330 HECTARES OF LAND ON THE WEST KOWLOON WATERFRONT AND AFTER VISITING THE WORK SITES THIS MORNING MR BLAKE SAID WORK ON CURRENT CONTRACTS WAS PROGRESSING VERY WELL.
THE AREA TO BE RECLAIMED BETWEEN YAU MA TEI AND LAI CHI KOK WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR TRANSPORT-RELATED PROJECTS UNDER THE ACP — A SECTION OF ROUTE 3, WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE RAILWAY’S KOWLOON STATION, AND THE LANDFALL FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR VARIOUS COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES, INCLUDING THE WHOLESALE MARKET COMPLEX IN CHEUNG SHA WAN, AS WELL AS MORE OPEN SPACE FOR RECREATION.
EXISTING SHIPYARDS, DOCKYARDS, PIERS, PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS AND THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER WILL BE REPROVISIONED, AND NEW BREAKWATERS AND SEAWALLS BUILT.
TRAVELLING BY LAUNCH AND ACCOMPANIED BY PROJECT ENGINEERING STAFF, MR BLAKE VISITED THE SITES OF THE THREE MAJOR RECLAMATION CONTRACTS NOW IN PROGRESS CREATING 142 HECTARES OF LAND IN THIS FIRST OF TWO PHASES OF WORK.
THE FIRST CONTRACT IS PROVIDING THE OUTER BREAKWATER FOR THE NEW YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER WHICH IS NOW ABOVE WATER.
THIS CONTRACT, VALUED AT $233.8 MILLION, BEGAN IN AUGUST 1990 AND IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE SECOND CONTRACT WILL COMPLETE THE TYPHOON SHELTER PROJECT AND PROVIDE LAND FOR THE ACP TRANSPORT-RELATED PROJECTS AND FOR A NEW PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA.
THIS CONTRACT BEGAN IN JULY LAST YEAR AND IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN JULY NEXT YEAR. IT IS VALUED AT $1.09 BILLION.
THE THIRD CONTRACT, VALUED AT $1.55 BILLION, IS PROVIDING LAND FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES AND SERVICES, SUCH AS THE CHEUNG SHA WAN SHIPYARDS AND THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET AFFECTED BY THE RECLAMATION.
IT BEGAN IN AUGUST LAST YEAR AND IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
/THE SECOND .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1992
2
THE SECOND MAJOR PHASE OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WILL START AT THE END OF THIS YEAR FOLLOWING THE NECESSARY REPROVISIONING AND WILL SEE THE MAIN RECLAMATION WORKS COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1994, ENABLING THE TRANSPORT PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED.
THE WHOLESALE MARKET SITE, EVENTUALLY TOTALLING ABOUT 18 HECTARES, IS BEING COMPLETED EARLIER, AND HANDED OVER BY THE CONTRACTOR TO THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN PHASES FROM MARCH THIS YEAR.
THIS WILL ENABLE THE FIRST HALF OF THE HUGE MARKET TO BE REPROVISIONED BY AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
AFTER TOURING THE RECLAMATION SITES BY LAUNCH, MR BLAKE WENT ASHORE AT THE NEW WHOLESALE MARKET SITE FOR A BRIEFING ON PROGRESS ON THE ENTIRE PROJECT. THIS WAS GIVEN BY PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR KEITH AUSTIN.
THE LAND FOR THIS SITE BEGAN TO FIRST APPEAR ABOVE SEA LEVEL AT THE END OF DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTERWARDS, MR BLAKE SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH WHAT HE HAD SEEN.
’’THESE THREE CONTRACTS ARE PROGRESSING VERY WELL INDEED. THE FIRST CONTRACT WILL BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.
"IT WILL BE COMPLETED ON PROGRAMME AND, INDEED, I AM VERY PLEASED WITH WHAT I HAVE SEEN TODAY,” HE SAID.
THE RECLAMATION WOULD BRING ABOUT A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION IN WEST KOWLOON, BESIDES PROVIDING THE TRANSPORT CORRIDOR FOR THE ACP TRANSPORT-RELATED PROJECTS, HE SAID.
THE RECLAMATION WOULD ALSO ENABLE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT TO BE MADE TO THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN WEST KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THIRD QUARTER 1991 *****
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 SHOWED NO CHANGE OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COMPARISON COULD BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 WAS 8.2% HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
AMIDST THIS OVERALL TREND, PRODUCTION IN SOME INDUSTRIES STILL SHOWED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO.
/THE GREATEST
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1992
3
THE GREATEST GROWTH IN PRODUCTION (+13,5%) WAS RECORDED IN THE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP OF PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING. THIS YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE REPRESENTED A CONTINUED RISE IN PRODUCTION IN THIS GROUP FROM THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTERS OF THE YEAR; THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES FOR WHICH WERE 10% AND 8.2% RESPECTIVELY.
PRODUCTION IN THE INDUSTRY GROUP OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PARTS, ACCESSORIES AND MACHINERY INCREASED BY 11.4% IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 OVER A YEAR EARLIER. YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTERS WERE 14.3% AND 6.7% RESPECTIVELY.
INCREASES IN OUTPUT WERE ALSO RECORDED IN TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING (+6.9%); AND BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND NON-ELECTRI CAL MACHINERY (+3.8%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED IN WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR (-5.8%); AND FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO (-5.2%).
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS PRIMARILY INTENDED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES OVER TIME OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN REAL TERMS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE VOLUME OF LOCAL PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 3RD QUARTER 1991", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $3 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3250.
THE FOLLOWING IS A TABLE SHOWING CHANGES IN THE INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN GREATER DETAIL:
INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BI
BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP AND ( 1 986 BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP / SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUP SELECTED 1NDUSTR\ GROUP
= 100) I NDEX FOR 3RD QTR. 199 1 % CHANGE OVER
3RD QTR. 1990 2ND QTR. 1991
1 . FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 145 -5.2 -2.7
2. WEARING APPAREL, EXCEP’I KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR 1 13 -5.8 + 8.7
3. TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 1 10 + 6.9 + 19.7
4 . PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING 227 + 13.5 + 15.2
/5. CHEMICALS, RUBBER .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1992
4
5. CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 95 0.0 + 14.5
-- PLASTIC PRODUCTS (79) (-2.5) (+16.2)
6. BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND NON-ELECTRICAL MACHINERY 135 + 3.8 + 2.3
-- FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (119) (+8.2) (+12.3)
7. ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS,PROFESSIONAL EQU IPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS 153 0.0 + 1.3
-- CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ( 134 ) (-2.2) (-0.7)
-- ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC PARTS, ACCESSORIES AND MACHINERY (186) (+11.4) (+6.3)
8. MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 108 -5.3 + 1.9
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 132 0.0 + 8.2
NOTE: FOR EASY READING, FIGURES FOR THE FOUR SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUPS, WHICH CARRY LARGER WEIGHTS AND ARE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE RESPECTIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS, ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS.
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SECOND ISSUE OF GOVERNMENT BONDS
*****
THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECOND TENDER OF GOVERNMENT BONDS WILL BE HELD NEXT MONDAY (FEBRUARY 17) FOR SETTLEMENT ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 18).
A TOTAL OF HKS500 MILLION TWO-YEAR BONDS WILL BE ON OFFER. IN ADDITION TO THIS AMOUNT, ANOTHER HKS100 MILLION WILL BE HELD AS RESERVE BY THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND FOR THE PURPOSES OF LAST RESORT SUPPLY TO MARKET MAKERS OF GOVERNMENT BONDS.
THE BONDS WILL MATURE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1994 AND WILL CARRY INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 5.5 % PER ANNUM PAYABLE SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS.
/MEMBERS OF .......
MONDAY, FEBRCARY 10, 1992
- ' 5 -
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE BONDS MAY DO SO THROUGH ANY OF THE MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AT 24TH FLOOR, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 18 HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG OR ON TEL. 528 9110.
EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF HK$50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULITIPLES THEREOF.
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COMMITTEE MEETS TO ♦
REVIEW FEES AND WAIVERS * ♦ * ♦
THE HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES FEES AND WAIVERS COMMITTEE, CONVENED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, MET FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY (MONDAY).
THE COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS FORMED LAST MONTH, AIMS TO REVIEW THE EXISTING FEE AND WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES AND TO DEVELOP A LONG-TERM FEE AND WAIVER STRATEGY.
WELCOMING MEMBERS TO THE MEETING, MRS WONG SAID AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE REVIEW WAS TO ENSURE PROVISION OF A PROPER SAFETY NET THROUGH A SOUND WAIVER SYSTEM.
MEMBERS ARE DRAWN FROM A CROSS-SECTION OF INTERESTS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE LOOKED TO THEM FOR EXPERTISE AND LEADERSHIP IN TACKLING AN ISSUE OF VITAL INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY.
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SPATE OF SPECULATION ON HOSPITAL FEE INCREASES.
’’LET ME ASSURE YOU, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, THAT UNTIL A BROAD STRATEGY FOR FEES AND WAIVERS FOR THE LONG TERM IS IN PLACE, FEES WILL BE ADJUSTED ONLY IN LINE WITH INFLATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING POLICY,” SHE SAID.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS DISCUSSED BROADLY THE MODUS OPERAND!, SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE.
THE COMMITTEE’S FINDINGS WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO A GREEN PAPER FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION LATER THIS YEAR.
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/6.........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1992
- 6 -
GOVT TREASURES KUK’S CONSULTATIVE ROLE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE CONSULTATIVE ROLE OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE KUK'S SPRING RECEPTION, MR LAM SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL SYSTEM REACHED A NEW MILESTONE LAST YEAR WHEN ELECTIONS WERE HELD FOR ALL THE BOARDS AND COUNCILS, AS WELL AS FOR THE KUK AND RURAL COMMITTEES.
"SINCE MANY KUK MEMBERS OR COMMITTEES, THE GOVERNMENT, ABLE TO TAKE INTO FULL ACCOUNT RESIDENTS," HE SAID.
ALSO SERVE IN THESE COUNCILS, BOARDS IN FORMULATING ITS POLICIES, HAS BEEN THE INTERESTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES
MR LAM ALSO PRAISED THE HEUNG YEE KUK FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO STRENGTHENING THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RURAL COMMUNITY, WHICH ENABLED THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
"I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND JOIN HAND WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK IN CO-ORDINATING THE OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRAL POLICIES FOR THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
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TAI PO ELDERLY TREATED TO ’YAN YAT’ PARTY
*****
ABOUT 1,500 ELDERLY PEOPLE IN TAI PO WERE TREATED TO TWO "YAN YAT" (BIRTHDAY FOR ALL PEOPLE) PARTIES AT TWO RESTAURANTS IN THE DISTRICT THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE PARTIES WERE ORGANISED BY THE THIRD TAI PO FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
THE PARTICIPANTS, AGED BETWEEN 73 AND 100, COMPRISED SOME 500 MEN AND 1,000 WOMEN. ALL OF THEM RECEIVED LAI-SEE PACKETS FROM A LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER, MR TANG YEUK-FAN.
THE FIVE ELDEST PERSONS WERE PRESENTED WITH GOLD MEDALS BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO YUNG-SANG.
VOLUNTEER WORKERS WERE ALSO PRESENT TO ASSIST THE SENIOR CITIZENS AT THE FUNCTION.
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/7.........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1992
7 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 30.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 177.752 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 163.328 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 27.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 8.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 10.2.92 + 18
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -18
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 110.1 *+0.1* 10.2.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.46 PCT 21 MONTHS . 2311 6.25 101.69 5.30
1 MONTH 3.58 PCT
3 MONTHS 3.65 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.77 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.37 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 9,529 MN
CLOSED 10 FEBRUARY 1992
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
KEMPSTER APPOINTED TO CONDUCT DISTURBANCE ENQUIRY ..................... 1
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER TO SUBMIT REPORT WITHIN 8 WEEKS ................... 1
ITDC MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED ............................................. 2
INTERIM REPORT ON WPCM THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED ........................... 3
FEW IN HONG KONG FAVOUR NEW FORMS OF GAMBLING: SHA .................... 4
FESTIVAL HK 92 LAUNCHED IN CANADA ..................................... 7
"HONG KONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS 1980-1990" NCW ON SALE .......... 8
THREE FIREMEN COMMENDED FOR SAVING LIFE ............................... 9
RECEPTION FOR FILM ADVISERS .......................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................... 11
HCNG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 12
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
1
KEMPSTER APPOINTED TO CONDUCT DISTURBANCE ENQUIRY
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED JUSTICE OF APPEAL MICHAEL KEMPSTER TO CONDUCT THE ENQUIRY INTO THE DISTURBANCE AT THE SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE WHICH LED TO THE DEATH OF 23 PEOPLE ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 3-4.
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE:
(A) IN THE LIGHT OF THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN SECTION C OF THE SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 3-4 THIS YEAR, TO CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND WHETHER ANY IMPROVEMENTS NEED TO BE MADE TO ANY ASPECT OF THE RUNNING OF VIETNAMESE DETENTION CENTRES OR EMERGENCY RESPONSES TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF SUCH AN INCIDENT IN FUTURE, AND TO REPORT IN PARTICULAR ON:
(I) THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT;
(II) THE ACCOMMODATION ARRANGEMENTS IN THE CENTRE AT THE TIME;
(III) THE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN THE CENTRE AND THE LEVEL OF POLICE MANPOWER DEPLOYED; AND
(IV) THE POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES CONTINGENCY
ARRANGEMENTS AND THEIR RESPONSES TO THE INCIDENT.
(B) TO SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR A REPORT WITHIN EIGHT WEEKS ON THE ENQUIRY’S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO START HIS ENQUIRY BY FEBRUARY 17.
- - 0 - -
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER TO SUBMIT REPORT WITHIN 8 WEEKS
*****
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER CONFIRMED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HE WOULD COMMENCE HIS ENQUIRY INTO THE SHEK KONG TRAGEDY ON FEBRUARY 17 AND THAT HE WOULD SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR WITHIN EIGHT WEEKS.
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER WAS BORN IN ENGLAND IN JUNE 1923 AND EDUCATED AT MILL HILL SCHOOL AND BRASENOSE COLLEGE, OXFORD.
HE WAS A SCHOLAR OF BRASENOSE COLLEGE AND HELD THE DEGREES OF MA AND BCL. HE SERVED IN THE ROYAL SIGNALS FROM 1943-46.
/MR JUSTICE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
- 2
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER WAS CALLED TO THE BAR BY THE INNER TEMPLE IN 1949 AND BECAME A QUEEN’S COUNSEL IN 1969 AND A BENCHER IN 1977.
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER WAS APPOINTED AS A RECORDER (PART-TIME JUDGE) OF THE CROWN COURT IN 1972, AND BETWEEN 1978 AND 1982, HE WAS FROM TIME TO TIME APPOINTED AS A DEPUTY JUDGE OF THE QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION OF THE HIGH COURT.
HE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ON PRIVACY IN 1971 .
HE JOINED THE HONG KONG JUDICIARY AS A HIGH COURT JUDGE IN JANUARY 1982 AND WAS APPOINTED A JUSTICE OF APPEAL IN OCTOBER 1984.
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER IS MARRIED WITH FOUR CHILDREN.
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ITDC MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
THE NEW COUNCIL WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG. IT REPLACES THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHO FORMERLY CHAIRED THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL TO ENSURE CONTINUITY IN ITS EARLY STAGES.
FIVE OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS.
THEY ARE THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES; THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER; THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS; THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY; AND THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY.
NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN DRAWN FROM INDUSTRY, COMMERCE, FINANCE, AND HIGHER EDUCATION.
/THEY ARE .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
3
THEY ARE MR PAUL CHENG, CHAIRMAN, INCHCAPE PACIFIC LTD; MR VINCENT CHENG, SENIOR MANAGER, GROUP RESEARCH, HONG KONG & SHANGHAI BANK; MR STEPHEN CHEONG, REPRESENTING THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, OF WHICH HE IS CHAIRMAN; DR RAYMOND CH’IEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, LAM SOON HONG KONG GROUP; MR EDWARD HO, REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG . INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION, OF WHICH HE IS CHAIRMAN; DR RAYMOND HO, DIRECTOR, MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD; PROF CHARLES KAO, VICE CHANCELLOR, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MR JAMES KUNG, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF MANAGER, CHEKIANG FIRST BANK LTD: MR JEFFREY LAM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FORWARD WINSOME INDUSTRIES LTD; MR HERBERT LIANG, REPRESENTING THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, OF WHICH HE IS PRESIDENT; DR JOHN LO, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CHEN HSONG MACHINERY CO LTD, AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHEN HSONG HOLDINGS; MR T.L. NG, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SONCA PRODUCTS LTD; PROF C. K. POON, DIRECTOR, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC; MR C.D.TAM, CORPORATE VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER (ASIA PACIFIC),
MOTOROLA SEMICONDUCTORS HONG KONG LTD; MR JAMES TIEN, REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, OF WHICH HE IS CHAIRMAN; MR DENNIS TING, REPRESENTING THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, OF WHICH HE IS HONORARY PRESIDENT; MR ALLAN WONG, CHAIRMAN, VIDEO TECHNOLOGY GROUP LTD AND PROF C. W. WOO, VICE CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
ALL APPOINTMENTS TO THE COUNCIL ARE UNTIL DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’THE INTENTION IS THAT THE NEW COUNCIL SHOULD MAP OUT ITS FUTURE DIRECTION DURING ITS FIRST YEAR; AND THAT A NON-OFFICIAL SHOULD BE APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN IN 1993.”
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE SECRETARIAT SUPPORT TO THE NEW COUNCIL.
--------o-----------
INTERIM REPORT ON WPCM THOROUGHLY DISCUSSED
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE WORKING PARTY ON CHINESE MEDICINE (WPCM) HAD A THOROUGH DISCUSSION ON THE CONCLUSIONS AND CONSENSUS MADE IN THE INTERIM REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY IN A MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY).
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE SUPPORTED THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE INTERIM REPORT.
THE COMMITTEE ENDORSED A GRADUAL APPROACH IN FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTICES AND EMPHASISED THE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
/IN THIS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
IN THIS CONTEXT, THEY COMMENDED THE WPCM’S THEME OF BUILDING ON THE STRENGTH OF TRADITIONAL HERITAGE AND INVOLVEMENT OF PRACTITIONERS IN THE VARIOUS INITIATIVES.
IN PARTICULAR, THEY SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF SOME FORM OF REGISTRATION FOR TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS.
THEY BELIEVED REGISTRATION WOULD ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONAL STATUS OF PRACTITIONERS AND SAFEGUARD PUBLIC INTERESTS.
THE COMMITTEE FURTHER STRESSED THAT THIS SHOULD BE PURSUED AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY TO FORM A FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE REFORMS.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF COMPILING A POTENT AND TOXIC HERBS LIST TO PROMOTE THE AWARENESS AND SAFE USE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE WPCM WAS FORMED IN MAY 1990 WITH MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THE PRACTICE, TRAINING AND TRADING OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATIVE . COMMITTEE ARE TO REFLECT TO THE WORKING PARTY ON CHINESE MEDICINE •CONCERNS OF MEMBERS OF THE TRADE; AND TO ADVISE THE WORKING PARTY ON WAYS AND MEANS IN PREVENTING ABUSE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AND PROMOTING THE GOOD PRACTICE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE.
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FEW IN HONG KONG FAVOUR NEW FORMS OF GAMBLING: SHA
*****
VERY FEW PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW FORMS OF GAMBLING BECAUSE "GAMBLING IS AN EMOTIVE SUBJECT", THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
YET MR SUEN OBSERVED THAT A VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE GAMBLED IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS.
"INDEED, THE AVERAGE TURNOVER FROM A MARK SIX LOTTERY DRAW, AT $22 MILLION, CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THERE IS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR THIS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ADDRESSING THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB, MR SUEN SAID "GOVERNMENT CAN NEVER WIN" IN THE GAMBLING DECISION CONTEXT.
/"IF ON .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
5 -
"IF ON THE ONE HAND NEW FORMS OF GAMBLING ARE PERMITTED, WE ARE CRITICISED, VILIFIED AND ABUSED FOR ALLOWING THIS INDECENT AND IMMORAL ACTIVITY TO PROLIFERATE.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, IF WE DO NOTHING AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING FLOURISHES, THE GOVERNMENT IS DENOUNCED FOR NOT BEING EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING THIS ACTIVITY," MR SUEN SAID.
THE SOLUTION? HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS CAUSE FOR MODERATION IN THIS AS IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS PRAGMATIC: BY ALLOWING PROPERLY OPERATED AND HONEST GAMES TO EXIST IN THE TERRITORY, THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET IS PROTECTED FROM THE WORST PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ILLEGAL GAMBLING SUCH AS LOAN SHARKING AND DEBT.
"THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CAN DEAL SEVERELY WITH ANY ILLEGAL GAMBLING, SECURE IN A KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS NO COGENT NEED FOR THESE ACTIVITIES," HE EXPLAINED.
COMMENTING ON THE CURRENT DEBATE ON THE PROLIFERATION OF GAMBLING IN HONG KONG, MR SUEN SAID IT WAS SPARKED BY PROPOSALS TO MODIFY THE OPERATION OF THE MARK SIX LOTTERY.
DESCRIBING THE MARK SIX LOTTERY AS A "SOPHISTICATED AND EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL ANTI-GAMBLING DEVICE", MR SUEN SAID IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1975 SPECIFICALLY TO COMBAT "TSE FA".
AT THAT TIME, MR SUEN ESTIMATED THAT OVER $30,000 A DRAW, WITH UP TO THREE DRAWS THE WEEK.
MARK SIX’S EFFECT, HE SAID, WAS ESSENTIALLY ERADICATED WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
"TSE FA" SYNDICATES EARNED
BEING HELD EVERYDAY OF'
DRAMATIC WITH "TSE FA"
HE BELIEVED THAT THE PUBLIC TOOK TO THE MARK SIX LOTTERY VERY QUICKLY BECAUSE OF THE MUCH LARGER PAYOUTS, ITS CONVENIENCE AND BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAD CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WOULD RECEIVE THEIR WINNINGS.
TO MAINTAIN ITS EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING, HE SAID THE MARK SIX LOTTERY MUST KEEP PACE WITH DEVELOPMENTS.
ACCORDINGLY, THE LOTTERY HAS BEEN MODIFIED OVER THE YEARS TO MAINTAIN ITS POPULARITY.
TURNING TO THE CURRENT POSITION OF THE LOTTERY, MR SUEN SAID THE JOCKEY CLUB, AS THE LOTTERIES BOARD’S AGENT, RECENTLY SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL TO THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPAND THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF SALES OUTLETS FOR THE TICKETS BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES INTO CONVENIENCE STORES, SUPERMARKETS AND OTHER SUCH LOCATIONS.
/"THESE PROPOSALS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
- 6 -
"THESE PROPOSALS RECEIVED WIDE PUBLICITY BUT DREW A NEGATIVE REACTION FROM CERTAIN SECTORS OF THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THIS REACTION HAD LED THE JOCKEY CLUB TO REVISE THE PROPOSALS. THEY ASKED TO BE PERMITTED TO CONDUCT A PILOT SCHEME FOR THE SALE OF MARK SIX TICKETS THROUGH CSL SHOPS.
THE PILOT SCHEME COMMENCED ON OCTOBER 7 LAST YEAR IN NINE CSL SHOPS. ONLY INSTANT PICK TICKETS WERE SOLD AT*A MINIMUM PRICE OF $20. A FURTHER THREE SHOPS WERE ADDED TO THE LIST AS THE TRIAL PROCEEDED.
"IN ORDER TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO ALLOW FOR THE EXPANSION OF SALES OUTLETS ON A PERMANENT BASIS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN MONITORING THE TRIAL VERY CAREFULLY," MR SUEN EMPHASISED.
SO FAR, HE SAID, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A COUPLE OF NEWSPAPER REPORTS CONCERNING EXPATRIATE TEENAGERS BEING ABLE TO PURCHASE TICKETS, THERE HAD BEEN FEW PROBLEMS AND THE REACTION FROM THE PUBLIC HAD BEEN RELATIVELY MILD.
MR SUEN ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES . ADMINISTRATION (CNTA), TOGETHER WITH THE JOCKEY CLUB AND HONG KONG TELECOM CSL, HAD COMMISSIONED A PRIVATE COMPANY TO CARRY OUT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON THE TRIAL.
"WE WILL ALSO SHORTLY BEGIN A ROUND OF CONSULTATION WITH DISTRICT BOARDS TO SOLICIT THEIR VIEWS," MR SUEN SAID.
HE SAID ALL THESE VIEWS, TOGETHER WITH ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE PRESS, THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND ANY OTHER SOURCE WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF THE SCHEME.
EVEN TODAY, MR SUEN CAUTIONED, HONG KONG WAS FACING WITH ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN MANY FORMS.
FOR THIS REASON, HE SAID, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE LEGAL FORMS OF GAMBLING DID KEEP PACE WITH THE TWISTS AND TURNS OF ILLEGAL OPERATORS TO ENSURE THEIR VIABILITY AS ANTI-GAMBLING DEVICES.
"THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS NEUTRAL IN ANY ASSESSMENT OF A NEW GAMBLING PROPOSAL, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE A DECISION WHICH WILL BE UNPOPULAR WITH ONE SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY OR ANOTHER," HE ADDED.
MR SUEN REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY HAD ALWAYS BEEN TO RESTRICT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GAMBLING.
"IN PRACTICE, THIS MEANS STRICT LAWS AND FIRM ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING ACTIVITIES, SUPPORTED BY THE PROVISION OF CONTROLLED ALTERNATIVES WHERE A COGENT NEED HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED," HE SAID.
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/7........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
FESTIVAL HK 92 LAUNCHED IN CANADA ******
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD TODAY (TUESDAY) IN TORONTO, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED "FESTIVAL HONG KONG 92" - ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING AND DYNAMIC MULTI-FACETED CULTURAL AND TRADE FESTIVALS TO BE STAGED IN CANADA.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE LOCAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN FROM THE FIVE TARGET CITIES, MR SO SAID THE MONTH-LONG EXTRAVAGANZA PROMISED TO BE A SPECTACULAR EVENT FOR CANADIANS AS THEY WOULD EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE AND BEAUTY OF HONG KONG THROUGH A VARIETY OF WORLD-CLASS EVENTS.
AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE CANADIAN SPONSORED FESTIVAL CANADA 91 WHICH WAS HELD IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR, FESTIVAL HONG KONG 92 IS THE RECIPROCAL EVENT TO CANADA’S FESTIVAL. BOTH FESTIVALS WERE DEVELOPED TO REINFORCE THE GROWING PARTNERSHIP AND PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO REGIONS.
THIS YEAR’S THEME - "HONG KONG AND CANADA - BRIDGE-ACROSS THE PACIFIC" WILL KICK OFF IN TORONTO ON SEPTEMBER 30 FOLLOWED BY OTTAWA, MONTREAL AND CALGARY BEFORE CLOSING IN VANCOUVER ON OCTOBER 21.
AN ASSORTMENT OF CULTURAL, BUSINESS, TRADE, SPORTING AND SOCIAL EVENTS ARE PLANNED TO BRING THE MODERN CITY OF HONG KONG TO LIFE FOR CANADIANS IN FIVE KEY CENTRES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
EVERYTHING FROM PERFORMANCES BY THE HONG KONG BALLET AND CHUNG Y±NG THEATRE COMPANY TO SPORT DEMONSTRATIONS AND A HONG KONG FILM FESTIVAL ARE SCHEDULED TO PROMOTE THE RICH HISTORY AND TRADITION OF HONG KONG CULTURE.
"WITH THE RAPID GROWING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF EACH OTHER’S CULTURES AND WAYS OF LIFE," MR SO SAID.
"THROUGH A STRONG AND CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT, WE CAN FURTHER BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR A BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A PROSPEROUS AND BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE TWO REGIONS," HE SAID.
TO ASSIST IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS NATIONAL FESTIVAL, A STEERING GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR JAMES SO. ITS MEMBERSHIP CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEES WHICH COMPRISE LEADING MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS, ARTS AND CULTURAL AND FINANCIAL SECTORS IN EACH OF THE FIVE KEY CENTRES.
/THE LOCAL .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
- 8 -
THE LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN ARE: PROF MAURICE COPITHORNE, FORMER COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA IN HONG KONG AND PROFESSOR OF LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, VANCOUVER; MR S. ROBERT BLAIR, CHAIRMAN EMERITUS AND HONORARY DIRECTOR OF THE NOVA CORPORATION OF ALBERTA, CALGARY; DR ROBERT BANDEEN, TRUSTEE OF THE LESTER B. PEARSON COLLEGE OF THE PACIFIC AND GOVERNOR OF OLYMPIC TRUST OF CANADA, TORONTO; MR FRANK LING, AN ARCHITECT AND NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, OTTAWA; AND MR BOB ISSENMAN, PARTNER OF MARTINEAU WALKER AND GUEST LECTURER ON ASIAN AFFAIRS, MCGILL UNIVERSITY, MONTREAL.
A MAJOR HIGHLIGHT OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE A SERIES OF SPECIALLY-ORGANISED BUSINESS AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS CONDUCTED BY SOME OF HONG KONG’S MOST HIGH-PROFILE BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC LEADERS. THESE LEADERS WILL BE SHARING THEIR BUSINESS EXPERTISE AND INSIGHT WITH CANADIAN BUSINESS ' PEOPLE WHO WILL BE INVITED TO DISCUSS INVESTMENT AND TRADING OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN THE TWO REGIONS.
WHILE MANY OF THE CORE EVENTS OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE? INITIATED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, ALL OF THE EVENTS WILL BE COMPLEMENTED BY LOCAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED AND SUPPORTED BY COMMUNITY GROUPS AND THE LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEES.
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"HONG KONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS 1980-1990" NOW ON SALE
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS JUST PUBLISHED THE HONG KONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS 1980-1990, WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER THE MAIN STATISTICAL SERIES DESCRIBING HONG KONG’S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE LAST DECADE.
BEING THE EIGHTH IN THE SERIES, THE PRESENT EDITION HAS UNDERGONE SOME MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS. WHILST CONTINUING TO PRESENT KEY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC STATISTICS FOR THE YEARS 1980, 1985 TO 1990, DESCRIPTIONS NOW APPEAR ALONGSIDE THE TABLES AND CHARTS.
THIS NEWLY INCORPORATED TEXT IS DESIGNED TO HELP READERS UNDERSTAND THE TECHNICAL CONCEPTS AS WELL AS TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPREHEND MORE EASILY THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE PAST DECADE.
/THE PUBLICATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
9
THE PUBLICATION COVERS STATISTICS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING POPULATION AND VITA.L STATISTICS, LABOUR, GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE, DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES, TRANSPORT AND SERVICES, EXTERNAL TRADE, TOURISM, COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT, CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, MONEY, BANKING AND FINANCE, PUBLIC FINANCE, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE AND REPORTED CRIMES. ALTOGETHER, THERE ARE 72 TABLES AND 37 CHARTS IN 16 SECTIONS.
COPIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT $40 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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THREE FIREMEN COMMENDED FOR SAVING LIFE *****
THREE OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) COMMENDED FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCES IN RESCUING A MAN WHO ATTEMPTED TO JUMP FROM A BUILDING IN SHEUNG WAN LAST YEAR.
THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR CHAN HOI, PRESENTED HIS COMMENDATIONS TO SENIOR STATION OFFICER LIU TZE-LEUNG, PRINCIPAL FIREMAN NG SEK-JONG AND SENIOR FIREMAN YIP SIU-KEUNG AT THE SHEUNG WAN FIRE STATION.
LIU WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP, INITIATIVE AND JUDGEMENT WHICH LED TO THE SUCCESSFUL RESCUE OF THE MAN.
NG WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP, PROMPT ACTION. AND DEVOTION TO DUTY WHILE YIP WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS RESOURCEFULNESS, BRAVERY, PROMPT ACTION AND PROFESSIONAL SKILL IN THE RESCUE OPERATION.
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 9.30 PM ON DECEMBER 26 LAST YEAR AT A BUILDING AT PO HING FONG, SHEUNG WAN.
ON ARRIVAL, THE OFFICERS FOUND THAT A MAN WAS . STANDING ON A CANOPY ON THE 10TH FLOOR AND WAS THREATENING TO JUMP. THERE WAS ANOTHER MAN TRYING TO STOP HIM BY GRASPING HIS COLLAR.
THE SITUATION WAS DIFFICULT AS THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE ON THE GROUND LEVEL TO INFLATE THE "ESSER" RESCUE CUSHION OR TO OPEN A JUMPING SHEET.
ON APPROACHING THE MAN, LIU TOLD NG TO GET HOLD OF THE MAN’S ARM WHILE YIP CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW TO TIE A RESCUE LINE ROUND THE MAN’S WAIST PREVENTING HIM FROM FALLING.
/THE OFFICERS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
- 10 -
THE OFFICERS THEN STARTED PERSUADING THE MAN TO RETURN TO THE UNIT. HOWEVER, THE MAN IGNORED THEIR PERSUASION AND STRUGGLED VIGOROUSLY. AS A RESULT, AN ALUMINIUM CLOTHES DRYING RACK DISJOINTED FROM THE WALL.
HAVING CONSIDERED THAT YIP AND THE MAN WERE IN IMMINENT DANGER OF FALLING, LIU IMMEDIATELY CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF NG AND YIP, BROUGHT THE MAN BACK TO SAFETY.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION, MR CHAN SAID THE WHOLE OPERATION WAS WELL ORGANISED AND COMPLETED IN A VERY CRITICAL MOMENT.
HE ADDED THAT WITHOUT THE OFFICERS’ ACCURATE JUDGEMENT, RIGHT DECISION AND PROMPT ACTION, THE MAN MIGHT HAVE BEEN FALLEN ONTO THE STREET.
MR CHAN SAID HE WAS HAPPY WITH THE HIGH PROFESSIONALISM OF THE OFFICERS AND THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION.
------0--------
RECEPTION FOR FILM ADVISERS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) TODAY (TUESDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE VOLUNTARY AND INVALUABLE SERVICES RENDERED BY MEMBERS OF THE PANEL OF FILM ADVISERS AT THE AUTHORITY’S SPRING RECEPTION.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW (FILM CENSORSHIP) AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG THEATRES ASSOCIATION WERE ALSO PRESENT AT THE RECEPTION.
THE PANEL OF FILM ADVISERS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1976 TO ADVISE TELA ON THE EXAMINATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF FILMS FOR EXHIBITION.
LAST YEAR, OVER 1,300 FILMS WERE EXAMINED AND APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION.
THERE ARE NOW 184 ADVISERS ON THE PANEL AND THEY COME FROM DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS RANGING FROM MANAGERS, EXECUTIVES, BUSINESSMEN TO SOCIAL WORKERS, TEACHERS AND HOUSEWIVES REPRESENTING A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
EACH ADVISER IS REQUESTED TO ATTEND A FILM VIEWING SESSION ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS AND FOUR TO FIVE ADVISERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND EACH SESSION.
AT THE END OF EACH SESSION, PANEL ADVISERS ARE INVITED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE FILM BY COMPLETING A QUESTIONNAIRE AND DISCUSSING WITH THE OFFICER OF TELA RESPONSIBLE FOR EXAMINING THE FILM.
- 0-----------
/Il ........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
1]
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
TENDER DATE 11 FEB 92
PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER AMOUNT APPLIED AMOUNT ALLOTTED AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED PRO RATA RATIO AVERAGE TENDER YIELD HONG KONG TENDERS COMING UP - TENDER DATE EF BILLS Q207 HKD 1,411MN HKD 500MN 3.71 PCT 3.74 PCT ABOUT 21 PCT 3.79 PCT GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 17 FEB 92 18 FEB 92 18 FEB 92
PAPER ON OFFER GOVT BONDS EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER 2402 Q208 H258
ISSUE DATE 18 FEB 92 19 FEB 92 19 FEB 92
MATURITY DATE 18 FEB 92 20 MAY 92 19 AUG 92
TENOR 2 YEARS 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD500 + 100MN HKD500 + 100MN HKD200 + 60MN
COUPON 5.50 PCT N. A. N. A.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1992
- 12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 10.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 11.2.92 -89
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +89
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON +400*
* LATE O/N ASSISTANCE,
TO BE REVERSED ON J2.2.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 110.4 *+0.3* 11.2.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 1 MONTH 3 MONTHS 6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3.53 PCT 3.58 PCT 3.68 PCT 3.87 PCT 4.38 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.69 5.30
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,205 MN
CLOSED 11 FEBRUARY 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PRAISES COLLEGE FOR FORGING INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP THROUGH EDUCATION .................................................... 1
NC DECISION YET ON KOWLOON SKYRAIL ................................. 2
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS AGAIN ......................... 3
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1991 ...... 3
DEPUTY CUSTOMS COMMISSIONER TO CHAIR INT'L SYMPOSIUM ............... 8
NEW REINTEGRATING APPROACH FCR YOUNG OFFENDERS ..................... 9
WEATHER OF JANUARY 1992 ............................................ 10
GOVT LOT TO LET BY TENDER .......................................... 13
"1991 HONG KONG ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS" NOW ON SALE ........... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 15
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12,
1992
GOVERNOR PRAISES COLLEGE FOR FORGING INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP THROUGH EDUCATION *****
THE LI PO CHUN UNITED WORLD COLLEGE WILL BRING YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO STUDY ALONGSIDE OUR OWN YOUNG PEOPLE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION PLAQUE UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG LI PO CHUN UNITED WORLD COLLEGE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE ENDURING INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIPS WOULD THUS BE FORGED HERE IN HONG KONG.
OVER 160 HONG KONG STUDENTS HAD ALREADY ATTENDED COURSES AT ONE OR OTHER OF THE SEVEN UNITED WORLD COLLEGES AROUND THE WORLD.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THEIR EXPERIENCE OF THE VERY SPECIAL EDUCATION AND THE CAMARADERIE OFFERED BY UNITED WORLD COLLEGES HAD SERVED TO INSPIRE THE PRESENT PROJECT.
"WE IN HONG KONG WANT TO TAKE PART MORE DIRECTLY IN THIS VERY WORTHWHILE EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT AND SHARE IN ITS AIM TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH EDUCATION.
"THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND HAS MADE THAT POSSIBLE,": THE GOVERNOR SAID.
ITS VERY GENEROUS DONATION OF $100 MILLION HAD GIVEN THE NEW COLLEGE A SOUND FINANCIAL START, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLAYED ITS PART BY PROVIDING THE SITE AND A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE BUILDING COSTS.
HE ADDED THAT A STRONG COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION HAD CONTRIBUTED ENORMOUSLY TO HONG KONG’S SUCCESS.
SIR DAVID SAID THE DESIRE OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO SEE EACH GENERATION BETTER EDUCATED THAN THE ONE BEFORE AND TO PROVIDE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION HAD BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE TREMENDOUS EXPANSION OF OUR SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES.
"IT HAS FUELLED SOCIAL MOBILITY - 60% OF OUR UNIVERSITY
STUDENTS NOW COME FROM PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
"IT HAS ENCOURAGED SOME TO SEEK EDUCATION ABROAD, BROADENING THEIR PERSPECTIVES AND DEVELOPING THEIR INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THE COLLEGE, SIR DAVID SAID, WOULD BUILD ON THESE TRADITIONS.
IT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT ADDITION TO THE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG.
BENEATH THE MAJESTIC HEIGHTS OF MA ON SHAN AND OVERLOOKING TOLO HARBOUR, THE COLLEGE IS CLOSE TO THE CITY BUT ON THE EDGE OF SOME OF HONG KONG’S MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE.
/"THE SETTING.......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
2
"THE SETTING IS CERTAINLY IMPRESSIVE.
"WHEN THE DOORS OPEN TO THE FIRST STUDENTS IN SEPTEMBER, THE COLLEGE WILL OFFER ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST ATTRACTIVE CAMPUSES, EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR CONGRATULATED SIR JACK CATER, MR S T LI, THE BOARD MEMBERS AND SIR Q W LEE ON THEIR DETERMINATION TO SEE THEIR VISION BECOME A REALITY.
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NO DECISION YET ON KOWLOON SKYRAIL *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID IT WAS NOT TRUE, AS RECENTLY SPECULATED, THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED AND WAS READY TO ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR AN ELEVATED LIGHT-RAIL SYSTEM FOR KOWLOON AS PROPOSED BY THE KOWLOON SKY RAIL ■ COMPANY.
THE SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT AFTER INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMPANY LAST YEAR, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD DECIDED IN JULY LAST YEAR THAT THE CONCEPT OF BUILDING AN ELEVATED LIGHT-RAIL SYSTEM IN KOWLOON SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION FROM THE COMPANY PARTICULARLY ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE SCHEME.
THIS DECISION DID NOT AMOUNT TO APPROVAL TO BUILD THE SYSTEM.
"WRITTEN QUESTIONS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY PUT TO THE COMPANY TO SEEK MORE INFORMATION. THE COMPANY HAS RECENTLY RESPONDED TO SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS, AND HAS PROVIDED IDEAS FOR CONDUCTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE COMPANY WILL HAVE TO PROVE THAT THEIR SCHEME WILL BE ABLE TO SATISFY ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER CONCERNS.
"MUCH MORE MATERIAL IS EXPECTED FROM THE COMPANY PARTICULARLY ON THE ALIGNMENT AND FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE SCHEME BEFORE RECOMMENDATIONS COULD BE MADE ON WHETHER OR NOT DETAILED NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE ENTERED INTO WITH THE COMPANY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF SUCH A SYSTEM.
"SUGGESTIONS OF A FAST TRACK APPROVAL PROCESS WHICH WILL SEE CONSTRUCTION START IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS’ TIME ARE UNREALISTIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
3
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS AGAIN * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON FEBRUARY 17 (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE FORMATION OF SUB-COMMITTEES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE SAID THE SETTING UP OF SUB-COMMITTEES HAD BEEN PROPOSED TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION OF ISSUES CONCERNING THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS.
’’THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS WHETHER AND HOW SUB-COMMITTEES SHOULD BE FORMED,” HE ADDED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, ONE OF THE 10 CORE PROJECTS UNDER THE ACP.
’’THE BRIEFING WILL COVER THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, THE PRIVATISATION METHODS AND PRIVATISATION PROGRAMME,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE) AND WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG AT 802 3511 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATS IN THE CONFERENCE HALL ARE LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
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PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN NOVEMBER 1991 *****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS RECORDED VIRTUALLY NO GROWTH IN THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF LAST YEAR AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 WHILE RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 25%, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 16%. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 18% IN VOLUME.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, WITH THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES HAVING BEEN DISCOUNTED.
/AS REGARDS .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS ALL ROSE BY 2%. THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) INCREASED BY 1%.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 1991 WITH NOVEMBER 1990, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 7%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20%.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 10%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 1% WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2%. IMPORT PRICES WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR NOVEMBER 1991 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMMODITY GROUPS WHICH RECORDED MODERATE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN NOVEMBER 1991 OVER NOVEMBER 1990 INCLUDED TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+4%); CLOTHING (+3%); AND TEXTILE FABRICS (+1%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN FOOTWEAR (-45%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-36%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-29%); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-23%); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-19%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-17%); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-14%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-12%); AND METAL MANUFACTURES (-2%).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST INCREASED IN NOVEMBER 1991 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER
COMMODITY GROUPS 1990.
THESE INCLUDED TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+6%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+5%); FOOTWEAR (+4%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+3%); CLOTHING (+3%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+2%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+2%); AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+1%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-10%); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-4%); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-3%); AND TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-1%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR NOVEMBER 1991 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
/THE IMPORT........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
5
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 1% IN NOVEMBER 1991 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990.
SIGNIFICANT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF LIVE POULTRY; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS.
HOWEVER, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; WHEAT AND FLOUR; TEA AND COFFEE; AND RICE.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 12%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS AND FOOTWEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WATCHES; AND RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 7% IN NOVEMBER 1991 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990.
IN PARTICULAR, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; BASE METALS (OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL); AND MAN-MADE FIBRES.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; COTTON YARN AND THREAD; AND SILK FABRICS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 9% IN VOLUME IN NOVEMBER 1991 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 19% IN NOVEMBER 1991 OVER NOVEMBER 1990.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN OTHER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY (OTHER THAN TEXTILE MACHINERY -AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY); OFFICE MACHINES; AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED FOR CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND TEXTILE MACHINERY.
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1991 WITH NOVEMBER 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS (+4%) AND CONSUMER GOODS (+2%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS AND CAPITAL GOODS DECREASED BY 23% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY. THE IMPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR NOVEMBER 1991 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
/COMPARING NOVEMBER .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
6
COMPARING NOVEMBER 1991 WITH NOVEMBER 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS .OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES: FUELS (+114%); CAPITAL GOODS (+26%); CONSUMER GOODS (+21%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+16%).
HOWEVER, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 11%.
THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN NOVEMBER 1991 AS COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1990: FOODSTUFFS (+5%); CAPITAL GOODS (+4%); AND CONSUMER GOODS (+3%).
THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS DECREASED BY 9%. THOSE OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE NOVEMBER 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 14) AT $4 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 582 4918).
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING WITH NOV 1991 NOV 1990 COMPARING JAN-NOV 1991 WITH JAN-NOV 1990
COMMODITY GROUP UNIT VALUE VALUE % % VOLUME % UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME % % %
CLOTHING 7 3 3 4 % 4 1
TEXTILE FABRICS 5 3 1 4 3 1
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 3 -1 4 3 2 1
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -25 5 -29 -16 3 -18
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -34 2 -36 -17 2 -19
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS -13 1 -14 22 23
/FOCTWEAR .......
- 7 - WEENESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
FOOTWEAR -43 4 -45 -33 5 -36
METAL MANUFACTURES * 2 -2 10 3 7
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -27 -10 -19 -15 -4 -12
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -26 -4 -23 -13 -1 -12
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -7 6 -12 -4 4 -8
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -19 -3 -17 -5 2 -7
ALL COMMODITIES -6 1 -7 2 2 »
» LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % COMPARING NOV 1991 WITH NOV 1990 COMPARING JAN-NOV 1991 WITH JAN-NOV 1990
UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
FOODSTUFFS 4 4 -1 12 3 9
CONSUMER GOODS 15 2 12 22 3 19
RAW MATERIALS AND
SEMI-MANUFACTURES 7 * 7 19 1 18
FUELS -30 -23 -9 10 2 8
CAPITAL GOODS 18 -1 19 25 2 23
ALL COMMODITIES 10 * 10 20 2 18
♦ LESS THAN 0.5%
/TABLE 3 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
- 8 -
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH NOV 1991 NOV 1990 COMPARING JAN-NOV WITH JAN-NOV 1991 1990
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
FOODSTUFFS -6 5 -11 15 5 10
CONSUMER GOODS 25 3 21 31 3 27
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 16 * 16 23 1 21
FUELS 94 -9 114 32 13 16
CAPITAL GOODS 31 4 26 31 2 29
ALL COMMODITIES 22 2 20 28 2 25
♦ LESS THAN 0. 5%
0 _ _ _
DEPUTY CUSTOMS COMMISSIONER TO CHAIR INT’L SYMPOSIUM ******
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR TONG KANG-SING, WILL LEAVE FOR BRUSSELS THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING TO CHAIR AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
ORGANISED BY THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL (CCC) - THE INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS ORGANISATION - THE SYMPOSIUM WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 17 AND 18 WITH MOST OF THE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE CCC’S 111 MEMBERS ATTENDING.
HONG KONG WILL BE REPRESENTED BY THE HEAD OF THE CUSTOMS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR POON YEUNG-KWONG; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (POLICY AND LEGISLATION) OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT, MR PETER CHEUNG KAM-FAI; AND ASSISTANT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENEVA OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, MR JOHN A. CLARKE.
/TOPICS OF .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
- 9 -
TOPICS OF DISCUSSIONS WILL INCLUDE MULTILATERAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, TREATY OBLIGATIONS, DAMAGE CAUSED BY INFRINGEMENTS, EXISTING CUSTOMS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROGRAMMES AND FUTURE STRATEGIES.
HONG KONG HAS BEEN INVITED TO CHAIR THE SYMPOSIUM IN RECOGNITION OF ITS LONG EXPERIENCE IN COMBATTING COUNTERFEITING AND COPYRIGHT PIRACY.
SOME EXAMPLES OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS SEIZED IN HONG KONG WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE SYMPOSIUM.
BEFORE RETURING TO HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY 25, MR TONG WILL PAY A DUTY VISIT TO UK’S CUSTOMS AND THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE PHONOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY IN LONDON.
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NEW REINTEGRATING APPROACH * » » *
FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS t
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS ADOPTING A NEW APPROACH TO HELP RESIDENTS OF ITS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS REINTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY BY ARRANGING THEM TO SHARE VIEWS WITH TERTIARY STUDENTS.
ACCOMPANIED BY SENIOR SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (CORRECTIONS) MR KWAN KAM-CHUEN, SOCIAL WORK STAFF AND CERTIFIED TEACHERS, FOUR BOYS AND GIRLS FROM THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS’ HOME AND MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME ADDRESSED A GROUP OF SOCIAL ADMINISTRATION STUDENTS OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY ALSO SHARED THEIR VIEWS ON THEIR FUTURE PLANS AND INSTITUTIONAL LIFE WITH THEIR AUDIENCE.
MR KWAN SAID THE AIM OF THE GATHERING WAS TO QIVE YOUNGSTERS UNDER THE SWD’S CARE A CHANCE TO BUILD UP THEIR CONFIDENCE BEFORE RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY.
IT ALSO HELPED TO EDUCATE YOUNGSTERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN.
BESIDES, MR KWAN SAID IT WOULD ENABLE THE AUDIENCE TO HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF HONG KONG’S CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
DURING THE OCCASION, SWD STAFF OF DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES ALSO GAVE A DETAILED ACCOUNT ON SERVICES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS AND FUTURE WORK DIRECTION.
/MR KWAN .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
- 10 -
MR KWAN SAID INITIAL RESPONSE FROM THE ORGANISER WAS VERY ENCOURAGING.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS APPROACH IN A LATER DATE.
HOWEVER, MR KWAN ADDED, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATIONS WHO WERE INTERESTED IN YOUNG OFFENDER SERVICES AND WISHED TO SHARE VIEWS WITH STAFF OR RESIDENTS OF THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS WERE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT.
- 0----------
WEATHER OF JANUARY 1992 ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE NUMBER OF HOURS OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE IN JANUARY THIS YEAR WAS 30 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL, RAINFALL WAS ALSO PLENTIFUL BY JANUARY STANDARD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OF THE 40 MILLIMETRES RECORDED, A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF IT FELL ON JANUARY 5 DURING A SPELL OF ACTIVE WINTER MONSOON.
THOUGH HARDLY ANY RAIN FELL FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH, THE MONTHLY TOTAL WAS STILL 70 PER CENT OVER THE JANUARY NORMAL OF 23.4 MILLIMETRES.
THE DOMINANCE OF THE WINTER MONSOON WAS REFLECTED BY THE UNUSUALLY HIGH MONTHLY MEAN PRESSURE OF 1022.2 HPA, THE SIXTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR JANUARY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CLOUDY WEATHER AT THE END OF LAST YEAR CARRIED OVER INTO THE NEW YEAR.
CONTINUOUS LIGHT RAIN STARTED IN THE AFTERNOON OF JANUARY 1 AND PERSISTED FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
APART FROM THE ODD DRIZZLE AND SOME MIST ON JANUARY 3, THE RAIN LARGELY STAYED AWAY BEFORE RETURNING WITH A VENGEANCE LATER ON JANUARY 4.
A STRONG EASTERLY SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON HAD ARRIVED EARLIER IN THE DAY. ENHANCED BY A NORTHERLY REPLENISHMENT THAT NIGHT, THE RAIN GREW HEAVIER, PARTICULARLY IN THE EARLY MORNING OF JANUARY 5.
SOME SCAFFOLDINGS IN CAUSEWAY BAY WERE BLOWN DOWN BY THE GUSTY MONSOON WINDS DURING THE DAY AND TWO VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED.
/THE RAINY .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
- 11 -
THE RAINY WEATHER LASTED TILL EVENING TIME BEFORE THE DRIER AIR FROM THE NORTH EVENTUALLY CLEARED THE CLOUDS AWAY FOR TWO FINE DAYS ON JANUARY 6 AND 7.
THE EASTERLIES STRENGTHENED MOMENTARILY ON THE
JANUARY 7 AND BROUGHT SOME LIGHT RAIN PATCHES THAT NIGHT.
EVENING OF
THE NORTHERLIES RESUMED CONTROL ON JANUARY 8 WITH SUNNY PERIODS THAT DAY.
MEANWHILE, THE WINTER MONSOON LED TO A PROGRESSIVE FALL IN TEMPERATURE, MAKING IT A RELATIVELY COOL DAY ON JANUARY 9 WITH INTERMITTENT LIGHT RAIN.
THE LIGHT RAIN CONTINUED INTO THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CLOUDS BROKE FOR SOME SUNNY PERIODS THE NEXT DAY.
APART FROM SOME MORNING MIST OFFSHORE OVER THE EASTERN PART OF THE HONG KONG WATERS, THE WEATHER WAS FINE ON JANUARY 11.
IT WAS SOMEWHAT CLOUDIER ON JANUARY 12 BUT THE LINGERING CLOUDS GRADUALLY DISSIPATED OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS FOLLOWING THE ARRIVAL OF A DRY CONTINENTAL AIR MASS ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 13.
STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS PERSISTED TILL THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 14 AS COLD AIR OF POLAR ORIGIN ADVANCED THROUGH THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
TEMPERATURE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY PLUNGED TO THE MONTH’S LOWEST OF 8.4 DEGREES EARLY ON JANUARY 15.
IT WAS EVEN COLDER OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. GROUND FROST WAS REPORTED THAT MORNING AT TA KWU LING WHERE TEMPERATURE PLUNGED TO 1 DEGREE ONLY.
THE ATMOSPHERE GRADUALLY MOISTENED UP AS THE NORTHERLIES SUBSIDED.
A FRESHENING OF THE EASTERLIES ON JANUARY 18 BROUGHT SOME DRIZZLE THAT NIGHT.
TEMPERATURE WAS GENERALLY ON THE RISE AFTER THE COLD SNAP BUT ITS PROGRESS WAS TEMPORARILY CHECKED BY A MINOR NORTHERLY REPLENISHMENT ON JANUARY 20, RESULTING IN SLIGHTLY LOWER TEMPERATURES ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THEREAFTER, THE WINTER MONSOON WENT INTO AN EXTENDED LULL AND THE WEATHER CONTINUED TO WARM UP.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A MODERATE EASTERLY AIRSTREAM, EVENING MIST PATCHES HOVERED OFFSHORE IN THE VICINITY OF WAGLAN ISLAND ON JANUARY 21, 23 AND 24.
/VISIBILITY INSIDE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
12
VISIBILITY INSIDE THE HARBOUR WAS ALSO POOR ON JANUARY 25 AS A RESULT OF MIST AND HAZE.
FINE AND CLEAR WEATHER THEN PREVAILED FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS. WITH LONG HOURS OF SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURE CONTINUED TO RISE BEFORE REACHING THE MONTH’S HIGHEST FIGURE OF 23.1 DEGREES ON JANUARY 30.
MIST RE-APPEARED OFFSHORE THAT EVENING AND VISIBILITY DETERIORATED FURTHER THAT NIGHT’.
FOG PATCHES WERE REPORTED NEAR CHEUNG CHAU IN THE EARLY HOURS OF JANUARY 31. THE MIST AND FOG WERE SOON CLEARED AWAY AS DRY AIR ASSOCIATED WITH A NORTHERLY SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON ARRIVED LATER THAT MORNING, BRINGING ANOTHER DAY OF FINE WEATHER BUT LOWER TEMPERATURES.
THERE WAS ONLY ONE TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN JANUARY.
NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER DURING THE MONTH.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 11, 12, 18-23, 25-27, AND 31.
THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 9 AND 13-18. THE GAS WATER HEATER ALERT WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 8-10, 13-18,
20-22. A THUNDERSTORM WARNING WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 5.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON JAN 4 1 PM JAN 5 6 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON JAN 13 3.45 PM JAN 15 4.45 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL
SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
197.1 HOURS ;
12.34 MJ/SQ.M. ;
40 MM ;
43 % ;
69 % ;
4 4.7 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
0.71 MJ/SQ.M. ABOVE NORMAL
16,6 MM ABOVE NORMAL
15 % LESS THAN NORMAL
2 % LOWER THAN NORMAL
/MEAN DAILY .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
- 13 -
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
18.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
15.7 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
13.6 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
9.8 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
74.5 MM ;
0.4 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
NORMAL
0.4 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
23 MM BELOW NORMAL
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GOVT LOT TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF A LAND LOT IN SHA TIN.
LOCATED AT ON MUK STREET, AREA 11, THE LOT MEASURES ABOUT 2,100 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS AND DANGEROUS GOODS AS DEFINED IN THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, FEBRUARY 28.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT SHA TIN AND KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.
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/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12,
1992
14
"1991 HONG KONG ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS" * * t * t *
NOW ON SALE
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PUBLISHED THE 1991 EDITION OF THE HONG KONG ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
THIS ANNUAL PUBLICATION IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND CONVENIENT SOURCE OF OFFICIAL STATISTICS. IT BRINGS TOGETHER IN ONE VOLUME UP-TO-DATE STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS OF HONG KONG.
THE REPORT COVERS STATISTICS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS INCLUDING CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY, POPULATION AND VITAL EVENTS, LABOUR FORCE, EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION, DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES, TRANSPORT, GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, COMMUNICATION AND TOURISM, FOOD SUPPLIES, HOUSING, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE, LAW AND ORDER, PUBLIC FINANCE, FINANCE AND BANKING, PRICES, AND CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT. ALTOGETHER, THERE ARE ABOUT 300 TABLES IN 20 SECTIONS, COVERING WHEREVER POSSIBLE A TEN-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1981-1990.
THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE AT $98 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
/is ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1992
- 15 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * ♦ ♦ » ♦
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 11.2.92 1,000
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 12.2.92 -100*
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING “30°
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
» O/N ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED -400 MN
OTHER FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED +300 MN
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 110.8 *+0.4» 12.2.92
EF BILLS TERMS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND YIELD
YIELD TERM HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE
1 WEEK 3.60 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.63 5.33
1 MONTH 3.63 PCT
3 MONTHS 3.69 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.88 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.40 PCT %
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,016 MN
CLOSED 12 FEBRUARY 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
CONTENTS PACE NO,
INQUIRY WILL NCT CONFLICT WITH CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: GOVERNOR ....... 1
GOVERNOR TOURS WAN CHAI ............................................. 2
BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER 1991 RELEASED ............ 3
CO-OPERATION IN TRANSPORT SURVEY CALLED FOR ......................... 6
NEW YEAR PROGRAMMES FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS ............... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 7
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
INQUIRY WILL NOT CONFLICT WITH CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: GOVERNOR
***♦»*♦*
THE GOVERNOR, STR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER IS A VERY EXPERIENCED JUDGE WHO WILL MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER HE REPORTS DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE QUITE SEPARATE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE INQUIRY INTO THE SHEK KONG VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS DETENTION CENTRE INCIDENT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING WAN CHAI DISTRICT, SIR DAVID SAID WHEN A VERY UNPLEASANT AND HORRIFYING INCIDENT HAPPENED THERE WERE THINGS THAT MUST BE DONE.
"ONE, IS IF THERE IS CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST PEOPLE THAT MUST BE DOVE. THAT'S A VERY SLOW PROCESS; THE LAW OF NECESSITY WORKS SLOWLY SO YOU WOULD EXPECT A COURT CASE TO TAKE MANY, MANY MONTHS.
"SECONDLY, AND ALSO IMPORTANT, IF SOMETHING HORRENDOUS LIKE THAT HAPPENS WE WANT TO FIND IF THERE ARE ANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FOR THE FUTURE; AND WE WANT TO DO THAT QUICK, WE CAN’T WAIT FOR MANY MONTHS UNTIL THE COURT CASE HAS BEEN FINISHED TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNT," HE SAID.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON CHINA’S PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF ADVISERS FROM HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH CHINA SEEKING ADVICE INFORMALLY FROM PEOPLE IN HONG KONG; I WOULD LIKE THAT TO BE AS WIDE A BASIS AS POSSIBLE FROM A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AREAS."
"THAT IS ADVISE. THE RUNNING OF HONG KONG IS A MATTER FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND ONLY FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THERE SHOULD BE NO QUESTION, THERE MUST BE NO QUESTION OF ADVISERS BECOMING ANOTHER CENTRE OF AUTHORITY IN HONG KONG AND I’VE BEEN PLEASED TO SEE IN THE PAST THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID PRECISELY THAT," HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE CONFIDENTIALITY RULE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID: "I WOULD EXPECT EVERY MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO STICK TO THEIR OATH AND IT IS AN OATH THAT THEY WILL NOT REVEAL WHAT GOES ON IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE GOVERNOR.”
"AND IN MY EXPERIENCE EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS HAVE BEEN VERY CAREFUL TO ABIDE BY THAT OATH AND I WOULD EXPECT THEM TO GO ON DOING SO," HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT HIS VISIT TO "CAGE PEOPLE" APARTMENTS IN WAN CHAI, SIR DAVID SAID: "1 WANTED TO GO AND SEE FOR MYSELF WHAT THE PRESENT SITUATION WAS IN SOME OF THOSE APARTMENTS AND WHAT WAS BEING DONE FOR THE FUTURE.”
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE ENORMOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN NEW STYLE BED-SPACE APARTMENTS RUN BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS COMPARED WITH THOSE IN PRIVATE APARTMENTS.
/"THERE IS
2
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
"THERE IS A NEED FOR THESE SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR SINGLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORK IN THE AREA AND WANT SOME SORT OF CHEAP BED-SPACE APARTMENTS. SO THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TRYING TO LOOK FOR WAYS FOR PROVIDING FOR THAT SORT OF NEED," SIR DAVID SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS OF BRINGING IN MORE REGULATIONS FOR EXISTING BED-SPACE APARTMENTS, PARTICULARLY FIRE REGULATIONS AND SO ON," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
GOVERNOR TOURS WAN CHAI
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED WAN CHAI TO LOOK AT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL WONG, AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, THE GOVERNOR FIRST TOURED WAN CHAI ROAD TEMPORARY MARKET UNDER THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT THE WET GOODS HAWKERS THERE WERE USED TO TRADE ALONG WAN CHAI ROAD AND CAUSED ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. THEY WERE MOVED TO THE TEMPORARY MARKET IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
"I AM GLAD THAT IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO RESITE THE STALL HOLDERS ALTOGETHER IN SUCH A BRIGHT AND CLEAN NEW MARKET," SIR DAVID SAID.
STR DAVID THEN VISITED A PRIVATELY-OWNED HOSTEL FOR "CAGED MEN" IN WAN CHAI ROAD, AND THE TUNG WAH SINGLETON HOSTEL IN LOCKHART ROAD.
THE NEW TUNG WAH HOSTEL, OPENED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE SET UP UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS OF LODGERS STAYING IN SUB-STANDARD BEDSPACE APARTMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT TWO MORE SIMILAR HOSTELS, FUNDED BY DONATIONS FROM THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITIES FUND AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WOULD BE SET UP IN FUTURE IN YAU MA TEI AND KWUN TONG.
"THESE HOSTELS ARE A DEMONSTRATION OF OUR COMMUNITY’S CARING FOR THOSE LESS PRIVILEGED THAN OURSELVES," HE SAID.
ON HIS TOUR, SIR DAVID WAS ALSO BRIEFED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR GREENERY PROJECTS ALONG LOCKHART ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD. MORE THAN 500 TREES HAD BEEN PLANTED IN VARIOUS STREETS IN THE DISTRICT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
/FROM THE .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
3 -
FROM THE 46TH FLOOR OF CENTRAL PLAZA IN HARBOUR ROAD SIR DAVID TOOK A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE DISTRICT.
"I AM TOLD THAT ONCE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR, THIS 78-STOREY BUILDING WILL BE THE TALLEST IN ASIA AND THE FOURTH HIGHEST IN THE WORLD. THIS WILL ADD ANOTHER SPECIAL FEATURE TO OUR ALREADY IMPRESSIVE SKYLINE,” SIR DAVID SAID.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, SIR DAVID ATTENDED A TEA RECEPTION WHERE HE MET MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL DIGNITARIES.
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BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER 1991 RELEASED *****
BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR WAS IN GENERAL SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
LOOKING AHEAD, MANUFACTURERS GENERALLY EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO BE LESS FAVOURABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, AS THERE ARE USUALLY LESS NEW ORDERS AFTER THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR DELIVERIES.
ABOUT 1,000 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND TRADES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY.
THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS THEY FACED.
INDUSTRIES WHICH EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER INCLUDED THE WEARING APPAREL, THE PRINTING, AND THE WATCHES AND CLOCKS INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE TEXTILES, THE PLASTICS AND THE FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO INDUSTRIES.
AS FOR INDUSTRIES OTHER THAN THOSE MENTIONED ABOVE, BUSINESS REMAINED SIMILAR IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
AS REGARDS THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, FIRMS IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO BE LESS FAVOURABLE COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
HOWEVER, FIRMS IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY EXPECT A MILD IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS.
/IN THE ........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, FIRMS EXPERIENCED ONLY A STABLE BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER.
THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THEIR EARLIER EXPECTATION FOR BETTER BUSINESS IN THE QUARTER.
LOOKING AHEAD, THEY EXPECT THIS SITUATION TO CONTINUE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, PENDING COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION WORK RELATING TO THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
FIRMS IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR GENERALLY EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
REGARDING THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, RESTAURANTS AND FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES EXPECT A FURTHER MILD IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS.
HOTELS, HOWEVER, EXPECT BUSINESS TO BE LESS FAVOURABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WHICH IS AN OFF-PEAK SEASON FOR TOURISM.
IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, THE FIRMS SURVEYED GENERALLY EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
REGARDING THE PROSPECTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, FIRMS IN THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES ANTICIPATE A CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT.
THE BANKS EXPECT BUSINESS TO REMAIN SIMILAR IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, WHILE FIRMS IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO BE LESS FAVOURABLE.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991, FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEMS OF PRICE COMPETITION, INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS/CONTRACTS AND HIGH WAGE RATES.
THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
DURING THE PAST FEW QUARTERS, PRICE COMPETITION 'HAD EMERGED AS THE MOST WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM IN THE SECTOR.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, PRICE COMPETITION, HIGH WAGE RATES, SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR AND INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS/CONTRACTS WERE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
THE PROBLEM OF HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER, WHICH HAD BEEN RATHER SERIOUS IN EARLIER QUARTERS, SHOWED SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT RECENTLY.
IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR, MANY HOTELS CONSIDERED PRICE COMPETITION AND HIGH STAFF COSTS AS THE TWO MOST DOMINANT BUSINESS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991.
/IN ADDITION .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
5
IN ADDITION TO THESE PROBLEMS, RESTAURANTS ALSO FACED INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS.
FOR FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, HIGH RENTALS AND EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS WERE ALSO QUOTED AS MAJOR PROBLEMS.
ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
FIRMS IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
MOREOVER, SOME BANKS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE SQUEEZED BY THE RELATIVELY TIGHT CREDIT SITUATION OVER THE PAST TWO QUARTERS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PROBLEM OF HIGH STAFF TURNOVER ENCOUNTERED BY THE BANKS HAD IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY IN THE PAST TWO QUARTERS.
ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG FROM A SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE.
IN THE SURVEY, PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND THE LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD "IMPROVED", "REMAINED THE SAME" OR "DETERIORATED" IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO "IMPROVE", "REMAIN THE SAME" OR "DETERIORATE" IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
THE OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WERE THEN ANALYSED AND THE SUMMARY FINDINGS PUBLISHED IN THE "REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, FOURTH QUARTER 1991".
MOREOVER, THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINS A SECTION ON THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS, AND A BREAKDOWN OF THE VIEWS OF FIRMS BY EMPLOYMENT SIZE GROUP.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT, IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CAUTION AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST AND PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
/MEMBERS OF .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
6
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PURCHASE COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $8.00 PER COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3250.
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CO-OPERATION IN TRANSPORT SURVEY CALLED FOR
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FROM MONDAY (FEBRUARY 17) TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON TRAVEL PATTERNS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY AS A DATABASE FOR FUTURE TRANSPORT PLANS.
THE SURVEY, WHICH IS CONDUCTED ONCE EVERY TEN YEARS, WILL LAST ABOUT TWO-AND-A-HALF MONTHS UNTIL EASTER.
FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE USED FOR RE-CALIBRATING THE DATABASE AND TRANSPORT MODELS FOR THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PROGRAMME AND POLICY PLANS FOR THE TERRITORY UP TO 2011.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT ABOUT 30,000 RANDOMLY SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE INTERVIEWED ON THE DAILY TRANSPORT TRIPS MADE BY EACH MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLDS, INCLUDING THE USE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TRANSPORT MODES, THE PURPOSE AND DESTINATION OF THE TRIPS AND THE SETTING OUT AND ARRIVAL TIME OF THEIR JOURNEYS.
"IT WILL ALSO BE USEFUL TO OBTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO PARKING OR ANY PART OF THEIR JOURNEYS WHICH INVOLVES' WALKING," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
"ALL DATA COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL ONLY BE USED FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PURPOSE," HE STRESSED.
THE SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE SURVEYORS CARRYING OFFICIAL IDENTITY CARDS VISIT THEM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ONLY WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE HOUSEHOLDS SELECTED COULD THIS IMPORTANT TRANSPORT DATA UPDATING EXERCISE BE SUCCESSFULLY DONE.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
7
NEW YEAR PROGRAMMES FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS *****
A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES SPECIALLY FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 16) TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
jt
THE FIRST EVENT, "PAINT AND PLAY" FEATURING A DRAWING COMPETITION AND ASSORTED TELEMATCH GAMES, WILL BE HELD AT 9 AM IN CAINE ROAD GARDEN AT THE JUNCTION OF CAINE ROAD AND SEYMOUR ROAD. IT IS OPEN TO CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 15.
FOLLOWING THIS WILL BE A "SAI YING PUN LUNAR NEW YEAR CARNIVAL" AT THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK IN EASTERN STREET, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE A LION DANCE, A VARIETY SHOW, CHINESE ARTS AND CRAFTS DISPLAYS AND VARIOUS GAME STALLS. ADMISSION IS FREE.
MEANWHILE, LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN A WALKATHON IN VICTORIA PEAK.
PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO SET OFF AT 9.15 AM FROM THE CHIU SHEUNG SCHOOL IN POK FU LAM ROAD, VIA HATTON ROAD AND FINISH AT THE HIGH WEST PICNIC AREA. THE WHOLE TRIP WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO HOURS.
THOSE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN THE WALK MAY CALL TEL. 852 3484 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 12.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 13.2.92 +610
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -610
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 110.9 *+0.1* 13.2.92
/HCNG KONG .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1992
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.68 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.59 5.36
1 MONTH 3.72 PCT
3 MONTHS 3.77 PCT
6 MONTHS 3.91 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.41 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,090 MN
CLOSED 13 FEBRUARY 1992 --------------------------------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S NEW TITLE ANNOUNCED ........................................ 1
FS DISMISSES BUDGET SPECULATION ....................................... 1
HK’S EXTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE IN DECEMBER AND WHOLE YEAR OF 1991 .... 2
PRELIMINARY FIGURES OF PROPERTY REVIEW 1992 RELEASED .................. 8
FESTIVAL TO FOSTER HONG KONG-CANADA TIES .............................. 15
JANUARY AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED ................................... 16
FIVE LAND LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION .................................... 19
NEW PUMPING STATION FOR TRANSFERRING CHINA WATER ...................... 20
TWO INSHORE WORKS TO START IN NEW TERRITORIES ......................... 20
ROADWORKS PROPOSED TO IMPROVE WONG TAI SIN TRAFFIC .................... 21
TENDERS FOR INDOOR GAMES HALL AND RURAL CENTRE ........................ 22
TENDERS INVITED FOR BUS LANE WORKS .................................... 23
OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID .......................•„..... 23
TWO DRIVING TEST CENTRES CLOSED ....................................... 24
EXHIBITION ON LOCAL LAW AND LEGAL SYSTEM .............................. 24
WAN CHAI ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL.......................................... 25
EFFORTS ON WORK SAFETY STEPPED UP ..................................... 26
FUN FAIR FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS ....................................... 26
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 27
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
GOVERNOR’S NEW TITLE ANNOUNCED *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR’S NEW TITLE IS TO BE LORD WILSON OF TILLYORN.
THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT WILL APPEAR IN THE LONDON GAZETTE:
"THE QUEEN HAS BEEN PLEASED BY LETTERS PATENT UNDER THE GREAT SEAL OF THE REALM DATED THE 14TH FEBRUARY 1992 TO CONFER THE DIGNITY OF A BARONY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR LIFE UPON SIR DAVID CLIVE WILSON, G.C.M.G., BY THE NAME, STYLE AND TITLE OF BARON WILSON OF TILLYORN, OF FINZEAN IN THE DISTRICT OF KINCARDINE AND DEESIDE AND OF FANLING IN HONG KONG.”
THE GOVERNOR WILL USE HIS NEW TITLE FROM TODAY.
IN CHOOSING THE NEW TITLE, THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO REFLECT HIS LINKS WITH BOTH SCOTLAND AND HONG KONG.
TILLYORN IS THE NAME OF LORD AND LADY WILSON’S FAMILY HOME IN ABERDEENSHIRE.
FINZEAN IS THE NAME OF THE VALLEY WHERE THE HOUSE IS - IN AN AREA WITH WHICH LORD WILSON HAS A FAMILY ASSOCIATION DATING FROM THE' EARLY 18TH CENTURY.
FANLING WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE FANLING LODGE HAS BEEN THE COUNTRY HOME OF SEVERAL GOVERNORS AND IT REPRESENTS ONE OF THE MANY PLACES IN HONG KONG TO WHICH THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY HAVE BECOME VERY ATTACHED.
- - 0 - -
FS DISMISSES BUDGET SPECULATION *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (FRIDAY) REFUTED SUGGESTIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN * FLYING TRIAL BALLOONS ABOUT REVENUE PROPOSALS IN THE BUDGET.
"WE DO NOT COMMENT ON SPECULATIVE REPORTS ABOUT BUDGET PROPOSALS, BUT I WISH TO STRESS THAT NEITHER MYSELF NOR MY COLLEAGUES HAVE DISCLOSED TO ANYBODY DETAILS OF REVENUE PROPOSALS.
"ANY' REPORTS ON REVENUE PROPOSALS WHICH MAY APPEAR BEFORE MY PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 4 ARE MERE SPECULATION AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH," HE SAID.
ON RECENT MEDIA REPORTS OF PLANS TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW TAXATION, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT MADE A DECISION ON THE MATTER.
"THERE IS NO TRUTH IN REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE'S EXISTENCE OR THAT IT IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING SET UP," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14? 1992
2
HE’S EXTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE IN DECEMBER AND WHOLE YEAR OF 19&1
******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, AT $151,760 MILLION, GREW BY 30% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AMONG THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRADE, RE-EXPORTS SHOWED THE STRONGEST GROWTH, BY 43% OVER DECEMBER 1990, TO $52,487 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1991.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10% TO $22,299 MILLION, BRINGING THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO $74,78.6 MILLION IN DECEMBER 1991, 31% ABOVE THAT IN DECEMBER 1990.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 30% TO $76,974 MILLION.
FOR THE YEAR 1991 AS A WHOLE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, AT $1,544,868 MILLION, INCREASED BY 20% AS COMPARED WITH THE YEAR 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 2% TO $231,045 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 29% TO $534,841 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20% TO $765,886 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 21% TO $778,982 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1991 WITH DECEMBER 1990, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA AND TAIWAN, BY 35% AND 28% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO THE USA, SINGAPORE, CANADA AND JAPAN INCREASED BY 15%, 12%, 2% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE NETHERLANDS DECREASED BY 12%, 10%, 9% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY. ' x
COMPARING THE YEAR 1991 WITH THE YEAR 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, SINGAPORE, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, TAIWAN, THE NETHERLANDS, FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY 15%, 13%, 7%, 6%, 6%, 2% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA, THE USA AND JAPAN DECREASED BY 7%, 5% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
/COMPARING THE .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 3 -
COMPARING THE YEAR 1991 WITH THE YEAR 1990, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $3,669 MILLION OR 5%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,087 MILLION OR 12%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $2,042 MILLION OR 13%); AND TEXTILES (BY $724 MILLION OR 4%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $2,420 MILLION OR 11%), AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1,696 MILLION OR 7%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1991 WITH DECEMBER 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE USA, TAIWAN, ITALY, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA, JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 43%, 38%, 34%, 33%, 31%, 29% AND 23% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, SINGAPORE AND SWITZERLAND ALSO INCREASED BY 11%, 6% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1991 WITH THE YEAR 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM TAIWAN, CHINA, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, JAPAN AND SINGAPORE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 28%, 24%, 24%, 23% AND 21% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE USA, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND ITALY INCREASED BY 17%, 14%, 12% AND 8% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND DECREASED BY 6%.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1991 WITH THE YEAR 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED' IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $15,973 MILLION OR 25%); TEXTILES (BY $14,676 MILLION OR 18%); CLOTHING (BY $12,978 MILLION OR 24%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $10,688 MILLION OR 22%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CORK AND WOOD MANUFACTURES (BY $164 MILLION OR 4%), AND ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS AND FATS, PROCESSED, AND WAXES OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE ORIGIN (BY $63 MILLION OR 51%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1991 WITH DECEMBER 1990, THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED.
/SIGNIFICANT INCREASES .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
4
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, THE USA, CANADA, FRANCE, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND TAIWAN, BY 59%, 50%, 48%, 40%, 39%, 37% AND 34% RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND SINGAPORE ALSO GREW, BY 20% AND 19% RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THAT TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY RECORDED A SLIGHT GROWTH OF 2%.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1991 WITH THE YEAR 1990, THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO FRANCE, CHINA, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CANADA, THE USA, JAPAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY 41%, 38%, 37%, 30%, 26%, 21% AND 21% RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED BY 17% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS TO SINGAPORE DECREASED BY 4%.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE YEAR 1991 WITH THE YEAR 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $15,879 MILLION OR 33%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $14,943 MILLION OR 27%); TEXTILES (BY $11,390 MILLION OR 24%); AND FOOTWEAR (BY $9,727 MILLION OR 71%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $477 MILLION OR 12%), AND RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $65 MILLION OR 9%) .
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 DECEMBER 1991 WILL BE RELEASED EARLY NEXT MONTH.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE DECEMBER 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE” WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN DECEMBER 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND FEBRUARY 21, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST .OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $33.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 582 4915).
/TABLE 1: .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
*- 5 -
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET DEC 1991 (HKD MN.) DEC 91 OVER DEC 90 ( % ) JAN-DEC 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 91 OVER
JAN-DEC ( % 90 ■ )
USA 6,338 + 15 62,870 - 5
CHINA 5,428 + 35 54,404 + 15
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,916 - 12 19,318 + 7
UK 1,322 - 9 13,706 + 2
JAPAN 949 + 2 11,666 - 3
SINGAPORE 772 + 12 8,794 + 13
TAIWAN 580 + 28 6,066 + 6
NETHERLANDS 507 - 4 5,238 + 6
CANADA 520 + 2 5,014 - 7
FRANCE 365 - 10 3,710 + 2
MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE
DEC DEC 91 JAN-DEC JAN-DEC 91
COMMODITY 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
DIVISION DEC 90 JAN-DEC 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 8,271 + 11 75,834 + 5
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS' WARES) 2,122 + 9 24,318 7
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,775 + 22 19,380 + 12
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,808 12 19,077 11
/OFFICE MACHINES .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 6 -
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 1,609 + 21 18,292 + 13
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,603 + 17 17,630 + 4
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER DEC 1991 (HKD MN.) DEC 91 OVER DEC 90 ( % ) JAN-DEC 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC OVER JAN-DEC ( * 91 90 > )
CHINA 29,242 + 31 293,356 + 24
JAPAN 12,731 + 29 127,402 + 23
TAIWAN 7,467 ■ + 38 74,591 + 28
USA 5,943 + 43 - 58,837 + 14
REP OF KOREA 3,284 + 23 34,944 + 24
SINGAPORE 2,886 + 6 31,525 + 21
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,674 + 33 16,641 + 12
UK 1,505 + 11 16,545 + 17
ITALY 1,165 + 34 11,729 + 8
SWITZERLAND 1 , 120 + 6 10,781 - 6
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION DEC 1991 (HKD MN.) • DEC 91 OVER DEC 90 ( % ) JAN-DEC 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC OVER JAN-DEC ( * 91 90 i )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 9,196 + 22 94,258 + 18
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 7,621 + 42 79,768 + 25
/ARTICLES OF........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
7
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 7,342 + 49 66,823 + 24
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS
AND EQUIPMENT 5,639 MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED + 25 60,094 + 22
ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES
AND SPORTING GOODS) 4,987 + 18 55,198 + 19
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS,
WATCHES AND CLOCKS TABLE 5: RE- 4,113 -EXPORTS TO + 21 THE 10 MAJOR 38,501 MARKETS + 11
DEC DEC 91 JAN-DEC JAN-DEC 91
MAJOR MARKET 1991 OVER DEC 90 1991 OVER JAN-DEC 90
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
CHINA 16,080 + 59 153,318 + 38
USA 10,528 + 50 110,802 + 26
F.R. OF GERMANY 3,015 + 2 32,073 + 37
JAPAN 2,960 + 39 29,574 + 21
TAIWAN 2,353 + 34 24,765 + 17
UK • 1,418 + 37 14,663 + 21
REP OF KOREA 1 , 168 + 20 14,631 + 12
SINGAPORE 1 , 130 + 19 12,094 - 4
FRANCE 844 + 40 9,038 + 41
CANADA 785 + 48 8,498 + 30
/TABLE 6: .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
8
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION DEC 1991 (HKD MN.) DEC 91 OVER DEC 90 ( % ) JAN-DEC 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 91 OVER JAN-DEC 90
( ! * )
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 6,028 + 23 71,128 27
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,904 + 58 63,700 + 33
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5,670 + 32 58,533 + 24
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,222 + 30 45,079 + 24
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF i 4,104 + 39 43,469 17
FOOTWEAR 2,298 + 58 23,502 + 71
0 -
PRELIMINARY FIGURES OF PROPERTY REVIEW 1992 RELEASED
******
THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF THE PROPERTY REVIEW 1992, WHICH COVERS THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1991, SHOW THAT SUPPLY LAST YEAR IN THE DOMESTIC AND OFFICE SECTORS WAS UP ON 1990 LEVELS, SIGNIFICANTLY SO IN THE OFFICE SECTOR, BUT WAS DOWN IN THE COMMERCIAL AND FLATTED FACTORY SECTORS.
TAKE-UP IN 1991 OF OFFICE SPACE WAS HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1990, WHILE THE REVERSE WAS TRUE FOR DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL AND FLATTED FACTORY PREMISES.
VACANCY AT THE END OF 1991 WAS GENERALLY UP OVERALL COMPARED WITH 1990, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LARGE DOMESTIC UNITS AND THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR WHERE VACANCY DROPPED MARGINALLY.
/BBIYATE.PCKESTJIC . .
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 9
PRIVATE DOMESTIC - SMALL UNITS (LESS THAN 100 SQUARE METRES)
AROUND 31,650 FLATS WERE COMPLETED IN 1991, SOME 4,250 MORE THAN IN 1990, AND, AS EXPECTED, 55 PER CENT OF THESE WERE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PREDOMINANTLY IN TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN.
TAKE-UP, AT 21,900, WAS DOWN BY 26 PER CENT, RESULTING IN VACANCY AT THE YEAR END RISING TO ABOUT 29,450, OR 4.1 PER CENT OF STOCK.
SUPPLY IN 1992 IS FORECAST TO REMAIN AT MUCH THE SAME LEVEL AS IN 1991, WITH THE AMOUNT COMPLETED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EXPECTED TO RISE TO 60 PER CENT, BUT IN 1993, IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 36,200 FLATS, ONE THIRD OF WHICH WILL BE IN TUEN MUN AND SHA TIN.
PRIVATE DOMESTIC - LARGE UNITS (100 SQUARE METRES AND OVER)
SUPPLY OF LARGE DOMESTIC UNITS IN 1991, AT 1,750, DROPPED BY ABOUT 13 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1990.
MID-LEVELS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ACCOUNTED FOR MORE THAN 700 OF THESE. TAKE-UP, HOWEVER, WAS UP ON THE PRECEDING YEAR, BY AROUND 400, RESULTING*IN A MARGINAL DROP IN VACANCY TO 3,550, OR 5.9 PER CENT OF STOCK.
FORECASTS FOR 1992 AND 1993 STAND AT RELATIVELY LOW LEVELS, 1,650 AND 1,900 UNITS RESPECTIVELY.
OFFICES
' IN 1991, OVERALL SUPPLY OF OFFICE SPACE, AT 459,000 SQUARE METRES WAS LESS THAN FORECAST, BUT WAS NEVERTHELESS 130 PER CENT UP ON 1990 LEVELS.
TAKE-UP AT 239,000 SQUARE METRES WAS ALSO WELL UP COMPARED TO 1990, BUT STILL FELL SHORT OF SUPPLY, RESULTING IN VACANCY RISING AT THE YEAR END TO 505,000 SQUARE METRES, OR 9.1 PER CENT OF STOCK.
VACANCY AS A PERCENTAGE OF STOCK IS THE HIGHEST SINCE 1985. HOWEVER, THIS IS WELL BELOW THE 21 PER CENT IN 1983.
FORECASTS INDICATE A MASSIVE SUPPLY OF 747i000 SQUARE METRES AND 519,000 SQUARE METRES IN 1992 AND 1993 RESPECTIVELY.
EARLY ESTIMATES ARE THAT A SUBSTANTIAL, ALTHOUGH REDUCED, SUPPLY IS EXPECTED FOR 1994 (APPROXIMATELY 350,000 SQUARE METRES).
THE 1992 TO 1994 SUPPLY IS EXPECTED TO AMOUNT TO ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL STOCK OF OFFICE SPACE AT THE END OF 1991.
GRADE A:
SUPPLY OF GRADE A SPACE IN 1991 WAS 281,000 SQUARE METRES, REPRESENTING ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF TOTAL OFFICE SUPPLY.
/THE BULK .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
10 -
THE BULK WAS LOCATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, INCLUDING 47,000 SQUARE METRES IN CENTRAL, 118,000 SQUARE METRES IN WAN CHAI/CAUSEWAY BAY AND 38,000 SQUARE METRES IN NORTH POINT.
TAKE-UP OF GRADE A SPACE IN THE YEAR WAS 151,000 SQUARE METRES, AND VACANCY STOOD AT 280,000 SQUARE METRES, OR 9.2 PER CENT OF STOCK.
IN 1992, SUPPLY OF GRADE A SPACE IS FORECAST TO RISE TO 440,000 SQUARE METRES, WITH AROUND 109,000 SQUARE METRES EXPECTED IN CENTRAL, 124,000 SQUARE METRES IN WAN CHAI/CAUSEWAY BAY AND 89,000 SQUARE METRES IN NORTH POINT.
IN 1993, SUPPLY IS EXPECTED TO FALL BACK TO 115,000 SQUARE METRES ONLY 8,000 SQUARE METRES OF WHICH WILL BE IN CENTRAL.
THE BULK, AROUND 86,000 SQUARE METRES IS EXPECTED IN WAN CHAI/ CAUSEWAY BAY.
GRADE B:
SUPPLY OF GRADE B SPACE IN 1991 WAS 131,000 SQUARE METRES, REPRESENTING ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF TOTAL OFFICE SUPPLY IN THE YEAR.
HONG KONG ISLAND AGAIN ACCOUNTED FOR THE MAJORITY OF*THE SPACE, WITH AROUND 35,000 SQUARE METRES AND 34,000 SQUARE METRES IN WAN CHAI/ CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT RESPECTIVELY.
TAKE-UP WAS 49,000 SQUARE METRES AND VACANCY AMOUNTED TO 151,000 SQUARE METRES, OR 11.2 PER CENT OF STOCK.
LOOKING AHEAD, SUPPLY LEVELS LOOK SET TO RISE IN 1992 AND 1993, TO 163,000 SQUARE METRES AND 253,000 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY. NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE 2 YEARS’ OUTPUT IS EXPECTED TO BE IN KOWLOON BAY.
GRADE C:
THE REMAINING 10 PER CENT OF TOTAL OFFICE SUPPLY IN 1991 WAS GRADE C SPACE, AMOUNTING TO 47,000 SQUARE METRES.
TAKE-UP OF GRADE C ACCOMMODATION WAS AROUND, 39,000 SQUARE METRES AND VACANCY STOOD AT 74,000 SQUARE METRES, OR 6.6 PER CENT OF STOCK.
FORECASTS FOR 1992 AND 1993 INDICATE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE ON 1991 LEVELS, TO 144,000 SQUARE METRES IN 1992 AND 151,000 SQUARE METRES IN 1993. THIS WILL BE PREDOMINANTLY ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
COMMERCIAL PREMISES
SUPPLY OF COMMERCIAL SPACE INi 1991 WAS AROUND 205,000 SQUARE METRES, ABOUT 14 PER CENT LESS THAN SUPPLY IN 1990.
I
JUST OVER 50 PER CENT OF THIS! WAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PREDOMINANTLY IN TSUEN WAN.
/TAKE-UP WAS .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
11
TAKE-UP WAS ALSO DOWN ON 1990 LEVELS, AND AT 177,000 SQUARE METRES FELL SHORT OF SUPPLY FOR THE YEAR. NEVERTHELESS, VACANCY DROPPED MARGINALLY TO 351,000 SQUARE METRES, OR 4.7 PER CENT OF STOCK.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 1992 AND 1993, SUPPLY IS FORECAST TO RISE SUBSTANTIALLY, TO 363,000 SQUARE METRES IN 1992, OF WHICH 161,000 SQUARE METRES IS EXPECTED IN KWUN TONG, AND TO 378,000 SQUARE METRES IN 1993, WHEN WAN CHAI, WITH 57,000 SQUARE METRES, WILL PREDOMINATE.
FLATTED FACTORIES
FLATTED FACTORY SPACE COMPLETED IN 1991 AMOUNTED TO 521,000 SQUARE METRES, 11 PER CENT LESS THAN THAT COMPLETED IN 1990. AROUND 54 PER CENT WAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, SOME 150,000 SQUARE METRES BEING IN TSUEN WAN AND TUEN MUN. ELSEWHERE, 60,000 SQUARE METRES WAS IN SHAU KEI WAN. TAKE-UP WAS DOWN BY AROUND 31 PER CENT, AND AS A RESULT, VACANCY ROSE TO 1,054,000 SQUARE METRES, OR 6.2 PER CENT OF STOCK.
FORECASTS INDICATE THAT SUPPLY WILL CONTINUE TO FALL IN 1992 AND 1993, TO 499,000 SQUARE METRES AND 452,000 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY. OF THE TWO YEARS’ SUPPLY, TSUEN WAN IS EXPECTED TO ACCOUNT FOR ALMOST 38 PER CENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE FIGURES QUOTED ONLY. FULL AND FINAL FIGURES WILL BE SHOWN IN THE 1992 WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH.
ARE PRELIMINARY PROPERTY REVIEW
/12 ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
12
Private Domestic
Supply No. of units %* *
Take-up Vacancy
All Units
1989 . 36 500 23 750 30 300 4.2
1990 29 400 i 30 700 26 150 3.5
1991 33 400 23 350 33 000 4.2
1992 [33 500]
1993 [38 100] • •
Small Units (less than 100ml)
1^89 33 800 21 050 27 200 4.1
1990 27 400 29 650 22 550 3.2
1991 31 650 21 900 29 450 4.1
1992 [31 850]
1993 [36 200]
Large Units (100m1 and over) • • •
1989 2 700 2 700 3 100 5.4
1990 2 000 1 050 3 600 6,2
1991 1 750 1 450 3 550 5.9
1992 [1 650]
199 3 [1 900] • ♦
'Private domestic' excludes flats built under the Home Ownership Scheme and the Private Sector Participation Scheme.
* Vacancy at the end of the year as a percentage of stock.
[ forecast figures ]
/13........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
■ - 13 -
Offices
..... . Supply (.'000 ml) Take-up Vacancy %*
All Grades
1989 269 102 261 5.3
1990 200 r '135 308 6.1
1991 459 239 505 9.1
1992 [747 ]
1993 [519] •
Grade A
• *
1991 281 151 280 9.2
1992 [ 440 ]
1993 . [115] •
Grade B •' ■ * ...
1991 131 49 151 11.2
1992 [163]
1993 [253] •
Grade C •
1991 47 39 74 6.6
1992 [144]
1993 [151]
* Vacancy at the end of the year as a percentage of stock.
[ forecast figures ] •
N.B. a review of office grades was carried out in 1991, the principal change being the removal of the location factor. The figures for Grade A, B and C abovp have been compiled in accordance with revised criteria which principally reflect quality of construction, finishes, facilities and management.
/14 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 14 -
Commercial
• Supply ,( ' 000 m2) %*
Take-up Vacancy
19 6 9 197 126 395 5.6
1990 239 194 382 . .5.2
1991 205 177 351 4.7
1992 • [363]
1993 [ 378]
Flatted Factories
Supply ( '000 m2)
Take-up Vacancy %*
1989 864 672 833 5.1
1990 586 385 886 5.3
.19 91 521 265 1054 6.2
1992 [499 ]
1993 [ 452 ]
* Vacancy at the end of the year as a percentage
of
stock.
[ forecast figures ]
- 0 - -
/15
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 15 -
FESTIVAL TO FOSTER HONG KONG-CANADA TIES ♦ * * * * * *
HONG KONG AND CANADA, WITH STRONG LASTING TIES IN PLACE, WILL BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A PROSPEROUS AND BRIGHT FUTURE NOT JUST FOR THE TWO COMMUNITIES, BUT FOR THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE.
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID THIS WHEN ADDRESSING THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AT A LUNCHEON MEETING IN OTTAWA YESTERDAY (THURSDAY).
MR SO, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF A STEERING GROUP ON A FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN FIVE CANADIAN CITIES IN SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER THIS YEAR, IS CURRENTLY ON A TWO-WEEK VISIT IN CANADA TO LAY THE GROUND WORKS FOR THE FESTIVAL.
’’HONG KONG FESTIVAL '92 AIMS TO FOSTER A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND MORE LASTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PEOPLES OF HONG KONG AND CANADA,” HE SAID.
"IT IS OUR INTENTION TO BUILD A SOLID AND STURDY FOUNDATION FOR A BRIDGE THAT LINKS OUR TWO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE PACIFIC," HE ADDED.
IN HIS SPEECH TITLED "HONG KONG-CANADA, BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC”, MR SO SAID CANADIANS HAD FULLY REALISED THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG IN THE REGION TO BUILD UP A STRONG TRADING PARTNERSHIP.
HE STRESSED THAT THE LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA HAD GONE WELL BEYOND TRADE AND COMMERCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CANADA WAS PROBABLY THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER COUNTRY FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS SEEKING EDUCATION ABROAD AND BEING ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS FOR HONG KONG EMIGRANTS.
AT THE SAME TIME, HONG KONG WAS HOME TO AN ESTIMATED 35,000 CANADIANS, THE BIGGEST CANADIAN COMMUNITY IN ASIA, HE ADDED.
"HONG KONG IS NOW RECEIVING MORE VISITS BY CANADIAN CULTURAL PERFORMING GROUPS THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN ASIA.
”WE ARE ALSO AMONG THE FIRST TO ENTER A JOINT CO-OPERATION WITH CANADA ON FILM AND TELEVISION CO-PRODUCTION WHEN WE SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CANADA IN JUNE LAST YEAR," THE SECRETARY SAID.
ON THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY, MR SO SAID POST-1997 HONG KONG WOULD RETAIN ALL THE INGREDIENTS THAT HAD MADE IT THE DYNAMIC AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY OF TODAY.
MR SO WILL LEAVE CANADA TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR LONDON TO ATTEND TWO CONFERENCES ON TELEVISION AND SATELLITE BROADCASTING BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY 21.
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/16 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14,
1992
16
JANUARY AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR LAST MONTH AS OBTAINED ' AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS.
THIS IS THE SEVENTH MONTHLY ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT. SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGULARLY.
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2) AND NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2) WHICH ARE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY ROUND THE CLOCK, AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP) AND RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) WHICH ARE SAMPLED FOR 24 HOURS EVERY SIX DAYS.
THE GENERAL NITROGEN DIOXIDE LEVEL WITHIN LAST MONTH WAS HIGHER THAN DECEMBER LAST YEAR. ONE MEASUREMENT EXCEEDED THE DAILY AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE AT MONG KOK STATION ON JANUARY 25.
DUST MONITORING AT THE CENTRAL/WESTERN STATION WAS SUSPENDED LAST MONTH DUE TO CONSTRUCTION WORKS AT THE MONITORING STATION. DUST LEVELS (TSP AND RSP) IN AIR MEASURED AT THE OTHER TWO STATIONS WITHIN LAST MONTH WERE SIMILAR TO DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE GENERAL AIR QUALITY LEVELS TO WHICH THEY MIGHT BE EXPOSED, AND THE ATMOSPHERIC AND OTHER FACTORS THAT AFFECT AIR QUALITY.
THESE AIR POLLUTANTS MAINLY COME FROM COMBUSTION OF FUEL IN INDUSTRIAL PLANTS AND MOTOR VEHICLES ENGINES. TSP AND RSP ARE ALSO GENERATED BY CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND SOME MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
THE DAILY HONG KONG AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES OF SO2 AND NO2, TSP AND RSP ARE 350, 150, 260 AND 180 MICROGRAMS PER CUBIC METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THESE OBJECTIVES ARE COMPARABLE TO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AIR QUALITY STANDARDS RECOMMENDED FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HEALTH OF THE GENREAL PUBLIC.
HIGH LEVELS OF SO2 CAUSE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCE LUNG FUNCTION AND INCREASE MORTALITY RATE.
NO2 CAUSES RESPIRATORY IRRITATION, INCREASES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND IMPAIRS LUNG DEVELOPMENT.
TSP ACTS SYNERGISTICALLY WITH OTHER GASEOUS POLLUTANTS. RSP CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AND REDUCES LUNG FUNCTION. SOME FORMS OF RSP MAY CAUSE CANCER.
/THE MONG .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 17 -
THE MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG STATIONS BROADLY REPRESENT AIR QUALITY AT LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICT; COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; AND DISTRICT CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS RESPECTIVELY.
CURRENTLY THE EPD OPERATES A TOTAL OF 11 FIXED AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE.
THE OTHER EIGHT STATIONS ARE AT KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO, TSIM SHA TSUI, TSEUNG KWAN O, TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG SOUTH, TAI PO AND SHA TIN.
NOTE OF EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRY CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER MR W.S. TSUI ON TEL. 810 3049.
/18........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 18 -
Hong Kong Air Quality Report for January 1992
Mong Kok Bfcfa
Koy H Suupeodod PartfcUate
— NUogan Ob&te
50 H
Concentration * Concentration Concentration
Microgram per Cubic Meter Microgram per Cubic Meter Microgram per Cubic Meter
i4&3-
January 1992
- 0----------
/19 ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 19 -
FIVE LAND LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION * ♦ * * »
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER FIVE LAND LOTS FOR SALE IN THE LAST AUCTION OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR ON MARCH 13.
THE AUCTION, TO BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST LOT, A 5,320-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT MA TIN ROAD, YUEN LONG, IS DESIGNATED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,000 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE SECOND LOT, LOCATED IN AREA 14B, SHA TIN, MEASURES ABOUT 9,500 SQUARE METRES. IT IS FOR GODOWN (EXCLUDING THE STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS) AND PUBLIC LORRY PARK PURPOSES.
A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 28,500 SQUARE METRES MUST BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE THIRD LOT, A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SITE AT 30 SEVERN ROAD, THE PEAK, MEASURES ABOUT 2,239 SQUARE METRES.
UPON REDEVELOPMENT, THE DEVELOPER SHOULD COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 921 SQUARE METRES AT THE MAXIMUM WITHIN THREE YEARS OF DEMOLITION ON THE EXISTING STRUCTURES.
THE OTHER TWO LOTS, ALSO FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, ARE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
LOCATED IN AREA 15, SHUI WAI, TAI PO AND MA LING PATH, KAU TO, SHA TIN, AREA 46, THE LOTS MEASURE ABOUT 19,830 AND 7,700 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
THE DEVELOPER FOR THE LOT IN TAI PO IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 25,000 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
FOR THE SHA TIN LOT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 1,848 SQUARE METRES MUST BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
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/20........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
NEW PUMPING STATION FOR TRANSFERRING CHINA WATER
» * « * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS OF THE MUK WU ’C' PUMPING STATION IN TA KWU LING, A KEY INSTALLATION NEAR THE BORDER FOR RECEIVING AND DISTRIBUTING ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA.
WITH AN ULTIMATE INSTALLED PUMPING CAPACITY OF 2.3 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER DAY, THE PUMPING STATION, THE SECOND LARGEST YET FOR HONG KONG, IS PART OF A $2,092 MILLION PROJECT TO EXPAND THE FACILITIES FOR TRANSFERRING CHINA WATER.
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUMPING STATION/RECEPTION TANK COMPLEX, LARGE DIAMETER .INLET PIPELINES ACROSS THE SHENZHEN RIVER. AN ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION AND OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS. WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 30 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THESE WORKS FORM PART OF STAGE I IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME TO RECEIVE AND DISTRIBUTE WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA BEYOND 1994.
THIS CONTRACT IS THE THIRD OF A SERIES OF SUCH CONTRACTS.
ON COMPLETION OF THE STAGED EXPANSION, THE RECEPTION AND TRANSFER CAPACITY WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE EXISTING 620 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER YEAR TO 1,100 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER YEAR.
STAGE 1 OF THE PROJECT COVERS ALL THE MAJOR WORKS REQUIRED FOR COMMISSIONING BY JANUARY 1, 1995.
NOTICE OF TENDER WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM PHH/SWK WATER CONSULTANTS AT THIRD FLOOR, ASIAN HOUSE, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS NOON, MARCH 13.
- - 0 - -
TWO INSHORE WORKS TO START IN NEW TERRITORIES ******
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED SEPARATE NOTICES DESCRIBING THE EXTENT OF TWO FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED BY INSHORE WORKS.
IN SHAM TSENG, TSUEN WAN, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PERMIT A PRIVATE COMPANY TO CARRY OUT DREDGING WORKS WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,040 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED FOR THE LAYING OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE PIPEWORK IN MAY THIS YEAR.
/OFF THE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 21 -
OFF THE WEST COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND, PERMISSION HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR AN OIL COMPANY TO START DREDGING WORKS NEXT MONTH WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 3.52 HECTARES OF SEA-BED TO PROVIDE AN APPROACH CHANNEL TO A PIER.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH WORKS MAY SUBMIT EITHER A WRITTEN OBJECTION (FOR THE SHAM TSENG PROJECT) OR A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION (FOR THE TSING YI PROJECT) TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, THIS YEAR AND FEBRUARY 13, 1993 RESPECTIVELY.
THE NOTICES (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, ' GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER), AND AT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT' OFFICES.
--------0-----------
ROADWORKS PROPOSED TO IMPROVE WONG TAI SIN TRAFFIC
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A NEW ROAD CONNECTING SHUNG WAH STREET TO PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AS PART OF THE PHASE TWO REDEVELOPMENT OF TSZ LOK ESTATE IN WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON. •
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE ROADWORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECT INCLUDES TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO SHEUNG FUNG STREET, SHUNG WAH STREET AND WAN WAH STREET.
THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS IS SCHEDULED TO START IN DECEMBER NEXT YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 32 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, PART OF THE WORKS AREA WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC, BUT THROUGH VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC WILL BE’MAINTAINED ALONG SHEUNG FUNG STREET, SHUNG WAH STREET AND WAN WAH STREET.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
/* WONG TAI SIN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 22 -
♦ WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, TSZ WAN SHAN SUB-OFFICE, TSZ WAN SHAN SOUTH ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, SHUNG WAH STREET, FIRST FLOOR, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN APRIL 14, THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
-----0-----
TENDERS FOR INDOOR GAMES HALL AND RURAL CENTRE
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INDOOR GAMES HALL IN LAM TIN SOUTH, KOWLOON AND A RURAL CENTRE IN TA KWU LING, THE NEW TERRITORIES.
NOTICES OF THE TWO TENDERS WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT FOR THE INDOOR GAMES CENTRE WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF- A THREE-STOREY GAMES HALL AND THE ADJACENT EXTERNAL LANDSCAPE WORKS.
THE HALL WILL ACCOMMODATE SEVEN SQUASH COURTS, CHANGING ROOMS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, A GAMES ROOM AND A DANCE ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND THE MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA ON THE SECOND FLOOR.
WORKS FOR THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE RURAL CENTRE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE-STOREY GOVERNMENT BUILDING COMPRISING A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, A JUNIOR POLICE CALL ACTIVITIES CENTRE, A CLINIC, A POLICE REPORTING COUNTER, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SUB-OFFICE, A LIBRARY AND A SUB-OFFICE FOR THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE.
•WORKS FOR THIS PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ON THE TWO PROJECTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION FOR BOTH TENDERS IS NOON, MARCH 6.
------0------------
/23 .
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 23 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR BUS LANE WORKS
******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LINKING OF THE EXISTING BUS ONLY LANES AT HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE, SHA TIN.
THE WORKS MAINLY INCLUDE THE WIDENING OF A 300-METRE SECTION OF THE KOWLOON-BOUND LANE OF HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AT THE INTERCHANGE SO AS TO FURTHER SHORTEN THE BUS JOURNEY TIME.
CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO START IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE TENDER NOTICE IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/NEW TERRITORIES, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT ON 11TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOX ON 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1992.
--------------------0------- OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DECLARED INVALID ******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ALL OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO WOMEN BORN IN 1928 OR BEFORE WILL BECOME INVALID FROM FEBRUARY 24.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THIS IS THE 11TH BATCH OF OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO BE DECLARED INVALID.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID. ONCE AN OLD CARD WAS DECLARED INVALID, IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE. FOR EXAMPLE, WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD OR APPLYING FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT.
’’THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RENEWED THEIR OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS DUE TO ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR OTHER REASONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO A REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE (EXCEPT MA TAU WAI OFFICE) FOR RENEWAL,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THESE CASES .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
“THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR OWN MERITS," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0 - -
TWO DRIVING TEST CENTRES CLOSED *****
THE EASTERN HOSPITAL ROAD AND SO KUN PO DRIVING TEST CENTRES ADMINISTERED BY THE TRANSPORT DEAPRTMENT WILL BE CLOSED FROM APRIL 6 TO FACILITATE THE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG STADIUM.
DUE TO THE CLOSURE, APPLICATIONS FOR DRIVING TESTS WILL NOT BE SCHEDULED AT THESE CENTRES WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
DRIVING TEST CANDIDATES WHO HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO TAKE THEIR TESTS AT THESE TWO CENTRES BEYOND APRIL 6 WOULD BE NOTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY ON REVISED ARRANGEMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 801 5980 OR AT THE HONG KONG DRIVING TEST OFFICE AT GROUND FLOOR, 2 MURRAY ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
EXHIBITION ON LOCAL LAW AND LEGAL SYSTEM
******
AN EXHIBITION TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE LOCAL LAW AND LEGAL SYSTEM WILL BE OPENED AT THE QUEENSWAY EXHIBITION HALL, WAN CHAI, AT NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE TWO-DAY EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL ASSOCIATION AND THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE LAW’S FOUNDATION.
MORE THAN 150 STUDENTS FROM 16 SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAD, OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, HELPED PREPARE THE EXHIBITION MATERIALS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THE DEPARTMENT.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG; THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS; AND THE LAW’S FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN MR RAYMOND LAW KA-KUI; WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION.
/THE OPENING
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 25 -
THE OPENING HOURS WILL BE FROM NOON TO 4 PM TOMORROW AND FROM 10.30 AM TO 4 PM ON SUNDAY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ LAW EXHIBITION AT THE EXTRANCE HALL, SECOND FLOOR, QUEENSWAY EXHIBITION HALL, WAN CHAI STARTING AT 11 AM.
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WAN CHAI ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL *****
A WAN CHAI CARNIVAL TO SPREAD ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES WILL BE HELD IN SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD, DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WILL STAGE A MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCE TO BE FOLLOWED BY LION DANCES, SINGING AND TAEKWONDO DEMONSTRATION BY JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 GAME STALLS AND A ROAD SAFETY QUIZ TO ENHANCE PARTICIPANTS’ AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING ROAD RULES.
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN; WAN CHAI DB CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; THE DISTRICT’S POLICE COMMANDER, MR LAM KIN AND THE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, TRAFFIC (HONG KONG ISLAND), MR DANNY ROBINSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL OPENING CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND, WAN CHAI.
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/26 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14,
1992
EFFORTS ON WORK SAFETY STEPPED UP
******
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS MADE MORE THAN 17,800 VISITS TO FACTORIES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR TO PROMOTE FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFE USE OF CHEMICALS IN INDUSTRY.
CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR CHAN TAT-KING SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT DURING THE TWO-MONTH FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN, FACTORY INSPECTORS REMINDED EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS OF THEIR DUTIES UNDER THE SAFETY REGULATIONS AND ASSISTED THEM IN MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS.
IN ADDITION, MR CHAN SAID, 5,300 SPECIALLY-DESIGNED NOTICES ON THE SAFE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO FACTORY MANAGEMENTS FOR DISPLAY AT PROMINENT POSITIONS IN THE WORKPLACE.
HE SAID 400 SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED AGAINST OFFENDING EMPLOYERS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACES) AND (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS AND OTHER RELATED REGULATIONS.
HE CALLED ON FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS IN FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFE HANDLING OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS WHICH POSED HIGH FIRE AND EXPLOSION RISKS PARTICULARLY DURING THE DRY, WINTER SEASON.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON CHEMICAL .SAFETY AND FIRE PREVENTION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE AT HARBOUR BUILDING, 13TH FLOOR, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR FROM ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE.
- - 0 - -
FUN FAIR FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS * * * * * *
A LUNAR NEW YEAR FUN FAIR SPECIALLY FOR YUEN LONG RESIDENTS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 16) AFTERNOON AT THE LONG PING ESTATE HEXAGONAL SQUARE.
THE CARNIVAL, FEATURING SINGING PERFORMANCES, LION DANCES, MAGIC SHOWS AND GAME STALLS, WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI KUEN; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP, AND THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR PETER LIN, WILL OFFICIATE.
/THE FUNCTION
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1992
- 27 -
THE FUNCTION HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF LONG PING ESTATE, AND THE YUEN LONG TOWN- HALL.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FUN FAIR TO BE HELD AT THE LONG PING ESTATE HEXAGONAL SQUARE, YUEN LONG ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 16), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
• DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 13.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 14.2.92 + 1446
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -1446
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.2 *+0.3» 14.2.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.87 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.47 5.43
1 MONTH 3.90 PCT
3 MONTHS 3.93 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.05 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.52 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,715 MN
CLOSED 14 FEBRUARY 1992
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMMUNITY THAT VALUES THE LAW CAN DEFEND THAT LAW: AG..................... 1
CHANGE OF PROSECUTION POLICY ON 2-WAY PERMIT OVERSTAYERS ................. 2
WORKERS URGED TO WEAR HELMETS ON SITE ................................
EASTERN EMPLOYMENT OFFICES TO MERGE ..................................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MCNEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 3
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15,
1992
1
COMMUNITY THAT VALUES THE LAW CAN DEFEND THAT LAW: AG
*****
A COMMUNITY WHICH UNDERSTOOD AND VALUED THE LAW COULD DEFEND THAT LAW AND ITS INSTITUTIONS, WHICH EXISTED FOR THEIR PROTECTION AND THEIR BENEFIT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ LAW EXHIBITION, MR MATHEWS SAID THE LAW WAS VERY MUCH A LIVING ORGANISM WHICH NEEDED CULTIVATION, SUSTENANCE, AND PROTECTION TO MAINTAIN ITS EFFICIENCY AND STRENGTH.
HE SAID THE LAW DREW ITS STRENGTH NOT JUST FROM- JUDGES AND LAWYERS, BUT ALSO FROM THE COMMUNITY WHICH IT SERVED.
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF HONG KONG’S EXTRAORDINARY RECORD OF SUCCESS WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ITS LAWS AND LEGAL SYSTEM, WHICH DREW SUBSTANTIALLY ON HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF THE COMMON LAW WORLD.
’’THE FACT THAT THE RULE OF LAW IS WELL ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG, THAT THE JUDGES HAVE INDEPENDENCE, THAT PEOPLE SEEKING JUSTICE HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND TO THE COURTS, AND THAT THE COURTS THEMSELVES ARE SECOND TO NONE IN THIS REGION, ATTRACTS AND7 ENCOURAGES MANY TO COME TO HONG KONG, TO DO BUSINESS HERE AND TO STAY ON.
’’PEOPLE IN HONG KONG KNOW THAT REMEDIES WILL BE AFFORDED WHERE WRONGS ARE DONE, CRIMES WILL BE VIGOROUSLY PROSECUTED; CONTRACTS WILL BE ENFORCED AND THAT, JUSTICE IS DONE AND SEEN TO BE DONE IN OUR COURTS,” HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE EXHIBITION WAS MEANINGFUL AND VALUABLE FOR IT WOULD ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO DEVELOP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR LAW AND LEGAL SYSTEM.
"THIS ITSELF WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEM, AND HELP ENTRENCH THE PRINCIPLE OF THE RULE OF LAW,” HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE EXHIBITION WAS A BOLD JOINT INITIATIVE BY THE.COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL ASSOCIATION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS.
”IN ORGANISING THIS EXHIBITION, THEY HAVE SET THEMSELVES THE DEMANDING TASK OF PRESENTING THE LAW, OFTEN SEEN AS REMOTE AND DRY, IN A VIVID AND INTERESTING WAY,” HE SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS SIGNIFICANT THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT A LAW EXHIBITION OF THIS KIND HAD BEEN PUT TOGETHER WITH SO MUCH INPUT AND PARTICIPATION BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
HE EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION OF THE VOLUNTEERING SPIRIT AND CIVIC AWARENESS THAT THE STUDENTS HAD DEMONSTRATED IN TAKING PART IN THE PROJECT.
/2 ........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1992
2
CHANGE OF PROSECUTION POLICY ON 2-WAY PERMIT OVERSTAYERS •
******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THERE WILL BE A CHANGE OF PROSECUTION POLICY ON TWO-WAY PERMIT OVERSTAYERS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL THIS YEAR.
"TO COUNTERACT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF TWO-WAY PERMIT OVERSTAYERS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO START PROSECUTING THOSE WHO HAVE OVERSTAYED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROSECUTE THOSE WHO ARE FOUND TO HAVE TAKEN UP UNAPPROVED EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG.
"THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO STEPPED UP SCRUTINY AT CHECKPOINTS TO DETERMINE THE' BONA FJDES OF TWO-WAY PERMIT VISITORS AND IS TAKING ACTIVE STEPS TO LOCATE ANY OVERSTAYERS," HE ADDED.
HE REMINDED THAT ALL VISITORS SHOULD OBSERVE THE CONDITIONS OF STAY IMPOSED ON THEM BY THE AUTHORITY.
VISITORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE UP ANY EMPLOYMENT, WHETHER PAID OR UNPAID DURING THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG AND THEY MUST ALSO LEAVE BEFORE THEIR LIMIT OF STAY EXPIRED.
HE STATED THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION OF STAY IS A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS. AIDERS AND ABETTORS ARE ALSO LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND PENALTY.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0 - -
WORKERS URGED TO WEAR HELMETS ON SITE
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED BUILDING CONTRACTORS OF THEIR DUTY TO PROVIDE SUITABLE SAFETY HELMETS FOR THEIR WORKERS AND TO ENSURE THAT THE WORKERS WORE THEM AT ALL TIMES WHILE ON SITE.
IN A RECENT ACCIDENT, A WORKER WAS INJURED WHEN HIS SAFETY HELMET WAS PIERCED THROUGH BY A HARD FALLING OBJECT AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN SHAM TSENG.
COMMENTING ON THE CASE, CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR CHAN TAT-KING SAID THE WORKER WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF HE HAD NOT WORN A HELMET.
INSPECTOR CHAN ADDED THAT CONTRACTORS HAD THE DUTY TO PREVENT THE FALL OF OBJECTS FROM A HEIGHT WHICH COULD CAUSE GRAVE BODILY HARM TO WORKERS ON THE GROUND.
/"THEY SHOULD
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1992
3
"THEY SHOULD LOWER BUILDING DEBRIS THROUGH PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED CHUTES FROM THE UPPER FLOORS OF A BUILDING, AND SHOULD PUT UP SAFETY FANS AND NETS AROUND THE BUILDING TO CATCH ANY FALLING OBJECTS," HE STRESSED.
"FAILURE TO TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, AND OFFENDERS MAY BE FINED UP TO $50,000," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
EASTERN EMPLOYMENT OFFICES TO MERGE *****
THE NORTH POINT AND CHAI WAN BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) WILL MERGE ON FEBRUARY 24 (MONDAY) TO PROVIDE A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE SERVICE TO RESIDENTS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT.
FOLLOWING THE MERGER, EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS IN THE EASTERN PART OF CAUSEWAY BAY, NORTH POINT, QUARRY BAY, SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN CAN SEEK FREE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FROM THE LES’S CHAI WAN OFFICE AT 29-30 YUE ON HOUSE, GROUND FLOOR, YUE WAN ESTATE. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 557 0202-4.
EMPLOYERS RECRUITING STAFF CAN TELEPHONE THEIR DISTRICT LES OFFICE TO PLACE JOB VACANCIES, OR SEND IN THEIR ORDERS BY FAX, MAIL OR IN PERSON. SUCH INFORMATION WILL ALSO BE FAXED TO ALL THE 10 LES OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY FOR THE INFORMATION JOB-SEEKERS.
IN ADDITION, IF A VACANCY HAS REMAINED UNFILLED FOR SOME TIME, THE LES MAY ADVERTISE IT IN THE MASS MEDIA FOR THE EMPLOYER FREE OF CHARGE.
FOR JOB-SEEKERS, THEY ARE REQUIRED ONLY TO BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS TO REGISTER AT AN LES OFFICE, WHERE THE STAFF WILL ASSIST THEM IN SELECTING SUITABLE JOBS AND WILL ARRANGE INTERVIEWS WITH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS.
- - 0 - -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON
14.2.92
600 MN
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON
15.2.92
NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
NEUTRAL
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STUDY ON CHEMICAL. PROCESSING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT COMPLETED.......... 1 TASK FORCE PROTECT'S WORKERS’ WELFARE ................................ 2 AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS AGAIN ...................................................... 3 FACTORIES REMINDED NCT TO EMPLOY CHILDREN ............................
AVOID BUDGET DAY RUSH FOR VEHICLES’ AND DRIVERS’ LICENCES ............ 4 NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR CNTA ENQUIRY CENTRE ......................... 5 SEMINARS TO ENHANCE TEACHERS’ TEACHING SKILLS ........................
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1992
STUDY ON CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT COMPLETED
CONSULTANTS HAVE JUST COMPLETED A STUDY FOR THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS ERNST AND YOUNG, TOGETHER WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, ERL ASIA LIMITED HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT A SUITABLE SITE SHOULD BE TARGETED FOR DEVELOPMENT AS A CHEMICAL ESTATE WITH INFRASTRUCTURE APPROPRIATE TO THE HIGH-VALUE-ADDED CHEMICAL INDUSTRY AND THAT INVESTMENT IN AN INDEPENDENT BULK STORAGE FACILITY WAS A NECESSARY PART OF THIS INFRASTRUCTURE.
TAKING SUCH ACTION SHOULD OVERCOME THE FAILURE TO CONSIDER HONG KONG AS A FIRST CHOICE FOR LOCAL PRODUCTION OF HIGH-VALUE-ADDED CHEMICALS, THE CONSULTANTS ADDED.
THE CONSULTANTS EXAMINED A NUMBER OF SITES USING ENVIRONMENTAL AND DEVELOPMENT COST CRITERIA TO ARRIVE AT A RANKING OF ORDER OF PRIORITY.
THE SITE OFFERING A COMBINATION OF THE LOWEST DEVELOPMENT COST AND LEAST ENVIRONMENTAL RISK WAS TSEUNG KWAN O AREA 137. THIS AREA, WHICH WILL REQUIRE RECLAMATION, IS LOCATED IMMEDIATELY TO THE SOUTH OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION’S THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE NEAR JUNK ISLAND IN TSEUNG KWAN O.
OTHER SITES EXAMINED INCLUDE TUEN MUN AREA 38, THE THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O, THE PROPOSED LAMMA BREAKWATER AND AP LEI PAI ISLAND IN ABERDEEN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID THE STUDY FELL OUTSIDE THE USUAL SERIES OF TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON THE MAJOR GROUPS OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG SUCH AS THE TEXTILES, GARMENTS, PLASTICS AND METALS INDUSTRIES. X
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS STUDY REQUIRED THE CONSULTANTS TO EXAMINE THE POTENTIAL EOR DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDUSTRY THAT HAD YET FORMED ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
INVESTOR ENQUIRIES BOTH PRIOR TO THE START OF THE STUDY AND SINCE INDICATED THAT THERE COULD BE SOME POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH, PARTICULARLY TO SERVE THE RAPIDLY GROWING SOUTH CHINA MANUFACTURING REGION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"GIVEN THE RELIANCE OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ON IMPORTED CHEMICALS, THERE MAY BE THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN THE LOCAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH-VALUE-ADDED CHEMICALS THAT ARE INCREASINGLY USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HONG KONG'S HIGHER QUALITY EXPORTS.
/"THE PURPOSE .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1992
2
’’THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY IS TO ENSURE THAT, SHOULD THERE BE A GENUINE MARKET DEMAND FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE IN A POSITION TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT HAD YET TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNMENT. DETAILED CONSIDERATION OF THE VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD TAKE PLACE OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE MONTHS WITH A VIEW TO DECIDING WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN.
- - 0 - -
TASK FORCE PROTECTS WORKERS’ WELFARE ♦ * * * ♦ ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS STEPPED UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO SAFEGUARD THE STATUTORY BENEFITS OF WORKERS.
LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM THE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAMS (SET) MADE MORE THAN 1,960 VISITS TO INDUSTRIAL AND NON-INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS LAST YEAR TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVED THEIR FULL ENTITLEMENTS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION), MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT AS A RESULT, THE DEPARTMENT HAD TAKEN 271 SUMMONSES AGAINST EMPLOYERS FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES RELATING TO THE GRANTING OF STATUTORY HOLIDAYS AND ANNUAL LEAVE, HOLIDAY AND MATERNITY LEAVE PAY, AND PAYMENT IN LIEU OF STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
"THESE PROSECUTIONS REPRESENTED A SEVENFOLD INCREASE OVER THE 33 SUMMONSES LAID IN 1990 BY THE SET,” MR CHAN NOTED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE INCREASE WAS DUE MAINLY TO THE SETTING UP OF TWO ADDITIONAL SETS FOR LOCAL WORKERS IN APRIL LAST YEAR AND TO THEIR STEPPED-UP EFFORTS TO PREVENT MALPRACTICES BY UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS.
THE LABOUR INSPECTORATE OPERATES FIVE SETS, THREE FOR LOCAL WORKERS AND TWO FOR IMPORTED WORKERS, TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE WELFARE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE BY EMPLOYERS, SUCH AS THE GRANTING OF MATERNITY LEAVE, REST DAYS, SICKNESS ALLOWANCES, HOLIDAYS AND ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PAY.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST BREACHES OF THESE PROVISIONS ARE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED.
THE INSPECTORATE ALSO ENSURES THAT EMPLOYERS KEEP EMPLOYMENT RECORDS.
0 - -
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1992
3
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS AGAIN * * * * ♦
THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE FORMATION OF SUB-COMMITTEES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE SETTING UP OF SUB-COMMITTEES HAD BEEN PROPOSED TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION OF ISSUES CONCERNING THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS.
"MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS IN THE MEETING WHETHER AND HOW SUB-COMMITTEES SHOULD BE FORMED," HE ADDED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, ONE OF THE 10 CORE PROJECTS UNDER THE ACP.
"THE BRIEFING WILL COVER THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, THE PRIVATISATION METHODS AND PRIVATISATION PROGRAMME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE) AND WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG ON 802 3511 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IN THE CONFERENCE HALL IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
- - 0 - -
FACTORIES REMINDED NOT TO EMPLOY CHILDREN
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS NOT TO EMPLOY CHILDREN IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED A RECENT CASE AT THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY IN WHICH A PLASTIC TOY FACTORY WAS FINED $4,000 FOR EMPLOYING A CHILD.
/"DURING A
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1992
4
. "DURING A CAMPAIGN AGAINST EMPLOYING CHILDREN CONDUCTED LAST YEAR, LABOUR’ INSPECTORS FOUND A CHILD UNDER 14 EMPLOYED AS A PIECE-RATED WORKER IN THE JUN KONG (PAK’S) PLASTIC PRODUCTS MANUFACTORY LIMITED," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS) MR JOHN SUNG SAID.
"ACCORDING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS, CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 MUST NOT BE EMPLOYED IN ANY INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING, WHILE THOSE AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 14 MAY BE EMPLOYED ONLY FOR PART-TIME JOBS IN A NON-INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS," MR SUNG EXPLAINED.
"ANY EMPLOYER WHO BREACHES THE PROVISIONS ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN IN INDUSTRY IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000," HE SAID.
- - 0-----------
AVOID BUDGET DAY RUSH FOR VEHICLES’ AND DRIVERS’ LICENCES *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED DRIVERS AND VEHICLE OWNERS WHO WISH TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEIR LICENCES EXPIRE AS THEY CAN APPLY ANY TIME DURING THE FOUR-MONTH PERIOD PRIOR TO THE EXPIRY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE LICENSING OFFICES WERE USUALLY BUSY IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH WHEN PEOPLE RUSHED TO RENEW THEIR LICENCES JUST BEFORE THE ANNUAL BUDGET WAS ANNOUNCED.
ON EXTREMELY BUSY DAYS, THE LICENSING OFFICES WILL ADOPT A QUOTA SYSTEM UNDER WHICH APPLICANTS ARE GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT DISC FOR A SPECIFIED TIME TO HAND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.
THE APPOINTMENT DISCS WILL BE HANDED OUT ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
TO AVOID LONG QUEUES AT THE LICENSING OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED DRIVERS AND VEHICLE OWNERS THAT THEY COULD SAVE TIME BY APPLYING TO RENEW THEIR DRIVING OR VEHICLE LICENCES BY POST.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES, ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE EXISTING LICENCE FEES WOULD STILL BE APPLIED TO APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BEARING POSTAL CHOPS BEFORE 2.30 PM ON BUDGET DAY, WHETHER OR NOT THE FEES WOULD BE INCREASED.
--------0-----------
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1992
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR CNTA ENQUIRY CENTRE
******
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE (CTEC) OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) WILL BE CHANGED TO 835 2500, EFFECTIVE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE CHANGE WAS DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW AUTOMATIC CALL DISTRIBUTION TELEPHONE SYSTEM WITH WHICH CALLERS WOULD BE ANSWERED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
HE NOTED THAT THE CTEC HAD BEEN SET UP AT THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR AS A BACK-UP TO THE 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES.
"DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN APRIL LAST YEAR AND JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE CENTRE HANDLED 162,760 TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES.
"THE ENQUIRIES WERE MAINLY ON THE OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, APPLICATION PROCEDURES, STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICE, GOVERNMENT VACANCIES AND FREE LEGAL ADVICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE FULL USE OF THIS TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE.
THE ENQUIRY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAY AND FROM 9 AM TQ NOON ON SATURDAY.
0 - -
SEMINARS TO ENHANCE TEACHERS’ TEACHING SKILLS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LAST MONTH CONDUCTED 26 WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND COURSES FOR KINDERGARTEN-, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, TO BETTER THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON SOME SCHOOL -SUBJECTS AND TEACHING TECHNIQUES.
WORKSHOPS HELD INCLUDED COMPUTER GRAPHICS, FASHION DESIGN AND PATTERN, ELECTRONICS, REVISED CHINESE LANGUAGE SYLLABUS, ACTIVITY APPROACH IN PRIMARY MATHEMATICS CLASSES, HISTORY AND REMEDIAL TEACHING OF CHINESE LANGUAGE.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AT THE SEMINARS INCLUDED COMPUTER AWARENESS, ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY-LEVEL CHINESE HISTORY AND PHYSICS, SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
A NUMBER OF TRAINING COURSES WERE ALSO ORGANISED FOR TEACHER LIBRARIANS, AND ARTS AND CRAFT TEACHERS.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO..
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FORMS SUB-COMMITTEES ................. 1
RETRAINING FUND BOARD STARTS WORK ................................... 1
HK: IDEAL PLACE TO BENEFIT FROM ASIA-PACIFIC GROWTH ................. 3
LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED ......... 4
DESIGN WORK STARTS ON ROUTE 3 AU TAU SECTION ........................
EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO TO OPEN ON THURSDAY ...................... 6
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY .......................................... 7
TRADE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK PUBLISHED ................................. 7
Q
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................
FRESH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ....................................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ...................
X
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 9
1
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
- 1 -
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FORMS SUB-COMMITTEES
*****
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS DECIDED AT ITS THIRD MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) TO FORM THREE SUB-COMMITTEES IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ITS WORK.
THE SUB-COMMITTEES ARE: AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS; TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT; AND PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD ETC.
EACH SUB-COMMITTEE WILL SELECT ITS OWN CONVENOR AND DEPUTY CONVENOR WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CALLING THE MEETINGS AND REPORTING BACK TO THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
THE FIRST TERM OF THE CONVENORS AND DEPUTY CONVENORS WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO DECIDED THAT MEETINGS OF THESE SUB-COMMITTEES WILL BE CLOSED BUT THAT THEIR DELIBERATIONS WOULD BE REPORTED BACK TO THE MAIN COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR JOHN TELFORD, ON DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROJECT.
--------0-----------
RETRAINING FUND BOARD STARTS WORK
*****
THE PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD, WHICH AIMS TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON TRAINING AND RETRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR LOCAL WORKERS TO ADJUST TO CHANGES IN THE EMPLOYMENT MARKET, MET FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY (MONDAY).
SET UP EARLY THIS MONTH, THE BOARD IS MADE UP OF FOUR EMPLOYERS’ AND FOUR EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THREE STATUTORY TRAINING AUTHORITIES AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, CHAIRS THE BOARD WHILE DR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI IS VICE-CHAIRMAN.
WELCOMING MEMBERS TO THE MEETING, MR CHAN SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE PROVISIONAL BOARD COULD BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO PROVIDE INPUT TO THE SETTING UP OF TRAINING AND RETRAINING SERVICES TO LOCAL WORKERS.
"AS YOU ALL KNOW THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE ECONOMY HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME AND IT IS DESIRABLE THAT RETRAINING CAN BEGIN AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE,” MR CHAN SAID.
/"I HOPE .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
2
”1 HOPE WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE AND THE SINCERE CO-OPERATION OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, TRAINING AUTHORITIES AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE BOARD CAN PROVIDE BETTER FOCUS AND GREATER IMPETUS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRAINING AND RETRAINING PROGRAMMES WHICH REALLY BENEFIT BOTH THE LOCAL WORKERS AND OUR CHANGING ECONOMY.”
THE BOARD IS ALSO TASKED TO IDENTIFY OCCUPATIONS WHICH HAVE HIGH VACANCY RATES, LIAISE WITH VARIOUS TRAINING AUTHORITIES ON THE DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF TRAINING AND RETRAINING PROGRAMMES, RECOMMEND CRITERIA FOR AND LEVELS OF TRAINING ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO TRAINEES, AND OVERSEE THE MANAGEMENT AND USE OF THE RETRAINING FUND.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS DISCUSSED BROADLY THE GENERAL PROCEDURES AND PROPOSED TASKS OF THE BOARD, METHODS OF RETRAINING AND NEED FOR ADVANCED FUNDING.
THEY ALSO NOTED AN INFORMATION PAPER ON AN ANALYSIS OF JOB-SEEKERS REGISTERED WITH AND VACANCIES RECEIVED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. t
THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE:
CHAIRMAN:
MR JOHN CHAN
VICE-CHAIRMAN:
DR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI
EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES:
MR R.A. ZALA
MR HENRY TANG YING-YEN
DR LUI MING-WAH
MR HO SAI-CHU
EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES:
MR LEUNG FU-WAH
MS LI FUNG-YING
MR LEUNG TSZ-LEUNG
MR CHEUNG LUN
REPRESENTATIVES OF STATUTORY TRAINING AUTHORITIES:
MR HORACE KNIGHT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL
MR TONG YAT-CHU OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY
MR HERBERT CHENG OF CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OR HIS REPRESENTATIVES.
------0-----------
/3 ........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
- 3 -
HK: IDEAL PLACE TO BENEFIT FROM ASIA-PACIFIC GROWTH
******
HONG KONG IS AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR BUSINESSMEN WHO WANT TO BENEFIT FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, THE ' DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1992 CHEMICAL WEEK ASIA-PACIFIC CONFERENCE, MR BARMA SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF REASONS.
THEY INCLUDED HONG KONG’S MARKET ECONOMY, FAVOURABLE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, EXCELLENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, FINE INFRASTRUCTURE, RESPECT FOR RULE OF THE LAW, PRUDENT FISCAL POLICIES, INTELLIGENT AND HARDWORKING LABOUR FORCE, AND STRATEGIC LOCATION IN THE REGION, ESPECIALLY ITS PROXIMITY WITH CHINA.
"WE BELIEVE THAT AS ONE OF THE LEADING ECONOMIES IN THIS REGION HONG KONG HAS MUCH TO CONTRIBUTE TO, AND TO SHARE FROM, THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE REGION," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WAS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIC AREAS IN THE WORLD.
"FOR ECONOMIES ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD TO CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THIS DYNAMIC REGION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEEK TO MAXIMISE THE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND INVESTMENT IN IT BY IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES IN IT, DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO REALISE FULLY ITS MARKET POTENTIAL, AND ENSURING THAT THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING SUCH STRATEGIES CAN BE MET." HE SAID.
SO, HE SAID, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR CORPORATE DECISION-MAKERS, SENIOR EXECUTIVES, STRATEGY PLANNERS, ACADEMICS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OPERATING OR INTERESTED IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC TO COME TOGETHER PERIODICALLY TO IDENTIFY AND TACKLE ISSUES OF COMMON INTEREST.
MORE THAN 200 TOP EXECUTIVES OF THE LEADING CHEMICAL COMPANIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD ARE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL WEDNESDAY I FEBRUARY 19).
AFTER THE OPENING, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BP CHEMICALS, NR BRYAN SANDERSON, GAVE A KEYNOTE SPEECH ON "OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC MARKET".
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/4 ........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992 4
LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED ******
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR OCTOBER DECEMBER LAST YEAR WAS 1.8%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.6%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1991 - JANUARY 1992 WAS 1.9%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.8%.
ALTHOUGH THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1991, AT 1.8%, WAS STILL HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER, IT HAS DRIFTED LOWER SINCE THE THIRD QUARTER, SUGGESTING THAT THE LABOUR MARKET HAS TIGHTENED UP SOMEWHAT DURING THE SECOND HALF OF LAST YEAR.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1991 WAS ESTIMATED AT 51,900, COMPARED WITH 57,700 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1991 AND 37,700 IN OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1990.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1991 WAS 1.6%. ALTHOUGH IT WAS HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER, IT REMAINED RELATIVELY STABLE IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS LAST YEAR.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN OCTOBER -DECEMBER 1991 WAS 45,100, COMPARED WITH 43,200 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1991 AND 21,400 IN OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1990.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
AS THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1991 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,800 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
/IN THE ........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
5
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AROUND MARCH 20, 1992 AT $13.50 PER COPY.
- - 0 - -
DESIGN WORK STARTS ON ROUTE 3 AU TAU SECTION
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $9.9 MILLION CONSULTANCY CONTRACT TODAY (MONDAY) FOR THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR (CPS) OF ROUTE 3 FROM AU TAU TO TING KAU.
THE CONSULTANCY WORK COMPRISES THE PROVISION OF THE ESSENTIAL COST AND TECHNICAL DATA AS INPUT TO A FULL FINANCIAL STUDY FOR PRIVATISATION OF THE PROJECT TO BE CONDUCTED IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
A DESIGN MEMORANDUM WILL ALSO BE PRODUCED WHICH CAN BE USED FOR THE BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER PACKAGE OF CPS IN FUTURE.
TAKING ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE, THE AGREEMENT WILL REVIEW THE WORK SCOPE AS WELL AS REFINE AND UPDATE THE PRESENT COST ESTIMATE FOR THE DUAL THREE-LANE OPTION ALONG THE CPS TO THE LEVEL OF ACCURACY REQUIRED FOR THE FINANCIAL STUDY.
IT WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE ENGINEERING PARAMETERS AND ESTABLISH THE COST ESTIMATE FOR A DUAL TWO-LANE ALTERNATIVE ALONG THE SAME ALIGNMENT.
THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR IS 10 KILOMETRES LONG.
IT INCLUDES AN INTERCHANGE WITH THE TING KAU BRIDGE AT THE SOUTH, A 3.5 KM-LONG TUNNEL BENEATH THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK AND A 6.5 KM-LONG OPEN ROADWAY ON THE KAM TIN PLAIN ENDING AT AU TAU, TOGETHER WITH A 1 KM-LONG BRANCH SECTION CONNECTING TO THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS AT ITS EASTERN END.
UPON COMPLETION, IT WILL PROVIDE THE NON-AIRPORT CORE PORTION OF THE NORTH-SOUTH STRATEGIC ROUTE 3 AND RELIEVE THE TRAFFIC BURDEN ON TUEN MUN ROAD.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
- 6 -
EDUCATION AND CAREERS
* ♦
EXPO TO OPEN ON THURSDAY * * * *
MORE THAN 160 EXHIBITORS WILL PRESENT THE LATEST INFORMATION ON CAREERS AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO VISITORS TO THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92 FROM THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 20) TO SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23).
THE EVENT, WHICH IS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND EVER HELD IN HONG KONG, IS MADE UP OF AN EDUCATION EXHIBITION RUN BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND A CAREERS EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND GRAPHS, MODELS, AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS, MICRO-COMPUTERS, LEAFLETS, SEMINARS AND TALKS, VISITORS WILL FIND FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS CAREERS DEVELOPMENT IN VARIOUS TRADES AND IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS CLARE SIU SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE 100-ODD EXHIBITORS IN THE EDUCATION SECTION INCLUDE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS, COLLEGES, SCHOOLS AND TRAINING INSTITUTES.
THEY WILL TELL VISITORS DETAILS OF THE COURSES THEY OFFER AND ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS.
THE CAREERS SECTION WILL FEATURE 66 EXHIBITORS FROM COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, SOCIAL SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
DURING THE EXPOSITION, THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 70 SEMINARS AND TALKS BY PROFESSIONALS FROM VARIOUS TRADES AND EDUCATION ORGANISATIONS.
"VIDEO SHOWS COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES WILL BE SCREENED EVERY HOUR THROUGHOUT THE EXPOSITION," MRS SIU SAID.
"WINNERS OF TWO ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES OF THE EXPOSITION - THE THIRD CAREERS BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION AND THE TENTH CAREERS QUIZ -WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXPOSITION ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 20)," MRS SIU ADDED.
THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92 WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE. ADMISSION IS FREE. OPENING HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FEBRUARY 20 (THURSDAY) 11.30 AM - 7 PM
FEBRUARY 21 (FRIDAY) 9.30 AM - 7 PM
FEBRUARY 22 (SATURDAY) 9.30 AM - 7 PM
FEBRUARY 23 (SUNDAY) 9.30 AM - 6 PM
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
7
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY *****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 10 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 19).
SEVEN OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE SECURITIES (CLEARING HOUSES) BILL, THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992 AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER THREE BILLS WILL RESUME. EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 AND THE CRIMES (TORTURE) BILL.
THE HON FRED LI WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE REVIEW OF TAXATION SYSTEM. THE MOTION READS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A COMMITTEE, WITH MEMBERS REPRESENTING A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TAXATION SYSTEM IN HONG KONG."
MEANWHILE, THE HON K.K. FUNG WILL PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO MR LI’S MOTION BY ADDING "WITH ONE OF ITS MAIN OBJECTIVES BEING TO REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN OF THE LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS" AFTER "HONG KONG".
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
- - 0 - -
TRADE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK PUBLISHED *****
THE LATEST EDITION OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION.
THE 90-PAGE HANDBOOK HAS DETAILED AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, OVERSEAS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND OTHER LOCAL TRADE BODIES.
/IT ALSO
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
8
IT ALSO INCLUDES A SUMMARY OF IMPORT AND EXPORT CONTROLS ENFORCED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS; FACTS AND STATISTICS ON HONG KONG’S TRADE, AND A LIST OF FEES AND CHARGES ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SATD THE PUBLICATION OF THE HANDBOOK WILL FACILITATE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS TRADERS IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
"THOSE USING THE SERVICES OF OUR DEPARTMENT WILL FIND THE HANDBOOK USEFUL AND INFORMATIVE," HE SAID.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK IS UPDATED AND PUBLISHED ANNUALLY SINCE 1988. FREE COPIES OF BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTER OF THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, GROUND FLOOR, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD, MONGKOK, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 398 5602 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 31,3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 183.202 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 162.909 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 27.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
- - 0
FRESH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION *****
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO PO LO CHE IN SAI KUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 3.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 19) TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PAK KONG AU VILLAGE, WONG CHUK SHAN VILLAGE, MAU PING VILLAGE, TAI SHUI TSENG VILLAGE, KAP PING LONG NEW VILLAGE, NAM SHAN VILLAGE AND SHEK LUNG TSAI NEW VILLAGE.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
TENDER DATE
PAPER ON OFFER
ISSUE NUMBER
AMOUNT APPLIED
AMOUNT ALLOTTED
AV PRICE (YIELD) ACCEPTED
LOWEST PRICE (YIELD) ACCEPTED
PRO RATA RATIO
AV TENDER PRICE (YIELD)
17 FEB 92
GOVT BONDS
2402
HKD 1,106 MN
HKD 500 MN
100.11 (5.52)
100.03 (5.56)
60 PCT
100.00 (5.58)
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 15.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 17.2.92 -30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON .NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
110.9 *-0.3* 17.2.92
/HONG KONG........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1992
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.80 PCT 21 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.83 PCT 24 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.89 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.04 PCT
12 ! MONTHS 4.53 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 101.43 5.45
2402 5.50 100.05 5.55
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 17 FEBRUARY 1992
- 1,935 MN
0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME BEGINS ................ 1
TENDERS TO BE INVITED FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ..................... 2
CONTRACTING OUT OF MANAGEMENT OF REMAINING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS .......... 4
LEGCO FUNCTIONING WELL: SCA ............................................ 5
BOOKLET TO EXPLAIN BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE ............................ 6
ESTIMATED POPULATION FIGURES RELEASED .................................. 7
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ............................. 7
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS DECLARED .......................................... 17
SUBVENTION FOR ADULT EDUCATION COURSES ................................ 18
CONFERENCE ON PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT .......................... 18
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 19
268 VMS RETURNED TODAY ................................................ 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ..................... 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
21
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
1
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME BEGINS
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A PUBLIC CONSULTATION PAPER ON A BANK DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME (DPS).
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD REACHED NO CONCLUSION, PRELIMINARY OR OTHERWISE, AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A DPS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG.
"DPS HAS ITS PROS AND CONS. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PREFER TO LISTEN TO THE VIEWS OF VARIOUS SECTORS BEFORE MAKING UP ITS MIND," HE SAID.
THE PAPER NOTES THAT DPS HAS ITS LIMITATIONS.
SPECIFICALLY, IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PREVENT BANK. FAILURES NOR WOULD IT BE ABLE TO COPE WITH SYSTEMIC FAILURE OF BANKS, OR EVEN THE FAILURE OF ONE OF THE VERY LARGEST BANKS IN THE ECONOMY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PAPER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT DPS WOULD HAVE A : ROLE IN THE EVENT OF AN ISOLATED FAILURE OF A SMALL OR MEDIUM-SIZED BANK.
"IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, A DPS MIGHT BE ABLE TO COMPENSATE SMALL DEPOSITORS EITHER FULLY OR PARTLY AND TO ENHANCE THE STABILITY OF A BANKING SYSTEM AT TIMES OF UNFOUNDED RUMOURS BY PREVENTING, OR REDUCING THE SCALE OF, UNNECESSARY AND CONTAGIOUS RUNS ON HEALTHY BANKS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PAPER, HOWEVER, NOTES THAT SUCH FUNCTIONS OF DPS MUST BE CAREFULLY WEIGHED AGAINST THE OPPOSING ARGUMENTS AND THE COST IMPLICATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID COMMENTARIES SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS ADVERSE FACTORS IDENTIFIED. THESE INCLUDED MORAL HAZARD PROBLEMS AND THE'PAPER HAD HAD PARTICULAR REGARD TO THESE PROBLEMS IN IDENTIFYING OPTIONS.
"ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT, GIVEN THE VERY SKEWED DISTRIBUTION OF DEPOSITS IN FAVOUR OF A FEW LARGE BANKING GROUPS, THE BULK OF THE COST IS GOING TO BE BORNE BY THE DEPOSITORS OF THESE BANKING GROUPS, WHO MAY NOT SEE THEMSELVES AS OBTAINING PROPORTIONATE BENEFIT FROM DPS,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT OPTIONS WERE IDENTIFIED SO THAT THE PUBLIC COULD RECOGNISE THAT DIFFERENT DESIGNS OF DPS HAD DIFFERENT IMPLICATIONS AS TO COST, DEGREE OF MORAL HAZARD PROBLEMS AND EFFECTIVENESS.
"THIS IS NOT TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO ADOPT ONE OF THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS. THEY ARE MERELY IDENTIFIED TO FACILITATE DISCUSSION ON WHETHER OR NOT IT IS WORTHWHILE TO PROCEED ANY FURTHER, HAVING REGARD TO ALL THE IMPLICATIONS.
/"IT IS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 2 -
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO HAVE FRUITFUL DISCUSSION WITHOUT AN ASSESSMENT OF WHAT A DPS COULD DO, WHAT ARE THE ADVERSE IMPLICATIONS, AND HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE LIKELY TO COST.
"IN FACT, EVEN IF AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WERE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO PROCEED FURTHER, THERE ARE STILL SUBSTANTIAL OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS TO BE STUDIED IN DETAIL TO SEE HOW THEY COULD BEST BE RESOLVED," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
THE PAPER ALSO IDENTIFIES THAT CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN, IN PARALLEL, TO A PROPOSAL THAT PRIORITY MIGHT BE AFFORDED TO SMALL DEPOSITORS IN THE EVENT OF BANK LIQUIDATIONS.
THE PAPER HAS VARIOUS ANNEXES SHOWING THE MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF EXISTING DPS ELSEWHERE AND THE ASSUMPTIONS AND CALCULATIONS ON WHICH THE ESTIMATED COSTS ARE BASED.
COPIES OF THE PAPER WILL BE SENT TO IDENTIFIED INTERESTED BODIES IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, AND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, FREE OF CHARGE, FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES BY EARLY ■ MARCH THIS YEAR.
THOSE WHO WISH TO COMMENT ARE INVITED TO WRITE TO THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, 1802, TOWER I, ADMIRALTY CENTRE ON OR BEFORE MAY 31 THIS YEAR.
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TENDERS TO BE INVITED *
FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING * » * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL INVITE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE TENDER DETAILS, MR LEUNG SAID THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A THIRD ROAD CROSSING CONNECTING KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND BY MID 1997.
THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING (WHC) IS ONE OF THE PROJECTS UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND WILL FORM PART OF ROUTE 3 CONNECTING HONG KONG ISLAND, WEST KOWLOON, TSING YI AND EVENTUALLY THE BORDER CROSSING AT LOK MA CHAU.
"IT WILL BE PRIVATISED UNDER A ’BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER’ ARRANGEMENT. AWARD OF TENDER WILL BE THROUGH AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS," HE SAID.
/UNDER THIS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
3
UNDER THIS ARRANGEMENT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE INVITED TO BID FOR A 30-YEAR FRANCHISE TO DESIGN, CONSTRUCT, OPERATE, MAINTAIN THE CROSSING, AND TO TRANSFER THE WHOLE FACILITY TO THE GOVERNMENT AT THE END OF THE FRANCHISE PERIOD.
"THIS METHOD OF PRIVATISATION IS WELL-KNOWN AND PROVEN IN HONG KONG," MR LEUNG SAID.
"THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL HAVE BEEN PRIVATISED ALONG THE SAME LINES, AND BOTH HAVE BEEN OPENED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND ARE OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY," HE SAID.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES A TWO-KILOMETRE DUAL THREE-LANE IMMERSED TUNNEL CONNECTING SAI YING PUN AND WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, A TOLL PLAZA, APPROACH ROADS, AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND THE SECTION OF ROUTE 7 FROM RUMSEY STREET TO BELCHER BAY.
"THE CURRENT ESTIMATED COST IS AROUND $4 BILLION AND WILL BE WHOLLY MET BY THE FRANCHISEE," MR LEUNG SAID.
APART FROM SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE NEW AIRPORT, MR LEUNG SAID THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ALSO HAS THE BENEFIT OF MEETING THE RISING DEMANDS OF CROSS HARBOUR TRAFFIC.
"WHEN COMPLETED, IT WILL OFFER LASTING RELIEF TO THE CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL. WE ESTIMATE THAT THERE SHOULD BE FREE FLOW OF TRAFFIC UNTIL AT LEAST 2011," HE SAID. •
LIKE THE ROAD NETWORK CONNECTING WITH TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, A SIMILAR NETWORK WILL BE PROVIDED FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
ASSOCIATED ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE WILL INCLUDE THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE ROUTE 3 KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI SECTORS ON KOWLOON SIDE.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE BELCHER BAY LINK, SMITHFIELD ROAD EXTENSION, ROCKHILL STREET EXTENSION AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES IN KENNEDY TOWN ARE BEING PLANNED TO SERVE THE WHC TRAFFIC.
"THE ESTIMATED COST OF THESE HIGHWAYS SCHEMES IS $2.75 BILLION, WHICH IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MID NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION BY MID 1997.
MR LEUNG SAID IN PRESENTING THEIR BIDS, TENDERERS WILL BE INVITED TO STATE, AS AN OPTION, WHETHER THEY WOULD BE PREPARED TO START WORK EARLIER AND IN ADVANCE OF THE FORMAL AWARD OF THE FRANCHISE, UNDER A PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT.
A PROJECT BRIEF, SETTING OUT THE GENERAL PARAMETERS FOR BIDDING WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TENDERERS ON MARCH 6 THIS YEAR.
PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS CAN ALSO OBTAIN AN INFORMATION BOOKLET ON THE PROJECT AS FROM FEBRUARY 28.
/THE GOVERNMENT ......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 4 -
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONDUCT A DETAILED EVALUATION OF BIDS AFTER THE CLOSE OF TENDERS IN JULY.
"EVALUATION AND NEGOTIATION ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1992 AND A DECISION ON THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER WILL BE MADE IN EARLY 1993," THE SECRETARY SAID.
------0-------
CONTRACTING OUT OF MANAGEMENT OF REMAINING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS NOTED THE PLAN TO CONTRACT OUT THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE REMAINING FOUR GOVERNMENT TUNNELS BY JANUARY NEXT YEAR, FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS IN CONTRACTING OUT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THIS EXERCISE : WOULD REDUCE OPERATING COSTS AND ALLOW GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN CATERING FOR THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.
"THE LION ROCK AND AIRPORT TUNNELS WILL BE GROUPED UNDER ONE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT, WHILE THE SHING MUN AND TSEUNG KWAN 0 fUNNELS WILL BE GROUPED UNDER ANOTHER CONTRACT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AIRPORT TUNNEL, THESE ARE ALL TOLL TUNNELS," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO INVITE TENDERS IN MAY THIS YEAR WITH A VIEW TO THE CONTRACTORS’ TAKING OVER MANAGEMENT OF THE TUNNELS IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
UNDER THE PLAN, ABOUT 300 TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STAFF DEPLOYED TO TUNNEL OPERATIONS WILL BE AFFECTED.
' THE MAJORITY OF THE POSTS INVOLVED WILL HAVE TO BE ABOLISHED AND REDUNDANCY PAYMENTS MADE TO THE STAFF AFFECTED.
FULL CONSULTATION WITH THE STAFF CONCERNED HAS STARTED, AND LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO EACH PERSON AFFECTED, EXPLAINING THE SITUATION.
EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO REDEPLOY THE STAFF AFFECTED WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"THE INCOMING PRIVATE OPERATORS WILL ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO EMPLOY AS MANY OF THE STAFF AFFECTED AS POSSIBLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT IT WOULD BE IN THEIR INTEREST TO DO SO.
/"ON THE .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 5 -
”0N THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, IT ASSISTANCE TO THOSE STAFF WHO WISH TO SEEK INCOMING OPERATORS, OR OTHER EMPLOYMENT IN THE SAID.
WILL PROVIDE FULL EMPLOYMENT WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR," HE
win JpLZoJT™'1' C0NTRACTS WILL BE FOR THREE YEARS INITIALLY AND wiiub or. KisNEWABLE .
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL RETAIN CONTROL OVER THE TUNNEL THE PERFORMANCE OF' THE OPERATORS," HE EMPHASISED.
TOLLS
AND
--------0-----------
LEGCO FUNCTIONING WELL: SCA
******
MUCH HAS BEEN SAID RECENTLY ABOUT THE GOINGS ON IN THE NEW STYLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ITS IMPACT ON THE CIVIL SERVICE, BUT THE FACT IS THAT LEGCO DOES GET ON WITH ITS JOB AND THE GOVERNMENT IS COPING WELL WITH THE CHANGES.
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID THIS AT A LUNCHEON MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR SZE SAID APART FROM THE COMPOSITION AND HOW MEMBERS WERE RETURNED, THE NEW STYLE LEGCO HAD NOT CHANGED AT ALL.
"ITS FUNCTIONS AND POWERS HAD REMAINED THE SAME.
"THE NEW STYLE LEGCO DOES NOT HAVE ANY MORE POWERS THAN ITS PREDECESSOR. WHAT IT HAS DONE IS TO EXERCISE THE POWERS IT ALWAYS HAD — AND AGGRESSIVELY," HE SAID*
MR SZE NOTED THAT IN THE PAST WHEN THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED ALL • OR MOST OF THE MEMBERS, THESE TENDED EITHER TO BE ESTABLISHMENT FIGURES OR PERSONS ALREADY WITH A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKED.
A CERTAIN DEGREE OF UNDERSTANDING AND TRUST THEREFORE EXISTED BETWEEN THEM AND THE CIVIL SERVICE. IT WAS CONSENSUS POLITICS RATHER THAN THE MORE USUAL ADVERSARIAL POLITICS.
IN THE NEW STYLE LEGCO, MOST OF THE DIRECTLY ELECTED COUNCILLORS CAME FROM A DIFFERENT BACKGROUND. SOME JJAVE SAT FREQUENTLY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TABLE FROM OFFICIALS ON SOCIAL AND OTHER ISSUES IN THEIR PRE-COUNCILLOR DAYS.
"IT IS DIFFICULT AND INDEED UNREALISTIC FOR US TO EXPECT THEM TO TAKE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS, HOWEVER WELL-INTENTIONED, WITH THE SAME DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE," HE SAID.
/"NOT BEING .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 6
"NOT BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT WORKS IT IS NATURAL THAT THEY TEND TO BE MORE INQUISITIVE AND INDEED MORE CAUTIOUS IN GIVING SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG ABOUT THIS," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE HAD GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO CONSENSUS POLITICS BUT HAD ALSO LEARNED TO COPE WITH THE NEW STYLE LEGCO.
"WE HAVE LEARNED THAT WE MUST IMPROVE OUR PRESENTATION OF PROPOSALS AND BE PREPARED TO EXPLAIN AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS MUCH MORE SO THAN IN THE PAST.
"WE MUST ABOVE ALL BE PREPARED TO LISTEN AND TO ACCEPT THAT WE HAVE TO GAIN MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR OUR PROPOSALS AND BE PREPARED TO LOBBY NOT ONLY MEMBERS BUT THE PUBLIC WHOSE ATTITUDE HAVE A GREAT BEARING ON THE MEMBERS," MR SZE SAID.
MR SZE ALSO REVIEWED THE GOVERNMENT’S SUBMISSIONS TO THE LEGCO AT THE END OF THE YEAR OF THE RAM.
A TOTAL OF 110 PAPERS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND ONLY NINE OF WHICH WERE WITHDRAWN. SIX OF THESE WERE RE-SUBMITTED AND ALL APPROVED AT SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.
OF 34 BILLS, 15 OF WHICH WERE ENACTED AND THE REST AT VARIOUS STAGES OF EXAMINATION BY THE LEGISLATURE. NOT A SINGLE FINANCE COMMITTEE ITEM OR BILL HAS BEEN REJECTED.
--------0-----------
BOOKLET TO EXPLAIN BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE
******
COPIES OF A BOOKLET TO EXPLAIN IN LAYMAN TERMS THE HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE 1991 WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TOMORROW.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BOOKLET, ENTITLED "AN INTRODUCTION TO HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE 1991”, WOULD HOPEFULLY INCREASE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THIS IMPORTANT ORDINANCE AND HEIGHTEN AWARENESS OF ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN DAILY LIVES.
HE SAID AS A RESULT OF MEDIA REPORTS AND COMMENTS ON SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT COURT CASES INVOLVING BILL OF RIGHTS POINTS, THE PUBLIC WERE INCREASINGLY AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS .
/"WE PERCEIVE .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
7
"WE PERCEIVE A NEED FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION SO THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS WILL PRODUCE THE DESIRED IMPACT,” HE ADDED.
THE BOOKLET EXPLAINED THE ORDINANCE IN SIMPLE, LAYMAN TERMS. THE AUTHORITATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE RESTED WITH THE COURT OF LAW, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
COPIES OF THE BOOKLET IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE MARKETING OFFICE OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL, AND AT DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORY ADMINISTRATION.
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THESE DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS ARE COPIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.
--------0-----------
ESTIMATED POPULATION FIGURES RELEASED *****
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION OF HONG KONG AT THE END OF DECEMBER LAST YEAR WAS 5,822,500, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 70,500 PERSONS OR 1.2 PER CENT OVER THE END OF 1990. AT THE END OF 1990, THE ESTIMATED POPULATION WAS 5,752,000.
THERE WERE 70,400 BIRTHS AND 28,100 DEATHS DURING 1991. NATURAL INCREASE -- THE SURPLUS OF BIRTHS OVER DEATHS IN THIS PERIOD --AMOUNTED TO 42,300, ACCOUNTING FOR 60 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION GROWTH.
THE BALANCE OF TOTAL ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES SHOWED A NET INFLOW OF 28,200 PERSONS DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
--------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 JANUARY, OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGULARLY ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
/THE LEGAL .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
8
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME-CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
THE ASSOCIATED THIS YEAR: NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE
FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY E COURT
NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENC1
ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE
1 .LA KIMBERLEY HOTELS INTERNATIONAL KIMBERLEY RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 1.12.89- 1.12.90 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
2.FOUR SEAS FISH BALLS CO YIP KAN ST, WONG CHUK HANG 1.1.90- 1.7.91 APCO • It 2,000 2ND EASTERN
3.HANG SENG BANK LTD DES VOEU$ RD CENTRAL CENTRAL 1.6.90- ,13.2.91 APCO • II 1,000 1ST WESTERN
4.CHARMWIN INVESTMENT LTD HEUNG WO ST, TSUEN WAN 10.10.90- 14. 11.90 APCO • II 1,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
5.EAST OCEAN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT LTD TAI PA ST, TSUEN WAN 10.10.90- 20.1.91 APCO • It 1,500 1ST it
6.SHANGHAI CO CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 30.11.90- 15.12.90 APCO J II 2,500 1ST ti
7.GILDCHANCE INVESTMENTS LTD HENNESSY RD, WANCHAI 29.1.91- 8.5.91 APCO • II 3,000 1ST EASTERN
8.ASSOCIATED DAIRIES INTERNATIONAL LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 1.2.91- 28.2.91 APCO • II . 500 1ST KWUN TONG
9.FULL ENOUGH INVESTMENTS LTD KING’S RD, NORTH POINT 13.2.91- 23.2.91 APCO • II . 2,000 1ST EASTERN
/10.TRUETOP .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
9
10.TRUETOP DEVELOPMENT LTD • WANG TAK ST, HAPPY VALLEY 18.2.91- 25.3.91 APCO : ” 4,000 1ST EASTERN
11.SAM TSAI RESTAURANT LTD HENNESSY RD, WANCHAI 13.3.91- 13.4.91 APCO : ” 2,000 1ST ti
12.TIMES RINGIER (HK) LTD DAI KWAI ST, TAI PO 1.4.91- 1.6.91 APCO : " 2,500 1ST SHA TIN
13.ZORA CO LTD TUNG LO WAN RD, CAUSEWAY BAY 9.4.91 nco : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 5,000 1ST EASTERN
14.WONG TAI SIN HSIN KUANG RESTAURANT LTD LUNG CHEUNG RD, WONG TAI SIN 22.4.91-19.7.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 5,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
15.PEAK VAST DEVELOPMENT LTD HENNESSY RD, CAUSEWAY BAY 24.4.91- 25.5.91 APCO : ” 1,000 1ST EASTERN
16 GOLbHURST INDUSTRIES LTD FANLING CENTRE, FANLING 2.5.91- 26.5.91 APCO : ’’ 3,000 1ST FANLING
17.TOPPAN PRINTING CO (HK) LTD WESTLANDS RD, QUARRY BAY 3.5.91- 20.8.91 APCO : ” 4,000 1ST EASTERN
18.TREATY DEVELOPMENT LTD DES VOEUX RD WEST, SHEK TONG TSUI 9.5.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 25,000 2ND WESTERN
19.GRANDTONE DEVELOPMENT LTD KING'S RD, NORTH POINT 10.5.91- 12.6.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 4,000 1ST EASTERN
20.KINOSHIRE LTD KWAI HEI ST, KWAI CHUNG 14.5.91- 2.6.91 APCO I " 2,500 • 1ST EASTERN
/21.H0N YICK .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 10
21.HON YICK PRAT 16.5.91 DASO : 5,000 2ND EASTERN
MARINE ENGINEERING CO LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA BESIDE THE BREAKWATER OF ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER WITHOUT LICENCE
22.HON YICK MARINE ENGINEERING CO LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) AND PRAT AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI 16.5.91 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA BESIDE THE BREAKWATER OF ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER WITHOUT LICENCE 3RD EASTERN
TSUI PAK-CHUNG (SITE FOREMAN) AND SHUN ON ESTATE, CLEAR WATER BAY RD 16.5.91 DASO : " 3,000 1ST EASTERN •
TSUI AH-KAU (BARGE OPERATOR) SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE, ABERDEEN 16.5.91 DASO : 2,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 250 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA BESIDE THE BREAKWATER OF ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER WITHOUT LICENCE 1ST EASTERN •
23.WONG-HON-CHAU OF ORCHID GARDEN GREENERY PLAZA, TAI PO 7.6.91 WPCO : 2,500 ILLEGAL DISCHARGE INTO A STORMWATER DRAIN 1ST SHA TIN
/24.WCNG .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 11 -
24.WONG HON-MO MUK MIN SHAN VILLAGE, SAI KUNG 19.6.91 WPCO : DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO WATERS IN PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONE 7,500 2ND KWUN TONG
25.HON YICK MARINE ENGINEERING CO LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) PRAT AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI 26.6.91 DASO : PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF NINEPIN GROUP WITHOUT LICENCE 5,000 4TH EASTERN
AND
TO NGAU-NAI (TUG BOAT MASTER) CHUNG HING SAN STREET, CHEUNG CHAU 26.6.91 DASO : DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF NINEPIN GROUP WITHOUT LICENCE 5,000 1ST EASTERN
AND
CHEUNG KWOK-KWONG (BARGE OPERATOR) PAK SHE SIXTH LANE, CHEUNG CHAU 26.6.91 DASO : 2,000 1ST EASTERN
26.WELLCOME CO LTD GREAT GEORGE STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY 2.7.91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 5,000 1ST EASTERN
27.PEARL PATERSON CITY STREET,
RESTAURANT CAUSEWAY
LTD BAY
2.7.91
NCO
10,000 1ST EASTERN
/28. CHENG.......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
12
28.CHENG CHI-HOI, HUNG HING MARBLE ENGINEERING CO PING HA RD, YUEN LONG 10.7.91 WPCO : DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE WATERS IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 10,000 1ST FANLING
29.KWOK KAI-KO, TUNG KONG BEAN CURD FACTORY TONG YAN SAN TSUEN, YUEN LONG 11.7.91 WPCO : ” 5,000 1ST
30.HON YICK MARINE ENGINEERING CO LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) PRAT AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI 11.7.91 DASO : PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA BETWEEN NINEPIN GROUP AND WAGLAN ISLAND NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 3,000 1ST . EASTERN
AND
EVERDEVELOP COMPANY LIMITED (SHIPPING CONTRACTOR) SAI LAU KOK RD, TSUEN WAN 11.7.91 DASO : " 5,000 PLUS 2,500 COURT CHARGE 1ST
AND
FOK KAU (TUG'BOAT MASTER) TANNER RD, NORTH POINT 11.7.91 DASO : DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA BETWEEN NINEPIN GROUP AND WAGLAN ISLAND NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 3,000 1ST n
/AND........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 13 -
AND
FUNG LOI-SHING (BARGE OPERATOR) WING HING STREET, PENG CHAU 11.7.91 DASO : ’’ 1,000 1ST it
31.RILMOREY BULLION CO LTD NAM ROR RD, ROWLOON CITY 24.7 .91 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 7,000 1ST SAN PO RONG
32.MAN PARCH EE, CHEE REE RESTAURANT PAU CHEUNG SQUARE, YUEN LONG 8.8. 91 WPCO : DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE WATERS IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 3,000 1ST FANLING
33.THE INCORPORATED OWNERS OF ON WAH INDUSTRIAL BUILDING AU PU1 WAN STREET, SHA TIN 8.8. 91 WPCO : ILLEGAL DISCHARGE FROM BUILDING INTO A PUBLIC STORMWATER DRAIN 3,000 1ST SHA TIN
34.RAM TIN PHOENIX RESTAURANT LIMITED RAM TIN RD, RAM TIN 9.8. 91 WPCO : DISCHARGE POLLUTING MATTER INTO WATERS IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 5,000 1ST FANLING
35.YUE WAH RESTAURANT LTD WATERLOO RD, HO MAN TIN 12.8 .91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARR SMORE EMISSION 4,000 1ST SOUTH ROWLOON
36.YUI LEE DYEING FTY LTD WAI YIP ST, RWUN TONG 20.8.91 APCO : ” 5,000 7TH RWUN TONG
37.FIVE DRAGONS DYEING FTY CO LTD YEUNG UR RD, TSUEN WAN 22.8 .91 APCO : 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
/38.GOOD AIM .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 14 -
38.GOOD AIM ASSOCIATION LTD MODY RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 24.8.91 * NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 7,000 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
39.WING LUEN UNIVERSAL LAUNDRY LTD WING KEI RD, KWAI CHUNG 28.8.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
40.CHARMWIN INVESTMENT LTD HEUNG WO STREET, TSUEN WAN 29.8.91 APCO : ” 1,500 2ND ii
41.MASS LANE INTERNATIONAL LTD TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TAI PO 17.9.91 WPCO : DISCHARGE IN BREACH OF LICENCE CONDITIONS 8,000 2ND SHA TIN
42.CHINA HARBOURS ENGINEERING CO PO ON RD, SHAM SHUI PO 17.9.91 NCO : CARRY OUT PERCUSSIVE PILING NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 2,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
43.LIN CHUN-WAH PO ON RD, SHAM SHUI PO 17.9.91 NCO : PERMIT PERCUSSIVE PILING NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 2,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
44.YEE HING CHEUNG DYEING FACTORY WING KIN RD, KWAI CHUNG 20.9.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
45.MIDGARD CO LTD CANTON RD, YAU MA TEI 24.9.91 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 10,000 3RD SOUTH KOWLOON
/46.CHIU SUK- .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
15
46.CHIU SUK- TAI PO TAU 30.9.91
CHOW VILLAGE,
TAI PO
47.CHAN KWOK-WAH TAI NAM 4.10.91 STREET, SHAM SHUI PO
48.TAI DAY TRANSPORTATION (LICENSEE) AND LAI ON (LOADING JETTY OPERATOR) WAI CHING 9.10.91 ST, YAU MA TEI SAU MAU PING ESTATE, SAU MAU PING
49.COATES BROTHERS (HK) LTD TAI PO 11.10.91 INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TAI PO
50.GOLDEN SHELL INVESTMENT LTD SUN ON ST, 21.10.91 TUEN MUN • •
51.GOLDEN SHELL INVESTMENT LTD SUN ON ST, 6.11.91 TUEN MUN
NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 8,000 1ST SHA TIN
NCO : ” 3,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
DASO: PERMIT LOADING OF 50 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL ONTO A BARGE FOR DUMPING AT SEA 3,000 2ND EASTERN
EAST OF NINEPIN
GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS • •
ii 3,000 2ND •i
WPCO: ILLEGAL DISCHARGE INTO A STORMWATER DRAIN 6,000 1ST SHA TIN
APCO: 1,000 3RD TUEN
FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) MUN
APCO: 1,000 4TH TUEN
FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) MUN
/52.BO LAI .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
16
52.BO LAI WANG LUNG 6.11.91 APCO: 7,500 2ND TSUEN
LAUNDRY FTY ST, TSUEN EXCESSIVE DARK WAN
LTD WAN SMOKE EMISSION
53.KIN SUN QUEEN’S RD 12.11.91 APCO: 8,000 2ND WESTERN
MARBLE WEST, SAI FAILURE TO
ENGINEERING YING PUN TAKE MEASURES
CO TO ELIMINATE
UNNECESSARY
AIR POLLUTANT
NOTE :
APCO : AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
NCO : NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO : DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
WPCO : WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID 10 PARTIES WERE CONVICTED IN JANUARY OF OFFENCES UNDER THE DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975.
IN CASE 21, 22, 25, 30, HON YICK MARINE. ENGINEERING CO LTD WAS CONVICTED WITH A TOTAL FINE OF $18,000 FOR FOUR SEPARATE OFFENCES OF SHORT DUMPING.
APART FROM HON YICK MARINE ENGINEERING CO LTD WHICH WAS SENTENCED. WITH A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 EACH ON THREE SEPARATE CHARGES, A TUG BOAT MASTER IN CASE 25 AND A SHIPPING SUBCONTRACTOR IN CASE 30 WERE ALSO SENTENCED WITH A MAXIMUM FINE.
IN CASE 48, BOTH THE LICENSEE AND THE LOADING JETTY OPERATOR WERE CONVICTED FOR IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE LOADING JETTY IN CARRYING OUT WASTE LOADING OPERATION AND WERE EACH SENTENCED WITH A FINE OF $3,000.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASE CAN BE ADDRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS :
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL. NO. 810 2907
NCO MR STEVEN HO TEL. NO. 810 2800
DASO MR PATRICK LEI TEL. NO. 782 7280
WPCO CASE 23, 33,
41, 49 DR MICHAEL CHIU TEL. NO. 417 4101
WPCO CASE 28, 29
32, 34 MR MURRAY LUO TEL. NO. 835 1184
WPCO CASE 24 DR DANIEL LAU TEL. NO. 782 7282
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUE SHOULD CONTINUE BE DIRECTED TO THE EPD’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION.
------0--------
/17........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18,
1992
- 17 -
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS DECLARED
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 9-13 PITT STREET, YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON TO BE DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (TUESDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE BUILDING WAS A NINE-STOREY REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE SERVED BY TWO STAIRCASES, WHICH WERE INTER-CONNECTED BY A COMMON CORRIDOR ON EACH OF THE UPPER FLOORS TO PROVIDE THE REQUIRED MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCY.
THE BUILDING IS COMMERCIALLY OCCUPIED ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND DOMESTICALLY OCCUPIED ON THE UPPER FLOORS.
IN A RECENT INSPECTION BY THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, IT WAS FOUND THAT CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED ALTERATIONS HAD TAKEN PLACE TO THE COMMON CORRIDORS CONNECTING THE STAIRCASES ON EACH OF THE UPPER FLOORS, SERIOUSLY JEOPARDISING THE OCCUPANTS IN CASE OF FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCY.
THE PGBS SAID THE BUILDING HAD BEEN RENDERED DANGEROUS BY THE LACK OF MEANS OF ESCAPE AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE ORIGINALLY APPROVED MEANS OF ESCAPE ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN REINSTATED.
HE SAID IN THIS REGARD, THE OWNERS HAD BEEN ORDERED TO CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY REINSTATEMENT WORKS WITHIN A PERIOD EXPIRING ON MARCH 27, FAILING WHICH AN APPLICATION FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN RESPECT OF THE UPPER FLOORS WOULD BE MADE BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
THE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 31 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
FURTHERMORE, AN ORDER HAS BEEN SERVED TO THE OWNERS FOR THE CARRYING OUT OF GENERAL REPAIRS TO COMMON AREAS AND INDIVIDUAL UNITS OF THE BUILDING.
MEANWHILE, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ALSO DECLARED THE ROOF AND STRUCTURE ON 20 WING ON STREET AND 19 GILMAN STREET IN CENTRAL LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT, THE PGBS SAID CLOSURE OF THE ROOF WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDING DURING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF AND THE TOP PORTION OF THE COMMON PARTY WALL ADJOINING WITH 22 WING ON STREET AND 21 GILMAN STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 3 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
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/18.........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 18 -
SUBVENTION FOR ADULT EDUCATION COURSES
******
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION TO RUN ADULT EDUCATION COURSES FOR THE 1992-93 SCHOOL YEAR.
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE COURSES WOULD COMPLEMENT AND SUPPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVITIES IN THIS FIELD.
AREAS ELIGIBLE FOR SUBVENTION INCLUDE PREVOCATIONAL TRAINING, EDUCATION ON LABOUR, CAREERS AND RETIREMENT, JOB-ORIENTED COURSES, SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ADULTS, AND GENERAL EDUCATION FOR PARTICULAR GROUPS SUCH AS FACTORY WORKERS AND FISHERFOLK.
THE SUBVENTION WILL COVER MAINLY STAFF COST, BASIC TEACHING AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES CHARGES AND RENT FOR ACCOMMODATION.
APPLICATION FORMS, OBTAINABLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, SHOULD BE RETURNED BY APRIL 30.
APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULT IN JULY.
---------0-----------
CONFERENCE ON PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT ♦ ♦»*♦♦
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, TOGETHER WITH A NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS, IS ORGANISING A ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ON PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE RAMADA RENAISSANCE HOTEL ON FEBRUARY 27.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO AROUSE THE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET, DISCUSS AND EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS ON PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, WILL OPEN THE CONFERENCE AT 9.15 AM.
PROMINENT LOCAL EXPERTS AS WELL AS TWO OVERSEAS SPEAKERS, MR LARRY KEELEY, PRESIDENT OF DOBLIN GROUP, CHICAGO AND MR DAVID CARTER, CHAIRMAN OF DCA DESIGN CONSULTANTS, WARWICK, WILL ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE.
/THE CO-ORGANISERS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
19
THE CO-ORGANISERS OF THE CONFERENCE ARE THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF DESIGNERS - HONG KONG REGION; DESIGN COUNCIL OF HONG KONG; HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY LIMITED; HONG KONG DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION; MECHANICAL, MARINE AND CHEMICAL DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS; HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL; AND SWIRE SCHOOL OF DESIGN OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
THE CONFERENCE IS SUPPORTED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
REGISTRATION FEE IS $800, INCLUDING LUNCH AND CONFERENCE MATERIALS.
INTERESTED PERSONS CAN CONTACT THE CONFERENCE MANAGER, HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ON TEL. 788 5036 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A BUILDING IN SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT BLOCK A OF THE FOURTH FLOOR OF 11-13A CHEUNG WAH STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 15 HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE PREMISES.
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
268 VMS RETURNED TODAY ******
A GROUP OF 268 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 111 MEN, 59 WOMEN, 54 BOYS AND 44 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 89TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 1,459 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 15,438 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
/TODAY'S FLIGHT
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
- 20 -
TODAY’S FLIGHT WAS TO HANOI.
THE FLIGHT WAS ORIGINALLY DESTINED FOR HO CHI MINH CITY WITH VOLUNTEERS FROM THE NEW SHEK KONG DEPARTURE CENTRE.
HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THESE VOLUNTEERS TO LEAVE TODAY BECAUSE OF THE THE TRAGEDY WHICH OCCURRED AT CHINESE NEW YEAR, AND THE INVESTIGATIONS ARISING.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE UNHCR WAS ABLE TO GO AHEAD WITH THE FLIGHT AND TO KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION, FOR WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE VOLUNTEERS SINCE THE AGREEMENT WITH VIETNAM ON THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME WAS SIGNED ON OCTOBER 29, 1991."
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
* * * * *
TENDER DATE 18 FEB 92 18 FEB 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q208 H258
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,051 MN HKD 920 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.99 PCT 4.11 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.00 PCT 4.13 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 71 PCT ABOUT 49 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.04 PCT 4.18 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 24 FEBRUARY 1992 #
TENDER DATE 25 FEB 92 25 FEB 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q209 Y287
ISSUE DATE 26 FEB 92 26 FEB 92
/MATURITY DATE .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1992
21
MATURITY DATE 27 MAY 92 24 FEB 93
TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKS5OO + 100 MN HK$200 + 60 MN
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 17.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 18.2.92 -95
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 95
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
111.1 *+0.2* 18.2.92
* HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.85 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.40 5.47
1 MONTH 3.85 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.07 5.54
3 MONTHS 3.95 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.08 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.54 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,835 MN
CLOSED 18 FEBRUARY 1992
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
FS'S STATEMENT ON BCCHK IN LEGCO .................................. 1
SPEECH OF FS IN DEBATE ON TAXATION REVIEW AT LEGCO ................ 2
LEGCO VOTED AGAINST COMMITTEE TO REVIEW TAXATION SYSTEM ........... 4
GOVT COMPLETING EXAM OF 6 ORDINANCES UNDER FREEZE ................. 5
GOVT CONSULTATING PUBLIC ON CMB FRANCHISE ......................... 6
GOVT TO REVIEW LAW TO PREVENT CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED............. 7
COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE ARE HANDLED IMPARTIALLY ................. 8
ANTI-BURGLARY MEASURES FOR HOUSING BLOCKS ADEQUATE ................ 9
GOVT TO IMPROVE CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY .......................... 10
INTRODUCTION OF OTTV CONTROLS TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ........ 11
HALF OF GOVT DEPTS PRODUCE ANNUAL REPORT .......................... 11
WORKING GROUP ESTABLISHED TO REVIEW TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM ......... 13
$236 MILLION PAID OUT FOR CROP COMPENSATION ....................... 14
GOVT EFFORTS IN MITIGATING SMELLS IN OPEN NULLAHS ................. 14
KEEP FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION RISK, RESTAURANT OPERATORS REMINDED .. 15
MORE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 ......... 16
ANNUAL EXPENDITURE OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ....................... 17
OXYGEN INJECTION SCHEME CEASED OPERATION .......................... 17
SUBSTANTIAL WORK DONE TO IMPLEMENT FAMILY LAW REPORT PROPOSALS .... 18
/NO STANDING
I
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NO STANDING ARRANGEMENTS TO RETURN SICK CITIZENS FROM OVERSEAS .... 18
SECOND CLINIC PLANNED FOR TSEUNG KWAN O.............................. 19
FOURTH CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL PLANNED ........................... 20
SECURITIES (CLEARING HOUSES) BILL INTRODUCED ........................ 20
GOVT TO IMPROVE CONTROL ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ...................... 22
PROTECTION AGAINST VICTIMISATION BY EMPLOYERS ....................... 23
PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IMPROVES ............. 23
PROTECTION FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WORKING OUTSIDE HONG KONG ....... 24
INCREASED PENALTIES FOR WAGE DEDUCTION AND UNDERPAYMENT PROPOSED .. 25
CONTROL OVER CONTAINER HANDLING ACTIVITIES .......................... 27
GOVERNOR TO VISIT GUANGDONG............................................ 28
STATEMENT ON BCCHK..................................................... 28
CLASS SIZE PROPOSAL EXPLAINED.......................................... 32
POSTAL SERVICES TO MADAGASCAR RESUMED ................................. 33
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ...................................... 33
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY ................................... 34
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 34
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,
1992
- 1 -
FS’S STATEMENT ON BCCHK IN LEGCO ft * * « $ «
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM THIS COUNCIL OF THE LATEST POSITION ON THE TAKEOVER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG (BCCHK) AND THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK.
AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT EMERGENCE OF LARGE UNRECORDED CLAIMS FROM THE LIQUIDATORS OF BCC OPERATIONS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, I REGRET TO INFORM MEMBERS THAT THE TAKEOVER NEGOTIATIONS HAVE NOW BEEN FRUSTRATED, AND HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO AN END BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR AND THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK. THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR- HAS CONVEYED THIS OUTCOME TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEPOSITORS OF BCCHK AT A MEETING THIS MORNING.
EVER SINCE THE CLOSURE OF BCCHK, THE OVERRIDING OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN TO SECURE THE MAXIMUM PAYOUT FOR ALL CREDITORS AND DEPOSITORS. A TAKEOVER OFFERED THE BEST PROSPECTS UNTIL THE EMERGENCE OF SUBSTANTIAL NEW CLAIMS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE BCCI GROUP IN RECENT WEEKS. IN THE FACE OF THESE NEW CLAIMS AND THE RELUCTANCE OF THE ABU DHABI SHAREHOLDERS TO PROVIDE A FULL GUARANTEE AGAINST SUCH LIABILITIES, THE BALANCE HAS UNFORTUNATELY NOW SHIFTED IN FAVOUR OF LIQUIDATION.
AS MEMBERS WILL RECALL, IN JULY LAST YEAR MOST BCCHK DEPOSITORS RECEIVED A FIRST PAYMENT OF 25 PER CENT OF THEIR DEPOSTTS, SUBJECT TO AN UPPER LIMIT OF $500,000. WITH LIQUIDATION. IT IS LOPED THAT ALL DEPOSITORS WILL RECEIVE WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS AN INTERIM PAYOUT OF 35 TO 40 PER CENT, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THE INTERIM RELIEF ALREADY PAID. ALTHOUGH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT ACCURATELY THE OUTCOME OF A LIQUIDATION, THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR BELIEVES THAT IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT A TOTAL PAYOUT, IN THE LONGER TERM, IN THE REGION OF 70-75 PER CENT. THOUGH I RECOGNISE THE CONCERN AND DISAPPOINTMENT-THAT WILL BE FELT BY DEPOSITORS AT THIS OUTCOME, THESE PERCENTAGES ARE AT LEAST FAR BETTER THAN BCC DEPOSITORS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD CAN EXPECT.
I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THE TAKEOVER NEGOTIATIONS CANNOT BE TAKEN FORWARD. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEPOSITORS WILL HAVE THE SYMPATHY OF EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL. BUT IT IS THE CONSIDERED JUDGEMENT OF THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR AND THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK THAT IN THE LIGHT OF THESE NEW CLAIMS, THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE TAKEOVER CANNOT SUCCEED.
/I WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
2
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR AND THE SPECIAL MANAGERS FOR THEIR PAINSTAKING EFFORTS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS IN SECURING AND SAFEGUARDING THE ASSETS OF THE BANK AND IN THEIR COMPLEX TASK OVER THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR A POSSIBLE TAKEOVER. OVER $5 BILLION HAS SINCE BEEN RECOVERED AND A CASH AMOUNT OF OVER $4 BILLION REMAINS ON DEPOSIT LOCALLY AND IS EARNING INTEREST AT PREVAILING RATES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE EFFORT AND SINCERITY OF THE HONGKONG CHINESE BANK THROUGHOUT THE TAKEOVER NEGOTIATIONS. IT IS A GREAT PITY THAT THINGS CANNOT BE TAKEN FORWARD BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF BOTH PARTIES.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR WILL NOW BE APPLYING TO THE COURT FOR DIRECTIONS AS TO THE FURTHER CONDUCT OF THE •WINDING-UP PETITION.
-----0------
SPEECH OF FS IN DEBATE ON TAXATION REVIEW AT LEGCO
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
MR. LI WAH-MING'S MOTION CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A COMMITTEE, WITH MEMBERS REPRESENTING A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, IN ORDER TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TAXATION SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.
THE PHRASE ’’COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW” HAS SUPERFICIAL ATTRACTIONS. IT SUGGESTS A FRESH START, WITH NEW J DEAS BEING BROUGHT TO BEAR ON OLD PROBLEMS. BUT THESE SUPERFICIAL ATTRACTIONS SHOULD BE RESISTED IF THE AREA TO BE REVIEWED IS ONE WHERE EXISTING POLICY IS WORKING WELL. IF IT'S NOT BROKEN, DON’T FIX IT.
THE QUESTION TO BE ASKED ABOUT HONG KONG’S SYSTEM OF TAXATION IS WHETHER THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES ON WHICH IT IS BASED CONTINUE TO SERVE US WELL. I WOULD HIGHLIGHT FOUR SUCH PRINCIPLES. FIRST, WE MUST MAINTAIN A SIMPLE, LOW TAX REGIME. SECONDLY, OUR SYSTEM OF TAXATION MUST BE AS PRODUCTIVE AS POSSIBLE, AND MUST PROVIDE CERTAINTY TO TAXPAYERS IN DETERMINING THEIR TAX LIABILITIES. THIRDLY, WE MUST PROVIDE A FISCAL ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES INVESTMENT AND REINVESTMENT. FOURTHLY, WE MUST CONTINUE TO TACKLE TAX AVOIDANCE AND EVASION.
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT OUR PRESENT SYSTEM OPERATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL FOUR OF THESE PRINCIPLES. BOTH INDIRECT AND DIRECT TAXES ARE LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, AND A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE PAY LITTLE TAX. CALCULATING TAX LIABILITY IS STRAIGHT-FORWARD AND GIVES CERTAINTY TO BUSINESSMEN AND INVESTORS. HONG KONG’S STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FINANCIAL CENTRE HAS GROWN ENORMOUSLY OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, HELPED BY A FRAMEWORK OF LEGISLATION WHICH ENSURES A LEVEL PLAYING-FIELD, BUT DOES NOT OVERREGULATE. MEASURES TO COUNTERACT AVOIDANCE OF TAX ARE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THIS COUNCIL AS NECESSARY. FOLLOWING THESE PRINCIPLES HAS ENABLED OUR TAX SYSTEM TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY ITS PRIMARY OBJECTIVE, WHICH IS TO RAISE REVENUE SUFFICIENT TO MEET OUR EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
/ANY SYSTEM .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
3
ANY SYSTEM HAS LIMITATIONS AND CONSTRAINTS. HONG KONG IS OF COURSE NO EXCEPTION. THERE IS, FOR EXAMPLE, INCREASING CONSENSUS ABOUT THE DESIRABILITY OF BROADENING THE TAX BASE TO PROTECT OUR REVENUE AGAINST AN UNFORESEEN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUST BE PRAGMATIC ABOUT THIS. I HAVE MADE IT CLEAR, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE DESIRABILITY OF A GENERAL SALES TAX MUST AWAIT A TIME WHEN INFLATION NO LONGER POSES A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO THE LIVELIHOOD OF ORDINARY FAMILIES. SIMILARLY, THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE NEED TO PLUG AVOIDANCE LOOPHOLES CREATED BY THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF MODERN BUSINESS PRACTICE. IN SHORT, OUR SYSTEM OF TAXATION IS BASICALLY WORKING WELL. UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, A NEW, GENERAL REVIEW DOES NOT SEEM NECESSARY.
HOWEVER, MY CONCERN IS MORE FUNDAMENTAL THAN THIS. I BELIEVE THAT A REVIEW AT THE PRESENT TIME WOULD HAVE REAL DISADVANTAGES FOR HONG KONG. INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG IS NOW HIGH, AND IT IS CRITICAL THAT IT REMAINS SO AS WE DEVELOP OUR SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO 1997. ANY NEW REVIEW COMMITTEE WOULD TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR TO FORMULATE ITS CONCLUSIONS. THESE WOULD TAKE PLACE AMIDST CONTINUING PUBLIC DEBATE, AND WOULD ALMOST GERTAINLY THEN NEED TO BE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC CONSULTATION. SEVERAL YEARS COULD ELAPSE BEFORE FINAL DECISIONS WERE MADE. IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF ANY GOVERNMENT TO CREATE SUCH A PROTRACTED PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY OVER AN ISSUE CRUCIAL TO INVESTOR CONFIDENCE, IN THE ABSENCE OF CLEAR INDICATIONS THAT THERE ARE MAJOR FLAWS IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM. AS I HAVE EXPLAINED, THE REVERSE IS THE CASE.
1 TURN NOW TO MR. FUNG KIN-KEE’S PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO MR. LI’S MOTION. MR. FUNG SUGGESTS THAT ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE REVIEW SHOULD BE TO REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN OF THE LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS. TO TALK OF THEM AS VICTIMS IN RELATION TO OUR TAX SYSTEM SEEMS, TO ME, TO STRETCH POETIC LICENCE TO ITS LIMIT. A MORE CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE PRESENT POSITION BRINGS MR. FUNG’S SUGGESTION INTO SERIOUS QUESTION.
LOOKING AT DIRECT TAXATION FIRST, WELL OVER HALF OF THE WORKING POPULATION OF HONG KONG IN FACT PAYS NO DIRECT TAX AT ALL. OF THOSE WHO ARE LIABLE FOR SALARY TAX IN 1991-92, ONLY 100,000 PAY TAX AT THE STANDARD RATE OF 15%. THIS SMALL GROUP OF TAXPAYERS WILL CONTRIBUTE 56% OF ALL SALARIES TAX YIELD THIS YEAR.
SIMILARLY, INDIRECT TAXES ARE NOW IMPOSED ON SOME MAINLY LUXURY PRODUCTS, CERTAIN GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND ON PROPERTY. THE TOTAL INDIRECT TAX BURDEN, INCLUDING RATES, NOW MAKES UP ONLY A FEW PERCENT OF THE INCOME OF AN AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD. THUS IT IS CLEAR THAT, FAR FROM DISCRIMINATING AGAINST LOWER OR MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS, OUR PRESENT SYSTEM OF TAXATION PRINCIPALLY AFFECTS THE MOST PROSPEROUS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
MR LI HAS SUGGESTED A "BROADLY-BASED" REVIEW COMMITTEE. THE IMPLICATION MAY BE THAT, HOWEVER SUCCESSFUL THE GOVERNMENT’S TAXATION POLICY MAY BE IN FISCAL TERMS, THE CHANNELS FOR REFLECTING OPINION TO THE GOVERNMENT ARE INADEQUATE.
/ONCE AGAIN .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
4
ONCE AGAIN, THIS ASSUMPTION DOES NOT STAND UP TO CLOSE EXAMINATION. WE RECEIVE FIRST CLASS ADVICE ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES FROM THE INDEPENDENT JOINT LIAISON COMMITTEE ON TAXATION. AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH INDIVIDUALS AND INTERESTED GROUPS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH GRASS-ROOTS SUPPORT, CAN AND DO PRESENT THEIR VIEWS TO THE GOVERNMENT, WHETHER ON MATTERS OF PRINCIPLE OR OF TECHNICAL DETAIL. THESE INCLUDE THE OMELCO PANEL ON FINANCE, TAXATION AND MONETARY AFFAIRS. THE FINANCE BRANCH, THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AND I MYSELF REGULARLY RECEIVE WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS AND HOLD FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS WITH CONCERNED PARTIES ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE TAXATION SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY DURING THE BUDGET SEASON. INDEED, I WAS HANDED SOME TAX PROPOSALS AS I ENTERED THIS BUILDING TODAY. MR LI HIMSELF HAS REFERRED TO A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC PROPOSALS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THESE . WERE SUBSEQUENTLY CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. AND OF COURSE I WILL BE LISTENING WITH GREAT INTEREST TO ANY SUGGESTIONS OR IDEAS THAT EMERGE IN THE COURSE OF THIS DEBATE.
IN CONCLUSION, WE HAVE IN PLACE A TAXATION SYSTEM WHICH IS PERHAPS UNIQUp IN ITS ABILITY TO RAISE REVENUE, WHILE MAINTAINING A SIMPLE SYSTEM OF COLLECTION AND LOW LEVELS OF TAX, PARTICULARLY FOR THE LESS WELL-OFF. WE ARE IN NO SENSE COMPLACENT, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING FORWARD TO THIS COUNCIL MEASURES TO TACKLE PROBLEMS: AS THEY ARE IDENTIFIED. IN DOING SO, WE WILL ADHERE TO THE FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES WHICH I OUTLINED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY SPEECH. UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, MR. DEPUTY PRESIDENT, I CANNOT SUPPORT THE MOTION EITHER IN THE FORM PROPOSED BY MR. LI OR IN THE AMENDED VERSION PROPOSED BY MR. FUNG, AND I AND MY OFFICIAL COLLEAGUES WILL VOTE AGAINST.
--------0-----------
LEGCO VOTED AGAINST COMMITTEE TO REVIEW TAXATION SYSTEM
* * * * *
A MOTION WHICH URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A COMMITTE TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TAXATION SYSTEM IN HONG KONG■ WAS.DEFEATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION, MOVED BY. THE HON FRED LI, WAS DEBATED BY 29 LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS FOR FIVE HOURS.
AN AMENDED MOTION ON THE SUBJECT MOVED BY THE HON K.K. FUNG WAS ALSO DEFEATED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
A TOTAL OF THREE BILLS WERE PASSED AT TODAY’S MEETING.
/THE MAGISTRATES .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
5
THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991 AND THE CRIMES (TORTURE) BILL WERE PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
SEVEN BILLS - SECURITIES (CLEARING HOUSES) BILL, CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992, FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1992 AND FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992 - WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
GOVT COMPLETING EXAM OF 6 ORDINANCES UNDER FREEZE
THE PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT NOW IS TO COMPLETE THE EXAMINATION OF THE SIX ORDINANCES SUBJECT TO THE ONE-YEAR FREEZE -PERIOD UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE AND TO INTRODUCE AMENDING LEGISLATION WHERE THIS IS THOUGHT NECESSARY.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR PETER LAI, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING A QUESTION BY THE HON SIMON IP SIK-ON, MR LAI SAID OF THE SIX ORDINANCES SUBJECT TO THE FREEZE, AMENDMENTS TO TWO OF THEM, I.E. THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ORDINANCE, HAD BEEN GAZETTED AND WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 26.
"WE ARE FINALISING OUR PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE CRIMES ORDINANCE, SOCIETIES ORDINANCE AND IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE TO AVOID INCONSISTENCY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
"SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE RELEVANT AMENDMENT BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THIS COUNCIL BEFORE THE FREEZE PERIOD EXPIRES ON JUNE 8, 1992," HE SAID.
AS FOR THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY SAID MOST OF THE PROVISIONS WHICH MIGHT CAUSE PROBLEMS UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS WERE RELATED TO POLICE POWERS OF STOP AND SEARCH, AND ARREST AND DETENTION.
HE SAID THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAD CARRIED OUT EXTENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE AREAS INVOLVED AND WOULD PUBLISH ITS REPORT SOON.
"GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT, IT IS BOTH PRUDENT AND NECESSARY TO AWAIT THE REPORT BEFORE FORMULATING OUR POSITION ON THE ORDINANCE.
"WE WILL CONSIDER THE REPORT AS A MATTER OF URGENCY, WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING AMENDING LEGISLATION INTO THIS COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER," HE ADDED.
/THE SECRETARY .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 6 -
THE SECRETARY EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF THE EXISTING LEGISLATION OF HONG KONG WHERE PROBLEM AREAS WERE THOUGHT TO EXIST PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
”WE CONCLUDED THAT WHILE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE LAW COULD BE AT RISK OF BEING FOUND TO BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS, ULTIMATELY THIS WAS A MATTER WHICH COULD ONLY BE DECIDED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BY THE COURTS.”
’’WE THEREFORE ADOPTED THE CAUTIOUS APPROACH OF SEEKING TO FREEZE THE OPERATION OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE ONLY IN RESPECT OF A SMALL NUMBER OF ORDINANCES CONTAINING PROVISIONS WHICH, IF REPEALED UPON A FINDING OF INCONSISTENCY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS, WOULD CREATE AN UNACCEPTABLE OPERATIONAL VACUUM PARTICULARLY IN THE SPHERE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT,’* MR LAI SAID.
AS FOR OTHER LEGISLATION, THE SECRETARY SAID THE APPROACH WAS TO DEAL WITH CASES OF POSSIBLE OR DETERMINED INCOMPATIBILITY WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE AS THEY AROSE, WHETHER AS A RESULT OF THEIR OWN REVIEW AND RESEARCH OR OF CASES DECIDED BY THE COURTS.
”IN RECOMMENDING LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS IN RESPONSE TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS, WE SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS LEGISLATION IS AN ENTIRELY NEW AREA OF LAW FOR HONG KONG AND A LOCAL JURISPRUDENCE IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING TO DEVELOP.
"A CAUTIOUS APPROACH IS THEREFORE JUSTIFIED, AT LEAST UNTIL WE HAVE MORE LOCAL JUDICIAL PRECEDENTS TO GUIDE US,” MR LAI ADDED.
--------0----------
GOVT CONSULTATING PUBLIC ON CMB FRANCHISE *****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) MET THE CHAIRMEN OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES ON HONG KONG ISLAND ON FEBRUARY 11 TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS ON THE CMB FRANCHISE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MR LEUNG SAID THE FOUR DISTRICT BOARDS WERE NOW FURTHER COLLATING LOCAL OPINIONS, WITH A VIEW TO PRESENTING THEM TO THE TAC BEFORE FEBRUARY 25.
HE SAID A PAPER GIVING CMB’S PERFORMANCE RECORDS SINCE 1986 WAS SENT TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS OF HONG KONG ISLAND ON JANUARY 28.
CONTENTS OF THE PAPER WERE ALSO DISSEMINATED THROUGH THE PRINTED MEDIA INCLUDING TWO PRESS RELEASES HIGHLIGHTING THE KEY ISSUES ON WHICH PUBLIC VIEWS WOULD BE SOUGHT.
/"AS ALREADY .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
7
"AS ALREADY REPORTED IN THE PRESS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN THE PAPER ON CMB’S PERFORMANCE RECORDS OR THE TEXT OF CMB’S PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME MAY CONTACT THE TRANSPORT BRANCH EITHER BY TELEPHONE OR BY MAIL," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID IT WOULD NOT BE DESIRABLE IN THIS CASE TO EXTEND THE CONSULTATION PERIOD.
"TO KEEP OPEN THE OPTION FOR A FURTHER OPENING UP OF THE BUS MARKET ON HONG KONG ISLAND.THROUGH COMPETITIVE TENDERING OF ROUTES, ENOUGH LEAD TIME MUST BE ALLOWED FOR TENDERS TO BE CALLED AND ASSESSED AS WELL AS FOR PROSPECTIVE CONTENDERS TO LINE UP BUSES AND SUPPORT FACILITIES.
"WE MUST ALSO ALLOW REASONABLE TIME FOR NEGOTIATION WITH CMB," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
GOVT TO REVIEW LAW TO PREVENT CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO REVIEW THE EXISTING LEGISLATION TO DETER PARENTS FROM LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN ALONE AT HOME, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MRS WONG SAID AT THE MOMENT, THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO ENACT A SPECIAL PIECE OF NEW LEGISLATION TO PUNISH PARENTS WHO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE INTEND TO REVIEW THE EXISTING LEGISLATION TO SEE WHETHER IT CAN BE STRENGTHENED TO DETER PARENTS FROM HABITUALLY PUTTING THEIR CHILDREN AT RISK BY LEAVING THEM ALONE," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS KEEPING AN OPEN MIND ON FUTURE OPTIONS.
SHE NOTED THAT THE THREE-MONTH PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH ENDED ON DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR ATTRACTED 190 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS.
THE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED WERE ANALYSED AND INCORPORATED IN A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR DISCUSSION LAST MONTH.
BASED ON THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO EXPAND CHILD CARE AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES; TO ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIAL NETWORK OF INFORMAL CARE AND SUPPORT PROVIDED BY FAMILIES, RELATIVES, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS; AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD.
ON CHILD CARE SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID A TARGET OF 1,400 DAY NURSERY PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX HAD BEEN SET ANNUALLY UNTIL DEMAND WAS FULLY MET.
/OTHER MEASURES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
8
OTHER MEASURES INCLUDED EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF DAY CRECHES BY PHASES FOR CHILDREN UNDER TWO, PARTICULARLY IN NEW TOWNS, TO CATER FOR YOUNG FAMILIES; PROMOTING THE IDEA OF WORK-BASED CHILD-CARE CENTRES AMONG INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EMPLOYERS; AND EXPANDING THE AFTERSCHOOL CARE PROGRAMME AND THE OCCASIONAL CHILD-CARE SERVICES.
TURNING TO THE CONCEPT OF MUTUAL HELP, MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF EXEMPTING MUTUAL-HELP GROUPS FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE.
"WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, SUITABLE PREMISES ARE BEING IDENTIFIED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES ON A SELF-FINANCING AND MUTUAL-HELP BASIS," SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, WILL PROMOTE HOME SAFETY AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AS PART OF THEIR REGULAR FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT PUBLICITY AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT BOTH THE CENTRAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS TO EDUCATE PARENTS NOT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME," MRS WONG SAID.
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COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE ARE HANDLED IMPARTIALLY
***»■»*
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO ENSURE IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATIONS OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD, MR ASPREY SAID OFFICERS OF THE COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE OFFICE (CAPO) BELONG TO THE COMPLAINTS AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS BRANCH OF THE FORCE, WHICH WAS SEPARATE FROM THE REST OF THE FORCE.
"THE FACT THAT CAPO OFFICERS ARE PART OF A DIFFERENT CHAIN OF COMMAND ENSURES THEIR OBJECTIVITY IN DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS,” HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR CAPO TO FOLLOW.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE CASE OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVING SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS, ADVICE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS WOULD BE SOUGHT AFTER THE INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETED ON THE FOLLOW-UP ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
/THE RESULTS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
9
THE RESULTS OF CAPO INVESTIGATIONS, TOGETHER WITH ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS SUCH AS STATEMENTS OF WITNESSES, ARE PASSED TO THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE (PCC), AN INDEPENDENT BODY, FOR EXAMINATION.
THE PCC IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO MONITOR, AND WHERE NECESSARY TO REVIEW, THE INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS.
"IF NECESSARY, THE PCC MAY REQUEST -CAPO TO RE-INVESTIGATE CASES UNTIL THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THE INVESTIGATION RESULTS," HE ASSURED.
MR ASPREY ADDED THAT A COMPLAINANT WAS INFORMED BY THE CAPO OF THE RESULT OF INVESTIGATION ONLY AFTER THIS HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE PCC.
"IF HE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RESULT, HE MAY PETITION THE GOVERNOR," HE SAID.
------0-------
ANTI-BURGLARY MEASURES FOR HOUSING BLOCKS ADEQUATE
*****
IN REVIEWING THE ADEQUACY OF ANTI-BURGLARY MEASURES FOR TRIDENT II, III AND LINEAR BLOCK TYPES, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD TAKEN ACCOUNT OF THE RECORDED BURGLARY CASES ARISING FROM ENTRY THROUGH WINDOWS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID THE CRIME RATE AT THESE BLOCKS WAS OVERALL LOW AND THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BLOCK TYPES.
HE SAID ADDITIONAL GRILLES WERE FITTED NOT ONLY TO TRIDENT II BLOCKS BUT ALSO TO TRIDENT III AND LINEAR BLOCKS AT THE SAME TIME IN 1988.
"THE REASON FOR THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO ALL THESE BLOCK TYPES WAS TO ENHANCE THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY."
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S RECENT DECISION NOT TO ALLOCATE A FURTHER $15 MILLION TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL GRILLES IN THE LATTER TWO BLOCK TYPES TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPROVED BLOCK DESIGN AND THE RELATIVELY LOW NUMBER OF BURGLARY CASES, AND THE FACT THAT ALL WINDOWS WERE ALREADY PROVIDED WITH ANTI-BURGLARY BARS.
"HOWEVER, IT HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE A STANDARD DRAWING FOR TENANTS WHO MAY WISH TO INSTALL ADDITIONAL METAL GRILLES OUTSIDE THE FLOWER BOX AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE," MR BARNES SAID.
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/10 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 10 -
GOVT TO IMPROVE CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY ******
MEASURES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES WOULD BE PROMOTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, WORKS DEPARTMENTS, OTHER MAJOR CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITIES, THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION AND THE UNIONS, THE SECRETARY■FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON, MR BLAKE SAID THE POSSIBILITY OF MONITORING MORE CLOSELY THE SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF INDIVIDUAL SUB-CONTRACTORS WAS ONE OF SUCH MEASURES.
HE SAID THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS ON ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES (PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT) FOR 1990 WAS 25,138 WHILE THAT FOR GOVERNMENT SITES WAS 4,943.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S SHARE OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS WAS 20 PER CENT. THIS COMPARES WITH ITS SHARE OF TOTAL CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURE OF 35 PER CENT," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE CAP 282 HELD THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR LIABLE FOR PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO EMPLOYEES OF SUB-CONTRACTORS IN RESPECT OF WORK-RELATED A CI DENTS.
"THIS PROTECTS WORKERS BECAUSE OF THE BETTER FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE MAIN CONTRACTOR," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, IT WAS THE DUTY OF EVERY PROPRIETOR OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING, WHICH INCLUDED CONSTRUCTION SITES TO PROVI BE 7' ' INING ON HIS EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS ACTIVELY PROMOTING SAFETY TRAINING ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AS ONE OF THE MEASURES MAIN CONTRACTORS CAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS IMPROVING CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY.
"SUCH TRAINING SHOULD COVER NOT ONLY WORKERS DIRECTLY EMPLOYED BY THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR BUT ALL THOSE WORKING IN THE SITE," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS CONSIDERING PROSECUTING CONTRACTORS FOR CONTRAVENTION OF THE REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SAFETY TRAINING TO WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
APART FROM THIS STATUTORY REQUIREMENT, THE SECRETARY SAID, THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE WITHIN THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ALSO CONDUCTED SAFETY TRAINING COURSE TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENT.
DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, A TOTAL OF 985 CONSTRUCTION-RELATED SAFETY TRAINING COURSES HAD BEEN HELD WITH 29,671 PARTICIPANTS FROM VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
/MR BLAKE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
11
MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD, A SYSTEM TO DISQUALIFY MAIN CONTRACTORS WHO HAD POOR SAFETY RECORDS FROM UNDERTAKING GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.
"IF THE MAIN CONTRACTOR FAILS TO MAINTAIN A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT THIS WILL BE REFLECTED IN HIS PERFORMANCE REPORTS AND COULD INFLUENCE HIS RETENTION ON THE LISTS OF APPROVED CONTRACTORS," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
INTRODUCTION OF OTTV CONTROLS TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY
******
THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY OVERALL THERMAL TRANSFER VALUE (OTTV) FOR NEW COMMERCIAL AND HOTEL BUILDINGS FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, Legislative council today (Wednesday).
COMMITTEE HAD RECOMMENDED THAT CONTROLS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY MR GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SAMUEL WONG, BARNES SAID THIS FOLLOWED THE COMPLETION OF A CONSULTANCY REPORT THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING OTTV TO AIR-CONDITIONED BUILDINGS HONG KONG.
MR ON IN
THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT A HANDBOOK ON OTTV CALCULATIONS SHOULD BE PUBLISHED INITIALLY TO REFINE THE OTTV STANDARDS BEFORE ANY STATUTORY CONTROL WAS INTRODUCED.
MR BARNES SAID THE PROPOSED OTTV CONTROL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED AS A FIRST STEP TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN NEW BUILDINGS WITH A VIEW TO THE EVENTUAL ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE BUILDING ENERGY
"THE PROPOSALS WILL BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY,"
HE SAID. ’
-----0-----
HALF OF GOVT DEPTS PRODUCE ANNUAL REPORT
*****
ABOUT HALF OF THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS REPORT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PRODUCE AN ANNUAL FORD SAID IN THE
IN A WRITTEN
REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON
D pointed out that some departments, such as the audit department
WERE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL REPORT. ’
FUNG KIN-KEE, SIR
/AND WHERE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
12
AND WHERE THERE WAS NO SUCH STATUTORY REQUIREMENT, SIR DAVID SAID, A HEAD OF DEPARTMENT MIGHT DECIDE AT HIS/HER DISCRETION WHETHER TO PRODUCE AN ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COST OF PRODUCING THE REPORT AND THE EXTENT OF PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN.
HE SAID SOME STATUTORY BODIES WERE REQUIRED BY THEIR ORDINANCES TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL REPORT. OTHER STATUTORY OR ADVISORY BODIES MIGHT DECIDE AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION WHETHER TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL REPORT.
"ANNUAL REPORTS WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO BE PRODUCED BY LAW HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE RELEVANT LEGAL PROVISIONS.
"THOSE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL REPORTS WHICH ARE NON-STATUTORY IN NATURE FOLLOW CERTAIN EDITORIAL GUIDELINES TO ENSURE PRESENTATIONAL CONSISTENCY.
"ANNUAL REPORTS PREPARED BY STATUTORY OR ADVISORY BODIES, WHICH ARE NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, FOLLOW- THEIR OWN GUIDELINES," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID MOST ANNUAL REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE PRODUCED BY LAW WERE-ALSO REQUIRED TO BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"ALL DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL REPORTS WHERE AVAILABLE AND WHICH ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE SEPARATELY CIRCULATED TO MEMBERS BY THE CLERK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
COPIES OF ALL DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL REPORTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND TERTIARY INSTITUTE LIBRARIES FOR PUBLIC PERUSAL.
IN ADDITION, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR REPORTS, SUCH AS THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT AND THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S REPORT, WERE ON SALE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"WHERE THEY ARE NOT, REQUESTS FOR COPIES BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ENTERTAINED, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF SPARE COPIES.
"THE CIRCULATION OF ANNUAL REPORTS PRODUCED BY STATUTORY OR ADVISORY BODIES IS DECIDED BY THE BODIES THEMSELVES BUT IT GENERALLY FOLLOWS THE CIRCULATION LIST AS APPLIED TO DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
------0------------
/13 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,
1992
- 13 -
WORKING GROUP ESTABLISHED TO REVIEW TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM *****
A WORKING GROUP HAS .RECENTLY BEEN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT A FRESH REVIEW ON TAXI POLICY INCLUDING THE PRESENT TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J.D. MCGREGOR, MR LEUNG SAID ANY QUESTIONS OF SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES AND ALLEGED MALPRACTICES WOULD ALSO BE EXAMINED TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC INTEREST.
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENSURE A SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICES RATHER THAN TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR TAXI LICENCES.
’’WITH THE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT OF AND EXPANSION IN RAIL AND BUS SERVICES, THE 1990 WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY REAFFIRMED THE NEED TO IMPOSE A QUOTA ON THE NUMBER OF NEW TAXI LICENCES, BALANCING THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR TAXI SERVICES AGAINST WHAT THE ROADS CAN BEAR IN TERMS OF MOBILITY.
"ACCORDINGLY, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO ISSUE NO MORE THAN 400 URBAN TAXI LICENCES EVERY TWO YEARS AND UP TO 100 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES FROM 1991 TO 1992 SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEWS BY THE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF LICENCES TO BE ISSUED EACH YEAR-, THE SECRETARY SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED ANNUAL ROADSIDE AND TAXI STAND SURVEYS ON THE ADEQUACY OF TAXI SERVICES AND TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TAXI TRADE AND THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS.
MR LEUNG EMPASISED THAT THE TAXI LICENCE PREMIUM WAS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN ASSESSING TAXI FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS.
"ALTHOUGH A HIGH LEVEL OF PREMIUM MAY INDIRECTLY EXERT PRESSURE ON FARES IN THE FORM OF HIGHER RENTAL CHARGED BY THE TAXI OWNERS, THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE LEVEL OF RENTAL THAT TAXI DRIVERS ARE PREPARED TO PAY IN RELATION TO THE EXPECTED PROFITABILITY OF TAXI OPERATION," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID TAXI FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS WERE SUBJECT TO THE SCRUTINY OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT ANY REVISIONS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
"THE RELATIONSHIP, IF ANY, BETWEEN TAXI LICENCE PREMIUM AND INFLATION IS NOT STRAIGHT FORWARD.
"TAXI FARES, RATHER THAN THE TAXI LICENCE PREMIUM, IS COVERED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI). SPENDING ON TAXI SERVICES IS ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE (0.8 PER CENT) OF THE AVERAGE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE CPI(A),'’ HE SAID.
- - 0---------
/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 14 -
$236 MILLION PAID OUT FOR * * * * *
CROP COMPENSATION *
COMPENSATION PAID FOR CROPS AND FRUIT TREES BETWEEN APRIL 1, 1986 TO MARCH 31 LAST YEAR AS A RESULT OF RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCE OF CROWN LAND AMOUNTED TO $236 MILLION, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, < ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR BARNES SAID THE AMOUNT, COMPRISING $217.9 MILLION FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES AND $18 MILLION FOR THE URBAN AREA, INCLUDED EX-GRATIA DISTURBANCE ALLOWANCE PAID TO CULTIVATORS.
THE CRITERIA FOR PAYMENT ARE GENERALLY THAT THE CROPS EXISTED AT THE DATE OF THE PRE-CLEARANCE SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, AND THAT THE LAND CONCERNED HAD BEEN CULTIVATED FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE PRE-CLEARANCE SURVEY.
"THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENT IN EACH CASE IS ASSESSED BY STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WHILE THE RATE OF PAYMENT IS REVIEWED AND UPDATED PERIODICALLY UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE,” HE SAID.
---------0-----------
GOVT EFFORTS IN MITIGATING SMELLS IN OPEN NULLAHS ******
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR MITIGATING SMELLS IN OPEN NULLAHS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN, MR BARNES SAID THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE NULLAHS TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE HYDRAULICALLY EFFECTIVE.
"THIS IS DONE BY CONDUCTING REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND IMPLEMENTING DESILTING AND DESLUDGING PROGRAMMES,". HE SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAD ENGAGED CONSULTANTS TO CARRY OUT SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDIES WHICH INCLUDED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DRY-WEATHER-FLOW INTERCEPTION SCHEMES TO REMOVE EXPEDIENT CONNECTIONS OF SEWAGE TO THE NULLAHS.
"ON COMPLETION OF THESE STUDIES, FIRST AID MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, WHICH ACHIEVE SOME LIMITED AND TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENT TO THE NULLAHS, WHILST THE RECOMMENDED SEWERAGE UPGRADING SCHEMES ARE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES," HE SAID.
/FOR NULLAHS .......
/ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 15 - / ;
A1 / ’ •
FOR NULLAHS LOCATED WITHIN A DEO^AR^D WATER CONTROL ZONE (WCZ), THE EPD IS GIVEN THE STATUTORY POWER UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE (WPCO) TO TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE ILLEGAL DISCHARGERS.
IN AREAS THAT THE WPCO DID NOT YET COVER, MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT RELIED ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF LEASE CONDITIONS AND THE BUILDING ORDINANCE TO TACKLE THE ILLEGAL DISCHARGES.
"EPD IS ALSO IMPLEMENTING THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE. THIS WILL REDUCE MUCH OF THE POLLUTION LOAD TO SOME OF THE NULLAHS.
"FULL CONTROLS ARE ALREADY IN FORCE IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS, I.E. URBAN AREAS, AND THE TOLO HARBOUR CATCHMENT, MUI WO AND ANGLERS BEACH ENVIRONS," MR BARNES SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION DID NOT PLAN TO DECK ALL THE OPEN NULLAHS IN HONG KONG BECAUSE IT WAS A COSTLY CIVIL ENGINEERING EXERCISE WHICH WOULD ALSO INCREASE MAINTENANCE COSTS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM OF OFFENSIVE SMELLS.
----0-T--
KEEP FOOD FROM CONTAMINATION RISK, RESTAURANT OPERATORS REMINDED ♦ * » * ♦
A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF RESTAURANT OPERATORS ADMITTED DURING A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT THAT FLUSHING WATER WAS BEING USED TO KEEP SEA FISHES.
HOWEVER, THIS HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED OR OBSERVED DURING RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITING THE USE OF FLUSHING WATER TO KEEP LIVE SEA FISH IN RESTAURANTS.
"HOWEVER, PROVISION DOES EXIST IN BOTH THE FOOD BUSINESS (URBAN COUNCIL) BY-LAWS AND THE FOOD BUSINESS (REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS FOR PERSONS ENGAGED IN ANY FOOD BUSINESS, INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO PROTECT THE FOOD FROM RISK OF CONTAMINATION.
"THE OPERATORS MAY BE PROSECUTED IF THE FOOD THEY SERVE IS FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED," MRS WONG SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORT OF FOOD POISONING RELATING TO THE CONSUMPTION OF FISHES KEPT IN FLUSHING OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF WATER.
"THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF THE CONSUMERS’ HEALTH BEING PUT AT RISK," SHE SAID.
/"FURTHERMORE, THE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
16
’’FURTHERMORE, THE WHOLE PROCESS .OF SEA FISH DISHES PREPARATION, INCLUDING CLEANING BY FRESH TAP WATER,'DEGUTTING AND COOKING, SHOULD ELIMINATE THE RISK OF BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION.”
IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT CONDUCT REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF RESTAURANTS TO ENSURE A HIGH STANDARD OF HYGIENIC PRACTICES IN RESTAURANTS.
THEY ALSO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN ORGANISING REGULAR HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES FOR PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE FOOD BUSINESS.
--------0-----------
MORE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN TSEUNG KWAN O *****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THREE NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND TWO NEW SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE BUILT IN TSEUNG KWAN O IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
IN ADDITION, TWO EXISTING SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL BE REPROVISIONED AND EXPANDED.
’’THESE CHANGES WILL ENABLE AN ADDITIONAL 5,850 PRIMARY AND 3,570 SECONDARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN TO STUDY WITHIN THE DISTRICT,” HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO, MR CHAN SAID OUT OF A TOTAL POPULATION OF 93,870 IN TSEUNG KWAN O, INCLUDING TIU KENG LENG, 12,580 CHILDREN ARE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE AND 8,090 OF SECONDARY SCHOOL AGE.
THESE COMPARE WITH 13,950 AND 3,450 PLACES RESPECTIVELY AVAILABLE NOW IN THE EIGHT PRIMARY AND FOUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
ALTHOUGH THERE IS A THEORETICAL SHORTFALL OF SOME 4,500 PLACES WITHIN TSEUNG KWAN O, MR CHAN NOTED THAT SOME STUDENTS MIGHT HAVE OPTED TO ENTER EMPLOYMENT AFTER SECONDARY 3 WHILE SOME OF THOSE WHO HAD RECENTLY MOVED TO THE DISTRICT MIGHT HAVE CHOSEN TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN THEIR OLD SCHOOLS.
MR CHAN SAID UNDER EXISTING POLICY, THOSE WHO REQUIRED PLACES IN TSEUNG KWAN O BUT WHO WERE NOT ALLOCATED WITH SUCH PLACES WERE ACCOMMODATED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN NEARBY DISTRICTS, SUCH AS KWUN TONG AND WONG TAI SIN.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
ANNUAL EXPENDI.TURE OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION
******
THE ACTUAL ANNUAL EXPENDITURE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS ACCOUNTED FOR JUST ABOUT ONE PER CENT OF THAT ON THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME AREA AS A WHOLE IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE OF THE FOUR COLLEGES IN ABSOLUTE TERMS AND AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE WHOLE EDUCATION PROGRAMME INCLUDING UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS, TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND SCHOOLS EDUCATION, WAS $89.59 MILLION (1.1 PER CENT) IN 1986/87, $101.14 MILLION (1.1 PER CENT) IN 1987/88, $113.95 MILLION (1 PER CENT) IN 1988/89, $136.26 MILLION (1 PER CENT) IN 1989/90 AND $156.72 MILLION (1 PER CENT) IN 1990/91.
THE MAJORITY OF THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE OF THE COLLEGES WAS SPENT ON STAFF COSTS.
THESE INCLUDED $81.84 MILLION IN 1986/87 AND $90.53 MILLION, $101.20 MILLION, $118.94 MILLION AND $139.33 MILLION IN THE FOUR SUBSEQUENT YEARS.
THE REST WAS SPENT ON IMPROVING THE COLLEGES’ FACILITIES AND OTHER RECURRENT CHARGES SUCH AS ELECTRICITY AND CONSUMABLES.
- - 0 - -
OXYGEN INJECTION SCHEME CEASED OPERATION
******
THE OXYGEN INJECTION SCHEME WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE LONG-STANDING PROBLEM OF WATER POLLUTION IN KOWLOON BAY TYPHOON SHELTER HAD CEASED OPERATION IN JULY LAST YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING, MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXAMINED THE CAUSES FOR THE FAILURE OF THE SCHEME AND WOULD ENSURE THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WOULD RECEIVE THE RELEVANT DETAILS.
THE PROJECT COST OF THE SCHEME WAS $6.2 MILLION AND THE ANNUAL RECURRENT COST WAS $4.3 MILLION, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
SUBSTANTIAL WORK DONE TO IMPLEMENT FAMILY LAW REPORT PROPOSALS * * * *
SUBSTANTIAL WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN UNDERTAKEN TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BULK OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION CONCERNING THE INTESTATES’ ESTATES ORDINANCE, THE WILLS ORDINANCES AND THE DECEASED’S FAMILY MAINTENANCE ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ELSIE TU, MR SUEN SAID THIS WAS DONE IN THE LIGHT OF THE VIEWS RECEIVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FROM RELEVANT POLICY SECRETARIES ON THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS SINCE THE REPORT WAS PUBLISHED IN MAY 1990.
HE NOTED THAT THE REPORT CONTAINED ABOUT 70 RECOMMENDATIONS TO MODERNISE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF FAMILY LAW.
HOWEVER, MR SUEN ADDED, A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS WERE FOUND TO BE MORE COMPLEX IN NATURE AND REQUIRE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAVE VERY RECENTLY ASSUMED THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CARRIAGE OF THE REPORT.
"WE ARE CONSIDERING HOW BEST TO TAKE THE LEGISLATIVE EXERCISE FORWARD," HE SAID.
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NO STANDING ARRANGEMENTS TO RETURN SICK CITIZENS FROM OVERSEAS
******
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS NO STANDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN OF HONG KONG CITIZENS FROM OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY OF HONG KONG FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON, THE SECRETARY SAID SUCH ARRANGEMENTS FELL OUTSIDE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY.
HE SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY' WAS TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITHIN ITS BORDERS.
"THEREFORE, IF ANY PERSON ARRIVES IN HONG KONG NEEDING EMERGENCY CARE, AN AMBULANCE WILL BE CALLED TO TRANSFER THAT PERSON TO HOSPITAL," MR ASPREY SAID.
/HE SAID
19
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
HE SAID IF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (FSD) WAS GIVEN ADVANCE WARNING, AN AMBULANCE COULD BE MADE READY AT THE POINT OF ENTRY TO RECEIVE THE PATIENT.
ON AVERAGE, THE TIME TAKEN TO TRANSPORT PATIENTS FROM THE BORDER, AIRPORT, HELIPADS OR FERRY PIERS TO THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF THE NEAREST PUBLIC HOSPITAL WAS FROM 10 TO 20 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON POINT OF ENTRY.
THE SECRETARY SAID NO RECORD HAD BEEN KEPT OF THE NUMBER OF CASES REQUIRING EMERGENCY TRANSFERS TO HOSPITALS FROM IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINTS.
"HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN THAT, SINCE OCTOBER 1991, A TOTAL OF 105 CASES INVOLVING 112 PATIENTS WERE CONVEYED BY FSD AMBULANCES FROM THE BORDER TO VARIOUS HOSPITALS. NO SIMILAR STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER POINTS OF ENTRY," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS WERE SATISFACTORY AND IMPROVEMENTS WERE NOT CONSIDERED NECESSARY.
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SECOND CLINIC PLANNED FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0 ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE PROVISION OF ONE GOVERNMENT CLINIC FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0, WHICH HAS A POPULATION OF 108,000, IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GUIDELINES STIPULATED IN THE HONG KONG PLANNING STANDARD OF ONE CLINIC FOR EVERY 100,000 POPULATION.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW WONG, MRS WONG SAID:
"IN DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF MEDICAL SERVICES FOR A PARTICULAR DISTRICT OR AREA, DUE ACCOUNT IS GIVEN TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC PATTERN AND SIZE OF POPULATION, THE AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SERVICES FROM THE VOLUNTARY AND PRIVATE SECTORS, THE ACCESSIBILITY OF SUCH SERVICES, THE UTILISATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES AND AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.
SHE SAID THE REQUIREMENT FOR ADDITIONAL MEDICAL FACILITIES IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 WAS CONSTANTLY MONITORED.
AT PRESENT, TSEUNG KWAN O IS ALSO SERVED BY THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL IN KWUN TONG AND THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL IN SHA TIN.
TO CATER FOR ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT, A SECOND GOVERNMENT CLINIC IS BEING PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER 1996.
"THIS IS WELL AHEAD OF THE GROWTH OF THE POPULATION IN TSEUNG KWAN O TO 200,000 IN 1999," MRS WONG ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
20
FOURTH CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL PLANNED
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO SET UP A FOURTH CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SAI KUNG TOWN BY 1994 TO PHASE OUT FIVE RURAL SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF ESTABLISHING CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH STANDARD FACILITIES WAS TO REPLACE SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS WHICH HAD LESS THAN SIX OPERATING CLASSES, LACKED FACILITIES AND WERE EDUCATIONALLY INEFFICIENT.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE THREE CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOLS, NAMELY THE SAI KUNG CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, THE HANG HAU CENTRAL SHING HONG FONG MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL AND THE SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL.
"ALL THESE SCHOOLS WERE FOUNDED BY AMALGAMATING A NUMBER OF SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS AND THE OBJECTIVE OF SETTING THEM UP HAS BEEN ACHIEVED," MR CHAN SAID.
WHERE IT IS NOT FEASIBLE TO SET UP A CENTRALISED PRIMARY SCHOOL DUE, FOR EXAMPLE, TO INSUFFICIENT DEMAND IN REMOTE AREAS, SPECIAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED TO VILLAGE SCHOOLS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THE EDUCATION THEY PROVIDE.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT THE ASSISTANCE INCLUDED INCREASED RECURRENT AND NON-RECURRENT GRANTS, PREFERENTIAL PROVISION OF RESOURCE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT, A MONTHLY INDUCEMENT ALLOWANCE GIVEN TO TEACHERS WORKING IN REMOTE VILLAGE SCHOOLS, AND PRIORITY GIVENS TO TEACHERS IN THESE SCHOOLS TO ATTEND IN-SERVICE RE-TRAINING COURES.
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SECURITIES (CLEARING HOUSES) BILL INTRODUCED
******
A BILL SEEKING TO PROVIDE A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE OPERATION OF A CENTRAL SECURITIES CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SECURITIES (CLEARING HOUSES) BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ACRONYM FOR CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM (CCASS) WOULD INCREASE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, REDUCE MARKET RISK, LOWER TRANSACTION COSTS AND ENHANCE HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRE.
/THE INTRODUCTION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
21
THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A SYSTEM WAS ONE OF THE CORE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT OF MAY 1988 AND THE ONLY MAJOR ONE THAT HAS YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN WHOLE OR PART, HE ADDED.
• THE SECRETARY SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO PROTECT THE NETTING AND SETTLEMENT OPERATION OF CCASS FROM THE EFFECT OF THE STATUTORY INSOLVENCY RULES WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY TO THE AFFAIRS OF A PARTICIPANT WHICH BECAME BANKRUPT OR WENT INTO* LIQUIDATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AS THE CLEARING COMPANY, THROUGH THE PROCESS OF NOVATION, WOULD BECOME A PRINCIPAL COUNTERPARTY IN EACH TRADE TO BOTH BUYING AND SELLING BROKERS, ANY INTERFERENCE WITH THE SETTLEMENT PROCESS BY A THIRD PARTY WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS DISRUPTION TO THE SYSTEM AND BRING THE NETTING PROCESS TO A HALT.
SUCH CLAIMS COULD ARISE WHEN A DEFAULTING BROKER WAS INVOLVED IN LIQUIDATION PROCEEDING, AS THE LIQUIDATOR WOULD BE ABLE TO DEMAND THAT SHARES WHICH HAD BEEN PUT INTO CCASS FOR SETTLEMENT BE WITHDRAWN.
MR NENDICK SAID THIS WOULD NOT ONLY VOID THE NETTING OF TRADES AND RENDER THE WHOLE SYSTEM UNWORKABLE, BUT ALSO CAUSE A CHAIN REACTION OF FINANCIAL DEFAULTS OR EVEN SEVERE MARKET DISRUPTION.
"IT IS THEREFORE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF CCASS BE ASSURED BY APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION,” THE SECRETARY SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION TO DECLARE CLEARING HOUSES AS RECOGNISED AND TO APPROVE THE RULES OF RECOGNISED CLEARING HOUSES.
A RECOGNISED CLEARING HOUSE, MR NENDICK SAID, WAS REQUIRED TO HAVE ’’DEFAULT RULES" FOR THE TAKING OF ACTION IN THE EVENT OF A PARTICIPANT BEING UNABLE TO MEET HIS OBLIGATIONS ENTERED INTO WITH THE CLEARING HOUSE.
HENCE, THE SCOPE OF THE DEFAULT RULES AND THE BROKER’S ASSETS WHICH MAY BE SUBJECT TO A MARKET CHARGE ARE PRESCRIBED BY THE BILL.
MR NENDICK ADDED THAT UNDER CCASS, SECURITIES CERTIFICATES WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO BE PHYSICIALLY TRANSFERRED EACH TIME THEY WERE TRADED, BUT WOULD BE PLACED IN CUSTODY WITH THE CLEARING HOUSE DEPOSITORY FOR USE IN THE SETTLEMENT OF TRANSACTION BETWEEN BROKERS.
"ALTHOUGH THESE SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF COMMON NOMINEE ARE HELD IN FUNGIBLE FORM, THE BILL HAS EXPRESSLY PRESERVED SHAREHOLDERS' VOTING RIGHTS AS WELL AS ANY PERSON’S RIGHT TO RECTIFY A REGISTER OF MEMBERS UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 22 -
GOVT TO IMPROVE CONTROL ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES *****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE CONTROL ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID IN RECENT YEARS, EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES HAD BECOME MORE SOPHISTICATED AND SOME OF THEM WERE MULTI-NATIONAL OPERATIONS.
"THEY HAVE INTRODUCED NEW MODES OF OPERATION UNANTICIPATED BY THE EXISTING REGULATORY PROVISIONS IN THE LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE HAD BECOME OUT-OF-DATE AND WERE INCOMPATIBLE WITH MODERN-DAY OPERATIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
THE BILL PROPOSES THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:
* TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO OBTAIN SEPARATE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS LICENCES FOR DEALING WITH EMPLOYMENT WITHIN AND OUTSIDE HONG KONG;
* TO REQUIRE AN APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE BY A COMPANY TO BE MADE BY A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY ON ITS BEHALF;
* TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY TO OPERATE WITH ONE LICENCE FOR THE MAIN OFFICE AND A DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR EACH BRANCH OFFICE AND DISPLAY IT AT ALL TIMES IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON THE PREMISES;
* TO ABOLISH THE KEEPING OF PRESCRIBED REGISTERS OF JOB APPLICANTS AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS AND SUBMISSION OF RETURNS ON DETAILS OF PLACEMENTS BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES. INSTEAD, AGENCIES WILL HAVE TO KEEP RECORDS OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON JOB APPLICANTS AND EMPLOYERS AND MAKE SUCH RECORD AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION;
* TO REMOVE ALL RESTRICTIONS ON CHARGES TO EMPLOYERS SINCE THERE IS A PRACTICAL NEED FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, IN PARTICULAR THE SO-CALLED "HEAD-HUNTING" COMPANIES, TO CHARGE A SERVICE FEE AS SOON AS THE EMPLOYER HAS PLACED A JOB ORDER WITH THE AGENCY CONCERNED IN ORDER TO DEFRAY EXPENSES INCURRED IN RECRUITMENT;
* TO ABOLISH THE PROVISION FOR CHARGING OF REGISTRATION FEE FROM JOB APPLICANTS SO AS TO PROTECT THEM FROM BEING CHARGED BY AGENCIES WHICH HAVE NO REAL INTENTION OR ABILITY TO HELP THEM PROCURE EMPLOYMENT; AND
* TO PERMIT AN AGENCY TO SHARE ITS COMMISSION WITH ANOTHER AGENCY TO FACILITATE GENUINE BUSINESS CO-OPERATION AMONGST AGENCIES.
MR CHAN SAID THE BILL HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 23 -
PROTECTION AGAINST VICTIMISATION BY EMPLOYERS
******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PLUG ONE OF THE LOOPHOLES IN THE PROTECTION AGAINST VICTIMISATION AFFORDED BY THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND
READING OF THE FACTORIES
AND INDUSTRIAL
UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY SAID SECTION 6 OF
MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS DISCRIMINATING AGAINST OR DISMISSING EMPLOYEES WHO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
FOR THE
EDUCATION
FACTORIES
ORDINANCE PROHIBITED
EMPLOYERS
HAD ASSISTED
AND
AND
FROM IN
HOWEVER, THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT CONTAIN A SANCTION AGAINST CONTRAVENTION OF THIS PROVISION.
"THE BILL NOW SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A SANCTION AGAINST CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROVISION, NAMELY A FINE OF $20,000.
"THIS SANCTION IS IN LINE WITH THAT UNDER A SIMILAR PROVISION IN SECTION 63A OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE," MR CHAN SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IMPROVES *****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO EXTEND THE REMIT OF THE PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES GIVING ASSISTANCE IN PROCEEDINGS AGAINST EMPLOYERS IN CONNECTION WITH SAFETY AT WORK WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT)(NO.2) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID LOOPHOLES HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WHICH WERE CONCERNED WITH THE PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES AGAINST DISCRIMINATION OR DISMISSAL BY EMPLOYERS ON GROUNDS THAT THE EMPLOYEES HAD ASSISTED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THESE ORDINANCES.
UNDER SECTION 72B OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES ARE PROTECTED FOR HAVING ASSISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING BREACH OF THE ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PROTECTION AGAINST VICTIMISATION IN THAT SECTION DID NOT COVER MATTERS RELATING TO ACCIDENTS TO EMPLOYEES OR SAFETY AT WORK.
/"AT THE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
24
”AT THE SAME TIME, ALTHOUGH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IS COVERED BY THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, THAT ORDINANCE ONLY APPLIES TO PREMISES CLASSIFIED AS FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS," HE SAID.
TO CLOSE THE LOOPHOLE, MR CHAN SAID THE AMENDMENT BILL SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE REMIT OF THE PROTECTION IN SECTION 72B OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SO THAT EMPLOYEES GIVING ASSISTANCE IN PROCEEDINGS AGAINST EMPLOYERS IN CONNECTION WITH MATTERS CONCERNING ACCIDENTS TO AN EMPLOYEE OR SAFETY AT WORK WOULD BE PROTECTED FROM VICTIMISATION.
THUS OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY MATTERS IN EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS OUTSIDE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WERE BROUGHT UNDER THE REMIT OF PROTECTION AGAINST VICTIMISATION, MR CHAN SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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PROTECTION FOR NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WORKING OUTSIDE HONG KONG *****
THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE PROTECTION OF THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE TO CERTAIN NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES AND ALSO TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
AT PRESENT, THE ORDINANCE WHICH CONTROLS CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT ENTERED INTO IN HONG KONG BY WORKERS PROCEEDING TO WORK WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY OUTSIDE HONG KONG, APPLIES TO MANUAL WORKERS ONLY.
IT REQUIRES THAT THE CONTRACTS BE ATTESTED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR BEFORE THE WORKER PROCEEDS TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"HOWEVER, AN INCREASING NUMBER OF WORKERS FROM HONG KONG HAVE TAKEN UP NON-MANUAL JOBS, SUCH AS TECHNICIANS AND SUPERVISORS, OVERSEAS IN RECENT YEARS," MR CHAN SAID.
"AS NO WRITTEN AND ATTESTED CONTRACTS EXIST FOR NON-MANUAL WORKERS, THEY OFTEN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO CLAIM THEIR DUE ENTITLEMENTS IN CASE OF DISPUTES.
"THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSES TO EXTEND THE AMBIT OF THE ORDINANCE TO GIVE THEM PROTECTION."
MR CHAN SAID THE ORDINANCE WOULD NOT COVER NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES WHO WORKED IN PROFESSIONAL OR SENIOR EXECUTIVE POSTS BECAUSE THEY WERE GENERALLY CAPABLE OF PROTECTING THEIR OWN INTERESTS BY NEGOTIATING FAVOURABLE EMPLOYMENT TERMS.
/FURTHERMORE, A ........
25
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
FURTHERMORE, A MONTHLY WAGE CEILING OF $20,000 WILL BE SET AND NON-MANUAL EMPLOYEES EARNING MORE THAN THIS AMOUNT WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE ORDINANCE.
THE WAGE CEILING WILL BE REVISED FROM TIME TO TIME TO KEEP IN LINE WITH WAGE MOVEMENTS.
THE BILL ALSO SERVES TO MAKE CLEAR THAT EMPLOYEES ENGAGED BY FOREIGN EMPLOYERS TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE COVERAGE OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHILE ALL EMPLOYEES ENGAGED BY HONG KONG EMPLOYERS TO WORK PARTIALLY OR WHOLLY OUTSIDE HONG KONG ARE PROTECTED BY IT.
"SUCH CLARIFICATION WILL BE IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG WORKERS WHO WORK ACROSS THE BORDER IN MAINLAND CHINA," MR CHAN SAID.
"AN INFORMAL ESTIMATE SHOWS THAT THERE ARE 50,000 TO 60,000 WORKERS IN THIS CATEGORY."
OTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO RECTIFY SOME MINOR INADEQUACIES IN THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE INCLUDE:
♦ TO SPECIFY CERTAIN ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT TERMS, SUCH AS PAID HOLIDAYS AND ANNUAL LEAVE, NOTICE OR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE ON TERMINATION AND COMPENSATION FOR INJURY, FOR EMPLOYEES FALLING UNDER THE AMBIT OF THE ORDINANCE;
* TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OF THE STATUS OF PERSONS MIGRATING FOR EMPLOYMENT;
♦ TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR PROSECUTING OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE FROM SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR; AND
* TO AMEND THE TERM "WORKERS" IN THE ORDINANCE AS WELL AS IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO READ "EMPLOYEES".
THE BILL HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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INCREASED PENALTIES FOR WAGE ♦
DEDUCTION AND UNDERPAYMENT PROPOSED * * * * ♦
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION OF WAGES FROM $10,000 TO $100,000 AND UNDERPAYMENT OF WAGES FROM $20,000 TO $200,000, AND TO INTRODUCE FOR BOTH OFFENCES AN ADDITIONAL MAXIMUM PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR RELATED OFFENCES OF GIVING FALSE INFORMATION, WITHHOLDING INFORMATION AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FROM A FINE OF $10,000 TO $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.
/MOVING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
26
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID CASES OF UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION AND UNDERPAYMENT OF WAGES BY UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS HAD ARISEN UNDER THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEMES.
• "IN ORDER TO DETER SUCH MALPRACTICE, IT IS NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE FOR THESE OFFENCES," HE SAID.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT A NUMBER OF IMPORTED WORKERS HAD NOT BEEN PAID THEIR FULL WAGES SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME IN 1989.
"THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM IMPORTED WORKERS WHO ALLEGED THAT THEY WERE ASKED BY EMPLOYERS TO SIGN BLANK WAGE RECEIPTS OR TWO DIFFERENT SETS OF WAGE RECEIPTS TO COVER UP UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION OR UNDERPAYMENT OF WAGES," HE SAID.
DURING THE FIRST ELEVEN MONTHS OF LAST YEAR, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RECEIVED REPORTS OF 370 ITEMS OF SUSPECTED IRREGULARITIES CONCERNING UNDERPAYMENT AND UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION OF WAGES AND 48 OF THEM WERE SUBSTANTIATED AFTER INVESTIGATION WHILE MANY OF THE REMAINING ITEMS ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.
"THE AVAILABILITY AND ACCURACY OF THE WAGE RECORDS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS KEPT BY EMPLOYERS ARE ESSENTIAL IN SUCH INVESTIGATIONS," MR CHAN STRESSED.
AS AT JANUARY 31, FIVE EMPLOYERS HAVE BEEN CONVICTED FOR UNDERPAYMENT OR UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION OF WAGES IN RESPECT OF A TOTAL OF 14 SUMMONSES.
"THE AVERAGE FINE IMPOSED FOR THESE SUMMONSES WAS $1,000 WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO BE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT," THE SECRETARY SAID.
THE BILL THEREFORE SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR THESE OFFENCES, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0---------
/27.......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,
1992
27
CONTROL OVER CONTAINER HANDLING ACTIVITIES *****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO BRING OPEN GROUNDS USED FOR STORAGE EMPTY CONTAINERS UNDER CONTROL WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID AT PRESENT, PLACES USED FOR LOADING, UNLOADING AND HANDLING CONTAINERS SUCH AS CONTAINER TERMINALS AND DEPOTS WERE WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
’’HOWEVER. OPEN GROUNDS USED SOLELY FOR STORAGE OF EMPTY CONTAINERS ARE OUTSIDE THE AMBIT OF THE ORDINANCE.
’’MANY OF THESE ARE OPERATED ON UNEVEN LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND EMPTY CONTAINERS ARE STACKED ONE OVER ANOTHER, OFTEN TO A CONSIDERABLE HEIGHT, IN ORDER TO SAVE SPACE,” HE SAID.
FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF SERIOUS INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY WAS SET UP TO REVIEW THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF CONTROL ON CONTAINER HANDLING.
AS A RESULT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY,’ SUITABLE AMENDMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO BRING ALL CONTAINER HANDLING ACTIVITIES UNDER CONTROL.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO EXTEND THE COVERAGE OF THE MAIN ORDINANCE BY EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF "INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING” TO INCLUDE CONTAINER HANDLING ACTIVITIES.
IT FURTHER SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR A DEFINITION OF "CONTAINER” WHICH FOLLOWS CLOSELY THAT USED IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR SAFE CONTAINERS ADOPTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0----------
/28 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19,
1992
- 28 -
GOVERNOR TO VISIT GUANGDONG
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FEBRUARY 19) THAT THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON OF TILLYORN, WILL VISIT GUANGDONG ON FEBRUARY 26 AND 27.
THE GOVERNOR WILL MEET THE GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG, MR ZHU SENLIN, AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN GUANGZHOU, DONGGUAN AND SHENZHEN AS WELL AS VISITING HONG KONG ENTERPRISES OPERATING IN GUANGDONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG AND TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO SEE AT FIRST HAND THE PACE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN GUANGDONG.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR WILLIAM EHRMAN, AND THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY MR CHAU TAK HAY.
--------0-----------
STATEMENT ON BCCHK
*****
THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG (BCCHK), MR NOEL GLEESON, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE SALE OF BCCHK TO THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK (HKCB) HAVE BEEN ENDED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
HE SAID: "OUR EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE A TAKEOVER HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THE LATE EMERGENCE OF LARGE CLAIMS FROM THE LIQUIDATORS OF BCC OPERATIONS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD.
"THE PRIMARY AIM THROUGHOUT HAS BEEN TO SECURE THE MAXIMUM PAYOUT FOR THE DEPOSITORS. UNTIL THE EMERGENCE OF NEW CLAIMS IN RECENT WEEKS, A TAKEOVER OFFERED THE BEST PROSPECTS.
"THE SITUATION HAS NOW CHANGED. MAJOR NEW CLAIMS, AND THE RELUCTANCE OF THE ABU DHABI SHAREHOLDERS TO GIVE A FULL GUARANTEE AGAINST SUCH LIABILITIES, HAVE SHIFTED THE BALANCE IN FAVOUR OF A LIQUIDATION.
"IN JULY LAST YEAR MOST DEPOSITORS RECEIVED A FIRST PAYMENT OF 25 PER CENT. I HOPE THAT WITH LIQUIDATION ALL DEPOSITORS WILL RECEIVE AN INTERIM PAYOUT OF 35 TO 40 PER CENT, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THE INTERIM RELIEF ALREADY PAID. IN THE LONGER TERM, IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT A TOTAL PAYOUT IN THE RANGE OF 70 - 75 PER CENT. THIS IS FAR BETTER THAN DEPOSITORS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD CAN EXPECT.
/"I AM ........
29
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
"I AM OBVIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE TAKEOVER NEGOTIATIONS HAVE FAILED, BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE BEST INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS AND OTHER CREDITORS NOW LIES IN LIQUIDATION. I ANTICIPATE THAT THE LIQUIDATOR SHOULD BE IN A POSITION TO PAY A SUBSTANTIAL DIVIDEND WITHIN SIX MONTHS, HOPEFULLY SOONER.”
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOWING IS A FULLER STATEMENT DESCRIBING THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, THE SCALE OF THE NEW CLAIMS AND REASONS FOR ENDING THE TAKEOVER NEGOTIATIONS:
AT A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEPOSITORS OF BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG ("BCCHK”) TODAY (FEBRUARY 19) THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, MR NOEL GLEESON, ANNOUNCED THAT THE TAKEOVER NEGOTIATIONS WITH HONG KONG CHINESE BANK (”HKCB”) HAD ENDED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OWING TO THE EMERGENCE OF LARGE UNRECORDED CLAIMS, PRINCIPALLY FROM OTHER BCCI LIQUIDATORS.
HE RECALLED THAT HE HAD BEEN APPOINTED PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, AND MR MARVIN K.T. CHEUNG AND MR NICHOLAS P. ETCHES OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK SPECIAL MANAGERS, BY THE HIGH COURT ON JULY 17, 1991 ON A PETITION BY THE GOVERNMENT PRESENTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE TO WIND UP THE COMPANY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE WORLDWIDE OF THE BANK'S PARENT COMPANY, BCCI HOLDINGS (LUXEMBOURG) S.A. (’’BCCI”) FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD AND OTHER CRIMINALITY AGAINST BCCI.
MR GLEESON EXPLAINED THAT HIS FUNCTION AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR AND THAT OF THE SPECIAL MANAGERS WAS TO SECURE AND SAFEGUARD THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL THE CREDITORS.
A GREAT DEAL OF WORK HAD BEEN DONE AND IN EXCESS pF $5 BILLION HAD BEEN RECOVERED AND PLACED WITH A MAJOR LOCAL BANK.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S DIRECTION, AND WITH THE BENEFIT OF AN INDEMNITY FROM THE GOVERNMENT, A DIVIDEND OF 25 PER CENT (SUBJECT TO AN UPPER LIMIT OF $500,000) WAS PAID TO CREDITORS, INCLUDING DEPOSITORS. THE PAYMENT OF THIS INTERIM RELIEF COMMENCED IN LATE JULY 1991.
A CASH AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF $4 BILLION REMAINS ON DEPOSIT LOCALLY AND IS EARNING INTEREST AT PREVAILING RATES.
THE STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS FILED IN THE COURT BY THE DIRECTORS OF BCCHK IN DECEMBER 1991 INDICATED SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS OF MORE THAN $100 MILLION. HOWEVER, THIS ONLY MADE PROVISION OF APPROXIMATELY $1 BILLION FOR BAD OR DOUBTFUL LOANS AND ASSUMED 100 PER CENT RECOVERY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE LOAN PORTFOLIO.
/THE STATEMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
30
THE STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS HAS BEEN COMMENTED ON BY THE SPECIAL MANAGERS AND THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE WHO CONCLUDED AT THE TIME OF FILING THAT THE COMPANY’S LIABILITIES WERE IN REALITY CONSIDERABLY GREATER THAN ITS ASSETS.
MR GLEESON SAID THAT HKCB HAD CARRIED OUT A DUE DILIGENCE EXERCISE ON BCCHK DURING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 1991, AND HAD TAKEN THE VIEW THAT A FURTHER PROVISION OF $1.1 BILLION FOR BAD OR DOUBTFUL LOANS, ASSUMING THE BANK REOPENED, WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED.
THIS WOULD HAVE TRANSLATED INTO A WRITE-DOWN OF 15 PER CENT OF THE COMPANY’S NET POSITION, AND A PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR THIS AND FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF BCCHK, WITH CERTAIN EXCLUSIONS, WAS ENTERED INTO WITH HKCB ON NOVEMBER 22, 1991.
A MAJOR OUTSTANDING ISSUE AT THAT STAGE WAS THE DEFINITION OF "UNRECORDED LIABILITIES", AN EXTREMELY TECHNICAL SUBJECT IN THE CONTEXT OF BCCHK, WHICH HAD TO BE SETTLED FOR THE PURPOSES QF BOTH THE PROPOSED SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT AND A COVERING GUARANTEE TO BE GIVEN BY THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDERS OF BCCI IN ABU DHABI.
FROM THE OUTSET OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND AS REFLECTED IN THE’ PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT, HKCB HAD ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT THE NEW BANK COULD NOT TAKE ON SUCH UNRECORDED LIABILITIES.
ORIGINALLY THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN ABU DHABI HAD INDICATED THEIR WILLINGNESS IN PRINCIPLE TO GIVE A GUARANTEE UNLIMITED AS TO AMOUNT AGAINST UNRECORDED LIABILITIES, AND THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH HKCB HAD BEGUN ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT SUCH A GUARANTEE WOULD BE FORTHCOMING.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GUARANTEE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO COVER LIABILITIES OF THE TYPE WHICH HAD BEEN DISCOVERED IN BCCI IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD AND DESCRIBED ELSEWHERE AS A "BLACK HOLE" OR A "BANK WITHIN A BANK".
ESSENTIALLY THESE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIABILITIES WHICH BY STANDARD ACCOUNTING PRACTICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECORDED ON THE BOOKS AND RECORDS OF THESE BANKS BUT WERE NOT.
SUBSEQUENTLY, HOWEVER, THE ABU DHABI SHAREHOLDERS FOUND THEMSELVES UNABLE TO GIVE SUCH A GUARANTEE BUT AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO GIVE ONE LIMITED TO US$25 MILLION AS TO AMOUNT AND TO NOVEMBER 5, 1991, SUBSEQUENTLY EXTENDED TO MARCH 31, 1992, AS TO TIME.
WHILE NEGOTIATIONS ON "UNRECORDED LIABILITIES" WERE GOING ON WITH BOTH HKCB AND ABU DHABI, MR GLEESON’S FINANCIAL ADVISERS, JARDINE FLEMING, PREPARED A SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT DOCUMENT AND THE LAWYERS FOR BOTH SIDES PREPARED THE DRAFT LEGISLATION AND OTHER LEGAL DOCUMENTS WHICH WOULD BE NECESSARY TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND DEAL WITH OTHER FEATURES OF THE SCHEME.
AT THAT STAGE, IN EARLY DECEMBER 1991, IT APPEARED THAT THE SCHEME HAD A GOOD PROSPECT OF SUCCESS AND THAT IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO OPEN THE NEW BANK BY ABOUT THE END OF MARCH 1992, EVEN WITH A LIMITED GUARANTEE FROM ABU DHABI.
/THEN, IN ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 31 -
THEN, IN MID-DECEMBER 1991, THE FIRST OF A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL LIABILITIES IN THE FORM OF VERY SUBSTANTIAL BCCI RELATED CLAIMS BEGAN TO APPEAR, WHICH DID NOT APPEAR ON THE BOOKS OF THE COMPANY.
THE FIRST INTIMATION OF A CLAIM WAS FOR $430 MILLION FROM A MAJOR OVERSEAS CUSTOMER.
THE NEXT, IN JANUARY 1992, WAS FOR $580 MILLION FROM THE BCCI BRANCH LIQUIDATOR IN TOKYO IN RESPECT OF LOANS BY HIS BRANCH TO THE SAME CUSTOMER.
SINCE THEN FURTHER BCCI CLAIMS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM BCCI LIQUIDATORS IN LUXEMBOURG ($125 MILLION}, LONDON ($85 MILLION), SAN FRANCISCO ($570 MILLION), NEW YORK ($31 MILLION), AND, VERY RECENTLY, THE CAYMAN ISLANDS BCCI (OVERSEAS) LIQUIDATOR ($275 MILLION).
IN ADDITION, MANY BCCI LIQUIDATORS HAVE WRITTEN TO THE SPECIAL MANAGERS RESERVING THEIR RIGHT TO MAKE FURTHER CLAIMS AND THE LAWYERS FOR ONE OF THE LIQUIDATORS HAVE INDICATED THAT FURTHER CLAIMS ARE LIKELY TO BE FORTHCOMING.
MOST OF THESE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SO RECENTLY THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO RESEARCH THEM IN FULL AND EVALUATE THEIR STATUS PRECISELY. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT BE ADMITTED TO PROOF IN A LIQUIDATION, THE CLAIMS WERE SUCH THAT THEY COULD NOT BE REJECTED OUT OF HAND. BECAUSE OF THIS, ANY SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SUCH CLAIMS SO AS TO BE MANIFESTLY FAIR AND REASONABLE TO ALL CREDITORS.
ALTHOUGH THE ABU DHABI GUARANTEE, IF FORTHCOMING, WOULD HAVE BEEN OF LIMITED ASSISTANCE, IT CLEARLY WOULD NOT HAVE CATERED ADEQUATELY FOR ALL THE CLAIMS WHICH HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, GIVEN THEIR MAGNITUDE.
AFTER ALL FURTHER LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL ALTERNATIVES WERE EXPLORED BOTH SIDES AGREED WITH REGRET THAT, IN VIEW OF THE SCALE AND MAGNITUDE OF THE BCCI AND OTHER CLAIMS, AND IN THE ABSENCE OF A SUFFICIENT GUARANTEE AGAINST SUCH UNRECORDED LIABILITIES, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO TAKE FORWARD A SCHEME THAT WAS BOTH ACCEPTABLE TO HKCB AND COMPATIBLE WITH THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR’S DUTY TO ALL CREDITORS.
IT WAS THEREFORE AGREED BETWEEN HKCB AND MR GLEESON THAT THE PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT SHOULD LAPSE AND THAT BOTH PARTIES SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS. MR GLEESON SAID THAT HE WOULD NOW BE APPLYING TO THE COURT FOR DIRECTIONS AS TO THE FURTHER CONDUCT OF THE WINDlNG-UP PETITION.
HE CONCLUDED THAT SHOULD THE COURT ORDER THAT BCCHK BE WOUND UP HE WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT THE LIQUIDATOR SHOULD BE IN A POSITION TO PAY A SUBSTANTIAL FIRST DIVIDEND FROM THE CASH COLLECTED TO DATE WITHIN APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF SUCH ORDER, BUT HOPEFULLY SOONER.
/MR GLEESON .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
32
MR GLEESON SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT ACCURATELY THE OUTCOME OF A LIQUIDATION AND STRESSED THAT ANY DIVIDEND FORECAST MUST BE SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF UNQUANTIFIABLE FACTORS, INCLUDING THE ADJUDICATION OF CLAIMS LODGED, THE RECEIPT OF FURTHER CLAIMS AND THE COLLECTION OF LOANS.
SUBJECT TO THOSE FACTORS HE THOUGHT THAT THE INITIAL DIVIDEND COULD RE IN THE REGION OF 35 PER CENT - 40 PER CENT, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THE INTERIM RELIEF ALREADY PAID. TOTAL DIVIDENDS IN THE REGION OF 70 PER CENT - 75 PER CENT MIGHT ULTIMATELY BE POSSIBLE ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT ABLE TO SAY HOW LONG THIS MIGHT TAKE.
---------0-----------
CLASS SIZE PROPOSAL EXPLAINED *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN CLASS SIZE TO 42 IN THE 1992/93 SCHOOL YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
DURING A MEETING WITH THE OMELCO EDUCATION PANEL THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR: JOHN CHAN AND THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, REPORTED ON THE OUTCOME OF A FURTHER ROUND OF CONSULTATION WITH SCHOOL COUNCILS AND TEACHER UNIONS ON, ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED SAVINGS.
10 SUGGESTIONS WERE MADE BY THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY BUT NONE OF THEM PROVIDED A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH THE REPEATER ALLOWANCE.
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL ASKED WHETHER IT WAS STILL NECESSARY TO PRODUCE THE SAVINGS IN VIEW OF THE LARGE BUDGET SURPLUS REPORTED BY THE PRESS.
THE ADMINISTRATION EXPLAINED THAT THE RATIONALE FOR THE SAVINGS EXERCISE WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE DOES NOT EXCEED THE RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH. WHETHER THERE IS A BUDGET SURPLUS OR NOT IS IRRELEVANT.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER UNDERTOOK TO REFLECT MEMBERS’ VIEWS TO THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES.
MEMBERS ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO RAISE THE SUBJECT IN THE FORTHCOMING BUDGET DEBATE AND ASKED WHETHER ACTION TO INTRODUCE THE NEW MEASURES COULD BE WITHHELD IN THE INTERIM. THE ADMINISTRATION UNDERTOOK TO CONSIDER THIS REQUEST FAVOURABLE.
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/33 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 33 -
POSTAL SERVICES TO MADAGASCAR RESUMED ******
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC (WEDNESDAY) THAT ALL POSTAL SERVICES SUSPENDED ON SEPTEMBER 13 LAST YEAR, HAVE
S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY TO MADAGASCAR, WHICH WERE NOW RESUMED.
-----0-----
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCIES ON THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
TWO OF THE SITES ARE LOCATED AT ON MUK STREET, AREA 11, SHA TIN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITES, MEASURING ABOUT 520 AND 525 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY, ARE FOR REPAIRS AND/OR MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES WITHIN THE DEFINITION CONTAINED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE BUT EXCLUDING PRIME MOVERS, TRAILERS, TRACTORS, CHASSIS, CONTAINERS AND CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS.
THE TENANCIES ARE FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE REMAINING SITE IS LOCATED AT TAT CHEE AVENUE, KOWLOON.
THE SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,925 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR STORAGE OF UNLICENSED NEW VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER LORRIES, ARTICULATED VEHICLES AND TRAILORS); AND/OR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR THE PARKING OF PRIVATE MOTOR CARS, TAXIS AND LIGHT VANS CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR SIX MONTHS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, MARCH 6.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN AT 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
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/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 34 -
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 21) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A BRIEFING ON THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY STUDY WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE CHAMBER AFTER THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING.
THERE WILL BE A 10-MINUTE BREAK BETWEEN THE MEETING AND THE BRIEFING.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 18.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 19.2.92 + 33
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -33
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.4 *+0.3* 19.2.92
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
- 35 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.98 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.32 5.51
1 MONTH 3/98 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99.93 5.61
3 MONTHS 4.04 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.14 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.58 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6,002 MN
CLOSED 19 FEBRUARY 1992
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS POLICE HEADQUARTERS ................................ 1
NEED TO OPTIMISE HUMAN POTENTIAL STRESSED .......................... 1
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED ................... 3
BULK ACQUISITION OF MAINFRAME SYSTEMS FOR DEPARTMENTS .............. 4
EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA FOR LOCAL WORKERS MUST BE FAIR ................. 5
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MONDAY ........................ 5
HK'S TRADE WITH CHINA OF OUTWARD PROCESSING NATURE, 3RD QUARTER 1991 6
REARING HANDICAPPED CHILDREN A GREAT PROBLEM ....................... 9
STUDY ON CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING EXPANDED ..................... 10
TAC MEMBERS VISIT BORDER CROSSINGS ................................. 11
NEW IMMIGRATION ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN HK AND ARGENTINA .............. 12
YAU TSIM FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY ............................ 12
FIRST BATCH OF PENSIONERS' WELFARE FUND DISTRIBUTED ................ 13
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ........................... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 14
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
1
GOVERNOR VISITS POLICE HEADQUARTERS
******
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON OF TILLYORN, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND SAW OFFICERS AT WORK USING SOME OF THE MODERN EQUIPMENT RECENTLY ACQUIRED BY THE FORCE.
THE GOVERNOR TOURED THE HONG KONG ISLAND REGIONAL COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE WHICH USED ADVANCED COMPUTER AND RADIO SYSTEMS TO DEAL WITH POLICING SITUATIONS ON THE ISLAND.
HE WAS ALSO SHOWN HOW THE STAFF USE COMPUTERS TO TASK PATROL OFFICERS MORE EFFICIENTLY, PARTICULARLY IN RESPONDING TO "999” CALLS.
THE GOVERNOR WAS THEN BRIEFED ON THE COMPUTER ASSISTED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM.
THIS HI-TECH AND POWERFUL TOOL HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY USED IN OVER 480 CASES SINCE IT CAME INTO OPERATION IN MAY LAST YEAR.
HE ALSO VISITED THE BALLISTIC AND FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION BUREAU WHERE HE SAW HOW ADVANCED FORENSIC TECHNIQUES ARE USED FOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING GUNS.
LORD WILSON WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE WORK OF THE CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF THE FORCE, IN PARTICULAR THE PERSONNEL SECTION.
BEFORE THE DEPARTURE HE MET A CROSS SECTION OF CIVILIAN AND DISCIPLINED STAFF AT A TEA RECEPTION.
THE GOVERNOR COMMENTED: "I AM GREATLY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT I HAVE SEEN TODAY. THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE A LARGE INVESTMENT IN FIRST-CLASS EQUIPMENT TO HELP THE POLICE IN THEIR WORK, AND I CAN SEE THAT THEY ARE PUTTING IT TO GOOD USE.”
"I ALSO ENJOYED MEETING AND SPEAKING WITH POLICE OFFICERS AND FORCE CIVILIANS. THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR WORK IS IMPRESSIVE. WE CAN BE PROUD OF THEM AND THE JOB THEY DO."
- - 0 - -
NEED TO OPTIMISE HUMAN POTENTIAL STRESSED
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING ITS INVALUABLE HUMAN RESOURCES WHICH HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ARE VERY MUCH DEPENDENT ON, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG IS NOW GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING.
/"TO MEET
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
2 —
"TO MEET THE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY THESE CHANGES, WE NEED TO OPTIMISE OUR HUMAN POTENTIAL MORE THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME IN OUR HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
"WE RECOGNISE THAT EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE IN MAINTAINING A SUPPLY OF QUALITY PERSONNEL.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS THEREFORE GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY TO THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AS WELL AS TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS."
TO MAXIMISE THE BENEFITS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR CHAN FELT THAT THERE SHOULD BE PROPER CAREERS GUIDANCE TO MEET YOUNG PEOPLE’S ASPIRATIONS IN FINDING CAREERS RELEVANT TO THEIR TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS IN THE PAST 19 YEARS ORGANISED ANNUAL CAREERS EXHIBITIONS WHICH WERE ALL WELL-RECEIVED.
THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAS ALSO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED THE FIRST EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO IN 1990.
MR CHAN DESCRIBED THE FOUR-DAY EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92 AS THE LARGEST EXHIBITION ON CAREERS, ADVANCED EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES EVER ORGANISED IN HONG KONG.
PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE SOME 100 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES AND 64 ORGANISATIONS COVERING A CROSS SECTION OF HONG KONG’S TRADES, PROFESSIONS AND SERVICES.
VISITORS CAN ALSO TAKE PART IN THE 42 TALKS ON ADVANCED EDUCATION AND 22 CAREERS TALKS AND VIDEO SHOWS PRESENTED BY THE ORGANISERS.
RUNNING CONCURRENTLY IN THE SAME VENUE IS THE THIRD BRITISH EDUCATION EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL
"IT IS INDEED A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AS WELL AS WORKING ADULTS TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON FURTHER EDUCATION AND CAREERS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
"I HOPE THAT THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING FOR THEIR FUTURE OR SEEKING A BETTER CAREER WILL MAKE THE BEST USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY."
------0-----------
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20,
1992
- 3 -
JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION MOUNTED
******
A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS RECENTLY HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 100 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO GET RID OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, 11 WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT THE BORDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
THE REMAINING 89 HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
"A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS," HE SAID.
DURING THE JOINT OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 5 AM YESTERDAY AND ENDED AT 5 AM TODAY, THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 9,044 PERSONS, 1,329 VEHICLES AND 269 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
SEVEN PERSONS WERE SUMMONSED AND FOUR PERSONS CHARGED FOR FAILING TO PRODUCE PROPER PROOF OF IDENTITY.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 3,146 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL OF 10,968 EMPLOYEES HAD THEIR PROOF OF IDENTITY CHECKED DURING THE OPERATION.
TWENTY-NINE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE INSPECTION A RECORD OF EMPLOYEES.
FOUND NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE
FOR
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $50,000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO ONE YEAR IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/4 ........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
BULK ACQUISITION OF MAINFRAME SYSTEMS FOR DEPARTMENTS ******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL MOVE A STEP FURTHER TO STANDARDISE THE USE OF MAINFRAME COMPUTER BY ISSUING FOR THE FIRST TIME A TENDER FOR BULK ACQUISITION OF MAINFRAME COMPUTERS.
THIS FOLLOWS THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE DAISY REPORT WHICH HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR POLICY GROUP OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY'S COMMITTEE IN MARCH, 1989.
NORMALLY, THE GOVERNMENT PURCHASED MAINFRAME COMPUTERS ON PROJECT BASIS AND ISSUE TENDERS FOR INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DAISY REPORT IS TO STANDARDISE THE TYPES OF MAINFRAME COMPUTERS TO BE PURCHASED FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SO AS TO ENHANCE CONTROL OF USAGE BY THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT (ITSD) AND ECONOMISE TRAINING RESOURCES.
THE TENDER FOR THE BULK ACQUISITION OF S/370 MAINFRAME COMPUTERS WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY). LOCAL COMPANIES INTERESTED ARE WELCOME TO BID.
THE MAINFRAME SYSTEMS/ITEMS OBTAINED WILL BE CONFIGURED BY THE ITSD TO FORM WORKING SYSTEMS CAPABLE OF PERFORMING AND MEETING INDIVIDUAL END-USER'S COMPUTING NEEDS. ON-SITE INSTALLATION WORK AND BACK-UP MAINTENANCE SERVICE ARE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TENDER.
AFTER ENTERING INTO THE CONTRACT, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY A NOMINAL CONSIDERATION OF ONE HK DOLLAR TO THE CONTRACTOR AND THE CONTRACTOR WILL AGREE TO MAKE A STANDING OFFER TO SELL SUCH COMPUTER HARDWARE AND/OR LICENSE SUCH SOFTWARE AS AND WHEN REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT AN AGREED PRICE ON THE AGREED TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
DURATION OF THE STANDING OFFER IS 24 MONTHS. THE QUANTITY DRAWN UNDER THIS STANDING OFFER IS NOT LIMITED.
THE GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, DOES NOT BIND ITSELF TO RESTRICT ITS PURCHASE OF MAINFRAME COMPUTERS ONLY THROUGH THIS INTENDING CONTRACT AS IT IS STILL FREE TO SEPARATELY TENDER FOR MAINFRAME COMPUTERS IF THE REQUIREMENTS ARE OF VERY DIVERTING CONFIGURATION OR SPECIFICATION FROM THOSE AVAILABLE TN THE CONTRACT.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
5 -
EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA FOR LOCAL WORKERS MUST BE FAIR
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT APPROVAL TO IMPORT FOREIGN LABOUR WILL BE GIVEN ONLY TO THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO FIRST TAKE ON LOCAL WORKERS.
COMMENTING ON REPORTS THAT SOME EMPLOYERS HAD SET EXCESSIVELY RESTRICTIVE CRITERIA FOR LOCAL JOB APPLICANTS WHEN REGISTERING THEIR VACANCIES WITH THE DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES), ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR ALFRED CHAN SAID THE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE REASONABLE AND RELEVANT TO THE NATURE OF THE JOBS OFFERED.
’’WE WILL CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE JOB SPECIFICATIONS AND CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS IN EACH CASE TO SEE IF THEY MATCH AND WILL INCORPORATE OUR ASSESSMENT IN OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EMPLOYMENT VISA CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (EVCC) FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION,” MR CHAN SAID.
"IF AN EMPLOYER DELIBERATELY SETS EXCESSIVELY RESTRICTIVE CRITERIA NOT COMMENSURATE WITH THE NATURE OF THE JOB FOR LOCAL WORKERS, OR REFUSES TO TAKE ON LOCAL WORKERS WITHOUT GOOD REASONS, HIS APPLICATION FOR QUOTA ALLOCATION UNDER THE GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME MAY BE REJECTED BY THE EVCC," HE REMINDED.
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT UNDER THE SCHEME, EMPLOYERS WERE REQUIRED FIRST TO TAKE ON SUITABLE LOCAL WORKERS REFERRED TO THEM BY THE LES BEFORE THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR QUOTA ALLOCATION WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
THE LES HAS SO FAR RECEIVED 70,685 VACANCIES FROM EMPLOYERS UNdER THE SCHEME, AND APPLICATION FOR QUOTA ALLOCATION WILL CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 28.
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PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MONDAY »'» * * *
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON "PLANNING AND FINANCIAL CONTROL BY THE GOVERNMENT ON BUILDING THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY" ON MONDAY (FEBRUARY 24) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. IT WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
INVITED TO THE HEARING WILL BE CHIEF SECRETARY SIR DAVID FORD, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO CHIEF SECRETARY MS EMMA LAU, SIR GORDON MACWHINNIE, MAJOR GENERAL GUY WATKINS, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, MR I.F.C. MACPHERSON, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER MR JOHN CHAN, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, MR K.Y. YEUNG, MR M. PAGLIARI, MR JOSE LEI AND DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES MR P.J. CORSER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO RESERVE’ SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
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/6......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
- 6 -
HE’S TRADE WITH CHINA OF OUTWARD PROCESSING NATURE, 3RD QUARTER 1991 *******
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, SOME 68% OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME 57% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 77% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 49% FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 WERE 62% FOR IMPORTS, 60% FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 78% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 53% FOR RE-EXPORTS.
IN JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1991, SOME 66% OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME 57% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 77% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 49% FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1990 WERE 62% FOR IMPORTS, 58% FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 79% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 50% FOR RE-EXPORTS.
TO PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA BY HONG KONG FIRMS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A SAMPLE SURVEY AS FROM THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 TO DISTINGUISH HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO CHINA -BOTH DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS - INTO THOSE WHICH ARE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT.
THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY HAS ALSO BEEN EXTENDED AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 SO AS TO SEGREGATE HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA INTO THOSE WHICH ARE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT.
THE RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
IN VALUE TERMS, SOME $54,070 MILLION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 38% OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 28% TO $31,181 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 13% TO $10,930 MILLION AND 39% TO $20,251 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
IN JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1991, SOME $137,201 MILLION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 34% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
/OVER THE .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
7
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 27% TO $82,653 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 12% TO $29,191 MILLION AND 38% TO $53,462 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THE ESTIMATES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1991 AND JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1991 AND THE CORRESPONDING CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990 ARE SUMMARISED IN THE TABLE BELOW:
TOTAL VALUE OF TRADE WITH CHINA AND ESTIMATED VALUE AND PROPORTION OF TRADE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING NATURE, 3RD QUARTER OF 1991 AND JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 1991
PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE
3RD CHANGE CHANGE OVER
QTR. OVER 3RD JAN.-SEP. JAN.-SEP.
1991 QTR. 1990 1991 1991
— — — — —
(HKD MN.) TOTAL TRADE VALUE * : (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
IMPORTS FROM CHINA TOTAL EXPORTS 79,288 + 25.9 207,805 + 25.4
TO CHINA DOMESTIC E:'PORTS 55,172 + 37.0 145,947 + 31.6
TO CHINA RE-EXPORTS TO 14,188 + 13.8 37,772 + 13.9
CHINA 40,984 + 47.4 108,175 + 39.1
ESTIMATED VALUE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE :
IMPORTS FROM CHINA TOTAL EXPORTS 54,070 + 37.9 137,201 + 34.3
TO CHINA DOMESTIC EXPORTS 31,181 + 28.2 82,653 ' + 27.5
TO CHINA 10,930 + 12.5 29,191 + 12.0
RE-EXPORTS TO
CHINA 20,251 + 38.5 53,462 + 37.9
/ESTIMATED PROPORTION .......
THCRSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
8
ESTIMATED PROPORTION OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE IN TRADE WITH CHINA
3RD 3RD
QTR. QTR. JAN.-SEP. JAN.-SEP
1991 1990 1991 1990
(X) (%) (%) (%)
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 68.2 62.3 66.0 61.7
TOTAL EXPORTS
TO CHINA 56.5 60.4 56.6 58.5
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
TO CHINA 77.0 77.9 77.3 78.6
RE-EXPORTS TO
CHINA 49.4 52.6 49.4 49.9
♦ THE VALUE EXCLUDES COMMODITIES AND TRANSACTIONS NOT CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO KIND.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY, EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE EXPORTATION OF RAW MATERIALS OR SEMIMANUFACTURES FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING WITH A CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT RE-IMPORTATION OF THE PROCESSED GOODS INTO HONG KONG.
IMPORTS FROM CHINA RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE IMPORTATION OF PROCESSED GOODS FROM CHINA OF WHICH ALL OR PART OF THEIR RAW MATERIALS OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES ARE UNDER CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT EXPORTED FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING.
A SAMPLE OF TRADE DECLARATIONS IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA (IMPORTS FROM CHINA, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA) IS SELECTED FOR ENUMERATION TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION FROM THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SYSTEM OF RECORDING . TRADE FLOWS, ALL MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ACROSS THE BORDER, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE, ARE RECORDED AS EXTERNAL TRADE.
THUS THE MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTWARD PROCESSING ARE CORRECTLY INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS.
’’THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, HOWEVER, FACILITATE A MORE INFORMED ANALYSIS OF THE NATURE OF HONG KONG-CHINA TRADE. IN THIS RESPECT, THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT TO THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS.”
THE ABOVE SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE INCLUDED IN PART I OF THE DECEMBER 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE”, WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AROUND FEBRUARY 21 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $33.5 PER COPY.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
9
REARING HANDICAPPED CHILDREN A GREAT PROBLEM » * i t *
TEACHING PHYSICALLY' HANDICAPPED CHILDREN POSES GREAT CHALLENGES TO TEACHERS, BUT BRINGING UP PHYSICALLY'HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IS AN EVEN GREATER PROBLEM FOR THEIR PARENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY LADY WILSON TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA RED CROSS RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL.
SHE SAID APART FROM COPING WITH STRESS AND STRAIN, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS HAD TO FIND SPECIAL COURAGE IN THEIR ENDEAVOURS TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THEIR LIVES.
"THEIR COURAGE AND COMMITMENT SHOULD BE, AND OFTEN IS, A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR THOSE OF US WHO DO NOT HAVE TO FACE SUCH PROBLEMS IN OUR DAILY LIVES, BUT WHO WATCH HOW MUCH CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH LOVE, CARE AND IMMENSE PATIENCE."
THE REWARDS, SHE SAID, COULD BE TREMENDOUS.
"EACH STEP IS A MOUNTAIN CLIMBED, BUT THE EFFORT AND COMMITMENT HAS TO BE CONSTANT, AND IS THEREFORE VERY DEMANDING," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID SHE WAS ENORMOUSLY IMPRESSED BY THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING AND THE EXCELLENT FACILITIES THERE.
BUT SHE ADMITTED THAT HER THOUGHTS TODAY WERE WITH THE CHILDREN ATTENDING THE SCHOOL, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR TEACHERS.
APART FROM CONGRATULATING ALL THE TEACHERS AT THE SCHOOL FOR THE EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT, LADY WILSON ALSO CONGRATULATED ALL OF THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE RED CROSS, AND ALL OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOL IN WHATEVER CAPACITY.
"THE DEDICATION AND LOVE FROM PARENTS AND STAFF, THE COURAGE AND EFFORT OF THE CHILDREN, AND THE SUPPORT FROM THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES, SUPERVISORS, AND THOSE WHO HELP ADVISE THE SCHOOL FROM GOVERNMENT AND ELSEWHERE, ARE ALL REASONS WHY THE SCHOOL HAS COME SO FAR, AND BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL," SHE ADDED.
ORIGINALLY AN ORPHANAGE FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, KNOWN AS THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA RED CROSS CHILDREN'S HOME, THE SCHOOL WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1962 WITH A DONATION FROM TflE WORLD REFUGEE YEAR FUND.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND CARE FOR 60 PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN THREE PRIMARY CLASSES.
OVER THE YEARS, THE SCHOOL HAS EXPANDED A GREAT DEAL TO MEET AN EVER GROWING DEMAND.
IT STARTED ITS FIRST CLASS FOR MULTIPLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN 1969, AND ITS FIRST SECONDARY CLASS IN 1983.
/WITH THESE .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
- 10 -
WITH THESE NEW FACILITIES, THE SCHOOL IS NOW RUNNING 18 CLASSES FROM PREPARATORY LEVEL TO SECONDARY 5, WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 180 PLACES.
THE OLD PREMISES WHICH ARE LOCATED VERY CLOSE TO THE NEW BUILDING HAVE ALSO BEEN CONVERTED INTO DORMITORIES FOR 66 BOARDERS.
"THIS REPROVISIONING PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A MOST WELCOME, MORE SPACIOUS AND VERY PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT FOR THE STAFF AND CHILDREN OF THE SCHOOL."
LADY WILSON SAID EVERY SPECIAL SCHOOL NEEDED DEDICATED TEACHERS TO LOOK AFTER ITS PUPILS, AND THIS WAS EVEN MORE SO IN SCHOOLS FOR HANDICAPPED.
SHE SAID SHE WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT THE NEW SCHOOL HAD ALREADY PREPARED ITS PUPILS TO SIT FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
"THEIR EXAMINATION RESULTS ARE ENCOURAGING AND HAVE DEMONSTRATED HOW THE DEGREE OF ABILITY CAN BE MAXIMISED, GIVEN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT, AND SUPPORT," SHE SAID.
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STUDY ON CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING EXPANDED
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY ON RECYCLING OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS TO INCLUDE OVERSEEING A PILOT SCHEME FOR CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID A PILOT SCHEME FOR CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN MARCH THIS YEAR BY CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT’S CONTRACTOR AT TSEUNG KWAN 0 LANDFILL FOR A SIX-WEEK PERIOD.
THE PILOT SCHEME WILL ASSESS THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECYCLING UNDER LOCAL CONDITIONS.
CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS IS CURRENTLY ABOUT 16,000 TONNES PER DAY WHICH AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ARISING IN HONG KONG.
CONSTRUCTION WASTE INCLUDES VARIOUS COMPONENTS, SUCH AS BUILDING DEBRIS, TIMBER, SITE CLEARANCE MATERIALS, ROCK, RUBBLE AND MIXED SOFT MATERIALS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
11
THE SPOKESMAN SAID BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE ORIGINAL STUDY, ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILLS COULD BE RECYCLED FOR REUSE.
THE PILOT SCHEME WILL INVOLVE SEPARATING TIMBER FROM THE IN-COMING CONSTRUCTION WASTE AND BREAKING UP OF LARGE PIECES OF CONCRETE TO GENERATE ONE STREAM OF MATERIALS THAT IS SUITABLE FOR USE FOR RECLAIMING LAND AND ANOTHER THAT IS MORE APPROPRIATELY DISPOSED OF AS WASTE AT A LANDFILL SITE.
THE SCHEME WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES ON A TRIAL BASIS TO RECYCLE 1,000 TONNES PER DAY OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE RECEIVED AT LANDFILL.
THE EXPANDED SCOPE OF THE STUDY WOULD PROVIDE GUIDANCE, CO-ORDINATION AND REPORTING ON THE PILOT SCHEME AND WOULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON APPROPRIATE CONSTRUCTION WASTE PROCESSING PLANT.
THE COST OF THE STUDY IS HK$350,000. AN AGREEMENT TO COVER THIS PILOT SCHEME WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN EPD'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY) MR MIKE STOKOE AND THE DIRECTOR OF DONOHUE/JRP ASIA PACIFIC LTD., MR T.E. SIEBERS.
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TAC MEMBERS VISIT BORDER CROSSINGS
MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED LO WU, MAN KAM TO AND LOK MA CHAU TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSINGS.
LED BY THE TAC CHAIRMAN, PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG, MEMBERS FIRST TOURED THE LO WU TERMINAL. THEY THEN VISITED THE MAN KAM TO CROSSING, WHICH PROVIDED THE MOST DIRECT LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN CITY CENTRE.
AT PRESENT, THE DAILY TWO-WAY TRAFFIC THROUGH MAN KAM TO IS ABOUT 10,000 VEHICLES, OF WHICH 96 PER CENT ARE GOODS VEHICLES AND CONTAINER TRUCKS WHILE THE OTHERS ARE COACHES AND PRIVATE CARS.
MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE MEASURES TO TACKLE THE CONGESTION PROBLEM AT THE MAN KAM TO CROSSING.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDED SPEEDING UP THE PROCESSING TIME FOR VEHICLES, FURTHER DIVERSION OF VEHICLES TO THE LOK MA CHAU CROSSING AND THE ISSUE OF NEW CLOSED-ROAD PERMITS ONLY FOR LOK MA CHAU.
SINCE NOVEMBER 19 LAST YEAR, OFFICIALS AT BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER HAVE BEEN PROCESSING VEHICLES AT MAN KAM TO AT THE SAME RATE OF ABOUT 200 TO 250 PER HALF HOUR, REDUCING THE AVERAGE QUEUE LENGTH AT PEAK PERIODS FROM 800 VEHICLES TO ABOUT 400 VEHICLES AND THE MAXIMUM WAITING TIME FROM TWO HOURS TO ONE HOUR.
/IN ADDITION .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
12
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT ABOUT 3,000 VEHICLES HAD BEEN DIVERTED FROM MAN KAM TO TO LOK MA CHAU CROSSING SINCE THE OPENING OF THE LATTER ON DECEMBER 29, 1989.
ABOUT 200 MORE GOODS VEHICLES WOULD BE SO DIVERTED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
AT THE LOK MA CHAU CROSSING, MEMBERS TOURED THE CONTROL POINT, INCLUDING THE BRIDGE, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS FACILITIES.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT SINCE THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING WERE EXTENDED ON AUGUST 8 LAST YEAR FROM 9 AM -5 PM TO 7.30 AM - 8 PM DAJLY, THE NUMBER OF VEHICULAR CROSSINGS HAD INCREASED FROM UNDER 5,000 TO MORE THAN 5,500 PER DAY, OF WHICH 99 PER CENT WERE GOODS VEHICLES AND CONTAINER TRUCKS.
AT PRESENT, THE UTILISATION RATE OF THIS CROSSING IS ABOUT 35 PER CENT.
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NEW IMMIGRATION ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN HK AND ARGENTINA ******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 24 THIS YEAR:
* HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN PASSPORT HOLDERS AND BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT HOLDERS MAY BE PERMITTED TO VISIT ARGENTINA WITHOUT VISA FOR A PERIOD OF NOT EXCEEDING 30 DAYS; AND
» SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR ARGENTINE PASSPORT HOLDERS VISITING HONG KONG ON A RECIPROCAL BASIS.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WERE INTENDED TO FACILITATE TRAVEL BETWEEN THE TWO TERRITORIES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
YAU TSIM FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY *******
A CARNIVAL TO SPREAD THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE WILL BE HELD AT THE PIAZZA OF THE KOWLOON PARK IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23) BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARNIVAL.
/THE CARNIVAL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
13
THE CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE YAU TS1M DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
IT WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND A POLICE BAND.
THERE WILL ALSO BE GAMESTALLS, QUIZ ON COMBATING CRIME, DISPLAYS OF CRIME PREVENTION INSTALLATIONS AS WELL AS DEMONSTRATIONS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE HANDICRAFT.
MEANWHILE, FREE COUPONS FOR TAKING PART IN THE STALL GAMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, AND THE YAU MA TEI HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 301 2160.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WHICH Wild. BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23) AT THE PIAZZA OF THE KOWLOON PARK, TSIM SHA TSUI.
- 0 - -
FIRST BATCH OF PENSIONERS’ WELFARE FUND DISTRIBUTED
SEVEN PERSONS RECEIVED THE FIRST DISBURSEMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH’S PENSIONERS’ WELFARE FUND TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE FUND AIMS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PENSIONERS, OR THE FAMILIES OF DECEASED PENSIONERS, IN CASES OF GENUINE HARDSHIP.
RECEIVING A SUM OF $5,000 EACH FROM THE DEPUTV SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (STAFF MANAGEMENT), MRS ALICE LAI, WERE FOUR PENSIONERS AND WIVES OF THREE DECEASED PENSIONERS.
RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS OR THE FAMILIES OF DECEASED PENSIONERS CAN APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND TO COVER MEDICAL EXPENSES INCLUDING EXPENSES FOR SPECIAL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND FUNERAL EXPENSES.
PENSIONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN DISTRESS CAN ALSO APPLY FOR SPECIAL GRANTS.
ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND IS IN THE FORM OF A ONE-OFF GRANT AND THE NORMAL DISBURSEMENT FOR EACH APPLICATION IS $5,000.
/THE PENSIONERS'
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
14
THE PENSIONERS’ WELFARE FUND IS ONE OF THE NEW SERVICES OFFERED BY THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH TO HELP RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS.
THE BRANCH HAS ALSO ARRANGED WITH THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A REGISTER TO ASSIST PENSIONERS TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
ON PRODUCTION OF HIS OR HER PENSIONER CARD, A PENSIONER CAN NOW REGISTER AT THE LES BRANCH OFFICE NEAR THEIR HOME FOR EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE.
---------0-----------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A BUILDING IN SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE CLOSED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED ON THE ROOF OF FLAT E ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF 444-450 CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 30 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 19.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 20.2.92 +59
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -59
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.5 »+0.1» 20.2.92
/HONG KONG
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1992
15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.90 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.37 5.48
1 MONTH 3.90 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 100.00 5.58
3 MONTHS 3.96 PCT •
6 MONTHS 4.10 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.55 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,719 MN
CLOSED 20 FEBRUARY 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUICK PAY-OUT TO DEPOSITORS MOST IMPORTANT ............................ 1
GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY ........................ 2
PLEDGE TO MAINTAIN A RESPONSIBLE AND EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE .......... 3
STATEMENT ON BCCHK'S LIQUIDATION FEES ................................. 4
TELETEXT TEST TRANSMISSIONS SOON ON TV ................................ 4
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN HK FOR BRITISH BUSINESS ....................... 5
ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR DECEMBER RELEASED ..................................................... 7
PROPOSED RECLAMATION AND DREDGING AT SOUTHEAST TSING YI ............... 12
LIFE-LONG EDUCATION IS KEY TO FUTURE SUCCESS .......................... 12
REPORT ON PLASTICS INDUSTRY PUBLISHED ................................. 13
OLD-TYPE ID CARDS INVALID AS FROM FEBRUARY 24 ......................... 14
TENDERS FOR NEW HELIPADS .............................................. 15
PROPOSED EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS AT STANLEY ........................ 15
NEW FIRE STATION FOR TSING YI ......................................... 16
VIDEO SHOWS TO GIVE CAREERS GUIDANCE .................................. 17
JOINT SCHOOL CONCERT IN SHAM SHUI ..................................... 18
PERFORMANCE BY DISTRICT CHILDREN'S DANCE TROUPE........................ 18
255 VMS RETURN TO VIETNAM ............................................. 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 19
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
- 1 -QUICK PAY-OUT TO DEPOSITORS MOST IMPORTANT * * * * *
♦he FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR. HAMISH MACLEOD SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING/ THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING CONCERNING BCCHK WAS TO GET ON WITH REALISING THE ASSETS WHICH REMAIN AND GETTING THOSE INTO THE HANDS OF THE DEPOSITORS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
"I THINK THAT IS WHAT WILL HELP THE DEPOSITORS MOST NOW,” MR. MACLEOD SAID WHEN ASKED AT THE SPRING DINNER OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES TO COMMENT ON CALLS FOR AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY ON THE CASE.
’’THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE CLOSURE OF THE BANK OF COURSE HAVE ALREADY BEEN WELL DESCRIBED. THERE WAS A REPORT ON THAT."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE REASON FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF NEGOTIATIONS WAS VERY CLEAR. "ACTUALLY THERE IS NO MYSTERY ABOUT THAT. IT WAS THfi APPEARANCE OF THESE VERY LARGE AND VERY LATE CLAIMS WHICH UNFORTUNATELY JUST TIP THE BALANCE AGAINST THAT DEAL."
"IT IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING TO ALL THOSE CONCERNED OF COURSE, PARTICULARLY TO THE DEPOSITORS, BUT ALSO THE CREDITORS.
"BUT, BEING CONSTRUCTIVE, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO NOW AS I SAID IS GET ON AS FAST AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE WAS SURE IT WAS THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, MR. NOEL GLEESON’S INTENTION "TO GET ON WITH IT, GET BACK TO THE COURT, GET A RULING AND START REALISING THOSE ASSETS."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON THE DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME, MR. MACLEOD SAID THE BCC EVENT WAS CERTAINLY WHAT LED HIM TO REVIVE THAT IDEA.
"AND CLEARLY IT WOULD MEAN THAT THERE WILL BE A LOT OF INTEREST IN THAT PROPOSAL," HE SAID, HOPING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RECEIVE A LOT OF COMMENTS ON IT.
"NOT JUST FROM THE BANKING SECTOR ALTHOUGH THEIR VIEWS ARE OBVIOUSLY OF GREAT INTEREST, BUT FROM MEMBERS' OF THE PUBLIC AND ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE IT IS A GENUINE CONSULTATIVE PAPER.
"IT REALLY IS QUITE A DIFFICULT DECISION AND WE REALLY DO WANT TO EXPLORE WHETHER THERE IS SOME VERSION OF DEPOSIT PROTECTION WHICH WOULD SUIT HONG KONG.
"THE PROBLEMS WITH PROTECTION SCHEMES ELSEWHERE ARE WELL-REHEARSED AND WELL-KNOWN. I DON’T DISPUTE THIS. BUT THE CHALLENGE IS TO SEE WHETHER WITH THE HELP OF THOSE COMMENTS WE CAN IDENTIFY ANY VERSION WHICH WOULD SUIT HONG KONG.
"I JUST DON’T KNOW WHETHER THAT IS POSSIBLE BUT I CERTAINLY WOULD BE LOOKING AT COMMENTS WITH GREAT INTEREST," MR. MACLEOD SAID.
/2 ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
2
GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY
A SUM OF $200 MILLION HAD BEEN APPROVED AS UP-FRONT CAPITAL FOR THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE COMPANIES TO INVEST IN INNOVATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING ON THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL POLICY AT THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES SPRING DINNER, MR MACLEOD DESCRIBED THIS AS "OUR NEWEST GROUND-BREAKING INITIATIVE".
"WE HOPE TO PROVIDE A WIDER APPLICATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDUSTRY -- AND IN THE LONGER TERM, TO INCREASE OUR TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITY.
"UNDER THE SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL JOINTLY INVEST WITH COMPANIES IN WORTHWHILE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, PUTTING IN UP TO HALF OF THE COSTS AND SHARING IN THE BENEFITS OF SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS. THE REQUIREMENT THAT COMPANIES PUT IN AT LEAST HALF OF THE COSTS SHOULD ENSURE THAT PROJECTS ARE MARKET-DRIVEN," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED THAT HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME SHOULD BE AS CLEARLY FOCUSSED AND WELL CO-ORDINATED AS POSSIBLE.
"THAT IS WHY WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A NEW INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, TO ADVISE US ON HOW WE CAN BEST SUPPORT INDUSTRY IN ITS DRIVE TO IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS.
"TECHNOLOGY WILL BE GIVEN PARTICULAR EMPHASIS IN THE COUNCIL’S WORK," HE STRESSED.
AFFIRMING THAT THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IS A MAINSTAY OF THE ECONOMY, MR MACLEOD SAID IT ACCOUNTED FOR NEARLY A FIFTH OF OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, SUPPORTED SOME 700,000 JOBS, AND WAS AN IMPORTANT CLIENT OF HONG KONG’S RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SERVICE SECTOR.
"OBVIOUSLY, IT DESERVES CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID, ADDING THAT OUR POLICY WAS TO HELP INDUSTRY TO IMPROVE ITS LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE ROLE WE CAN MOST EFFECTIVELY PLAY IN WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A MARKET-DRIVEN PROCESS OF ADJUSTMENT IS TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES WHICH SUPPORT INDUSTRY’S EFFORTS TO UPGRADE," HE SAID.
OUTLINING SOME OF THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL PROGRAMME, MR MACLEOD SAID LAND WAS PROVIDED FOR TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES ON SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
"DEMAND FOR LAND IN THE ESTATES HAS BEEN HIGH IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE SO. WE ARE PRESSING AHEAD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TSEUNG KWAN O. THE FIRST LOT OF LAND IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE BY MID-1993," HE SAID.
/MANPOWER TRAINING .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
- 3 -
MANPOWER TRAINING IS ANOTHER ELEMENT OF THE PROGRAMME. A SHIFT INTO KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE, HIGH VALUE-ADDED MANUFACTURING WILL ONLY BE POSSIBLE IF THE NECESSARY HIGHLY SKILLED MANPOWER IS AVAILABLE,” THE SECRETARY SAID.
"IN TERMS OF NUMBERS, INDUSTRY CAN EXPECT TO SEE CONSIDERABLY MORE GRADUATE TECHNICIANS AND TECHNOLOGISTS COMING ONTO THE LABOUR MARKET ONCE OUR THIRD UNIVERSITY -- THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY — GETS INTO ITS STRIDE,” HE SAID.
OTHER AREAS HIGHLIGHTED BY MR MACLEOD INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN APPLICATIONS-SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS DESIGN TRAINING CENTRE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TECHNOLOGIES TRAINING SCHEME TO ENABLE TECHNOLOGISTS AND MANAGERS TO BE TRAINED LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS.
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PLEDGE TO MAINTAIN A RESPONSIBLE AND EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE ♦ t * » *
THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH (CSB) WILL CONTINUE TO DO ALL IT CAN TO HELP IMPROVE STAFF RELATIONS AND TACKLE QUESTIONS OF CONCERN TO CIVIL SERVANTS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR COCKTAIL RECEPTION WHICH HE HOSTED FOR SOME 400 CIVIL SERVANT UNIONS REPRESENTATIVES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MR WIGGHAM CALLED FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING.
HE SAID THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY SYMBOLISED WIT AND ACTIVITY.
"I HOPE THAT WE AS CIVIL SERVANTS WILL ALSO BE ACTIVE AND QUICK IN RESPONDING TO THE EVER-CHANGING SITUATION SO THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN A RESPONSIBLE AND EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE,” HE SAID.
RECALLING THE ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR, THE SECRETARY SAID THE BRANCH CONTINUED TO WORK HARD ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES AND MADE ENCOURAGING PROGRESS.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION REGARDING CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE HAVE BEEN PUT INTO PRACTICE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF.
A NEW CIVIL SERVICE PASSAGE AGREEMENT WHICH INCORPORATED MORE FLEXIBLE PROVISIONS WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE NEAR FUTURE, HE ADDED.
/FURTHERMORE, FOLLOWING ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
4
FURTHERMORE, FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF A REVIEW OF DEPENDENT PENSIONS AND RELATED BENEFITS, THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROPOSED CHANGES INCLUDING, INTER ALIA, MAKING THE DEPENDENT PENSION SCHEMES VOLUNTARY, WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WELFARE OF PENSIONS WERE ALSO INTRODUCED LAST YEAR.
THESE INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PENSIONERS' WELFARE FUND TO ASSIST PENSIONERS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES, THE SETTING UP OF AN ELDERLY EMPLOYMENT REGISTER TO HELP PENSIONERS TO SECURE JOBS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND THE ORGANISATION OF A SERIES OF PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINARS TO FACILITATE RETIRING OFFICERS TO PLAN FOR AND MANAGE THEIR RETIREMENT.
-----0------
STATEMENT ON BCCHK'S LIQUIDATION FEES
******
REFERRING TO A NEWSPAPER REPORT TODAY (FRIDAY) WHICH STATED THAT THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER'S FEES ON THE LIQUIDATION OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG (BCCHK) WOULD AMOUNT TO MORE THAN $500 MILLION, THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD ADVISED THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 19 1991 THAT IT WAS PERFECTLY REASONABLE IN THIS CASE TO APPLY TO THE COURT AND OBTAIN AN ORDER THAT A LOWER FEE BE PAID.
MR GLEESON SAID THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN THIS POSITION AND THAT HE WOULD ENSURE THAT THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S FEES WOULD BE REDUCED TO AN AMOUNT WHICH WOULD COVER ONLY THE WORK DONE BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AND WOULD NOT MATERIALLY AFFECT THE PAY-OUT TO DEPOSITORS AND OTHER CREDITORS.
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TELETEXT TEST TRANSMISSIONS SOON ON TV *******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT FOLLOWING APPROVAL BY THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, THE TWO TELEVISION BROADCASTING STATIONS, TVB AND ATV, WILL CARRY OUT TEST TRANSMISSIONS OF TELETEXT OVER THEIR TELEVISION BROADCAST CHANNELS.
TELETEXT IS A SERVICE FOR THE ONE-WAY TRANSMISSION OF TEXT AND GRAPHIC INFORMATION SENT AS PART OF THE TELEVISION SIGNALS OVER BROADCAST CHANNELS.
/THE INFORMATION .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
- 5 -
THE INFORMATION MAY INCLUDE NEWS REPORTS, FINANCIAL DATA, WEATHER FORECAST, SHOPPING, ENTERTAINMENT AND OTHER TYPES OF USEFUL INFORMATION.
IF SUCH A SERVICE IS INTRODUCED, VIEWERS WITH SPECIAL DECODERS AND KEYPADS IN THEIR TELEVISION SETS WILL BE ABLE TO SELECT AND WATCH SUCH INFORMATION ON TELEVISION SCREENS.
TEST TRANSMISSIONS WILL NOT AFFECT NORMAL TELEVISION PROGRAMME BROADCASTS.
FOR THE TIME BEING, THESE TEST TRANSMISSIONS WILL BE FOR ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS AND WILL NOT TRANSMIT USEFUL INFORMATION TO VIEWERS.
“BEFORE TELETEXT SERVICES CAN BE FORMALLY INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE TECHNICAL STANDARD TO BE AGREED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE POST OFFICE IS NOW DISCUSSING WITH THE TWO TELEVISION BROADCASTERS THE APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL STANDARD TO BE ADOPTED FOR TELETEXT SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
"SOME TELEVISION SETS ON SALE TN HONG KONG ARE FITTED WITH TELETEXT DECODERS WHICH MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE STANDARD EVENTUALLY ADOPTED IN HONG KONG SINCE OUR STANDARD SHOULD HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF TRANSMITTING INFORMATION USING NON-SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS, IN ADDITION TO ALPHABETS, NUMERIC CHARACTERS AND GRAPHIC INFORMATION," THE SPOKESMAN CAUTIONED.
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OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN HK FOR BRITISH BUSINESS
SPEAKING TO AN INFLUENTIAL AUDIENCE OF BUSINESSMEN IN THE HEARTLAND OF INDUSTRIAL BRITAIN YESTERDAY (THURSDAY), THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SPELT OUT THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS OFFERED THEM.
THE COMMISSIONER WAS TAKING PART IN A BUSINESS SEMINAR ORGANISED BY BRITAIN’S DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI) IN BIRMINGHAM.
AMONG THOSE WHO SPOKE WAS THE MINISTER FOR TRADE, MR TIM SAINSBURY, WHO URGED BRITISH BUSINESS NOT TO MISS OUT THE ADVANTAGES HONG KONG WOULD HAVE IN ITS MASSIVE PROGRAMME OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT.
/THE SEMINAR .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
6
THE SEMINAR WAS THE SECOND IN A SERIES ORGANISED BY THE DTI• TO HIGHLIGHT PADS AND THE SCOPE IT OFFERS. SIMILAR HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCES WILL BE HELD THROUGHOUT THE UK THIS YEAR.
ON HONG KONG'S FAST GROWING ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA, MR YAXLEY SAID:
"CHINA NEEDS HONG KONG AND HONG KONG NEEDS CHINA ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT."
CHINA NEEDED HONG KONG’S SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE AND THIS HAD ALREADY BEEN DEMONSTRATED QUITE DRAMATICALLY IN SOUTH CHINA.
ABOUT 30-40 PER CENT OF ALL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA CAME FROM HONG KONG. SHE ALSO NEEDED THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE WHICH IS EARNED IN HONG KONG.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 70 PER CENT OF ALL CHINA’S FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS COME FROM HONG KONG.
"THIS HARD CURRENCY IS VITAL TO CHINA'S CONTINUED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IT SEEMS HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO ME AND TO MANY OTHER OBSERVERS THAT SHE WOULD KILL THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGGS," HE SAID.
"IN RECENT YEARS, CHINA HAS INVESTED HEAVILY IN HONG KONG IN THE SAME WAY AS HONG KONG HAS INVESTED IN CHINA. FOR EXAMPLE, CHINA HAS MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS IN CATHAY PACIFIC AND IN THE TELEPHONE COMPANY," HE ADDED.
THE COMMISSIONER TOLD THE GUESTS THAT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND • OF A RAPIDLY EXPANDING ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMY, AN ECONOMY WHICH IN A DECADE OR SO WOULD BE LARGER THAN THAT OF EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA, HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WERE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRITISH BUSINESSMEN.
"HONG KONG IS THE BEST BASE FROM WHICH TO GRASP THEM. IT OFFERS A GREAT MANY ADVANTAGES TO BRITISH BUSINESS," HE SAID.
BRITISH BUSINESS ALREADY HAD A LARGE AND- GROWING PRESENCE IN HONG KONG:
- BRITAIN’S TRADE AND SERVICE EXPORTS TO HONG KONG ARE WORTH WELL OVER TWO BILLION POUNDS A YEAR;
- HONG KONG IS BRITAIN'S SECOND LARGEST MARKET IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AFTER JAPAN;
- THERE ARE OVER 470 BRITISH FIRMS IN HONG KONG, AND A FURTHER 1,000 WHICH HAVE SIGNIFICANT BRITISH INVESTMENT OR MANAGEMENT;
- BRITISH FIRMS HAVE INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG WORTH ABOUT 20 BILLION POUNDS - BRITAIN’S LARGEST INVESTMENT IN ASIA.
/"SO HONG .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
"SO HONG KONG IS A GOOD PLACE FOR BRITISH BUSINESS, AS IS AMPLY SEEN BY THE SUCCESSES OF FIRMS SUCH AS GEC AND BABCOCK, ROLLS ROYCE, TRAFALGAR HOUSE, JOHN BROWN ENGINEERING, LEYLAND AND METRO CAMMELL. IN RECENT YEARS THESE COMPANIES HAVE OBTAINED ORDERS WORTH OVER TWO BILLION POUNDS," HE ADDED.
IN CONCLUSION, MR YAXLEY SAID: "WE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ONLY JUST BEGINNING TO SEE THE FULL IMPLICATIONS OF THE FACT THAT THE ECONOMIES OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION ARE LIKELY TO ACHIEVE GROWTH RATES DOUBLE THOSE OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, OR EVEN THOSE OF JAPAN OVER THE NEXT DECADE."
IT WAS BECAUSE OF THIS BELIEF THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING THIS MASSIVE NEW AIRPORT INVESTMENT.
"HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THIS RAPID EXPANSION AND, INDEED, THAT OF CHINA’S WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF WE HAD NOT DECIDED TO PROCEED WITH 10 BILLION POUNDS WORTH OF NEW INVESTMENT IN OUR NEW AIRPORT," HE SAID.
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ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR DECEMBER RELEASED ******
IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND . REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER LAST YEAR , BUT INCREASED BY FOUR PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1991, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN DECEMBER 1991 INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ORDERS POSITION FOR THE WEARING APPAREL, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, THE ORDERS POSITION IN DECEMBER 1991 IMPROVED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES, FOLLOWED BY INCREASES IN THE WEARING APPAREL, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
i
/ON EMPLOYMENT .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
- 8 -
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE SURVEYED MANUFACTURERS REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN DECEMBER 1991 DECREASED BY ONE PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1991, AND BY 10 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990.
COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1991, EMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER 1991 DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCT.S INDUSTRY AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN MOST OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER 1991 DECREASED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, WITH SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN DECEMBER 1991, PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SHARPLY BY 17 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1991, DUE MAINLY TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLEPAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BY A NUMBER OF MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED.
OVER THIS PERIOD, INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, WITH SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE INCREASES RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, TEXTILES, WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS IN DECEMBER 1991.
INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, WITH SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE , INCREASES RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES.
THE COMPARISON AMONG INDUSTRIES WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TIMING OF ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BETWEEN 1990 AND 1991 BY SOME MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER 1991 DECREASED BY ONE PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1991 AND FIVE PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN DECEMBER 1991 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH NOVEMBER 1991. THE INCREASE WAS DUE TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED. COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THIS SECTOR ALSO INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
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 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
- 9 -
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER 1991 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH NQVEMBER 1991, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN DECEMBER 1991 FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER NOVEMBER 1991, DUE TO THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BY A NUMBER OF COMPANIES SURVEYED. COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS ALSO INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FOR MOST SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED.
THE COMPARISON AMONG SERVICE SECTORS WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TIMING OF ISSUE OF DOUBLE-PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BETWEEN 1990 AND 1991 BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED.
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 SAMPLE COVERS ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE SECTORS IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 1991 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $4.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6441.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING TABLES 1 TO 3:
/TABLE 1 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
10
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1991 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
NOV. 91 DEC. 90
(MONTHS)’ (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.37 * + 4
— — — — — ——
WEARING APPAREL 4.77 * +4
TEXTILES 2.35 -3 + 14
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.70 + 5 + 17
FABRICATED METAL 4.25 t + 3
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.40 « + 3
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 3.95 -1 -3
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AS AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1991
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES NOV. 91 DEC. 90
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -1 -10
— — — — —
FOOD AND DRINKS -1 -5
WEARING APPAREL -1 -6
TEXTILES -2 -10
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -4 -20
FABRICATED METAL -1 -9
PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND -2 -18
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS * -2
CONSTRUCTION # -1 -5
/SERVICES .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
11
SERVICES * _2
BANKS * *
HOTELS * _5
PUBLIC UTILITIES t -3
OTHERS t -2
» CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
NOTE: DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.G. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH'S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN DECEMBER 1991 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
NOV. 91 DEC. 90
(HK$) (%) (%)
• ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 8,053 + 17 i + 17
FOOD AND DRINKS 9,647 + 32 -3
WEARING APPAREL 6,331 + 16 + 17
TEXTILES 7,192 + 19 + 9
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 7,854 + 11 + 30
FABRICATED METAL 8.917 + 27 + 42
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 8,119 + 16 + 22
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 9,725 + 13 + 13
CONSTRUCTION # 10,732 + 11 + 18
SERVICES 16,667 + 47 + 14
—————— — — — M *
BANKS 17,890 + 71 + 12
HOTELS 8,724 + 22 + 10
PUBLIC UTILITIES 15,340 + 30 + 14
OTHERS 18,704 + 50 + 17
/* PER CAPITA .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
12
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
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.
PROPOSED RECLAMATION AND DREDGING AT SOUTHEAST TSING YI
******
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION AND DREDGING AT SOUTHEAST TSING YI TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 9 TO MEET THE RAPID GROWTH OF CONTAINERISED TRADE.
THE RECLAMATION WILL INVOLVE ABOUT 125.7 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED, WHICH IS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE TERMINAL AND BACK-UP AREAS.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROJECT, IT IS PROPOSED TO CARRY OUT DREDGING WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 229.2 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT RAMBLER CHANNEL TO FACILITATE SUFFICIENT MANOEUVRING FOR CONTAINER VESSELS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 20, 1992.
- - 0---------
LIFE-LONG EDUCATION IS KEY TO FUTURE SUCCESS
*******
THE SECRETARY (FRIDAY) URGED YOUNG MODERN-DAY KNOWLEDGE WORLD.
FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, TODAY MEN AND WOMEN TO EQUIP THEMSELVES WITH THE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THIS EVER-CHANGING
'LIFE-LONG EDUCATION OR CONTINUING EDUCATION IS SLOGAN. IT IS THE KEY TO FUTURE SUCCESS, AND A UPGRADING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE TO COPE WITH THE CHANGING SOCIETY," HE SAID.
NOT AN EMPTY NECESSITY FOR NEEDS OF THE
/MR CHAN .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
13
MR CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE 25TII ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND 20TH ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE NT HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL.
“AS WE NOW ENTER THE, FINAL DECADE OF THE 2 OTO CENTURY, WE ARE FACING A LOT OF CHALLENGES,” HE SAID.
"PROBLEMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, GLOBAL ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY, REGIONAL POLITICAL UNRESTS AND THE SPREAD OF DISEASES ETC. *
"TO THESE, NO IMMEDIATE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE. TO TACKLE SUCH GREAT CHALLENGES, I CONSIDER EQUIPPING OURSELVES CONTINUOUSLY WITH MODERN KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE INTO THEIR BASIC CAUSES IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE."
MR CHAN ALSO PRAISED THE NT HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR NOT ONLY LAYING EMPHASIS ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS BUT ALSO ON THEIR CIVIC, MORAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF EDUCATION.
HE SAID TEACHERS HAD BEEN WORKING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE STUDENTS A FULL RANGE OF ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM TO ENABLE • THEM TO LEAD A HAPPY SCHOOL LIFE AND DEVELOP INTO HEALTHY, INTELLIGENT, RATIONAL AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.
"AFTER JUST 25 YEARS OF CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT, YOUR SCHOOL HAS NOW BECOME ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SCHOOLS IN THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT.
"ON THIS, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE APPRECIATION TO THE DEDICATION AND HARDWORK OF ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF AND TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL ON THE SUCCESS OF YOUR SCHOOL," MR CHAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
REPORT ON PLASTICS INDUSTRY PUBLISHED t * * * * *
A TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDY REPORT ON THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
COPIES ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY, WHICH WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND UNDERTAKEN BY ARTHUR D. LITTLE ASIA PACIFIC, INC. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, WERE TO ANALYSE REGIONAL AND GLOBAL 'TRENDS AFFECTING HONG KONG’S PLASTICS INDUSTRY AND TO IDENTIFY THE OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES FACING ITS DEVELOPMENT.
/THE PLASTICS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
- 14 -
THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IS THE FIFTH LARGEST EXPORTS EARNER IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF PLASTICS PRODUCTS AMOUNTED TO $8.1 BILLION IN 1990.
THE CONSULTANTS POINTED OUT THAT IN TllE 1980S, LOCAL ASTICOS
MANUFACTURERS RESPONDED TO RISING LABOUR AND LAND COST IN SOiA. LONG BY RELOCATING THEIR MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS INTO THE GUANGDONG PROVINCE WHERE PROXIMITY, LOW LAND COST, AND PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF CHEAP LABOUR ALLOWED THEM TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE GLOBAL MARKET. *
HOWEVER, THESE ADVANTAGES HAVE SLOWLY BEEN ERODED BY THE EMERGENCE OF NEW DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE RISING WAGES AND LAND COST IN THE GUANGDONG PROVINCE AS A RESULT OF ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH.
THE CONSULTANTS ARE OF THE OPINION THAT LOCAL PLASTICS MANUFACTURERS ARE CAPABLE AND SHOULD ADOPT AND LEARN NEW SKILLS TO MANUFACTURE HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS.
TO THIS END, THE CONSULTANTS HAVE PUT FORWARD A VARIETY OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES; STATISTICAL DATA COLLECTION; EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF TECHNICAL PERSONNEL; IMPROVEMENT OF MOULDMAKERS’ CAPABILITIES; PRODUCT DESIGN REGISTRATION AND PROTECTION; CO-ORDINATION OF VARIOUS SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS; AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.
THE PLASTICS . COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THE CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS IN DETAIL AND WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON WHAT FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN.
--------0-----------
OLD-TYPE ID CARDS INVALID AS FROM FEBRUARY 24 * t * t ♦
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1928 OR BEFORE THAT THEIR OLD-TYPE IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 WILL BECOME INVALID FROM NEXT MONDAY (FEBRUARY 24).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID: ’’THIS IS THE 11 TH BATCH OF OLD-TYPE l.D. CARDS ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1987 TO BE DECLARED INVALID.”
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ONCE AN OLD CARD WAS DECLARED INVALID, IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY PURPOSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP HOLDING AN INVALID OLD-TYPE l.D. CARD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE IT FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD OR APPLYING FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT,” HE SAID.
/"THOSE WHO .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
15
"THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET RENEWED THEIR OLD-TYPE I.D. CARDS DUE TO ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG OR OTHER REASON? SHOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO A REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE (EXCEPT MATAU WAI OFFICE) FOR RENEWAL.
"THESE CASES WILL BE LOOKED INTO THOROUGHLY AND DEALT WITH ON THEIR OWN MERITS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0----------'
TENDERS FOR NEW HELIPADS
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR HELICOPTER LANDING SITES FOR VARIOUS HILLTOP RADIO STATIONS IN THE TERRITORY.
NOTICE OF THE TENDER WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HELIPADS FOR THE RADIO STATIONS AT SHEK UK SHAN IN SAI KUNG, NAM LONG SHAN IN WONG CHUK HANG, LAMMA ISLAND AND LANTAU ISLAND.
THESE ARE TO REPLACE THE OLD ONES IN ORDER TO MEET THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENT OF THE NEW SIKOVSKY HELICOPTERS BEING USED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN MID-APRIL AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-AUGUST.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS NOON, MARCH 13.
- - 0----------
PROPOSED EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS AT STANLEY
*******
™ „„„ THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT proposes to build an emergency access ™ Ir!i^^TANLEY MARKET AREA WHICH WILL ALSO FACILITATE THE MAINTENANCE OF SEWERS AND A PUMPING STATION AT STANLEY.
THE ROAD WILL BE BUILT FROM THE JUNCTION OF STANLEY MARKET ROAD AND STANLEY MAIN STREET THROUGH A PROPOSED RECLAMATION TO THE SOUTHERN END OF STANLEY MAIN STREET WHERE A PROPOSED PUMPING STATION WILL BE BUILT.
/THIS IS .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
- 16 -
i
THIS IS PART OF A PROPOSED SEWAGE AND TREATMENT WORKS PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE BEACH WATER QUALITY IN STANLEY.
THE WORK WILL COMMENCE AROUND THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* ' DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN APRIL 21, THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
--------0-----------
NEW FIRE STATION FOR TSING YI ******
A NEW FIRE STATION WILL SOON BE BUILT ON TSING YI ISLAND.
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW STATION IN AREA 27 ON THE ISLAND ARE BEING ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE
CALLED FOR BY THE
NOTICE OF THE TENDER WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE SITE FORMATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY FIRE STATION'BLOCK AND THE EXTERNAL
THE FIRE OFFICES, A DUTY EQUIPMENT ROOM.
STATION BLOCK WILL HAVE A FOUR-BAY APPLIANCE ROOM, ROOM, BARRACKS, A CANTEEN/RECREATION ROOM AND A STORE/
/THE EXTERNAL .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
THE EXTERNAL WORKS WILL INCLUDE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS, A DRILL YARD, A BUILDING FOR FOAM MAKING AND STORAGE FACILITIES, A REFILLING STATION, AN UNDERGROUND OIL FUEL TANK CHAMBER, BOUNDARY WALL, SOIL DRAINAGE, SERVICES MAIN AND CABLE DUCTS.
WORKS. FOR THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN APRIL AND BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE 34TH FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS NOON, MARCH 13.
- - 0 - -
VIDEO SHOWS TO GIVE CAREERS GUIDANCE
******
VISITORS TO THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92 WILL FIND USEFUL CAREERS GUIDANCE FROM THE VIDEO SHOWS SCREENED EVERY HOUR THROUGHOUT THE FOUR-DAY EVENT.
THE EXPOSITION WHICH WILL RUN UNTIL SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 23) IS HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
"THE VIDEO SHOWS OFFER THE LATEST INFORMATION ON A WIDE RANGE OF CAREERS INCLUDING BANKING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM, INTERIOR DESIGN, ACCOUNTING, MASS COMMUNICATION AND THE CIVIL SERVICE," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS CLARE SIU SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE WORK AND SERVICES OF SOME PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES ARE ALSO INTRODUCED IN THE VIDEO SHOWS," MRS SIU SAID.
"YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR THEIR FIRST JOBS WILL FIND SOME USEFUL HINTS FROM THE VIDEO SHOWS ON ’CHOOSING A SUITABLE CAREER’ AND 'TECHNIQUES IN APPLYING FOR A JOB’ WHICH WILL BE SCREENED ON SUNDAY MORNING," SHE ADDED.
"WE HAVE ALSO ORGANISED 18 CAREERS TALKS FOR STUDENTS AND ALL OF THEM ARE OVERSUBSCRIBED," MRS SIU NOTED.
THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’92 FEATURES MORE THAN 160 EXHIBITORS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING INSTITUTES.
THE EXPOSITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9.30 AM TO 7 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY. ADMISSION IS FREE.
----0 - -
/IB
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21,
1992
- 18 -
JOINT SCHOOL CONCERT IN SHAM SHUI PO
*****
A JOINT SCHOOL CONCERT TO COMMEMORATE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE (SLC) WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL IN WATERLOO ROAD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING.
IT IS ORGANISED BY THE SLC WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
STUDENTS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS WILL PERFORM VIOLIN, CHINESE DANCES, GROUP SINGING, ENGLISH POEM RECITAL AND A SILVER BAND.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONCERT WILL BE THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOY WAI-SHEK; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; POLICE DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR NG MAN-KIM; SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SHAM SHUI PO), MR KWOK WAI-KWONG, AND THE FIRST SLC CHAIRMAN, MR FAN KAM-PING.
--------0-----------
PERFORMANCE BY DISTRICT CHILDREN’S DANCE TROUPE *****
THE 140-STRONG CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S DANCE TROUPE WILL GIVE TWO PERFORMANCES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY . (FEBRUARY 23) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL’S SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX THEATRE.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS AT $20 EACH FOR BOTH SHOWS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT VARIOUS URBTRIX BOX OFFICES.
AS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S CELEBRATIONS FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE SHOWS WILL FEATURE THE THEME "NEW YEAR, OCEAN AND FLOWERS". EACH SHOW WILL LAST FOR TWO HOURS.
AN ADDED ATTRACTION WILL BE THE MUSIC OFFICE’S 60-MEMBER CHILDREN’S CHOIR WHICH WILL ACCOMPANY THE TROUPE’S PERFORMANCE WITH CHORUS.
THE SHOWS WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM TOMORROW AND 3 PM ON SUNDAY.
THE PERFORMANCES ARE JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE DISTRICT’S ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
- - - - 0----------
/19 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1992
- 19 -
255 VMS RETURN TO VIETNAM ♦ » » » «
A GROUP OF 255 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 106 MEN, 64 WOMEN, 44 BOYS AND 41 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 90TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 1,714 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 15,693 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 20.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 21.2.92 + 30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
111.5 *+0.0» 21.2.92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.94 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.24 5.56
1 MONTH 3.97 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99.75 5.71
3 MONTHS 4.07 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.22 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.61 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 3,582 MN
CLOSED 21 FEBRUARY 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1992 CONTENTS PAGE NOj,
SLC ROLE VITAL IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ................................
YOUTH SERVICES ESSENTIAL TO COMMUNITY ..............................
2 * EMPLOYER FINED FOR UNSAFE WORK PRACTICE .............................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1992
SLC ROLE VITAL IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS * t * * »
AN IMPORTANT ROLE
AND THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, SAID THIS (SATURDAY)
SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE HAD BEEN PLAYING IN PROMOTING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN SCHOOLS AS WELL AS ENCOURAGING SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG,
EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE OF THE DISTRICT AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL, SHAM SHUI PO SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE (SLC) FOR ENHANCING THE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN LOCAL ESTABLISHMENT IN 1982.
JOINT SCHOOL CONCERT MR FUNG PRAISED THE
ITS CONTRIBUTION IN
SCHOOLS SINCE ITS
"THE SLC ALSO SERVES AS A LINK BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY SECTOR, AND ENCOURAGES SCHOOLS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES,” HE SAID.
MR FUNG NOTED THAT DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE SLC HAD ORGANISED MANY EDUCATIONAL, ACADEMIC AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
'THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE ENHANCED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE STUDENTS AND ENABLED THEM TO SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME MORE MEANINGFULLY. THEY HAVE ALSO INCREASED THE COMMUNICATIONS AMONG LOCAL SCHOOLS, AND ENHANCED THEIR CONCERNS FOR AND SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
MORE THAN 1,300 TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS ATTENDED TONIGHT’S CONCERT WHICH FEATURED GROUP SINGING, ENGLISH POEM RECITAL AND PERFORMANCES OF VIOLIN, CHINESE DANCES AND A SILVER BAND.
THE CONCERT WAS ORGANISED BY THE SLC WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD TO COMMEMORATE ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE SHAM SHUI PO- DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOY WAI-SHEK; POLICE DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR NG MAN-KIM, AND SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (SHAM SHUI PO), MR KWOK WAI-KWONG.
------0--------
YOUTH SERVICES ESSENTIAL TO COMMUNITY * * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICES AS AN EFFORT TO BUILD UP THEIR CONFIDENCE AND A HEALTHY PERSONALITY.
THE CALL CAME FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICER (NEW TERRJ TORIES WEST) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR CARLOS LEUNG, WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE OPENING OF THE YMCA'S KWAI CHUNG/TSING YI OUTREACI’ING SOCIAL WORK TEAM OFFICE AT CHEUNG ON ESTATE, TS1NG YI, TODAY.
/MR LEUNG .......
2
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1992
MR LEUNG SAID YOUNG PEOPLE HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN OUR FUTURE SOCIETY. THIS WAS NOTED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND.
’’IMPORTANCE SHOULD THEREFORE ALWAYS BE ATTACHED TO SERVICES FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE,” HE SAID.
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK WAS AIMED AT SERVING YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK AND THOSE WHO WERE SOCIALLY MALADJUSTED OR HAD DEVELOPED PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOUR WHICH MIGHT BE DISRUPTIVE, DELINQUENT OR EVEN SELF-DESTRUCTIVE.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAM, WHICH WAS SET UP IN OCTOBER 1989, FOR EFFECTIVELY SERVING THE YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING ON TSING YI ISLAND AND THOSE LIVING AT LAI KING, LAI YIU AND CHO YIU ESTATES.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 24 OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
------0--------
EMPLOYER FINED FOR UNSAFE WORK PRACTICE t » * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO MEET THEIR GENERAL DUTY UNDER THE LAW TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THEIR WORKERS, OR ELSE THEY MAY BE PROSECUTED.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWED A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH AN EMPLOYER WAS CONVICTED OF FAILURE TO MEET HIS DUTY OF PROVIDING A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (F & IU) ORDINANCE.
THE CASE REVEALED THAT A WORKER WAS KILLED BY SOME FALLING METAL BARS LAST YEAR WHEN WORKING INSIDE A CAISSON AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD, SHA TIN.
THE EMPLOYER WAS PROSECUTED UNDER THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISION OF THE F & IU ORDINANCE AND WAS FINED $5,000 BY A SHA TIN MAGISTRATE.
ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS, THE PROPRIETOR OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING HAS THE DUTY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK AND A SAFE WORKPLACE, INCLUDING ALL MEANS OF ACCESS TO AND EGRESS FROM THE WORKPLACE.
HE MUST ALSO ENSURE SAFETY IN THE USE, HANDLING, STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES AND SUBSTANCES, AND PROVIDE HIS EMPLOYEES WITH ALL THE NECESSARY SAFETY INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION.
AN EMPLOYER WHO BREACHES THE PROVISION WILFULLY AND WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000 AND AN IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
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/3 ........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1992
3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* » ♦ » * 1 DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 21.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 22.2.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
J_______(____________________________
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DFCC EFFORTS YIELD GOOD RESULTS .................................... 1
LOCAL WORKERS’ INTERESTS WELL PROTECTED............................. 2
SEMINARS FOR RETIRING CIVIL SERVANTS ............................... 4
PUBLIC LAND AUCTION ON TUESDAY ..................................... 5
41 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN DECEMBER ......................... 6
SURVEY ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING FACILITIES TO START NEXT MONTH ....... 6
INCENTIVE SCHEME TO PRODUCE A-LEVEL CHINESE BOOKS .................. 7
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD .............................. 7
BUS SERVICE SURVEY IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT UNDERWAY
8
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
DFCC EFFORTS YIELD GOOD RESULTS ******
PUBLICITY EFFORTS IN SPREADING THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) IN THE PAST YEARS HAVE WON THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND YIELDED GOOD RESULTS, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL AT THE PIAZZA OF THE KOWLOON PARK, MR LI SAID THESE EFFORTS HAD MADE LOCAL RESIDENTS MORE ALERT TO CRIMES, LED THEM TO TAKE PART IN FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS ENCOURAGED THEM TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE POLICE IN COMBATING CRIME.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE 7,523 CRIME CASES LAST YEAR IN THE DISTRICT, WHICH WAS 439 CASES OR 5.5 PER CENT LESS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIGURES IN 19ff0.
AS REGARDS VIOLENCE CRIME, MR LI SAID IT HAD DECREASED FROM 1,997 CASES IN 1990 TO 1,808 CASES LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 9.5’PER CENT.
NOTING THAT THE DETECTION RATE FOR THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT MAINTAINED AT OVER 48 PER CENT, THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE OVERALL CRIME RATE IN THE DISTRICT WAS ON THE LOW SIDE WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER MAJOR CITIES.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE POLICE WILL CLOSELY MONITOR THE LAW AND ORDER IN THE DISTRICT AND BE FLEXIBLE IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF MANPOWER AND RESOURCES TO COPE WITH FUTURE NEEDS," MR LI SAID.
HE SAID PUBLICITY WAS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO COMBAT CRIME AND A GUIDELINE ON CRIME PREVENTION WAS BEING PRODUCED TO TEACH THE PUBLIC HOW TO PREVENT CRIME AND ENSURE HOME AND PROPERTY SAFETY.
"THIS COLOURFUL BOOKLET WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN THE TERRITORY SOON, WITH THE HOPE THAT THE FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE COULD REACH EVERY FAMILY," MR LI ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR YANG TZE-KIANG, URGED RESIDENTS NOT TO FORGET TO FULFIL THEIR CIVIC OBLIGATION BY ACTIVELY TAKING PART IN FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES.
HE NOTED THAT IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT THE POLICE IN MAINTAINING A STABLE COMMUNITY.
"WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TAKING CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES IN OUR DAILY LIVES, LEAVING NO CHANCE FOR CRIMINALS.
"WE ALSO MUST REPORT TO THE POLICE IF WE ENCOUNTER ANY CRIME AS WELL AS COME FORWARD AS WITNESSES," MR YANG SAID.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ATTENDED THE CARNIVAL WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE DFCC WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
/IN ADDITION .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
2
IN ADDITION TO PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND A POLICE BAND, THE CARNIVAL ALSO FEATURED GAMESTALLS, QUIZ ON COMBATING CRIME, DISPLAYS OF CRIME PREVENTION INSTALLATIONS AS WELL AS DEMONSTRATIONS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE HANDICRAFT.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; AND YAU TSIM POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR PETER FERRY.
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LOCAL WORKERS! INTERESTS WELL PROTECTED ******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OF LOCAL WORKERS AND TO HELP THEM OBTAIN BETTER OR ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT THROUGH RETRAINING.
"EMPLOYERS WHO REGISTERED THEIR VACANCIES WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) UNDER THE GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME MUST FIRST OFFER JOBS TO LOCAL WORKERS AT MEDIUM WAGES BEFORE CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO ALLOW THEM TO IMPORT WORKERS," THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR CHAN REITERATED THAT QUOTAS WOULD BE GIVEN ONLY TO EMPLOYERS WHO HAD A GENUINE NEED FOR LABOUR AND WHO WERE WILLING TO FIRST TAKE ON LOCAL WORKERS REFERRED TO THEM BY THE LES.
"OUR STAFF ARE . NOW GOING THROUGH RECORDS OF REGISTERED JOB-SEEKERS TO IDENTIFY SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR REFERRAL TO ’ PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS," HE SAID.
"WHEN PROCESSING VACANCIES RECEIVED, LES STAFF WILL ALSO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE JOB SPECIFICATIONS AND CRITERIA SET FOR LOCAL WORKERS IN EACH CASE TO SEE IF THEY MATCH," HE SAID, NOTING THAT 6,677 EMPLOYERS HAD SO FAR REGISTERED 75,315 JOB VACANCIES UNDER THE SCHEME.
"IF AN EMPLOYER IS FOUND TO HAVE DELIBERATELY SET EXCESSIVELY RESTRICTIVE CRITERIA NOT COMMENSURATE WITH THE NATURE OF THE JOB FOR LOCAL WORKERS, HIS APPLICATION FOR QUOTA TO IMPORT LABOUR MAY BE REJECTED," HE REMINDED.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL WORKERS WILL BE GIVEN A FAIR CHANCE TO CHOOSE A JOB AND THAT THEIR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WILL NOT BE UNDULY AFFECTED," HE NOTED.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO FAILED TO RECRUIT LOCALLY AND WHO WERE SUBSEQUENTLY GIVEN QUOTAS TO IMPORT LABOUR WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY A LUMP SUM LEVY IN RESPECT OF EACH IMPORTED WORKER UPON THE ISSUE OF EMPLOYMENT VISA.
/THE LUMP .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
3
THE LUMP SUM WILL BE PAYABLE AT THE RATE OF $400 PER WORKER MULTIPLIED BY THE NUMBER OF MONTHS COVERED IN THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, WHICH WILL BE $9,600 FOR A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT.
"AS THE PAYMENT WILL NOT BE REFUNDABLE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WILL DISCOURAGE EMPLOYERS FROM OVERSTATING THEIR REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTED WORKERS WHEN MAKING AN APPLICATION," HE SAID.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE LEVY WOULD BE USED TO ENHANCE TRAINING AND RETRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR LOCAL WORKERS, WHICH WOULD FOCUS ON THOSE SECTORS WITH THE HIGHEST VACANCY RATES AND ON THOSE INDUSTRIES UNLIKELY TO BE RELOCATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
"THIS IS INTENDED TO HELP WORKERS, WHOSE JOBS ARE BEING THREATENED BY THE CHANGING ECONOMIC STRUCTURE, TO ACQUIRE NEW SKILLS OR TO UPGRADE THEIR EXISTING SKILLS, SO AS TO QUALIFY THEMSELVES EITHER FOR EMPLOYMENT IN ANOTHER TRADE OR FOR A HIGHER-LEVEL JOB IN THE SAME TRADE," HE ADDED.
TO ENSURE AN EARLY START OF SUCH RETRAINING SERVICES TO LOCAL WORKERS, MR CHAN SAID A PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD HAD RECENTLY BEEN ESTABLISHED COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, THE GOVERNMENT AND RELEVANT TRAINING AUTHORITIES.
THE BOARD WILL ENSURE THAT RETRAINING IS PROVIDED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE LABOUR MARKET.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE LES WILL IDENTIFY LOCAL WORKERS INTERESTED IN RETRAINING AND WILL ARRANGE THEM TO GO ON SUITABLE COURSES.
"WE WILL ALSO ASSIST WORKERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR RETRAINING IN OBTAINING RELEVANT EMPLOYMENT," MR CHAN ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE CONDITIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF LABOUR HAVE ALSO BEEN TIGHTENED TO MINIMISE POSSIBLE ABUSES BY EMPLOYERS, SO THAT IMPORTED WORKERS WILL BE BETTER PROTECTED.
UNDER THE GENERAL SCHEME, EMPLOYERS MUST PAY WAGES IN FULL TO AN IMPORTED WORKER BY AUTOPAY AS A CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENT.
"ANY BREACH OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE SCHEME BY AN EMPLOYER MAY RESULT IN HIS APPROVED QUOTAS BEING WITHDRAWN WHILE THE EMPLOYER WILL BE DEBARRED FROM TAKING PART IN ANY FUTURE IMPORTATION SCHEMES," MR CHAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, A BILL HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEEKING TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION OF WAGES AND WILFUL SUPPLY OF FALSE INFORMATION BY EMPLOYERS FROM $10,000 TO $100,000.
THE PENALTY FOR UNDERPAYMENT OF WAGES WOULD BE RAISED FROM $20,000 TG $200,000.
/"ALSO, THE ........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
4
"ALSO, THE BILL PROPOSES CUSTODIAL SENTENCE OF UP TO ONE YEAR FOR OFFENDING EMPLOYERS IN BOTH CASES," HE NOTED.
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD STEP UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ABUSES OF THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME AND WOULD SPARE NO EFFORTS IN PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF BOTH LOCAL AND IMPORTED WORKERS.
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SEMINARS FOR RETIRING CIVIL SERVANTS » t * * *
THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH (CSB) WILL CONDUCT A SERIES OF SEMINARS STARTING THIS WEEK TO HELP RETIRING CIVIL SERVANTS ADAPT TO LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT.'
THREE SEMINARS, ONE IN ENGLISH AND TWO IN CANTONESE, ARE-DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF OFFICERS.
THE FIRST ONE WILL CATER FOR DIRECTORATE STAFF, EXPATRIATE AND NON-EXPATRIATE OFFICERS ON UPPER AND MIDDLE MASTER PAY SCALE (MPS) OR EQUIVALENT AS WELL AS OFFICERS WHO ARE GOING TO RETIRE OVERSEAS.
THE SECOND ONE WILL CATER FOR NON-EXPATRIATE STAFF ON LOWER, MIDDLE AND UPPER MPS OR EQUIVALENT WHILE THE THIRD ONE WILL CATER FOR NON-EXPATRIATE STAFF ON MODEL SCALE I AND LOWER MPS OR EQUIVALENT.
THE SEMINARS WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON PARTICULAR MATTERS OF CONCERN TO RETIRING OFFICERS, INCLUDING PRE-RETIREMENT PREPARATION, HOW TO COPE WITH STRESS AFTER RETIREMENT, PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH, BASIC FINANCE PLANNING AND INVESTMENT CONCEPTS.
THESE SEMINARS WILL ALSO HELP THEM TO CONFRONT LATENT FEARS AND APPREHENSIONS AND TO DEVELOP A MORE POSITIVE APPROACH TO RETIREMENT.
EACH SEMINAR WILL LAST FOR TWO DAYS AND WILL BE ATTENDED BY SOME 700 OFFICERS.
THE SEMINARS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, AND THE FIRST ONE WILL BE OPENED BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE (DEVELOPMENT), MR MIKE WATERS, ON NEXT TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE FIRST PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINAR IN ENGLISH WILL BE HELD AT HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI, AT 9 AM ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 25). YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
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/5 ........
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
- 5 -
PUBLIC LAND AUCTION ON TUESDAY
*****
FIVE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN A PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF HOTEL FURAMA KEMPINSKI, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 25).
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF WYLIE ROAD AND KING’S PARK RISE, KOWLOON. THE SITE WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,811 SQUARE METRES IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE SECOND SITE IS LOCATED AT AREA 39, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES. WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,548 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE THIRD SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 15, SHUI WAI, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 21,060 SQUARE METRES AND IS ALSO DESIGNATED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE FOURTH SITE IS LOCATED AT WANG YIP STREET WEST, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,300 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS EARMARKED FOR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING THE STORAGE OF "DANGEROUS GOODS" AS DEFINED IN THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE OR ANY AMENDING LEGISLATION (EXCEPT SUCH FUEL AS NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF MACHINES INSTALLED IN THE BUILDINGS PUT UP ON THE LOT).
THE REMAINING LOT IS LOCATED AT A KUNG NGAM, HONG KONG. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,115 SQUARE METRES AND IS DESIGNATED FOR GODOWN PURPOSES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
PLEASE NOTE THAT NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE MEDIA COVERAGE WILL BE INTRODUCED. A DESIGNATED PRESS AREA WILL BE ALLOCATED AT THE VENUE.
PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOULD BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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/6 .....
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
- 6 -
41 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN DECEMBER ******
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF .THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 41 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
OF THESE, 14 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 11 FOR KOWLOON AND 16 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 22 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, SIX FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND ONE FOR FACTORY AND GODOWN PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 45 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 198,926.6 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 106,259.2 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMEST1C FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $4,546 MILLION. USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 417,266.4 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 118,231.2 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING DECEMBER, THE OFFICE ISSUED 38 OCCUPATION PERMITS -11 EACH FOR HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON, AND 16 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 27 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 50 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 457 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,181 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 70 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 567 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED TWO EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
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SURVEY ON INDUSTRIAL BUILDING * *
FACILITIES TO START NEXT MONTH * * *
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A SURVEY ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OFFICES, SHOWROOMS AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES IN EXISTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD BE USED IN THE REVIEW OF EXISTING PLANNING GUIDELINES AND FORMULATION OF NEW ONES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR SUCH USES IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
/HE SAID .......
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
7
HE SAID THE SURVEY, TO BE CARRIED OUT BY A PRIVATE RESEARCH FIRM COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WOULD BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE AND WOULD COVER ALL EXISTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN AREAS ZONED AS "INDUSTRIAL" ON OUTLINE ZONING PLANS.
DIRECTORATE AND MANAGERIAL LEVEL STAFF FROM TARGET COMPANIES HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION IN THE SURVEY EXERCISE.
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE RESPONDENTS WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND DATA OF ANY INDIVIDUAL FIRM WILL NOT BE IDENTIFIED.
THE FINAL SURVEY REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER.
_ _ 0 - -
INCENTIVE SCHEME TO PRODUCE A-LEVEL CHINESE BOOKS
******
THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE, MR SZETO WAH AND MR PETER LEE, WILL MEET EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS ON TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 25) TO EXPLAIN DETAILS OF THE INCENTIVE AWARD SCHEME TO PRODUCE CHINESE-MEDIUM ADVANCED LEVEL REFERENCE BOOKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THIS IN REFERRING TO THE RECENT FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF $9.1 MILLION FOR THE INCENTIVE AWARD SCHEME TO PRODUCE REFERENCE BOOKS ON BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, ECONOMICS, GEOGRAPHY, WESTERN HISTORY AND PHYSICS.
"THESE BOOKS ARE SCHEDULED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER 1993 TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOLS ADOPTING CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR THEIR ADVANCED LEVEL COURSES," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD * * * * *
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THAT PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS, WHETHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY PACKED, MUST BE PROPERLY LABELLED OR MARKED AS STIPULATED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS WHEN CONVICTED ARE SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
SO FAR THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF SIX RETAILERS HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF SELLING IMPROPERLY LABELLED PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS AND ORDERED TO PAY FINES TOTALLING $6,000.
/OF THEM,
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1992
8
OF THEM, FOUR MEDICINE COMPANIES IN TAI PO, TSUBN WAN AND MONG KOK DISTRICTS WERE FOUND GUILTY OF SELLING IMPROPERLY MARKED HIGH PROTEIN MILK FOOD AND MILK POWDER.
THE OTHER TWO SHOPS IN TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN AREAS ALSO COMMITTED SIMILAR OFFENCES FOR PUTTING ON SALE PRESERVED OLIVES AND FRIED PORK SKINS WHICH HAD NOT BEEN LABELLED PROPERLY.
THEY HAD TO PAY FINES RANGING FROM $250 TO $2,500.
THE FOOD ITEMS DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OR
DESIGNATION OF
THE
MINIMUM DURABILITY,
FOOD, THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS, AND INDICATION OF __________________
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 ^8 STIPULATED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION
AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
- - - - 0----------
BUS SERVICE SURVEY IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT UNDERWAY t t * * * »
A SURVEY ON BUS SERVICE IS BEING CONDUCTED IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
IT IS PART OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S STUDY ON LOCAL BUS SERVICE.
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE QUESTIONNAIRE POLL WOULD LAST UNTIL EARLY NEXT MONTH.
SOME 3,000 RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE INTERVIEWED BY POLL STAFF.
THESE STAFF WILL INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND OTHER RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS. THEY ARE HELPING OUT ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
HE CALLED ON RESIDENTS TO FULLY CO-OPERATE WITH THE STAFF BY SPARING 10 TO 15 MINUTES ON THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
"RESIDENTS’ INPUTS WILL PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL DATA TO FORMULATE RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO BUS ROUTES AND SERVICE QUALITY FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BUS OPERATORS," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
HE ASSURED THAT ALL THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE QUESTIONNAIRES WOULD BI? KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND BE DESTROYED ONCE THE SURVEY WAS COMPLETED.
THE FOUR-MONTH STUDY WILL ALSO INCLUDE AN ANALYSIS OF DATA PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER RELEVANT BODIES, AND A SERIES OF FIELD SURVEYS ON BUS SERVICES.
IN ADDITION, SIMILAR QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY TARGETED AT SECONDARY STUDENTS AS WELL AS FACTORY AND OFFICE WORKERS IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE CARRIED OUT SHORTLY.
------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DRAFT EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1992-93 PUBLISHED ........................ 1
SHW SATISFIES WITH HEALTH AND WELFARE FUNDING ............................ 1
GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY FOR NEW UNIVERSITY: CS .............................. 2
OPEN DIALOGUE ON LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME ............................... 3
PROBE UNDERWAY ON LOCAL LABOUR REFUSAL CLAIMS ............................ 4
INFORMATION PAPER ON TAXI POLICY AVAILABLE ............................... 4
THIRD ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING ON WATER SUPPLY HELD IN HONG KONG .......... 5
COLLABORATION BETWEEN BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES VALUABLE : STI 6
LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY ............................................... 7
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ..................................................... 8
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION .................................................. 8
FRESH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ............................................ 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
9
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
1
DRAFT EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1992-93 PUBLISHED * * ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (MONDAY) PUBLISHED ITS DRAFT EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1992-93. THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND $121.2 BILLION IN 1992-93. THIS IS 16 PER CENT MORE THAN THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPENDITURE PLANS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR AND WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPAND SERVICES IN PRIORITY AREAS.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG SAID:
"OF THE TOTAL OF $121.2 BILLION, $84.6 BILLION WILL COVER THE COSTS OF PROVIDING EXISTING AND NEW GOVERNMENT SERVICES, AND $36.6 BILLION WILL BE SPENT ON CAPITAL PROJECTS."
MR YEUNG EXPLAINED:
"THE STEADY EXPANSION OF THE ECONOMY HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO INCREASE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN REAL TERMS (THAT IS, ABOVE THE RATE OF INFLATION) IN ALL OUR MAJOR PROGRAMME AREAS. THIS WILL MEAN EXPANDED AND IMPROVED SERVICES FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. THE PACKAGE HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO EXPAND SERVICES BUT AVOID ADDING TO INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
"RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WILL INCREASE ACROSS THE FULL RANGE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SERVICE PROGRAMMES. FOR EXAMPLE, EXPENDITURE ON:
» HEALTH WILL INCREASE BY 27 PER CENT TO $13 BILLION;
* EDUCATION WILL INCREASE BY 13 PER CENT TO $19 BILLION; AND
♦ SOCIAL WELFARE WILL INCREASE BY 15 PER CENT TO $7 BILLION."
THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH ON MARCH 4.
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SHW SATISFIES WITH HEALTH AND WELFARE FUNDING
****** » •
COMMENTING ON THE DRAFT EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1992-93 PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID SHE WAS CONTENT WITH THE AMOUNT EARMARKED FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE PROGRAMME AREAS.
SHE SAID EXPENDITURE ON HEALTH WILL INCREASE BY 27 PER CENT TO $13 BILLION AND THAT ON SOCIAL WELFARE UP BY 15 PER CENT TO $7 BILLION.
/"THIS WILL .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
- 2 -
J »
"THIS WILL ENABLE ME TO FULFIL THE BRANCH’S OBJECTIVES IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR," SHE SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL HOLD A BRIEFING SESSION AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 27) AT THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM TO TAKE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA THROUGH THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE IN HER PROGRAMME AREAS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR BEGINNING ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
---------------------0-------- GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY FOR NEW UNIVERSITY: CS ******
WE HAVE GOT GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY OUT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE MEETING, SIR DAVID SAID: "NOT A SINGLE DOLLAR OF PUBLIC FUNDS HAS BEEN SPENT WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY OF FINANCE COMMITTEE. NOR DO I BELIEVE THAT ANY PUBLIC FUNDS HAD BEEN WASTED.”
"WE HAVE A FINE UNIVERSITY BUILT TO GOOD STANDARDS AT A COST NO GREATER THAN SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS ELSEWHERE.
"I THINK WE OWE GRATITUDE TO THE JOCKEY CLUB. WE HAVE A $2 BILLION DONATION FOR A UNIVERSITY WHICH IS BUILT IN RECORD TIME AND IS NOW SERVING A NEED FOR THE YOUNGSTERS OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"WE THINK THAT THERE IS ONE LESSON THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS PROJECT AND THAT IS, IN FUTURE WE SHOULD ESTABLISH A FORMAL AGREEMENT AHEAD OF COMMITTING OURSELVES TO A PROJECT SUCH AS THIS WHICH WOULD FIX THE DESIGN AND THE SCOPE AND THE COST OF THE PROJECT, AND WE WILL CERTAINLY BE DOING THAT IN ALL OUR AIRPORT PROJECTS FOR THE FUTURE.
"BUT THAT SAID, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE COST EVEN IF WE HAD DONE THAT IN THIS CASE, THE COST TO THE GOVERNMENT OR TO THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE BEEN ANY LESS," SIR DAVID SAID.
---------0-----------
/3.........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
3 -
OPEN DIALOGUE ON LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME
******
AN OPEN DIALOGUE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND LABOUR REPRESENTATIVES PROPOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 3 (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME AND TO CLARIFY ISSUES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS MEASURES DESIGNED TO PROTECT LOCAL WORKERS’ INTERESTS.
THE MEETING WILL BE ATTENDED BY SOME 40 REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LABOUR SECTOR, INCLUDING LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MR TAM YIU-CHUNG AND MR PANG CHUN-HOI, THE SIX EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND OFFICERS OF WORKERS’ UNIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION, CATERING AND SERVICES INDUSTRIES.
THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL INCLUDE THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER MR JOHN CHAN, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR DARWIN CHEN, AND OTHER OFFICIALS FROM THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT WHO WILL ASSIST IN PROVIDING RELEVANT INFORMATION.
IN A LETTER TO MR TAM YIU-CHUNG TODAY (MONDAY) TO CONFIRM THE MEETING, MR CHEN SAID ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT IN FULL.
"WE SINCERELY HOPE THIS OPEN DIALOGUE WILL PROVE TO BE USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE," MR CHEN SAID IN THE LETTER.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING), CENTRAL.
COMMENTING ON THE GOVERNMENT’S AGREEMENT TO HOLD AN OPEN MEETING WITH WORKERS’ REPRESENTATIVES, MR CHEN SAID: "THIS ILLUSTRATES THE ADMINISTRATION’S CONVICTION THAT THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN VIEW OF HONG KONG’S CHANGING ECONOMIC STRUCTURE.
"BUT AS MANY WORKERS’ UNIONS STILL APPEAR TO HAVE DOUBTS OVER DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE SCHEME, PARTICULARLY ON HOW THE INTERESTS OF LOCAL WORKERS CAN BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED, IT WILL HELP IF THE GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE THE NECESSARY CLARIFICATIONS DIRECT WITH LABOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND ALSO LISTEN TO ANY PARTICULAR CASES OF HARDSHIP THEY KNOW OF."
"IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC BE FULLY INFORMED OF THE VIEWS OF BOTH SIDES ON THE ISSUE AND WE HAVE THEREFORE INVITED THE PRESS TO ATTEND THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS," HE ADDED.
"WE HOPE THAT THROUGH THIS OPEN DIALOGUE ALL THOSE CONCERNED WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME BETTER AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS IN A CALM AND FRANK MANNER," HE SAID.
MR CHEN SAID THE MEETING WOULD HAVE AN OPEN AGENDA AND THAT ANY TOPICS RELATING TO THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR COULD BE RAISED.
0
/4.........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
4
PROBE UNDERWAY ON LOCAL LABOUR REFUSAL CLAIMS
*»»»»*
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA REPORTS TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INTENDING TO IMPORT LABOUR HAD, WITHOUT GOOD REASONS, REFUSED TO TAKE ON LOCAL WORKERS REFERRED TO IT BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR ALFRED CHAN SAID THE CASE WAS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES).
MR CHAN SAID THE COMPANY HAD REGISTERED 50 VACANCIES FOR STEEL BAR BENDERS WITH THE LES UNDER THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME.
"WE HAVE REFERRED 120 LOCAL JOB-SEEKERS TO THE COMPANY FOR THE EMPLOYER’S SELECTION TO FILL THESE VACANT POSTS. BUT ONLY FOUR OF THEM WERE OFFERED EMPLOYMENT," HE SAID, ADDING THAT TWO OF THEM WERE SUBSEQUENTLY DISMISSED.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE EMPLOYMENT VISA COORDINATING COMMITTEE WITH ITS ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATION UPON COMPLETION'OF INVESTIGATION," HE SAID.
"IF THE COMPANY IS FOUND TO HAVE REJECTED THE WORKERS FOR NO GOOD REASONS, ITS APPLICATION FOR QUOTAS TO IMPORT WORKERS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED," MR CHAN STRESSED.
------0--------
INFORMATION PAPER ON TAXI POLICY AVAILABLE
*****
AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE EXISTING TAXI POLICY AND PRACTICES IS NOW AVAILABLE TO THE' PUBLIC TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE TAXI OPERATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
A WORKING GROUP HAS RECENTLY BEEN SET UP UNDER THE TAC TO REVIEW THE CURRENT TAXI POLICY, WITH PARTICULAR REGARD TO THE TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM, TAXI FARE POLICY AND THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES.
THE WORKING GROUP IS TO FORWARD ITS FINDINGS TO THE TAC BY JUNE THIS YEAR.
"IN THE LIGHT OF WIDESPREAD INTEREST IN THE REVIEW AND THE PUBLIC DESIRE TO HAVE ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION, A PAPER (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) ON THE CURRENT TAXI POLICY AND PRACTICES IS NOW MADE AVAILABLE TO DISTRICT BOARDS, TAXI ASSOCIATIONS, THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE WORKING GROUP WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE COMMENTS RECEIVED BEFORE PUTTING FIRM PROPOSALS TO THE TAC," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
/TO FACILITATE .......
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
5
TO FACILITATE THE WORK OF THE WORKING GROUP, THE PUBLIC IS REQUESTED TO SUBMIT THEIR COMMENTS BY MARCH 31 THIS YEAR, ALTHOUGH SUBSEQUENT VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME DURING THE REVIEW PERIOD.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE INFORMATION PAPER MAY CONTACT THE TRANSPORT BRANCH ON TEL. 810 2028 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TAC WORKING GROUP ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW, TRANSPORT BRANCH, SECOND FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
THIRD ANNUAL BUSINESS
MEETING ON WATER SUPPLY HELD IN HONG KONG
AT THE INVITATION OF THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, A DELEGATION FROM THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL BUREAU OF WATER CONSERVANCY AND HYDRO-POWER LED BY DIRECTOR GUAN ZONG ZHI CAME TO HONG KONG LAST THURSDAY TO ATTEND THE THIRD ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATED TO WATER SUPPLY FROM GUANGDONG TO HONG KONG.
THE MAIN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION WAS HONG KONG’S REQUEST FOR A SUPPLY OF 705 MILLION CUBIC METRES IN 1992/93.
OTHER TECHNICAL ISSUES WERE ALSO DISCUSSED, RELATING TO THE CURRENT SUPPLY AGREEMENT WHICH WAS SIGNED DURING 1989.
THE GUANGDONG DELEGATION HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE TOTAL SUPPLY REQUESTED COULD BE PROVIDED, AND THAT THE WATER PRICE WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 1989 AGREEMENT.
IT WAS AGREED THAT UPGRADING WORK TO INCREASE THE PUMPING RATE OF THE EXISTING SUPPLY SYSTEM SHOULD BE COMMENCED IMMEDIATELY, AND EXPENDITURE TO BE INCURRED SOLELY FOR PROVIDING THE ADDITIONAL SUPPLY BY THIS UPGRADING WORK, SHOULD BE MET BY HONG KONG.
SO AS TO AVOID IMMEDIATE WATER RESTRICTIONS IN HONG KONG, IN THE SPIRIT OF CONTINUING FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, GUANGDONG HAS AGREED THAT EACH SIDE WILL BEAR A PORTION OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE AND THE FINAL REPORT FROM THE MEETINGS RECORDS THE AGREED APPORTIONMENT.
THE MEETINGS WERE CONCLUDED TODAY, AND BOTH SIDES WILL SUBMIT THE REPORT FROM THE MEETINGS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE ADMINISTRATIONS, SEEKING EARLIEST POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE TOTAL REQUIREMENT FOR 705 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER FROM GUANGDONG IS NECESSARY TO AVOID AN IMMEDIATE NEED TO IMPOSE WATER RESTRICTIONS.
/THE SECRETARY .......
1
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
6 -
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS JAMES BLAKE EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO DIRECTOR GUAN ZONG ZHI FOR THE CONTINUING ATTENTION BY THE GUANGDONG BUREAU IN MEETING THE SUPPLY NEED TO HONG KONG.
DESPITE EFFECTIVE WATER SAVING CAMPAIGNS IN ADDITIONAL SUPPLY FROM GUANGDONG, THE RECENT DRY RESULTED IN WATER RESTRICTIONS.
- - 0 - -
COLLABORATION BETWEEN BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC VALUABLE : STI ******
HONG KONG, WITHOUT
YEARS WOULD HAVE
COMMUNITIES
COLLABORATION BETWEEN HONG KONG’S BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY VALUABLE AND NECESSARY AS THE ECONOMY BECOMES MORE SOPHISTICATED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE OPENING OF NEW PREMISES FOR THE BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND THE CHINA BUSINESS CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
MR CHAU SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE CENTRES IS A PRACTICAL. RESPONSE BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC TO TWO OF THE MAJOR TRENDS AFFECTING HONG KONG’S ECONOMY TODAY.
’’ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA ARE DEVELOPING IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS,” HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID HONG KONG WAS AN IMPORTANT ENTREPOT FOR CHINA TRADE.
”OUR MANUFACTURERS ARE CARRYING OUT LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AND BEYOND.
’’AND HONG KONG IS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN SERVICING MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN CHINA,” HE SAID.
ANOTHER TREND WAS THAT BUSINESSES HERE IN HONG KONG WERE REALISING THAT THEIR EMPHASIS ON PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY AND INNOVATION WOULD HAVE TO INCREASE IF LOCAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WERE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE, AND THAT GREATER USE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY WOULD HELP TO ACHIEVE THAT END, MR CHAU SAID.
THE CHINA BUSINESS CENTRE AIMS TO RESEARCH, MONITOR AND PROMOTE BUSINESS LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
THE BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE HELPS COMPANIES TO MAKE BEST USE OF THE SUPPORT THE POLYTECHNIC OFFERS IN THE FORM OF TRAINING, TECHNICAL SERVICES, CONSULTANCY SERVICES AND RESEARCH EXPERTISE.
THEIR SETTING UP WAS A FINE EXAMPLE ’OF WORKING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, MR CHAU SAID.
------0-----------
/7.........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
7
LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY * * * * »
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER NINE BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 26).
OF THE NINE BILLS, SEVEN WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, NURSES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, MIDWIVES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
ANOTHER BILL DUE TO BE GIVEN A SECOND READING, AND TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING IS THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
ONE PRIVATE BILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, WILL BE INTRODUCED BY THE HON DAVID LI FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATE ON IT WILL BE ADJOURNED.
MEANWHILE, THE HON EMILY LAU WILL MOVE A MOTION ON PRESS FREEDOM.
THE MOTION WILL READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL RECOGNISES THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN HONG KONG AND URGES THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEMONSTRATE ITS POSITIVE COMMITMENT TO THIS PRINCIPLE BY UNDERTAKING TO INITIATE WITHOUT DELAY THE REPEAL OF ALL LEGISLATION WHICH IS IN BREACH OF PRESS FREEDOM AS PROTECTED BY ARTICLE 16 OF THE HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE 1991.”
THE HON ERIC LI WILL ALSO MOVE ANOTHER MOTION ON CHARTER FOR YOUTH.
THE MOTION WILL READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT THE PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED BY THE DRAFT CHARTER FOR YOUTH AND TO SYSTEMATICALLY REVIEW ITS EXISTING LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES AFFECTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE COMPREHENSIVE IN MEEETING THOSE AIMS.”
IN ADDITION, THE HON WONG WAI-YIN WILL MOVE AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SERVICES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
/8.........
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * * »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 31.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 183.639 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 163.346 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 27.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO CONSERVE WATER AND AVOID WASTAGE.
- - 0 - -
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION *****
SUPPLY OF SALT WATER TO ALL PREMISES IN TUEN MUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 26) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION *****
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 26) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY FERRY STREET, SAIGON STREET, RECLAMATION STREET AND KANGSU STREET.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992
- 9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 22.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 24.2.92 + 144
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -144
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 »+0.1» 24.2.92 NEUTRAL
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.18 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.69 5.90
1 MONTH 4.15 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 3 MONTHS 4.12 PCT 6 MONTHS 4.35 PCT 12 MONTHS 4.71 PCT 99.30 5.97
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,292 MN
CLOSED 24 FEBRUARY 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DRAFT EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1992-93 ON EDUCATIONAL AND MANPOWER SERVICES ............................................................. 1
POLICE OPERATING EXPENDITURE WILL HAVE REAL INCREASE: FS .......... 3
COLLABORATION BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND PRIVATE SECTOR BOOSTS ADVANCED
ECONOMY: CS ..................................................... 4
SUCCESS OF GARMENT INDUSTRY DEPENDS ON ABILITY TO COMPETE: STI .... 5
TAC CONSIDERS CMB FRANCHISE EXTENSION ............................. 6
GOVT LAND AUCTION FETCHES $2.52 BILLION ........................... 7
HK INSPIRES PUBLIC GENEROSITY ..................................... 8
WOMEN PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ....................
TWO MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED ..................................... 10
251 VMS RETURNED TO VIETNAM ....................................... 12
700 CIVIL SERVANTS ATTEND PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINAR .................. 12
MINI-EXHIBITION ON HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ............ 13
CAREERS DAYS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS ............................... 13
PROPOSED NEW CARRIAGEWAY TO SOLVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN TSUEN WAN 15
PERMANENT CLOSURE OF SHING TAI LANE PROPOSED ...................... 16
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BF. CLOSED ......................... 16
CLOSURE OF IMMIGRATION ABERDEEN OFFICE ............................ I7
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ........................................... i7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ................. 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 19
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
DRAFT EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1992-93 ON EDUCATIONAL AND MANPOWER SERVICES »»»»**
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND $18,677 MILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATIONAL AND MANPOWER SERVICES IN 1992-93.
EXCLUDING 1992-93 SALARY INCREASE WHICH IS YET TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $932 MILLION OR 5.25 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATES IN 1991-92.
IN ADDITION, $3,132 MILLION WILL BF PROVIDED FOR CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE FOR 1992-93. REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 35 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED EXPENDITURE FOR CAPITAL WORKS PROJECT 1991-92.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (SEMI, MR JOHN CHAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) OUTLINED THE DRAFT EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR 1992-93 IN FOUR MAJOR PROGRAMME AREAS UNDER HIS CONTROL: TERTIARY EDUCATION, SCHOOLS EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT.
TERTIARY EDUCATION
A TOTAL OF $5,214 MILLION HAS BEEN SOUGHT UNDER THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT FOR 1992-93, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 18.5 PER CENT OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1991-92.
THE INCREASE IS DUE MAINLY TO THE INCREASE IN STUDENT NUMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME.
OF THE AMOUNT SOUGHT FOR, OVER 99 PER CENT IS DISBURSED THROUGH SUBVENTION TO INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS, ON THE ADVICE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC).
IN ADDITION, $2,013 MILLION WILL BE PROVIDED IN 1992-93 FOR CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE. THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 36 PER CENT OVER REVISED EXPENDITURE FOR 1991-92.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED: "THE CURRENT FOCUS FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION IS TO PROVIDE 15,000 FIRST-YEAR-FIRST-DEGREE PLACES (FYFD) BY 1994-95.
"FYFD PLACES AT UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS WILL INCREASE FROM 10,570 THIS YEAR TO 12,431 IN 1992 WHILE THE TOTAL FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE1 STUDENTS WILL INCREASE FROM 46,504 TO 50,430.
THE EXPANSION IS BEING ACHIEVED THROUGH GENERAL EXPANSION AT THE TWO ESTABLISHED UNIVERSITIES AND BAPTIST COLLEGE, OPENING THE NEW HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, UPGRADING LINGNAN COLLEGE AND ALLOWING THE POLYTECHNICS TO EXPAND THEIR DEGREE PROGRAMMES."
/SCHOOLS EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
SCHOOLS EDUCATION
RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ON THIS ITEM (WHICH INCLUDES SPECIAL EDUCATION) FOR 1992-93 IS $11,852 MILLION - AN INCREASE OF 1.5 PER CENT OVER THE 1991-92 REVISED ESTIMATES.
THIS INCREASE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT REDUCED EXPENDITURE NEEDS RESULTING FROM A CONTINUING STRIVE FOR GREATER OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY; A DECLINE IN PUPIL ENROLMENT IN THE PRIMARY SECTOR WITH A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION OF 30 POSTS; THE TRANSFER OF LINGNAN COLLEGE FROM UNDER THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S AEGIS TO THAT Oh THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE; AND THE INCLUSION OF FUNDING FOR THE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO.4 (ECR4) UNDER ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS.
IN TERMS OF CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE $569 MILLION WILL BE SOUGHT FOR 1992-93 WHICH IS COMPARABLE TO THE REVISED EXPENDITURE FOR IN 1991-92.
"GIVEN THAT QUANTITATIVE TARGETS HAVE NEARLY BEEN ACHIEVED TN FULL, THE AIM NOW IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION LN SCHOOLS IN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER," MR CHAN SAID.
"THE MAJOR FOCUS IS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW POLICIES-ARISING FROM RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE ECR4. THESE ARE IMPROVING CURRICULUM PLANNING AND SETTING ATTAINMENT TARGETS AND RELATED ASSESSMENTS."
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM REFORM, IMPROVEMENT TO LANGUAGE TEACHING, ENHANCED FUNDING FOR THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME, THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME AND THE EXPATRIATE ENGLISH SCHEME.
OTHER APPROVED POLICIES ARISING FROM THE ECR4 SUCH AS SCHOOLBASED COUNSELLING SERVICES W1 1,1, PROCEED AS SOON AS THE NECESSARY RESOURCES HAVE BEEN SECURED.
EMPLOYMENT
THE GOVERNMENT'S EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AIM TO ACHIEVE \ LEVEL OF BENEFITS AND CONTROLS GOVERNING HEALTH, SAFETY AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT THAT ARE BROADLY COMPARABLE TO THOSE IN ECONOMIES SIMILAR TO OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WITH A SIMILAR STATE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THE PROVISION SOUGHT FOR 1992-93 IS $253 MILLION, A DECREASE OF 2.2 PER CENT COMPARED TO THE REVISED ESTIMATES IN 1991-92.
THE REDUCTION HAS BEEN ACHIEVED THROUGH MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF RESOURCES AND GENERAL IMPROVEMENT TN OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY. DESPITE THE REDUCTION, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WILL BE DEPLOYED TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD ARISING FROM THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME.
/MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
3
MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT
THE SUBVENTION UNDER THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ( VTC ) FOR 1992-93 UNDER THE SEM’S PROGRAMME AREA IS $904 MILLION WHICH REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $35 MILLION OR 4.1 PER CENT COMPARED TO THE 1991-92 REVISED ESTIMATES AFTER DELETING ITEMS NOT RELATED TO THE 1992-93 ESTIMATES.
IN ADDITION, $507 MILLION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS FOR 1992-93. THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 161 PER CENT OVER REVISED EXPENDITURE FOR 1991-92.
THE COUNCIL WILL TAKE ON ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SCHEME.
IT WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEW RETRAINING SCHEME FOR LOCAL WORKERS.
IN RESPECT OF THESE TWO ACTIVITIES, FUNDING UNDER THE VTC ESTIMATES WILL BE AUGMENTED BY INCOME FROM THE INVESTMENT OF A LOAN FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE LEVY TO BE CHARGED UNDER THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME RESPECTIVELY .
"THE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE FOR THIS SECTOR REMAINS THE CREATION OF NEW TRAINING CAPACITY TO HANDLE THE TRANSFER OF SUB-DEGREE COURSES FROM THE POLYTECHNICS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERTIARY LEVEL EXPANSION," SAID MR CHAN.
"CONSTRUCTION OF NEW CAPITAL WORK PROJECTS INCLUDING THE NEW TECHNICAL COLLEGE AT TSING Yl, THE NEW TRAINING CENTRE AT POKFULAM AND MODIFICATION OF EXISTING PROJECTS ARE PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE."
MR CHAN ADDED THAT THESE EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, IN HIS 1992-93 BUDGET SPEECH ON MARCH 4.
--------0 -
POLICE OPERATING EXPENDITURE WILL * * * * *
HAVE REAL INCREASE: FS
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HE HAD MADE PROVISION FOR A THREE PER CENT REAL INCREASE IN POLICE OPERATING EXPENDITURE.
"THERE SHOULD BE NO MISUNDERSTANDING ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. OPERATING EXPENDITURE WILL INCREASE BY THREE PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE COMING. YEAR," HE SAID.
"THERE WILL BE NO SLOWDOWN IN RECRUITMENT. THE FORCE HAS FUNDING TO RECRUIT AN ADDITIONAL 1,000 DISCIPLINED STAFF AND AN ADDITIONAL 300 CIVILIAN PERSONNEL IN 1992-93. FUNDS HAVE ALSO BEEN PROVIDED TO USE PROFESSIONAL ADVERTISING AGENCIES TO HELP US BOOST RECRUITMENT.
/"THE REDUCTION .......
4
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
’’THE REDUCTION IN ESTABLISHMENT BY 700 POSTS PARTLY REFLECTS THE DISESTABLISHMENT OF REDUNDANT POSTS, INCLUDING THE PLANNED REDUCTION OF SPECIAL BRANCH. BUT THE KEY POINT IS THAT THE STRENGTH OF THE POLICE — THE NUMBER OF MEN AND WOMEN ACTUALLY IN SERVICE --WILL INCREASE.
’’SUBSTANTIAL SUMS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR NEW EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY: $480 MILLION IN 1991-92 AND MORE THAN $380 MILLION IN 1992-93,” MR MACLEOD ADDED.
------0--------
COLLABORATION BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND PRIVATE SECTOR BOOSTS ADVANCED ECONOMY: CS
AN EFFECTIVE RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED AN APPROPRIATE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE INSTITUTIONS AND THE COMMUNITY, TO FACILITATE THE TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE AND, MORE SPECIFICALLY, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING BIOTECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH BACK THE COMMUNITY.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF (HKIB), SIR DAVID SAID AN EFFECTIVE RESEARCH IN HONG KONG DID NOT ONLY DEPEND UPON THE ABILITY TO FRONTIERS OF KNOWLEDGE AND SUSTAIN AN ACADEMIC
IN RECENT YEARS, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN INCREASING ITS RESEARCH FUNDING AT THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING THEIR ACADEMIC RESEARCH CAPABILITY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASED FUNDING FROM THE BLOCK GRANT TO THE INSTITUTIONS AND FROM THE RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL IS A MEANS OF MAINTAINING THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE OF THE INSTITUTIONS’ RESEARCH AND TEACHING.
IT ALSO ATTRACTED AND MAINTAINED HIGH-CALIBRE STAFF, AND TRAINED MORE OF THE ACADEMIC AND OTHER HIGHLY SKILLED MANPOWER NEEDED IN FUTURE.
SIR DAVID SAID THE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE HKIB SERVED AS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH COLLABORATION BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN PROMOTE THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS AN ADVANCED ECONOMY.
’’BIOTECHNOLOGY IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING NEW TECHNOLOGIES BEING DEVELOPED TODAY,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID IT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO REVOLUTIONISE PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES IN MANY INDUSTRIES INCLUDING AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING, MEDICINE AND CHEMICALS.
"IT HAS ALSO BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF THE MAJOR AREAS IN WHICH CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COULD GENERATE NEW AND PROF 1 TABI.E BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG,” SIR DAVID SAID.
/THE HKIB .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
5
THE HKIB WAS ESTABLISHED IN JUNE 1988 AS THE FIRST NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION IN HONG KONG WITH THE AIM OF MEDIATING BETWEEN THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IN ORDER TO CONDUCT BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ASSIST TN COLLABORATIVE VENTURES AND PROMOTE THE BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
IN ITS FIRST THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS, THE HKIB HAD MADE EXCITING PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING ITS AIMS. IT HAD ALSO PROVIDED THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES COULD BE COMBINED CREATIVELY TO DEVELOP PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES RELEVANT TO HONG KONG, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB DONATED $170 MILLION TO BUILD THE BUILDING COMPLEX WHICH WAS OPENED TODAY.
THE SUM NOT ONLY COVERS THE FULL CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE COMPLEX AND ITS EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES, BUT ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE RECURRENT EXPENSES OF THE INSTITUTE FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS.
SUCCESS OF GARMENT INDUSTRY DEPENDS ON ABILITY TO COMPETE: STI
*****
THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE LOCAL GARMENT INDUSTRY WILL DEPEND NOT ONLY ON EXTERNAL FACTORS BUT ALSO ON HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY IN BOTH EXISTING AND NEW MARKETS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL SPRING DINNER OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPORTING MANUFACTURERS’ EFFORTS THROUGH ITS INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT AGENCIES, NOTABLY THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE.
THE CENTRE, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY IN 1990, SETS OUT TO SHOW WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE USE OF MODERN MACHINERY AND PRODUCTION METHODS.
’’THE RESPONSE FROM INDUSTRY HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING,” MR CHAU SAID.
"NEW TECHNOLOGY IS ONE TOOL WHICH COMPANIES ARE INCREASINGLY USING TO IMPROVE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS,” HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID CONSULTANTS ARE NOW FINALISING THE REPORT OF A TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDY ON HONG KONG’S CLOTHING AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
THE STUDY’S RECOMMENDATIONS WILL HELP THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON HOW BEST TO FOCUS ITS SUPPORT IN THIS AREA, HE SAID.
/LOCKING AHEAD
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
6
LOOKING AHEAD, MR CHAU SAID US-CHINA RELATIONS WOULD BE A CONTINUING CONCERN.
"A BILL FOR CONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE US CONGRESS AND THE SECTION 301 CONSULTATIONS ON MARKET ACCESS BETWEEN US AND CHINA ARE ONGOING," HE SAID.
"ALL THESE MATTERS WILL COME TO A HEAD WITHIN THIS YEAR AND WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THEM TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.
"IN SOME CASES A CONCERTED APPROACH BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND OUR TRADE AND INDUSTRY IS NECESSARY," HE SAID.
------0--------
TAC CONSIDERS CMB FRANCHISE EXTENSION ******
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) CONSIDERED THE CMB’S APPLICATION FOR EXTENDING ITS FRANCHISE BY TWO YEARS TO AUGUST 31, 1995.
A CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON THE RENEWAL OF THE (.'MB'S FRANCHISE WAS LAUNCHED FOLLOWING THF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON PUBLIC BUS SERVICES FOR HONG KONG ISLAND ON JANUARY 22.
THE FOUR DISTRICT BOARDS ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAD SUBMITTED THEIR VIEWS.
UP TO TODAY (FEBRUARY 25), Till-. ADMINISTRATION HAD RECEIVED 30 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THE FULL RANGE OF PUBLIC VIEWS EXPRESSED, TOGETHER WITH COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED THROUGH THF MASS MEDIA, HAD BEEN PRESENTED To THE TAC.
VIEWS EXPRESSED INCLUDED THE CMB’S SERVICE STANDARDS AND ITS COMMITMENT TOWARDS FURTHER SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS; WHETHER MORE BUS ROUTES SHOULD BE TENDERED OUT; HIE NEED TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS; WHETHER THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME SHOULD BE CHANGED OR CANCELLED; AND WHETHER THE FRANCHISEE SHOULD BE GIVEN SOME ASSURANCE IN THE RATE OF RETURN.
THE TAC MEMBERS HAD ALSO CONSIDERED THE WRITTEN SUBMISSION PRESENTED BY THE CMB TO THE COMMITTEE ON FEBRUARY 13 AND THE ADMINISTRATION’S ASSESSMENTS.
IN ITS WRITTEN SUBMISSION, THE CMB OUTLINED PROPOSALS TO UPGRADE ITS BUS SERVICES, INCLUDING BETTER CUSTOMER RELATIONS, MORE MODERN PASSENGER FACILITIES, IMPROVED STAFF TRAINING AND THE PURCHASE OF UP TO 60 NEW BUSES PER YEAR.
AS THE TAC’S ADVICE ON THE Fl. TURE OF THE CMB’S FRANCHISE WILL FORM THE BASIS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S IMPENDING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CMB, ITS CONTENTS CANNOT THEREFORE BE RELEASED.
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/7
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
7 -
GOVT LAND AUCTION FETCHES $2.52 BILLION * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FIVE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LANI) WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $2,527 MILLION IN A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
TOPPING THE LIST IS THE LOT LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF WYLIE ROAD AND KING’S PARK RISE, KOWLOON.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,811 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY THE EAST LIGHT LTD. AT $1,190 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $950 MILLION.
THE BUILDING (OVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA Ob NOT LESS THAN 26,430 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE SECOND SITE IS LOCATED AT AREA 39, TURN MUN. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,548 SQUARE METRES. THE SITE IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
IT WAS SOLD TO HANPUTAR LTD. AT $405 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $250 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 11,944 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE THIRD SITE IS LOCATED AT AREA 15, SHUI WAI, TAI PO. MEASURING ABOUT 21,060 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS ALSO DESIGNATED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
IT WAS BOUGHT BY STYLE GIANT LTD. AT $800 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $520 MILLION.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 26,600 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE FOURTH SITE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,300 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT WANG YIP STREET WEST, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT IS EARMARKED FOR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING THE STORAGE OF ’DANGEROUS GOODS’ AS DEFINED IN THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE OR ANY AMENDING LEGISLATION (EXCEPT SUCH FUEL \S NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF MACHINES INSTALLED IN THE BUILDING OR BUILDINGS ERECTED ON THE LOT) .
IT WAS SOLD TO KU1 YUEN INVESTMENT CO LTD. AND HI YIP CO LTD. AT THE UPSET PRICE OF $38 MILLION.
/ACCORDING TO .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
8
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 18,810 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE REMAINING LOT IS LOCATED AT A KUNG NGAM, HONG KONG ISLAND. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,115 SQUARE METRES AND IS DESIGNATED FOR GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE LAND WAS BOUGHT BY KUI YUEN INVESTMENT CO LTD. AND CHINAWIDE PROPERTIES LTD. AT $94 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $50 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR OF NOT LESS THAN 12,055 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1996.
THE AUCTION, CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR TIM MILLS, WAS HELD IN THE JADE BALLROOM 01 HOTEL FURAMA KEMPINSKI.
------0-----------
HK INSPIRES PUBLIC GENEROSITY * * * * *
LADY WILSON TODAY (TUESDAY) EXPRESSED HER THANKS TO THE SUNRIDER INTERNATIONAL FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
ACCEPTING THE DONATION ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST AT THE SUNRIDER INTERNATIONAL-CONVENTION, LADY WILSON SAID HONG KONG INSPIRED NEW IDEAS AND HARD WORK.
’’WHAT I FIND PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGING, AND LESS TALKED ABOUT, IS THE WAY IT INSPIRES REMARKABLE PUBLIC GENEROSITY," SHE SAID.
SUNRIDER’S CONTRIBUTION WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THAT GENEROSITY.
LADY WILSON POINTED OUT THAT THE CONTRIBUTION WOULD BRING PRACTICAL HELP AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO A GREAT MANY PEOPLE.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT EVERY DOLLAR DONATED TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST WENT, WITHOUT DEDUCTION, TO MEMBER AGENCIES.
THE COMMUNITY CHEST NOW HAS 119 SUCH AGENCIES.
THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FUNDED IS ENORMOUS. IT INCLUDES PSYCHIATRIC CARE, HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE BLIND, WORK WITH DRUG ADDICTS, HELP FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND FAMILY WELFARE AND MANY OTHERS.
HENCE, MANY OF THESE AGENCIES RELY HEAVILY ON PUBLIC GENEROSITY AND ON A GREAT DEAL OF VOLUNTARY EFFORT.
LADY WILSON ALSO SAID MANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE CONVENTION WERE VISITORS TO HONG KONG.
/"YOU MAY .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
9
'YOU MAY HAVE HEARD MORE ABOUT HONG KONG'S COMPETITIVENESS THAN ITS CARING, MORE ABOUT ITS BUSINESS LIFE THAN ITS FAMILY LIFE, MORE ABOUT OUR PROBLEMS THAN OUR SUCCESSES,” SHE SAID.
THEREFORE, SHE URGED THEM TO WALK AROUND HONG KONG AND TO FEEL FOR THEMSELVES THE TREMENDOUS SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND ACTIVITY WHICH FLOURISHED IN THE TERRITORY.
"IT IS ONE OF HONG KONG'S GREATEST STENGTHS. IT IS SOMETHING WORTH ENCOURAGING AND PARTICIPATING IN,” LADY WILSON SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID SUNRIDER’S CONTRIBUTION HAD BECOME A PART OF THAT CARING AND LIFE-GIVING PROCESS.
------0--------
WOMEN PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS * * t * *
WOMEN ARE PLAYING A MORE ACTIVE AND POSITIVE ROLE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS NOWADAYS, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB (KOWLOON, EASTERN AND WESTERN) DISTRICTS LUNCH, LADY WILSON SAID THE CLUB HAD VISIBLY DEMONSTRATED HOW MUCH WOMEN COULD ACHIEVED.
SHE SAID MEMBERS OF THE CLUB COULD ALL LOOK BACK WITH PRIDE AT THE MANY ACHIEVEMENTS THEY HAD MADE OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES.
LADY WILSON SAID BY RUNNING NURSERIES AND SCHOOLS, THE CLUBS HAD ENABLED MOTHERS TO GO OUT TO WORK, WHILST THEIR CHILDREN WERE WELL CARED FOR.
BY PROVIDING VOCATIONAL TRAINING, THE CLUBS HAD EQUIPPED THEM WITH THE NECESSARY SKILLS; AND BY ORGANISING INTEREST CLASSES, THEY HAD HELPED THEM TO SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME MORE PRODUCTIVELY.
SHE SAID IN HELPING MOTHERS, THE CLUBS WERE ALSO BENEFITTING THEIR CHILDREN AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
"WHAT IS PERHAPS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, IS THAT YOU SHOW AN EXAMPLE WHICH ENCOURAGES THOSE MOTHERS TO HELP OTHERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN NEED," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID THE CLUBS ALSO EXTENDED THEIR SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY.
"IN ESTABLISHING HOSTELS AND CENTRES FOR THEM, YOU HAVE BROUGHT LOVING CARE AND COMFORT TO MANY OLDER PEOPLE AND HAVE ENABLED THEM TO LIVE A MORE MEANINGFUL AND LIVELY SOCIAL LIFE," SHE SAID.
REALISING THAT THE CLUB HAD DEMONSTRATED GENUINE CARE AND COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG PEOPLE, LADY WILSON SAID THE COMMUNITY HAD REASON TO BE GRATEFUL TO THEM A*LL.
/"WITH YOUR .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
10
"WITH YOUR COMMITMENT, DEDICATION AND CO-OPERATION, YOU HAVE HAD REMARKABLE SUCCESSES.
"I AM SURE YOU WILL BUILD ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS TO SERVE THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SOCIETY,” SHE ADDED.
------0--------
TWO MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED ******
TWO MORE CASES OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) WERE CONFIRMED AND ANOTHER TWO MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THESE BRING TO 268 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED IN HONG KONG WITH 61 CONFIRMED AIDS CASES.
SO FAR, 40 AIDS PATIENTS HAVE DIED AND 21 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 268 HIV INFECTED, 60 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 176 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, FIVE WERE DRUG ABUSERS AND THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION.
FOR THE REMAINING 24, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION, HE ADDED.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 224,731 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,024,854 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 17 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
TURNING TO THE PUBLICITY AND PREVENTION PROGRAMMES ON AIDS, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT AS MOST OF THE HIV INFECTED PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE YOUNG AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL WORKFORCE, A SEMINAR ENTITLED "AIDS AND THE WORKPLACE ---- SHARING THE CHALLENGE" WOULD BE
HELD ON MARCH 21 WITH AN INTENT TO DISPEL MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT AIDS.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
11
4 5% % 1%^ 1#,
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibocv Testing
Virus Unit, Department of Health
Apr 85-Dec 91 Jar i 92 Total
’ No. tested* No. +ve No. tested* No. +ve No. tested* No. +ve
Referrals from Public
hospitals and clinics . .. A* & 25151 106 1325 2 26476 108
Referrals from private practitioners and
subvented hospitals . Attendances at social 2413 52 37 0 2450 52
hygiene clinics 185403 46 2059 0 187462 46
^9
Haemopnixiacs . 556 50 17 0 573 60
17 6348 1 95 0 6443 1
■Referrals from Family Planning Association 237 0 2 0' 239 0
health care personnel 1058 0 30 0 1088 0
----—--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL . 221166 265 3565 ,2 224731 267
* This indicates the number of specimens and not persons as tests are repeated for certain individuals.
-i fl?
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Service
Aug 85-Dec 91 Jan 92 Total
No. No. No. No. No. No.
tested +ve tested •Fve tested +ve
1008474 17 16380 0 1024854 17
--------0-----------
Department of Health February 1992
/12 ........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
251 VMS RETURNED TO VIETNAM t t C » » I
A GROUP OF 251 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 88 MEN, 57 WOMEN, 59 BOYS AND 47 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 91ST BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 1,965 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 15,944 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
700 CIVIL SERVANTS ATTEND PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINAR
******
SEVEN HUNDRED RETIRING CIVIL SERVANTS ATTENDED THE FIRST PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH (CSB) TODAY (TUESDAY) TO HELP THEM ADAPT TO LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE (DEVELOPMENT), MR MIKE WATERS, SAID THE SEMINAR AIMED TO HELP THEM CONFRONT ANY LATENT FEAR AND APPREHENSION AND DEVELOP A MORE POSITIVE AND HEALTHY ATTITUDE TOWARDS RETIREMENT.
MR WATERS SAID IT ALSO HELPED RETIRING CIVIL SERVANTS TO DEFINE THEIR OWN PRIORITIES AND TAKE ACTION IN GOOD TIME.
’’THE SEMINAR WILL ALSO PROVIDE A FORUM TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND FEELINGS BETWEEN RETIRING COLLEAGUES AND EXPERTS IN SPECIFIC FIELDS AND TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS TO COMMON PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT RETIREMENT MEANT DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
’’IRRESPECTIVE OF YOUR FEELINGS TOWARDS RETIREMENT, IT IS A TRANSITION WE ALL HAVE TO FACE AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES.
"THE PURPOSE OF THIS SEMINAR IS TO ENABLE YOU TO BETTER PLAN FOR AND MANAGE THE TRANSITION, TO RAISE AWARENESS AND DRAW ATTENTION TO ALL THOSE MATTERS WHICH HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON YOUR RETIREMENT," HE ADDED.
THE TWO-DAY SEMINAR WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ADVICE ON PRERETIREMENT PREPARATION, HOW TO COPE WITH STRESS AFTER RETIREMENT, PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH, BASIC FINANCE PLANNING AND INVESTMENT CONCEPTS.
TWO SIMILAR SEMINARS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF OFFICERS WILL BE CONDUCTED UNTIL MARCH 3.
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/13
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
- 13 -
MINI-EXHIBITION ON HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL MOUNT AN EXHIBITION IN CENTRAL FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO FRIDAY TO INTRODUCE THE FREE SERVICES OF ITS HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (HEES).
THE THREE-DAY MINI-EXHIBITION WILL BE STAGED AT THE WEST BRIDGE ON THE SECOND FLOOR LEVEL OF THE LANDMARK FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM DAILY.
APART FROM JOB-SEEKERS, THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO BE OF INTEREST TO EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR HIGH-CALIBRE STAFF.
IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE AND ATTRACTIVE GRAPHICS, THE EXHIBITION WILL INTRODUCE TO VISITORS THE WORK OF THE HEES WHICH PROVIDES FREE RECRUITMENT ASSISTANCE TO EMPLOYERS AND FREE PLACEMENT SERVICE TO JOBSEEKERS WITH POST-SECONDARY OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION.
THE HEES ALSO PROVIDES COUNSELLING TO TERTIARY GRADUATES ON THE CURRENT JOB MARKET AND ON JOB-HUNTING SKILLS.
IN ADDITION, FREE CAREERS TALKS AND SEMINARS ARE ORGANISED EVERY YEAR FOR JOB-SEEKERS ON THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER PROSPECTS.
THE SERVICE PUBLISHES A "CANDIDATE PROFILE" CONTAINING ESSENTIAL PARTICULARS OF SELECTED JOB REGISTRANTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO SOME 1,000 PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS EVERY MONTH.
ANOTHER MONTHLY PUBLICATION CALLED "PRIME JOBS IN HONG KONG" IS SENT TO MORE THAN 600 UNIVERSITIES, TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND STUDENT BODIES OVER THE WORLD TO UPDATE HONG KONG STUDENTS ABROAD ON THE LATEST JOB MARKET SITUATION HERE.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE AT THE HEES ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR ON TEL. 852 3232 OR 852 3233.
----------------0------- CAREERS DAYS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS *****
SECONDARY STUDENTS WILL HAVE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE TECHNICAL TRAINING FACILITIES OFFERED BY VARIOUS TRADES AND INDUSTRIES BY TAKING PART IN THREE CAREERS DAYS STARTING ON FRIDAY (FEBRUARY 28).
THE ANNUAL EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE (CAS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) FOR THE SIXTH YEAR RUNNING.
/"THE CAREERS .......
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
14
"THE CAREERS DAYS AIM AT PROVIDING FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES AND TRADES AS WELL \S TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY THE VTC TO ENABLE STUDENTS IN FORM THREE AND ABOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE WORLD OF WORK," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS CLARE SIU SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SCHEDULE OF THE THREE CAREERS DAYS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FEBRUARY 28 (FRIDAY) : KOWLOON BAY TRAINING
CENTRE COMPLEX AT 46 TAI YIP STREET
MARCH 3 (TUESDAY) : SHA TIN TECHNICAL
INSTITUTE AT 21 YUEN WO ROAD
MARCH 5 (THURSDAY) : KWAI CHUNG TRAINING
CENTRE COMPLEX AT
13-19 SAN KWAI STREET
THE OPENING HOURS OF EACH CAREERS DAY WILL BE FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM.
"EACH CAREERS DAY WILL FEATURE SEVERAL SPECIALIST TALKS ON THE LATEST EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN TRADES AND INDUSTRIES SUCH AS TOURISM, HOTEL, ACCOUNTING, CLOTHING MECHANDIS ING, PRINTING, CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS APPRENTICE TRAINING AND PLASTICS INDUSTRY," MRS SIU SAID.
GROUP VISITS TO TRAINING FACILITIES AT A VTC TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND SOME TRAINING CENTRES CAN BE ARRANGED FOR STUDENTS BY ENROLMENT.
"THEY WILL VISIT TRAINING CENTRES OR WORKSHOPS ON COMPUTING STUDIES, DESIGN, HAIRDRESSING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, ELECTRONICS, HOTEL INDUSTRY, PRINTING AND METAL WORKING," MRS SIU SAID.
"A MINI-EXHIBITION ON THE SERVICE OF THE CAS AND THE COURSES OFFERED BY THE VTC WILL BE MOUNTED," SHE ADDED.
STUDENTS WHO ARE
OF THE CAREERS DAYS MAY
INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN THE ACTIVITIES ENROL WITH THE CAS BY DIALLING 399 2241.
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/15
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
15
PROPOSED NEW CARRIAGEWAY TO SOLVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN TSUEN WAN »»*»»»
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A DUAL-TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY OF 1.2 KILOMETRES LONG IN THE WATERFRONT AREA OUTSIDE BELVEDERE GARDEN PHASE III IN TSUEN WAN TO HELP EASE THE BUSY TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.
AT THE WEST END, THE NEW ROAD WILL BE TAPERED FROM A DUAL-TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY TO A S1NGLE-TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY AND CONNECTED TO THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR MILESTONE 10.
AT THE EAST END, THE NEW ROAD WILL BE CONNECTED TO HOI HING ROAD.
AS THE TRAFFIC ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD OUTSIDE BELVEDERE GARDEN IS NOW OFTEN CONGESTED, THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW ROAD WILL DIVERT TRAFFIC TO BYPASS THAT CONGESTED SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, WHICH WILL THEN BECOME A LOCAL ACCESS ROAD FOR USE MAINLY BY THE LOCAL RESIDENTS.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TSUEN WAN, 1 OTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT NOT LATER THAN APRIL 21 DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS.
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/16........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
16
PERMANENT CLOSURE OF SHING TAI LANE PROPOSED ********
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE SHING TAI LANE TO FACILITATE THE EXTENSION OF CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
THE EXTENSION ENVISAGES THAT SHING TAI LANE WILL BE CLOSED AND INCLUDED IN A NEW LOT TO BE GRANTED BY WAY OF EXCHANGE.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED CLOSURE OF ROAD CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE
CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN
CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI; AND
» EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS
BUILDING , 29 TAI ON STREET, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG,SO AS TO REACH THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY NOT LATER THAN APRIL 21, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE A NUMBER OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT HANG ON STREET IN KWUN TONG, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE CLOSED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED ON THE FLAT ROOF AND CANOPY AT THE FRONT PORTION ON THE FIRST FLOOR AT 31 HANG ON STREET; THE FLAT ROOF OF THE REAR PORTION ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND THE REAR PORTION OF THE ROOF OF 33 HANG ON STREET; AND THE FLAT ROOF AND CANOPY AT THE FRONT PORTION ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND THE FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS OF THE ROOF OF 35 HANG ON STREET.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 28 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
/17........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
- 17 -
CLOSURE OF IMMIGRATION ABERDEEN OFFICE ♦ * ♦ t *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE ABERDEEN OFFICE AND ABERDEEN MARRIAGE REGISTRY CURRENTLY SITUATED AT ABERDEEN CENTRE, HONG KONG WILL. BE CLOSED FROM MARCH 2.
"IN AN EFFORT TO MAXIMISE THE UTILISATION OF ITS RESOURCES, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A REVIEW OF ITS BRANCH OFFICE STRATEGY. AS A RESULT, A NUMBER OF BRAN( H OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED AND RESOURCES REDEPLOYED TO OTHERS So THAT SERVICES IN GENERAL CAN BE IMPROVED,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THIS WJIJ, ALLOW L'S TO PROVIDE PEOPLE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HEADQUARTERS OR OTHER BRANCH OFFICES FOR OF PERSONS SERVICES.
\ BETTER
SEIM K E TO MORE
APPROACH
DOCUMENTS
THE IMMIGRATION
AND REGISTRATION
FOR MARRIAGE REGISTRATION SER\ l< E. THE PI'BI H MAY MAKE USE OF OTHER MARRIAGE REGISTRIES IN CENTRAL OR* SAI WAN Ho.
FOR ENQUIRIES, THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 82 1 6111.
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ***♦»»
SUPPLY OF FLUSHING WATER TO ALL PREMISES IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 27) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
IT WILL AFFECT SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, NGAU TAU KOK, JORDAN VALLEY, KOWLOON BAY, KWL'N TONG, LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING AND CHA KWO LING AND INCLUDING CHOI HUNG ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, PING SHEK ESTATE, SHUN LEE TSUEN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE AND SHUN CHI COURT.
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/18........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
TENDER DATE 25 FEB 92 25 FEB 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q209 Y287
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,946MN HKD 550MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500MN HKD 200MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 4.10 PCT 4.89 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 4.10 PCT 4.95 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO 100 PCT 50 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 4.22 PCT 5.01 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 2 MARCH 1992 -
TENDER DATE 3 MAR 92 3 MAR 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q210 H259
ISSUE DATE 4 MAR 92 4 MAR 92
MATURITY DATE 3 JUN 92 2 SEP 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKS500 + 100MN HK$200 + 60 MN
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/19 ........
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1992
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 24.2.92 EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 25.2.92 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING 600 -183 + 183
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX HONG EF BILLS THIS AFTERNOON 111.7 *-0. 1 * 25.2.92 KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT NEUTRAL BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 4.09 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.80 5. 83
1 MONTH 4.06 PCT 3 MONTHS 4.08 PCT 6 MONTHS 4.29 PCT 12 MONTHS 4.88 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99.39 5. 92
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 9,222 MN
CLOSED 25 FEBRUARY 199Z
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
—
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
CS ON PRESS FREEDOM ............................................ 1
GOVT COMMITTED TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: SHA ....................... 5
GOVT WELCOMES VIEWS ON LRT IMPROVEMENTS ....................
GOVT TO CONSIDER PRIVATISING KCR ............................... 9
ROLE OF GOVT APPOINTED DIRECTORS EXPLAINED .................... 10
APPOINTMENT OF AIRPORT AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN EXPLAINED ........... 12
CHEK LAP KOK CAPABLE OF HANDLING FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AIRCRAFT .. 12
EXPECTED WINDSHEAR INCIDENT AT CHEK LAP KOK WELL WITHIN INT'L OPERATION STANDARD ............................................ 13
DRUG AMENDMENT BILL TO COMPLY WITH BILL OF RIGHTS INTRODUCED .. 14
BILLS TO AMEND PREVENTION OF BRIBERY AND ICAC ORDINANCES INTRODUCED .................................................... 15
AMENDMENT OF ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES LAW TO MEET INT'L HUMAN RIGHTS LAW ........................................................... 16
PROPERTY SALE PROFITS CHARGEABLE TO TAX ....................... 17
MORE INFORMATION NEEDED ON SKY RAIL PROPOSAL ........•......... 18
NOISE ABSORBENT WORKS FOR WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR ............... 19
GOVT'S EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE USE OF PLASTIC ................... 19
MEASURES TO RELIEVE OLI OF FINANCIAL STRINGENCY ............... 20
SGO POSTS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SCHOOLS GRADUALLY .............. 21
GUIDELINES FOR POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT EXPLAINED ........... 23
HK GINI COEFFICIENT NOT HIGH BY INT'L STANDARD ................ 24
WIDE-RANGING SERVICES FOR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES .............. 25
CONCERTED EFFORTS TAKEN TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS ............... 26
COMPLAINTS ON WATER COOLING TOWERS ............................ 27
/COURTESY EMPHASISED
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COURTESY EMPHASISED IN POLICE TRAINING ............................... 28
LOW CRIME RATE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ............................. 29
. FEES TO BE CHARGED FOR VERBATIM REPORTS .............................. 29
ARRANGEMENT FOR CLEARANCE OF RENNIE'S MILL COTTAGE AREA .............. 30
NO DECISION ON FUNERAL PAVILION ON CHEUNG CHAU ....................... 31
TWO MOTIONS PASSED AFTER 5-HOUR DEBATES .............................. 31
REGULAR SINO-US TRADING STATUS GOOD FOR HK: GOVERNOR .................. 33
STI COMMENTS ON MFN VOTE .............................................. 34
NEW ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES ANNOUNCED ................................... 34
AWARENESS OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY STRESSED .............................. 37
IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT STRESSED ............................. 39
DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME CONSULTATION PAPER NOW AVAILABLE ............ 40
AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY PUBLIC INQUIRY ...................... 41
SPECIAL MEETING ON NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN ............................ 42
NEW DIRECTOR OF AUDIT APPOINTED........................................ 42
LAB ENDORSES BETTER PLAN TO HELP PNEUMOCONIOSIS SUFFERERS ............. 43
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 44
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 44
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 1 -
CS ON PRESS FREEDOM *****
FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM’S 1989 OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT THIS LEGISLATION SHOULD BE APPLIED TO HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOW ARRANGE FOR THIS TO BE DONE LATER IN THE YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN WINDING UP A MOTION DEBATE ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ASKED TO APPLY THE 1989 ACT TO HONG KONG BY AN ORDER IN COUNCIL AND HE EXPECTED THIS PROCESS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE 1989 OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT WAS A CONSIDERABLE ADVANCE ON ITS OUTDATED PREDECESSOR - THE 1911 OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT.
SIR DAVID SAID THE NEW ACT NARROWED THE SCOPE OF THE LAW TO THE MINIMUM NECESSARY FOR PROTECTING OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND IT ADDED THE IMPORTANT NEW NATIONAL INTEREST SAFEGUARD.
”1 HOPE MEMBERS WILL AGREE THAT THIS IS A PROGRESSIVE, IMPORTANT AND WELCOME DEVELOPMENT,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID SOME MEMBERS HAD EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE CONTINUED APPLICATION TO HONG KONG OF THE UNITED KINGDOM’S 1911 OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT AND THEY HAD POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 2 OF THIS ACT COVERED ALL OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND MADE IT AN OFFENCE TO DISCLOSE SUCH INFORMATION WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY.
”THE BROAD SCOPE OF SECTION 2 HAS BEEN A CAUSE FOR CONCERN BOTH HERE AND INDEED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THESE CONCERNS WERE ADDRESSED WHEN SECTION 2 WAS REPLACED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY A NEW PROVISION WHICH MUCH NARROWS THE SCOPE OF THE OFFENCE,” HE SAID.
THE 1989 OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT MAKES IT AN OFFENCE TO DISCLOSE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ONLY IN SIX SPECIFIC CATEGORIES.
THESE ARE:
(I) SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE;
(II) DEFENCE;
(III) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS;
(IV) FOREIGN CONFIDENCES;
(V) INFORMATION WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME; AND
(VI) SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNDER A STATUTORY WARRANT,
/HE POINTED .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
2
HE POINTED OUT THAT AN ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARD WAS INTRODUCED WHICH SPECIFIED THAT REVEALING SUCH INFORMATION IN MOST OF THESE SPECIFIC AREAS WAS ONLY AN OFFENCE IF THE DISCLOSURE COULD BE DEMONSTRATED TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGING TO THE NATIONAL INTEREST.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO SAID SOME MEMBERS HAD SAID THAT RATHER THAN APPLYING THE UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION DIRECTLY TO HONG KONG, THEY WOULD PREFER TO SEE THE 1911 ACT REPLACED BY LOCALLY ENACTED LAWS.
"I UNDERSTAND THIS ARGUMENT, BUT WE IN THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE TAKEN THE VIEW THAT THIS IMPORTANT ADVANCE SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED.
"IT WOULD TAKE FAR LONGER CLEARLY TO ENACT LOCAL LEGISLATION AND I CAN SEE NO GOOD REASON TO DELAY ACTION WHEN WE HAVE A READY-MADE PROVISION WHICH IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE PRESENT LAW," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN RELATION TO PRESS FREEDOM, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID LEGISLATION DEALING WITH PRESS FREEDOM HAD TO BE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE RIGHT TO PUBLISH FREELY ON THE ONE HAND AND THE NEED TO PROTECT PRIVACY, PUBLIC ORDER AND PUBLIC MORALS ON THE OTHER.
"OUR TRADITIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION HAS BEEN ENSHRINED IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS. BUT ARTICLE 16 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THIS FREEDOM MAY BE BALANCED BY LAWS DESIGNED TO PROTECT OTHER PEOPLE’S RIGHTS, OR TO PROTECT PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY OR PUBLIC MORALS," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY BELIEVED THAT THE RIGHT BALANCE IN BOTH THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW HAI) BEEN ACHIEVED AND THAT THE PROOF OF THIS STATEMENT WAS THE ROBUST, VARIED, INFORMED AND CRITICAL, MEDIA WHICH HAD BECOME SO MUCH A PART OF OUR LIFE IN HONG KONG.
HE NOTED THAT MS EMILY LAU AND OTHERS HAD ARGUED THAT CERTAIN EXISTING LEGISLATION RESTRICTED PRESS FREEDOM AND THAT THESE PROVISIONS WERE IN BREACH OF ARTICLE 16 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
SIR DAVID SAID MS LAU HAD MADE MUCH OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS ORDINANCE AND THAT SHE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THE FACT THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS ENABLED MEASURES TO BE TAKEN DEROGATING FROM THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
"IN THE WORDS OF THE BILL THESE MEASURES ARE LIMITED TO THE ’EXTENT STRICTLY REQUIRED BY THE EXIGENCIES OF THE SITUATION’ AND SHALL BE TAKEN 'IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW’.
"THE BILL GOES ON TO SAY THAT NO MEASURE SHALL BE TAKEN THAT’S UNDER THE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS THAT FIRSTLY ’IS INCONSISTENT WITH ANY OBLIGATION UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW THAT APPLIES TO HONG KONG’ OR SECONDLY ’INVOLVES DISCRIMINATION SOLELY ON GROUNDS OF RACE, COLOUR, SEX, LANGUAGE, RELIGION OR SOCIAL ORIGIN’; OR THIRDLY, ’DEROGATES FROM ARTICLES 2, 3, 4(1) AND (2), 7, 12, 13 AND 15’.
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
3
SIR DAVID SAID THE BILL CLEARLY DID ALLOW FOR DEROGATIONS TO BE MADE FROM ARTICLE 16 IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
"I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TWO POINTS. FIRSTLY, WE BELIEVE THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD WISH THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE THE NECESSARY POWER TO DEAL WITH AN EMERGENCY SITUATION FORMALLY DECLARED BY THE GOVERNOR, PROVIDED THE POWERS USED DO NOT IN ANY WAY CONTRAVENE THOSE LIMITATIONS LAID DOWN IN THE B1L1 .
"AND THE SECOND POINT IS THAT DESPITE MS LAU’S IMPASSIONED ASSERTION THAT PARTS OF THE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS ARE IN BREACH OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THEY ARE BOTH WITHIN THE SPIRIT AND LETTER OF THE BILL," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS ADVISED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND HIS TEAM THAT THE LAWS IDENTIFIED BY MS LAU AND OTHERS WERE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH ARTICLE 16 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
"WE SHALL STUDY FURTHER THE ARGUMENTS PRESENTED BY HONOURABLE MEMBERS IN THE DEBATE TODAY. BUT, 1 WOULD NOT WISH 'TO LEAVE MEMBERS IN ANY DOUBT AS TO OUR VIEW WHICH IS THAT THESE LAWS ARE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND, NOR DO THEY INFRINGE PRESS FREEDOMS.
"THE POINT HAS BEEN MADE AND WE \GREE WITH IT," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT ULTIMATELY, IT WAS ONLY THE VIEW OF THE COURTS WHICH COUNTED.
"SOME EXISTING LAWS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED IN THE COURTS ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY ARE AT ODDS WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS - FOR EXAMPLE, CERTAIN PRESUMPTIONS IN THE LAW DEALING WITH DRUGS. BUT IN A SOCIETY GOVERNED BY THE RULE OF LAW, THIS IS AN ENTIRELY NATURAL PROCESS," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO DIFFICULTY WITH THIS MOTION AND THE ADMINISTRATION WAS COMMITTED TO DEFENDING THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S JUDGEMENT WAS THAT NONE OF THE LAWS MENTIONED BREACHED ARTICLE 16 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
AND FOR THAT REASON THE THREE OFFICIALS THEREFORE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF THIS MOTION.
ON THE PROPOSED FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT POSITION WAS THAT THE CASE FOR SUCH A LAW HAD NOT BEEN PROVEN.
HE NOTED THAT THE BILL PREPARED BY ’JUSTICE’, THE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AND OTHERS HAI) BEEN PRESENTED TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND IT WAS BEING CAREFULLY STUDIED.
/"BUT I .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
4
"BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE FAR FROM CONVINCED THAT A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE IS THE BEST WAY FOR HONG KONG TO PROCEED.
"THE BENEFITS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM SUCH A LAW WOULD NOT, IN OUR VIEW, BE COMMENSURATE WITH THE COSTS WHICH ALL AGREE ARE LIKELY TO BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL.
"AND WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED TO AVOID THE CREATION OF A NEW LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY WHICH IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS MIGHT DO LITTLE TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY’S ACCESS TO INFORMATION," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED IT HAD A DUTY TO EXPLAIN ITS DECISION AND ITS POLICIES TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND IT MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AT ALL LEVELS OF THE HONG KONG’S SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"I BELIEVE WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE AND THAT WE ARE AN OPEN ADMINISTRATION.
"BUT I ACCEPT THAT THERE IS SCOPE FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN OUR SYSTEMS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY. I AM NOT HOWEVER, CONVINCED, THAT A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE STEP FOR HONG KONG," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS SIR DAVID SAW WITH SUCH A LEGISLATION WAS THAT, PARADOXICALLY, RATHER THAN MAKING MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, IT MIGHT RESULT IN LESS BEING MADE AVAILABLE.
"IN SOME COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE ALREADY SUCH AN ACT, THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPARATUS HAS CREATED A GREAT RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO PUT THEIR VIEWS AND ADVICE ON PAPER.
"THIS WOULD CLEARLY BE AN UNHEALTHY DEVELOPMENT, AND ONE WHICH WOULD NOT BE CONDUCIVE TO GOOD, OR INDEED, OPEN GOVERNMENT HERE.
"THERE IS A BALANCE TO BE STRUCK AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT ACCEPTING PROPOSALS WHICH SUPERFICIALLY LOOK LIKE A STEP FORWARD BUT WHICH MIGHT IN PRACTICE BE RETROGRADE.
"SO I WOULD REITERATE THAT WE REMAIN UNCONVINCED THAT THE ENACTMENT OF A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE IS THE RIGHT STEP FOR HONG KONG," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 5 -
GOVT COMMITTED TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: SHA
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN COMMITTED TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT CHARTER FOR YOUTH, MR SUEN SAID THIS CAN BE DEMONSTRATED BY THE RANGE OF POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES WHICH "COLLECTIVELY PROMOTE THE INTEREST AND WELL-BEING OF OUR YOUTH."
THESE COVER POLICIES ON EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, SECURITY, RECREATION AND CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHICH PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO YOUTH’S HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT.
"SUCH POLICIES HAVE ALSO EVOLVED IN BREADTH AND DEPTH TO KEEP IN PACE WITH THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR YOUTH," HE ADDED.
AFTER ALL, MR SUEN SAID, IT HAD LONG RECOGNISED THAT PEOPLE IN THE 10-29 AGE GROUP WHICH CONSTITUTED A THIRD OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL POPULATION "ARF OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET: AN ASSET TO BE TREASURED AND RESPECTED; FOR TODAY’S YOUTH WILL BE TOMORROW’S LEADERS, OPINION MAKERS AND WORKFORCE."
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR SUEN IS CONFIDENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE LITTLE PROBLEM IN ADOPTING PRINCIPLES ENUNICATED BY THE DRAFT CHARTER FOR YOUTH AND IN CONDUCTING REVIEW OF ITS POLICIES AFFECTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SO AS TO ENSURE THAI THEY ARE COMPREHENSIVE IN MEETING THOSE AIMS.
MR SUEN SAID A SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH LAST YEAR REVEALED THAT THEY ASPIRF FOR BETTER EDUCATION VND BELIEVF THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD STI DY HARD, WORK HARD, LI ARN MORE LANGUAGES AND RECEIVE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
THE MAJORITY, HF SAID, PERCEIVED THEMSELVES AS ENJOYING GOOD RELATIONS WITH THEIR PARENTS.
ALTHOUGH THESE WERE ALL POSITI\I ATTRIBUTES WHICH WOULD SERVE OUR YOUTH WELL. MR SUEN SAID THERE WAS, NEVERTHELESS, INCREASING CONCERN ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR GROW I NG IP IN A MORE COMPLEX SOCIETY WHERE TRADITIONAL VALUES AND WESTERN INFLUENCE INTERPLAY.
IN THIS CONTEXT, MR SUEN OBSERVED, QUESTIONS WERE BEING ASKED ON HOW BEST TO EQUIP THEM TO DEVELOP INTO MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS. FOR THIS REASON, A CHARTER WHICH PROVIDED GUIDANCE FOR THE YOUTH AND ALL OTHER SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITV WAS "INDEED TIMELV
IN RESPONSE TO SOME MEMBERS’ CALL FOR THE INSTITUTION OF a YOUTH POLICY, MR SUEN EXPLAINED THAT THIS HAD BEEN CONSIDERED BEFORE.
"ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT HAVE AN EXPLICIT STATEMENT INDER THE LABEL OF YOUTH POLICY, THE REALITY IS THAI POLK IES RELATING TO YOUTH AND THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE IP WELL-BEING ARE BEING VIGOROUSLY IMPLEMENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED AGENCIES.
/"A SPECIFIC .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
6
"A SPECIFIC POLICY ON TOP OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM CREATES DUPLICATION OF WORK AND THIS MAY NOT RESULT IN THE BEST DEPLOYMENT OF OUR RESOURCES AT A TIME WHEN THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MUST BE CONTAINED.
’’FURTHERMORE, WE DO NOT THINK THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO DEVISE A POLICY SPECIFICALLY FOR A PARTICULAR AGE GROUP BECAUSE CERTAIN RIGHTS AND PROTECTION APPLY EQUALLY TO THE YOUNG AS WELL AS ALL OTHER MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY,” MR SUEN EXPLAINED.
TURNING BOTH TO THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH AND THE DRAFT CHARTER, MR SUEN RECALLED THAT THIS COMMITMENT WAS REAFFIRMED BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER 1989.
SUBSEQUENTLY, THE COMMISSION, AFTER ALMOST TWO YEARS OF HARD WORK, HAS NOW DEVELOPED A DRAFT CHARTER WHICH SETS OUT THE PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
IN ITS CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, MR SUEN SAID, THE COMMISSION HAD INDICATED THAT IT EXPECTS THE CHARTER TO SERVE AS A FOCAL POINT AND FACILITATE BOTH POLICY-MAKERS AND DELIVERY AGENTS TO PLAN AND ORGANISE YOUTH ACTIVITIES.
’’THIS DOCUMENT IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS THE FIRST-EVER LOCALLY DEVELOPED CHARTER DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR HONG KONG CIRCUMSTANCES, ’ HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR SUEN EMPHASISED THAT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WAS A MULTI-FACETTED SUBJECT WHICH COULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ONE SINGLE PARTY.
THE COMMISSION HAD THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT THE CHARTER WOULD OPERATE ON A SYSTEM OF VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION AM) THAT BIENNIAL REVIEWS WOULD BE ORGANISED TO ASSESS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS.
’’THE COMMISSION’S SUGGESTION ON REVIEWS WITH WIDE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REINFORCES THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION IN PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF YOUTH,” MR SUEN SAID.
AS MUCH DISCUSSION AMONG THOSE INVOLVED IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT HAD ALREADY BEEN GENERATED, MR SUEN HOPED THAT MORE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WILL BE RECEIVED DURING THE REMAINING TWO MONTHS OF THE CONSULTATION.
MR SUEN BRIEFLY EXPLAINED THE GOVERNMENT’S EXISTING POSITION COVERING THE FAMILY, EDUCATION, PROTECTION AGAINST ABUSES, PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, VOTING AGE, YOUTH SUICIDES AND TRIADS IN SCHOOLS.
ON FAMILY ASPECT, MR SUEN SAID FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE AND HOW IT COULD BE SUSTAINED.
THE MAIN TARGET GROUPS, HE SAID, WOULD BE ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS.
/ON YOUTH........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
7
ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, MR SUEN SAID THE DRAFT CHARTER "HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO PROMOTE YOUTH’S CIVIC KNOWLEDGE AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO AFFORD YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN DECISIONS WHICH AFFECT THEIR LIVES. "
"OUR COMMUNITY' BUILDING STRATEGY AIMS TO PROMOTE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE A SENSE OF BELONGING AND MUTUAL (ARE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO VOTING AGE, MR SUEN SAID THE MATTER WAS BEING EXAMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT. HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE VIEWS THEY HAD EXPRESSED IN THAT REGARD WOULD BE GIVEN FULL WEIGHT BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
IN CONCLUSION, MR SUEN ONCE AGAIN TURNED TO THE DRAFT CHARTER AND SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE BEST MEANS BY WHICH IT COULD FURTHER AFFIRM ITS SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
-----0------
GOVT WELCOMES VIEWS ON LRT IMPROVEMENTS
******
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) WOULD TAKE THE CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SERVICES FULLY INTO ACCOUNT IN PLANNING FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON LRT SERVICES, MR LEUNG SAID THE KCRC HAD ALREADY ESTABLISHED A GOOD TRACK RECORD IN DELIVERING A SAFE, RELIABLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE SERVICE.
SINCE COMMISSIONING IN 1988, THE LRT HAD CARRIED A TOTAL OF 277 MILLION PASSENGERS OVER 18 MILLION KILOMETRES UP TO THE END OF LAST YEAR .
THE DAILY PATRONAGE HAD GROWN FROM 180,000 TO 262,000 AND WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 300,000 IN 1993.
"ITS INCREASING POPlLARITY HAS BROUGHT ABOUT PEAK HOUR CONGESTION, PARTICULARLY ALONG YUEN LONG MAIN ROAD," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE CORPORATION HAD TAKEN MEASURES TO RELIEVE CONGESTION, PARTICULARLY DURING THE PEAK PERIODS, AND TO IMPROVE PASSENGER SAFETY.
THESE INCLUDED EXTENDING A SUPPLEMENTARY BUS ROUTE A59 TO LEUNG KING AREA; ADDING ANOTHER SUPPLEMENTARY ROUTE A58 BETWEEN KIN SANG AND FERRY PIER IN JANUARY; FLEXIBLE DEPLOVMENT OF FIVE COUPLED LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES TO MEET PASSENGER DEMANDS AND PROVIDING PLATFORM ASSISTANTS AT BUSY PLATFORMS DURING THE MORNING PEAK TO SPEED UP BOARDING AND ALIGHTING.
/"IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 8 -
"IN ADDITION, KCR< HAS ORDERED 30 NEW VEHICLES AT A COST ■ >F $388 MILLION FOR DELIVERY FROM LATE 1992, THEREBY ADDING OVER 40 PER ENT TO ITS EXISTING CARRYING CAPACITY.
"AS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION, CONSTRUCTION OF THE LONG PING LINK lb BEING ACTIVELY PURSUED BY THE KCRC," HE SAID.
REGARDING COMMENTS ON LR'1 FARES, MR LEUNG SAID THE CURRENT AVERAGE FARE WAS $2.1 PER TRIP. THIS COULD BE TRANSLATED INTO AN AVERAGE FARE PER PASSENGER KILOMETRE OF $0.39.
"THIS COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH AN AVERAGE FARE PER PASSENGER KILOMETRE OF $0.48 - $0.72 FOR AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES PROVIDED BA KMB, AND $0.56 - $0.69 FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES RUNNING BETWEEN TL'EN MUN AND YUEN LONG."
MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT K< RC ’ S Al TONOMY I’o SET FARES WAS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR CONDUCIVE TO ITS ABILITY To BORROW MONEY FOR SERVICE EXPANSIONS AND IMPROVEMENT.
"ANY UNDUE I NTERFERENl I- WITH THE CORPORATION’S FINANCIAL AUTONOMY TO SET FARES IS LIKELY TO AFFECT ADVERSELY I' S CREDl’I RATINGS, INCREASE BORROWING COSTS AND UNDERMINE ITS ABILITY TO OPERATF AND DEVELOP WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.
"HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF HIGH UPFRONT INVESTMENT AND TO AVOID UNACCEPTABLY HIGH-FARE INCREASES, THE KCRC DOES NOT EXPECT TO ACHIEVE ■■ RETURN ON INVESTMENT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING DECADE," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A MISCONCEPTION THAI LRT WAS BEING SUBSIDISED BY DOMESTIC TRAFFIC Al.O'.< THE KCR LINE.
"THIS IS NOT CORRECT. THE LRT IS BEING SUBSIDISED BY OTHER KCRC BUSINESSES MAINLY BY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS AND FREIGHT TRAFFIC."
REGARDING SAFETY, MR LEUNG SAID OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE LRT SAFETY RECORDS HAD CONTINUED TO IMPROVE, WITH THE NUMBER >F ACCIDENTS DROPPING FROM 33 IN 1989 TO 21 LAST YEAR.
"OF ALL THE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ROAD-BASED PUBLIC TRANSPORT, ONLY 0.6 PER CENT WERE RELATED TO THE LRT. THIS RATE IS THE LOWEST AMONG ALL ROAD-BASED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THERE HAD BEEN CALLS TO OPEN UP THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA (TSA1 TO OTHER TRANSPORT MODES.
"1 WISH TO POINT OUT THAT WITHIN THE TSA, THE LRT ALREADY FACES COMPETITION FROM PUB1It LIGHT BUSES, RESIDENTIAL COACHES, 'ND TAX!S. THERE ARE ALSO EXTERNAL BUS ROUTES CONNECTING THE TSA AND THE URBAN AREAS.
"THE LRT ENJOYS NO MORE PROTECTION THAN A FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE.
/"NEVERTHELESS, IN .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
"NEVERTHELESS, IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC SUGGESTIONS, THE CORPORATION IS NOW REVIEWING THE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE TSA AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE LRT SYSTEM, AND HOPES TO HAVE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE SAID.
ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, MR LEUNG SAID THREE LRT REGIONAL EXTENSIONS IN TUEN MUN WERE PUT INTO SERVICES IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AND EARLY THIS MONTH TO MEET THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC DEMAND IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
"THE TIN SHUI WAI LINK IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT A COST OF $150 MILLION. ITS COMMISSIONING EARLY NEXT YEAR WILL ADD ANOTHER 2.7 KM TO THE LRT SYSTEM.
"IN THE LONGER TERM, THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING A RAILWAY LINKING THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WITH THE URBAN AREAS IS BEING CONSIDERED AS PART OF GOVERNMENT’S RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY NOW IN PROGRESS. ITS FINDINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
MR LEUNG SAID THE CORPORATION HAD RECENTLY EMPHASISED ITS CORE : VALUES OF A CUSTOMER-ORIENTED SERVICE BASED ON QUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH PASSENGERS AND THE COMMUNITY.
"I AM SURE THAT THE CORPORATION WILL CONTINUE TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGE OF MEETING THE EVER INCREASING CUSTOMER DEMANDS AND EXPECTATIONS IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
GOVT TO CONSIDER PRIVATISING KCR ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING AT PRESENT THE POSSIBILITY OF PRIVATISING ONLY THE KOWLOON CANTON RAILWAY (KCRCI, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR YEUNG KAI-YIN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI KWOK-PO, MR YEUNG SAID A GREAT DEAL OF WORK WOULD NEED TO BE DONE BEFORE ANY DECISION COULD BE TAKEN.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY, FOR EXAMPLE, TO CONSIDER HOW AND TO WHAT EXTENT THE BUSINESS OF THE KCRC MIGHT BE REGULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT, SO THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST MIGHT BE SAFEGUARDED.
HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD ALSO BE NECESSARY TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES.
ONLY WHEN ALL THESE COMPLEX POLICY ISSUES HAVE BEEN FULLY CONSIDERED WOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE TN A POSITION TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO TAKE THE ACTUAL STEPS LEADING TO PRIVATISATION.
/FOR EXAMPLE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
10
FOR EXAMPLE, RE-WRITING THE KCRC ORDINANCE, VALUATION OF THE KCRC'S ASSETS AND FUTURE BUSINESS AND PRIVATE PLACEMENT VERSUS PUBLIC PLACEMENT.
IN DEFINING THE TERM "PRIVATISATION", MR YEUNG EXPLAINED THAT IT DID NOT MEAN THE CONTRACTING OUT, BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, OF THE OPERATION OF SUCH UNDERTAKINGS AS CARPARKS, ABATTOIRS AND ROAD TUNNELS.
"THE CONTRACTING OUT OF THESE UNDERTAKINGS INVOLVES NO CHANGE
IN’OWNERSHIP OF THE ASSETS, WHICH IS WHAT PRIVATISATION INVOLVES.
"NOR DOES THE TERM INCLUDE CORPORATISATION," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID NORMALLY, A GOVERNMENT-OWNED UNDERTAKING WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR PRIVATISATION ONLY IN THOSE CASES WHERE THE UNDERTAKING HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE FORM OF A COMPANY OR CORPORATION, AND WAS ESSENTIALLY A BUSINESS.
- - 0 - -
ROLE OF GOVT APPOINTED DIRECTORS EXPLAINED
*****
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT APPOINTED DIRECTORS TO THE PUBLIC/ PRIVATE COMPANIES AND STATUTORY CORPORATIONS IS TO REPRESENT THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INTERESTS AND TO PROVIDE A READY MEANS WHEREBY GOVERNMENT POLICIES CAN BE COMMUNICATED EFFECTIVELY TO THE COMPANY OR THE CORPORATION.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN K.L. POON AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
• SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT SOME OE’ THE ORDINANCES PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS, SUCH AS THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE (CAP 230) AND THE FERRY SERVICES ORDINANCE (CAP 104), HAD EXPRESS PROVISIONS REQUIRING THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED DIRECTORS TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC IN PRIORITY TO THOSE OF THE COMPANY AS A WHOLE.
"SUCH PROVISIONS, WHERE AVAILABLE, PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PROTECTION TO THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS AGAINST CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
"WHEN SUCH EXPRESS PROVISIONS ARE ABSENT, THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED DIRECTORS ARE GIVEN GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS ON THEIR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE BOARDS AND THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW SHOULD THERE BE A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST - DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY SHOULD DECLARE AN INTEREST AND/OR REFRAIN FROM VOTING AND, IF IN ANY DOUBT, SEEK ADVICE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS," SIR DAVID SAID.
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
11
HE POINTED OUT THAT GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS WERE APPOINTED TO PUBLIC/PRIVATE COMPANIES AND STATUTORY CORPORATIONS ONLY WHERE THERE WERE STRONG JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THEIR PRESENCE ON THE BOARDS TO REPRESENT THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INTERESTS.
”IT IS INTENDED THAT SUCH APPOINTMENTS SHOULD, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, BE PROVIDED FOR BY STATUTE WITH EXPRESS PROVISIONS DEFINING THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR POSITION ON THE BOARD IS PROPERLY SAFEGUARDED.
’’WHERE SUCH PROVISIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESENT, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO AMENDING THE LAW TO INCLUDE THEM WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES, SUCH AS WHEN THE RELEVANT ORDINANCE IS NEXT AMENDED,’’ HE ADDED.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PUBLIC/PRIVATE COMPANIES AND STATUTORY CORPORATIONS WITH GOVERNMENT APPOINTED DIRECTORS ON THEIR BOARDS:
PUBLIC/PRIVATE COMPANIES
1. CHINA MOTOR BUS CO. LTD.
2. CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE CO. LTD.
3. HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINAL LTD.
4 . HONG KONG BUILDING & LOAN AGENCY LTD.
5. HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION CO. LTD.
6. HONG KONG IPM MANPOWER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
7. HONG KONG NUCLEAR INVESTMENT CO. LTD.
8. HONG KONG PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE CO. LTD.
9. HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY
10. HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL LTD.
11. HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO. LTD.
12. HONG KONG & YAUMATI FERRY CO. LTD.
13. KOWLOON MOTOR BUS CO. (1933) LTD.
14. TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL CO. LTD.
15. NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL CO. LTD.
16. NEW LANTAO BUS CO. (1973) LTD.
17. . PRODUCTIVE HEAT TREATMENT CO. LTD.
18. PROVISIONAL HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE CO. LTD.
19. STAR FERRY CO. LTD.
STATUTORY CORPORATIONS
1. HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
2. HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION
3. LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
4. MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION
5. OCEAN PARK CORPORATION
------0-------
/12........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 12 -
APPOINTMENT OF AIRPORT AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN EXPLAINED
*****
IT WAS NOT PROPOSED TO CONSIDER FOR APPOINTMENT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY ANY PERSON WHO HAD A MAJOR AND DIRECT BUSINESS INTEREST IN THE NEW AIRPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO ESTABLISH ANY HARD AND FAST FUIES SUCH AS ELIMINATING FROM CONSIDERATION ANY PERSON WHO HAD AN _.\TEREST, HOWEVER REMOTE AND MINOR, IN THE NEW AIRPORT," MRS CHAN SAID IN A. REPLY TO A WRITTEN QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO CONSIDER THE EXTENT AND SIGNIFICANCE ANY INVOLVEMENT AND WHETHER SUCH INVOLVEMENT CREATES ANY REAL AND UNRESOLVABLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST," SHE ADDED.
------0 - -
CHEK LAP KOK CAPABLE OF HANDLING FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AIRCRAFT *****
CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT IS BEING PLANNED AS AN AIRPORT FOR THE FUTURE WHICH WILL BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AIRCRAFT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BEING AN OPERATIONALLY SAFE, EFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, IN A REPLY TO A WRITTEN QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT ON THE BASIS OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT KNEW AT PRESENT ABOUT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS OF THE SECOND GENERATION SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT, IT WAS LIKELY THAT THESE AIRCRAFT WOULD BE POWERED BY ENGINES WHOSE NOISE EMISSIONS WOULD BE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE NOISE STANDARDS CURRENTLY SET BY THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION.
"FOR SUCH AIRCRAFT TO BE A COMMERCIALLY VIABLE PROPOSITION, THE MANUFACTURERS WILL, NO DOUBT, HAVE CONSIDERABLE INCENTIVE TO MAKE THEM ENVIRONMENTALLY AND OPERATIONALLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE WORLD’S MAJOR AIRPORTS, OF WHICH CHEK LAP KOK WILL BE ONE.
"FOR THESE REASONS, THE NOISE GENERATED ON LANDING AND TAKE-OFF BY SUCH AIRCRAFT IS EXPECTED TO BE SIMILAR TO THAT GENERATED BY THE MOST MODERN SUBSONIC AIRCRAFT SUCH AS THE BOEING 747-400, MD-11 AND AIRBUS 320 CURRENTLY FLYING INTO HONG KONG.
"NO SPECIAL STEPS ARE ENVISAGED TO BE NEEDED TO MAKE THEM COMPATIBLE WITH CHEK LAP KOK," MRS CHAN ADDED.
- - 0-----------
/13........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 13 -
EXPECTED WINDSHEAR INCIDENT AT CHEK LAP KOK WELL WITHIN INT’L OPERATION STANDARD *****
WHILE WINDSHEAR WILL OCCUR AT CHEK LAP KOK IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, ITS EXPECTED INCIDENCE IS WELL WITHIN ALL ACCEPTED NORMAL STANDARDS FOR THE OPERATION OF AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"WINDSHEAR, A CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION AND/OR WIND SPEED OVER A GIVEN DISTANCE, IS AN OCCASIONAL OCCURENCE USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH WEATHER PHENOMENA LIKE THUNDERSTORMS, MRS CHAN SAID IN A REPLY TO A WRITTEN QUESTION BI THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAT-YIP.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED AT CHEK LAP KOK WINDSHEAR WOULD OCCUR BUT ITS DURATION WAS LIKELY TO BE SHORT (A MATTER OF MINUTES) AND DISRUPTION TO AIR TRAFFIC WOULD BE ONLY MINOR.
"THE NEW AIRPORT MAY ALSO BE AFFECTED ON RARE OCCASIONS BY ’LEE WAVE’ WINDSHEAR WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE TOPOGRAPHY OF CHEK LAP KOK ISLAND AND THE HIGH LAND IMMEDIATELY TO THE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT.
"IN THE CASE OF THIS TYPE OF WINDSHEAR, DISRUPTION TO AIRPORT MOVEMENTS IS LIKELY TO LAST SLIGHTLY LONGER.
"EXTENSIVE TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT SUCH INTERRUPTIONS WILL NOT EXCEED 0.5% OF THE AIRPORT OPERATION TIME IN TOTAL, A FIGURE WELL WITHIN INTERNATIONAL!. Y-ACCEPTED GUIDELINES," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID MOST WINDSHEAR CONDITIONS CAUSED NO THREAT TO THE OPERATION OF THE TYPE OF LARGE PASSENGER AIRCRAFT WHICH WOULD BE USING THE NEW AIRPORT.
"IN SEVERE CONDITIONS, HOWEVER, AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS WOULD BF SUBJECT TO DELAY UNTIL CONDITIONS HAD IMPROVED," SHE ADDED.
MRS (HAN SAID TO ENHANCE Illi'. SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S MASTER PLAN CONSULTANTS HAD RECOMMENDED THAI A SYSTEM SHOl i.D BF INSTALLED TO DETECT WINDSHEAR CONDITIONS AND ALERT PILOTS TO THE PRESENCE OF WINDSHEAR AND ITS SEVERITY.
"PILOTS CAN THEN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH THE INTENDED OPERATION, OR TO TAKE ACTION TO AVOID THE WINDSHEAR.
"THE COST OF THE SYSTEM RECOMMENDED BY' THE MASTER PLAN CONSULTANTS IS APPROXIMATELY HK$63 MILLION. TH IS INCLUDES THE COST OF FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND SYSTEM DESIGN WORK AS WELL AS EQUIPMENT COST," MRS CHAN SAID.
- - 0----------
ZU .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
DRUG AMENDMENT BILL TO COMPLY WITH BILL OF RIGHTS INTRODUCED
A BILL WHICH SOUGHT TO AMEND THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE TO ENSURE ITS COMPLIANCE WITH THE RILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING (NO. 2) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY EXPLAINED THAT THE ORDINANCE HAD APPEAL COURT RULING IN SEPTEMBER
OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, BEEN REVIEWED IN RESPONSE TO AN LAST YEAR.
THE COURT OF APPEAL RULED THAT SOME PRESUMPTIONS IN SECTIONS 46 AND 47 WERE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BI 1.1. OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE AND, IN CONSEQUENCE, HAD BEEN REPEALED.
SECTION 46 OF THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT ANY PERSON FOUND IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF A DANGEROUS DRUG IS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN IN POSSESSION OF THE DRUG FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING.
SECTION 47 OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES PRESUMPTIONS OF POSSESSION AND KNOWLEDGE OF DANGEROUS DRUGS UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIED CONDITIONS.
WHILE ENSURING THAT THE ORDINANCE COMPLIED WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAINTAIN ITS ABILITY TO BRING SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS FOR DRUG OFFENCES.
"THE BILL PROPOSES TO DELETE' OR AMEND PROVISIONS WHICH WERE RULED TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, AND TO DELETE OR AMEND OTHER PROVISIONS WHICH MAA BE VULNERABLE TO SIMILAR CHALLENGES," HE SAID.
SPECIFICALLY, THE BILL SEEKS:
t TO REMOVE THE SEPARATE OFFENCE OF POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS FOR THE PURPOSES 0! UNLAWFUL TRAFFICKING AND TO INCLUDE IT AS A TRAFFICKING OFFENCE;
* TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION OFFENCES ON INDICTMENT TO SEVEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND V FINE OF SI MILLION;
* TO AMEND AND REPEAL INCOMPATIBLE PRESUMPTIONS CONCERNING MANUFACTURING, PRESCRIBED MINIMUM AMOUNTS AND DIVANS; AND
* TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PRESUMPTION CONCERNING POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 15 -
BILLS TO AMEND PREVENTION OF BRIBERY AND ICAC ORDINANCES INTRODUCED
TWO BILLS WHICH SOUGHT TO AMEND THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ORDINANCES WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), FOLLOWING A REVIEW TO IDENTIFY THOSE PROVISIONS THAT WERE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN RECOMMENDING LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS IN RESPONSE TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, IT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS LEGISLATION WAS AN ENTIRELY NEW AREA OF LAW FOR HONG KONG AND A LOCAL JURISPRUDENCE WAS ONLY JUST BEGINNING TO DEVELOP.
"A CAUTIOUS APPROACH IS JUSTIFIED AT THIS STAGE," MR MATHEWS SAID.
IN LINE WITH THIS APPROACH, HE SAID THE AMENDING BILLS WOULD EITHER REPEAL OR AMEND ALL PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE WHICH WERE ALMOST CERTAINLY INCONSISTENT hl TH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
’’THE POSSIBILITY CANNOT BE RULED OUT. NEVERTHELESS, THAT OTHER PROVISIONS MAX STILL BE AT RISK OF BEING CHALLENGED AS BEING INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS. SUCH CHALLENGES SHOULD BE LEFT FOR THE COURTS O' DIJ IDE UPON II- THEY \RE MADE," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THi COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WAS SATISFIED THAT THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN THE TWO BILLS WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ADVERSE EFFECT UPON THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMMISSION.
ON THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERS AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, HE SAID CLAUSE 2 WOULD PEPE XI. THOSE PARTS o|- SECTION 16 01- Till- PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH ENXBIED \N INVESTIGATING OFFICER TO DETAIN ANY PERSON FOUND IN AN OFFICE, REGISTRY OR OTHER ROOM USED BY A PUBLIC BODY, WHICH THE OFFICER WAS EMPOWERED TO SEARCH.
CLAUSE 3 SOUGHT TO REPEAL THOSE PARTS OF SECTION 17 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH EMPOWERED AN INVESTIGATING OFFICER TO DETAIN ANX PERSON FOUND TN THE PREMISES OR PLACE WHICH UE ENTERED AND SEAR( HED KI I’H \ WARRXN I .
CLAUSE 5 SOUGHT TO REPEAL SECTION 18 WHICH PRESENTLY. ENABLED A MAGISTRATE TO ISSUE A WARRANT FOR THE APPREHENSION AND ADMISSION TO BAIL OF X PERSON WHO WAS THF SUBJECT OF \N INVESTIGATION AND WHO WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE HONG RONG. X CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT TO 17t(3) WOULD BE EFFECTED BA • I JSE I .
/CLAUSE 6 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
16
CLAUSE 6 SOUGHT TO AMEND SECTION 30 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE SO THAT IT WOULD NO LONGER BE AN OFFENCE TO DISCLOSE THE IDENTITY OF A PERSON WHO WAS THE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION OR THE DETAILS OF THAT INVESTIGATION AFTER THAT PERSON HAD BEEN ARRESTED.
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE SUGGESTION THAT THE PROHIBITION ON PRE-ARREST DISCLOSURE SHOULD ALSO BE REMOVED.
"WE BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THAT THERE ARE GOOD REASONS FOR THIS PROHIBITION TO REMAIN.
"FIRSTLY, GIVEN THE SENSITIVE NATURE OF INVESTIGATIONS OF CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS, PREMATURE DISCLOSURE CAN COMPROMISE THE ENTIRE INVESTIGATION PROCESS.
"SECONDLY, THE REPUTATION OF THE PERSON UNDER INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE PROTECTED, PARTICULARLY IN CASES WHERE NO CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE SUBSEQUENTLY BROUGHT," SAID MR MATHEWS.
ON THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, CLAUSE 2 WOULD REPEAL THOSE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 10C OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH PRESENTLY ENABLED AN OFFICER AUTHORISED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION TO DETAIN ANY PERSON FOUND IN THE PREMISES OR PLACE WHICH HE WAS EMPOWERED TO SEARCH.
CLAUSE 3 WOULD REPEAL THAT PART OF SECTION 13 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH EMPOWERED THE COMMISSIONER TO REQUIRE ANY PERSON TO PROVIDE HIM WITH ANY INFORMATION WHICH HE CONSIDERED NECESSARY.
DEBATES ON THE TWO BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
AMENDMENT OF ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES LAW TO MEET INT’L HUMAN RIGHTS LAW ******
A BILL SEEKING TO AMEND THE ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) ORDINANCE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE AMENDMENTS FOLLOWED, AND WERE SIMILAR TO, THOSE IN THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO SUBSTITUTE A NEW SECTION 10, SO AS TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF PRESUMPTIONS CONCERNING POSSESSION OF ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES, AND TO DELETE SECTION 11, SO AS TO REPEAL THE PRESUMPTION CONCERNING MANUFACTURING.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
/17......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
17 -
PROPERTY SALE PROFITS CHARGEABLE TO TAX ******
PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF PROPERTY ARE CHARGEABLE TO PROFITS TAX IF THEY ARISE FROM THE CARRYING ON OF A BUSINESS OF PROPERTY DEALING OR PROPERTY TRADING, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR YEUNG KAI-YIN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HOH TIK CHI-YUEN, MR YEUNG SAID PROFITS ARISING FROM THE SALE OF CAPITAL ASSETS WERE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED FROM ASSESSMENT TO TAX.
HE SAID ARGUMENTS COULD ARISE OVER WHETHER THE VENDOR OF A PARTICULAR PROPERTY WAS CARRYING ON A BUSINESS OF PROPERTY DEALING, OR WHETHER HE WAS MERELY SELLING A CAPITAL ASSET.
"WHILE A BODY OF LAW HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY THE COURTS TO HELP IN RESOLVING SUCH QUESTIONS, MOST INDIVIDUAL 'CASES CAN ONLY BE DETERMINED BY LOOKING AT THE LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SALE, WHETHER THE VENDOR HAS CARRIED OUT OTHER PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS,. THE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS, THE REASONS GIVEN FOR PURCHASE AND FOR SALE AND OTHER RELEVANT CIRCUMSTANCES," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT (IRD) EXAMINED ALL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS WHICH CAME TO ITS KNOWLEDGE AND DECIDED WHETHER, IN ITS OPINION, PROFITS ASSESSABLE TO TAX HAD ARISEN.
HE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE IRD WAS FULLY CAPABLE OF MAKING APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENTS OF PROFITS TAX LIABILITY ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS ONCE THESE HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED, THERE MIGHT BE DIFFICULTY IN SOME CASES IN FINDING OUT WHETHER A TRANSACTION HAD ACTUALLY TAKEN PLACE.
"HOWEVER, FOLLOWING THE RECENT ENACTMENT OF THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992, DETAILS OF ALL TRANSACTIONS IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES MUST NOW BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S STAMP DUTY OFFICE.
"THIS NEW REQUIREMENT WILL PROVIDE A SOURCE OF INFORMATION WHICH WILL ENSURE THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS LIKELY TO GIVE RISE TO PROFITS CHARGEABLE TO TAX," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE IRD DID NOT KEEP SEPARATE STATISTICS ON PROPERTY DEALING.
FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES, THE PROFITS TAX REVENUE FROM PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS, INCLUDING PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, WAS GROUPED WITH THAT FROM GENERAL INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL (OTHER THAN BANKING) BUSINESS.
/THE TAX .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
18
THE TAX ASSESSED TO THIS SECTOR FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS WAS AS FOLLOWS:
YEAR ENDED: 31.3.89 31.3.90 31.3.91
TAX ASSESSED: 3,800 4,760 5,5*57
($ MILLION) ’’THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT KEEP STATISTICS SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF TAX OWED BY INDIVIDUAL TRADES OR BUSINESSES,” HE SAID.
---------0-----------
A
MORE INFORMATION NEEDED ON SKY RAIL^ROPOSAL \
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT FOLLOWING PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE KOWLOON SKYRAIL COMPANY, IT WAS DECIDED THAT 'THE CONCEPT OF BUILDING A 4.7 KM LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM FROM HUNGHOM BAY TO TSIM SHA TSUI SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE.
BUT MR LEUNG SAID FURTHER DISCUSSIONS SHOULD BE HELD WITH THE COMPANY TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT, PARTICULARLY ON ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND FINANCIAL VIABILITY.
HE SAID THE COMPANY HAD SINCE PROVIDED SOME OF THIS INFORMATION BUT MORE WAS NEEDED.
"ONCE ALL THE RELEVANT DETAILS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND EVALUATED, A DECISION WILL BE TAKEN ON WHETHER OR NOT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD NEGOTIATE WITH THE COMPANY TO BUILD AND OPERATE THE SYSTEM," MR LEUNG SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG, MR LEUNG SAID IN EVALUATING THE PROPOSAL, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHETHER THE SYSTEM WOULD PROVIDE A REAL TRANSPORT BENEFIT AND COULD BE SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE GENERAL PLANNING FOR THE KOWLOON PENINSULA.
OTHER MAIN CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDED WHETHER THE SYSTEM WOULD MEET APPROPRIATE SAFETY AND OPERATING STANDARDS AND BE VIABLE TO BE BUILT AND OPERATED ON A SELF-FINANCING BASIS WITHOUT ANY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE ’SKY RAIL’ SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE AUTHORISED WITHOUT, AMONG OTHER REQUIREMENTS, THE PRODUCTION OF A FULL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SHOWING THAT IT WOULD SATISFY THE GOVERNMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STANDARDS.
------0--------
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 19 -
NOISE ABSORBENT WORKS FOR WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR
******
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THREE SECTIONS OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR NEEDED NOISE ABSORBENT SURFACES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FUNG KIN-KEE, MR BARNES SAID THE OTHER PORTIONS WHICH WERE NEAR INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS DID NOT JUSTIFY THEM.
HE SAID WORKS ON TWO PORTIONS (FROM TAI KOK TSUI ROAD TO TONG MI ROAD AND WHERE THE CORRIDOR RUNS ABOVE TAI KOK TSUI ROAD) STARTED IN JUNE LAST YEAR AND WERE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, MORE THAN A MONTH AHEAD OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE.
"RESURFACING WORK FOR THE THIRD PORTION (FROM KIU KIANG STREET TO TAI KOK TSUI ROAD) IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN LATE 1992 AND WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 14 WEEKS TO COMPLETE," HE NOTED.
MR BARNES SAID NO DIFFICULTIES HAD BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN IMPLEMENTING THE WORKS SO FAR.
"PREPARATORY WORK FOR RESURFACING OF THE THIRD PORTION OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR IS ALREADY AT AN ADVANCED STAGE, AND CANNOT BE ACCELERATED FURTHER," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
GOVT’S EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE USE OF PLASTIC
******
THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE USE OF PLASTIC HAVE BEEN MAINLY CONCENTRATED ON PROPAGANDA THROUGH THE INCLUSION OF MESSAGES TO USE LESS PLASTIC BAGS IN ALL ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN AND LITERATURE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID ONE OF THE MAIN MESSAGES TO BE PUT ACROSS ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON JUNE 5 WAS "USE LESS PLASTIC BAGS".
IT WOULD BE BACKED BY ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND PRESS ADVERTISEMENTS.
MR BARNES SAID RECYCLING FOR PLASTIC BAGS HAD PROGRESSED VERY LITTLE BECAUSE IT INVOLVED WASTE SEPARATION AND CLEANING BEFORE THE MATERIAL WAS USEFUL. •
/A SURVEY .......
20
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
A SURVEY OF THE PUBLIC’S ATTITUDE TO VARIOUS WAYS OF REDUCING THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN.
MR BARNES SAID DISCUSSIONS HAD BEEN MADE WITH SOME OF THE BIGGER SUPERMARKET CHAINS ON THE PROPOSITION THAT THEY CEASE TO ISSUE FREE PLASTIC BAGS TO THEIR SHOPPERS.
"THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN ANY CHARGING OR REDUCTION IN PLASTIC BAGS ISSUED, BUT IT HAS ENCOURAGED ONE COMPANY TO START A SCHEME FOR TAKING BACK OLD SHOPPING BAGS WHICH ARE SUBSEQUENTLY RECYCLED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID A WASTE PAPER RECOVERING SCHEME STARTED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR HAD INVOLVED 16 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN RECOVERING WASTE PAPER IN PRIVATELY PROVIDED CONTAINERS.
"WE AIM TO EXPAND THE SCHEME TO OTHER ESTATES, AND THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH IS NEGOTIATING WITH THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO SPREAD IT INTO STATIONS AND TERMINALS AND ON BOARD FERRIES."
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MEASURES TO RELIEVE OLI OF FINANCIAL STRINGENCY
*****
THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF COST SAVING AND INCOME GENERATING STRATEGIES TO ENABLE IT TO BECOME ENTIRELY SELF-FINANCING BY 1993-94.
HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE INSTITUTE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL IF, IN ADDITION TO THESE STRATEGIES, IT CAN BE RELIEVED OF THE BURDEN OF A COMMERCIAL RENTAL FOR ITS PREMISES WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR SOME 10 PER CENT OF ITS RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THE OLI HAD PUT FORWARD A PROPOSAL TO RELIEVE ITSELF OF THE BURDEN OF COMMERCIAL RENT BY ESTABLISHING A PURPOSE-BUILT HEADQUARTERS.
"THIS PROPOSAL, WHICH INCLUDES AN APPLICATION FOR A LAND GRANT, IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
"WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING AN APPLICATION FROM THE OLI FOR A LOAN TO MEET HALF OF THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING ITS OWN HEADQUARTERS, WHICH IS VERY ROUGHLY ESTIMATED TO COST $200 MILLION.
"IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE INSTITUTE AN EMPTY SCHOOL BUILDING WHICH, WITH CERTAIN ALTERATIONS AND RENOVATIONS, COULD BE USED AS EXTRA CLASSROOMS AND STORAGE SPACE," MR CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON FUNDING FOR THE OLI WAS THAT IT SHOULD BECOME SELF-FINANCING AT LEAST ON ITS RECURRENT ACCOUNT BY 1993-94.
/A SETTING .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
21
A SETTING UP GRANT OF $55.8 MILLION WAS PROVIDED TO THE INSTITUTE TO COVER EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL ITEMS. AN ANNUALLY RECURRENT BUT DECREASING GRANT WAS ALSO MADE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEARS 1989-90 TO 1991-92.
PROVISION FOR A FURTHER GRANT HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 1992-93 DRAFT ESTIMATES.
"IT IS OUR INTENTION THAT NO FURTHER GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION WOULD BE GIVEN AS FROM THE 1993-94 FINANCIAL YEAR," THE SECRETARY SAID.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT IN EACH OF THE THREE PRECEDING FINANCIAL YEARS, THE OLI HAD NOT FOUND IT NECESSARY TO SEEK SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT, BUT HAD HAD A SMALL SURPLUS ON ITS RECURRENT ACCOUNT.
"THIS IS CLEAR TESTIMONY TO THE OLI MANAGEMENT’S SKILL AND DETERMINATION TO DEVELOP WITHIN ITS BUDGET CEILING," MR CHAN ADDED.
---------0-----------
SGO POSTS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SCHOOLS GRADUALLY ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 (ECR 4) WILL REQUIRE MOST OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS (SGO) POSTS IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO BE TRANSFERRED GRADUALLY TO SCHOOLS AS ADDITIONAL POSTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THIS WAS TO ENABLE SCHOOL HEADS TO CHOOSE ONE OF THEIR TEACHERS TO SERVE AS A STUDENT GUIDANCE TEACHER (SGT).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NG MING-YUM, MR CHAN SAID: "SUBJECT TO FUNDS BEING AVAILABLE, THE TARGET FOR THE 1992-93 SCHOOL YEAR IS TO CREATE 29 SGT POSTS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHICH, IN ADDITION TO 173 SGO POSTS IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT(ED), WILL BE ENOUGH TO ACHIEVE THE MANNING RATIO OF ONE SGT/SGO : 2,500 STUDENTS."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RATE AT WHICH THE TRANSFER OF POSTS FROM THE ED TO AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS TAKES PLACE WOULD DEPEND LARGELY ON THE WASTAGE RATE OF SGOS IN THE ED: HIGHER THE WASTAGE, FASTER THE RATE OF TRANSFER OF POSTS.
IN 1990/91, A TOTAL OF 38 SGOS WHO HAVE BEEN RECRUITED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR REPORTED FOR DUTY.
"NO RECRUITMENT EXERCISE WAS CONDUCTED IN 1990/91 SINCE SGO POSTS WERE TO BE GRADUALLY TRANSFERRED TO SCHOOLS IN 1992 AS RECOMMENDED IN ECR 4. THE WASTAGE RATE OF SGOS FOR 1990/91 WAS 11.9 PER CENT."
/MR CHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
22
MR CHAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT SGTS WOULD NOT BE RECRUITED BY THE SCHOOLS THEMSELVES.
’’SCHOOL HEADS WILL SELECT ONE OF THEIR EXPERIENCED TEACHERS AS A SGT. SINCE SGT POSTS ARE RANKED AT ASSISTANT MASTER (AM) LEVEL, A PROMOTION RANK, NO DIFFICULTIES IN FILLING THEM ARE EXPECTED.”
HE STRESSED THAT THE VERY CONCEPT OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH, INVOLVING THE PROVISION OF GUIDANCE IN SCHOOLS BY SCHOOL-BASED GUIDANCE TEACHERS WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER TEACHERS, WAS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE SERVICE.
IN ADDITION, PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING FOR SGTS WOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING TEAM OF THE ED TO ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY OF THE SERVICE IS MAINTAINED, HE SAID.
"THE PROVISION OF ONE STUDENT GUIDANCE TEACHER TO EVERY SCHOOL WITH 24 CLASSROOMS OR MORE IS AN ULTIMATE TARGET WHICH WOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
"THERE IS AS YET NO FIXED TIME-TABLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS IMPROVED PROVISION STANDARD."
ON THE MONITORING OF PERFORMANCE, MR CHAN SAID IT WAS UP TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR TEACHING STAFF, INCLUDING THE SGTS.
"THE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING TEAM OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEAPRTMENT WILL, HOWEVER, PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SGTS.
"MEMBERS OF THE TEAM WILL PAY REGULAR VISITS TO SGTS IN SCHOOLS TO HELP THEM HANDLE DIFFICULT CASES, AND WILL ORGANISE REGULAR MEETINGS AND SEMINARS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT AND ADVICE. ’’
MR CHAN NOTED THAT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WERE CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR SGOS RATHER THAN SGTS, SINCE THE LATTER POSTS HAD NOT YET BEEN CREATED.
UPON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO GUIDANCE, ALL SGTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE PRE-SERVICE TRAINING COMPRISING A FOUR-MONTH FULL-TI ME-COURSE WHICH INCLUDES FIELDWORK IN SCHOOLS OVER A TEN-WEEK PERIOD, HE SAID.
"THIS COURSE WILL BE FOLLOWED BA PART-TIME TRAINING OF FIVE MONTHS IN THE ORGANISATION OF PREVENTIVE PROGRAMMES AND STUDENT SUPPORT GROUPS.
"IN ADDITION, A 10-MONTH PART-TIME REFRESHER TRAINING PROGRAMME WILL BE AVILABLE FOR EXPERIENCED SGTS.”
ON WHETHER ANY INVESTIGATION HAD BEEN MADE TO FIND OUT IF SGTS WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE UP TEACHING WORK IN ADDITION TO THEIR OWN DUTIES, MR CHAN SAID NO INVESTIGATION HAD YET BEEN MADE.
/HOWEVER, HE ........
23
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
HOWEVER, HE SAID: "IN IMPLEMENTING THE SGT SCHEME, A NUMBER OF MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO HELP THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MONITOR WHETHER THE ADDITIONAL SGT POSTS ARE USED AS INTENDED FOR THE WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH.
THESE INCLUDED ENSURING, THROUGH CIRCULARS TO HEAD-TEACHERS, THAT THE DUTIES OF SGTS WERE EXPLICITLY SPELLED OUT, AND THE REGIONAL OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE STUDENT GUIDANCE SECTION MAINTAINING FREQUENT CONTACTS WITH HEAD-TEACHERS THROUGH SCHOOL VISITS AND MEETINGS, AS WELL AS REGULAR MEETINGS WITH SGTS.
"IF THE POSTS WERE FOUND NOT TO BE USED APPROPRIATELY, THEY WOULD BE WITHDRAWN," MR CHAN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
GUIDELINES FOR POST-RETIREMFNT EMPLOYMENT EXPLAINED ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS TO FURTHER TIGHTEN THE EXISTING POLICY GUIDELINES FOR SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO TAKE UP POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE TWO PENSIONS ORDINANCES, A RETIRED OFFICER REQUIRED THE GOVERNOR’S PRIOR APPROVAL BEFORE TAKING UP ANY POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT OR ENGAGING IN ANY BUSINESS ACTIVITY, THE PRINCIPAL PART OF WHICH WAS CARRIED ON IN HONG KONG, WITHIN TWO YEARS OF HIS RETIREMENT.
"IN THE CASE OF AN OFFICER AT SECRETARY LEVEL OR ABOVE THE PERIOD IS FIVE YEARS," HE SAID.
"NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN THE SUSPENSION OF PENSION."
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU, MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT HAD BEEN SET UP SINCE OCTOBER 1987 TO CONSIDER AND ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON ALL INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS FROM DIRECTORATE OFFICERS AND ON ANY OTHER APPLICATIONS WHICH MIGHT BE REFERRED TO IT BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO IMPROPRIETY IN THE PROPOSED APPOINTMENT, THAT IS, THERE SHOULD BE NO CONFLICT WITH THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
IN THIS RESPECT, ACCOUNT WOULD BE TAKEN OF WHETHER THE OFFICER HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN POLICY FORMULATION OR DECISION, THE EFFECTS OF WHICH COULD HAVE BENEFITTED HIS PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER; WHETHER THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER MIGHT GAIN AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER COMPETITORS BECAUSE OF THE OFFICER’S PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE; THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE OFFICER TAKING UP THE PROPOSED APPOINTMENT; AND ESPECIALLY FOR SENIOR OFFICERS, WHETHER THE PROPOSED APPOINTMENT WOULD RESULT IN AN UNDESIRABLY HIGH PUBLIC PROFILE.
/A SANITISATION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
24
A SANITISATION PERIOD FROM THE CESSATION OF ACTIVE SERVICE MAY BE APPLIED TO DIRECTORATE OFFICERS, WHERE THIS IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE.
"BUT IT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND THAT FORMER CIVIL SERVANTS WITH SUBSTANTIAL WORKING EXPERIENCE CAN BE OF CONSIDERABLE VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORKFORCE AS A WHOLE AND THEIR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD NOT BE DISCOURAGED," MR WIGGHAM ADDED.
- - 0 - -
HK GINI COEFFICIENT NOT HIGH BY INT’L STANDARD » t * * *
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY IF THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO ADOPT POLICIES THAT FACILITATE ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENCOURAGE INITIATIVE AND ENTERPRISE, ENSURE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL COUPLED WITH SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES TO SUPPORT THE LOWER INCOME GROUPS.
IN REPLY TO A WRITTEN QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE LATEST POPULATION CENSUS, THE GINI COEFFICIENT BASED ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME WAS ESTIMATED AT AROUND 0.476 LAST YEAR, AND IT WAS NOT PARTICULARLY HIGH BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
THE GINI COEFFICIENT, AS A SUMMARY MEASURE OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME, COULD IN THEORY RANGE FROM ZERO TO ONE, WITH A HIGHER VALUE REFLECTING GREATER INCOME DIVERSITY.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE SUGGESTED THAT GINI COEFFICIENT OF 0.48 IN HONG KONG WAS BROADLY COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SINGAPORE, AND NOT TOO MUCH ABOVE THOSE OF THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA.
"A DEGREE OF INCOME DIVERSITY IS COMMON EVEN IN THE MOST ECONOMICALLY ADVANCED COUNTRIES," SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN SAID WHILE THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE GINI COEFFICIENT FOR HONG KONG OVER THE YEARS, OF GREATER SIGNIFICANCE WAS THE FACT THAT MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME HAD RISEN BY 56 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER THE PAST DECADE.
"MOREOVER, SUBSTANTIAL INCOME GROWTH IS RECORDED FOR ALL INCOME GROUPS, INCLUDING THE LOWER INCOME GROUP.
"IN GENERAL, THE COMMUNITY IS SHARING IN THE FRUITS OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES WERE DIRECTED TOWARDS FOSTERING AN ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH PEOPLE COULD DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS AND POTENTIAL. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE.
"THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL ADVANCEMENT AND HIGHER INCOME IRRESPECTIVE OF THE SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF INDIVIDUALS.
/"INDEED, THIS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
25
"INDEED, THIS IS A KEY DRIVING FORCE BEHIND HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS," SHE NOTED.
AT THE SAME TIME, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED SPECIFIC SUPPORT FOR LOWER INCOME GROUPS. FOR EXAMPLE, SHE SAID, AROUND HALF OF ALL EMPLOYEES, WHO HAD RELATIVELY LOWER INCOME, DID NOT PAY TAX.
"THIRTY-SEVEN PER CENT OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS LIVE IN HEAVILY SUBSIDISED PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING WHILST PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROVIDES A SAFETY NET FOR THOSE UNABLE TO WORK OR TO EARN ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
"NO ONE NEED BE DEPRIVED OF EDUCATION OR MEDICAL CARE THROUGH LACK OF MEANS," MRS CHAN SAID.
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WIDE-RANGING SERVICES FOR SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO EXPANDING CHILD CARE AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP PARENTS CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A TARGET OF 1,400 DAY NURSERY PLACES FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF TWO AND SIX HAS BEEN SET ANNUALLY UNTIL DEMAND IS FULLY MET.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON NG MING-YUM AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID: "AT THE SAME TIME, DAY CRECHES FOR CHILDREN UNDER TWO YEARS OF AGE WILL BE EXPANDED BY PHASES, PARTICULARLY IN NEW TOWNS, TO CATER FOR NEEDY AND SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES."
THE SECRETARY SAID EXPANSION OF FAMILY AIDE AND HOME HELP SERVICES HAD ALSO BEEN ACCORDED PRIORITY.
"IT IS PLANNED THAT 31 ADDITIONAL FAMILY AIDE WORKERS AND 44 ADDITIONAL HOME HELP TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED BY 1995/96."
MRS WONG NOTED THAT THERE WERE 34,256 SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST YEAR.
IN ADDITION, THERE WERE 20 SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLDS IN THE MARINE POPULATION.
SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP CAN APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
ON TOP OF THE BASIC RATE, SPECIAL GRANTS ARE PROVIDED INCLUDING FEES FOR CHILDREN TO ATTEND A DAY CRECHE, DAY NURSERY OR AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMME OR TO PARTICIPATE IN OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES WHICH HELP TO ALLEVIATE THE SOCIAL DEPRIVATION CAUSED BY THE ABSENCE OF ONE PARENT.
/SINCE NOVEMBER .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
26
SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, A CHILD SUPPLEMENT OF $185 PER CHILD PER MONTH HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE AN ALLOWANCE FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
APART FROM FINANCIAL SUPPORT, PUBLIC HOUSING CAN BE ARRANGED FOR ELIGIBLE SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS.
’’SINCE JULY 1991, PERSONS WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN CAN BE GRANTED A CONDITIONAL TENANCY IN A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, IF THEY ARE UNDERGOING DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS AND HAVE A GENUINE NEED FOR HOUSING," THE SECRETARY NOTED.
"THE TENANCY WILL BE CONFIRMED WHEN THEY HAVE OBTAINED LEGAL CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH COURT PROCEEDINGS.''
OTHER SUPPORTING SERVICES INCLUDE:
* CHILD CARE SERVICES - INCU'DING DAY CRECHES, DAY NURSERIES, THE OCCASIONAL CHILD LAKE SERVICE, AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAMMES AND, IF NECESSARY, RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN FROM SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES;
» FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - SUCH AS HOME DELIVERY OF MEALS AND ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSEHOLD ' HORE; AND
* COUNSELLING - TO HELP SINGLE PARENTS COPE WITH STRESS AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS ARIS I NG FROM SINGLE PARENTHOOD,
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE ON PROPER CHILD CARE AND DISCIPLINE.
CONCERTED EFFORTS TAKEN To HELP STREET SLEEPERS
*****
THE WORKING GROUP ON STREET SLEEPERS WILL COMPLETE ITS DELIBERATIONS SOON AND INTENDS TO PRODUCE A REPORT LATER THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FXT, MRS WONG SAID SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT LN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, THE WORKING GROUP HAD MET REGULARLY TO DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING STREET SLEEPERS.
"SOME OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, SUCH \S I’HE URBAN HOSTEL SCHEME AND MORE FLEXIBLE APPLICATION 01 COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING CRITERIA FOR STREET SLEEPERS, HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED," SHE NOTED.
ON THE SUGGESTION TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR STREET SLEEPERS, THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING \UTHOR ITY , THI- CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND OTHER TRAINING CENTRES OPERATED BA NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ALREADY PROVIDED \ WIDE RANGE OF SUCH TRAINING OPEN TO ALL.
/HOWEVER, SHE ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
27
HOWEVER, SHE ADDED, THE PROVISION OF SUCH TRAINING WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAVE ANY MAJOR IMPACT ON THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS.
ACCORDING TO THE ANNUAL SURVEY ON STREET SLEEPERS 1991 CONDUCTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN MARCH LAST YEAR, UNEMPLOYMENT WAS NOT ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS CITED BY STREET SLEEPERS FOR BEING HOMELESS.
IN FACT, A STREET SLEEPER WITH NORMAL WORKING ABILITY CAN BE REFERRED TO THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR JOB PLACEMENT.
THOSE WHO ARE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED OR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS CAN ALSO BE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION WHILE THOSE WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS DRUG ADDICTION IN THE PAST OR PERSONALITY PROBLEMS, CAN BE REFERRED TO THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR JOB PLACEMENT.
FURTHERMORE, THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND OUTREACH TEAMS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDED MANY OUTREACHING SERVICES FOR STREET SLEEPERS, MRS WONG SAID.
"ALTHOUGH NO FORMAL MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO REACH OUT TO STREET SLEEPERS, THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CLOSE COOPERATION AMONGST GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT CONCERTED EFFORTS ARE TAKEN TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS," SHE ADDED.
--------0-----------
COMPLAINTS ON »
WATER COOLING TOWERS
* « « » *
THE GREAT MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED ON WATER COOLING TOWERS WERE BELIEVED TO RELATE TO THE NOISE CREATED, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO, MR BARNES SAID IN EACH OF THE LAST TWO YEARS, ABOUT 500 COMPLAINTS RELATING TO NOISE WERE RECEIVED, ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED IN 1989 WAS MUCH LOWER.
"COMPLAINTS AS TO THE STRUCTURAL SAFETY OF THE TOWERS, OR AS TO NUISANCE CAUSED BY WATER DRIPPING FROM THEM ARE BELIEVED TO BE FEW," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID COMPLAINTS AS TO NOISE CAUSED BY WATER COOLING TOWERS WERE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD), AS TO THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE TOWERS AND THEIR SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO), AND AS TO NUISANCE CAUSED BY DRIPPING OF WATER EITHER THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT OR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT DEPENDING ON THE AREA IN WHICH THE NUISANCE WAS FOUND.
/THE SECRETARY .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
28
THE SECRETARY SAID IF THE COMPLAINT WAS JUSTIFIED, EITHER A WARNING WAS ISSUED OR PROSECUTION WAS INITIATED, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM.
"IF WARNINGS ARE IGNORED, ENFORCEMENT ACTION IS NORMALLY THEN STARTED.
"DURING THE LAST YEAR, ABOUT 50 PROSECUTIONS FOR EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM WATER COOLING TOWERS WERE INITIATED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE BASIC CRITERIA FOR INSTALLING AND OPERATING WATER COOLING TOWERS WERE CONTAINED IN A CIRCULAR LETTER TO ALL REGISTERED CONTRACTORS AND THE AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, THE PRACTICE NOTE ISSUED BY THE BOO AND RELATED GUIDES ISSUED BY THE EPD.
-----0-----
COURTESY EMPHASISED IN POLICE TRAINING
******
COURTESY WAS EMPHASISED DURING THE BASIC TRAINING OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL (PTS) AND IN SUBSEQUENT TRAINING, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD, MR ASPREY SAID THE TRAINING WAS CONDUCTED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OFFICERS EXPERIENCED IN HANDLING PUBLIC RELATIONS.
"DURING THE TRAINING AT PTS, LECTURES, DISCUSSIONS AND VIDEO PRESENTATIONS ARE ORGANISED FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS RELATING TO COURTESY," HE SAID.
THESE TOPICS INCLUDED THE CORRECT MANNER OF DEALING WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN ORDER TO ELICIT THEIR CO-OPERATION, AND WAYS OF AVOIDING FRICTION AND HANDLING PEOPLE WHO ARE UNCO-OPERATIVE, HE SAID.
"DURING SUBSEQUENT IN-SERVICE TRAINING SESSIONS, JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS PARTICIPATE IN CASE STUDIES OF SUBSTANTIATED COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED BY THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICE (CAPO) INVOLVING RUDENESS, IMPOLITENESS AND MISCONDUCT," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT LECTURES ON THE PROPER CONDUCT AND MANNER OF AN OFFICER IN STOP AND SEARCH OPERATIONS, RAIDS AND IN TAKING STATEMENTS WERE ALSO ORGANISED FOR IN-SERVICE AND PROMOTION COURSES.
"COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS FOR BAD MANNERS SUCH AS THE USE OF ABUSIVE LANGUAGE ARE HANDLED IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED BY CAPO,” MR ASPREY SAID.
HE SAID THERE WERE STANDARD PROCEDURES FOR CAPO TO FOLLOW IN INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS.
"RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS BY CAPO ARE EXAMINED BY THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED IN A THOROUGH AND IMPARTIAL MANNER," HE SAID.
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/29 .....
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 29 -
LOW CRIME RATE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES
******
CRIME STATISTICS FOR THE YEARS 1987 TO 1991 SHOWED THAT THE CRIME RATE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WAS GENERALLY MUCH LOWER THAN THAT IN THE TERRITORY AS A WHOLE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FUNG KIN-KEE, MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICE AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TOOK MEASURES TO PREVENT CRIME IN THE DESIGN OF NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN ORDER TO MINIMISE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMITTING CRIMES.
HE SAID AS RESIDENTS MOVED IN, THEY WERE REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD SECURITY THROUGH BRIEFINGS AND A TENANT’S HANDBOOK. ESTATE ASSISTANTS AND SECURITY GUARDS WERE EMPLOYED TO PATROL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
"LOCAL CRIME RATES AND TOPICAL ISSUES ARE REVIEWED AT DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, AREA COMMITTEE AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE MEETINGS AT WHICH BOTH THE POLICE AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ARE REPRESENTED.
"AS A RESULT, ADDITIONAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE THE SECURITY OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES BY THE PROVISION OF METAL GRILLES AND BY MODIFICATIONS INSIDE LIFTS," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THE POLICE CAREFULLY MONITORED THE CRIME TRENDS IN HOUSING ESTATES, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT NEW PROBLEMS WERE IDENTIFIED AT AN EARLY STAGE.
I
"THEIR CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU ALSO OFFERS ADVICE TO RESIDENTS ON MEASURES TO PREVENT CRIME," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
. FEES TO BE CHARGED FOR VERBATIM REPORTS
*****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO PRESCRIBE THE FEES FOR FURNISHING, TO ANY PARTY TO A DISCIPLINARY INQUIRY HELD BY THE NURSING BOARD, A COPY OF ANY RECORD OF THE INQUIRY WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE NURSES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER THE NURSES REGISTRATION ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT A FEE IS TO BE CHARGED FOR FURNISHING VERBATIM RECORDS.
"HOWEVER, THE ORDINANCE CONTAINS NO PROVISION FOR SUCH REGULATIONS TO BE MADE.
/"THE AMENDMENT ......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
30
’’THE AMENDMENT BILL IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO RECTIFY THE POSITION,” SHE SAID.
THE MIDWIVES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 TABLED AT THE SAME TIME ALSO SEEK TO RECTIFY SIMILAR POSITIONS.
DEBATES ON THE THREE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
ARRANGEMENT FOR CLEARANCE OF RENNIE’S MILL COTTAGE AREA
* ♦ ♦ » *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ADVISE THE RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE OF THE RENNIE’S MILL COTTAGE AREA OF THE REHOUSING AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG, MR BARNES SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS STAGE TO REVEAL THE DETAILS OF THE EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION PACKAGE WHICH WERE STILL BEING WORKED OUT.
MR BARNES SAID RENNIE’S MILL HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED WOULD BE OFFERED REHOUSING IN A NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O WHICH WAS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
"THERE SHOULD THUS BE ADEQUATE TIME FOR REHOUSING BEFORE THE PHYSICAL CLEARANCES WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MAY AND OCTOBER 1993."
HE SAID REQUESTS FOR REHOUSING ELSEWHERE WOULD ALSO BE ACCOMMODATED SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND OTHER COMMITMENTS.
ON COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE, MR BARNES SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE REPROVISIONED, BUT THE OPERATORS, IF ELIGIBLE, WOULD BE PAID EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES.
THE PROBLEMS OF RELOCATING COMMUNITY FACILITIES HAD BEEN UNDER' DISCUSSION WITH THE SPONSORS SINCE 1990 AND HELP WITH REMOVAL OR REPROVISIONING WOULD VARY ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF EACH CASE AND AN EVALUATION BY THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT OF THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY EACH TO THE COMMUNITY.
"THESE DISCUSSIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS ARE WELL IN HAND," HE SAID.
ON THE FUTURE OF THE SCHOOLS AFFECTED, MR BARNES SAID TWO PUBLICLY FUNDED SCHOOLS WERE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 AND A SITE HAD BEEN PROVISIONALLY RESERVED FOR A PRIVATELY FUNDED ONE SUBJECT TO SATISFYING CERTAIN LAND GRANT CONDITIONS.
"THE ALLOWANCES PAYABLE FOR AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES ARE EX-GRATIA AND STANDARDISED, SO THAT THERE IS LITTLE SCOPE FOR APPEAL OVER THE RATES, ALTHOUGH THESE ARE REVISED REGULARLY," MR BARNES ADDED.
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/31 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 31 -
NO DECISION ON FUNERAL ♦ * *
PAVILION ON CHEUNG CHAU ♦ * *
NO DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST MADE BY THE CHEUNG CHAU LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FUNERAL PAVILION OR HALL (BUT NOT FUNERAL PARLOUR) WITH PRIVATE FUNDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MR BARNES SAID SEVERAL POSSIBLE SITES INCLUDING TAI SHEK HAU AND THE PEAK OF CHEUNG CHAU HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS CONSULTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ON THE MATTER.
’’BUT THE ISSUE IS COMPLEX, AS THE VIEWS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THE DEMAND FOR A FUNERAL PAVILION. AND THE DESIRABILITY TO LOCATE THE SITE REASONABLY AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL UNITS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENSURING THAT IT IS RELATIVELY EASILY ACCESSIBLE, ALL MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE,” MR BARNES SAID.
- - 0----------
TWO MOTIONS PASSED AFTER 5-HOUR DEBATES ♦ * * ♦ ♦
TWO MOTIONS. ONE ON PRESS PREEDOM AND THE OTHER ON THE CHARTER FOR YOUTH, WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER A TOTAL OF FIVE-HOUR DEBATE THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
THE FIRST MOTION MOVED BY THE HON EMILY LAU ON PRESS FREEDOM WAS PASSED AFTER A TWO-AND-A-HALF HOUR DEBATE BY 15 LEGISLATORS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TWENTY-FOUR MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE YOUTH MOTION, MOVED BY THE HON ERIC LI ON THE CHARTER FOR YOUTH. THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
IN ADDITION, EIGHT MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SERVICES, WHICH WAS RAISED BY THE HON WONG WAI-YIN.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
/EARLIER IN .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 32 -
EARLIER IN THE SESSION, LEGISLATORS PASSED THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WITH AMENDMENTS.
A TOTAL OF SEVEN BILLS WERE ALSO INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE? THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, ACETYLATING SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, NURSES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, MIDWIVES REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
A PRIVATE BILL, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, WAS INTRODUCED BY THE HON DAVID LI FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0---------
/33........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 33 -
REGULAR SINO-US TRADING STATUS GOOD FOR HK: GOVERNOR
*******
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE BELIEVED THAT A REGULAR TRADING STATUS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA WAS VERY GOOD FOR HONG KONG.
RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE US SENATE VOTE ON CHINA’S MFN STATUS, LORD WILSON SAID: "I HOPE IT MEANS THAT MFN STATUS, IN OTHER WORDS, NORMAL TRADING STATUS, WILL NOW CONTINUE, BUT OF COURSE WE HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE IF THERE IS A PRESIDENTIAL VETO AND THEN WHAT THE OPPOSITION TO THAT VETO MIGHT BE."
HE SAID FROM A HONG KONG POINT OF VIEW; AND A SOUTHERN CHINA POINT OF VIEW BECAUSE IT AFFECTS THE WHOLE COMPLEX OF GUANGDONG, FUJIAN AND HONG KONG, HE VERY MUCH HOPED THAT NORMAL TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA WOULD CONTINUE.
LORD WILSON WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE HUNG HOM RAILWAY STATION BEFORE DEPARTING FOR AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO GUANGDONG.
ASKED IF HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SENATE VOTE WHICH PLACES CONDITIONS ON CHINA’S MFN STATUS, LORD WILSON SAID: "I WOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT UNCERTAINTY OVER CHINA’S TRADING STATUS IN RELATION TO THE UNITED STATES."
"I DON’T THINK UNCERTAINTY IS A GOOD THING FOR TRADING. I DO BELIEVE THAT TRADING IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHINA; I THINK THAT IS THE WAY IN WHICH RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHINA SHOULD BE DEVELOPED," HE ADDED.
LORD WILSON SAID HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS VISITS TO GUANGZHOU, DONGGUAN AND SHENZHEN.
"I HAVEN’T IN FACT BEEN TO GUANGZHOU SINCE 1987 ALTHOUGH I’VE BEEN TO SHENZHEN MORE RECENTLY, AND THIS TIME IT’S A PARTICULARLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE NEW GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG, MR ZHU SENLIN," HE SAID.
LORD WILSON SAID THE VISIT TO GUANGZHOU WAS ALSO AIMED AT GIVING A BOOST TO THE IMPORTANCE OF ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG PROVINCE, ADDING: "IN ORDER TO TRY TO SHOW IN GUANGZHOU THAT WE VALUE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GUANGDONG."
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD ALSO BE DISCUSSING WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS COMMON CONCERNS THAT AFFECT HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING THE PROCESS OF A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE ON SECURITY MATTERS.
/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 34 -
STI COMMENTS ON MFN VOTE * * * *
THE US SENATE YESTERDAY PASSED A BILL ATTACHING CONDITIONS ON RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN TRADE STATUS BY 59 TO 39 VOTES.
COMMENTING ON THIS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THE VOTE FALLS SHORT OF THE TWO-THIRD MAJORITY WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OVERRIDE A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
"THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE US ADMINISTRATION HAS REPEATEDLY STATED THAT PRESIDENT BUSH WOULD VETO ANY LEGISLATION WHICH SOUGHT TO ATTACH CONDITIONS TO THE EXTENSION OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS.
"FOR THIS REASON, HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE ALARMED OVER THE RESULTS OF THIS VOTE IN THE SENATE," MR CHAU SAID.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S CASE IS HEARD AND OUR INTERESTS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE US ADMINISTRATION," HE ADDED.
UNDER NORMAL US PROCEDURES, ONCE THE BILL IS PASSED TO THE PRESIDENT, HE WILL HAVE TEN DAYS IN WHICH TO VETO IT.
--------0-----------
NEW ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES ANNOUNCED
TOUGHER, NEW ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES HAVE BEEN ENACTED.
PARTIES DIRECTLY CONCERNED SUCH AS THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY, ADVERTISERS, BUILDING MANAGEMENTS AND CINEMA AND TRANSPORT OPERATORS -ARE GIVEN DIFFERENT GRACE PERIODS OF SIX TO 12 MONTHS BEFORE ENFORCEMENT ACTION IS TAKEN.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADDRESSED INTERESTED PARTIES ABOUT PROVISIONS OF THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992, PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON JANUARY 31.
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR DEREK GOULD, SAID THE AMENDMENT BILL WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING ANTI-SMOKING POLICY.
"WE ARE COMMITTED TO DISCOURAGING SMOKING THROUGH A PROGRESSIVE AND PRAGMATIC PACKAGE OF PREVENTION, LEGISLATION AND EDUCATION MEASURES," HE SAID.
"THE LEGISLATION COMPRISES THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE PASSED RECENTLY, THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) REGULATIONS TO BE AMENDED SHORTLY AND ORDER TO BE MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE."
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
35 -
UNDER THE AMENDMENT, NO-SMOKING AREAS ARE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN CINEMAS, THEATRES AND CONCERT HALLS, AND AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES.
OPERATORS WILL HAVE TO PUT UP ANTI-SMOKING SIGNS IN THESE AREAS BY AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR AND PATRONS MUST CEASE TO SMOKE IN THESE AREAS BY THAT DATE.
AN ORDER BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL REQUIRE MANAGEMENTS TO INDICATE ON THESE NO SMOKING SIGNS THE LEVEL OF PENALTY.
IN ADDITION TO GIVING LEGISLATIVE BACKING FOR PROHIBITING CIGARETTE ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO - ALREADY IN EFFECT THROUGH LICENSING CONTROLS SINCE DECEMBER 1 LAST YEAR - THE AMENDMENT ALSO PROHIBITS CIGARETTE ADVERTISING IN CINEMAS.
A GRACE PERIOD UNTIL AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR WILL BE GIVEN.
THE DEFINITION OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENT HAS ALSO BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE EVENTS SPONSORED BY piGARETTE BRAND NAMES.
ANOTHER MEASURE INTRODUCED BY THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE IS TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF CIGARETTES WITH A TAR CONTENT EXCEEDING 20 MILLIGRAMS EACH. SUCH CIGARETTES WOULD NO LONGER BE PERMITTED FROM FEBRUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
"WE ARE AMENDING THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) REGULATIONS SHORTLY TO RESTRUCTURE THE TAR GROUP DESIGNATIONS," MR GOULD ADDED.
"IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL SOON BE MAKING AN ORDER TO INCREASE THE PROMINENCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH WARNINGS AND TAR GROUP DESIGNATIONS ON CIGARETTE PACKETS AND IN ADVERTISEMENTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR ROTATION OF HEALTH WARNINGS."
THE AMENDMENT HAS ALSO RAISED THE LEVELS OF PENALTY FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES. THE FINE FOR SMOKING IN A NO-SMOKING AREA HAS BEEN RAISED FROM $1,000 TO $5,000.
AN OFFENDER WHO FAILS TO GIVE HIS NAME AND ADDRESS WHEN REQUIRED IS NOW LIABLE, UPON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000, UP FROM $3,000. ■
SELLING CIGARETTES IN PACKETS OR CONTAINERS WITHOUT THE PRESCRIBED HEALTH WARNING AND TAR GROUP DESIGNATION NOW ATTRACTS A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $20,000, INSTEAD OF $5,000 PREVIOUSLY.
THE PENALTY FOR FAILING TO DISPLAY THE REQUIRED HEALTH WARNING AND TAR GROUP DESIGNATION IN AN ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE $15,000, PLUS $1,500 FOR EACH DAY THE OFFENCE CONTINUES (UP FROM $5,000 PLUS $500 PER DAY).
THE SAME PENALTY WILL APPLY TO ADVERTISING CIGARETTES ON TELEVISION AND RADIO OR IN A CINEMA.
/MR GOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
36
MR GOULD SAID FURTHER MEASURES PROPOSED BY THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE NOW BEING CONSIDERED.
"WE WILL BE CONSULTING THE PUBLIC AND RELEVANT CONCERNED FOR THEIR VIEWS ON THESE IN DUE COURSE," HE ADDED.
PARTIES
THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES AND
THE INTENDED GRACE PERIODS:
EFFECT OF THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992
* PROHIBITION OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENT ON TELEVISION AND RADIO (SECTION 13)
* PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC AREAS (SECTION 3) AND IN ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS (SECTION 4);
REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY "NO SMOKING” SIGNS IN PRESCRIBED MANNER (SECTION 5); AND
PROHIBITION ON CIGARETTE ADVERTISING IN CINEMAS (SECTION 13A)
GRACE PERIOD
NOT APPLICABLE, ALREADY IN OPERATION
UNTIL 1.8.1992
* PROHIBITION OF SALE OF CIGARETTE UNTIL 1.2.1993
WITH A TAR CONTENT EXCEEDING 20 MG (SECTION 8A); AND
REVISED DEFINITION OF CIGARETTE
ADVERTISING (SECTION 14)
FURTHER MEASURES TO BE EFFECTED BY’ GRACE PERIOD
t TAR-GROUP DESIGNATION TO BE RESTRUCTURED AMENDMENT TO SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) REGULATIONS UNTIL 1.2.1993
* THE EXISTING SINGLE GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING TO BE REPLACED BY STRONGER AND MORE PRECISE MESSAGES WHICH ARE TO BE USED IN ROTATION NEW SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) ORDER / UNTIL 1.2.1993
* "NO SMOKING" SIGNS TO CARRY A STATEMENT OF MAXIMUM PENALTY NEW SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) ORDER UNTIL 1 .8.1992
/♦HEALTH WARNING .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
37
* HEALTH WARNING AND TAR GROUP DESIGNATION WHERE REQUIRED TO BE DISPLAYED MORE CONSPICIOUSLY AND TO BE ENLARGED
♦ HEALTH WARNING ON OUTDOOR CIGARETTE ADVERTISING SIGNS TO BE FREE FROM VISUAL OBSTRUCTION, PROPERLY LIT UP AND CLEARLY VISIBLE
NEW SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) ORDER
UNTIL 1.2.1993
NEW SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) (NOTICES) ORDER
UNTIL 1.2.1993
- - 0 - -
AWARENESS OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY STRESSED
******
HONG KONG WOULD NEED A CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT FROM ALL BUILDING DISCIPLINES, IN PARTICULAR, ENGINEERS IN THE FIELD OF HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC), TO WORK OUT A SOLUTION IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A HEALTHY AND FUNCTIONAL INDOOR ENVIRONMENT AMIDST THE GROWING TREND OF ’’SICK BUILDING SYNDROME”.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR KWOK PING-KI, IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS AT A SEMINAR ON ’’INDOOR AIR QUALITY” (IAQ) ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR KWOK NOTED THAT WITH BUILDINGS NOWADAYS MADE MORE AIR TIGHT AND PEOPLE SPENDING MORE AND MORE TIME INDOORS, THE DEMAND FOR A HEALTHY AND COMFORTABLE WORKING ENVIRONMENT WAS ON THE INCREASE.
HE SAID IAQ HAD BECOME AN ISSUE OF INCREASING VISIBILITY AND ATTENTION IN RECENT YEARS. THE LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE, WHICH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS CONSIDERED AS THE PRIMARY CAUSE, SERVED AS A CATALYST TO BRING MORE CONCERN OVER IAQ AND HUMAN HEALTH IN THE AIR-CONDITIONING INDUSTRY.
MR KWOK STRESSED THAT THE SOLUTION TO BETTER IAQ WAS BY NO MEANS SIMPLE AND REQUIRED CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT FROM ALL BUILDING DISCIPLINES, FROM BUILDING SERVICES DESIGNERS DOWN TO THE PEOPLE OPERATING THE SYSTEM AND MAINTAINING ITZ
HE STATED THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT MEASURE TO ENSURE COMFORT AND GOOD INDOOR AIR QUALITY WAS THE PROPER DESIGN AND SELECTION OF THE HVAC SYSTEMS TO BE UTILISED IN THE BUILDINGS. WITH THE PROGRESS IN INSTRUMENTATION TECHNOLOGY, THE ENGINEERS IN THE FIELD WOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.
/38
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
38
REGARDING THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN IAQ EQUIPMENT, MR KWOK BELIEVED THAT THE TREND WAS TOWARDS AN INCREASING EMPHASIS ON REMOVAL OF GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS CARBON DIOXIDE, AMMONIA AND HYDROGEN SULPHIDE.
HE NOTED THAT THE TRADITIONAL METHOD TO IMPROVE IAQ WAS TO DILUTE AND REMOVE THE INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS BY THE INTRODUCTION OF OUTSIDE AIR. ITS EFFECTIVENESS DEPENDED ON THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF THE AIR OUTSIDE.
"NOWADAYS OUTSIDE AIR IS VERY MUCH POLLUTED. INTRODUCING OUTSIDE AIR DIRECTLY TO CONDITIONED SPACE MAY, IN EXTREME CASES, BRING IN MORE CONTAMINANTS.
"CONVENTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF IAQ, SUCH AS AIR-FILTERS, CANNOT REMOVE GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS AND SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH MORE SOPHISTICATED GAS PHASE FILTRATION EQUIPMENT," HE SAID.
HE SAID OTHER CHANGES TO TAKE PLACE WOULD INCLUDE:
* BETTER AND MORE FLEXIBLE VENTILATION SYSTEM TO COLLECT AND REMOVE CONTAMINANTS CLOSE TO THE SOURCES FOR MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS;
* BETTER AIR FILTRATION EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE FINE CONTAMINANTS THAT CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY DAMAGE;
* INCREASED USE OF AIR MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS AIR FLOW METERS AND CARBON DIOXIDE DETECTORS FOR BETTER IAQ CONTROL; AND
* INCREASED USE OF ADVANCED AND SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS NEGATIVE-ION GENERATORS AND WATER-SCRUBBERS, TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF INDOOR AIR.
MR KWOK ALSO NOTED THAT THE IMPROVEMENT OF • IAQ WAS CLOSELY RELATED TO ENERGY CONSERVATION - ANOTHER TOPIC WHICH HAD RECEIVED GREAT ATTENTION SINCE THE OIL CRISIS IN THE 70’S. FROM THEN, MANY COUNTRIES HAD IMPLEMENTED STRINGENT ENERGY CODES TO LIMIT THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF BUILDINGS.
WHILE RECKONING THE WISDOM AND FORESIGHT IN ALL THESE ENERGY SAVING MEASURES, HE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT MANY OF THE ENERGY SAVING MEASURES IN BUILDINGS WERE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT DUE CONSIDERATION BEING GIVEN TO IAQ ISSUES.
z
HE POINTED OUT THAT TO CONSERVE ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF OUTSIDE AIR WOULD CAUSE THE CONCENTRATION OF INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS TO BUILD UP AND AT WORST HAZARDOUS TO HUMAN HEALTH.
BUT ON THE OTHER HANI), NEARLY ALL APPROACHES TO IAQ IMPROVEMENT IN THE PAST WERE MADE AT THE EXPENSE OF MORE ENERGY CONSUMPTION.
/A TYPICAL .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
39
A TYPICAL EXAMPLE WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF ORDINARY AIR-FILTERS BY HIGH-EFFICIENCY TYPE WHICH HAD A HIGHER PRESSURE DROP DEMANDING A MORE POWERFUL FAN, AND IN TURN CONSUMED MORE ENERGY.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES TO IMPROVE IAQ WOULD BE OUTWEIGHED BY THE PRODUCTIVITY INCREASE. A RECENT STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES SHOWED THAT PRODUCTIVITY IN AN OFFICE BUILDING COULD BE IN THIS WAY INCREASED BY AS MUCH AS 18 PER CENT.
MR KWOK WAS OF THE OPINION THAT ENERGY CONSERVATION SHOULD BE GIVEN DUE WEIGHT IN IAQ IMPROVEMENT BUT THAT IAQ SHOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED FOR THE SAKE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION, WITH THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD PLAYING A ROLE TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE TWO.
’’THE OBJECTIVE OF HOW TO ACHIEVE A HEALTHY AND FUNCTIONAL INDOOR ENVIRONMENT REMAINS A CHALLENGE TO ARCHITECTS, BUILDING MANAGERS, THE OCCUPANTS AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE HVAC ENGINEERS WHO DESIGN, SPECIFY, INSTALL, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
---------0------------
IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT STRESSED *******
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T. H. BARMA, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED MANUFACTURERS TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND DEVELOP THEIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AFTER OBTAINING ISO 9000 REGISTRATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SEMINAR ON QUALITY MANAGEMENT, MR BARMA SAID THE QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1990 PLACED HEAVY EMPHASIS ON THE TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY.
"FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT TO SUCCEED IT MUST BE TOTAL - THAT IS, FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE ENTIRE ORGANISATION, FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DOWNWARDS.
"HONG KONG’S MANAGERS HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES. IF THEY ACQUIRE THE AWARENESS, COMMITMENT AND VISION TO LEAD THEIR COMPANIES TO QUALITY EXCELLENCE, HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION AND BENEFITS THAT A SUCCESSFUL ECONOMY ATTRACTS TO ITSELF," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID WE LIVED IN AN AGE OF\ INTENSE COMPETITION AMONG OUR NEIGHBOURS, GREATER DEMANDS FROM CONSUMERS, GROWING PROTECTIONISM IN OUR MAIN MARKETS, AND TIGHT PRESSURE ON LABOUR AND OTHER RESOURCES.
"THE EMPHASIS NOW IS NOT SO MUCH ON QUANTITY BUT ON SUCH CONSIDERATIONS AS SENSITIVITY AND FLEXIBILITY IN MARKETING, PUNCTUAL DELIVERY, THE APPLICATION OF GREATER TECHNOLOGY TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, AND MORE EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES.
/"ABOVE ALL .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 40 -
"ABOVE ALL, THE EMPHASIS IS ON THE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE FINAL PRODUCT," HE SAID.
NOT SURPRISINGLY, HE ADDED, MORE AND MORE OF OUR OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS WERE INSISTING ON QUALITY CERTIFICATION AS A BASIC REQUIREMENT BEFORE BUSINESS CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED OR SALES CONCLUDED.
"IT IS ALSO CLEAR THAT THE ISO 9000 STANDARDS ARE BEGINNING TO PLAY A PROMINENT ROLE IN THESE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS: BY PROVIDING A RELIABLE, EFFICIENT AND RECOGNISABLE SYSTEM WITHIN WHICH PRODUCTS CAN BE MANUFACTURED," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES HAD ALREADY ADOPTED THE STANDARDS AS REFERENCES FOR THEIR NATIONAL QUALITY SYSTEMS.
HE SAID FOR MANY INDUSTRIES, CERTIFICATION TO ISO 9000 STANDARDS OR THEIR EQUIVALENT WAS FAST BECOMING A PRECONDITION FOR DOING BUSINESS IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD.
"ISO 9000 IS BECOMING THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT," MR BARMA SAID.
--------0-----------
DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME CONSULTATION PAPER NOW AVAILABLE *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT COPIES OF THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED CONSULTATION PAPER ON DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME (DPS) COULD NOW BE OBTAINED, FREE OF CHARGE, FROM THE VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT REACHED ANY CONCLUSION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME SHOULD BE INTRODUCED AND IS ANXIOUS TO HEAR THE PUBLIC’S VIEWS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOPEFULLY, THE PAPER WOULD ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN CONSIDERING THE MATTER," HE SAID.
"AS THIS IS A VERY COMPLICATED SUBJECT AFFECTING VIRTUALLY EVERYONE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE PAPER SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE INFORMATION
PROVIDED IN CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT A DPS IS DESIRABLE," THE
SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CONSULTATION PERIOD WILL CLOSE AT THE END OF MAY THIS YEAR.
THOSE WHO WISH TO COMMENT ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR
SUBMISSIONS TO THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, 1802, TOWER I, ADMIRALTY CENTRE ON OR BEFORE MAY 31 THIS YEAR. ----------------------------------0-------
/41 .......
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 41 -
AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY PUBLIC INQUIRY
AIR HONG KONG LIMITED (AHK) SUBMITTED THREE APPLICATIONS ON AUGUST 20, 1990 TO OPERATE SCHEDULED ALL-CARGO SERVICES TO 80 CITIES WORLDWIDE (INCLUDING 17 POINTS WHICH AHK HAS ALREADY BEEN LICENSED TO SERVE). AHK’S APPLICATIONS, WHILE SUPPORTED BY 17 REPRESENTORS, WERE OPPOSED BY CATH'l PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED (CPA) AND HONG KONG DRAGON AIRLINES LIMITED (HDA).
IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS AND PARTIES INVOLVED, A TWO-PHASE PUBLIC INQUIRY WAS ADOPTED TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATIONS. PHASE I OF THE INQUIRY WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN MARCH 11 AND 14, 1991 TO CONSIDER THE GENERAL ABILITY OF AHK TO MOUNT THE EXTENSIVE SERVICES \PPLIED FOR AND THE NEED FOR AN ALL-CARGO AIR SERVICE BASED IN HONG KONG.
FOLLOWING THE PHASE I INQUIRY, ATLA DECIDED THAT IT COULD NOT CONSIDER LICENSING AIR CARGO SERVICES TO SOME 20 DESTINATIONS WHICH AHK PROPOSED TO SERVE PARTLY BY TRUCKS AS WELL AS CARGO AIRCRAFT. AS FOR THE REMAINING DESTINATIONS, ATLA DECIDED THAT MORE DETAILED EVIDENCE SHOULD BE PRODUCED BY THE APPLICANT (AHK) AND THE OBJECTORS (CPA AND HDA) AT PHASE II OF THE INQUIRY, SO THAT THE PROPOSED DESTINATIONS CAN BE CONSIDERED ON A PO1NT-BY-POINT BASIS.
PHASE II OF THE INQUIRY WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25 AND 29, 1992 WITH THE SAME PANEL MEMBERS WHO SAT IN PHASE I OF THE INQUIRY. AT TIIF INQUIRY, AHK DTD NOT PUT FORTH FURTHER EVIDENCE TO FACILITATE CONSIDERATION Of- GRANTING LICENCES TO 13 POINTS. THEREFORE, ATLA HAS DECIDED THAT TOGETHER WITH 23 POINTS WHICH AHK PROPOSED TO SERVE BY LAND TRANSPORT, APPLICATION FOR SERVICES TO THESE
36 POINTS SHOULD BE REFUSED. ON THU OTHER HAND, THE AUTHORITY HAS DECIDED THAT LICENCES SHOULD BE GRANTED TO AHK FOR SERVICES TO 17 POINTS TO WHICH AHK IS ALREADY LICENSED AND TO 11 POINTS NOT OPPOSED BY CPA AND HDA DURING THE PHASE II INQUIRY. IN RESPECT OF THE REMAINING 16 POINTS, ATLA, HAVING <ONSIDERED WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS PREPARED BY PARTIES CONI ERNED AND ORAL EVIDENCE PRODUCED AT THE INQUIRY, HAS DECIDED THAT LICENCE FOR ONLY 3 POINTS WOULD BE GRANTED WHILE THE GRANT OF LICENCE TO THE REMAINING 13 POINTS COULD NOT BE
JUSTIFIED BECAUSE THERE WAS N< CONCRETE EVIDENCE ON DEMAND FOR
ADDITIONAL FREIGHT CAPACITY. LICENCES GRANTED ARE FOR FIVE YEARS WITH
EFFECT FROM MARI II 1, 1992.
COPIES OF ATLA’S FULL DECISION FOR PHASE II OF THE INQUIRY ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES NEWSROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
- - 0-----------
/42 ........
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
SPECIAL MEETING ON NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN ♦ ♦♦♦*»
MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN AT A SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MARCH 2 (MONDAY).
THEY WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MR RICHARD ALLEN, AND PROJECT DIRECTOR, MR DOUGLAS OAKERVEE.
THE SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE), STARTING AT 11 AM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG ON TEL. 802 3511 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IN THE CONFERENCE HALL IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
- - 0 - -
NEW DIRECTOR OF AUDIT APPOINTED
******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MR B.G. JENNEY WILL SUCCEED MR R.J. HUTT AS DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.
MR HUTT WILL BE RETIRING FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE ON MARCH 5 THIS YEAR.
MR JENNEY HAS WORKED IN THE FINANCE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SINCE 1974.
HE HAS AN EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL OPERATIONS, AND HIS EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE WILL ASSIST THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT IN ITS EXPANDING ROLE IN MONITORING THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCES.
/THE FOLLOWING
43
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THE TWO OFFICERS:
MR B.G. JENNEY
MR JENNEY, AGED 56, IS A CONTRACT OFFICER. HE SERVED IN TANZANIA FROM 1958 TO 1969 BEFORE HE JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN DECEMBER 1969.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE ’C’ IN APRIL 1974 AND PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THE FINANCE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN APRIL 1981.
MR JENNEY WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN OCTOBER 1987.
MR R.J. HUTT, OBE, JP
MR HUTT, AGED 56, JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS AN AUDITOR IN 1958.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR AUDITOR IN SEPTEMBER 1971, PRINCIPAL AUDITOR IN OCTOBER 1976, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN JULY 1980 AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOUR YEARS LATER.
HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN DECEMBER 1988.
ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR HUTT WILL HAVE COMPLETED 33 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
------0--------
LAB ENDORSES BETTER PLAN TO HELP PNEUMOCONIOSIS SUFFERERS *****
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ENDORSED A PROPOSAL FOR A REVISED PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION SCHEME MODELLED ON COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES.
THE REVISED SCHEME SOUGHT TO CHANGE LUMP-SUM PAYMENTS TO A PNEUMOCONIOSIS SUFFERER TO MONTHLY PAYMENTS WHICH WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL HE DIED.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WERE ALSO INFORMED OF A PROPOSAL BY THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD TO INCREASE THE RATE OF LEVY IMPOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE FROM 0.02 PER CENT TO 0.2 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND QUARRY PRODUCTS.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE IS NECESSARY TO MEET THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD’S FUTURE COMMITMENTS.
THE LAB MEETING ALSO NOTED A PROGRESS REPORT ON LABOUR LEGISLATION, WHICH INCLUDED PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD THIS YEAR.
-----0-------- /44 .........................................
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
- 44 -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE TWO UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN SHAM SHU1 PO, KOWLOON SO THAT THEY CAN BE CLOSED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT THE FIRST FLOOR OF NO. 69 SHUN NING ROAD AND AT FLAT F ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF NOS. 163-173 CAMP STREET.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 23 AND APRIL 30 RESPECTIVELY WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON
25.2.92
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO • BE SETTLED ON- 26.2.92
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS PHIS AFTERNOON
$ MILLION
600
-8
+ 8
NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.8 *+0.1* 26.2.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.95 PCT 21 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.94 PCT 24 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.94 PCT 6 MONTHS 4.19 PCT 12 MONTHS 4.83 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 26 FEBRUARY 1992
- I ,810 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
23 1 1 6.25 100.77 5.85
2402 5.50 99.39 5.92
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOOD LINKS BETWEEN HK AND SHENZHEN AIRPORT NEEDED: GOVERNOR ...... 1
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO HEALTH AND WELFARE
SERVICES ....................................................... 1
NEW SWD PROJECT FUNDINGS FOR 92/93 FISCAL YEAR ................... 3
FESTIVAL HK TO BOOST TIES ........................................ 5
FESTIVAL HK '92 GIVEN A BOOST FROM PRIVATE SECTOR ................ 6
WALLED CITY CLEAREES REMINDED OF CLEARANCE DEADLINE .............. 8
CHALLENGING YEAR FOR HK'S EXTERNAL TRADE ......................... 8
URUGUAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT TO REPLACE MFA ....................... 11
PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT VITAL ............................ 12
FLEXIBLE FEE-CHARGING FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES INTRODUCED ........ 13
MERCHANT CONVICTED AND FINED FOR TAX EVASION .................... 13
SHOW TO PROMOTE SAFE HANDLING OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS ........... 14
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ........................ 16
FIGHT CRIME CONCERT IN KWAI CHUNG................................ 16
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ....................... I7
DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS ........... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...... 18
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
- 1 -
GOOD LINKS BETWEEN HE AND SHENZHEN AIRPORT NEEDED: GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE GOOD COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT SHENZHEN WHICH WOULD BENEFIT BOTH PLACES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING ON HIS RETURN FROM A TWO-DAY VISIT TO GUANGDONG, LORD WILSON SAID THE IMPRESSION HE GOT OF THE NEW SHENZHEN AIRPORT AT HUANGTIAN WAS THAT IT COULD BE USEFUL TO HONG KONG.
LORD WILSON SAID KAI TAK AIRPORT WAS BECOMING VERY CROWDED, TO USE SHENZHEN AIRPORT, PARTICULARLY FOR INTERNAL CHINA FLIGHTS COULD RELIEF A LOT OF THE STRAIN ON HONG KONG.
ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL MATTERS, LORD WILSON SAID HONG KONG HAD VERY GOOD LIAISON WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IN GUANGDONG AND THAT WOULD CONTINUE.
"WE’LL HAVE TO DISCUSS HOW THAT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IS MADE EVEN CLOSER IN TERMS OF RELATIONSHIP WHEN WE GET OUR NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK,” HE SAID.
LORD WILSON SAID HE HAD SPOKEN BOTH TO THE GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG AND THE MAYOR OF SHENZHEN ON THE PROBLEM OF SMUGGLING.
"I HAVE PASSED ON A CERTAIN AMO(NT OF INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE GATHERED ABOUT THE SMUGGLING PROBLEM AND THE GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG PROMISED TO LOOK INTO THAT," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
------0-----------
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES ******
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT BOTH QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY IN THE COMING YEAR.
MRS WONG SAID: "THE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR MORE AND BETTER SERVICES MUST BE MET IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY POSSIBLE.
"TO FINANCE IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION, WE MUST ALSO MAKE FOR MORE EFFICIENT OPERATIONS AND MANAGE OUR RESOURCES BETTER.
"LAST YEAR, I INTRODUCED REFORMS AND INITIATIVES. THIS YEAR WE WILL IMPLEMENT AND DEVELOP THEM."
MRS WONG WAS SPEAKING AT A NEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION OUTLINING THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR HER PROGRAMME AREAS.
/ALSO ATTENDING .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
2
ALSO ATTENDING THE SESSION WERE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT; THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE; AND THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, DR E.K. YEOH.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT PLANS To SPEND $17.9 BILLION IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE LN THE HEALTH AND WELFARE AREAS IN 1992-93.
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 31,601 MILLION FOR HEALTH AND $223.6 MILLION > OR WELFARE OVER. THEIR RESPECTIVE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1991-92.
’’THIS IS INDEED A WELCOME AND ENCOURAGING INCREASE. ENABLE ME TO Fl LI I L MY POLICY OBJECTIVES IN THE COMING YEAR," SHE SAID.
IT WILL FINANCIAL
ON THE WELFARE SIDE,
A TOTAL OF 36.144
BILLION HAS BEEN
BUDGETED FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1992-93, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 3625 MILLION OVER THE APPROVED ESTIMATES AND $170 MILLION OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR 1991-92.
FURTHERMORE, \ TOTAL OF $44.3 MILLION, WITH A FULL-YEAR EXTENSION COST OF $89 MILLION, HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
THE ADDITIONAL RESOLRCES WILL BE USED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSALS SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOI I AL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND; TO MEET GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL SECURITY, INCLUDING THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN CASELOAD AND REVISION OF RATES OF PAYMENT IN LINE WITH INFLATION; AND TO CONTINUE THE GROWTH IN PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES, ELDERLY PERSONS AND THE DISABLED.
PROVISION HAS ALSO BEEN MADE FOR THE
MEMORIAL PENSION SCHEME UNDER WHICH, 568 EX-PRISONERS OF WAR ARE NOW RECEIVING PENSIONS.
NEW HONG KONG WAR
WAR VETERANS AND
AS REGARDS REHABILITATION SERVICES, THE SECRETARY SAID THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM HAD BEEN REVIEWED COMPREHENSI\ELY IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION WHICH IS DUE FOR RELEASE FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON MARCH 11 THIS YEAR.
"IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC RESPONSE TO
PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN
THE
GREEN PAPER, THE GOVERNMENT WILL FORMULATE
THE FORM OF \ WHITE PAPER ON THE REHABILITATION SERVICES," MRS RONG SAID.
A LONG-TERM STRATEGY IN
FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF
TURNING TO THE HEALTH ASPECT, MRS WONG SAID A SUM OF $1.4 BILLION HAD BEEN SOUGHT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WHICH WAS $149 MILLION UP OVER THE APPROVED ESTIMATES AND $30 MILLION UP OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATES FOR LAST YEAR.
THE INCREASE WILL ENABLE 1’HE DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND ORAL HEALTH CARE WHICH ARE TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES.
SHE CONSIDERED PRIMARY HEALTH CAR! \ND ORAL HEALTH CARE AS ESSENTIALLY PROMOTIVE AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES.
/“IN OTHER
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
3
"IN OTHER WORDS IT IS PARTICIPATORY CARE, INVOLVING NOT JUST THE GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO THE PUBLIC AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS," SHE SAID.
TO CITE A FEW EXAMPLES, SHE SAID NETWORKING OF SERVICES IN A DISTRICT HEALTH SYSTEM AND OTHER REFORMS WILL PROVIDE BETTER CO-ORDINATED PREVENTATIVE AND CURATIVE SERVICES AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.
A PILOT SCHEME WILL START IN KWUN TONG NEXT MONTH AND THERE WILL ALSO BE NEW CLINIC SERVICES, EXPANSION OF THE HEPATITIS-B VACCINATION PROGRAMME FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN AND FUNDS TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL CLINIC EQUIPMENT.
MRS WONG ALSO SPOKE ON THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) WHICH TOOK OVER MANAGEMENT OF ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS LAST DECEMBER.
FOR 1992-93, THE HA HAS SOUGHT $10,265 BILLION IN BLOCK VOTES.
OF WHICH, $10,035 BILLION IS EARMARKED FOR OPERATING COST; $160 MILLION FOR PLANT, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT; AND $70 MILLION FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND COMPUTERISATION.
"THIS WILL ENABLE THEM TO GET OFF TO A GOOD START - TO INTRODUCE MANAGEMENT REFORMS, TO INTEGRATE THE FORMER SUBVERTED AND GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND TO DEVELOP PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICES FOR IMPROVED PATIENT CARE," SHE NOTED.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SAID A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO ESTABLISH THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 4. «
THE ACADEMY, WHICH WILL RAISE ITS OWN FUNDS, WILL PRODUCE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
’’BUT A GOVERNMENT GRANT OF $10 MILLION IS PROPOSED AS AN INDICATION OF OUR SUPPORT FOR THIS WORTHWHILE PROJECT.
"THIS IS SUBJECT TO SEPARATE APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF . THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IS NOT YET INCLUDED IN THESE ESTIMATES," MRS WONG SAID.
------o-------
NEW SWD PROJECT FUNDINGS FOR 92/93 FISCAL YEAR * * * * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO SPEND A TOTAL OF $6,144 BILLION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $625 MILLION (OR 11 PER CENT) OVER THE APPROVED ESTIMATE FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, OR $170 MILLION (2.8 PER CENT) OVER THE REVISED ESTIMATE.
/THE ACTING .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MRS ROSE GOODSTADT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR ALSO INCLUDED AN ADDITIONAL $79.5 MILLION TO FUND RECENTLY INTRODUCED AND NEW SERVICES FOR THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS.
"WE HAVE CHOSEN OUR PRIORITIES FOR NEW PROJECTS VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH THE OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN LAST YEAR’S WHITE PAPER. THE RESULT OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS WILL BE INCREASED SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN ALMOST EVERY FIELD."
FOR EXAMPLE, MRS GOODSTADT SAID, THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL 1,400 DAY NURSERY PLACES, AS WELL AS SIX SMALL GROUP HOMES AND 80 FOSTER CARE PLACES FOR CHILDREN.
"WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE PROVISION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES. THERE WILL BE SEVEN MORE SUCH CENTRES NEXT YEAR."
TURNING TO ELDERLY SERVICES, SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 527 PLACES IN HOMES AND CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES J
IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE SEVEN SOCIAL CENTRES, THREE DAY CARE CENTRES, AND ONE MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE.
MRS GOODSTADT STRESSED THAT REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES WOULD SEE THE LARGEST EXPANSION.
"AN ADDITIONAL 1,627 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR SEVERELY HANDICAPPED ADULTS. THIS INCLUDES 507 RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT BE TAKEN CARE OF AT HOME.”
SHE SAID THE EXPANSION IN REHABILITATION SERVICES ALONE COST AN ADDITIONAL $21.9 MILLION.
SHE SAID: "OF COURSE, A VERY LARGE SHARE OF THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR SOCIAL WELFARE WILL BE SPENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY - $4,023 BILLION.
"THIS MONEY WILL HELP SOME 550,000 CLIENTS EVERY MONTH. THEY INCLUDE NOT ONLY THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED BUT ALSO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE INCOMES.
"AND THE FUNDS DEVOTED TO SOCIAL SECURITY WILL BE INCREASED, IN APRIL, AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, TO MAKE SURE THAT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS ARE INCREASED IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
"I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASISE THAT THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY - WE WILL PROVIDE THESE BENEFITS TO ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS."
COMMENTING ON THE 92/93 EXPENDITURE, MRS GOODSTADT SAID: "WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO TWO THINGS FOLLOWING THE INCREASE IN THE FUNDS FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"FIRSTLY, WE ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR ALREADY VERY EXTENSIVE PROGRAMMES, SERVING A TOTAL OF 500,000 CLIENTS, EXCLUDING SOCIAL SECURITY CASES.
/"SECONDLY, WE .......
5
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
'SECONDLY. UE WILL BE ABLE TO PUSH AHEAD WITH NEU PROJECTS THAT WILL UPGRADE OR EXPAND ALMOST EVERY AREA OF SERVICE.
"IN SHORT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN THE RESOURCES TO GET ON WITH ITS JOB IMPROVING BOTH THE QUALITY AND RANGE OF SERVICES FOR ITS CLIENTS,” SHE CONCLUDED.
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FESTIVAL HE TO BOOST TIES
FESTIVAL HONG KONG 1992 TO BE HELD IN CANADA IN SEPTEMBER WOULD BUILD UP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF DIFFERENT CULTURES AND WAYS OF LIFE BETWEEN BOTH PLACES, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE PATRONS COMMITTEE FOR THE FESTIVAL, HE SAID THE HEADS OF BOTH GOVERNMENTS HAD AGREED TO BE HONORARY PATRONS FOR THE FESTIVAL.
THE FESTIVAL - THE BIGGEST AND MOST AMBITIOUS OVERSEAS ' PROMOTION HONG KONG. HAD EVER STAGED - WOULD HAVE LESS IMPACT IF IT WERE JUST A GOVERNMENT EFFORT, SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE NEED THE CO-OPERATION AND PARTICIPATION OF MANY ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.
"RESPONSE FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS BEEN HELPFUL AND IMPRESSIVE, BOTH IN TERMS OF DONATIONS AND OFFERS OF SERVICES. EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT AND ENTHUSIASM HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM ALL QUARTERS," HE SAID.
THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO RESPOND POSITIVELY BY OFFERING TO ORGANISE A SERIES OF EVENTS UNDER THE FESTIVAL BANNER.
SIR DAVID SAID THE FESTIVAL’S THEME - BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC - WAS A VERY APT ONE BECAUSE HONG KONG’S LINKS WITH CANADA DATED BACK OVER 100 YEARS WHEN CANADIAN SHIPS ARRIVED HERE TO SHARE IN THE CHINA SEA TRADE.
SINCE THEN, THE LINKS BETWEEN BOTH PLACES HAD GROWN STRONGER AND EXTENDED INTO MANY OTHER AREAS.
RECOGNISING THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE LINKS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED AN ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TORONTO LAST OCTOBER TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ABOUT HONG KONG AS WELL AS ORGANISE AND CO-ORDINATE THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTIVITIES IN CANADA.
CANADA IS HONG KONG’S NINTH LARGEST MARKET. TOTAL EXPORTS TO CANADA FROM JANUARY TO NOVEMBER LAST YEAR WERE $12,206 MILLION, UP 12 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
/IMPORTS FROM .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
6
IMPORTS FROM CANADA WERE $3,008 MILLION, UP 24 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT CANADA WAS WELL REPRESENTED IN MANY SECTORS IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING BANKING, TRADING, MANUFACTURING AND OTHER SERVICE SECTORS.
NOTING THAT CANADA WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR COUNTRIES FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS, HE SAID ABOUT 16,000 HONG KONG STUDENTS WERE STUDYING IN CANADA AND AN ESTIMATED 70,000 STUDENTS HAD SINCE RETURNED AFTER GRADUATION FROM CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES.
WHILE MANY HONG KONG RESIDENTS HAVE SOUGHT A NEW LIFE ABROAD IN CANADA, HONG KONG IS HOME TO SOME 35,000 CANADIANS, THE BIGGEST CANADIAN COMMUNITY IN ASIA.
SIR DAVID THANKED THE PATRONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT FOR THE FESTIVAL AND HE HOPED MORE PATRONS WOULD BE FORTHCOMING.
---------0-----------
FESTIVAL HK ’92 GIVEN A BOOST FROM PRIVATE SECTOR
******
THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS PLEDGED A TOTAL OF $13.08 MILLION IN SUPPORT OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT AN OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE FESTIVAL WHICH ALSO MARKED THE INAUGURATION OF A FESTIVAL PATRONS COMMITTEE, MR SO SAID THE ENCOURAGING RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY HAD DEMONSTRATED FULL SUPPORT OF THE FESTIVAL OFJECTIVE - TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA.
EACH OF THE 12 PATRONS PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY HAS PLEDGED SPONSORSHIP OF AT LEAST $1 MILLION, EITHER IN CASH OR IN KIND, IN SUPPORT OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92.
MR SO, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP ON FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92, RECEIVED A GIANT CHEQUE FROM THE 12 PATRONS DURING THE CEREMONY.
THE PATRONS ARE THE HUTCHISON GROUP, THE ASSOCIATION OF CHAIRMEN OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE CANADIAN AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL, THE CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LTD, THE CHEVALIER INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD, CHOW SANG SANG JEWELLERY COMPANY LTD, HANG SENG BANK, DR STANLEY HO, THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, THE HONG KONG TELECOM, THE PO LEUNG KUK PAST AND PRESENT CHAIRMEN AND DIRECTORS AND THE SUN HUNG KAI. PROPERTIES LTD.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE FESTIVAL WOULD HAVE LESS IMPACT IF IT WERE A SOLE GOVERNMENT EFFORT.
/"RESPONSE FROM .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
7
"RESPONSE FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS BEEN HELPFUL AND IMPRESSIVE, IN TERMS OF DONATIONS AND OFFER OF SERVICE. EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT AND ENTHUSIASM HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM ALL QUARTERS," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO RESPOND POSITIVELY BY OFFERING TO ORGANISE A SERIES OF EVENTS UNDER THE FESTIVAL BANNER, SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR CANADA, MR JOHN HIGGINBOTHAM, SYMBOLICALLY UNVEILED A FESTIVAL LOGO TO KICK OFF THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER.
MR HIGGINBOTHAM READ OUT AN ENCOURAGING MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA, MR BRIAN MULRONEY, WISHING THE ORGANISERS OF THE FESTIVAL EVERY SUCCESS.
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR ALSO PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO THE PATRONS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT TO THE FESTIVAL.
THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A PREVIEW OF A 10-MINUTE PERFORMANCE BY THE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY ON AN EXCERPT FROM "JOURNEY TO THE WEST".
FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92, THE BIGGEST AND MOST AMBITIOUS OVERSEAS PROMOTION HONG KONG HAS EVER STAGED, WILL BRING TO CANADA MORE THAN 50 EVENTS AND OVER 400 PERFORMERS AND PARTICIPANTS.
FIVE MAJOR CITIES - VANCOUVER, CALGARY, TORONTO, MONTREAL AND OTTAWA - WILL BE VISITED.
"WE HOPE TO SHOW CANADIANS IN CANADA A REPRESENTATIVE PICTURE OF HONG KONG’S LIFE AND CULTURE THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS," MR SO SAID.
"THEY INCLUDE CULTURAL PROGRAMMES BY HONG KONG’S PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING GROUPS; EXHIBITIONS OF HONG KONG INK PAINTINGS, CHINESE THEATRE, OLD CHINESE COINS AND CURRENCY; SPORTS DEMONSTRATIONS; FOOD FESTIVALS AND HONG KONG FILMS FESTIVAL," HE ADDED.
THE CORE PROGRAMME OF THE FESTIVAL IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $40 MILLION, OF WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY FOR HALF OF THE AMOUNT AND THE OTHER $20 MILLION WILL BE COVERED BY PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP.
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/8 ........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
WALLED CITY CLEAREES REMINDED OF CLEARANCE DEADLINE
********
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR PHILIP CHOK, TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED THOSE KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEAREES STILL REMAINING IN PHASE IIA OF THE CLEARANCE TO LEAVE BY MONDAY (MARCH 2) REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE ACCEPTED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION OFFERS.
"THE CLEARANCE DEADLINE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED ON MARCH 3 AS WAS DONE FOR PHASE I," MR CHOK SAID.
AT PRESENT, 176 HOUSEHOLDS REMAIN IN PHASE IIA OF THE WALLED CITY. OF THESE, ONLY 54 HOUSEHOLDS HAVE YET TO ACCEPT THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION OFFERS.
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT STAFF, INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR JOHN CORRIGALL, HAVE BEEN MEETING THESE CLEAREES DURING THE WEEK IN AN EFFORT TO REACH A SETTLEMENT.
MR CHOK ADDED THAT THOSE PHASE IIA CLEAREES WHO WERE STILL DISSATISFIED WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION OFFERS WOULD HAVE UP TO MAY 2 EITHER TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO SUBSTANTIATE A CLAIM FOR ■ HIGHER COMPENSATION OR TO APPEAL TO THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD.
HE STRESSED THAT APPEALS SUBMITTED AFTER THE DEADLINE WOULD NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
THE CLEARANCE IS BEING UNDERTAKEN IN FOUR PHASES. MARCH 2 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE SECOND PHASE WHILE THE REMAINING TWO PHASES WILL BE CLEARED ON APRIL 6 AND JUNE 1 THIS YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST OVER $3.1 BILLION. SO FAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAD PAID OUT $2.54 BILLION.
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CHALLENGING YEAR FOR HK’S EXTERNAL TRADE
******
THE YEAR OF 1992 WOULD BE FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES, BUT ALSO WITH UNCERTAINTIES, FOR HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MR TSANG SAID HONG KONG WOULD NO DOUBT BE FACING NEW CHALLENGES BECAUSE A NEW ECONOMIC ORDER WAS EVOLVING.
MANUFACTURERS WERE URGED TO CONTINUE CONTRIBUTING TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY WITH THEIR UNBENDING DETERMINATION AND STRENGTH.
/ON THE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
9
ON THE OUTLOOK OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE THIS YEAR, MR TSANG HIGHLIGHTED THE URUGUAY ROUND (UR) OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, WHICH AIMED AT FURTHERING TRADE LIBERALISATION.
"THIS ROUND OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS HAS GONE ON FOR FIVE LONG YEARS. THE SLOW PROGRESS HAS CREATED A GREAT DEAL OF UNCERTAINTIES.
"WE HAVE HEARD FEARS ABOUT THE COLLAPSE OF THE ROUND AND THE RISE OF REGIONAL TRADING BLOCS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS STILL A GENERAL BELIEF THAT THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) WAS THE CUSTODIAN OF THE OPEN MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM. AND THIS SYSTEM IS THE CORNERSTONE OF HONG KONG’S TRADING POLICY.
AN ELEMENT IN THE AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG, WAS THE PROGRAMME TO PHASE OUT THE RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE EXISTING MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) AND TO RETURN TRADE IN TEXTILES TO GATT RULES OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
OTHER ELEMENTS, INCLUDING THE NEW ANT I-DUMPING (ODES AND TRADE IN SERVICES, WOULD ALSO HAVE IMPACTS ON HONG KONG’S OVERALL TRADE DEVELOPMENT.
MR TSANG SAID HE SINCERELY HOPED THAT THE UR NEGOTIATIONS WOULD COME TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
"WE, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WITH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IN PARTICULAR, SHALL DO OUR BEST TO ACHIEVE BALANCED RESULTS," HE ADDED.
ON SINO-AMERICAN TRADE RELATIONSHIP, MR TSANG HOPED THE U.S. AND CHINA COULD BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES BASED ON THEIR RECENT EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING THE SPECIAL 301 ISSUE IN RELATION TO THE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL RIGHT.
ON THE MOST-FAVOURED-NATION (MFN) TRADE STATUS, THE U.S. SENATE PASSED A BILL ATTACHING CONDITIONS ON RENEWAL OF CHINA'S STATUS BY 59 TO 39 VOTES TWO DAYS AGO.
MR TSANG WAS CONFIDENT THAT PRESIDENT BUSH WOULD VETO IT, ADDING THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S CASE IS HEARD AND ITS INTERESTS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION.
IN EUROPE, THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES HONG KONG FACING CAME FROM THE FORMATION OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET AS WELL AS THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE.
"WITH A TOTAL OF SOME 340 MILLION CONSUMERS, THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET OFFERS IMMENSE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.
"THE DISMANTLING OF INTERNAL BARRIERS -TO ALLOW FOR THE FREE CIRCULATION OF GOODS, CAPITAL AND PEOPLE WOULD LOGICALLY RESULT IN IMPROVED MARKET ACCESS.
"HOWEVER, IT PROVIDES NO GUARANTEE THAT TRADE WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WILL BE EASY," MR TSANG SAID.
/HE POINTED .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
10
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE CONCERNS AMONG LOCAL TRADERS THAT THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET COULD BECOME "FORTRESS EUROPE" IN DISGUISE.
"THERE ARE ALSO FEARS THAT INCREASED COMPETITION FROM NON-EUROPEAN COMMUNITY ECONOMIES WOULD LEAD TO THE INTENSIFICATION OF PROTECTIONISM FROM DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL CLOSELY MONITOR DEVELOPMENT AND ALERT LOCAL TRADERS OF POTENTIAL HAZARD," HE SAID.
MR TSANG DESCRIBED EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AS "A MARKET OF TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL".
"THESE COUNTRIES’ MOVE TOWARDS THE MARKET ECONOMY COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATION FOR US," HE SAID.
HE ADMITTED THAT TRADING WITH THESE COUNTRIES ARE NOT WITHOUT ITS UNCERTAINTIES.
"PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH HARD CURRENCY DEFICIENCIES, BURDEN OF EXTERNAL DEBTS, THE LACK OF APPROPRIATE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE FLUID POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THESE COUNTRIES ALL (ALL FOR EXTREME CAUTION IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM," MR TSANG SAID.
BUT HE WAS SURE THAT LOCAL TRADERS COULD FACE UP TO THIS CHALLENGE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
RETURNING CLOSER TO HOME, MR TSANG SAID THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WAS LIKELY TO BECOME AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNER FOR HONG KONG.
"HONG KONG’S TOTAL IMPORTS WITH THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AMOUNT TO SOME 80 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL IMPORTS FROM THE WORLD.
"WITH INCREASED POLITICAL STABILITY, THE ECONOMIES OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC WILL GROW EVEN MORE RAPIDLY.
"THE PEACE AGREEMENTS REACHED IN KAMPUCHEA, THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA AND THE NORMALISATION OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINA AND VIETNAM SHOULD DO A GREAT DEAL IN NURTURING THE PROPER ECONOMIC CLIMATE AS WE ENTER INTO AN ERA OF PEACE AND ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT," MR TSANG SAID.
LASTLY, HE SAID THE ADMISSION LAST YEAR OF HONG KONG INTO THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION WOULD DEFINITELY BRING FORWARD THE COMING OF AGE OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL PLAYER.
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THURSDAY, FEBRI YRY 27, 1992
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URUGUAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT TO REPLACE MFA ******
THE DRAFT URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SHOULD PROVIDE MORE CONTINUITY AND CERTAINTY TO HONG KONG’S TEXTILE AND CLOTHING TRADE, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE (MULTILATERAL), MR PATRICK LAU, TOLD MEMBERS OF THE TEXTILE COUNCIL AND OTHER GARMENT ASSOCIATIONS TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A BRIEFING SESSION BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, MR LAU SAID THE DRAFT AGREEMENT WAS ON THE WHOLE ACCEPTABLE AS THE BASIS OF A FINAL AGREEMENT UNDER THE CURRENT URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
"THE DRAFT AGREEMENT MEETS OUR BROAD OBJECTIVES IN RESPECT OF OUR OVERALL MARKET ACCESS AND HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST OTHER MAJOR SUPPLIERS," MR LAU SAID.
"IT PROVIDES CONTINUITY AND CERTAINTY FOR HONG KONG FOR 10 YEARS ON SLIGHTLY BETTER TERMS THAN THOSE AT PRESENT," MR LAU SAID.
IF THE ROUND IS SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED WITHIN THIS YEAR, THE TEXTILE AGREEMENT MIGHT COMMENCE NEXT YEAR TO REPLACE THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) WHICH CURRENTLY GOVERNS WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AND WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
OVER THE NEXT DECADE-DIVIDED INTO THREE PHASES OF THREE, FOUR AND THREE YEARS-A TOTAL OF 51 PER CENT OF TEXTILE AND CLOTHING PRODUCTS IMPORTED BY HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY INTEGRATED INTO THE GATT WHILE OTHER RESTRAINED PRODUCTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO GROWTH RATES SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THOSE NOW IN PLACE.
EXPORTING COUNTRIES WILL CONTINUE TO RETAIN THE RIGHT TO ALLOCATE EXPORT QUOTAS TO THEIR TRADERS FOR THESE RESTRAINED PRODUCTS. THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL OBVIATE THE NEED FOR HONG KONG TO CONCLUDE BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENTS EVERY FEW YEARS.
TRADE IN TEXTILE PRODUCTS WILL BECOME SUBJECT TO STRENGTHENED GATT RULES AND DISCIPLINES CURRENTLY ALSO BEING NEGOTIATED UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND.
THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ALSO STRENGTHENS IMPORTERS’ ABILITY TO TAKE ACTION TO DEAL WITH CIRCUMVENTION OF QUOTA BY ORIGIN FRAUD AND TRANSHIPMENT.
A TEXTILE MONITORING BODY (TMB) WILL BE SET UP TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT. IT WILL REVIEW AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ANY DISPUTES WHICH MAY ARISE.
"IN THE ABSENCE OF A SATISFACTORY' RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES THROUGH THE TMB, PARTIES MAY RESORT TO THE GATT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES," MR LAU SAID.
ON THE TIMEFRAME FOR THE CONCLUSION Oh' THE URUGUAY ROUND, MR LAU SAID NEGOTIATIONS ON TARIFFS AND COMMITMENTS ON SERVICES WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF MARCH OR EVEN EARLY APRIL.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
12
HOWEVER, THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE ROUND WOULD DEPEND MUCH ON WHETHER, AND HOW SOON, THE BREAKTHROUGH IN THE AGRICULTURE TALKS WOULD COME.
FAILURE TO REACH A DEAL ON AGRICULTURE HAD LONG BREN THE MAIN STUMBLING BLOCK IN THE FIVE-YEAR LONG WORLD TRADE TALKS.
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PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT VITAL
*****
PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN ADDING VALUE TO PRODUCTS AND WERE BECOMING AN INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT IN TODAY’S COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE ON PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, MR BARMA SAID HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS FACED INCREASING COMPETITION FROM OTHER ECONOMIES IN THE REGION AND GROWING PROTECTIONISM IN SOME OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS.
"CONSUMERS DEMAND GREATER QUALITY AND NOVELTY. AND OUR CAPACITY FOR EXPANSION WITHIN HONG KONG IS SEVERELY LIMITED BY LAND AND LABOUR CONSTRAINTS.
"FOR SOME TIME NOW, MANUFACTURERS HAVE RECOGNISED THAT THE ANSWERS TO THESE CHALLENGES LIE IN THE GREATER APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY AND EXPERTISE TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCT DESIGN, AND GREATER ATTENTION TO QUALITY AND STANDARDS: IN SHORT, IN IMPROVING THE VALUE-ADDED CONTENT OF THE FINAL PRODUCT," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE ONE-DAY CONFERENCE, ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS, WAS AIMED AT AROUSING MANUFACTURERS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, AND AT INTRODUCING THE DESIGN SERVICES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.
"EQUALLY IMPORTANT, THE CONFERENCE WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANAGERS TO COMMENT ON THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN INTRODUCING PRODUCT DESIGN AND ON THEIR PLANS TO I PGRADE THEIR PRODUCT DESIGN CAPABILITY," HE SAID.
THE CO-ORGANISERS OF THE CONFERENCE ARE THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF DESIGNERS - HONG KONG REGION; THE DESIGN COUNCIL OF HONG KONG; THE HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY LIMITED; THE HONG KONG DESIGNERS ASSOCIATION; THE MECHANICAL, MARINE AND CHEMICAL DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS; THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL; AND THE SWIRE SCHOOL OF DESIGN OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC*.
THE CONFERENCE IS SUPPORTED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
/13........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
- 13 -
FLEXIBLE FEE-CHARGING FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES INTRODUCED
FLEXIBLE FEE-CHARGING WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM SUNDAY (MARCH 1) FOR PARENTS WHO MAKE USE OF THE OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES PROVIDED IN DAY NURSERIES.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) SAID THE FLEXIBLE MODE WAS INTENDED TO CATER FOR PARENTS WHO MIGHT REQUIRE THE SERVICE FOR SHORT SPAN OF TIME.
HE SAID A LOWER RATE OF FEES WOULD BE CHARGED.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WOULD ATTRACT MORE PARENTS TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICE AND RELIEVE THE PROBLEM OF CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME," HE SAID.
OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED ON A TRIAL BASIS IN 53 DAY NURSERIES IN THE TERRITORY WITH A VIEW TO ELIMINATING THE RISK OF HAVING CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME.
CHARGES AT PRESENT ARE AT A RATE OF $25 FOR HALF-DAY CARE AND $50 FOR FULL-DAY CARE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHILE PRIORITY WOULD STILL BE GIVEN TO FULL-DAY AND HALF-DAY CARE, NURSERIES WOULD AT THE SAME TIME OFFER TEMPORARY CARE AT TWO-HOUR OR QUARTER-DAY BASES WITH FEES IN THE RANGE OF $10 TO $15 PER ADMISSION.
"INITIALLY, THE NEW FEE-CHARGING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN 45 DAY NURSERIES. THE REMAINING EIGHT WILL JOIN IN FROM APRIL 1," HE ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN THE SERVICE MAY CALL THE SWD HOTLINE ON TEL. 343 2255 OR THE DEPARTMENT’S CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ON TEL. 578 1892.
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MERCHANT CONVICTED AND FINED FOR TAX EVASION ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
A 45-YEAR-OLD MERCHANT WAS SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT SUSPENDED FOR TWO YEARS, AND FINED A SUM OF $10,000 ON EACH CHARGE PLUS A PENAL TAX OF $3,400,653 IN THE DISTRICT COURT TODAY (THURSDAY) AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY OF EIGHT COUNTS OF OFFENCES RELATING TO SUBMITTING FRAUDULENT PROFITS TAX RETURNS.
THE DEFENDANT, MR WONG YUE HUNG, JOHNSON, OWNER OF A BUYING AGENT, PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO ALL THE CHARGES PROSECUTED AGAINST HIM UNDER SECTION 82(1) (a) AND 82(1) (d) OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
/THE PENAL .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
14
THE PENAL TAX OF $3,400,653 IMPOSED ON THE DEFENDANT REPRESENTED 300 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TAX EVADED. THE IMPRISONMENT SENTENCE WAS SUSPENDED FOR TWO YEARS ON THE CONDITION THAT PENAL TAX ARE PAID BY TWO INSTALMENTS WITHIN \ PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS.
THE COURT WAS TOLD THAT THE DEFENDANT OWNED THE JOHNSON WONG COMPANY WHICH WAS A BUYING AGENT OF SHOES AND HANDBAGS FOR A U.S. COMPANY CALLED REMAC INC.
THE DEFENDANT IN HIS COMPANY’S TAX RETURNS FOR THE YEARS 1983/84 TO 1986/87 HAD UNDERSTATED THE COMMISSION INCOME RECEIVED FROM TWO SUPPLIERS OF THE U.S. COMPANY AMOUNTING TO $ 6,774,241.
HE THEREFORE HAD UNDERSTATED TH! COMPANY’S FULL PROFITS BY 93 PER CENT AND EVADED TAX AMOUNTING TO $ 1,133,551 DURING THAT PERIOD.
THE DEFENDANT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEGOTIATING AND COLLECTING COMMISSION PAYMENT FROM THE TWO SUPPLIERS, LIN’S (KWONG MING) ENTERPRISES LTD AND FANNY SHOES MANUFACTURING LTD.
THE DEFENDANT WAS ALSO A SHAREHOLDER AND iflRECTOR OF THE LATTER COMPANY.
I IN PASSING SENTENCE, THE DEPUTY JUDGE ANTHONY TO SAID
OFFENCES OF THIS NATURE WERE VERY SERIOUS INDEED AND IMMEDIATE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE WOULD SEEM- JUSTIFIED.
HOWEVER, AS THE DEFENDANT’S TWO TEENAGE CHILDREN WHO HAD EMIGRATED AND WERE STUDYING ABROAD WOULD FACE FINANCIAL SUFFERING IF THE DEFENDANT WERE TO BE PUT IN CUSTODY, THE JUDGE GAVE HIM A SUSPENDED SENTENCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT TAX EVASION IS A ( RIMINAL OFFENCE.
ON CONVICTION, THE MAXIMUM CUSTODIAL SENTENCE IS THREE YEARS IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $20,000 ON EACH CHARGE PLUS A FURTHER FINE OF THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TAX EVADED.
0 - -
SHOW TO PROMOTE SAFE HANDLING OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS
******
A ONE-WEEK EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 29) TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDLING INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS WITH THE GREATEST CARE.
THE "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE : INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS AND YOU" EXHIBITION, TO BE HELD AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN, IS ORGANISED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION (OHD) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND IS SPONSORED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
/"INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
15
"INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS ARE WIDELY USED IN WORKPLACES NOWADAYS AND IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT THE PUBLIC, WORKERS IN PARTICULAR, SHOULD HAVE A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF THE HARM THEY' MAY HAVE ON HEALTH IF NOT APPROPRIATELY HANDLED," THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONSULTANT IN CHARGE OF THE OHD, DR CHAN SIK-YUEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS AS WELL AS SLIDE AND VIDEO PRESENTATIONS, VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTROL MEASURES BY THE SAFE HANDLING OF THESE CHEMICALS," DR CHAN SAID.
TWO MAJOR GROUPS OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS COMMONLY USED IN INDUSTRY ARE SOLVENTS AND METALS.
A WIDE RANGE OF MONITORING AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS WORK PROCESSES WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
"VISITORS CAN TRY A LUNG FUNCTION TEST TO CHECK THE STATE OF HEALTH OF THEIR LUNGS AND CAN TAKE PART IN A RESPIRATOR EFFICIENCY TEST TO IDENTIFY THE SUITABLE TYPE OF RESPIRATOR FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORK," DR CHAN ADDED.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUIZ GAME FOR VISITORS TO TEST THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS AFTER THEY HAVE TOURED THE EXHIBITION.
STAFF OF THE OHD WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM VISITORS AND DISTRIBUTE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PAMPHLETS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR DARWIN CHEN, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH DR LEE SHIU-HUNG AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY' AND HEALTH COUNCIL MR K.Y. TONGSON AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 29).
IT WILL BE OPEN TO PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM DAILY UNTIL 3 PM ON MARCH 6. ADMISSION IS FREE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE : INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS AND YOU" EXHIBITION AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 29) AT THE FOOTBRIDGE GALLERY, LEVEL THREE, NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN.
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/16 ........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
- 16 -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN WAN CHAI, HONG KONG SO THAT IT CAN BE CLOSED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IS LOCATED AT THE SIDE LANE OF NOS. 2-16A BOWRINGTON ROAD, WAN CHAI.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MARCH 19 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
-------o----------
FIGHT CRIME CONCERT IN KWAI CHUNG *******
KWAI TSING RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-CORRUPTION CONCERT ON SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 29) AT THE EXHIBITION PLATFORM, FIRST FLOOR, METROPLAZA, KWAI FONG.
THE CONCERT WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY POP SINGERS, THE ECHO, CASS PHANG, CHRIS WONG, STEPHANIE LAI AND THE FACE TO FACE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A LION DANCE BY THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL MEMBERS, A PARADE BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE PIPE BAND AND A PERFORMANCE BY THE KWAI TSING CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND A MAGIC SHOW.
AT THE SAME TIME, WINNERS OF THE DISTRICT’S 91 FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST WILL BE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES.
THE CONCERT WILL START AT 3 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WITH SPONSORSHIPS FROM THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD AND THE SHELL HONG KONG LIMITED, THE CONCERT AIMS AT SPREADING THE FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-CORRUPTION MESSAGES AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE ACTING KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROY TANG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN. MR LEUNG KWONG-CHEONG, AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CONCERT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-CORRUPTION CONCERT.
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/17........
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
- 17 -
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
******
A FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD IN THE ABERDEEN PROMENADE ON SUNDAY (MARCH 1) TO PUT ACROSS ANTI-CRIME MESSAGES TO RESIDENTS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
WITH THE THEME "PREVENT, REPORT AND PROVE CRIME”, THE CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 5 PM.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND ALL RESIDENTS IN THE AREA ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
IN ADDITION TO A HOST OF SPECIALLY DESIGNED GAME STALLS, THERE WILL BE A DRAMA, QUIZZES AND AN EXHIBITION OF WINNING ENTRIES OF A COLOURING COMPETITION.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS WILL INCLUDE POP SONGS, DANCES, KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION, ACROBATIC SHOWS AS WELL AS PERFORMANCES BY THE DISTRICT’S CHILDREN’S CHOIR, THE POLICE PIPE BAND AND POLICE DOGS.
THREE RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE THE "SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME AWARDS" AT A CEREMONY DURING THE CARNIVAL. THEY HAVE BEEN COMMENDED FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY HELP TO THE POLICE IN THE ARREST OF CRIMINALS AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT COURT TESTIMONIES WHICH RESULTED IN THE CRIMINALS’ CONVICTION.
THE CARNIVAL IS BEING JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
OFFICIATING AT ITS OPENING WILL BE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE; POLICE WESTERN DISTRICT DIVISION COMMANDER, MR R.C. TOAL; CENTRAL FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR PETER WONG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; AND DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN YAU-YUE.
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DB FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS ********
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD IS INVITING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO CARRY OUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES BETWEEN MAY AND OCTOBER.
APPLICATIONS MUST REACH THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT, SIXTH FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, KOWLOON, ON OR BEFORE APRIL 7.
/THESE ACTIVITIES .......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1992
18
THESE ACTIVITIES CAN BE RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL OR SPORTING EVENTS WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND SOCIAL COHESION; TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO DEVELOP GOOD HOBBIES, INTEREST AND CIVIC CONSCIOUSNESS, AND TO BE EDUCATIONAL.
THE COMMITTEE HAS ALREADY SENT LETTERS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT INVITING THEM TO APPLY FOR FUNDS.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SECRETARIAT OF MON’ KOK DISTRICT BOARD. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 399 2122.
---------0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
date s million
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 26.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 27.2.92 -149 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +149 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.6 *-0.2* 27.2.92 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS • I
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.89 PCT 21 MONTHS 2311 6.25 100.86 5.79
1 MONTH 3 MONTHS 6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3.85 3.85 4 . 10 4.72 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 PCT PCT PCT 5.50 99.47 5.87
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS
AND BONDS - 9,910 MN
CLOSED 27 FEBRUARY 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT TO POLICE LEADERSHIP ................................. 1
OVER 98,000 VACANCIES AVAILABLE TO LOCAL WORKERS ......................... 2
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JANUARY 1992 .................................. 3
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1992 .............................. 10
BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 GAZETTED ............................... 12
INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1992 ............................. 13
PAC TO RECOVENE HEARING ON UNIVERSITY FINANCES .......................... 14
NEW WATER CONTROL ZONE DECLARED ......................................... 15
TENDER INVITATION FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE ................ 16
STUDY TO EXPLORE PORT DEVELOPMENT AT TSEUNG KWAN 0 ...................... 16
RECLAMATION TO BE CARRIED OUT AT TSEUNG KWAN O .......................... 17
TENDERS FOR WESTERN WHOLESALE MARKET PHASE-2 ............................ 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR WORKS ON HOSPITAL FACILITIES ........................ 18
OPERATION TO WEED OUT DANGEROUS STRUCTURES .............................. 19
TENDERS FOR EXTENSION WORKS ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ADMINISTRATION BLOCK .. 20
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ................................ 21
1991 POPULATION CENSUS DATA CREMATED .................................... 21
120 VMS RETURN TO VIETNAM ............................................... 22
PLACES AVAILABLE AT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS ............,...........
WITHDRAWAL OF FERRY SERVICES FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS ....................... 23
POSTMAN AWARDED IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL .................................. 23
MAIN BUILDING OF ST STEPHEN'S GIRLS' COLLEGE DECLARED MONUMENT .......... 24
CLOSURE OF IMMIGRATION ABERDEEN OFFICE .................................. 25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 25
FRIDAY. FEBRI XhX 28, 1992
- 1 -
UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPOR1 T'. POLICE LEADERSHIP
THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT
ISSIED BY THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS:
’’ACTING COMMISSIONER OF POLICE JOHN THORPE, DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS JOHN SHEPPARD AND KEITH LOMAS, AND POLICE ADMINISTRATION OFFICER MIKE PAGL1ARI STRONGLY REI ITE THE CRITICISM OF SENIOR FORCE MANAGEMENT AND ]N PARTICULAR OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE MR, LI KWAN-HA FOR WHOSE LEADERSHIP THEY EXPRESSED THEIR UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT.
SINCE MR LI HAS BEEN COMMISSIONER AND IN AT TIMES DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, HE HAS SHOWN UNSWERVING COMMITMENT TO THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT 01 THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE. IN HIS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENT FOR IMPROVED PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE FORCE AND IN HIS REPRESENTATIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR LIMITATIONS ON THE CUTBACKS AFFHTING PERSONNEL AND OTHER ISSUES MR LI AND HIS SENIOR STAFF HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD AND WITH A GOOD MEASURE OF SUCCESS.
THE FORCE IS AND WILL REMAIN IN THE FUTURE AN ORGANISATION OF THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITY UPON WHICH Till- COMMUNITY’ AS A WHOLE CAN RELY. THERE AKE IN EXlSILME GOOD PROCEDURES FOR PERSONNEL OF THE FORCE TO MAKE KNOWN THEIR VIEWS AND GRIEVANCES. MATTERS CONCERNING THE FUTURE AND OTHER ISSUES SI CH AS PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, PENSIONS, WORKING HOCKS AND QUARTERS HAD BEEN FULLY REPRESENTED TO FORCE MANAGEMENT AND WERE BEING DEALT WITH AT ALL THE APPROPRIATE LEXELS BOTH WITHIN THE FORCE AND ELSEWHERE IN THE GOVERNMENT.
SENIOR FORCE MANAGEMENT IS INDEED WELL AWARE OF THE GOOD JOB BEING DONE BX THE FORCE AND ARI IN DAILY TOUCH WITH ALL MAJOR FORMATIONS TO MONITOR. GLIDE XND COMMAND ‘NIT AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE WHERE APPROPRIATE.
MENTION HAS BEEN MADE IN ONF ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY NEWSPAPER THAT SENIOR MANAGEMENT GAXE A ’MUTED RESPONSE’ TO AN INCIDENT IN NIM WAN AND IN THE CASE OF AN ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATION IN DECEMBER. THESE INCIDENTS WERE DEALT WITH XT THE HIGHEST DIPLOMATIC LEXELS AND IT WAS WHOLLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT TO ENGAGE IN ’DRUM BEATING’ OVER SUCH INCIDENTS.”
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/2 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 2 -
OVER 98,000 VACANCIES AVAILABLE TO LOCAL WORKERS
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED 98,018 JOB VACANCIES FROM 8,807 EMPLOYERS INTENDING TO BRING IN FOREIGN WORKERS UNDER THE GENERAL IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME AT THE CLOSE OF APPLICATION TODAY (FRIDAY).
THESE VACANCIES INCLUDED 23,294 IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY, 18,474 IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY, 11,303 IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL INDUSTRY AND 10,273 IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
THE OTHERS ARE DISTRIBUTED IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING AMD SERVICE SECTORS.
“THESE VACANCIES KILL BE OFFERED FIRST TO JOB-SEEKERS REGISTERED WITH OUR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES), AS REQUIRED UNDER THE SCHEME,” ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR ALFRED CHAN SAID.
’OUR STAFF ARE NOW GOING THROUGH RECORDS OF JGB-REGISTRANTS TO IDENTIFY SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR REFERRAL TO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS,” MR CHAN SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT WHEN PROCESSING VACANCIES, LES STAFF WOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE JOB SPEC IFI( AT1ONS AND CRITERIA SET FOR LOCAL WORKERS IN EACH CASE TO SEE IF THEY MATCH AND WOULD SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE EMPLOYMENT VISA CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (EVCC) WITH ITS ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
“IF AN EMPLOYER IS FOUND TO HAVE DELIBERATELY SET EXCESSIVELY RESTRICTIVE CRITERIA NOT COMMENSURATE WITH THE NATURE OF THE JOB FOR LOCAL WORKERS, OR REFUSES TO TAKE ON LOCAL WORKERS WITHOUT GOOD REASONS, HIS APPLICATION FOR QUOTA ALLOCATION UNDER THE SCHEME MAY BE REJECTED,” HE SAID.
“THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT ALL LOCAL WORKERS ARE GIVEN A FAIR CHANCE TO CHOOSE A JOB BEFORE APPROVAL IS GIVEN FOR EMPLOYERS TO IMPORT WORKERS,” HE ADDED.
COMMENTING ON REPORTS THAT SOME EMPLOYERS MAY OVERSTATE THEIR REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTED WORKERS, MR CHAN SAID THE EVCC WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AN APPLICANT'S SCALE <>F OPERATION WHEN CONSIDERING HIS APPLICATION.
"THE SIZE OF A QUOTA TO BE ALLOCATED TO AN EMPLOYER UNDER THE SCHEME WILL HAVE NO DIRECT BEARING ON THE NUMBER OF IMPORTED WORKERS HE APPLIES FOR,” MR CHAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE EVCC IS CONCERNED ONLY WITH AN APPLICANT'S ACTUAL REQUIREMENT.
HE ALSO REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT SHOULD THEY BE ALLOCATED A QUOTA EVENTUALLY, THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY A LUMP SUM LEVY IN RESPECT OF EACH IMPORTED WORKER.
/"THE LEVY
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 3 -
"THE LEVY, WHICH AMOUNTS TO $9,600 FOR A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT, IS NON-REFUNDABLE AND WILL BE PAYABLE UPON THE ISSUE OF EMPLOYMENT VISA," HE ADDED.
"THIS LUMP SUM PAYMENT WILL BE USED AS ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR ENHANCING RETRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR LOCAL WORKERS," MR CHAN SAID.
-------------------0------- CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JANUARY 1992 ******
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN JANUARY THIS YEAR WAS 10.5% HIGHER THAN IN JANUARY LAST YEAR, FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SHOWED.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 10.1% AND 9.8% RESPECTIVELY.
COMMENTING ON THE CPI(A), THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K. Y. TANG, SAID THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER, BUT WAS STILL BELOW THAT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR AS A WHOLE, CONSISTENT WITH THE DOWNWARD TREND WHICH EMERGED AFTER APRIL LAST YEAR.
"CONSUMER PRICES IN JANUARY 1992 WERE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHICH WAS ADVANCED FROM MID-FEBRUARY LAST YEAR TO EARLY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR. THE SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN CONSUMER PRICES OCCURRED EARLIER THAN IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR," HE SAID.
MR TANG POINTED OUT THAT A COMPOSITE CPI WAS COMPILED BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS.
"BECAUSE IT HAS A COVERAGE OF EXPENDITURE PATTERNS WHICH IS WIDER THAN ANY OF THOSE REPRESENTED BY THE INDIVIDUAL INDICES, THE COMPOSITE INDEX IS MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OVERALL CONSUMER PRICE TREND," HE SAID.
THE COMPOSITE CPI SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 10.2% IN JANUARY THIS YEAR OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
FOLLOWING IS A FULLER STATEMENT FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANALYSING THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JANUARY 1992:
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN JANUARY THIS YEAR WAS 10.5% HIGHER THAN IN JANUARY LAST YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 10.1% AND 9.9% RESPECTIVELY.
/COMBINING THE........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
4
COMBINING THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS A COMPOSITE CPI HAD BEEN COMPILED. THIS INDEX SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 10.2% IN JANUARY 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1991.
COMPARING JANUARY 1992 WITH JANUARY 1991, THE FUEL AND LIGHT COMPONENT REGISTERED A MARGINAL DECLINE IN BOTH THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO LOWER CHARGE FOR TOWNGAS AS A RESULT OF REDUCED FUEL COST AND LOWER PRICE OF KEROSENE.
RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (1.7% IN CPI(A) AND 1.8% IN CPI(B)); CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (5.6% IN CPI(A) AND 5.4% IN CPI(B)); AND MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.1% IN CPI(A) AND 5.4% IN CPI(B)I.
MEANWHILE, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR TRANSPORT (9.8% IN CPI(A) AND 8.4% IN CPI(B)); MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (10.7% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); SERVICES (11.2% IN CPI(A) AND 11.0% IN CPI(B)); HOUSING (11.4% IN CPI(A) AND 12.4% IN CPI(B)); FOOD (EXCLUDING RESTAURANT MEALS) (12.6% IN CPI(A) AND 12.1% IN CPI(B)); AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (33.4% IN CPI(A) AND 26.8% IN CPKB)). :
THE INCREASE IN THE FOOD COMPONENT (EXCLUDING RESTAURANT MEALS) WAS PARTLY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES IN JANUARY 1992 COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1991.
THE INCREASE IN THE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO COMPONENT WAS LARGELY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES.
AS FROM JANUARY 1992, THE 1989/90-BASED CPI SERIES HAD BEEN USED IN PLACE OF THE 1984/85-BASED CPI SERIES IN PRESENTING THE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISONS.
THE RATES OF CHANGE CALCULATED UNDER THE OLD AND THE NEW BASES SHOWED ONLY SMALL DIFFERENCES.
"THE NEW BASE REFERS TO THE MORE UP-TO-DATE CONSUMER EXPENDITURE PATTERNS AS DERIVED FROM THE 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
COMPARING JANUARY 1992 WITH DECEMBER 1991, THE CPI(A) WAS HIGHER BY 1.3%, THE CPKB) BY 0.8%, AND THE HANG SENG CPI BY 0.7%.
THIS COMPARISON IS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
THE INCREASES IN THE INDICES WERE MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AND HIGHER RENTS FOR PRIVATE HOUSING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR RECORDED A DECREASE.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 1992, THE CPI (A) AND CPKB) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 10.6% AND 10.4% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 1991.
/FOR THE .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
5
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 1992, THE CPUA) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 12.0% AND 11.6% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD.
ON A SEASONALLY ADJUSTED BASIS, BOTH THE CPI(A) AND CPI(Bl INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.8% PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 1992.
THIS WAS HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING RATE OF INCREASE RECORDED DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1991, AT 0.5% FOR BOTH THE CPI(A) AND CPI(BI.
THIS RISE WAS MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR AROUND HAL1 OF THE INCREASES RECORDED IN THE INDICES FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 AND 2 AND CHARTS 1-4.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR JANUARY 1992, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $9.0 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING,' CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF THF 1989/90-BASED CPIS, COMPILATION OF THE 1984/85-BASED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX NUMBERS WILL BE DISCONTINUED AFTER MARCH 1992.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDK ES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 SHOWS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES AND RATES OF INCREASE FOR JANUARY 1992. TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR OCT 1990 - JAN 1992. CHART 1 SHOWS THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN CPI(A). CHART 2 SHOWS THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN CPI(BI, CHART 3 SHOWS YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN HANG SENG CPI WHILE CHART 4 SHOWS YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN COMPOSITE CPI.
/Table 1 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
Table 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for January 1992 (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Component CPI(A) CPI(B) Hang Seng CPI Composite CPI
Index for Jan.92 % change over Jan.91 Index for Jan.92 % change over Jan.91 Index for Jan.92 % change over Jan.91 Index for Jan.92 % change over Jan.91
Food 119.7 +11.6 120.3 +11.3 119.4 +11.1 119.9 +11.4
Meals bought away from home 122.8 +10.7 122.8 +10.7 120.4 +10.7 122.2 +10.7
Food, excluding meals bought 116.6 +12.6 117.0 +12.1 117.9 +12.0 117.0 +12.3
away from home >
Housing 123.3 +11.4 123.8 +12.4 125.1 +11.3 124.1 +11.7
Fuel and light 113.2 -0.2 112.6 -0.3 113.2 -0.1 113.0 -0.2
Alcoholic drinks 145.7 +33,4 139.4 +26.8 136.2 +23.4 142.2 +29.7
and tobacco
Clothing and 110.0 +5.6 110.5 +5.4 114.8 +11.9 111.8 +7.6
footwear
Durable goods 105.4 +1.7 104.6 +1.8 106.7 +4.7 105.5 +2.6
J*
Miscellaneous 112.4 +6.1 110.7 +5.4 109.9 +4.7 111.1 +5.5
goods —
Transport 119.8 +9.8 119.5 +8.4 120.7 +7.9 119.9 +8.8
Services 123.3 +11.2 121.7 +11.0 118.2 +9.2 121.1 +10.5
All items 119.7 +10.5 119.3 +10.1 119.4 +9.9 119.5 +10.2
The 1989/90-based consumer price indices 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 $10,000-517,499 in the same period. The Hang Seng CPI is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 10% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $17,500-$37,499 in 1989/90.
Whereas the CPI(A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Composite CPI is compiled based on the expenditure pattern of all these households taken together. Thus, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI show the impact of consumer price changes on different groups of households, the Composite CPI shows the impact of consumer price changes on the household sector generally.
/Table 2 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
Table 2 Consumer Price Indices for Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1992
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPI(A) CPI(B) HSCPI Composite CPI
1990 Oct 105.8 105.9 106.7 106.1
Nov 106.5 106.7 107.8 106.9
Dec 107.4 107.6 108.1 107.7
1991 Jan 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
Feb 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
Mar 111.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
Apr 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
May 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
Jun 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
Jul 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
Aug 116.0 115.3 114.6 115.4
Sep 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
Oct 117.2 116.8 117.4 117.1
Nov 117.7 117.6 118.7 117.9
Dec 118.1 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992 Jan 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
/Chart 1 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 8 -
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
/Chart 3 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 9 -
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI
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/10 .......
- 10 -
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1992
******
DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF CERTAIN SPECIAL FACTORS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY THIS YEAR, RE-EXPORTS SHOWED NO INCREASE WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECLINED MARKEDLY WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY LAST YEAR.
IMPORTS ALSO FELL, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADE FIGURES AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR TENDED TO BE VOLATILE, AND THE JANUARY FIGURES SEEN IN ISOLATION WERE UNLIKELY TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNDERLYING TREND.
THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR DISTORTED THE COMPARISON SOMEWHAT.
LAST YEAR, THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WAS AT MID-FEBRUARY, AND PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY WERE UNAFFECTED.
BUT IN THIS YEAR, PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS IN THE LATTER PART OF JANUARY WERE AFFECTED BY THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR TO EARLY FEBRUARY.
ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN UPSURGE IN SHIPMENTS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AS EXPORTERS STRIVED TO ADVANCE THEIR DELIVERIES TO THE UNITED STATES IN ORDER TO AVOID BEING HIT BY ANY POSSIBLE U.S. SPECIAL 301 ACTION ON CHINA.
EXPORTS IN JANUARY THIS YEAR WERE REDUCED AS A RESULT.
AT $39,009 MILLION, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1992 WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FROM A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL BY $5,011 MILLION OR 26.1% TO $14,165 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD. TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS DECLINED BY $5r023 MILLION OR 8.6% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $53,174 MILLION IN JANUARY.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ALSO DECREASED, BY $4,752 MILLION OR 7.8% TO $55,909 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $2,735 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.9% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN JANUARY 1992.
THE LARGER DEFICIT RELATIVE TO THE LEVEL OF IMPORTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY WAS LARGELY SEASONAL.
AS A COMPARISON, THE DEFICIT RECORDED IN JANUARY 1991 WAS $2,464 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.1% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
/IN VIEW .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 11 -
IN VIEW OF THE VOLATILITY IN THE JANUARY FIGURES, IT IS USEFUL TO MAKE COMPARISONS OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1992 AMOUNTED TO $760,863 MILLION, MADE UP OF RE-EXPORTS OF $534,829 MILLION AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $226,034 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS, THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS ROSE BY $109,770 MILLION OR 25.8% WHILE THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY $2,380 MILLION OR 1%.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS THUS INCREASED BY S107,390 MILLION OR 16.4%. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $112,130 MILLION OR 16.9% TO $774,230 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $13,367 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.7% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1992.
THE DEFICIT RECORDED IN THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1991 WAS $8,627 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1992:
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR JANUARY:-
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : RE-EXPORTS : TOTAL EXPORTS : IMPORTS : TRADE BALANCE : $14 , 165 MILLION $39,009 MILLION $53,174 MILLION $55,909 MILLION $2,735 MILLION ( IN DEFICIT)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES •
NOV 91 TO NOV 90 TO INCREASE
LATEST 3 MONTHS JAN 92 JAN 91
A HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 56,921 61,266 -4,345 -7.1
RE-EXPORTS 143, 795 118,487 25,308 21.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 200,716 179,753 20,963 11.7
IMPORTS 203, 598 184, 115 19,483 10.6
TRADE BALANCE -2, 882 -4,362 1,480
JANUARY JANUARY INCREASE
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1992 1991
HKS MN. HK$ MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14, 165 19,176 -5,011 -26.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) ( 26 . 6%) (33.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 39, 009 39,021 -12 0.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 53, 174 58,197 -5,023 -8.6
IMPORTS 55, 909 60,661 -4,752 -7.8
TRADE BALANCE -2, 735 -2,464 -27 I
/LAST MONTH .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 12 -
LAST MONTH JANUARY 1992 HKS MN. DECEMBER 1991 HKS MN. INCREASE
HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14,165 22,299 -8,134 -36.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (26.6%) (29.8%)
RE-EXPORTS 39,009 52,487 -13,478 -25.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 53, 174 74,786 -21,612 -28.9
IMPORTS 55,909 76,974 -21,065 -27.4
TRADE BALANCE -2,735 -2,188 -547
FEB 91 TO FEB 90 TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS JAN 92 JAN 91
HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 226,034 228,414 -2,380 -1.0
RE-EXPORTS 531,829 425,059 109,770 25.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 760,863 653,473 107,390 16.4
IMPORTS 774,230 662,100 112,130 16.9
TRADE BALANCE -13,367 -8,627 -4,740
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BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 GAZETTED
THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE A LEGAL BASIS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE (ORO) AS A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT, IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE INSOLVENCY DIVISION OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT (RGD) IS PRESENTLY CHARGED WITH THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSOLVENCY MATTERS UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND FOR THE COMPULSORY WINDING-UP OF COMPANIES UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
"AS PART OF THE REORGANISATION PROGRAMME OF THE RGD, AND IN ORDER TO ALLOW MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THIS DIVISION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE REORGANISATION WILL IMPROVE EFFICIENCY THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW GRADE OF INSOLVENCY OFFICERS, WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL CASES, AND THROUGH GREATER SPECIALISATION BY LEGAL OFFICERS," HE SAID.
"THE NEW OFFICE, WHICH WILL BE HEADED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER (OR), IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO BEGIN OPERATIONS ON JUNE 1 THIS YEAR,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE IS THE PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF THE ORO.
/"SECTIONS 75 .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 13 -
“SECTIONS 75 AND 76 PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN OFFICIAL RECEIVER BY THE GOVERNOR AND DEFINE HIS POWERS AND STATUS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN ORDER THAT THE NEW OR CAN DISCHARGE HIS DUTIES EFFECTIVELY FOLLOWING ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW OFFICE, THE ORDINANCE NEEDS TO BE AMENDED TO ENABLE HIM TO DELEGATE HIS POWERS TO CERTAIN SPECIFIED OFFICERS WHO CAN ACT ON HIS BEHALF AND CARRY OUT HIS STATUTORY FUNCTIONS AS RECEIVER AND TRUSTEE OF THE ESTATE OF DEBTORS," HE SAID.
THE SPECIFIED OFFICERS MAY ALSO REPRESENT THE OR IN THE SUPREME COURT IN HEARINGS ON PETITIONS OR CIVIL LITIGATION PROCEEDINGS, AND CONDUCT PROSECUTIONS RELATING TO INSOLVENCY OFFENCES IN THE MAGISTRATE COURTS.
THE PROPOSED SECTION 75(3), THEREFORE, REQUIRES THE RELEVANT OFFICERS TO BE LEGALLY QUALIFIED. THEY ALSO NEED TO BE AUTHORISED TO TAKE AFFIDAVITS.
"TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS ARE INCLUDED TO ENSURE CONTINUITY AND CERTAINTY REGARDING ACTIONS TAKEN RESPECTIVELY BY OFFICERS OF RGD ANI> ORO IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND AFTER THE DATE OF TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
"CLAUSES 7 TO 13 OF THE BILL CONTAIN AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LEGISLATION CONSEQUENT UPON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORO AND THE CESSATION OF RG ’ S RESPONSIBILITY AS OR," HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT WILL. NOT ENTAIL ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN STATUTORY PROCEDURES OR COSTS, AND THE NEW ORO WILL RETAIN THE PREMISES CURRENTLY USED BY THE INSOLVENCY DIVISION OF THE RGD.
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INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1992
*****
A BILL WHICH PROPOSES TO EXEMPT FROM TAX THE PROFITS FROM CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT FROM HONG KONG EARNED BY OWNERS OF OCEAN-GOING SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG, IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE EXEMPTION WOULD ALSO APPLY TO CHARTER HIRE RECEIVED BY ALL OCEAN-GOING SHIPS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR PLACE Oh REGISTRATION.
"THE AMENDMENTS CONTAINED IN THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 ARE INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE SHIPOWNERS TO REGISTER THEIR SHIPS ON HONG KONG’S SHIPPING REGISTER. THEY WOULD REMOVE TAX DISINCENTIVES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS A SHIPPING MANAGEMENT CENTRE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"WITH THE........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 14 -
’’WITH THE AMENDMENTS, OUR SHIPPING TAXATION POLICY WOULD BE COMPETITIVE WITH THAT IN OTHER MAJOR WORLD SHIP REGISTRATION CENTRES, WHICH DO NOT CHARGE TAX ON PROFITS MADE BY OWNERS OF SHIPS REGISTERED WITH THEM,” HE EXPLAINED.
’’THE COST TO REVENUE OF THE EXEMPTIONS WOULD BE SOME $28 MILLION. HOWEVER, WE EXPECT THE LOSS TO BF MADE IP BY THE REGISTRATION AND TONNAGE FEES PAYABLE BY NEW SHIPS ATTRACTED ONTO THE HONG KONG REGISTER. THERE WOULD ALSO BE SIGN IFICANT INDIRECT BENEFITS TO THE BANKING, INSURANCE AND OTHER SHIPPING-RELATED SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IF THE BILL IS ENACTED, THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE TAX EXEMPTIONS WILL COME INTO FORCE RETROACTIVELY WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 3, 1990, WHEN THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WAS ESTABLISHED,” HE SAID.
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PAC TO RECONVENE HEARING ON UNIVERSITY FINANCES
******
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL RECONVENE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ’’PLANNING AND FINANCIAL CONTROL BY THE GOVERNMENT ON BUILDING THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY" ON MONDAY (MARCH 2) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, BEGINNING AT 9.30 AM.
INVITED TO THE HEARING WILL BF CHIEF SECRETARY SIR DAVID FORD, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO CHIEF SECRETARY MS EMMA LAU, SIR GORDON MACWHINNIE, MAJOR GENERAL GUY WATKINS, SIR S.Y CHUNG, MR I.F.C. MACPHERSON, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER MR JOHN CHAN, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, MR K.Y. YEUNG, MR M. PAGLIAR1, MR JOSF LEI AND DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES MR P.J. CORSER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO RESERVE SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER BY TELEPHONING 869 9492.
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/15........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 15 -
NEW WATER CONTROL ZONE DECLARED
»«*«*♦
THE NORTH WESTERN PART OF THE HONG KONG’S WATERS WAS DECLARED A WATER CONTROL ZONE (WCZ) UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE) ORDER GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RELATED ORDER BY WHICH THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED THE RESPECTIVE DATES FOR THE CONTROLS TO TAKE EFFECT AND THE STATEMENT OF WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS WERE ALSO GAZETTED.
"UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, CONTROLS ON NEW DISCHARGES TAKE EFFECT FROM THE FIRST APPOINTED DAY ON APRIL 1," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
LICENCE APPLICATIONS COVERING EXISTING DISCHARGES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BETWEEN THE FIRST APPOINTED DAY AND THE SECOND APPOINTED DAY ON OCTOBER 1.
THE WCZ IS THE SEVENTH OF ITS KIND DECLARED SO FAR UNDER THE. WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AFTER TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL (COMMENCED ON APRIL 1987), SOUTHERN WATER (JULY 1988), PORT SHELTER AND JUNK BAY (JULY 1989), AND MIRS BAY AND DEEP BAY (DECEMBER 1990).
THE NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE INCLUDES BOTH INLAND AND MARINE WATER BODIES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF LANTAU AND EXTENDS TO THE MAINLAND TO COVER TUEN MUN DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE COASTAL AREAS BETWEEN TAI LAM KOK TO LAN KOK TSUI.
ACCORDING TO THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON DECEMBER 1, 1990, A PERSON WHO DISCHARGES ANY WASTE OR POLLUTING MATTER IN A WCZ COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION Bl THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ENFORCEMENT PRIORITY WOULD BE DIRECTED AGAINST THOSE DISCHARGES THAT HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
"DISCHARGERS SHOULD THEREFORE OBTAIN AND COMPLY WITH A LICENCE GRANTED Bl THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNDER THE ORDINANCE WHICH IS THE ONLY CERTAIN WAY OF AVOIDING PROSECUTION," HE ADDED.
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/16 ........
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 28, 1992
16
TENDER INVITATION FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO TENDER FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE ON THE BASIS OF A BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER” ARRANGEMENT.
"THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IS ONE OF THE KEY PROJECTS UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME WHICH AIMS AT PROVIDING A THIRD ROAD CROSSING CONNECTING WEST KOWLOON AND THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF HONG KONG ISLAND BY MID 1997,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
TENDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED ON THE BASIS OF A PROJECT BRIEF. A BOOKLET CONTAINING INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT, TENDERING REQUIREMENTS, AND GUIDANCE FOR COLLECTION OF THE PROJECT BRIEF IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD PRODUCE A COMPANY LETTER IN ORDER TO COLLECT THE BOOKLET.
THE PROJECT BRIEF WILL BE READY FOR COLLECTION FROM MARCH 6 BY PARTIES WHICH HAVE COMPLIED WITH TENDER DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS. TENDER WILL CLOSE ON JULY 3 THIS YEAR.
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STUDY TO EXPLORE PORT DEVELOPMENT AT TSEUNG KWAN 0
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF TSEUNG KW \N O AS A BASE FOR DEEP WATERFRONT INDUSTRIES.
THE $5.2 MILLION STUDY WAS INITIATED AS PART OF THE PORT AND AIRPORT STRATEGY TO PROVIDE PORT FACILITIES IN TSEUNG KWAN 0.
IT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN AREA 137 OF THE NEW TOWN WHICH IS LOCATED TO THE SOUTHEAST OF FAT TONG CHAU STRETCHING ALONG THE COASTAL AREA FROM SHEK MUI WAN \ND THE PROPOSED TSEUNG KWAN O INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN THE NORTH TO TIT CHAM CHAI IN THE SOUTH.
UNDER THE GOVERNMENT PLAN, THE AREA IS TO BE RECLAIMED TO PROVIDE 120 HECTARES OF LAND FOR DFFP WATERFRONT INDUSTRIES OF WHICH 20 HECTARES ARE FOR POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS.
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL YSSESS DETAILED ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY OF THE PROPOSALS, WHICH IN( LUDES ENVIRONMENTAL, MARITIME AND TRAFFIC IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH CONSTRAINTS OR ABATEMENT MEASURES MAY NEED 1*0 BE APPLIED.
/THE NEED .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 17 -
THE NEED TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENT TO EXISTING LAND USE PLANS IN TSEUNG KWAN O AND THE SERVICES.REQUIRED WILL ALSO BE EXAMINED.
AN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME WILL THEN BE PREPARED WITH FORECASTS ON THE ANTICIPATED REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.
THE RECOMMENDATION FOR AN OPTIMUM ALIGNMENT FOR THE CONNECTION OF A PROPOSED WESTERN COAST ROAD IN TSEUNG KWAN O TO EAST KOWLOON ALSO CONSTITUTES A MAIN ISSUE OF THE STUDY.
ON COMPLETION, THE STUDY REPORT WILL PROVIDE DETAILED LAYOUT PLANS TO ALLOW PROGRESSION TO DETAILED PLANNING AND ENGINEERING DESIGN OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE AGREEMENT ON THE STUDY, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR, WAS SIGNED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S PROJECT MANAGER OF THE SOUTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, DR. CHOI YU-LUK ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF A JOINT CONSULTING FIRM.
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RECLAMATION TO BE CARRIED OUT AT TSEUNG KWAN 0 ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION AT SIU CHIK SHA, TSEUNG KWAN O, TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 LANDFILL.
THE RECLAMATION, TO BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 18.9 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED OF THE AREA, WILL ENABLE THE TIPPING OF ADDITIONAL QUANTITIES OF SOLID WASTE AT THE LANDFILL.
THE WORKS WILL ALSO COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN 840-METRE SEAWALL.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY 1994.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE \ND SEA-BED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE APRIL 27, THIS YEAR.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN AUTHORISED TO PERMIT BAYNARD LIMITED, OWNER OF TUEN MUN TOWN LOT 238, TO LAY A SEWER OF 250 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 520 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED BETWEEN BEAULIEU PENINSULA AND PEARL ISLAND TO DISCHARGE TREATED EFFLUENT FROM THE LOT.
ALL WRITTEN CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION SHOULD REACH THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 27, NEXT YEAR.
NOTICES DESCRIBING THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
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/18 ........
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
TENDERS FOR WESTERN WHOLESALE MARKET PHASE-2 * ******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN WHOLESALE MARKET, PHASE-2 IN KENNEDY TOWN.
A NOTICE OF TENDER WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEGETABLE AND POULTRY WHOLESALE MARKETS AND THE INSTALLATION OF MECHANICAL LIFTING EQUIPMENT ON THE TWO PIERS TO SERVE THE MARKET.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 1994.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY HONG KONG.
DEADLINE FOR SUMBISSION IS NOON, MARCH 27.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR WORKS ON HOSPITAL FACILITIES
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A NUMBER OF EXPANSION AND REPROVISIONING WORKS FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL IN SHA TIN, TO COPE WITH THE RAPID POPULATION GROWTH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EAST REGION.
THE CONTRACT WILL INVOLVE THE EXPANSION OF THE DELIVERY SUITE OF THE HOSPITAL WITH ONE ADDITIONAL OPERATING THEATRE, LABOUR ROOMS AND A NEW WARD; THE REPROVISIONING OF THE OFFICE OF THE OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY OPERATING THEATRE.
WORKS ON THE CONTRACT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
MEANWHILE, TENDERS ARE ALSO INVITED FOR ANOTHER PROJECT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHICH INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN X-RAY UNIT FOR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AT THE TAI PO JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE TWO PROJECTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON, MARCH 20.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
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OPERATION TO WEED QUT DANGEROUS STRUCTURES
******
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR ANTHONY SAMSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED FOUR BUILDINGS IN MONG KOK TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF "OPERATION CATHERINE WHEEL" - AN INITIATIVE OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) AIMED AT WEEDING OUT DANGEROUS STRUCTURES THROUGH THE USE OF ADVISORY LETTERS.
DURING THE OPERATION, BOO STAFF DELIVERED 364 ADVISORY LETTERS TO FLAT OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS IN THE FOUR BUILDINGS URGING THEM TO VOLUNTARILY REMOVE DANGEROUS PROJECTIONS SUCH AS CANOPIES, CAGES AND FLOWER RACKS FROM THEIR PREMISES.
THE FOUR BUILDINGS ARE AMONG A BATCH OF 52 TARGETED IN THE OPERATION WHICH WAS LAUNCHED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF "OPERATION APPENDAGES" - AN ENFORCEMENT OPERATION MOUNTED TO CRACK DOWN ON DANGEROUS STRUCTURES BY ISSUING REMOVAL ORDERS.
MR SAMSON, WHO HEADS THE BOO, SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE LATEST OPERATION WAS AGAIN TO MAKE BUILDINGS SAFER, NOT ONLY FOR THE RESIDENTS BUT ALSO FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, NOTING THAT MOST OF THE DANGEROUS PROJECTIONS WERE ABOVE CROWDED STREETS.
HE SAID THE HIGH PERCENTAGE OF VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE UNDER "OPERATION APPENDAGES" HAD CLEARLY INDICATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF BUILDING OWNERS AND RESIDENTS WISHED TO KEEP THEIR BUILDINGS SAFE.
"OPERATION CATHERINE WHEEL" IS THEREFORE DESIGNED TO SPEED UP THE REMOVAL PROCESS BY TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE PRESENT MOOD OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE PROVING VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR PRESENT ACTIONS.
"THEREFORE, INSTEAD OF ISSUING REMOVAL ORDERS TO THE OWNERS CONCERNED, ADVISORY LETTERS ARE BEING SENT IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, ASKING FOR VOLUNTARY REMOVAL OF ALL DANGEROUS STRUCTURES.
"AT THE SAME TIME, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WILL BE ASKED TO THROW THEIR WEIGHT BEHIND THE OPERATION AND TO HELP MOBILISE THE OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS.
"IN THE CASE OF THOSE WHO DO NOT RESPOND LETTERS, REMOVAL ORDERS WILL BE SERVED ON THEM, AND BUILDING WORKS WILL BE REMOVED BY GOVERNMENT NECESSARY," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL LATER RECOUP THE COSTS REMOVAL FROM THE OWNERS.
TO THE ADVISORY
THE UNAUTHORISED
CONTRACTORS IF
INCURRED IN THE
HOWEVER, MR SAMSON POINTED OUT THAT SO FAR THE RESPONSE FROM THOSE OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS OF THE TARGETED BUILDINGS WHO HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THE ADVISORY LETTERS HAD BEEN VERY ENCOURAGING. IF THIS CO-OPERATION CONTINUED, CASES REQUIRING ENFORCEMENT ACTION WOULD BE MINIMAL.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
HE SAID INSPECTIONS BY STAFF OF BOO HAD LOCATED SOME 11,150 UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN 6,730 FLATS IN THE 52 BUILDINGS TARGETED IN THE LATEST OPERATION, WHICH WERE GENERALLY IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THOSE BUILDINGS COVERED BY "OPERATION APPENDAGES".
THE FOUR BUILDINGS COVERED BY TODAY’S OPERATION WERE YUET YUEN MANSION AT 17-19 MONG KOK ROAD, CHEUNG HING MANSION AT 15 CHEUNG WONG ROAD, TAK LEE MANSION AT 1-5 ARGYLE STREET AND KAI WAN MANSION AT 7-13 ARGYLE STREET.
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TENDERS FOR EXTENSION WORKS ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ADMINISTRATION BLOCK *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE EXTENSION WORKS TO THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ADMINISTRATION' BUILDING AT SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OFFICE ACCOMMODATION TO THE EXISTING LION ROCK TUNNEL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING TO MEET THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS ARISING FROM THE INCREASING TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH THE TUNNEL.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 200 SQUARE METRES WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR GENERAL OFFICE, ACCOUNTS OFFICE, TOLL-RECORDER ROOM,' LOCKER ROOMS,
CANTEEN AND KITCHEN.
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR MAINTENANCE STAFF STATIONED THERE.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN SEVEN MONTHS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, MARCH 20.
FROMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY HONG KONG.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
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UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE A NUMBER OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS SO THAT THEY CAN BE CLOSED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT THE ROOF OVER FLAT C, 22ND FLOOR OF NO. 29-33 SOARES AVENUE, MONG KOK, KOWLOON; THE ROOF OVER FLATS A, B, C, D, E, F AND G ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF NOS. 39-49 HANG ON STREET, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON; AND THE REAR LANE OF LUCKY HOUSE, AT NO. 17-21 BURROWS STREET, NO. 149 WAN CHAI ROAD AND NO. 11 CROSS LANE, WAI CHAI, HONG KONG.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON APRIL 29, MAY 26 AND JUNE 11 RESPECTIVELY WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
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1991 POPULATION CENSUS DATA CREMATED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
QUESTIONNAIRES CONTAINING DATA ON INDIVIDUAL PERSONS,
HOUSEHOLDS AND LIVING QUARTERS COLLECTED IN THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS WERE BURNT THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING AT THE KENNEDY TOWN INCINERATOR UNDER THE CLOSE SUPERVISION OF STAFF OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. 4
THE POPULATION CENSUS WAS CONDUCTED IN MID MARCH 1991.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAI INDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE, DATA ON INDIVIDUAL PERSONS, HOUSEHOLDS AND LIVING QUARTERS OBTAINED FROM THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS MUST BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND ALL QUESTIONNAIRES CONTAINING SUCH INFORMATION MUST BE DESTROYED WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE CENSUS.
HE STRESSED THAT AT ALL STAGES OF THE CENSUS OPERATION, STEPS WERE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT CONFIDENTIALITY 01 THE DATA WAS STRICTLY MAINTAINED.
"OTHER THAN THOSE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE CENSUS OPERATION, NO ONE WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT CAN HAVE ACCESS TO DATA ON INDIVIDUAL PERSONS, HOUSEHOLDS OR LIVING QUARTERS. ALL CENSUS OFFICERS ARE UNDER AN OATH OF SECRECY NOT TO DISCLOSE SUCH INFORMATION.
/QUESTIONNAIRES COMPLETED .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
22
’’QUESTIONNAIRES COMPLETED IN THE CENSUS WERE DESTROYED IN ORDER TO DISPEL ANY POSSIBLE ANXIETY WHICH THE PUBLIC MIGHT HAVE OVER THEIR FUTURE USE,” HE SAID.
ANY IDENTIFICATIONS OF ENUMERATED INDIVIDUAL PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS FROM THE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE NOT ENTERED INTO COMPUTER, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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120 VMS RETURN TO VIETNAM ******
A GROUP OF 120 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR'S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 56 MEN, 26 WOMEN, 21 BOYS AND 17 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 92ND BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 2,085 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 16,064 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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PLACES AVAILABLE AT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS
******
A NUMBER OF PLACES IN PRIMARY TWO TO SIX CLASSES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN AT VARIOUS GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR STARTING SEPTEMBER.
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID CHILDREN AGED SIX YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS OR OVER ON SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR COULD APPLY FOR ADMISSION.
A NOTICE INDICATING THE PRIMARY TWO TO SIX VACANCIES WILL BE PUT UP AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE OF THESE SCHOOLS. APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THESE SCHOOLS FROM MARCH 3 (TUESDAY) TO MARCH 10, EXCEPT SUNDAY.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED PARENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED FORMS TO THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 10.
SELECTION OF APPLICANTS WILL BE MADE ON MARCH 17.
’’CHILDREN WILL NORMALLY BE ADMITTED TO SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT WHERE THEY LIVE,” HE SAID.
’’CONSIDERATION WILL ALSO BE TAKEN TO ENSURE CHILDREN FROM THE SAME FAMILY WILL NOT BE SEPARATED,’’ HE ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE FREE AND NO ENTRANCE FEE IS CHARGED FOR ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS.
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X
I
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 23 -
WITHDRAWAL OF FERRY SERVICES FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THREE FERRY SERVICES FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY LTD WILL BE WITHDRAWN SHORTLY.
THE SAI WAN HO TO SAM KA TSUEN FERRY SERVICE WILL BE WITHDRAWN FROM SUNDAY (MARCH 1).
BOTH THE MA LIU SHUI TO TAP MUN (VIA SHAP SZE HEUNG, SHAM CHUNG, LAI CHI CHONG, TAI TAN, CHEK KENG AND KO LAU WAN) AND THE MA LIU SHUI TO PING CHAU (MIRS BAY) FERRY SERVICES WILL BE WITHDRAWN FROM MONDAY (MARCH 2).
REPLACEMENT LICENSED FERRY SERVICES USING SMALLER VESSELS WILL BE INTRODUCED AT THE SAME TIME TO SERVE FERRY PASSENGERS.
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POSTMAN AWARDED IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL
*****
A POSTMAN, MR SO YAU-CHAN, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER SERVING IN THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE FOR OVER 36 YEARS.
THE AWARD OF THE MEDAL TO MR SO WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR SO, AGED 60, FOLLOWED THE FOOTSTEPS OF HIS FATHER, FORMERLY A POSTMAN, AND JOINED THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE IN 1954. HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF POSTMAN IN 1957. HE WILL LEAVE THE SERVICE NEXT MONTH.
‘ MR SO HAS UNDERTAKEN POSTAL DELIVERY WORK IN THE YAU MA TEI i DISTRICT FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, SAID MR SO’S LONG SERVICE WAS MARKED BY LOYALTY, DILIGENCE AND EFFICIENCY.
"HIS POSITIVE COMMITMENT TO THE PROVISION OF QUALITY SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC HAS EARNED A GOOD REPUTATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT, AND HAS SET A WORTHY EXAMPLE FOR OTHER STAFF,” MR WONG SAID.
MR SO RECEIVED WARM CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON; THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, AND HIS COLLEAGUES.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
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MAIN BUILDING OF ST STEPHEN’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE DECLARED MONUMENT ♦ »»»»»
THE MAIN BUILDING OF ST STEPHEN’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE AT NO. 2 LYTTELTON ROAD, HONG KONG ISLAND WAS TODAY (FRIDAY) GAZETTED AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
ST STEPHEN’S GIRLS’ COLLEGE IS ONE OF THE FIRST SCHOOLS TO DEVOTE ITSELF TO THE EDUCATION OF GIRLS IN HONG KONG. MANY OF ITS STUDENTS BECAME PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING SOME OF THE FIRST FEMALE GRADUATES OF HONG KONG UNIVERSITY.
MANAGED BY THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, THE COLLEGE WAS ESTABLISHED AND SUPPORTED WITH THE HELP OF SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE LOCAL CHINESE COMMUNITY.
THE COLLEGE WAS ORIGINALLY LOCATED AT 27 CAINE ROAD BUT MOVED TO ITS PRESENT LOCATION AT LYTTELTON ROAD IN 1923.
THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE BUILDING, LOCATED AT WEST END PARK, WAS LAID ON APRIL 7, 1922 BY THE VISITING PRINCE OF WALES AND THE BUILDING WAS OFFICIALLY DECLARED OPEN ON JANUARY 25, 1924 BY LADY STUBBS, WIFE OF THE THEN GOVERNOR, SIR REGINALD STUBBS.
THE ORIGINAL PLAN FOR THE COLLEGE WAS THE WORK OF THE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM, MESSRS LITTLE, ADAMS &• WOOD (NOW NO LONGER IN BUSINESS). THE WEST WING AND THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE BUILDING WERE COMPLETED IN 1923 WHILE THE EAST WING WAS BUILT IN 1928.
THE BUILDING IS A FOUR-STOREYED STRUCTURE ENCLOSING A SCHOOL HALL IN THE CENTRE.
THE DESIGN CONCEPT AND LAYOUT OF THIS EUROPEAN BUILDING IS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST BECAUSE OF ITS SIMILARITIES IN STYLE TO A TRADITIONAL CHINESE COURTYARD HOUSE.
THE LOAD BEARING WALLS WERE BUILT OF TWO DIFFERENT MATERIALS, WITH MASONRY WORK BENEATH THE GROUND FLOOR LEVEL XND BRICKWORK ABOVE IT. THE PITCHED ROOF IS OF TIMBER CONSTRUCTION WITH CHINESE PAN AND ROLL TILES.
OWING TO SUBSEQUENT EXPANSION, OTHER BUILDINGS WERE ADDED TO THE COLLEGE COMPOUND. THE STRUCTURE NOW DECLARED IS THE MAIN BUILDING.
THE BUILDING WILL BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED BY THE COLLEGE.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 25 -
CLOSURE OF IMMIGRATION ABERDEEN OFFICE
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE ABERDEEN OFFICE AND ABERDEEN MARRIAGE REGISTRY CURRENTLY SITUATED AT ABERDEEN CENTRE, HONG KONG WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (MARCH 2).
”IN AN EFFORT TO MAXIMISE THE UTILISATION OF ITS RESOURCES, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A REVIEW OF ITS BRANCH OFFICE STRATEGY. AS A RESULT, A NUMBER OF BRANCH OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED AND RESOURCES REDEPLOYED TO OTHERS SO THAT SERVICES IN GENERAL CAN BE IMPROVED,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
’’THIS WILL ALLOW US TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE TO MORE PEOPLE,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY APPROACH THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS OR OTHER BRANCH OFFICES FOR DOCUMENTS AND REGISTRATION OF PERSONS SERVICES.
FOR MARRIAGE REGISTRATION SERVICE, THE PUBLIC MAY MAKE USE OF OTHER MARRIAGE REGISTRIES IN CENTRAL OR SAI WAN HO.
FOR ENQUIRIES, THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 27.2.92 600
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 28.2.92 + 169
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -169
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON + 500*
* LATE O/N ASSISTANCE, TO BE REVERSED ON 2 MAR 92
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 111.5 *-0,1* 28.2.92
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
- 26 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.89 PCT 21 MONTHS 231 1 6.25 100.83 5.81
1 MONTH 3.82 PCT 24 MONTHS 2402 5.50 99.40 5.91
3 MONTHS 3.82 PCT
6 MONTHS 4.03 PCT
12 MONTHS 4.68 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,970 MN
CLOSED 28 FEBRUARY 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HEAVY FINES FOR EMPLOYER DEDUCTING IMPORTED WORKERS' WAGES ............. 1
REPORT RECOMMENDS WIDE-RANGING IMPROVEMENTS TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ................................................................ 2
WORKERS' HEALTH IMPORTANT TO PRODUCTIVITY .............................. 3
BUS PARADE TO PUBLICISE DANGERS OF FALLING OBJECTS ..................... 4
CNTA DEALT WITH OVER FOUR MILLION ENQUIRIES IN 1991 .................... 5
PART-TIME ADULT EDUCATION LECTURERS SOUGHT ............................. 6
TALENTED LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS WIN CFPA AWARDS ............................. 7
NEW SCHEDULED PLB ROUTE ON HONG KONG ISLAND............................. 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 8
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
HEAVY FINES FOR EMPLOYER DEDUCTING IMPORTED WORKERS’ WAGES *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY WOULD BE LIABLE TO HEAVY FINES FOR UNLAWFULLY DEDUCTING THE WAGES OF THEIR IMPORTED WORKERS.
THE LAI’S KNITWEAR MANUFACTURING LIMITED IN SAN PO KONG WAS CONVICTED OF NINE CHARGES OF UNLAWFUL WAGE DEDUCTION AND WAS FINED A TOTAL OF 310,800 BY A KWUN TONG MAGISTRATE ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 27).
THE COMPANY WAS FOUND BY LABOUR INSPECTORS TO HAVE DEDUCTED WAGES FROM THREE IMPORTED WORKERS AMOUNTING FROM $395.4 To 3'131.4 ON NINE OCCASIONS, CONTRARY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
"ACCORDING TO THE ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER IS NOT ALLOWED TO DEDUCT THE WAGES OF HIS EMPLOYEE EXCEPT UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS AND UP TO CERTAIN LIMITS STIPULATED IN THE LAW, SUCH AS FOR THE PROVISION OF FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION AND RECOVERY OF LOANS MADE BY THE EMPLOYER," ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU SAID.
"ANY DEDUCTION FROM AN EMPLOYEE’S WAGES OTHER THAN IS PERMITTED BY THE ORDINANCE IS UNLAWFUL, AND THE OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000," MR MAK SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TOOK A VERY SERIOUS VIEW OF EMPLOYERS WHO EXPLOITED IMPORTED WORKERS AND PROSECUTION WOULD BE INSTITUTED WHEN THERE WAS EVIDENCE.
"WE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN PROSECUTING FIVE EMPLOYERS AND HAVE LAID EIGHT SUMMONSES AGAINST SIX OTHER EMPLOYERS SO FAR THIS YEAR FOR VARIOUS CHARGES UNDER THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID, NOTING THAT PROSECUTION IS BEING CONSIDERED AGAINST A FURTHER 11 EMPLOYERS.
"OF THE 17 CHARGES CONVICTED THIS YEAR, 16 RELATED TO DEDUCTION OF WAGES AND LABOUR SERVICE CHARGE AND ONE TO FAILURE TO GRANT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS," HE ADDED.
MR MAK CALLED ON THOSE IMPORTED WORKERS WHO WERE EXPLOITED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS TO COME FORWARD AND REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT, SO THAT PROSECUTION COULD BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST THE OFFENDING EMPLOYERS.
TO ENSURE THAT IMPORTED WORKERS GET THEIR WAGES IN SAID EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED UNDER THE CURRENT' LABOUR SCHEME TO PAY WAGES TO WORKERS BY AUTOPAY AS A REQUIREMENT.
FULL, MR MAK IMPORTATION CONTRACTUAL
"IN ADDITION, A BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEEKING TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION AND UNDERPAYMENT OF WAGES FROM $10,000 TO $100,000 AND FROM $20,000 TO $200,000 RESPECTIVELY, PLUS IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR," HE NOTED.
"THE LAW SHOULD HAVE GREATER DETERRENT EFFECT ON UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS AND SHOULD PROVIDE FULLER PROTECTION OF THE STATUTORY RIGHTS OF IMPORTED WORKERS," HE SAID.
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/2 ........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
- 2 -
REPORT RECOMMENDS WIDE-RANGING IMPROVEMENTS TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY *****
THE PROBLEM OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CAN ONLY BE TACKLED THROUGH TRIPARTITE EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE EMPLOYERS AND THE EMPLOYEES.
THIS WAS STATED IN A REPORT OF THE JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY WHICH WAS SET UP IN MAY LAST YEAR UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF A DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH TO REVIEW THE MULTI-FACETED ISSUES RELATED TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN HONG KONG.
AFTER EIGHT MONTHS’ DELIBERATIONS, THE COMMITTEE HAS COME UP WITH 20 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LONG TERM AND IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS IN SUCH AREAS AS ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANISATIONS, LEGISLATIVE CONTROL, STRATEGIES FOR MONITORING, PREVENTION AND ENFORCEMENT, DISABILITY' ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION AND REHABILITATION.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATIVE SETUPS CONSISTING OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION AND THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL (OSHC), HAVE GENERALLY BEEN EFFECTIVE.
IT ALLOWS PLENTY OF SCOPE FOR DEVELOPING CLOSER INTERACTION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WITH PARTICIPATION BY EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE INDUSTRY IN THE OVERALL DRIVE FOR BETTER OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY.
AS THE EXISTING TRIPARTITE COMMITTEES HAVE SERVED HIGHLY USEFUL PURPOSES, THE REPORT HAD THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT THE OSHC SET UP MORE SUCH COMMITTEES AS WELL AS AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEE AND A CHEMICAL SAFETY' AND HEALTH COMMITTEE TO BETTER EQUIP EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WITH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE ON THESE MATTERS.
IN ADDITION, A COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD ALSO BE CO-OPTED TO THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY' AND HEALTH OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TO STRENGTHEN THE LINK BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES.
ON LEGISLATION, THE REPORT PROPOSED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT REVIEW ANNUALLY THE LIST OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION DEVELOPMENTS OVERSEAS AND LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES; DRAW UP GUIDELINES ON OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS FOR THE 231 CHEMICAL ALREADY LISTED IN THE LAW AND ISSUE THEM TO ALL FACTORY PROPRIETORS FOR THEIR COMPLIANCE; AND INTRODUCE A NEW SET OF REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEMARCATION OF NOISE ZONES WITHIN FACTORIES TO PROTECT WORKERS AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEPARTMENTAL MONITORING TEAM ON CHEMICAL SAFETY; THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EXPERT WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES IN HONG KONG; THE SETTING UP OF SAFETY COMMITTEES IN LARGER ESTABLISHMENTS AND THE EXTENSION OF THE SAFETY' OFFICER SCHEME TO OTHER INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS HAD ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED.
/OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
- 3 -
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT INCLUDED:
* REVIEW THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE WITH A VIEW TO RATIONALISING THE BASIS OF DISABILITY ASSESSMENT AND REFLECTING THE LOSS OF ACTUAL EARNING IN DISABILITY COMPENSATION;
* REVIEW BOTH THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF COMPENSATION AND THE STIPULATED NUMBER OF MONTHS FOR COMPENSATION;
* AMEND THE LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE AMOUNT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES RECOVERABLE BY AN INJURED EMPLOYEE TO BE BASED ON THE RATES IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE IN THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE IN FORCE AT THE DATE OF THE MEDICAL TREATMENT;
* ESTABLISH A CENTRALLY ADMINISTERED STATUTORY COMPENSATION FUND BOARD;
♦ AMEND THE LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE A NEW COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS;
* COMPILE'MORE INFORMATIVE STATISTICS TO BETTER ASSESSED THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION NEEDS OF INJURED WORKERS; AND
* PUBLICISE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT, SKILLS TRAINING, JOB PLACEMENT AND OTHER SUPPORTING SERVICES FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE REPORT SHOULD WRITE TO THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY 4(1) OF THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 12TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING).
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WORKERS’ HEALTH IMPORTANT TO PRODUCTIVITY
******
THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH OF THE WORKFORCE IS IMPORTANT IN INCREASING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, MADE THE REMARKS WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE: INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS AND YOU" EXHIBITION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
"WITH THE ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY AND INCREASING SOPHISTICATION AND DIVERSIFICATION OF PRODUCTS, THE NUMBER OF RAW MATERIALS AND CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES IN USE ALSO INCREASES," DR LEE SAID.
"THE HEALTH OF THE WORKERS SHOULD BE WELL PROTECTED AGAINST THE VARIOUS CHEMICAL HAZARDS APART FROM THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS," HE SAID.
/RECENT ESTIMATES .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
RECENT ESTIMATES FROM THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR CHEMICAL SAFETY INDICATE THAT BETWEEN 70,000 AND 80,000 CHEMICALS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE WORLD MARKET. OF THE MARKETED SUBSTANCES, FIVE TO 10 PER CENT ARE CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS.
AS NEW CHEMICALS AND PRODUCTS ARE BEING INTRODUCED TO HONG KONG, DR LEE SAID NEW WORK-RELATED ILLNESSES MIGHT BE FOUND IN THE WORKERS.
’’THE PROMOTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IS NOT SOLELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE, ALL EFFORTS IN HEALTH EDUCATION OF THE WORKFORCE MUST HAVE THE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT OF EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYEES, THE PROFESSIONALS AND THE GOVERNMENT," DR LEE NOTED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ' DARWIN CHEN, SAID THE EXHIBITION AIMED AT AROUSING AWARENESS AMONG EMPLOYERS, WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OF THE NECESSITY TO HANDLE INDUSTRIAL ( HEM 1 CALS WITH CARE AND THE CONTROL MEASURES.
"IF CONTROL MEASURES ARE NEGLECTED, WORKERS’ HEALTH WILL BE HARMED, CAUSING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES TO THEIR FAMILIES," MR CHEN SAID.
"AS FOR EMPLOYERS, SUFFICIENT CONTROL MEASURES WILL PREVENT PAYMENTS IN COMPENSATION AND LOSSES IN PRODUCTIVITY," HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION, BEING HELD AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN, ' FEATURES PHOTOGRAPH AND EQUIPMENT DISPLAYS, SLIDE AND VIDEO PRESENTATIONS, A LUNG FUNCTION TEST, A RESPIRATOR EFFICIENCY TEST AND A QUIZ GAME.
IT IS OPEN TO PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM DAILY UNTIL 3 PM ON MARCH 6. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND IS SPONSORED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
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BUS PARADE TO PUBLICISE DANGERS OF FALLING OBJECTS
******
PEOPLE LIVING IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED OF THE GRAVE HARM THAT COULD BE DONE BY FALLING OBJECTS.
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF A BUS PARADE TO PUBLICISE SUCH DANGERS, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE, RECALLED THAT AN ELDERLY WOMAN IN LEI TUNG ESTATE WAS KILLED BY A BAG OF CEMENT THROWN OUT FROM A BLOCK IN JULY LAST YEAR.
/SHE ALSO .......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
5
SHE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ON THE BIG INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING FALLING OBJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
POLICE FIGURES REVEALED THAT THERE WERE 23 SUCH INCIDENTS LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH ONLY ONE CASE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
MRS URE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS DETERMINED TO BRING TO JUSTICE THOSE WHO COMMIT THIS TYPE OF OFFENCE, WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A $10,000 FINE AND SIX-MONTHS1 IMPRISONMENT.
’’FOR THOSE CASES THAT RESULT IN DEATHS, OFFENDERS MAY FACE LIFE IMPRISONMENT OR EVEN THE DEATH PENALTY,” SHE SAID.
TODAY’S BUS PARADE HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES.
APART FROM MAKING APPEALS THROUGH THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM ON THE BUS, THE PULICITY TEAM ALSO HANDED OUT COPIES OF A BOOKLET SPECIALLY PRODUCED FOR THE PUBLICITY DRIVE.
THE TEAM COMPRISED THE DB CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF; AND CHAIRMEN OF THE SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES, MESSRS LEE P1NG-WAH, TO WAI-KEUNG, TSE KIT-TO, CHEN KWONG, WONG KING-CHEUNG, KO KAM-CHEUNG AND CHAN YAU-YUE.
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CNTA DEALT WITH OVER FOUR MILLION ENQUIRIES IN 1991 ******
THE 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES (PESCS) OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) HANDLED OVER FOUR MILLION ENQUIRIES LAST YEAR.
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT OUT OF THE 4,017,467 ENQUIRIES, 150,337 CASES WERE RECEIVED BY THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE (CTEC) IN CNTA HEADQUARTERS, WHICH WAS SET UP LAST APRIL AS A BACK UP SERVICE.
HE SAID THE CENTRES, WHICH WERE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE 19 DISTRICTS, AND THE CTEC SERVED MORE THAN 10.7 MILLION PEOPLE DURING THE YEAR.
ASIDE FROM DECLARATION SERVICE WHICH TOPPED THE LIST OF ENQUIRIES (250,974), THE OTHER POPULAR SUBJECTS WERE LOCATIONS, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND OPENING HOURS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES (188,468), GOVERNMENT JOB VACANCIES (151,450), APPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING (122,639) AND EMIGRATION OR OVERSEAS VISITS (122,283).
MEANWHILE, A TOTAL OF 564,000 DECLARATIONS, OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS, WHICH INCLUDE DECLARATION OF OVERSEAS STUDIES (113,021), EMIGRATION OR OVERSEAS VISITS (112,124) AND OVERSEAS EXAMINATIONS (30,068), WERE ADMINISTERED BY THE PESCS IN THE SAME PERIOD.
/MOREOVER, ABOUT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
- 6 -
MOREOVER, ABOUT 6.7 MILLION FORMS AND OTHER INFORMATION SHEETS WERE DISTRIBUTED. THESE INCLUDED APPLICATION FORMS FOR GOVERNMENT VACANCIES (454,142), HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (198,588), PUBLIC HOUSING WAITING LIST REGISTRATION (158,661), SUMMER SHORT COURSES (100,041) AND VARIOUS NON-GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES (99,368).
ON THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CNTA AND THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY, A TOTAL OF 2,585 CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE SOCIETY, WITH 2,408 CASES HANDLED BY VOLUNTARY SOLICITORS AND 134 CASES SUBSEQUENTLY REFERRED TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE.
THERE WERE 17,355 PEOPLE WHO SOUGHT ADVICE ON RENTAL AND TENANCY PROBLEMS FROM RENT OFFICERS OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT ON DUTY AT THE 10 URBAN DISTRICT OFFICES AND FIVE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE VARIOUS SERVICES. AVAILABLE AT THESE CENTRES MAY APPROACH ANY OF THE PESCS, OR CALL THE CTEC ON TEL. 835 2500.
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PART-TIME ADULT EDUCATION LECTURERS SOUGHT
******
THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM SUITABLE QUALIFIED PERSONS TO FILL THE EVENING PART-TIME LECTURING VACANCIES IN THE VARIOUS COURSES TO BE OPERATED IN 1992-93.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS WITH A GENUINE INTEREST IN TEACHING ADULTS IN THE EVENING.
EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE AT POST-SECONDARY OR SENIOR SECONDARY LEVELS, CHINESE LANGUAGE, SCIENCE, SOCIAL SUBJECTS OR COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVELS AND/OR POSSESSION OF A DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION OR ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN TEACHER TRAINING WOULD BE AN ADVANTAGE.
EXISTING REMUNERATIONS FOR PART-TIME LECTURING ARE: $245 PER HOUR FOR POST-SECONDARY LEVEL SUBJECTS; $205 PER HOUR FOR SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL SUBJECTS; $160 PER HOUR FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL SUBJECTS AND $145 PER HOUR FOR PRIMARY LEVEL SUBJECTS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED ON OR BRFORE MARCH 28.
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/7........
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
TALENTED LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS WIN CFPA AWARDS
* * * * »
CREATIVE 'LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS HAD THEIR SCRIPT WRITING SKILLS RECOGNISED AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPTS 1991 HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, PROF WANG GUNGWU, SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM STUDENTS TO THE AWARD SCHEME.
"THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES HAS GROWN FROM 19 IN 1990 TO 31 IN 1991, DUE MAINLY TO MANY MORE ENTRIES FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THIS IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN FOR THE FUTURE OF DRAMA HERE,” HE SAID.
PROF WANG THANKED THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE DRAMA COMMITTEE OF THE CFPA FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN SELECTING THE WINNING ENTRIES FROM ALL THE SCRIPTS SUBMITTED. HE CONGRATULATED ALL THOSE WHO HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL DRAMA.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WAS THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, WHO SAID THE COUNCIL HAD PLAYED AN INFLUENTIAL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARTISTIC TALENT IN HONG KONG .
MR SO SAID THE AWARD SCHEME, JUDGING FROM THE INTEREST IT HAD GENERATED, HAD PROVED TO BE A MOST VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF INDIGENOUS DRAMA.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE MOST STRIKING ACHIEVEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING FACILITIES, SUCH AS THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE AND THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
RECEIVING THE CHAMPION PRIZE OF THE AWARD’S OPEN SECTION AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS MR CHAN CHI-WAH FOR HIS WINNING SCRIPT "LANDFILL". THE SECOND PRIZE WENT TO MR WONG WAN-LUNG’S "ONCE THERE WAS A MOUNTAIN", AND THE THIRD PRIZE WENT TO MISS IP LAI-CHUN’S "I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT".
IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION, THE CHAMPION PRIZE WAS WON BY STUDENTS OF 1101 PING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECONDARY SCHOOL WHO HAD WRITTEN THE SCRIPT "BLUE RIVER EVER FLOW". THE SECOND PRIZE WENT TO MISS SHAW MEI-KWAN OF K1ANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE (SHATIN)’S "WHAT WILL BECOME OF ME", AND THE THIRD PRIZE WAS AWARDED TO HO LAP DRAMA SOCIETY OF HO LAP COLLEGE’S "BE A COURTEOUS CITIZEN".
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DRAMA COMMITTEE, DR LAM TAI-HING, SAID THE COUNCIL WAS PREPARED TO FUND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WINNING SCRIPTS ON STAGE, IF SUCH APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED.
/THE COUNCIL ......
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1992
- 8 -
THE COUNCIL HAD ALSO AWARDED A GRANT FOR THE PRINTING OF 1,000
COPIES OF THE 1990 SCRIPT -COLLECTION TO PROMOTE ORIGINAL SCRIPT WRITING.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR WONG SIK-WAH, HAD RECEIVED THE COLLECTION FROM PROF WANG AT TODAY'S CEREMONY.
THE COLLECTION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
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NEW SCHEDULED.PLB ROUTE ON HONG KONG ISLAND * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT A NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTE NO. 4 IM WILL COMMENCE OPERATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND FROM 8 AM ON MONDAY (MARCH 2) TO SERVE BETWEEN WAN CHAI MTR STATION AND WAN CHAI NORTH.
THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THIS NEW ROUTE WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM. ITS FARE WILL BE $2 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
****** DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 28.2.92 1100*
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 29.2.92 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
* INCLUDES 500MN O/N ASSISTANCE
TO BE REVERSED ON 2 MAR 92
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