DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: LEGCO EXISTS TO SERVE: GOVERNOR ........................................ 1
SCA ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCO AND LEGCO.......................... 2
STANCE ON REDEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS EXPLAINED ............. 4
SCA ON LEGAL AID SERVICES .......................................... 5
COUNTRY PARKS POLICY EXPLAINED ..................................... 8
GOVERNOR ATTENDS HIS LAST LEGCO SITTING ............................ 9
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION OF $8,436.6 MILLION SOUGHT ............. 10
EQUAL PROMOTION CHANCES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS IN VTC AND HA ........... 11
MARINE FISH (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED............ 12
ADVERTISING VEHICLES SERVE NO TRANSPORT FUNCTION ................... 12
MORE ACCURATE ESTIMATES POSSIBLE AFTER FINALISATION OF AIRPORT MASTER PLAN ......................................................... 13
RIGHT OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY GUARANTEED .............................. 14
AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL READY SOON .................................. 15
PROPOSAL FOR POLICEWOMEN TO CARRY ARMS UNDER CONSIDERATION ......... 15
OPENING HOURS OF BORDER CROSSINGS EXTENDED ......................... 16
BASIC LAW PROMOTED IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS ............................ 17
MEASURES TAKEN TO COMBAT VEHICLE THEFT ............................. 17
MORE LOCAL OFFICERS IN LEGAL DEPT AVAILABLE FOR PROMOTION .......... 18
THA CLEARANCE ON SCHEDULE........................................... 20
ANTI-SMUGGLING HOT LINE ENHANCES COMMUNICATION ..................... 20
PREVENTION OF SMOKING THROUGH EDUCATION ............................ 21
PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE SINGLETON HOSTELS ............................. 22
VR RESETTLEMENT MEETS QUOTA ........................................ 23
USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ........................................... 24
/SAFETY MEASURES .....
*
SAFETY MEASURES FOR CARGO-HANDLING WORKERS ............................ 25
PROVISO ON TENDERS TO AVOID EXCHANGE LOSS ............................. 25
SCOPE TO REVIEW DOCTORS AND NURSES RATIOS ............................. 26
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TAIWANESE UNDER REGULAR REVIEW .................. 27
TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE SITES FOR SPECIAL INDUSTRIES ...................... 28
INDIA RESERVE BANK CONTACTED ON STOCK MARKET PROBLEMS ................. 29
COST OF LEGCO REPLIES VARIES .......................................... 29
CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TABLED ................... 30
DATES FOR THREE BY-ELECTIONS ANNOUNCED .................................. 31
WALLED CITY CLEARANCE COMPLETED ......................................... 32
CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS BRIEFED ON PENSION SCHEMES ......................... 33
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY ............................................. 33
BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION) (BCCHK) 37
ELECTORAL ORDINANCE AMENDED ............................................. 38
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 TO BE PUBLISHED ON FRIDAY ............... 38
QUEEN'S AND KOWLOON CITY PIERS TO BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY EVENING .......... 41
INQUIRY CALLED INTO SHIP COLLISION ...................................... 41
1990 SURVEY RESULTS ON COMMUNICATIONS AND BUSINESS SERVICES ............ 42
FILM CENSORSHIP FEES TO BE REVISED FROM JULY 10 ......................... 46
GOVT SUPPORTS QUALITY DEVELOPMENTS IN BUSINESSES ........................ 46
THREE GOVERNMENT LOTS TO LET............................................. 48
CHINESE DELEGATION VISITS LEGAL DEPARTMENT .............................. 48
MUSIC CAMP FOR YOUTH .................................................... 49
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB TO PROMOTE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFE ............... 50
TRAM PARADE TO PUBLICISE "BEATING RETREAT" .............................. 50
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 51
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
LEGCO EXISTS TO SERVE: GOVERNOR * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ALL ITS MEMBERS EXIST TO SERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THAT DETERMINATION SHOULD REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS, THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A STATEMENT TO FORMALLY TAKE LEAVE OF THE COUNCIL, LORD WILSON SAID IT WAS TRUE OF THE ELECTED MEMBERS, THE APPOINTED MEMBERS, THE ADMINISTRATION, WHETHER MEMBERS ATTENDING OR BEING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR AS THE PRESIDENT.
NOTING THAT IT WAS RIGHT THAT THERE SHOULD BE ARGUMENT AND DISCUSSION, AND QUESTIONING AND EXPLANATION, HE SAID THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE PLACE FOR THEIR OWN SAKES.
"THEY ARE A MEANS OF GETTING TO THE OBJECTIVE - THE OBJECTIVE OF DOING WHAT IS RIGHT AND BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
”AS THIS COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD TO REORGANISE THE WAY IT CONDUCTS ITS OWN BUSINESS, YOU WILL ALWAYS WISH TO HAVE THIS OBJECTIVE CLEARLY IN MIND.
"WE MUST NOT LET DISCUSSIONS BECOME THE ENEMY OF DECISIONS.”
NOTING THAT THE PAST FIVE YEARS HAD BEEN EVENTFUL ONES, THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG HAD HAD CRISES TO FACE AND PROBLEMS TO SOLVE BUT IT HAD COME THROUGH THE CRISES WELL.
’’AND WE HAVE ACHIEVEMENTS AS WELL AS PROBLEMS TO RECORD,” HE
SAID
"ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH HAVE SEEN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BETTER PROVIDED FOR WITH HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL BENEFITS; WITH BETTER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN AN EXPANDED PROGRAMME OF EDUCATION; AND LIVING IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS BEGINNING, ALTHOUGH ONLY BEGINNING, TO BE MORE CARE FOR.
"WE HAVE A COMMUNITY WHICH IS MORE CONFIDENT IN ITSELF AND IN ITS FUTURE.
"AND WE HAVE AN ECONOMY, MUCH HELPED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA, WHICH IS THE ENVY OF MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD AND THE ESSENTIAL FOUNDATION OF ALL OUR OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS.”
LORI) WILSON PAID A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF MR JOHN SWAINE, WHO HAD FULFILLED THE ROLE OF DEPUTY PRESIDENT SINCE OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
MR SWAINE HAD PRESIDED OVER THE WORK OF THIS COUNCIL WITH FAIRNESS, DIGNITY AND PATIENCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
/"HIS ROLE
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"HIS ROLE AS A STEPPING STONE IN THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN,” HE SAID.
THANKING ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE WORK THEY HAD DONE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR URGED THEM TO KEEP CONSTANTLY IN MIND THE INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"YOURS IS AN IMPORTANT ROLE, NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE,” HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH NOT HERE TO SEE IT, I SHALL READ AND LEARN WITH INTENSE AND SUPPORTIVE, INTEREST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO.”
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SCA ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCO AND LEGCO * * * * ♦
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE. WHEN WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON A REVIEW ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING:
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
THERE HAS BEEN MUCH TALK ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE. BUT WHAT DO WE REALLV MEAN BY THIS? HONG KONG’S CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE. WE DO NOT HAVE AN ELECTED GOVERNMENT, AND THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT PARTY AS YOU WILL FIND TN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE UK. THE ADMINISTRATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMULATING POLICIES; THE GOVERNOR, ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, DECIDES ON THE POLICIES WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION WILL THEN IMPLEMENT. THIS DOES NOT, HOWEVER, MEAN THAT THE EXECUTIVE (’AN GO ABOUT ITS BUSINESS ACCORDING TO ITS OWN WHIMS. FAR AND IMPORTANT POWERS ENABLING IT TO HOLD THE EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS ACTIONS AND DECISIONS.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS FIVE MAIN FUNCTIONS. FIRST, IT CAN PASS, AMEND, OR REFUSE TO PASS, PROPOSED LEGISLATION INITIATED BY THE EXECUTIVE. SECONDLY, IT HAS THE POWER TO VOTE OR DENY FUNDS. THIRDLY, IT CAN DERATE PUBLIC POLK IES AND OTHER MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN, AS WE ARE NOW DOING. FOURTHLY, MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL CAN QUESTION THE ADMINISTRATION ON ANY PUBLIC ISSUES, CAN CALL FOR THE ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES AND THE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS. AND FINALLY, IT CAN CALL THE ADMINISTRATION TO ACCOUNT FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. THESE ROLES ARE EXTENSIVE AND HAVE BEEN, OVER THE YEARS, PUT TO GOOD EFFECT BV THIS COUNCIL TO PROTECT AND TO PROMOTE THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC. INDEED, THE BASH LAW (CHAPTER IV, SECTION 3) ALSO PROVIDES FOR SIMILAR FUNCTION’S OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AFTER 1997.
/WHILST OUR .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
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WHILST OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IS EXECUTIVE-LEI), THE EXECUTIVE RELIES ON THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE ENACTMENT OF LAWS AND THE PROVISION OF FUNDS REQUIRED TO GIVE EFFECT TO ITS POLICIES. SUCH SUPPORT CANNOT BE ASSUMED, AND IS NOT ASSUMED AS A MATTER OF COURSE. THE LEGISLATURE CAN, AND DOES, USE ITS POWERS TO KEEP THE EXECUTIVE UNDER SCRUTINY AND KEEP IT IN CHECK BY QUESTIONS AND DEBATES. IT IS IN THIS SENSE, THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES, THAT THE EXECUTIVE IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
CLEARLY, AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE RELATES TO THE ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. UNDER OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS, THE HIGHEST POLICY-MAKING BODY IN HONG KONG. ITS LINKS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE PROVIDED BY A NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS ALSO SERVING ON THE LEGISLATURE. THIS ARRANGEMENT SHOULD ENABLE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO HAVE A BETTER AND MORE TIMELY UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOOD OF THE LEGISLATURE ON ANY ISSUE OF THE DAY, AND FACILITATE EXPLANATION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECISIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE.
IN THE YEARS AHEAD, THERF WILL BE FURTHER CHANGES TO THE COMPOSITION OF THIS COUNCIL, WHICH WILL BECOME FULL! ELECTED IN 1995. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO EVOLVE. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE BEFORE COMING TO ANY CONCLUSIONS \S TO HOW THAT RELATIONSHIP SHOULD BE FURTHER REFINED IN THE FUTURE ON AN EVOLUTIONARY BASIS. THERE IS THEREFORE NO CASE FOR A REVIEW ON A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME.
ON THE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION, CLEARLY WE NEED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE LEGISLATURE. IN THIS CONNECTION, POLICY SECRETARIES ARE SPENDING EVEN MORE TIME THAN BEFORE TO EXPLAIN AND BRIEF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL ON WHAT THEIR POLICIES ARE, WHY THESE POLICIES ARE NEEDED, HOW FEASIBLE THESE POLICIES ARE, AND HOW MUCH THOSE POLICIES WILL COST TO THE TAXPAYER. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT GIVEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF THE MANY ISSUES WHICH FACE US TODAY .
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, THE ADMINISTRATION FULLY ACCEPTS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR MEANS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE YND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNANCE OF HONG KONG. IN THIS CONNECTION, I WELCOME THE MANY VALUABLE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS IN THIS DEBATE TODAY. HOWEVER, FOR THE REASONS I HAVE EXPLAINED, THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS THAT THIS IS A CONTINUED PROCESS OF EXAMINATION RATHER THAN A QUESTION OF INITIATING AN IMMEDIATE REVIEW. THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WILL THEREFORE ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON MR SZETO’S MOTION.
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STANCE ON REDEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS EXPLAINED
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS KEENLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN MAKING SURE THAT PRIVATE SECTOR REDEVELOPMENT IS NOT INHIBITED BY BUREAUCRATIC CONTROLS AND THAT THE INTERESTS OF THOSE WHO MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED WILL BE SAFEGUARDED.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TON1! EASON, SAID THIS WHEN WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON REDEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS PROVIDED A SOUND BASIS ON WHICH TO MAINTAIN THIS BALANCE AND TO CONSIDER REFINEMENTS AS AND WHEN THEY BECAME NECESSARY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WAS LARGELY A MATTER FOR THE PARTIES INVOLVED, THAT IS THE OWNERS OF BUILDINGS AND DEVELOPERS.
"THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTERVENE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT TAKE PLACE BETWEEN THE PARTIES."
HOWEVER, MR EASON SAID THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT SUCH PROJECTS WERE NOT SUBJECT TO CONTROL.
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT WAS SUBJECT TO LEASE RESTRICTIONS, PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL, AND MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LEASE CONDITIONS.
PLANNING PERMISSION MIGHT ALSO NEED TO BE SOUGHT IF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WAS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATUTORY TOWN PLAN AND BEFORE BUILDING WORKS MIGHT START, THE APPROVAL OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY MUST BE OBTAINED.
ON CONCERNS ABOUT COMPENSATION FOR THE AFFECTED TENANTS, MR EASON’ SAID THIS WAS BEING POSITIVELY ADDRESSED.
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 CURRENTLY BEING CONSIDERED INCLUDED A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATUTORY BASIS FOR COMPENSATION TO A MULTIPLE OF 1.3 OF CURRENT RATEABLE VALUE.
MR EASON SAID A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE URBAN RENEWAL PROCESS INVOLVING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAD ALREADY BEGUN AND WAS DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
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SCA ON LEGAL AID SERVICES *****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BI THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS. MR MICHAEL SZE. WHEN WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON LEGAL AID SERVICES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING:
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO THANK MR ZA<HARV WONG AND OTHER MEMBERS WHO HAVE' SPOKEN IN THIS DEBATE FOR THE MANY INTERESTING IDEAS THEY HAVE PUT FORWARD REGARDING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID SERVICES IN HONG KONG. THEIR VIEWS WILL BE CAREFULl.V CONSIDERED in THE ADMINISTRATION IN REVIEWING THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THF LEGAL AID SERVICES.
I HAVE LISTENED WITH ( ARE TO THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY MR WONG AND OTHER MEMBERS VBOIT IHE VDEWI A< V OF THE LEGAL AID SERVICES PROVIDED BA THE GOVERNMENT. WHILE J CAN FULL! UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERN, GIVEN THF HIGH COSTS OF PRIVATE LITIGATION, AND THEIR WISH TO SEE MORE FAMILIES BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLKI.V FUNDED LEGAL AID, I MUST STRESS THAT IMPORTANT STRIDES HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PAST YEAR IN EXPANDING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
LAST OCTOBER, FOLLOWING THE coMMENl EMENI OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME ADMINISTERED JOINTLY BV THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY WAS EXPANDED TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO NEEDY PERSONS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENCES IN MAGISTRATES ( 01 RTS. THE EXPANSION OF THE DITA LAWYER SCHEME HAS PROVED TO BE AN EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAV OF MEETING OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO THOSE IN NEED IN MAGISTRATES COURTS. THE GOVERNMENT IS GRATEFUL TO THF. LEGAL PROFESSION AND THF STAFF OF THF DUTY LAWVER SCHEME FOR THE MAGNIFICENT WAY IN WHICH THEY HAVE COPED WITH THIS COMMITMENT.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT IS THE IMPLEMENTATION, WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY, OF A NEW APPROACH TOWARDS TESTING THE MEANS OF APPLICANTS FOR LEGAL AID. UNDER THIS NEW APPROACH, THE UPPER LIMIT RELATING TO THE MEANS OF PERSONS APPLYING FOR LEGAL AID HAS BEEN INCREASED TO TOTAL DISPOSABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF 8120,000. THIS REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT OVER THF PREVIOUS REQUIREMENT THAT TO QI.ALIFV FOR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID, AN APPLICANT’S DISPOSABLE MONTHIA INCOME MUST NOT EXCEED $2,200 AND HIS DISPOSABLE CAPITAL MUST NOT EXCEED $15,000.
/THIS NEW .......
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THIS NEW APPROACH TOWARDS MEANS-TESTING, WHAT WE CALL, FOR SHORT, THE ’FINANCIAL CAPACITY’ APPROACH, IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, AND IT IS WORTH SPENDING A FEW MINUTES TO EXPLAIN ITS ADVANTAGES, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. FIRST, THE NEW APPROACH REMOVES THE IMPERFECTIONS OF THE OLD SYSTEM WHEREBY A PERSON WHOSE FINANCIAL RESOURCES COMPRISE MAINLY OF INCOME OR CAPITAL MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SATISFY THE SEPARATE REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING DISPOSABLE INCOME AND DISPOSABLE CAPITAL. SECONDLY, LN CALCULATING DISPOSABLE INCOME, THE PAYMENTS MADE BY AN APPLICANT FOR SALARIES TAX AND AS CONTRIBUTIONS TO A PENSION OR RETIREMENT SCHEME MAY RE DISCOUNTED. MORE IMPORTANTLY, IN CALCULATING AN APPLICANT’S DISPOSABLE CAPITAL, THE ENTIRE VALUE OF ANY INTEREST HE MAY HAVE IN THE ONLY OR MAIN DWELLING IN WHICH HE RESIDES SHALL BE DISREGARDED. PREVIOUSLY, ONLY THE FIRST $300,000 OF THE VALUE OF AN APPLICANT’S INTEREST IN THE DWELLING IN WHICH HE RESIDES MAY BE DISCOUNTED. THE MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH TOWARDS THE ASSESSMENT OF AN APPLICANT’S FINANCIAL RESOURCES, TOGETHER WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE METHODOLOGY OF CALCULATING DISPOSABLE INCOME AND CAPITAL, MEANS THAT SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THOSE SUFFICIENTLY WELL OFF TO OWN A REASONABLE HOME, WILL BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLICLY FUNDED LEGAL AID. FURTHERMORE, UNDER THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES (AMENDMENT) RULES 1992 WHICH HAVE COME INTO FORCE TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID IS GIVEN THE DISCRETION TO GRANT LEGAL AID TO A PERSON CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENCES EVEN IF HIS DISPOSABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES EXCEED THE LIMIT OF $120,000, IF THE DIRECTOR IS SATISFIED THAI' IT IS DESIRABLE TO DO SO IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT, FOLLOWING THE RAISING OF THE FINANCIAL LIMIT TO $120,000 AND THE GRANTING OF THIS DISCRETION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID, THE GREAT MAJORITY’ OF PERSONS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL OFFENCES WILL BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THE GRANT OF LEGAL XID.
AS THE LEGAL AID NET IS NOW MUCH WIDER THAN BEFORE, I DO NOT THINK IT WOULD BE RIGHT TO FURTHER RELAX THE LIMIT ON THE APPLICANT’S FINANCIAL RESOURCES (BY RAISING IT To $180,000] IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AS SUGGESTED BY MR ZACHARY WONG. BUT WE WILL (ERTAINLY' KEEP THE EXISTING FINANCIAL LIMIT INDER REGULAR REVIEW.
WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF FUNDING, IT MAY BE USEFUL IF I PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION ON THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED TO THE AREA OF LEGAL AID SERVICES. THE PROVISION FOR THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, BY SOME 90%, FROM $ 1 16M IN 1987 TO $236M IN 1992. THIS INCLUDES AN INCREASE OF 31% IN 1990-91 OVER THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND A FURTHER INCREASE OF 16% IN 1991-92 OVER THAT FOR THE PRECEDING YEAR. THE SUBVENTION TO THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME HAS ALSO BEEN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE SAME PERIOD, BY 1Z9 %, FROM $2 IM IN 1987 TO $48M IN 1992, ALTHOUGH A LARGE PART OF THE INCREASE WAS DUE TO THE EXPANSION OF THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME IN MAGISTRATES COURTS. INDEED, IF WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FULL COSTS (I.E. INCLUDING ACCOMMODATION AND STAFF ON-COSTS), FOR THE CURRENT YEAR THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE SPENDING UP TO $360M ON THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID AND RELATED SERVICES. GIVEN THE DRAMATIC INCREASES IN FUNDING WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN RECENT YEARS, I DO NOT THINK THE GOVERNMENT CAN BE FAULTED FOR BEING UNDULY FRUGAL IN ITS PROVISION FOR LEGAL AID SERVICES. THE GOVERNMENT WILL (ERTAINLY CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF THE LEGAL AID SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, BUT PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO ENCOURAGING MORE EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE UTILISATION OF RESOURCES RATHER THAN SIMPLY THROWING MORE MONEY AT THE SYSTEM. FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM THIS DEBATE, I AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THIS IS THE APPROACH FAVOURED BY MEMBERS AS WELL.
MR DEPUTY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, WE LIVE TN A CHANGING WORLD AND WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE ARE DELIVERING THE SERVICES WHICH MEET THE CHANGING DEMANDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. IN ORDER TO ENSURE. THAI WE HAVE IN PLACE THE RIGHT POLICY, PROCEDURE, LEGISLATION AND ORGANISATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID AND RELATED SERVICES, AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP EARLIER THIS YEAR TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE LAW, POLICA AND PRACTICE GOVERNING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID, ADVICE AND RELATED SERVICES IN HONG KONG, AND THE FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROVISIONS OF
THE BILL OF RIGHTS. THIS WORKING GROUP WILL LOOK IN PARTICULAR AT THE AREAS OF UNMET NEEDS, THE NEED FOR FURTHER RELAXATION OF THE EXISTING FINANCIAL LIMIT, AND THE APPROPRIATE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR SERVICE DELIVERY. THE WORKING GROUP WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS BEFORE FINALISING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS. THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSULT THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING OF COURSE THE LEGAL PROFESSION, ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP AFTER THEY HAVE FINALISED THEIR DELIBERATIONS. THE WORKING GROUP IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THE REVIEW BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
AS REGARDS THE SUGGESTION FROM Till- LEGAL PROFESSION INDEPENDENT LEGAL All) AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF ALL PUBLICLY FUNDED LEGAL AID
THAT AN
POLICY, SERVICES
IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE SET UP, THIS SUGGESTION IS OF COURSE NOT A NEW ONE AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD GIVEN IT VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IN THE
PAST. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VIEW THAT THE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF LEGAL AID TO GUARD AGAINST POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE BY THE EXECUTIVE WITH DECISIONS RELATING TO THE GRANT OF LEGAL AID IS MORE IMAGINED THAN REAL. THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID IS EMPOWERED UNDER THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE To CONSIDER APPLICATIONS BEFORE HIM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATUTORY CRITERIA. THUS THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID ALREADY OPERATES INDEPENDENTLY . AN ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARD HAS BEEN BUILT INTO THE SYSTEM WHEREBY APPEALS FROM DECISIONS MADE BY THE DIRECTOR IN CIVIL CASES CAN BE MADE TO THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT. WE ARE CONSIDERING INTRODUCING A SIMILAR AVENUE OF APPEAL IN RESPECT OF LEGAL AID TN CRIMINAL CASES.
IF THE CONCERN IS WITH THE NEED TO PROVIDE GREATER SECURITY OF TENURE TO STAFF OF THE LEGAL All) DEPARTMENT, I HAVE No DOUBT THAT TURNING THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT INTO AN INDEPENDENT BODY WILL BE THE WRONG SOLUTION, AS IT IS UNLIKELY THAT STAFF OF ORGANISATIONS OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, WHO ARE NORMALLY EMPLOYED ON CONTRACT TERMS, WILL ENJOY GREATER SECURITY OF TENURE THAN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ENGAGED ON PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE TERMS. GIVEN THE SECURITY OF TENURE WHICH ALREADY EXISTS, I SEE NO POINT IN ESTABLISHING AN INDEPENDENT BODY TO ADMINISTER LEGAL All), Willi ALL THE SUBSTANTIAL COSTS INVOLVED IN DISESTABLISHING THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.
WE SHALL, NONETHELESS, IN THE CURRENT REVIEW, EXAMINE WHETHER THERE HAVE BEEN ANY CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH JUSTIFY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT LEGAL All) AUTHORITY FOR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID SERVICES IN HONG KoNG.
/I HAVE .......
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I HAVE LISTENED WITH INTEREST TO MR ZACHARY WONG’S SUGGESTION THAT THE FREE LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THOSE PROVIDED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES BE STRENGTHENED, AND TO DR K C LAM’S CRITICISMS OF THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT IN PROVIDING LEGAL AID TO VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. I WILL CERTAINLY ASK THE WORKING GROUP ON LEGAL AID POLICY REVIEW TO LOOK INTO THE NEED FOR FREE LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICES TO BE STRENGTHENED, AND TO REVIEW THE EXISTING POLICY AND PRACTICE ON THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND OVERSTAYERS FROM CHINA.
FINALLY, IT REMAINS FOR ME TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL AID SERVICES. ALTHOUGH LEGAL AID HAS OFTEN BEEN REGARDED AS A FORM OF WELFARE SERVICE, IT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, FOR IT IS LEGAL AID WHICH TRANSLATES A THEORETICAL RIGHT TO JUSTICE INTO A PRACTICAL REALITY. LEGAL AID THUS LIES AT THE HEART OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. BUT WE MUST STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN PROVIDING PUBLICLY FUNDED LEGAL AID AND RELATED SERVICES TO MEET GENUINE CASES OF NEED, AND EXCESSIVE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WHICH MAY ENCOURAGE EXORBITANT AND NUGATORY LITIGATION. THE VIEWS WHICH MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED THIS EVENING WILL HELP US TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY INTERESTING SUGGESTIONS WHICH MEMBERS HAVE MADE, AND I WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE WORKING GROUP ON LEGAL AID POLICY REVIEW WILL LOOK INTO ALL OF THEM CAREFULLY. WE WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP BEFORE THEY ARE FINALISED.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, I SUPPORT THE MOTION.
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COUNTRY PARKS POLICY EXPLAINED ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED TO DEFEND AND PROTECT COUNTRY PARKS FROM EROSION AND INCURSION BY INCOMPATIBLE AND UNDESIRABLE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD REPLACE HILLS AND TREES WITH HOUSES AND LAMP POSTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, WHEN WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
HE SAID BROADLY SPEAKING, COUNTRY PARK LAND WAS PRESUMED NOT TO BE DEVELOPED FOR.
BUT, IN CASES WHERE BUILDINGS FOR COUNTRY PARK AND OTHER UNAVOIDABLE COMMUNITY FACILITIES ARE NEEDED, ENCROACHMENT WOULD BE KEPT TO THE MINIMUM, THIS MEANS THAT ALTERNATIVES WOULD BE CONSIDERED AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS WOULD BE REQUIRED.
/"THE GREATEST
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
"THE GREATEST SCOPE FOR MISUNDERSTANDING AND CONTROVERSY APPEARS TO LIE WITH DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WHICH MAINLY AFFECT AREAS ADJACENT TO A COUNTRY PARK, BUT WHICH MAY OFFER BENEFITS TO THE PUBLIC AS COUNTRY PARK USERS, SUCH AS IMPROVED ACCESS OR ADDITIONAL FACILITIES, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE INCLUSION OF LIMITED AREAS OF COUNTRY PARK LAND WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME."
MR EASON POINTED OUT THAT THE QUESTION OF THE COMPATIBILITY OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WITH COUNTRY PARK WOULD ALWAYS BE FULLY CONSIDERED IN THE PLANNING CONTEXT.
"UNDER THE PRESENT PLANNING REGIME, AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REQUIRED.
"IN CONSIDERING SUCH APPLICATIONS, BOTH THE LAND AUTHORITY AND THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY WILL WISH TO ENSURE MINIMUM IMPACT ON THE COUNTRY PARK, MAXIMUM BENEFIT TO COUNTRY PARK USERS AND A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF THE LAND OWNERS AND THOSE OF THE PUBLIC AS COUNTRY PARK USERS."
HE STRESSED THAT THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY HAD INDICATED THAT MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS INVOLVING ENCROACHMENT INTO COUNTRY PARKS WOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF PUBLIC CONSULTAT1 ON.
- - 0 - -
GOVERNOR ATTENDS HIS LAST LEGCO SITTING * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ATTENDED HIS LAST LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING TO BID FAREWELL TO LEGISLATORS.
LATER IN THE DAY, 24 LEGISLATORS DEBATED FOR TWO-AND-A-HALF HOURS ON A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON SZETO WAH ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
THE MOTION WAS PASSED AFTER THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN ON LEGAL AID SERVICES WAS ALSO PASSED. A TOTAL OF 10 MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE WHICH LASTED MORE THAN ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS.
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, AGAIN SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THERE WERE ALSO TWO ADJOURNMENT DEBATES - ON THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS AND ON FRINGE BENEFITS FOR STAFF IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR RESPECTIVELY.
EIGHT LEGISLATORS SPOKE ON THE FORMER DEBATE MOVED BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD AND EIGHT SPOKE ON THE LATTER, MOVED BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
/THE SECRETARY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 10 -
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, REPLIED FOR THE FIRST DEBATE WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SPOKE FOR THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE SECOND ONE.
EARLIER IN THE SITTING, A MOTION ON PRIVATE BUILDINGS’ REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSED BY THE HON JAMES TO WAS PASSED. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
MEANWHILE, ONE BILL - ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 - WAS PASSED AND THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1991-92) BILL 1992, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND MARINE FISH (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
A MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, UNDER FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
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SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION OF $8,436.6 MILLION SOUGHT *****
THE ADMINISTRATION IS ASKING FOR A SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION OF $8,436.6 MILLION FOR 57 HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WHICH IS IN EXCESS OF THE SUM APPROPRIATED BY THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1991.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THIS WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE SUFFICIENT OFFSETTING SAVINGS COULD NOT BE FOUND WITHIN THE HEADS CONCERNED.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1991-92) BILL, MR MACLEOD SAID THIS EXCESS WAS LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1991 PAY ADJUSTMENT IN RESPECT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS.
OTHER MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INCLUDE THE TRANSFER OF THE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1, 1991 AND ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON PENSION PAYMENT.
THE DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 11 -
EQUAL PROMOTION CHANCES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS IN VTC AND HA
******
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO EXCLUDE APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS OF CIVIL SERVANTS WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) FROM THE PURVIEW OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID THE VTC TOOK OVER OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT IN AUGUST LAST YEAR; AND THE HA TOOK OVER THE OPERATION OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT LAST DECEMBER.
CIVIL SERVANTS WORKING IN BOTH VTC AND HA HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES AS DIRECT EMPLOYEES OF THE TWO ORGANISATIONS.
"ACCORDINGLY, A 'SHADOW PROMOTION SCHEME’ HAS BEEN DEVISED TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR THE CREATION OF SHADOW POSTS AND RANKS TO ACCOMMODATE CIVIL SERVANTS SELECTED FOR PROMOTION BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL OR THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"STAFF WHO FEEL AGGRIEVED BY SUCH DECISIONS MAY APPEAL TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TWO ORGANISATIONS.
"IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE OR NECESSARY TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ON PROMOTION DECISIONS."
HOWEVER, MATTERS RELATING TO THE CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE OF STAFF REMAINING CIVIL SERVANTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE COMMISSION.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSlbN HAD AGREED TO THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
AS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH, 162 OFFICERS OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT REMAINED AS CIVIL SERVANTS WHILE ABOUT 30 PER pENT OF THE OFFICERS IN THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD OPTED TO JOIN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/12 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
MARINE FISH (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED
* * » » *
A BILL SEEKING TO PROVIDE THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION TO PRESCRIBE A RATE OF COMMISSION FOR SALES OF MARINE FISH IN ITS WHOLESALE MARKETS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THE BILL WOULD STREAMLINE THE PROCEDURE FOR PRESCRIBING THE RATE OF COMMISSION WHILE ENSURING THAT ANY DECISION TO CHANGE THE RATE WAS TAKEN ONLY AFTER CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THOSE WHO BUY AND SELL FISH THROUGH WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS.
AT PRESENT, ANY VARIATION OF THE RATE OF COMMISSION REQUIRES AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION’S BY-LAWS.
SUCH AMENDMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THIS IS AN UNNECESSARILY CUMBERSOME MEANS OF PRESCRIBING A RATE OF COMMISSION DECIDED UPON BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION," MRS CHAN SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
ADVERTISING VEHICLES SERVE NO TRANSPORT FUNCTION
******
ADVERTISING VEHICLES SERVE NO TRANSPORT FUNCTION AND ANY NEED FOR MOBILE ADVERTISING IS BEING MET IN OTHER WAYS, FOR EXAMPLE BY BUSES, TRAMS AND TAXIS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO BAN VEHICLES USED PREDOMINATELY FOR COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING.
MR LEUNG SAID SINCE THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THESE VEHICLES WAS TO DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENTS, THEY WERE DRAWN TO THE MOST CONGESTED AREAS AT THE BUSIEST TIMES TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFFECT AND THEREFORE ADDING TO CONGESTION.
HE SAID VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE ALTERNATIVES BEFORE DECIDING TO PROPOSE A BAN ON ADVERTISING VEHICLES.
/ONE ALTERNATIVE
WEDNESDAY, JUDY 1, 1992
13
ONE ALTERNATIVE WAS TO RESTRICT THE AREAS \ND TIMES IN WHICH THE VEHICLES CAN OPERATE.
HOWEVER, THIS REQUIRES STRUT ENFORCEMENT YND PUTS AN ADDED AND UNNECESSARY BURDEN ON THE POLICE.
"ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLES HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS SO FAR, THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD --THEIR BRIGHTLY LIT DISPLAYS CAN AND DO DISTRACT OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THESE VEHICLES HAD ALREADY BEEN BANNED IN OTHER SIMILARLY CONGESTED BIG CITIES, INCLUDING SAN FRANCISCO AND NEW YORK.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL STILL BE ABLE TO ISSUE PERMITS FOR THE DISPLAY OF NON COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING, INCLUDING ELECTION CAMPAIGNS.
"EXISTING OPERATORS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO USE THEIR VEHICLES UNTIL THEIR CURRENT PERMITS EXPIRE," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ALSO SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAD ADVISED THAT A BAN ON ADVERTISING VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFLICT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
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MORE ACCURATE ESTIMATES POSSIBLE AFTER FINALISATION
OF AIRPORT MASTER PLAN
*****
THE INCREASE IN THE LATEST ESTIMATED CAPITAL COST OF THE NEW AIRPORT OVER THAT IN JULY LAST YEAR RESULTS FROM THE MORE ACCURATE ESTIMATE OF COSTS WHICH HAS BECOME POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE FINALISATION THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS CHAN SAID MAJOR MASTER PLANNING AND ENGINEERING ISSUES HAD BEEN RESOLVED: THE LOCATION OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE HAD BEEN SETTLED AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FILL RESOURCES AND MUD DISPOSAL SITES FOR SITE PREPARATION WORKS HAD BEEN DETERMINED.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE COST ESTIMATES OF $43.6 BILLION GIVEN IN JULY LAST YEAR AND OF $46.3 BILLION GIVEN IN APRIL THIS YEAR WERE BOTH IN MARCH 1991 PRICES AND WERE BASED ON THE CURRENT APPROVED MASTER PLAN.
/"THIS MASTER .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
14
THIS MASTER PLAN PROVIDES FOR A COST-EFFECTIVE DESIGN MEETING ALL INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND CAPABLE OF COPING WITH AIR TRAFFIC GROWTH TO THE YEAR 2040,” SHE SAID.
LIKE THE ORIGINAL AIRPORT ESTIMATES IN 1989, THESE LATEST ESTIMATES INCLUDE ALL COSTS NEEDED TO OPEN THE AIRPORT IN JUNE 1997 WITH, INITIALLY, ONE RUNWAY ONLY, INCLUDING COSTS TO BE MET BY THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
RIGHT OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY GUARANTEED
******
THE FILMING AND RECORDING OF ASSEMBLIES OR PROCESSIONS DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THE RIGHT OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY GUARANTEED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG, MR ASPREY SAID IT DID NOT PREVENT OR OTHERWISE RESTRICT PARTICIPANTS FROM EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY.
HE SAID THE POLICE SOMETIMES FILMED ASSEMBLIES OR PROCESSIONS:
* FOR POSSIBLE USE AS EVIDENCE IN THE EVENT OF A PROSECUTION;
* FOR POSSIBLE USE AS EVIDENCE IN THE EVENT OF A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE POLICE; AND
* TO ENABLE POLICE COMMANDERS TO REVIEW POLICE STRATEGY AND DEPLOYMENT, ENSURING THAT SUCH EVENTS ARE PROPERLY POLICED.
MR ASPREY ALSO ADDED THAT THE POLICE DID NOT KEEP RECORDS OF THE DATES, PLACES OR OCCASIONS ON WHICH THEY HAVE FILMED OR VIDEO-TAPED PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES AND PROCESSIONS.
THE FILM OR TAPE WOULD BE RETAINED ONLY FOR AS LONG AS NECESSARY FOR THESE PURPOSES.
HE SAID THE POLICE MIGHT TEMPORARILY CORDON OFF CERTAIN PUBLIC AREAS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC ORDER DURING ASSEMBLIES AND PROCESSIONS.
"THEY DO SO IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY, AS PROVIDED FOR BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE," MR ASPREY SAID.
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/15........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 15 -
AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL READY SOON * * * ♦ »
THE DRAFTING OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL IS NOW AT AN ADVANCED STAGE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED DURING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S SUMMER RECESS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)<
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MRS CHAN SAID THE AIM WAS TO INTRODUCE THE BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY IN THE 1992-93 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
AS THE BILL IS AN IMPORTANT AND SUBSTANTIAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION, IT IS BY NO MEANS UNUSUAL FOR LEGISLATION OF THIS NATURE TO TAKE SOME MONTHS TO DRAFT, SHE SAID.
"WE ARE NOT ENCOUNTERING ANY PARTICULAR PROBLEMS IN FRAMING THE BILL," SHE ADDED.
THE DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BILL WERE ISSUED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
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PROPOSAL FOR POLICEWOMEN TO CARRY ARMS UNDER CONSIDERATION *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IS NOW CONSIDERING WHETHER WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD BE ARMED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING, MR ASPREY SAID IF IT WAS DECIDED THAT WOMEN OFFICERS SHOULD CARRY FIREARMS, ADDITIONAL FIREARMS TRAINING FOR THEM WOULD BE REQUIRED.
■ HE ALSO SAID ALL POLICE TRAINING PROGRAMMES WERE REVIEWED REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY MEET ACTUAL NEEDS.
AT ANY ONE TIME, ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF POLICE TRAINING COURSES ARE UNDER REVIEW.
THE SECRETARY SAID AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, WOMEN OFFICERS WERE TAUGHT THE BASIC SKILLS OF HANDLING WEAPONS SAFELY AND OF HOW TO DEAL WITH ARMED PERSONS.
BUT THEY DO LESS FIRING PRACTICES THAN THEIR MALE COLLEAGUES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY RECEIVE MORE TRAINING IN THE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR DEALING WITH WOMEN AND CHILDREN, BOTH AS OFFENDERS AND AS VICTIMS.
/MR ASPREY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
MR ASPREY SAID ONLY MALE OFFICERS RECEIVE CONTINUED REVOLVER TRAINING LATER IN THEIR CAREERS.
HE SAID THERE WERE DIFFERENCES IN THE INTERNAL SECURITY TRAINING RECEIVED BY MALE AND FEMALE OFFICERS. WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS WERE TRAINED LARGELY IN HOW TO DEAL WITH LARGE CROWDS COMPRISING PREDOMINANTLY WOMEN.
SINCE 1986, THE FORCE HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO IMPROVE POLICE SHOOTING SKILLS.
THIS INCLUDES TRAINING OF ADDITIONAL FIREARM INSTRUCTORS, AND THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL AND BETTER-EQUIPPED INDOOR FIRING RANGES.
HE SAID TRAINING COURSES IN SHOOTING SKILLS WERE REGULARLY REVIEWED AND UPDATED.
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OPENING HOURS OF BORDER CROSSINGS EXTENDED
*****
THE OPENING TIME OF THE THREE BORDER ROAD CROSSINGS WILL BE ADVANCED TO 7 AM WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY), FOLLOWING RECENT DISCUSSIONS AND AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON PHILIP WONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
ALSO FROM TODAY, THE CLOSING TIME OF THE MAN KAM TO CROSSING WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 PM FOR GOODS VEHICLES WHILE THAT FOR LOK MA CHAU CROSSING WILL BE SIMILARLY EXTENDED WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 1.
"ALL OF THIS SHOULD HELP TO SPREAD TRAFFIC DEMAND, THUS EASING CONGESTION.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE USE OF THE THREE CROSSING POINTS AND CONSIDER FURTHER EXTENSION OF OPENING HOURS WHERE NECESSARY, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES AND THE AGREEMENT OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES," MR LEUNG SAID.
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/17
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
BASIC LAW PROMOTED IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS *****
THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN EFFORTS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE BASIC LAW HAVE BEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON PHILIP WONG, MR SZE SAID THE BASIC LAW HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS CURRICULUM FOR SECONDARY 4 AND 7 STUDENTS SINCE 1989.
MEANWHILE, HE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS DEVELOPING A TEACHING KIT ON THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW TO HELP TEACHERS PRESENT THE TWO DOCUMENTS AT SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL.
THE TEACHING KIT WILL BE READY FOR USE IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.
HE ADDED THAT STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER, THE BASIC LAW WOULD BECOME PART OF THE SOCIAL STUDIES SUBJECT FOR SECONDARY 1 TO 3 STUDENTS AND THE LIBERAL STUDIES SUBJECT FOR SECONDARY 6 TO 7 STUDENTS.
UNDER THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME, THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION OFFERS SPONSORSHIP EVERY YEAR TO COMMUNITY GROUPS IN ORGANISING WORTHWHILE CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS.
SO FAR, SPONSORSHIP HAS BEEN OFFERED TO TWO PROJECTS ON THE BASIC LAW.
"THE COMMITTEE IS PREPARED TO CONSIDER OTHER WORTHWHILE COMMUNITY PROJECTS ON THE BASIC LAW," MR SZE SAID.
ON THE PROMOTION OF THE BASIC LAW AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS, MR SZE SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH HAD EMBARKED UPON A SERIES OF CHINA STUDIES SEMINARS TO CATER FOR CIVIL SERVANTS AT VARIOUS LEVELS, ADDING THAT THE BASIC LAW HAD BEEN A SUBJECT FREQUENTLY COVERED IN THE SEMINARS.
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MEASURES TAKEN TO COMBAT VEHICLE THEFT
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE POLICE HAD TAKEN A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO COUNTER VEHICLE THEFT.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR ASPREY SAID THESE INCLUDED OBTAINING INTELLIGENCE ON VEHICLE THEFT AND SMUGGLING GANGS, DEPLOYING THE ANT I-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE AND OTHER OPERATIONAL UNITS AGAINST CAR SMUGGLING SYNDICATES, AND CONDUCTING CHECKS AT ROAD BLOCKS AND CAR PARKS.
/"THE POLICE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
18
"THE POLICE HAVE ALSO STEPPED UP PUBLICITY TO ADVISE THE PUBLIC AND VEHICLE OWNERS OF THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES.
"CAR PARK OPERATORS AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMPANIES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF WAYS TO PREVENT CAR THEFT AND TO IMPROVE CARE-TAKER AND WATCHMAN SERVICES.
• "THE POLICE HAVE ALSO GIVEN ADVICE TO THE MOTOR SALES INDUSTRY' ON MEASURES TO IMPROVE SECURITY," HE SAID.
ON THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES STOLEN, THE SECRETARY SAID 2,556 VEHICLES WERE STOLEN IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
"SO FAR, 1,577 HAVE BEEN RECOVERED," HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICE HAD ASKED THE PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU IN CHINA TO HELP THEM TRACE THE WHEREABOUTS OF CARS STOLEN IN HONG KONG AND TO RETURN THEM.
HOWEVER, NO CARS HAD BEEN RETURNED FROM CHINA SO FAR THIS YEAR.
MR ASPREY SAID THERE WAS A DEMAND FOR LUXURY VEHICLES THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST ASIA, IN PARTICULAR IN THAILAND AND MALAYSIA.
"HOWEVER, WE BELIEVE THAT THE SMUGGLING OF STOLEN CARS INTO THESE COUNTRIES HAS VIRTUALLY CEASED SINCE A CAR SMUGGLING SYNDICATE WAS BROKEN UP IN 1990.
"THE POLICE WILL CONTINUE TO LIAISE WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN THESE COUNTRIES THROUGH INTERPOL," HE SAID.
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MORE LOCAL OFFICERS IN LEGAL DEPT AVAILABLE FOR PROMOTION t t t * t
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT’S RECOMMENDATION NOT TO RENEW OR ONLY TO EXTEND FOR UP TO ONE YEAR THE AGREEMENTS OF 18 OVERSEAS OFFICERS HAD BEEN MADE HAVING REGARD TO THE DEPARTMENT’S PROJECTION THAT MORE LOCAL OFFICERS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE FOR PROMOTION TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL AND DIRECTORATE LEVELS IN 1993 AND 1994.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S LONGSTANDING POLICY, WHEN CONSIDERING THE RENEWAL OF AGREEMENTS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS, THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE LOCAL REPLACEMENTS HAD TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WAS ONE OF THE FEW; GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS, PARTICULARLY AT SENIOR LEVELS.
/IN LINE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
19
IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL POLICY OF LOCALISATION, TWO SCHEMES HAD BEEN SET UP WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST WAS THE DOUBLE LADDER SCHEME, ESTABLISHED IN 1988, UNDER WHICH UP TO 30 ADDITIONAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL POSTS WERE PROVIDED FOR THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL WITH POTENTIAL.
THE SECOND WAS THE DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME, SET UP LAST YEAR WHICH ALLOWED UP TO 18 LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL TO BE SELECTED FOR GROOMING FOR EVENTUAL PROMOTION TO DIRECTORATE POSTS.
MR MATHEWS SAID SO FAR THE RESULTS OF THESE TWO SCHEMES WERE ENCOURAGING.
LOCALISATION OF SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED, FROM 23 PER CENT IN 1988 TO 47 PER CENT THIS YEAR, AND THE RATE OF WASTAGE OF LOCAL OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENT HAD DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM 21.7 PER CENT IN 1988 TO 6.7 PER CENT LAST YEAR.
’’ALTHOUGH LOCALISATION AT THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL AT THIS MOMENT IS STILL RELATIVELY LOW AT 14 PER CENT, UNDER THE DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME NINE LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL ARE ALREADY ACTING IN VARIOUS POSTS AT THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL, AND THREE MORE WILL DO SO OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
”1 THEREFORE EXPECT TO SEE MORE LOCAL OFFICERS IN THE DIRECTORATE IN THE NEAR FUTURE,” HE SAID.
NOTING THAT AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT, MR MATHEWS SAID IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT’S LATEST REVIEW, CARRIED OUT IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE AGREEMENTS OF 65 OVERSEAS OFFICERS WHICH WOULD EXPIRE BETWEEN OCTOBER 1993 AND SEPTEMBER 1994 WERE COVERED.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECOMMENDED TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH THAT THE AGREEMENTS OF 18 OVERSEAS OFFICERS AT VARIOUS RANKS EITHER NOT BE RENEWED, OR IN CERTAIN CASES BE EXTENDED FOR UP TO ONE YEAR ONLY, AS COMPARED WITH THE MORE USUAL TWO YEARS.
IN FILLING THE VACATED POSTS AT THE PROMOTION LEVEL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO CONSIDER LOCAL AND OVERSEAS OFFICERS ON EQUAL TERMS IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR TERMS OF APPOINTMENT, SINCE THE OVERRIDING AIM WAS TO SELECT THE BEST PERSON AVAILABLE.
"ALTHOUGH 1 CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT ALL THE PROMOTION POSTS WHICH WILL BECOME AVAILABLE IN 1993 AND 1994 WILL BE FILLED BY LOCAL OFFICERS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER WILL BE.
"SIMILARLY, "l CANNOT GIVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE CONSEQUENTIAL VACANCIES IN THE RECRUITMENT RANK OF CROWN COUNSEL WILL ALL BE FILLED BY LOCAL CANDIDATES.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S LOCALISATION POLICY IS TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO LOCAL CANDIDATES AT THE RECRUITMENT LEVEL.’’
HOWEVER, IF THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH SUITABLY QUALIFIED LOCAL CANDIDATES TO FILL THE VACANCIES, TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT, APPLICATIONS FROM OVERSEAS CANDIDATES WOULD THEN HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED, SAID MR MATHEWS.
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/20......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
THA CLEARENCE ON SCHEDULE * * * *
THE ADMINISTRATION AIMS TO CLEAR ALL PART-BUILT TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS (THAS) COMPLETED BEFORE 1984 IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND THE MAJORITY OF FULL-BUILT THAS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE WAS NO "DELAY" IN CLEARING THAS BECAUSE THE PACE OF CLEARANCE WAS DETERMINED BY THE INTERPLAY OF SEVERAL FACTORS.
MR EASON ALSO SAID THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF SOME OLDER THAS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE LAND WAS NOT YET REQUIRED FOR DEVELOPMENT.
NOTING THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT 60 THAS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY SAID THE OPERATIONAL LIFE SPAN OF A THA WAS NOT FIXED, BUT WAS GENERALLY DICTATED BY THE TIMING OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND FOR PERMANENT USE.
OTHER FACTORS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WERE THE AGE AND CONDITION OF THE STRUCTURES IN A THA, OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR CLEARANCE, MR EASON ADDED.
HE SAID THE PRIORITY FOR CLEARING THAS WAS REVIEWED REGULARLY.
"FOR MANY YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RELIED ON THE SUPPLY OF NEW FLATS IN THE EXTENDED URBAN AREAS AS RECEPTION ACCOMMODATION FOR CLEARING THAS IN KOWLOON.
"PEOPLE CLEARED FROM THAS ON HONG KONG ISLAND CAN NORMALLY BE OFFERED REHOUSING ON THE HONG KONG SIDE; AND THE PREFERENCE FOR REHOUSING IN THE SAME DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES CAN OFTEN BE MET," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
ANTI-SMUGGLING HOT LINE ENHANCES COMMUNICATION ♦ ♦ * * *
COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN ENHANCED RECENTLY BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE CHINESE PUBLIC SECURITY AUTHORITIES BY THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ANTI-SMUGGLING HOT LINE TO FACILITATE THE SWIFT PASSAGE OF INFORMATION ACROSS THE BORDER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/IN A
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 21 -
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI, MR ASPREY SAID THE RESULT OF THIS CO-OPERATION HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE INCIDENCE OF SMUGGLING BY SPEEDBOAT IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
MR ASPREY SAID THE MAKING OF FORMAL REQUESTS WAS NOT A FEATURE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE CHINESE PUBLIC SECURITY AUTHORITIES.
RATHER, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE AND THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES MEET REGULARLY TO REVIEW PROGRESS IN ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS, TO DISCUSS TACTICS AND GENERALLY TO CO-ORDINATE EFFORTS TO TACKLE THE SMUGGLING PROBLEM.
IN ADDITION, THERE WAS FREQUENT CONTACT BETWEEN OPERATIONAL STAFF, NOT ONLY FROM THE POLICE BUT ALSO FROM CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, TO EXCHANGE TACTICAL INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE ON SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES, HE ADDED.
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PREVENTION OF SMOKING THROUGH EDUCATION
******
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID A MAJOR WEAPON IN THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING ARSENAL IS EDUCATION.
THIS TACKLES THE PROBLEM AT ITS ROOT AND IS AIMED PARTICULARLY AT THE YOUNG.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIMOTHY HA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG NOTED THAT AT PRESENT BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS INCLUDED ANTI-SMOKING ELEMENTS IN THEJR CURRICULA.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REGULARLY ISSUES CIRCULARS TO REMIND ALL SCHOOLS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMOKING POLICY.
TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING STAFF ARE REQUESTED TO REFRAIN FROM SMOKING IN SCHOOLS SO AS TO INCULCATE PROPER SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG THOSE IN THEIR CHARGE.
AS REGARDS STUDENTS, EVERY SCHOOL INVARIABLY HAS REGULATIONS TO PROHIBIT THEM FROM SMOKING ON SCHOOL PREMISES.
APART FROM THESE, MRS WONG SAID, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH HELD REGULAR HEALTH TALKS AND TARGETS GENERAL PUBLICITY AT SCHOOL PUPILS.
"WITH A $2 MILLION GRANT FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A YEAR-LONG YOUTH PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT," MRS WONG NOTED.
/MORE THAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 22 -
"MORE THAN 500 SCHOOLS HAVE TAKEN PART IN ITS VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.
"FURTHER INITIATIVES WILL BE FORTHCOMING FROM THE COUNCIL, WITH FULL SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS."
MRS WONG ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHORTLY PUBLISH A CONSULTATION PAPER ON FURTHER MEASURES TO RESTRICT THE USE, SALE AND PROMOTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG.
PUBLIC VIEWS WILL BE SOUGHT TO SHAPE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS FUTURE ANTI-SMOKING POLICY.
AMONG THE VARIOUS ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES WHICH WERE FORMULATED FOLLOWING A CONSULTATION EXERCISE IN 1989, THE FURTHER PROHIBITION ON SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES AND ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS WILL TAKE EFFECT ON AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR.
"THE DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PLACES AS NO SMOKING AREAS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE CURRENT PACKAGE OF MEASURES," SHE ADDED.
------0--------
PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE SINGLETON HOSTELS * * * * *
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) HAS EMBARKED ON A PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE SINGLETON HOSTELS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG KIN-KEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SUEN SAID SO FAR THREE SINGLETON HOSTELS HAD BEEN COMPLETED.
TAK NGA HOUSE, THE FIRST HOSTEL OPENED LAST NOVEMBER IN WAN CHAI, OFFERS 80 PLACES. IT IS RUN BY THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
TWO NEW HOSTELS, ONE IN YAU MA TEI AND THE OTHER IN KWUN TONG, HAVE JUST BEEN ESTABLISHED AND APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION ARE BEING INVITED.
THESE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER FIVE HOSTELS, INCLUDING TWO PROVIDED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, WHICH WILL BE COMMISSIONED BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"BY THAT TIME WE WILL HAVE EIGHT HOSTELS OFFERING A TOTAL OF ABOUT 240 PLACES.
"THESE HOSTELS ARE INTENDED FOR LODGERS OF EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENTS SO AS TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THE SEVERE OVERCROWDING CONDITIONS IN SOME OF THEM," MR SUEN SAID.
/MR SUEN .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 23 -
MR SUEN TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT SINCE OCTOBER 1990, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CONDUCTING HALF-YEARLY VISITS TO KNOWN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS TO IDENTIFY THOSE LODGERS WHO WERE AGED 60 OR OVER, OR WERE RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
"ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IS OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THOSE WHO NEED IT,” HE SAID.
UP TO MARCH 1992, 254 LODGERS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 1552 VISITED HAVE BEEN REHOUSED AND IN ADDITION, 100 HAVE BEEN PUT ON THF WAITING LIST.
HE SAID ALL GENUINE BEDSPACE APARTMENT LODGERS, APART FROM THOSE OVER 60 YEARS OLD OR TAKEN CARE OF BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WERE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION INTO THESE HOSTELS.
"THERE IS A PRACTICAL NEED TO DRAW THIS LINE BECAUSE TO DO OTHERWISE WILL SERIOUSLY COMPROMISE OUR CAPABILITY TO BRING ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OVERCROWDING CONDITIONS IN EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENTS," HE EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT CNTA WOULD CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR SUITABLE FLATS TO PROVIDE MORE HOSTELS.
MOREOVER, MR SUEN SAID THERE WAS NO NEED FOR OTHER MEASURES TO BE INTRODUCED, BECAUSE LODGERS IN EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENTS WERE EITHER ELIGIBLE FOR REHOUSING OFFERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OR FOR ADMISSION INTO CNTA’S SINGLETON HOSTELS.
--------0-----------
VR RESETTLEMENT MEETS QUOTA *****
THE GOVERNMENT UNDERSTANDS FROM UNHCR THAT THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVE ACCEPTED OR EXCEEDED THE NUMBERS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES TO WHICH THEY ARE COMMITTED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE PLEDGES OF RESETTLEMENT MADE IN 1989 AND REVISED BY UNHCR IN 1990 RELATED TO THE REGION AS A WHOLE, AND NOT SPECIFICALLY TO HONG KONG.
/THE NUMBERS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 24 -
THE NUMBERS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ACCEPTED FOR RESETTLEMENT FROM HONG KONG FROM JULY 1, 1989 TO MAY 31 THIS YEAR BY THE COUNTRIES MENTIONED ARE AS FOLLOWS:
USA — 4,224
AUSTRALIA - 2,884
CANADA - 4,183
UK — 1,800
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USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES
t * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AIMED AT REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM CONVENTIONAL ENGINES AND INTRODUCING NEW TYPES OF LOW-POLLUTION VEHICLE ENGINES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION’ BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID ALTHOUGH TRIALS HAD BEEN CONDUCTED IN RECENT YEARS USING BATTERY POWERED PASSENGER VEHICLES, SUCH VEHICLES HAD NOT BEEN INTRODUCED PERMANENTLY BECAUSE OF HIGH CAPITAL COST, THE NEED FOR FREQUENT BATTERY RECHARGING AND THE DIFFICULTIES IN OPERATING THEM IN LOCAL TRAFFIC AND TOPOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS.
"THE WIDER USE OF SUCH ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES IN FUTURE WOULD THEREFORE DEPEND ON MANUFACTURERS’ ABILITY TO DEVELOP MODELS THAT HAVE HIGH CAPACITY AND YET ARE TECHNOLOGICALLY EFFICIENT AND COMMERCIALLY VIABLE," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 48 ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLES LICENSED IN HONG KONG, MOST OF WHICH ARE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES SUCH AS FORK LIFT TRUCKS AND INDUSTRIAL TRACTORS.
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/25 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 25 -
SAFETY MEASURES FOR CARGO-HANDLING WORKERS
******
A RESOLUTION THAT SEEKS TO SAFEGUARD THE SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN CONTAINER HANDLING ACTIVITIES WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (CARGO HANDLING) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID UNDER THE REGULATION, PROPRIETORS WERE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT CONTAINERS IN CONTAINER STORAGE YARDS WERE SAFELY STACKED.
THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE GROUND ON WHICH CONTAINERS ARE STORED IS MAINTAINED IN A LEVEL AND FIRM CONDITION, AND THAT ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN TO PREVENT PERSONS FROM FALLING FROM THE TOP OF THE CONTAINERS.
"PROPRIETORS WHO CONTRAVENE THESE PROVISIONS SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $10,000.
"AT THE SAME TIME, AN EMPLOYEE WHO ACTS IN A WAY THAT MAY ENDANGER HIS OWN LIFE OR THOSE OF HIS FELLOW EMPLOYEES SHALL ALSO BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND SHALL BE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $10,000," MR CHAN SAID.
THE MEASURES UNDER THE RESOLUTION HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
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PROVISO ON TENDERS TO AVOID EXCHANGE LOSS ******
TENDERS LIKELY TO COST $10 MILLION OR MORE MUST - WITH ONE IMPORTANT PROVISO - BE QUOTED IN HONG KONG OR U.S. DOLLARS ONLY TO PROTECT THE GOVERNMENT’S GENERAL REVENUE FROM FLUCTUATIONS IN THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR YEUNG SAID IT WOULD BE FOR THE TENDERERS THEMSELVES TO DECIDE WHETHER AND, IF SO, HOW TO COVER THE EXCHANGE RISK.
"WE CONSIDER THAT IT IS MORE EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO MANAGE EXCHANGE RISKS THAN THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
/THE SECRETARY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 26 -
THE SECRETARY SAID A WORKING PARTY LED BY FINANCE BRANCH, AND INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, WORKS BRANCH, THE TREASURY AND THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, HAD MET A NUMBER OF TIMES TO CONSIDER HOW BEST TO PROTECT THE GENERAL REVENUE FROM EXCHANGE LOSS.
THE MAIN CONCLUSIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY WERE THAT INDIVIDUAL PURCHASES BELOW $10 MILLION SHOULD BE REGARDED AS MINOR AND NO SPECIAL MEASURES WERE NEEDED BUT THAT PURCHASES ABOVE THAT VALUE WERE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT CHANGES IN EXISTING PROCEDURE.
MR YEUNG NOTED THAT THE PROVISO RELATED TO THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE SUCH A RESTRICTION WOULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT AND UNACCEPTABLE REDUCTION IN THE DEGREE OF COMPETITION IN THE TENDERING PROCESS.
"IN SUCH CASES, TENDERERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO QUOTE IN CURRENCIES OTHER THAN HONG KONG OR U.S.•DOLLARS," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WISH IN SUCH CASES TO PROTECT THE GENERAL REVENUE EITHER BY BUYING FORWARD ON THE OPEN MARKET OR BY BOOKING OUR FOREIGN EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS AT A FIXED PRICE WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND AS SOON AS THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED, AS WAS DONE FOR THE TSING MA BRIDGE CONTRACT.
--------------------0-------- SCOPE TO REVIEW DOCTORS AND NURSES RATIOS ******
THE RATIOS FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES IN HOSPITALS DRAWN UP BY THE FORMER MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ARE GUIDELINES FOR REFERENCE AND PLANNING PURPOSES.
THEY ARE NOT VIEWED IN ISOLATION BUT IN THE CONTEXT OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS OVERALL.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID:
"SINCE THE PLANNING RATIOS WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1987, BASED AS THEY WERE ON HOSPITAL BEDS, THERE IS SCOPE TO REVIEW THESE RATIOS HAVING REGARD TO ADVANCES IN MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND TREATMENT PROCEDURES NOT ONLY IN A HOSPITAL SETTING BUT ALSO IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE."
SHE SAID THE PRESENT PROVISION OF DOCTORS AND NURSES FOR INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS HAD ITS ORIGIN IN THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF STAFF IN HOSPITALS WHEN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
/THE PROVISION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
27
THE PROVISION IS UPDATED AND REVISED AS NECESSARY BASED ON THE PREVAILING WORKLOAD AND THE TREND OF DEMAND FOR SERVICES IN DIFFERENT HOSPITALS.
MRS WONG ALSO SAID THE HA WAS ITSELF DEVELOPING A SYSTEM TO FACILITATE AND COMPLEMENT THE POLICY OF DECENTRALISATION OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY TO INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS; THE STRATEGY AND TARGETS FOR INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS; AND THE ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS REQUIRED TO MEET DEFINED STANDARDS OF SERVICES.
AS REGARDS FUNDING, MRS WONG SAID THE HA HAD FLEXIBILITY AND AUTONOMY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF FUNDS.
SHE SAID: "IT MAY RETAIN SAVINGS; IT MAY ADJUST PRIORITIES IN THE BETTER PERFORMANCE OF ITS FUNCTIONS; IT MAY SUBMIT PROPOSALS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ANNUAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE.
"ANY REQUEST FOR FUNDING BY THE AUTHORITY IS CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF COMPETING DEMANDS."
--------0--------
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TAIWANESE UNDER REGULAR REVIEW
******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TAIWAN VISITORS REGULARLY AND TO CONSIDER FURTHER STREAMLINING AND SIMPLIFYING THE PROCEDURES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ISSUE OF VISIT PERMITS TO TAIWAN VISITORS HAD BEEN SIMPLIFIED.
TAIWAN VISITORS MAY NOW OBTAIN ONE-YEAR OR TWO-YEAR MULTIPLE VISIT PERMITS, WHICH ALLOW THEM TO STAY FOR UP TO 14 DAYS ON EACH VISIT.
THE NUMBERS OF VISITORS FROM TAIWAN IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WERE 1.13 MILLION IN 1989, 1.34 MILLION IN 1990 AND 1.29 MILLION LAST YEAR.
HOWEVER, THE SECRETARY SAID THE NUMBER OF TAIWAN VISITORS TRANSITTED HONG KONG DURING THE SAME PERIOD WAS NOT KNOWN BECAUSE TRANSIT PASSENGERS DID NOT HAVE TO PRESENT THEMSELVES FOR IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE.
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/28 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 28 -
TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE SITES FOR SPECIAL INDUSTRIES
*****
THE SPECIAL INDUSTRIES AREA IN AREA 38 TUEN MUN WILL MEET THE PERCEIVED DEMAND FOR SITES FOR LOW PLOT-RATIO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR CHAU SAID THE AREA WOULD PROVIDE DEEP WATER WHARFAGE, GOOD HIGHWAY ACCESS, EFFICIENT EFFLUENT DISPOSAL AND GOOD WATER SUPPLY.
CONSULTANTS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE A DEVELOPMENT STUDY OF TUEN MUN AREA 38 ADVISED THAT ’SPECIAL INDUSTRIES’ SUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT THERE SHOULD BE CAPITAL-INTENSIVE, WATER-INTENSIVE AND LAND-EXTENSIVE.
ALSO THEY SHOULD REQUIRE DEEP-WATER ACCESS AND WAREHOUSING FACILITIES OR ON-SITE STORAGE FOR DANGEROUS GOODS.
EXAMPLES ARE HIGH VALUE-ADDED CHEMICAL AND PLASTIC RESIN MANUFACTURING, FOOD PROCESSING, BUILDING MATERIALS MANUFACTURING, PAPER PROCESSING, TEXTILES BLEACHING AND DYEING, AND BULK CEMENT STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION.
MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING HOW THE AREA, WHEN FORMED, SHOULD BE MANAGED AND HOW THE SITES SHOULD BE DISPOSED OF.
ONE OF THE OPTIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION WAS TO REQUEST THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION TO MANAGE THE AREA, HE SAID.
IN FORMULATING ITS DECISIONS, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSULTANCY STUDY, THE ACTUAL DEMAND FOR SITES AND THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED, HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID THE MAIN FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSULTANTS’ REPORT WERE DISCUSSED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD IN AUGUST 1990 BEFORE THE PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT IN OCTOBER 1990.
A DRAFT LAYOUT PLAN BASED ON THE PREFERRED DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO WAS DISCUSSED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AND JANUARY THIS YEAR.
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/29 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
29
INDIA RESERVE BANK CONTACTED ON STOCK MARKET PROBLEMS *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING WHETHER ANY OF THE INDIAN BANKS WITH OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEMS IN THE INDIAN STOCK MARKET.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
’’THERE HAVE BEEN NO INDICATIONS THAT THE STABILITY OF ANY OF THESE BANKS IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED.
"THE COMMISSIONER WILL, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION," MR NENDICK SAID.
THERE ARE FOUR LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE BRANCHES OF BANKS INCORPORATED IN INDIA.
THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE PRIMARY SUPERVISION OF THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA AND THE SUPERVISION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING IN HONG KONG UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
THERE IS ONLY ONE BANK INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG WHICH HAS BRANCHES IN INDIA. J
MR NENDICK SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEMS IN THE INDIAN STOCK MARKET.
-----0-----
COST OF LEGCO REPLIES VARIES
*****
. THE COST OF PROVIDING ANSWERS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL QUESTIONS VARIES, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE QUESTION AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE AMOUNT OF RESEARCH NECESSARY TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUESTED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM.
BASED ON A SAMPLE OF QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY BRANCH SECRETARIES RECENTLY, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT, ON AVERAGE, IT WOULD COST ABOUT $30,000 TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER TO AN ORAL QUESTION; AND $20,000 FOR A WRITTEN REPLY.
HE SAID THE COST INCLUDED STAFF COST AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS SUCH AS PHOTOCOPYING, FAXING AND TRANSLATION.
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/30 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 30 -
CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES OE EXPENDITURE TABLED
******
A SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1991-92 WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EXPLAINING THE CHANGES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $4,619.7 MILLION WAS APPROVED.
THIS INCLUDED $3,022.3 MILLION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1991 PAY ADJUSTMENT AND $589.6 MILLION FOR A TRANSFER OF PROVISION FROM THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
HE SAID THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION WAS FULLY OFFSET, EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE, OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS.
DURING THE PERIOD, NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $13.2 MILLION, NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $329.4 MILLION WERE APPROVED, AND APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $13.3 MILLION WERE REVOTED.
A NET DECREASE OF 3,193 POSTS WAS ALSO APPROVED.
THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE DELETION OF POSTS AS A RESULT OF CIVIL SERVANTS HAVING OPTED FOR SERVICE WITH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
MR YEUNG SAID ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
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/31........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
31
DATES FOR THREE BY-ELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE DATES FOR A SERIES OF BY-ELECTIONS TO FILL THE SEATS HELD BY THE LATE MR NG MING-YUM.
IN A PRESS CONFERENCE, A DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR C.M. LEUNG, SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT BY-ELECTIONS WOULD BE HELD FOR ALL THREE TIERS OF THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE.
"WE HAVE CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF OPTIONS FOR DOING THIS AND THE COMPLEXITIES INVOLVED IN EACH OF THEM," HE SAID.
"GIVEN THAT THERE ARE SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE TIMETABLE FOR HOLDING BY-ELECTIONS, IN PARTICULAR THOSE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THAT IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO FILL THE VACANCIES AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT ON BALANCE THE BY-ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD OVER A SIX-WEEK PERIOD," HE ADDED.
THE DATES ARE :
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (LEGCO) REGIONAL COUNCIL (RC4 TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD (TMDB)
ELECTION DAY AUGUST 30 (SUNDAY) OCTOBER 5 (MONDAY) OCTOBER 11 (SUNDAY)
NOMINATION FOR CANDIDATES WILL START ON JULY 27 FOR LEGCO, ON SEPTEMBER 1 FOR RC, AND ON SEPTEMBER 7 FOR DB, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE LEGCO BY-ELECTION CAME FIRST BECAUSE OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT THE VACANCY MUST BE GAZETTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF IT BECOMING AVAILABLE.
SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THIS RESPECT IS AVAILABLE FOR THE RC AND DB BY-ELECTIONS.
"THIS YEAR’S VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE ENDS TODAY," HE SAID.
"THE EARLIEST DATE THAT WE CAN PUBLISH THE 1992 FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS IS JULY 27. THE NOMINATION DATE FOR THE LEGCO BY-ELECTION TIES IN WITH THIS. ALL THE THREE BY-ELECTIONS WILL THEN BE USING THE SAME SET OF ELECTORAL REGISTER," HE ADDED.
"THE LEGCO AND DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON A SUNDAY - A PRACTICE WHICH IS NOW TAKING ROOT AND WHICH IS WELL RECEIVED.
"THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BY-ELECTION WILL HOWEVER BE HELD ON A MONDAY, A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, AND IS THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL," HE SAID.
/"WE BELIEVE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 32 -
"WE BELIEVE THE BY-ELECTION SHOULD NOT CLASH WITH A MAJOR CHINESE FESTIVAL, AND THE SELECTED DAY IS A GOOD ALTERNATIVE."
THE BY-ELECTIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT ELECTORAL LEGISLATION, THAT IS, WITH THE SAME ARRANGEMENTS AS FOR THE LAST LEGCO BY-ELECTION FOR THE SAME NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY IN DECEMBER 1991 AND THE TWO DB BY-ELECTIONS IN JANUARY AND MAY THIS YEAR.
THE AMOUNT OF ELECTION DEPOSIT WILL REMAIN AT $10,000 FOR THE LEGCO, $5,000 FOR THE RC AND $3,OOOFOR THE DB ELECTIONS.
LIMITS OF ELECTION EXPENSES WILL CONTINUE TO BE $200,000 FOR THE LEGCO, $70,000 FOR THE RC AND $30,000 FOR THE DB ELECTIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE MAKING THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS TO PUBLICISE AND PROMOTE THE BY-ELECTIONS THROUGH POSTERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND OTHER MEANS.
MR LEUNG SAID ALTHOUGH THIS YEAR’S VOTER REGISTRATION ENDED TODAY, THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN REGISTERED AND HAD MOVED TO ANOTHER RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SHOULD NONETHELESS QUICKLY INFORM THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE OF THEIR NEW ADDRESS IF THEY HAD NOT YET DONE SO.
"THIS APPLIES PARTICULARLY TO THOSE ELECTORS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST SO THAT THEY CAN VOTE IN THE CORRECT CONSTITUENCY AND POLLING STATION," HE SAID.
SUCH CHANGES CAN BE REPORTED UP TO JULY 6, AND FORMS FOR THIS PURPOSE ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, POST OFFICES, THE HONGKONGBANK, CHARTERED BANK, HANG SENG BANK AND BANK OF CHINA GROUP.
ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS INVOLVED IN THE BY-ELECTIONS WILL RECEIVE A POLL CARD INFORMING THEM OF THE DETAILS ABOUT 10 DAYS BEFORE EACH BY-ELECTION.
------0--------
WALLED CITY CLEARANCE COMPLETED *****
CLEARANCE OF THE THIRD AND FINAL PHASE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH ALL THE 188 REMAINING HOUSEHOLDS RECOVERED.
OF THE TOTAL, 158 WERE FOUND TO BE VACANT, 10 LEFT VOLUNTARILY WHILE 14 LEFT ON PERSUASION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID.
ONLY SIX HAD TO BE EVICTED, HE ADDED.
THE OPERATION WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO CLEAR THE FUK TAK TEMPLE.
/33 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 33 -
CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS BRIEFED ON PENSION SCHEMES ******
THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH (CSB) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HELD AN INFORMAL MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MAIN STAFF COUNCILS TO DISCUSS VARIOUS ADDITIONAL MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN SAFEGUARDS FOR CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS.
THE MEETING WAS HELD AT THE REQUEST OF THE STAFF SIDES.
THE CSB OFFICIALS BRIEFED STAFF REPRESENTATIVES ON ITS VIEWS AND LIKELY DIFFICULTIES ON VARIOUS PENSION SAFEGUARD PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED IN THE PAST.
THEY ALSO SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PURSUING A PROPOSAL TO LINK ANNUAL PENSION INCREASES STATUTORILY TO MOVEMENTS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT IS BEING FINALISED AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR.
DURING THE MEETING, THE STAFF REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS ON THESE SUBJECTS.
THE BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES SAID THESE WOULD BE TAKEN INTO CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND OFFERED TO MEET STAFF COUNCILS INDIVIDUALLY TO DISCUSS THE SUBJECT IN MORE DEPTH.
--------0 - -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY
*****
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS RECORDED A STRONG GROWTH IN MAY, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
CONSISTENT WITH THE RISE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE DURING THE MONTH.
HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED IN MAY.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, GREW BY 3.7% IN MAY FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.2% AND 1.9% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS GREW BY 9.6%
AND 7.8% RESPECTIVELY DURING MAY WHILE TIME DEPOSITS DECREASED BY
/YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 34 -
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 20.3%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 1.6% IN MAY, AFTER A DECREASE OF 1.1% IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 0.5% IN APRIL.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED' BY 2.0% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 7.9%.
DURING MAY, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY 2.6%.
DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS ROSE BY 2.6% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 1.6%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS ROSE BY 14.4%, WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 1.9% AND 24.1% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HKSM2 AND HK$M3 GREW BY 6.3%, 3.5% AND 3.4% RESPECTIVELY IN MAY, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 1.1%, 1.9% AND 1.8% IN APRIL.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 32.4%, 21.7% AND 19.8% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 5.6%, 2.5% AND 2.4%
RESPECTIVELY IN MAY.
THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN APRIL WERE 1.7%, 1.2% AND
1 . 1%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES GREW BY 29.4%, 14.3%
AND 13.0% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 2.7% IN MAY, FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 0.4% IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 0.7% IN APRIL.
AMONG THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR INCREASED BY 2.0% WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY ROSE BY 3.1%.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.6% AND 26.0% RESPECTIVELY.
/LOANS TO .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 35 -
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 4.3% IN MAY, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.0% AND 3.8% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 15.3%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 2.0% IN MAY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.4% AND 0.9% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.9%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 3.2% IN MAY, AFTER A DECREASE OF 1.8% IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 0.3% IN APRIL. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 29.2%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG ROSE BY 4.2% IN MAY, AFTER INCREASES OF 10.8% AND 7.2% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 48.4%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 160 AND 55 RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY TWO TO 154.
/TABLE 1 : .......
'J
f'
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 36 -
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS • MAY 1992
(HKSmn)
May 1992 Earlier months (% change to May 1992)
Apr 1992 Feb 1992 May 1991
Money Supply
Ml -HKS 124,221 116,907 ( 6.3 ) 112,491 ( 10.4 ) 93,813 ( 32.4 )
Foreign currency 15,116 z 15,072 ( 0.3 ) 16,074 ( -6.0 ) 13,834 ( 93 )
Total 139,337 131,979 ( 5.6 ) 128,565 ( 8.4 ) 107,647 ( 29.4 )
M2 - HKS* 673,182 650,471 ( 35 ) 633,684 ( 6.2 ) 553,090 ( 21.7 )
Foreign currency* 757,632 745,938 ( 1-6 ) ' 748,230 ( 13 ) 698,951 ( 8.4 )
Total 1,430,814 1,396,409 ( 2.5 ) 1,381,913 ( 3.5 ) 1,252,041 ( 14.3 )
M3 - HKS* 696,091 673,263 ( 3.4 ) 656,528 ( 6.0 ) 581,080 ( 19.8 )
Foreign currency* 795,216 783,053 ( 1-6 ) 789,571 ( 0.7 ) 738,211 ( 7.7 )
Total 1,491,307 1,456,321 ( 2.4 ) 1,446,099 ( 3.1 ) 1,319,291 ( 13.0 )
Notes and coins in circulation 51,902 51,630 ( 0.5 ) 53,150 ( -2.3 ) 43,806 ( 18.5 )
of which held by public 45,079 44,706 ( 0.8 ) 46,430 ( -2.9 ) 37,655 ( 19.7 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 94,258 87,272 ( 8.0 ) 82,135 ( 14.8 ) 69,992 ( 34.7 )
Total Savings deposits 332,829 312,730 ( 6.4 ) 316,471 ( 5.2 ) 240,794 ( 38.2 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 942,768 935,672 ( 0.8 ) 919,744 ( 2.5 ) 886,240 ( 6.4 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 37,378 36,422 ( 2.6 ) 38,664 ( -3.3 ) 38,095 ( -1.9 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 20,946 21,290 ( -1.6 ) 22,372 ( -6.4 ) 27,597 ( -24.1 )
HKS deposits* 637,737 615,135 ( 3.7 ) 596,800 ( 6.9 ) 530,167 ( 20.3 )
USS deposits* 322,661 316,439 ( 2.0 ) 316,976 ( 1.8 ) 292.760 ( 10.2 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 467,781 461,812 ( 1.3 ) 465,610 ( 0.5 ) 439,789 ( 6.4 )
All deposits 1,428,178 1,393,386 ( 2.5 ) 1,379,386 ( 3.5 ) 1,262,717 ( 13.1 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 42,830 44,536 ( -3.8 ) 40,067 ( 6.9 ) 55,922 ( -23.4 )
Total Loans and advances -
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 89,219 85,558 ( 4.3 ) 81,632 ( 9.3 ) 77,387 ( 15.3 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 14,750 14,159 ( 4.2 ) 11,926 ( 23.7 ) 9,938 ( 48.4 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 868,605 851,597 ( 2.0 ) 832,311 ( 4.4 ) 736.512 ( 17.9 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,322,827 1,282,065 ( 3.2 ) 1,301,457 ( 1.6 ) 1,024,252 ( 29.2 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 38,602 38,529 ( 0.2 ) 38,036 ( 1.5 ) 48,421 ( -20.3 )
Loans in HKS 774,498 759,684 ( 2.0 ) 739,186 ( 4.8 ) 658,395 ( 17.6 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,559,506 1,512,224 ( 3.1 ) 1,526,177 ( 2.2 ) 1,238,116 ( 26.0 )
Total loans and advances 2,334,004 2,271,908 ( 2.7 ) 2,265,362 ( 3.0 ) 1,896,511 ( 23.1 )
• Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : ’Restricted licence banks' and 'deposit-taking companies' were known as 'licensed deposit-taking companies' and 'registered deposit-taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
--------o----------
/37........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
37 -
BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE HONG KONG LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION) (BCCHK) » » » » »
AS GOOD PROGRESS HAS CONTINUED TO BE MADE IN THE RECOVERY OF ASSETS IN THE BCCHK LIQUIDATION, THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AND LIQUIDATOR, MR ROBIN HEARDER, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED A PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF A FIRST STATUTORY DIVIDEND TO DEPOSITORS AND OTHER CREDITORS.
THE TIMETABLE, TENTATIVE AT THIS STAGE, IS AS FOLLOWS:-
1. IN LATE JULY 1992, A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO DECLARE A DIVIDEND WILL BE ADVERTISED CALLING FOR PROOFS OF DEBT TO BE LODGED BY CREDITORS.
MR HEARDER STRESSED THAT DEPOSITORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LODGE PROOFS OF DEBT UNLESS REQUESTED TO DO SO.
2. THE DECLARATION AND PAYMENT OF THE FIRST DIVIDEND IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE IN SEPTEMBER 1992. MR HEARDER REMAINS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE DIVIDEND WILL BE IN THE REGION OF 40 PER CENT WHICH WILL BE INCLUSIVE OF THE LIMITED INTERIM RELIEF ALREADY PAID.
MR HEARDER SAID IT WAS', HOWEVER, IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT THE PRECISE AMOUNT OF THE DIVIDEND AT PRESENT BECAUSE IT WAS SUBJECT TO A LARGE NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING, AMONG OTHERS, THE ADJUDICATION OF CLAIMS LODGED, THE RECEIPT Ol- ANY FURTHER CLAIMS AND THE COLLECTION OF LOANS.
FIVE MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION HAVE SO FAR BEEN HELD.
"THE MEMBERS ARE MAKING A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONDUCT OF THE LIQUIDATION AND THEIR TIME AND EFFORT ARE MUCH APPRECIATED," SAID MR HEARDER.
THE SPECIAL MANAGERS ARE CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE AND TAKE ACTION ON THE BCCI-RELATED CLAIMS WHICH EMERGED PRIOR TO THE LIQUIDATION OF BCCHK.
IN ORDER FOR THE TIMETABLE TO REMAIN ON TARGET, IT IS VITAL THAT DEPOSITORS WHO HAVE RECEIVED STATEMENTS OF THEIR BALANCES SHOULD SEND BACK CONFIRMATION OF THOSE BALANCES OR, ALTERNATIVELY, WRITE WITH ANY QUERIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE JOINT SPECIAL MANAGERS AT P.O. BOX 54565, NORTH POINT POST OFFICE, HONG KONG.
ANYONE WHO HAS ANY QUERY ABOUT THE PROCEDURE HE SHOULD FOLLOW AND ANY DEPOSITOR WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A STATEMENT OF HIS NET BALANCE SHOULD CALL TELEPHONE NUMBER 516 4333 AND ASK FOR "CREDITOR ENQUIRIES".
-----0 - -
/38 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 38 -
ELECTORAL ORDINANCE AMENDED
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT LEGALLY QUALIFIED PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT (IPD) AND THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE (ORO) SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN THE LEGAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AS PART OF THE REORGANISATION PROGRAMME OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT (RGD), THE IPD AND ORO WERE ESTABLISHED AS SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITIES WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 2, 1990 AND JUNE 1 THIS YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
"ITEM 8 OF THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE SPECIFIES PERSONS WHO SHALL BE ENTITLED TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN THE LEGAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
"PERSONS EMPLOYED AS LEGAL OFFICERS IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT AND THE RGD ARE ALREADY INCLUDED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN ORDER THAT LEGALLY QUALIFIED PERSONS WHO WERE FORMERLY STAFF OF RGD AND NOW EMPLOYED BY IPD AND ORO MAY CONTINUE TO BE ENTITLED TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN THE LEGAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AT ITS MEETING ON JUNE 23, AUTHORISED AN AMENDMENT TO THE SECOND SCHEDULE," HE ADDED.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT OF SECOND SCHEDULE) ORDER 1992 AMENDING THE SECOND SCHEDULE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON JULY 3.
--------0-----------
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 TO BE PUBLISHED ON FRIDAY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PROCEDURE UNDER WHICH ANY COMPANY THAT FAILS TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS MAY BE STRUCK OFF THE COMPANIES REGISTER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT PRIVATE COMPANIES THAT ARE INACTIVE BE ALLOWED TO SEEK "DORMANT COMPANY" STATUS AND THUS BE EXEMPTED FROM COMPLIANCE WITH A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ARE CONTAINED IN THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 TO BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JULY 3).
/"THE EXISTING ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 39 -
'THE EXISTING SECTION 109 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE REQUIRES EVERY COMPANY TO DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL RETURN WITHIN 42 DAYS OF ITS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MANY PRIVATE COMPANIES REGULARLY DELAY THE FILING OF THE ANNUAL RETURN AND SOME FAIL TO FILE THEM FOR YEARS ON END," HE SAID.
"THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY SERIOUS WITH MORIBUND COMPANIES, THE DIRECTORS OF WHICH ARE UNCONCERNED BY THE BUILD-UP OF LATE FILING FEES AS THEY DO NOT ANTICIPATE EVER MAKING ANY FURTHER RETURNS," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE EXISTING SECTION 291 OF THE ORDINANCE, IF THE REGISTRAR HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT A COMPANY IS NOT CARRYING ON BUSINESS, HE MAY INITIATE A PROCEDURE UNDER WHICH, UNLESS GOOD CAUSE IS SHOWN, HE MAY STRIKE THE COMPANY OFF THE REGISTER AND IT IS AUTOMATICALLY DISSOLVED.
"THE DIFFICULTY WITH INVOKING SECTION 291 IS THAT IT ' REQUIRES THE REGISTRAR TO EXERCISE HIS DISCRETION IN EACH AND EVERY CASE AND SINCE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CASES OF DEFAULT, IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICABLE TO DEAL WITH THEM ON THAT BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"BY THE VERY NATURE OF THE CASES, IT IS ALSO VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE REGISTRAR TO RECEIVE ANY UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FROM THE COMPANIES TO ENABLE HIM TO EXERCISE HIS DISCRETION PROPERLY.
"WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO INTRODUCE A NEW PROCEDURE, RECOMMENDED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE REGISTRAR TO START THE STRIKING-OFF PROCEDURE AUTOMATICALLY AS SOON AS THE DELAY IN FILING GOES BEYOND A CERTAIN TIME LIMIT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 290A, AS SOON AS A COMPANY HAS FAILED TO FILE ITS ANNUAL RETURNS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, THE REGISTRAR MAY INITIATE A PROCEDURE WHEREBY THE COMPANY WILL BE STRUCK OFF THE REGISTER AND WILL BE DISSOLVED UNLESS, WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD, ALL THE OVERDUE ANNUAL RETURNS ARE RECEIVED BY THE REGISTRAR AND THE REGISTRATION FEES AND RELEVANT PENALTY ARE PAID TO HIM.
AS THE REGISTRAR IS NOT REQUIRED TO EXERCISE HIS DISCRETION UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, THE NUMEROUS DEFAULT CASES CAN BE DEALT WITH MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PROVISION IS, HOWEVER, MADE FOR A COMPANY TO BE REINSTATED ON THE REGISTER IF, UPON APPLICATION BY THE COMPANY OR ANY MEMBER OR CREDITOR THEREOF, THE REGISTRAR IS SATISFIED THAT THERE IS REASONABLE CAUSE FOR THE COMPANY TO BE RESTORED TO THE REGISTER AND THE RELEVANT FEE IS PAID," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 290(4) PROVIDES THAT ANY LIABILITY OF A DIRECTOR, MANAGING OFFICER AND MEMBER OF A COMPANY WHICH HAD BEEN STRUCK OFF THE REGISTER WILL CONTINUE AND MAY BE ENFORCED AS IF THE COMPANY HAD NOT BEEN DISSOLVED.
/THE PROPOSED........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 40 -
THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 290B PROVIDES THAT ALL PROPERTY AND RIGHTS VESTED IN OR HELD ON TRUST FOR THE COMPANY IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ITS DISSOLUTION SHALL BELONG TO THE GOVERNMENT IN LEGAL TERMS, THE PROPERTY AND RIGHTS SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE "BONA VACANTIA".
IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR CLAIMS TO BE MADE BY CREDITORS FOR PAYMENT OF DEBT OUT OF THE "BONA VACANTIA".
"THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO 'BONA VACANTIA’ UNDER THE EXISTING DISSOLUTION PROCEDURES WHICH MAKE NO REFERENCE TO THE RIGHT OF CREDITORS TO MAKE ANY CLAIM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO INTRODUCE A NEW "DORMANT" STATUS FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SECTION 344A, A PRIVATE COMPANY MAY, BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION, AUTHORISE ITS DIRECTORS TO SUBMIT A STATUTORY DECLARATION TO THE REGISTRAR DECLARING THE COMPANY TO BE "DORMANT".
A COMPANY IS DEFINED AS BEING "DORMANT" DURING ANY PERIOD IN WHICH NO SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING TRANSACTION OCCURS.
A "SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING TRANSACTION" IS A TRANSACTION WHICH, UNDER SECTION 121 OF THE ORDINANCE, IS REQUIRED TO BE ENTERED INTO A COMPANY’S BOOKS.
"A COMPANY REGARDED AS BEING DORMANT IS EXEMPTED FROM A NUMBER OF REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
"THESE RELATE MAINLY TO THE SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING ANNUAL RETURNS, THE HOLDING OF MEETINGS AND RELATED MATTERS, AND REQUIREMENTS AS TO ACCOUNTS AND AUDITING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AT PRESENT, COMPANIES WHICH ARE NOT UNDERTAKING ANY BUSINESS ARE, NEVERTHELESS, REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE INCLUDING SUBMITTING ANNUAL RETURNS, HOLDING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS AND HAVING THEIR ACCOUNTS AUDITED.
"THIS RESULTS IN THE NEED FOR CONSIDERABLE TIME AND RESOURCES, BOTH ON THE PART OF THE COMPANIES CONCERNED AND OF THE REGISTRAR, TO BE DEVOTED TO WORK WHICH SERVES LITTLE USEFUL PURPOSE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS SEEK TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR SUCH UNPRODUCTIVE WORK," HE ADDED.
"A COMPANY WILL CEASE TO BE DORMANT AS SOON AS IT ENTERS INTO A SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING TRANSACTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A DORMANT COMPANY WHICH INTENDS TO ENTER INTO SUCH A TRANSACTION IS REQUIRED TO FILE A FURTHER STATUTORY DECLARATION TO THAT EFFECT WITH THE REGISTRAR, OTHERWISE ITS DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR ANY DEBT OR LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF THAT TRANSACTION.
/DORMANT COMPANY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 41
"DORMANT COMPANY STATUS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF COMPANIES, INCLUDING PUBLIC COMPANIES, AUTHORISED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AUTHORISED INSURERS, REGISTERED DEALERS AND THEIR HOLDING COMPANIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 15.
--------0-----------
QUEEN’S AND KOWLOON CITY PIERS TO BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY EVENING * * » » t
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT QUEEN’S PIER AND KOWLOON CITY PIER WOULD BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY (JULY 3) EVENING TO FACILITATE THE FAREWELL PROGRAMME FOR THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON.
THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (CENTRAL REGION) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR LEUNG LAI-KIT, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID: "QUEEN’S PIER IN CENTRAL WILL BE ( LOSE!) FROM 6 PM TO 8.30 PM ON FRIDAY AND KOWLOON CITY PIER FROM 8 PM TO 9 PM.
"DURING THE PERIODS OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF SMALL CRAFT ARE ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE LANDING FACILITIES."
HE SAID MARINE POLICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE SPECIAL PATROLS TO HELP THE OWNERS AND OPERATORS.
MR LEUNG URGED MASTERS AND OPERATORS OF VESSELS TO PAY’ PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO MARINE SAFETY AND TO COMPLY WITH ANY ADVICE OF OFFICERS FROM THE MARINE POLICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT PATROL LAUNCHES.
--------0-----------
INQUIRY CALLED INTO SHIP COLLISION
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPOINTED A MARINE OFFICER TO CARRY OUT A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE COLLISION INVOLVING A RUSSIAN TANKER AND THREE CHINESE SHIPS ABOUT A MILE SOUTHWEST OF TS1NG YI ISLAND.
ONE OF THE CHINESE SHIPS, THE 4,500-TONNE CONTAINER SHIP "LIN JIANG" CAPSIZED AFTER THE COLLISION. TEN CREW MEMBERS WHO WERE ON BOARD THE VESSEL, WERE RESCUED.
THE OFFICER APPOINTED TO CONDUCT THE INQUIRY IS MARINE OFFICER MR RAYMOND CHUNG SIU-MAN.
/THE PURPOSE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 42
THE PURPOSE OF THE INQUIRY IS TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WITH A VIEW TO RECOMMENDING ACTION TO PREVENT SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN FUTURE.
THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT ABOUT 1.30 PM YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) BETWEEN THE PILOTED 10,900-TONNE RUSSIAN TANKER "AKADEMIK VEBUA" AND THE THREE CHINESE SHIPS AT ANCHOR.
THE OTHER TWO CHINESE SHIPS ARE THE 19,200-TONNE CONTAINER SHIP "KING LI” AND 13,300-TONNE CARGO SHIP "FENG SHUN SHAN".
ANY PERSON WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT, OR HAS ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION, SHOULD CONTACT THE INQUIRING OFFICER ON TEL 852 4450.
--------0-----------
1990 SURVEY RESULTS ON COMMUNICATIONS AND BUSINESS SERVICES
*»♦»*»
THE COMMUNICATIONS AND BUSINESS SERVICES INDUSTRIES REGISTERED RAPID GROWTH IN 1990, WITH BUSINESS RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 22% AND 18% IN VALUE TERMS RESPECTIVELY OVER 1989.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE FINDINGS OF THE 1990 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, JNSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY INCLUDES TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, COURIER AND RADIO-PAGING COMPANIES.
IN 1990, ALTHOUGH THE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY REGISTERED A DECREASE OF 7% IN THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS OVER 1989, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED ROSE BY 4% TO 27,100.
THEY GENERATED $17.6 BILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS (+22%).
EXPENDITURE OF THESE COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISHMENTS ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION WAS $3.7 BILLION (AN INCREASE OF 26% OVER 1989), AND THAT ON OPERATING EXPENSES, $5.'9 BILLION (+20%).
THE INDUSTRY’S VALUE ADDED, WHICH IS A MEASURE OF THE INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE TOTAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, GREW BY 22% FROM $8.4 BILLION IN 1989 TO $10.3 BILLION IN 1990.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICES TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES.
ALSO REGISTERED RAPID GROWTH WAS THE BUSINESS SERVICES INDUSTRY. SOME 11,200 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION IN 1990, AN INCREASE OF 14% OVER 1989.
/THESE INCLUDE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 43 -
THESE INCLUDE LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, DATA PROCESSING, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANCY, ADVERTISING AND DESIGNING FIRMS AS WELL AS COMPANIES PROVIDING SECRETARIAL, EMPLOYMENT, TECHNICAL AND MACHINERY/EQUIPMENT RENTAL SERVICES.
THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED TOTALLED 85,600 IN 1990, AN INCREASE OF 7% OVER 1989.
IN 1990, EXPENDITURE OF THESE BUSINESS SERVICES ESTABLISHMENTS ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION WAS $9.5 BILLION (AN INCREASE OF 16%), AND THAT ON OPERATING EXPENSES, $16.3 BILLION (+19%).
THEY GENERATED $33.1 BILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS (+18%). THE INCREASE IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN DESIGNING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES.
THE INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTED $15.6 BILLION TO THE TOTAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (+12% OVER 1989), MEASURED IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED.
IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, WHICH INCLUDES GENERAL INSURERS, LIFE INSURERS AND INSURANCE AGENTS, THERE WERE SOME 1,700 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1990, VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS IN 1989.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED INCREASED BY 4% TO 20,700 OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THIS INDUSTRY GENERATED $19.6 BILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS (+14%) IN 1990; ITS EXPENDITURE ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION WAS $3.2 BILLION, AND THAT ON OPERATING EXPENSES, $2.0 BILLION, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 18% AND 16% RESPECTIVELY OVER 1989.
IN THE STORAGE INDUSTRY, SOME 240 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION IN 1990, AN INCREASE OF 18% OVER 1989.
THE INCREASE RELATED MAINLY TO SMALL WAREHOUSES, INCLUDING OPEN SPACE CONTAINER YARDS. THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED SOME 4,700 PERSONS (+7%).
THESE STORAGE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $2.7 BILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS (+11%); THEIR EXPENDITURE ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION WAS $0.5 BILLION (+22%), AND THAT ON OPERATING EXPENSES, $1.7 BILLION (+17%).
THE INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO VALUE ADDED INCREASED BY 3% OVER 1989 TO $1.2 BILLION IN 1990.
IN THE FINANCING INDUSTRY, SOME 3,600 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION IN 1990, AN INCREASE OF 5% OVER 1989.
THIS INDUSTRY COMPRISES LOAN AND MORTGAGE COMPANIES, CREDIT INSTITUTIONS, FINANCE LEASING, PAWNSHOPS, INVESTMENT AND HOLDING COMPANIES, SECURITIES, FUTURES AND GOLD BULLION BROKERS AND DEALERS, MONEY CHANGERS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE BROKERS AND DEALERS.
THESE FINANCING ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED SOME 37,700 PERSONS IN 1990, AN INCREASE OF 6% OVER 1989.
/THEIR EXPENDITURE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
44
THEIR EXPENDITURE ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION WAS $7.1 BILLION (+10%), AND THAT ON OPERATING EXPENSES, $22.1 BILLION (+11%).
THIS INDUSTRY, GENERATED $57.0 BILLION ON BUSINESS RECEIPTS, RECORDED A SMALL INCREASE OF 5% OVER 1989.
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE LOW TURNOVER IN THE STOCK AND SHARES COMPANIES, ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1990 AFTER THE OUTBREAK OF THE GULF CRISIS.
THIS INDUSTRY’S VALUE ADDED, WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE THAT OF INVESTMENT AND HOLDING COMPANIES DUE TO THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THEIR BUSINESS OPERATIONS, DECREASED BY 7% OVER 1989 TO $5.0 BILLION IN 1990.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE FINANCING INDUSTRY EXCLUDES BANKING INSTITUTIONS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WHICH WERE SEPARATELY COVERED UNDER THE 1990 SURVEY OF BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF FOREIGN BANKS, THE RESULTS OF WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN THE MARCH 1991 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
THE 1990 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES INDUSTRIES AND UPDATING THE INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE TOTAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS, CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRY GROUPS AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE "1990 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES" REPORT.
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE IN AUGUST AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1244.
/45 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
45 -
Comparison of selected principal statistics for all establishments Id the Storage, Communications, __________PinapciBg, Insurance apd Basiiess Services Industries betveei 1989 aid 1990_________________
Industry Himber of establishments lumber of persons engaged Humber of employees Compensation of enpIoyeeS- Operating expenses Business receipts and other income Valie added
$Kn. $Hn. $Bn. Hi.
'Storage 1990 244 4 706 4 671 468.2 1,682.7 2,698.6 1,152.9
1989 207 4 384 4 355 383.4 1,438.5 2,423.4 1,116.9
\ change (♦181 (♦11 (♦11 (♦ill (♦17) (♦11) (•JI
Communications 1990 395 17 131 26 840 3.668.0 5,931.2 17,574.3 10,323.7
1989 434 16 105 25 867 2.910.1 4,942.3 14,4193) 8,446.5
h change (-1) (HI Ml (♦HI HO) (till (♦ill
Finapcipg 1990 3 560 3? 702 36 316 7,105.7 22,148.6 57,048.3 4,978.4
1989 3 386 35 603 34 458 6,487.0 19,896.3 54,249.1 5,373.1
\ change (♦51 (*6) (♦5) (♦101 (♦11) (*5| (-1)
Business 1990 11 196 85 599 71 734 9,461.8 16,314.8 33,080.3 15,561.7
Services ' 1989 9 833 80 111 72 377 8,163.6 13,693.2 28,069.6 13,938.5
h change (♦Hl (♦11 (♦71 (♦16) (♦191 (♦18) (♦12)
Insurance 1990 1 68? 10 684 19 714 3,177.6 1,006.8 19,551.6 -
1989 1 699 19 810 18 988 1,685.2 1,731.1 17,104.8 -
\ change HI (HI (Hl (♦18) (♦16) (♦Hl
lotes : (11 Id the financing iidistrj, valie added vas not compiled for iivestmept aid holding companies oiimg to the special features of their business operations. Bence, total nalie added for the industry did not iidide that of iivestieit aid holding companies.
(2) Financing iidistrj excluded banks, deposit-taking companies and restricted licence banks.
(I) Valie added ns lot compiled for the insurance industry.
(4) Figures denoting changes are derived froi iironded figures.
(51 Value added is a leasire of the contribition of ai economic sector to Hong Fong’s Cross Domestic Prodnct. The definition cai be fond ii the *1990 Snrrey of Storage, Coimications, Financing, Insurance aid Business Services* ieport.
---------0-----------
/46........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
- 46 -
FILM CENSORSHIP FEES TO BE REVISED FROM JULY 10
******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD APPROVED AN INCREASE IN FILM CENSORSHIP FEE FROM $50 TO $56 PER MINUTE OF RUNNING TIME TO RECOVER INCREASED COSTS.
"THE REVISION REPRESENTS A 12 PER CENT INCREASE TO COVER INFLATION WHICH WOULD MEAN, IN DOLLAR TERMS, AN INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT $4,500 TO $5,040 FOR A 90-MINUTE FEATURE FILM; A VERY SMALL AMOUNT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRODUCTION COSTS OF A FILM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ALSO APPROVED THAT THE FEES FOR THE EXAMINATION OF A STILL FILM AND THE ISSUE OF A FILM REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE, WHICH WERE FIXED IN 1988, BE INCREASED FROM .$10 TO $16 AND FROM $80 TO $130 RESPECTIVELY WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 10.
"THE INCREASE WOULD HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON THE FILM INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EMPHASISED THAT CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS AND FILM CLUBS WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED AS THERE WERE PROVISIONS UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS FOR THEM TO SEEK FEE EXEMPTION.
"IN PRACTICE, FILMS PRESENTED DURING FILM FESTIVALS AND BY CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE PAYMENT OF A CENSORSHIP FEE," HE ADDED.
-----0------
GOVT SUPPORTS QUALITY DEVELOPMENTS IN BUSINESSES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE EXISTING QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND ENSURE THE TIMELY INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES AS NEEDS ARISE, THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG Q-MARK COUNCIL LICENCE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND SEMINAR, MR FUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PROMOTE QUALITY IN BUSINESS OPERATIONS.
HE SAID QUALITY TRENDS IN HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS MARKETS, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF ITS MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, WERE BEING MONITORED TO DETERMINE ANY NEW REQUIREMENTS.
"QUALITY DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA THAT MAY AFFECT HONG KONG ARE UNDER REGULAR REVIEW," HE ADDED.
/MR FUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
47 -
MR FUNG SAID THE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES, BOTH IN FINANCIAL AND IN PERSONNEL TERMS, MIGHT PLACE HONG KONG AS THE FOCUS FOR SUCH SERVICES AND THE SOURCE OF EXPERTISE WITHIN THE REGION.
HE SAID THE CLOSE BUSINESS LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED, PARTICULARLY IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CONTINUED TO DEVELOP.
"SUCH BUSINESS ACTIVITIES WILL NURTURE THE NEED FOR CLOSER TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOST APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENT OF QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES FOR THE WHOLE REGION.
"THIS WILL BE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN VIEW OF THE HEAVY INVESTMENT OF RESOURCES THAT SUCH FACILITIES REQUIRE, IF THEY ARE TO ACHIEVE THE NECESSARY STANDARD AND BE ACCEPTED INTERNATIONALLY," HE SAID.
MR FUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD, FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, ADOPTED A PROACTIVE APPROACH IN FACILITATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN HONG KONG BUSINESSES.
THE GOVERNMENT’S QUALITY VISION IN THE EARLY 1980’S LED TO THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT OF A RANGE OF QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES THAT HAD BECOME AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF HONG KONG’S QUALITY IMAGE.
"I AM OF COURSE REFERRING TO THE STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY IN 1984; HONGKONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME IN 1985; AND THE PRODUCTS STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU IN 1986.
"THEY HAVE ACHIEVED WIDE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND PROJECTED HONG KONG AS A MODERN ECONOMY THAT ADDRESSES KEY TECHNICAL ISSUES IN BUSINESS ACTIVITY," HE SAID.
MR FUNG ADDED THAT FURTHER GOVERNMENT QUALITY INITIATIVES LED TO THE SETTING UP OF THE HONGKONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY IN 1989 AND THE LAUNCHING OF THE QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN 1990.
"BOTH OF THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED AND ENJOYED CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS," HE SAID.
- - 0--------
/48 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1,1992
48
THREE GOVERNMENT LOTS TO LET
******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST ONE IS A PIECE OF LAND ADJOINING KWAI CHUNG TOWN LOT 315 REMAINING PORTION, CONTAINER PORT ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,425 SQUARE METRES, IT IS DESIGNATED AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR GOODS VEHICLES, CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE SECOND PIECE OF LAND IN AREA 46A, TUEN MUN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,200 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS EARMARKED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS).
BOTH TENANCIES ARE FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE THIRD LOT IS SITUATED IN AREA 22, TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,900 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR USE AS A PUBLIC CARPARK (EXCLUDING ARTICULATED VEHICLES).
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JULY 17.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; OR THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
---------0-----------
CHINESE DELEGATION VISITS LEGAL DEPARTMENT
******
A FIVE-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM THE BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS ON THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA VISITED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE DELEGATION, HEADED BY THE BUREAU’S DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL, MR CAO KANG-TAI, WAS RECEIVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS.
/THEY WERE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM IN HONG KONG BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, MR JOHN WOOD, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS.
THE FAMILIARISATION VISIT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH.
DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THE DELEGATION WILL VISIT LOCAL COURTS, INCLUDING THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE DELEGATION ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY AFTER SPENDING A WEEK IN SINGAPORE ON A SIMILAR FAMILIARISATION VISIT. THEY WILL STAY IN HONG KONG UNTIL JULY 6.
- - 0 - -
MUSIC CAMP FOR YOUTH
*****
THE HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WILL BE HELD THIS YEAR AT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S TSO KUNG TAM OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE FROM JULY 17 TO AUGUST 1.
ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE CAMP HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE 1980 TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING TO YOUNG MUSICIANS.
OVER 300 MUSICAL-TALENTED YOUNGSTERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMP WHICH INVOLVES A SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, TWO CHINESE ORCHESTRAS, A STRING ORCHESTRA AND A CHOIR.
THE CAMPERS, INCLUDING 14 OVERSEAS YOUNG MUSICIANS, WILL RECEIVE INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE FROM GUEST MUSICIANS FROM HONG KONG, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA AND CHINA.
THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE A VARIETY OF TRAINING BY TAKING PART IN ORCHESTRAL AND SECTIONAL REHEARSALS, MASTER CLASSES AND DEMONSTRATION CONCERTS.
BESIDES MUSIC TRAINING, A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS, INCLUDING KARAOKE, VIDEO SHOWS, SWIMMING, MUSIC QUIZ, BADMINTON AND BILLIARD, WILL BE LINED UP.
TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE CAMP, A FINALE CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AUDITORIUM AT 3 PM ON AUGUST 1.
THE CAMP’S CHINESE ORCHESTRA, CHOIR AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WILL PRESENT A MUSIC PROGRAMME INCLUDING HE ZHANHAO’S "LOVERS AT TURBULENT TIMES", GIOVANNI BATTISTA PERGOLEST’S "AVE VERUM", AND TCHAIKOVSKY’S "SYMPHONY NO. 5 IN E MINOR, OP. 64".
TICKETS AT $30 AND $40 EACH ARE ON SALE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 582 5314.
- - 0 - -
/50
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB TO PROMOTE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFE * * * * *
THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC), WHICH WILL CELEBRATE ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR, WILL HELP PROMOTE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE AMONG STUDENTS IN A SERIES OF DISTRICT ACTIVITIES.
CYC MEMBERS WILL TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE OTHER STUDENTS TO DEVELOP A MORE REALISTIC AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE.
THE CLUB, ESTABLISHED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN 1977, HAS A TOTAL OF 130,000 ACTIVE MEMBERS AT PRESENT.
MEANWHILE, 43 OUTSTANDING MEMBERS WHO HAVE WON MERIT AWARDS WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SINGAPORE ON JULY 11.
TO MARK THEIR DEPARTURE, A FLAG-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, PRAISED THE MEMBERS FOR THEIR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE DURING THE PAST YEAR.
THE ANNUAL TRIP IS MAINLY FUNDED BY THE LAW’S FOUNDATION WHICH HAS DONATED $400,000 FOR THIS YEAR’S CYC' ACTIVITIES.
- - 0 - -
TRAM PARADE TO PUBLICISE "BEATING RETREAT" ******
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A TRAM PARADE ON FRIDAY (JULY 3) IN CENTRAL AND CAUSEWAY BAY AREAS TO PUBLICISE A "BEATING RETREAT" SHOW BY THE DEPARTMENT’S SCOUTS LATER THIS MONTH.
THE PARADE WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM AND IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT TWO
HOURS.
MEMBERS OF THE 221ST HONG KONG SCOUT GROUP WILL TRAVEL ON THE TRAM TO GIVE BAND PERFORMANCES.
THE "BEATING RETREAT", A FUND-RAISING EVENT FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST, WILL BE STAGED AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON JULY 23 AND 24.
ADMISSION TICKETS AT $15 EACH ARE NOW ON SALE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TRAM PARADE.
/THE DEPARTMENT'S
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1992
51
THE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF OFFICER AND LEADER OF THE 221ST MR YIU CHIU-KIT> WILL BE ON BOARD THE TRAM TO
MEDIA MEMBERS ON SCOUTING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY FOR INMATES IN TRAINING CENTRES.
HONG
BRIEF
THE DEPARTMENT
MEMBERS OF THE SCOUT GROUP WILL ALSO GIVE PRESS INTERVIEWS.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND ASSEMBLE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, CHAI, AT 3.15 PM ON FRIDAY (JULY 3).
MEDIA MEMBERS SHOULD 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AT WHITTY STREET, WESTERN, AT 4 PM.
CAN ALSO GO DIRECT TO THE TRAM TERMINAL FROM WHERE THE TRAM PARADE WILL START OFF
-----0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
S MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,188
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,200
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/W1THDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
LAF RATE 2.50 BID/4.50 OFFER TWI 110.1 *-0.1* 1.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.93 PCT 17 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.60 4.33
1 MONTH 2.80 PCT 20 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.32 4.70
3 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 23 MONTHS 2405 5.50 101.03 4.98
6 MONTHS 3. 19 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.75 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 4,575 MN
CLOSED 1 JULY 1992 ---------------------------------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR LAUNCHES NEW WALKING TRAIL ................................. 1
TALKS ON AIRPORT FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS ............................. 2
EXCO APPROVES LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSCRIPTION TV ............... 2
CHINA MOTOR BUS ACCEPTS NEW FRANCHISE ............................... 5
LORD WILSON'S FAREWELL PERFORMANCES BROADCAST LIVE .................. 5
EFFICIENCY UNIT SETS GOALS .......................................... 6
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 .............................. 7
INSURANCE COMMISSION PUBLISHES FIRST ANNUAL REPORT .................. 8
THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TAKEN TO MANAGE STUDENT PROBLEMS ............. 10
NINE YUEN LONG HOUSES TO BE CLOSED .................................. 12
INDUSTRIES ENCOURAGED TO MOVE TOWARDS HIGH TECH ..................... 13
CALL TO HELP DISABLED................................................ 15
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MONDAY .................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 17
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
GOVERNOR LAUNCHES NEW WALKING TRAIL ******
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, SPENT HIS SECOND LAST DAY BEFORE BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE TERRITORY LAUNCHING A NEW WALKING TRAIL NAMED AFTER HIM, TO SHOW HIS LOVE IN HILL WALKING.
THE TRAIL - "WILSON TRAIL" - WILL STRETCH OVER 90 KILOMETRES OF UNDULATING TERRAINS FROM STANLEY IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO LUK KENG IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE TRAIL WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY LORD WILSON TODAY (THURSDAY). HE STARTED OFF BY TAKING A SHORT WALK UP STANLEY MOUND IN STANLEY, THE STARTING POINT OF THE TRAIL.
LORD WILSON SAID: "I AM DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THIS TRAIL BEFORE 1 LEAVE HONG KONG. WALKING HERE HAS GIVEN ME GREAT PLEASURE.
"I HAVE WALKED MUCH OF THE NEW TRAIL OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE TRAIL CAN EXPECT A CHALLENGING WALK, BUT ONE WHICH WILL TAKE THEM THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND UNSPOILT AREAS OF HONG KONG."
"THE TRAIL IS ALSO UNIQUE IN THAT IT LINKS BOTH SIDES OF VICTORIA HARBOUR AND BREAKS NEW GROUND BY FORMING A CONTINUOUS NORTH-SOUTH ROUTE," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
THE TRAIL, WHICH IS MEANT FOR SERIOUS WALKERS, WILL PASS THROUGH A NUMBER OF COUNTRY PARKS, IN( LUDING LION ROCK, KAM SHAN, AND ONE OF LORD WILSON’S FAVOURITES, THE PAT SIN LENG COUNTRY PARK.
THOSE FOLLOWING THE TRAIL WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY BEAUTIFUL AND TRANQUIL RESERVOIR AREAS, SUCH AS PLOVER COVE, SHING MUN RESERVOIR, KOWLOON RESERVOIR AND TAI TAM, AS WELL AS SOME INTERESTING GRASSLANDS AND WOODLANDS.
THE WILSON TRAIL WILL BE DEVELOPED OVER THREE YEARS.
THE WORK WILL INVOLVE UPGRADING AND IMPROVING PATHS AND TRACKS, SOME OF WHICH ARE PROBABLY KNOWN TO VERY FEW PEOPLE OTHER THAN THE GOVERNOR.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR TODAY WERE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN; MEMBERS OF LOCAL HIKING CLUBS; AND REPRESENTATIVES OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CNTA.
AFTER THE WALK, THE GOVERNOR FLEW BY HELICOPTER TO LUK KENG, WHICH IS THE END OF THE TRAIL, TO UNVEIL THE LOGO FOR THE TRAIL.
DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN AND SOME MEMBERS, THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD MEMBERS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ATTENDED THE CEREMONY.
/2 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
- 2 -
TALKS ON AIRPORT FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS ******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY CONFIRMED THAT THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT:
"THE PRIME MINISTER AGREED WITH THE CHINESE PREMIER LI PENG AT THEIR MEETING IN RIO ON 12 JUNE THAT HIGH LEVEL NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE HELD ON THE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG’S NEW AIRPORT. THE PRIME MINISTER HAS APPOINTED SIR JOHN COLES, DEPUTY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, AS HIS PERSONAL EMISSARY FOR THESE NEGOTIATIONS. SIR JOHN AND A TEAM INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS IN PEKING ON 3 JULY.” /
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE BRITISH/HONG KONG JJEAM WILL COMPRISE:
SIR JOHN COLES, DEPUTY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FCO;
SIR ROBIN MCLAREN, HM AMBASSADOR, PEKING;
MR TONY GALSWORTHY, BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, JOINT LIAISON GROUP;
MR K.Y. YEUNG, SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY;
MR PETER LAI, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS;
MR NIGEL COX, ASSISTANT HEAD, HONG KONG DEPARTMENT, FCO; AND
MR STEPHEN SELBY, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
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EXCO APPROVES LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSCRIPTION TV *****
HAVING CONSIDERED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION ON COMPLETION OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TELEVISION BROADCASTING POLICY, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICES AND DECIDED THAT INVITATION OF PROPOSALS ON THE NEW TELEVISION SERVICE SHOULD PROCEED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR THE SUBSCRIPTION TV SERVICE CONTAINED THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:
/* THERE WILL .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
3
* THERE WILL BE ONE LICENCE COVERING THE WHOLE TERRITORY;
1,
* THE LICENSEE WILL ENJOY AN EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD OF THREE YEARS DURING WHICH TIME NO ADDITIONAL LICENCES WILL BE ISSUED;
* A MORATORIUM ON ADVERTISING WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE LICENSEE DURING THE THREE-YEAR EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD;
* THE MARKET SHOULD BE OPEN TO COMPETITION AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE THREE-YEAR EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD;
* THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ADOPT A FLEXIBLE APPROACH AND LEAVE IT TO THE MARKET TO DECIDE THE FORM SUBSCRIPTION TV SHOULD TAKE, INCLUDING DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY, GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE, PROGRAMMING AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES AND SO ON.
FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION WILL HOWEVER BE GIVEN TO COMPANIES THAT INDICATE AN EXPRESS INTENTION TO INTRODUCE CABLE-BASED SERVICES IN VIEW OF CABLE’S ADVANTAGE OF OFFERING BETTER QUALITY TRANSMISSION AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING ANCILLARY INTERACTIVE SERVICES;
* THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT ON THE SUBSCRIPTION TV LICENSEE TO ALSO PROVIDE A SECOND TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.
THE LICENSEE WOULD HOWEVER BE ALLOWED TO APPLY TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S TELECOMS POLICY FOR APPROVAL TO PROVIDE TELECOMS SERVICE OVER HIS NETWORK; AND
* NO COMPANY OF WHICH CABLE AND WIRELESS PLC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES OWNS MORE THAN 15 PER CENT OF THE SHARE CAPITAL SHALL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER FOR THE LICENCE.
OTHER THAN THIS, NO RESTRICTION WILL BE APPLIED IN RELATION TO THE OWNERSHIP OF LOCAL CAMPANIES WISHING TO TENDER.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS FURTHER DECIDED THAT STAR TV SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CHARGE SUBSCRIPTION ON ANY NEW REGIONAL BASED SATELLITE CHANNELS INTRODUCED IN ADDITION TO ITS EXISTING FREE-TO-AIR SERVICE, ON THE CONDITIONS THAT:
* THIS SATELLITE-BASED SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE CANNOT BE LAUNCHED BEFORE OCTOBER 1993; AND
» NO PROGRAMMES IN THE CANTONESE LANGUAGE WILL BE PERMITTED ON THIS NEW SERVICE DURING THE THREE-YEAR EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD OF THE HONG KONG SUBSCRIPTION TV LICENSEE.
CONCERNING CANTONESE LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING RESTRICTIONS ON STAR TV, MR SO SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED THE LIFTING OF THE RESTRICTION ON THREE OF STAR’S EXISTING FREE-TO-AIR CHANNELS WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1993.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD DECIDED THAT THEY SHOULD BE THE NEWS, SPORTS AND MUSIC CHANNELS.
/A REVIEW .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
4
A REVIEW WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN OCTOBER 1994 TO CONSIDER WHETHER FURTHER RELAXATION ON THE REMAINING TWO CHANNELS IS CALLED FOR.
MR SO ADDED THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING CONDITION IN STAR’S LICENCE WHICH PROVIDED FOR THE BROADCAST OF CANTONESE PROGRAMMES PREVIOUSLY BROADCAST IN HONG KONG AFTER OCTOBER 1993.
"AS A RESULT OF THE LIBERALISATION OF STAR’S LICENSING CONDITIONS, IT IS EXPECTED THAT A HIGHER UPLINK LICENCE FEE WILL BE APPLIED ON THE LICENSEE," HE SAID.
THESE DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE BROADCASTING ENVIRONMENT AND WILL DEFINITELY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE TERRESTRIAL TV OPERATORS IN TERMS OF AUDIENCE AND ADVERTISING REVENUE. '*
ON GROUNDS OF EQUITY, THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT ON TVB AND ATV:
* A MORATORIUM ON ADVERTISING WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE SUBSCRIPTION TV LICENSEE DURING HIS THREE-YEAR EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD;
* THERE WILL BE A REDUCTION IN TVB’S AND ATV’S ROYALTY PAYMENT BY ABOUT 2 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1993, SUBJECT TO A REVIEW ONE YEAR LATER TO RE-ASSESS ROYALTY PAYMENT IN THE LIGHT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE CHANGED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT ON THE TWO TERRESTRIAL TV OPERATORS; AND
* RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) TO RELAX SOME OF THE EXISTING RESTRICTIONS IN TVB’S AND ATV’S CURRENT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, THAT IS, PROGRAMMING, ADVERTISING AND OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
THESE INCLUDE RESTRICTIONS ON PROPERTY AND FINANCIAL ADVERTISING, AS WELL AS THE BROADCAST OF NON-ENGLISH PROGRAMMES ON THE ENGLISH TV CHANNELS.
MR SO SAI!) THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD INVITE PROPOSALS FROM PARTIES INTERESTED IN PROVIDING SUBSCRIPTION TV ON THE BASIS OF THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK APPROVED BY EXCO.
FORMAL INVITATION WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE AND MAJOR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS SOMETIME IN JULY. THE BA WILL BE ASKED UNDER SECTION 9(1)(D) OF THE BA ORDINANCE TO CONSIDER THE BIDS AND THEREAFTER MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR THE GRANTING OF A SUBSCRIPTION TV LICENCE, MR SO SAID.
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/5 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
5
CHINA MOTOR BUS ACCEPTS NEW FRANCHISE *****
THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) HAS ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT’S OFFER TO OPERATE A REDUCED NETWORK OF 90 ROUTES UNDER A TWO-YEAR NEW FRANCHISE WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1993.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) WELCOMED THE CMB’S DECISION AND SAID IT WOULD LEAD TO IMPROVEMENT OF BUS SERVICES THROUGH HEALTHY COMPETITION.
UNDER THE NEW FRANCHISE, CMB’S EXISTING PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME WILL BE DISCONTINUED AND NEW CONDITIONS WILL BE ADDED TO STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING OF CMB’S OPERATIONS AND TO ENSURE SMOOTH TRANSITION TO THE NEW FRANCHISE.
THE NEW CONDITIONS WILL INCLUDE ESTABLISHMENT OF PASSENGER LIAISON GROUPS, ACCESS BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT VIA A COMPUTER TERMINAL TO CMB’S UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON BUS OPERATIONS, CONTROL OF PENSION FUND BY AN INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE, AND SHARING OF BUS STOPS, TERMINI AND OTHER FACILITIES WITH THE NEW OPERATOR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID GIVEN THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 500 VACANCIES IN THE BUS INDUSTRY OUTSIDE CMB AND THAT THE NEW OPERATOR WOULD REQUIRE ABOUT 400 BUS DRIVERS FOR THE 26 ROUTES TAKEN AWAY FROM CMB, THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON CMB STAFF WHO MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW FRANCHISE.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS URGED CMB TO MAKE ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS TO MINIMISE ANY SUCH IMPACT.
AWARD OF THE NEW FRANCHISE WILL BE SUBJECT TO FORMAL RATIFICATION OF THE NECESSARY LEGAL DOCUMENTS BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND CMB.
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LORD WILSON’S FAREWELL PERFORMANCES BROADCAST LIVE
*****
A WIDE VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES WILL BE HELI) AT EDINBURGH PLACE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING TO BID FAREWELL TO THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, WHO WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON COMPLETION OF HIS TERFP OF OFFICE.
THE PERFORMANCES, TO BE PERSENTED BY MORE THAN 300 CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS. FORM PART OF LORD WILSON’S FAREWELL PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
KICKING OFF THE PROGRAMMES IS A SALUTE BY MEMBERS OF NINE UNIFORMED YOUTH GROUPS TO THE GOVERNOR. EITHER LORD WILSON OR LADY WILSON IS THE PATRON OF THESE GROUPS.
/OTHER PROGRAMMES .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
6
OTHER PROGRAMMES INCLUDE SINGING, MULTI-MEDIA PERFORMANCE, GYMNASTIC DISPLAY AND A CAREER PARADE BY KINDERGARTEN PUPILS WHO WILL DRESS IN COSTUMES OF VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS.
THE PERFORMANCES WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY BOTH TVB AND ATV, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE CHANNELS, BETWEEN 7.30 PM AND 8 PM TOMORROW.
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EFFICIENCY UNIT SETS GOALS
THE KEY OBJECTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENTLY ESTABLISHED EFFICIENCY UNIT IS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BETTER AND MORE COST-EFFECTIVE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, THE HEAD OF THE UNIT, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"IN SHORT, WE AIM TO MAXIMISE THE BENEFITS FROM THE INCREASING . BUT INEVITABLY LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE." HF SAID.
"THIS WILL INCLUDE DEVELOPING FINANCIAL AND OTHER MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES TO ENSURE THAT RESOURCES ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS PRIORITY ACTIVITIES AND THAT MANAGERS AT ALL LEVELS ARE GIVEN THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY TO UTILISE THOSE RESOURCES."
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING. MR FOOTMAN SAID THE EFFICIENCY UNIT HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED IN MAY TO SPEARHEAD THE PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM (PSR) INITIATIVE.
HE SAID HIS TASK WOULD BE TO REVIEW AND DEVELOP PROPOSALS FOR THE PSR INITIATIVE, AND TO DRAW UP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE UNIT.
THE PSR COMES UNDER A POLKA GROUP THAT IS CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND INCLUDES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, AND THREE UNOFFICIALS - MR MARTIN BARROW, MR LAU WAH-SUM AND DR VICTOR FUNG.
MR FOOTMAN EMPHASISED THAT PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM WAS NOT A NEW
THING
"WE WILL BE BUILDING ON ACHIEVEMENTS MADE IN RECENT YEARS AND WILL REVIEW AND DEVELOP PROPOSALS IN THE LIGHT OF OUR STUDIES," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD WELL MOTIVATED STAFF WHO HAD SERVED HONG KONG EXTREMELY WELL.
"AS IN ANY ORGANISATION, THERE WILL BE MANY AREAS WHERE EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE AND THE SCOPE AND STANDARD OF EXISTING ACTIVITIES CAN BE REVIEWED."
/HE STRESSED
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
7
HE STRESSED THAT MANAGEMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE A HIGH PRIORITY TO ENSURING THAT PERSONNEL CONCERNS WERE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT.
"CHANGES WILL THEREFORE TEND TO BE EVOLUTIONARY, AS THE PACE OF CHANGE MUST TAKE MANY PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO ACCOUNT," HE SAID.
THE UNIT IS ALSO LOOKING AT THE COMPANIES REGISTRY AND THE LAND REGISTRY IN THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, WHICH PROVIDE SERVICES ON A QUASI-COMMERCIAL BASIS.
"ACTION IS NOW WELL ADVANCED THROUGH A PROJECT TEAM IN THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT TO INTRODUCE AN ACCOUNTING FRAMEWORK, CALLED A TRADING FUND, WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE REGISTRIES TO RESPOND PROMPTLY TO DEMAND IN TERMS OF VOLUME AND STANDARD OF SERVICE, BY OPERATING ON A MORE COMMERCIAL BASIS," HE SAID.
MR FOOTMAN ALSO POINTED TO THE RECENT DECISION THAT BRANCH SECRETARIES WOULD IN FUTURE BE GIVEN THE FLEXIBILITY TO PLAN THE USE OF THEIR RESOURCES ON THE BASIS OF AN OVERALL AMOUNT ALLOCATED EVERY YEAR TO THEIR POLICY AREAS.
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COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 ******
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONS FROM THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (THE REGISTRAR) TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD. (SEHK) WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 15.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR NENDICK SAID UNDER THE CURRENT SYSTEM, THE REGISTRAR, THE SFC AND SEHK ALL HAD VETTING RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF PROSPECTUSES AND THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DUPLICATION AND OVERLAPPING OF THESE RESPONSIBILITIES.
"IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 1988 REPORT OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THAT THE EXISTING VETTING SYSTEM SHOULD BE RATIONALISED AND STREAMLINED SO THAT ONLY A SINGLE BODY VETS AND APPROVES THE DOCUMENTATION FOR A NEW ISSUE," HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE FOLLOWING IS PROPOSED UNDER THE LEGISLATION :
/* THE ROLE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
8
♦ THE ROLE OF THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES WOULD BE LIMITED TO THAT OF A REGISTRATION AUTHORITY ONIA. HE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE FOR REGISTERING PROSPECTUSES BUT WOULD CEASE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR VETTING THEM PRIOR TO REGISTRATION;
* THE STATUTORY RESPONS IBI LI IA FOR AUTHORISING THE REGISTRATION OF PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING THAT OF ENSURING THAT THEY COMPLIED WITH THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, WOULD BE VESTED IN THE SFC. ALTHOUGH THE SFC WILL RETAIN THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY IT IS INTENDED THAT, FOR THOSE PROSPECTUSES RELATING TO SECURITIES WHICH ARE TO BE LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE, THE EXERCISE Ol THAT RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE SEHK. THE TRANSFER CAN BE EFFECTED BY A TRANSFER ORDER MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 47 OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ORDINANCE. FOR
THOSE PROSPECTUSES WHERE THE SECURITIES ARE NOT LISTED, THE SFC WILL EXERCISE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AUTHORISING THEIR REGISTRATION.
"THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO RECTIFY THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL AND OF THE TRIBUNALS WHICH HEAR APPEALS BY EXCLUDING NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SFC FROM MEMBERSHIP.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT AN \PPEAL WILL BE HEARD BY AN INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL TRIBUNAL," MR NENDICK ADDED.
A REVISION OF THE FINANCTAL RESOURCES RULES OF THE SFC IS ALSO PROPOSED, INTRODUCING A REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTERED PERSONS TO MAKE PERIODIC RETURNS CONCERNING THEIR CAPITAL \DEQUACY.
THIS IS TO ENABLE THE SFC TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENTS.
THE BILLS WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW.
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INSURANCE COMMISSION PUBLISHES Fl RSI ANNUAL REPORT
THE OFFICE OF' THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE PUBLISHED ITS FIRST 1990/91 ANNUAL REPORT TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED ON JUNE 8, 1990 TO TAKE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT IN THE PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
THE REPORT SHOWED THAT FOUR NEW INSURERS, ONE LOCAL AND THREE OVERSEAS COMPANIES, WERE AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS IN OR FROM HONG KONG DURING THE PERIOD FROM JUNE 8, 1990 To DECEMBER 31, LAST YEAR.
/DURING THE
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
9
DURING THE PERIOD, THE AUTHORISATION OF 36 INSURERS WERE WITHDRAWN.
FIVE OF THESE WITHDRAWALS WERE RELATED TO INSURERS WHICH WERE WOUND UP VOLUNTARILY OR BY ORDER OF THE COURT.
THE REMAINING 31 WITHDRAWALS WERE EFFECTED AS A RESULT OF THEIR CESSATION OF INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
AS AT DECEMBER 31, LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 240 AUTHORISED INSURERS OPERATING IN HONG KONG.
OF THESE, 113 WERE HONG KONG INCORPORATED. OF THE INSURERS INCORPORATED OVERSEAS, 32 WERE INCORPORATED IN THE UK, 22 IN THE USA, NINE IN BERMUDA, EIGHT IN JAPAN, SEVEN IN SWITZERLAND, AND FIVE EACH IN CANADA AND SINGAPORE.
EIGHT NEW APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION WERE RECEIVED DURING THE PERIOD, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW APPLICATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO 12.
AS AT DECEMBER 31, LAST YEAR, THERE WERE FIVE APPLICATIONS PENDING, ONE RELATING TO LONG TERM BUSINESS AND FOUR TO GENERAL BUSINESS.
THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE EXERCISED HIS POWER OF INTERVENTION ON 123 OCCASIONS DURING THE PERIOD IN CONNECTION WITH 50 AUTHORISED INSURERS.
AMENDMENTS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION DURING THE PERIOD WERE AS FOLLOWS :
* INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE ENACTED ON JUNE 29, 1990, INTRODUCED "PRIOR NOTIFICATION" REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING PROPOSED CHANGES OF CONTROLLERS BY AUTHORISED INSURERS, AND PROVISIONS TO GIVE LEGAL EFFECT TO INSURANCE CONTRACTS ISSUED BY UNAUTHORISED INSURERS.
* INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT OF THIRD SCHEDULE) REGULATIONS 1990 WERE INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 7, 1990. THEY BRING INTO EFFECT NEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR HONG KONG INSURANCE BUSINESS STARTING FROM THE FINANCIAL YEAR DECEMBER 31, 1990.
INSURERS INVOLVED IN GENERAL BUSINESS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT STATISTICS OF THEIR MARKET IN HONG KONG FROM 1990.
BASED ON THE REPORTED STATISTICS, THE COMMISSIONER’S ANNUAL REPORT NOTED THAT THE TOTAL GROSS PREMIUMS AND NET PREMIUMS FOR HONG KONG GENERAL BUSINESS (DIRECT AND REINSURANCE INWARDS) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1990 AMOUNTED TO $9,042 MILLION AND $5,461 MILLION RESPECTIVELY, WITH THE AVERAGE RETENTION RATIO BEING 60 PER CENT.
IN TERMS OF GROSS PREMIUM INCOME, PROPERTY DAMAGE INSURANCE BUSINESS COMPRISED THE LARGEST MARKET SHARE (31 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY MOTOR VEHICLE (22 PER CENT) AND GENERAL LIABILITY (WHICH INCLUDES EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE) (15 PER CENT).
/IN TERMS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
10
IN TERMS OF NET PREMIUM INCOME, MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE BUSINESS TOOK THE LEAD (30 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY PROPERTY DAMAGE (22 PER CENT) AND GENERAL LIABILITY (17 PER CENT).
THE AVERAGE NET CLAIMS RATIO OF HONG KONG GENERAL BUSINESS OF THE FISCAL YEAR 1990 WAS 57 PER CENT. HIGHER THAN AVERAGE RATIOS WERE EXPERIENCED IN NON-PROPORTIONAL TREATY (219 PER CENT), SHIPS (105 PER CENT), PROPORTIONAL TREATY (66 PERCENT), PECUNIARY LOSS (63 PER CENT), MOTOR VEHICLE AND GENERAL LIABILITY (BOTH 61 PER CENT), AND ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE (59 PER CENT).
GOODS IN TRANSIT, PROPERTY DAMAGE AND ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE BUSINESS ACHIEVED OVERALL PROFITABLE UNDERWRITING RESULTS.
AN OVERALL UNDERWRITING LOSS OF $219 MILLION WAS REPORTED FOR ALL CLASSES.
THE TOTAL TECHNICAL RESERVES MADE BY AUTHORISED INSURERS IN RESPECT OF THEIR HONG KONG GENERA). BUSINESS AMOUNTED TO $4,878 MILLION, REPRESENTING 89 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NET PREMIUMS.
AS REGARDS HONG KONG MARKET STATISTICS IN RESPECT OF LONG TERM BUSINESS, THOSE FOR THE YEAR 1991 ARE IN THE COURSE OF COLLECTION AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THEY WILL BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR.
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THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TAKEN TO MANAGE STUDENT PROBLEMS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (ED) HAS EMBARKED ON A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO MANAGE STUDENT PROBLEMS.
"THIS STRATEGY EMPHASISES THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES THROUGH COMMUNICATION AMONG TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD, SINCE 1988, PRODUCED BOOKLETS FOR PARENTS ON HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH OBSERVATION AND INTERACTION.
THESE BOOKLETS ON GOOD PARENTING ARE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN STUDYING IN KINDERGARTEN, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"THESE PUBLICATIONS FOR PARENTS HAVE NOW BEEN AUGMENTED BY A NEW COLOURED LEAFLET WHICH DRAWS THEIR ATTENTION TO THE NEED OF GIVING CARE AND SUPPORT TO THEIR CHILDREN AND HELPING THEM FACE FRUSTRATION AND HANDLE STRESS POSITIVELY AND REALISTICALLY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TEACHERS, HE SAID, HAD BEEN ATTENDING SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ON SUBJECTS SUCH AS HELPING STUDENTS COPE WITH STRESS, ( OMMU'NICATION SKILLS, AND APPROACHES TO STUDENTS IN CRISIS.
THESE SEMINARS BEGAN IN JUNE LAST YEAR. LAST MONTH, ANOTHER SERIES WERE HELD ON THE PREVENTION OF STUDENT SUICIDES. WITH TEACHERPARTICIPANTS BEING GIVEN A COPY OF GUIDELINES ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
/THE SERIES
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
11
THE SERIES OE PROGRAMMES AND PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR TEACHERS INCLUDES:
JUNE 1991 TEACHES PROFESSIONALISM REGIONAL SEMINARS ON HELPING PUPILS TO COPE WITH STRESS
NOVEMBER 1991 GUIDANCE TEACHER RESOURCE BOOK DISTRIBUTED TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS. INITIYL ISSUE PROVIDES TEACHERS WITH MATERIAL ON COMMUN1 CAT ION SKILLS AND ORGAN I SAT 1 ON OF OR IENTATION PROGRAMMES FOR NEW STUDENTS
JANUARY 1992 SEMINARS ON UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS FOR HEADS AND TEACHERS OF BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON PARENTAL CARE
MARCH 1992 SEMINAR ON APPROACHES TO STUDENTS IN CRISIS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, YMCA AND ED FOR ABOUT 145 TEACHERS
MARCH/APRIL 1992 SEMINAR ON WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH BY EXPERT FROM THE UK, FOR HEAD AND TEACHERS OF BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND WORKSHOPS FOR ED STAFF
APRIL 1992 A < IRCUl AR ON HOW TO HELP PUPILS WITH PROBLEMS WAS ISSUED TO SCHOOLS
APRIL/MAY 1992 EIGHT WORKSHOPS ON EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION FOR 480 TEACHERPARTICIPANTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
JUNE 1992 TEACHERS PROFESSIONAL SEMINARS ON PREVENTING STUDENT SUICIDES
"A SERIES OF GUIDELINES AND CIRCULARS HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO SCHOOLS ON HOW TO HELP STUDENTS WITH PROBLEMS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT, HE SAID, WAS ALSO SPREADING THE MESSAGE TO STUDENTS THROUGH POSTERS AND BOOKMARKS ON TELEPHONE HELPLINES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF GUIDANCE SERVICES.
"IN ORDER TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE FURTHER, STUDENTS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A SERIES OF COMPETITIONS WHICH WILL HELP THEM ADOPT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE,” HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC), IN CELEBRATING ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR WILL HELP ENCOURAGE OTHER STUDENTS TO DEVELOP A MORE REALISTIC OUTLOOK AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO LIFE IN A SERIES OF DISTRICT ACTIVITIES.
/"WE HAVE ....
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
12
"WE HAVE ALSO DUBBED 2,500 COPIES OF A CYC TELEVISION PROGRAMME WHICH FEATURED THE LIFE OF A SPECIAL SCHOOL STUDENT WHO, DESPITE SUFFERING FROM MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, ACCEPTED HIS OWN LIMITATIONS AND WITH STRONG WILL POWER DEMONSTRATED TN MAKING THE BEST OF HIS LIFE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THIS CYC VIDEO TAPE ON THE LIFE OF THIS BOY SERVES AS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND IS BEING TELEVISE!) IN ALL SCHOOLS AS ONE OF THE END OF TERM ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS," HE ADDED.
THE COMMUNITY HAS SHOWN CONCERN OVER THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FATAL STUDENT SUICIDE CASES - RISING FROM THREE OUT OF A TOTAL OF 35 ATTEMPTS IN THE 1990-91 YEAR TO 15 OUT OF 55 TO DATE.
"THERE IS CERTAINLY NO LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY IN HELPING THE DEPARTMENT PREVENT STUDENT SUICIDES. THE LATEST SUPPORT CAME IN THE FORM OF A $60,000 DONATION FROM THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND TO SPONSOR AN EXPERT ON SUICIDOLOGY7 FROM THE USA TO OFFER CONSULTANCY AND RUN WORKSHOPS FOR GUIDANCE PERSONNEL,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO FORMED A TASK GROUP TO FIND OUT THE CAUSES OF EACH CASE AND TO DISCUSS THE IMMEDIATE FOLLOW-UP ACTION AND LONG-TERM REMEDIAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON STUDENT GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES HAS ALSO MADE AN IN-DEPTH STUDY INTO WHAT OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ORGANISATIONS AND DISTRICT BOARDS HAD DONE TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE SITUATION AND PARENT REPRESENTATIVES HAD ALSO BEEN COOPTED TO ATTEND ITS MEETING ON MAY 21.
"IN THE COMING MEETING THIS MONTH, STUDENT AND TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES Will ALSO BE CO-OPTED \ND THEIR VIEWS AND CONTRIBUTION WILL BE COLLECTED,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
NINE YUEN LONG HOUSES TO BE CLOSED
* ♦ i * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO APPLY FOR COURT ORDERS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR THE CLOSURE OF NINE HOUSES IN YUEN LONG, THE NEW TERRITORIES, WHICH HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE DANGEROUS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THE EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT WERE POSTED TODAY AT THE FOLLOWING PREMISES IN FAIRVIEW PARK:
NO. 22, 4TH STREET, SECTION-L, SUB-SECTION 193;
NO. 24, 4TH STREET, SECTION-L, SUB-SECTION 192;
NO. 76, 5TH STREET, SECTION-M, SUB-SECTION 353;
NO. 13, 3RD STREET, SECTION-H;
/NO. 57 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
13
NO. 57, 5TH STREET, SECTION-M, SUB-SECTION 406;
NO. 219, BAUHINIA ROAD WEST, SECTION-A;
NO. 5, 5TH STREET, SECTION-I, SUB-SECTION 3;
NO. 36, 3RD STREET, SECTION-!, SUB-SECTION 263; AND
NO. 30, 4TH STREET, SECTION-E.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SAID THE HOUSES CONCERNED HAD BEEN RENDERED DANGEROUS AS A RESULT OF SOME INTERNAL ALTERATION WORKS CARRIED OUT WHICH IMPAIRED THE STABILITY OF THE PREMISES.
FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPIERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THESE BUILDINGS HAD TO BE CLOSED AND VACATED.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE CLOSURE ORDERS WOULD BE LIFTED UPON COMPLETION OF REMEDIAL WORKS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE BUILDINGS SAFE FOR OCCUPATION.
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INDUSTRIES ENCOURAGED TO MOVE TOWARDS HIGH TECH
******
THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RICKY FUNG, TODAY (THURSDAY) OUTLINED A PACKAGE OF GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AIMED AT STRENGTHENING THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS GREATER USE OF TECHNOLOGY AMONG HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES.
THESE INCLUDED AN APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COMPANIES ON A DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR BASIS AS A FORM OF INVESTMENT IN THEIR APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
MR FUNG WAS SPEAKING AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM ON "MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN ASIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY".
"THE SCHEME REPRESENTS MORE THAN SIMPLE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: IN ITS EXPECTATION OF FINANCIAL RETURNS, IT IS A SIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY.
IN ADDITION, THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN EARLY 1994, BUT ALREADY PROVIDING SOME SERVICES, WOULD FACILITATE THE FURTHER TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES AND STIMULATE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION.
"A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE CASE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCIENCE PARK IN HONG KONG BEGAN LAST MONTH," HE SAID.
/TO UNDERLINE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
14
TO UNDERLINE THE VITAL CONNECTION BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY, MR FUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ESTABLISHED THIS YEAR A NEW INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC), WHICH HAD REPLACED THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"BRINGING TOGETHER EXPERTISE FROM INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY ON THE COUNCIL AND ON ITS SPECIALIST COMMITTEES IS A CLEAR RECOGNITION THAT INDUSTRY CANNOT NOW BE DISCUSSED WITHOUT REFERENCE TO TECHNOLOGY.
"WITH ITS EXPANDED TERMS OF REFERENCE AND A MORE FOCUSED APPROACH, THIS NEW COUNCIL WILL BE BETTER PLACED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON WHAT SUPPORT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY IN RESPONDING TO TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AROUND THE WORLD,” HE SAID.
ON THE GROWING INTIMACY BETWEEN INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA, MR FUNG SAID THERE WAS CLEAR EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT THIS WAS MAKING POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY GENERALLY AND TO ITS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN PARTICULAR.
HE SAID THE REDUCTION IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES’ SHARE IN HONG KONG’S GDP -- FROM 22 PER CENT IN 1985 TO 17 PER CENT IN 1990 --WAS BALANCED BY RAPID ADVANCES IN OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, SUCH AS TRADING, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS.
"ONE OF THE MAIN STIMULANTS OF THE ADVANCES IN OTHER SECTORS IS THE NEED TO SUPPORT THE EXPANDING PRODUCTION BASE IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
"IN SPITE OF THE CHANGE IN THE STRUCTURE OF OUR ECONOMY, HONG KONG STILL HAS A SUBSTANTIAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR WHICH IS TODAY PRODUCING, IN REAL TERMS, 80 PER CENT MORE THAN IT DID 10 YEARS AGO,” HE SAID.
MOREOVER, HE SAID, ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURING LABOUR FORCE HAD DECLINED IN NUMBERS (FROM 849,000 IN 1985 TO 655,000 IN 1991), PRODUCTIVITY PER PERSON ENGAGED - LARGELY THE RESULT OF GREATER AUTOMATION, MORE EFFICIENT PRODUCTION PROCESSES, AND A CONCENTRATION ON HIGHER-VALUE PRODUCTS - HAD GROWN AT AN IMPRESSIVE RATE.
"IN QUANTITATIVE TERMS, PRODUCTIVITY PER PERSON HAS INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF 10.5 PER CENT A YEAR BETWEEN 1986 AND 1991.
"THIS FIGURE COMPARES VERY FAVOURABLY WITH THE EQUIVALENT RATES FOR DEVELOPED INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIES AND FOR NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
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/15........
THURSDAY, JULY 2, J 992
- 15 -
CALL TO HELP DISABLED
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE, TO HELP THE DISABLED INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY.
MR CARTLAND MADE THE APPEAL WHILE ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF THE SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED CHO YIU ADULT TRAINING CENTRE IN KWAI CHUNG.
"MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS NEED SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT IF THEY ARE TO DERIVE THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM THE REHABILITATION SERVICES," HE SAID.
THERE WAS A REAL ROLE THEREFORE FOR VOLUNTEERS AT EVERY STAGE OF THE REHABILITATION PROCESS, PARTICULARLY AT THE POINT OF TRANSITION TO LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THOSE WHO WERE ABLE TO ASPIRE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING AND OPENING EMPLOYMENT, HE ADDED.
INDEPENDENCE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED HAD TO BE LEARNT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY LIVING, HE SAID, NOTING THAT VOLUNTEERS COULD HELP TAKE THEM OUT FROM THEIR HOMES, SCHOOLS AND CENTRES TO EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY LIFE.
"WITH MORE EXPOSURE TO REAL LIFE SITUATIONS, THEY CAN GAIN IN BOTH STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE. THE COMMUNITY CAN THEN LEARN OF THE EXTENT OF THEIR SKILLS AND HAVE MORE FAITH IN THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE AN INDEPENDENT LIFE," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND SAID THE JOINT EFFORT AND PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES PLAYED A VITAL PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
"THEIR EFFORTS ALONE HOWEVER WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT WITHOUT THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OFPARENTS, FRIENDS, VOLUNTEERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE," HE STRESSED.
"ONLY WHEN THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ARE ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY COULD WE SAV REHABILITATION HAS ACHIEVED ITS GOAL," HE ADDED.
THE OPENING OF THE CHO YIU ADULT TRAINING CENTRE REPRESENTED ANOTHER STEP ON THE LONG ROAD TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE OF PUTTING IN PLACE ALL THE SERVICES NECESSARY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF LOW MODERATE AND SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, MR CARTLAND SAID.
"THERE IS ALSO ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGE IN THIS CASE IN THAT THE SOCIETY WILL NOW RE ABLE TO VACATE PREMISES IN THE EXISTING LAI YIU ADULT TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 30 VERY MU< H NEEDED CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES FOR SEVERELY DISABLED PERSONS," HE SAID.
/MR CARTLAND .......
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
16
MR CARTLAND ALSO COMMENDED THE SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED FOR DOING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OVER THE LAST DECADE TO DEVELOP SERVICES FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
"IN RECENT YEARS, THE SOCIETY HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL ACUMEN IN FUND-RAISING FOR ITS PROJECTS, SETTING A FINE EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE DEDICATION OF ITS VOLUNTARY COUNCIL MEMBERS," HE ADDED.
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AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON MONDAY
******
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL MEET NEXT MONDAY (JULY 6) TO DISCUSS THE NEED FOR SETTING UP A FINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUES.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT B\ TELEPHONING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG ON 802 3302 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATING IN THE HALL IS LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INI I TEI) TO COVER THE MEETING.
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/17........
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
S MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
LAF RATE 2.50 BID/4.50 OFFER TWI 110.0 *-0.1* 2.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.24 PCT 17 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.82 PCT 20 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.82 PCT 23 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 3.13 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.76 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
231 1 6.25 102.65 4.29
2402 5.50 101.34 4.68
2405 5.50 101.04 4.97
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 2 JULY 1992
- 7,573 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LORD WILSON ATTENDS FAREWELL COMMUNITY RECEPTION ................... 1
TRIBUTE TO LORD WILSON ............................................. 1
GOODBYE, LORD WILSON ............................................... 3
HK BIDS FAREWELL TO LORD WILSON .................................... 3
BID AND OFFER RATES OF EXCHANGE FUND'S LAF CUT...................... 5
TENDERS CLOSE FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ......................... 6
STUDY ON GNP STATISTICS ............................................ 6
EARLY CONCLUSION OF URUGUAY ROUND TALKS EXPECTED ................... 8
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES STATISTICS FOR APRIL ...................... 9
BUILDING MANAGEMENT BILL GAZETTED .................................. 12
INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992 GAZETTED ......... 13
PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION ......... 15
CARGO SHIPS HAVE TO CONFORM WITH CONSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ....... 16
BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE'S OPERATIONS TO BE STREAMLINED ........ 16
LAND RESUMPTION FOR MA TAU KOK URBAN RENEWAL ....................... 17
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BOX CULVERT .................... 18
SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH ...................i.................... 18
WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG AND KOWLOON WEST ........................... 20
EXHIBITION ON RULE OF LAW .......................................... 20
STUDENTS URGED TO READ MORE ........................................ 21
A NEW ACCESS ROAD TO WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE PROPOSED ................ 22
MERGING OF BUS ROUTES .............................................. 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 23
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
- 1
LORD WILSON ATTENDS FAREWELL COMMUNITY RECEPTION
*****
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, AND HIS FAMILY THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING ATTENDED A FAREWELL COMMUNITY RECEPTION AT A CHINESE RESTAURANT IN CITY HALL. SPEAKING IN REPLY TO A TOAST PROPOSED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, THE GOVERNOR SAID:
’’CHIEF SECRETARY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR COMING HERE TODAY To SAY GOODBYE.
IT IS SAD SAYING GOODBYE. IT AI WAYS IS. AND TO SAA GOODBYE TO A PLACE LIKE HONG KONG, IN WHICH I HAVE SPENT MUCH OE MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY HAS NOW SPENT MUCH OF THEIR LIVES, THAT’S DOUBLY SAD.
BUT IT ISN’T SIMPLY SAD. BUT THERE’S IS A MUCH MORE TO IT THAN THAT. I’VE BEEN HERE, WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR FIVE TUMULTUOUS YEARS AND WE HAVE SEEN HONG KONG SURVIVE, PROSPER AND GROW STRONG. MUCH OF THAT IS DUE TO ALL OF YOU HERE IN THIS Room. AND IS also due TO THE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT IN THIS ROOM, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
TO HAVE SERVED HERE WITH YOU DURING THAT PERIOD TO SEE THAT RESILIENCE, THAI SUCCESS. HAS BEEN A GREAT JOY, AND IT’S THAT JOY, IT’S THAT SENSE OF SUCCESS THAT WE WILL ( ARRY WITH IS WHEN WE GO FROM HONG KONG.
IT WILL BE A VERA STRANGE FELLING LEAKING HERE TONIGHT. IT’S HARD AT THE MOMEN’I TO IMAGINE THAT WE ARI LEAVING IN A FEW HOURS. TODAY HAS BEEN, UP TO NOW, A MORE OR LESS ORDINARY WORKING DAY, LIKE EVERYDAY IN HONG KONG IS. I KNOW O| no PLACE WHICH FITS MORE ORDINARY WORKING DAY INTO Till . I \R THAN HONG KONG.
BUT WHEN W| LE AVI YOU CAN BE SURE THAT WE W I LI CONTINUE, ALL OF MY FAMILY, TO PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WH A I' IS HAPPENING HERE. WE SHALL BE WATCHING WITH INTENSE INTEREST, GREVI SYMPATHY, AND WHATEVER SUPPORT WE CAN GI\E EVERYTHING THAT V OU ARE DOING HIRE AS YOU WORK FOR BUILDING A SUCCESS!UL LONG-TERM EITIRI FOR Till PEOPLE. OE HONG KONG. AND THAT IS THE I HOI GUT WHIG H I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE WITH YOU.
THERE WILL BE FOR US A VERV LARGE PLAC I IN OUR HEARTS' CALLED HONG KONG. AND I WOULD LIKE, IF I MAY, TO ASK \OU TO JOIN WITH ME IN A TOAST.
AND THAT IS A TOAST QUITE SIMPLE TO HONG KONG. 1’0 HONG KONG.”
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TRIBUTE TO LORD WILSON
I * * ♦ *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY. SIR DAVID FORD. THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING PAID TRIBUTE TO THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND TOTAL COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
IN A TOAST TO LORD WILSON AT A FAREWELL COMMUNITY RECEPTION ATTENDED BY SOME SOO WELL-WISHERS AT THE CITY HAU CHINESE RESTAURANT, SIR DAVID SAID:
’’SIR. IT....................................................................
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
2
"SIR, IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU PUBLICLY TO OUR GOVERNOR, PERHAPS NOT OFTEN ENOUGH. BUT TODAY IS SUCH AN OCCASION AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAV V FEW WORDS ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE PAST YEARS HAVE NOT BEEN EASY ONES FOR HONG KONG. WE HAVE BEEN BUFFETTED BY MANY STORMS.
BUT FAR FROM BEING OVERWHELMS® WE HAVE BOUNCED BACK VIGOROUSLY. OUR ECONOMY HAS FLOURISHED AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY HAS SHARED IN THE GROWING PROSPERITY.
SO YOU WOULD BE THE FIRST TO SAY. I'H.AT SUCCESS IS DUE LARGELY TO THE EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO ARE ITS GREATEST STRENGTH. BUT THIS SUCCESS SIR, IS ALSO DUE IN NO SMALL MEASURE TO YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR TOTAL COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING OF THIS COMMUNITY.
I HAVE HAD THE HONOUR OF WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOU DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS. PERHAPS J KNOW BETTER THAN MOST THE STRESSES AND STRAINS WHICH GO WITH THE JOB OF GOVERNING HONG KONG IN THE 1980S AND 1990S.
BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THROUGHOUT THESE DIFFICULT YEARS YOUR PERSONAL QUALITIES HAVE SHONE THROUGH. YOUR DEDICATION, YOUR WISDOM, YOUR INTEGRITY AND, ABOVE ALL, YOUR INSWERVING COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLE OF PUTTING HIE INTERESTS OF Till PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE, HAS WON YOU THE ADMIRATION AND ABIDING RESPECT OF US ALL.
SIR, HONG KONG II\S OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
BEEN PRIVILEGED IO HAVE YOU AS OUR
GOVERNOR
SIR, THROUGHOUT VOUR GOVERNORSHIP YOU HAVE HAD THE UNSTINTING SUPPORT OF LADY WILSON AND PETER AND ANDREW AND THE COMMUNITY TOO HAS BENEFITTED FROM THE STRONG SENSE OF FAMLLV FEELING WHICH HAS EMANATED FROM GOVERNMENT HOUSE. BUT, I.ADV WI I SON HAS DONE MUCH MORE THAN BE A WIFE, MOTHER, AND FULL-TIME HOSTESS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. SHE HAS MADE A SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT TO NUMEROUS ORGANISATIONS IN TERMS OF TIME AND GENUINE INTEREST, AND THEY, AND WE, ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR HER EFFORTS.
SIR, WE ARE VERY SAI) INDEED TO SEE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LEAVE US. I KNOW YOU' WILL ALL BE VERY SAD TO GO ALSO. BUT AS YOU CROSS THE HARBOUR IN THE LADY MAUR1NE AND YOU LOOK AROUND VT THIS WONDERFUL VIBRANT CITY OF OURS, YOU CAN BE JUSTLV PROUD OF WHAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS ACHIEVED UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP.
SINCE IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT YOU WERE LEAVING, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR FEELINGS OF GRATITUDE IN MANY WAYS, AND TODAY, ON THEIR BEHALF I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A VERY SINCERE THANK YOU TO YOU AND LADY WILSON FOR ALL YOU HAVI DONE FOR US. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PLACE IN OUR HEARTS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY."
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/3 ........
FRIDAY, JULY* 3, 1992
3
GOODBYE, LORD WILSON
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON OF TILLYORN, AND HIS FAMILY SAILED ACROSS THE HARBOUR ABOARD THE ’’LADY MAURINE” FOR A FINAL LOOK AT HONG KONG’S BREATHTAKING NIGHT SKYLINE SHORTLY BEFORE THEY DEPARTED THE TERRITORY THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
THE NIGHT SKYLINE THAT OFTEN GREETS VISITORS WITH A MULTITUDE OF COLOURFUL LIGHTS WAS GLITTERING AS LORD WILSON, LADY WILSON AND THEIR SONS, PETER AND ANDREW, BOARDED THF ’LADY MACHINE” AFTER ENJOYING A SERIES OF SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AT EDINBURGH PLACE.
THE “LADY MAURINE”, BUILT IN 1952 AND NAMED AFTER THE WIFE OF FORMER GOVERNOR, SIR ALEXANDER GRANTHAM, SAILED SLOWLY ACROSS THE BUSY HARBOUR FOR KOWLOON CITY WHERE THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY WERE DRIVEN TO KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
AT THE TARMAC OF THE AIRPORT, LORD WILSON AND HIS FAMILY BADE FAREWELL TO MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THEIR SPOUSES AS THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, A FAVOURITE OF THE GOVERNOR, PROVIDED BACKGROUND MUSK .
THEY INCLUDED MR ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT AND MRS WONG; MR HUI YIN-FAT; MR EDWARD HO S1NG-TIN AND MRS HO: PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU AND MRS WANG; THE SECRETARY FOR I’HF. ( IV Th SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM; MRS RITA FAN HSU LAI-TAI AND MR FAN: MR ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI AND MRS LEE; BARONESS DI NN AND MR MICHAEL THOMAS; THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS AND MRS MATHEWS: THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. MR HAMISH MACLEOD AND MRS MACLEOD; THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FOLEY AND MRS FOLEY; AND THE (HI EI SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD AND LADY FORD.
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HK BIDS FAREWELL TO LORD WILSON ******
HONG KONG THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING BADE FAREWELL TO THE LORD WILSON OF TILLYORN. AND HIS FAMILY WITH A COMMUNITY ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 800 PEOPLE AND A PERFORMANCE RY
GOVERNOR, RECEPTION SOME 400
CHILDREN.
LORD WILSON’S FAREWELL CEREMONY BEGAN WI TH AN INSPECTION OF X PARADE ON THE GROUNDS OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE MADE UP OF EXTRA AND HONORARY AIDES-DE-CAMP TO THE GOVERNOR AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM BRITISH FORCES AND THE HONG KONG DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
THE GOVERNOR, LADY WILSON AND THEIR TWO SONS. PETER AND ANDREW, THEN BADE FAREWELL TO THE 55 STAFF MEMBERS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, BEFORE BOARDING THE GOVERNOR’S LIMOUSINE FOR I’HE COMMUNITY RECEPTION AT THE CITY HALL.
THEY WERE MET AT THE CITY HALL BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, AND LADY FORD; THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG.
/AT THE .......
4
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
AT THE CHINESE RESTAURANT OF THE CITY HALL, THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY WERE GIVEN A WARM RECEPTION BY MORE THAN 800 PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE --- FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS TO ACADEMICS.
SHORTLY AFTER THE RECEPTION, LORD WILSON AND HIS FAMILY MOVED TO EDINBURGH PLACE TO WATCH THE SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY CHILDREN FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS.
ON THE DAIS, THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY WERE JOINED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, BARONESS DUNN, AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM NINE HONG KONG UNIFORMED YOUTH GROUPS OF WHICH LORD WILSON OR LADY WILSON WAS THE PATRON SALUTED THE GOVERNOR AS THE HONG KONG REGIMENT FLAYED A MAR( HING SONG AGAINST A HUGE BACKDROP THAT SHOWED HONG KONG SKYLINE AT NIGH I WITH FIREWORKS.
THE NINE YOUTH GROUPS WERE: THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION, GIRLS’ BRIGADE HONG KONG, BOYS’ BRIGADE HONG KONG. SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, HONG KONG RED CROSS, ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG AIR CADET CORPS AND THE HONG KONG SEA CADET CORPS.
THE 90-STRONG HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR THEN PERFORMED A CHINESE SONG ENTITLED "FRIENDS" WHICH WAS SUNG WITH A HUGE IMAGE PRESENTATION OF A SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF I’HE GOVERNOR MEETING THE PUBLIC IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A PERFORMANCE BY ABOUT 0 MEMBERS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S DANCE GROUP, WHO WERE ACCOMPANIED BY A GROUP OF VIOLINISTS AND GUITARISTS.
WITH A SLIDE SHOW OF BEAUTIFUL SCENERIES OF HONG KONG AS THE BACKDROP, THE DANCERS PERFORMED TO A MUSICAL MEDLEY OE AN OLD DANISH FOLK SONG "IN THE FOREST AND THE MEADOWS" AND AN OLD CHINESE SONG "COLLECTING TEA AND CATCHING BUTTERFLIES".
NEXT CAME A GYMNASTICS DISPLAY BY ABOUT JOO YOUTHS FROM THE GOLDEN EAGLE GYMNASTIC TEAM WHO FORMED A PATTERN OF MOUNTAINS AND SEA DEPICTING THE HONG KONG SUBURBS TO THE MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT OF THE HAPPY WANDERER".
THE CAREER PARADE, ( (IMPRISING (Hll.DREN FROM I HF TINKER BELL SCHOOL, WAS A DELIGHT FOR THE SPECIAL GUESTS OF HONOI R AS WELL AS THE SPECTATORS AS THE CHILDREN DRESSED IN COSTUMES OF V ARIOUS OCCUPATIONS WAVED SPECIAL PROPS TO GREET THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY TO THE SONG "THIS IS OUR HOME".
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A PRESENTATION OF A CHINESE PAINTING OF PAT SIN LENG - A FAVOURITE WALKING AREA OF LORD WILSON - BY LEUNG PAK MAN AND APPLE TSANG.
THE PAINTING, WHICH WAS SHOWN OK V III GE SCREEN. Is I’HE WORK OF A CHINESE UNIVERSITY STUDENT OF FINE ART, TANG MAN-LEUNG.
THE FINALE OF THE PERFORMANCE CAMF WHEN SINGER RONNIE YUEN GAVE A SOLO RENDITION OF "CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN" AND WAS JOINED BY ALL PARTICIPANTS TO SERENADE THE GOVERNOR, LADY WILSON AND THEIR TWO SONS.
/ACCOMPANYING THE
5
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
ACCOMPANYING THE SONG WAS A HUGE SLIDE SHOWING MOUNTAIN SCENERIES OF HONG KONG AND SCOTLAND, AND OF LORD WILSON CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN IN SCOTLAND.
AS LORD WILSON AND HIS FAMILY WALKED A SHORT DISTANCE TO QUEEN’S PIER FOR THE FORMAL LEAVE-TAKING, TWO PIPERS IN FULL REGIMENTAL REGALIA WITH KILT, BONNET WITH OSTRICH FEATHERS AND THE ’’RED HACKLE" (A SYMBOL OF BLACK WATCH) FROM THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT) PLAYED THREE WELL-KNOWN SCOTTISH SONGS ON THE BAGPIPES.
THE "HIGHLAND LADDIE" IS THE BLACK WATCH REGIMENTAL MARCH PASS MELODY; THE "BLACK BEAR" IS THE BATTLE CHARGE THAT SIGNIFIES COURAGE; AND THE "HIGHLAND CRADLE SONG" IS A SLOW HAUNTING MELODY AND IS RECOGNISED AS A FITTING TUNE FOR BIDDING FAREWELL.
MUCH TO THE DELIGHT OF THE GOVERNOR, WHO ONCE SERVED IN THE BLACK WATCH, THE PIPERS WERE NOT PART OF THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME BUT A SURPRISE EPISODE ARRANGED FOR LORD WILSON AND HIS FAMILY.
AT THE PIER, THE GOVERNOR, LADY WILSON AND THEIR TWO SONS SHOOK HANDS WITH THE OFFICIAL PARTY WHICH INCLUDED THE CONSUL-GENERAL OF GERMANY AND DOYEN OF THE CONSULAR CORPS, DR E.V. BRACKLO, AND MRS BRACKLO; THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, MR ZHENG HUA, AND MRS ZHENG; THE CONVENOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS ELSIE TU, AND MR TU; THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JOHN SWAINE, AND MRS SWA1NE; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, AND MR MICHAEL THOMAS; THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG, HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL WU; THE BISHOP OF HONG KONG, THE RT REV PETER KWONG KONG-KIT, AND MRS KWONG; THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FOLEY, AND MRS FOLEY; THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, AND LADY FORD; AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, AND LADY YANG.
LORD WILSON AND HIS FAMILY THEN WAVED TO THE HUNDREDS OF SPECTATORS WHO TURNED UP AT EDINBURGH PLACE TO SEE THEM OFF, BEFORE THEY BOARDED THE "LADY MAURINE" FOR THE SHORT TRIP ACROSS THE HARBOUR ON THEIR WAY TO THE AIRPORT. THEIR VESSEL WAS ESCORTED BY A ROYAL NAVY LAUNCH AND A POLICE LAUNCH.
------0-------
BID AND OFFER RATES OF EXCHANGE FUND’S LAF CUT
******
THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND EARLY THIS MORNING (FRIDAY) CUT THE BID AND OFFER RATES OF ITS LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY (LAF), HONG KONG’S VERSION OF A DISCOUNT WINDOW, BY 0.5 PERCENTAGE POINT.
THE BID AND OFFER RATES ARE NOW 2 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE MOVE FOLLOWED CLOSELY THE HALF PERCENTAGE POINT CUT IN THE U.S. DISCOUNT RATE OVERNIGHT BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK FROM 3.5 PER CENT TO 3 PER CENT.
/THIS IS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
6
THIS IS THE FIRST CHANGE IN THE LAF RATES SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT ON JUNE 8, 1992.
COMMENTING ON THE MOVE, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND, MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID: "HONG KONG DOLLAR INTEREST RATES FOLLOW CLOSELY U.S. DOLLAR INTEREST RATES. WHETHER OR NOT THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (HKAB) WOULD CUT DEPOSIT RATES THIS AFTERNOON IS A MATTER FOR THE COMMITTEE OF HKAB: AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE WOULD BE A CUT IN THE BEST LENDING RATE IS A MATTER FOR INDIVIDUAL BANKS."
_ _ 0 - -
TENDERS CLOSE FOR WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED ONE BID FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE ON A "BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER” BASIS.
THIS CAME FROM A CONSORTIUM LED BY CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LTD AND CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRUST AND INVESTMENT HONG KONG (HOLDINGS) LTD.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO RECEIVED TWO OTHER PROPOSALS TO UNDERTAKE THE PROJECT.
THEY ARE FROM THE THIRD HARBOUR TUNNEL CONTRACTORS JOINT VENTURE LED BY' LEIGHTON CONTRACTORS ASIA LTD AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING CONTRACTORS LED BY AOKI CORPORATION.
THE BID AND THE PROPOSALS ARE NOW BEING EXAMINED. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S TIMETABLE, A DECISION ON THE TERMS OF THE FRANCHISE IS EXPECTED TO BE REACHED EARLY NEXT YEAR SO THAT CONSTRUCTION CAN START BY MID-1993.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT CLOSED TODAY (FRIDAY).
- - 0 - -
STUDY ON GNP STATISTICS ******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE COMPILATION OF GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT (GNP) ESTIMATES FOR HONG KONG.
THE STUDY AIMS TO IDENTIFY ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS INVOLVED, AND TO SEEK POSSIBLE WAYS TO OVERCOME THEM.
A DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT GNP ESTIMATES SHOULD BE PRODUCED WILL BE MADE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE STUDY.
/THE FEASIBILITY
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
7
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL IDENTIFY SPECIFIC DATA REQUIREMENTS AND WILL EXAMINE WAYS TO ESTABLISH THE SUPPORTING STATISTICAL SYSTEM AT MINIMUM COST AND TO MINIMISE THE REPORTING BURDEN OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE EXISTING GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) ESTIMATES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE COMPILED AND PUBLISHED, AND WOULD REMAIN ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR HONG KONG.
THE BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GDP AND GNP IS THAT THE FORMER REFERS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF NET OUTPUT PRODUCED WITHIN A TERRITORIAL BOUNDARY, WHILE THE LATTER RELATES TO AGGREGATE INCOME OF RESIDENTS OF THE TERRITORY.
FOR HONG KONG, GDP IS AN AGGREGATE MEASURE OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF NET OUTPUT PRODUCED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF HONG KONG IN A SPECIFIED PERIOD, IRRESPECTIVE OE WHETHER THE OUTPUT IS PRODUCED BY RESOURCES OWNED BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS OR BY NON-RESIDENTS.
GNP IS AN AGGREGATE MEASURE OF THE TOTAL INCOME IN A SPECIFIED PERIOD ATTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS BOTH WITHIN THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY AND OUTSIDE.
BOTH GDP AND GNP ARE ECONOMIC INDICATORS STIPULATED IN THE "SYSTEM OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTS" OF THE UNITED NATIONS. THEY ARE COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY MOST ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD.
ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL STANDARDS, THE CONCEPT OF "RESIDENTS", IN THE CASE OF INDIVIDUALS, REFERS TO THOSE WHO NORMALLY RESIDE IN THE ECONOMY' CONCERNED, AND MAKES NO REFERENCE TO THE NATIONALITIES OF THE INDIVIDUALS.
AS REGARDS COMPANIES, IT REFERS TO THOSE THAT OPERATE BUSINESS THERE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MOST ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD COMPILE AND PUBLISH BOTH GDP AND GNP FIGURES.
SINCE GDP RELATES MORE CLOSELY TO OTHER TERRITORIAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS LIKE EMPLOYMENT, OUTPUT, PRODUCTIVITY, AND INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, IT IS MORE RELEVANT FOR ANALYSING THE PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES OF THE TERRITORY.
GNP IS MORE CLOSELY RELATED TO THE INCOME OF RESIDENTS, AND IS THEREFORE MORE SUITABLE FOR ECONOMIC ANALYSIS RELATING TO THE SOURCES AND USES OF INCOME, SUCH AS PROPENSITY TO CONSUME, UNDERLYING CAUSES OF INFLATION, AND INVESTMENT INTENTIONS.
SINCE THERE IS INCREASING OUTWARD INVESTMENT OF HONG KONG IN CHINA AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN RECENT YEARS, AND SINCE FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG IS ALSO STEADILY EXPANDING, THE INFLOW AND OUTFLOW OF INVESTMENT INCOME INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG CAN BE EXPECTED TO HAVE AN INCREASING IMPACT ON THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
/MANY ECONOMIC .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
8
MANY ECONOMIC ANALYSTS AND COMMENTATORS, BOTH LOCALLY AND ELSEWHERE, HAVE SUGGESTED THAT BOTH GDP AND GNP FIGURES SHOULD BE COMPILED TO FACILITATE A MULTI-FACET ASSESSMENT OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
ALTHOUGH THE TWO STATISTICAL AGGREGATE MEASURES OF PRODUCTION DIFFER IN CONCEPT AND POSSIBLY ALSO IN USE, THEY ARE CLOSELY RELATED.
IN SIMPLE TERMS, HONG KONG’S GNP IS EQUAL TO HONG KONG’S GDP EXCLUDING INCOME EARNED BY NON-RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG, BUT INCLUDING INCOME EARNED BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS FROM ABROAD.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE COLLECTION OF SUCH DATA WAS PURELY FOR STATISTICAL INFORMATION AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S LONG-STANDING POLICY OF FREE FLOW OF FUNDS INTO AND OUT OF THE TERRITORY WAS UNAFFECTED BY ANY STATISTICAL EXERCISE.
FURTHERMORE, INFORMATION PROVIDED BY INDIVIDUAL PERSONS AND COMPANIES WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE, HE ADDED.
THE FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY, FOR WHICH RESOURCES ARE BEING SOUGHT, WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
PENDING THE FULL STUDY, SOME PRELIMINARY STUDIES AND CONSULTATIONS WILL START SOON.
------0-------
EARLY CONCLUSION OF URUGUAY ROUND TALKS EXPECTED
******
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) HE ANTICIPATED AN EARLY AND SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND (UR) OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TR^DE FAIR AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR TSANG SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THE CLOTHING SECTOR WAS WHERE LOCAL TRADERS WERE FACING THE MOST RESTRICTIONS IN THE OVERSEAS MARKETS.
“LIBERALISATION IN THIS AREA IS CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED IN THE UR NEGOTIATIONS.
"THOUGH THERE IS LITTLE MOVEMENT AT THIS STAGE, I LOOK FORWARD TO AN EARIA AND SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS. WHICH WILL FURTHER PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL TRADE, AND BENEFIT EXPORTERS AND CONSUMERS ALIKE,” HE SAID.
PRODUCTS DISPLAYED AT THE TRADE FAIR INCLUDE FASHION JEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES, APPAREL, STATIONERY AND PREMIUM AS WELL AS SPORTING GOODS.
/MR TSANG ......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
9
MR TSANG SAID THESE PRODUCTS WERE 01- SUBSTANTIAL TRADE INTEREST TO HONG KONG.
"THE STERLING PERFORMANCE OF THESE EXPORT PRODUCTS IS THE RESULT OF THE DILIGENT AND INNOVATIVE SPIRIT OF OUR ENTREPRENEURS, MR TSANG SAID.
HE URGED MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TO STAY ALERT TO CHANGES IN CONSUMER PREFERENCES AS WELL AS TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN ORDER TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THIS PRESENT DAY WORLD MARKET.
"THESE EXHIBITIONS PROVIDE NOT ONLY FOR OUR MANUFACTURERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN, BUT ALSO OPEN THEIR EYES TO I HE AND QUALITY OF PRODUCTS FROM OTHER PLACES," HE SAID.
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES
WITH
BUYERS ON LATEST
SOPHISTICATION
OVER 30(> EXHIBITORS FROM 20 COUNTRIES AND SOME 16,000 VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOUR-DAY TRADE FAIR.
- - 0---------
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES STATISTICS FOR APRIL
******
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN APRIL THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $11.8 BILLION, INCREASED BY 18% OVER APRIL LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE LARGE INCREASE IN RETAIL SALES IN RECENT MONTHS REFLECTED BOTH A CONTINUOUS GROWTH IN LOCAL CONSUMER SPENDING AND A STRONG RECOVERY IN THE TOURIST SECTOR.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BA 11% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE GROWTH IN CONSUMER SPENDING ON MOTOR VEHICLES, JEWELLERY, WATCHES \ND OTHER CONSUMER DURABLES.
SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN APRIL CONTINUED TO REGISTER THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, BY 66% IN VALUE AND 54% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES WENT UP BY 19% IN VALUE AND 17% IN VOLUME OVER A YEAR AGO.
SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES, CLOCKS AND VALUABLE GIFTS IN APRIL RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 13% IN VALUE AND 1H% IN VOLUME. THE LARGER INCREASE IN VOLUME WAS A RESULT OF THE FALL IN THE PRICES OF JEWELLERY ITEMS.
/SALES IN .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
10
SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY 19% IN VALUE AND 8% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP 18% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
SALES IN SUPERMARKETS IN APRIL INCREASED BY 11% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME, WHILE SALES IN OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS INCREASED BY 7% IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF FUELS DROPPED BY 2% IN VALUE AND 9% IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO.
COMPARING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE RY 20% IN VALUE AND 13% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH MARCH 1992, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN APRIL 1992 DROPPED BY 2% IN VALUE AND 4% 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 RELEVANT COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARE USED AS INDICATORS OF PRICE CHANGES.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE APRIL 1992 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $1.5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, WAN CHAI.
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.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR MARCH 1992 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR APRIL 1992.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN MARCH AND APRIL 1992 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 APRIL 1992 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR MARCH 1992 AND WITH THOSE FOR APRIL 1991, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO APRIL OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/Il .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
11
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales (or April 1992 (Profisioaal Figure) = 81511,758.0 lillioi
for Hard 1992 {Revised Figure) = HK$12,O45.2 sillion
TABLE 1 : VALBB HD VOLOHB IMDBXES OP IETAIL SALES FOB HAICH 1992 AAD APB1L 1992
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
Index of April 1992 April 1992 Jan.-Apr.1992
Itei Retail March April coipared vith coipared vith coipared vith
Sales 1992 1992 March 1992 April 1991 Jai.-Apr.1991
(Revised (Provisional Points 5 Points 5 Points 5
figures) figures)
(A) FOB ALL RETAIL OUTLETS
Value 128.) 125.2 -3.1 -2.4 ♦18.9 07.8 ♦21.7 09.8
Voloie 113.8 109.7 -4.1 -3.6 ♦10.8 01.0 ♦13.6 03.2
(B) BT TYPE OP RETAIL ODTLET
Poodstnffs, alcoholic Value 115.5 115.4 -0.1 -0.1 ♦7.8 0.2 ♦9.2 0.7
drinks and tobacco '/ollie 95.9 94.6 -1.) -1.4 -1.9 -2.0 -2.0 -2.1
(other than
supermarkets)
Siperiarkets Value 122.1 116.7 -5.4 -4.4 ♦11.1 00.5 03.1 01.9
Voliie 101.8 96.1 -5.7 -5.6 ♦1.4 0.5 0.0 0.0
Piels Value 129.8 115.8 -14.0 -10.8 -1.9 -1.6 ♦3.6 0.1
Voluie 101.4 90.) -11.1 -10.9 -1.5 -8.6 -2.3 -2.4
Clothing, footiear and Value 118.0 1)1.7 ♦13.7 U1.6 00.1 08.0 02.8 09.5
allied prodicts Voloie 104.3 109.6 ♦5.2 0.0 ♦6.5 *6.3 ♦10.5 0.3
Cornier durable goods* Value 150.1 151.2 ♦1.1 0.7 ♦41.1 07.4 03.2 01.2
Voliie 134.9 1)6.1 ♦1.2 0.9 ♦32.1 00.9 04.1 04.2
- Motor vehicles Value 177.0 171.5 -5.6 -3.1 ♦68.1 05.9 ♦88.6 05.7
aid parts Voliie 151.8 145.3 -6.5 -4.3 ♦51.1 04.2 00.0 01.6
- Consner durable Value 1)0.7 1)6.6 ♦5.9 0.5 01.6 08.8 ♦10.4 0.2
goods other tbai Voloie 122.6 129.4 ♦6.9 0.6 ♦18.4 06.5 ♦8.2 0.4
lotor vehicles
and parts
Departieit stores Value 107.9 110.4 ♦2.5 0.4 ♦17.2 08.5 ♦18.8 07.6
Voloie 94.4 94.0 -0.4 -0.4 ♦6.8 0.8 0.3 0.1
Jevellery, vatches Value 145.9 117.5 -28.3 -19.4 ♦13.4 02.8 ♦26.2 05.6
aid clocks, and Voloie 145.4 119.6 -25.9 -17.8 ♦18.3 08.1 01.6 01.9
valuable gifts
Other consuier goods Valoe 125.4 127.8 ♦2.4 0.9 08.8 07.2 ♦13.9 01.3
not elsevhere Voliie 109.2 111.5 ♦2.) 0.1 0.1 0.8 ♦2.4 0.0
classified
NOTE : * This covers both ’Motor vehicles and parts* aid "Consnoer durable goods other than lotor vehicles and parts’.
--------0----------
/12.........
FRIDAY. JULY 3, 1992
- 12 -
BUILDING MANAGEMENT BILL GAZETTED
THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS BILL 1992 WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN(ORPORATION) (AMENDMENT)
IT WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 15.
EXPLAINING MAJOR PROPOSALS IN THE BILL. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID A SIGNIFICANT ONE WAS THE REPEAL OF SECTION 2A OF THE ’ORDINANCE.
THIS SECTION AT PRESENT PROVIDES THAT THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT APPLY TO A BUILDING IN RESPECT OF WHICH A PERSON HAS UNDERTAKEN TO, OR AGREED WITH. THE GOVERNMENT TO MANAGE OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT.
THE BILL PROPOSES THAT THE ORDINANCE BE APPLIED TO SUCH A BUILDING AND AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION MAY BE FORMED.
IN ADDITION TO THE REPEAL OF SECTION 2A, THERE IS A NEW SECTION PROVIDING FOR THE INVALIDATION OF ANY PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY FLAT OWNERS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM ESTABLISHING AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION.
BOTH MEASURES WILL MEAN THAT THE RIGHT OF OWNERS TO INCORPORATE THEMSELVES WILL NOT BE FETTERED TN ANYWAY.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL IN THE BILL SEEKS TO MAKE THE FORMATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS EASIER.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS MIGHT APPROVE APPLICATIONS, BY THE OWNERS OF NOT LESS THAN 30 PER (ENI OF THE TOTAL UNDIVIDED SHARES, FOR A MEETING OF OWNERS TO BE CONVENED FOR IHE PURPOSE OF FORMING AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS IS TO OVERCOME THE GENERAL RELUCTANCE TO TAKE MATTERS TO COURT, AN ALTERNATIVE AVAILABLE UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE FOR CASES THAT FAIL TO OBTAIN THE CONSENT OF OWNERS OF NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE UNDIVIDED SHARES IN Illi- BUILDING.' HI- EXPLAINED.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES A PROi FDURF WHERFBA FLA! OWNERS MAY TERMINATE THE MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT.
"BASICALLY, IT REQUIRES A RESOLUTION OF THE OWNERS OF NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE UNDIVIDED SHARES.
"THE DEVELOPER MAY THEN APPOINT A REPLACEMENT MANAGER WITH THE CONSENT OF FLAT OWNERS.
"SHOULD THEY FAIL TO REACH ANY AGREEMENT. FLAT OWNERS WOULD HAVE THE POWER To APPOINT THEIR OWN MANAGER. HF SAJI1.
HOWEVER, AS REGARDS DEVELOPMENTS THAT THE DEVELOPER IS UNDER A DUTY TO MANAGE, THE FLAT OWNERS, SHOULD THEA' APPOINT THEIR OWN REPLACEMENT MANAGER, ARE REQUIRED TO INDEMNIFY THE DEVELOPER IN RESPECT OF ALL HIS LIABILITIES.
/"THE ADMINISTRATION
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
13
"THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISES THAT UNDER SOME VERY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTS MAY BEST BE MANAGED BY THE DEVELOPER OR HIS APPOINTED MANAGEMENT AGENT.
”A NEW SECTION PROPOSES THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS MAY EXCLUDE A DEVELOPMENT ON INDIX I DI AL MERITS FROM THE TERMINATION PROVISION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PUBLISHED GUIDELINES.
"IN GRANTING EXEMPTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS MAY IMPOSE CONDITIONS, SUCH AS STIPULATING A SPECIFIC VALIDITY PERIOD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE AMENDMENT BILL PROPOSES SOME CHANGES TO I HE COMPOSITION OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION TO MAKE IT MORE REPRESENTATIVE.
A BUILDING WITH MORE THAN 50 UNITS WILL REQUIRE AT LEAST SEVEN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS, WHILE ONE WITH MORE THAN 100 UNITS WILL NEED AT LEAST NINE MEMBERS. I’HE PRESENT REQUIREMENT IS FIVE MEMBERS IN ROTH CASES.
AS A FORM OF INCENTIVE AND A RECOGNITION OF THE WORK OF THE OFFICE-BEARERS OF A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE AMENDMENT BILL EMPOWERS THE OWNERS’ CORPORATION TO GIVE THEM AN HONORARIUM AT ITS DISCRETION.
THE MAXIMUM LEVELS OF HONORARIUM ARE PRESCRIBED, RANGING FROM $600 TO $1,200 A MONTH, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF FLATS IN A BUILDING.
THE BILL ALSO MAKES THE TENANTS' REPRESENTATIVE ELECTED UNDER SECTION 15 OF THE ORDINAL I A FULL MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITH THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND SPEAK.
ALSO, IT PROVIDES FOR THE AMENDED ORDINANCE TO BE CITED AS THE "BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE' TO REFLF.Cl MORI CORRECTLY’ THE WIDER SCOPE OF THE LEGISLATION.
---------0-----------
INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992 GAZETTED
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (No. 3) BILL 1992 IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 15.
THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TWO-FOLD. IT SEEKS To FACILITATE THE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED FRAUD BY AUDITORS, A((OUNTANTS AND ACTUARIES, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS PRESCRIBED PERSONS’ IN THE BILL, AND TO DESIGNATE THE MANAGEMENT OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES AS A NEW ( LASS OF LONGTERM BUSINESS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE SCOPE FOR REPORTING BY’ THE PRESCRIBED PERSONS IS AT PRESENT VERY LIMITED.
/"WE BELIEVE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
14
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE PRESCRIBED PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE, TOGETHER WITH THE INSURER CONCERNED IF APPROPRIATE, WITH THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY (IA) ON MATTERS RELEVANT To THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY’S FUNCTIONS, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF POLICY HOLDERS AND PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS IN THE BILL TO PROTECT THE PRESCRIBED PERSONS AGAINST ANY POSSIBLE LIABILITY THAT THEY MIGHT INCUR IN RESPECT OF BREACH OF DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY TO CLIENTS WHEN COMMUNICATING IN GOOD FAITH TO THE IA.
SUCH PROTECTION IS ALREADY AVAILABLE TO AUDITORS OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND REGISTERED DEALERS.
"A CHANGE OR PROSPECTIVE CHANGE OF A PRESCRIBED PERSON MAY SIGNIFY THAT THERE ARE ASPECTS OF THE INSURER’S AFFAIRS WHICH COULD GIVE RISE TO PRUDENTIAL CONCERNS.
"IT IS THEREFOR!. PROPOSED THAT THE IA SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF ANY SUCH CHANGE BY THE INSURER CONCERNED. THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR SIMILAR REASONS, THE PRESCRIBED PERSONS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO INFORM THE I A OF THEIR INTENTION TO RESIGN OR TO MAKE AN ADVERSE STATEMENT ON IMF AFFAIRS OF THEIR M.TENTS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE BI LI, ALSO SEEKS TO ENABLE THE I A TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION RELATING TO A PRESCRIBED PERSON TO THE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL BODY FOR THE PURPOSE OF AW DISC IPLINARA PROCEEDINGS.
AS REGARDS THE PROPOSAL RELATING TO RETIREMENT SCHEMES MANAGEMENT BUSINESS, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT OPERATORS OF LONG-TERM INSURANCE BUSINESS ARE REQUIRED UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO SET ASIDE A LONG-TERM FUND TO MEET THE LIABILITIES ARISING FROM SUCH BUSINESS.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO REGULATE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT RETIREMENT SCHEMES MANAGED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS A CLASS OF INSURANCE BUSINESS AND SUBJECT TO PRUDENTIAL CONTROL UNDER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
"THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGULATION OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES REQUIRES THAT ASSETS OF A SCHEME SHOULD BE HELD SEPARATELY FROM THOSE OF THE EMPLOYER.
"WHILE ACCEPTING THAT THE ASSETS OF THE RETIREMENT SCHEME WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO AN INSURANCE ARRANGEMENT MEETS THE PRINCIPLE OF ASSET SEPARATION, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EXPLICIT PROVISIONS \RE IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE ASSETS ARE SET ASIDE BY THE INSURER TO MEET THE LONG-TERM LIABILITIES," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE NEW CLASS OF LONG-TERM BUSINESS PROPOSED UNDER THE BILL WILL HAVE TWO COMPONENTS.
/"THE FIRST .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
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"THE FIRST WILL COVER THOSE SCHEMES WHERE THE CONTRACT MERELY PROVIDE FOR THE MANAGEMENT BY AN INSURER OF INVESTMENT UNDER RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"SINCE THE LIABILITIES OF THE SCHEME OPERATOR UNDER SUCH CONTRACTS RELATE DIRECTLY TO THE VALUE OF THE INVESTMENTS UNDER MANAGEMENT, THE ASSETS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE KEPT IN A FUND SEPARATE FROM THE FUND CONTAINING THE ASSETS OF OTHER CLASSES OF LONG-TERM BUSINESS," HE SAID.
"THE OTHER COMPONENT RELATES TO THOSE SCHEMES WHERE RETIREMENT BENEFITS ARE PROVIDED THROUGH CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE.
"NO SEPARATION OF ASSETS FROM THE GENERAL LONG-TERM FUND WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THIS COMPONENT OF THE NEW CLASS WHICH IS NOT ASSET-LINKED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS FROM SUITABLE CONTRACTORS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION - NORTHERN AREA PHASE II.
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WORKS ARE LIKELY TO BE INVITED FROM APPROVED CONTRACTORS IN OCTOBER THIS \ EAR .
THE WORKS COMPRISE ABOUT 100 HECTARES OF RECLAMATION BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI AND LAI CHI KOK, AND ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND WITH ASSOCIATED SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF PIERS FOR A DOCKYARD, A COOLING WATER INTAKE AND PUMPHOUSE, DRAINAGE CULVERTS, AND ASSOCIATED ACCESS ROADS.
DESIGN OF THE WORKS IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED FOR THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
CONTRACTORS ON THE RELEVANT APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LISTS WITH PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF MAJOR RECLAMATIONS AND DREDGING WORKS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS TO MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LTD, 1ZTH FLOOR. SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, 30 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS SHALL BE MADE AS DIRECTED NO LATER THAN NOON ON JULY 31.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
CARGO SHIPS HAVE TO CONFORM *
WITH CONSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS * * * *
CARGO SHIPS OVER 100 METRES IN SUBDIVISION LENGTH AND CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1, 1992 ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS STIPULATED IN THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (SUBDIVISION AND DAMAGE STABILITY OF CARGO SHIPS OVER 100 METRES IN LENGTH) REGULATION WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR SURVEYOR (MULTI-LATERAL POLICY SECTION), MR HO WING-SHING SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) : ’’THE REGULATION PROVIDES FOR MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON SUBDIVISION, THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF OPENINGS IN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BOUNDARIES OF WATERTIGHT COMPARTMENTS.
"IT ALSO REQUIRES STABILITY INFORMATION BASED ON THESE REQUIREMENTS TO BE PROVIDED ON BOARD THE SHIP.
"IT APPLIES TO ALL SEAGOING CARGO SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE OVER 100 METRES IN SUBDIVISION LENGTH AND CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR."
MR HO ADDED THAT WHERE A SHIP DID NOT CONFORM TO THE CONSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE REGULATION, THE OWNER AND MASTER OF THE SHIP EACH COMMITTED AN OFFENCE AND WAS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $20,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
THE REGULATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
IN MAY 1990, AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA 1974 (SOLAS 74) WERE ADOPTED BY THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO).
THE AMENDMENTS REQUIRE CARGO SHIPS OVER 100 METRES IN SUBDIVISION LENGTH AND CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR TO COMPLY WITH SUBDIVISION AND DAMAGE STABILITY REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE PROBABILITY CONCEPT.
THIS CONCEPT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL AFTER COLLISION AS A MEASURE OF A SHIP’S SAFETY IN A DAMAGED CONDITION.
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BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE’S OPERATIONS TO BE STREAMLINED
*****
THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992. WHICH SEEKS TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE. WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE PRESENT ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS, WHICH REQUIRE ALL RECORDS TO BE PRESERVED ON PAPER INDEFINITELY, IMPOSE SEVERE CONSTRAINTS ON THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/TO STREAMLINE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THE KEEPING OF RECORDS ON A COMPUTER, THE USE OF MICROFILM STORAGE MEDIUM, AND THE REMOVAL OF RECORDS OF BUSINESSES HAVING CEASED OPERATION FOR 10 YEARS OR MORE.
"THE NEW STREAMLINED PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE STAFF SAVINGS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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LAND RESUMPTION FOR MA TAU KOK URBAN RENEWAL
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO. CARRY OUT RESUMPTION AT MA TAU KOK TO PROVIDE LAND FOR AN URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY.
THE RESUMPTION NOTICE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), STATING THAT THE SITE CONCERNED WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT IN THREE MONTHS.
THE SITE IS BOUNDED BY MA TAU KOK ROAD, PAK TAI STREET, SAN SHAN ROAD AND PAU CHUNG STREET, INVOLVING 114 TENEMENT BUILDINGS AND FOUR CLEARED SITES.
THE BUILDINGS INVOLVED HERE BUILT EITHER BEFORE OR SHORTLY AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND ARE IN POOR CONDITION, WHILE THE’ FOUR SITES ARE THOSE OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEMOLISHED. .
A TOTAL OF 3,200 DOMESTIC OCCUPIERS FROM ABOUT 1,700 HOUSEHOLDS AND 150 BUSINESSES WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE RESUMPTION.
THEY WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION AND EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE AND WITH THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT POLICY.
ELIGIBLE DOMESTIC OCCUPIERS WILL BE OFFERED REHOUSING.
THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT WILL COMPRISE 824 FLATS TN SIX RESIDENTIAL TOWERS ABOVE A THREE-STOREY PODIUM.
A TOTAL OF 1,800 SQUARE METRES OF OPEN SPACE AND A SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR THE DISABLED WILL BE PROVIDED.
MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE PROPERTIES AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT WERE PURCHASED BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF BOX CULVERT
*****
• THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE BOX CULVERT AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
THE BOX CULVERT, WHICH WILL RUN ACROSS RIVER INDUS MINOR IN AREA 30B, IS TO BE BUILT FOR RIVER TRAINING AS ONE OF THE FLOOD PREVENTION MEASURES UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE REGION.
WORKS ALSO INCLUDE THE ASSOCIATED TEMPORARY RIVER TRAINING WORKS ON THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE OF THE CULVERT AND A SECTION OF SEWERAGE CONSTRUCTION IN SHEUNG SHUI TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA VILLAGE II IN AREA 30A.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START THIS SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE ENGINEERS FOR THE WORKS ARE MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD WHO WILL SUPERVISE THE CONSTRUCTION.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD, WO CHE ESTATE, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
TENDERS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX SITUATED IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE NOON ON JULY 24.
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SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH ******
SEVEN DISTRICTS WILL LAUNCH THEIR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES OVER THE WEEKEND (JULY 4 AND 5) WITH CARNIVALS AND VARIETY SHOWS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MORE THAN 1,700 ACTIVITIES WOULD BE HELD IN TSUEN WAN, NORTH, TUEN MUN, WAN CHAI, KOWLOON CITY, YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICTS FROM THIS WEEKEND UNTIL AUGUST.
WITH THE THEME ’’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY”, THE PROGRAMMES WILL PROVIDE YOUNGSTERS, AGED BETWEEN SIX TO 25, wJlTH RECREATION AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.
I
THESE INCLUDE FUN FAIRS, SEA CRUISES, TRAINING COURSES, INTEREST CLASSES AND VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS.
/EACH DISTRICT
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
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EACH DISTRICT HAS PRODUCED ITS OWN PROGRAMME BOOKLET, FREE COPIES OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE OPENING CEREMONIES KILL BE OFIICIATED BY THE RESPECTIVE
DISTRICT OFFICERS AND DISTRICT BOARD < ■HAIRMEN.
DETAILS OF THE OPENING CEREMONI ES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE/TIME DISTRICT VENUE
SATURDAY (JULY 4)
10 AM TSUEN KAN PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY7 CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD.
2 PM NORTH LUNG SUM AVENUE INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, SHEUNG SHUI.
2.30 PM TUEN MUN TUEN MUN TOWN HALL
SUNDAY (JULY 5)
2 PM WAN CHAI SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND
2 PM YAI TSIM HENRY C. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI.
2.30 PM KOWLOON CITY ARGYLE STREET PLAYGROUND
3 PM MONG KOK MACPHERSON PL WGROUND
THE PROGRAMMES, ORGANISED BY THE RESPECT 1\E CO-ORDINATING
COMMITTEES IN EACH DISTRICT, ARE SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, DISTRICT BOARDS AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES IN THE SEVEN DISTRICTS ON JULY 4 AND 5.
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20
WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG AND KOWLOON WEST *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 5) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT A SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG, SHEK PAI STREET, LEI MUK ROAD, WO Y1 HOP ROAD, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND KWAI SHING CIRCUIT INCLUDING SHEK LEI ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE, LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, SAM TUNG UK RESITE VILLAGE, HOI PA RESITE VILLAGE, LO WAI VILLAGE AND KWAI SHING ESTATE (EAST AND WEST).
MEANWHILE, FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KOWLOON WEST WILL GO OFF FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE WATER CUT WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN LAI CHI KOK, CHEUNG SHA WAN, SO UK, TAI WO PING, SHEK KIP MEI, YAU VAT TSUEN, SHAM SHUI PO, TAI KOK TSUI, MONG KOK AS WELL AS THOSE AT A SECTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN NAM CHEONG STREET AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, BROADCAST DRIVE, MARCONI ROAD, FESSENDEN ROAD AND BEACON HEIGHTS.
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EXHIBITION ON RULE OF LAW
* * * * *
A THREE-DAY CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION ON THE RULE OF LAW WILL BE HELD FROM SUNDAY (JULY 5) AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL.
THE EXHIBITION, ENTITLED "EQUALITY UNDER THE RULE OF LAW" IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THE EXHIBITION AIMED TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF LAW.
"AS THE SUBJECT MATTER IS NOT EASY TO UNDERSTAND, A MORE LIGHTHEARTED APPROACH HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
"THERE WILL BE DISPLAY PANELS OF CARTOONS AND A MOCK COURT TO HELP BRING HOME THE MESSAGES," HE SAID.
COPIES OF COLOURFUL BOOKLETS ENTITLED "HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LAW?" WILL BE HANDED OUT.
IN ADDITION, THE EIGHT WINNING PROJECTS FOR THE 1991-92 OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION AWARD WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM NOON TO 8 PM ON SUNDAY, FROM 10 AM TO 8 PM ON MONDAY AND FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY.
/AN OPENING
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
21
AN OPENING CEREMONY AND PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION AWARD WILL BE HELI) AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR SUEN' THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, DR DANIEL TSE; THE HONG I ASSOCIATION’S CHAIRMAN, MISS JACQUELINE LEONG; PRESIDENT OF SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR AMBROSE LAU, AND DISTRICT GOVERNOR LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303-HONG
MICHAEL
KONG
THE : OF
KONG AND MACAU,
BAR LAW THE
MR
STEPHEN CHOW.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
NEWS MEDIA MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OpENINO CEREMONy OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 5).
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STUDENTS URGED TO READ MORE t t * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF A GOOD READING HABIT.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF AN ANNUAL READING AWARD SCHEME TODAY (FRIDAY), MR LI SAID READING COULD ENHANCE STUDENTS' KNOWLEDGE, HELP THEM DEVELOP ANALYTICAL SKILLS AND FOSTER A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE.
HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE SCHEME, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FIVE YEARS AGO, HAD BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY SCHOOLS.
"THERE WERE 25,000 STUDENTS FROM 186 SECONDARY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEBUT YEAR. NOW THE FIGURE HAS RISEN TO 34,000 STUDENTS FROM 212 SCHOOLS," MR LI SAID.
PRIMARY STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS TAKING PART HAVE ALSO INCREASED FROM THE FIRST YEAR’S 26,000 AND 112 TO THE PRESENT 44,000 AND 227 RESPECTIVELY.
MR LI SAID THE LIBRARY SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO READ EXTENSIVELY AND THAT SCHOOLS HAD BEEN GIVEN GRANTS To BUI BOOKS FOR THEIR LIBRARIES.
NINETY-FOUR SECONDARY AND PRIMARY STUDENTS TODAY RECEIVED AWARDS UNDER THE SCHEME WHICH WAS SPONSORED BY THE SHUN HING EDUCATION AND CHARITY FUND.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
22
A NEW ACCESS ROAD TO WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE PROPOSED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES A PACKAGE OF ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT WONG CHUK HANG IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED WORKS MAINLY COMPRISE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE ACROSS HEUNG YIP ROAD NULLAH FOR BOTH VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC: AND A NEW ROAD TO WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE, LINKING HEUNG YIP ROAD WITH POLICE SCHOOL ROAD, WITH FOOTWAYS ALONGSIDE.
MEANWHILE, A SECTION OF NAM LONG SHAN ROAD SOUTH OF HEUNG YIP ROAD, AND A SECTION OF HEUNG YIP ROAD AT THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND WILL ALSO BE WIDENED.
TO IMPROVE ROAD CONDITION, SECTIONS OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, HEUNG YIP ROAD, POLICE SCHOOL ROAD, NAM LONG SHAN ROAD, AND THE WONG CHUK HANG BUS TERMINUS WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED : FOOTWAYS, TRAFFIC ISLANDS AND RETAINING WALLS AS WELL AS LANDSCAPING, DRAINAGE AND SLOPE WORKS.
A NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSED WORKS IS SCHEDULED TO START IN MARCH NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING ‘ OFFICE HOURS AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, ABERDEEN; AND
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, AP LEI CHAU SUB-OFFICE, LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL, LEI TUNG ESTATE, AP LEI CHAU.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER \LBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 1992, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
MERGING OF BUS ROUTES ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT TO RATIONALISE BUS SERVICES TN KWUN TONG, KOWLOON MOTOR BIS ROUTE 15A PLYING BETWEEN TSZ WAN SHAN NORTH AND LAM TIN NORTH WILL COMBINE WITH KMB ROUTE 15B FROM KWUN TONG FERRY TO LAM TIN NORTH, EFFECTIVE FROM SUNDAY (JULY 5).
THE NEW SERVICE WILL RUN ON THE EXISTING ROUTE OF I5A, THAT IS, FROM TSZ WAN SHAN NORTH VIA KWUN TONG FERRY BUS TERMINUS TO LAM TIN NORTH.
BUSES WILL BE RUNNING ON AN EIGHT/NINE-MTNUTE TO 20-MINUTE HEADWAY AND THE FARE WILL BE $2.3 PER SINGLE JOURNEY WITH SECTION FARES OF $1.9 FROM CHOI HUNG TO TSZ WAN SHAN AND $1.6 FROM KWUN TONG FERRY TO LAM TIN.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MIU. ION-
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODA^ +330
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,318
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
TWT 109.9 *-0.1* 3.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YI ELD
1 WEEK 2.87 PCT 17 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.91 4.08
1 MONTH 2.67 PCT 20 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.69 4.45
3 MONTHS 2.68 PCT 23 MONTHS 2405 5.50 101.48 4.72
6 MONTHS 2.86 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.55 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,892MN
CLOSED 3 JULY 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL CO-OPERATIVES: GOOD ................................ 1
MORE BUS SERVICES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION ............................. 3
SUMMER PROGRAMME BEGINS ................................................. 3
FISHERMEN'S CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION DISCUSSED ............................ 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 5
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1992
1 -PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL CO-OPERATIVES: GOOD *****
THE TERRITORY’S CO-OPERATIVES HAVE CONTINUED THEIR GOOD PERFORMANCE IN 1991-92 TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR MEMBERS, THE PIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THIS WAS STATED BY DR LEE, AS REGISTRAR OF HONG KONG CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, WHEN ADDRESSING A DINNER GATHERING TO CELEBRATE THE 70TH INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE DAY.
HIGHLIGHTING THE ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT, DR LEE SAID THE HONG KONG FISHING FLEET HAD A SUCCESSFUL YEAR LAST YEAR.
HE SAID: "LANDINGS AT THE WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION ROSE FROM 67,000 TONNES IN 1990 TO 76,000 TONNES IN 1991, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE IN VALUE FROM $585 MILLION TO $683 MILLION, OR 17 PER CENT."
THE 64 FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES AND FOUR FISHERMEN’S FEDERATIONS RECORDED A TOTAL SURPLUS OF $228,000 IN 1991 WHEN THESE FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVES ACCUMULATED A TOTAL REVOLVING LOAN FUND CAPITAL OF $6.9 MILLION, HE SAID.
"LOANS FROM THESE FUNDS AND THOSE GRANTED FROM OTHER LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), TOTALLED $13.8 MILLION AND WERE GRANTED MAINLY FOR PRODUCTIVE PURPOSES SUCH AS THE BUILDING OF NEW FISHING VESSELS AND THE PURCHASE OF FISHING EQUIPMENT.
TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVES TO UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE FISHING INDUSTRY, 20 FISHERMEN PARTICIPATED IN AN EIGHT-DAY STUDY TOUR TO JAPAN ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
"ALL PARTICIPANTS BENEFITED FROM THE TOUR BY INCREASING THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF MODERN FISH PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY AND FISH MARKETING SYSTEMS WHICH I KNOW WILL APPLY TO THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
ON THE AGRICULTURAL FRONT OF THE MOVEMENT, DR LEE SAID OF THE 215,300 TONNES OF VEGETABLES MARKETED THROUGH THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION LAST YEAR, 45 PER CENT (96,200 TONNES) CAME FROM THE 27 REGISTERED VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
THESE SOCIETIES HAVE WORKED THROUGH THEIR FEDERATION TO IMPROVE THEIR VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SERVICES, TO SUPPORT THE PESTICIDE RESIDUE MONITORING SCHEME AND IN PARTICULAR, TO HELP WITH THE IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON SOME 44 HECTARES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND, HE SAID.
"THE FEDERATION ALSO ORGANISED TWO TRIPS RECENTLY, ONE TO TAIWAN IN MAY AND THE OTHER TO CALIFORNIA, USA IN JUNE, FOR 32 VEGETABLE FARMERS."
/THE DIRECTOR .......
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1992
- 2
THE DIRECTOR WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE FEDERATION OF PIG RAISING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 22 SOCIETIES, CONTINUED TO REFLECT MEMBERS’ VIEWS TO THE GOVERNMENT ON PROBLEMS FACED BY THE LOCAL INDUSTRY.
IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, DR LEE SAID, THE FEDERATION ORGANISED A VISIT TO ADVANCED PIG BREEDING CENTRES IN IOWA, MINNESOTA AND OHIO, USA TO PURCHASE HIGH QUALITY BREEDING STOCK FOR ITS MEMBERS.
THE FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL CREDIT, HE SAID, ADDING THAT A TOTAL OF $240,000 FROM THE SOCIETIES’ OWN REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS WAS ISSUED TO MEMBERS.
"HOWEVER, THE MAJOR ASSISTANCE STILL CAME FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN THAT 39 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL $7.7 MILLION LENT TO FARMERS FROM VARIOUS LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY AFD WERE CHANNELLED THROUGH THESE SOCIETIES," HE ADDED.
ON URBAN CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT, DR LEE NOTED THAT THE EXISTING
10 CONSUMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES CONTINUED TO ENJOY ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR, RECORDING A GROSS TRADING SURPLUS OF $2.2 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR’S FIGURE, THIS WAS AN INCREASE OF FIVE PER CENT DESPITE THE KEEN COMPETITION FROM SUPERMARKETS AND NEIGHBOURING STORES, HE SAID.
"CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETIES HAVE CONTINUED TO TRANSFER LEGAL TITLE TO FLVTS AND LAND TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.
"AS AT MARCH 31, .1992, A TOTAL OF 63 SOCIETIES HAD APPLIED FOR VOLUNTARY DISSOLUTION IN ORDER TO TRANSFER TITLES TO FLATS AND LAND TO 1,151 MEMBERS. OF THESE APPLICATIONS, 24 SOCIETIES HAD COMPLETED ALL THE NECESSARY FORMALTIES AND TRANSFERRED THE TITLES TO 406 MEMBERS," HE SAID.
DURING TODAY’S ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, DR LEE PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO FIVE STAFF MEMBERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE MOVEMENT.
HE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS HIS APPRECIATION TO HIS DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR HAROLD KWOK AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES) DR YIP KAE-SANG, WHO WOULD BE RETIRING IN OCTOBER AFTER A COMBINED SERVICE OF MORE THAN 70 YEARS IN THE GOVERNMENT.
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/3.........
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1992
3
MORE BUS SERVICES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION ******
ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICES AT REDUCED FARES WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM MONDAY (JULY 6) AS PART OF A SCHEME TO RELIEVE THE MORNING PEAK-HOUR CONGESTION ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THIS WAS THE FINAL STAGE OF THE SCHEME THAT WOULD FACILITATE COMMUTERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TWO NEW AIR-CONDITIONED BUS ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED. THEY ARE ROUTE NUMBER 242X AND 680.
ROUTE 242X WILL PLY BETWEEN CHEUNG HANG ESTATE IN TSING YI AND TSIM SHA TSUI AT 7.45 AM AND 8.05 AM.
THE CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTE 680 WILL START AT SHEUNG WAN AT 6.35 AM AND AT MA ON SHAN TOWN CENTRE AT 7.45 AM AND 7.55 AM.
THE EXISTING AIR-CONDITIONED BUS ROUTE 307 RUNNING FROM TAI PO CENTRAL TO SHEUNG WAN WILL BE STRENGTHENED WITH ONE MORE DEPARTURE AT 7.35 AM ADDED FROM JULY 20.
"ALL THESE ROUTES WILL BE OPERATING FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY APART FROM PUBLIC HOLIDAYS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
$0.50 WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE NORMAL FARES TO PROMOTE THESE SERVICES UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30.
---------0-----------
SUMMER PROGRAMME BEGINS ♦ * ♦ ♦ »
YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY VARIOUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY TAKING PART IN A WIDE RANGE OF SUMMER PROGRAMMES THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF 1992 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, MR SUEN SAID MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE WERE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN SOME 13,000 ACTIVITIES.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES WILL AMOUNT TO $35 MILLION. THEY WILL BE MET BY A DONATION OF $12.7 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DISTRICT BOARDS, DISTRICT AND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/THIS YEAR’S .......
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1992
cddvo YEAR’S SUMMER PROGRAMMES, WITH THE THEME "SHARE THE FUN, . ERVE THE COMMUNITY", INCLUDE WORK CAMPS, COMMUNITY PROJECTS LEADERSHIP TRAINING, SPORTS, EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE RADIO TELEVISION PROGRAMME COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL 2,000 YOUNGSTERS.
A TWO-HOUR VARIETY
HONG KONG, SUMMER IT WAS ATTENDED BY
SHOW YOUTH SOME
FISHERMEN’S CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION DISCUSSED
*****
THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING CONVENED A MEETING TO CONSIDER WHAT ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO CLAIMS BY SOME FISHERMEN THAT THEIR LIVELIHOOD HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY DREDGING AROUND THE NINE PIN ISLANDS.
THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA), MARINE DEPARTMENT AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS SYMPATHETIC TO THE FISHERMEN’S CLAIM.
HOWEVER, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FISHERMEN HAD YET TO QUANTIFY THEIR CLAIM. IT WAS THEREFORE AGREED THAT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WOULD CONVENE AN EARLY MEETING WITH THE FISHERMEN TO DISCUSS THEIR CLAIM AND HOW IT SHOULD IT SUBMITTED.
THE MEETING WILL BE CHAIRED BY AN AFD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DR TOM YIP, AND WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 7) AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, LLTH FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURT BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO BE ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM CNTA, MARINE DEPARTMENT, AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN INVITED FISHERMEN’S REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND SAID CNTA AND AFD WERE DOING ALL THEY COULD TO ENSURE FULL ATTENDANCE AT TUESDAY’S MEETING.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE WILLING TO CONSIDER A FAIR AND EQUITABLE SOLUTION TO THE FISHERMEN’S CASE.
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/5 ........
SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1992
- 5 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* ♦ * t *
S MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,318
REVERSAL OF LAF -300
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,018 »
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +90
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,108
* REVERSAL ON 6 JULY -30 MN
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RULE OF LAW VITAL TO HK ................................................. 1
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1990 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES RELEASED ................................................................ 2
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING .................................. 5
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ANNOUNCED ............ 5
LEAFLET TO PROMOTE CHILD CARE PUBLISHED ................................. 7
10 MORE DAYS TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS .................................. 7
KWAI TSING RESIDENTS INVITED TO JOIN DISTRICT BOARD WORKING GROUPS .. 8
MEETING TO PROMOTE BUILDING MANAGEMENT .................................. 9
WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG AND KOWLOON EAST................................. 9
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
1
RULE OF LAW VITAL TO HK *****
AN IMPARTIAL SYSTEM OF LAW AND JUSTICE IS VITAL FOR THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR SUEN WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’EQUALITY UNDER THE RULE OF LAW” EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE EXHIBITION AIMS TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPTS OF RULE OF LAW THROUGH SIMPLE MESSAGES.
HE SAID: ’’THIS, I BELIEVE, CAN HELP ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND ITS BASIC PRINCIPLES."
THE COMMITTEE HAS SET THE "RULE OF LAW" AS ITS WORK EMPHASIS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, AND IN THIS CONNECTION, IS ACTIVELY INVOLVING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND ‘DISTRICT BODIES IN ITS PROMOTION WORK.
A SEMINAR HELD TWO MONTHS AGO ON THE RULE OF LAW WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY THE COMMUNITY GROUPS.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER SEMINAR TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF RULE OF LAW IN SCHOOLS AND VIA THE MASS MEDIA WILL ALSO BE HELD.
MR SUEN SAID THE COMMITTEE, AT THE INVITATION OF THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, HAD INCLUDED HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION AS ONE OF ITS KEY PROGRAMMES.
HE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT ON TOP OF THE ANNUAL GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY, THE ROYAL HONG FONG JOCKEY CLUB WOULD DONATE $1 MILLION TO THE COMMITTEE FOR PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION.
ANOTHER OFFICIATING GUEST, THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, DR DANIEL TSE, SAID THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME HAD ALLOCATED SOME $1 MILLION TO SUBSIDISE 32 SELECTED PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR 1991-92.
THE SCHEME, ENTERING ITS SEVENTH YEAR, AIMS TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY GROUPS TO ORGANISE CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.
EIGHT PROJECTS WERE AWARDED THE 1991-92 OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION AWARDS.
THE FIRST PRIZE WENT TO THE WOMEN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN SHAU KEI WAN CARITAS - HK WHICH ORGANISED THE "WOMEN PIONEERS - CONCERTED EFFORTS IN CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY".
THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBITION UNTIL TUESDAY (JULY 7) AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL.
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/2 ........
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
- 2 -
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1990 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES RELEASED *****
THERE WERE SOME 35,500 TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION DURING 1990, VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS IN 1989, ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1990 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN 1990, THESE TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED SOME 173,000 PERSONS AND GENERATED $134 BILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS. THEY SPENT $100 BILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES AND $17.6 BILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1989, THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED INCREASED BY 8%; BUSINESS RECEIPTS BY 17%; OPERATING EXPENSES BY 14% AND COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES BY 25%.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES.
THE SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED, WHICH IS A MEASURE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF AN ECONOMIC SECTOR TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, GREW BY 20% FROM $30.9 BILLION IN 1989 TO $37 BILLION IN 1990.
IN 1990, SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT, SUCH AS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN AIR FREIGHT/SHIPPING FORWARDING, PACKING AND CRATING GOODS FOR TRANSPORTATION, TRAVEL AGENTS AND SHIPBROKERS, HAD THE LARGEST SHARE OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 44% OF THE SECTOR TOTAL.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AIR TRANSPORT (19%); OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT (14%); LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT (9%); LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT (6%); SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT (5%); INLAND WATER TRANSPORT (2%) AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT (1%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, AIR TRANSPORT CONTRIBUTED THE LARGEST PORTION, ACCOUNTING FOR 26% OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE SECTOR, FOLLOWED BY LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT (22%), OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT (16%); SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT (13%); LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT (12%); SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT (7%); INLAND WATER TRANSPORT (2%) AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT (2%).
IN TERMS OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS, SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE OVER 1989 (53%).
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE BOOMING ACTIVITIES OF HAULAGE OF CONTAINERS AND CONTAINER LEASING AS A RESULT OF THE GROWTH IN CONTAINER CARGO HANDLING.
/IT WAS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
3
IT WAS FOLLOWED BY LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT (52%), WHICH WAS LARGELY DUE TO THE RAPID INCREASE IN CARGO MOVEMENT BY ROAD BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT AGAIN SHOWED SIGNIFICANT INCREASES, BOTH BY 45%, OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, INLAND WATER TRANSPORT RECORDED A DROP BOTH IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS (-7%) AND IN VALUE ADDED (-17%) OVER 1989.
THIS WAS RESULTED FROM THE DECLINING IMPORTANCE OF WALA-WALAS AND OTHER INLAND WATER PASSENGER TRANSPORT AND THE SHRINKAGE IN INLAND WATER FREIGHT TRANSPORT SUCH AS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGING IN THE OPERATION OF TUGS, BARGES AND LIGHTERS.
FOR INVESTMENT (IN TERMS OF GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS), SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT REGISTERED THE LARGEST INCREASE.
AS A RESULT OF THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL, INVESTMENT IN THESE SERVICES WAS MORE THAN FIVE TIMES THAT IN 1989.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 7, OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT ALSO RECORDED A FOUR-FOLD INCREASE IN GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS WHEN COMPARED WITH 1989.
THE 1990 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRANSPORT SECTOR, AND UPDATING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS TN THE TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES SECTOR, CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR GROUP AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE "1990 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES" REPORT.
THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE IN AUGUST AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WANCHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY RESULT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL NO.: 802 1277).
/COMPARISON OF .......
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
4
COIHIISOI OF SELECTED PIIICIPAL STATISTICS FOR ILL RSWSHWTS H TUR TRIISPORT HD RELATED SERVICES SECTOR BETVEEII HD 1110
11.101 GROUP IOIBER OF ESTIBLISI- IEITS SURBER OF PRRSOSS EIGIGED lUMBEt OF EMPLOYEES COIPEISI- TIOI OF EMPLOYEES OPERITIIG EJPE1SES BUSINESS RECEIPTS HO OTHER I icon GROSS IDDITIOIS TO FIRED ASSETS VALUE ADDED
S Kn. S In. S In. 8 Id. Sin.
MID PASSEIGER HID 17389 48285 29209 ini 8154 12004 1520 8184
TlllfPOIT 1989 19095 41012 28141 2830 5350 1G421 1812 1118
h change -9 1 2 18 15 15 -8) 15
LAID FREIGHT 1990 12120 38392 25815 2189 4881 8888 110 4418
TRIISPORT 1989 11020 29741 18288 1271 3245 5894 518 3019
t change . io 21 40 11 50 52 32 45
SOPPORTIIC SERVICES 1990 99 2242 2201 115 981 15)1 108 811
TO UVD TRHSPORT 1989 81 2032 1998 128 839 1153 20 530
h change 14 10 10 39 53 33 411 21
OCEAI HD COASTAL 1990 441 18831 18825 2580 13885 19228 8C99 5819
VITER TRHSPORT 1989 402 18549 18538 2235 12821 11818 2)04 5039
h change 11 t 1 15 10 9 285 15
IILIID VITER 1990 (IS 5431 4890 489 1185 2018 228 924
TRIISPORT 1989 858 8141 5902 492 1154 2221 195 1110
h change 2 -19 -21 -5 1 -1 11 -11
SOPPORTIIC SERVICES 1990 2259 1 2809 10838 1309 4401 8421 138 2835
TO VITER TRIISPORT 1989 1805 10111 8191 818 2129 4200 388 1818
t change 41 28 12 80 81 53 -83 45
HR TRIISPORT 1190 51 18818 18818 4818 14130 25108 2108 9818
1989 54 15159 15359 1951 11888 19415 1485 8821
h chance 1 8 8 21 21 29 9 12
SERVICES IICHRITiL 1990 2454 32921 31919 2931 54488 59201 401 4819
TO TRIISPORT 1989 2110 32583 11551 2589 50203 51184 541 3588
h change -9 1 1 13 9 10 -28 31
ILL TRIISPORT GROOPS 1990 15505 113318 111150 11828 100288 134248 13914 31004
1989 15838 180195 128585 14115 81814 114518 10129 30882
1 change « 8 9 25 14 11 31 20
GOVERIIEIT TRIISPORT 1990 3 1208 1208 311 424 2429 518 2004
SERVICES 1989 3 1115 1115 249 383 1985 150 1(05
t change 0 1 1 25 11 22 283 25
Rotes : (1) Figures denoting changes are derived froi airoonded figures.
(2) Individual iteis nay not add ip to the corresponding total doe to roondiog.
01 Valae added is a neasnre of the contribntioi of an ecoooiic sector to Bona long’s Gross Doiestic Product. The definition can be found in the '199G Snrve? of Transport and Related Services' report.
UI * denotes h change less than a 0.5t ----------------------------------------------------------0----------------- /5
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
5 -
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE NEED FOR SETTING UP A FINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEXE), STARTING 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 TEL 802 3302 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-------
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ANNOUNCED ♦ * * * * t
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT KWAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN NO. S/KC/7.
THREE OF THE AMENDMENTS, ITEMS A-C, WERE MADE AFTER THE BOARD’S DECISION IN RELATION TO THREE OBJECTIONS TO THE DRAFT PLAN WHICH WAS EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN OCTOBER 1990.
THESE INCLUDE:
* REZONING OF THE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF KWOK SHUI ROAD AND CHEUNG WING ROAD FROM "INDUSTRIAL” TO ’’COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA";
* REZONING OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION AT THE SOUTH-WESTERN SIDE OF THE RAMBLER CHANNEL TYPHOON SHELTER FROM "OTHER SPECIFIED USES - SLAUGHTERHOUSE AND ANIMAL LANDING AREA" TO "GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY"; AND
t REZONING OF KAU WA KENG OLD VILLAGE FROM "OPEN SPACE" AND "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT" TO "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" AND PART OF THE KAU WA KENG NEW VILLAGE FROM "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" TO "GREEN BELT".
/TN ADDTTTON .......
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
6 -
IN ADDITION, THERE ARE FIVE GENERAL AMENDMENTS, ITEMS D-H, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE CHANGES IN LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IN THE KWAI CHUNG AREA.
THESE INCLUDE:
* THE REZONING OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION AT THE SOUTH-WESTERN SIDE OF THE RAMBLER CHANNEL TYPHOON SHELTER FROM "OTHER SPECIFIED USES - SLAUGHTERHOUSE AND ANIMAL LANDING AREA" TO "GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY";
* REZONING OF THE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF KWAI TSING ROAD AND KWAI KING ROAD FROM "OTHER SPECIFIED USES - CONTAINER RELATED USES" TO "OTHER SPECIFIED USES - SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS" FOR THE PROPOSED SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS IN KWAI CHUNG FOR THE TREATMENT OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE WATER ARISING FROM THE ADJACENT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS;
» INCORPORATION OF THE PROPOSED ROUTE 3 ALIGNMENT AND THE PROPOSED LANTAU AND AIRPORT RAILWAY ALIGNMENT; AND
* REZONING OF CHUNG SHAN TERRACE OFF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, KWAI CHUNG SECTION FROM "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)” TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) 1" TO STIPULATE SOME DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS IN RELATION TO THE HEIGHT, SITE COVERAGE AND PLOT RATIO.
AMENDMENT ITEMS A-C ARE EXHIBITED UNDER SECTION 6(7) OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE GENERAL AMENDMENT ITEMS ARE EXHIBITED UNDER SECTION 7 OF THE ORDINANCE FOR THREE WEEKS.
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT PLAN CAN NOW BE INSPECTED AT:
(I) THE DISTRICT OFFICE (KWAI TSING), 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES;
(II) PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
(III) TSUEN WAN DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, SUITE 201-3, SECOND FLOOR, HO FAI COMMERCIAL BUILDING, BLOCK 2, 222-224, SAI LAU KOK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE JULY 17 AND JULY 24 FOR AMENDMENT ITEMS A-C AND AMENDMENT ITEMS D-H RESPECTIVELY.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR AT THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AT $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $60 EACH COLOURED.
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SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
LEAFLET TO PROMOTE CHILD CARE PUBLISHED ******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO PARENTS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF OCCASIONAL CHILD-CARE SERVICE, INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
"FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN, THEY SHOULD NOT BE LEFT ALONE AT HOME, EVEN FOR A SHORT WHILE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A LEAFLET TO PROMOTE HOME SAFETY AND MUTUAL HELP AS WELL AS TO OUTLINE THE DANGER OF LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
COPIES OF THE LEAFLET ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD EXPANDED ITS OCCASIONAL CHILD-CARE SERVICE - AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT BEING IMPLEMENTED IN 53 DAY NURSERIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"A FLEXIBLE MODE OF FEE CHARGING HAS ALSO BEEN INTRODUCED FOR PARENTS WHO ARE IN NEED OF THE SERVICE FOR A SHORT SPAN OF TIME," HE SAID.
UNDER THE SCHEME, THE NURSERIES OFFER SHORT-TERM TEMPORARY CARE AT TWO-HOUR OR QUARTER-DAY BASIS, CHARGING FEES IN THE RANGE OF $10 TO $15 PER ADMISSION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN THE SERVICE MAY CALL THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE CHILD-CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ON 578 1892.
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10 MORE DAYS TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
*****
TERTIARY STUDENTS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL HELP UNDER TWO AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) ADMINISTERED SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ARE REMINDED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BEFORE THE DEADLINE WITHIN IWO WEEKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEES TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE AFD HEADQUARTERS ON 12TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
"FORMS ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE AND FISHERIES LIAISON OFFICES," COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST REACH DEADLINE ON JULY 16 (THURSDAY).
FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE AFD HEADQUARTERS BEFORE THE
/ON THE.........
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
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ON THE TWO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, HE NOTED THAT THEY WERE SET UP IN 1978 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP TO APPLICANTS IN FORM OF SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND INTEREST-FREE LOANS.
THE FUNDS AIM AT HELPING THOSE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES OR RELATED TRADES TO COMPLETE THEIR STUDIES, AND ALSO THOSE WHO ARE EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRIES BUT INTEND TO PURSUE FURTHER TRAINING.
"ANOTHER OBJECTIVE OF THE FUNDS IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP TO CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES TO COMPLETE THEIR TERTIARY EDUCATION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE AWARDS WILL BE TENABLE AT ALL UNIVERSITIES IN HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CITY POLYTECHNIC, BAPTIST COLLEGE, OR ANY ACCEPTABLE OVERSEAS INSTITUTION.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE HONG KONG RESIDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 30 WHO WILL PURSUE IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR APPROVED STUDIES ON AGRICULTURE, VETERINARY SCIENCE, MARINE SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY OR ANY APPLIED SCIENCE DIRECTLY RELEVENT TO THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE OR FISHERIES INDUSTRIES AND RELATED TRADES.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE FUNDS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 733 2249 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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KWAI TSING RESIDENTS INVITED TO JOIN DISTRICT BOARD WORKING GROUPS *****
KWAI TSING RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO JOINT THE VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS UNDER THEIR DISTRICT BOARD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY): "THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE OFFERED A CHANCE TO SERVE THE BOARD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY".
HE SAID THESE WORKING GROUPS ATTACHED TO THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE, HOUSING AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, AND THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE.
"THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING, BUT THOSE LIVING OR WORKING IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLESE CALL THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON TEL 423 4002.
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SUNDAY, JULY 5, 1992
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MEETING TO PROMOTE BUILDING MANAGEMENT
*****
MEMBERS OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CONSULTATIVE MEETING TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 3, AT THE LAI KOK COMMUNITY HALL.
BUILDING CARETAKERS AND RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT ARE ALSO WELCOME TO ATTEND.
THE MEETING IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO ENHANCE LOCAL RESIDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS, FIRE SERVICES, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, URBAN SERVICES AND INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL BE PRESENT.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT SIXTH FLOOR, WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 290-296 UN CHAU STREET.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENROLMENT IS JULY 18.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 720 4251 EXTENSION 47.
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WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG AND KOWLOON EAST * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 7) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT KWAI LUEN ROAD AS WELL AS THOSE IN BLOCKS 12 TO 14 OF KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE AND BLOCKS 6 TO 10 OF KWAI SHING WEST ESTATE.
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO MOST PREMISES IN KOWLOON EAST WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY TO 9 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK ON WATERMAINS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
3/
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK PLANNING CONFIDENTLY FOR THE FUTURE: FS .................... 1
OFFICE OF BANKING COMMISSIONER ENDORSES BASLE COMMITTEE'S
RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................. 3
LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD SUPPORTS BETTER EMPLOYEE WELFARE ........ 4
84,696 SECONDARY 1 SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATED .................... 6
GOVT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE SUB-CAP ON TELEPHONE TARIFF ......... 7
VIETNAMESE POPULATION IN HK DROPPED ........................... 9
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT TO HERITAGE TRUST .......................... 9
VIEWS ON NEW POWER LINES INVITED.............................. 10
REPORT ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES PUBLISHED ......... 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR THREE PUBLIC PROJECTS .................... 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
13
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
1
HK PLANNING CONFIDENTLY FOR THE FUTURE: FS
******
THE HIGHER LEVEL OF ACTIVITY AND SOPHISTICATION ATTAINED BY HONG KONG’S EQUITY AND DEBT MARKETS IN RECENT YEARS HAS PLACED THEM IN AN EXCELLENT POSITION TO SERVE THE FINANCING NEEDS OF OTHER ECONOMIES IN THE REGION.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL PACIFIC-BASIN CAPITAL MARKETS FINANCE CONFERENCE.
HE TOLD PARTICIPANTS HOW HONG KONG HAD BEEN POSITIONING ITSELF IN THE FAST DEVELOPING GLOBAL FINANCIAL MARKET, COVERING THE INITIATIVES TAKEN IN THE PAST FEW YEARS TO ENHANCE THE OPERATIONS AND REPUTATION OF ITS MARKETS, AND THE VERY CLOSE ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
HE SAID THE CHINA DIMENSION WAS FEATURING PROMINENTLY AS AN IMPORTANT IMPETUS TO THE FURTHER EXPANSION OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS BECAUSE OF THE INCREASINGLY CLOSE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES.
HONG KONG AND CHINA ARE NOW EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER; AND THAT ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF CHINA’S EXTERNAL INVESTMENT COMES FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG, HE SAID.
"IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, CHINA’S INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG ARE ESTIMATED AT ABOUT US$10 BILLION.
’’WITH A WELL-DEVELOPED FINANCIAL SECTOR, HONG KONG NATURALLY SERVES ALSO AS A FUNDING CENTRE FOR CHINA. SOME ESTIMATES SUGGEST THAT AS MUCH AS 90 PER CENT OF CHINA’S EXTERNAL BORROWING LAST YEAR WAS ARRANGED IN HONG KONG.
’’MOST BORROWINGS WERE IN THE FORM OF SYNDICATED LOANS. HOWEVER, ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS CHINESE ENTERPRISES OR CHINAINTEREST FIRMS HAVE TAPPED THE DEBT MARKET WITH ISSUES OF COMMERCIAL PAPER OR OTHER DEBT INSTRUMENTS. THEY HAVE ALSO STEPPED UP ACTIVITY IN OUR STOCK MARKET," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID FOR SOME YEARS, SOME CHINESE-RELATED COMPANIES HAD BEEN ARRANGING LISTING HERE THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF SHELL COMPANIES.
"MORE RECENTLY, A NUMBER OF LOCAL COMPANIES HAVE BEEN RAISING FUNDS IN THE STOCK MARKET TO FINANCE THEIR EXPANSION IN CHINA.
"VERY SIGNIFICANT SUMS, BOTH FROM HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS, HAVE BEEN INVESTED IN SUCH SO-CALLED ’CHINA-CONCEPT’ STOCKS TO BENEFIT FROM THE BURGEONING ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN CHINA.
"LIKEWISE, ISSUES OF CHINA’S B SHARES AVAILABLE FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS AND NOW LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGES OF SHENZHEN AND SHANGHAI HAVE ATTRACTED MUCH INVESTOR INTEREST.
/"A NUMBER .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
2
"A NUMBER OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG ARE ENGAGED ACTIVELY IN THE UNDERWRITING AND PLACEMENT OF THESE STOCKS AND ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION HAD SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR APPROVED NO FEWER THAN FIVE CHINA FUNDS UNDER THE PRESENT CODE ON UNIT TRUSTS AND MUTUAL FUNDS.
ON THE QUESTION OF LISTING OF CHINA’S B SHARES IN HONG KONG, MR MACLEOD SAID IT WAS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION, BUT IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO RESOLVE THE VARIOUS ISSUES WHICH NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.
"MEANWHILE, THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG HAS FORMED A CHINA STUDY GROUP TO RESEARCH INTO THE ROLE OF THE EXCHANGE IN FOSTERING GREATER CAPITAL FORMATION IN BOTH THE HONG KONG AND CHINA MARKETS.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT FUND RAISING BY CHINESE ENTERPRISES WILL ADD A SIGNIFICANT DIMENSION TO THE GROWTH OF OUR MARKETS OVER THE COMING YEARS," HE SAID.
EMPHASISING THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION SIGNED BY BRITAIN AND CHINA IN 1984 CLEARLY PROVIDED THAT HONG KONG WOULD RETAIN THE STATUS OF AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE BEYOND 1997, MR MACLEOD TOLD CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS THAT ALL ELEMENTS OF THE PRESENT FINANCIAL SYSTEM, AND CAPITALIST AND FREE MARKET WAY OF LIFE WOULD REMAIN IN PLACE.
"NOW, AS WE PREPARE FOR THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY TO CHINA IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME, WE ARE PLANNING CONFIDENTLY FOR THE FUTURE," HE SAID, MENTIONING IN PARTICULAR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
"THE CENTRE-PIECE OF THIS PROGRAMME IS, OF COURSE, A NEW AIRPORT. IT ALSO INCLUDES AN AIRPORT RAILWAY, WHICH WILL FORM PART OF THE SYSTEM OF OUR HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION -A SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL BORROWER OF FUNDS WHOSE HIGH CREDIT RATING IS WELL KNOWN," HE SAID.
TALKS ARE PROCEEDING WITH CHINA ON THE FINANCIAL PLANS OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION BECAUSE THESE INVOLVED COMMITMENTS THAT CONTINUE AFTER 1997, MR MACLEOD SAID.
"WHILST THESE TALKS HAVE BEEN GOING ON, WE HAVE BEEN MAKING GOOD PROGRESS ON THE PHYSICAL FRONT," HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS PLAYING A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE PROJECTS AND WOULD ACCOUNT FOR JUST OVER 50 PER CENT OF THE FINANCING -- THROUGH COMMERCIAL LENDING TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, PLUS INVESTMENTS IN FRANCHISES RANGING FROM FACILITIES AT THE AIRPORT TO A NEW ROAD TUNNEL UNDER THE HARBOUR KNOWN AS THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
"THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY WILL, IN DUE COURSE, BE APPROACHING THE MARKET WITH FINANCING PROPOSALS.
/"I HOPE .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
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"I HOPE I HAVE TOLD YOU ENOUGH FOR YOU TO REALISE THAT THESE PROJECTS FORM PART OF A VIABLE AND STIMULATING INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME WHICH WILL HELP HONG KONG CONTINUE ITS DYNAMIC GROWTH THROUGH 1997 AND INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
’’THAT DEMONSTRATES OUR CONFIDENCE. AS A RESULT HONG KONG WILL BECOME AN EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE PLACE FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AND FOR ALL OF YOU TO DO BUSINESS IN,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
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OFFICE OF BANKING COMMISSIONER ENDORSES BASLE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS *****
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING (OCB) FULLY ENDORSES THE MINIMUN STANDARDS FOR THE SUPERVISION OF INTERNATIONAL BANKING GROUPS AND THEIR CROSS-BORDER ESTABLISHMENTS RECOMMENDED BY THE BASLE COMMITTEE ON BANKING SUPERVISION.
THE COMMITTEE ISSUED AT 5.30 PM ON JULY 6 (BRITISH SUMMER TIME) MINIMUM STANDARDS THAT ITS MEMBERS HAVE AGREED TO APPLY IN THE SUPERVISION OF INTERNATIONAL BANKING GROUPS AND THEIR CROSS-BORDER ESTABLISHMENTS.
”HONG KONG’S AUTHORISATION AND SUPERVISORY REGIMES ARE ALREADY LARGELY IN CONFORMITY WITH THESE STANDARDS. NEVERTHELESS, OCB IS REVIEWING WHETHER THERE IS SCOPE FURTHER TO STRENGTHEN THE RELEVANT REGULATORY AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IN HONG KONG IN THE LIGHT OF THE NEW STANDARDS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICE SAID.
THE MINIMUM STANDARDS ARE DESIGNED TO REINFORCE THE BASLE CONCORDAT AND WITH THE SPECIFIC AIM OF PROVIDING GREATER ASSURANCES THAT IN THE FUTURE NO INTERNATIONAL BANK CAN OPERATE WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO EFFECTIVE CONSOLIDATED SUPERVISION.
THEY HAVE BEEN PREPARED IN RESPONSE TO THE CONTINUED RAPID GROWTH OF INTERNATIONAL BANKING ACTIVITIES AND THE SUPERVISORY ISSUES ARISING FROM THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT.
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/4.........
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
4
LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD SUPPORTS BETTER EMPLOYEE WELFARE
*****
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TODAY (MONDAY) ENDORSED A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS AIMED AT IMPROVING EMPLOYEES’ WELFARE.
A MAJOR PROPOSAL IS TO REMOVE THE MAXIMUM LEVELS ON COMPENSATION FOR PERMANENT INCAPACITY AND DEATH UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE (ECO).
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, COMPENSATION FOR PERMANENT INCAPACITY WILL BE COMPUTED BY MULTIPLYING THE INJURED EMPLOYEE’S MONTHLY EARNINGS, WHICH WILL BE SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF $15,000, BY THE PRESCRIBED NUMBER OF MONTHS FOR HIS AGE GROUP AND BY THE PERCENTAGE OF PERMANENT INCAPACITY.
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH WILL BE CALCULATED BY MULTIPLYING THE DECEASED EMPLOYEE’S MONTHLY EARNINGS, ALSO SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF $15,000, BY THE PRESCRIBED NUMBER OF MONTHS FOR HIS AGE GROUP.
THE MAXIMUM MONTHLY EARNINGS OF $15,000 TO BE ADOPTED IS IN LINE WITH THE WAGE CEILING USED FOR CALCULATING SEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, AND BOTH WILL BE REVIEWED CONCURRENTLY IN FUTURE TO KEEP PACE WITH WAGE MOVEMENT.
BOARD MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT OF THE 85,097 EMPLOYEES INJURED LAST YEAR, 81,559, OR 95.84 PER CENT, WERE EARNING $15,000 OR LESS PER MONTH AND THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL ENABLE THE GREAT MAJORITY OF INJURED EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE FULL COMPENSATION.
AS REGARDS EMPLOYEES EARNING MORE THAN $15,000 A MONTH, THEIR COMPENSATION WILL ALSO INCREASE AS A RESULT OF THE REMOVAL OF THE MAXIMUM LEVELS.
THE BOARD ALSO SUPPORTED A PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE THE COVERAGE OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND SO THAT EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE HIGHER EX-GRATIA PAYMENT SHOULD THEIR EMPLOYERS BECOME INSOLVENT.
THE PROPOSAL SEEKS TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM LIMIT ON EX-GRATIA PAYMENT OF ARREARS OF WAGES FROM THE FUND TO $12,000 PER APPLICANT INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT $8,000.
ALSO THE MAXIMUM COVERAGE FOR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE WILL BE INCREASED TO $6,000, COMPARED WITH SEVEN DAYS’ WAGES UP TO $2,000 AT PRESENT.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL AGREED BY THE BOARD WAS TO AMEND THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE ECO SO AS TO ADJUST THE PERCENTAGES OF LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY PRESCRIBED FOR SOME INJURIES TO BRING THEM TO A LEVEL COMPARABLE TO THOSE IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
/THE PROPOSED .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
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THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL ALSO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE SCHEDULE TO COVER SOME ADDITIONAL INJURIES AND TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERCENTAGE FOR AN INJURY TO THE PREFERRED HAND OF THE INJURED PERSON.
THE BOARD ALSO AGREED TO INCLUDE IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE ECO TUBERCULOSIS AS AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE FOR HEALTH-CARE PERSONNEL, RESEARCH WORKERS, LABORATORY WORKERS, PATHOLOGISTS AND POST-MORTEM WORKERS, WHO HAVE FREQUENT CONTACTS WITH A SOURCE OF THE DISEASE.
SEVEN OTHER DISEASES WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE: VIRAL HEPATITIS: INFECTION BY STREPTOCOCCUS SUIS; AVIAN CHALMYDIOSIS; LOCALISED NEW GROWTH OF THE SKIN, PAPILLOMATOUS OR KERATOTIC; OCCUPATIONAL VITILIGO; BYSSINOSIS; AND OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA. *
IN ADDITION, METHYL-N-BUTYL KETONE WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE AS A CHEMICAL AGENT CAUSING PERIPHERAL POLY-NEUROPATHY, ALREADY A LISTED OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL SUPPORTED BY THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL EMPOWER THE COURT TO ORDER PAYMENT OF AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION TO AN AGGRIEVED EMPLOYEE BY AN EMPLOYER CONVICTED OF OFFENCES UNDER SECTION 72B OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTION 72B, NO EMPLOYER SHALL TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT OF, OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST, ANY OF HIS EMPLOYEES BY REASON OF THE FACT THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAS GIVEN INFORMATION OR EVIDENCE IN PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
TODAY’S MEETING ALSO AGREED TO A PROPOSAL TO GIVE AN EMPLOYER AN OPTION TO USE ANY PERIOD OF 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS SPECIFIED BY HIM AS THE "LEAVE YEAR" FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING HIS EMPLOYEES’ ANNUAL LEAVE.
THIS WILL EASE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON EMPLOYERS IN CALCULATING LEAVE ENTITLEMENT AND MAINTAINING LEAVE RECORDS.
TO PREVENT AN EMPLOYEE FROM LOSING OUT IN THE STANDARDISATION PROCESS, MEMBERS AGREED THAT WHERE THE LENGTH OF SERVICE OF AN EMPLOYEE AT THE END OF THE NEW "LEAVE YEAR" IS NOT A WHOLE NUMBER, IT SHALL BE ROUNDED UP TO THE NEXT WHOLE NUMBER FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING HIS LEAVE EARNING RATE FOR THAT "LEAVE YEAR".
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MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
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84,696 SECONDARY 1 SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATED »»»»»»
ALL PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SECONDARY 1 PLACES IN GOVERNMENT, AIDED OR PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID OF THE TOTAL 84,696, 3,282 PUPILS (3.88 PER CENT) HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN OBTAINING DISCRETIONARY PLACES APPLIED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
OF THE TOTAL, 40,116 (47.36 PER CENT) HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO THEIR FIRST CHOICE AND 58,649 (69.25 PER CENT) ACCORDING TO THEIR FIRST THREE CHOICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALL PLACES ALLOCATED ARE THREE-YEAR PLACES FOR WHICH NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED,” HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, 10 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE JOINED THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME.
ALLOCATION RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS ON THURSDAY (JULY 9).
STUDENTS SHOULD COLLECT THE ADMISSION SLIP AND ALLOCATION SLIP IN THEIR PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORM FROM THEIR SCHOOLS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE WOULD ONLY BE ONE REGISTRATION PERIOD, ON JULY 15 (WEDNESDAY) AND JULY 16 (THURSDAY) THIS YEAR.
"ALL STUDENTS MUST REPORT DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED. FAILING TO DO SO MAY MEAN THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE UP THE PLACES ALLOCATED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IF BOTH THE STUDENT AND THE PARENT/GUARDIAN WERE AWAY FROM HONG KONG DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, THEY SHOULD AUTHORISE, IN WRITING, REPRESENTATIVES TO REGISTER ON THEIR BEHALF.
COPIES OF LETTERS OF AUTHORISATION ARE OBTAINABLE FROM HEADS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
IN CASE OF GENUINE DIFFICULTIES THE PARENTS OR STUDENTS SHOULD INFORM THE SECONDARY SHCOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION BEFORE THE END OF THE REGISTRATION PERIOD SO THAT ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE MADE.
"AFTER THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, VACANCIES WILL BE FILLED AT THE ENTIRE DISCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS," HE ADDED.
/WHEN REPORTING .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
7
WHEN REPORTING TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR REGISTRATION, STUDENTS SHOULD WEAR THEIR SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND BRING THE FOLLOWING:
* PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORMS, TO WHICH THEIR INDIVIDUAL ALLOCATION SLIPS ARE ATTACHED;
* THE ADMISSION SLIPS;
* BIRTH CERTIFICATES, HONG KONG JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS OR OTHER DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR DATE OF BIRTH AND THEIR STATUS AS PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG;
(NOTE: PUPILS SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG THEIR TRAVELLING DOCUMENTS IF THE SYMBOL "C" (FOR CONDITIONAL STAY) IS FOUND AT LINE 7 OF THE NEW-TYPE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD);
* LATEST SCHOOL REPORTS, IF ANY; AND
* TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS.
"PARENTS SEEKING TRANSFERS FOR THEIR WARDS SHOULD DIRECTLY APPROACH THE SCHOOLS OF THEIR CHOICE FOR APPLICATION. ACCEPTANCE IS AT THE ENTIRE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOLS," HE SAID.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS HAVE TO RETRIEVE THE ADMISSION SLIPS FROM THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH THEY HAVE REGISTERED DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD AND HAND THEM TO THE SCHOOLS OF TRANSFER.
"PARENTS OR STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT BY RETRIEVING THEIR ADMISSION SLIPS, THEIR REGISTRATION WITH THE SCHOOLS WILL AT THE SAME TIME BE CANCELLED," HE SAID.
"SHOULD THE TERRITORY BE AFFECTED BY TROPICAL CYCLONES, PRESISTENT HEAVY RAIN OR THUNDERSTORM DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO LISTEN TO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE MEDIA FOR ANY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ANY ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION RESULTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL 891 2200 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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GOVT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE SUB-CAP ON TELEPHONE TARIFF
******
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT NOW INTENDS TO INTRODUCE A SUB-CAP BELOW THE MAIN PRICE CAP TO LIMIT TELEPHONE TARIFF INCREASES FOR RESIDENTIAL EXCHANGE LINE CONNECTIONS AND RENTAL.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PAN ASIAN MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SUMMIT, MRS CHAN SAID THIS WAS TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN THAT FUTURE TARIFFS FOR SOME SOCIALLY IMPORTANT SERVICES COULD INCREASE BY FAR MORE THAN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A-4) PRICE CAP.
/THE LEVEL .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
8
THE LEVEL FOR THIS SUB-CAP REMAINED TO BE DETERMINED, BUT WOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE GREATER THAN INFLATION, SHE SAID.
ON THE FUTURE REGULATORY BODY FOR TELECOMS IN HONG KONG, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THAT TELECOMS WAS A DYNAMIC BUSINESS AND THAT WHAT WAS AN ADEQUATE REGULATORY' STRUCTURE TODAY' MIGHT NOT BE ADEQUATE FOR THE FUTURE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
"THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE RESOURCES AND FOR MORE FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING EXPERTISE AT THE SHARP END OF TELECOMS REGULATION. THE STATUTORY REMIT OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY ALSO REQUIRES STRENGTHENING.
"CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, BY THE INDUSTRY AND BY USERS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEPARATE REGULATORY BODY SIMILAR TO THE UK’S OFTEL.
"WE ARE GIVING THIS IDEA SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, AND EXPECT TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE FUTURE REGULATORY BODY SHORTLY," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS OPEN-MINDED OVER THE APPROACH TO LICENSING COMPETITION TO THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY.
THE MAIN OPTIONS APPEARED TO BE TENDERING FOR A SECOND NETWORK OR OPEN LICENSING.
"SO FAR OUR SOUNDINGS HAVE INDICATED STRONG SUPPORT FOR A MARKET DRIVEN APPROACH, THAT IS LETTING THE MARKET DECIDE HOW MANY ADDITIONAL NETWORKS - IF ANY - IT WANTS."
SHE SAID THIS WAS AN APPROACH THAT WOULD SIT WELL WITH THE GENERAL PHILOSOPHY IN TELECOMS POLICY OF MAXIMISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHOICE AND COMPETITION IN ALL SECTORS, WHERE EXISTING FRANCHISE AND LICENCE AGREEMENTS ALLOWED THIS.
"WE INTEND TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK BY THE END OF THIS MONTH TO ASSIST PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS FOR SUBSCRIPTION TV IN ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL FOR PROVIDING TELECOMS SERVICES OVER THEIR NETWORKS," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN FURTHER LIBERALISING THE LOCAL MARKET WITH ITS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED POLICY FRAMEWORK.
"WE FULLY INTEND TO ENSURE THAT OUR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK CONTINUES TO ADAPT AND CHANGE IN LINE WITH CONSUMERS’ DEMANDS AND THE RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN THE ENTIRE TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET.
"CONSUMERS’ INTERESTS ARE BEST SERVED BY PROVIDING THE WIDEST POSSIBLE CHOICE AT REASONABLE PRICES WHILST ENSURING THAT THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT REMAINS SUFFICIENTLY ATTRACTIVE TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGIES IN THIS VITAL FIELD," SHE SAID.
/9.........
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
- 9 -
VIETNAMESE POPULATION IN HK DROPPED
******
THE NON-REFUGEE POPULATION OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN HONG KONG HAS DROPPED BELOW 50,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1988, THE NEW REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR BRIAN BRESNIHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THIS IS A CLEAR VINDICATION OF THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME AS A MEANS TO DISCOURAGE DEPARTURES FROM VIETNAM AND TO ENCOURAGE THOSE HERE TO RETURN HOME VOLUNTARILY," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT COMPARED TO LAST YEAR’S TOTAL OF MORE THAN 20,000 VIETNAMESE ARRIVALS, ONLY SEVEN HAD COME THIS YEAR, WHILE 5,396 HAD VOLUNTEERED TO RETURN HOME SO FAR THIS YEAR COMPARED TO ONLY 7,660 FOR THE WHOLE OF 1991.
"WHILE THERE IS STILL SOME WAY TO GO BEFORE THE CAMPS CAN BE CLEARED, WE SEE THIS AS A VERY ENCOURGING TREND WHICH WE HOPE TO MAINTAIN AND ACCELERATE,” SAID MR BRESNIHAN.
"VIETNAM HAS BEEN MAKING GREAT EFFORTS TO ABSORB MORE RETURNEES AND THIS MONTH ALONE HAS APPROVED SIX FLIGHTS UNDER THE UNHCR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME," HE ADDED.
BUT THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR STRESSED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO LETUP IN THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME.
"THE NEXT FLIGHT SHOULD BE IN EARLY AUGUST AND MORE WILL FOLLOW ON A REGULAR BASIS.
"IN THE MEANTIME, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE UNHCR WILL CONTINUE TO STEP UP COUNSELLING EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE ALL NON-REFUGEES TO GO HOME VOLUNTARILY," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT TO HERITAGE TRUST
*****
IN ONE OF HIS FINAL ACTS AS GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON DEEMED THE YU KIU ANCESTRAL HALL IN PING SHAN AS AN HISTORICAL MONUMENT.
THIS BROUGHT TO 21 THE BUILDINGS AND PLACES DECLARED AND DEEMED AS MONUMENTS DURING HIS TENURE AS GOVERNOR, MAKING THE TOTAL TO DATE TO 54.
LORD WILSON ALSO APPROVED THE FOUNDATION OF A HERITAGE TRUST IN HIS NAME, WHICH WILL UNDERTAKE EDUCATIONAL AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS WHICH HELP TO PRESERVE HONG KONG’S HERITAGE.
THE TRUST WILL BE CHAIRED BY BARONESS DUNN.
/THE YU .......
10
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
THE YU KIU ANCESTRAL HALL IS ONE OF SEVERAL HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN THE PING SHAN AREA OF YUEN LONG WHICH WILL FORM PART OF HONG KONG’S FIRST HERITAGE TRAIL PLANNED TO BE OPENED NEXT YEAR.
THE BUILDING COMPRISES THREE HALLS AND WAS LAST RENOVATED DURING THE REIGN OF GUANG XU (1875-1908).
IT WAS USED AS A VILLAGE SCHOOL FOR MANY YEARS, BUT HAS SINCE FALLEN INTO DISUSE. THE ENTRANCE HALL HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY FIRE.
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE WOULD UNDERTAKE EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO THE HALL.
HE HOPED THAT THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST WOULD BE ABLE TO FUND THE COST OF FULL RESTORATION, ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $5 MILLION.
HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CONTRIBUTE GENEROUSLY TO THE TRUST, WHICH HE SAID WOULD PLAY A VITAL PART IN CONSERVING HONG KONG’S HERITAGE.
DONATIONS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE "LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST" AND MAY BE SENT TO P.O. BOX 8800 OR DEPOSITED AT ANY BRANCH OF THE HONGKONGBANK.
-----0-----
VIEWS ON NEW POWER LINES INVITED
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON A PROPOSAL BY THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LTD TO CONSTRUCT A NEW POWER TRANSMISSION NETWORK TO BRING ELECTRICITY FROM THE PROPOSED NEW POWER STATION AT BLACK POINT TO VARIOUS PARTS OF KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE PROPOSAL WAS CONSIDERED BY THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD AT ITS LAST MEETING IN APRIL.
"AS TWO OF THE THREE PROPOSED LINES WILL TOUCH ON COUNTRY PARK AREAS, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LTD SHOULD CONDUCT PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE PROJECT," HE SAID.
, THE THREE LINES TO BE CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN 1994 AND 1996 ARE:
* A 4.5-KILOMETRE LINE TO LINK THE NEW POWER PLANT AT BLACK POINT WITH THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK POWER STATION;
* A 7.5-KILOMETRE LINE TO LINK THE PROPOSED TSEUNG KWAN 0 SUBSTATION WITH THE EXISTING TSZ WAN SHAN SUBSTATION; AND
* A 40-KILOMETRE LINE TO LINK THE NEW POWER PLANT WITH THE EXISTING SHATIN SUBSTATION.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
11
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSED ROUTE FROM TSEUNG KWAN 0 TO TSZ WAN SHAN WOULD ENTER THE MA ON SHAN COUNTRY PARK WHILE THE ONE LINKING THE PROPOSED NEW POWER STATION AT BLACK POINT TO SHA TIN WOULD PASS BY TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK, TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK AND THE TAI PO KAU SPECIAL AREA,
THE COMPANY HAS CONDUCTED AN "ENVIRONMENTAL ROUTE ASSESSMENT STUDY" FOR THE TRANSMISSION LINES.
COPIES OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ROUTE ASSESSMENT REPORT AND THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WHICH CONTAINS THE DETAILED ALIGNMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AT YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AS WELL AS REGIONAL COUNCIL'S PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE WILL LAST FOR TWO MONTHS. ENQUIRIES ON THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED TRANSMISSION NETWORK CAN BE MADE TO THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LTD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROJECT SHOULD SEND IN THEIR COMMENTS TO THE COMPANY DIRECT.
IN ADDITION, THEY ARE WELCOMED TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS ON THE PARTS RELATING TO COUNTRY PARKS TO THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD SECRETARIAT AT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, 12TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
"ALL VIEWS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD BEFORE IT MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
--------0-----------
REPORT ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES PUBLISHED
******
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED A TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDY REPORT ON HONG KONG S TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRES, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE STUDY, WHICH FOCUSES ON TEXTILES, CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INDUSTRIES, IS THE SECOND OF ITS KIND: THE FIRST ONE BEING CONDUCTED IN 1986.
IT WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND
BY KURT SALMON ASSOCIATES, INC. (KSA1, A U.S.-BASED
UNDERTAKEN MANAGEMENT
CONSULTANCY FIRM.
/IT COVERED .......
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
12
IT COVERED THE SPINNING, WEAVING, DYEING AND FINISHING, KNITWEAR, CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND TRADING SECTORS.
ALTOGETHER, THESE SECTORS ACCOUNTED FOR 40.7 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 27.2 PER CENT OF RE-EXPORTS AND 44.3 PER CENT OF MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR.
IN ITS REPORT, KSA ANALYSED THE MAJOR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE VARIOUS SEGMENTS OF HONG KONG’S TEXTILES, CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INDUSTRIES AND PROVIDED UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON MARKETING TRENDS AND COMPETITIVENESS OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID KSA CONSIDERED THAT HONG KONG COMPANIES MUST UPGRADE THEIR MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN EPICENTRE STRATEGY TO PROVIDE MORE DESIGNING, MERCHANDISING, SOURCING AND QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES TO CUSTOMERS.
"TO THIS END, KSA HAS PROPOSED A VARIETY OF WAYS THAT THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS MAY ADOPT TO MINIMISE THE THREATS AND MAXIMISE THE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THE STUDY REPORT IN DETAIL AND WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON WHAT FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
TENDERS INVITED FOR THREE PUBLIC PROJECTS * * * * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICES COMPLEX FOR THE ELDERLY AT WONG CHUK HANG.
THE COMPLEX WILL COMPRISE A FIVE-STOREY MAIN INFIRMARY BLOCK, A FIVE-STOREY CARE-AND-ATTENTION BUILDING AND A SIX-STOREY STAFF QUARTERS BUILDING.
THE CONTRACTOR IS ALSO REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ALL DRAINAGE AND EXTERNAL WORKS (EXCEPT LANDSCAPING) SUCH AS SURFACING OF THE ACCESS ROAD AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS AND PAVEMENTS.
TENDERS WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 31.
MEANWHILE, TENDERS ARE ALSO BEING INVITED FOR TWO EXTENSION
WORKS.
ONE OF THEM IS FOR THE UPGRADING OF A HYDRAULIC FLYING SYSTEM IN THE GRAND THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE.
/UPON COMPLETION
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
13
UPON COMPLETION OF THE WORK, THE EXISTING HYDRAULIC ASSISTED FLYING UNITS WILL BE REVERTED FROM ELECTRONIC TO COMPUTER-BASED CONTROL, ALLOWING MORE VERSATILE FUNCTIONS.
THE OTHER EXTENSION WORK IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL SERVICES HALL, TOGETHER WITH A GENERAL OFFICE, AT THE CAPE COLLINSON CREMATORIUM.
TENDERS FOR BOTH PROJECTS WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 24.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 77.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 453.576 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 168.466 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 28.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER 1, 108 -120 988 NIL + 300 1,288 TWI 110.1 *+0.2* 6.7.92 /HONG KONG
MONDAY, JULY 6, 1992
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.53 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.90 4.08
1 MONTH 2.54 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.68 4.46
3 MONTHS 2.59 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 101.47 4.72
6 MONTHS 2.77 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.54 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,378MN
CLOSED 6 JULY 1992
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK A PLACE FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT: STI ................................ 1
POLICE COMMITS TO SERVE HK PEOPLE ....................................... 3
NEW LAW TO FIGHT ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES ........................... 4
HK AND YAUMATI FERRY FARES REVISED ...................................... 6
WORKING GROUP TO TACKLE DREDGING PROBLEMS ............................... 8
SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN VICTORIA HARBOUR ON THURSDAY 9
STATISTICS ON WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS .................................................. 9
CALL FOR MACHINERY SAFETY .............................................. 13
THREE DEBATES IN LEGCO TOMORROW ........................................ 14
NEW INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES ............................... 15
EXHIBITIONS ON FOSTER CARE SERVICE ..................................... 16
241 RETURN TO VIETNAM .................................................. 17
SALT WATER CUTS ON TSING YI AND IN KOWLOON SOUTH ....................... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ...................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 19
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
1
HK A PLACE FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT: STI *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO ALL IT COULD TO PROVIDE A PRO-BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WHILE LEAVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR FREE TO DECIDE WHAT OPPORTUNITIES TO PURSUE, AND WHERE TO INVEST.
SPEAKING AT THE 32ND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND LUNCHEON OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES THIS (TUESDAY! AFTERNOON, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED AS FIRMLY AS EVER IN THE MERITS OF THE MARKET ECONOMY AND OF COMPETITION: IN LOW TAX AND MINIMUM RED TAPE; IN COMBINING EFFECTIVE REGULATION WHERE NEEDED WITH MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS GROWTH.
HE STRESSED THAT HONG KONG REMAINED AN EXCITING PLACE FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT, ADDING THAT THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF GOOD BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES - AND NO SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE WITH THE VISION AND TALENT TO TURN THEM TO ADVANTAGE.
"FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S PART, WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG REMAINS ONE IN WHICH EXISTING INDUSTRIES CAN DEVELOP AND NEW INDUSTRIES CAN TAKE ROOT.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES REFLECTED THAT COMMITMENT.
"EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE BEING EXPANDED. MORE LAND IS BEING PROVIDED FOR TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES. AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP INDUSTRY TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE, MORE QUALITY CONSCIOUS AND MORE INNOVATIVE IS BEING WIDENED.
"OUR AIM IN PROVIDING THESE VARIOUS FACILITIES AND SERVICES IS TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO ALL INDUSTRIES, AT A REASONABLE COST, ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT AND ADVICE WHICH CANNOT EASILY BE OBTAINED ELSEWHERE," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID SOME PEOPLE TOOK THE VIEW THAT THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRI HAI) SUFFERED FROM HONG KONG’S GROWING ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA.
"THEY POINT TO INDUSTRY’S DECLINING SHARE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, TO THE REDUCTION IN THE MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE, TO THE LEVELLING OFF IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
"I DO NOT AGREE TO SUCH A NEGATIVE VIEW. LOCAL INDUSTRY IS CERTAINLY LEANER AND FITTER THAN IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO. BUT THAT IS NO BAD THING: PRODUCTIVITY IS UP, QUALITY IS BETTER AND AT THE SAME TIME, HONG KONG INTERESTS HAVE MAINTAINED CONTROL AND INFLUENCE OVER THE INDUSTRIES WHICH HAVE EXPANDED INTO CHINA," HE SAID.
"IN THE PROCESS, SCARCE MANPOWER HAS BEEN RELEASED TO JOIN OTHER HIGH VALUE-ADDED SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY," HE SAID.
AND DIGGING BENEATH THE SURFACE, IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT INVESTORS ARE STILL PUTTING THEIR MONEY ON INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH THE EMPHASIS OF THAT INVESTMENT IS CHANGING, HE SAID.
/IDENTIFYING SOME .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
2
IDENTIFYING SOME OF THE TRENDS, MR CHAU SAID MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WERE GROWING RAPIDLY.
"AS LABOUR-INTENSIVE PRODUCTION PROCESSES ARE SHIFTED OVER THE BORDER TO CHINA, THE HONG KONG BASE IS ABLE TO TRADE UP INTO VALUE-ADDED SERVICES RELATED TO MANUFACTURING - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN, QUALITY CONTROL, MARKETING, PACKAGING AND SO ON.
TAKING THE TOY INDUSTRY AS AN EXAMPLE, MR CHAU SAID HONG KONGBASED OUTPUT HAD FALLEN STEADILY FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
"BUT HONG KONG IS STILL A MAJOR CENTRE FOR TOYS, AND STILL HAS MANY LARGE AND PRESTIGIOUS TOY-MAKERS. THOSE COMPANIES NOW CARRY OUT A LARGE PROPORTION OF THEIR OPERATIONS THROUGH OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA, WHILE DOING THEIR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND HIGH-TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTION IN HONG KONG.
IN TOTAL, SOME 60 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA IS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, HE SAID.
HE SAID ANOTHER TREND WAS THE MOVING OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES INTO MORE SOPHISTICATED AND HIGHER VALUE-ADDED MARKET SEGMENT.
"IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, COMPUTERS AND PERIPHERALS HAVE SHOWN STRONG GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS. JEWELLERY EXPORTS HAVE ALSO BEEN BUOYANT. AND IN THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY, THE EMPHASIS ON QUALITY AND FASHION HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER.
"MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT JUST UPGRADING THEIR PRODUCTS: THEY ARE ALSO UPGRADING THEIR PROCESSES," MR CHAU SAID.
"INDUSTRY IS INVESTING IN A MAJOR WAY IN NEW EQUIPMENT: RETAINED IMPORTS OF MACHINERY FOR INDUSTRIAL USE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS TOTALLED $28 BILLION.
"THAT REFLECTS THE FACT THAT AUTOMATION IS ON THE INCREASE. INDEED, MANY PLAYERS - BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS - HAVE GONE FOR STATE-OF-THE-ART INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES.
"COMPANIES AT THE TOP OF THE TECHNOLOGY LADDER TEND TO BE CONCENTRATED IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY. BUT THEY CAN ALSO BE FOUND ELSEWHERE. TAKE THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, FOR EXAMPLE: HONG KONG NOW HAS SOME OF THE MOST UP-TO-DATE COMPUTER-DRIVEN TEXTILES MACHINERY IN THE WORLD.
A THIRD TREND IS HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES ARE CAPITALISING ON NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES.
"LINKAGE INDUSTRIES ARE A CASE TN POINT. AS INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN SOUTH CHINA HAS BOOMED, SO TOO HAS CHINA’S DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS, COMPONENTS AND INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY," MR CHAU SAID.
"HONG KONG’S LINKAGE INDUSTRIES HAVE DEVELOPED RAPIDLY IN RESPONSE: IN 1991 MORE THAN 50 PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL EXPORTS WERE TO CHINA," HE SAID.
- - 0----------
/3 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
3 -
POLICE COMMITS TO SERVE HK PEOPLE ******
THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A GOOD SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND MAKING THE TERRITORY ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN THE WORLD.
THE PLEDGE WAS MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE REVIEW 1991 (ENGLISH EDITION), WHICH WAS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN REVIEWING THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN 1991, MR LI SAID THE YEAR WAS AN EVENTFUL AND CHALLENGING ONE.
HE NOTED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CRIMES REPORTED TO THE POLICE IN 1991 WAS 88,659, WHICH REPRESENTED A MARGINAL INCREASE OF 0.4 PER CENT OVER THE 1990 FIGURE OF 88,300.
THE FIGURE ALSO REPRESENTED A 0.5 PER CENT DROP IN THE NUMBER OF CRIMES PER 100,000 POPULATION, WHICH COMPARED FAVOURABLY WITH MANY NEIGHBOURING AND OTHER MAJOR CITIES.
ON SERIOUS CRIMES FEATURING THE USE OF FIREARMS BY CRIMINALS, MR LI NOTED THAT THERE WERE 43 INCIDENTS IN WHICH CRIMINALS ACTUALLY OPENED FIRE; THE FIGURE WAS 21 CASES FEWER THAN 1990.
IN THE YEAR, POLICE SEIZED 124 FIREARMS (EIGHT CONVERTED ONES) ' COMPARED WITH 94 (22 CONVERTED ONES) IN 1990.
TURING TO THE PROBLEM OF TRIADS, MR LI SAID EFFORTS WERE MADE DURING THE YEAR TO COMBAT THIS MENANCE TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE ARREST OF VIRTUALLY ALL THE KEY PERSONNEL OF A NOTORIOUS TRIAD SOCIETY AND THE DETECTION OF A NUMBER OF EXTORTION GANGS.
"THE ORGANISED CRIME AND TRIAD GROUP IN POLICE HEADQUARTERS HAS ACCORDED A MUCH HIGHER PRIORITY TO ANTI-TRIAD WORK. CO-ORDINATED ACTION AGAINST TRIADS BY' UNITS AT REGIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS WILL CONTINUE," HE SAID.
ON CAR THEFT, MR LI SAID THE PROBLEM OF STEALING MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SMUGGLING HAD CONTINUED TO PLAGUE HONG KONG.
THERE WERE 6,475 CASES OF CAR THEFTS IN 1991 COMPARED WITH 6,434 CASES IN 1990. OF THESE FIGURES, 4,128 AND 4,450 RESPECTIVELY WERE RECOVERED.
MR LI NOTED THAT AN ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE WAS FORMED IN APRIL IN 1991 TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF SMUGGLING DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES TO CHINA.
"POSITIVE ACTION AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN (HINA AND HONG KONG HAD RESULTED IN THE CONTAINMENT OF THE PROBLEM AND THE RETURN OF A NUMBER OF STOLEN CARS TO HONG KONG FROM CHINA.
/"CO-OPERATION WITH .......
4
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
"CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WILL NOT ONLY CONTINUE BUT BE STRENGTHENED," HE SAID.
ON CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, MR LI NOTED THAT HONG KONG CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN A CLOSE LINK WITH POLICE FORCES IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES, ESPECIALLY IN CURBING DRUG TRAFFICKING.
HE NOTED THAT 18 HIGHLY ORGANISED LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING SYNDICATES HAD BEEN NEUTRALISED, FOLLOWING JOINT OPERATIONS WITH OTHER FORCES.
THESE OPERATIONS WERE IMPORTANT AS DRUG TRAFFICKERS HAD AVOIDED HONG KONG AND USED OTHER COUNTRIES AS THEIR TRAN SHIPMENT POST, HE SAID.
MR LI STRESSED THAT POLICE OPERATIONS WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED IN TIMES OF ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS IN THE GOVERNMENT, ADDING THAT THE FORCE WOULD UTILISE ITS AVAILABLE RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY TO ENSURE MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS.
EFFORT WAS ALSO MADE TO MODERNISE THE FORCE’S EQUIPMENT IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, WITH THE ACQUISITION OF A NUMBER OF MOST ADVANCED COMPUTER WARE, WHICH INCLUDED AN ENHANCED COMPUTER-ASSISTED COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM, A COMPUTER-ASSISTED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND A SYSTEM TO FACILITATE THE FAST AND EASY RETRIEVAL OF CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE DATA.
IN CONCLUSION, MR LI CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE POLICE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME. HE SAID: "NO POLICE FORCE CAN SUCCEED WITHOUT THE CO-OPERATION FROM THE PUBLIC FT SERVES. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT AGAINST CRIME. ’
-----0-----
NEW LAW TO FIGHT ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES
******
PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION TO COMBAT ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK FOLLOWING ITS APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROVISIONS IN THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL AND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT VIEWS RECEIVED DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE HELD LAST YEAR ON THE WHITE BILL ON ORGANISED CRIME.
THEY ALSO REFLECT COMMENTS MADE BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE OMELCO PANEL ON SECURITY WHICH WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSALS LAST MONTH.
MAJOR CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL WHITE BILL INCLUDE -
* DOING AWAY WITH THE CONCEPT OF "ORGANISED CRIME GROUP" AND OFFENCES RELATING TO THIS CONCEPT. A DEFINITION FOR "ORGANISED CRIME" IS ADDED:
/* SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
5
* SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE POWERS FOR THE POLICE TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND TO PRODUCE MATERIALS RELEVANT TO AN INVESTIGATION;
* ABOLITION OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR CORROBORATION WARNING IN RESPECT OF ACCOMPLICE EVIDENCE;
* SPECIAL SENTENCING PROCEDURE UPON CONVICTION OF AN OFFENCE IN THE SCHEDULES; AND
* WIDENING OF THE PROVISIONS OF CONFISCATION AND MONEY LAUNDERING SO THAT THEY COVER ALL PROCEEDS OF CRIME.
THE ORIGINAL WHITE BILL INVOLVED PROVING THAT A PERSON WAS A MEMBER OF AN ORGANISED CRIME GROUP WHEN HE COMMITTED A SPECIFIC OFFENCE.
THIS PROVISION WAS CRITICISED DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE FOR BEING TOO COMPLEX AND UNFAIR TO THE ACCUSED.
UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW LEGISLATION, "ORGANISED CRIME" IS DEFINED AS TWO OR MORE PERSONS COMMITTING A SCHEDULED OFFENCE OR INCITING ANOTHER PERSON TO COMMIT A SCHEDULED OFFENCE.
THE SCHEDULES HAVE BEEN RE-DESIGNED TO CONTAIN SERIOUS OFFENCES WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE LINKED TO ORGANISED CRIME, SUCH AS MURDER, KIDNAPPING, DRUG TRAFFICKING, ROBBERY AND BLACKMAIL.
THE DEFINITION OF ORGANISED CRIME, COUPLED WITH THE OFFENCES IN THE SCHEDULES, WILL CAPTURE THE MAJORITY OF SERIOUS OFFENCES COMMITTED BY TRIAD SOCIETIES.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION INTO ORGANISED CRIME, THE NEW BILL PROVIDES THAT THE HIGH COURT MAY AUTHORISE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR OTHERWISE FURNISH INFORMATION OR TO PRODUCE MATERIAL.
IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH SUCH AN ORDER OR TO PROVIDE FALSE INFORMATION.
THESE POWERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF STATUTORY SAFEGUARDS, INCLUDING THAT THE POWERS CAN BE INVOKED ONLY IN RESPECT OF ORGANISED CRIME INVOLVING THE OFFENCES IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE BILL, AND THAT THE POWERS MUST BE AUTHORISED BY A HIGH COURT JUDGE AFTER BEING SATISFIED THAT IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO GRANT THE AUTHORITY.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT WHERE A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF A SPECIFIED OFFENCE, THE COURT WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE A CONFISCATION ORDER IN RESPECT OF ALL PROCEEDS OF CRIME RECEIVED BY THE PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMISSION OF ANY OFFENCE.
IN ADDITION, A GENERAL MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCE COVERING THE PROCEEDS OF ALL CRIME IS PROPOSED.
/THESE PROPOSALS .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
6
THESE PROPOSALS REPRESENT AN EXTENSION OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE ORIGINAL WHITE BILL IN THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO THE PROCEEDS OF SPECIFIED OFFENCES.
ANOTHER CHANGE RELATES TO ACCOMPLICE EVIDENCE. CURRENTLY, A JUDGE IS REQUIRED TO WARN THE JURY OR HIMSELF OF THE DANGER OF CONVICTING ON THE EVIDENCE OF AN ACCOMPLICE WITHOUT CORROBORATION. THE WARNING IS TECHNICAL, COMPLEX AND INFLEXIBLE.
UNDER THE NEW BILL, THE REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH A CORROBORATING WARNING IN RESPECT OF THE EVIDENCE OF ACCOMPLICES IS ABOLISHED.
JUDGES WILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THEIR DISCRETION TO DEAL WITH THE CREDIBILITY OF ACCOMPLICE WITNESSES IN THE SAME MANNER AS THEY DEAL WITH CREDIBILITY GENERALLY.
THERE WILL BE NO SPECIAL RULES, BUT SIMPLY A REQUIREMENT THAT JUSTICE BE SEEN TO BE DONE.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT WHERE A PERSON HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A SCHEDULED OFFENCE UNDER THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL, THE PROSECUTION WOULD BE ENTITLED TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH INFORMATION ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE OFFENCE TO ORGANISED CRIME OR TRIADS, ITS IMPACT ON VICTIMS AND ITS FINANCIAL BENEFITS.
AT PRESENT, THE PROSECUTION IS NOT ABLE TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COURT THIS KIND OF INFORMATION WITHOUT THE INVITATION OF THE COURT. THIS LIMITATION HAD RESTRICTED THE COURT’S ABILITY TO IMPOSE A HEAVIER SENTENCE WHERE IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE.
THE TWO BILLS WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JULY 10) AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 15.
- - 0 - -
HK AND YAUMATI FERRY FARES REVISED
******
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED FARE INCREASES WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 20 FOR THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY (HYF) SERVICES ON ACCOUNT OF RISING COSTS AND FALLING PATRONAGE.
THE AVERAGE INCREASE OF 16 PER CENT IS THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THE 19 PER CENT RISE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) SINCE HYF LAST REVISED ITS FARES 20 MONTHS AGO LN NOVEMBER 1990.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INCREASE WOULD HAVE MINIMAL EFFECT ON INFLATION. IT IS ESTIMATED TO RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) BY 0.011 PER CENT.
THE EFFECTS OF THE NEW FARE SCALE ON PASSENGERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
*66.1 PER CENT OF PASSENGERS, INCLUDING MONTHLY TICKET HOLDERS AND USERS OF THE INNER HARBOUR SERVICES, WOULD PAY 20 CENTS TO 50 CENTS MORE PER TRIP;
/* 4.9 PER CENT
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
7
* 4.9 PER CENT WOULD PAY 90 CENTS TO $1 MORE;
* 20.3 PER CENT, MAINLY USERS OF THE NEW TOWN SERVICES AND WEEKDAYS DELUXE CLASS TRAVELLERS TO THE OUTLYING ISLANDS, WOULD PAY $1.3 TO $2 MORE;
* 3.8 PER CENT, MAINLY URBAN DWELLERS TRAVELLING TO THE OUTLYING ISLANDS AT WEEKENDS FOR RECREATION, WOULD PAY $2.5 TO $5 MORE; AND
* 4.9 PER CENT WOULD ENJOY A FARE REDUCTION OF $ 1.2 TO $3 PER TRIP UNDER A NEW HALF-FARE CONCESSIONARY SCHEME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 65 OR ABOVE WHO TRAVEL DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS ON WEEKDAYS.
TO ATTRACT SOME VEHICLES AWAY FROM THE CONGESTED CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, FARES FOR VEHICULAR SERVICES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
IN ADDITION, HYF WILL TRY OUT A $0.5 DISCOUNT FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS.
DETAILS OF THE NEW FARES WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE HYF SEPARATELY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE AVERAGE INCREASE FOR OUTLYING ISLANDS SERVICES ON WEEKDAYS, BEING 10.6 PER CENT, WAS WELL BELOW INFLATION.
IT HAS BEEN PITCHED CONSCIOUSLY AT SUCH A LEVEL TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON ISLANDS RESIDENTS WHO HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION OF INNER HARBOUR AND NEW TOWN SERVICES BEING SUBSIDISED BY RESIDENTS OF OUTLYING ISLANDS. THE SUBSIDY COMES MAINLY FROM URBAN DWELLERS WHO TRAVEL AT WEEKENDS TO OUTLYING ISLANDS FOR RECREATION.
"ISLANDS RESIDENTS WISHING TO AVOID THE HIGHER WEEKEND CHARGES MAY USE DAY RETURN TICKETS AVAILABLE (AT WEEKDAY FARES) ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS,” HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HYF HAD TAKEN CONSCIOUS STEPS TO KEEP COSTS DOWN AND TO BROADEN ITS REVENUE BASE. SIX LOSS-INCURRING ROUTES WERE CURTAILED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. THERE HAD BEEN MORE EXTENSIVE ADVERTISING ON THE HULLS OF VESSELS AND PIER TOPS.
"SOME VESSELS RELEASED FROM THE INNER HARBOUR SERVICES ARE REDEVELOPED TO INCREASE THE SERVICES FOR TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN SINCE JUNE THIS YEAR.
"THIS INCLUDES CONVERTING A SECOND VESSEL INTO AN AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE-DECK FERRY. FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS THIS YEAR COMPRISE BETTER FREQUENCY ON THE CHEUNG CHAU - CENTRAL SERVICE AND SPLITTING THE MUI WO/PENG CHAU - CENTRAL SERVICE INTO TWO SERVICES, EACH WITH SHORTER JOURNEY TIMES," HE SAID.
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/8........
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
- 8
WORKING GROUP TO TACKLE DREDGING PROBLEMS * * * ♦ ♦
A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND FISHERMEN WILL BE SET UP TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS ARISING FROM DREDGING ACTIVITIES AROUND THE NINEPIN ISLANDS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR YIP KAE-SANG, AFTER A MEETING WITH FISHERMEN’S REPRESENTATIVES THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING WAS TO ESTABLISH A DIALOGUE WITH THE FISHERMEN WHOSE LIVELIHOOD WAS SAID TO BE AFFECTED BY THE DREDGING WORKS, DR YIP SAID.
"WE HAVE A FRANK EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE MATTER. THE FISHERMEN’S REPRESENTATIVES HAVE POINTED OUT HOW THE DREDGING WORKS WILL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AFFECT THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
"ON THE GOVERNMENT PART, WE HAVE EXPLAINED TO THEM WHY THE DREDGING WORKS HAD TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
ON CLAIMS AND COMPENSATION, DR YIP SAID NO FORMAL CLAIMS HAD BEEN MADE SO FAR AND THE FISHERMEN WERE ASKED TO PUT UP SUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS.
IT WAS AGREED THAT A WORKING GROUP WILL BE SET UP TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION ON THE EXTENT OF THE IMPACT OF THE DREDGING ACTIVITIES ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF FISHERMEN.
AT A PREPARATORY MEETING FOR THE WORKING GROUP IN THE AFTERNOON, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE WORKING GROUP WOULD COMPRISE FISHERMEN’S REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS OFFICERS FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL REFLECT FISHERMEN’S VIEWS TO THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE STOPPING OF DREDGING AROUND NINEPIN ISLANDS OR ON WAYS TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT OF DREDGING OPERATIONS.
IT WILL STUDY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE DREDGING WORKS AND TO SEE THAT MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN BY DREDGING COMPANIES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF FISHERMEN WORKING IN THE AREA.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO BE TASKED WITH GIVING SUGGESTIONS ON A FAIR AND EQUITABLE METHOD TO ASSESS CLAIMS OF FISHERMEN, INCLUDI NG MARICULTURALISTS.
ALSO ATTENDING THIS MORNING’S MEETING WERE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY AND OFFICERS FROM RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
- - 0-----------
/9 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
9
SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN VICTORIA HARBOUR ON THURSDAY
*****
SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL VICTORIA HARBOUR WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON THURSDAY (JULY 9) TO FACILITATE THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW GOVERNOR, MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.
THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (CENTRAL REGION) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR LEUNG LAI-KIT, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID: ’’CENTRAL VICTORIA HARBOUR WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL MARINE TRAFFIC FOR 45 MINUTES FROM 3.45 PM TO 4.30 PM ON THURSDAY.
’’EXCEPTIONS ARE ROYAL NAVY, MARINE POLICE, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND MARINE DEPARTMENT VESSELS ESCORTING ’’THE LADY MAURINE” AND OTHER VESSELS APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
’’QUEEN’S PIER IN CENTRAL DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED FROM 3 PM TO 6 PM AND KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE CLOSED FROM 3 PM TO 5 PM.”
MR LEUNG SAID MARINE POLICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE SPECIAL PATROLS IN CENTRAL VICTORIA HARBOUR TO HELP MASTERS, OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF VESSELS.
’’MASTERS, OWNERS AND OPERATORS SHOULD COMPLY AT ALL TIMES WITH ANY ADVICE FROM OFFICERS FROM THE MARINE POLICE AND MARINE DEPARTMENT PATROL LAUNCHES.
"THEY SHOULD PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO MARINE SAFETY AND EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE," HE SAID.
DURING THE CLOSURE OF QUEEN’S PIER AND KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF SMALL CRAFT ARE ADVISED TO USE ALTERNATIVE LANDING FACILITIES.
MR LEUNG SAID THE SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ARE THE SAME AS THAT IMPLEMENTED FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN LORD WILSON ARRIVED IN HONG KONG.
------0--------
STATISTICS ON WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ******
BOTH THE WHOLESALE AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES GROWTH IN 1990, WITH SALES INCREASED BY 23% AND OVER 1989.
REGISTERED RAPID 20% RESPECTIVELY
THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1990 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, SALES OF THE RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS INCREASED BY 11%, 8% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
/THESE RELATIVELY .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, '1992
10
THESE RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES WERE MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE LESS BULLISH CONSUMER SENTIMENTS, ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE GULF CRISIS IN THE LATTER HALF OF 1990.
IN 1990, THERE WERE SOME 18,000 WHOLESALE ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION, AN INCREASE OF 13% OVER 1989. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED ROSE BY 12% TO 79,000.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $123.3 BILLION OF SALES AND CONTRIBUTED $9.5 BILLION TO THE TOTAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP), REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 23% AND 35% RESPECTIVELY OVER 1989.
THE ESTABLISHMENTS INCURRED $4.6 BILLION EXPENDITURE ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION, AN INCREASE OF 29% OVER 1989; AND $9.6 BILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES (+36%).
SOME 69,000 IMPORTERS/EXPORTERS WERE IN OPERATION IN 1990, AN INCREASE OF 18% OVER 1989.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED INCREASED BY 15% TO 376,000 OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE GENERATED $1,041.5 BILLION OF SALES AND CONTRIBUTED $88 BILLION TO THE TOTAL GDP, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 20% AND 21% RESPECTIVELY OVER 1989.
EXPENDITURE OF THE IMPORTERS/EXPORTERS INCLUDED $36.3 BILLION ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION AND $113 BILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 27% AND 35% RESPECTIVELY OVER 1989.
SOME 54,000 RETAILERS WERE IN OPERATION IN 1990, AN INCREASE OF 5% OVER 1989. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED INCREASED BY 1% TO 195,000 OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE RETAIL TRADE GENERATED $156.2 BILLION OF SALES AND CONTRIBUTED $20.5 BILLION TO THE TOTAL GDP, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 11% AND 6% OVER 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
. EXPENDITURE OF THE RETAILERS INCLUDED $10.1 BILLION ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION AND $20.6 BILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 10% AND 16% RESPECTIVELY OVER 1989.
SOME 8,700 RESTAURANTS WERE IN OPERATION IN 1990, WITH A WORKFORCE OF 187,000. WHEN COMPARED WITH 1989, THE GROWTH WAS 11% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
THESE RESTAURANTS GENERATED $41.8 BILLION OF SALES AND CONTRIBUTED $16.2 BILLION TO THE TOTAL GDP, BOTH INCREASED BY 8% OVER 1989.
EXPENDITURE OF THESE RESTAURANTS INCLUDED $12.6 BILLION ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION AND $10.5 BILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 15% AND 20% RESPECTIVELY OVER 1989.
/SOME 1,600 .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
11
SOME 1,600 HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES WERE IN OPERATION IN 1990, AN INCREASE OF 3% OVER 1989.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED INCREASED BY 1% TO 37,000 OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THESE HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES GENERATED SI 1.9 BILLION OF SALES, AN INCREASE OF 6% OVER 1989. THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE TOTAL GDP GREW BY 1% TO $6.7 BILLION.
EXPENDITURE OF THESE HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES INCLUDED $3.3 BILLION ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION AND $4.8 BILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 16% AND 7% RESPECTIVELY OVER 1989.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICES TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES.
THE 1990 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TO ASCERTAIN THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND TO UPDATE THE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE TOTAL GDP.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUP AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE "1990 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS” REPORT.
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE IN AUGUST PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1248.
AT THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, CONNAUGHT OF THE CENSUS AND 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD,
DIRECTED TO THE
THE CENSUS AND
/COMPARISON OF........
Comparison of Selected Principal Statistics for all establishments in the Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels Sector between 1990 and 1989
Major industry group Number of establish- • ments Number of persons engaged Number of employees Compensations of employees Operating expenses Purchases of goods for sale Changes in stocks Sales and other receipts Value added
$ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn.
Wholesale 1990 18 240 79 381 59 732 4,608 9,581 105,665 918 123,330 9,484
trade 1989 16 103 70 899 53 462 3,579 7,064 86,643 534 99,942 7,043
% change ♦ 13 ♦ 12 ♦ 12 ♦ 29 + 36 +22 + 72 ♦ 23 + 35
Retail trade 1990 53 844 194 723 132 380 10,128 20,627 118,041 2,394 156,190 20,484
1 1989 51 102 192 358 134 032 9,209 17,779 107,170 3,187 140,587 19,393
1 % change ♦ 5 +1 -1 + 10 ♦ 16 ♦10 -25 ♦11 + 6
। Import/export 1990 69 140 376 157 321 094 36,325 112,969 849,794 6,401 1,041,450 87,979 1
trade 1989 58 507 328 513 287 386 28,537 83,893 722,383 6,731 869,796 72,499
o % change ♦ 18 + 15 ♦ 12 ♦ 27 + 35 + 18 -5 +20 +21
। Restaurants 1990 8 695 187 171 177 054 12,634 10,527 15,210 88 41,763 16,170 N)
1989 7 835 177 959 167 959 11,018 8,789 15,108 32 38,749 15,016
1 % change ♦ 11 + 5 ♦ 5 + 15 + 20 +1 ♦ 175 ♦ 8 + 8 1
! Hotels/ 1990 1 594 36 705 35 339 3,279 4,780 1,236 11 11,920 6,693
boarding 1989 1 543 36 233 34 904 2,830 4,482 1,094 13 11,199 6,659
houses % change ♦ 3 ♦ 1 4-1 + 16 +7 ♦ 13 -16 +6 +1
Total 1990 151 512 874 137 725 598 66,973 158,483 1,089,947 9,813 1,374,654 140,810
1989 135 090 805 962 677 743 55,172 122,006 932,399 10,497 1,160,272 120,610
% change + 12 + 8 + 7 *21 + 30 + 17 -7 + 18 ♦ 17
Notes
(1) Individual items may not add up to the corresponding total due to rounding.
(2) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product.
(3) Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
CALL FOR MACHINERY SAFETY *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING A PUBLICITY DRIVE TO PUT ACROSS THE MESSAGE OF PROPER GUARDING OF MACHINERY TO ENSURE WORKERS* SAFETY.
DURING THE TWO-MONTH CAMPAIGN, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL VISIT WORKPLACES TO EXPLAIN TO EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVELY GUARDING THE DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINES.
INSPECTORS WILL ALSO STRESS THE NEED FOR PROPER MAINTENANCE OF GUARDS AND THE SUPERVISION AND TRAINING OF MACHINE OPERATORS.
’’ALTHOUGH MACHINERY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN ON THE DECLINE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, SOME 6,000 ACCIDENTS WERE RECORDED IN 1991, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT ONE-EIGHTH OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS,” DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
”DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY, IF NOT PROPERLY GUARDED, OFTEN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN LOSS OF LIMBS OR EVEN DEATHS,” MR KAN SAID.
’’SOME MACHINES ARE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS, SUCH AS POWER PRESSES, GRANULATORS, AND MACHINES USED IN WOODWORK PAPER AND CATERING INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS PRINTING AND PLASTICS FACTORIES,” HE SAID.
”AS MORE AND MORE STUDENTS ARE TAKING UP TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT IN SUMMER, A CAMPAIGN ON SUMMER JOB SAFETY IS CONCURRENTLY HELD TO REMIND THEM OF WORK SAFETY,” MR KAN SAID.
"ADVICE ON SAFETY WILL BE GIVEN, AND PUBLICITY LEAFLETS DISTRIBUTED, TO SUMMER JOB WORKERS DURING THE VISITS,” HE ADDED.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, INSPECTORS WILL ALSO TAKE OUT PROSECUTIONS AGAINST OFFENDERS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS IF UNGUARDED MACHINERY ARE FOUND TO BE OPERATING.
HE APPEALED TO EMPLOYERS TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO ENSURE MACHINERY SAFETY AND URGED WORKERS TO CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYERS IN TAKING NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
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TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
14
THREE DEBATES IN LEGCO TOMORROW *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE THREE DEBATES ON ENERGY POLICY, MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS FOR CHINA AND PATIENTS' RIGHTS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THEY WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SEVEN BILLS.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS) (AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992, LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1992, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, AND A PRIVATE BILL - MIDDLE EAST FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKING) BILL.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS WILL MOVE THREE MOTIONS -TWO UNDER BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER UNDER COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL TABLE AUDITED STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE SING TAO FOUNDATION STUDENTS’. LOAN FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 1990 AND AUGUST 31, 1991 AS WELL AS AUDITED STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS OF THE HONG KONG ROTARY CLUB STUDENTS’ LOAN FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 1990 AND AUGUST 31, 1991 .
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL PRESENT THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1991-1992.
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE WILL PRESENT THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD’S ANNUAL REPORT 1991-92.
ALSO, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI WILL TABLE A REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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TUESDAY. JULY 7, 1992
15
NEW INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES
******
AS FROM JULY 8, THE NEW ANNUAL INTEREST RATE PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE 3 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 3.6 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
A LEGAL NOTICE CONTAINING THE AUTHORISATION BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO A DECREASE IN THE INTEREST RATE WAS GAZETTED ON JULY 6.
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.25 PER MONTH PF.R $100.
INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 8.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE JULY 8 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
6.84% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER AUGUST 9, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 7, 1990;
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER MARCH 7, 1990 AND BEFORE APRIL 4, 1990;
8.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER APRIL 4, 1990 AND BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1990:
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER AUGUST 15, 1990 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 24, 1990;
• 7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 24, 1990 AND BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1991;
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER JANUARY 30, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 29, 1991;
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 29, 1991 AND BEFORE JULY 3, 1991;
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 3, 1991 AND BEFORE AUGUST 14. 1991;
6.00% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 14, 1991 AND BEFORE SEPTEMBER 18, 1991;
5.52% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER SEPTEMBER 18, 1991 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 6, 1991;
/5.04% PER ANNUM .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
16
5.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 6, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 6, 1992;
4.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR
AFTER MAY 6, 1992 AND BEFORE MAY 27, 1992; AND
3.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 27, 1992 AND BEFORE JULY 8, 1992.
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE: $1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON JULY 8, 1992, AUGUST 8, 1992 AND SEPTEMBER 8, 1992 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON OCTOBER 7, 1992 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1,000, JULY 8, 1992 TO OCTOBER 7, 1992
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $2.50 PER MONTH = $7.50
ON $1,000, AUGUST 8, 1992 TO OCTOBER 7, 1992
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $2.50 PER MONTH = $5.00
ON $1,000, SEPTEMBER 8, 1992 TO OCTOBER 7, 1992
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $2.50 PER MONTH = $2.50
$15.00
--------0-----------
EXHIBITIONS ON FOSTER CARE SERVICE
* * * *
A SERIES OF NINE ROVING EXHIBITIONS ON FOSTER CARE SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS DURING WEEKENDS AND ON SUNDAYS, STARTING FROM SATURDAY (JULY 11).
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL FOSTER CARE UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IS AIMED AT FURTHER .PROMOTING FOSTER CARE SERVICE AND RECRUITING MORE FOSTER PARENTS.
THE SERVICE, A FORM OF NON-INSTITUTIONAL RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICE, IS TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY ALTERNATIVE FAMILY FOR CHILDREN, WHO COULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY LOOKED AFTER BY THEIR FAMILIES DUE TO NEGLECT, ILLNESS OF THE PARENTS OR OTHER SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY):
"THE EXHIBITIONS WILL FEATURE DISPLAY BOARDS AND GAMES TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE FOSTER CARE SERVICE."
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY AT THE CITYPLAZA I, TAIKOO SHING TO KICK OFF THE EXHIBITIONS.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
17
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND; THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE, MR NG SHUI-LAI; THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY, MR THOMAS MULVEY; THE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIOAL SOCIAL SERVICE HONG KONG BRANCH, MR STEPHEN YAU; THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND, MISS KWOK CHI-SUM, AND THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS PATRICIA CHU.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 11) AT WEST BRIDGE, LEVEL II, CITYPLAZA I, TAIKOO SHING, HONG KONG.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
------0-------
241 RETURN TO VIETNAM
*****
A GROUP OF 241 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 95 MEN, 53 WOMEN, 46 BOYS AND 47 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 110TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 5,637 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 19,617 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
--------0-----------
SALT WATER CUTS ON TSING YI AND IN KOWLOON SOUTH
******
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES ON TSING YI ISLAND WILL GO OFF FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 9) BECAUSE OF A SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO THE PUMPING STATION.
SOME PREMISES IN KOWLOON SOUTH WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED BY SALT WATER CUT FROM 9.30 AM TO 6 PM ON FRIDAY (JULY 10) TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI, KING’S PARK AND JORDAN.
--------0----------
/18 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 7 JULY 92 PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS ISSUE NUMBER Q228 AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 3,155 MN AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.56 PCT HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.58 PCT PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 4 PCT AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.64 PCT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 13 JULY 1992 - TENDER DATE 14 JULY 92 14 JULY PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS ISSUE NUMBER Q229 Y292 ISSUE DATE 15 JULY 92 15 JULY MATURITY DATE 14 OCT 92 14 JULY TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS 7 JULY 92 EF BILLS H268 HKD 1,560 MN HKD 200 MN 2.78 PCT 2.82 PCT ABOUT 57 PCT 2.88 PCT 92 92 93
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD • 500 + 100 MN - - 0 HKD 200 + 60 MN
/19........
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1992
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,288
REVERSAL OF LAF -300
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.7 *-0.4* 7.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.42 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.06 3.96
1 MONTH 2.43 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.85 4.34
3 MONTHS 2.51 PCT 6 MONTHS 2.77 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.51 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 101.69 4.59
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,072 MN
CLOSED 7 JULY 1992
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
STI'S SPEECH ON MFN STATUS FOR CHINA DEBATE ........... 1
SHW'S SPEECH IN PATIENT'S RIGHTS DEBATE ............... 4
ACP ESTIMATES EXPLAINED ............................... 5
GOVT WORKING ALL OUT IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ... 6
PUBLIC ORDER AND SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCES UNDER
REVIEW .............................................. 8
BLOCKADE DECISION MADE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY .............. 8
APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIONS MADE FOR DETAINED HK RESIDENTS ........................................... 9
USA HAS KEY ROLE IN IMPROVING VIETNAMESE ECONOMY ...... 9
HA CONSULTANCY STUDIES CLOSELY MONITORED ............. 10
AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION UNDER STUDY ............. 11
EFFORTS TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS ...................... 13
LEGAL SYSTEM AND JUDICIAL PROCESS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS SHOULD BE RESPECTED .................. 13
ENVIRONMENT A FACTOR IN CHOICE OF DREDGING SITES ..... 14
FUTURES EXCHANGE'S OPERATION UNDERGOES IMPROVEMENTS .. 15
GAMES CENTRE BILL READY FOR LEGCO LATER THIS YEAR .... 16
USAGE OF EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING .................... 17
SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR PUBLIC HOSPITALS PUBLISHED ...... 17
MORE STUDENTS WILL STUDY IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS ...... 18
/TRADERS' PRIVACY ......
TRADERS' PRIVACY WELL PROTECTED
19
DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS ALLOCATION ON OPERATIONAL NEED 19
GOVT'S POLICY ON FIFTH FREEDOM RIGHTS ................. 20
COSTS FOR OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT OF AOS JUSTIFIED ....... 21
ELIGIBILITY TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT DETERMINED BY EXTENT OF HARDSHIP .......................................... 21
RULES APPROVED UNDER BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES ORDINANCES ........................................... 22
MOTION ON CHINA'S MFN STATUS PASSED ................... 23
FS SEEKS LEGCO VIEWS ON EXPENDITURE PRIORITIES .......... 25
FS ON BUDGET EXPENDITURE ................................ 26
REGULATORY REFORMS FOR OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY ......... 29
GOVERNMENT ANSWERS IATA'S VIEWS ON AIRPORT CHARGES .... 36
MASSIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HK .................... 37
MARINE DEPT TO GO HI-TECH ............................... 38
IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS MADE IN YUNG LONG, TUEN MUN .................................................... 39
10 FERRY SERVICES TO BE SUSPENDED ON THURSDAY ........... 40
GOVT LOT IN KOWLOON EAST TO LET BY TENDER ............... 41
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON FRIDAY ..................... 41
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............................................. 42
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
1
STI’S SPEECH ON MFN STATUS FOR CHINA DEBATE * * * * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, TN THE MOTION DEBATE ON MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS FOR CHINA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
MEMBERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN IN THIS DEBATE HAVE ALL RECOGNISED THAT THE RENEWAL OF MOST FAVOURED NATION TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA BY THE UNITED STATES IS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG. THE DAMAGE THAT WOULD BE DONE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AS A RESULT OF THE LOSS OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS HAS BEEN SPELT OUT IN DETAIL BY MANY MEMBERS. SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE QUOTED VERY PRECISE FIGURES. SO THERE IS NO NEED FOR ME TO REPEAT THEM.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE A FEW POINTS. IF, AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF MFN STATUS, CHINA WAS TO CUT BACK ON ITS IMPORTS FROM THE US EITHER IN RETALIATION OR BECAUSE OF A REDUCED ABILITY TO EARN FOREIGN EXCHANGE, THERE WOULD BE FURTHER TRADE CONTRACTION, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN FURTHER LOSS IN JOBS AND INCOME FOR HONG KONG. IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT VENTURES AND OTHER PRODUCTION ARRANGEMENTS BY HONG KONG AND FOREIGN COMPANIES IN CHINA. HONG KONG’S ROLE AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA WOULD LIKELY BE UNDERMINED CONSIDERABLY, THUS AFFECTING LONGER-TERM GROWTH POTENTIAL AND BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. ALL THESE WOULD DAMAGE HONG KONG AT AN IMPORTANT TIME IN OUR HISTORY.
IN SPITE OF THE CONSENSUS THAT HAS EMERGED FROM THIS DEBATE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MFN RENEWAL, SOME MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONED OUR SUPPORT FOR UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL. IN ORDER TO AVOID REPETITION, I WILL DEAL WITH THIS POINT LATER ON WHEN I ADDRESS THE AMENDMENT THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO THE MOTION.
ALTHOUGH PRESIDENT BUSH HAS APPROVED THE EXTENSION OF UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF MFN TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA FOR THE CURRENT YEAR' ENDING 3 JULY 1993, 111 IS HAS NOT GONE UNCHALLENGED. A JOINT RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL, INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO REVOKE THE PRESIDENT’S DECISION, IS NOW WAITING TO BE PUT TO THE HOUSE FOR A VOTE. IF APPROVED BY BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, CHINA WOULD BE DENIED MFN STATUS WITHIN 60 DAYS OF PASSAGE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION UNLESS THE PRESIDENT EXERCISES HIS VETO AND IS ABLE TO SUSTAINS IT IN ANY VETO-OVERRIDE ATTEMPT.
IN ADDITION TO THE ATTEMPT TO DENY MIN TRADING STATUS FOR (HINA THIS YEAR, TWO BILLS ATTACHING CONDITIONS TO MFN RENEWAL FOR NEXT YEAR HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED RESPECTIVELY IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. IN BRIEF, BOTH BILLS WOULD DENY MFN TREATMENT FOR EXPORTS FROM PREDOMINATELY STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES SHOULD CHINA FAIL TO MEET A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS RELATING TO IMPROVEMENTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS, TRADE PRACTICES, WEAPONS NON-PROLIFERATION AND OTHERS.
/THIS APPROACH .......
2
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
THIS APPROACH, ALTHOUGH MORE SELECTIVE THAN WITHDRAWAL OF MFN STATUS ALTOGETHER, WOULD NOT INSULATE HONG KONG FROM THE ENSUING ADVERSE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES. LEAVING ASIDE THE CHINESE RESPONSE TO CONDITIONALITY, THE US ADMINISTRATION HAVE STATED VERY CLEARLY THAT THE TWO BILLS ARE UNWORKABLE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHICH EXPORTS ARE PRODUCED BY STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES. CONFUSION ABOUT THE APPLICABILITY OF THE LEGISLATION WOULD NOT ONLY GIVE RISE TO CHAOS AND BE DETRIMENTAL TO TRADE, IT WOULD ALSO CREATE UNCERTAINTY AMONG INVESTORS IN HONG KONG AND CHINA. WHILE THE IMPACT ON HONG KONG COULD NOT BE QUANTIFIED IN VIEW OF THE LACK OF DATA ON EXPORTS BY CHINESE STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES, ONE THING FOR CERTAIN IS THAT HONG KONG WILL SUFFER BECAUSE OF ITS CLOSE ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA.
IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MATTER, MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAVE HELPFULLY ISSUED A LETTER EARLIER ON TO KEY SENATORS TO URGE SUPPORT FOR UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN 1992/93. THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS ALSO BEEN WORKING VIGOROUSLY ON THIS FRONT. IN MAY, TWO MISSIONS OF BUSINESSMEN VISITED WASHINGTON DC TO LOBBY THE SUPPORT OF BOTH THE BUSINESS SECTOR AND THE POLITICIANS IN THE US. ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT, OUR WASHINGTON OFFICE HAVE WORKED WITH GROUPS IN THE US HAVING BUSINESS OR EXPORTING INTERESTS IN CHINA, URGING THEM - SUCCESSFULLY - TO IMPRESS UPON THEIR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES THE DAMAGE THAT NON-RENEWAL OR CONDITIONAL RENEWAL WOULD DO TO THE US ECONOMY.
IN ADDITION, THROUGH THE SUSTAINED EFFORTS OF MY COLLEAGUES IN OUR WASHINGTON OFFICE AND THROUGH MY OWN VISIT THERE IN MAY, WE HAVE ENSURED THAT CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND SENIOR US ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG OF UNCONDITIONAL MFN RENEWAL. FURTHERMORE, TO ENSURE THAT A COHERENT HONG KONG MESSAGE IS CONVEYED IN THE MULTIPLE LOBBYING EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WE HAVE NET WITH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND OTHER TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL GROUPS REGULARLY IN BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL SETTINGS, UPDATING THEM ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. THIS PROCESS IS CONTINUING.
THE KEY TO THE MFN BATTLE, IF 1 MAY USE SUCH A WORD, LIES IN PRESIDENT BUSH’S VERY FIRM STAND THAT WITHDRAWAL OR CONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF MFN STATUS FOR CHINA WOULD NOT ACHIEVE THE US’S OTHER POLICY OBJECTIVES. HOWEVER, WE IN HONG KONG CANNOT AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT GIVEN THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS ONLY ABLE TO SUSTAIN HIS VETO AGAINST THE BILL INTRODUCED LAST YEAR ATTACHING CONDITIONS TO MFN RENEWAL BY A NARROW MARGIN OF 5 VOTES IN THE SENATE IN MARCH THIS YEAR. THE POSITION THIS YEAR IS MADE MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC ELECTION POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO STATE FOR THE RECORD THAT WHILE HONG KONG POSSESSES FULL AUTONOMY IN THE CONDUCT OF ITS EXTERNAL COMMERCIAL RELATIONS, THE UK GOVERNMENT HAS ALL ALONG BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF HONG KONG IN RESPECT OF THE MFN ISSUE AND, WHEN NECESSARY, HAS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS APPROACHED THE US ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE US CONGRESS TO EXPRESS CONCERN AT THE DAMAGING IMPACT ON HONG KONG IF CHINA WERE TO LOSE ITS MFN TRADING STATUS IN THE US. SOME OF THESE CONTACTS WERE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE UK AND US GOVERNMENTS. WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL FOR THE UK GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT AND HAVE NO DOUBT THAT, IF NECESSARY, THE UK GOVERNMENT WILL AGAIN OFFER. US EVERY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IN THE FUTURE.
/ON A........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
3
ON A RELATED POINT, MEMBERS MAY WISH TO NOTE THAT, AT AN OPEN MEETING OF THE TRADE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON 23 JUNE 1992 IN WASHINGTON, WHEN CHINA’S MFN STATUS WAS BEING DISCUSSED, A CERTAIN CONGRESSMAN DID SAY THAT, AT A RECENT MEETING WITH SOME MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN LONDON, HE HAD BEEN TOLD THAT MFN REVOCATION WOULD DEAL A DEVASTATING BLOW TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND BUSINESS CONFIDENCE.
IN CONCLUDING MY COMMENTS ON THE MOTION, I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO DO ITS UTMOST TO WORK FOR THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF MFN TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG. WE WILL CONCENTRATE OUR EFFORTS ON SECURING ENOUGH SUPPORT IN THE CONGRESS TO SUSTAIN ANY PRESIDENTIAL VETO OF A JOINT RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL OR CONDITIONALITY BILL. THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WILL VOTE FOR THE MOTION.
AS REGARDS THE AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY DR HUANG CHEN-YA, THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL VOTE AGAINST IT. I MUST EMPHASISE THAT THIS VOTE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN CHINA.
THE REASONS FOR VOTING AGAINST THE AMENDMENT ARE, FIRST, THAT IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE MOST IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT, FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, THAT THE EXTENSION OF CHINA’S MFN TRADING STATUS SHOULD BE UNCONDITIONAL. A CONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS WOULD BE TAKEN BY BUSINESSMEN AND INVESTORS AS AN ADVANCE NOTICE TO WIND DOWN OPERATIONS AND INVESTMENTS IN CHINA. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE, THEREFORE, CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL ON THE GROUNDS THAT CONDITIONAL EXTENSION WILL BE VERY DAMAGING TO HONG KONG.
MY SECOND POINT IS THAT WE HAVE ALL ALONG BELIEVED THAT MFN IS A TRADE ISSUE WHICH SHOULD NOT BE LINKED TO OTHER ISSUES, SUCH AS THOSE INCLUDED IN THE TWO CONDITIONALITY BILLS. OUR POSITION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MERIT OR OTHERWISE OF THESE OTHER ISSUES. IN THIS RESPECT, I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE, ONCE AGAIN, THAT THE US ADMINISTRATION’S POSITION IS ALSO THAT MFN IS NOT THE RIGHT TOOL TO ACHIEVE OTHER POLICY OBJECTIVES.
FINALLY, CALLING FOR EXTENSION OF MFN WITHOUT SPECIFYING THAT IT SHOULD BE UNCONDITIONAL AND LINKING MFN EXTENSION WITH A NON-MFN ISSUE MAY WELL BE PERCEIVED ELSEWHERE AS A WEAKENING IN OUR SUPPORT FOR UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL AND RISK PLAYING INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO DEFEAT THE US ADMINISTRATION IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THEIR OWN DOMESTIC POLITICAL ENDS.
A FEW MEMBERS SPEAKING IN FAVOUR OF THE AMENDMENT HAVE SAID THAT OUR SUPPORT OF UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL IS UNREALISTIC. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS VIEW. OUR POSITION IS A REALISTIC ONE. IN TERMS OF US DOMESTIC POLITICS, HONG KONG IS BUT ONE FACTOR IN THE MFN EQUATION. IN OUR EFFORTS TO HELP MAINTAIN CHINA’S MFN STATUS, OUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION LIES IN SUPPORTING THE US ADMINISTRATION’S FIRM STANCE THAT CHINA’S MFN STATUS SHOULD BE RENEWED WITHOUT CONDITIONS. THANK YOU, SIR.
- - 0 - -
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
- 4 -
SHW’S SPEECH IN PATIENT’S RIGHTS DEBATE
*****
IN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON PATIENTS’ RIGHTS IN TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
MAY I THANK PROFESSOR THE HONOURABLE FELICE LIEH MAK AND OTHER
MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL FOR THEIR VIEWS. I AM PARTICULARLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS DEBATE WHICH ENHANCES PATIENTS’ RIGHTS AND PROFESSIONALS’
OBLIGATIONS. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A DEBATE OF THIS SORT TO CONCENTRATE ONE’S MIND ON AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT. HERE I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FROM THE BAPTIST COLLEGE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TROUBLE ' AND THE INITIATIVE TO DO RESEARCH AND SURVEY TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE PATIENTS’ RIGHTS. I REFER TO THIS BOOKLET WHICH IS VERY WELL DONE. IT’S AN ADMIRABLE PIECE OF WORK AND ADMIRABLE EFFORT. I CONGRATULATE THEM AND I THANK THEM.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE MANY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THIS COUNCIL WHO HAVE INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR THE RIGHTS OF PATIENTS WITH SUCH CLARITY AND VISION. ALTHOUGH I THINK, MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, ITS EARLY HOURS YET IT WOULD BE ARROGANT AND DISCOURTEOUS OF ME TO REPEAT OR ATTEMPT TO SAY WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID AND SAID SO ELOQUENTLY. HOWEVER I WOULD LIKE TO ADI) JUST A FEW POINTS WHICH 1 DON’T THINK HAVE BEEN MENTIONED.
EVERYBODY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO HIMSELF, HIS FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THE DEPARTMENT OF- HEALTH WHICH IS SOMETIMES FORGOTTEN IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PROMOTING THIS MESSAGE. ALL THE RIGHTS AND MEDICAL (ARE IN THE WORLD CANNOT PROTECT A PERSON FROM HIMSELF IF HE (HOOSES TO NEGLECT THE BENEFITS OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.
IN THE FAMOUS WORDS OF A LEADING SCRIBE IN THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, MR DEREK GOULD, THAT PATIENTS NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WHAT IS GOOD FOR THEIR BODY IS ALSO GOOD FOR THEIR RIGHTS. EACH NEEDS TO BE EXERCISED IN MODERATION OR IT WILL WASTE AWAY. AND IF A PATIENT ALLOWS HIS RIGHTS TO WASTE AWAY, HE HAS BUT HIMSELF TO BLAME.
IN BRIEF, THE BEST PROTECTOR OF A CONSUMER’S RIGHTS THE CONSUMER HIMSELF. NATURALLY WE MUST ALL ENDEAVOUR TO
IS STILL
HELP THE
CONSUMER TO ENHANCE AN AWARENESS OF CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS, THE PATIENTS’
RIGHTS. IT WILL DESERVE AN CONCERTED EFFORT. HERE MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT WE TN THE GOVERNMENT WILL BEAR IN MIND MEMBERS’ ADVICE, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR FREQUENT DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS
OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, AND TN PARTICULAR IN THE GREEN PAPER THAT
WE ARE DRAFTING.
THANK YOU, MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT.
-------0----------
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
ACP ESTIMATES EXPLAINED ******
THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) EXPRESSED IN MONEY OF THE DAY (MOD) IS $163,730 MILLION AS AGAINST $112,220 MILLION AT MARCH 1991 PRICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SAMUEL WONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR YEUNG SAID THE ESTIMATE AT MARCH 1991 PRICES AND THAT IN MOD APPLIED TO THE SAME SCOPE OF WORKS UNDER THE ACP AS WAS ANNOUNCED ON APRIL 2 THIS YEAR.
HE SAID EXPRESSING PROJECT ESTIMATES IN CONSTANT MARCH 1991 PRICES ENABLED REAL INCREASES IN COST TO BE READILY IDENTIFIED.
EXPRESSING PROJECT ESTIMATES IN MOD, ON THE OTHER HAND, GAVE AN IDEA AS TO THEIR LIKELY OUTTURN, MR YEUNG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BASIS UPON WHICH MOD ESTIMATES FOR GOVERNMENT ACP PROJECTS WAS CALCULATED WAS EXPLAINED IN AN INFORMATION NOTE ENTITLED "GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME: ADJUSTMENT FROM 1991 DOLLARS TO MONEY OF THE DAY" WHICH WAS ISSUED ON JUNE 3 THIS YEAR.
THE MOD EQUIVALENTS FOR THE OTHER ACP PROJECTS WERE RELEASED
TO THE PUBLIC ON JUNE 12, HE ADDED.
A BREAKDOWN OF THE ACP ESTIMATED COST IS AS FOLLOWS:
PROJECT AT ESTIMATE MARCH 1991 PRICES ESTIMATE AT MOD PRICES
$ MILLION $ MILLION
CHER LAP KOK AIRPORT 46,300 68,500
NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY 5,790 8, 102
TUNG CHUNG DEVELOPMENT PHASE I 2,210 3,027
LANTAU FIXED CROSSING 11,960 17, 155
ROUTE 3 (PART) 6,050 8,918
WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION 10,010 12,587
WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY 2,230 3,383
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING 4, 150 6,500
-J ,
3, 1992
AIRPORT RAILWAY 22,160 33,500
CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION 1,900 2,827
UTILITIES AND OTHERS 2,360 3,260
LESS: AIRPORT RAILWAY WORKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN AS PART OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, TUNG CHUNG DEVELOPMENT, NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, ROUTE 3, AND "UTILITIES" PROJECTS (2,900) (4,029)
TOTAL 112,220 163,730
GOVT WORKING ALL OUT IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CARRY OUT VARIOUS PLANS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER AND SPECIES OF TREES TO BE PLANTED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE URBAN COUNCIL WAS PLANNING TO ACCELERATE ITS TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME, BEYOND THE 900,000 TREES ALREADY PLANTED ANNUALLY ALL ROUND, AND WAS EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINT VENTURE PLANTING PROGRAMMES WITH DISTRICT BOARDS TO INCREASE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PLANNING AN URBAN-FRINGE PLANTING PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD COVER SOME 55 HECTARES OF ERODED SLOPES AND OTHER AREAS, MR EASON SAID IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG.
IN ADDITION, MR EASON SAID OVER 150,000 TREES WOULD BE PLANTED ON NORTH LANTAU STARTING IN 1994 AND THE NUMBER OF SPECIES FROM WHICH TREES FOR PLANTING WERE DRAWN ALREADY EXCEEDS 100.
THERE WERE ALSO PLANS TO ADD MORE NATIVE AND EXOTIC SPECIES.
HE SAID IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, ABOUT 9 MILLION TREES, IN ADDITION TO MILLIONS MORE SHRUBS AND CLIMBING PLANTS, HAD BEEN PLANTED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ABOUT 1.8 MILLION WERE PLANTED IN THE URBAN AREAS
—v-nD-.y, JULY 8, 1992
7
MR EASON SAID SINCE THE EARLY 1980S, A LANDSCAPE SECTION HAD BEEN PART OF EACH DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS TO ENSURE THAT LANDSCAPE MEASURES, INCLUDING TREE PLANTING, WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF ANY DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL, WHETHER PRIVATE OR PUBLIC.
IT WAS NOW STANDARD PRACTICE FOR COMPREHENSIVE LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS, HE ADDED.
MR EASON SAID A LONG-TERM, COMPREHENSIVE LANDSCAPE PLAN HAD BEEN OUTLINED AS PART OF THE METROPLAN SELECTED STRATEGY RELEASED LAST YEAR.
THIS PROVIDED AN URBAN DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF OPEN SPACES.
FIFTEEN AREAS WERE EARMARKED FOR DEVELOPMENT AS URBAN-FRINGE PARKS.
"UPON FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS STRATEGY, WE WILL HAVE ABOUT 1,000 HECTARES OF LANDSCAPED AREAS AND OPEN SPACES IN THE METRO REGION FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.
"IN ADDITION, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FORMULATING A TERRITORIAL LANDSCAPE STRATEGY AS PART OF THE ONGOING TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDIES," MR EASON SAID.
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE OVERALL CO-ORDINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION POLICY WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH.
"IT WILL BE CLEAR THAT THE ETHIC IS ALREADY BECOMING INCREASINGLY ENTRENCHED IN THE NUMEROUS DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED; AND THIS, RATHER THAN AN INTRICATE GREENING MASTERPLAN, IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS," MR EASON SAID.
HE SAID BODIES WITH RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FIELD, SUCH AS THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT PLANNING AND LAND CONFERENCES, AND SO ON, WERE ALSO ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ASPECTS OF THEIR BUSINESS.
AGAIN, SPECIFICALLY ON TREES, AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON URBAN TREES WAS SET UP IN MARCH 1991 TO CO-ORDINATE EFFORTS IN TREE PLANTING AND TO DRAW UP GUIDELINES FOR STREET TREE PLANTING.
ON THE GENERAL QUESTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, MR EASON MENTIONED THAT AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE SUBJECT WAS PRESENTED TO THE OMELCO PANEL ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AT ITS APRIL MEETING.
THE PAPER DESCRIBED THE POSITION AS REGARDS COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS, MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES, FLORA AND FAUNA, LAND USE PLANNING AND CONTROL AT STRATEGIC, SUB-REGIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS, AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
s
PUBLIC ORDER AND SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCES UNDER REVIEW
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS REVIEWING BOTH THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE AND THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING, MR ASPREY SAID THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE REVIEW.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT YET COME TO ANY CONCLUSIONS, HE SAID.
"WHETHER A PARTICULAR PROVISION IN A LAW CONTRAVENES THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE IS ULTIMATELY A MATTER FOR THE COURTS TO DETERMINE."
TURNING TO A TEMPORARY CORDONING-OFF OF AN AREA OUTSIDE THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, MR ASPREY SAID THE MOVE WAS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH ARTICLE 17 OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
"IN RECOGNISING THE RIGHT OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY, ARTICLE 17 PERMITS RESTRICTIONS ON THE EXERCISE OF THAT RIGHT WHICH ARE IMPOSED IN CONFORMITY WITH THE LAW AND WHICH ARE NECESSARY IN THE INTERESTS OF, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC ORDER AND THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS," HE SAID.
UNDER THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE, THE POLICE HAVE A DUTY TO TAKE LAWFUL MEASURES TO PRESERVE ORDER IN PUBLIC PLACES, AT PUBLIC MEETINGS AND ASSEMBLIES.
"FULFILMENT OF THIS DUTY MAY NEED TO INCLUDE THE TEMPORARY CORDONING-OFF OF AN AREA, DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE TIME," HE ADDED.
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BLOCKADE DECISION MADE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE DECISION TO CORDON OFF A PUBLIC AREA WAS TAKEN BY POLICE COMMANDERS AT THE SCENE IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC ORDER AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR ASPREY SAID SECTION 10 OF THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE POLICE TO TAKE LAWFUL MEASURES TO PRESERVE PUBLIC PEACE AND TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.
"IN DISCHARGING THESE DUTIES, IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY FOR THE POLICE TO CORDON OFF TEMPORARILY CERTAIN AREAS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE AREA OUTSIDE THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY WAS A CASE IN POINT.
- - 0 _ _
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIONS ♦ *
MADF FOR DETUNED HK RESIDENTS ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE \l'l ROPR I ATE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR HONG KoNG RESIDENTS BEING DETAINED OR JAILED IN CHINA WHERE THERE ARE GROUNDS FOR DOING SO.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION B\ DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMEN'l WAS AWARE OF SOME CASES OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS HAVING BEEN DETAINED OR JAILED IN CHINA, BUT IT HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING FOR CERTAIN HOW MANY HONG KONG RESIDENTS WERE STILL DETAINED.
"AS FAR AS WE ARE AWARE, ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS DETAINED IN CHINA FOR POLITICAL OFFENCES RELATED TO THE EVENTS OF JUNE 1989 HAVE NOW BEEN RELEASED."
HE SAID IN EACH OF THEIR CASES, THE HONG KONG AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS MADE REPEATED REPRESENTATIONS TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE UP DESERVING CASES IN FUTURE,” HE SAID.
ON MR LAU SAN-CHING’S DETENTION TN CHINA IN DECEMBER 1981, MR ASPREY SAID THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS RAISED HIS CASE WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON MANY OCCASIONS, BOTH IN HONG KONG AND BEIJING.
"HIS CASE WAS TAKEN UP BY BOTH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE PRIME MINISTER DURING THEIR VISITS TO (’HINA IN APRIL AND SEPTEMBER 1991 ," HE SAID.
MR LAU WAS FINALLY RELEASED AT THE END OF HIS SENTENCE IN DECEMBER 1991.
USA HAS KEY ROLE IN IMPROVING VIETNAMESE ECONOMY
*****
THE USA CLEARLY HAS KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN IMPROVING THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN VIETNAM BECAUSE OF ITS PRESENT TRADE EMBARGO AND ITS BLOCK ON VIETNAMESE ACCESS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
IT WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY SAID Till-. BRITISH GOVERNMENT SHARED THIS VIEW, AND HAD MADE THIS CLEAR TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT BOTH IN BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS, AND IN THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
"WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE CLEAR THAT IN OUR VIEW THE ROOT CAUSE OF' THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANT PROBLEM LIES IN VIETNAM, AND ESPECIALLY IN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THERE," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE ALSO MADE (LEAR THAT, IN OUR VIEW, PARTIES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION SHOULD WORK TO IMPROVE THOSE CONDITIONS."
HA CONSULTANCY STUDIES CLOSELY MONITORED ******
ALL CONSULTANCY STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CHA) ARE CLOSELY MONITORED AND EVALUATED BY A STEERING COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID CONSULTANTS WERE ENGAGED TO PROVIDE EXPERT ADVICE ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF REFORM.
"WHEN DETERMINING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR CONSULTANCY STUDIES, DUE CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO THE FEASIBILITY OF CONDUCTING THEM IN-HOUSE, THE URGENCY FOR INTRODUCING IMPROVEMENTS IN STEP WITH THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT REFORM PROGRAMME, THE NEED FOR INPUT FROM EXPERTS WITH INTERNATIONAL REPUTE AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE TO SET THE DIRECTION FOR FUTURE PLANNING AND PROVISION OF SERVICES OR INFRASTRUCTURAL SYSTEMS.
"THE PROCEDURES FOR ENGAGEMENT OF CONSULTANTS ARE SET OUT TN THE CIRCULAR ON ’INTERIM TENDERING PROCEDURES IN RELATION TO SERVICES’," SHE SAID.
THE HA HAD COMMISSIONED FIVE CONSULTANCY STUDIES TN 1991-92 AT A TOTAL COST OF SOME $10 MILLION.
ALL OF THEM, EXCEPT THE CONSULTANCY ON INTERIM MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM I PART III) WHICH IS DUE FOR COMPLETION NEXT MONTH, HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED.
THE HA IS IN THE COURSE OF IMPLEMENTING VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE CONSULTANTS. DETAILS' \RE AS FOLLOWS:
* DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW OF HOSPITAL SUPPORTING SERVICE ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED AT VARIOUS HOSPITALS WHILE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ACCORDED WITH PRIORITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION;
CURIUM CATION......
I
* COMMUNICATION - RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE EXISTING COMMUNICATION CHANNELS AN!) PUBLIC ITY ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED:
* INTERIM MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM STUDIES (PARTS I & II) AN INTERIM MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN
DESIGNED AND INSTALLED FOR USER TESTING:
* DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW OF CLINICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS - A STRATEGY IS BEING MAPPED OUT FOR IMP!.EMENTATION OF
THE RELEVANT RECOMMENDATIONS: AND
» MEDIC AL RECORD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - \ PILOT HOSPITAL HAS BEEN SELECTED TO IMPLEMENT THE MODEL MEDICAL RECORD
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF
EXTENDING THE SYSTEM TO OTHER HOSPITALS.
AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION UNDER STUDY I ♦ ♦ I *
THE ADMINISTRATION IS EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING AUTOMAT IC VOTER REGISTRATION, THE SEC RETARY FOR ( ONSTI TUT IONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, MR SZE SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL LIMITATIONS WHICH MUST FIRST BE OVERCOME IF THE PROPOSAL WAS TO BE PURSUED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MR SZE SAID NOT ALL RECORDS KEPT BY THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE WERE COMPUTERISED.
ADDRESSES AND SOME OTHER PARTICULARS ARE SEPARATELY STORED IN MICROFILM AND IT WOULD BE A MAJOR EXERCISE TO MANUALLY EXTRACT SUCH DETAILS TO IDENTIFY THE ESTIMATED 1.7 MILLION ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS NOT YET ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL.
FURTHERMORE, THE SECRETARY SAID THE RECORDS WOI LD NOT ESTABLISH WHETHER A PERSON WAS QUALIFIED OR I) ISQUALIFI ED TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR.
"IT IS ALSO LIKELY THAT SOME OF THE ADDRESSES WOULD NOT BY UP-TO-DATE, GIVEN THE HIGH MOBILITY OF THE POPULATION WITHIN HONG KONG AND THE GENERAL RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CHANGES OF ADDRESS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE LEGALLY OBLIGED TO DO SO," MR SZE SAID.
HE SAID EVEN IE THEY WERE CORRECT AT THI TIME OF REGISTRATION, A SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE DEVISED TO CONSTANTLY UPDATE THEM BECAUSE OF THE POPULATION’S HIUH MOBILITY.
HE ALSO SAID IHE ADMINISTRATION WOULD NEED TO CAREFULLY ASSESS THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THI PROPOSAL AND ITS COST-EFFECTIVENESS.
MR SZE ALSO SAID I HERE • \S \ <ONTINUOUS TREND IN IHE MOVEMENT OF REGISTERED ELECTORS FROM THE URBAN AREA TO THE NEW TERRITORIES, IN PARTICULAR TO THE NEW TOWNS IN SAI KUNG, SHA TIL’, THEN MIN AND TAI PO.
THERE WAS ALSO SOME THINNING OUT OF ELECTORS IN SUCH URBAN DISTRICTS AS WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG WHERE MAJOR PUBLIC HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WERE TAKING PLACE.
SIMILAR SIGNS WERE ALSO EMERGING IN THE OLDER TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES LIKE YUEN LONG AND KWAI TSING.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE ELECTORS’ RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES ACCURATE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID NOT MANY REGISTERED VOTERS TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO INFORM THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE (REO) OF ANY CHANGES IN THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES.
HE SAID ACTIVE MEASURES WERE TAKEN BY THE REO TO KEEP TRACK OF THOSE ELECTORS WHO HAD CHANGED ADDRESSES AFTER THEIR REGISTRATION AS ELECTORS.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDED PUBLICITY, MATCHING WITH GOVERNMENT RECORDS, AND SOME NEW AND IMPROVEMENT MEASURES SUCH AS MATCHING WITH REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE RECORDS AND INCLUSION OF APPEAL LETTER AND A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WHEN THEY MOVE TO THEIR NEW ACCOMMODATION.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT CONSIDERED PROVIDING ANY "INCENTIVE” TO ENCOURAGE REGISTERED ELECTORS TO REPORT ADDRESS CHANGES.
"IT IS VERY MUCH THEIR RESPONSIBILITY’ TO REPORT ANY SUCH CHANGES,” HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY' SAID THE LEVELS OF EXPENDITURE IN VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS VARIED FROM YEAR TO YEAR TO TIE IN WITH THE ELECTION CYCLE.
GENERALLY, MORE RESOURCES WERE SPENT DURING AN ELECTION YEAR AND THE YEAR PRECEDING IT.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
EFFORTS TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED $2.5 MILLION FOR THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN 1992-93, PART OF WHICH HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SZE SAID THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECEIVED A DONATION OF $1 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR ORGANISING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION PROJECTS.
IN ADDITION, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PUBLISHED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
A TOTAL OF 10,000 COPIES OF THE ORDINANCE AND 20,000 COPIES OF AN INTRODUCTORY BOOKLET ON THE ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
NOTING THAT THE COMMITTEE HAS SET UP A SUB-COMMITTEE IN MAY THIS YEAR TO FOSTER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, HE SAID HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION WAS ONE OF THE COMMITTEE’S WORK PRIORITIES IN 1992-93.
THE PROJECTS SO FAR PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR INCLUDE A SPECIAL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME, PRODUCTION OF INFORMATION KITS AND PAMPHLETS, A CIVIC EDUCATION DAY, SEMINARS AND A RADIO PROGRAMME.
BESIDES, THE COMMITTEE HAS SPONSORED ABOUT $374,000 FOR 12 HUMAN RIGHTS-RELATED CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS FROM 1990/91 TO 1992/93.
LEGAL SYSTEM AND JUDICIAL PROCESS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS
SHOULD BE RESPECTED *****
THE ADMINISTRATION TAKES AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN ATTEMPTS BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO IMPOSE THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTS OR JUDICIAL ORDERS EXTRATERRITORIALLY IN HONG KONG.
IT WAS ALSO OF THE VIEW THAT INTERNATIONAL COMITY REQUIRED THAT THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND JUDICIAL PROCESS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS BE RESPECTED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HO'N HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
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1;
"CLEARLY, SUCH MATTERS ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE IN NATURE AND THERE CAN BE NO HARD AND FAST RULES AS TO HOW THESE SHOULD BE HANDLED," MR NENDICK SAID.
FREQUENTLY, DIPLOMATIC EXCHANGES WERE REQUIRED TO RESOLVE SUCH MATTERS AMICABLY, HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID SOMETIMES THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MIGHT NEED TO SEEK REPRESENTATION IN FOREIGN COURT PROCEEDINGS TO EXPRESS ITS INTEREST.
IN CASES WHERE HONG KONG’S TRADING INTERESTS WERE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, THE GOVERNOR MIGHT ALSO, AS A LAST RESORT, CONSIDER FRUSTRATING SUCH ATTEMPTS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF TRADING INTEREST ACT 1980 (HONG KONG) ORDER 1990.
IN THIS CONNECTION, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS HAD BEEN ASKED TO REMIND ITS MEMBERS THAT ANY EXTRATERRITORIALLY CASES SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE NOTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
GENERALLY, MR NENDICK SAID, A DEPOSIT HELD WITH A HONG KONG BRANCH OF A FOREIGN BANK WOULD BE GOVERNED BY HONG KONG LAW.
IF THIS WAS THE CASE, SUCH PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS COULD ONLY BE SET ASIDE UNDER HONG KONG LAW.
"NOTWITHSTANDING THIS, A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT MAY, ON OCCASIONS, BY MEANS OF INJUNCTIONS IN ITS OWN COURTS OR BY ITS OWN ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, ATTEMPT TO FREEZE ASSETS HELD IN THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF A BANK WHICH IS WITHIN ITS TERRITORY AND SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ITS COURTS," HE SAID.
SHOULD SUCH CASES AROSE, A CUSTOMER WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE HONG KONG COURTS TO ENFORCE HIS CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS, HE SAID.
ENVIRONMENT A FACTOR IN CHOICE OF DREDGING SITES
******
THE GOVERNMENT SELECTS SITES FOR SEA-SAND DREDGING WHERE SAND CAN BE RECOVERED ECONOMICALLY AND WHERE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WILL BE ACCEPTABLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD.
HE SAID PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS WERE CARRIED OUT AS PART OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDIES FOR IDENTIFYING THE SITES.
/
THE FINDINGS ARE CONSIDERED BY THE FILL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WHICH IS CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING.
/DRBDar'G ”0?
WSDmjSDA.T, JULY 8, 1992
DREDGING FOR SEA SAND IS TAKING PLACE AT SOUTH OF TSING YI, THE TATHONG CHANNEL, EAST OF TUNG LUNG CHAU (THE NINEPINS), WEST OF SOKO ISLANDS AND NORTH OF LANTAU.
IN FUTURE, DREDGING IS LIKELY AT OUTER DEEP BAY, URMSTON ROAD, THE BROTHERS, EAST OF SHA CHAU, EAST AND WEST OF PO TOI AND EAST LAMMA CHANNEL.
THE COMMITTEE FOUND THAT BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DREDGING AT EAST LAMMA CHANNEL AND SOUTH TATHONG MIGHT BE SIGNIFICANT, FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS WERE BEING CARRIED OUT.
HOWEVER, IT FOUND THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AT THE OTHER LOCATIONS SHOULD BE LIMITED PROVIDED THE CONTRACTOR EXERCISED PROPER CONTROL OVER THE WORK.
ON THE NINEPINS, MR EASON SAID ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REVEALED THAT DREDGING CAUSED SOME TURBIDITY BUT THAT THIS WAS TRANSIENT IN NATURE.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS AWARE THAT THERE WERE FISHERMEN WHO CLAIMED THE DREDGING OPERATIONS AFFECTED THEIR LIVELIHOOD, ADDING THAT THEIR CLAIMS WOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
"MEETINGS WITH THE FISHERMEN’S REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS AND SEEK INFORMATION ON THEIR CLAIMS. CLAIMS WHICH CAN BE SUBSTANTIATED WILL BE CONSIDERED EXPEDITIOUSLY," HE SAID.
FUTURES EXCHANGE’S OPERATION UNDERGOES IMPROVEMENTS
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT STEPS HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (HKFE).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR NENDICK SAID A WHOLLY OWNED CLEARING HOUSE - HKFE CLEARING CORPORATION LTD - WAS FORMED AND A NEW RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, INCLUDING A RESERVE FUND OF $200 MILLION, WAS INTRODUCED.
HE SAID ANY MEASURES THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF THE HKFE WERE ESSENTIALLY A MATTER FOR THE EXCHANGE TO CONSIDER THOUGH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) WOULD BE PREPARED TO HELP AND OFFER GUIDANCE SHOULD THIS BE REQUIRED.
REGARDING THE EXISTING SPECIAL LEVY ON SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS, MR NENDICK SAID STEPS WOULD BE TAKEN TO WITHDRAW THE SPECIAL LEVY WHEN PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE OUTSTANDING REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES WERE REPAID.
'D'-.SD'LY, JTJIY 8, 1992
THE FACILITIES WERE EXTENDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND MAJOR BROKERS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES GUARANTEE CORPORATION LTD (THE LIFEBOAT) TO RESCUE THE HKFE AFTER THE 1987 STOCK MARKET CRASH.
"AT THE CURRENT RATE OF REPAYMENT, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT REPAYMENT..^AY BE COMPLETED IN THE COURSE OF 1994," MR NENDLCK SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE EXCHANGE IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS, INCLUDING AN OPTION ON THE HANG SENG INDEX, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE MARKET’S INTERNATIONAL ATTRACTION BY BROADENING THE RANGE OF CONTRACTS AVAILABLE AND ENHANCE TURNOVER.
I
IF IT PROVES SUCCESSFUL JT MAY GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TOWARDS REPAYMENT OF THE LIFEBOAT.
ON TRADING IN EXISTING CONTRACTS, MR NENDICK SAID IT MUST BE FOR HKFE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SFC TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO CEASE TRADING IN ANY OF ITS EXISTING CONTRACTS IN THE LIGHT OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE SOYBEAN FUTURES CONTRACT WAS DISCONTINUED IN MARCH THIS.
YEAR BECAUSE OF A LACK OF PARTICIPATION AND TRADING INTEREST.
COTTON FUTURES CONTRACTS WERE DISCONTINUED IN THE EARLY 1980’S.
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GAMES CENTRE BILL READY FOR LEGCO LATER THIS YEAR ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
AN AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRE BILL HAS BEEN DRAFTED AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP, MR SUEN SAID THE BILL WAS DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH A NEW AND STRICTER LICENSING SCHEME TO CONTROL THE OPERATION OF AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES.
TO SUPPORT THIS, APPROVAL HAD ALREADY BEEN GRANTED FOR THE CREATION OF A LICENSING TEAM WITHIN THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF LICENCES AND HANDLE ALL LICENCE APPLICATIONS, HE SAID.
AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRES ARE CURRENTLY LICENSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS IN THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE.
MR SUEN SAID SINCE THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE WAS LAST AMENDED IN 1988 TO INTRODUCE THE CURRENT LICENSING SYSTEM FOR AMUSEMENT GAMES CENTRE, THERE HAD BEEN RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE TRADE.
TYF^ .....
•■?T' -”TT ?, 1992
- 17 -
"NEW TYPES OF MACHINE AND NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED WHICH HAS RESULTED IN A NEED FOR THE LICENSING REGIME TO BE UPDATED," HE SAID.
AT THE END OF LAST MONTH, THERE WERE 646 LICENSED CENTRES, OF THESE ABOUT 600 WERE IN NON-COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
n
USAGE OF EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING
*****
INCREASED USAGE OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN KWUN TONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE MOST TRAFFIC ENTERED OR LEFT THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING VIA THE KWUN TONG BYPASS AND KWUN TONG ROAD.
THE CAPACITY OF EACH OF THESE ROADS IS ABOUT 8,400 VEHICLES PER HOUR IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, AGAINST A CURRENT PEAK TRAFFIC FLOW OF 5,000 - 6,000 VEHICLES PER HOUR.
MR LEUNG SAID AT PRESENT THE AVERAGE DAILY THROUGHPUT OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WAS 65,000 VEHICLES AND WA.S WELL BELOW THE CAPACITY OF 100,000 VEHICLES.
’’DURING THE DAYTIME, THE AVERAGE HOURLY TRAFFIC FLOW THROUGH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS VARIES BETWEEN 3,600 VEHICLES OFF PEAK AND ABOUT 5,000 VEHICLES AT THE BUSIEST TIMES.”
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L SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR PUBLIC HOSPITALS PUBLISHED E
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THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHES A SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR PUBLICHOSPITALS AND CLINICS WHILE THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HAS ALSO PUBLISHED THE RESULTS OF ITS SURVEY ON DOCTORS’ FEES IN THE PRIVATE* SECTOR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING IN THE-LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID CONSUMERS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW THE-LEVEL OF FEES AND TO HAD ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION WHICH WOULD ENABLE THEM TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE.
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"IT IS FOR PROVIDERS OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY IN AS OPEN A MANNER AS POSSIBLE.
"ANY PATIENT IS FREE TO ASK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT FEES AND TO GO TO THE DOCTOR OF HIS CHOICE," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG STRESSED THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT NO ONE WAS DENIED ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR WANT OF MEANS, ADDING THAT THIS WAS COVERED BY SECTION 4(D) OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ORDINANCE.
"WHERE A PATIENT CANNOT AFFORD PRIVATE TREATMENT, GOVERNMENT PROVIDES PUBLIC CLINICS AND HOSPITALS, WHERE THE SUBSIDY TOWARDS THE COST OF TREATMENT IS HIGH AND THE CHARGES ARE LOW AND IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES MAY EVEN BE WAIVED."
MORE STUDENTS WILL STUDY IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS ******
MORE- CHILDREN LIVING IN NORTH AND TAI PO DISTRICTS WILL FIND SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PENDING THE COMPLETION OF TWO NEW SCHOOLS - ONE IN FANLING AND THE OTHER IN TAI PO - IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR, 320 AND 54 NEW SECONDARY 1 PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED IN TEMPORARY PREMISES IN THESE TWO DISTRICTS RESPECTIVELY.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD, MR CHAN SAID: "IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO ALLOCATE SECONDARY 1 SCHOOL PLACES ON A TERRITORY-WIDE RATHER THAN ON A DISTRICT BASIS.
"HOWEVER, IN ACTUAL PRACTICE, EFFORTS ARE MADE TO AVOID CROSSNET ALLOCATIONS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE."
HE ADDED THAT THE COMPLETION OF A NEW SCHOOL IN TAI PO AND TWO IN FANLING IN JULY NEXT YEAR WILL IMPROVE FURTHER THE PROSPECTS OF THE STUDENTS OF THE NORTH AND TAI PO DISTRICTS BEING ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS IN THE SCHOOL YEAR 1993-94.
UNDER THE 1991 ALLOCATION EXERCISE, 2,220 STUDENTS OF THOSE LIVING IN THE NORTH DISTRICT ATTENDED SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT WHILE 595 ATTENDED SCHOOLS IN TAI PO.
OF THE STUDENTS LIVING IN TAI PO, 3,372 ATTENDED SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT WHILE 97 ATTENDED SCHOOLS TN THE NORTH AND 56 IN THE SHA TIN DISTRICTS.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
TRADERS’ PRIVACY WELL PROTECTED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS TO LIFT THE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESTRICTIONS ON THE D1VULGENCE OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATIONS AND CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD THE DUTY TO SAFEGUARD THE PRIVACY OF TRADERS AND MANUFACTURERS AND TO PRESERVE THE SECURITY OF COMMERCIALLY CONFIDENTIAL DATA SUPPLIED BY THEM.
AT PRESENT, THE EXPORT (CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN) REGULATIONS PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY FACTORIES FOR CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN REGISTRATION MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE TO TRADE PROMOTION ORGANISATIONS AND MAY BE PUBLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REPLYING TO TRADE ENQUIRIES.
"SUCH INFORMATION IS, HOWEVER, LIMITED TO THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF MANUFACTURERS AND THE NATURE OF THEIR PRODUCTS.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE TRADE PROMOTION ORGANISATIONS TO DEVELOP A USEFUL DATA BASE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING TRADE AND INDUSTRY," HE ADDED.
DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS ALLOCATION ON OPERATIONAL NEED
ALL CIVIL SERVANTS RESIDING TN DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS BEFORE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) TOOK OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS ON DECEMBER 1, 1991 ARE ABLE TO RETAIN THEIR ELIGIBILITY.
THEIR ELIGIBILITY WILL LAST UNTIL THEIR THREE-YEAR OPTION PERIOD FOR TRANSFER TO HA EXPIRES OR UNTIL THEY LEAVE THE CIVIL SERVICE, WHICHEVER IS THE EARLIER.
"A FIRM ASSURANCE IN THIS REGARD HAS BEEN CONVEYED TO THE STAFF THROUGH ESTABLISHED COMMUNICATION CHANNELS," THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 1991, 7.9 PER CENT OF THE MEDICAL, NURSING AND PARAMEDICAL STAFF WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT RESIDED IN DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS.
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THE COMPARATIVE FIGURE FOR THOSE WHO RETAIN THEIR CIVIL SERVANT STATUS WHILE WORKING UNDER HA IS 7.4 PER CENT AS AT MAY 31 THIS YEAR.
"DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS ARE JUSTIFIED ON GROUNDS OF OPERATIONAL NEED," MRS WONG SAID.
"THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SEES NO SUCH NEED, AND THEREFORE THESE QUARTERS MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ALTERNATIVE USE."
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT SINCE THE TRANSFER OF MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY TO HA, THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD NOT ALLOCATED ANY MORE SUCH QUARTERS.
NURSES TRAINEES AND INTERNS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ENTITLED TO OCCUPY QUARTERS IN RECOGNITION OF THE NEED FOR THEM TO RESIDE IN HOSPITALS AS PART OF THEIR OVERALL TRAINING PROGRAMME.
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GOVT’S POLICY ON FIFTH FREEDOM RIGHTS
*****
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO GRANT FIFTH FREEDOM RIGHTS ONLY IF TO DO SO WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES OF EQUAL VALUE TO HONG KONG AND TO HONG KONG AIRLINES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION RY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS CHAN SAID FIFTH FREEDOM SERVICES INVOLVED THE CARRIAGE OF TRAFFIC BETWEEN THE AREA OF ONE OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES AND THAT OF A THIRD PARTY.
SHE SAID THE AGREEMENT OF [HAT THIRD PARTY WAS REQUIRED BEFORE SUCH SERVICES COULD BE OPERATED.
THE AGREEMENT OF ALL THREE GOVERNMENTS WAS REQUIRED FOR SUCH A SERVICE TO OPERATE.
IN VIEW OF HONG KONG’S GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION IN A PART OF THE WORLD WHICH WAS CURRENTLY ENJOYING RAPID GROWTH IN AIR TRAVEL, MRS CHAN SAID MANY OF HONG KONG’S PARTNERS SOUGHT FIFTH FREEDOM TRAFFIC RIGHTS FROM THE TERRITORY.
MOST AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS GOVERNING HONG KONG’S AIR SERVICES PROVIDE FOR SUCH RIGHTS, SHE ADDED.
"THE WILLINGNESS OF ANY GOVERNMENT TO GRANT FIFTH FREEDOM TRAFFIC RIGHTS VARIES DEPENDING ON THEIR AIMS AND PERSPECTIVES.
"FOR THIS REASON THERE WOULD BE LITTLE VALUE IN ATTEMPTING TO COMPARE OUR WILLINGNESS TO GRANT FIFTH FREEDOM RIGHTS WITH THE WILLINGNESS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTS TO DO SO," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT AS FAR AS THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED, EACH REQUEST FOR FIFTH FREEDOM RIGHTS WAS JUDGED ON ITS MERITS.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
1
COSTS FOR OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT OF AOS JUSTIFIED ******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RECRUIT A PROPORTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS FROM AMONG HONG KONG PEOPLE LIVING OR STUDYING ABROAD, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR WIGGHAM SAID: "THE
JUSTIFICATION FOR RECRUITING ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS OVERSEAS IS THAT WE WISH TO TAP THE POOL OF TALENT FORMED BY THE CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING OR STUDYING ABROAD.
”ON THE WHOLE, THE RESULTS OBTAINED HAVE BEEN VERY WORTHWHILE."
TEN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFI< ERS WERE RECRUITED FROM OVERSEAS IN 1989/90, ONLY THREE IN 1990/91, AND NINE WILL BE RECRUITED IN 1991/92.
ALTHOUGH THE COSTS MAY APPEAR HIGH ON A PER CAPITA BASIS IN A YEAR OF LOW RECRUITMENT, THERE ARE SUBSEQUENT SAVINGS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
MR WIGGHAM EXPLAINED: "OFFICERS EDUCATED ABROAD, UNLIKE THEIR LOCALLY RECRUITED COUNTERPARTS, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVERSEAS TRAINING IN THEIR FIRST FEW YEARS OF SERVICE.
"A FURTHER POINT IS THAT WE ARE RECRUITING PEOPLE WITH THE INTENTION THAT THEY SHOULD SPEND A FULL CAREER WITH US.
"THIS APPROACH WARRANTS A HIGHER INITIAL INVESTMENT IN RECRUITMENT."
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ELIGIBILITY TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT
* * ♦
DETERMINED BY EXTENT OF HARDSHIP * ♦ *
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SEVERANCE PAYMENT ENTITLEMENT TO A WORKER IS NOT SOLELY DEPENDENT UPON WHETHER THE CHANGE OF WORKPLACE INVOLVES CROSSING THE HARBOUR OR WHETHER THERE IS DISMISSAL.
"IT IS? THE EXTENT OF HARDSHIP CAUSED THAT WILL DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT," HE EXPLAINED.
MR CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1992 WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SEEKS TO REMOVE THE "CROSS-HARBOUR" PROVISION UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE THAT ENTITLES AN EMPLOYEE TO CLAIM SEVERANCE PAYMENT IF HIS EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED AS A RESULT OF HIS EMPLOYER MOVING THE WORKPLACE ACROSS THE HARBOUR.
HE SAID AN AD HOC GROUP CHAIRED BY THE HON HENRY TANG HAD EXAMINED THE BILL IN DETAIL AND HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS NO DISAGREEMENT THAT THE "CROSS-HARBOUR” PROVISION WAS ANACHRONISTIC AND SHOULD BE REMOVED.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONSIDERED VERY CAREFULLY WHETHER ANY OTHER SIMPLE AND OBJECTIVE CRITERIA OR GUIDELINES COULD BE DRAWN UP BUT HAS CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD BE QUITE IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO IN A WAY WHICH WOULD COVER ALL EVENTUALITIES OR EVEN A CRITERION SUCH AS THE CHANGE OF DISTANCE MAY ACTUALLY INVOLVE NO MORE THAN CROSSING THE STREET FROM ONE DISTRICT TO ANOTHER," HE SAID.
"WE BELIEVE THAT EACH CASE WOULD BEST BE DEALT WITH INDIVIDUALLY HAVING REGARD TO ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
"IN CASES OF DISPUTE, A RULING CAN BE SOUGHT FROM THE COURT AS TO WHETHER A CHANGE OF WORKPLACE CAUSES HARDSHIP TO AN EMPLOYEE TO AN EXTENT SUFFICIENTLY SERIOUS TO ESTABLISH A CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL UNDER COMMON LAW.
"IF THE COURT SO DECIDES, THE EMPLOYEE WILL HAVE A CLAIM TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT," HE ADDED.
TO PREVENT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES FROM BEING MISLED BY THE DELETION OF THE "CROSS-HARBOUR" PROVISION UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE AMENDMENT BILL, MR CHAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD PUBLISH A LEAFLET, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, AND WOULD DISTRIBUTE TO THEM FREE OF CHARGE.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL CLOSELY MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PROVISION," MR CHAN ADDED.
RULES APPROVED UNDER BANKRUPTCY AND * * * * *
COMPANIES ORDINANCES
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED RULES UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO REMOVE THE GENERAL REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF DEBTS TO BE SWORN. EXCEPT IN APPROPRIATE CASES WHERE THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER OR THE LIQUIDATOR MAY REQUIRE THE CREDITOR CONCERNED TO VERIFY HIS CLAIM BY AFFIDAVIT.
THE RULES ARE THE PROOF OF DEBTS (AMENDMENT) RULE 1992 AND THE COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1992.
MOVING Tir& RESOLUTION UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS. MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THIS WOULD SIMPLIFY PROCEDURES FOR THE PUBLIC YND BE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE FOR STAFF OF THE TRUSTEE TO ADMINISTER.
"IT IS ALSO IN LINE WITH THE PRACTICE IN THE UK, AUSTRALIA AND OTHER COMPARABLE JURISDICTIONS," HE SAID.
.'"it 8, 1992
MR NENDICK SAID THE PROPOSED RULE ENABLED A CREDITOR TO ESTABLISH HIS CLAIM BY FILING A PROOF OF DEBT IN THE PRESCRIBED FORM AND PAYING THE PRESCRIBED FEE.
THE PROOF OF DEBT NEED NOT BE SWORN BUT THE CREDITOR HAS TO DECLARE AS TO THE TRUTH OF THE PARTICULARS THEREOF, AND HAS TO SUBMIT THE ORIGINALS OR COPIES OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE TO WHICH HIS DEBT CAN BE SUBSTANTIATED, HE SAID.
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER OR THE TRUSTEE MAY CALL FOR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY.
THEY ARE ALSO GIVEN THE DISCRETION TO REQUIRE A CREDITOR TO VERIFY HIS CLAIM BY AFFIDAVIT IN APPROPRIATE CASES.
A SECURED CREDITOR IS REQUIRED TO STATE HIS STATUS AS SUCH, OR HE WILL SURRENDER HIS SECURITY TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER OR THE TRUSTEE FOR THE GENERAL BENEFIT OF CREDITORS.
ALSO APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ARE THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) RULES 1992 AND BANKRUPTCY (FORMS) (AMENDMENT) RULE 1992.
THE BANKRUPTCY (AMENDMENT) RULES 1992 SEEK TO OBVIATE THE REQUIREMENT FOR SWORN PROOFS, WHILE RETAINING THE FLEXIBILITY TO REQUIRE THEM WHEN NECESSARY.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW PROCEDURES, THE BANKRUPTCY (FORMS) (AMENDMENT) RULE 1992 INTRODUCES TWO NEW FORMS FOR USE BY CREDITORS TO ESTABLISH THEIR CLAIMS IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS AND REPEALS THE EXISTING PROOF OF DEBT FORM.
THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE MADE THE RULES UNDER THE RESPECTIVE ORDINANCES ON JUNE 10.
MOTION ON CHINA’S MFN STATUS PASSED * * * * *
A MOTION PROPOSED BY THE HON VINCENT CHENG ON MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS FOR CHINA WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER A THREE-HOUR DEBATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE AMENDED MOTION MOVED BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA WAS DEFEATED.
ALSO PASSED^WERE A MOTION MOVED BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD ON ENERGY POLICY A'ND A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MRS ELSIE TU ON THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE COUNCIL.
IN ADDITION, 10 MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON PATIENTS’ RIGHTS RAISED BY PROF THE HON FELICE LIEH MAK.
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THE COUNCIL ALSO PASSED FOUR MOTIONS - ONE WAS MOVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, UNDER THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE; THREE WERE MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
AT THE MEETING, SEVEN BILLS WERE PASSED.
OF THEM, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 1992, LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1992 AND EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992 WERE PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS.
EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND A PRIVATE BILL - MIDDLE EAST FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKING) BILL - WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
25
FS SEEKS LEGCO
VUKS ON I XPENDI Tl EE PRIORITIES
» » ♦ * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CONTINUED HIS CONSULTATION WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET AND BRIEFED THEM ON THE MAIN FACTORS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
FOLLOWING THIS BRIEFING. WHICH FOCUSED ON RECURRENT EXPENDITURE FOR 1993-94, MR MACLEOD WILL MEET MEMBERS IN GROUPS NEX’I WEEK TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS ON PRIORITIES FOR SPENDING IN TERMS OF BROAD POLICY AREAS.
"THIS WILL HELP US SET BLOCK ALLOCATIONS FOR BRANCH SECRETARIES WHO WILL, UNDER THE REVISED ARRANGEMENTS, BE GIVEN GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO DEPLOY RESOURCES WITHIN AND BETWEEN THEIR PROGRAMME AREAS," MR MACLEOD SAID.
THE MAIN BUDGETARY GUIDELINE THAT EXPENDITURE GROWTH MUST BE KEPT WITHIN THE TREND GROWTH RATE OF GDP WOULD MEAN THAT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE (RECURRENT AND CAPITAL) WOULD BE ALLOWED TO INCREASE BY ABOUT $5 BILLION IN REAL TERMS OVER THE 1992-93 ESTIMATES.
"FOR RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR, OVER AND ABOVE WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED TO OFFSET INFLATION, ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE REGION OF $4 BILLION," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PART OF THIS EXTRA SUM HAS BEEN EARMARKED TO MEET IMPROVEMENTS COMING ON STREAM NEXT YEAR IN VARIOUS PROGRAMME AREAS, SUCH AS EDUCATION, HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE, LAW AND ORDER AND ENVIRONMENT.
"TRANSLATED INTO SERVICE TERMS, THESE WOULD MEAN SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION IN TERTIARY EDUCATION, STAFFING OF NEW SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, MORE CHILD-CARE PLACES, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID ON TOP OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS, FURTHER NEW SERVICES COULD BE FUNDED FROM THE BALANCE OF THE EXTRA MONEY AND REDEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES.
"I HOPE OUR CONSULTATION WITH MEMBERS, COUPLED WITH THE ABILITY OF SECRETARIES TO REDEPLOY WITHIN AND BETWEEN THE PROGRAMME AREAS UNDER THEIR CONTROL, WILL TAKE US A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN DIRECTING OUR RESOURCES TO BEST SERVE THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID TOTAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE HAD GROWN BY MORE THAN 32 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, FROM 1987-88 TO 1992-93.
"THE CAKE HAS THEREFORE GOT MUCH BIGGER, THOUGH THE SHARE HAS CHANGED IN SOME CASES, REFLECTING THE SHIFT IN PRIORITIES."
"DESPITE THE CONSIDERABLE GROWTH ALLOWED, SPENDING ASPIRATIONS INEVITABLE EXCEED THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE. WE MUST SET PRIORITIES AND MAKE THE OPTIMAL USE OF OUR RESOURCES," HE ADDED.
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MR MACLEOD ALSO BRIEFED MEMBERS ON TH I- POSITION OF THE FISCAL RESERVES, NOTING THAT THE EFFECT OF THE ADDITIONAL SURPLUS FOR 1991-92 WOULD BE LARGELY OFFSET BY HIS DECISION NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE RATES.
BRIEFING MEMBERS ON THE BUDGETARY SYSTEM, MR MACLEOD SAID IT WAS BASED ON TRIED AND TESTED METHODS WHICH HAVE SERVED HONG KONG WELL.
’’THIS HAS ENABLED US 1’0 ACHIEVE A BALANCED BUDGET OVER THE YEARS WITH ADEQUATE RESERVES AND HAS ENSURED THAT WE LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS," HE SAID.
AFTER SEEKING MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON EXPENDITURE PRIORITIES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF CONSULTATION WITH MEMBERS ON REVENUE OPTIONS. THIS IS EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE IN AUTUMN.
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FS ON BUDGET EXPENDITURE
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AFTER BRIEFING MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUN( IL ON EXPENDITURE ASPECTS OF THE 1993/94 BUDGET TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
FS: WELL, WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING OF COURSE IS FOLLOWING UP THE PROMISE I MADE IN THE BUDGET DEBATE THAT I WOULD THIS YEAR START QUITE A NEW PROCESS AND GO THROUGH A DIALOGUE WITH LEGCO MEMBERS ABOUT THE BUDGET. AND WE’VE JUST BEGUN THAT BY GIVING MEMBERS SOME BACKGROUND PARTICULARLY RELATED TO EXPENDITURE AND TO RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND WE HAD I THINK A GOOD DISCUSSION. J GAVE SOME INDICATIONS OF OUR MAIN ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ECONOMIC GROWTH, ABOUT THE SORTS OF ACTUAL MONEY LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE, AND WE ARE MEETING MEMBERS IN GROUPS WHERE THEY ARE ORGANISED INTO GROUPS, AND THEN THE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS WILL MEET. SEPARATELY AS ANOTHER GROUP NEXT WEEK, ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK TO GET THEIR VIEWS ON BASK ALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE PRIORITIES. I’VE SAID THAT THAT IS NOT THE END OF THE PROCESS, THAT WE WILL MEET AGAIN PROBABLY IN SEPTEMBER TO TALK ABOUT REVENUE AND PROBABLY ALSO IF THERE ARE SOME CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ASPECTS WHICH WE SHOULD DISCUSS. SO THAT WILL HELP US IN THE QUITE LONG PROCESS WHICH WE ARE GOING THROUGH, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEGUN, OF DECIDING ON EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE MEASURES WHICH EVENTUALLY OF COURSE APPEAR IN THE ESTIMATES IN THE NEXT BUDGET. BUT THAT PROCESS HAS ALREADY BEGUN. WE NEED TO REACH SOME PRETTY BROAD CONCLUSIONS ACTUALLY QUITE SOON AND THEN WE’LL GO ON WITH FURTHER DETAIL. THERE IS A PRESS RELEASE, WHICH YOU HAVE, WHICH HOPEFULLY SAID SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT I’VE JUST SAID. SOME OF YOU HAVEN’T GOT IT, I SEE FROM YOUR HANDS, THERE’S SOME MORE COPIES AT THE DOOR.
REPORTER: SOME PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT SOME FIGURES, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT FIGURES YOU’VE GOT SO FAR AND WHERE THEY CAME FROM’.
/FS: YES, .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
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FS: YES, I’M DELIBERATELY AT THIS STAGE, WHICH IS AFTERALL QUITE EARLY IN THE YEAR, BEING VERY APPROXIMATE IN FIGURES. THEY WILL BE REFINED AS WE GO ALONG. BUT VERY ROUGHLY, IF YOU APPLY OUR BASIC BUDGET GUIDELINE THAT WE SHOULD KEEP PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GROWTH WITHIN GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY, THEN YOU’RE ROUGHLY SPEAKING LOOKING AT AN INCREASE OF 5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN OUR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, TRANSLATED INTO DOLLARS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VERY ROUND FIGURES, AROUND $5 BILLION. AND IF YOU SPLIT THAT UP BETWEEN CAPITAL AND RECURRENT, AGAIN VERY ROUGHLY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $4 BILLION RECURRENT AND $1 BILLION CAPITAL. AS I’VE SAID, THOSE FIGURES WILL BE REFINED, BUT I THOUGHT IT HELPFUL TO GIVE AT LEAST A ROUGH FIGURE AGAINST WHICH WE ALSO DISCUSSED FOR EXAMPLE KNOWN EXPENDITURE ITEMS WHICH WE WILL HAVE TO FUND NEXT YEAR BECAUSE WE HAVE NEW FACILITIES COMING ON STREAM, YOU KNOW AS A NEW CLINIC BEING COMPLETED OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I’VE ALSO PROVIDED A SUMMARY, WHICH IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE ONE, BUT WE DID OUR BEST TO SUMMARISE THE MAIN KNOWN ASPIRATIONS -- SPENDING ASPIRATIONS -- I MEAN BY THAT ITEMS WHICH ARE NOT FUNDED, ON WHICH NO DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN, BUT FOR INSTANCE, WHICH ARE IN A GREEN PAPER, SAY ON REHABILITATION, OR IN A WHITE PAPER, SAY ON SOCIAL WELFARE, OR IN AN EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT. SO THESE ARE IN A SENSE BIDS FOR FUNDS AND THAT HELPS TO PROVIDE SOME SORT OF A CONTEXT WITHIN WHICH MEMBERS CAN TAKE A VIEW ON PRIORITIES. SO WE’VE DONE THAT.
REPORTER: WITHIN THE $5 BILLION (INDISTINCT) HOW WOULD YOU SELECT THE GROWTH AREAS AND THE MAIN SPENDING (INDISTINCT)?
FS: WELL, I MEAN THAT’S PRECISELY WHAT IN A SENSE WE ARE CONSULTING ABOUT. THE LEVEL OF DETAIL WHICH WE’LL GET BACK I’M NOT AT ALL SURE, BUT I WOULDN’T EXPECT ENORMOUS DETAIL BECAUSE IT BECOMES EX'TREMELY DIFFICULT. BUT AT LEAST AN ORDERING OF PRIORITIES, FOR INSTANCE, AND IT’S TRUE IN HONG KONG AS ANYWHERE ELSE, THAT' THE NUMBER OF DESERVING IDEAS WILL ALWAYS EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE. SO WE NEED AN INDICATION OF PRIORITIES, LET’S SAY FOR INSTANCE, DO PEOPLE PLACE REHABILITATION VERY HIGH, PERHAPS WITHIN REHABILITATION WHICH PARTICULAR AREA DO THEY WANT TO GIVE PRIORITY' TO. THERE’S A WHOLE BACKGROUND THERE, THEY CAN READ THE GREEN PAPER, SO IT ISN’T JUST A DISCUSSION IN THE VACUUM. I ALSO BROUGHT OUT THAT WE MUSTN’T GET OVER-FIXATED ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE. THAT IS A LIMIT OF COURSE, BUT WE HAVE THE OPTION OF REDEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES TO HIGHER PRIORITY AREAS. I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK VERY SERIOUSLY AT THOSE OPTIONS AND THAT’S WHY WE’VE GIVEN SECRETARIES MUCH MORE FREEDOM TO SHIFT RESOURCES BETWEEN DIFFERENT AREAS. WE’VE JUDGED THAT TO BE HELPFUL. I ALSO BROUGHT OUT THE FACT THAT THERE WERE SOME OTHER DEVELOPMENTS WHICH WILL HELP TO RELEASE SOME RESOURCES. ONE IS OF COURSE THE DECLINE IN VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE POPULATION AS THE NUMBER LEAVING CONTINUES AND THE NET, THE NUMBER LEFT CONTINUES TO DECLINE. THAT’S ONE HELPFUL AREA FOR THE POLICE AND THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. ANOTHER ONE IS THE MORE UPDATED CENSUS FORECASTS SHOW DECLINES IN SOME AGE GROUPS IN THE FUTURE AND HENCE LESS NEED FOR INSTANCE IN SOME AREAS FOR FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS. THAT’S PARTLY OFFSET OF 'COURSE IF YOU GET AN INCREASE IN REQUIREMENT FOR THE AGED. BUT ALL HAS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND PROVIDE SOME SCOPE FOR REDEPLOYMENT. '
/REPORTER: COULD........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
- 28 -
REPORTER: COULD YOU ESTIMATE THE DECLINE IN THE BOAT PEOPLE COST?
FS: I HAVEN’T DETERMINED MYSELF TO PUT A FIGURE ON THAT BECAUSE THE KEY THING IS WHEN YOU CAN ACTUALLY CLOSE DOWN A PARTICULAR CAMP. THEN THAT PRODUCES AN IMMEDIATE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN BE PUT BACK ON THE BEAT OR WHATEVER. BUT WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME RELEASE OF STAFF WITHIN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AS A RESULT OF THAT.
REPORTER: SOME OF THE BANKS HAVE UPPED THEIR ESTIMATE FOR GDP GROWTH FOR THE YEAR FROM 5 TO MORE THAN 5, LIKE 5.5 AND 5.7, I THINK THOSE ARE THE TWO FIGURES. ARE YOU CONSIDERING UPPING YOUR FIGURES AND WOULD THAT ALLOW YOU TO INCREASE YOUR SPENDING?
FS: NO, AT THE MOMENT WE’VE DECIDED TO KEEP OUR PRESENT 5 PER CENT FIGURE. REMEMBER THERE’S TWO ASSUMPTIONS BUILT IN HERE -- ONE WAS THE ASSUMPTION ABOUT THE CURRENT YEAR, BUT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BUDGET, WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT THE GROWTH ASSUMPTION OVER THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, SO WE DON’T READILY CHANGE THAT. AT THE MOMENT WE ARE STILL USING 5 PER CENT AS A SORT OF AVERAGE FOR THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS. I’M DELIGHTED OF COURSE THAT SOME BANKS ARE FEELING MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT GROWTH, I THINK THAT IS GOOD NEWS. BUT AT THE MOMENT, I’M NOT REFLECTING THAT IN ANYTHING.
REPORTER: (INDISTINCT) ABOUT THAT $5 BILLION, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY ON?
FS: WELL, I WOULD BE VERY UNWISE IF I EXPRESS ANY VIEW ON SPENDING PRIORITIES BECAUSE I’M PRECISELY GOING THROUGH A CONSULTATION EXERCISE TO GATHER OTHER PEOPLE’S VIEWS, IN PARTICULAR IN THIS CASE LEGCO MEMBERS’ VIEWS, ON PRIOR[TIES AND THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE FACTORS WHICH WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE ARRIVE AT SOME CONCLUSIONS. SO I HAVE AN OPEN MIND AT THE MOMENT.
REPORTER: DO YOU HAVE AN INITIAL IDEA WHAT THE LEGCO MEMBERS WANT YOU TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON?
FS: NO, I WASN’T ASKING THEM THAT TODAY. I WAS GIVING THEM, I HOPE, SOME CONTEXT AND SOME BACKGROUND SO THAT WHEN I MEET THEM BY GROUPS NEXT WEEK, THEY CAN GIVE ME SOME INDICATIONS. I ALSO SAID THAT IF THEY HAVE FURTHER THOUGHTS LATER IN THE WEEK, IF THEY SEND TO ME FURTHER THOUGHTS IN WRITING, OBVIOUSLY I WILL TAKE THOSE INTO ACCOUNT TOO.
REPORTER: DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PRIORITY ON YOUR MIND? FOR EXAMPLE, DO YOU WANT TO GIVE TOP PRIORITY ON HEALTH AND WELFARE?
FS: NO, WE DON’T. WE REALLY HAVE NOT MADE THAT DECISION AT ALL.
REPORTER: SOME MEMBERS FELT THE CONSULTATION PERIOD IS TOO SHORT. DO YOUTHINK (INDISTINCT)?
/FS: JET I,, .....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
- 29 -
FS: WELL, I HAVE SOME SYMPATHY FOR MEMBERS. I MEAN IT IS OBVIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO FIT EVERYTHING IN. AND WE HAVE THE WHOLE AFTERNOON FOR EXAMPLE COMING UP TODAY DEVOTED TO LEGCO MEETING, SO I HAVE SOME SYMPATHIES FOR THE TIME PRESSURE ON THEM. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU KNOW WE ARE MOVING FROM A SITUATION WHERE WE DIDN’T HAVE SUCH MEETINGS IN THE PAST, WE SIMPLY GOT RATHER TOO LATE UNFORTUNATELY LAST YEAR, A LETTER OR A FEW PAGES AND THAT WAS THE INDICATION. SO I MEAN THIS IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN HAVING A DIALOGUE. AND WE HAD BEEN SIGNALLING THAT WE WOULD HAVE THIS DIALOGUE FOR QUITE A WHILE. IT WAS KNOWN THAT IT WOULD TAKE PLACE THIS MONTH. SO IT’S NOT COME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BLUE. AS I’VE SAID WE WOULD TRY AND BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT READING ANY FURTHER THOUGHTS WHICH PEOPLE HAVE EVEN AFTER THE MEETINGS. AND THIS IS AFTERALL FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, SO THERE WILL BE FURTHER MEETINGS ON REVENUE AND CAPITAL.
REPORTER: (INDISTINCT) YOU SAID THERE WILL BE SOME NEW AREAS WHICH YOU’LL PUT UP MONEY. SO WHEN WE SUBTRACT THE NEW AREA WHERE YOU’LL PUT UP MONEY FROM THE $5 BILLION, WHAT’S GOING TO BE YOUR PRIORITIES?
FS: I WILL MORE OR LESS ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE IT IS QUITE IMPORTANT NOT TO EXAGGERATE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY AVAILABLE. $5 BILLION IS A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY. IT WILL BUY A LOT OF NEW SERVICES AND NEW INSTITUTION FACILITIES AND SO ON. BUT IT’S STILL TRUE, AS YOU SAY, THAT QUITE A LARGE PROPORTION IN FACT IS NEEDED TO REFLECT PAST DECISIONS, TO DEAL WITH THE RESULTS OF PAST DECISIONS, YOU KNOW WE’VE GOT A NEW HOSPITAL BEING COMPLETED OR WHATEVER WE NEED TO STAFF IT, AND THAT HAS TO BE GIVEN SOME PRIORITY. SO THE AMOUNT FOR OTHER ITEMS IS NECESSARILY A SMALLER PART OF THAT MONEY. BUT IT IS STILL REAL EXTRA MONEY, AND WE CAN INCREASE THE EFFECT OF THAT, INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NEW SERVICES WE CAN INTRODUCE, BY REDEPLOYMENT. SO I WANT TO KEEP COUPLING THE TWO. WE’RE NOT LIMITED ONLY BY THE AMOUNT OF NEW MONEY AVAILABLE WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE THAT OPTION.
REPORTER: CAN YOU GIVE A BALL-PARK FIGURE?
FS: I’M AVOIDING BALL-PARK FIGURE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
-------0----------
REGULATORY REFORMS FOR OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY * t t * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL (TIC) AND THE TIC RESERVE FUND (TICRF) ON A PACKAGE OF REGULATORY REFORMS FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY.
ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE REFORMS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY AMENDING THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE.
"THE AGREED REFORM PACKAGE IS A RESULT OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY AND CONSULTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVE), AGENTS (ACTA) AND THE CONSUMER MR CHAU SAID.
EXTENSIVE WITH THE COUNCIL,"
/"TOE PACKAGE........
WWESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
- 30 -
"THE PACKAGE IS BASED ON PROPOSALS PRESENTED TO TIC LAST DECEMBER, FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT IN EARLY 1991," HE ADDED.
THE REVIEW CONCLUDES THAT THE SELF-REGULATORY SCHEME WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1988 HAS SO FAR WORKED WELL, AND SHOULD THEREFORE CONTINUE.
THERE ARE, HOWEVER, AREAS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO PROMOTE MORE EFFECTIVE REGULATION OF THE INDUSTRY.
THE REFORM PACKAGE SEEKS TO ENHANCE PROTECTION FOR OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS AND TO PROVIDE A SECURE SOURCE OF FINANCE FOR THE OPERATION OF TIC WHICH IS THE SELF-REGULATORY ORGANISATION FOR THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY.
THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE PACKAGE INCLUDE RE-CONSTITUTING TICRF INTO AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION FUND FOR OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS, TO BE CALLED THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND UNDER THE TRAVEL AGENTS ORDINANCE; SPLITTING THE EXISTING 1 PER CENT LEVY INTO A 0.15 PER CENT LEVY FOR TIC (THE COUNCIL LEVY) AND A 0.85 PER CENT LEVY FOR TICRF (OR ITS SUCCESSOR) (THE FUND LEVY); AND SETTING A TARGET AMOUNT OF $100 MILLION FOR TICRF (OR ITS SUCCESSOR) AT WHICH LEVEL THE RATE OF THE FUND LEVY WILL BE REDUCED TO 0.35 PER CENT AND THE RATE OF EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION FOR TRAVELLERS WILL BE INCREASED FROM 70 PER CENT TO 80 PER CENT OF THE OUTBOUND PACKAGE TOUR FARES.
IN RETURN FOR THE DEDICATED LEVIES, BOTH TIC AND TICRF (OR ITS SUCCESSOR) WILL HAVE TO BE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE CHECKS AND BALANCES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, MR CHAU SAID.
"THESE WILL BE ENSHRINED IN THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT SESSION.
"WE HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF TRAVEL AGENTS AND FURTHER INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY TIC IN REFINING THE ORIGINAL REFORM PROPOSALS," HE SAID.
"WE CONSIDER THAT THE PRESENT PACKAGE IS ABLE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF RELEVANT PARTIES WITHOUT UPSETTING THE BALANCE BETWEEN PROVIDING REASONABLE PROTECTION TO OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS AND SECURING AN INDEPENDENT AND RELIABLE SOURCE OF FINANCE FOR TIC TO CONTINUE ITS MANAGEMENT OF THE SELF-REGULATORY SCHEME," HE SAID.
THE REFORM PACKAGE WILL FURTHER CONSOLIDATE THE EXISTING TWO-TIER SYSTEM OF REGULATION FOR THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY, WITH TIC UNDERTAKING THE DAY-TO-DAY FRONT-LINE REGULATION OF ITS MEMBERS AND THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS KEEPING A REGULATORY OVERVIEW OF THE SELF-REGULATOR AND THE LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS.
THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WILL BE GAZETTED ON JULY 17.
/31 ........
Package of Reforms for the
Regulatory Scheme of the Outbound Travel Industry
Annex
Original proposals referred to.TXC in December 199>_____
Present Package
Remarks
Financial Arrangements for TIC
1. Introduction of split levies
To split the existing 1% levy into two levies:.a 0.15% Council Levy for TIC to help finance its self-regulatory efforts and a O.-85% Fund Levy to TICRF (or its successor) for the compensation of aggrieved outbound travellers. Rates of levies to be specified by the Financial Secretary from time to time.
No change.
The split levies seek to delineate clearly the dual purposes of the present 1% levy i-e. to finance self-regulation and to compensate travellers. The 0.15% Council Levy proposed for TIC is roughly equivalent to what it has been receiving from TICRF. The Council Levy will be subject to review, in the light of items 5 and 7 below.
2. Target amount of compensation fund
§200 million before the Fund Levy is reduced.
§100 million as the trigger point for reduction in the rate of the Fund Levy.
Business turnover of the top five outbound travel agents provided by TIC shows that §100 million would be sufficient for compensating travellers if a principal outbound travel agent fails at peak season. It is
2
WEDJraSDAI, JULY 8, 1992
also noted that the total ex-gratia compensation paid out from TICRF since its inception in 1988 amounts to less than $13 million.
3. Reduction of Fund
Levy
The Fund Levy to be reduced when TICRF (or its successor) reaches a target amount. Exact level of reduction i left open.
GJ 4• TIC’s non-levy income
I
At least 20% of TIC’s expenditure to be financed by non-levy income, such as membership fees.
Fund Levy to be reduced from 0.85% to 0.35% once TICRF accumulates §100 million. .
TIC will comply with this requirement in 2 years. The Financial Secretary may vary ■the percentage, having regard to the financial position of TIC.
This will encourage TIC to exercise budgetary controls and allow those TIC members who are non-levy contributors (i.e. non outbound tour operators) to contribute their due share towards TIC which also undertakes activities besides regulation of outbound travel agents. The proposed 20% roughly reflects the present situation.
3
1992
5- Keeping of reserves by TIC
TIC to be allowed to retain reserves of up to an equivalent of half of its recurrent expenditure actually incurred in the same financial year. Surplus to be transferred to TICRF (or its successor).
’ 6. Independent
management audits on TIC
Management Audit reports to be submitted to ACTA.
Agreed.
This arrangement allows TIC to accumulate sufficient reserves to meet emergency needs and finance special projects.
7. Comments on TIC budgets
ACTA to comment on TIC budgets.
Management Audits to be conducted once every few years on FS’ direction. TICRF (or its successor) to appoint auditor, subject to Financial Secretary’s approval; to bear the audit costs; and to submit the audit report to the Financial * Secretary.
This seeks to enhance the transparency of TIC operations and promote proper use of levy funds.
TIC to submit its annual budgets to the Financial Secretary, who may consult ACTA as appropriate.
This helps the Financial Secretary to determine the rate of the Council Levy.
4
"TC, JUTY 8, 1992
8. Mechanism to replenish TICRF (or its successor)
Not mentioned in original proposals.
The Fund Levy for TICRF (or its successor) to be restored to 0.85% if the Fund drops below $70 million.
On the basis of present business turnover, it will take about one year to restore the Fund from $70 million to $100 million at a levy rate of 0.85%.
9. Rate of compensation for outbound travellers
To increase from 70% to 85% of tour fares paid.
To increase rate from 70% to 80%.
This is a compromise recommended by ACTA. TIC has initially proposed to increase to only 75%, while Consumer Council advocates 100% compensation.
10. Re-constituting TICRF
To re-constitute TICRF into a statutory fund, to be managed by a board of trustees.
To establish an independent fund to be called the Travel Industry Compensation Fund, under the Travel Agents Ordinance to take over the assets and liabilities of TICRF and TARF. The new Fund will be managed by a management board to be appointed by the Governor.
This will help resolve problems arising from the awkward relationship between TIC and TICRF, which itself is presently a subsidiary of TIC but approves funds for TIC. The new arrangment will give a separate identity to the Fund.
CXJ c t
- s -
11 Permanent office accommodation for TIC
TICRF to purchase office premises for use by TIC. (At present, TIC uses the levy funds from TICRF to rent office premises.}
TIC to purchase office premises with the 0.15% Council Levy and, if necessary, an interest-bearing loan from TICRF (or its successor}.
Provision of permanent office premises is recognised as beneficial to the role of TIC as a self- ।
regulator of the ।
outbound travel ।
industry. o i i
Legend
Agents
ACTA - Advisory Committee on Travel TARF - Travel Agents’ Reserve Fund TIC - Travel Industry Council
TRCRF - Travel Industry Council Reserve Fund
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
- 36 -
GOVERNMENT ANSWERS IATA’S VIEWS ON AIRPORT CHARGES
******
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REJECTED CRITICISMS MADE BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION (IATA) ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH ON AIRPORT CHARGES AT KAI TAK AND CHEK LAP KOK.
MRS CHAN MET DR GUNTER O.ESER, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL YESTERDAY AND EXPLAINED THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON AIRPORT CHARGES.
SHE NOTED THAT THE FINANCIAL PLAN FOR THE AIRPORT DREW HEAVILY ON TAXPAYERS’ FUNDS FOR EQUITY AND SAID AIRLINES SHOULD ALSO CONTRIBUTE THEIR FAIR SHARE.
IF AIRLINES WERE TO PAY LESS, THE TAXPAYER WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE. SHE SAID SHE SAW "NO JUSTIFICATION TO ASK THE TAXPAYER IN EFFECT TO SUBSIDISE THE AIRLINES IN THIS WAY.
"IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT THOSE WHO BENEFIT SHOULD ALSO CONTRIBUTE WHICH MEANS THAT AIRLINES SHOULD CONTRIBUTE THROUGH THE PAYMENT OF AIRPORT CHARGES AT KAI TAK TOWARDS THE COSTS OF THE CHEK LAP KOK.
"CHARGES AT AN AIRPORT INEVITABLY INCREASE WHEN CAPACITY HAS TO BE EXPANDED AND CAPITAL HAS TO BE RAISED TO HELP FINANCE EXPANSION.
"WHENEVER AN AIRPORT ADDS A TERMINAL OR RUNWAY TO EXPAND CAPACITY - JUST LIKE AN ELECTRICITY COMPANY BUILDING A NEW POWER STATION - COSTS GO UP AND THIS IS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SETTING CHARGES.
"THIS IS BASICALLY ALL THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE CASE OF HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT," SAID MRS CHAN.
"THE ONLY WAY WE CAN EXPAND CAPACITY AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS TO RELOCATE IT FROM KAI TAK TO CHEK LAP KOK.
"FOR ACCOUNTING PURPOSES - AND THIS IS WHAT DR ESER SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON - THERE ARE NOT TWO HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS: ONE IS REPLACING THE OTHER."
MRS CHAN REFUTED AS "MISLEADING" A NUMBER OF STATEMENTS WHICH HAD BEEN MADE PUBLICLY BY DR ESER.
"THE INCREASED CHARGES WE ARE MAKING AT KAI TAK ARE FULLY JUSTIFIED AND ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL THE RELEVANT GUIDELINES SET BY THE WORLD BODY GOVERNING SUCH ISSUES - THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO).
"IT SHOULD ALSO BE BORNE IN MIND THAT SUCH CHARGES CONTRIBUTE ONLY A VERY SMALL PART OF OVERALL AIRLINE COSTS - ICAO HAS ESTIMATED THAT, ON AVERAGE, LANDING AND ASSOCIATED AIRPORT CHARGES REPRESENT LESS THAN 4 PER CENT OF AIRLINE COSTS.
"THE INCREASE IN CHARGES IN HONG KONG IS THUS UNLIKELY TO AFFECT ADVERSELY THE COMPETITIVE POSITION OF THE AIRPORT, OR TO HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE COMMERCIAL VIABILITY OF THE AIRLINES CONCERNED.
/"THE LEVEL ......
WEDNESDAY, JUTV 8, 1992
- 37 -
’’THE LEVEL OF AIRPORT CHARGES AT CHEK LAP KOK WILL, IN FACT, BE LOWER THAN MANY OTHER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS.
"OUR FORECASTS FOR GROWTH IN AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC ARE BASED ON THE BEST JUDGEMENTS WE CAN MAKE OF WHAT IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ATTRACT BANKING FINANCE. IT IS WRONG TO SUGGEST - AS IATA HAS DONE -THAT THE FORECASTS ARE TOO LOW.
"WE WELCOME PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN FACILITIES AT CHEK LAP KOK AND ORGANISATIONS WHICH WISH TO MAKE OFFERS SHOULD CONTACT THE PAA (PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY)," SAID MRS CHAN.
------0-------
MASSIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HK * * * * ♦
THE HUGE POTENTIAL AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRITISH BUSINESS IN HONG KONG WERE SPELT OUT BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, AT A SEMINAR IN LONDON TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS AT THE SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE BRITISH AIRPORT SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE UK DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR YAXLEY POINTED OUT THAT THE TERRITORY HAD A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY TN THE OPENING UP OF CHINA AND AS A FOCUS OF ACTIVITY IN THE EAST ASIA REGION.
THE SEMINAR WAS AIMED AT INFORMING BRITISH COMPANIES OF THE VAST RANGE OF PROJECTS AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ARISING FROM THE MASSIVE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT AND ITS ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR YAXLEY CONCENTRATED ON THE GENERAL BACKGROUND TO HONG KONG, WHICH OUTLINED THE TRADING AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TERRITORY AND IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION IN A BROADER CONTEXT.
HE HIGHLIGHTED THE DRAMATIC EXPANSION IN THE ECONOMIES OF SOUTH CHINA, INCLUDING HONG KONG AND ALSO THE EAST ASIA REGION GENERALLY, AND SAID HE FELT THE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH NOW PRESENTED THEMSELVES IN THESE TWO AREAS FOR THE UK HAD NOT YET BEEN FULLY RECOGNISED.
HONG KONG, HE SAID, WAS THE MAJOR GATEWAY TO CHINA FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD. THE TERRITORY WAS ALSO STRATEGICALLY SITUATED WITHIN THE FASTEST GROWING AREA OF THE WORLD - THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
CITING FIGURES TO SUPPORT HIS OPTIMISM FOR HONG KONG’S EXPANDING ROLE VIS-A-VIS CHINA AND VIS-A-VIS THE REGION, HE SAID: "I BELIEVE THAT FOR THE NEXT DECADE AND PROBABLY WELL BEYOND, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE ECONOMIES OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WILL OFFER THE MOST EXCITING BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN THE WORLD.
/’’HONG KONG..........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
,"HONG KONG IS WELL PLACED TO BENEFIT FROM WHAT ’THE ECONOMIST’ RECENTLY CALLED THE MOST RAPID INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN."
"AS A RECENT OECD’S REPORT PUTS IT, THE FOCUS OF WORLD ECONOMIC POWER WILL SHIFT INEXORABLY AWAY FROM WESTERN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA TOWARDS THE FAR EAST OVER THE NEXT HALF CENTURY.
"AT THE MOMENT THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF WORLD OUTPUT. BY 2010 IT WILL BE ONE-THIRD AND ON ONE OECD PROJECTION WILL BE HALF BY 2040. THIS WOULD PUT EAST ASIA IN THE SAME DOMINANT POSITION AS THE USA AT THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR," HE SAID.
AGAINST THIS 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.
MR YAXLEY SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THERE WERE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRITISH BUSINESSMEN. HONG KONG WAS THE BEST BASE FROM WHICH TO GRASP THEM.
"AS I HAVE ALREADY 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 IS BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS BELIEF THAT WE ARE PLANNING THIS MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN OUR NEW AIRPORT. HONG KONG’S PART IC I PATION IN THIS RAPID EXPANSION AND, INDEED, THAT OF CHINA’S WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF WE HAD NOT DECIDED TO PROCEED WITH 10 BILLION POUND STERLING WORTH OF NEW INVESTMENT IN OUR NEW AIRPORT," HE CONCLUDED.
------0--------
MARINE DEPT TO GO HI-TECH * * * * *
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT MUST INVEST IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NOW IN ORDER TO COPE WITH RAPID GROWTH OF PORT TRAFFIC.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED SHIPBROKERS.
MR MILLER SAID CURRENT FORECASTS SHOWED TOTAL CARGO THROUGH HONG KONG WILL TREBLE BY 2006.
MR MILLER SAID: "AT THE MOMENT, PORT FORMALITIES ARE LABOUR AND PAPER INTENSIVE. EXISTING RESOURCES AND THE EXISTING SYSTEM CAN JUST ABOUT COPE WITH PRESENT DEMAND."
/TN THE........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
- 39 -
IN THE LONGER TERM, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COPE IF IT RELIED ON LABOUR AND PAPER INTENSIVE PROCESSING.
"WE WILL ALSO, INCREASINGLY, NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER PORT ADMINISTRATIONS. THE EXISTING VESSEL TRAFFIC SYSTEM TAKES US PART OF THE WAY TOWARDS A PAPERLESS REGIME, BUT REACHING THAT GOAL WILL NEED NEW INVESTMENT NOW IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
HE SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD JUST COMPLETED, TOGETHER WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, A STRATEGIC REVIEW OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS.
"WE WILL BE BIDDING FOR RESOURCES TO COMMENCE IMPLEMENTATION NEXT YEAR."
MR MILLER SAID THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY WOULD NOT BE CHEAP AND WOULD NOT PRODUCE IMMEDIATE MANPOWER SAVINGS, BUT "HONG KONG CANNOT AFFORD THE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS WHICH WOULD RESULT FROM BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS TO SHIPPING.
------0--------
IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS MADE IN YUNG LONG, TUEN MUN
*******
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS CONTAINING UNDISTURBED PREHISTORIC LAYERS AND LATE NEOLITHIC BURIALS WERE RECENTLY DISCOVERED IN YUNG LONG, BLACK POINT, TUEN MUN.
THE SITE WAS RATED IN A TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY AS ONE OF THE FIVE MOST IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN HONG KONG.
AN EXCAVATION IN YUNG LONG, CONDUCTED BY THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE (AMO) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, STARTED IN EARLY APRIL THIS YEAR TO OBTAIN A DETAILED RECORD OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF PAST HUMAN SETTLEMENT ON THE SITE.
THE WORK WAS ASSISTED BY THREE LOCAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS : DR S.M. BARD, MS PAMELA ROGERS AND MR AU KA FAT AS WELL AS THE AMO’S VOLUNTEERS.
IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF OCTOBER.
THE HONG KONG ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY WAS ALSO COMMISSIONED TO INVESTIGATE THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE SITE FROM MAY TO MID-JULY.
EARLIER EXCAVATIONS IN THE AREA HAVE CONFIRMED THE EXCEPTIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF THE SITE.
IT IS NOT ONLY PARTICULARLY RICH IN TERMS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS BUT IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE OUTSTANDING SIGNIFICANCE BECAUSE :
* IT CONTAINS IN-SITU ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEPOSITS OF THE LATE NEOLITHIC PERIOD:
/* THE DISCOVERY.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
- 40 -
* THE DISCOVERY OF AN OVEN OR KILN STRUCTURE WHICH MIGHT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRING OF COARSE WARE POTTERY INDICATES THAT THE SITE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SHED MORE LIGHT ON THE LEVEL OF POTTERY TECHNOLOGY IN THE NEOLITHIC/BRONZE AGE PERIOD; AND
* THE SITE HAS YIELDED A WIDE RANGE OF STONE IMPLEMENTS AND ORNAMENTS WHICH WOULD ENABLE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STONE ARTIFACTS IN THE NEOLITHIC/BRONZE AGE PERIOD.
TOGETHER WITH THE LUNG KWU TAN AND LUN KWU SHEUNG TAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN TUEN MUN, YUNG LONG REPRESENTS A MAJOR SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON THE PREHISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
INITIAL FINDINGS FROM TESTS REVEALED A THICK UNDISTURBED CULTURAL PREHISTORIC DEPOSIT.
THE TEAM HAS NOW OPENED UP TWO LARGE SQUARES WHICH YIELDED A WIDE RANGE OF LATE NEOLITHIC ARTIFACTS INCLUDING STAMPED AND INCISED POTTERY, STONE IMPLEMENTS SUCH AS ADZES, PROJECTILE POINTS, POLISHED RINGS AND SPINDLE WHORLS.
OVEN REMAINS ARE ABUNDANT AND A SERIES OF POSTHOLES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED WHICH MAY RELATE TO SOME PREHISTORIC STRUCTURES.
THE MOST SPECTACULAR DISCOVERY IS A NUMBER OF BURIALS WHICH CONTAIN COMPLETE POTS AND SLOTTED POLISHED STONE RINGS. MORE IMPORTANT FINDINGS ARE EXPECTED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
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10 FERRY SERVICES TO BE SUSPENDED ON THURSDAY ******
TEN DEPARTURES OF INNER-HARBOUR FERRY SERVICES WILL BE CANCELLED TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO TIE IN WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW GOVERNOR, MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY): "IN VIEW OF THE CLOSURE OF THE CENTRAL VICTORIA HARBOUR TO ALL MARINE TRAFFIC FOR 45 MINUTES FROM 3.45 PM TO 4.30 PM TOMORROW, THE FERRY SERVICES WILL HAVE TO BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED."
FOUR SAILINGS OF STAR FERRY AT 3.50 PM AND 4 PM DEPARTING FROM WAN CHAI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RESPECTIVELY WILL BE CANCELLED WHILE THE DEPARTURES FROM HUNG HOM AT 3.40 PM AND EDINBURGH PLACE AT 4 PM WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED.
FOUR HOVERFERRY SAILINGS OF THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY PLYING BETWEEN EDINBURGH PLACE AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED. THEY WILL DEPART AT 4 PM AND 4.20 PM FROM EDINBURGH PLACE, AND 3.50 PM AND 4 PM FROM TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
"COMMUTERS MAY USE ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES TO CROSS THE HARBOUR DURING THE CLOSURE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/41 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992
GOVT LOT IN KOWLOON EAST TO LET BY TENDER ♦ ♦ * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN KOWLOON EAST.
LOCATED AT TUNG LEI ROAD, THE SITE OCCUPIES AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,360 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR A FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR 1RAILERS/CHASSIS ATTACHED) LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JULY 24.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 141H FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG OR THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON FRIDAY *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JULY 10) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER'S PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE COMMITTEE'S PAPERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE READING FROM 4 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE OMELCO PRESS ROOM. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE PAPERS WILL BE EMBARGOED FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING ENDS.
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/42 ,
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1992 - 42 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +300
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,288
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.5 *-0.2* 8.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 1.86 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.97 4.02
1 MONTH 2.04 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.84 4.35
3 MONTHS 2.27 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 101.74 4.56
6 MONTHS 2.66 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.44 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 16,528 MN
CLOSED 8 JULY 1992
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHRISTOPHER PATTEN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS SWEARING-IN AT THE
CITY HALL ON JULY 9, 1992 .......................................... 1
WELCOMING SPEECH GIVEN BY SIR DAVID FORD, KBE, LVO, JP AT THE
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON
CHRISTOPHER PATTEN AT THE CITY HALL ON 9 JULY 1992 ................. 5
WELCOMING SPEECH GIVEN BY THE RT HON BARONESS DUNN, DBE, LLD, JP
AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR THE
RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN AT THE CITY HALL ON 9 JULY 1992 .......... 6
MR PATTEN ARRIVES .................................................... 8
WARM WELCOME TO NEW GOVERNOR ......................................... 9
PATTEN SWORN-IN AS 28TH GOVERNOR .................................... 10
GOVERNOR BEGINS HECTIC SCHEDULE ..................................... 11
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL ............... 12
SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING ASSISTANCE BEING MAPPED OUT .................. 17
1,850 GRADUATE AS TEACHERS .......................................... 17
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ...................................... 18
CHINESE TRADE OFFICIALS TO VISIT HK ................................. 22
HAWKERS CAUGHT FOR USING INACCURATE BALANCES ........................ 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 23
jtiy 9, 1992
1
SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHRISTOPHER PATTEN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS SWEARING-IN AT THE CITY HALL ON JULY 9, 1992 ******
SIR DAVID, BARONESS DUNN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND TO BARONESS DUNN FOR THEIR KIND AND ELOQUENT WORDS. THEY ARE TWO OF HONG KONG’S MOST EMINENT SERVANTS. I GREATLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM, AND TO THEIR WISE COUNSELS.
I AM GREATLY HONOURED TODAY TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNORSHIP OF HONG KONG - ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST CITIES.
HONG KONG HAS BEEN MADE GREAT NOT BY THE ACCIDENTS OF GEOGRAPHY BUT BY ITS MOST FORMIDABLE ASSETS, THE ENTERPRISE, THE ENERGY, THE VITALITY AND THE INDUSTRY OF ITS PEOPLE, LIVING, WORKING AND PROSPERING WITHIN A FRAMEWORK OF SOUND ADMINISTRATION AND THE RULE OF LAW.
YOU THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, HAVE CREATED HERE AT THE HEART OF ASIA, A WONDER OF THE WORLD, ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR EXAMPLES OF THE VIRTUES OF A FREE ECONOMY KNOWN TO MAN.
NOW THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FACE A FURTHER TASK. I AM PRIVILEGED TO SHARE IT WITH YOU FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. OUR TASK FOR THE FUTURE IS AS MOMENTOUS AS YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST. IT IS A TASK THAT WILL REQUIRE ALL THE QUALITIES YOU HAVE ALREADY SHOWN -RESILIENCE, DETERMINATION, DRIVE - ONLY IN STILL GREATER MEASURE. IT IS A TASK WHICH, WHEN WE ACCOMPLISH IT SUCCESSFULLY - AS WE ARE GOING TO DO - WILL PROVIDE A SHINING EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD OF PARTNERSHIP AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PEOPLES AND NATIONS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL.
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN THE CLOSING YEARS OF THIS TUMULTUOUS CENTURY IS TO TURN FROM EARNEST HOPE TO FIRM REALITY, THAT HISTORIC AND FAR-SIGHTED CONCEPT - "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS".
WHEN WE HAVE ACHIEVED THAT, WE WILL HAVE FULFILLED THE PROMISE ENSHRINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION: A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS HONG KONG, WHOSE FUTURE - FOUNDED IN THAT DECLARATION - IS SECURE; A HONG KONG THAT CHERISHES AND MAINTAINS ITS PRESENT LIFESTYLE; A CAPITALIST HEART BEATING AT THE CENTRE OF ASIA, PUMPING PROSPERITY EVER MORE WIDELY.
THAT ACHIEVEMENT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF TODAY’S HONG KONG; GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE HONG KONG OF TOMORROW; GOOD FOR CHINA; GOOD FOR BRITAIN; GOOD FOR THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS; AND IT WILL - AS A NEW CENTURY UNFOLDS -BE GOOD FOR THE WORLD.
TITPSp/.r, J’H.Y 9, 1?92
2 -
AS YOU KNOW, I DON’T COME TODAY AS A STRANGER TO THE TERRITORY. I HAVE VISITED HONG KONG BOTH AS A BACKBENCH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND AS A MINISTER. BUT I HAVE NEVER LIVED HERE, AND NOR HAS MY FAMILY. MY WIFE, LAVENDER, MY DAUGHTERS LAURA, ALICE AND KATE (WHO IS NOT HERE TODAY) JOIN WITH ME IN EXPRESSING OUR ENTHUSIASM AT THE PROSPECT OF MAKING OUR HOME IN HONG KONG AND GETTING TO KNOW THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
I AM, OF COURSE, VERY MUCH AWARE OF THE CONSIDERABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF MY PREDECESSOR. LORD WILSON HAS BEEN A FRIEND FOR MANY YEARS. HE WAS AN EXCELLENT GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, MARVELLOUSLY SUPPORTED BY LADY WILSON. I KNOW THAT THEY ARE BOTH HELD IN HIGH REGARD AND MUCH AFFECTION. THROUGHOUT HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS DIPLOMAT AND THEN GOVERNOR, LORD WILSON HAS DONE AS MUCH AS ANY MAN TO STRENGTHEN THE BONDS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA TO THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG; TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT OUR NATIONS UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER BETTER; AND ABOVE ALL TO SERVE YOU, THE PEOPLE OF THIS TERRITORY. HIS HAS BEEN AN EXEMPLARY CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
FOR MY OWN PART, I PLEDGE MYSELF TO DEVOTE ALL MY ENERGY TO REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS STRONGLY AND WISELY AS I CAN.
I WILL STAND UP FOR HONG KONG AS YOU WOULD WISH ME TO DO, COURTEOUSLY AND FIRMLY.
I SAID A MOMENT AGO THAT WE MUST TURN "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY. BUT LET US BEGIN WITH THIS QUESTION. WHAT ARE THE HALLMARKS OF HONG KONG’S SYSTEM?
THE BEDROCK OF YOUR WAY OF LIFE IS THE RULE OF LAW THAT GUARANTEES FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR EVERYONE. IT GOVERNS ALL YOUR DEALINGS, PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL. YOU HAVE AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY IN WHICH EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE. BECAUSE NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, THE LAW SERVES EVERYONE.
PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ENJOY THE FREEDOM TO GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS WITHOUT CONSTANT INTERFERENCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT. YOU ENJOY FREEDOM OF WORSHIP AND SPEECH.
YOU HAVE AS WELL A GOVERNMENT IN WHICH THERE IS DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AT EVERY LEVEL, A GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED BY A FINE PUBLIC SERVICE.
FLOURISHING IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, HONG KONG IS THE BEST EXAMPLE IN THE POST-WAR WORLD OF AN OPEN MARKET ECONOMY. IT IS OPEN IN TWO SENSES; OPEN TO ALL THE MANY TALENTS OF THOSE WHO WORK IN IT; AND OPEN TO THE WORLD WITH WHICH IT TRADES WITH SUCH SPECTACULAR SUCCESS.
THESE ARE THE DISTINCTIVE QUALITIES OF OUR SYSTEM. THE JOINT DECLARATION GUARANTEES THAT THEY WILL ALL BE PRESERVED FOR THE FUTURE. LOOKING TO THAT FUTURE, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE FIVE BRIEF POINTS THIS AFTERNOON.
/wTp-T, XB.........
>
FIRST, WE CAN BEST SECURE OUR FUTURE TOMORROW BY OUR SUCCESS TODAY. THAT IS TRUE OF OUR ECONOMY AND TRUE OF OUR GOVERNMENT. THE STRONGEST SAFEGUARD FOR OUR GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS WILL BE THE EFFECTIVENESS, VIGOUR AND GOOD SENSE WITH WHICH THEY OPERATE. ALL OF US WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE RUNNING OF HONG KONG HAVE SERIOUS WORK TO DO. I LOOK FORWARD TO CO-OPERATING WITH THOSE WHO SHARE MY AIM - TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IN THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH HISTORY HAS PLACED US. THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES WILL REQUIRE \ SPIRIT OF MATURE CO-OPERATION IN THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT.
TO GOVERN IS TO CHOOSE AND CHOICE IS INVARIABLY DIFFICULT. GOOD POLITICAL LEADERSHIP INVOLVES FACING UP TO HARD DECISIONS, TAKING THEM, SETTING OUT CLEARLY WHAT HAS TO BE DONE WHEN ALL THE TALKING IS OVER, AND WINNING CONSENT FOR THE COURSE THAT HAS TO BE PURSUED.
THAT IS WHY I WISH, WHILE PRESERVING THE AUTHORITY AND DIGNITY OF MY OFFICE, TO MAKE MY GOVERNORSHIP AS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE. BUT THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP RESTS WITH ME, IN WHAT IS AND WILL REMAIN AN EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT.
SECONDLY, OUR PERSONAL AND COLLECTIVE AMBITIONS AND PROSPECTS ARE INEVITABLY LINKED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ECONOMY IN WHICH WE WORK. HONG KONG KNOWS BETTER THAN ANYWHERE THAT IT CANNOT REST ON LAURELS WON IN THE PAST. WE HAVE TO STRIVE CONTINUOUSLY TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE OUR COMPETITIVENESS FOR TOMORROW’S WORLD, CERTAIN ONLY OF ONE THING - THAT OUR COMPETITORS WILL DO THE SAME. WE CANNOT STAND STILL. WE MUST CONTINUE TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE. THAT IS WHY THE NEW AIRPORT AND ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT ARE SO IMPORTANT. THAT IS ONE REASON WHY THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BRITAIN AND CHINA HAVE BOTH EXPRESSED THEIR PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO THIS EXCITING WORK. IT IS A GREAT UNDERTAKING WORTHY OF THE GREAT CITY AND TERRITORY IT WILL SERVE.
WHEN THE AIRPORT AND THE NEW PORT, AND THE BRIDGES, AND THE RAILWAYS, AND THE LAND RECLAMATION AND THE ROAD, ARE COMPLETED, WE KNOW THAT THE WHOLE PROJECT WILL ACT AS A DYNAMO FOR FURTHER WEALTH CREATION, NOT JUST IN HONG KONG BUT IN GUANGDONG, AND MORE WIDELY IN SOUTHERN CHINA WHOSE FLOURISHING ECONOMIC LINKS WITH THE TERRITORY’ ARE TO THE BENEFIT OF US ALL. THE AIRPORT WILL CONFIRM OUR PLACE AT THE CROSSROADS OF THE ASIAN ECONOMY.
TO RETAIN OUR ECONOMIC STRENGTH, WE ALSO HAVE TO ATTEND TO MORE PAROCHIAL BUT IMPORTANT CONCERNS. WE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, TO CONTINUE TO BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION, HARD-FOUGHT THOUGH THAT BATTLE IS BOUND TO BE. WHEN THE PUBLIC EXPRESS ANXIETY’ ABOUT THE RATE OF INFLATION, THEY ARE WHOLLY RIGHT TO DO SO. INFLATION IS A CUNNING ENEMY, AN ENEMY WE IGNORE AT OUR PERIL.
/•’’’IT’riT, XT............
THIRDLY, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE REMAIN \ LOK TAX ECONOMY IN WHICH PUBLIC SPENDING IS KEPT UNDER PRUDENT CONTROL. BUT IT IS RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD BE FREE TO USE SOME OF THE WEALTH WE GENERATE AS A COMMUNITY TO HELP THOSE OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS WHO FALL BY THE WAYSIDE AND TO MAKE OUR SOCIETY EVER MORE CIVILISED. I KNOW HOW MUCH THIS COMMUNITY CARES ABOUT THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN, ABOUT THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY, ABOUT HOUSING, ABOUT THE DISABLED, AND ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE LIVE. I INTEND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ATTACH TO THESE ISSUES THE PRIORITY THEY DESERVE. I LOOK FORWARD TO SAYING MORE ABOUT THEM IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER.
FOURTHLY, I KNOW HOW MUCH CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT LAW AND ORDER. HONG KONG, IT IS TRUE, IS A SAFER CITY THAN MOST. YET THAT IS LITTLE COMFORT TO THE FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES WHO HAVE BEEN THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME. THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE RELENTLESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME. WE SHALL BE ESPECIALLY TOUGH IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME. THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE DO A MAGNIFICENT JOB. THEY CAN COUNT ON MY STAUNCH SUPPORT AS THEY GO ABOUT THEIR SOMETIMES DANGEROUS WORK. CO-OPERATING CLOSELY WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, WE SHALL WORK ROUND THE CLOCK TO BEAT CRIME IN THIS CITY.
MY FIFTH TASK IS PERHAPS THE MOST VITAL AND CHALLENGING OF ALL.
I HAVE HEARD IT SAID THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, AND THEREFORE THE POSITION OF HONG KONG, IS STILL BEDEVILLED BY MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND THE LACK OF TRUST.
I WILL DO ALL THAT I CAN TO REMOVE MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND TO BUILD UP TRUST. TRUST IS A TWO-WAY STREET. GOOD CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA IS MY SINCERE AIM AND MY PROFOUND WISH. IT IS VITAL FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, VITAL FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
LET ME, FINALLY, MAKE THIS CLEAR.
AS HONG KONG’S GOVERNOR I HAVE NO SECRET AGENDA. MY ONLY AGENDA IS THE ONE I HAVE LAID BEFORE YOU TODAY. IT IS CLEAR. IT IS PUBLIC. AND SO IT WILL REMAIN.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT - GOD WILLING - THROUGH OUR OWN HARD WORK, CALM JUDGMENT AND STURDY DETERMINATION WE SHALL CARRY THROUGH THIS HISTORIC TASK TO A CONCLUSION THAT WILL RANK ABOVE ALL OTHERS AMONG THIS TERRITORY’S MANY ACHIEVEMENTS.
IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND FOR FIFTY YEARS AND MORE BEYOND, THE EYES OF THE WORLD WILL BE ON HONG KONG. I AM SURE THAT WE SHALL BE WORTHY OF OUR DESTINY, A SYMBOL OF CONFIDENCE AND CO-OPERATION FOR THE REST OF HUMANITY.
i-?2
'j ~
WELCOMING SPEECH GIVEN BY SIR DAVID FORD, KBE, LVO, JP AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN AT THE CITY HALL ON 9 JULY 1992
YOUR EXCELLENCY, MRS PATTEN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AND MY PLEASURE TO GREET YOU TODAY AS THE 28TH GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE ASSURED OF A VERY WARM WELCOME FROM THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL ALL ENJOY YOUR LIFE WITH US IN HONG KONG.
I REMEMBER WELL YOUR FIRST VISIT HERE IN 1979 AS A BACK BENCH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT. WE SPENT SOME TIME TOGETHER THEN DISCUSSING THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY. WE TALKED ABOUT THE AMBITIOUS GOALS WHICH HONG KONG HAD SET ITSELF FOR THE 1980S. I SENSED THEN YOUR REAL CONCERN FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND YOUR ADMIRATION FOR THEIR ENERGY AND ENTERPRISE AND FOR THEIR DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED.
YOUR VISIT AS MINISTER FOR OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT IN 1988 CAME AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH A TIDAL WAVE OF HUMANITY FLEEING VIETNAM. YOU MADE FUNDS AVAILABLE SO THAT WE COULD BUILD NEW CAMPS FOR THEM. THE COMMUNITY COPED WITH THAT PROBLEM AS IT HAS COPED WITH ALL THE OTHER CHALLENGES OF THE LAST DECADE. WF HAVE GONE ON MAKING STEADY PROGRESS, DEVELOPING THE ECONOMY, BUILDING UP THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVING OUR SOCIAL PROGRAMMES. DESPITE THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE FACED, HIE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAS IMPROVED STEADILY OVER THE YEARS.
SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF YOUR APPOINTMENT, I KNOW YOU HAVE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME READING, THINKING AND TALKING ABOUT HONG KONG AND HONG KONG AFFAIRS. YOU HAVE MET A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT VIEWS AND PERSPECTIVES. I ALSO KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOW ANXIOUS TO GET OUT AND ABOUT AND MEET ORDINARY PEOPLE.
AS YOU TRAVEL AROUND THE TERRITORY, I AM SURE YOU WILL BE STRUCK BY ALL THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED. TN PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL TERMS THERE HAVE BEEN GREAT CHANGES. BUT YOU WILL ALSO FIND THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES WHICH HAVE MADE THIS PROGRESS POSSIBLE HAVE NOT CHANGED. THE DETERMINATION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ONE’S FAMILY THROUGH HARD WORK AND ENTERPRISE REMAINS THE PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTIC OF OUR COMMUNITY.
1
rjT 9,
ALTHOUGH THE PLANS FOR OUR FUTURE HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY LAID AND A GREAT DEAL HAS BEEN ACHIEVED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO FLOURISH FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, THERE ARE OF COURSE MANY PROBLEMS WHICH STILL REMAIN TO BE TACKLED. THERE IS ALSO SOME UNDERLYING UNCERTAINTY PRESENT IN THE COMMUNITY AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS 1997. IT WOULD BE SURPRISING IF IT WERE NOT SO, FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE NATURALLY SOMEWHAT APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THEIR FUTURE. SIR, THE COMMUNITY WILL LOOK TO YOU TO GUIDE US THROUGH THESE NEXT FIVE VITAL YEARS AND IT HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF ITS GOVERNOR AND ITS GOVERNMENT. BUT I HOPE IT MAY BE OF SOME COMFORT TO YOU THAT IN ALL YOU DO YOU WILL HAVE THE TOTAL, AND LOYAL SUPPORT OF A DEDICATED CIVIL SERVICE.
THE GOVERNORSHIP OF HONG KONG NEVER HAS BEEN AN EASY JOB AND YOUR PERIOD IN OFFICE WILL HAVE THE ADDED DIMENSION OF COINCIDING WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT PERIOD IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY. BUT, SIR, YOUR HIGH REPUTATION PRECEDES YOU. WE BELIEVE WE ARE INDEED FORTUNATE THAT YOU ARE TO BE OUR GOVERNOR AND WE WARMLY WELCOME YOU TO HONG KONG.
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WELCOMING SPEECH GIVEN BY THE RT HON BARONESS DUNN, DBE, LLD, JP AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN AT THE CITY HALL ON 9 JULY 1992 #*###***#*#
YOUR EXCELLENCY, MRS PATTEN,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
WE WELCOME TODAY THE NEW GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS GREET YOU, SIR, MRS PATTEN AND YOUR FAMILY MOST HEARTILY. A WELLKNOWN WRITER DESCRIBED MR PATTEN IN A LEADING JOURNAL IN THESE WORDS: "HIS WHOLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN POLITICS HAS BEEN TO GAIN A QUICK BUT SOUND GRASP OF NEW SUBJECTS, TO USE SPECIALIST ADVICE SENSIBLY AND TO BRING BASIC COMMON SENSE TO THE NECESSARY DECISIONS ... HE COMBINES OPEN-MINDEDNESS WITH POLITICAL DECISIVENESS. WHAT HE ENJOYS, AND IS GOOD AT, IS CONCILIATING DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS AND PUTTING A CONSENSUS INTO VIGOROUS ACTION." THESE, SIR, ARE PRECISELY THE QUALITIES WE NEED IN OUR GOVERNOR AS WE ENTER THE FINAL PHASE OF THE TRANSITION PERIOD. WE OFFER YOU OUR RESPECT AND SUPPORT, AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU FOR THE GOOD GOVERNMENT OF THIS TERRITORY.
T’TU’.SD'UI, JH1T 9, 1992
THE HONG KONG SUCCESS STORY IS WELL KNOWN TO YOU. EVERYWHERE IN THIS DYNAMIC MODERN CITY ARE TALL BUILDINGS, BRIGHT LIGHTS, AND CONSPICUOUS EVIDENCE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY PROSPERITY THAT HAS BEEN CREATED. BUT YOU WILL FIND, SIR, BENEATH THE GLITTER THERE ARE A HOST OF MORE MODEST TALES OF SUCCESS WHICH REPRESENT THE REAL STRENGTH OF HONG KONG. FOR EVERY HONG KONG MULTI-MILLIONAIRE, THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO STARTED WITH NOTHING, BUT WHO CREATED PROSPERITY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT TO MANY MORE. FOR EVERY SPECTACULAR STORY OF OVERNIGHT SUCCESS, THERE IS ALSO A STORY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD TO PICK THEMSELVES UP FROM THE FLOOR AND START ALL OVER AGAIN. AND FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT CARE FOR THEMSELVES, THERE ARE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, RICH AND POOR, FROM ALL STRATA OF SOCIETY, WHO HELP GENEROUSLY WITH THEIR TIME AND MONEY.
AS YOU, SIR, MEET THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG YOU WILL FIND US A UNIQUE COMMUNITY. WE ARE A CONFLUENCE OF THE BEST OF EAST AND WEST. FROM THE EAST, WE RETAIN THE BEST OF OUR CHINESE CULTURE: RESPECT FOR THE FAMILY AND RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY; A STRONG BELIEF IN SELF RELIANCE AND HARD WORK. FROM THE WEST, WE TAKE THE RIGHTS AND THE FREEDOMS GUARANTEED BY THE COMMON LAW. WE HAVE AN INNATE RESPECT FOR FREEDOM AND THE RULE OF LAW. WE DO NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIC OF RELIGION, CLASS, COLOUR OR SEX. WE WELCOME IDEAS AND PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. THIS OPENNESS OF OUTLOOK COMBINED WITH OUR CHINESE HERITAGE HAS GIVEN A UNIQUE CHARACTER TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE HONG KONG WHICH EXISTS TODAY HAS BEEN BUILT BY HONG KONG PEOPLE’S OWN EFFORTS. IN THE LAST FORTY YEARS, WE HAVE TRIUMPHED OVER PROBLEMS OF IMMIGRATION, POVERTY, DROUGHT, RIOTS, BANKING CRISES AND ECONOMIC RECESSION, AND WE HAVE EARNED THE RESPECT AND ATTENTION OF MIGHTY NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. OF COURSE, HONG KONG HAS ITS BLEMISHES AND ITS FAILINGS. AND IT IS FRUSTRATING FOR A COMMUNITY OF ENERGETIC, SELF-RELIANT AND WELL-EDUCATED PEOPLE TO DEPEND ON OTHERS TO DETERMINE THEIR POLITICAL DESTINY. BUT WE CAN BE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED.
AS WE GO FORWARD TO MAKE HISTORY, WE LOOK TO YOU, SIR, FOR LEADERSHIP TO SPUR OUR COMMUNITY ON WITH SELF-CONFIDENCE, UNITY AND A SENSE OF PURPOSE. THE FINAL TEST OF A LEADER, IT HAS BEEN SAID, IS THAT WHEN HE GOES, HE LEAVES BEHIND HIM IN OTHER MEN AND WOMEN THE CONVICTION AND THE WILL TO CARRY ON WITHOUT HIM. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT AS 1997 COMES AND GOES THIS COMMUNITY WILL FIND ITSELF ENRICHED BY YOUR TENURE OF OFFICE AND INSPIRED BY YOUR VISION AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1992
8
MR PATTEN ARRIVES * * * * *
THE MOTORCADE CARRYING THE RT HON MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN AND HIS FAMILY DROVE THROUGH SOME OF THE BUSIEST AREAS OF KOWLOON THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, PROVIDING RESIDENTS WITH THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF HONG KONG’S 28TH GOVERNOR.
LIVE TELEVISION COVERAGE PROVIDED MANY PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF SEEING MR PATTEN, HIS WIFE LAVENDER AND DAUGHTERS, LAURA AND ALICE, AS THEY STEPPED OFF THE PLANE AT KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 3.05 PM.
THEY WERE MET ON THE AIRPORT TARMAC BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, AND LADY FORD.
AFTER A SHORT REST IN THE AIRPORT VIP ROOM, MR PATTEN, ACCOMPANIED BY SIR DAVID AND THE GOVERNOR’S AIDE-DE-CAMP, MR FILIPE DE OLIVEIRA, BOARDED THE FIRST CROWN CAR WHILE LADY FORD ACCOMPANIED MRS PATTEN AND THE TWO DAUGHTERS IN THE SECOND LIMOUSINE.
THEY WERE DRIVEN THROUGH THE BUSY STREETS OF KOWLOON AND WERE WARMLY GREETED BY RESIDENTS AND CURIOUS ON-LOOKERS ALIKE.
RESIDENTS OF CHUN SEEN MEI CHUEN, A HOUSING ESTATE OPERATED BY THE HOUSING SOCIETY, AND SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE AREA WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AS THE GOVERNOR’S MOTORCADE, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ESCORT OF POLICE MOTORCYCLISTS, PASSED THROUGH FU NING STREET BEFORE TURNING ONTO ARGYLE STREET TOWARDS MONG KOK.
PASSING ALONG WATERLOO ROAD, SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO STUDY IN THE HO MAN TIN AREA WAVED HAPPILY AS THE ENTOURAGE PASSED AND TURNED ONTO HONG KONG’S MOST WELL-KNOWN STREET - NATHAN ROAD.
RESIDENTS OF MONG KOK - ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN THE WORLD - GREETED THE NEW GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY WITH SMILES AND FRIENDLY WAVES; WHILE IN TSIM SHA TSUI, CURIOUS TOURISTS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECORD THE EVENT WITH THEIR CAMERAS.
THE MOTORCADE TURNED ONTO SALISBURY ROAD PASSING A NUMBER OF HOTELS AND THE ELABORATE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE AND SPACE MUSEUM, BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER FOR THE HARBOUR TRIP ABOARD THE GOVERNOR’S LAUNCH, THE LADY MAURINE.
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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1992
WARM WELCOME TO NEW GOVERNOR *»»**»
LARGE CROWDS OF PEOPLE TURNED UP IN TSIM SHA TSUI THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO GREET THE NEW GOVERNOR, THE RT HON MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND HIS FAMILY AS THEY ARRIVED AT KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER TO BOARD THE "LADY MAURINE" FOR THE SHORT CRUISE ACROSS THE HARBOUR.
AS THEY ALIGHTED FROM THE MOTORCADE AT 3.55 PM, MR PATTEN, HIS WIFE LAVENDER AND THEIR TWO DAUGHTERS ACKNOWLEDGED THE WARM GREETING WITH SMILES AND WAVES TO THE CROWDS.
AT THE PIER, THEY WERE MET BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER; THE SECOND AIDE-DE-CAMP TO THE GOVERNOR AND POLICE CHIEF INSPECTOR, MR ROBIN TSE; AND THE THIRD AIDE-DE-CAMP AND DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR SIMON TAM.
AS THE "LADY MAURINE" SAILED OFF TOWARDS CENTRAL, THE ROYAL NAVY SHIP, HMS PEACOCK, LED A FLOTILLA OF MARINE POLICE LAUNCHES TO ESCORT THE GOVERNOR’S LAUNCH ACROSS THE HARBOUR; TWO FIREBOATS INCLUDING THE ALEXANDER GRANTHAM PROVIDED AN ELABORATE DISPLAY OF. WATER SPRAY.
OVERHEAD, AIRCRAFT AND HELICOPTERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF), THE ARMY AIR CORPS AND THE ROYAL AIR FORCE FLEW PAST IN FORMATION IN SALUTE TO MR PATTEN.
THE RHKAAF TWIN-ENGINED BRITTEN NORMAN ISLANDER AIRCRAFT LED THE FLYPAST, FOLLOWED BY TWO BEECH SUPER KING AIR TWIN-ENGINED TURBO PROP FIXED WING AIRCRAFT AND SIX SIKORSKY HELICOPTERS, FLYING IN CLOSE FORMATION.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A FORMATION OF THREE ARMY AIR CORPS SCOUT HELICOPTERS AND THREE ROYAL AIR FORCE WESSEX HELICOPTERS.
A 17-GUN SALUTE WAS FIRED FROM HMS TAMAR AS THE "LADY MAURINE" APPROACHED QUEEN’S PIER WHERE A LARGE CROWD WAITED AT EDINBURGH PLACE TO GREET THE NEW GOVERNOR.
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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1992
10
PATTEN SWORN-IN AS 28TH GOVERNOR * * * * *
THE NEW GOVERNOR, THE RT HON MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, STEPPED FROM THE "LADY MAURINE" ONTO THE STEPS OF QUEEN’S PIER AT 4.10 PM THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, TO THE CHEERS OF A LARGE CROWD AND A MULTITUDE OF FLASHLIGHTS FROM THE WORLD’S PRESS AS HE ARRIVED TO BEGIN THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY.
MR PATTEN, HIS WIFE LAVENDER AND TWO DAUGHTERS, LAURA AND ALICE, WERE PRESENTED TO A HOST OF DIGNITARIES BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, AND LADY FORD.
BENEATH THE PORTICO OF QUEEN’S PIER THEY WERE INTRODUCED TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, AND LADY YANG; COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FOLEY, AND MRS FOLEY; THE BISHOP OF HONG KONG, THE RIGHT REVEREND PETER KWONG, AND MRS KWONG; THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG, HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL JOHN BAPTIST WU: THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, AND MR MICHAEL THOMAS; THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JOHN SWAINE, AND MRS SWAINE; THE CONVENOR OF THE IN-HOUSE MEETING GROUP OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS ELSIE TU, AND MR TU; THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY IN HONG KONG, MR ZHENG HUA, AND MRS ZHENG; THE CONSUL-GENERAL OF GERMANY AND DOYEN OF THE CONSULAR CORPS, DR EIKE BRACKLO, AND MRS BRACKLO: AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, AND MRS LI.
AFTER MOUNTING THE DAIS, MR PATTEN RECEIVED A ROYAL SALUTE AND THE BAND OF THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS STRUCK UP THE FIRST SIX BARS OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
HE THEN INSPECTED THE GUARD OF HONOUR FORMED BY THE HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
MR PATTEN WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE INSPECTION BY THE GUARD COMMANDER, POLICE SUPERINTENDENT FUNG KIN-MAN AND THE GOVERNOR’S AIDE-DE-CAMP, MR FILIPE DE OLIVEIRA.
AT THE END OF THE INSPECTION, MR PATTEN WAS ESCORTED BY THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE CITY HALL TO BEGIN THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY.
MRS PATTEN AND THE TWO DAUGHTERS WERE ESCORTED BY BARONESS DUNN.
AS THEY ENTERED THE CITY HALL, MR AND MRS PATTEN WERE GREETED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG AND THE CLERK OF COUNCILS, MR JAMES HERD.
IN THE FOYER, SIR DAVID PRESENTED MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO MR PATTEN, WHILE BARONESS DUNN MADE THE INTRODUCTIONS TO MRS PATTEN.
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JOHN SWA!NE, THEN PRESENTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO THE NEU GOVERNOR. WHILE THE CONVENOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS ELSIE TI , MADF THE PRESENTATIONS TO MRS PATTEN.
TO THE ACCOMPANIMENT OF FANFARE PLAYED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE BAND, MR PATTEN ENTERED THE CONCERT HALL PACKED WITH DIGNITARIES INVITED TO WITNESS THE MEMORABLE OCCASION.
THE SWEARING-IN FUNCTION BEGAN WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE mi RPOSF OF THE CEREMONY B\ THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG.
THE CLERK OF COUNCILS THEN READ THE ROYAL COMMISSION BEFORE SIR II LIANG INVITED MR PATTEN TO TAKE AND SIGN THE THREE OATHS ------- THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE THE OFFICIAL OATH AND THE JUDICIAL OATH.
AFTER THF OATHS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY. SIR DAVID FORD, AND BARONESS DUNN GAVE THEIR SPEECHES OF WELCOME BEFORE MR PATTEN REPLIED.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY SPENT MORF THAN AN HOUR MEETING SOME OF THE MORE THAN 800 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITY AT A RECEPTION HELD IN THE CITY HALL FOYER-
SHORTING AFTER 7 PM - ABOUT FOUR HOURS AFTER THEIR ARRIVA1 IN HONG KONG - THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY ARRIVED AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE WHERE THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) PRESENTED ARMS .
BEFORE STEPPING INSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MR PATTEN ACKNOWLEDGED THF COMPLIMENT THAT CULMINATED HONG KONG’S WARM WELCOME TO HIM AND HIS FAM ILY.
GOVERNOR BEGINS HECTIC SCHEDULE ******
THE GOVERNOR, MR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL SPEND MOST OF HIS MRST WORKING DAY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) VISITING SOME OF HONG KONG’S OLDER DISTRICTS AND MEETING RESIDENTS.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MRS LAVENDER PATTEN AND THE SECRETARY UOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN.
MR PATTEN WILL TRAVEL ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (MTR) FROM ADMIRALTY STATION TO MONG KOK - ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED AREAS IN THE WORLD.
THERE HE WILL WALK THE BUSY STREETS SEEING VARIOUS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A HAWKER PERMITTED PLACE. AND BE BRIEFED ON THF POI. ICING OF THE DISTRICT.
HTLY ?, 1222
THE GOVERNOR WILL THEN PROCEED BY KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) TRAIN TO SHA TIN FOR A BRIEFING AND OVERVIEW OF SHA TIN NEW TOWN, BEFORE DRIVING THROUGH TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL TO WONG TAI SIN WHERE HE WILL TOUR THE DIAMOND NEW VILLAGE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TOMORROW.
MEDIA MEMBERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE MTR STATION AT ADMIRALTY CENTRE, QUEENSWAY BY 1.45 PM.
THEY WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO (OVER MR PATTEN’S JOURNEY 'IN THE MTR, THE MONG KOK TOUR AND THE RIDE ON KCR.
ON ARRIVAL AT SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION, THE PRESS PARTY WILL BE TAKEN BY PRESS COACHES TO DIAMOND HILL TO AWAIT THE ARRIVAL OF THE iOVERNOR.
OWING TO INSUFFICIENT SPACE AND THE LAYOUT OF THE VILLAGE, MEDIA COVERAGE OF MR PATTEN’S WALKABOUT INSIDE THE VILLAGE WILL BE BY POOL ARRANGEMENT.
THE MAIN PRESS PARTY WILL, HOWEVER, HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF SEEING MR PATTEN AS HE COMPLETES THE LAST LEG OF THE WALKABOUT AT THE \ILLAGE.
BECAUSE OF TIME CONSTRAINTS, SEPARATE \RRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOK THOSE WISHING TO COVER THE ROOFTOP BRIEFING AT SHA TIN NEW TOWN. THOSE WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT ADMIR.Al TA HEIGHT. BELAIR GARDENS, TAI CHUNG KIl ROAD, SHA TIN BA 3.45 PM.
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL * * I * * t
THF VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS THIS
EAR DECREASED BY 1%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 30% AS ' oMPAREI) WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20%. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 21% 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.
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1992
13
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH ROSE BY 1%, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
PRICE CHANGES ARE REFLECTED BY CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE INDEXES, WHICH ARE COMPILED BASED ON AVERAGE UNIT VALUES OR. FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES, BASED ON SPECIFIC PRICE DATA.
THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX IS THE RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX. IT INCREASED BY 1% IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1992 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMPARING APRIL 1992 WITH APRIL 1991, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 3% WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 27%. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 18%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 19%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF BOTH DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND IMPORTS REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED. RE-EXPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 1%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR APRIL 1992 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMMODITY GROUPS WHICH RECORDED CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+24%) AND TEXTILE FABRICS (+16%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-44%); FOOTWEAR (-41%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-29%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-21%); AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-21%).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN APRIL 1992 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991. IN PARTICULAR, TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES; AND METAL MANUFACTURES RECORDED RELATIVELY LARGER PRICE INCREASES, BY 6% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS; AND METAL ORES AND SCRAPS RECORDED LARGER DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, BOTH BY 5%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR APRIL 1992 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 34% IN APRIL 1992 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES; SWINE: MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS. HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL, VEGETABLE OIL AND LARD.
14
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 16%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS; AND CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE NOTED IN IMPORT VOLUME OF TOBACCO MANUFACTURES: AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 20% IN APRIL 1992 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; BASE METALS (OTHER THEN IRON AND STEEL); YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS; AND SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; AND SILK FABRICS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 6% IN VOLUME IN APRIL 1992 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 23% IN APRIL 1992 OVER APRIL 1991.
NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; TEXTILE MACHINERY; AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY. HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS NOTED IN IMPORT VOLUME OF TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.
COMPARING APRIL 1992 WITH APRIL 1991, THE IMPORT PRICES OF CONSUMER GOODS; FOODSTUFFS; AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 2%, 1% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS; AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 7% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR APRIL 1992 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1991 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING APRIL 1992 WITH APRIL 1991, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED : FUELS (+49%); CAPITAL GOODS (+44%); CONSUMER GOODS (+25%); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+25%); AND FOODSTUFFS (+11%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS, FOODSTUFFS AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 3%, 1% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS; AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 12% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
II3 'RE........
DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE APRIL 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SALE AROUND JULY 15 AT $6 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 582 4918) .
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING WITH APR APR 1992 1991 COMPARING JAN-APR WITH JAN-APR 1992 1991
COMMODITY GROUP UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING -5 2 —7 1 3 -2
TEXTILE FABRICS 19 3 16 ♦ 2 -3
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -9 -3 -7 -8 -2 -6
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -17 6 -21 -18 6 -22
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -31 -2 -29 -38 -2 -37
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 18 -5 24 1 1 -4 16
FOOTWEAR -39 3 -41 -29 3 -31
METAL MANUFACTURES -4 5 -9 10 5 5
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -15 -5 -10 -19 -5 -15
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -23 -3 -21 -16 -2 -14
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -14 4 -17 16 3 13
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -44 1 -44 -30 3 -32
ALL COMMODITIES -3 * /* j — -3 -T’ -TY %
* 1 -1
* LESS THAN 0.5% TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING APR 1992 COMPARING JAN-APR 1992
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE WITH UN IT VALUE APR 1991 VOLUME WITH JAN-APR 1991 UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 36 1 34 13 1 12
CONSUMER GOODS 18 2 16 30 2 27
RAW MATERIALS AND 17 -3 20 15 -2 16
SEMI-MANUFACTURES
FUELS -13 - 7 -6 -29 -24 -6
CAPITAL GOODS 24 1 23 26 * 25
ALL COMMODITIES 19 * 19 21 ♦ 21
* LESS THAN 0.5% TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END- •USE CATEGORY
COMPARING APR 1992 COMPARING JAN-APR 1992
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE WITH UNIT VALUE APR 1991 VOLUME WITH JAN-APR 1991 UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 13 1 1 1 9 2 7
CONSUMER GOODS 29 3 25 35 3 30
RAW MATERIALS AND 21 -3 25 24 -1 26
SEMI-MANUFACTURES
FUELS 30 -12 49 36 -24 79
CAPITAL GOODS 46 1 44 45 2 43
ALL COMMODITIES 28 1 27 32 1 30
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THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1992
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SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING ASSISTANCE BEING MAPPED OUT
******
THE WORKING GROUP ON SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING HAS BEGUN TO MAP OUT DETAILED PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS THE SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING PROBLEM.
CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERED A RANGE OF SHORT - AND LONG-TERM MEASURES.
"THE WORKING GROUP IS CONCENTRATING ON POSSIBILITIES OF DRAWING ON THE EXISTING STOCK OF FLATS SUPPLY AS A SHORT-TERM MEASURE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS OR SO," MR EASON SAID.
"A PROGRAMME TO CONSTRUCT HOUSING SPECIALLY FOR THE SANDWICH CLASS IS ALSO BEING EXAMINED FOR THE LONGER TERM.
"GIVEN THE COMPLEXITIES OF ANY SCHEME, THE EXACT MECHANICS NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO CAREFULLY," SAID MR EASON.
THE WORKING GROUP AIMS TO FINALISE ITS DELIBERATIONS IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
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1,850 GRADUATE AS TEACHERS *****
COLLEGES OF EDUCATION GRADUATES TODAY (THURSDAY) WERE TOLD THAT IF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5 WERE SUPPORTED BY THE PROFESSION AND BY THE PUBLIC, THEY WOULD FACE A STIMULATING AND REWARDING CAREER.
SPEAKING AT A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE COLLEGES, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW, SAID THE 1,850 GRADUATES WOULD WORK^N AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH, YEAR BY YEAR, WOULD BETTER SUPPORT THEM IN THE TASK OF HELPING STUDENTS TO LEARN.
"YOU WILL HAVE EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT TO DEVELOP YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AS PROFESSIONALS, AND WILL BE REWARDED WITH THE HIGHER STATUS OF ADVANCED CERTIFICATE HOLDER, OR GRADUATE TEACHERS," SHE SAID.
MISS CHOW SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT QUITE A FEW OF THE GRADUATES WOULD BECOME DEGREE HOLDERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
IN PRESENTING A JOINT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT OF THE COLLEGES, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS' COLLEGE, MR LAW WING-YIN, SAID THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES HAD BEEN UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW AND MODIFICATION TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
COI.LTOTS.........
-"imo’-i, juiy 1??2
- 18 -
THE COLLEGES ARE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
CITING NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AS AN EXAMPLE, MR LAW SAID THE COLLEGE HAD CHANGED THE MODE OF ATTENDANCE OF THE REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE TO ONE IN WHICH SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ATTENDED 19 ALTERNATE SATURDAY MORNING SESSIONS AND ONE WEEKDAY AFTERNOON SESSION EACH WEEK FOR 37 WEEKS.
THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE ADOPTED THE SAME SCHEDULE BUT THE PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDED FOUR DAYS OF ATTACHMENT TO VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES FOR WIDER EXPOSURE TO THE TEACHING OF SPECIALISED SUBJECTS.
------0--------
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAIDTHEGRADING WOULDBE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH THAT HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER.
THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION TN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
"TnrL'.Y, .t’.’ty 9, 1992
"BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
"BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE."
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS !
* GRADE "1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
» GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
* GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
* GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS VERY POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITERS AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "4" GRADE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "3" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
/THE ......
TTf IGD.'/f, JULY 9, 1992
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH
PREVIOUS GRADING
PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 25.6.92)
(AS AT 9.7.92)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 2 3
CHUNG HOM KOK 2 2
DEEP WATER BAY 2 2
HAIRPIN 2 2
MIDDLE BAY 1 1
REPULSE BAY 1 1
SHEK 0 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST. STEPHEN’S 1 1
TURTLE COVE 1 1
STANLEY MAIN 2 2
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 2 2
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA 2 2
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE 4 4
BUTTERFLY 3 3
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 2 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2 2
HAP MUN BAY 1 1
KIU TSUI 1 1
PAK SHA CHAU ' 1
SILVERSTRAND 2
TRIO (HEBF HAVE*-
1 T •
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 3 2
HUNG SHING YEH 2 2
KWUN YAM WAN 3 3
TONG FUK 2 2
LO SO SHING 1 J
PUI 0 1 1
SILVERMINE BAY 3 3
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2 2
TUNG 0* 2 2
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 4 4
APPROACH 3 3
CASAM 3 3
GEMINI 3 3
HOI MEI WAN 3 3
LIDO 3 3
TING KAU 4 4
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 3 3
NOTE : "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACH.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
BIG WAVE BAY FROM "2” TO ”3”; DISCOVERY BAY AND SILVERSTRAND
FROM "3" TO "2".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
THE VERY POOR WATER QUALITY AT ANGLERS’, TING KAU AND KADOORIE BEACHES IS BECAUSE OF THE RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH HAI) CAUSED THE POLLUTANTS IN THE BEACH HINTERLAND TO BE FLUSHED INTO THE SEA WATER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER TEL 835 1234. , PLEASE CONTACT PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY) OF EPD, MR P. R. HOLMES, ON
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1992
CHINESE TRADE OFFICIALS TO VISIT HK
******
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN TRADE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE (MOFERT), MR HE WEI, WILL LEAD A WORKING PARTY FOR A WEEK-LONG VISIT TO HONG KONG, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE MOFERT WORKING PARTY WILL INCLUDE OFFICIALS FROM THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF IMPORT AND EXPORT COMMODITY INSPECTION, THE ZHEJIANG OFFICE OF CHINA COUNCI I FOR THE PROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE, AND THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND TRADE COMMITTEE.
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY ARE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (JULY 12).
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE WORKING PARTY’S VISIT IS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THEIR HONG KONG COUNTERPARTS ON ORIGIN CERTIFICATION AND OTHER MATTERS OF COMMON INTERESTS.
THEY WILL CALL ON THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A SEMINAR ON CHINA’S RULES OF ORIGIN.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE FIVE GOVERNMENT APPROVED CERTIFICATION ORGANISATIONS (GACOS) AND SPONSORED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, WILL BE HELD NEXT TUESDAY (JULY 14) AFTERNOON AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
"IT WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL TRADERS WITH INVESTMENTS OR BUSINESS CONNECTIONS IN CHINA TO GAIN UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE NEW CHINESE RULES OF ORIGIN SYSTEM WHICH WAS IMPLEMENTED ON MAY 1 THIS YEAR," A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SEMINAR CAN BE DIRECTED TO ANY ONE OF THE FIVE GACOS OR TRADE DEPARTMENT.
THE FIVE GACOS ARE: HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG AND CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1992
23
HAWKERS CAUGHT FOR USING INACCURATE BALANCES
*****
FOUR FRUIT HAWKERS WERE CAUGHT YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR ALLEGEDLY USING INACCURATE SPRING BALANCES FOR TRADE, THUS VIOLATING THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE.
THEY WERE SELLING CHERRIES AND LONGANS AT THE JUNCTION OF JORDAN ROAD AND NATHAN ROAD AT 2 PM WHEN THEY WERE CAUGHT BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS FROM THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU DURING A SPOT CHECK ON DISHONEST HAWKERS.
THEIR SPRING BALANCES WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO INDICATE MORE THAN DOUBLE THE ACTUAL WEIGHT.
"ROUGHLY, THEIR CUSTOMERS GOT ONLY EIGHT OUNCES OF FRUIT TO EVERY POUND THEY PAID FOR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CONDUCT SURPRISE CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO BRING OFFENDERS TO JUSTICE.
"ANYONE WHO WISHES TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MALPRACTICES ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES MAY CONTACT THE BUREAU ON TELEPHONE 714 6146 DURING OFFICE HOURS, OR 852 3185 AFTER OFFICE HOURS," HE ADDED.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST THE FOUR HAWKERS - TWO MEN AND TWO WOMEN AGED BETWEEN 45 AND 85.
THEIR SPRING BALANCES HAVE BEEN DETAINED FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI
1,288
-300
988
NIL
+ 90
1,078
109.6 »+0.1» 09.7.92
icorra............
THIT^D\Y, JUIY 9j 1992
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.03 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.94 4.04
1 MONTH 2.16 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.79 4.38
3 MONTHS 2.35 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 101.68 4.60
6 MONTHS 2.75 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.50 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 11,637 MN
CLOSED 9 JULY 1992
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION ..................................... 1
GOVERNOR STARTS VISITS TO DISTRICTS ................................... 5
GOVERNOR WILL SPEND MUCH TIME OUT MEETING PEOPLE ...................... 6
GOODS VEHICLE USING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL RECLASSIFIED ................. 6
NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ..................................... 7
SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR OCEAN-GOING VESSELS IN 1991 ......... 8
INDUSTRIAL POLICIES HELP CREATE POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR MANUFACTURING IN HK................................................................... 11
SUPPORT URGED FOR HERITAGE TRUST ...................................... 13
NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO LAW REFORM COMMISSION ........................ 14
SHA TIN SOCCER PITCH TO BE RESURFACED.................................. 15
DREDGING FOR SEA SAND AT PO TOI EAST................................... 15
TWO MINIBUS ROUTES TO ADJUST FARES .................................... 16
SCHOOL PROJECTS ON COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES .............................. 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
17
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
1 GOVERNOR’S MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION ******
THE FOLLOWING IS TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS BRIEFING GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING:
THE GOVERNOR: I WILL SPEAK AS LOUDLY AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT, I HOPE, MAKING LIFE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR YOU.
AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS, INDEED MONTHS OF PREPARATION, I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE STARTED WORK THIS MORNING, IN EARNEST. MY FAMILY AND I ENJOYED YESTERDAY’S INAUGURATION AND NOW IT IS DOWN TO WORK. I’VE SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS THAT WHAT I HOPE, IS THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO BE AS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE DURING MY FIVE YEARS AS GOVERNOR, AND WHAT L THOUGHT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL IN THAT PROCESS IS FOR ME, REASONABLY REGULARLY, TO TALK TO THE MEDIA LIKE THIS, WITH AT LEAST ONE COMMON OBJECTIVE IN MIND.
I THINK THAT, AS YOU KNOW, I WILL BE SPENDING AS MUCH TIME AS I POSSIBLY CAN OUT OF THE OFFICE VISITING THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND COMMUNITIES. THIS AFTERNOON, FOR EXAMPLE, I AM GOING TO MONG KOK AND SHA TIN AND DIAMOND HILL. I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT SOME OF THE HOUSING AND LAW AND ORDER PROBLEMS IN THOSE AREAS.
IT IS, I THINK, A MILD INCONVENIENCE ON BOTH SIDES IF EVERY TIME I SET FOOT OUTSIDE THE GATE YOU FEEL UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO TALK TO ME ABOUT OTHER MATTERS AND WE FETCH UP HAVING A POLITICAL DIALOGUE BY ’DOORSTEPPING’ RATHER THAN MORE FORMAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS. SO I DO HOPE THAT EVEN THOUGH IT MAY INVOLVE A CERTAIN RESTRAINT ON BOTH SIDES, THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE REASONABLY REGULAR MEETINGS LIKE THIS, OF COURSE, FROM TIME TO TIME, BIGGER MORE FORMAL PRESS CONFERENCES SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS POLITICAL ISSUES MORE SENSIBLY THAN WHILE I AM TRYING TO PLANT A TREE OR WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO FIGHT YOUR WAY THROUGH SEVERAL TELEVISION-CREWS TO ASK A QUESTION.
WHEN I TALK ABOUT MORE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE GOVERNMENT, OBVIOUSLY I LOOK AS WELL TO MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I WILL, IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, BE WANTING TO EXPLORE WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN THE EXECUTIVE . COUNCIL, AND WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HOW I CAN BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED, AS SOME OF YOU WILL KNOW, THAT I SHOULD TRY TO INSTITUTE SOME FORM OF FAIRLY REGULAR ’QUESTION TIME’ IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SO THAT ITS MEMBERS CAN ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLICIES OF THE ADMINISTRATION, AND I WILL BE PURSUING HOW BEST WE CAN ORGANISE SUCH A ’QUESTION TIME’ WITH THOSE THAT I MENTIONED A MOMENT OR TWO AGO.
I REPEAT THAT I HOPE WE CAN MAKE THESE SESSIONS REASONABLY FREQUENT, GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY OF HEARING MY OWN POLITICAL THOUGHTS AND GIVING YOU A CHANCE OF ASKING ONE OR TWO QUESTIONS. AND I AM NOW PREPARED TO TAKE ABOUT TEN MINUTES OF QUESTIONS. IF YOU CAN JUST SAY WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU’RE FROM IT WILL HELP US DEVELOP THAT RELATIONSHIP WHICH I KNOW WE WANT.
/QUESTION: MR PATTEN .........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992'
2 -
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, KEVIN LAU FROM HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL. ON BECOMING THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, WILL YOU TAKE UP THE DIFFICULT TASK OF AIRPORT NEGOTIATIONS WITH CHINA? AND FOR THAT PURPOSE WILL YOU BE VISITING CHINA VERY SOON?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: COULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE QUESTION?
THE GOVERNOR: THE QUESTION IS: WILL ON THE AIRPORT WITH CHINA, AND WILL I
I BE TAKING UP THE NEGOTIATIONS BE VISITING CHINA SOON?
THERE IS, AS I THINK YOU KNOW, AN EARLY MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO TRY TO TAKE FORWARD THE USEFUL DISCUSSIONS THAT WERE HELD LAST WEEK AND AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK IN PEKING ON THE AIRPORT. IT IS IN ALL OUR INTERESTS THAT WE MAKE PROGRESS AS SOON AS WE CAN ON THE AIRPORT. TO ALLOW THINGS TO SLIP ISN’T A COST-FREE OPTION. IT’S IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, AS I SAID YESTERDAY, AND IN THE INTERESTS OF CHINA THAT WE GET AHEAD AND BUILD THE AIRPORT AND THE ASSOCIATED PROJECTS AS SOON AS WE CAN. BUT I DON’T THINK WE SHOULD BECOME TOO EXCITABLE ABOUT IT, WHAT’S IMPORTANT IS TO HAVE AGREEMENTS THAT WORK AND ALLOW US TO MOVE FORWARD STEADILY AS SOON AS THAT IS POSSIBLE.
I OBVIOUSLY WANT TO TALK TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHEN IT WOULD BE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO VISIT THE PRC. I WANT TO HAVE GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OFFICIALS IN THE PRC AND WILL OF COURSE VISIT THE PRC WHEN IT SEEMS SUITABLE. BUT I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE MATTERS FORWARD HELPFULLY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
QUESTION: ... (INDISTINCT)
THE GOVERNOR: DO I AGREE WITH LEE KWAN YEW’S VIEWS ON HONG KONG’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA? I’M NOT GOING TO REPHRASE THE WHOLE OF THE QUESTION, I HEARD IT AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS.
I HAD VERY HELPFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH LEE KWAN YEW IN SINGAPORE. I MET HIM ON TWO OCCASIONS AND HOPE THAT I’LL BE ABLE TO SEE HIM AGAIN FREQUENTLY IN THE FUTURE. HE HAS MANY EXTREMELY INTERESTING AND THOUGHTFUL VIEWS ON THE WHOLE REGION, NOT JUST ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND HONG KONG OR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA. I DON’T THINK IT’S POSSIBLE TO MAKE A COMPLETE DISTINCTION BETWEEN ECONOMICS AND POLITICS. WE'VE OF COURSE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO SECURING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. AS I’VE SAID BEFORE, I THINK THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG HELP THEMSELVES TO SECURE THE LIFE-STYLE AND WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG, AND EQUALLY, THE WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG HELPS TO UNDERPIN ITS STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. SO I THINK THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE TWO ISSUES AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO DISCUSSING BOTH ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL MATTERS WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND POLITICAL LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
QUESTION: ADRIAN BROWN OF SKY NEWS. A LOT OF WHAT YOU SAID YESTERDAY AND WHAT YOU’VE SAID IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE HEARD BEFORE. WHAT DIFFERENCE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE TO ORDINARY PEOPLE’S LIVES ...
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
3 -
THE GOVERNOR: I WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE WAY MY REMARKS, YESTERDAY, WERE REPORTED AND I DIDN’T GET QUITE THE FLAVOUR OF YOUR QUESTION IN THE REPORTING OF MY SPEECH YESTERDAY, BUT I’M SURE IT IS THE CASE THAT ONE ALWAYS GETS ONE’S BEST COVERAGE ON THE FIRST MORNING AFTER ONE HAS TAKEN UP A JOB. I HOPE THAT SOME OF THE COVERAGE CONTINUES TO BE AS HELPFUL IN THE COMING WEEKS. PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO JUDGE ME BY WHAT I DO AND AS I SAID YESTERDAY, I WILL BE SETTING OUT IN GREATER DETAIL MY AGENDA FOR THE FUTURE WHEN I SPEAK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER.
QUESTION: ... (INDISTINCT)
THE GOVERNOR: I SAID, YESTERDAY, THAT LAW AND ORDER WAS GOING TO BE A TOP PRIORITY. I’VE BEEN ASKED TO SAY HOW.
ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WILL FIND THAT I DO IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS IS TO SPEND A GOOD DEAL OF TIME WITH THOSE WHO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY, THE DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY, FOR SECURING LAW AND ORDER IN THIS TERRITORY. IT’S A REASON WHY I AM GOING TO MONG KOK THIS AFTERNOON, AND I WILL BE SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS SO I CAN LEARN FROM THEM FIRSTHAND HOW WE CAN IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN OUR FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, PARTICULARLY VIOLENT CRIME. BUT WE DO OF COURSE NEED TO HAVE THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE CO-OPERATION WITH THE PRC IN VIEW OF SOME OF THE RECENT OUTRAGEOUS VIOLENT CRIMES THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS SUFFERED.
QUESTION: ... (INDISTINCT)
THE GOVERNOR: DO I THINK THERE’S BEEN TOO MUCH INTERFERENCE FROM THE PRC IN RELATION, FOR EXAMPLE, TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL?
I’VE SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS ALREADY, I HOPE COURTEOUSLY, THAT APPOINTMENTS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ARE MATTERS FOR THE GOVERNOR, ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. THEY ARE MATTERS FOR ME AND I AM SURE THAT IS WIDELY RECOGNISED, NOT LEAST BY ALL THOSE WHO TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE WAY THAT HONG KONG IS GOVERNED. WE DO HAVE TO RECOGNISE THE UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA IN MAKING THE JOINT DECLARATION WORK, IN MAKING SURE THAT "ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS" IS IMPLEMENTED IN FULL AND WITH ENTHUSIASM AFTER 1997. I’M SURE THAT WE CAN FIND A CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP WHILE RECOGNISING OUR DIFFERENT, IF JOINED, RESPONSIBILITIES.
QUESTION: ... (INDISTINCT)
THE GOVERNOR: I’M SURE THAT THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED ON THE AIRPORT WILL BE RESOLVED IN DUE COURSE IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. I THINK THAT THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL BE MEETING AGAIN LATER IN THE WEEK TO TAKE MATTERS FORWARD AND I HOPE THAT IT REACHES SOME SATISFACTORY CONCLUSIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, YOU HAVE SAID THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN STANCES THAT HONG KONG AND CHINA HAVE TAKEN, WHAT ARE YOUR ... (INDISTINCT)
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
- 4 -
THE GOVERNOR: I HOPE THAT AS PEOPLE SEE THE WAY I WORK AND AS PEOPLE SEE WHAT I STAND FOR AND WANT TO DO, THEY WILL UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS VERY SENSIBLE TO WORK CO-OPERATIVELY WITH ME. I BEGIN, AS I SAID YESTERDAY, FROM THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE WANT TO MAKE THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE CONCEPT WHICH I REFERRED TO IN MY SPEECH OF "ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS" WORK AS SUCCESSFULLY AS WE CAN, AND THAT INVOLVES TRUST FROM BOTH SIDES, IT INVOLVES CO-OPERATION FROM BOTH SIDES.
QUESTION: ... (INDISTINCT) ... DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU WANT TO FORGET ABOUT THIS?
THE GOVERNOR: WHAT I WANT TO DO IS TO ENSURE THAT ON THE BASIS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, A UNIQUELY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT, WE ENSURE THAT THE WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG CONTINUES THROUGH 1997. I WANT TO SEE AS SMOOTH AND SUCCESSFUL A TRANSITION AS POSSIBLE AND I THINK I HAVE MADE THAT CLEAR BEFORE AND I’LL MAKE IT CLEAR AS OFTEN AS I NEED TO.
SECONDLY, ON THE SPECIFIC MATTERS YOU MENTIONED OF THE COMPOSITION OF BOTH EXCO AND LEGCO, AS AGAIN I’VE SAID BEFORE, AND WILL CONTINUE TO SAY AT LEAST FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF MONTHS, THESE ARE MATTERS THAT I’M GOING TO DISCUSS WITH LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THESE ARE MATTERS WHICH I’LL BE FORMING A VIEW ON WITH LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY BETWEEN NOW AND THE AUTUMN, AND THEY ARE MATTERS ON WHICH I WILL BE EXTREMELY SPECIFIC ONCE I SPEAK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER.
I’LL TAKE, LITERALLY ONE MORE, AND THEN I WANT TO SEE BISHOP KWONG AND CARDINAL WU, BOTH OF WHOM HAVE APPOINTMENTS WITH ME.
QUESTION: ... (INDISTINCT)
THE GOVERNOR: THE QUESTION WAS QUITE A LONG QUESTION. FIRST OF ALL, WHETHER, WHEN I SPOKE OF EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT IT IMPLIED THAT I WOULD MAKE CHANGES IN THE WAY THAT THE GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS AT PRESENT WORK - RIGHT?
THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS THAT I WANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR EXISTING INSTITUTIONS WORK EFFECTIVELY AND VIGOROUSLY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, SUPPORTING THE LEADERSHIP WHICH I WILL BE GIVING ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND I’LL BE TALKING TO LEADERS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ABOUT THE ROLE AND THE FUNCTIONS OF THOSE GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS, TO ENSURE THAT THEY WORK AS WELL AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN AND THAT THEY WORK TOGETHER AS WELL AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN.
THE FIRST QUESTION WAS WHEN I SAID THAT ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP RESTED WITH ME, DOES IT MEAN - WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SAYING - THAT THE BUCK STOPS HERE?
YES, IT DOES MEAN THAT THE BUCK STOPS HERE. I HAVE TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT GO WITH THE OFFICE OF GOVERNORSHIP, I HAVE TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN THIS COMMUNITY. I WANT TO LEAD THE COMMUNITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THOSE WHO SHARE MY AIMS, I WANT TO BUILD AS MUCH UNDERSTANDING ACROSS THE COMMUNITY AS POSSIBLE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS MY JOB TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG IS AS WELL GOVERNED AS POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED. NICE TO SEE YOU AND I DARE SAY WE WILL MEET IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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/5......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
- 5 -
GOVERNOR STARTS VISITS TO DISTRICTS ******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, GOT STRAIGHT DOWN TO WORK TODAY (FRIDAY) WITH A VISIT TO MONG KOK, SHA TIN AND WONG TAI SIN.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN.
HAVING PLEDGED IN HIS INAUGURATION SPEECH THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD "WORK ROUND THE CLOCK TO BEAT CRIME IN THIS CITY", THE GOVERNOR LOST NO TIME IN GETTING OUT TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE POLICE.
HE RECEIVED BRIEFING FROM THE MONG KOK DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER, MR CHRISTOPHER GLOVER, ON THE POLICING OF MONG KOK, WHICH IS A HIGH-RISK AREA FOR ROBBERIES.
HE ALSO MET SOME OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS DURING A WALKABOUT.
THE GOVERNOR WENT ON TO AN EARLY VISIT TO ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST EXCITING HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS - SHA TIN NEW TOWN - WHERE THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP MEET HONG KONG’S GROWING HOUSING NEEDS.
AT SHA TIN, MR PATTEN WAS BRIEFED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID BROWNING.
FROM SHA TIN, THE GOVERNOR TRAVELLED TO WONG TAI SIN TO VISIT THE DIAMOND HILL SQUATTER AREA AND TO EXAMINE AT FIRST HAND WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING TO MEET ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THOSE WHO FALL BY SOCIETY’S WAYSIDE.
AT DIAMOND HILL, THE SQUATTERS’ IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT AND VISIBLE IMPACT - FOR EXAMPLE, THROUGH THE PROVISION OF STREET LIGHTING.
DURING HIS WALK THROUGH THE DIAMOND NEW VILLAGE, THE GOVERNOR WAS BRIEFED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALDAN KWOK.
HE ALSO WITNESSED THE INDUSTRY AND VITALITY OF THE AREA, WHICH INCLUDES NUMEROUS SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FIRMS, FROM WOODSHOPS TO IRON WORKS, DYE PLANTS TO CAR REPAIRING WORKS.
DURING HIS VISIT, THE GOVERNOR TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG’S EXCELLENT TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE - TRAVELLING, AS MILLIONS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS DO, ON BOTH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
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/6 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
- 6 -
GOVERNOR WILL SPEND MUCH TIME OUT MEETING PEOPLE
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON THAT HE WOULD, THROUGHOUT HIS GOVERNORSHIP, SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE OUT OF THE OFFICE MEETING PEOPLE AND SEEING THINGS FOR HIMSELF.
MR PATTEN WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO MONG KOK, SHA TIN AND WONG TAI SIN.
’’THERE IS, IN MY EXPERIENCE, A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN READING ABOUT THINGS AND ACTUALLY EXPERIENCING THEM YOURSELF AND MEETING PEOPLE ON THE STREETS AND IN THEIR HOMES,” HE SAID.
HE SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO HAVE MET SO MANY PEOPLE AND HE HAD BEEN VERY PLEASED BY THE RECEPTION WHICH PEOPLE HAD GIVEN HIM.
HAVING SEEN THE SQUATTER HUTS AND SQUATTER FACTORIES, MR PATTEN SAID HE REALISED THE CONTINUING IMPORTANCE OF GOOD QUALITY HOUSING FOR THE FUTURE PROSPERITY AND WELL-BEING OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG.
THANKING THE REPORTERS FOR COVERING HIS VISIT WITH SUCH ENTHUSIASM, MR PATTEN SAID:
”1 SUSPECT THAT ALL OF YOU WILL HAVE LOST A BIT OF WEIGHT DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO MANY FUTURE VISITS AND I HOPE WE DIDN’T TRAMPLE ON TOO MANY PEOPLE’S FEET THIS AFTERNOON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.”
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GOODS VEHICLE USING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL RECLASSIFIED ******
THE CLASSIFICATIONS AND TOLLS FOR GOODS VEHICLES USING THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ARE TO BE REVISED, WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
AS A RESULT, GOODS VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS WILL BE IDENTICAL FOR BOTH THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
THE TOTAL CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLL (INCLUDING THE PASSAGE TAX) FOR EACH CLASS OF GOODS VEHICLE WILL ALSO BE THE SAME AS THE TOLL FOR THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
FROM AUGUST 1, GOODS VEHICLES WITHIN THE RANGE OF 5.3 - 5.5 TONNES, WHICH ARE NOW REGARDED BY THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AS MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES, WILL BE RECLASSIFIED AS LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES FOR THE PURPOSE OF TOLLING.
/GOOD VEHICLES .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
GOODS VEHICLES WEIGHING IN EXCESS OF 5.5 TONNES BUT BELOW 24 TONNES WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES WHILE THOSE ABOVE 24 TONNES WILL COME UNDER THE HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE CATEGORY,
UPON RECLASSIFICATION, THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLLS FOR GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE REVISED AS FOLLOWS:
REVISED TOLL PASSAGE TAX TOTAL TOLL
LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES NOT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES $10 $5 $15
MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES OF OVER 5.5 TONNES BUT NOT EXCEEDING 24 TONNES $15 $5 $20
HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES OF OVER 24 TONNES $25 $5 $30
EACH ADDITIONAL AXLE IN $10 $10
EXCESS OF TWO
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE RECLASSIFICATION WILL SLIGHTLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF GOODS VEHICLES USING THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOLLOWING ADVICE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
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NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
******
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (FRIDAY) REITERATED THAT THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN POLICY REGARDING THE ADMISSION OF NATIONALS OF PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC).
SPEAKING IN RESPONSE TO DEMANDS BY A GROUP OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO HAVE APPROACHED THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SEEKING THE ADMISSION OF THEIR SPOUSES FROM CHINA, HE SAID: "THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED."
MR ASPREY SAID PRC NATIONALS WHO WISHED TO COME HERE FOR SETTLEMENT MUST APPLY TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR THE ISSUE OF ONEWAY EXIT PERMITS.
"THE ISSUE OF ONE-WAY PERMITS IS A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES," HE ADDED.
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/8 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
8
SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR OCEAN-GOING VESSELS IN 1991
******
LAST YEAR, 21,178 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 119.1 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 2,331 (OR 12%) IN NUMBER AND OF 6.8 MILLION NRT (OR 6%) IN CAPACITY OVER 1990.
THIS INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, 1991" PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN 1991, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS WAS 52.9 MILLION TONNES AND REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 14% OVER 1990.
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+1,243), OIL TANKERS (+738) AND DRY BULK CARRIERS (+211); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SEMI-CONTAINER VESSELS (-127).
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+881), PANAMA (+221), LIBERIA (+104), SINGAPORE (+82) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+81); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN THE NETHERLANDS (-46) .
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 1,856 WHILE THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 475.
IN 1991, THERE WERE 21,217 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 119.3 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 2,393 (OR 13%) IN NUMBER AND OF 7.1 MILLION NRT (OR 6%) IN CAPACITY OVER 1990.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS WAS 23.5 MILLION TONNES AND REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 19%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF OUTGOING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, FLAG, AND CAPACITY ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS THOSE RECORDED FOR INCOMING SHIPS, AS ABOUT 68% OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 85% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 15% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 64% WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 36% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS WERE SINGAPORE (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 15% IN TONNAGE TERMS), JAPAN (14%), CHINA (11%), TAIWAN (9%), AUSTRALIA (9%), THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (8%) AND THE USA (8%).
/THE MAJOR .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
9
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE USA (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 21% IN TONNAGE TERMS), CHINA (17%), TAIWAN (13%), JAPAN (6%), SINGAPORE (5%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (5%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (3%).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (31%) AND THE USA (16%), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED ALSO IN CHINA (19%) AND THE USA (13%).
COMPARING 1991 WITH 1990, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+74%), CANADA (+71%), INDONESIA (+51%), THE USA (+44%), TAIWAN (+36%) AND THAILAND (+17%).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 13%.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF STONE, SAND AND GRAVEL (+253%), ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+41%), PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+14%), AND COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (+7%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CEMENT AND CEMENT CLINKER (-29%).
COMPARING 1991 WITH 1990, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 20%. MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (+46%), JAPAN (+23%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+22%), THE USA (+21%) AND THE NETHERLANDS (+20%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THAILAND (-23%).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF FOOTWEAR (+57%), PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+42%), CLAY AND KAOLIN (+28%), AND TOYS (+28%).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 42% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 80% WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 34% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM ITALY (99%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (90%), TAIWAN (83%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (80%).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN 1991 ROSE BY 25% OVER 1990.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 99% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 94% OF PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, 89% OF TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD, ALL KINDS, AND 87% OF MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 72% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE.
/IN PARTICULAR, .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
- 10 -
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, AND ALMOST ALL TO THE USA, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED KINGDOM, ITALY, CANADA, FRANCE AND AUSTRALIA.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN 1991 ROSE BY 18% OVER 1990.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED COTTON GARMENTS; TOYS; FOOTWEAR; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS; MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES; AND VEGETABLES AND FRUIT.
SHIPPING STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIP MASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEANGOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A SAMPLE OF CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING CARGO STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS OF SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR 1991 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, 1991".
THIS REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT 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 ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI AT $52.5 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 4887.
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/Il ........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
11
INDUSTRIAL POLICIES HELP CREATE POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR MANUFACTURING IN HK ******
THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL POLICIES, WHICH CAN BE SUMMED UP IN THE PHRASE ’’MINIMUM INTERVENTION PLUS MAXIMUM SUPPORT”, HAVE CREATED A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT AN ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR CHAU SAID WITHIN THIS FRAMEWORK, INDUSTRIALISTS WERE FREE TO MAKE THEIR OWN BUSINESS DECISION, AND TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF THEIR SUCCESS.
’’GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IS TO PROVIDE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES AND SERVICES TO UNDERPIN INDUSTRY’S EFFORT TO UPGRADE,” HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE SEEN AS A MEANS OF PROMOTING HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY.
"THAT WAS THE VIEW REACHED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, HAVING STUDIED THE WAY OUR NEIGHBOURING ECONOMIES APPROACH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, AND IT IS ONE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SHARES," HE SAID.
HE BELIEVED ALSO THAT EFFORTS TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE FOCUSED.
"GIVEN HONG KONG’S LIMITED RESOURCES, WE CANNOT HEAD OFF IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT ONCE. WE NEED TO HOME IN ON TECHNOLOGY AREAS WHICH HOLD THE KEY TO IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR EXISTING INDUSTRIES -OR TO DEVELOPMENT IN NEW, HIGH-VALUE ADDED AREAS WHICH ARE WELL SUITED TO HONG KONG’S STRENGTHS.
"AND IN A REALISTIC INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME, THE WATCHWORD SHOULD BE "APPROPRIATE” RATHER THAN "LEADING-EDGE” TECHNOLOGIES,” HE SAID.
"I WOULD ADD THAT A GREAT DEAL OF WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN RECENT YEARS TO IDENTIFY THE TECHNOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS FOR HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES," MR CHAU SAID.
"THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S REGULAR PROGRAMME OF TECHNOECONOMIC STUDIES IS ONE EXAMPLE. THE TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS’ "ROADMAPS” STUDY IS ANOTHER.
"SO THERE IS ALREADY A RICH SUPPLY OF MATERIAL ON WHICH THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL CAN DRAW," MR CHAU SAID.
ASSUMING SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY OVERALL, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN INVESTING HEAVILY IN WHAT SOME CALL THE "TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE”, MR CHAU SAID.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
12
HE SAID THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES NOW ON OFFER INCLUDE:
* A WIDE CHOICE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PLACES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL;
t SITES ON SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATES FOR TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE OPERATIONS; AND
* A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT SERVICES GEARED TO HELP COMPANIES IMPROVE QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY.
HE SAID COMING ON STREAM SOON WILL BE :
* PREMISES FOR FLEDGLING TECHNOLOGY-BASED BUSINESSES IN A NEW INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AT KOWLOON TONG;
* FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR WORTHWHILE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE FORM OF MATCHING INVESTMENT; AND
* GRANTS FOR TRAINING OVERSEAS IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
HE SAID IT WAS WIDELY ACCEPTED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO PROMOTE HONG KONG AS A PLACE FOR TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE INDUSTRY.
"HONG KONG HAS ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR TECHNOLOGICAL SUCCESS. WE HAVE A POOL OF HIGHLY EDUCATED AND SKILLED MANPOWER, A STRONG FRAMEWORK OF BUSINESS LAWS AND A FAVOURABLE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
"BUT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR, AND BENEFITS OF, HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG NEED TO BE EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATED TO INVESTORS BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
"THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT AGENCIES PLAY THEIR PART BY PROVIDING INFORMATION, ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR COMPANIES INTERESTED IN ADOPTING MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES.
"AND OUR INWARD INVESTMENT PROGRAMME IS TARGETED AT OVERSEAS COMPANIES WHICH CAN BRING NEW AND BENEFICIAL TECHNOLOGIES TO HONG KONG," MR CHAU SAID.
"BUT THE GOVERNMENT IS ONLY ONE ELEMENT IN THE PICTURE. ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, WHICH PROVIDE A CHANNEL FOR COMMUNICATION AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL SCIENTISTS, PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESSMEN, HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY," HE SAID.
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/13 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
- 13 -
SUPPORT URGED FOR HERITAGE TRUST
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED THE COMMUNITY TO HELP PRESERVE HONG KONG’S HERITAGE THROUGH GENEROUS DONATIONS TO THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST.
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTHEAST, MR SO SAID THE TRUST WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE DUAL OBJECTIVE OF MARKING THE TENURE OF LORD WILSON AS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND PROVIDING A CENTRAL BODY TO CHANNEL COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE CAUSE OF HERITAGE PRESERVATION.
MR SO SAID THE TRUST WOULD BE USED TO FUND EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN, THE RESTORATION OF TEMPLES AND OTHER HISTORIC BUILDINGS, AND EFFORTS TO RECORD OLD LOCAL TRADITIONS WHICH WERE BEING ERODED BY CHANGING LIFESTYLES AND FAST DEVELOPMENTS.
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT ANY HONGKONG BANK OR SENT TO P.O. BOX 8800 IN THE NAME OF "THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST".
MR SO SAID THE GOVERFNMENT’S MAIN CONCERNS WERE TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AND TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN HONG KONG’S HERITAGE AS WELL AS IDENTIFYING, RECORDING AND PRESERVING IMPORTANT HISTORICAL REMAINS IN HONG KONG.
TO ACHIEVE THE FORMER, COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES AND DIRECTION SIGNS ON HISTORICAL BUILDINGS WOULD BE ERECTED LATER THIS YEAR, MR SO SAID.
PROMOTIONAL LITERATURE SUCH AS LEAFLETS AND DISPLAYS ON HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, AND BOOKLETS ON THE HISTORY OF THE WAN CHAI AND THE ISLANDS DISTRICTS WERE ALSO PLANNED, HE SAID.
ALSO, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH HAD BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND YOUTH GROUPS IN AN EFFORT TO GENERATE INTEREST AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
PROJECTS FOR YOUTH INCLUDED AN EXPERIMENTAL LOCAL HISTORY CURRICULUM, VISITS TO HISTORICAL BUILDINGS FOR TEACHERS, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORKSHOPS.
TURNING TO THE RECORDING AND CONSERVATION OF HONG KONG’S HERITAGE, MR SO SAID THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE (AMO) OF THE BRANCH HAD DISCOVERED AND RESTORED MANY HISTORIC TEMPLES, ANCESTRAL HALLS WITH FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE JOCKEY CLUB.
HE SAID A HERITAGE TRAIL WAS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED IN PING SHAN NEXT YEAR.
"WORK ON RESTORING ATTRACTIONS ON THE TRAIL IS WELL ADVANCED, THANKS TO THE STAUNCH SUPPORT OF THE JOCKEY CLUB, THE TANG CLAN AND LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ALSO SHOWN GREAT INTEREST IN THE PROJECT," MR SO SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
14
HE ADDED THAT INVESTIGATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES WAS ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE AMO’S WORK AS IT ENRICHED THE KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE IN PREHISTORIC TIMES.
MR SO SAID EXCAVATION ON CHEK LAP KOK HAD ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED AND YIELDED A FASCINATING GLIMPSE OF LIFE IN PREHISTORIC HONG KONG.
A RECONSTRUCTION OF ONE OF THE KILNS UNEARTHED ON THE ISLAND IS ON DISPLAY IN THE NEW PREMISES OF THE AMO IN NATHAN ROAD.
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NEW MEMBERS APPOINTED TO LAW REFORM COMMISSION
*****
THREE NEW MEMBERS - A QUEEN’S COUNSEL, A BUSINESS LEADER, AND A SENIOR ACADEMIC IN LAW - HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION.
THEY ARE MR ANDREW LIAO, QC, MR ALASDAIR MORRISON AND PROFESSOR DEREK ROEBUCK.
MR LIAO IS A WIDELY RESPECTED ADVOCATE WITH A CONSIDERABLE BREADTH OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE.
HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION’S SUB-COMMITTEE ON COPYRIGHT SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN DECEMBER 1987.
MR MORRISON IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG LAND PROPERTY CO LTD AND HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
HE HAS HELD MANAGEMENT POSITIONS WITH THE JARDINE MATHESON GROUP OF COMPANIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, AUSTRALIA AND HONG KONG.
PROFESSOR ROEBUCK IS THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG AND IS AN ADMITTED SOLICITOR IN HONG KONG' AND IN ENGLAND AND WALES.
PROFESSOR ROEBUCK HAS HELD ACADEMIC POSTS IN NEW ZEALAND AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA AND WAS HEAD OF RESEARCH FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FROM 1979 TO 1982.
HE WRITES EXTENSIVELY ON LEGAL MATTERS.
IN ADDITION TO THE APPOINTMENT OF THE THREE NEW MEMBERS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, ALSO ANNOUNCED THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF MR JUSTICE MORTIMER AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION AND SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT HE HAD AGREED TO CONTINUE WITH THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION.
MR LIAO, MR MORRISON AND PROFESSOR ROEBUCK REPLACE MR SIMON IP, DR FRANK CHAO AND MISS MARIA TAM, WHO ARE RETIRING AFTER HAVING SERVED ON THE COMMISSION BETWEEN THREE AND SIX YEARS.
/MR MATHEWS .......
HR I BAY, JULY 10, 1992
15
MR MATHEWS PAID TRIBUTE TO THE TINI- AND EFFORTS THAT THE RETIRING MEMBERS HAD DEVOTED TO THE COMMISSION AND SAID THEY HAD BEEN CALLED ON TO CONSIDER A VARIETY OF COMPLEX ISSUES.
HE POINTED TO THE IMMINENT COMPLETION OF THE COMMISSION’S REPORT ON POWERS OF ARREST AS BEING OF PARTICULAR PUBLIC IMPORTANCE.
OTHER REPORTS ON DIVORCE AND COPYRIGHT WERE EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR, MR MATHEWS SAID.
"WITH THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF MODERN SOCIETY IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR LEGAL SYSTEM SHOULD KEEP PACE WITH AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO SO( lETY’S CHANGING NEEDS. THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THAT PROCESS," MR MATHEWS SAID.
- - 0 - -
SHA TIN SOCCER PITCH TO BE RESURFACED *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ARTIFICIAL TURF TO THE SOCCER PITCH AT TSANG TAI UK PLAYGROUND IN SHA TIN, WHICH MEASURES ABOUT 7,300 SQUARE METRES.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JULY 31.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MAIN BLOCK, APB CENTRE, 9 SUNG PING STREET, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
DREDGING FOR SEA SAND AT PO TOI EAST
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1 620 HECTARES OF SEABED AT PO TOI EAST TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE’ IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED 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 NAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JULY 9 1993
- - 0 - -
/16
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
16
TWO MINIBUS ROUTES TO ADJUST FARES * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM SUNDAY (JULY 12), THE FARES OF GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 38M FROM CHUK YUEN (NORTH) ESTATE TO WONG TAI SIN MTR STATION (SHATIN PASS ROAD) AND NO. 39M PLYING BETWEEN LOK FU AND TUNG TAU (CIRCULAR) WOULD BE INCREASED BY 20 CENTS.
THE NEW FARES WILL BE $1.6 AND $1.7 PER JOURNEY RESPECTIVELY.
---------0-----------
SCHOOL PROJECTS ON COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
******
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO HAVE WON A ’’COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS’ PROJECTS" COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AT A CEREMONY IN CITY HALL TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE ANNUAL COMPETITION, OPEN TO STUDENTS TAKING COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL, WAS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY.
IT AIMED AT ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO EXPLORE FEATURES OF VARIOUS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG WHICH HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD.
PARTICIPANTS PRESENTED THEIR PROJECTS IN THE FORM OF ARTICLES, PHOTOGRAPHS, MODELS, SLIDES, VIDEO TAPES OR COMPUTER PACKAGES TO ILLUSTRATE THE THEME "COMMERCE IN HONG KONG - YEARS OF GREAT LEAPS".
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR SIMON HO, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY, MR ZEE KWOH-KUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
COMMENDABLE PROJECTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE SAME TIME.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE COMPETITION TO BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE CITY HALL (LOW BLOCK) AT NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
---------0-----------
/17........
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 1992
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,078
REVERSAL OF LAF -90
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +800
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,788
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.0 *+0.4* 10.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 1.95 PCT 16 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.09 PCT 19 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.32 PCT 22 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.77 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.53 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.00 3.98
2402 5.50 101.89 4.31
2405 5.50 101.79 4.48
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 10 JULY 1992
- 8,817 MN
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
GOVERNOR MEETS HIS SENIOR OFFICIALS ................................... 1
CALL FOR VILLAGE VEHICLES TO COMPLY WITH PERMIT CONDITIONS............. 1
NEW COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE APPOINTED ............................... 2
FOSTER-CARE PLACES TO DOUBLE BY 1995-96 ............................... 3
CO-OPERATION WITH LABOUR INSPECTORS URGED ............................. 3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 4
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1992
- 1 -GOVERNOR MEETS HIS SENIOR OFFICIALS * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY FIRST THING ON SATURDAY MORNING OF HAVING AN EARLY MEETING WITH HIS KEY GROUP OF SENIOR OFFICIALS, INCLUDING ALL THE POLICY SECRETARIES.
AT THE START OF THE MEETING, MR PATTEN SAID: "I WANTED TO HAVE AN EARLY MEETING WITH YOU ALL. THE GOVERNMENT I HEAD WILL BE A TEAM GOVERNMENT, AND I WILL BE WORKING EXTREMELY CLOSELY WITH MY POLICY SECRETARIES AND SENIOR OFFICIALS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
"WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO DO, AND I LOOK FORWARD IMMENSELY TO TACKLING THE ISSUES WE FACE TOGETHER."
------0-----------
CALL FOR VILLAGE VEHICLES TO COMPLY WITH PERMIT CONDITIONS *****
MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE 58 VILLAGE VEHICLES OPERATING IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WERE FOUND TO HAVE MECHANICAL DEFECTS OR SHOW NON-COMPLIANCE WITH VILLAGE VEHICLE PERMIT CONDITIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID FOUR VILLAGE VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED ON LAMMA ISLAND AND 54 VEHICLES ON CHEUNG CHAU DURING A SERIES OF SPOT CHECKS CARRIED OUT IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
ONLY FIVE WERE FOUND TO BE IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION AND THE REMAINING 53 WERE FOUND TO HAVE MECHANICAL DEFECTS OR SHOW NON-COMPLIANCE WITH PERMIT CONDITIONS.
A TOTAL OF 39 VEHICLES OR 73.6 PER CENT WERE FOUND TO BE FITTED WITH MORE THAN ONE FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. ANOTHER 15 VEHICLES OR 28 PER CENT HAD DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND 10 VEHICLES OR 19 PER CENT HAD FAULTY STEERING.
THERE WERE VARIOUS OTHER MECHANICAL FAULTS, INCLUDING DEFECTS IN EXHAUST SYSTEM AND WARNING INSTRUMENTS, AND INCORRECT ENGINE IDENTITY.
"EACH OWNER OF VILLAGE VEHICLES THAT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS HAS BEEN ISSUED WITH A WARNING LETTER SETTING OUT THE DEFECTS AND NON-COMPLIANCE AREAS. REMEDIAL MEASURES HAVE TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY OR OWNERS WILL HAVE THEIR PERMIT CANCELLED OR NOT TO BE RENEWED.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A FOLLOW-UP CHECK ON ALL VILLAGE VEHICLES ON CHEUNG CHAU LATER THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THE DEPARTMENT........
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1992
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL CHECK AGAINST ANY WARNINGS AND OFFENCES COMMITTED BY THE APPLICANT BEFORE GRANTING THE PERMIT. EACH VILLAGE VEHICLE OWNER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A FRESH APPLICATION EVERY TIME THE VILLAGE VEHICLE PERMIT IS DUE FOR RENEWAL," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PERMIT CONDITIONS FOR VILLAGE VEHICLES HAD BEEN REVISED SINCE JANUARY 1 LAST YEAR TO ENSURE BETTER CONTROL AND SAFETY OF BOTH OPERATORS AND PEDESTRIANS.
PERMIT HOLDERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CONDITIONS. THE GRACE PERIOD EXPIRED ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 600 VILLAGE VEHICLES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
- 0 -
NEW COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE APPOINTED *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT MR NIGEL SHIPMAN HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO SUCCEED MR DEREK SULLIVAN AS COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE.
MR SHIPMAN, AGED 47, IS AT PRESENT ON LEAVE AND WILL ASSUME DUTY ON AUGUST 10.
HE WAS FIRST SECONDED FROM THE SCOTTISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN 1975.
HE WAS APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE C IN 1980 AND ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl LAST YEAR.
MR SHIPMAN HAS SERVED IN A VARIETY OF POSTS DURING HIS CAREER TO DATE. MOST RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, JULY 11,
1992
3
FOSTER-CARE PLACES TO DOUBLE BY 1995-96 * * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO MORE THAN DOUBLE THE EXISTING 240 FOSTER-CARE PLACES PROVIDED BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT TO 500 BY 1995-96, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF A TOURING EXHIBITION ON FOSTER-CARE SERVICE ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT, MR CARTLAND SAID ULTIMATELY IT WAS INTENDED TO CONTINUE THE EXPANSION OF FOSTER CARE UNTIL IT REPLACED INSTITUTIONAL CARE AS THE MAIN FORM OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.
THIS WOULD REQUIRE NOT ONLY FUNDING RESOURCES FROM THE GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO THE CONTINUING CO-OPERATION OF FOSTER-CARE AGENCIES, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT OF RESIDENTS WHO VOLUNTEER TO BECOME FOSTER PARENTS, HE SAID.
"SOCIAL WORKERS ARE GIVING MORE PREFERENCE TO THE PROVISION OF FOSTER HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE," MR CARTLAND ADDED.
SINCE THE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRAL FOSTER-CARE UNIT WAS SET UP NINE YEARS AGO, MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN HAVE BEEN PLACED IN FOSTER HOMES AND ABOUT 600 FAMILIES HAVE BEEN RECRUITED TO SERVE AS FOSTER PARENTS.
TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF FOSTER CARE AND TO APPEAL TO MORE FAMILIES TO OFFER FOSTER HOMES, HE SAID ABOUT $250,000 HAD BEEN ALLOCATED FOR A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED OVER THE COMING SIX MONTHS.
"THE EXHIBITION, BEGINS IN CITYPLAZA TODAY, MARKS THE START OF THE CAMPAIGN. IT WILL TRAVEL TO SEVEN BUSY AREAS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," MR CARTLAND SAID.
- - 0 - -
CO-OPERATION WITH LABOUR INSPECTORS URGED
******
PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES OBSTRUCTING LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM CARRYING OUT THEIR PUBLIC DUTY WILL BE PROSECUTED, SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
IN A RECENT CASE, AN EMPLOYEE OF WAI FAI GARMENT FACTORY WAS GIVEN THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $1,000 BY A NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRATE FOR OBSTRUCTING TWO LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM OBTAINING INFORMATION ON AND CHECKING THE IDENTITY CARDS OF FIVE WOMEN WORKERS WORKING OUTSIDE THE EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.
/"OFFENDERS CONVICTED
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1992
"OFFENDERS CONVICTED UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS," MR CHAN SAID.
"A LABOUR INSPECTOR IS EMPOWERED TO ENTER AND INSPECT ANY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND TO MAKE INQUIRY AND OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM ANY WOMAN, YOUNG PERSON OR CHILD EMPLOYED IN AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING," HE SAID.
"UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, A LABOUR INSPECTOR IS ALSO EMPOWERED TO CHECK THE IDENTITY CARD OF ANY EMPLOYEE IN ANY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,788
REVERSAL OF LAF -800
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY + 350
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,338
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RETRAINED WORKERS HELP EASE MANPOWER SHORTAGE....................... 1
PUBLIC VIEWS ON URBAN RENEWAL TO BE SOUGHT.......................... 2
SPECIAL STAMPS FOR OLYMPIC GAMES OPENING ........................... 3
UPDATED VIDEO ON AIRPORT PROJECTS ON SALE........................... 4
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO FEED MONKEYS ................................ 5
UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES 1993-94 ............... 6
EFFECTIVE LONG-TERM MEASURE TO AID THE NEEDY ....................... 7
FLAG DAYS LINED UP IN SECOND HALF OF 1992 .......................... 8
PUBLIC SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT .............................. 9
SHA TIN LAUNCHES SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES ........................... 10
1993 TIDE TABLES ON SALE ........................................... 11
WATER CUTS IN KOWLOON EAST AND MONG KOK ............................ 11
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
RETRAINED WORKERS HELP EASE MANPOWER SHORTAGE * * * * *
WORKERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED COURSES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ RETRAINING SCHEME WILL NOT ONLY HELP ALLEVIATE THE MANPOWER SHORTAGE BUT BECOME STABLE AND PRODUCTIVE IN THEIR JOBS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, SAID.
MRS FOK WAS SPEAKING AT A RECENT MEETING TO BRIEF REPRESENTATIVES FROM 11 LEADING LOCAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND EMPLOYERS’ ORGANISATIONS ON THE RETRAINING SCHEME.
"THE SCHEME AIMS TO PROVIDE RETRAINING FOR LOCAL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE RESTRUCTURING ECONOMY TO STAND THEM IN BETTER STEAD IN SECURING ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT," SHE SAID.
COURSES UNDER THE SCHEME ARE ORGANISED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY OR HONG KONG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ARE CONDUCTED BY WELL-QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS.
"WORKERS WILL THEREFORE ACQUIRE THE BASIC SKILLS NECESSARY FOR THE RELEVANT JOBS UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR RETRAINING," MRS FOK STRESSED.
"I WISH TO APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS TO RELAX THEIR RECRUITMENT CRITERIA IN RESPECT OF AGE AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT SO AS TO INCREASE THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE TRAINEES," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE RETRAINING SCHEME DEPENDED ON EMPLOYERS’ SUPPORT IN TAKING ON THE RETRAINED WORKERS.
MRS FOK ALSO ASKED THE REPRESENTATIVES TO HELP PUBLICISE THE SCHEME AMONG THEIR MEMBERS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO EMPLOY THE RETRAINED WORKERS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE RETAIL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG HOTELS ASSOCIATION, FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION OF HONG KONG, TEXTILE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
COMMENTING ON THE MEETING, MRS FOK SAID IT WAS "VERY USEFUL" AND SHE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE ASSOCIATIONS ON THE RETRAINING SCHEME.
"SOME OF THESE SUGGESTIONS DESERVE OUR CONSIDERATION AND WE WILL CONVEY THEM TO THE RETRAINING FUND BOARD," SHE SAID.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THE ASSOCIATIONS TO SEE WHAT ASSISTANCE THEY NEED IN INCREASING THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES OF THE RETRAINED WORKERS," MRS FOK SAID.
-----0 - -
/2 ........
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
2
PUBLIC VIEWS ON URBAN RENEWAL TO BE SOUGHT
*****
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A PRIVATE RESEARCH COMPANY TO CONDUCT A SURVEY ON PUBLIC OPINIONS UPON URBAN RENEWAL, STARTING FROM THIS WEEK.
THE SURVEY WILL COVER THE OLD PARTS OF THE MAIN URBAN AREAS, INCLUDING SAI YING PUN, CENTRAL, SHEUNG WAN, WAN CHAI, SHAU KEI WAN, YAU MA TEI, MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO, HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN.
APPEALING FOR CO-OPERATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT SAID THE FINDINGS WOULD BE USED AS A REFERENCE IN THE FORMULATION OF FUTURE URBAN RENEWAL STRATEGIES AND IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METROPLAN.
“THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY ARE TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL ATTITUDES OF LOCAL PEOPLE LIVING OR DOING BUSINESS WITHIN THE SURVEY AREAS TOWARDS URBAN RENEWAL. PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE SURVEY BEGAN IN 1990.
"THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN THESE AREAS, TOGETHER WITH THOSE OF DEVELOPERS AND PROFESSIONAL GROUPS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION FIELD, WILL ALSO BE COLLECTED.
’’THE SURVEY IS NOT RELATED TO ANY PARTICULAR URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT OR A PARTICULAR DISTRICT, BUT IS AIMED AT OBTAINING A WIDE SPECTRUM OF OPINIONS ON URBAN RENEWAL IN GENERAL," HE SAID.
THE SURVEY WILL CONSIST OF TWO PARTS, INTERVIEWING AND POSTAL
SURVEY.
FOR THE INTERVIEW, ABOUT 3,000 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS AND 1,100 OWNERS OR REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS RANDOMLY SELECTED WILL RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT INFORMING THEM OF THE INTERVIEWS.
INTERVIEWERS FROM THE SURVEY COMPANY WILL THEN VISIT THEM TO SOLICIT THEIR VIEWS ON URBAN RENEWAL. ‘
ANOTHER TARGET GROUP WILL BE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS WITHIN THE SURVEY AREAS AND THE DEVELOPERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG AND PROFESSIONAL GROUPS RELATED TO THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT ASPECTS OF LAND.
QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE POSTED TO THEM FOR COMPLETION AND RETURN FOR ANALYSIS.
/FIELD WORK
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
3
FIELD WORK WILL LAST UNTIL SEPTEMBER. THE WHOLE SURVEY WILL BE COMPLETED AROUND DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE RESPONDENTS WOULD BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND REPORTED IN AGGREGATES ONLY SO THAT NO DATA ON ANY INDIVIDUAL COULD BE IDENTIFIED.
THE SURVEY WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY SURVEY RESEARCH HONG KONG LIMITED.
---------0-----------
SPECIAL STAMPS FOR OLYMPIC GAMES OPENING t * * * t
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M. PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES ON JULY 25, THE SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS ISSUED ON APRIL 2 TO MARK THE 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES WILL BE PUT ON SALE AGAIN AT ALL POST OFFICES ON JULY 25.
A SOUVENIR SHEET PRICED AT $9.9 EACH WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON JULY 25.
THIS WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE SHEET ISSUED ON APRIL 2 BUT WILL BEAR THE WORDS "TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES - 25 JULY 1992".
A RESTRICTION OF 10 SHEETLETS PER CUSTOMER QUEUING UP EACH TIME WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE DAY OF ISSUE.
OFFICIAL SOUVENIR COVERS TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT WILL BE ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES AT $1 EACH AS FROM JULY 20.
A SPECIAL DATESTAMP WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR THE HAND-BACK SERVICE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON JULY 25 TO OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS WHICH COMMEMORATE THE EVENT.
SERVICED COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF THE 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES SPECIAL STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE SPECIAL DATESTAMP WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $12.9 EACH ON JULY 25 AT THE FOLLOWING 28 POST OFFICES:
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE GENERAL POST OFFICE HENNESSY ROAD POST OFFICE KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE QUEEN’S ROAD POST OFFICE SAI YING PUN POST OFFICE TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE
/KOWLOON .......
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
KOWLOON
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE KOWLOON BAY POST OFFICE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE KWONG WAH STREET POST OFFICE KWUN TONG POST OFFICE LOK FU POST OFFICE MONG KOK POST OFFICE NGAU TAU KOK POST OFFICE 01 MAN POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
NEW TERRITORIES
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE
SHEK WU HUI POST OFFICE
TAI PO POST OFFICE
TSUEN WAN POST OFFICE
TSUEN WING STREET POST OFFICE
TUEN MUN CENTRAL POST OFFICE
YUEN LONG POST OFFICE
------0--------
UPDATED VIDEO ON AIRPORT PROJECTS ON SALE
*****
A NEWLY UPDATED VIDEO ON THE PROGRAMME TO BUILD HONG KONG’S NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE WILL GO ON SALE TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THE VIDEO, "GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE -- THE VISION TAKES SHAPE", OUTLINES THE SCOPE OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND SHOWS PROGRESS ALREADY MADE.
IT HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE.
NEW SEQUENCES INCLUDE ADVANCE RECLAMATION WORK ON CHEK LAP KOK ISLAND, AS WELL AS THE NEW AIRPORT’S LAYOUT PLAN, AND THE EXTENT OF PROGRESS AT THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
THE VIDEO ALSO INCLUDES AN ANIMATED VISUALISATION OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PRODUCED BY COMPUTER, WHICH WAS A FEATURE OF THE FIRST VIDEO MADE IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.
/IT WILL
5
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
IT WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
PRICED AT $152 A COPY, IT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, CANTONESE AND PUTONGHUA.
A JAPANESE LANGUAGE VERSION IS ALSO BEING PRODUCED AND WILL GO ON SALE WHEN READY.
------0--------
PUBLIC REMINDED NOT TO FEED MONKEYS ******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED NOT TO FEED FERAL MONKEYS IN THE TERRITORY ESPECIALLY THOSE FOUND NEAR THE KOWLOON HILLS.
THE APPEAL CAME FROM THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING THE SETTING UP OF SOME EXHIBITS AND SIGNBOARDS IN THE KOWLOON HILLS AREA TO MARK THE OPENING OF A SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON PROBLEMS CAUSED BY FEEDING MONKEYS.
SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR MARTIN LEUNG, SAID: "THE FEEDING OF MONKEYS IN THE KOWLOON HILLS BY VISITORS IN RECENT YEARS HAVE MADE THE ANIMALS LOST THEIR FEAR OF HUMAN BEINGS AND CAUSED THEM TO BECOME MORE AGGRESSIVE.
"WHEN MONKEYS GET AGGRESSIVE, IT IS OFTEN SMALL CHILDREN WHO ARE LIKELY TO BE THREATENED OR ATTACKED.
"IF LARGE NUMBER OF MONKEYS GATHERED IN CERTAIN PLACES BECAUSE OF FEEDING BY PEOPLE, THE NUMBER HAD TO BE CONTROLLED," HE ADDED.
THE PUBLICITY EXERCISE IS AIMED AT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIOURS OF MONKEYS AND WHY THEY SHOULD NOT BE FED.
TO CLARIFY MISCONCEPTION THAT THE MONKEYS IN THE KOWLOON HILLS AREAS WILL BE STARVED IF NOT BEING FED, THE EXHIBITS STRESSES THAT THE ANIMALS CAN OBTAIN FOOD FROM THE FOREST, AND FEED ON MORE THAN 100 DIFFERENT PLANT SPECIES.
IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF WARNING SIGNS HAVE BEEN ERECTED IN THE AREA AND A LEAFLET HAVE BEEN PRODUCED FOR DISTRIBUTION BY COUNTRY PARK WARDENS TO VISITORS.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT HAVE TO CONSIDER INTRODUCING NEW LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE FEEDING OF MONKEYS IF THE PUBLICITY EXERCISE FAILED AND THE NUMBER OF MONKEYS IN KOWLOON HILLS CONTINUED TO INCREASE RAPIDLY.
/6 ........
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
6
UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES 1993-94 » * » * »
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR ITS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, STARTING IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1993-94.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OFFERED BY THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A FIRST DEGREE.
APPLICANTS MAY CHOOSE ANY SUBJECT OF STUDY AT ANY LEADING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE AND SHOULD BE OFFERED A PLACE SUBSEQUENTLY.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO POSSESS HIGH ACADEMIC PROWESS AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.
THEY SHOULD ALSO DEMONSTRATE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG.
UPON GRADUATION, SCHOLARS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS.
THE VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP NORMALLY COVERS UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEE, A MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE AND AN ALLOWANCE FOR AIR TRAVEL.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
* STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES LOW BLOCK, G/F 66 QUEENSWAY HONG KONG
* STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY 5/F, CLUB LUSITANO BUILDING 16 ICE HOUSE STREET CENTRAL HONG KONG
* EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION ROOM 206 MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 30 LUEN WAN STREET MONG KOK KOWLOON
/* YAU TSIM .......
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
7
* YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE G/F, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING 15 MIDDLE ROAD TSIM SHA TSUI KOWLOON
* THE BRITISH COUNCIL
EDUCATIONAL COUNSELLING SERVICE 255 HENNESSY ROAD WAN CHAI HONG KONG
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 867 2735.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR. SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE SELECTION INTERVIEW IN HONG KONG IN DECEMBER/JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
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EFFECTIVE LONG-TERM MEASURE TO AID THE NEEDY * * * * t t
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE LONG-TERM MEASURE TO MAKE SCHOOL-RELATED EXPENSES AT THE BEGINNING SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY
IS CONSIDERING DEVISING AN
ADVANCE PAYMENT TO MEET
OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR, A (SUNDAY).
"WE INTEND TO MAKE .IT WITHOUT OUR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE THEIR REQUESTS," THE SPOKESMAN
A STANDARD. PRACTICE FOR ALL CASES RECIPIENTS HAVING TO BRING FORWARD ADDED.
HE SAID THE MEASURE WAS HOPEFULLY TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION IN THE. 1992-93 SCHOOL YEAR.
IN THE MEANTIME, ADVANCE PAYMENT OF THIS NATURE COULD BE MADE UPON REQUEST IN ORDER TO AVOID CAUSING HARDSHIP, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ADVANCE PAYMENT ALSO APPLIED TO OTHER TYPES OF SPECIAL ALLOWANCE TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS, INCLUDING EYEGLASSES AND DENTURES, ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
ENQUIRIES COULD BE MADE IN PERSON OF THE 32 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
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/8.........
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
8
FLAG DAYS LINED UP IN SECOND HALF OF 1992 * * * * *
TWENTY ORGANISATIONS WILL HOLD FLAG DAYS TO RAISE FUNDS ON SATURDAYS IN THE REST OF THE YEAR, STARTING FROM JULY 18, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE 343 2255 IN CASE OF DOUBTS ABOUT ANY WELFARE ORGANISATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO ORGANISERS TO ADOPT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST ANY POSSIBLE FRAUD.
"THEY SHOULD EXERCISE GREATER CARE IN MONITORING THEIR FLAG-SELLING ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
THE ORGANISERS WERE ADVISED TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, SETTING OUT THE PLACES AND THE TIME FOR SELLING, AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR BAGS.
"FLAG-DAY ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF FLAGS OR COLLECTION BAGS, AND SEEK THEIR ASSISTANCE WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, ARE FOUND," HE SAID.
THE FLAG DAYS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE ORGANISATION.
JULY 18 ARTS WITH DISABLED ASSOCIATION, H.K.
25 H.K. TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART
DISEASES ASSOCIATION (THE RUTTONJEE
HOSPITAL)
AUGUST 1 OXFAM
8 H.K. AIDS FOUNDATION LTD
SEPTEMBER 5 SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND
12 HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION
19 PO LEUNG KUK
26 NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVICE ACTION COUNCIL
/OCTOBER .......
9
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
OCTOBER 3 H.K. SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
10 SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED
17 MONGKOK KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION
24 H.K. FEDERATION OF HANDICAPPED YOUTH
31 BOYS’ & GIRLS’ CLUB ASSOCIATION
NOVEMBER 7 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
14 SALVATION ARMY
21 YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF H.K.
28 H.K. OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
DECEMBER 5 STEWARDS’ COMPANY (HK) LTD
12 SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISABLED CHILDREN (DUCHESS OF KENT CHILDREN HOSPITAL)
19 H.K. PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION
---------0-----------
PUBLIC SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT
A PUBLIC SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE IN WAN CHAI ON AUGUST 22, FROM 2 PM TO 5.30 PM.
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) AND THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF BUILDINGS.
THE SEMINAR, ADMISSION TO WHICH IS FREE, IS TARGETED AT MEMBERS OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ COMMITTEES, AS WELL AS FLAT OWNERS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATES, A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
’’MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT ARE ALSO WELCOME TO ATTEND,” HE ADDED.
PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD WILL GIVE TALKS AT THE SEMINAR WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OPEN DISCUSSIONS.
/SPEAKERS INCLUDE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
10
SPEAKERS INCLUDE A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL, MR TONY KAN; A COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF HOUSING, MR MINGO KWAN; A PROFESSIONAL IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, MR BENNY CHAN; A VICE-CHAIRMAN OF AN OWNERS CORPORATION, MR WONG MAN-LEUNG; AND A CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR SIU CHE-WING.
THE TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS CORPORTATIONS, FINANCIAL PLANNING AND SECURITY CONTROL IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT, AND RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION.
A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE INSTITUTE OF HOUSING, HONG KONG BRANCH, MRS JULIA WONG, WILL CHAIR THE OPEN DISCUSSION SESSION.
ENROLMENT FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT DIVISION, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON REGION, CNTA, 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI BEFORE JULY 31.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 835 1496 OR 835 1497.
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SHA TIN LAUNCHES SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES
*****
YOUNG PEOPLE IN SHA TIN WERE URGED TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS BY PARTICIPATING IN THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE PROGRAMME TODAY (SUNDAY), CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL PROGRAMME COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE, SAID THE THEME OF THE ACTIVITIES WAS "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY".
HE SAID ABOUT 230 ACTIVITIES OF VARIOUS KINDS WOULD BE HELD IN SHA TIN, COSTING MORE THAN $380,000.
THESE INCLUDE VISITS, TRAINING COURSES, VOLUNTARY SERVICES, FUNFAIRS AND PICNICS.
"I BELIEVE ALL THESE PROGRAMMES WILL DEFINITELY GIVE YOUNGSTERS MUCH FUN AND MAKE THEIR SUMMER VACATION MORE MEANINGFUL," MR LEE SAID.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, RESIDENTS WERE TREATED TO SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES, KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION AND A DRAWING CONTEST.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED CHAIRMAN OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHING CHEUNG-YING; THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOY KAN-PUI; AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID BROWNING.
BOOKLETS ON THE ACTIVITIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF KCR HOUSE. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 604 8078 EXT. 33.
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/Il........
SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992
11
1993 TIDE TABLES ON SALE *****
THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S BILINGUAL 1993 TIDE TABLES FOR HONG KONG ARE NOW ON SALE AT HK$10 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS.
IN THESE TABLES, THE PREDICTED TIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH AND LOW WATERS AT THE EIGHT LOCATIONS - CHI MA WAN, KO LAU WAN, LOK ON PAI, QUARRY BAY, TAI O, TAI PO KAU, TSIM BEI TSUI AND WAGLAN - ARE LISTED TOGETHER WITH THE PHASES OF THE MOON.
ENGINEERS, SHIPPING COMPANIES AND CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATORS AS WELL AS YACHTSMEN, FISHING AND WATER SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS SHOULD FIND THESE TABLES USEFUL IN THE PLANNING OF THEIR COASTAL ACTIVITIES.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUTS IN KOWLOON EAST AND MONG KOK *****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO MOST PREMISES IN KOWLOON EAST WILL GO OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 14) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN SAN PO KONG, NGAU CHI WAN, CHOI HUNG ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, PING SHEK ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT, SHUN LEE TSUEN THA, NGAU TAU KOK, LOK WAH ESTATE, JORDAN VALLEY, KOWLOON BAY, KWUN TONG, LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING AND CHA KWO LING.
MEANWHILE, SOME PREMISES IN MONG KOK WILL BE AFFECTED BY FRESH WATER CUT FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 15) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE OF WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE CUT WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, WATERLOO ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET AND EMBANKMENT ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON THURSDAY .............................. 1
LEEKS VISITS HANOI ................................................. 1
LAND OFFICE RELEASES HALF-YEAR FIGURES ............................. 1
LEGCO SEAT DECLARED VACANT.......................................... 4
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MAY RELEASED ......................... 4
THIRD QUARTER RATES DUE ON JULY 31 ................................. 12
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR JUNE ANNOUNCED .............................. 13
FARE RISE FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ROUTE 21K ........................... 16
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN TAI KOK TSUI TO BE CLOSED ................. 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 17
1
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON THURSDAY . * * * * ♦
THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS NEXT MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 16) IN HONG KONG.
THE TWO TEAMS WILL BE LED BY THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE SINO-BRITISH .JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY AND AMBASSADOR GUO EENGMIN.
------0--------
LEEKS VISITS HANOI * * *
ACTING DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR CLINTON LEEKS, FLEW TO HANOI OVER THE WEEKEND FOR TALKS ON THE RETURN PROGRAMME OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT WAS TO DISCUSS WITH VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS PROGRESS OF THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME AND TO REVIEW HOW HONG KONG’S CONTRIBUTION OF $10 MILLION, AGREED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON JULY 10, MIGHT BEST BE USED TO SUPPORT REINTEGRATION PROJECTS IN VIETNAM.
IN ADDITION, MR LEEKS WILL MEET UNHCR AND EUROPEAN COMMUNITY OFFICIALS, VISIT HAIPHONG AND SEE SOME RETURNEES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MR LEEKS WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON FLIGHT CX790 ON JULY 15 (WEDNESDAY). THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME IS 12.50 PM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING HIS RETURN ARE INVITED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE VIP LIFT LOBBY ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE AIRPORT BUILDING.
------0--------
LAND OFFICE RELEASES HALF-YEAR FIGURES
♦ *
* * *
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE REGISTERED IN THE LAND OFFICE
AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
------ F0R ™E FIRST
DECREASED BY 9.7 PER CENT OVER THE FIRST HALF AND OVER THE SECOND HALF OF LAST YEAR.
HALF OF
BY 20.1
OF THIS
PER
FLATS
YEAR
CENT
REPORTING ON HIS DEPARTMENT’S LAND OFFICE THE NEW TERRITORIES), THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR TODAY (MONDAY) THAT IN ALL 74,915 SUCH AGREEMENTS DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
FIGURES
(INCLUDING
NOEL GLEESON, SAID
WERE
REGISTERED
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN INCREASED BY 39 PER CENT FROM $119.62 BILLION IN THE
THESE
n ~ 551 BILLION IN THE FIRST
BY 0.4 PER CENT FROM $165.62 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF TO $166.26 BILLION IN THE CURRENT HALF YEAR.
AGREEMENTS
HALF AND
LAST YEAR
/DURING THE .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
2
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, 74,098 ASSIGNMENTS OF UNITS IN COMPLETED BUILDINGS, THE MAJORITY RESIDENTIAL, WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 82,604 AND 100,393 RESPECTIVELY DURING THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF LAST YEAR, SHOWING A DECREASE OF 10.3 PER CENT AND 26.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS INCREASED BY 45.9 PER CENT FROM $89.63 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 BUT DECREASED BY 4.8 PER CENT FROM $137.39 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1991 TO $130.79 BILLION.
A TOTAL OF 419 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE COMPLETED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS), COMPARED WITH 5,594 AND 5,384 IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
THE CONSIDERABLE DROP IN THE NUMBER OF HOS ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS COMPLETED WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S HOS CONVEYANCING FUNCTION HAD BEEN PRIVATISED SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, THAT IS, HANDLED BY SOLICITORS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THERE WERE 4,698 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS. THIS WAS 65.1 PER CENT AND 21.8 PER CENT MORE THAN IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE ASSIGNMENTS INCREASED BY 33.3 PER CENT FROM $17.25 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 BUT DECREASED BY 3.4 PER CENT FROM $23.82 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1991 TO $23 BILLION.
A TOTAL OF 77 BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 81,740 OTHER MORTGAGES WERE REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992, COMPARED WITH 78 AND 101,172 RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 AND 78 AND 111,909 RESPECTIVELY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1991.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 INCREASED BY 7.7 PER CENT FROM $2.10 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 BUT DECREASED BY 67 PER CENT FROM $6.86 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1991 TO $2.26 BILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES INCREASED BY 12.5 PER CENT FROM $43.49 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 AND BY 0.6 PER CENT FROM $48.62 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1991 TO $48.91 BILLION.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT ACTUALLY DRAWN DOWN ON THESE MORTGAGES AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, INCREASED BY 27.3 PER CENT FROM $17.69 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 BUT DECREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT FROM $22.79 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1991 TO $22.5 BILLION.
/SEARCHES BY .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
3
SEARCHES BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 TOTALLED 1,685,107, UP BY 16.3 PER CENT BUT DOWN BY 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND HAVLES OF 1991.
THERE WERE 708 SURRENDERS AND RESUMPTIONS OF LAND WITH TOTAL COMPENSATION OF $0.84 BILLION PAID IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, COMPARED WITH 332 AND $0.21 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991 AND 481 AND $0.35 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
A TOTAL OF 804 GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS WERE COMPLETED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 COMPARED WITH 561 AND 721 IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1991 RESPECTIVELY.
THE MORE SIGNIFICANT GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS COMPLETED DURING THE.FIRST HALF OF 1992 INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
* SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 15 OF A 5535-SQUARE-METRE SITE (KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 10999’) IN TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON TO TERRIFIC INVESTMENT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $1.25 BILLION FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (INCLUDING A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK BUT EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL, RESIDENTIAL AND PETRO FILLING STATION) PURPOSES.
* SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON FEBRUARY 25 OF A 2 1060-SQUARE-METRE SITE (TAI PO TOWN LOT NO. 124) IN AREA 15, TAI PO TO STYLE GIANT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $800 MILLION FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
* SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON FEBRUARY 25 OF A 8811-SQUARE-METRE SITE (KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 11002) IN WYLIE ROAD, KOWLOON TO EASTLIGHT LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $1.19 BILLION FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
* SALE BY PUBLIC TENDER ON MARCH 13 OF A 37550-SQUARE-METRE SITE (TUEN MUN TOWN LOT NO. 360) IN AREA 44, TUEN MUN TO BRICHWOOD COMPANY LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $700.3 MILLION FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING HOTEL, CINEMA AND GODOWN) PURPOSES UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP (PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION) SCHEME.
* SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON MARCH 13 OF A 19830-SQUARE-METRE SITE (TAI PO TOWN LOT NO. 123) IN AREA 15, SHUI WAI, TAI PO TO PROMAX LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $900 MILLION FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
* SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON APRIL 28 OF A 24630-SQUARE-METRE SITE (TA) PO TOWN LOT NO. 115) IN AREA 30, TAI PO TO SAMOVER COMPANY LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $930 MILLION FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS ROSE BY 4.7 PER CENT FROM 1,382,264 IN JUNE LAST YEAR TO 1,447,391 IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AND AGAIN BY 1.5 PER CENT TO 1,469,604 IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
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/4.........
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
4
LEGCO SEAT DECLARED VACANT
******
A FORMAL DECLARATION OF THE VACANCY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CAUSED BY THE DEATH OF MR NG MING-YUM WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY TODAY (MONDAY).
IT WAS ALSO NOTIFIED THAT DISTRICT OFFICER, TUEN MUN, HAD BEEN APPOINTED RETURNING OFFICER FOR THE BY-ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANCY.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE VACANCY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY WILL BE CALLED FOR BETWEEN JULY 27 AND AUGUST 10 BY SEPARATE NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
NOMINATION FORMS WILL BE OBTAINABLE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY (JULY 15) AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
INTENDING CANDIDATES MUST BE REGISTERED ELECTORS AND HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE NOMINATION.
A CANDIDATE CAN BE A RESIDENT ANYWHERE IN HONG KONG, BUT HIS NOMINATION MAY ONLY BE SUBSCRIBED BY REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS.
EACH NOMINATION REQUIRES 10 SUBSCRIBERS AND EACH SUBSCRIBER MAY GIVE SUPPORT TO ONE CANDIDATE ONLY.
COVERING THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS, THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY HAS A REGISTERED ELECTORATE OF 200,240.
UNLESS THE BY-ELECTION IS UNCONTESTED, A BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 30 (SUNDAY).
GENERAL ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE OF THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON 827 4533.
-----0-----
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MAY RELEASED
******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN MAY THIS YEAR. AT $158,101 MILLION, INCREASED BY 20% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH MAY LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $19,406 MILLION, SHOWED VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 27% TO $57,176 MILLION.
/TAKING DOMESTIC .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
5
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 19% TO $76,582 MILLION.
MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED B\ 21% TO $81,518 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS THIS YEAR, AT $693,973 MILLION, INCREASED BY 21% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD ol- COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $85,830 MILLION, SHOWED VIRTUALLY No CHANGE, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 31% TO $250,118 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 21% TO $335,948 MILLION WHILE THAT OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 21% TO $358,025 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING MAY 1992 WITH MAY 1991, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE (BY 35%), CHINA (BY 8%), THE UNITED STATES (BY 7%), CANADA (BY 6%) AND TAIWAN (BY 2%).
HOWEVER, SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY (-27%), THE NETHERLANDS (-21%), FRANCE (-18%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (-17%).
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS IN 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE, CHINA, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES AND TAIWAN INCREASED BY 13%, 13%, 11%, 6% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN DECREASED, BY 32%, 17%, 17%, 15% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS IN 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $491 MILLION OR 7%); ELECTRIC CURRENT (BY $289 MILLION OR 80%); MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $288 MILLION OR 29%); CLOTHING (BY $146 MILLION OR 1%); AND TEXTILES (BY $76 MILLION OR 1%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,548 MILLION OR 24%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,033 MILLION OR 12%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES OF MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $108 MILLION OR 1%).
/THE CHANGES .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
6
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING MAY 1992 WITH MAY 1991, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS : GERMANY (BY 40%), SINGAPORE (BY 37%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (BY 33%), JAPAN (BY 24%), ITALY (BY 20%), TAIWAN (BY 18%), CHINA (BY 18%), THE UNITED STATES (BY 12%), SWITZERLAND (BY 6%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY 3%).
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS IN 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS: GERMANY (BY 30%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (RY 28%), JAPAN (BY 27%), CHINA (BY 23%), ITALY (BY 21%), TAIWAN (BY 20%), SINGAPORE (BY 11%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (BY 9%), THE UNITED STATES (BY 6%) AND SWITZERLAND (BY 6%).
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN CHE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS IN 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $5,923 MILLION OR 21%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY S5.811 MILLION OR 30%); TEXTILES (BY $5,782 MILLION OR 16%); CLOTHING (BY $4,874 MILLION OR 21%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $4,873 MILLION OR 21%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (BY $1,643 MILLION OR 68%); AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (BY $792 MILLION OR 13%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING MAY 1992 WITH MAY 1991, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES, CHINA AND ITALY INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 40%, 38%, 35% AND 34% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO JAPAN, FRANCE AND TAIWAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 18%, 12% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND GERMANY DECREASED BY 12% AND 11% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS IN 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, CHINA, ITALY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE AND JAPAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 45%, 40%, 38%, 34%, 26% AND 23% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE TO SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 14% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO GERMANY AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASED, BY 7% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
/TABLE 6 .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
7
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE 01- RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS IN 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $9,612 MILLION OR 44%); CLOTHING (BY $5,361 MILLION OR 24%); TEXTILES (BY $5,139 MILLION OR 24%); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $4,402 MILLION OR 30%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN FISH, CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS AND AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $159 MILLION OR 10%); AND OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUITS (BY $129 MILLION OR 56%).
STARTING FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE THIRD REVISION OF THE STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (SITC REV. 3) HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN HONG KONG IN PLACE OF THE SECOND REVISION FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF TRADE STATISTICS BY COMMODITY.
TO ACHIEVE COMPARABILITY, THE COMMODITY TRADE STATISTICS FOR 1991 PRESENTED HERE HAVE BEEN RE-CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE NEW SYSTEM.
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MAY 1992 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY AUGUST.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE MAY 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN MAY 1992 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $52 A COPY AROUND JULY 20.
THE REPORT CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 582 4915).
/TABLE 1 .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
- 8 -
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET MAY 1992 (HK$ MN) MAY 92 OVER MAY 91 ( % ) JAN-MAY 1992 (HK$ MN) JAN-MAY 92 OVER JAN-MAY 91
( % )
CHINA 5,418 + 8 22,680 + 13
UNITED STATES 5,254 + 7 22,021 + 6
GERMANY 1 , 185 - 27 5,454 - 32
UNITED KINGDOM 1,017 - 17 4,525 - 15
JAPAN 912 - 1 4,478 - 2
SINGAPORE 888 + 35 3,900 + 13
TAIWAN 514 + 2 2,620 5
CANADA 388 + 6 1,896 + 11
NETHERLANDS 339 - 21 1,884 - 17
FRANCE 270 - 18 1,271 - 17
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
MAY MAY 92 JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 92
COMMODITY DIVISION 1992 OVER MAY 91 1992 OVER JAN-MAY 91
(HK$ MN) ( % ) (HK$ MN) ( % . )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 5,660 MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, + 1 25, 181 + 1
GOLDSMITHS’ AND
SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,840 - 10 8,755 — 1
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA
PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 1,775 + 23 7,722 + 7
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,788 + 16 • 7,477 + 2
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,627 - 10 7,248 - 12
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,777 + 10 6,873 + 1
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER MAY 1992 (HK$ MN) MAY 92 OVER MAY 91 ( % ) JAN-MAY 1992 (HK$ MN) JAN-MAY OVER JAN-MAY ( * 92 91 ; )
CHINA 29,471 + 18 130,231 + 23
JAPAN 13,199 + 24 61,408 + 27
TAIWAN 8,061 + 18 33,282 + 20
UNITED STATES 5,643 + 12 25,176 + 6
REP OF KOREA • • 4,408 + 33 18,063 + 28
SINGAPORE 3,980 + 37 14,602 + 11
GERMANY 1 ,863 + 40 8,252 + 30
UNITED KINGDOM 1,451 + 3 7,572 + 9
ITALY 1 , 196 20 5,515 + 21
SWITZERLAND 1,040 + 6 4,884 + 6
/TABLE 4 .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
10
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION MAY 1992 (HK$ MN) MAY 92 OVER MAY 91 JAN-MAY 1992 (HK$ MN) JAN-MAY 92 OVER JAN-MAY 91
( % ) ( * . )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS 11,427 + 27 41,785 + 16
THEREOF ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING 8,179 + 36 34,601 + 21
ACCESSORIES TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS 6,059 + 16 28,418 + 21
AND EQUIPMENT MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES 6,017 + 17 27,727 + 21
AND SPORTING GOODS) PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, 5,621 + 23 24,956 + 30
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,690 TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO + 10 THE 10 MAJOR 17,425 MARKETS + 15
MAY MAY 92 JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 92
MAJOR MARKET 1992 OVER MAY 91 1992 OVER JAN-MAY 91
(HK$ MN) ( % ) (HK$ MN) ( % , )
CHINA 18,483 + 35 76,862 + 40
UNITED STATES 11,836 + 38 50,475 + 45
JAPAN 2,751 + 18 13,580 + 23
GERMANY 2,447 - 11 12,211 — 7
/TAIWAN .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
- 11 -
TAIWAN 2,263 + 4 11,179 + 12
UNITED KINGDOM 1,533 + 40 6,491 + 34
REP OF KOREA 1,289 - 12 5,773 - 2
SINGAPORE 1,096 * 5,294 + 14
FRANCE 907 + 12 4,293 + 26
ITALY 935 + 34 4,269 + 38
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION
MAY 1992
(HK$ MN)
MAY 92 OVER MAY 91 ( % )
JAN-MAY JAN-MAY 92 1992 OVER
JAN-MAY 91 (HK$ MN) ( % )
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES
AND SPORTING GOODS) 7,391 + 37 31,624 + 44
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,930 + 26 27,781 + 24
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7,503 + 37 26,353 + 24
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,602 + 42 19,248 + 30
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,193 + 13 18,925 + 19
FOOTWEAR 2,646 + 30 12,443 + 47
--------0-----------
/12 .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
THIRD QUARTER RATES DUE ON JULY 31 *****
THE TREASURY REMINDED RATEPAYERS TODAY (MONDAY) THAT RATES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER JULY TO SEPTEMBER ARE DUE BY 4 PM ON JULY 31.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID RATEPAYERS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES BY NOW.
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE MAY BRING A DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER AND MAKE PAYMENT AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, WANCHA1 TOWER II, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
♦ THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, (SIDE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING IN ICE HOUSE STREET), HONG KONG.
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
♦ THE SAT WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG.
♦ THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON.
♦ THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
ANY RATEPAYERS WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE AND CANNOT PRODUCE A RATES DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER MAY INQUIRE AT THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, WANCHAI TOWER II, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
IF THE RATES ARE NOT PAID BY 4 PM ON JULY 31, A SURCHARGE OF 5 PER CENT MAY BE IMPOSED UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE RATING ORDINANCE.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO ACCOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL 5 PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON UNLESS THE WORDING "PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY" IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IF SO, THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON JULY 31, AND RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
/RATE ARE
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
- 13 -
RATE ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
HOWEVER, UNDER SECTION 30 (1A) AND (2A), NO REFUNDS WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID QUEUEING, THE SPOKESMAN URGED RATEPAYERS TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
--------0-----------
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR JUNE ANNOUNCED ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR LAST MONTH.
THIS IS THE 1 2TH MONTHLY ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT NORMALLY CONTAINS MONITORING RESULTS OBTAINED AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
FOR THIS RELEASE, HOWEVER, NO DATA IS AVAILABLE FOR THE CENTRAL/WESTERN STATION, WHERE ALL MONITORING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED SINCE MARCH BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK TAKING PLACE AT THE STATION.
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.
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, AS WELL AS NATURAL SOURCES.
THE RELATIVELY HIGH DISPERSIVE CAPABILITY OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN JUNE KEPT AIR POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS AT LOW LEVELS.
/THE WET........
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
- 14 -
THE WET WEATHER IN THE MONTH ALSO HELPED TO REDUCE DUSTS LEVELS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE GENERAL AIR QUALITY LEVELS TO WHICH THEY MIGHT BE EXPOSED.
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 PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
HIGH LEVELS OF SO2 CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCES LUNC-FUNCTION AND INCREASES MORTALITY RATE.
NO2 CAUSES RESPIRATORY IRRITATION, INCREASES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND IMPAIRS LUNG DEVELOPMENT.
TSP ACTS SYNERGISTICALLY WITH OTHER GASEOUS POLLUTANTS AND RSP CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AND REDUCES LUNG FUNCTION. SOME FORMS OF RSP MAY CAUSE CANCER.
THE MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG STATIONS BROADLY REPRESENT AIR QUALITY RESPECTIVELY AT LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICT; COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; AND DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
CURRENTLY THE DEPARTMENT 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 0, TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG SOUTH, TAI PO AND SHA TIN.
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
- 15 -
7- ‘>'£111
Hong Kong Air Quality Report for June 1992
140 -
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120 -
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100 -
80 -
Kwai Chung
Key B Tot<- Suspended Partxxfcfe
Resorabte Suspended ParticUste
— Sulphur Dioxide
— Nbogen Dioxide
O) O U_ o
60 -
40 -
20 -
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June 1992
--------o-----------
/16 .......
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
- 16 -
FARE RISE FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ROUTE 2 IK *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM THIS WEDNESDAY (JULY 15) THE FARE FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTE 21K, PLYING BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI (IVY STREET) AND MONG KOK KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY STATION (CIRCULAR), WOULD RE INCREASED BY 30 CENTS TO $2.5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
------0------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN TAI KOK TSUI TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN A BUILDING IN TAI KOK TSUI SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE PROJECTS FROM FLAT 415, FOURTH FLOOR, PEONY HOUSE WEST BLOCK, 7A, 9-21 POK MAN STREET, 8-22 FOO KWAI STREET AND 36-46 HOI KING STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 25 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
-----0-----
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 79.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 468.487 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 168.041 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 28.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0-----------
/17........
MONDAY, JULY 13, 1992
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,338
REVERSAL OF LAF -350
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +500
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,488
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.6 *-0.2* 13.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.01 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.81 4.12
1 MONTH 2.11 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.78 4.38
3 MONTHS 2.32 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 101.69 4.58
6 MONTHS 2.82 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.61 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6,579MN
CLOSED 13 JULY 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NO AMNESTY TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: GOVERNOR .......................... 1
GOVERNOR TO SEE AIRPORT AND PORT PROJECTS ........................... 2
HK OFFICIALS NEED TO FORGE CLOSER LINKS WITH CHINESE COUNTERPARTS ... 3
WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA ADJUSTED TO AVOID WASTE ..................... 4
TOYS SAFETY BILL UNDER CLOSE STUDY .................................. 5
CHINESE OFFICIALS TO VISIT HK ....................................... 6
NEW ARRIVAL FROM VIETNAM ............................................ 6
REGISTRATION FOR FORM 1 PLACES TO START TOMORROW .................... 7
COMPANIES REGISTERED ON RISE ........................................ 7
VITAL ROLE FOR UTILITY SERVICES IN AIRPORT PROJECTS ................. 9
WAN CHAI TO HAVE AUTOMATIC PARKING TICKET MACHINES .................. 10
TELA ACTION TO ENFORCE FILM CENSORSHIP .............................. 10
QUARTERLY FIGURES ON RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES .............. 11
AMENDMENT TO MARINE FISH (MARKETING) ORDINANCE PROPOSED ............. 14
LEGCO TO HOLD TWO-DAY MEETING........................................ 15
240 RETURN TO VIETNAM ............................................... 15
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS UP FOR AUCTION ..................... 16
STUDENT WINS AWARD FOR READING 137 BOOKS A YEAR ..................... 17
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION QUIZ COMPETITION TO CLOSE SOON ................ 19
WEATHER OF JUNE ..................................................... 19
DISTRICT ASSOCIATION PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE .................. 23
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ............................................ 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ................... 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 25
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
NO AMNESTY TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"IT WOULD BE WRONG TO ALLOW ANY AMNESTY OR ONE TO FIND WAYS OF GETTING ROUND THE RULES. THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE FAIR AND ARE FIRMLY APPLIED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS FIRST EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
COMMENTING ON SUNDAY’S PETITION TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE BY HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MOTHERS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF THE GOVERNOR RECEIVING EVERY PETITION.
HE SAID WHERE THERE WAS THE FREEDOM TO ASSEMBLE AND TO DEMONSTRATE, THOSE WHO EXERCISED THAT FREEDOM SHOULD "UNDERSTAND AND UNDERSTAND CLEARLY THAT IT MUST BE EXERCISED PEACEFULLY".
"THAT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE," HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN SAID LIBERTIES NEEDED TO BE EXERCISED WITH RESTRAINT AND RESPONSIBILITY IF THEY WERE TO BE ENJOYED IN A COMMUNITY LIKE HONG KONG.
HE SAID HE DID NOT WISH WHAT HAPPENED ON SUNDAY TO BE TAKEN AS A PRECEDENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID EVEN GOVERNORS WERE ALLOWED TO USE THEIR COMMON SENSE AND JUDGEMENT FROM TIME TO TIME.
"AND THAT WAS WHAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS DONE, THIS GOVERNOR HAS DONE, IS DOING AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO," MR PATTEN SAID.
"BUT I REPEAT THAT FROM TIME TO TIME THE GOVERNOR WILL EXERCISE HIS COMMON SENSE, 1 HOPE IN THE INTERESTS NOT ONL> OF THE GOVERNOR’S STAFF, NOT ONLY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE POLICE BUT ALSO IN THE INTERESTS OF HARMONIOUS RELATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY."
ON THE NEW AIRPORT ISSUE, MR PATTEN SAID HE HOPED THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WHICH IS TO MEET ON THURSDAY WOULD PROCEED CONSTRUCTIVELY AND HELP TO RESOLVE OUTSTANDING DIFFICULTIES.
"BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A GENERAL RECOGNITION THAT IT’S IN EVERYONE’S INTERESTS, THE INTERESTS OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE INTERESTS OF THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) GOVERNMENT, THE INTERESTS OF SOUTHERN CHINA THAT WE GET AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT WHICH WILL MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT HONG KONG REMAINS ONE OF THE STRONGEST ECONOMIC CAPITALS IN THE WORLD, ONE OF THE ECONOMIC CAPITALS OF ASIA."
ON THE ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1995, MR PATTEN SAID ANY VOTING METHOD HAD TO CARRY THE CONFIDENCE OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
/"IT HAS .......
2
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
"IT HAS TO CARRY THAT CONFIDENCE THAT THE VOTING SYSTEM IS FAIR AND EQUITABLE. IT HAS TO CARRY THE CONFIDENCE OF THOSE WHO WIN AND THOSE WHO DON’T WIN," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE BEST WAY OF GUARANTEEING THE VIGOROUS SURVIVAL OF HONG KONG’S GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS WAS TO DEMONSTRATE HOW EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY THEY WORK AND HOW MUCH SUPPORT THEY HAD AND CONFIDENCE THEY ENJOYED WITH THE WIDER COMMUNITY.
ON HIS FIRST EXCO MEETING, HE SAID HE HAD GOOD DISCUSSIONS AND HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE EXCO IN THE FUTURE.
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GOVERNOR TO SEE AIRPORT AND PORT PROJECTS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL VISIT KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THE NEW AIRPORT SITE ON CHEK LAP KOK AND HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LTD (HIT) TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
AT THE AIRPORT, THE GOVERNOR WILL BE BRIEFED ON PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND KAI TAK AIRPORT OPERATION. HE WILL THEN BOARD A HELICOPTER FOR CHEK LAP KOK AND LOOK AT THE PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECTS ALONG THE WAY.
AT CHEK LAP KOK, MR PATTEN WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST PROGRESS OF THE AIRPORT PROJECT. THEN, HE WILL DEPART BY HELICOPTER FOR HIT IN KWAI CHUNG.
AT HIT, HE WILL BE BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENT OF KWAI CHUNG TERMINALS AND VESSEL OPERATION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE NEWS MEDIA TO COVER MR PATTEN’S VISIT. DETAILS ARE:
* KAI TAK AIRPORT - MEDIA MEMBERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM IN THE ARRIVAL HALL NO LATER THAN 9.45 AM.
* CHEK LAP KOK SITE - MEDIA MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT BLAKE PIER, CENTRAL BY 1 PM. A PRESS BOAT WILL TAKE THEM TO THE AIRPORT SITE.
* HIT - MEDIA MEMBERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY OF THE HIT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, TERMINAL 4, KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT ROAD SOUTH, KWAI CHUNG, BY 3 PM.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAI’ MEDIA MEMBERS COVERING THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO KAI TAK AIRPORT WOULD NOT HAVE TIME TO COVER THE CHEK LAP KOK VISIT BUT MAY HAVE TIME TO COVER THE VISIT TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL.
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/3.........
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
3
HK OFFICIALS NEED TO FORGE CLOSER LINKS WITH CHINESE COUNTERPARTS
******
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO BUILD UP A SOCIAL AND WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS WITH WHOM THEY MAY HAVE TO LIAISE CLOSELY AFTER 1997, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG, MR SZE SAID OVER THE PAST 100-ODD YEARS HONG KONG HAD DEVELOPED A GOOD WORKING KNOWLEDGE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT. THE UK GOVERNMENT ALLOWED HONG KONG A VERY HIGH MEASURE OF AUTONOMY.
THE REASON THE UK HAS BEEN COMFORTABLE WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT WAS THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UK AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAD BEEN BASED ON TRUST, COMBINED WITH AN APPRECIATION ON THE PART OF THE UK GOVERNMENT THAT HONG KONG WORKED BEST WHEN IT WAS LEFT TO TAKE ITS OWN DECISIONS.
"IF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) GOVERNMENT CAN ACHIEVE THE SAME SOUND WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, THAT WILL BUTTRESS AND SUPPORT THE GUARANTEES SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, AND HELP ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’ CONCEPT," HE SAID.
HE SAID HE WAS SURE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ALSO LOOKED FORWARD TO A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAR GOVERNMENT.
HOWEVER, SUCH A RELATIONSHIP CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP OVERNIGHT GIVEN THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG AND IN CHINA.
SOME OF THE CONCEPTS AND VALUES WHICH UNDERLIE THE POLICIES PURSUED IN HONG KONG ARE ALIEN TO MANY MAINLAND OFFICIALS.
"WE THEREFORE NEED TO ENGAGE IN AN EDUCATIONAL PROCESS SO THAT OFFICIALS FROM BOTH GOVERNMENTS CAN ACQUIRE A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THE OTHER SYSTEM WORKS."
STEPS THAT HAD BEEN TAKEN IN THIS DIRECTION INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION IN 1988 OF THE SPONSORED VISITS PROGRAMME, WHICH ENABLED DELEGATIONS OF SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM BOTH GOVERNMENTS TO VISIT AND TO BE BRIEFED ON THE OTHER’S SYSTEM OF OPERATION.
HONG KONG DELEGATIONS HAD BEEN LED BY OFFICIALS AT THE RANK OF SECRETARY, AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS BY DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTORS AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS.
SO FAR THERE HAVE BEEN A TOTAL OF 13 VISITS. THE PROGRAMME HAD BEEN A CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS, BOTH IN TERMS OF ITS EDUCATIONAL VALUE AND AS A MEANS OF ENABLING OFFICIALS FROM BOTH GOVERNMENTS TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.
/"AS A RESULT
4
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
"AS A RESULT, THE PROGRAMME HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXPANDED SO THAT THERE WILL BE THREE INWARD AND THREE OUTWARD VISITS EACH YEAR; ALSO, THE DELEGATION SIZE HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM SIX TO EIGHT MEMBERS," MR SZE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THERE IS A PROGRAMME OF LEGAL STUDY VISITS, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ENABLE DELEGATES TO ACQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE RESPECTIVE LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEMS.
SO FAR, FIVE VISITS HAD TAKEN PLACE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO EXPAND IT IN DUE COURSE TO TWO VISITS EACH YEAR.
MR SZE ALSO SAID LAST YEAR THE GOVERNMENT STARTED ORGANISING FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO CHINA FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS AND SELECTED DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS.
SO FAR, FIVE OF THESE VISITS HAD TAKEN PLACE AND IT WAS INTENDED THAT FOUR VISITS SHOULD TAKE PLACE EACH YEAR.
THERE ARE ALSO CONTACTS AT A HIGHER LEVEL. FOR EXAMPLE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL, MR CHEN ZIYING, VISITED HONG KONG IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PAID A VISIT TO BEIJING AROUND THE SAME TIME.
HE ADDED THAT ON TOP OF THE VISIT PROGRAMMES, THERE HAS BEEN REGULAR CONTACT BETWEEN A NUMBER OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR MAINLAND COUNTERPARTS. THESE CONTACTS ARE USUALLY OF A WORKING AND PROFESSIONAL NATURE.
MR SZE SAID HE WAS ALSO LOOKING AT WAYS OF DEVELOPING CONTACTS BETWEEN CHINESE OFFICIALS BASED IN HONG KONG AND OFFICERS IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
"TRADITIONALLY THE MAIN CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION WITH THESE OFFICIALS HAS BEEN THROUGH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH AND THE POLITICAL ADVISER’S OFFICE, BUT I SEE NO REASON WHY THERE SHOULD NOT BE MORE DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THESE OFFICIALS AND OFFICES IN OTHER BRANCHES OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
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WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA ADJUSTED TO AVOID WASTE *****
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE WATER AUTHORITIES IN GUANGDONG TO REDUCE THE WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR IN ORDER TO REDUCE AND HOPEFULLY AVOID WASTE.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE IN VIEW OF THE SATISFACTORY WATER STORAGE LEVEL IN HONG KONG WHICH TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 80.2 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA FOR 1992-93 WOULD BE REDUCED FROM 705 MILLION CUBIC METRES (MCM) TO 667 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
/UNDER THE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
5
UNDER THE LONG-TERM AGREEMENT, CHINA WOULD PROVIDE 600 MCM OF WATER TO HONG KONG BETWEEN MARCH THIS YEAR AND FEBRUARY 28, 1993.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, CHINA AGREED TO SUPPLY AN ADDITIONAL 105 MCM TO HONG KONG TO HELP AVOID AN IMMEDIATE NEED TO IMPOSE WATER RESTRICTIONS AT THAT TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE WATER STORAGE LEVEL WAS CURRENTLY VERY HIGH BECAUSE OF THE EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY RAINFALL SINCE MARCH.
A TOTAL OF 2,202 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED BETWEEN JANUARY 1 TO JULY 13 THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS 199 PER CENT OF THE LONG-TERM AVERAGE AND 360 PER CENT OF LAST YEAR’S RECORD FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE WATER STORAGE TODAY STOOD AT 469.9 MCM. THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 168.9 MCM, REPRESENTING 28.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL CAPACITY.
TOYS SAFETY BILL UNDER CLOSE STUDY *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, ANNOUNCED THAT THE SECOND-READING DEBATE ON THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY BILL WOULD BE RESUMED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE NEXT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PREFERABLY IN OCTOBER.
HE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON THE BILL.
"WE TOLD THE GROUP THAT WE HAD RECEIVED LAST MINUTE REPRESENTATIONS FROM RETAILERS ON THE SAFETY STANDARD TO BE ADOPTED FOR TOYS UNDER THE BILL," HE SAID.
"WE ARE SURPRISED THAT THESE REPRESENTATIONS WERE MADE SO LATE IN THE DAY. WE HAD CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS WITH RELEVANT GROUPS BOTH BEFORE THE DRAFTING OF THE BILL AND WHEN IT WAS BEING DRAFTED. THE BILL ITSELF WAS GAZETTED ON APRIL 10, 1992," HE SAID.
"WE REGRET VERY MUCH THEREFORE THAT THESE REPRESENTATIONS DID NOT REACH US UNTIL ONLY A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE BILL WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE LAST SITTING OF THIS SESSION, THAT IS JULY 15 AND 16."
"NEVERTHELESS WE CONSIDER THAT THESE REPRESENTATIONS HAVE RAISED IMPORTANT ISSUES WHICH SHOULD BE FURTHER EXAMINED IN THE LIGHT OF THE BROADER INTEREST OF CONSUMERS," HE SAID.
"WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS DESIRABLE TO DELAY THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL FOR A LIMITED PERIOD SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER WHETHER THERE IS ROOM FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT," HE ADDED.
/"APART FROM .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
6
"APART FROM THE AMENDMENTS ALREADY AGREED WITH THE AD HOC GROUP, WE ARE OF THE VIEW THAT ANY FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL SHOULD BE ACCEPTED ONLY IF THEY ARE IN THE BROADER INTEREST OF CONSUMERS AND WILL NOT UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
"I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS ACTING IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CONSUMER. AND THAT IS WHY, DESPITE THIS LIMITED DELAY, OUR INTENTION IS STILL TO IMPLEMENT THE LEGISLATION IN JULY 1993 ACCORDING TO OUR ORIGINAL SCHEDULE, SO AS NOT TO AFFECT THE INTEREST OF CONSUMERS."
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CHINESE OFFICIALS TO VISIT HK
»»«»*«
AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, A GROUP OF EIGHT CHINESE OFFICIALS WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM JULY 21 TO 30 FOR A 1 O-DAY PROGRAMME OF VISITS AND BRIEFINGS.
THE GROUP WILL BE LED BY MR LI YUAN, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF ALLOCATION, STATE COMMISSION FOR RESTRUCTURING ECONOMY.
THE VISIT IS ONE IN A SERIES WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS TO GIVE CHINESE OFFICIALS A FIRST-HAND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW HONG KONG WORKS.
THE VISITORS WILL BE BRIEFED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON THE ECONOMIC AND MONETARY SYSTEMS, TRADE AND INDUSTRY POLICIES, HOUSING POLICIES AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS.
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NEW ARRIVAL FROM VIETNAM *****
AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FROM VIETNAM WAS DETAINED IN ABERDEEN OVER THE WEEKEND, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE MAN WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE TRAVELLED OVERLAND THROUGH CHINA AND THEN SNEAKED INTO HONG KONG BY BOAT FROM GUANGDONG.
THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF NEW ARRIVALS IN HONG KONG TO EIGHT THIS YEAR AND TO 66 SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT ON ORDERLY REPATRIATION ON OCTOBER 29 LAST YEAR.
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/7........
HESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
REGISTRATION FOR FORM I PLACES TO
*****
START TOMORROW
REGISTRATION FOR THE 84,696 PUPILS WHO HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SECONDARY 1 PLACES WILL START TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE STUDENTS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR ADMISSION AND ALLOCATION SLIPS AND REPORT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON EITHER WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY FOR REGISTRATION, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"FAILING TO DO SO MAY MEAN THAT THEY HAVE (HOSEN NOT TO TAKE UP THE PLACES ALLOCATED," HE ADDED.
"THE REGISTRATION TIME WILL BE FROM 9 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM ON BOTH DAYS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE REMINDED THE PUPILS THAT WHEN REPORTING TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR REGISTRATION, THEY SHOULD WEAR THEIR SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND ALSO BRING ALONG THEIR PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORMS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES, HONG KONG JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS, LATEST SCHOOL REPORTS AND TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZED PHOTOGRAPHS.
"PARENTS WHO WISH TO TRANSFER THEIR WARDS SHOULD DIRECTLY APPROACH THE SCHOOLS OF THEIR CHOICE FOR APPLICATION. ACCEPTANCE IS AT THE ENTIRE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOLS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
PUPILS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINED A PLACE FROM THE SCHOOL OF TRANSFER ARE ALSO REMINDED TO RETRIEVE THE ADMISSION SLIPS FROM THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH WHICH THEY HAVE REGISTERED DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD AND HAND THEM TO THE NEW SCHOOL.
BY DOING THIS, THEIR REGISTRATION WITH THE OLD SCHOOLS WOULD BE CANCELLED, HE SAID.
ANY ENQUIRY ON THE REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON 891 2200 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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COMPANIES REGISTERED ON RI SI
*****
FIGURES RELEASED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, FOR THE COMPANIES REGISTRY TODAY (TUESDAY) INDICATED INCREASES OF ACTIVITY IN MOST AREAS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES ON THE REGISTER AT THE END OF LAST MONTH WAS 328,794.
THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 8 PER CENT FROM 304,538 RECORDED AT THE END OF DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
/THE NUMBER .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
8
THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED DIR. ING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT, FROM 20,797 TO 26,472, AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES THAT ESTABLISHED A
PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI OF THE ORDINANCE AT THE END OF LAST MONTH INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT END OF DECEMBER 1991, FROM 2,828 TO 2,986.
COMPANIES
OVER THE
THE NUMBER OF NEW OVERSEAS COMPANIES ESTABLISHING A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART \1 DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR WAS 254, AN INCREASE OF 27 PER CENT ( OMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
NO SEPARATE STATISTICS ARE MAINTAINED ON HOW MANY OVERSEAS COMPANIES INCORPORATE LOCAL SUBSIDIARIES OR TAKE UP A MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN A HONG KONG COMPANY.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY $21,757 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 57 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE NOMINAL CAPITAL OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED DECREASED FROM $2,139 MILLION TO $1,987 MILLION, A FALL OF 7 PER CENT.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED BY CHARGES REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT, FROM $45,578 MILLION TO $47,234 MILLION, AND THE NUMBER OF CHARGES FILED IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT FROM 15,643 TO 16,758 OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE AMOUNT REPAID ON CHARGES, AS EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT, FROM $4,057 MILLION TO $5,231 MILLION, AND THE NUMBER OF CERTIFICATES INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT, FROM 7,656 TO 9,631.
DURING THE PERIOD A TOTAL OF 92 PROSPECTUSES OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 31 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED AS AGAINST 93 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 55 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, DURING THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1991.
THE NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECEIVED FOR FILING DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR INCREASED B\ 28 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, FROM 483,214 TO 616,230.
THE NUMBER OF SEARCHES MADE UNDER THE MICROFILM SYSTEM DURING THE PERIOD INCREASED FROM 692,289 TO 783,976, A RISE OF 13 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUMMONSES ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS FOR BREACHES OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, MAINLY FOR FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH ACCOUNTS, WAS 66. THIS COMPARED WITH 60 DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1991.
/DURING THE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
9
DURING THE PERIOD 25 SUMMONSES WERE WITHDRAWN I FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE OF NON-SERVICE), 4] RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS COMPARED WITH 40 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1991 AND 48 REMAIN TO Bl HEARD BY THE COURT (113 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1991).
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED FOR (_ON\I< I IONS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WAS $290,000, COMPARED WITH $122,680 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1991.
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VITAL ROLE FOR UTILITY SERVICES IN AIRPORT PROJECTS * * * * »
UTILITY SERVICES WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS AND IN THEIR SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE, MR RAFAEL HUI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF HONG KONG TELECOM’S HONG KONG/LANTAU OPTICAL FIBRE CARLE, MR HUI SAID QUICK AND EFFICIENT COMMUNICATIONS BOTH ON AND OFF SITE WOULD BE OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE.
VARIOUS NEEDS, RANGING FROM WORK MATTERS TO EMERGENCIES, COULD NOW BE MET BY USE OF THE CABLE WHICH WOULD HAVE A VALUE FAR EXCEEDING ITS COST.
"DEMAND FOR TELECOM SERVICES ARISES NOT ONLY IN CONSTRUCTION. THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND FURTHER NEW TOWN AND PORT DEVELOPMENTS ON NORTH LANTAU WILL GENERATE EVEN GREATER DEMAND FOR BETTER AND MORE HIGH-TECH TELECOM SERVICES," HE SAID.
MR HUI SAID LAYING OF THE CABLE SIGNIFIED HONG KONG TELECOM’S SUPPORT OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT AND ITS UNWAVERING CONFIDENCE IN MAKING MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG.
"ITS COMPLETION AT THIS POINT IN TIME WHEN MAJOR ACP CONTRACTS ARE STARTING IS CONCRETE PROOF OF EXCELLENT PLANNING, CO-OPERATION AND CO-ORDINATION OF ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT," MR HUI ADDED.
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II I SDAV , JI L\ 14, I 992
WAN CHAI TO HAVE AUTOMATH PARKING TICKET MACHINES *****
A NEW TYPE OF AUTOMATIC PARKING TICKET VENDING MACHINE WILL BE INSTALLED IN WAN CHAI TO REPLACE 111 COIN-OPERATED PARKING METERS UNDER A TRIAL CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT I’ODW CH ESDAY) SAID NINE ’PAY AND DISPLAY’ MACHINES WOULD BE INSTALLED AT 01 KW\N ROAD, LAN FONG ROAD, SUN WUI ROAD, HOI PING ROAD \ND SUNNING ROAD FROM THURSDAY (JULY 16) FOR A TRIAL OF ONE YEAR.
MOTORISTS WHO WISH TO UTILISE PARKING SPACES ON THESE ROADS HAVE TO BUY A TICKET FROM THE NEARBY MACHINE AND DISPLAY IT ON THE WINDSCREEN OF THEIR VEHICLES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE MACHINES WOULD ACCEPT BOTH COINS AND ”HK$50 STORED-VALUE CARD” WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT CAR PARKS OPERATED BY WILSON PARKING (HONG KONG) LIMITED AT THE PARK LANE HOTEL, 310 GLOUCESTER ROAD; ELIZABETH HOUSE, 25 GLOUCESTER ROAD; WORLD TRADE CENTRE, Z80 GLOUCESTER ROAD; QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, OPPOSITE HOPEWELL CENTRE; AND TIME SQUARE, 319-406 JAFFE ROAD.
DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF PARKING SPACES DESIGNATED, TICKETS OF HALF-HOUR OR TWO-HOUR PARKING TIME CAN BE PURCHASED THROUGH THESE MACHINES EITHER BY COINS OR STORED-VALUE CARDS.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DISPLAY THE PARKING TICKETS WHICH SHOW CLEARLY THE DATE AND EXPIRY TIME ON THE WINDSCREEN OF THEIR VEHICLES NEAREST TO THE KERB SIDE.
THEY ARE ALSO ADVISED TO READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS SET OUT ON THE MACHINE WHEN BUYING THEIR PARKING TICKETS.
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TELA ACTION TO ENFORCE FILM CENSORSHIP
******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS REPORTS ON ENFORCEMENT ACTION TAKEN BY THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHOR ITY (TELA) ON CINEMA OPERATORS FOUND TO HAVE ADMITTED CHILDREN UNDER 18 TO CATEGORY 3 FILMS, THE TELA COMMISSIONER, MISS ELLE SHUM, TODAY (TUESDAY) EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS THE DUTY OF TELA TO ENFORCE THE AGE RESTRICTION STIPULATED UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE.
"TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN UNDER 18 ARE NOT ADMITTED, MY STAFF HAVE TO CARRY OUT REGULAR INSPECTIONS AT CINEMAS SHOWING CATEGORY 3 FILMS. THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF HARASSMENT - THEY WERE JUST DOING THEIR JOB,” MISS SHUM SAID.
/MISS SHUM
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
11
MISS SHUM POINTE!) OUT THAI’ SINCE THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN LATE 1988, CINEMA OPERATORS HAD BEEN FULLY AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE LAW 1'0 PREVENT ADMISSION OF MINORS TO CATEGORY 3 FILMS.
HOWEVER, IT IS A DEFENCE UNDER THE LAW IF THE CINEMA IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE TAKEN REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT SUCH ADMISSION SUCH AS DISPLAY WARNING NOTICE PROMINENTLY WITHIN THE CINEMA, DEPLOYMENT OF SUFFICIENT STAFF TO CHECK ADMISSION AND SO ON.
IT IS THEREFORE THE DUTY OF THE CINEMA OPERATORS TO CONVINCE THE COURTS THAT THEY HAVE DONE SO.
ACCORDING TO MISS SHUM, SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF THE ORDINANCE IN 1988, TELA HAD DETECTED 95 CASES OF XDMISSION OF MINORS TO CATEGORY 3 FILMS.
IN EVERY CASE WHERE CINEMA OPERATORS WERE PROSECUTED, AMPLE ADVICE AND WARNING HAD BEEN GIVEN BEFOREHAND.
OUT OF THE 95 CASES OF DETECTION, ONLY 11 PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT OF WHICH NINE WERE SUCCESSFUL.
THE IMPERIAL CINEMA QUOTED IN A PARTICULAR PRESS REPORT WAS CONVICTED ON FOUR OCCASIONS AFTER AMPLE ADVICE AND WARNING HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE CINEMA OPERATOR.
"TO REMIND PARENTS AND CINEMA MANAGEMENTS, WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY PRODUCED AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR SHOWING ON TELEVISION TO PUBLICISE THE AGE RESTRICTION FOR VIEWING CATEGORY 3 FILMS,” MISS SHUM SAID.
"AS REGARDS THE DISPLAY OF FILM STILLS IN CINEMAS, TELA HAS CONSTANTLY URGED THE FILM INDUSTRY TO EXERCISE SELF-REGULATION IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE.
’’HOWEVER, IF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ARE RECEIVED, TELA IS DUTY BOUND TO INVESTIGATE THE CASES AND REFER THEM TO THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL," MISS SHUM SAID.
QUARTERLY FIGURES ON
RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $10.9 BILLION, INCREASED BY 18% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
/AFTER DISCOUNTING .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
12
AFTER DISCOUNTING HIE EFFECT o|- PR I ( I MANGES OVER HIE PERIOD, TOTAL RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 6% IN VOLUME.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASE'S BY RESTAURANTS IN THE FIRS! QUARTER OF 1992, ESTIMATED AT $4.2 BILLION, WAS 11% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1991.
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS RE( ORDED RAPID INCREASE IN THE FIRST QUARTER, BY 53% IN VALUE AND 33% I VOI.I ’ll \S COMPARED W ITH \ YEAR AGO.
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF EA■I FOOD '.HOPS Ai .30 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, BY 45% IN VALUE AND 33% IN VOII'ME. Till SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE EXPANSION OF SOME’ MAJOR FAST FOOD CHAINS IN THE LATTER HALF OF 1991.
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS ALSO REGISTERED INCREASES IN THE FIRST QUARTER, BOTH BY 14% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COMPARISON MAI BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 7% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THOSE OF THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 IS NOW ON SALE AT $1.5 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER I, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1258.
/TABLE 1 .......
13
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
4th qtr. 1991 1st qtr. 1992
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HK$ Billion) 10 250.4 10 942.7
Total purchases by restaurants (in HK$ lillion) 3 975.8 4 152.1
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OP TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 4th QUARTER 1991 AND 1st QUARTER 1992
(Quarterly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = IOC)
Type of restaurant Index of total restaurant receipts 4th quarter 1991 1st quarter 1992 1st qtr. 1992 coipared with 4th qtr. 1991 1st qtr. 1992 coipared with 1st qtr. 1991
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points Points
Chinese restaurants Value 114.0 124.4 HO.3 ♦9.1 ♦15.4 ♦14.1
Voluie 94.0 99.3 15.3 ♦5.6 ♦2.5 ♦2.5
Non-Chinese restaurants Value 113.7 118.7 ♦5.0 ♦4.4 ♦14.5 ♦13.9
Voluie 95.2 95.4 ♦0.2 ♦0.2 ♦2.6 ♦2.8
Past food shops Value 159.6 159.7 ♦0.1 ♦0.1 ♦49.9 ♦45.4
Voluie 137.0 131.9 -5.1 -3.7 ♦32.4 ♦32.5
Bars Value 155.6 156.6 ♦1.0 ♦0.6 ♦54.5 ♦53.4
Voluie 130.2 124.3 -5.9 -4.6 ♦30.7 ♦32.8
Other eating and drinking places Value 153.9 152.8 -1.1 -0.7 ♦39.7 ♦35.1
Voluie 132.9 127.6 -5.3 -4.0 ♦22.8 ♦21.8
All restaurant types Value 119.3 127.3 ♦8.1 ♦6.8 ♦19.3 ♦17.9
Voluie 99.2 102.3 ♦3.0 ♦3.0 ♦5.9 ♦6.2
/14 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
AMENDMENT TO MARINE FISH (MARKETING) ORDINANCE PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO ALLOW THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO) TO MORE CONVENIENTLY ADJUST THE RATE OF COMMISSION CHARGED ON SERVICES FOR THE SALE OF MARINE FISH IN ITS WHOLESALE MARKETS.
THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH CONTAINS THE PROPOSAL WILL GO THROUGH SECOND AND THIRD READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FMO WAS A SELF-FINANCING BODY ESTABLISHED UNDER THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING) ORDINANCE.
"IT OPERATES AS A NON-PROFIT MAKING CONCERN AND DERIVES ITS INCOME MAINLY FROM COMMISSION IT CHARGED ON THE SALE OF MARINE FISH IN ITS WHOLESALE MARKETS.
"ANY SURPLUS EARNINGS ARE USED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY SUCH AS PROVIDING LOW-INTEREST LOANS TO THE FISHERMEN; ORGANISING OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE LATEST FISHING TECHNOLOGY; AND FINANCING RESEARCH STUDIES AND EXPLORATION OF NEW FISHING GROUNDS."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING COMMISSION RATE OF 6 PER CENT WAS NO LONGER SUFFICIENT TO COVER EXPENDITURE.
"OPERATION DEFICITS HAVE BEEN INCURRED IN RECENT YEARS DESPITE INCREASINGLY TIGHT CONTROL OVER SPENDING AND THE INTRODUCTION OF VARIOUS MEASURES TO IMPROVE SALES AND STREAMLINE OPERATIONS," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, ANY VARIATION OF THE RATES OF COMMISSION REQUIRES AN AMENDMENT TO THE FMO’S BY-LAWS.
SUCH AMENDMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THIS IS AN UNNECESSARILY CUMBERSOME MEANS OF PRESCRIBING A RATE OF COMMISSION DECIDED UPON BY THE FMO," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT THE FMO SHOULD BE AUTHORISED TO PRESCRIBE THE RATE OF COMMISSION BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE AFTER CONSULTING THE FISH MARKETING ADVISORY BOARD."
- - 0 - -
/15
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
LEGCO TO HOLD TWO-DAY MEETING ******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HOLD THREE DEBATES ON A REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5 AND EXTRADITION OF CRIMINALS AT A TWO-DAY MEETING TO BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 18 BILLS.
OF THEM, EIGHT WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992, BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER 10 BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE BILLS ARE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1991-92) BILL 1992, BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, SECURITIES (CLEARING HOUSES) BILL, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, MARINE FISH (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, RABIES BILL, LINGNAN COLLEGE BILL, CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
- - 0 - -
240 RETURN TO VIETNAM *****
A GROUP OF 240 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 88 MEN, 53 WOMEN, 49 BOYS AND 50 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 111TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 5,877 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 19,857 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNESS SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
/16
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
- 16 -
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS UP FOR AUCTION
»»*»»»
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS ON SATURDAY (JULY 18) AT 10 IN TO THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION NARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
EW167 EX668 EW389 EW936
EX2113 *BB600 »FA3 DN6318
EW8900 EW1800 EW8838 EW832
♦XX5858 EX273 BS5750 *CL15
EW6998 *FA1 *EZ300 EX1629
EX730 EW813 AA1011 AX7458
EU318 EX127 EW237 EX7387
*AZ929 *1386 »BC19 *FA737
EW6623 EW129 EX986 EX1632
EX384 E.X8168 EW9887 EX6626
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY' TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE ACTIVITY, WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL HAS BEEN THE 177TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
--------0-----------
/17........
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
- 17 -
STUDENT WINS AWARD FOR READING 137 BOOKS A YEAR
*****
SECONDARY 1 STUDENT TSE CHUN-TO OF WONG SHIU CHI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TAI PO, WHO READ 137 BOOKS DURING THE 1991-92 SCHOOL YEAR, WAS THE MOST OUTSTANDING STUDENT AMONG THE 19 WINNERS UNDER THE ’’EXTENSIVE ENGLISH READING” SCHEME.
OTHER STUDENTS WITH EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED CHAN TO-WO OF COGNITIO COLLEGE ON HONG KONG ISLAND WHO READ 92 BOOKS AND CHU HIU-MAN OF THE BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL IN SHA TIN, WHO READ 82.
THEY WERE AMONG THE 3,600 SECONDARY 1 STUDENTS FROM 19 SCHOOLS WHO TOOK PART IN THE SCHEME, A SENIOR LECTURER OF THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, MRS VIVIENNE YU, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) AT AN AWARD-PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
FIVE OF THE AWARDS WERE FOR THE BEST WRITTEN REPORTS AND FIVE FOR THE BEST DESIGNS IN BOOK COVER, BOOK MARK OR ILLUSTRATIONS.
MRS YU SAID TEACHERS HAD REPORTED THAT MANY OF THEIR STUDENTS WHO SELDOM OR HAVE NEVER READ ENGLISH BOOKS FOR PLEASURE HAD NOW PICKED UP A READING HABIT.
THE READING SCHEME, SHE ADDED, HAD ALSO GREATLY INCREASED THEIR EXPOSURE TO ENGLISH AND FILLED A GAP IN THE CURRICULUM BY PROVIDING A STUDENT-CENTRED METHOD OF LEARNING.
’’MANY STUDENTS ARE NO LONGER SO AFRAID OF ENGLISH AND ARE MORE CONFIDENT OF THEIR ABILITY TO READ INDEPENDENTLY,” SHE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE VICE-PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTE, MRS CHRISTINA WONG, POINTED OUT THAT THE SCHEME WAS DIFFERENT FROM MANY OTHERS IN THAT IT WAS INCORPORATED INTO THE CURRICULUM.
’’THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROVIDES RESOURCE PACKAGES IN THE FORM OF BOOKS AT EIGHT DIFFERENT READING LEVELS AND READING CARDS AS BRIDGING MATERIALS FOR SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME,” MRS WONG SAID.
THE BOOKS RANGED FROM ABRIDGED VERSION OF CLASSICS SUCH AS ’’ANIMAL FARM" AND ’’AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS" TO BIOGRAPHIES SUCH AS ’’ELVIS PRESLEY - KING OF ROCK ’N’ ROLL” AND ’’GHANDI : HIS LIFE WAS THE MESSAGE".
MRS WONG SAID 30 MORE SCHOOLS HAD BEEN ACCEPTED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR AND THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PLANNED TO EVENTUALLY IMPLEMENT THE SCHEME BY PHASES IN ABOUT 200 SCHOOLS.
/PRIZES WERE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
18
PRIZES WERE SPONSORED BY THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG EAST AND WERE PRESENTED TO THE STUDENTS BY A FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE, OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG
DR VERNER BICKLEY AND PRESIDENT EAST, MRS DIANA WONG.
THE WINNERS ARE:
MOST OUTSTANDING READERS
NAME
TSE CHUN-TO
CHAN TO-WO
CHU HIU-MAN
BEST WRITING AWARD
NAME
CHAN WING-HANG
CHOW MAN-SUM, CHERRY
HUI MING-YAN NG MAN-WAI
YU HOI YAN
BEST DRAWING AWARD
NAME
LAM KA-YEE, SHARON
LI WAN-CHI
YAU LAAM
YIP TAK-WAI
YUNG CHUI-YI
SCHOOL
WONG SHIU CHI SECONDARY SCHOOL
COGNITIO COLLEGE (HONG KONG)
BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL
SCHOOL
KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL
BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL
BELIL1OS PUBLIC SCHOOL
CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE S C CHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE
BELILIOS PUBLIC SCHOOL
SCHOOL
OUR LADY’S COLLEGE
STFA LEE SHAU KEE COLLEGE
CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE S C CHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE
CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE S C CHAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE
WONG SHIU CHI SECONDARY SCHOOL
- - 0------
/19......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
19
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION QUIZ COMPETITION TO CLOSE SOON
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) TO SEND IN THEIR QUIZ COMPETITION ENTRIES BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THE ENTRY FORMS ARE PRINTED ON COPIES OF A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BOOKLET ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TO PROMOTE HARMONIOUS FAMILY RELATIONS. COPIES ARE OBTAINABLE FROM VARIOUS BRANCHES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
A SWD SPOKESMAN SAID PRIZES WOULD INCLUDE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION TO FORGE GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS.
HE SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES HAD ALREADY COME IN AND URGED THOSE INTERESTED TO SEND IN THEIR ENTRIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE BOOKLET, PRODUCED BY THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WITH THE HELP OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, IS ONE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CURRENT YEAR’S CAMPAIGN TO FURTHER PROMOTE GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, 24TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE. 1.30 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
- - 0 - -
WEATHER OF JUNE
*****
PERPETUATING THE WET THEME OF 1992, JUNE BECAME THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH WITH ABOVE-NORMAL RAINFALL.
THE PASSAGE OF A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE ON JUNE 7 WAS FOLLOWED BY A WEEK-LONG SPELL OF CLOUDY AND RAINY WEATHER.
EVEN THOUGH THE LATTER HALF OF THE MONTH WAS MUCH SUNNIER, THERE WERE STILL SOME LOCALISED HEAVY SHOWERS FROM TIME TO TIME.
TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH. THE OUTER RAINRANDS OF TYPHOON CHUCK MADE A CONTRIBUTION OF OVER 100 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN AND BROUGHT THE MONTHLY TOTAL TO 532.8 MILLIMETRES.
THIS WAS 42 PER. CENT ABOVE THE JUNE NORMAL OF 376. 0 MILLIMETRES.
THE PERSISTENT WET ANOMALY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 RESULTED IN RECORD-BRFAKING RAINFALL.
/THE TOTAL
20
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
THE TOTAL RAINFALL FROM JANUARY TO JUNE HAS A STAGGERING 2,052.5 MILLIMETRES. WHICH WAS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NORMAL OF 992.5 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD AND AS MUCH AS 150 MILLIMETRES MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS RECORD SET WAY BACK IN 1889.
A FRESH EASTERLY AIRSTREAM BLEW FOR THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH. THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY FINE AND WARM.
AS THE EASTERLIES SUBSIDED AND A MOIST MARITIME AIRSTREAM MOVED IN, THE WEATHER TURNED CLOUIH WITH LIGHT RAIN AND COASTAL MIST ON JUNE 3.
THE MIST THICKENED INTO SOMF FOG PATCHES OVER OFFSHORE WATERS THAT NIGHT.
APART FROM THE ODD LIGHT SHOWERS, THE WEATHER OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS WAS FINE AND HOT.
THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON SET IN LATE ON JUNE 5 AND WINDS BECAME FRESH AND GUSTY THE NEXT DAY.
MORNING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED ON JUNE 6, WITH THE HEAVIEST RAIN FALLING OVER THE CENTRAL PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
AS A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE APPROACHED FROM THE NORTH, THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON BECAME EVEN MORE ACTIVE EARLY ON JUNE 7.
RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY, WITH THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOUR OCCURRING IN THE LATE MORNING.
AGAIN, THE CENTRAL PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD MOST OF THE RAIN, WITH SOME RAINGAUGES RECORDING OVER 130 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL.
THE TROUGH CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST THAT DAY AND LINGERED OVER THE COASTAL WATERS OF GUANGDONG FOR SEVERAL MORE DAYS.
THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY AND SHOWERY FROM JUNE 8 TO 11. IT WAS UNDER SUCH RAINY CONDITIONS THAT THE MONTH’S LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 22.5 DEGREES WAS RECORDED ON JUNE 8.
DESPITE LESS FREQUENT OUTBREAKS OF RAIN AND MORE SUNSHINE ON JUNE 12, THE IMPROVEMENT TURNED OUT TO BE SHORT-LIVED.
THE CONVERGENCE BETWEEN THE SOUTHEASTERLIES FROM THE PACIFIC AND THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON IN THE VICINITY OF HONG KONG LED TO MORE UNSETTLED WEATHER ON JUNE 13.
RAIN CLOUDS DEVELOPED MOSTLY NEAR THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY AND THE WESTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY RECORDED RAINFALL AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF 200 MILLIMETRES.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS WAS PARTICULARLY RAMPANT IN THE LATTER PART OF THE DAY.
FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON, THE SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS WERE QUITE STRONG AT CHEUNG CHAU WITH HOURLY MEAN WINDS REACHING 54 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
/BUT BY .......
21
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
BUT BY THE NEXT DAY, THE SOUTHWESTERLIES HAD GAINED THE UPPER HAND AND WINDS WERE OCCASIONALLY ERESH OFFSHORE.
AFTER SOME SUNNY INTERVALS THAT MORNING, RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS RETURNED IN THE AFTERNOON.
THE CONVERGENCE EFFECT ONCE AGAIN BECAME PRONOUNCED ON JUNE 15 AS RAIN BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND TORRENTIAL, PARTICULARLY IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN THERE WERE ALSO SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.
FOR THIS RAINY EPISODE, THE CENTRAL PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES RECEIVED MOST OF THE HEAVY RAIN AND OVER 100 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WERE REGISTERED TN SOME RAINGAUGES.
DURING THE SPELL OF DISTURBED WEATHER LEADING UP TO JUNE 15, ABOUT 60 CASES OF LANDSLIPS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE SAI SHA ROAD LINKING SHA TIN AND SAI KUNG WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED BY A LANDSLIDE ON JUNE 14.
IN SHA TIN, 20 FAMILIES FROM THE HILLSIDE VILLAGE OF HA WO CHE HAD TO BE EVACUATED ON JUNE 14 AND 15. ABOUT 50 INCIDENTS OF FLOODING WERE REPORTED, MOSTLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON PREVAILED FROM JUNE 16 TO 18.
THE WEATHER TURNED FINE DURING THE PERIOD APART FROM SOME MORNING SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
THE PASSAGE OF ANOTHER TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE LATER ON JUNE 18 DID NOT BRING ANY SEVERE WEATHER INITIALLY.
HOWEVER, AS WINDS GRADUALLY TURNED EASTERLY ON JUNE 19 AND BECAME FRESH ON JUNE 20, THERE WERE OUTBREAKS OF HEAVY SHOWERS AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.
THIS TIME, THE MAIN AREA OF RAIN CLOUDS DEVELOPMENT HOVERED OVER THE EASTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY WHERE THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL RECORDED OVER THE TWO-DAY PERIOD TOTALLED ABOUT 150 MILLIMETRES.
THE WORST FLOODING OCCURRED IN THE MA ON SHAN AREA WITH FLOOD WATER EXCEEDING TWO METRES IN DEPTH. THE MA ON SHAN ROAD WAS CLOSED FOR HOURS.
APART FROM SOME MORNING LIGHT SHOWERS, THE WEATHER FROM JUNE 21 TO 27 WAS SUNNY AND VERY HOT, WITH THE HOTTEST DAY SO FAR THIS YEAR OCCURRING ON JUNE 25 WHEN A MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 32.8 DEGREE WAS RECORDED.
THE EARLY PART OF THE PERIOD WAS DOMINATED BY THE SOUTHWEST MONSOON. BUT IN RESPONSE TO A BREWING TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA TO THE WEST OF THE PHILIPPINES, WINDS TURNED EASTERLY ON JUNE 24 AND FRESHENED THE NEXT DAY.
THE TROPICAL CYCLONE TOOK ON THE NAME OF CHUCK AND GRADUALLY INTENSIFIED AS IT HEADED TOWARDS HAINAN ISLAND.
/OFFSHORE WINDS .......
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
22
OFFSHORE WINDS WERE STRONG ON JUNE 26 AND 27, REACHING GALE FORCE AT TIMES EARLY ON JUNE 28. ON TOP OF THE WINDY WEATHER, THE OUTER RAINBANDS OF CHUCK BROUGHT SOME HEAVY SQUALLY SHOWERS ON JUNE 28.
AS WINDS MODERATED THE NEXT DAY AND TURNED SOUTHWESTERLY ON JUNE 30, SHOWERS BECAME INFREQUENT AND FINE WEATHER RETURNED.
APART FROM CHUCK, TWO OTHER TROPICAL CYCLONES DEVELOPED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC IN THE MONTH OF JUNE.
SEVEN AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DURING THE MONTH BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON EACH DAY DURING THE PERIOD OF JUNE 5 -21 AND AGAIN ON JUNE 28 AND 29. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JUNE 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 28, 29. A LANDSLIP
WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON JUNE 13-14.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
TYPHOON CHUCK 1 JUNE 27 8.50 AM JUNE 27 8.15 PM
3 JUNE 27 8.15 PM JUNE 28 2 PM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 134.5 HOURS ; 26.6 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL 13.60 MJ/SQ.M. ; 2.95 MJ/SQ.M. BELOW
SOLAR RADIATION NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 532.8 MM ; 156.8 MM ABOVE NORMAL 80% ; 5% MORE THAN NORMAL 86% ; 4% HIGHER THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 29.5 DEGREES ; 0.8 DEGREE CELSIUS CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 27.2 DEGREES ; 0.6 DEGREE CELSIU.S CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 25.5 DEGREES ; 0.4 DEGREE CELSIUS CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT TOTAL EVAPORATION 24.5 DEGREES ; 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL 97.6 MM ; 46.3 MM BELOW NORMAL
--------0-----------
/23........
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
DISTRICT ASSOCIATION PRAISED FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
******
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL WONG, TODAY (TUESDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICES.
SPEAKING AT THE FOUNDATION-STONE LAYING CEREMONY FOR THE ASSOCIATION’S NEW TENNIS COURT BUILDING IN HAMILTON STREET, MR WONG SAID THE ORGANISATION HAD ACTIVELY PROMOTED RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN 1981.
"THESE ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS THE DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEETS, SWIMMING GALA AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE PARK RACE, HAVE BEEN SO POPULAR WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT THEY TURN OUT TO BE ANNUAL EVENTS OF THE AREA," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE NEW TENNIS COURT BUILDING MARKED A NEW CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATION.
"WITH THE MORE COMPLETE AND ADVANCED RECREATION AND SPORTS FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN THE NEW PREMISES, THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES TO BE OFFERED BY THE ORGANISATION WILL BE MORE ATTRACTIVE AND MULTI-FACETED," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED *****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF FPB ASIA LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAD BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
/24
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER AMOUNT APPLIED AMOUNT ALLOTTED AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED PRO RATA RATIO AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 14 JULY 92 EF BILLS Q229 HKD 2,330 MN HKD 500 MN 2.36 PCT 2.37 PCT ABOUT 91 PCT 2.40 PCT 14 JULY 92 EF BILLS Y292 HKD 1,080 MN HKD 200 MN 3.69 PCT 3.70 PCT 100 PCT 3.74 PCT
HONG TENDERS TO BE HELD IN TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER ISSUE DATE MATURITY DATE TENOR AMOUNT ON OFFER KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND THE WEEK BEGINNING 20 JULY 1992 - 21 JULY 92 21 JULY 92 EF BILLS EF BILLS Q230 H269 22 JULY 92 22 JULY 92 21 OCT 92 20 JAN 93 91 DAYS 182 DAYS HKD 500 + 100 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
- - 0-----------
/25 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 1992
- 25 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,488
REVERSAL OF LAF -500
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.7 *+0.1* 14.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 1.92 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.82 4.11
1 MONTH 2.03 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.73 4.41
3 MONTHS 2.30 PCT 6 MONTHS 2.76 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.64 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 101.65 4.61
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,548 MN
CLOSED 14 JULY 1992
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
FS MAKES STATEMENT ON EXCHANGE FUND ................................. 1
TWO BILLS TO TACKLE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES .................... 4
BILLS TO TRANSFER REGISTRAR'S FUNCTIONS INTRODUCED .................. 6
FORMATION OF OWNERS' CORPORATIONS TO BE SPEEDED UP .................. 7
BILL TO REFINE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE INTRODUCED ............. 8
BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE TO UPGRADE RECORD-KEEPING .............. 9
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 92 INTRODUCED ........................... 10
PAA REPORT TABLED................................................... 11
MORE MEASURES TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS ........... 12
FILMS, VIDEOTAPES AND LASER DISCS TO BE CLASSIFIED BY FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY ............................................... 14
PADS INFORMATION SHARED WITH LEGISLATORS ........................... 15
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO BE REVIEWED ............................ 16
KCR - ONLY CORPORATISED DEPT IN PAST 10 YEARS ...................... 17
FLASHING NEON LIGHTS PROHIBITED FOR SAFETY REASONS ................. 17
SUSTAINED EFFORTS TO FIGHT SMUGGLING ............................... 18
PROCEDURES DRAWN UP TO HANDLE AIRCRAFT CRASH ....................... 19
COMMITMENT ON LOCALISATION REAFFIRMED .............................. 20
LAND SALE PROCEEDS KEPT IN VIEW .................................... 21
PERSONAL RECORDS OF POLICE WELL PROTECTED .......................... 21
MEASURES TO MINIMISE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT OF RECLAMATION WORKS ....... 22
CONTROL ON FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES EXPLAINED ....................... 23
GOVT INTENDS TO REVIEW SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE .................. 24
PRESENT SYSTEM OF PLACING DISABLED JOB SEEKERS EFFECTIVE ........... 24
/PUBLIC ORDER .......
♦
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE UNDER REVIEW ............................... 26
LIMITED STATISTICS ON JUMPING BAIL AVAILABLE ...................... 26
ATTORNEY GENERAL EXPLAINS BRIEFING-OUT CASE ....................... 27
AUTOMATIC POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC EXAMS NOT PRACTICAL .............. 27
UPGC EXAMINES REVISED ACADEMIC PROPOSALS .......................... 28
CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION LAW TO BE REVIEWED ......................... 29
INFRASTRUCTURAL INVESTMENT A MUST: GOVERNOR ......................... 30
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN KWUN TONG TO BE CLOSED ..................... 31
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 32
WEDNESDAY', JULY 15, 1992
1
FS MAKES STATEMENT ON EXCHANGE FUND *****
IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, ANNOUNCED HIS DECISION TO PUBLISH A BALANCE SHEET SHOWING THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE EXCHANGE FUND.
THE BALANCE SHEET WILL SHOW THAT AT THE END OF 1991 THE EXCHANGE FUND STOOD AT HK$236 BILLION. THE ACCUMULATED EARNINGS OF THE FUND STOOD AT HK$99 BILLION.
MR MACLEOD SAID :
"WHEN PUT IN PERSPECTIVE, THESE FIGURES ARE VERY IMPRESSIVE INDEED. THE TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS HELD BY THE FUND WERE EQUIVALENT TO US$29 BILLION.
HONG KONG’S FOREIGN CURRENCY HOLDINGS ARE THE I2TH HIGHEST IN THE WORLD EVEN THOUGH ON A GDP COMPARISON HONG KONG WOULD BE RANKED ONLY 3 4 TH.
"AT US$5,000, HONG KONG’S PER CAPITA FOREIGN CURRENCY HOLDINGS ARE FAR HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE OF ONLY US$740 FOR THE OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES."
MR MACLEOD EXPLAINED TO LEGCO MEMBERS THAT HE HAD DECIDED TO BREAK THE ESTABLISHED POLICY OF CONFIDENTIALITY ON THE EXCHANGE FUND BECAUSE CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT OWES THE COMMUNITY A DUTY OF FRANKNESS AND OPENNESS ON MAJOR ISSUES OF PUBLIC POLICY. THE CASE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY HAS FALLEN AWAY AS OUR MONETARY FRAMEWORK HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND STRENGTHENED."
MR MACLEOD EXPLAINED THAT HE ALSO TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT MOST MAJOR ECONOMIES PUBLISH SUCH INFORMATION AND THAT THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HAS RECOMMENDED THAT HONG KONG FOLLOW THIS PRACTICE.
"PUBLICATION OF THE EXCHANGE FUND BALANCE SHEET WILL MAKE CLEAR THE STRENGTH OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL POSITION TO POTENTIAL LENDERS AND CREDIT RATING AGENCIES AND ENABLE THEM TO MAKE AN ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF OUR CREDIT WORTHINESS."
TO MAKE COMPARISONS EASIER, MR MACLEOD SAID HE WOULD ALSO PUBLISH THE FIGURES FOR THE PERIOD 1986-90.
HE SAID HE WOULD PUBLISH A BALANCE SHEET FOR THE EXCHANGE FUND EVERY YEAR AT ABOUT THIS TIME.
/EXCHANGE FUND .......
EXCHANGE FUND BALANCE SHEET
AS AT END OF YEAR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
Note
1986 1967
ASSETS
Foreign Currency Assets 1 84,715
Hong Kong Dollar Assets 3,876
i 88,591
CX]
LIABILITIES
Certificates of Indebtedness 2 20,531
Transfers of Fiscal Reserves 3 23,359
Coins In Circulation 1,441
Exchange Fund Bills —
Other Liabilities 4 4,103
Balance of Banking System 5 —
49,434
ACCUMULATED EARNINGS - 39,157
(HKD Million)
1988 1989 1990 1991
/NOTES ON
113,089 5,746 127,089 5,962 149,152 9,625 192,323 3,874 225,333 10,788
118,835 133,051 158,777 196,197 236,121
26,831 31,731 37,191 40,791 46,410
32,557 38,269 52,546 63,226 69,802
1,470 1,890 2,012 2,003 2,299
— — — 6,671 13,624
4,453 2,554 1,603 391 4,834
— 860 978 480 500
65,311 75,304 94,330 113,562 137,469
53,524 57,747 64,447 82,635 98,652
1
NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS
WEDNESDAY, JUDY 15, 1992
i
co
I
2.
3.
4.
5.
(a) Investments
The fund is invested in interest bearing deposits with banks in Hong Kong and overseas and in a variety of financial instruments, including bonds, notes and treasury bills. Only instruments which have good marketability and which •
are issued by or guaranteed by governments with high credit standing are acquired. •
(b) Foreign currency assets distribution
A large proportion of the Fund’s foreign currency assets are held in US dollars because this is the intervention currency and there is no exchange risk involved, given that the Hong Kong dollar is linked to the US dollar. Apart from the US dollar, the Fund also holds assets denominated in other major foreign currencies. They are the Canadian dollar, deutschemark, Japanese yen, pound sterling, Swiss franc, Dutch guilder, French franc and the ECU.
(c) Location of assets
The assets are held in. deposit, trustee and safe-keeping accounts with banks, central banks and custodial organisations situated in Hong Kong and other major financial centres.
i (d) Valuation of assets ।
Treasury bills and other short-term money market instruments are valued at cost. Bonds and notes are valued , at mid-market prices as at the close of business on the last business day of each accounting period. ।
o
(e) Translation of foreign currency assets I
US dollar (USD) assets are translated into Hong Kong dollars (HKD) at an exchange rate of USD 1 = HKD 7.80. Assets । in other foreign currencies are translated into Hong Kong dollars based on US dollar middle market cross rates in i New York at the close of business on the last business day of the accounting period. i
As backing for their bank note issues, the two note-issuing banks are required to hold non-interest bearing certificates of indebtedness issued by the Exchange Fund. Since 17 October 1983 these certificates have been issued to or redeemed from the two banks against payment in US dollars at a fixed rate of HKD7.80 = USD1.00.
This is that proportion of the fiscal reserves which has been transferred from the General Revenue Account, Capital Investment Fund, Loan Fund and Capital Works Reserve Fund to the Exchange Fund on an interest earning basis.
Other liabilities comprise expenses accrued at the year end, in the main interest due on fiscal reserve transfers, contingency reserves for bank rescue operations and any other borrowings.
In accordance with the Accounting Arrangements introduced in July 1988, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd., as the Management Bank of the Clearing House of the Hong Kong Association of Banks, is required to maintain a Clearing Account with the Exchange Fund. The balance in the Account, which represents the level of liquidity in the interbank market, can only be altered by the Fund. The Accounting Arrangements enable the Fund to maintain exchange rate stability more effectively by influencing the level of interbank liquidity through money market operations.
WEDNESDAY, JI LY 15, 1992
4
TWO BILLS TO TACKLE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS (RIMES * * * * *
TWO BILLS THAT SOUGHT TO IMPROVE THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE TWO BILLS WERE: THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL AND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
INTRODUCING THE FORMER BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THERE HAD FOR LONG BEEN GREAT CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE EXTENT OF ORGANISED (RIME IN HONG KONG.
ORGANISED CRIME ENCOMPASSED THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY FROM TRAFFICKING IN NARCOTICS, ROBBERY, FRAUD, BLACKMAIL, LOANSHARKING AND VICE TO EXTORTION AND PROTECTION OF SHOPKEEPERS, HAWKERS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS DRIVERS.
"IT REPRESENTS A PARTICULARLY SERIOUS THREAT TO LAW AND STABILITY IN OUR SOCIETY,” MR ASPREY SAID.
HE SAID THE OBJECTIVE IN TACKLING ORGANISED CRIME MUST BE TWOFOLD: TO ENABLE THE POLICE TO OBTAIN EVIDENCE AGAINST THOSE WHO ORGANISE, CO-ORDINATE OR CARRY OUT SUCH CRIMES; AND TO ENABLE ADEQUATE SANCTIONS, INCLUDING FINANCIAL PENALTIES, TO BE IMPOSED ON THOSE INVOLVED IN ORGANISED CRIME.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE POLICE HAD 1'0 BE PROVIDED WITH MORE EFFECTIVE POWERS TO INVESTIGATE ORGANISED (’RIME.
"WE THEREFORE PROPOSE THAT THE POLICE SHOULD, FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING ORGANISED CRIMES, BE ABLE 1’0 APPLY TO THE HIGH COURT FOR POWERS TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO VNSWER QUESTIONS OR OTHERWISE FURNISH INFORMATION OR TO PRODUCE MATERIAL,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE TO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH SUCH AN ORDER OR TO PROVIDE FALSE INFORMATION.
THESE POWERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF SAFEGUARDS.
THEY (’AN BE INVOKED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATING ORGANISED CRIME INVOLVING THE OFFENCES IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE BILL.
THE APPLICATION FOR THE USE OF Till- POWERS MUST HAVE THE CONSENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE POWERS MIST Bl- AUTHORISED BY A HIGH COURT JUDGE AFTER BEING SATISFIED THAT IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO GRANT THE AUTHORITY.
THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE POWERS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO REQUEST PRODUCTION OF INFORMATION AND MATERIAL BY BANKS, THI INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AND ANY BODIES OR PERSONS WHICH OPERATE UNDER A STATUTORY' OR COMMON LAW OBLIGATION TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY.
/THE BILL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
5
THE Bl LI. ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE POLICE MAY APPLY TO THE HIGH COURT OR DISTRICT COURT FOR A WARRANT TO ENTER AND SEARCH PREMISES TO SEIZE EVIDENCE RELEVANT TO AN INVESTIGATION.
HE SAID THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE POWERS PROPOSED IN RELATION TO ORGANISED CRIMES EXIST IN VARIOUS FORMS IN A NUMBER OF OTHER ORDINANCES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ORDINANCE AND THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
THE
COURTS TO PENALTIES, APPROPRIATE
SECRETARY ALSO SAID THEY HAD ALSO SOUGHT TO ENABLE THE IMPOSE MORE STRINGENT PENALTIES, INCLUDING FINANCIAL FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES WHERE
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT WHERE A PERSON HAS BEEN CONVICTED IN THE HIGH COURT OR DISTRICT COURT OF AN OFFENCE IN SCHEDULES 1 OR 2 OF THE BILL, THE PROSECUTION WILL BE ENTITLED TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH INFORMATION RELATING TO THE OFFENCE, ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ORGANISED CRIME, ITS IMPACT ON VICTIMS AND ITS FINANCIAL BENEFITS.
AFTER HAVING REGARD TO THE INFORMATION BROUGHT BEFORE THE . COURT, IF THE COURT IS SATISFIED THAT IT WOULD BE \PPROPRIATE TO
IMPOSE A HEAVIER SENTENCE THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE THE CASE, THEN IT MAY IMPOSE SUCH A SENTENCE, PROVIDED IT DOES NOT EXCEED THE STATUTORY MAXIMUM.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT WHERE A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF A SPECIFIED OFFENCE, THE COURT WILL BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE A CONFISCATION ORDER IN RESPECT OF ALL PROCEEDS OF CRIME RECEIVED BY THE PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMISSION OF ANY OFFENCE.
IN ADDITION, A GENERAL MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCE COVERING THE PROCEEDS OF ALL CRIMES IS PROPOSED.
"THESE PROPOSALS REPRESENT AN EXTENSION OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE BILL ON ORGANISED CRIME, IN THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO THE PROCEEDS OF SPECIFIED OFFENCES RELATING TO ORGANISED CRIME.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSALS I HAVE OUTLINED WILL GREATLY IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES, AND TO DESTROY THE POWER, ESPECIALLY THE FINANCIAL POWER, OF ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES," HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BI LI 1992 WOULD ABOLISH THE REQUIREMENT FOR \ CORRoBoRATION WARNING IN RESPECT OF THE EVIDENCE OF ACCOMPLICES.
THE RESULT WILL BE THAT JUDGES WILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THEIR DISCRETION TO DEAL WITH THE CREDIBILITY OF ACCOMPLICE WITNESSES IN THE SAME MANNER AS THEY DEAL WITH CREDIBILITY GENERALLY.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
- - 0--------
/6.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
6
BILLS TO TRANSFER REGISTRAR’S FUNCTIONS INTRODUCED * * * * *
TWO BILLS TO TRANSFER CERTAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES IN RELATION TO PROSPECTUSES TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD (SEHK) WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE TWO BILLS ARE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL AND SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL.
UNDER THE CURRENT SYSTEM, THE REGISTRAR, THE SFC AND SEHK ALL HAVE VETTING RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF PROSPECTUSES AND THERE IS CONSIDERABLE DUPLICATION AND OVERLAPPING OF THESE RESPONSIBILITIES.
IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 1988 REPORT OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVED THAT THE EXISTING VETTING SYSTEM SHOULD BE RATIONALISED AND STREAMLINED SO THAT ONLY A SINGLE BODY VETS AND APPROVES THE DOCUMENTATION FOR A NEW ISSUE.
UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, THE ROLE OF THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES WOULD BE LIMITED TO THAT OF A REGISTRATION AUTHORITY ONLY.
HE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE FOR REGISTERING PROSPECTUSES BUT WOULD CEASE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR VETTING THEM PRIOR TO REGISTRATION.
MEANWHILE, THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY FOR AUTHORISING THE REGISTRATION OF PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING THAT OF ENSURING THAT THEY COMPLIED WITH THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE. WOULD BE VESTED IN THE SFC.
FOR THOSE PROSPECTUSES WHERE THE SECURITIES ARE NOT LISTED, THE SFC WILL EXERCISE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AUTHORISING THEIR REGISTRATION.
INTRODUCING SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NEND1CK, SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO RECTIFY THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL AND OF THE TRIBUNALS WHICH HEAR APPEALS BY EXCLUDING NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SFC FROM MEMBERSHIP.
’’THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT ANY APPEAL WILL BE HEARD BY AN INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL TRIBUNAL,” MR NENDICK SAID.
A REVISION OF THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES RULES OF THF SFC IS ALSO PROPOSED, INTRODUCING A REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTERED PERSONS TO MAKE PERIODIC RETURNS CONCERNING THEIR CAPITAL ADEQUACY.
THE SECRETARY SAID THIS WAS TO ENABLE THE SFC TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENTS.
DEBATES ON THE TWO BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
------0----------
/7........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 7 -
FORMATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS TO BE SPEEDED UP ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE
SUBMISSIONS THEMSELVES,
GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THE ARGUMENT CONTAINED THAT FLAT OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN MANY INCORPORATE SUEN, TOLD
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, MR SUEN SAID THE BILL AIMED PRIMARILY TO FURTHER FACILITATE THE FORMATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND TO REPEAL THOSE PROVISIONS IN THE EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT WHICH WERE CONSIDERED TO BE UNFAIR TO FLAT OWNERS.
IT WAS DESIGNED TO GIVE EFFECT TO PROPOSALS FORMULATED ON THE BASIS OF VIEWS EXPRESSED DURING PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON AN EARLIER VERSION OF THE AMENDMENT BILL WHICH WAS PUBLISHED AS A WHITE BILL AT THE END OF MA'i LAST YEAR, HE SAID.
MR SUEN SAID ONE OF THE MOST CONTENTIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE WAS SECTION 2A WHICH PROVIDED THAT THE ORDINANCE DID NOT APPLY TO A BUILDING IN RESPECT OF WHICH A PERSON HAD UNDERTAKEN TO, OR AGREED WITH, THE GOVERNMENT TO MANAGE OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS MANAGEMENT.
CLAUSE I OF THE BILL, THEREFORE, REPEALS SECTION 2A OF THE ORDINANCE ACCORDINGLY, MR SUEN SAID.
"AND IN ORDER TO PUT THE MATTER BEYOND DOUBT, CLAUSE 27 OF THE BILL PROVIDES, INTER ALIA, THAT ANY ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY FLAT OWNERS ARE PREVENTED FROM BEING REGISTERED AS AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION SHALL BE VOID AND OF NO EFFECT," HE ADDED.
IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE FORMATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MR SUEN SAID CLAUSE 5 ENABLED THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS TO APPROVE APPLICATIONS FOR INCORPORATION BY THE OWNERS OF NOT LESS THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE SHARES IN THE BUILDING, INSTEAD OF THE 50 PER CENT AS AT PRESENT PROVIDED.
"THIS CHANGE WILL BE PARTICULARLY HELPFUL IN BUILDINGS WITH A -LARGE NUMBER OF ABSENTEE LANDLORDS WHO DO NOT NORMALLY TAKE ANY INTEREST IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS."
AS TO THE PROBLEM OF UNFAIR DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, MR SUEN SAID SUCH DEEDS FREQUENTLY PROVIDED FOR PERPETUAL MANAGEMENT BY THE DEVELOPER HIMSELF OR BY A MANAGEMENT COMPANY ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPER.
IN SUCH CASES, THERE IS LITTLE THE FLAT OWNERS CAN DO TO RID THEMSELVES OF THE MANAGER, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT A NEW SEVENTH SCHEDULE WAS PROVIDED UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, SETTING OUT THE TERMS THAT WERE TO BE IMPLIEDLY INCORPORATED INTO EVERY DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
"SUCH TERMS WILL PREVAIL OVER CORRESPONDING PROVISIONS IN EXISTING COVENANTS WHICH ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THEM." HE SAID.
/MR SUEN .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
8
MR SUEN SAID PARAGRAPH 7 OF THE NEW SEVENTH SCHEDULE WOULD PROVIDE A PROCEDURE WHEREBY THE FLAT OWNERS MIGHT TERMINATE THE APPOINTMENT OF A MANAGER EMPLOYED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPER.
’’BASICALLY, IT REQUIRES A RESOLUTION OF THE OWNERS OF NOT LESS THAN 50 PER CENT OF THE UNDIVIDED SHARES.
"THE DEVELOPER MAY THEN APPOINT A REPLACEMENT MANAGER WITH THE CONSENT OF THE FLAT OWNERS.
"SHOULD THEY FAIL TO REACH ANY AGREEMENT, THE FLAT OWNERS WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO APPOINT THEIR OWN MANAGER," MR SUEN SAID.
BUT MR SUEN ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID RECOGNISE THAT IN SOME EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS MIGHT BEST BE MANAGED BY THE DEVELOPER OR HIS APPOINTED MANAGING AGENT.
FOR THIS REASON, THE NEW SECTION 34E(4) IN CLAUSE 27 PROPOSES THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS MAY EXCLUDE THE APPLICATION OF PARAGRAPH 7 OF THE SEVENTH SCHEDULE TO ANY SPECIFIED BUILDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PUBLISHED GUIDELINES.
AS THE INCLUSION OF NEW PROVISIONS ON UNFAIR DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT WIDENED THE SCOPE OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, MR SUEN SAID IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR THE SHORT TITLE OF THE ORDINANCE TO BE CHANGED FROM "MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE" TO "BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE".
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------G-------
BILL TO REFINE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE INTRODUCED
*****
A BILL THAT SOUGHT TO REFINE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THERE WERE TWO AREAS OF REFINEMENT.
FIRST, TO DESIGNATE THE MANAGEMENT OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES AS A NEW CLASS OF LONG-TERM BUS INESS AND SECONDLY, TO FACILITATE THE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED FRAUD BY AUDITORS, ACCOUNTANTS AND ACTUARIES.
INSURERS UNDERTAKING LONG-TERM BUSINESS ARE REQUIRED UNDER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO SET ASIDE A LONG-TERM FUND TO MEET THE LIABILITIES ARISING FROM SUCH BUSINESS.
"THIS ENSURES THAT ADEQUATE PROTECTION IS GIVEN TO THE POLICY’ HOLDERS," MR NENDICK SAID.
/IT IS........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
9
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE MANAGEMENT OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES AS A CLASS 01 LONG-TERM BUSINESS.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE PRESCRIBED PERSONS (AUDITORS, ACCOUNTANTS AND ACTUARIES) SHOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST POSSIBLE LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF THEIR DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY lo CLIENTS WHEN COMMUNICATING IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY.
THE INSURERS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY OF ANY CHANGE OR PROSPECTIVE CHANGE OF AN AUDITOR OR ACTUARY, AS SUCH CHANGES MAY SIGNIFY POSSIBLE IRREGULARITIES IN THE OPERATION OF AN INSURER’S AFFAIRS.
IN ADDITION, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WILL BE EMPOWERED TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION RELATING TO A PRESCRIBED PERSON TO THE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE TO UPGRADE RECORD-KEEPING
*****
A BILL THAI AIMED TO FREE THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO KEEP PAPER-BASED RECORDS INDEFINITELY WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEG I SLAT I VF COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THF BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THE OFFICE WAS UPGRADING ITS EQUIPMENT AND CHANGING ITS PROCEDURES, WITH A VIEW TO SERVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY MORE EFFICIENTLY.
IN FUTURE THE OFFICE WILL KEEP IIS RECORDS BOTH ON MICROFILM AND-ON A COMPUTER AND DELETE RECORDS OF BUSINESSES WHICH HAVE CEASED TO OPERATE FOR 10 YEARS OR MORE.
>
THIS NEW STREAMLINED METHOD OF DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL WILL RESUL'l NOT ONLY IN SIGNIFICANT STAFF SAVINGS BUT ALSO PROVIDE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WITH A MUCH MORE EFFICIENT SERVICE,” HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO INCLUDES MINOR AMENDMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF A NEW BRANCH OF A BUSINESS AND TO REVISE THE LEVEL OF FINE FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE FROM $2,000 TO $5,000.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
/10........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
10 -
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 92 INTRODUCED
*****
A BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WILL ENABLE THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES TO TAKE EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST COMPANIES THAT PERSISTENTLY FAIL IN THEIR STATUTORY DUTY TO SUBMIT ANNUAL RETURNS.
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 ALSO SEEKS TO ENABLE COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT TRADING AND ARE INACTIVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A NEW "DORMANT" STATUS, WHEREBY THEY' WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM COMPLIANCE WITH A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE FOR THE PERIOD DURING WHICH THEY REMAIN DORMANT.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, EXPLAINED THAT A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE REGISTRAR INDICATED THAT AS MANY AS 25 PER CENT OF REGISTERED COMPANIES DID NOT SUBMIT REGULAR ANNUAL RETURNS.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THERE WERE ALREADY PROCEDURES WHICH MAY BE INITIATED BY THE REGISTRAR UNDER THE ORDINANCE FOR STRIKING COMPANIES OFF THE REGISTER, THESE PROCEDURES REQUIRED THE REGISTRAR TO EXERCISE HIS DISCRETION IN EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE.
THE BILL PROPOSED THAT THE REGISTRAR BE PROVIDED WITH A MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS OF DEALING WITH CASES OF DEFAULT BY INTRODUCING A SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE FOR STRIKING COMPANIES OFF THE REGISTER WHERE THEY FAIL TO SUBMIT ANNUAL RETURNS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
"STRIKING-OFF ACTION WILL NOT BE INITIATED UNTIL FAIR WARNING HAS BEEN GIVEN TO A COMPANY AND ITS DIRECTORS AND THE COMPANY HAS BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.
"IF A COMPANY CHOOSES TO IGNORE THESE WARNINGS, IT MAY BE STRUCK OFF AND DISSOLVED. ALL PROPERTY AND RIGHTS VESTED IN IT OR HELD ON TRUST FOR IT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ITS DISSOLUTION WILL THEN BE DEEMED TO BE BONA VACANTIA AND TO BELONG TO THE CROWN," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR CREDITORS TO MAKE CLAIMS AGAINST BONA' VACANTIA.
ALSO, IF UPON APPLICATION BY THE COMPANY OR ANY MEMBER OR CREDITOR OF IT, THE REGISTRAR IS SATISFIED THAT THERE ARE REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR A COMPANY TO BE RESTORED ONTO THE REGISTER, AND AN APPROPRIATE FEE IS PAID, THEN REINSTATEMENT MAY BE EFFECTED QUICKLY AND SIMPLY.
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW "DORMANT" STATUS FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES, MR NENDICK SAID AT PRESENT COMPANIES THAT WERE NOT UNDERTAKING ANY BUSINESS WERE NEVERTHELESS REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THIS INVOLVES THE COMMITMENT OF CONSIDERABLE TIME AND RESOURCES, BOTH BY THE COMPANIES CONCERNED AND BY THE REGISTRAR, TO WORK WHICH MAY SERVE LITTLE USEFUL PURPOSE," HE SAID.
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
11
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, A PRIVATE COMPANY MAY BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORISE ITS DIRECTORS TO SUBMIT A STATUTORY DECLARATION DECLARING THE COMPANY TO BE "DORMANT".
THE BILL DEFINES A COMPANY AS DORMANT DURING ANY PERIOD IN WHICH NO SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING TRANSACTION OCCURS; THAT IS A TRANSACTION WHICH, UNDER SECTION 121 OF THE ORDINANCE, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE ENTERED INTO THE COMPANY’S BOOKS.
A COMPANY THAT IS REGARDED AS BEING DORMANT WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM A NUMBER OF REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE.
THESE RELATE MAINLY TO THE SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING ANNUAL RETURNS, MATTERS RELATING TO THE HOLDING OF MEETINGS AND REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO ACCOUNTS AND AUDITING.
MR NENDICK SAID COMPANIES THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS NEW STATUS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE REGISTRAR IF AND WHEN THEY INTENDED TO ENTER INTO A SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING TRANSACTION.
THEY WILL THEN CEASE TO BE REGARDED AS DORMANT AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IN THE NORMAL WAY, HE ADDED.
ON SANCTIONS AGAINST ANY POSSIBLE ABUSE OF THIS PRIVILEGE, HE SAID THE BILL. PROVIDED THAT THE DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF A COMPANY THAT ENTERED INTO A SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING TRANSACTION WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE REGISTRAR WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY DEBT OR LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY ARISING OUT OF THAT TRANSACTION.
HOWEVER, CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF COMPANIES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF DORMANT STATUS BECAUSE OF THE NEED IN THEIR CASE FOR A HIGHER DEGREE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.
THESE INCLUDE PUBLIC COMPANIES, AUTHORISED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AUTHORISED INSURERS, REGISTERED DEALERS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE HOLDING COMPANIES.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0-------
PAA REPORT TABLED
*****
THE AUTHORITY LEGISLATIVE
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT (PAA) FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1992 ARE TABLED IN THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE
SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID
AUTHORITY HAD HAD AN EXTREMELY ACTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR WHICH HAD AIRPORT PLAN PROGRESS FROM CONCEPT TO DETAILED DESIGN AND IN SOME CASES, TO IMPLEMENTATION ON SITE. ’
/IN PARTICULAR .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
12 -
IN PARTICULAR:
♦ THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR;
* THE ORIGINAL SCOPE OF THE ADVANCE WORKS AT CHEK LAP KOK WAS COMPLETED AND THE SCOPE OF WORKS EXTENDED SO THAT ANY GAP BETWEEN THESE ADVANCE WORKS AND THE MAIN SITE PREPARATION WORKS IS KEPT AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE;
* THE CONTRACT FOR THE DETAILED DESIGN OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL COMPLEX WAS AWARDED;
* TENDERS FOR THE MAIN SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT ARE BEING EVALUATED;
* PRE-QUALIFICATION HAS STARTED OF THOSE INTERESTED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN DEVELOPING THE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING AND AIR CARGO FACILITIES.
’’ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY A YOUNG BUT GROWING ORGANISATION WHICH HAD APPROXIMATELY 200 FULL-TIME STAFF BY THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID THIS REPORT SHOULD BE THE LAST ISSUED BY THIS PROVISIONAL BODY SINCE THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO INTRODUCE THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL INTO THE LEGCO IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
------0------------
MORE MEASURES
TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS
A REGULATION THAT PROVIDES EMPLOYEES WITH MORE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WAS APPROVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING A RESOLUTION ON THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (NOISE AT WORK) REGULATION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID IT REQUIRED INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING PROPRIETORS TO CONDUCT NOISE LEVEL ASSESSMENTS AND DEMARCATE AREAS AFFECTED BY EXCESSIVE NOISE AS EAR PROTECTION ZONES.
"WHERE DEMARCATION IS IMPRACTICABLE, FOR EXAMPLE ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE WHERE NOISY MACHINES ARE BEING MOVED AROUND QUITE FREQUENTLY, THE REGULATION REQUIRES PROPRIETORS TO LABEL THE NOISY MACHINES TO INDICATE THE DISTANCE WITHIN WHICH EAR PROTECTORS MUST BE WORN," MR CHAN SAID.
"DEMARCATION AND LABELLING WILL MAKE PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND ALSO HELP THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ENFORCE THE LAW."
/THE NEW .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
13
THE NEW REGULATION DIVIDES NOISE HAZARDS INTO THREE DIEEERENT ACTION LEVELS IN LINE WITH SIMILAR CLASSIFICATIONS USED IN THE UK NOISE AT WORK REGULATIONS 1999.
IT ALSO SPELLS OUT THE DUTIES OF PROPRIETORS ANT EMPLOYEES AT THE RESPECTIVE ACTION LEVELS.
THE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS ARE THAT:
* AT THE FIRST ACTION LEVEL, A PROPRIETOR HAS To PROVIDE A SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTOR TO AN EMPLOYEE UPON REQUEST, EXCEPT WHERE THE WEARING OF EAR PROTECTORS WOULD BE LIKELY TO CAUSE A RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE EMPLOYEE OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON;
* AT THE SECOND ACTION LEVEL OR ABOVE, OR AT THE PEAK ACTION LEVEL, PROPRIETORS MUST PROVIDE AND EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR APPROVED EAR PROTECTORS, AND THE AREA IN ANY INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING THUS AFFECTED MUST BE DEMARCATED AS AN EAR PROTECTION ZONE; AND
* WHERE DEMARCATION IS IMPRACTICABLE, AS IN THE CASE OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE, ALL NOISY MACHINES MUST BE LABELLED. EMPLOYEES ATTENDING TO THESE NOISY MACHINES MUST WEAR EAR PROTECTORS.
MR CHAN SAID THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WAS EMPOWERED TO MAKE EXEMPTION WHERE, DESPITE ACTION BY A PROPRIETOR, IT HAD NOT BEEN PRACTICABLE FOR HIM TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW REGULATION.
"CONTRAVENTION OF THE NEW REGULATION WILL INCUR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $30,000 FOR EMPLOYERS AND $10,000 FOR EMPLOYEES," HE SAID.
TO GIVE PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS AMPLE TIME FOR COMPLIANCE, THE NEW REGULATION COMES INTO OPERATION 12 MONTHS AFTER APPROVAL.
THE GOVERNMENT IS EMBARKING ON \N OVERALL REVIEW OF THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF PENALTY UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO SEE WHETHER THERE IS A NEED TO INCREASE THE PENALTY LEVELS.
THIS REVIEW IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BEFORE THE REGULATION IS BROUGHT INTO OPERATION IN A YEAR’S TIME.
ANOTHER REVIEW WILL ALSO BE UNDERTAKEN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE REGULATION HAS COME INTO OPERATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THERE ARE ANY ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION DIFFICULTIES WHICH MAY NEED TO BE TACKLED.
- - 0---------
/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
14
FILMS, VIDEOTAPES AND LASER DISCS TO BE CLASSIFIED BY FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY *****
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ACCEPTED A PROPOSAL REQUIRING FILMS, VIDEOTAPES AND LASER DISCS BE CLASSIFIED BY THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE IRRESPECTIVE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THEY ARE TO BE SHOWN.
THE PROPOSAL WAS MADE BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID BOTH THE AD HOC GROUP AND THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED THAT PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE SHOULD BE PROTECTED AND NOT BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO INDECENT OR OBSCENE FILMS, VIDEOTAPES AND LASER DISCS, WHICH WAS THE SPIRIT AND OBJECTIVE OF THE AMENDMENT BILL.
MR SO SAID THE AMENDMENT BILL ORIGINALLY PROPOSED THAT FILMS WHICH HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE IF THEY WERE PUBLISHED OTHER THAN BY WAY OF EXHIBITION IN CINEMAS.
"THIS MEANS THAT, AFTER AMENDMENT OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE, A FILM BEING PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF VIDEOTAPE OR LASER DISC, ONCE CLASSIFIED BY THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL AS INDECENT, CAN ONLY BE SOLD OR HIRED TO A PERSON OVER 18, AND A WARNING NOTICE TO THAT EFFECT MUST BE DISPLAYED ON THE ARTICLE IN QUESTION.
"A FILM CLASSIFIED AS OBSCENE WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PUBLICATION IN WHATEVER FORM," MR SO SAID.
MR SO SAID HOWEVER, THE GROUP DID NOT TAKE YCCOUNT OF THE IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF VIEWING THE ARTICLE IN A CINEMA AND AT HOME, WHICH UNDERLINED THF MEANS PROPOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO ACHIEVE THF OBJECTIYF OF THE AMENDMENT BILL.
AFTER WIDE-RANGING CONSULTATION, THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERED THAT THERE WERE MERITS IN THE GROUP’S PROPOSAI OF PLACING THE CLASSIFICATION OF SUCH ARTICLES UNDER ONE AUTHORITY, HE SAID.
"BESIDES ENSURING UNIFORMITY OF STANDARDS AND TREATMENT, THIS WILL ALSO AVOID CONFUSION AND DELAY TO THE INDUSTRY AND THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A MUCH CLEARER IDEA OF THF. ( LASS 1 Fl CAT ION OF SUCH ARTICLES," HE SAID.
"ACCEPTING THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTROL THE ACCESS OF SUCH ARTICLES IN THE HOME BY YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 SHOULD FALL ON PARENTS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED TO PLACE THE CLASSIFICATION OF FILMS, VIDEOTAPES AND LASER DISCS UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY.
/"THIS WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
15
"THIS WOULD MEAN THAT VIDEOTAPES AND LASER DISCS MADE FROM FILMS TO BE SHOWN IN CINEMAS WOULD BE CLASSIFIED BY THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY TO THE SAME STANDARDS.
"A CATEGORY III FILM TURNED INTO A VIDEO WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE SOLD OR HIRED TO THOSE UNDER 18, WHILST A CATEGORY II ONE WILL HAVE TO BEAR A WARNING NOTICE THAT IT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.
"ONLY A CATEGORY I FILM TURNED INTO A VIDEO CAN BE FREELY AVAILABLE TO ALL," HE ADDED.
MR SO SAID IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING AMENDMENTS TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE AND WAS AIMING TO INTRODUCE THE AMENDING LEGISLATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEXT SESSION.
HE THEREFORE MOVED ANOTHER AMENDMENT To THE BILL TO DELETE THE PART CONCERNING THE PUBLICATION OF VIDEOTAPES AND LASER DISCS MADE FROM FILMS ALREADY APPROVED FOR EXHIBITION BY THE FILM CENSORSHIP AUTHORITY.
THE SECOND PART OF THE BILL WHICH PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT TO THE WORDING OF THE WARNING NOTICE TO BE DISPLAYED ON INDECENT ARTICLES WAS UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE AD HOC GROUP AND WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
- - 0 - -
PADS INFORMATION SHARED WITH LEGISLATORS
******
IT HAS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM DURING THE FORMATION OF FINANCING PLANS FOR THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TO SHARE WITH LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS ALL ESSENTIAL INFORMATION IT SHARES WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID:
"ACCORDINGLY, I CAN CONFIRM THAT ALL FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON JULY 4 LAST YEAR HAS ALSO BEEN RELEASED TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL.”
HE SAID THE SAME INFORMATION WAS ALSO SHARED WITH THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
THE CHINESE AND BRITISH SIDES OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE HAD SUPPORTED THIS PRACTICE, HE ADDED.
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/16
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
16
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO BE REVIEWED
» * » » «
THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAS EVOLVED FROM A SCHEME WHICH PROVIDED FOR BASIC SUSTENANCE TO ONE WHICH IS CAPABLE OF MEETING THE BASIC AND SPECIAL NEEDS OF RECIPIENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
SHE SAID THE SCHEME HAD BEEN DEVELOPED AND REFINED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE YEARS, AND WAS SO DESIGNED THAT INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS COULD BE REVIEWED AND NEW COMPONENTS INTRODUCED.
"INDEED, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND, IT WAS RE-EXAMINED AS RECENTLY AS LAST YEAR, FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE INTRODUCTION OF THE CHILD SUPPLEMENT FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS," MRS WONG SAID.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AGAIN IN RELATION TO THE FORTHCOMING REVIEW OF THE POLICY ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND IN THE CONTEXT ALSO OF ANY PROPOSAL EMERGING FROM GOVERNMENT’S STUDY ON COMPULSORY RETIREMENT PROTECTION SCHEMES."
MRS WONG WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE TOLD THE COUNCILLORS THAT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CLIENTS HAD PROGRESSIVELY BEEN GETTING HIGHER ALLOWANCES OVER THE YEARS, IN ADDITION TO ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION, TO ENABLE THEM TO BENEFIT FROM SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES IN HONG KONG.
AT PRESENT A SINGLE ELDERLY PERSON AGED 60 AND ABOVE WOULD GET A MAXIMUM MONTHLY CASH ASSISTANCE OF $3,680 WHEN THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR A SINGLE ELDERLY PERSON IS $5,340 A MONTH.
THE SAME PERSON IN 1976 WOULD HAVE GOT A MAXIMUM CASH ASSISTANCE OF $390 WHEN THE THEN MEDIAN MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR A SINGLE ELDERLY PERSON WAS $710.
THE COMPONENTS OF THE SCHEME INCLUDE A BASIC RATE, A RENT ALLOWANCE, A LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT, AN OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT, A DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT AND OTHER SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS AND GRANTS AS WELL AS REIMBURSEMENT FOR DENTURES, SPECTACLES AND WALKING AIDS.
ADDITIONALLY, ALL MEDICAL CARE IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND CLINICS ARE FREE.
MRS WONG SAID OF THE ESTIMATED 766,000 PEOPLE AGED 60 OR OVER IN HONG KONG, 74,000 WERE SINGLE PERSONS LIVING ALONE.
OF THESE 74,000 PERSONS, 33,000 ARE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND ANOTHER 12,000 ARE IN RESIDENTIAL HOMES OR INFIRMARIES.
- - 0 - -
/17........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 17 -
KCR - ONL\ CORPORATISED DEPT IN PAST 10 YEARS
******
THE ONLY
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT THAT
HAS BEEN CORPORATISED
DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS IS THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE YEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TREASURY, MR K.Y.
HON HUANG CHEN-YA
MR YEUNG SAID A RECENT REVIEW OF KCR SHOWED THAT THE CORPORATION HAD COPED EFFECTIVELY WITH AN AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 14 PER CENT IN THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS SINCE 1984.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN ABLE TO CONTAIN FARE INCREASES DURING THIS PERIOD TO BELOW THE INFLATION RATE.
’’THE OVERALL OPERATING PERFORMANCE OF THE ( ORPORATION HAS ALSO
IMPROVED STEADILY,” HE SAID.
THE KCR WAS CORPORATISED IN 1982.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT NO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OR PUBLIC SERVICE HAD BEEN PRIVATISED DURING THIS PERIOD, ALTHOUGH SOME PUBLIC SERVICES HAI) BEEN LET OUT BY CONTRACT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"SOME EXAMPLES OF CONTRACTING OUT ARE GOVERNMENT CAR PARKS (1984), THE GOVERNMENT ABATTOIR AT KENNEDY TOWN (1990) AND THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL (1991),” HE ADDED.
------0------------
FLASHING NEON LIGHTS PROHIBITED FOR SAFETY REASONS
*****
THE EXISTENCE OF ANY POWERFUL FLASHING LIGHTS TN TMF qamp VICINITY, OTHER THAN THE AIRPORT-RELATED FLASHING BEACONS AND I ICHI'S ahvcd CAUSE CONFUSION TO PILOTS APPROACHING THE AIRPORT AND \hUS ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SAFETY OF AIRCRAFT. AJKPOKI AND THUS
mo d THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY MR ROBERT WILSON, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG
FLASHING LIGHTS OVER A CERTAIN INTENSITY 4RF ^nM^BITED 1N ACC0RDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE HONG (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) ORDINANCE.
SPECIFICALLY
KONG AIRPORT
SIMILARLY, I HE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE* THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE MAY DIRECT THE REMOVAL OF A
SI°N' CASHING O« TOT, ™sOcH UgSt
RESTRICTS OR INTERFERES WITH ANY NAVIGATIONAL MIGHT ADVERSELY AFFECT SAFE NAVIGATION.
PROVIDES
LIGHT OR
OR SIGN
LIGHTS OR
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
18
HE SAID IE THE CIRCUMSTANCES JUSTIFYING THE NEED FOR THESE PROVISIONS WERE TO CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY, THEN THE LAW IN THIS RESPECT WOULD BE REVIEWED.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE CLOSURE OF KAI TAK UPON THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK WOULD, NO DOUBT, PROMPT SUCH A REVIEW," MR WILSON SAID.
-----0------
SUSTAINED EFFORTS TO FIGHT SMUGGLING
*****
THE ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE NEW OPERATIONAL INITIATIVES AGAINST THE SMUGGLERS WHILE ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE MEASURES ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION TO KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM OF EFFORTS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE OPERATIONAL INITIATIVES INCLUDED THE RECENT DESTRUCTION OF A LOADING RAMP USED BY SMUGGLERS NEAR SAI KUNG AND THE SETTING UP OF A BOOM IN TOLO HARBOUR.
THE LEGISLATIVE MEASURES UNDER CONSIDERATION INCLUDE MAKING MAJOR SMUGGLING OFFENCES INDICTABLE IN ADDITION TO BEING SUMMARY OFFENCES AND INCREASING THE PENALTIES FOR THE OPERATORS OF UNLICENSED SAMPANS WHO OFTEN ACT AS LOOKOUT BOATS TN SMUGGLING.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDITIONAL CONTROL ON "CHUNG-FEIS", THE MEDIUM-SIZED SPEEDBOATS NORMALLY POWERED BY TWO 300 HP ENGINES, HE ADDED.
"WE SHALL ALSO MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON WITH CHINA. SUSTAINED ACTION AGAINST THE SMUGGLERS BOTH IN HONG KONG AND IN CHINA IS LIKELY TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF CURTAILING SMUGGLING," MR ASPREY SAID.
NOTING THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE DROP IN SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IN RECENT MONTHS, MR ASPREY SAID OVER 1,400 SPEEDBOAT SIGHTINGS WERE RECORDED A MONTH AT THE PEAK OF SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH LAST YEAR.
THIS COMPARES WITH AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 130 SIGHTINGS IN EACH OF THE PAST TWO MONTHS, HE SAID.
SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN FEBRUARY 1991, THE ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE HAS ACHIEVED THE ARREST OF 176 PERSONS, AND THE SEIZURE OF 100 VESSELS AND GOODS WORTH $42.3 MILLION.
---------0-----------
/19 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
19 PROCEDURES DRAWN UP TO HANDLE AIRCRAFT CRASH * * * * t
PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE EMERGENCY FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED TO DEAL WITH AN AIRCRAFT CRASH ANYWHERE IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR ROBERT WILSON, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY PROF THE HON FELICE LIEH MAK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WILSON SAID THE PROCEDURES TOGETHER WITH THE DETAILS OF HOW AND WHERE EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES COULD BE REQUISITIONED AND DEPLOYED DURING SUCH AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WERE CONTAINED IN A COMPREHENSIVE CONTINGENCY PLAN.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE CONTINGENCY PLAN HAD RECENTLY BEEN REVIEWED AND A REVISED VERSION WAS ISSUED IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
"THE PLAN SETS OUT THE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER BODIES WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH SUCH AN EMERGENCY; THESE ARE, PRIMARILY, THE MEDICAL SERVICES, THE FIRE SERVICES AND THE POLICE," HE SAID.
MR WILSON SAID IT ALSO INCLUDED A DETAILED LIST OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.
THESE INCLUDED LAND TRANSPORT AND RECOVERY VEHICLES, AIR AND MARINE TRANSPORT, DIVERS AND DIVING EQUIPMENT, LIFTING AND CUTTING EQUIPMENT, FLOODLIGHTING, BEDDING AND STRETCHERS AND SO ON.
"EXERCISES ARE HELD PERIODICALLY TO ENSURE ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH THEIR ROLES AND THE PROCEDURES CONCERNED," HE ADDED.
HE SAID DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, THERE WAS ONE "NEAR MISS" INCIDENT INVOLVING TWO HELICOPTERS NOT IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT.
STATISTICS IN RELATION TO MISSED APPROACHES ARE THAT IN 1989 THERE WERE 192; IN 1990, 175; AND IN 1991, 213.
AS REGARDS AIRCRAFT WHICH EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF ENGINE TROUBLE APPROACHING OR DURING LANDING AT KAI TAK OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE STATISTICS WERE 14 IN 1989, 22 IN 1990 AND 18 IN 1991.
RECORDS RELEVANT TO AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCING ENGINE TROUBLE ON TAKE-OFF FROM KAI TAK RELATED ONLY TO THOSE AIRCRAFT WHICH WERE OBLIGED TO TURN BACK TO KAI TAK AS A RESULT; STATISTICS SHOWED 18 IN 1989, 16 IN 1990 AND 17 IN 1991.
MR WILSON SAID THESE STATISTICS NEEDED TO BE SEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FACT THAT OVER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ANNUAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS GREW FROM ABOUT 94,000 TO 110,000.
- - 0 - -
/20........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
20
COMMITMENT ON LOCALISATION REAFFIRMED »*»»«*
THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING THE POLICY ON LOCALISATION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID PREFERENCE WAS GIVEN TO QUALIFIED AND SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATES ON RECRUITMENT, AND APPOINTMENTS ON OVERSEAS TERMS WERE MADE ONLY WHEN SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MR WIGGHAM POINTED OUT THAT ALL APPOINTMENTS WERE SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, WHICH ENSURED THAT THE CLAIMS OF LOCAL CANDIDATES RECEIVED FULL CONSIDERATION.
"SINCE MARCH 28, 1985, OVERSEAS OFFICERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED ON AGREEMENT TERMS ONLY," HE SAID.
"RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO, INTER ALIA, OPERATIONAL NEED, WHETHER A SUITABLE LOCAL REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE, AND WHETHER ANY PROMOTION BLOCKAGE WOULD BE CAUSED TO LOCAL OFFICERS.
"THESE CRITERIA ARE CLEARLY LAID DOWN IN CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS.
"THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IS SOUGHT ON EACH AND EVERY CASE."
ON THE QUESTION OF EMPLOYMENT OF ENGINEERS, MR WIGGHAM SAID THAT OUT OF THE 226 OFFICERS IN THE CHIEF/SENIOR RANKS SERVING IN SIX GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, 46 ARE ON OVERSEAS AGREEMENT TERMS.
AS REGARDS THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER GRADE, OF THE 42 OFFICERS SERVING IN THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN THE CHIEF/SENIOR RANKS, 13 ARE ON OVERSEAS AGREEMENT TERMS.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THESE OFFICERS WERE APPOINTED BECAUSE OF PROVEN DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING SUITABLE QUALIFIED LOCAL CANDIDATES.
"IN VIEW OF THE INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LOCAL CANDIDATES AND AN INCREASE IN WASTAGE, AT PRESENT OVERSEAS OFFICERS’ AGREEMENTS ARE BEING RENEWED IN ORDER TO RETAIN THE NECESSARY EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE, AND THUS PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY STANDARD OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE ARE ADHERING TO THE CRITERIA LAID DOWN IN THE CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS IN EXAMINING THE NEED FOR RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS," HE ADDED.
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/21 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
LAND SALE PROCEEDS KEPT IN VIEW * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LAND SALE PROGRAMME AND WILL, IN THE NORMAL COURSE, PREPARE REVISED REVENUE ESTIMATES IN THE LIGHT OF ACTUAL LAND SALE PROCEEDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LAND SALES FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1992-93 GENERATED $1,866.65 MILLION, WHICH AMOUNTED TO OVER 20 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED REVENUE ($8,630 MILLION) FROM THIS SOURCE.
MR EASON SAID LAND SALE PROCEEDS FOR ONLY THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR WAS UNLIKELY TO BE AN ACCURATE GUIDE TO THE FULL YEAR TOTAL.
THIS WAS BECAUSE THE TIMING FOR LAND SALES WAS NOT SPREAD EVENLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THE PREMIA RECEIVED FOR DIFFERENT SITES VARIED CONSIDERABLY, HE EXPLAINED.
”IT WOULD THEREFORE BE PREMATURE TO JUDGE WHETHER OUR REVENUE ESTIMATE IS TOO ’CONSERVATIVE,’ HE ADDED.
REVENUES FROM LAND SALES FOR THE YEARS 1989-90, 1990-91 AND 1991-92 WERE $8,524 MILLION, $4,351 MILLION AND $13,925 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THESE COMPARED WITH THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES OF $7,941 MILLION, $5,820 MILLION AND $4,070 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THE REVENUE REALISED IN 1991-92 FROM THE SALE OF THE ADDITIONAL 5.9 HECTARES OI LAND GRANTED B^ THE S1NO-BR1TISH LAND COMMISSION WAS $2,499.2 MILLION.
- 0 -
PERSONAL RECORDS OF POLICE WELL PROTECTED * * * * *
THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THE PRACTICE OE PASSING INFORMATION CONCERNING POLICE OFFICERS TO THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAO FOR SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIONS IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR ASPREY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 22
MR ASPREY SAID THERE WERE NO ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE POLICE TO REGULARLY FURNISH THE 1CAC WITH THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALL POLICE OFFICERS, ADDING THAT THE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN ONLY WHERE IT WAS REQUIRED FOR SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIONS.
"THERE IS A TIGHT SECURITY SYSTEM WITHIN THE ICAC TO PROTECT SUCH RECORDS FROM ANY POSSIBLE MISUSE OR ABUSE.
"SUCH RECORDS ARE REGULARLY SCREENED TO REMOVE UNWANTED AND IRRELEVANT MATERIAL FROM THEM," HE SAID.
-----0------
MEASURES TO MINIMISE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT OF RECLAMATION WORKS
*****
A FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT CARRIED OUT TO EXAMINE THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR MINIMISE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DURING AND AFTER CENTRAL RECLAMATION PHASE 1 WORKS.
IS CURRENTLY BEING FURTHER MEASURES TO CONSTRUCTION OF THE
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE ASSESSMENT WOULD BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND SUBMITTED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION PHASE I CONTRACT WAS SCHEDULED TO START IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
MITIGATION MEASURES TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO MINIMISE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON WATER WOULD INCLUDE:
* WORK ON A NEW SEWER TO SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING SEWER IN JUBILEE STREET WILL START IN Al GUST 1992:
* THE CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TRUNK SEWER WILL BE DESILTED TO INCREASE CAPACITY;
* MANHOLE INSPECTIONS, AIMED AT IDENTIFYING SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE CONNEXIONS WHICH NEED TO BE RE-DIRECTED, WILL BE CONDUCTED; AND
* STORMWATER OUTFALLS, WHICH CARRY CONSIDERABLE POLLUTION AS WELL AS MUCH OF THE COOLING WATER DISCHARGED FROM NEARBY COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, WILL BE EXTENDED TO DISCHARGE OUTSIDE THE RECLAMATION AREA.
THE SECRETARY STATED THAT SPECIFICATIONS FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT.
/"THESE SPECIFICATIONS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
23
"THESE SPECIFICATIONS INCLUDE EQUIPMENT TYPES FOR DREDGING AND DISPOSING OF MUD, WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND MAXIMUM POLLUTANT LEVELS.
"SHOULD THESE SPECIFICATIONS BE BREACHED, HIE CONTRACTOR WILL BE DIRECTED TO UNDERTAKE REMEDIAL MEASURES," HE SAID.
REGARDING AIR QUALITY, THE CONTRACT SPEC fFKAIlONS PROVIDED FOR CONTROLS ON DUST FROM CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.
THESE INCLUDED RESTRICTIONS ON THE STORAGE OF CEMENT AND THE PROHIBITION OF CONCRETE BATCHING AND ROCK (RUSHING IN THE MAIN WORKS AREA.
"THE REQUIREMENT ON HIE CONTRACTOR TO ISE MARINE SAND AS RECLAMATION MATERIAI AND MARINE BASED RECLAMATION EQUIPMENT WILL ALSO MINIMISE THE NUMBER OF CONSTRUCT ION VEHICLES PASSING THROUGH CENTRAL DISTRICT," HE SAID.
------0--------
CONTROL ON FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES EXPLAINED * * * * *
THERE IS NO LEGISLATION TO REGULATE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN THE MASS MEDIA OR TO STIPULATE A LIMIT ON EXPENSES INCURRED FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION B\ THE HON MRS PEGGY LAM AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID FUND-RAISING EVENTS SUCH AS SPECTACULARS AND EXTRAVAGANZAS WERE GENERALLY KNOWN TO BE STAGED AT CONSIDERABLE PRODUCTION COST MET FROM PROCEEDS RAISED.
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF \BUSE, FRAUD OR DISHONESTY BY FUND RAISERS," SHE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, THERE MAY BE \ ( ASF FOR RFQI I RI NG FUND-RAISERS TO KEEP AND PUBLISH PROPER ACCOUNTS, TO HAVE IHE ACCOUNTS AUDITED, TO LODGE COPIES WITH GOVERNMENT AND TO MAKE COPIES AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE PUBLIC.”
AT PRESENT, FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN PUBLIC PLACES ARE GOVERNED BY THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF SO( IAL WELFARE IS AUTHORISED TO ISSUE PERMITS TO ORGANISATIONS ORGANISING FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FLAG DAYS.
PERMIT-HOLDERS CAN DEDUCT FROM IHE GROSS PROCEEDS EXPENSES NECESSARY FOR THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY.
/"IN THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 24 -
"IN THIS CONNECTION, THERE IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION IN THE CASE OF FLAG DAYS TO SET THE UPPER LIMIT FOR SUCH DEDUCTION AT 10 PER CENT OF TOTAL PROCEEDS," MRS WONG SAID.
"PERMIT-HOLDERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN AUDITOR’S REPORT WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE EVENT."
-----0-------
GOVT INTENDS TO REVIEW SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS INTENDING TO REVIEW THE PROVISIONS OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE AS A WHOLE.
"SOME OF THE PROVISIONS ARE OUTDATED AND IN NEED OF CHANGE. BUT THIS REVIEW WILL TAKE SOME TIME, AND WE HAVE NOT YET REACHED ANY CONCLUSIONS," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY GAVE A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON JAMES TO ON SECTION 8 (I)) OF THE ORDINANCE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECTION, ENACTED IN 1932, STATES THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER WITH OTHER PERSONS IN THE NIGHT-TIME WITHOUT LAWFUL EXCUSE; OR SEEING ANY SUCH ILLEGAL ASSEMBLAGE, OR KNOWING OR HAVING REASON TO SUSPECI THAT SUCH ASSEMBLAGE HAS TAKEN PLACE OR IS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE, NOT TO GIVE IMMEDIATE NOTICE THEREOF TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION OR To A POLICE OFFICER.
MR ASPREY SAID THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ARRESTS AND PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE SECTION IN THE PAST, BUT HE BELIEVED THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY IN RECENT YEARS.
---------0-----------
PRESENT SYSTEM OF PLACING DISABLED JOB SEEKERS EFFECTIVE
******
MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS APPLYING FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE CIVIL SERVICE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE STIPULATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AS WITH OTHER CANDIDATES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IF THEY ARE FOUND SUITABLE FOR APPOINTMENT, THEY ARE GIVEN AN APPROPRIATE DEGREE OF PREFERENCE FOR APPOINTMENT OVER OTHFR CANDIDATES, HE ADDED.
/"THE GOVERNMENT'S .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 25 -
"THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS IS IN LINE WITH ITS GENERAL POLICY ON EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, WHICH IS TO PLACE THE DISABLED IN APPROPRIATE JOBS WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE WHEREVER POSSIBLE," SAID MR CHAN IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALWAYS AWARE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF DISABLED PERSONS AS A SOURCE OF LABOUR SUPPLY.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROVIDES A FREE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT SERVICE TO MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS AND REFERS SUITABLE JOB SEEKERS TO THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR JOB INTERVIEWS.
STAFF OF THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION ALSO VISIT EMPLOYERS REGULARLY TO ADVISE THEM OF THE EMPLOYABILITY OF MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS AND TO MAKE USE OF ITS SERVICE TO EMPLOY SUCH PERSONS TO FILL THEIR VACANCIES.
IN ADDITION, IT ORGANISES A NUMBER OF PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES EVERY YEAR TO ENHANCE THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OF DISABLED PERSONS.
CITING STATISTICS, MR CHAN SAID THERE WERE 315 MILDLY AND MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS REGISTERED WITH THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION IN 1989, 342 IN 1990 AND 336 IN 1991.
DURING THE SAME THREE-YEAR PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS FOR JOB INTERVIEWS WERE 421, 345 AND 279 RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THE NUMBER OF SUCH PERSONS PLACED TN EMPLOYMENT WERE 227 IN 1989, 206 TN 1990 AND 175 IN 1991.
MR CHAN SAID: "SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION IN 1980, THE OPERATION, POLICY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SERVICE HAVE BEEN PUT UNDER REGUI,AR REVIEW.
"IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF PLACING DISABLED JOB SEEKERS INTO OPEN EMPLOYMENT IS FAIRLY COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE."
HE ADDED THAT A NUMBER OF OPTIONS FOR PROMOTING THE OPEN EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS, INCLUDING THE MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE REGARD TO THESE OPTIONS IN ITS NEXT REGULAR REVIEW," HE SAID.
/26 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 26
PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE UNDER REVIEW
*****
THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE CURRENT REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LI ASKED WHETHER CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE CONFLICTED WITH THE PROVISION IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE WHICH SAFEGUARDED RESIDENTS’ RIGHT OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY.
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT YET COME TO ANY CONCLUSIONS.
"WHETHER A PARTICULAR PROVISION IN A LAW CONTRAVENES THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE IS ULTIMATELY A MATTER FOR THE COURTS TO DETERMINE," HE SAID.
----------------------0-------- LIMITED STATISTICS ON JUMPING BAIL AVAILABLE ******
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REACH ANY FIRM CONCLUSIONS AS TO WHAT EFFECT, IF ANY, THE BILL OF RIGHTS HAS ON THE GRANTING OF BAIL OR ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS JUMPING BAIL FROM THE LIMITED STATISTICS AVAILABLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED ON JUNE 8 LAST YEAR.
ARTICLE 5(3) OF THE ORDINANCE ENSHRINES IN LEGISLATIVE FORM WHAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE IN GRANTING BAIL, THAT IS THAT SINCE ACCUSED PERSONS ARE TO BE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVED GUILTY, THEY SHOULD BE RELEASED PENDING TRIAL, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS, UNLESS THERE ARE VALID REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO.
MR ASPREY ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE READILY AVAILABLE STATISTICS ON THE NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS WHO HAVE JUMPED BAIL AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE PROSECUTION PROCESS IN EACH OF THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
"SUCH STATISTICS COULD ONLY BE PRODUCED THROUGH A VERY LABORIOUS AND TIME-CONSUMING RETRIEVAL OF INDIVIDUAL CASE RECORDS," HE SAID
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 27 -
ATTORNEY GENERAL EXPLAINS BRIEFING-OUT CASE *****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TODAY EXPLAINED THE REASONS FOR INSTRUCTING LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE TO CONDUCT THE PROSECUTION IN A RECENT HIGH COURT CRIMINAL CASE.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON I FONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE PRINCIPAL CROWN WITNESS IN THAT CASE WAS A FORMER SENIOR OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT WHILE A NUMBER OF OTHER CROWN WITNESSES WERE OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WHO HAD IN THE PAST WORKED UNDER THE PRINCIPAL WITNESS.
IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE INDEPENDENCE \ND IMPARTIALITY OF THE PROSECUTION COULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN DOUBT IF IT HAD BEEN HANDLED BY COUNSEL OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.
"IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO INSTRUCT LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE TO CONDUCT THE PROSECUTION,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE TOTAL COST ENTAILED IN BRIEFING OUT THE PROSECUTION OF THIS CASE, WHICH LASTED 161 HEARING DAYS, WAS $22.9 MILLION.
--------0-----------
AUTOMATIC POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC EXAMS NOT PRACTICAL
******
THE SCHEDULING OF EXAMINATIONS IS VERY CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED TO ENSURE ABSOLUTE FAIRNESS AND PREVENT CHEATING, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID.
ANY POSTPONEMENT IS UNDESIRABLE AND EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO AVOID IT, HE ADDED.
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR. OVERSEAS EXAMINATIONS SINCE THEIR SCHEDULING IS CO-ORDINATED WITH THE TIMING OF THE SAME EXAMINATION IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD SO AS TO PREVENT CHEATING BY FOR EXAMPLE, PASSING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO CANDIDATES IN OTHER COUNTRIES BY TELEPHONE OR FACSIMILE," SAID MR CHAN IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HONG KONG PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS ARE RUN BY THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY (HKEA), EITHER IN ITS OWN RIGHT OR ON BEHALF OF OVERSEAS EXAMINATIONS BODIES.
IT IS NOT PRACTICAL OR FEASIBLE FOR THE HKEA TO POSTPONE EXAMINATIONS AUTOMATICALLY UPON THE ISSUE OF A RED RAINSTORM WARNING BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
/"RELEVANT GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
28
"RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS/PUBLK AUTHORITIES MIST ASSESS OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS SUCH AS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, TRANSPORT AVAILABILITY AND TIMING OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE DECIDING WHAT ACTION TO TAKE," MR CHAN SAID.
"AS FOR PERSONS SITTING FOR PUBLIC EXAMINATION'S, THEY ARE USUALLY AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD AND BETTER ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THAN YOUNGER STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY KINDERGARTEN AND PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
"ONCE UNDER WAY, EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO BRING AN EXAMINATION TO ITS CONCLUSION FOR REASONS op SECURITV AND FAIRNESS. RESCHEDULING THE EXAMINATION WOULD REQUIRE X COMPLETELY NEW SET OF EXAMINATION PAPERS TO BE PREPARED.
"AGAIN THIS IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR OVERSEAS EXAMINATIONS," HE ADDED.
NEVERTHELESS, WHEN SUCH A WARNING IS ISSUED PRIOR TO 7 AM WHICH IS THE TIME WHEN QUESTION PAPERS ARE RELEASED BX THE HKEA FOR DISTRIBUTION TO EXAMINATION CENTRES ON THE MORNING OF AN EXAMINATION, THE HKEA WILL GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE FEASIBILITY OF POSTPONING THE EXAMINATION, MR CHAN POINTED OUT.
SIMILARLY, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO POSTPONING AFTERNOON EXAMINATIONS WHEN SUFFICIENT WARNING IS GIVEN BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THERE WERE SEVEN OCCASIONS WHEN RAINFALL OVER 10 TELEMETERING RAINGAUGES IN HONG KONG REACHED OR EXCEEDED 50 MM WITHIN AN HOUR, AND ONLY ONE OCCASION WHEN IT REACHED OR EXCEEDED 100 MM WITHIN TWO HOURS.
NONE OF THESE EIGHT OCCASIONS OCCURRED WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NUMBER 8 OR ABOVE WAS HOISTED.
---------0-----------
UPGC EXAMINES REVISED ACADEMIC PROPOSALS
* * *
* * *
THE FIRST-YEAR,
GOVERNMENT’S
FIRST-DEGREE
DECISION
PLACES IN
TO REVISE THE PLANNING TARGET OF
Duuiorr H0WEVER’ H0NG KONG POLYTECHNIC HAS INCORPORATED IN ITS CHANGES TO THEM?NTAID^'EnPTMENT PR0P0SALS F0R 1992-95 TRIENNIUM SOME CHANGES TO THE INTAKES ORIGINALLY PLANNED FOR FIRST-DFGRFF COURSES tn
CERTAIN PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING A REDUCTION OF 10 PLACES IN ^HE FUl J-TIME B.SC. COURSE IN NURSING IN 1992-93. 'L
/THIS WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 29 -
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO MUN-KA AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THE REVISED ACADEMIC PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WERE BEING EXAMINED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE.
"ON NURSING COURSES, I HAVE ADVISED THE COMMITTEE THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND I ARE FIRMLY OF THE OPINION THAT, IN THE LIGHT OF IMPROVEMENTS BEING INTRODUCED IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES, THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY REDUCTION IN STUDENT INTAKE.
"I HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CONSIDERING COURSE PROPOSALS IN NURSING," MR CHAN ADDED.
--------0-----------
CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION LAW TO BE REVIEWED *****
A REVIEW OF THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE IS LIKELY TO BE UNDERTAKEN AFTER WORK ON THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE HAS BEEN COMPLETED, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS. MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"ANY SUCH REVIEW WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE FACT THAT THE PRESENT MIXTURE OF STATUTORY AND EX-GRATIA ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESUMPTION COMPENSATION GENERALLY WORKS WELL, AS WITNESSED BY THE SMALL NUMBER OF CASES GOING BEFORE THE LANDS TRIBUNAL," HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, MR EASON SAID A REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON COMPENSATION AND BETTERMENT INCLUDED A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE SHOULD BE REVIEWED.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT AGREED THAT SOME PARTS OF THE ORDINANCE MIGHT NEED TO BE UPDATED.
THE REPORT HAS BEEN PRODUCED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CURRENT REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE, USED TO RESUME PRIVATE LAND FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, WAS INVOKED ON 56 OCCASIONS IN THE FINANCIAL YEARS 1989-90, 1990-91 AND 1991-92.
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/30 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
30
INFRASTRUCTURAL INVESTMENT A MUST: GOVERNOR
*****
HONG KONG HAS GOT TO INVEST IN ITS INFRASTRUCTURE SO THAT IT CAN GO ON BEING PROSPEROUS AND STABLE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A FULL DAY SEEING VARIOUS PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S COMPETITORS IN ASIA WERE NOT STANDING STILL.
"WE GOT TO DO A GREAT DEAL OURSELVES TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG IS CONFIRMED AS ONE OF THE ECONOMIC CAPITALS OF THE WORLD," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE PORT FACILITIES WERE ONE OF THE MAJOR REASONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
"I’VE BEEN LOOKING AT ALL THE PROJECTS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW AIRPORT TODAY. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT TERMINAL, THE AIRPORT ITSELF, THE LAND RECLAMATION AND THE NEW ROADS. THESE ARE A REALLY IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE," HE ADDED.
"OBVIOUSLY THESE WILL BE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECTS WHICH I WILL BE FOLLOWING DURING MY FIVE YEARS AS GOVERNOR," MR PATTEN SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON THE FINANCING OF THE NEW AIRPORT, MR PATTEN SAID:
"I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL MOVE FORWARD THIS WEEK AND WILL IN DUE COURSE FIND SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE ARISEN, BECAUSE IT’S IN EVERYONE’S INTEREST THAT WE SHOULD PRUDENTLY SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING THE EXCHANGE FUND, MR PATTEN SAID MOST MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND DISCLOSED THEIR FIGURES.
"I THINK IT WAS SENSIBLE THEREFORE FOR US TO DISCLOSE OURS. WHAT THEY SHOW IS THE UNDERLYING STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY.
"THEY SHOW US FAR BETTER PLACED THAN MOST OTHER COUNTRIES AND MUCH BETTER PLACED IN TERMS OF THE SECURITY THAT SUPPORTS OUR CURRENCY THAN, FOR EXAMPLE SOME OF THE RICHEST COUNTRIES AND LARGEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.
"I THINK THEY’RE A SIGN OF HONG KONG’S CONTINUING STRENGTH AND INDICATION OF HOW DETERMINED WE ARE TO GO ON HANDLING OUR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS PRUDENTLY AND SENSIBLY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
"IT CONFIRMS FOR EVERYONE THAT HONG KONG IS A VERY STRONG, STABLE ECONOMY, AND WILL BECOME STRONGER AND EVEN MORE STABLE WITH SPLENDID ENTREPRENEURS LIKE THOSE I’VE MET TODAY AND WITH GOOD AND SENSIBLE MANAGEMENT OF OUR ECONOMY.
/EARLIER, ACCOMPANIED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
- 31 -
EARLIER, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, THE GOVERNOR HAD A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE AIRPORT AND PORT DEVELOPMENTS.
MR PATTEN VISITED KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT THIS MORNING AND TOURED THE HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINALS LIMITED AND HONG KONG AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED.
HE ALSO FLEW BY HELICOPTER TO CHEK LAP KOK TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF WORK ON THE RECLAMATION OF THE NEW AIRPORT SITE.
MR PATTEN CONCLUDED HIS PROGRAMME WITH A VISIT TO THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LIMITED AT KWAI CHUNG.
------0----------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING *
IN KWUN TONG TO BE CLOSED * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN KWUN TONG SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IS SITUATED AT THE REAR YARD OF 41 HANG ON STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 26 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
---------0-----------
/32 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1992
32
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +40
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,028
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 *+0.1* 15.7.1992
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 1.82 PCT 24 MONTHS
1 MONTH 1.95 PCT 21 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.26 PCT 24 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.75 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.63 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 102.84 4.09
2402 5.50 101.82 4.35
2405 5.50 101.72 4.56
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 15 JULY 1992
- 8,378 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
SCA'S SPEECH IN FIRST PART OF MOTION DEBATE ON ELECTORAL REVIEW ........ 1
SCA'S SPEECH IN SECOND PART OF MOTION DEBATE ON ELECTORAL REVIEW .... 2
SEM ON EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5 ............................... 4
S FOR S ON SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ............................. 7
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT ..................... 8
GOVERNOR STRESSES NEED FOR THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATORS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG..................................... 10
GOVERNOR KEEN TO HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH OMELCO ............. 11
FS WELCOMES PROPOSED SCHEME FOR BCCHK DEPOSITORS ........................ 11
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR MARCH - MAY 1992 ........ 12
NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ....................................... 13
REVISION OF CERTIFICATION FEES .......................................... 13
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MOVES TO WU CHUNG HOUSE ............................ 15
VIDEO ON FILM CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS .................................. 16
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON MOVE .......................... 16
DRUG TALKS FOR PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS ....................................... 17
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR WAN CHAI RESIDENTS ...................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 18
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
SCA'S SPEECH IN FIRST PART OF MOTION DEBATE ON ELECTORAL REVIEW *****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, IN THE FIRST PART OF THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE SELECT COMMITTEE'S REPORT ON ELECTORAL REVIEW, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
I, TOO, WOULD WISH MR VICENT CHENG A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. WITHOUT IRONY, NOR PUNT INTENDED, I ALSO WISH HIM MANY HAPPY RETURNS. I CAN SYMPATHISE WITH HIM FOR I, TOO, HAVE JUST SPENT MY 20TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY IN THIS CHAMBER. BEFORE I COME TO MY SPEECH, I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER ONE POINT RAISED BY MR WONG WAI-YIN AS TO HIS LUCK LETTER TO ME. I HAVE TO CONFIRM THAT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT AND INDEED HAD I RECEIVED IT I WOULD HAVE FOUND THE QUESTION DIFFICULT TO ANSWER AS IT IS SO MUCH HYPOTHETICAL IN NATURE.
WHEN I INFORMED THIS COUNCIL LAST NOVEMBER THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD COMMENCED A REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS IN THE LIGHT OF OUR EXPERIENCE OF THE 1991 ELECTIONS, I SAID THAT WE LOOKED FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SELECT COMMITTEE WITH A VIEW TO SEEKING THE BEST ANSWERS THAT WOULD MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY. IN THE EVENT, WE HAVE HAD A SERIES OF USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE EXCHANGES WITH THE SELECT COMMITTEE DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS. ALTHOUGH WE PRESENTED 15 PAPERS TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON VARIOUS ISSUES INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION, SYSTEM OF VOTING, DEMARCATION OF CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES, VOTER REGISTRATION, AND SO ON, THE ADMINISTRATION'S PRESENTATIONS TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE WERE TO SERVE TWO PURPOSES : FIRST, TO SHARE WITH THE SELECT COMMITTEE THAT THE SELECT COMMITTEE WOULD BENEFIT OF OUR RESEARCH INTO THE WHOLE RANGE OF ELECTORAL ISSUES UNDER REVIEW AND, SECONDLY, TO STIMULATE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THESE ISSUES. IN THIS LATTER AIM, THE SELECT COMMITTEE'S OPEN SESSIONS PROVIDED A USEFUL FORUM. JUDGING FROM THE INTENSE INTEREST ON THE SUBJECTS WHICH BOTH THE MEDIA AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAVE SHOWN OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THESE TWO PURPOSES HAVE BOTH BEEN SUCCESSFULLY MET.
SO, ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL MEMBERS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE FOR THE TIME AND EFFORT THEY HAVE DEVOTED TO THIS IMPORTANT AND WORTHWHILE TASK. IT IS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT THAT THE SELECT COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE A COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE MANY ISSUES INVOLVED WITHIN SUCH A SHORT SPACE OF TIME, AND TO COME UP WITH A WHOLE RANGE OF DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS.
/I AM .........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
2
I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT THERE IS A WIDE MEASURE OF CONSENSUS ON A LARGE NUMBER OF THE SUBJECTS COVERED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE’S REPORT. I HAVE HOWEVER ALSO NOTED THE DIVERGENCE OF VIEWS ON THE SYSTEM OF VOTING FOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES, AS REFLECTED BY MEMBERS' SPEECHES IN TODAY'S DEBATE. CLEARLY, WE WILL NEED TO STUDY ALL THESE WITH GREAT CARE, TOGETHER WITH ANY FUTURE PUBLIC COMMENTS WHICH WE MAY RECEIVE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. OUR GOAL, SURELY, IS TO IDENTIFY THE MOST EQUITABLE AND PRACTICABLE ARRANGEMENTS THAT WOULD BEST SERVE THE LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, THE ISSUES BEFORE US ARE MANY AND COMPLEX. BEFORE COMING TO ANY CONCLUSIONS THE ADMINISTRATION WILL WANT TO CONSIDER AND WEIGH UP ALL THE ARGUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT FORTH BY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AS WELL AS BY OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS. FOR THIS REASON, AND BECAUSE THE REPORT IS ONE FROM THE SELECT COMMITTEE TO THIS COUNCIL, THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT BELIEVE IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS TO VOTE ON EITHER MR ARCULLI'S MOTION, OR THE AMENDMENT MOTION PROPOSED BY MR MCGREGOR. THEY WILL THEREFORE NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE VOTING. THANK YOU.
---------0 _ _ _ _
SCA'S SPEECH IN SECOND PART OF
MOTION DEBATE ON ELECTORAL REVIEW
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, IN THE SECOND PART OF THE MOTION DEBATE ON SELECT COMMITTEE'S REPORT ON ELECTORAL REVIEW, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
MR FUNG'S AMENDMENT ASSERTS THAT THE EXISTING VOTING SYSTEM FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS IS UNFAIR AND POSSIBLY VIOLATES THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE. THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT ACCEPT THESE ASSERTIONS. OUR PRESENT SYSTEM OF ELECTION, BOTH FOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, HAVE FULLY MET THE RELEVANT REQUIREMENTS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE. THE QUESTION OF UNFAIRNESS OR VIOLATION OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE THEREFORE DOES NOT ARISE.
/THE ADMINISTRATION .......
llll'RSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
THE ADMINISTRATION DOES, HOWEVER, RECOGNISE THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM WHICH COULD BE IMPROVED. MISS EMILY LAU HAS REFERRED SPECIFICALLY TO A POSSIBLE DOUBLE OR MULTIPLE VOTES CONTROLLED BY THE SAME INDIVIDUAL. RULES PREVENT THIS COULD INDEED BE FURTHER IMPROVED. OTHER EXAMPLES INCLUDE THE ELECTORAL FRANCHISE OF SOME OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THE ELIGIBILITY OF VOTING, AND THE QI ALIFICAT 1 ON OF AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES. BUT IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE WITHOUT HAVING TO RADICALLY OVERHAUL THE SYSTEM. THESE ISSUES HAVE ALT BEEN LOOKED INTO BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE WHICH HAS MADE A NUMBER OF USEFUL RECOMMENDATIONS IN ITS REPOR'l . WE WILL STUDY WITH GREAT CARE THEBE RECOMMENDATIONS, AS WELL AS THE VIEWS PUT FORTH BY MEMBERS THIS AFTERNOON, WHEN WE PUT TOGETHER THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1995. OUR AIM WOULD BE TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM AND TO PROVIDE FOR GREATER PARTICIPATION OF THE PUBLIC.
MR FUNG HAS ALSO SUGGESTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT BODY TO LOOK INTO ASPECTS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND THE RATIONALE FOR THIS SUGGESTION AT THIS POINT IN TIME, GIVEN THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DELECT COMMITTEE HAS JUST PRODUCED A REPORT WHICH, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, ADDRESSES EXACTLY THESE VERY SAME ISSUES.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, AS EXPLAINED IN MY SPEECH IN THE EARLY HOURS OF TODAY, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NEED TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE SELECT COMMITTEE'S REPORT, AS WELL AS THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC. FOR THIS REASON, THE THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS WILL ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON EITHER MR ARCULLI'S MOTION OR THE AMENDMENT MOTION PROPOSED BY MR FUNG. THANK YOU.
/4 .........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
SEM ON EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5 AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY):
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
MAY I FIRST, ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, THANK THE EDUCATION COMMISSION FOR ITS FIFTH REPORT. AS EX-OFFICIO VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, I CAN PERSONALLY ATTEST TO THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OF ITS MEMBERS AND TO THE DEPTH OF THOUGHT AND INTENSITY OF DEBATE THAT HAVE GONE INTO THE PREPARATION OF ECR5. I AM SURE ALSO THAT MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COMMISSION WILL WISH ME TO SAY HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE TO OUR CHAIRMAN, MRS RITA FAN, FOR GUIDING US SO SKILFULLY THROUGH THE MAZE OF INTER-LOCKING ISSUES TO ARRIVE AT A STRATEGIC VIEW OF THE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED BY AND FOR OUR TEACHING FORCE.
UNIVERSAL EDUCATION HAS BROUGHT INTO THE CLASSROOM PUPILS FROM MORE DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, WITH A WIDER RANGE OF SCHOLASTIC ABILITY AND MOTIVATION. THIS HAS MADE TEACHING MORE DIFFICULT THAN EVER. THE COMMISSION’S PREVIOUS REPORT, ECR4, ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM. NEW INITIATIVES WERE RECOMMENDED TO IMPROVE THE CURRICULUM, ENHANCE COUNSELLING, SET ATTAINMENT TARGETS AND RATIONALIZE THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION. THESE HAVE BECOME POLICY AND ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED. BUT THE BACKBONE OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, THE LINCHPIN TO MAKE ALL THESE IMPROVEMENTS WORK, CONTINUES TO BE THE TEACHER. FACED WITH INCREASINGLY COMPLEX TASKS, HE OR SHE REQUIRES CONSTANT UPGRADING OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, AS WELL AS SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION NOT ONLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO FROM PRINCIPALS, PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
PARADOXICALLY, OUR VERY ECONOMIC SUCCESS HAS TENDED TO MAKE TEACHING LESS ATTRACTIVE AS A CAREER AT A TIME WHEN THE DEMANDS PLACED ON OUR TEACHERS, BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY, ARE AT THEIR GREATEST. EXPANDING AVAILABILITY OF DEGREE PLACES AND GOOD PROSPECTS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY HAVE GIVEN YOUNG SCHOOLLEAVERS AN INCREASING ARRAY OF CHOICES AND MADE A TEACHING CAREER LOOK RELATIVELY LESS ATTRACTIVE. A WAY MUST BE FOUND TO MAKE A TEACHING CAREER MORE WORTHWHILE, FOR WE NEED TEACHERS WITH THE RIGHT QUALITIES AND ATTITUDES TO WHOM WE CAN ENTRUST THE EDUCATION OF OUR NEXT GENERATION.
THIS IS WHAT ECR5 HAS SOUGHT TO DO. IT PROPOSES A PACKAGE TO IMPROVE THE PREPARATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS AND TO REMOVE DISINCENTIVES TO PROMISING YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN TEACHING.
/THE PACKAGE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 5 -
THIS PACKAGE HAS BEEN RECOGNISED AND ACCLAIMED AS A COMPREHENSIVE, FORWARD-LOOKING AND REALISTIC PACKAGE TO DEAL WITH THE PRESENT AND FUTURE DEMANDS ON THE TEACHING PROFESSION. OF COURSE, THERE ARE AND WILL BE, OTHER VIEWS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES, SOME OFFERING ALTERNATIVES AND OTHERS ACTUALLY DISAGREEING WITH WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED. THIS IS ONLY TO BE EXPECTED, SINCE ECR5 DEALS WITH A HIGHLY COMPLEX SUBJECT AND ITS MANY RECOMMENDATIONS AFFECT DIFFERENT PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY.
ECR5 IS NOW UNDERGOING A PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER. I URGE THE PUBLIC, AND THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR, TO STUDY THE REPORT CAREFULLY OVER THE SUMMER AND TO LET US HAVE THEIR VIEWS.
THE COMMISSION AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WELCOME VIEWS FROM ALL SOURCES AND WILL LISTEN TO THEM CAREFULLY. WHEN THE PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION IS OVER, THE COMMISSION WILL TAKE STOCK OF THE PUBLIC RESPONSE AND CONSIDER WHETHER ITS RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. I SHALL THEN, AS SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, FORMULATE POLICY PROPOSALS FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, TAKING FULLY INTO ACCOUNT THE PUBLIC’S VIEWS AND THE FURTHER THOUGHTS, IF ANY, OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION. THIS ELABORATE PROCESS IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS ARE FULLY REFLECTED AND GIVEN WEIGHT IN THE EXAMINATION OF POLICY OPTIONS.
SINCE PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON ECR5 ARE IN PROGRESS, I DO NOT PROPOSE TO COMMENT TODAY ON SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT OR PUBLIC VIEWS ON THEM. INSTEAD, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE FOUR GENERAL POINTS.
FIRST, UNLIKE PREVIOUS REPORTS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, ECR5 DEALS WITH A SINGLE SUBJECT - TEACHERS. THIS REFLECTS BOTH THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROPOSED REFORMS. SO FAR, PUBLIC ATTENTION SEEMS TO HAVE FOCUSSED ON THE COST OF IMPLEMENTING THESE PROPOSALS. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT A SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IS NEEDED, IT WOULD BE QUITE WRONG TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THE PRESENT INADEQUACIES CAN BE RESOLVED SIMPLY BY INJECTING MORE CASH INTO THE SYSTEM. THE CHANGES WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN OUR CLASSROOMS REQUIRE TACKLING WITH IMAGINATION, PATIENCE AND DEDICATION. MONEY WILL NOT BE EVERYTHING. I HOPE AND TRUST THAT THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY WILL TREAT BUT ECR5 NOT PASSIVELY AS JUST A CATALOGUE OF OVERDUE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT POSITIVELY BOTH AS AN INVITATION TO BETTER AND MORE CLEARLY DEFINED OPPORTUNITIES AND AS A CHALLENGE TO HIGHER LEVELS OF ENDEAVOUR.
SECONDLY, I KNOW THERE IS A VIEW THAT ALL THE ECR5 RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AS A PACKAGE. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE ANXIETY TO MAKE PROGRESS. I ALSO ACCEPT THAT MANY OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE REPORT ARE INTER-DEPENDENT. BUT THERE ARE OBVIOUS LIMITS TO HOW FAR ONE CAN GO WITH AN ’’ALL OR NOTHING" APPROACH. IF THE COROLLARY TO NOT BEING ABLE TO PROCEED WITH ALL ECR5 PROPOSALS IS TO MAKE NO PROGRESS AT ALL AND COMMON SENSE WOULD SUGGEST THAT THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE POSITION TO TAKE. SOME DEGREE OF PRIORITY SETTING WILL PROBABLY BE NECESSARY. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WELCOME VIEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY ON WHAT THE PRIORITIES SHOULD BE.
/THIRDLY, THERE ........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 6 -
THIRDLY, THERE IS A FURTHER FACET TO PRIORITY SETTING, NAMELY THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE AND URGENCY OF ECR5 RECOMMENDATIONS VIS-A-VIS OTHER DESIRABLE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. THERE IS A VIEW STRONGLY HELD IN SOME QUARTERS AS ELOQUENTLY EXPRESSED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET A SPECIFIC TIMETABLE FOR CONVERTING ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL CLASSES TO WHOLE-DAY OPERATION. I HAVE ALREADY EXPLAINED THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING IN SOME DETAIL, IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION IN THIS COUNCIL ON 24 JUNE. OUR POLICY IS TO ENCOURAGE PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO RUN WHOLE-DAY CLASSES WHEREVER THE ENROLMENT SITUATION IN THE LOCALITY ALLOWS. THIS ENCOURAGEMENT IS GIVEN IN THE FORM OF ADDITIONAL AND MORE SENIOR TEACHING POSTS AND AN ENHANCED CLASS GRANT. RESOURCE CONSIDERATIONS APART, THIS POLICY WILL ENABLE ALL CONCERNED TO GAIN MORE EXPERIENCE OF THIS MODE OF OPERATION. IT WILL ALSO AVOID A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR GOOD QUALITY TEACHERS WHICH, AS ECR5 DEMONSTRATES, THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS NOT WELL-PLACED TO MEET. THIS IS WHY WE HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO ADOPT A DEFINITIVE TIMETABLE FOR WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING AT THIS STAGE. NEVERTHELESS, GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC DEBATE WHICH HAS SURROUNDED THE QUESTION OF WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING, I WISH TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I WOULD WELCOME VIEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY ON THE PRIORITY WHICH SHOULD BE ACCORDED TO SETTING A TIMETABLE FOR FULL CONVERSION TO WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING, IN RELATION TO THE FUNDAMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED FOR TEACHERS IN ECR5.
FINALLY, AND I APOLOGISE FOR KEEPING MEMBERS WAITING, I COME TO THE QUESTION OF FUNDING. TO A LARGE EXTENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BRIEFING ON 8 JULY ON SPENDING PRIORITIES HAS ALREADY PROVIDED THE ANSWER. THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE TO ARISE FROM ECR5 IN 1993-94 HAS ALREADY BEEN NOTED AS A SPENDING ASPIRATION. WHETHER THIS ASPIRATION CAN BE TRANSLATED INTO REALITY DEPENDS ON SEVERAL THINGS. FIRST, IT DEPENDS ON THE OUTCOME OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON ECR5 AND WHAT POLICIES ARE FINALLY ADOPTED. SECONDLY, IT DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF NEW MONEY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE AT ITS DISPOSAL AND THE PROPORTION OF SUCH NEW MONEY WHICH CAN BE COMMITTED TO FUND THOSE POLICIES. THIRDLY, IN CASE THE AMOUNT OF NEW MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME IS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET WHAT IS NEEDED FOR ECR5, IT WILL DEPEND ON WHAT SCOPE - AND WHAT SUPPORT - I SHALL HAVE TO REDEPLOY EXISTING RESOURCES FROM WITHIN MY PROGRAMME AREA. THUS, FUNDING FOR ECR5, IN THE SAME WAY AS FUNDING FOR OTHER SPENDING ASPIRATIONS, WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF DIALOGUE AND CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY ON THE MOST APPROPRIATE MEANS OF MEETING THE GREATEST PERCEIVED NEEDS IN A SITUATION OF LIMITED RESOURCES. I TRUST MEMBERS WILL UNDERSTAND, THEREFORE, IF I CANNOT SAY TODAY WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO FUND THE WHOLE OF ECR5. BUT I WILL SAY THIS: AS SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, I SHALL DO MY LEVEL BEST TO TRY AND SECURE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IF THEY PROVE TO BE WIDELY SUPPORTED BY THE COMMUNITY. I AM GLAD AND ENCOURAGED TO LEARN TODAY THAT I SHALL HAVE MEMBERS’ STRONG SUPPORT IN THIS EFFORT.
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT, THE GOVERNMENT IDENTIFIES WITH THE GOOD WORK THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS DONE IN ITS FIFTH REPORT AND SUPPORTS THE SPIRIT OF THE MOTION.
/7n........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 7 -
S FOR S ON SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS * * * * * *
MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
I HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO THE POINTS MADE BY MEMBERS THIS EVENING. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO OUTLINE THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT.
IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL COMMUNITIES THAT OFFENDERS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ESCAPE JUSTICE SIMPLY BY CROSSING BORDERS. IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD RETAIN AFTER 1997 EFFECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES FOR THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS. SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WILL HELP TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S STANDING AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE IN WHICH THE RULE OF LAW PREVAILS AND IN WHICH IT IS SAFE TO LIVE AND TO WORK.
HONG KONG’S EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SURRENDER OF OFFENDERS ARE BASED ON BILATERAL TREATIES WITH MORE THAN 40 FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHICH THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS APPLIED TO HONG KONG, AND ON A NETWORK OF ARRANGEMENTS WITH COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES UNDER UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN EXTENDED TO HONG KONG.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS CANNOT CONTINUE IN THEIR PRESENT FORM BEYOND 1997. THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE THEREFORE AGREED IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED BY BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WHICH WILL CONTINUE IN EFFECT BEYOND 1997. BOTH SIDES HAVE ALSO AGREED A MODEL AGREEMENT, ON THE BASIS OF WHICH HONG KONG SHOULD NEGOTIATE AND CONCLUDE AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.
WE INTEND INITIALLY TO CONCENTRATE ON AGREEMENTS WITH THOSE COUNTRIES WITH WHICH WE CURRENTLY HAVE AGREEMENTS THROUGH THE UNITED KINGDOM; WITH WHICH THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND REGULAR COMMERCIAL AND IMMIGRATION LINKS; AND WHICH HAVE LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEMS COMPATIBLE WITH THOSE IN HONG KONG. WE HAVE SO FAR INITIALLED AGREEMENTS WITH FOUR COUNTRIES: THE NETHERLANDS, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND MALAYSIA. WE ARE CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND WE HOPE TO OPEN DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES SHORTLY. I BELIEVE WE HAVE MADE VERY GOOD PROGRESS.
WE WILL NEED TO ENACT LOCAL LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THESE AGREEMENTS. I HOPE TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION INTO THIS COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR. THIS LEGISLATION WILL INCLUDE THE SAFEGUARDS WHICH MR TO HAS MENTIONED WHICH ARE NORMALLY FOUND IN EXTRADITION AGREEMENTS GOVERNING THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS. THESE INCLUDE:
(1) THE DOUBLE CRIMINALITY RULE, THAT IS THE ACT IN RESPECT OF WHICH A FUGITIVE’S RETURN IS REQUESTED MUST CONSTITUTE A CRIME IN BOTH JURISDICTIONS AT THE TIME IT WAS COMMITTED;
(2) THE PRIMA FACIE RULE, THAT IS THERE IS A PRIMA FACIE CASE AGAINST A PERSON WHOSE RETURN IS REQUESTED;
/(3) THE SPECIALITY ........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 8
(3) THE SPECIALITY RULE, THAT IS A RETURNED FUGITIVE WILL NOT BE TRIED FOR ANY OFFENCES OTHER THAN THAT FOR WHICH HE WAS SURRENDERED; AND
(4) THAT RETURN MAY BE REFUSED IF THE OFFENCE IN QUESTION IS A POLITICAL OFFENCE.
WE INTEND ALSO NEED TO CONSIDER IN DUE COURSE WHETHER WE SHOULD SEEK TO NEGOTIATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE PRC BEFORE 1997, AND BETWEEN THE FUTURE SAR AND THE PRC AFTER 1997. IT WILL NOT BE EASY TO CONCLUDE ANY SUCH ARRANGEMENTS, GIVEN THE MANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OUR RESPECTIVE LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEMS. SOME OF WHICH OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE MENTIONED. WE WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO CONSIDER THE MATTER AFTER WE HAVE CONCLUDED AND BROUGHT INTO OPERATION BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES, AND AFTER WE HAVE ENACTED DOMESTIC LEGISLATION. THANK YOU, MR DEPUTY PRESIDENT.
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LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT * * * * ♦
A MOTION PROPOSED BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW ON THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5 WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT ITS TWO-DAY MEETING WHICH ENDED TODAY (THURSDAY).
A TOTAL OF 19 MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE WHICH WAS WINDED UP BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. MR JOHN CHAN.
EARLIER, AN AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR TO A MOTION ON A REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WAS PASSED AFTER A FIVE-HOUR DEBATE. THIRTY-NINE MEMBERS DEBATED THE MOTION.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION RAISED BY THE HON RONALD ARCULLI WAS DEFEATED.
IN ADDITION, AN AMENDMENT MOVED BY THE HON FREDERICK FUNG TO THE MOTION WAS DEFEATED. A TOTAL OF 19 MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE AMENDMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THERE WAS ALSO AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE RAISED BY THE HON JAMES TO ON EXTRADITION AND REMOVAL OF CRIMINALS. FIVE MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE AND THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
AT YESTERDAY'S MEETING, 10 BILLS WERE PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
/OF THEM.........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
9
OF THEM, SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1991-92) BILL 1992, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND MARINE FISH (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WERE PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS.
BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, SECURITIES (CLEARING HOUSES) BILL, RABIES BILL, LINGNAN COLLEGE BILL, CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, SOCIETIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
A MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, ON THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (NOISE AT WORK) REGULATION WAS ALSO PASSED.
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/10 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 10 -
GOVERNOR STRESSES NEED FOR THE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE * * * ♦
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATORS PEOPLE OF HONG KONG * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD MEMBERS OF OMELCO AT A DINNER THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING THAT HE SAW NO REASON WHY THE INCREASED DEMOCRATISATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD PUT AN END TO THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION THAT HAD DISTINGUISHED POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG IN THE PAST.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER, HE SAID.
THE BEST WAY OF GUARANTEEING THE SURVIVAL OF HONG KONG’S INSTITUTIONS WAS THROUGH THEIR VIGOUR, RESPONSIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS.
THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT HE TOOK THE IMPORTANCE BOTH OF STRONG EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT AND ITS ACCOUNTABILITY VERY SERIOUSLY.
IN PARTICULAR, HE WOULD BE LOOKING AT WAYS OF MAKING HIMSELF PROPERLY, ACCOUNTABLE, DISCUSSING THOSE IDEAS WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND PUTTING SOME PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN THEY RETURNED TO WORK IN THE AUTUMN.
MR PATTEN RE-AFFIRMED THAT HE WANTED TO ESTABLISH A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRC.
MR PATTEN SAID THAT ON THE CORE POLITICAL QUESTIONS HE WANTED TO PROCEED AS RAPIDLY AS PRACTICABLE.
HE WOULD BE CONSULTING WIDELY IN HONG KONG OVER THE SUMMER, PUTTING ADVICE TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE EARLY AUTUMN, AND SETTING OUT HIS BROAD INTENTIONS IN HIS SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER.
THE GOVERNOR CONCLUDED: "I HAVE BEEN IN HONG KONG NOW FOR EXACTLY A WEEK. 1 AM TODAY EVEN MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE WEIGHT OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT I CARRY, BUT ALSO MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR THE RESILIENT AND RESOURCEFUL PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WITH WHOM I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING."
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THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
11
GOVERNOR KEEN TO HAVE CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH OMELCO ******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TONIGHT (THURSDAY) THAT HE WAS VERY KEEN TO HAVE A CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING A DINNER GIVEN BY MEMBERS OF THE TWO COUNCILS, MR PATTEN SAID HE WOULD BE DISCUSSING WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WAYS IN WHICH HE COULD BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
’’AND I'LL BE PUTTING PROPOSALS TO LEGCO IN THE AUTUMN WHEN THEY COME BACK TO WORK,” HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ON THE MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE, MR PATTEN SAID: "I’M SURE THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL WORK VERY CONSTRUCTIVELY OVER THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE ARISEN.
"IT’S IN ALL OUR INTEREST AND THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG, IN THE INTEREST OF SOUTHERN CHINA TO HAVE AN EARLY RESOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS.
’’WE’LL HAVE A GREAT AIRPORT; WE’LL HAVE A LOT MORE LAND RECLAMATION; WE’LL HAVE ALL THE OTHER PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIRPORT IN DUE COURSE. OF THAT, I’M ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT.”
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FS WELCOMES PROPOSED SCHEME FOR BCCHK DEPOSITORS ******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (THURSDAY) WELCOMED THE PROPOSED SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT ANNOUNCED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WHEREBY SMALL DEPOSITORS OF BCCHK MAY RECEIVE PAYMENT IN FULL IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS’ TIME.
"THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS FOR SMALL DEPOSITORS. IT MUST BE EXTREMELY RARE IN ANY BANK LIQUIDATION FOR SMALL DEPOSITORS TO BE REPAID IN FULL AND SO QUICKLY,” HE SAID.
”1 AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED THAT BOTH THE SMALL AND LARGE CREDITORS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE PROPOSED SCHEME.
’’FULL PAYMENT TO SMALL CREDITORS WILL PROBABLY NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE LARGE CREDITORS, AS THE SMALL CREDITORS’ CLAIMS REPRESENT LESS THAN 3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF RECORDED CLAIMS. AND THE LARGE CREDITORS WILL BENEFIT BECAUSE THE PROPOSED SCHEME WILL SPEED UP THE SETTLEMENT OF THEIR CLAIMS AND REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS,” HE SAID.
”1 VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE PROPOSED SCHEME WILL SUCCEED, AND BE AGREED BY THE LARGE CREDITORS,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
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/12 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 12 -
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR MARCH - MAY 1992
******
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD MARCH TO MAY THIS YEAR WAS 2.6 PER CENT, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.3 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD APRIL TO JUNE THIS YEAR WAS 2.3 PER CENT, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.2 PER CENT.
LATEST FIGURES INDICATED THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAD STARTED TO EDGE DOWN IN RECENT MONTHS, WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED GENERALLY STABLE.
DURING THE PERIOD MARCH TO MAY THIS YEAR, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRSTTIME JOB-SEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 71,700, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 63,400.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUAL GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR MARCH TO MAY THIS YEAR COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,700 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
RELEVANT DATA WAS OBTAINED BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE THIS YEAR WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND SEPTEMBER 21 AT $15.5 A COPY.
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/13 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 13 -
NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE ATTENDANCE OF SOME HONG KONG RESIDENTS AT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SUBMIT INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES IN CHINA, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT DURING THEIR MEETING WITH THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR JOHN YEUNG HIN-CHUNG, ON TUESDAY (JULY 14), THE REPRESENTATIVES SUGGESTED THAT THEY SHOULD SUBMIT FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES IN CHINA AND PRACTICAL PROBLEMS THEY ENCOUNTERED IN APPLYING FOR ONE-WAY PERMITS.
THEY HAD COME TO DO SO TODAY.
’’ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS OR OPINIONS ABOUT IMMIGRATION MATTERS CAN WRITE TO US ANY TIME. THEY MAY CHOOSE TO DO SO INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY. THERE IS NO SPECIFIED FORMAT AND THEY MAY SEND IN THEIR LETTERS BY POST OR IN PERSON,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’SUCH LETTERS DO NOT CONSTITUTE APPLICATIONS AND NO FEE IS REQUIRED,” THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
"WE WILL STUDY THE INFORMATION AND DECIDE WHETHER AND HOW IT SHOULD BE REFLECTED TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES BUT WE MUST EMPHASISE THAT THE SUBMISSION OF SUCH LETTERS DOES NOT ACCORD THE WRITERS ANY SPECIAL STATUS OR TREATMENT,” HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE IN IMMIGRATION POLICY.
THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
NATIONALS OF CHINA WHO WISH TO COME FROM CHINA TO HONG KONG FOR SETTLEMENT MUST APPLY TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR ONE-WAY PERMITS.
------0--------
REVISION OF CERTIFICATION FEES * ♦ » » »
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THE REVISION OF FEES RELATING TO THE ORIGIN CERTIFICATION OF EXPORTS.
THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (FEES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATION 1992 WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE REVISION WILL COVER APPLICATION FEES FOR CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN, GENERALISED PREFERENCE CERTIFICATES AND THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION OF FACTORIES FOR THE CERTIFICATION SERVICE.
/THE NEW .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
14
THE NEW SCALE OF FEES AND THEIR EFFECTIVE DATES ARE:
FEES
IMPLEMENTATION
TYPE OF APPLICATION CURRENT NEW DATE
($) ($)
(A) CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN, OTHER THAN GENERALISED PREFERENCE CERTIFICATE 55 100 JANUARY 1, 1993
(B) GENERALISED PREFERENCE CERTIFICATES 75 135 JANUARY 1, 1993
(C) FACTORY REGISTRATION 500 1,500 AUGUST 1, 1992
(ANNUAL FEE)
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE INCREASE WAS NECESSARY FOR MAINTAINING AN EFFECTIVE SYSTEM TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG’S CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN.
’’SINCE 1990, WHEN CERTIFICATION FEES WERE LAST REVISED, CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES HAVE BEEN DEVOTED TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF CONSIGNMENT CHECKS SO AS TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEGRITY OF THE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM.”
’’THE GOOD NAME OF OUR SYSTEM MUST BE PROTECTED TO ALLAY ANY CONCERN OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS OVER THE TRUE ORIGIN OF GOODS.”
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED:
”WE APPRECIATE THAT FEE INCREASES, HOWEVER JUSTIFIED, ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE WELCOME BY THOSE AFFECTED.
”TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE THE NEW FEES OVER A LONGER PERIOD, AND NOT TO RECOVER FULL COSTS IN SOME ITEMS IN 1992.
’’THE TEXTILE ADVISORY BOARD AND THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND SUPPORT THE REVISION,” HE ADDED.
A COSTING REVIEW HAS SHOWN THAT THE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN RUN AT CONSIDERABLE DEFICIT.
THE FEES, EVEN AFTER THE REVISION, WILL STILL FALL SHORT OF FULLY RECOVERING THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE.
THE FIVE GOVERNMENT APPROVED CERTIFICATION ORGANISATIONS WILL INCREASE FEES CORRESPONDINGLY FOR CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN AND GENERALISED PERFERENCE CERTIFICATES THEY ISSUE, DETAILS OF WHICH WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THEM SEPARATELY.
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/15........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
15
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MOVES TO WU CHUNG HOUSE
******
THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES IN WU CHUNG HOUSE, WAN CHAI, FROM ITS PRESENT OFFICES IN LEE GARDENS THIS SATURDAY (JULY 18).
THE DEPARTMENT WILL OCCUPY PREMISES FROM THE NINTH TO THE 16TH FLOORS OF THE NEW BUILDING IN 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WHICH IS NEXT TO HOPEWELL CENTRE.
"WHEN WE FIRST MOVED FROM THE FRENCH MISSION BUILDING IN BATTERY PATH TO LEE GARDENS IN SEPTEMBER 1967, WE ONLY TOOK UP THE THIRD FLOOR AND PART OF THE FOURTH FLOOR AND OTHER OFFICE SPACE IN NEARBY BUILDINGS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
HE SAID TODAY THE DEPARTMENT HAD EXPANDED TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO RENT NEARLY THE ENTIRE EASTERN BLOCK - FROM THE SECOND TO THE FIFTH FLOORS - OF LEE GARDENS.
THE EXPANSION DEMONSTRATED GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS COMMITMENT, IN TERMS OF FINANCE AND MANPOWER, TO EDUCATION FOR THE CHILDREN OF HONG KONG.
THE MOVE TO WU CHUNG HOUSE WILL BE COMPLETED ON SUNDAY (JULY
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD CALL THE NEW ENQUIRY NUMBER -892 6123 - DURING THE REMOVAL PERIOD FROM JULY 18 TO 26.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION, WHICH WILL BE ON THE 16TH FLOOR OF WU CHUNG HOUSE, WILL BE FULLY OPERATIONAL NEXT MONDAY (JULY 20). THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE OFFICERS ARE:
CIO MR ANDREW YUEN 892 6190
PIO MR PETER OLAES 892 6191
EO (IPR) MRS M.H. LIU 892 6192
SIO (NEWS)l MR HANNY LEE 892 6193
AEO (NEWS)l MISS S.S. LAU 892 6194
AEO (NEWS)2 MR K.L. LIU 892 6196
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/16 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 16 -
VIDEO ON FILM CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS
******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE PRODUCTION OF A 20-MINUTE VIDEO ON FILM CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS BY THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THE VIDEO WAS INTENDED FOR INTERNAL USE TO ILLUSTRATE THE EXISTING STANDARDS GOVERNING THE THREE-TIER FILM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.
AS REGARDS THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PROGRAMMES OF THE FUTURE PAY-TV SERVICE, IT WAS BEING DRAFTED AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SOME TIME YET, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON MOVE
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND A NUMBER OF ITS SERVICE UNITS WILL OPERATE FROM THEIR NEW OFFICES IN WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI FROM NEXT MONDAY (JULY 20).
THE OFFICES, INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SECTION (CLEIC SECTION), THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SECTION (TAVA SECTION) AND THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE (CCCAI), WILL OCCUPY THE SEVENTH, EIGHTH AND PART OF THE NINTH FLOOR AREAS OF THE BUILDING.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES WILL BE 834 7447.
ENQUIRIES NUMBER FOR CLEIC SECTION, TAVA SECTION AND CCCAI WILL BE 838 6079, 834 7472 AND 836 3114 RESPECTIVELY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 892 5323, 892 5325 OR 892 5326, EFFECTIVE FROM NEXT MONDAY (JULY 20).
THE FAX NUMBER OF THE UNIT WILL BE 838 0114.
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/17........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
17 -
DRUG TALKS FOR PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS ******
TWO SEMINARS TO INTRODUCE A PROGRAMME ON DRUG EDUCATION FOR PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE TERRITORY WERE HELD TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL BE LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER, TALKS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS AT ABOUT 1,050 SCHOOLS WITHIN A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.
THE TALKS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY STAFF OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, WHO HAVE GIVEN DRUG EDUCATION TALKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS SINCE 1984.
’’THE EXTENSION OF THE TALKS TO PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS IS A CRUCIAL MEASURE TO TACKLE THE RISING TREND OF THE ABUSE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AMONG YOUNGSTERS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION SAID.
LASTING ABOUT 45 MINUTES, EACH TALK WILL MAINLY INCLUDE FOUR PARTS.
"FIRSTLY, THE SPEAKER WILL ASK DRUG-RELATED QUESTIONS TO AROUSE THE INTEREST AND ATTENTION OF THE STUDENTS.
"SECONDLY, A 10-MINUTE MULTI-IMAGE SLIDE FOCUSING ON DECISION-MAKING, REFUSAL AND STRESSES/WORRIES HANDLING SKILLS, AND METHODS OF ESTABLISHING A HEALTHY, POSITIVE AND FRUITFUL LIFE WILL BE SHOWN," HE SAID.
"THIRDLY, A NUMBER OF ROLE-PLAYS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR STUDENTS TO ENRICH THEIR KNOWLEDGE GAINED FROM THE SHOW.
"LASTLY, THERE WILL BE CONCLUSION AND QUESTION TIME," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL WORK SECTOR WAS SET UP IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR TO LOOK INTO THE FORMAT AND CONTENT OF THE PROGRAMME ENDORSED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROGRAMME WOULD BE CLOSELY MONITORED FOR ITS EFFECTIVENESS.
"IN THE INITIAL SIX-WEEK PERIOD, ONLY TWO TALKS A WEEK WILL BE ARRANGED TO FACILITATE EVALUATION WITH STUDENTS, PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TO ASSESS THE CONTENT AND USEFULNESS OF THE TALKS," HE SAID.
TODAY’S SEMINARS WERE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE IN WAN CHAI, DURING WHICH THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE WERE DISCUSSED.
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/18 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
- 18
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR WAN CHAI RESIDENTS *****
MEMBERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS IN WAN CHAI AND STAFF IN THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT FIELD ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A TWO-HOUR SEMINAR ON SATURDAY (JULY 18).
A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MANAGER, MR JOHNNIE CHAN, WILL SPEAK ON HOW TO SELECT AND SUPERVISE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES.
AN ACCOUNTANT, MR FAN SAI-YEE, AND A SOLICITOR, MR WONG TAI-LUI, WILL DISCUSS ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND TENANCY LAW RESPECTIVELY.
OWNERS’ PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE TOUCHED ON BY ANOTHER SPEAKER, ESTATE MANAGER MR FAN CHEUK-HUNG.
ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,028
REVERSAL OF LAF -40
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TW1 109.7 *-0.1* 16.7.92
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1992
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 1.93 PCT 16 MONTHS
1 MONTH 1.98 PCT 19 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.25 PCT 22 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.71 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.54 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 102.89 4.05
2402 5.50 101.86 4.32
2405 5.50 101.77 4.53
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 16 JULY 1992
- 6,337 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PLEDGES STAUNCH SUPPORT FOR POLICE ........................... 1
EXCELLENT PROGRESS ON AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME: CS ...................... 2
GUIDELINES ON SECURITIES PROSPECTUS ................................... 6
GUIDELINES HELP SAFEGUARD INTERESTS OF INVESTORS ...................... 7
MARCH 1992 EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED ... 8
ADVISERS SOUGHT ON DISPOSAL OF GOVT INTERESTS IN OTB.................. 13
AMENDED LAW ON INSURANCE COMPANIES TAKES EFFECT....................... 13
REGISTRATION OF 2 DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REVOKED.................... 14
GARDEN FOR TOURISTS TO PLANT TREES ................................... 14
RISING DEMAND FOR PEOPLE OF HIGH CALIBRE ............................. 16
BUS PARADE TO URGE ACTION AGAINST CAR THEFT........................... 17
REVIEW ARTICLE ON FERTILITY TREND .................................... 17
TENDERS RECEIVED FOR NEW BUS FRANCHISE ............................... 18
BOARD PAYS TRIBUTE TO POLICE.......................................... 18
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED........................... 19
PIER PROJECT ON SOUTH LANTAU AUTHORISED .............................. 19
IMPROVEMENTS TO PRIVATE STREETS IN MONG KOK PROPOSED.................. 20
LAND ON SHUM WAN ROAD FOR SALE........................................ 21
28 PLAYGROUNDS TO HAVE NEW EQUIPMENT.................................. 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 22
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
GOVERNOR PLEDGES STAUNCH SUPPORT FOR POLICE * * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE POLICE WERE DOING AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT JOB AT THE BORDER.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE MANY PEOPLE HAD SYMPATHY FOR THOSE WHOSE FAMILIES WERE SPLIT, THERE WAS NO SYMPATHY FOR THOSE WHO TRY TO JUMP THE QUEUE.
"IT IS UNFAIR AND PUTS CONSIDERABLE PRESSURES ON OUR COMMUNITY.
"SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE A FAIR AND TOUGH LINE AGAINST THOSE WHO SEEK TO ENTER OUR COMMUNITY ILLEGALLY. THERE WILL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES BE ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.”
MR PATTEN MADE THE REMARKS AFTER SPENDING THE WHOLE DAY VISITING THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE TO SEE FOR HIMSELF HOW THEY GO ABOUT THEIR DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS WORK.
IN HIS INAUGURATION SPEECH, THE GOVERNOR PLEDGED HIS STAUNCH • SUPPORT FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, AND PLEDGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WORK ROUND-THE-CLOCK TO BEAT CRIME IN THE TERRITORY.
THE GOVERNOR’S EARLY VISIT TO THE POLICE FORCE DEMONSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE HE ATTACHES TO THEIR WORK, TO THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER AND TO FIGHTING CRIME.
THE GOVERNOR’S DAY BEGAN WITH A BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, THE GOVERNOR THEN VISITED THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG ISLAND COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE. HE WENT ON TO VISIT WANCHAI POLICE STATION, WHERE HE INSPECTED STATION FACILITIES AND MET POLICE OFFICERS.
THE GOVERNOR THEN VISITED THE POLICE TACTICAL UNIT HEADQUARTERS IN FANLING, WHERE HE HAD LUNCH WITH OFFICERS AND SAW A DEMONSTRATION OF VARIOUS TACTICS.
AFTER LUNCH, THE GOVERNOR TRAVELLED BY HELICOPTER TO THE BORDER, WHERE HE WAS SHOWN THE WORK OF THE FIELD PATROL DETACHMENT, IN PARTICULAR THEIR ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ACTIVITIES.
HE TRAVELLED ALONG THE BORDER AREA IN A POLICE VEHICLE, AND VISITED BORDER HEADQUARTERS AT LO WU.
FINALLY MR PATTEN VISITED THE MARINE POLICE NORTH DIVISION AT THEIR MEI SHA BASE, WHERE HE SAW A RANGE OF POLICE VESSELS, AND BOATS SEIZED FROM SMUGGLERS.
/WINDING UP .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
2
WINDING UP HIS DAY’S VISIT, THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG COULD NOT BE COMPLACENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, DESPITE RECENT SUCCESSES.
"WE HAVE TO GO ON FIGHTING CRIME INCREASINGLY VIGOROUSLY. WE HAVE TO GIVE THE COMMISSIONER AND ALL HIS OFFICERS EVERY SUPPORT THAT WE CAN SO THAT THEY CAN BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL, AND SO THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL RECOGNISE JUST HOW WELL WE’VE INSURED THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG."
------0 - -
EXCELLENT PROGRESS ON AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME: CS
******
EXCELLENT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON THE PUBLIC WORKS SIDE OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACPI AND ALL NINE MAJOR GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED SO FAR, TOTALLING NEARLY $15 BILLION, ARE WITHIN COST ESTIMATES.
"HONG KONG’S AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME IS ON SCHEDULE, WITHIN BUDGET, AND IT IS COST EFFECTIVE," THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A BRIEFING ON THE ACP ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE BRIEFING, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID SUBSTANTIAL RETURNS WERE EXPECTED FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S INVESTMENTS IN THE ACP — SUCH AS IN THE NEW AIRPORT, THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
HE ANNOUNCED THAT THESE INVESTMENTS WERE FORECAST TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO THE GOVERNMENT TOTALLING SOME $300 BILLION BY 2020.
ON THE ECONOMIC DISBENEFIT OF NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE AIRPORT, MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT INDEPENDENT EXPERTS ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT HAD ESTIMATED IN 1988 THAT EVEN BY 2010 SUCH DISBENEFIT TO THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE WOULD AMOUNT TO $130 BILLION IN 1990 PRICES.
UPDATING OF THIS DISBENEFIT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION GAVE A FIGURE OF AT LEAST $420 BILLION OVER THE PERIOD 1997-2010, IN MONEY OF THE DAY TERMS, HE SAID.
ANOTHER SPEAKER, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION MR WILLIAM PURVES DESCRIBED THE NEW AIRPORT AS A PHYSICAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONTINUED PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG INTO THE 21ST CENTURY - A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT WHOSE DIVIDENDS WOULD BE PAID IN THE DECADES TO COME.
OTHER SPEAKERS AT THE BRIEFING, WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 600 LEADING LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSMEN, WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, MR HAMISH MATHERS, AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA), MR RICHARD ALLEN.
/SIR DAVID .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
3
SIR DAVID SAID THE NINE GOVERNMENT DIRECTLY FUNDED CONTRACTS AWARDED SO FAR, TOTALLING NEARLY $15 BILLION, INCLUDED THE TSING MA SUSPENSION BRIDGE CONTRACT, AWARDED AT JUST OVER $7 BILLION, THE TAI HO SECTION OF THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY AND VARIOUS CONTRACTS FOR LAND RECLAMATION AND OTHER WORKS SUCH AS THE WEST KOWLOON REPLACEMENT TYPHOON SHELTER.
IN ADDITION, TENDER PRICES FOR TWO MORE LARGE CONTRACTS - THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE/MA WAN VIADUCTS AND ANOTHER PHASE OF THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY - INDICATED THAT THESE CONTRACTS WOULD ALSO BE AWARDED WITHIN BUDGET.
TAKEN TOGETHER, THE NINE MAJOR CONTRACTS AWARDED AND THE TWO PENDING AMOUNTED TO OVER 30 PER CENT BY VALUE OF THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT WORKS EXPENDITURE ON THE ACP.
"ON TOP OF THIS THE PAA’S MAJOR SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT, WHICH WILL ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF THE AIRPORT’S TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS, IS ALSO EXPECTED TO BE LET WITHIN THE BUDGET FIGURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
COMMENTING THAT THOSE ATTENDING REPRESENTED A WIDE SPECTRUM OF BUSINESS AND OTHER INTERESTS FROM COUNTRIES RANGING GEOGRAPHICALLY FROM JAPAN AND CHINA TO EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, HE SAID THEIR INTEREST DEMONSTRATED THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY’S EXTENSIVE INVOLVEMENT IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
MUCH HAD ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED SO FAR, AND BY ANY INTERNATIONAL MEASURE PRIDE COULD BE TAKEN IN THE SHEER AMOUNT OF PROGRESS.
BESIDES CONTRACTS GOING AHEAD WELL WITHIN BUDGET, THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACP REMAINED AT THE ORIGINAL 1991 ESTIMATE OF $59.3 BILLION, INCLUDING $42.7 BILLION IN PUBLIC WORKS.
HE SAID THE PEAK CONSTRUCTION PERIOD FOR THE AIRPORT, IN 1994-95, WOULD INVOLVE ABOUT 100 CONTRACTS AND OVER 10,000 SITE PERSONNEL.
OUTLINING PROGRESS MADE SO FAR, SIR DAVID SAID THE ACP WAS NOT JUST ABOUT BUILDING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT FOR KAI TAK, THOUGH THAT WAS THE CORE.
IT WAS ABOUT CREATING A NEW MODERN TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WITH A NEW AIRPORT, NEWLY RECLAIMED LAND, NEW HIGHWAYS, A RAILWAY AND A NEW TOWN - FOR ALL OF WHICH THERE WAS A PRESSING NEED.
SIR DAVID ALSO DESCRIBED AS "PLAIN WRONG" COMMENT THAT BRITISH COMPANIES HAD BEEN FAVOURED IN THE AWARD OF CONTRACTS.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS PROUD OF ITS RECORD FOR OPERATING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD ON ITS TENDER EVALUATIONS. IT ALWAYS MAINTAINS STRINGENT AND SCRUPULOUSLY FAIR ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES, AND THE STANDARDS ARE BEING RIGOROUSLY MAINTAINED ON ACP WORKS AND CONSULTANCY CONTRACTS. NO FAVOURITISM IS SHOWN TO ANY COUNTRY," HE SAID.
/ONLY TWO .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
4
ONLY TWO CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS OUT OF 15 HAD GONE SO FAR TO UK COMPANIES, AND WHILE BRITISH FIRMS HAD BEEN AWARDED MORE CONSULTANCY WORK, MANY OF THEM WERE FIRMS WHICH HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS.
SIR DAVID SAID BUILDING THE ACP PROJECTS AS COST EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE MUST BE THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF ALL CONCERNED, IN LINE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) SIGNED BY THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BRITAIN AND CHINA LAST YEAR.
HE ALSO SAID CHINA WAS INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE WORKS CONTRACTS AND THIS PARTICIPATION WAS WELCOME, AS WERE CHINA’S OTHER INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG.
"THAT DEMONSTRATES THE PRC’S COMMERCIAL INTEREST IN THE ACP, ECHOING THE POLITICAL COMMITMENT MADE WHEN THE PRIME MINISTERS SIGNED THE MOU."
TALKS WERE NOW BEING HELD WITH CHINA ON THE WAY AHEAD, WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE MOU, ON THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, HE SAID.
THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE HAD MET YESTERDAY AND THERE WOULD BE MORE TALKS.
"WE NEED TO MOVE TO A SITUATION WITH CHINA WHERE THE ACP CAN GO AHEAD, UNHAMPERED BY DOUBTS AND UNCERTAINTY. UNCERTAINTY IS NOT GOOD FOR ANY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE - OR ANY COMMUNITY.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THEREFORE THAT WE REMOVE THE UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING THE ACP BY REACHING FULL AGREEMENTS ON ALL THE OUTSTANDING ACP ISSUES - AGREEMENTS WHICH ARE WORKABLE AND WHICH WILL LAST THROUGH THE LIFETIME OF THE PROJECTS. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE AHEAD STEADILY, AND ON A FINANCIALLY PRUDENT BASIS," SIR DAVID SAID.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR YEUNG EMPHASISED THE SUBSTANTIAL RETURN THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO RECEIVE, IN THE MEDIUM AND LONG TERM, FROM ITS INVESTMENT IN THE ACP.
THE RETURN WOULD INCLUDE DIVIDENDS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S INJECTIONS OF EQUITY INTO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AS WELL AS RECEIPTS OF LAND PREMIUM, PROFITS TAX AND RATES.
"WE ESTIMATE THAT, BY THE YEAR 2020, THE NEW AIRPORT, THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WILL HAVE GENERATED FOR THE GOVERNMENT ADDITIONAL INCOME TOTALLING SOME $300 BILLION.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, IF WE TAKE OUR INVESTMENT IN THOSE ELEMENTS OF THE ACP DIRECTLY REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE NEW AIRPORT, THE INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN TO THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE CLOSE TO 12 PER CENT BY 2020 AND CLOSE TO 15 PER CENT BY 2040.
"THESE RATES OF RETURN ARE CONSERVATIVE, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MAJOR BUT AS YET UNQUANTIFIABLE SOURCES OF REVENUE, SUCH AS LAND PREMIUM FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUNG CHUNG OR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KAI TAK AREA. SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT THE ACP IS BY ANY STANDARDS, A SOUND INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
/NOTING THAT .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
5
NOTING THAT THE PACIFIC RIM WAS AN AREA OF DYNAMIC GROWTH IN MANY AREAS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, MR YEUNG SAID HONG KONG HAD SHARED IN THAT GROWTH BY BEING COMPETITIVE, AND IT MUST REMAIN SO.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER GROWTH CLEARLY EXISTED, AND THE ACP WAS ESSENTIAL IN THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO EXPLOIT THESE OPPORTUNITIES, FROM WHICH THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WOULD BENEFIT.
"BY STIMULATING ECONOMIC GROWTH, THE NEW AIRPORT AND OTHER ACP PROJECTS WILL ALSO BOOST EMPLOYMENT AND INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS AVAILABLE FOR OTHER SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO CONCERNS THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S INVESTMENT IN THE ACP SHOULD NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES, AND THAT COSTS AND INFLATION SHOULD BE CONTROLLED, MR YEUNG SAID ACP SPENDING HAD TO BE KEPT IN PERSPECTIVE.
SPENDING OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WOULD AMOUNT TO ONLY ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AND IT HAD TO BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE ACP WAS AN INTEGRATED SOLUTION TO MANY OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROBLEMS, AND A LARGE PORTION OF THE SPENDING WOULD HAVE TO BE INCURRED IN ANY EVENT.
ON COST CONTROL, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DEVISED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORTING SYSTEM WHICH COULD IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS EARLY ON, AND ENABLE PROMPT REMEDIAL ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
IN PARALLEL WITH THIS, A CASH LIMITING COST CONTROL SYSTEM PROVIDED PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING COSTS ON ALL ACP PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT.
STRESSING THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO INCREASE IN THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED ELEMENTS OF THE ACP SINCE FIGURES WERE ANNOUNCED IN JULY LAST YEAR, MR YEUNG SAID THERE WAS MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPT OF MONEY OF THE DAY.
"MONEY OF THE DAY FIGURES DO NOT, OF COURSE, REPRESENT ANY INCREASE IN THE REAL COST OF PROJECTS. THEY SIMPLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PROJECTED INFLATION OVER THE COURSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD," HE SAID.
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE ALERT TO INFLATION’S POSSIBLE EFFECT, THE PRESENT MOMENTUM ON THE ACP HAD TO BE MAINTAINED.
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/6 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
6
GUIDELINES ON SECURITIES PROSPECTUS
*****
A CIRCULAR ISSUED BY THE COMPANIES REGISTRY TODAY (FRIDAY) CONTAINS A STATEMENT OF GUIDELINES SETTING OUT, IN GENERAL TERMS, THE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES WILL INTERPRET AND APPLY CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO PROSPECTUSES SOUGHT TO BE REGISTERED UNDER PART XII OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE FOR SHARES OR DEBENTURES IN COMPANIES, INCLUDING CHINA COMPANIES, INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID THE GUIDELINES INCLUDED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A WORKING GROUP COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG (SEHK) AND THE COMPANIES REGISTRY, WHICH HE HAD CHAIRED.
HE BELIEVED THE RECOMMENDATIONS FAIRLY REFLECTED THE VIEWS OF THOSE BODIES.
HE RECALLED THAT UNDER THE HONG KONG COMPANIES ORDINANCE, WHICH CONTAINED PROVISIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS, IT WAS UNLAWFUL TO OFFER SHARES FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC EXCEPT BY WAY OF A PROSPECTUS REGISTERED IN THE COMPANIES REGISTRY AND THAT A PROSPECTUS COULD NOT BE SO REGISTERED UNLESS IT CONTAINED CERTAIN INFORMATION AND STATED THE MATTERS AND SET OUT THE REPORTS, INCLUDING AN AUDITOR’S REPORT ON THE PROFITS AND LOSSES AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE COMPANY, SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE AND ITS THIRD SCHEDULE.
THE WORKING GROUP’S RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED MAINLY TO THE FACT THAT SOME COUNTRIES HAD ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING PRACTICES AND STANDARDS WHICH WERE DIFFERENT TO THOSE OF HONG KONG AND THOSE THAT WERE ACCEPTED INTERNATIONALLY.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS DEALT THEREFORE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF THE AUDITORS MAKING THE REPORT REQUIRED UNDER THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE, THE FORM IN WHICH THE ACCOUNTS SHOULD BE STATED, WHAT THE ACCOUNTS SHOULD CONTAIN, THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE ACCOUNTS, THE OPINIONS TO BE EXPRESSED IN THE AUDITOR’S REPORT AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE ACCOUNTS CONTAINED IN THE AUDITOR’S REPORT.
THE GUIDELINES INCLUDED THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS AND DEALT ALSO WITH THE FACT THAT IN SOME CASES THERE WERE OTHER SPECIAL FACTORS, INCLUDING EXCHANGE CONTROL, TAX LAWS, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC RISKS, WHICH SHOULD BE MENTIONED IN PROSPECTUSES SO THAT POTENTIAL INVESTORS IN HONG KONG COULD MAKE A PROPERLY INFORMED INVESTMENT DECISION.
MR GLEESON EXPLAINED THAT THE GUIDELINES COULD BE REGARDED AS NO MORE THAN WHAT THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE, THAT IS GUIDELINES WHICH WOULD HELP THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES SO THAT, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, A CONSISTENT APPROACH TO THE REGISTRATION OF PROSPECTUSES OF COMPANIES INCORPORTAED OUTSIDE HONG KONG COULD BE DEVELOPED BUT WITHOUT FETTERING THE EXERCISE OF HIS STATUTORY DISCRETION IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.
/THE GUIDELINES ......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
7 -
THE GUIDELINES WOULD BE OF HELP ALSO TO BUSINESSMEN AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS WHEN PREPARING AND SEEKING REGISTRATION OF SUCH PROSPECTUSES.
MR GLEESON STRESSED THAT ACCEPTANCE OF A PROSPECTUS FOR REGISTRATION BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES SIGNIFIED ONLY THAT THE DOCUMENT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE FOR REGISTRATION AND DID NOT MEAN THAT THE REGISTRAR HAD FORMED ANY VIEW AS TO THE QUALITY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THE PROSPECTUS OR THAT THE PROSPECTUS HAD SATISFIED ANY OTHER RULES OR REGULATIONS SUCH AS THE SEHK LISTING RULES.
HE SAID ALSO THAT THE GUIDELINES WOULD NEED TO BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME.
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GUIDELINES HELP SAFEGUARD INTERESTS OF INVESTORS *****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, WELCOMED THE ISSUE BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES TODAY (FRIDAY) OF A CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM CONTAINING GUIDELINES REGARDING THE INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN PROSPECTUSES IN RESPECT OF SHARES AND DEBENTURES OF COMPANIES INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
"I SEE THIS AS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL IN ASSISTING THOSE WISHING TO MAKE AVAILABLE SHARES OF COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA TO THE PUBLIC IN HONG KONG. THIS WILL HELP ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS OF INVESTORS HERE ARE ADEQUATELY SAFEGUARDED," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE GUIDELINES ARE PART OF A REPORT PREPARED BY A WORKING GROUP INVITED BY MR NENDICK TO LOOK INTO MATTERS CONCERNING THE VETTING OF PROSPECTUSES FOR ISSUES OF B SHARES BY PRC COMPANIES.
THE WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD AND THE COMPANIES REGISTRY.
IT HAD CONDUCTED FOUR MEETINGS OVER THE PAST FOUR MONTHS BEFORE COMING UP WITH THE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS.
MR NENDICK CONGRATULATED THE MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE OUTCOME OF THEIR DELIBERATIONS AND THANKED THEM FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK.
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/8 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
- 8 -
MARCH 1992 EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED ******
THERE WAS CONTINUED GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR IN MARCH THIS YEAR OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
MEANWHILE, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES DECLINED MARKEDLY.
THE FALL IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT MAINLY REFLECTED THE CONTINUED STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY, IN CONNECTION WITH THE RELOCATION OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES TO CHINA.
OVERALL, EMPLOYMENT IN ALL THE MAJOR SECTORS SURVEYED TAKEN TOGETHER SHOWED A SLIGHT DECREASE IN MARCH 1992 COMPARED WITH MARCH LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS INCREASED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER.
IN MARCH 1992, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN ALL SECTORS COMBINED WAS REMARKABLY LARGER THAN IN DECEMBER 1991, THOUGH STILL LOWER THAN IN MARCH 1991 .
IN MARCH 1992, EARNINGS IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS CONTINUED TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN MONEY TERMS OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
AFTER ADJUSTING FOR INFLATION, THERE WAS STILL AN INCREASE IN REAL TERMS FOR AVERAGE EARNINGS IN SOME OF THE SECTORS.
ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THERE WERE 605,200 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN MARCH 1992, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 13.1% FROM MARCH 1991.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 863,200 IN MARCH 1992, WAS 1.2% HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1991.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 303,400, WAS UP BY 9.7%.
EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT 62,100, WAS 7.2% LOWER Than in march 1991.
THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR MARCH 1992 IN SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISONS WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1991 AND DECEMBER 1991, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
/PERSONS ENGAGED .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
9 -
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 91 DEC 91 MAR 92 MAR 92 OVER MAR 91 MAR 92 OVER DEC 91
MANUFACTURING 696,800 629,200 605,200 -13.1 00 co 1
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 66,900 59,300 62,100 - 7.2 + 4.7
WHOLESALE, 852,700 871,900 863,200 + 1.2 -1.0
RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 276,700 295,900 303,400 + 9.7 +2.6
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* THE SURVEY EXCLUDED HAWKERS AND PERSONS WORKING AT RETAIL PITCHES BUT INCLUDED THOSE WORKING IN MARKET STALLS.
THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN MARCH 1992 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE TWO SURVEYS ALSO PROVIDE VACANCY STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS.
/THE VACANCY .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
10
THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1991 AND DECEMBER 1991 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES
PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 91 DEC 91 MAR 92 MAR 92 OVER MAR 91 MAR 92 OVER DEC 91
MANUFACTURING 31,760 22,980 25,060 -21.1 + 9.1
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 1,150 560 770 -33.4 + 37.1
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 33,240 30,230 35,340 + 6.3 + 16.9
+ 25.2
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 9,150 8,180 10,240 + 11.9
COMPARING MARCH 1992 WITH MARCH 1991, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN SOME MAJOR SECTORS DECLINED.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES, AT AROUND 92,140, DECREASED BY 4.6% IN MARCH 1992 OVER MARCH 1991.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DECLINE WAS RECORDED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, BY 33.4%, FOLLOWED BY DECLINE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR BY 21.1%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE WHOLESALE, ’ETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR NCREASED BY 11.9% AND 6.3% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE VACANCY SITUATION IN MARCH 1992 WITH THAT IN l-'CEMBER 1991, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON COULD BE ■-FECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES INCREASED IN ALL •HlESE SECTORS.
/THE MOST .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
11
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE WAS RECORDED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, BY 37.1%, FOLLOWED BY THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, BY 25.2%; THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, BY 16.9%; AND THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, BY 9.1%.
THE MARCH
SELECTED MAJOR
ALLOWING FOR THE
1992 NOMINAL INDICES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED BY SECTOR AND THE CORRESPONDING REAL INDICES (AFTER EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES) ARE GIVEN BELOW :
NOMINAL INDEX OF
PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED
(MARCH 1991 = 100) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 91 MAR 9 2 MAR 92 OVER MAR 91
MANUFACTURING 100.0 111.0 + 11.0
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 100.0 115.7 + 15.7
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 100.0 108.5 + 8.5
REAL PAYROLL PER (MARCH INDEX OF PERSON ENGAGED 1991 =100) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 91 MAR 92 MAR 92 OVER MAR 91
MANUFACTURING 100.0 101.4 + 1.4
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 100.0 105.7 + 5.7
FINANCING, 100.0 99.1 -0.9
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES *
/*WITHIN THIS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
- 12
* WITHIN THIS SECTOR, REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MAJOR GROUPS "REAL ESTATE" AND "STOCK, COMMODITY AND BULLION BROKERS, EXCHANGES AND SERVICES" ROSE BY 15.5% AND 3.9% RESPECTIVELY.
BETWEEN MARCH 1991 AND MARCH 1992, AVERAGE EARNINGS IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS, AS MEASURED BY PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED, RECORDED FURTHER INCREASES IN MONEY TERMS. AN INCREASE OF 11.0% WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 15.7%. FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 8.5%.
AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES BETWEEN MARCH 1991 AND MARCH 1992, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN MARCH 1992, AS COMPARED WITH THAT IN MARCH 1991, INCREASED BY 1.4% FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND 5.7% FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR.
FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE REAL INDEX DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.9%, MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE DECLINE IN REAL EARNINGS IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES MAJOR GROUP.
WITHIN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THERE WERE CONTINUED INCREASES IN REAL EARNINGS IN THE BANKING, FINANCE AND STOCK, COMMODITY AND BULLION BROKERS, EXCHANGES AND SERVICES MAJOR GROUPS.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, MARCH 1992 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, MARCH 1992.
THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT HK$14 PER COPY AND HK$9 PER COPY RESPECTIVELY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AND AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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/13 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
ADVISERS SOUGHT ON DISPOSAL OF GOVT INTERESTS IN OTB * * * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO APPOINT FINANCIAL ADVISERS TO ADVISE ON THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF GOVERNMENT’S INTERESTS IN THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK LIMITED (OTB), INCLUDING AMONG OTHERS, THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING THE BANK UP FOR SALE.
"THE TIME IS CONSIDERED RIPE TO RETURN THE BANK TO PRIVATE OWNERSHIP AS IT HAS BEEN RESTORED TO HEALTH AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO PERFORM WITH RESULTS COMPARABLE TO OTHER BANKS OF ITS SIZE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"A MAJOR CONCERN IN THE EXERCISE WOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERESTS OF THE BANK’S STAFF ARE BEING ADEQUATELY TAKEN CARE OF.
"IT WILL BE BORNE FIRMLY IN MIND THAT THE BANK’S STAFF AND MANAGEMENT ARE AMONG ITS MOST VALUABLE ASSETS," HE ADDED.
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AMENDED LAW ON INSURANCE COMPANIES TAKES EFFECT ♦ * t * ♦
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992 (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE PROVISIONS RELATING TO SECTION 13(1)) AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1992 COME INTO OPERATION TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROVISIONS IN RELATION TO SECTION 13(1) OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992 ON STREAMLINING THE PROCEDURES FOR THE PRESCRIPTION OF FEES WILL BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT AT A LATER DATE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992 EXTENDS THE GROUNDS FOR THE EXERCISE OF THE POWERS BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY AND REMOVES THE LIMITED EXEMPTION GIVEN TO INSURERS AUTHORISED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AN INSURER IS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO DEPOSIT A COPY OF ITS HONG KONG BUSINESS RETURNS WITH THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE ABOVE AMENDMENTS WAS TO REFINE EXISTING PROVISIONS IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE IN THE LIGHT OF REGULATORY EXPERIENCE.
"WE CONSIDER THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE HONG KONG BUSINESS RETURNS IS REQUIRED PRIMARILY FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND IT IS THEREFORE UNNECESSARY FOR IT TO BE MADE PUBLIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THE ORDINANCE
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
14
"THE ORDINANCE ALSO EXTENDS THE GROUNDS FOR THE EXERCISE OF CERTAIN POWERS BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO ENABLE HIM TO TAKE TIMELY ACTION FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF THE POLICY HOLDERS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE DELETION OF THE LIMITED EXEMPTION GIVEN TO INSURERS AUTHORISED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE LIMITED EXEMPTION WAS IN PRACTICE REDUNDANT FOLLOWING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 8 OF THE ORDINANCE IN 1987.
SINCE THEN THE SAME AUTHORISATION CRITERIA HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO ALL APPLICANTS INCLUDING UNITED KINGDOM INSURERS.
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1992 PROVIDES FOR A POWER FOR THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO ASSUME CONTROL OF AN INSURER UNDER EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE SPOKESMAN INDICATED THAT THIS POWER WOULD ONLY BE EXERCISED AS A LAST RESORT, WHERE THE SOLVENCY OF AN INSURER WAS IN JEOPARDY.
THE COMMENCEMENT NOTICE WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
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REGISTRATION OF 2 DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF TWO COMPANIES AS DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES HAD BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THEIR OWN REQUESTS UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
THEY ARE AYUDHYA FINANCE LIMITED AND NZI SECURITIES ASIA LIMITED.
- - 0 - -
GARDEN FOR TOURISTS TO PLANT TREES ******
A "GREEN DRAGON GARDEN" WAS TODAY (FRIDAY) SET UP NEAR TAI MO SHAN COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE TO PROVIDE A SITE FOR TOURISTS WHO WISH TO PLANT A TREE TO COMMEMORATE THEIR VISIT TO HONG KONG.
IT WAS JOINTLY ARRANGED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE "GREEN TOURISM PROJECT" TO HEIGHTEN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS IN HONG KONG.
/SPEAKING AT
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
15
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE GARDEN, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRANCE LEE, SAID: "ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF ESTABLISHING COUNTRY PARKS IN THE TERRITORY IS TO PROMOTE TOURISM.
"MOST FOREIGNERS KNOW ABOUT HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS, BUT NOT MANY OF THEM ARE AWARE THAT IT IS ALSO ENDOWED WITH BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES WHICH ARE BOTH ATTRACTIVE AND PLEASANT TO VISITORS.
"TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THIS IMPORTANT NATURAL ASSET, 21 COUNTRY PARKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THEY COVER 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LAND AREA IN HONG KONG."
DR LEE SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED THAT THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND HIS DEPARTMENT HAD JOINED HANDS TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S IMAGE TO OVERSEAS VISITORS AS A CITY THAT CARED FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE.
"I WISH TO EXTEND MY INVITATION TO INTERESTED VISITING GROUPS TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS MAKING HONG KONG GREENER BY PLANTING TREES IN OUR COUNTRYSIDE, AND TO COMMEMORATE THEIR STAY HERE IN A MORE MEANINGFUL WAY," HE SAID.
IN HIS REMARKS AT THE CEREMONY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, MR EUGENE SULLIVAN, SAID THERE WERE TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES IN ESTABLISHING THE "GREEN DRAGON GARDEN".
"FIRST, WE ARE SHOWING THAT HONG KONG’S TOURISM INDUSTRY CARES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND IS TAKING POSITIVE STEPS TO ENHANCE IT.
"SECOND, WE WANT VISITORS TO FEEL THAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG WHILE HAVING THE FUN OF COMMEMORATING THEIR VISIT TO THE TERRITORY."
THE PROCEDURE FOR PLANTING A TREE IN THE GARDEN IS QUITE SIMPLE. ON PAYMENT OF HK$l,000 AND WITH 10 DAYS’ NOTICE, OVERSEAS VISITORS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SAPLING AND A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE IDENTIFYING THE NAME OF THE PLANTER FOR ERECTION ON THE SITE.
THE MONEY COLLECTED WILL BE USED TO HELP PROMOTE COUNTRY PARKS ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
AT THE CEREMONY, DR LEE AND MR SULLIVAN UNVEILED A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE TO LAUNCH THE PROJECT.
TOGETHER WITH
CHEUNG, THEY PLANTED
THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD’S CHAIRMAN, MR CARLOS THE FIRST TREES AT THE "GREEN DRAGON GARDEN".
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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
16
RISING DEMAND FOR PEOPLE OF HIGH CALIBRE
*****
HONG KONG NEEDS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE OF HIGH CALIBRE AS IT DEVELOPS RAPIDLY IN ALL AREAS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR ALFRED CHAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR HUMAN RESOURCES SHOULD MEET THIS NEED AND ONE WAY TO GO ABOUT THIS IS TO HELP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL FULLY," MR CHAN ADDED.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
"CAREERS ADVISORY WORK CAN MAKE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION IN THIS RESPECT," HE STRESSED.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ALWAYS PAYS ATTENTION TO THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN CAREERS ADVISORY WORK IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO '92 CO-ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR HAD ATTRACTED SOME 160,000 VISITORS, MR CHAN SAID ANOTHER EXPO WOULD BE STAGED NEXT FEBRUARY.
"FURTHERMORE, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED A 40-SEATER COACH TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, AND IT WILL BE PUT INTO SERVICE SHORTLY TO FACILITATE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TAKING PART IN VARIOUS CAREERS ADVISORY ACTIVITIES," MR CHAN ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG, TOLD CAREERS TEACHERS TO EQUIP THEMSELVES WITH GOOD AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILL IN ORDER TO HELP STUDENTS SOLVE THEIR STUDY AND CAREER PROBLEMS MORE EFFECTIVELY.
SHE SAID THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDENT GUIDANCE SERVICE IN SCHOOL WAS A "TREMENDOUS HARD JOB", WHICH REQUIRED ALL TEACHERS AND STAFF TO TAKE PART IN FORMULATING A MUTUAL TARGET AND A CLEARLY-DEFINED TEACHING DIRECTION.
"THIS HAS BEEN THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, WHICH RECOMMENDED SCHOOLS TO ADOPT A WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH," SHE SAID.
TO IMPLEMENT THIS CONCEPT SUCCESSFULLY, MRS YUNG CALLED ON PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TO SHARE THE DIFFERENT DUTIES AND CREATE A PLEASANT STUDY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE STUDENTS.
CAREERS TEACHERS ALSO HAD A PART TO PLAY IN THE WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH BY HELPING STUDENTS FOSTER CONFIDENCE AND A POSITIVE MORAL CONCEPT AND MAKE AN APPROPRIATE AND SENSIBLE CHOICE OF THEIR CAREERS.
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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
BUS PARADE TO URGE ACTION AGAINST CAR THEFT * * * *
A DECORATED BUS WILL TOUR THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO URGE RESIDENTS TO TAKE MEASURES TO PREVENT CAR THEFT.
THE TOUR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC), THE POLICE AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
MOVIE STARS MR LAU TSING-WAN AND MISS YEUNG LAI-TSING WILL BE ON BOARD THE BUS AND HELP DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS.
PRIOR TO THE TOUR, A LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM AT SHUNG KING STREET NEAR THE "WHAMPOA SHIP" IN WHAMPOA GARDEN.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE ACTING DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS DONNA WONG; DEPUTY POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR CHEUNG WAI-SHING; THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR WONG LUNG-TAK; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE, MR TAM WING-KAN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE BUS PARADE IN KOWLOON CITY TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT SHUNG KING STREET NEAR THE "WHAMPOA SHIP", WHAMPOA GARDEN.
- - 0 - -
REVIEW ARTICLE ON FERTILITY TREND * * * *
THE MAY ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE PRESENTING THE TREND OF FERTILITY OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES AND PROJECTING ITS FUTURE TREND IN THE NEXT
THIS ARTICLE SUMMARISES THE FERTILITY TREND FROM 1971 TO 1991 DURING WHICH A DRAMATIC DECLINE WAS NOTED. THE CURRENT FERTILITY LEVEL IN HONG KONG IS VERY LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
/ON THIS
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
18
ON THIS BASIS, FERTILITY IS PROJECTED FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS, WITH EXPECTATION OF A MILD REVERSAL OF THE FERTILITY DECLINE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS ON SALE AT $48 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG,
---0
TENDERS RECEIVED FOR NEW BUS FRANCHISE ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED TWO BIDS FOR A THREE-YEAR FRANCHISE TO OPERATE 26 BUS ROUTES ON HONG KONG ISLAND, INCLUDING TWO CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES.
TENDERS FOR THE NEW FRANCHISE CLOSED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TENDERS ARE FROM CITYBUS LTD AND STAGECOACH HOLDINGS PLC.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CAREFULLY ASSESS THE TENDERS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE QUALITY OF SERVICE OFFERED, THE FARES PROPOSED, THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY OF THE TENDERERS, AND THEIR EXPERIENCE IN OPERATING BUS SERVICES.
A DECISION ON THE AWARD OF THE FRANCHISE IS EXPECTED BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THIS WILL GIVE THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERER SUFFICIENT TIME TO LINE UP THE MANPOWER, BUSES AND SUPPORT FACILITIES NECESSARY FOR STARTING SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
- - 0 - -
BOARD PAYS TRIBUTE TO POLICE ******
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD PRAISED THE POLICE FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER IN THE TERRITORY.
IN A LETTER TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, THE BOARD’S CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, SAID AT THE BOARD MEETING ON JUNE 12, MEMBERS HAD RESOLVED TO WRITE TO THE POLICE TO EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION OF THE FORCE’S BRAVERY AND DETERMINATION IN COMBATTING CRIME.
"THE BOARD ALSO HIGHLY PRAISED THE RECENT PERFORMANCE BY THE FORCE IN FIGHTING CRIME," MR YIP SAID.
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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
- 19 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE TWO UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN MONG KOK SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE AT THE REAR PORTION OF THE ROOF OVER THE NINTH FLOOR, 122 FA YUEN STREET AND THE ROOF OVER THE 10TH FLOOR, 122-126 FA YUEN STREET RESPECTIVELY.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 18 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
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PIER PROJECT ON SOUTH LANTAU AUTHORISED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT A VILLAGE PIER WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,250 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IN TAI LONG WAN, SOUTH LANTAU TO PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO SHORE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
WORKS WILL START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY SUCH WORKS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JULY 16, 1993.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER).
THE DOCUMENTS CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG AND AT ITS MUI WO SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MUI WO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU.
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/20 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
- 20 -
IMPROVEMENTS TO PRIVATE ♦
STREETS IN MONG KOK PROPOSED ♦ * * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO GIVE KAM LAM STREET AND ITS NEARBY LANES IN MONG KOK A FACELIFT BY UNDERGOING A ROAD SURFACE RECONSTRUCTION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THESE STREETS WERE UNDER MULTIPLE SUBDIVIDED OWNERSHIP AND WERE NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND MANAGED, GIVING RISE TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ACCESS PROBLEMS.
"IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO RESUME THESE PRIVATE STREETS TO PROPER MAINTENANCE AND USE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAYS, FOOTWAYS, SCAVENGING LANES AND THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE RELATED DRAINAGE AND UNDERGROUND SERVICES.
THE REPAIR WORK IS PROGRAMMED TO START BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS 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;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, YAU MA TEI; AND
♦ MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 15, 1992, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
21
LAND ON SHUM WAN ROAD FOR SALE * * * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND ON SHUM WAN ROAD, HONG KONG.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,640 SQUARE METRES, THE LAND IS DESIGNATED FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME AND FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING HOTEL, CINEMA AND GODOWN) PURPOSES.
IT IS STIPULATED THAT THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS TO BE BUILT SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 1,040 NOR MORE THAN 1,160.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON SEPTEMBER 11.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE VARIOUS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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28 PLAYGROUNDS TO HAVE NEW EQUIPMENT * * * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT WITH SAFETY MATTING ON 28 PLAYGROUNDS IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START THIS OCTOBER AND TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON AUGUST 7.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, MAIN BLOCK, APB CENTRE, 9 SUNG PING STREET, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON.
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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1992
- 22 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.6 *-0.1» 17.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 1.87 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.08 3.89
1 MONTH 1.94 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.06 4.18
3 MONTHS 2.19 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.01 4.39
6 MONTHS 2.57 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.43 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6.832MN
CLOSED 17 JULY 1992
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE ............. 1
GUIDELINES ON SANCTION ORDER PUBLISHED ............................. 2
40 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SOLD ........................... 2
TENDERS CALLED FOR SCHOOL IN TIN SHUI WAI .......................... 3
CHANGES TO CENTRAL - MUI WO FERRY ROUTE ............................ 4
UNREPORTED OVERTIME WORK FOR WOMEN PROHIBITED ...................... 4
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD REMINDED ..................... 5
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP STARTS ............................................ 5
CARNIVAL TO LAUNCH SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN .. 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 7
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1992
- 1 -
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS DEVISED A SPECIAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN TO ENABLE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE SINGLE LANE ON THE TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC AT 6 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
TWO-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE PERMITTED TO USE THE SINGLE LANE ON THE BRIDGE BY THE USE OF TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROL WHEN IT IS OPENED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THIS WILL ENABLE TRAFFIC FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS ON THE BRIDGE TO MAKE USE OF THE ONLY AVAILABLE LANE WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE TSING YI NORTH BRIDGE.
THE SOUTH BRIDGE WAS DAMAGED AND CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EARLIER AFTER AN INCIDENT INVOLVING A BARGE RAMPING ONTO THE BRIDGE UNDER SEVERE WEATHER CONDITION.
THE BRIDGE WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE STRUCTURALLY SAFE BY . GOVERNMENT ENGINEERS.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT REPAIR WORKS TO THE DAMAGED SECTION AND THE SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT UNTIL SUCH WORKS IS COMPLETED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPTIMUM USE OF THE SINGLE LANE WILL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRAFFIC DEMAND ON TSING YI.
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OFFICERS WILL MONITOR THE SITUATION AND WHERE NECESSARY, WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TIMING.
AS SOME CONGESTION IS EXPECTED DURING THE SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT ON THE SOUTH BRIDGE, WHICH WILL AFFECT BUS SERVICE, THE HONG KONG FERRY COMPANY WILL MONITOR THE TRAFFIC SITUATION AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FERRY SAILINGS TO AND FROM TSING YI IF REQUIRED.
MOTORISTS ARE ALSO ADVISED TO AVOID USING THE AREA.
MEANWHILE, THE SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR SHUM TSENG AFFECTED BY LANDSLIP WILL ALSO BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC USING ONE-LANE TWO-WAY ARRANGEMENTS FROM 7 PM TONIGHT (SATURDAY).
IN ADDITION. LAM KAM ROAD NEAR PAK NGAU SHEK IS CLOSED OWING TO ROAD COLLAPSE. KMB ROUTE 64K WILL BE TEMPORARILY DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA FAN KAM ROAD AS FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) DURING THE ROAD CLOSURE PERIOD.
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/2 ........
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1992
- 2 -
GUIDELINES ON SANCTION ORDER PUBLISHED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) PUBLISHED A NOTICE GIVING GUIDELINES ON THE OPERATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM’S SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO (UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS) (DEPENDENT TERRITORIES) ORDER 1992 WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE, OBLIGATIONS ARISING UNDER SPECIFIC BONDS AND INDEMNITIES AND ASSETS OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO.
COPIES OF THE NOTICE HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, THE HONG KONG DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ASSOCIATION, THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD, THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LTD, THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY, THE HONG KONG CAPITAL MARKETS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG UNIT TRUSTS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF INSURERS, THE HONG KONG INSURANCE BROKERS ASSOCIATION, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
MEMBERS OF THESE ORGANISATIONS CAN OBTAIN COPIES FROM THEM.
COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER 2, 24TH FLOOR.
-----0------
40 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SOLD
******
FORTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $2,489,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE EXERCISE.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK FAI FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $600,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK FA3 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $345,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR EW167, EW8900 AND EX7387.
FOLLOWING ARE RESULTS OF THE AUCTION:
EW167 $ $ $ $
1,000 EX668 90,000 EW389 20,000 EW936 22,000
EX2113 WITHDRAWN ♦BB600 330,000 ♦ FA3 345,000 DN6318 10,000
EW8900 1,000 EW1800 18,000 EW8838 42,000 EW832 57,000
♦XX5858 7,000 EX273 10,000 BS5750 2,000 ♦ CM 5 63,000
EW6998 4,000 ♦ FAI 600,000 ♦EZ300 97,000 EX1629 5,000
EX730 5,000 EW813 22,000 AA1011 40,000 AX7458 WITHDRAWN
EU318 8,000 EX127 8,000 EW237 7,000 EX7387 1,000
♦AZ929 29,000 ♦ 1386 335.000 ♦ BC19 90,000 ♦FA737 45,000
EW6623 10,000 EW129 15,000 EX986 30,000 EX1632 2,000
EX384 3,000 EX8168 38,000 EW9887 64,000 EX6626 11,000
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1992
- 3 -
IMMEDIATELYEAFTER THEDBIDDINCLLL BE required to PAY by cheque
THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION
AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN
SINCE mav^qhq SALE* THE 177TH ORGANISED S14? fiqq\ ’ BR0L'GH’r TOTAL AMOUNT
<p i , oyy , IUD ,
BY THE TRANSPORT OF MONEY REALISED
DEPARTMENT
SO FAR TO
VrUTr.,rTHER WERE N0 BIBBER VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS APPLICANTS.
FOR EX2113 AND AX7458
WILL BE ASSIGNED TO
AND THESE TWO
THE ORIGINAL
--------0----------
TENDERS CALLED FOR SCHOOL IN TIN SHUI WAI
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TIN SHUI WAI, YUEN LONG.
TO BE BUILT ON A SITE OF ABOUT 5,670 SQUARE METRES IN AREA 11, THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE A MAIN TEACHING BLOCK, A BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, SEPARATE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND STAFF QUARTERS.
THE MAIN TEACHING BLOCK WILL COMPRISE 26 CLASSROOMS WITH A LIBRARY, A COMPUTER ROOM AND STAFF ROOMS ON THE UPPER FLOORS AND ADMINSTRATION OFFICES AND CHANGING ROOMS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THE BLOCK OF SPECIAL ROOMS WILL HOUSE FACILITIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.
ALSO, THERE WILL BE A BASKETBALL COURT, A COVERED PLAY AREA, A CAR PARK AND PLANTING AREAS.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START THIS SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED BY MARCH NEXT YEAR. X
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE ON AUGUST 7.
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/4 ........
SATURDAY. JULY 18. 1992
- 4
CHANGES TO CENTRAL - MUI WO FERRY ROUTE ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM MONDAY (JULY 20), THE FERRY SERVICE FROM CENTRAL TO MUI WO VIA PENG CHAU WOULD BE SPLITTED INTO TWO DIRECT FERRY SERVICES.
THEY ARE: CENTRAL TO MUI WO; AND CENTRAL TO PENG CHAU.
TIMETABLES OF THE NEW FERRY SERVICES HAVE BEEN PUT UP ON BOARD THE VESSEL AND AT THE PIERS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
TO TIE IN WITH THE SPLITTING OF THE FERRY SERVICE, NEW LANTAO BUS CO (1973) LTD WILL AMEND THE TIMETABLES OF ALL THE BUS ROUTES ON LANTAU ISLAND AT THE SAME TIME.
NEW TIMETABLES OF THE BUS SERVICES HAVE BEEN POSTED AT BUS TERMINUS FOR COMMUTERS’ INFORMATION.
------0--------
UNREPORTED OVERTIME WORK FOR WOMEN PROHIBITED ♦ » » * ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS NOT TO ENGAGE WOMEN IN WORK OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL, PERMITTED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT.
THE MUI’S KAMSING GARMENT LIMITED IN LEI MUK ROAD AND MELITTA HONG KONG LIMITED IN KWAI CHUNG WERE RECENTLY FINED $9,300 AND $8,000 RESPECTIVELY BY A TUEN MUN MAGISTRATE FOR ENGAGING WOMEN IN UNREPORTED OVERTIME WORK.
"IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS FOR AN EMPLOYER TO CHANGE THE PRESCRIBED WORKING HOURS OF WOMEN IN INDUSTRY OR TO ENGAGE THEM IN OVERTIME WORK, WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BEFOREHAND," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION), MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN, SAID.
"THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES THE EMPLOYER TO DISPLAY IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN THE FACTORY A PRESCRIBED NOTICE SETTING OUT THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT, INTERVALS FOR MEALS OR REST, AND REST DAY FOR WOMEN WORKERS," HE SAID.
"EMPLOYERS SHOULD STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE PERMISSIBLE HOURS OF WORK SET OUT IN THE PRESCRIBED NOTICE," HE ADDED.
ALSO, YOUNG PERSONS SHOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED TO WORK OVERTIME IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
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/5 ........
SATURDAY, JULY 18. 1992
5
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD REMINDED
♦ »«»**
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS TO PROPERLY MARK OR LABEL PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS AS STIPULATED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE TO THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE AFTER RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH FOUR FOOD RETAILERS PLEADED GUILTY TO SELLING IMPROPERLY LABELLED PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS AND WERE SUBSEQUENTLY FINED A TOTAL OF $8,200.
TWO OF THEM WERE FINED $1,200 AND $1,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR SELLING HIGH PROTEIN MILK FOOD WITHOUT PROPER MARKINGS. WHILE THE OTHER TWO WERE ORDERED TO PAY FINES OF $1,000 AND $5,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR PUTTING ON SALE IMPROPERLY LABELLED PRAWN CRACKERS. PRESERVED OLIVE, JAPANESE FISH CUBE, PRUNE AND PLUM.
THE FOOD ITEMS DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD, THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS, THE INDICATION OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PACKER OF THE FOOD, THE NUMERICAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OF THE FOOD, A STATEMENT OF SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR STORAGE AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE.
-----0-----
YOUTH MUSIC CAMP STARTS
*****
THE YOUTH MUSIC CAMP OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO LEARN FROM VIRTUOSOS AND TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES WITH FELLOW MUSIC LOVERS THROUGH AN INTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF MUSIC TRAINING AND APPRECIATION, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MUSIC CAMP AT THE TSO KUNG TAM OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, TSUEN WAN, MR SO SAID IT ALSO AIMED TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND CULTURES WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO CULTIVATE FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IN A CONGENIAL ATMOSPHERE.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MR BRIAN LAU, THANKED THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT FOR THE EVENT.
ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, THE ANNUAL EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 310 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS YOUNG MUSICIANS.
THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GROUPED INTO TWO CHINESE ORCHESTRAS, A STRING ORCHESTRA. A SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND A CHILDREN’S CHORUS.
/THE TWO-WEEK .......
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1992
6
THE TWO-WEEK PROGRAMME INCLUDES MASTER CLASSES, SEMINARS, SECTIONAL AND ORCHESTRAL REHEARSALS TO BE CONDUCTED BY RENOWNED MUSICIANS AS WELL AS LOCAL AND OVERSEAS GUEST CONDUCTORS.
A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED FOR CAMPERS.
MR SO WAS JOINED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PAUL LEUNG, AND MR LAU IN A TOUR AROUND THE CAMP SITE AFTER THE CEREMONY.
--------0-----------
CARNIVAL TO LAUNCH SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN
*****
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT IS TO BE LAUNCHED WITH A CARNIVAL AT THE CHATER ROAD PRECINCT AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE THREE-HOUR CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCE BY SINGER NG KWOK-KING, A LION DANCE, KARATE DEMONSTRATION, DANCING AND CHOIR PERFORMANCES.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE NINE GAME STALLS WITH ADMISSION TICKETS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE VENUE AND FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR KAMSON LAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT MORE THAN 700 ACTIVITIES OF VARIOUS KINDS WOULD BE OFFERED TO LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
HE ADDED THAT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL SPONSORS HAD CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $600,000 TO MEET THE COSTS OF THE ACTIVITIES.
A COLOURFUL BROCHURE WITH DETAILED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND A NUMBER OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AND THE CARNIVAL, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE CHATER ROAD PRECINCT.
---------0-----------
SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1992
7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +140
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,128
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
- - - - 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAM FOR 5 CIVIL SERVICE GRADES ................. 1
CHANGING ROAD USERS' BEHAVIOUR CAN IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY ............. 2
TRAINING COURSES ON NATURE EDUCATION FOR TEACHERS .................. 3
REMINDER TO FIT GOODS VEHICLES WITH SIDEGUARDS AND REARGUARDS ...... 4
CENTRAL ENQUIRY CENTRE RECEIVES MORE THAN 70,000 CALLS ............. 5
EARLY RETURNS FOR PHOTO CONTEST REMINDED ........................... 5
BOARD MEMBERS TO INSPECT RETRAINING COURSES ........................ 6
PHOTO CONTEST TO BOOST FAMILY TIES ................................. 7
WATER CUTS ......................................................... 7
PHOTO CONTEST ON SUMMER FUN ........................................ 8
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAM FOR 5 CIVIL SERVICE GRADES ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
UNIVERSITY GRADUATES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE WORK OF FIVE CIVIL SERVICE GRADES ARE ADVISED TO WATCH OUT FOR ADVERTISEMENTS IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.
THE FIVE GRADES ARE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, EXECUTIVE OFFICER II, ASSISTANT LABOUR OFFICER II, MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICER II AND ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER II.
“IN GENERAL, GRADUATES WHO POSSESS A DEGREE FROM A HONG KONG OR BRITISH UNIVERSITY, OR EQUIVALENT, WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
’’UNDERGRADUATES WHO ARE TAKING THEIR FINAL DEGREE EXAMINATIONS IN SUMMER NEXT YEAR MAY ALSO APPLY.
’’DIPLOMA HOLDERS MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICER II POSTS, AND EXCEPTIONALLY FOR THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER II POSTS.”
TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SEPARATE EXAMINATIONS WHICH CANDIDATES HAVE TO TAKE FOR DIFFERENT CIVIL SERVICE JOBS, A COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION WILL BE HELD FOR THE FIVE GRADES IN EARLY OR MID-NOVEMBER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
STARTED IN 1984, THE EXAMINATION HAS ESPECIALLY RELIEVED THE BURDEN OF MULTIPLE EXAMINATIONS ON UNDERGRADUATES WHO HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THEIR FINAL UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS.
AS IN THE PAST, THIS YEAR’S EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THREE PAPERS: PAPER 1 (ONE HOUR) IS USE OF ENGLISH, PAPER 2 (1-1/4 HOURS) IS OBJECTIVE TESTS AND PAPER 3 (THREE HOURS) IS A TASK PAPER.
THE WEIGHTINGS ARE 30 PER CENT, 20 PER CENT AND 50 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
PAPERS 1 AND 2 ARE EXAMINED IN ENGLISH WHILE HALF OF PAPER 3 IS SET IN CHINESE AND MUST BE ANSWERED IN CHINESE.
VACANCIES FOR THE FIVE GRADES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN AN ENGLISH DAILY. A CHINESE DAILY AND A CHINESE EVENING DAILY IN LATE AUGUST AND EARLY SEPTEMBER. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS WILL BE MIDSEPTEMBER.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE WORK OF THE FIVE GRADES ARE:
♦ ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES. CO-ORDINATION AND PLANNING OF PUBLIC PROGRAMMES. AND THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF RESOURCES. THEY ARE GENERALIST MANAGERS OCCUPYING KEY POSTS OF DIFFERENT NATURES IN SECRETARIAT BRANCHES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREER.
/* EXECUTIVE OFFICERS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
2 -
* EXECUTIVE OFFICERS II ARE MAINLY DEPLOYED ON ASSISTING IN THE DAY-TO-DAY ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS IN SUPPORT OF DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES, RESOURCE PLANNING AND CONTROL, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS AS WELL AS DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION LIAISON FUNCTIONS.
* ASSISTANT LABOUR OFFICERS II PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO STUDENTS, JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS; AND ENFORCE LABOUR LEGISLATION.
* MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICERS II CARRY OUT MANAGEMENT SERVICES WORK SUCH AS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES. ORGANISATION REVIEWS, VALUE FOR MONEY STUDIES, AND OFFICE AUTOMATION STUDIES. THEY ALSO CONDUCT ASSIGNMENTS ON OFFICE ACCOMMODATION PLANNING AND USE OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT.
* ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICERS II WORK EITHER IN DEPARTMENT OF TRADE OR INDUSTRY AND ASSIST IN RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, LICENSING AND CONTROL MANAGEMENT, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION. THEY MAY HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND OVERSEAS CONFERENCES OR TO ASSIST IN OVERSEAS NEGOTIATIONS.
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CHANGING ROAD USERS’ BEHAVIOUR CAN IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY
*****
ROAD USER ERRORS ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 95 PER CENT OF ROAD ACCIDENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS PLACING MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR GORDON SIU KWING-CHU, TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ROAD COURTESY CAMPAIGN 1992 ORGANISED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTHEAST.
MR SIU SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING AND SKILLS OF ROAD USERS AND TO CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR.
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A DOWNWARD TREND OF ROAD ACCIDENTS FROM 1982 TO 1986 AND SINCE THEN THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS HAD REMAINED STABLE, A TOTAL OF 15,327 ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON THE ROADS IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR WITH 315 PEOPLE KILLED AND OVER 20,000 INJURED, HE SAID.
"IN FINANCIAL TERMS, ROAD ACCIDENTS RESULT IN LOSS OF RESOURCES TO THOSE INVOLVED AND TO OTHER ROAD USERS," MR SIU SAID. ADDING THAI-MORE IMPORTANTLY THAT CASUALTIES LEAD TO SUFFERING.
"THIS IS WHY THE GOVERNMENT PLACES SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY," HE ADDED.
/MR SIU ........
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
3
MR SIU SAID EFFORTS MUST THEREFORE BE KEPT UP ON ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION. DRIVER TRAINING AND PUBLICITY.
AS PART OF THE PUBLICITY EFFORT. MR SIU SAID IN 1992, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ISSUED A LIST OF DO’S AND DON1TS FOR MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS AND PUBLICISED THEM AT EVERY LEVEL IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION ON TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BLACKSPOTS THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS.
--------0-----------
TRAINING COURSES ON NATURE EDUCATION FOR TEACHERS
* * * * *
SOME 300 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ATTENDED A SERIES OF TRAINING COURSES ON CONSERVATION AND NATURE EDUCATION ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
THE COURSES, ATTENDED MAINLY BY GEOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY AND NATURE SCIENCE TEACHERS, CONSISTED OF TALKS AND A VISIT TO THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE IN TSIU HANG.
"THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSES IS TO INTRODUCE THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE TO THE TEACHERS AS AN IDEAL PLACE AND RESOURCE FOR NATURE EDUCATION," SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR MARTIN LEUNG, SAID.
"THE CENTRE HAS LIVING SPECIMENS AND STATIC DISPLAYS TO HELP VISITORS UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE HONG KONG’S WILDLIFE, VEGETATION, NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES.
"IT SERVES AS A UNIQUE PLACE FOR FIELD STUDIES AND PROVIDES RECREATION FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. ADMISSION TO WHICH IS FREE.
"IT IS HOPED THAT VISITORS WILL HAVE A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AFTER THEIR VISITS TO THE CENTRE," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE THREE EXHIBITION HALLS OF ABOUT 800 SQUARE METRES DESIGNED IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE STYLE FOR THE DISPLAY OF MATERIALS RELATED TO RURAL HERITAGE, PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, COUNTRYSIDE RESOURCES AND NATURE CONSERVATION.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF THE CENTRE INCLUDE AN ARBORETUM, A SPECIMEN ORCHARD, A CHINESE HERBAL GARDEN, A CITRUS ORCHARD, A ROCK AND MINERAL CORNER AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF SELECTED FIELD CROPS.
OFFICIALLY OPENED IN JUNE LAST YEAR, IT HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 310,000 VISITORS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
/GUIDED TOURS........
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
4 -
GUIDED TOURS CAN BE ARRANGED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR GROUPS UPON REQUEST, ALTHOUGH THE NUMBERS ARE LIMITED.
THE COURSES WILL HELP TEACHERS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE CENTRE AND MAKE FUTURE VISITS BY SCHOOL GROUPS MORE FRUITFUL AND INTERESTING.
MORE SUCH TRAINING COURSES MAY BE CONSIDERED IF THEY ARE PROVED TO BE USEFUL AND POPULAR AMONG TEACHERS.
0
REMINDER TO FIT GOODS VEHICLES WITH SIDEGUARDS AND REARGUARDS *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED GOODS VEHICLE AND TRAILER OWNERS THAT THE GRACE PERIOD FOR FITTING SIDEGUARDS AND REARGUARDS ON THEIR VEHICLES WILL EXPIRE ON JULY 1 NEXT YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS REQUIREMENT WOULD APPLY TO GOODS VEHICLES WHICH HAD PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES AND THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTRES OF ANY TWO CONSECUTIVE AXLES EXCEEDED THREE METRES.
"THIS WILL ALSO APPLY TO TRAILERS WHICH HAS A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING TWO TONNES AND THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTRES OF ANY TWO CONSECUTIVE AXLES EXCEEDED THREE METRES.
"SEMI-TRAILERS WHICH HAVE A PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT EXCEEDING TWO TONNES AND THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CENTRE OF ITS FIRST AXLE AND THE CENTRE OF THE KING PIN EXCEEDS 4.5 METRES ARE ALSO INCLUDED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE LEGISLATION TOOK EFFECT ON JULY 1, 1990, BUT THERE IS A THREE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED BEFORE THIS DATE," HE ADDED.
"SIDEGUARDS ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT MOTOR CYCLISTS OR PEDESTRIANS FROM BEING TRAPPED BETWEEN THE AXLES IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION AND REARGUARDS ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT VEHICLES FROM UNDERRUNNING INTO THE VEHICLES AT THE FRONT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION," HE ADDED.
THE SIDEGUARDS AND REARGUARDS MUST BE FITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF VEHICLE ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE REQUIREMENTS ON GROUNDS OF THE SPACE CONTRA I NTS AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
OPERATORS AND OWNERS CAN CONTACT THE VEHICLE EXAMINATION DIVISION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON TEL 829 5466 FOR MORE DETAILS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS WAS AN OFFENCE AND WAS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
0---------
/5 ........
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
5 -
CENTRAL ENQUIRY CENTRE RECEIVES MORE THAN 70,000 CALLS * * * * *
THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE HANDLED A TOTAL OF 73,091 TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THESE ENQUIRIES MAINLY RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, APPLICATION PROCEDURES, STATUTORY DECLARATIONS, GOVERNMENT VACANCIES, AND THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE AS WELL AS THE RENT OFFICER SCHEMES.
HE NOTED THAT THE CENTRE WAS SET UP IN APRIL LAST YEAR TO BACK UP THE 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES.
ANYONE WHO WISH TO ENQUIRE ABOUT GOVERNMENT SERVICES CAN CALL THE CENTRE’S HOTLINE - 835 2500.
THE SERVICE OPERATES FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS, EXCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
EARLY RETURNS FOR PHOTO CONTEST REMINDED *****
PEOPLE WITH KEEN INTERESTS AND A FLAIR FOR PHOTOGRAPHY ARE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED TO TAKE PART IN A PHOTO COMPETITION TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IN FAMILY.
ENTITLED "HEALTHY MEMBERS, HEALTHY FAMILY", THE CONTEST ALSO ENCOURAGED FAMILY MEMBERS TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER FOR BETTER HEALTH.
THE PHOTO COMPETITION IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF ALL AGES AND THERE WILL BE NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES SUBMITTED BY AN INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID ALL ENTRIES MUST BE 8R AND UNMOUNTED. SLIDES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
EACH ENTRY SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A TITLE OF NOT MORE THAN 15 WORDS AND SHOULD DEPICT THE THEME "HAPPY MEMBERS, HAPPY FAMILY".
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT PHOTOGRAPHS THAT HAD BEEN OR WOULD BE PUBLISHED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 11 THIS YEAR WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.
THE THREE WINNERS OF THE CONTEST WILL EACH RECEIVE A HANDSOME PRIZE OF A CAMERA. THERE WILL ALSO BE FIVE MERITORIOUS PRIZES.
WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN SEPTEMBER.
/THE RULES .......
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE COMPETITION CAN BE OBTAINED AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OFFICES AT THE SOUTHORN CENTRE, SEVENTH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI; THE YUNG FUNG SHEE MEMORIAL CENTRE AT CHA KWO LING ROAD; THE LEK YUEN HEALTH CENTRE IN SHA TIN; ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND SHRIRO IHK) LTD.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS AUGUST 11 AND THE CONTEST IS SPONSORED BY SHRIRO (HK) LTD.
- - 0 - -
BOARD MEMBERS TO INSPECT RETRAINING COURSES ******
MEMBERS OF THE PROVISIONAL RETRAINING FUND BOARD WILL VISIT FOUR TRAINING INSTITUTES TOMORROW (MONDAY) AFTERNOON TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF THE RETRAINING COURSES.
TEN NEW PILOT RETRAINING COURSES. INCLUDING HOTEL HOUSEKEEPING, COMPUTERISED CHINESE TYPESETTING AND SAMPLE MAKING, STARTED EARLY THIS MONTH TO EQUIP WORKERS IN DECLINING INDUSTRIES WITH NEW SKILLS SO THAT THEY CAN CHANGE JOBS.
THE COURSES ARE ORGANISED JOINTLY WITH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY AND THE HONG KONG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE VISIT. THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CAR PARK OUTSIDE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD AT 1.15 PM TOMORROW. TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE THEM TO THE INSTITUTES.
THE VISIT WILL END AROUND 5 PM.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
PHOTO CONTEST TO BOOST FAMILY TIES
PHOTO SHUTTERBUGS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ON HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE.
THE CONTEST IS ONE OF THE EVENTS OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN TO FURTHER PROMOTE GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"IT IS OPEN TO ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS. THE ENTRIES SHOULD INCLUDE A SERIES OF FOUR CAPTIONED PHOTOGRAPHS PORTRAYING HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE.
"PARTICIPANTS MAY SHARE THE JOY OF FAMILY LIFE WITH OTHERS WHILE HAVING A CHANCE TO WIN ATTRACTIVE PRIZES INCLUDING FOUR RETURN TICKETS TO BANGKOK, PHOTOGRAPHIC APPLIANCES AND GIFT COUPONS." HE ADDED.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT YOUTH OFFICES AND FAMILY LIFE RESOURCE CENTRE. 24TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD REACH THE YOUTH OFFICES BEFORE SEPTEMBER 4. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 451 3133.
- - 0 - -
WATER CUTS * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 21) TO 9 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT WO YI HOP ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD (KWAI CHUNG SECTION), LEI PUI STREET, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND HILLTOP ROAD AS WELL AS THOSE IN SHEK LEI ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE, LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, SAM TUNG UK RESITE VILLAGE AND HOI PA RESITE VILLAGE.
MEANWHILE, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 22) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TEST.
ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, YING FUNG LANE, SHATIN PASS ROAD, LUNG FUNG STREET, SHEUNG FUNG STREET, SHUNG WAH STREET AND PO KONG LANE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WATER STOPPAGE.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 1992
8
PHOTO CONTEST ON SUMMER FUN ******
SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A PHOTO CONTEST ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS MUST BE TAKEN AT THE ACTIVITIES UNDER THE PROGRAMME AND CENTRE ON THE THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN. SERVE THE COMMUNITY".
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO JUNIOR (FOR YOUTHS AGED UNDER 16) AND SENIOR (FOR THOSE AGED OVER 16) SECTIONS.
GIFT COUPONS AND TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE FIRST THREE WINNERS OF EACH SECTION.
EACH PARTICIPANT CAN SUBMIT TWO 3R-SIZED PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE SECRETARY, SHAM SHUI PO SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE, SIXTH FLOOR, WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 290-296 UN CHAU STREET BY AUGUST 28.
PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CONTESTANT, SUCH AS NAME, AGE, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER. HONG KONG IDENTITY CARI) NUMBER AND A CAPTION SHOULD BE WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF EACH ENTRY.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR HEARS VIEWS OF POLITICAL GROUPS ........................... 1
SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMES FOR GIFTED STUDENTS ........................ 1
ORDERS, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR MAY ......... 3
DOMESTIC WATER DEPOSIT TO GO UP IN AUGUST........................... 8
YAU MA TEI ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TO BE CLOSED........................... 8
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SCOUTS TO STAGE "BEATING RETREAT" ............ 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 10
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
GOVERNOR HEARS VIEWS OF POLITICAL GROUPS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, HELD MEETINGS THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE RESOURCES CENTRE (CRC) AND UNITED DEMOCRATS OF HONG KONG (UDHK).
HE LOOKS FORWARD TO MEETING REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER POLITICAL GROUPS LATER IN THE WEEK.
THE GOVERNOR FOUND THESE PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS VALUABLE AND WAS PLEASED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO AND EXPLORE THE VIEWS OF THE CRC AND UDHK ON A RANGE OF SUBJECTS.
HE LOOKS FORWARD TO HOLDING FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GROUPS BEFORE TOO LONG.
- - 0 - -
SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMES FOR GIFTED STUDENTS
******
THE PROVISION OF EDUCATION FOR THE ACADEMICALLY GIFTED WILL BE A MAJOR AREA OF ACTIVITY ON THE EDUCATIONAL SCENE OF HONG KONG IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID.
HE DEFINED GIFTED CHILDREN AS THOSE WHO SHOW EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT OR POTENTIAL IN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS:
♦ A HIGH LEVEL OF MEASURED INTELLIGENCE;
» SPECIFIC ACADEMIC APTITUDE IN A SUBJECT AREA;
* A HIGH ABILITY TO THINK CREATIVELY, TO INVENT NOVEL, ELABORATE AND NUMEROUS IDEAS;
* SUPERIOR TALENT IN VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS SUCH AS PAINTING, DRAMA, DANCE AND MUSIC;
* NATURAL LEADERSHIP OF PEERS, WITH A HIGH ABILITY TO MOVE OTHERS TO ACHIEVE COMMON GOALS; AND
♦ PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY, INCLUDING OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE OR INGENUITY IN ATHLETICS, MECHANICAL SKILLS OR OTHER AREAS REQUIRING GROSS OR FINE MOTOR CO-ORDINATION.
MR CHAN WAS ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON ’’GROWING UP GIFTED: THE INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES” HELD AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
/AT PRESENT
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
2
AT PRESENT THERE ARE NO DEFINITIVE FIGURES ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS THAT COULD BE REGARDED AS ACADEMICALLY GIFTED.
HOWEVER, USING AN IQ SCORE OF 130 AS THE CUT-OFF POINT - A PRACTICE ADOPTED IN THE UK, THE USA AND SINGAPORE - IT IS ESTIMATED THAT AROUND 20,000 HONG KONG STUDENTS (OR TWO PER CENT) IN THE SIX TO 18 AGE BRACKET BELONG TO THIS CATEGORY.
WHILE THERE IS A GOOD VARIETY OF MEANS IN HONG KONG FOR DEVELOPING STUDENTS1 GIFTEDNESS AND TALENTS IN MUSIC, ARTS AND SPORTS, MR CHAN ADMITTED THERE IS AS YET NO SPECIFIC PROVISION WITHIN THE GENERAL EDUCATION SYSTEM TO CATER FOR ACADEMICALLY GIFTED STUDENTS.
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, IN ITS FOURTH REPORT PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1990, RECOMMENDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMES FOR GIFTED STUDENTS.
"THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMES WOULD AIM TO ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THEIR GIFTED STUDENTS BY OFFERING SUITABLE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR THEM," MR CHAN SAID.
"THIS OPTION WOULD ENABLE GIFTED STUDENTS TO LEARN TO LIVE AND WORK WITH THOSE LESS ABLE THAN THEMSELVES.
"THEY WOULD BE TREATED LIKE OTHER CHILDREN AND YET HAVE THE CHANCE TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL."
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION, PLANS ARE NOW IN HAND TO CARRY OUT A PILOT PROJECT AIMED TO DESIGN SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMES AND TEST THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN SCHOOLS, MR CHAN ADDED.
ONE OF THE FIRST TASKS IS TO DESIGN INSTRUMENTS FOR IDENTIFYING GIFTEDNESS AND CREATIVITY AMONG LOCAL STUDENTS.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $1 MILLION FOR THIS PURPOSE.
ALL TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS THE HONG KONG PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AND TO BID FOR THE RESEARCH FUNDS. THE ACTUAL RESEARCH WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN THE 1992-93 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE NEXT STAGE WILL BE TO COMMISSION RESEARCH STUDIES TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIRED DATA ON GIFTED STUDENTS IN HONG KONG.
"WE SHALL THEN SET UP A PROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMES, CARRY OUT A PILOT PROJECT AND EVALUATE ITS EFFECTIVENESS," MR CHAN SAID, ADDING THAT FUNDS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THIS.
"AT THE SAME TIME A RESOURCE CENTRE WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORT."
/WITH A .......
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
3
WITH A CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT INCLUDING ASSISTANCE FROM SUCH LOCAL BODIES AS THE GIFTED EDUCATION COUNCIL, MR CHAN EXPECTED THAT HONG KONG WILL HAVE IN PLACE BEFORE TOO LONG A COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOL-BASED SYSTEM TO PROVIDE ACADEMICALLY GIFTED YOUTH WITH EXCELLENT FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC WELL BEING OF HONG KONG WILL BE WELL SERVED BY SUCH A MOVE.
"IT WILL HELP RETAIN OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST, AND ENRICH OUR SOCIETY," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
ORDERS, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR MAY
******
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN MAY THIS YEAR OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. ACCORDING TO A MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ORDERS POSITION IMPROVED MODERATELY OVER A YEAR AGO IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. SMALLER INCREASES IN ORDERS WERE RECORDED IN MOST OTHER INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, ORDERS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN MAY 1992.
AS IN THE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, ORDERS INCREASED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS DECREASED IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. ORDERS POSITION IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY WAS STABLE.
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS DECREASED BY 11 PER CENT IN MAY 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO. THIS REFLECTS THE CONTINUING TREND OF RELOCATING PRODUCTION PROCESSES TO SOUTH CHINA.
ALL INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES RECORDED DECREASES IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT DECLINES IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
/COMPARED WITH .......
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
4
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, THE SIZE OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REMAINED STABLE IN MAY 1992.
APART FROM SOME SMALL INCREASES IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES, SMALL DECREASES WERE HOWEVER RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN MAY 1992, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 13 PFR CENT IN MONEY TERMS OVER Till SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN MOST INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, WITH THE LARGEST ONES TN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN MAY 1992.
INDUSTRIES REGISTERING INCREASES WERE THE TEXTILES, WEARING APPAREL AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED IN MAY 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH THE PRECEDING MONTH AND THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN MAY 1992 OVER A YEAR AGO AND SLIGHTLY OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE SERVICE COMPANIES SURVEYED REMAINED STABLE IN MAY 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH A MONTH AND A YEAR AGO.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE SERVICE COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER IN MAY. THIS COMPARISON IS HOWEVER AFFECTED BY THE ISSUE OF SPECIAL BONUSES IN THE PRECEDING MONTH BY SOME COMPANIES.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
/THE DEPARTMENT .......
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
- 5 -
THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT AS THE SURVEY ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND THE SERVICE SECTORS.
SAMPLE COVERED
MIGHT NOT BE
MANUFACTURING,
NEVERTHELESS, THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF SHORT-TERM DEVELOPMENTS IN THOSE SECTORS, HE SAID.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR MAY 1992 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, 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 $4.5 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6441.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING THREE TABLES:
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF MAY 1992 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
APR 92 MAY 91
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 4.51 * + 2
— — — — —
WEARING APPAREL 4.86 ♦ + 3
TEXTILES 2.39 -2 + 3
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.95 -1 + 1
FABRICATED METAL 4.43 + 1 + 5
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.56 + 1 + 4
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 3.95 * -3
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
/TABLE 2 .......
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
- 6
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AS AT THE END OF MAY 1992
INDUSTRY/SERVICES CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
APR 92 MAY 91
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED * -11
— —
FOOD AND DRINKS + 1 -3
WEARING APPAREL -1 -12
TEXTILES * -8
PLASTIC PRODUCTS + 2 -11
FABRICATED METAL -1 -17
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND -1 -18
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS ♦ -1
CONSTRUCTION # -1 -6
—— —
SERVICES ♦
— —
BANKS -1
HOTELS + 1 *
PUBLIC UTILITIES * + 1
OTHERS + 1 + 1
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/TABLE 3 .......
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
7
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
NOTE : OWING TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.G. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH’S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN MAY 1992 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH APR 92 MAY 91
(HK$ > (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 7,767 +1 + 13
FOOD AND DRINKS 8,006 -5 + 4
WEARING APPAREL 5,763 + 4 + 10
TEXTILES 7,205 + 8 + 3
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 7,769 -2 +1 8
FABRICATED METAL 7.663 + 2 + 1 7
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 8.019 ♦ 4- 1 R
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 9,984 + 1 + 15
CONSTRUCTION # 10,883 + 3 + 14
SERVICES 12,322 -18 + 14
BANKS 11,757 + 3 + 11
HOTELS 7,925 -2 + 12
PUBLIC UTILITIES 11,961 -2 + 14
OTHERS 14,168 -39 + 17
* CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
# 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 AMONG THE COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
------0 - -
/8.........
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
- 8 -
DOMESTIC WATER DEPOSIT TO GO UP IN AUGUST
THE WATER DEPOSITS PAYABLE BY DOMESTIC CONSUMERS AND PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WILL BE REVISED TO $100 AND 350 RESPECTIVELY WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER AUTHORITY SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
’’THE CURRENT LEVELS OF $50 AND $20 RESPECTIVELY HAVE BEEN IN FORCE FOR OVER 30 YEARS. THEY HAVE TO BE REVISED TO BRING THE DEPOSIT LEVELS CLOSER TO THE WATER CHARGE AMOUNT DUE FROM A TYPICAL DOMESTIC ACCOUNT,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE REVISION WILL NOT AFFECT EXISTING CONSUMERS AS THE NEW DEPOSIT RATES ONLY APPLY TO NEW REGISTRATION OF ACCOUNTS.
---------0-----------
YAU MA TEI ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TO BE CLOSED ♦ ♦♦*»*
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING STRUCTURE IN YAU MA TEI SO THAT IT CAN BE TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER
THE STRUCTURE IS LOCATED ON THE ROOF OF THE FIFTH PILKEM STREET.
FLOOR,
63
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
UNDER OCTOBER
THE
28
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE ORDER IS ISSUED.
CLOSURE
- - 0----------
/9........
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
9
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SCOUTS TO STAGE "BEATING RETREAT"
******
A GROUP OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S SCOUTS WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR MUSIC TALENT AND MAGNIFICENT MARCHING SKILLS IN TWO "BEATING RETREAT" SHOWS TO BE STAGED ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (JULY 23 AND 24) NIGHTS AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM.
THE EVENT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ISLAND 221ST GROUP, IS A FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT SCOUTING ACTIVITIES FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMME FOR INMATES IN TRAINING CENTRES.
"THROUGH SCOUTING MOVEMENT, INMATES CAN DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND CULTIVATE SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND APPRECIATE THE MEANING OF DISCIPLINE AND TEAMWORK SPIRIT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE "BEATING RETREAT” SHOWS HAD BEEN OVERWHELMING.
"MOST OF THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN SOLD AND ONLY FEW ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC BOOKING," HE ADDED.
CHIEF PERFORMERS OF THE SHOWS ARE MEMBERS OF THE 221ST HONG KONG ISLAND SCOUT GROUP, WHICH WAS SET UP BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1986.
THE 141ST HONG KONG RANGER GUIDES UNIT, A GIRL GUIDE GROUP ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1987, WILL BE THE GUEST PERFORMERS. THEY WILL GIVE BAND PERFORMANCE AND ROMANIA FOLK DANCE.
THE DEPARTMENT’S SCOUTS HAVE TAKEN PART IN VARIOUS SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, INCLUDING CLEANING WORK IN COUNTRY PARKS, GRASS CUTTING AND MAINTENANCE WORK ON CAMP SITES, AND SERVICES FOR THE AGED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PREVIEW OF THE "BEATING RETREAT" SHOW FOR THE NEWS MEDIA WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 22) AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEGINNING AT 3.30 PM.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
THE DEPARTMENT’S ACTING SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (YOUNG OFFENDERS), MR ANTHONY WONG; THE PRESIDENT OF THE 221ST HONG KONG ISLAND SCOUT GROUP, MR LAU HON-WAH, AND THE GROUP’S CHAIRMAN, MR HERMAN HUI, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEDIA MEMBERS ON SCOUTING ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR INMATES IN TRAINING CENTRES.
MEMBERS OF THE SCOUT GROUP WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS ABOUT THEIR PREPARATIONS FOR THE EVENT.
- - 0----------
/10........
MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992
- 10 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 84.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 494.507 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 170.863 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 29.2PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0---------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
1,128
-140
988
NIL
NIL
988
TWI 109.4 *+0.0* 20.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 1.96 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.59 3.49
1 MONTH 1.95 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.55 3.85
3 MONTHS 2.15 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.55 4.08
6 MONTHS 2.46 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.14 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 9,489 MN
CLOSED 20 JULY 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR RECEIVES OFFER ON EXCO CHANGES ............................... 1
20,000TH VIET RETURNEE WELCOMED ....................................... 2
SMOKING BAN ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS FROM AUGUST .................. 3
NEW LANTAO BUS TO REVISE FARES ........................................ 4
RATES EXEMPTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR NT VILLAGE DWELLINGS ................. 5
RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO EXTEND EFFLUENT CONTROLS ....................... 6
POLICY PROVIDES FAIR ENVIRONMENT FOR BROADCASTING DEVELOPMENT ......... 7
COMPANIES IN BREACH OF POLLUTION LAW NAMED ............................ 8
$49.9M PAID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ............................... 16
FRESH WATER CUT IN TO KWA WAN ......................................... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ..................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 19
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
1
GOVERNOR RECEIVES OFFER ON EXCO CHANGES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN. SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, HAD WRITTEN TO HIM SAYING THAT SHE AND THE OTHER NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE HAPPY TO PUT THEIR OFFICES AT HIS DISPOSAL IF HE WISHED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID: "TWO OF THIS MORNING’S NEWSPAPERS REPORTED THAT THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD FORMALLY OFFERED ME THEIR RESIGNATION IF 1 WISHED To CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL."
THE GOVERNOR SAID BARONESS DUNN HAD WHITTEN TO HIM ON JULY 13.
"I RESPONDED ON JULY 16, SAYING THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS A HANDSOME OFFER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO HAVE MADE, THAT AS THEY KNEW, I WOULD BE DISCUSSING THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS AND COMPOSITION OF THE GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS OF HONG KONG; THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PRINCIPALLY, OVER THE COMING WEEKS; THAT I WOULD WANT TO DISCUSS THOSE MATTERS WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THAT 1 WOULD WANT TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES AS SOON AS WE REASONABLY COULD, BUT 1 REGARD IT AS A HANDSOME OFFER ON THE PART OF THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL."
"IT SHOWS, ONCE AGAIN, THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO PUT THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, IF NECESSARY, ABOVE THEIR OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS," HE SAID.
"I’VE TAKEN NO DECISION ON THE OFFER WHICH HAS BEEN MADE OTHER THAN TO WELCOME THE GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT IN WHICH THE OFFER WAS TENDERED TO ME," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ALSO HAD A LONG DISCUSSION ABOUT COMMUNITY-WIDE PENSIONS.
"AS YOU KNOW WE ARE COMMITTED TO PUBLISHING A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON THAT ISSUE. THAT CONSULTATION DOCUMENT WILL BE COMING FORWARD IN DUE COURSE.
"I CAN’T GIVE YOU THE PRECISE DATE AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE THERE IS A LITTLE TINKERING THAT HAS TO BE DONE WITH THE DOCUMENT, BUT WE’LL BE ISSUING A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT AND WE’LL BE ISSUING A POPULAR VERSION OF THAT DOCUMENT, SO THAT PEOPLE WHO DON’T WANT TO READ AN IMMENSELY LENGTHY DOCUMENT ABOUT A RATHER COMPLICATED PENSION ISSUES, CAN NEVERTHELESS SEE THE THRUST OF THE PROPOSALS.
"IT IS, I REPEAT, A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT AND MY GUESS IS, GIVEN THE HISTORY OF THIS ISSUE THAT IT WILL GENERATE A GOOD DEAL OF DISCUSSION AND DEBATE.
/"BUT THAT........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
2
"BUT THAT DISCUSSION AND DEBATE HAD BETTER AWAIT THE PUBLICATION OF THE DOCUMENT ITSELF. NO GREAT SURPRISES OR SECRETS IN IT BUT IT WILL BE, I THINK, A WELCOME FOCUS FOR DEBATE WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO VERY MANY PEOPLE, TO EMPLOYERS, TO TRADE UNION REPRESENTATIVES AND TO ORDINARY WORKERS, BOTH WOMEN \ND MEN," MR PATTEN SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER BRITAIN WAS BULLYING PEKING OVER THE AIRPORT ISSUE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE DID NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN MEGAPHONE DIPLOMACY, BUT HE ADDED: "I NEITHER FEEL, NOR I THINK, LOOK LIKE A BULLA AND 1 WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO AVOID ANY, PERHAPS MARGINALLY RITUAL EXCHANGES ON AN ISSUE THAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."
"I’LL JUST ADD TWO POINTS: EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE WILL BE AN AIRPORT, A NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE WILL BE AN AIRPORT RAILWAY. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT WE WANT AND NEED TO INVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, JUST AS MALAYSIA IS; THAILAND IS: TAIWAN IS; SINGAPORE IS, ALL THOSE WHO ARE COMPETING WITH HONG KONG. THE AIRPORT IS IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG, IS IN THE INTEREST OF SOUTHERN CHINA, IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE REGION, AND IT WILL BE BUILT," HE SAID.
"WHEN IT COMES TO THE EXCHANGES TO WHICH YOU’VE REFERRED, I RECALLED THAT ON JULY 6, A SENIOR AND DISTINGUISHED OFFICIAL IN PEKING SET OUT IN TERMS WHAT THE LATEST PROPOSAL PUT BY THE PRC ON THE AIRPORT AMOUNTED TO. THAT WAS DONE PUBLICLY.
"I ALSO OBSERVED THAT ONE OR TWO NEWSPAPERS IN HONG KONG, WHICH INVARIABLY APPEAR EXTREMELY WELL INFORMED ABOUT THE POLICIES AND PROPOSALS OF THE PRC, HAVE REPORTED THE PRC’S POSITION IN THE AIRPORT TALKS PROMINENTLY IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. I DON’T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN CRITICISMS, BUT I REPEAT WHAT HAS HAPPENED; JULY 6, WAS A LONG TIME BEFORE LAST FRIDAY," MR PATTEN SAID.
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20.000TH VIET RETURNEE WELCOMED
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY WELCOMED THE RETURN TO VIETNAM OF THE 20.000TH RETURNEE UNDER THE UNHCR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
"THIS NEW LANDMARK CONTINUES THE TREND PAVING THE WAY FOR AN END TO THIS HUMAN TRAGEDY," THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR BRIAN BRESNIHAN, SAID.
"THE BURGEONING VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME INDICATES THAT NON-REFUGEES ARE REALISING THAT THE ONLY OPTION TO WASTING THEIR LIVES IN A CAMP HERE IS TO START A NEW LIFE BACK HOME," HE SAID.
/MR BRESNIHAN .......
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
3
MR BRESNIHAN SAID UNHCR ASSISTANCE IN COUNSELLING VIETNAMESE IN THE CAMPS AND IN MONITORING THE WELL-BEING OF RETURNEES WERE MAJOR FACTORS IN THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAMME.
"WE LOOK FORWARD TO REACHING NEW LANDMARKS IN THE MONTHS AHEAD AS INCREASING NUMBERS OF MIGRANTS REALISE THEIR ONLY FUTURE LIES IN RETURNING TO VIETNAM," HE SAID.
TODAY’S FLIGHT WAS THE 112TH SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989. THE 236 RETURNEES COMPRISED 86 MEN, 73 WOMEN, 45 BOYS AND 32 GIRLS.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 20,093 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY, OF WHICH 6,114 RETURNED HOME THIS YEAR ALONE.
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SMOKING BAN ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS FROM AUGUST
*****
PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGERS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM SMOKING ON ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS FROM AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR.
AT THE SAME TIME, PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS ARE REQUIRED TO PUT UP SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF "NO SMOKING" SIGNS AT PROMINENT POSITIONS ON THE CARRIERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THE RECENT AMENDMENT TO THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH) ORDINANCE EXTENDED THE PROHIBITION TO ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS.
PASSENGERS ARE GIVEN A GRACE PERIOD UNTIL AUGUST 1 TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS, HE SAID.
UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE ORDINANCE, IF ANY PERSON SMOKES OR HOLDS A LIGHTED CIGARETTE, CIGAR OR PIPE ON A PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIER, THE DRIVER, INSPECTOR OR MANAGER OF THE CARRIER MAY REQUIRE THAT PERSON TO EXTINGUISH IT.
IF THAT PERSON FAILS TO DO SO, HE WILL BE REQUIRED TO GIVE HIS NAME AND ADDRESS, TO PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIER.
IF THE PERSON STILL FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUEST, THE DRIVER, INSPECTOR OR MANAGER OF THE CARRIER SHALL REMOVE HIM FROM THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIER AND HE SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND OF THE FARE PAID BY HIM.
ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES SECTION 4 OF THE ORDINANCE COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $5,000.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
4
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF "NO SMOKING" SIGNS WHICH READ "NO SMOKING" OR "SMOKING PROHIBITED" AND "MAXIMUM PENALTY : $5,000" IN
BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE ARE DISPLAYED PROMINENTLY ON ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS BY AUGUST 1 FOR PASSENGERS' ATTENTION.
FAILURE TO DO SO WILL COMMIT AN OFFENCE CARRYING A MAXIMUM FINE OF $15,000.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS INCLUDE SUCH MAJOR VEHICLES OR VESSELS AS PUBLIC BUS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUS, TAXI, TRAIN. LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE, TRAM AND FERRY.
------0--------
NEW LANTAO BUS TO REVISE FARES
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED FARE INCREASES FOR THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY (NLB) WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 2 ON ACCOUNT OF RISING OPERATING COSTS.
THE AVERAGE INCREASE OF 11.3 PER CENT IS CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THE 23 PER CENT RISE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) SINCE NLB LAST REVISED ITS FARES 23 MONTHS AGO IN AUGUST 1990.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THE INCREASE WOULD HAVE MINIMAL EFFECT ON INFLATION AS IT WOULD INCREASE THE CPI(A) BY LESS THAN 0.01 PER CENT.
THE EFFECTS OF THE NEW FARE SCALE ON PASSENGERS ARE:
ON WEEKDAYS
.* 50.3 PER CENT OF PASSENGERS WOULD PAY AN ADDITIONAL 10 CENTS
TO 30 CENTS PER TRIP;
* 44.1 PER CENT AN ADDITIONAL 40 CENTS TO 60 CENTS;
* 5.6 PER CENT WOULD ENJOY A FARE REDUCTION OF 40 CENTS TO $3.3
PER TRIP UNDER A NEW HALF-FARE CONCESSIONARY SCHEME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 65 OR ABOVE WHO TRAVEL BETWEEN MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS ON NON AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES;
ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
* 33.1 PER CENT WOULD PAY AN ADDITIONAL 30 CENTS TO 50 CENTS;
* 41.1 PER CENT AN ADDITIONAL 60 CENTS TO $1.5; AND
* 25.8 PER CENT, MAINLY TRAVELLERS TO THE BUDDHA STATUE
AT NGONG PING, AN ADDITIONAL $1.6 TO $2.
/DETAILS OF .......
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
5
DETAILS OF THE NEW FARES STRUCTURE WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY NLB SEPARATELY.
"TO BETTER MEET RECREATIONAL DEMAND ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WITHOUT HAVING TO BUY ADDITIONAL BUSES, NLB HAD FERRIED HIRED COACHES TO LANTAU ISLAND AT WEEKENDS SINCE JUNE 1991," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS HAS MUCH IMPROVED THE SERVICES FOR HOLIDAY-MAKERS AND HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED. THE REVENUE SO GENERATED HELPS SUBSIDISE WEEKDAY OPERATION," HE SAID.
UNDER THE NEW FARE SCALES, NLB’S SERVICES ON WEEKDAYS WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBSIDISED BY SERVICES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE NEW FARE SCALES REPRESENTED A 9.2 PER CENT INCREASE FOR WEEKDAYS SERVICES AND A 15.3 PER CENT INCREASE ON HOLIDAYS.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE POLICY OF KEEPING FARES LOW FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS," HE SAID.
NLB PLANS TO PURCHASE EIGHT AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO REPLACE OLDER VEHICLES IN ITS EXISTING FLEET OF 65 BUSES.
A NEW RECREATIONAL ROUTE AND A NEW REGULAR ROUTE WILL BE ADDED TO NLB’S EXISTING NETWORK OF SEVEN ROUTES BEFORE 1994.
AS PART OF ITS SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME FOR REGULAR COMMUTERS, NLB INTENDS TO START USING AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES ON SELECTED WEEKDAY SERVICES LATER THIS YEAR.
"TO AVOID SUBSIDY FROM USERS OF ORDINARY SERVICES, THE CHARGES FOR AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES ARE SET AT 45 PER CENT HIGHER THAN AN ORDINARY BUS TRIP OF A SIMILAR JOURNEY DISTANCE.
"THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH EMPIRICAL OPERATIONAL DATA WHICH SHOW THAT THE OPERATING COSTS OF NLB’S AIR-CONDITIONED VEHICLES ARE ABOUT 45 PER CENT HIGHER THAN ORDINARY BUSES," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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RATES EXEMPTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR NT VILLAGE DWELLINGS
THE CONTINUED URBANISATION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HAS NECESSITATED A CHANGE IN THE WAY RATES EXEMPTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR VILLAGE DWELLINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE ADMINISTERED UNDER THE EXISTING RATING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE, RATES EXEMPTIONS ARE GRANTED TO VILLAGE HOUSES THAT MEET WITH PRESCRIBED BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS WITHIN DESIGNATED VILLAGE AREAS AND TO VILLAGE HOUSES WITHIN DESIGNATED RESITED VILLAGES.
/THE ADMINISTRATION
TUEDAY, JULY 21, 1992
- 6 -
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO GRANT RATES EXEMPTION TO THESE DWELLINGS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD ONLY DESIGNATE VILLAGE AREAS AND RESITED VILLAGES THAT HAVE RETAINED THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGES FOR RATES EXEMPTION PURPOSES.
THIS MEANS THAT DESIGNATED VILLAGE AREAS WHERE THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGES HAS CHANGED WILL BE GRADUALLY DE-DESIGNATED.
"NEW RESITE VILLAGES, THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR WHICH START FROM NOW ON, ARE UNLIKELY TO BE DESIGNATED AS RESITED VILLAGE UNDER THE ORDINANCE UNLESS THEY RETAIN THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF A NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGE ON COMPLETION," HE POINTED OUT.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT WHERE VILLAGE DWELLINGS ARE ASSESSED TO RATES, INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS CAN APPLY FOR EXEMPTION FROM PAYMENT OF RATES IF THE HOUSE IN QUESTION MEETS THE PRESCRIBED BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS AND IS BEING OCCUPIED BY THEM FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
STAFF OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN SITE WORK SOON TO SURVEY THOSE AREAS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE ASSESSED TO RATES.
------0-------
RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO EXTEND EFFLUENT CONTROLS
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN RESOURCES TO EXTEND THE EFFLUENT CONTROLS UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE TO THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS AROUND VICTORIA HARBOUR THIS YEAR.
ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR PAUL HOLMES, TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A SUBSTANTIAL SHARE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ALLOCATION OF NEWRESOURCES THIS YEAR HAD BEEN DEVOTED TO THE PREPARATIONS FOR TWO NEW WATER CONTROL ZONES.
"TWENTY-THREE STAFF WILL BE NEEDED TO BEGIN TO INSPECT AND CONTROL THE EFFLUENTS FROM FACTORIES AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN AREAS AROUND VICTORIA HARBOUR," MR HOLMES SAID.
"POLLUTION CONTROL IS VERY LABOUR INTENSIVE DESPITE EFFORTS MADE BY THIS DEPARTMENT TO REDUCE THE MANPOWER DEMAND," HE SAID.
THE NEW CONTROLS WILL COME INTO EFFECT IN LESS THAN A YEAR FROM NOW WHEN THE ESSENTIAL PRELIMINARY SURVEYS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, MR HOLMES SAID.
/"CONTROLS WILL .......
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
7 -
"CONTROLS WILL BEGIN IN 1993 WITH PARTS OF TSUEN WAN AND NEIGHBOURING AREAS, ABERDEEN AND THE EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND. IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO EXTEND THE CONTROLS TO ALL EFFLUENTS IN VICTORIA HARBOUR.
"THIS SCHEME SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1997," MR HOLMES SAID.
COMPLEMENTING THESE CONTROLS ON EFFLUENT DISCHARGES, MR HOLMES SAID CONTROLS ON CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL ARE BEING INTRODUCED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE.
"THESE CONTROLS AT PRESENT REQUIRE CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS TO REGISTER WITH THE GOVERNMENT; SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSPORTERS OF CHEMICAL WASTE WILL REGISTER," HE SAID.
"BY THE TIME THE NEW CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY IS READY FOR FULL OPERATION NEXT APRIL, THESE CONTROLS WILL BE IN FULL OPERATION."
"THEY WILL MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE TO THE POLLUTION OF VICTORIA HARBOUR."
MR HOLMES ADMITTED THAT WATER POLLUTION IN SOME PARTS OF HONG KONG’S WATERS IS STILL BAD. ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY COMMITTED OVER $4 BILLION TO IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
"AND THIS INVESTMENT WOULD INCREASE EVERY YEAR," HE SAID.
"IN THIS TERRITORY WHERE ECONOMIC AND ENGINEERING MIRACLES ARE ALMOST COMMONPLACE, WE COULD BE CONFIDENT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE COMING YEARS," MR HOLMES SAID.
"ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS A LITTLE OF THE SKILL AND RESOURCES THAT ARE COMMITTED TO PRODUCING THOSE MIRACLES IN OTHER FIELDS," HE CONCLUDED.
------0------------
POLICY PROVIDES FAIR ENVIRONMENT FOR BROADCASTING DEVELOPMENT * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (TUESDAY) DISMISSED RECENT REPORTS OF A DIFFERENCE OF VIEWS BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION ON BROADCASTING POLICY.
MR SO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONFIDENT THAT ITS POLICY WOULD PROVIDE AN EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG.
"THE POLICY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AFTER TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF ALL RELEVANT FACTORS, INCLUDING A CONSULTANT’S STUDY ON THE ECONOMICS OF THE BROADCASTING INDUSTRY," MR SO SAID.
/MR SO ........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
- 8 -
MR SO EMPHASISED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WERE IN FULL AGREEMENT ON THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE POLICY.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE POLICY WILL ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING THE WIDEST CHOICE OF QUALITY TV PROGRAMMES AT AFFORDABLE PRICES FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR SO SAID SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RECENT POLICY, HE AND HIS STAFF HAD BEEN IN CLOSE DISCUSSION WITH POTENTIAL SUBSCRIPTION TV PROVIDERS AND THERE WAS STILL CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN THE MARKET.
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ISSUING DETAILED GUIDANCE NOTES ON THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSCRIPTION TV SHORTLY.
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH WILL BE READY TO EXPLAIN THE NOTES TO INTERESTED PARTIES THEREAFTER.
--------------------0------- COMPANIES IN BREACH OF POLLUTION LAW NAMED * * t *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS LAST MONTH OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE EVERY MONTH.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE TIME CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS IN JUNE:
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE : COURT
1 .FAIRWOOD FAST FOOD LTD HONG NING RD, KWUN TONG 12.3.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 5,000 3RD SAN PO KONG
2.WOODPARK INVESTMENTS LTD MODY RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 12.4.91- 5.7.91 APCO : " 900 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
3.LINK DYE- ING WORKS LTD YEUNG UK RD, TSUEN WAN 1.5.91- 26. 11.91 APCO : 4,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
/4. UNIVERSAL ........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
9
4.UNIVERSAL KO FAI RD, 21.5.92 DASO : 50,000 9TH WANCHAI
DOCKYARD LTD (LICENSEE) • YAU TONG BAY PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 350 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA NEAR LAI CHI CHONG NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
5.UNIVERSAL DOCKYARD LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) KO FAI RD, YAU TONG BAY 21.5.91 DASO : PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT MIRS BAY WITHOUT LICENCE 50,000 10TH WANCHAI
6.GOODAYS IND LTD SHATIN CITY ONE, SHA TIN 1.7.91- 30.9.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 3,000 1ST EASTERN
7.FUNG BING-HAU, AS KAM HING NOODLE FACTORY PO KAT TSAI , FANLING 10.7.91 WPCO : DISCHARGED POLLUTED MATTER INTO THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 12,500 AND COSTS 1,500 1ST FANLING
8.GOLD MEDAL INVESTMENTS LTD HING FONG RD, KWAI CHUNG 6.8.91- 9.9.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 4,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
9.UNIVERSAL DOCKYARD LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) KO FAI RD, YAU TONG BAY 19.8.91 DASO : 50,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA BETWEEN EAST NINEPIN ISLAND AND SOUTH NINEPIN ISLAND NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 11TH WANCHAI
/IO. UNIVERSAL ........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
10
10.UNIVERSAL KO FAI RD, 22. 10.91 DASO : 50,000 PERMIT DUMPING 12TH WANCHAI
DOCKYARD YAU TONG
LTD (WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) BAY OF ABOUT 600 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA EAST OF TUNG LUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
11.MA MEI-HA (SAN KWONG RESTAURANT) WING ON SIDE ST, PENG CHAU 7.11.91 WPCO : 5,000 DISCHARGED WASTES INTO THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST WESTERN
12.LAI CHI- KEUNG AS LUEN FAT BEAN CURD FTY SHEUNG CHUK YUEN VILLAGE, SAN TIN 28.11.91 WPCO : 5,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTED MATTER INTO THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
13.HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WATERLOO RD, YAU MA TEI 4.12.91 APCO : 2,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
14.FULLPAN INVESTMENT LTD NGAU TAU KOK RD, NGAU TAU KOK 4.12.91 NCO : 8,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST KWUN TONG
15.KWAN TANG CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LTD HENNESSY RD, WAN CHAI 20.12.91 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED WASTES INTO THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST EASTERN
16.HON YICK MARINE ENGINEERING CO LTD (LICENSEE) CARNARVON RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 23.12.91 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 5TH EASTERN
/17. GOLDEN ........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
17.GOLDEN SALISBURY 30.12.91- APCO : 4,000 1ST TSUEN
ISLAND BIRD’S NEST CHIU CHAU RESTAURANT (TSUEN WAN) LTD RD, 30.1.92 UNAUTHORISED TSIM SHA INSTALLATION TSUI OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES WAN
18.KAI SHING BLEACHING & DYEING FTY DIAMOND 31.12.91 APCO : HILL NEW EXCESSIVE DARK VILLAGE, SMOKE EMISSION DIAMOND HILL 2,500 1ST SAN PO KONG
19.MAY YUEN BLEACHING & DYEING FACTORY LTD WING YIP 15.1.92 APCO : ” ST, KWAI CHUNG 5,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
20.FOREVERGREEN TAIWANESE RESTAURANT CO LTD LEIGHTON 15.1.92 NCO : RD, FAILURE TO CAUSEWAY COMPLY WITH BAY THE REQUIRE- MENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 5,000 1ST EASTERN
21.HO WONG KING CO CHOI HUNG 16.1.92 APCO : RD, EXCESSIVE DARK SAN PO KONG SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST SAN PO KONG
22.HIGHNESS RESTAURANT LTD TSEUK LUK 16.1.92 APCO : " ST, SAN PO KONG 3,000 1ST ti
23.AU SHING-CHOW HIP WO 23.1.92 NCO : ST, FAILURE TO KWUN TONG COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 3,000 1ST KWUN TONG
24.THE HONG KONG SHIPYARD LTD (LICENSEE) FUK LEE 23.1.92 DASO : 5,000 ST, PERMIT DUMPING TAI KOK OF ABOUT 750 TSUI CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA EAST OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
/AND........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
- 12 -
AND
FUNG LAI-YIN, ANGUS (MANAGER OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACTOR) FESSENDEN RD, WANG TAU HOM 23.1.92 DASO : " 5,000 1ST EASTERN
AND
CHAU KAN (TUG BOAT MASTER) KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI CHUNG 23.1.92 DASO : 3,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA EAST OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
AND
NG KWONG-YUK (BARGE SAILOR) TAI HING ESTATE, TUEN MUN 23.1.92 DASO : 3,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA EAST OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
AND.
WONG AH-CHOI (BARGE SAILOR) WONG CHUK HANG ESTATE ABERDEEN 23.1.92 DASO : ” 3,000 1ST EASTERN
25.CHUN YIP CONSTRUCTION CO LTD MA ON SHAN RD, MA ON SHAN 26.1.92 NCO : 1,500 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 1ST SHA TIN
/26. LI .........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
— 13 -
26.LI YIU-FU 26.1.92 NCO : PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 1,500 1ST rf
27.ELE CONSTRUCTION CO LTD ISLAND RD, DEEP WATER BAY 16.2.92 NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 5,000 1ST EASTERN
28.MOK FAI-KIM ISLAND RD, DEEP WATER BAY 16.2.92 NCO : 6,000 PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 3RD EASTERN
29.WAN YU DYEING FACTORY LTD TSING YI IND CENTRE, TSING YI 17.2.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 6,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
30.CLEVER HO CO LTD 17.2.92 APCO : " 5,000 1ST n
31.TSANG KI LARCH ST, TAI KOK TSUI 19.2.92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
32.GOLDEN MONGKOK RESTAURANT LTD NATHAN RD, MONG KOK 19.2.92 NCO : ” 6,000 2ND fi
33.DELTA TECH DEVELOPMENT LTD FA YUEN ST, MONG KOK 20.2.92 NCO : ” 6,000 1ST •»
34.JADE PEACE LTD QUEEN’S RD WEST, SAI YING PUN 24.2.92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 3,000 1ST WESTERN
/35. HON..........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
- 14
35.HON YICK MARINE ENGINEERING CO LTD (LICENSEE) CARNARVON RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 26.2.92 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 1,500 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA IN HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION AREA NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 6TH EASTERN
AND
NG TAK (TUG BOAT MASTER) PO MAN ST, SHAU KEI WAN 26.2.92 DASO : 3,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 1,500 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA IN HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION AREA NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST • EASTERN
AND
LAI MO-LO (BARGE SAILOR) HING MAN ESTATE, CHAI WAN 26.2.92 DASO : ” 3,000 1ST I*
36.SILKWAY DYEING FACTORY LTD WING KEI RD, KWAI CHUNG 28.2.92 APCO : 4,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND TSUEN WAN
37.MAERSK (HK) LTD HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY 28.2.92 OLPO : 10,000 IMPORTING SCHEDULED SUBSTANCES WITHOUT A LICENCE 1ST it
38.YAU FAT RESTAURANT CO LTD SAI YEE ST, MONG KOK 5.3.92 NCO : 1,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
/39. WAH ..........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
- 15 -
39.WAH SUN SILK DYEING & FINISHING WORKS LTD LAM TIN ST, KWAI CHUNG 6.3.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 6,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
40.COLOUR BEST DYEING FTY LTD TA CHUEN PING ST, KWAI CHUNG 10.3 .92 APCO : ” 6,000 2ND ii
41.SAINT GALERIE TILES LTD TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TAI PO 10.3 .92 WPCO : DISCHARGED WASTEWATER INTO STORM DRAIN IN THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE 20,000 2ND SHA TIN
42.TREATY DEVELOPMENT LTD DES VOEUX RD WEST, SAI YING PUN 17.3 .92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 20,000 3RD WESTERN
43.MA SHING YIP PILING & CONSTRUCTION LTD DORSET CRESCENT, KOWLOON TONG 23.3 .92 APCO : FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 1,000 1ST FANLING
44.MA SHING YIP PILING & CONSTRUCTION LTD ii 30.3 .92 APCO : ” 1,000 2ND it
45.ULTRA CONCORD DYEING & SANDWASHING FACTORY LTD WING LAP ST, KWAI CHUNG 2.4. 92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 6,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
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
OLPO : OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE
UNDER THE PROVISION OF NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT, FOUR PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE AND THE FINES RANGED FROM $1,000 TO $5,000.
/ANOTHER TWO........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
- 16 -
ANOTHER TWO PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE AND FINED $200 AND $400 RESPECTIVELY FOR CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PLACE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMANT SAID IN CASE 4,5,9 AND 10, THE COMPANY UNIVERSAL DOCKYARD LIMITED WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $200,000 IN WANCHAI DISTRICT COURT FOR FOUR CHARGES RELATING TO ILLEGAL DUMPING OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AND EXCAVATED MATERIAL.
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT SUCH CHARGES WERE BROUGHT TO THE DISTRICT COURT TO SEEK A MORE EFFECTIVE DETERRENT.
USUALLY OFFENDERS UNDER THE DUMPING AT SEA ACT ARE BROUGHT BEFORE MAGISTRACIES ON SUMMARY CONVICTION, THE MAXIMUM FINE OF WHICH BEING $5,000 AND/OR SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
UNIVERSAL DOCKYARD LIMITED, WHICH HAS A RECORD OF EIGHT PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS, WAS FINED $50,000 ON EACH OF THE FOUR CHARGES AND HAS TO PAY FOR THE PROSECUTION CHARGE OF $12,000.
NOTE TO EDITORS :
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING . PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS :
APCO, OLPO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL 8102907
NCO DR ANDREW KWAN TEL 8102800
WPCO CASE 41 DR MIKE CHIU TEL 4174101
WPCO CASE 7, 12 DR ELLEN CHAN TEL 6506955
WPCO CASE 11, 15 MR MURRAY LUO TEL 8351184
DASO MR PATRICK LEI TEL 7553553
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION.
--------0-----------
$49.9M PAID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) PAID OUT MORE THAN $49.9 MILLION FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENTS IN 1990-91.
ACCORDING TO THE 1990-91 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TAVA FUND BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, 5,951 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WERE RECEIVED DURING THE PERIOD, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF THREE PER CENT WHEN COMPARED TO 6,134 APPLICATIONS IN 1989-90.
THE SWD’S TAVA SECTION HANDLED 29 SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN THE YEAR IN WHICH HEAVY CASUALTIES WERE INVOLVED.
THE ACCIDENT WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF CASUALTIES OCCURRED ON JUNE 4, 1990 AT POKFULAM ROAD NEAR VICTORIA ROAD WHEN FOUR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES COLLIDED WITH ONE ANOTHER.
/TWENTY-NINE PEOPLE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
TWENTY-NINE PEOPLE WERE INJURED AND 15 OF THEM WHO WERE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF S52.696.
THE TAVA SCHEME, OPERATING SINCE MAY 1979, IS ONE OF THE SWD-ADMINISTERED SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES.
IT AIMS TO PROVIDE SPEEDY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS, OR THEIR SURVIVING DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE CASE OF DEATH, REGARDLESS OF THE MEANS OF THE FAMILY OR THE ELEMENT OF FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE, AN APPLICATION MUST BE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT, WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE.
IN MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, STAFF FROM THE TAVA SECTION MAKE IMMEDIATE EFFORTS TO CONTACT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENTS DIRECTLY TO HELP THEM APPLY AT AN EARLY DATE.
IN THE CASE OF INJURY NOT CAUSING DEATH, AN APPLICANT MUST OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE FROM A REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER REQUIRING AT LEAST THREE-DAY SICK LEAVE.
BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME STILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES IN THE USUAL WAY.
THOSE WHO RECEIVE COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE SAME TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE SCHEME BUT IN ANY CASE THE AMOUNT TO BE REPAID SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION AWARDED.
APPLICATION CAN BE MADE EITHER IN PERSON OR BY POST.
SPECIFIED APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE POLICE’S ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION UNITS OF REGIONAL TRAFFIC; DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE SWD’S TAVA SECTION AT ROOM 942, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN TO KWA WAN *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TO KWA WAN WILL GO OFF FROM 9 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 23) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT SHIM LUEN STREET, MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON CITY ROAD, MOK CHEONG STREET AS WELL AS MA TAU KOK ROAD PUBLIC TOILET AND MA TAU KOK ABATTOIR.
- - 0 - -
/18
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 21 JULY 92 21 JULY 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q230 H269
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 2,300MN HKD l,260MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500MN HKD 200MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.25 PCT 2.52 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.27 PCT 2.53 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 46 PCT ABOUT 33 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.30 PCT 2.61 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER ISSUE DATE MATURITY DATE TENOR AMOUNT ON OFFER WEEK BEGINNING 27 28 JULY 92 EF BILLS Q231 29 JULY 92 28 OCT 92 91 DAYS HKD 500+100MN JULY 1992 -
---------0-----------
/19........
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1992
- 19 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +700
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,688
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.6 *+0.2* 21.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.17 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.41 3.62
1 MONTH 2.11 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.36 3.97
3 MONTHS 2.24 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.38 4.17
6 MONTHS 2.52 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.21 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 11,276 MN
CLOSED 21 JULY 1992
- 0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SEES HOW NEWS FLOWS DURING STORM ALERT .................... 1
NO. 8 SIGNAL LOWERED ............................................... 1
GOVT RESPONSES TO CHEN ZUO'ER’S STATEMENT .......................... 3
STI COMMENTS ON HOUSE VOTING ....................................... 3
FLOODING VICTIMS TAKEN CARE OF ..................................... 4
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY ................................ 4
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1992
1
GOVERNOR SEES HOW NEWS ELOWS DURING STORM ALERT * * ♦ » »
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAW FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HOW HONG KONG COPES WITH A NATURAL EMERGENCY.
AS SEVERE TROPICAL STORM GARY APPROACHED, MR PATTEN VISITED THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT EMERGENCY CO-ORDINATION CENTRE (GSECC) AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES (GIS).
DURING THE PASSAGE OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE, THE GSECC AND GIS PLAY VITAL ROLES IN KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED OF THE STORM’S PROGRESS AND RELATED DEVELOPMENTS.
MR PATTEN WAS BRIEFED DURING HIS VISIT TO GSECC AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT ON HOW THE CENTRE CO-ORDINATED RELIEF AND RESCUE OPERATIONS DURING AN EMERGENCY, AND HOW IT ENABLED THE ADMINISTRATION TO KEEP FULLY IN TOUCH WITH ALL THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
AT GIS, THE GOVERNOR SAW HOW THE CONTROL CENTRE SPECIALLY SET UP IN THE NEWSROOM DISSEMINATE UP-TO-DATE STORM INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA SO THAT THE PUBLIC IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED.
APART FROM DUTY IN THE HEADQUARTERS CONTROL CENTRE, GIS STAFF ARE ALSO DEPLOYED TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON EMERGENCY DUTY, SUCH AS THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE WORKS BRANCH GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS, THE MARINE AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENTS AND THE POLICE.
FROM THERE THEY PROVIDE DETAILS OF DEVELOPMENTS TO THE CONTROL CENTRE AT GIS HEADQUARTERS IN BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.
- - 0 - -
NO. 8 SIGNAL LOWERED *****
THE NO. 8 STORM SIGNAL WAS LOWERED AT 4.15 PM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE GARY MOVED AWAY FROM HONG KONG TOWARDS THE WESTERN COAST OF GUANGDONG.
THE STORM DTD NOT CAUSE ANY SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE TERRITORY. HOWEVER, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS REGISTERED 28 PEOPLE FROM SEVEN FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY FLOODING IN FU YUNG SHAN TAI WO TSUEN IN TSUEN WAN.
THESE PEOPLE, COMPRISING 10 MEN, 10 WOMEN AND EIGHT CHILDREN, HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY ACCOMMODATED IN THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE. HOT MEALS AND RELIEF ARTICLES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THEM.
ANOTHER 15 WERE REGISTERED FOR HELP BY THE DEPARTMENT EARLIER AT THE CHAN HING COMMUNITY CENTRE IN MONG KOK.
/A TOTAL (.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1992
- 2 -
A TOTAL OF 46 TEMPORARY SHELTERS OPERATED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WERE OPENED AND 54 PEOPLE TOOK REFUGE THERE.
WITH THE NO. 8 STORM SIGNAL HOISTED IN THE MORNING, HONG KONG WAS BROUGHT TO A NEAR STANDSTILL AS BUSINESS CONCERNS INCLUDING BANKS AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE, MOST SHOPS AND OFFICES, AND SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED.
BUT HONG KONG WAS NOT CLOSED TO THE WORLD AS ITS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT KAI TAK REMAINED OPEN. FIFTEEN FLIGHTS WERE DELAYED.
LOCAL FERRY SERVICES, FERRY SERVICES TO MACAU AND SOME CHINESE PORTS AND BUS SERVICES ON LANTAU ISLAND WERE SUSPENDED. HOWEVER, BOTH THE CHINA MOTOR BUS AND THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS PROVIDED LIMITED SERVICES.
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AND THE LIGHT RAIL WERE OPERATING NEAR NORMAL. TRAMS AND PEAK TRAMS ALSO CONTINUED THEIR SERVICES.
TWO SMALL CARGO VESSELS, EACH WITH 18 CREWMEN ON BOARD, RAN AGROUND AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND THIS MORNING BUT WERE RE-FLOATED IN THE AFTERNOON. NO ONE WAS INJURED.
THE TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE, WHICH WAS DAMAGED IN A STORM LAST SATURDAY, WAS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 6 AM.
SEVEN INCIDENTS, INCLUDING THREE LANDSLIPS AND TWO SUBSIDENCES, WERE REPORTED TO THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE.
THE NO. 8 SOUTHWEST STORM SIGNAL WAS HOISTED (FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR) AT 5.45 AM, 14 HOURS AFTER THE NO. 3 SIGNAL WENT UP. AT 11 AM, IT WAS REPLACED BY THE NO.8 SOUTHEAST SIGNAL.
A MAXIMUM WIND GUST OF 133 KPH WAS RECORDED AT TATE’S CAIRN.
RAINFALL HAD BEEN LIGHT BY 5 PM, WITH ONLY 13.1 MM RECORDED SINCE THE NO.l SIGNAL WAS HOISTED ON JULY 20.
A TOTAL OF 17 PEOPLE WERE INJURED DURING THE STORM. SIXTEEN HAVE BEEN TREATED AND DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITALS. A 68-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO SUFFERED A NECK INJURY WAS ADMITTED IN FAIR CONDITION TO THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.
--------0-----------
/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1992
3
GOVT RESPONSES TO CHEN ZUO’ER’S STATEMENT
*****
IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ON THE STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE FIRST DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE, MR CHEN ZUO’ER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
"AS THE GOVERNOR SAID YESTERDAY, NO ONE DOUBTS THAT THE AIRPORT AND ASSOCIATED PROJECTS ARE NEEDED AND WILL BE BUILT. THEIR COMPLETION IS PROFOUNDLY IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, CHINA AND THE REGION.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WHEN THE AIRPORT QUESTION IS TACKLED ON ITS MERITS WE WILL BE ABLE TO REACH A SOLUTION.
"WE HOPE THIS CAN HAPPEN AT THE NEXT AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING. WE SHARE THE VIEW OF CHINESE OFFICIALS THAT MEGAPHONE DIPLOMACY IS NOT THE BEST WAY OF ACHIEVING THIS.
"WE HAVE BEEN ENTIRELY OPEN ABOUT THE PROPOSED FINANCING
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"THESE HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE BOTH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP AND TO THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE."
- - 0 - -
STI COMMENTS ON HOUSE VOTING *****
BY A VOTE OF 258 TO 135, THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSED THE SOLOMON JOINT RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL OF CHINA’S MOST-FAVOURED-NATION (MFN) STATUS ON JULY 21, 1992.
IT ALSO PASSED THE PEASE/PELOSI CONDITIONALITY BILL BY A VOTE OF 339 TO 62.
COMMENTING ON THE VOTES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID PASSAGE OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL AND THE CONDITIONALITY BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE WAS EXPECTED. THERE WAS NO NEED TO BE UNDULY ALARMED AT THIS STAGE.
"THE VOTE ON THE JOINT RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL FELL SHORT OF THE TWO-THIRD MAJORITY WHICH IS REQUIRED TO OVERRIDE A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
"AND ALTHOUGH THE PEASE/PELOSI BILL WAS PASSED BY A GREATER THAN TWO-THIRD MAJORITY, ACTION HAS YET TO BE TAKEN ON A SIMILAR BILL IN THE SENATE," MR CHAU SAID.
PRESIDENT BUSH IS EXPECTED TO VETO THE JOINT RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL AND ANY LEGISLATION WHICH ATTACHES CONDITIONS TO THE EXTENSION OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS.
THE ANTICIPATED VETO OVERRIDE ATTEMPT IS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE SOME TIME BEFORE THE U.S. CONGRESS ADJOURNS IN OCTOBER.
/"BOTH THE
4
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1992
"BOTH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE WORKED HARD TO PRESENT HONG KONG’S CASE IN THE U.S. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SUSTAIN THESE EFFORTS."
THE JOINT RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL WAS INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SOLOMON ON JUNE 5 DENYING THE EXTENSION OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN 1992.
THE PEASE/PELOSI CONDITIONALITY BILL WOULD DENY MFN TREATMENT FOR EXPORTS IN 1993 FROM PREDOMINATELY STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES UNLESS CHINA HAS MET A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS RELATING TO IMPROVEMENTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS, TRADE PRACTICES AND WEAPONS NON-PROLIFERATION.
------0--------
FLOODING VICTIMS TAKEN CARE OF ♦ ♦ * * *
A GROUP OF VILLAGERS WHO WERE MADE HOMELESS IN A FLOODING AT THEIR TSUEN WAN HOMES WERE GIVEN IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE FLOODING BEGAN LAST SATURDAY AT THE FU YUNG SHAN TAI WO TSUEN BUT IT DETERIORATED THIS MORNING IN THE ADVENT OF SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE GARY.
TWENTY-EIGHT VICTIMS FROM SEVEN FAMILIES - 10 MEN, 10 WOMEN AND EIGHT CHILDREN - WERE GIVEN SHELTER AT PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE AFTER BEING REGISTERED BY THE SWI).
HOT MEALS AND RELIEF ITEMS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THESE FAMILIES.
--------0-----------
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY * * * * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING FRIDAY (JULY 24) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE FROM THE CHAMBER'S PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE CALLING 869 9492.
AT 2.30 PM ON
THE PROCEEDINGS
RESERVATIONS BY
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE COMMITTEE'S PAPERS WILL READING FROM 4 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) PLEASE NOTE! THAT THE PAPERS WILL HF MEETING ENDS.
BE AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE
AT THE OMELCO PRESS ROOM, EMBARGOED FOR USE UNTIL THE
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR MEETS MORE POLITICAL GROUPS ................................... 1
NEED FOR CLEAR-SIGHTED EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP STRESSED ................... 1
OFFER FOR DIGITAL MOBILE RADIOTELEPHONE LICENCE ........................ 2
WAGE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1992 ............................................ 3
MARINE DEPARTMENT REVISES FEES AND CHARGES ............................. 6
EARLY PLANS FOR WORK IN TYPHOON URGED .................................. 8
GROWING TIES BETWEEN HK AND HIROSHIMA .................................. 9
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ......................................... 10
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT TO LEGCO BY-ELECTION ................................ 14
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD PLEDGES TO HELP SQUATTERS ...................... 15
FLAT OWNERS URGED TO JOIN SEMINAR ...................................... 16
CALL TO HELP DISABLED CHILDREN ......................................... 17
DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF SUPREME COURT APPOINTED ............................ 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 18
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
1 GOVERNOR MEETS MORE POLITICAL GROUPS *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WAS PLEASED TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF MEETING POINT, THE HONG KONG DEMOCRATIC FOUNDATION, THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
LIKE HIS MEETINGS WITH THE CO-OPERATIVE RESOURCES CENTRE AND THE UNITED DEMOCRATS OF HONG KONG ON MONDAY, THE GOVERNOR FOUND THESE PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS VALUABLE AND A USEFUL OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO AND EXPLORE THE VIEWS OF THE POLITICAL GROUPS.
HE LOOKS FORWARD TO FURTHER MEETINGS BEFORE TOO LONG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF HONG KONG HAD PASSED THE GOVERNOR A VERBAL MESSAGE OF GOODWILL FROM THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING.
THE GOVERNOR WELCOMED THE MESSAGE.
HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO ESTABLISHING A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH MR LU OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
HIS FIRST PRIORITY WAS TO LEARN ABOUT HONG KONG AND MEET PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY, BUT HE HOPED TO VISIT PEKING, OR WELCOME MR LU TO HONG KONG, BEFORE TOO LONG.
NOTE FOR EDITORS:
LU PING’S MESSAGE: IN HIS MESSAGE, MR LU PING EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE A PERIOD OF CLOSE CO-OPERATION TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION. HE LOOKED FORWARD TO MEETING THE GOVERNOR SOON.
---------0-----------
NEED FOR CLEAR-SIGHTED EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP STRESSED ******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD A MEETING OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE WAS HONOURED TO LEAD A TEAM WHICH HAD ESTABLISHED A HIGH REPUTATION FOR ITS INTEGRITY, HARD WORK AND PROFESSIONALISM.
MR PATTEN EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR CLEAR-SIGHTED EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING A "USER FRIENDLY" PUBLIC SERVICE.
/"I HOPE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
- 2 -
"I HOPE THAT WORKING TOGETHER IN THIS EX ECUT IVE-LEI) GOVERNMENT, WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE EXECUTIVE KNOWS PRECISELY WHERE IT IS GOING AND PRECISELY WHERE IT HAS TO LEAD THE COMMUNITY."
MR PATTEN SAID THE ENHANCED PARTICIPATION OE THE COMMUNITY IN THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT HAS MEANT THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS HAD TO CHANGE ITS APPROACH.
"OUR CUSTOMERS, THE PEOPLE WHO PAY OUR SALARIES, EXPECT A CLEAR SENSE OF WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH THEIR MONEY AND WHAT SORT OF PERFORMANCE THEY CAN EXPECT FROM PUBLIC SERVANTS.
"WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS WHICH SUIT HONG KONG’S CIRCUMSTANCES TO MAKE OURSELVES MORE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND CLEARER ABOUT OUR PERFORMANCE TARGETS," HE SAID.
-----------------------0------- OFFER FOR DIGITAL MOBILE RADIOTELEPHONE LICENCE *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR M. PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) HIS INTENTION TO OFFER A LICENCE TO SMARTCOM LTD TO OPERATE A GSM DIGITAL MOBILE RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
SMARTCOM LTD IS A CONSORTIUM LED BY SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES LIMITED AND MCCAW CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS INC OF THE USA.
THIS BRINGS TO FIVE THE NUMBER OF LICENCES TO BE ISSUED BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY TO OPERATE DIGITAL MOBILE RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICES.
THE FIRST LICENCE WAS ISSUED EARLIER TODAY TO PACIFIC LINK COMMUNICATIONS LTD, AN EXISTING MOBILE TELEPHONE OPERATOR WHICH WILL CONVERT ITS ANALOGUE SYSTEM TO THE DIGITAL SYSTEM IN THE USDC STANDARD.
IN RESPONSE TO AN INVITATION FOR PROPOSALS TO OPERATE THE GSM SERVICE GAZETTED AT THE END OF JANUARY THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 10 PROPOSALS WERE SUBMITTED BY THE CLOSING DATE OF APRIL 30.
"ALL THE BIDS RECEIVED WERE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD WHICH MADE THE SELECTION A DIFFICULT EXERCISE," MR PAGLIARI SAID.
"THE KEEN RESPONSE FROM THE MANY MAJOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THEIR CONFIDENCE TO INVEST IN THE DYNAMIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG.
"TOGETHER WITH MY STAFF AND ADVISERS, I HAVE GIVEN VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO ALL THE PROPOSALS RECEIVED," MR PAGLIARI EXPLAINED.
/THE OFFER .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
3
THE OFFER HY SMARTCOM LTD REPRESENTS A VERY GOOD PACKAGE EOR THE HONG KONG CONSUMER. IT IS A HIGH QUALITY SYSTEM WITH LOW USER COSTS AND OFFERS EXCELLENT COVERAGE IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL AREAS AS WELL AS AN EARLY LANUCH DATE OF JANUARY 1993.
"ITS COVERAGE WILL EXTEND TO ALL ROAD AND RAIL TUNNELS AND THE ENTIRE MTR SYSTEM WITHIN TWO YEARS OF LAUNCH."
"FOR SUCH A HIGH QUALITY SERVICE, CONSUMERS WILL BE CHARGED PRICES THAT ARE LOWER THAN THOSE CURRENTLY CHARGED BY EXISTING OPERATORS," MR PAGL1ARI ADDED.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW OPERATOR WOULD INTENSIFY COMPETITION IN THE MOBILE PHONE MARKET, RESULTING IN BETTER PRICES AND QUALITY OF SERVICE FOR THE PUBLIC.
IT WILL ALSO PUT PRESSURE ON EXISTING OPERATORS, WHO HAVE YET TO CONVERT THEIR ANALOGUE SYSTEMS INTO DIGITAL, TO DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
DIGITAL MOBILE PHONE SYSTEMS HAVE THE ADVANTAGES OF BETTER TECHNICAL QUALITY AND FULL SPEECH PRIVACY.
THEY CAN ALSO PROVIDE A LARGE NUMBER OF ANCILLARY SERVICES NOT AVAILABLE TO USERS OF EXISTING ANALOGUE SYSTEMS, FOR EXAMPLE PAGING AND SHORT MESSAGE SERVICES, AND SUBSCRIBER I DENI' I F I CAT I ON MODULE (.ARD.
MR. PAGLIAR1 THANKED ALL THE CONSORTIA FOR THE SIGNIFICANT EFFORT PUT INTO THEIR SUBMISSIONS.
"UNFORTUNATELY IT IS ONLY POSSIBLE TO GRANT ONE ADDITIONAL LICENCE AT THE PRESENT TIME AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF PROPOSALS RECEIVED MADE IT INEVITABLE THAT SOME CONTENDERS WOULD BE UNSUCCESSFUL," HE SAID.
"THIS IS NO REFLECTION ON THE QUALITY OF THEIR PROPOSALS," HE ADDED, EXPRESSING THE HOPE THAI' IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO FURTHER INCREASE COMPETITION IN FUTURE BY LICENSING ADDITIONAL OPERATORS.
------0---------
WAGE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1992 ******
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR MARCH THIS YEAR WAS 9.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING FOR INFLATION, THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX FOR MARCH 1992 SHOWED A MARGINAL INCREASE OF 0.1 PER CENT OVER MARCH 1991 .
COMPARING MARCH 1992 WITH SEPTEMBER 1991, OVERALL WAGES SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 4.6 PER CENT IN NOMINAL TERMS. AFTER DISCOUNTING FOR INFLATION, THERE WAS A SLIGHT DECREASE OF 0.4 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
/ANALYSED BY .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
ANALYSED BY INDIVIDUAL SECTORS, THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX IN BUSINESS SERVICES SHOWED THE FASTEST YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE (12.3%), FOLLOWED BY TRANSPORT SERVICES (12.1%), PERSONAL SERVICES (10.8%), WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS (10.3%), AND MANUFACTURING (8.7%).
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1991, AND BEARING IN MIND THIS COMPARISON COULD BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE LARGEST INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES (8.0%), FOLLOWED BY PERSONAL SERVICES (7.9%), WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS (5.9%), MANUFACTURING (4.1%), AND TRANSPORT SERVICES (3.1%).
THE WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE RESULTS OF THE HALF-YEARLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERS BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING EMPLOYEES AT ADM INISTRATI VE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN FIVE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS. THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES IS MARCH 1982.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT 'THAT IN ADDITION TO WAGES WHICH INCLUDE ALL THE REGULAR PAYMENTS, PAYROLL ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NONGUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCE.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND 'THE COMPOS ITI ON OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT ON HALF-YEARLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOLUME I, MARCH 1992 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT $10 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
VOLUME II OF THE REPOR T CONTAINI NG DETA I LED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER. OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN M ID-AUGUST.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES MAY BE DIRECTED TO 'THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STAT I ST ICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 582 4744 OR 582 5595.
'THE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1991 TO MARCH 1992 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN 'TABLE I AND TABLE 2 RESPECTIVELY. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
/TABLE 1: .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
- 5 -
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 19 82 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR SEP MAR % CHANGE MAR 1992/ % CHANGE MAR 1992/
1991 1991 1992 SEP 1991 MAR 1991
MANUFACTURING 214.4 223.9 233.1 + 4.1 + 8.7
WHOLESALE, RETAIL, 212.7 221 .7 234.7 + 5.9 + 10.3
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS TRANSPORT SERVICES 265.0 288.2 297.1 + 3.1 + 12.1
BUSINESS SERVICES 269.3 280.2 302.5 + 8.0 + 12.3
PERSONAL SERVICES 248.6 255.4 275.5 + 7.9 + 10.8
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 222.2 232.5 24 3.3 + 4.6 + 9.5
TABLE 2: REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR 1991 SEP 1991 MAR 1992 % CHANGE MAR 1992/ SEP 1991 % CHANGE MAR 1992/ MAR 1991
MANUFACTURING 109.9 110.1 109.1 -0.9 -0.7
WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 109.0 109.1 109.9 + 0.7 + 0.8
TRANSPORT SERVICES 135.8 141 .8 139.1 -1.9 + 2.4
BUSINESS SERVICES 138.0 137.8 141.6 + 2.8 + 2.6
PERSONAL SERVICES 127.4 125.6 129.0 + 2.7 + 1.3
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 113.8 114.4 113.9 -0.4 + 0.1
/TABLE 3: .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
6 -
TABLE 3: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
SELECTED MAJOR iMbUSTRIES MAR 1991 SEP 1991 INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
MAR 1992 % CHANGE MAR 1992/ SEP 1991 % CHANGE MAR 1992/ MAR 1991
GARMENTS 178.8 186.6 189.9 + 1.8 +6.2
GLOVES 205.4 224.8 226.3 + 0.7 + 10.2
HANDBAGS 214.8 221.4 237.7 + 7.4 + 10.7
COTTON SPINNING/WEAVING 232.6 238.3 256.5 + 7.6 + 10.3
KNITTING 187.9 197.6 205.8 + 4.1 + 9.5
BLEACHING AND DYEING 230.0 242.6 254.3 + 4.8 + 10.6
PRINTING 280.0 298.9 313.6 + 4.9 + 12.0
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 208.6 218.7 226.4 + 3.5 + 8.5
METAL PRODUCTS 222.3 233.1 242.0 + 3.8 + 8.9
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 268.3 276.4 283.9 + 2.7 + 5.8
ELECTRONICS 261.6 278.9 296.7 + 6.4 + 13.4
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 256.8 259.5 270.6 + 4.3 + 5.4
MANUFACTURING SECTOR 214.4 223.9 233.1 + 4.1 + 8.7
--------------------0------- MARINE DEPARTMENT REVISES FEES AND CHARGES * * * ♦ *
A VARIETY OF FEES AND CHARGES OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL BE REVISED FROM NEXT MONDAY (JULY 27), THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE REVISION OF THE FEE ITEMS ON JULY 14. A FEE INCREASE WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR LAST YEAR BUT WAS HELD IN ABEYANCE BECAUSE OF THE MORATORIUM ON INCREASES IN GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES.
/"THE INCREASES .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
"THE INCREASES IN THE EEES AND CHARGES ARK NECESSARY TO RECOVER AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE THE COSTS OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, AND THE EFFECT OF INFLATION SINCE THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1990," MR PYRKE SAID.
HE SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD BRIEFED THE PORT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, VARIOUS OTHER ADVISORY COMMITTEES, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, OPERATORS AND USERS OF THE PORT ABOUT THE PROPOSED REVISION OF FEES AND CHARGES.
THE PORT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ADVISES THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO PORT OPERATIONS.
SOME 95 PER CENT OF THE FER ITEMS WILL BE INCREASED BY 15 OR 20 PER CENT. THESE ITEMS COVER THE PORT DUES AND CONNECTED FEES, VESSEL LICENCES AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES, PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, CREW PASSES FOR THE CHINA AND MACAU FERRY TERMINALS AND PILOTAGE EXAMINATION.
MR PYRKE SAID: "THE CLIENTELE OF THIS GROUP OF SERVICES IS EASILY IDENTIFIED AND GIVEN THE COMMERCIAL NATURE OF MOST OF THESE ACTIVITIES THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE COST OF PROVIDING THESE SERVICES SHOULD NOT BE RECOVERED IN FULL.
"HOWEVER GIVEN THE HISTORICAL NATURE OF SOME OF THESE FEES, FULL COST RECOVERY COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH A PHASED PROGRAMME OF MODERATE INCREASES."
PORT DUES AND A VARIETY OF RELATED FEES ARE PAID BY VESSELS THAT ENTER THE WATERS OF HONG KONG OR USE PORT FACILITIES. THESE INCLUDE ANCHORAGE DUES, BUOY DUES, PORT AND LIGHT DUES, MISCELLANEOUS PERMIT AND CERTIFICATE FEES.
"PORT DUES AND THE VARIETY OF RELATED FEES WILL BE INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT. EVEN WITH THE FEE INCREASES, PORT DUES LEVIED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ARE VERY COMPETITIVE IN RELATION TO THOSE CHARGED BY OTHER MAJOR PORTS IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
MR PYRKE SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE VESSEL LICENCE AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES WOULD BE INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT.
THESE FEES FALL INTO TWO MAIN CATEGORIES:
» VESSEL (INCLUDING PLEASURE VESSELS) LICENCE FEES AND RELATED FEES; AND
* FEES FOR OTHER SERVICES INCLUDING EXAMINATIONS, ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES, SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE MERCANTILE MARINE OFFICE, AND SURVEYS OF SHIPS BY GOVERNMENT SURVEYORS.
THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS ARE FENCED-OFF WATERFRONT AREAS MANAGED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PUBLIC TO HANDLE CARGO FROM BARGES, LIGHTERS AND RIVER TRADE VESSELS.
MR PYRKE SAID: "ONLY TWO MAIN CATEGORIES OF FEES FOR THE AREAS ARE INCREASED ABOVE THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE. THESE RELATE 'I'O LORRY PARKING AND BERTHING FOR BARGES."
/IN PRACTICAL .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
- 8
IN PRACTICAL TERMS, THE INCREASES WOULD BE, IN THE CASE OF A LORRY MAKING THREE TRIPS A DAY TO A PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA, FROM $51 TO $81 A DAY ($180 PER WEEK). FOR A BARGE OF 1,000 TONS, THE DAILY BERTHING FEE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $130 TO $250.
’’THUS DESPITE THE INCREASES IN FEES AND CHARGES THIS YEAR, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT REACHED FULL COST RECOVERY YET FOR THESE SERVICES AND THERE IS STILL A SMALL GAP WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE NARROWED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS.
"THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A MAJOR REVIEW OF THE FEE STRUCTURE WITH A VIEW TO RATIONALISE THE FEE ITEMS AS SOME OF THESE DO NOT REFLECT THE NEED OF THE INDUSTRY,” MR PYRKE SAID.
DETAILS OF THE REVISION OF FEES AND CHARGES WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
---------0-----------
EARLY PLANS FOR WORK IN TYPHOON URGED » » * * ♦
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD MAKE EARLY AGREEMENT ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR WORK DURING TYPHOONS AND OTHER BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
’’THIS AGREEMENT IS NECESSARY TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDING AND DISPUTES BECAUSE, GIVEN THE DIFFERENT NATURE AND REQUIREMENTS OF DIFFERENT JOBS IN DIFFERENT TRADES AND INDUSTRIES, IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICABLE TO LAY DOWN SPECIFIC LAWS, ” MR MAK SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE AGREEMENT SHOULD INCLUDE PROVISIONS ON WHETHER EMPLOYEES NEED TO REPORT DUTY DURING TYPHOON AND OTHER HAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, WAYS OF CALCULATING WAGES, CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH EMPLOYEES SHOULD RETURN TO WORK.
MR MAK POINTED OUT THAT WHEN WORKING OUT THE ARRANGEMENTS, PRIME CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO EMPLOYEES’ SAFETY, IN THE OFFICE AS WELL AS ON A JOURNEY.
USUALLY, EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME IF TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8 IS HOISTED OR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ARE TO BE SUSPENDED SHORTLY.
HOWEVER, EMPLOYERS SHOULD ALSO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO LEAVE EARLY IF THEY LIVE FAR AWAY FROM THE WORKPLACE.
’’IF AN EMPLOYEE HAS TO WORK DURING TYPHOON AND OTHER BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, IT SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED TO HIM BEFORE THE EMPLOYMENT BEGINS," MR MAK SAID.
"IN THIS CASE, THE EMPLOYER SHOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE FACILITIES TO ENSURE THE EMPLOYEE’S SAFETY," HE ADDED.
/MR MAK .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
9
MR MAK ADVISED EMPLOYERS NOT TO DEDUCT ATTENDANCE BONUS EROM EMPLOYEES WHO CANNOT TURN UP EOR WORK BECAUSE OF 'TYPHOON OR OTHER BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS.
"LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS ARE ALWAYS READY TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO DRAW UP AGREEMENT ON ARRANGEMENTS EOR WORK DURING TYPHOON AND OTHER BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS," MR MAK SAID.
-----0------
GROWING TIES BETWEEN HK AND HIROSHIMA
*****
HONG KONG AND HIROSHIMA ARE BOTH GREAT ASIAN CITIES WHICH HAVE WORKED MIRACLES IN THE PAST DECADES, HONG KONG’S PR INCI PAL ECONOMIC AND TRADE REPRESENTATIVE IN JAPAN, MR DAVID LAN, SAID 'TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING A DINNER RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE GOVERNOR. OE HIROSHIMA TO MARK THE INAUGURATION OF DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN THE PREFECTURE AND HONG KONG, MR LAN SAID HIROSHIMA HAD CREATED WONDERS THROUGH ITS SUCCESS IN RECONSTRUCTING A THRIVING MODERN CITY.
"DURING THE SAME PERIOD, HONG KONG HAD BUILT UP A WELL-KNOWN FREE ECONOMY THAT HAD BROUGHT WEALTH AND PROSPERITY NOT ONLY TO ITSELF, BUT ALSO TO ITS TRADING PARTNERS," HE SAID.
MR LAN ALSO OUTLINED TO AN AUDIENCE OF 500 GUESTS THE LONG HISTORY OF AMICABLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG.
"JAPAN IS HONG KONG’S LARGEST OVERSEAS INVESTOR IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, AND HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER WITH AN ANNUAL TRADING VOLUME OF US$23 BILLION.
"HONG KONG IS ALSO JAPAN’S FIFTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, ACCOUNTING FOR 5.2 PER CENT OF JAPAN’S TOTAL EXPORT.
"IN ADDITION, MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF JAPAN’S EXPORTS TO CHINA PASSES THROUGH HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN 1 MILLION JAPANESE TOURISTS, MANY FROM THE HIROSHIMA PREFECTURE, VISITED HONG KONG EVERY YEAR.
"IN ADDITION, THERE ARE ABOUT 20,000 JAPANESE NATIONALS LIVING AND WORKING IN HONG KONG."
WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECT FLIGHTS, MR LAN SAID MORE TOURISTS AND BUSINESSMEN COULD BE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES.
"THIS COULD ALSO HELP BRING MORE CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FROM HIROSHIMA TO HONG KONG AND ALSO MORE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES."
/MR LAN ........
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
MR LAN ADDED THAT APART FROM CLOSE ECONOMIC TIES, HONG KONG HAD ALSO MAINTAINED WITH JAPAN VERY CLOSE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND OTHER TIES AT ALL LEVELS.
”IN MAY THIS YEAR A GROUP OF 15 JAPANESE PARLIAMENTARIAN LEAGUE MEMBERS, LED BY FINANCE MINISTER TSUTOMU HATA, PAID A HISTORIC VISIT TO HONG KONG.
"TRADE FAIRS, EXHIBITIONS OF JAPANESE ARTS AND CULTURE ARE HELI) REGULARLY, AND EVEN THE GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
WHILE IN HIROSHIMA, MR LAN WILL ALSO BE MAKING COURTESY CALLS ON GOVERNOR TAKESHITA AND ('HAIRMAN OF THE HIROSHIMA PREFECTURE ASSEMBLY, MR TOSHIHIRO HIYAMA.
HE WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT FACTORIES ENGAGED IN HEAVY INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS MAJOR MEDIA ORGANISATIONS.
- - 0 - -
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTRO1NTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH THAT HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
/"BEACHES WITH
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
"BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN. BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE.”
THE GRADES ARE:
* GRADE "1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY JS GOOD. THE E. COL1 COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
* GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
* GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK JS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
♦ GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS VERY POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A GRADE "4" OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A GRADE "3" OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHI EVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
/THE GRADES .......
- 12 -
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
r 9 9
THE GRADES ON THE BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER ARE LISTED BELOW: QUALITY OF VARIOUS
BEACH PREVIOUS GRADING PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 9.7.92) (AS AT 23.7.92)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 3 3
CHUNG HOM KOK 2 2
DEEP WATER BAY 2 2
HAIRPIN 2 2
MIDDLE BAY 1 2
REPULSE BAY 1 1
SHEK 0 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST STEPHEN’S 1 2
TURTLE COVE 1 2
STANLEY MAIN 2 2
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 2 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA 2 3
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE 4 3
BUTTERFLY 3 4
/SAI KUNG DISTRICT ......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
13 -
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 2 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2 2
HAP MUN BAY 1 1
KIU TSUI 1 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1 1
SILVERSTRAND 2 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 2 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 2 2
HUNG SHING YEH 2 1
KWUN YAM WAN 3 2
TONG FUK 2 2
LO SO SHING 1 1
PUI 0 1 2
SLLVERMINE BAY 3 3
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2 2
TUNG O» 2 2
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 4 4
APPROACH 3 3
CASAM 3 3
/GEMINI .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
- 14 -
GEMINI 3 3
HOI MEI WAN 3 3
LIDO 3 3
TING KAU 4 4
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 3 3
NOTE: ”X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING » NON-GAZETTED BEACH
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
TO TEI WAN AND HUNG SHING YEH FROM "2” TO ”1”; KWUN YAM WAN FROM "3" TO "2"; KADOORIE FROM "4” TO "3"; MIDDLE BAY, ST STEPHEN’S, TURTLE COVE AND PUI O FROM "1” TO ”2”; NEW CAFETERIA FROM ”2” TO ”3”; BUTTERFLY FROM "3” TO "4".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES. THE VERY POOR WATER QUALITY AT ANGLERS’, TING KAU AND BUTTERFLY BEACHES IS DUE TO THE RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH HAD CAUSED THE POLLUTANTS IN THE BEACH HINTERLAND TO BE FLUSHED INTO THE SEA WATER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TEL 835 1234.
------0--------
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT TO LEGCO BY-ELECTION
ELECTORS IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG WERE URGED TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION ON AUGUST 30 (SUNDAY).
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM, MADE THE APPEAL TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 25TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE TURN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD TO FILL THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST SEAT FORMERLY OCCUPIED BY THE LATE MR STEPHEN NG MING-YUM.
TURNING TO THE WORK OF DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, MR LAM SAID THEY HAD BEEN ABLE TO BRING TOGETHER LOCAL ATHLETES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN THE PROMOTION OF SPORTS.
/’’THROUGH PARTICIPATION.......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
"THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE SPORTS ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE’S LEISURE TIME HAVE BEEN ENRICHED AND LOCAL RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING STRENGTHENED," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN PROVIDING ACTIVE SUPPORT TO THESE ASSOCIATIONS.
- - 0 - -
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD PLEDGES TO HELP SQUATTERS
******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS PLEDGED TO DO ITS BEST TO HELP SQUATTERS IN THE DISTRICT TO OVERCOME FLOODING AND HYGIENIC PROBLEMS.
THE CHAIRLADY OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, MS MAR YUET-HA, GAVE THE UNDERTAKING AFTER AN INSPECTION TOUR '1'0 A NUMBER OF SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT TODAY (THURSDAY).
ACCOMPANIED BY DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF AND OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE VISITED POK FU LAM, WONG CHUK HANG PATH, KAU WEI, SAN WAI, BIG WAVE BAY AND MA HANG VILLAGES.
MS MAR SAID RESIDENTS IN SOME VILLAGES WERE WORRIED ABOUT FLOODING RESULTED FROM RAINSTORMS, WHILE OTHERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DUMPING OF REFUSE AND DEBRIS AROUND THEIR VILLAGES.
FOR THIS REASON, MS MAR SAID FUNDS HAD ALREADY BEEN EARMARKED UNDER THE DISTRICT’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN (KHKCC) TO HELP RESIDENTS FIX THE DRAINS AND CLEAN UP THE AREA.
SHE ADDED THAT APPLICATIONS FOR THE FUNDS WOULD BE INVITED FROM THOSE IN NEED SOON.
MEANWHILE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S KHKCC WORKING GROUP, MR TSE KIT-TO, SAID A REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE AND A PUBLICITY DRIVE WERE BEING PLANNED TO PROMOTE HYGIENE AMONG FISHERMEN IN THE ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER.
- - 0 - -
/16
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
16
FLAT OWNERS URGED TO JOIN SEMINAR *****
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED ON MEMBERS OP OWNERS CORPORA'!’I ONS , MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS COMMITTEES TO TAKE PART IN A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR TO BE HELI) AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ON AUGUST 22.
ELAT OWNERS OE PRIVATE BUILDINGS AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATES WERE ALSO INVITED TO ATTEND.
"PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT. THEY MAY ALSO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE WITH EXPERTS AT OPEN DISCUSSION SESSIONS IN THE HALE-DAY SEMINAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENTITLED "BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR - PERSPECTIVE AND PARTICIPATION III", THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CNTA AND THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF GOOD BUILDING MANAGEMENT. ADMISSION TO THE SEMINAR IS FREE.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE A LEGAL PROFESSIONAL, MR TONY KAN; A COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF HOUSING, MR MINGO KWAN; A PROFESSIONAL IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, MR BENNY CHAN; A VICE-CHAIRMAN OF AN OWNERS CORPORATION, MR WONG MAN-LEUNG; AND A CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR SIU CHE-WING.
THE TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS, FINANCIAL PLANNING AND SECURITY CONTROL IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT, AND RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION.
A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE INSTITUTE OF HOUSING, HONG KONG BRANCH, MRS JULIA WONG, WILL CHAIR THE OPEN DISCUSSION SESSION.
ENROLMENT FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT DIVISION, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON REGION, CNTA, 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE JULY 31.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 835 1496 OR 835 1497.
------0 - -
/17........
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
- 17 -
CALL TO HELP DISABLED CHILDREN » » » *
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OE SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, TODAY (THURSDAY) APPEALED TO ALL WELFARE AGENCIES 1'0 PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRAMME TO INTEGRATE DISABLED CHILDREN INTO NORMAL CHILD-CARE CENTRES.
MRS GOODSTADT MADE THE CALL WHEN ADDRESSING YAN CHAI HOSPITAL’S SEVENTH CHILD-CARE CENTRES GRADUATION CEREMONY.
"IT NOT ONLY PROVIDES EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED CH ILDREN TO RECEIVE PRE-SCHOOL CARE AND TRAINING BUT ALSO ENABLES CHILDREN TO LEARN IN THEIR EARLY AGE HOW TO ACCEPT OTHER CHILDREN WHO HAVE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES," SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT REHABILITATION DEPENDED ON ACCEPTANCE BY THE COMMUNITY AND THE CONCEPT SHOULD BE TAUGHT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
MOREOVER, DISABLED CHILDREN LEARNED BETTER IN A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THAN IN A SEGREGATED SETTING, SHE SAID.
"HONG KONG HAS MADE A GOOD START IN ITS INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR DISABLED CHILDREN," MRS GOODSTADT ADDED.
THERE ARE MORE THAN 100 CHILD-CARE CENTRES PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAMME, PROVIDING 676 PLACES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN.
"HOWEVER, A LOT MORE NEED TO BE DONE AS THERE ARE STILL OVER 600 DISABLED CHILDREN ON THE WAITING LIST FOR ADMISSION TO DAY-CARE CENTRES," MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
---------0-----------
DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF SUPREME COURT APPOINTED ******
THE JUDICIARY ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HER HONOUR JUDGE LEAH CANNON HAD BEEN APPOINTED DEPUTY REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT, WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 9 TH I S’ YEAR.
MISS CANNON WAS BORN IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND IN 1937 AND STUDIED IN UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO FROM 1962 TO 1968.
SHE WAS ADMITTED AS SOLICITOR IN NEW ZEALAND IN 1968 AND AS BARRISTER THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
BETWEEN 1969 AND 1981, MISS CANNON WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.
SHE WAS APPOINTED A MAGISTRATE IN HONG KONG IN JANUARY 1982 AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE IN OCTOBER 1987. SHE WAS APPOINTED JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT IN JANUARY 1991.
--------0-----------
/18 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1992
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,688
REVERSAL OF LAF -700
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECT1ON/W1THPRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +400
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,388
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 *+0.2» 23.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 2.57 PCT 16 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.28 PCT 19 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.31 PCT 22 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.53 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.26 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BI 1. .LS AND BONDS
CLOSED 23 JULY 1992
- 10,884 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.44 3.59
2402 5.50 102.42 3.93
2405 5.50 102.42 4.15
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION ........................... 1
LAND OFFICE RELEASES JUNE FIGURES ..................................... 2
GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE BY AUCTION ................................... 3
LICENCE GRANTED TO FUKUTOKU BANK ...................................... 4
ONE VIETNAMESE NETTED ................................................. 4
HENRY LITTON APPOINTED TO COURT OF APPEAL ............................. 5
FLYOVER PROPOSED FOR CHERRY STREET .................................... 6
PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR DRAINAGE WORKS ...................... 7
THREE LOTS TO LET ..................................................... 8
TENDERS FOR SLUDGE TRANSPORTATION INVITED ............................. 8
CHURCH LANE TO BE RECONSTRUCTED........................................ 9
71 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME ............................................. 9
EDUCATION PROJECT WINS COMMONWEALTH AWARDS ............................ 10
EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION UNIT ON MOVE .................................. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 11
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
GOVERNOR EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION
*****
THE GOVERNOR. THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THERE WAS NO SUBJECT MORE IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE THAN EDUCATION.
"IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE SEE HONG KONG'S FUTURE HOTH AS ONE OF THE ECONOMIC CAPITALS OF ASIA AND THE WORLD, AND AS ONE OF THE INTELLECTUAL CAPITALS AS WELL," HE SAID AFTER A DAY-LONG TOUR OF VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND MEETING EDUCATORS.
MR PATTEN SAID THERE WAS A VERY GREAT ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE IN ENSURING THAT HONG KONG CONTINUED TO BUILD ON THE FOUNDATIONS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
"SO, FOR EXAMPLE, AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAN COME ONTO TO TERTIARY EDUCATION AND AS WELL, SO AS TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY TO TRAIN AND RE-TRAIN.
"AND ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT I'LL BE SETTING MYSELF IS TO SEE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, NOT ONLY OF HIGHER EDUCATION, NOT ONLY OF SCHOOLS, BUT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING AS WELL, BECAUSE VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY," MR PATTEN SAID.
TODAY, THE GOVERNOR SPENT THE WHOLE DAY LEARNING ABOUT EDUCATION IN THE TERRITORY.
HE BEGAN HIS EDUCATION DAY WITH A BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR CHAN, THE GOVERNOR MET THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC), MR ANDREW LI AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL, PROFESSOR DAVID TODD, AT THE SECRETARIAT OF THE UPGC.
MR PATTEN WENT ON TO VISIT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN ITS NEW PREMISES AT WU CHUNG HOUSE, WAN CHAI. THERE, HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, AND HIS SENIOR OFFICERS.
HIS NEXT STOP WAS THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE IN NORTH POINT, WHERE HE MET A GROUP OF PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS ATTENDING A MANAGEMENT SEMINAR AND SAW A KUNG FU DANCE PERFORMANCE BY PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS.
THE GOVERNOR HAI) LUNCH WITH THE HEADS OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES CONCERNED WITH EDUCATION POLICIES.
IN THE AFTERNOON, MR PATTEN VISITED THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX AT KOWLOON BAY.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, AND THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR TONY TSUI, HE SAW TRAINEES RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN PRINTING, HOTEL SERVICES AND PRECISION TOOLING.
/THE LAST .......
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
- 2 -
THE LAST STOP WAS THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WHERE THE GOVERNOR MET THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, SIR Q.W. LEE; THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR CHARLES KAO, AND SENIOR UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS.
THE GOVERNOR VISITED THE MULTI-MEDIA LABORATORY AND THE SCIENCE LABORATORY AND CONCLUDED HIS EDUCATION DAY TALKING TO STAFF AND STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES AT A RECEPTION IN THE UNIVERSITY.
--------0-----------
LANI) OFFICE RELEASES JUNE FIGURES ««»»»»
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS REGISTERED IN THE LAND OFFICE IN JUNE DECREASED BY 25.8 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND INCREASED BY 24.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH JUNE LAST YEAR.
IN ALL, 13,834 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE REGISTERED DURING THE MONTH. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED WAS $32,506,647,680.25.
THESE FIGURES WERE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS REGISTERED IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
THERE WERE EIGHT BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 15,168 OTHER MORTGAGES REGISTERED IN THE MONTH, COMPARED TO NINE AND 19,199 RESPECTIVELY IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES DROPPED BY 80.2 PER CENT FROM $583,080,000 IN JUNE 1991 TO $115,682,000 IN THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES ROSE BY 55.5 PER CENT FROM $6,117,107,193.62 IN JUNE 1991 TO $9,512,516,926.35 IN JUNE 1992.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT ACTUALLY DRAWN DOWN ON BUILDING AND OTHER MORTGAGES AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, INCREASED BY 33.4 PER CENT FROM $3,519,554,956.34 IN JUNE 1991 TO $4,696,660,008.50 IN JUNE 1992.
MEANWHILE, DETAILS OF LAND OFFICE CONSENTS GIVEN TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS FOR SALES AND PURCHASES OF UNCOMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE ALSO RELEASED.
IN JUNE, SIX SUCH CONSENTS WERE GRANTED INVOLVING 436 UNITS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 1,716 UNITS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
3 GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SALE BY AUCTION ******
THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON AUGUST 19 (WEDNESDAY).
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN IN THE THEATRE OF THE CITY HALL, HONG KONG AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST SITE IS ON BERWICK STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 114 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL, PETROL FILLING STATION AND SERVICES APARTMENT) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 350 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1995.
THE SECOND SITE, ON WANG YIP STREET WEST, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,778 SQUARE METRES.
THE LAND IS EARMARKED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN PURPOSES (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADES) AND THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE FUTURE BUILDING TO BE USED AS MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR WORKSHOP.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 13,600 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
THE THIRD SITE, ON MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 741 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRI AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, CINEMA AND HOTEL) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 2,085 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALES PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TURN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI THING, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
---------0-----------
/4 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
M LICENCE GRANTED TO FUKUTOKU BANK * * * * *
THE FUKUTOKU BANK, LTD HAS BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FUKUTOKU BANK, LTD IS THE 69TH LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN, AND RANKS 366TH IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF CAPITAL.
PRIOR TO THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCE, THE RANK OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG. THE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE WILL BE UPGRADED TO A BRANCH.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG’S CONTINUED IMPORTANCE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE LICENCE FOR THE FUKUTOKU BANK IS THE SECOND BANKING LICENCE GRANTED THIS YEAR.
THERE ARE NOW 162 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 132 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
- - 0 - -
ONE VIETNAMESE NETTED * » * *
AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FROM VIETNAM WAS INTERCEPTED ON WEDNESDAY IN THE BORDER AREA, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE ARRIVALS TO NINE THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAN WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE TRAVELLED OVERLAND FROM VIETNAM TO CHINA BEFORE SNEAKING INTO HONG KONG.
THE CASE BRINGS TO 67 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT ON ORDERLY RETURN ON OCTOBER 29 LAST YEAR.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
5
HENRY LITTON APPOINTED TO COURT OF APPEAL *****
THE JUDICIARY ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MR HENRY LITTON WILL BE APPOINTED A JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 14 THIS YEAR.
BORN IN HONG KONG IN AUGUST 1934, MR LITTON WAS EDUCATED AT MERTON COLLEGE, OXFORD WHERE HE WAS AWARDED MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE AT THE SCHOOL OF JURISPRUDENCE IN 1954.
IN 1959, HE WAS CALLED TO THE BAR AT THE GRAY’S INN IN ENGLAND AND WAS ADMITTED TO THE HONG KONG BAR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
IN JULY 1970. MR LITTON WAS APPOINTED QUEEN’S COUNSEL. IN 1971, HE WAS APPOINTED JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND, IN 1987, AN OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE FOR SERVICES TO THE LAW.
MR LITTON FIRST SAI’ AS A COMMISSIONER IN THE HIGH COURT (NOW CALLED DEPUTY JUDGE) IN 1971 AND HAS DONE SO ON MANY OCCASIONS SINCE THEN, IN BOTH CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES IN THE HIGH COURT.
HE WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOC I AT I ON IN 1 97 1 -72, 1977-79 AND 1982-84, AND HON SECRETARY IN 1963-64 AND 1967-70.
HE REPRESENTED THE BAR AS HOST TO THE SEVENTH COMMONWEALTH LAW CONFERENCE IN 1983, TOGETHER WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY.
MR LITTON WAS A MEMBER OF THE EDUCATION IN 1976-1991 AND A PART-TIME UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW IN 1979-1991.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON LEGAL
LECTURER IN LAW, HONG KONG
FROM 1989 TO 1991, MR LITTON WAS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE
LAW
REFORM SUB-COMMITTEE ON FRAUD.
IN 1975, MR LITTON WAS APPOINTED TO PANEL OF ARBITRATORS, LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND HAS CONTINUED TO BE A MEMBER UNTIL NOW. HE BECAME CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG BRANCH OF JUSTICE IN 1975-76 AND A MEMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT RULES COMMITTEE IN 1977-1991.
FROM 1987 TO 1990, MR LITTON WAS LEGAL ADVISER TO THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE. HE WAS ONE OF THE 44 ADVISERS APPOINTED TO ADVISE THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE ON HONG KONG AFFAIRS IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
MR LITTON HAS BEEN THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE INLAND REVENUE BOARD OF REVIEW SINCE 1986 AND CHAIRMAN OF THE TOWN PLANNING APPEAL BOARD SINCE 1991.
ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL FRONT, MR LITTON WAS A MEMBER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN 1S74-B4. HP HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL APPEAL BOARD, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL APPEAL BOARD, NOISE CONTROL APPEAL BOARD SINCE 1990 AND A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH CHARITY LTD SINCE 1986.
/MR LITTON .......
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
- 6 -
MR LITTON HAS WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED EXTENSIVELY ON LEGAL SUBJECTS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS. BEING THE FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE HONG KONG LAW JOURNAL, HE HAS WRITTEN NUMEROUS ARTICLES AND EDITORIALS IN THE JOURNAL SINCE 1971.
HE HAS ALSO WRITTEN THE CHAPTER ON PUBLIC ORDER IN THE OTHER HONG KONG REPORT FOR 1989 AND 1990, AND ARTICLES IN THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST ON BILL OF RIGHTS, LAW AND ORDER.
MR LITTON IS MARRIED WITH SIX CHILDREN.
- - 0 - -
FLYOVER PROPOSED FOR CHERRY STREET
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING 1’0 CONSTRUCT A FLYOVER AT CHERRY STREET AND ASSOCIATED ROADS TO PROVIDE A LINK BETWEEN 'THE TAI KOK TSUI AREA AND THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT.
UNDER THE PROJECT, CHERRY STREET WILL BE EXTENDED AND A FLYOVER TRAVERSING THE FUTURE AIRPORT RAIL LINK’S TAI KOK TSUI STATION AND THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG THE EXTENDED CHERRY STREET.
THE ASSOCIATED ROAD WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE NEW PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE JUNCTION OF CHERRY STREET AND TAI KOK TSUI ROAD.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO BUILD FOOTPATHS, MINOR ROADSIDE AMENITY AREAS, ANCILLARY ROAD WORKS AND DRAINAGE WORKS AS PART OF THE PROJECT.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN .JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE PLAN OF THE PROPOSAL CAN BE SEEN IN THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
♦ CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, YAU MA TEI; AND
/* MONG KOK.........
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
7
* MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 22 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
--------0-----------
PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR DRAINAGE WORKS
******
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING SUBMISSIONS FOR PREQUALIFICATIONS OF TENDERERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION HINTERLAND DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE WORKS WILL COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF OVER TWO KILOMETRES OF LARGE DIAMETER PIPELINES AND BOX CULVERTS IN THE HEAVILY CONGESTED URBAN STREETS OF WEST KOWLOON.
THE WORKS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN JORDAN ROAD IN THE SOUTH AND FAT TSEUNG STREET IN THE NORTH.
SPECIAL INTERCEPTOR CHAMBERS ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED TO DIVERT THE POLLUTED DRY WEATHER FLOW FROM THE STORMWATER SYSTEM INTO THE FOUL SEWERAGE NETWORKS.
NEW TRUNK SEWERS WILL BE PROVIDED IN MANY AREAS.
IN ADDITION, OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS WILL BE DETAILED IN THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS INCLUDING HIGHWAY REINSTATEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT.
CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE UTILITY COMPANIES WILL BE REQUIRED AS IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO DI VERT MANY SERVICES.
THE WORKS ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY CONSULTANTS MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LTD.
CONTRACTORS ON THE RELEVANT LISTS OF APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FROM THE CONSULTING COMPANY ON 12TH FLOOR, SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, 30 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED SUBMISSIONS SHALL BE RETURNED TO THE PROJECT MANAGER, URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, 12TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG NO LATER THAN NOON ON AUGUST 21.
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/8.........
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
- 8 -
THREE LOTS TO LET * * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
TWO OF THE SITES ARE ON HONG NING ROAD, KWUN TONG, KOWLOON AND TSING LUK STREET, AREA 1, TSING YI, NEW TERRITORIES WITH AREAS OF ABOUT 5,700 SQUARE METRES AND 3,750 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH SITES ARE FOR USE AS FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, BUT CONTAINER VEHICLES UNDER CERTAIN TRANSFIGURATIONS ARE EXCLUDED.
THE REMAINING SITE IS ON LAI KING HILL ROAD, LAI CHI KOK IN KOWLOON. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,000 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA.
THE TENANCIES FOR THE THREE LOTS RANGE FROM TWO TO THREE YEARS AND ARE RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 7.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, KOWLOON EAST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON, AND ALSO AT THE DI STR I CT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING, 10TH AND 11TH FLOORS, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK HOAD, TSUEN WAN FOR THE SITE ON TSING YI.
--------0-----------
TENDERS FOR SLUDGE TRANSPORTATION INVITED
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF WATER TREATMENT SLUDGE FROM PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS IN SAI KUNG TO TSEUNG KWAN O SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS FOR DISPOSAL.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, THE OPERATOR IS REQUIRED INITIALLY TO USE THREE ROAD TANKER VEHICLES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF SLUDGE.
THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE OF A CAPACITY OF NOT LESS THAN 7.5 CUBIC METRES AND MAY BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A 24-HOUR SERVICE ON A THREE-SHIFT BASIS.
THE CONTRACT PERIOD COVERS 12 MONTHS AND IS EXPECTED TO START THIS OCTOBER.
/ONLY CONTRACTORS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
9
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I IN GROUP A, H OR C EOR WATERWORKS AND CONTRACTORS E'OR MATERIAL TRANSPORTATION ON THE LISTS MAINTAINED BY GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY AND GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE PERMITTED TO TENDER.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, WANCHAI TOWER II, 44TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
TENDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOX SITUATED IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON AUGUST 14.
--------0----------
CHURCH LANE TO BE RECONSTRUCTED
* * t »
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE RESUMPTION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF CHURCH LANK IN SHAU KEI WAN.
CHURCH LANE IS NOW UNDER PRIVATE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP AND IS NOT PROPERLY MANAGED AND MAINTAINED.
AS A RESULT THE ROAD IS INA DILAPIDATED CONDITION AND PARTLY OCCUPIED BY ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, PARKED VEHICLES, GOODS AND DEBRIS, LEADING TO SERIOUS ENV1RONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT UPON RESUMPTION OF THIS ROAD, GOVERNMENT WOULD RECONSTRUCT AND THEREAFTER MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THE ROAD AS WELL AS THE DRAINS TO A PROPER STANDARD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION WORKS WHICH INVOLVED THE REPAIR OF THE DEFECTIVE FOOTPATH, CARRIAGEWAY AND DRAINS WITHIN THE LANE WERE EXPECTED TO START IN JULY 1993, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0--------
71 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME * * * * *
A GROUP OF 71 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR'S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 35 MEN, 13 WOMEN, 12 BOYS AND 11 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 113TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 6,185 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 20,164 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
---------0-----------
/10.........
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
- 10
EDUCATION PROJECT WINS COMMONWEALTH AWARDS
* * * * »
A HONG KONG PROJECT THAT HAS PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO A POOR AND MOUNTAINOUS AREA IN CHINA FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS HAS WON THIS YEAR’S COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS.
THE LINNAM SERVICE PROJECT, RUN BY 11 YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE CARITAS ABERDEEN COMMUNITY CENTRE, WAS AWARDED AN 1,000 POUNDS STERLING GRANT. FT IS ONE OF FIVE WINNING PROJECTS THIS YEAR.
THE AWARDS, SPONSORED BY THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMME (CYP), ARE PRESENTED TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE ORGANISED ONGOING SERVICE PROJECTS.
THE AWARDS GIVE RECOGNITION TO THE OUTSTANDING TEAMWORK OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE SET A MODEL OR INSPIRATION TO OTHER LOCALITIES, BOTH NATIONALLY AND COMMONWEALTH-WIDE.
THE LINNAM SERVICE PROJECT IS RUNNING A SCHOOL FEE SPONSORSHIP SCHEME IN LINNAM AREA WHERE MANY PARENTS CANNOT AFFORD TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THE LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
IT ALSO RAISES FUNDS TO PROVIDE BOOKS, TEACHING MATERIALS, CLOTHES, SHOES AND TOYS.
THE SECONDARY AIM OF THE PROJECT IS TO ENHANCE YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA THROUGH INVOLVEMENT WITH THE LINNAM SCHOOLS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, MR ERIC LI, PRESENTED A CHEQUE AND A CERTIFICATE TO THE TEAM AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (FRIDAY). EACH TEAM MEMBER WAS ALSO AWARDED A MEDALLION.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER YOUTH GROUP FROM THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS MEI LAM YOUTH CENTRE HAS BEEN GRANTED 3,000 POUNDS STERLING BY THE CYP TO IMPLEMENT AN EDUCATION AND INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON SEX AND AIDS.
THEY SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO UNDERTAKE THE PROJECT WITH THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (YOUTH), MISS SUSIE HO, AT THE CEREMONY TODAY.
---------0-----------
EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION UNIT ON MOVE
* * t * *
THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN SHA TIN WILL MOVE TO ROOMS 520-523 IN KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE NEXT MONDAY (JULY 27).
THE UNIT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HANDLING EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION CLAIMS ARISING FROM ACCIDENTS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 606 5539, 699 9639 AND 606 5571.
- - 0 - -
/Il
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1992
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
***** S MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,388
REVERSAL OF LAF -400
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTLON/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY + 270
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,258
LAF RATE 2.00 B1D/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 *+0.0* 24.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.82 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.30 3.68
1 MONTH 2.57 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.30 4.00
3 MONTHS 2.51 PCT 22 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.30 4.21
6 MONTHS 2.76 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.41 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18,207 MN
CLOSED 24 JULY 1992
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGCO BY-ELECTION NOMINATION ....................................... 1
PUBLICATION OF 1992 FINAL REGISTERS OF ELECTORS .................... 1
TRAFFIC RELIEF MEASURES FOR NORTHWEST NT ACTIVELY CONSIDERED ....... 2
CONTRACTORS URGED TO CUT USE OF HARDWOOD TIMBER..................... 3
WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD TO BE UPGRADED.................................. 4
63 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MAY .............................. 5
YOUTH ENCOURAGED TO GO METRIC ...................................... 6
HAPPY DAY FOR BOYS OF CASTLE PEAK HOME ............................. 7
GOOD CITIZENS CREDITED FOR FIGHTING CRIME .......................... 8
35 PASS LICENTIATE MEDICAL EXAM .................................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 9
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
LEGCO BY-ELECTION NOMINATION
♦ »»»♦*
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST CONSTITUENCY WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (JULY 27) AND WILL LAST TWO WEEKS UNTIL AUGUST 10.
ANY REGISTERED ELECTOR WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING NOMINATION IS QUALIFIED TO STAND FOR ELECTION.
EACH NOMINATION HAS TO BE SUBSCRIBED BY A TOTAL OF 10 ELECTORS RESIDING IN THE TUEN MUN OR YUEN LONG DISTRICT. ONLY ONE NOMINATION MAY BE MADE BY EACH ELECTOR.
A CANDIDATE HAS TO PLACE A DEPOSIT OF 310,000 WITH THE TREASURY BEFORE LODGING HIS NOMINATION PAPER WITH THE RETURNING OFFICER, THAT IS, DISTRICT OFFICER, TUEN MUN.
NOMINATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
---------0-----------
PUBLICATION OF 1992 FINAL REGISTERS OF ELECTORS
******
THE FINAL REGISTERS OF ElSCtoTiS FOR 1992 WILL BE PUBLISHED ON MONDAY (JULY 27) AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE.
FOR THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL FOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS, THERE IS A NET INCREASE OF 16,896 ELECTORS OVER THE 1991 FIGURE, MAKING A TOTAL OF 1,933,821 ENTRIES AND A REGISTRATION RATE OF 52.4 PER CENT.
THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF POPULATION FROM THE URBAN ARKAS 18 EVIDENT. OVER THE YEAR, 7,254 ELECTORS HAVE MOVED TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA, NOTABLY TAI PO (1,963), SAI KUNG (1,872), SHA TIN (1,702) AND TUEN MUN (1,538).
THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES CARRIES 69,976 ENTRIES, SHOWING A MINOR INCREASE OF 151 OVER THE 1991 ISSUE. THE REGISTRATION RATE NOW STANDS AT 63.6 PER CENT.
- - 0-----------
/2.........
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
- 2 -
TRAFFIC RELIEF MEASURES FOR NORTHWEST NT ACTIVELY CONSIDERED ♦ * t * ♦
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WILL BE STRENGTHENED AND NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES INTRODUCED AS SHORT-TERM MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ALONG THE CORRIDOR BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AND THE URBAN AREA.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID AN ADDITIONAL FERRY PLYING BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND CENTRAL DURING MORNING PEAK HOURS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON MONDAY (JULY 27).
A 1,000-SEATER VESSEL WILL BE DEPLOYED ON THE SERVICE WHICH CAN TAKE COMMUTERS TO CENTRAL IN LESS THAN AN HOUR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL FERRY SERVICES TO SOUTH KOWLOON AND NORTH LANTAU WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE COMING YEARS,” HE ADDED.
”IN THE MEANTIME, THE HONG KONG FERRY COMPANY IS BEING ENCOURAGED TO EXAMINE THE VIABILITY OF BUYING HIGH-SPEED HIGH-CAPACITY VESSELS SO AS TO FURTHER UPGRADE THE SERVICE.”
NEW EXTERNAL BUS SERVICES ARE BEING PLANNED, INCLUDING CERTAIN ROUTES OPERATING VIA THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROUTE AND TOLO HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF THE HEAVILY USED TUEN MUN ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO THE URBAN AREA.
SOME OF THESE ADDITIONAL EXTERNAL BUS ROUTES WILL PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES.
IN ADDITION, BUS PRIORITY MEASURES ARE BEING CONSIDERED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
’’APART FROM CATERING FOR THE INCREASING POPULATION AND TRAVEL DEMAND IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES SHOULD ALSO DISCOURAGE MOTORISTS FROM DRIVING AND HENCE REDUCE TRAFFIC ON TUEN MUN ROAD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID VARIABLE TRAFFIC SIGNS ADVISING MOTORISTS OF CONGESTIONS OR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALONG CERTAIN SECTIONS OF TUEN MUN ROAD WOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
WHEN ACTIVATED, THESE SIGNS CAN ADVISE MOTORISTS ’I’O SELECT ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS ALSO CONSIDERING INTRODUCING MOBILE DETECTION DEVICES ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD TO DEAL WI TH OVERLOADING OF GOODS VEHICLES, HE SAID.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO REQUEST THE POLICE TO STEP UP PATROLS ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD TO HANDLE BREAKDOWN VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS MORE PROMPTLY,” HE ADDED.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
3
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT A SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN SAM SHING AND SO KWUN WAT WILL BE WIDENED IN EIGHT MONTHS’ TIME AND THE SECTION IN TSUEN WAN WEST WILL BE UPGRADED TO DUAL TWO-LANE BY LATE 1994.
ALSO, CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO WIDENING CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN SO KWUN WAT AND TSUEN WAN WEST, AND TO PROVIDING ADDITIONAL HILL CLIMBING LANES AT THREE CRITICAL SECTIONS OF TUEN MUN ROAD BY 1996.
MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS ARE ALSO IN HAND TO ENHANCE TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND THE TOLO HIGHWAY. THIS WILL PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR MOTORISTS TO TRAVEL FROM TUEN MUN TO THE URBAN AREA VIA THE TOLO HIGHWAY.
IN THE LONG TERM, THE PLANNED OPENING OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 IN 1998 WILL PROVIDE ADEQUATE CAPACITY TO CATER FOR TRAFFIC DEMAND, THUS FURTHER RELIEVING CONGESTION ALONG THE CORRIDOR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN LUI, WILL MEET A GROUP OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT HOARD MEMBERS ON THURSDAY (JULY 301 TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE.
---------0------------
CONTRACTORS URGED TO CUT USE OF HARDWOOD TIMBER
******
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING AT ITS REQUIREMENTS WITH A VIEW TO CHANGING PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS THAT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ENCOURAGE THE USE OF HARDWOOD TIMBER.
THE OFFICE IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING AN EXERCISE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATION IN THE PURSUIT, BUT IN THE MEANTIME EFFORTS ARE BEING STEPPED UP TO ENCOURAGE CONTRACTORS TO ACTIVELY' SEEK METHODS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TROPICAL HARDWOOD TIMBER USED IN THEIR BUILDING PROJECTS.
IN THE LATEST DESPATCH OF A PRACTICE NOTE FOR AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, A PACKAGE OF PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ARE PROVIDED BY BOO TO PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD AS A MOVE TO ACHIEVE SOME SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE USE OF HARDWOOD TIMBER IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRIES.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE THREAT OF DESTRUCTION TO THE WORLD'S TROPICAL RAINFORESTS, THESE SUGGESTIONS ARE TARGETED AT SEEKING ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS TO HARDWOOD IN MANY COMMON ASPECTS IN BUILDING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HOARDINGS, COVERED WALKWAYS, TEMPORARY FORMWORKS AND INTERNAL FINISHES.
/CITING HOARDING .......
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
4
CITING HOARDING AS AN EXAMPLE, THE NOTE SUGGESTED THAT STEEL AS AN OBVIOUS ALTERNATIVE TO TROPICAL TIMBER. ALTHOUGH IT IS POSSIBLY MORE EXPENSIVE INITIALLY, IT CAN BE REUSED MANY TIMES.
IT POINTED OUT THAT THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY STARTED TO REQUIRE HOARDINGS TO BE CONSTRUCTED OF STEEL ON THEIR SITES.
APART FROM REDUCING THE USE OF HARDWOOD TIMBER, THE PRACTICE NOTE ALSO CONTAINS AN APPEAL TO CONTRACTORS TO REDUCE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE WASTAGE OF ANY HARDWOOD TIMBER BY MEANS OF STIPULATING IN CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS THAT HARDWOOD TIMBER WASTE SHOULD BE SEPARATED AND REUSED WHEREVER POSSIBLE, RATHER THAN BEING DUMPED WITH OTHER SITE RUBBISH.
"WHERE NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE USE OF HARDWOOD TIMBER CAN BE FOUND, THE CONTRACT SPECIFICATION COULD BE WRITTEN TO REQUIRE HARDWOOD TIMBER TO BE OBTAINED FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES," IT SUGGESTED.
COMMENTING ON THE EXERCISE, A SPOKESMAN FOR BOO STATED: "CONCERN IS MOUNTING THAT UNLESS ACTION IS TAKEN SOON, THE WORLD’S TROPICAL RAINFORESTS WILL RE DESTROYED. THE FINGER HAS BEEN POINTED AT HONG KONG AS A MAJOR USER OF TIMBER FROM THE RAINFORESTS."
HR SAID THERE HAD BEEN CLAIMS THAT HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE TOP 10 IMPORTERS OF TROPICAL TIMBER AND MOST OF THAT TIMBER WAS USED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
"TO MAKE THINGS WORSE IT WAS FURTHER CLAIMED THAT A LARGE PROPORTION OF THIS TIMBER WAS USED SO WASTEFULLY THAT AFTER MINIMAL USE IT WAS DISCARDED AS CONSTRUCTION WASTE AND ENDED UP ON LANDFILL SITES," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT CLEARLY HONG KONG HAD A LARGE PART TO PLAY IN SAVING THE WORLD’S RAINFORESTS WHICH WOULD MEANT THAT CONTRACTORS MUST BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT CHANGES TO MANY OF THE TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION THAT WERE USED IN HONG KONG.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A LEAD WITH THESE CHANGES AND IS ENCOURAGING CONTRACTORS TO SEEK ALTERNATIVES TO HARDWOOD," HE STRESSED.
- - 0 - -
WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD TO BE UPGRADED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL TO IMPROVE WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH BLUE POOL ROAD TO ALLOW FOR BETTER TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HAPPY VALLEY.
THE PROJECT MAINLY COMPRISES THE WIDENING AND REALIGNMENT OF A SECTION OF WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
/IT ALSO
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
5
IT ALSO INCLUDES RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAYS AND ROAD JUNCTIONS BETWEEN WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND BLUE POOL ROAD, AND BETWEEN WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AND SING WOO ROAD.
MOREOVER, THE PRESENT TRAM AND BUS TERMINUS FACILITIES WILL BE IMPROVED.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, THE CURVATURE OF THE SHARP RIGHT TURN FOR SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH BLUE POOL ROAD WILL BE REDUCED WHILE SIGHT-LINES FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC WILL BE ENHANCED.
WITH THE RELOCATION OF THE EXISTING BUS TERMINUS, THE CONFLICTS BETWEEN VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS APPROACHING THE BUS TERMINUS WILL BE REMOVED.
ALSO, THE FUTURE TRAM TERMINUS LOCATED NEXT TO THE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY WILL RESOLVE THE PRESENT BOTTLENECK PROBLEM FOR VEHICULAR MOVEMENT, PARTICULARLY ON RACEDAYS.
IN ADDITION, AN OPEN SPACE OF ABOUT 1,100 SQUARE METRES WILL BE FORMED AND HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER LANDSCAPING WORKS.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
--------0 - - - -
63 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MAY
* * ♦ *
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 63 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN MAY.
OF THESE, 25 WERE FOR HONG KONG, 18 FOR KOWLOON AND 20 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 30 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/ COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 10 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND FIVE FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 39 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 47,217 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 117,984 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $3,770 MILLION.
USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 108,229 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 215,793 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
/IN MAY .......
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
6
IN MAY, THE OKE ICR ISSUED 43 OCCUPATION PERMITS - 16 FOR MONO KONG ISLAND, 11 EOR KOWLOON, AND 16 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 34 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 85 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 595 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,429 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 397 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 726 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED 27 EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
---------0-----------
YOUTH ENCOURAGED TO GO METRIC’
*****
THE METRICATION COMMITTEE TODAY (SATURDAY) PRESENTED AWARDS TO 40 STUDENTS WHO WON A POSTER AND SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITI ON HELD AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO USE METRIC UNITS.
THE COMPETITION WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES - PRIMARY, LOWER SECONDARY AND UPPER SECONDARY. A TOTAL OF 321 ENTRIES FROM 31 SCHOOLS WERE RECEIVED.
SPEAKING AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD IN THE CONFERENCE HALL OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, A MEMBER OF THE METRICATION COMMITTEE, MRS BETTY LAM, SAID: "JUDGING FROM THESE ENTRIES, I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT OUR YOUNGER GENERATION IS INDEED KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT METRICATION AND CAPABLE OF DEVELOPING NEW INSIGHTS AND IDEAS ON HOW METRICATION COULD BEST BE PROMOTED.”
"IT IS A BLESSING FOR HONG KONG IF OUR YOUNGSTERS HAVE A PROVEN APTITUDE FOR METRICATION,” MRS LAM SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, ANOTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR K.Y. TONGSON, SAID: "IN THE LONG TERM, IT IS TO HONG KONG’S ADVANTAGE THAT IT IS IN STEP RATHER THAN OUT OF STEP WITH A MAJORITY OF COUNTRIES THAT HAVE ALREADY GONE METRIC OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING SO."
"OUR EFFORTS OVER THE PASI’ FEW YEARS CAN BE ASSESSED FROM TWO ANGLES. ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE, ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE NOW USING METRIC UNITS EXCLUSIVELY.
"AS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR, FIVE BROAD TARGET AREAS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, NAMELY, EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING; HU I LI) I NG AND CONSTRUCTION; PUBLIC UTILIT IES; MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES; AND CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES," MR TONGSON SAID.
HE SAID A REVIEW OF PROGRESS WAS MADE, AND 1'1’ WAS ESTABLISHED THAT CONVERS ION TO THE METRIC’ SYSTEM HAD BEEN SUBSTANTI ALLY COMPLETED IN THE FIRST THREE AREAS.
/"THE METRIC .......
7
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
"THE METRIC SYSTEM IS REINO INCREASINGLY USHI) IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, AND THE PACE OF FURTHER METRICATION MAINLY DEPENDS ON THE RA'I’E OF CONVERSION IN OUR MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"THE SALE OF CONSUMER GOODS AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL IS ALMOST ENTIRELY IN METRIC UNITS. HOWEVER, ADOPTION OF METRIC UNITS AT THE RETAIL LEVEL IS RATHER SLOW,” MR TONGSON SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN VIEW OF A NATURAL TENDENCY FROM A FAMILIAR AND CUSTOMARILY USED SYSTEM TO METRICATION COMMITTEE HAD BEEN PROMOTING THE USE OF THE RETAIL LEVEL IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
TO RESIST CHANGE A NEW ONE, THE METRIC UNITS AT
MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, WHO HAVE HELPED IN PROMOTING METRICATION, WERE PRESENTED WITH LETTERS OF APPOINTMENT AS METRICATION AMBASSADORS AT THE CEREMONY.
WINNING ENTRIES OF 'THE POSTER AND SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITION, WHICH WAS SPONSORED BY THE WINNER FOOD PRODUCTS LIMITED, WILL BE ON SHOW FROM JULY 31 (FRIDAY) TO AUGUST 2 (SUNDAY) BETWEEN 9 AM AND 6 PM DAILY AT 'THE KOWLOON PARK ARCADE, TSIM SHA TSUI. ADMISSION IS FREE.
------0--------
HAPPY DAY FOR HOYS OF CASTLE PEAK HOMI*
♦ » * » *
SEVENTY RESIDENTS OF CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME SPENT A MEMORABLE WEEKEND AS THEY SHARED THE JOY OF ACHIEVING GOOD EXAM INAT I ON RESULTS WITH THEIR VISITING PARENTS.
AMONG THEM, SIX BOYS WERE ALSO AWARDED THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD BRONZES FOR THEIR OUTSTAND I NG PERFORMANCE IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT A CEREMONY - A HIGHLIGHT OF THE PARENTS’ DAY ORGANISED BY THE HOME.
THE SUPER INTENDENT OF THE HOME, MR KWONG KIT-YING, SAID THE EVENT WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING PARENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRAINING COURSES AND DAILY LIFE OF THE YOUNG OFFENDERS STAYING AT THE HOME.
HE TOLD PARENTS THAT THE BOYS’ HOME WAS ONE OF THE TWO REFORMATORY SCHOOLS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL TRAINING FOR OFFENDERS AGED BETWEEN 14-AND-A-HALF AND 16.
THE BOYS ARE DETAINED IN THE HOME UNDER THE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS ORDINANCE FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND NOT MORE THAN THREE YEARS.
"TRAINING PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING ACADEMIC STUDIES FROM PRIMARY 6 'I’O FORM 2 LEVELS, WORKSHOPS ON LIGHT MECHANICS, CARPENTARY, PRINTING AND 'TAILORING ARE PROVIDED.
"WE HOPE THAT THE PROGRAMME WOULD HELP THEM ABILITY AND SKILLS TO RE INTEGRATE I N'I’O THE COMMUNITY LAW-ABIDING LIFE UPON DISCHARGE,” HE ADDED.
ACQUIRE THE
AND LEAD A
--------0 - -
/8 ........
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
8
GOOD CITIZENS CREDITED EOR RIGHTING (RIME
*****
TWENTY-EIGHT CIVIC-MINDED PEOPLE WILL BE PRESENTED WITH GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON AT AN OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1992-93 YAU TSIM DISTRICT ’’JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME” CAMPAIGN.
THE AWARDEES, COMPRISING 25 MEN AND THREE WOMEN, HAVE HELPED THE POLICE IN COMBATING CRIMES LAST YEAR.
THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THE UPPER-GROUND LEVEL, CHINA HONG KONG CITY.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE THE YAU TSIM POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR LEUNG CHI-BUN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CLARA TANG.
THERE WILL BE A SINGING PERFORMANCE AFTERWARDS. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE "JOIN FORCES AGA INST CRIME” CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITT EE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE I) I STR I CT BOARD.
O'l’HER ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CAMPAIGN I NCLUDE SEMINARS, TALKS, ANTI-CRIME PUBLICITY, A FIGHT (’RIME CARNIVAL AND A SI NG I NG CONTEST.
ATTENTION NEWS EDTIORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1992-93 YAU TSIM DISTRICT ’’JOIN FORCES AGAINST (’RIME” CAMPAIGN CUM GOOD CITIZEN AWARD PRESENTATION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) ON UPPER-GROUND LEVEL, CHINA HONG KONG CITY, CANTON
ROAD.
---------0-----------
35 PASS LICENTIATE MEDICAL EXAM *****
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OK THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT 35 OF THE 84 CAND I DATES HAD PASSED THE FINAL PART OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREG ISTRABLE DOCTORS.
THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION. HELD BETWEEN JUL\ 7 AND 9, WAS AN ORAL EXAMINATION TO TEST THE ABILITY OF CANDIDATES TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS.
/CANDIDATES WERE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1992
9
CANDIDATES WERE EXAMINED BY TWO PANELS OF EXAMINERS IN EACH OF THE THREE DISCIPLINES - MEDICINE, SURGERY , AND OBSTE'IRIC-S AND GYNAECOLOGY.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN 18-MONTH PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING IN HOSPITALS APPROVED B\ THE MEDICAL COUNCIL, STARTING TH 1S SEPTEMBER.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MlLLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,258
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL *
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,258
NET INJECT1ON/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +300
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,558
* LAF TO BE REVERSED ON 27.7.92 -270 MN
LAF RATE 2.00 B1D/4.00 OFFER
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SECRETARY OF STATE ARRIVES FOR VISIT .................................. 1
STAMP ALBUM ON OLYMPIC GAMES .......................................... 1
A DRAGON BOAT FOR CANADA .............................................. 2
NEW OFFICES FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INSPECTORATE DIVISION ........... 3
PUBLIC ADVISED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES ..................... 4
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR PHOTO CONTEST ON FAMILY LIFE ................. 5
SALT WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI .......................................... 5
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1992
1
SECRETARY OF STATE ARRIVES FOR VISIT * ♦ t * »
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, ARRIVED TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR A THREE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT, MR HURD SAID HE WOULD MEET EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND ALSO TO TALK TO THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ADVISERS.
HE SAID THE VISIT WAS NOT TO ANNOUNCE ANY GREAT DECISIONS, BUT TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE AS HE HAD DONE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE.
•'IT WILL TAKE A BIT OF TIME YET BEFORE DECISIONS ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS ARE ANNOUNCED. SO TH IS IS TAKING SI’OCK AND BRINGING MYSELF UP TO DATE,” MR HURD SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE AIRPORT TALKS, MR HURD SAID: "THE MATTER WILL BE SOLVED IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE AGREEMENT WHICH THE PRIME MINISTER AND PREMIER LI PENG REACHED LAST YEAR."
"THERE WILL BE AGREEMENT, 1 DON’T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE BECAUSE IT TAKES TWO SIDES TO REACH AN AGREEMENT. BUT WE HAVE THE FRAMEWORK OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE AIRPORT AGREEMENT. THAT’S A GOOD FRAMEWORK AND I’M SURE THAT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED IN THAT FRAMEWORK," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
STAMP ALBUM ON OLYMPIC GAMES
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M. PAGLIAR1, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A PRESTIGE COMMEMORATIVE ALBUM CONTAINING SPECIAL STAMPS AND SOUVENIR SHEETS ISSUED ON THE 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES BY 12 POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS WILL BE RELEASED ON AUGUST 4.
IT CONTAINS SPECIAL STAMPS ISSUED BY AUSTRALIA, CHINA, GREECE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, MACAU, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AND THE USA.
ALSO INCLUDED IN EACH ALBUM ARE SOUVENIR SHEETS ISSUED BY CHINA, HONG KONG, THE IRISH REPUBLIC, MACAU, THE NETHERLANDS AND NORWAY.
THE HONG KONG SOUVENIR SHEET WAS ISSUED ON JULY 25 BEARING THE WORDS "TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE 1992 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES -25 JULY 1992".
MR PAGLIARI SAID PREPARATION OF THE ALBUM HAD BEEN POSSIBLE AS A RESULT OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE AND THE 11 OTHER POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS.
/EVERY CUSTOMER
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1992
2
EVERY CUSTOMER QUEUING UP EACH TIME IS ENTITLED TO ONLY TWO ALBUMS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SALE.
THE ALBUM WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $360 A COPY AT THE FOLLOWING SEVEN PHILATELIC OFFICES:
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
GENERAL POST OFFICE
GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE PEAK POST OFFICE SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
--------0 - -
A DRAGON BOAT FOR CANADA » t * «
RISING FROM THE SAWDUST IN AN AP LEI CHAU BOATYARD IS A DRAGON BOAT THAT MAY NEVER FEEL THE KISS OF WATER ON ITS KEEL. HUT THIS DRAGON BOAT WILL SAIL FURTHER THAN MOST BUILT IN HONG KONG - ALL THE WAY TO A MUSEUM IN CANADA.
BUILT BY ASIA SHIPYARD AND MARINE SERVICE AT A COST OF $100,000, THE 12-METRE VESSEL IS HONG KONG’S OFFICIAL GIFT TO CANADA AS PART OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92.
IT IS THE COUNTERPART OF THE TOTEM POLE, SPECIALLY CARVED FOR HONG KONG AND ERECTED IN KOWLOON PARK AS PART OF FESTIVAL CANADA ’91. IT WILL BE PRESENTED, AS A PERMANENT EXHIBIT, TO THE MUSEUM OF CIVILISATION IN OTTAWA.
IT IS AN APPROPRIATE GIFT, FOR TO MANY CANADIANS DRAGON BOATS MORE THAN JUNKS SYMBOLISE HONG KONG THESE DAYS.
THIS IS BECAUSE HONG KONG HAS EXPORTED THIS UNIQUE CHINESE SPORT AROUND THE WORLD, AND NOWHERE HAS IT CAUGHT ON MORE THAN IN CANADA.
THE LADIES TEAM FROM FALSE CREEK, VANCOUVER, WON THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACES. THE WEEK BEFORE MEN FROM THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, ALSO WON AN INTERNATIONAL RACE IN TAIWAN.
DRAGON BOAT RACING WILL BE VERY MUCH PART OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92. AS A CURTAIN RAISER, RACES WERE HELD IN VANCOUVER HARBOUR IN JUNE. THERE WILL BE OTHER RACES IN CALGARY AND IN REGINA.
BUT FESTIVAL HONG KONG WILL BE MORE THAN DRAGON BOATS - MUCH MORE.
THIS AUTUMN, FIVE OF CANADA’S MAJOR CITIES WILL ENJOY A FEAST OF HONG KONG DANCE, MUSIC, THEATRE, FILM, FASHION, FOOD AND SPORT.
/ALSO, THEY ........
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1992
3
ALSO, THEY WILL GET SOME IDEA OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS THAT WILL ENSURE THE HONG KONG PHENOMENON CONTINUES WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
HONG KONG’S MOST AMBITIOUS OVERSEAS PROMOTION - FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 - WILL BE HELD IN TORONTO, MONTREAL, CALGARY, OTTAWA AND VANCOUVER FROM SEPTEMBER 26 TO OCTOBER 21. ITS AIM IS TO BUILD A "BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC".
THE FESTIVAL, MORE THAN 100 SEPARATE EVENTS INVOLVING 400 PERFORMERS, WILL OPEN OFFICIALLY IN TORONTO WITH A SPECTACULAR STREET PARADE ON SEPTEMBER 26 AND END WITH A GALA DINNER IN VANCOUVER ON OCTOBER 21.
THE FIVE-CITY PROMOTION IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF A VISIT TO CANADA BY THE THEN GOVERNOR LORD WILSON.
IN CONVERSATION WITH PRIME MINISTER BRIAN MULRONEY, THE TWO LEADERS AGREED TO HOLD TWO FESTIVALS, ONE IN HONG KONG IN 1991 AND ONE IN CANADA THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
THE FESTIVALS WOULD CEMENT A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP ALMOST AS OLD AS HONG KONG ITSELF.
HONG KONG’S CONTRIBUTION WILL BE MORE THAN A FESTIVAL OF FOOD, FUN AND FANTASY, A CARNIVAL OF CULTURE, COMMERCE, COUTURE, CUISINE AND CHARACTER.
FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 WILL BE HONG KONG SHOWING ITS PACIFIC NEIGHBOUR JUST WHAT MAKES IT TICK, DRAGON BOATS AND ALL.
------0-------
NEW OFFICES FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INSPECTORATE DIVISION ******
THE INSPECTORATE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES DIVISION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS AT WANCHAI TOWER I TO NEW OFFICES AT Ol KWAN COURT ON TUESDAY (JULY 28).
ITS NEW ADDRESS IS FOURTH FLOOR, 01 KWAN COURT, 28 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI. ITS NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 832 5030.
THE DIVISION COMPRISES THREE SECTIONS - THE COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATION UNIT, THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES SECTION AND THE INSPECTION SECTION.
THE COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATION UNIT LAST YEAR HANDLED A TOTAL OF 167 COMPLAINTS. SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE FILED BY THE PUBLIC AND THE NUMBER OF THESE COMPLAINTS WAS HIGHER THAN THE FIGURES IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1992
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID WHILE THERE WERE VARIOUS FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE RISE IN COMPLAINTS, THE TREND COULD, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, REFLECT THE GROWING CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC IN THE DEPARTMENT’S GRIEVANCE REDRESS MACHINERY.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE RELOCATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATION UNIT WILL FURTHER ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE AVENUE TO VENTILATE COMPLAINTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APART FROM ESTABLISHING A STRONGER SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE, THE REMOVAL OF THE DIVISION WAS TO TIE IN WITH THE EXPANSION OF ITS SERVICE, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES SECTION WAS A NEWLY CREATED SECTION TASKED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANUALS REVIEW AND OFFERING ADVICE RELATING TO CURRENT MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS AND ECONOMY OF DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES.
THE INSPECTION SECTION SERVES AS A MONITORING BODY ON MATTERS RELATING TO EXECUTION OF DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES, GENERAL INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTIONS.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC ADVISED NOT TO BRING IN ENDANGERED SPECIES
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING CHINA AND OVERSEAS COUNTRIES DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS ARE ADVISED NOT TO BRING BACK WITH THEM ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES ON THEIR RETURN TO HONG KONG.
THE SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR MARTIN LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY): "BOTH THE CUSTOMS AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT HAVE STEPPED UP CONTROL MEASURES AT ALL ENTRY POINTS TO CHECK ON TRAVELLERS AND GOODS VEHICLES DURING THE'HOLIDAY PERIOD.
"ANYONE WHO TRIES TO ILLEGALLY BRING IN ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING LIVE AND STUFFED SPECIMENS AS WELL AS PARTS AND DERIVATIVES, WILL BE PROSECUTED."
RECENT STATISTICS HAVE INDICATED THAT SOME PEOPLE BROUGHT IN SCALES OF PANGOLIN, THE ACT OF WHICH IS ALSO AGAINST THE LAW.
MR LEUNG SAID THERE WERE 169 SEIZURES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ILLEGAL IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESSION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THE ENDANGERED SPECIES INVOLVED WERE MAINLY STUFFED SEA TURTLES, CORAL SKELETONS, MOUNTED BUTTERFLIES, PANGOLINS, PARROTS, BIRDS OF PREY AND SNAKES.
/IT IS
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 1992
5
IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE TO IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS MAY RESULT IN A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 ON THE FIRST OFFENCE AND $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE.
--------0-----------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR PHOTO CONTEST ON FAMILY LIFE
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE PART IN A PHOTO CONTEST ON HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE.
THE CONTEST IS PART OF THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO FURTHER PROMOTE GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE ENTRIES SHOULD INCLUDE A SERIES OF FOUR CAPTIONED PHOTOGRAPHS PORTRAY I NG HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE. APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN '1'0 ALL HONG KONG RES I DEN I'S.
PARTICIPANTS MAY SHARE THE JOY OF FAMILY LIFE WITH OTHERS WHILE HAVING A CHANCE TO WIN ATTRACTIVE PRIZES INCLUDING FOUR RETURN TICKETS 'TO BANGKOK, PHOTOGRAPHIC APPLIANCES AND GIFT COUPONS.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT YOUTH OFFICES AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, 24TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD REACH 'THE YOUTH OFFICES BEFORE SEPTEMBER 4. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 451 3133.
------0--------
SALT WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEL * * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI WILL GO OFF FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 28) TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT JORDAN ROAD FERRY PIER AND ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, GASCOIGNE ROAD, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, WYLIE ROAD, YIM PO FONG STREET, ARGYLE STREET, CHERRY STREET, FERRY STREET AND MAN CHEONG STREET.
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR JUNE ....................................... 1
FS COMMENTS ON CPI AND TRADE FIGURES .................................. 7
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE .................................... 7
PRESS CONFERENCE BY FOREIGN SECRETARY ................................. 10
AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON THURSDAY ................................. 18
LAND COMMISSION MEETING ON WEDNESDAY .................................. 18
RCB MEETS CONSORTIA ON SUBSCRIPTION TV PROPOSALS ...................... 19
1993 LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY APPROVED ........................ 19
RELIEF BUS SERVICES PROVIDED DURING TRAIN DISRUPTION .................. 20
CASH AID TO DEPENDENT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM ...................... 20
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO BE CLOSED ....................... 21
CALL FOR EARLY RETURN OF SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ........................ 21
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDERS ........................................... 22
FIRING PRACTICE IN AUGUST ............................................. 23
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................................. 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 24
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
1 -
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR .JUNE
**»**»
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN JUNE THIS YEAR WAS 9.3% HIGHER THAN IN JUNE LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 9.6% AND 10.0% RESPECTIVELY IN JUNE 1992 THAN IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
ALTHOUGH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CPIS IN JUNE WERE SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THOSE RECORDED IN MAY, THE UNDERLYING TREND OF INFLATION IS MODERATING; THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) INCREASED BY 1.9% DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE OF THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THAT OF 3.4% BETWEEN DECEMBER 1991 AND MARCH 1992.
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH WAS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 9.6% IN JUNE 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1991. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN MAY 1992 WAS 9.1%.
THE HIGHER YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CPIS IN JUNE 1992 WERE PARTLY DUR TO FASTER INCREASES IN RENT AND PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT.
JUNE LAST YEAR WAS ALSO A LOWER BASE OF COMPARISON DUE TO THE REDUCTION IN TOBACCO DUTY IN MID-MAY LAST YEAR AND THE REMOVAL OF THE FUEL SURCHARGE FROM TAXI FARRS.
COMPARING JUNE 1992 WITH JUNE 1991, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (2.2% TN THE CPI(A) AND 2.5% IN THE CPI(B)); TRANSPORT (6.7% AND 7.0%); FUEL AND LIGHT (7.0% AND 6.7%); FOOD (EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS) (7.0% AND 7.1%); MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (7.1% AND 6.7%); AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (8.1% AND 7.8%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (10.7% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (11.2% IN BOTH CPIS); SERVICES (11.9% IN THE CPI(A) AND 11.1% IN THE CPI(B)); AND HOUSING (12.3% AND 13.1%).
COMPARING JUNE WITH MAY 1992, BOTH THE CPI(A) AND THE CPT(B) INCREASED BY 1.0%, WHILE THE HANG SENG CPI INCREASED BY 0.8%. THIS COMPARISON WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
THE INCREASES IN THE INDICES WERE LARGELY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF FOOD ITEMS (PARTICULARLY FRESH VEGETABLES), HIGHER RENT FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS AND AN INCREASE IN THE CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS.
' T’HI
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
2
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, THE CPI(A) HIGHER BY 9.0% THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. FIGURE FOR THE CPI(B) WAS 9.3%.
WAS, ON AVERAGE, THE CORRESPONDING
IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992, BOTH THE CPI(A) AND CP1(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 9.6% THAN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JUNE 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 10.5% THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE WAS 10.4% FOR THE CPI(B).
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT” FOR JUNE 1992, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $9 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 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.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES MAY BE MADE OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/TABLE 1 .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
3
Table 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for June 1992 (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Component CPI(A) CPI(B) Hang Seng CPI Comnosite CPI
Index for Jun 92 % change over Jun 91 Index for Jun 92 % change over Jun 91 Index for Jun 92 % change over Jun 91 Index for Jun 92 % change over Jun 91
Food 124.7 +8.9 125.5 +9.2 124.2 +9.9 124.9 +9.2
Meals bought away from home 129.2 +10.7 129.1 +10.7 125.8 +11.7 128.4 +10.9
Food, excluding meals.bought away from home 120.3 +7.0 120.6 +7.1 121.5 +7.0 120.6 +7.0
Housing 130.6 +12.3 130.8 +13.1 131.3 +12.0 130.9 +12.5
Fuel and light 116.0 +7.0 115.4 +6.7 115.3 +5.9 115.7 +6.7
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 161.5 +11.2 153.6 +11.2 150.0 +11.1 157.1 +11.2
Clothing and footwear 120.2 +8.1 121.2 +7.8 129.5 +12.8 123.8 +9.6
Durable goods 107.4 +2.2 107.1 +2.5 110.2 +4.0 108.1 +2.8
Miscellaneous goods 115.3 +7.1 114.3 +6.7 113.7 +5.9 114.5 +6.6
Transport 125.1 +6.7 124.9 +7.0 125.7 +6.9 125.2 +6.9
Services 127.7 +11.9 125.8 +11.1 122.0 +10.0 125.2 +11.0
All items 125.3 +9.3 125.1 +9.6 125.2 +10.0 125.2 +9.6
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 $2,500-89,999 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 $10,000-817,499 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 817,500-837,499 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 .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
4
Table 2 Consumer Price Indices for October 1990 - June 1992
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPI(A) CPI(B) Hang Seng CPI Composite CPI
1990 October 105.8 105.9 106.7 106.1
November 106.5 106.7 107.8 106.9
December 107.4 107.6 108.1 107.7
/ 1991 January 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
February 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
March 111.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
April 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
May 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
June 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
July 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
August 116.0 115.3 114.6 115.4
September 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
October 117.2 116.8 117.4 117.1
November 117.7 117.6 118.7 117.9
December 118.1 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992 January 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
February 121.8 121.2 121.0 121.4
March 122.5 121.9 121.8 122.1
April 124.0 123.4 122.9 123.5
May 124.0 123.8 124.2 124.0
June 125.3 125.1 125.2 125.2
/Chart 1 .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 5 -
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
1990 1991 1992
/Chart 3 .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 6 -
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI
/7........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
FS COMMENTS ON CPJ AND TRADE FIGURES
* » * ♦ »
COMMENTING ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FIGURES AND PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE - BOTH ANNOUNCED THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON - THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID:
"THE RATE OF INFLATION HAS BEEN STABILISING AT AROUND 9 PER CENT IN THE PAST FOUR MONTHS. THIS REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT DROP FROM THE PEAK OF 13.9 PER CENT IN APRIL LAST YEAR, AND WE STILL SEEM TO BE ON TARGET FOR SINGLE-FIGURE INFLATION THIS YEAR. THAT SAID, CLEARLY AT PRESENT LEVELS INFLATION IS STILL A MATTER FOR CONCERN.
"WE NEED ALSO TO LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE - THE CONTINUING GOOD GROWTH PROSPECTS FOR OUR ECONOMY. THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN OUR TOTAL EXPORTS, AND PARTICULARLY RE-EXPORTS, DESPITE THE SLOW GROWTH OF THE WORLD'S MAJOR ECONOMIES, IS A CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF THE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY."
- - 0 - -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE
******
RE-EXPORTS IN JUNE CONTINUED TO SURGE WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS ALSO REGISTERED A MARKED INCREASE. IMPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE SI GN I Fl CANTLY.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STAT I ST ICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE HY $16,799 MILLION OR 39.7% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $59,114 MILLION LAST MONTH.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTI ( EXPORTS ALSO INCREASED, RY $2,299 MILLION OR 12.2% TO $21,111 MILLION.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN JUNE GREW BY $19,098 MILLION OR 31.2% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $80,225 MILLION.
MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE MONTH INCREASED BY $21,029 MILLION OR 33.1% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $84,621 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $4,396 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.2% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN JUNE 1992.
/THIS COMPARED
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
8
THIS COMPARED WITH THE DEFICIT OF $2,465 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.9% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN JUNE 1991.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $76,119 MILLION OR 32.7% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $309,232 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $106,941 MILLION, WHICH IS $2,016 MILLION OR 1.9% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1991.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $416,173 MILLION IN THE FI RSI' HALF OF 1992, WAS $78,135 MILLION OR 23.1% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $83,425 MILLION OR 23.2% TO $442,646 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $26,473 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.0% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.
THIS COMPARED WITH THE DEFICIT OF $21,183 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.9% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING THAT DESPITE THE SLOW GROWTH IN THE WORLD’S MAJOR ECONOMIES, HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS MANAGED TO CONTINUE WITH VERY RAPID GROWTH AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE ABLE TO INCREASE MARGINALLY IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
/9 ........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
9 -
PRESS RELEASE TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE 1992
The Census and Statistics Department has released the following provisional merchandise trade figures for June:-
MERCHANDISE: Domestic Exports : $ Re-exports : J Total Exports : S Imports : s Tr^d^ halancp : 21,111 million ►59,114 million 80,225 million 584,621 million $4,396 million (in deficit^
COMPARATIVE FIGURES Latest 3 months Apr 92 to Jun 92 HK$ Mn. Apr 91 to Jun 91 HK$ Mn. Increase HK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance 58,235 169,620 227,855 244,690 -16,835 56,425 128,753 185,178 196,546 -11,368 1,810 40,867 42,677 48,144 -5,467 3.2 31.7 23.0 24.5
Same month last year June 1992 HK$ Mn. June 1991 HK$ Mn. Increase HK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports (% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance 21,111 (26.3%) 59,114 80,225 84,621 -4,396 18,812 (30.8%) 42,315 61,127 63,592 -2,465 2,299 16,799 19,098 21,029 -1,931 12.2 39.7 31.2 33.1
Last month June 1992 HK$ Mn. May 1992 HK$ Mn. Increase HK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports (% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance 21,111 (26.3%) 59,114 80,225 84,621 -4,396 19,406 (25.3%) 57,176 76,582 81,518 -4,936 1,705 1,938 3,643 3,103 540 8.8 3.4 4.8 3.8
Calendar year to-date Jan-Jun 1992 HK$ Mn. Jan-Jun 1991 HK$ Mn. Increase HK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports (% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance 106,941 (25.7%) 309,232 416,173 442,646 -26,473 104,925 (31.0%) 233,113 338,038 359,221 -21,183 2,016 76,119 78,135 83,425 -5,290 1.9 32.7 23.1 23.2
Last 12 months Jul 91 to Jun 92 HK$ Mn. Jul 90 to Jun 91 HK$ Mn. Increase HK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance 233,062 610,960 844,022 862,407 -18,385 230,262 464,015 694,277 709,919 -15,642 2,800 146,945 149,745 152,488 -2,743 1.2 31.7 21.6 21.5
------0 - -
/10 .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 10 -
PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS THE RT HON DOUGLAS HURD MONDAY, 27TH JULY 1992 AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR: GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I’M DELIGHTED THAT THE FOREIGN SECRETARY HAS BEEN ABLE TO VISIT HONG KONG FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS SO SOON AFTER MY ARRIVAL AS GOVERNOR. HE IS A VERY WELCOME VISITOR AND WE’LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HIM ON MANY FUTURE OCCASIONS. I KNOW THAT THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WOULD LIKE TO
SAY A FEW THINGS HIMSELF, AND THEN IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS - THOUGH
THEY ARE NOT MANDATORY - WE’LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM UNTIL ABOUT
HALF-PAST, BUT 1 WOULDN’T WANT TO DETAIN YOU FROM THE EVENING’S ENTERTAINMENTS FOR TOO LONG. FOREIGN SECRETARY.
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WELL, OF ALL THE MANY PLACES THAT I VISIT, THIS IS CERTAINLY THE MOST STIMULATING - WITH YOUR HELP - AND I’M DELIGHTED TO FIND HONG KONG FULL OF ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM. YOU DESCRIBED IT IN YOUR SPEECH AT CITY HALL AS ’ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD’ AND THAT IS UNDOUBTEDLY TRUE.
I WAS LAST HERE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, AND IT’S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO NOTE CHANGES BETWEEN VISITS. SIN( E THEN OF COURSE, WE’VE HAD AN ELECTION IN BRITAIN - WHICH WE WON - AND WHICH ENSURES CONTINUITY IN BRITISH GOVERNMENT POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG. 1'1' ALSO HAD THE INDIRECT RESULT OF ENABLING US TO SEND ONE OF OUR STRONGEST POLITICAL LEADERS TO HONG KONG AS THE GOVERNOR. ALL MY TALKS TODAY, AND MUCH THAT I’VE HEARD BEFORE, CONVINCES ME THAT CHRIS PATTEN HAS MADE A STRONG START AND YOU’LL DO WELL IN HIS HANDS.
I WANTED, INDEED 1 AGREED WITH HIM BEFORE HE LEFT LONDON, THAT I WOULD COME TO HAVE AN EARLY DISCUSSION WITH HIM TO TALK OVER SOME OF THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THE ISSUES INVOLVED. I’M NOT HERE, AS I HAVE MADE CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING, TO ANNOUNCE ANY QUICK DECISIONS ON THESE POLITICAL MATTERS. THE GOVERNOR IS CONSULTING VERY WIDELY AND THOROUGHLY AND HE WILL BE FORMING A VIEW, AND WE WILL BE FORMING A VIEW, IN THE AUTUMN.
I WANTED TO SEE SOMETHING OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS. I SAW THE CONTAINER TERMINAL AT KWAI CHUNG THIS MORNING, WHICH IS SPECTACULAR EVIDENCE OF HONG KONG AS THE CROSSROADS OF EUROPE AND ASIA, OF THE PACIFIC-RIM AND CHINA, AND AS A FUNNEL BY WHICH CHINA’S TRADE REACHES THE OUTSIDE WORLD: THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT. I ALSO V ISITED TSUEN WAN DISTRICT, WENT ROUND, WITH THE GOVERNOR, THE CLAGUE GARDEN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS THE YUEN YUEN INSTITUTE. MORE IMPORTANT, I TALKED TO - LISTENED TO - A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE HERE. BUSINESS LEADERS AT LUNCH; THE ('HAIRMEN OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS WHO DO A VERY SUBSTANI' I AL AND IMPORTANT JOB, TH IS MORNING; (’HAIRMEN OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS; OMELCO, THIS AFTERNOON; MEMBERS OF EXCO, TH IS AFTERNOON. SO THAT’S QUITE A LOT OF LISTENING IN ONE DAY.
/THREE SHORT .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 11 -
THREE SHORT IMPRESSIONS: THE INTEGRATION OF THE ECONOMIES OF SOUTHERN CHINA AND HONG KONG HAS ADVANCED VERY FAST, IS NOW SOMETHING ALMOST EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT. IT’S A FACT OF LIFE. IT’S GOOD NEWS FOR HONG KONG, IT’S GOOD NEWS FOR CHINA. IT SHOWS THAT CO-OPERATION WORKS TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL. IT’S BASED ON THE FREE-MARKET APPROACH IDENTIFIED WITH HONG KONG. IT SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE, INCIDENTALLY, TO HONG KONG, OF RETAINING CHINA’S MFN STATUS AND THAT IS A POINT WE CONSISTENTLY RAM HOME IN WASHINGTON.
SO YOU'VE GOT - AND THIS IS THE SECOND POINT -YOU’VE GOT CO-OPERATION WITHOUT FUSS, WITHOUT DRAMA, IN THE BUSINESS FIELD BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG, AND WE MUST TRY TO TRANSLATE THAT SAME SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION WITHOUT FUSS, WITHOUT DRAMA, INTO THE DISCUSSIONS AT GOVERNMENT LEVEL. THERE’S A STRONG WISH HERE, WHICH I SHARE, TO FIND, TO BUILD, A GOOD CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA THROUGH THESE FINAL YEARS OF TRANSITION IN HONG KONG, AND THAT’S WHAT WE INTEND.
THE MOU ON THE NEW AIRPORT, SIGNED BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND PREMIER LI PENG LAST YEAR, IS A SOUND FRAMEWORK FOR THIS PROJECT, A PROJECT WHICH IS CRUCIAL FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE ROLE AT THE CENTRE OF THIS REGION. FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ARE NEEDED TO RESOLVE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS OF FINANCING. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS AIRPORT QUESTION, OF COURSE, SEPARATE FROM ANY OTHER MATTERS. WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN THESE REMAINING QUESTIONS ARE TACKLED ON THEIR MERITS WE WILL FIND A SOLUTION. SO THE AIRPORT WILL BE BUILT. THERE WAS UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR BUT THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REMOVED THAT UNCERTAINTY. THE AIRPORT WILL BE BUILT; IT’S A SHARED INTEREST OF HONG KONG, CHINA AND GREAT BRITAIN. WE NOW HAVE TO SETTLE, IN THE MEETING PLACES PROVIDED FOR THAT PURPOSE, THE QUESTIONS WHICH ARE OUTSTANDING AND WHICH HAVE BEEN SLOW TO SETTLE.
THE FINAL POINT: THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG RESTS, AS IT HAS FOR EIGHT YEARS, ON CARRYING THROUGH THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE PRACTICAL CARRYING THROUGH OF THAT DECLARATION IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IS NOT ALWAYS AS QUICK AS YOU OR 1 WOULD LIKE AND WE SHALL GO ON TRYING TO SPEED IT UP, BUT THAT REMAINS THE BASIS. PRESERVING THE WAY OF LIFE WHICH IS CLEARLY DEFINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE WAY OF LIFE WHICH YOU KNOW AND FROM WHICH YOU BENEFIT, IS VITAL TO THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, FOREIGN SECRETARY. PERHAPS WE COULD PROCEED IN OUR NORMAL DISCIPLINED FASHION AND WHAT I’D BE GRATEFUL FOR IS, IF YOU COULD, BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION, GIVE US YOUR NAME AND THE ORGANISATION WHICH YOU REPRESENT, AND I’D ALSO BE GRATEFUL AND SAY, WOULD ALL YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE PRESS CORPS, IF YOU WOULD ASK ONE QUESTION RATHER THAN MAKE A LENGTHY RHETORICAL CONTRIBUTION.
DAISY LEE (MING PAO): CAN YOU TELL US YOUR VALUATION ABOUT THE SINO-BRITISH RELATIONSHIP SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE MEMORANDUM? HAS IT BEEN DETERIORATING?
/FOREIGN SECRETARY: .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 12 -
FOREIGN SECRETARY: I DON'T THINK OUR GENERAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA HAS DETERIORATED - THAT WAS THE QUESTION. IT HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS. 1 BELIEVE, BASICALLY, IT IS SOUNDER THAN IT WAS SOME YEARS AGO. WHY? BECAUSE WE NOW FIND IT POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS A WIDER RANGE OF THINGS FRANKLY WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAN USED TO BE SO, AND WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF THINGS TO DISCUSS. MUCH THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA IS HONG KONG. HONG KONG COMES FIRST IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, AND THEREFORE WE HAVE TO USE WHAT HAS BEEN BUILT, USE THAT ABILITY TO HAVE A FRANK DISCUSSION, WE HAVE TO USE THAT ABILITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG IN THE WAYS THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED.
GEOFF CUTMORE (ATV): IS THERE STILL A BRITISH COMMITMENT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS TO LEGCO, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF STIFF CHINESE OPPOSITION TO ANY GREATER PACE OF DEMOCRACY?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WHAT WE'VE SAID, REPEATEDLY, IS THAT WE WILL DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE, THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1995, AND IN PARTICULAR THIS QUESTION OF THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS, BECAUSE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE CONTINUITY - THE THROUGH-TRAIN - WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WE DECIDE FOR 1995 CARRIED THROUGH AFTER 1997. NOW THIS IS PART OF THE GENERAL REVIEW WHICH THE GOVERNOR IS MAKING OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF HONG KONG'S CONSTITUTIONAL LIFE. YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY - YOU’VE HEARD HIM SAY - THAT HE IS LISTENING, HE’S STUDYING, AND THAT IT WILL NOT BE VERY LONG BEFORE HE REACHES CONCLUSIONS, SHARES THEM WITH US, AND THEN WE WILL DISCUSS AS NECESSARY WITH PEKING.
VIVIEN CHAN (HK UNITED DAILY NEWS): MR HURD, THE CHINESE SIDE HAS ALREADY CRITICISED (THE FACT THAT) THE CALLABLE EQUITY WENT BEYOND THE MOU - THIS CURRENT MOU - BUT YESTERDAY AT THE AIRPORT YOU STILL MENTIONED THAT THE FINANCIAL DISPUTES WILL BE SOLVED ACCORDING TO THE MOU. HOW CAN THIS BE DONE?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WELL, I WOULDN'T PAY TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO BACKGROUND MUSIC. WHENEVER THERE'S A NEGOTIATION ON THIS KIND OF MATTER THERE TENDS TO BE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF REPORTS IN THE PRESS, COMMENTS IN THE PRESS, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT. WHAT COUNTS IS THE’ DISCUSSION. THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS ON THIS OUTSTANDING FINANCIAL MATTER IN PEKING, THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS HERE IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE, THERE IS A FURTHER MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE THIS WEEK. I HOPE VERY MUCH UNDER OUR PROPOSALS AND COUNTER-PROPOSALS ON THIS MATTER WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE MOU. THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO TACKLE IT AND 1 HOPE VERY MUCH THAT IT CAN BE SOLVED IN THAT WAY.
LAU CHI-WAN (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): MR FOREIGN SECRETARY, ONE OF THE FOCAL POINTS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG IS ABOUT THE EXCO. WILL MARTIN LEE BE APPOINTED AS AN EXCO MEMBER?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME, AND NOR, INCIDENTALLY, IS IT A MATTER FOR THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, IT’S A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNOR.
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 13
THE GOVERNOR: AND IE YOU'D I.IKK ME TO GIVE THE ANSWER, WHICH I HAVE GIVEN SO OFTEN THAT YOU’RE ONLY TOO FAMILIAR WITH IT, I’LL BE DELIGHTED TO DO SO. THE ANSWER IS - AND YOU MAY HAVE BEEN AWAY WHEN I’VE GIVEN IT BEFORE - THAT AT THE MOMENT I AM DISCUSSING WITH THE LEADERS OF THE COMMUNITY THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS OF HONG KONG AND WHEN I HAVE COMPLETED THOSE DISCUSSIONS, THAT IS THE TIME TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF THE COMPOSITION OF THOSE BODIES AND 1 WILL BE HAPPY TO DO SO AT THAT MOMENT.
STEVE VINES (THE GUARDIAN): FOREIGN SECRETARY, WHEN YOU LEFT BEIJING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER LAST YEAR, DID YOU THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE THE KIND OF STALEMATE ON NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT THE AIRPORT WHICH HAS ARISEN SINCE? IN OTHER WORDS, DID YOU THINK THAT ONCE YOU HAD SIGNED THAT AGREEMENT THAT BASICALLY THERE WAS ONLY THE FINE-TUNING TO DO AND THE WHOLE THING WOULD GO AHEAD, OR DID YOU THINK THAT, AS HAS HAPPENED, THERE DOESN’T REALLY SEEM TO BE MUCH PROGRESS SINCE THEN?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: OH, I THINK THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF PROGRESS. WE NOW KNOW WHAT WAS NOT CLEAR BEFORE, THAT THE CHINESE VIEW IS THAT THE AIRPORT SHOULD BE BUILT AND BUILT IN HONG KONG. YOU’LL REMEMBER THAI’ THERE WAS A GOOD DEAL OF QUESTIONING ON THAT VERY POINT, I THINK LAST TIME I HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE HERE. SO THERE’S BEEN PROGRESS. I DIDN’T FORESEE THIS PARTICULAR DIFFICULTY COMING UP. IT WAS PERFECTLY LIKELY THAT THERE WOULD HE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS FROM TIME TO TIME AND THAT IS WHY MACHINERY WAS SEI’ UP TO DEAL WITH THEM. LET’S TRY AND GET THAT MACHINERY TO DO ITS JOB.
FANNY WONG, (SCMP): FOREIGN SECRETARY, WELL JUST NOW YOU STRESSED ABOUT THE NEED FOR CONTINUITY, AND DO YOU THINK THERE IS A NEED FOR THE THROUGH-TRAIN ARRANGEMENT FOR EXCO MEMBERS?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WELL, I WAS TALKING THEN ABOUT THE LEGCO ELECTIONS. I THINK WHEN I MENTIONED THE PHRASE ’THROUGH-TRAIN’ I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE CONTINUITY OF THE 1995 ELECTIONS THROUGH 1997. I DON’T THINK I WANT TO ADD TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID ABOUT EXCO.
FANNY WONG, (SCMP): BUT EXCO IS ALSO PART OF THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM, AND A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM --
FOREIGN SECRETARY: YES.
FANNY WONG, (SCMP): -- DO YOU THINK THAT THERE
IS A NEED FOR DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON A THROUGH-TRAIN ARRANGEMENT FOR EXCO MEMBERS WHO CAN STRADDLE 1997?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WELL THAT’S FOR THE GOVERNOR.
TO DECIDE, BUT THE APPOINTMENTS TO EXCO ARE NOT A MATTER FOR THE PRC THEY ARE A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNOR.
THE GOVERNOR: WHAT YOU CAN DEPEND ON IS
THAT I WON’T BE APPOINTING EXCO IN 1998, BUT I WILL BE APPOINTING MEMBERS OF EXCO BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
FANNY WONG, (SCMP):
SO BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 --
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
THE GOVERNOR: THAN THREE.
LET’S BE FAIR - ONE RATHER
JEREMY WAGSTAFF (REUTERS):
MR HURD
COULD YOU DESCRIBE
YOUR HOPES FOR THE MEETING TODAY IN LONDON, OF THE BOSNIAN FACTIONS, GIVEN THE COMMENTS OF THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT THAT IT WILL SIMPLY SERVE AS A REPORTER ON THE WAR RATHER THAN ANY SERIOUS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS?
FOREIGN SECRETARY:
WELL THERE ARE TWO THINGS
THAT ARE NEEDED IN BOSNIA: ONE IS A CEASE-FIRE THAT WORKS AS OPPOSED TO A CEASE-FIRE THAT THE THREE LEADERS CONCERNED SIGN AND DOESN’T WORK; AND THE SECOND IS — THERE ARE THREE THINGS — THE SECOND IS HUMANITARIAN RELIEF, WHICH COMES AND GOES HUT DOES TO A LIMITED EXTENT GET THROUGH; AND THE THIRD IS SOME PROSPECT OF A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. AND THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LORD CARRINGTON’S EFFORTS AND AMBASSADOR CUTELEIRO’S EFFORTS. THIS IS A COUNTRY, BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA, WE’VE RECOGNISED IT. THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HAS RECOGNISED IT, IT IS A MEMBER OF THE UN. WITHIN IT THERE ARE THREE POLITICAL COMMUNITIES; THEY HAVE TO FIND A WAY IN WHICH THEY CAN LIVE TOGETHER ONCE THE FIGHTING HAS STOPPED, AND IT WILL BE EASIER TO STOP THE FIGHTING ONCE THEY ARE SITTING DOWN AND ACTUALLY WORKING THAT OUT, SO THAT THE WORRIES THAT BOSNIA IS GOING TO BE PARTITIONED BETWEEN SERBIA AND CROATIA DISAPPEAR AND IT IS SEEN THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE COUNTRY WITH THREE POLITICAL COMMUNITIES LIVING TOGETHER IN IT. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS; WE HAVE TO GO ON MAKING THEM TO SHOW THEM A FORUM, A MEETING PLACE, WHERE THEY CAN DISCUSS THIS. IT’S NOT A LUXURY, IT’S A NECESSITY.
LAW YEE-PING (HK DAILY NEWS): OUR SOURCES SAID A SENIOR
REPRESENTATIVE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN LONDON WITHIN DAYS TO DISCUSS THE AIRPORT ISSUE, WILL YOU CONFIRM IT OR DENY IT?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: NO, WHAT I AM CONFIRMING IS
A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE HERE IN HONG KONG ON 30TH JULY.
THE GOVERNOR: THIS COMING THURSDAY.
FRANCIS MORIATY (METRO NEWS): IF WE COULD FOLLOW UP ON THE
YUGOSLAVIA QUESTION: IS THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOW TO BE AN
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, A TACIT ADMISSION THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HAS FRANKLY FAILED IN FINDING A COHESIVE AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO SOLVING THIS CIVIL WAR?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: THE CIVIL WAR IS NOT INSIDE
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, IT’S INSIDE THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, AND THEREFORE IT CAN'T BE SOLVED ELSEWHERE THAN INSIDE THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS DONE IS PROVIDE A SET OF IDEAS AND A FRAMEWORK IN WHICH THEY CAN DISCUSS THEIR FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS, AND THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO. AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN CALLING THIS CONFERENCE IS FOLLOW THROUGH THE REMIT WHICH WAS WORKED OUT EXACTLY A WEEK AGO IN THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL, THAT WE SHOULD CONSULT AND WE SHOULD THEN BROADEN AND INTENSIFY THE CARRINGTON PROCESS WHICH REMAINS THE CORE OF THE PEACEMAKING EFFORT. SO WE HAVE CONSULTED THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UN - I WENT THERE ON MONDAY -AND WE ARE NOW CALLING THIS CONFERENCE. SO THE PEACE PROCESS IS BROADENING AND INTENSIFYING, AS WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO.
/CARRIE CHAN
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 15 -
CARRIE CHAN (ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS): WHY DO YOU SAY THAT THE AIRPORT ISSUE SHOULD BE SEPARATED EROM ANY OTHER ISSUES, AND YOU TOLD THE LEGISLATORS THAT THE AIRPORT ISSUE SHOULDN’T BE MIXED UP WITH THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM MATTER?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: CORRECT.
CARRIE CHAN (ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS): WHY DO YOU SAY THAT? IS IT THAT THE CHINESE SIDE INTEND TO DO THAT?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: NO, I READ OCCASIONAL PRESS REPORTS THAT THERE IS SOME LINKAGE. IT’S NOT ANYTHING OFFICIAL BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IN OUR VIEW THAT IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO TACKLE MATTERS. HERE IS A LIMITED DIFFERENCE OF VIEW ON THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT ON WHICH THERE IS A GENERAL AGREEMENT, HUT ON THIS LIMITED FINANCIAL MATTER, WHICH IS IMPORTANT BUT LIMITED, THERE IS NOT AGREEMENT. THAT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED ON ITS MERITS. THERE ARE PROPOSALS, THERE ARE COUNTER-PROPOSALS, LET US SETTLE THIS ON ITS MERITS AND NOT TRY, EVEN IN SOME VAGUE WAY, TO LINK IT WITH OTHER MATTERS; THAT WON’T WORK.
DANNY GITTINGS (SUNDAY POST): ARE THERE ANY PLANS, OR INDEED ANY LIKELIHOOD OF HONG KONG MATTERS - THE AIRPORT OR OTHER MATTERS - BEING TAKEN UP AT PRIME MINISTERIAL LEVEL AGAIN WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR THAT. I WILL HAVE A MEETING WITH THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN NEW YORK IN SEPTEMBER, THAT IS PART OF THE PROCESS WHICH WAS AGREED, YOU’LL REMEMBER, IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. THE AIM OF THAT IS TO TRY AND SPUR ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, TO TRY AND SPEED UP WORK THERE, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE HAVEN’T SETTLED THE EXACT AGENDA FOR THAT MEETING YET.
JONATHAN BRAUDE (SCMP): I WONDER, COULD YOU TELL ME WHETHER YOU ARE PLANNING TO HAVE ANY RESPONSE TO THE WORRIES ABOUT SPLIT-FAMILIES WHO ARE LIKELY TO LOSE OUT ON BRITISH NATIONALITY?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: YF.S, 1 HAI) A LETTER FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAMILIES WHICH I SAW THIS MORNING, AND DR CHUNG HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH ME BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD IN THAT DIRECTION. THIS QUESTION HAS GONE ON FOR A LONG TIME, I RECOGNISE THAT; I’VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE HOME SECRETARY TODAY IN AN EFFORT TO SPEED IT ON AND HE HAS AUTHORISED ME TO SAY THAT HE WILL LOOK SPEEDILY AND GENEROUSLY AT INDIVIDUAL CASES AS THEY COME BEFORE HIM.
PATRICIA LEUNG (WAH KIU YAT PO): THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS VOTED FOR A ’ONE SEAT ONE VOTE’ ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN 1995 BUT THE CHINESE SIDE FAVOURS THE 'MULTI-SEAT ONE VOTE’ SYSTEM, SO WHEN YOU ARE CONSIDERING THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, WHICH WOULD WEIGH HEAVIER? - WHICH OPINION?
/THE GOVERNOR: ........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 16 -
THE GOVERNOR: WE’LL HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY ON THE RIGHT VOTING METHOD FOR 1995. AS I’VE SAID BEFORE, WHAT IS IMPERATIVE - AND I’M SURE THAT ALL THOSE WHO ARGUE, QUITE PROPERLY, FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION WOULD RECOGNISE THAT IT WAS IMPERATIVE - IS TO SEE THAT WE HAVE A VOTING SYSTEM WHICH IS REGARDED AS FAIR, REGARDED AS EQUITABLE, NOT ONLY BY THOSE WHO WIN BUT BY THOSE WHO LOSE. WE HAVE TO HAVE A SYSTEM WHICH IS BROADLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AS A FAIR WAY OF ENSURING PARTICIPATION BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG.
LAM KIT-YEE (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): MR HURD, YOU SAID THAT BOTH THE THROUGH-TRAIN AND INCREASING DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS ARE DESIRABLE TO HAVE BUT THE CHINESE SIDE SAY THAT THE BASIC I.AW HAS ALREADY FIXED THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS AFTER 1997, SO IN WHAT WAY CAN BOTH BE DESIRABLE AT THE SAME TIME?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WELL THEY CAN BOTH BE DESIRABLE. WE HAVEN’T YET DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. I’VE SAID OFTEN THAT WE WILL DO SO, AND WE WILL DO SO WHEN THE GOVERNOR HAS COMPLETED HIS REVIEW AND WE HAVE CONSIDERED WHAT HE BELIEVES ARE THE RIGHT ANSWERS FOR HONG KONG. THEN WE WILL GO TO THE CHINESE AND DISCUSS THOSE MATTERS, THOSE ASPECTS IN WHICH THEY HAVE A LEGITIMATE INTEREST, WHICH OF COURSE GO BEYOND SIMPLY THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS. WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH THE QUESTIONS IN WHICH THEY HAVE A LEGITIMATE INTEREST AND DISCUSS THOSE WITH THEM, SO I THINK IT IS PREMATURE TO ASSUME ANYTHING BEYOND THAT.
THE GOVERNOR: ONE AT A TIME, OTHERWISE —
LAM KIT-YEE (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): ... TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS, THEN WHAT WOULD THE BRITISH SIDE DO?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WELL, WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE STOCK OF THAT SITUATION BUT THAT WILL COME AFTER WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH THEM AND NOT NOW.
HANS VR1ENS (RADIO NETHERLANDS): MR HURD OR MR PATTEN, WILL THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT CONTINUE TILL AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA IS REACHED IN, LET'S SAY SIX MONTHS TIME?
THE GOVERNOR: THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS, AS YOU KNOW, WHICH ARE BROADLY SPEAKING ENCOMPASSED IN THE TERM 'THE AIRPORT PROJECT’ WHICH ARE GOING AHEAD AND THOSE WILL GO AHEAD AS THEY ARE AT PRESENT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE BUILDING OF THE LARGEST BRIDGE.
PHILIP BOWRING (FREELANCE): MR HURD, YOU’VE JUST BEEN IN MANILA FOR THE ASEAN MEETING OF WHICH THE SPRATLEYS WERE THE MAIN SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION. COULD YOU TELL US WHAT IS THE ATTITUDE OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, AND INDEED OF THE EEC, BROADLY, TO CHINA'S CLAIM OF NAVIGATION RIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH CHINA SEA FOR NUCLEAR VESSELS AND SUBMARINES?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: 1 WASN’T ACTUALLY AT THE ASEAN DISCUSSION ON THE SPRATLEYS BECAUSE IT WAS AN ASEAN DISCUSSION AND NOT ONE WHICH, WHAT THEY CALL THE DIALOGUE PARTNERS TOOK PART IN, SO I WOULD RATHER NOT COMMENT ON THAT, OR SPECIFICALLY ON THE MATTER WHICH YOU MENTIONED.
/FRANCIS YIP .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 17 -
FRANCIS YIP (RTHK): MR HURD, DO YOU CONSIDER IT POLITICALLY REACTIVE FOR THE BRITISH SIDE TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPOINTING SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESTS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THAT IS OF COURSE THE CONSTITUT IONA1, POSITION. AS TIME PASSES AND 1997 APPROACHES, OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL NEED TO BE, IN THE INTERESTS OF GOOD ORDER, SOME DISCUSSION ON CONTINUITY.
THE GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT AS WE APPROACH 1997, CO-OPERATION WILL INEVITABLY AND PROPERLY BECOME MORE EXTENSIVE RIGHT ACROSS THE ISSUES WHICH WILL AFFECT US AS GOVERNMENT BEFORE 1997, AND THE SAR AFTER 1997, AND WE WILL HAVE TO BEHAVE IN A WAY WHICH RECOGNISES THAT - ON BOTH SIDES.
MANDY KONG (ATV): MR HURD, YOU’VE SAID MANY TIMES THAT, SORT OF, THE JLG MUST BE SPEEDED UP. BUT HOW TO SPEED IT UP, IN WHAT WAY?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: THE JLG MEETS QUITE OFTEN BUT ITS MINUTES DON’T SUGGEST THAT IT’S VERY QUICK OR EFFECTIVE, AT THE MOMENT, AT PRODUCING ANSWERS. THIS IS NO FAULT, I THINK, OF MR GALSWORTHY AND HIS TEAM. IT IS THE RIGHT BODY, SO WE DO NEED TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE BLOCKAGES. I WILL TRY AGAIN, WHEN I MEET MR QIAN QICHEN THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN NEW YORK, TO DO THAT, AND TO FIND OUT HOW THESE BLOCKAGES OCCUR. A LOT OF THEM MAY BE A GENUINE NEED TO RECONCILE GENUINELY DIFFERING INTERESTS - THERE ARE REAL PROBLEMS WHICH DO HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED AND TACKLED - SO I’M NOT MAKING ANY GENERAL ACCUSATION ABOUT THE WORK OF THE J LG. BUT WE WILL INCREASINGLY FIND, AS 1997 APPROACHES, THAT ON THE CHINESE SIDE THERE WILL BE AN INTEREST IN QUICKENING THE PACE OF THE WORK BECAUSE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF MATTERS THEY WANT TO TACKLE, AND OUR VIEW IS, THE SOONER WE CAN ACCELERATE THE BETTER.
THE GOVERNOR: 1 DON’T THINK ONE SHOULD UNDERESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF WORK WHICH HAS BEEN DONE BY THE HEROES WHO SPEND SO MUCH TIME DISCUSSING THESE MATTERS IN THE JLG: A GREAT DEAL OF WORK DONE ON PARTICULARLY LEGAL ISSUES, THE POSITION OF HONG KONG IN INTERNATIONAL FORA, BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND OTHER COUNTRIES, LOCALISATION OF LAWS AND SO ON, ALL VERY IMPORTANT MATTERS, BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND WE ARE, I THINK, GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEREVER POSSIBLE, MONTHS LAST 31 DAYS AT THE OUTSIDE.
MICHAEL MACKEY (ITN1 I FOREIGN SECRETARY, ARE YOU SATISFIED THAT THE COMPROMISE EFFECTED BETWEEN THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT AND THE UN WILL SAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF MILITARY ACTION IN BAGHDAD?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: I’M NOT SURE ABOUT COMPROMISE. IRAQ HAS COMPLIED WITH THE IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS OF THE UN SPECIAL COMMISSION, SO THE IMMEDIATE CRISIS IS OVER.
FRANCIS MORIATY (METRO NEWS): ... (INDISTINCT)
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WELL ALL I CAN ANSWER TO THAT IS, THE IMMEDIATE CRISIS IS OVER AND THE FUTURE IS THE FUTURE. IT’S SATISFACTORY THAT IRAQ HAS COMPLIED.
/ANDREW BROWN .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
18
ANDREW BROWN (TVB): YOU SAY YOU WON'T TALK ABOUT THE SPECIFICS - YOU HAVEN'T NEGOTIATED THE SPECIFICS ON DIRECTLY-ELECTED SEATS - BUT AS SOMEONE FROM A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY, Would) YOU BE DISAPPOINTED IF THERE WASN'T MORE DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG BETWEEN NOW AND 1997?
FOREIGN SECRETARY: WELL, THERE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE SOME ADVANCE BECAUSE THE BASIC LAW PROVIDES FOR SOME ADVANCE. THE EXTENT OF THAT ADVANCE WILL DEPEND, FIRSTLY ON THE GOVERNOR’S REVIEW, SECONDLY ON OUR CONSIDERATIONS IN LONI ON - BUT WB WON’T HANG ABOUT ON THAT, ONCE WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S VIEWS WE WILL TAKE OUR DECISIONS QUICKLY; AND FINALLY, ON THE DISCUSSIONS WITH PEKING WHICH WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
THE GOVERNOR: IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT UNDER PRESENT PLANS, IN 1995, THE WHOLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE ELECTED BY ONE MEANS OR OTHER, AND THAT WASN'T THE SITUATION ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH INDEED.
FOREIGN SECRETARY: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
---------0-----------
AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON THURSDAY * » * * t
THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS NEXT MEETING ON JULY 30, 1992 IN HONG KONG. THE TWO TEAMS WILL BE LED BY THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY AND AMBASSADOR GUO FENGMIN.
--------0-----------
LAND COMMISSION MEETING ON WEDNESDAY
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SINO-BRITISH LANI) COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION'S 26TH MEETING WILL RE HELI) ON JULY 29, 1992. THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS THE AVERAGE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION FOR THE 1992/ 93 FINANCIAL YEAR.
------0----------
/19........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
19
ROB MEETS CONSORTIA ON SUBSCRIPTION TV PROPOSALS »»»»»»
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH MET ALL THE PARTIES WHO HAD EXPRESSED INTEREST IN SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICES TODAY (MONDAY! TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN RELATING TO THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION.
’’SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S DECISION ON THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR SUBSCRI PT I ON TV EARLY JULY, THIS BRANCH HAS BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH ALL INTERESTED PARTIES TO EXPLAIN TO THEM INDIVIDUALLY POINTS THEY WOULD LIKE TO RA I SI- OR SEEK CLARIFICATION ON THE NEW POLICY,” THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS RACHEL CARTLAND, SAID.
"TODAY’S MEETING IS PART OF THE CONTINUING DIALOGUE BETWEEN OFFICIALS OF THIS BRANCH AND INTERESTED PARTIES.
"OUR INTENTION IS THAT A FORMAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SUBSCRIPTION TV AND DETAILED GUIDANCE NOTES ON THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK WILL BE ISSUED BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH.
"WORK IS PROGRESSING ON SCHEDULE AND WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT A TERRITORY-WIDE PAY TV LICENCE WILL BE ISSUED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR," SHE ADDED.
-----0-----
1993 LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY APPROVED
******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AN APPLICATION FROM THE CHEVALIER GROUP TO SPONSOR A 23-MINUTE FIREWORKS DISPLAY DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IN 1993, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE DISPLAY WILL BE STAGED OVER THE VICTORIA HARBOUR FROM 8 PM ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 1993, THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
"IN CASE OF POOR WEATHER, THE DISPLAY WILL BE POSTPONED TO THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1993, WHICH IS THE THIRD DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COMING DISPLAY WILL HAVE BEEN THE 12TH LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY SPONSORED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR SINCE 1982. LIKE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL BE INVITED TO CO-ORGAN1SE THE EVENT.
"WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT THE CHEVALIER GROUP WILL BE MAKING THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE ANNUAL EVENT TO ENTERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING THE FESTIVE LUNAR NEW YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------0----------
/20.........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 20 -
RELIEF BUS SERVICES PROVIDED DURING TRAIN DISRUPTION ******
PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES LN NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE DESPITE A DISRUPTION TO THE IRA IN SERVICES THIS (MONDAY) MORNING, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
AFTER STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WERE INFORMED OF THE DISRUPTION AT 5.45 AM, THEY IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATED ITS EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO COORDINATE RELIEF TRANSPORT SERVICES BETWEEN THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) AND THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (KMB). THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A TOTAL OF 92 BUSES HAD BEEN DEPLOYED B\ KCR TO CARRY TRAIN PASSENGERS FROM SHEUNG SHUI, FANLING AND TAI WO STATIONS TO TAI PO MARKET KCR STATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB HAD ALSO STRENGTHENED THE SERVICES OF SEVEN BUS ROUTES, PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 29 ADDITIONAL TRIPS FROM NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES TO THE URBAN AREA.
THE DEPARTMENT’S EMERGENCY TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATION CENTRE WAS SET UP SHORTLY AFTER BEING NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT TO CO-ORDINATE RELIEF MEASURES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE SWIFT RESPONSE OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS IN PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY BUS SERVICES TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO COMMUTERS.
------0--------
CASH AID TO DEPENDENT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM * * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) APPROVED $49,050 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO THE DEPENDENT OF A DRIVER WHO WAS KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON JUNE 16.
THE 56-YEAR-OLD DRIVER, WHO WAS KILLED AT KWAI TA I ROAD ROUNDABOUT IN KWAI CHUNG, WAS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDED QUICK FINANCIAL HELP TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENTS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE MEANS OF A FAMILY OR THE FAULT ELEMENT IN THE ACCIDENT.
’’BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES IN THE USUAL WAY.
/"HOWEVER, THOSE ........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
’’HOWEVER, THOSE WHO RECEIVE OTHER DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION RELATING TO THE SAME ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE SCHEME.
’’BUT IN ANY CASE, THE AMOUNT REPAID WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION AWARDED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION IN ROOM 942, NINTH FLOOR, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 197-221, QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, OR ON TEL 892 5526.
- - 0 - -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN TSIM SHA TSUI TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN TSIM SHA TSUI SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IS ON THE REAR LANE OF WING LEE BUILDING, 27-33 KIMBERLEY ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 28 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (MONDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
CALL FOR EARLY RETURN OF SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED CONCERNED ESTABLISHMENTS THAT THE DEADLINE IS DRAWING NEAR FOR THE RETURN OF QUESTIONNAIRES OF A NUMBER OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS IN RESPECT OF LAST YEAR.
THESE ARE:
» THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION;
* THE SURVEY Ob WHOLESALE AND RETA IL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND
HOTELS;
* THE SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONS TRIM T I ON AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS;
* THE SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES; AND
/* THE SURVEY
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
22
* THE SURVEY OE STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES.
THE ANNUAL SURVEYS REPRESENT PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, AND TO EVALUATE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE
PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE POSTED BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY TO ABOUT 26,000 ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE 1991 SURVEYS. THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE DEPARTMENT BY THIS FRIDAY (JULY 31).
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR FREDERICK HO, APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BY RETURNING THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES WITHOUT DELAY.
THOSE WHO FAIL TO DO SO MAY BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE, HE SAID.
EACH QUESTIONNAIRE HAS BEEN SO DESIGNED THAT RESPONDENTS MAY COMPLETE IT THEMSELVES.
IF NECESSARY, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, WHO CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE RESPECTIVE SURVEYS, MAY VISIT THE ESTABLISHMENTS TO HELP THEM COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS WERE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED TN THE SURVEYS.
"THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE."
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
"ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION. WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED," HE ADDED.
-----0-----
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN AREA I OK, CONTAINER PORT ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 45,850 SQUARE METRES, THE LAND IS FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF CONTAINERS; AND A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC VEHICLE PARK SOLELY FOR LICENSED CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
/THE TENANCY .......
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 23 -
THE TENANCY IS FOR FIVE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, AUGUST 14.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING; 10TH AND 11TH FLOORS, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
------0---------
FIRING PRACTICE IN AUGUST
» * * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 20 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING DATE ARE THE DATES AND TIMES FOR TIME t THE FIRING PRACTICE:
AUGUST 3 (MONDAY 1 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 4 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 5 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 6 (THURSDAY 1 8.30 AM - 6 PM
AUGUST 7 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 10 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 11 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 12 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 13 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 14 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 17 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 18 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 19 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 20 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 21 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 24 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 25 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 27 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 28 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
------0--------
/24........
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1992
- 24 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY I STOOD AT 85.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 502.656 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 188.431 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 32.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,558
REVERSAL OF LAF -570
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +386
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,374
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.0 *-0.1» 27.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 2.87 PCT 16 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.65 PCT 19 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.51 PCT 22 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.75 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.38 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE Y 1 ELD
231 1 6.25 103.24 3.7 2
2402 5.50 102.26 4.03
2405 5.50 102.25 4.24
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 27 JULY 1992
- 16,925 MN
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT GIVES CLOSE ATTENTION TO FLOODING ............................. 1
TAC DISCUSSES TAXIS, SKY RAIL AND BUS SERVICES ..................... 2
PROPOSALS TO ENHANCE SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION ............. 4
TRUST FUND TO SPONSOR RESOURCE CENTRE FOR GIFTED CHILDREN .......... 5
NEW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TAKES UP OFFICE .......................... 6
SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM COMPUTERISED ............................. 7
512 REDUNDANT TEACHERS GET JOBS .................................... 8
REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS ..................... 9
NEW POST OFFICE IN WU CHUNG HOUSE .................................. 10
STUDENTS FROM CHINA, MACAU, HK TO JOIN DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA .......... 10
153 RETURN TO VIETNAM .............................................. 11
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ........................................... 11
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED............................................. 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................. 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 13
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
GOVT GIVES CLOSE ATTENTION TO FLOODING » * » * »
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKS BRANCH SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM OF FLOODING DURING HEAVY RAIN IN LOW-LYING AREAS IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
A NUMBER OF MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF FLOODING IN THESE AREAS.
IN THE LONG TERM, THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED A $1.1 BILLION WORKS PROJECT TO WIDEN AND REALIGN KAM TIN RIVER CHANNEL WHICH, ON COMPLETION, WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE CAPACITY OF THE RIVER TO DIRECT FLOOD WATER FROM THE CATCHMENT AREAS TO DEEP BAY.
FUNDS FOR PHASES I AND II OF THE PROJECT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED AND DETAILED DESIGN FOR THE FINAL PHASE IS IN HAND.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES LAND ACQUISITION. THE DEPARTMENT IS HANDLING AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE THE STATUTORY PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH OBJECTIONS ARISING FROM LAND ACQUISITION.
HOWEVER, WORKS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BEGIN UNTIL ALL OBJECTIONS HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH.
IT IS HOPED THAT PHASE I OF THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN MID-1993 FOR COMPLETION IN 1997. THE WHOLE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY 1999, WHICH IS A REALISTIC TARGET DATE FOR A PROJECT OF THIS NATURE.
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ALSO WORKING ON TWO OTHER SEPARATE PROJECTS TO IMPROVE RIVER CHANNELS, AT SAN TIN NEAR LOK MA CHAU, AND AT AGAU TAM MEI NEAR FAIRVIEW PARK.
ON COMPLETION, THESE WILL FURTHER REDUCE THE RISK OF FLOODING IN. THE AREAS MENTIONED.
IN THE SHORT TERM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED AMENDING THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE TO TIGHTEN CONTROL ON UNAUTHORISED LAND FORMATION WORKS, WHICH OTHERWISE CONTRIBUTE TO FLOODING RISKS DURING HEAVY RAIN.
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS ALSO EXPERIMENTING WITH FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS FOR THE RURAL LOW-LYING AREAS.
TRIALS ARE IN PROGRESS OF A SYSTEM WHICH USES A SIREN, WHICH SOUNDS WHEN FLOOD WATER REACHES A PRE-DETERMINED LEVEL TO WARN DWELLERS OF THE IMMINENT RISK OF FLOODING.
ANOTHER FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM ON A LARGER AREA BASIS, IS BEING TRIED OUT AT THE INDUS RIVER BASIN. EXTENSION OF THESE SCHEMES, IF SUCCESSFUL, TO OTHER BASIN AREAS SUCH AS KAM TIN WILL BE CONSIDERED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
2
'I’AC DISCUSSES TAXIS, ♦ *
SKY RAIL AND BUS SERVICES * * * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) CONSIDERED THE PRELIMINARY REPORT OF ITS WORKING GROUP ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW AND A FARE INCREASE APPLICATION FROM THE LANTAU TAXI ASSOCIATION.
THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED SKY RAIL PROJECT FOR KOWLOON AND CONSULTED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES.
ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW, MEMBERS NOTED THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF THE WORKING GROUP AND ENDORSED THAT THE PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE BEEN SHORT-LISTED FOR FURTHER PUBLIC CONSULTATION SHOULD BE PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER TO INVITE COMMENTS.
IN ITS PRELIMINARY REPORT, THE WORKING GROUP HAS IDENTIFIED, AS POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR FURTHER DELIBERATIONS, A RANGE OF PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM, THE FARE POLICY AND THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICE.
THE PUBLIC AND THE TAXI TRADE WERE FIRST CONSULTED BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH THIS YEAR WHEN THE WORKING GROUP STARTED THE REVIEW.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE TAXI TRADE WILL HAVE AT LEAST THREE MONTHS TO GIVE THEIR OPINIONS ON THE PROPOSALS TO BE ANNOUNCED IN SEPTEMBER FOR PUBLIC VIEWS.
THE TAC IS EXPECTED TO TAKE A VIEW ON THE PROPOSALS EARLY NEXT YEAR.
ON LANTAU TAXI FARES, MEMBERS RECOMMENDED AN INCREASE BY A PERCENTAGE LOWER THAN THAT REQUESTED BY THE TRADE.
FARES FOR LANTAU TAXIS WERE LAST REVISED IN JUNE 1990. SINCE THEN, OPERATING COSTS HAD RISEN BY 19 PER CENT WHILE GENERAL INFLATION, AS MEASURED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), HAI) GONE UP BY ABOUT 22 PER CENT.
APART FROM THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TAXI TRADE, MEMBERS TOOK INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY AND THE FARE DIFFERENTIAL WITH OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES.
THE TAC’S RECOMMENDATION ON THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATION WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LATER.
Al’ THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE LATEST SUBMISSION BY THE KOWLOON SKY RAIL COMPANY LTD (KSRC) TO BUILD AND OPERATE AN ELEVATED LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM CONNECTING TSIM SHA TSUI WITH HUNG HOM.
THE PROPOSAL IS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. ISSUES BEING LOOKED AT INCLUDE THE IMPACT THAT THE SYSTEM MAY HAVE ON ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT.
/THE URBAN .......
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
3
THE URBAN COUNCIL AND RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED.
A DECISION ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH KSRC IS EXPECTED BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS NOTED THE OUTCOME OF A GOVERNMENT STUDY ABOUT THE OPERATION OF AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES.
THEY WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE PUBLIC VIEWS ON FARES AND DEVELOPMENT OF AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES.
f
HAVING EXAMINED THE HIGHER OPERATING COSTS OF AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES, THEIR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, AND THE NEED TO AVOID CROSS-SUBSIDISATION FROM USERS OF CONVENTIONAL SERVICES, MEMBERS ENDORSED THE PRINCIPLES NOW USED TO DETERMINE THE FARES FOR AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICES, INCLUDING VEHICLE TYPE, PASSENGER AFFORDABILITY AND FARE CHARGED ON COMPETING PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES.
ON SERVICE DEVELOPMENT, THE TAC AGREED THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:
* APART FROM DISTRICT BOARD CONSULTATIONS, COMPREHENSIVE MARKET RESEARCH SHOULD BE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THAT FURTHER EXPANSION OF AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES IS RESPONSIVE TO CHANGES IN PASSENGER DEMAND;
* SEPARATE BUS ROUTES USING SOLELY AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES ARE PREFERRED TO ROUTES USING A MIX OF AIR-CONDITIONED AND CONVENTIONAL BUSES;
* WHERE AIR-CONDITIONED AND CONVENTIONAL BUSES OPERATE ON THE SAME ROUTE, SCHEDULES SHOWING THE FREQUENCIES OF THE TWO TYPES OF VEHICLES SHOULD BE DISPLAYED AT BUS STOPS TO FACILITATE PASSENGER CHOICE AND ADEQUATE SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR PASSENGERS WHO PREFER THE CHEAPER SERVICES OFFERED BY CONVENTIONAL BUSES; AND
* IN PREPARING THEIR FLEET DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, THE BUS COMPANIES MUST ALLOW FOR THE NEED TO BUY NEW CONVENTIONAL BUSES IF A CONTINUING DEMAND FOR SUCH VEHICLES IS EVIDENT.
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/4 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
PROPOSALS TO ENHANCE SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
♦ * ♦ * *
GOVERNMENT-COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS HAVE PUT FORWARD A VARIETY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT ENHANCING THE INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT FOR AND MANPOWER TRAINING OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION AND THE CULTIVATION OF AN AUTOMATION CULTURE IN SOCIETY.
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION TASK FORCE; THE PROVISION OF LAND, PREMISES AND FUNDING SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION PROJECTS; AND THE PROVISION OF TRAINING FOR STUDENTS, TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN.
THEY ALSO RECOMMEND THE MONITORING OF THE DEVELOPMENT IN AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES; THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AWARD FOR AUTOMATION PROJECTS AND THE PRODUCTION OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES ON INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID THE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC) WAS CONSIDERING THE CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS IN DETAIL AND WOULD SUBMIT ITS OWN RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ITDC LATER THIS YEAR.
"THE ITDC WILL THEN ADVISE GOVERNMENT ON WHAT FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN," HE SAID.
THE CONSULTANCY STUDY ON INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND UNDERTAKEN BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WITH THE HELP OF THREE SUB-CONSULTANTS, NAMELY ARTHUR D. LITTLE INC, AUTOMATION LEASING AND CONSULTANCY PTE LTD AND KURT SALMON ASSOCIATES INC.
ITS OBJECTIVES WERE TO ASSESS THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION IN HONG KONG, AND TO IDENTIFY THE BARRIERS TO INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION WITH A VIEW TO ADVISING ON MEASURES TO OVERCOME THEM.
THE CONSULTANTS POINTED OUT THAT INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION COULD HELP HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS REALISE THEIR POTENTIAL OF BECOMING WORLD CLASS OPERATORS AND TO ENHANCE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS.
THE BENEFITS OF INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION WOULD INCLUDE THE REDUCTION IN PRODUCTION AND LABOUR COSTS; INCREASE IN PRODUCT I VITY; BETTER MATERIAL UTILISATION; SHORTENED DELIVERY TIME; AND IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCT QUALITY AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
THE CONSULTANTS HAVE, HOWEVER, IDENTIFIED THAT LOCAL MANUFACTURERS ARE FACING VARIOUS BARRIERS TO INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION.
SUCH BARRIERS INCLUDE THE LACK OF APPRECIATION OF THE VALUE-ADDED NATURE OF MANUFACTURING; THE LACK OF A SHARED VISION OF AUTOMATION AMONG MANAGEMENT STAFF; THE LACK OF APPRECIATION OF THE VALUE OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN AUTOMATION; INSUFFICIENT EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS IN AUTOMATION AND INADEQUATE VENDOR SUPPORT IN AUTOMATION PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES.
/THESE BARRIERS
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
5
THESE BARRIERS TO REAP THE POTENTIAL,
HAVE TO BE REMOVED IF
BENEFITS OF INDUSTRIAL
LOCAL MANUFACTURERS ARE AUTOMAT ION.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
TRUST FUND TO SPONSOR RESOURCE CENTRE FOR GIFTED CHILDREN ******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A $8 MILLION DONATION TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN EDUCATION TRUST FUND WHICH WOULD BE USED MAINLY TO ESTABLISH A RESOURCE CENTRE FOR THE EDUCATION OF ACADEMICALLY GIFTED CHILDREN.
IN HIS CAPACITY AS A MEMBER Oh THE BOARD Oh TRUSTEES OF 'THE FUNG HON-CHU 'TRUST FUND, THE OUTGOING DIRECTOR Oh EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, ACCEPTED A CHEQUE FROM MR FUNG HON-CHU.
MR FUNG IS A FORMER MEMBER Oh THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE URBAN COUNCIL. HE IS THE (HAIRMAN EMERITUS OF THE LI AND FUNG GROUP OF COMPANIES, ONE OF THE OLDEST CHINESE FIRMS IN HONG KONG.
THE OTHER TRUSTEES WILL Hh MRS JULIA SHEN FUNG; PRINCIPAL Oh THE COTTON SPINNERS ASSOCIATION PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL, MR WAN HING-YUEN; AND AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THh EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS GRACE YUNG.
MR LI THANKED MR FUNG FOR HIS GENEROUS DONATION WHICH WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 REGARDING EDUCATION FOR GIFTED CHILDREN.
IN THE REPORT, IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ESTABLISH A RESOURCE CENTRE AS A BASE FOR A TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE CURRICULUM MATERIALS AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HELP TO TEACHERS OF GIFTED CHILDREN IN THEIR SCHOOLS.
AT THE CENTRE, TEACHERS WOULD BE ABLE TO SELECT OR PRODUCE THEIR OWN TEACHING MATERIALS, MEET OTHER TEACHERS OF GIFTED CHILDREN AND SHARE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.
PARENTS Oh GlhTED CHILDREN COULD ALSO BE GIVEN ADVICE ON HOW BEST TO SUPPORT THEM AT HOME.
'THE CENTRE WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR THE CHILDREN WHERE IHE\ COULD MEET THEIR PEERS AS WELL AS SPECIALISTS FROM VARIOUS FIELDS.
IN ADDITION, DURING LONG SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, IHh CENTRE WOULD BE ARRANGING ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES FOR IHh CHILDREN TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR POTENT I AL.
/THEY COULD .......
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
6
THEY COULD ALSO PURSUE EXTENDED STUDIES WHICH COULD NOT BE FITTED INTO THEIR OWN SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMMES.
MR LI SAID THE PROPOSED CENTRE WOULD BE NAMED THE FUNC} HON CHU GIFTED CHILDREN EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE AND WOULD HE HOUSED IN THE PRESENT PREMISES OF TSUEN WAN SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL.
THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN REPROVISIONED IN SHEUNG SHU I AND THE PRESENT PREMISES WOULD BE VACATED BY THE SUMMER OF 1994.
CONVERSION WORKS COULD START AT THAI TIME AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CENTRE WOULD OPEN IN LATE 1994 OR EARLY 1995, BEFORE HONG KONG HOSTS THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GIFTEDNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 1995.
THE CENTRE WOULD HOUSE LECTURE ROOMS, A REFERENCE LIBRARY, A THEATRE, A SCIENCE LABORATORY, WORKSHOPS AND OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
THE TOTAL COST OF CONVERSION, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT IS ESTIMATED TO BE JU6 MILLION. THE ANNUAL RECURRENT COST OF OPERATING THE RESOURCE CENTRE, EST I MATED TO BE $1.4 MILLION IN THE INITIAL YEARS, WILL BE MET BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
MR FUNG SAID THE BALANCE OF THE $R MILLION TRUST FUND COULD BE USED TO SUPPORT OTHER WORTHWHILE FDUCATI ONAL ACTIVITIES, UPON APPLICATION TO THE BOARD OF THUS TEES BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (DESIGNATE), MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ALSO EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TO MR EUNG.
HE COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AND GENEROSITY OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, WHO WERE SO KEEN TO ENSURE EVER IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL PROVISION FOR CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.
NEW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION 'TAKES UP OFFICE *****
MR DOMINIC WONG SH I NG-WAH WILL TAKF UP ’THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY). MR WONG SUCCEEDS MR WHO WILL RETIRE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
MR WONG, AGED 50, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN APPOINTED TO THE ADM I N I STRAT I V E SERVICE IN 1973. HI-PRESENT RANK OF ADM 1NISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
OF DI RFC "TOR
LI YUET-TING
1962 AND WAS
ROSE TO HIS
1991. HE IS A
/MR WONG .......
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
7
MR WONG HAD BEEN A TEACHER, AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND A TRADE OFFICER. DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF HIS CAREER IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, HE SERVED IN THE FORMER COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, SECURITY BRANCH, THE FORMER SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
HE WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM 1984 TO 1988 AND DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER FROM 1988 TO 1989. THEN HE TOOK UP HIS PREVIOUS APPOINTMENT AS POSTMASTER GENERAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY.
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SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM COMPUTERISED
******
A NEW COMPUTERISED CASE AND SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CASEMAN) INSTALLED BY THE JUDICIARY TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF CASES IN THE MAGISTRACIES HAS COME INTO OPERATION ON JULY 1.
THE BASIS OF THE SYSTEM IS 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 IS ACCESSED BY TERMINALS AT THE CENTRAL SUMMONS PROCESSING UNIT, ALL MAGISTRACIES AND MOST PROSECUTING DEPARTMENTS.
FOR EVERY OFFENCE, A STANDARD OFFENCE DESCRIPTION IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE IS KEPT ON THE COMPUTER DATABASE.
THE PROSECUTING DEPARTMENTS WILL KEY IN THE DETAILS, SUCH AS THE NAME, ADDRESS AND IDENTITY CARD 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.
AFTER THE HEARINGS, DETAILS OF THE OUTCOME WILL ALSO BE ENTERED INTO THE COMPUTER.
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF CASEMAN, STAFF OF THE JUDICIARY CAN ELIMINATE THE LABORIOUS MANUAL PROCESSING OF SUMMONSES AT INDIVIDUAL MAGISTRACIES AND TRACK DOWN OUTSTANDING FINES MORE QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
/MOREOVER, THE ........
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
8
MOREOVER, THE CENTRALISATION ENABLES A DEFENDANT WHO HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY A FINE TO MAKE PAYMENT AT ANY MAGISTRACY, IN ADDITION TO THE MAGISTRACY AT WHICH HIS CASE HAS BEEN HEARD.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PRESS VISIT TO SEE THE CASE AND SUMMONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WILL BE ARRANGED AT 2.30 PM THIS THURSDAY (JULY 30).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO JOIN THE V IS11’ SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY OF THE EASTERN LAW COURTS. 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO AT 2.15 PM.
INFORMATION OFFICERS OF THE JUDICIARY WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
- - 0----------
512 REDUNDANT TEACHERS GET JOBS *****
ALL 512 REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARV SCHOOLS WHO HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN SCHOOLS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) THANKED SPONSORING BODIES AND SCHOOL AUTHOR ITIES FOR THEIR FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION IN ACCEPTING THE REDUNDANT TEACHERS REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO FILL THEIR VACANCIES.
IN THE MEANTIME, WRITTEN ADVICE IS BEING SENT TO ALL AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS INFORMING THEM THAT THEY CAN NOW ENTER INTO EMPLOYMENT WITH TRAINED TEACHERS FROM TODAY.
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1975 TO HELP REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS SEEK ALTERNATIVE JOBS AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN THE POPULATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AND A POPULATION SHIFT FROM URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS.
ABOUT 6,800 TEACHERS HAVE BEEN HELPED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE POSTS BETWEEN 1975 AND THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/9 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
9
REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS
******
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED THE REPORT ON THE 1990 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS.
THE ANNUAL REPORT CONTAINS A WIDE RANGE OF STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRIES, BASED ON THE DATA COLLECTED FROM ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THESE ACTIVITIES.
THE REPORT, AT $30 A COPY, IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19’1’H FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS REFER TO THE INDUSTRIES OF:
* BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION;
* REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES; AND
* ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES.
EXAMPLES OF THE ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ARE:
* NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES;
* GROSS OUTPUT, SERVICE INCOME AND OTHER INCOME;
♦ VALUE ADDED (A MEASURE OF CONTRIBUTION '1’0 GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) AND GROSS SURPLUS;
* PURCHASE OF GOODS AND MATERIALS;
* OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES; AND
* GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS.
APART FROM STATISTICS FOR 1990, THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS SOME SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE YEARS 1988 AND 1989 TO SHOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE INDUSTRIES IN RECENT YEARS.
THE STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR POLICY FORMULATION, DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3204.
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/10 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
10
NEW POST OFFICE IN WU CHUNG HOUSE * * * * *
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MRS DORIS S.Y. HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A NEW WAN CHAI POST OFFICE WILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS AT 9.30 AM NEXT MONDAY (AUGUST 3).
I'l’ IS LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF WU CHUNG HOUSE, 197-2 13 QUEEN’S ROAD RAST.
THE OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WAN CHAI POST OFFICE AT 221 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST WHICH WILL (’LOSE DOWN AFTER 1 PM ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 1).
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF 'THE NEW OFFICE IS 892 503 1. THE OPENING HOURS ARE FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 9.30 AM TO I PM ON SATURDAYS.
IN ADDITION TO I’HE PROVISION Oh 'I’HE NORMAL RANGE OF COUNTER SERVICES, THE NEW OFFICE WILL ALSO ACCEPT SPEEDPOST POST INGS.
BEING MORE SPACIOUS, THE OFFICE WILL PROVIDE SOME 400 ADDITIONAL P.O. BOXES AND FIVE MORE COUNTERS FOR STAMP SALES, METER AND BULK LETTER POSTINGS AND ACCEPTANCE OF SPEEDPOST.
MRS HO SAID A SPECIAL HANDBACK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PHILATELISTS AT THE NEW POST OFFICE ON MONDAY (AUGUST 3).
UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE-PREPA11) ’’FIRST DAY COVERS” PREPARED PRIVATELY, WHICH BEAR A LOCAL ADDRESS, WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER AND IMPRESSED WI TH 'I’HE NORMAL DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON.
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STUDENTS FROM CHINA, MACAU, HR TO JOIN DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA
*******
STUDENTS FROM GUANGDONG, FUZHOU AND MACAU WILL JOIN HONG KONG’S COUNTERPARTS IN A DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA IN THE SHA TIN CITY HALL AUDITORIUM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
PERFORMANCES WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM AND 7.30 PM.
"HONG KONG THIS YEAR IS PLAYING HOST IN THE ANNUAL STUDENT DANCE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME BETWEEN THE FOUR REGIONS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
'THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BV THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
/THE DANCE .......
11
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
THE DANCE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME PROMOTES CULTURAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HONG KONG, MACAU AND CHINA. IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1981 WHEN ONLY HONG KONG AND MACAU WERE INVOLVED.
TODAY, THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME INCLUDES GUANGDONG AND FUZHOU. THE LATTER ONLY JOINS THIS YEAR.
IT IS NOW AN ANNUAL EVENT TO BE HELD IN ONE OF THE FOUR AREAS.
TOMORROW’S DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA IS SPONSORED RY THE HEUNG YEE KUK COMMITTEE.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR ROBERT LO CHUN-HANG, AND ACTING SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PAUL LEUNG SAI-WAH, WILL OFFICIATE.
THE MAINLAND DANCERS ARE FROM THE SHANTOU KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AND ZHANJIANG CITY TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGE, FUZHOU CITY PRIMARY STUDENTS OF CANGSHAN DISTRICT WHILE THE MACAU DANCERS ARE PERFORMERS AT THE MACAU INTER-SCHOOL DANCE COMPETITION HELD THIS YEAR.
THE HONG KONG TEAM IS FORMED FROM THOSE WHO HAD JOINED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S SCHOOL DANCE TRAINING SCHEME AND COMPRISES WINNERS AT THE SCHOOL DANCE FESTIVAL.
- - 0----------
153 RETURN TO VIETNAM *****
A GROUP OF 153 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 61 MEN, 35 WOMEN, 26 BOYS AND 31 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 114TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 6,338 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 20,317 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF THAI FARMERS FINANCE AND INVESTMENT LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (TUESDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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I 12 .......
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
- 12 -
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED *****
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY), HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON LO WING-CHAI ON APRIL 23, 1990 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
LO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF A MARRIED COUPLE MR LEE TSAI-CHING AND MADAM LEE SHUNG-TAI.
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U HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ♦ » » ♦ #
TENDER DATE 28 JULY 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q231
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,680 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 500 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.52 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.52 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO 62.5 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.58 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 3 AUGUST 1992 -
TENDER DATE 4 AUG 92 4 AUG 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q232 H270
ISSUE DATE 5 AUG 92 5 AUG 92
MATURITY DATE 4 NOV 92 3 FEB 93
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 500+100 MN HKD 300+60 MN
0 /13
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1992
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * * * *
$ Ml I.LION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,374
REVERSAL OF LAF -386
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +700
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,688
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 *-0.2* 28.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF TERMS BILLS YIELD HONG TERM KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS Y I ELD
ISSUE COUPON PRICE
1 WEEK 2.92 PCT 16 MONTHS 231 1 6.25 103.37 3.61
1 MONTH 2.71 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.35 3.96
3 MONTHS 2.50 6 MONTHS 2.73 12 MONTHS 3.36 TOTAL TURNOVER CLOSED 28 JULY PCT 22 MONTHS PCT PCT OF BILLS AND BONDS - 1992 240.5 9,757MN 5.50 102.35 4.17
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PRAISES MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ....................... 1
FURTHER COST CUTTING OF AIRPORT RAILWAY NOT VIABLE ................. 2
LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR FIXED TELECOM NETWORKS ..................... 4
SUBSCRIPTION TV BIDS TO BE INVITED ................................. 5
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION ....................................... 6
PUBLIC URGED TO SPEAK UP ON COMPLAINTS SYSTEM ...................... 6
WALLED CITY CLEAREES URGED TO MAKE USE OF APPEAL CHANNELS .......... 8
LIVESTOCK FARMERS FURTHER CONSULTED ON LICENSING SCHEME ............ 9
GAS PIPELINE THROUGH TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK PROPOSED ................. 10
LIAISON MEETING TO TACKLE DREDGING PROBLEMS ........................ 11
ISLANDERS ENJOY CHEAPER SATURDAY MORNING FARES ..................... 12
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHEUNG WAN, YAU MA TEI TO BE CLOSED .......... 13
FRESH WATER CUT IN WESTERN DISTRICT ................................ 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 14
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
GOVERNOR PRAISES MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
**»»»*
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRAISED COMMUNITY EFFORTS AND THE WORK OF PROFESSIONALS IN PROVIDING HONG KONG WITH IMPROVED MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS THE TERRITORY’S OTHER SUCCESSES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITS TO MEDICAL AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS, MR PATTEN SAID HE WOULD BE LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING HIS PART IN BUILDING ON THOSE ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THE WORK OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE.
HE SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE MANAGEMENT, DOCTORS, NURSING AND SUPPORTING ANCILLARY STAFF HE MET TODAY.
"I’M VERY PLEASED AT THE SUCCESS WHICH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAS HAD IN ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR CAMP BEDS," MR PATTEN SAID.
"I THINK THE MANAGEMENT HERE HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB IN ENSURING THAT THE RESOURCES THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE ARE BETTER MANAGED IN THE INTERESTS OF PATIENT CARE," HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT HOSPITAL AND CLINIC MANAGEMENTS WOULD MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT HONG KONG TAXPAYERS’ MONEY WOULD BE AS WELL USED AS POSSIBLE.
THE VISIT BEGAN WITH A BRIEFING AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG; THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, DR E.K. YEOH.
ACCOMPANIED BY MRS WONG, THE GOVERNOR FIRST VISITED RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL IN WAN CHAI WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON PLANS TO EXPAND THE HOSPITAL INTO A DISTRICT HOSPITAL.
HE TOURED THE TUBERCULOSIS AND CHEST DISEASE UNIT AND WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
FROM THERE, THE GOVERNOR DROVE TO THE NEW LAM TIN POLYCLINIC WHERE HE NOTED THE COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF OUT-PATIENT SERVICES AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
IN THE AFTERNOON, MR PATTEN VISITED THE YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, WHICH IS ONE OF THE OLDER POLYCLINICS FACED WITH LONG-STANDING PROBLEMS OF OVERCROWDEDNESS AND LONG WAITING QUEUES.
HE WAS ASSURED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH THAT THERE WERE PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND RENOVATION.
/MR PATTEN .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
2
MR PATTEN CONCLUDED HIS PROGRAMME WITH A VISIT TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WHERE REFORM MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE.
THE GOVERNOR WAS LATER SHOWN AROUND THE OLD AND NEW WARDS AND WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT THERE WERE IMMINENT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OLDER WARDS, INCLUDING CENTRAL AIR-CONDITIONING AND THE INSTALLATION OF THE FIRST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM, A SCANNING AND DIAGNOSIS DEVICE, BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
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FURTHER COST CUTTING OF AIRPORT RAILWAY NOT VIABLE ******
THE AIRPORT RAILWAY IN ITS PRESENT FORM IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE AIRPORT AND THE CONGESTION ON THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR, WITH TWO SERVICES SHARING COMMON TRACKS OVER MOST OF THE LENGTH, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHEAL LEUNG, SAID TODAY.
"ANY FURTHER COST REDUCTIONS COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT LOWERING THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF THE SERVICES, AND THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE PROJECT."
MR LEUNG WAS SPEAKING AFTER PRESENTATIONS HAD BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) TO A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP AND THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS COME TO THIS VIEW AFTER CAREFULLY CONSIDERING, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MTRC, VAPIOUS SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER COST REDUCTIONS OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY," MR LEUNG SAID.
"THE PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE COST OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY IS FULLY APPRECIATED, AND THE GOVERNMENT SHARES THIS CONCERN, BUT CUTS ARE NOT VIABLE.
"AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY FEASIBILITY STUDY IN LATE 1990, WE COMMISSIONED ADDITIONAL STUDIES TO ASSURE OURSELVES THAT THE FINAL SYSTEM WE CHOSE WAS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE POSSIBLE.
"AS A RESULT OF THOSE STUDIES, WE IDENTIFIED PARTS OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WHICH WERE NOT ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. THOSE PARTS WERE DEFERRED, AT A COST REDUCTION OF $1.48 BILLION, WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING REVENUE, BEFORE THE FINAL $22.2 BILLION FIGURE WAS ANNOUNCED IN APRIL."
EXPLAINING WHY FURTHER COST CUTS ARE NOT PRACTICABLE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID WHILE THE PROPOSED DEFERRAL OF THE TUNG CHUNG STATION WOULD ACHIEVE A SAVING OF ABOUT $900 MILLION (1991 PRICES), THE MTRC’S FINANCING PLAN FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WOULD BE WEAKENED.
/THERE WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
3
THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REVENUE BECAUSE THE RAILWAY WOULD NOT SERVE TUNG CHUNG. THIS LOSS COULD AMOUNT BY 2010 TO ABOUT $5.3 BILLION (1991 PRICES), REPRESENTING 25 PER CENT (IN 1997) AND 32 PER CENT (IN 2011) OF TOTAL AIRPORT RAILWAY REVENUE.
IN ADDITION, THE MTRC WOULD LOSE $800 MILLION (1991 PRICES) IN PROFITS FROM ASSOCIATED PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AT TUNG CHUNG.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUNG CHUNG AS A NEW TOWN WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED AND ADDITIONAL STRAINS WOULD BE PUT ON ROAD LINKS FROM TUNG CHUNG TO URBAN AREAS VIA THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY AND LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
MOREOVER, CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNG CHUNG STATION AND LAYING OF ASSOCIATED TRACKS AT A LATER DATE WOULD CAUSE DISRUPTION TO TUNG CHUNG RESIDENTS AND INVOLVE ADDITIONAL COSTS.
IT HAD ALSO BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE FOUR TRACKS BETWEEN LAI KING AND TSING YI STATIONS SHOULD BE REDUCED TO TWO.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHILE THIS WOULD ACHIEVE SAVINGS OF AROUND $300 MILLION (1991 PRICES), IT WOULD REDUCE BOTH THE FREQUENCY AND RELIABILITY OF THE TRAIN SERVICE BECAUSE OF OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS.
JOURNEY TIMES FOR AIRPORT PASSENGERS WOULD BE MORE UNCERTAIN AND LIABLE TO DISRUPTION, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE VIABILITY OF THE AIRPORT EXPRESS.
CROSS PLATFORM INTERCHANGE BETWEEN THE TSUEN WAN LINE AND LANTAU LINE AT LAI KING STATION WOULD BE LESS EFFICIENT AND PLATFORMS WOULD BE MORE CROWDED.
THIS WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS USING THE INTERCHANGE AND DEFEAT ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE LANTAU LINE -THE RELIEF OF CONGESTION ON THE MTR’S NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
A SUGGESTION HAD ALSO BEEN MADE THAT THE AIRPORT RAILWAY’S ONCOSTS SHOULD BE REDUCED FROM 18 PER CENT TO THE LEVEL OF 16.5 PER CENT USED. WHEN THE ISLAND LINE WAS BUILT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NOT VALID TO COMPARE THE TWO SYSTEMS BECAUSE THE COMPLEXITIES OF DESIGNING AND SUPERVISING THE AIRPORT RAILWAY ARE GREATER THAN THE ISLAND LINE.
THE AIRPORT RAILWAY HAS TO HAVE AN INTERFACE WITH THE OTHER NINE PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS, AND REQUIRES FASTER TRAINS FOR BOTH THE AIRPORT EXPRESS AND THE LANTAU LINE.
IT ALSO HAS TO MEET THE NEW AND HIGHER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STANDARDS OF TODAY.
MANY CHALLENGING CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS ARE ALSO REQUIRED. IT IS THEREFORE UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT ON-COSTS TO BE AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THOSE FOR ISLAND LINE AND TSUEN WAN LINE.
/ON A .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
4
ON A PROPOSAL TO SCALE DOWN THE SIZE OF ALL AIRPORT RAILWAY STATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SIZE OF THE STATION IS BASED ON PLANNING, ENVIRONMENTAL, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS.
THE LANTAU LINE STATIONS WILL BE SIMILAR IN SIZE TO EXISTING MTR STATIONS.
THE AIRPORT EXPRESS STATIONS WILL BE LARGER BECAUSE THEY NEED TO CATER FOR LONGER TRAINS AND BAGGAGE HANDLING FACILITIES.
THEY MUST ALSO PROVIDE TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES AND, CAR PARKING, AS WELL AS MEETING AND GREETING AREAS.
ANY REDUCTION IN SIZE WOULD LEAD TO OVERCROWDING AND
INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELLERS, AND WOULD COMPROMISE SAFETY.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT HAVING FULLY ASSESSED THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ABOVE PROPOSALS, THE GOVERNMENT CONCLUDED THAT THE AIRPORT RAILWAY IN ITS PRESENT FORM IS THE "BEST POSSIBLE OPTION".
- - 0 - -
LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR FIXED TELECOM NETWORKS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO INTRODUCE LICENCES TO ALLOW FOR THE OPERATION OF LOCAL FIXED TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS TO COMPETE DIRECTLY WITH THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LTD (HKTC) EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THERE WILL BE NO PRE-SET LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF COMPETITORS TO BE LICENSED. IT IS INTENDED TO ISSUE AN INVITATION FOR LICENCE APPLICATIONS IN SEPTEMBER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING RAPIDLY AND OPENING NEW . OPPORTUNITIES FOR AN IMPROVED CHOICE OF SERVICES FOR CONSUMERS. WE BELIEVE THAT COMPETITION IS THE BEST WAY OF TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES," HE SAID.
HKTC HAS AN EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TO PROVIDE VOICE TELEPHONE SERVICES UNTIL JUNE 30, 1995. THEREFORE, COMPETITORS WILL BE RESTRICTED TO PROVIDING SERVICES SUCH AS DATA, FACSIMILE AND LEASED CIRCUITS BEFORE THAT TIME.
FROM JULY 1, 1995, COMPETITION WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE VOICE TELEPHONY.
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY WILL ADMINISTER THE NEW FRAMEWORK THROUGH THE ISSUE OF LICENCES TO FIXED NETWORK OPERATORS.
THESE LICENCES WILL INCLUDE CONDITIONS RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY, INTERCONNECTION WITH OTHER NETWORKS, LAYING OF CABLES AND OTHER ISSUES. LICENCES WILL BE VALID FOR 10 YEARS.
/AN EXPLANATORY
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
5
AN EXPLANATORY NOTE PROVIDING MORE DETAILS OF THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK, LICENSING PROCEDURES AND TIMING OF THE ISSUE OF LICENCES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH OF THE POST OFFICE AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS FROM JULY 31:
TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH (ATTN: MR CLEMENT LEUNG), FIFTH FLOOR, SINCERE BUILDING, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG
(TELEPHONE : 852 9602 FAX : 541 9058)
---------0-----------
SUBSCRIPTION TV BIDS TO BE INVITED ♦ * * *
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS RACHEL CARTLAND, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ISSUE A FORMAL INVITATION FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE PROVISION OF A SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE ON FRIDAY (JULY 31).
SHE SAID A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE NOTE DESCRIBING THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE PROPOSALS WILL BE SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR.
"OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY TELEVISION SERVICES AT REASONABLE PRICES.
"I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE GOT THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK RIGHT AND THAT WE CAN EXPECT A SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE TO BE OPERATIONAL BY LATE 1993.
’’THE GUIDANCE NOTE WILL PROVIDE THE LICENSING, LEGAL, FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION POTENTIAL BIDDERS WILL NEED TO PREPARE THEIR PROPOSALS.
’’ALL THE INDICATIONS ARE THAT WE CAN EXPECT CONSIDERABLE INTEREST FROM THE INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH A QUALITY SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE," SHE SAID.
MRS CARTLAND EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL GRANT THE WINNING BIDDER A THREE-YEAR EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD FOR THE HONG KONG SERVICE.
STAR TV WILL BE PERMITTED TO OFFER THEIR REGIONAL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE IN HONG KONG FROM OCTOBER 1993, THROUGH THE NETWORK OF THE LOCAL SUBSCRIPTION TV LICENSEE DURING THE THREE-YEAR EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD.
/THE SUBSCRIPTION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
6
THE SUBSCRIPTION TV LICENSEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE ADEQUATE CHANNEL CAPACITY AVAILABLE FOR THE STAR TV REGIONAL SERVICE.
"I BELIEVE THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT BEST SERVES THE INTERESTS OF THE VIEWING PUBLIC AS WELL AS PROVIDING AN EQUITABLE LICENSING REGIME FOR THE INDUSTRY.”
THE FULL INFORMATION KIT FOR POTENTIAL BIDDERS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE, AT A COST OF $1,000, AT THE OFFICES OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, 11TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
---------0-----------
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION
*****
THE TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD ON 29 JULY 1992. THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE AVERAGE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION FOR THE 1992/93 FINANCIAL YEAR BE HK$3,950 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED THAT THE 1992/93 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME BE ADJUSTED TO PROVIDE 5 HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE EXTENSION TO THE KCRC FREIGHT YARDS AT HUNG HOM.
---------0-----------
PUBLIC URGED TO SPEAK UP ON COMPLAINTS SYSTEM *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AGAIN URGED TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS (COMAC) ORDINANCE AND THE OPERATION OF THE COMAC SYSTEM.
THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, MR NICHOLAS NG, TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING THAT THE VIEWS COLLECTED DURING THE CURRENT REVIEW OF THE COMAC SYSTEM WOULD FORM THE BASIS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BUILD ON THE PRESENT SYSTEM TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC.
HE SAID THE REVIEW COVERED THE GENERAL OPERATION OF COMAC AND FOUR MAJOR AREAS IN PARTICULAR: THE REFERRAL SYSTEM, THE JURISDICTION OF COMAC, FINALITY OF COMAC’S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND PUBLICATION OF COMAC’S INVESTIGATION REPORTS.
HE SAID UNDER THE EXISTING SYSTEM, THE COMMISSIONER CAN INVESTIGATE ONLY THOSE COMPLAINTS REFERRED BY A NON-OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/IT HAS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
7
IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THE REFERRAL SYSTEM SHOULD BE WIDENED, THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN DIRECT ACCESS TO THE COMMISSIONER, AND THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO INITIATE INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED MALADMINISTRATION AND HIS OWN VOLITION.
"THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF REFERRAL BY NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS TO RECOGNISE THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST ANY WRONGFUL ACTS OF THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES IS A BASIC RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE COURT," HE SAID.
BESIDES, THE SETTING UP OF THE COMAC OFFICE IS TO SUPPLEMENT AND STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING CHANNELS FOR THE REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES, NOT TO REPLACE OR CHANGE THEM.
THE PRESENT SYSTEM ENCOURAGES A COMPLAINANT TO MAKE USE OF EXISTING CHANNELS, WHICH VERY OFTEN CAN DEAL WITH COMPLAINTS MORE SPEEDILY AND CONVENIENTLY.
ONLY WHEN A COMPLAINT THROUGH EXISTING CHANNEL PROVES FUTILE WILL IT BE REFERRED TO THE COMMISSIONER, WHO WILL THEN CONDUCT A FORMAL INVESTIGATION.
THE MAIN ADVANTAGE OF WIDENING THE REFERRAL NET OR ALLOWING DIRECT PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE COMMISSIONER IS THAT IT WILL FACILITATE GREATER PUBLIC ACCESS TO COMAC.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR A WIDENED REFERRAL NET AND FOR CONDUCTING PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INTO THE REFERRALS WOULD BE ABOUT TWO OR THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF CURRENT RESOURCES FOR COMAC.
ON THE JURISDICTION OF COMAC, MR NG SAID THERE HAD BEEN SUGGESTIONS TO EXTEND THE JURISDICTION TO COVER PUBLIC BODIES.
HE SAID THE EXECUTIVE ARMS OF MAJOR STATUTORY BODIES, SUCH AS THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WERE ALREADY WITHIN THE AMBIT OF COMAC.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS THAT MAJOR FUNCTIONS WHICH WERE HITHERTO PERFORMED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REMAIN WITHIN COMAC’S JURISDICTION UPON THEIR TRANSFER TO A PUBLIC CORPORATION OR STATUTORY BODY. THIS WAS WHY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS BROUGHT UNDER THE PURVIEW OF COMAC IN DECEMBER 1991," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN VIEW OF THE VARIED NATURE AND FUNCTIONS OF STATUTORY BODIES, THE EXTENSION OF COMAC’S JURISDICTION TO EXISTING STATUTORY BODIES WOULD BE CONSIDERED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. THERE ARE ABOUT 150 SUCH BODIES, MOSTLY ADVISORY IN NATURE.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF THE FINALITY OF COMAC’S FINDINGS, MR NG SAID THERE HAD BEEN A SUGGESTION THAT THE COMMISSIONER’S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEWS OR BE CALLED INTO QUESTION IN ANY COURT.
/"THE FACT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
8
"THE FACT THAT THE COMMISSIONER’S DECISION IS SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW DOES NOT UNDERMINE THE FINALITY OF HIS DECISIONS, BECAUSE JUDICIAL REVIEW CAN QUESTION ONLY THE WAY THE COMMISSIONER MAKES HIS DECISION BUT NOT THE MERITS OF THE DECISION," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO CHALLENGES AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER’S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
ON THE PROPOSAL THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PUBLISH THE OUTCOME OF HIS INVESTIGATIONS WITH CASES ANONYMISED AS IS THE PRACTICE IN A NUMBER OF PLACES SUCH AS THE UNITED KINGDOM, MR NG SAID THE PUBLICATION OF CASE REPORTS COULD PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF COMAC AND STRENGTHEN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN IT.
"THE RISK IS THAT IT MAY LEAD TO WORRIES OF INADVERTENT DISCLOSURE OF PRIVATE OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION, SUCH AS COMMERCIAL DATA. SUCH A RISK MAY DISCOURAGE THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE COMPLAINT FROM CO-OPERATING WITH THE INVESTIGATION," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PRECONCEIVED IDEA ON ALL THESE ISSUES, AND CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO ACTIVELY EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS BEFORE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDS ON AUGUST 15.
---------0-----------
WALLED CITY CLEAREES URGED TO MAKE USE OF APPEAL CHANNELS
*****
CLEAREES OF PHASE III OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY WHO ARE DISSATISFIED WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMPENSATION OFFERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 1 EITHER TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO SUBSTANTIATE A CLAIM FOR HIGHER COMPENSATION OR TO APPEAL TO THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD.
FURTHERMORE, AUGUST 1 WILL ALSO BE THE DEADLINE FOR APPEALS TO THE APPEALS TRIBUNAL FOR CLEAREES FROM ALL PHASES OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY, A SPOKESNMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID OUT OF THE 2,520 PHASE III HOUSEHOLDS, 2,430 OR 96.4 PER CENT HAD ALREADY ACCEPTED THE COMPENSATION OFFERS.
OVERALL, MORE THAN 98 PER CENT OF THE SOME 10,322 HOUSEHOLDS IN ALL THREE PHASES HAD ACCEPTED THE OFFERS. ONLY 190 HOUSEHOLDS HAVE YET TO DO SO.
THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD HANDLES APPEALS RELATING TO THE CALCULATION OF AMOUNTS OF COMPENSATION WHILE THE APPEALS TRIBUNAL DEALS WITH CASES CONCERNING ELIGIBILITY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CLEAREES HAD ALL BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THESE APPEAL AVENUES. HE URGED THEM TO MAKE USE OF THEM.
/"I SINCERELY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
9
"I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE CLEAREES WILL REMAIN CALM AND RATIONAL AND TRY TO SEEK REDRESS THROUGH LEGITIMATE CHANNELS.
"DRASTIC ACTIONS WILL NOT HELP THEIR CAUSE," THE SPOKESMAN
SAID.
"IN VIEW OF THE NUMEROUS WELL-ESTABLISHED CHANNELS FOR APPEAL THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE CLEAREES, SEPARATE MEETINGS WITH CNTA IS CONSIDERED UNNECESSARY.
"WE SHALL INSTEAD ASSIST BY FOLLOWING UP THE POINTS MADE IN THEIR PETITION LETTER TO CNTA ON MONDAY (JULY 27) WITH THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AND CO-ORDINATE A FULL REPLY TO THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
AN INTERIM REPLY WAS SENT TO THE PETITIONERS TODAY.
--------0-----------
LIVESTOCK FARMERS FURTHER CONSULTED ON LICENSING SCHEME
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS FURTHER CONSULTING LIVESTOCK FARMERS ON DETAILS OF THE PROPOSALS TO IMPLEMENT THE LIVESTOCK KEEPING LICENSING SCHEME.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED SCHEME ARE CONTAINED IN A LETTER SENT TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS WHO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS BY SEPTEMBER 15 THE LATEST.
VIEWS OF MEMBERS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE LIVESTOCK SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE SCHEME WOULD REQUIRE LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO OBTAIN A LIVESTOCK KEEPING LICENCE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WHO MUST BE SATISFIED THAT AN ACCEPTABLE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED AND THAT THE FARM WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE LICENSING CONDITIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED THAT SHORT-TERM TENANCIES BE ISSUED TO FARMERS AS A MEASURE TO REGULARISE THE STATUS OF FARM STRUCTURES ERECTED ON GOVERNMENT LAND.
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO INVEST IN THE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL RELAX THE RULES FOR CALCULATING THE HEIGHT OF THE FARM STRUCTURES AS WELL AS THE RULES FOR REBUILDING.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE EXISTING LIVESTOCK WASTE PROHIBITION AREA BE EXPANDED IN LINE WITH THE RECENT EXTENSION OF NEW TOWN BOUNDARIES TO COVER THE AMENDED NEW TOWN AREA, RURAL TOWNSHIPS, AIRPORT AND PORTS DEVELOPMENT AREAS AND AREAS OF HIGH GRADE RECREATIONAL VALUE.
/DURING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
10
DURING THE CONSULTATION, FARMERS’ VIEWS WILL BE SOUGHT ON THE DRAFT GUIDANCE NOTES WHICH WILL BE ISSUED TO HELP THEM IN SELECTING A WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM WHICH WILL MATCH THEIR OPERATION.
THE NOTES ARE PRODUCED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WHICH HAS TRIED OUT VARIOUS WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE Purpose of evaluating their feasibility in the private farm DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.
IN ADDITION, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE FREE ADVICE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS ON THE NECESSARY HUSBANDRY PRACTICES TO OPERATE THE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS IN FUTURE.
LIVESTOCK FARMERS ARE ASKED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS TO THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15.
THE CURRENT CONSULTATION FORMS STAGE II OF THE EXERCISE TO SEEK VIEWS ON DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED SCHEME.
THE FARMERS WERE FIRST CONSULTED ON THE BROAD PRINCIPLES OF THE SCHEME BETWEEN JUNE AND AUGUST LAST YEAR.
VIEWS COLLECTED WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE A SUBMISSION IS MADE TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER. THE PLAN IS TO IMPLEMENT THE LICENSING SCHEME IN APRIL 1993.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO COME FORWARD TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE SCHEME WHICH ON ONE HAND SEEKS TO PROVIDE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY TO OPERATE AND ON THE OTHER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO THE GROWING POLLUTION PROBLEM CAUSED BY LIVESTOCK WASTE.
- - 0 - -
GAS PIPELINE THROUGH TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK PROPOSED *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO EXPRESS VIEWS ON A PROPOSAL BY THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY LTD TO LAY UNDERGROUND PIPELINE ACROSS THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK TO LANTAU.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY): "A PROPOSAL FROM THE COMPANY TO EXTEND ITS GAS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM TO LANTAU ISLAND WAS CONSIDERED BY THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD AT ITS MEETING IN APRIL, 1992.
"AS THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION WILL PASS THROUGH COUNTRY PARK AREAS, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD CONDUCT PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE PROJECT."
THE PROPOSED GAS SUPPLY SCHEME WILL LINK THE EXISTING HIGH PRESSURE PIPELINE ON ROUTE TWISK TO NORTH LANTAU. AN UNDERGROUND PIPELINE WILL BE LAID ACROSS TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK TO TAI LAM NULLAH, FROM WHERE IT WILL BE LAID UNDERWATER TO LANTAU.
/IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
11
IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE ROUTE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO MINIMISE DISTURBANCE TO WOODLAND AND LANDSCAPE.
RESTORATION OF THE LANDSCAPE WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER CONSTRUCTION OF THE PIPELINE AND THE RESTORED AREAS WILL BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
A PUBLIC CONSULTATION INFORMATION PAPER CONTAINING THE DETAILED ALIGNMENT IS OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE BY WRITING TO THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY LIMITED AT 24TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE WILL LAST TWO MONTHS. ENQUIRIES ON DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED TRANSMISSION NETWORK CAN BE MADE OF THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY LTD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROJECT SHOULD SEND IN THEIR COMMENTS TO THE COMPANY DIRECT.
IN ADDITION , THEY ARE ALSO WELCOMED TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS ON THE PARTS RELATING TO COUNTRY PARKS TO THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD SECRETARIAT AT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, 12TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
"ALL VIEWS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD BEFORE IT MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0-------
LIAISON MEETING TO TACKLE DREDGING PROBLEMS
******
A FISHERIES LIAISON MEETING WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 6 (THURSDAY) ON PROBLEMS ARISING FROM DREDGING WORKS AND DUMPING ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG WATERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (FISHERIES), DR THOMAS YIP KAE-SANG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REVIEWING THE IMPACT OF WORK ON LOCAL FISHERMEN.
DR YIP NOTED THAT AFTER A DISCUSSION OF THE STUDY GROUP ON THE EFFECTS OF DREDGING ON FISHERMEN’S LIVELIHOOD ON JULY 24, THE LIAISON MEETING DECIDED TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:
* TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FISHERMEN;
» TO UPDATE FISHERMEN OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GOVERNMENT PROJECTS INVOLVING THE FORESHORES AND SEABEDS IN THE TERRITORY; AND
* TO INFORM FISHERMEN OF THEIR RIGHTS AND THE CHANNELS TO LODGE OBJECTIONS AND COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
12
HE SAID THE LIAISON MEETING WOULD BEGIN AT 2.30 PM AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, 11TH FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO.
TOPPING THE AGENDA WILL BE THE PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED DREDGING OR RELATED WORKS IN HONG KONG WATERS, THEIR IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY, ILLEGAL DUMPING AND WAYS OF LODGING OBJECTIONS AND SEEKING COMPENSATION BY FISHERMEN, DR YIP SAID.
ON SURVEYS TO COUNT FISHERMEN’S LOSSES, HE SAID THERE WERE NO DIFFICULTIES IN COMPILING THE RELEVANT INFORMATION.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR RECEIVED 800 QUESTIONAIRES. HE REMINDED THAT THERE WERE STILL SOME 20 DAYS FOR RETURNING THESE FORMS AS THE DEADLINE FALLS ON AUGUST 15.
AT LEAST A MONTH WILL BE NEEDED TO ANALYSE THE DATA AND COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL FOR THE ADMINISTRATION.
"AS COMPENSATION IN THE FORM OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES INVOLVING DREDGING WAS UNPRECEDENTED, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED TO ESTABLISH THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES."
DR YIP, HOWEVER, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS MOVING QUICKLY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
---------0-----------
ISLANDERS ENJOY CHEAPER SATURDAY MORNING FARES * * * *
DAY RETURN TICKETS AT WEEKDAY CHARGE ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT OUTLYING ISLAND TERMINALS ON SATURDAY MORNING TO PREVENT OUTLYING ISLAND RESIDENTS OF PAYING A HIGHER WEEKEND FARE.
EXPLAINING THE EXTENSION OF THE WEEKEND FERRY FARES ON SATURDAY MORNING TO A SPECIAL ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY), CHIEF TRANSPORT OFFICER, MISS CAROLINA YIP LAI-CHING, SAID WEEKEND FERRY FARES WERE NOT INTENDED FOR OUTLYING ISLAND RESIDENTS.
THE INTENTION OF EXTENDING THE WEEKEND FARE CHARGE ON SATURDAY MORNING WAS TO CUT THE LEVEL OF RISE IN NORMAL WEEKDAY CHARGE FOR DAILY COMMUTERS, SHE ADDED.
MISS YIP NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS TO OUTLYING ISLANDS ON SATURDAY MORNING WAS INCREASING.
THE HONGKONG & YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE DAY RETURN TICKETS OVER THE WEEKEND TO INCLUDE ALSO MONDAY IF IT FALLS ON A PUBLIC HOLIDAY. THIS WOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT FROM THIS SATURDAY.
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
13
SHE SAID THE INTEREST OF OUTLYING ISLAND RESIDENTS WOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FERRY SERVICES.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE OUTLYING ISLAND RESIDENTS HAD TO PLAY AN AVERAGE OF EIGHT PER CENT MORE IN FARE, IN THE CURRENT 16 PER CENT FARE INCREASE BY THE FERRY COMPANY AS THEY WERE CROSS-SUBSIDISED BY OTHERS PAYING WEEKEND FARES.
- - 0 - -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHEUNG WAN, YAU MA TEI TO BE CLOSED ******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE SEVERAL UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS IN SHEUNG WAN AND YAU MA TEI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT FLATS C, D AND E, FIRST FLOOR, 196-200 DES VOEUX ROAD WEST, SHEUNG WAN; AS WELL AS FLAT 8, EIGHTH FLOOR; FLAT 8, 12TH FLOOR; FLAT 9, 12TH FLOOR AND FLAT 6, 17TH FLOOR OF HONOUR HOUSE, 375-381 NATHAN ROAD, YAU MA TEI.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 25 AND 26 RESPECTIVELY WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN WESTERN DISTRICT *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (JULY 31) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, EASTERN STREET, BONHAM ROAD, POK FU LAM ROAD AND THIRD STREET.
- - 0 - -
/14
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1992
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » ♦ » ♦ *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,688
REVERSAL OF LAF -700
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
y > EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 »+0.0» 29.7.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
PERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.78 PCT 16 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.46 3.54
1 MONTH 2.58 PCT 19 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.45 3.89
3 MONTHS 2.44 PCT 6 MONTHS 2.67 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.29 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS CLOSED 29 JULY 1992 22 MONTHS AND BONDS 2405 - 9,004 MN 5.50 102.45 4.11
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SALE OF EXCHANGE FUND'S SHAREHOLDING IN HACTL....................... 1
NEW REMUNERATION PACKAGE FOR UNIVERSITY DOCTORS .................... 1
SHIPPING STATISTICS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 ...................... 2
WALLED CITY CLEAREES URGED TO KEEP CALM ............................ 5
INSPECTION OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES UNDER 1.9 TONNES ................ 6
BAGUIO VILLA CAR PARK REOPENS ...................................... 6
THREE SITES TO LET BY TENDER ....................................... 7
NEW BUS ROUTE IN NT................................................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 7
THURSDAY. JULY 30, 1992
i
SALE OF EXCHANGE FUND’S SHAREHOLDING IN HACTL
******
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND ANNOUNCES THAT, ON THE ADVICE OF HAMBRO PACIFIC LIMITED, THE FINANCIAL ADVISER TO THE EXCHANGE FUND IN THIS TRANSACTION, HE HAS TODAY (THURSDAY) SOLD THE EXCHANGE FUND’S ENTIRE SHAREHOLDING OF 80,000 SHARES IN HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINALS LIMITED (HACTL), REPRESENTING 10 PER CENT OF HACTL’S SHARE CAPITAL, TO CHINA NATIONAL AVIATION CORPORATION FOR HK$106 MILLION.
OF THE 80,000 SHARES, 60,000 SHARES WERE FULLY PAID UP AND SUBSCRIBED TO AT THE FACE AMOUNT OF $100 PER SHARE OVER THE PERIOD 1971 TO 1984.
THESE SHARES WERE ACQUIRED BY THE EXCHANGE FUND FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND IN SEPTEMBER 1983, BASED ON A VALUATION PREPARED BY INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS.
THE SALE IS IN LINE WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND’S STATED OBJECTIVE OF DISPOSING OF HOLDINGS INAPPROPRIATE FOR CONTINUED OWNERSHIP WITHIN. THE EXCHANGE FUND.
THE GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED DIRECTOR, MR R.W. CANDLER, AND HIS ALTERNATE DIRECTOR, MR A.K.K. LAM, WILL TENDER THEIR RESIGNATIONS TO THE BOARD OF HACTL.
------0-------
NEW REMUNERATION PACKAGE FOR UNIVERSITY DOCTORS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO PROVIDE UNIVERSITY CLINICAL MEDICAL DOCTORS WITH AN OPTION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN RETAINING THEIR EXISTING REMUNERATION PACKAGE OR CHANGING OVER TO A REMUNERATION PACKAGE IDENTICAL TO THAT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JONN CHAN, AFTER A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL DOCTORS ASSOCIATION (UMDA) THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
MR CHAN SAID THE PROPOSED OPTION WOULD BE OFFERED ONLY TO THOSE UNIVERSITY DOCTORS WHO REGULARLY PROVIDE CLINICAL SERVICES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THESE UNIVERSITY DOCTORS WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH HA DOCTORS AND PERFORM LARGELY SIMILAR DUTIES.
"THE EXISTING REMUNERATION PACKAGES FOR UNIVERSITY AND HA DOCTORS ARE BROADLY COMPARABLE THOUGH THE METHOD OF REMUNERATION IS DIFFERENT," MR CHAN SAID.
/"FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1992
- 2 -
"FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE UMDA, WE AGREE IN PRINCIPLE THAT THERE IS A CASE FOR RESTRUCTURING THE REMUNERATION PACKAGE OF UNIVERSITY CLINICAL MUSICAL DOCTORS TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH THAT OF HA DOCTORS.
"THE OPTION WILL BE OFFERED TO CLINICAL MEDICAL DOCTORS ALREADY EMPLOYED BY THE UNIVERSITIES.
"ALL NEW STAFF WOULD BE OFFERED HA TERMS ONLY. THIS WOULD ENABLE THE UNIVERSITIES TO COMPETE ON EQUAL TERMS WITH THE HA IN RECRUITING DOCTORS FOR THE TWO MEDICAL SCHOOLS."
MR CHAN SAID UNIVERSITY DOCTORS WHO OPT FOR HA TERMS WILL HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR QUARTERS AND ACCEPT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, REDUCED LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS.
THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE TWO UNIVERSITIES WILL NOW WORK OUT THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSAL (INCLUDING ANY OFFSETTING SAVINGS) AND OTHER DETAILS OF IMPLEMENTATION.
"A FINAL DECISION ON IMPLEMENTATION WILL STILL HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE NECESSARY FUNDS BEING AVAILABLE," MR CHAN SAID, ADDING THAT ON THE BASIS OF PRESENT INFORMATION, HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT THIS COULD BE RESOLVED.
------0-------
SHIPPING STATISTICS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1992
******
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, 5,708 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 31.3 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1,066 (OR 23%) IN NUMBER AND OF 4.5 MILLION NRT (OR 17%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
THIS INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, JANUARY - MARCH 1992" PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN THE QUARTER, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS WAS 13.0 MILLION TONNES, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 21% OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+597) AND OIL TANKERS (+291); WHILE A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF DRY BULK CARRIERS (-36).
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+466), PANAMA (+93) AND LIBERIA (+90).
/THE NUMBER .......
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1992
3
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 733 WHILST THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 333.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992, THERE WERE 5,698 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 31.2 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1,014 (OR 22%) IN NUMBER AND OF 4.1 MILLION NRT (OR 15%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS WAS 5.6 MILLION TONNES, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 13%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF OUTGOING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, FLAG, AND CAPACITY ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS THOSE RECORDED FOR INCOMING SHIPS, AS ABOUT 73% OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 86% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 14% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 63% WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 37% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS WERE SINGAPORE (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 16% IN TONNAGE TERMS), JAPAN (16%), CHINA (10%), TAIWAN (9%), THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (8%), AUSTRALIA (7%) AND INDONESIA (7%); WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE USA (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 21% IN TONNAGE TERMS), CHINA (19%), TAIWAN (12%), JAPAN (5%), SINGAPORE (4%) AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (4%).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (31%) AND THE USA (14%), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED ALSO IN CHINA (21%) AND THE USA ( 15%) .
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTERS OF 1992 AND 1991, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+78%), INDONESIA (+67%), THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (+60%), AUSTRALIA (+36%) AND JAPAN (+34%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE IN TONNAGE WAS NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM CH1NA(-14%).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 22%.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+49%), STONE, SAND AND GRAVEL (+48%), PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+43%), COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (+39%), AND PAPER, PAPER BOARD AND ARTICLES THEREOF (+21%).
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTERS OF 1992 AND 1991, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 18%.
/MAJOR INCREASES .......
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1992
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (+90%), THE USA (+31%) AND THE NETHERLANDS (+23%); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (-20%) AND INDONESIA (-17%).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+75%), FOOTWEAR (+40%), TOYS (+35%) AND OTHER MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (+18%).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 42% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 81% WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 ROSE BY 23% OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 34% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE USA (94%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (86%), TAIWAN (84%) AND THE NETHERLANDS (79%).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 99% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 94% OF PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, 90% OF TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS, AND 90% OF MACHINERY.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 ROSE BY 17% OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 73% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED KINGDOM; AND ALMOST ALL TO THE USA AND JAPAN.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED TOYS; ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES; FOOTWEAR; TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS; AND OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL.
SHIPPING STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIP MASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEANGOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
/CARGO STATISTICS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1992
5
CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ARE COMPILED FROM A SAMPLE OF CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
STARTING FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, THE COMMODITY CLASSIFICATION AND THE PORT CLASSIFICATION IN THE HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS SYSTEM HAVE BEEN SIMPLIFIED. THE CHANGES ARE DESCRIBED IN PART A OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 ARE CONTAINED IN THE ’’HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, JANUARY - MARCH 1992”.
THE REPORT, AT $36.5 A COPY, IS NOW ON SALE AT 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 ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ON THE STATISTICS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 582 4887.
------0-------
WALLED CITY CLEAREES URGED TO KEEP CALM *****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (THURSDAY) REITERATED HIS APPEAL TO KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEAREES TO REMAIN CALM AND SEEK REDRESS THROUGH THE EXISTING APPEAL CHANNELS.
’’DRASTIC ACTIONS, SUCH AS STAGING SIT-IN AND CAMPING ON THE STREETS, WILL NOT HELP THEIR CAUSE,” HE SAID.
”AS EXPLAINED IN THE INTERIM REPLY TO THE CLEAREES’ PREVIOUS PETITION ON JULY 27, THE CNTA HAS ALREADY COPIED THE LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED FOR COMMENT.
"WE WILL FOLLOW UP AND CO-ORDINATE A FULL REPLY TO THE CLEAREES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
FOR CNTA TO HOLD MEETINGS BEFORE THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND COMMENTS FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE WOULD SERVE NO MEANINGFUL PURPOSE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
r
HE REMINDED THE PHASE III CLEAREES WHO WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE COMPENSATION OFFERS THAT APPEALS MUST REACH THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD BEFORE SATURDAY (AUGUST 1).
- - 0-----------
/6 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1992
- 6 -
INSPECTION OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES UNDER 1.9 TONNES
******
OWNERS OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES MANUFACTURED IN 1988 OR BEFORE WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES INSPECTED FROM SEPTEMBER 1 AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR LICENCE RENEWAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THIS TYPE OF VEHICLES MUST BE INSPECTED AT A DESIGNATED CAR TESTING CENTRE TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS IF THEY REQUIRE A NEW LICENCE FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ROAD TRAFFIC (EXAMINATION OF PRIVATE CARS AND LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES) ORDER 1992 MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WILL TAKE EFFECT ON AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR TO REQUIRE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS TO BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF LICENSING OR RE-LICENSING.
UNDER A NOTICE TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL DESIGNATE ALL LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES MANUFACTURED IN 1988 OR BEFORE TO BE INSPECTED FOR THAT PURPOSE, HE ADDED.
TO GIVE SUFFICIENT NOTICE TO VEHICLE OWNERS, ONLY VEHICLES REQUIRING A NEW LICENCE STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR WILL HAVE TO BE INSPECTED IN ADVANCE.
THE CERTIFICATE IS ONLY VALID FOR RE-LICENSING DURING THE FOUR MONTHS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUE.
--------0-----------
BAGUIO VILLA CAR PARK REOPENS
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE CAR PARK UNDER BLOCK 26 OF BAGUIO VILLA IN VICTORIA ROAD WHICH HAD BEEN CLOSED SINCE MAY 11 THIS YEAR AS A RESULT OF A LANDSLIDE MAY NOW BE RE-OCCUPIED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICE SAID A NOTICE OF EXPIRY OF THE CLOSURE ORDER IN RESPECT OF THE CAR PARK WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES THIS MORNING.
HE SAID THE RE-OPENING OF THE CAR PARK TO RESIDENTS WAS POSSIBLE AS WORK ON THE PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO THE PODIUM OF BLOCK 26, BAGUIO VILLA, WAS NOW SUFFICIENTLY ADVANCED.
0----------
/7.........
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1992
THREE SITES TO LET BY TENDER
******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
WITH AREAS OF ABOUT 60, 70 AND 150 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY, THE SITES ARE ON PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, KOWLOON AND ARE INTENDED FOR PLANT NURSERY AND/OR FLOWER STALL PURPOSES.
THE TENANCIES ARE FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON AUGUST 14.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TF. 1 CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY
BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
---_ 0-----
NEW BUS ROUTE IN NT
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT A NEW BUS ROUTE - 87K -PLYING BETWEEN MA ON SHAN TOWN CENTRE AND UNIVERSITY KCR STATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BEGIN OPERATION ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 1).
THE FARE WILL BE $1.9 PER SINGLE JOURNEY. IT WILL OPERATE DAILY, INCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 988
REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NIL 988
NET INJECTION/WFTHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT + 1,000 1,988
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.9 *+0.1* 30.7.92
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1992
8 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 2.90 PCT 15 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.72 PCT 18 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.48 PCT 21 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.72 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.27 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.35 3.62
2402 5.50 102.37 3.95
2405 5.50 102.37 4.16
TOTAL TURNOVER OF JJILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 30 JULY 1992
- 5,847 MN
0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT'S MOTTO: MINIMUM INTERFERENCE BUT MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY 1
GOVERNOR HOPES FOR RAPID PROGRESS IN AIRPORT FINANCE TALKS .......... 2
GOVT WELCOMES SELECTION OF AIRPORT SITE PREPARATION CONTRACTOR ...... 3
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JUNE ........................................ 3
FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR 1991-92 PUBLISHED ................................ 8
VIEWS SOUGHT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS .............................. 8
AIRPORT CHARGES GAZETTED ............................................ 9
CONCERN OVER TSING YI BRIDGE ACCIDENT ............................... 10
CLEAREES URGED TO CEASE SIT-IN ...................................... 11
35 JUSTICES OF THE PEACE APPOINTED .................................. 12
AMENDMENTS TO APPROVED MA WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ................... 13
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE TO BENEFIT TAIWAN VISITORS .................... 14
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED......................................... 14
NEW WARNING NOTICE ON INDECENT ARTICLES ............................. 17
WATER SUPPLY TO AP LEI CHAU, TUEN MUN TO IMPROVE .................... 17
INCREASING DEMAND FOR BETTER ELDERLY SERVICES ....................... 18
MACHINE GUARDS A MUST ............................................... 19
INSHORE WORKS FOR STEELMILL IN TUEN MUN ............................. 20
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0 LANDFILL EXTENSION WORKS .......... 21
REVISED TUNNEL CLASSIFICATION FOR GOODS VEHICLES TO TAKE EFFECT ..... 21
REVISED FEE FOR VALUATION LIST DATA ................................. 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 22
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
1
GOVT’S MOTTO: MINIMUM INTERFERENCE BUT MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY *****
THE GOVERNMENT’S MOTTO TO HELP SUSTAIN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC STRENGTH IS: "THE MINIMUM INTERFERENCE BUT THE MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY", THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO SEE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS ONE OF THE STRONGEST ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD AND IN THAT WAY WE’LL HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE ASPIRATIONS THAT WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY,” MR PATTEN SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A DAY’S TOUR OF TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, FACTORIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO SEE HOW THEY HAD CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS.
HE ALSO SAID HONG KONG HAD AN IMMENSELY POWERFUL TRADING COMMUNITY AND IT CONTINUED TO INCREASE THE SHARE OF WORLD MARKETS.
THE GOVERNOR BEGAN HIS DAY WITH A BRIEFING BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR CHAU, MR PATTEN VISITED THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (HKPC) WHERE HE MET THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR JAMES TIEN; DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, DR JOHN LO; AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR S.K.CHAN.
HE THEN TOURED THE HKPC BUILDING TO SEE PRODUCTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE COMPUTER AID DESIGN SERVICES CENTRE, RADIO FREQUENCY LABORATORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT LABORATORY.
LATER ON, HE VISITED THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND MET THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS WHO BRIEFED HIM ON THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.
AFTER LUNCH, THE GOVERNOR WENT ON TO THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, AND HIS STAFF ON THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ON HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
' HIS NEXT STOP WAS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT. MR PATTEN SAW THE PUBLIC SEARCH AREA OF THE TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS REGISTRY WHERE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD SEARCH FOR REGISTERED TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS.
THE GOVERNOR THEN VISITED TWO FACTORIES OF THE CHEN HSONG HOLDINGS LTD IN THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
RECEIVED BY THE COMPANY’S CHAIRMAN, MR CHIANG CHEN, HE FIRST SAW THE MANUFACTURING OF COMPUTER-CONTROLLED PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES AT THE CHEN HSONG MACHINERY CO. LTD.
HE THEN VISITED THE HONG KONG CAD-CAM SERVICES LTD NEXT DOOR AND SAW THE USE OF SOPHISTICATED COMPUTERISED MACHINERY IN THE MANUFACTURING OF PRECISION MOULDS.
HE CONCLUDED HIS DAY’S VISIT BY TOURING THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TDC). HE WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY TDC CHAIRMAN, DR VICTOR FUNG.
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
2
GOVERNOR HOPES FOR RAPID PROGRESS IN AIRPORT FINANCE TALKS
*****
THE ONLY NEGOTIATING POSITION FOR THE GOVERNMENT IS TO GET THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL FOR HONG KONG IN ORDER TO BUILD THE BEST POSSIBLE AIRPORT, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING A FACTORY IN TAI PO, HE SAID THE REALITY WAS THAT THE AIRPORT WOULD BE COMPLETED.
"EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET AHEAD WITH IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WISH J COULD SAY THAT DELAY WAS A COST-FREE OPTION, ALAS IT’S NOT," MR PATTEN SAID.
HE ADDED: "WHETHER OR NOT I SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE AIRPORT DOESN’T CHANGE THE REALITIES."
"THE SOONER WE REACH AN AGREEMENT; AND WE WILL BEFORE TOO LONG, REACH AN AGREEMENT, ON THE OVERALL FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT AND THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT, THE BETTER," HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN SAID THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE HAD AGREED TO REFLECT ON ISSUES RAISED AND HE HOPED THAT THOSE REFLECTIONS COULD LEAD TO A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT WHEN THE PERIOD OF REFLECTION IS COMPLETED, AND AUGUST IS SOMETIMES A PARTICULARLY GOOD TIME FOR REFLECTION, WHEN THAT PERIOD OF REFLECTION IS OVER I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS AS RAPIDLY AS WE CAN.
"WE HAVE EXTREMELY GOOD PUBLIC OFFICIALS ON BOTH THE PRC SIDE AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE IN THESE TALKS IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE. AND I’M SURE THAT THEY WOULD ALL LIKE TO SEE THEIR DISCUSSIONS COME TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION SO THAT THEY CAN GET ON WITH OTHER MATTERS,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO ESTABLISHING AS GOOD A RELATIONSHIP AS POSSIBLE WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS IN THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WHEN HE HAD LEARNT ABOUT THE FULL RANGE OF PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO ADDRESS IN HONG KONG AND WHEN HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY OF DISCUSSING MATTERS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY AS BROADLY AS POSSIBLE.
"I’M SURE IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN THE PRC. AS YOU WELL KNOW, THE AMBASSADOR FOR THE PRC IN LONDON IS COMING THROUGH HONG KONG NEXT WEEK, I’LL BE CONTINUING MY RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ON THAT OCCASION," HE SAID.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT I WANT TO HAVE AS GOOD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRC AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
------0------------
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
3
GOVT WELCOMES SELECTION OF AIRPORT SITE PREPARATION CONTRACTOR * * * * *
COMMENTING ON THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S (PAA) SELECTION OF THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT AT CHEK LAP KOK, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
’’THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE PAA’S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT IT HAS SELECTED THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE CHEK LAP KOK SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT.
“THE TENDER PRICE IS WITHIN THE PAA’S COST ESTIMATES FOR THE PROJECT AND THIS ILLUSTRATES THE COST EFFECTIVE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE WHOLE OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
’’A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE HAS NOW BEEN REACHED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT, AND THE GOVERNMENT WANTS THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT TO PROCEED AS SOON AS THE PAA’S OVERALL FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE FIRMLY IN PLACE.”
- - 0 - -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JUNE
******
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS RECORDED A STRONG INCREASE DURING JUNE, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS ROSE DURING THE MONTH. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED IN JUNE.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, ROSE BY 2.1% IN JUNE FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.9% AND 3.7% IN APRIL AND MAY RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS GREW BY 8.7%, UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A COUPLE OF SHARE FLOTATION EXERCISES. SAVINGS DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.7% WHILE TIME DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 0.8%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 20.2%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 0.4% IN JUNE, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.5% AND 1.6% IN APRIL AND MAY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.4% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.7%.
/YEAR-ON-YEAR
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
4
YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 9.0%.
DURING JUNE, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS GREW BY 1.1% AND 4.1% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 1.2%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS GREW BY 15.0% AND 3.0% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 25.9%.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 6.1%, 2.2% AND 2.0%
RESPECTIVELY IN JUNE, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 6.3%, 3.5% AND 3.4% IN MAY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 41.6%, 21.8% AND 19.7% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 6.1%, 1.1% AND 1.2% IN JUNE RESPECTIVELY. THESE COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 5.6%, 2.5% AND 2.4% IN MAY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES GREW BY 36.4%, 14.9%
AND 13.6% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 1.9% IN JUNE FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.7% AND 2.7% IN APRIL AND MAY RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR INCREASED BY 0.9% WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY INCREASED BY 2.4%.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.6% AND 27.9% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.0% IN JUNE, AFTER INCREASES OF 3.8% AND 4.3% IN APRIL AND MAY RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 12.2%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.2% IN JUNE, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.9% AND 2.0% IN APRIL AND MAY RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.8%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.6% IN JUNE, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.3% AND 3.2% IN APRIL AND MAY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 31.8%.
/LOANS TO .......
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
5
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECREASED BY 1.4% DURING JUNE, AFTER INCREASES OF 7.2% AND 4.2% IN APRIL AND MAY RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 41.6%.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG (EXCLUDING THOSE FOR TRADE FINANCING) INCREASED BY 4.1%.
OF THESE, LOANS FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING INCREASED BY 5.2%, FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 0.05% AND AN INCREASE OF 4.5% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 9.2%.
LOANS TO BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT SECTOR ROSE BY 4.0% DURING THE SECOND QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.6% AND 1.5% DURING THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 13.3%.
LOANS TO WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE RECORDED A QUARTERLY GROWTH OF 4.8%, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 1.6% AND 3.8% DURING THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 13.7%.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (EXCLUDING AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS) ROSE BY 0.9% THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 6.3% AND 3.8% DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 15.6%.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) GREW BY 5.3% THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 5.4% AND 3.2% IN THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 25.0%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBERS OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES EACH DECREASED BY ONE TO 159, 54 AND 153 RESPECTIVELY.
/TABLE 1 .......
6
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - JUNE 1992
(HKSmn)
Jun 1992
Earlier months (% change to Jun 1992)
Money Supply May 1992 Mar 1992 Jun 1991
Ml -HKS 131,773 124,221 ( 6.1 ) 115,642 ( 13.9 ) 93,050 ( 41.6 )
Foreign currency 16,110 15,116 ( 6.6 ) 14,139 ( 13.9 ) 15,398 ( 4.6 )
Total 147,883 139,337 ( 6.1 ) 129,781 ( 13.9 ) 108,449 ( 36.4 )
M2 - HKS* 687,849 673,182 ( 2.2 ) 638,577 ( 7.7 ) 564,655 ( 21.8 )
Foreign currency* 758,935 757,632 ( 0.2 ) 740,630 ( 2.5 ) 694,637 ( 9.3 )
Total 1,446,784 1,430,814 ( 1.1 ) 1,379,207 ( 4.9 ) 1,259,292 ( 14.9 )
M3 - HKS* 710,209 696,091 ( 2.0 ) 661,380 ( 7.4 ) 593,160 ( 19.7 )
Foreign currency* 798,774 795,216 ( 0.4 ) 778,939 ( 2.5 ) 734,988 ( 8.7 )
Total 1,508,984 1,491,307 ( 1.2 ) 1,440,319 ( 4.8 ) 1,328,148 ( 13.6 )
Notes and coins in circulation 52,500 51,902 ( 1.2 ) 51,024 ( 2.9 ) 44,091 ( 19.1 )
of which held by public 45.729 45,079 ( 1.4 ) 44,341 ( 3.1 ) 37,936 ( 20.5 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 102,154 94,258 ( 8.4 ) 85,440 ( 19.6 ) 70,513 ( 44.9 )
Total Savings deposits 342,803 332,829 ( 3.0 ) 309,466 ( 10.8 ) 244,947 ( 39.9 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 939,854 942,768 ( -0.3 ) 924,103 ( 1.7 ) 888,269 ( 5.8 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 38,909 37,378 ( 4.1 ) 37,185 ( 4.6 ) 37.793 ( 3.0 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 20,702 20,946 ( -1.2 ) 21,866 ( -5.3 ) 27,938 ( -25.9 )
HKS deposits* 650,990 637,737 ( 2.1 ) 603,765 ( 7.8 ) 541,580 ( 20.2 )
USS deposits* 333,728 322,661 ( 3.4 ) 314,182 ( 6.2 ) 291,761 ( 14.4 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 459,703 467,781 ( -1.7 ) 460,113 ( -0.1 ) 436,118 ( 5.4 )
All deposits 1,444.421 1,428,178 ( l.l ) 1,378,061 ( 4.8 ) 1,269,459 ( 13.8 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 45,181 42,830 ( 5.5 ) 44,275 ( 2.0 ) 61,132 ( -26.1 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance U.K.’s visible trade 90,153 89,219 ( io ) 82,457 ( 9.3 ) 80,324 ( 12.2 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 14,545 14,750 ( -L4 ) 13,211 ( 10.1 ) 10,269 ( 41.6 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 878.951 868,605 ( 12 ) 844,262 ( 4.1 ) 746,401 ( 17.8 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,356,673 1,322,827 ( 2.6 ) 1,277,847 ( 6.2 ) 1,029,390 ( 31.8 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 37,566 38,602 ( -2.7 ) 37,811 ( -0.6 ) 46,165 ( -18.6 )
Loans in HKS 781,524 774,498 ( 0.9 ) 751.240 ( 4.0 ) 664,721 ( 17.6 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,596,365 1,559,506 ( 2.4 ) 1,504.348 ( 6.1 ) 1,247,828 ( 27.9 )
Total loans and advances 2,377,889 2,334,004 ( 19 ) 2,255,588 ( 5.4 ) 1,912,548 ( 24.3 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further he 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.
/TABLE 2 .......
7
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - JUNE 1992
Sectors Jun 1992 Earlier quarters (% change to Jun 1992)
Mar 1992 Dec 1991 Jun 1991
Manufacturing 59,943 56,989 ( 5.2 ) 54,532 ( 9.9 ) 54,886 ( 9.2 )
Transport and transport equipment 54,300 51,415 ( 5.6 ) 51,260 ( 5.9 ) 45,251 ( 20.0 )
Building, construction, property 132,620 127,556 ( 4.0 ) 125,704 ( 5.5 ) 117,017 ( 13.3 )
development and investment
Wholesale and retail trade 87,553 83,551 ( 4.8 ) 80,500 ( 8.8 ) 76,991 ( 13.7 )
Financial concerns * 119,187 118,108 ( 0.9 ) 113,758 ( 4.8 ) 103,119 ( 15.6 )
Individuals:
to purchase flats in the Home 19,988 20,052 ( -0.3 ) 19,077 ( 4.8 ) 15,535 ( 28.7 )
Ownership Scheme and Private
Sector Participation Scheme
to purchase other residential 193,676 183,996 ( 5.3 ) 178,347 ( 8.6 ) 154,902 ( 25.0 )
property
other purposes 80,284 78,793 ( 1.9 ) 75,073 ( 6.9 ) 68,586 ( 17.1 )
Others 131,400 123,802 ( 6.1 ) 118,516 ( 10.9 ) 110,114 ( 19.3 )
Total 878,951 844,262 ( 4.1 ) 816,767 ( 7.6 ) 746,401 ( 17.8 )
* This excludes funds advanced to authorized institutions.
---------0-----------
/8.........
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR 1991-92 PUBLISHED ******
THE GOVERNMENT’S FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1991-92, WHICH ENDED ON MARCH 31, 1992, WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE GAZETTE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
TOTAL REVENUE FOR THE YEAR WAS $114.7 BILLION, COMPARED TO THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $112 BILLION GIVEN IN THE 1992 BUDGET SPEECH.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT, THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND (WORKS ACCOUNT), THE LOAN FUND AND THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND WAS $92.2 BILLION COMPARED WITH A REVISED ESTIMATE OF $96.7 BILLION.
"THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $2.7 BILLION, JUST OVER 2 PER CENT OF THE REVISED ESTIMATE, REFLECTS THE BUOYANT ACTIVITY IN CERTAIN SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1991-92," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE UNDERSPENDING IS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SLIPPAGE IN EXPENDITURE ON CAPITAL WORKS AND LAND ACQUISITION; MUCH OF THIS EXPENDITURE WILL FALL TO BE MET IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR," HE SAID.
"IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR PAYMENTS ON CAPITAL WORKS TO SLIP; THE HIGHER THAN NORMAL LEVELS OF RAINFALL IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR BEING A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS A RESULT OF THE VARIATIONS IN REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, THE OVERALL SURPLUS FOR 1991-92 WAS ABOUT $22.5 BILLION. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL FISCAL RESERVES TO $99 BILLION AT MARCH 31, 1992.
- - 0 - -
VIEWS SOUGHT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL LAUNCH A THREE-MONTH CONSULTATION EXERCISE STARTING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO SEEK PUBLIC VIEWS ON PROPOSALS TO FURTHER RESTRICT THE USE, SALE AND PROMOTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR DEREK GOULD, SAID THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN A CONSULTATION PAPER INCLUDE BANNING THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS AND PROHIBITION OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING IN PRINTED PUBLICATIONS, AND FOR DISPLAY ON BILLBOARDS AND SIGNS.
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS SINCE 1 975 ADOPTED A POLICY OF DISCOURAGING SMOKING, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE YOUNG, AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE HEALTH RISKS OF SMOKING,” MR GOULD SAID.
’’THE APPROACH IS PRAGMATIC, PROGRESSIVE AND THREE-PRONGED: THROUGH PREVENTION, LEGISLATION AND EDUCATION.”
/IN JANUARY
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
9
IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT ENACTED THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH)(AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1992 FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE 24 RECOMMENDATIONS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (COSH).
”IN PURSUANCE OF ITS PROGRESSIVE APPROACH, THE GOVERNMENT NOW WISHES TO CONSULT THE PUBLIC ON WHETHER OR NOT TO INTRODUCE FURTHER MEASURES,” MR GOULD ADDED.
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES, PUBLIC HOSPITALS, CLINICS, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES, AND THE OFFICES OF COSH, GROUND FLOOR, 226 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
VIEWS IN WRITING SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, SEVENTH FLOOR, MAIN WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BY OCTOBER 31.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE WAS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COSH, MR CHEUNG CHE-KWOK.
MR CHEUNG REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT UNDER THE SMOKING (PUBLIC HEALTH)(AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, THE PROHIBITION AGAINST SMOKING WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN CINEMAS, THEATRES AND CONCERT HALLS; AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES; AND ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS FROM TOMORROW (AUGUST 1).
HE SAID "NO SMOKING” OR ’’SMOKING PROHIBITED” SIGNS TN PUBLIC TRANSPORT CARRIERS AND PUBLIC PLACES SHOULD BEAR THE STATEMENT "MAXIMUM PENALTY: $5,000”, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
"THE INTENTION OF INCLUDING THE MAXIMUM PENALTY ON THESE SIGNS IS TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETERRENCE AGAINST SMOKING," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
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AIRPORT CHARGES GAZETTED
♦ t * * ♦
NEW LEVELS OF CHARGES FOR AIRCRAFT USING KAI TAK AIRPORT WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
LANDING CHARGES FOR AIRCRAFT WILL INCREASE BY 26.9 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1.
"THIS IS THE RESULT OF AN ANNUAL REVIEW,'' SAID THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR PETER LOK.
"THE AIRLINES ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE REASONS FOR THE INCREASES INVOLVED. ONE OF THE FACTORS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN SETTING THE INCREASE WAS THE EXPENDITURE ALREADY BEING INCURRED ON DEVELOPING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT TO PROVIDE THE EXPANDED CAPACITY NEEDED FOR HONG KONG’S ONLY AIRPORT WHICH CANNOT RF PROVIDED AT ITS CURRENT LOCATION.”
/"CHARGES SET .......
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
- 10 -
’’CHARGES SET ON THIS BASIS WERE FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1990. ALTHOUGH THIS APPROACH WAS SUSPENDED IN 1991, IT IS NOW EXPECTED THAT HENCEFORTH THE EXPENDITURE ON THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN CALCULATING FUTURE ANNUAL INCREASES.”
"THE ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THIS INCREASE IS JUSTIFIED ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED GUIDELINES SET BY THE WORLD BODY GOVERNING SUCH ISSUES, THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION.”
"THE CHARGES STILL REMAIN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE INTERNATIONALLY AND ARE MUCH LOWER THAN MANY OTHER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS."
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CONCERN OVER TSI NG YJ BRIDGE ACCIDENT ******
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TAKES A VERY SERIOUS VIEW OF THE LATEST INCIDENT OF DAMAGE TO THE TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE BY A CARGO BARGE EARLIER TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAS ORDERED THE REDEPLOYMENT OF MARINE PATROLS TO THE AREA TO MONITOR THE MOVEMENT OF CARGO BARGES THERE, AND TO WARN VESSEL OPERATORS THAT THEY SHOULD LOWER THEIR DERRICKS TO A HEIGHT OF NOT MORE THAN 17 METRES ABOVE THE WATER LEVEL.
ANY OPERATORS DISREGARDING ADVICE GIVEN BY PATROLLING MARINE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS WOULD BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
AFTER A VISIT TO THE SCENE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR A.C. PYRKE, SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE MEETING REPRESENTATIVES OF BARGE AND TUG OPERATORS EARLY NEXT WEEK.
"WE NEED THIS MEETING TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERN AT CARELESS OPERATING PRACTICES AND THE POTENT I ALIA SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OF ACCIDENTS.
"WE WANT TO BRING HOME TO THEIR MEMBERS THE NEED FOR THEM TO SHAPE UP. AND WE WANT TO EXPLORE WITH THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ALL POSSIBLE MEASURES FOR PREVENTING A RECURRENCE , " III SAID.
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/Il .......
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
CLEAREES URGED TO CEASE SIT-IN
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED KOWLOON WALLED CITY CLEAREES TO CEASE THEIR SIT-IN AT ITS HEADQUARTERS IN WAN CHAI.
’’APPEAL CHANNELS ARE AVAILABLE AND CLEAREES SHOULD USE THESE PROPER FORUMS TO SEEK REDRESS OF THEIR GRIEVANCES,” HE STRESSED.
ALL APPEALS OVER COMPENSATION OFFERS MUST BE LODGED WITH THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD BY TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SIT-IN ACTIONS HAD BEEN CAUSING INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AND WOULD NOT IN ANY WAY HELP SOLVE THE ISSUE.
"WE HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED A RATHER FULL REPLY TO THE CLEAREES* ORIGINAL LETTER. THEY HAVE NOW SENT IN ANOTHER PETITION, BRINGING OUT OTHER POINTS OF DETAIL.
"THESE ARE NOW BEING TAKEN UP WITH THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AND A REPLY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE CLEAREES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT NUMEROUS MEETINGS HAD BEEN HELD WITH THE CLEAREES TO ADDRESS THEIR POINTS OF CONCERN, ADDING THAT FURTHER MEETINGS WOULD SERVE NO USEFUL PURPOSE.
OF THE SOME 10,322 HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAD TO MOVE OUT OF THE WALLED CITY, MORE THAN 98 PER CENT HAD ACCEPTED THE COMPENSATION OFFERS. ONLY 190 HOUSEHOLDS HAVE YET TO DO SO.
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FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
12
35 JUSTICES OF THE PEACE APPOINTED ******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT 35 PERSONS HAD BEEN APPOINTED AS NON-OFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
THE APPOINTMENTS, GAZETTED TODAY, ARE:
MR BONG SHU-YING, FRANCIS MR CHAMBERS JOHN WALTER MR CHAN KA-KUI MR CHAO KING-LIN DR CHENG YU-SHEK, JOSEPH MR CHEUNG WING-LAM, LINUS MR CHIU YU-HEI MRS CHONG WONG CHOR-SAR MR CHOW MING-KUEN, JOSEPH MR CHOY WAI-SHEK, RAYMOND MR CHU KA-SUN, WINSTON PROF DAVIES WILLIAM IAN REES DR FANG DAVID MR GALE MICHAEL GEORGE MR HO KING-MAN, KENNETH SIR PIERS JACOBS MR KWOK PING-KWONG, THOMAS MRS LEE CHIU KAM-HING, KATHY PROF LEE PUI-LEUNG, RANCE PROF LEUNG CHI-KEUNG DR LIU KAI-CHING, TIMOTHY MRS LOONG WONG LAI-SANG, MOYNA ELIZABETH DR LUI MING-WAH MR MA CHING-YUK MR NG TAT-LUN MR TAM CHUNG-DING MR TAM MAN-KWAN MR TANG PUI-TAT MR TSUI TSIN-TONG MISS WAN LAI-YAU, DEBORAH MR WONG MAN-CHIU, RONNIE MR WU T., HAROLD MR YEUNG YUK-CHIU MR YOUNG HOW-WAH, HOWARD MR YOUNG TZE-KONG, PAUL
THE APPOINTMENT OF SIR PIERS JACOBS IS TO TAKE EFFECT FROM AUGUST 13, 1992 UPON HIS CEASING TO BE AN OFFICIAL JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR HONG KONG ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT THAT DAY FROM THE SERVICE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THE APPOINTMENTS OF THE OTHER 34 PERSONS TOOK EFFECT FROM JULY 7.
WITH THE LATEST APPOINTMENTS, THERE ARE NOW A TOTAL OF 512 NONOFFICIAL JPS IN HONG KONG.
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/13 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
- 13 -
AMENDMENTS TO APPROVED MA WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE APPROVED MA WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
ONE OF THE MAJOR AMENDMENTS IS TO INCORPORATE ’’COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA” ZONES AT THE NORTHEAST AND WESTERN PARTS; ’’RECREATION PRIORITY AREA” ZONE AT THE SOUTHERN PART; AND "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT” ZONE AT THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF MA WAN.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS TO INCORPORATE ONTO THE PLAN THE MA WAN VIADUCT LINKING THE TSING MA AND KAP SHUT MUN BRIDGES; AND THE SMALL ISLAND OF TANG LUNG CHAU TO THE SOUTH OF MA WAN.
THE REVISION AIMS TO REFLECT THE LATEST PLANNING PROPOSALS IN ITS PLANNING SCHEME AREA WHICH COVERS ABOUT 96 HECTARES OF LAND COMPRISING MA WAN AND TANG LUNG CHAU.
THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN CAN NOW BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30:
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* LANTAU AND ISLANDS DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG; AND
* TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BY SEPTEMBER 30.
THEY SHOULD SET OUT THE NATURE OF AND REASONS FOR THE OBJECTION; AND IF THE OBJECTION WOULD BE REMOVED BY AN ALTERATION OF THE DRAFT PLAN, ANY ALTERATION PROPOSED.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN RAOD, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/14 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
14
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE TO BENEFIT TAIWAN VISITORS
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY), THE REQUIREMENT FOR CHINESE RESIDENTS IN TAIWAN TO HAVE AT LEAST TWO YEARS RESIDENCE IN TAIWAN BEFORE THEY COULD APPLY FOR A HONG KONG ENTRY PERMIT IS ABOLISHED.
’’THIS IS PART OF OUR ONGOING REVIEW TO STREAMLINE PROCEDURES. I AM SURE THIS WILL BENEFIT GENUINE VISITORS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE CHANGE WILL ALSO APPLY TO APPLICATIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER PROCESS.
- - 0 - -
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED
******
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) WAS CONFIRMED AND ANOTHER SIX MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS BRINGS TO 297 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED IN HONG KONG WITH 63 CONFIRMED AIDS CASES.
REVIEWING THE LATEST AIDS SITUATION AT A MONTHLY MEETING WITH MEDIA MEMBERS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CONSULTANT (SPECIAL PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME), DR S.S. LEE, SAID ONE OF THE NEWLY INFECTED WAS AN INTRAVENOUS DRUG USER (IVDU).
SO FAR, 40 AIDS PATIENTS HAVE DIED AND 23 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 297 HIV INFECTED, 60 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 201 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, SIX WERE DRUG ABUSERS AND THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION.
FOR THE REMAINING 27, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION, HE ADDED.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 239,946 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR HIV ANTIBODY.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,097,606 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 22 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE MEETING WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON AIDS PREVENTION AMONG DRUG USERS UNDER THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS, DR JAMES CHIEN.
/HE SAID
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
15
HE SAID A STREET SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE WORKING GROUP IN MAY TO ASCERTAIN THE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE LEVELS ABOUT AIDS AND AWARENESS OF THE RISK FACTORS OF HIV INFECTION AMONG DRUG ADDICTS IN THE STREET.
THE INFORMATION WILL HELP TO FORMULATE APPROPRIATE PREVENTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES.
THE 314 RESPONDENTS WERE CLASSIFIED INTO FOUR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES ACCORDING TO THEIR RISK BEHAVIOUR.
DR CHIEN SAID OF THE DRUG ADDICTS INTERVIEWED:
* 36.3 PER CENT BELONGING TO THE VERY HIGH-RISK GROUP, ADMITTED INJECTING HEROIN REGULARLY AND SHARING NEEDLES WITH OTHERS AT THE TIME OF SURVEY.
* 20.7 PER CENT WERE IN THE HIGH-RISK GROUP. THEY WERE IVDUS WHO HAD CEASED OR SUSPENDED NEEDLE-SHARING.
* 22.3 PER CENT WERE CLASSIFIED AS THE MEDIUM HIGH-RISK GROUP. THEY SAID THEY NEVER SHARED NEEDLES.
* 17.8 PER CENT BELONGED TO THE LOW-RISK GROUP AND THEY NEVER USED HEROIN INTRAVENOUSLY BEFORE THE SURVEY. BUT THEY ARE STILL AT RISK OF HIV INFECTION ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR LIFESTYLE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ADVANCING TO THE MORE DIRECT MODE OF INTRAVENOUS USE AFTER THE INTERVIEWS.
THE SURVEYS SHOWED THAT A GREAT MAJORITY OF THE RESPONDENTS HAD LEARNED ABOUT THE DANGERS OF AIDS THROUGH FREQUENT ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST OVER THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT 36 PER CENT OF THE IVDUS INTERVIEWED THIS YEAR WERE STILL SHARING NEEDLES WITH OTHERS COMPARED WITH 26 PER CENT IN A PREVIOUS STUDY LAST YEAR.
BASED ON THE INFORMATION COLLECTED, HE SAID, PUBLICITY ALONE COULD NOT CHANGE CERTAIN RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOUR.
HE BELIEVED THAT DRUG ADDICTS UNDER TREATMENT COULD BENEFIT MORE FROM ORGANISED EDUCATION AND PREVENTION ACTIVITIES.
AS FOR DRUG ADDICTS ON THE STREETS, DR CHIEN SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO FORM OUTREACHTNG TEAMS AND TO TRAIN FORMER DRUG USERS AS PEER COUNSELLORS TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THEM TO ENCOURAGE TREATMENT AND TO COUNSEL FOR RISK REDUCTION.
/AIDS VIRUS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
16
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing Virus Unit, Department of Health
Anr 85-May 92 Jun 92 Total
kA £ «*** tested* ^7 No. No. +ve tested* No. +ve No. tested* NO. +ve
Referrals from Public hospitals and clinics 30487 120 326 5 30813 125
Referrals from private practitioners . 1908 58 6 0 1914 58
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 195931 51 2374 1 198305 52
Haemophiliacs . IV drug users 613 6758 60 1 3 77 0 .0 616 6835 60 1
Referrals from Family Planning Association M fi n w x $ Healtn care personnel 241 . 0 1 0 242 0
1187 0 34 0 1221 0
■ TOTAL 237125 290 2821 6 239946 296
a 1® idM 1 ’K'-’fe. . -ft n *
* This indicates the number of specimens and not ; persons as tests
are repeated for certain individuals.
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Service
Aug 85-May 92 Jun 92 Total
No. No. No. No. No. No.
tested +ve tested +ve tested +ve
1083831 21 13775 1 1097606 22
Department of Health Jul 1992
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FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
NEW WARNING NOTICE ON INDECENT ARTICLES *****
THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED RELEVANT TRADES OF CHANGES TO THE WORDING OF THE WARNING NOTICE TO BE DISPLAYED ON INDECENT ARTICLES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY POINTED OUT THAT THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES (AMENDMENT) BILL, WHICH AMENDED THE WORDING OF THE WARNING NOTICE TO BE DISPLAYED ON INDECENT ARTICLES, WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 15. THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED ON JULY 17.
THE WARNING HAS BEEN AMENDED TO READ:
’’WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH MAY OFFEND AND MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED, CIRCULATED, SOLD, HIRED, GIVEN, LENT, SHOWN, PLAYED OR PROJECTED TO A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS."
"LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT TO THE PUBLISHERS OF PRINTED PUBLICATIONS, NEWSPAPERS, BOOKSHOPS, NEWSTANDS, VIDEO SHOPS AND CINEMA OPERATORS INFORMING THEM OF THE CHANGE AND ADVISING THEM TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW WHEN PUBLISHING INDECENT ARTICLES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO PUBLISH AN INDECENT ARTICLE WITHOUT THE REQUISITE WARNING."
ANY PERSON WHO COMMITS SUCH AN OFFENCE IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $200,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS, HE ADDED.
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WATER SUPPLY TO AP LEI CHAU, TUEN MUN TO IMPROVE
******
TWO WORKS PROJECTS AIMING TO IMPROVE FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO AP LEI CHAU AND TUEN MUN WILL START TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR WITH A CAPACITY OF 7,250 CUBIC METRES AND THE LAYING OF THE ASSOCIATED WATER MAINS MEASURING ABOUT 3,960 METRES LONG IN AP LEI CHAU.
UPON COMPLETION, IT IS HOPED THAT ADEQUATE FRESH WATER CAN BE SUPPLIED TO A LARGE-SCALE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT BEING CONSTRUCTED ON THE FORMER OIL DEPOT AND POWER STATION SITES AT NORTHWESTERN AP LEI CHAU.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO INVITES TENDERS FOR THE LAYING OF A 2,600-METRE LONG FRESH WATER MAIN ALONG LUNG MUN ROAD FROM SIU LANG SHUI TO PAK KOK.
SUPPLY OF POTABLE WATER TO RESIDENTS IN THE WESTERN PART OF TUEN MUN CAN BE IMPROVED SOON.
/WORKS FOR
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
18
WORKS FOR THE FORMER PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE. THOSE FOR THE LATTER WILL START IN OCTOBER AND BE FINISHED AFTER ABOUT A YEAR.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, 44TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON AUGUST 21.
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INCREASING DEMAND FOR BETTER ELDERLY SERVICES * * * * *
AN AGEING POPULATION MEANS GREATER DEPENDENCE ON SUPPORT OF OTHERS, AND AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR BETTER SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M D CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING THE 14TH PARTY FOR 1000 ELDERLY PEOPLE ORGANISED BY THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION, MR CARTLAND SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 800,000 PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 60. THE NUMBER WAS EXPECTED TO REACH 1,000,000 BY THE END OF THIS DECADE.
THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG-ESTABLISHED POLICY ON WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IS TO ENCOURAGE ELDERLY PEOPLE TO STAY IN THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE AND TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SUPPORTING SERVICES TO ACHIEVE THIS PURPOSE.
’’UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS ALWAYS A SMALL NUMBER OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS,’ ABOUT FOUR PER CENT OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION, WHO NEED RESIDENTIAL CARE,” HE ADDED.
HE SAID SOME RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES COULD MEET WITH THE DEMAND WHILE OTHERS, PARTICULARLY CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND INFIRMARIES, WERE STILL FAR SHORT OF PLACES TO COPE WITH THE GROWING NUMBERS OF INFIRM ELDERLY.
MR CARTLAND SAID SUPPLEMENTARY MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN TO SPEED UP THE PROVISION OF CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES, INCLUDING THE "BOUGHT-PLACE” SCHEME UNDER WHICH 500 PLACES HAD BEEN PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE HOMES REGISTERED AS HAVING MET AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD.
”IT IS HOPED THAT A FURTHER 500 PLACES CAN BE PROVIDED WITHIN TWO YEARS BY CONVERTING LOW DEMAND "SELF-CARE” PLACES INTO MUCH NEEDED CARE-AND-ATTENTION OR MEAL SERVICE FACILITIES,” HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ADDITIONAL CAPACITY COULD BE GENERATED BY COURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF "SELF-FINANCING" HOMES WHICH COULD BE FUNDED BY FEES OR INCOME FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN SUBVENTION.
MR CARTLAND SAID VOLUNTEER WORK AND COMMUNITY SERVICES PROVIDED BY LOCAL GROUPS ALSO PLAYED A VERY SIGNIFICANT SUPPORTING ROLE FOR THE ELDERLY.
TODAY’S PARTY FOR THE ELDERLY WAS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS KIND OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT, MR CARTLAND SAID.
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FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
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MACHINE GUARDS A MUST * * * * *
FACTORY PROPRIETORS MUST PROPERLY GUARD ALL DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM POSSIBLE INJURY, CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO LEAVE A MACHINE UNGUARDED OR INADEQUATELY GUARDED AS EVEN THE MOST EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES CAN MAKE MISTAKES," MR CHAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT INJURIES RESULTING FROM MACHINERY ACCIDENTS WERE OFTEN SERIOUS AND COULD CAUSE PERMANENT INCAPACITY OR EVEN DEATH TO THE VICTIM.
"PROPER GUARDING OF MACHINERY CAN HELP AVOID INJURIES AT ALL TIMES AND GIVES CONFIDENCE TO OPERATIVES," HE SAID.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, A WORKER MUST NOT WORK ON A MACHINE UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY GUARDED AND HE SHOULD AVOID COMING INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH DANGEROUS, MOVING PARTS OF A MACHINE," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN CITED A RECENT CASE IN WHICH AN EMPLOYER WAS FINED $4,500 FOR VIOLATING THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS.
IN THE CASE, A WORKER'S RIGHT HAND WAS BADLY INJURED BY A PAIR OF ROTATING ROLLERS OF AN UNGUARDED OFFSET PRINTING MACHINE WHEN HE WAS CLEANING IT.
IN ANOTHER CASE LAST WEEK, A WORKER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS RIGHT HAND IN A SIMILAR SITUATION IN A KOWLOON BAY FACTORY.
"UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (GUARDING AND OPERATION OF MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, FACTORY PROPRIETORS MUST EFFECTIVELY GUARD DANGEROUS PARTS OF EVERY PIECE OF MACHINERY OR PLANT DRIVEN BY MECHANICAL POWER," MR CHAN STRESSED.
"THE MEASURES INCLUDE INSTALLING INTERLOCKING GUARDS BOTH IN FRONT AND BEHIND THE ROTATING PARTS OF THE MACHINE; AND NIB GUARDS ON PLATE CYLINDERS AND BLANKET CYLINDERS,” HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PROPRIETORS SHOULD PROVIDE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT FOR WORKERS IN CLEANING ROTATING PARTS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, WORKERS SHOULD ATTEND SAFETY TRAINING COURSES RUN BY THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SO THAT THEY COULD MAKE USE OF VARIOUS SAFETY EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVELY AND WOULD NOT OPERATE MACHINE AFTER REPAIR UNLESS GUARDS WERE RE-INSTALLED.
"PROPRIETORS MUST REALISE THAT IT IS THEIR. RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT RELY ON OUR FACTORY INSPECTORS TO CONDUCT SAFETY INSPECTIONS ON THEIR BEHALF," HE SAID.
/"ANY PROPRIETOR .......
20
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
"ANY PROPRIETOR WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000," HE ADDED.
HE ALSO URGED WORKERS TO CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYERS IN TAKING NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
NOTING THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY STARTED A TWO-MONTH MACHINERY SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR CHAN SAID FACTORY INSPECTORS WOULD CONTINUE THEIR CLOSE SURVEILLANCE ON SAFETY OF EQUIPMENT OR MACHINERY DURING VISITS TO WORKPLACES.
"PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN OUT AGAINST OFFENDING PROPRIETORS," HE ADDED.
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INSHORE WORKS FOR STEELMILL IN TUEN MUN ******
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED BY RECLAMATION AND DREDGING WORKS PROPOSED BY A PRIVATE COMPANY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A STEELMILL IN TUEN MUN WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE AN AREA OF ABOUT 19.32 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED IN AREA 38, TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE ABOUT 5.54 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEELMILL, INCLUDING A PIER AND TEMPORARY SEAWALL.
THE PROPOSAL IS A SLIGHT MODIFICATION TO THE PREVIOUS ONE WHICH WAS EARLIER GAZETTED ON JANUARY 17 THIS YEAR.
ACCORDING TO THE NEW PROPOSAL, THE LAND TO BE RECLAIMED IN FUTURE FOR THE STEELMILL WILL INCREASE FROM 4.99 HECTARES TO ABOUT 5.54 HECTARES AND THAT THE LOCATIONS OF THE PROPOSED PIER AND SEAWALL BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY.
THE WORK WILL START IN LATE 1992 AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT A
YEAR.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITES.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
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FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
21
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0 LANDFILL EXTENSION WORKS
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO UNDERTAKE WORKS FOR THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 LANDFILL STAGE ONE EXTENSION IN SIU CHIK SHA, TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE WORKS WILL COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF 850 METRES OF SEAWALL, RECLAMATION BEHIND THE SEAWALL TO PROVIDE LAND FOR LANDFILLING OF REFUSE, CONSTRUCTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES, LANDFILLING OF ABOUT 2.8 MILLION TONNES OF REFUSE, CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, DRAINAGE AND COVER LAYER OVER THE COMPLETED PORTIONS OF THE LANDFILL, AND HYDROSEEDING.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START THIS OCTOBER AND WILL TAKE 36 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY SOLID WASTE DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, AUGUST 28.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER, SOLID WASTE DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.
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REVISED TUNNEL CLASSIFICATION FOR GOODS VEHICLES TO TAKE EFFECT
*****
THE REVISED CLASSIFICATION AND TOLLS FOR GOODS VEHICLES USING i’HE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (SATURDAY), BRINGING THE TUNNEL’S CLASSIFICATION AND TOLLS FOR GOODS VEHICLES IN LINE WITH THAT OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
DETAILS OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS AND TOLLS WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID UPON REVISION, GOODS VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS AND THE TOTAL CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TOLL (INCLUDING THE PASSAGE TAX) FOR EACH CLASS OF GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE IDENTICAL FOR BOTH TUNNELS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TOLLS FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES OVER 24 TONNES AND EACH ADDITIONAL AXLE IN EXCESS OF TWO WOULD EACH BE INCREASED BY $5, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
GOODS VEHICLES WITHIN THE RANGE OF 5.3 TO 5.5 TONNES WILL BE RECLASSIFIED AS LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES. THE REVISED TOLL WILL BE $15 INCLUDING $5 PASSAGE TAX.
/GOODS VEHICLES .......
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
22
GOODS VEHICLES WEIGHING IN EXCESS OF 5.5 TONNES BUT BELOW 24 TONNES WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES. THE REVISED TOLL WILL BE $20 INCLUDING $5 PASSAGE TAX.
GOODS VEHICLES OVER 24 TONNES WILL COME UNDER THE HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE CATEGORY WITH THE REVISED TOLL AT $30 INCLUDING $5 PASSAGE TAX .
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REVISED FEE FOR VALUATION LIST DATA
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES AS THE COLLECTOR OF RATES TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE FEE FOR THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN A VALUATION LIST IN FORCE ON THE ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION, AND THE RATEABLE VALUE OF ANY TENEMENT, WILL BE REVISED TO $50 FROM AUGUST 1.
THE REVISION HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN A NOTICE GAZETTED ON JULY 24.
SECTION 15(4) OF THE RATING ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE OF SUCH FEE.
PAYMENT
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,988
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,000
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 988
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY + 1,000
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1 ,988
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.8 *-0.1* 31.7.92
/HONG KONG........
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1992
23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.73 PCT 15 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.38 3.58
1 MONTH 2.56 PCT 18 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.37 3.94
3 MONTHS 2.49 PCT 21 MONTHS 2405 5.50 102.37 4 . 15
6 MONTHS 2.71 PCT
12 MONTHS 3.28 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,705 MN CLOSED 31 JULY 1992
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